Description: The talks are declining at a rapid pace as another fateful encounter at dinner wreaks havoc on the delegation. Numair desperately seeks an opportunity to speak with Daine but her sudden disappearance threatens to destroy everything.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.

Author's Note: Numair figures out what's going on the night before the badger visits Daine and explains what the Hag has done to her. Such a shame she gets kidnapped before they can have a chat. I amused myself with how close they come to missing each other that morning.

Warning to the Varice haters, I'm afraid Numair is only human.

SO glad I finally have the freedom to write something of my own now. I love this book so much but it's so much more constricting than I realised.

Chapter 10

The negotiations were worse than the previous day with the emperor not even making an appearance. Duke Etiakret, head of the Carthaki ministers, walked out when Duke Gareth said that Tortall would not buy dyes, silk and glass exclusively from Carthak. Clearly, the ministers felt that the Tortallan delegates would roll over and agree to anything after last night's little display of fire power. Etiakret only returned to say they would not surrender a pirate lord who had been raiding the Tortallan coast to northern justice. Everyone left that day feeling more disheartened and doubtful if peace would ever be possible.

Numair sat next to Varice again at dinner that night discussing the events of the day. This evening, the woman was hosting on the terraces overlooking the ornamental lake they had walked around two nights ago. Varice avoided speaking about the negotiations at every turn, only interested in discussing the food and chatting excitedly about the centre piece of tonight's banquet and the magic she had used to create it. At any other time, Numiar might have been happy to discuss the magic used to fashion the imperial palace out of pastry, but tonight he was more concerned with the failing peace talks.

If it hadn't been a requirement to be sociable then the mage would have preferred to think about Daine's powers and the possibility of the Graveyard Hag interfering with his student. Numair hadn't been able to develop an opportunity to speak to his friend before the evening banquet. Kaddar had returned the young woman late to her rooms after spending the entire day with Lindhall and his animals.

Once the main meal had been cleared, slaves arrived pushing a wheeled cart laden with an enormous cake. The guests, Numair included, clapped politely as Varice stood looking extremely proud of herself and went to stand next to Ozorne. The cake was a perfect replica of the palace down to every bay, ell and tower. It was a very impressive piece of magic and the sort of thing that always gave the official hostess immense pleasure. The prince's words from that morning floated to Numair's mind, and the mage had to wonder at the purpose of creating an immense cake that would be served to the emperor and the delegates when the people starved in the streets.

Varice turned to the emperor offering him the pastry knife, but he smiled indulgently and allowed her to do the cutting. The woman sliced into the cake and started screaming as black and brown rats swarmed out of the hole in the front of the pastry. All around there was chaos: slaves fled to the shadows and cowered, rats started to climb the blonde's skirts as she continued to scream, Alanna leapt to her feet reaching for a sword she didn't wear, while delegates and ministers jumped to their feet shouting.

Daine ran out from her table and stood in front of the rats blocking their path. "Stop! I said, stop!"

The rats froze in their tracks until someone cried out and the Wildmage's concentration faltered as six rats launched themselves at her face. She killed three with her power causing two to flee but the final rat dug its teeth into her arm until Daine shook it off. The man who had interrupted the Wildmage was still yelling about ignoring the omens when Ozorne burned the man to death with emerald fire.

Amid all this chaos Numair sat numbly in his chair, barely paying attention to the fiasco unfolding around him. Most of the mage's attention was focussed on the hole in the centre of the cake where the rats were pouring out. He'd thought it impossible for the pastry to hold so many rodents and he'd been correct. The portal in the centre of the cake was a gateway to another realm. Rats were always associated with the Graveyard Hag, her statue in the temple was surrounded by them. So, she was about after all, expressing her displeasure to the emperor.

Daine glared furiously at the rats which she held tightly with her magic. "Back into that cake, buckos. Back where you came from. Do it now, before you really vex me."

