From Twilight to Dawn
by vanilla ice
A/N: Twilight, as defined by the ever-helpful dictionary.com: 1a. The diffused light from the sky during the early evening or early morning when the sun is below the horizon and its light is refracted by the earth's atmosphere. b. The time of the day when the sun is just below the horizon, especially the period between sunset and dark. 2. Dim or diffused illumination. 3. A period or condition of decline following growth, glory, or success: in the twilight of his life. 4. A state of ambiguity or obscurity. Not a very bright word, is it? And just because this starts up without any depressing angst does not mean that this is a happy story :P
A/N #2: Numair and Daine all the way :)
Disclaimer: An original story with all characters belonging to Tamora Pierce.
.::.
"For the last time, I refuse!"
The voice of Veralidaine Sarrasri positively seethed with fury, causing a previously sleeping black robe mage to be startled out of his sound rest. A sky-blue dragonet, curled up on the floor, lifted her head and let out a series of chirps, filled with the indignation of being roused from her slumber at such an unseemly hour.
"I will do no such thing, you hear? And no one else will either!"
Numair Salmalín hushed the young dragon, who was trilling loudly. For all that she was the only one in the room still sleeping, Daine was causing a great deal of noise, talking to someone substantial only in her mind.
"No," Daine began emphatically as she turned over in Numair's arms, but whatever else she was about to say was lost as Numair pressed his lips to hers. She sighed against his mouth as she awoke and returned his kiss. Kitten muttered something softly to herself before she lowered her head to her paws and closed her eyes.
Numair pulled back, looking curiously at his student, friend, and love. "What were you dreaming about?" he inquired.
"The Graveyard Hag was going to make us all live in Carthak," Daine replied groggily, passing a hand over her eyes. Kitten squawked from the floor and raised herself up on her haunches to eye her guardian suspiciously, chattering rapidly in Daine's face. "No, Kit," Daine reassured the young dragon, "I wasn't going to let her." Kitten snorted and sank back down to the ground. "What did you wake me up for, and how did you know I was dreaming?"
"You were being very vocal about it." Numair chuckled softly in the darkness. "You woke us up expressing your resentment."
Abashed, Daine apologized profusely. "Funny thing is I'm getting a strong feeling now that the Hag was just toying with me," she added, after a moment's pause.
"Strange how the Hag would come to you here in Tortall," Numair mused, "seeing that she's the patron goddess of Carthak." He shrugged. "Since the sun hasn't risen, how does going back to sleep sound?" He drew Daine closer to him, tightening his arms around her.
"Lovely," Daine murmured, already half-asleep in Numair's warm embrace.
.::.
"A visit to Carthak!" Daine exclaimed. She and Numair exchanged looks.
King Jonathan of Conté watched them enquiringly, stroking his blue-black beard. "Was there something else you had in mind?"
"Oh no, sire," Daine said quickly, "it's just that the Graveyard Hag paid me a visit in my dreams last night, as if she knew we would be visiting her empire soon enough."
"Yes, and it would be her idea of a laugh to make you think we'd all have to pack up and move there instead of paying a short state visit," Numair grumbled.
"Well, who's going?" Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, the King's Champion, asked.
Tortall's monarchs, the Champion, Daine, and Numair were gathered in Jonathan's study, following a royal summoning that morning.
"Us," Queen Thayet of Conté said simply. "Kaddar, Jonathan, and I have agreed that we must impress upon the Carthaki Empire the peace that has been negotiated between Tortall and Carthak - and what better way to do it than pay a state visit?"
"Because we weren't present when peace talks - of a sort - began with Ozorne, the Carthaki people might not have registered the significance of the peace propositions," Jonathan added. "We're hoping our presence in Carthak for a visit might help to quell some of the rebellion that Kaddar has been facing."
Alanna snorted. "Do you really think your presence will quell rebellion? Rebels seeing you, the object of their hatred - don't you realize the potential danger? Have Your Majesties taken into account the possibilities of challenges? Assassins?"
"Of course," Thayet said sweetly. "That's what your presence is for. The Champion, great Lady Knight, to defend her King and her Queen." Alanna made a face as Thayet grinned.
"Then why must I go?" Daine asked. "I'm no ambassador."
"You tore down the palace three years ago," Jonathan reminded her. "And Kaddar was your escort when you arrived the first time - in addition, wouldn't you like to see the new aviary and menagerie?"
Daine scowled. "Carthak is too warm for the likes of me, especially now in the middle of summer."
"And I suppose I must go along as well," Numair said resignedly, "ostensibly to show Carthak that I am not, in fact, a traitor?"
"Ostensibly, yes," Alanna quipped, "but in actuality, I don't suppose you'd care for Daine to go without you?"
Numair looked at Alanna maliciously while Daine blushed scarlet. The Lioness arched her eyebrows and looked at the mage, laughter in her violet eyes, as silence swept the room.
"Daine, why don't you come with me?" Thayet asked, stifling laughter. "Let's talk dresses; I don't think either of us will care for the next hour or so of politics."
Daine gave her a grateful look as they exited the study and Jonathan coughed to draw the attention of knight and mage back to the matter at hand. "Thank you," Daine said in the hall as they walked back to the suite of rooms that she and Numair shared. "That was very awkward."
"Agreed." Thayet laughed. "Numair's touchy in the mornings. Let's walk a little faster - I arranged for a little something to be left in your rooms."
"What is it?" Daine asked curiously.
"A surprise." Thayet smiled mysteriously, as they reached the door that bore two names: Numair Salmalín and Veralidaine Sarrasri.
Before Daine could open the door herself, a piping trill sounded from inside the room and it swung open to reveal a happy Kitten. Daine smiled and picked the dragonet up as she whistled at Thayet to welcome her. The queen closed the door behind them as Daine eyed the large trunk sitting on the table in the centre of the main room in the suite.
"Well, open it," Thayet suggested.
Daine set Kitten down, flipped the golden latch of the trunk open, and almost fainted. "For me?"
Thayet grinned. "All for you."
