Description: Daine and Numair enter the Dragonlands and find themselves caught between quarrelling factions over their fate. The mages are brought to a Dragonmeet where the Separatists try to make trouble.

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

Author's Note: I really liked what Sonnet Lacewing did with Numair's magic in the Divine Realms in her interpretation of this book, but I wanted to do something slightly different. If you haven't read her stuff, then you really should as it's absolutely brilliant! She has a lot of fun with Numair's magic. I decided to have the mage catch on a little late however, otherwise it would have seriously affected the scene when he goes to Daine when she's captured by the spidrens. My reasoning is that I think Numair is a genius so he's really intelligent but lacking a little in the common-sense department.

Chapter 13

The Stormwings flew through the night, beginning their descent as the sun broke over the horizon. The Immortals set the slings down on a flat expanse of sand before a wall of red and white fire. There seemed to be no beginning or end to the curtain of fire, and it appeared to stretch into the sky to infinity. Numair tested the fiery barrier with his Gift as he untangled himself from his sling, wincing as he straightened. Daine also seemed to be stiff from their ride and the mage hoped she'd gotten some rest during the journey. Barzha, Hebakh and Rikash landed in front of the mages while the rest of the flock remained airborne.

"Our debt to you is paid," the queen said. "If the dragons are unhappy with your presence, we prefer not to be nearby."

"Thank you," Daine said respectfully. "If you see Ozorne before we do, give him our regards."

Barzha and Hebakh grinned wickedly before taking flight. Rikash stayed behind and touched the young woman then the man on the arm gently with a wingtip. "Be polite to the dragons, and watch your step," he said kindly.

The blonde Immortal re-joined the flock leaving the mages alone with their next challenge. Numair still couldn't shake the feeling of how strange it was to have a friend amongst the Stormwings that was concerned for their welfare. Even more confusing was that he would be sorry if anything were to happen to Rikash.

Shifting his focus back to the wall of fire, the mage probed it with his Gift, but as with any dragon magic his Gift just slid straight off. Numair didn't think he could part the flames or even blast a hole through the wall if it even was a wall of fire.

"Now what?" Daine asked perplexed.

"Go away, mortals," a deep voice rang through the air. "You will not be admitted to the Dragonlands. We wish to know none of your kind."

"On the contrary, one dragon knows a great deal of us," the mage protested. "My companion is the guardian of the dragonet Skysong."

"The true guardian of a dragon is brave," the voice rumbled. "You are shrinking, cautious beings."

"Oh really," the young woman challenged.

Numair was still considering their options when Daine walked straight into the fire. He screamed in terror putting a hand over where the darking was hiding in his shirt and leapt after her. The flames and heat were intense as Jelly trembled violently against his chest. Just as the mage thought he was going to be incinerated, he burst through the other side to find Daine standing there. Gasping and covered in sweat, Numair dropped his staff and grabbed the young woman by the shoulders.

"Don't you ever – ever – frighten me that way again!" the mage shook her for emphasis and wrapped his arms tightly around her needing to know she was whole and unharmed. "Ever!" He crushed his mouth against hers, half in terror and half in relief. He'd already thought her lost to him once and then she went and walked in fire!

"I don't know," Daine looked at him through her lashes grinning. "I like this particular kind of tantrum. Besides – at least now they know we're brave enough."

"Speak for yourself," the mage said releasing her and retrieving a handkerchief with a trembling hand. Jelly was still shaking inside his shirt as Numair tried to calm his pounding heart.

"The darkings? What if they –" the young woman panicked.

Leaf stuck its head out from Daine's belt purse. "Warm. Fun."

Jelly poked its head out from the mage's shirt and crawled up to his shoulder. If he didn't know any better, it felt like the darking was sulking.

"I know it wasn't fun for you," he soothed stroking the creature with a finger.

Jelly stretched itself until it could look into his face. "Fine now. Get stick."

Numair smiled and collected his staff from where it lay on the ground. Taking in his surroundings, the Dragonlands appeared to exist in another space and time. On this side of the barrier, it was midday, and they were surrounded by grassy hills which was a stark contrast to the other side where it was barely dawn with the dry heat of a desert.

