Chapter 6 is here! Thank you to all of my reviewers. I am proud to be a not
stupid human :) . Unfortunately, there's not much Daine can do to Ralphin
without blowing her cover or getting her self thrown into jail, but she'll
give him a little payback, not to worry. I think that the plot may actually
be making an appearance in this chapter. Hurray for me!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places in this story, they belong to Tamora Pierce. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubinyan Jimajen sat in one of the towers of his castle watching his young nephew play with a kitten. Such innocence, he thought. No one looking at they boy would think in a million years that he was the King of the most powerful island nation in the world, The Copper Isles. Rubinyan could never forget it. Being regent of the Isles was a tease. He had power, wealth, and a realm right at his fingertips now, but the moment Dunevon turned eighteen, it would all be gone. He would have nothing, be nothing. So it was plain to him that allowing Dunevon to reach his eighteenth birthday was just not an option.
But plans for the disposal of his young nephew would have to be dealt with later. First, Rubinyan needed to establish his power to the people; they needed to trust him and his wife Imajane. Or fears us, he thought with an unmistakably evil grin, which ever happens first. They islanders had to be wrapped around his finger so that when Dunevon mysteriously died, they wouldn't protest the couple's ascension to the throne.
Rubinyan felt no emotion at the thought of killing his own family. Blood meant nothing to him. On any island nation, every noble was related to each other. You couldn't take a walk through Rajmuat without bumping into Aunt Juitis or Grandfather Kuyanla, or third cousin twice removed whomever! To Rubinyan blood was just a red liquid which he loved to watch flow freely from the bodies of his enemies, not something that made people families. He didn't need family, friends or anyone as long as he had power. Power was all that mattered in life. Those who had it flourished and those who didn't died. Plan and simple.
Getting rid of Dunevon would be a relief really. The King was a brat, always wanting this or crying for that. In the eyes of Rubinyan, that mass of ignorance and stupidity did not deserve the power that had so carelessly been thrown into his lap.
Taking one last menacing look at his oblivious nephew, Rubinyan strode over to the open window looking out over Rajmuat harbor. Fresh salt air hit him in a blast, picking up his long brown hair and throwing it in every direction. He stared out at the open ocean and could almost picture the shore of Tortall stretched out in front of him. Tortall was a gem that the regent longed to have. It was perfect for farming, a center of trade, and chock full of slaves for the taking. Slaves that could be traded for bars of solid gold in the Far Southern Lands.
Yet Tortall was not just alluring because of its treasure. His quest for the realm was like a tiger hunt. The fruit of a successful hunt was a beautiful and rare tiger skin, but what kept the hunter on the chase was the thrill, the fight, and the glory of success. In hundreds of years, no one had even been able to conquer Tortall. Hundreds of Copper Island Kings had tried and failed, time after time, but Rubinyan would get his prize, even if it took his entire army.
While Rubinyan had been thinking, a small vessel had disrupted the perfect line of the horizon. Those aboard the ship didn't know that their mere existence annoyed the future King of the Copper Isles, but someday, the entire world would tremble at the mere mention of his name. He grinned. Perhaps people thought he was crazy. Perhaps he was.
Upon the deck of the ship the "Peerless" stood Daine. Land had finally been sighted, and they would soon arrive in Rajmuat, Copper Isles. As much as Daine loved the ocean and all the creatures who called it home, she was always most comfortable on land. She was after all, a country girl, born and bred.
Many of the other passengers had come to the top deck to see the first sight of land in 15 days. Daine looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Loushanka. She hadn't been up from her master's cabin since that first day when Daine had met her. The wild mage had a strong feeling that this was more of mater of Ralphin's choice than the slave's. She hoped that her new friend was all right.
After a careful scan of the crown, Daine turned back to the shoreline. Loushanka was nowhere to be seen. The shore was no longer just a hazy long strip of green, but a defined island shore. She could see dense forest to the north and a city to the south, complete with four towers, jutting into the sky as if protesting that they were forced to remain on the ground.
Something small and furry bumped up against Daine's foot. Looking down she discovered her friend Ratdeath had decided that her boot made and excellent pillow. I love being a sea faring cat, but I never get tired of the first view of shore. Ratdeath said sleepily. Daine grinned and picked up her companion. She was very glad to have had the company of the cat during the long journey. Daine could talk to her openly, voicing all of her thoughts and worries. Ratdeath's cat sense was almost as comforting as her testy mare, Cloud's.
