Disclaimer: I do not own it no matter how much I wish otherwise.

Chapter 9 The Next Day

The next day found Daine and Messa settling into their new life. They divided up chores. Messa at first rejected the idea but Daine said that since she was living there she'd help too. Daine would clean the upstairs, and Messa the downstairs. They would each take turns cooking. Messa had soul responsibility of the laundry. Daine would take care of the animals and they would both work the garden. The only times this would change was when Ozorne was around.

After lunch, Daine decided to introduce Messa to the wolves. They were quite taken with her immediately. And better yet, she didn't scream every time they did something since Daine had already warned her. She liked them and they were very useful when she wanted meat to eat herself, since Daine was a vegetarian. She learned that day that on average their little clearing would be filled with at least a dozen different types of birds, a pack of wolves, two grazing horses, and many more. Messa didn't mind though because in her mind it made their little field much more cozier.

That night as Daine was busy teaching Messa how to read, there came a knock on the door. Messa got up to answer and ended up letting in two guys. When Daine looked up, she saw that they were Lindhall and Kaddar. They said that they were sorry for not coming to see her at the palace and that they had come now to help her settle into the new cottage. When she forgave them because she knew it was because of Ozorne that they hadn't come, they mentioned how there were horses outside that kept giving them evil looks and how surprised they were to see wolves all throughout the house.

"Not that anything should surprise me anymore when it comes to you," Kaddar added, "seeing how at one point you were bringing dead animals back to life. By the way, about that…"

"It's gone. The Graveyard Hag had been the one to give it to me but since things didn't go according to plans, she took it back." Daine said, glad that for once she could actually say the name and not choke.

"So she just used you and dropped you?!"

"A) she is a god, she can use and drop anyone she so pleases. B) She told me I was still in the plan just that it had basically be revised."

Daine then began to introduce them to Messa, her pack, and to her horses. They asked her how she had been since she busted through the two doors. Although she left out the parts about the rape, they could guess through her lack of stories in some areas and through what they had heard from servants. They then proceeded to tell her about what was happening around the university and in their lives. When they finished they noticed how she eyes lighted up in hope as if she had just thought of something.

"We can't, Daine," Lindhall said before she could even get a word out.

"Can't what?"

"We can't get word to your friends and let them know you are alive," Kaddar answered, looking down.

"But why not? Couldn't you at least try?"

"Even if we succeeded in getting a note past the emperor, it wouldn't do any good. You would still be stuck here. There is no way to get that bracelet off unless Ozorne dies and that would be no where near an easy task," Linhall said.

"Oh," Daine replied. That's when Messa decided it was time to change the subject. She changed to a light and easy topic for those present, animals. All participated in the discussion, even Messa, with her limited knowledge, and the animals themselves, with their unlimited knowledge. This kept everyone entertained for the next two hours. None were noticing that the necklaces the two girls wore were glowing.

The two guests were getting up to leave, when Daine froze. The animals were telling her that Ozorne was on his way. More than on his way, actually, he was there. She told them not to get involved, since they could all sense her fear and wanted to get rid of its cause. She told the horses to go to their stable, which they did right as he came into the clearing. She had the wolves go upstairs and hide. She really didn't need him to know about the gods were giving her gifts or that they were against him.

All the animals had just gotten out of sight when he slammed open the door. "What are you two doing here?! Did I say you could come visit my fiancee?! This could be considered crimes against the crown."

"We weren't doing anything. They just came here to talk," Daine tried to explain.

"Shut up," Ozorne hit her. Lindhall had to hold Kaddar back as the emperor continued, "From now on, no one other than her servant and me are allowed in this cottage under pain of death. If I ever hear or see you two near her at something other than a public function and under my watchful eye, yours will be very painful deaths indeed. Do I make myself clear?"

Both men affirmed that he made himself crystal clear. They then followed him out as they were expected to do. Daine in the meantime was mourning the ability to talk to some of her friends when Messa came up behind her and hugged her.

"We'll think of something so that you may talk to them. IT's not right that you have only me and the animals to talk to."

"Thank you, Messa"

"Don't thank me, I haven't done anything to deserve it."

"Yes, you have. You've kept me sane this past while."

Messa was about to reply when she heard a growl. That man should not be allowed to touch you as he has Brokefang said.

I agree a voice came from out the window. IT was cloud and she had seen the whole thing.

"I do to, but there isn't anything that we can do about it," Daine said outloud for Messa's benefit.

We could ripe him limb from limb offered Russet, enthusiastically with the others agreeing.

Yeah, if this is what the gods have in mind for you, then they can just forget it Cloud said.

"It's not as if we have much choose in the matter." Daine said. Feeling more arguments coming she continued, "If you were to try, you would probably be the ones to be ripped apart. And then Messa and I would be left all alone again. Now I'm going to go to bed, but I want you to promise me that you won't try and do anything. Not until I say so at least"

All the animals agreed grudgingly and she and Messa went upstairs to go to bed. After she was gone, though, Cloud added But we don't have to like it.

A/N: Sorry if this was too short for everyone's liking. Another one should be coming very soon. Anyway, I'd like to thank the following for their reviews:

The Emperess Magelet

laurashrub

warrior of tortall

Ethuiliel

Lady Prongs of Rohan

Kit49

soccerchick-08

Wake-Robin