Warrior Princess by Daine
Author's Note: in this chapter, Princess Kathryn starts being called Cat, mostly because it is her disguise name and also because typing Princess Kathryn over and over gets really annoying. ;) Thanks to all the nice people out there who reviewed. You people are cool by definition!
Warrior Princess Chapter 2: Escapee and the Emperor
As the sun finally set and the sky grew dark, Cat let her tears flow freely. Dimitri cried also, but only because he was scared of being on such a fast moving animal, he didn't understand why they were leaving home, and he didn't understand why she was crying. Cat stopped the mare when she saw a tiny, deserted farmhouse and stole a pair of women's breeches, boots, shirt, and vest to change into. She also took food, a blanket, and a rope just in case. Feeling bad, she left one of her earrings to pay for what she took. She hid her old clothes and most of the jewelry in a sack and hid that under a loose floorboard, planning to retrieve it later. Then she led the exhausted mare into the woods behind the house, close enough that they could see the road but far enough away that no one on the road could see them. She set up a pathetic camp for her and Dimitri, taking the four of them to the creek for water. Once Shadowdancer was securely tied down, and they were all fed, Cat let herself fall asleep between the exhausted Great Dane and the little Prince. The next morning, Cat woke and got everything together. After everything was packed up, she woke her three companions and allowed herself, Dimitri, and Shadowdancer and apple. She gave Harlem a chicken leg to hold his appetite. Still tired, Cat led Shadowdancer (whose passengers included Dimitri and all of their supplies) and Harlem walked beside them, tail drooping in exhaust. "Poor thing," Cat whispered. She rubbed his ears. "We won't run like that anymore unless we need to," she promised him. Being the faithful friend that he was, he wagged his tail and wiped her hand with his huge tongue in reassurance. When Dimitri showed signs of needing a nap in the afternoon, Cat constructed a sort of sling out of the blanket and put him in it, mounting the mare. She cradled him with one arm and with the other held the reins. When, around 3 o'clock, they arrived at a small trading fair, Cat bought some meat, a cloak, and asked for directions to Carthak. The way she figured it, Carthak was crowded enough to hide them for at least a short while, and if she got really desperate, she could go to Emperor Kaddar for help. She had 17 miles to go before she reached the ferry connecting to Carthak. For unknown reasons, the maid had left a sackful of gold coins in her dress, which she discovered as she changed from Princess to commoner. They would take care of a few trips across the ferry plus extra. They took back roads, or, if none were present, rode through the woods, until they reached the ferry. Cat was ever fearing of any men that resembled Graspiran soldiers, and was always looking behind her. Crossing the ferry was no trouble at all, although the captain of the boat gave her a strange look, seeing her mixed herd. Women saw her and whispered, things like: "She must be a prostitute- look at her, a baby and a cloak to hide her ugly, shameful face." Cat wanted to laugh, although not many things had been joyous lately, because if the women only knew who they were talking about- Princess Kathryn- they would not be saying the things they were. When they arrived to shore, Cat led Shadowdancer and Harlem into the city, Dimitri placed on her hip. She watched many different things and people, hidden by her dark cloak. After only an hour of being in Carthak, Cat noticed that many of the city's guards were acting suspicious of her. "Are these your animals?" a guard asked her rudely. She nodded, and suddenly three other guards sprang out and tackled her. After a brief struggle, each guard had somebody- Cat, Dimitri, Harlem, and Shadowdancer. The one who held Cat handled her roughly as she tried to get to her brother. "What, a lowly prostitute like you, owning such fine animals?" The guard sneered. "Not even the Emperor himself has anything like this." The guards hauled them to the castle, and on the way to the dungeons, they passed Emperor Kaddar himself, who seemed to be arguing with the same messenger boy that had asked him to leave the Ball early. "Good afternoon, Anton," he said pleasantly, ignoring the messenger and greeting the guard that held