Did you guys like Götz and Dieter? I hope so, there will be more! R&R!
~ ~ Four ~ ~
Kaddar insisted he walk Daine to her rooms personally, and had one of his own slaves carry her baggage, while another carefully handled Zek. He couldn't wait to see her reaction to the special lodgings he'd chosen for her. Even as he watched her now, stopping to look out of every window they passed, exclaiming in delight over the simplest things, he felt himself flooding with relief that he had someone so genuine here. Her euphoria was catching; he could feel his skin warm every time she smiled at him.
"Kaddar, you've done the most marvelous things with this palace!" Daine paused to scratch one of the palace dog's ears. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as he gazed adoringly up at her. She laughed, probably at something the animal had said.
When they finally reached Daine's rooms, Kaddar could hardly contain his own excitement. Rushing forward, he lifted his arms, blocking her way through the closed doors. "I want you to close your eyes for this, it's got to a be a complete surprise." He said.
"All right," Daine said, looking at him suspiciously, her blue-gray eyes gleamed once before they closed. Her face relaxed immediately, and her arms rose slightly in front of her. Motioning the slaves to follow him, Kaddar moved to place his arm around her shoulders. Pushing the doors open with his free hand, he then covered her eyes to make sure she would see nothing, before guiding her into the room.
~~~~
Daine almost jumped when the weight of Kaddar's arm settled on her shoulders, but she held herself loose, not wanting him to know how his touch had begun to make her feel unsteady. When he placed his other hand over her eyes and brought a whiff of his spicy scent to her nose, she almost lost her concentration. Stumbling slightly when he first started to move her, she let Kaddar guide her into the room. Then, his arm left her shoulder but his hand remained over her eyes.
"Don't open your eyes yet, I must finish a few things." His hand was gone, but Daine stood obediently still.
~~~~
Kaddar ran to the windows of Daine's room and laid a hand upon the curtain cord. He motioned for his slaves to do the same. Relieving themselves of their burdens (Daine's baggage and Zek), they moved to the other two windows in the room. Kaddar nodded and pulled down on his curtain cord. The thick drapes swung open and sunshine poured into the room, along with an explosion of birdsong as several birds flew in from the aviary. Kaddar had adjoined Daine's room to the new home of her old bird friends, those whom she had cured of their lead poisoning.
Turning to her, he said, "You can open your eyes now." She did so, and he savored her expression of pleasure.
"Kaddar! Is that... the aviary?" She moved to the windows, her hands out to catch the birds that flew in and perched upon her, chattering.
"Of course Daine, I know you missed those birds almost as much as me." He motioned his slaves to leave. They bowed their way out and closed the door softly behind themselves.
Daine was concentrating on the birds. Turning to Kaddar, she said, "They like you better than Ozorne, much better. They realize he fed them and treated them as well as you, but they know that you are of a truer spirit than him." She chuckled, "Do you know what their nickname is for you?"
Kaddar moved closer, genuinely interested. "What?" He asked, his gaze fixed on a small tropical colored bird that sat on Daine's shoulder. The bird stared back with equal interest.
"Winged-foot man, because you have a wing-sister who communicates with them. They have a pretty good idea of your character, Kaddar."
He stopped, less than a foot from her, glancing at her eyes before reaching out to stroke the bird. It hoped eagerly from her shoulder to his hand, and an expression of delight crossed his face. "And what is my character, Daine? According to the birds, of course." He locked eyes with her this time. She forced out the words. "They think you are honorable and brave, and also very kind. Of course, they don't really have words for this, just sort of images, so my translations are objective."
"So then that is what you think as well?" Kaddar was suddenly too close, and Daine stepped back, disguising it as going to the window to release the birds back into their habitat. "Of course Kaddar, I think it because it's true." She turned back to face him and almost burst into laughter at the sight he made. The bright blue bird had perched itself on Kaddar's head, its little feet spread wide to steady itself, and Kaddar's face was the picture of horror one might expect from someone who was afraid of having their hair soiled at any moment.