Inside the trunk was a wardrobe fit for royalty. Gowns with the finest embroidery and brocade in Daine's favourite shades were folded on top of each other, and upon the opening of a small box came the discovery of matching jewellery. She ran a silver chain between her fingers and admired the sapphire pendant dangling from it, light reflecting off its many deep blue facets.
"I can't accept this!" Daine protested. "It must have cost a fortune!"
"Say no more," Thayet said, "each garment was custom tailored and so no one else can wear them. The proposal that Kaddar sent suggesting the visit was littered with hints that there would be formal balls, and I thought you might like something new to wear."
"I don't know what to say," Daine stammered. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Thayet laughed. "Try something on. The blue one, I think - you're holding the necklace that goes with it. It'll bring out shades in your pretty eyes."
Daine blushed and retreated into the bedchamber with a wispy, pale blue creation with an elaborately decorated bodice. She stripped to breast band and loincloth and put on the dress, but stopped short of returning to the queen when she noticed something wrong.
"Thayet, I can't wear this!" she groaned.
"Why not?" the queen asked pleasantly - a little too pleasantly, Daine thought.
"You know why not!" Daine shot back.
"Daine, my dearest, the neckline isn't that low!"
"Thayet, this goes beyond low! It's - scandalous, and I feel like a court lady encouraging overeager men to get into my pants!" Daine wailed.
"Oh Daine, let me at least have a look," Thayet said winsomely from outside the door. "Please?"
"Mithros," Daine muttered. Reluctantly, she opened the door, steeling herself.
The queen beamed. "Daine, you look excellent! Elegance becomes you, young lady."
Kitten chortled with amusement before whistling at the door and leaving, foreseeing a potential session of dress talks.
Daine hardly agreed with the queen, if this was 'elegance'. The bodice of the strapless gown was tight, accentuating curves that she really preferred to wear loose shirts over. The daring neckline dipped extremely low, leaving Daine feeling much like a harlot with the tops of her breasts bare and her back half covered. She squirmed under Thayet's scrutiny, feeling much at unease. "Can I change back now?" she asked pleadingly.
"No, you can't actually - put the necklace on," Thayet suggested happily.
"Then can I take it off?" When Thayet nodded, Daine rushed to put the necklace on, the silver and sapphire cold against her bare skin.
"Twirl," the queen commanded. Daine sighed and did a full turn as the door suddenly opened.
"Daine!" Numair burst.
Daine blushed bright red and wished she could disappear. Thayet convulsed with laughter at his timely arrival. "What do you think?" the queen asked the dumbfounded mage.
"You're...beautiful," Numair breathed. His eyes travelled over Daine's figure, lingering somewhere below her chin as she shifted uncomfortably.
Thayet smirked. "I'll leave you two to figure out how you'd like to take it off." She winked at Daine, who glared, and left, shutting the door behind her as Numair had left it open in his awe.
Daine stood there dumbly for a moment, Numair staring at her, until she regained her wits and turned around, heading back to the bedchamber. "I'm taking it off now," she declared.
Numair covered the distance between them in two strides and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Don't do that," he said softly in her ear, "you look so lovely." He kissed his way up her neck to her lips, turning her around in his arms as he teased with his tongue, letting his hands roam over her body. They were breathless when they separated, eyes shining with passion.
"Maybe I'll keep it on," Daine whispered, "if you'll be like that ... but it's really very tight."
"Are you two decent?" Alanna's voice called teasingly from the door. "I need to talk to you two, but Daine, but if you let Numair see you in that fluff Thayet gave you earlier, I'm not sure how much of it you're still wearing."
Numair glared at the door, frustrated at being interrupted, while Daine rushed back into the bedchamber for her shirt and breeches. She squirmed out of the gown and came out in her regular attire, feeling much better, and opened the door for the Lioness.
"I must have interrupted something," the Lioness said observantly. "You left that necklace on and your clothes are quite crooked. Bitter, bitter," she added, nodding at Numair, who was glowering at her. "Back to business - a man from a village an hour's ride from here reported a group of ten or so spidrens. A Rider Group was going to go out to meet them, but Raoul's in residence and we thought we'd go spidren hunting with a number of the King's Own. You two coming?"
"Sure," Daine agreed. "I'll fly out and do some scouting. I've been feeling a little cramped in the palace lately anyway, so I'll appreciate the airspace."
"Since you're flying, Daine, I'll take a set of your clothes and your bow with Spots," Numair offered.
"Thanks, Numair. We'll meet you in the courtyard in five minutes then?" Daine suggested, addressing Alanna.
"Alright," Alanna complied, "see you shortly." She left the rooms, Numair closing the door behind her, only for it to be whistled open by a dragonet mere seconds later, twittering at him and Daine.
"We're going spidren hunting," Daine explained. "We'll be back in a while." Kitten made a condescending sound and sulked off, turning slightly grey.
Daine ignored the resentful dragon, knowing she'd come around eventually, and fetched a spare set of clothes and the bow her father, the hunt god Weiryn, had made for her in the Divine Realms, along with a quiver of arrows. She handed them to Numair, who placed them in a small pack.
"I'll be off then?" Daine said questioningly.
Numair nodded and kissed her forehead. "Take care, sweet."
Daine smiled at him. "I will," she promised, and took a step back. She thought of talons, sharp eyes and golden feathers, attributes of a bird of prey with a glider's wings. Her clothes slumped to the ground, empty, and a bird emerged, shaking fabric off her small form. Daine the eagle launched into the air, flying a circle around Numair before swooping out the open window.
The day was clear, warm, and bright. Not a cloud could be seen in the dome of blue sky that capped the earth as far as Daine could see. She rode columns of warm air down to the palace courtyard, revelling in the bliss of flight and its freedom. She found Alanna, Raoul, Numair, and a squad of the King's Own waiting for her, and let out a shrill cry to draw their attention to her, soaring above them.
Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, Knight Commander of the King's Own, lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight to catch a better glimpse of the eagle in the sky. "That her, Numair?"
