Ch. 13

Daine stared at the piece of yarn, transfixed. It was a message… from him.

Daine leapt up, scaring the hawk. She smiled hugely and twirled in a circle, laughing and clutching the string. She fell to the ground when she got dizzy. She sighed and looked at the hawk.

"Thank you, wing brother. You don't know what this means to me. Wait! Where are you going?"

The bird had leapt into the sky and was now circling above her again. It flew several yards away then turned back to look at her.

Come, girl. Follow me. You must prepare for your journey. There isn't much time.

Daine stared at him. "What journey? We're going after him? Shouldn't I get the others?"

The bird landed again and did a bird shrug. I don't care either way, as long as you hurry. It is your choice to make. He stared into her eyes. So what will your choice be?

Daine thought about it, and with grim determination in her eyes and a stubborn set to her chin, she decided. "I'll go alone. It's my fault he's gone. I wont drag the others into this. They've done so much for me already. I'll go back and say a subtle goodbye. I'll meet you at my room in fifteen!"

With that she ran to the castle, but not before the hawk had seen tears in the young girl's eyes. He sighed. She's too young to have to deal with this, he thought. With another sigh he flapped off to get in a quick meal before they left.

Daine searched the palace for her new friends, fighting tears. It seemed as if she had just met them, and now she had to go and leave them again.

She peeked her head into one of the libraries and saw the king, queen, and Alanna sitting at a table. She slipped in quietly and bowed to the rulers. They stared at her, confused, as she hugged each of them and slipped back out.

Alanna turned to the others. "What on earth was that about?"

Three down, four to go, thought Daine. All that were left were Buri, Sarge, Onua, and Flynn. The last two would be the hardest. While she still didn't trust Flynn completely, she had grown a certain fondness for the clumsy boy.

She wandered to the training yard where she found Sarge and Buri. She walked up to the brown man and grabbed his wrist.

"Thank you for all your help, Sarge. I've learned so much."

Sarge stared at her as she repeated the same process with Buri. She smiled at the trainees and left the yard. Sarge walked over to Buri with a question on his face. She looked at him and answered his unspoken question.

"I have no idea what that was. But did you notice? She actually smiled at people. Something's happened. I wonder what it is…"

Onua was caring for the extra ponies in the stable when Daine came in. Onua smiled at the girl.

"You want to help? I just have a few more left."

Daine smiled sadly. "Sorry, I can't. I have to find Flynn. I'm sorry!" She gave Onua a tight hug, hiding the tears that had started pouring down her face. "I've got to go find him. Bye Onua!" She raced off.

Onua caught the glimpse of a tear as it fell from Daine's cheek. Her brow furrowed in thought.

"Now what was that about? I wonder what that boy has done now. I hope he hasn't upset her again." She shrugged and continued brushing a shaggy pony who was staring after Daine with a worried look.

Daine searched high and low throughout the castle trying to find Flynn. She finally found him in his rooms. She had never been in them before, so she was shocked when she saw sketched drawings covering the walls. There were pictures of horses, birds, and immortals.

Flynn was lying in his bed when she knocked. His head shot up from a drawing that he quickly hid under the pillows.

"Daine! What are you doing here?" He saw the tear tracks that lined her face. "Hey- what's wrong?"

Daine looked at him. Her face crumpled. Flynn leapt out of bed and put a hand on her cheek.

"Daine… what's wrong? What happened?"

She held his wrist and hiccupped. She smiled through her tears.

"Oh, Flynn. I don't know what to do. I'm so happy, but at the same time I'm so sad…"

He led her to a chair. "Why don't you tell me what happened. Start from the beginning."

She looked at her hands in her lap. "I don't know… oh, alright. I know where Numair is, Flynn! I really do, and I have to go rescue him, but I can't bring any of the others. I can't let them shoulder my burden. I have to go alone. It's just, I don't know where I'm going, or what to take, or anything! I'm so lost…"

Flynn's mouth was open. She knew where Numair was! But to go alone… He understood. He held her hands. "I understand, I think. Don't worry, I'll help you. Now, tell me where he is and everything. I'll get you fixed up."

After consulting maps and getting supplies, Daine and Flynn walked to Daine's rooms. She turned to him in the doorway.

"Thank you, Flynn. I really appreciate all your help. Just- if you don't hear from Numair or me in a week, tell the others. They can know then, but only then. Thank you so much again. Bye, Flynn..."

A tear slid down her face. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Daine, I will help you whenever I can. It's the least I can do."

With that, he leaned foreword and placed a kiss on her cheek. He turned away and walked down the hall. Daine stared after him for a moment, then turned to gather her things and soothe the hawk that had arrived. He was irritated.

You said fifteen minutes! I have been here for thirty! We are wasting time! Let's go!

Daine sighed. It was going to be a long trip. Slinging her pack over her shoulders, she led the bird out of the palace and onto the path that would lead her to her friend and teacher.

Numair paced the room. Now that his blindfold and gag had been removed, he could see that he was in his bedroom in his tower. All the furniture had been removed save a mattress and a rug. He stared at the rug, deep in thought. His freedom was resting on Daine and the hawk that had been passing by the window.

He turned and tried the door again, finding it still locked. He stared at the unbreakable bracelet that was cancelling out his gift, sighing. He had no clue as to who his captors were.

He walked to the mattress and slid down so that his knees were touching his chest. He thought about the girl that his life was depending on. He thought about her dark brown curls, the tilt of her stubborn chin…

The sound of water falling brought him back. He looked up and saw that the ceiling had a leak. He wandered over to the puddle to see if there was enough to drink. The puddle flashed and in it Numair saw the image of Daine sitting by a campfire with the hawk, tears streaming down her face. She was talking to the bird.

"I miss him so much. I don't like traveling without him… I hope he's ok… d'you think you could fly to him and see? I can't stand not knowing…"

Numair didn't hear the answer of course, but he saw the bird leap from the ground and take flight. Daine buried her head in her hands, sobbing.

The image faded.

Numair stood, shaking. She was alone in the woods. She missed him. He fell onto his mattress and his shoulders shook as tears poured down the mage's face. He wanted to talk to her, to comfort her. He continued shaking until he fell asleep, not hearing the plate of food sliding under the door.

He dreamed, and in the dream he was walking through a forest silently. A twig snapped nearby and he turned to see a fire blazing through the trees. There was Daine, tossing in her bedroll. The bird was no where to be seen.

Numair walked foreword until his boots were next to her exposed feet. He sat down beside her and tucked a curl behind her ear. She stirred, and her eyes opened slowly. When she saw him her soft lips parted. She flung her arms around him as he rocked her back and forth, calming her.

Just like in the forest where he was taken, the dream Daine sighed and slipped into a deep sleep, still in his arms.