Description: The Tortallan representatives arrive in Carthak and are introduced to the heir and his entourage, while Daine makes her own spectacular entrance.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.

Author's Note: I will apologise again for copying dialogue from this book, but I want to keep most of the scene's when Daine and Numair are together as every scene where they're together is important.

Chapter 2

Numair stood on the deck of the Tortallan vessel gripping the rail in trepidation as he watched land slowly approaching. He was supposed to appear calm and collected for the other members of the delegation, and the mage hoped he was giving off that impression instead of the terror he felt inside.

Musenda had cornered him before they had left Corus to ask the mage why he would ever return to this place. Numair had met the ex-slave and gladiator in the great arena on his first visit to Carthak and had built an unlikely friendship with the man. He'd been relieved when Musenda had escaped to Tortall, and neither man could ever imagine returning to this place again for any reason. Numair wasn't sure he'd ever been hugged by the ex-gladiator before, but it spoke volumes of Musenda's deep concern for his young friend.

Dressed in his high-collared black silk robe, the mage felt like he was being strangled. He hated wearing his ceremonial dress robes and Numair had not been pleased when Lindhall had sent it to him when he settled in Tortall, along with some of his other possessions he'd had to leave behind. The black robe he wore in King Jonathan's court was more Tortallan in style with a lower collar, but it had been specially made to appear like his Carthaki robe. Unfortunately, nothing but formal dress would satisfy the Carthaki representatives and the Tortallan's had to impress.

Numair's duties were simple; gain access to the scrolls to open the Divine Realms, advise the delegates in the negotiations, and speak with his contact about the slave rebellion. As far as the mage was concerned his main reason for being there was to keep everyone safe and make sure they all returned unharmed, especially Daine and Kitten.

As the docks appeared, Numair noticed they were filled with animals of all kinds: dogs, cats and rats. On every mast, ledge, gutter and rope birds of all shapes and sizes perched silently. The mage's lips twitched in a smile knowing who they were waiting for and wondered how the animals had heard of the Wildmage's arrival. He knew when Daine arrived on deck as every mammal and bird erupted into cries of welcome, terrifying every human in the area. Slowly the animals started to disperse as the girl joined him at the rail.

"Are you all right? Is something wrong?" she asked looking up at him.

"No, magelet. And I am as well as may be expected." His friend understood his feelings about returning to Carthak. "I can't say which prospect makes me more apprehensive – that of meting old enemies, or old friends."

"Old enemies, surely?" Numair wasn't so sure, Ozorne had once been his best friend and he had no desire to see him again. As for his enemies, the mage knew what to expect from some of them.

"I don't know. I was very different then," he said softly. "And you know what the wise men say – 'Only birds can return to their old nests.'" Numair looked down and smiled at her, trying to reassure his friend and received the shock of his life. "Mithros bless. You look very pretty."

Pretty was an understatement. She was beautiful! Numair was used to seeing his student dressed in breeches and a shirt, but never anything as elegant as what she was wearing now. Daine was dressed a grey silk shirt, blue linen breeches with a blue linen dress tunic over the top. Her tangle of brown curls had been pulled back from her face with a blue ribbon revealing her beautiful blue-grey eyes. He was pleased to see she wore the sapphire drops in her ears that he had given her as a midwinter gift. The sapphires were for protection inlaid in silver for the moon and the goddess.

Those earrings had caused quite a stir last winter as he had made them for his student. The mage had spent half the day being hounded by the women of the court wanting to know who the jeweller was. It was embarrassing because Numair didn't like anyone knowing jewellery making was a skill he possessed. It had been a long time since he had made jewellery for anyone, but he used to make things for women he admired. Daine was certainly someone worthy of his admiration for her wild magic, her determination, her compassion and her courage. Only Alanna had noticed the magical protections in the earrings and had grown suspicious.

The girl blushed at his compliment and Kitten chuckled at her embarrassment from under his student's arm. "You really think so? I know I don't hold a candle to Alanna, or the queen –"

Numair held up his hand to stop her protests. "That isn't strictly accurate. The Lioness is one of my dearest friends, but she is not an exemplar of female beauty. Years of experience have given her charm, and her eyes are extraordinary, but she is not beautiful. Queen Thayet is astoundingly attractive, it's true, but you have your own – something." Her face and body had matured during the last few years but somehow, he hadn't noticed until now. "You should wear blue more often. It brings out matching shades in your eyes."

