Carthaki Adventure
Chapter 1 ~ A Broken Heart
AN: This is going to end up as a Daine and Kaddar romance so beware! You have been warned. Please R/R! I need criticism, feedback, praise and any comments! This takes place during Emperor Mage but it has a different ending.
~*~
Daine awoke early in the morning with a start. The walls of the room around her were totally unfamiliar. Then the events of the past few weeks slowly trickled into her mind and she remembered where she was. The entire Tortallan delegation were staying in the Carthaki palace as part of the peace treaty they were trying to forge with other nations. And Daine was here with Numair as well. Apparently, her wild magic would help save the Emperor's birds. And this would be valuable to appease the angry leader of Carthak.
She slipped into her fancy dresses that she had been given for this mission and woke up a sleepy Zek and Kitten. It was important to feel like royalty here and to always be polite and graceful. Daine arched her back, held her head high and walked serenely down the hallway towards the large room where meals were served.
Where was Numair? He was always up early in the mornings and was usually busy with one experiment or another. Maybe he wasn't allowed to practice magic here for fear of angering the Emperor and endangering the peace accord everyone was working so diligently to forge. Daine looked through many corridors and snuck a peak into the gardens to see if he was there. It was like Numair to become so wrapped up in something that he would forget it was breakfast time.
Just then a door opened and a beautiful looking woman stepped out into the hall. She had long golden hair and wore a delicate looking pink dress which clung to her slim bodice. It accented her large bosom which was outlined in fur encrusted with jewels. She had on kid gloves and tiny slippers on her feet. Her skin was smooth and creamy. Daine sighed. It must be wonderful to be that beautiful.
Daine was suddenly jolted back to reality when a familiar face appeared from behind the woman. It was Numair! He had a lovesick look on his face which resembled a puppy dog with endless devotion. His cheeks were a bright pink and his shirt looked tousled, with a button missing. His hair was mussed up.
"Is anything the matter my dear Varice?" he asked in a voice unlike his own. He was completely changed.
"Oh, everything is fine Numy dear," the beautiful woman answered him in a silky voice.
"Varice, would you grant me the everlasting pleasure of dining with you this morning?" Numair asked with longing visible in his eyes.
The woman looked deep in thought. "Well, I suppose I can squeeze you into my busy schedule. Follow me!" She flounced off with her dress trailing behind her and Numair followed like an obedient servant.
Daine's mind was filled with incredulity. She was supposed to be having breakfast with Numair! She was his student wasn't she? How could Numair break their date so thoughtlessly? Daine corrected herself. It wasn't a date. I'm a lot younger than he is, I'm only his student. It's not my business what Numair does with women in his spare time and I'm in no position to judge the women he spends time with. But she couldn't ignore the pain in her heart at seeing Numair worship someone who obviously didn't care about his feelings.
She tried to ignore the thoughts swirling through her mind and held her chin high in the air as she walked down the hall. Hopefully no one would notice the way she trembled or her eyes were glassy with tears.
When she entered the dining hall Alanna immediately approached her. "The Emperor has made us aware of his intentions for you to dine with his nephew Kaddar. I don't like the sound of him ordering us around like that, but we're getting close to some agreement and I don't want to jeopardize it. Try to be friendly with him even if he's not a very ncie person." Seeing the hurt in Daine's eyes she asked, "Is something wrong? Are you supposed to eat with Numair?"
"Oh, everything's delightful!" Daine answered, trying to put cheer in her voice. "I was goign to eat with him, but he seems to have forgotten. I would be charmed to dine with the prince!"
Alanna frowned. Daine was acting very odd, but it could just be because of the strain of always be polite and friendly to people you despised.
During the breakfast of fresh fruit, cream and many exotic dishes Daine discussed the weather with Prince Kaddar and answered his questions about animals. He seemed to be genuinely interested in Zek and Kitten and was quite curious about her wild magic. He even fed Zek some mango and laughed at the little monkey's chattering.
He's not that bad, she thought with a smile. I was expecting him to be like his uncle, cold and uncaring, but he is friendly and warm, even charming! And he's quite handsome, she added mentally. That dark hair and olive skin with muscular arms and fancy clothes. The jewelry was a bit too gaudy for Daine's liking, but everyone seemed to be wearing it so it must be the fashion.
Then she looked over and caught Numair flirting with Varice and giving her loving and inviting glances. She responded by giggling and stroking his arm. It was disgusting and it broke Daine's heart. Numair could be so cruel sometimes, without even realizing it! She tossed her wild hair behind her and sighed. She would not let Numair ruin this for her! She would go ahead and enjoy herself without him and have an exciting vacation in paradise!
"Veralidaine, would you care to accompany me on a tour of the royal gardens and zoo this afternoon?" Prince Kaddar asked.
"Please, call me Daine. And yes, I would be happy to go with you, it sounds very enjoyable!" Daine was proud of herself for the impeccable grammar and manners she had worked hard to perfect. "Where should I meet you?"
"I'll stop by your rooms to pick you up later. See you then." Kaddar bowed as Daine left the table. She smiled and excused herself. She would show Numair that she could have fun without him! He would be left in the dust!
