K. I THINK IT'S KINDA OBVIOUS THAT I AM ON A BIG FANFICTION ROLL. I HAVE CONTINUED A STORY, STARTED A NEW ONE AND NOW AM UPDATING THAT ONE! JEEZ, I SHOULD GET A LIFE.
I have a big block for HP, so no updates for that. Hey~ i just got a wonderful idea for a song fic.....HMMMMMMMMMMMM
Shinning Crystal- It is a little strange to think of Daine in love with him, but think of that paint in your room that you hate. Yet it grows on you.
Risika- No, no. I'm not finished with Daine yet!!!!!!! Here ya go! Next chapt! Yippie for you!
Hope all of you are still here listening!!!!!!!
Daine swept through the university. Her hand raised immediately to the murmurs of "Empress." It was second nature to her now to acknowledge them. She strode past the mosaics that had caught her eyes once. But she had no time to gape today. She needed to see Lindhall and Kaddar.
Bursting into their study she touched Kitten lightly on the shoulder. Then she confronted the men. "Is it true their coming?" Both men glanced at each other and shifted awkwardly. "Where did you hear that?" Kaddar asked nervously. Her eyes widened, "I saw the engravers making nameplates for them" Daine gasped. "S...S....So. It's....true. Their coming." She sat down hard on Lindhall's couch, resting her head on her knees. "Why?" she whispered.
Lindhall sat beside her, rubbing her back. Kaddar knelt in front of her, pulling her hands from her face he spoke quietly. "Their coming for the wedding. He looked in your mind and picked out all your friends. I think he wants to make sure none of them have ANY suspicions that you didn't wholly give up Tortall. Apparently he wants another shot at the talks. More like another shot to engage a real war with Tortall. I'm sorry Lady. I truly am." She nodded. "Who's on the guest list?" Her voice sounded hoarse to her own ears. Kaddar handed her a list. "We were just going over the copy of the royal invitation, when you came in."
Dear King Jonathon,
I send my greatest apologies to you. The attacks we engaged were silly and irresponsible. Tortall and Carthak should stand together united. I would truly appreciate if we could resume the talks in two weeks. The empty ship we have sent you is ready for boarding, if you should wish to use it. It will return you on the ninth day. Along with this letter I am currently inviting the following to my wedding, which shall end the seven day talks. I have listed the people who must come, for they are known to my bride, Veralidaine Sarrasri. She doesn't know you are coming, I plan it as a surprise. She was sorry for letting you go on such a bad note. You may add talk advisors and such as you want.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Orzone, Emperor Mage of Carthak
List of required attendance:
Alanna of Trebond and Olau, Lady Knight
Queen Thayet, The Peerless
Onua, Horse mistress
King Jonathan, Majesty of Tortall
Numair Salamin, Black robe Mage
Raoul of Goldenlake, Knight
George, Barron of Pirate Swoop
Lady Delena, Wild Mage of Swan Lake
"Oh" Daine whispered. "So, their all going to be there" She shivered at the thought.
****************************************************
"Does he seriously think were going?" Delena gasped after she read the letter. Alanna looking worriedly at Numair. "Shut up Del." she hissed. Jon sighed. "He doesn't give any of us much choice does he? He practically ordered us to come. Tortall can't stand another attack." Jonathan's blue eyes look weary. Everyone looked at one another. Numair spoke next. "Please Jon. I couldn't.....stand....to see her..... I can't stand to go there again." Numair looked pleadingly at his King. It was Thayet who answered when Jon had turned away. "We all feel that way Numair. But, Tortall needs us." Her eyes pleaded. He sighed. "Is everyone else going?" There were nods all around the room. "Then, if we must." He nodded slowly.
********************************************************
Delena and Alanna stood side-by-side on the loading dock watching as their cases were carried up. Everyone else boarded the ship in silence. Numair stood by the rail, leaning on it as he stared out at the sea. Delena turned the Knight who was putting off boarding the ship as long as possible. Alanna hated boats. "Alanna" Delena made sure she was listening before continuing. "Does it really hurt you all so much to go back? To see her?" Alanna gazed at her, remarking in her mind once again how much se resembled Daine. "It hurts us all" she watched Lord Gareth and Martin board the ship along with the clerks, Gary and Harlitt. "What was she like?" Delena had the decency to whisper. Alanna knew she should return the favor.
