A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers, and I apologize for not updating sooner! As you can see, this is a long chapter, and I had some trouble figuring it all out.
A/N: Warning: Jon and Thayet may seem a little OOC, and if they do, I'm sorry. The only one I could twist any way I wanted was Jasson. Jon and Thayet are merely in this chapter to further the plot, nothing more.
Disclaimer: The characters you recognizeare Tamora Pierce's, the ones you don't are mine.
Whispering Winds: Chapter 4
Kayla eyed the massive oak doors to the throne room apprehensively. She stared at them, as if hoping the wood would give her some comfort. Finding none, she resumed pacing. She reached for her hair in an effort to give her shaking hands something to do, but she stopped short. Her hair was not lying loosely around her shoulders like it usually was; it was up in a braided crown, dotted with sapphire pins. She settled for smoothing down her dress instead.
Her dress was a smoky blue, with flowing green embroidery. It was one that she had brought with her from home, and her mother had given it to her when she left. Kayla stopped pacing for a moment and faced the oak doors again. It would do her no good to be nervous in front of the monarchs, no matter how understanding they may be.
"Kayla?" Kayla jumped with surprise as Kyia came up next to her. "Are you okay?"
Kayla nodded, taking in her cousin's appearance. Kyia was wearing a dress in the same style as Kayla's, but her dress was silver, bringing out her eyes. The embroidery that decorated the waistline and hems was white. Her brown-black hair was caught up in a silver net that glittered with diamonds.
"I'm fine," she murmured, and motioned to the oak doors. "I just don't know if I can go in there."
"You'll be fine," Kyia murmured, giving Kayla a sympathetic smile. She knew how much Kayla didn't want to be here, and she was impressed that her cousin was making such an effort to like these monarchs.
"Are we ready?" A low voice behind them made both girls turn, and noticed that Shyam Alden had come up behind them. Dressed in brown velvet, he seemed more comfortable in the palace than the girls were.
Kayla nodded wordlessly, and Shyam motioned to the guards. Pushing the doors open, they stood back to let the visiting royals enter the throne room.
Kayla kept her face devoid of emotion as they entered the immense throne room that was also the grand ballroom, but inwardly she was gaping at all the finery. Gold glittered from the giant pillars that held up the high ceiling, reflected on the marble floor. Her attention was drawn from the room to the monarchs sitting on the thrones in the center of the room.
Stopping a few feet away, Kayla and Kyia sank into low curtsies, keeping their eyes on the carpet in front of them. Sneaking a few peeks from under her eyelashes, Kayla could see King Jonathan smiling at them from where he sat, and that kind look alone gave her courage.
"Please rise." Next to Jonathan, Queen Thayet watched the two girls straighten from their formal curtsies. "We are pleased you could be here with us," she continued, her ruby lips forming a welcoming smile.
"This is my son, Prince Roald, and his wife, Princess Shinkokami," Thayet gestured to the two younger royals, who nodded. Kayla once again sank into a curtsy, trying not to wobble as she came up again. She thought that Roald, who was a spitting image of his father, would be more handsome if he smiled. Princess Shinkokami was a Yamani beauty, and the two were expecting their second child.
"This is Prince Jasson," Thayet motioned for the third person next to the throne to step forward. Kayla watched as her future husband was presented. Dressed in the royal colors of blue and white, Prince Jasson was as handsome as his brother and father. He was about her age, and had a kind face, accentuated by a firm mouth and sapphire blue eyes.
Kayla blushed as she saw how Jasson was looking at her. The awestruck look on his face reminded her of the look on her brother Andy's face when he got his first real sword. It was that same reverent, disbelieving expression that was on Prince Jasson's face.
She was about to curtsy as Jasson walked towards her, but in a second he had passed her and was bowing before Kyia. Confused, Kayla watched and wondered what was going on.
"Your Highness, Princess Kayla," Jasson murmured, lifting Kyia's hand to his lips and kissing it, "I am so glad you could come to visit us."
