There isn't much difference between this one and the original, but what do you think? worse? better? ugly? Lemme know

Chp 1

Dom's POV

"I bet you 3 gold crowns that I can," Domitan of Masbolle told Wolset with undaunted determination; his bright blue eyes twinkling mischievously. The rest of Third Company burst out in loud guffaws. They sat around a roaring fire; the stars alight in the sky.

On their way to their new position they had ridden until their bodies ached. When finally night had fallen. The knight commander had wanted to ride all the way to New Hope; the looks on his mens' faces caused him to concede. "Alright you lazy louts! We can make camp," he said in his booming voice, an amused smile crinkling his eyes. Now, they were relaxing upon fallen logs they had circled around the bonfire, drinking mead a few of the men had secretly purchased a few towns over.

"You? girl free until midwinter!" Raoul of Goldenlake and Malories peak said doubtfully, as he fell over backwards, laughing and clutching his stomach. At this they all to laugh even harder. His dark curls bouncing with each shake of his large shoulders.

Dom frowned, his brows drawing together, as his confidence grew. "Alright then. If I do win, for an entire day, you all have to wear dresses and face paint as we go on our rounds. Same goes, if I lose," He smirked smugly.
Wolset narrowed his eyes, smiled evilly and offered, "Okay Dom, if you can last the 53 days left until midwinter without locking lips, flirting, or doing the deed with any woman, then we will agree to the
terms." The men nodded their agreement. The sergeant put his hand in Wolset's and firmly shook it, sealing the deal he was certain he would win. Really, How hard could it possibly be?

Kel's POV

Keladry of Mindelan was weary. After dealing with new disputes, mountains of paperwork, and a bandit attack, she was ready to hit the sack. Unfortunately, she had to prepare New Hope for a more permanent leader that was coming in the spring. Swiping her hand over her face, she stared blearily down at the reports on her desk. As she attempted to decipher the swirling letters, the alarm was sounded. Jumping from her chair she ran to her quarters to retrieve her glaive and armor. Tobe ran in, Loey trailing behind him. They scrambled around her, strapping on her armor, and knife sheaths. Once that was done, she ran to the gates, the town turning to chaos in her wake. She climbed the walls and stared into the moonlit night, focusing on the group of riders approaching the fort. She made sure the griffin feather band was tied tightly around her forehead, then shouted into the dark, "What business do you have here?" Her tone was harsh and demanding.

"Well if thats how you treat friends around here, we'll just leave." A large man leading the procession, yelled back in an amused voice. Kel recognized that voice as her former knight master Raoul. She trotted down the steps, stowing the griffin feathers in her belt pouch. Smiling she threw her arms around the neck of the Giant Killer. "It's good to see you, sir." He frowned and reprimanded, "Kel..." She smiled and repeated, "It's good to see you, Raoul."

"Well are you going to hog her all night?" another familiar voice questioned behind the large knight. Shivers raced up her spine at the sound of his voice, and flutters erupted in her stomach as she stepped around Raoul, and looked into a pair of gorgeous sapphire blue eyes. Dom smiled dashingly at her, setting off the butterflies again. Despite all the commotion going on within Kel, her face remained as smooth as glass, only breaking into a controlled smile. She wouldn't be able to stand it, if her friendship with Dom was ruined because of her unrequited feelings. I am stone. I am stone. I am as smooth as stone. She kept repeating in her head, her Yamani mask staying firmly in place. A loud voice broke through her concentration, "Well, it's very lovely to see you Kel." Wolset shoved in front of the blue-eyed sergeant. He threw his arm around her shoulder as they proceeded into the camp. "Would you like to get in on the current pot," he asked, while rubbing his palms together maniacally. She laughed good-naturedly. "And what might that be this time?" she asked raising her eyebrows in a dubious manner. Wolset's evil smile, accompanied by a mischievous chuckle, worried Kel. "Our wonderful sergeant has agreed to go woman free until this midwinter." Kel's eyes widened and giggles bubbled up her throat. Soon she was bent over laughing, tears streaming down her cheeks, and her composer nowhere to be seen. "Laugh all you want now, but you'll be laugher much harder after I win this bet, and these chuckle-heads will be parading around in skirts," Dom informed Kel, to which she only laughed harder, if that was even possible. "It's only been two weeks since we started the bet, and he's already more high-strung than usual. He works us twice as hard, too," Wolset said cheerfully. "Now," he sobered up, clapping her on the back. "Where can a man get some food around here."