A/N: Ok I have gotten 8 reviews for a start. That is good, very good. I would like to thank those people for them. I am glad you all like this story, even though this is a cheesy idea. Alright before I give you guys the next chapter, I would like to thank the following people as follows:
Gossiptalk: You really think this good! I am greatly honored. No one has ever told me that. Thanks! J
CrAzYhOrSeGiRl88: Ah, all the compliments. And to think it has been a while since I posted on ffn.net. I am so happy you love this story! As for it being D/N, that idea is still undecided. And I am amazed that mine is one of
the few good stories worth waiting for, no one has ever told me that. Thanks so much, 'cause it means
means a lot to me.
Lioness: So you want D/N not D/K, huh. Well I don't know maybe something will happen. I don't know. Only the muses know. *Stares at the sky mysteriously*
Coley: I am happy you like the plot. This idea has been growing in my head for about a year. Took me a while to put it up.
Glynnis: Thanks for telling me this is a good read. I am always happy to receive compliments.
Unknown: Glad you think this is good. As I said before, I don't know for certain whom Daine is going to be with. I leave it to the muses.
Lightshine: Well here is the second chapter. I hope you like it.
Kit49: Ah, you are the only person that hasn't asked for a D/N pairing in words. Get your rain gear, 'cause I think the
storm is coming soon! *grins* I love triangles, especially when it has two guys vying for a woman. Always fun to
write about. *Rubs hands together, with a mischievous grin covering face*
To all my reviewers: If you guys have any ideas in which I could improve this, do tell me! I don't mean having this become a D/N fanfic or anything, but something constructive that will help to improve the plot. I mean to bring in a nice hurricane just like Isabelle. E-mail me at mysticdarkrose@yahoo.com if you have any ideas. Ok. Cheers! J
~Achaia Athenae
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*[In the Previous Chapter]*
"Then it is decided. You shall leave in three days time," proclaimed King Jonathan.
*[Present Chapter]*
"Ah, it is so good to be here again!" exclaimed Daine as she leaned over the boat's railing as she let the wind play with her curly brown tresses. "To feel the warm breeze again, to see the university in the distance, and of course see the animals that live here. Life feels good here." Turning to Numair, who stood next to her she questioned. "Don't you think so too?"
"What? Oh yes, I think it is very…um…good to be back," He blushed with embarrassment. "The weather here is so… nice," he finished lamely. She misses this place that much? He took a glimpse at his one-time student and now, lover. She was looking at the water, observing all the little fishes darting in the water wistfully. "Do you want to change and join them down there?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I wish I could, but we'll reach the Thak's Gate soon, I think. And I don't want to meet the Emperor wet, like the last time I did. Although that was a different Emperor, this is the new one and he is my friend."
"Oh, 'cause if you were going to join those fish," he nodded toward the darting fish in the water, " I was about to suggest to you, that you avoid the crocodiles in these waters." Does Daine miss Kaddar? I wish I could figure out her feelings about him.
"You mean those big monsters lying over there," she pointed toward the log looking animals on the other bank, unaware of Numair's stillness. "They're harmless once you get to know them. I think I could find something interesting from them." She closed her eyes and took a tendril of her copper magic and touched it lightly on each of the sunning beasts.
Hello? she gave the beasts a mental poke. Sorry to awake you, but I though maybe one of your kind would remember me?"
Who dares wake us! Daine heard from one of the beasts moan.
I wish we knew. Smells like a northerner. Answered another
I think it is, she smells like it. Maybe the one old Aziliz told us about?
The last of the log-looking animals to speak turned to where Daine stood. We may know you-
Are you the one who stole old Aziliz's meal those few summers ago? Interrupted the first crocodile.
Of course she is! Don't be stupid. She smells of the rivers and pines of the north! Retorted the second crocodile.
"All your kind know about me?" asked Daine.
Of course, every crocodile knows about you, we've never had something like that happen to us. Someone taking our meal from us. The third crocodile gave her a toothy grin.
So she is the one! Exclaimed the other two. We know all about you.
"You do don't you? How?"
Old Aziliz told us. She was the crocodile that first spoke to you. Answered the first crocodile. She was our granny.
It's a most entertaining tale. Added the second crocodile.
We would tell you, but…- started the first
-…but we have meals to catch. finished the third.
"Yes, I understand that. Well, its good, to speak to your kind again. Do tell your granny, that I am grateful she is not angry at me for stealing her meal so many years ago."
We will tell her that. Good bye! I am sure we'll meet again soon enough. Called all three as they slipped back into the river and headed upstream to catch their meal.
Daine turned to Numair who had only heard her half of the conversation. "They all know about me and me saving Zek from the river, so many years ago."
"Not surprised, crocodiles tell each other everything and have amazing memories from what I hear. Their great gossips, just to tell you."
"I wonder if there is anything else new that I will find here."
But before Numair could comment, a gong sounded three times across the harbor, everyone bowed their heads not to the ground, but low enough that everyone didn't look like they were frogs. Looking ahead from their boat, Daine and Numair saw that a path had been opened from their own ship in the busy in the harbor to what seemed to be a canal lock. A high-powered and richly adorned boat came down the path, rowed by what seemed to be unchained slaves. It seemed that the emperor had decided to meet them before they reached land unlike his predecessor, the once Emperor Mage, later dead Stormwing leader, Ozorne. A servant came to them and indicating one of the small boats heading their way, he said.
"Sir, my lady, please follow me. The emperor wishes you to come join him on his boat for the rest of the journey."
"But what about our luggage?" asked Numair.
"Do not worry, someone else will deal with that," answered the servant.
