Chapter 13

"Miri? Miri! For the Goddess' sake, Miri, OPEN THIS DOOR!"

Daine raised her hand to the door of Miri's chambers to knock for the fourth time. The three Rider groups leaving for the border were all packed and were finishing off their breakfast in the mess hall, but Daine had noticed Miri's absence. And Evin's as well, for that matter.

While searching for the missing Riders, Daine had bumped into Lessa of Queencove, who was accompanying the Rider groups on their journey to rendezvous with The Whisper Man's informants, who had reported trouble on the border. Lessa's Gift as truthslayer was invaluable to the quest. It was her advice to knock on Miri's door. Until someone answered, Lessa had suggested with a sly smile on her face. Then it had clicked in Daine's mind. Last night had been Evin's surprise.

"Miri, if you don't open your door right now, I swear I will send spiders, or beetles, or any insects to sting you until you do!"

At this threat, the wooden door cracked open, and a very tousled brown head popped out to glare at Daine. Miri, wrapped in her bed sheets, blinked hazily as she recognised her friend.

"What is all the noise about?" she croaked. "There's plenty of time left before we head out."

"That might be true," Daine stated. "However, the cooks in the mess will not keep breakfast waiting for the two of you to make your grand entrance."

Miri scowled and pushed hair out of her sleepy eyes. "What do you mean two of us? I'm the only one here," she informed Daine innocently.

Daine smiled knowingly at Miri, who, in return, blushed lightly and stared at the floor. "I'm warning you that it will look slightly suspicious if both of you turn up together, at a rush. Unless you want everyone to know."

"Gods, no! Imagine the teasing and the looks!" Miri looked horrified as she pictured the long months of fellow Riders nudging her and winking at Evin. Shaking herself from her reverie, Miri thanked Daine for the wake-up call and closed the door on the silent laughter she could read in her friend's eyes.

Wrapping the sheets more closely around her body, Miri padded quietly on her bare feet to her bed where Evin lay in a content sleep. By the Goddess, Evin even looks handsome when he's sleeping like a baby! She really did wonder how he'd managed to sleep through the constant banging from outside. However, now that she was up, Miri supposed that getting Evin awake as well would be a good idea. What Daine had spoken of warned Miri of the difficulties ahead, and just now she would prefer to keep this relationship under cover, metaphorically speaking of course.

"Evin," whispered Miri into his ear. "Time to get up!" There was no response from the Commander except for a sigh.

"Evin!" Miri raised her voice in hope of any reaction. "Fine, have it your way, Commander, if you want another cold shower, then that's what you're going to get!"

Miri stomped off, thoroughly looking forward to seeing Evin looking like a drowned kitten. However, she was suddenly stopped at entering the bathroom by two strong arms locked around her waist. Miri twisted round to see the grinning face of a fully-awake Evin. She chuckled at her tactics, which made Evin turn on his uttermost pompous expression, until he joined in her laughter.

Grabbing the back of Miri's legs, Evin effortless lifted her and unceremoniously planted her on his lap as he sat down on the couch. Miri tried to wriggle out of his strong hold, but quickly gave up and snuggled her head on his broad shoulder.

"What's all the commotion?" yawned Evin. "I was having a very nice dream."

As her mouth was resting on Evin's neck, Miri's words were muffled. "Daine woke me up and explained that we are the only two missing from breakfast. So I thought we should get up, and you need to change into your uniform."

"Oh, really? Do I, now?"

"Yes, Evin. In case you've forgotten, we ride out to the Tusaine border this morning," Miri said, exasperated.

"I guess." Unconsciously his arms tighten around Miri while his lips were occupied kissing her face. "But I could think of better things to do right now."

"Oh no you don't, Evin Larse," Miri said, pulling away from his tempting lips and untangling herself from his hold. She stood up and put on her most strict manner. "You are going to your own room to tidy up your appearance before your grand appearance in the mess hall."

Evin also stood up, so near to Miri it felt that he was looming over her. "But I don't want to," he whined, and pouted like a child.

"Tough."

"Well, can I at least get a morning kiss from you then, my love?"

The sincerity in his voice made Miri's defence crumble, and she turned to face the man she truly believed would be there for the rest of her life. "Fine. Only one," Miri said, trying to act indifferent to the task.

"In that case, I'd better make it good," he replied. Cupping her face with one large hand, the other circling her waist, Evin held Miri tightly, as if he thought she would escape. Miri giggled at his insecurity. Really, it should be the other way around. I'm going to turn into one of those jealous ladies I hate, should any female flirt with him.

The kiss was soft and gentle at first, however Evin deepened it relentlessly at the last moment, catching Miri off guard. She swayed closer to him, oblivious to the surroundings.

Evin was being rather wicked, and he knew that he should feel slightly guilty, but when was an opportunity like this going to rise again? With Miri's complete attention on the kiss, Evin was slowly directing their bodies back to the bed, as well as confiscating the sheet wrapped around Miri's body.

Miri couldn't understand how one minute she felt like she was standing up, and the next laying down. It was impossible. Nevertheless, her thoughts soon evaporated, as Evin's kiss was causing havoc in her mind. It was a good, chaotic feeling.

I am never going to forgive him, never! That was a dirty trick! Miri was fuming slightly at the outcome of the "morning kiss". Then she mentally slapped herself. Stop whining like a court lady, admit that you loved every second of it, and forget that the man you love is as devious as you! Miri grudgingly accepted the fact she wasn't all that annoyed at the event, only that it was so short due to the return of Daine and her trying to bang the door down.

Miri sighed gratefully in the drizzling rain which happened to be following the Riders' journey. At their last stop for lunch and a quick catnap, Miri had made sure of Raindrop's comfort, not wanting to expose her mare to infection from the damp air. The Rabbits, Hemlock, and Wolves had separated themselves from the fresh trainees heading towards Pirate's Swoop with Daine and Numair in tow. Miri was quite relieved, as the knowing looks from the famous couple were wearing thin on her patience.

