The Blossoming Alliance
Prologue:
*Part 1*
The Decision for Firebird
A/N: Hey! This is my first TP fan fic so be kind. Neways...I didn't know if people liked long stories or short ones so just tell me in the reviews that I HOPE to get ^^ Er...so basically this is kind of the prologue of the story and it's sort of confusing at the beginning but you'll understand it soon enough. I'm making it sort of complex. Plleeeaasseee review=))
***
'Kalika' is pronounced KAH-lee-kuh that is Greek for "rosebud."
'Kiara' is pronounced KEE-ar -a that is Irish for "dark."
'Nickolai' is pronounced NEK-o-lye that is Slavic for "victorious."
***
Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! The young, dark haired princess wrung her tiny hands in anticipation in her cloth-clad lap and absently listened to the ticking of the clock that made her all the more nervous. Her hands were cold and clammy as she waited for her parents' decision outside of her father's study and she struggled to keep an expressionless face and focussed on looking down at her silk slippers that were upon her feet. The colour drained from her face and she felt someone's hand on her shoulder and she looked up. Her serving maid, and best friend, Ming, was looking down with concern in her bright black eyes.
"Kali?" Ming asked frowning slightly. "Are you alright? You look kind of pale," she said bluntly and placed the tray of tea that she had been balancing on one hand down on the chair next to her friend, Princess Kalika of Sying of the Chisaki Kingdom that bordered the Yamani Islands.
Kali smiled a shaky smile at her worried friend and hoped that her words would come out calm and smooth like any Chisakis' tone should be in such distress. "I'm alright I suppose. I guess I am anxious to hear what mother and father's answer will be."
"Ah," Ming said nodding in comprehension. "I was told to bring this green tea to them right now. They rang up for it a few minutes ago so I must bring it to them now but I will try to overhear some of their conversation for you."
"Thank you," Kalika said sick with worry as beads of sweat formed on her forehead as Ming whisked off the tray pushing open the mahogany door into the study. Her parent's decision could affect her whole life and she was extremely impatient and the suspense was killing her. Pretty soon they were going to call her in to tell her the verdict so she wanted to look her best before the inevitable axe fell so she got up to inspect her appearance in the mirror.
She peered into the ivory-framed mirror to see turquoise, almond-shaped eyes that reached slightly upwards with long, thick black lashes covering them and straight, silky black tresses that reached her waist going past her now pale face that was usually tanned despite the weather. Kalika had gone to her room to place a diamond-studded tiara on her hair to replace the pearl circlet she usually wore since it wasn't as fragile. With lengthy protests she had donned a light blue silk gown that was heavily embroidered with minuscule sapphires and though she enjoyed dressing up, she hardly thought seeing her parents would require her to dress like she was going to a ball. Lei sighed and gracefully sat back down in to her chair but jumped back up as she heard a click of the door or the study being opened.
Ming walked out with her empty tray and gestured inside the room where Lei could hear her parents' faint voice conversing. "King Nickolai and Queen Kiara request your presence Princess Kalika," she grinned at Kali's frown.
"Ming, you're my friend! Don't call me Princess! It's so stuffy."
"Yes your majesty," Ming said jokingly with a mock curtsy giggling as Kali shoved her gently and watched her scurry down the hall leaving Kali to enter the study alone. She walked in with her head held high not nearly ready to accept either decisions her parent's had presented to her before they had gone to decide which was best for her.
Queen Kiara was standing in front of the window while King Nickolai, Kalika's father, sat in his leather chair behind his desk. Kali tried to act as loft as possible as she approached her parents and noticed how stern both usually merry looking rulers looked. Kalika's face was emotionless as she feared for the worst and gulped waiting for one of her parents to break the awkward silence but neither said a word but waited for the other to start.
"Oh Goddess' sake," Kali muttered under her breath in a light but unmistakable Chisaki accent. "Well?" She broke the silence suddenly unable to stand the suffocating atmosphere any longer. "What is the decree you set before me?" Kali demanded impatiently and folding her arms, prepared for the worst.
