High she flew, soaring through the sky, wind whistling through her feathers. Her sharp eyes caught the flashes of silver moving swiftly through the wide stream in the horse's paddock. With a quick adjustment of her tail, she dove, headed straight for the oblivious fish…

"Daine!"

Startled, she brought her mind to the ground where her body was patiently waiting.

Opening her eyes she noticed a few feathers had started to grow upon her skin, and quickly reversed them. She glanced around, wondering who was calling her.

Cloud stood behind her, an impatient look in her stormy eyes.

"What's wrong?" the girl asked, worried.

The pony snorted. "Nothing is wrong, but you were in the eagle for a long time, and dinner will be starting in an hour. Alanna and Numair both said they expected you to attend, and you can not go to the ball like that." She replied, glancing disdainfully at the young mage's dirty breeches and tangled hair.

The girl sighed, rolling to her feet. "Eagles are so thrilling to ride on…" she muttered wistfully. "Oh well, I suppose I'd better get cleaned up. Although I don't think I should really have to go. I'm not really that important…"

The grey mare rolled her eyes. Her human would never learn that she was needed more than she thought.

She walked with Daine as far as the stables, and halted, letting the girl continue on to her rooms.

She took a bath, and she had just finished putting on her best breeches and a clean, red tunic, when there was a knock on the door.

"It's open!" she called, curiously looking at the door while lacing her collar up.

Alanna stepped in, clad in a beautiful dark grey dress. The material looked soft and shiny, and fit perfectly. The woman looked as beautiful as ever, and Daine felt a tinge of good-natured envy at the sight.

"If I have to wear a dress, so do you." The knight said firmly, pulling a pale blue dress out from behind her.

"But…" Daine began, taking a step backwards, hoping to ward off the present.

Shaking her head, Alanna grinned. "No arguments. It is to be a very important party, and everyone will be dressed to impress. I had this dress made and you are going to put it on now."

She thrust it at the girl and pushed her behind the changing screen.

Daine sighed, knowing she was no match for the Lioness's famously stubborn ways, and pulled the dress over her head before stepping out to let Alanna button it up.

The knight nodded and gave a satisfied smile. "You look lovely! This dress is the latest style, and suits you nicely."

Alanna quickly straightened the skirts and brushed the girl's hair, even putting a touch of face paint on.

With a delighted grin, she finally let Daine look in her mirror. The girl stared in shock. "Er, don't you think the neckline is a bit low?" she asked self-consciously. The lady in the mirror looked composed, yet pretty. Her neck was long and her skin seemed flawless. It made the most of her bust line and on her second inspection, Daine decided it was entirely appropriate.

Alanna gave her a pitying look. "No, of course it's not too low. And you look just fine, don't you think?"

Daine had to agree. "But isn't this a bit much for a little ball? Thayet throws them all the time, and I've never had to get dressed up like this before."

Alanna stared at her. "Why would you think I'd be wearing a dress for a stupid little ball? This party will be full of special people. Thayet likes to show off the castle to those dignitaries once a years and wants all of us to look the part. Everyone will be there. Jon forced me to come this year, and Numair will be wearing that heavy black robe of his. Even the horses will be groomed just for this night. There will be dancing and more. And I'm going to hate every minute, but there's nothing I can do about it."

"Well," Daine said after a second, smiling up at her testy friend," I suppose we'd better get walking."