Disclaimer I do not own any of these characters. They are all property of Tamora Pierce.

Chapter 2

"Dancing lessons! Whatever for!" exclaimed Miri with disbelief "I'm not that bad, am I?"

A short lady with brown eyes dressed for riding laughed quickly filling the empty Riders' mess hall with the sound.

She spoke quietly "No, you're not a bad dancer Miri."

Gaining a compliment from Buri was hard enough work as Miri had discovered in her eight years of being a Rider. The point of it being in dancing was irrelevant. Miri wished that some other Rider, or in fact anyone, had accidentally overheard such praise.

Well, at least they are no hearing me moan like a stuffed up court lady who has just been asked to wear the same dress twice thought Miri.

Three days rest at the palace had been enough time to give Miri the impression that this wedding was going to be a grand affair. The Queen herself was taking a personal interest in the wedding arrangements of her oldest and dearest friend.

"Then why" enquired Miri, still a little suspicious.

Buri, ex-commander of the Queen's Riders pulled a face before explaining "It is a traditional dance from my native land which is danced at weddings. Only chosen members of the bride's and the bridegroom's party are allowed to participate. It is symbolic for a happy and long marriage. And Thayet demands it."

At that moment a ray of the early morning sun broke through the mist and spilled onto the floor and tables in the mess hall. A good omen thought Miri. The light caught Buri's engagement ring which sparkled softly against the opposite wall.

"Right. Wonderful. That's great!" Miri tried to put excitement in her voice and failed miserable. "But why do I have to have dance lessons on my own?"

The dread of dancing was always a major fear for Miri. Even when she was a child at her local festival the notion of being pulled onto the platform would make Miri seek solitude in the kitchens or shadows. Though no one would notice a shy girl with green eyes missing from a crowd of dancing couples concluded Miri. She had never admitted to anyone, well, except one, about her inability to enjoy the dance floor.

"I would take that up with your new commander" Buri said mischievously "I requested your absence early from the Rabbits so that you wouldn't be tutored on a one to one bases. My husband-to-be and certain members of the King's Own were subject to two weeks of lessons." Buri smirked at remembering the chaos on the first day with the dance teacher Madame Sati.

Miri hit her hand off the table which made their breakfast plates jump. She could not believe that her best friend had pulled a stunt like this on her, knowing that she hated dancing! Seconds after the action Miri was regretting the hitting, her half wounded hand was now in incredible pain. This day is full of brilliant surprises Miri said mentally to herself.

"Evin Larse did this to me" saidMiri in totally disbelief "after all the times I've saved him from his choice of simpering court ladies!"

An image of dragging Evin to the practising courts in the early morning after a night at a ball where there would be lots of drinking involved and then pounding him over till he resembled nothing but a piece of meat popped into Miri's head and gave her some satisfaction.

"He said that people wouldn't be amazed at your dancing skills but be truly awe-struck that you would be wearing a pretty dress for once" said Buri crinkling her eyes with mirth.

Miri laid her head on her arms which were resting on the table for comfort in submission to the long torture she was going to endure.

"I have to wear a dress?" came from the bowed head

Later in the afternoon, Miri wondered how a slight lady in her fifties could fill her commanding voice in such a great hall and still be able put fear into her victims or more precise, dancers.

"Lady Miri you turn left not right in this sequence!" the teacher said with exasperation followed by the shaking of her head in disgust.

Miri turned red with embarrassment and cursed herself millions times, wishing that she never saved Buri's life. This 'be my bridesmaid' was a thank you for pushing Buri out of a charging spidern's path then Miri would have gladly thrown herself into its path. This gift is a torture thought Miri I wonder if I could send it back.

"How did she notice" whispered Daine "I never saw your mistake"

Miri glanced at her friend, shrugged her shoulders and replied "It wouldn't surprise me if she had the Gift to see. Why, she would miss giving her theatrical performances of shouting at people".

Daine giggled which secured her a glare from Madame Suti the slave driver.

"Thanks for coming Daine", said Miri seriously " I don't think I could have managed my control at not trying to kill Madame Suti."

"No problem. Numair had lectures all day and it's the first free day I have off for ages. I didn't really wanted to spend it on my own" answered Daine "though I thought you would have asked Evin"

"He is the one who got me into this!" Miri hissed "and you call this a good way of spending a day!"

A light cough caught Miri off guard so she spun around to attack the person only to find Madame Suti standing there with a grim smile and her foot tapping the marble floor with annoyance.

