Daine scooted over a few feet on the deck as they waited for the signal to board the small boat. This placed her in Numair's large shadow and out of the fierce sun. The boat would take them to the galley, which would in turn take them down the River Zekoi, and to the heart of Carthak.

Daine peered at the galley as they were rowed across the water. She couldn't make out a gold sparkling figure aboard, and wondered if Emperor Kaddar had even come to meet them as he had before.

She found he had indeed not after they mounted the boat and had a look around. Numair raised an eyebrow.

The galley made it's way swiftly across the river, slaves rowing with practiced precision, oars gilding in and out of the water with ease. Daine did her best to keep her eyes off of the laboring workers. She was about to put Kitten down onto the smooth, polished deck (the dragonet was getting near too big to carry with any sense of comfort) before Numair wiggled his fingers at her. She handed the dragon over gratefully and Kitten chirped happily, glad for the much higher point of view.

"What do you make of the Emperors absence, magelet?" Numair inquired quietly for her ears alone.

Daine shrugged. "I'm sure he's a very busy man, Numair. Besides, it's not like we're here for the same reasons as before. There is no need to placate either parties this time." Numair nodded, wiping sweat off his glistening forehead with a handkerchief. He had donned his black mages robe, as was fitting, and she breeches with a shiny gray tunic over a loose white shirt. She sympathized with him at the warmth he must be experiencing in the unbreathable black silk.

The galley docked with a slight jolt and they, along with the other passengers going to the palace, filed off.

The couple took in their surroundings briefly before being interrupted by a slave bowing to them each. "Master Numair Salmalin, Veralidaine Sarrasri?" Numair nodded and he continued quickly without even a glance at the strange form of Kitten, which usually stopped most strangers dead in their tracks. The dragon was trailing close to Daine's heels with an eye for everything around them. "If you will follow me, I will escort you to the Royal Palace where his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Kaddar Gazanoi Iliniat, resides."

"Thank you," Numair said. "Lead on." He and Daine smiled at each other over the slave’s extreme properness and much practiced pronunciation of Kaddar's full name. It was a bit strange to come here and see how they treated royalty, when things were so much less formal in Tortall. Though with the same amount of utmost respect.

"If I might ask," Daine began. "Why did the Emperor not meet us on the galley as before?"

The slave stopped his quick-legged, choppy walk and addressed them again, giving Daine a look that seemed to question her 'importance' at such a question as she had asked. "His Imperial Majesty had other matters to attend to, he sends his deepest regrets." he bowed again. "Now, if we may continue?" and with that he resumed his peculiar gait.

Daine snickered behind her hand at the face Numair made and gave him a light admonishing kick. Kitten chuckled quietly at her action.

The mage ignored them both and cleared his throat. "You speak Common remarkably well, sir. Is this usual at the palace of late?"

The slave halted and with a straight face responded to Numair. "Thank you, Nobility. But please do not refer to your humble servant as 'sir'." Numair acknowledge this apologetically with a slight nod of his head. Daine wondered at this man. He was broad and muscular, but not tall of stature. And yet he held an air of dignity about him. And most importantly, he had more to say than 'Yes, Nobility' and 'No, Nobility'.

"The Emperor, years back, made the decision to have all slaves who serve those who speak Common, to study at the university for so many months until they had become adept. This is why I am skilled in your native language." he bowed deeply and about-faced, heading off again toward an appearing wing of the palace, which Daine suspected housed their rooms.

She had thought Numair was done pestering the poor slave. She should have known better. "The university, you enjoyed it? I know they do not allow slaves there, thus you must have gone as any other person; free. Am I correct?" Daine saw the slave losing his patience with the very tall, dark man in front of him. But she thought, underlying all, she heard just a slight tinge of enthusiasm as he said, "Yes, Nobility. I was not fully a slave during my time at the university, though I was rectified as soon as I had become fluent in your language and returned to my duties at the palace."

"Hm," Numair remarked, rubbing his nose. "Rectify, I would think, is a strange word to choose for such a word as slavery. Do you not agree?" Daine remained silent, once again trying to keep herself under Numair's slightly cooler shadow. She had only the barest idea at the meaning of the word they were discussing.