Cat. "What do we have here?" he asked. "Just some prostitute who stole some animals from a noble somewhere," Anton answered. Seeing Cat struggle for her brother, the Emperor told the guards to let her hold him. "This dog. looks familiar." The Emperor commented. "Very familiar. Where did you take this animal from, woman?" he asked her, although not unkindly. Cat gritted her teeth. "He is mine," she said clearly, angry and glad that her face was hidden from him. The guard containing her forced her to the ground. "Do not speak to the Emperor in this manner! Kiss his robes, and the best you can hope for is the death sentence!" he snapped. Angry tears streaming down her face for the second time, she did as she was told. When she finished (which didn't take long) the Emperor gave her an order. "Raise your hood, woman." He said, sounding almost curious. When Cat paused, he continued. "If what you say is true, and the animals are yours, let me see your face. You will go unpunished." Slowly, wondering if this was really safe, Cat pulled off her hood. Upon seeing her face, the Emperor gasped and ordered the guards to let her and her comrades go. "Retreat to the doors," he ordered. As soon as they were out of hearing range, the Emperor leaned in to her. "Princess Kathryn?" he asked, aghast. "But I thought everyone at the ball was." he trailed off. Cat turned her head away in emotion. "They were. I got lucky." Her voice was harsh, but her tone changed. "Please, Emperor Kaddar, please. don't tell anyone I've alive. If word gets out that you know where I am." Cat decided to let him figure out the rest. Kaddar nodded. "Of course. So you are in hiding now?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper. Cat nodded, shifting Dimitri to the other arm. Just now noticing him, Kaddar smiled softly and offered to take the Prince. Relieved, Cat handed him over to the Emperor. "You managed to save him?" he asked. Cat nodded. "I don't know how I'm going to keep moving around like this with such a small child," she sighed, stroking his cheek with a finger as he fell asleep in the Emperor's arms. "You could stay here," The Emperor suggested, an almost hopeful note in his voice. "It would be much safer to move around. if there's rumor I'm in Carthak, I'll just go to Tortall. If I stay in Carthak, and there's rumor I'm in Carthak. how long until they find me?" she said. Kaddar nodded; it made sense. "Could you possibly. do me a favor?" Cat asked, getting teary- eyed as she watched her brother sleep. The Emperor nodded. "Could you. find someone to care for Dimitri here in Carthak? Just until it's safe and I can come take him back. they could raise him here, give him a new identity." tears streamed down her face, but Kaddar was understanding. "Of course. In fact, I'll raise him myself." Seeing her shock, he added, "I've grown fond of your little brother. Besides, he almost looks Carthakan. You and he both. I noticed that a few nights ago at your castle, you and Dimitri look like you belong to Carthak." The Emperor added. Speechless, Cat asked, "And what will you tell people?" "That a good friend of mine couldn't take care of him, and I offered to do it." He smiled kindly at her, one of the first genuine smiles she had seen from him. At the words "couldn't take care of him", Cat began to cry all over again and took the Prince back from his new adoptive brother. Rocking him back and forth gently in her arms, she held him tight. The Emperor looked uncomfortable. He patted her back awkwardly. "I'll give you one of the guest rooms for tonight," he said soothingly, feeling slightly stupid. "And some money, too, enough to take you back across the ferry and then some. I've got a good idea where I can send you," he added, and then thought of something. "After all this. running around, what will you do? You can't hide forever." Cat raised her head defiantly. "I plan to avenge my family and take back what's mine," she said, with the air of a warrior. The Emperor decided not to disagree with her on that. "And when that time comes, I will supply you with whatever you need," he said, knowing that she probably wouldn't ask for much. "Thank you, Emperor Kaddar," Cat said. "Thank you for everything." The young man smiled at her. "It is my pleasure. And please, call me Kaddar, I feel too formal with all this "Emperor Kaddar" and "Princess Kathryn" stuff." He said. Cat nodded. "Call me Cat, Kaddar," she smiled, so did he. "I will escort you to your room," he