Title: Tapestry of Challenges
Chapter: 2 - You're Mine
Author: Kitty

"..." Talk
'...' Thought
italic Dream

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or creatures from Tamora Pierce's books; however, I do own those I have made up for this story. I also own the plot. If you want to use names of my characters or any ideas based from my story, get permission first.

Summary: A new time is upon the kingdom of Tortall; a young woman who has gone against the rules of being a noble woman is in power with no suitor by her side. The age of darkness has begun to fade, but conspiracies are being born. Can Kalasin trust anyone but herself, or is everyone deceiving her?

Cyril gazed at his men who wore worried looks. They knew he was cross when upset, and Merric deceiving him had pushed him over the edge. His normally cold eyes now showed only malice and hatred. Calmly, the man took out a map of Tortall, unrolling it in front of those around the table.

"Perhaps this will be to our advantage," he said through gritted teeth. Using his index finger, he traced the quickest, easiest path from Corus to fief Hollyrose.

"Merric will be in a hurry to reach his people. He will take this path thinking he will make good time, but he'll be wrong. Kalasin, upon hearing the news, will insist she go with him, and one way or another, the bitch will have her way. She says she wants to help, but she'll stand around to watch the labor be done, and in the end she will claim everyone's work was her own."

After a moment of silence to calm his nerves, Cyril circled fief Hollyrose with his finger. "This is where she dies. We can attempt an attack before they leave Corus, or wait til night forces them to make camp to slit the wench's throat as she sleeps. If neither is done, I want all of our forces to attack them in Hollyrose."

A murmur of agreement spread throughout the room as Cyril thought to himself, Kalasin, your head will be on display by the month's end. I will h have your throne, and the power of Tortall in my palm.

Merric gazed up at the woman who sat before him. Kalasin wore a light blue cotton gown, plain save for the silver embroidered hems. She wore few jewels: only eardrops and a necklace. The way she held herself gave no doubt that she was royalty, no matter how simple of clothing she adorned. She could be dressed in rags and still look like a goddess, Merric thought to himself as he let his eyes wander over her figure.

Kalasin nibbled her lower lip. When Merric mentioned what had occurred within his fief, the girl's attention was caught immediately. With all the repairs being done throughout the kingdom, the royal purse was stretched thin. But these people need the money. They'll need it to buy wood for repairing buildings, and for food.

Catching a glint of spark in her eyes, Merric rose from his kneeled position in front of the female. "Absolutely not. You aren't coming along. This is no adventure, Majesty," he muttered. "I am simply doing my duty to my fief, and then coming back to Corus to be at your side as your personal guard once more."

Kalasin flapped her hand at him, dismissing his words as if that was never her intention when in reality it was. "Oh Merric, for the gods' sakes! My duty is here, and I wouldn't want to get in your way, though it would be nice to venture further into the kingdom, let people know I exist and care for them.

No matter, I will stay here while you attend to your home. I will arrange a purse to go along with you to pay for goods your fief may need, and I also wish to have a squad of men sent with you. They may help with repairs as well as keep you company on the long road."

Merric bowed deeply before her, his eyes never leaving hers. "You are gracious, my Queen-"

"Please Merric, no formalities between us when there is no one else here. Besides, you know how much I dislike that title. I don't feel I've earned it."

"My Quee-Kalasin," he corrected himself when she shot him a glare, "You've done everything, and more, for Tortall. I see now how you haven't earned the right as ruler."

Kalasin smiled gratefully at him. Merric had a charm about him, and a way with words that always made her feel at ease. "Sir Merric, you waste your time bowing before me and saying your goodbyes."

Merric sighed, and bowed once more. "Majesty, I'm leaving Sergeants Krause and Vacher with you in my stead." With a nod from Kalasin, the man quickly left.

Standing up, Kalasin shook out her skirt as she made her way to the door, surprising the servant who stood just outside of the room, awaiting orders. "I wish to have a hot bath in my chambers, but before that, go have the treasurer prepare a purse for Sir Merric. Ten soldiers are accompanying him, so I want there to be enough coin for repairs at fief Hollyrose as well as meals for each man."