Come here, wing-brother, I don't think he's ready for that yet. Daine called to the bird, and it flew to her. She stroked its head once, but then sent it on its way out of the window too. She smiled sweetly at Kaddar, "A little bird too much for you, mighty emperor?"
Kaddar's face creased into a wide grin, "I'll get you for that Daine, believe me I will." Unexpectedly, he moved forward and gathered her into a hug. "But not now. Just now, I'm too glad to finally see a friendly face that I *know* is not going to stab me in the back."
Touched by his words, Daine allowed her arms to encircle Kaddar and hug him back. "Kaddar, I'm sorry it got this bad for you," She murmured against his chest, "But now I'm here, and me and my friends will protect you."
"I know," Kaddar said, sighing gratefully. Pulling her away from him, he kissed her gently on the cheek, "I hope to see more of you at dinner tonight, but right now I have a meeting with my administrators. Pesky emperor's business, you know." He kissed her on the other cheek, as was the custom in Carthak, and released her fully. He noted that she was blushing furiously, and felt himself grow a little flushed himself before he smiled at her one last time and left.
~~~~
That night, Daine was in a panic trying to decide what to wear. Clothing was strewn about her room, and she lamented the trip she'd neglected to take to the palace seamstress before she left.
What's the problem? You never had any trouble deciding on people-skins before, Zek said, his head cocked in a questioning manner.
Zek, this is my first dinner here! I have to make a good impression, you just don't understand. Daine held up a shirt in front of her for the fourth time, wrinkled her nose, and threw it aside once more.
Marmosets just don't have this sort of thing. Zek sighed and shook his head. We also don't have to worry about how others will think we look. I don't expect Kaddar will care so much Daine.
Daine stopped and turned to look at him, her face carefully blank. What makes you think this has *anything* to do with Kaddar?
Bah, I'm an animal! I can smell how you feel around him. What were your words for it? Zek fed Daine a stream of images, and she blushed at what he knew from his sense of smell.
You don't need to know the words for any of that Zek; it's human matters. Daine turned around and concentrated on herself in the mirror again.
Sure, human matters. Nothing else was 'human matters' before that Kaddar came. Zek slunk under the bed and sulked.
Oh, be quiet. You never know who might be listening. Daine recognized the sound of her furry friend's laughter, and became slightly irritated with him. Taking a few deep breaths, she closed her eyes, and stuck her hand into the pile of clothes she'd deemed 'acceptable'. Grasping an outfit, she pulled back, and smiled. It was perfect.
~~~~
Kaddar couldn't decide what he should wear for Daine. {For dinner,} he corrected himself in his head. Observing himself in the mirror, he sighed. His makeup was applied, and all that needed to be done was choose his color scheme, amber, red, gold, or silver. His slaves would take care of the rest.
Sighing, he turned away from his mirror and called out, "Slave! Silver is my choice. Dress me."
~~~~
Daine's outfit was a beautiful blue dress that was conformed to her torso, but flared out in layers of ruffles from the hips down. It resembled a flamenco dancer's dress, with ruffled sleeves that matched the skirt and flashing accents of silver in the most flattering places. As a servant fastened the back of the dress, Daine watched herself in the mirror, and smiled at what she saw. A beautiful damsel, hair falling in desultory curls, her cheeks flushed from excitement, as she prepared for her first big dinner. Or perhaps, someone's wedding. She personally thought the dress was excessive, but all of the servants touched a quick hand to their eyes, indicating their regard, so she supposed it would do.
You look very nice, Zek said, and she turned to him, bending to lift him to her shoulders, but he backed away, shaking his little head. I wouldn't want to muss you up. She smiled at him.
"Nobility, a flower for your hair," Came a soft murmur beside her. Turning to the young slave, she gasped at the beauty of the bright red carnation in the girl's hand. "Why, it's perfect! I thank you!"
"Nobility, I was privileged," The girl said, and then, looking up through her lashes, said, "If I may?"
"Of course!" Cried Daine, seating herself on the pouf in front of the dressing table mirror. The girl tucked the flower into Daine's hair, positioning it just so, until Daine smiled in awe. "I actually look like a noble from the court of Tortall. You've worked wonders, my friend."