"No, Nobility, I choose the word correctly. The definition for rectify is to set to rights, to remove errors..." he paused and then said, "It was in error that I was in the university and not serving. I am a servant. I am a slave. I was born a slave and I will die a slave." he finished quietly. He looked around with a barely perceivable nervousness as he bowed once more.

Numair and Daine crossed the remaining distance to the palace in sober silence.

Numair had become a mite cranky, though Daine herself was not much better. Even with all the obvious attempts to make things cooler in the rooms, the heat was still more than the Tortallans were used to. Once, Daine remarked that Numair should be used to the intense heat. He quickly retorted that it had been many years since he had experienced a Carthakian summer. Daine wisely left his room following that.

She knew it was a combination of his travelling sickness and the heat that put him in such a pet, not her. The delay at seeing Kaddar was certainly not helping matters. She and Numair had been given seperate rooms, Kaddar had no idea of their being a couple. Daine was beginning to think this arrangement may have worked for the good after all...

In their room, Kit was sitting on her haunches near the door, looking from it to Daine in a unmistakable entreaty to be out and about. But the young woman failed to notice. She was caught up in her own thoughts, strangely berfeit of animal voices even yet-The conversation she and Numair had had on the boat still filled her with uncertainty. Numair cared deeply for her, this she knew. He loved her to his full ability-but did she love him as he did her? She looked at her feet as they paced the length of the large, airy room, maneuvering around a dragon that was begging for attention she could not at the moment give. Daine had a terrible feeling that she had not given her all to Numair. She had loved her mother, her grandfather... They had died horribly. She had Numair now. He was more than she could have hoped for. And yet, if she gave it all up to him, what would she do when she had to let go?

Daine shook herself out of the morose thoughts. It would do her no good to dwell on the past, or things that had not yet come to pass, and went to the small washroom to neaten herself. She had the feeling of a wilted flower.

While doing so, a knock came at the door which was immediately flung open by Kit to reveal the same slave who had escorted them earlier. Daine smiled as he looked down at the dragon with a raised eyebrow and bowed slightly to her. Kit mimicked with a whistle and went to inspect his well-made sandals.

"Kit, leave the poor man be." she picked the large armful of dragon up and smiled at the man. Up close, he looked older than she had thought, perhaps closer to his late-twenties, rather than his early. His head was shaved of course, and she saw prominent cheekbones, large, almost black eyes, and a thin lipped mouth. What horrors had this man seen in his lifetime? How could he bare this life of captivity? Daine pushed the thoughts back, wondering why she was being so melancholy today, and greeted him cheerfully. "Hello again! Have you word from the Emperor Kaddar?"

He blinked at her, clearly surprised, before nodding slowly and giving a deep bow. "Yes, Lady Veralidaine, the emperor wishes your audience at the evening meal an hour hence. He also sends his greatest regrets at having delayed you and the Master Salmalin for so long."

Daine nodded, disappointed. She had thought they would be able to talk privately, not in full view of the court of Carthak. Did they even call it a court here?

The slave was bowing again, and about to leave before Daine stopped him. "Wait! Um-" she stumbled over what to call him and finally choked out, "slave. What is your name? I mean," she continued hastily. "So I can know who to speak of when I tell the emperor of your service."

The slave frowned, seeming to think she was in jest.

"Well?" she prodded gently, knowing he must think it a very strange question, but not wanting to have to call this intriguing man a slave the rest of their stay. The word tended to leave a bitter taste in her mouth.

And just as she was going to ask again he said, "Ioka, my lady. I am called Ioka." and then he bowed swiftly and made a quick-legged retreat.

Daine shook her head. If only slavery were a thing of the past.

The slave had come in a moment ago, telling him they would meet Kaddar at dinner, instead of the preferred magic protected room Numair had had in mind. The man scowled, things had changed. And he feared Kaddar was not in as much control as he should be...

Daine burst into the room, deep blue skirts dancing about work hardened legs. She wore a gown not in fashion, and yet not out either. And thankfully, Numair had had it made for her with the hot weather in mind. It had long sleeves, yet made of gauzy material that was very breathable, as was the cloth of the wide embroidered skirt.

She colored slightly at she saw Numair smile approvingly at her. Good, he seemed to be out of his foul mood.

