Disclaimer: I own no Tamora Pierce characters, plots, or settings. I own a few characters that I came up with all on my lonesome…..mine….precious……wait! I don't own that either. Well, thanx!

Here I go!

Chapter Nine: The Grand Progress

"River?" He opened his eyes. The sweet voice he'd heard was that of Ema--his Ema. She looked upset.

River glanced outside; it was still dark. "Ema…what's wrong?" he yawned. She grabbed his hands and sat up, and then she plopped down on his feet.

"I…it…we need to talk," she stated, quietly as to not disturb the other tow still dead asleep.

"Why? What's wrong?" He rubbed his eyes.

"Not here." She pulled him out of bed, but blushed and turned away when she discovered that he slept with no clothes, save for a loincloth.

He mumbled a quiet, "Sorry."

She waited for a few minutes, and turned back around when he placed a hand on her shoulder.

She led a half-dressed River, bearing breeches and holding a shirt in his hands. She walked him through the maze of passageways, until she stopped in font of a small room. Ema whipped out a key from a hidden pocket and placed it in the hole in the knob. The door swung open and permitted them into a tiny bedroom River had never seen before. When he noticed a miniature portrait of a woman and a child, he noted that the child looked a lot like Ema, and the woman must be her mother. This was Ema's room.

"We need to talk, "Ema repeated.

"You said that. Ema what's the matter?" He rubbed her shoulder. She pulled away and leaned on the mantle. He walked to her and she turned to face him, cheeks wet with tears. He hugged her.

"Whatever it is, tell me. You know you can trust me."

"I've only known you four months, but I feel like I've known you my whole life. There's something I need to tell you, but I can't seem to find the words…" She moved to sit on a trunk at the foot of her minute bed, holding herself to hide her trembling from his ever-watchful eyes.

He knew he could read her mind, and was tempted to. He resolved to read the surface, but swore he would never do this again. She was just so flustered.

'She was confused and upset. Why did this have to happen? Would she have to leave? A baby changed everything…'

His eyes snapped open and he wiped the sweat off his brow. He was panting, as if he had been working in the practice yard for hours with the crazy Shang Masters.

They gazed into each other's eyes and saw what both frightened and warmed them.

Wind woke to find River gone. Ema wasn't here either. It was about an hour and a half before sunrise, so they had to be in the courts in a quarter of an hour. That didn't leave them much time. "Willow! Get up! River's not here, Ema's not here, and we have to go." He pushed her out of the large bed. She hit the floor, moaned, and rolled over, back into dreamland. He kicked her, she grunted, and then rolled back over, away from him. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Odoofi hueds zo dytenhy. Juselaft fusym jerpehn." She sat bolt upright, scrambled to get free of the sheets, and got dresses in record time.

'Maren threats always did work with her,' Wind thought to himself as he swept about the room, searching for his missing quiver and lacing his shirt. "What happened to them?" he panted, counting the arrows with his fingers in the quiver on his back. Thirteen. Well, he could always make more. Willow had about the same as he did, so it was ok.

"Like I know?" his grumpy sister retorted. She was not a morning person.

"Well, if he misses lessons, I won't feel sorry for him, not after yesterday." Yesterday, River had been very distant and grouchy. He wouldn't talk to anyone but Ema and he cursed at them when they asked.

Willow grinned agreement. She was very displeased with him at the moment. The masters had asked her and her oldest brother to have a mock duel to see where they stood. They used blunted practice swords and he rubbed his nose in her weakness and his strong point by giving her a deep gash in her side, almost breaking a rib. He had humiliated her, and hurt her, in front of some of the squires and pages she had just earned the respect of--and he didn't even care! He just gloated his victory for a few minutes, then went back to giving her the silent treatment. If he did miss lessons, she hoped he would get huge amounts of chores or extra lessons with running. He hated running, especially cross-country. He just didn't have great stamina for that kind of thing.

Well, um, right. Back to them. Wind and Willow decided to grab a quick breakfast from their favorite cook, if Willow would hurry up, of course. They were, however off to Helena's, their favorite cooks, soon enough. She reminded them of Miztoo, and she always would have a bite for them, no matter how busy. They ran through the corridors, getting lost only once, and finally stopped in front of a great fireplace where a plump woman sat on a stool, mixing some creamy substance in a clay bowl.

