Chapter Five
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: If I owned the characters, this wouldn't be a fanfic, now would it? Of course they're Tamora Pierce's! This is the Tamora Pierce fanfic category! What were you expecting? You people who go around trying to sue poor little writers like me...
A/N: I know, I know. This is late. I've been really busy lately, with school and basketball and our Winter Formal coming up. So I've spent the past few days running around the basketball court and the mall... our principal gave us less than a week to find an outfit for the formal. I hate dresses/skirts anyway, so this entire thing really sucks.
Reviewers: You are all wonderful!!! begins to sob emotionally
Me Acorn and Sometimes Banana Of course I'm amazing! What else could I be? cough Anyways, I thought about it, and you usually have second doubts about most things, right? So that was just me trying to make it a little more realistic. And YES, you should update! I love your story! If you're a good little girl and you update, I'll even give you a cookie! dangles cookie in front of her
PsychoLioness13 More! Here it is!
SaNgUiNe SiStaR Here's some action! And yes, Tara and Jon don't exactly become best friends... I'm so glad you think it's good!
SilverWindDanceFaiirie You REALLY think that I'm that good??? Thanks so much!
wolfsfriend Thanks... here ya go!
iluvnumair Thanks! I'm glad you like the Goldenlake family... but like I said, it's completely based on my friend Brooke's family. bows down to Brooke and thanks her for letting her 'borrow' her family
Peachy Garlic I like your name! Okay, I know that Raoul and Buri don't have the Gift, but let's just pretend that it came from some ancient Goldenlake relative, shall we? I need it for one of the scenes I'm planning on putting in later on... thanks for reviewing! I love your stories! I start cracking up every time I read your profile... update it! starts laughing at the memory of some of the things Peachy wrote
Oh, and also: sweet yet spiky Thanks for putting me in your story! gives her a cookie Everyone else: Read her story, ITHOTG and LR, the insane parodies! It's really funny...
Okay, enough of my pointless remarks... on with the story!
Tara stared out the window. She was standing in her room at the Royal Palace in Corus. Servants were unpacking her bags quietly behind her. She had tried to help at first, but they had meekly protested. Oh, what's the use, she thought. The king'll have me thrown out anyway, after he's told me off.
When the servants had left, she wondered what to do. Following Kassi's advice, that she would do well to ask to speak to the king around midday, she changed into fine hose, a shirt, and a tunic. If she was going to ask to join the men, she might as well dress appropriately.
Tara walked down the hall until she saw a man in servant's garb. "Sir, I would like to speak with the king. Is there anyone who could take me to him?"
The man looked up, surprised at being addressed so politely. "Yes, milady. If you will be so good as to follow me?" He bowed, then turned and briskly walked away. Tara hurried to catch up.
After several minutes of working their way through twisting passages, the man halted. "His Majesty is inside. Shall I announce you?"
Her throat dry, Tara told him, "Yes, and thank you." She watched, apprehensive, as the man softly entered the room. A moment later, he returned, indicating that she should go in.
King Jonathan IV of Conté sat inside, seemingly at ease with his fine surroundings. Although the king was getting older, Tara had to admit that his coal black hair and gentle blue eyes still made him look handsome. Jon was wearing a fine royal blue tunic. His sharp eyes took in her clothes, and his mouth tightened slightly before it relaxed again. "Taryn of Goldenlake. Welcome back to Corus."
She bowed. Because her mother had been Queen Thayet's bodyguard and best friend when they were younger, the Goldenlake family was on less formal terms with the king and queen than most in Tortall. "Sire."
Jonathan smiled at her. "Are Raoul and Buri here as well? I need to talk to them." She nodded as he turned his head, calling, "Thayet, dear, they're here."
Queen Thayet entered the room, breaking into a smile when she saw Tara. "Hello, dear. How are you?" She hugged Tara gently.
"Well, thank you." Tara shifted her feet. "I'd like to request permission to talk to you about my joining the King's Own, your Majesties."
Jonathan's smile wavered, but Thayet's held. "You father informed us you wished to do so," the queen said calmly. The king nodded his acknowledgment.
"I can heal, Sire, and I'm good with a sword and arrows. I'm also of age; you yourself said several months ago that anyone older than fourteen could join." She bit her lip, wondering if she'd gone to far in reminding him that he himself he allowed this.
Jon was shaking his head. "It's impossible. The Own lived in cramped quarters and it wouldn't be proper."
Thayet stared at her husband, cheeks flushed. "Jon, you can't seriously mean to keep Tara from joining?"
