Description: Gainel enlists the help of the two mages in the war against chaos. Badger leaves the group on a special request from Daine.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.
Author's Note: My argument for not having Gainel appear to Numair sooner is because he understands the myths and legends about Chaos, whereas Daine requires a little more explanation and convincing. Numair has already been told he will be required to fight one day, so is more willing to assist in the war against Uusoae.
Chapter 10
His dream started in darkness, which was strange because Numair wasn't usually aware when he was dreaming. The mage was walking in the darkness even though he couldn't feel solid ground beneath his feet nor did he know where he was headed. Before him, a small patch of light appeared drawing him towards it. Standing in the light was Daine with her back to him.
"Hello, love." Numair whispered huskily wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck.
She didn't react to his affection but pointed in front of them "What do you see?"
The mage looked over her shoulder to see a circle of men and women standing, holding hands. Stars started to wink into life, increasing the illumination and he was able to identify the people as gods: Mithros, the Great Mother Goddess, the Black God, Kidunka, the Graveyard Hag, Oinomi Wavewalker, Mynoss, Shakith, Kyprioth, Wind, Pelmry, god of scribes, Apetekus and Wilnedur, god and goddess of slaves. Plus, the K'miri gods of storms and fire as well as the four Horse Lords: Bian North-Wind, Vau East-Wind, Chavi West-Wind and Shai South-Wind. In their centre was a writhing mass of colour and shape that seemed to twist and shift as he looked at it: Uusoae the Queen of Chaos. She constantly shifted parts of herself into animals or plants looking for a way to escape the circle of gods containing her.
"You recognise the battle between the Great Gods and Chaos?" the young woman asked in a very un-Daine-like way.
Uusoae's arms formed tentacles as her body became a tree with swan's head as she surged towards Mynoss and Shakith. The tentacles lashed out hitting a wall of light and recoiling, but for a few seconds, one of the tentacles breached the circle.
"Is this a dream?" the mage asked, removing his arms and standing beside 'Daine'. "Or is this what is happening now?"
"The balance is tipping. Uusoae is gaining ground." The young woman spoke in a flat voice. "She has learned new tricks to use against the Great Gods. Or she has found allies in the mortal realms which she is forbidden to do."
"I don't remember my student being so well informed on the legends of Chaos." Numair smiled wryly.
The woman beside him shifted into a tall man with a pale face and an unruly mane of dark hair. – I thought you would prefer a familiar face. –
"I prefer my Daine to be real and not a facsimile," the mage stated.
– Really? I don't remember you complaining about the manner in which she appeared in your dreams before. – Gainel sounded amused.
Numair blushed crimson and focussed his attention on the fight in front of him. Of all the gods, Gainel would know exactly what he dreamed about with Daine.
– What do you know of Uusoae's strength? –
"Half of her power she gets from mortals because we are naturally half Chaos," the mage answered. "The other half of her power comes from her own realm."
– She has found a way to tap into the other half of the mortal fire. – Gainel turned his shadowy gaze on the mortal beside him. – If she escapes, it will mean death for us all. –
The mage nodded in agreement remembering Broad Foot's words.
– Do you remember what you were told in your youth? –
Numair nodded gravely. "That one day I would have my part to play in the fight against Chaos."
– That time is now. –
"What must I do?" the mage asked.
Gainel smiled at him, and the dream faded to be replaced with voices. The king was receiving a report that the seventh Riders had tried to use a secret exit from Port Legann and had been ambushed. The enemy knew of their plans and three members were dead.
Numair opened his eyes not feeling like he'd slept despite the sky informing him it was now morning. He scrubbed a hand over his face and sat up noticing Daine was already up. She was most likely bathing in the pool further up the stream and the mage found he wanted to wash himself too. Something from yesterday's vision of the creation of the darkings was nagging at his mind as he poked up the fire and put a pot on for tea. The animal gods were already hunting as Numair removed his sweat-stained shirt and gave it a good rinse in the stream. Stripping down to his loincloth the mage washed quickly in the icy water and had just put his breeches back on when he saw Daine approaching.
