Aaaand...A Little More of Maeve

Teaser from Tempest (As always, subject to change in revisions):

A black horse raced around the corner in the distance, but the forest shadow made it hard to see detail. Aislin tightened the grip on her pike, assumed a defensive stance, and called out, “Stop where you are!”

The animal didn’t slow at all. Her heart pounded as it grew closer. She hated to kill a good horse but she would have to run the pike into its chest if it proved to be an enemy. The rider was evidently small, hidden behind the neck and flying mane as it raced toward her. For that matter, the horse appeared to be quite young.

She blew out a breath of relief when the rider brought the horse to an abrupt stop. The animal skidded in the dirt and leaves and whinnied as a familiar face peeked out around its neck. The blonde rider was dressed in an elven tunic and tights that were three sizes too big for her; she had a sabre strapped to her waist.

Aislin felt the anger start in her toes. “Maeve! What the blazes do you think you’re doing?”

“I wanted to come along and I knew you’d say no.”

“Little girl...” Aislin gritted her teeth. There was no good response to that. “Is that Fayla?”

Maeve patted the horse’s neck. “Yes.”

“Is she broken to the saddle yet?”

“No. But I didn’t put a saddle on her. See?” Maeve tugged gently on the reins; Fayla took a few steps to the side. The girl was riding bareback.

“You shouldn’t be riding her like that. You’ll break your neck if she throws you.”

“She won’t throw me. She likes me.”

“Whose clothes are you wearing?”

“I borrowed them from Faron.”

“You _stole_ them.”

“I _borrowed_ them. I intend to give them back.”

Aislin ran a hand over her face and blew out another breath.

Maeve giggled. “You look just like Roderic when you do that.”

“You’re going to turn around this instant and go back to Arianrhod. That’s an order.”

“But I’ll have to go back all alone.”

“You came this far all alone.”

“That was different.” Maeve was trying not to smile which made Aislin even angrier. “Fayla was skittish. She scared me a little. I don’t want to go back by myself. Just let me come to Sweetwood with you. Please?”

Tane giggled behind her. “We’re already halfway to Sweetwood.”

“Your mother has no idea where you are, young lady, and you’re not going to make this little adventure my fault. Turn around and go back.” Aislin reached for the reins but Fayla shied away from her hands.