Oh God, how long has it been? *blush* A lo-o-ong time. I'm so sorry - but since I didn't get many reviews that were simply begging me to continue, I assumed you were all bored with this amazing tale concocted by yours truly. *grinz*
A few things first, ok?
Firstly, I dunno if you know, but I've closed down my 2nd Tortall-themed website - the Horse Lords' Realm. It's main page (www.expage.com/horselords) has been cleaned out and gives directions to a new site (I'll talk about that later) but if you know the addies for the other pages in the site, use them. Those pages (including my extensive library of Things TP's Characters Would *Never* Say') are still there!
Now, about that *other* site. It's Tortall-themed, yes, but it's not your average TP-fansite. It's dedicated (and I mean DEDICATED) to TP-fanfiction. You know the Fantasy Fights? Well, this is the TP-fanfic Fights (lol). At the moment, I have 2 fanfics running in the competition - but I need more votes! Please, go explore my site, and contribute (there's a pretty nifty award-banner to win, if I do say so myself - uh, yeah, I do...). The addy is: http://dedicated.to/TPfanfic or, if that doesn't work - http://www.angelfire.com/darkside/colangel/tortall/index.html
Ummm...I just realized that this is gonna be a very chaptered' fanfic. And (someone mentioned this, I think, but I don't remember if I commented on it) Valentina does have HIV. But it's not super-speed. It's...er...remember how Valentina was working in the Silver Temple *way* before Daine came? Well, she could have gotten the disease back then.
I've tried to make the paragraphs a bit clearer - see what you think of them, and if they work out, I'll use them, K?
Another random thought of mine: do you think this could become the Daine Mini-series'? I've read the Alanna one - it's very good. *sigh* I wish I could write half as well...ok, ok, I'm probably fishing for compliments now, so I'll shut up.
Happy reading!
Giovanna xoxo


ÒBTÞ

Part XIII


Daine grabbed the first chance she had to be alone with Valentina.

Valentina My Valentine had been a friend ever since Damara had picked Daine up from the streets. Although she was normally aloof and collected and...mature, Daine had always found a warm and caring soul in her. Besides, Daine hadn't made outside' friends easily - in general, people tended to stay away from courtesans. And now, seeing Valentina so pale and shaken in her bed...Daine felt as if something inside of her was dying.

Must you build such a fire? Valentina complained, twisting in the bed so she could arrange her pillows. These blankets are already thick enough.

Gemma says we're going to use the old-fashioned way - sweating the fever out, replied Daine, getting off her knees and going to the bed, so she could sit down. And you've got to sweat if you want to sweat it out, you know.

Valentina didn't meet Daine's gaze. She looked at the fire, hands twisting the blankets. she then said softly. Am I going to die?

Daine felt tears well up in her eyes. Her voice as soft as Valentina's, she answered, I don't know.

Still studying the fire and its bright and merry flames, Valentina smiled darkly. It's not fair.

What's not fair?

That less cared-for and more worked courtesans live long and healthily. And I? I am a first-class entertainer. I take care of myself - of my body and mind - very well. I please many, and get pleasured in return. And what do I get?

Daine was spared having to answer, as at that moment, Damara and Gemma bustled in. Both women had their hair tied back and both wore simple - but hardy - garments.

began Damara, you should leave.

demanded Daine, grabbing Valentina's hand and grasping it tightly. She felt her friend cling to her. I can't leave - she's my friend and -

Friendship isn't going to save her, interrupted Gemma in a harsh voice. Then, seeing how she wounded Daine, she smiled gently. The healing magic we'll use is powerful, and the patient usually...take my advice, Daine, and go.

The young woman was still determined to stay. Then she felt Valentina tap her.

Daine, go, the icy-blonde whispered. You don't want to stay here.

But...I'm your friend...I can't leave you here without support!

I have your support, Valentina murmured, grinning slightly. Give me a kiss and go. Don't bother praying to the gods - they're much to busy to care about a courtesan. But send me your luck.

But -

Valentina's eyes hardened.

Daine swallowed and nodded. She kissed her friend softly on the cheek, whispered Goddess bless' and strode out, heart beating furiously. Then she closed the door and ran to her room, where she collapsed on her bed.





She didn't know how long she had stayed there, eyes closed in a type of stupor. But when she woke up, she knew something was terribly wrong.

With a gasp, Daine sat up, breathing hard. Then she stopped, wanting to hear something.

she muttered, when only muffled yells met her not-so-acute human ears. Daine knew what she had to do. She had done it to her eyes before, so changing her ears shouldn't be so difficult.

That was an accident, a voice in her head informed her. Angrily, she shook it away.

It wasn't, she thought back. I did it before - and I'll do it again.
But before she could start, she had to calm down. Attempting a partial-shapeshift took concentration, something she did not have at the moment.

That's fine. I'll just have to meditate in a flash. Daine sat on the floor, crossed her legs and let her hands rest loosely on her thighs, then began to breathe in and out in a regular pattern.

In, out. In, out. Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe...breathe...bre... The rhythm lost itself in her calmness.

Now...I have...to find...a...cat... came the sigh in her mind. She didn't have to look far - Annicka, her kitten, was sunning herself in the Temple's courtyard.

