Disclaimer: The world and characters of Tortall belong to Tamora Pierce, not to me.

Another piece from SMACKDOWN, Team George/Roger.

-:-

"I don't think this is very dignified," the handsome Duke of Conté said through the snow caking his face.

"It's not s'posed to be!"

George threw another snowball at Roger. This one Roger caught, but it was too powdery and exploded in his hands. He glared at the thief with snowy eyelashes and threw snow back.

George snorted at the ball laying five feet away from him. "You can do better than that!"

Roger's next snowball hit Lady Delia, who was passing. She let out a shriek of rage and responded in kind.

What followed was widely regarded as the most fierce snowball fight in the Tortalllan court's history, even if some of the members were a mystery to all but a few. Alan of Trebond and the prince ganged up with the youngest Naxen to pelt Raoul of Goldenlake with snowballs, while Rispah Cooper took sincere pleasure in overwhelming both the Vice and Lord Provost.

"This is all your fault!" George shouted at Roger, but he was smiling. Roger replied by tackling his uncle Roald into the snow.

Evil plans could wait.