Disclaimer - I own Tark, Chalice, Hawkwing, Mina, Simba and Tigger. All
other characters belong to Tamora Pierce.
Twisted Hearts
Chapter 8 - Price of Friendship
Authors Note - I am having such bad writers block over this and Chapter 9. Help!!!!
Erone, or Daine as she now knew herself, had no idea what to do. The Erone in her knew, for the first time in over three years who she was and the Daine in her wanted to go home. She felt a pang in her heart every time she thought of the friends she hadn't seen in over three years, the friends she had forgotten she had.
Daine wondered if Kitten had grown; if Alanna had lost her temper recently, how her friends in the Riders were faring. But most of all she wondered if Numair still loved her. She was afraid to come back and find he hated her and that he thought she had left willingly.
Truth was, she had no idea how she had ended up in Carthak. She knew that the day she must have gone missing was the day of the spidren attack. She could remember going to the aid of a Griffin she heard calling in pain. She could remember entering the glade and crossing to a river, then nothing. Nothing until she had awoken in Mina's room in Carthak.
She was confused though. She had no idea why her friends hadn't come to find her. They must have realised she had disappeared and tried to find her using magic. She found that she convinced herself spells with focuses could not work over such a distance but still, there was a niggling doubt hanging at the back of her mind.
Daine had thought about trying to speak to Kaddar again but she was afraid he would think she was a slave after a new start in life by impersonating another. She had told him she was Erone not Daine, and he-nor his ministers-would probably believe her now.
She had changed a lot though. Her face and whole body was thinner and she had gained a tan in the hot, Carthak sun. Her hair had been sheared when she arrived; it was thick, matted masses of curls on top her head now. Her eyes were dull. Daine hardly recognised herself.
Daine lay on her bed, bathing in the memories she had lost and found again. Some made her smile and laugh; others produced tears in her eyes. She needed a calming, sensible voice to help her through this. Whispering to Simba what she was about to do, the cat nodded its understanding sleepily.
Standing Daine began the transformation of her human form into the form of an eagle. She was rusty and it took her longer than normal to shape the bones of the bird. Once she had finished she hopped onto the window that served the small room and jumped out.
It was as breathe taking as she remembered. The wind rushed under her, keeping her afloat. She felt as if she hardly had to move her powerful wings. She had never been outside the house before, preferring to stay with what she knew, but she regretted that decision now.
Beneath Daine stretched the magnificent gardens of Carthak. Famous as they where, the tales did not even come close to what seeing them felt like.
The moonlight bathed them in its silver glow as small mage light hidden in bushes twinkled like miniature stars. The trees and bushes went on for miles, grown into intricate patterns by garden mages. Daine somehow fashioned herself human ears as she listened into the peaceful silence. She heard the babbling brooks, the splashing of playful fountains even the rustle of plants as they leaned in on a neighbour to gossip.
Then she threw out her magical hearing, listening to the animal sounds of night. She heard mice and rats squabbling, birds sifting themselves in sleep. She could hear a mother bird scold her oldest child at landing on her branch again, she could hear the argument between two mice at who earned the biggest chunk of the berry they had found.
Daine saw the Ministers house easily from the sky. It was the only other set in these gardens. It sat, nestled between a river and small wood.
She landed, and changed her shape again to that of a cat. She could slip easily round the house, to locate Mina as a rat-catcher.
Daine wandered round, trying to find a way in. She found it in a door left open to the gardens that led into a bathing room. Moving swiftly into the hallway, Daine took a moment to stop and think how she would do this. She had no real idea where Mina would be, and she dare not change into something that would draw attention to her.
That's when a slave boy rushed past. Her only hope so far, Daine followed the younger boy. He looked about 13 at the eldest, and he wore just a loincloth, although it did not seem as dirty and worn as other slaves. His skin was lightly tanned, and his short hair was blonde.
Following him she found the surroundings became less and less exquisite as they walked. Happily, she realised they must be coming close to the servants quarters. The boy walked faster, Daine had to use a loping run to keep even close to him.
Finally he stopped outside a door. Bending down he scratched behind Daine's cat ears.
