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AN/ Alright, so this chapter was full of holes and bad grammar since I wrote it insanely early. So I re-wrote it. It's mostly the same, but there were some grammar errors, and other things that bothered me.
Thanks:
Ketchupfiend- Glad that you like this better! I am V. sorry about the not updating for a looooong time! Please don't poke me! *cowers* I am thinking that maybe I am going to have Ozorne find out maybe on their walk?
Keita- Woo! A date huh? How did it go??? Who with??? lol! I am a pryer (is that a word?) so do tell! Glad you like it better!!!
Mackinoerin- YAY! New reviewer! *dances around like an idiot* lol. Glad that you like it, I hope you continue to read!
Hyena- Great? Really? *blushes at praise* Thank you V. much!!! Keep reading!
Hoku the Dragon- Will they be caught? You ask. Will the emperor find out? Well, you'll just to read on to find out won't you! *evil laugh* Thanks a ton for reviewing!
Sunstorm- Is he only 15 years older? Oops! Anyway, yeah, I probably would get more reviews if I made this into a Daine/Nummy fic but I like Daine and Kaddar. Besides, even though reviews make me VERY happy *hint hint* I'm mostly just doing this for fun. Glad ya like it!!!!!! Thanks for reviewing!
Okay, on with the story. Also if you read any of my other fanfics I will love you FOREVER! I have a few ficcys I am rather proud of. Ok, on with the show!
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The next morning Daine woke early and took a long hot bath and tried to wash away her doubts and worries. She soaked in the bath, trying to discern her feelings for the emperor-to-be. He was handsome, but it was more than that. It had felt so *right* when he had kissed her.
When she was done with her bathing she brushed her curly brown hair in front of the mirror, trying to get it to lay down flat. Zek came over to her and jumped lightly on her shoulder, rumpling her hair even more.
*What are we doing today?* he asked her. Daine took him gently off her shoulder and cuddled him before putting him down on the dresser and answering.
"Kaddar asked me to accompany him to the University. I want to see it, it's supposed to be better even than the one in Tortall." She paused, trying to find a polite way to say it and then said in a kind voice, "I'm not sure that it would be the best idea for you to come. Not because I don't want you to, but I will be around many people that...may not understand."
Zek sniffed and Daine was afraid he might refuse to stay behind but he nodded his small furry head and said,
*I'd rather not, I don't know if I can stand being with you and him if you're going to glance sideways at each other and pretend you're just friends.*
Daine stuck out her tongue but gave Zek a banana to eat. Which he accepted with delight. She smiled and walked out into the hallway.
"Daine!" Daine heard Kaddar's voice and turned to see him coming towards her.
She curtsied when he got to her,
"Good morning, My Lord." Kaddar grasped her hand lightly for a minute and said in a quiet husky voice,
"Kaddar, remember?"
Daine felt her cheeks burn but she said,
"Yes, Kaddar."
He smiled broadly, and Daine felt her heart thump alarmingly.
"Ready to go then?" Kaddar asked, breaking the awkward silence, "I really think you will enjoy the university. And you will get to meet many animals and friends of mine. If you would like?"
Daine nodded and said,
"I would like that very much."
They had to walk quite a way to get to the University. It took longer than Daine had previously thought it would but Daine enjoyed every moment of it. She learned a lot about Kaddar that she had not known before. He confided in her his fears of becoming an emperor someday. And that he would rather remain a student then to rule a country.
He leaned down and whispered,
"Not to mention, I can't stand wearing such stuffy clothing."
He asked about her life as well. And to her great surprise she found herself telling him more about her life then she had told most people who had known her longer.
She was just telling him of the time she and Numair had met Thkaa, the basilisk, and saved Dunlath with the help of the wolves and other creatures, when Kaddar frowned,
"What is it?" Daine asked in mild concern. "Have I said something wrong?"
Kaddar shook his head and said,
"It's just. Well, you love Numair, don't you?"
Daine looked at him in surprise and said,
"Of course I do. Not in the way of lovers, if that's what you mean but I do love him as a friend."
Kaddar stopped and with his eyes searching he asked,
"Only as a friend?"
"Only. Why are you asking me this?" Daine asked him.
Kaddar just shook his head and began walking again. Daine shrugged and followed him.
They arrived at the University a few minutes later. It was humongous. Students were loitering outside the gates, in elaborate clothing, being fanned by slaves. Huge pillars went high up in front of her eyes, snaking their way up to the top of the vast building. Daine's eyes felt as though they would pop and she murmured in awe,
"It's beautiful."
Kaddar nodded.
"Now you know why Carthak is known for its schooling. We take great pride in our education."
"And in your slaves." Daine muttered quietly, not meaning to say it out loud.
Kaddar heard her though and said,
"That is a part of our society. We find your letting woman fight just as terrible as you find our slaves. It's our way of life, you would be hard pressed to change it."
Daine shook her head in wonder.
"I would ask how could you not want woman to be able to protect themselves, but I once lived in a town where woman were treated like dirt. I cannot belittle you for what you have always known."
Kaddar smiled and so did Daine, though she was troubled. By that time they were at the doors leading into the University.