"Yes," the mage affirmed.
Raoul nodded. "Mount up!" he told his men. "Vigilance, now that we're on the road, could mean the difference between your life and death," he added, when he noticed a few of them had been startled by his sudden command.
"Yes, my lord," they mumbled, as Alanna chuckled, and the group was off, the sound of horses' hooves echoing in the crisp air. The column exited palace grounds and the gates of Corus into the forest road beyond.
Good afternoon, Spots! Daine called from the air to Numair's patient gelding.
Spots nickered and tossed his head. I don't see the goodness of it, he said. The stork-man does not ride well, and there are too many trees here for me. He left his stirrups a little long, I think.
Daine laughed silently. I'll tell him, Spots, she reassured the horse.
She circled once, and plummeted downwards, folding her wings in to her body for speed. Raoul, at the front of the column, noticed her diving, and, thinking she needed to tell him something, held his arm out for her as a perch. Daine screeched and aimed straight for his head, causing him to duck and cry out in alarm as she pulled out of her dive just a foot from her head. Alanna, Numair, and the men of the King's Own laughed outrageously at the big Knight Commander displaying such distress at such a small bird. Raoul scowled at Daine as she banked and settled on Numair's saddle horn. She reshaped her vocal cords and beak so as to be able to speak, cleared her throat to check its functionality, and laughed.
"Did I alarm you?" she asked Raoul innocently. Everyone laughed as he grunted.
"Did you have anything to say or was that just for your own petty amusement, taking your sweet, sweet time to harass me?" Raoul shot back.
Daine chuckled. "Sorry, Sir Knight," she said, half apologetically. "Numair, your stirrups are too long. It's uncomfortable for Spots."
Thank you, Spots told Daine gratefully. The stork-man is all elbows and knees. A peculiar grace he has, in carrying himself about, but when others must carry him, he doesn't seem to know how to hold up his own side of the deal.
Daine amusedly conveyed Spots' words to Numair, who groaned and bent over to adjust the length of his stirrups. "Riding does not agree with me." He sighed miserably.
"We know." Alanna chuckled. "It makes the rest of us feel better - one of the world's greatest mages can hardly hold his own on horseback."
"Watch your mouth, or this great mage will silence it for the rest of time," Numair said ominously.
"Right," Daine said sarcastically, "and since I don't want to hear any more of your petty squabbles, I'll be going back up where I belong. And Lord Raoul, sir, one might advise you to be more vigilant. Vigilance could mean the difference between your life and death, with all due respect, sir." She sniggered with Alanna, Numair, and the King's Own, while Raoul glared at her as she took off her impromptu perch and used several great wing beats to find an air current that would hold her aloft, reshaping her beak and voice box as she flew.
Daine rose into the air until she was merely a speck in the sky to the eyes of the column below. Her eyes, armed with the powerful vision of an eagle, scanned the terrain below, searching for signs of movement in the trees of the forest. Engrossed by her work, she lost track of time as she enjoyed the wind beneath her wings and the talk of forest animals when she called out her greeting, asking if any had seen spidrens.
Suddenly, Daine was gripped by the feeling of something utterly wrong - immortals, she knew immediately, and the feel of them in her mind confirmed the presence of spidrens. The area of thinning out forest from which the vibe had come was eerily silent, and Daine's magic told her that all animals had evacuated the area, which she quickly surveyed.
Daine tucked her wings in and plummeted for the earth, noting with mild pleasure that Raoul was trying his best not to flinch as he looked up at her, again the first to notice the bird. Daine spread her wings to land smoothly on Numair's saddle horn, and repeated the process of changing her vocal cords and beak to a two-legger's.
"The spidrens are perhaps half a kilometre north-north-west from here," she told them. "The woods thin out into a grassy field in the middle of which a village is situated - they're where the wood meets plain. The terrain is flat; since we're coming from the wood there'll be nowhere for them to hide. I counted eighteen, and they're moving back into the trees - let's go, before they get a chance to conceal themselves."
Alanna nodded satisfactorily, and Raoul signalled the column to halt. "The village you saw must have been the one from which the report of the creatures originated," Alanna said. "Alright, Raoul, my friend, I'll give you a chance to repair your dignity and allow you to think of today's battle strategy."
Raoul scowled. "Attention!" he snapped at the squad, a unit of ten men. They looked like very green members of the King's Own, not a one that looked over twenty-five years. New recruits, she thought, on a mission most likely designed to introduce them to the basics of fieldwork. "Archers will attack first," the Knight Commander continued. "Remember, one more spidren killed from long distance is one less that will have the ability to ensnare you in web. Archers, aim for heads and necks - one-shot kills. When you have picked off all those that you can, Alanna and I will lead the main charge. Lances, men, and when you've used those, your swords. Numair, it would be most wonderful if you'd shield us with your sparkly fire from behind. Daine, you've got the privilege of deciding what you want to do. Any questions?"
"Yeah, can we get on with it?" Alanna drawled.
"Shut up. In the defence of Tortall we ride," he told the men, and they saluted their leader smartly, hands snapping to chests. Raoul spurred his horse ahead, and the horses eased into a hard canter down the road for another hundred metres before turning off the path towards the west and riding through bush.
Daine, still sitting on the saddle horn, thought of a tiny huntress' claws and whiskers, felinity and paws. She changed into a medium-sized cat the colour of her blue-grey eyes, and nuzzled Numair's hands. He smiled down at her as he continued riding, and then grew serious as archers loosed their first shots at spidrens just entering the trees. Daine tugged at the pack holding her clothes and bow with her teeth, and Numair untied it from the saddle. She leapt gracefully from the saddle to the ground and pulled the pack behind a tree after Numair threw it down to the ground for her.
The sound of spidrens shrieking curses as they fought and died were clearly audible as Daine changed back to a two-legger and put on her clothes. She quickly strung her bow and strapped her quiver to her back, running out from the shelter of the tree to face the battle.
