Disclaimer- I don't own any of this. I'm just borrowing it from Tamora Pierce. Isn't it sad?
Magic
The sun shone on the Seventh Rider group as they rode down the mud-splattered trail. They were headed to the palace after two months of chasing bandits in the far north, the last remnants of the soldiers from Scantra. Everyone was in a carefree mood, but none so much as the commander of this particular Rider group and his best friend.
"Isn't it a wonderful day to be alive, Miri?" Evin Larse asked cheerfully, "The sun is shining, the wind is in our hair, and we're headed for the palace! Could life get any better? Without Sarge deciding to give up his career harassing trainees and becoming a dancing bear, that is."
Miri, used to Evin's antics after years of friendship, simply shook her head and grinned. Commanding had done little to make Evin more serious, although Miri had to admit that he was very a capable leader. "Hush up, Evin," she said teasingly. "We all know how much you want back to Lady Pricilla."
The soldiers all began to chuckle at this. A month ago, Evin had begun to court Lady Pricilla of Stacine, to the endless amusement of the Riders. Laughter had quickly turned to annoyance, however, when Evin had begun to talk of nothing but Lady Pricilla this and Lady Pricilla that.
"Sadly, Lady Pickle-face and I have parted ways," Evin said in an overly dramatic voice, "which means that the nightly poetry readings I have been indulging you kiddies in will cease. Try to contain your sorrow, please."
A cheer went up among the Riders as they balanced on their horses. They had all been forced to sit through Evin's bad poetry to Lady Pricilla at one point or another, and none of them mourned the loss of this unwilling pastime.
"So, did Miss Priss finally decide that she was sick of having a boyfriend who worked for a living?" Miri questioned, her eyes full of mischief.
"Ha Ha, Miri. If you ever decided to give up this whole Rider thing, you could become a jester." Evin replied sarcastically as his horse picked her way through the mud.
"And you a Player," she shot back, hiding a smile.
Evin sighed gustily, "For your information, Pricilla and I separated due to irreconcilable differences."
"Irreconcilable differences my foot," Miri retorted, "All she wanted to do with her life was sit at home and sew. Oh, and she wanted to be rich. You can't forget that part."
Evin sighed again, "Too true, too true. Anyway, Pricilla decided to become engaged to that Edmond of Wellam fellow. The rich one."
"Sorry, Ev," Miri said quietly. She was one of the few people who knew that Evin had a sweeter nature than he let on to others. She knew that it hurt him to be rejected.
They rode quietly, side-by-side, until Evin suddenly perked up. "Think of all time I'll have to devote to my writing career, now that I'm not tied down by a relationship!" he said brightly with a huge smile.
A collective groan rose from Riders, and Miri was just about to respond when Evin signaled them to halt. They had arrived at the top of a hill from which they could see the River Olorun, with the Palace gleaming brightly at its banks. They had reached Corus.
A/N- Here it is, the first chapter of Magic. I hope you like it, and I'll have the second installment up soon. Please review, and when you do, could you tell me if people in the Riders are allowed to marry? I know that the King's Own isn't, but I'm not sure about the Riders. I also need I better title. Suggestions, anyone?
*Shale*
