A/N: Hey everyone. New fanfic. I had one up a few years ago for a story based off of A Separate Peace. Ok I am sure there are those out there who detest the book, but I thought it wasn't that bad. Don't worry I took it down, 'cause my writing muses left me. But back to the story at hand. This a few years after The Realms of the Gods, I am not sure how many years exactly, but I am putting Daine in the range of early 20s. So read and review! Enjoy!
~Achaia Athena
Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me. They only belong to the great Tamora Pierce of course. So no one come knocking on my door!
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The day was clouded as a blue-gray eyed brunette and her companion journeyed to the palace of King Jonathan III and Queen Thayet in the glorious city of Corus, the capital of Tortall, since her escape from Galla with Onua of the Queen's Riders, those five or six years ago.
Daine Sarrasi looked back to her first year here, she remembered herself being shy of other people, afraid to tell her story and fear that her wild magic would go rogue. And thanks to her teacher and companion Numair Salamalin, for all the years she had been in Tortall, she was able to control it and save the country from annihilation due to the wickedness of the former Emperor of Carthak, Ozorne. But now Ozorne was dead, his Stormwing form buried deep in the ground, forever there and never to return. His nephew and heir Kaddar was now Emperor of Carthak and put the people's trust in the ruler and the gods.
I wonder if Kitten is well in Carthak. Probably has figured out how to whistle every lock in the palace by now. Daine smiled to herself. And I bet Kaddar is having fun showing her off. The two of them certainly hit it off very well when I first came with the Tortallian delegation. To think Kaddar is the emperor! I still can't believe it! The clop of the horses' hooves broke her thoughts for a while. Daine looked around, the land looked peaceful. There didn't seem to be anything to watch for. So she was able to return back to her thoughts.
Kaddar she thought. It has been a long time since I have seen him. I wonder if… She returned back to reality when her gentle mare Cloud nipped her lightly on her arm.
–What are you think about? - she asked. –The storkman maybe? – asked Cloud wickedly. Daine held back an urge to kick her mount hard.
–No I was not thinking about him. I was wondering how Kaddar was doing now. - retorted Daine.
She stole a quick glance at Numair, who was riding next to her on his own placid gelding, Spots, and she saw that he was drifting away in dreamland. Gleefully, she mind called to his mount.
–Spots !- she called. –I think Sleeping Beauty needs a reality check!-
Spots changed his easy gait, to a canter, Numair woke with a start and was left to cling his mount's mane. Giving Cloud a gentle kick, she set off after the clinging Numair and his mount. A wide grin spread on Daine's face, when Numair was thrown out of his saddle, and landed on the ground nearby. Numair glared up at his grinning pupil who halted her mount next to him.
"Not funny," he said getting up and dusting himself off. "Not funny at all. And you'll pay for that trick."
"What did I do?" Daine asked, her eyes open innocently. "I swear by the Goddess I did nothing."
"Uh, uh. I know you were part of this trick. Don't you deny it. By Mirthros, I know you were part of this confederacy, maybe even the lead."
As he was about to mount back on Spots, both Daine and Numair heard the sounds of hooves on the road behind them. All of a sudden, a group of mounted horsemen rushed by them, leaving a large cloud of dust in their wake.
"Well it looks as if they were in hurry!" huffed Numair. "The least they could have done was inform other travelers of their presence." He attempted to make himself decent by dusting himself off once again.
"Oh, Numair, do stop worrying about your appearance, it's not like the King is going to order you to take a bath or anything!" laughed Daine. "The worst he could do probably is complain, that's all.'
"Well, still, they at least could have…"
Daine interrupted him. "What I am worried about is why those knights were in such a hurry. From what I could tell they looked like King Jonathan's messengers because they had his insignia on one of the scrolls, sticking out of one of the rider's saddlebags."
"Then their destination must be Corus, where else!"
"We better return to the capital in a hurry!"
And with that, Daine gave Cloud's rump a swift kick, and off she went in the direction of the messengers went. Numair soon followed on Spots.
"Magelet, next time you're in a hurry, do try to warn me." Numair panted as he caught up to Cloud.