Annicka she called softly. Instantly, the cat was alert.

- Daine? Is anything wrong? -

Let me into your mind. I need your ears, please.

- Why? -

Valentina is sick, and they're trying to heal her. I want to hear what's going on. Please, Annicka, help me!

All right, the kitten said; Daine felt the kitten's willingness to help her mingle with her magic. Carefully - as she was still a novice at this - she merged her mind into Annicka's. It happened so slowly that she didn't notice the change at first - but then chants and incantations rang in her very sensitive ears. Daine flattened them.

Am I in?

-Yes. You're getting better at this. Now shape your ears and go eavesdropping. The clouds are coming and I want to get some sun. -

Holding back a laugh, Daine focused on her magic and Annicka's ears. Then, instinctively knowing she had succeeded, she opened her eyes and reached to feel her ears. They were now pointed, fuzzy, and black. The noises were sharper, too.

Fighting down a mixture of pride and worry, Daine crept down the stairs and tiptoed to the door of the room in which Valentina was in. Silently, praying to any gods that were listening, she pressed one of her new ears to the door - a very thick door - and listened.

...they shall cast out demons, and they shall speak in new tongues... That was Gemma, chanting a healing spell. Daine noticed how her voice was cracking. ...lay hands upon the sick, and they shall recover. In the name of the Mother, so mote it be!

There was a short silence. Daine waited with bated breath - then squeezed her eyes shut to prevent tears when she heard Damara's muffled curse.

Great Mother, I implore you, heal this woman of her illness! cried Gemma. Rid her body of the deadly disease that is killing her - purify your child, give her strength -

Don't do it! Gemma! You have not the power! That was Damara, her yell full of fear. It is not your Gift to do that!

There is no other - hold her down!

Some sounds of struggling, yells, curses, and cries then issued from the room. Another brief silence followed, in which Daine lost her endurance to simply listen, and ran in.

Damara's startled eyes met hers, then moved away. Gemma, shaking slightly, had placed her hands on Valentina's head and was now attempting to get the woman to snap out of a faint. Valentina herself lay limp and white, her eyes open, wide and blank, in the bed, covered with a fine sheen of sweat.

Daine stumbled to the bed, hoping it wasn't true. She looked at Gemma, hoping it wasn't true - that hope died when Gemma moved gentle hands down and closed Valentina's eyes.
Sleep well, Valentina.





The rest of the day seemed to drag on. As long as it may have been, Daine didn't really remember it clearly. All she remembered was that she had collapsed on the floor, tears rolling down her cheeks - then she had nearly fainted; coping with the loss of a friend while trying to regain true human form wasn't a good mixture.

A weeping Damara had helped her to the kitchen, where she made her adopted daughter a calming drink, as Daine was crossing the border and entering the land of hysteria. Then they had sat there for an hour, staring at nothing, before Gemma came to them and informed them that Valentina had been taken away.

To be burned? Daine then screamed, jumping up from her chair so violently that it tipped back. They're going to burn her?

Gemma reached for a cup of the calming tea and swallowed it all down. she replied quietly, wiping her mouth. I don't want to take the risk of her disease being spread.

That's right, muttered Daine, glaring at the healer. You couldn't heal her disease! Why? Why - oh gods, why! She started crying again. You're a healer - you were supposed to make her better! And you! she snarled, turning to a stunned Damara. You are no better than this so-called healer!

Daine! I -

I heard what you said! Daine yelled, interrupting her foster mother. You stopped Gemma in the middle of an incantation - a spell that could have spared Valentina's life! But you stopped her! You let Valentina die!

The next thing she knew was that she was being pushed into a chair. A stronger dose of that calming drink was made and promptly force-fed to her; Daine shook her head, eyes alight with fury and grief, and tried to refuse the mixture - but Gemma was relentless. Daine was soon under control again.

Daine, as to why Damara stopped me - I was invoking the Mother Herself, whispered Gemma, squatting in front of the courtesan. I don't have that talent - and mages who attempt things they don't have talent for often end up in nasty situations. Damara knew that - so do I, but I forgot. Daine, please understand; we combined our magic, but Valentina was beyond help. That disease... She shook her head, lips in a thin line. Then she continued in a soft voice, That sickness takes away your natural immunity - and trying to get rid of it just makes it stronger. Perhaps with a stronger healer, or one gifted with invoking the Mother, Valentina would have made it. But I am just a city hedge-witch, just like Damara.

Daine was instantly filled with guilt. Blushing, she looked at the floor. I'm sorry, she whispered. I just got carried away. I - I know it's not your fault.

Gemma patted her shoulder and stood. Perhaps you should go to sleep. It's almost evening.

Startled, Daine looked at Damara, who gazed back with sad eyes.

Gods bless it! she muttered, rubbing her eyes. I'm working tonight and -

Perhaps you should take the night off.

Daine fought down tears. I - I can't. Taking time off will give me thinking time - time which I don't want right now. I need to...work. I have to keep busy, otherwise... she trailed off, shaking her head. Then she shook Gemma's hand. Thank you, Gemma, for trying. Gods all bless. With that, she went to her room slowly, mind unwillingly set to tonight's wardrobe.¤