Chapter Text
“Do you think we’ll see much action this spring?” Aiden asked him as they climbed the stairs to the third floor of Northwatch Keep. A servant was taking them to their guest quarters, and Dom adjusted the strap of Lord Raoul’s saddlebag so that it rested a little more comfortably against his shoulder. He turned his head to talk to Aiden.
“Nah, I’m sure all the big, important people will have their big, important meetings and then tell us we can all go home,” Dom said cheerfully. Balim snorted behind him.
“Seems likely,” said Lerant, who was carrying the rest of Raoul’s equipment a few steps ahead of him.
“At least we get a few days here,” Balim said charitably. “The beds are nicer than the ones at Steadfast.”
“Yes, Northwatch is always very hospitable,” Dom said genuinely, and the servant leading them nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
“These four rooms are yours, my lords,” the servant said, indicating three rooms all along the north side of the corridor, and one larger room on the other side of the hall for the Lord Commander.
“We’re obliged to you, good sir,” Aiden said, and claimed the room furthest from the stair. Dom followed Lerant into the larger chamber and deposited Raoul’s bag there. Lerant waved him away to deal with Raoul’s things himself, and Dom went to settle into his own quarters.
He had just opened the door and tossed his bags on the bed when he heard a soothing, familiar voice call to him from the end of the hall: “Dom?”
A wide smile spread across his face as he turned to see Kel leaning out of a room at the very end of the corridor. “Lady Knight,” he said warmly, “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“General Vanget invited me to attend the strategy briefings,” she told him, as she walked down the hall towards him. Kel always moved her body with confident control. She was wearing a well-tailored tunic the color of autumn leaves, and it set off the gold in her eyes. “We arrived yesterday. Neal is around here, somewhere,” she gestured vaguely. Behind her, a blond head poked out from around the door jam.
“Hello, Tobe,” Dom smiled at the boy.
“Hullo, Sergeant,” Tobe said cheerfully, and came to greet him, as well. Kel clasped his hand once she was near, squeezing him tightly. Her hand was warm and a little rough in his, and Dom leaned in just to catch the scent of her hair.
“I'm very happy to see you,” Dom said quietly.
“And you,” she smiled up through her lashes at him.
“Is that Kel?” Lerant called from inside Raoul’s room, and then Aiden and Balim emerged and they all had to greet each other. Dom made sure to shake Tobe’s hand warmly so that the lad knew he wasn’t forgotten in the hubbub, and Tobe smiled. The boy was growing his hair out and it flopped into his eyes and around his ears endearingly.
“Listen, Tobe,” Dom said, bending closer so the boy could hear over his colleagues’ boisterous greetings for Kel. “Would you have time to check on Midnight for me? She’s been a little off the last few days.”
“Oh, I can do that,” Tobe said eagerly. “What’s the matter with her?”
“I’m not sure. She’s been a little reluctant, and she seems to want to rest more often than usual. I couldn’t find an injury, but since you’re here…” Dom said.
Tobe nodded and said, “I’m taking Hoshi and Trickshot their supper soon. I’ll ask her about it.”
“Thank you, Tobe. You’re a good lad,” he said and chucked the boy on the shoulder. He was glad Tobe seemed to hold no grudges over Dom’s relationship with Kel. Dom wanted to think his letter had helped, but guessed it was more likely Kel’s influence that had won him over.
Kel was smiling at him when he straightened, and asked, “Where is my Lord Raoul?”
“He went to greet General Vanget,” Lerant said. “He should be here soon.”
“Will you tell him where to find me?” Kel asked Lerant politely. “I’d like to say hello.”
“Of course,” Lerant laughed. “He’d be angry if I didn’t. I’d best get back to it, as there’s no more squire here to do it for me,” Lerant gave Kel a friendly jab and excused himself.
Aiden and Balim both gave Kel friendly nods before disappearing back into their rooms. Dom stood in the hallway for a moment, trying to think of a way to invite Kel inside his room that wouldn’t look improper. She gave him a rueful smile, and was just about to politely bid him a good afternoon, when a tall man with a neatly-trimmed reddish-brown beard came up the stairs.
