Okay, I admit it...these last two chapters have seemed kind of sucky. @_@ Sorry you had to read them, but if you plowed through them anyways...thankies! Constructive criticism is always welcome. And flamers too-there's usually truth in them, even if it is a bit exaggerated. Everything in this story belongs to David Eddings-except for Noel. Lets see if we can't do better, shall we?

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It was nearing evening when they came up on the town. "I know of an inn where we can stay in that town," Kurik grunted.

Tynian looked at him appraisingly. "You sure do seem to know of a lot of inns in a lot of towns." Kurik glared at Tynian. "Just making an observation!" But the grin pasted on Tynian's face said something else. Kurik reined his horse away from Tynian's, muttering. "Did I say something?" Tynian asked with feigned innocence.

Noel poked him in the shoulder. "Is that some kind of running gag?"

Tynian sighed. "You know, it really takes all the fun out of teasing people when you don't know what's going on."

Noel shrugged and stretched her legs to either side of Tynian. "How much longer do we have to ride these animals? I don't think I'm going to be able to get off without collapsing." She winced as she said this and shifted her seat carefully.

Tynian, however, was occupied staring at her legs. "Sparhawk!" he said in a choked voice.

Sparhawk turned in his saddle. "Yes, Sir Tynian?" Wordlessly, Tynian pointed at Noel's legs. "Tynian!" Sparhawk affected a shocked tone of voice. "You're a knight and not supposed to notice such worldly things as women's legs!"

Noel frowned at both of them. "What's wrong with my legs?" She held one up, toe pointed, and turned it left and right. "It's not deformed or anything, is it?"

Kalten started laughing. "No, lady, your legs are most definitely not deformed!" His voice was very cheerful and there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Bevier's back had become straighter and straighter during this conversation, his eyes staring forward. His cheeks were beginning to look a bit flushed. "I hope that we'll be searching for a church soon so that we can repent of our sins," he said in a strained voice. This only set Kalten off in loud, gales of laughter.

"Sparhawk," Tynian snapped, "you know that I have no problems whatsoever admiring a woman's, uh, features." Bevier choked slightly on that. "But we can't take her into a village wearing what she's got on!" he hissed.

Sparhawk looked speculatively at Noel. She scowled. "There's nothing wrong with my battle gear!" she protested.

Talen cleared his throat at this point. "No one runs around here in outfits like that. And I do mean no one. I don't even know any whores who would wear something like that for their customers...of course, they might if they knew about it..."

Berit cuffed Talen's ear. "Have respect for the lady!" Talen rubbed his head and scowled at Berit.

"All right, then what do I wear?" Noel asked challengingly. "Is a knight's motto "Be Prepared," or does that motto only exist on one plane? Honestly, how many of you ride around carrying women's clothing? And Sephrenia, you don't count!"

"Cloak," Ulath grunted.

"We really need to work on your explanations, Ulath," Tynian sighed. "But in this case, that's an excellent idea!" Tynian reached up and unfastened his cloak, then handed it back to Noel. "Lady, I would be honored if you would cover your nakedness with my humble cloak. Forgive me for not offering you silks and satins, but I am just a lowly church knight," he said dramatically.

Noel's lips twitched as she took the cloak. "I can see why you might enjoy riding with these people," she said to Flute. Flute trilled a mocking note and they rode into town.