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"I know the banquet is tomorrow, but still! We ought not to postpone the garden renovations until after!" Kaddar dictated, his brow furrowed in fustration.
Hovering by the door of the state room, Daine felt her old anger flare once more. Cannot he be more polite to the slaves? Arranging her posture, she walked into the room as her position required her. Emperess was a difficult job, after all.
"Daine!" Kaddar was obviously relived. Waving the scribeslave away, he stood up. "Stupid duties!"
Smiling demurely, Daine shook her head. "Kaddar, could you watch Darram and Onuyet tonight?" she asked innocently. "I have some buisness to attend to, and cannot have so many energetic children around."
"Sure." With a hug, her busy husband grinned and returned to his work.
Sadly, Daine looked on at him, the left. Her skirts swept a sad silky melody around her ankles.
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That night, Daine sat at her desk for a long time, doing nothing. With her firm resolve, she opened a crystal box and gingerly took out the silver claw placed inside. Stroking the smooth, even silver tenderly, she then reached for the solitary ring still remaining in the box.
Conflicting emotions ran through her, making her shudder. For the past three years, she had been Kaddar's Empress, bearing two children. But now, there were Wild Ones again. Should she not fulfill her only wish in this world?
For these years, she had given her life for her father's opinion. She had married Kaddar for his sake. And she had borne his children for the People. It was time for Daine. No matter how selfish, or foolish it seemed.
Standing, she clutched the claw and ring to her heart. Glancing at the open window, the sea beckoned to her, offered its soft arms. Joy bubbled up from her hidden soul.
Daine! Where had she been for so long? Her old fire flared up in her chest, causing her breathing to increase. This was her, the archergirl, the Magelet. With a cry, she threw down the glowing barrier that seperated herself from the animals.
They clamored in her mind, excited. Daine! they cried.
Reaching with outstretched fingers, she felt the moist ocean air.
Ryll walked out of the room. "Daine? Are you ready?"
Swirling around in shock, Daine exclaimed, "Ryll!"
"Cause if you are," Ryll continued, "I am too."
"Ryll," she said sternly. "You are not going to die!" Daine choked on the word.
Green eyes luminous, Ryll just smiled. "I always knew you were going to leave. I wanted to go too! My family, my dog, you..." she faltered. "What would i do? I want to be there, see them again!" She paused. "And no one really notices I'm around...theres nothing left to live for, really. Except for you!"
Awed by this amazing speech in such a tiny child, Daine just nodded. Stunned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minutes later, they stood hand and hand in the beach. The cold water and the frothing waves closed over their heads.
Closing her eyes, Daine held Ryll close. Even under the water, she could hear Ryll laughing, and Daine smiled. The darkness covered them, and through the deep blue she could see a shadowy path extending before them.
Jumping onto it, Ryll ran to a fluffy white dog. "Snuggles!" she cried. Her arms tight around his neck, she grinned at Daine. "See?"
SMiling right back at her, Numair emerged out of the darkness. His eyes glowed, and he held out his arms to her. "Numair!!!!!!!"
He took her hands. "Oh, Daine! I've missed you so much!"
She took Ryll's hand and the three of them and a dog walked to the Realms together.
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Mithros and teh Goddess watched them go.
"That's the last of them," the Great Lady whispered. Glancing at the desolate, empty lands of Tortall, she sniffed sadly.
As the full circle of gods came forward, Mithros nodded his head. "So mote it be."
With that utterance, waves slowly and somberly washed over the once great Nation. All the memories, leaders, heros. But for all time, songs would be sung of the fall or Tortall.
The land disappeared under the sea. As this happened, those Tortallans in the Dark Realms felt a shimmering glow around them. In front of their shocked eyes, their spirits saw their home unfold around them, magically as it was before Chaos' plight. Joy bloomed in their faces, and a great cheer rose from the multitudes.
The gods smiled down upon their upraised faces.
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guys? sorry its sad and junk. but, im still looking for more things about the people you want to have survived in tortall yet.
poll: what should the next part be named? im gonna write about the other tortallans!
and another poll: N/K or K/C? cause im torn, and i want someone else to make all my decisions!