SUMMARY: A bunch of short stories about Myles's class. Need I say more?

A/N: Blah blah blah...nothing to say except VACATION IS KICK ARSE...especially because of that no school factor. Vague reference of slash in here - miniscule...I had to break her heart somehow...so that would up the CHAPTER'S rating to PG. If you want me to up the whole story, I will, but until someone says something I'm not going to.

Go read the story.

DEDICATION: Opal-dragon. The idea was just too brilliant to resist.

DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Tamora Pierce, except the ones that I make up of course.

Myles's (or in this case- Master Oberlin's) Class - Heartache, Ribyyn, The Rogue, And A Bit Of Silliness

Jon, Gary, and Raoul were, not surprisingly, the last ones to class that day. Jon, who was sick of allowing Alex to have the seat in the corner, kicked the smaller boy out. Alan sat with his head resting on his arms, his eyes half closed. Francis sat next to him, leaning on his elbows, a bored expression on his face. Alex grumbled and moved down to the other end of the row, as Gary and Raoul had claimed the seats next to Francis. (A/N: Why am I taking so long to talk about this?...MOVING ON...)

A familiar voice filtered through the rows of boys and finally reached the back row. "Page Trebond, please sit up. And, Page Nond, it would be appreciated if you would sit properly as well."

Alan shot up, a look of surprise on his face. The surprise slowly faded and his face became emotionless, except for his violet eyes, which flickered from shock to horror.

Myles wasn't at the front of the room. Instead, the boys were now subject to an extra hour with the etiquette teacher, Master Oberlin.

Master Oberlin decided to use the philosophy master's suggestion and teach about a famous philosopher that lived well over 400 years before. After only five minutes of discussing the philosopher Ronsard*, everyone was bored out of their minds.

Alan glanced over at Jon, who sent the young boy a sympathetic look. Gary, who sat a few seats over, glanced at his cousin as well. Jon looked back, and winked. Gary grinned, and leaned over towards Raoul. "Let's liven things up a bit, shall we," he whispered. Raoul grinned and passed the message along to Alex. Jon whispered something to Alan. Francis was asleep.

Alan poked his shy friend, as Gary raised his hand. Master Oberlin looked up, surprised. "Yes, Gareth?" Gary winced, and Raoul hid a smile behind his hand.

"Master Oberlin, we were discussing Jonathan I. This is history class after all." A few boys turned in their seats, eyes wide with shock because Gary had reprimanded a teacher that was not Myles.

"Thank you Gareth, but I was left no lesson plan."

"But sir, we were not finished discussing King Jonathan."

Jon saw Alan wince. The prince sympathized with him. Gary had true courage. Either that or he was insane. Jon smiled to himself. Probably the latter.

Alanna, of course, was not thinking of Gary at all. She was trying to think of the politest way possible to interrupt his argument with Master Oberlin and slowly get off the topic of Jonathan I. She'd gone to the Great Hall and seen the portrait, and then, upon reading up on him in the library, had found that he'd owned a harem - of men. This discovery contributed to her "down" mood today.

"Master Oberlin, I apologize for being so assertive, but I must insist that we continue to discuss---"

"Gary, put a lid on it! If he doesn't want to discuss Jonathan I, he doesn't have to." Gary looked surprised at Alan's outburst but Jon seemed greatful. Gary got himself in enough trouble in Master Oberlin's regular class.

"Alan, I'm sure there was a more polite way to do that, but even so I must agree." He paused and thought to himself. "Since I've lost my train of thought, perhaps someone would like to suggest a topic of discussion."

Geoffrey of Meron raised his hand. "I'd like to discuss who stole my 3 gold nobles!" A few boys groaned and Douglass of Veldine let out a bark of laughter.

Alan grinned. "Perhaps ye should keep an eye t' yer purse when ye travel t' th' city next time," he drawled. Gary grinned and stifled a laugh while the other boys smiled at Alan's imitation of the city accent.

Geoff turned round in his seat and gave Alan an odd look. "What?" Alan responded by putting his head down on his arms, his shoulders shaking because of his withheld laughter. Gary was not as polite and laughed out loud.

"You mean to say, you think that I was robbed?"

"No," Gary gasped. "I know you were." And with that Alan lost his control, letting his laughter come.

