A/N: This story came from an odd impulse. I have a feeling this is going to turn out well, and I hope for the best. Reviews are the backbone to all writers, and I won't apologize for asking you to do me a favor.

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Title: Beautiful Disaster

Author: Karr

Rating: PG-13

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Disclaimer: I usually make a joke of this, but since this is the first chapter, I suppose I could withhold from using sarcasm this once. All objects, places, characters to/or related to Tamora Pierce are strictly hers. However the following characters, places, and such belong to Karr: Elaine McKinley, Paco Fairgo, Harriet Fairgo, Burne Fairgo, Nathan Sawyer, Poshbrook, Raymond Bask, King Marcus of Apollo, Queen Simone of Apollo, Prince Anthony of Apollo, Damian of Constance, Lorraine of Constance, Lauryn of Constance, Shayna of Constance, Armond of Apollo, and Jacqueline of Constance.

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Prologue

  (431 H.E.)

  

      With the sole exception of a drunken guard, the halls of the Gallan palace were deserted. Thanks to the drug-induced ale he had consumed, the middle-aged man was a humorous sight. Slumped against the wall, eyes half-closed, he mumbled idly. Being as intoxicated as the guard was, had one wanted to siege the castle, it would have been theirs for the taking. Fortunately for the residents housed within the palace walls, the night was calm and without invaders.

   Snoring quietly, the pitiful guard took no notice as a maid slipped by him silently. The woman expertly unlocked the door soundlessly. Had this not been the back of the palace, her departure would have been impossible, for both the front and side entrances were far to heavily guarded and bolted. It took only moments before she was securely out of the palace – thick in forest. There would be no other guards; of this the woman was certain. The King – that impudent ass – would have them fencing drunk for his own pleasure. The laughter that echoed from with the palace walls only confirmed her thoughts.

   Cloaked in black, the woman blended with the midnight sky. In her hand she carried a basket, draped with a black veil. She hastened her way through the trees, handling the basket with care.  Uncanny, the limping trees had no affect on the woman. Her mind was elsewhere – her body carrying further into the dreary night.

  She traveled in this manner without rest. Only upon the rising of the crimson sun did she stop. The deathly trees had ended a league back – leaving her in wondrously open grasslands. She shaded her eyes – looking towards the east. Her glance fell upon a wooden cabin, comfortably sitting on the horizon.

   ~**~

   A young, handsome man stood in the doorway of the wooden cabin, looking at the woman who stood before him. She held herself with composure, trying to hide her obvious fatigue. Silently, the woman took off her hood, revealing a youthful face and delicate lips. She smiled thinly. "Is he here?"

  "Yes – he's asleep. He traveled for two weeks to be her, Lori."

  She nodded. "I know." 

  A quiet wail interrupted. He nodded to the basket. "How is she?"

   "She sleeps – I couldn't take a chance. I used a sleeping powder." She shook as she looked down. "He wanted to say goodbye."

   The man sighed and nodded, running a hand threw his black hair. "Come in. You need to sleep."

   ~**~

    "Raymond, I have no choice. If she stays – gods – her blood and Damian's will be on my hands." Lori said, unable to continue. Both sat at a table, which was centered in the middle of a scarcely furnished room. In her hands, Lori held a cup of unseasoned tea, a strong remedy that battled her drowsiness. It was late afternoon, and her husband still slept.

     Raymond grimaced. " – And you want me to take her?"

    Lori nodded. "You are the only one Damian and I can trust. We are not in favor at court, least of all with the King and his Queen! Please Raymond, I cannot bear the thought of --."

    Raymond held up is hands, silencing her. "—I will do as you ask, for the sake of the child." 

  Young Lori, beautiful as she was naïve, bit her lip. Her hair was a decided deep auburn, falling softly past her shoulders, curling neatly. Her skin was naturally tan, bringing depth to her long lashes and stormy eyes. She looked down. "I am sorry, Raymond."

   He stood and turned away. She didn't need to explain. " I wish you weren't. Then – I would have a reason to be angry. Lori – your heart doesn't give you the power of choosing who you love." He stopped. "I'll get more tea." Leaving the room, he walked down a corridor that ran to his kitchen.

  She looked down at the basket, her child sleeping still. Since their arrival that morning, the child had only awakened twice – briefly, and only to be fed. She was still in quite slumber from the drug.  With a moan, Lori covered her face with her hands. "I want to die." She mumbled quietly.

    "Please don't. My life would be awfully lonely without you." 

    Lori jerked her head up quickly. In the doorframe directly in front of her stood her love.  Black hair tousled, he wore fawn breeches and a pallid tunic. He smiled.

