Have you ever wondered exactly what lay beyond the Emerald Ocean? Thirteen years after peace finally is found, a chance encounter with a boat of foreigners wakens the curiosity of all Tortallans. Journey with our favorite heroes as they meet all new friends and foes across the seas.
A/N: I was looking at the map in the front of Emperor Mage and thought suddenly...what's on the other side of the Emerald Ocean? So I came up with this to answer that question. There is established NumairxDaine in this story and it's mostly all about this new place I've made up so there's going to be a lot of OC's. Hope that's not a problem. Please Review if you like it. Reviews make me happy...
Jiang-Thi fingered the pendant of a four-pointed star in the middle of circle that hung on the lace and silk choker around her neck. The pendant was carved out of a single piece of ivory. She looked out at the sea with light blue eyes, a rare color for her people. She was in her finest to meet these new comers. People from a strange land newly discovered.
Jiang's long dress was made of a dark blue silk and after wrapping around her waist came straight down to the floor. Patterns of butterflies in bright green danced across the fabric, turning the entire bottom green, as the butterflies became a solid mass. A bright green silk sash tied around her waist. Her long black hair was tied into an intricate hairstyle; it had taken hours to complete. Her hair was separated into two parts. One part formed an intricate knot on the top of her head and the other was woven into a highly impractical design down her back. A large silver ornament encased the knot in the back and wrapped around her skull, leaving small strands of silver hanging around her head. The strands met in the middle of her forehead where a large silver and jade pedant hung just right to cover a large scar in the middle of her forehead. More silver ornaments clamped around the hair spiraling down her back.
From her ears silver and sapphire ornaments hung, dangling against her shoulders. A silver ear-cuff wrapped around the cartilage of her left ear. A very light wrap made of almost transparently thin silk wrapped around her held in place by the position of her slightly bent elbows. As if she really needed more silk she thought sourly. Her lips had been painted a bright red and her almond shaped eyes lined with black. Her nails had been painted a medium toned blue-green. "My lady, look." A man with a shaved head said pointing to the right.
Jiang looked over at where he was pointing, her hair ornaments jingling as she turned hr head. It was a bit unnerving to see what was going on at the docks. Hundreds upon hundreds of animals were there silent and waiting. Dogs, cats, birds, rats, horses, and even the occasional snake were standing side by side and looking out in the same direction that Jiang was. "How unusual…" Jiang commented. "It appears as if these new comers bring a certain…interest to all our country men. Even the ones that do not speak."
"It is odd." The man said shaking his head. "I don't know if I like it at all, my lady."
"Like or not, it is your choice…but it doesn't change what is." Jiang replied agreeably. "And after all of the strangeness that has been happening since Her Benevolence took the throne I would think you used to such unexpected things happening."
"Animals never acted strange before." The man said with a pout.
Jiang smiled and patted his burly and tanned arm slightly. "The unexpected is named such for a reason, my friend."
He gave her a crooked smile back. "The sea winds are fair today…they should be here soon, I think. If they're any decent sort of sailors that is."
"They made it across the ocean did they not?" Jiang said.
"They did." He answered. Catching her veiled meaning the sailor lowered his head a bit. "I'm glad I don't have to talk with these foreigners. I'm not much of a diplomat."
Jiang nodded slightly. "As the Imperial Companion and having been taught their language, it is only fitting I do such a task. And I have been trained in the art."
"You Companions think everything's an art…" He muttered.
"If done properly everything is." She said simply. The ship that the so-called Tortallans had taken was starting to approach and she could even see the people rushing around the deck as they prepared to dock. "Another fifteen minutes I would think." She commented.
The sailor next to her nodded in agreement before he excused himself to help the other sailors prepare for the large ship's arrival. Jiang took a few careful steps back to let the men work. She watched silently as the boat got closer and a group of people started to form on the deck.
Suddenly the animals that had gathered started making a very large ruckus. Dogs bayed and barked, birds called in all their different songs, horses whinnied and stamped, Jiang even thought she heard the gentle purr of the cats and the soft hisses of snakes. Almost as quickly as if began the animals silenced before hurrying off, scaring the commoners that had been just as frightened of their previous behavior of silent watching.
Finally the ship's mooring lines were secure and the first delegates started to cross the gangplanks onto the dock. Jiang smiled kindly as the small group approached. Due to the length of the trip and the supplies that would be required for the journey only a hand full of people had been able to come.