The combination of the blue and grey clothing did indeed do wonders for Daine's eyes with their long, extravagant lashes. There were court ladies that would die to have eyelashes like hers. Numair suddenly found himself noticing small details about his student that were entirely inappropriate.

"I heard that about my looks. I'll get you later." The mage cringed as Alanna appeared on deck. "You do look good." The Lioness said to Daine causing the girl to blush again.

"Thanks. So do you," she replied.

The king's champion was dressed in a violet silk tunic trimmed with gold braid over a white shirt and matching violet breeches. The violet brought out Alanna's eyes but not in the same way the blue made Daine's eyes shine. Numair turned his attention back to the docks and tried not to think about his student as the other members of the delegation arrived. He watched as the ships started to form a canal and knew they were about to greet their host.

His young friend tugged on his sleeve and whispered to him. "I need to talk to as soon as you can manage. It's really, really important."

Numair nodded absently but his focus was on who would be coming to greet them. A gong sounded three times as every Carthaki on the docks knelt with their heads to the ground. The people only prostrated themselves in this way to a member of the royal family. The mage's grip on the rail tightened as drumbeats sounded ominously heralding a gilded, high-prowed ship sailing towards them.

"Who is that?" Daine asked pointing to the man sitting on the throne.

Gareth the Younger peered closer. "Probably a lesser prince, one of the imperial court."

"The prince isn't a lesser one." Numair raised his voice so that everyone could hear him. His job here was to help the delegation avoid missteps like the Prime Minister had just made. "See the lapis lazuli rod in his left hand? That is an attribute of the heir – what's his name?" He knew exactly who the prince was but decided to see if anyone else had remembered to study the Carthaki royal line.

"His nephew Kaddar. Age Sixteen. Studies at the university." Lord Martin spoke up from the rear of the group.

The Tortallan's were rowed over to the Carthaki ship in boats and climbed a ladder onto the main deck. Numair got a good look at the heir as they gathered before him. Prince Kaddar was dark skinned with the typical kohl make-up decorating his eyes. He wore a calf-length crimson silk tunic and was covered in jewellery. The prince had rings on every finger and on his toes, as well as a bracelet on both wrists. In his ears he wore three gold rings and a gold bangle in his left, and a ruby drop in the right. A matching ruby stud was in his nose above the collar of gold inlaid with mother of pearl strips around his neck. To finish this finery was the gold skull cap covered in diamonds which marked him as a prince. This was the sort of ruler Numair had grown up around, the one's that wore their wealth in an excessive need to show off.

The mage stood behind Duke Gareth, Lord Martin and Alanna as the herald banged his staff on the deck and cried out. "His Imperial Highness, Kaddar Gazanoi Iliniat, Head of House Khazoi, Prince of Siraj and Zallara, Firstborn Son of Princess Fazia Iliniat bids you welcome on this historic day on behalf of his uncle, His Most Serene and Imperial Majesty, Ozorne Muhassin Tasikhe, Emperor of Carthak, Most Revered son of Prince Apodan and Princess Mahira, Emperor Mage of the Imperial University, He Who Shall Bring About the Eternal Empire to negotiate peace accords between the great empire of Carthak and the kingdom of Tortall. We invite you to come forward and greet His Imperial Highness."

A drum began to set the rhythm as the slaves rowed in time with the beats, turning the boat in the harbour and sailing down the river. Numair heard the crack of a lash and turned to see Daine scurry back to her place cuddling Kitten to her chest. The dragonet had a grey tinge to her scales, and he could see tears in his friend's eyes. He had warned her that Carthak was a slave country but knowing it and experiencing it were two very different things. The mage pulled out a handkerchief and passed it back to Gareth the Younger and pointed to Daine. The man nodded and passed the handkerchief to the girl so she could wipe her eyes.

Their names were called as each member of the delegation stepped forward to bow before Prince Kaddar and receive a few words of greeting. Numair was presented after Alanna and bowed to the heir noting that his greeting was no different to the others. Daine was one of the last to be introduced and Duke Gareth and Numair had schooled her endlessly on proper behaviour. The mage held his breath hoping his student would remember all her lessons.

"Veralidaine Sarrasri. The dragon Skysong." The herald announced them both as Daine stepped forward and bowed.

