Disclaimer: forgot this last time so here it is: I only own Mina, Tanner, Sapphire, and Mina's parents who don't have names at this point, Jenny the maid, Tanner's mother and sister; Lady Kathleen and Lady Rose,Lake Kiven and Carter's Falls. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce.

A/N: I've decided that instead of doing reviewer thanks here, I'm gonna send personal emails. So, leave your email address when you review and I'll send you your own personal thank you.

Chapter 2 **= dreams/flashbacks *= thoughts

**She could hear screams and crashing as she ran through the halls of the castle at Carter's Falls. Her four year old legs carried her to her rooms where her maid, Jenny, hastily stuffed a bag full of clothing and what provisions she could find. Her door burst open and her mother ran to her, pulling Mina to her chest.

"Mama, what's happening? Why are those mean men here?"

"It doesn't matter, Mina, I just want you to get out of here as quick as you can. Can you do that for Mommy?"

"Okay, Mama." Mina replied, frightened.

"Now, honey, listen to me, okay? Do you remember my friend Lady Kathleen? Good. I want you to take your horse and go to her fief. Do you remember where that is?"

Mina nodded, uncertain of what was happening.

"Mama, why do I have to go? Can't I stay here with you and Papa?"

"No, Mina, you have to go right now. Jenny will come with you. She'll help you. I promise as soon as we can get away, Papa and I will come to Lake Kiven."

A loud banging on Mina's bolted door caused Mina's mother to let out a startled cry. She pushed Mina's bag into the little girls arm's and led Mina and the maid Jenny to a passage hidden by the wooden panels of the walls. She pushed one of the panels and it opened to reveal a dark hallway. Mina and Jenny stepped into the passage and began to follow it to the stables, where Mina knew it ended. Mina turned back momentarily to hug and kiss her mother, who returned Mina's affection, then shoved her back down the hallway.

As they reached the end of the tunnel, they heard a door breaking open and a scream echo through the castle. Mina began to run back to her mother, but Jenny held her back. The little girl fought against her maid's restraining arms and began to cry.....**

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The carriage hit a bump and Mina woke with a start. She sat up and looked out of the carriage's small windows. Luckily for her, Tanner's mother and sister, who were accompanying her in the carriage while Tanner rode his horse beside the carriage, were too involved in a conversation about the latest court fashions to notice that Mina had awoke.

Another bump startled Mina and threw her to the carriage floor in a heap of skirts and petticoats.

*That's it,* she thought, *I'm getting out of this hothouse on wheels.*

She leaned out of the carriage window and shouted, "Driver! Would you please stop for a moment, I don't feel well."

The driver abruptly halted and jarred Tanner's mother and sister out of their, in Mina's opinion, mindless conversation.

"My dear, whatever are you doing?" the dowager countess asked, as Mina exited the carriage.

"My dearest countess, I have taken an aversion to riding in carriages. In leu of that recent development, I have decided that Count Tanner needs a riding companion and have decided to ride my horse for the remainder of the trip." Mina responded.

"But Mina, your dress will be ruined!" Lady Rose, the sister, cried.

"What is one dress when I could enjoy the privilege of the company of you most honored brother and the fresh Spring air?" was the response that Lady Rose's stupid comment received.

With that last remark, the carriage door was slammed and Mina's horse saddled.

"That certainly put them in their places." Tanner commented as Mina steered her horse beside of his.

"As was my intention, most honored Count." Mina remarked, with an evil grin as she took Sapphire from the footman's grasp and settled her in the folds of her cumbersome skirts.

"I'm sure it was, darling." Tanner retorted, glaring at the kitten that peered at him and mewed innocently.

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After riding for a few hours, the city gates of Corus came into sight. Guards could be seen placing torches in their brackets to provide light for the night watch.

"Tanner, dear," the dowager countess called from inside of the carriage, "have we reached our destination?"

"Yes, Mother, just now. We'll be at the palace in a short while."

"Be sure to tell those footmen not to man-handle our luggage. I'll not stand for the mistreatment of anything in the possession of Lake Kiven."

"I'm sure you won't." Tanner muttered under his breath so only Mina could hear.

"And I'm sure that by that comment she means any person under the protection of Lake Kiven's guard as well?" Mina mused.

"Of course. What more could you expect from such a formidable person as my mother?"

"That she take me to the Drell River and throw me in. Or better yet, turn me over to the enemy. You know she hates me, Tanner."

"Well, I don't think she's to fond of me, either, and I'm her own son. She thinks that I spend too much time with you and that you're a bad influence on me." he said the last part in a falsetto that sounded remarkably like his mother.

Mina laughed at his impression and replied, "Then she obviously doesn't know you very well, does she?"

"Apparently not." he was quiet for a few moments and then, kicking his horse into a gallop, yelled "Race you!"

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Their race ended in the palace stables with Tanner declaring himself as the winner.

"That's not fair, you got a head start!" Mina accused, dismounting and handing the reins to a bewildered looking stable hand.

"It's not my fault you're a poor rider and you can't admit defeat."

"I happen to be an excellent rider, thank you very much, and I have no problem admitting defeat when I am justly defeated."

"Whatever you say, dear. Just admit that I won, and we'll call it square."

"Fine, fine. You win." Mina said reluctantly, as she scooped Sapphire out of the saddle.

"Good. Now that that's settled, let's go eat. I'm starving."

"Okay.........but I bet you 10 gold nobles that I'll beat you."

"You're on. But what about the cat?"

"She'll beat you, too." Mina yelled over her shoulder as she ran up the hill to the palace.

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So do you like???? Review and let me know what you think!!!

Betsy