Disclaimer: Everything you recognize is Tamora Pierce's.
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Zenobia woke up the next morning with Zaimid slumbering next to her on his back. In the morning sun, she examined his muscled chest with a smile. Nice, very nice. She got out of bed and poured herself a cup of the tea that Trista had left for her and walked out on the balcony. It smelled like a storm was brewing on the wind. It was far off and faint, but someone was plotting somewhere, that much was clear. Zenobia sighed, she needed to do something, not just wait for the next attack on Kally. A forceful knock on her door pulled her out of her thoughts. She padded across her rooms, pulling on her long robe, and opened the door to General Amad.
Zenobia leaned in the doorway, jutting her hip slightly. "What can I do for you General Amad?"
"I thought you might want an update on our investigations into the attack," said Amad, but he was interrupted by a muffled yelp from the bedroom. The yelp was followed by a few well-chosen curses and then a yell of, "Get this cursed dog off of me."
"Sunny, come here," Zenobia yelled over her shoulder, and the dog bounded in. "Please continue General Amad."
"The update is that we have nothing," Amad said, his eyes narrowed in the direction of the bedroom. "None of the potion dealers sold any of that poison recently, and we were able to verify that with their accounts. One of them told my men it is fairly easy to grow if you can get the seeds, so it is possible our mage grew it," he sighed. "I don't suppose you have anything to tell me."
"Just that I can feel a storm brewing. It will be a while yet I think, but someone is plotting. I'm sure of it. I will start tapping some of my…informational resources. See if I can't turn anything up."
Amad nodded. "It would be appreciated. I am having my spies look into the matter. It seems likely it is a domestic threat since the Princess was threatened and not the Emperor. Although it's possible the point is to break the treaty between our countries."
"Thank you," Zenobia said, about to close the door.
"Wait, one more thing." Amad hesitated. "Zaimid is known for his dalliances. I don't want to see you hurt."
Zenobia laughed. "Don't worry General. I don't take men seriously. I prefer to treat men the way many of them treat women, as useful ways to pass brief amounts of time. I won't be hurt, but your concern is appreciated."
Amad smiled. "Good. I can't say I would be sad to see Zaimid get caught by his own game."
Without thought, Zenobia reached up on her tip-toes and kissed Amad on the cheek. "You're sweet. Now I have to go or I am going to be late for weapons practice." With that she closed the door. A few minutes later the door opened again, and Zaimid stumbled out, lacing his breeches and looking confused at his sudden ejection from Zenobia's room. Amad covered a laugh with his hand, and walked into the imperial suite.
--
After weapons practice, Zenobia walked over to the east wing and knocked on George and Alanna's door. Alanna opened the door and smiled, "Good morning, Zenobia. What can we do for you?"
"Actually, I was hoping to speak to George about some things," Zenobia replied.
"Of course. Come in." Alanna opened the door and Zenobia walked into a large bedroom with several chairs and a dark-wooden desk that George was sitting at, a large stack of papers in front of him.
"What can I do for you youngling?" he asked with a grin.
"I talked to Amad. He isn't getting anywhere. I think I may need to go talk to the Rogue, or some of his underlings. I was wondering if you had any information on him."
George sighed. "I was coming to the same conclusion, and I think it has to be you and not me. Rogue's don't like it when the messenger switches by and large, and you'll be the one dealing with him in the long-run, but I'm worried about sending you in. He's got quite the rep. I think if I go with you though, it will seem threatening"
Zenobia nodded. "I grabbed a street kid named Runt and had a chat with him. He said the Rogue lives at the Hog's Head Inn and he collects pinkies. He was too scared to tell me his name. Don't worry though. I can handle myself."
"I know you can kinchin, but it doesn't mean I won't worry. What Runt said is in line with my reports on the man. He's very mysterious. He does not spend a lot of time with his underlings like most Rogues do. I had a few of my spies look into the matter more, since they are giving me squat on this attack. I should have more in a day or two. Can you wait until I get the reports to go talk to him?"
Zenobia nodded. "I'd like to know more so I can figure out the best way to approach him. Is he bribable? Does he go for strong women or fluttering eyelashes? How does he feel about the new Emperor? If you can answer any of those questions, it will make my life easier. Something is coming. I can sense it, but I think we've got some time."
"Very well. I'll let you know when I know more," said George. He stood up and led Zenobia out of the room. "You're doing a good job, Z."
"Thanks," Zenobia said with a smile, and made her way out of the room.
"Jon made the right decision trusting that girl. She'll do this job well," George said to his wife. "She reminds me of you a little bit."