Kayla heard Shyam's surprised chuckle behind her, but he quickly turned it into a cough. Kay, amused more than irritated now, glanced at Kyia. Her cousin's gray eyes shone, but her cheeks were heated red by embarrassment and surprise. She sent Kayla a confused look, so Kay stepped in to rescue her.
She cleared her throat softly, catching Jasson's attention. "Prince Jasson, may I present to you my cousin, Lady Kyianna of Tyra?" Kayla murmured, smiling as Jasson turned to look at her and Kyia sent her a relieved look.
Now it was Jasson's turn to be embarrassed as he quickly turned to Kayla. "Oh." He murmured simply, trying to hide his embarrassment and failing as his cheeks turned pink. Looking her in the eye, Jasson lifted her hand to his lips. "Your Highness," he murmured.
"Prince Jasson," Kayla returned, curtsying. She looked up from her curtsy as King Jonathan spoke again.
"Shyam Alden," the king of Tortall said, pausing as the Shang Wolf approached the throne. "Tortall has missed you."
"As I have, Your Majesty," Shyam said quietly, bowing low.
Jonathan nodded, pleased with this answer, and turned his attention to the two foreign royals. "We shall have a ball in your honor tonight," the king announced.
Kyia shot a cautious look at Kayla; she knew her cousin hated court events of any kind. However, Kayla's blue-green eyes were expressionless as she curtsied again and turned to leave.
Kayla watched as Jasson watched Kyia go, a longing look on his face. Out of sight of the royals, she grinned. This was going to be an interesting trip.
Two hours later, Kayla was ready for the ball. Dressed in a ball gown of the deepest green, this one brought out the green flecks in her blue eyes, as well as accentuating her raven-black hair. Her hair was let down, flowing around her shoulders, and her cat pendant rested on its silver chain.
"What do you think?" She asked, turning to Kyia, who had just come in from the adjoining room. She stopped for a moment to take in her cousin's appearance, grinning. Kyia was dressed in dove-gray dress with silver embroidery. The color of the dress may be simple, but the diamond pins in her hair made Kyia look every inch the court lady she was prepared to be.
"Very nice," Kyia approved. Kayla grinned, and then turned the compliment on her cousin.
"Prince Jasson will be very impressed with you," she teased, blue-green eyes sparkling.
Kyia blushed, but she protested, "Kay, I'm just a court lady from Tyra! That's all I came to be, not the bride of a prince."
"He looked taken with you this morning," Kayla pointed out, grinning.
"He made a mistake," Kyia protested, but she looked pleased.
Shyam's knock on the door ended the conversation.
"Let's get this over with," Kayla grumbled, heading for the door. Kyia followed, a smile playing at her lips; her cousin hated balls.
After the feasting was over, all the nobles spread out to dance. As Kayla watched the brightly colored couples swirl around her, she marveled at the country. Tortall was much more diverse than Tyra was. She spotted many different peoples, some of which she couldn't even name.
Kyia appeared beside Kayla, fanning herself and looking out of breath. She had just completed a dance, but the stream of partners never ended. For once, Kayla didn't envy her. She had never liked talking to nobles she didn't know. As a court lady from Tyra, as she pretended to be, Kyia was asked by all the eligible young bachelors. Kayla, being the possible future bride of the prince, was left alone, except for a few curious young court ladies and Shyam, when he could extract himself from his crowd of admirers.
A young court lady sauntered over to them, looking about their age. She had long chestnut hair, and bright green eyes. "So you're the prince's bride," she murmured silkily, her voice immediately sending Kayla and Kyia on edge.
She looked Kayla over, then met her hard blue-green gaze with her malicious green ones. "You better watch your reputation," she advised softly. "You never know who might try to…ruin it." With this last parting shot, she swept off, her bright green dress swishing behind her.
Kayla stared after her, then turned to Kyia. Her cousin was staring after the unknown lady as if the other girl was a dangerous snake. She shook herself and stared back at Kayla, shivering.
"It seems your cousin is as dangerous as her mother," Shyam commented as he came up behind them.
Kayla twisted around to stare up at him. "Cousin?" She demanded. Shyam shook his head.
