A/N: Hello again! I'm glad everyone seemed to like the last chapter, and sorry about the author's notes (?!?) but I feel that they're necessary usually...sorry for any of you disgruntled reviewers out there. And don't take offense either, sorry...I must sound so bitter, but I'm not, I SWEAR!! The last couple chapters I feel have been lacking depth, and if that bothers anyone, I apologize.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

ENJOY!!

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Aly got up from her bed at dawn, completely restless. She'd barely gotten more than 4 hours of sleep - she kept thinking about her godfather's job for her, her father, Braden and Dom and Kel's budding relationship. She opened the door to her bathroom, and waited for warm water. She needed to clear her mind....for at least a few minutes.

She slipped into the bath and let the hot water practically burn her skin before she began to scrub her skin. She refused to let her mind think - she let her mind become blank and empty. She hadn't been overly dirty, but she felt much cleaner than before. Her skin as well as her mind.

She dried her hair with her towel and got dressed, putting on a pair of loose breeches and tunic so that after breakfast with Yuki she could practice shooting arrows. She slipped two daggers into her breeches, hidden from view. She took Jon's letter and put it in her pocket to show either Neal, Dom or Alan, whoever she saw first.

She knocked softly on Yuki and Neal's door, considering it was still slightly earlier. She waited a few minutes before knocking again, only louder. She heard grumbling and footsteps, and a second later, Neal leaned against the door frame before her, his breeches hung loosely from his waist, his dark hair ruffled, yawning loudly.

Nealan, I always knew you were trying to make advances towards me, but must we forget that you're married? She smiled wryly as Neal's eyes popped open to see who was even there at the door. I mean, I love you without you're shirt on and everything, but...youare a little old for me, don't you think?

Neal rolled his eyes. Yes, I do think, I'm a bit old for you. Sorry to have led you on, dearest Aly. He looked at her from head to foot, and looked back into his room out the window. And why are you here at this ungodly hour? Do no enjoy sleeping? He drawled, yawning again to prove his point.

Is your beautiful wife awake?

He opened his mouth to say no when a pair of arms wrapped around his torso, and he shivered. Yuki ducked under his arm and kissed him quickly. I'm going to breakfast with Aly. I'll see you later?Yes, fine. I intend to get more sleep. He turned around dramatically and closed the door.

Yuki gave Aly a quick hug and the two made their way down to the Mess Hall. Well, I talked to Kel yesterday... She could barely hold in her excitement.

They both confessed their love for each other, after of course, Kel comprehended the fact that Dom did in fact love her.She didn't believe him?

Yuki nodded her head. She's still in shock. She laughed, They're going out on their first date tomorrow night.

The two squealed with glee, like two small girls, and grabbed trays for their oatmeal. Look - Kel's already here. Aly sat down across from the Lady Knight and watched her play with her oatmeal. Something wrong?

Kel's head snapped up. Aly! Yuki! Good morning! She smiled, but Aly could see past her mask (thanks to her Sight).

Kel, what's wrong?Kel - I know when people lie. What's wrong? What could be when you and Dom love each other?

Kel sighed and Yuki patted her back. I just...I'm just nervous about tonight I guess.

Aly felt like those mages who talked about with criminals or victims that Thom used to tell her about. I feel like Dom's going to see me one day and say, Why do I love her?' and then go love some court lady with a bigger chest, that's shorter than me, and not as muscular and-Kel! Why would you think that? Dom loves you because you're different than all those other ladies! Didn't he tell you that?Yeah, but still....

Yuki spoke, I have an idea. We're going shopping.

Aly and Kel looked at her, both confused. To get Kel a dress to impress Dom - but to also stay true to herself.

Kel faltered. Well I have plenty of dresses....No. You need a new one. We're leaving right after breakfast.

Aly smiled. Good. I need a new dress too. Her smile faded, But I need to be back before lunch.

Yuki smiled. Don't worry. With Kel, dress shopping at Lalasa's is fast.

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Kel, Yuki and Aly left the palace as soon as they had finished their breakfasts and went back to their rooms to get money for their dresses. They arrived at Lalasa's shop at 7:30, before it opened. They knocked, and Lalasa opened for her two good friends and was quickly introduced to Aly.

Kel was first - Lalasa made her try on 6 different dresses before they found the perfect one. Aly smiled as she looked at her new friend - Kel looked beautiful. It was a simple, long, light-sage color dress that brought out the green in Kel's hazel-green eyes. It had a modest neckline, and long sleeves. It was simplistic, yet looked wonderful on Kel. Lalasa and Yuki exchanged watery smiles as Kel took off the dress, and Aly stepped up to the center of the floor.

Ah, I think I have many dresses for you, Aly. What do you need this for?

Aly thought. She didn't really need a dress....I guess one for a ball or a simple one, whichever you have I guess. Lalasa smiled and scampered off to the back of the store.

You looked beautiful, Kel.You'll blow him away, and still look like Kel. Aly chimed in as Kel came back out of the dressing room in her breeches and shirt.

She didn't blush, but Aly knew she was.

Lalasa came back and Aly tried on her dresses. She liked them, but nothing was special about them. But then again, why did she need a special dress? She couldn't really see Braden again anyway, and if she did, why would she be wearing a dress?

She went back into the dressing room, defeated and ready to put her breeches back on when she heard Lalasa shout, Aly! Wait! Try this last one on.

