Author's Note: I am ashamed to say, yes I haven't worked on my other fanfics in ages. True... I've been overly busy with theatre and school. So forgive me blush I will continue before the new year, or try with all my might. My muse just sort of hit me recently however, and thus you get this.

Also to clear anything up, this starts roughly when Daine was 14-15. About the middle of Wolf-speaker. Numair has never left Carthak; however, things have still progressed as in the books. As for Daine winks she's kept along the same path as the books, but you'll wait a couple chappy's to see her.

Disclaimer: Thats right I am Tamora Pierce!! Mwhahaha Alll shalll love me and despair- suddenly mask falls off revealing younger blushing teen girl erm right.. or not.. hahah Yeah.. well we all have our dreams... April fools?

Prologue

"You what?" Arram Draper stared in shock at his friend and Emperor of Carthak, Ozorne.

"I just told you Arram," he said in an impatient tone. "I believe it would be a crucial move go ahead with the invasion of Tortall. They're growing fat on their surplus of supplies, and as I see it are quite ripe for the pickings. It is only a matter of time before some other nation realizes the same, so it is we should be the ones to take her first. Perhaps we should finally finish what we began with our earlier plans-"

"Earlier plans? Ozorne if your talking about that plan to capture the Queen and her children at Pirate's Swoop you're insane. Do you realize what Jonathan Conte would have done if they had proven it was an attack by your men and not pirates?" Ozorne's eyes narrowed as Arram stared at the other man dead on. The black robe watched as though his friend had finally fully gone insane.

"What of it? Still jealous for not being privy to the council? Really Arram I thought better of you. We failed once but we shall not fail again. For the sake of Carthak we must strike out against Tortall. The omen's are saying the same, the Gods are asking for blood, and so we must give it to them."

"Madness!" said Arram throwing up his arms in disgust. "How do you hope to win? Do you honestly think you can just lure them into a war? Don't you remember our lessons about the Dominion Jewel? With that stone Jonathan Conte could-"

"Be that as it may we still have the strongest military in the world. Our navy rules the seas. And must I remind you we have the greatest mage's university at our command?" Ozorne tapped his long golden nails against the table impatiently.

Arram looked furious, "I thought you had decided this would never work! We talked about this once already, and after those incompetents of yours opened up the barrier-"

"You try my patience Draper-" Ozorne's eyes narrowed further and hinted at anger. A dangerous thing for a man of his stature sending all those at the table on gaurd. It may be known that Arram Draper was a stronger mage; however, Ozorne was Emperor and that had a power far greater than any black robe.

"Arram-" the blond haired woman sitting next to him placed a hand worriedly on his arm.

Arram ignored her, "Have you forgotten how Tristan here-" he waved a hand towards another mage sitting across the table, "was unable to secure your opals from the mines! How do you plan to win a full out war when you can't even steal a crate of opals Ozorne!"

"Draper, you may be my friend and a black robe; however, I am Emperor here and I will rule my county as I see fit." His lips were thin and anger gleamed in his eyes.

Arram glowered, "Varice? Colefire? Tristan?" He turned to the other mages in turn for support, "Surely one of you can talk him out of this madness! Ozorne listen to reason! I know you're emperor and when you chose me as your advisor I was honored, but please, as your friend, just this once listen to my advice-"

"Arram, honestly if the Emperor wishes to go to war let him have his war. What's the difference to us?" Tristan looked at his companion steadily. "The way you talk it's almost as though you're on the Northerner's side."

"Tristan's right Draper. You come close to treasonous talk," a dark Carthaki mage who sat next to the Emperor looked at him warily.

Arram growled, "You know very well I would never do such a thing. Mithros! Ozorne you're my best friend. You have always told me to answer you truly, but now has even my speech been condemned? How long before you begin to outlawa worship? Before even our thoughts are invaded?" Arram knew he had gone too far with the last comment, but his temper had flared and at times could be as strong as Ozorne's when it came to a fight.

Ozorne looked at the mage with blazing eyes, "If you no longer wish to work with me then just say so."

"What?" he was taken aback. He had lost his temper before, but never to this greeting. Under many occasions it left with him being dismissed and a apology later. He hated it, but politics demanded it. Never before had Ozorne thought to- "You know I don't want that-"

"The Emperor's word is law, and by going against it you are crossing a fine line Draper. Do you care to enlighten us? Where do your loyalties stand?"

"Ozorne!"

"Where Draper? Do you you go against your Emperor's word? Will you stand against his choice? Speak Draper!" The Emperor was standing now completely cold and calm as if making a final judgement on his advisor.

"Ozorne you know where I stand! Why won't you open your eyes-"

A ball of fire appeared in the Emperor's hand and muttered something into its flames. Suddenly guards were on all sides of the rooms appearing from all entrances. They bowed to the Emperor as he pointed a single finger at Arram, "Seize him."

The other mages watched, some holding back horror and others smirking with delight, as Arram gave in freely to the chains that were placed onto his arms. He turned back slowly to the Emperor and said, "Ozorne, you know I am no criminal, nor that I would betray you." He turned away, "I'm sorry I lost my good friend to the greed of ha-" His words faded as his head connected to the hilt of a sword.