Chapter 13. It seems like I haven't posted in forever! I've actually had
this chapter done for a couple days but I wanted to really edit it and get
all the emotions right. Not a happy chapter, let me tell you. And let me
say thanks times a thousand to all my reviewers, I seem to have built up a
small 'following' of people reading my story and it's really exciting to
find people telling you what the think of your story every step of the way.
It's great. So without further ado, here's chapter 13.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or places in this story belong to Tamora Pierce.
***
When King Rubinyan left, and he was really the king now based on what Daine had heard, the hooded men left as well. They said nothing to her in parting, but the taller hooded man had looked back at her as he left. His brown eyes had been filled with what Daine could have sworn was respect. That or pity.
When they left, so did their torchlight. She was engulfed in darkness again, but Daine liked it better than way. The light brought nothing but pain, as she knew it would bring tomorrow.
Tomorrow, she would... she could even bring herself to think about tomorrow. Shakily, she lied down to rest, careful not put weight on her blistered back.
Tomorrow. She had to think about it though, she had to prepare herself for death, but she didn't want to go to the Black God's realm without saying good-bye to those she cared about. Tears slid silently now down her face. She should have never come here. Remembering her promise to return to Numair she sighed. It would be the first time that she would ever break a real promise to him. And the last.
A mouse sniffed curiously at her pockets, looking for food.
Daine picked him up. Holding him gently, she stroked his back with her shaking fingers.
"What're you doing down here, mouse brother?" she asked, knowing that he didn't hear her with her wild magic contained. Still, the mouse could sense that she was not a threat and so sat down and nibbled on a tasty morsel that he had picked up somewhere.
Daine smiled, realizing that wild magic or no, she still shared a bond with animals that no chains could break. No matter how alone she felt now, she wasn't. She had a friend even now. She would always have the People.
Suddenly, Daine felt that she had the strength to make it through the long night and face the next day. She spent the rest of the night thinking about her family and friends, whispering to each of them each a quiet good-bye, and sending prayers to the gods to watch over them when she was gone.
***
Lady Keladry sat quietly by the side of her delirious squire, wondering if he would even make it through the night. The winged snake that had bitten him had been among the venomous types, and most who had been bitten by those vicious snakes died within hours of the bite. Alan was shivering uncontrollably. His skin was pale and tinged with green and the knight could tell that he was it a lot of pain.
It was all her fault. She should have let him stay with her where he'd have been safe. He would have been able to see the oncoming snake if she hadn't sent him away. Kel held her head in her hands, unable to believe that her first squire, and her friend, was dying. And there was nothing she could do to stop it. She hated feeling helpless as she was now.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she looked up into the green eyes of her friend Neal. The healer looked exhausted, his skin tinged gray and his eyes drooping even now as he was trying to comfort her.
"Stop it Kel," she said sternly to her.
"Stop what?" Kel replied, putting up her Yamani mask to cover her emotions. She wasn't about to let Neal see her like this.
"Stop beating yourself up over this. It wasn't your fault; none of the fighters on the wall saw the serpent coming. Some even swore that it had to have been under an invisibility spell to get in that close." Even as he spoke, Kel shook her head, not believing a word he said.
"No Neal, it is my fault. I'm his Knight Mistress! I'm supposed to watch out for him, guide him to knighthood, not get him killed! He's dying right in front of me. There's no way that you can put the blame for this elsewhere." She sighed and wiped her squire's brow with a cool cloth, trying to help him with the pain.
"He still might make it Kel," Neal said, but even he didn't believe himself. He had seen too many people die right before his eyes from the bite that Alan had suffered. There was nothing that his healing gift could do to reverse the poison's effect, as hard as he tried. "He's a strong young lad, he might yet make it through this."
"Are you sure there's no cure for this Neal?" she asked, hope in her voice.
Neal hated the answer that he had to give her now, but she would know if she lied to him. It was best to tell her the truth. "I've asked my father and Numair, both of them have never even heard of such an immortal, let alone a cure for its venom. Perhaps," he stopped himself from finish the thought that he had just had. It was impossible.
