Hey peeps!
Sorry I've spent such a long time with this chapter - I turned 14 on Thursday 18, and I've been busy with an RPG, and I had to write a stupid 3-page long thesis on Did Africa Benefit from Livingstone's Explorations?' *smiles innocently* I, of course, wrote alot of BS, but oh well...
I can't believe I'm FOURTEEN!
I still feel 13, though.
I was really surprised by your reactions to the last chapter, so I decided to leave it like that. I love Ozorne. Don't you? *smiles all around* I love Linkin Park. Don't you? I love dirty socks - ooops, scratch that. *whistles*
Oh, one last thing: go to my gods-cursed site and VOTE!!! I have a new fic up there! VOTE!!! VOOOOOOOOOOOOOTE!!!!! http://devoted.to/TPfanfic VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTE!!! Otherwise, no more chapters for THIS story.
Yeah, you heard me. No vote, no story.
Ah, blackmail is such a beautiful thing.
Happy reading!
Giovanna xoxo
.ÞC•ú .ÞC•ú
Part 15
He was still as large and powerfully built as the last time she had seen him. Thick fur and a musty stench confirmed who this was.
she cried, running up to him - or, at least, trying to. Sore muscles brought her to a rapid stop. she called. It is really you?
The Badger waddled up to her, his fur upright with rage. Stupid kit! he snarled, glaring at her with intelligent eyes. I warned you to watch your tongue!
But I - Daine wasn't able to finish her protest, as the Badger swiped her down with one gesture.
Don't talk back! he snapped, digging claws into her shoulders. I warned you to be careful! I warned you! Moreover, that teacher of yours warned you! Daine, I'm surprised - I had thought you were more intelligent than this!
Daine broke down, sobbing. I don't know why he hit me! I don't! That man wants to know everything about me - and I know my rights!
He's an emperor. You're a prostitute.
That hurt. Daine glared at her benefactor. Don't lecture me, she snapped, not caring if she was going to be hit again. It's not like you visited me in the past few years! Oh, no. You leave me to stumble along in my magic - magic that I never asked for! I don't want it, Badger! I don't!
To her surprise, the Badger didn't hurt her. Instead, he sighed and helped Daine to a sitting position, then stuck his wet nose in the base of her neck. I'm sorry, kit, he mumbled, sounding abashed. It's just that I'm worried about you - that's twice that man has hurt you.
Daine buried her face in the god's thick fur. I know, she whispered. It doesn't seem as if he wants to hurt me...but... She sighed, shaking her head. I'm so confused. I don't know how to handle all of this.
All of what?
Valentina's death, Ozorne's jealousy. My magic. The fact that the only man who really knows what it's about is on the other side of the continent, fighting a stupid war against some stupid enemy and - Daine cut herself off, aghast. When had she become so bitter? she asked.
Why haven't you visited me all these years?
Because -
The next thing that registered to Daine was something shaking her. Hard. Instead of responding, she moaned and rolled to her side, ignoring the painful protests her muscles fed her.
...cold meat...
...some clothes...clean...blood...
cried Damara, very close to her ear. Daine, child, wake up!
Daine tried to open her eyes. Slowly - very slowly - they obeyed. Then she tried to make her body move into a seating position. What's wrong? she rasped, meeting the shocked looks of Pichi the Kisser and Damara.
whispered Pichi, looking as if she was about to be sick.
Daine snapped, getting irritated.
Daine...what happened? Damara demanded, pulling her out of the bed and leading her to the mirror, where Daine saw a bruised and bloody face staring back at her.
Oh goddess! she cried.
Daine, what happened?
stammered Daine, too obsorbed in staring at her wounded face. He hit me! She whirled and buried her face into Damara's neck, beginning to cry with the delayed shock. Ozorne - he hit me!
Damara hugged her, carefully as Daine whimpered from the pain. Let's get you cleaned up, she said softly, leading her foster daughter out of the room.
Imperial Majesty?
Ozorne, sitting hunched over, head in hands, muttered, What is it, Marcus?