The three groups were making good progress on the third week of riding: they had encountered few disturbances to slow their tracks to their destination. As the journey went on, Evin grew more relaxed, and gave the groups more detailed information on their assignment. The three Rider groups were mostly acting as a guard to bring the spies' information back to the King safely. The intelligence would be given directly to Lessa of Queencove, as only she knew the informants and place of the meeting. Any trouble that might occur would be sorted out by the Riders. The Wolves and Hemlock would actually make themselves known to the remote villages under the pretence of routine 'meet and greet'. The Rabbits were to be invisible and station their mounts in the large forest on the hills as back-up.

At the beginning of the journey, most of the Riders regarded Lady Lessa as something of a push-over, and there was even betting on how long she would last, but as the days past, she proved to be more dauntless than they had originally thought. Miri herself had thought that the Queencove girl looked like the sniveling type, yet even in the horrible weather this court lady was the last to complain - if she ever did.

During a late night watch with Evin, he had revealed to Miri that Lessa was not only a truthslayer, or someone who could use their Gift to detect lies, but that Lessa's Gift allowed her to read minds at will, even mages with such a powerful Gift as Numair. This mind-reading power was what made her especially important to the mission, since she could identify the informant in any disguise anywhere in a ten mile radius, however such a use of her powers drained her Gift very quickly, leaving her vulnerable to an attack. Upon this discovery, Miri genuinely regretted her thoughts about the lady in the last couple of days, and though her opinion of Lessa had changed, she was still too ashamed to make eye contact with the lady.

"Rider Miri, please forget about your first impression of me. I really don't mind." This statement was issued in soft tones, and Miri turned in her saddle to see the speaker and found Lady Lessa smiling shyly.

Abruptly Miri faced the front again and whispered, "I feel so bad. I wish..."

"I know," came the reply with sincerity.

"How can you?" Miri whipped her head round again and gazed into the lady's eyes. They were strange, dark green shade she had never seen before, but what really unnerved her was that Lady Lessa's eyes seemed bottomless and unfathomable.

"I think Commander Larse might have told you something of my Gift," said Lessa in the same soft voice.

"Yes, he did," Miri replied, blushing. She now turned red involuntarily at the mention of Evin's name. She still wanted the relationship kept under wraps, at least until this mission had finished. That would be enough time for her to really think things through, and give Evin a chance to change his mind if he wanted to as well.

"Miri, he isn't going to change he mind, you know," said Lessa as she focused on the hills in front of them. "You don't put a lot of faith in him, or in yourself, for that matter."

Miri was about to argue, but again Lessa cut her off. "There is no right place for anyone in life, but there is fate. If it's meant to be, then it will be. Being what I am scares many people, but truly, only the ones who look past the surface are worthy of friendship. Do you understand?" Lessa smiled crookedly, then shook her head. "Look at me. I'm turning into my brother Neal, with his philosophical outlook. I think I need to stick my head in a cold stream at the next stop."

She laughed out then at her own comment. Miri smiled, despite the speech she had just been given. Lady Lessa had an infectious laugh, very natural and full-throated, which brought a smile to everyone around.

"Anyway," Lessa continued in quieter voice, "I think that right now, Evin probably needs to be a little distracted. He's concentrating too hard. It's not good for him." With that, Lessa turned her grey mare and rode back to a position near Danric, where she struck up a conversation discussing the local herbs that could be useful for healing.

Having no choice, Miri rode ahead to have a chat with the Commander, who did seem preoccupied with another agenda. As she sidled up near his mount, known as Sunshine because of its nature, Evin remained unaware that he had a friend at his side. Only when Miri yanked a strand of his hair was he jolted back to the reality of his surroundings.

"Oww, Miri, that hurts." Evin rubbed the back of his neck giving a glare to the chuckling Miri, whose eyes were dancing with mischief.

"Now you know how I feel when you do that to me," she said with a serious face, then returned to her chuckling. Evin refused to let her have the upper hand, so he reached across the distance and pulled a braid that was Miri's customary style out on the field. Miri took offence and repeated the tugging of Evin's hair.

"I am ordering you to stop it, Miri," said Evin testily, giving her a hard look. Miri stopped her torturing and lifted her eyebrows at his tone.

"Yessir."

Evin groaned inwardly at his sharp attitude at the moment. He had a lot on his plate at the moment, with this mission, and thinking about Miri, and so forth. It would help if he could rid himself of the stress for an hour or so, under Miri's loveable regard, of course. The debate of a future and how to make it secure kept haunting him at the worst times.

"Right, Evin, what is the matter with you?" asked Miri hotly.

"Nothing."

"Tell that to the blind man, Evin," said Miri aggressively. "I know you."

"Fine." Evin lowered his voice. "I am busy thinking about kissing you passionately in front of everyone and not giving a damn about what they think, because I need you," whispered Evin fervently.

Miri turned red at his bluntness, but the glow in her stomach grew, keeping her happy and warm for eternity.

"I know it's hard," muttered Miri. Evin made no reply, just looked helpless and groaned. "But please..." she was begging him with her beautiful eyes, "wait 'til after this mission. Then we can be....whatever."

At Miri's stumble, Evin's mood improved, for it seemed that she too was at a loss for words.

"We can be ourselves." He hugged her around the shoulders until she protested. "What?" His smile was lopsided. "It was only a friendly hug." Miri snorted.

There has been some confusion about the ending of the last chapter. Until I write THE END expect another chapter. I thank you for your lovely reviews and hope you continue with the encouraging notes but please you can criticize if you want! Of course enjoy the summer too.