Roald felt his limp body hit a hard surface. Opening his eyes halfway, he saw a blurred image of movement before shutting his eyes again. "Shinko," he croaked.

Murmurs arose around him, causing him to struggle into a sitting position. A gentle hand pressed against his chest, pushing him back down.

"She here too," said a deep, kind voice in broken Tortallan. "Rest now, talk later."

Willing himself to open his eyes, he did so and came face to face with a tan-skinned man. He had dark almond shaped eyes, and his ebon hair was pulled back into a slick horse's tail. "Where is she-who are you?"

"You rest," he said, his voice less kind this time.

"No, we talk now."

"Not safe talk here. Talk at home. You safe at home."

Sighing in defeat, Roald settled himself more comfortably within the small boat, taking a blanket that was handed to him. Wrapping himself in its warmth, he let his mind drift, his lids slowly shutting.

As Kalasin settled down in the basin of hot water, her mind raced. She wanted to leave the confinements of the castle. She wanted to explore the land, pay visits to her people, but no one would let her. Everyone treated her like some delicate piece of crystal that would break if let outside.

Do they not know who I am? she thought aggravated, though she knew they did. Everyone was just afraid that if the last heir to the crown were hurt or unable to rule, the kingdom would fall to pieces.

Stepping out of the tub, Kalasin donned a cotton robe, her black hair dripping water onto the floor. As a maid rushed in to tend to the female, Kalasin took a step back. "I wish to speak to Sergeants Krause and Vacher. Now, please."

When the maid returned with the sleepy looking sergeants, Kalasin sent the girl off to fetch some tea. Gazing at the two officers, she realized that one of them was a female. Smiling apologetically, Kalasin indicated two seats set in front of her own. "Have a seat. I'm sorry to have roused you so late, but I have plans for tomorrow. Sir Merric has left, no doubt, and I wish for us to leave tomorrow at dawn."

She paused when the two guests exchanged looks, the male officer opening his mouth to protest. Holding up a hand, Kalasin continued. "I want to see the rest of my kingdom. If I can help out anywhere, I will. We can catch up to Sir Merric, so there is no need for a large number of guards to tag along. If you two wish not to accompany me, I am fairly certain I can find two others to take your place."

The girl watched curiously as the male sergeant bristled, his face turning a shade of red, his fists clenched. "We are the best there is out of this lot!" he cried out at Kalasin. "Those fools don't know a sword from a stick-thinking you would be safe with them! Please!"

"Vacher, hush," replied the woman, nudging him in his side with her elbow. Bowing her head to Kalasin, she muttered, "Your Majesty, please forgive him. He forgets of whom he speaks to, and lets his temper get the best of him."

To both officers' surprise, Kalasin began to giggle, her azure eyes twinkling. When they looked at her skeptically, the girl sighed. "I prefer to have people be frank with me, and since you were honest with what you said, Sergeants, I will be honest with you. I am no prized jewel, as fragile as a newborn kitten. I can defend myself by magic or sword. Whether you accompany me or not, I will find a way to leave this prison, but by consulting you first, I am giving you the chance to do what you were assigned to do, and take Sir Merric's place at my side." Standing up, she continued, "If you choose to come with me, meet me at the stables at dawn, otherwise I will see you another time."

Knowing they were dismissed, the sergeants rose, bowed deeply, and then left.

At dawn, Kalasin greeted Vacher and Krause with a smile and a warm biscuit. Clucking to her mount, the female led the way down a stony road. After a few hours of silence, Kalasin began to hum a song she learned amongst the soldiers, and was pleased when Vacher joined in the song. His voice was a beautiful contrast against Krause's alto.

A few songs later and a rest for midday, Kalasin gazed up at the darkening sky. "We should find a place to set camp. We can catch up to Merric tomorrow."

Both guards nodded, though Vacher cleared his throat, an uneasy look on his face.

"Yes?" Kalasin asked, her patience beginning to wear thin due to her eagerness to get some sleep.

"Perhaps we should stay at an inn rather than sleep under the sky tonight."

"Don't be ridiculous. We'll save coin this way-"

"Milady, I insist that we do not stop."