Daine was almost jealous of her pony. Cloud was back into Tortall with Numair and Sarra. She shook her head. She couldn't think like that. The faster she found out what she needed to know, the faster she could return to her love and daughter. Still, she wished she could know how they were and sent a prayer to every god she knew, human and People, for their safety.
As the ship drew still closer to shore, Daine took another look at the growing crowd on the deck. It was a moment before she spotted the mass of black curls that could only belong to Loushanka. Daine began to make her way over to the girl. She still had so many questions to ask her. Where was this tiger she had mentioned? Why did it need Daine's help? Why did every raka have wild magic?
When Daine finally caught a glimpse of Loushanka's face, she stopped dead in her tracks. One eye was swollen shut, just beginning to open again; across her cheek was a huge bruise in the unmistakable shape of a hand. Suddenly aware of Daine's gaze, Loushanka hurriedly motioned for her to stay way, pointing to Ralphin and punching her hand with her fist, indicating that her mast wouldn't much approve of conversation right now.
Daine nodded and waved goodbye to the girl, knowing fair well that this would probably be the last time she ever saw her. Finally the ship bumped softly into a dock. Daine gave one last farewell pat to Ratdeath. I hope we meet again. Daine said to her.
We will, Ratdeath replied, and when we do, bring cheese. I love cheese! She leapt out of Daine's arms, rubbed her head affectionately against her calf and disappeared amongst a throng of legs.
Daine shouldered her pack and made her way toward the gangway plank. She wished there was something that she could do for Loushanka, but she knew there was nothing that one girl could do.
Well, Daine thought wryly, Perhaps there is something...
She turned her head to the sky and sure enough spotted a flock of seagulls, searching for lunch along the beach.
Hello friends, she called to them in her mind, Do you think you could do me a favor? Once she explained her plan, the gulls were quite happy to help.
Moments later, Daine found herself standing solidly on a dock. She took a second to regain her land legs, turning to take one last look at the "Peerless". She focused her gaze on the richly clad figure of Ralphin. He was showing his wealth in full force to day. He was sported a silver silk shirt paired with the greenest breeches Daine had ever seen.
He of course, did not notice the flock of thirty or so seagulls circling above him, waiting for Daine's signal, which she quickly gave. It was at that moment that all thirty seagulls decided that it was about time to relieve themselves. And all of them did so, right on the perfectly groomed head of Ralphin. He cried in anger as his face was covered in white sticky bird droppings. Daine grinned as she turned on her heal and strode into the city of Rajmuat, never once looking back. Time to get down to business.
Review, you know you want to! Thanks.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places in this story, they belong to Tamora Pierce. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rubinyan Jimajen sat in one of the towers of his castle watching his young nephew play with a kitten. Such innocence, he thought. No one looking at they boy would think in a million years that he was the King of the most powerful island nation in the world, The Copper Isles. Rubinyan could never forget it. Being regent of the Isles was a tease. He had power, wealth, and a realm right at his fingertips now, but the moment Dunevon turned eighteen, it would all be gone. He would have nothing, be nothing. So it was plain to him that allowing Dunevon to reach his eighteenth birthday was just not an option.
But plans for the disposal of his young nephew would have to be dealt with later. First, Rubinyan needed to establish his power to the people; they needed to trust him and his wife Imajane. Or fears us, he thought with an unmistakably evil grin, which ever happens first. They islanders had to be wrapped around his finger so that when Dunevon mysteriously died, they wouldn't protest the couple's ascension to the throne.
Rubinyan felt no emotion at the thought of killing his own family. Blood meant nothing to him. On any island nation, every noble was related to each other. You couldn't take a walk through Rajmuat without bumping into Aunt Juitis or Grandfather Kuyanla, or third cousin twice removed whomever! To Rubinyan blood was just a red liquid which he loved to watch flow freely from the bodies of his enemies, not something that made people families. He didn't need family, friends or anyone as long as he had power. Power was all that mattered in life. Those who had it flourished and those who didn't died. Plan and simple.
Getting rid of Dunevon would be a relief really. The King was a brat, always wanting this or crying for that. In the eyes of Rubinyan, that mass of ignorance and stupidity did not deserve the power that had so carelessly been thrown into his lap.
Taking one last menacing look at his oblivious nephew, Rubinyan strode over to the open window looking out over Rajmuat harbor. Fresh salt air hit him in a blast, picking up his long brown hair and throwing it in every direction. He stared out at the open ocean and could almost picture the shore of Tortall stretched out in front of him. Tortall was a gem that the regent longed to have. It was perfect for farming, a center of trade, and chock full of slaves for the taking. Slaves that could be traded for bars of solid gold in the Far Southern Lands.