"What Neal? I know you're thinking up something. If there is anything I can do that might save Alan, I have to do it. I have to."
"But its impossible Kel," he said
"Neal, you didn't see the look on Alanna's face when I told her what happened, when I told her that her youngest son was dying. She looked empty, just empty. I've failed her and Alan, and I won't do it again. You of all people should know, whether she admits it or not even to them, her children are her world."
Neal nodded, "I was thinking of something I read it a book when I was a page. It was a book about the medicines of the Southern lands. There was a bit about snakebites. Down that far south, there are many poisonous snakes. None of them are immortals, but they look very similar to the ones we're fighting out there." He gestured to the wall, which was visible from the ballroom balcony where they know sat.
"The book said that the only cure for a snake bite was to capture a live snake of the same species, collect some of its venom, then mix it with certain herbs and pour it over the bite wound."
"Cure a venomous bite with more venom? Neal that's crazy!" Kel replied.
"I know," Neal said wearily, "but the book was written by one of the most famous healers in the south. Besides, what have we got to lose?"
The two best friends looked at each other for a long moment before Kel stood up and brushed off her breeches quickly. She unsheathed her sword, Griffin.
"I'll be back," she said, "Send for me, if..."
"I will," Neal promised, watching his friend as she retreated from the balcony. That girl never ceased to amaze him. Beside him, Alan rolled onto his side, mumbling to himself. Neal looked at him, realizing that the boy didn't have much time left.
"Hurry Kel," he whispered, before rushing off to the herb storage room, trying to remember the ingredients from the book.
***
"So what do you think he means? I thought the help he promised was Nawat and the crows," Aly said as she finished relating the story of what Kyprioth had told her to her friends. Ochobu, Chenoal, and Ulasim were all present. Nawat was out who knows where (probably eating bugs, Aly thought with a grimace) and Fesgao was on guard duty.
"Well, in any case, I don't think we need anymore outsiders' help." Ochobu Dodeka said firmly, "No offense Aly, but this is whole issue is a raka one."
"Perhaps," Chenoal said, "The help is a raka."
"Can't be," Ulasim said as he sharpened his sword, "Our god, let's not forget, is a trickster. Knowing him, he'll throw us another luarin, or an enemy that he considers help to keep us by keeping us on our toes."
Aly nodded in agreement. "Kyprioth seemed very amused about the whole idea."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see," Chenoal said regretfully, "I bet..."
"What do you bet?" a voice asked.
The four servants turned to find a very curious thirteen-year-old standing in the doorway of the kitchen where they had been discussing Kyprioth's appearance.
"Hello Dovesary," Aly said calmly.
"What are you waiting to see?" the girl asked suspiciously.
There were many times that Aly admired Dove's uncanny ability at listening at doors, but this was definitely not one of them. The other three looked at Aly, clearly expressing with their eyes that it would be best for Aly to answer this question. She was after all the best liar among them.
"Whether Dunevon will be king for long," she said, making her voice as innocent as she could, as if she didn't have a care that Dove had just intruded on their conversation. Dove and Sarai had no idea of their royal raka blood and Aly and her friends thought it was best if they didn't tell them this yet. It would only put more pressure on the poor girls' shoulders. They already were suspicious of something, what with all the raka who stared at them wherever they went, but this would be a shock.
"I know that's not what you were talking about, there's some sort of secret you all are hiding from Sarai and me. I know it! I'll find out sooner or later Aly!" she cried, storming out of the kitchen. In a moment, she hurried back into to say, "And you never call me by my whole name unless you don't want to tell me something!" before hastening away again.
Aly swore silently to herself for a making a slip like that. Stupid, she thought.
Chenoal smiled, "She's learning from you Aly. It'll be good to have someone close to our queen who keeps her eyes and ears open if we," she corrected herself, "once we rise."
"We have to be more careful," Ulasim said quietly.
"We're going to have to tell them sometime," Ochobu said wisely.
"Let's deal with that another time," Aly said wearily. The trickster's game was once again becoming difficult. "How about we agree to tell them once this mysterious help comes, agreed?" she asked
"Agreed," her three friends said in unison.
