Disclaimer: Anything that you recognize from the Tamora Pierce books belongs to her.
A/N: Sorry about the hugely long time in between updates! I caught the flu and then I had an essay due for uni. But I'm on mid-semester break in a week, so I'll try to update more regularly. And write longer chapters than this one. :) I'm taking quite a lot of license with this fic, so I hope it doesn't sound too unlikely! Thank you heaps to the people who reviewed the last chapter:
CrAzYhOrSeGiRl88 - sorry about the cliffies! I never even thought I was a cliffy person, because it drives me crazy when other people do it! :) Thanks for reviewing.
Elementalmoon - I'm glad you liked the chapter, I was worried it went kind of downhill! Your reviews have been really encouraging.
Fire Daughter - Thank you for reviewing! I think Numair's going to see Jardan as a threat still. I'm mean. I think Numair's cute when he's jealous in people's fics. :o)
elvenprinzcess - Lol, I hope that's not confused in a bad way! Thanks, it's a huge compliment from you, because I love your fics.
Mel - I hope the spelling is mostly ok in this chapter, lol. When I'm tired, I tend to start spelling even words like "the" wrong. Yeah, I wasn't sure about the whole "Jardan talking about his past" thing. I didn't think he was the type to just start gossiping about it over a cup of tea! Thanks for sticking with the story so far; your reviews made me feel a lot better about some of the chapters!
Hidden Relevance - I hope I can un-confuse you soon, lol. I see a few people were suspecting Daionarus was part of it. I don't think I should try writing a mystery! :) Thank you for the review.
Goddess of the Moon - I think I must have unintentionally given him an evil vibe or something! Oops. Yeah, I'm definitely not made for writing mysteries, lol. Thanks for reviewing!
Ami4 - Thanks! I'm really glad you're liking the story so far. I think you're an awesome writer. I love your West Wing fic.
Roherwen - I know, I've started writing cliffies without even meaning to! :) Thanks!
Girlfromtheshadows - Thank you, your reviews have been so nice! Especially since I was thinking it might be getting worse!
wild black fire - Wow, thank you so much for the huge compliment! There's a couple of stories on the site that I feel like that about too. I'm always forgetting what actually happened in the books and what I read in fanfics!
Aindel S. Druida - LOL, congrats on being majorly on the right path so far. I was like, darn it, she's guessing my whole plot! But that's ok. I can handle being obvious. :P
Whisper - Thank you! Your reviews have been some of my most encouraging since early on. I hope things start to become clearer soon (for me as well, lol. I'm making up a lot of stuff as I go). I wouldn't want your head to explode! :)
Equestrian-babe101 - Thank you for the review! I'm really glad that you're liking the story so far.
Narm's Briton 44 - Thanks for reviewing; I love your fics, so it always makes me feel better about mine if you like them. Keep writing fluffy one-shots, I love them!
angrypickle - Thank you and yay, another fluff-lover! Not much in this chapter, but much more later on. :)
surfergirl16 - Ok, it wasn't really a fast update, sorry, but thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you like it so far. :)
Fantasizing-Lady-Knight - Wow, that's a lot of PLEASEs, LOL! Thank you for all the nice comments too.
Stefen - Thanks :) Again, sorry about the wait for the update.
don got 1 - Thank you for the really nice review! I'm glad that I'm not using completely obscure words, or words that don't make sense! :)
KelDomForever - Not quite explained yet, but getting there! Thanks for the review!
TheWildMage - Thank you! I'm really glad that you're liking it. So far anyway, lol.
Dragon and the Wild Mage - That's ok, I wasn't mad that you hadn't reviewed. :) Keep updating your fic too, I want to know what happens!
kat-tak - Thanks for reviewing. And for liking it, lol. :)
Lady Deathstrike - I made someone cry! I feel bad. But that's also a HUGE compliment, because I hardly ever cry when I read stories either. So thank you heaps for the really nice review!
I really hope that's everyone! Sorry if I missed you out!