:"The king might need us, that's why I am in a hurry!" snapped Daine.
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They soon reached the capital of Tortall, in the mid-afternoon. They risked camping out in the forests last night, so they could return looking rested and alert. The city was bustling with people going to the market. With a bit of pushing and shoving, Daine and Numair soon reached the road to the palace. Giving Cloud and Spots to the care of one of the stable hands on duty, Daine and Numair entered the palace. Upon their entrance, a page came rushing to greet them.
"If you be Lady Daine and Sir Numair, I am ordered to bring you to King Jonathan's study."
"We are whom you speak of," answered Daine. "But please I am no 'lady' nor is he," eyes glinting with laughter, "a 'sir'"
"Well since we are whom you are looking for, may you lead us to the king." Numair interrupted.
"Of course, follow me."
As they followed the page through the many corridors, Numair whispered to Daine with mock-severity, "Thanks for telling him, that I am not a 'sir', now I wonder what the whole palace will think of me now." Daine just giggled. But before Numair could again glare at her, they had reached King Jonathan's study.
"Your Majesty, Mistress Daine, and the mage, Numair," the page announced with much importance. "Is there anything else you need?"
"No, no, nothing more, Javier, please. You may go." Answered a voice. His voice held a hint of regal formality.
The page left, widening the door, to allow Daine and Numair to enter.
"Your Majesty," bowed Numair, when he came into focus of a striking pair of blue-eyes. Daine followed his example and curtsied.
"No, please none of that," implored King Jonathan. "I have had enough of that for today. First from everyone here each morning, afternoon, and night, and then the messengers from yesterday afternoon. Come join me here and enjoy these treats from the kitchens." He gestured toward the table, which was indeed covered with treats.
Daine and Numair sat themselves in the plushy furniture in the room. Daine reached for what looked like a lemon tart, but when she bit into it, the flavor surprised her.
"Banana! I never had a banana cream tart. Quite delicious!" she exclaimed with pleasure.
"I'll be sure to tell Javier to tell the cook." King Jonathan smiled.
"Your Majesty, you called for us did you not?" inquired Numair as he ate his own chocolate snack. "And I am sure it is not to test taste this food."
"You are right, Numair. I did not call you to test taste these treats. I called you both because he has to do with the message I received from the southern border yesterday."
"You mean those riders that overtook us yesterday were messengers from the southern boarder!" exclaimed Daine. "That means the message comes from the Emperor!"
"I wonder why Kaddar, I mean Emperor Kaddar, would send a missive, not unless it's really urgent." Numair reasoned. "Well, what did it say?" He turned to look at King Jonathan.
"Some of the nobles, there are rebelling. They want the empire to be the same way,… the same way it was before the war. But of course that's not possible, the Cathakis should move on from the old regime of Ozorne. That is my thought, though."
"And why do you need us? Do you want us to go down there and…visit?" asked Daine.
The king sighed. "Yes, that's what I want. I am requesting the both of you to go down there because I think the Emperor would like to see a friendly face of someone he knows he could trust. I would send Lindhall, but he is busy this year teaching all the students about our history with Carthak and what is like to be northerner there." King Jonathan looked at Daine and Numair, his eyes questioning them. "So do the two of you think you're up to the job?"
"It has been a long time since, both Numair and I have seen his Majesty since he came to the throne." Daine contemplated. "Numair, what do you think?" She turned to her own love and companion.
"Well dearest, I think we should go and see what support we can give his most serene ruler Kaddar, our support at most, maybe even some advice, if need be." I wonder how Daine will react when she sees his High-, no his Majesty. He gave a glimpse at his student and lover. She was talking with King Jonathan, her face alive with vivid anticipation. I hope all goes well at Carthak, for I have this strange feeling a storm is going to crash on us soon. He came out of his thoughts when King Jonathan cleared his throat, to give his final words.
"Then it is decided. You shall leave in three days time," proclaimed King Jonathan.
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A/N: That is where I leave it for now. So tell me what is this storm that Numair thinks is coming? No don't answer that, the next chapter will. So give me those reviews, and maybe I will be kind enough and grant you the second chapter soon enough.
~Achaia Athena