Her mother sighed and looked amused which annoyed Kali even more that her mother was entertained at her displeasure. "You act as though you are being sentenced to die my darling daughter!" Her father chuckled softly but tried to turn it into a cough when Kali sent a withering glare his way.
"Well neither of you have experienced betrothal so you have no idea how I feel," Kalika shot back as coldly as she dared, "I might as well be sentenced to death if I am to be betrothed." She faced the wall as she glowed a faint turquoise. It was her magic that glowed when she was particularly angry which she was at that moment. She was angry that she would never get the chance to fall in love if they deemed her to be betrothed to some prince or another. She didn't even really know which prince she was suppose to marry if at all but she detested the horrible idea in any case.
King Nickolai sat up and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his matching turquoise orbs twinkling like the gold crown that gleamed upon his dark brown hair. "Well my little Firebird," he said slowly and carefully, "Since you dislike the idea of betrothal so much even though you don't know to whom you would be engaged to--" he was cut short by Kalika who was practically fuming and whipped around.
"Dislike the idea is an understatement father," she informed, "And what makes you so sure I'd prefer one prince from another? It is the scheme I loathe and you both know it!"
"Calm down Kalika. You haven't heard my offer as of yet. You have been to Shang court for about, five years, correct?" Kali nodded sullenly and wordlessly. "Your cousin, Chisakami, died in that unfortunate earthquake," tears came to Kali's eyes when her father mentioned this. She had been extremely close to Chisakami and was torn when she died. Her father continued, "And your uncle has produced no other daughter to be betrothed so therefore the position moves down to us. You were lucky enough one time since Chisakami actually liked the idea of betrothal."
"She and I always did have different views on that subject," Kalika muttered quietly. "An odd duck she was," she said fondly.
"Now, your sister, Jade, is younger than you so you are the one to be betrothed. Jade isn't nearly as headstrong as you are and wouldn't mind betrothal as much as you do but I can't just hand down the burden to her just like that so I am giving you two choices." Kalika's breath caught in her throat as she waited for the prolonged breath that her father drew would be taken more rapid so he would finish the proposition properly. "Both ways, we must familiarize ourselves with Tortall's kingdom so you may either continue your Shang training our court as you normally do and be betrothed to a noble of Tortall's court or you may resume you training at their court with their Shang masters and you have choice of the man you may marry though you must pick within the year and the betrothal goes to Jade. If you don't then you marry their choice for the treaty." Queen Kiara seemed to be holding her breath as well and looked to a stunned Kalika whose fists were clenched to see how she would react.
Kali gulped and put on her Yamani face, "Is there no other way? Must I leave the islands at all other than to escape betrothal? I think fifteen is a bit too young to be married."
"You must," the queen said softly. "It is your duty. Chisakami is deceased so the duty of the Yamanis goes to you. We may be Chisaki but we are still Yamani." She clasped her ands together and watched her daughter's fair features soften.
Kalika let go her Yamani mask and replaced it with a look of defeat and resolution. "I must do what is best for the Yamani/Chisaki kingdom and do right for my people so we may have this peace through this blasphemous treaty. I will go to Tortall's court and if in a year I haven't found the man I love, I will marry who they think noble." A single tear trickled down her pale cheeks and her mother hugged her. "The Chisaki Kingdom and the Yamani islands depend on me."
"My righteous daughter. My baby," Queen Kiara murmured into Kali's hair. King Nickolai joined the embrace and held back a tear that threatened to shed. He didn't want his little Firebird to marry so soon anymore than she did but the kingdom of Chisaki and the Yamanis Island needed the peace and allies.
"If I am to be betrothed," Kalika inquired, "Who might I be marrying? Prince Roald as Chisakami were to be? I will most likely find another love any how but I am curious."
Her father stepped behind his desk again. "I am not certain. King Jonathan said it might just be his next son or a noble's son of the highest status. You probably won't have to be betrothed anyways my wilful daughter."
Queen Kiara reluctantly let go of her daughter and looked in to her eyes that were bright with tears. "You must leave early tomorrow morning with two serving maids and a Shang warrior to protect you on your journey. We cannot accompany you to Tortall but we will send with you a note to Lord Wyldon, the training master at court."