Six spidrens had been killed already; Daine counted two severely wounded and the remaining ten locked in combat. One of the King's Own cried out as a spidren nearly took off his arm with an axe before Daine killed it with an arrow to the head. The man turned around and saw Daine, smiling in relief. She gave him a thumbs up before fitting another arrow to the string and killing a spidren engulfed in black fire, shimmering with white lights - Numair's Gift. She killed the creature before Numair could with another shot to the head, sending a look of mock disdain Numair's way when he turned to look at her. He pursed his lips and glared, but she grinned at him and he was compelled to smile back - she had that effect on him - before turning his attention back to the battle.
"I saw that!" Raoul roared over the din of fighting. "Stop with that lover's mush in the field! Salmalín, Sarrasri! Back to work!
Daine turned a ripe shade of red as everyone fought the urge to laugh, lest they were run through by a spidren, and landed several more shots before all the spidrens were lying on the earth, dead or dying. She mopped sweat from her forehead as the King's Own dismounted and walked around, giving the mercy stroke to those dying. Daine reached out with her magic and informed all animals within range that this area was once again safe to frequent.
"Lady?" someone said abruptly.
"Yes?" Alanna answered.
Daine looked to see who had spoken; it was a young man from the King's Own, broad-shouldered, well-muscled, yet very boyish-looking. He frowned in embarrassment as his cheeks became mantled.
"Not you, Lady Knight," he stammered, obviously unused to speaking with figures of authority. "Meaning no offence, of course ..." He trailed off, uncertain.
"It's alright," Alanna said kindly, smiling.
The soldier smiled, albeit faintly, in thanks. "Lady Veralidaine, I meant," he said.
Daine looked at him inquisitively. "Yes?"
"This spidren ... he knows your name. I think he wants to speak with you."
Everyone heard the young man's words gathered around the man and the spidren at his feet, intrigued. The immortal was nearly dead from a wound to the chest; he was lying in a pool of his own blood, and more blood was spilling out his mouth as he choked, hardly able to breathe.
"Veralidaine Sarrasri," he rasped. Shocked, Daine drew slightly away, her eyes widening. Numair's hand settled itself on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
"Sarra's bastard daughter," he croaked, his voice barely audible. Numair's hand tightened on Daine's shoulder at the insult to his love. The spidren attempted to laugh, spewing more blood onto the forest floor, and producing a muffled gurgle from the back of his throat. "Carthak awaits you," the immortal whispered, "with all its splendour, surely, but along with the jewelled hilt of any Carthaki sword comes a goodly length of beautiful, yes, but deadly Carthaki steel." He looked at her, and Daine could see the madness in his eyes. She dropped her bow and stumbled backwards into Numair's waiting arms as the spidren died, his lungs filled with blood and his head lolling down to his shoulder.
Daine trembled like a leaf as Numair hugged her tightly; everyone had gone silent, staring at Daine, while she stared at the floor. The spidren's words had chilled all to the bone, and no one moved or made a sound for a long, awkward moment.
Alanna cleared her throat. "We've got to bury the bodies," she said, returning them to duty. "I'll dig the hole." She flipped a finger at a spot in the field, and a large hole, ten feet deep and twice as wide, dug itself in the earth.
Raoul straightened. "Thanks Alanna. Right, get to it, soldiers!" he barked, startling the men into movement, a few muttering 'yessir' under their breath.
"Daine, are you alright?" Alanna asked concernedly. Daine looked up from the ground into the Lioness' violet eyes and nodded. "We'll get to the bottom of this," the knight assured her, "don't you worry. And Numair and I will be in Carthak with you - the gods know that getting around me is hard, and I don't know whether or not it's possible to get past Numair when you're involved."
"That's right, magelet," Numair said, "listen to Alanna. You're safe." He leaned down and kissed her temple, gave her a tighter embrace and released her.
Raoul voiced his agreement, patting Daine on the back. "His Majesty is a fine mage also. You're in good hands, Daine, and anyone who tries to harm you will face royal Tortallan wrath."
Daine looked at three caring, reassuring faces, two towering above her and one slightly below her line of sight. She smiled, trying to hide her slight queasiness. "Thank you. It just made me a little uneasy, that's all - I'm fine now."
"Sorry to interrupt, Lord Raoul, sir, but we have a little problem!" someone called from the side of the large pit.
The Knight Commander turned around. "Trent of Halsworth. What is it?"
"Lady - uh, Sir - uh, well, I mean, the Lioness dug this hole, and well, the dirt we need to cover it isn't really here," Trent said falteringly.
"Ah," Alanna said, "forgive me." She waved at the pit, which filled with purple fire, causing the King's Own to retreat backwards from the edge a few steps. Alanna's Gift coalesced, forming dirt that blended harmoniously back into the topography of the plain.
"You forgot something," Numair said mockingly, and waved his hand also. The dirt suddenly sprouted vegetation, and the grave was no longer distinguishable from the rest of the area.
Alanna sniffed. "Show-off," she said contemptuously.
"Ah, my lady," Numair said expansively, "you're only saying that to make me feel better." He tugged at his long nose, grinning broadly, as Daine shook her head, picked up her bow, and went to retrieve her pack from the tree behind which she'd left it. After unstrapping her quiver from her back and placing both it and her bow into the pack, she returned to the company, who were already saddled on their mounts and ready to ride back to Corus.
"Will you fly back again?" Numair asked her. "You can saddle up with me." Daine nodded, letting Numair take her pack and strap it onto the side of Spots' saddle.
"Actually," Daine said, "I'll take the reins."
"You don't trust me!" Numair gasped, in mock astonishment.
Daine laughed and mounted up into the saddle in front of Numair. Is this too heavy for you? she asked Spots.
No, the gelding returned. The stork-man is skinny, though tall, and you should eat more.
Daine chuckled, conveyed his words to Numair, and took the reins in her hands as the mage wrapped his arms around her, letting her lean comfortably against his chest. The column formed up again once back on the road, and started the return ride to Corus at an easy trot.
.::.