The maid smiled, "The wonders were already there, my lady."
~ ~ Four ~ ~
Kaddar insisted he walk Daine to her rooms personally, and had one of his own slaves carry her baggage, while another carefully handled Zek. He couldn't wait to see her reaction to the special lodgings he'd chosen for her. Even as he watched her now, stopping to look out of every window they passed, exclaiming in delight over the simplest things, he felt himself flooding with relief that he had someone so genuine here. Her euphoria was catching; he could feel his skin warm every time she smiled at him.
"Kaddar, you've done the most marvelous things with this palace!" Daine paused to scratch one of the palace dog's ears. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as he gazed adoringly up at her. She laughed, probably at something the animal had said.
When they finally reached Daine's rooms, Kaddar could hardly contain his own excitement. Rushing forward, he lifted his arms, blocking her way through the closed doors. "I want you to close your eyes for this, it's got to a be a complete surprise." He said.
"All right," Daine said, looking at him suspiciously, her blue-gray eyes gleamed once before they closed. Her face relaxed immediately, and her arms rose slightly in front of her. Motioning the slaves to follow him, Kaddar moved to place his arm around her shoulders. Pushing the doors open with his free hand, he then covered her eyes to make sure she would see nothing, before guiding her into the room.
~~~~
Daine almost jumped when the weight of Kaddar's arm settled on her shoulders, but she held herself loose, not wanting him to know how his touch had begun to make her feel unsteady. When he placed his other hand over her eyes and brought a whiff of his spicy scent to her nose, she almost lost her concentration. Stumbling slightly when he first started to move her, she let Kaddar guide her into the room. Then, his arm left her shoulder but his hand remained over her eyes.
"Don't open your eyes yet, I must finish a few things." His hand was gone, but Daine stood obediently still.
~~~~
Kaddar ran to the windows of Daine's room and laid a hand upon the curtain cord. He motioned for his slaves to do the same. Relieving themselves of their burdens (Daine's baggage and Zek), they moved to the other two windows in the room. Kaddar nodded and pulled down on his curtain cord. The thick drapes swung open and sunshine poured into the room, along with an explosion of birdsong as several birds flew in from the aviary. Kaddar had adjoined Daine's room to the new home of her old bird friends, those whom she had cured of their lead poisoning.
Turning to her, he said, "You can open your eyes now." She did so, and he savored her expression of pleasure.
"Kaddar! Is that... the aviary?" She moved to the windows, her hands out to catch the birds that flew in and perched upon her, chattering.
"Of course Daine, I know you missed those birds almost as much as me." He motioned his slaves to leave. They bowed their way out and closed the door softly behind themselves.
Daine was concentrating on the birds. Turning to Kaddar, she said, "They like you better than Ozorne, much better. They realize he fed them and treated them as well as you, but they know that you are of a truer spirit than him." She chuckled, "Do you know what their nickname is for you?"
Kaddar moved closer, genuinely interested. "What?" He asked, his gaze fixed on a small tropical colored bird that sat on Daine's shoulder. The bird stared back with equal interest.
"Winged-foot man, because you have a wing-sister who communicates with them. They have a pretty good idea of your character, Kaddar."
He stopped, less than a foot from her, glancing at her eyes before reaching out to stroke the bird. It hoped eagerly from her shoulder to his hand, and an expression of delight crossed his face. "And what is my character, Daine? According to the birds, of course." He locked eyes with her this time. She forced out the words. "They think you are honorable and brave, and also very kind. Of course, they don't really have words for this, just sort of images, so my translations are objective."
"So then that is what you think as well?" Kaddar was suddenly too close, and Daine stepped back, disguising it as going to the window to release the birds back into their habitat. "Of course Kaddar, I think it because it's true." She turned back to face him and almost burst into laughter at the sight he made. The bright blue bird had perched itself on Kaddar's head, its little feet spread wide to steady itself, and Kaddar's face was the picture of horror one might expect from someone who was afraid of having their hair soiled at any moment.
Come here, wing-brother, I don't think he's ready for that yet. Daine called to the bird, and it flew to her. She stroked its head once, but then sent it on its way out of the window too. She smiled sweetly at Kaddar, "A little bird too much for you, mighty emperor?"