"If you have done talking Lady Miri then we will continue" Madame Suti spat the words out in a tight crisp voice, turned her back on Miri and Daine and walked purposely in the other direction.

Miri grimaced at her clumsy comment while Daine patted her sympathetically on the back. Miri's partner, whom was one of Sati's students, was trying to so hard to stop himself from laughing. As they moved into position to rehearse the dance again, Miri missed her partner's conversation, as she was busy concentrating on her feet.

She remedies the situation by peeling her eyes away from the feet and saying politely "What did you say?"

The young blushed slightly and said "You must be very brave of you survived the old dragon Suti"

Miri replied with a brief smile and refocused her mind to her steps.

Later that evening, and too sore to move, Daine and Miri had retreated to one of the Palace's many libraries to catch up on old times and gossip while enjoying some hot chocolate and snacks which had been laid out for them.

"I'm going to need a hot bath," said Miri interrupting the gentle silence.

"Think of my poor legs! The thought of all those stairs before I can even get to my rooms and relax" Daine replied.

"Yes, but I bet you could bewitch yourself or Numair to get out of such a horrible climb. Poor me who has to drag myself back to the Rider's quarters." Miri eyes shone with mischief.

"Did I hear my name?" a soft voice spoke form the library entrance. Both Daine and Miri turn to see Numair standing with his black robes dishevelled and looking tired. Daine sprung up from her chair and forgetting about the stiffness in her legs launched herself at Numair, enveloping him into a crushing hug.

Miri had to endure the fervent welcome kiss of the couple which in her estimation was quite passionate. She was extremely happy for Daine on finding a man deeply committed to her and it was great pleasure in seeing the relationship blossom which Miri had predicted to Evin years ago. It fact he still owns me two nobles! She remembered.

Daine had settled Numair on her vacant chair and then sat herself on his knees which Miri believed gave Numair the opportunity to wrap his arms around Diane's small waist without being to forward. Always the gentleman, smirked Miri.

"Are you beautiful ladies not going to inform me of you busy day with Madame Suti" asked Numair and then glanced between Daine and Miri for a response. Both girls just moaned and laughed simultaneously and then filled Numair with the details of the torture. By the end tears had appeared on Numair's cheeks because he had been laughing too hard.

"I don't think our exploitation were that amusing" Miri stated with her emerald eyes full of mirth.

Daine tried to elbow Numair in the ribs to stop him laughing which won her a long kiss instead. Miri rolled her eyes and demanded

"Can't you guys get a room for that and spare others!"

Daine giggled with a hand over her mouth while Numair took offence, straighten himself in the chair and looked down at Miri.

"I am so sorry to inform you, Miri, that we are in a room" retorted Numair in his entire aura.

At such a solemn expression on his face both Miri and Daine burst out laughing which ruined Numair dignified manner. Easing off her chair, Miri said, "I see that I won't be needed here Daine, so I will leave the presence of the great Numair if I am excused" and flourished them with a bow.

Numair taking his cue bowed his head and dismiss Miri with a hand gesture like a true monarch. Smiling, Miri closed the library door behind the couple and turned to be faced with Evin.

"Well, I see that you have been skiving your duty as a Rider Miri," said an amused Evin "this won't do. What punishment should I bestow on such an offender".

Her anger flared and Miri gave a glare at Evin, pushed him out the way and tried to head for the stairs. However she only reached the first step as Evin detained her arm.

"Have I done something wrong Miri", worry evident in his voice.

Miri glanced at him quickly to see a strange expression on Evin's face which she never had seen. Her puzzlement must have shown because Evin released her elbow and closed his blue eyes. He stood there like a still statue for a few moments and looked like he had completely forgot about where he was or even if Miri was there. Nerved Miri gentle shook Evin's shoulder.

"Are you feeling well Evin?" Miri asked quietly.

Evin took Miri's hand in his and gave it a quick squeeze before releasing it.

"It is so upsetting when your riders won't obey your command" Evin said while pulling the puppy dog look that he use to gain court ladies' attentions.

Miri pushed him playfully down the stairs and said, "I was following your orders Commander Larse! I went to the dance lessons that you suspended for an entire month so I would be faced with a monster! But then I will look prettier in a dress than actually dancing won't I?" Miri raised her eyebrows in a question stare.

Evin hunched his shoulders and pulled a face "Who told you that?"

"I have my sources Evin. Believe me I know all your secrets. There is nothing you can hide from me"; Miri laugh at Evin's stricken face, "The stories I could tell".

Evin blushed.

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