Tamora Pierce - The Immortals 03 Emperor Mage

His Royal Highness Kaddar, prince of Siraj, duke of Yamut, count of Amar, first lord of the Imperium, heir apparent to His Most Serene Majesty Emperor Ozorne of Carthak, fanned himself and wished die TortaUans would dock. He had been waiting aboard the imperial galley since noon, wearing the panoply of his office as the day, hot for autumn, grew hotter. He shot a glare at the nobles and academics on hand to welcome the visitors: they could relax under the awnings. Imperial dignity kept him in this unshaded chair, where a gold surface collected the sun to throw it back into his eyes.

Looking about, the prince saw the captain, leaning on the rail, scowl and make the Sign against evil on his chest, A stinging fly chose that moment to land on Kaddars arm. He yelped, swatted the fly, got to his feet, and removed the crown. Enough of this. Bring me something to drink, he ordered the slaves, Something cow

He went to the captain, trying not to wince as too long inactive legs tingled. What on earth are you staring at?

Tired of broiling, Your Highness? The man spoke without looking away from the commercial harbor outside the breakwater enclosing the imperial docks. He could speak to Kaddar with less formality than most, since he had taught the prince all that young man knew of boats and sailing.

Very funny. What has you making the Sign?

The captain handed the prince his spyglass. See for yourself, Highness.

Kaddar looked through the glass. All around the waterfront, birds made use of every visible perch. On masts, ledges, gutters, and ropes they sat, watching the harbor. He found pelicans, birds of prey on the highest, loneliest perches songbirds, the gray and brown sparrows that lived in the city. Even ship rails sported a variety of feathered creatures. Eerily, that vast collection was silent. They stared at the harbor without uttering a sound.

It aint just birds, Prince, the captain remarked. Lookit the docks.

Kaddar spied dogs and cats, under apparent truce, on every inch of space available. Not all were scruffy alley mongrels or mangy harbor cats. He saw the flash of bright ribbons, even gold and gem encrusted collars. Cur or alley cat, noble pet or working rat catcher, they sat without a sound, eyes on the harbor. Looking down, Kaddar found something else: the pilings under the docks swarmed with rats. Everywhere warehouse, wharf, ship human movement had stopped. No one cared to disturb that silent, attentive gathering of beasts. Hands shaking, the prince returned the glass and made the Sign against evil on his own chest.

You know what it is? asked the captain,

Ive never seen wait. Could it be ? Kaddar frowned. Theres a girl, coming with the Tbrtallans. Its said she has a magic bond with animals, that she can even take on animal shape.

Thats nothin new, remarked the captain, Theres mages that do it all the time,

Not like this one, apparently. And she heals animals. They heard my uncle s birds are ill

The worW knows them birds are ill, muttered the captain. He can lose a battalion of soldiers in the Yamani Isles and never twitch, but the gods help us if one of his precious birds is off its feed,

Kaddar grimaced. True. Anyway, as a goodwill gesture, King Jonathan has sent this girl to heal Uncles birds, if she can. And the university folk want to meet her dragon.

Dragon! How old is this lass anyway?

Fifteen. Thats why Im out here broiling, instead of my uncles ministers. He wants me to squire her about when she isnt healing birds or talking to scholars. Shell probably want to visit all the tourist places and gawp at the sights. And Mithros only knows what her table matters are like. Shes some commoner from the far north, its said. Ill be lucky if she knows which fork to use.

Oh, that wont be a problem, said the captain, straight faced. I understand these northerners eat with their hands.

So nice to have friends aboard replied the prince tartly.

The captain surveyed the docks through his glass. A power over animals, and a dragonIf I was you, Highness, Id dust off my map of the tourist places and let her eat any way she wants.

At that moment the girl they discussed inched over as far on the bunk as she could, to give the man beside her a bit more room. The dragon in her lap squeaked in protest, but wound her small body into a tighter ball.

The man they were making room for, the mage known as Numair Salmalin, saw their efforts and smiled. Thank you, Daine. And you, Kitten.

Its only for a bit, the girl, Daine, said encouragingly.

If we dont wrap this up soon, I will be only a bit, complained the redheaded woman on Numairs other side. Alanna the Lioness, the Kings Champion, was used to larger meeting places.

At last every member of the Tortallan delegation was crammed into the small shipboard cabin. Magical fire, a sign of shields meant to keep anything said in that room from being overheard, filled the corners and framed the door and portholes.

No one can listen to us, magically or physically? asked Duke Gareth of Naxen, head of the delegation. A tall, thin, older man, he sat on the rooms only chair, hands crossed over his cane.

The mages there nodded. Its as safe as our power can make it, Your Grace, replied Numair,

Duke Gareth smiled. Then we are safe indeed. Looking in turn at everyone, from his son, Gareth the Younger, to Lord Martin of Meron, and from Daine to the clerks, he said, Let me remind aU of you one last time: be very careful regarding your actions while we are here. Do nothing to jeopardize our 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 wiU be on our own, and Carthak wiU 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 our resources.

Alanna frowned. Do we have to bow and scrape and tug our forelocks then, sir? We dont want to seem weak to these southerners, do we?

The duke shook his head. No, but neither should we take risks particularly not you.

The Champion, whose temper was famous, blushed crimson and held her tongue.

To the others Duke Gareth said, Go nowhere we 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 it is the custom of 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, remarked Numair. Im not saying she cant be mag icked, but most of the common sorceries wont fool her.

Kitten straightened herself on Daine s lap and chirped. She always knew what was being said around her. A slim creature, she was two feet long from nose to hip, with a twelve inch tail she used for balance and as an extra limb. Her large eyes were amber, set in a long and slender muzzle. Immature wings that would someday carry her in flight lay flat on her back. Silver claws marked her as an immortal, one of many creatures from the realms of the gods.

Looking at the dragon, the duke smiled. When his eyes moved on to Daine, the smile was replaced with concern. Daine, be careful. Youll be on your own more than the rest of us, though its my hope that if you can help his birds, the emperor will let you be. Those birds are his only weakness, I think.