Disclaimer: I don't own her, him, them or T.P's world of wonder.
A/N: I'm thinking of having a series of one shots in regards to 'the journey', each time involving different characters, or the same.
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The Journey
Lady Knight Keledry of Mindelin was finding it very hard to keep her Yamani mask composed. She felt herself twitch with irritation and annoyance. All this suppressed emotion was directed at her long time best friend, Nealan of Queenscove, whom for the 29th time sighed exasperatedly in regards to his betrothed. Kel along with Neal, her former training master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall and former knight master, Knight Commander Raoul, along with his squad were returning to Corus by the summons of the King. To make matters worse, it was blistering hot and everyone was sweaty, tired and yearning for a nice cold flask of water. They had been on progress for a week. Kel wanted nothing more than a bath and a replacement for the floor she'd been sleeping on with a soft bed. But at the moment, what she wanted, she couldn't get. And if she heard one more haiku, metaphor, simile or love ballad from her literate friend, she could guarantee that there would be blood spilt by her glaive. For the past 6 hours he'd been making comparisons between nature and Yuki.
"The sun reminds me of her. Did you realise?" he said more to himself. Kel felt a chunk of her mask and composure slip right off. "The way sun lights up the sky, brings dawn for a new day, just like her smile and her twinkling eyes. Oh, would you look as the tone of those rocks, Kel! They are almost the exact shade of her beautifully almond shaped eyes and –"
"NEAL!" growled Kel, the last of her patience disappearing as she startled her friend, to which Peachblossom snorted at with disdain. "One more word, adjective or sappy ballad from you, so help me, I will bind you're tongue to the reins of Peachblossom. Six hours a day of your love sickness is more than enough to put anyone off the idea of betrothing. It's enough to put people off of love."
"Put them off of love?" repeated Neal incredulously, "Surely not! In fact it would inspire, to have such devotion for a loved one. Please Kel; don't deny me what others aren't lucky enough to have. I am a blessed man to be graced by the most beautiful, charming, gentle and sacred –"
Neal was interrupted by the cries of the men of the own and a saddle bag launched into his direction, winding him, by his dearest cousin.
"Oh shut it, Meathead. You are even putting me off woman. The way you're going, no one in all of Corus will want to become betrothed with the thought of sounding as pathetic as you. Save the wooing for the bed chamber, Meathead, not a hoard of sweaty, deprived men…and woman" added Dom with a wink in Kel's direction, forcing her to turn away from his gaze, and onto Peachblossom's mane.
"You're all just jealous!" retorted Neal.
"Of what? More importantly, of who? You?" laughed Dom as he pointed at is younger cousins dishevelled appearance.
"Look at yourself, acting like a baby deprived of you're mother's teat"
"What did you just say about your aunt's teat? You insubordinate, disrespectful, disgrace of a cousin! Dare I inform your mother of the influence the Own has had on you, or our dearest aunt Margaret, perhaps she will take on the pleasure of cleansing your mouth with soap…or better yet, provide you with a bat of a wife to do so!"
Dom feigned horror and then dismissed talk of his least favourite, match making aunt with an airy wave.
"That old bat would be delighted. An opportunity to hitch a charming, noble, strong, insightful, handsome –"
He too, like his cousin, was interrupted by scoffs and cries of objections from his squad. Even Kel had rolled her eyes at his ego. Dom caught onto this, silencing his men with the threat of making them cook for the next week and latrine duty.
"I see the Protector of the Small thinks else wise of my profile, dare I ask you to enlighten me, Lady Knight" he said with a mock sniff of distaste.
Kel rolled her eyes again and then turned to face him, hiding a smile with her plastered monotone expression. She raised her right hand as if to inspect her nails whilst talking.
"Well Sergeant, you claim you have charm and looks to woo any fair maiden, yet it seems you have forgotten the incident at Port Andres, to which not only were your looks insufficient to win the heart of the fair lady, but your 'charm' was not only rejected simultaneously, but earned you a nice, visible slap to the cheek. And I am not talking about the cheek under your armour. Correct me if I am wrong, Sergeant," she continued, mocking his authority, "but you evidently lack charm, and of the charm you do have, tis not enough to boast of" she finished, with a smile threatening to break through her mask.
There were laughs and jeers made at Dom. Everyone remembered clearly the incident all too well for his liking. It was a shame he hadn't seen the wedding band on her finger, and even more of a shame that she took offence to his charm by calling it 'barbaric' right before she attacked him.
"Is that all?" asked Dom, dismissively.
"Well, if you insist, I shall continue, Serge"
"You state that you are insightful, presuming you mean out of the battle and in regards to offering advice of winning the heart of a woman. But I think not. And I am sure Wolset would agree with me."
This statement was followed by roars of laughter from the entire squad and a pink Dom and Wolset., all remembering too fondly the memory of when Wolset went to Dom for womanly advice, only to have him too return with what could be presumed a crisp hand mark on his cheek.
Kel lowered her hand, and forced herself to keep composed as she offered Dom a victorious sweet smile and finished off with one final statement.
"Need I continue?"
And then trotted to the front with satisfaction and the praise of the Own and a roaring Neal, whom had not only stopped sighing over his beloved but instead rejoiced in humiliating is already humiliated cousin.
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Readers are welcome to propose scenarios or events that could take place on this "journey"
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