"Good morning'! How are ye wee tykes this day?" she asked them, smiled plastered on her round face, flour streaked on her dress and apron, even in her red curls cascading down her back, restrained by a tie.

"Running late Helena. Can we grab a turnover or something?" Wind panted.

"Surely can. Where is ye third party? Off with his wee lass, Miss Ema?" She grinned as she poked through a cupboard, grabbing a few pastries filled with apples and honey. The curvy woman turned to the metal rack in the fireplace and pulled out three warm turnovers, filled with bacon, eggs, and cheese.

"We aren't quite sure. We awoke a few minutes ago to find both missing. I hope he gets punishment work from the Shang Masters." Willow bitterly replied. She helped Helena to place them in a small basket she let them use when they were on the run.

The motherly cook wrapped the food in a clean rag to help keep them warm and tutted her. "Now Willow dear, is tha' any way t' speak of yer own kin? Ye can't still be sore at 'im? He was jus' 'aving a bad day that's all."

"How did you know about that Helena?" Wind asked, curiosity getting the better of him, despite the fact that they need to be there in five minutes.

"News travels fas' in this palace," she smiled. "Plus Miss Ema came t' see me las' night, she did. Upse' and distraugh' she was, but… well, listen t' me. Talkin' when ye need t' get goin' Well, go, on--scoot!" She shooed them out of her kitchen.

Not for the first time did Willow notice something familiar about the twinkle in Helena's eyes, but she just couldn't seem to place it. That's all she was able to think about the whole way to the stables. Wind noticed her quiet, and he joined her, for once staying silent for more than two minutes. It was impressive.

"You're flirting with tardiness students," Eda said, amusement crinkling the corners of her eyes. The Horse stared at the ground, smiling and trying to hide it.

"Sorry, Lady. We only woke about fifteen minutes ago. And no," Willow gasped, having run from Helena's kitchen, eating on the way, "we don't know what has become of our wayward brother." The Shangs smiled, knowing each of their personalities by now, having worked with them for about three weeks, going over the basics.

"Still angry with him, are we?" Hakuin laughed. The teenagers grumbled. He tossed a staff Willow's way and her reflexes shot out, catching it just in time, right before it could smack her on the nose. "By the end of our session, you'll just have to be too exhausted to think about him, now won't you?" he evilly asked, planning to work them as all Shang students worked.

They moaned in unison. "Now that's what I like to hear!" Eda smiled happily, knowing how they felt after yesterday, and how they would feel tomorrow. They were using a different method than they could use with the pages and squires. These were not trying for Knighthood; they only wished to learn more and be critiqued for the fighting they already knew. Rachel did well by them, but she died when they were so young, and there were gaps in their learning. Her and Hakuin would fill the gaps, and add more onto their knowledge. They could also do this Shang-style, stressing the Shang tactics and strategy without teaching them what this new Training Master, Padraig haMinch, told them to school them in. The boys had to get the idealism smacked out of them before anything else. Eda wanted these three to be more idealistic. The Federation of Shang decreed a new way of teaching, and Eda wanted to educate the triplets in that manner.

"Let us get to work. We only have to a half hour after sunrise." Hakuin said, being the voice of reason. "Now, young chicks, the staff… wait. Are those your weapons?" He just remembered they were to examine the weapons of the children. They had mentioned having bows and daggers, but the integrity of them would have to be determined by examination.

"Yes sir. River has nine daggers too. Here, I stuck them on me." Willow started to unbuckle the straps on the dagger holders and sheaths. Wind had to look twice to realize what she did. That's why she took so long…

She handed everything to the waiting hands of the Shang Horse. Wind gave Eda the bows and quivers, full of arrows they made themselves.

"So why did River take up daggers? You two have bows, but he uses these knives." Hakuin asked, giving the blades a once-over.

