Finally another update! Sorry I've been AWOL for the past two months - I was working at a summer camp and had almost no internet access. I didn't really edit this chapter much so if there are errors I appologize. Feel free to point them out and I'll go in and fix them. If you have any questions about the words I chose to use just ask - there is a reason for all of them.
As the days moved on Emma got stronger and felt the pain less. While Emma was feeling up to speed, her parents weren't as convinced of her recovery and still hadn't let her out of the castle. Her days mostly consisted of lessons, meals, and monitored walks in the garden and it was slowly driving her insane.
"So." James looked up at Emma and Daniel one morning at breakfast. "What do you two have planned for the day?"
"Well." Daniel looked at Emma who nodded. "Emma and I thought we might go out into the forest today."
"I'm feeling so much better." Emma said hurriedly. "I barely feel pain any more and I'm going a little stir crazy in this place. It would just be for a short while."
"I don't know." Snow said slowly.
"Please." Emma begged. "I just… I need to get out. I promise I'll be careful and nothing will happen. Besides Daniel will be there to watch out for me."
James and Snow looked at each other, having a silent conversation between themselves. Finally Snow sighed and turned back to Emma. "Fine. But you have to take guards with you."
"But…" Emma began to protest.
"Ems." Daniel put his hand on her arm and gave her a pointed look. "We just won one battle. Don't start another."
"Fine." Emma grumbled. "We'll take guards, but not too many."
"Four." Snow said.
"One." Emma countered.
"Three." Snow crossed her arms.
"Two." Emma said firmly.
"Two is good." James cut in. "When you factor in that Daniel is extraordinarily skilled with a sword and Emma as well it's almost like having three or four guards."
"But Emma is injured." Snow pointed out.
"Was injured." Emma corrected.
James shot Emma a look before turning back to his wife. "I understand your hesitation but we can't keep her trapped in here forever."
"I suppose you have a point." Snow caved.
"Yes." Emma cheered. "Thank you!"
"Be back and washed up by dinner." Snow said.
"We will." Emma promised.
"Can I go?" Will asked.
"Absolutely not." James and Snow said at the same time. James gave a stern look to his son. "You're still in a lot of trouble and won't be going anywhere where we can't supervise you for a long while."
"Whatever." Will crossed his arms and sulked.
"We better go get ready." Emma grabbed Daniel's arm and pulled him after her.
"The guards will be waiting by the door." Snow called after the two.
Half an hour later Emma and Daniel were finally outside the confines of the palace. Emma lit up as she ran through the forest. Feeling free for the first time in weeks. "So." She turned to Daniel. "What exactly do you want to do today?"
"Well if you're still up for it…" Daniel looked expectantly at Emma.
"Spice Islands?" Emma lit up.
"Spice Islands." Daniel nodded. He glanced at the guards who were keeping a calculated distance from them. "How do we ditch those two though?"
"That is the key question." Emma agreed biting her lip.
"Well…" Daniel said slowly. "You could always use the fact that they have to listen to you to your advantage."
"They also have to listen to my parents. Their orders come from them, which hold more power than whatever I have to say." Emma pointed out. "I'm not sure any amount of convincing will make them go against their wishes. I'm pretty sure they would be hanged if they left us alone."
"That's it then." Daniel snapped his fingers.
"What's it?" Emma asked.
"They have to come with us. They don't have a choice." Daniel continued. "Which means if we leave, they have to come with us. You have magic and you're the princess. You can make them come."
"Isn't that an abuse of power?" Emma asked.
"Do you want to go or not?" Daniel shrugged.
Emma rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine, but I am not happy about this."
"Yes you are." Daniel smirked as he watched Emma trudge over to the guards.
"So." Emma played with her hands, not quite sure how to phrase her next sentence. "Here's the thing. Daniel and I want to do something fun today, but unfortunately we're not allowed to go anywhere without the two of you. Which means you two lucky gentlemen get to come with us."
"And where exactly will we be traveling?" One guard, Ewen, raised his eyebrow.
"The Spice Islands." Daniel offered.
"I've never heard of them." The other guard, Bran, shook his head.
