OK ~ Next chapter is up.

            For the Dream sequence…you may have to backtrack and remember a certain lullaby sung by our fallen heroin.  It may make more sense.  Also, it's a mix of past present and future…so it supposed to be a bit confusing.  Have fun!

Also: I'd like to thank everyone who has been reviewing and helping me.  Thanks so much.  You all rock!

*****

Uncontrollable

By: Karigan Marie

Chapter: Meeting Kilbao

*****

            She'd undoubtedly inherited her father's sea legs, or lack there of.  She'd been sick more times than she cared to even think about.  Curled up on the small bed in the room she had been sharing with Atune for the five day journey across the inland sea, Jade felt more bile rise in her throat at the slightest sway of the grand ship.  The only thought that ran through her head was the countdown of how many more endless days she would have to be on the nauseating wreck.

            The door opened with a loud crick and her father stepped through, having to duck his head in order to get in.  He held a plate of what appeared to be food and a glass.  He sat next to her on the bed with a regretful smile.  Putting the plate and cup down he reached for her hands.  She offered them to him and he pulled her into a sitting position with a dramatic grunt.  Her legs, tangled in her dress, hung over the side.  "Some crackers will help settle your stomach."  She reached for one and nibbled at it, the dry taste making her sneer in distaste.  He laughed.  "You'd rather eat squid like the rest of the crew?"

            She looked at him in utter disgust and felt herself turn another shade of green.  "Ewe, Papa…"

            He smiled.  "It's almost over; you'll feel one hundred percent better when we get off this thing."  He looked around with furrowed eyebrows.  "I'll admit I never was one to like the steady rocking motion myself.  It's not very comforting."

            "How much longer?"
            He looked at her sympathetically.  "Two days more, sweetling."  He smiled at her.  "Other than your personal argument with the waves, what do you think of the sea?"

            She shrugged.  "It's boring."

            "Boring?" His eyes were wide with surprise.  "There is much to be seen out there, sweetling.  Many animals I think you might actually enjoy seeing."

            She sighed.  Her father had never really grasped onto the concept that she wasn't all that interested in animals.  The only animal she liked was Kitten, and that was questionable at times, the little dragonets moods were erratic and unpredictable.  Her mother had never been at all disappointed with that little detail, in fact, she had always been incredibly supportive of her; it made Jade wonder sometimes.  Her father, though not at all unsupportive, seemed to be under the impression that she couldn't get enough of wild life.  The occasional new creature sparked interest in her, yes, but really, it was far from a fascination.  She smiled, she had too.  He was always trying so hard.  "How much longer until we reach Kilbao once we reach Carthak?"

            He thought for a moment.  "I'm thinking three days more."

            She nodded.  "What will we do when we get there?"

            "Well…" he shifted and leaned back against the wooden wall.  "We'll get settled in first, I imagine.  You can take a look around, there's going to be plenty of land for it.  It's not a large city by any means.  It's hardly bigger than a town, and not nearly as crowded.  It's mostly a horse breeding community.  Some of the best thoroughbreds come out of Kilbao."              She sighed and grinned.  It was inevitable.  "I'll hire someone to teach you to ride; I'd do it myself, but I was never a graceful rider, you wouldn't learn much from me.  Atune can teach you how to ride side-saddle."

            That stopped her short.  She sat up straight and gave him a look of consternation.  "Side-saddle?"  It came out with a tone of incredulity and annoyance.  "Why do I have to learn how to ride side-saddle?"

            Numair grinned patiently.  "It's necessary, Jade.  You're a girl.  Girls ride side-saddle on occasion."

            "Not in Tortall!"  She was desperate now.  "Papa, none of the girls have to ride side-saddle in Tortall.  It's not fair!"  The word 'side-saddle' came out with a twinge of disgust every time it left her lips, and she was almost ashamed of her whining.

            Almost.

            A grin spread across Numair's face and he chuckled softly.  "Jade, I understand.  I do.  In Tortall, women can ride the way they choose, but not in many other kingdoms.  You want to become a mage don't you?"

            "What does that have to do with anything?"