"Me," Alanna said incredulously.
George smiled at put his arms around her, holding her to his chest and kissing her neck. "Yes you. The only reason you didn't tell off Kaddar when he said that his people were interrogating the assassin was because Zenobia spoke first. Brass balls the pair of you, and willing to do anything to protect your friends."
Alanna laughed and turned in his arms, kissing him softly on the lips. "Fair enough laddybuck. Fair enough."
--
Zenobia walked back to her rooms and found a letter on her desk. Wondering who would possibly send a letter to her, she opened it and smiled when she saw the signature.
Dearest, darlingest Coop,
I have been pining away without you here for my entertainment. Luckily, some nasty spidrens came along and I had an excuse to get out of the first big party that came up after you left. I have gotten so use to you being there with me making bitchy comments about all the nobles that walk by that I couldn't even begin to contemplate going without you.
Things are going fairly well here, nothing terribly exciting. I hear that you couldn't even make it to the castle before getting into a scramble. You make more trouble than any person I have ever met, and don't say it wasn't you're fault. I'm sure you had it arranged because you felt it necessary just so you could…what's that phrase you use all the time….ah, yes…whack someone with a pointy object. I must say I miss you threatening to do that to me.
Our trainees have finally stopped hiding from ladybugs. They've actually turned out to be a good bunch all in all, although Miri says they are all a bunch of whiners and back in our day of training we never whined. I doubt that is actually true, but memory is what you make of it. Miri is back at last from her cavorting about the border, which is nice. I am sorry you couldn't meet her. I'm sure you two would have gotten along great. Actually, on second thought, I take that back. I hope you never meet. I just had an image of the two of you ganging up on me and sharing embarrassing stories. With what Gena told you and what she knows, I think you two have enough material to blackmail me into pretty much anything.
I expect a letter back detailing all your exploits and filled with snotty things about the nobles. Don't disappoint. It is very muddy right now, and I could use a laugh.
Yours forever and for always till mud do us part,
Evin
Zenobia immediately sat down and wrote him a letter back, spending a particularly long time on Larissa in her letter. After finishing it, she went with Kally on a tour of the palace, and then to a meeting with the priests. She found herself making mental notes of all the nobles for material for her next letter. She sighed and looked at Zaimid who was standing next to her talking about his trip to the Copper Isles. He was nice and even funny, and she enjoyed the nighttime activities, but she wished he wasn't such a noble.
--
The next evening, Zenobia found herself completely bored at the guild party. She was wandering around, looking at the various people when she suddenly stopped short. Kally was talking pleasantly to the most affluent merchant in Carthak and his wife, when she noticed Zenobia go rigid, her face completely devoid of color.
Kally excused herself from the merchant, but before she could speak to Zenobia a bolt of lightening struck one of the windows on the building, causing everyone in the room to scream as sparks and glass flew. Rain slammed down outside and thunder boomed. All the windows flew open as wind rushed through the air. It swirled around where Zenobia stood, a cloud of sparking greenish-blue magic surrounding her. Suddenly, she began walking slowly across the room. People moved quickly out of her way before she stopped in front of a tall Carthaki with a hook nose.
"Remember me," she said in a soft voice before grabbing him by the hair and slamming his face into the table next to her. "Where's Will?" she screamed, throwing him against the wall. He threw a punch and she ducked. "Who did you sell him to you son-of-a- bitch?" she demanded, knocking his head back with vicious right hook.
"I don't know what you're talking about wench," he responded, blood pouring from his nose.
She hit him again. "Let me refresh your memory. Four years ago in Corus. I was shorter then, weaker too, luckily for you. You nabbed me and my friend Will. Said we'd make a nice addition to your cargo. Pretty girl, you said. You'll fetch me a good price at market. Some man will pay a nice sum to pop you into his bed." She ducked another punch, and hit him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. "I fought back and you smacked me across the face. I fell and smashed my face on the ground. Split my lip open, still got the scar right here."
He advanced on her, and she spun kicking her leg out and sending him flying back into the wall. "I managed to get away, but you took Will." She stood over him, the air crackling menacingly around her. "Now, if you want to live, you are going to tell me who you sold him too." She pulled the knives out of her hair, causing it to tumble down around her shoulders.
"You're crazy bitch. I don't know you," he spat at her. She moved towards him, but Kally stepped between them.
"Z I need you to look at me, look at me Z. Breath in and out. You need to get in control right now. All this thunder and lightening is too dangerous." Zenobia tried to move past her, but Kally moved too. She put her hands on either side of Zenobia's face and forced her to look her in the eyes. "Z, you can do this. Concentrate. Don't look at him. Look at me. Re-gain control."