"That's because they're not exactly in this realm." Emma explained slowly. "We have to realm jump to get there, but don't fear. Daniel and I have done it a thousand times and you don't have to be magical to go. It doesn't hurt."
"I don't think your parents would approve of this." Ewen said.
"Well they're not here." Emma shrugged. "And we are going. So you can either follow your orders and come with us, or you can stay behind and explain to my parents why you didn't come. Either option is acceptable to me."
"Wow." Ewen looked taken aback by Emma's statement.
"I'll give you two a moment to decide." Emma shrugged.
"Wow." Daniel said as they stepped away. 'That was something else.'
"It wasn't too much was it?" Emma asked with a twinge of nervousness. "I mean I wasn't to much of a palace brat."
"No." Daniel shook his head. "I mean we all have our brat moments."
"Not me." Emma blanched. "I follow the rules."
"Since when?" Daniel laughed. "You've been breaking rules since you knew they existed. I mean you're the one who singlehandedly proved that the rule about getting kicked out for having too many breaches of conduct doesn't exist."
"Ok first of all, most of my indiscretions were not serious enough to get kicked out. I almost never put us at risk. And a place where magic misfits come because they are outcasts in their community kicking out said misfits for breaking the rules?" Emma raised an eyebrow. "That rule never existed. Serafine would never do something like that. And finally, I would be the last one to get in trouble. I may have broken a lot of rules but I've rarely been caught."
"And you wear it like a badge of honor." Daniel muttered.
"You would too." Emma pointed out.
"Someone's feeling better about this decision." Daniel smiled.
"Well." Emma said. "You're either all in or all out, and I already threw my chips in with that threat." She turned back to the guards. "So are you ready to go? Or are you staying behind."
"Princess…" Ewen started.
"I'm going either way." Emma held out her hand and Daniel did the same. "You're either coming or not."
Bran looked at Ewen and nodded slowly. "We're going to get killed for this."
"It's the lesser of the two evils." Ewen shook his head and grabbed Emma's hand as Bran took Daniels and they formed a circle.
"That's the spirit." Emma rolled her eyes. "Who knows, you might even like it."
"Hold on tight and it will be over before you know it." Daniel advised. He and Emma closed their eyes and began to breathe in unison, focusing their energy. Suddenly the wind picked up around them. They could feel the guard's grips tightening out of fear and shock. Finally the wind died down and the cool air and sounds of the forest had been replaced by a warm sun and the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the market.
"Where are we?" Ewen breathed as he opened his eyes.
"The Spice Islands." Daniel explained. "They are a tropical paradise that sell many precious items, most specifically their spices. They are the finest in any world I have ever heard of, well worth the trip."
Emma looked around, taking in the scenery of a place she loved so much. They were at the top of a grassy hill that ended in a cliff dropping straight down into the impossibly blue waters of the ocean surrounding the entire island. The hill lead down into the colorful array of tents that covered the vendors stalls in the open-air market place. Behind that the unusual architecture of the buildings of the city loomed, creating a beautiful skyline. The scent from the spices and local delicacies wafted up the hill, beckoning the group down.
"Princess is this safe?" Bran asked nervously as they made their way through throngs of people haggling with vendors.
"Of course." Emma promised. "We've been here a million times and nothing has ever happened. The beauty of this place is the chaos."
"I think that's where the danger is." Ewen muttered.
Emma rolled her eyes and turned to face the guards. "Look, you're here, you might as well enjoy it. Look at what is around you. It is unlike anything you've ever seen. It's gorgeous, and look what you can buy? Take advantage of it. I know you both have girls back home. Think how much they would absolutely love it if you brought them jewelry with gems that don't even exist in Eirian?"
"It couldn't hurt right?" Bran asked somewhat nervously.
"We can't get in more trouble than we're already in." Ewen agreed.
"Perfect." Emma grinned and pulled the guards over to one of her favorite stalls where she knew they could get some spectacular pieces.
"You turned them around fast." Daniel smirked.
"I'm not so sure they're on board just yet." Emma shook her head. "But I'm working on it. They look confused. I better go help them."
"What do you think Emma?" Ewen held out two necklaces. Both were set with beautiful dark blue stones. One was a simple pendant while the other was much more elaborate.
