7.24.2004
Okay guys...this is my first time doing this, so feel free (in fact, please) read and review - I'm more than open to criticism. Although if you like it, I don't mind hearing that either. : )
You should know that this is D/N, in a AU that picks up at the end of Emperor Mage, and disregards ROTG (which I like very much, but just didn't want to deal with while doing this). There will be fluff, but it may be a long and painful road to get there – an R rating may apply to later chapters, mainly for dark psychological content. I'll post warnings on them when they come up, and rate it PG-13 for now. So here goes....
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Disclaimer: This is the part where I tell you that Tamora Pierce is responsible for the wonderful books, characters, and imaginative landscapes I'm painting on, and that I'm not making any money. So all credit to her, and please call off the lawyers. I'm really not worth suing, as I can barely afford bus fare to the courthouse.
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"I got mad."
"Magelet, that's the biggest understatement I've ever heard." Numair Salmalin wrapped strong arms tighter around his student, long fingers digging around her shoulder blades, and fought the urge to bury his face in the smoky brown curls hanging undone and wild around her neck. She chuckled, almost imperceptibly, and squirmed slightly in his embrace, although her battered fingers still clutched the front of his shirt.
"Numair, I do still have to breathe," she teased, quietly. He flushed, and let his hands fall to his sides, hoping the crowd of bystanders hadn't heard, hadn't noticed more in his face and hands than the relief of a teacher and friend. He kept his dark eyes resolutely on her face, not daring to contemplate the sight of his cloak wrapped loosely around her unclothed body.
Alanna stepped forward, wrapping an arm around Daine and hugging her briefly before shepherding her off in the direction of the Tortallan fleet. Numair's gaze followed her receding figure, dwarfed in the black folds of his cloak, and he didn't notice his old friend and teacher, Lindhall Reed, moving to his side until his voice sounded in his ear.
"She tore down a palace for you."
Numair started, and then glared at his friend. "Ozorne tried to kill her, Lindhall, or keep her here as his slave, or Gods know what - " He realized the rising pitch of his voice and took a steadying breath, deliberately forcing his fists to uncurl before continuing. " - she's my student."
"You love her."
"And she's still my student, and she's only fifteen. She deserves someone younger. She thinks of me as her teacher, Lindhall, and as a friend."
The older man smiled indulgently, patting his former student on the back. "Of course, Arram. Of course..."