"We follow you with good grace then," replied Daine with a smile.
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The servant led them to the small dais situated under the shade of a large canopy. And there sat the recently crowned Emperor, dressed simply in a calf length lapis lazuli colored tunic of silk. But again it was the amount of jewelry he wore that awed Daine. Three gold earrings twinkled from his left ear, while another gold decorated his right, along with his traditional ruby drops. The twinkle from his wrist led Daine to see that he wore the protective ruby bracelet. Daine and Numair stopped at the foot of the steps.
"Your Imperial Majesty, it's a great honor for you to allow us to return," Numair greeted with a low bow.
"We hope that you are doing well since we last saw you," Daine added with a curtsey and a small smile. "Because I must add, that the last time, we were here, it wasn't the best of times."
"Drop the formal act, both of you," he nodded to them, "I don't need more subjects giving me any more formalities. Besides you both are not my subjects, but my friends, so please, arise." He walked down the steps and stood in front of them. "Now how are both of you? The king and queen? The King's Champion? How about…?"
"Hold on, Kaddar, one question at a time!" Daine said with a laugh. "We will tell you the news from Tortall as fast as we can."
"We have much to tell you, I assure you," added Numair with a smile. "But of course you will have to tell any news from Carthak, since neither of us have been here since your coronation those few years back."
"Yes, it seems I have much to tell you, both," Kaddar replied. "Join me on the outside deck."
The trio, with Daine in the center, basked in the sun's rays as they leaned against the boat's railing.
This place really is different. You know there is something missing here thought Daine. Turning to Kaddar, "Your Imp-, sorry, Kaddar, do you not have any slaves here? For I hear no sounds of whips or drums on this boat."
"So, you have noticed a difference," observed Kaddar. "You're right, there are no slaves here in Carthak, most of the slaves near the capital are all free men and women. They all earn their own wages by their own labor. Some even own their own shops in the city if they have any particular trade."
"But, what about the other parts of the Empire," asked Numair, "surely they wouldn't agree with that."
"You are right. There is no way for me to be sure that all my subjects obey that law. And the freedom of slaves is one of the many reasons, many nobles from the far reaches of my empire don't pay their allegiance to me."
"But surely there can be some kind of compromise formed between the both you, isn't there?" asked Daine.
"We have been working on that, but the nobles are demanding so much." Kaddar sighed. "They still want the old ways when my uncle was Emperor."
"Is there any particular leader of these obviously rebellious nobles?" asked Numair.
Kaddar nodded. "The ruling noble in Ekallatum, Duke Zephor. My spies tell me that he plans a rebellion against me soon. It may have started already; I already suspect that he has spies in my household, so the two of you be careful. You're not part of this in any way."
"We are part of any thing," answered Daine with a smile. "No matter how far apart it is from our original plans."
"Somehow we always end up in those kind of situations," added Numair. "But two of us shall try to stay out this as best we can."
"Good, I hope that Mithros bless you both a safe visit. But we are near to the new palace."
And for the rest of the trip, Daine and Numair observed the new layout of the Carthaki Empire with awe. Kaddar had certainly done a good job rebuilding the city since the last time they were here. He even took Daine's suggestion and relocated the palace to another location, still close to the water, but far from where the banks where the rats nested. Economy was growing through trade, and the most of the more important documents were reproduced by another census of the Empire's productivity and growth. All seemed well.
"Your Imperial Majesty!" a slave ran to where the group stood, he bowed quickly, then looked back to the Emperor. "The is a fire on board the ship, we don't know how it started, but it is spreading fast!"
"What!" exclaimed the Emperor. "Order a total evacuation of the crew, but first get us a boat so we may get to land safely." Turning to Daine and Numair. "Please excuse me, I must check the safety of the crew on board."
"I wonder how the fire started," muttered Numair quietly to Daine.
"It could be one of Kaddar's enemies' spies," answered Daine in hushed whisper. "He did say he suspected spies in his court."
"Well, it seems we have landed right into the situation."
"Even though, Kaddar did warn us to stay out. You did say that we always did seem to fall into a situation. Do you have Foresight or something?"
"No, magelet. It was just a feeling, that's all." I am sorry, Daine, I can't tell you all my secrets.
A servant came up to them. "My lord, my lady, please, the Emperor insists that you board the safety boats immediately, he himself will join you as soon as possible. So if you will please."
As Daine and Numair headed for the safety boats hurriedly, they heard a great crash behind them. One of the two masts had collapsed, and was weighing down the boat.
"Come on, Daine!" Numair yelled. "This boat could sink any time soon!"
"But the Emperor and the crew are still here, and the rats tell me that, the stairs down below are blinded by smoke!"
"Think of yourself, Daine, not everyone else!"
"But if we lose Kaddar now…"
"Daine, just come on board!"
"No, I am going below, you can follow or not, but my mind is set!" And with that Daine turned around and headed for below deck.
"Daine!!" Numair yelled behind her. But Daine did not look back.
A/N: So peeps, what do you thinks going to happen? Will Daine survive? The crew? Kaddar? Is this good or anything? I hope so! Review, Review, Review!!!! And I suggest you all read Tammy's new book, Trickster's Choice about Alanna's daughter, Alianne and her adventure in the Copper Isles and how it is not fun to bet with the Trickster. You would know Alianne as one of the four-year old twins in the Immortal series. I would give a good review, but I found it too like a fanfiction. But I will leave it to you to determine whether or not it is good. I am still formulating the third chapter, but hopefully it shall be up by November. Until then. Adieu! Adieu! Adieu!
~Achaia Athenae