"Go with what you think." Emma suggested. "You know her better than I do."
"I think this one?" Ewen held up the elaborate one with an unsure look. Emma slowly shook her head. "No?"
"It's up to you but personally I like simplicity over ornate pieces." How often do you have the chance to wear something like that?"
"That's a really good point." Ewen nodded.
Emma turned to Bran. "What about you?"
"I think I like this." Bran held out a silver ring who's band was twisted in and out giving the illusion of twigs wrapped around one another with a vibrant coral stone set in them.
"Bran." Emma gasped. "That's an engagement ring."
"It is." Bran nodded slowly.
"Oh Bran!" Emma lit up. "That is wonderful. I'm thrilled for you."
"Thanks." Bran blushed. He turned to the vendor. "How much is this?"
"What currency are you carrying?" The vendor eyed the group, trying to discern what land they were from.
"Daneri." Emma quickly spoke up.
The vendor paused. "Forty gold daneri."
"That's pretty decent." Emma nodded. "Oh but Bran you have opes not daneri."
"Forty gold opes." The vendor said.
Emma narrowed her eyes, she had expected this. "That's not the proper conversion and you know it. That's four times what it should be. He'll pay ten gold opes and no more."
The vendor huffed. "Clearly you know more about this place than you let on."
"I've been here many times." Emma shrugged.
"We don't get many from your land here." The vendor glowered as he took Bran and Ewen's money.
"That doesn't mean you can cheat us out of our money." Emma said firmly.
"That was impressive princess." Ewen said as they walked away.
"Vendors always try to cheat you. That's why you have to trick them. Carrying the currency with the least value typically helps with that." Emma turned back to the guards. "And please don't call me princess, at least not while we're here. It's just… Trust me when I say it will be better if you don't act like I'm someone important."
"Is it dangerous?" Bran asked.
"No it's just weird." Emma shook her head. Bran was about to respond when someone cut them off.
"Ah primoroso." A warm voice called out from one of the shop doorways.
Emma turned to find the source of the nickname and lit up when she saw the shopkeeper. "Ramiro!"
"It has been too long." Ramiro pulled Emma into a hug.
"I know, I'm sorry. I've been really busy." Emma glanced behind her. "I brought some friends here to show them the Spice Islands."
"A wonderful place to behold." Ramiro agreed. "Daniel! So nice to see you as well."
"Same to you Ramiro." Daniel shook Ramiro's hand.
Ramiro looked at Emma and beckoned her into his shop. "There is something I've been holding for you. It is very rare and I knew you would appreciate it. I could get a lot of money for it, you are lucky I know you well."
"Basically there is a certain hard to get object you want and you need me to find it." Emma smirked.
"Yes." Ramiro admitted. "But you are also my favorite customer for other reasons."
"It's because you're pretty and appreciate weaponry." Daniel whispered. "But mostly because you're pretty."
"Be quiet." Emma hissed. "So what is this item?"
"Something you will like very much primoroso." Ramiro smiled as he walked behind the counter in his shop. Pushing bottles aside he revealed a small door built into the wall. He busied himself spinning the various locks.
"Why does he call you primoroso?" Ewen asked in a quiet voice.
"It's a nickname." Emma explained. "It's both ironic and a compliment."
"It means dainty and exquisite." Daniel added. "I mean Emma's pretty, I don't know if I'd call her exquisite…"
"Shut up." Emma glared at Daniel.
"Is that language befitting of a princess." Daniel joked. Emma just narrowed her eyes. "Regardless, Emma is the farthest thing from dainty and Ramiro knows it. You should see the weapons she's bought from him."
"Ah here it is." Ramiro turned with a long rectangular mahogany box in his hand.
"Wow that must be something really incredible for you to have put it in a box like this." Emma noted as Ramiro held out the box.
"Oh it is." Ramiro lifted the box to reveal the object inside, eliciting a gasp from both Emma and Daniel.
"Wow." Daniel breathed as he took in the delicate dagger lying in the flush casing. It gleamed even in the dim lighting of shop, sending rays of light throughout the shop. The blade had a waved appearance to the edges. "Is that?"
"Valyrian steel." Ramiro nodded. "One of the finest makes I've ever seen."