After a brief struggle, the rodents turned tail and started disappearing back through the gateway. When the last rat entered the portal, it vanished, and the once impressive pastry collapsed in on itself. Numair, finally startled out of his stupor, climbed over the table to get to Daine. On his way to the young woman, he spotted Varice on the floor being propped up by slaves. The mage reached into his pouch to give Harailt his vial of wakeflower and pointed to the woman.

"Are you all right?" he asked as he reached his magelet, tenderly cupping her cheek. "One of them bit you –"

Daine held up her sleeve showing him the rip in the cloth. "Didn't even nick the skin. It was only rats, Numair."

He smiled fondly at her carefree attitude of what had just transpired and looked around at the aftermath. Dukes Gareth and Etiakret were in the midst of a heated debate, Varice was waking coughing as Harailt held the wakeflower under her nose, and Alanna was speaking with Prince Kaddar.

"We need to get out of here before the sky starts raining blood or something equally pleasant," he muttered. "Where's Ozorne?"

The emperor had vanished amidst all the excitement and was nowhere to be found after he had incinerated one of his own ministers. Numair took hold of Daine's arm hoping to lead her somewhere for a private word when Varice threw herself at him, clinging and crying hysterically. The mage could do nothing except hold her and try to soothe the woman in his arms. He watched helplessly as Daine walked over to speak quietly with Kaddar. Alanna joined the pair shooting a glare in Varice's direction before waving the young people away. Numair cursed softly, desperately wanting to speak with his friend and losing his opportunity once again.

All around people were talking openly about the ominous portents not seeming to care whether Ozorne's spies were listening or not. Alanna joined Gareth the Younger who seemed to be trying to intercede between his father and Duke Etiakret. The frightened slaves were being chased from their hiding places to start clearing up the mess.

"Perhaps you would be so kind as to escort the lady to her rooms." Chioké, Ozorne's Chief Mage said coldly as he descended on the pair.

Numair returned an equally cold glare in the mage's direction and nodded in acknowledgement. He had always hated Ozorne's Chief Mage and time had not changed that sentiment. He slowly escorted the weeping Varice back to her rooms as she continued to cling to him.

"Don't leave me. I don't want to be alone tonight," she begged as she dragged him into her rooms.

The mage was ashamed to admit it did not take as much persuading as it should have to get him in bed with her. The sex was better than the previous night, but that was largely due to Varice being pumped up on adrenaline and reacting to the fear with an insatiable lust.

Hours later, Numair lay wide awake beside his exhausted lover, trying to puzzle out why he had allowed this to happen again. He had accepted he didn't love Varice anymore so why had he agreed to this? The idea he'd had sex with her out of pity was a damnable one. The mage was grateful that she hadn't wanted to talk only ride him until she was sated and worn out. The emptiness he'd felt before was more acute while he lay next to his lover's sleeping form. Maybe she had once been Arram Draper's true love but as Numair Salmalín he'd changed too much. They were very different people, and time and distance had only accentuated that fact. The mage rolled onto his side, facing away from Varice, promising himself this wouldn't happen again.

Nuamir woke uncharacteristically early the next morning and slipped out of bed to dress silently. While he possibly should have used the opportunity to attempt some of the raven training George had offered, the thought of doing that to Varice sickened him. He may not love her, but she still did not deserve that sort of treatment. Leaving quickly and quietly seemed like the better option so neither of them had to speak with the other.

The mage crept down the corridors until he reached the Tortall quarter, diverting from his rooms to go to the guest baths instead. Last night left him feeling dirty and while no amount of scrubbing could cleanse him of his disgrace, the hot water relaxed him and eased some of the tension. Returning to his rooms, Numair dressed and prepared himself as quickly as he could, though he still had the usual fight with his untameable mane. After breakfast he would speak with Daine and ask her about the Graveyard Hag and her new powers. It was possible his student wasn't even aware of the Hag's influence on her, but maybe she could convince the badger god to speak with them and explain a few details. When the mage joined the others for breakfast, he found Daine still hadn't roused yet which was unusual for her. Perhaps last night had been too much excitement for his student after all. He was about to ask Alanna to check on her when an armed escort appeared and surrounded the breakfast table.

