A/N: Sorry guys, I know it's been ages since I last updated but I've had exams, so I haven't really had time. I will try to get some more up now that they're over, so just be patient. Thanks!

Chapter 6- Not all as it seems Winter 461HE

A half hour later Dom ran up to Ash's tent. Toy, the horse she was to ride in the race, stood outside waiting patiently saddled up and ready to go.

"Ash, you're going to miss the race" he cried

The tent flaps flew open as she flew out, her hair billowing around her as she struggled to do up the remaining buttons on her shirt. She grabbed the clip she had been holding in her mouth and fastened her hair at the base of her neck with it.

"What have you been doing? The race is about to start!" he warned her

"I've only just finished tacking up Toy" she explained "and then I had to get changed"

"Why didn't you get someone else to saddle him?" Dom asked

"Because he wouldn't have let them. He hates to the girth being done up" she said as she placed one foot in her stirrup and swung herself into the saddle.

"See you at the start line" she called over her shoulder as she pushed Toy into a slow canter to warm him up. Her hips followed the movement of the horse and her seat never left the saddle as she made her way along the road to the start of the town. Her long legs wrapped around the horses sides and her hair rose and fell with his strides. It's hard to tell where the horse stops and she starts thought Dom before he cursed and ran to catch up.

Jerome was already waiting at the start line when Ash arrived. His horse was chomping on the bit and his neck was already lathered with sweat from nerves. Both riders got into position, waiting with all muscles tensed. Their horses fidgeted and pranced beneath them, just as eager to get started. Dom quickly ran to his post, which was the first five hundred meters of the race. He was pleased about this as from where he was standing he could see more than half of the race.

The starter's flag dropped and both horses sprung forward into a gallop as the crowd cheered. Ash lent forward in a two point seat (A/N: Umm it's kinda standing in the stirrups and leaning forward, a bit hard to explain) as the wind whipped at her clothes and her hair blew out behind her like a banner. Jerome was half a length ahead and Toy appeared to be fighting for more rein, but Ash kept a hold on him, saving his energy for the long race ahead. Finally they passed out of sight and Dom had to be content with waiting for them to reappear.

He heard them before he saw them. The pounding of hooves and the rhythmic snorts that followed reached his ears just moments before both riders came into view. The horses were visibly tired now. Sweat ran down their necks and flanks, yet they were matching each other stride for stride. As they came into the last five hundred meters, Ash began to gradually let out the reins and Toy's stride lengthened. She was now pressing herself flat against his neck, asking for all he had left and he was responding beautifully. They charged ahead of Jerome and beat him by ten lengths.

Ash rose in the stirrups and attempted to slow Toy who was tossing his head and straining against the pressure she was putting on the reins. After a few annoyed snorts he settled down to a jumpy canter and circled back to the start. Here he continued to canter on the spot while Ash laughed and jumped to the ground. Despite the fact that he was blowing hard and his nostrils were well and truly flared, Toy looked no worse for his run. In fact he looked as if he would love to go again.

Ash wiped away the sweat that was running into her eyes and pulled back a few sticky strands of hair that had escaped. She accepted a waterskin and drank it swiftly before handing it back to its owner. Toy, who was beginning to settle back down, rubbed his itchy head on her while she laughed and patted his neck. Dom watched all this from only a few metres away at the front of the crowd.

It was moments like this when Ash forgot to be on guard and let down her barriers that her real personality shone through as a happy, laughing, carefree person who loved to have fun. If only she could be like this all the time thought Dom wistfully as he watched her break out into a smile again, which lit up her face. Dom thought of the last time he had seen Kel at Raoul and Buri's wedding and how her face had resembled Ash's at the moment. She was so happy thought Dom why did this have to happen to her?

They spent another couple of weeks at Korsteel continuing their work, and Ash and Dom continuing their archery lessons which were steadily getting better, before Lord Raoul and Evin made their announcement. They had done all that they could do here in preparation for winter and were to move on. The Riders were to go on to help with a band of centaurs that had been causing havoc in a town not far from Korsteel, while the Own were to head back to the palace to get ready for the Midwinter festival, king's orders.

The next day they packed up and headed out with a warm farewell given to them by the town's people who lined the streets to wave them off in thanks for the help that that they had received. Dom was looking forward to a warm bed and removing some of the mud that seemed to be permanently ground into his skin. He had already said his goodbye's to Ash whom he now considered a very close friend and would miss while he was at the palace, but it was the king's orders and Dom was soooooo looking forward to that bath. The balls would be boring though. Dom agreed with Lord Raoul about those. They really shouldn't be forced to go, and court ladies should be ban from giggling and flirting so much he thought grumpily.

