Trick of Fate

By: Minuiko

Yes, another long wait. I have to say, I haven't been very interested in Tamora Pierce stuff as much… my favorite authors haven't been updating . And I've been more interested in anime stuff. But I do need to finish this story… Don't worry, I'm planning this to be at least 15 chapters or so. And this chapter happens to have some humor in it. ;)

Chapter Eight: Strip Poker, Anyone?

Kel was gasping for breath. Well, who couldn't, after dancing for nearly an hour nonstop? And she couldn't help looking over Neal's shoulder every once in a while, peering at Dom, at Yuki. Dom looked extremely handsome that evening— of course, he always was, mud or no, but now… Kel shook her head. She wasn't sure what to think of Dom now. He certainly seemed sorry… So why was he still with that slut, grinning every few seconds?

"Kel?"

"Mm?"

"You've been staring at Dom for a while now."

Kel shook her head and glanced at Neal again. "I just—I don't know. I don't want to be just another girl to cross off on that list of his— and yet, I can't help but feel for him…"

"So why did you kiss me?"

For some reason… he seemed more than just curious. There was this underlying emotion that she couldn't identify in his tone of voice, even though he attempted to make it sound casual. "I don't know… it just— came over me."

Neal's answer was to grasp her waist tighter. She immediately started blushing again at his close… no, extremely close, proximity. She wasn't a slut or a player! So why was it that every time she saw Dom, her heart would twist and shatter into a million pieces? Why was it that every time Neal suggested or did something like this, she could start to feel blood rush to her face? Neal drawled softly, "Yes, we all know how irresistible I am…"

"Neal! Shut up."

"Yeah, yeah…

He grinned. "Oh, and by the way, Kel, Lord Raoul wants us to meet at his rooms after this last song."

"Why?"

"I don't know, it's supposed to be this game of some sort…"

"A game, huh? Sure… fine."

!#$&

"STRIP POKER?!!! What kind of game is that?!! Lord Raoul! Are you drunk or something?"

"Now Kel, you know I never drink. It turns me into a—"

"A man you don't like. Yeah, sure… but WHY STRIP POKER?!!"

"Because. I wanted to try it…"

Kel let out a sigh of frustration and started to shuffle the deck…

(Approximately fifteen minutes later)

"Neal, you lost, so hand over the goods!"

"WHAT?! No! The only thing I've got left is this, and there's NO WAY I'm taking it off!!!"

Neal had been shamefully reduced to nothing but his loincloth. Alanna was smirking with this evil expression on her face that did not suit her at all. "Now, come on, Neal, you don't want to break the rules, do you?"

Kel groaned. "You seriously don't want to see his libido, do you?"

Dom, who was also playing, was still fully clothed, and decided to chortle, "If he even has one! So, whaddya say, Meathead?"

Neal had his hands on his face with an expression of pure misery. "Mithros hates me… Let Kel go first, then I'll, uh,… decide."

It just so happened that Kel was losing even worse than Neal. She was, however, better equipped. Next hand… nope, no good. "Okay… so I'll remove… my thirtieth hair pin! Shush, I know… so I'll also remove… this mini-pouch of Yamani gunpowder!"

Everyone was groaning this time. Someone commented, "When are you gonna get to the actual removing clothes part?"

And Dom added, "Besides, how do you store all those things and manage not to look fat?"

Kel didn't know how to take that. That sounded almost like a compliment… she looked back at Dom. And Neal, who was in his underwear. And so she decided to change the subject. "So Neal, decided yet?"

!#$&

It was dark out, and Tobe was tending to the horses. Horses were much more familiar to him than humans, with the exception of Lady Kel and a few of her friends. But lately she had been acting strange, like—like a girl… no offense to her. She wasn't particularly annoying, just— not like the Lady he was used to. He sighed as he brushed Hoshi's coat.

He almost didn't see it, and by the time he reacted to it, it was too late. Gloved hands covered his face to prevent him from yelling. In just moments, he lost consciousness, with only one thought: Lady Kel.

!#$&

Kel woke up early, like she always had, but it was harder than usual, with the excitement of last night and all. She had to wash her face several times to drag the weariness out. She sensed that something was wrong…

And after racking her brain for a few minutes, she knew why. Tobe didn't come back last night! Feeling a rush of panic, she began searching the dormitories, the lunch room, the stables, everywhere, eventually ending up back in her room. "Tobe?! Where are you?!!"

She then noticed a note pinned to her wall. "If you want your servant, come to Haven before ten days have passed, and come alone. If you don't, then the boy, the town, your fief, and virtually everything you hold dear, will burn to the ground."

There was no signature. "Who—"

Kel shook her head and rephrased her question. "What should I do?"

TBC

Minu-sama: Yes, I know, it was rushed. That's because I wanted to update……; and I'm aware that it turned from humorous to serious in a really short time... sorry about that.

Dedicated to Krizsta for writing the best story I've read in a long time!!

Review!! And Happy New Year! xD