Okay so I didn't quite stick to the schedule :-D, but I'm not really surprised--- I never do. Here is the next chapter- yes, it's very short, but I wanted you guys to know that I haven't forgotten about this story, I'm just very, very busy now. It's 12 and I just got home from work. I'm about to start my homework after I post this and then go to bed, only to get up tomorrow and do it all again- so I'm sorry it's slow going, work, school, nannying, tutoring, etc. have been getting to me. Graduation is this Saturday so things have been extra crazy. I haven't been in town on the weekends for the past month. One word to describe my life: hectic.
I have not forgotten about this. Special thanks to Catri Howlman-Carthaki spy for bringing me back to the story this time.
Disclaimer: the lovely Tamora Pierce owns all these lovely characters; I just get to play with them.
The encampment was nearly finished- all the walls were up, the place was secure, there was even a recreation area that the soldiers had set up, complete with benches and tables. In an effort to return to her previous physical fitness, Kel jogged around the upper wall after lunch, pushing herself until she was gasping for air. She paused at the east corner of the wall, taking a moment to catch her breath. She surveyed the ground before her with contempt. Yes, she had broken her fear of heights years ago, but she still didn't like them. Her thoughts worked their ways towards Dom. She smiled in spite of herself. Her Yamani mask was slowly fading away. Around him she just didn't need it. He was Dom- wonderful, understanding, handsome Dom. She didn't need to hide from him. She took one last deep breath before returning to her run, amused that she was acting like such a girl, pondering her feelings for the blue-eyed sergeant.
When Kel reached the stables that afternoon she was running late. 'I've been getting complacent,' she thought grumpily to herself, 'I think that I'm up for a few days and I have all my strength back automatically.' It had taken her extra long to clean her weapons during the early afternoon because her strength was still not up to what it had been.
Dom was not in the stables when she got there. Unconcerned, Kel loitered in the entryway lost in her thoughts. She did not notice a young man glowering at her from the loft. A sudden noise outside the stables caused Kel to jump, in turn scaring the man observing her, who came tumbling to the floor; he was unharmed.
"Owen!" Kel exclaimed. "What were you doing up there?"
"How did you do it?" he barked at Kel, ignoring her question. He glared at her, pure hatred on his face. "How did you break those spells on you?" he demanded.
"What are you talking about?"
Roughly grabbing her shoulders he shook her for emphasis, "The spells… how did you break them?"
"I don't know," she said quickly. "Please, Owen, calm down."
"Calm down!" he said, pulling his hair. "Listen, Kel. My sister died from the same spells that you were under, yet you live. Why?" He began to sob.
Kel calmly approached the crying man. "Owen, please listen to me. I don't know how it happened. I'm sorry for your loss."
In an attempt to placate the young man, Kel gently touched his arm. He swatted her hand away, eyes furious. "Kel, I don't think I can be around you right now," he said gruffly. "I need some time."
Kel watched the man as he left the stables, shoulders slumped in the picture of defeat. Dom passed him as he entered the stables, an odd look on his face.
He waited until he was close to Kel before speaking. "Did you talk to Owen?" he asked quietly.
Kel stared at her hands as she answered. "Yes. Dom, he was angry," she told the sergeant. "I am alive but his sister died from the same spells I was under."
Dom gripped Kel's arm firmly. "He'll cool off, he always does," he told the young woman.
Their eyes met, the gaze broken only when they both turned towards the commotion coming from the far end of camp. Kel heard her name being yelled. She started walking quickly towards the commotion, Dom following.
The shouts were getting louder; Kel broke into a trot. She found herself nearing the infirmary, where the shouts were the loudest.
"Kel!" someone said as another grabbed her arm, steering her into the dark room.
"Kel, there was nothing we could do," a healer told her quickly.
"I don't understand."
A healer, Duke Baird's assistant, approached Kel, her face grave. "Kel, Marcus has died. They're looking into it. He was just fine a quarter of an hour ago."
Kel stood still. Marcus, her savior, her strength, was gone. She was dimly aware of a hand gripping hers tightly. A gentle squeeze brought her to her surroundings. Dom's eyes bore into her. "He's gone," was all Kel could manage. She brought up her Yamani mask and allowed Dom to steer her out of the infirmary. Her mind was numb as Dom led her to his tent.
She accepted a glass of liquid from him, sipping its cool contents gratefully. A noise at the tent entrance made Kel focus once more. "Raoul," she said in acknowledgement.
"Kel," he nodded his head. "They figured out what happened. It looks like Marcus had the Gift in abundance. He used it to take the spells from you and somehow transfer them to himself, which eventually killed him." Raoul's eyes were grim. He was glad to have his former squire back completely healthy, but it was at such a high price.
"I understand," she told him, face calm. She set her cup down. Turning to the two men in the tent she squared her shoulders. "Excuse me," she said. "I am going for a quick walk."
She shook her head as Dom made to follow and turned quickly, exiting the tent with a determined walk.
I know it is incredibly short, but I wanted to get this out now. It has been way too long. I am so sorry and I could sit here apologizing forever- but I won't. My life has been so crazy these past two years and I have enough trouble keeping up with my RL responsibilities, let alone and boards I belong to. Much love to those who have kept up with this story. Please review.