Had a couple of people mention Ariel being a Mary Sue. And I totally made her out to be one, but in this chapter, I shall go wild! cackles evilly Actually, I'm trying to decide whether or not to give her a split personality. And then I had this awesome idea: I'll take a vote, therefore forcing people to review, and driving my reviews up. Please Note: If no one votes, then I decide. Not greatest idea, cause I'll come up with something bizarre, which is always fun.
Disclaimer: Not Tamora Pierce. 'Nuff said. The idea for willing power to others in Chapter 3 is not mine, it was borrowed from the movie The Covenant and its creators. People who send flamers will be nibbled to death by ducks.
Mages Council
Chapter 5
Three weeks passed without mishap. Joren and his friends stayed clear of Ariel. While Kel and Neal noticed, they said nothing. Ariel was able to fall into the pattern of palace life easily. She practiced with the older pages in the morning and explored the palace and surrounding grounds in the afternoon. She went to see Daine and Numair every few days, as long as the Wildmage was in. She exchanged spells with Numair, and traded information on those animals native to Tortall and those native to Jirajen with Daine. It wasn't long until a solid friendship had formed.
The only thing that worried Ariel was the reports from River, whom she communicated with every night, no matter how late. There was trouble in Jirajen. The main cause of trouble in the court, Baron Raen, had managed to band together with some of the other nobles, and were pushing to create new laws for the crown, such as a need for women to be married to be able to stay on the throne. This law, if passed by the courts, would remove the unmarried Alairna from the throne, where the nobles would install someone new. River was doing her best, but she had always been nervous around nobility, and she was unable to watch everyone. There was unrest among the people of Jirajen, and the possibility of rebellion was becoming more real with every passing day. Alairna, somehow, had managed to keep the country together, but they were temporary measures. She needed help. River was unable to come to Tortall to redo the spell to send Ariel to Alairna's aid, lest the nobles attack during her absence, and the cost of the spell would not allow a recall for months. Ariel had the option of traveling over land, and crossing the sea by herself, but that would take months, and time was something they didn't have. The option of using the spell on herself wasn't a possibility, because it was simply impossible to direct the energy from inside it, and Ariel wasn't sure if Numair would be able to help her. It caused her unrest, and she soon developed dark circles under her eyes from several days of scant or no sleep.
At Neal's prodding, for he had noticed the changes in her, Ariel gave up the details of the problem to him, and to Kel. Though she wasn't a mage herself, Kel was able to give several good plans for way to send aid. Neal suggested that she used several small transporter spells to move in jumps across countries, but it would cost her too much energy, and there was the problem of the barriers in between. Kel's plan was much simpler. She suggested that Ariel request help from the Crown. Ariel, seeing no other option, agreed. She went to visit Daine and Numair that night, to request an audience with them and the King and Queen on mage matters the next day. Afterwards, she returned to her rooms. Just before she entered, she met Neal in the hallway. "I'm sorry." He said, as he touched a glowing green hand to her eyelids, putting her to sleep. He surrendered her to Kel, who dragged the girl into her room and put her on her bed. "But you need a good sleep, and I can't see you willingly letting me do that." He heard a snuffling sound and looked down, noticing Ariel's dog sniffing around his shoes. Chester looked up at him, and, with the dog equivalent of a grin, peed on his leg, before entering Ariel's room. Kel returned to the hallway to find Neal cursing and muttering about over-opinionated dogs.
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Ariel woke with the bell the next morning. She sat up, confused. Why was she sleeping in her clothes? Then she remembered. "Neal." She muttered. "I will flay him. Alive." She got up and quickly changed. Skipping her usual wash, she used her Gift to clean and arrange her hair, and to remove any dirt from her skin. She flung open the door, and, followed by Chester, crossed to Neal's door. As she raised her hand to pound on the door, it swung open. Ariel's fist hit, not the door, but Neal's nose. "Ow!" Neal yelped. His hands sprang to his face. When they lowered, his nose wasn't bleeding and he was glaring at Ariel. "What was that for?!" Ariel glared back. "I didn't mean to hit your face!" She snapped. "But who gave you permission to spell me to sleep? I didn't! You know my history, do you think I respond well to being held asleep magically?" At this, Neal promptly looked contrite. "I'm sorry." He responded. "I didn't think. And you needed sleep so badly. You know that I can tell the health of those around me. Your body was about to collapse from exhaustion." Ariel made a rude hand gesture at him and slapped him on the shoulder. "You're forgiven, moron. I consider that punch a just payment." They rounded up Keladry and went to breakfast, followed all the way by curious stares.