Chapter 1 ~ A Broken Heart
AN: This is going to end up as a Daine and Kaddar romance so beware! You have been warned. Please R/R! I need criticism, feedback, praise and any comments! This takes place during Emperor Mage but it has a different ending.
~*~
Daine awoke early in the morning with a start. The walls of the room around her were totally unfamiliar. Then the events of the past few weeks slowly trickled into her mind and she remembered where she was. The entire Tortallan delegation were staying in the Carthaki palace as part of the peace treaty they were trying to forge with other nations. And Daine was here with Numair as well. Apparently, her wild magic would help save the Emperor's birds. And this would be valuable to appease the angry leader of Carthak.
She slipped into her fancy dresses that she had been given for this mission and woke up a sleepy Zek and Kitten. It was important to feel like royalty here and to always be polite and graceful. Daine arched her back, held her head high and walked serenely down the hallway towards the large room where meals were served.
Where was Numair? He was always up early in the mornings and was usually busy with one experiment or another. Maybe he wasn't allowed to practice magic here for fear of angering the Emperor and endangering the peace accord everyone was working so diligently to forge. Daine looked through many corridors and snuck a peak into the gardens to see if he was there. It was like Numair to become so wrapped up in something that he would forget it was breakfast time.
Just then a door opened and a beautiful looking woman stepped out into the hall. She had long golden hair and wore a delicate looking pink dress which clung to her slim bodice. It accented her large bosom which was outlined in fur encrusted with jewels. She had on kid gloves and tiny slippers on her feet. Her skin was smooth and creamy. Daine sighed. It must be wonderful to be that beautiful.
Daine was suddenly jolted back to reality when a familiar face appeared from behind the woman. It was Numair! He had a lovesick look on his face which resembled a puppy dog with endless devotion. His cheeks were a bright pink and his shirt looked tousled, with a button missing. His hair was mussed up.
"Is anything the matter my dear Varice?" he asked in a voice unlike his own. He was completely changed.
"Oh, everything is fine Numy dear," the beautiful woman answered him in a silky voice.
"Varice, would you grant me the everlasting pleasure of dining with you this morning?" Numair asked with longing visible in his eyes.
The woman looked deep in thought. "Well, I suppose I can squeeze you into my busy schedule. Follow me!" She flounced off with her dress trailing behind her and Numair followed like an obedient servant.
Daine's mind was filled with incredulity. She was supposed to be having breakfast with Numair! She was his student wasn't she? How could Numair break their date so thoughtlessly? Daine corrected herself. It wasn't a date. I'm a lot younger than he is, I'm only his student. It's not my business what Numair does with women in his spare time and I'm in no position to judge the women he spends time with. But she couldn't ignore the pain in her heart at seeing Numair worship someone who obviously didn't care about his feelings.
She tried to ignore the thoughts swirling through her mind and held her chin high in the air as she walked down the hall. Hopefully no one would notice the way she trembled or her eyes were glassy with tears.
When she entered the dining hall Alanna immediately approached her. "The Emperor has made us aware of his intentions for you to dine with his nephew Kaddar. I don't like the sound of him ordering us around like that, but we're getting close to some agreement and I don't want to jeopardize it. Try to be friendly with him even if he's not a very ncie person." Seeing the hurt in Daine's eyes she asked, "Is something wrong? Are you supposed to eat with Numair?"
"Oh, everything's delightful!" Daine answered, trying to put cheer in her voice. "I was goign to eat with him, but he seems to have forgotten. I would be charmed to dine with the prince!"
Alanna frowned. Daine was acting very odd, but it could just be because of the strain of always be polite and friendly to people you despised.
During the breakfast of fresh fruit, cream and many exotic dishes Daine discussed the weather with Prince Kaddar and answered his questions about animals. He seemed to be genuinely interested in Zek and Kitten and was quite curious about her wild magic. He even fed Zek some mango and laughed at the little monkey's chattering.
He's not that bad, she thought with a smile. I was expecting him to be like his uncle, cold and uncaring, but he is friendly and warm, even charming! And he's quite handsome, she added mentally. That dark hair and olive skin with muscular arms and fancy clothes. The jewelry was a bit too gaudy for Daine's liking, but everyone seemed to be wearing it so it must be the fashion.
Then she looked over and caught Numair flirting with Varice and giving her loving and inviting glances. She responded by giggling and stroking his arm. It was disgusting and it broke Daine's heart. Numair could be so cruel sometimes, without even realizing it! She tossed her wild hair behind her and sighed. She would not let Numair ruin this for her! She would go ahead and enjoy herself without him and have an exciting vacation in paradise!
"Veralidaine, would you care to accompany me on a tour of the royal gardens and zoo this afternoon?" Prince Kaddar asked.
"Please, call me Daine. And yes, I would be happy to go with you, it sounds very enjoyable!" Daine was proud of herself for the impeccable grammar and manners she had worked hard to perfect. "Where should I meet you?"
"I'll stop by your rooms to pick you up later. See you then." Kaddar bowed as Daine left the table. She smiled and excused herself. She would show Numair that she could have fun without him! He would be left in the dust!