"I'd have to agree." Emma gazed at the blade in awe. "How did you come by it?"
"That's not something that's relevant to the deal at hand." Ramiro shrugged.
"So through very shady methods." Daniel smiled.
"The methods don't matter." Ramiro shook his head. "An object like this is worth much gold. You, my dear, are extraordinarily lucky you are my favorite customer. Many people would have paid a great deal for this but I waited for you."
"What do you want?" Emma laughed. "But before you ask you should know the situation now is a bit different. I do not have the time to disappear on two weeks into a foreign realm."
"Well that does change things." Ramiro closed the box and put it on the shop counter.
"Why don't you tell me what you want first?" Emma wasn't about to give up on the dagger just yet. It was far too precious.
"I am in need of the tear of a dragon." Ramiro admitted. "But as you know that is a complicated and long journey."
Emma paused for a moment before looking at Ramiro. "I actually might know where to get one of those."
"You do?" Daniel seemed surprised.
"After I realized how long it took to get some of these items I began to gather multiples on trips to save time." Emma pulled her satchel to the front and opened it, searching through it. "I'm pretty sure it's in here. Ah here it is." Emma produced a leather bag. She unwound the strap and unfolded the bag revealing multiple vials strapped in rows. "Is there any type of dragon you would particularly like?"
"Do you have a Gaulranian tear?" Ramiro asked hopefully.
"As a matter of fact I do." Emma nodded and glanced through the vials. Before she could pull it out Ramiro spoke up again.
"Is that a death tear?" Ramiro gasped.
"Uh." Emma paused. "Yes it is."
"That's what I want for part one of my payment." Ramiro said confidently.
"Part one?" Emma's eyes widened. "Ramiro that's over the top even for you. Dragon tears are rare enough, especially from a Gaulranian dragon, but a death tear. Those are exceptionally rare. That should be more than enough payment."
Ramiro shook his head and laughed. "Emma you drive a hard bargain and you know the value of what you trade. You're more aware than people twice your age."
"I've had a lot of experience." Emma shrugged. "So do we have a deal or not?"
"The death tear?" Ramiro asked.
"For the dagger." Emma pulled out the vial and held it out.
"You are by far and away the best dealer I have." Ramiro smiled.
"Don't call me that." Emma shook her head as she slipped the box into the bag. "It makes what I do sound illegal, which it's not. Just incredibly dangerous."
"Is there anything else you need?" Ramiro asked.
"It can't hurt to look around while we're here." Emma shrugged.
Thirty minutes later their purchases had been tucked into their bags and they were back out in the fresh air of market. They perused the rest of the market place, Bran and Ewen both getting more comfortable with the idea of being here. They themselves were even approaching different stalls to look at the vendors items. One stall in particular containing various weapons had caught Bran and Daniel's interest and the two had wandered off, leaving Ewen and Emma alone.
"What's that place?" Bran nodded at a darker shop front hidden back in the tents. Something glittered from it's window.
"Don't." Emma pulled him away.
"What?" Ewen looked confused.
"Trust me, you do not want to go into that shop." Emma shook her head. "It is a dark place." Ewen shook his head in amazement. "What?" Emma asked.
"It's nothing." Ewen shrugged. "It's just, you are very different than what I thought you would be."
"And what exactly is that?" Emma raised an eyebrow.
"I knew you were not the dainty princess type, but this." Ewen motioned to everything around him. "Well I question who exactly is protecting who in this world. We've all heard about these other worlds. Some believe in them. Others don't. But it's one thing to believe and another thing entirely to experience it. But you… you've been here. You understand how it works. You trade with them and are a valuable part of there business. And the things you own, a dragon tear? I didn't even know you could get something like that. And for you to have one, multiple, and it seems like you have been doing it for years… well I suppose I never pictured the princess of my land fighting off a dragon."
"Who said I fought a dragon?" Emma asked.
"I get the feeling you are the type of girl who likes to get things done herself." Ewen said. "Am I correct in that assumption?"
"You are." Emma smiled. She looked around, thinking about what Ewen had said. "I don't know. This is just how I grew up. Occasionally breaking rules, going to these different worlds, living a life of adventure. It is as if it is part of who I am to need excitement and danger."
