Not So Accidental After All
Chapter 1: Changes
Daine leaned on the rail of the barge looking out towards the river. Only a month had passed since she and Numair returned from the Realms of the Gods. Only a month since Daine had realized how lost she was without Numair: how much she feared for his safety as much as her own. Yet in that month things had changed dramatically in both their lives as in the lives of those close to them. People treated her differently, not badly, just differently. And then, there was Numair. She was no longer plagued by the tediousness of a short term relationship. Numair was hers forever, as she was his. Never again would she worry about whether or not someone cared for her when doubt was heavy on her mind. She was glad. Most men would have turned away at the thought of a woman who could communicate with animals. But not Numair, no, he was intrigued by it. She chuckled softly to herself. He was so different; unfortunately the difference in age was what kept them from marrying. This was too much to think about on such a lazy afternoon.
She sighed and turned away from the edge. There were some crocodiles on the other bank that needed to talk to her about some children in a neighboring town who were bothering them. They were back in Carthak for a few weeks. Not for any peace treaty, that had been negotiated ages ago. Kaddar had offered them a vacation in one of his summer villas to stay in as the palace was still being rebuilt. He said he wanted to repay them for their overthrowing and destruction of his uncle. Daine was wary for a time until the badger and Graveyard Hag showed up and assured her that Kaddar had no interest in harming them. He was just being nice and offering them a place to get away for the summer. With divine reassurance she calmed down and began to enjoy herself.
All we want is for the little ruffians to leave us alone, no more, no less. I wouldn't have taken a grab for the little vagabond if he hadn't pulled on my tail. We don't need to eat them, we have fish and mammals aplenty to eat and humans are just too much of a hassle. The head crocodile explained.
I'll be sure and talk to a guard and have him talk to them. Daine replied.
That's all we ask. Thank you, Ms. Daine. The rest of the crocodiles thanked her and went back to sunning themselves on the bank.
"Native troubles I assume?"
Daine jumped and spun around, ready to deliver a slap to whoever had the nerve when a large, dinner plate size hand stopped her. "How many times am I going to have to tell you to stop that?" she asked tartly.
"Ask as many times as you like, for I absolutely refuse to stop." Numair said, smiling as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Daine mumbled something that sounded distinctly like, Men. And turned around to face the water and lean against his chest. They were smoothly sailing up the River Zekoi towards Kaddar's Grecian style summer home. He had many but this one was the closest the shore. Daine chuckled to herself as she remembered how she had dove into this very same river to save Zek the marmoset, who was waiting for them at the summer home at that very moment. The sun was setting before them and everyone had eaten and was either sleeping, or trying not to loose it, so they had the deck to themselves.
"Numair," Daine asked, "do you know where Alanna is?"
"Yes she's below deck ridding herself of her dinner. Why?"
"You two haven't fought in a while, it's not natural. I have a hard time sleeping at night knowing that you and her haven't made each other miserable. How can she be sea sick anyway? It's been smooth as glass since we reached the river." Daine said mockingly.
"I have no idea. Kitten is down there staring at her though. I imagine she's not making things any better."
"Should I go get her?"
"Nah, Alanna deserves it. Besides, Onua is down there keeping her company."
"As I recall and unless my memory deceives me, you yourself had a small bought of seasickness on the way over last time, sir mage."
"Who, me? Nah, I never." Numair said looking insulted.
"Are we landing soon?"
"Not for another day, like I said, this river is one of the longest in the world."
Unlike the first trip to Carthak, the king, queen, and a number of other court figures had come since there was no danger of attack from Kaddar. He was most insistent that they come and the king and queen had agreed.
"I think we should retire unless some other large, scaly, toothy carnivore needs some assistance." Numair said.
"No, I don't think so. Let's go."
Chapter 1: Changes
Daine leaned on the rail of the barge looking out towards the river. Only a month had passed since she and Numair returned from the Realms of the Gods. Only a month since Daine had realized how lost she was without Numair: how much she feared for his safety as much as her own. Yet in that month things had changed dramatically in both their lives as in the lives of those close to them. People treated her differently, not badly, just differently. And then, there was Numair. She was no longer plagued by the tediousness of a short term relationship. Numair was hers forever, as she was his. Never again would she worry about whether or not someone cared for her when doubt was heavy on her mind. She was glad. Most men would have turned away at the thought of a woman who could communicate with animals. But not Numair, no, he was intrigued by it. She chuckled softly to herself. He was so different; unfortunately the difference in age was what kept them from marrying. This was too much to think about on such a lazy afternoon.
She sighed and turned away from the edge. There were some crocodiles on the other bank that needed to talk to her about some children in a neighboring town who were bothering them. They were back in Carthak for a few weeks. Not for any peace treaty, that had been negotiated ages ago. Kaddar had offered them a vacation in one of his summer villas to stay in as the palace was still being rebuilt. He said he wanted to repay them for their overthrowing and destruction of his uncle. Daine was wary for a time until the badger and Graveyard Hag showed up and assured her that Kaddar had no interest in harming them. He was just being nice and offering them a place to get away for the summer. With divine reassurance she calmed down and began to enjoy herself.
All we want is for the little ruffians to leave us alone, no more, no less. I wouldn't have taken a grab for the little vagabond if he hadn't pulled on my tail. We don't need to eat them, we have fish and mammals aplenty to eat and humans are just too much of a hassle. The head crocodile explained.
I'll be sure and talk to a guard and have him talk to them. Daine replied.
That's all we ask. Thank you, Ms. Daine. The rest of the crocodiles thanked her and went back to sunning themselves on the bank.
"Native troubles I assume?"
Daine jumped and spun around, ready to deliver a slap to whoever had the nerve when a large, dinner plate size hand stopped her. "How many times am I going to have to tell you to stop that?" she asked tartly.
"Ask as many times as you like, for I absolutely refuse to stop." Numair said, smiling as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
Daine mumbled something that sounded distinctly like, Men. And turned around to face the water and lean against his chest. They were smoothly sailing up the River Zekoi towards Kaddar's Grecian style summer home. He had many but this one was the closest the shore. Daine chuckled to herself as she remembered how she had dove into this very same river to save Zek the marmoset, who was waiting for them at the summer home at that very moment. The sun was setting before them and everyone had eaten and was either sleeping, or trying not to loose it, so they had the deck to themselves.
"Numair," Daine asked, "do you know where Alanna is?"
"Yes she's below deck ridding herself of her dinner. Why?"
"You two haven't fought in a while, it's not natural. I have a hard time sleeping at night knowing that you and her haven't made each other miserable. How can she be sea sick anyway? It's been smooth as glass since we reached the river." Daine said mockingly.
"I have no idea. Kitten is down there staring at her though. I imagine she's not making things any better."
"Should I go get her?"
"Nah, Alanna deserves it. Besides, Onua is down there keeping her company."
"As I recall and unless my memory deceives me, you yourself had a small bought of seasickness on the way over last time, sir mage."
"Who, me? Nah, I never." Numair said looking insulted.
"Are we landing soon?"
"Not for another day, like I said, this river is one of the longest in the world."
Unlike the first trip to Carthak, the king, queen, and a number of other court figures had come since there was no danger of attack from Kaddar. He was most insistent that they come and the king and queen had agreed.
"I think we should retire unless some other large, scaly, toothy carnivore needs some assistance." Numair said.
"No, I don't think so. Let's go."