I'll write the next chapter if you guys want it! I'd love to hear what you guys think - please review! Thanks for reading :)
A/N: Twilight, as defined by the ever-helpful dictionary.com: 1a. The diffused light from the sky during the early evening or early morning when the sun is below the horizon and its light is refracted by the earth's atmosphere. b. The time of the day when the sun is just below the horizon, especially the period between sunset and dark. 2. Dim or diffused illumination. 3. A period or condition of decline following growth, glory, or success: in the twilight of his life. 4. A state of ambiguity or obscurity. Not a very bright word, is it? And just because this starts up without any depressing angst does not mean that this is a happy story :P
A/N #2: Numair and Daine all the way :)
Disclaimer: An original story with all characters belonging to Tamora Pierce.
.::.
"For the last time, I refuse!"
The voice of Veralidaine Sarrasri positively seethed with fury, causing a previously sleeping black robe mage to be startled out of his sound rest. A sky-blue dragonet, curled up on the floor, lifted her head and let out a series of chirps, filled with the indignation of being roused from her slumber at such an unseemly hour.
"I will do no such thing, you hear? And no one else will either!"
Numair Salmalín hushed the young dragon, who was trilling loudly. For all that she was the only one in the room still sleeping, Daine was causing a great deal of noise, talking to someone substantial only in her mind.
"No," Daine began emphatically as she turned over in Numair's arms, but whatever else she was about to say was lost as Numair pressed his lips to hers. She sighed against his mouth as she awoke and returned his kiss. Kitten muttered something softly to herself before she lowered her head to her paws and closed her eyes.
Numair pulled back, looking curiously at his student, friend, and love. "What were you dreaming about?" he inquired.
"The Graveyard Hag was going to make us all live in Carthak," Daine replied groggily, passing a hand over her eyes. Kitten squawked from the floor and raised herself up on her haunches to eye her guardian suspiciously, chattering rapidly in Daine's face. "No, Kit," Daine reassured the young dragon, "I wasn't going to let her." Kitten snorted and sank back down to the ground. "What did you wake me up for, and how did you know I was dreaming?"
"You were being very vocal about it." Numair chuckled softly in the darkness. "You woke us up expressing your resentment."
Abashed, Daine apologized profusely. "Funny thing is I'm getting a strong feeling now that the Hag was just toying with me," she added, after a moment's pause.
"Strange how the Hag would come to you here in Tortall," Numair mused, "seeing that she's the patron goddess of Carthak." He shrugged. "Since the sun hasn't risen, how does going back to sleep sound?" He drew Daine closer to him, tightening his arms around her.
"Lovely," Daine murmured, already half-asleep in Numair's warm embrace.
.::.
"A visit to Carthak!" Daine exclaimed. She and Numair exchanged looks.
King Jonathan of Conté watched them enquiringly, stroking his blue-black beard. "Was there something else you had in mind?"
"Oh no, sire," Daine said quickly, "it's just that the Graveyard Hag paid me a visit in my dreams last night, as if she knew we would be visiting her empire soon enough."
"Yes, and it would be her idea of a laugh to make you think we'd all have to pack up and move there instead of paying a short state visit," Numair grumbled.
"Well, who's going?" Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, the King's Champion, asked.
Tortall's monarchs, the Champion, Daine, and Numair were gathered in Jonathan's study, following a royal summoning that morning.
"Us," Queen Thayet of Conté said simply. "Kaddar, Jonathan, and I have agreed that we must impress upon the Carthaki Empire the peace that has been negotiated between Tortall and Carthak - and what better way to do it than pay a state visit?"
"Because we weren't present when peace talks - of a sort - began with Ozorne, the Carthaki people might not have registered the significance of the peace propositions," Jonathan added. "We're hoping our presence in Carthak for a visit might help to quell some of the rebellion that Kaddar has been facing."
Alanna snorted. "Do you really think your presence will quell rebellion? Rebels seeing you, the object of their hatred - don't you realize the potential danger? Have Your Majesties taken into account the possibilities of challenges? Assassins?"
"Of course," Thayet said sweetly. "That's what your presence is for. The Champion, great Lady Knight, to defend her King and her Queen." Alanna made a face as Thayet grinned.
"Then why must I go?" Daine asked. "I'm no ambassador."
"You tore down the palace three years ago," Jonathan reminded her. "And Kaddar was your escort when you arrived the first time - in addition, wouldn't you like to see the new aviary and menagerie?"
Daine scowled. "Carthak is too warm for the likes of me, especially now in the middle of summer."
"And I suppose I must go along as well," Numair said resignedly, "ostensibly to show Carthak that I am not, in fact, a traitor?"
"Ostensibly, yes," Alanna quipped, "but in actuality, I don't suppose you'd care for Daine to go without you?"
Numair looked at Alanna maliciously while Daine blushed scarlet. The Lioness arched her eyebrows and looked at the mage, laughter in her violet eyes, as silence swept the room.
"Daine, why don't you come with me?" Thayet asked, stifling laughter. "Let's talk dresses; I don't think either of us will care for the next hour or so of politics."
Daine gave her a grateful look as they exited the study and Jonathan coughed to draw the attention of knight and mage back to the matter at hand. "Thank you," Daine said in the hall as they walked back to the suite of rooms that she and Numair shared. "That was very awkward."
"Agreed." Thayet laughed. "Numair's touchy in the mornings. Let's walk a little faster - I arranged for a little something to be left in your rooms."
"What is it?" Daine asked curiously.
"A surprise." Thayet smiled mysteriously, as they reached the door that bore two names: Numair Salmalín and Veralidaine Sarrasri.
Before Daine could open the door herself, a piping trill sounded from inside the room and it swung open to reveal a happy Kitten. Daine smiled and picked the dragonet up as she whistled at Thayet to welcome her. The queen closed the door behind them as Daine eyed the large trunk sitting on the table in the centre of the main room in the suite.
"Well, open it," Thayet suggested.
Daine set Kitten down, flipped the golden latch of the trunk open, and almost fainted. "For me?"
Thayet grinned. "All for you."