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The room was dark with fear and confusion. Agitated voices swam in Daine's ears. She sighed, keeping her gaze fastened on the herb tea before her but unable to summon the desire to drink. An hour or more must have passed since that first shocking glimpse of Daionarus. If it was, in fact, Daionarus. That was what they were waiting to discover. Glancing up finally, her stormy eyes flickered about the throne room.
King Benjamin and Queen Lijana stood near the window, heads together, brows creased. The beautiful queen's hands moved in rhythm to the words falling from her lips. Her husband, face grim, shook his head at intervals. They appeared to be arguing.
Prince Braydon, looking inexplicably amused by it all, lounged on plush cushions in the centre of the room. Meeting her measuring look squarely, he raised a wine goblet in mocking salute. Daine's lips twisted and she turned away. Clearly the prince saw no reason to be disturbed by a circumstance that had his family reeling.
Thayet and Alanna were also in conversation, their voices hushed. Impatience decorated their mystified faces like paint, and she suspected that they wouldn't stand idle for long.
Sitting tensely either side of her were Azassandra and Jardan. After the initial flurry of questions and curses, the wild mage had fallen into musing silence. Equally quiet, the princess was unusually composed, lost in thought. They would both be keeping up a reasonable pretense of calm, Daine thought, if it weren't for the nervous mannerisms. Every few minutes, Jardan would leap to his feet and pace like an edgy fishwife. And as soon as he did so, Azassandra would commence cracking her finger bones.
It was seriously beginning to get on Daine's nerves.
As an inane giggle tickled her throat, she wondered if perhaps she might be getting a notch hysterical. Reaching up with one hand, she wound a curl about her fist, pulling until it hurt and her knuckles bled white.
The knot in her belly loosened a little. There was something to be said for nervous mannerisms...
The heavy doors swung open, and all eyes turned to the entering trio. Stepping inside first, Lemerus was tomb-white and visibly upset. A solemn Isorus repeatedly patted her arm in a frenzy of soothing. It didn't appear to appease her. Numair brought up the rear, contained and stern. Daine recognized that look. It appeared whenever some intellectual dilemma dared vex him. The mages had remained to inspect the body. Obviously logical explanations had not flourished.
He immediately sought, and held, her gaze. She didn't miss the barely perceptible shake of his head.
"Well?"
The king didn't waste time with his snapped appeal. Hands planted on hips, he glared at the remaining Elders. His composure shaken, the royal looked fierce and determined.
Numair walked quietly to Daine's side and she stood, slipping her hand into his. He looked to the native mages, acknowledging their place to speak first.
Lemerus ran a rough hand through loose hair. It was the first time that Daine had seen the lovely woman less than immaculately presented. Her distress was etched clearly into pinched features.
"The body has been removed to the mausoleum," she informed her ruler soberly. "There was little to be learned from the remains. When we...when we left him, he was naught but bones." She took a shaky breath, clearly trying to reconcile her thoughts. "But it absolutely was not a simulacrum, sire."
King Benjamin's eyes narrowed. It was impossible to read his face.
"You're sure?"
"Yes, your Majesty. Quite certain."
Isorus spoke up in confirmation. "The decomposition was inordinately rapid, milord, but I would swear by the gods that what we have is a human body." He paused. "The body of whom is the question."
"You heard what Jardan and Daine said," Queen Lijana responded, stepping forward to lightly clasp her husband's arm. "If they saw Daionarus in the catacombs mere hours ago, how...how is this possible? We all saw for ourselves; it was no illusion. You say it was no simulacrum. How could a man be on his feet and wrapped in magic one moment, a pile of bones in the crypt the next?"
"If the body is Daionarus," Lemerus began slowly, "Then he has been dead for a very long time. Ten years at least. Perhaps twenty, perhaps more."
"Twenty years..." The king looked stunned.
"So what you're saying," Jardan broke in abruptly, jerking to his feet, "Is that the man we knew, the man we trusted, as Daionarus was...what? Somebody else entirely?"
