Emperor Kaddar of Carthak walked down the hall, escorted by Euripicles's guards. A prisoner in my own palace, he mused darkly. The guards did not touch him, but, judging from the business like manner in which they held their crossbows, they weren't afraid to use force. They arrived in front of the banquet hall where his captor, and the new master of the palace, was waiting. One of the guards opened the door, and the others stood to either side of it while Kaddar walked in gracefully. If he was nervous, he gave no sign, and walked in with the grace only the crowned emperor of Carthak could pull off.

"Good evening, Emperor Kaddar." The new master of the palace or Euripicles said politely, "Please sit down."

Euripicles wasn't nearly as forbidding and domineering Kaddar had anticipated. He looked like an ex-slave, judging from his size and powerful muscles. Another thing that surprised Kaddar was the great kindness that shone in those eyes.

"As you know, young Kaddar, I have come in quest of your Empire. I don't want to burn it down. I would rather free the slaves, restore our holdings to their former beauty, you know, what they looked like before Carthak invaded. I also want to stop the conquests and focus the army's energy closer to home, to restore our temples and our university to its former beauty. I know you have been trying to accomplish these same tasks, but you aren't a strong enough leader to handle that responsibility yet. I want to make a deal with you, young Kaddar, I would like you to support me in taking over the empire. You don't have to fight for me, just tell everyone that you will hand the empire over to me. I will give it back to you once the empire has mostly recovered from these changes, of course. Please understand, Kaddar, I want what's best for the empire. I want what's best for the slaves and the people of Carthak." The man looked earnest as he made this speech. Kaddar tested him with his magic. The man was telling the truth. It took a good leader to march a small army all the way to the palace. Euripicles was very kind Kaddar could feel the kindness seeping out of him.

"Euripicles, I have one question, I do not question your kindness or your love of the realm, I am more concerned that you will not be able to do the terrible things that all rulers do. Please tell me, from the bottom of your soul. Can you handle the awful things that you must do if you are Emperor?"

Euripicles looked very solemn and serious before answering carefully, "If you are asking whether I have the valor to kill a man, then yes, I do. If you are asking if I have the courage to choose between a bad solution and a worse one, then I don't know. I hope, no, I pray to Mithros I do."

Kaddar nodded. If anything, this man was honest. He would be a good ruler for Carthak. "Will you be as honest to Carthak as you are tonight?" Kaddar asked.

"I am not much of a liar." The man replied, a shard of humor twinkling in his eyes.

Kaddar sat a few minutes. Should he trust this stranger to everything he had known since he was born. Everything that he treasured. All his hopes and dreams relied on Carthak. Could this man take care of the most valuable gem in the world? The man was kind and merciful. he was brave. He was a strong leader. This man would serve Kaddar's realm better than he ever could. Finally, Kaddar said, "I will give you my realm, but if you ever do an injustice to her, I will hunt you down to the end of time." The young man's eyes flashed with a fierce pride and loyalty.

The man replied solemnly, "I would never do an injustice to your realm. You need never worry about that of all things. Come, let us dine together."

Kaddar told the man everything about Carthak; how much it meant to him and how he hoped it would change.

~*~

Euripicles listened with great interest, this young Kaddar loved Carthak. It was obvious. If Kaddar had been older and more experienced, he would have made a great emperor. He would still be a great emperor, Euripicles would make sure of that. He would let the young man travel the world, see everything it held, then after he got Carthak out of this turmoil, he would hand Carthak over to Kaddar and step away. The young man was destined to rule; Euripicles could feel that in his bones, the boy just needed a few more years before he would be a great ruler.

~*~

Veralidaine Sarrasri was talking to Cloud about the latest experiment Numair was working on, "…and then I think you are supposed to add some sort of powdered tuber…um…I can't think of it, some variety only found in Scanra I think."

"Daine, is that you?" asked a voice at her back.

The voice was familiar it took only a second to realize it was "Kaddar!" she embraced him in a tight hug, then held him at arm's length, inspecting his slightly weathered face, and his battered travelling clothes. "I can't believe it's you." She hugged him again, "How did you get here? Why are you here? How long are you here?"

Kaddar grinned and clapped his dearest friend on the back, "It is nice to see you too." He said with a grin.

"Oh, you want to go in and rest. I'll take your horse. I'm sure we'll find some lodging for you."

"A hostler has already taken my horse, and now I am just waiting for a lovely young lady to lead me into the palace." He offered her his arm.

She took it with a grin and told him of all the things that had happened since she saw him last.

"So, how is Master Numair?" Kaddar asked.

Daine turned a faint pink before replying, "He is very well. You know him, always doing some sort of great arcane working."

Kaddar chuckled and soon they had arrived at the palace. She asked a maid to find him a room and told him that if he needed anything, she would be in the stable, however, if he needed her after the noon bell, she would be in her room and gave him her room number. He nodded and followed the maid to his room where he unpacked his belongings. Kaddar had a modest welcome, but it was the best welcome he could have had. He had never known how much he missed Daine until he saw her again.

After changing out of his travelling clothes, he went to the university to talk to his old friend and teacher, Master Lindhall. Lindhall gave Kaddar just as warm a welcome as Daine had. They talked until an hour after the noon bell rang when Lindhall told him that he had several classes to teach. Kaddar wanted to talk to Daine and catch up on old times.

He trotted back to the palace and up a few winding fights of stairs and wandered down the halls until he found her room. He read the sign on the door. It said Numair Salmalin, Daine Sarrasri. Kaddar felt his heart sink with disappointment.

~Cella

" I just can't believe that they're like... ' together! ' " Kaddar said.

" Well, Kaddar, " explained Alanna for the 14th time. " They have known

each other longer than you knew her. And they have a relationship, now. So.. "

" Yeah, I know the 'so' Lady Alanna but-but. "

" Me, too, Kaddar. Me, too. " and she left him to think about things.

*****

" That's who was going to marry me, Daine? That man! That-that- person? "

" Yes, Kally. That was who you WERE going to marry. I think it's time you meet. Oh, KADDAR!! "

And he turned around to see the most beautiful yet young women.

~Seph

Hullo, people, a few words form the author of this fanfic, in case you haven't figured it out, this fanfic is about Emperor Kaddar, who comes to Tortall to work out a treaty with Jonathan and finds himself in love with Daine. I do ask a few things though if you want to contribute. Everything MUST be g-rated or at the most, pg-rated. I have sent this addy to several websites and since I think your work (should you add on) should be displayed at all those sites, send it to me (Cella) not Alleria or Destiny or Sandy. I hope that you cooperate with this. If you do want to send an addy, send it to cellas_horse_mad@yahoo.com. Thank you, I hope to see some additions soon.

~~~Cella~~~