Finding a Home- The Story of Numair
Author's Note: I've finished this story and it's long! 22 pages on my computer. I tried to make it very good, so you better enjoy it. Reviews are appreciated!!
My very popular and very cool Tamora Pierce web site is called Mithros's Realm. The address is http://ceathena.tripod.com- go there!!
Heat lay over the city of Carthak like a blanket. Inside the palace, though it was magically cooled, the warmth seemed to make the place stifling. Not for the first time, I cursed the heavy black robes I wore to signify my rank as one of the most powerful mages in the world.
"Arram," I heard the shrill voice of Varice. "There you are, I've been looking for you." I turned toward her, trying to wipe the sense of uneasiness I felt off my face.
"Sorry, love, I was just thinking."
She kissed me, "His Imperial Majesty is looking for you."
I sighed, "Can it wait until morning?"
Varice looked at me sternly. "When his Majesty wants something, it doesn't wait until morning."
She was right, but answering to Ozorne's beck and call was annoying me more and more. As I went to find him, I was lost in thought. I had known Ozorne for half my life and we had been close friends for years. Lately, ever since Ozorne had been crowned Emperor, he had changed.
"Arram," Ozorne emerged from a corridor. "I assume Varice found you."
"She usually knows where to look." I replied.
His hair was sparkling with gold and his dark face was painted the same color. Gold was Ozorne favorite color, so as a result he covered himself in it. The boy I had befriended ten years ago would never have worn so many rings and bracelets, he would have called them impractical. That boy would have never worn face paint, instead his face would have been covered in dirt. But, as I said before, Ozorne had changed.
"We have a slight problem," he told me as we entered his council's room.
"Oh?"
"A slave uprising," Ozorne sat in his golden chair covered in emeralds.
I sat in a chair on his right hand side. "That could be more than a slight problem, the slaves outnumber us."
"Which is why we must crush it before this rebellion spreads." His eyes glittered dangerously. "I have appointed you to be in charge of this small uprising, I expect you are well suited to the task."
I bit my tongue so as not to say something I would latter regret. Ozorne knew I didn't like slavery and didn't own any slaves. There were hundreds of men who would handle this better. But I knew better than to argue with Ozorne, I would have to halt this insurrection.
"Sir! We've cornered the last of the slaves." The soldier saluted briskly. I glanced up. The man seemed to notice Ozorne for the first time. "Your Imperial Majesty." He bowed deeply.
We followed him as he led us through the streets of Carthak to a dark ally filled with soldiers. Approaching the slaves, I felt sick with dread. They were dirty, dressed in rags, and shaking. I noticed some were young, no more than fifteen.
"Very good, men." Ozorne said from his throne. "Arram, we can't allow them to live, they need to be made an example of." He stared at me. "Kill them."
I looked away from his piercing eyes. Instead, I gazed at the slaves. They were young, innocent people who only wanted their freedom. With terror they awaited their deaths. How could I kill them? But if I didn't kill them, what would happen? Ozorne didn't like insubordination. I knew I couldn't live with myself if I obeyed Ozorne, but I wasn't sure I'd live if I disobeyed.
"What are you waiting for, Arram?" Ozorne demanded. "Kill them!"
Instead, using all my powers, I transported the slaves to a different part of the city. I collapsed against my horse.
"What did you do?" I dimly heard Ozorne shout, but then everything went black.
Author's Note: I've finished this story and it's long! 22 pages on my computer. I tried to make it very good, so you better enjoy it. Reviews are appreciated!!
My very popular and very cool Tamora Pierce web site is called Mithros's Realm. The address is http://ceathena.tripod.com- go there!!
Heat lay over the city of Carthak like a blanket. Inside the palace, though it was magically cooled, the warmth seemed to make the place stifling. Not for the first time, I cursed the heavy black robes I wore to signify my rank as one of the most powerful mages in the world.
"Arram," I heard the shrill voice of Varice. "There you are, I've been looking for you." I turned toward her, trying to wipe the sense of uneasiness I felt off my face.
"Sorry, love, I was just thinking."
She kissed me, "His Imperial Majesty is looking for you."
I sighed, "Can it wait until morning?"
Varice looked at me sternly. "When his Majesty wants something, it doesn't wait until morning."
She was right, but answering to Ozorne's beck and call was annoying me more and more. As I went to find him, I was lost in thought. I had known Ozorne for half my life and we had been close friends for years. Lately, ever since Ozorne had been crowned Emperor, he had changed.
"Arram," Ozorne emerged from a corridor. "I assume Varice found you."
"She usually knows where to look." I replied.
His hair was sparkling with gold and his dark face was painted the same color. Gold was Ozorne favorite color, so as a result he covered himself in it. The boy I had befriended ten years ago would never have worn so many rings and bracelets, he would have called them impractical. That boy would have never worn face paint, instead his face would have been covered in dirt. But, as I said before, Ozorne had changed.
"We have a slight problem," he told me as we entered his council's room.
"Oh?"
"A slave uprising," Ozorne sat in his golden chair covered in emeralds.
I sat in a chair on his right hand side. "That could be more than a slight problem, the slaves outnumber us."
"Which is why we must crush it before this rebellion spreads." His eyes glittered dangerously. "I have appointed you to be in charge of this small uprising, I expect you are well suited to the task."
I bit my tongue so as not to say something I would latter regret. Ozorne knew I didn't like slavery and didn't own any slaves. There were hundreds of men who would handle this better. But I knew better than to argue with Ozorne, I would have to halt this insurrection.
"Sir! We've cornered the last of the slaves." The soldier saluted briskly. I glanced up. The man seemed to notice Ozorne for the first time. "Your Imperial Majesty." He bowed deeply.
We followed him as he led us through the streets of Carthak to a dark ally filled with soldiers. Approaching the slaves, I felt sick with dread. They were dirty, dressed in rags, and shaking. I noticed some were young, no more than fifteen.
"Very good, men." Ozorne said from his throne. "Arram, we can't allow them to live, they need to be made an example of." He stared at me. "Kill them."
I looked away from his piercing eyes. Instead, I gazed at the slaves. They were young, innocent people who only wanted their freedom. With terror they awaited their deaths. How could I kill them? But if I didn't kill them, what would happen? Ozorne didn't like insubordination. I knew I couldn't live with myself if I obeyed Ozorne, but I wasn't sure I'd live if I disobeyed.
"What are you waiting for, Arram?" Ozorne demanded. "Kill them!"
Instead, using all my powers, I transported the slaves to a different part of the city. I collapsed against my horse.
"What did you do?" I dimly heard Ozorne shout, but then everything went black.