"Forget how to knock?" he said.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "As if you do." she frowned as she took in his clothing. "You had better make some haste Master Salmalin, we haven't much time before we're expected." she went to his bags and began pulling out clothes, having the convenient Kitten spell wrinkles away. "I had thought we would meet privately somewhere."

He nodded, watching her and grimacing at the trills Kit was producing. "As did I. Oh well, I suppose we'll have time sooner or later."

"I'm hopping sooner than later." Daine muttered. "Numair," she handed him his clothing and turned her back as he reluctantly rose to dress.

"Magelet?"

She patted her braid as she thought, making sure her thick curls were still contained reasonably well. "What do you make of Ioka?"

"Ioka?" she heard his confusion at the name and hastened to explain. Numair snorted with amusement as she finished, yanking his sweaty shirt off over his head and causing his voice to muffle slightly for a moment. "Only you, Daine. What did he do when you asked his name? Frankly, I'm a bit surprised he gave you anything but 'slave', or that he was too 'unworthy to have a name'. That was what I got nearly every time I asked."

Daine frowned at that. "Well, at first I didn't think he was going to answer me, but had did and then all but ran from the room."

Numair was struggling to pull his fresh shirt down over a damp back. She moved to help and informed him that he should have bathed. He turned around and smiled at her wryly. "There wasn't time. I had thought we would meet Kaddar as soon as we arrived. Do I smell vile?"

"No," Daine laughed. "You smell fine, you smell like you. But I can't say everyone will be as pleased of that fact as me."

He grinned and kissed her forehead fondly, pushing back her hair. "I like this style,"

Daine smiled up at him, "Thank you."

"Don't you want to know why?" he said as Daine began slowly moving out of his firm grasp around her waist. She knew she was about to find out...

"Ah!" she exclaimed as Numair grabbed the trailing hair and gave it a good yank. He laughed heartily as he leapt over the bed easily, an obstacle between him and her wrath. Daine was laughing just as hard, if not harder, at the sight of the grown man running from a small girl in a bilious dress. But, that small 'girl' had some moves that could give good reason for the tall mage-man to run...

As Daine entered the dining area later that evening on a much chastised Numair's arm, she wondered again at the splendor and awe inspiring richness of Carthak.

It had finally cooled off, and the open walls did much to make it comfortable for the many nobles and other diners of the Carthakian court. (Since she didn’t know the name for nobles in Carthak, she had decided to use the only she did know for such a word). The tables were set with gold gilded plates and utensils; more forks, spoons, knives, and other oddly shaped cutlery than Daine could ever hope to name. Beautifully engraved goblets and glasses graced each place, looking fragile enough to break in a child’s grasp, but in reality much tougher than they appeared. Fountains sparkled and splashed merrily, making sweet music with the loud voices of the finely dressed men and women whom were situated around them.

Though it was a daunting sight, especially for one whom did not enjoy large gatherings in the first place.

And then, as Numair led her with a confident step down the aisle between tables, they spied the Emperor of Carthak. Daine scrutinized him, looking for differences in her royal friend. She found them in his stance as he stood with a bright smile. He held the air of an emperor now, not the slightly afraid and aloof air when she had first spoken to him. His clothes were different of course, he wore much more jewelry, even more than when they had first met with peace treaty contingent years before. Gold glittered on nearly ever part of his body, and Kit, who was shadowing Numair and Daine, whistled appreciatively.

"Daine, Numair! We meet again!" the Tortallans bowed deeply, murmuring, "Your Imperial Majesty," before each receiving a welcoming hug from Kaddar. Daine was slightly surprised at this last. He was emperor now, and yet he still took hugs? Daine was pleased.

Conversation lapsed as the people saw their emperor hugging the foreigners, some whispered quietly. Daine looked at the ground, cheeks beginning to burn. A hand took her own and, reminding Daine of the day the mage and magelet had faced the terrifying dragons alone, gave her a reassuring squeeze that made her realize she wasn't alone this time either.

"Let's sit down," Kaddar said quietly. "My people can become cranky at delays over their dinner." he smiled wryly, white teeth flashing against his naturally dark skin. Daine smiled up at him, wondering if it were possible for him to have grown even taller than before.

