Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters so don't sue me.

The next morning at 11 Keladry of Mindelan waited at the courtyard for the other ladies. One by one they slowly arrived. First Alanna, then Buri, Yuki and then at last Thayet.

"Sorry I'm late girls. Jon insisted in me waiting till we had seen all the wedding preparations so far." Thayet said

"Don't worry. We weren't going to leave without you. Remember, you're the one with the dress sense," Buri said pointing to the elegant dress Thayet had on.

"I suggest we go now. I still want to be around to have my lunch" Alanna said.

Off they went. The dressmakers room was on the other side of the fort. Alanna and Kel deliberately stayed at the back of the group, their reason as they put it was that they were the ones which have to look out for them in case someone came and tried to hurt the beautiful ladies. This comment was very silly as all the "beautiful ladies" were very capable to look after themselves.

Suddenly Kel noticed a person in the shadows putting silverware into a sack. Every few seconds, he would raise his head like he was wary of the people passing around him.

Filling the sack he started along the street with the load on his shoulder. Kel's instinct told her that something was not right. She looked at the others.

She was surprised that Alanna was also looking at the man. Kel put a questioning looking on her face then nodded her head towards the man who was now reaching the end of the lane

Alanna could not bothered to stand on tiptoes to reach Kel's ear, instead gestured to the lane leading to the right. Kel nodded back. Kel pointed her hand towards the left. Alanna nodded back.

While the other ladies were talking they quietly sneaked off. Alanna jogged up the lane that was the one running parallel to the one where the man was walking. Reaching the end she turned left, just in time as the man was just walking in the same direction.

The man turned his head up to meet Alanna eyes. He had heard about the King's Champion who had bright purple eyes, now seeing who it must be and that he must suspect him fled for his life as Alanna was about to grab his arm.

"Gods, he has a nerve to run away," Alanna muttered under her breath "For Tortall" she yelled a war cry and started off at an amazing pace.

Kel hearing the war cry sped down her lane and turned right. She saw the man running straight towards her. Alanna was running straight behind him. Kel stepped into the middle of the lane and planted herself squarely on the ground. She put her hand up in a fighting stance.

The man looked up and seeing the tall girl dumped his load in a corner and took a knife from his belt. He put in front of himself ready to fight anyone who came near.

Back at the dressmakers the other ladies still had not noticed the missing women.

"Isn't that the most beautiful dress Yuki?" Thayet asked the younger woman.

Not looking away from the window Buri said "How's about the amethyst dress Alanna? I think that all the bridesmaids should wear colours that match each other's. Yours amethyst, Thayet's blue, Kel-" Buri turning around looked around for her friend "Alanna?" noticing that Alanna had run away she muttered.

"Gods, I was sure this was going to happen. But after so long and her wearing dresses from time to time I thought this would not happen. I should have kept an eye on her." Buri said, mentally kicking her self for being so stupid

"Alanna's not the only one who as gone. Kel must have joined her as well," Yuki said with her cheeks crinkling turning into a smile.

"Well, we might as well go in now. We can't go all together on another day. If they don't want a dress then that's is their problem." Thayet said with a stern look on her face

"You know, maybe that war cry we heard might have been Alanna. How's about I just go and check and come back as soon as I can." Buri said. She checked her side for her sword. She had forgotten to put it on because she had been in a rush to leave.

"Here's a sword, you might be needing it." Thayet said as she pulled a sword from the fold of her dress.

"You really are a remarkable woman, Thayet" Buri said, clearly surprised. Putting it into her belt she sprinted down the lane.

When Buri reached the end she saw what was going on. Alanna was just about to pounce on the man with her hands on the opening on the knife pockets in her sleeves.

Kel was sliding herself along the walls of the shops trying to get as close as possible to the man since he had his attention on Alanna. Knowing that Alanna had some weapons concealed on her from experience she put her fingers in her mouth and blew a loud whistle.

The man startled from the noise lost his concentration and his knife wavered. Alanna flipped her sleeves up to produce two daggers she threw them with skill as the dagger hit the knife and flipped the knife out of his grip.

During that time Buri and come closer and given the sword to Kel. Kel now pounced on the man and on the sword against his throat.

"Don't even try to move. If you do I will slit your throat" Kel said menacingly "I am Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan and I have practised in sword skills."

"We are knights of Tortall and we believe that you were stealing. Should you lie to us we will be sure that you are given a big punishment. Keladry will withdraw her sword for you to speak. Should you try to move you'll wish you have never thought about trying," Alanna said her voice cold.

Kel let go of the pressure she had put on his neck. The man gulped and was about to rub his throat when Kel circled the sword point under his nose.

"Yes I did steal a few things, but you see my family is poor and I would have paid all the costs later when I had got the money." Seeing that it wasn't a good enough answer he went on "My wife is sick and I really need for her to go and see a healer. Please ladies, don't take me to the King."

"He tells the truth" Buri said to the others. She showed them a glass, which was clear.

Kel sighed, "I guess we had better go on see that wife of his Alanna. I'm sure you will be able to heal her." Kel gave the sword to Buri. "Thanks" she said gratefully.

"The others will be a bit worried. How's about you two go and I will find some dresses that would be suitable for both of you to wear at the wedding." Buri said

"We won't we long, hopefully" Kel said

After Alanna and Kel had checked on the wife of the man, they tried on some of the dresses that Thayet had thought suitable for them.

Alanna and Kel were very agreeable to whatever dress was thrusted under their noses. They just wanted to finish the whole business quickly.

When Kel staggered back to her room, she remembered that she was still wearing the dress a little bit too late. Dom had heard her walk down the hall and he was now leaning against the frame of the door grinning at Kel.

"Oh dear. This is really what I need right now" She muttered to herself. To Dom she said "I just remembered I have to go to pick up some clothes from the- um, Alanna that's it." She turned around and walked in the opposite direction.

She heard him make a wolf whistle. She increased her speed and when she reached the end of the corridor she realised that she did not know where Alanna's room was.

"Do you need to know where Alanna's room is?" She hadn't heard Dom run up to her.

"I guess I don't really need to go." Kel said and turned to look at him "I just really need to get out of these clothes right now before anyone else has to make fun of me before the wedding"

"I won't make fun of you. Just come back to the room and you can get changed while I go and check on a few things," Dom said kindly

"Thanks, I guess I really am lucky to have someone like you around" Kel said looking straight into his lovely blue eyes.

Dom kissed her forehead then put his arm around her shoulders as they walked back to the room.

I really want to know what you think. In other words please review and you can say all you like about it. Criticism is always good to keep a person stable.

Lady W