"Daine was a amazing person to know. She had a sense of humor, and a way of having fun. It was catching. We'd all have killed ourselves for her." Alanna's eyes clouded with unseen memories. "Don't forget her political sense" Jon had come to stand behind the two woman. "She had this confusion over politics and how it worked. Like why I was dancing with the Carthaki ambassadors wife, if we were at the peak of war. Or when we began war. She also thought we all were very strange nobles." Jon's eyes clouded over with memories too. "But she was nothing more that a money-wanting wench" Alanna stood up abruptly. Jonathan too looked angry.
Delena watched them stride off to the boat before following. ~wow. I really must meet this girl, if she can inspire so many different feelings.~ Delena thought eyes wide.
**********************************************************
The seamstress poked Daine again with her needle. She winced. "Lady! Please stop moving! At this rate all you dresses will have to be red to hide the blood!" The seamstress gasped at Daine. Daine gasped back. The dress was tight. Orzone had picked out the cloths. This one was a beautiful blue. Orzone had been very secretive about the rest. 'Surprises he said were the best thing in the world. Daine squirmed impatiently. She hated fittings. She heard the seamstress groan and mutter, but finally she was done. "Now go." The seamstress barked. She was familiar with Daine, and didn't bow and talk politely like everyone else. Daine gladly stepped behind the screen to pull on a plain muslin dress. She hated how the fabric itched and how plain the beige-white-toupe color was. But she blended in with everyone else this way.
Oh, how she wished for breeches. But then she'd stand out even more than being the Emperors fiancee. Sometimes she wished to just begin yelling at all the mild, meek ladies. Stepping out into the bright sunshine, Daine pushed back her damp curls. She searched for Lindhall. There he was. He sat on his mare calmly, holding the reins of Daine's stallion. She walked up, stroking Majesty's nose. The pitch-black hose blew on her face. She mounted side- saddle, with regret. It was hard to fell in control riding sideways. Clicking her tongue softly she nudged the horse into a walk. Lindhall kept his mare in stride with Daine. His mare was beautiful roan with unique markings. She was built big, perfect for the tall mage. "Are you nervous?" Lindhall asked quietly. Daine had said little to anyone all week. The delegates from Tortall would arrive in a week.
Her smile was weak. "I won't see them that much, right? I am not required at the talks, only at the evening dinners and some of the tours for the group." Her eyes told a different story. "And the wedding" Her voice was barely audible. Lindhall reached over to pat her shoulder.
Over the past four years they had become great friends. She had taught him all he needed to know about animals, and in return he was always there for her.
"Kaddar said, that you love the Emperor?" Lindhall said with some reluctance. Daine turned her eyes to him. He looked away, hiding himself from her big, blue eyes. He couldn't tell her. Numair would kill him. "Not enough to marry him. Enough to put up with him. And that's only in his good moods. I am not an Empress, Lindhall, I don't know what I am" She gazed up at the sky.
"I'm afraid of what they might say"
******************************************************
Alanna leaned on the ship rail beside Jon. "I don't think it was smart to bring Numair, Jon" She confided. He looked at her silently. She saw in his eyes he agreed. "I am not sure how he'll take it, seeing her again I mean". Jon sighed, "I know Alanna, But we really don't have a choice in this do we?" He reached over and brushed a stray red hair back from Alanna's face. She smiled at him. "I'll go talk to him" She was looking a little green. He laughed. "Don't worry, fair maiden. I shall go slay the dragon" He strode off, leaving Alanna throwing up through her laughter.
**********************************************************
The sun against her back felt wonderful. She buried her hands in the soft earth. Daine felt wonderful, for the first time she didn't worry about her friends coming. She had never been a big herb person like her mother. But in Carthak she felt free when she did it. She turned around and smiled at her ladies in waiting. She was thankful that Orzone had allowed her that small giving. She still felt awkward around slaves, though had learned how to deal and hide it. She had two nobles from Carthak and one form northern Tortall.
