~~~~~~~~~Briar, age 16
Running through Zak's door and yanking the sheets off his friend, Briar yelled, "Niko's letting me go back for a while! Wake up, you lazy lump!"
Zak mumbled, snoring slightly as he pulled a pillow over his head. "Great. You can go meet that girl you like. Leeme 'lone, now."
"Zak!"
"Well, it's true."
"But Zak!" he cried aloud. "I'm going back! In two months, Niko's coming to get me. I get to travel, the Duke guy is sponsoring the trip, and I get to see everyone, especially..." He stopped, as Zak began to laugh at him.
"I told you." Rubbing his blue eyes awake, he sat up and simply slumped over. "Besides, you wear that charm thing around you neck all the time-" he gripped it subconsciously with his hand, fingers searching out the small engravings.
"I can't wait!" he yelled, flying out of the room with speed, jumping over obstacles and nearly smashing into his own door. "I'm going to Emelan!"
~~~~~~~~
He was packed, entirely, before he drew on the soft, dark green cloak, it's woolen warmth protecting him from the chilly rain. Briar's callused fingers stroked the cloth, savoring the tiny, almost imperceptible leaves woven into the pattern.
The waggon clattered up the cobblestone walk, and the driver hopped out cheerily. "Hello, lad. Briar Moss, t'would presume? Master Goldeye cannot make it, poor chum. But he tol' me, Ashmer Jemal, to tell you that you can bring someon' along, seeing as he already paid for two."
"Niko's not coming?" Briar was utterly confused. "Wasn't he-"
Ashmer laughed heartily. "Had to go collect the girl Trisana from her studies. He figgered that both of you haven't been home for a while, and the Duke and her Ladyship Sandrilene rather wanted at least three of you younguns to be there for the Autumn Banquet. The metalgirl would be there later, though. "
"Oh. Okay." He could accept that, at least. But Tris there...? That might change some things...like, for one, no privacy, along with sarcastic comments and frank appraisals of his sticky situations. How would he talk to Sandry with Coppercurls there? "Well, that's good, anyway."
The man leaned against his waggon comfortably, patting the two horses that pulled the sturdy cart. "Well, I'm waiting, lad. T'other? He can pack fast. Her Ladyship said she would provide anything needed."
"Sandry was sure specific," he said, before trotting back into the building. "Hey, Zak? Zak! Can't you be awake for two minutes?" Dashing up the stairs, he roused the blonde boy and managed to shout the information into his sleepy head.
Ten minutes later, his parents shocked and pleased with the "fine invitation," Zak and his bags bundled into the back of the waggon. "We're going to Emelan!" his friend cried aloud, his bright face joyous. "Hey, I can meet that girl of yours."
"She's not my girl..." Briar protested, face flushed.
"Yet."
"And you have to promise me, not to say a single word about this. Promise?" Briar poked Zak in the arm, who nodded meekly.
"Course, Briar-ol'-buddy, wouldn't even dream of it. Unless..."
That last comment launched a noisy argument, until Ashmer yelled over the din, "Can't a fellow have a bit of peace and quiet while he's drivin' horses through the rain? You bludging idiots! D'you want these scurvy 'scuzes rearin' on me and all? They're a mite dangerous." With that, Ashmer gestured to the sleepy though fit horses, whose hooves clumped morosely through the soggy mud. "Sorry, boys, we'll get you into your dry stable soon," he told them, while Briar and Zak laughed.
~~~~~~~~~