Yet Tortall was not just alluring because of its treasure. His quest for the realm was like a tiger hunt. The fruit of a successful hunt was a beautiful and rare tiger skin, but what kept the hunter on the chase was the thrill, the fight, and the glory of success. In hundreds of years, no one had even been able to conquer Tortall. Hundreds of Copper Island Kings had tried and failed, time after time, but Rubinyan would get his prize, even if it took his entire army.
While Rubinyan had been thinking, a small vessel had disrupted the perfect line of the horizon. Those aboard the ship didn't know that their mere existence annoyed the future King of the Copper Isles, but someday, the entire world would tremble at the mere mention of his name. He grinned. Perhaps people thought he was crazy. Perhaps he was.
Upon the deck of the ship the "Peerless" stood Daine. Land had finally been sighted, and they would soon arrive in Rajmuat, Copper Isles. As much as Daine loved the ocean and all the creatures who called it home, she was always most comfortable on land. She was after all, a country girl, born and bred.
Many of the other passengers had come to the top deck to see the first sight of land in 15 days. Daine looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Loushanka. She hadn't been up from her master's cabin since that first day when Daine had met her. The wild mage had a strong feeling that this was more of mater of Ralphin's choice than the slave's. She hoped that her new friend was all right.
After a careful scan of the crown, Daine turned back to the shoreline. Loushanka was nowhere to be seen. The shore was no longer just a hazy long strip of green, but a defined island shore. She could see dense forest to the north and a city to the south, complete with four towers, jutting into the sky as if protesting that they were forced to remain on the ground.
Something small and furry bumped up against Daine's foot. Looking down she discovered her friend Ratdeath had decided that her boot made and excellent pillow. I love being a sea faring cat, but I never get tired of the first view of shore. Ratdeath said sleepily. Daine grinned and picked up her companion. She was very glad to have had the company of the cat during the long journey. Daine could talk to her openly, voicing all of her thoughts and worries. Ratdeath's cat sense was almost as comforting as her testy mare, Cloud's.
Daine was almost jealous of her pony. Cloud was back into Tortall with Numair and Sarra. She shook her head. She couldn't think like that. The faster she found out what she needed to know, the faster she could return to her love and daughter. Still, she wished she could know how they were and sent a prayer to every god she knew, human and People, for their safety.
As the ship drew still closer to shore, Daine took another look at the growing crowd on the deck. It was a moment before she spotted the mass of black curls that could only belong to Loushanka. Daine began to make her way over to the girl. She still had so many questions to ask her. Where was this tiger she had mentioned? Why did it need Daine's help? Why did every raka have wild magic?
When Daine finally caught a glimpse of Loushanka's face, she stopped dead in her tracks. One eye was swollen shut, just beginning to open again; across her cheek was a huge bruise in the unmistakable shape of a hand. Suddenly aware of Daine's gaze, Loushanka hurriedly motioned for her to stay way, pointing to Ralphin and punching her hand with her fist, indicating that her mast wouldn't much approve of conversation right now.
Daine nodded and waved goodbye to the girl, knowing fair well that this would probably be the last time she ever saw her. Finally the ship bumped softly into a dock. Daine gave one last farewell pat to Ratdeath. I hope we meet again. Daine said to her.
We will, Ratdeath replied, and when we do, bring cheese. I love cheese! She leapt out of Daine's arms, rubbed her head affectionately against her calf and disappeared amongst a throng of legs.
Daine shouldered her pack and made her way toward the gangway plank. She wished there was something that she could do for Loushanka, but she knew there was nothing that one girl could do.
Well, Daine thought wryly, Perhaps there is something...
She turned her head to the sky and sure enough spotted a flock of seagulls, searching for lunch along the beach.
Hello friends, she called to them in her mind, Do you think you could do me a favor? Once she explained her plan, the gulls were quite happy to help.
Moments later, Daine found herself standing solidly on a dock. She took a second to regain her land legs, turning to take one last look at the "Peerless". She focused her gaze on the richly clad figure of Ralphin. He was showing his wealth in full force to day. He was sported a silver silk shirt paired with the greenest breeches Daine had ever seen.
He of course, did not notice the flock of thirty or so seagulls circling above him, waiting for Daine's signal, which she quickly gave. It was at that moment that all thirty seagulls decided that it was about time to relieve themselves. And all of them did so, right on the perfectly groomed head of Ralphin. He cried in anger as his face was covered in white sticky bird droppings. Daine grinned as she turned on her heal and strode into the city of Rajmuat, never once looking back. Time to get down to business.
Review, you know you want to! Thanks.