Kel, Neal, and the other squires got up at the 3rd hour of the morning the next day. They went down to breakfast, where they were told which line of fighters they were assigned to. Kel was placed in the first line of fighters, along with the Lioness and some other knights and mages armed with spears, swords, and a special powder used to disintegrate spidren webs. Kel was the only squire in the front line.
The second line, where Neal was stationed, was armed with bows and torches to keep spidrens at a distance. The third line, where most of the squires were positioned, was in charge of lookout and handing torches to the first and second lines.
After the knights, mages, and squires had their plans laid out, they gathered their bags, saddled their horses, and met in the stable yards.
Finally everyone was ready to leave. They had food and supplies for 10 days, though Fief Naxen was only a week's journey from the palace.
Neal and his horse, Midnight, rode up to Kel and Peachblossom. Kel had been thinking about Seth again, so she didn't even notice until he reached over and touched her arm. She was so surprised she nearly fell off her horse. The only reason she didn't end up in the wet mud was because Neal caught her on her way down. He helped her regain her balance, then finally let go of her.
Kel blushed scarlet. "I—you—th—" she stuttered, trying to explain herself. Neal just grinned mischievously at her.
"That's ok, sweet. Was it Seth?" he asked, noticing her sad look.
"Yeah," Kel admitted. Even thought it was last summer, I can't stop thinking about how he did that. HE wouldn't have died if I would have obeyed me parents!" She put her face in her hands and cried.
Neal was surprised. Seth was the only thing he'd ever seen Kel, the Yamini Lump, cry about. She must have really loved her cousin. "Here, come one," Neal said, pulling her off her horse and onto his. "Shh, you're ok. Go ahead and sleep if you want to," he said soothingly, setting her in front of him and putting one arm around her waist, holding onto the reins with the other. His horse didn't even notice the extra load.
"Thanks, Neal, you're the best," she said, turning her head and kissing his cheek. Then she settled back into his arms and rested her head on his muscular chest.