A/N: Hello all. I know, it's been a while but, please forgive as I've had exams and... well... lifes just gotten in the way. here's the next chapter I promised and I'm working on the next chapter right now.

Disclaimer: Port Caynn, Tortall, the Yamani Islands, Shang, Jon, Thayet, Buri, Raoul, Numair, Daine, Kitten, Alanna (the Lioness) and everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce- not me!

Claimer: I own Lady Erica, the nasty maid woman, Mel and Mr-Mysterious-Hunky-Guard/Soldier (ha! You still don't know his name!)

Any way, hope you enjoy and don't forget to R&R. Oh, and no flames please, I've had more than enough of those on my Fictionpress account.

Bye.


Chapter 3

Change

Melanie was amazed as she entered the palace. The roof seemed to go on forever, glass chandeliers hung from every available space on the cealing with hundreds of lit candles bordering the glass shards. It was beautiful. The floors were of white marble with velvet curtains at every monstrous window. The entire buildng seemed to glitter and sparkle with gems and intricate decorations. In the small area Mel was led through, new and amazing objects of furniture and such appeared, never seen before by the young girl. She was awestruck by the entire place and new instantly that, if she had the option she would spend the remainder of her life here. This thought, however, sent her mood plummeting as she realised, albeit cynically that, surely no King or Queen, no matter how kind, would allow a lowly maid to reside in such a place. Surely not.

The party had entered via a back entrance, being in little state to be seen by royal guests or, Goddess forbid, royalty themselves, yet, Daine assured Mel that the King and Queen couldn't care less about their appearance but their guests, however, would have been appalled to find women in breeches and torn skirts. Mel blushed at this, just slightly, pink tinging her cheeks and Daine laughed good-naturedly.

Mel winced at her laugh, knowing that, once she looked into her eyes for the first time, the kind older woman would be gone, replaced by another snarling, threatened woman, as happened to all the other… except Buri. That had confused her, she had not reacted at all like the other women but, more like the men, strangely. Then again, Mel had never met women like Buri before and supposed that, if there are men who react like the women then, why could there not be women who react like the men. With this at wrest in her mind, Mel had only to worry about Daine and her reaction.

Buri led Melanie to the rooms shared by the odd couple, still supporting Lord Raoul a little and, once they had tucked him into bed, she set about organising clean clothes for them to be presented to the King and Queen in. Buri offered Mel a pair of breeches and a shirt but she could not bring herself to wear men's' clothing so, sighing she called for a maid and asked her to find a suitable gown for Mel to wear.

Mel stepped out of the bedroom while Buri changed, assuring her that she needn't wash as the King and Queen were used to her smelling like 'sweating men and horses', as she put it. Tired of fidgeting with her ripped and torn skirts, Mel peered around the adjoining room she stood in. It appeared to be a study of some kind. A low, vacant table with cushions surrounding it sat in the centre of the room and, it appeared, a second closet to the one she'd seen in the bedroom rested at the far end of the room beside another doorway. Two desks were against each wall with two chairs. The desk on the left was scattered in papers that had begun gathering dust while the other held neat piles, revealing a clean, dark wooden surface. She smiled to herself, wondering which desk belonged to whom. They were indeed an odd couple, the short, stocky K'mir woman and the tall, built Tortallian-born man.

A knock at the door sounded and Buri called softly for Mel to answer it. It was the maid returning with a gown. She offered to stay and help Melanie in her preparation.

"You'd better because I have no idea. Do you?" Buri answered, asking Mel at the same time, who shook her head. The K'mir rolled her eyes but smiled and nodded at the maid, moving over and shutting the door as the woman laid the gown out on the low table.

The second doorway Mel had seen had been a washroom. The maid drew a warm bath for her and Mel thanked her gratefully. However, she made the mistake of looking her in the face and the woman's entire being recoiled in disgust. Mel sighed, knowing her mistake instantly. Buri, however, not being effected as other women, couldn't understand the woman's problem and snapped at her. She finished the bath, filling it with bubbles and salt before stalking out to wait for Mel to finish her bath. Buri waited outside until she was sure Mel was immersed in bubbles to re-enter the room. She sat by the tub, her back to it, staring at the floor. Mel sensed she wanted to ask something but, being unsure of as to what, she remained silent and continued scrubbing her arms until the K'mir spoke up.