said, and motioned for her to follow. "Anton, take the horse to the stable, and I want her taken care of like she was the Goddess herself." He called to the guard, who nodded, took the horse, and led it away. Harlem followed Kaddar, Cat, and Dimitri. Once Kaddar had led them to their room and left, Cat began to change shakily into her comfortable bedclothes. She picked up a sleeping Dimitri and placed him in the bed under the covers. Before going to sleep, Cat sat next to Harlem on the floor by the floor-length glass door that opened up to a small patio that over looked the royal courtyard of Carthak. At 11:50, the sky was a deep blue with bright white stars and the air was clear. Standing up, Cat opened the doors and walked out onto the balcony. Leaning against the stone railing, she breathed in the fresh night air. Harlem came out and joined her, gently sniffing the air and licking her palm before going back in and hopping on the bed. Cat smiled and looked out across the courtyard again. As she surveyed the rest of the palace, she noticed the Emperor on his own balcony. She waved, but he didn't notice her. Shaking her head, she relaxed and leaned against the railing, watching him skeptically. Being the Emperor at such a young age must be hard, she thought. As handsome as he was, he wasn't married yet (mostly because Kira had died) but surely, Cat thought, someone would have arranged him to marry another beautiful princess. "He deserves a beautiful princess," Cat murmured to herself, and then turned away sharply. Goddess, she thought angrily. With everything that had just happened, with everything that was going on, she was thinking of the Emperor's future wife. She walked quickly into her room, closing and locking the beautiful glass doors behind her. With one last glance at Kaddar, Cat climbed into the huge bed between Harlem and Dimitri and fell asleep quickly. The next morning came too quickly for Cat. When the servant Kaddar had sent in to wake her early in the morning, Cat groaned and pulled the bird-down covers over her head until the servant, looking nervous, pulled them down and insisted that Cat get up, because it was the Emperor's orders. Once she saw that Cat was up (grumbling, but up) she left so Cat could have some privacy to change quickly into the commoner's clothes the servant had left on a table by the washroom. The ones she had stolen were too big for her and torn, and she wasn't surprised to see that Kaddar had them sized to fit her perfectly. Furthermore, they looked like they would last awhile. The boots were brand new, but when she tried them on it was like putting on a worn pair of slippers. They, and probably the rest of the clothes, had been made with magic she guessed. As soon as she was dressed and ready to go, she woke Dimitri and washed him, putting him in the clothes that Kaddar had supplied for him. Luckily, he was half-asleep and quiet. As she grabbed her bag, hoisted Dimitri to the other hip, and called to Harlem, she looked quickly around the serene room before closing the door quietly behind her. Kaddar's plan was to sneak her (and himself, as he wasn't allowed out of the palace solitary) out of the castle and to ride with her to the barge that connected Carthak to the northern lands and Tortall. They met in the stables, and by the time Cat arrived, Kaddar had his horse and Shadowdancer saddled and ready to go. "Thank you again, Emperor Kaddar, for being so kind. I'll find someway to repay you." She swore, stifling a yawn despite her nervousness of the coming journey and her sadness at losing her baby brother for an unknown period of time. "It's no problem, especially for the sister of my. ex-future wife. I'll do anything in my power to protect you." He said, smiling down at her. She had an urge to rush at him and give him a hug of gratitude, but decided against it because he was, after all, the Emperor of Carthak and she might disturb Dimitri. For a minute they just smiled sadly at each other, until they heard a distant noise at the castle. Cat whipped her head around and then looked at Kaddar. "We'd better get going," she said, and he nodded. She pulled the stirrups on Shadowdancer's saddle down, and as she did Kaddar came around and held out a hand. Cat looked at him blankly. "What?" she asked. He looked at his hand, and then back at her. "Don't you. need help up?" he asked skeptically. Cat mounted without touching him. "No," she replied smugly. Kaddar shrugged and walked back to his