Keladry of Mindelan calmly surveyed the lush green countryside around her contentedly. Kel was still quite surprised that she wasn't headed for Traitors Hill, but on the road for Neal's wedding to Yukimi. The lady knight smiled. It was a pleasant surprise.

'Ah! The Yamini Lump can smile! Who would have thought!' Neal bounded up to her (he managed to bound, even on a horse). Always frivolous, the green eyed man had been exceedingly silly in the past few days. Kel put it down to nerves, or rather his lack of them

'I was just wondering, my dear Neal, if Yuki, had informed you of the Yamini custom of bridegrooms walking across hot coals, to reach the dais where vows are said?' Kel raised inquisitive innocent eyebrows. 'To prove your devotion.'

Neal looked a tad flustered. 'Ah, no Kel, this is Tortall. Yamini customs don't apply here.'

'That as may be, you have a Yamini bride. Yuki will expect it of you. I've no doubt she'll be very insulted if you refuse,' Kel nodded thoughtfully. 'Indeed it would shame her. She may even call off the wedding.'

Neal, now looking very panicked, and quite bewildered, started several sentences in a high squeaky voice. Kel could stand it no longer. She leaned over in her saddle and laughed so hard and long that when she straightened, Neal was many horselengths ahead of her along the country road, and judging by the curve of his back, highly affronted.

'Teach him to tease a sweet young maiden. The audacity of young Sir Meathead.' Dom clucked his tongue mock disapprovingly, with a wicked gleam in his eye.

'You're just as bad. Neal is right, you're like a dog with a bone with that name.' Kel chided, ignoring the fact that she had, on more than a few occasions used 'Meathead' to refer to Neal. It suited him so perfectly. The pair rode together in companionable silence.

The troupe heading for Queenscove was a large one, and had been traveling at a gentle pace for a nearly day. King Jonathon and Queen Thayet were among the future attendants of Neal's wedding. They came to demonstrate their support for the first union in marriage of a Yamini and a Tortallan- even Shinko and Roald were not wedded yet. For despite royal support, many conservatives, while keen for the Yamini alliance, grumbled incessantly about Prince Roald marrying the savage Shinkokami. Needless to say the Tortallan aristocracy did not greet Princess Shinko, face to the ground, as was a real custom among her people. The conservatives were purple faced and spluttering, near having apoplexies when they were informed of the Neal-Yukimi match.

'Kel, ah…'

'Hhhmm?'

'Well you see Kel. At Neal's wedding, we'll need ah… partners… for dancing… and… stuff…' Dom trailed off into an awkward silence.

Kel hid her emotions behind a Yamini mask. Amusement was the key feeling, but apprehension too. She hadn't had these sort of relations with any men since Cleon. But this was Dom. Just a friend. Cleon was once just a friend. Kel ignored that silly voice and told Dom; 'If your asking me to accompany you to the wedding-thingys,' Dom turned his blushing head to Kel, with an expression akin to Jump's when sensing a bone might be on the menu. 'The answers yes.'

Dom's grin was very wide. 'Allrighty then, Kel.'