“Dom!” the man called and gave him a familiar wide smile.
“Neal?” Dom realized it was him as he neared. “What is on your face?” he demanded, rearing back in alarm as Neal moved to embrace him.
Kel burst into laughter behind him, and Dom couldn’t stop himself from smiling at the sound. He loved making her laugh. Neal frowned and glared at Kel over Dom’s shoulder.
“Did you tell him to do that?” Neal accused. Kel held both her hands up in self-defense, but she was laughing too hard to speak. Tobe was also laughing a little, his hand over his mouth.
“Do what? Ask a perfectly logical question?” Dom said and tugged on Neal’s whiskers.
“Yuki likes it,” Neal said defensively, batting Dom’s hand away.
“I’m sure she said that,” Dom said, just to hear Kel giggle some more. His cousin threw his hands in the air.
“I am besieged by betrayers and slanderers! Insulting a man’s looks is the lowest tactic of the dull-witted,” Neal scoffed, but a smile tugged at his lips. Kel’s laughter was infectious.
“I didn’t do anything,” Kel said, catching her breath.
“You encourage him! He never does anything without an audience,” Neal said archly.
Dom derailed Neal’s outrage by pulling him into a hug and said, “You know I require no encouragement. It’s good to see you, Meathead, even behind that beard.”
Neal finally laughed and said, “Your envy is unseemly, cousin. Did you just get in?”
“I haven’t even unpacked,” Dom said, and then took the opportunity Neal’s presence provided: “Come in while I get settled; we can catch up.”
Neal met his eyes with a knowing smirk and then looked over at Kel, “I’d be happy to. Kel, Tobe, care to join us?”
“I’m going to the stables,” Tobe said.
“Make sure you come back early to change into your dress clothes. There’s a formal dinner tonight that I need you to be at,” Kel told him, and absently adjusted his tunic where it was bunched at the shoulder.
“Yes’m,” Tobe said, and waved to Neal and Dom before trotting off down the hall.
“Come in,” Dom said, and Kel and Neal followed him into his chamber. The room was a decent size, with a bed, a bureau, and two chairs by the small hearth.
Neal shut the door behind them and said quietly, “Because I’m a much better friend than either of you are, I’m going to turn my back for a moment. Try not to forget that I’m here.” Neal pointedly crossed his arms and turned to face the door, whistling absently to himself.
Kel snorted and opened her mouth to say something, but Dom wasted no time. He grabbed her about the waist and pulled her in for a kiss. She came willingly, the hint of a laugh still on her lips. Her hands landed on his shoulders, and her mouth was soft and warm. Dom liked the taste of her. He kissed her just long enough to feel giddy with it—she felt so good pressed up against him—and then made himself release her and step back. Kel looked a little dazed as she smiled and shook her head at him.
“You’re incorrigible,” she told him, fondly.
“Neal, you’re a good man,” Dom said cheerfully. He was floating. “And I take back what I said about the beard. It looks quite dashing, but we have to pretend it doesn’t or you’ll be insufferable.”
“I knew it,” Neal said, turning back around and pointing a finger at Kel accusingly.
“I never said it didn’t look good,” she objected as she sat on Dom’s bed. “But I’ve been looking at your face for ten years, and now you don’t look like yourself.”
Neal went quiet in the way that meant he was touched and didn’t know how to turn Kel’s comment into a witty retort. “Not quite ten years,” he said after a moment.
“Well, it feels like twenty,” Kel deadpanned, and Dom laughed. She met his eyes with a smile in her gaze, and his heart gave a little thrill. He started unpacking, and Neal lounged in the chair by the hearth.
“So, tell me the news from New Hope,” he prompted them. Kel gave him the broad strokes, while Neal added a lot of unnecessary details about Yuki and annoying winter illnesses. Kel also expressed her surprise at being invited to Northwatch; the courier had arrived only a day after Merric had returned from his leave in Corus.
“Vanget must see you as more of an asset after what you accomplished at Rathausak,” Dom ventured.
Kel frowned and shrugged, “After what we did, you mean. And I’m not sure. New Hope isn’t strategically valuable to our defense.”