"Representatives from the kingdom of Tortall, you are to accompany us to the audience chamber," the guard captain commanded.

"Now hang on just one moment," Duke Gareth said getting to his feet crossly. "What is the meaning of this? We are here on the emperor's request for peaceful negotiations between our two lands. This is a breach of the peace accords."

"If you will come with us, please?" the guard said evenly.

The Tortallan's slowly rose from the table exchanging concerned looks and followed their escort through the maze of gardens.

"What about Daine?" Alanna hissed as she tried to keep up with Numair.

"I think it's better she isn't part of this, don't you?" the mage whispered. "We should be grateful that she has gained favour with his Imperialness while the rest of us may suffer his wrath for the peace talks going so poorly."

"What do you think he's going to do?" the Lioness asked.

Numair shrugged helplessly. He could no more predict Ozorne's actions than anyone else. It could be that the emperor would offer an ultimatum of 'accept this deal or else'. The crawling terror in his stomach told the mage he was about to be arrested for attempting to strike the emperor or blamed for the disaster with the cake.

The delegates were escorted into the emperor's audience chamber where the other ambassadors were already waiting in the wings. Ozorne sat on his throne dressed in a black short-sleeved robe with gold brocade. Gold beads hung in his braids and gold rings decorated his ears and fingers. Around his neck were six rows of black opals and the black kohl around his eyes gave the emperor a threatening appearance. The Tortallan's were brought to the centre of the chamber and kept under guard as the emperor addressed the crowd.

"This morning we received distressing news that a member of the Tortallan delegation sought to conspire against us. This person has made it clear they do not condone our use of slaves and has decided to join with them in rebellion against our great nation. We, therefore, require the Tortallan representatives to depart our lands with immediate effect and consider this a breach of the peace accords between our two nations.

We had wanted nothing but peace with our royal cousins, but through no fault of our own, we allowed ourselves to be deceived by this person. This undeserving individual was given grace and favour, and all the while they sought to plot against us and overthrow us. This outrage at the offense caused during such an important endeavour will not be tolerated. Such actions must have been condoned by King Jonathan and his queen, and this unworthy person was urged to make our slaves rebel against us in an effort to remove us from the throne."

"Please, your Imperial Highness. We have no knowledge of anyone planning to conspire against you." Duke Gareth appealed to the emperor. "Do you have proof of your words against one of our own?"

Ozorne signalled to a slave carrying a silver tray bearing an unsealed handwritten note on top. Duke Gareth opened the note and began to read it, frowning, before handing it to his son.

"That letter was found in the girl's chambers this morning when the slaves checked on her," the emperor explained. "In her own words she incriminates herself and admits her guilt."

Numair felt a cold rage burn inside of him as he realised who the emperor was blaming for the breakdown in the negotiations. The mage's Gift crackled around him ominously causing those closest to him to take a pace back as Ozorne smiled maliciously, daring him to act. Alanna grabbed the mage's arm in a vice-like grip, receiving a shock for her efforts.

"Don't be a fool! He wants to provoke you," she pleaded with him.

Numair slowly gathered his Gift back within himself and glared darkly at his former friend. Someone passed the note for the mage to read, which he barely glanced at, not needing to. It was a clear forgery and a poor one. He only noticed it was signed as Veralidaine not Daine, and nowhere close to his student's handwriting.

"You Highness, I implore you to reconsider. I know Daine would never act so impetuously or wish to endanger the peace talks. There must be some sort of mistake."

"We are not mistaken Duke Gareth of Naxen. Your possessions have already been collected and will be returned to you. Guards, please escort the Tortallan representatives to the dock and ensure they leave our empire."

The guards formed a square around the delegation and proceeded to escort them through the courtyards towards the river. Duke Gareth, Gareth the Younger and Lord Martin were in deep discussion while Alanna brought up the rear behind the clerks. Harailt of Aili trotted alongside Numair gripping his arm and attempting to speak with the furious mage.

