Post by Wildmagesapprentice on Dec 25, 2013 3:23:15 GMT 10
Title: Think of Tortall
Rating: G
For: Skylar
Prompt: Kally with her family or close friend(s) (no lovers) before she leaves for Carthak – especially Kally and Thayet, but I'd take Kally and anyone
Summary: Thayet speaks to her daughter before she leaves for Carthak.
Notes and Warnings: Hope you like it!!!
It was a strange thing, Kally decided, the knowledge that you were about to leave your home, family and friends forever. A kind of numbness. Hollowness. And yet, beneath all of that, there was excitement. It was an adventure, to leave ones birthplace for a place one had never seen before. And hadn’t she always longed for adventure?
Such stories she’d heard of Carthak. Deserts hotter than the warmest Tortallan summer, tropical birds every colour of the rainbow. Aunt Daine had been clear in describing the bizarre creatures that lived in the Emperors menagerie, and Kally longed to see them for herself, had planned to travel there once she got her shield. And she would. Just not in the way she had imagined.
Kally sighed. It was all political now. She was a tool of alliance for her father, and like the princess she had been raised as, she would do her duty for her country.
A soft click echoed in the chamber behind her, and Kally turned to find herself wrapped in her mother’s arms. She clung to her as she had when she was a child, savouring what might be the last of her mother’s embraces. After a few moments, they parted, and Kally found herself searching her mother’s face, committing it to her memory.
The Queen gave a small, sad smile. “It could be worse, my dear. I have been assured that Kaddar is a perfectly kind, charming young man. Everyone who has met him speaks well of him, of how fair he is to his people-”
Kally turned to the window, away from her mother. “I’ll be so far from everyone I care about. I know so little of Carthak, I’m bound to get everything wrong, and I’ll offend the ambassadors, and end up starting a war, or a feud that will utterly destroy any alliances the Emperor has forged.”
Thayet smiled. “I doubt it would be that extreme, were something to go wrong. Believe me, I know what it is like to think you will bring down a kingdom by accident, but it would appear that it is harder than one would think.”
“But it’s so far away, mama!” Kally said, disgusted at the petulant tone in her voice.
“So is Sarain.”
“Mama, I didn’t mean-“
“Look at me.” She did, and Thayet gripped her shoulders, caught her gaze and held it. “I know better than anyone how hard it is to adjust to an entirely different environment. I know that there are hard times ahead for you. I know that Carthak seems far, and strange, and intimidating from here, but do you know what else I know? I know that you can handle this. You can take anything that Carthak throws at you. You’re a strong young woman, Kalasin, with all the bravery of your namesake.“
“There’s just one thing… I mean, I’m a little nervous, but…well…” Kally blushed and looked down.
“I think I know where this is going.”
Kally took a deep breath, trying to overcome her embarrassment. “I’m nervous about the… the wedding night.”
The Queen chuckled. “I thought that might be it. I understand your nerves, but Kaddar should understand if you tell him how you feel, and he won’t push you. “
“But still… it seems so uncomfortable.”
"I won't lie to you. It can be, the first time." Thayet pulled Kally into her arms. “Just close your eyes and think of Tortall.”