"Uh--Well, River was having a hard time with the bow, so Mother tried him out on the glaive, but we were too small. She attempted the sling, but since we all knew that since we were three, it was useless to re-teach it. So it left daggers. Mind, we all learned it, but River learned more and is like liquid lightning with them. This was when we were four and a half. At three, we knew the sling, small staff, and were starting hand-to-hand. We worked everyday, up until her death. Even then, Grandam had us work every opportunity we got, and she continued our lessons, mostly with the sword, but with River and his daggers and our archery got better with her, mostly as we got older and stronger." The Horse and Wildcat nodded their heads, further looking at their weapons.

"I see. Well, young chicks, these are the best money can buy, as I suspected Rachel would get nothing else for any child of hers. She adored the Raven Armory, and would buy nothing else for herself. If I were you, I wouldn't let these pretties out of my sight." He handed Willow back the daggers, and she was puzzled with what to do with them. They were River's and fit him better, so she finally decided to place them near the edge of the courts, within eyesight, but out of the way. Wind put their bows in the same place.

Eda asked, when they returned, "You two fletch your own arrows?" They nodded. "You do good work. If all else fails, become fletchers. You'll make a fortune." She smiled at them, and they looked away, awed by the rare compliment. "But, younglings, we've got a lot of work to do. Shall we?"

The Masters ushered them towards a rack of staffs and other long handled weapons: spears, halberds, and another weapon they longed to touch, but didn't know the use of--the glaive. "And so, we start."

And start they did. The Shangs began to instruct them in the use of long handled weapons, most of which they were at least familiar with, and at least one they didn't know. As they wearily walked away, almost too anxious to muck stalls, they heard Hakuin call to them, saying that before long- who knows? - maybe they can start on the lance. The laughed and scampered off knowing that such foolishness was a LONG way off.

It wasn't until the stalls were three-quarters finished being cleaned, half the horses were groomed, Willow was well into the exercises with Fall, and Midday was about half an hour past that River came running into the stables to find most of his chores done and none of the stable hands even looking at him. Stefan placed a hand on his shoulder startling him.

"Ye know, when ye walk into work this late, I hav' t' wonder what ye were doin' tha' was so damandin' of yer time."

River turned around, eyes clenched shut, and opened them to a Stefan who looked far from amused. "First off, I wanna say that-" he started.

"Save it. Jus' say where ye were, and tha' it will never happen again, an' we'll be done with the whole blasted thing."

"I was attending to important personal matters that came up at the last minute and it shall NEVER happen again." By the tone in his voice, Stefan could tell it was true. He could also sense that the matter discussed was truly personal and that River would stand by his privacy. Stefan couldn't pay the boy to reveal anything else about his whereabouts, and he knew it.

"Good. Now, get t' work. Ye can finish the rest of the stalls and groomin'. Your brother and sister were kind enough to do most of it fer ye, until I asked them to do their chores and save the rest fer ye. I also have some carpentry left to be done that I know ye will enjoy." River, who hated carpentry (he hit his hand as much as the nails) sighed, but wordlessly grabbed a shovel and set to work.

Stefan looked up. "An' ye five, yes I know ye're there, get back to yer chores too. I called no break time." He chuckled and strolled down to the rider stables, going to ask Sarge, the second in command down there, if his assistance was required with some of the less attendant trainees.

The five teenagers in the loft who so noticeably eavesdropped, looked at one another, snickered, then got back to their various tasks, whether it was pitching fresh hay, mending tack, working horses, training a brutish paint, or just refilling troughs.

"Willow!" She turned to the source of the noise. Bowen. Her heart began to pick up the pace as he walked near her, as it had been doing every time they were near one another. Unknown to her, his heart began to match her hearts pace, as it had been doing every time they were near one another. "Father said it's time t' pen the beast an' come inside. He 'as an announcement." He held the horse steady as she dismounted, well, jumped off really. As Bowen wasn't paying attention to him, only his Girl, Fall decided to show Bowen the error of his ways. He turned, fast as a lightning bolt, and clamped his jaws on the stable hand's arm, and unfortunately for Bowen, on parts that had no sleeve to help protect it.

"Fall! None of that nonsense. Remember what we talked about, you, me and the Wildmage? None of your tricks or no more oats at night. We stroke a deal- hold up your end of it!" Willow stared the horse in the eye, scolding it like a person, not the animal that it was. Surprisingly the stallion snorted and let go, much to Bowen's delight.

