Description: Daine is reunited with Arram who isn't particularly pleased to see her.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.

Author's Note: I really do love how Arram's plan to "save" Daine completely backfired. I'm not sure he's ever had to confront someone as stubborn as he is. Be warned, this chapter does contain scenes of torture although nothing overly graphic.

Chapter 12

Daine squelched through the hallways as quietly as she could manage following Siris, one of the palace cats. She'd led the young woman and dragonet along quieter corridors where no one would see them but twice they'd had to double back and take a different route to avoid servants going about their daily chores. Daine suspected they were headed in the direction of the slave quarters when the walls became plain whitewash with no decoration or murals of any sort but it was clean apart from the damp trail she'd left in her wake. Zek had come out from his hiding place to sit in his customary position on the young woman's shoulder even though he was wet and miserable.

The stork-man lives in there, Siris sat on the floor pointing her nose towards an ordinary door down an unadorned corridor.

The young woman had been worried Arram would sleep in a sort of barracks with the other slaves, like the Riders did, but it appeared that wasn't the case.

The stork-man talks to the other slaves and his masters don't like it, Siris informed her when she asked. Too much cleverness in him. He has to be kept separate like a sick kitten from the litter.

Daine thanked the cat and took a deep breath before knocking on Arram's door. If he wasn't in, then she'd have to return to the slave tunnels until the mage returned which increased her chances of being discovered. A moment later the door opened and Arram peered out looking confused. When he laid eyes on his visitor the mage's face instantly drained of any colour before going very dark.

"Daine?" he hissed, grabbing her by the arm and hauling the young woman inside, closing the door swiftly behind Kitten. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on a ship –"

"You lied to me!" Daine rounded on the mage explosively. "You're the black hawk," she jabbed her finger into his bare chest, daring him to argue.

Arram's mouth worked soundlessly for a few seconds. "Who told you?" he finally managed weakly.

"A friend," the young woman snarled, gratified that he hadn't tried to deceive her again. "Why didn't you tell me? You made me believe he was dead!"

"To keep you safe!" the mage gripped her shoulders, shaking her firmly. "I knew if you found out about my ability to shapeshift into a hawk, you'd insist I left with you." He released her to fling his arms up in the air and began to pace, which was difficult in his tiny room. "I never thought you'd be foolish enough to return here! Please tell me the rest of the Tortallans are on their way home and not waiting in the harbour?"

"They're gone. It's just me, Kit and Zek," Daine said quietly.

Arram stopped to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Why couldn't you just stay where you'd be safe?"

"'Cause I was told not to leave without you," the young woman snapped angrily. "You're s'posed to be my teacher."

Dark brown eyes opened to stare at her warily. "Who is this friend who knows so much about me?"

Sirus chose that moment to contact Daine urgently, men carrying pointed sticks are headed in your direction.

The young woman relayed what the feline said to the mage who swore colourfully under his breath. Going to a set of drawers, Arram opened the top one and removed a secret panel. From inside the mage withdrew a crystal, hurriedly replacing the compartment before closing the drawer again. With one finger he drew a rune over the stone with his magic before thrusting it into Daine's hands.

"Hold onto that," Arram whispered. "Don't put it in your pocket and don't bump into anyone and no one will see you!"

He cupped her cheek, the fear evident in his eyes, when the door banged open and two guards seized the mage, dragging him roughly out into the hallway where a third backhanded him around the face. The young woman stifled a gasp behind her hand but none of the guards even looked in her direction as they carted Arram away. Exchanging a look with Kit who clung to her damp trouser leg, Daine picked her up. The door was still open, so the young woman slipped out on impulse and followed after the guards down a maze of corridors. It wasn't too difficult to avoid getting bumped if she stayed close enough to the soldiers who cleared a path for her. They arrived outside a pair of large, gilded doors and waited until they opened slowly onto the audience chamber. The young woman gulped but followed the guards inside where she hid behind a marble pillar hoping no one would come near.