Absently stroking Daine's fingers, Numair shook his head. "We don't know. Obviously it doesn't add up. You've seen him, for a long time, apparently alive. And everyone here saw him, in the last few hours, most definitely dead."
"You have no explanations to offer at all then?" Braydon piped up, the sneer very evident both in voice and face.
"Quiet!"
The prince rolled scornful eyes at his father's command, but didn't dare disobey it.
Numair tossed an impatient look in the heir's direction. Daine knew that he had no time for the sulky man. He and Jardan were united in that respect, at least. Both mages considered the future ruler a waste of breath and space.
The king shook his head, dismissing his son irritably. He turned to Numair in question. "I can see in your eyes that you have something to say, Master Salmalin. If so, speak, please. This is no time for reticence."
Daine, frowning slightly, waited for the answer. She had a pressing suspicion that things were about to get a lot more complicated.
Numair hesitated, thoughtful gaze narrowed on the floor. Without looking up, he began to speak slowly. "It is, of course, possible for a person to transfer their magic to someone else. To temporarily store their Gift within another being. Difficult, yes, but possible."
King Benjamin looked from one foreign face to the next. "This has been done before?"
Alanna nodded, lips pursed. "It has."
"But it's not only physically draining, it's also rather dangerous," the mage continued. "Should the person be unwilling to return the Gift..." He shrugged. "It could be something of a problem. However, if the vessel in question has no will...no soul of their own...their body would be completely vulnerable to control."
There was a brief silence, shortly broken by Queen Lijana. "You believe that Daionarus died then...and that his body has been utilized as a vessel for mage magic?"
"Yes, I do," he confirmed. His dark eyes traveled over Jardan before returning to Daine. "Daine and Master Treylrawne said that Daionarus' Gift appeared to be white. Colourless."
"It always has been," Braydon retorted grumpily.
"Perhaps," was Numair's cool return. "But it could also indicate a camouflage incantation. Further protection against identification."
"But why?" the queen queried, husky voice distressed. "Why would anyone wish to hide their magic? And to go to such extremes to do so?"
"The swan may have beauty, but the brown wren escapes the arrow," Azassandra quoted softly.
Numair nodded in appreciation. "Exactly, your Highness." He turned back to the monarchs. "I think we may safely link our mystery magic source to the Blazewings, your Majesties. Whoever this mage is, he or she has orchestrated devastating damage. More than one person here is out for blood. Escaping detection would be a priority, and there's no better way to fly under the target than to appear Giftless."
"So an incredibly powerful mage is wandering about the Isles wreaking disaster, and we've had no idea whatsoever of their capability?" King Benjamin asked.
"I'd wager a thousand gold nobles on it."
"Wonderful," the ruler replied flatly.
"You say that Daionarus has most likely been dead ten summers or more, Lemerus." Jardan's voice was curt.
The Elder's eyes were coated in misery. "Yes. Ten years at the very least, I should think. Probably more."
"Then the Daionarus that I've known, my teacher, was not he at all? I've...been learning from the hands that killed Kyria." The bitter realization came harshly, from lips reluctant to speak the words.
Daine barely restrained herself from reaching out to him. Her instinct to touch, to help, surprised her. Other than to Numair and the People, she was not always an openly affectionate person.
Nobody seemed to know what to say.
"Daionarus isn't behind this," Jardan stated, as if attempting to reshuffle his thoughts, examine the new hand dealt.
"It appears not," Daine spoke up finally.
"Then we're back to knowing precisely what we did before!" he snapped in disgust. "Nothing!"
"The Blazewings have been conjured from immense hatred," Thayet addressed the Sailan royals. "Do you have any idea why someone would wish to inflict such a curse on your people? On yourselves?"
The king sighed. "Kingdoms and rulers always have enemies, your Highness. You know that, as do we." His voice turned grim. "But you're right. This is no petty spite. Either someone is capable of immeasurable evil, or they feel colossally wronged."