They were led to the head of a table, where Kaddar had a chair slightly higher than the others. A slave placed Numair on his right hand, Daine at his left. The couple nodded politely to their neighbors introduced briefly as prominent officials of Kaddar's council. They turned back to Kaddar as he leaned forward on the table and spoke in a soft voice. "I'm so sorry about your delay, it was out of my hands. I'll explain later." he looked up and nodded to a man on the opposite side of the large outdoor room. The slave clapped his hands twice and immediately female slaves-respectfully clad-moved from the kitchen, baring with ease large trays laden with food and drinks.

As the first course was served, Daine glanced about her surroundings. She started when her eyes picked Ioka out of the long, green ferns placed behind the emperor’s chair. She quickly averted her eyes, not knowing if Kaddar would become upset with her for conversing with what looked to be his personal slave. Carthakians tended to be touchy on the slavery subject... As are Tortallans. Daine thought wryly.

Numair was conversing quietly, yet in a furious fashion, with the emperor. Daine smiled slightly with a certain amount of fondness. Numair was not a man to be crossed. And it took a good bit to get him cross.

She picked at her food, some daintity made of snake, and gave most of it to the seemingly starving Kitten, who whistled in thanks. Seeing a slave walking her way, she signaled to the girl; asking for cheese, crackers, and simple fruits. She returned swiftly and Daine motioned for her to place the plate in front of Numair.

The mage looked away from Kaddar briefly at the sight of the food, puzzled for a moment, and then looked up and gave her a warm and grateful smile.

Daine felt her eyes again moving to the shadows behind the emperor’s chair before she realized it. And, as she leaned down to pick up a piece of vegetable Kit dropped, she met the dark eyes of Ioka. She blushed as he nodded to her and bowed slightly from the waist. The wildmage sat straight again so fast that her head spun and her braid came around to whack her in the chest. Daine nodded to him before returning to the second course and eating with a new gusto.

What must he think of her? This strange foreign woman who did such strange things around him. It must be different to him for a person to be so polite, after being a slave his whole life and getting tolerant, if not rude, treatment. She was almost fascinated by him. His eyes held something that she had seen no other slave hold. And yet she couldn't discern what exactly it was...

"Daine?"

She looked at Kaddar quickly and smiled. "Is Numair finally done giving you the once over?"

He laughed. "Yes, I believe so. And now it is my turn for the questions! How are you both? Tortall? Is see Kitten has grown commendably!"

Kit looked up from hitting a clam on the table, pressumingly trying to get the meat out. Daine fought not to laugh at the charinged expression on the young dragon’s face at being seen. She leaned over and showed her how to pry it apart just so.

Having taken care of that, Daine answered Kaddar, seeing Numair looking at his food. Even if he may not be able to keep it down, he was still likely to be hungry. "We're well enough, your Imperial Majesty. And Tortall prospers." she decided to leave out the fact of Numair and her's 'togetherness' for the moment. She hoped he might find out himself before they had to say anything about it. "You should see the royal menagerie, it's almost as big as yours, now. And-" Daine suddenly realized what she was speaking of and choked. A wave of sorrow flooded her as the storms waves had tried their ship nights ago. She turned to the side quickly, composing herself again before she looked back to the emperor. Numair was radiating concern, becoming light in his chair. She quickly reassured him with a shaky smile and slight turn of her head.

"It pains you yet, doesn't it, to think of that day? I had not heard the details, but I will not press you for them. I hope we will be able to choose some fine animals to assuage your loss."

Daine nodded. "I'm sorry. And yes, I hope so too. Though it will be harder, now that I can not speak to them, or hear animals unless they talk directly to me."

His eyes widened in shock. "Truly? I had not heard, they didn't tell me... forgive me, Daine, I'm so sorry."

The young woman snorted. "Don't be. I'm fine. I will be fine. Numair is at his books from sunup to sundown, he'll think of something. Or, it will work itself out on it's own." she grabbed a glass, the wine glass, and downed a goodly amount. She rarely ever drank alcohol, but needed a bit of it's taste and effects.

She ignored the silent Numair's scowl, accompanied with an arched eyebrow.

Kaddar looked from one of them to the other. He cleared his throat. "It is good to see you both again, and I wish you were here on happier business. But nevertheless, we will have an enjoyable visit."