horse, but Cat could see a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Cat shook her head, and then stroked Dimitri's cheek absentmindedly as Kaddar mounted his red stallion. Although she knew in under an hour she would be leaving Dimitri for a very long time, in her heart she didn't really believe it. "Ready?" Kaddar asked, yanking her out of her thoughts. She nodded and pressed her little brother to her chest. If he had any memories of her after she left, she hoped they were comforting ones. As Shadowdancer followed Kaddar's stallion off at a gallop, Harlem loped quickly after him. Cat smiled at the thought that her faithful Harlem and calm Shadowdancer would be with her for a while. Once she and the Emperor had reached a hidden (almost invisible; if Kaddar hadn't led them into it, she wouldn't have seen it) back street, they slowed to a walk to rest the horses, Harlem, and so they could talk. "So. Kaddar. Who were you thinking of sending me too?" Cat asked glancing at him. He smiled, but Cat couldn't help but catch an air of irony in his grin. "Old friends of mine. You've heard of them, Numair Salmalin and Daine Sarrasri, the mage and his. accomplice." He coughed, and Cat grinned. Everyone knew of the affair between the mage and his student. Their age difference had caused much controversy. "Why are you sending me there? Will I be a burden to them?" she asked. Kaddar shook his head wryly. "No, you won't be a bother. They can help protect you and train you to fight. They'll be up to the challenge, Cat, trust me. I just received a letter from them not a week ago saying how bored they were." He gave an aloof grin; not as if he felt he was of higher importance but as if he were holding himself back around her. Hearing him say her name caused something in her to leap, but as soon as it appeared it was gone, so Cat figured she imagined it. They talked for the next 45 minutes until they reached the barge to carry Cat, Harlem, and Shadowdancer across. "Just ride to Pirate's Swoop and ask for them. Someone will know and send you in the right direction." He said. Cat nodded, clutching the baby Prince to her. A tear welled up in her eye and she wiped it angrily away. Kaddar saw this. "The barge doesn't leave for another 20 minutes," he reminded her softly. She nodded, burying her face in her brother's blankets to hide her tears. He reached over his stallion's mane and took her hand. She looked up, her face red and swollen. Grinning slightly, she wiped her tears away and hugged her brother. "I'm sorry," she said sheepishly, knowing she looked a mess. "It's just a little hard to imagine not seeing him for so long," she smiled up at him, for even on horseback he was much taller than her. For some reason, he blushed. "What?" she asked shyly, now blushing as well. Kaddar shook his head and dismounted. When he came over to her, she noticed that his cheeks still held a tinge of unusual red. This time, she took his offer of help dismounting. She handed Prince Dimitri to him and wiped her tears away once more, hastily re-packing the mare and giving Kaddar the Prince's things. Once she was done, she looked around, trying to find something to do. He looked at her with an expectant grin, and she rushed over and took her brother from the Emperor's arms. She held onto him and tears silently ran down her face until they heard a horn for the barge, signaling the two- minute warning. At the noise, the Prince woke up. He happily looked up at his big sister and wrapped his arms around her neck, giggling. She choked back a sob as Kaddar motioned for a man to lead Shadowdancer onto the boat.
"You'll be a fine Prince someday," Cat whispered to him. "and Kaddar will take good care of you. Remember me, ok?" finally, Kaddar pried Dimitri from Cat's grips. She nodded, and with a sudden burst of emotion she threw her arms around the Emperor and the Prince. Surprised and blushing, Kaddar hugged her back. "Thank you," Cat whispered as she pulled away. She and Kaddar's eyes met for a brief moment; and in that moment everything inside her exploded, broken. She forced herself to walk onto the barge without looking back until there was no way she could get off of it. Harlem followed her, whining and looking back at the Prince but trailing behind her obediently anyways. As soon as the gate was closed, Cat turned around and saw both her beloved baby brother and new friend waving sadly at her. She waved back and waved until they were invisible to her eye.