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Usually, after breakfast, Kel, Neal and Ariel went to the practice courts for hand-to-hand combat, but today, Ariel split off from the group immediately and went to Daine and Numair's rooms. She met them in the corridor outside their suite, and together, they proceeded to a counsel room.
The superior footman announced them, giving Ariel a look that clearly said he didn't think her important, in her page's uniform. Ariel gave him a proper glare, and entered between Daine and Numair. The counsel room was large, decorated with red and gold motifs, the furniture was formal, but comfortable. There were already people seated around the table. Daine muttered their names and stations to Ariel as they bowed to the King and Queen and seated themselves at the table. "The red head is the Kings Champion, Lady Knight Alanna of Pirates Swoop and Olau. Next to her is Sir Gareth the Younger, the King's advisor, and Prime Minister. Next is Buriram Tourakom, the Commander of the Queens Riders." This continued on, but Ariel was examining Alanna and Buri. She was very interested in these females, in a land that was known for being run by men, fair as the laws were to women. To their credit, Alanna and Buri only nodded to her before returning their attention to the King and Queen who were debating something with Gareth. As Ariel, Numair and Daine reached the table, the debate was broken off, and King Jonathan turned his attention to them. "Welcome, Ariel. Daine, Numair." Ariel nodded graciously; Daine and Numair bowed and seated themselves. Ariel remained standing.
"Your majesties, today I do not address you as a visiting mage. Today, I address you on behalf of my Queen, Alairna, as an ambassador. As of today, I am visiting royal, Princess Ariel Godborn, Heir to the Throne of Jirajen." The room was silent, except for a small noise from one of the many people at the table. Ariel took a breath. "We need your help. Our land is stricken from within. There is rebellion among the more unruly of the lower nobles, many of whom are not noble at all. There is the possibility that Alairna will die, or have the throne taken from her in the near future. I have permission from the crown to ask for aid from Tortall. Magical aid." She was about to launch into a plea for help when something hit her mental defenses and they crumbled. 'Ariel!' She collapsed.
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Inside her head, River screamed. 'Ariel! They're dead, everyone's dead, there's nothing I can do-' Another mental scream. 'Their breaking in! I'm sending Alairna to you - help her! There's no one else-' Ariel felt the power growing behind River's mental communications. 'I'm sorry!' She cried. There was a snap and a rushing sound. Numair collapsed as the room filled with light and a woman materialized on the floor. Ariel crawled toward her. 'Ariel, listen, there's no time- she's hurt, she's hurt bad and they're gonna kill me, I know it. Please forgive me for sending you away! There isn't much longer-' River's voice cut off and a wordless scream filled Ariel's head. She screamed too and, grabbing her magic, she tossed it across toward Jirajen, following her mental link with River as it was suddenly cut off. Crying, she screamed again, and stretched farther. Nothing. She was too weak from the forced conversation and the destruction of her barriers. She continued trying, again and again, with no result. She was exhausted and still trying to reach her friend when power, and strength, filled her. Not stopping to think, she threw her loop of power again - and hit River. Her friend was unconscious, but alive. She dragged her magic back towards her, repeating the words she had heard River say, while sending her to Tortall. The Power gathered, then, again, there was a snapping sound, the room filled with light and there was another woman suddenly on the floor. Ariel reached and managed to grab her hand before blackness overwhelmed her and she sank into oblivion.
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Dramatic, no? I decided that I was too lazy to draw that part out more, and got straight to the point. Now make me very very happy, and click the little purple button at the bottom that says review. See it? The button is very sad that very few people use it. Please think of the button!