"Look out!" Neal screamed suddenly. Daine and Kaddar both whipped around to see a group of scruffy bandits charging towards them. One, a particularly large man with a long greying beard, was almost upon them, swinging his axe in the air. Kel, mounted on Peachblossom's back, rode in front of the rest of her party to slash her foe across the stomach just as he prepared to strike. He clutched his torso, his face distorted with pain, and slid off his horse, raising a cloud of dust on the ground.

Daine looked over at Kaddar warily, then shifted her gaze to his horse and commanded it to stay away from the battle. Daine knew that with her country's current situation, the death of Carthak's emperor would not bode well with her king and countrymen. As Kaddar's steed began to move away from the battle, despite his protests, Daine turned towards the men advancing upon their group and nocked an arrow to bowstring. She narrowed her eyes, taking her aim, ready to shoot when they came within range. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Miri walked briskly towards the stables, eager to take Apple for a ride around the palace grounds. "Shouldn't you be wearing a riding skirt?" a voice called. Miri whirled around, and saw a familiar face.

"Oh, you again," she responded cheerfully, continuing to saddle her horse. Dermid leaned against the stable wall, watching her. "Care for a race?" she asked casually.

Dermid snorted. "I like to treat women chivalrously. I wouldn't want to disgrace you by trouncing you."

"You Carthakis seem to keep underestimating us Tortallians," Miri replied, still not looking straight at Kaddar's comrade. She mounted Apple and finally made eye contact with him. "Well?" she said expectantly.

"Fine," he grudgingly responded, walking down to his horse. "I'll meet you outside." Minutes later, he rode out, finding Miri patting her horse and whistling softly.

"Ready?" she asked eagerly. He grunted in response. "Last one to reach the other side of the pasture has to do whatever the winner asks of them." His eyes widened slightly but he didn't say anything as he pulled up next to her. "On my count...one...two...three!"

They both urged their mounts forward, Dermid taking a slight lead. Miri leaned flat against Apple, and whispered, "Let's beat him!" Apple complied, putting on a burst of speed. When Dermid reached the designated finish line, Miri had slowed Apple down to a gentle trot. "Took you long enough," she said, grinning.

"I'm not used to these Tortallian horses," he muttered. "All this Wild Magic flying around, how's a man supposed to ride?"

"Right. Well, there's a ball tomorrow night, and I'm expected to be there with someone, and you're that lucky someone."

Dermid groaned.



A/N: Remember us? Sorry, guys, it's short, we know. And it's been a loooong time. We promise to update soon, and we're not kidding this time. Have faith in us! And if you want to encourage us, there's that little blue box in the bottom left hand corner. Feel free to email us!

swatthia@hotmail.com

lady_knight1b@hotmail.com