I forgot to tell everybody that this pen name has two writers, Lys and the Jade Dragon. I'm the Jade Dragon, Lys might make a few comments here and there in my story/ficlet.Lys likes to write stories/ficlets on Escaflowne, Inu-yasha, and anime stuff like that. So... whoever writes the story will have their name in the summary.

My chapters are short and I understand that most of the people that read stories on like long chapters. I'm really sorry, but the amount of time I am allowed on the computer limits me to the amount that I am currently able to type. But I am taking a keyboarding class so that I will soon type faster.

Reviewers

Commander Rhade
lilycat
Lady Belle of Masbolle
Jamie Lynn
problem cows of the world
Ace Ryn Knight
queen-of-saphires
Fantasizing-Lady-Knight
Kelly Masbolle

Three days later Kel sat upon Hoshi with Tobe beside her on Peachblossom. Behind her was Raoul, Knight Commander of the King's Own the second in command. Close behind him was the army consisting of 100,000 soldiers and knights. The pace was slow as not all soldiers had horses on which to ride. They would reach New Hope in a week and so far the group had seen no one in the country north of Corus.

"Milady, it's noon." Tobe said from Peachblossom, his face red from prolong exposure in the sun. Kel nodded in acknowledgement before holding her right arm up signaling a the company to halt.

"We shall break for 15 mnutes so that you may eat," Kel shouted when she had turned her mount around to face the men. "Stay in your saddles!" She swung down, her sore legs hitting the ground with a thump. Walking towards Tobe, Kel reached into Peachblossom's saddle bag for the flask of water in it. The soft thumps of a horse coming up behind her startled her.

"Milady, how are you this fine spring after noon?" Kel turned to see Sergeant Domitan, his blue eyes looking down at her from the saddle.

"Dom, how many times must I tell you to call me 'Kel'?" She mocked glared at the Sergeant.

"Probably thousands, but you need to say it once more, milady." Dom bowed from his seat in the saddle. Taking aim, Kel swung her arm up and into Dom's stomach so he fell on the ground with a 'thump.' "Hey, what was that for, milady?"

"For calling me by a name other then my own." Kel stomped off towards Hoshi and mounted the horse. She signaled that it was time to go by the time Dom got back in his saddle.

The army with Kel in it's lead, continued on the trail. They stopped by a large stream just as the sky began to turn dark. Camp was pitched up quickly and with little effort. Guards were posted, scouts sent out. By all means, the camp was ready for the night.

Dom once again approached Kel, a playful grin on his face. He snuck up behind her, Kel facing the fire in front of her tent. Reaching up, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her around to face him.

"Boo!" Dom laughed at the sight of her face, eyebrows knitted together in anger once she figured out who it was.

"DOM!" startled birds and animals ran from the immediate area. "We are on our way to a war, and you think it's time to play games." Dom looked disappointed, his head dropping down.

"Sorry, Kel- I mean General Keladry." Dom bowed and walked away. Kel sighed, the war was getting to her.The worry, the stress, the fear of failure. 'I just need to have some fun' Kel thought to herself. And with this thought Kel ran after Dom, who had ran towards the woods.

"Dom!" Kel glanced around. "Dom!" A shadowed figure walked slowly torward her from behind a tree. Upon the closing distance between the two, Kel began to see a worried expression on his face. "What is it, Dom?"

"In the north, bright flames and smoke." Kel raced back to camp her right hand clutched around Dom's left wrist. She ran to Raoul's tent, where Buri would be also.

"Raoul! Buri!" Kel and Dom ducked under the opening to find the two called sitting on chairs talking.

"Kel, Dom…. What are you yelling about?" Raoul turned and pointed a finger at Kel. "Your not pregnant with his child are you?"

Kel and Dom blushed madly at the statement but shook their heads, Kel once again putting on her mask all the while thinking 'I'm a stone, I'm a stone.'

"Milord, Commander Buri." Kel said, a very serious tone in her voice. "I need you to take charge of the soldiers, while I take a small group and get to the border." She sat down on another chair, Dom following her action.

"Why, Kel?" Buri asked, a frown darkening her face.

"Sergeant Domitan and I have seen the northern sky a lit with flame. I will take Domitan's squad and run ahead. I want you two to lead the army to New Hope. We don't have time to make the announcement to the troops. I expect the army there in 6-7 days." Kel walked out leaving Dom with Raoul and Buri.