And I'm back!
Disclaimer: Everything in this story except the plot and my original characters (Marion, Ryons, and Stormbreeze and any other random characters I stick in this story) belong to the great Tamora Pierce. And whatever else I'm supposed to say in a disclaimer insert {here}.
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"This is your last chance to go to the Covent and live an honest life!" a chestnut haired boy told his dark brown haired riding partner, gesturing to the big building on to the right of the path.
"No way! I'm going to be a knight if it's the last thing I do! I'm surprised, Ry! I thought that you of all people should know that! I mean, we've known each other since we were born!"
"Yah, I knew what you would say. I just thought I would offer!" After that they rode in silence for a while. Mari was thinking about what it would be like at court, Ry was thinking about what kind of food they would have.
"Did you hear that?" Mari asked suddenly.
"Hear what?"
"Nothing. Never mind." Mari had a strange feeling that they were being followed, but whenever she turned around the path was clear.
"What are you so tense about?" Ry asked her.
"I just feel like there's someone behind us," she turned around again, only to find that there was no one there. Once again she turned her attention to the path ahead of her. 'It couldn't hurt to check one more time,' she told thought to herself, so she whipped around in her saddle, and saw someone dart into the bushes. She got off her horse, and signaled to Ryons to do the same. Confused, he got off his horse as Mari got her bow out. Pointing it straight into the bush, she said, "Come out! I will not be followed like some common criminal!"
Slowly, a middle aged Yamani man with a bald spot in his graying hair got out of the bushes. "Knowing your aim I won't take the chance of being shot!"
"Awwww! Saito-Cham! What are you doing here? Daddy sent you, didn't he!" shouted Mari as she recognized her Yamani teacher that she had known most of her life. He was a very good friend of her father's.
"You're going to court, aren't you! You're father was right about his suspicions! He told me to follow you and make sure you went to the Convent! You are going to turn your horse around right now and go to the Convent! Ryons of Naxen! I am surprised at you! Helping young Mari to lie to her parents and sneak to Court!" Ry looked down at his shoes guiltily.
"Saito-Cham! You of all people should know that I don't want to have to wear fancy shoes and corsets!" Ryons blushed. "Please, let me go to Court!"
"No! I refuse to let your father down like this! You are going to the Daughters' of the Goddess Covent if it's the last thing I do!!" Saito-cham yelled at her.
Eyes brimming with tears Mari yelled back, "AND I'LL GET TO COURT IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!!!" She then ran off into the bushes.
"Mari, I'm sorry I yelled! It's just I told your father that I would make sure you would go to the Convent. Just come with me! You don't want to be a knight! You'll get dirty, sore, and you'll hurt yourself! Just come with me and you'll see that the Convent isn't that bad. Come back here! There are awful things out there! Spidrens and stormwings!"
"I can take care of myself!" she yelled from the forest.
"Mari! Come here this instant! I'm not going to argue with you!"
"Fine! I'll go! But I won't be happy about it!" she glared at Saito-cham. "Ry, have a good time at Court," and when Saito-cham turned around she snapped her fingers and a sea foam-green fire appeared at the tip of her finger. She winked at Ry. Mari's gift had gotten them out of a fair amount of trouble. 'Thank the Goddess my gift is good for unlocking doors and sneaking around!' she thought. 'I swear, it's like this has all been planned out!'
"Okay, well, you have a good time too! I'll write often!" Ry called and winked back. 'Maybe this year won't be as boring as I thought it would be,' he thought to himself, 'The Goddess seems to have an interesting time in store for both of us!'
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When Marion and Saito-cham arrived at the Convent there were young boys and girls there to take their horses and belongings. Just then a tall, golden haired woman came running out of the building closest to them. She swooped Marion up into a hug and said, "I'm so glad to see you!" When she was close enough to Mari's ear that she could whisper without anyone else hearing she asked, "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at Court!"
"Just a slight detour, Elise. Don't worry, I'll be at Court soon!" Mari whispered back fiercely.
"I'm guessing Saito-cham doesn't know that this is only a detour?"
"No clue." They both proceeded to giggle very unwomanly at that point.
"Let me know if you need anything!" Elise said, holding Mari's shoulders firmly.
"Well then, I'll be off, if you don't need anything?" Saito-cham said with a wave. "And don't worry, Mari, I'll be watching you!"
"Believe me, I wouldn't put it past you." Elise then showed Mari up to her temporary quarters.
"What are you planning on doing?" Elise asked excitedly as soon as Mari's door was shut. She had been part of many of Mari's and Ry's plans when she lived in Naxen.
"I'm thinking of lying low for a few days, then sneaking out at night and ride to Court!"
"Ooooooo! I just love a good adventure! Can I help in any way?"
"If you could just send all of my messages from my parents to me at Court it would be great! I can't believe I'm going to get away with this!"
"You know they'll find out sooner or later."
"Yah, but I can at least make sure it's later instead of sooner," Mari said with a look that said, 'I'M GONNA GET AWAY WITH THIS!!!!'
"Well, if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask me!"
"Okay, I'm going to get to bed. I'll need an early start if I'm going to get away with this," Mari said with a yawn.
"See you in the morning!" Elise shut the door behind her and Mari fell asleep after one more 'I'm going to get away with this!' thought.
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I finally figured out where I'm going with this story!! AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I LOVE MY IDEA!!!!
~tiptapcandy