"I think I've figured out how the enemy is able to predict our movements and ambush our friends so regularly. The darkings must be reporting to Ozorne from within strategic locations all over Tortall," he called to her as he hung his shirt on a branch to dry, after quietly requesting the tree's permission.
The Wildmage seemed to be in a daze as she walked towards camp barely registering him.
"Did you hear me?" the mage called to her again. "It's how our enemies seem to know our every move!"
The young woman rubbed her face. "I didn't hear."
"It's these darkings. They're the answer," he said delighted to have finally solved the mystery.
Daine shot him a murderous glare as she trudged towards her pack. His magelet was not a morning person, neither of them were really, but she was in particularly foul mood this morning. Her lack of reaction to his state of undress told him she really wasn't attracted to him, not that he believed she would be. This morning Numair had thought to test a boundary after last night's contemplations. They'd been in various states of undress around each other over the years, but it usually involved a lot of embarrassment and fumbling for clothes. Daine had seen him shirtless on more than one occasion, but he'd never thought to see if there was any interest there. The mage shook his head at his own foolishness and joined the others at the fire where his friend sat cuddling the darkings.
Daine was glaring at the badger god as the mage sat down. "– since I don't remember sleeping much!"
"It's these little fellows. Or ladies," Numair continued, scooping up the darkings from her hands and holding them up for inspection. "It's impossible to tell if you have a sex."
"What about the darkings?" Broad Foot emerged from the water with a fish in his bill.
"They don't just spy on us," the mage explained. "I thought Ozorne had created a number far in excess of his needs, if they were solely to keep an eye on Daine or me. Your kinfolk are with our leaders, aren't they? The king, the queen –"
The three darkings in his large hands formed heads and nodded.
"In the north. I heard in a dream that the Scanrans got away clean." Daine said. "Somehow they knew the Yamani fleet was coming."
Numair told her of his dream as he woke seeing the distress in her eyes. He'd forgotten she had friends among the seventh Rider group.
"I don't know who they were, magelet," he stroked her cheek tenderly and brushed a wet curl behind her ear. "No one mentioned names."
The young woman nodded sadly before losing herself in thought. "The darking spies tell Ozorne. And other darkings with his commanders pass it on. That – dung-fouled, mould eating –"
Numair hid a smile and poured them both a cup of tea. He loved her form of cursing. It was something unique to her alone and she could be quite inventive with her insults.
"You could put an end to it!" Daine glared at the badger god.
"The Great Gods don't like the People's gods to intervene in human affairs." Badger huffed. "We are to keep to our own children."
"You've always said I mean as much as your own kits." The young woman knelt before the animal god. "Badger, please! I can't help them at home whilst I'm here – but you can! Please!"
The badger snorted and stamped his paws puffing out his fur in agitation.
"What good is knowing that your friends have eavesdroppers?" Broad Foot enquired. "The darkings are very good at hiding."
"There are general spells to make an area secure. I would hope that the darkings aren't immune to their effects," the mage speculated. "Of course, chances are that our friends are using such spells now, to hamper the enemy's spy-mages."
The creatures in question seemed to be conferring in one inky mass as colour seemed to ripple over them.
Daine removed the badger claw from around her neck. "I'm asking you now, by this symbol of the bond that's between us: Please help my friends."
Badger huffed still indecisive.
"If it helps, I will take them as far as I can." Broad Foot offered.
"What is it Gold-streak? Numair asked as the darking surged towards Daine, stretching up to her.
The young woman bent closer and gasped.
"What's the matter?" the mage touched her shoulder.
"It's Gold-streak. It – it talked," she looked up at him.
"But they don't talk, do they?" Numair bent forward, curious. "My impression was that they only communicate what is said to them, or near them."
Gold-streak stretched up higher. "Now talk." It squeaked. "I go. Talk to darkings. Teach them –" Gold-streak returned to huddle with Leaf and Jelly where they vibrated together until Gold-streak separated again. "Freedom. Choosing."
"Do you know where your brethren are – who they spy on?" Badger asked.
All three darkings nodded.
