Disclaimer: I don't own this realm, or the people in it. I only want to have to say this once, and we'll just assume that in the duration of this story I will not suddenly become the possessor of Tamora Pierce's copyright and legacy. If I do, I will be sure to let you know.
Authors Note: Well, after much nagging from a certain person, I have finally begun writing a fanfic. Getting even this far has been a struggle, so please bear with me. In the past few months, probably quite irrationally, I have developed a sudden loathing of anything remotely resembling a Mary-Sue. This presents several problems when trying to write in a Tamora Pierce world because as I belatedly realised, not only are all her main characters female, but there is an element of perfection about all of them. Especially Daine. Trying to keep within the bounds of her stories but not come up with supergirl suddenly becomes much harder. Mary-Sues are beautiful, witty, talented and intelligent. Sadly, as polkat so helpfully pointed out to me, do away with too many of these qualities and you just come up with a boring character nobody wants to read about. There's a fine line in between and I'm paranoid about crossing it, so and Mary-Sue tendencies that develop I'd be grateful if you could point them out and I can attempt to eradicate them.
I chose to write about the Shang culture because not much is really known about it, so there's plenty of scope for a story without having to tread paths traveled many times before. It does mean I've had to make a lot of things up – if I accidentally write something flatly against what Tamora Pierce has already written, I apologise. I'll try to keep it true to what she originally wanted. Which leads to another question – what do the Shang actually do? Anyone who can provide an answer to this I will love forever. (You may have noticed we settled on Shang as being like sheep – the plural is the same as the singular. Is this right?)
Reviews would be much appreciated. One small pet hate though – please NOBODY write a review containing the dreaded words 'nice effort', 'has potential' or similar. It's just too patronising to be true. If you think it should be better, tell me. Please. If everybody who reads this suggests one different thing that they would change to make it better, right down to correcting a single spelling error or suggesting an alternative line of dialogue to one that sounds wooden, the story wil improve much faster, and far more satisfactorily, than if you sit around and say it has 'potential'. Help me live up to it. That's all I ask.
Waffle over, well done to anybody who managed to reach the end. Enjoy reading!
1: Steel
"If you would only reconsider…"
"I have already reconsidered a thousand times."
"But…" The speaker's voice was cut off by the stern façade in front of him, unmoving from its ruling.
"The decision is final. Shang has never accepted those with the mage-gift, and we will not start to do so now. There can be no exceptions." The Shang Eagle broke off to study the paperwork in front of him briefly; it seemed Matthias had moved south. Time was running out on him. He ran a hand through his sparse hair and frowned, glancing around the cluttered office that was full of urgent paperwork, urgent matters; full of everything, in fact, but time to do anything in. And now this. "You know as well as I that we cannot afford a repeat of the Matthias fiasco, that knot will be hard enough to untangle already without these extra complications. I may not agree with their decision but I simply cannot allow someone in possession of the training that she has been given to wander the streets unchecked - one renegade Shang is more than enough for my scouts to deal with. And from what I have heard of the girl, I doubt that she possesses enough control to be considered safe on her own."
"She can be!" Riane protested stubbornly. "I have had the training of her and I promise you that, in the right hands, she will not be a danger. Vaughn, you must realise that I cannot allow you to have my pupil killed simply because she is marginally magically Gifted!"
"A fact she has hidden from us until now. You know why we have never allowed those with the Gift to train, Riane. Anything that provides a distraction from our way of life, and sways her commitment to us, makes her a danger to herself and others. Yesterday should have been enough to prove that to you."
"How long have we been friends Vaughn? Can't you trust my judgement just this once? There are other alternatives."
"Then I dearly wish that you would provide one. She cannot go back to her family that is for certain. But the others will not allow her to remain here, and I don't have the authority to contest that. This places us in something of a quandary." He broke the eye contact uneasily and looked back down at the maps beneath his hands. "I'm sorry but I don't see what more I can do. I've spoken to the other masters on your behalf, but we do not have the time to deal with this right now. Matthias poses a far greater problem to us at the moment, and I'm afraid it's he that has to command most of my attention right now."
By the gods, the man could be stuffy sometimes! Not that he was wrong of course. All warriors were weapons, of greater or lesser quality, but a Shang Warrior was the best – a sword perhaps, of the finest steel. But no matter how good the material, how strong the make, the steel must be tempered before it could be used, to give it both strength and flexibility. Put the fire out too early, and the weapon would simply become brittle and snap, and a broken sword was no good to anyone. Still, he couldn't allow himself to consign her a lost cause.
"I could take her to Tortall." One last, desperate effort. "They do not have the same…attitude to female warriors there that other states do. They will even allow girls to train as knights. Maybe there…"
The Eagle laughed grimly and finished the sentence for him "Maybe there she can train as a knight? Some nobility, a child whose family gave her to us to be brought up as a commoner, rather than have to pay the price of a dowry. And, if I may remind you, assured us that she was not Gifted. A fine prize for King Jonathan indeed."
"You must be either jesting or temporarily insane to think I would suggest that. Maybe all this furore over Matthias has addled your wits. I suspect Ilaria would make as good a knight as I would a pig farmer, and well you know it." He was not entirely joking.
"Then what are you suggesting? That you wish to go into the agricultural trade?"
"I'm suggesting that perhaps a more open society will be able to understand her better than we can. If they will take her in, and continue her training, maybe there will be no need for your civilized decision."
Vaughn Stonesun, the Shang Eagle, master of the Shang cult, sighed. "I'm a warrior, not a beaurocrat, and I confess I dislike these rules as much as you. But they must be upheld, or what do we have left?" He eyed Riane speculatively. The man's jaw was set, he not leave until he got his way. Stoneson exhaled slowly and made up his mind. It would not go well for him when the other masters found out but it was worth this night's sleep. "Very well. Take her to Tortall. She may have three months to prove herself, and to start again without you nannying her. I know you, Riane Kinswood. She is no longer Shang and you have no bond any more. Do not allow your affections for the girl to cloud your judgement. We shall see her again after that time has lapsed, and come to a decision." He smiled wryly. "Happy?"
"Ecstatic," he drawled, grinning. "I knew I could count on you Vaughn."
The Eagle wiped the smile from his face as quickly as it had appeared. "If I were I you, I would leave quickly. It is entirely probable the other masters will seek to change my decision once I have left tomorrow. I'm going after Matthias myself, may the black god take the man. Remember your vows, my friend. Maybe this is not the best course of action. This is your way of life too and when the time comes and push comes to shove you may have to make a decision: the girl or Shang. Could you live without it? It might be best to put her out of her misery."
The Shang Hound bowed his head. "I understand, even if I wish I didn't. All I can do is try." Straightening, he stood and departed hurriedly in a flurry of angry robes and a short goodbye. Stonesun's voice followed him.
"I have given her a chance Riane. I pray that I will not regret it."
