You know what I keep forgetting? The disclaimer. I'll remember it but as soon as I turn on the laptop, I forget. Oh well.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters (other than the ones I make up). Tamora Pierce does.

Ch. 14: Ready, Set, Go

(Yes I know. The chapter title is cheesy.)

For the next few days, everyone was on their feet doing one thing or another.

On the first day when Daine got up and dressed, she decided she should find a way to talk to Tkaa. They needed their recruits quickly and since Dunlath was at least four days flight for her, she needed the fastest bird around.

When she told a local flock her situation, they told her to look for Golden-Arrow. He's the fastest bird within a hundred miles, commented the chieftain. And if you need anymore help, call on us.

After saying her thanks, Daine went looking for Golden-Arrow. Luckily her search wasn't long. He was fifteen miles from her and the campsite (she's in her magical form).

Sitting in a tree preening, was a young-adult golden eagle with one of the cleanest coats Daine had ever seen. The brown feathers glistened in the sun's light giving off a soft glow. A gold point between his eyes flowed down to the base of his tail, making the glow seem brighter when he turned. Looking him over, the only thing out of place was a scar over his left eye.

When he was done cleaning, Daine asked, Golden-Arrow?

The one and only.

I am Daine and I'm in need of a favor.

What kind of favor? He asked intrigued.

I need you to take an important message to a friend, she explained.

What kind of message?

'Curious little bird,' thought Daine. Mind-to-mind she replied, The kind that can save Snowsdale.

You mean from all these blood-sucking home destroyers? I got this scar trying to protect my nestlings from one of them. Tell me the message and where your friend is. I'd love to help.

Daine smiled mentally and told him what he had to do.

Dunlath? He asked as he calculated things in his head. I'll be back in a few days. When I return, I'll gladly be of more assistants.

Daine returned to her body and looked at the sun. It was about midday. She sent her magic back out and talked to all the animals she could. She spent her time telling them what was happening and what they could do to help. At days end, only ΒΌ of them new everything.

Numair on the other hand, only had one thing to worry about. Once he got up he went to the tent the others had put up for him, next to his own. There was a large cot in the middle of the in closer with a stool beside it.

Plucking a black strand from his hair-tie, Numair sat down and placed it at the head of the bed. His magic flowed from his hands as they hovered over the small lock. He spent all morning and all afternoon in the tent, his mind never drifting.

At late evening, he was grateful when Alanna came in with a water flask and a basket full of food. Being exhausted from her own days work, she sent him to bed.

The Lioness herself was up an hour before the others. After eating breakfast, she went to the river and sat next to the edge. She opened her right palm and concentrated on talking to Jon. She needed to talk to him as soon as possible and tell him their situation. It was harder now since they were farther apart.

Late morning she finally got success. She spent an hour explaining everything and answering questions.

"We need more help, Jon," she said when they were done. "We have ten days to get ready so we need them now."

"I know, I know," came the voice from the purple ball. "How many do you think you'll need?"

"Well we already have one squad and were getting help from Daine's side so . . ." Alanna thought everything over quickly. "Two squads should be enough."

"O.K, I'll send them tonight. I need you to meet them half-way mind. I don't want anything unplanned to happen," he replied.

"Will do." And with that, she closed her hand. Alanna stood up and saw it was early afternoon.

We'll need to make arrangements so we'll leave three hours before dawn, she decided.

Walking back to the burned down barn, she bellowed, "Wake up, lads! We've got a long day ahead!"

She went through the day telling the others about battle plans and tactics. Since she had to help Numair make his simulacrum, she didn't want to keep explaining. She needed the crew that was with her now to explain things to the new recruits and only come to her for emergences.

After making sure they new who was friend or foe, Alanna led them into her tent to mark who would go where. She went the rest of the day assigning her people their jobs.

While the others stayed the day at the campsite, George and his crew went 'exploring' thru the woods. The night before Daine talked to some of the birds who agreed to help him look for Perin's hideout.

As they searched from the sky, George led his men to Perin's old cottage. When they got to the clearing, they got a surprise. The area that once held a small home and pond was now nothing but over grown grass.

The group stood in the one-foot high lawn, wondering what to do.

"Somethin' don't feel right," commented George quietly.

"A barrier?" inquired the man beside him.

George kicked a rock near his foot and watched it fly. Two yards from where they were, the rock slowed as if it went thru syrup, than returned to its original speed.

"Hm . . . I'll warn the others later," he said. The group walked away and went in search of any clue they could find.

Each day new recruits came in-immortal, mortal, and beast. Tkaa and some Stormwings came five days later and were filled in. Two mornings after that, they found Perin's lair. Apparently, he was cloaking his cottage with the magic from the stone. Alanna and Numair would be able to destroy it when the time came.

Even Lucian was busy. While reporting to Perin every morning and every night with news from camp, he also reported to Alanna wit false information. Whatever Perin told him to say, he said it.

When he wasn't talking to the King's Own, he was snooping. For his plan to work Lucian needed Perin to trust him and for that to happen, he needed to know everything.

Three days before their leave, he was wondering around the area looking for anything useful. Peeking inside Master Salmalin's tent, he glimpsed two pairs of legs in the corner.

He leaned in trying the see the rest of it when a figure walked in front of him. Lucian straightened and stared at the black robe mage.

"Sir, what are those?"

Numair's eyes flicked towards the leather boots and a sly smile swept his face. Gently pushing Lucian out he replied, "Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

Reports went in and out until finally they were ready. The four Tortallans met once again in Alanna's tent.

"Is everything ready?" asked Daine. The other three nodded. "We all know what to do?" Again they nodded.

"Well than," George said with a grim smile, "let's put this punk in his place."