A/N: Alright. The mutch anticipated chapter 2! Ok, so not really, but Chapter two is here none the less. This chapter is boring, but it is essential to the plot. Thank you to all who

reviewed the first chapter!

Disclaimer: Its all Tamora Pierce's (I forgot this!!!!!!!)

Chapter 2- Interrogation

The Tortallan delegates made their way towards the shining palace at Corcus. After a long ride to the city they were finally home.

You're back! Daine heard a familiar people voice call to her. She looked down from her horse to see Tahoi, Onua's faithful dog running towards her, his tail wagging enthusiastically.

"Whoa" Numair's voice sounded a bit shaky. Daine turned to see his gelding prancing away from the approaching dog.

Silly, he won't hurt you. She assured the horse. "Relax your reins!" She called to Numair. When he did the horse stood calmly.

"Thanks" He gave her a grateful smile.

As they rode towards the stables, Tahoi's master appeared. Daine was glad to see Onua. She had missed her first Tortallan friend while they were in Carthak. The delegates all dismounted from their horses. Daine had to stifle a giggle as Numair winced. He'll never learn. She thought. Thank you. Daine told her mare, Dreamwalker.

It was my pleasure. The mare replied. Can I ask you a favor?

Anything.

I've heard so much about the pastures at this place, and I'd very much like to visit one.

Daine assured the mare that it was as good as done, and then made the request known to Onua. Daine began to help untacking the horses when Onua stoped her.

"King Jon wants all of the delegates in his study as soon as they arrive."

"But the horses..."

"I can handle it. Go on"

Daine reluctantly obeyed and set off towards the castle, Numair followed behind her.

"Get ready to be interrogated" Numair's voice behind her said.

She turned around and smiled at him. "Yes, I think we have a bit of explaining to do."

"I just wish Jon would give us some time to rest before starting in on this."

"I just want this over with." Allana joined their conversation. "So I can finally go home."

Kitten chirped and inquiry to Daine. "I suppose you can go to our room if you'd like. This doesn't really concern you." Kit headed off down one of the hallways.

Can I follow? Zek the marmoset aksed?

Ok, but hurry up to catch her. He lept down off of her shoulder and raced to catch up with Kitten.

Alanna lead the way to the King's study. When they entered Jonathan and Thayet were already sitting at the end of a long table. Alanna went to take her place at the table, followed by the other delegates. Daine awkwardly picked a seat near the end. To her relief Numair sat beside her. She wanted his encouragement.

"Well," Jonathan began, "I received a very interesting letter from Emperor Kaddar." His sapphire eyes looked to each of them with questioning. Duke Gareth the Younger started in on the peace talks and their original failure. This seemed to take forever, so Daine allowed her mind to drift. This room's walls were filled with books containing the history and legal records of Tortal. If Numair were to be set loose in here we wouldn't see him for months. She thought. A brown tiger cat, chasing a mouse, caught her attention. Hello. She called to him.

He walked over her, happily excepting a scratch on his head. Hello, I'm Chance. He told her. He proceeded to tell her that he was a favorite of princess Kalasin. She sneaks me some of that tasty food they give her. Daine smiled, and noted the beautiful collar the cat wore.

"...then Orzone came in with this letter that was supposedly from Daine..." Daine jumped at the mention of her name, and Numair gave her a little smile. "Numair I think this is where you must cut in." Duke Gary turned to him. Numair nodded.

"I knew that letter was false at once." He began. Inwardly Daine smiled. He was truly a wonderful friend. "I guessed that Orzone had her in one of his prisons." He paused, and looked to be suppressing a shudder. Daine thought he must be imagining his own stay in one of those terrible places. "While I was in Carthak, Lindhall and I had been helping me make a Simulacra, in case a need came for one." Jonathan nodded his understanding. "I allowed Orzone to arrest and execute it, while I went after Daine." He then turned to her. "Daine, I'm going to need you to explain what happened next. I am vauge on some details." Daine nodded to him, and felt his hand close on hers under the table. The silent support gave her courage.

"Zek found keys and got help to unlock the cell."

"Zek?" the king asked.

"He's a marmoset I found in Carthak." Jonathan nodded his understanding. "I ran into Kaddar, and...well...He told me Numair was dead, that Orzone had killed him and he had witnessed. I got a little angry, and summoned to life some dinosaurs skeletons from the Hall of Bones."

"Summoned to Life?" Jonathan asked.

"Daine was given a power temporarily by the Grave Yard Hag, to give an imitation of life to things that once lived." This was Numair.

"Interesting. Continue Daine."

"Well, I used the Dinosaurs to destroy Orzone's castle and to find him."

"And Orzone, I assume, is dead. Judging by the fact that his heir assumed the throne." The King asked.

"I'm afraid he is not dead." Numair answered. "Rather, he has been turned into a Stormwing. I can not yet assess what his threat to us is."

"Very well, you are all dismissed for tonight. Master Lindhall, someone will show you to your quarters. Oh and Alanna, I need to discuss some border patrol issues that have arisen." Daine heard the Lioness grumble.

"Jon, can't this wait?" The two locked eyes, staring each other down.

"Alright," Jon acquiesced. "I'll find you sometime tomorrow, and don't even think about sliping off" he warned. He knew Alanna all too well.

Everyone rose and headed towards their rooms. Daine saw Numair headed for his tower, and she made her way to her own room. Daine was lost in her thoughts about the meeting, and whether or not the story of her destroying Carthak's palace would spread to the rest of the palace, that she didn't notice the boy in front of her until she bumped right into him.

"I'm so sorry Miss Daine." The boy told her. He offered her a hand to help her up.

"It was my fault really." She suddenly realized that she did not know this person, and yet he had used her name. "Do I know you?"

"No, you don't." Daine noticed that he did not meet her eyes, rather his eyes wandered over he body. It made her skin squirm a bit. "I'm one of the clerks here. My name's Perin."

A/N: Ok, so there you go. Sorry about this chapter being dull. Next chapter will be good, just trust me. It will also go back to Numair's POV also.

This was a surprisingly fast update for me, next chapter's going to take longer.

Reviewer thanks:

Insomniac-Reader: I think this chapter was longer, and future chapters will for sure be!

Wild Magelet: as I have said in my reviews to you, Spirits Cry is my fav fic, and I'm so honored that you like mine! By the way, update Spirits Cry! I'm dying for a new chapter!

Kit49: yes, poor Numy. He's about to get even more confused. Thanks for the review!

Dragon and the Wild Mage: I went back a reviewed your fic. I can't believe I didn't do it sooner!

Narm's Britton 44: lol, guess my computer doesn't recognize British slang, and my spelling is terrible (thank God for spell checker)