Looking over her shoulder, she watched as the sergeants moved their mounts closer to hers, and then she saw the reason for their sudden strange behavior. A shady group of men followed them, the remaining light in the sky hitting metal that hung at their waist. Smiling coldly, Kalasin sighed. "Very well-"

"Vacher!" screamed the female sergeant as a dagger flew through the air and entered the man's shoulder. His horse, upset by the sudden tightening on the reins, reared and dropped its rider onto the ground.

Kalasin pulled out the sword she kept with her at all times, and turned her mount around to face the group of advancing men.

"No milady, get out of here and leave them to us," growled Vacher as he pulled the dagger out of his shoulder, sending it flying at the closest man. With a grunt, that man fell to the ground, his comrades paying no attention to him as they pulled out their weapons hidden within their clothes.

Krause glared at Kalasin as she opened her mouth to protest. "Get out of here!"

Clenching her fists, Kalasin nodded, re-sheathing her sword. "Find me down the road when you're done here." Kicking her horse's haunches, the girl hurried down the dark road. Maybe if I can reach Merric, they can receive help. Turning around for a last look, her eyes widened slightly at the sight of a sword pushing through Krause's side, her blood-curdling scream being cut off by a war hammer smashing her skull.

Swaying in the saddle, Kalasin forced herself to look away and keep heading down the road. Why does everyone around me have to die? Banishing the tears from her eyes, the girl sat straighter in her seat, urging her mount to go faster.

The thundering of hooves caused her to look back, worry swamping her. The man who had given the finishing blow to Sergeant Krause was leaning forward on the officer's horse, slapping its rear with the flat of his sword to speed its pace up.

The space between Kalasin and the enemy was quickly fading. Panic overcame worry, a trembling hand retrieving the sword at her side. As the man bore down on her with his sword, the girl blocked with her own, her complexion paling. Her arm ached from the repetitive force being thrashed against her.

Not seeing the foot that came at her as she blocked yet another strike, Kalasin was sent from her saddle to the ground. Instead of coming at her with his sword, the man held up his war hammer, his arm bringing it down towards her unprotected body. Screaming, the girl held out her hands as if to throw up a shield, her eyes clenched shut.

The man stopped mid-attack, his eyes widening as his skin began to rip open. It was as if some invisible force blew up inside him. Blood flew out of the man, his body being torn into pieces. It happened so fast, he had no time to cry out for help, let alone cry out in pain.

Kalasin felt wetness hit her, and cautiously opened her eyes, finding herself covered in blood. Her stomach revolted against the feel, stench, and image of blood and chunks of skin that littered the ground before she lost consciousness.

"Kalasin, awake my little warrior." Mithros, the god of War and Law, smiled as the female slowly opened her eyes, her body trembling. Using his thumb, he wiped away the blood that speckled her cheek. His touch was warm and kind.

"Y-you!" she stammered, clumsily inching away from him until her back hit a tree. Looking around, she realized she was still on the street where she had killed that man. Not only was the location the same, it was near dawn, and there were no traces of her guards. Her lip quivered as she wrapped her arms around her legs that were drawn up to her chest. "What do you want with me?" Kalasin asked, her voice a little more than a whisper.

Settling beside her, Mithros gazed at the rising sun. "I am checking up on you. It has been too long since I last looked in on you and our child." He smiled proudly, "I should have known you could take care of yourself though."

Dumbfounded, Kalasin stared at him, repeating what he had said. "O-our child? This is not our child; this is Lerant's as well as mine. How dare you think you can claim the being inside of me?"

Mithros looked into Kalasin's dangerously glittering eyes. "How dare I? I dare because I speak the truth. That is my child, not that pathetic human's. That is not the only thing that is mine, Kalasin. You are also mine."

AN: I apologize for the long wait. I have not only had a busy personal life (health, graduation, college, gerbil having her babies), but also I've had the worst writer's block.

To make it up to everyone for the wait, I tried to make this chapter fairly long. Hope I did a good job!

I will be updating more frequently once I get past this chapter due to the fact that I have ideas for the middle portion of the story, but I'm struggling on getting there.