"May I keep my stature private?" Kali asked, accepting her predicament.
King Nickolai gave her an inquiring look and finally said, "Why would you want to keep it private little Firebird?"
"I dislike people treating me differently and thinking that that I am incompetent because I grew up in the palace. I hate when people call me 'your majesty' or 'your highness,'" she said with a grimace. "I'll show them that I am competent before I reveal myself just as the Lioness had to prove females could be knights."
"Alright," her mother said warily, "But we must inform Lord Wyldon that you are of the royal family for protection and we will warn him in the note that you don't wish it to be made known as of yet."
"I'm sure I'll have enough protection with two Chisaki serving maids and a Shang warrior as a guard," Kalika said smiling, "But, as you say."
"Now go pack," King Nickolai said and watched his daughter fondly as she flounced out of the room to obey.
"Do you think she will be safe there my Lord?" Queen Kiara asked concernedly, her chin quivering.
"Let's hope so and pray to the Chisaki gods. I wonder how far those Chisaki rebels will go..." he trailed off and pulled his wife in to a hug to assure her of Kalika's security though he was not quite certain himself. "I'm sure she will be quite safe with two serving maids who are Shang warriors and the Shang Wolf, Chang, our trusted guard."
The queen brightened at the thought. "Yes, Chang is like family. He would never let anything happen to our little girl. I'm still worried though."
King Nickolai whispered in to his wife's ear, "Since you are this apprehensive, I will send Meredith, her trainer and professor. Okay? Don't worry anymore my darling." Kiara nodded weakly and allowed herself to be ushered out of the chambers and led down to the royal kitchens for some green tea to soothe her nerves.
To be continued in 'The Blossoming Alliance *Part 2*: Sort of Welcome to Court'.....
***
A/N: I told you it was confusing...sort of...I'll explain later. Just PLEASE R/R!!!! Ciao Bellas^_~ Don't forget to tell me if I should make the next part longer cuz I have no problem with that.
Ducks N' Daisies
~Kira Trinity aka Teri Ann
Prologue:
*Part 1*
The Decision for Firebird
A/N: Hey! This is my first TP fan fic so be kind. Neways...I didn't know if people liked long stories or short ones so just tell me in the reviews that I HOPE to get ^^ Er...so basically this is kind of the prologue of the story and it's sort of confusing at the beginning but you'll understand it soon enough. I'm making it sort of complex. Plleeeaasseee review=))
***
'Kalika' is pronounced KAH-lee-kuh that is Greek for "rosebud."
'Kiara' is pronounced KEE-ar -a that is Irish for "dark."
'Nickolai' is pronounced NEK-o-lye that is Slavic for "victorious."
***
Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! The young, dark haired princess wrung her tiny hands in anticipation in her cloth-clad lap and absently listened to the ticking of the clock that made her all the more nervous. Her hands were cold and clammy as she waited for her parents' decision outside of her father's study and she struggled to keep an expressionless face and focussed on looking down at her silk slippers that were upon her feet. The colour drained from her face and she felt someone's hand on her shoulder and she looked up. Her serving maid, and best friend, Ming, was looking down with concern in her bright black eyes.
"Kali?" Ming asked frowning slightly. "Are you alright? You look kind of pale," she said bluntly and placed the tray of tea that she had been balancing on one hand down on the chair next to her friend, Princess Kalika of Sying of the Chisaki Kingdom that bordered the Yamani Islands.
Kali smiled a shaky smile at her worried friend and hoped that her words would come out calm and smooth like any Chisakis' tone should be in such distress. "I'm alright I suppose. I guess I am anxious to hear what mother and father's answer will be."
"Ah," Ming said nodding in comprehension. "I was told to bring this green tea to them right now. They rang up for it a few minutes ago so I must bring it to them now but I will try to overhear some of their conversation for you."
"Thank you," Kalika said sick with worry as beads of sweat formed on her forehead as Ming whisked off the tray pushing open the mahogany door into the study. Her parent's decision could affect her whole life and she was extremely impatient and the suspense was killing her. Pretty soon they were going to call her in to tell her the verdict so she wanted to look her best before the inevitable axe fell so she got up to inspect her appearance in the mirror.
