Well, I said I would update and here it is. I'm sorry it took so long, but I was working on another story, and am not good a juggling two things at once. Here is the next chapter.

Chapter 12

Daine woke to urgent hands shaking on her shoulder. Opening bleary eyes, the face of a young servant girl filled her vision, her eyes wide, mouth slightly parted in an anguished sort of expression.

'What is it?' Daine mumbled, her voice thick with sleep and exhaustion. She had slept badly, if not at all the previous night. The long hours spent in thinking, worrying and inflicting mental torments has left her spirit ill nourished and emotionally drained.

'Your Nobility,' the girl said with quick, pressing tone. 'I am glad you have awakened. I am here to inform that Your Nobility is to dress and come down to the harbor before sunrise. The Emperor wishes to have you see the guests off.'

Daine's slow brain still clogged with drowsiness took its time to shape the servant's words into understandable sense. 'Ozorne wants me to see my friend off?' Daine asked dully, 'but I thought I wasn't to speak to them.'

The servant ducked her head. 'I do not know of His Imperial Highness's intentions, Your Nobility, but it is his wish for you to be present. I am here to help you dress for you will be late if you do not start now.'

It took all of Daine's will not to stay sprawled in bed simply to spite and challenge Ozorne's orders, but since this would have meant missing the final chance of seeing her friends, Daine hurriedly jumped out of bed.

After some serious folding and pinning of the scarlet robe that Daine now donned, the servant immediately began attacking her hair, thick bristles brushing and racing down her long smoky curls. Golden beads similar to those Daine had once had so much trouble putting on were next added to her hair, and the wildmage noted with humble respect how the servant's agile fingers worked with effortless ease.

Looking at herself in the large mirror, Daine thought she looked like a stranger. It wasn't so much for the new clothes and hairstyle that changed her so, but the expression on the face that stared back was foreign. Her once dancing gray eyes were now dim; the colors faded and washed away with sadness. Her face was startlingly pale and her mouth, even with a forced smile had a melancholy touch to it.

Catching the Empress-Soon-To-Be staring so dismally at herself, the servant said in a somewhat cautious tone, as if frightened of the outcome of her unasked opinion, 'Your Nobility looks sad, but is still lovely. You just have to eat more to bring color back into your face. Then you would not look so sad.'

Daine blinked in surprise at the servant's bold comment. Usually she could not get anything other than 'yes Nobility', 'no Nobility', and 'I'm sorry, your Nobility' out of them.

Gazing at the girl, who could only be a few years older than herself, Daine smiled slowly. 'Thank you,' she whispered, feeling oddly touched. It seemed that any sign of kindness right now was a beam of light for her. 'May I inquire for your name?'

The servant girl could not hide her surprise at Daine's courteous manners. Seeming quite taken aback, the girl said with a lowered head, 'my name is Leeta, Your Nobility. Leeta of the Desert Banjiku tribe.'

Daine thought for a moment. 'How did you…come to be here in Carthak?'

This time it was Leeta's face that was fused with sadness. 'Carthaki soldiers took me and my sister, Your Nobility. Mother and father were poor, and we were in the streets selling grains when the guards took us away by force. We were small and had no chance of resisting… and I grew up here serving in the palace ever since.'

Just as I am condemned to do, Daine thought with an anguished twist of heart, which soon developed into burning panic at the thought that she may never have any aspects of liberty or, even, freedom of choice.

Am I to spend the rest of my life as an ornament? Daine wondered wildly, an Empress who has no say in anything other than to make an appearance.

The wildmage turned to look at Leeta. The young servant was carefully brushing the tips of Daine's hair, and when she caught her mistress staring at her, ducked her head and quickly looked away.

Daine's heart filled with pity and sympathy at the thought of Leeta's terrible past, and remorse soon washed over her at the thought of her own tragic life that was surely to follow.

We shouldn't have to go through all this, Daine thought fiercely, we should have being able to make choices of our own, instead of letting others take control of our lives.

'We should be free,' Daine said loudly and firmly, turning her head slightly to face Leeta. 'You, me, and all the rest of the slaves. We ought to all be free!'

Leeta's eyes widened as she stared at Daine, mouth open and face shaped in utter amazement. She had thought the young mistress's pleasant manner was odd, but to hear her voice aloud what she had being dreaming of all her life…

'You needn't be startled,' Daine reassured, smiling in spite of herself at the older girl's bewildered look. 'I hate this place as much as you do.'