"If it comes at all," Aly heard Chenoal mutter under her breath.
***
Hours later, Daine was once again awoken by the stinging of torch light in her eyes. She was surprised that she had slept at all, with all that had been on her mind.
The hooded men had returned, but this time they unlocked her tether from the wall, each one gripping one of her arms to keep her from trying to run off.
All of this amused Daine slightly; them thinking that she would even have the strength to run off after the previous day. Roughly, a bag was pulled over her head and again she could see nothing at all.
She could feel herself being carried along a long passage way and up some steps. She tried to keep track of all the turns she could feel that they were taking, but she soon was lost.
Minutes later, Daine could feel fresh air on her bare feet and hands. It felt good to be outside again. She was comforted by the thought that at least she would die outside surrounded by the People.
***
When the bag was removed from her head, Daine blinked and found herself standing on a wooden platform. In front of her a crowd of hundreds stood, jeering her. A few even threw rotten vegetables, but none of this mattered to her.
She focused not on the crowd but on the sun, the sky and the trees around her. It was a beautiful morning. She took it all in, breathing in the fresh air deeply. Daine realized in the back of the mind that she was standing on a trap door and that a hangman's noose hung ominously in front of her, but she wasn't afraid anymore. She didn't cry, didn't speak. She was empty of all emotion.
The crowd hushed as a voice magically amplified spoke out.
"Veralidaine Sarrasi of Tortall is herby charged with the murder of King Dunevon and espionage against the new King and Queen of the Copper Isles..."
The herald read a long list of titles and fief to which the royal pair claimed ownership. However, Daine found the chirping of the birds around her and the barking of dogs much more comforting.
When the voice stopped, Daine looked up to find one of the hooded men coming to her. Firmly, he settled the noose around her neck. As he retreated he whispered to her, "Go to the Black God with pride young one."
The sharp snap of rolling drums abruptly blocked out the comforting sounds of the birds. In one last attempt at rescuing herself, Daine tried to cry out to the People.
"Please, help me!" she silently called, but none of the animals around her heard.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She firmly planted a picture of her friends and family in her mind, taking in all of their features, especially Numair and Sarralyn.
Without warning, the firm wood beneath her feet gave way and she began to fall. Quickly, she took a deep breath before the rope tightened around her neck, cutting off all hopes of air.
Daine kicked her legs from side to side, trying to find a foothold, but the gallows were too well crafted for such a commodity. Tears streamed down her face as she thought of all that she was losing. Daine wasn't ready to leave this realm. She still had so much to do, among which was watching her daughter grow up, teaching her what it meant to be a wild mage.
Opening her eyes, she starred fiercely at the crowd before her, even as her body began to tire from its starvation of oxygen. In the center of the crowd at dark hooded figure appeared, stretching a beckoning hand to her. Her eyes widened in surprise, but no one in the crowd seemed to notice the figure that was so clearly a god. Daine recognized the Dark God immediately, and this only caused her to struggle harder. No, she called silently to him, I can't come with you. Not yet!
Slowly the god made his way to her. He floated effortlessly onto the gallows platform and leaned over. Daine stared defiantly into the shadows of his faceless head. The dark God shook his head and reached a hand out to her face. The god slowly put his hand on her head and suddenly, Daine felt content, relaxed. Perhaps, death wouldn't be so bad. All of her worries were gone. She knew that Numair would take care of their little girl, and her parents would watch over them too.
Daine had seen a few hangings during her time in Tortall working with the riders. Mostly bandits and a few traitors. She had hated them all. It seemed so strange that people gathered around and cheered as other lost their lives. She had only gone because she was expected to. One thing that she always noticed was how after a minute or two of struggle, the prisoners always stopped suddenly, as if death had snuck up on them and they had only just noticed it. Now she knew that that moment of surrender was when the Black God came to claim them.
As though, she were separate from her own body, she watched it stop fighting. Sighing, she closed her eyes for what she knew to be the last time.