"You are very much like your parents in that respect." Ewen laughed. "Much to their chagrin I wager."
"Emma!" Daniel came running up.
"What is it?" Emma asked, confused at his worried state. "What did you do?"
"Nothing." Daniel pointed to the sky. "Look at the sun."
Emma glanced up and paled immediately. "Oh no, Oh no no no. Daniel we are in so much trouble."
"What is it princess?" Bran looked worried.
"The sun." Emma shook her head. "Look how late it is. We're stuck."
"What is she talking about?" Ewen looked to Daniel.
"This land has rules about when you can and cannot travel into it." Daniel explained hesitantly. "You can only do it during certain hours of the day so they can monitor who is coming in and out, it is a security system of sorts. Unfortunately the time here is different than in your world and we forgot to take that into account."
"What does that mean?" Bran asked.
"It means." Emma closed her eyes and put her hand to her head. "We can not go home."
"What do you mean we can not go home?" Bran asked, both worried and angry.
"Today." Daniel said hurriedly. "We can not go home today. But we can tomorrow."
"Yes after we fail to show up tonight. After they realize we're gone. After…" Emma trailed off. "They are going to be so mad."
"Emma calm down." Daniel put his hands on Emma's shoulders. "It's going to be ok. You just need to explain to them…"
"Explain what Daniel?" Emma burst out. "Explain that we were traveling to a foreign world and got trapped because of their teleportation laws? Do you think they're going to understand that? They barely understand magic as it is. They gave us permission to go out into the forest. Not another world. They already think we are freaks Daniel. They won 't understand this. They are going to be furious."
"Emma." Daniel said in a calm voice. "Do you not remember your agreement with them? You are allowed to come and go as you please. That is what this qualifies as."
"I don't think they will see it that way." Emma muttered.
"You are not breaking any rules according to that." Daniel assured her.
"But they are going to be angry." Emma said quietly. "I can not…"
"Ems." Daniel forced Emma to look in his eyes. "Nothing you can do will ever make them hate you or not want you. They just need to accept you for who you are. And this, world traveling, carelessness, it is part of it. They need to understand that."
"I guess." Emma mumbled.
"Now we can either stand here and worry about it or we can go into the town and find something for dinner and enjoy ourselves. Either way we are stuck here tonight." Daniel looked from Emma to the guards. "So I think we should at least enjoy ourselves while we can."
"Why not." Ewen muttered. "We are already dead as it is."
"I am so sorry I drug you into this." Emma apologized.
"It is ok princess." Ewen assured her.
"No it's not." Emma shook her head. "Princess or not, I should have known better than to put someone else as risk. I do know better than that. And I will do everything I can to make sure you are not punished for this. I do not know how much I will be able to do but I will try my best."
"Thank you princess." Bran gave a small smile.
"Emma." Emma said. "Please call me Emma. At least while we are here. The people here might not take kindly to you calling me that. I am not saying this place is dangerous, but there are dangerous people everywhere."
"Emma." Ewen said. "So what do we do now?"
"Now." Daniel looked at their attire. "We change."
"Change?" Bran looked confused.
"No offense but your royal livery does not exactly blend in here." Daniel shrugged. "Emma's pants and tunic fit a trader but not someone who is vacationing here. We need to change so as to not stand out."
A short while later the group emerged from a shop. Bran and Ewen were both dressed in simple trousers and loose fitting white shirts. The clothing was not that different from the clothing in their land so they had little objection. It was Emma's dress, however, they were taken aback by. The soft sky blue fabric fell freely from her waist. The bodice itself was far different and much more revealing than anything they had ever seen in their land. The fabric was embroidered with fine gold detailing and a metal belt at the waist. The neckline was a v cut deep enough to show off Emma's womanly figure. The dress was structured with blue velvet around the shoulders and had no sleeves. While strapless dresses were common in their land, backless dresses were not and Emma's dress bared her entire back. In truth the dress was far from Emma's usual attire, though she had worn things like it before when visiting foreign lands. She simply wasn't frivolous enough to desire clothing like this but the shop keeper had insisted it would never look as good on another woman and Daniel pointed out that the dress was more akin to the attire the ladies of this land wore. To Ewen and Bran's credit they said very little pertaining to Emma's dress despite the knowledge her parents would probably faint at the sight of their daughter in such clothing.
