Description: Daine and Numair wake in the Divine Realms and the young woman finally meets her father. While the mages try to figure out how to return to the Mortal Realm, Numair struggles to make a good impression on Daine's mother and father.

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

Author's Note: Before anyone worries, I am well aware that gods can read minds, but it's a detail that might have slipped Numair's mind. We already know from the second book, he believes his mental barriers are strong enough protections until the Badger chastises him, and it's been almost two years since that meeting and easy enough for his old arrogance in his power to return. There are some authors (in my favourites list) which are kind enough to warn him about it, but I'm not that nice!

Chapter 5

"Tell me – how did we come here?" Daine looked between her parents. "The last thing I remember is the Skinners."

Sarra and Weiryn glanced at each other. "You were in danger of your life, against a foe you could not fight. We had meant to bring you only, but this – man" Weiryn turned to glare at the mage before continuing "refused to let go of you. We were forced to bring him as well."

Numair's cheeks coloured lightly, but he wouldn't regret following Daine no matter how much of an inconvenience it might be to her father. It was humbling to learn that her parents had intended for him to die against those creatures.

"I just thank the Goddess that you met the Skinners on one of the great holidays, when we could pull you through to us. Otherwise you would have been killed. It fair troubles me that no one we've asked has ever heard of those creatures." Sarra said.

The mage noted, with some affection, that Daine's mother spoke with the same Gallan accent and dialect he was accustomed to hearing from her daughter. His friend had also inherited her mother's eyes and complexion but the rest she had from her father. Sarra had wavy blonde hair, typical of a northerner, with clear blue eyes, high cheekbones and a dimple at the corner of her mouth when she smiled. Numair easily understood how Daine's mother could have caught the attention of a god.

From outside, light flared behind the curtains getting brighter then started to fade before flashing again.

"Oh dear." Sarra commented as Weiryn opened the drapes. "They're still at it."

Curiosity overcame common sense as the mage tried to stand and investigate. "What's going on?"

"Will you sit?" Numair sat on the bed as Sarra shouted at him. "Men! You're so stubborn!"

The seat the mage had been sat on reformed into the wall as if it had never been there. Out of the window, the sky was filled with a cacophony of colour ranging through green, orange, yellow and grey. It looked very beautiful, but from Sarra's tone the mage surmised it must mean something was wrong.

"What is it?" Daine whispered in awe. Unable to stop himself Numair took her hand in his and squeezed it. "I feel that it means something bad, but it's so beautiful…"

It was funny how their thoughts seemed to coincide more and more these days.

"It means that Uusoae, Queen of Chaos, is fighting the Great Gods," the badger god explained. "That light is her magic and her soldiers, as they attack the barriers between our realm and hers."

"She has been at it since Midwinter." Weiryn put his arm around Sarra pulling her close and the mage felt a pang of jealousy wishing he could do the same with Daine. "Normally the lights that burn in our sky reflect your mortal wars, but this is far more important."

"Thanks ever so," he muttered, and Dain grinned at him.

Sarra turned from the window to frown at her daughter. "Speaking of war, I never raised you to be always fighting and killing. That's not woman's work."

Numair bristled automatically in response, but Daine beat him to it. "It's needful, Ma. You taught me a woman has to know how to defend herself."

"I never!" Sarra gasped, her hand over her mouth.

"You taught me when you were murdered in your own house," the young woman finished quietly.

Numair patted her ankle supportively and smiled proudly as the badger thrust his head under Daine's arm.

The mage pointedly ignored the mother's tears, keeping his eyes on his friend as he spoke. "Sarra, our war in Tortall may seem unimportant to the gods, but not to us. Daine and I must return to it. They need every fighter, and every mage."

He saw his friend close her eyes as she swayed slightly, turning pale. Numair squeezed her ankle, worried she was playing down the effects of their passage.

"We'll talk of that later." Sarra said approaching the bed. "You both need to drink a posset, then sleep again. It will be a few days before the effects of the passage are over." Daine's mother went to the hearth and poured a potion of some description into two cups and handed them to the mages. "Drink."

Numair knew better than to argue with a healer and drank his concoction without question. It made his nerves tingle, but despite the strength of the herbs, he didn't throw it back up.

"Back to bed, sir mage." Sarra ordered.