Inside the trunk was a wardrobe fit for royalty. Gowns with the finest embroidery and brocade in Daine's favourite shades were folded on top of each other, and upon the opening of a small box came the discovery of matching jewellery. She ran a silver chain between her fingers and admired the sapphire pendant dangling from it, light reflecting off its many deep blue facets.
"I can't accept this!" Daine protested. "It must have cost a fortune!"
"Say no more," Thayet said, "each garment was custom tailored and so no one else can wear them. The proposal that Kaddar sent suggesting the visit was littered with hints that there would be formal balls, and I thought you might like something new to wear."
"I don't know what to say," Daine stammered. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Thayet laughed. "Try something on. The blue one, I think - you're holding the necklace that goes with it. It'll bring out shades in your pretty eyes."
Daine blushed and retreated into the bedchamber with a wispy, pale blue creation with an elaborately decorated bodice. She stripped to breast band and loincloth and put on the dress, but stopped short of returning to the queen when she noticed something wrong.
"Thayet, I can't wear this!" she groaned.
"Why not?" the queen asked pleasantly - a little too pleasantly, Daine thought.
"You know why not!" Daine shot back.
"Daine, my dearest, the neckline isn't that low!"
"Thayet, this goes beyond low! It's - scandalous, and I feel like a court lady encouraging overeager men to get into my pants!" Daine wailed.
"Oh Daine, let me at least have a look," Thayet said winsomely from outside the door. "Please?"
"Mithros," Daine muttered. Reluctantly, she opened the door, steeling herself.
The queen beamed. "Daine, you look excellent! Elegance becomes you, young lady."
Kitten chortled with amusement before whistling at the door and leaving, foreseeing a potential session of dress talks.
Daine hardly agreed with the queen, if this was 'elegance'. The bodice of the strapless gown was tight, accentuating curves that she really preferred to wear loose shirts over. The daring neckline dipped extremely low, leaving Daine feeling much like a harlot with the tops of her breasts bare and her back half covered. She squirmed under Thayet's scrutiny, feeling much at unease. "Can I change back now?" she asked pleadingly.
"No, you can't actually - put the necklace on," Thayet suggested happily.
"Then can I take it off?" When Thayet nodded, Daine rushed to put the necklace on, the silver and sapphire cold against her bare skin.
"Twirl," the queen commanded. Daine sighed and did a full turn as the door suddenly opened.
"Daine!" Numair burst.
Daine blushed bright red and wished she could disappear. Thayet convulsed with laughter at his timely arrival. "What do you think?" the queen asked the dumbfounded mage.
"You're...beautiful," Numair breathed. His eyes travelled over Daine's figure, lingering somewhere below her chin as she shifted uncomfortably.
Thayet smirked. "I'll leave you two to figure out how you'd like to take it off." She winked at Daine, who glared, and left, shutting the door behind her as Numair had left it open in his awe.
Daine stood there dumbly for a moment, Numair staring at her, until she regained her wits and turned around, heading back to the bedchamber. "I'm taking it off now," she declared.
Numair covered the distance between them in two strides and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Don't do that," he said softly in her ear, "you look so lovely." He kissed his way up her neck to her lips, turning her around in his arms as he teased with his tongue, letting his hands roam over her body. They were breathless when they separated, eyes shining with passion.
"Maybe I'll keep it on," Daine whispered, "if you'll be like that ... but it's really very tight."
"Are you two decent?" Alanna's voice called teasingly from the door. "I need to talk to you two, but Daine, but if you let Numair see you in that fluff Thayet gave you earlier, I'm not sure how much of it you're still wearing."
Numair glared at the door, frustrated at being interrupted, while Daine rushed back into the bedchamber for her shirt and breeches. She squirmed out of the gown and came out in her regular attire, feeling much better, and opened the door for the Lioness.
"I must have interrupted something," the Lioness said observantly. "You left that necklace on and your clothes are quite crooked. Bitter, bitter," she added, nodding at Numair, who was glowering at her. "Back to business - a man from a village an hour's ride from here reported a group of ten or so spidrens. A Rider Group was going to go out to meet them, but Raoul's in residence and we thought we'd go spidren hunting with a number of the King's Own. You two coming?"
"Sure," Daine agreed. "I'll fly out and do some scouting. I've been feeling a little cramped in the palace lately anyway, so I'll appreciate the airspace."
"Since you're flying, Daine, I'll take a set of your clothes and your bow with Spots," Numair offered.
"Thanks, Numair. We'll meet you in the courtyard in five minutes then?" Daine suggested, addressing Alanna.
"Alright," Alanna complied, "see you shortly." She left the rooms, Numair closing the door behind her, only for it to be whistled open by a dragonet mere seconds later, twittering at him and Daine.
"We're going spidren hunting," Daine explained. "We'll be back in a while." Kitten made a condescending sound and sulked off, turning slightly grey.
Daine ignored the resentful dragon, knowing she'd come around eventually, and fetched a spare set of clothes and the bow her father, the hunt god Weiryn, had made for her in the Divine Realms, along with a quiver of arrows. She handed them to Numair, who placed them in a small pack.
"I'll be off then?" Daine said questioningly.
Numair nodded and kissed her forehead. "Take care, sweet."
Daine smiled at him. "I will," she promised, and took a step back. She thought of talons, sharp eyes and golden feathers, attributes of a bird of prey with a glider's wings. Her clothes slumped to the ground, empty, and a bird emerged, shaking fabric off her small form. Daine the eagle launched into the air, flying a circle around Numair before swooping out the open window.
The day was clear, warm, and bright. Not a cloud could be seen in the dome of blue sky that capped the earth as far as Daine could see. She rode columns of warm air down to the palace courtyard, revelling in the bliss of flight and its freedom. She found Alanna, Raoul, Numair, and a squad of the King's Own waiting for her, and let out a shrill cry to draw their attention to her, soaring above them.
Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, Knight Commander of the King's Own, lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight to catch a better glimpse of the eagle in the sky. "That her, Numair?"
"Yes," the mage affirmed.
