Author's Note - Hehe, I had a bit of a break so I was able to write the next installment up! I hope it's enjoyable!

Chapter four.

In a field filled with tall, dry grass, under two shady saplings, a small tent was slung close to the ground. A brown horse, fondly named Sugar, peacefully chewed the straw-like grass. Set out on a wooden crate within the field, barely seen because of the height of the grass, sets of parchments and brass instruments laid quietly beside a hidden sleeping woman with bright red hair, lazily dozing in the warmth of the sun, waiting for night to come… and the excitement it would bring.

"So have you got it Dragon? Fly North til…"

"Yes, yes, til I'm between the cave's North-Western mouth and Mount Baldy's false peak."

Smithy raised an eyebrow and smiled wirily, "Just checking Dragon. Make sure you fly as fast as you can, the ball'll be starting soon and Jane needs to blend in with the guests going in."

"Okay, okay, Goodbye now Leather Legs! And hide Jingle Boy's hat when you see him next!"

"And why would I do that, Dragon?"

"His jingling is scaring the cows! Whenever I go to see them, they're so scared of his noise!"

"I don't think it's his jingling that's scaring them Dragon…"

"No, no, they're so scared of him, right? That they can hear him when they're in the fields and he's still in the castle! If he stopped his silly jingling, then the cow's'll stop being scared, see? Simple!"

"I'm not sure…"

"Later!" He cut off, and with that Dragon hefted his great bulk and practically pounced into the sky.

"Yeah, Bye Dragon…"

It was just falling on dusk when Dragon returned with… no one on his back.

"Dragon? Where's Jane?" Smithy asked, looking around as he wiped his hands on a rag.

Jester came running out of the forge, "Jane? Jane? Dragon, did you eat Jane?"

Jester wagged a finger at Dragon who looked at him with contempt.

"I did no such thing! And stop waving that around, I'll bite it off if it comes too close!" and chuckled when Jester squeaked.

"So, Dragon, Jane is…?"

"Ah, well, you see, we saw all these people coming and realised that they would see Jane coming on my back, so she, ah, hopped off and is going to sneak in over the walls." Dragon scratched the back of his neck sheepishly and threw them a flippant grin.

"Over the walls? Dragon, are you serious?"

"Deadly." Came a new, amused voice from behind them.

"Jane!" the two boys turned around and smiled, Jane stood confidently behind them, her hand naturally resting on the handle of her sword.

"Whew! I'm glad you're back! Otherwise it'd have to be me in that dress!"

"But Jester… I'm doing this for the fun of it… It doesn't really matter if I'm there or not."

"Oh yeah… I'm gonna have to do that after you become a knight!"

"Sure Jester."

Smithy rolled his eyes, "Come on Jane, this way." And he led the young squire into the darkness of his forge to change into her Grandmother's formal dress.

"I'll stand guard out here!" Jester called out after them. When he heard no reply he turned around nervously and rocked back and forth on his heels.

The sun was setting and Jester and Smithy idly listened to the lively chatter of the nobles already in the hall and those still arriving.

"Are you done yet Jane?" Jester asked impatiently.

"Uh…yeah?" Jane answered nervously.

Jester and Smithy turned around and smiled brilliantly.

"You look wonderful Jane." Smithy smiled

"Absolutely breathtaking, My lady." Jester teased with a bow.

"Ohh… You scrub up good Jane." Dragon suddenly commented, his head popping up over the turrets.

Jane blushed, a rare occasion for the squire, "You think so? It feels weird to be in a dress again… but a bit exciting too! Not so much the way the fabric is different from the normal cut, but the connotations and memories behind it."

The three boys stared at her.

"Riiiiiiggggghhhtttttt… I have no idea what you just said Jane, but I'm sure it was interesting." Dragon drawled.

Jane rolled her eyes, "Men."

Jester snorted and Dragon poked back, "Women."

The two bickered as Jester rooted for both of them and encouraged the fight, constantly switching to the winning side, until someone cleared his throat from behind them.

"Yes Smithy?" Jane asked, glaring at Dragon and Jester gave a start of surprise.

"When did you get there, Smithy?" he asked, confused, looking between the place where he had last seen Smithy and the place Smithy was now.

Smithy held up what he had went into his forge for.

"Your mask, My Lady."

From what had been 'scraps of metal' he just had 'hanging around' was forged an exquisitely detailed small polished brass and silver half mask.

"Oh… thank you so much Smithy!" Jane breathed and Smithy grinned.

"Anything to help you with this quest Jane. I have to say, this has been the most thrilling one of your exploits so far."

Dragon agreed, "By far, Jane. This definitely beats that time we had to go fight those coward bandits. Took one look at you and they went running! No fun at all, those guys were."

"I think so too, Jane. All this sneaking around, getting forged invitations…"

"What? You forged the invitation Jester?" Jane asked, appalled.

"No! No, I didn't. Prince Cuthburt gave it to me when I asked this morning."

"Really?' Smithy asked, 'Prince Cuthburt, Prince Cuthburt, gave you an invitation? That spoiled, bratty little boy? Wow, Gunther's done a good job."

Jester blushed, "Well, when I say gave, he thought the only reason I was asking was because more fools would be coming and not just me…"

"Okay, Gunther needs to work more on that." Smithy said deadpan as Dragon hooted in laughter.

"So, Prince Cuthburt thinks that I'm going to be a fool? Well, I might as well be if anyone discovers me!" Jane heaved a great sigh, annoyed and frowning.

"Don't worry Jane. Prince Cuthburt's probably forgotten already!"

"Yes, knowing him." Dragon agreed.

It was dusk now and the ball as in full swing, "Okay Jane, if you don't want to make a big entrance, do it just after they've introduced that visiting bachelor royal. The ladies'll be flocking to him and the blokes'll be trying to get the ladies back, so you'll be able to slip in unannounced." Jester advised; his face scrunched up as he recounted various other times that had happened.

Jane nodded, "Okay Jester, after you." And after waving quietly to Smithy and an enthusiastic Dragon, followed Jester to the Ball's entrance.