A/N: Okay okay I know this chappy is short, but I'm trying to get the creative gears turning. *squeak squeak* Alright it's really a hamster in a wheel, but work with me here and please please review. J

Disclaimer: They really need to have a generic one so I don't have to grudgingly admit that all the characters belong to Tamora Pierce except Amanda and Sage. (They're mine I tell you!)

*Kel's POV*

Kel had to admit that the long run was almost too much for her. She admired the trainee's stamina. Neal how ever was barley making it. He panted along beside her, his long legs moving just fast enough to keep up. She smiled at him and he attempted something like a grin. Just the other day they had kissed. Neal had kissed her. It was still hard for her to imagine it. She was glad of course, but there was still that nagging little though in he back of her mind. She wanted to be a knight, she couldn't be tied down. She frowned.

"Neal I want to talk to you," Kel told him as they turned for the last stretch. He nodded as Sarge finally yelled for them to stop. The trainees slowed and walked in slow circles. Neal fell to the ground. "No Neal! Get up you can't just lie on he ground after that." Kel pulled him up.

"Don't…you…think…I…know…that?" Neal panted and leaned onto Kel for support, this threw her off balance and they fell to the ground. Neal laughed and Kel blushed." Just where I always wanted you," Neal grinned. Kel kissed his nose.

"You're such a dolt," She said as they were helped up by Amanda and Sage.

"I think that's a little too friendly," Sage told them slyly. Amanda nodded.

"You two are a bad influence on each other," Amanda agreed. Kel and Neal gave them blank stares.

"So we are trading!" Sage and Amanda chorused. Before Kel could respond she was grabbed by Sage and Amanda grabbed Neal.

"What…"Kel could only be dragged along. Finally they reached the stables.

"Now Kel, don't worry, we're not crazy," Sage though for a moment," Well, actually we ARE crazy, but that's beside the point."

"Sage, just tell me what's going on?" Kel asked,

"Well, you and Neal are friends, and you and Amanda are friends, but me and you don't get to hang out that much and Amanda doesn't get to talk to Neal much," Sage grinned as Kel looked dumbfounded." No we aren't trying to steal you away form each other. We are just having a bit of fun, what do you say?" Kel couldn't help but laugh at him. He was so light-hearted and genuinely cared.

"Alright, I'm yours," Kel smiled and he held out his arm for her and bowed.

"My lady," he whispered in mock reverence. Kel rolled her eyes.

"In your dreams," she stuck her tongue out at him. He just shrugged and picked her up.

"Hey! This is no way to treat a lady!" she yelled, he ignored her and they went to the horse fields. He set Kel on the pony she was using while with the trainees, Peachblossom would not work with these small ponies. It was a calm chestnut gelding named Daryl. Sage whistled to his own morning pony. A frisky cream colored mare named Windsweep. He grinned at Kel and they talked as they went through the morning's exercises.

A/N: Yes short I know, but I will add more when I know what people want. *hint hint* *wink wink*…err… thanks to my not so subtle hinting I think you know I would like you to review, I would like to know any and all thought. I know there are gaps, but maybe after I get the whole story down I'll go back and do a rewrite, I'm also in the process of rereading Wild Magic, so bare with me J

Thanks to all who have previously reviewed, I'm sorry, but I don't have time to thank individuals... maybe next time!

~~Topazwolf, Goddess of the Insane~~

What kind of world is this where people can just go around saying "Ni" to old ladies?