Alrighty everyone. Before we read the next chappie I would like to thank all the people who reviewed. I would also like to apologize for Daine's actions. I don't know what got into her. I would also like to apologize for what I do to Numair in this chappie. I am asking for forgiveness, because, obviously, it's pretty bad. I also ask that u stick with me till the end. If not for me, then for Numair. I mean we can't just dessert him in his time of need! What kind of obsessed fanatics would we be? Anyways thanx to:

Alianne: Thank u for the review. As for the "bull $!" I'm sorry. Please read to the end though. Also thanx for pointing out my mistakes. Like I said, it was late and I was in a hurry.

Megster: Jon can be an idiot. Unfortunatly we can't change that, only make fun of him. That was a typo but u can pretend I did it on purpose if it makes u feel better. Also I'm sorry about what Daine did. I'm pretty mad too, but please don't flame me!! It hurts my feelings and anyways, if the flame is not intelligent (ex: "You are immature, childish review beggars!" I swear some one said something like that to me n Eunae) then I will respond and u probably won't like it. If u do flame, don't use too many bad words pushes away lil sis who's reading over my shoulder.

Heather-marie: You can't tell, but I'm holding a tissue up to the computer! Lol!

Um: relax! Relax! Deep breaths! In, out, in, out. Just bear with me k?

Tortall's resident wildchild: No not the winged monkey demons!!!! Ahhh Ahhh!!!!! Btw, what's worse than a winged monkey demon? Two winged monkey demons!!!

Equestrian-babe101: sorry it's depressing. I'm depressed too.

Narm's Briton44: Well I suppose in this fic all of Numair's friends suck. Please don't anyone take any offense by this!

Miss what if: I'm glad u like it!

Eunae: Stop yelling please. You think that was bad? Just read this chappie!! We're of to see the wizard! The wonderful wizard of Oz!! This is for Numair: We're off to see the mage! The wonderful mage of Tortall whom I'm madly in love with!! Sorry, that was pretty lame.

Roherwen: we all love Numair and always will!!

Goddess of Muffins: Will you be less mad at me if I say, "Hey! Love ur pen name!"?

Alright now u can read the next chappie. Again, I'm sorry!!

Numair awoke to a sharp pain in his side. His body hurt all over especially his arms. They were very stiff and it took a while to get them to work. The man who had been sent to wake him up dragged him over to a cart and began to tie him up to the back. The mage sighed. He wasn't up to another run like yesterday.

"I'll probably die today," thought Numair, "Then again, that might not be a bad thing. The at least Ozorne won't get his hands on me." At that thought Numair shuddered.

The leader of his captors stormed over, "fool!" he shouted hitting the man tying up Numair across the back of the head. Numair smiled. His amusement was short lived though as he was rewarded by a slap for him self. "Wipe that smile off your face!" the captain said before turning back to the other man," We have that cart for a reason! Put him in the back! We don't want to keep the emperor waiting!" Numair's face paled.

'Actually," he said, "I'm up for walking," right after he had said this his legs collapsed and he fell to the ground to the great amusement of his captors. The mage's face burned with embarrassment. He was tossed into the back of the cart and grunted in pain when his body made contact with the floor. As he tried to regain his breath the two men jumped up beside him and they were off.

The journey by cart was by far worse then the journey by foot. Numair was jostled and bumped. There was no was to stop his head from banging against the cart. He had a feeling every inch of his body would be black and blue by the end of five minutes. At one point he tried to get away by rolling out of the cart. It was no use though. The Carthakis caught up with him in no time. They dragged the bedraggled mage back. Numair felt dizzy. His face felt wet. It took him a moment to realize it was his own blood.

Hours later Numair was in even worse condition. His vision was blurred form his bloody nose. He was also having trouble breathing. He hadn't eaten anything since the previous day and his parched throat screamed for just a drop of water. He begged for the Black God to take him away. Numair was awoken from his daze when the cart next stopped. The air was filled with shouting voices. Numair didn't move. Once again the mage was hauled out of the cart. He half walked and was half dragged through the crowd of soldiers. He was too weak to even hold up his head. Finally they stopped. The guards forced him to his knees, grabbed his hair, and pulled his head back. To Numair's surprise, and horror, he found he was staring into the face of Emperor Ozorne of Carthak.

"Hello Arram!" said Ozorne cheerfully, "Long time no see," Numair swallowed nervously,

"I quite agree. We really should talk more," talking hurt but sometimes that's what Numair did when he was nervous. Ozorne reached for Numair's face and patted his cheek, then wiped his hand on a towel to get rid of the blood and dirt. The mage flinched under his touch which made Ozorne smile.