"Here you go" he whispered "Mina is in there" and he disappeared.
Daine nudged open the door and entered the room. Mina sat on the floor, back to the wall reading something. Daine changed into human form quickly and flung herself at her friend.
"Mina I know who I am" she squealed at the girl, not giving her a second. Mina jumped about a foot into the air.
"How did you get here?" she whispered frantically, "If you get caught"
"It doesn't matter I'll tell you later. What is important is that I know who I am and we can escape and leave here. I come from Tortall and I'm going back and you can come to," Daine said, gasping for breath.
"Your sure?" Mina replied hope dancing on her face.
"Yes" she replied, "My real name is Daine. I live in the palace in Tortall. I have friends there who will take you in. You'll get work, work you enjoy and you can marry and everything"
Mina smiled "What about you?" she said, "I want to know all about your life"
Daine smiled "My parents are Gods. Well my Da was but when my Ma died he asked could she be one to. And I helped stop the Immortals War. I killed Ozorne. And I love." she stopped, blushing slightly.
"You love." prompted Mina, giggling.
"A man called Numair" she said biting her lip "I miss him enough for all the 3 years I haven't seen him now"
Mina sighed "You have true love then, Daine" she said "But we must hurry if we are to leave tonight. And Daine"
"Yeah?" she replied.
"You may need some clothes," Mina laughed
The girls now sat in Daine's room as she pulled on her tunic and breeches. Daine or Erone, had always kept these clothes she had been found in, they reminded her she had been someone.
Mina was sat on watch, her tiny cloth bag already packed.
"I wish Simba and Tigger where here," mumbled Daine, pulling on a boot "I don't really want to leave them"
"We can look for them if you like" Mina said, her eyes not leaving the door.
"We shall when I'm ready" Daine replied gratefully.
The door flew open. Mina scurried backwards from the towering form that filled it. Tark stopped, obviously confused at what was before him. Then he smiled a grim smile.
"Trying to escape I see?" his voice grim "That's a very punishable offence I must say"
"Please Tark it was-" Daine was cut off.
"It was my idea" Mina said standing, she kept her eyes low, "Punish me"
His face spread into an evil grin "Don't you worry little one, you will be," he said.
"NO" Daine cried throwing herself forward towards Mina. Tark grabbed Daine by the shoulders and threw her against the wall. She slid down it, head throbbing at the impact. The last thing she saw before blackness was Mina's frightened face as Tark advanced upon her.
Daine awoke. Tark stood above her, evil eyes glinting. Behind him she could see the limp from of Mina, lying on the floor.
Anger overtook her whole body. Anger at her own beatings, anger on behalf of all those Tark had beat. She didn't want to fully change. All she needed was the claws she had used on Ozorne. She gave her fingers bear claws. Tark stumbled backwards in fear as he watched her hand change shape.
She stood "Not so powerful now I can fight you?" she said. He stumbled for the door but Daine's anger would not let him leave.
She dived into him claws raking the back of his neck. He tried to throw her from his back; she clung on, digging deeper and deeper into his flesh. He turned and threw his weight backwards to squash her between the wall and his heavy body. She felt no pain only that his death was near. Raising her left hand she cut across his throat, blood spayed onto the floor. His body fell limp and he collapsed forward. Daine rolled off him, breathing hard.
Her fingers shrank to normal and she turned to Mina's fallen body. "No" she whispered, "Please no"
She crawled across the floor and touched Mina's face with her hand. Her skin was stone cold. Daine hugged the girl, letting her tears fall freely onto her skin.
"Mina" she cried, "You helped me and look what I did to you"
She sat, realizing she had to leave Mina before she too lost her life. No one would believe her; they would believe she had murdered them both. Daine carried Mina to the bed and laid her upon it. Her loincloth was torn completely. Daine knew what he had done. The urge to be sick nearly over- whelmed her. She covered Mina with the small, tattered blanket.
"Goodbye friend" she whispered, and then turning from the girl she became her golden eagle once again and flew into the night.
When she could fly no more Daine rested in a wood. She had spoken to her many friends of night, the bats, who had given her directions to follow to the great water as they called it. She heard a rustling in the bushes.