            He sighed.  "Jade, mages often have to travel for the state.  As Atune can attest to herself, in some Kingdoms, such as Scanra, it is considered…" he struggled for a word to use, "…indecent…for women to ride like men.  As a representative of Tortall, you will have to be respectful of their customs.  Sometimes, that respectfulness will require you to adjust to certain traditions; and more often than not, for you, as a woman, it means having to act like a lady, or at least, their version of a lady.  I guarantee you, you're better off learning side-saddle now instead of years from now.  You'll thank me later."

            She sunk back against the side wall, crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled in annoyance.  "No I won't."  Her eyebrows were scrunched together and her stubborn jaw set in defiance.

*****

            The heavy plank slammed into the dock and ropes were being thrown and tied at strategic locations on the ship.  Jade was dieing to get off the massive pile of wood, practically running ahead of her father and Atune.  The sun was beating down with a force she'd never even known before, making sweat break out on her neck.  Her long sleeved green cotton dress she'd left Tortall in was now much too heavy for the climate; she'd have to put something lighter on when they stopped next.  She could practically drink the water in the air it was so humid and hot.

            Jade couldn't get enough.

            She quickly worked at the three buttons holding her cloak on and shoved it into Atune's arms, Kitten scrambling around to avoid getting stepped on by her or any other person.  "It's so warm here, Papa!"

            Numair squinted into the sunlight, using his hand to shield some of it out of his eyes.  He grimaced.  "Hmm.  Yes, I so easily forget how dratted humid it is here.

            Atune looked as if she were about to faint from heat stroke.  "This may require some getting used too.  My Scanran blood may evaporate into the air if I'm not cautious of it."

            "It's wonderful!"  Jade lifted her face to the sun and let it beat down on her paled skin.  For the first time in three months, she didn't feel the freezing chill on her skin.  Couldn't remember what it felt like for her skin to crack and bleed from the cold.  She breathed in deeply and felt nothing but warm.  She was definitely going to like Carthak, if nothing else, for the heat.  She let her lips turn up at the corners and spun around in circles, arms out, heavy skirts twirling in the light sea breeze, fingertips tingling in warmth.

            Atune stared at Jade with amazement.  The girl looked…free…!  It was the first time since Daine's death that Atune had seen a smile on Jade's face.  And it was a beautiful smile, one of relief and wonder.  Atune glanced at Numair and noticed him staring at her as well.  When Atune looked back at Jade, she got another surprise.  Tiny green sparks were flowing from Jade's fingertips; as she spun and spun they ribboned around her, slowly falling to the deck, where the wood around her feet was turning green with some kind of fuzzy mold.  Atune looked back to Numair.  His brows were scrunched together in curious amazement at Jade's actions, but the smile of utter relief on his face was more than enough to let Atune know what was going through his head.  And Atune had to agree.  It had been a good idea.

*****

            She's never seen anything like Carthak, it's overall brown and gold hues touched everything.  As the days passed, she saw more and more of the beautifully built villages, every so often peeking through the carriage doors to see the villagers working away.  They were much darker than those of Tortall, most with brown skin, some even with nearly black.  She had looked at Atune and nearly laughed at how different she was compared to these people.  "I think you may be the only person with blonde hair in the country!"

            Atune has smiled and informed her that, no, if fact, she wasn't, but true, they were few and far between.  Jade curiously wondered if she'd see any more blondes for a while.

            *****

            "9 times 3?"

            "27."

            "9 times 6?"

            "54."

            "9 times 9?"

            "Umm…" Jade scrunched her nose up in thought.  "81?"

Atune looked up from the notebook she was attempting to keep record in, the rocking of the carriage making in nearly impossible to accomplish neatly.  "Is that a question or an answer?"

            Jade sighed.  "An answer.  81."

            Atune nodded in satisfaction.  "In arithmetic, don't give an answer unless you're sure it's right.  If you don't know it, figure it out, then say it."

            "What if it's still wrong?"

            "Then we'll figure out why it's wrong, but you should always figure it out on your own first."  Jade nodded and sighed.  "Now, 9 times 7?"

            Jade opened her mouth to answer when a voice came from the small window.  "We're entering Kilbao now."  Her father smiled from his position on his tall horse and then trotted ahead.