The king shot a glance at his wife. "She'll want a husband in a few years; it'll sully Tortall's reputation."
Thayet stood up. Tara could see an angry glint in her eyes. "Jon, I won't stand for it. You would banish her just because you're afraid of your country's standing?" Thayet shook her head. Several hairs fluttered loose of her tight braid. "You can't mean to tell me that Alanna's marriage has hurt Tortall? Because of her, you've got the best spy that anyone knows of. And Keladry? Has she changed her mind? If you're going to insult female warriors, Jon, you'd best do it when none are around." She casually whipped open her shukusen, gently fanning herself with it.
Jon eyed it apprehensively; Tara supposed that he had learned how very sharp it was. "Dear, I couldn't," he murmured. "The conservatives..."
Thayet cut him off. "If you don't do it, you'll have the conservatives backing you. If you do, you'll have the progressives behind you. Jon, you should know as well as anyone that the conservatives will never win out in the end."
The king considered it. When he looked up, he told Tara, "If HaMinch tests your skills, I will allow this."
Tara swallowed hard. HaMinch, the page's training master, was known for his intense dislike of female warriors. She had a feeling that he would do all he could to prevent her from joining the Own.
Thayet looked disgruntled, but didn't protest. Instead, she placed an arm around Tara's shoulder, saying something about talking to Buri. As the queen led her out of the room, Tara glanced back. Jon was still sitting, staring at the floor. She could tell that he was already regretting his decision.
The next morning, Tara woke early. Her heart was pounding from the haunting dream she had just had. She couldn't remember it exactly, but there were conservatives in it, and Lady Alanna and Lady Keladry had been trying to help her but couldn't.
She remembered that she was to show her skills to HaMinch that morning. She silently stood up and dressed simply. A quick glance into the hall told her that no one else was awake.
Tara managed to find her way out of the castle. In the stables, Sunstreak was standing still. It was as if the horse had been waiting for her.
She decided that saddling the mare would be too much trouble. Opening the stable door, she mounted the animal bareback. A soft nudge with her heels and Sunstreak was trotting off to the forest.
Several hours later, Tara returned. The stable boy was up, and he insisted on taking care of her mount. Reluctantly, Tara returned to her rooms. She washed up, then joined Buri, Kassi, and Lidi in the dining hall.
Buri and Kassi were talking earnestly about the Riders when Tara sat down. Her mother listened patiently to Kassi for another moment, then looked at her oldest daughter. "You're to be tested by HaMinch today?"
Tara nodded, her mouth full of food. Buri didn't say anything, but her eyes indicated annoyance. "So Jon's going to let you if you pass?"
She swallowed and answered, "Yes, but HaMinch doesn't seem to take kindly to the idea."
Kassi interrupted again. "He's angry that the king is allowing women to fight. He thinks it's a sign of weakness." Tara stared at her, and Kassi blushed. "Well, that's what he said last night." Tara shook her head. She would never understand her sister's ability to learn Court gossip.
When they were done eating, Tara wasn't sure where she was supposed to meet HaMinch. Very few pages or squires were at the palace; most were at their home fiefs, helping their families and enjoying the summer.
She wandered into the page's wing. A boy who looked to be slightly younger than her was leaving his room. "Excuse me. Do you know where my lord HaMinch is?"
The boy jerked around, startled. Then he remembered his manners and bowed awkwardly. "No, lady." She could tell that he was eyeing her choice of clothes.
Tara began to curtsey, then remembered she was wearing breeches. Blushing, she stood. "Thank you."
She was walking towards the practice courts, hoping Lord HaMinch would be there, when she saw Raoul. He hurried over. "Tara, go to HaMinch's study. He'd like you to go out and show him a bit of your fighting skills."
She obeyed. The training master's study was nearby. When she knocked tentatively, a voice boomed, "Enter!"
She opened the door and stepped inside. Bowing, she noticed that the room was bare of any ornamental items. Obviously a man who dislikes clutter, she thought. As she straightened, she murmured, "My lord" respectively.
HaMinch was staring at her with intense dislike. "As much as I believe that you would do well to simply go to the convent, albeit that you are too old, I have been charged with ensuring that you can use weapons," he informed her. "I want you to follow me to the practice courts." He stood and swept out of the room. Tara hurried to catch up.
Outside, the blue sky was darkening. Tara knew that it was going to rain, but she said nothing. She realized that HaMinch was probably seeing if she'd complain about the weather.