Emma and Daniel led Ewen and Bran through the throngs of highly spirited individuals in the city portion of the island.. The whole island was abuzz at this time. People were finishing up their shopping for the day as shop keepers closed down to return to their homes for the night. Those who were going out were beginning to make their way to their dinner destinations or pubs to begin the night's festivities. The foursome finally made it to their dinner destination, a small restaurant tucked in between two loud taverns. The main room was already busy with people speaking loudly and laughing merrily as they drank from various mugs and glasses.
"Emma what are those?" Bran pointed to a table where glasses held various colored liquids.
"Ah." Emma smiled at the guards. "Other worlds like to experiment with their types of alcohol. They get much more creative than just variations on mead and wine. The apothecaries here come up with concoctions that are both appealing in look and taste."
"What are they like?" Ewen asked.
"It's hard to explain." Daniel shrugged. "They are all very different. Some bitter, some sweet, some are sour. You simply have to try them."
"But be warned." Emma said as they pushed through a door onto a much less crowded balcony. "They are all very strong. If you are going to experiment I would suggest just one or two. I do not imagine being hung over tomorrow would help your case any."
"Emma." Daniel said pointedly.
"Sorry." Emma held her hands up. "I promise I would not speak of it any more and I will not. Let's enjoy tonight, before we all die tomorrow."
"A pleasant thought." Ewen muttered as they sat down at a table overlooking the mesmerizing blue waters of the sea.
It was late when they finally left the city center. They had enjoyed a nice long dinner. Emma enjoyed getting to know Ewen and Bran better as they never dined together back in Eirian. After dinner they had walked around the city, joining in on the festival. There was much in the way of entertainment and dancing, all of which they had participated in. Ewen and Bran had been quiet the popular dance partners though each time they made sure to inform their partners they were already spoken for. Emma had smiled as she watched the two of them dance, thankful they were not scared by this world, instead enjoying what it had to offer. Daniel had finally managed to get Emma into the dancing herself. They had danced long into the night beneath the flickering torches and twinkling stars.
When they were all tired they headed off in the direction of the beach in search of some place to sleep. While they had more than enough money between them to stay in the nicest inn's in the city, Daniel and Emma both preferred a different location. On the various docks around the island there were a sort of cabin built on the beach. Each structure was two floors containing a washroom for men and woman and a check in deck. The majority of the structure however was a two story deck with multiple hammocks hanging from it, allowing individuals to sleep under the stars. While many people slept there because it was the cheapest place in the city, Daniel and Emma both preferred to be out doors.
"This is where we're sleeping?" Bran gawked.
"This is where Emma and I always stay." Daniel nodded as they stepped out onto the upper level, the whole of which they had rented for themselves.
"It is one of my favorite things about these islands." Emma agreed. She noticed Bran and Ewen's hesitation. "You two aren't afraid of sleeping out doors are you?"
"Of course not." Ewen shook his head. "It's just that it's a little… exposed."
"We are on the second story." Emma pointed out. "It's harder to get to us."
"It's also harder to escape." Bran pointed out. "And farther to fall."
"You won't fall." Emma promised "If you are careful."
"Well that makes me feel better." Bran stared at the ground.
"Bran you will be fine." Emma promised. "The only people who have ever gotten injured are those who are intoxicated. We are not. Now I am going to change back into my tunic and trousers. We should all get some sleep. We leave early in the morning."
Emma slipped into the washroom, cleaning the days grime off her. She slipped her dress of and changed back into her regular clothing, feeling much more like herself. She tied her hair up into a knot on her head and slipped out of the washroom, leaving the dress folded with the rest of her things. When she stepped back onto the porch she saw all three men sleeping peacefully in their hammocks. Smiling Emma took this as her opportunity to slip away and get some time to herself. She made her way onto the beach and sat down near the water, allowing the water to lick at her toes. She stared out into the deep blue expanse of water. The sky here was so clear the moon and stars reflected brightly of the water, their white hue mixing with the reflection of the yellow lights of the city, creating a beautiful mix of color. She turned her eyes up to the sky, taking in the seemingly impossible number of stars that seemed to twinkle in the sky. Stars were her favorite thing in the world. They looked like little diamonds in the sky. There beauty was unmatched by anything she had ever seen.
