Rinoa lay awake in her bed; the constant flow of thoughts in her mind wouldn't allow her to sleep. These thoughts were primarily of her marriage to Seifer. She liked him; he was very kind towards her yet she didn't want to be tied down to the responsibilities of being a wife at her age of 20 years. There were so many things she still wanted to experience and explore. She longed to be like the heroines in the books she requested Noriko to read to her. Or even be like Noriko herself, free to chose who she loved and who she married. But instead she was like a cardinal bird trapped in the citadel that was her cage forevermore. She left out a lengthy miserable sigh. It wasn't just the arranged marriage that gloomed her; it was this entire aristocratic lifestyle that she had partaken in. She longed to know what was beyond the towering citadel's walls. Her life was too sheltered, she needed to take a chance…and that was exactly what she intended to do. She would no longer be the frail, blind daughter of the once General Caraway she would be a civilian, a traveler, an explorer of lands.

"Good Morning Rinoa!" beamed Noriko as she raised the blind on the only window that didn't consist of wooden shutters. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you Noriko."

Noriko, unlike many of the other maids, didn't sleep in the servant's quarters; she had a small room neighboring Rinoa's quarters so that she was on call day and night. She had been slightly withdrawn after Rinoa informed her the nature of the Almasy's requested visit, probably in fear that once married, Rinoa would no longer need her assistance and she would lose her dear friend to the Almasy household. However it seemed she had recovered from this and was back to her usual up-beat self.

"So what's on the agenda for today?" Noriko asked as she combed Rinoa's hair.

"I'd like to go to the stables."

"You wish to ride again?" Noriko's voice was tinted with the slightest intimation of worry; this was because Rinoa did enjoy riding yet someone had to have another horse with a guide rope linking the two so that the horse didn't meander off or if Rinoa lost control. The last time she had ridden Rinoa had fallen from the horse, yet even though she wasn't injured it still concerned Noriko.

"Yes. The weather is getting warmer and I'm growing tired of being cooped up indoors day after day."

"Very well…your hair is getting so long." Commented the maid as she scraped it back into a loose braid.

The two ventured out into the courtyard, where a few soldiers that were preparing for training bowed respectfully. Beyond the courtyard were the stables and beyond that was a large field, where they trained the soldiers to ride; however the field wasn't in use today. The stable attendant was brushing down one of the many horses that occupied the endless rows of stables.

"There you are!" Exclaimed Noriko who had become impatient in her search for this man.

"Miss Noriko, Lady Rinoa! It is good to see you again!" he said bowing.

"Please, if we are not in company of others there is no need for formalities."

"Yes. I imagine you wish to ride your horse today then?"

Rinoa nodded she was one of very few upper-class civilians that owned their own horse as many of them didn't like the idea of riding such a giant animal. It was a large stallion that's mane was cropped short and black coat gleamed. Rinoa had affectionately named it Tsuki, which meant 'Luck'. The stable attendant, whose name was Sho prepared the horse, fitting it with a bit piece and saddle.

"Please say you'll be the one who's riding with her. I don't want her falling off it again!" came Noriko's voice as Rinoa straddled the horse with aid from Sho.

"Of course, there aren't any training lessons today and most of my tasks are completed. Besides I have confidence in Rinoa's riding skills, she can control the horse its just Tsuki still needs to understand that his rider lacks vision." Reassured Sho as he prepared another horse that owned a chocolate shaded coat. Noriko watched the two trek into the field that had patches of emerald grass emerging form the snow that smothered the land.

"Everything okay Rinoa?" asked Sho, confirming that both she and Tsuki were walking at a steady pace.

"Yes!" She replied with a joyful smile etched on her exquisite face "However…" Her tone changed, it now had a mischievous manner to it. "This horse was built for speed and its talents are wasted on me."

"Nonsense!" laughed Sho

"But it must get bored enduring slow paced treks every time it is ridden."

"What do you propose, Lady Rinoa?"

"That you free this horse from its tow-rope and me with it." Sho's laughter rung clear in the fresh air after he had recovered he said,

"Surely you jest! If I did, that maid of yours would beat me with your staff that she holds!" He glanced over his shoulder to see that a solemn expression had betaken that of the former cheerful one. She was serious. "Lady Rinoa, I mean of no disrespect…" he informed remembering his place "It's just.. You should be introduced to solo riding slowly."

"If you are suggesting I'm an incapable rider…" Rinoa began already predicting Sho's reaction.

"No, no! Not at all!"

"Then let me ride…A command from your superior!" She said, yet in a less demanding character that such a command would be given in, she didn't like to use her power to get what she sought after. Sho let out a slightly exasperated sigh.

"As you wish, yet I'll still ride at your side."

"Very well!" Sho noticed her usual positive air had resumed on her features. He halted the horse; simultaneously Tsuki stopped, and untied the knot that secured the guild rope onto his horse's saddle. "Are you positive you wish to do this?"

Rinoa tensed her grasp on the horse's leather rains.

"Yes. I will take full responsibility for my actions, Sho."

"Then go."

She lightly jabbed her heels into the horse's sides, gesturing it to move. Tsuki sped of at what seemed an incredible speed yet was only commencing that of a slow and steady gallop. Rinoa felt as if she were flying, the wind brushing against her as she soared to the rhythmic noise of heavy thuds of Tsuki's hooves impacting the ground with every step. Sho and his horse raced at her side, he was greatly impressed and taken back by how well she managed the horse.