***
Okay, I know what your thinking, Why in the world did you just kill of Daine! , or something of the sort. Well, I had to make things turn out this way for the story to make sense. Please, don't give up on me yet though, I got a lot more up my sleeves. Thanks and review! ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or places in this story belong to Tamora Pierce.
***
When King Rubinyan left, and he was really the king now based on what Daine had heard, the hooded men left as well. They said nothing to her in parting, but the taller hooded man had looked back at her as he left. His brown eyes had been filled with what Daine could have sworn was respect. That or pity.
When they left, so did their torchlight. She was engulfed in darkness again, but Daine liked it better than way. The light brought nothing but pain, as she knew it would bring tomorrow.
Tomorrow, she would... she could even bring herself to think about tomorrow. Shakily, she lied down to rest, careful not put weight on her blistered back.
Tomorrow. She had to think about it though, she had to prepare herself for death, but she didn't want to go to the Black God's realm without saying good-bye to those she cared about. Tears slid silently now down her face. She should have never come here. Remembering her promise to return to Numair she sighed. It would be the first time that she would ever break a real promise to him. And the last.
A mouse sniffed curiously at her pockets, looking for food.
Daine picked him up. Holding him gently, she stroked his back with her shaking fingers.
"What're you doing down here, mouse brother?" she asked, knowing that he didn't hear her with her wild magic contained. Still, the mouse could sense that she was not a threat and so sat down and nibbled on a tasty morsel that he had picked up somewhere.
Daine smiled, realizing that wild magic or no, she still shared a bond with animals that no chains could break. No matter how alone she felt now, she wasn't. She had a friend even now. She would always have the People.
Suddenly, Daine felt that she had the strength to make it through the long night and face the next day. She spent the rest of the night thinking about her family and friends, whispering to each of them each a quiet good-bye, and sending prayers to the gods to watch over them when she was gone.
***
Lady Keladry sat quietly by the side of her delirious squire, wondering if he would even make it through the night. The winged snake that had bitten him had been among the venomous types, and most who had been bitten by those vicious snakes died within hours of the bite. Alan was shivering uncontrollably. His skin was pale and tinged with green and the knight could tell that he was it a lot of pain.
It was all her fault. She should have let him stay with her where he'd have been safe. He would have been able to see the oncoming snake if she hadn't sent him away. Kel held her head in her hands, unable to believe that her first squire, and her friend, was dying. And there was nothing she could do to stop it. She hated feeling helpless as she was now.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she looked up into the green eyes of her friend Neal. The healer looked exhausted, his skin tinged gray and his eyes drooping even now as he was trying to comfort her.
"Stop it Kel," she said sternly to her.
"Stop what?" Kel replied, putting up her Yamani mask to cover her emotions. She wasn't about to let Neal see her like this.
"Stop beating yourself up over this. It wasn't your fault; none of the fighters on the wall saw the serpent coming. Some even swore that it had to have been under an invisibility spell to get in that close." Even as he spoke, Kel shook her head, not believing a word he said.
"No Neal, it is my fault. I'm his Knight Mistress! I'm supposed to watch out for him, guide him to knighthood, not get him killed! He's dying right in front of me. There's no way that you can put the blame for this elsewhere." She sighed and wiped her squire's brow with a cool cloth, trying to help him with the pain.
"He still might make it Kel," Neal said, but even he didn't believe himself. He had seen too many people die right before his eyes from the bite that Alan had suffered. There was nothing that his healing gift could do to reverse the poison's effect, as hard as he tried. "He's a strong young lad, he might yet make it through this."
"Are you sure there's no cure for this Neal?" she asked, hope in her voice.
Neal hated the answer that he had to give her now, but she would know if she lied to him. It was best to tell her the truth. "I've asked my father and Numair, both of them have never even heard of such an immortal, let alone a cure for its venom. Perhaps," he stopped himself from finish the thought that he had just had. It was impossible.
"What Neal? I know you're thinking up something. If there is anything I can do that might save Alan, I have to do it. I have to."
