Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or the world in which they live. They belong to he wonderfully talented Sherwood Smith. I'm just messing around with some of the scenes for fun and entertainment. Underline=excerpt

A/N: I was going to put this at the end, but then I decided that it would help make this funnier. I found an explanation by Sherwood Smith about why Mel was embarrassed to see Shevraeth in just his shirt and boots. His shirt is only like an undershirt and seeing a guy in just that without a tunic equals familiarity and Mel had feelings for him and is embarrassed. He, apparently, was looking too. I find this image funny, so here's goes nothing!

The morning of the final battle with Galdran:

"Curse it," Bran said the next morning, standing before the fire in shirt and trouser with his shoulder stiffly bandaged. "You think this is necessary?"

He pointed at the mail coats lying on the table, their linked steel rings gleaming coldly in the light of two glow globes. It was well before dawn. The Marquis had woken us himself, with the news that Galdran's forces were neigh. And his messenger had brought form Renselaeus the mail coats, newly made and expensive.

"Treachery--" Shevraeth paused to cough and to catch his breath. He, too, stood there in only shirt trousers and boots, and I looked away quickly, embarrassed. "We should be prepared for treachery. It was his idea to send archers against you in the mountains. He will have them with him now." He coughed again, the rattling cough of a heavy cold.

"So what?" Bran asked, "Are we doomed to."

"I hope not." the Marquis drawled in reply. I felt his eyes on me.

"Hey!" Bran exclaimed, "Did you just check out my sister?"

"Ummmmmm….no?"

"Oh yes you did. I though I saw you do it before. That's not very court like Danric, checking out a lady when she is basically in her underclothes."

"Shevraeth," I yelled, "What do you think you are doing? I'm not staring at you any more, so you can stop starting at me! What is your problem? I challenge you to a duel."

He just rolled his eyes and sighed. His voice was as cordial as ever "Is this duel before or after we go face down Mister "I'm the Greediest King Ever" because I'd really like to wait. Galdran's a bit of a propriety now."

"Fine!" I yelled back and stalked out of the room. I felt those gray eyes on me again. I whirled around.

"I told you to stop it!"

"I wasn't looking at you!"
"Were too!"

"Were not!"

Bran cut in with a roar, "Stop it, both of you! Mel go get dressed! Danric, I don't know, go do something foppish, just stop looking at my sister!"

Shevraeth pouted, turned to Bran and said "Was not."