Inside the doors was a large room, the size of almost the entire formal guest house of the Palace in Tortall. Filled with books of all shapes, sizes and languages.
Daine's eyes shone and she breathed,
"I had no notion there were this many books written, nor this many things to write about."
Kaddar laughed and said in a teasing voice,
"Come on, Country girl. I want to introduce you to some of my friends. I think you'll like them."
Daine blinked and tore her eyes from the shelves and said,
"I think I will too, if they are anything close to as charming as you are." She smiled up at him.
He raised an eyebrow,
"Flirting, are we? Miss Veriladaine?" He inquired.
Daine turned scarlet and laughed a little nervously. Kaddar didn't pursue the subject, which Daine was glad of, because the truth was she had been flirting. She had forgotten that it would never work between the two of them.
*~~*
"So, what did you think?"
Kaddar asked Daine that evening as they were leaving the library after a long day.
Daine smiled sleepily and said,
"It was fair wondrous." She looked up at Kaddar, a little shyly, "Thank you for showing it to me."
Kaddar said,
"You're welcome. You made it shine." He held her gaze intently for a minute then breaking the silence said, "Would you like to go anywhere else? There is an eatery only a few minutes from here, if you are hungry."
Daine nodded,
"Yes please!"
Kaddar grinned and led Daine down the street, talking about his studies. Daine watched him. She really liked him, and true they had only known each other a few days now, but it seemed so much longer.
The Eatery was a formal place. It was called The Red Eagle. Daine's eyes were wide as she looked around the elaborately decorated building. She marveled over the candles floating effortlessly four feet above their heads. Kaddar laughed at her wonder.
"We would like a private room, if you please." Kaddar told the serving man, who kept his eyes down modestly, as custom dictated.
Daine shifted uncomfortably and when the serving man had left to find a room, murmured,
"Kaddar, are you sure that's a good idea? People might get ideas..."
Kaddar looked at her, a bemused expression on his handsome face. He did not answer her, though. He offered her his arm and they followed after the serving man.
The room was small. But beautiful. There was a circular table with two cushioned chairs and goblets already set out.
The serving man left, after they had placed their orders. Kaddar watched as Daine fiddled absently with her napkin.
" You needn't feel awkward. No one will talk about us. I promise." He said quietly. He reached across the table and put his big hand on top of Daine's.
Daine gulped. She wasn't so sure of that...
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AN/ Well, I revised it only a bit, but it sounds better now, I think. I am in the process of writing the next chapter right now. I just wasn't happy with what I had written so I needed to change a few things.
Thanks,
Hannah
AN/ Alright, so this chapter was full of holes and bad grammar since I wrote it insanely early. So I re-wrote it. It's mostly the same, but there were some grammar errors, and other things that bothered me.
Thanks:
Ketchupfiend- Glad that you like this better! I am V. sorry about the not updating for a looooong time! Please don't poke me! *cowers* I am thinking that maybe I am going to have Ozorne find out maybe on their walk?
Keita- Woo! A date huh? How did it go??? Who with??? lol! I am a pryer (is that a word?) so do tell! Glad you like it better!!!
Mackinoerin- YAY! New reviewer! *dances around like an idiot* lol. Glad that you like it, I hope you continue to read!
Hyena- Great? Really? *blushes at praise* Thank you V. much!!! Keep reading!
Hoku the Dragon- Will they be caught? You ask. Will the emperor find out? Well, you'll just to read on to find out won't you! *evil laugh* Thanks a ton for reviewing!
Sunstorm- Is he only 15 years older? Oops! Anyway, yeah, I probably would get more reviews if I made this into a Daine/Nummy fic but I like Daine and Kaddar. Besides, even though reviews make me VERY happy *hint hint* I'm mostly just doing this for fun. Glad ya like it!!!!!! Thanks for reviewing!
Okay, on with the story. Also if you read any of my other fanfics I will love you FOREVER! I have a few ficcys I am rather proud of. Ok, on with the show!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning Daine woke early and took a long hot bath and tried to wash away her doubts and worries. She soaked in the bath, trying to discern her feelings for the emperor-to-be. He was handsome, but it was more than that. It had felt so *right* when he had kissed her.
When she was done with her bathing she brushed her curly brown hair in front of the mirror, trying to get it to lay down flat. Zek came over to her and jumped lightly on her shoulder, rumpling her hair even more.
*What are we doing today?* he asked her. Daine took him gently off her shoulder and cuddled him before putting him down on the dresser and answering.
"Kaddar asked me to accompany him to the University. I want to see it, it's supposed to be better even than the one in Tortall." She paused, trying to find a polite way to say it and then said in a kind voice, "I'm not sure that it would be the best idea for you to come. Not because I don't want you to, but I will be around many people that...may not understand."
Zek sniffed and Daine was afraid he might refuse to stay behind but he nodded his small furry head and said,
*I'd rather not, I don't know if I can stand being with you and him if you're going to glance sideways at each other and pretend you're just friends.*
Daine stuck out her tongue but gave Zek a banana to eat. Which he accepted with delight. She smiled and walked out into the hallway.
