Disclaimer: I don't, but wish I did, own anything Tamora Pierce's great
mind created.
Chapter 6: The Others
It had been a long couple of weeks since Daine had died for the delegation. It was taking them longer than planned to get home. None of them really cared about that, though because to them it was a good thing. They weren't really looking forward to what would have to happen when they got back to Corus. Telling the monarchs and everyone that someone who had saved them and their country many times was dead. A national hero killed because of her charge.
Most on the trip had taken to telling stories about Daine to help get over their grief. Each telling about how they first met or one of her reactions to something they said or did. They comforted each other, and in the case of Alanna, calmed each other back from murderous thoughts. That is with everyone except Numair.
Numair seemed to be in a world of his own. Ever since he had made sure that the body wasn't a simulacrum, he had been aloof from everyone else. No amount of coaxing could make him open his door, even when it was Alanna. He stayed locked up and by himself the whole way back. Everyone was worrying about him, but none seemed to know exactly what to do. Daine, who had been his student and close friend, had been murdered right under his nose and he, the most powerful mage in Tortall, hadn't prevented it.
Although none wanted it to happen, they finally reached Corus. This wasn't a happy moment for the delegation. None let out any sighs of relief, for the worst in their minds was yet to come. The time had come to tell all of the friends of the late Veralidaine Sarrasri that she was dead, and that included the monarchs themselves.
They were ushered straight to the thrown room when they enter the palace. Numair had tried to get away, but Alanna kept him firmly by her side. If she had to go through this so did he, no matter how much pain he was in. The thrown room was truly filled with all her friends waiting expectantly for all their friends to come home.
The King greeted each and everyone of the delegation in order. After greeting an amazingly sullen Numair, which to be truthful already worried him, he looked around for Daine. The whole delegation held their breath as the question they expected was about to be asked. "Where is young Daine? Don't tell me she was so anxious to see her animals that skipped out on a mandatory meeting." He said getting laughs out of those whom did not know.
Upon seeing the expressions on the faces of the delegation, his suddenly became really worried. "What happened? Where is Daine?"
After a few minutes of awkward silence, and a lot of nervous twitching on behalf of the delegation, Duke Gareth finally stepped forward. "I ugh regret to inform the court that the much beloved Veralidaine Sarrasri who has lived among us for the past ugh 3 years is ...well... she's dead my lord"
Upon this announcement, there were many gasps of surprise. No one could believe that their friend was dead. "What?! How? Why?" Queen Thayet asked tearfully, the first one to regain the ability to speak.
"She was killed," Alanna started but had to stop for a moment because of her own tears. Once George came over and held her, she started again. "She was killed in an attempt to steal Kitten. She was stabbed many times and the culprit got away with Kitten."
"So someone killed our wild mage and got away with her charge?!! Do we have a clue as to who it may have been?" King Jon asked.
"No, we don't, but if we did they'd already be dead if I had anything to do with them." Alanna said with a menacing look in her eye.
"Are you s-sure it was really her. It couldn't have been one of those puppet things Numair told me about one time?" Onua asked crying in grief for her friend.
"Yes, we are. Numair checked the body himself to make sure of that." Alanna replied.
"And where is it? Her body?" Thayet asked trying to remain composed.
"For the sake of the peace treaty, I had to allow the Carthaki's to do the death rights, burn her corpse, and throw the ashes to the sea." Duke Gareth replied.
The king gave him a look but said nothing of his decision. "Then we shall have our own memorial service and a national day of mourning. Is there anyone who absolutely should be notified before I make the official announcement to the country?"
"Lady Maura of Dunlath and the others in Dunlath," Alanna said.
"Miri and Evin with the Riders," Onua said.
Then suddenly Numair spoke, "Cloud." This of course made everyone very nervous to think about that pony. The person who told Daine's pony, Cloud, about her death was likely to end up dead too. However, when no one answered, Numair went to tell her by himself and no one could allow that. The King, Queen, Onua, George, and Alanna all agreed to go with him.
"Besides, with this many of us, she can't really kill us all," Alanna said semi-cheerfully, but even she doubted it.
Upon entering the stables, they all saw the badger god outside Cloud's pin. He was saying, "I'm taking you to... gods curse it of course this wouldn't be that easy. Before you ask, Daine wants Cloud and will not adjust to her new home until she has her so if you will excuse me." And with that, both him and Cloud disappeared. When the others turned to comment on how strange this was, they notice that Numair had all ready left the stables.