“Keep trying Dom. I already told her that razing an enemy fortress with two squads and a handful of green knights is qualification enough. She didn’t believe me, either,” Neal complained with an exaggerated shrug.
“But we did that together. It wasn’t just me,” Kel insisted again, frowning. Neal looked at Dom and rolled his eyes. “I can see you doing that,” Kel told Neal.
“Good, that’s the intention,” Neal retorted. Dom thought Kel might stick her tongue out at Neal, but she only pursed her lips stubbornly.
“You’re too modest by half,” Dom said warmly. “Of course you deserve a seat at that table. It’s well past due.”
Kel blushed and didn’t say anything for a moment. Instead of acknowledging his statement, she smoothed her tunic nervously and changed the subject, “Is there any news from Steadfast?”
Dom was glad his back was turned as he laid shirts into the bureau, because he winced and immediately thought of the brawl that had broken out between the King’s Own and the army regulars over Kel’s honor two weeks ago. He decided not to mention it. He didn’t want to upset her over some rude words that an army sergeant had spoken in anger. Instead, he talked about Lord Raoul’s return and their new recruits. Dom had two new men in his squad who were still learning the ropes, and training while on the warfront was a unique challenge.
Kel was about to ask him something about training when there was a knock on the door and Raoul asked, “Dom, you in there?”
“Yes, sir. Please come in,” Dom called. Kel stood as the big man filled the rest of the room, and Raoul stopped short when he saw Kel standing by Dom’s bed. His eyes flicked over to Dom, and then he saw Neal, and smiled.
“Kel! What a surprise!” he exclaimed and wrapped her in a hug that lifted her off her feet. If they’d been in public, he wouldn’t have, but amongst friends, the Knight Commander could show his affection for his former squire. “Neal, good to see you again,” he added, and shook Neal’s hand warmly.
“It’s good to see you, my lord,” Kel said warmly. “How was your journey from Corus?”
“Long, cold, and muddy,” he said, waving away the question with one large hand. A sly look came into his eyes and he asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m attending the briefings,” Kel said, and tucked her hands behind her back like she was still a squire. Mild surprise flitted over the Knight Commander’s face before he clapped Kel on the back proudly. “Did you not know, sir?”
“The General had not seen fit to inform me, no,” he laughed. “I’m sure it’s more Wyldon’s doing, as you’re in his district.” Dom hadn't considered that Wyldon might insist Kel attend. He might have to warm up to the man, if that was the case.
“Sir, Would you—I mean, could you tell me what to expect?” She looked nervous to ask, and Dom could see her twisting her fingers behind her back, but Raoul was already nodding and slinging an arm around her shoulders.
“Yes, yes, let’s take a walk, shall we?”
“Now, sir?” Kel said evenly, with a glance a Dom. He ducked his head to hide his grin.
“No better time,” the man enthused, and then turned his sharp gaze onto Dom. “Sergeant, make sure you’re at the officer’s dinner tonight, and come meet me early tomorrow. I want you in the briefings with me as my attaché.”
Dom froze. “Me, sir?” He'd forgotten Raoul had come here to talk to him.
“You, Sergeant. I know Flyn usually does this sort of thing, but he hates it. It’ll be good for you!” Raoul said with a hint of wickedness.
“Thank you, sir,” Dom said automatically, not entirely sure what he was grateful for. He looked at Kel, who was smiling proudly at him. “Wait, do you get an attaché?” he mused aloud. Kel gestured at Neal.
“Why do you think she dragged me away from my beloved?” Neal sighed dramatically.
“I would have left you home, all that whinging” Raoul said straight-faced, and turned Kel towards the door. Neal only shrugged at the man's jab. Kel looked back over her shoulder at Dom with an apologetic smile. Dom winked at her. “Lads, we’ll see you tonight!” Raoul told them as he swept Kel out into the corridor, and was gone as quickly as he had come.
Dom sighed as some of the energy left the room with Kel, and Neal smirked at him. “I can go, now, if you’re done with me,” he said slyly and jerked his thumb at the door.
“Don’t be stupid,” Dom said gruffly, and kept unpacking. “Stay and tell me about your wedding planning. Though I do appreciate your support.”