Author's Note: in this chapter, Princess Kathryn starts being called Cat, mostly because it is her disguise name and also because typing Princess Kathryn over and over gets really annoying. ;) Thanks to all the nice people out there who reviewed. You people are cool by definition!
Warrior Princess Chapter 2: Escapee and the Emperor
As the sun finally set and the sky grew dark, Cat let her tears flow freely. Dimitri cried also, but only because he was scared of being on such a fast moving animal, he didn't understand why they were leaving home, and he didn't understand why she was crying. Cat stopped the mare when she saw a tiny, deserted farmhouse and stole a pair of women's breeches, boots, shirt, and vest to change into. She also took food, a blanket, and a rope just in case. Feeling bad, she left one of her earrings to pay for what she took. She hid her old clothes and most of the jewelry in a sack and hid that under a loose floorboard, planning to retrieve it later. Then she led the exhausted mare into the woods behind the house, close enough that they could see the road but far enough away that no one on the road could see them. She set up a pathetic camp for her and Dimitri, taking the four of them to the creek for water. Once Shadowdancer was securely tied down, and they were all fed, Cat let herself fall asleep between the exhausted Great Dane and the little Prince. The next morning, Cat woke and got everything together. After everything was packed up, she woke her three companions and allowed herself, Dimitri, and Shadowdancer and apple. She gave Harlem a chicken leg to hold his appetite. Still tired, Cat led Shadowdancer (whose passengers included Dimitri and all of their supplies) and Harlem walked beside them, tail drooping in exhaust. "Poor thing," Cat whispered. She rubbed his ears. "We won't run like that anymore unless we need to," she promised him. Being the faithful friend that he was, he wagged his tail and wiped her hand with his huge tongue in reassurance. When Dimitri showed signs of needing a nap in the afternoon, Cat constructed a sort of sling out of the blanket and put him in it, mounting the mare. She cradled him with one arm and with the other held the reins. When, around 3 o'clock, they arrived at a small trading fair, Cat bought some meat, a cloak, and asked for directions to Carthak. The way she figured it, Carthak was crowded enough to hide them for at least a short while, and if she got really desperate, she could go to Emperor Kaddar for help. She had 17 miles to go before she reached the ferry connecting to Carthak. For unknown reasons, the maid had left a sackful of gold coins in her dress, which she discovered as she changed from Princess to commoner. They would take care of a few trips across the ferry plus extra. They took back roads, or, if none were present, rode through the woods, until they reached the ferry. Cat was ever fearing of any men that resembled Graspiran soldiers, and was always looking behind her. Crossing the ferry was no trouble at all, although the captain of the boat gave her a strange look, seeing her mixed herd. Women saw her and whispered, things like: "She must be a prostitute- look at her, a baby and a cloak to hide her ugly, shameful face." Cat wanted to laugh, although not many things had been joyous lately, because if the women only knew who they were talking about- Princess Kathryn- they would not be saying the things they were. When they arrived to shore, Cat led Shadowdancer and Harlem into the city, Dimitri placed on her hip. She watched many different things and people, hidden by her dark cloak. After only an hour of being in Carthak, Cat noticed that many of the city's guards were acting suspicious of her. "Are these your animals?" a guard asked her rudely. She nodded, and suddenly three other guards sprang out and tackled her. After a brief struggle, each guard had somebody- Cat, Dimitri, Harlem, and Shadowdancer. The one who held Cat handled her roughly as she tried to get to her brother. "What, a lowly prostitute like you, owning such fine animals?" The guard sneered. "Not even the Emperor himself has anything like this." The guards hauled them to the castle, and on the way to the dungeons, they passed Emperor Kaddar himself, who seemed to be arguing with the same messenger boy that had asked him to leave the Ball early. "Good afternoon, Anton," he said pleasantly, ignoring the messenger and greeting the guard that held Cat. "What do we