Daine's body ached all over. After three hours of running, she had to work to get her tired lungs to breath.

"I can't believe we got past those guards," Darius panted. They were huddled together inside of a cave, safe from the pounding rain that thundered outside.

"They knew me. Of course they let us go." Daine retorted, irritated. The girl was weary beyond belief, and wanted nothing more than to sleep in a soft, warm bed.

I can't believe that just this morning I had everything I'd ever wanted, and now...

Everything was gone. She'd thrown it all away to help an assassin escape.

Now was one of those times Daine wished she had the patience her teacher had. If she had waited she could have stayed with Numair.

Numair... She should have stopped when he begged her to. Should have listened to him. Should have said good-bye instead of just running.

"We'd better get some sleep," her new companion commented. "We've a lot of traveling to do."

Daine nodded and lay down on the cold, hard stone. Numair would have made a fire, had he been there. If Numair was here, we wouldn't be in a Gods damned cave!

Why did she do it? She gave up everything to help me. I haven't seen her in years, and she does this! Darius wondered. Why? She had family! A place where she belonged! Why?

Rolling over onto his back, the assassin went to sleep.

Daine awoke to the sound of hoof beats. Stealing a peek out of their shelter, she saw a sight that made her heart drop down into her stomach. A group of Riders were passing by (on foot, since no animals would bare them).

One of the groups, a redhead with deep blue eyes, stopped in line. The girl behind him almost ran him over before stopping. Dropping to his knees, the redhead held up a small piece of blue cloth (a piece of Daine's shirt). He gave a triumphant yell, and the Riders grouped around him.

"Check the area. Rob, can you check and see if it matches?" A tall blonde asked. Evan, Daine realized with a sign.

Rob, the redhead, nodded and wrapped his fingers tightly around the scrap. A deep green fire burned through his hand. He let it flicker and die.

"S' her alright."

Daine froze. "Check the area."

Retreating into her cave, the girl whispered under her breath, "No, No not yet...…"

MEANWHILE, AT THE PALACE

"Don't worry so much. We'll find her, I'm sure of it. Besides, how far could they go in one day?"

How far indeed. We've traveled miles in less than this. Not on foot, but whose to say she didn't get some animal help?

"Numair, are you even listening to me?" the knight demanded. Numair looked up at the Lioness, eyes bleary. He nodded slowly.

"Good. And stop moping. You're making everyone sad."

He shrugged, not exactly in the mood to even try to act remotely content.

Alanna sighed. I really do feel bad for him. We all miss Daine, but it has the worst effect on him. But if no one does something, he'll just waste away.

"Have you been crying, Numair?" Alanna asked, shocked. The mage glared, rubbing his red eyes.

Gods, he has crying! I've never seen him cry, not one tear! Wherever you are Daine, I hope you're happy with what you did to Numair!