Neal stroked his beard thoughtfully and said, “We’re not going to talk about you and Kel?”
Dom frowned. “Did you grow a beard just so you could do that?” he asked and mimicked his cousin’s chin-stroking.
“Maybe. Are you going to ignore what I said?”
“Yes,” Dom said without malice, and laid his whetstone and shaving kit out on top of the bureau next to the basin. He shook out his empty saddlebags and tucked them under the bed.
“You don’t want to talk about it?” Neal asked, leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers
Dom raked a hand through his hair and asked, “What do you want to talk about?” He sat across from Neal in the second chair. Neal reached out and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Dom, we’re family! And now I’m an accomplice in this whole affair, so, you owe me a few details. I wondered if you were going to say something to her after Scanra.”
Dom laughed, “Is that supposed to be a question?”
“You know, Kel was just as difficult when I asked her about it,” Neal said, smirking. Dom smiled to himself; he liked that they were the same in certain ways. Neal looked him up and down thoughtfully, and said, “You were very attentive when she was injured. Something changed after that, didn’t it?”
“We’re at war,” Dom said simply, unsure of how else to answer. “Anything could happen, and it seemed foolish to waste time when—” he shrugged.
Neal raised his eyebrows pointedly. “When…?”
“When there was a chance she might have me,” Dom looked away, but he could tell Neal was hiding a wide smile behind his hand.
“Did Lord Raoul know?” Neal asked, still grinning at him.
Dom blinked in confusion and then frowned, “He knows now, is that what you mean?”
Neal shook his head and said, “No, did Lord Raoul know you had feelings for her when he sent you after her?”
“Of course not, he—“ Dom started to say, but then stopped to think. Raoul had guessed they were involved after the brawl at Steadfast. I’ve known both of you a long time, he’d said. “Well, now that you say it, I’m not sure,” Dom admitted.
“Hm,” Neal said, “He’s a wily one, isn’t he?”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Dom sighed.
“And now he’s training you up for promotion,” Neal mused.
“You think so?” Dom hadn’t wanted to get his hopes up, but if Neal agreed, maybe he wasn’t being foolish.
“Asking you to sit in on these meetings? Instead of Captain Flyn? There’s no doubt,” Neal said assuredly. Dom tried to hide his smile, but wasn’t sure he was successful. Neal went on, “Too early to actually celebrate, of course, but this is great for you, Dom.”
“You think Kel’s got a promotion in mind for you?” Dom teased.
Neal laughed, “If she makes me commander of New Hope, I’ll turn in my shied and disappear into the wilderness. I’ve seen how hard she works.”
“She’d never. She’d have to let go of them, first,” Dom said fondly.
Neal smiled at him again. “You’re really in deep with her, huh?” he asked. “That’s good.”
“I don’t know what you think I’m deep in, but I admire her a lot,” he admitted. “And she won’t ask me to leave the Own. It’s…” perfect, he didn’t say.
“I’m glad you’re both happy,” Neal said, and stroked his beard again. His cousin shifted uncomfortably for a moment and then looked up at the ceiling. “Let me know if I can, um… cover for you. Kel’s been helpful with—well, I owe her. So, I’m happy to help.”
Dom smirked, wondering what exactly Kel had been so helpful with. “I’ll think about it. It might be too risky here, with all these senior officers around. It’s not as friendly as at New Hope.”
“You might be right.” Neal admitted.
Dom nudged him with his boot, “You were supposed to tell me about wedding planning.”
“Oh! Well…” Neal launched into the details of timing and trying to make arrangements through correspondence to Princess Shinkokami and Neal’s mother. He’d also met with Duke Baird that morning to discuss options, and they were certain the wedding would be in the winter, even if the war was still on. The Princess wanted Yuki back in Corus, and Yuki wanted to be married before she and Neal were separated again. Dom wasn’t sure what difference that would make, but he didn’t question Neal about it. He had accepted long ago that other folks just cared more about marriage than he did.
