A/N: Hey guys, its finally up. This is the KaddarDaine edition of BR. Hope you like it. I think it gets a rating of cute, at least. I don't know if it's as angsty as I wanted it to be but I can't really judge. Anyway, R&R!

Disclaimer: The text in italics is modified from the Emancipation Proclamation, written by Pres. Lincoln. "Yay Lincoln!" As my friend Aileen would say. Anywhoo, not mine.


Kaddar Gazanoi Illiniat sat at his ornate ebony desk, feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. He had sent his guards out; now, more than ever, he wanted to be alone. Though they stood outside his study door, carefully alert, the absence of their flashing red-and-gold tunics had already made him less tense. His magical jewels lay strewn on the polished wood before him, abandoned and removed for the first time since his mother had given them to him.

Though more at rest, he felt naked and exposed; his self seemed so tiny inside the sloping walls of the room. He felt completely unlike the Emperor of Carthak, the wealthiest nation in the world, should. He felt young and unprepared and very un-royal and un-glamorous. He knew he could not compare to the conceit air or powerful, intimidating prescience of his uncle.

For now, he was alone with himself and his thoughts, or at least as alone as he could ever be. There were seldom times when the Emperor of Carthak was left unguarded.

He had never been at peace since he had taken the throne; his uncle had left the government in ruins, rived only by Daine's physical destruction of the palace. That had taken place almost two years ago. Two years; it seemed so very long ago.

Thinking bask to those weeks before he had ascended the throne, he realized that those short days had been some of the only peaceful and happy days he had experienced. Daine was the only person he had ever felt comfortable enough with, safe enough with to relax. She did not judge him like the noble did now; she did not say that he was crazy like his uncle, or that he was too young, too much of a scholar to rule the empire. She had known and judged him as a person. She had simply listened to him, and gave him her own opinion on his problems. Talking with her was so clean, compared to all the messy and argumentative conversations that he had now.

He had been to busy to realize it before, but he missed her down-to-earth manner, her quiet charm and her sense of humor. If Daine were here, he knew, she would set his problems straight. She had a clear head and a pure heart, and still wasn't above saying "You people are fair vexing!" in a fit of exasperation. Now, he realized all the times he wished that he could have said that when all of the nobles and landowners began on their rants.

He had only exchanged on letter with her; he was simply too busy, he thought. But as his thoughts drifted back to her stormy blue eyes and stubborn chin, he realized something else entirely. He was in love with her. He missed her more than anyone else; not even his father could compare. Daine was a suppressed hurt; she had always been not quite there, but always in the back of his mind. He remembered all of the times he had smiled as something reminded him of her.

He thought back to that summer. It seemed ages ago. The strange conversation he had held with Master Numair came to his mind. The mage had been warning him away from the young Gallan, and though the mage had not said it, Kaddar knew now that Numair was in love with his young student. But the conversation had seemed irrelevant at the time. He had not realized that he had been-and still was-in love with Daine.

This revelation only caused him new heartache. His love was fruitless, unrequited. Daine lay hundreds of miles away; and even if she and Numair had not realized their love, the constraints of politics still bound him like chains. He was engaged to Kalasin of Conte, Princess of Tortall. His heart was not his to give away.

Still, he realized that he could not help his love for Daine. It had lasted these long and lonely years they had spent apart, un-stoked and un-fueled. It would not easily fade, but he must always hide it.

With a sigh, he picked up a quill, intending to scribble a letter to her. The thoughts that floated through his mind were tired, almost resigned; friendship must replace love. If I cannot be her love, I can at least be her friend.

However, what he wrote was much different. Looking at his words, he realized that what he felt for Daine was true love, if anything of the sort existed.

Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year four hundred and fifty-five in the human era, a proclamation was issued by the Emperor of the Glorious Nation of Carthak, containing, among other things, the following, to wit:

"That on the first day of October, in the year four hundred and fifty-five in the human era, all persons held as slaves within Carthak, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of Carthak, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

Now, therefore I, Kaddar Gazanoi Illiniat, Royal Emperor of the Glorious Nation of Carthak, by virtue of the power in me vested by the Great Gods, of the Army and Navy of Carthak and as a fit and necessary measure to restore to all people their natural and God-given rights, do, on this first day of October, in the year four hundred and fifty-five in the human era, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above mentioned, order and designate the following, to wit:

And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within the Glorious Nation of Carthak, and all territories, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of Carthak, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.


And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of Carthak to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Gods, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Mighty Mithros.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of Carthak to be affixed.

Done at the Capital City of Carthak, this twenty-second day of September, in the year four hundred and fifty-five in the human era.

There. He had done it, the one thing that she had wanted most where she had been here. He took one final look at what he had written and sealed it into an envelope. He would submit it to Congress that afternoon. Almost everyone would oppose it, but, for the first time, he didn't care about popularity or favor. He would use the power of the Emperor to override the Congress' vote. When it was published, it would remind himself, symbolize to the world, the girl, and the love he would never forget.


A/N: You know, reviewing makes me really happy. And if you ask nicely, I can probably post the next chappie within 24 hours. I like this one. It's from Terrier-- PhelanVerene, and it fits in with the books. So, drop me a line, even if its a simple, "I like this" or "Hey, thanks for writing" or even "Potatoes!" Wow, I guess I'm tired. Now back to writing an A.P. US History paper. How boring.

MoD