"Thought I might find you out here." A voice came form behind Emma. Emma didn't even have to turn around as Daniel sat next to her. "Thinking?"
"Yea I've just been around a lot of people today." Emma nodded, staring out into the ocean. "This is the first chance I've had to get away from it all. Why did you follow me?"
"You've been down here for nearly an hour." Daniel explained. "I thought I would see if something is wrong."
"An hour?" Emma gasped. "It felt like a few minutes."
"Wow." Daniel raised his eyebrows. "Something must be really on your mind if you are losing time. What is it?"
"It's nothing." Emma shook her head. "I'm just tired."
"Emma we both know I know you better than that." Daniel pressed.
"I don't know." Emma shrugged. "It's just all so confusing."
"What is?" Daniel asked.
"Everything." Emma said. "Everything I thought I knew growing up isn't real. All of a sudden I have this family that loves me and wants me… or at least they want who they think I am… who I would have been had I grown up with them. But I have another life, responsibilities, a purpose in Altair. I have to go back there. It's my duty."
"But you're not sure if you want to." Daniel filled in the blanks.
"I know this is just the life I could have had, not the life I do have." Emma said. "I can't live in a fantasy world forever. There are expectations of me."
"But what if there's still a chance that this is your life Emma?" Daniel asked. "What if you can still have this life?"
"You want me to leave Altair?" Emma turned to Daniel, shocked. "To leave you?"
"I want you to be happy Emma." Daniel said slowly, sadness in his voice. "And if you are being honest with yourself, isn't there already a part of you that has left, a part of you that belongs to them now, that belongs to Eirian."
"But there is a part of me that belongs to Altair too." Emma sighed. "That's the problem."
"Your heart is torn." Daniel finished.
"It isn't yet." Emma looked back out at the sea. "But it will be."
"Let's get to bed Emma." Daniel stood up and held out his hand for her. "We have an early start."
Emma took Daniel's hand and walked with him back towards their bungalow. They saw the other people walking on the beach but didn't think anything of it, it wasn't unusual for people to be up at all hours of the night on the islands.
"Well, well, well." A group of men sauntered up to them. Emma could smell the alcohol on their breath. "Look who we have here."
"Such a pretty, pretty girl." One of the men reached out to touch Emma's hair. Emma immediately hit the mans hand away, her eyes narrowing. "Ooh, a fighter."
"You don't see many woman as pretty as you darling." Another man smiled. "We've been watching you all night. You looked might pretty in that dress of yours. It showed so much, but I wonder what the rest looks like."
"Stay away form her." Daniel pushed the man away from Emma.
"Ah and who is this?" The man looked angrily at Emma. "Your boyfriend."
"He's just a friend." Emma growled. "Leave him alone."
"It's not right for you to get this here fine prize all to yourself." The man pushed Daniel backward.
"Don't you dare speak about her like that." Daniel warned. "She isn't something to be owned."
"That's all women are." The man laughed. "And this one is the finest prize I've ever seem. A diamond."
Emma's fists clenched. She took deep breaths, trying to control her temper like she had been taught. "The four of you seem like you need to sober up. We'd be more than happy to pay for a bungalow for you if you'd just let us be on our way."
"That's not what I want tonight darling." The man shook his head. "I want you, we all do."
The man reached for Emma but before he could Daniel punched him square in the jaw, sending him stumbling back. "Daniel!" Emma gasped. He had broken protocol. They were never supposed to incite fights, it was one of their core rules.
"Why you little bastard. Two of the men lunged at Daniel.
"Run Emma." Daniel yelled. "Get Ewen and Bran."