            Jade sprung to the edge of her seat and pushed the curtains aside to have a better view.  Atune closed her notebook and set it aside, scooting over to see herself.  They were passing through gates made of sandstone bricks, large and warn.  The wall was a mere 5 feet high.  Its defense was in its double reinforcements.  The outside wall was nearly 5 feet wide, its flat surface held sharp glass razors plastered in place.  The second wall started five feet after the first wall ended, again only five feet high, but it held stone facings for fighters to hide behind and aim arrows at any intruder.  The facings were evenly spaced through out the massive wall, on each a different symbol.

            Jade looked carefully and recognized one as the symbol for Mithros, another for the Graveyard hag, the Goddess of Chaos, Minos, and the Dream God.  Jade stuck her head out the window, and called out.  "Papa?"

            Numair fell back from the front of the line, his features one of question.  "What is it, Jade?"  They were nearly to the entrance, and Numair would have to go back up front soon.

            Jade pointed towards the facings.  "Do those go all the way around Kilbao?"

            He looked towards where she pointed.  "The guardian ranks?  Yes, they go around the entire city."

            "Is there a God or Goddess on each one?"

            He nodded.  "One for every God and Goddess, each one is different.  There are some open ranks, for future Gods and Goddess'."

            Jade looked at them again and then turned to him with a look of amazement.  "Are Grandda and Grandma on there?"

            Numair smiled.  "As a matter of fact, they are.  Your grandfather's been up there for some time, since before I was a boy.  Your grandmother's symbol was put up only a few years ago."

            "Can we go and see them?"

            Numair smiled.  "Once we get settled in, we'll go looking for them."

            Jade smiled and pulled her head back into the carriage.

            "Atune, why are there two walls?"

            Atune looked her way.  She had scooted to the other side of the carriage peering out in curiosity.  "Some cities use double walls for protective measures.  The space between can be set with traps and gates.  If you look around, you'll probably see great melting caldrons on top of the inner walls.  If the city were to be attacked, they would quickly heat up great amounts of oil in them.  At the right moment, they would pour them into strategically placed tunnels in the wall.  The boiling oil will go down the holes and shoot out at eye level with anyone in between the two walls."

            Jade stared at Atune with wide eyes.  "Oh."

            Atune smile.  "They don't use them anymore."

            That seemed to relax the girl, and turned back to the window.  "Oh.  Good."  Atune smiled.

            "Not often, anyways."  Jade spun around, eyes nearly coming out of her head.  Atune smiled wickedly.

*****

            She thought it would be somewhat like Corus.  It was a city, after all.  Or so she thought.  Truth was, there were more horses than people.  Teenage girls and boys walked the massive fields watching over the stock.  Every so often, they would pass a group of homes or housing barns.  Jade, who had been peering out in curiosity began to notice the people looking at the carriage, their own curiosity taking hold.  Children ran along the road pointing and yelling.  Women, carrying stacks of hay on their backs huddled together, their heads turned towards the passing riders.  Jade found herself pulling back from the window, hiding her face in the corner.  Atune smiled at her.  "They're just curious."

            Jade leaned back against the seat, hiding her face in the shadows.  "Why?" She was starting to get nervous at all the stares.

            Atune picked her notebook up and flipped through some pages.  "Your father is Regent Mage, Jade.  He's now responsible for the safety of many people.  They know this.  They've been informed, I'm sure.  It's only natural that they should be inquisitive."

            Jade grumbled.  "What's inquisitive mean?"

            Atune's eyes lifted from the book, her head stayed down.  "Questioning."  Her eyes went back to the page; her dissatisfaction in Jade's behavior becoming more obvious.

            "Oh."  She slumped down on the seat even further.  "So why are they staring at the carriage.  Papa's out there on the horse."

            Atune sighed, placed her notebook down slightly and looked at her with a look of reproof.  "How is it you are the only one allowed to be curious about others, Jade?  You've been sitting here for the last half hour staring at everything we pass.  Curiosity is natural.  There's nothing wrong with it."  She shook her head and blinked.  "Well, until you get intrusive.  But generally…it's completely innocent.  Honestly Jade, you think the entire realm resolves around you.  They aren't staring at you because they want to be malicious.  They've never seen you before.  Stop being paranoid and try to develop something I like to call optimism.