Raoul nodded. "Mount up!" he told his men. "Vigilance, now that we're on the road, could mean the difference between your life and death," he added, when he noticed a few of them had been startled by his sudden command.
"Yes, my lord," they mumbled, as Alanna chuckled, and the group was off, the sound of horses' hooves echoing in the crisp air. The column exited palace grounds and the gates of Corus into the forest road beyond.
Good afternoon, Spots! Daine called from the air to Numair's patient gelding.
Spots nickered and tossed his head. I don't see the goodness of it, he said. The stork-man does not ride well, and there are too many trees here for me. He left his stirrups a little long, I think.
Daine laughed silently. I'll tell him, Spots, she reassured the horse.
She circled once, and plummeted downwards, folding her wings in to her body for speed. Raoul, at the front of the column, noticed her diving, and, thinking she needed to tell him something, held his arm out for her as a perch. Daine screeched and aimed straight for his head, causing him to duck and cry out in alarm as she pulled out of her dive just a foot from her head. Alanna, Numair, and the men of the King's Own laughed outrageously at the big Knight Commander displaying such distress at such a small bird. Raoul scowled at Daine as she banked and settled on Numair's saddle horn. She reshaped her vocal cords and beak so as to be able to speak, cleared her throat to check its functionality, and laughed.
"Did I alarm you?" she asked Raoul innocently. Everyone laughed as he grunted.
"Did you have anything to say or was that just for your own petty amusement, taking your sweet, sweet time to harass me?" Raoul shot back.
Daine chuckled. "Sorry, Sir Knight," she said, half apologetically. "Numair, your stirrups are too long. It's uncomfortable for Spots."
Thank you, Spots told Daine gratefully. The stork-man is all elbows and knees. A peculiar grace he has, in carrying himself about, but when others must carry him, he doesn't seem to know how to hold up his own side of the deal.
Daine amusedly conveyed Spots' words to Numair, who groaned and bent over to adjust the length of his stirrups. "Riding does not agree with me." He sighed miserably.
"We know." Alanna chuckled. "It makes the rest of us feel better - one of the world's greatest mages can hardly hold his own on horseback."
"Watch your mouth, or this great mage will silence it for the rest of time," Numair said ominously.
"Right," Daine said sarcastically, "and since I don't want to hear any more of your petty squabbles, I'll be going back up where I belong. And Lord Raoul, sir, one might advise you to be more vigilant. Vigilance could mean the difference between your life and death, with all due respect, sir." She sniggered with Alanna, Numair, and the King's Own, while Raoul glared at her as she took off her impromptu perch and used several great wing beats to find an air current that would hold her aloft, reshaping her beak and voice box as she flew.
Daine rose into the air until she was merely a speck in the sky to the eyes of the column below. Her eyes, armed with the powerful vision of an eagle, scanned the terrain below, searching for signs of movement in the trees of the forest. Engrossed by her work, she lost track of time as she enjoyed the wind beneath her wings and the talk of forest animals when she called out her greeting, asking if any had seen spidrens.
Suddenly, Daine was gripped by the feeling of something utterly wrong - immortals, she knew immediately, and the feel of them in her mind confirmed the presence of spidrens. The area of thinning out forest from which the vibe had come was eerily silent, and Daine's magic told her that all animals had evacuated the area, which she quickly surveyed.
Daine tucked her wings in and plummeted for the earth, noting with mild pleasure that Raoul was trying his best not to flinch as he looked up at her, again the first to notice the bird. Daine spread her wings to land smoothly on Numair's saddle horn, and repeated the process of changing her vocal cords and beak to a two-legger's.
"The spidrens are perhaps half a kilometre north-north-west from here," she told them. "The woods thin out into a grassy field in the middle of which a village is situated - they're where the wood meets plain. The terrain is flat; since we're coming from the wood there'll be nowhere for them to hide. I counted eighteen, and they're moving back into the trees - let's go, before they get a chance to conceal themselves."
Alanna nodded satisfactorily, and Raoul signalled the column to halt. "The village you saw must have been the one from which the report of the creatures originated," Alanna said. "Alright, Raoul, my friend, I'll give you a chance to repair your dignity and allow you to think of today's battle strategy."
Raoul scowled. "Attention!" he snapped at the squad, a unit of ten men. They looked like very green members of the King's Own, not a one that looked over twenty-five years. New recruits, she thought, on a mission most likely designed to introduce them to the basics of fieldwork. "Archers will attack first," the Knight Commander continued. "Remember, one more spidren killed from long distance is one less that will have the ability to ensnare you in web. Archers, aim for heads and necks - one-shot kills. When you have picked off all those that you can, Alanna and I will lead the main charge. Lances, men, and when you've used those, your swords. Numair, it would be most wonderful if you'd shield us with your sparkly fire from behind. Daine, you've got the privilege of deciding what you want to do. Any questions?"
"Yeah, can we get on with it?" Alanna drawled.
"Shut up. In the defence of Tortall we ride," he told the men, and they saluted their leader smartly, hands snapping to chests. Raoul spurred his horse ahead, and the horses eased into a hard canter down the road for another hundred metres before turning off the path towards the west and riding through bush.
Daine, still sitting on the saddle horn, thought of a tiny huntress' claws and whiskers, felinity and paws. She changed into a medium-sized cat the colour of her blue-grey eyes, and nuzzled Numair's hands. He smiled down at her as he continued riding, and then grew serious as archers loosed their first shots at spidrens just entering the trees. Daine tugged at the pack holding her clothes and bow with her teeth, and Numair untied it from the saddle. She leapt gracefully from the saddle to the ground and pulled the pack behind a tree after Numair threw it down to the ground for her.
The sound of spidrens shrieking curses as they fought and died were clearly audible as Daine changed back to a two-legger and put on her clothes. She quickly strung her bow and strapped her quiver to her back, running out from the shelter of the tree to face the battle.
