It was midday, their third day back in Corus, and Kaden finally decided to give the mysterious pack back to Eadulf. It wasn't that she didn't want to give it back, it was because she wasn't done reading everything, and she wanted so badly to ask him questions about the letters and documents, but she had a feeling she would be at risk doing something like that.

She walked in one of the courtyards to the other side of the palace, looking for his room. She had no idea where he was staying, but took a wild shot at it, thinking logically. She headed for the training masters rooms.

Seeing a man in the hallway, she approached him bravely.

"Excuse me, sir, can I ask you if you know where Eadulf Reduald is staying?" The man turned around, and as if she hadn't the chance to see who he was from afar, it was him. The Shang Wolf.

"Kaden! It's a pleasure to see you again!" He shook her hand vigorously, calloused hands warm against her own. "What brings you here, to see me again?" He looked puzzled. She held up the bag, and the look on his face turned into surprise. She thought she'd seen anger in his eyes, but thought otherwise. "Where did you get this?" He sounded like he didn't have himself under control very well, which was wierd for Kaden to notice because why would he need to control himself? He took the bag and looked briefly through it.

"You left it behind, sir, when you were at the inn. I found it in the stables and-"

"Thank you so much! I was worried I'd lost it." He patted her on the shoulder. Silence overtook them both for a moment.

"I-" Kaden started.

"Well-" Eadulf stated. More silence. "You go first." In this light, he seemed almost as ahndsome as Allan, but she pushed the thoughts of her pain aside and smiled lightly at the gorgeous man beside her.

"I should be going now." She said almost shyly. Then she bid her goodbye to the man with one more thank you escaping his lips and a wave. She turned back to her rooms and sighed, glad to have the big burden off her chest. Only one thing tugged at her thoughts. Why did she sense anger in him?

"Kaden, hurry!" Ambrose grabbed her from behind and dragged her out of the stable. Kaden waved goodbye to Eadulf. She had spent more time with him since their last encounter, and Ambrose dragged her away from him.

"Where are you taking me, woman?" She said teasingly and took Ambrose's hand off her tunic. She brushed herself off.

"To the market." When Kaden rolled her eyes, she punched her in the arm. "The ball is tomorrow! Aren't you worried about the man you love? He'll want you to look beautiful, I know it."

Kaden rubbed her arm soothingly and followed the girl slowly to the stables where they mounted their horses and rode out. Ambrose seemed more enthusiastic than normal. She loved going to balls and getting all dressed up, even dancing with boys she didn't know and teasing them, but this time, she was gallopping away at full speed. Kaden caught up with her.

"Hey, slow down!" She did slow down, but only for a little bit. "What's up with you?" A small smile grew on her face until she couldn't contain it. Suddenly, she sighed and looked tentatively at her friend.

"Edvard is going to be there..." She said dreamily. "I can't wait!"

"Ahh, so that's why you're so happy."

They rode on until they came to the market. Then they slowed to a trot and tied their horses in a stable by the dress shop. Kaden took out her purse and counted the coins she had leftover. Her parents, or her foster parents, had given her two gold nobles in their last package. The rest were just five silver nobles.

She trudged after Ambrose who had made it all the way to the doorway of a lovely dress shop and was opening the door. She made it just in time to catch Ambrose from buying the most expensive dress in the store.

"You don't even have that much in your purse! Look, three gold nobles and nine silver! That one costs seven gold!" Kaden scolded.

"I wasn't going to actually buy it, I was just looking!" Kaden gave her an oh-sure look, and walked over to a plain cream gown with thin skirts. It was just the thing she wanted. It was simple and comfortable.

"Kaden, what are you doing?" Ambrose came to look at her choice and shook her head.

"What? I'm buying my dress!"

"Oh no, you aren't." She came over and took the dress from her grasp. Kaden knew that she had a big speech up her sleeve. "This is the midwinter ball, Kaden. The King and Queen will be there. You don't want to look bad for your first meeting with the King and Queen, do you?" Kaden opened her mouth to object, but Ambrose silenced her while hanging up Kaden's choice of dress. "This is the first time you'll meet them. There will be very important people there. All of the squires and pages, the knights and dukes and ladies. The Lioness might be there, of course you never know with her, she could be home with her husband and children. She could be out fighting pirates, for Mithros' sake. I mean, Daine the Wildmage might even be there or Kel, the new Lady Squire. Not to mention the man you've been in love with for the past few days." Kaden gave her a look of anger, and Ambrose smiled and put a finger over her lips. "This is the most important day of your life. Do you want to look like you've just come out of a pig sty?"

"Was it really that bad?" Kaden asked after a moment of silence, following her friend to another row of dresses, all in blue. Ambrose nodded sympathetically.

"Ah, here it is." She held up a light blue gown adorned with beaded embroidery and a lace bodice. It was beautiful, but she didn't exactly care for blue.

"No way am I wearing that! I don't wear blue!" She exclaimed.

"You do now, honey. Now, go try it on!" She hesitated, then looked at the dress and decided that trying it on wouldn't hurt a bit.

When she had it on, it fit like it was made for her. It wasn't too revealing and the skirts weren't overflowing on her. The skirts were pleated and ribbons with beads on them flowed from it. The bodice was lace with beads on it and there were half-sleeves on it.

"You don't think it's too much?" She asked as she stepped out of the dressing room.

"You look gorgeous, Kaden! Well, you're going to need a corset, of course, but it's perfect! And you're eyes just pop!"

After they had picked a corset in Kaden's size, she went to pay for it.

"Three gold nobles, please." The clerk lady announced.

"Ambrose, I can't afford it! I won't be able to buy the-"

"Yes you will." She produced one gold noble from her purse and gave it to Kaden.

"I can't..."

"Just consider it a friends gift. Please, take it." Finally Kaden gave in and thanked her a million times. All Ambrose said was 'It was nothing!' and went on with her own shopping.

When they made it back home, Ambrose rushed her into her rooms with the dresses. With a flick of her finger, candles were lit and they were getting ready. Of course, in this department, Ambrose was the boss, so Kaden just went along with the older girl.

"Here, this will do." She said out loud while coming out of her overstuffed closet and clipping Kaden's hair up in various places, some pieces left falling down, some clipped into place. Her eyelids were covered with blue dust and her cheeks with pink. On her lips, Ambrose wiped light pink lip paint. Last of all, small, flat white shoes were put on her small feet; Ambrose had let her borrow them. Then, she was ready to look in the mirror. She looked like a doll, but she also looked beautiful.

"You like?" Ambrose asked, her brown eyes sparkling in the candlelight.

"Yes, thanks!" Kaden watched and occasionally helped Ambrose get ready. She kept her long, flowing curls down, letting them untamed and free. She had picked a cream gown, elegant with silk and lace; even more elegant than Kaden's. The neckline was even more daring and the skirts were bigger. They weren't overpowering, either. Somehow Ambrose seemed to play this look very well.

Pink powder was brushed on her cheeks and brown was brushed on her eyelids along with red lip paint. She wore brown shoes to match her eyes and then straightened out herself as if getting the dust off her dress.

"Are you ready to go?" Kaden asked excitedly. Even she, the girl who hated balls, was excited to show Eadulf how beautiful she was. She had just met the man, and already she'd fallen for him. She couldn't wait to see him.

"Yes. Shall we?" Ambrose grabbed her arm and they left the room, candles going out automatically.

A/N: What? You really didn't expect me to tell you about the ball, too, did you? You're going to have to wait! HAHA! Evil... no, sorry. Just kidding. You'll get to hear about the ball next chappie. I mean, I wouldn't leave out the most important chapter in the whole book, would I? Oops, did I just say that?

-AM