A/N: Hi everyone! We've been pretty busy, but we're back. Enjoy the chapter.
1. Daine looked at the piles of clothes and other belongings laid out on her bed. She mumbled to herself as she placed stacks of possessions in her pack. She absent-mindedly chided Kitten as she began chirping loudly. She soon found the source of Kitten's excitement; there was someone knocking on the door. She turned, surprised, and strode over to the heavy, wooden door as she tied up her hair, which had escaped its bonds while she was packing. She stood outside the door, still securing her hair, when a familiar voice called out, "Daine, hurry up! I know you're in there."
Daine stopped, puzzled. Who is that? I know that voice. She opened the door to be greeted by a friendly hug. "Miri?" she asked returning the hug. "I thought you were still along the coast of the Emerald Ocean with the Riders."
"Just got back today!" she said enthusiastically. "I was so glad to hear you're at the palace. Now we have time to catch up on everything that I've missed." Daine smiled and then frowned.
"Actually, I'm leaving this evening."
"So soon? What for?" Daine chewed on her lip.
"I'm supposed to keep it a secret. You won't tell anyone, will you?" Miri raised her eyebrows for an instant, but quickly replied,
"Of course not." Daine nodded and explained her situation from the day Jonathan had lost the Jewel. "Oh, well, then," Miri replied, speechless after learning of the shocking events that had occurred while she was away. Daine had finished packing as she spoke and her bags were now sitting in a heap in the middle of her room. Miri looked thoughtful for a moment, processing all the information she had just received. She suddenly uttered, "I'd like to meet this Carthakian Emperor." Daine smiled at her and shoved one of her bags into Miri's arms.
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Kaddar opened his mouth to speak, but paused as he heard someone knocking at the door. He opened the door to see Daine and a girl who looked to be about Daine's age, with short dark hair, green eyes, and a dusting of freckles. Daine surveyed the room behind Kaddar's tall figure. There were five men scattered about the room in various seats. There were all sorts of items thrown about in no particular order. To sum things up, it was a mess.
"Well, it looks like things are coming along well with you," Daine said as she walked in and put her bags down. She decided not to address the issue of Kaddar's lagging behind any further. "I'd like you all to meet my friend Miri. Miri, this is Dermid, Timon, Ragnal, Hugo, and Teron. They came to Tortall with His Imperialness, Emperor Kaddar." Kaddar held out his hand.
"Please, just call me Kaddar."
"Miri is in the Queen's Riders," Daine informed the men. Dermid snorted, and mumbled something which he thought was inaudible. "Women shouldn't fight."
Daine shot him a threatening glance and made an offended noise.
"I happen to recall a time a few years back when Daine was in Carthak," Teron retorted, his multi-colored eyes dancing. Timon chuckled; he remembered it, too.
Miri stood a little straighter and walked over to where Dermid was perched on stool. She pointed at him and raised her voice, "Why don't you say that to my face, hm?"
He regarded her with a arrogant air. "Women shouldn't fight," he stated calmly. She stared at him for a moment with no words. Timon started laughing hysterically out of nowhere. It was difficult not to catch his infectious amusement and the tension was soon broken.
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"Keladry?" Kel sniffled and turned to face the speaker. "I heard," he said softly. He walked over towards her and sat down on the bench next to her. He noticed that her face was red and blotchy. Hesitantly, he put his arm around her and looked her in the eye. He felt a surge of feeling for her.
"Oh, Dom, I-" she once again broke into tears. Dom circled both his arms around her, as if to protect her from something. Dom let her cry as he comforted her. After a few moments, she slowly pulled away and laughed ruefully.
"I'm sorry... I got your shirt all wet."
"Don't worry about it. Are you going to be all right?" He looked at her, his eyes demanding the truth.
She nodded and quietly said, "Yes." He looked assured and leaned forward to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. She smiled wanly at him. "I should go back inside. It's getting chilly out." He nodded, but leaned forward to kiss her cheek, his lips lingering at the salty taste of her tears.