"Thank you for what you did today." She said softly, the previously jovial atmosphere was now dispersed and Mel didn't have to ask what she was thanking her for.

"There is no need for thanks, Buri. It is I who should be thanking you. You and Lord Raoul managed, in one day to take me from a nightmarish existence and give me so much. If I were made to leave tomorrow, or in five minutes even, I would do so with a smile. I have honestly never been treated so well by someone so high above me… well… anyone, in all my life. I thank you for that." Mel told her quietly, staring at the bubbles in the tub, inhaling the scent that spilled from the water; rose, if she wasn't mistaken.

"You are so grown up for someone so young, Mel. If you don't mind, what has made you this way?" Buri asked, turning her head to look at the younger girl. Mel smiled, just a tiny bit cynically.

"Life." She answered shortly. When Buri said nothing she sighed and continued, letting the scrubbing brush drop into the water and float to the bottom, "You see, I never knew my mother, nor my father and I grew up on the Yamani Islands, under the guidance of the Shang. I don't know if you've ever met any Shang but, in short, I never had much of a childhood among them as I was training from the day I turned three to the day I left at fourteen. Well, I never really fit in with those on the Yamani Islands. It was, as you can probably guess, because of my eyes. Men, once over the shock of them usually ignored me, and women, they never trust me, never accept me. Basically they hate me for no reason at all." Buri grunted and Mel smiled, "Well, most women. Any way, after I left the Yamani Islands I came into the service of Lady Erica and, well, you saw what that was like, at least, parts of it any way." Mel shrugged, the water sloshing in the tub, "You know, I used to think my eyes were cats eyes, or something of the sort but, today, after I saw Kitten… I'm not so sure." She said thoughtfully, swishing the bubbled around in the water.

"Well, Numair tells me that cats and dragons are very much alike in some ways so, I suppose it's an easy to confuse the two, especially if you've never seen a dragon." Buri replied, examining her nails and picking at them. Mel dunked her head under the water and began lathering her hair with soap before Buri spoke up again, "Is that why the woman out there suddenly looked at you like something from the bottom of her shoe?" she asked and Mel nodded, "What about me? And Daine? We don't hate you."

"You are different. I've never met anyone like you before Buri. Usually I find some men who react like women- not many but a few. I've never found a woman before you who reacted to my eyes like a man." She told her, massaging her head.

"I don't know if that's a compliment or not." Buri said, smiling wryly.

"Oh it is, I'm very glad, actually. It's nice to talk to another female without them sounding like they want to set the hounds on you." Mel admitted, making Buri laugh, "As for Daine… well… you see, it generally only happens when I look a person in the eye and, as of yet, I haven't let Daine see my eyes yet. I'd like to keep it that way if I could, she seems nice."

"She is. Well, I'll do everything I can to help you Mel. After healing Raoul like you did, practically bringing him back from the Black Gods hands, I will do anything you ask of me." Buri informed the younger girl solemnly. After a moments silence Buri added, "Did you know that your eyes change colour?" Mel looked up at her, frowning and the older woman continued, "When I first saw you, you had your eyes, golden, which is strange enough. Next they had the tiniest bits of green in them, which, at first I thought I'd missed the first time I saw you. The thing is, when the dragon, Kitten, when she… landed on you, your eyes changed completely from gold to the same sky blue as hers. I'm pretty sure Daine thinks you're blue-eyed, not that she saw your eyes directly but from a glance, I suppose. Then, when you moved away from Kitten, over nearer Daine they turned a smoky blue-grey, though they had specks of that clear blue in them. It's very disconcerting you know." Buri smiled as her young friend gaped at her. "It's true. It must have something to do with the amount or type of Gift possessed by those around you, I suppose. Maybe Numair will know. There seems to be a lot you need to ask him, Mel." Her face changed for a moment, as though she had just remembered something then she smiled wolfishly, "So, how exactly did you throw that woman through the door at Port Caynn? It was quite impressive. Numair will be interested in hearing about it, perhaps the Lioness even." Mel blushed, hoping the K'mir had forgotten about that.