Aly did so and her mouth opened in shock. It was wonderful. Come out, Aly! Kel teased. She pulled back the curtain and stepped out to meet shocked faces.

Aly blushed. She looked at herself in the mirror. It was a gorgeous dress, but she had nothing to wear it for. But when will I wear it?

Yuki's eyes twinkled. I'm sure you'll find an occasion... Aly looked in the mirror again. It was a cream colored dress made of the finest fabric in Tortall that ended mid-calf and had a low neckline. It was also sleeveless, which was rare and deemed scandalous, but on Aly it looked wonderful. It came with a cream shawl lined with rare red Yamani pearls that matched her hair.

Lalasa winked at her. I always knew it'd look perfect on a redhead.

Aly smiled broadly and went back in the dressing room to change out of her dress. She and Kel paid for their dresses, bid Lalasa goodbye as she had to open the store, and walked back out onto the streets of Corus.

As the bell struck the hour of 11, Aly hugged her friends goodbye, saddled Azure, and rode back to the palace for her lunch meeting with Jonathan and Gary.

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Aly took a deep breath and knocked on the large oak doors. She was surprised when a manservant didn't answer, but instead her godfather himself did. We sent them away, we can't afford to have them overhear, he said before she even had to ask and gave her a giant hug. Come in, come in. We have some stew and biscuits, nothing to fancy. He laughed and waved her over to the large table where Gary and her grandfather, Sir Myles were already sitting.

Good afternoon, gentlemen, she said jokingly, as they both stood up to hug her. They all sat down and she put her hands together on the table. Now let's get down to business, shall we?

Jonathan coughed as Gary picked up a biscuit. Well, Aly, I knew that you want to be a spy.

She nodded, curious. How did you...Your mother, your father, your grandfather - they've all told us...numerous times, Gary sighed. Aly smiled. Yes, they probably would have.

And we know that you've also wanted to be a Player. And we all think that you'd be perfect for whichever career....and that's why we think we've found the perfect one for you.You probably don't know this, but our Royal Spies have informed us that Maren is keen on going to war with Tusaine, and ultimately us. While they may not begin to attack for a time, we are nonetheless concerned. We only have a few spies, and we need more in Maren and Tusaine, and that's where you come in.

Aly's face remained confused, as Gary continued for Jon. Royal Families love the Players, and we've decided on a new tactic. He paused, and Aly's eyes opened wide; she understood.

And you want me to go to Maren and Tusaine as a Player and a spy? Jonathan and Gary nodded, but Myles sat in his chair, staring intently at her. But what about-They'll be taken care of. Your father will agree to it, and since it's a Royal Mission, your mother won't be able to object. Aly looked at her grandfather, the first time he had spoken since she arrived.

She laughed. This is the most perfect job in the entire world. How can I thank you?

Jon smiled widely. By going.When do I leave?

Gary laughed. First you must train with the Players.Will all of them be spies?Only some. You'll train with them a few hours a day, and an hour a day with the other Players who are spies. You'll leave two weeks after Midwinter.

Aly smiled. This has to be the greatest thing ever. When do I meet my fellow spies?

Jonathan laughed, Anxious are we?Excited is more like it! She couldn't stop grinning. Who would have thought that Aly was getting the job of a lifetime? She was going to be a Player and spy at the same time, whether her parents liked it or not, thanks to the greatest godfather and King of the entire universe.

In a few minutes. I'll send for them. Jonathan nodded at Myles, and Myles walked out the door. Aly picked up a bowl of stew and ate, too excited to talk.

A few minutes later, Myles walked back into the room with 4 other recruits. Aly, meet Aliya, she's been a spy for a year and has been a player for 2. Aliya had long, black, wavy hair and big brown eyes. Her smile was wide - she was beautiful, and Aly immediately liked her. This is Christopher, he's just joined the Players and has been a spy for only a few months. He left the Riders because it was too boring. Myles snorted, and Aly shook Christopher's hand. He was taller than Owen, but shorter than Dom, and had short blonde hair and sea-green eyes - not as green as Neal's, but not nearly as blue as Dom's. Why was she comparing him to all of her friends? She shook that thought from her head, as Myles introduced her to the next person. This is Rhonda. She's been with the Players for a few months and a spy for almost a year.

Aly shook her hand. Please, call me Ronnie. She smiled widely and tucked her short brown hair behind her ear and winked a blue eye, All my friends do.

And last, but not least, meet Braden. Aly's heart stopped. Braden? He's been a spy for almost 3 years and has yet to join the Players. Braden smiled broadly and shook her hand as Aly swallowed hard.

Yes, Sir Myles, we've met before. Braden winked at Aly, but she could see that he was miserable inside. Why?

Myles cocked an eyebrow and smiled. Right, okay. Well, we've got to finish up here with Aly, but you'll all see each other tonight before dinner - my office for some training. The four spies nodded, bowed to Myles, Gary and the King, said goodbye to Aly and left.

Aly finished her lunch with the three older men, talking and listening to stories all while trying her best to hide her discomfort.

Braden was going with her to Tusaine and Maren, and who knew for how long? Would he talk to her? Flirt with her? Kiss her? Or would her father not let him? She pushed these thoughts aside and continued to eat. She'd have to think about this later. And she had to tell all her friends sooner or later that she was going to be a Player - but not a spy. Terrific.

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A/N: El fin! Did you love it? Hate it? Expect it? REVIEW please!!! I love you all and I hope I didn't disappoint....!

-AE