'But I thought you were in love with' – Leeta suddenly looked horrified and ducked her head, 'oh, I beg your pardon, Your Nobility! Its just that…I… heard you and His Imperial Highness were betrothed.'

'We are,' Daine said looking downcast, 'but it was not my choice. I…I was forced into it.'

Leeta's large eyes darkened with pity. 'I'm sorry, Your Nobility.'

'Please – don't call me that. As we were both forced into something we had no control over, and as I have no intention of becoming your mistress, that makes us equals. You are not to call me by anything other than Daine.'

'Daine,' Leeta murmured, as if the name was something sacred – something to behold with the utmost care.

'I…I'd very much like to be your friend, if that suits you.' Daine's voice was friendly, but a trace of wistfulness and loneliness lingered.

Leeta started at the suggestion and hesitated for only a moment. Then, she suddenly smiled and taking the wildmage's hand, turned her shiny eyes towards Daine with respect and gratitude.

'I accept your friendship, Daine. And I will try and help you in any way that I can.'

'And I will help free you and your people, see if I don't!' Daine promised, feeling suddenly the warm return of courage and determination.

The servant girl smiled again, and then turned her head towards the window to let out a breath of wonder at this new formation, and then exclaimed loudly in dismay.

'Your Nobility!' she cried with alarm, forgetting instantly of her promise to call Daine, Daine. 'It is almost sunrise! I…I'm afraid I have let the time slip past me.' So saying, Leeta hastily helped her newly acclaimed friend up and ushered her towards the door.

The morning air was damp, blanketed by a layer of mist. The harbor looked cold and gray as Daine arrived.

The sun has just about risen, and it was light enough for Daine to make out various activities playing out around the dock; servants hurrying back and forth transporting exotic goods, fishermen hurling their overnight game into small wooden boats bobbing on the water.

In the midst of this, two large chairs had been set up, both raised significantly high in the air by long, sturdy, stilt-like logs. One of the chairs was already occupied by the Emperor, who smiled warmly as he helped Daine to her seat, his hand lingering around her arm longer than was necessary. Given another time, Daine would have speculated the wonderful height provided by her seat.

'I'm afraid time has not been in your favor this morning,' Ozorne said as Daine settled down. 'Your friends have already boarded, but I believe you can still see them from here.'

Daine squinted into the fog, and recognized the familiar boat that had first brought her to Carthak. It was drifting slowly on the murky water, swaying gently in the breeze. The deck of the small boat faced the dock, and as Daine had an excellent view from where she sat, she saw clearly the faces of her friends huddled around the deck. One face, Numair's face, stood out the most, and was looking steadily back at her, dark eyes unyielding. There was a pained look, a deep grief that framed his countenance. Looking at his face made Daine's heart ache more than any physical injuries she had suffered.

'It is such a shame to have them leave us so soon,' Ozorne remarked without feeling as he followed Daine's intense gaze with a slight frown. 'I know you will miss them, but allow me to assure you that this won't be the last you will hear from them. Indeed, I plan to have them here for our grand wedding.'

'Do you plan to include all of the delegates?' Daine asked coldly.

'Well, it is only polite, don't you think? To make sure I don't exclude anyone from that boat. It would be unspeakable of me to deny them a day so important as our matrimonial celebration.'

Daine raised an eyebrow. 'Emperor Ozorne, I'm not sure that is your real intention.'

The Emperor gave a hearty laugh. 'Pray, tell me then – what is my real intention?'

Daine turned her head back towards the distant boat, already further away from the last time she looked. 'You needn't play word games with me Ozorne. I think you and I are both very clear of each other's understandings.'

'So we are…Daine.' Ozorne chuckled again, and daringly pressed a hand on Daine's arm, to which she stiffened immediately.

'Please don't stop from calling me Veralidaine,' Daine more or less growled, still staring fixedly at the boat, 'it would remind me of how much I hate being called that, and the person who calls it.'

The hand on her arm tightened painfully. Ozorne's face darkened and for one fearful second, Daine wondered whether she had gone one step too far.

When the Emperor continued again, his voice was pleasant and very friendly. 'I have nine fully equipped battle fleet positioned around the boarder of Tortall,' he said smiling placidly, 'I have also sent out an army of Carthak soldiers to surround the Scanran boarder. Do you know what they are there for?'