Jiang stepped forward as they all reached the platform she was on. She bowed respectfully. "I am Jiang-Thi, Imperial Companion to Her Benevolence Empress Shu'yoko." She introduced using their language. She had studied this language day and night until she could speak it. It was fairly strange for her to move her tongue in such odd ways but she managed.
"You speak our language quite well, My Lady." An elderly man with graying hair said bowing as well. He wore clothes in a green motif in a style that Jiang found rather odd. "I am Duke Gareth of Naxen. My King Jonathan the Third extends his sincerest greetings."
Jiang bowed again. "Her Benevolence expresses similar greetings I assure you, Duke Gareth. And I thank you for your kind words to my person. I studied quite hard to make certain I would be able to translate for you during your trip."
Duke Gareth nodded and gestured to his companions. "May I introduce Lady Alanna of Pirates Swoop and King's Champion." A mature woman with flaming red hair and strange purple eyes stepped forward and bowed. Her clothes were cut similarly to the man's but in a purple color that went well with her eyes.
Jiang again bowed in respect. "I have heard a great deal, Lady Alanna. Our traders had quite the interesting tales to tell, no doubt heard from your own traders in Tortall."
Alanna gave a wry smile. "Traders like to gossip, My Lady."
"Indeed they do. However, I have found they only gossip about things that are worthy of their time being as they have so little." Jiang said honestly. She'd yet to meet a trader who told stories that had no truth in them whatsoever. There was always a grain of truth even if it was small and hard to find.
Alanna seemed to have difficulty coming up with something to say so settled for a silent retreat. The next to step up was a tall man with black hair and eyes that seemed to be in good humor despite drawn lines around them, indicating he hadn't had the best ocean crossing experience. "Numair Salmalín Master Wizard to Their Royal Highnesses." Gareth introduced.
Jiang gave the customary bow. "Our Sorcerers are very eager to speak with you, My Lord. That in itself is strange…I often thought they had no knowledge we in the rest of the world existed."
"I would greatly wish to speak with them as well, My Lady. I am curious whether the translation will be an issue however." Numair said seriously.
Jiang gave a small laugh. "I highly doubt it. They were among the first to learn your language. They do so adore new information. I have no doubt that every member of the Imperial Academy is now fluent in your language."
Numair smiled widely at that. "I have a feeling we will get along splendidly. I must admit I've tried learning your language as well, but it was far more difficult than I thought. I've only managed a rudimentary understanding at best."
Jiang nodded. "It is even more complex to write, I assure you. But that is why I am here. Perhaps our Sorcerers will be willing to help you learn it more effectively."
"I would greatly enjoy that, My Lady." Numair said seemingly very happy with the idea.
Finally the last member stepped forward, a small dragon by her feet. "Mrs. Veralidaine Salmalín and her dragon Skysong." Veralidaine wore, like Alanna, clothes cut in the same style as the men only hers were in a light blue that went well with her blue-grey eyes. The dragon by her feet was a strange blue-gold mix and was peering at Jiang with open curiosity.
Jiang bowed for the final time. She was silent for a moment as her eyes caught the shimmer of familiarity over the young woman's face. "You are god-born." Jiang stated.
Veralidaine looked shocked. "Yes, mum. My father's a hunt god of the forest, Weiryn." She said. "How'd you know?"
Jiang smiled. "I can tell; as would you be able to know how I can tell, if you learn to look properly. I too am god-born and god-born cannot hide from one another. I am certain our gifts lay in different areas however, Veralidaine."
She winced slightly. "Just Daine please, My Lady. Veralidaine is so long."
"As you wish." Jiang said before turning to the dragon. "You are not much like our depictions of dragons but you are most welcome here, Skysong. It is said a dragon is a good omen."
"My Lady, you said you were god-born?" Numair asked stepping forward again.
"Indeed."
"Which one?" Numair asked curiously.
Jiang smiled. "I doubt you'd know of him, since we share so few things in the first place. But my Father is the Reaper. The primary death god of the Empire."
"A death god?" Alanna sounded mildly upset at that.
"Perhaps I am biased but unless you are dead there is little reason to fear a death god." Jiang commented. "I am just one of many oddities you will find in our country, My Lords and Ladies. Welcome to Espa."