Bowen gratefully gazed into her violet eyes, until he saw that she was mirroring his stare. They broke the eye contact, waiting for the other to say something and break the awkward silence. Willow finally took the initiative to speak. "So what did Stefan call a meeting for, do you know?" she asked cautiously choosing her words, careful to not look away from Falls bridal. She began to walk to his stall.

"I dunno. Mayhaps he wants to reveal wha' 'as made 'im so secretive lately." Bowen guessed.

"So you've had a secretive one in your family too?" Willow chortled.

"Yes. 'E's been off with the Riders or visiting my aunt, a cook in the kitchens 'ere, or 'e jus' tells me t' be quiet and leave 'im alone." He sighed. "'e's never been this way before, not tha' I remember."

Willow digested this. "Wait. You've an aunt in the kitchens? What's her name?" Bowen looked at her strangely. What would make her ask that?

"Helena. Helena Groomsman, fer all she's a cook. Never married, bu' 'as come close t' it." He glanced at her expectantly. "Does tha' suit yer fancy Little Miss Carthak? Young Shang Mistress?" He teased her, but in a different way than he normally did. He had never mentioned her Shang skills or her Carthaki past before.

"Thank you, but I could have done without the sarcasm or disdain." she smirked. By then they had reached Falls manger. Willow began to remove Falls tack, bridal and everything because she never had the heart to leave it on when he had cuts from chewing on the bit. Bowen could hardly sit idle while the girl he loved was working.

Loved. Yes, he knew how it sounded. But he couldn't ignore what his heart kept screaming at him. He loved her. However, now he never knew want to do, or say while they were together. He even feared to look at her, scared his traitor eyes would give something away. Little did he know she was going over the exact same thoughts in her head.

"Thank you…" she gazed up into his jade eyes unaware of the degree of affection showing in her own. Bowen, however, did and it frightened him.

"Uh- Father will be expectin' us. Lets go." he ushered fall into his stall, locked the door, not mindful to the fact that he's never locked in anymore, but did it all the same, and then he rushed off to Stefan's workbench.

She followed, a few steps behind, completely bewildered. When she arrived, she saw five stable hands arranged on hay barrels, over-turned water buckets, or stools. Brock even sat on the floor, long, gangly limbs sprawled left and right. Stefan was propped against his bench, and the teenagers were joking and laughing, having a grand time. As she found a seat by Wind, who was regaling Brock with a story a Bazhir chieftain told them once, Stefan cleared his throat and the talking stopped.

"Well, now, tha's all of ye? Yes? Ok then. I 'ave been told t' inform ye tha' another Grand Progress shall be 'eld soon, t' reintroduce the Princess Shinkokami t' the realm, after the marrige tha' was 'eld those weeks ago. WE will be busy fer a few weeks gettin' things ready, and fer a week or two after t' do major repairs an' the like, bu' after we're free fer four months." He let the news settle before he went on. "Durin' this free time I'll be gone, visitin' my mother. I will leave, uh, Bowen in charge, with Kit t' assist 'im." Kit smiled. Finally! A good excuse to get Bowen alone, besides the fact that she "needed his help grooming Nightengale." "Well, does anyone 'ave any questions?" they stared, bewildered. Leaving? Free time? What were these?

Eventually, they got past the initial shock and they grinned, looking to one another, huge smilies plastered on their faces. Stefan wondered what he started.

"Helena! Wha' 'ave I done?" Stefan sighed to his sister. She grinned at her older brother, kindnees overflowing over her entire person. She was one of those people who couldn't help but be nice.

"Brother Dear, ye 'ad t' make a 'ard choice. Bowen's a big boy. An' I will be looking' in on 'im, makin' sure 'e behaves 'imself."

"Bu' I left the entire Royal Stables in the 'ands of a fifteen year old. Goddess knows wha' trouble 'e'll find. And ye know Bowen--ye know 'ow 'e can be!"

"Yes. 'Im an' 'is stubborn father. Ye are both the same, an' 'e cares jus' as much about them horses as ye do. 'E'll do jus' fine, and ye know it. Sit down an' 'ave sweet." She handed a pastry to her pacing brother. He snatched it and tore into the crust, surprised to find chocolate stuffed within.