Arram was dumped on the floor where he bowed his head low to the ground. "How may this one be of service, Your Imperial Majesty?"

"Where are they?" the emperor snarled, amber eyes glittering dangerously.

"I don't understa –" the mage started to reply when, at a flick of Ozorne's wrist, one of the guards smacked Arram on the back with his spear making the slave grunt in pain.

"The Tortallans! They were last seen fleeing on their ship. Someone helped them and freed their comrade. I will have answers!" the emperor glared.

Daine gripped the marble pillar fighting tears as two of the guards struck Arram relentlessly while Ozorne reclined on his throne to watch. The beating lasted a full ten minutes before the emperor held up a hand and leaned forward expectantly.

Arram spat out a mouthful of blood before he lifted his head slowly. "This unworthy one was in its room all morn –"

"Lies!" Ozorne screamed as the guards set upon the mage again.

Kitten struggled in the young woman's arms, her scales crimson with fury. She opened her mouth to screech, but no sound came out when, all of a sudden, the dragonet's mouth snapped shut while she clawed at her muzzle in aggravation. Daine had no idea what was going on, but she was grateful Kit wasn't about to give away their position. She had no way to fight a room full of armed guards and mages besides.

"I know you are involved in this somehow," the emperor accused, red with rage. "Did you think your infatuation with the girl was a secret? How did they escape?"

The guards paused while Arram struggled to his knees panting heavily. "How could I help them – when I cannot help myself?"

Ozorne leapt to his feet and stormed down the stairs, sending out a bolt of emerald lightning forcing the guards to jump back while the mage spasmed and screamed. Daine could feel hot tears rolling down her cheeks and felt like a coward for not putting a stop to this somehow.

"You helped them! Admit it!" the emperor snarled before he ceased his torment and Arram collapsed to the floor, his body smoking slightly. Ozorne glared in contempt at his pet before leaning in close to whisper. "Admit it."

The mage took his time to lift his head, brown eyes defiant. "It wasn't – me."

"Enough!" The emperor whirled around and marched back up the dais. "Cut out his lying tongue."

Guards restrained Arram while a red-robed mage approached from the side, unsheathing a short, curved blade. Daine opened her mouth to cry out, but a phantom hand closed around her throat.

Tsk tsk, dearie. Arram knew the risks when he decided to help you and your lot. The old slave woman, dressed in rags, materialised from behind the throne to cross the room, unseen by everyone else, and smile wickedly at the young woman. You can thank me for your not being discovered already. That trinket you hold won't protect you here.

Rage burned through Daine's body almost like a cleansing fire. You're just going to let them do this to him?

The goddess, because there was nothing else she could be, considered her words for a moment, black eye narrowing at the young woman before she strode towards the emperor's Chief Mage and seemed to disappear inside of him.

"Your Majesty, I believe this one would be of more use to you with his tongue still attached," Chioké reasoned.

It was only Daine who could hear two voices speak: one from the Chief Mage himself and the other from the goddess forcing him to say the words.

Ozorne turned to glare at Chioké before a cruel smile twisted his lips. "Very well. There are other parts we can remove that don't impede his ability to do magic."

The emperor sat on his throne and with a wave of his hand instructed the red robe to continue. Daine wanted to scream or run to Arram's side, but she was frozen to the floor with a hand at her throat. She couldn't watch this! The mage tried to struggle, eyes wide, but he was trapped. Unseen, the Graveyard Hag left Chioké's body to appear beside the emperor and whispered something in his ear.

"Wait," Ozorne sighed regretfully. "There is still a chance my pet may produce powerful offspring that would serve us one day." The emperor made a shooing motion with his hand. "Take him away. I don't want to see this filth again until the army is ready to leave."

