Shadi was walking around, looking for the distinct look of Domitan of Masbolle, Neal's cousin. She wanted to talk to him, about Kel, and how good he was at fighting, and whether he could beat her. She spotted him, outside a tent, talking to someone Shadi didn't recognize from the descriptions in Tamora Pierce's books.

"Um, hi." Shadi said, then winced inwardly at how pathetic she sounded.

"Hello, Lady." Dom paused, waiting for her to supply her name.

"Lady Shadi of Venice, and you are Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle." Shadi supplied, and looked at Dom's face, which showed surprise, then took on a guarded look.

"How did you know my name, Lady Shadi?" He asked, staring at her.

And then Pika (Shadi's horse) cantered up. "Isn't that that horse you were asking me to keep an eye out for?" Dom asked the guy he was talking to.

"Yes. Went missin' from th'stables t'other day. Same as two others. Prime horses, they were. Fit for a Lady. An' now ones gotta weirdo ridin' it. Where's t'others, lassie?" The guy asked Shadi.

"With my friend, Miliko. They came to us. Not that it's any of your business." Shadi answered, daring him to contradict her.

"What's that?" He asked instead. Rabidash had come up, bored. 'Myanh's looking at a funny human with blonde hair. Can I assist you in any way? " He asked. Shadi smiled, and spoke aloud.

"No, Rabidash, there's nothing you can do for me. Unless you want to convince this man that Lupe, Kougra and Pika all came to me of their own free will." Rabidash shook his head, and flew off.

"Who's that?" The man asked, looking shaken. Dom just stared even harder at Shadi. Shadi smiled.

"One of my friends. So don't mess with me. I maybe lady in title, but I'm not in nature. Now, kindly leave." The man bowed, and left.

"Now, I believe you asked how I knew your name?" Shadi asked. Dom nodded.

"Well, there's this lady, called Tamora Pierce, she writes about you. And I wanted to find out more about you. 'Kay?"

"How, how did she find out about me?" Dom asked.

"I don't know. But she wrote about a place called Emelan, you wouldn't know it. And she wrote about Tortall. Her first series was Song of the Lioness, about Alanna. Then the next series is about Daine. Her last series is about Keladry. It's called Protector of the Small. I think we've landed in Squire. But she has a book by itself called Tricksters Choice. It's about Alianne, Alanna's daughter. Like I said, I think we're in Squire. Which means Kel's a squire, hence the title, Sir Raoul's her knight master, Neal's her best friend, and I don't know if. Actually, I'd better not say that. So, yeah. That's about it." Shadi nodded.

"Okay. What was it you wanted to ask me?" Dom asked, still staring at Shadi as if she had grown an extra head.

"Do you have a crush on Kel?" Shadi asked bluntly. Dom looked startled.

"No. Why would I?" He asked defensively.

Shadi smiled knowingly. "No reason. Bye now."

"Goodbye, Lady Shadi."