(A/n: I take it back, it's set right before FT)

Four best friends leaned against the ship's rail, watching the barely visible land ahead apprehensively. Briar Moss sighed.

"I don't understand why Rosethorn couldn't come," he muttered.

Sandry moved away from the rail and patted his arm sympathetically. "Lark stayed, also," she reminded him.

Tris scowled. "Niko said there was a good reason for them not coming, anyways."

They ignored her. She frowned even more.

"Cheer up you guys," Daja insisted as the wind picked up and waves pushed at the vessel. The smith-mage gave Tris a warning look, and the weather quieted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ship docked as the sun went down. Wearily the travelers gathered their luggage and trotted down the gang plank. They were greeted by a group of about fifteen people. One-by-one, the delegation from Emelan met each host, in order of importance. First was Niko, then Reubin, Omar, and finally the younger mages. Daja, Briar, Sandry, and Tris waited patiently, as they were instructed. Finally it was their turn.

They came forward together, since they were the same rank. Niko introduced them to King Jonathan and Queen Thayet, Gareth of Naxen the Younger, Raoul of Goldenlake, Alanna of Pirates Swoop and Olau, several priests of Mithros and priestesses of the Goddess, several other important nobles, Numair Salmalin, and Daine Sarrasri.

When Briar was introduced to Daine he did a double-take. She was the Wildmage! He had never seen a prettier girl. She had long, curling brown hair, mischievous gray-blue eyes, a slender figure, and she reached up to about his eyebrows. She smiled politely at him, but didn't hold his hand for as long as Briar hoped. He did notice, however, that the mage Numair had taken a step closer to her when Briar was introduced.

The large group was escorted back to the palace. Reubin and Raoul talked most of the way, as did Numair and Niko, and Omar and the priests. Briar was riding with Daja when Daine moved her mount next to his.

"Hello, Briar!" she said merrily. "Would you like to talk?"

He swallowed several times and nodded his head stupidly. She laughed, and they stopped to ride behind the group.

"So, what can you do?" Daine asked the plant-mage.

"I have a connection with plants," he explained eagerly. "And for a while now my friends and I have had a magical bond, so I have a couple weather, thread, and fire powers, also."

"Let's show each other a sample of magic," Daine suggested. Briar shrugged willingly and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths.

Vines, shining bright green, shot out of he ground on the side of the road and bowed to Daine before retreating into the earth. Daine giggled and bowed in return.

"Now my turn," she said. Quickly she called to a nearby eagle and asked him to join her. When he appeared, she shifted into eagle form and did a spiraling-dance with her companion before landing in the bushes and changed back into human form. She was adjusting her shirt button as she remounted.

"Impressive," Briar said, awed. They both laughed.

Numair heard laughter and looked back, forgetting the conversation that he had with Niko. What he saw made him lurch with jealousy. Daine and Briar were laughing merrily and riding alone. He contained his fury and made his excuses to Niko before he dropped back to ride along with Daine and Briar.

"Numair!" Daine said, startled. "I didn't notice you!"

He took a deep, shuddering breath. "That's okay, sweet. I just thought I'd just check up on you."

"We're fine, sir," Briar informed him.

Numair fixed him with a stern glare. "I see. How old are you, Briar Moss?"

"Fifteen," the boy replied stoutly.

"And Daine is sixteen," Numair said quietly.

Daine frowned. "Numair, let's talk," she said. She took Numair by the arm and ordered Spots to stay where he was. They dismounted and walked away, into the bushes.

"Sorry, Briar, carry on!" Daine called.

"Numair, what's wrong?" Daine demanded, thankful for the privacy.

He looked at her sadly with his dark eyes. His shoulders sagged.

"I'm scared, Daine. I can't help but think. You and Briar have so much in common, and he's so close to you in age…"

Daine threw her hands up in frustration. "Not this again! Numair…I love you! Nothing can change that. Briar and I are becoming friends, yes, but I love you!"

"I can't help but worry!" Numair protested.

Daine sighed and shoved Numair against a tree. Before he could speak, she was kissing him. They came up for air twice before they were satisfied and returned to the road. Suddenly, much to Numair and Daine's embarrassment, the whole delegation was waiting for them expectantly. Jonathan was shaking with silent laughter as the two turned red. Most of the Tortall party was laughing helplessly, while the Emelan delegation was shocked. Briar was thunderstruck.

Numair, livid with anger and embarrasment, pulled Jon roughly from his horse. The King landed--in a very undignified manner-- on the ground and was unable to rise because of Numair's grip. Everyone--with the exception of Raoul, Alanna, and Gary, who were laughing even more uncontrollably-- gasped in horror.

Numair bent down, still pinning Jon to the ground.

"Embarrass me all you want, Jon," he hissed into the King's ear. "But not her. Don't ruin her reputation."

Jon stared helplessly up at him. "Worry not, Numair. She'll be fine. Would you please let me up? This is very uncomfortable."

Alanna finally dismounted and swaggered over to Numair.

"I guess, as the Champion, I have to protect my king. Let him go, Numair." Numair shook his head stubbornly, searching for more words to say, but loosened his hold on Jon. Alanna drew her sword in mock-threat. Numair sighed and helped Jon back onto his horse. The king faced the crowd.

"I guess it's not wise to keep company with mentally-ill mages," he announced. "They get ideas."

A jet of black fire lashed out at Jon. The King barely had time to put his magic shield up. He signaled for the party to continue.