A man was standing at one of the practice courts, his sword casually dangling from his side. As they drew nearer, Tara saw that it was Dom. He grinned at her.
HaMinch said coldly, "I want you to duel Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle. I need to test your skill with a sword."
Tara nearly smiled. She and Dom had fenced before, and she knew his particular style. After she stretched for a moment, she drew her sword. Assuming the guard position, she waited for the training master to tell them to start. Her body was tense; she knew she could never beat Dom.
When she heard the signal, she thrust her sword towards Dom. He back away, then brought his sword up to meet hers. The metal clanged loudly, and she drew away. Dom brought his sword up in a sweeping motion; she blocked and parried. They continued to fight for several minutes, neither winning. Tara carefully shook her head to knock the sweat away from her eyes. Seeing tracks running down Dom's face, she knew that he was getting tired.
Tara stumbled on a loose rock. Dom flipped her sword out of her hand with a practiced motion, then laid his sword beside her neck. "Surrender," she said softly. That was the longest she had ever held out against Dom, but she wasn't sure that HaMinch would approve. She grabbed Dom's outstretched hand and pulled herself up. Retrieving her sword, she sheathed it again.
Dom whispered, "Wonderful, Tara. That was excellent." He bowed. She bowed back, knowing what was expected of her.
The look on HaMinch's face was irritated. "You did well enough, I suppose," he barked. "Now follow me to the archery range."
For the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, he tested Tara's skills. He seemed slightly pleased with her archery and riding skills, but other than that he remained surly.
By the end of the afternoon, Tara was exhausted. HaMinch hadn't shown anything that would let her believe that he would let her join the King's Own, and she doubted Jonathan would listen to anyone else, like Raoul or Dom.
"You may leave now," the training master informed her haughtily. "I will speak to King Jonathan about your......... abilities."
Tara managed to stumble to her room. A servant had already drawn water for her bath, and she slipped in, grateful. When she was done, she dressed for dinner. She didn't care if some didn't approve of her tunic and hose; she only wanted to be comfortable.
The mess hall where the Own ate, along with a few of the lesser nobilities, was crowded and noisy. After waiting in line for her dinner, Tara found Dom sitting in a corner. She joined him. "Why did HaMinch have you duel me? Why not another conservative who would have taken my sword in a moment?"
Dom swallowed. "The king wouldn't let him." When Tara stared at Dom in amazement, he told her, "You know, he doesn't hate you or anything. He's just worried. Jon's already being pressure for letting HaMinch test you."
Feeling slightly guilty, Tara argued, "But it doesn't matter. HaMinch will never think that I can fight well enough."
Dom looked thoughtful. "HaMinch is a conservative all right, but he's fair. Harsh, but he won't tell Jon that you're not good enough if you are." He finished his meal. "I'm going to talk to some of the other sergeants. See you later." Dom turned his tray in and left.
Tara wondered if that was true. The training master hadn't shown anything but distaste for her.
When she was done, she went to Raoul's room. Knocking softly, she opened the door. "Da, has King Jonathan talked to you yet?"
Raoul shook his head. "He's still in his study, talking to HaMinch. Jon will tell us in the morning." Kissing her forehead gently, he added, "Go to bed. It's getting late, and you're going to be busy tomorrow."
She obediently returned to her own rooms and prepared for bed. Lying down, she thought, Why can't anyone just accept the fact that I'm a girl and I can use weapons? If they do let me stay, I'm going to change their minds about female warriors...
A/N: Wow! That was long! Sorry if that was a little weird......... I'm really happy right now, because we just found out that we're the only undefeated team in our basketball league. In other words, we're the top team right now. GO DRAGONS!
For all of you that think that Jon was OOC because he didn't argue with Thayet, I say too bad. In my opinion, Tamora Pierce pointed out that Thayet's his weak spot. Oh, and for all of you that think that Thayet was OOC because she argued with Jon, we know that she started the Riders with Buri and also the Queen's Ladies. You can't tell me that she's going to let Jon tell Buri's daughter what to do. And I like making HaMinch a cruel, cold-hearted idiot. It's my story, so I get to decide what they do! Now that I've said that, if you don't like how I portrayed anyone, please tell me in your review. I want to know what I need to change.
I have a ton of homework today and three tests Monday, plus our formal dance tonight, but I decided to update anyways. My reviewers inspire me! So I update. You want updates, you review! Kapiche? Kapiche! Okay, enough about me! Go ahead and press that little button!