            Jade tried to disappear into seat, her arms crossed over her chest, her head down, curls covering her face.

            Atune rolled her eyes and continued to look over her notes.

*****

            He swung his leg over his tall brown gelding and slid the ground with a large sigh.  A man walked up to him and quickly took the warn travel cloak from his hand.  "Thank you."  The toothy man smiled in return and backed away.  Numair glanced up at the massive country home and sighed.  It was quite ornate.

            "We are glad you made it safely."  Numair turned to see a tall, extremely dark man walking towards him.  He wore bright blue robes and an assortment of large rings on his fingers.  His smile revealed bright white teeth that reflected his skin extraordinarily well.

            Numair smiled.  "Lord Jabari Salim, I imagine."

            "He I am."  Both men extended their arms and shook them in greeting.  "I hope that your journey here was not too unpleasant."

            "It was fine weather throughout.  No trouble whatsoever, my Lord."

            "I am glad to hear.  Come, come.  Welcome to Kilbao.  We have been much anticipating your arrival.  As Lord-Governor of this prosperous city, I am only too honored to tell you how much we are in need of such a capable mage."

            Numair smiled.  "You seem to have done just fine without me for some time, my Lord."

            "Ah.  I myself have the gift.  But in very limited amounts, not useful for the protection of the city.  I have done what I can, but with my duties I can hardly spare a moment.  I am much relieved you have come to serve my people."  Through the small property gates, two Carthaki soldiers followed by two carriages entered.  "Ah, I see the rest of your party has arrived."

            Numair turned with him as they walked to meet the carriage.  "Yes. I am of course happy to help the city stay safe; but you must remember, I am also here on business from The Capital as well as from Tortall."

            "Yes. Yes, of course."  Jabari placed his large hand on Numair's shoulder.  "Come, come.  Let us meet this young daughter of yours."  Various servants ran around, some heading towards the cart with personal belongings in them, and others lined up in front of the carriage to meet the occupants.

            Numair turned to the servants.  "I am Master Numair Salmalin."  All the servants bowed or curtsied respectively.  He turned to the Carriage, now stopped and opened the door.  Reaching in, he gave an encouraging smile and took Jade's hand.  He helped her step down to the ground where she swallowed nervously and had a hard time finding something to do with her hands.  "This…" he said, reaching down and lifting her chin gently with his hand.  "…is my daughter, Jade Salmalin."  Some of the servants flinched slightly as her green eyes reflected brilliantly against the blazing sun, but they too, along with the other servants, bowed to the little girl.

            Numair reached back in and helped Atune step out.  "This is Lady Atune of the Masson lands in Scanra.  She is my daughter's tutor."  All the servants, including Jabari bowed this time.

            "So this is the small jewel we have been told about."  Jabari stepped up to Jade and leaned down slightly, inspecting her with pitch black eyes.  She wore a dark blue summer dress, the sleeves, which were made of satin, flowed easily in the wind, and came down only to her elbows.  Its bodice came down to just below her chest and flowed into a long skirt.  It looked like a doll's dress, conservative yet very pretty.  Jabari noted the paleness of her skin and determined the girl was much lighter than she should be.  Her father was Carthaki after all, and there was no doubt the girl carried Carthaki blood; while her eyes were a startling bright green, they were slightly slanted and lined with coal black eyelashes and eyebrows, her skin showed promises of a naturally tanned complexion, and her hair, well, the girl had nearly black hair, much like her fathers.

            Jabari had always favored Carthaki beauties as apposed to Northern beauties, a personal opinion, there just wasn't anything more beautiful than a Carthaki desert flower, but he had always been able to appreciate beauty when he saw it.    The Lady Atune was a fine show of female grace and poise.  She was extraordinarily pretty.  But Jabari couldn't help but keep his high opinion of the Carthaki blood.  The small girl, while having a Northern look to her, especially with that stubborn chin, had a distinct Carthaki look to her.  The mix often times had an ill affect on some women, giving them a muddled look.  There were exceptions, of course.  He'd gone up to the Capital only last year and had gotten a look at the young Princess.  Kaddar's daughter was unquestionably taking after her mother's amazing beauty.  Jabari even guessed she would be more beautiful than her mother, her mixed heritage bringing out the best traits of both blood lines.  This girl's Carthaki beauty was only emphasized more by her Northern looks. Jabari was pleasantly surprised to foretell she would one day be extremely pretty and highly sought after by men.  He smiled at her and then looked to Numair.  "She is a pretty thing.  I must only assume such beauty was given to her by her mother."