Daine stumbled along the corridor behind the guards only remembering at the last minute to jump aside, pressing herself against the wall when they threw an unconscious Arram into his room before retreating back the way they'd come. The young woman waited, barely daring to breathe, until the guards disappeared from sight. With a croak Kitten unlocked the door as they crept into the room before Daine closed it softly, rushing to the mage's side. He lay on his front, out cold and a dead weight while the young woman wrestled to roll him over. His skin was covered with red marks that were already starting to show signs of bruising and a cut above his right eye with the left horribly swollen. Finding a basin and a cloth, Daine soaked the rag before returning to clean the blood off his face.

"I wish we had something to help with the swelling," the young woman complained.

Kitten chattered at her before scampering over to the basin and tilting her head. Raising herself on her haunches, the dragonet emitted a sustained trill before clicking several times. When Daine didn't come to investigate immediately, Kitten chirped at her and pointed to the basin. The young woman got to her feet to discover the water had turned to ice.

"Did I know you could do that?" she asked in surprise.

The dragonet chortled before pointing to Arram and going to his side to sniff and investigate his wounds. There wasn't anything sharp to break the ice in the mage's room so in the end Daine resorted to using the badger claw. Wrapping small chunks of ice in the cloth she returned to Arram's side and lifted his head onto her lap before gently pressing the cloth to his swollen eye.

Arram woke to the feeling of a hard floor at his back, but his head was elevated on something warm that wasn't a pillow. Opening his eyes slowly the mage was met by the most beautiful pair of blue-grey eyes framed by extravagant lashes and a soft mouth which formed itself into a small smile.

"Hullo," she greeted him.

Arram blushed crimson and sat up sharply, his body one massive ache.

"I cleaned you up best I could, but you could really do to see a healer," Daine's eyes drifted over his torso wincing at the multitude of bruises.

"I've had worse," he joked but the way the young woman's face paled told him that had been the wrong thing to say.

Kitten approached the mage to sniff at him and chirp that Arram could almost believe she was speaking her own form of language.

"Did the emperor really know you helped us?" Daine flicked her eyes to him guiltily.

"Of course not. I just make a convenient target for his rages." Arram had learned over the years it didn't matter if he agreed or disagreed with his master when he was having one of his tantrums although in this case it might be wise to err on the side of caution. "We need to get you out of here."

"I'm not going anywhere without you," the young woman scowled and folded her arms defiantly.

The mage smiled softly askance at her. "I appreciate your concern, but my room isn't safe. It is searched daily, and I would hate for someone to find you and Kitten here."

Zek whistled and climbed onto Arram's knee as if to remind the mage he was there too. Smiling, he stroked the pygmy marmoset with a long finger.

"Why do they search your room?" Daine asked.

Arram chuckled dryly. "In case I smuggle anything forbidden in here and attempt to keep it from them."

"Like crystals hidden in a secret compartment?" the young woman raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing across her lips.

"You are not so easily concealed," the mage pointed out.

"Can't I just use the crystal you gave me?" she retrieved it from her pocket and held it out to him.

Arram accepted it gratefully before shaking his head. "While that form of concealment spell will work on the non-Gifted, it won't work on another mage. I don't have access to sufficient amounts of my Gift to hide you from masters."

Kitten chattered and pointed towards the cuffs on his wrists.

"No, sweetling," he gave the Immortal a pained smile. "I appreciate your offer, but the emperor is suspicious enough of my recent actions and I need him complacent not mistrustful of my abilities. If he were to sense my Gift in the palace…" the mage shook his head not needing to finish that thought. "It would be better if I took you somewhere you will be safe and hidden until I can find a way to return you home."

"Not without you! I told you; I'm not leaving unless you're with me," Daine scowled, a storm swirling in her blue-grey eyes.

The mage closed his eyes and rubbed a finger along his long nose. "We will table that discussion for another time. For now," he got to his feet with difficulty, "I will take you to Lindhall. There is no one I trust more than him and his rooms are so skilfully warded the other masters aren't even aware there are wards in place."

Arram scooped the dragonet into his arms and beckoned Daine to follow who collected Zek from the floor. Peering out into the corridors, the mage checked the coast was clear before sneaking them into the concealed entrance. The pair walked in silence through the tunnels until they reached the river where Arram paused to consider their next course of action.

