We Only Want The Rice To Make Rice Wine!

Author's Note: Like it? Love it? Well, whatever! We appreciate your feedback! Thanks to those who reviewed!

Rating: PG-13. Probable swearing, some romantic moments. We'll leave it at that.

Genre: General-Romance-Humor-Action

Disclaimer: All of the characters and places belong to Tamora Pierce. The plot is ours!

A Hell Of A Trip "I'm sending a search party," Jonathan of Conte, said matter-of-factly to Thayet, later one night.

"No," replied his wife, just as plainly. "We should respect his wishes. I want him to be happy."

Jon looked at Thayet as though she had grown horns. "I don't care if he's not happy! He's the Crown Prince of Tortall for Goddess' sake! He can't just run away from his responsibilities! I want what's best for the country, we owe it to the people."

The royal couple had been going on like this for days, and frankly everyone in the castle was quite sick of it.

Apparently, so was Thayet. "Fine, fine. You're right, it isn't fair to the country. tomorrow we'll hold a meeting and take a vote."

Jon looked sharply at Thayet, it wasn't like her to give in so easily, especially regarding family matters. She had fought longer about Kally being a knight than this. Thayet just smiled innocently. Jon sighed, he was tired: he hadn't gotten much sleep the past few days.

"All right, Love, come to bed. We'll deal with tomorrow when it comes."

* * *

The vote was unanimous, even Thayet agreed, a search party would leave the next week.

"But who to send? Who to send?" Myles asked sometime later, "I vote for Alanna," he said, making the redhead blush, "and Raoul and George, he's my second. Yuki, too, since she was Shinko's attendant."

"Kel," Thayet added, "she speaks Yamani and is friends with the Prince and Princess."

"Lerant is my standard-bearer, I want him to come," Raoul put in.

"I want to go," said Thayet. "After all, it's my son and daughter-in-law!"

"Thayet!" everyone yelled in unison.

"All right, All right," she said sheepishly, "I just wanted to see if I could."

* * *

After more consideration, a group was decided, not too large as to be suspicious, but large enough that they could defend themselves, because they wouldn't be visiting the Emperor, lest he knew the 'situation' in Tortall.

It was to be: Kel, Raoul, Neal, Alanna, George, Cleon, Dom, Yuki, Lerant, and Numair.

* * *

"Well," Neal confided in Kel that night, "this is going to be one hell of a trip!"

* * *

A/N: Well, there's the cast of characters! Next chapter will be up soon! Please read and review!