have here?" he asked. "Just some prostitute who stole some animals from a noble somewhere," Anton answered. Seeing Cat struggle for her brother, the Emperor told the guards to let her hold him. "This dog. looks familiar." The Emperor commented. "Very familiar. Where did you take this animal from, woman?" he asked her, although not unkindly. Cat gritted her teeth. "He is mine," she said clearly, angry and glad that her face was hidden from him. The guard containing her forced her to the ground. "Do not speak to the Emperor in this manner! Kiss his robes, and the best you can hope for is the death sentence!" he snapped. Angry tears streaming down her face for the second time, she did as she was told. When she finished (which didn't take long) the Emperor gave her an order. "Raise your hood, woman." He said, sounding almost curious. When Cat paused, he continued. "If what you say is true, and the animals are yours, let me see your face. You will go unpunished." Slowly, wondering if this was really safe, Cat pulled off her hood. Upon seeing her face, the Emperor gasped and ordered the guards to let her and her comrades go. "Retreat to the doors," he ordered. As soon as they were out of hearing range, the Emperor leaned in to her. "Princess Kathryn?" he asked, aghast. "But I thought everyone at the ball was." he trailed off. Cat turned her head away in emotion. "They were. I got lucky." Her voice was harsh, but her tone changed. "Please, Emperor Kaddar, please. don't tell anyone I've alive. If word gets out that you know where I am." Cat decided to let him figure out the rest. Kaddar nodded. "Of course. So you are in hiding now?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper. Cat nodded, shifting Dimitri to the other arm. Just now noticing him, Kaddar smiled softly and offered to take the Prince. Relieved, Cat handed him over to the Emperor. "You managed to save him?" he asked. Cat nodded. "I don't know how I'm going to keep moving around like this with such a small child," she sighed, stroking his cheek with a finger as he fell asleep in the Emperor's arms. "You could stay here," The Emperor suggested, an almost hopeful note in his voice. "It would be much safer to move around. if there's rumor I'm in Carthak, I'll just go to Tortall. If I stay in Carthak, and there's rumor I'm in Carthak. how long until they find me?" she said. Kaddar nodded; it made sense. "Could you possibly. do me a favor?" Cat asked, getting teary- eyed as she watched her brother sleep. The Emperor nodded. "Could you. find someone to care for Dimitri here in Carthak? Just until it's safe and I can come take him back. they could raise him here, give him a new identity." tears streamed down her face, but Kaddar was understanding. "Of course. In fact, I'll raise him myself." Seeing her shock, he added, "I've grown fond of your little brother. Besides, he almost looks Carthakan. You and he both. I noticed that a few nights ago at your castle, you and Dimitri look like you belong to Carthak." The Emperor added. Speechless, Cat asked, "And what will you tell people?" "That a good friend of mine couldn't take care of him, and I offered to do it." He smiled kindly at her, one of the first genuine smiles she had seen from him. At the words "couldn't take care of him", Cat began to cry all over again and took the Prince back from his new adoptive brother. Rocking him back and forth gently in her arms, she held him tight. The Emperor looked uncomfortable. He patted her back awkwardly. "I'll give you one of the guest rooms for tonight," he said soothingly, feeling slightly stupid. "And some money, too, enough to take you back across the ferry and then some. I've got a good idea where I can send you," he added, and then thought of something. "After all this. running around, what will you do? You can't hide forever." Cat raised her head defiantly. "I plan to avenge my family and take back what's mine," she said, with the air of a warrior. The Emperor decided not to disagree with her on that. "And when that time comes, I will supply you with whatever you need," he said, knowing that she probably wouldn't ask for much. "Thank you, Emperor Kaddar," Cat said. "Thank you for everything." The young man smiled at her. "It is my pleasure. And please, call me Kaddar, I feel too formal with all this "Emperor Kaddar" and "Princess Kathryn" stuff." He said. Cat nodded. "Call me Cat, Kaddar," she smiled, so did he. "I will escort you to your room," he said, and motioned