Kassi of Pirate's Swoop
Disclaimer: If I owned the characters, this wouldn't be a fanfic, now would it? Of course they're Tamora Pierce's! This is the Tamora Pierce fanfic category! What were you expecting? You people who go around trying to sue poor little writers like me...
A/N: I know, I know. This is late. I've been really busy lately, with school and basketball and our Winter Formal coming up. So I've spent the past few days running around the basketball court and the mall... our principal gave us less than a week to find an outfit for the formal. I hate dresses/skirts anyway, so this entire thing really sucks.
Reviewers: You are all wonderful!!! begins to sob emotionally
Me Acorn and Sometimes Banana Of course I'm amazing! What else could I be? cough Anyways, I thought about it, and you usually have second doubts about most things, right? So that was just me trying to make it a little more realistic. And YES, you should update! I love your story! If you're a good little girl and you update, I'll even give you a cookie! dangles cookie in front of her
PsychoLioness13 More! Here it is!
SaNgUiNe SiStaR Here's some action! And yes, Tara and Jon don't exactly become best friends... I'm so glad you think it's good!
SilverWindDanceFaiirie You REALLY think that I'm that good??? Thanks so much!
wolfsfriend Thanks... here ya go!
iluvnumair Thanks! I'm glad you like the Goldenlake family... but like I said, it's completely based on my friend Brooke's family. bows down to Brooke and thanks her for letting her 'borrow' her family
Peachy Garlic I like your name! Okay, I know that Raoul and Buri don't have the Gift, but let's just pretend that it came from some ancient Goldenlake relative, shall we? I need it for one of the scenes I'm planning on putting in later on... thanks for reviewing! I love your stories! I start cracking up every time I read your profile... update it! starts laughing at the memory of some of the things Peachy wrote
Oh, and also: sweet yet spiky Thanks for putting me in your story! gives her a cookie Everyone else: Read her story, ITHOTG and LR, the insane parodies! It's really funny...
Okay, enough of my pointless remarks... on with the story!
Tara stared out the window. She was standing in her room at the Royal Palace in Corus. Servants were unpacking her bags quietly behind her. She had tried to help at first, but they had meekly protested. Oh, what's the use, she thought. The king'll have me thrown out anyway, after he's told me off.
When the servants had left, she wondered what to do. Following Kassi's advice, that she would do well to ask to speak to the king around midday, she changed into fine hose, a shirt, and a tunic. If she was going to ask to join the men, she might as well dress appropriately.
Tara walked down the hall until she saw a man in servant's garb. "Sir, I would like to speak with the king. Is there anyone who could take me to him?"
The man looked up, surprised at being addressed so politely. "Yes, milady. If you will be so good as to follow me?" He bowed, then turned and briskly walked away. Tara hurried to catch up.
After several minutes of working their way through twisting passages, the man halted. "His Majesty is inside. Shall I announce you?"
Her throat dry, Tara told him, "Yes, and thank you." She watched, apprehensive, as the man softly entered the room. A moment later, he returned, indicating that she should go in.
King Jonathan IV of Conté sat inside, seemingly at ease with his fine surroundings. Although the king was getting older, Tara had to admit that his coal black hair and gentle blue eyes still made him look handsome. Jon was wearing a fine royal blue tunic. His sharp eyes took in her clothes, and his mouth tightened slightly before it relaxed again. "Taryn of Goldenlake. Welcome back to Corus."
She bowed. Because her mother had been Queen Thayet's bodyguard and best friend when they were younger, the Goldenlake family was on less formal terms with the king and queen than most in Tortall. "Sire."
Jonathan smiled at her. "Are Raoul and Buri here as well? I need to talk to them." She nodded as he turned his head, calling, "Thayet, dear, they're here."
Queen Thayet entered the room, breaking into a smile when she saw Tara. "Hello, dear. How are you?" She hugged Tara gently.
"Well, thank you." Tara shifted her feet. "I'd like to request permission to talk to you about my joining the King's Own, your Majesties."
Jonathan's smile wavered, but Thayet's held. "You father informed us you wished to do so," the queen said calmly. The king nodded his acknowledgment.
"I can heal, Sire, and I'm good with a sword and arrows. I'm also of age; you yourself said several months ago that anyone older than fourteen could join." She bit her lip, wondering if she'd gone to far in reminding him that he himself he allowed this.
Jon was shaking his head. "It's impossible. The Own lived in cramped quarters and it wouldn't be proper."
Thayet stared at her husband, cheeks flushed. "Jon, you can't seriously mean to keep Tara from joining?"