Chapter 6: The Others
It had been a long couple of weeks since Daine had died for the delegation. It was taking them longer than planned to get home. None of them really cared about that, though because to them it was a good thing. They weren't really looking forward to what would have to happen when they got back to Corus. Telling the monarchs and everyone that someone who had saved them and their country many times was dead. A national hero killed because of her charge.
Most on the trip had taken to telling stories about Daine to help get over their grief. Each telling about how they first met or one of her reactions to something they said or did. They comforted each other, and in the case of Alanna, calmed each other back from murderous thoughts. That is with everyone except Numair.
Numair seemed to be in a world of his own. Ever since he had made sure that the body wasn't a simulacrum, he had been aloof from everyone else. No amount of coaxing could make him open his door, even when it was Alanna. He stayed locked up and by himself the whole way back. Everyone was worrying about him, but none seemed to know exactly what to do. Daine, who had been his student and close friend, had been murdered right under his nose and he, the most powerful mage in Tortall, hadn't prevented it.
Although none wanted it to happen, they finally reached Corus. This wasn't a happy moment for the delegation. None let out any sighs of relief, for the worst in their minds was yet to come. The time had come to tell all of the friends of the late Veralidaine Sarrasri that she was dead, and that included the monarchs themselves.
They were ushered straight to the thrown room when they enter the palace. Numair had tried to get away, but Alanna kept him firmly by her side. If she had to go through this so did he, no matter how much pain he was in. The thrown room was truly filled with all her friends waiting expectantly for all their friends to come home.
The King greeted each and everyone of the delegation in order. After greeting an amazingly sullen Numair, which to be truthful already worried him, he looked around for Daine. The whole delegation held their breath as the question they expected was about to be asked. "Where is young Daine? Don't tell me she was so anxious to see her animals that skipped out on a mandatory meeting." He said getting laughs out of those whom did not know.
Upon seeing the expressions on the faces of the delegation, his suddenly became really worried. "What happened? Where is Daine?"
After a few minutes of awkward silence, and a lot of nervous twitching on behalf of the delegation, Duke Gareth finally stepped forward. "I ugh regret to inform the court that the much beloved Veralidaine Sarrasri who has lived among us for the past ugh 3 years is ...well... she's dead my lord"
Upon this announcement, there were many gasps of surprise. No one could believe that their friend was dead. "What?! How? Why?" Queen Thayet asked tearfully, the first one to regain the ability to speak.
"She was killed," Alanna started but had to stop for a moment because of her own tears. Once George came over and held her, she started again. "She was killed in an attempt to steal Kitten. She was stabbed many times and the culprit got away with Kitten."
"So someone killed our wild mage and got away with her charge?!! Do we have a clue as to who it may have been?" King Jon asked.
"No, we don't, but if we did they'd already be dead if I had anything to do with them." Alanna said with a menacing look in her eye.
"Are you s-sure it was really her. It couldn't have been one of those puppet things Numair told me about one time?" Onua asked crying in grief for her friend.
"Yes, we are. Numair checked the body himself to make sure of that." Alanna replied.
"And where is it? Her body?" Thayet asked trying to remain composed.
"For the sake of the peace treaty, I had to allow the Carthaki's to do the death rights, burn her corpse, and throw the ashes to the sea." Duke Gareth replied.
The king gave him a look but said nothing of his decision. "Then we shall have our own memorial service and a national day of mourning. Is there anyone who absolutely should be notified before I make the official announcement to the country?"
"Lady Maura of Dunlath and the others in Dunlath," Alanna said.
"Miri and Evin with the Riders," Onua said.
Then suddenly Numair spoke, "Cloud." This of course made everyone very nervous to think about that pony. The person who told Daine's pony, Cloud, about her death was likely to end up dead too. However, when no one answered, Numair went to tell her by himself and no one could allow that. The King, Queen, Onua, George, and Alanna all agreed to go with him.
"Besides, with this many of us, she can't really kill us all," Alanna said semi-cheerfully, but even she doubted it.
Upon entering the stables, they all saw the badger god outside Cloud's pin. He was saying, "I'm taking you to... gods curse it of course this wouldn't be that easy. Before you ask, Daine wants Cloud and will not adjust to her new home until she has her so if you will excuse me." And with that, both him and Cloud disappeared. When the others turned to comment on how strange this was, they notice that Numair had all ready left the stables.