"Probably an animal" she thought, "Best keep alert though"
A furry shape barrelled out of the bushes and into her. She squealed, falling backwards. "Simba!" she cried.
"Sorry" he muttered, "The mouse came this way"
Tigger followed him out much more quietly. "You left us behind" she said quietly "But we followed you"
"I'm so sorry," said Daine, "You weren't in my rooms. I wanted to look for you but I had to leave quickly."
"We noticed," replied Simba "I take it you hurt the big man?"
"Yeah" she said, teeth gritted.
"I'm sorry about your friend" Tigger said coming up to rub her head on Daine's knee, "But you have saved many more form being hurt by the big man"
"Yes" she said picking her up and cuddling the cat, "But I lost my only friend here, except you two."
After the cats found her Daine's travelling was much easier. She spent a lot of the time as a cat, their emotions much less complicated, especially when they were around humans-which was most of the time.
The two cats seemed to know their way to the water and the ships and Daine trusted them. She found herself days later on a ship headed for Tortall. She stayed hidden in a storeroom below deck, becoming a cat if any other people approached. Simba and Tigger brought her food and water; Tigger even began to venture out on her own. No one noticed the extra three rat- catchers the ship held. The only thought she had that whole journey was of returning to Numair and she dreamed each night of their reunion.
Daine found her way to Corus easily too. She found a woman headed for Corus for the market with her newly acquired wares who offered to allow her and the cats to ride in her cart. When asked what payment she wanted she replied that the girls company on a lonely journey was payment enough.
So Daine was know in Corus. It was evening when she found herself outside the castle grounds. She took the shape of a cat again and the three wandered in, un-disturbed by the guards. Daine told the two cats she would be around in the palace whenever they wanted to visit but they assured her that they would come live in her quarters. She told them that for now, the castle was safe so they could go where they pleased. "Have fun" she called to them.
So now she found herself standing in front of Numair's doors, holding the handles. She trembled from head to foot. She knew he was in there, she could hear his light snoring. She had dreamed of this for many nights, him sweeping her up into his powerful arms, kissing her until she was ready to collapse and then never letting her go again.
Steeling herself she softy opened one door and stole inside.
Authors Note - I am having such bad writers block over this and Chapter 9. Help!!!!
Erone, or Daine as she now knew herself, had no idea what to do. The Erone in her knew, for the first time in over three years who she was and the Daine in her wanted to go home. She felt a pang in her heart every time she thought of the friends she hadn't seen in over three years, the friends she had forgotten she had.
Daine wondered if Kitten had grown; if Alanna had lost her temper recently, how her friends in the Riders were faring. But most of all she wondered if Numair still loved her. She was afraid to come back and find he hated her and that he thought she had left willingly.
Truth was, she had no idea how she had ended up in Carthak. She knew that the day she must have gone missing was the day of the spidren attack. She could remember going to the aid of a Griffin she heard calling in pain. She could remember entering the glade and crossing to a river, then nothing. Nothing until she had awoken in Mina's room in Carthak.
She was confused though. She had no idea why her friends hadn't come to find her. They must have realised she had disappeared and tried to find her using magic. She found that she convinced herself spells with focuses could not work over such a distance but still, there was a niggling doubt hanging at the back of her mind.
Daine had thought about trying to speak to Kaddar again but she was afraid he would think she was a slave after a new start in life by impersonating another. She had told him she was Erone not Daine, and he-nor his ministers-would probably believe her now.
She had changed a lot though. Her face and whole body was thinner and she had gained a tan in the hot, Carthak sun. Her hair had been sheared when she arrived; it was thick, matted masses of curls on top her head now. Her eyes were dull. Daine hardly recognised herself.
Daine lay on her bed, bathing in the memories she had lost and found again. Some made her smile and laugh; others produced tears in her eyes. She needed a calming, sensible voice to help her through this. Whispering to Simba what she was about to do, the cat nodded its understanding sleepily.
Standing Daine began the transformation of her human form into the form of an eagle. She was rusty and it took her longer than normal to shape the bones of the bird. Once she had finished she hopped onto the window that served the small room and jumped out.
