Alright, time for the mission to begin. Kel and Dom have no idea what they signed up for! =D

Chapter 4

The Winters

"Right, this is as far as we go!" Raoul pulled his horse to a halt in front of the tavern stables and motioned for the rest to do the same. Kel swallowed against the lump in her throat. After days in the saddle, and just as long of silent panicking, the time had come for her and Dom to leave the safety of their comrades and make their way into Scanra. Raoul had warned them that he would have to stop shy of the boarder to ensure that no one saw him with them. Even though he was a Totallan knight, the Knight Commander was widely known for the deeds he had accomplished. Being a giant killer was a rare position in any country.

She looked back at the small party that had travelled with them. Kel would've been happy to travel with Dom alone, she was after all a fully trained knight and had no fear of being attacked along the way, but Raoul would have none of it. He had insisted that it was of utmost importance that he accompanied them to the boarder and had smiled sweetly at the King and Alanna when they had left Corus.

"Any important evens happing soon?" she had asked him when they were out of earshot.

He had smiled happily as he had answered. "One of the Yamani princesses is coming to visit Princess Shinkokami. Naturally Thayet is planning a big ball in honour."

Kel had simply shaken her head. Raoul was infamous for dodging as many social events as he could get away with. It appeared that being married wouldn't change him in that aspect.

"You two ready?"

Dom easily slid off his own horse. "As ready as I'll ever be, my Lord," He, as Kel, was still dressed in their usual warm travelling gear that protected them from the cold winter. They would dress in commoner cloths when they set off from the tavern the following morning. Kel had been assured that they would reach the town by midday if they left early enough which would ensure they had more than enough time to settle in. Somehow Kel felt sure she would need more than a few hours to settle in to her new life. Being married was not something she was mentally prepared for – she sneaked a glance at Dom – especially not to someone she secretly liked.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of being married to the Lady Knight, Sergeant," Buri, Raoul's wife and commander of the Rider groups trotted forward on her stealthy pony. It had been she and one of her Rider groups that had escorted them from Corus. It appeared to Kel that Raoul didn't want his own warriors to know about Kel and Dom's mission. What was he hiding?

"Not of Kel my lady, but villagers with pitchforks and burning torches tend not to be featured on Midwinter cards."

Kel rolled her eyes and slid off Hoshi. She stroked the mare's smooth neck, sincerely regretting that she would have to return with Raoul the following day. She was a good horse, far too good for any peasant to afford. Instead they had been given two horses that had been intended for the rider groups. They were both sturdy and brave; too big to be called ponies but still rather small in Kel's opinion. Kel glanced back at them. They were both dark bay in colour and standing at the back of the pack. For now their coats gleamed, the next day they would be smeared with mud and twigs. That was all she could take for the mission, no warhorse, no weapons, no armour, just a mud covered horse, a cloth bag of commoner cloths and Dom.

"I'll be fine," she whispered to the mare, "You on the other hand have to keep an eye on Jump, Peachblossom, Neal and especially Tobe," The mare bobbed her head up and down as if in agreement.

"Careful dear," Dom warned as he led his horse past, "We don't want people seeing you speaking with animals and thinking you've lost the plot," He smiled sweetly. "You're already married to me; I don't think they need any more clues."

As he walked off she heard one of the women in the Rider group sigh. "Finally, a man that knows his wife could have done so much better than him!"

By the time dinner was served Kel was ready for the day to come. All she would have to do the following morning was get dressed in her 'new' cloths and give her armour and travelling cloths to Buri. Two of the Riders had been instructed to smear the horses and Raoul had claimed the honour of smearing his sergeant and former squire. By the time the sun was in the sky they would be heading off to the most dangerous mission she had ever faced. Kel was glad she hadn't chosen to be a spy as she felt her heart pound loudly. She would've been terrible! Had it not been for a calm Dom who was sitting next to her she would've considered throwing her food out the window before pacing the length of the room. Instead she sat there trying to force down food her stomach really didn't want. She knew that it was important to eat so that she had enough energy the following day but she simply couldn't do it. Her insides felt like they would spontaneously combust under the pressure her nerves created.

Raoul tapped his fingers steadily against the wooden table, showing his own nerves for the first time since he and Alanna had told them about the mission. "Are you two sure you remember everything?"