"This next part is more difficult," he whispered.

There was a concealed cable ferry hidden in the riverbanks which the slaves used to cross the Zekoi in secret to relay messages. His original plan had been to take her to the university using that, but it was too great a risk in broad daylight. Someone might spot a man of his height followed by a northern fugitive and an Immortal.

"I thought you said you couldn't leave the palace grounds?" the young woman frowned up at him.

"I can… it's just – unpleasant." Arram wasn't about to explain what happened to him when he left the palace grounds if she'd forgotten. Already his breath was coming in short. "Kitten, I'm sorry to ask this of you again but would you be so kind?"

The mage held up his other wrist, the arm that wasn't holding the dragonet, and the Immortal whistled obligingly. A loud croak and the cuffs and collar fell to the floor where Arram buried them quickly, using his Gift to hide the evidence.

He held out his hand to the young woman who eyed it suspiciously. "It's easier to conceal us if you remain in contact with me."

"You never needed to when you took us to the harbour," Daine scowled.

"I took quite a risk in using more of my Gift than I would have liked this morning. Mages can sense when another accesses their Gift and mine is quite hard to ignore." Arram preferred that explanation to the admission of how much he wanted to be in contact with her. While it was true that mages could sense each other, they needed to be looking for him first.

She rolled her eyes but took his hand while the mage tried to ignore the bolt of electricity it sent through him. Taking her to a shallow part of the river, Arram drew on his Gift to weave a complex set of spells over them both.

"We're going to walk under the river," he explained softly.

"Again?" the young woman complained. "I only just dried off from the last time." The mage raised a questioning eyebrow, but she just shook her head. "Don't ask."

Arram really wasn't sure he'd be able to let that question go but he could put it aside for now. "My spells will keep you quite dry. You'll be able to breathe normally under the water. Try not to panic, I won't let you drown."

Daine nodded her head and the pair started forward. Zek squeaked in fright and hid down her top while Kitten sat up in the mage's arms to all appearances admiring the spells around them. Arram was impressed at how well they adjusted to breathing underwater although it took the young woman a few moments to figure out how to walk. He'd been informed that most people, even other water mages, tended to act irrationally when told to breathe normally underwater, but Daine and Kitten adjusted immediately. The crossing went smoothly and soon they were on the other side and making their way to the university under the cover of Arram's concealment spells.

Sneaking to Lindhall's rooms was far more difficult but they eventually managed it without being detected. The black robe mage silently thanked Bladwyn's book for the camouflage spells he'd learned years ago that couldn't be detected by masters, which worked even better now he'd tinkered with them. Lindhall was not pleased when he opened the door and hurriedly invited his unexpected guests into his rooms.

"What are you doing here at his time of day?" the northern mage scolded. "I thought the Tortallans escaped. Why is Miss Sarrasri still here?"

"That wasn't my doing. She was supposed to be going home with the rest of her delegation," Arram shot a meaningful look at the young woman who pretended not to notice. "Could Daine stay here with you while I figure out how to get her on one of the shipping vessels headed to Pearlmouth Harbour?"

"You didn't hear? The invasion has been brought forward. The army marches in two days for Thak's Gate," Lindhall looked grave.

The younger mage rubbed his temple in consternation. "Does that give us enough time to get everyone out?"

"Just barely," the northern mage assured him. "What about His Highness? I don't know how to get him away without it being noticed."

"Leave that to me. I'll ensure Kaddar reaches the rendezvous safely." Arram would need to call in all his favours to pull this off.

"You're planning to take out the emperor, aren't you?" Daine spoke up reminding the men they weren't alone.

The mages exchanged a look before Arram rested a hand on her shoulder. "You chose a very bad time to remain in Carthak."

"I'll say," said a cracking female voice. "The girl's barely been here a few days and already she's messed up my schedule and leading my vessel astray."