Chapter 10

"I'm squished," Eliena remarked, shifting in the small, cramped room.

"We're all squished," Numair said.

"Can we hurry then?" Eliena asked. "I don't even know why we're doing this in the first place…" Duke Gareth shot his grandniece a stern look, and she stopped talking.

"We're here, your highness," Lord Martin of Meron said, "to discuss how we are to act on this delegation." He glared at Eliena. She rolled her eyes. She had never liked Martin of Meron.

"Go on, Uncle Gareth," Eliena urged, holding back what she wanted to say: "Shut your mouth, Lord Martin. You forget your place in the presence of your betters!"

(From EMPEROR MAGE pg. 6) "Let me remind all of you one last time: be very careful regarding your actions while we are here. Do nothing to jeopardize out mission. The emperor is willing to make peace, but that peace is in no manner secure. If negotiations fall through due to an error on our parts, the other Eastern Lands will not support us. We will be on our own and Carthak will be on us.

"We need this peace. We cannot match the imperial armies and navy, any more than we can match imperial wealth. In a fight on Tortallan soil, we might prevail, but war of any kind would be long and costly, in terms of lives and in terms of resources.

"Go nowhere you are forbidden to go. Do not speak of freedom to the slaves. However we may dislike the practice, it would be unwise to show that dislike publicly. Accept no gifts, boxes, or paper from anyone unless they come with the knowledge of the emperor. Offer no gifts or pieces of paper to anyone. I understand is it the custom to the palace mages to scatter listening spells through the buildings and grounds. Watch what you say. If a problem arises, let my son, or Lord Martin, or Master Numair know at once."

"Kitten will be able to detect listening spells. I'm not saying she can't be magicked, but most common sorceries won't fool her," Numair said. Duke Gareth looked at Daine and Eliena, who were seated side by side.

"Daine, be careful. You'll be on your own more than the rest of us, though it's my hope that if you can help his birds, the emperor will let you be. Those birds are his only weakness I think. And, Eliena. Your father was kind enough to allow you to come. Please, Eliena, I know that you're not one to hold your tongue, but do your best. We aren't in Tortall. You are expected to behave like a proper princess here, and I'm sure Thayet can show you how that is done if you are unsure."

"You understand the rules?" Lord Martin asked. He leaned around Duke Gareth to look at the teenagers. "No childish pranks. Mind your manners, and do as you're told." Kitten squawked and Eliena glared at him.

"Lord Martin," she said, fighting to keep her voice even and cool, as she had heard her parents do often, "I believe you forget your place in the presence of your princess." Numair put a hand on Eliena's shoulder and gently held Kitten's mouth closed.

"The girls understand these things quite well. Daine has obeyed instruction on missions far more dangerous, and Eliena does know how to behave," Numair remarked.

"Neither girl would've come if there were doubts, Lord Martin," Duke Gareth said. "Remember, Master Numair, you, too, must be careful. The emperor was extraordinarily gracious to grant a pardon to you, and to allow you to meet with scholars at the palace. Don't forget the conditions of that pardon. If he catches you wrongdoing, he will be able to arrest, try, and even execute you, and we will be helpless to stop him."

Numair smiled. "Believe me, Your Grace, I don't plan to five Ozorne any excuse to rescind my pardon. I was in his dungeons once and see no reason to repeat the experience." Eliena put her arm around him.

"Besides, Uncle Gareth," she said, grinning, "Me 'n Daine will keep him in line."

"I've no doubt that you will, Eliena." Duke Gareth smiled at her. "Now, get changed if you must. We are about to dock."

"Let me out!" Eliena cried. She took Daine's hand and the girls went to the room they had shared on the boat. "What are you going to wear? I have to wear a dress." Eliena made a face. Daine produced a gray silk shirt with bloused sleeves and a high, embroidered collar with silver buttons; blue linen breeches; and a blue linen dress tunic. Eliena smiled. "You'll look fantastic. Blue and gray are perfect with your eyes." Eliena took out the dress she would be wearing. It was a simple day dress, but left no doubt that she was the heir to Tortall. The bodice was silver, and cut in her new favorite style. The long sleeves began just off her shoulders and fit like a glove to her elbows, where they gave way to long, sheer, bell sleeves, also silver. The bodice was also embroidered beautifully, with the shield of Conté, the shield of the Lioness, and vines. Unless you looked carefully, you wouldn't be able to tell what the embroidery was. The skirt was straight and silky, floating around Eliena's legs beautifully. It was royal blue.

Once the girls were dressed, Eliena brushed Daine's smoky brown curls and tied them up with a blue-gray silk ribbon. Daine ran a brush through Eliena's black hair, now almost as curly as her own, not wavy. Eliena's hair pulled back into a low horsetail with a blue and silver ribbon. It was more to keep the long locks from blowing around than anything else. Both girls slid their feet into lightweight slippers the same color as their bottoms, and smiled.

"Ready?" Daine asked.

"Always," Eliena replied. They hooked arms and went to the deck.

Author's Note- next chapter: meeting the people from Carthak. Must go write something else and then do some Algebra homework. EVERYONE: you must read "Happily Ever After?" by Megmae. It is a SPLENDID story. Now, review.