for her to follow. "Anton, take the horse to the stable, and I want her taken care of like she was the Goddess herself." He called to the guard, who nodded, took the horse, and led it away. Harlem followed Kaddar, Cat, and Dimitri. Once Kaddar had led them to their room and left, Cat began to change shakily into her comfortable bedclothes. She picked up a sleeping Dimitri and placed him in the bed under the covers. Before going to sleep, Cat sat next to Harlem on the floor by the floor-length glass door that opened up to a small patio that over looked the royal courtyard of Carthak. At 11:50, the sky was a deep blue with bright white stars and the air was clear. Standing up, Cat opened the doors and walked out onto the balcony. Leaning against the stone railing, she breathed in the fresh night air. Harlem came out and joined her, gently sniffing the air and licking her palm before going back in and hopping on the bed. Cat smiled and looked out across the courtyard again. As she surveyed the rest of the palace, she noticed the Emperor on his own balcony. She waved, but he didn't notice her. Shaking her head, she relaxed and leaned against the railing, watching him skeptically. Being the Emperor at such a young age must be hard, she thought. As handsome as he was, he wasn't married yet (mostly because Kira had died) but surely, Cat thought, someone would have arranged him to marry another beautiful princess. "He deserves a beautiful princess," Cat murmured to herself, and then turned away sharply. Goddess, she thought angrily. With everything that had just happened, with everything that was going on, she was thinking of the Emperor's future wife. She walked quickly into her room, closing and locking the beautiful glass doors behind her. With one last glance at Kaddar, Cat climbed into the huge bed between Harlem and Dimitri and fell asleep quickly. The next morning came too quickly for Cat. When the servant Kaddar had sent in to wake her early in the morning, Cat groaned and pulled the bird-down covers over her head until the servant, looking nervous, pulled them down and insisted that Cat get up, because it was the Emperor's orders. Once she saw that Cat was up (grumbling, but up) she left so Cat could have some privacy to change quickly into the commoner's clothes the servant had left on a table by the washroom. The ones she had stolen were too big for her and torn, and she wasn't surprised to see that Kaddar had them sized to fit her perfectly. Furthermore, they looked like they would last awhile. The boots were brand new, but when she tried them on it was like putting on a worn pair of slippers. They, and probably the rest of the clothes, had been made with magic she guessed. As soon as she was dressed and ready to go, she woke Dimitri and washed him, putting him in the clothes that Kaddar had supplied for him. Luckily, he was half-asleep and quiet. As she grabbed her bag, hoisted Dimitri to the other hip, and called to Harlem, she looked quickly around the serene room before closing the door quietly behind her. Kaddar's plan was to sneak her (and himself, as he wasn't allowed out of the palace solitary) out of the castle and to ride with her to the barge that connected Carthak to the northern lands and Tortall. They met in the stables, and by the time Cat arrived, Kaddar had his horse and Shadowdancer saddled and ready to go. "Thank you again, Emperor Kaddar, for being so kind. I'll find someway to repay you." She swore, stifling a yawn despite her nervousness of the coming journey and her sadness at losing her baby brother for an unknown period of time. "It's no problem, especially for the sister of my. ex-future wife. I'll do anything in my power to protect you." He said, smiling down at her. She had an urge to rush at him and give him a hug of gratitude, but decided against it because he was, after all, the Emperor of Carthak and she might disturb Dimitri. For a minute they just smiled sadly at each other, until they heard a distant noise at the castle. Cat whipped her head around and then looked at Kaddar. "We'd better get going," she said, and he nodded. She pulled the stirrups on Shadowdancer's saddle down, and as she did Kaddar came around and held out a hand. Cat looked at him blankly. "What?" she asked. He looked at his hand, and then back at her. "Don't you. need help up?" he asked skeptically. Cat mounted without touching him. "No," she replied smugly. Kaddar shrugged and walked back to his