Kel mentally went through all the details once more. She was Sarah Winters, newly married to Robert Winter. She was twenty years old and until now had lived in the north of Scanra in a village by fief North Cliff. She had three older brothers and two younger sisters and was leaving her home for the first time in her life. She had met Dom – no Robert – when she had joined her father at the market place four months earlier. They had fallen in love instantly but because Robert was reasonably poor she had had to convince her father of the match. Now that she was married she was happily following her husband to where he could find a job.

"I think so," Kel looked down at her plate one more time before pushing it away.

"Good." Raoul spared her a worried glance before getting up from the table. "Well off to bed, we have a long day ahead of us."

Kel could't agree more as she slowly got up and made her way to her room.

There were no sparrows with her to wake her before the crack of dawn, but Kel was awake never the less. She was wide awake and alert the second her eyes opened, her nervousness returning with a grudge. There was no way she would be able to fall asleep again so instead she got up, her feet protesting walking on the cold floor, and started her morning practice with her glaive. She hoped that her training wouldn't be forgotten by the time her mission was done, but knew there would be no way she could practise there. Sarah didn't seem like the kind of person who happily swung a glaive around. Despite the cold she had managed to work up a sweat by the time Buri came to call her. The older woman looked just as nervous as Kel felt when she exited the room, she unfortunately did not possess Kel's ability of hiding her fears. Putting her glaive by her travelling cloths Kel mental left Keladry behind and tried to become Sarah as she put on a worn dress and a cloak. As she set off downstairs with her belongings Kel tried to picture who Sarah was suppose to be, but she simply couldn't picture it. When she saw herself in the mirror she only saw Kel dressed in unusual cloths. She felt unsure of the whole plan as she entered the dinning room and was focusing on all the ways things could go wrong when she accidentally walked into someone. She was caught by a young commoner, his cloths well worn and fading in places, him dark hair messy, his entire body covered in dirt and dust as if he had been travelling for several days.

"I'm sorry, I didn't look where I was go…" she paused as she stared up into laughing blue eyes. "Dom?"

Dom smiled down at her as he stepped back. It was clear Raoul had already gotten to him and, judging from the way she could see him grinned from across the room, had enjoyed every second of it.

"I'm afraid you are incorrect, my Lady," Dom said formally as his eyes danced with mischief, "I am Robert Winters, your humble servant." As she rolled her eyes at his folly he quickly dug something from his pocket. "Before I forget, Lady Alanna gave this to me before we left Corus. Her husband said they should be right." To Kel's surprise he pulled out two simple metal rings. She almost smacked herself on the forehead. How could she forget the most basic part of the charade? What would they have done if Alanna had not thought ahead for them? This was not going to work; surely they would blow their cover sooner or later! And then what?

While Kel was preoccupied with her thoughts Dom casually lifted her left hand and slid the metal onto her ring finger.

"Stop worrying Sarah dear," he told her playfully, "That frown will only give you wrinkles." With a wink he walked past, leaving her staring at the ring on her finger, the frown firmly in place.

An hour later they were ready to depart. Hoshi and Dom's horse had been hitched to one of the Rider's horses, their tack in place along with their weapons and travel gear. Kel had been given the same treatment as Dom, a feat she swore she would get Raoul back for, her and Dom's horses now looked like they had travelled for days in melting snow and their cloth bags had been secured onto the old tattered cloth saddles. Raoul had pulled Kel into a large hug and whispered "Be safe," before they had finally set off. Kel felt a sudden burst of sadness as she watched her friends ride away. The reality of it all was slowly setting in. Her life was taking a drastic turn and she couldn't help but think be careful what you wish for. She had felt lonely and, she had to admit it, a little jealous of Neal and the happiness he had found and in return she had received this. She sighed as she stole a glance at Dom. Alright, things weren't that bad. She was Mrs Winters for the few weeks. She could do that, she hoped.

They rode in a comfortable silence for some time, both preparing themselves for what was to come. When Dom got bored of his own thoughts he started questioning Kel about her childhood in the Yamani Islands. Kel was reluctant at first, she had never been one to tell long stories, but before she knew it she was in deep conversation about the many differences between the two countries. She had just started describing a shukusen, the metal fan carried by noble ladies when the feared they were in danger when Dom pointed ahead.

"Look,"

In the distance Kel could see the trees clearing to be replaced by a long stone wall that provided the village with cover. All that she could see of the village was the large wooden gates that kept unwanted visitors away, but that was all she needed to see. Her nervousness was suddenly replaced by a great sense of purpose. She was going to complete this mission successfully, no matter the cost.

And there are going to be loads of challenges! Please review and let me know what you think! =)