Slowly, the crackling air around Zenobia faded and the thunder and lightening let up.
The man had moved away from her, standing next to some of his cronies with a cloth to his nose. "I want her locked up," he said.
"It is you who will be locked up," Prince Roald said sharply. "The treaty between Carthak and Tortall says that no Carthaki will take a Tortallan slave. You broke the law when you snatched Tortallans."
"That would be one thing if I did it, but I didn't attack this wench or take her friend. I trade slaves, but I don't take them from Tortall."
"Are you calling Z a liar?" Una snapped.
"Yes, I am. I am one of the wealthiest men in Carthak. Whose word are the courts going to take?" he said with a smirk. "I don't know how they do things in Tortall, but here in Carthak we are civilized and no female nobody can take down a man like me with baseless accusations. She should be hanged for attacking someone above her station. I demand that you take her away."
"That's enough Trudoe," Kaddar said sharply. "Nobody is going to prison. I'm sorry there has been this misunderstanding, but Lady Zenobia is not going to be locked up."
"Misunderstanding?" Zenobia said with steel in her voice. "There has been no misunderstanding, your imperial highness. This man took commoners from Corus to be sold in Carthak. One of those commoners was a very good friend of mine. He must pay for what he's done."
"You have no proof Zenobia," said Kaddar.
"She has her word," Kally said. "That's enough for me."
"It may be enough for you, but it isn't enough for the Carthaki courts," Kaddar responded angrily.
"Alright, let's just all calm down and discuss this later at a more appropriate spot," said Gary.
"No," said Roald sharply. "We are going to discuss this now. As far as I am concerned, this man is guilty of taking slaves from Corus. That is unacceptable and will be dealt with now."
"It is also a direct violation of the treaty between our countries," Kally said, standing closer to her brother. "I would hate for a slave trader to come between the cordial relations we have begun here."
Kaddar clenched his jaw, disliking being backed up against a wall in public. Finally he said, "You are right of course. We will put Trudoe on trial for breaking the treaty between our countries, if he is found guilty, he will be punished. Trudoe, you will appear before the courts a week from today. Now, I think it would be best if we left for the evening."
The party rode back to the palace in a tense silence, no one speaking to each other.
The Tortallan delegation went back to the East wing and Kally and her friends walked to the North wing. Kally was worried by the look on Zenobia's face. She had not changed expressions since Kally had gotten her to calm down. She put her hand in Zenobia's and gave it a squeeze. Zenobia gave her a flicker of a smile to reassure her friend, than went back to her stony gaze. When they reached the north wing, Kally tugged on Zenobia's arm to indicate she wanted her to come into her suite. As Kally and Zenobia turned to enter Kally's room, Kaddar broke the silence, "Princess, I'd like a word."
"I'd like to talk to Zenobia for a minute in private. I'll join you in the shared bedroom in a few moments."
Kaddar tightened his jaw again, but he nodded curtly and turned to walk into his room. Kally and Zenobia walked back into Kally's bedroom.
"Z, are you alright?" Kally asked, concern for her friend clear in her voice.
Zenobia shook her head. "No," she said harshly. "I'm not alright. I'm furious. I'm sorry I scared you, but it is taking all of the control I've built over the past months not to lose it again. That man sold the people of Corus. I just can't..." she broke off as the wind started to howl again.
Kally hugged her. "It's alright, Z. I'm going to take care of this. You have my word. He will be convicted and punished if I have to put the treaty on the line for it. I will also do everything I can to track down Will. Stay here while I go talk to Kaddar alright?"
Kally opened the door, "Kendra, will you please bring Lady Zenobia some water to wash her hands and face in. Also, if you could have Sunny brought in here as well that would be lovely." She turned to look at Zenobia. "Just wait for me here Z. Please. I need you to let me take care of this." Zenobia nodded and sat down on the bed.
Kally walked through her rooms to the imperial bedroom. When she reached the door she paused and squared her shoulders ready for a fight, and pushed open the door.
Kaddar was standing out on the balcony when Kally walked in. He didn't turn when she closed the door, so she walked outside and stood next to him. Neither spoke. Finally Kally said, "If you're waiting for me to apologize, it's not going to happen."
