Hey everyone! I love you all! And I've gotten reviews and am even on favorites lists blushes and heartily hugs the very nice people However, there are some people that have me on author alert, but I haven't gotten a review from them! hears gasps from readers I know! All you wonderful people who like my writing, thank you so incredibly much, but I also need the encouragement that comes from having reviews. Especially the ones that tell me where to improve. So that said, on to the most original part of the story… can you guess what it is? The disclaimer: )

Disclaimer: If I was Tamora and had millions from all her fans that buy her books, I would be lying on a beach in Italy with lots of hot Italian guys around getting fat on yummy food and gelatos. I would not be spending some of my time in a room with my computer. Guess which of the two lives I'm living.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kel stirred in her sleep. As warm and comfortable as she felt, her pillow was rather hard. She reached up to shift it into a better position and felt warm flesh beneath her cheek. That was odd. Cracking open one eye, she observed the tanned forearm and large hand stretched out right in front of her face. Her surprise woke her sleeping mind, and thoughts started forming

Why am I lying on an arm? It's really very strange. Whose arm would be with me anyways? I am… on a mission… to Scanra… with…! Oh no.

Slowly tilting her head upwards, Kel looked directly into Neal's face. Shocked, she froze, fearing waking him. Ok, I can solve this. I'll get up and fake sleep over in the other part of the tent. It'll be fine. She started to slide away from Neal when she became acutely aware of the position of Neal's other arm. As if he sensed her sudden discomfort, Neal moved in his sleep. But instead of moving the offending arm, his hand went around her waist more firmly and drew her back against him. This was very not good. This had to stop now, before Kel could acknowledge her thoughts. Thoughts about how hard his chest was, how good it felt to lie here, how she NO. She wasn't thinking anything. Neal needed to move away.

"Um, Neal?" From this came no response, and quickly Kel's shyness vanished. "Neal! Neal! NEAL!"

"What?" Neal shook his head slowly. He tried hard to wake up, only succeeding in making himself more lethargic. "What's wrong?"

"Well, I don't think the hugging of their squires is a popular new sport. And I doubt that any of our elders would approve. They call me a slut as it is."

"What are you talking about? Hugging squires… not popular… I…" Neal wrinkled up his forehead and attempted to scrub his face with his hands. And discovered just what the problem was. One of his arms was tucked underneath Kel's head, the other wrapped around her waist. Aw shoot. Quickly he removed his arms.

"Thank you." Kel gave him a brief smile before exiting the tent. Pausing halfway out of the tent she turned back. "Since I'm feeling particularly loving today dear knight-master, I'll saddle the wondrous Monster for you." She grinned at Neal's dishevelment. "I'd suggest waking up. And don't worry," her voice took on a patronizing tone, "I'd be happy to provide some cold water if it's strictly necessary."

Neal grumbled watching the flap close behind her. Stupid Nealan. Why did you have to sleep with her? I mean, not that way! But still, she felt so nice. But she obviously wanted out. Was it so awful for her that I held her? Then he realized that he was frowning, and quickly smoothed out his features. Donning some semi-clean clothes, he stepped out of the tent.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The ride to Casr took another few hours. Upon arrival they got two rooms at a local Inn and each made their way up to their respective rooms.

Kel relaxed as a maid poured hot water into a bath. She couldn't wait to take a nice hot bath. She knew that now was climax of her mission, and she was determined to clear her head of any silly thoughts concerning her knight master NOW. Suddenly she realized that the maid was talking to her.

"What did you say?"

"I'm sorry for interrupting your thoughts milady." Kel waved her hand, dismissing the apology and the maid continued. "I was just wondering if your were in town for the dance tonight."

"Oh. No. I wasn't actually aware that there was a dance…" She trailed off, slipping back into her thoughts on Neal. He's just Neal. What am I-

The maid sighed dreamily. "They say Burgad will be there milady. What a handsome young man." Kel jerked back into reality.

"Burgad? At the dance?"

"Yes milady. He and his troops just arrived in town. They're throwing a ball at the town square tonight."

"Really?" Kel asked, covering her inner turmoil. Wow Neal was right. I wonder… "Do you know why they are in Casr?"

"Oh," the maid giggled. Kel sighed. She couldn't stand giggly girls. "Well milady, I'm not supposed to know. But you see my fiancé is in army under Burgad's command. He rode ahead of the troops to come and see me last night. Oh is he such a sweetie."

Kel waited not so patiently as the maid rambled on about her fiancé. Finally, ad the maid showed no signs of getting to the point she prompted, "he seems like a wonderful man. So what was he saying? About Burgad?"

"Well I'm not supposed to be telling you this milady but you seem like a nice sort." She leaned into Kel, whispering conspiratorially. "You see they have these important captives. These ones from Tortall. They say that these will win the war for us. But," she sighed dramatically, "That's the reason my dear man won't be present at the ball. Well, he'll be nearby, but he has to spend the night guarding the prisoners at the local jail. I guess someone has to do that until they move the captives tomorrow."

