Rivin sat in her room, mulling over her thoughts. She would have loved to be apprenticed by Dalamar, but she knew her parents would never permit it. They respected him enough, but there was no way in all of Krynn that they would let him apprentice their eldest daughter. Damn it all to the Abyss, She thought. I hate it here. I hate it so much. To be in Palanthas.They have everything there.To be the apprentice of the most powerful mage since my uncle. Her thoughts went on to think of ways to get her parents to oblige; but all plans were in vain, she found. Nothing she did would convince them. I should leave this damned place, She thought. I wonder if they would even miss me. I was good when I was young, but.I've become their problem child. I embarrass them. They have no reason to want me around.There's no reason for me when Tanin, and Sturm, and Palin are around. They said they were happy to have a daughter, but now there's Laura and Dezra.There's no use for me. She kept thinking thoughts such as these, depressing her all the more. It was not long before drastic thoughts came to mind. What if I were to run away to Palanthas? What then? Would they care? I could be the apprentice of the Head of the Black Robes.But I would need to take either the Red or Black robes.She glanced at the White robe she wore. I would change gladly. Let me wear the Red. I could leave tonight. I would leave tonight. She looked longingly out the window in the direction of Palanthas. A shaft of red moonlight fell upon her, bathing her robes red. It was still early enough that the moon was only just beginning to fade from the sky. A cloud began to move over the red moon, blocking out it's light. Rivin's robe stayed red. She stared at it dumbfounded, not believing. Then sudden comprehension dawned on her, and she smiled out the window up into the red moon. Thank you, Lunitari. She thought fervently. I take this as a sign. I will leave tonight. Grant me your protection, my patron goddess. She quickly went about her room, collecting things. She was nearly done packing her few possessions when a knock came on her door. She whipped around, afraid her plan would be found out before she even began her journey. She opened the door a crack, showing her brother's faces. "Breakfast's ready, Rivin," Tanin said. "I'm not hungry," Rivin said hastily, trying to shut the door. Sturm stuck his foot in the way. "Aw, come on Little Sister," he said in the voice that made Rivin wrinkle her brow in annoyance. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!" He put a hand to his belly. "I should know, shouldn't I Tanin?" He chuckled and winked at Rivin. Tanin was twenty-one, while Sturm was twenty. Both still lived at home, though they weren't around so often that it was almost as if they didn't. Palin didn't often go with them, but it was not a big deal for him. To Rivin it meant everything. She wanted badly to go out on an adventure with them, but she was not permitted. Tanin and Sturm treated her well at home, but they wouldn't want someone eight years younger than they hanging around. "Come on Rivin," Palin said patiently. "Besides, you were going to meet Laura and Dezra today, remember?" Rivin started to ask how he had known when the youngest son said "Mother let it slip. Come on. They'll miss you if you're no there." "Sure, of course they will." she said. Her brothers didn't catch the hint of derision in her voice. However, she stepped out of her room, judging them correct; she would have her whole family in her room if she refused breakfast, though she had never eaten much at meals anyway. When she went into the dinning room, she noticed two new faces at the table. She watched them curiously, guessing that they were her sisters. They both looked rather like Tika, although their hair wasn't completely red, having inherited come of Caramon's brown. One of the two had green eyes, while the other had brown. Looking at her whole family again, all of them together, she became self-consciously aware of how different she looked compared to them. She ran a hand through her near-midnight black hair, silky and smooth, as her parents' were curly and rough. She sat down, still studying her family. I'm different then them in every way, she thought. My nose is far smaller then all of theirs.By the gods, it's as if I weren't their daughter. It's almost impossible. She sat through the talk her father and brothers exchanged, eating little. When it finally came time to be introduced the two newest of the family, Rivin was more then ready. "Dezra, Laura, come here a moment." Tika told them lovingly. She pulled them over to stand before Rivin. "Rivin, this is Laura, and Dezra." She indicated each of them with a nudge of her hand. Rivin smiled kindly down out them, lowering herself to her knees so they could talk at the same eye level. "And I'm Rivin," she told them. "Your sister. Nice to meet you." She opened her arms to hug them. The two youngsters hesitated only a moment before rushing into her embrace. Rivin smiled, letting them go. The rest of the day past uneventfully, reminding Rivin exactly why she wanted to leave. When night finally fell, she waited until everyone else was asleep. She waited until past midnight; her brothers were forever staying up, having mock battles, joking. Finally asleep, Rivin grabbed the small bag she had packed her things in and crept quietly downstairs, into the inn. She pulled out a piece of paper and a quill, and began to write.

Dear Mother and Father,

By the time you read this, I will be long gone. Please, do not worry, and send no one to look for me; where I go, no one will be able to follow. I have received an offer of apprenticeship by Dalamar Nightson, Head of the Order of the Black Robes. I intend to take him up on this offer. Tell Tanin, Sturm, Palin, Laura and Dezra that I will miss them. I shall miss you all. I must get myself away from Solace. When I have taken my Test, I will come to visit you. Until then, farewell.

Sincerely, Rivin

She read the note over several times, making sure it was worded well. When she was finally happy with it, she put onto the table, putting one of the saltshakers on top of it so it wouldn't blow away. With that, she walked to the door, and started to step out. With one final glance at her home, she stepped out into the night.