"I didn't mean it, truly. I suppose it's a part of my more repressed Gift. I don't often use it but sometimes it can lash out as a result of my emotions I suppose. But I truly didn't mean it." she said softly as Buri laughed, telling her it was wonderful and that Lady Erica deserved everything he got. Still, Mel felt bad about it. "Tell me, who is this Numair fellow everyone keeps mentioning? And the Lioness?" she asked a little sceptically. What sort of name is the Lioness any way? She wondered, smiling a little at the absurdity of it. Buri just stared at her for a moment.

"You've been living under a rock with that woman, Lady Erica, haven't you? Doesn't new reach the Yamani Islands?" she asked then waved the questions away before Mel could answer, "Numair Salmalín, Daine's partner, is the most powerful mage in all of Tortall. And the Lioness- Alanna of Trebond and Olau is the King's Champion and the first female Knight of the Realm in hundreds of years. They're both legendary, along with Daine, of course, as Wildmage, Keladry of Mindelan, the second lady knight and King Jonathon and Queen Thayet. We are living in the age of legends and you are saying that… that you've never heard of them? Not one?" she sputtered, obviously surprised. Mel simply shrugged.

"I know of the King and Queen, but just because they are King and Queen, not because of anything special, news really doesn't reach the Shan as they have no need for it until they venture into the world. Other than that, I've never really considered myself important enough to find things out about all these legends. I've heard parts of them, of course but I never needed to really follow them up and see if they were true or anything." She shrugged again and Buri laughed.

"And here you are swimming in these legends, Mel. I'll have to introduce you to Myles, Alanna's adoptive father. He's a wonderful story teller and he can let you know anything you need." Buri suggested then stood, stretching, "Enough talk. I'll leave you to finish washing so we can go and meet some of these legends." Mel grinned and started scrubbing again, dunking her head to wash out the soap in her hair, suddenly excited to learn all about these legends and, mostly, to meet the people behind them. With this in mind she scrubbed faster.

Once out and dry the maid had helped her into the gown, though it was with cold repulsion, evident any and every time Mel's skin brushed the maids'. Buri rolled her eyes at the woman as she curtseyed and left then turned to examine Melanie in her gown. She wore a beautiful but simple royal blue gown with a white sash around the waist and the tiniest amount of white beadwork on the hem and cuffs. The sleeves reached to her mid upper arm and the skirts of the gown spilled out towards the ground from where they hugged her waist. Beneath the skirts were simple blue slippers, easy to walk in though slightly uncomfortable with white beading to match the dress. The neckline, although more revealing than any of her past gowns, maintained tasteful modesty and a necklet (a simple white stone carved into the shape of a rose, hung on a leather thong) placed just right completed the outfit. Buri simply brushed Mel's charcoal hair and left it out, allowing it to fall in smooth waves to her waist. Buri forced her into applying some lip paint to make her lips appear fuller and shinier and a little dark pencil to line her eyes, making those too appear larger, much to her ire. For a woman who does not appear to like nor appreciate 'dressing up', Melanie thought wryly, Buri certainly enjoys it when someone else plays as the doll. Even so, Mel could hardly believe it was she in the reflection. She actually looked… pretty. She'd never looked pretty before, not even as a child-just strange.

As they left Buri checked on Lord Raoul, who was still sleeping then led Mel down to the ballroom where the King and Queen were holding an audience. Despite herself, Mel found she was nervous, of what, she wasn't quite sure but, as always, when nervous her head went down to stare adamantly at the carpet. No matter how Buri snapped at her to keep her head high, it continued to dip down, avoiding the eyes of people as they passed. It seemed, more so than usual that eyes were drawn to her and Mel could not understand why.

As they entered the ballroom a shrill whistle pierced the air and Kitten skittered excitedly over to Mel, climbing up her gown and onto her waist, wrapping her tail around her hips and upper legs. She was surprisingly gentle with the gown and did not rip nor tear it once.

What did you expect? I'm not as clumsy as I appear Dragon-child she whistled and Mel smiled, ignoring the hushed whisperings of the Kings court who were snatching glances at the strange girl and the dragon.