"Pull gently on the right rain! We're coming to a bend!" Instructed Sho.

She did as he commanded and horse maneuvered to the right. They rode a full circle of the vast field. Noriko appeared as if she would die of distress when they sped past her. Her mistress was riding solo! That wasn't good, had the guide rope snapped or loosened? Noriko didn't wish to remain still and ponder she dashed after the two galloping animals and their rides shouting for Sho to stop that damned horse before her mistress befell a terrible injury! Sho heard Noriko's fretful cries.

"I think that's enough solo riding for today, we're worrying Noriko!" Rinoa pulled hard on the rains and Tsuki came to a halt. "You handled that like an experienced rider, I'm beyond impressed."

"Told you I was capable." Grinned the young woman. Noriko had finally caught up with them and breathlessly hissed at Sho,

"Bakayarou! What the hell do you think your doing!"

"Noriko!" Rinoa exclaimed angrily, appalled by her maid's foul language, as 'Bakayarou' bluntly meant 'Stupid Asshole' "It wasn't Sho's fault. I commanded him to untie the guide rope."

"Well he should have rebelled against such a dangerous order!"

"I'm I hurt?" questioned Rinoa, spreading her arm's out in preparation for a physical search of her body. "No. So don't scold Sho." She said quietly as she dismounted the horse, slightly angered that she was yet again restricted due to her disability and that Noriko feared she was too fragile to ride such a powerful animal. "I am more capable of things than you think!" She mumbled in an irritated tone, snatching her staff from her maid's hands and stalking off, relaying greatly on its form to detect any obstacles in her path. Sho descended from his horse and collected the rains of the two animals and lead them back towards the stables, the direction that both Rinoa and Noriko were heading in.

"Mistress!" Noriko called to Rinoa as she paced after her. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to treat you like a…a"

"Invalid!" Rinoa interjected, finishing the woman's sentence for her, yet with a harsher word that what Noriko was searching for. Rinoa felt her staff contact a firmer surface area, the paved ground that surrounded the wooden stables. By the time Noriko and Sho reached the stables, Rinoa had already seated herself on a small wooden bench within the stable where Tsuki spent most of his days. The air smelt strongly of hay and horse feed. Sho busied himself with seeing to the horses as Noriko slowly approached her mistress.

"I was frightened you'd fall again…at such a speed.. You could have been killed." She said softly and calmly, knowing that when her mistress was angered she had an impressively fiery rage; it was fortunate that these outbursts were extremely infrequent.

"I understand."

"I..I think you've had enough excitement for today." She suggested, trying to read if Rinoa was still frustrated.

"You may return to your quarters, I wish to stay here."

"Are you certain?"

"You are dismissed." Noriko's head lowered slightly, it seemed she had upset her friend due to her uncouth verbal outbursts she had aimed at Sho, as well as offend Rinoa by suggesting she was unable of riding solo.

"If you need anything, please, call for me." Rinoa turned her head to the right somewhat in disinterest before answering,

"Very well."

Noriko turned to leave she paused when passing Sho

"Forgive me. I shouldn't have called you that…"

"Its quite alright, Miss Noriko. I understand."

Rinoa listened to her friend's footsteps on the cobbled ground as they became more and more faint and distant. "If I had known allowing you to ride by yourself would cause such arguments I wouldn't have allowed it." Sigh Sho as he retrieved a pitchfork and began to divide a bundle of hay.

"It doesn't matter…"Rinoa mumbled. A silence occurred between the two, she could hear one of the horses flare it's nostrils and stamp its foot in boredom. "Sho?"

"Hmm?" Answered the middle-aged man as he refilled another muzzle bag with feed for the horse.

"I have a grave favor to ask of you." He paused and turned to the striking young woman whose face yet again portrayed that somber expression.

"What is it?" his tone brimming with curiosity.

"I wish for you to prepare my horse tonight before you leave the stables, I also request that you leave the field's gate open."

"Why?" Sho frowned, still studying her form, in hope a gesture or look would reveal the reason.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you…"

"Then tell my why you wish to flee from this citadel instead." Rinoa's dark eyes fluttered to where his voice was coming from, yet settled their focal point beyond his left shoulder.

"Even though we both live in this citadel our lives are incredibility different. If you led the life I lived, you'd too flee this place."

"You mean like your friend Squall did?" she lowered her gaze, why did he have to bring Squall into this matter? "Do you remember how awful you felt when he disappeared with no trance nor reason?"

"Yes." She had swum through a compilation of emotions after his disappearance ranging from confusion to anger, from sorrow to envy.

"Then imagine how Noriko, Squall and your husband to be will feel if you leave like that."

"Mentioning their names won't make me reconsider you know."

"I wish you would. I don't wish for you to leave on your own." His voice presented elements of concern and gloom.

"Why's that? Are you afraid that I'll not be able to handle what the world dishes out?"

"No. I have faith in you; it's just the world I distrust, all those rebel forces would be drawn to you because of your venerable appearance. I've heard many horrific stories of what they do to young women like yourself."

"Let them try, they'll be pleasantly surprised by what I an capable of!" Sho became silent he could sense her determination to break free from the shackles that tied her to this place. "Please Sho, I don't want to be trapped in this cage anymore." She said softly again trying her best to aim her eyes at him. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. "Do I have to order you again?"

"Fine! But promise me you'll be suited in armour and carry a weapon." A broad grin graced her face before she bowed.

"Thank you, Sho!"