Chapter Two
Emperor Ozrone efficiently cast a memory charm, and so Daine didn't remember a thing that had happened prievious to being awakened in the palace of Carthak, several weeks after her imprisonment.
"Who are you?" she asked in confusion as Ozrone leaned over her inclined form.
"I am the Emperor Mage of Carthak, but you may call me Emperor Ozrone."
"I-I-I don't remember anything, not my name, my life, anything!" she cried in distress.
The Emperor glanced down at her kindly. "It was the shock, I believe," he frowned in (faked) concern. "Well, if you do not remember it, I will tell you your story. I shouldn't like to present all the horrible details for you myself, but I think that anybody else in the court would give you the wrong impression, would tell you the wrong tale to save you the misery of all that has happened to you."
"You are fifeteen years old. Your name, my dear, is Melane of Dejouné. I gave you that title after the unfortunate demise of your poor, poor parents...:"
"Alissandra Devoir and Benjamin of Silvertree, your parents, both died in the terrible mage-fought war that occured ten years ago. They saved my life, you should know, Melane, in that war. Afterwards, I took you into my care and hired a governess to help raise you. However, your mother wasn't a noble and your father's estate was so drained of money from the expenses left over, that I had to reqlinish it to my banks. You see, I am not the true power of my government. I believe that my ministers and advisors take advantage of the power they long ago took from me, but there is nothing I can do. However, I gave you a land title when you turned thirteen, along with the vast estate you live in today, Dejouné. Two monthes ago, though, you were kidnapped by the Tortallans who visited for peace talks. When we discovered their treachery, we declared war and attemped a rescue mission. Luckily, we were succesful...But, in the great shock of being ripped from one's homeland, you lost your memory. That about brings the story up to date.
Emperor Ozrone sat patiently, letting her digest the information slowly. "Wow." was all she had to say. "I didn't know that my life story would be so interesting...Or so saddening." she choked out, sniffing slightly.
"I know, I know," the Emperor comforted her.
Prince Kaddar was walking briskly through the streets of the small city, Sierra Issabelle, when he saw someone out of the corner of his eye. He glanced upward and saw a beautiful lady standing on the balcony of the royal house overlooking the town. It looked so much like Daine, but how could it be her? She was supposed to have been conspiring against the Carthakian peace talks, that were nullified due to her treachery. He didn't think that she was, but she certaintly couldn't be a Carthakian noble! It must have been his eyes...
Numair Salmalìn was supposed to be listening to the vital battle plan for the first engagement of the enemy, but all he could think of was Daine. Was she allright now? What was she doing at this exact moment? Is she even alive?
Numair didn't know the answers to these questions, but he dearly hoped that he would someday see his love again.
"Numair? Are you paying attention? Numair! Are you okay?" Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop asked worriedly.
"What? Oh, um, yes, I'm fine." Numair answered distractedly.
"Thinking of Daine?" she whispered sympatheticly.
Numair nodded, and turned his attention towards the King.
Melane walked up a stone path to a house overlooking a hill. The uneven path cut her feet slightly, so she hurried. A middle-adged woman talking to a strange deer-man glanced up and jumped in suprise.
"Daine! What are you doing here? You're not dead, are you? Oh, it must be a dream from Gainel, I suppose..." she exclaimed.
"Why are you calling me Daine? And who are you? You seem familiar, but-but-I don't know." Melane stuttered.
The woman stepped back, visibly stunned. "You don't recognize me?" she cried, almost in tears.
The deer-man next to her placed a calming arm on the Woman's shoulder. Melane thought that he might be a god. "Has some magic been put on you, Daine. Why are you pretending you don't know us?" he questioned.
Melane was weeping by now. "I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about!" she choked out between sobs. Both people looked very concerned at this. But Melane felt herself floating farther and farther away every second.
Suddenly she woke, sitting up straight in bed and panting loudly. "Phew. Just a dream." she told herself warily. But then why were there tears on her cheeks and scrapes on her toes?
Emperor Ozrone's magic glittered as he worked with some spells. He could not have anyone noticing his new noble tonight, as anything more than a new noble...Especially that meddler, his heir, Prince Kaddar. Or any of Arram's old friends...
The Emperor still couldn't believe that Arram had left his student behind so quickly and forsakingly. Had he been wrong about him? Maybe so, but he would still catch him, somehow.
Melane glided through the grand entrance of the ballroom in a light blue sleeveless gown that matched her eyes. She placed her thin overcoat in a servant's waiting hands and thanked him, before staring uncertaintly at the rest of the guests. A young man, who intoroduced himself as Lancey of Bluemoone, asked her to dance, and she gratefully accepted.
"Are you new here?" he asked curiously.
Melane nodded slightly. "Yes. I was just given a title by Emperor Ozrone about a year ago, but I have been, er, on a trip for a long while. I just returned."
"What are you called?" Lancey of Bluemoone asked.
"I am Melane of Dejouné," she replied politely.
"It was nice meeting you," the young man returned with a smile. "I am sorry, but I have to meet with someone soon. Thank you very much for this most pleasureable dance."
Melane smiled back. "I shall perhaps so you later," she declared. "But for now, I too must go, and pay my respects to the Emperor."
Lancey of Bluemoone made a face at that as he walked off.