"Good night, Daine," he murmured as he stood and staggered towards the door. I love you.

"G'night."

Numair made it into his room but the effects of whatever Sarra had given him were taking effect fast, and he swayed precariously until someone grabbed his arm and helped him into the bed. He managed to whisper his gratitude before sleep claimed him again.

"…well, where are they?" the voice of King Jonathan demanded.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. We scouted the entire area but could find no trace of Master Salmalín or Mistress Sarrasri." An unknown voice reported. "All we were able to recover were their packs, a saddle and a cloak."

"They can't have just disappeared! Look again." The king's voice sounded strained. "Have some of the mages scry for them if you have to. One or both of them could be injured from the fight with those Skinners. You can confirm there is no sign of the creatures?"

"None, Your Majesty. There is twenty miles of dead animals and crops around Greenhall, but the Skinners are gone."

"Which means they were successful." Jon mused. "We must –"

"Wyverns! Three coming in from the south." The cry sounded distant as if it came from behind a closed door.

The king cursed. "Send for Tkaa and Kitten to join me…"

Numair came fully conscious unsure if that was a dream or his imagination. He was certainly worried about the friends and allies they'd left behind, but that seemed an unusual dream even for him.

Feeling better for the sleep, the mage risked sitting up and was pleased the world stayed still. He got to his feet slowly and noticed someone had left him a clean shirt and a pair of breeches. Numair dressed and decided not to be surprised that the clothes fit as if they were his own. They were in the Divine Realms now, and if the gods could change their surroundings, it wasn't much of a stretch to believe they could alter other elements as well.

Slipping quietly out of his room, Numair tiptoed across the corridor and tapped softly on Daine's door. When he received no response, he opened it and leaned in to check on her. The young woman lay in bed fast asleep with her wild curls arrayed around her face. It was so strange to see her sleeping all alone, without a single animal around her, that the mage walked into the room to check on his friend. He held a hand against her forehead and was relieved she had no fever. Daine seemed very peaceful, and Numair found himself stroking a hand through her curls. Taking a risk, he bent over and kissed her forehead tenderly, silently wishing her sweet dreams.

"I thought I heard you wake." The mage stood abruptly and blushed seeing Sarra stood in the doorway watching him. "There's porridge in the kitchen."

He followed the goddess out of the room and closed the door softly, entering the main room of the house. The mage had no idea how to explain his presence in Daine's room so opted for silence instead.

"Sit," Sarra indicated a bench at the table.

Numair took a seat as the woman ladled a bowl of porridge for him from the hearth and set it before the mage.

"Thank you," he said politely.

"There's honey and cream if you'd like," she offered.

The mage smiled but decided it would be better for his stomach if he left the porridge plain. He tried a mouthful and almost choked at how rich it tasted. Sarra brought him a cup of water from the well which caused him to gasp at the freshness. There was nothing in his books that mentioned how food and drink tasted in the Divine Realms. It was as if everything retained its flavour straight from the source, be it a mountain spring or nuts straight from the tree. After a few moments, he braved another mouthful of porridge and found it easier to swallow.

"So, I was right. My daughter did have magic." Sarra spoke after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence.

Numair looked up from his bowl. "Wild magic, yes. But not the Gift."

"At least she continued in my footsteps as a healer," the goddess smiled triumphantly.

The mage ate another mouthful of porridge remaining silent. As a girl, Daine's mother had tested her endlessly hoping she would develop the Gift and become a healer. The constant testing had left the young woman resentful of magic of any kind and made her feel worthless in the eyes of her mother.

"I don't appreciate your dragging my daughter into all this fighting." The woman frowned disapprovingly at him. "I know she can take care of herself, but she is a woman as you are well aware. It's high time Daine should be settling down and thinking about a family."

Numair swallowed carefully and placed his spoon on the table trying to temper his reaction. "Daine is a Wildmage and a valued member of the Tortallan court. Her skills with both a bow and with her wild magic have been invaluable in saving the kingdom on numerous occasions. I believe she will start a family in her own time when she is ready."

"And you are more than happy to distract her from settling down, aren't you?" Sarra scowled at him.