"Numair, have you any idea where she could have gone? I know the girl was upset by the slaves, but she wouldn't really join them in revolution, would she? Do you think Daine could have been kidnapped to make us seem at fault?"

"She was taken by Ozorne and I intend to get her back," the mage said gravely.

"You cannot act alone in this," Harailt implored. "Even you are not powerful enough to take on every Carthaki mage to rescue her. We need to return to their Majesties and inform them what has transpired here. This will mean war for certain."

Numair stormed down towards the Zekoi his cloak billowing behind him as he allowed his mind to start formulating a plan. Ozorne would likely have put Daine in the cells beneath the palace, the one's that blocked the Gift. Would they also block wild magic? In the battle of Pirate's Swoop, the dampeners that had hindered those with the Gift had no effect on the Wildmage. Kitten would be in the Immortal's menagerie where Ozorne always planned to imprison her.

Numair wasn't sure if he was more furious with the emperor or at himself for letting this happen. He knew Ozorne had wanted his family and he'd allowed them to be taken from right under his nose. Varice couldn't have faked her reaction to the rats, he hoped, so he wouldn't blame her, but the mage could condemn himself for being distracted by her. If anything happened to Daine or Kitten, Numiar would never forgive himself.

Lindhall was standing on the riverbank waiting for their arrival with Bonedancer on his shoulder. Numair would have berated his old teacher for taking the reanimated skeleton out into the open but what did it matter now? Unless you were an observant mage, most would accept the excuse that this was a new form of the assembly spell. The guards formed two columns for the Tortallans to walk between and onto the boat which would take them down to the harbour.

"I wish to accompany these people." Lindhall said to the guard. "This will be the last chance I have to say farewell to my former student."

"You can say your farewells now, Master Reed." The guard captain blocked the teaching master from boarding the ship. Bonedancer stared eerily at the guard with empty eye sockets and clacked its beak at him.

"I would like to be assured they have safely boarded their vessel and returned home, Captain." Lindhall looked meaningfully at the guard.

The guard captain seemed to wrestle with the decision then decided it wasn't worth the hassle. "Very well."

Numair didn't remember much of their journey to the harbour. He was too deep in thought planning how to break Daine out of the cells, release Kitten from her cage and return to Lindhall at the university. No other thought or consideration entered his mind. Alanna and his master were having a quiet conversation while Harailt had joined in the debate between Duke Gareth, Lord Martin and Gareth the Younger.

The guards accompanied the group down to the harbour but remained on the docks. No one tried to stop Lindhall as he joined the Tortallan's on the boats to carry them to their vessel, although several people gave the skeleton on his shoulder a wide berth. Duke Gareth told the clerks to go below decks and ordered the ship to be ready as soon as possible.

"I'm not returning with you." Numair said quietly.

"I was afraid you were going to say that. Let's speak privately below deck," the duke said gravely.

Alanna and Lord Martin were quick to follow and Lindhall had glued himself to the mage's side. They entered a small cabin with Numair taking a seat on the righthand bunk and Lord Martin and Duke Gareth on the lefthand bunk. Alanna settled herself at the far end of the mage's bunk while Lindhall remained standing. Everyone in the room was looking at him with wary expressions and the mage wondered how he must look.

"Would one of you be kind enough to ward the room?" Duke Gareth asked the mages.

Numair extended his Gift as black sparkling magic flowed to the corners of the room and surrounded it in a privacy shield.

"Thank you," the duke nodded. "Numair, I understand your feelings in this matter, but we cannot allow you to remain behind –"

"I will not leave Daine here. I'm not leaving her with that monster." The mage's voice was dangerously low.

"Impossible. Our duty is to return home and warn the king," Lord Martin said sharply.

"She's one of ours," Alanna argued. "That letter's a forgery – it must be. He's keeping her somewhere, and using it as a pretext to end the talks and declare war."