It was as breathe taking as she remembered. The wind rushed under her, keeping her afloat. She felt as if she hardly had to move her powerful wings. She had never been outside the house before, preferring to stay with what she knew, but she regretted that decision now.
Beneath Daine stretched the magnificent gardens of Carthak. Famous as they where, the tales did not even come close to what seeing them felt like.
The moonlight bathed them in its silver glow as small mage light hidden in bushes twinkled like miniature stars. The trees and bushes went on for miles, grown into intricate patterns by garden mages. Daine somehow fashioned herself human ears as she listened into the peaceful silence. She heard the babbling brooks, the splashing of playful fountains even the rustle of plants as they leaned in on a neighbour to gossip.
Then she threw out her magical hearing, listening to the animal sounds of night. She heard mice and rats squabbling, birds sifting themselves in sleep. She could hear a mother bird scold her oldest child at landing on her branch again, she could hear the argument between two mice at who earned the biggest chunk of the berry they had found.
Daine saw the Ministers house easily from the sky. It was the only other set in these gardens. It sat, nestled between a river and small wood.
She landed, and changed her shape again to that of a cat. She could slip easily round the house, to locate Mina as a rat-catcher.
Daine wandered round, trying to find a way in. She found it in a door left open to the gardens that led into a bathing room. Moving swiftly into the hallway, Daine took a moment to stop and think how she would do this. She had no real idea where Mina would be, and she dare not change into something that would draw attention to her.
That's when a slave boy rushed past. Her only hope so far, Daine followed the younger boy. He looked about 13 at the eldest, and he wore just a loincloth, although it did not seem as dirty and worn as other slaves. His skin was lightly tanned, and his short hair was blonde.
Following him she found the surroundings became less and less exquisite as they walked. Happily, she realised they must be coming close to the servants quarters. The boy walked faster, Daine had to use a loping run to keep even close to him.
Finally he stopped outside a door. Bending down he scratched behind Daine's cat ears.
"Here you go" he whispered "Mina is in there" and he disappeared.
Daine nudged open the door and entered the room. Mina sat on the floor, back to the wall reading something. Daine changed into human form quickly and flung herself at her friend.
"Mina I know who I am" she squealed at the girl, not giving her a second. Mina jumped about a foot into the air.
"How did you get here?" she whispered frantically, "If you get caught"
"It doesn't matter I'll tell you later. What is important is that I know who I am and we can escape and leave here. I come from Tortall and I'm going back and you can come to," Daine said, gasping for breath.
"Your sure?" Mina replied hope dancing on her face.
"Yes" she replied, "My real name is Daine. I live in the palace in Tortall. I have friends there who will take you in. You'll get work, work you enjoy and you can marry and everything"
Mina smiled "What about you?" she said, "I want to know all about your life"
Daine smiled "My parents are Gods. Well my Da was but when my Ma died he asked could she be one to. And I helped stop the Immortals War. I killed Ozorne. And I love." she stopped, blushing slightly.
"You love." prompted Mina, giggling.
"A man called Numair" she said biting her lip "I miss him enough for all the 3 years I haven't seen him now"
Mina sighed "You have true love then, Daine" she said "But we must hurry if we are to leave tonight. And Daine"
"Yeah?" she replied.
"You may need some clothes," Mina laughed
The girls now sat in Daine's room as she pulled on her tunic and breeches. Daine or Erone, had always kept these clothes she had been found in, they reminded her she had been someone.
Mina was sat on watch, her tiny cloth bag already packed.
"I wish Simba and Tigger where here," mumbled Daine, pulling on a boot "I don't really want to leave them"
"We can look for them if you like" Mina said, her eyes not leaving the door.
"We shall when I'm ready" Daine replied gratefully.
The door flew open. Mina scurried backwards from the towering form that filled it. Tark stopped, obviously confused at what was before him. Then he smiled a grim smile.
"Trying to escape I see?" his voice grim "That's a very punishable offence I must say"
"Please Tark it was-" Daine was cut off.
"It was my idea" Mina said standing, she kept her eyes low, "Punish me"
His face spread into an evil grin "Don't you worry little one, you will be," he said.
