Disclaimer: This is my plot and contains a handful of my own characters. Everything else is the property and bread-and-butter of Tamora Pierce. May she write for many years to come.
A/N:
Ethalas Tuath'an: Onua is a bit busy right now to think about it and she's about to get a whole lot busier. But she will realize it soon. She might have believed that it was someone in Carthak, since she didn't go. But that is no longer the case. I didn't fool very many people with Cearl. I tried to make him charming and a little endearing. The level of his treachery is probably not realized yet though. I am patting myself on the back for hiding a few things in plain sight. The sparkling dragon thing, the foe spell, the lies that were not lies. But now the world is falling down. The little mention of looking at Daine the bear repeatedly was one of those little clues. You are the only one who commented on it, however. Nice catch.
Kit49: Didn't you love how masterfully she confronted him? Talk about thinking well on your feet! That's one of those things I love about Daine's character. She is not just good in a crisis – she's brilliant. Oh, and thanks for the compliments.
1reallyblue1 – Yep, finally!
Jules-Gemma – Thanks! Here you go.
Twilight Shades – Nice to see her calculating instead of damsel in distress, huh? And boy do I have some fun in store.
Sunfish Sailor – Hello. First, thank you so much for pointing out the anonymous viewer thing. I never noticed that it was something I had to approve. I changed it when I read your message. Still, I'm glad you joined and I can't wait to see what you submit when your three days are up. Also, thanks for the compliments. You're going to see the losing control thing dissipate once Numair finally understands what's going on in him. I guarantee I'll address it before this story is over and I still won't leave cannon.
X17SkmBdrchiczxx: Caiti, I'm dying to know what your name means. Busted is a major understatement.
PurpleEyedCat: Unfortunately, the eyebright thing won't last forever. It made for a nice twist in this story though, twice. I'm feeling crafty right now.
Nativewildmage: He will fight much more efficiently than he has let on thus far. Sadly, he is not hung up on the consequences of his actions like Numair. But you can be he's going to die before all is said and done.
Chapter 17 - Quake
Ozorne dispatched the herd to attack. He could not believe his agent had been discovered by such a trivial thing. All the warnings of abilities had not prepared Cearl for a fluke accident involving the infernal dragon. Now Cearl would probably die as well, but it was necessary. He hoped the entire group would be well trampled when he next looked in on them.
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Elyra was ecstatic. For once in her life, everything seemed to be falling into place. Her presentation was ready. Under the guise of honoring the various ambassadors for service to her father, Elyra had compiled a group of memories from each of triumphs in diplomacy or great moments, all to be projected for the audience to see. The climax of this display, however, was a poignant reminder of how the Tortallan ambassadors had saved precious artifacts of Yaman history. This spell would remind the new emperor of the gifts a friendship with Tortall had already provided. That in conjunction with the help of the many royal family members who loved the Mindelans, should seal the treaty.
It was then that Baron Piers knocked at her door. Bowing slightly, he hurried in at her invitation. "Ilane has heard that the emperor will revisit the idea of the Tortallan treaty in two days times. Can you expedite our plan?"
Her eyes opened wide. "Yes, but how can I sneak it into the events?"
"Ilane says she has friends who can make it seem normal. If you can work the spell, I will feel more confident."
"I've practiced over and over and successfully accomplished it thrice." He nodded approval. "I have heard rumors that a marriage will need to be offered in the treaty. Is this something your king can abide?"
"I believe so. I will contact him this evening by fire with your assistance."
She nodded and faced her co-conspirator with a look of fierce determination. "If the Goddess so wills, we shall seal this before the week is out."
"So mote it be," he responded. They bowed to one another in Yamani fashion.
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Raoul, Gary, Gareth, Duke Baird and Jon were sitting in the king's study, recapitulating the events of the day until Jon's head ached. Duke Baird had come to examine Gary and had done so past the shield suit that Jon had quickly become adept at due to the circumstances. Gareth shook his head repeatedly as he tried to understand the actions of his namesake.
Inside, Jon was kicking himself. He had noticed that Gary was behaving out of character, but was so astounded by Sinthya's bold return to Corus, that he never stopped to think about the danger. Anger flooded through his thoughts. This unknown enemy had managed to infiltrate all safeguards and ensnare the three closest friends from his knight training.
Jon looked up at Gary, whose famous good nature seemed a distant memory. The poor man wore a dazed look much like that of Raoul's when Jon had first talked to him in the dungeon. At least his casualties were limited to a man wanted for treason. He had injured a member of The Own, but Duke Baird had healed the man quickly, leaving no trace of the injury.