The thin man looked around nervously. Imperial Majesty, is anything wrong?
Yes Ozorne thought angrily. I'm bored. I attacked a woman...and I want to go home. Instead of voicing his thoughts to the spy, he turned and regarded Marcus carefully. When is the soonest we can return to Carthak?
Marcus looked taken aback. Our work here is finished?
Yes. Remember, we only came to make sure that nobody found out that we created the magical disease. Ozorne turned to the window and observed the activity outside. Tell Chioké to contact our ship at the harbor in Scanra. Find the King, or his duke, and inform either one that we are leaving at the soonest date possible.
Bowing, Marcus went to the door and opened it. Imperial Majesty.
Daine looked at the letter in her hands. It was still unopened - the seal, intact, was a grand one, portraying a crossed wand and sword, wrapped in a jagged circle. She frowned, feeling that she had seen that mark somewhere.
Who's it from? Damara asked, concentrating on placing her fingers on the most tender places on Daine's face, her Gift sparkling on her fingers as she worked at fading the bruises out.
I don't know, replied Daine, fingering the embossed wax. She was trying to remember where she had seen the seal before...
Why don't you open it? Damara suggested dryly. That's the best way of finding out.
Daine stuck her tongue out at her foster mother before breaking the seal and unfolding the letter. It read:
Veralidaine Sarrasri,
You are to present yourself before His Imperial Majesty, Ozorne Muhassin Tasikhe, at one hour past the midday bell, at the palace. Dress appropriately.
Marcus Sarumgatty
Imperial Ward
Now she remembered where she had seen the seal. Ozorne had a golden ring with it's likeness on his fourth finger. Daine felt ill.
asked Daine, startled.
What does it say.
Frightened, Daine pushed Damara's gentle fingers away and got up. I'm to go to the palace at one after the midday bell. She glanced at the letter, frowning. It's a fair rude letter. I am to present myself' - hasn't - she paused so she could find the name of the writer, - Marus Sarumgatty learned of the word please'? It's like I'm a -
Damara shook her head, smiling sadly. What're you going to do?
What can I do? Ozorne's an emperor! They'll probably kill me if I don't obey, snapped Daine.
So you're going?
Daine nodded, then squeaked with surprise when Damara swept her into a tight hug. Be careful, Damara whispered. Be very careful!
I will.
Sargeant Danielson leaned against the gate, chewing idly on his lower lip. He was partly listening to the talk of two of his fellow soldiers, partly spacing out. But he snapped out of his daydreaming when Osmond demanded in a joking voice,
What have we here?
Eh? What? Danielson straightened and looked to where Osmond was pointing at. It was a young woman, slender, of medium height, with lazy brown curls which tumbled down her back and blue-gray eyes. Her face, although determined, was mottled with bruises.
Good afternoon, she said when she was close enough to be heard. I'm here to see the Emperor of Carthak.
Danielson, Osmond, and Richardson, the third gatekeeper, burst out laughing.
I don't see anything funny about it, the girl said dryly. Look, I even have an official summons. She pulled out a letter from her pocket and handed it to Richardson, who promptly read it and examined the seal.
It's genuine alright, he concluded, handing it to Danielson. What does His Imperial Majesty want to do with a lass like you?
The girl raised an eyebrow. That is between Ozorne and me.
Osmond sniggered. I know your face - aren't you that wench from the Silver Temple? Daine?
The girl rolled her eyes. My reputation proceeds me, I guess.
So you are?
Daine shot him a scathing look. Yes, I am. Happy?
Osmond and Richardson exchanged glances. Why would the emperor want to see you? Are you here to -
I have absolutely no idea what he wants of me, Daine interrupted, feeling the heat rise in her face. But I will be sure to tell him that three lowly gatekeepers harassed a woman who makes more money then them in a year and made snide remarks against his imperialness. But then again, you could always let me in.
Seeing that his two friends were going to get violent, Danielson stepped between them. I'm terribly sorry, lass. I don't know what's gotten into my friends. Here, come in. Smiling apologetically, he drew the bolt and heaved the gates open.