   It was all she needed. Almost knocking over her chair, she ran to him. He picked her up in a tight grasp. She pulled back to look at him. "Your awake." Her eyes darkened with vulnerability. "--Oh gods Damian, I didn't know what to—."

    He kissed her gently. "I know. I'm here now." He looked down at her black cloak and smiled. "Is that how you passed the guards?"

    She grinned. "I've found that maids have more freedoms than that of the common lady, Damian."

     "Ah – but you are not a common lady." He smiled and leaned down to kiss her --.

     "Good afternoon, your grace."  Both Lori and Damian looked over to see Raymond carrying fresh tea. Walking to the empty table, he placed it down gently. Looking at Lori, he smiled, though his eyes betrayed a different emotion. He motioned to the tea. "Its cinnamon. You seem awake, so I took the liberty of making some."

   Lori nodded. "Thank you." She said, releasing herself from Damian.

   "Same to you, Raymond." Damian said, walking to the table. He pulled out a chair and looked at Lori and Raymond. "Shall we talk?"

   Lori hesitated. "Right now?"

   Raymond looked at her. "The sooner we get this over with --."

   "Fine." She said agitated. She dreaded what Raymond would have said. "Let's talk."

  ~**~

    "You want me to take your child to this woman?" Raymond asked, his face bland.

      "Yes – she is in my debt and was loyal to my mother." Lori told him.

      He nodded. "Will you leave her with anything?"

      Silently, Lori reached into an inside pocket of her cloak, pulling out a small purse and a letter. She sat them on the table. "It's fifty gold pence, enough to keep her comfortable until she is old enough to be on her own."

    "Gold pence?"  Raymond's voice was tense. "Why not standard kingdom pence?"

    Damian had been quiet throughout the entire conversation, and only then did he speak up. "Raymond, she's --."

    "Not residing in Galla." It was a statement, not a question. Raymond shook his head ruefully. "Gods, I should have--."

   "Please."

   Both Raymond and Damian starred at Lori. Strong-headed, beautifully blunt Lori was pleading. Neither of them had ever seen her in such a helpless state. It was disconcerting.

   Raymond cursed. He knew he had to help. He had known even before their arrival – and he hated that – more than anything.

    Damian broke the silence. "You can have anything you want, Raymond."

   Raymond looked away, fists tight. Once his best friend – Damian of Constance – had forgotten much. Orphaned young, Raymond had worked his entire life in return for callused palms and a wooden cabin. He didn't want anything Damian or is bride could give. All he wanted was to be left alone – and then he knew.

   He dared not look at either of them. "I want you to let me live in peace. If I do this for you, I want you out of my life."

   Lori grabbed for her husbands arm. Damian's face was blank – a sure sign he was hiding his thoughts. Raymond found himself examining his bare floor. He would not look at Lori.

   As soon as the words had escaped Raymond's mouth, silent tears ran slowly down her porcelain cheeks. Her eyes – those wondrous storm eyes – pulled black – leaving only blankness.

   No one spoke.

   "If that it what you wish." It was Damian, his voice stressed.

   "It is."

   Damian sighed deeply. "Very well. You bring our child safely to Tortall, and we will no longer trouble you."

  A quiet sneeze broke the spell. Simultaneously, they looked up across the room – their eyes all meeting on one object. The child sat quietly in her veiled basket, watching the three onlookers intently. She, ironically enough, had no notion of the journey she was about to undertake, nor of the destiny that awaited her.

  Her parents – lovely, young, naïve, and endangered.

  Raymond – the man who would take her away, and the only one who could bring her back.

  She looked at them with all the innocence of the child she was.

  "She has eyes very much like yours." Raymond said absently, watching the child keenly. "But – they are different. They are the gray of storm, that much is obvious. But – still – something is hidden in them." He thought to himself. Finally, he answered. "They are oleander eyes."

"Oleander eyes." Lori whispered, hands still cupped in those of her husband. "I like that."

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   And so the life of the child began – a life full of mystery, both wondrous and horrible. Here begins the story of Elaine McKinley – a story of her unknown belonging -- and how she got it back. 

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   A/N: Yes – well – I hope you enjoyed. I personally can't wait to find out what happens next. Oleanders (Referring to the color of Elaine's eyes and to the oleander flower) will play a large role in this story, however insignificant it may seem. If you curious, this will end up to have a handful of well-known Pierce characters entangled in the plot. One of the main ones will include Evin Larse. I'm a true believer that he doesn't get enough attention. Agree?

-Karr