"I'm sorry." Kel tried to make her consolation seem sincere. "Is the dance open to the general public?"

The maid looked confused at the large words but answered, "well milady anyone who wants to go is invited."

"Really. You know what? I won't be needing this bath right now. But, I was wondering, would you help me tonight? I decided that I really did want to attend this ball. I would really appreciate some help." Kel made sure that she knocked her purse just enough for the coins to clink together.

The maid's eyes grew wide. "Oh of course milady. I would be honored to. Will you need a dress as well?"

Kel considered this. She supposed that Tortallan and Scanran styles were different, and a good impression was necessary for her half-formed plan to work. "Yes actually, I will. Do you think 5 gold hagns will cover it?"

"Yes milady I believe it will." The maid took the coins from Kel's outstretched palm. "I will return at the afternoon bells milady."

"Thank you." She smiled as the maid curtsied and left. Waiting until the maid was safely down the stairs, Kel hurried out of the room and banged on Neal's door.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Neal swore. He had cut himself yet again. Shaving without a mirror really wasn't a very easy task. He had just placed his belt-knife against his skin once more when he heard the hammering on his door.

"One second!"

"No! Neal open this door right now!"

Neal grumbled under his breath. What nerve, a squire ordering her knight-master around. And yet, he was going to obey her. Throwing open the door he glared at her.

"What is so damned important that I can't finish shaving in peace?"

Kel looked at him. Her Yamani mask was in place, but annoyance was starting to show through. She smiled at him, gritting her teeth. "Dear uncle, I have some very important information regarding a prospective job. Would you mind inviting me in?"

Neal frowned. Something happened, but Kel wasn't telling him what. He decided to play along. "Of course. Could I ever deny my favorite niece anything?" He held the door open for her mockingly and then closed it behind her after she made herself comfortable at his desk. He was startled when a she held up a piece of parchment a moment later.

"Kel, what?" Her panicked look efficiently shut him up and he read the writing that she thrust in his face.

Shield the room. Soundproof it.

Frowning he did as she requested, green fire streaming from his finger until it filled every corner of the room.

"Kel what the hell is going on?"

"I got a lead Neal. Burgad and his troops are having a ball tonight, in the town square."

Neal looked at her incredulously. "You want to go dance? I thought that you hated that Burgad."

"No no no. You see, most of the army will be at the dance, so the force guarding Buri and Faleron will be limited."

"Well that's great Kel." Neal was utterly confused. "However there is one minor detail we need to take care of. Like finding out where Buri and Faleron are being kept. This isn't that small of a town Kel." Neal turned away, once again trying to shave his face.

"Yes just a minor detail." Now Kel sounded amused. She crept up behind him and spoke in his ear. "A minor detail that I know."

Neal jumped, and then cursed as the razor-sharp blade bit into his cheek. "Damn…" He looked down at the blood-covered knife, and then returned to his immediate problem. Looking at Kel he said "Kel… did you just say that you knew where they were being kept?"

She nodded, barely concealing her smile, and plucked the razor from his hand. As he gaped at her she gently closed his mouth. "Listen Neal, I have a plan."

Neal listened, or tried to, as she explained. He was trying to focus on what she was saying, but her nearness as she shaved away his whiskers was really very distracting. Her hand is so gentle and she… He mentally shook himself, trying to keep his mind of her gentle touch. Concentrate Neal concentrate.

He didn't let his mind wander as she articulated the rest of her plan. After tweaking a few details, she departed, leaving a dumbstruck Neal behind.

Finally Neal realized he had spent a large number of minutes staring after her and went to wash his face. Throwing on his shirt, he grabbed the glaive that Kel had placed outside of his door and left the hotel.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kel stepped out of the tub and pulled on the gown that the maid, no not maid, Reina, her name's Reina, had given her. The dress was pretty, though it was covered in far more jewels and decorations then she liked. However, that was Scanran style, so she would wear it. At least the color was pretty, a dark emerald green that drew out the color of her eyes.

She smiled as Reina fussed with her hair and put face paint on her face. She liked this Reina. She didn't really want to hurt her or her fiancé. But she couldn't help it. This was war.

When Reina finished her hair, Kel paid her generously and strolled over to Neal. He was dressed in a nice tunic and the look in his eyes when he saw her made Kel feel warm. Stop it Kel. Just don't think it.

Neal held out his arm. "Shall we my dear niece?"

"Of course uncle. This should be fun."

Fun indeed.

>>>>>>>>>>>

A/N: Well here tis. Sorry it took a little while; I was trying to get a start on another piece. If you like this one, please check out my other one as well! I would appreciate it to no end! Especially if you review. Please review! If you do, I will love you even more than I do now. Also just a note, I'm trying to make sure that Kel and Neal don't fall in love too quickly, but I'm also trying to make it reasonable and not too drawn out. I promise that the next chapter will be mostly action. But I like the fluff as well so there will definitely be more.

Love love love!

PrincessPeach