"And I suppose your an expert on that?" Geoffrey snapped back. Jonathan looked over at Alan and Gary. Both were bright red with laughter.

"More so than you could believe probably," Gary said without thinking as he caught his breath. Alan stopped laughing and shot a look at Gary, who ignored it.

"I feel like I'm being left out of something," Raoul whispered to Francis. Francis nodded in a agreement and went back to watching the antics of Gary.

"Oh really," Ralon drawled lazily from the front corner of the class. "Since you're such an connoisseur on the act of thieving, Naxen, perhaps you could give us a few tips."

Gary glanced at Alan, who shrugged. "Connoisseur, Malven? I didn't know you knew such long words. But since you ask, sure. Don't get caught."

"Helpful, as usual, Gareth," Master Oberlin said, bringing the classes attention back to him. "It seems, that The Rogue has become our discussion topic for the day. So tell me a bit about it."

"They stole my 3 gold nobles," cried Geoff.

"He probably lost them," Alex murmured to himself.

"I did not!"

"They steal from the rich and give to the poor!" yelled out Corik of Eagle's Peak, a fourth year page.

"No they don't," said Francis. "That was Ribyyn of Hadic." (A/N: Interesting name. Where'd I come up with it?)

"What are you talking about Nond?" asked Theodore of Silvermine, a second year page. "Lady Ribyyn of Hadic is a fairy tale. I mean what woman in her right mind would run through the woods stealing?"

"Gary, perhaps you'd enjoy her company?" Jon asked jokingly.

"Sadly, I must decline. She'd run me ragged."

"D'you know what I heard about Lady Ribyyn?" said Zackary of Kievare. "I heard when she got angry, she'd lob off peoples ears!"

"She did not! A girl wouldn't be able to stomach all the blood!" another boy, Parrin of Dardin a fourth year, called back.

Alan and Gary were no longer listening to the other boys. "D'you suppose that's true? About Ribyyn of Hadic?" Gary asked Alan. Alan shrugged and simply answered, "I think we need to ask George where he got the idea."

"It doesn't matter whether or not she cut off people's ears! The point is she was a thief!" Jon yelled from his corner.

"And a bloody good one at that!" Gary added. "The Queen of them all!"

"Are they ruled by a queen?" asked Raoul. "I always thought it was a king."

"It is a king," Jon said, always the know-it-all expert. "He's wanted by my Lord Provost. There's drawings of him all over the city."

"Maybe," Alan said, "maybe it's just a cover up. It could be a Queen with the title of King and---" He stopped realizing that what he was saying wasn't making any sense at all. Gary tried futilely to cover up his grin. Alan just leaned over and whacked the back of his head.

Master Oberlin chose this short break in silliness to call the class back to attention. "Before the bell rings, I've an assignment to---" He was interrupted by the clanging of the noon bell, and before he could continue the boys had fled the room.

Sighing to himself as he picked up his things, he thought how lucky he was to have the boys for etiquette and not history, especially if it was a madhouse like this everyday. He smiled to himself and made a mental note to ask Myles about that.

*Ronsard - A real live...more dead at the moment, person. Though, he was a French poet as opposed to philosopher.

A/N: Woohoo! Cable modem! My anger at my ex-prom date has steadily increased. He has been "listed" (it's actually a "bad word" that I won't use.) by one of my friends and he is currently on 'MagixPawn' deprivation. Which basically means that I'm not going to speak to him until I feel like it, and as I didn't like him very much in the first place that probably won't be ever again.

Would someone tell me if I stupidly have my email address posted? I'm too lazy to find out myself. I'm suddenly getting emails about this from people I don't know. Not that I mind. Mail is good! Just, uh...if you find out my name, tell me and keep it to yourself (Right Temptress? =D)

Not many reviews last time. I'll assume that that's because I got knocked off the front page early. Oh well, better luck next time. My ego's already inflated enough, this will not do anything. Oh and here's an idea...give me constructive criticism before I start to believe I'm perfect.

Notes:

Temptress: You give me a new set of initials every single time. WHY?

opal dragon: BRILLIANT!!! ((((hugs))))

TheBlindAssassin: Not a bad idea. I need another strictly male profession. Are women allowed to become master mages?

Starfire: Chapter 7 was an author's note. I was begging for help. I think that's what you're asking me, but I'm not sure.

The Insane Muses: You frighten me. :D