Alanna picked up the note on the table, glaring. She'd known the second she woke up that Dragonfly had run off again; her aura had vanished from the house, and had been gone for hours. The note was the only thing that she left behind to show she was ever there, and there were spells on it so that if anyone besides the addressees picked it up it would disintegrate. She was worried, very worried, that someone would find her. George looked over his wife's shoulder and frowned.
"She's hared off again, then?" Numair and Daine came downstairs.
"Yes, apparently to take care of "things" that need doing. She promises she'll be waiting for us on the ship to the Copper Isles, however." George replied.
"Something has got that girl scared to death, and she's too stubborn to let us help her," Alanna sighed. "It makes me wonder what she had to do to get out of Carthak."
"I'm not so sure Carthak is who's looking for her," Numair murmured. "It doesn't make sense. Kaddar must have known that he slighted her by marrying, and he of all people should know that if she doesn't want to be found no less than a god will be able to find her."
"Who else would be so eager to find her?" George asked. "Assuming she hasn't killed anyone in a high position, and there's no reports she did, it wouldn't make sense for any country to put a whole lot of effort looking for one mage."
"She's a powerful girl, and Tusaine's head mage died not too long ago. It would make sense that they'd want to replace him in a hurry with someone particularly gifted like Dragonfly." Daine added.
"No, Tusaine wants Lindhall Reed," Numair replied. "He told me they sent him an offer. They want someone older and more predictable, not a teenager. She's too unpredictable and uncontrollable."
"Have you thought that maybe it isn't a country looking for her?" Alanna asked George. "The thieves in the capital would love to have a powerful mage, even if she is unpredictable."
George stroked his chin, "That's possible, of course. But I doubt it's Tortallan thieves after her. I'd have heard of it."
"Maren." Numair muttered, his eyes wide. "She must have triggered their attentions when she crossed the sea…"
"The lass has got herself into more trouble than she can cope with, and doesn't want us to know or get her out." George sighed. "She must have fought her way out, and now she can't seem to escape them."
"The Copper Isles should keep them guessing for a little while, but she's tagged now," Alanna muttered. "Foolish Girl. She must have decided Maren less likely to get her noticed that Tortall."
"She's feeling betrayed right now, Alanna. Kaddar abandoned her and she won't forget it easily. She probably wasn't thinking about it when she ran off." Daine remarked.
There was quiet for a moment, and the unmistakable wail of Rikash rose from upstairs.
Dragonfly raced through the Royal Forests with reckless abandon. Tigress knew these woods better than most humans, and racing over rough ground didn't scare her. Dragonfly swung off the horse when she reached a clearing and snapped her fingers in a pentagon shape. A few wards crackled long enough for her to get past them, and she walked through. A tall, old tree stood in the midst of the clearing, a rough hole chipped in the bottom of the trunk. Dragonfly tied Tigress under a canopy of branches and leaves, before crawling into the hole.
The tree had been hollowed out. A set of steps from the tree itself led into a loft with a bed, while another flight of steps led to a kitchen complete with pots, pans, and fully stocked pantry. The smoke left through a hole in the dirt ceiling. A latrine was deeper down. A small spring had even been channeled to allow fresh water.
Dragonfly sighed. She missed her rooms at the palace, but getting the royals in danger wasn't a good idea, and she was safe and comfortable enough here. She went down into the pantry to retrieve some bread she'd left in there. She left the majority of her clothes packed, knowing she'd just have to re pack them when she left. So she settled down to a night of loneliness and quiet, glad at least for the kitten burying into her shirt.
Two Weeks Later, Port Legann:
Dragonfly calmly walked through the port city, wearing a skirt and blouse she'd washed in a creek the night before. The ship Huntsman bobbed in the harbor, ready for her passengers to take to the Copper Isles as they calmly loaded her horse aboard. Dragonfly was watching the crowds, looking for anything suspicious, knowing that the rest of the Ambassadors would arrive soon.
Dragonfly herself looked presentable, at least. She'd managed to clean herself up well enough, and she had slept well. Her blonde hair was curly from a sundry, and the color applied to her eyes and lips was expertly done. She smiled flirtatiously at one of the sailors looking her over, and the young man flushed, before turning back to his work.
Just then, the horns signaling the arrival of the ambassadors sounded, and Dragonfly looked towards the docks. There stood Daine and Numair, Alanna, George, and a small army of servants. Alanna strolled aboard first, looking around for Dragonfly. The girl was leaning against the rail, her blonde hair sweeping itself from her crisp, neat bun. She had, on a leash no less, a small, black, kitten. The kitten looked quite unabashed at being on a leash on a ship.
"You did come then?" Alanna asked curtly.
"Of course I came. I told you that I would watch the munchkins and I will. It's not like I'd walk out on a promise like that," Dragonfly muttered. She looked at the two children who were to be her charges. "Hello there Sarra, Rikash. How are you two?"
Sarra and Rikash both giggled. Daine settled Sarra on the deck and Numair handed Rikash to Dragonfly. Numair was already turning green.
"The head is that way, Numair. And if you or Alanna are going to puke I'll thank you to leave me out of the range of fire." She stated as she walked off, holding the hand of Sarra and carrying Rikash on one hip like a practiced Nanny.
Dragonfly took the two little ones bellow deck, knowing that they'd both be tired from the long ride. She could feel the ship cast off as she let Sarra curl up in the bunk. "You know what, little one? You look like you're going to be a handful. As much of one as your daddy, if that's possible." Dragonfly herself decided she was tired, and lay down to rest…
"Sleeping on the job are you?" A voice asked, waking Dragonfly up with a start. She looked up to find Daine looking falsely stern.
Dragonfly looked over, her charges were still fast asleep and it seemed like night had fallen since the room was dark except for the candle Daine held.
"I was catching up on my own sleep while they caught up on theirs, for your information Mrs. Salmalin." Dragonfly sat up.
"Ah. Well, dinner is ready, so we should wake them up for it."
"Right then," Dragonfly nodded and gently picked up Rikash as Daine took Sarra. There was little protest as the two women made their way up to the deck. Dinner was dried meat and fruit. Daine ate well, as did most of the party. Alanna and Numair were both ill over the side of the boat a total of 18 times combined. Dragonfly kept count.
"You know, I could be nice and give them seasickness pills…" She muttered to Daine.
"Why didn't you mention these BEFORE we got on the ship?"
"Because I didn't think they deserved it, but I'm not sure I want both of them puking all through the voyage. They'll make ME sick." Dragonfly replied as she rummaged through her silk satchel. She pulled out a box of small, white pills.
"Alanna! Numair! Get over here!" She yelled. The two came over, both looking green.
"What in the name of Mithros do you want?" Numair grumbled.
"I'm giving you a chance at actually eating something. Here." She threw the box at them.
"You've had these the whole time!" Alanna asked angrily.
"Maybe…" Dragonfly tried to look utterly innocent and failed miserably.
Alanna and Numair popped the pills into their mouths.
"They take a while to work, I'm afraid."
"Oh well, at least you have them." Numair sighed and sat down on the deck next to Daine.
The rest of the trip passed as most sea voyages should, in Alanna's opinion. Quietly.
A/N: There's chapter 2 for you. I hate writing sea journeys. Nothing every goes on. So just assume that they reach the Copper Isles in about two to three days. Who knows how long it really takes… You will REVIEW ME! maniacal, evil laughter