"Perhaps both," his daughter suggested quietly. Her eyes were piercing in her pretty face. "Pa, you don't think...do you think the Renaikevs have returned?"
"No," came the instinctive denial. Then, slowly: "Perhaps. We always knew that it probably wasn't over. But to head such evil, such slaughter..."
"Tit for tat really, wouldn't you say, father dear?" Braydon drawled nasally, stretching lean arms above his head.
The room became heavy and still, only the sound of harsh breaths threatening the quiet.
Then King Benjamin's anger exploded from his taut body.
"Mithros' curse, boy! Show some loyalty and spine for once in your life, for the love of the gods! You can simper and sneer all you like, whelp, but you're a Micharon by blood and you will one day lead our people. May the Mother Goddess help them! If you don't keep your mouth shut, I'll have your head in a noose before I'll see it under a crown!"
Braydon's lips were tight, the edges pale. Gaze curiously glittering and intense, he stared in deathly calm at his father. His words, when they came, were blade-edged and cruel.
"But that's the rub, isn't it, Papa? They're not our people at all. And perhaps I'd rather hang honest from a rope than suffer the weight of a stolen crown."
Daine exchanged a frowning glance with Numair. She looked from the still, serious prince to where the king stood, almost quivering with anger.
She'd wondered what lurked beneath the serene beauty of the Isles. It seemed there was more trouble than she'd ever imagined.
Benjamin's mouth opened and closed a few times before he gained the composure to hiss, "Birthright doesn't always equal worth, my son. You're a walking example of that."
His acid insult lingered as he stalked to the door, yanked it open and departed with a slam.
The queen took a deep breath, exhaling loudly. She cast her son an unreadable look.
"You've said quite enough, child. Go to your chambers."
Braydon tore his gaze from the closed door, and snorted.
"Now."
The prince continued to bluster a little, but even he wasn't fool enough to disregard his mother's steely tone. Pushing roughly past his brooding sister, he stomped from the room.
Queen Lijana sighed, meeting the eyes of her guests. "I'm terribly sorry about that. You deserved clarification, not a confrontation with our domestic problems. Azassandra will explain. I must go and retrieve my husband," she said ruefully. "Please excuse both myself and my family's appalling manners."
"Not at all," Thayet said sympathetically. She smiled a little. "When you visit us in Tortall, you'll meet my husband, Jon."
"Enough said" were the unspoken words.
Daine hid a smile. Certainly their king was not one to be docile and polite in conflict either.
Lijana chuckled, banishing several of the stress lines from her brow. She curtseyed once, and disappeared to locate her furious lover.
Alanna let a low soft whistle and sat down across from Thayet. Daine's body felt stiff and achy with tension, and she didn't protest the tug of Numair's hand. He towed her toward a padded bench near the fireplace. It was warm there, both from the heat of the flames and the gentle stroke of his fingers on her arm. Feeling the exhaustion of the past few days and the strife sure to come, she leaned against him, fighting the urge to close her eyes and burrow close.
Azassandra looked embarrassed as she sank to her brother's abandoned cushions, sitting straight-backed and cross-legged like a seer.
"I apologize also," she told them, a little stiffly. "Things can become rather...heated between my father and my brother. Braydon loves to be provocative. He gets bored frequently. And vile. He becomes vile frequently too." She finished this summation with an unaffected grin.
Daine returned the gesture, secretly glad that her Ma hadn't birthed a son also.
Numair smiled, but his eyes remained serious. He didn't dally with courtly words.
"You have an idea who is responsible for the Blazewings, Azassandra?"
Shadows chased away the princess' light-hearted expression. She nodded. "Yes. Well. I have a suspicion. Pa was right when he said that we have enemies enough. It's true, of course it's true, but the amount of hate involved... Those who harbor that much revulsion for us are lesser in number, I'm relieved to say."
"Who are the Renaikevs, Aza?" Daine asked carefully.
Azassandra's smile returned, but her good humour did not. She was silent for a moment, then finally replied in even tones.
"The Sailan Isles' rightful royal family."