Sorry about the lack of updates...I have been really busy, and was overcome with a serious case of writers block :(

Hmm...the title kind of gives the chapter away, doesn't it...

Tell me how you like it!

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"Kel Rena Kel Rena!" Casi shrieked, bounding into Kel's room. Kel paused in her pattern dance and wiped a grimy hand across her sweaty forehead, and Rena looked up from the book she was reading, sprawled across Kel's bed. They had just gotten back from grooming their horses after riding them through the forest and around the grounds.

"Yes Casi?" Kel sighed, setting her glaive against the wall and sitting on the floor. She started stretching, waiting for what Casi had to tell her.

"We have to report to Master Furner," she sang.

"And that's good...how?" Kel wondered, doing a few crunches. She didn't like the flare of fear she felt in her gut, and quickly hid behind her mask.

"Well, we might be in trouble, but at the same time it could be good," Sera shrugged, coming into the room. "Oh, and Rena, Dragon's back," she said slyly, stepping to the side of the door. It was a wise move since Rena shot out of the room towards the exit.

"Let's go," Kel ordered her friends quietly, walking out of the room. Sera and Casi followed her. Casi looked at her sympathetically. She had noticed the quick change is Kel's features and knew how she must be feeling.

"Why could it be good?" Kel brought up again, matching her pace with Casi's.

"We could be going on our first mission, I guess," she smiled, remembering the teams she had seen off, going on their own missions. Kel nodded, hoping this was why they had been summoned.

"Here we are," Sera whispered, stopping outside of Lord Furner's office. Rena caught up to them, a smile lighting her features. The five walked in together.

***

Kel, Casi, Rena, and Sera walked into their Master's office and stood at attention, trying to stay as still as possible. Kel and Rena hid behind their Yamani masks, the rest trying to copy them. He ignored them for what felt like hours, but was only a few minutes. Finally he stood and turned to them, taking notice. He smiled at their stances and waved a hand, letting them know they could stand down.

There are a few camps of bandits to the east," he started, showing them where on a map. "A friend at the palace told me the pages are going to be camping there with Lord Wyldon. The district commander is being paid to not get rid of them."

"Why can't you just tell Lord Wyldon?" Sera wondered, glad that the formalities were over.

"We could, but he would just send in a group of nice and noisy knights. The bandits would have enough warning and run, for sure. So I'm sending in my best at this kind of thing. You five are going to go in and drive them out, getting them close enough to the fort that they will be found and taken to the crown. Only kill them if anyone is in danger, and still only of there's no other choice. Can you do this?" he asked, knowing their answer.

"Of course," all five answered at the same time. Smiling, he sent them out.

"Go prepare. Pack lightly. You leave tomorrow," he ordered.

***

"Yes! Our first mission," Sera squealed. Casi and Rena were the only ones who noticed how quiet Kel was, and how she didn't drop her mask.

"What's wrong, Kel?" Rena wondered, looking at her friend worriedly.

"Hmmm? Oh, nothing. Just thinking about what we're going to have to do," she improvised.

"No, it's not. You're worried that the pages will recognize you," Rena disagreed.

"You don't have to worry. You'll stay far away from them," Casi reminding her.

"Well, okay," Kel answered, knowing they were right but still worried. They finally arrived at the hallway where the rooms were. Rena left them first, running to Dane's room to tell him the news. Kel smiled assurance at her friends before being the second one to depart, going to her rooms to begin packing.

***

Finally alone, Kel could think about what was to come. Then she gave herself a mental slap in the face. Stop thinking about what hasn't yet come. Just prepare.

She turned to her bed and her eyes widened in surprise. There, sitting on her bed, was a box. Unwrapping it, she was surprised to see a pair of large saddle bags, well made but ordinary enough on the outside, and fitted with large and small compartments. She found things in those compartments: flint and steel, an oiled pouch full of tinder; small iron pots and a plate and bowl set, all of which fit together; a hank of light, strong rope; tooth-cleaning power; a tidy sewing kit; hooks and lines for fishing; and a curious fanlike creation that, when opened up, was revealed to be a waterproof hat.

"How could they find me here," she murmured to Jump, turning the things over in her hands. "How can they know exactly what I need," she continued. The present gave her strength. It made her think of her friends at the palace, and she smiled, her outlook of the mission changing.

Kel put the saddle bags on the saddle she had for Peachblossom and put all of her supplies back in, along with a few extras. Next she grabbed her pack from the chest of drawers and folded a few articles of clothing for the next few days.

"What weapons are you going to bring?" Rena wondered, coming in the room. She noticed Kel staring at her weapons rack, indecision gracing her features.

"My glaive, defiantly." She wasn't worried about anyone she may see on the mission recognizing it. She had painted the shaft a deep gray, almost black, and only a few of her friends had actually seen it.

"I'm taking my sword, dagger, and bow and arrows. You should do the same, minus the sword, of course. It's good to have a long distance weapon at hand." Rena explained, smiling.

"Alright, that's what I'll do, then. I'm packed. Are you ready?"

"Yeah. Are you sure you can do this? There's a chance you'll see people from your past, without them knowing it," Rena reminded her, lowering her voice.

"I'm sure. Besides, I can't defy a direct order from My Lord, now can I?" Kel assured her friend. Frowning, Rena shook her head and left the room, leaving Kel for bed.

Sighing, Kel took out a piece of paper and started writing three letters, a plan formulating in her mind for how to deliver them.

***

Kel was filled with excitement and adrenaline, but struggled to keep her Yamani mask up. She and her four partners were leaving the headquarters and going on their first mission together. However, they went over the plans earlier in the morning and wouldn't talk to each other often. Though Kel grew sad at the thought, she accepted it.

Unlike others, this mission was to be kept secret. They couldn't afford for the information to get out and for the bandits to escape. The five walked to the stables, not drawing any attention. They had already stowed their bags away that night.

Arriving, they were greeted by Lord Furner, who awarded each of his pupils a smile before ushering them on their horses and out of the stable. Kel shivered as she rode through the rip in the magic barrier around the grounds, stroking Peachblossom gently to reassure him. She looked over to see Rena's infectious grin, and had to throw one back.

My first mission, Kel thought, and urged Peachblossom forward, taking the lead to watch for attackers.

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Sorry for any mistakes, by friend is working on registering as a beta, so hopefully that'll be fixed soon!

Tell me if anyone has any ideas for the future of the story, they would be much appreciated! Though I have an idea of where this is going, anything would be helpful :)

Please, please, please review!!!!