Grinning, Daine stepped up to him so that they were almost chest-to-chest. She extended her hand in a low altitude, squeezed gently to show her thanks, then asked sweetly,
My letter?
Danielson was too stunned to do anything but hand it to her.
Imperial Majesty, she is here.
Ozorne, sprawled on an armchair with a book, grunted. Show her in, Marcus.
The spy left, then returned a moment later, Daine following him. Then Marcus left them in privacy.
Ozorne didn't want to look up from his book, afraid of seeing the art he had left on Daine's face the night before. But he had to do it. Slowly, deliberately, he closed his book, placed it on the table, only then lifting his eyes to her face. She had one black eye and several other black marks on her cheeks.
He suddenly felt very embarrassed.
Calm down he yelled at himself, cross. You're an emperor - she's a slut...a very beautiful...talented...wonderful slut who likes to - He shook his head to clear his thoughts, then stood up.
I'm glad you came, he said quietly.
Daine seemed fascinated with the carpet. Your ward requested me to come, on your behalf. So I came. Now, why am I here?
Ozorne felt the urge to throtle the girl rise up again. Can't she keep a civil tongue in her head? Well - she will, once I...
I'm leaving Cría in the morning, he told her. Daine, startled, met his eyes, not sure if this was good or bad news. My buisness here is finished, and I leave for my ship, in Scanra, tomorrow.
There was a pause. Daine braced herself, knowing that wasn't why Ozorne had told her to come.
Would you like some tea?
Daine nearly squeaked with surprise. she stammered, not sure she had heard correctly. Ozorne nodded. Yes, thank you.
The emperor lead her to another room, where a small table was laid out, boasting fruits, pasteries, and drinks. Slightly suspicious, Daine accepted the offered chair.
Where's the tea? she asked, noticing that there was only some juice and alcoholic drinks.
Ozorne, who was making himself comfortable, smiled slightly. Did I say tea? I meant to ask if you'd like a small snack. Of course, if you'd like some tea -
No, no, it's alright, Daine replied hurriedly. She cut herself a slice of pie and began to eat it, asking herself what was going on.
After they'd been eating in silence for about ten minutes, Ozorne poured two glasses of red wine and gave one to her.
I want you to return to Carthak with me.
Daine froze; an uneaten fruit fell from numb fingers.
Ozorne's smile was slightly cruel. Did I say I want'? I meant: you are coming to Carthak with me.
Frightened and confused, Daine took her wine and gulped it all down. Why...why are you doing this? she whispered.
I like you, Daine, Ozorne instantly replied. True, you may have a viper for a tongue, but we can cure you of that. What really matters is that you are a beautiful young woman with extraordinary talents. Not many of your complexion and appearance can be found in Carthak, and I'm sick and tired of my native women. I want you.
Blinking furiously, Daine shook her head. That simple movement was hard. You can't do this, she said - why did she sound so drunk? I've drunk more alcohol than this before - and besides, this wine's so weak! What's wrong with me?
Oh, but my dear, I can. Ozorne leaned forward and snatched her wrist, placing hard fingers on her pulse. She tried to squirm away, but couldn't. You can't fight me, he said frankly, smiling up at Daine. I'm surprised you're still awake after all that dreamrose I dumped in your wine. But I can wait. I have time.
Dreamrose? Daine wondered sleepily, knowing that she should be outraged. But even registering anger was too much work at the moment. she mumbled, fighting to keep her eyes open. Not right...Annicka...please...
Not right? echoed Ozorne. He laughed, then moved up to her and picked her up, cradling her like a baby in his arms. Daine, I'm not concerned with ethics. When I want something, I get it. Always.
Her vision was going gray. Before totally losing consciousness, she thought You warned me, Numair...
She must have said something outloud, as Ozorne's face tightened. But she didn't care. She was already numb in her drug-induced sleep.
Yeah, yeah, the part when Ozorne drugs Daine is based on EM. And it's dreamrose, right? Wakeflower's for waking up the dead - er, I meant...well, never mind.
VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTE!!!!!!