"And I can transport a darking from place to place, here or in the mortal realms." The badger god sighed. "It will take us a while, even going from spy to spy by magical means. Transporting all over the mortal realms, I will need to rest. Numair Salmalín, look after my kit." He turned to scowl at Daine "Put that back on your neck."
She retied the claw as Gold-streak ended its discussion and rolled up Badger's leg and onto his back. The animal god turned to face the creature. "Ready?" Gold-streak nodded, and they disappeared in a flash of light.
The two mages ate a bowl of porridge and finished a cup of tea before readying themselves to leave. Numair donned a clean shirt and filled in the firepit and trench, scattering leaves and stones to hide their presence, while Daine packed away their belongings and washed up. Broad Foot and the darkings stayed to one side watching in fascination.
"It's as good as the courtship dances of cranes," the duckmole exclaimed once they were done, creating a new pouch in the mage's shirt and materialising in it. "You never bump into each other, and you never try to do the same tasks."
The mage scowled at Broad Foot's insinuation until Daine gave him one of her brilliant smiles making his knees go weak.
"We've been doing this for a while," she said. "I've lost count of the camps that we've put up and broken down."
Numair went to stroke her cheek but snatched his hand back at the last moment. He really needed to stop touching her. "Where do the darkings ride?" he asked instead.
Leaf wrapped itself around the young woman's neck and Jelly made itself comfortable in the pocket of her breeches. Daine grinned at him again and took the lead with mage and duckmole following behind. Numair spoke with Broad Foot about his mortal children and their home, wanting to keep his mind firmly away from Daine's swaying hips when there was a god that could read his thoughts.
Their trail led them downhill through woodland until they reached a swamp at noon. A low bridge lying only inches above the murky water allowed them to cross. Biting insect gods plagued the small group until the mage finally had enough and activated a fiery shield that would burn anything that got too close. He kept his staff raised and the black opal charged with his Gift, concerned about what dangers might lurk beneath them in the water. Lord Mauler chose to make his presence known just before they reached solid ground. Neither human wasted any time on pleasantries when two huge yellow eyes rose to watch them. They bid a hasty retreat from the crocodile-dinosaur god receiving only a splash of swampy water to show his displeasure at their crossing his swamp.
The path ran uphill again as the trees began to thin and the air warmed. The humans walked long after sunset using the lights from the war in the sky to light their way. They made camp by a lazy stream while Broad Food disappeared to hunt. Tonight, Daine dug the latrine while Numair put on a pot of tea and cooked the stew. Leaf and Jelly were fascinated by the fire and wanted to help stir the food which the mage allowed, indulging their curiosity.
Unrolling the map, Numair studied their progress and tried to guess their route for the morning.
"Food done?" Leaf squeaked.
The mage looked up and tested the stew. "Not yet. It needs a bit longer for the vegetables to soften."
"You're teaching them to cook?" Daine asked as she squatted down beside the mage.
"They expressed an interest and I saw no harm in encouraging it," he smiled.
The young woman giggled and removed her boots, rubbing her feet. "How many more days do you think?"
"I'm not exactly sure." Numair looked at the map again. "We've made good progress but it's difficult to tell how long it will take to cross a stone maze and the Sea of Sand. Maybe three or four days? That's a very rough estimate. Broad Foot might be more precise."
Daine continued to rub her feet while the mage fought an internal battle: whether to offer a foot rub, or if that was pushing the boundaries too far. While he wanted to test the boundaries between them, at what point did a gesture become too intimate and cross the line of friendship?
"How do you think they're fairing without us?" Daine's question broke through Numair's internal dilemma. "The king and queen, Onua, the Lioness?"
The mage sighed and stared into the fire. He wanted to offer a reassuring lie but voiced his own concern instead. "I'm worried more for Kitten."
"I saw a glimpse of her and Tkaa earlier. The wyverns were attacking again," the young woman looked at him.
Numair scrubbed his hands over his face and closed his eyes. "I should be there with her."
Daine shuffled closer and put a comforting arm around him. "She's got Tkaa. Kit will set those wyverns to rights."
"Aren't I the one who's meant to be reassuring you?" he glanced at her face and lost himself in her blue-grey eyes.