"Daine!" Daine heard Kaddar's voice and turned to see him coming towards her.
She curtsied when he got to her,
"Good morning, My Lord." Kaddar grasped her hand lightly for a minute and said in a quiet husky voice,
"Kaddar, remember?"
Daine felt her cheeks burn but she said,
"Yes, Kaddar."
He smiled broadly, and Daine felt her heart thump alarmingly.
"Ready to go then?" Kaddar asked, breaking the awkward silence, "I really think you will enjoy the university. And you will get to meet many animals and friends of mine. If you would like?"
Daine nodded and said,
"I would like that very much."
They had to walk quite a way to get to the University. It took longer than Daine had previously thought it would but Daine enjoyed every moment of it. She learned a lot about Kaddar that she had not known before. He confided in her his fears of becoming an emperor someday. And that he would rather remain a student then to rule a country.
He leaned down and whispered,
"Not to mention, I can't stand wearing such stuffy clothing."
He asked about her life as well. And to her great surprise she found herself telling him more about her life then she had told most people who had known her longer.
She was just telling him of the time she and Numair had met Thkaa, the basilisk, and saved Dunlath with the help of the wolves and other creatures, when Kaddar frowned,
"What is it?" Daine asked in mild concern. "Have I said something wrong?"
Kaddar shook his head and said,
"It's just. Well, you love Numair, don't you?"
Daine looked at him in surprise and said,
"Of course I do. Not in the way of lovers, if that's what you mean but I do love him as a friend."
Kaddar stopped and with his eyes searching he asked,
"Only as a friend?"
"Only. Why are you asking me this?" Daine asked him.
Kaddar just shook his head and began walking again. Daine shrugged and followed him.
They arrived at the University a few minutes later. It was humongous. Students were loitering outside the gates, in elaborate clothing, being fanned by slaves. Huge pillars went high up in front of her eyes, snaking their way up to the top of the vast building. Daine's eyes felt as though they would pop and she murmured in awe,
"It's beautiful."
Kaddar nodded.
"Now you know why Carthak is known for its schooling. We take great pride in our education."
"And in your slaves." Daine muttered quietly, not meaning to say it out loud.
Kaddar heard her though and said,
"That is a part of our society. We find your letting woman fight just as terrible as you find our slaves. It's our way of life, you would be hard pressed to change it."
Daine shook her head in wonder.
"I would ask how could you not want woman to be able to protect themselves, but I once lived in a town where woman were treated like dirt. I cannot belittle you for what you have always known."
Kaddar smiled and so did Daine, though she was troubled. By that time they were at the doors leading into the University.
Inside the doors was a large room, the size of almost the entire formal guest house of the Palace in Tortall. Filled with books of all shapes, sizes and languages.
Daine's eyes shone and she breathed,
"I had no notion there were this many books written, nor this many things to write about."
Kaddar laughed and said in a teasing voice,
"Come on, Country girl. I want to introduce you to some of my friends. I think you'll like them."
Daine blinked and tore her eyes from the shelves and said,
"I think I will too, if they are anything close to as charming as you are." She smiled up at him.
He raised an eyebrow,
"Flirting, are we? Miss Veriladaine?" He inquired.
Daine turned scarlet and laughed a little nervously. Kaddar didn't pursue the subject, which Daine was glad of, because the truth was she had been flirting. She had forgotten that it would never work between the two of them.
*~~*
"So, what did you think?"
Kaddar asked Daine that evening as they were leaving the library after a long day.
Daine smiled sleepily and said,
"It was fair wondrous." She looked up at Kaddar, a little shyly, "Thank you for showing it to me."
Kaddar said,
"You're welcome. You made it shine." He held her gaze intently for a minute then breaking the silence said, "Would you like to go anywhere else? There is an eatery only a few minutes from here, if you are hungry."
Daine nodded,
"Yes please!"
Kaddar grinned and led Daine down the street, talking about his studies. Daine watched him. She really liked him, and true they had only known each other a few days now, but it seemed so much longer.
The Eatery was a formal place. It was called The Red Eagle. Daine's eyes were wide as she looked around the elaborately decorated building. She marveled over the candles floating effortlessly four feet above their heads. Kaddar laughed at her wonder.
"We would like a private room, if you please." Kaddar told the serving man, who kept his eyes down modestly, as custom dictated.
Daine shifted uncomfortably and when the serving man had left to find a room, murmured,
"Kaddar, are you sure that's a good idea? People might get ideas..."
Kaddar looked at her, a bemused expression on his handsome face. He did not answer her, though. He offered her his arm and they followed after the serving man.
The room was small. But beautiful. There was a circular table with two cushioned chairs and goblets already set out.
The serving man left, after they had placed their orders. Kaddar watched as Daine fiddled absently with her napkin.
" You needn't feel awkward. No one will talk about us. I promise." He said quietly. He reached across the table and put his big hand on top of Daine's.
Daine gulped. She wasn't so sure of that...
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AN/ Well, I revised it only a bit, but it sounds better now, I think. I am in the process of writing the next chapter right now. I just wasn't happy with what I had written so I needed to change a few things.
Thanks,
Hannah