            Numair looked at Jade, who had turned pink, and smiled at her with soft tenderness.  "Indeed.  She's very much her mother's daughter."  Jade's face tuned red to the roots.

            Jabari smiled.  A man who had been much in love.  A pity the wife passed on, he thought.  She must have been very pretty.  "And you!"  He turned to Atune.  "…My lady, we are most honored to have such a beautiful rose among our humble city."  Atune smiled politely.  "You are being much too generous with your praises towards me."

            "I swear, I am not."  He smiled.  "Many a young man around here would risk his life to bring you a white rose from the bottom of the cliffs of Orleon just to win your favor."

            Atune smiled.  "To risk one's life so needlessly would not win me over, my lord.  That he should have the common sense not to risk his life for such a silly quest would better soot my favor."

            Jabari stood straight and laughed heartedly.  "You have a witty one here, Master Numair."

            Numair smiled.  "That she is."

            Jabari bowed to Atune once again.  "I will most definitely be looking forward to speaking to you further.  Atune curtsied and smiled.  Jabari turned to Numair.  "Well, I will be leaving you to see your new home, you must be very curious."  He directed the last comment towards Jade.  She smiled shyly.

            "I appreciate you meeting us, my lord."  They shook arms again and Jabari and his small group of servants mounted their horses and rode off.

*****

            She clung to her father's hand as they walked through the doorways made of beautiful darkwood.  Her jaw dropped as she looked around her.  They were merely in the entrance way to their new home and Jade had never seen anything like it.  The walls were intricately designed with ceramic tiles of many different colors.  They had designs that reached from floor to ceiling, coiling and mixing beautifully.  The ceiling arched up, blue and gold ribs giving them vast space.  It was shocking.  "Wow…"  It came out her mouth in utter disbelief, echoing off the tiled walls.

            Numair smiled.  Well, it's not the Palace by any means, but it is rather nice."

            Jade walked to the wall, her arm pulling on her father's hand.  She ran fingers over the mosaic with curious fingers.  "It's so pretty, Papa."

            "You haven't even seen the rest of the place, Jade."  He laughed, the deep tone ringing off the walls, making Jade's face light up in wonder.

            "Master Salmalin."  The rich voice came from an entrance way to their right.  It belonged to a women who looked slightly older than her father.  She wore a very conservative Carthaki dress with her hair pulled back in a tight knot, a few white streaks running through it.  "I am Messina.  The housekeeper."  She bowed slightly.  "Welcome.  I am pleased to meet you."  She smiled tightly.  She bowed to Atune and then turned to Jade.  "This must be the little Miss."  Jade backed up and shyly hid herself halfway behind her father.

            Numair smiled.  "You may have to be somewhat patient with Jade.  She is very shy of strangers."

            The woman smiled, it didn't soot her well at all.  She turned around and quickly began to walk into the hall.  "I'll be happy to show you the rest of your home."  Numair looked towards Atune, whose eyebrows were arched.  She shrugged at him and they quickly followed, Jade straggling along, her hand still in her father's hand.

*****

;a;a;a;a;a;a;

            Soft words sung in her mind, the melody soft and sweet, the voice deep and loving.  Each word rung softly in her mind, echoing out through her subconscious ~

~I am here now~

~Have no fear now~

~I will keep you safe until the dawn~

            The last word, so pretty and tender stretched out into her mind, reaching past time, reaching into her memories until the word formed its own precious image of gray blue eyes sparkling with reassurance and protectiveness.  She could feel the soft blanket of those eyes, forever warm and soft, wrapping around her to chase away any possible chill.