"Do you think that the statement passed through Raoul, 'Lord Sinthya sends his regards' was a simple misdirection or do you think that Sinthya was originally part of it and changed sides?" Duke Gareth asked. The man's head was bowed and his hands were folded together with both index fingers extended, touching his forehead.
"I doubt very much if Sinthya was ever a mastermind in whatever is going on here. But I think Gary was forced to kill him because he knew enough to thwart the plan. Gary, I'm so sorry. I knew you weren't behaving like yourself. I should have done something the moment I thought it."
Gary bowed his head. "Sire, I.."
Jon held a hand out. "You have always called me Jon and I expect you to continue. Beyond that, you are my cousin and one of my closest friends. I have been through this with Raoul and will likely say it to Alanna when she lets me. I know you. You would not betray this kingdom. You cannot be blamed for actions against your own free will. I will hear no more self-defamation from you."
Softly, Duke Baird asked, "While the shields are working well, are Numair, Lindhall and Harailt any closer to an answer?"
"It has been a few hours since I spoke to them. However, I feel confident that if any will solve it, the team working on it now will find a way. That includes yourself and Tkaa. Tortall is very lucky to have all of you."
Duke Baird bowed humbly.
"Do you have any suspicions as to who the 'Queen' Sinthya referred to might be?" Duke Gareth inquired.
"That is one of the biggest mysteries here. I can think of no queen that has ever been a threat to anyone, save my own," Jon smiled slightly, trying to lighten the mood. The worry in this room was far too great to allow humor, however. "Honestly, based on Sinthya's history, it seems like the kind of plot Ozorne might have come up with. Up until a few hours ago, I believed him dead without question. Now I want to know if he is or isn't." He took a sip of tea. "I have asked Myles to look into that very ques…." Jon broke off suddenly as the ground began to shake violently. The ground roared and began to collapse in places. Four cups of tea crashed to the floor, and the palace was filled with the sounds of breaking glass. The quake abruptly stopped, but the air was filled with a gasping sorrow. Jon knew this was magic and he knew somehow that someone was struggling to hold it back.
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George continued to ride toward Alanna's last known location. His only companion was a male griffin who flew in and out of sight. The griffin could easily have traveled faster than he, but George knew that mutual respect kept the griffin close. This was lucky, as the storm would have made travel impossible without the griffin's ability to see through the blinding snow. By all calculations, George would see Alanna within the next two hours. He could hold her and tell her how much she meant to him and that this was not her fault.
George thought about the last time he had seen his wife. She had been so filled with joy. They spent a week in their home before she was called again to service. They played games with their children, caught up on the news of the realm and spent many late hours making love or simply holding one another. They had talked about the upcoming mid-winter celebration and had made plans for that time. George knew the weight of guilt could destroy a soul. He wondered if he would ever see blithe Alanna again or if she would forever be replaced by a dismal shadow of herself.
A sound like the thunder of approaching hooves carried over the countryside. He had only enough time to pull himself into a tree and to shoo his mount to hide in the forest edge, before the herd of flesh eating unicorns trampled the road. If they found him, there would be far too many to survive a battle. George clung to the prickly evergreen trunk, shivering and praying for the chance to see his Lioness again. There had to be thirty of the beasts. They were a vile perversion of the usual unicorns, with fangs and evil eyes.
He could hardly believe his luck when the herd continued to race past him until he realized they were going in the direction of his love and her friends. He barely had time to hope for a strange coincidence when the ground began to roar and tremble. The surrounding snow was sucked up in a strange whirlwind, leaving the trees bare and dead grass dry and desolate. His skin felt instantly cracked, as if moisture were being pulled from everything around him. His horse whinnied with terror – the sound more of a shriek than he had ever heard from any equine. He scrambled from the tree before it shook him out. Then just as suddenly, the shaking stopped. He could feel the whine of the terrain as if it were being held in place. And black fire seeped through the rabbit holes and cracks around him. He must be close. And whatever had just happened, Numair must be the force holding it together. With that realization, he knew the unicorns were heading for Alanna. Fear gripped his heart and squeezed as he pulled himself together and climbed back on his terrified horse. "Just get me near my lass, boy," he told the gelding. "Then you can run for your life."
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It is quite cruel of me, but you will have to wait until the next chapter to find out what caused the earthquake. It was too long to be properly part of this chapter. I either made one way too long, or one a little short. It seemed best to go this way.