"Not your cousin," he told Kayla, "your cousin." This last part was directed at Kyia, who looked shocked.
"My cousin?" she murmured, staring off in the direction the other girl had gone.
Shyam nodded. "Lady Catherine's mother is your father's older sister," he told Kyia, "and therefore your aunt."
Kyia looked disgusted that she could be related to such a person, and Shyam chuckled at her expression. "You don't seem pleased," he observed.
"How can I be related to her?" Kyia asked. Shyam shrugged.
"I have no idea," he told her, "ask your father the next time you see him."
Kayla saw the homesick look that crossed Kyia's face, but was saved from feeling homesick herself by the appearance of Prince Jasson by her side.
"Princess Kayla," he murmured, his rich voice sounding almost wooden, "may I have this dance?"
Kayla curtsied in response, and let the prince lead her onto the dance floor. As the musicians struck a lively waltz, Jasson asked her about her home, and her family, but it seemed forced. She tried to make small talk, but the prince's answers seemed wooden and automatic. Escaping when the dance was over, Kayla retreated to Shyam's side.
"Done dancing with the prince?" The Shang Wolf observed, sipping a glass of wine.
Kayla snorted. "If you can call it that."
Shyam grinned. "Don't worry, sometimes first meetings don't go as well as expected. You'll warm up to him." His grin became even wider as he watched the nobles spin around in a lively dance. "It seems someone already has."
"What?" Kayla twisted around to watch the nobles and tried to find what her old teacher was talking about. Finding it, she grinned, amused.
Kyia and Jasson were dancing. Talking freely now, the prince seemed much more relaxed. Kyia's gray eyes shone, and some remark Jasson gave made her laugh. Kayla listened to her cousin's familiar joyful laugh, and she grinned.
Shyam watched Kayla nervously as her blue-green eyes seemed to glow as she came up with an idea. "I don't like that look in your eye," the Shang Wolf said honestly.
Kayla turned to him, grinning. "Maybe I don't have to get married after all."
Kayla turned to look out the window. For a fall day, the Corus marketplace was bustling. Kayla sighed, and relaxed as the cool breeze blew through her open window. She was tired of court life already, and it had only been two weeks. Those two weeks had been the most boring two weeks of her life. With more balls, social events, and negotiations, she was bored out of her mind. Kyia and Jasson were almost inseparable now, and they had only known each other for two weeks.
Kayla watched the people hurry around the marketplace every day, and now she longed to be out there. She sympathized with her mother, who had run away from this life. Kayla sighed, and leaned against the window. She had promised her parents she wouldn't run away. Suddenly, she thought of something, and sat up, blue-green eyes glowing. She had promised her parents that she wouldn't run away, but she had never promised that she wouldn't explore.
Grinning, Kayla got up and began sheathing her numerous daggers, not wanting to be caught on the streets of Corus without them. If Corus was anything like Tyra, she'd need them. Dressed in the undyed shirt and breeches of the commoners, with her hair tied up in a loose bun, she walked over to where Danika lay sleeping on the window seat.
Running a finger down the cat's spine, she whispered into one silver ear, "Wake up, Dani." Lazily, one ice-blue eye opened, followed by the other. Danika stood up, stretched, and hopped down from the seat, staring up at her mistress with inquisitive blue eyes. Walking silently to the door—she wasn't sure if Kyia was still in her room—Kayla poked her head out into the hallway. Seeing no one, she stepped out into the hallway, followed by her cat.
Turning down yet another hallway, Kayla sighed in frustration. This hallway looked the same as any other. Spotting a woman, whom she assumed to be a maid, she hurried forward.
"Excuse me," she whispered, trying not to attract attention.
The woman turned, and Kayla found herself face to face with a woman that was a few years older than her mother. The woman smiled, but seeing Kayla's face, she immediately dropped into a low curtsy. "Your Highness," she cried.
"Shhh!" Kayla whispered frantically, helping the woman up from her curtsy. "Please!" The woman looked up in surprise as she fought to keep her balance. She was a short, plump, dark woman with crisp black hair worn neatly pinned in a bun. She was very pretty, with large brown eyes and full lips. She was wearing a blue dress, nicer than what most commoners wore, but too shabby for noble's clothing.
