I have to say that I didn't like the last chapter very much. It made me depressed. But, if I hadn't wrote it, I'd have gone completely insane trying to come up with a way to make ends meet. Ya know something? This reminds me of that one chapter in ROTG. Y'know, where Daine goes over the cliff? Ok peoples, 3 guesses what this chapter's all about (Though I think all of you'll get it in the first try)! This chapter's when I start to get more original. I'm not sure if there's any names on who rules Tyra or not so I'm gonna make that up if its alright with you guys.

Disclaimer: Sorry, I only own the God of Unity: Harmonios (I couldn't find a god/goddess from the series to use) and the royal court of Tyra.

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Chapter 7: Daine's Decision

The sound of rushing water could be heard in the distance. Thick mist from the waterfall covered the area below the high cliff. Out of the dark water burst a shadowy figure, gasping for breath. Looking around, he was focused on one thing: The group of Tortallians on the cliff ledge. Were they alive? Had the mission been completed? He had to know. Climbing out of the murky depths, he started searching for a way to find them.

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She didn't move from the ledge, calling his name out as if it would somehow bring him back up here to her until she was hoarse.

A hand clasped her shoulder lightly. "C'mon, Daine, we have to keep going. We must complete the mission," Raoul told her, pulling her to her feet.

"No. You five should return to the capital. I'll complete this mission on my own. The loss of Numair will not be in vain." She began walking towards Cloud.

"But…Daine…" Shinko protested.

"I'll complete this mission. I don't want you getting involved with this anymore than you already are." Mounting her pony, she looked at them with hard eyes. "There was an agreement for a marriage. And a marriage there will be."

"Daine…"

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"Is that so?" The King of Tyra asked, stroking his beard.

"I'm afraid it is. We were attacked by Maren soldiers and they went over the cliff. Only I survived." Daine replied.

"Too bad, but we were promised a marriage. And without a marriage-"

"There will be a marriage, you're Majesty. I would be honoured to be wed for the sake of my county." She bowed deeply to the king.

The king thought for a moment. She was, after all, the wildmage who'd saved all of Tortall. She'd be a most valuable asset. "Very well then, we had planned that your prince be married to my daughter, but under the circumstances, you shall be married to my eldest son in the temple of Harmonios, God of Unity tomorrow."

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"We shouldn't have let her do it." Roald looked at his companions sadly.

They had set up camp for the night, planning to set out in the

"No. we shouldn't have. But she's a stubborn one," Buri replied.

"But that's what's so likeable about her," A voice called out.

Raoul stood. His hand flew to the hilt of his sword. "Who's there?" He ordered.

Out of the shadows of the night came a tall figure.

Shinko gasped as she and the others stood. "Numair!"

The mage walked towards them tiredly. His clothes were torn and his long hair had come free of its horsetail, falling into his face. He looked around. Everyone was present except for… "Where's Daine?"

They all shuffled uncomfortably.

"She insisted that she go and complete the mission without us," Perin, who'd been quiet for quite some time now, mumbled.

"I don't see how that's possible without-" Buri realized what Daine was planning to do. "You don't think she'd actually…"

"Probably," Numair replied. "I'm going after her, you lot stay here."

When Numair was far enough away, Raoul asked. "Do you think that was an order?"

"I'd have to say it was a friendly suggestion," Roald replied.

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Daine sat on a silken sheeted bed, staring out the window at the sunset. Tomorrow she'd marry for her country. As much as she wished there was another way, she had to do it. She sighed and flopped down onto it.

Kitten, who'd come to the castle too, nuzzled the girl's side and gave a sad chirp.

"I know. But what else could be done? I'm not willing to have Roald forced into a marriage like that." She sat up, dumping the dragonet onto the bed. "Tomorrow I'm going to get married and that's that."

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There we go. Now, not only does this chapter remind me of the one in ROTG, It reminds me of when Daine thought Numair was dead in EM. Maybe that's why I think Daine and Mulan are so much alike.

nicolerenea: You're right, I didn't notice. It's out of habit that I wrote Diane. I'll try to write Daine from now on. Eventually I'll go back and change the chapters so her name's spelled that way.

CodeRomance: Yeah, I knew that you of all people would notice. It's nice that you've continued to review. Your energy is what motivates me the most.

NealsChick: Well, here's the update. And you've settled it! I will make an Alanna/Mulan fic!