Delaney, one of her Carthak ladies, had set out earlier to pick up the dresses for the next while. Lucille, from Tortall, and Asaia from Carthak sat on the bench behind Daine chattering merrily. Daine smiled happily and laid out on the ground. Lucille was instantly at her side. "Lady? Lady! Are you alright?" Daine lazily turned her head. Yawning she replied, "Don't worry. I'm fine, Lucille." She reached over to pat the girls shoulder. "I'm just letting go" Lucille sat down beside her. Propping Daine up on her knees she began to braid the thick curls. Asaia left the bench to crouch beside the garden. She pulled up some sage and laid it on Daine's tongue. The taste swept threw Daine relaxing every part of her, from mind to bones. "Are you scared about tomorrow?" Asaia murmured. Daine was so tiered she could only nod.
Lucille tied the braid with a ribbon. Her hair was so fair it was white. Her eyes a deep purple. Daine avoided looking in them. Even though the shade was off, they reminded her of Alanna. Her hands were slender and pale, she was only two years older than Daine's 19. (A/n sorry but that's right? Right? Daine was 15 in Em?" Lucille had ran away from home to Carthak after her parents had arranged a marriage to a rich, sexual abuser. She had never been fond of her parents, yet missed her little brother. She wrote to him secretly. Lucille was quiet and watchful. Her gift a brilliant blue. She had been hired to do Daine's hair and face.
Asaia was well into her sixties. Her skin was a deeper shade than most Carthaki's. If she's been a palace slave, she's have been dismissed long ago. Her eyes were a hawk colored tawny, and only a fuzz served as her hair. Her herbal concoctions helped Daine and the other two girls. But Asaia always insisted Daine only kept her because of her cleaning. It was a joke between the two of them, What Daine's perception of clean was.
Just then Delaney burst in. She skipped up to the woman. She had inherited her grandmothers tawny eyes, but that was it. While Asaia was solemn, Delaney was cheerful and bight. Her hair was thick and black. Her skin pleasantly dark. She was only 14 years old.
"You should see your dresses Daine! Each one is more beautiful than the next! You'll look gorgeous in them." Delaney bounced around the courtyard giggling. Suddenly Daine wasn't Asaia
so tired. "I can't wait" she muttered.
I have a big block for HP, so no updates for that. Hey~ i just got a wonderful idea for a song fic.....HMMMMMMMMMMMM
Shinning Crystal- It is a little strange to think of Daine in love with him, but think of that paint in your room that you hate. Yet it grows on you.
Risika- No, no. I'm not finished with Daine yet!!!!!!! Here ya go! Next chapt! Yippie for you!
Hope all of you are still here listening!!!!!!!
Daine swept through the university. Her hand raised immediately to the murmurs of "Empress." It was second nature to her now to acknowledge them. She strode past the mosaics that had caught her eyes once. But she had no time to gape today. She needed to see Lindhall and Kaddar.
Bursting into their study she touched Kitten lightly on the shoulder. Then she confronted the men. "Is it true their coming?" Both men glanced at each other and shifted awkwardly. "Where did you hear that?" Kaddar asked nervously. Her eyes widened, "I saw the engravers making nameplates for them" Daine gasped. "S...S....So. It's....true. Their coming." She sat down hard on Lindhall's couch, resting her head on her knees. "Why?" she whispered.
Lindhall sat beside her, rubbing her back. Kaddar knelt in front of her, pulling her hands from her face he spoke quietly. "Their coming for the wedding. He looked in your mind and picked out all your friends. I think he wants to make sure none of them have ANY suspicions that you didn't wholly give up Tortall. Apparently he wants another shot at the talks. More like another shot to engage a real war with Tortall. I'm sorry Lady. I truly am." She nodded. "Who's on the guest list?" Her voice sounded hoarse to her own ears. Kaddar handed her a list. "We were just going over the copy of the royal invitation, when you came in."
Dear King Jonathon,
I send my greatest apologies to you. The attacks we engaged were silly and irresponsible. Tortall and Carthak should stand together united. I would truly appreciate if we could resume the talks in two weeks. The empty ship we have sent you is ready for boarding, if you should wish to use it. It will return you on the ninth day. Along with this letter I am currently inviting the following to my wedding, which shall end the seven day talks. I have listed the people who must come, for they are known to my bride, Veralidaine Sarrasri. She doesn't know you are coming, I plan it as a surprise. She was sorry for letting you go on such a bad note. You may add talk advisors and such as you want.