The mage bit his cheek to stop himself from snapping. "If that is what Daine wishes then I won't stand in her way. I didn't ask for the barrier to fall or for untold numbers of Immortals to descend upon our shores and declare war, but that is our life currently." He picked up his spoon and had another mouthful of his breakfast.

Numair didn't want to anger Daine's parents, although so far, they seemed to disapprove of him simply by being there. They both intended to leave him to be killed by the Skinners, and now Sarra disapproved of the woman Daine had grown to be.

"It wasn't personal - not saving you from those creatures." The goddess said quietly as if reading his thoughts. "We made a decision – and I couldn't bear to watch my daughter killed by those things."

The mage sighed. "I would have done the same were I in your position." Hadn't he wished at that very moment for a way to save Daine and get her to safety.

Sarra nodded, picking up a bowl and drying it on a cloth. "I am grateful for all the teaching you've given my girl. She never would have learned as much at home."

Numair looked into the goddess' blue eyes and could see the effort she was trying to make. Sarra wanted to know her daughter which was something he could accommodate. "Daine is a very curious and intelligent young woman. She has always loved learning no matter the topic. Studying animals has always been her greatest interest, and she can devour information faster than I can supply it in most cases."

The woman smiled. "She was always good with animals back home, and I never understood why. Even the most stubborn ones came to her."

The mage returned the smile. "She is the best student any master could ask for. It has been my delight and privilege to be her teacher." Daine's mother replaced the bowl on the counter, pride shining in her eyes. Numair took a deep breath and broached a difficult subject. "Sarra, is there a way you can send us home?"

"And there you go again!" her eyes sparked with a very familiar angry fire. "Already you are trying to steal my daughter away from me. I have barely spoken to her since you arrived."

He struggled for patience. "I'm not trying to steal her from you, but Daine and I must return –"

"Yes, you are!" Sarra shouted, tears forming in her eyes. "You are selfish, Master Salamalín, and you are trying to keep her for yourself!"

"What is going on here?" Weiryn walked in, glaring at the mage as he approached his mate.

Numair bit his cheek not wanting to anger the god of the hunt. Even with all his power at his disposal, he wouldn't stand a chance if he upset him. "I was asking if there was a way to return us to our own realm."

"We will discuss that when my daughter is fully recovered." Weiryn snapped and put an arm around his mate. "What has he said to upset you?"

"They are so determined to return." Sarra sniffed turning into her mate's chest. "I thought we'd at least have some time to get to know our girl."

"We will, my love," the god said gently. "You know they cannot be returned until the equinox."

"Please, there must be a way to return us sooner than that." Numair pleaded. "Our friends in the Mortal Realm need us. Perhaps it isn't important to the gods, but they are dying, and we can help them."

"Midsummer's Day is four days past, mage." Weiryn scowled. "The barrier between our realms is no longer thin enough to allow us to cross. Are you so eager to return to your death and killing?"

It was quite a shock to discover he'd been asleep for four days. What of Kitten and the wyverns? Was the dragonet exhausting herself without him there to support her? "I only wish to protect my friends and our home," he said softly.

"Yet you would return our daughter to your wars," the god snarled. "This is not the first time you have failed to protect her. Thanks to you, she was dragged to the Graveyard Hag's domain and killed herself with a power she did not understand."

"Daine didn't die while –"

"And how would you know?" Weiryn snapped. "Your attention was elsewhere. She was only allowed to return because it was not her time to die."

Numair's cheeks burned as a deep shame filled him. He hadn't known Daine had almost died in Cathak and neither had she mentioned it to him. His appetite completely gone, the mage replaced the spoon in his bowl and sat staring at the table. The gods talked privately in mind-speech ignoring him until Weiryn grabbed his bow and left, sparing another glare at Numair.

"Is there somewhere I could be allowed to wash?" he asked Sarra quietly after several minutes of silence.

She led him to another door off the main room that contained a bath which was slowly filling with hot, steaming water.

"Thank you. Do you have anything I could shave with?" Numair was lucky in that he didn't grow a beard as fast as most northerners, but after a week, the stubble was starting to irritate him.

"There will be shaving things in your room once you have bathed." Sarra said and left him in peace.

