Chapter 2
It was a downtrodden girl that was riding her pony, Cloud, not 1 hour since she had found Varice and Numair kissing in Numair's rooms. All the animals seemed to notice as they kept on coming up to Daine and touching some part of her. But nothing they did seemed to cheer her up, not even when Moonlight dumped Alanna on the ground, catching the wrath of Alanna, in an effort to cheer Daine up.
"Daine, did I ever tell you what happened to me when I was a page?"
"No Alanna, but I don't really feel like talking".
"Daine" Alanna said sharply, "I know that Numair hurt you, but that does not give you an excuse to take your hurt out on the rest of us. I know that it hurts that is why I want to share this story with you. Alright?"
Daine had lifted her head from Cloud's mane where she had been resting, hiding from the world, when Alanna had barked her name.
"I'm sorry Alanna. I guess it's almost like losing my family all over again, only this time, because of the control I have over my magic, I didn't react outward, just inward. If you have anything that could help me I would appreciate the help".
Alanna smiled sadly at the girl next to her. "I know Daine, I know" after a brief pause Alanna continued, "You know that when I was a Page, I was still pretending to be a boy, only Jon, George and Corrum knew that I was a girl. A few others suspected, but those were the only ones I thought knew. Since I was Jonathan's page I had to attend parties that the knight's also had to attend. I always tried to hide as I felt strange having to flirt with the girls, but one time Gary caught me trying to hide and dragged me over the meet the beautiful Lady Delia.
Now at this time I started having feelings for Jon, but I didn't want to address them. George was already in love with me, so that was another thing I had to worry about. Well the beautiful Lady Delia knew that I was Jon's page and that I had an aversion to girls, because of that she tried to get all the boys mad at me by asking me to dance right in front of them. Jon liked her so that got him mad at me, this went on for months, one day he and Lady Delia were sharing a bed the next she was hanging on my arm. I was getting whiplash from Jon's mood swings, yet didn't know what to do.
Then on my 17th birthday I decided to wear a dress in the palace, as Mistress Cooper had been teaching me how to be a girl, I had a wig on so no one would recognize me. Jon saw me and we kissed, then went back to our rooms. We became a couple, but we couldn't tell anyone because I was 'a boy'. I had to watch all the girls flirt with him and he flirt back. But I didn't care so much, because I knew that he had chosen me. It sure made Lady Delia mad, let me tell you. The hardest part wasn't when we were together it was when we had yet to get together, then a little while after we had broken up.
Jon and I are still very close friends, in fact I was the one who brought Thayet back to Corus and introduced her to Jon. I'm not saying that you can become friends with Numair right away, but you might be able to later, especially once all of your friends make him miserable for hurting you. Even though we knew Numair first, we are all firmly on your side. When I told Gary, Raul, Jon and Thayet what Numair had done they were all quick to help you. He won't find out from one of us where you are. He is going to have to look for you himself. And as I have the gift, I have a shield on you so that he can't find you with him magic. That's sure to drive him batty. No offence to your friends. I could make him see things that aren't there, but I don't know if he could tell they weren't real or not. Any one of your friends could hound, bite and altogether make him life miserable. It isn't anything less than he deserves" Alanna finished.
Daine giggled a little at Alanna's words.
Alanna smiled glad that she could cheer the girl up for even a short amount of time after Numair had ripped the girl's heart out.
Letting out a deep sigh Daine sat up straighter. "You're right, Numair isn't worth moping after. I will let him be miserable looking for me and I might let you at least try to make him see things that aren't there. And I might let the animals nip at him, as long as they promise not to hurt him to bad".
"Good" Cloud said, "Can you send a bird to let the animals at the palace that they are given permission to hurt the storkman for making you cry? I would even like to go back and give him a few kicks myself".
Daine smiled at Cloud's declaration. "I'm sorry that I didn't let you get a few kicks in before we left, but if I did then Numair would figure out that I was mad at him and leaving. This way he has to find out for himself. By how long it takes him to realize that I'm gone, that is how much he cares for me. But if he is wrapped up in Varice, it might be awhile".
"Alanna even if Numair comes to Pirate's Swoop, can you not tell him I'm there unless he seems frantic and desperate. I would still rather not see him just yet".
"Of course Daine, and like I told you before, we are more loyal to you than to the Black Robed Mage. You can probably even get my children to help hide you. I know for sure and certain that George will think it will be fun to keep you out of Numair's sight. But Numair knows you and your magic best, he will probably figure out that you are there by the way the animals are behaving and he also might spot Cloud".
"Let him figure it out then. After all it was him that was with Varice, it serves him right if everyone lies to him and won't tell him where I am. But we did send him on quite a goose-chase".
"That we did youngling that we did. I can't wait to see his reaction when he finds out you are gone" Alanna said with a mischievous grin.
I know this is a little OOC, but I couldn't figure out a way to do what I wanted without this. The next chapter is going to be Numair's reaction to finding out Daine has gone. Let me know whether or not you like it and if you have any suggestions I would be glad for the help. As always R/R. I really like getting all of your comments on if this story is even worth writing and what I can do to improve both the story and my writing.
*cr8z*
