The hilly, lush greenness of Archenland was a stark contrast to the burning gold of the desert they had just crossed, but the reprieve was nonetheless welcome ( Read more... )

Aravis waited until the timing seemed right, then tried to catch the eyes of her friends. She leaned forward to murmur a quick warning to Hwin, then gave a sharp whistle and drew her scimitar as they turned on the guards trailing them.

( A change of plan )

Aravis's body ached with Hwin's every step. The past few days' pampering had done nothing for her sore muscles or bruising, and the tight, opulent clothing that she had been dressed in for the trip wasn't helping ( Read more... )

( No, seriously, she hit on EVERYONE )

Aravis had shed her veil and was curled up in a chair at the end of the hall with her second glass of wine. It wasn't helping her relax at all. Probably had to do something with the fact that she'd done everything in her power to not be married at fifteen, and yet she was sitting next to her shiny new husband ( Read more... )

( In which a plan is formulated.... )

Aravis hadn't returned to her room until after eleven (11:04, to be exact), and had immediately laid down on her bed with a cool cloth over her eyes ( Read more... )

Aravis was very pleased to be back in the dorms. She'd liked the cabins, certainly, but there were advantages to having a room to yourself and one other person. (And in this case, a cat as well.)

She'd enjoyed herself in the cabins, however. She had tried ice cream, which had evidently been an emergency situation, and laughed at Gavin and Luke and ( Read more... )

Aravis had brought out a blanket and spread it out under the shade of a tree, preferring to be out in the open air while trying to work on the letter home.

Dear Cor Corin Bree? Hwin,

I am settling in quite comfortably, and much better than I had anticipated. I am taking several workshops one of which will help me in my dealings with the twins and ( Read more... )