Due to the clod, muddy weather it took them almost a week to reach Cores and every part of Dom's body seemed to be frozen. The rest of the men weren't any better off and all had wind burnt skin. Lord Raoul though, was actually happy as they approached the capital. Dom supposed that now that he had Buri he didn't find balls so bad. He had also mentioned something about hopefully having two surprises for them. When questioned further about this he only admitted that they would find out one during the first ball and that he couldn't promise that the second one would happen but he would try.

This just puzzled Dom more, but he didn't think too much about it as they rode through the palace gates and dismounted. The palace looked as beautiful as ever covered in a fine layer of snow, like frosting on a cake. Everyone appeared relaxed and in no hurry to get anywhere. All that is, bar two figures who were hurrying across the grounds. The first was a tall man with light brown hair, while the second was smaller and only looked to be in his teens with very dark brown hair.

"Meathead" cried Dom as the first man stopped to catch his breath

"You're like a dog with a bone about that name" Neal panted "I thought you would have grown out of it by now"

"Now cousin, what fun would that be?" teased Dom "Neal, I'm surprised at you. Where are your manners?" seeing Neal's confused look he explained "Well, aren't you going to introduce us?" he nodded towards the boy who stood beside Neal.

"Oh Dom this is my new squire Ascot of Ermengarde" announced Neal proudly.

The boy stepped forward. Ash was right; he was as dark as she was fair. His eyes and hair were such a dark brown they were almost black. There were similarities between the two, however. They had the same long straight nose, same shaped eyes and both were tall.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Sir" Ascot said while Neal sniggered in the background

"Please call me Dom. I don't like formalities." Dom smiled "Besides I do believe I know your sister" at this Neal raised an eyebrow

"She's in the Riders" Dom said answering Neal's unspoken question.

"Well cousin, it was nice to see you again" said Neal putting on an educated tone "But I must be off, I need to give /my squire/ his lessons before dinner. I'll see you then"

Dom watched as Neal strolled away, Ascot following shortly behind him, and thought that married life hadn't really changed Neal. He had married his betrothed Yuki less than three months earlier. They had both put off their wedding after Kel was taken, not wanting to go ahead without her, but had finally decided they could wait no longer. Dom had been best man for the wedding and, since Kel wasn't there, Alanna had reluctantly agreed to be the maid of honour since she had been Neal's knight master.

The Own had a weeks rest at the palace before the Midwinter celebrations began. They spent this time working on their weapon skills, tending to their weapons, replenishing their stocks, catching up on their much needed sleep, and, of course flirting with the many court ladies who were staying in Corus for the balls. Dom was beginning to tire of this. After spending time with people like the Lioness, Daine, Kel and Ash, he found the younger court ladies rather stupid and immature. Most of them were only about sixteen or seventeen compared to his twenty seven (A/N: not exactly sure of his age cos it never really says so I'm making an educated guess)

This, however, didn't stop him from flirting back. He couldn't help it, it was in his nature. The ladies also seemed particularly attracted to him, something which the rest of the men in the Own noticed and found amusing. They all swooned around him, no doubt hoping he would invite them to let him escort one of them to the ball. As far as Dom was concerned though, he was going by himself and taking a leaf out of Raoul's book by hiding in the corner with his friends.

The night of the first ball Dom emerged from his room wearing a black tunic and trousers with a sky blue shirt underneath, which accented his blue eyes. His dark hair was slightly tousled and was already beginning to fall over one eye. He strode towards the large oak door which served as the entrance and entered the ball. There were ladies in dresses every colour of the rainbow and men in their best tunics swirling around the dance floor as the music played.

Dom saw Neal and Yuki dancing and waved before making his way to the small group of the Own who were sitting in the far corner. The group included Corporal Wolset, Qasim, Lerant, and Raoul who for some reason was grinning stupidly. The rest of the men of the Own were among those on the dance floor with some pretty court lady that they had picked up. Buri joined them at the table looking stunning in a deep russet gown that as slightly looser than court fashion but suited her non the less.

Scanning the crowd for people he knew, Dom saw a late arrival to the ball. She had just walked in through the large doors and appeared to be searching for someone. Dom realised that he was not the only male in the room to have noticed her arrival. Many heads turned her way taking in her silvery blue dress that accented her small waist and flared out slightly at her hips. Her blonde hair was pilled up in an elegant knot at the back of her head and was studded with white crystals which shimmered as they caught the light. She also wore a crystal necklace with matching ear drops.

Wolset and Lerant sniggered as Dom stood, seeing the direction in which he was staring. Dom ignored them and walked towards the woman thinking. She looked slightly too old to be still in court but she didn't appear to have a husband. Maybe that's who she's looking for thought Dom she's to beautiful not to be at least betrothed. As he almost reached her Dom realised all the glares he was receiving from the other men for making the first move. Well if he didn't make his move now he wouldn't get another chance.

A/N: I know that was a bit fluffy but please bear with me. Who is the mystery girl? What will Dom do? All will be revealed soon! He he he. Sorry had to do that, but seriously guy's please review!!!