"I greet you in the name of my august kinsman, the Emperor Mage of Carthak." Kaddar intoned formally before leaning forward to regard Kitten. "Is it a true dragon? Not a basilisk, which we've seen, but maybe a young basilisk –"

Kitten stood on her hindquarters and began her own assessment of the prince.

"She's a true dragon, Your Highness. Basilisks have pebbled skin, almost like beading. Kit – her name's Skysong, but most folk call her Kitten – she has scales. Her ma was the same."

Kaddar frowned. "A mother? We were told there is only one dragon in the mortal realms."

"There is. Her mother was killed by – pirates." It was a small slip but barely noticeable. Numair suspected Daine had wanted to say 'Carthaki raiders.' "She gave birth to Kitten a week before she died, and I've been raising her ever since." That last part was a complete fabrication, but it was easier than admitting the dragon had helped them win the battle at Pirate's Swoop and subsequently been killed by liquid fire.

"Is it hard? What does she eat? Does she hunt live prey, or –"

Numair hid a smile as he recognised a student of Lindhall Reed at the prince's barrage of questions. He could see why his old teaching master was full of praise for the young man.

The herald coughed politely interrupting the heir. "Your Highness, the ambassadors have yet to greet the delegation."

Prince Kaddar sat back in his chair and regained his formal tone. "It is my hope that, should you have idle hours during your stay with us, you will permit me to show you some of Carthak's wonders."

Daine bowed beautifully and replied. "I'd be honoured, Your Highness."

Numair and Duke Gareth exchanged proud smiles as the girl re-joined the group.

"May I present to you of Tortall to your colleagues and fellow ambassadors." The herald led the delegation over to the dignitaries they would be dealing with, who stood waiting under a canopy, shading them from the Cathaki heat.

Numair didn't recognise most of the masters the herald introduced, which made him worry what had happened to some of his old teachers. Knowing Ozorne, he would have removed anyone he didn't believe was loyal to him. The mage's eyes fell on Lindhall Reed and felt a rush of emotion at seeing his old teacher again. He hadn't expected to see the absentminded master so soon.

Lindhall was a tall northerner with bright blue eyes, but there was more silver streaked in his blonde hair than Numair remembered. He was dressed in his formal master's red robes with brown cuffs which he wore open revealing northern style clothing underneath. When the master's name was called, the mage stepped forward and happily embraced his old teacher.

"Arram, welcome if that is the proper word." Lindhall spoke in his usual quiet, cultured voice.

Numair felt tears sting his eyes as he smiled warmly. "I'm surprised you remembered our arrival. I thought I'd have to root you out in your workroom."

"No, no. I have a good assistant, better than you were. She keeps track of everything. Unfortunately, she's about to go live with the merfolk and study their culture. I hear they're moving in all along the Tortallan coast. I'd thought they'd live in rookeries, like sea lions, but their nature appears to be tribal. And you are Arram's student." Lindhall turned to address Daine. "He wrote me so much about you. He says you know how bats avoid objects and catch prey. When I was a student I incurred censure when I hypothesized that they do it with manipulation of sound, and Arram said you proved that to be true."

Daine smiled shyly up at the master. "Well, yes. They squeak at things. Their ears move separately, to gather in what they hear, and each sound has a meaning -"

Numair was overjoyed to see the pair discussing scholarly matters and felt dreadful for needing to stop them. "I don't like to interrupt, but Lindhall, I have questions that require answers. Forgive me both of you."

Lindhall gave the Wildmage a wistful look. "Duty calls. And I know we shall have other chances to confer, since you are here for the emperor's birds, and I help him to care for them. Very well Arram, I am yours, for the time being. Unless – I know you have also had encounters with whales. It is true, their songs are communication, not merely noise? Or communication in the sense of birdcalls, proclaiming territory, and so forth? I –"

"Lindhall" Numair tried not to laugh as he had to practically drag the man away from his student. He tried not to recognise what he must put Daine through on a regular basis.

"It is good to see you again, my boy," the Northerner said warmly.

"Is it here?" the mage whispered barely moving his lips and openly replied. "It's good to see you too. I am sorry to take you away from Daine." In Carthak you could never be too careful who was listening or watching your lips to read them.