Keeping her voice low, Kayla asked. "Do you know a way out of the palace and into the Corus marketplace, without anyone seeing me?" The woman looked uncertain, but she nodded anyway. Motioning for Kayla to follow, she hurried off.
Many twists and turns later, Kayla found herself in front of a servant's door. She opened it, and the woman motioned her through. Kayla turned before the door could close and whispered, "Thank you…" she let it trail off, unsure of the woman's name, and the woman filled in for her.
"Lalasa." She murmured, and Kayla grinned.
"Thank you, Lalasa." With that, she was gone.
Wandering down the dusty lane that was the main road for the marketplace, Kayla reveled in her new-found freedom. Behind her, Danika complained loudly with a yowl as someone almost stepped on her tail.
Sighing, Kayla turned and scooped her loud cat, depositing the silver tabby on her shoulder. Swaying slightly, Danika purred her thanks and groomed Kayla's black hair with her rough tongue.
Hearing a commotion up ahead, Kayla quickened her pace, drawing the dagger that was at her belt. Finding the source of the disruption, she found that she had gotten there too late: the crowd was dispersing. Cursing softly, Kayla resheathed her dagger.
"Who are you?" Kayla looked around for the questioner, and found a seven-year-old boy staring up at her. The boy had brown hair, brown eyes, and a band of freckles dotted his nose. Adorable, he tilted his head one way and then the other.
"I've never seen you here before," he commented. "Who are you?"
"I'm…" Kayla cast around for a suitable name, one that wouldn't draw a lot of attention. "I'm Dani. I'm here visiting my cousin." On her shoulder, Danika looked up with a soft meow, confused by the sound of her name.
"Dani, huh?" The boy grinned. "I'm Mite," he said, extending his hand. Kayla shook it, grinning in spite of herself. "I'm in training to become part of the Rouge in Tortall," Mite continued.
"Aren't you a bit young to be a thief?" Kayla asked.
Mite shook his head proudly. "No. My Da thinks I do just fine."
Kayla shrugged, and then looked up as loud noises erupted from an alley nearby. Mite looked uneasy, then brightened.
"Would you like to meet my Da?" he asked, gesturing towards the crowded streets. He seemed eager to get out of there, almost dancing in place.
"Okay," Kayla consented, and the next second, Mite had seized her hand and almost towed her down a side street. Hurrying to catch up, Kayla almost lost her young guide. "Mite!" she cried.
Instead of taking her deeper into the Corus slums, Mite headed in the direction of the taverns. Slipping around the back of the Dancing Dove, he ignored the front doors and motioned to Kayla. Following him, she found herself facing a side street.
"Almost there," Mite whispered, taking her hand again. He led her down the small street, stopping at the first house. It was half the size of the tavern, and was made of stone. Kayla watched as Mite disappeared into the yawning black doorway with a shout of "Da!"
Waiting, not sure if she should go in, Kayla jumped as a young man jumped from the next roof to land soundlessly next to her. She looked at him in surprise. She had had Shang training, and she could never hope to make that jump, let alone actually land!
The young man stared back at her. His messy brown hair, the same as Mite's, indicated they were brothers. His hazel eyes stared into her blue-green ones intently, curious. Kayla stared back, fighting back the blush that rushed to stain her cheeks at this young man's intense gaze.
She was distracted from the staring contest by Mite reappearing, followed by an older man. No, Kayla corrected herself, he was the same age as her mother. He had dark brown hair, darker than his sons, and sharp blue eyes.
The man ventured out into the sunlight, and gazed at Kayla for a moment. Recognition dawned in his blue eyes, and he stared at Kayla, shocked.
Kayla shifted, uncomfortable under the man's sharp gaze. The man continued to stare in shock, and his mouth hung open.
Seeming to find his voice, the man said one word, a word that made Kayla's blood freeze in her veins.
"Keianna?"
A/N: Cliffy!Who is this man that knows Kei? Any guesses?Please review, and no flames!