"We cannot prove that, my child." Duke Gareth said kindly. "Neither can we help Daine; we must warn the country. As it is, Tortall will stand alone against him. By announcing it before the foreign ambassadors, he made certain they believed his proof that Daine conspires against him. As far as our allies are concerned, we caused the talks to fail."

"You can warn Tortall, then, and the king. I won't leave without her." Numair said softly.

"We never should have brought that child. I knew it would be trouble!" Lord Martin snapped and walked towards the cabin door. "Let me pass."

The mage shot an icy glare at the conservative's back but opened a hole in the shield and allowed the man to leave the cabin. He had some idea of what Lord Martin's contribution had been in the earlier discussion with Duke Gareth and his son.

"Arram, there is more at stake than any girl, even this one." Numair turned his cold stare on Lindhall. "The information passed to you – contacts, new routes for the slave underground, conspirators' names – it must go north, now, before the borders are closed by war. We may need to get the prince out in a hurry if the emperor begins to suspect him, and the only way to do it safely is to have all prepared on your end."

The mage shook his head. "I don't care. Someone else can take the information to the king."

Alanna slammed her fist against the wall. "I hate not doing something! I hate it! I want to go back there and –"

Bonedancer leapt from Lindhall's shoulder onto the Lioness' shoulder and proceeded to groom her. "Go away, you old Bone," she said but there was no heat behind the words.

"You cannot, my dear. We are going to war. Your place is at home with the king and his armies." Duke Gareth said gently as Alanna's eyes filled with tears and she turned away from the men. "Numair, if you chose to remain, I cannot stop you – you are too great a mage. Please think, then. The emperor is mad, but not stupid. He knows you wouldn't leave Daine here. My concern is that he has planned for this eventuality."

The mage exchanged a look with Lindhall. "I'm aware of the danger, Your Grace. I have taken precautions. They may be enough. Ozorne has trouble believing in his heart that anyone else has more of the Gift than he does, even when his mind knows there are more powerful mages. I can use that to fool him. As for the knowledge of the prince's conspiracy –"

"Give it to me," the Lioness said as she handed Bonedancer back to Lindhall. "It's the least I can do."

Numair waited for the duke's permission before he stood and gently placed his fingers on Alanna's temples. He passed her all the knowledge of the conspiracy she would need to pass onto her husband.

"Go get our girl back," she looked up into the mage's face with grim determination.

Numair nodded to her. "I'll contact you as soon as I have her."

"How will you escape?" Duke Gareth asked.

"Lindhall has contacts among the shipping merchants. We'll escape across the Great Inland Sea and make our way to Corus. If it was just Daine and myself, I might have suggested flying but Ozorne has Kitten as well and neither Daine nor I will leave her behind."

"Then it's a double rescue mission?" Alanna asked.

"I have an idea where he will be keeping them both. The only trouble will be freeing them from their respective cages."

"We wish you the best of luck." Duke Gareth rose and shook the mage's hand. "We certainly need you both back safely."

Alanna hugged him wished him luck, still teary eyed, and left with the duke.

"What's your plan, my boy?" Lindhall asked once everyone was gone.

"I'm going to let Ozorne capture my simulacrum." He took off his black opal pendant and handed it to his old teacher. "I need you to return to the university and place that around its neck. I will distract the guards and cause a commotion to draw everyone's attention, then I'll lead them to the university and allow them to capture 'me'."

Lindhall accepted the pendant and gave the younger mage a grave look. "Are you sure you can escape long enough to activate your simulacrum?"

Numair nodded. "If you leave now, it will give you a small head start before I bring every mage in Carthak down on my head."

The two men embraced. "Be careful."

The mage followed his old teacher onto the deck and watched him board the small boat which would take him back to shore. Everyone on the deck seemed to be watching him wondering what he was about to do. The mage stood silently at the rail until Lindhall reached the shore and disappeared from view amongst the buildings.