Kaddar smiled at that and turned to look at her. "No, your highness. I did not expect you to apologize." He tucked her hair behind her ear, and cupped her cheek with the palm of his hand. He leaned down and said, "I should be angry. I should want to yell and demand that you never again question me. Demand that you never undermine my authority in a public setting, but I can't. I can't because they only thing I can think about doing right now is this." Then he leaned down and kissed her hard on the mouth, pulling her tight to him. He left her stiffen in shock, but then she relaxed and responded in kind. Heat rushed through them both as Kaddar moved his hands unabashedly over her, desperate to feel the curves hidden beneath her skirt. When she wrapped her arms around his neck he picked her up and placed her on the balcony, pulling away from her lips to kiss her neck. He slid his arm around her lower back and leaned her backwards slightly, kissing the cleavage at the top of her dress. He returned to her lips, teasing them open as his hands gathered up the layers of her skirt. After what felt like an eternity, he managed to gather the skirt up and slip his hand under the bottom of it, his long fingers stroking her knees. He grasped her knees and pulled her closer to him, standing between her thighs. She moaned in his mouth as he stroked the soft flesh of her inner thigh.
He pulled away abruptly, breathing hard. "We can't do this," he said raggedly. "Not yet." Kally looked at him in confusion, eyes glazed over with lust, but she nodded slowly and leaned her head forward to rest on his chest. He stroked her hair while they regained control over their breathing.
Once they had both calmed down, he put his finger under her chin and made her look up at him. "I'll have the Trudoe matter looked into extensively. I'll make sure the charge sticks. But in the future, can you please try not to challenge me in public like that? It makes me look bad," he said softly.
"I'll try not to. I can't make any promises though. If you do something I really don't agree with, I man not be able to help it, but I'll try to yell at you in private instead" Kally said with a smile.
Kaddar laughed softly and kissed her gently on the lips. "All I ask is that you try, and I'll try not to do anything you really don't agree with."
"I need you to do something else for me," Kally said after a pause.
"So demanding. Very well, what is it?" he said with a smile.
"I need you to find Will. He was Zenobia's best friend, and something broke inside her after he was taken. She was never totally the same. She got hard. Some of that has disappeared again over the past few months, but I would bet it will come back now. I need you to find out where he was sold to and help get him free."
Kaddar looked down at her. "Of course I will. Write down everything you know about him. Description, especially scars and marks that will help us figure out who he is and skills he has that might help us figure out what type of slave he was made. Give it to me tomorrow and I'll give it to the investigators." He pulled her up so she was standing and helped her smooth out her skirts.
"I should go check on Z. She was really upset."
"I noticed," Kaddar said dryly. As she began to walk away, he reached out and pulled her back to him, kissing her gently, teasing her lips with his, keeping her locked in the circle of his arms. At last he let her go. "Good night your highness," he said softly.
"Kally. Call me Kally," she said and slipped out of the room. Once in her suite she put her hands to her still tingling lips, then she shook her head, annoyed at herself for acting like a love-sick girl, and walked back to her bedroom. When she got to her room, Zenobia turned, took one look at her and her stony face broke into a grin.
"Have fun, Kally?" she asked raising her eyebrow.
"Shut up, Z. He said he'll make sure the charges stick to Trudoe and that he'll have people track down Will."
"And what exactly did you give him in exchange for his this, hmm?"
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. The door opened and Alanna walked in. She took one look at Kally's smeared lip paint and rumpled skirts and said dryly, "I take it the treaty is still intact."
Kally blushed. "Kaddar is going to see to it that Trudoe is prosecuted and the charges stick. He will also find Will."
Alanna raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly did you smooth this argument over so well?" When Kally blushed again, Alanna rolled her eyebrows and said, "You solve things just like your father." Kally choked as Zenobia burst into laughter. "I'm going to go tell everyone to stop panicing. Zenobia, please behave. Let the law do its work."
Zenboia nodded, still laughing, and followed Alanna out of the room. Once back in her room, the smile dropped off Zenobia's face and she tugged her dress off. She poured herself a drink and walked out on to the balcony. Pacing back in forth her sense of a looming storm strengthened. She stopped coming to a quick decision. She walked back to her dresser and pulled out the corset, tight breeches, cloak and gloves she had worn when she first met the Tortallans. She pulled on the clothes quickly and strapped on her weapons. George's men had turned up nothing on the Rogue, and he'd asked her to wait a few more days, but she was done waiting. She couldn't stay locked up in her suite another minute. Slipping into the servants' corridor, she made her way silently out of the palace and walked to the city in search of the Hog's Head Inn.
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Keep reviewing please and more suggestions welcome.
Shang Leopard--I couldn't agree more. Believe me. Z won't know what hit in the next few chapters, although it may take me awhile to get there--this fic is going to be quite a bit longer than I planned it to be originally.