horse, but Cat could see a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Cat shook her head, and then stroked Dimitri's cheek absentmindedly as Kaddar mounted his red stallion. Although she knew in under an hour she would be leaving Dimitri for a very long time, in her heart she didn't really believe it. "Ready?" Kaddar asked, yanking her out of her thoughts. She nodded and pressed her little brother to her chest. If he had any memories of her after she left, she hoped they were comforting ones. As Shadowdancer followed Kaddar's stallion off at a gallop, Harlem loped quickly after him. Cat smiled at the thought that her faithful Harlem and calm Shadowdancer would be with her for a while. Once she and the Emperor had reached a hidden (almost invisible; if Kaddar hadn't led them into it, she wouldn't have seen it) back street, they slowed to a walk to rest the horses, Harlem, and so they could talk. "So. Kaddar. Who were you thinking of sending me too?" Cat asked glancing at him. He smiled, but Cat couldn't help but catch an air of irony in his grin. "Old friends of mine. You've heard of them, Numair Salmalin and Daine Sarrasri, the mage and his. accomplice." He coughed, and Cat grinned. Everyone knew of the affair between the mage and his student. Their age difference had caused much controversy. "Why are you sending me there? Will I be a burden to them?" she asked. Kaddar shook his head wryly. "No, you won't be a bother. They can help protect you and train you to fight. They'll be up to the challenge, Cat, trust me. I just received a letter from them not a week ago saying how bored they were." He gave an aloof grin; not as if he felt he was of higher importance but as if he were holding himself back around her. Hearing him say her name caused something in her to leap, but as soon as it appeared it was gone, so Cat figured she imagined it. They talked for the next 45 minutes until they reached the barge to carry Cat, Harlem, and Shadowdancer across. "Just ride to Pirate's Swoop and ask for them. Someone will know and send you in the right direction." He said. Cat nodded, clutching the baby Prince to her. A tear welled up in her eye and she wiped it angrily away. Kaddar saw this. "The barge doesn't leave for another 20 minutes," he reminded her softly. She nodded, burying her face in her brother's blankets to hide her tears. He reached over his stallion's mane and took her hand. She looked up, her face red and swollen. Grinning slightly, she wiped her tears away and hugged her brother. "I'm sorry," she said sheepishly, knowing she looked a mess. "It's just a little hard to imagine not seeing him for so long," she smiled up at him, for even on horseback he was much taller than her. For some reason, he blushed. "What?" she asked shyly, now blushing as well. Kaddar shook his head and dismounted. When he came over to her, she noticed that his cheeks still held a tinge of unusual red. This time, she took his offer of help dismounting. She handed Prince Dimitri to him and wiped her tears away once more, hastily re-packing the mare and giving Kaddar the Prince's things. Once she was done, she looked around, trying to find something to do. He looked at her with an expectant grin, and she rushed over and took her brother from the Emperor's arms. She held onto him and tears silently ran down her face until they heard a horn for the barge, signaling the two- minute warning. At the noise, the Prince woke up. He happily looked up at his big sister and wrapped his arms around her neck, giggling. She choked back a sob as Kaddar motioned for a man to lead Shadowdancer onto the boat.
"You'll be a fine Prince someday," Cat whispered to him. "and Kaddar will take good care of you. Remember me, ok?" finally, Kaddar pried Dimitri from Cat's grips. She nodded, and with a sudden burst of emotion she threw her arms around the Emperor and the Prince. Surprised and blushing, Kaddar hugged her back. "Thank you," Cat whispered as she pulled away. She and Kaddar's eyes met for a brief moment; and in that moment everything inside her exploded, broken. She forced herself to walk onto the barge without looking back until there was no way she could get off of it. Harlem followed her, whining and looking back at the Prince but trailing behind her obediently anyways. As soon as the gate was closed, Cat turned around and saw both her beloved baby brother and new friend waving sadly at her. She waved back and waved until they were invisible to her eye.