Disclaimer: any character or setting that your recognize from a Tamora Pierce book, belongs to her. Any character that you don't recognize belongs to me

A/N: thanks to my reviewers. I love you all!!

Chapter 4

= emphasized words, in case my italics don't work = thoughts

Mina and Tanner stepped into the Dancing Dove tavern later that same night. Neither had bothered to down-play their status as nobility, for everyone in the tavern already knew who they were. They had, however, dressed more casually than normal. Tanner wore black breeches and a tan shirt while Mina wore a black dress with a crimson bodice. She loved to draw attention to herself and reveled in the spotlight. Of course, the shocked look she had received from Tanner's mother was only fuel to the fire for her.

The bar was smokey and loud, just as they suspected. By unspoken agreement, Mina went to lay claim to a table in the corner while Tanner went to the bar to get drinks. Several people called out greetings to the pair as they went to achieve their tasks.

Mina sat in her chair and looked out over the room. She saw most of the usual crowd, with a few new additions. Well, she thought, Marek must have recruited a few new thieves. She spotted the king of the thieves seated on his throne and fluttered her fingers at him. He raised his glass to her in response, then rose and made his way across the room to join her.

Pulling up a chair, the older man said "So, how's my favorite noble?"

"Well," she responded, "and yourself?"

"Can't complain. Still running around with the count?"

"Yes, as usual. Here he comes now."

The aforementioned count joined them at the table and handed Mina her drink. She thanked him and took a long drink from the mug.

"Tanner," Marek said with a nod of his head.

Tanner nodded in reply and took a drink of his ale.
"You're still hanging around with this whore?" Marek asked Tanner with a wink in Mina's direction.

"I just can't seem to get rid of her," Tanner replied, going along with the joke. "No matter what I do, she just keeps coming back."

"That's women for you," was Marek's response.

"Thank you both very much for your kind- hearted comments. They are much appreciated." Mina commented, propping her feet on the edge of the table.

Musicians seated in the opposite corner of the room began playing a lively tune and people began moving chairs and tables to form a dance floor.

A young man came up to Mina and asked, "Lady, would you like to dance?" She glanced at Marek to see if he approved of this young thief. When he winked at her, she nodded and took the hand the man offered to her. He lead her to the floor where they took their places for the quick-paced dance.

"So, how's life been treating you, Count?" Marek didn't use Tanner's title as an insult to him, it was just how their relationship was.

"Not too bad. I get to be in the company of beautiful women all day and I get to eat and drink to my heart's content at the expense of someone else. Not much to complain about. How about yourself?"

"Not much to complain about myself. Had to put down a few uprisings earlier this spring, but other than that, it's been rather uneventful here. Even with the war, there's nothing out of the ordinary."

"You'd think that the Tusainians would have learned their lesson during the war during the time of the Lioness and the king's early knight years."

"That's the common opinion, but apparently they're more stubborn than we thought. They don't want to give up the Drell River Valley, even after all of these years. I remember the last war with Tusaine. It was bloody and too long. It put the country in an unbelievable state of unrest. No one wants to go through that again. It be better for everyone if the king just signed a peace treaty with Tusaine and that was the end of it."

They were silent for a few moments and sat watching Mina dance.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Marek asked quietly.

"Hmm?" Tanner responded, turning his attention back to the man sitting next to him.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing." Marek had received his answer in the distraction that Mina had caused. "Can you do something for me, Count?" he continued.

"It depends on what it is you want." Tanner spoke from experience. The last time Marek had asked them to do something, they ended up being chased by the Provost's guards until they could prove themselves innocent of a crime they didn't even know they were committing.

Marek laughed at his implication. "Don't worry, you won't get arrested this time. I just wanted to ask you to watch out for Mina. She's had it rough since her parents died and I'd hate to see something happen to her. You know, I knew her father. He was a good man. It's a shame that he and her mother died under such bad circumstances."

"I've always watched out for her. I wouldn't let anything happen to her, I promise," he thought for a moment, "wait a minute, what circumstances?"

Marek opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, a man tore the door to the Dancing Dove open and ran in yelling, "The Tusainians have broken through at the border! They're marching towards the city!"

So, what do you think? Let me know!!!!

Betsy