EXT. - LYRONON HEIGHTS - MID-MORNING

CORBIN and RORY are sitting on a rock near a stream. CORBIN is flicking pebbles into the water, and RORY is making the water rise out of its bed and form itself into an attractive woman, who beckons CORBIN seductively.

CORBIN
(Quirks an eyebrow and flicks a pebble through “her”, then flicks another at RORY.)
Nice try. Nice form, too.

RORY frowns at him, then makes the construct collapse in a big splash, half-soaking CORBIN. CORBIN yelps and jumps to his feet, holding the bottom of his tunic away from his legs in disgust.

RORY
Ha! Better, lordship?

CORBIN favors his friend with a disgusted look.

CORBIN
That was extremely uncalled for.

RORY
But funny. You have to admit that much.

CORBIN
I admit nothing, you great prat.

RORY
(Snickers.)
If it bothers you that much, lordship, you could dry yourself off. You ARE Fire-bent, remember?

CORBIN
Shut up.

RORY
That being either Noble-ese or Corbin-speak for “I remember, but I’m afraid of my own element, so I’ll pretend you said something really offensive.” Right?

CORBIN
Are all commoners as irreverent as you are?

RORY
(Shakes his head cheerfully.)
Nah. I’m special. Player born, and all that. It means I have a license to be as irreverent as they come.
(Tilts head to one side contemplatively.)
And being Mage-bent just means I can extend that irreverence to high-minded nobles such as yourself. Grand, don’t you think?

CORBIN
Marvelous.

RORY laughs at CORBIN’s dry tone, then watches as CORBIN jumps off the rock. CORBIN makes a face as his boots squelch, then wrings as much water as he can out of his tunic.

CORBIN
(Mutters.)
Highly uncalled for!

RORY grins, and looks up at the sky, which is clear with a few wispy clouds. He squints for a moment, then stands and jumps off the rock.

RORY
It’s almost midday. Didn’t you tell Lady Meline we’d be back in time for the meal?

CORBIN glances up for a moment.

CORBIN
Yes, I did. Let’s return.

RORY
Exactly what I was about to say.
(He drapes himself over CORBIN’s back and coos saccharinely.)
You just think of everything, don’t you, lordship?

CORBIN
Get off, you nut.

RORY
(Melodramatically)
But lordship, I feel faint!

CORBIN
Please stop imitating the brainless, fainting butterflies.

CORBIN shrugs RORY off of hid back, and RORY just catches himself before falling to the ground. RORY snickers, and follows CORBIN back to where they left their horses.

RORY
But Corbin, I thought you liked them!

CORBIN
Does anyone? Also, kindly shut up before I’m forced to eviscerate you.

RORY
Ooh, threats. I’m really getting to you today!

CORBIN
Oh, for--!