"But its impossible Kel," he said
"Neal, you didn't see the look on Alanna's face when I told her what happened, when I told her that her youngest son was dying. She looked empty, just empty. I've failed her and Alan, and I won't do it again. You of all people should know, whether she admits it or not even to them, her children are her world."
Neal nodded, "I was thinking of something I read it a book when I was a page. It was a book about the medicines of the Southern lands. There was a bit about snakebites. Down that far south, there are many poisonous snakes. None of them are immortals, but they look very similar to the ones we're fighting out there." He gestured to the wall, which was visible from the ballroom balcony where they know sat.
"The book said that the only cure for a snake bite was to capture a live snake of the same species, collect some of its venom, then mix it with certain herbs and pour it over the bite wound."
"Cure a venomous bite with more venom? Neal that's crazy!" Kel replied.
"I know," Neal said wearily, "but the book was written by one of the most famous healers in the south. Besides, what have we got to lose?"
The two best friends looked at each other for a long moment before Kel stood up and brushed off her breeches quickly. She unsheathed her sword, Griffin.
"I'll be back," she said, "Send for me, if..."
"I will," Neal promised, watching his friend as she retreated from the balcony. That girl never ceased to amaze him. Beside him, Alan rolled onto his side, mumbling to himself. Neal looked at him, realizing that the boy didn't have much time left.
"Hurry Kel," he whispered, before rushing off to the herb storage room, trying to remember the ingredients from the book.
***
"So what do you think he means? I thought the help he promised was Nawat and the crows," Aly said as she finished relating the story of what Kyprioth had told her to her friends. Ochobu, Chenoal, and Ulasim were all present. Nawat was out who knows where (probably eating bugs, Aly thought with a grimace) and Fesgao was on guard duty.
"Well, in any case, I don't think we need anymore outsiders' help." Ochobu Dodeka said firmly, "No offense Aly, but this is whole issue is a raka one."
"Perhaps," Chenoal said, "The help is a raka."
"Can't be," Ulasim said as he sharpened his sword, "Our god, let's not forget, is a trickster. Knowing him, he'll throw us another luarin, or an enemy that he considers help to keep us by keeping us on our toes."
Aly nodded in agreement. "Kyprioth seemed very amused about the whole idea."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see," Chenoal said regretfully, "I bet..."
"What do you bet?" a voice asked.
The four servants turned to find a very curious thirteen-year-old standing in the doorway of the kitchen where they had been discussing Kyprioth's appearance.
"Hello Dovesary," Aly said calmly.
"What are you waiting to see?" the girl asked suspiciously.
There were many times that Aly admired Dove's uncanny ability at listening at doors, but this was definitely not one of them. The other three looked at Aly, clearly expressing with their eyes that it would be best for Aly to answer this question. She was after all the best liar among them.
"Whether Dunevon will be king for long," she said, making her voice as innocent as she could, as if she didn't have a care that Dove had just intruded on their conversation. Dove and Sarai had no idea of their royal raka blood and Aly and her friends thought it was best if they didn't tell them this yet. It would only put more pressure on the poor girls' shoulders. They already were suspicious of something, what with all the raka who stared at them wherever they went, but this would be a shock.
"I know that's not what you were talking about, there's some sort of secret you all are hiding from Sarai and me. I know it! I'll find out sooner or later Aly!" she cried, storming out of the kitchen. In a moment, she hurried back into to say, "And you never call me by my whole name unless you don't want to tell me something!" before hastening away again.
Aly swore silently to herself for a making a slip like that. Stupid, she thought.
Chenoal smiled, "She's learning from you Aly. It'll be good to have someone close to our queen who keeps her eyes and ears open if we," she corrected herself, "once we rise."
"We have to be more careful," Ulasim said quietly.
"We're going to have to tell them sometime," Ochobu said wisely.
"Let's deal with that another time," Aly said wearily. The trickster's game was once again becoming difficult. "How about we agree to tell them once this mysterious help comes, agreed?" she asked
"Agreed," her three friends said in unison.
"If it comes at all," Aly heard Chenoal mutter under her breath.
