Iridessa's family was full of early risers. Farmers are like that. They want to be outside working as the sun comes up. "Early to bed, early to rise," they say. Too bad Iridessa didn't exactly follow that regimen. How could she? Her job didn't let her go to bed at eight and plough the fields at five; she'd been out long past midnight yesterday performing for an enthusiastic - and charitable - crowd. Her pockets were lined with so much coin that she had to leave some of it at the tavern.

There was a knock at the door. "Iridessa."

She grumbled and turned over in her bed. "Go away Richard. It's too early."

He knocked again, harder this time. "You have to get up right now, it's a school day."

Iridessa tensed. Had she been mistaken? The gears in her mind creaked into motion. [i]No, of course not,[/i] she thought. [i]It's only Saturday. He's fooling with me.[/i] "I said go away."

He laughed - she was right. "Whatever you say. It is noon though," he replied, and she heard him walk away.

[i]Another hour of sleep wouldn't hurt...[/i]

[b]"Iridessa!"[/b] snapped her mother.

In a flurry of white sheets and pink nightgown, she flew to her spot at the kitchen table. “Good morning Mother,” she said with a smile.

Her mother chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. “Just making sure you got up before noon today. Go wash up, breakfast will be ready soon.”