Please accept my humble apologies.
Orzone, Emperor Mage of Carthak
List of required attendance:
Alanna of Trebond and Olau, Lady Knight
Queen Thayet, The Peerless
Onua, Horse mistress
King Jonathan, Majesty of Tortall
Numair Salamin, Black robe Mage
Raoul of Goldenlake, Knight
George, Barron of Pirate Swoop
Lady Delena, Wild Mage of Swan Lake
"Oh" Daine whispered. "So, their all going to be there" She shivered at the thought.
****************************************************
"Does he seriously think were going?" Delena gasped after she read the letter. Alanna looking worriedly at Numair. "Shut up Del." she hissed. Jon sighed. "He doesn't give any of us much choice does he? He practically ordered us to come. Tortall can't stand another attack." Jonathan's blue eyes look weary. Everyone looked at one another. Numair spoke next. "Please Jon. I couldn't.....stand....to see her..... I can't stand to go there again." Numair looked pleadingly at his King. It was Thayet who answered when Jon had turned away. "We all feel that way Numair. But, Tortall needs us." Her eyes pleaded. He sighed. "Is everyone else going?" There were nods all around the room. "Then, if we must." He nodded slowly.
********************************************************
Delena and Alanna stood side-by-side on the loading dock watching as their cases were carried up. Everyone else boarded the ship in silence. Numair stood by the rail, leaning on it as he stared out at the sea. Delena turned the Knight who was putting off boarding the ship as long as possible. Alanna hated boats. "Alanna" Delena made sure she was listening before continuing. "Does it really hurt you all so much to go back? To see her?" Alanna gazed at her, remarking in her mind once again how much se resembled Daine. "It hurts us all" she watched Lord Gareth and Martin board the ship along with the clerks, Gary and Harlitt. "What was she like?" Delena had the decency to whisper. Alanna knew she should return the favor.
"Daine was a amazing person to know. She had a sense of humor, and a way of having fun. It was catching. We'd all have killed ourselves for her." Alanna's eyes clouded with unseen memories. "Don't forget her political sense" Jon had come to stand behind the two woman. "She had this confusion over politics and how it worked. Like why I was dancing with the Carthaki ambassadors wife, if we were at the peak of war. Or when we began war. She also thought we all were very strange nobles." Jon's eyes clouded over with memories too. "But she was nothing more that a money-wanting wench" Alanna stood up abruptly. Jonathan too looked angry.
Delena watched them stride off to the boat before following. ~wow. I really must meet this girl, if she can inspire so many different feelings.~ Delena thought eyes wide.
**********************************************************
The seamstress poked Daine again with her needle. She winced. "Lady! Please stop moving! At this rate all you dresses will have to be red to hide the blood!" The seamstress gasped at Daine. Daine gasped back. The dress was tight. Orzone had picked out the cloths. This one was a beautiful blue. Orzone had been very secretive about the rest. 'Surprises he said were the best thing in the world. Daine squirmed impatiently. She hated fittings. She heard the seamstress groan and mutter, but finally she was done. "Now go." The seamstress barked. She was familiar with Daine, and didn't bow and talk politely like everyone else. Daine gladly stepped behind the screen to pull on a plain muslin dress. She hated how the fabric itched and how plain the beige-white-toupe color was. But she blended in with everyone else this way.
Oh, how she wished for breeches. But then she'd stand out even more than being the Emperors fiancee. Sometimes she wished to just begin yelling at all the mild, meek ladies. Stepping out into the bright sunshine, Daine pushed back her damp curls. She searched for Lindhall. There he was. He sat on his mare calmly, holding the reins of Daine's stallion. She walked up, stroking Majesty's nose. The pitch-black hose blew on her face. She mounted side- saddle, with regret. It was hard to fell in control riding sideways. Clicking her tongue softly she nudged the horse into a walk. Lindhall kept his mare in stride with Daine. His mare was beautiful roan with unique markings. She was built big, perfect for the tall mage. "Are you nervous?" Lindhall asked quietly. Daine had said little to anyone all week. The delegates from Tortall would arrive in a week.