"Well we'll have a long time to catch up," Numair didn't like the sound of that. Ozorne was obviously planning to torture him for a while.

"Wonderful,"

The lanky mage suddenly felt a warmth flood his body. He knew what it was. His magic was returning! He smiled. At the rate his magic was coming back he would be at full power in a matter of minutes. He would catch them by surprise, escape; start a new life Maybe in Tusaine. That would work as long as Aeejah wasn't there. (a/n: I'm sorry. I couldn't help putting that in. Anyone who has read Fate Has Led Us will under stand. If you want to understand this inside joke then read Fate Has Led Us.) Every moment he became stronger. His hopes were rising with his magic. He had never felt so hopeful except for the time he had watched Daine's reaction when he had told her he loved her, hoping she returned his feelings. No, he mustn't think of her... To late. Just a few more minutes and he could blow them all a way.

Ozorne beckoned to a soldier.

"It's returning. Retrieve the 'little present' we brought for our guest,"

"Yes, Imperialness," grinned the soldier.

Numair looked up sharply. "It's returning?" "Little present?" He didn't like the sound or that. The soldier returned with a box. The emperor opened it and lifted something out. Numair couldn't see what. The guard tilted his head back even more. Ozorne stepped closer.

"Maybe this is the end," thought Numair," Maybe he's just going to cut my throat. It would he better then him keeping me alive for his enjoyment. Hmm... The life of Numair Salmalin, black robe mage of Tortall...No of no where...dies on his knees in the dirt at the hands of his worst enemy. Or is Perin my worst enemy? Well one of my worst enemies. I must say this isn't the way I was planning on going. Ah well, beggars can't be choosers. Wait, I'm not begging! I'm not saying anything! What am I thinking! No last words? Well I suppose I had last words: 'I quite agree. We really should talk more.' What kind of last words are those? I always expected I would die after I gave some last witty remark. That's not going to happen I guess. I really should come up with something though. No, I suppose I shall just settle for a defiant glare." But before he could even do that Ozorne had bent down and put something around his neck. Click! Numair looked bewildered. He felt heavier somehow. Something was around his neck. He reached an arm up and felt his neck. He froze. He reached his other hand up. He choked back a scream. Ozorne had put a heavy iron collar around his throat. (a/n: Sorry to interrupt but, incidentally iron's atomic symbol is Fe. Just trying to spread the knowledge and the mood needs lightening, especially for what happens next.) Numair clawed desperately at his neck. He struggled so violently that the guards holding him in place let go. The collar was too heavy and Numair was too weak. He lost his balance and fell flat on his face. Everyone roared with laughter.

"Take it off!" moaned Numair, "Take it off and let me go!"

"Say please," answered the Emperor Mage laughing.

"No,"

"Say it!" he was not smiling now.

"Never!"

Pain erupted all over his body. Emerald green flame licked hungrily at his limbs. A shriek leapt unbidden from his throat. Each shriek was loud and long. Each shriek was followed by another. Numair rolled on the ground in agony. Everyone stood silently, watching him, Ozorne with a look of grim satisfaction on his face.

"Say it," he said quietly.

"Please! Please! Please!" screamed Numair. The pain stopped immediately. The mage lay shaking and trembling on the ground.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" said Ozorne with a small smirk. Numair just whimpered in reply.

"Now, say it again,"

"Please," whispered Numair. Tears or pain and humiliation cut paths through the blood and dirt plastered on his face.

"Louder,"

"Please!" he moaned.

"Arram, I said louder. Now say it again, or do I have to teach you another lesson?"

"Please!" Numair yelled at the top of his lungs. He was still twitching.

"Thank you. Next time, do it how I wanted it done in the beginning." The man at his feet could only manage a nod.

"You break easily, Draper. For that I am a little disappointed. No matter. I will play with you again later. Won't that be fun? Answer me!"

"No, that won't be fun" muttered Numair. His body was on fire again,

"I'm sorry Arram. I didn't hear you. What did you say?" Ozorne had to speak loudly to be heard over the screams.

"Yes! Yes! Lot's of fun! Stop! Please!" The pain stopped.

"That's what I thought you said,"

Well thanx for reading. Again I'm sorry for that. Read and review or else u will never know whether Numair escapes or not. REVIEW!!! REVIEW!!!