Sonata

Rating: PG-13
Distribution: You're welcome to archive any of my stories, just please e-mail me so I can come visit them!
Disclaimer: The characters, setting, and mythology belong to Tamora Pierce. The circumstances are my own.
Summary: An alternate universe to the series. Daine, seventeen, has spent the last six years of her life on her own. Not People, but not quite human either, she is struggling to find her place in the world. Numair Samalin, thirty-one, is a broken man whose faith in magic and in humanity has been deeply shaken. An unlikely pair whose last best hope may be each other.

Chapter 1: The Thief

Harsh morning light streamed through the windowpane, announcing a wintery dawn and rudely awakening the man who lay on the bed in the center of the room. He groaned and rubbed his eyes with the palms of his large hands. The bedsprings creaked under his weight as he swung his long legs over the bedside, and he moved over to the small washbasin that stood in the corner. He blinked sleep away from his eyes as he splashed cold water onto his face. Turning to focus on the view from the window, he frowned.

he said tiredly as he took in the sight of the new snow that had fallen during the night. nothing better than a long ride in cold weather.

Though he looked even younger than his thirty-one years, Numair Samalin felt like an old man. Each day seemed cold and bleak and so very repetitive. As part of an effort to instill some joy of life back in his friend, Numair's employer, King Jonathan III of Tortall, had sent him north to Galla as Tortall's representative to a magical council addressing the issue of the sudden appearance of immortals in the Human Realms. After all, Jon had told him brightly. Who better to serve the council than the most powerful Black Robe in the Eastern Lands?

Though he had acted grateful for the assignment when he left the Royal Palace two months ago, as he now glared out at the crisp white snow on the windowsill, Numair cursed his bad luck. Not only had the gathering been nothing more than a group of bitter old mages sitting in a room arguing about arcane and irrelevant knowledge for hours on end, but he was now forced to make the long journey back to Tortall by himself during a frigid Gallan winter.

Sighing in defeat, Numair got dressed and made his way downstairs to settle his bill with the innkeeper before setting out for home.

********

The same harsh dawnlight woke Veralidaine Sarrasri as well. It filtered through the wide mouth of the stone cave she'd been sleeping in to play across her closed eyelids. As they fluttered open, the young woman yawned lazily and stretched. Despite the cold wind that had blown constantly through the night, she had been kept deliciously warm by a bed created by the enormous bodies of the three brown bears who made the cave their home. Though drowsy with the beginnings of winter hibernation, they'd invited the girl to stay the night cuddled up against their thick fur.

A wet, rough tongue lashed out to lick Daine's face, jolting her fully awake. She turned a wry expression towards the owner of said tongue, a sleek, tawny-colored wolf who'd spent the night curled around her feet. You're fair wonderful, Russet. she grumbled. Thank you so much. The canine sat back on her haunches, treacherous tongue lolling out of the side of her mouth comically. Daine grinned in spite of herself and sat up, pulling on her boots. Rising, she whispered heartfelt thanks to her furry hosts who were still sleeping soundly. She shrugged into her thick woolen cloak, shouldered her light pack, and stepped out into the bright morning, the wolf at her heels.

I'm hungry. complained Russet as she trotted alongside her two-legger.

I know, the girl answered apologetically. Me too. But if we stop and hunt our breakfast this morning, it means we won't make it to the marketplace in Cria by midday. Yesterday was the last day of the festival, and if we don't get there today we'll miss out on all the travelers.

Russet gave a very un-wolflike nod, she understood. Daine's survival was dependent on the travelers they met on the roads. Despite Daine's innate connection with the People, Russet knew that her friend couldn't live off the land the way she could. The pair spent their days journeying through rural Galla, stealing whatever they could from the two-leggers they met along the way. The scraps of food and cloth, the handfuls of coppers, and the various trinkets they acquired were enough to sustain them through the daily hardships they endured. It was an odd life for a wolf and a girl, but Daine had been Russet's rescuer- without her the young wolf would have surely died at the hands of bandits along with the rest of her pack.

It may have been an unconventional partnership, but they were inseparable- two beings who had been stripped of everything they'd once held dear- all they had was one another.

********

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Numair saw he seemed to be approaching a small city. Hunger gnawed at his belly, and he urged his horse faster down the road that lead into town.