Emma didn't want to leave him but without her sword she knew she wouldn't be able to take two men twice her size. Her training overtook her heart and she ran. She dodged the first man easily, but a rock caught her foot and tripped, allowing enough time for the other man to grab her and throw her to the ground. Before she could get up he was on top of her. She grabbed the rock she had tripped on and slammed it into his head. He howled in pain as she scrambled out form under him. He grabbed at her tunic, tearing a huge gash in it. Emma drove her heel into the man's nose, sending him howling back in pain. Before he could move she grabbed the rock and spun on top of him, jabbing her thumb into a pressure point in his neck and using her knee and foot to keep his arms pinned down. His eyes slowly rolled shut. "Emma!" Daniel's warning came too late as she felt herself being ripped backwards by strong arms. She tried to calm her mind and remember her training. She slammed her head back into the man's own, sending him stumbling backwards. To her right she saw that Daniel had more or less incapacitated one of the men and was dealing with the other. Suddenly Emma remembered the knife she kept in her boots. As she reached down the man lunged at her again, grabbing her hair and yanking her to the ground. Emma struggled, trying to get out from under his body weight. This wasn't the type of fight she was used to. She used her left arm to hold the man's face away from her while she reached desperately with her right to reach the knife in her boots. After what seemed like forever she finally managed to get her fingers around the knife's hilt. She pulled it out carefully. She had one shot at this and she knew exactly where she needed to hit. With one final push she drove the dagger into the man's chest. Exhaling as it slid in between two ribs smoothly. The man's eyes froze as he realized what happened. Emma used the opportunity to push him off her. Daniel was still struggling with his attacker. She picked up her rock and calmly walked up behind the man. She nodded at Daniel who slid out of the way. The man glanced back, surprised, just in time to see Emma smash the rock into his head, sending him crumpling to the ground.
"Thanks for that." Daniel said, out of breath.
"You shouldn't have attacked." Emma shook her head.
"There was going to be a struggle regardless and you know it." Daniel pointed out.
"It didn't have to end like this." Emma looked at the man. "Is he dead?"
Daniel examined the man and shook his head. "He will live." He glanced over at the man Emma had stabbed. "He will not."
"I didn't want to." Emma shrugged.
"You had to." Daniel nodded. "We should get back before they notice we're gone."
"They're going to notice this tunic." Emma glanced down at the shirt, which was covered in blood and torn to shreds.
"Toss it." Daniel said. "Say it was stolen. No one needs to know what happened. We'll be gone by time they discover them and they won't remember what happened."
"I need my knife." Emma pulled her knife from the dead man and wiped it clean on her tunic. "It's a good thing I keep this for emergencies."
"Only an Altarian teenage girl would keep a knife on them." Daniel smiled.
"Anyone with common sense would keep one on them." Emma shrugged. "Lets get out of here before someone see's us."
"What are you going to tell the shadows?" Daniel asked.
"With any luck?" Emma glanced at Daniel. "Nothing. If I have to say something I'll just say I went for a walk."
"How mad do you think your mother and father are going to be tomorrow?" Daniel asked.
"I know they are going to be furious. There's probably a search party out combing the woods now." Emma shook her head. "But I would really rather not think about that right now. I'll enjoy my freedom while I have it."
"You always have your freedom Emma." Daniel said.
"Do I?" Emma asked. "I mean where we ever really free?"
"Of course." Daniel looked surprised. "Altair is one of the only places we can be free Emma."
"Altair is a sort of prison too…. Just a different type of prison." Emma shook her head. "It turned us in to soldiers, people who can just kill without feeling."
"It has allowed us to understand who we are." Daniel pointed out. "What are magic means, what are magic is. They rescue us from our homes,"
"And we never go back." Emma argued. "We never go back to who we were meant to be."
"Maybe we were never meant to be those people." Daniel mumbled.
"I thought you just said I might still have a shot at this life." Emma said.
"I don't know what to believe anymore." Daniel admitted. "I just can't believe our home is something."
"Neither can I." Emma said. "What if everything we ever knew was twisted, manipulated."
"Then we find a way to move on." Daniel said. "Besides there are a lot worse places to be tricked into living. And a lot worse people to be surrounded by."
"That's true." Emma agreed. "No matter We have our friends… and each other."
Emma's dress is a GOT easter egg. It's one of Margaery Tyrell's dresses from season 3, the one with the metal rose bodice in the episode where she shoots the crossbow with Joffrey.