Title: Knotted Destiny
By: QT

Summary: A new era is arising as darkness sets over the vast kingdom of Tortall. People are slain ruthlessly, cities are destroyed, people's hope diminishes rapidly. The only one who can turn the tide and return things to a balance is an unknown and unexpected hero.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tamora Pierce's characters, however, I do own this plot.

"..." Talking
'...' Thinking
blah Dreaming

Eerie brown eyes flecked with red and yellow examined the body of a dead Scanran. A knife had been lodged into his throat, bursting an artery and blocking the man's windpipe. Clenching his fists, he glared into the woods. "I will not be brought down by a mere female child," he yelled, turning on his heel to face his army. "And neither will you! Prepare for battle!"

Kalasin stood frozen in front of the small amount of Tortallian soldiers she had healed. Balling her fists, she looked up at the red sunrise as shouts from the leader centaurs rose into the chilly air. Opening her mouth to speak, no sound came out. Wetting her lips with her pink tongue, she tried again. "Stop it" she cried, her voice loud enough to be heard over the arguing. Silence followed her words. "If you don't want to fight for your freedom, and your future, then don't follow me. Those of you who are willing, gather what weapons you can, we'll be engaged in battle soon."

Blackfire glared at the leaders of the herd. "I'm going to fight with her, if you will not, then you condemn everyone you know, and everything you love, to death." Trotting up alongside of Kalasin, he grinned down at her. "We have spare weapons that your men may use."

Lowering his sword, Roald felt he had no will to continue the fight. Why attempt to attack when they were already defeated? Why not surrender and save what few lives were left rather than continue on in denial of defeat until every last one of them were gone?

Watching an oncoming Scanran raise his sword above his head, Roald sighed. 'This is it,' he thought to himself, ready to accept his fate.

Something ran in front of the Prince, and sparks flew into the air from the clash of metal. Frowning, Roald stared at an auburn-haired Merric. "Merric, no!" he cried, raising his sword to help defend his friend. Swinging down on the Scanran soldier, Roald's sword bit into the man's soft flesh near his neck, killing him instantly.

"You're so stupid, Roald! Why did you leave yourself open like that-Oh never mind! We have to get you out of here, the castle is lost, but so long as you're still alive, we remain in power."

"I can't leave my family here-"

"They're dead, Roald. I'm sorry," added Merric when he saw the Prince's eyes widen. "We have to go now."

Roald, his body and mind numb, let himself be pulled along by his friend. The shouts and screams soon became distant as well as the view of his home.

Kalasin's grip on her sword was tight yet shaky. She had been given a bay mare to ride. Clad in nothing but a leather jerkin, for the weight of any armor was too much for her to withstand, the girl halted her mount at the beginning of the clearing.

Flying immortals roamed the skies ahead while those who could not fly stood impatiently. Doing a quick count of ranks, Kalasin figured the enemy outnumbered them seven to one. Cursing under her breath, the girl looked back over her shoulder. "Those with bows, go around until you're at the enemy's side before you let your arrows rain down upon them. The rest of you will confront the enemy head on." Taking a deep breath to help calm her nerves, the Princess smiled at those who remained with her. "Thank you for letting me fight alongside you, gods bless."

Tapping the mare's haunches with her heels, Kalasin rode at a trot towards the enemy lines. Her blue eyes darted from man to immortal until they rested upon the man who haunted her dreams. "For Tortall, and for freedom!"

Arrows fell from the sky, piercing enemy immortals and humans alike. Screams of pain rang into the air along with the clash of metal. The metallic stench of blood filled Kalasin's nose as she swung her sword through the enemy, closing the distance between herself and the red-eyed mage.

Out of the corner of her eye, the girl saw a pale rope shoot up, latching onto a flying immortal's wing. More ropes followed suit. Smiling, Kalasin silently thanked the spidren; by attacking the flying immortals, her men, along with herself, wouldn't have to worry about attacks from the sky.

A tremendous impact flung her off of the mare. She landed on the ground, gasping for breath as droplets of blood dripped onto her body. Coughing, the Princess pushed herself up off of the soiled ground, and faced her attacker. Her mouth fell open as her eyes scanned the area.

