Author's Note: The title of this chapter refers to Kel going to Tortall, but I realize that it can be interpreted as that she has a bond to Tortall. I refer to Shinko and Cricket as two different people because Kel does not know that her friend Cricket is the Princess Shinkokami. Please REVIEW! I want to thnk all of you for all of the good reviews so far. Yep! That's about all I have to say, so read the chapter.
Obsessed-reader: I have read your fanfic and I love. The idea of Kel going back to the Yamani Islands is a popular one, just like Alanna going back to the convent. The word "Rose" is used often in Tamora Pierce fanfics and it just happens to be one of my favorite flowers. That is why I chose the title of Emperor's Rose. I have always like Kel, but I wanted her to have red hair like me. I chose for it to be a sign for the new Kel, and it was the same color as red roses. I like things to match up, and that is all the more I did. I think the beginning of our fanfics are similar, but I agree with you that they are different. I believe we are headed in totally different directions.I hope this makes you feel better!
Note: This is 6 years later and Kel is now 18, meaning she was 12 when she left Tortall. She has trained as the Emperor's Rose throughout all of those years and is the best guard the emperor has. She is known around the mortal realm simply as the Emperor's Rose and only those close to her know who she really is.
Chapter 5 - Tortall Bound
Mama pulled my crimson hair back a tight bun, so it wouldn't get in my way, and tucked a rose into it. I gently applied a lip color that matched my hair. The training outside gave my cheeks a sun-kissed pink glow. The palace seamstress made me the most beautiful kimono I had ever seen. It was pale pink and had a design of deep red roses. I was like a rose. It has a gorgeous bloom, but its thorns are dangerous. I looked stunning on the outside, but I have more than a few deadly tricks up my sleeve.
I made my way out to the stables. The hostler, a little boy called Erik, led my mare out for my observation. He stood as tall as he could with his chest thrust out with pride. He used some of my hair dye to make my horse's hair the same color as mine. She was amazing and I gave Erik a copper for his good work. I mounted Yasmine and took my place next to the emperor. Two rows of guards surrounded us. They wanted to make sure that the emperor's life would not be threatened again, like at the last Parade of Roses.
Every citizen in the Yamani Island's capital lined the streets. They cheered as our party crawled forward. I felt so beautiful and accomplished. This was my third Parade of Roses, but only the second in my memory. It is held to honor the one who hold the position of Emperor's Rose. This was all for me, because I am the Emperor's Rose.
I tried to catch as many roses as possible. It is said if the Emperor or his Rose catches the flower you tossed, then you will have good luck for the rest of your life. People jumped with joy when their blossom fell into my outstretched hand. I had only to do so little to bring happiness to these people for the rest of their life. This made the ritual seem worth while.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
The large marble room gleamed in the sunlight that poured in through monstrous windows. Giant pillars towered over me. I felt like a dwarf in the massive empty space as I stared straight ahead. A set of stairs led up to a landing. A jewel encrusted thrown sat there, radiating with power and authority. A rich, violet, velvet curtain was draped behind it along the length of the platform.
My hands were clammy and my heart raced. I had been summoned for a private meeting with the emperor, and not all of his private conversations had a good outlook for the other person. The curtain stirred and he entered. He was short in stature. His shoulders slumped as though he had the weight of the world on them. He wore three kimonos, common in the Yamani Islands. They failed to hide his round stomach, the effect of being well fed throughout his life. Despite being in his early forties, stress had woven deep crevices into his face. He plopped on the throne, more casually than he would have in public. His weariness was not as hidden as it normally is. This is because I have known him since I was 4 years old. We have grown very close ever since I was proclaimed his Rose. I am his closest and only female guard. At first it was a chore to be bound to him, but now I do not mind so much. Seeing as I have a father of my own, he has become an uncle figure to me. I look to him for guidance, advice, comfort, understanding, and help. I have been like a daughter to him, especially since the earthquake that claimed his own daughter's life.