"Why do you call me that?" Mel asked her and followed a laughing Buri towards a small huddle of people.

Because, that is what you are, Dragon-child. Just because you appear human does not make you human. Look at Daine, she is People, not Human, there is a difference, you see Kitten explained in whistles and chirps.

"I do not understand." She said, exasperated.

Of course not, you are a Dragon-child, not yet grown, as am I but, in time, we will both learn of what we do not know. It is the way we are, you and I she informed Mel as they neared the group and, just so you know, so far, no one else has understood me, I am still too young for speaking to those with human ears. Mel just stared at the dragon who whistled mischievously then slid off her, ducking behind Daine as she approached with a tall, well-built man.

Her Yamani mask slid into place as the man's eyes got caught on her own, holding her there against her will. She smoothed her face and placed fidgeting hands behind her back, ignoring her nervousness. He possessed shadowy eyes that knew secrets and magics of old and long ago with a long nose and kind, inviting face. His hair was a mess of charcoal atop his head and his shoulders were broad yet his body slim which, strangely enough worked in a positive way for this man. Despite the secrets of his eyes, when he smiled, they twinkled, as though sharing a private joke with you and only you, though she did have to look up, craning her neck at his, surely six foot five stature. This was the most powerful mage in Tortall? This tall, friendly, unsuspecting male? She wondered at it then put it to rest, this land of nobility, away from Port Caynn and the Yamani Islands was so different to what she was used to.

Buri nudged her in the side and grinned, murmuring to her,

"Black."

"What?" Melanie asked softly, confused.

"Your eyes. They're black. All over, not just the pupils. Just bits of blue-grey now." She replied, biting back a smile.

"Melanie, you look beautiful, I'm so glad you came. This is my husband, Numair Salmalín. Numair, this is Melanie." Daine introduced them, obviously more than happy to be reunited with her husband for her voice practically sparkled with pride and happiness. Remembering to drop her eyes again she curtseyed to the couple.

"Just Melanie?" he asked curiously, she could hear it in his voice, clearly he was curious about many things.

"Yes sir. Just Melanie." She answered softly, still peering at the ground. He must have gone to say something but Buri cleared her throat and Mel practically felt the silent conversation going on around and above her. And clearly, she knew what it was about; her.

"So tell me, Buri, where is that man of yours?" Numair, switching course so fast it almost made Melanie dizzy. She smiled gently to herself. Never before had she had friends that would purposefully avoid a subject because it caused her discomfort. In fact, never before had she had friends. At this, she was sure they would be shocked but, when looked at reasonably, it was no wonder she had no friends. She was, as Lady Erica and so many before her had put it a freak. Her eyes stung but, breathing deep, using her Yamani skills, she forced back unnecessary and unneeded tears and focussed on the conversation.

"Is this so, Melanie?" Numair asked and Mel looked to Buri, a frown in place.

"He wants to know about what you did for Raoul." She said gently and Mel noticed Daine was gone, having wandered off somewhere else. Hence she looked up at the two adults and nodded.

"He was hurt so I healed him. That soldier said he was all right so I think I did it right." she said, though her voice was still soft.

"Does that mean that… that you have had little to no training in that sort of healing?" Numair spluttered, looking from a proud-looking Buri to Mel who's cheeks were tinged pink as she stared at the ground again and nodded, "Mithros. It's hard to believe but… not impossible. I suppose… I… you… I mean…"

Buri grinned, bumping shoulders with Melanie, winking at her, not unlike Lord Raoul, in her own way,

"Would you look at that, you've gone and impressed him and you've barely said a word. Hah, Numair Salmalín- speechless. Who'd've thought, huh?" she laughed as the tall mage chewed his lip, muttering to himself, his thick, dark eyebrows knotted together as he obviously ran things through his head. Mel couldn't help but smile as she watched him and listened to Buri's teasing.

"You and I will have to have a talk, Miss Melanie, that is for certain." He said finally and Mel grinned up at him and nodded. It would certainly be entertaining, or so she thought. He bowed to the two women and went in search for his wife, calling quite robustly for her until she yelled back at him to shut up before she set the palace mice to nibbling his toes off, making the court of the King and Queen titter. Melanie wondered if they were all as shallow as they sounded.