"I know, I know. It's jus'… do ye know my three newest workers? The triplets Willow, Wind, an' River?"

"Yes, as a matter of fac'. They drop by almost everyday. Very sweet, all three." She seemed shocked that her brother didn't know they knew her.

"I 'ave reason t' believe, well…I think me Bowen is in love with the girl." Helena was taken aback.

"Me Bowen?" she smiled broadly. "'Bout time! I was afeared 'ed never find 'appiness wiv anyone, though 'e took 'is sweet time wiv it." (A/N: writing accents is getting tricky!)

"Wha'? Yer ok wiv this?"

"Sure."

"Bu'…this is no' good."

"Why do ye say tha'? Do ye believe 'er t' share 'is crush?" she gazed expectantly at her older brother, daring him to say Bowen is too young and not mature enough. If anything, Bowen was more mature than his father was at his age, what with no mother and working since the age of five.

"This is no crush Helena. I think 'e's in love wiv 'er. An' I can't tell ye how she feels. I don't understan' tha' girl. I don' understan' me son, either, fer tha' matter…"

"Well, I'll talk t' 'im, and t' Willow. I'll let ye know when ye return from Port Caynn. Mother moved there, did she tell ye?"

"Yes…don' change the subject'! Bu' ye will talk t' them? Ge' he whole story?"

"Yes Stefan, now calm down. Tha' pastery'll ge' cold ye know." He looked at her, sneered, and practically inhaled the chocolate filled snack. "Charmin'. Ye're a real find, ye know tha'?" She sourly commented at her sibling. "It'll be fine. Ye 'ave two weeks t' get everythin' in order, and then, ye can go t' Mother without a care in the world, without a grievance in yer 'eart." She smiled sweetly at her brother, got up, and hugged him. "Ye need t' calm down." He looked at her round face, and somehow he felt a bit better.

"Ye're right, bu'… I jus' can't 'elp bu' worry."

The next three weeks were spent preparing the Palace steeds for the long trip around the Realm. There was tack to mend, shoes to change, much grooming to be done and bathes to give. They had to choose mounts suitable for the Ladies to ride and good travelers for the knights. The stronger horses were needed as pack bearers and cart pullers. The mounts owned by knights, nobles, and Royalty had to be readied to travel and be shown off to foreign dignitaries. The ambassadors from Carthak were in Tyra and planned to visit the Progress when it reached the area. The Copper Island monarchs would be around Port Legann to discuss things about fishing rights. The Yamani Representitves would come to the Mountain Lords in Tortall, helping with raiders and bandits, and they too would see the Royal Delegation roaming the country to see its marvels.

The Progress set off one Moonsday morning (a/n: Monday), early into Wolf Moon this time, not planning to return until Barley. (January; November.) The stable hands labored on the Stable building, covered in snow and slush, not enjoying themselves at all. The major repairs were the patching of a leaky roof, caulking of wook cracks, and restocking hay, oats, carrots, and apples. The leather strips used for repairing busted tack had to be restocked as well, along with the extra buckles and tools required for fixing these things. One and half weeks, well into Wolf moon, during the time they call Wolf Winter, after the Progress left court, the repairs were done, around the stables at least. It was time for Stefan to be off to Port Caynn.

"Ye behave yerselves now. I don't wan' me sis' givin' me bad repor'. Tha' will ruin me whole vacation." He looked at all their faces, seeing an innocence that didn't belong. "Wha' 'ave I done?" he looked up, as if waiting for Mithros to answer.

"Da, calm down, it'll be fine." He helped his father to a patient gelding, known for his speed and endurance. Stefan scowled.

"Tha' is exactly wha' yer aunt said. I still can't believe it." He mounted the bay, a sturdy cob named Bear, arranging the riengs and his saddlebags, taking in reassurance from the easiness Bear felt, hoping to relax his hostler and rider. "Well, remember the chores ye 'ave everyday with rest of the 'orses. And Willow-Falls exercises. I don't trus' nobody b' ye t' do them." she smiled reassuringly, knowing everything would run smooth. "Jus' don't do anythin' I wouldn't." He nudged Bear into a trot and rode into the city, looking back at the six teenagers, who grinning mischievously at one another, with an uneasy mind.