The king shot a glance at his wife. "She'll want a husband in a few years; it'll sully Tortall's reputation."
Thayet stood up. Tara could see an angry glint in her eyes. "Jon, I won't stand for it. You would banish her just because you're afraid of your country's standing?" Thayet shook her head. Several hairs fluttered loose of her tight braid. "You can't mean to tell me that Alanna's marriage has hurt Tortall? Because of her, you've got the best spy that anyone knows of. And Keladry? Has she changed her mind? If you're going to insult female warriors, Jon, you'd best do it when none are around." She casually whipped open her shukusen, gently fanning herself with it.
Jon eyed it apprehensively; Tara supposed that he had learned how very sharp it was. "Dear, I couldn't," he murmured. "The conservatives..."
Thayet cut him off. "If you don't do it, you'll have the conservatives backing you. If you do, you'll have the progressives behind you. Jon, you should know as well as anyone that the conservatives will never win out in the end."
The king considered it. When he looked up, he told Tara, "If HaMinch tests your skills, I will allow this."
Tara swallowed hard. HaMinch, the page's training master, was known for his intense dislike of female warriors. She had a feeling that he would do all he could to prevent her from joining the Own.
Thayet looked disgruntled, but didn't protest. Instead, she placed an arm around Tara's shoulder, saying something about talking to Buri. As the queen led her out of the room, Tara glanced back. Jon was still sitting, staring at the floor. She could tell that he was already regretting his decision.
The next morning, Tara woke early. Her heart was pounding from the haunting dream she had just had. She couldn't remember it exactly, but there were conservatives in it, and Lady Alanna and Lady Keladry had been trying to help her but couldn't.
She remembered that she was to show her skills to HaMinch that morning. She silently stood up and dressed simply. A quick glance into the hall told her that no one else was awake.
Tara managed to find her way out of the castle. In the stables, Sunstreak was standing still. It was as if the horse had been waiting for her.
She decided that saddling the mare would be too much trouble. Opening the stable door, she mounted the animal bareback. A soft nudge with her heels and Sunstreak was trotting off to the forest.
Several hours later, Tara returned. The stable boy was up, and he insisted on taking care of her mount. Reluctantly, Tara returned to her rooms. She washed up, then joined Buri, Kassi, and Lidi in the dining hall.
Buri and Kassi were talking earnestly about the Riders when Tara sat down. Her mother listened patiently to Kassi for another moment, then looked at her oldest daughter. "You're to be tested by HaMinch today?"
Tara nodded, her mouth full of food. Buri didn't say anything, but her eyes indicated annoyance. "So Jon's going to let you if you pass?"
She swallowed and answered, "Yes, but HaMinch doesn't seem to take kindly to the idea."
Kassi interrupted again. "He's angry that the king is allowing women to fight. He thinks it's a sign of weakness." Tara stared at her, and Kassi blushed. "Well, that's what he said last night." Tara shook her head. She would never understand her sister's ability to learn Court gossip.
When they were done eating, Tara wasn't sure where she was supposed to meet HaMinch. Very few pages or squires were at the palace; most were at their home fiefs, helping their families and enjoying the summer.
She wandered into the page's wing. A boy who looked to be slightly younger than her was leaving his room. "Excuse me. Do you know where my lord HaMinch is?"
The boy jerked around, startled. Then he remembered his manners and bowed awkwardly. "No, lady." She could tell that he was eyeing her choice of clothes.
Tara began to curtsey, then remembered she was wearing breeches. Blushing, she stood. "Thank you."
She was walking towards the practice courts, hoping Lord HaMinch would be there, when she saw Raoul. He hurried over. "Tara, go to HaMinch's study. He'd like you to go out and show him a bit of your fighting skills."
She obeyed. The training master's study was nearby. When she knocked tentatively, a voice boomed, "Enter!"
She opened the door and stepped inside. Bowing, she noticed that the room was bare of any ornamental items. Obviously a man who dislikes clutter, she thought. As she straightened, she murmured, "My lord" respectively.
HaMinch was staring at her with intense dislike. "As much as I believe that you would do well to simply go to the convent, albeit that you are too old, I have been charged with ensuring that you can use weapons," he informed her. "I want you to follow me to the practice courts." He stood and swept out of the room. Tara hurried to catch up.
Outside, the blue sky was darkening. Tara knew that it was going to rain, but she said nothing. She realized that HaMinch was probably seeing if she'd complain about the weather.
