Chapter 9

"This is so unfair! You didn't let me go to Dunlath, and I ended up going anyway. Why won't you let me go? Mithros, father, its not like I'll be alone!" Eliena exclaimed.

Eliena was fifteen. Jonathan and Alanna were sending a delegation to Carthak in hopes of peace. The people going were Duke Gareth of Naxen, Alanna and Jonathan's former training master, Jonathan's uncle, and Eli's great-uncle; Sir Gareth the Younger of Naxen, Jonathan's cousin, Eliena's cousin once removed, Duke Gareth's son, and Jonathan's chief advisor/prime minister; Numair; Daine; and Thayet. Jonathan's Champion, Raoul, had been going to go, but they had decided against it, as he was the Knight Commander of the King's Own, and really couldn't leave Tortall. So, Eliena (and her mother) were trying to convince Jonathan that what better way to show Emperor Ozorne that he trusted him and wanted peace then to send his heir?

So far, it wasn't working.

"Jonathan, this is really a good idea," Alanna supported. "Ozorne will know you want peace when you send Eli."

"No," Jonathan said. "Eliena cannot go."

"Oh, father. Think about it. Daine and Thayet are the only women going. And Thayet is part of the delegation. Daine is not. Poor Daine will be alone or with the person Ozorne assigns as her guide. She would be more at ease, and more willing to work with his birds if she is happy." It was common knowledge that Daine wouldn't be going to Carthak if Emperor Ozorne's birds weren't sick. "Please, father?" Eliena did her best to look sweet and innocent. Alanna gave her husband a serious look.

"She gets her manipulative streak from your side, not mine," Alanna said.

"Thank you, Alanna," Jonathan remarked. "That was very helpful." He sighed. "Eliena-"

"Yay!" Eliena exclaimed.

"I haven't said anything," Jonathan said, obviously confused.

"You don't need to. You only sigh and say 'Eliena' when you're about to say I can do something if I do something else," Eliena replied. "You always do it."

"She's right, you know," Alanna agreed.

"I'm glad to see my family listens to my speaking habits so closely," Jonathan remarked dryly. "Anyway. Eliena, you may go to Carthak if you are on your best behavior, act like a proper lady, and watch your tongue."

"Who's my keeper?" Eliena asked.

"Whoever Emperor Ozorne assigns as your guide."

"Won't I be part of the delegation?"

"Sort of. You don't have to sit in on anything. I'll write a letter outlining the details."

"Can I get new dresses? And breeches? And shirts? And tunics?"

"Yes. Any more questions?"

"No," Eliena replied with a smile. "Thank you, father." She kissed his black-bearded cheek and flounced out.

"You're too soft on her," Alanna told Jonathan. "Where's your backbone?"

Jonathan glared at the Lioness wearily. "Don't start with me, Alanna."

"Start what?" the queen asked innocently.

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"Bye!" Eliena called, waving furiously to those who had come to see the delegation off. They had left from Port Legann, not daring to use one of the Southern ports, though it would be shorter.

"Be good!" Alanna yelled.

"I always am!" Eliena called back. The Lioness shook her head and smiled.

"Write often!" Neal and Leo cried together.

"Of course!" Eliena turned to Daine and smiled. "Ready for adventure, Daine?"

"Everything's an adventure with you, Eliena. Even a simple trip to the dining hall," Daine replied. Eliena tossed her head, but the effect wasn't as great with the strong wind.

"That's why you love me so much," she said, giving Daine a one-armed hug. "This is going to be grand, Daine, I promise."

"I'm glad you're excited, Eli," Numair remarked. The girls turned to look at the tall, lanky mage. "Because I'm sure you'll feel differently once we reach Carthak." Eliena shrugged.

"Sure, Numair," she said. "Cheer up, will you?"

"Cheer up? Eliena, I was pardoned to come," Numair told her.

"Oh, pfft," Eliena said, flicking her hand. "Details, details." Her violet eyes lit up. "This is going to be so much fun!" Numair laughed as Eliena jumped and danced around, yelling, "Carthak! Carthak! We're going to Carthak!"

"Eliena, sometimes I wonder if you're five, not fifteen," Numair told her. Eliena, without stopped, shot violet fire at him, burning his thigh.

"Watch it, mage!" she called.

Eliena's voice was carried by the wind: "Carthak! Carthak! We're going to Carthak! Carthak! Carthak! We're going to Carthak! Carthak! Carthak! We're going to Carthak! Carthak! Carthak…" And the people standing on the dock heard it. Alanna laughed.

"That's Eliena," she remarked.

"Of course it is," Neal replied. "Who else would be screaming like that?"

Alanna sighed. "She makes me feel old."

"Old, your majesty?" Neal asked, smiling. "Eliena makes me feel old and we're the same age!"

"She makes everyone feel old," Leo told them. "Always has. Its just her nature."

"I hope she grows up before they reach Carthak," Alanna said seriously, the wind blowing her hair back from her face, showing the seriousness in her eyes and mouth. "Because she'll certainly have a shock otherwise."

"What do you mean, Aunt Alanna?" Leo asked. Alanna shook her head and smiled, but there was still concern in her eyes.

"Nothing, Leo. Nothing," she replied, and walked away.

"Something tells me 'nothing' is a whole lot of 'something'," Leo remarked.

"We can't do anything now, Leo. Just leave it," Neal said. "C'mon. I think she wants to get moving." Neal went to his horse, following the queen, but Leo still stood on the dock. He tilted his face toward the sky and prayed: "Great Mother, please keep her safe. Don't let any harm come to Eliena. She's too alive for that. I don't know what we'd do without her. So mote it be."

As he went to go after Neal, Leo could've sworn he heard "I will see what I can do, my son" come from the sky. He shivered and jogged away.

Author's Note- sorry to get all serious on you. New chapter when I can. In the meantime, REVIEW.