The weekend of the Havenwing Ball arrived. Usually when I returned to Uncle Oruc’s and Aunt Monria’s house after school each day I took time to join my aunt for tea or, if she was otherwise engaged, took tea by myself in the library with a good book to refresh me after my day’s work.
But on the Friday before the ball I raced directly to my room, hastily changed into riding clothes, and rushed to the stables, where that morning I had left a special request with the stable master to have two horses saddled and waiting.

It was less than an hour until dinner time when I made it back to Uncle Oruc's and Aunt Monria's house. I turned my horse over to the stable master, Gerson, and went in through the back entrance of the house. The servants were in a veritable uproar scrambling through preparations for dinner, so I was able to make my way unnoticed through the hallway and up the stairs to my room.

Oh, I remembered. Uncle Oruc and Aunt Monria were having guests tonight. I had best make a good impression when I went to dinner, as befitted Havenwing's newest school teacher.

 I woke before dawn, 

The cool, crisp morning breeze,

Did not help calm my frantic nerves,

Nor did looking out to the vast open sea.

How could I be composed, I thought,

As I flung myself back onto my bed.

My cold hand felt my feverish forehead,

Smiling as the sun started to rise.

Today, I was to be wed.

On tiptoes, I hurried,

Over to the large oak closet

Threw the heavy doors wide open.

There it was, the lacy white dress,

I have always wanted.