"Wait. Guides will come for you," the disembodied voice chimed.

The mage turned to examine the barrier again with his Gift. Even from this side he still couldn't identify what spells had been used, if indeed there were any spells at work. This could be a portal or gateway to transport a person brave enough into the Dragonlands. That would certainly account for the time difference and changes in the landscape.

"You're not thinking of jumping back through, are you?" Daine looked at him dubiously.

"One trip through was more than enough for me." The young woman giggled, and Numair scowled at her. "You're going to give me more white hairs if you keep pulling stunts like that."

"Relax," she waved a dismissive hand at him. "You'll still look handsome even if you go white."

The mage blinked. "You think I'm handsome?"

"Of course," Daine replied nonchalantly as she scanned the landscape.

Numair blushed feeling ridiculously flattered. He'd been so worried she'd only see an older man when she was developing into such a gorgeous young woman that the mage hadn't even dared hope she might think favourably of him.

"Now what?" the young woman complained. "We just sit around and wait?"

"We could always test your theory," he suggested innocently.

"What theory?" she turned and eyed him suspiciously.

"If kissing always feels good," the mage winked mischievously.

Daine smiled up at him as her eyes sparkled with mirth. Numair marvelled as she approached him, going to tiptoes as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms automatically encircled her waist as the young woman pressed herself against his chest and kissed him. Jelly squeaked indignantly interrupting the pair as Daine pulled away.

"Well, if you didn't hide in his clothes, you wouldn't get squashed," the young woman told the darking.

Carefully, she retrieved Jelly from the V of his shirt and put the darking in her belt purse with Leaf. Smiling up at him sheepishly, Daine wrapped her arms around his neck again and pulled him into another kiss. Numair lifted the young woman off her feet and in all his dreams it had never felt this good. He'd known women who could kiss better than her and yet they all paled in comparison. Kissing Daine felt more intense, more pleasurable, more fulfilling than any other kiss he'd experienced. Numair could do this for the rest of his life if only she would allow it. They both lost themselves to pure sensation until the need for air separated them.

"Hmmm… I'm not sure," Daine looked at him with a playful glint in her eyes. "I think we may need to collect more – what do you always say? – evidence," she grinned cheekily.

"I'll give you evidence," he said roughly pulling her into a passionate kiss until he felt her tremble in his arms.

Placing butterfly kisses along her jaw he worked his way down her neck until he heard her gasp. Concentrating on that spot, he kissed and sucked as she moaned and began to writhe in desire. Pulling away he smirked triumphantly at her, his eyes impossibly dark. Daine looked up at him dazed and a little confused which finally snapped the mage back to reality.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," he apologised.

Numair released his arms, but she continued to cling tightly to him searching his face. "I thought you didn't want to canoodle with me?" Daine asked after several seconds.

The mage lowered her to the floor and unhooked her hands, taking a step away feeling deeply ashamed. After all the months of self-restraint and he was letting himself get carried away. "It's not all I want – but I can't deny I do want a physical relationship with you," he swallowed nervously.

She stepped closer to him her eyes dark with hunger. "I want that too."

Numair looked away. "Is that all you want?"

"I – I don't think so – but we said we'd discuss this after the war," the young woman reminded him touching his arm gently.

The mage didn't return her touch fearing he'd already crossed the line and was in danger of influencing her decision. Daine might have her own mind and maybe she did love him, but that didn't give him the right to seduce her. If she truly wanted him then he needed to tread carefully, or this could end before it had a chance to begin.

"I know. I'm sorry," Numair spoke softly.

"What for? I still love you," she said bluntly. "Do you still love me?"

The mage grabbed her hands in his and stared into her eyes intently. "Always. Never doubt that."

"Then it's just a question of how much we each want, not if we want this," the young woman stated reasonably.

He released her hands and looked away. "I need to be honest with you. I can't do this if all you want is a physical relationship. I want – I need more than that. I think you know how much more." He lifted his eyes to look at her once again.

Daine bit her lip. "Marriage?"

"Certainly a long term commitment," the mage admitted. "I want permanency with you not an affair. That is something for you to consider."

The young woman swallowed nervously. "Did you ever want this – with anyone else?"