            And then the sweet song sharpened into a scream that pierced her ears.  And the gray blue eyes turned ice cold with death and surprise, and she could feel warm blood on her fingers, could feel the ice begin to surround her heart.  And that sweet voice which had been so assuring was now strained and rushed, desperate to get out the words.

~Don't be afraid~

            And she felt the ice rip away at her skin, felt the hard surface of pure white burn through her eyes, saw everything in her life falling apart, her past, her present, her future, breaking away and sinking into the freezing water, never to be seen again.

            And the gray blue eyes disappeared and she looked into a pair of dark brown eyes, brown eyes that could see inside her, could break her, could take everything away from her again. Everything she'd ever worked for, everything she'd fought for, he could take away again.  All those bottomless brown eyes had to do was look at her, and she'd fall, she'd let go and surrender.  Because she didn't have anything if she didn't have this.  She'd give everything up.  Everything.  If she could keep this.  And an absurd thought crossed her mind.  'The Pips had been right, it was her greatest weakness.'

            She'd never been more afraid in her life, not even with the ice.  It made the decision that much easier.  She felt the pull…and then she felt empty.

;a;a;a;a;;a;a;aa;

*****

            Jade's eyes snapped open in the dark.  Her breath came fast an uneven.  She'd been curled up on her side, the soft silk sheets bunched under and around her.  The warm night hair cooling her sweating neck.

            Her new room was twice the size of the one she'd had at the Palace.  Strewn around were various chests and bags, opened with various possessions placed about.  The oil lamp on her nightstand had blown out and the soft curtains that flouted around in the night air fluttered prettily, the full moon shinning down and glowing on their whiteness.

            "Papa!" She really wasn't aware why she screamed his name.  She wasn't all that frightened by the dream.  Honestly, she was more afraid what she'd done to the room.  In the dark, she really couldn't tell.  "Papa!"  She sat up, her satin nightgown wrinkled from her movements during the night.  "Papa!"  She heard footsteps and a few voices, then her door opened and a bright glow made her shield her eyes.

            Numair pushed through the doors, oil lamp in hand.  "Jade? What's the matter?"  He walked to her side and sat on the bed.  "You're sweating, Jade.  Did you have a night terror?"  He smoothed some damp curls out of her face.

            "Sort of."  She breathed easier and looked around, trying to locate the damage she'd done.

            The housekeeper, Messina and Atune quickly walked in then.  "What in the God's name is all the noise?" the older woman said sternly.

            Amena dived in.  "I'm sorry for the sudden awakening.  Jade sometimes has trouble sleeping lately."

            The old woman sniffed and said in a grumpy voice, "a few nights left screaming on her own and she'll learn soon enough how far it will get her."  She walked out then, slippered feet scrapping the floor.

            Atune's blank face starred after her a few moments before raising an eyebrow and turned to go back to her own room.

            Numair held Jade in his lap, stroking her soft hair.  "Where you frightened?"  She shook her head no.  "Then why did you call for me?"

            Jade lifted her head.  "I didn't know what I'd done, to the room?"

            He nodded in sudden understanding.  "Well, let's take a peak, shall we?"  He lifted the oil lamp and they looked around the room.  "Everything looks normal, don't you think?"  When he looked at her, she was looking up.  He tilted his own head up and his eyes widened in surprise.  "Well…"  Long ivy vines were entangled all around the ceiling mosaic, purple flowers blossomed and bright.  "It's very pretty."  Jade sighed and he laughed.  "We'll have Essien clean it out in the morning.  It doesn't look like it will hurt anyone."  Jade sighed.  "Now, you need to get some sleep.  Riding lessons start tomorrow, bright and early, and don't think you're getting out of it again."

            Jade grumped and frowned.  "I don't want too."
            "Don't be silly, Jade.  Some of the finest horses in the realm are here in Kilbao and you don't want to ride them?"
            "They're too nervous!"

            "They're horses.  You just have to get used to them, comfortable with them.  They'll warm up to you."

            "The one you brought yesterday almost stepped on my foot."  She was being difficult now, she knew.

            Numair gasped in exasperation and nudged her to the bed.  "To sleep.  To sleep I say!"

*****

Wow! Fun huh?  Weehoo…ok…hope you liked it.

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