Daine could only hope.

The rest of the meal went much the same, though Numair did most of the talking. He had stopped eating, Daine figured it was probably due to the fact his stomach was protesting vehemently.

Kaddar told them to enjoy a day of rest on the morrow, and they would begin a search for new tigers the following day. Daine thought it slightly amusing to hear the way he spoke now...it was as if his speech had changed with his station as emperor. Well, he's not just a young man anymore, he is a man. The emperor at that."

Kaddar planned on taking them to see various sights of Carthak that had not been seen on their previous visit, and he asked tentatively if Daine would mind going to the menagerie to 'listen' to the animals, to be sure of their contentment. She had assented, knowing if any of them were in any serious distress, she would be able to hear them, and have Kitten relay messages. Though, it was a touchy business having the dragon involved. Kit did not consider patience a virtue.

Later that night Daine discovered the reason for her abstinence of spirits.

"Ohh," she groaned, clutching Numair's arm tightly as they made their way to the guest quarters through the sweet night air. But everything smelt anything but sweet to Daine at the moment. She tripped over a slightly raised cobblestone for what must have been the sixth time. Numair wordlessly stopped, gathered her skirts to one side and lifted her into his arms.

"Numair!" she protested weakly. "I...can manage! Truly."

"Truly." he muttered darkly. "I don't think so, Daine. We are not getting anywhere with you falling over your own feet ever few yards."

"Feet! They was them dratted stones! Not my feet!" Daine let her head fall against his chest, shielding her smarting eyes from the magelight he had conjured up. There were lights on the path, but obviously not enough for Numair at the moment.

She tried to make sense of her thoughts and knew her words were near incomprehensible. "Why did you let me drink! You shoulda know better, my dashing mage-man."

He sighed. "Daine, I tried to stop you, but all the looks I sent your way must have been inexplicably swallowed up in a timeless irrevocable black hole of a void."

She frowned. What was he babbling on about?

"Looks! When has looks been enough for me! A good kick on ma leg woulda done more goods!" He chose to remain silent, tightening his arms even more when she tried to break free.

Ultimately they reached the Tortallan quarters. Numair deposited Daine on her bed and removed her flimsy slippers and the small amount of jewelry she had put on.

"Do you think you can handle your nightgown?" he inquired, the storm cloud in his face breaking up at the sight of her pitiful state.

She started to respond, and her stomach started to protest.

"Numair, I'm going to be sick!"

He made a wild search of the room before grabbing the wash bowl and holding it or her until she could heave no more.

Daine accepted the water Numair held for her before resettling onto the bed. "I actually feel better." she smiled wanly up at his familiar face. "Thank you."

He smoothed the hair from her sweaty forehead. "Shakith knows you've done that for me a good many times, magelet."

"True." she breathed a sigh of relief at the lessening of pain in her head. Numair proceeded to loosen her braid, and pull it out of her face. The advantages of a man with long hair, Daine thought with amusement. She yawned deeply and waved him off when he started to sit beside her on the bed. "Go on, I know you’re tired too, I'll see you at daybreak."

He nodded, kissing her softly. "You’re sure you don't want me to stay...?"

It would be strange for the both of them indeed. They were both so used to sharing a bed nearly every night. Daine knew she would miss that distinctive snore, oddly enough, and the large, warm, comforting feeling of Numair at her back.

"No. I'm not sure. Get your things and move in laddy-buck."

Numair grinned at her use of Alanna's phrase and bowed, "My lady!"

While he was gone, Daine managed to drag herself out of bed and into her nightclothes without decorating the floor. She had just settled again when the bed shifted as Numair laid down with a sigh.

"To tell you the truth, I was dreading an empty bed tonight."

"So was I."

Contented breathing. And then, "Daine, I'm sorry for my earlier foul mood, it was uncalled for."

She smiled and pressed her back against his chest firmly, his arm around her waist pulling her even closer. "And I'm sorry for drinking and being such a wretch. Hit me over the head the next time I try to drink anything with alcohol in it, huh?"

He chuckled sleepily, "Understood. Good night, Magelet."

"G'night, Numair..."

Not but a few moments later, Daine was smiling dryly. There was that snore. And right in her ear...