"No," he shook his head. "Just you."

"Not even Varice?" Daine asked disbelieving.

Numair frowned in thought. "I always assumed I would marry her one day – but never enough to ask her. Neither of us were ready to settle down when I fled Carthak."

"What about last year? When we were back in Carthak," the young woman fidgeted. "Did you think about asking her then?"

He scowled remembering his last meeting with Varice Kingdford. "Certainly not!"

Daine chewed on her lower lip but didn't pursue that line of thinking. "Then – why me?"

"Because…!" A lump formed in his throat as Numair gazed into those stunning blue-grey eyes. "Because I love you." It was the first time he'd said it out loud and his chest felt like it was going to explode.

Daine's eyes softened as she closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest. The mage returned the embrace, holding her tightly feeling raw and emotionally drained. They stood like that for a long time until Leaf appeared on the young woman's shoulder and tugged at a curl of hair pointing as their escorts arrived.

The pair separated as two young dragons approached named Icefall, commonly called Scamp, and Steelsings, known as Grizzle. Scamp was the younger of the pair having lived for two centuries. She was snow-white and about four feet long. Grizzle was three centuries old with steel-grey and black scales and was about the same height as Daine at five and a half feet. The two young dragons escorted the humans over hills while Scamp bombarded them with questions about mortals and the Mortal Realm. Numair hid a smile letting Daine answer Scamp's questions, not sure if he was nervous or looking forward to when Kitten would be able to mind-speak. At the thought of the dragonet, the mage found himself missing his little girl terribly as he listened to the young dragon. Grizzle sounded more like a child on the cusp of adolescence trying to act older and more mature than she was.

The young dragons were taking them to see their Grandsire. Family ties seemed a little vague amongst dragons as they referred to him as their grandfather even though he was several generations older. They also mentioned another dragon who they called 'uncle' but wasn't related to either of them. As they climbed another hill, Scamp pointed out a large blue-green dragon who began to gracefully glide down the hill towards the group.

– Uh-oh. – Grizzle said

"Is there a problem?" Numair asked.

– It's Jewelclaw. He's not very nice. – Grizzle bristled; her scales tinged with pink.

– He can't do anything. They're here to see Grandsire, not him. – Scamp said trying to sound brave as her scales turned completely pink in fear.

Jewelclaw was forty feet long with a tail that looked to be twenty feet in length. He had emerald slit-pupiled eyes and an emerald belly with silver talons and teeth denoting his Immortal status. Lightning danced over the dragon's scales as he landed in front of the group.

– Who let mortals into the Dragonlands? You two will find this to be far more serious than your usual pranks! – Jewelclaw roared at the young dragons as the grass began to scorch under his paws.

Grizzle jumped between the mortals and the adult dragon an appalling shade of fuchsia. – You can't touch them! They are under Grandsire's protection. –

– Then Diamondflame will answer to the Dragonmeet! Out of my way! They will be my captives! – Jewelclaw snarled.

Both young dragons were trembling violently igniting the mage's protective instincts. He doubted his Gift was a match for the adult dragon, but he hated seeing the young ones so terrified.

– No! She's the one who's raising Skysong! – Scamp argued.

– Raising? Or imprisoning? – The adult dragon glared at the mortals.

Crossing his arms, Numair moved cautiously beside Scamp. "If you know anything about the young members of your race, you know that captivity is not an issue. I do not believe there is a cage that could hold Kit – Skysong – if she wished to get out."

Jelly thrust its head from the mage's collar and joined Leaf in an angry chitter at the adult dragon.

– Must we tell Grandsire you took them from us? – Grizzle asked.

– The old newt has gone senile! And I'm not the only one to object! I'm not finished with this! – Jewelclaw growled and launched into the air.

Scamp insulted the adult dragon indignantly as soon as he had flown out of sight. Both dragons colour slowly returned to normal as they continued on their journey. The group followed a broad track which led to what looked like a glass bridge. Scamp and Grizzle raced over it, but Daine and Numair stayed back testing it lightly with their boots. The mage sent out his Gift fascinated by the spells used to make such a sturdy yet delicate looking bridge.

