Author's note: Hey I'm back! Yes my love of fan fiction has been wonderfully restored and I am now set on finishing this or at least writing something else. I apologise to my legion of fans [snickers at own stupidity] for the long time this has been in coming and for the probable rubbishness of what I am about to write [possibly should've written AN after, oh well.] Last chapter I worked myself into a plot hole which I am not stuck in so this chapter should not be considered on its own merits rather as a literary device, which will enable me to get Numair out of the wedding, and onto the streets. If you manage to get to the end of this chapter there should be another author's note waiting for you. [desperate] Please review my story!!! *Ahem* here goes.

Chapter 5: Negotiation

"You must realise that what you propose is utterly preposterous?"

"On the contrary," the ambassador countered silkily. "His imperial majesty believes that given the current circumstances and given your refusal to adopt any of the other measures previously suggested this can be our only other option."

Jonathan rose angrily to his feet and stormed over to the large windows to gaze out over Tortall, anger seething just below the surface of his skin. By his sides fists opened and closed rapidly until he felt he could turn around safely without incinerating Ozorne's emissary. Through gritted teeth he tried to politely explain the situation to this smiling serpent. "His imperial majesty must understand that I am hardly likely to permit large amounts of his army to wander the streets of my capital just to search for one man! The very suggestion is ludicrous."

As Jon got more agitated the ambassador's smile widened. "Master Draper is hardly just one man, your majesty. His capture is very important to the emperor. Infact his capture is so important to his majesty that drastic measures might have to be attempted if there was any reason for his majesty to suspect that another country was sheltering Master Draper from the imperial forces. Do I make myself clear?"

Fists clenched again and unclenched the crackle of the king's magic filled the air but he pulled it back inside himself and answered with the most rational air he could manage. "You'd declare war on Tortall just to regain custody of this man?"

"I'm glad we understand each other." The ambassador rose smoothly from his chair and started to the door. "I expect your answer to the proposal tomorrow at the same o'clock so I may deliver the news to the emperor. He stopped as he passed another of the large windows and gazed down disinterestedly. "Corus really is a beautiful city. It would be a shame if it were reduced to a ruin. Good day your majesty."

The door clicked shut after him and Jonathan sank into the throne shaking with anger, frustration and disbelief.

It was not long before the rest of his council learned of the ambassador's departure from the private meeting he had insisted on with the King and burst in through the door he had just left through.

At present there was only the one chair opposite the throne and Jon waited for the screeching of chairs being drawn up to end before speaking. Every one of his words was quiet and deliberately chosen but it was clear to all sitting round him that Jonathan of Conté was angrier than he had been for years.

"It seems that last week a man about to be executed for treason escaped from Ozorne's punishment. The man in question was black robed mage who went by the name Arram Draper. Has anyone heard of him?"

"I've heard his name." Alanna nodded through the sea of shaken heads. "But last time I heard he was the emperor's pet mage, hardly the sort of person you'd expect to turn traitorous."

"Do we know his crime?" Thayet asked from Alanna's left.

"No, the ambassador didn't say and I didn't ask. It's a comfort to find he's real at least though. Apparently Ozorne suspects him to have escaped across the Great Inland Sea and more specifically," he smiled but without any good humour, "more specifically he's escaped into Tortall. The emperor's mages have ascertained that he is probably hiding out right in the middle of our capital and he respectfully asks if he may disperse twenty or so highly skilled mages and a battalion of his best soldiers through Corus to look for this man."

"That's insane" Raoul stormed. "He must think we're simpletons if he thinks we'll just let him infiltrate Corus."

"Oh but you haven't even heard the best part. If we don't comply with his wishes he'll simply invade and the armies of Carthak will crush us."

"Can't we resist them?"

"Not for long even with the Jewel Carthak's army is so vast it won't be long before Ozorne controls Corus. It seems we have little choice but to comply with his wishes. I have a meeting with the ambassador tomorrow; Ozorne's army could arrive in as little time as a month. I suggest we try and find this Master Draper before they arrive so we can send them on their way as soon as possible."

There were murmurs of agreement as Jon rose.

"Now if you'll excuse me I've got to explode something," and with his robes whipping behind them the King of Tortall stalked from the room.

AN: Hmm that wasn't so bad, should've done that ages ago. Sorry to anyone who loves Jon, sorry to anyone who loves Ozorne [but nobody does.] Ok I've got another Numair chapter to write and then I think I'm going to start on Onua's story which doesn't get explored in the books at all really. All I know is that she got beaten up by her husband, came to Tortall and met Numair there after she met the Queen and Buri. So any more additional information like where she comes from would be lovely. Thanks oh and review!!! I think I've said that already… Oh well, review please!