Torn From
Hope
Chapter Five: Ozorne's Return
by starzsong magick
A/N: This one's a little boring. It seemed like
a good idea at first, but after I started typing it it began to
sound boring. I don't want to cut it though, because if I do, the
rest of the story is confusing.
Chapter Six might
not be out for a week or so because I think it'll be the most
boring chapter by far, and it takes me forever to write boring
things. Like for school. Ugh. I've got chapter seven or eight
(can't remember which) written though. It made me despressed for
the rest of the day, even though it has a (sorta) happy ending
(just an innocent forewarning! hehe)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters
below, except for the weather-mage boy Peseli, and the Mithran
priestie guy. All is copyright of Tamora Pierce! Plot is mine
though; don't you dare steal it! :)
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That night, Daine dreamed of
Tortall. There was a funeral going on; she couldn't tell whose it
was, as the words spoken were unclear. She woke once, looked
around, sighed, and went back to a fitful sleep. When morning
came, she was relieved. The night had been pure torture, what
with her being in an island, which could be home to all kinds of
animals who would gladly feast on her, for all she knew. And,
maybe she would find Peseli today.
As she sat up, her stomach growled with hunger. Daine realized
that she hadn't eaten since before the ship sank, and they was at
least a good two days ago. She had no clue how long she'd been
unconscious, so it could be more.
Slowly, her still-weak muscles protesting all the way, she made
her way into the palm forest to find food. There didn't seem to
be any berry bushes, or fruit trees. Odd, she thought, and
continued on.
Daine passed a large, looming oak tree and, looking at the
ground, jumped with surprise. There was an indented trail in the
dirt below, much like a human body being dragged.
"Peseli?" she called cautiously into the trees. No
answer came. She bent and collected several large stones and
sticks. If some animal had taken the weather-mage as food, then
she had better be armed.
Stealily she followed the path, which ended by a small, but deep
pond. It appeared as if it had been dragged into the water. Daine
considered her choices, and decided to go down under. He might
not be alive, but at least she'd know what got him so she'd know
what to look for later on.
Stepping into the pond, she closed her eyes and thought of the
small, two-foot shark-fish that inhabited oceans in the south.
This water seemed salty, so she figured it would be safe, and
plus, preying sea creatures would probably stay away from her.
Her body shifted, and she shrank down into the water in the form
of the fish. She waved her tail fin lightly and it sent her off,
down into the murky depths.
It was much deeper than she'd thought. Her maximum guess had been
about twenty feet; already she was about thirty feet under, with
yet more water below.
Daine sank down until one of her fins hit a clump of seaweed,
then another. She was at the bottom, but there was nothing except
plants and a few trout. Looking around, she saw a round opening
on the slope of the pond's floor. It looked like a tunnel, of
sorts, and decided to see where it led, not thinking of the
consequences.
A few moments later it opened into a small little chamber. For
some odd reason, there was light in it. Daine looked around, but
the light seemed to just be there, an aberrant floating fog.
Without warning, it began to pulse and shift. Daine backed up
into the passage as the light swirled around, then collected
together to form a glowing—
Ozorne! she thought. The mass of light now was in the shape of
the emperor she'd killed, Ozorne of Carthak. The fog grinned, but
it seemed different. Something was missing. Then she noticed. His
dignity and aloofness that she'd thought had been never-ending
had died out, but he was still in several ways the same he had
been in life: evil.
There was a bright, blinding flash, then Daine was back on the
beach again. The shimmering mass that was Ozorne stood beside
her.
"Well, well, well..." he drawled. "I never thought
I'd see you like this. And here, of all
places." Ozorne grinned. "Or maybe I did. Maybe a
special someone has a plan for you." He reached out a
transparent finger to Daine; she jumped back, a look of horror on
her face.
"I killed you." she whispered, glaring at him. "Go
back to the Black God's realm."
"I don't have to. I'm one of the lucky people — or
Stormwings — who became a ghost." The man sneered.
"I can go wherever I please.
"Now, on to business." The ghost clasped his hands
together. "I've been called on, and sent, to tell you
that—" He suddenly let out a high, gleeful laugh.
"That your death is drawing near. The storm that sank your
ship? That was on purpose. You, on this island? That was on
purpose also. Indeed, for you are but a pawn for a quest of a
friend of mine. He's accomplishing something that was one of my
later goals in life, until it was cut short."
Ozorne glared at her.
Daine ignored him. "Where's Peseli?"
"Peseli?" He seemed momentarily confused. "You
little weather-mage? He was also a pawn. He's been disposed
of."
She stared, anger welling up inside. "You killed a harmless
boy?" she asked, incredulous.
"It was necessary."
Daine seethed. There was nothing she could do now, though.
"And why are you telling me all this?" she asked.
"It's part of a plan." was the reply.
"WHAT PLAN?!"
"A plan for something I cannot say."
She stood, shaking with anger. With a yell, she threw a punch at
the ghost; it went right through him.
Ozorne appeared overjoyed. "I cannot harm you. You cannot
harm me. And... I must leave. Farewell."
With yet another grin, he disappeared in a small explosion of
light. Daine shielded her eyes with a hand, and when he was gone,
put it back down. She was a pawn in a plan? For what? He was
probably lying, or trying to worry her to death. The storm was
just a coincidence. How stupid of her to believe him.
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