My apologies all to the chapter of my Naruto fanfic that got misplaced. I just caught it now while I'm doing my last round of posts for a few days. This is the correct Chapter 3
It had been nearly dark by the time they had gathered the extra provisions and packs for their mission, and even after a full night's sleep, Alberich was very shaken by this mission, especially after the breakdown which Talia had helped him out of yesterday. Shaking his head, he wondered just what Talia had done to heal him that had brought so many of the parts he kept tucked away near the surface. Whatever it was had done him no harm, and given him enough peace to fall into a boneweary sleep so that he could be waiting here for the others. Selenay had explained the plan to them. They were going to dress like the Holderkin once they got out of Haven and go into the most recently affected Hold under the pretense of being merchants, stopping for a while to rest and care for an injured horse and rider. Skif was currently undertaking the task of brushing down the extra packhorses which were provided for this pretext, while Myste pieced out a letter for a Messenger Herald to take to whatever town they could find within a candlemark or two of their Hold to keep the Companions rather than attract attention. He hadn't seen her yet, but Talia had said that she was ready when she had come down to say goodbye to Dirk and let him know of any duties that he would have while she was gone. While he was thinking this a shy looking girl came up to him, most likely one of the court servants being sent with some last minute items. There was something odd about her, and it took him a few minutes before he realized that the supposed servant was not wearing livery but the same sort of homespun that he had in his pack, a soft smile appearing on her lowered face. That face looked too familiar for a minute, and an image of Hyaesa and Calskea filled his head and he daftly wondered if they could be in Haven. No, if either of them were alive, their friendship had sent them to the fires long ago, or else they still served the Karsite army. Unfortunately, he needed to find some way to get them out of their mind before Myste came and saw him like this. Alberich was trying to figure out a way to dismiss her gently without being too brusque when the head tilted up, and the smile on Herald Myste's face turned into a full grin as she laughed at the unsuspecting Weaponsmaster's surprise.
"I thought you were Calskea" he croaked hoarsely, shocked at how well Myste's disguise had worked. A sharp wave of relief flooded up and he began to laugh cheerfully and joyfully, holding on to Kantor's saddle to keep his knees from giving out with the dizziness that had hit him and was just now starting to fade.
"Well done. If we cannot recognize you when you are trying to appear like a Holderkin, none of them will!" Talia said, trying not laugh herself as she pulled her own rather distinct hair away from her face and into a severe knot which held any of the wispy bits away from her face, making her hair look darker and seemingly adding about ten years to her age.
Skif nodded approvingly. "Unless you catch your hair on fire or do something else, no one will recognize our little bird as their scarlet jay among crows. Can we manage Myste's look as easily?" It was a fair question. If Alberich's response was any indicator, Myste must look nearly twenty years younger with the few changes that she and Talia had worked out to make her blend in less.
"Certainly. The glasses are the biggest thing, and they are packed in case Myste needs to use them at night or on our journey. But for now, and definitely once we get to the Hold, Myste will wear these special lenses that the Healers made for her. The rest is managed with some items that Gaytha lent us for the journey. A riding garment which some of the fine and more heavily built ladies of the court that ride prefer to a corset will make her look lighter, and also make it more comfortable for her to ride and train in. And then some cream for her face to soften the lines and make it look a bit pinker The rest is all hair and clothes like the rest of us. Oh, Gaytha sent something like the cream for Alberich, that way the lines don't give him away to any of the men who might have fought in the Tedrel Wars. And there are enough, that it is well worth it."
"What do I have to hide with?" Skif cried in mock protest.
"We decided that you were a hopeless case long ago, young Master Thief. But have no fear. If you want, these two ladies can find you something to hide with surely." Alberich teased, but was honsetly impressed with how simple and practical the means that the women had found were.
"I'm afraid, dear Skif, that all we have to offer you is this." said Talia, handing Skif a small cloth bag. "A hat, some oil to keep your hair from curling as much, and some iron filings with wax to use for fake whiskers. No secret girly potions or clothes I'm afraid. Just plain stage tricks that Myste already knew.
"You pick things up here and there working in the theater." she said with a shrug, smiling at Alberich as she remembered how mad he had been about letting her work that job to catch the men who were plotting against Selenay, as well as some other more private parts of that assignment which had been even more rewarding.
He laughed gruffly, obviously remembering the same thing, or being reminded of it by Kantor. Whichever it was, he was smiling when he said "All right, well, keep them in the saddlebags in case we need them and we shall get started." They might as well relish their small joy while they could since it was sure to be lost in the graveness of their mission.