The mage lowered his hand, a smirk on his lips. He had spotted the pampered bitch, and went to finish her off. Everything in front of her was destroyed, and she would have been annihilated as well if it hadn't been for her sword. No, it wasn't her sword, it was the god's sword, and it was radiating with power. 'I am still stronger than any of them,' he thought defiantly, 'no god nor human can kill me!'

Kalasin's lip quivered as her gaze rested upon the mare's head in front of her; it was all that remained of the horse. Anger pumped through the girl's veins, and something inside of her snapped. Readjusting her grip on the hilt of the sword, the Princess screamed and swung the blade towards the mage. Ice-blue fire roared out of the blade, heading straight for the mage.

Narrowing his eyes, the mage held out his hand, a red bolt of lightning jumping out of his palm to clash with the blue fire. The contact of the two powers sent out a wave of energy, knocking anyone and anything in its path away from the two fighters.

The girl felt blood from a scratch on her cheek drip down to her jaw. Cuts began to appear all over her body, and she was growing weak fast. Taking a step forward, Kalasin pushed her power with all her might at the mage, "just die already!" she screamed.

The mage let out a curt laugh, the feeling of blood trickling down his body becoming a slight distraction. Their power was ripping them apart, he realized, a grin spreading across his lips. With a yell, he sent a surge of his power at the Princess, "I will crush you, Kalasin of Conté!"

Power fell down upon the girl. She screamed in agony, feeling as if her very soul was being ripped apart. 'No!' her mind screamed. Blood trickled down to her chin from her mouth as pieces of her clothing were ripped away from her body. Spitting a mouthful of blood onto the ground, Kalasin felt her knees wobble just before the great force of power bearing down upon her was cut off.

Lerant grinned at her as his body was being torn to shreds by the mage's attack. "W-win this war for us, Kal, my love."

Kalasin's eyes widened, tears burning her cheeks as they fell. Gripping the sword with all her might, the girl ran pass Lerant's decaying body. Swinging her sword, she knocked startled enemy soldiers aside before letting the blade clash with the Mage's own sword. "You murderer!" she shrieked, sliding the glowing blade from the Mage's, and swinging it in a crescent moon shape.

The mage grinned, and went to block her attack, but the blade blazed in his sight, and sliced clean through his own blade. His red eyes widened as the god's blade bit into his side. A fire engulfed his body, burning his very essence. He would not be sent to the Black God's domain, but to a place far worse, a place where he could never escape. A place where he would face the horrors he set upon the world.

Blackfire rode up beside the sobbing girl, resting his hand on her shoulder. "Now is not the time to mourn for your lover," he said softly. "You have only won half of the battle. The other half awaits you at your home. I will take you there, and I will do what I can, but you are the only one who can make a difference."

Waiting until Kalasin nodded in agreement, Blackfire hoisted her up onto his back, riding off once he was sure she had a firm grip and would not fall off.

Mithros stood up slowly. A newborn strength was flowing through his veins. "Kalasin, my little goddess," he muttered. Carefully he stretched every muscle in his body, his dull-colored skin becoming its normal glowing bronze color.

Nothing could have prepared Kalasin for the sight that lay before her; corpses of animals, immortals, and humans alike lay littered upon the ground. The castle, her home, lay in ruin, the walls crumbled and ablaze. Stormwings circled overhead, far away from a large, ever-changing creature that was advancing onto the market square.

"Blackfire, get me as close as you can to that thing, then leave. This is my battle, not yours, and I appreciate your help."

Blackfire glanced at her, "you are sure of this, human?"

"Am I ever sure of what I do?"

Blackfire grinned and took off at a run, dodging enemy stragglers and dead bodies alike. Panting, he slowed and let Kalasin slide off his back. "Gods bless, girl."

Kalasin smiled as he turned to leave. She had regained some of her strength during the ride, but she was still weak. Looking up at the enemy creature, the girl drew in a breath of air. 'This is the end for me,' she thought grimly, 'but I will not be the first to go down.' "Mithros! Lend me your strength once more!"

AN: Well, the end :) runs off to start typing up the sequel

I would like to let everyone know that Black Emerald Dawn has inspired a portion of the plot for the sequel. (thank you!)