Rating: for the first few chapters the rating will be PG (but it will be raised when Daine and Numair consummate their relationship- just a warning!)
Summary: Set directly after Emperor Mage, Daine and Numair return to Tortall just as the country is breaking out in civil war.
Pairing: D/N all the way, baby!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the voices in my head. Everything else belongs to the awesome Tamora Pierce.

Prologue: Leaving Carthak

Veralidaine Sarrasri's hands tightly gripped the ship's railing long after the last glimpse of Carthak had disappeared beyond the horizon. As she stared out over the churning water, she could still see the glittering Imperial city in her mind's eye. She thought of the impoverished citizens and the many slaves of Carthak, of the animals from the Imperial menagerie. She thought of Kaddar and said a silent prayer for those still trapped in the former Emperor Ozorne's gilded cages.

A large hand came to rest on Daine's shoulder and she turned to see the pensive face of Master Numair Samalin looking out over the waves. Copper for your thoughts, magelet, he said.

She looked down at her hands on the wooden rail and sighed. I'm afraid to go home, she admitted. Numair, how can I face them? After what I've done? The Carthaki palace is in ruins, Ozorne is now immortal. How can anyone at home ever understand what's happened?

Numair's grip on her shoulder tightened comfortingly. You weren't completely acting of your own free will, magelet, remember that he said. You were being influenced by a goddess- and a powerful one at that. Don't forget that you also happened to take Emperor Ozorne from power- a feat no government has accomplished- and you did a most excellent job of avenging my untimely (although staged) demise. Your friends will understand. He tugged one of her brown curls playfully and smiled down at her. You did very well, magelet.

Daine's gaze moved back to the rolling water and her eyes darkened. Somehow I've just the feeling that the worst is still to come.


*******

Daine! Daine, wake up! We're almost to the harbor. Daine's blue-gray eyes fluttered open and focused on the piercing violet ones that hovered above her. Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau grasped the girl's hand and hauled her bodily out of the sleeping cot. Daine laughed and swatted good-naturedly at the shorter woman, following her up the stairs and out into the sunshine on the top deck of the ship.

All the members of the Tortallian delegation to Carthak quickly joined Daine and the Lioness on deck to watch the green strip of land in the distance rapidly become the coastline of their home. Looking around at the faces of her companions, Daine saw joy and relief on their faces. Duke Gareth of Naxen smiled broadly at the fast approaching horizon and moved closer to the ship's rail to get a clearer view. His son, Gareth the Younger, affectionately clapped his father on the shoulder and smiled at the view as well. Despite her predisposition for seasickness, Alanna deftly stole a spyglass from the pocket of Hariliat of Aili, dean of the royal university. Laughing to herself, she made her way to the bow of the ship to direct the spyglass' focus across the waves.

Numair walked over to stand next to his student and jovially ruffle her hair. Well, its no slave owning, jewel-encrusted desert paradise under oppressive rule... he said. but it's home.

Carthak can keep its gold, Daine thought, suddenly so happy to see her adopted homeland. For all its splendor, it could never come close to Tortall.

She stood there next to her tall friend until the boat pulled into the port where a crowd of animals and humans were waiting to enthusiastically welcome those aboard the vessel home. Despite her innate trepidation, when Numair grabbed her hand and hurried her towards the gangplank to set foot on Tortallian soil, Daine had to smile.