Wedding talk filled the rest of their afternoon, and Neal insisted on asking Dom about food options while he changed into his dress uniform and boots. Dom did his best to be invested, but his mind was too focused on making a good impression at the officer’s dinner to help Neal make choices about a meal that wouldn’t happen for eight months.
“Do you think I need a shave?” Dom asked, checking himself in his small travel mirror.
“No, you look like you just shaved this morning,” Neal said, annoyed. Dom had shaved that morning. “Let’s go,” Neal said impatiently. His cousin was already dressed for the occasion, and steered him out of the room.
The formal dining room was nearly full by the time they arrived, and Dom spotted Kel immediately. She was talking with Lord Wyldon and Prince Roald near the head of the table, her Yamani mask firmly in place. Lord Raoul was nearby, speaking with Captain Tollet, who was out of Mastiff, and Duke Baird, General Vanget, and Captain Elbridge were speaking with the new army commander of the rebuilt Fort Giantkiller, Captain Gerard Hayes. There were many people here that Dom did not recognize, most of them knights and army captains, and he hesitated as he tried to decide who to speak to first.
Raoul caught his eye and waved him over. Neal split off to join his father, and Dom went to meet his commander gladly. Raoul graciously re-introduced him to Captain Tollet, whom Dom remembered but hadn’t had much occasion to speak to, and Tollet grasped his forearm warmly.
“Good to see you again, Sergeant,” Tollet said. “I’ll tell you, we were all impressed with what you achieved behind enemy lines last summer.”
Dom frowned and then tried to turn his scowl into a charming grin. “Thank you, Captain, but the credit goes to Lady Knight Keladry. She led us to victory,” he said proudly.
“Ah, you’re very modest, Sergeant,” Tollet smiled at him.
“No sir, not at all,” Dom laughed. “I know I did my part, and my men did theirs. But if you ask anyone, they’ll tell you the Lady Knight’s a gifted tactician. The victory was hers.”
Dom saw Raoul’s lips quirk up at the corner as Tollet’s brow furrowed. The captain looked at Dom thoughtfully for a moment before nodding, “Well, I appreciate an honest man, who gives credit where it’s due. Tell me, how was Steadfast through the winter?”
“Thankfully, very dull,” he said with a grin, and Tollet chuckled. Raoul steered the conversation to Mastiff’s preparations for summer, and Dom tried to absorb as much as he could as Tollet discussed the intelligence he’d received, and how he and Wyldon were using the information to develop a response.
Looking over Tollet’s shoulder, Dom saw Wyldon was introducing Kel to some other officers that he didn’t know. He caught her eye and gave her a minute smile. She did not give him her usual subtle smile in return. Her face stayed carefully blank. He saw her eyes flick to Raoul, and then back to him, before she turned away and returned her attention to her conversation. Something strange twisted in his stomach.
They were called to sit for supper before he could pull her aside, and he was seated too far away from her for them to speak. Kel had been placed in the middle third of the table, with Neal on her lefthand side and Tobe attending them in a Mindelan blue tunic. Dom was nearer the foot of the table, with the other Sergeants and some of the younger knights who were stationed at Northwatch. He didn’t recognize a few of them, and made a point to learn their names over the course of the meal.
They were all invited to have drinks in the parlor after supper, and Kel and Neal lingered in the dining hall to talk before going through into the next room. Dom took the opportunity to speak to Kel, but he almost retreated when he saw the corners of her mouth turn down ever so slightly at his approach. But Dom was not a coward, and if she was upset, he wanted to know why.
“Dom,” Neal smiled at him. At least his cousin was behaving normally. “How were your dinner partners?”
“Green enough to make me feel ancient,” Dom said with a grin. “Good evening, Lady Knight,” he said warmly.
“Hello, Sergeant,” she said with impeccable politeness. Neal looked at her with a hint of alarm, and frowned at her expression. He glanced back at Dom in confusion and then cleared his throat anxiously.
“I’ll see you inside, Kel. Dom, good to see you,” Neal said, and fled.
“Kel—?“ Dom was certain now that something was wrong.
“My Lord Raoul told me about an interesting event that happened at Steadfast two weeks ago,” she said coolly, and turned away from him to survey the dining hall. Most of the men had filtered out already. Dom’s stomach dropped.
