Ruel felt uncomfortable on the horse, he really would have preferred riding in the back of the wagon but it would have looked bad for him to be there when even the women were excited to do some horseback riding.
He and Juval had ridden up ahead just to make sure that the rugged hills up ahead were clear of thieves. Since they were traveling with a few wagons of tribute that slowed their movements and could make them the target of robbers but so far up ahead the coast seemed clear.
Ruel looked behind him when he heard Riva laugh just in time to see her wrinkling her nose at a butterfly that landed on it. The girl's laughter was like music to his ears and his heart skipped a beat everytime he heard it.
He watched her shoo it away with her right hand and then Juri laughed even louder when it returned to pitch on her hair like a butterfly ornament, it looked as if she gave up then and Juri was almost in hysterics at her expression.
