The Second Job:

Kel sat at the table in what has become known to her and Dom as the Good Secret room. It was rather a pathetic name but it fit the room very well, for it was the only good room in the castle and it was a secret. She was at the moment reading 'Dark in Darkness', which was one of the five books that resided on the big bookcases bottom shelf (as if hidden), waiting for Dom and Malce to enter.

It had been about three weeks since she had started working for him. Things were going along accordingly, they meet every three days with Dom, and she was able to see him at almost every secret meeting that she attended. The information she collected was what Malce called very valuable, though he never let on why. There were no more incidences with General Hannal, for it seemed that Malce had somehow created havoc at Lockal Lake and he remained very busy trying to get the project working again. She had yet to find out what that project was. This smiling disease had been tested last week and it appeared that Chafton still had a lot of flukes to work out. The disease was supposed to kill if you smiled but all it did was make the prisoner from Tyra (the test subjects) not be able to stop smiling for three days.

The most important thing that happened as of yet, happened two weeks ago. Malce had asked her to stay at their meeting after Dom had left to go guard. He asked her if she would like to learn to fight. Kel had a hard time hiding her smile at that one. She had agreed and they had been meeting once a week (in a different room, spelled but not as thickly, and bigger) and Malce had been 'teaching' her hand-to-hand combat, knife fighting and sword (she pretended to protest at this, for the sword was a nobles weapon and she was supposed to be a commoner). He insisted 'teaching' her any way. Even though she didn't want to admit it but she did learn quite a few tricks from him.

Sometimes when Malce couldn't make the teachings he sent Dom in his place. That was when the real fun started. She fought hard then using the skill that she hid from Malce. When Kel had been healthier, beating Dom was a challenge but she usually won by a lot. But now she barley beat him, if she beat him at all. She practice in all her free time. Her muscle and skill were slowly coming back.

About two days ago was when Malce had surprised her with a glaive. When she first started practicing with him he had asked if she had ever used a weapon. She had told him that she had stayed at Yamani Islands and one of the ladies there had been kind enough to teach her and she had become pretty good at it. She had only told him this because it would explain some of her comfort with weapons and little skills that she might accidentally let slip. She had no idea that he would get her one to practice with. Without her Yamani training she would probably have cried, for she never expected to see her favorite weapon again let alone use one. After she showed him what she could do, she found herself teaching him a little about how to use the weapon.

Now here she was reading a book about ghosts of evil rulers. Malce had asked her to come to the meeting early so that he could talk to her about something. Malce was late. Dom would show up in about 5 minutes.

Kel was just reading about the ghost about King Frews, a man that was supposedly haunting this very castle, when Malce walk through the door, casually. She closed the book and set it aside as he sat down gracefully and confidently, the way she had seen King Jonathan sit many times. 'Born a ruler' she thought while absently yawning.

"Kel I asked you to come early, sorry for being late by the way, I asked you because I want to ask you about another job I have for you."

She nodded to show her interest so he continued "I know you have a lot of free time so I would like you to be trained and eventually lead expeditions."

She let her confusion show on her face so he that he would continue. But before he could, the door opened and a handsome, ruffle haired Dom strode into the room.

"Am I late?" He asked as he noticed that both where already there. Dom always arrived before Malce did.

"No, I came early so I could talk to Kel about her doing something for me, it'll just take a minute. Now where was I? Oh yes, the expeditions have been held for about two years now. It's how I get spies into the castle to check out the layout and the defenses before they come to apply for a position. Others come to just check out their enemy's castle, Also a few slaves escape this way also. Now at the moment I only have two guides. I used to have four but things happen." He didn't elaborate on the happen, he didn't have to. He paused for a moment; a quick flash of something went through his eyes before it disappeared just as quickly. Kel was unable to identify the emotion but she sensed that it was sorrow, sorrow that was buried deep, just waiting to be let out. After her regained himself he continued.

"There is a series of secret underground tunnels, long forgotten. I found them when I was a kid and just decided to put them to work a while ago. Now you'd have to learn your way around the tunnels and where to take the misadventurers, as they have been called, around the castle. Don't worry though, when you leave the tunnels you'll be guarded by spells that will keep you hidden and soundless. Only Chafton, My brother Wallis, whom are never here anyway, and me can see through the spells. So what do you say? Will you go through the training? And then will see if you really are up to it?"

Kel didn't even hesitate. "Yes." Her face was blank but her mind was whirling with excitement.

"Good! Now what do you have to bring to me today?"

When her mind finally calmed, her only thought was 'What have I got myself into this time?'

Sry it took so long! Thanks For the Reviews! Keep them Coming and Enjoy!