When Ruth got up the next morning, she automatically started to get ready for morning exercises, Halfway through combing her hair, she woke up, and blinked. She nudged Myrna as her roomate buckled the belt across her uniform. The other girl started as she also fully gained her senses. Years of doing the same thing everyday had automated their movements. They grinned at each other as they finished getting ready.

Ruth smiled, "You know, we don't have to wear novice clothing anymore, but I don't have anything else that still fits me."

Myrna grinned in agreement. "Maybe we can find something else to wear on the road. Although I had thought that The School would provide for us, since we did grow a bit in the past five years."

Ruth shrugged, "I'm sure they'll give us something. They are giving us horses after all."

Myrna nodded and waited patiently for Ruth to finish plaiting her hair commenting, "That's why I keep mine short."

Ruth jokingly stuck out her tongue. Both girls seemed to be in good spririts. Myrna went to open the door. "I assume we get breakfast before leaving."

Ruth followed Myrna out the door and nearly bumped into her roommate when the other girl stopped suddenly in the doorway.

Myrna chuckled, "Well it seems that someone did think about us needing things for the trip." She leaned down and tossed one of the packs waiting outside the door to Ruth. They quickly headed back into their room to peruse what The School had provided for them and to move their things from their own worn bags to space left in the new packs.

They changed their clothes to the more suitable ones that The School provided, both feeling relieved that they didn't have to travel in novice uniforms. They looked over the clothes, pleased with their simplicity. The short sleeved tunic and long pants had a brown color to them, the tunic a lighter shade than the pants. The patch on the right sleeves designated the wearer as Samarit.

They hurriedly checked the room, to make sure they left nothing they needed behind and rushed towards the stables. They paused momentarily by the kitchens to grab some bread and cheese to eat on the way.

Trev and Linol stood waiting for them at the stables. From their postures, Ruth could tell that the two boys hadn't waited for all that long. They probably had the same surprise at finding the packs outside their doors. Ruth greeted them by asking if they had choosen their mounts yet. Both shook their heads negatively, so all four went into the stables together.

Ruth waved to catch Yuri's attention. The stablemaster had apparently waited for the group for some time. He nodded to the group, "It's about time. You get your choice of unclaimed mounts. Choose well, because this is your last free mount." His tone almost indicated boredom, as if Samarit graduated everyday, which Ruth knew did not happen.

Myrna, Linol, and Trev took their time, looking over the mounts, but Ruth just said simply to Yuri, "I want Noriko."

The stablemaster started, "Are you sure?" When Ruth nodded, he shrugged, "You can have her if she lets you ride her. I still haven't been able to break her."

Ruth nodded, "Understood." She followed Yuri to the stableyard. Her three companions watched them leave curiously and then went back to their own task of choosing.

Yuri stopped long enough to get tack for Noriko off the wall and hand it to Ruth. When they reached the yard he leaned curiously against the fence. "She's all yours."

Ruth hung the tack on the fence and climbed over into the yard. She scanned the field and caught sight of the black mare, Noriko. Reaching into her pocket for the carrots she absconded with earlier for this purpose, she pursed her lips into a shrill whistle. The mare pricked her ears forward at the sound and came towards Ruth at a swift canter.

Ruth held out her hand with the carrots to Noriko, murmering in dulcet tones to her. Slowly, she began to stroke the mare's nose, trying to gradually win Noriko's acceptance. While continuing to speak in soft tones to Noriko, she led the mare towards the tack. The sounds of Ruth's voice seemed to ask permission before putting the saddle on the horse, and as Noriko accepted that, Ruth put the bit and the reigns in the mare's mouth. Then she went back to stroking Noriko's nose and dug into her pocket for more carrots.

Yuri watched the procedure with a half smile, "I was able to get the tack on her too. She just didn't particularly like my weight on her back."

Ruth nodded, but didn't answer, keeping her concentration totally on the mare. Continuing to murmer in Noriko's ear, she slowly mounted, keeping a firm grip on the reigns in case Noriko decided to bolt on her.

She patted the side of Noriko's neck, and continued to mutter soft spoken words in the horse's ear. With Ruth's full weight finally upon her, Noriko started, surprised. It still took almost a full minute before she took off, but Ruth held on tight, refusing to let go of the reigns. After several long minutes of Nuriko trying and failing to buck Ruth off, she finally gave up, and allowed Ruth to direct her in a cantor around the yard.

Ruth got off the mare and led her to where Yuri stood waiting for her. By then, Myrna, Linol, and Trev stood with the stablemaster. They watched Ruth with some surprise. Ruth just shrugged, "I grew up on the plains, I can manage to break a willful mare." She looks honestly at the stablemaster, "I also don't weigh as much as you, so she had an easier time adjusting to my weight."

Yuri laughed, "I guess she did at that." He looked at Ruth, "Make sure you give her a good currying before you leave. You got her all sweated up."

Ruth nodded and led the mare to where the currying combs were kept. She gave Noriko a good currying and some more carrots and then led her to where the others were already mounting on their choices. Trev and Linol had both chosen stallions. Trev, had chosen Doringo, a white stallion with black spots on various places along his body, while Linol had chosen Purik, a brown gelding, that looked fairly calm and tame. Linol looked a bit nervous around the horse, apparantly not used to the creatures. Myrna had choosen a grey dappled mare. Ruth recognized Hakura from her rotation in the stables. She seemed calmer than Noriko, although Ruth had watched as Yuri broke the mare in not too many weeks before.

She loaded her packs on Noriko and mounted up. Trev, more familiar with the way to Altor, led the group towards the city. Ruth used the time she would have traveling to meditate, in hopes that she could work out her excitement before reporting to Orlin at the palace when they arrived.