Dom felt lightheaded as he watched Daisuke prepare for the match. Yuki had promised to talk to her brother, but she didn't have enough time to explain what she said, or how Daisuke had reacted. Dom gripped the lance tighter.

"Charge." He whispered to Peachblossom. The horse flicked his ear back in surprise, but took off. Dom focused on his breathing, trying to match his rhythm to the horse's. The lance steadied and---

Shattered across Daisuke's shield. Dom felt a corresponding numbness spread up his left side from impact. Daisuke's lance hadn't hit dead center, and it was still in once piece. Dom blinked. Was Daisuke's poor aim intentional?

He and Peachblossom turned and received a second lance from the field hand. "Well rode, lady knight." The servant said.

The bell sounded again, saving Dom from trying to formulate a convincing response. Peachblossom galloped down the lane, hooves pounding. Dom resisted the urge to close his eyes and turn away. Kel was counting on him, even if she didn't know it yet.

Their lances struck each other's squarely, and both shattered. As Dom's body tried to absorb the shock, he prayed that Daisuke wasn't holding back. If that was the ronin's idea of going easy on someone…

Dom almost dropped the third lance as it was handed to him. It was so accursed heavy, and his fingers were shooting needle-like pains up his arm. He took a deep breath and forced his protesting fingers to curl around the grip. One more round. Just stay in the saddle. This is for New Hope. This is for Kel.

As the warriors met in the center field the third time, Daisuke's aim proved false once more. His lance skittered off Dom's shield and caught the bottom edge of Dom's helmet. Air rushed around Dom's ears as the headpiece flew off. His gloved hand reached up to touch his chin in shock. He'd almost gotten his throat or skull crushed.

A roar went up from the crowds and Dom's brain caught up with reality. Kel's face was much more feminine than his own. Not to mention her blond hair and hazel eyes. His cheeks burned red. Nevertheless, he guided Peachblossom to the royal box and waited for the King to react.

Jonathan's blue eyes flickered through his options quickly. "You will, Domitan of Masbolle, explain yourself in my office. Now." He and Thayet rose to return to the palace. Dom dismounted and handed Peachblossom's reins to Tobe, who had conveniently appeared at his elbow.

Dom felt his—Kel's armor clank with every step, and he forced himself to keep pace with the Contes. The palace was stifling hot in a full suit, but Dom doubted Jonathan would permit him to change. A servant opened the door to the office. King, queen and noble entered wordlessly.

The monarchs turned to face him and Dom hastily bowed down on one knee. "Where is Kel?" Thayet demanded. "Was she seriously injured yesterday?"

"No. At least, I don't think so." Dom amended. "She was recovering nicely when I saw her yesterday. However, as far as we know, Kel took off last night to go back to New Hope. It was urgent, or she wouldn't have forgone the tournament."

"What happened?" Jonathan asked. His voice was dangerously calm.

"I'm not sure. Her servant, a boy named Tobe, says that she snuck into the stables last night and rode out on her mare."

"And he didn't bother to ask why?" Thayet questioned.

Dom shook his head. "Tobe wasn't actually there. He heard this from Peachblossom, who also said she smelled as if she just came from the Chamber of Ordeal."

The monarchs' eyes widened in shock. "For now, we'll ignore that your information is coming from a servant who heard it from a horse." Jonathan said dryly. "But why would Kel return the Chamber of Ordeal for a second time? Once is more than enough for any knight."

Now it was Dom's turn look surprised. They still didn't know the other factor that had prompted Kel's mad dash across the border last year. Dom took a deep breath. Kel had a lot of explaining to do. And it was up to Dom to do it. It wasn't an easy job, being the second female knight of the century.

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After three long days in the saddle, Kel's heart lifted as Bearsford village came into view. She was only a day away from New Hope. She would make it.

Saru had kept to herself for most of the journey, humming occasionally and telling stories. Kel had half-listened as she focused on defensive tactics. Spidrens could use human weapons, while their blood and webs were natural defenses. Fire, pole arms and arrows were effective offensive weapons against the immortals.

Involuntarily, Kel flashed back to her first summer as a page. She was about the same age as some of the refugee children she taught every morning. Kel prayed she wouldn't have to put Loesia or Gydo on the field. Regretfully, she thought of Tobe. He was never going to forgive her this time.

As she rode through the village, a familiar smell wafted under her nose. Kel pulled Hoshi to a stop and dismounted in front of a small merchant outfit. It was decorated with bright colors and advertised Yamani 'Hanabi.' Literally translated, the devices were called 'fireworks.'

"How much blaze balm do you have?" She asked briskly. She fought the urge to sneeze. There had to be enough blazebalm to burn a sizeable junk of the greenwoods area.