He slowly lifted his head to look at me. I kneeled on the floor and bowed with my palms flat on the ground, as was proper when in an imperial presence. "I have a great favor to ask of you. Princess Shinkokami is to be wed to the heir Prince Roald of Tortall. A delegation will be going with Prince Eitaro noh Nakuji at its head. I have enough able-bodied guards in my service here at the palace, but I need someone special for a certain job, and you would benefit the empire more if you would go with the delegation to Tortall. You could teach the wedding party on the ship the ways of Tortallans. They will feel more comfortable knowing about this new environment, and would not feel as foolish and ignorant asking you about something that they do not understand. Shinko also need ladies-in-waiting and will have strange new girls attending to her once she reaches Tortall. I believe that the two groups will blend better if you were there to break the ice and show them that they all are people, though they have different customs. It is also the wish of your parents that you return to the land of your birth. You are old enough to be presented at court. You are the youngest of your parents' children and it is not necessary that you find a husband, just to enjoy yourself. It would cause me much grief to loose my Rose. You can return to the Islands whenever you wish; I am not trying to ship you off. It is just that desperate times call for desperate measures. Go and meditate on what you will do. Will you go or not? Will you seek a husband or not? If a skirmish should arise, whose side are you on? These are questions not to be taken lightly," the emperor said.
My mouth would have hung agape if the years with the Yamanis had not plastered the characteristic, stone, cold mask on my face. This was a shock. I definitely did not see this one coming. White hot rage boiled in my veins. Why had Mama and Papa not told of their hopes that I go to Tortall to be presented at court? The emperor doubted my loyalty, never mind that that question had occupied my mind for endless hours. My future has just been thrust upon me without any warning. The nerve of some people! My eyes blazed, but the emperor could not see, for it hung downward as I walk with my back facing away from him out of the hall.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Air found its way more easily to my lungs once I was outside in the Rose Garden. This was the very garden in which the first Emperor's Rose had saved her country's imperial ruler. I always found the outdoors a serene place, good for contemplating about life-altering decisions. I slowly breathed in the sweet-smelling air to clear my head. This was right. I am a renowned warrior and would make the King and Lord Wyldon be overcome with regret. My skill is great after having access to the most talented trainers in the mortal realm. My year-mates will be getting their shields fairly soon and I can reunite with my old friends. I could serve both Tortall and the Islands by going with the delegation. This is what I must do. This is what I want to do.
Then the sinister argument that has tormented me for years came forth. If I had to chose which country I am loyal to, would it be Tortall, the land of my birth, family, and rejection, or the Yamani Islands, my haven from prejudice people and position as the Rose, which would I chose? I feel bound to Tortall by forces I can not control, but I feel linked to the Islands by my choice. Great Goddess! I would not feel as though my loyalty should be to the Yamani Islands if I had not saved the emperor and received a title. I was willing to fight for Tortall before, and I am still willing now. I would disgrace my family, and drive them to poverty if I betrayed Tortall. Tortall is where my loyalty lay.
There, everything is settled. As for the husband thing, I'll just go where the winds blow me with that one. I don't think I am ready to marry, but then, I have found no one who even interests me. I stand up, admiring the trickling fountain one last time before I went inside.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Mama was waiting for me in our dining room so we could eat supper. Papa was still working, as he often did. This made supper a peaceful bonding time for Mama and me. She glanced apprehensively at me from the corners of her eyes. She knew the emperor had called me for a private meeting. I kept my irritation with her and Papa to myself. They probably had a reason to not tell me. I did tell her what the emperor had said to me, and what decisions I had made. I am going to Tortall.
She practically jumped from her seat. She mumbled about all the things that would need to be done for me to be presented at court. She bustled around the room doing absolutely nothing productive, but it must have made her feel that way. "It so little time," she complained before leaving me alone again so that she could start the much needed preparations.
The next months inched forward with at the pace of a slug, a very slow slug. All of my time was filled with all the things I hate, reviewing etiquette, dress fittings, and so much more stuff that it is scarring to recall. I despise the whole process, but I know I would be envious of everyone else if I went to court with only my present knowledge and wardrobe. This misery will pay off later.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Swaying with the rock of the boat, I glimpsed the reflection of the mountains of the Islands on the Emerald Ocean. It felt awkward to leave the Islands, but all of those I cared for were on that boat. Mama, Papa, Yuki, and Cricket were with me. Yuki and Cricket will be ladies-in-waiting with me. I anticipate seeing Princess Shinko at dinner. I have never even seen her before, and now I will be seeing to her daily. I hope she is not an intolerable pain in the neck. For now, I have my lessons to occupy my time if she is insufferable. Tomorrow, just after midday, I will start my training. I will be hard to teach them to be more casual, though. They are used to the policy that if you don't bow correctly you can have your head chopped off. In Tortall, however, some honored people openly refer to the king as Jon. This will shock them beyond belief; they will accuse me of leading tem astray. Once they realize that I am telling the truth, they will gossip about how barbaric Tortallans are. It will not be an easy task to make them knowledgeable and comfortable with my home-land's way, and it will also have the burden of being accepting at Tortall, where I will be a foreign freak, but I always have loved a challenge. Tortall, here I come.