The mage found soaps and oils he used at home on a small table beside the bath. The spices were stronger than he was used to, but it felt good to soak in the hot water and clean the grime from his skin and hair. It was embarrassing to know his hosts were trying to see to his comfort while Numair could only talk of leaving. And what of Daine? Did he really have a right to drag her back to a land besieged by war when she had a home and loving parents here. If she remained, she would be safe and have the opportunity to get to know her father. Daine could be with her mother again, and Numair knew how much she'd missed her.

The mage soaked in the bath for a long time, even by his standards, lost in thought. The bath water didn't even cool which was what usually brought him out of his contemplations. Coming to a decision, he towelled himself dry and redressed. Exiting the bathroom, the mage entered the main area to find it empty and went in search of Daine. Her room was also empty, and the bed had been neatly made. Back in the main room, Numair saw Sarra sat at a table slicing apples in a walled kitchen garden but no sign of his friend. The other open door from the house led to a downhill forest path. The mage sighed hoping Daine hadn't been foolish enough to go trekking off down the path. He knew from his own body that he wasn't fully restored yet, and certainly couldn't have managed a walk. Moving about the house was tiring enough.

Knowing he should apologise for his earlier behaviour Numair approached the goddess cautiously. A fluffy orange and white cat lay on the grass sunning itself while its tail twitched as if dreaming. Sarra looked up at him when he reached the table.

"I'm sorry I upset you," he lowered his eyes. "You've been very kind and I have not been an appreciative or respectful guest in your home. Please forgive me."

"You are forgiven, Master Salmalín," the woman replied evenly.

"Numair, please," he offered.

"Very well, Master Numair." Sarra smiled, knowing that wasn't quite what he meant.

"I was hoping to speak with Daine. Might you know where she's gone?" the mage asked.

The goddess sighed. "She's gone for a walk. I'm not sure where."

Numair's heart sank as he looked around the unfamiliar landscape, worrying where is friend had wandered off to. She had a habit of pushing herself when she really should be resting. Not that he was one to talk, but the war was taking its toll on both of them, and while they had an opportunity to rest, she should be doing just that.

"You'll spend your life worrying about that girl," Daine's mother teased.

He lowered his eyes and smiled. "She has a habit of finding trouble when I least expect it."

"When do you plan to tell her?" At the mage's confused frown Sarra laughed. "You think I don't know you love her?"

Numair felt himself blush at having his feelings laid bare in front of Daine's mother of all people. He had hoped to conceal his emotions while they were here. No wonder her parents were so annoyed with him.

"I'm not angry that you love my daughter." Daine's mother smiled kindly.

"You're not?" he asked utterly stunned.

"I could never be angry with any man for loving my girl so completely, as you do. Though you do seem to want to torture yourself for it, strange man," she teased. "I'm jealous. You have been there for Daine as a friend and as a teacher. You've helped shape the woman she has become. As a mother, that was supposed to be my duty."

"I wasn't trying to replace you," Numair swallowed nervously. "I only wanted to help Daine grow into a forthright and independent woman."

"I know that." Sarra met his eyes with warm understanding. "It hurts to watch her growing up without me and not be able to offer any advice. And I am very proud of the young woman she's become. I just wish I'd been able to be a part of it."

The mage looked at the ground feeling ashamed. "I know Daine wanted that as well."

The woman nodded. "So, when will you tell her?"

"Never," he answered dejectedly.

"Never? That's a long time to love someone and say nothing."

"She deserves a better man than me," Numair replied honestly.

"And who are you to decide who is right or wrong for my girl? Only Daine can make that decision. Stop trying to make it for her," the goddess said sternly.

The mage opened and closed his mouth several times not knowing how to answer that.

Sarra stood and handed him a plate of sliced apples. "Help me carry these to the kitchen."

He followed obediently trying to convince his mind to accept the idea that Daine's mother might not hate him or see him as a dreadful match for her daughter.

"You're very handsome." Sarra grinned, taking the plate from him as her eyes swept over his face and body. "I can see why she likes you."

"Who?" The goddess gave him an exasperated look and Numair blushed. "Daine only thinks of me as a friend."

"I didn't realise you'd been reading my girl's thoughts."

"I haven't – I wouldn't –" he stammered.

"Go and shave, Master Numair." Sarra ordered. "Everything you need is in your room."

The mage timidly retreated to his room grateful to escape Daine's mother.