She shrugged it off as a beautifully dressed woman bowled into Buri. She was, in all honestly, the most beautiful woman Melanie had ever seen. Her face was strong boned with a stubborn chin and naturally red, full lips accentuated by her smooth ivory skin. Her lustrously thick jet-black hair was piled delicately and stylishly upon her head and dotted with shimmering jewels. Her sparkling hazel eyes were deep set and the jewelled necklace she wore and the flattering cut of the neckline of her gown accentuated her long, ivory neck, much like a swans. Her gown was of a beautiful, rustling silk-like material of sunflower yellow with lace edging and cuffs. A single jewelled ring adorned her left ring finger, indicating marriage, a small tiara rests atop her head, and slipped in between the layers of hair upon her aristocratic head and the jewel earbobs completed her outfit. Melanie had to admit, however, that this woman would look beautiful in a brown sack.

"Thayet." Buri laughed, unwinding the woman from her, "Thayet, let go." Mel stared for a moment, mouth hanging open then snapped it shut, dropping her eyes. This was the Queen? She asked herself, amazed, What a strange place. She shook her head gently and watched silently as Queen Thayet sulked, pouting as Buri lightly berated her on proper Queenly behaviour.

"It's no use, Buri, she refuses to listen, trust me, I've tried." A deep voice spoke up behind the Queen and a man stepped forward that was so obviously her husband it was painful. Melanie felt he was so handsome that he had to be her husband for such beauty in the woman would accept nothing but the best in a man. He had blue-black hair and beard, both neatly trimmed and close-cropped. His sapphire-blue eyes were emphasised by the utter darkness of his hair, as were his pearl-white teeth when he smiled. Melanie's heart tugged at her hopelessly and she wondered how many girls, and women had fallen for the Kings looks. He was at least half a head taller than his wife and almost seven inches taller than Mel as she stood there, pink tinging her cheeks and the floor seeming very appealing as she wished she could simply melt into it. All eyes turned to him as he spoke and he possessed a presence that instantly gave away his role as a leader, it was almost overwhelming.

Kitten chose that moment to claw her way up to Melanie's hp, drawing attention to the two, making Mel want to sink even further into the floor, to be swallowed whole as the beauteous couple turned to her, both smiling brightly as the King wrapped his arm around the waist of his Queen.

"Your Highnesses, may I introduce you to Melanie. Mel, this is Jon and Thayet. King and Queen, respectively if you must. Mel is planning on staying here for a time and I promised I would introduce you." Buri said, formality weaving in and out of her voice as needed. Mel curtseyed to the couple and she could feel their eyes on her, burning into her. She found her hands shaking behind her back and she clasped them together.

"Ah, of course, Raoul's little saviour." King Jonathon said, not unkindly, "Daine was telling me after you returned this afternoon. Congratulations on your work, Miss Melanie." He commented warmly and Mel couldn't help but smile, snatching a glance at his handsome face. She felt yet another silent conversation of facial expressions and half gestures go on above her and she hated it. Why could nothing be spoken straight? she wondered.

Thayet greeted her warmly also but, as when dealing with Daine and other women- except Buri- she kept her eyes downcast or avoided looking them directly in the eye. By the end of the evening King Jonathon told Buri and Mel to retire to bed before they fell asleep on one of the guests, making them both smile. The King and Queen, however said they expected a full report tomorrow evening, after lunch would be best, Thayet suggested calmly, sounding very motherly to Mel who had never experienced such a tone before.

Buri showed Mel to her room for the night, until more permanent accommodations were arranged, showed her the clothes Buri had ordered for her then bid her goodnight. Melanie wished her the same and told her she hoped Lord Raoul would return to health soon. Buri winked at her and answered with,

"Oh, don't worry, he'll be more than fine by the time I've finished with him." She wiggled her eyebrows and Mel bit back a girlish giggle as she shut the door and Buri strode down the hall.

Stepping out of the beautiful gown, she folded it carefully, removing her undergarments and, finally slipping into bed, falling into the depths of slumber in moments.