The young woman grinned up at him making his heart pound as he became conscious of just how close she was. "You don't always have to be the supportive one, you know."
Numair smiled feeling his face heat and hoped Daine would mistake it for embarrassment at her words. He wished so much that he could kiss her and turned his head away before he acted improperly.
"Food done?" Jelly asked.
The mage tasted the food and confirmed it was finally done, serving up two bowls of stew for himself and Daine. After a moment's consideration he served a third bowl for the two darkings.
"I never thought to ask if you required feeding," he apologised.
Leaf and Jelly flowed towards the bowl and formed tentacles to touch the contents before merging together and covering bowl. Daine and Numair shared a grin before tucking into their meal. Broad Foot returned once their meal was finished and offered to keep watch while they slept. Daine was on clean-up duty, so the mage unpacked their blankets and rolled himself into his, bidding his magelet a goodnight with his back turned away from her.
Gainel stood before Numair once sleep took him, beckoning him towards an open door. On the other side a vast red and gold chessboard lay below him and floating above it he could see Daine standing next to an unfamiliar wolf. He approached the pair warily, not entirely certain if this was Daine from his dreams or the Dream King. Chess pieces began to appear below revealing Uusoae as the red queen with an empty shadow as her king. The shadow was trying to suck everything around it like a black hole.
The mage stopped just behind the young woman's shoulder as the rooks appeared. The left rook was a three-headed ape which Numair recognised from his studies.
"Discord," the wolf told the Wildmage.
The right-most rook was a thin, blue-skinned youth with six arms each holding a weapon. He grinned at the young woman and pulled out a seventh arm holding Numair's severed, dripping head. The mage rested his hand on her shoulder feeling her jump at his touch.
"Violence," he pointed to the rook. "With Discord, the gatekeeper of Chaos."
The three-headed ape was now juggling Daine's head making mage grimace.
"Charming," she muttered.
"It's their nature. They can't help being what they are," the wolf explained.
Numair was fairly certain that he was somehow sharing a dream with the real Daine, and that this was neither the woman in his dreams or Gainel. He removed his hand from her shoulder and looked at the wolf. "Daine, would you introduce us?"
"I dunno," the young woman shrugged. "Are you Rattail, or are you the Dream King?"
The wolf shifted and reformed himself into the God of Dreams. – I thought perhaps you would be less unnerved by hearing these things from a friend. –
"Maybe" she murmured.
Daine turned her attention back to the chessboard as the gold pieces revealed themselves. Numair followed her gaze identifying Mithros and the Great Goddess as the king and queen. The high priests were the Black god and, "Shakith, goddess of seers" he whispered noticing his friend's confused frown. Jihuk, the desert god, and Smith god were the knights with Kidunka, The World Snake, and Oinomi Wavewalker as the rooks.
"Where are you?" the young woman asked Gainel
– Like you mortals, I have one foot in the Divine Realms, the other in Chaos. Lately that's been a most uncomfortable position. –
"Understandably," Numair commented. "Now we have some answers!" He pointed as Uusoae's pawns appeared.
The central pawn was Ozorne in his Immortal body. Next to him was a blonde Scanran mage with a ruby eye.
"Inar Hadensra," he whistled softly. "That explains far more than it doesn't."
"He's very powerful?" Daine asked.
"Yes, indeed. And he serves only the Council of Ten in Scanra, not whomever they have as king that week," the mage explained. "The Copper Islander to his right? That's Valmar, the third of King Oron's sons, carrying a general's baton. And next to him is Deniau, the high admiral of the Copper Isles, and Valmar's brother. Ozorne has powerful allies."
The rest of the red pawns were a spidren, a hurrok, a female Stormwing and a winged ape. None of which would be easy to identify on a battlefield. Now the gold pawns appeared with Daine and Numair at opposite ends of the board. Between them stood King Jonathan, Queen Thayet, Alanna, Tkaa, Kitten and a gold-skinned, almond-eyed Yamani the mage didn't recognise.
"I don't like being so far apart from you." Daine whispered to him.
He stared wide-eyed at his friend as warmth spread though him.
