The Curse(02)

Chapter 2

Kel had long been ready for the trip to Fort Steadfast and was outside with Tobe, waiting for Neal.

“Where is he?” she grumbled.

“Probably still in the infirmary,” said Fanche. Kel groaned. It was an excruciating wait until Neal came running outside.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Babies don’t birth themselves!” he said, waving his hands at her.

“Neal, your hands,” Kel said. He looked down at them; they were covered in blood. Neal yelped and ran back inside.

“If he’s like this now, I wonder how he will fair when his daughter tries for her shield,” Irnai, the child seer, said. Everyone just looked at each other as Neal came back out.

“Okay, we can go now,” he said as he mounted Magewhisper. They started towards the gate.

“Lady Knight,” Irnai called. Kel, Tobe and Neal turned around on their horses to look at the small girl.

“Yes?” asked Kel

“Be careful, Lady Knight, for there is a dark aura that hangs around you,” Irnai warned. Kel’s brow creased.

“What does she mean?” Neal asked.

They turned to the road ahead again.

“I don’t know, but I guess I’ll just have to be careful,” Kel said.

“Be careful, you guys,” Merric yelled, waving from the wall. The three of them turned and nodded, waving back as they left the fort.

“What was that all about with Irnai?” Neal asked. I am getting a bad feeling about this, he thought.

“I don’t know” Kel said again, “but I don’t have the time to think about it right now.” They rode hard to Steadfast and arrived around midday, just in time for another meal.

“Who are you? State you name,” a guard on the wall commanded.

“Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, commander of the refugee camp, New Hope,” Kel said.

“Sir Nealan of Queenscove, healer at New Hope,” Neal said, wincing at the use of his full name.

“Tobeis Boon, servant to Lady Knight Keladry,” Tobe said.

“Open the gate,” the guard called, the gate opened. The three of them went into the fort.

“Kel!” Raoul exclaimed as he saw her. As she dismounted Hoshi he swept her into a huge hug. Neal dismounted and smiled, watching them. Raoul released her.

“It’s good to see you,” he said. Kel gave Hoshi’s reins to Tobe and he took Peachblossom and Hoshi to the stables.

“It’s good to see you too, sir,” Kel said as she walked with him.

“Kel, I told you to call me by my given name. Sir makes me feel so old,” he said.

“Of course, sir,” Kel said with a smirk. He just sighed and shook his head at her.

“I’ll have someone take you to your rooms,” he said smiling. He walked away leaving her in the courtyard

“Neal!” a plump, black-haired woman called, waving as she ran towards Neal. He swept her up into a hug.

“Hello, my darling,” he said putting her gently down. Kel smiled at the couple. She felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see clear blue eyes. As she stared, those eyes enveloped her attention, wrapping her in an ice-lagoon full of bluebells and snow.

“Kel, earth to Kel,” Dom said. She blushed, but hid it very quickly.

“Hello, Dom,” Kel smiled.

“Hello yourself, Lady Knight,” Dom said grinning. He looked in Neal’s direction to see his cousin engaging in small talk with his betrothed. “Hey, Meathead,” he called. Neal winced.

“Do you have to call me that?” Neal winced pulling Yuki closer.

“Yep,” Dom said with a smirk. Dom turned back to Kel. “I’m supposed to take you to your room. Your boy, Tobe, has already found it.”

“Thanks,” said Kel. All of a sudden, a wave of dizziness hit her, causing her to stumble and fall.

“Kel!” Neal, Dom and Yuki exclaimed as Dom caught her as she fainted.

“Come on, let’s get her to her room,” Neal said, completely forgetting Yuki in the worry over his best friend.