It was three days into the free time for the stable hands. The pages hadn't left yet, so the Shang Masters stayed as well, meaning morning practices for the triplets. Their birthday occurred on that day, and for a special treat, they didn't have normal lessons--the Shangs made them twice as long. At two hours after sunrise, the Shang dimissed the triplets, and turned all of their attention to the pages, who by the way looked on at the legthened lesseon with new awe and respect, not at all jealous of the fact that they got out early.

They attended their own lessons without complaint after seeing that display of stamina and endurance for whatever the Masters doled out.

"I am gonna feel just that for a week." Willow gently laid herself onto a bale of hay. "My back is a solid bruise. And of course the whole thing of the gashes from that glaive. I think you lamost took a finger off Wind." She told her brother, who lay on the floor, unmoving, on her stomach, just as her.

"Well, sister dear," he groaned into the dirt, "you tried to take my whole hand, so I think the exchange was fair."

"Oh yea…" she giggled. "That was a neat duel though, wasn't it?"

"Oh yes- just wonderous. Now if you excuse me, I would like to die in peace." He rolled onto his back, staring into space.

Willow laughed, wincing as she felt the stabbing pain of what could only be a cracked rib from a staff into her chest. "Ouch." she mumbled. Suddely, the pain that had been quick in coming, left, and a coolness replaced it. She looked for the source. Bowen sat at her feet, eyes closed and sweat pouring down, dripping off his chin. "What-" she started, but was silenced when he placed a finger to her lips.

"Shush." he said. She did, and sat still, feeling the soreness of her muscles leave, along with her bloody wounds close and her throbbing hands feel the coolness as well. When he was done, he near collapsed, bracing himself on her outstretched hands. She sat and let him put his weight on her.

"Your gift doesn't have the strength to heal! Why did you do that?" she demanded, trying to sound mean, but only managing concerned. She was terrified that he'd poured so much strength into healing her. "I could have survived with the pain. I'm no stranger to it, you know."

"But-" he started, but couldn't finish, as he was too tired.

"You lay here. I'll be back. Don't move." The last words were more a command then a request. She bolted to the loft, amazed at how much better she felt. Searching for his bed took longer than she thought, mostly because she was in a hurry. If she hadn't been rushed, she would have been able to go straight there. Eventually, after what seemed like forever, she found it, and grabbed his blanket and feather pillow. She jumped from the loft and ran the entire length of the stable to get back to where he lied. She covered him gently, finding him already asleep. River was nearbly, after coming back from lesson late, doing his last bit of punishment work.

"What happened to him?" he whispered, pulling Willow off to the side. She gazed at the weary hostler, worry in every line of her body.

"He exhausted himself. He wanted to heal me--his gift doesn't heal! He tapped his life force. He could have died!" She started pacing.

"Well, you can hardly expect him to sit by when the girl he-" River started to blurt out, but Wind caught him.

"W…works with is in pain." He stumbled around, trying to stand, and tripped his was towards them after he got to his sore feet.

"I was fine! You guys were in worse shape than I was!" She threw her arms into the air, exasperated.

"Hey, hey! We weren't that bad off!" Wind tried to defend what was left of his dignity. She ignored him, attention flying back to Bowen when he groaned and turned over onto his back.

"Willow?" he rasped, voice dry for some, odd reason. She rushed to his side. "Sorry about all this."

"Sorry? You healed me!" she laughed, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks. "Why did you do it, Bowen? Why?"

"Why?" he repeated. "Because…because I lo-" She waited to hear what she had wanted for so long, praying that he would, eyes closed, goofy smile plastered on her face. But he stopped and all was silent. She opened her eyes and was shocked.

He passed out.

Ok- I don't know why, but I am stopping there, on the break. I hadn't planned to have him faint, but since I did that at the doctors office (allergy to medication I think) I figured I'd work it in. To, you know, incorporate a touch of my life. Well, I want to thank you for reading, and I know the plot doesn't seem to be evident but it's there. This is just the start of all the good stuff. Well, I hope you enjoyed and I'll be back as soon as I can, but everything with school restarting may delay me. Thanx…