Numair stared out, quietly pondering the lapping waves. He had been on edge since Jon had asked him to be part of the party of Tortaillan ambassadors; his history with Emperor Ozorne wasn't going to benefit him in the slightest in Carthak. However, his presence was needed. The Carthak attacks were still occurring and it was only through these peace talks that Tortall had any chance of making it out unscathed. It was his patriotism and sense of responsibility that persuaded to board this god forsaken ship and come face to face with the place he had barely escaped from almost 10 years ago.

Nervousness had threaded through his fingers as he toyed with his opal earring staring out into the never ending expanse of water. Coming back to this place wouldn't be a homecoming, in any sense of the word. The memories that had awoken from the trip made the grey day seem just a little darker. However, after the long discussions with Jon, Numair knew the importance of his presence in the peace talks and ensuring that he kept his wits about him. His presence was a reminder to the people of Carthak that Tortall would not lie down if the treaties did not work out, and what better way to do that then flaunt the master mage that got away. It was a fine line, and Numair was reading himself to walk it.

It was then that Sir Gareth came to stand beside him, startling him from his thoughts. They looked over the edge of the large vessel in silence for a moment, until sir Gareth broke it with a rumble of clearing his throat.

"As long as the peace talks go according to plan we should be back on this boat in half a moon" he said solemnly. Everyone was aware that they were being sent into enemy territory, especially with the Carthak raids becoming more frequent. Numair remained silent in response; nothing could lessen the anxiousness that smothered the ship.

"Come down below, we have to go over a couple of things before we dock" Gareth said in a resigned tone, making his way to the gallows of the ship. Numair after a moment turned away from swirling mass of waves intent on following Gareth, when a sudden movement in the edge of his peripherals caught his attention, after scanning the grey turbulence, he dismissed it, and turned back and began his dissent into the belly of the ship.

If Cathack is nothing else, it will be a softer bed, Numair thought to himself as he rubbed his forehead in response to the building pressure that was forming there. He followed Gareth bellow deck.

The grey eyes that had caught Numair's attention sunk below the water that had acted as camouflage, shifting from the exact vision of an eagle back into the nearly sightless eyes of that of an ordinary fish.

That was too close, Verali thought as she sank deeper into the water, she had been order to spy on the infamous Tortallian mage but for a second she had been sure he had seen right through her camouflage.

Impossible, Verali thought to herself, sure wild magic was much more common in Tortall but it would be nearly impossible for any mage to catch her in her animal form. No matter his power, she reassured herself. She quickly swam back to the awaiting docks, passing the ship with ease. Reminding herself as she swam 'the faster you swim, the faster you can stop breathing through these horrible gills'

The emperor was right in his suspicions, the Tortallian peace talks would include the master mage Aaram Draper in their group. His majesty would be pleased with her information, thank Mithros. Verali didn't want to imagine the fit that he would have thrown if it had not gone according to plan.

The infamous black robe mage brought more than just good news for her to bring to the emperor though, a new sense of hope spread through her as she sped through the waves thinking about the lanky mage that she would soon be face to face with.

'That will be the last time he catches me off guard', Verali thought to herself, 'the next time we meet I will be prepared and he will be the one sinking to the bottom of the ocean,' She promised as she reached the docks.


A/N Hello readers, despite a long hiatus I am beginning re-edits of the chapters I have published,and working to continue and eventually finish the story. The original story line I had planned needed some reworking so I am working away to update and get some new chapters out.

I hope you enjoy! Please leave a review I always like receiving them :)