Chapter Four

Rhiana entered the chamber and stopped dead in her tracks. A room full of eyes stared back at her. They looked as if at any moment they would leap and devour her. She shook herself, Nonsense, they are only men and women and Daine wouldn't endanger me. With out further pause she sat down in the seat indicated to her by the king.

She sat in front of the chamber and was thoroughly examined by all who sat there. Her only comfort was the reassuring hand on her shoulder. Daine sat there, her face calm and full of confidence. Rhiana knew that as long as Daine sat with her none of these nobles could hurt her.

It was an odd feeling Rhiana had. After being without trust for so long, she was beginning to trust this mage from Tortall. She barely knew Daine and yet she felt confident that the mage would help her. She looked up at Daine and felt an overwhelming sense of calm spread from Daine into her. It was hard to resist that calm and she didn't.

As the king called the meeting to order he addressed the problem that brought them all there. He introduced Rhiana and explained that she was looking for shelter. After a few comments from the audience he made it clear to them that he was in favor of helping her and let every one state where they stood. Finally, Rhiana was sent out of the room. As Rhiana left she felt a growing respect for the king, and stopped.

She turned to the king and to everyone's surprise spoke, "Your Majesty, I am only ten and am untrained in most arts but what I do know is how to survive. I have and I now stand before you not as a child or a stranger but as a person who wishes to live. Grant me that and I will serve you as best I can until I die." She bowed and left, leaving a stunned silence behind her.

Daine's eyes danced with amusement at the shocked look on the faces of the king's ministers. She was surprised at the eight year old made such a speech, but she was coming to expect it. Despite her age she seemed quite mature and very smart.

King Jonathan cleared his throat and everyone's eyes focused back on him. "Now, I think we all are in agreement to allow the girl to stay," everyone nodded their assent, "As you all know she has no family and is in need of a place to stay. Who will take this young child under their wing and teach her all she needs to know to survive in Tortall?"

A murmur arose from the small crowd; no one stood to accept the task. Then, with a stubborn look on her face, Daine stood up. All eyes were on her and she met each stare evenly. In a loud defying voice Daine spoke "I will give her a home, just as I was given one when I came here in hope of something better," she paused and an unreadable look crossed her face, "But I have nothing to teach her, and I am always on the move. She can stay in my apartments but she will need a teacher or teachers that have time enough to educate her."

She glanced from familiar face to familiar face but none looked willing to take the job. Daine sighed and was about to take her seat when a soft authoritive voice said, "I will accept this undertaking."

All eyes turned to a small Yamani woman. Daine sighed in relief at the sight a Sir Neal's wife, Lady Yukimi. Yuki looked at Daine with the faintest hint of a smile. "If it pleases, Your Majesty, I would like to accept responsibility for Rhiana. I wish to teach her all I have learned about life in Tortall, and feel that since I once felt like an outsider like this girl most certainly does, I would be the best choice as teacher, unless of course someone else feels more equal to the task." Yuki bowed to the King and awaited his response.

King Jonathan smiled and nodded. "Are we all in agreement that Lady Yukimi be written down as guardian for the child in question?" he spoke with an almost sarcastic hint to his voice, the council spoke the agreement and Jon continued, "Well then, Lady Yukimi, you are forth with none as the guardian of Rhiana until she reaches the age and skill that will enable her to look after herself in Tortall." With that everyone in the court stood as the King and Queen left.