“Oh. Kel, I—“ he said quietly, but she didn’t let him finish.
“Now is not the time to discuss it,” she said calmly. Her face was stone, but Dom saw the muscles of her jaw flex as she ground her teeth together. She was furious. “Good evening, Sergeant,” she said, and nodded to him politely before striding away.
For a bleak moment, Dom considered turning tail and going back to his room. Raoul was expecting him, though, and disappearing mysteriously after speaking with Kel might attract comments. He inhaled deeply and moved toward the parlor.
He got three steps before a young voice called out, “Oh, Sergeant!”
Dom turned to see Tobe trotting towards him from the servants’ entrance, and was quietly grateful that the boy had given him an excuse to linger. “Hello, lad,” he said kindly.
“I talked to Midnight,” Tobe said as he approached, and Dom only then remembered he’d asked Tobe to check on his mare. “You were right, her hoof was bothering her. The farrier said she had an—an absent?”
“Abscess?” Dom supplied.
“Yeah, that’s it. A little one,” Tobe nodded. “He said you caught it early. So he took care of her and she’ll need to be reshoed’n’everything once she’s healed up. I’m going to see if I can help her heal a little faster tomorrow.”
“Thank you, lad. Can you do that?” Dom was impressed.
“Zerhalm’s been teaching me,” Tobe grinned, and shuffled his feet. He was learning quickly; Kel must be proud.
“I knew I could count on you,” Dom said, relieved that one thing had gone right tonight.
Tobe looked pleased, and then checked that they were alone before leaning in close to whisper, “What did you do to my lady?”
Dom winced. “Well, something too stupid to tell you about here, Tobe.”
“That bad, huh?” Tobe said.
“Unfortunately. Do you think she’ll forgive me?” Dom asked, genuinely.
Tobe looked him up and down appraisingly. “Probably,” Tobe said with far more confidence than Dom felt.
“Thanks for the encouragement, lad. Are you coming in?”
“My lady told me to go to sleep because it would be boring,” Tobe told him, and gave him an imitation of a salute. “Good luck, Sergeant.”
“I’ll need it,” he said and gave the boy a wave. Tobe left him to go back to the guest quarters, and Dom walked on into the parlor, feeling a little more steady.
The rest of the evening passed in a bit of a blur, as Dom went through the motions of being charming and witty, while keeping one part of his mind focused on fixing things with Kel. When Raoul disappeared early, Dom stayed because he was determined to make a good impression, and definitely not because Kel was still there. As he listened to the fifth person drone on about muddy roads from Corus, he reminded himself that this was good for his career, and plastered on a politely interested expression. Eventually, he saw Kel excuse herself to go back to her rooms and was just thinking of how to follow her without looking like he was following her when Neal intercepted him.
“Dom, come say hello to my father,” he said, smiling, and then leaned in close, “Let her cool down, all right? She wouldn’t tell me anything, except to say she didn’t want to talk to you. I think you’ll make it worse going after her.”
Dom felt sick. Kel always wanted to talk to him. “What if she never speaks to me again?” Dom asked, only half-joking.
“Don’t be stupid. Whatever it is, you’ll figure it out,” Neal said assuredly. Then, Dom was greeting his Uncle again, and was subjected to more wedding talk. He listened to them debate the guest list until he thought he’d go mad. When he couldn’t take any more, Dom excused himself. Many of the other officers had left already, and Dom was ready for his bed.
Dom walked back alone, footsteps echoing through the stone halls of the keep. He paced in the corridor for a moment, and considered going to the end of the hall to knock on Kel’s door. He decided to heed Neal’s advice, in the end, and ducked into his own room before he did something stupid, or got them caught. A servant had come and attended to his fire, so his chamber was warm and inviting and completely unsuited to his mood. Dom scowled as he stripped down to his underclothes and climbed into bed. As he lay on his back in the dark, he thought about the last time he’d held Kel, safe in her bed at New Hope with his arms around her waist and his head on her chest. He wondered if she was lying awake and thinking about him, too, just a few doors away.
Dom was sure he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but he did. The dawn came, along with his responsibilities, all too soon.