Six spidrens had been killed already; Daine counted two severely wounded and the remaining ten locked in combat. One of the King's Own cried out as a spidren nearly took off his arm with an axe before Daine killed it with an arrow to the head. The man turned around and saw Daine, smiling in relief. She gave him a thumbs up before fitting another arrow to the string and killing a spidren engulfed in black fire, shimmering with white lights - Numair's Gift. She killed the creature before Numair could with another shot to the head, sending a look of mock disdain Numair's way when he turned to look at her. He pursed his lips and glared, but she grinned at him and he was compelled to smile back - she had that effect on him - before turning his attention back to the battle.
"I saw that!" Raoul roared over the din of fighting. "Stop with that lover's mush in the field! Salmalín, Sarrasri! Back to work!
Daine turned a ripe shade of red as everyone fought the urge to laugh, lest they were run through by a spidren, and landed several more shots before all the spidrens were lying on the earth, dead or dying. She mopped sweat from her forehead as the King's Own dismounted and walked around, giving the mercy stroke to those dying. Daine reached out with her magic and informed all animals within range that this area was once again safe to frequent.
"Lady?" someone said abruptly.
"Yes?" Alanna answered.
Daine looked to see who had spoken; it was a young man from the King's Own, broad-shouldered, well-muscled, yet very boyish-looking. He frowned in embarrassment as his cheeks became mantled.
"Not you, Lady Knight," he stammered, obviously unused to speaking with figures of authority. "Meaning no offence, of course ..." He trailed off, uncertain.
"It's alright," Alanna said kindly, smiling.
The soldier smiled, albeit faintly, in thanks. "Lady Veralidaine, I meant," he said.
Daine looked at him inquisitively. "Yes?"
"This spidren ... he knows your name. I think he wants to speak with you."
Everyone heard the young man's words gathered around the man and the spidren at his feet, intrigued. The immortal was nearly dead from a wound to the chest; he was lying in a pool of his own blood, and more blood was spilling out his mouth as he choked, hardly able to breathe.
"Veralidaine Sarrasri," he rasped. Shocked, Daine drew slightly away, her eyes widening. Numair's hand settled itself on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
"Sarra's bastard daughter," he croaked, his voice barely audible. Numair's hand tightened on Daine's shoulder at the insult to his love. The spidren attempted to laugh, spewing more blood onto the forest floor, and producing a muffled gurgle from the back of his throat. "Carthak awaits you," the immortal whispered, "with all its splendour, surely, but along with the jewelled hilt of any Carthaki sword comes a goodly length of beautiful, yes, but deadly Carthaki steel." He looked at her, and Daine could see the madness in his eyes. She dropped her bow and stumbled backwards into Numair's waiting arms as the spidren died, his lungs filled with blood and his head lolling down to his shoulder.
Daine trembled like a leaf as Numair hugged her tightly; everyone had gone silent, staring at Daine, while she stared at the floor. The spidren's words had chilled all to the bone, and no one moved or made a sound for a long, awkward moment.
Alanna cleared her throat. "We've got to bury the bodies," she said, returning them to duty. "I'll dig the hole." She flipped a finger at a spot in the field, and a large hole, ten feet deep and twice as wide, dug itself in the earth.
Raoul straightened. "Thanks Alanna. Right, get to it, soldiers!" he barked, startling the men into movement, a few muttering 'yessir' under their breath.
"Daine, are you alright?" Alanna asked concernedly. Daine looked up from the ground into the Lioness' violet eyes and nodded. "We'll get to the bottom of this," the knight assured her, "don't you worry. And Numair and I will be in Carthak with you - the gods know that getting around me is hard, and I don't know whether or not it's possible to get past Numair when you're involved."
"That's right, magelet," Numair said, "listen to Alanna. You're safe." He leaned down and kissed her temple, gave her a tighter embrace and released her.
Raoul voiced his agreement, patting Daine on the back. "His Majesty is a fine mage also. You're in good hands, Daine, and anyone who tries to harm you will face royal Tortallan wrath."
Daine looked at three caring, reassuring faces, two towering above her and one slightly below her line of sight. She smiled, trying to hide her slight queasiness. "Thank you. It just made me a little uneasy, that's all - I'm fine now."
"Sorry to interrupt, Lord Raoul, sir, but we have a little problem!" someone called from the side of the large pit.
The Knight Commander turned around. "Trent of Halsworth. What is it?"
"Lady - uh, Sir - uh, well, I mean, the Lioness dug this hole, and well, the dirt we need to cover it isn't really here," Trent said falteringly.
"Ah," Alanna said, "forgive me." She waved at the pit, which filled with purple fire, causing the King's Own to retreat backwards from the edge a few steps. Alanna's Gift coalesced, forming dirt that blended harmoniously back into the topography of the plain.
"You forgot something," Numair said mockingly, and waved his hand also. The dirt suddenly sprouted vegetation, and the grave was no longer distinguishable from the rest of the area.
Alanna sniffed. "Show-off," she said contemptuously.
"Ah, my lady," Numair said expansively, "you're only saying that to make me feel better." He tugged at his long nose, grinning broadly, as Daine shook her head, picked up her bow, and went to retrieve her pack from the tree behind which she'd left it. After unstrapping her quiver from her back and placing both it and her bow into the pack, she returned to the company, who were already saddled on their mounts and ready to ride back to Corus.
"Will you fly back again?" Numair asked her. "You can saddle up with me." Daine nodded, letting Numair take her pack and strap it onto the side of Spots' saddle.
"Actually," Daine said, "I'll take the reins."
"You don't trust me!" Numair gasped, in mock astonishment.
Daine laughed and mounted up into the saddle in front of Numair. Is this too heavy for you? she asked Spots.
No, the gelding returned. The stork-man is skinny, though tall, and you should eat more.
Daine chuckled, conveyed his words to Numair, and took the reins in her hands as the mage wrapped his arms around her, letting her lean comfortably against his chest. The column formed up again once back on the road, and started the return ride to Corus at an easy trot.
.::.
I'll write the next chapter if you guys want it! I'd love to hear what you guys think - please review! Thanks for reading :)