Kaddar's face creased into a wide grin, "I'll get you for that Daine, believe me I will." Unexpectedly, he moved forward and gathered her into a hug. "But not now. Just now, I'm too glad to finally see a friendly face that I *know* is not going to stab me in the back."
Touched by his words, Daine allowed her arms to encircle Kaddar and hug him back. "Kaddar, I'm sorry it got this bad for you," She murmured against his chest, "But now I'm here, and me and my friends will protect you."
"I know," Kaddar said, sighing gratefully. Pulling her away from him, he kissed her gently on the cheek, "I hope to see more of you at dinner tonight, but right now I have a meeting with my administrators. Pesky emperor's business, you know." He kissed her on the other cheek, as was the custom in Carthak, and released her fully. He noted that she was blushing furiously, and felt himself grow a little flushed himself before he smiled at her one last time and left.
~~~~
That night, Daine was in a panic trying to decide what to wear. Clothing was strewn about her room, and she lamented the trip she'd neglected to take to the palace seamstress before she left.
What's the problem? You never had any trouble deciding on people-skins before, Zek said, his head cocked in a questioning manner.
Zek, this is my first dinner here! I have to make a good impression, you just don't understand. Daine held up a shirt in front of her for the fourth time, wrinkled her nose, and threw it aside once more.
Marmosets just don't have this sort of thing. Zek sighed and shook his head. We also don't have to worry about how others will think we look. I don't expect Kaddar will care so much Daine.
Daine stopped and turned to look at him, her face carefully blank. What makes you think this has *anything* to do with Kaddar?
Bah, I'm an animal! I can smell how you feel around him. What were your words for it? Zek fed Daine a stream of images, and she blushed at what he knew from his sense of smell.
You don't need to know the words for any of that Zek; it's human matters. Daine turned around and concentrated on herself in the mirror again.
Sure, human matters. Nothing else was 'human matters' before that Kaddar came. Zek slunk under the bed and sulked.
Oh, be quiet. You never know who might be listening. Daine recognized the sound of her furry friend's laughter, and became slightly irritated with him. Taking a few deep breaths, she closed her eyes, and stuck her hand into the pile of clothes she'd deemed 'acceptable'. Grasping an outfit, she pulled back, and smiled. It was perfect.
~~~~
Kaddar couldn't decide what he should wear for Daine. {For dinner,} he corrected himself in his head. Observing himself in the mirror, he sighed. His makeup was applied, and all that needed to be done was choose his color scheme, amber, red, gold, or silver. His slaves would take care of the rest.
Sighing, he turned away from his mirror and called out, "Slave! Silver is my choice. Dress me."
~~~~
Daine's outfit was a beautiful blue dress that was conformed to her torso, but flared out in layers of ruffles from the hips down. It resembled a flamenco dancer's dress, with ruffled sleeves that matched the skirt and flashing accents of silver in the most flattering places. As a servant fastened the back of the dress, Daine watched herself in the mirror, and smiled at what she saw. A beautiful damsel, hair falling in desultory curls, her cheeks flushed from excitement, as she prepared for her first big dinner. Or perhaps, someone's wedding. She personally thought the dress was excessive, but all of the servants touched a quick hand to their eyes, indicating their regard, so she supposed it would do.
You look very nice, Zek said, and she turned to him, bending to lift him to her shoulders, but he backed away, shaking his little head. I wouldn't want to muss you up. She smiled at him.
"Nobility, a flower for your hair," Came a soft murmur beside her. Turning to the young slave, she gasped at the beauty of the bright red carnation in the girl's hand. "Why, it's perfect! I thank you!"
"Nobility, I was privileged," The girl said, and then, looking up through her lashes, said, "If I may?"
"Of course!" Cried Daine, seating herself on the pouf in front of the dressing table mirror. The girl tucked the flower into Daine's hair, positioning it just so, until Daine smiled in awe. "I actually look like a noble from the court of Tortall. You've worked wonders, my friend."
The maid smiled, "The wonders were already there, my lady."