***
Hours later, Daine was once again awoken by the stinging of torch light in her eyes. She was surprised that she had slept at all, with all that had been on her mind.
The hooded men had returned, but this time they unlocked her tether from the wall, each one gripping one of her arms to keep her from trying to run off.
All of this amused Daine slightly; them thinking that she would even have the strength to run off after the previous day. Roughly, a bag was pulled over her head and again she could see nothing at all.
She could feel herself being carried along a long passage way and up some steps. She tried to keep track of all the turns she could feel that they were taking, but she soon was lost.
Minutes later, Daine could feel fresh air on her bare feet and hands. It felt good to be outside again. She was comforted by the thought that at least she would die outside surrounded by the People.
***
When the bag was removed from her head, Daine blinked and found herself standing on a wooden platform. In front of her a crowd of hundreds stood, jeering her. A few even threw rotten vegetables, but none of this mattered to her.
She focused not on the crowd but on the sun, the sky and the trees around her. It was a beautiful morning. She took it all in, breathing in the fresh air deeply. Daine realized in the back of the mind that she was standing on a trap door and that a hangman's noose hung ominously in front of her, but she wasn't afraid anymore. She didn't cry, didn't speak. She was empty of all emotion.
The crowd hushed as a voice magically amplified spoke out.
"Veralidaine Sarrasi of Tortall is herby charged with the murder of King Dunevon and espionage against the new King and Queen of the Copper Isles..."
The herald read a long list of titles and fief to which the royal pair claimed ownership. However, Daine found the chirping of the birds around her and the barking of dogs much more comforting.
When the voice stopped, Daine looked up to find one of the hooded men coming to her. Firmly, he settled the noose around her neck. As he retreated he whispered to her, "Go to the Black God with pride young one."
The sharp snap of rolling drums abruptly blocked out the comforting sounds of the birds. In one last attempt at rescuing herself, Daine tried to cry out to the People.
"Please, help me!" she silently called, but none of the animals around her heard.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She firmly planted a picture of her friends and family in her mind, taking in all of their features, especially Numair and Sarralyn.
Without warning, the firm wood beneath her feet gave way and she began to fall. Quickly, she took a deep breath before the rope tightened around her neck, cutting off all hopes of air.
Daine kicked her legs from side to side, trying to find a foothold, but the gallows were too well crafted for such a commodity. Tears streamed down her face as she thought of all that she was losing. Daine wasn't ready to leave this realm. She still had so much to do, among which was watching her daughter grow up, teaching her what it meant to be a wild mage.
Opening her eyes, she starred fiercely at the crowd before her, even as her body began to tire from its starvation of oxygen. In the center of the crowd at dark hooded figure appeared, stretching a beckoning hand to her. Her eyes widened in surprise, but no one in the crowd seemed to notice the figure that was so clearly a god. Daine recognized the Dark God immediately, and this only caused her to struggle harder. No, she called silently to him, I can't come with you. Not yet!
Slowly the god made his way to her. He floated effortlessly onto the gallows platform and leaned over. Daine stared defiantly into the shadows of his faceless head. The dark God shook his head and reached a hand out to her face. The god slowly put his hand on her head and suddenly, Daine felt content, relaxed. Perhaps, death wouldn't be so bad. All of her worries were gone. She knew that Numair would take care of their little girl, and her parents would watch over them too.
Daine had seen a few hangings during her time in Tortall working with the riders. Mostly bandits and a few traitors. She had hated them all. It seemed so strange that people gathered around and cheered as other lost their lives. She had only gone because she was expected to. One thing that she always noticed was how after a minute or two of struggle, the prisoners always stopped suddenly, as if death had snuck up on them and they had only just noticed it. Now she knew that that moment of surrender was when the Black God came to claim them.
As though, she were separate from her own body, she watched it stop fighting. Sighing, she closed her eyes for what she knew to be the last time.
***
Okay, I know what your thinking, Why in the world did you just kill of Daine! , or something of the sort. Well, I had to make things turn out this way for the story to make sense. Please, don't give up on me yet though, I got a lot more up my sleeves. Thanks and review! ;)