She peered into the ivory-framed mirror to see turquoise, almond-shaped eyes that reached slightly upwards with long, thick black lashes covering them and straight, silky black tresses that reached her waist going past her now pale face that was usually tanned despite the weather. Kalika had gone to her room to place a diamond-studded tiara on her hair to replace the pearl circlet she usually wore since it wasn't as fragile. With lengthy protests she had donned a light blue silk gown that was heavily embroidered with minuscule sapphires and though she enjoyed dressing up, she hardly thought seeing her parents would require her to dress like she was going to a ball. Lei sighed and gracefully sat back down in to her chair but jumped back up as she heard a click of the door or the study being opened.
Ming walked out with her empty tray and gestured inside the room where Lei could hear her parents' faint voice conversing. "King Nickolai and Queen Kiara request your presence Princess Kalika," she grinned at Kali's frown.
"Ming, you're my friend! Don't call me Princess! It's so stuffy."
"Yes your majesty," Ming said jokingly with a mock curtsy giggling as Kali shoved her gently and watched her scurry down the hall leaving Kali to enter the study alone. She walked in with her head held high not nearly ready to accept either decisions her parent's had presented to her before they had gone to decide which was best for her.
Queen Kiara was standing in front of the window while King Nickolai, Kalika's father, sat in his leather chair behind his desk. Kali tried to act as loft as possible as she approached her parents and noticed how stern both usually merry looking rulers looked. Kalika's face was emotionless as she feared for the worst and gulped waiting for one of her parents to break the awkward silence but neither said a word but waited for the other to start.
"Oh Goddess' sake," Kali muttered under her breath in a light but unmistakable Chisaki accent. "Well?" She broke the silence suddenly unable to stand the suffocating atmosphere any longer. "What is the decree you set before me?" Kali demanded impatiently and folding her arms, prepared for the worst.
Her mother sighed and looked amused which annoyed Kali even more that her mother was entertained at her displeasure. "You act as though you are being sentenced to die my darling daughter!" Her father chuckled softly but tried to turn it into a cough when Kali sent a withering glare his way.
"Well neither of you have experienced betrothal so you have no idea how I feel," Kalika shot back as coldly as she dared, "I might as well be sentenced to death if I am to be betrothed." She faced the wall as she glowed a faint turquoise. It was her magic that glowed when she was particularly angry which she was at that moment. She was angry that she would never get the chance to fall in love if they deemed her to be betrothed to some prince or another. She didn't even really know which prince she was suppose to marry if at all but she detested the horrible idea in any case.
King Nickolai sat up and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his matching turquoise orbs twinkling like the gold crown that gleamed upon his dark brown hair. "Well my little Firebird," he said slowly and carefully, "Since you dislike the idea of betrothal so much even though you don't know to whom you would be engaged to--" he was cut short by Kalika who was practically fuming and whipped around.
"Dislike the idea is an understatement father," she informed, "And what makes you so sure I'd prefer one prince from another? It is the scheme I loathe and you both know it!"
"Calm down Kalika. You haven't heard my offer as of yet. You have been to Shang court for about, five years, correct?" Kali nodded sullenly and wordlessly. "Your cousin, Chisakami, died in that unfortunate earthquake," tears came to Kali's eyes when her father mentioned this. She had been extremely close to Chisakami and was torn when she died. Her father continued, "And your uncle has produced no other daughter to be betrothed so therefore the position moves down to us. You were lucky enough one time since Chisakami actually liked the idea of betrothal."
"She and I always did have different views on that subject," Kalika muttered quietly. "An odd duck she was," she said fondly.