The pieces vanished and reappeared again with Chaos having the advantage and Ozorne and his allies heavily armed against the gold pawns. The red pieces cut down the gold pieces as they stood distracted by the Great Gods fight. Numair watched as the Ozorne Stormwing took great pleasure in cutting down his piece as the spidren killed Daine's piece. When all the gold pieces had been eliminated, the red pieces dissolved and melted turning into Chaos substance, surrounding the Great Gods before flowing over them and consuming them. The message was clear: lose the war and Chaos will destroy the realms.
"I don't like that game. Can we play another?" Numair joked.
The board reset, this time with Chaos and the Great Gods struggling against each other while the gold pawns lead the attack. Jonathan took on Inar Hadensra, Alanna fought the spidren, Daine attacked Ozorne, Numiar fought Deniau, the Yamani took on Valmar, Thayet against the Stormwing, Tkaa tried to turn the hurrok to stone leaving Kitten to face the winged ape. Alanna cut down her opponent with a triumphant cry, raising her sword into the air. Uusoae appeared on the board and charged the Lioness only to be surrounded by the Great Gods as all the red pieces vanished.
– If she is behind this, she will come to avenge her servitor, the one who found a way for her to use mortal power without Father Universe and Mother Flame knowing. Once she reveals herself, they will enter the matter, and end the fight. Gods and mortals will be safe again, at least for another thousand years. – Gainel looked between woman and man.
The board vanished and Numair found himself staring at a dawn sky as he sat up.
– Her ally may not be a spidren – the Great God's voice continued to speak in his mind. – It may be another immortal, or a human. Whoever it is, for the sake of your parents, humankind, and the Beast-People, you must kill him, or her. It is the only way to end the war. –
"Why didn't someone just tell us what the problem was?" the mage complained.
– Because the Great Gods believe that no problem exists. They say that no mortal would risk the destruction of his or her own realm by helping Uusoae to break the walls that keep her contained. I no longer argue with my brothers and sisters. They only laughed, so I gave it up. Farewell then, mortals. Good luck. –
Numair threw off his blanket and began to pace angrily as Daine sat up and watched him.
"It's got to be Ozorne. He's crazy enough to destroy the realms," the young woman pointed out.
The mage stopped pacing and rubbed his nose. "Not necessarily, magelet. Inar Hadensra is also insane enough to desire total annihilation. We also know nothing of the Immortals allied with Uusoae or what their motivations might be. Ozorne is certainly a likely candidate, but how would he have known to contact the Queen of Chaos unless he learned it recently," he sighed. "There are never enough answers to the important questions! Knowing when the balance tipped in the war might have given us a better chance of identifying the pawn."
"At least the Dream King gave us some answers," she reasoned. "We know the human targets we need to kill and Ozorne. I think the female Stormwing might be Jachull of the Mortal Fear nation. I heard Ozorne talking to her when I woke the other day."
"You've been hearing our enemy when you wake? Why didn't you mention it sooner?" Numair said suddenly alert.
"Last time it happened you were marching into Temptation Lake, so it slipped my mind!" Daine snapped causing the mage to blush. "Besides, I don't think it was a dream. I think I heard it coming from the darkings."
He turned to face Leaf and Jelly. "Could you spy on Ozorne for us?"
The darkings shook their heads. "You see. He see. You hear. He hear." Leaf explained.
"So, if we asked you to listen to Ozorne, he could also hear anything we said?" the Wildmage asked.
Both darkings nodded.
Numair pinched the bridge of his nose. "What did you hear exactly, Daine?"
"A Stormwing called Qirev was angry with Ozorne that he'd lost eleven of his flock in a fight with mortals," the young woman explained. "Another male Stormwing was also unhappy that Ozorne had lied about giving them fear to feast on but was instead sending them against our archers. The female Stormwing, Jachull, was on Ozorne's side though."
"That is some good news if Ozorne's allies are no longer happy to serve him," the mage said. "We should pass this information to Rikash when we see him."
The humans ate a quick breakfast eager to get on the move and return to their friends. They packed up camp as speedily as they did the previous morning and set off uphill.