"NO" Daine cried throwing herself forward towards Mina. Tark grabbed Daine by the shoulders and threw her against the wall. She slid down it, head throbbing at the impact. The last thing she saw before blackness was Mina's frightened face as Tark advanced upon her.
Daine awoke. Tark stood above her, evil eyes glinting. Behind him she could see the limp from of Mina, lying on the floor.
Anger overtook her whole body. Anger at her own beatings, anger on behalf of all those Tark had beat. She didn't want to fully change. All she needed was the claws she had used on Ozorne. She gave her fingers bear claws. Tark stumbled backwards in fear as he watched her hand change shape.
She stood "Not so powerful now I can fight you?" she said. He stumbled for the door but Daine's anger would not let him leave.
She dived into him claws raking the back of his neck. He tried to throw her from his back; she clung on, digging deeper and deeper into his flesh. He turned and threw his weight backwards to squash her between the wall and his heavy body. She felt no pain only that his death was near. Raising her left hand she cut across his throat, blood spayed onto the floor. His body fell limp and he collapsed forward. Daine rolled off him, breathing hard.
Her fingers shrank to normal and she turned to Mina's fallen body. "No" she whispered, "Please no"
She crawled across the floor and touched Mina's face with her hand. Her skin was stone cold. Daine hugged the girl, letting her tears fall freely onto her skin.
"Mina" she cried, "You helped me and look what I did to you"
She sat, realizing she had to leave Mina before she too lost her life. No one would believe her; they would believe she had murdered them both. Daine carried Mina to the bed and laid her upon it. Her loincloth was torn completely. Daine knew what he had done. The urge to be sick nearly over- whelmed her. She covered Mina with the small, tattered blanket.
"Goodbye friend" she whispered, and then turning from the girl she became her golden eagle once again and flew into the night.
When she could fly no more Daine rested in a wood. She had spoken to her many friends of night, the bats, who had given her directions to follow to the great water as they called it. She heard a rustling in the bushes.
"Probably an animal" she thought, "Best keep alert though"
A furry shape barrelled out of the bushes and into her. She squealed, falling backwards. "Simba!" she cried.
"Sorry" he muttered, "The mouse came this way"
Tigger followed him out much more quietly. "You left us behind" she said quietly "But we followed you"
"I'm so sorry," said Daine, "You weren't in my rooms. I wanted to look for you but I had to leave quickly."
"We noticed," replied Simba "I take it you hurt the big man?"
"Yeah" she said, teeth gritted.
"I'm sorry about your friend" Tigger said coming up to rub her head on Daine's knee, "But you have saved many more form being hurt by the big man"
"Yes" she said picking her up and cuddling the cat, "But I lost my only friend here, except you two."
After the cats found her Daine's travelling was much easier. She spent a lot of the time as a cat, their emotions much less complicated, especially when they were around humans-which was most of the time.
The two cats seemed to know their way to the water and the ships and Daine trusted them. She found herself days later on a ship headed for Tortall. She stayed hidden in a storeroom below deck, becoming a cat if any other people approached. Simba and Tigger brought her food and water; Tigger even began to venture out on her own. No one noticed the extra three rat- catchers the ship held. The only thought she had that whole journey was of returning to Numair and she dreamed each night of their reunion.
Daine found her way to Corus easily too. She found a woman headed for Corus for the market with her newly acquired wares who offered to allow her and the cats to ride in her cart. When asked what payment she wanted she replied that the girls company on a lonely journey was payment enough.
So Daine was know in Corus. It was evening when she found herself outside the castle grounds. She took the shape of a cat again and the three wandered in, un-disturbed by the guards. Daine told the two cats she would be around in the palace whenever they wanted to visit but they assured her that they would come live in her quarters. She told them that for now, the castle was safe so they could go where they pleased. "Have fun" she called to them.
So now she found herself standing in front of Numair's doors, holding the handles. She trembled from head to foot. She knew he was in there, she could hear his light snoring. She had dreamed of this for many nights, him sweeping her up into his powerful arms, kissing her until she was ready to collapse and then never letting her go again.
Steeling herself she softy opened one door and stole inside.