"Now, your sister, Jade, is younger than you so you are the one to be betrothed. Jade isn't nearly as headstrong as you are and wouldn't mind betrothal as much as you do but I can't just hand down the burden to her just like that so I am giving you two choices." Kalika's breath caught in her throat as she waited for the prolonged breath that her father drew would be taken more rapid so he would finish the proposition properly. "Both ways, we must familiarize ourselves with Tortall's kingdom so you may either continue your Shang training our court as you normally do and be betrothed to a noble of Tortall's court or you may resume you training at their court with their Shang masters and you have choice of the man you may marry though you must pick within the year and the betrothal goes to Jade. If you don't then you marry their choice for the treaty." Queen Kiara seemed to be holding her breath as well and looked to a stunned Kalika whose fists were clenched to see how she would react.
Kali gulped and put on her Yamani face, "Is there no other way? Must I leave the islands at all other than to escape betrothal? I think fifteen is a bit too young to be married."
"You must," the queen said softly. "It is your duty. Chisakami is deceased so the duty of the Yamanis goes to you. We may be Chisaki but we are still Yamani." She clasped her ands together and watched her daughter's fair features soften.
Kalika let go her Yamani mask and replaced it with a look of defeat and resolution. "I must do what is best for the Yamani/Chisaki kingdom and do right for my people so we may have this peace through this blasphemous treaty. I will go to Tortall's court and if in a year I haven't found the man I love, I will marry who they think noble." A single tear trickled down her pale cheeks and her mother hugged her. "The Chisaki Kingdom and the Yamani islands depend on me."
"My righteous daughter. My baby," Queen Kiara murmured into Kali's hair. King Nickolai joined the embrace and held back a tear that threatened to shed. He didn't want his little Firebird to marry so soon anymore than she did but the kingdom of Chisaki and the Yamanis Island needed the peace and allies.
"If I am to be betrothed," Kalika inquired, "Who might I be marrying? Prince Roald as Chisakami were to be? I will most likely find another love any how but I am curious."
Her father stepped behind his desk again. "I am not certain. King Jonathan said it might just be his next son or a noble's son of the highest status. You probably won't have to be betrothed anyways my wilful daughter."
Queen Kiara reluctantly let go of her daughter and looked in to her eyes that were bright with tears. "You must leave early tomorrow morning with two serving maids and a Shang warrior to protect you on your journey. We cannot accompany you to Tortall but we will send with you a note to Lord Wyldon, the training master at court."
"May I keep my stature private?" Kali asked, accepting her predicament.
King Nickolai gave her an inquiring look and finally said, "Why would you want to keep it private little Firebird?"
"I dislike people treating me differently and thinking that that I am incompetent because I grew up in the palace. I hate when people call me 'your majesty' or 'your highness,'" she said with a grimace. "I'll show them that I am competent before I reveal myself just as the Lioness had to prove females could be knights."
"Alright," her mother said warily, "But we must inform Lord Wyldon that you are of the royal family for protection and we will warn him in the note that you don't wish it to be made known as of yet."
"I'm sure I'll have enough protection with two Chisaki serving maids and a Shang warrior as a guard," Kalika said smiling, "But, as you say."
"Now go pack," King Nickolai said and watched his daughter fondly as she flounced out of the room to obey.
"Do you think she will be safe there my Lord?" Queen Kiara asked concernedly, her chin quivering.
"Let's hope so and pray to the Chisaki gods. I wonder how far those Chisaki rebels will go..." he trailed off and pulled his wife in to a hug to assure her of Kalika's security though he was not quite certain himself. "I'm sure she will be quite safe with two serving maids who are Shang warriors and the Shang Wolf, Chang, our trusted guard."
The queen brightened at the thought. "Yes, Chang is like family. He would never let anything happen to our little girl. I'm still worried though."
King Nickolai whispered in to his wife's ear, "Since you are this apprehensive, I will send Meredith, her trainer and professor. Okay? Don't worry anymore my darling." Kiara nodded weakly and allowed herself to be ushered out of the chambers and led down to the royal kitchens for some green tea to soothe her nerves.
To be continued in 'The Blossoming Alliance *Part 2*: Sort of Welcome to Court'.....
***
A/N: I told you it was confusing...sort of...I'll explain later. Just PLEASE R/R!!!! Ciao Bellas^_~ Don't forget to tell me if I should make the next part longer cuz I have no problem with that.
Ducks N' Daisies
~Kira Trinity aka Teri Ann