The merchant was a short plump, middle-aged man with tufts of sandy blond hair sticking out from under his cap. "No blaze balm here, sir." He squeaked. The substance was heavily regulated in Tortall, and Kel doubted this man had acquired his supply through legal channels.

Her gaze could've chilled a summer's day in Carthak. "I need all your blazebalm, and I need it now." She said harshly.

The merchant squeaked again and pulled out two unmarked barrels. Kel's gaze persisted and he produced two more. She tossed him her coin and attached the first two barrels to her saddlebags. Once she was finished, she remounted Hoshi and rode off. A gift from the gods, that man. Probably a trickster god. Suspiciously, Kel glanced back at Saru.

Wordlessly, the Monkey attached the second pair of barrels to her horse. When the lady knight turned away, Saru also pocketed a couple small hanabi for later.

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It was dark outside when Hoshi topped the last rise before the valley. They still had one more day before the Chamber's vision came to pass. Kel resisted the urge to use some blazebalm to start a fire. It must have rained recently in the area, the ground was moist and the wood was damp. It took nearly half an hour before she got a fire going.

As she set up camp, she caught a glimpse of the Monkey's latest toys. The hanabi were sticking out of one saddleback, and their wicks hung precariously close to Kel's hard-earned flames. Hurriedly, Kel pushed the bags farther away.

When Saru returned, the Lady knight was waiting, hands on her hips, the proverbial angry mother hen.

"You stole those fireworks." It wasn't an accusation, but a statement of fact.

"In your haste, you overpaid the man." Saru explained easily. "I evened out your account. These will make for a very festive celebration once you're awarded the fort."

Kel choked in dismay. "I'm not going to receive the fief, I left the tournament, thereby forfeiting."

Saru shrugged. "I think you've been playing the protector for so long you've forgotten what it's like to be protected."

Kel blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, crossly.

The Monkey had no answer, just a charming smile. Kel threw up her hands in exasperation. She gave up her planned lecture and turned to prepare supper.

For once, the Monkey ate all her vegetables that night.

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Patrol found Kel's camp early the next morning. Owen was among the men, and he grinned when he saw Kel.

"That didn't take long. Tell me, who'd you have to thrash to get this place?" His gaze was bright and conspiratorial.

"I'll explain later Owen." Kel brushed him off; a little embarrassed to admit the truth. "I came back to stop a spidren attack that hasn't happened yet."

Owen titled his head, confused. "You see a Doi recently? Listen, half them make it up—

"It was the Chamber; and no, it wasn't testing me. I asked."

Owen didn't respond, just looked concernedly at his friend. Then he noticed Saru. "Hullo, who're you?" His voice returned to its usual cheery, enthusiastic pitch.

"Charming." Saru glanced knowingly over at Kel, who shrugged helplessly.

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Wyldon stared at his former pupil, trying not to let his skepticism show. "You want me to believe that spidrens are going to attack tomorrow because you had a vision from the Chamber or Ordeal? Keladry of Midelan, I should recommend you to a healer—

"My lord, it's not the first time I've spoken to It beyond the Ordeal." Kel had her arms extended, palms out, almost pleading. "It told me where to find Blayce last year, said it was my destiny. It's not just a nightmare machine, my lord, it's a—a god of some sort."

"You know what the conservatives will say about this." Wyldon pointed out. "They already think you've corrupted It with your 'feminine wiles' or whatever nonsense they routinely spit out."

In spite of everything, Kel's heart warmed at Wyldon's attack on his former allies. "Sir, there's no reason for anyone else to know. As long as we're prepared for the attack—

"All else be dammed?" Wyldon finished. "You will never be a politician, lady knight." Wyldon rubbed his arm and exhaled noisily. "So, what are your plans for this supposed attack?"

Kel suppressed a grin and laid out everything she'd planned over the last four days.

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Dom, Tobe, Daisuke, Peachblossom, Isamu, and a mare named Annis set out to track Kel. They were a day behind, but their time had been well spent. In Dom's saddlebags lay the deeds for ownership of New Hope; all the documents needed was Kel's signature.

Tobe rode Annis, a dusty blond pony with a gentle temper and a strange fondness for Peachblossom. She kept pulling herself up front to prance along side the gelding, and then sulked when Tobe led her back in line. Eventually, Tobe gave up. She was smitten, and wasn't going to listen to the pint-sized two-legger on her back.

Peachblossom eyed the little mare cautiously, but didn't comment—or snap. Hoshi and Kel were finally having an effect on him. He was still the same tough-mouthed and sarden warhorse Kel adopted; but he was learning to tolerate the gaggle of strange females that appeared in his life.