The dirt road shifted into coarse cobblestones, and the mage's horse picked its way carefully through the crowded streets. Noisy vendors called out the prices of their bright baubles and fabrics, mangy dogs sniffed and nipped at the heels of passersby, and children chased each other through alleyways. Women in full skirts huddled together as they walked, gossiping and laughing as they shot appraising glances at the men they saw. In spite of the chill, tavern doors were wide open, and the sounds of raucous drinking games and strains of merry music hung in the air.

There was once a time when such a vibrant display of life would have interested the young man, excited him. But now Numair's dark eyes didn't even completely register the reality that lay before him. He simply guided his horse to a post outside of a particularly dank-looking tavern, and dismounted.

********

It had been nearly a year since Daine had been to Cria, but she was pleased to discover that she remembered the complicated layout of the streets as well as ever. Russet had elected to stay just beyond the city's limits, safely hidden in the forest where Daine would meet up with her later. One could never tell how two-leggers would react to seeing a wolf in their midst.

Daine ducked into an alleyway behind the Red Lion Inn, a shortcut that lead to the fairgrounds. Suddenly, her body tensed and she quickened her pace as heavy, deliberate footfalls began to sound behind her. Large, callused hands grabbed her exposed wrists and pulled her back against a hard body.

She whipped her head around and glared at the man who held her. His watery green eyes swept up and down her decidedly female frame. A sore-covered tongue ran over gummy teeth and his rough hands tightened their grip. Daine felt his foul breath hot on her face as he pressed her against a nearby brick wall.

Now, this innit a very safe place fer a lass like you, my precious. he drawled, bringing his face closer to hers. With some trepidation, he noticed her eyes were flashing dangerously, but the sight of the girl's full red mouth was enough to make him want to take his chances.

I'll give you two seconds to let me go, Daine hissed, Or you'll be very sorry you ever touched me!

Her attacker sniggered. Is that so, fine miss?

Daine brought her knee up hard against his groin, freeing one hand as he doubled up in pain. She threw an expert punch at his face, and he fell to the ground. Drawing her dagger from the folds of her cloak, the young woman pressed the blunt edge of the blade against the man's throat. Pressing just hard enough to draw a dark drop of blood from his sallow skin, she smiled grimly at him.

So sorry, she said sweetly. But I did warn you.

********

Once inside the tavern, Numair bypassed the crowded tables, instead heading for the near-empty bar. He ordered food and ale from the heavily tattooed barkeep, and then fixed his eyes on the floor; never noticing the young woman who quietly slipped in through the side door.

Years of living alongside wolves had taught Daine to move stealthily, and it was a talent that served her well. Essentially unnoticed, she took a seat at a table in the corner of the tavern and surveyed the patrons.

For the most part, they seemed to be typical Gallans out for a few pints with their midday meals. Daine was beginning to think their was no one worth her time when her gaze fell on the quiet man sitting alone at the bar. He was unusually tall, with long black hair pulled into a loose horsetail. His features were finely sculpted, she even thought he might have been rather handsome if it weren't for the disconsolate look on his face.

His clothes were neat but plain, and she might have dismissed him as a target along with the others if she hadn't noticed a large sapphire drop hanging from one earlobe. Perfect, she thought. That will buy food enough for Russet and me.

She sat patiently, a huntress watching her prey, as he ate his meal, paid his bill with a few coins, and eventually walked outside. Spotting her window of opportunity, Daine swiftly followed the tall man out into the street.

********

Stomach full, Numair knew it was time to be off if he wanted to reach another township by nightfall. As he stepped through the piles of slushy snow strewn across the cobblestones, he headed towards his tethered horse. A sudden clanging of bells from a passing cart distracted him as a young woman accidentally ran into his side. She was quite a bit smaller than him, and the force of their collision sent her sprawling on the slick ground.

he said in surprise, Miss, I'm very sorry, I didn't see you! Numair extended his left hand towards the blushing girl and helped her to her feet.

My fault, she said in a fluid Gallan accent. I wasn't watching where I was going. she held on to his hand a moment longer than necessary, then smiled shyly and hurried away.

Numair watched her retreating form until she vanished into the throng of people on the street. Curiously, a bemused smile tugged at his lips as he turned his attentions back to his horse. He swung into the saddle, and as he reached for the reins with his left hand, he was struck with a peculiar feeling. Glancing down at his wrist, Numair did a double take. His priceless black opal bracelet was gone.

His eyes immediately began searching the crowd for the girl who'd accidentally bumped into him. Mythros, Mynoss and Shakith! he swore, as he took off in the direction the little thief had gone.