Daine felt herself go cold. She did not speak but kept her eyes focused on the boat. Alanna had come up beside Numair, and was saying something urgently into the mage's ear, topped with fleeting glances towards Daine.

'No? Then let me enlighten you. They are there as a… search party, incase something ill should befall upon you, or should you suddenly make a disappearance one day.'

Daine's heart hammered but she made herself smile. 'Surely Your Imperial Highness does not believe I would try anything as foolhardy as to escape. In any case, I doubt I would have much chance of it considering all the guards you have troubled yourself to put up.'

'You are very quick, Veralidaine, but do not underestimate me.' Ozorne leaned towards Daine with a piercing gaze, 'I know of your ability to shape shift. Do not think for one second that I have overlooked such incredible a talent of yours.'

Daine had to admit she was highly impressed by the intelligence of Ozorne's mind. Indeed, not even she had thought of the possibility of escape through a shifted form.

'You are too suspicious, Ozorne.' The wildmage regarded him flatly, 'Too much over-thinking is not good for your health.'

The Emperor's mouth twisted in amusement. 'You are absolutely right. Too much thinking does give me a headache, but I would gladly suffer it for the exchange of your concerns over my health.'

Daine made a dry laugh and turned away but the Emperor's hand coiled around the girl's face like a snake, forcing her to look at him.

'Do not scorn me so, Veralidaine. I am not a man made out of stone.' He then added in a softer tone, 'why do you reject me so passionately? Can you not see the affections I have for you.'

Something in his voice made Daine catch her breath. Despite the intense dislike she felt for the Emperor, she could not fail to notice the unmistakable hurt, if that was the right word, in his face. Hurt, and also a rare second of honesty were plain in his voice, as were in his eyes. It was in that split moment that Daine, though feeling ridiculous, thought she had glimpsed the true man hidden beneath that lavishing golden robe.

'Please try to accept me?' Ozorne asked softly, his eyes earnest. 'At least, give me a chance to prove my worth.'

Daine sighed. She could see no alternate way to get out of this other than to accept. I'm no expert at handling court formalities!

With another sigh, Daine nodded faintly. 'Very well.' The smile that lit across the Emperor's face was daunting. Daine felt decidedly unbalanced by the sheer impact on Ozorne, brought by her mere words.

Who could have thought my opinion would mean so much to him! Daine speculated with mild amusement.

Ozorne reached out for the girl's hand, and gripping it tight he said, 'thank you Veralidaine. I promise I shall not make you regret your word.' So saying, he lifted her hand towards his mouth.

No sooner than his lips even brushed Daine's skin, an earsplitting rumble pierced the morning sky. Immediately after, a faint cracking filled the air, dim at first, but rapidly coming to a roar.

Daine gasped and gripped the arm of her chair as she felt the ground beneath her tremble.

'Guards!' Ozorne shouted above the turbulent of noises, 'lower our chairs immediately!' Turning to Daine, Ozorne said, 'hold on to your chair tightly! It would be more than a broken leg if you fall.'

'What's happening?' Daine shouted, feeling sick as her chair suddenly made another dramatic sway. It really did look a long way down.

'Earthquake,' Ozorne replied grimly. He reached out to steady Daine's rocking chair.

Earthquake? Daine immediately looked across the river at the boat that bore her friends. It was floating peacefully, apparently free from the tremors. The activities played on the boat, however, was entirely another matter. The deck was crowded with fellow Tortallen members, all looking aghast at the chaotic shore. It took a while for Daine to pick out the figure of her teacher, who was frantically stripping off his outer cloak, undoubtedly planning for a dive.

'No, don't come back!' Daine cried out in panic. It was one thing to be caught in an earthquake by yourself, and another for your dearest friend to participate in the sport.

A deafening roar erupted from somewhere deep underground, and to Daine's growing horror, she saw that an extreme crack was forming on the ground before her. Within seconds the dock shook, and separated, splitting into two halves.

The motion proved too much for the thin platform that supported Daine's seat. Yelling in fear and surprise, the wildmage heard her chair snap and felt herself tip deadly forwards.

'Daine!' Ozorne yelled, lurching forward to pull her back, but was too late. Daine fell with dangerous speed downwards. A sharp, spinning boulder struck her head as she hit the ground.

The last ting she saw before everything went black was that of Numair hurtling off the boat and into the river.