A man was standing at one of the practice courts, his sword casually dangling from his side. As they drew nearer, Tara saw that it was Dom. He grinned at her.
HaMinch said coldly, "I want you to duel Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle. I need to test your skill with a sword."
Tara nearly smiled. She and Dom had fenced before, and she knew his particular style. After she stretched for a moment, she drew her sword. Assuming the guard position, she waited for the training master to tell them to start. Her body was tense; she knew she could never beat Dom.
When she heard the signal, she thrust her sword towards Dom. He back away, then brought his sword up to meet hers. The metal clanged loudly, and she drew away. Dom brought his sword up in a sweeping motion; she blocked and parried. They continued to fight for several minutes, neither winning. Tara carefully shook her head to knock the sweat away from her eyes. Seeing tracks running down Dom's face, she knew that he was getting tired.
Tara stumbled on a loose rock. Dom flipped her sword out of her hand with a practiced motion, then laid his sword beside her neck. "Surrender," she said softly. That was the longest she had ever held out against Dom, but she wasn't sure that HaMinch would approve. She grabbed Dom's outstretched hand and pulled herself up. Retrieving her sword, she sheathed it again.
Dom whispered, "Wonderful, Tara. That was excellent." He bowed. She bowed back, knowing what was expected of her.
The look on HaMinch's face was irritated. "You did well enough, I suppose," he barked. "Now follow me to the archery range."
For the rest of the morning and into the afternoon, he tested Tara's skills. He seemed slightly pleased with her archery and riding skills, but other than that he remained surly.
By the end of the afternoon, Tara was exhausted. HaMinch hadn't shown anything that would let her believe that he would let her join the King's Own, and she doubted Jonathan would listen to anyone else, like Raoul or Dom.
"You may leave now," the training master informed her haughtily. "I will speak to King Jonathan about your......... abilities."
Tara managed to stumble to her room. A servant had already drawn water for her bath, and she slipped in, grateful. When she was done, she dressed for dinner. She didn't care if some didn't approve of her tunic and hose; she only wanted to be comfortable.
The mess hall where the Own ate, along with a few of the lesser nobilities, was crowded and noisy. After waiting in line for her dinner, Tara found Dom sitting in a corner. She joined him. "Why did HaMinch have you duel me? Why not another conservative who would have taken my sword in a moment?"
Dom swallowed. "The king wouldn't let him." When Tara stared at Dom in amazement, he told her, "You know, he doesn't hate you or anything. He's just worried. Jon's already being pressure for letting HaMinch test you."
Feeling slightly guilty, Tara argued, "But it doesn't matter. HaMinch will never think that I can fight well enough."
Dom looked thoughtful. "HaMinch is a conservative all right, but he's fair. Harsh, but he won't tell Jon that you're not good enough if you are." He finished his meal. "I'm going to talk to some of the other sergeants. See you later." Dom turned his tray in and left.
Tara wondered if that was true. The training master hadn't shown anything but distaste for her.
When she was done, she went to Raoul's room. Knocking softly, she opened the door. "Da, has King Jonathan talked to you yet?"
Raoul shook his head. "He's still in his study, talking to HaMinch. Jon will tell us in the morning." Kissing her forehead gently, he added, "Go to bed. It's getting late, and you're going to be busy tomorrow."
She obediently returned to her own rooms and prepared for bed. Lying down, she thought, Why can't anyone just accept the fact that I'm a girl and I can use weapons? If they do let me stay, I'm going to change their minds about female warriors...
A/N: Wow! That was long! Sorry if that was a little weird......... I'm really happy right now, because we just found out that we're the only undefeated team in our basketball league. In other words, we're the top team right now. GO DRAGONS!
For all of you that think that Jon was OOC because he didn't argue with Thayet, I say too bad. In my opinion, Tamora Pierce pointed out that Thayet's his weak spot. Oh, and for all of you that think that Thayet was OOC because she argued with Jon, we know that she started the Riders with Buri and also the Queen's Ladies. You can't tell me that she's going to let Jon tell Buri's daughter what to do. And I like making HaMinch a cruel, cold-hearted idiot. It's my story, so I get to decide what they do! Now that I've said that, if you don't like how I portrayed anyone, please tell me in your review. I want to know what I need to change.
I have a ton of homework today and three tests Monday, plus our formal dance tonight, but I decided to update anyways. My reviewers inspire me! So I update. You want updates, you review! Kapiche? Kapiche! Okay, enough about me! Go ahead and press that little button!