Alright, alright. I'll get to the story. The title is taken off Eddings with the location of the main action being the title. There isn't going to be as much magic, I'm afraid, and I won't be pulling Sephrenia and Vanion out of the closet as much. It takes places after The Tamuli, and we have (gasp shock horror) a return of Krager (blast him). He has a new plan to take over the world so that he can have all the Arcian reds at his pleasure (no, that's not /really/ the reason... but it's part of it. :D). However, onwards! Please R&R this first-time fanfic attempt? I've just done little fiddly things to fix up the titles as suggested by Raal (go him).




She snarled. "What do you mean, he's not receiving visitors at the moment?"

"Just that, ma'am. Prince Sparhawk has just retired for the night," the soldier on guard gave her a wink. "But unlike him, I'm not otherwise occupied."

Naween stared at him. The gall of that man... in any case, she had a feeling that she recognised him from somewhere. Which wasn't really a help, considering that she knows nearly all of Cimmura's residents. "I'm not here on business, neighbour," she told him, choosing to use the word by which Sparhawk was known. "I assure you, Sparhawk would be most displeased should he find that I have been kept waiting all this while."

"You do know him!" the use of 'neighbour' had not missed this guard, however thickheaded he had seemed. "I assure you, lady, that if I could, I would. But the Prince gave the most express orders that he is not to be disturbed until dawn."

Sighing, she knew what she had to say was of the utmost importance to Sparhawk. She wondered how on earth she was going to get into the Prince's chambers without knocking this guard over the head.

"Arein, what is all this noise?" a small girl, no more than seven, was coming towards them in the long cold corridor. To Naween, she looked distinctly... Styric? And, curiously enough as they were inside, her small bare feet had grass stains. However, the guard beside her gave a deep bow.

"Your Highness. I was merely speaking to this lady here about how Prince Sparhawk was unavailable until the morning-"

"Yes," the girl said drily. "I heard."

The man flushed.

"Are you Princess Danae?" Naween was surprised. She knew what Sparhawk looked like, and she had seen Queen Ehlana on one of her numerous tours in Elenia. This daughter was rather a throwback to all their looks.

"Yes. I answer to other names too, such as 'Your Highness', but Danae will do," the girl said impishly.

Resisting the urge to hug the child, Naween merely smiled. "I wish to speak to your father about a matter of the utmost importance, Danae. It is incredibly vital, and time is an essence in this. Platime sent me because I was the one who'd reported it."

"Oh, if Platime sent you, then it's alright," agreed Danae. "Arein, move aside."

Feeling deeply insulted at not being asked his opinion, the guard nonetheless obediently moved aside.

"My sincere thanks, Princess," Naween said as the girl took her hand. Pushing the door gently open, Danae led Naween into her parents's bedchamber.

The Prince Consort of the Queen of Elenia and her Champion was sleeping fitfully in the bed. His wife was away on a trip to negotiate suitable borders with the various kings of their neighbouring countries, and Sparhawk was never totally comfortable without his wife by his side. Opening his eyes when he heard the door move, he struggled to see who entered.

He swore. "Aphrael! I told you not to disturb me tonight," he tone was tired.

Aphrael? "The Child Goddess?" Naween looked at the girl holding her hand, then accepted it. "I suppose that would explain the state of your feet."

"I didn't know you were bringing your friends, Danae," Sparhawk's tone was now guarded.

Danae rolled her eyes. "Father, it's Naween. She has something important to tell you, but that ass Arein wouldn't let her in."

"He was just doing his job, Danae," Naween chided the Child Goddess.

"So? I'm sure he could do it without being an ass."

"Danae," Sparhawk sounded pained. "You know I don't like it when you use that word. Good evening, Naween. How can I help you?"

"Considering that I am still in your debt, Sparhawk, I've found a way of repaying you."

"You know that I am quite happy without your payment. Is that all you came for?"

"Yes," her smile was swift. "But in a different form than what I'd been offering. You know that man who drinks quite a lot more than is good for him? Krager, his name was?"

Sparhawk shot up. "What about Krager?" he asked sharply.

"He's... well, you know how my house is a tavern as well? I went down there after my last customer, and I saw him there drinking."

"Sure that there's no mistake?" he was extremely reluctant to get out of bed.

"Oh, I'm certain. And so was Talen."

"Talen?!" the exclamation came from Danae. "He's in Cimmura?"

Naween groaned. Talen had expressly made her promise not to let slip his being in town to the Princess. "Yes," she admitted. "But it's supposed to be a secret."

"From who?" the girl's voice was dangerous. "A secret from who?"

Having no reply, Naween turned back to Sparhawk. "So, we're certain that it's Krager, and that he's in town. Platime will send some men to make sure that he doesn't leave the tavern until you get there."

"And we thank God for that, though that means that I'll have to get out of bed. Where's your place, Naween?"

"It's rather complicated, and out of place. I'd best take you there."

"Is Talen there?" the question was innocently posed.

"Yes, Princess, he is. I mean-" she changed hastily. "He's uhh... gone. He left right after... errr..." But Naween knew the excuses would be no use.

"Father, I'm coming with you."

"Yes, Danae."



"Yes, Danae."




What /nasty/ plan has Danae in mind for Talen? How will they get rid of the threat of Krager, especially with Ehlana out of the country? Is Ehlana at risk? And what /is/ Krager's new cooked up evil scheme? Are the gods involved?

Personally, I have no idea. So I'll have to figure it out sometimes. Please give me the longest, nastiest, most evil reviews that tells me what's /totally/ wrong with this fic? :)