"It is." Lindhall whispered. "I can see why you are so proud of her. I shall look forward to stealing her away to look at my animals at the earliest opportunity. Do you think Veralidaine would be interested in reading my thesis on meerkats and their habits on raising their young?"

"It's Daine – and yes, I'm sure she would find it fascinating. I don't recognise many of the faces assembled."

Lindhall's voice was unusually sombre. "Nor are you likely to, my boy. Many of the masters you trained with have – moved on."

The mages shared a look when Numair caught sight of the barracks lining the banks. "What happened to the slums?" he gasped.

"The emperor, in his infinite wisdom, required more land to house and train our troops."

Numair didn't dare ask what had happened to the people who had once lived here. As a boy he had visited the slums to help during the plague season and easily recalled the mud filled, cramped streets. It had not been a good place to live but somehow, he doubted the people had been moved to better accommodation.

The pair stood silently as the boat passed the soldiers standing on the shore carrying the traditional Carthaki rectangular shield on one arm and a spear in the other. At a shouted instruction from the commander, the troops banged the shield with their spear three times and cried out in salute thrusting their spears into the air. This was repeated by the Second Company and continued as they sailed down the river Zekkoi.

"He truly means to conquer the world, doesn't he?" the mage couldn't quite keep the tremor from his voice.

Lindhall didn't reply as they continued to watch the soldier's salute the people on the boat. Finally, the older man spoke softly. "You remember the specifics of your pardon."

"I remember." Numair replied voice equally soft. "I must stay within the palace grounds and go nowhere near the libraries. If I am caught in wrongdoing, I will be arrested and executed."

"You won't be able to visit me at the university." Lindhall covered his mouth with his hand as if in thought. "We must find an opportunity to sneak you out so we may speak openly."

The mage pursed his lips and remained silent. This sort of talk was dangerous out in the open.

"No, don't!" Numair turned hearing Daine's voice cry out. "Let it be!" His eyes landed on his student just as he saw her grip the rail and dive over the side.

"Hags bones!" he hurried over to the rail to see his friend swimming against the current towards something small struggling in the water. Numair shook his head in exasperation. "There are how many mages on this boat and yet she still dives into the river to save a drowning mammal."

Someone screamed and Lindhall gripped the younger mage's arm. "Arram, the crocodiles!"

Numair watched the large reptiles glide through the water towards his student. "She'll be fine. They have likely come to greet her and investigate whether that poor creature is worth eating or not."

One of the mages on the barge wasn't as patient and raised his hand to strike at the crocodiles with his Gift. "Leave it be!" Numair shouted at the man who lowered his hand in shock.

The reptiles circled Daine slowly before returning to the reeds. The tall mage watched his student for a few moments before calling on his Gift to carefully pluck her from the water and carry the girl and her new burden to the deck. Daine had the sense to look embarrassed as water began too pool at her feet while Kitten scolded her. The elegant clothes which had looked so beautiful on her only moments ago were now ruined. The Carthaki's, from the prince to the slaves, all stared open-mouthed at her while the Tortallan's who knew the Wildmage, fought to not laugh.

Numair decided his friend had suffered enough and removed his robe stepping closer to shield her from the stares as he wrapped it around the girl's shoulders.

"You'll ruin your robe." Daine whispered looking up at him with a worried expression.

"Nonsense. Kitten can clean it for me later, won't you?" He looked down at the dragonet who chirped in agreement. "Magelet, how many mages are on this boat?"

His student winced knowing this was a rhetorical question.

"Why didn't you call for help instead of jumping into the Zekkoi and ruining your lovely clothes?" Numair asked patiently.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think," she said bashfully.

The mage chuckled and tweaked her nose. "Is your new friend alright?"

Daine was cuddling a small ball of mottled yellow, brown, grey and olive fur close to her chest.

"I think he's just scared. That boy had put some awful, jewelled collar round his neck which was why he couldn't swim."

The ball of mottled fur looked up and whistled nervously. Numair smiled reaching out a finger to gently stroke the small monkey.

"You found a pygmy marmoset." Lindhall said as he approached the pair. "They usually live in the Copper Isles but this little one must have been imported to be someone's pet."

"That boy didn't care enough to rescue his pet from being eaten," the girl snarled.

Numair smiled and shook his head in amusement. Even with all the diplomatic training Daine had been given you still couldn't take the Wildmage out of the girl.