K.M: Yes, as soon as I posted the last chapter I started this one, so don't worry! Be happy!
Kel: Can I do the disclaimer? Please?
K.M: Fine! Do it and be gone with you!
Kel: YAY! Karissa M. doesn't own anything! Nada! Zip! NOTHING!
K.M: Shuddap.
Razi: -flies into screen from some random place- I will get you Pie of Doom!
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Daine inspected the girl before answering, she looked rested enough. Hello to you too, Razi. To the girl she said, "Don't mind me, and sit down, your going to need to be. I'll take a seat as well." She sat on the bed, while the girl sank back into the chair.
"You can understand?" The girl asked her.
Daine nodded, "Yes, I can understand him, and all the others. But first things first, I think I'm the one who should be asking questions. So, would you mind telling me you're real name?"
"Kari, Ma'am."
"Kari, a pretty name, do you have a last name as well?"
Kari shook her head, "No Ma'am, not that I remember."
Daine felt a pang of sympathy, "Okay, am I to trust you that this is the truth, and not a lie like you told Thom?"
"Thom?" Kari's head cocked to one side in a look of confusion.
"The boy who found you, and brought you here."
"Oh! Flame-hair!" Recognition flashed across her face and she seemed to brighten up, "Yes, it's the truth; I only lied to Flam-Thom, because I was shaken. I swear it."
Daine smiled, "Yes, well then I suppose I should introduce my self. I'm Veriladaine Sarrasri." She stuck out her hand for the girl to shake.
"You're not a noble then? I though for sure you were, cause you were with all those other nobles." Kari inspected her with interest.
"No, I'm not noble, neither is Buri."
Something turned on in the girl's mind, "Hey! Sarrasri… isn't that… You're that girl who saved Emperor Kaddar! An' you brought all those bones to life! You're legend, ma'am!"
Daine blushed, "Not really, but thank you for the compliment all the same. And you've brought to mind the very subject I was thinking of, it concerns your magic-"
"My magic?" Kari interrupted, "Begging your pardon, but I don't got any magic."
Daine laughed, "I don't have and magic. And yes, you do. I had the same reaction when I learned about my magic, I said I just had a knack with animals, nothing special, but it was and you've got it too." She rested her chin in her hands and watched the girl contemplate. First surprise seemed to cross her face, and then she tried to hide it and scrunched up her nose, concentration written all over her face. She seemed to have a slightly short attention span. After a minute or two Kari remembered that she was taking in a great deal of surprising information.
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Kari sighed; it wasn't everyday every thing in your world turned upside down. She was determined not to let Daine see her surprise, shock, or any of the things she was feeling. It was hard; putting all her effort into the task of composing a mask was making her forget what had made her surprised in the first place. Razi pecked her gently on the head; bring her back to her the current problem. "Oh…"
"Oh? What an interesting reaction." Daine smiled.
Kari felt her face flush, "Well, I don't know how you're supposed react when something like this happens! I've never been told that I got magic before! I been told I'm strange, demonic, evil, a pain in the ass- begging your pardon-, a runt, and lots else, but never that I got anything worth mention."
The woman shook her head, "Your not demonic, or evil, maybe a bit strange," She winked at this, causing Kari to let loose a tiny giggle, "you are small for your age, but that can't be helped, and as for a pain in the rump, we'll just have to see about that. But I'm hoping you'll be good."
Kari nodded, "I will, you seem nice enough." She had decided that she liked Daine, quite a lot.
"Good, now, how are you feeling, if your well enough I'd like you to come and meet everyone else." Daine stood up.
"I'm feeling as good as I've ever felt in the last years." Kari stood up and held out her wrist for Razi to step onto. He did so, then made his way up to her shoulder, careful not to break any of her skin.
"Maybe tomorrow Kel, Alanna, Buri, and I can take you to the market, we'll get you some more suitable clothes and a leather glove so Razi doesn't have to be so careful of you." Daine said with a sidelong glance at her tattered dress. "For now we can get a servant to bring something."
"Alanna? Not Alanna the Lioness?" Kari followed Daine enthusiastically out of the room and into the hall way.
Daine laughed lightly, "The very same."
"Really? The Lioness? She's even better known than you! When do I get to meet her?"
Daine laughed even louder, "Silly, you already have. She's the red-headed woman with the purple eyes. She's the one that healed you."
Kari's eyes got very large, "Really? So Thom, he's her son? To think I met The Lioness!"
"Yes, yes, and as soon as I get the key to your collar," She wrinkled her nose at the word, "from Thom then I'll be removing it."
This excited Kari even more, "You now the first thing I'm gonna do when I'm free?"
"No, what?" Daine looked down at her expectantly.
"I'm gonna let my hair grow. Well that'll take a while, but I want to know what it looks like. Then I wanna get a job." She said wistfully.
Daine looked at her curiously, "You already want to start working again?"
Kari shrugged, "It won't be the same as being a slave, I'll get paid, even if it's only a little bit, and I can choose. I can quit if I want, and if I do something wrong, or I'm late they can't beat me, or whip me. And I want to learn how to fight too. Back in the islands, I was born in the Yamani Islands, they taught us to fight, but I've forgot most of it. No one's gonna hurt me and get away with it ever again. Ever."
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Thom slumped further into his chair. When was Aunt Daine going to come back? He turned the key to the collar in his hands. He wanted to toss it in the fire, it disgusted him, but he had to keep it if he wanted to get the collar off the girl. His mother was tapping her nails impatiently on the table, seemingly impatient for Daine to arrive as well.
The door opened slowly and Daine walked in. The girl seemed to shrink under the gaze of the seven Tortallans. Daine smiled and pushed her out in front of herself. "Well, everyone, this is Kari."
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K.M: Yay! I finished the next chapter in record time! Mwah ha ha ha!
Kari: I so wasn't scared when I met all of them!
K.M: Shuddap! Whatever I say goes, and I say you were scared!
Kari: -Rolls eyes- What ever.
Daine: I'm doing the disclaimer next time!
K.M: Says who?
Daine: Says me!
K.M: Works for me!
Daine: Read and review!