Her smile was weak. "I won't see them that much, right? I am not required at the talks, only at the evening dinners and some of the tours for the group." Her eyes told a different story. "And the wedding" Her voice was barely audible. Lindhall reached over to pat her shoulder.
Over the past four years they had become great friends. She had taught him all he needed to know about animals, and in return he was always there for her.
"Kaddar said, that you love the Emperor?" Lindhall said with some reluctance. Daine turned her eyes to him. He looked away, hiding himself from her big, blue eyes. He couldn't tell her. Numair would kill him. "Not enough to marry him. Enough to put up with him. And that's only in his good moods. I am not an Empress, Lindhall, I don't know what I am" She gazed up at the sky.
"I'm afraid of what they might say"
******************************************************
Alanna leaned on the ship rail beside Jon. "I don't think it was smart to bring Numair, Jon" She confided. He looked at her silently. She saw in his eyes he agreed. "I am not sure how he'll take it, seeing her again I mean". Jon sighed, "I know Alanna, But we really don't have a choice in this do we?" He reached over and brushed a stray red hair back from Alanna's face. She smiled at him. "I'll go talk to him" She was looking a little green. He laughed. "Don't worry, fair maiden. I shall go slay the dragon" He strode off, leaving Alanna throwing up through her laughter.
**********************************************************
The sun against her back felt wonderful. She buried her hands in the soft earth. Daine felt wonderful, for the first time she didn't worry about her friends coming. She had never been a big herb person like her mother. But in Carthak she felt free when she did it. She turned around and smiled at her ladies in waiting. She was thankful that Orzone had allowed her that small giving. She still felt awkward around slaves, though had learned how to deal and hide it. She had two nobles from Carthak and one form northern Tortall.
Delaney, one of her Carthak ladies, had set out earlier to pick up the dresses for the next while. Lucille, from Tortall, and Asaia from Carthak sat on the bench behind Daine chattering merrily. Daine smiled happily and laid out on the ground. Lucille was instantly at her side. "Lady? Lady! Are you alright?" Daine lazily turned her head. Yawning she replied, "Don't worry. I'm fine, Lucille." She reached over to pat the girls shoulder. "I'm just letting go" Lucille sat down beside her. Propping Daine up on her knees she began to braid the thick curls. Asaia left the bench to crouch beside the garden. She pulled up some sage and laid it on Daine's tongue. The taste swept threw Daine relaxing every part of her, from mind to bones. "Are you scared about tomorrow?" Asaia murmured. Daine was so tiered she could only nod.
Lucille tied the braid with a ribbon. Her hair was so fair it was white. Her eyes a deep purple. Daine avoided looking in them. Even though the shade was off, they reminded her of Alanna. Her hands were slender and pale, she was only two years older than Daine's 19. (A/n sorry but that's right? Right? Daine was 15 in Em?" Lucille had ran away from home to Carthak after her parents had arranged a marriage to a rich, sexual abuser. She had never been fond of her parents, yet missed her little brother. She wrote to him secretly. Lucille was quiet and watchful. Her gift a brilliant blue. She had been hired to do Daine's hair and face.
Asaia was well into her sixties. Her skin was a deeper shade than most Carthaki's. If she's been a palace slave, she's have been dismissed long ago. Her eyes were a hawk colored tawny, and only a fuzz served as her hair. Her herbal concoctions helped Daine and the other two girls. But Asaia always insisted Daine only kept her because of her cleaning. It was a joke between the two of them, What Daine's perception of clean was.
Just then Delaney burst in. She skipped up to the woman. She had inherited her grandmothers tawny eyes, but that was it. While Asaia was solemn, Delaney was cheerful and bight. Her hair was thick and black. Her skin pleasantly dark. She was only 14 years old.
"You should see your dresses Daine! Each one is more beautiful than the next! You'll look gorgeous in them." Delaney bounced around the courtyard giggling. Suddenly Daine wasn't Asaia
so tired. "I can't wait" she muttered.