The air crackled and the two young dragons went up on their hindpaws as Jelly hid inside Numair's shirt.

– There has been a change. – the same voice from fiery portal spoke.

– Grandsire, Jewelclaw came and yelled. – Scamp cried.

– I know it. He and the other Separatists have been dinning my ears since our guests came through the portal. They have called the Dragonmeet. – Grandsire replied.

– Uh-oh. – Grizzle whispered while Scamp cowered on the floor.

– Take them to the amphitheatre. Do not enter the floor with them, mind. Sit among our people. – the voice commanded.

Numair truly did not wish to get involved in the internal politics of dragons. At any other time, he might have found it interesting, but all he wanted was to be returned home. The young dragons led the human's uphill which overlooked a tiered depression cut into the earth. Long ramps led from the top tiers to the floor which had talon marks from their centuries of use. A large pile of what looked like blue stone lay around the rim of the amphitheatre. A number of dragons were already present including Jewelclaw.

Seven young dragons joined the group as they descended the ramp. Evidently, Scamp and Grizzle had chosen to ignore their Grandsire's warning not to join the humans on the floor. Larger adolescent dragons joined them from behind until they had a form of honour guard. Numair answered a torrent of questions from the younger dragons including anything the youngest asked, via the older dragons, as she couldn't mind-speak yet. The mage ached to see Kitten again and hold the dragonet in his arms. He finally understood just how young she really was in dragon years.

The space to their right exploded as a sixty-foot black dragon materialised startling the group. Numair wasn't reassured by the immense dragon joking she hadn't 'fouled anyone' since she was young. The idea of a dragon appearing in the space another person occupied was an uncomfortable one. At what age did the young dragons start attempting this piece of magic? Daine reached out and took his hand when the black dragon said she wanted to see the humans before they were turned to fertiliser. Numair looked down at their joined hands realising this was something he would need to adjust to. He'd fought his instincts to touch and hold his friend for months, it was difficult to accept she would welcome his affections.

The mage kept hold of Daine's hand as they reached the floor still accompanied by their entourage. Three immense dragons appeared on the top tier of the amphitheatre causing a blast of air that staggered the mages. The young woman tightened her grip on Numair's hand as he readied his Gift, despite knowing how ineffective he'd be. All three of the newcomers were over a hundred feet long, not including their tails, with the largest of them having delicate pale green scales.

– That's Wingjade. My father. – Scamp informed them.

"Biiiig." Leaf commented from around Daine's neck.

"Too big." Jelly squeaked from V of the mage's shirt.

The golden dragon of the three started the Dragonmeet charging Diamondflame – was that Grandsire? – with permitting humans to enter the Dragonlands. Numair suggested quietly to Daine that she should do the talking since the was the official guardian of Kitten. However much he considered the dragonet a daughter he was not her adopted parent.

The amphitheatre descended into absolute chaos as multiple dragons called for their execution. Daine tried to speak several times but could not be heard over the din until the mage used a spell to amplify her voice so she could request they be taken home.

– No one asked you. – Jewelclaw snapped walking onto the ramp, his scales turning red as lightning racing over his body. – You humans. How could we have allowed you to continue to exist, with your murderous hearts, your waste, and your noise? It's time to scour the mortal realms clean. We can start with you. –

Numair had heard enough. "You dare." The mage drew deeply on his Gift as Daine stepped aside giving him room.

– Do you think we fear you, mortal? No human can face down a dragon! – a black and white dragon spoke as it stepped out onto the ramp behind Jewelclaw.

A sixty-foot pearlescent dragon named Moonwind vanished and materialised on the floor creating a blast of air that knocked Daine backwards. The mage had formed a quick shield around himself when he saw the dragon vanish and willed himself to remain standing. The wind passed over him as if it were nothing and a memory surfaced: Broad Foot had said magical laws were what you made them in the Divine Realms, which was how Ozorne had managed to create the darkings, with willpower alone. Retrieving Jelly from his shirt, Numair handed the creature to Scamp and strode forward to meet his adversary, ignoring the shrill protests as the darking tried to reach for him. He would not risk Jelly's safety in a fight against an adult dragon. With every step the mage drew more of the Gift into himself until the air shimmered with his magical aura. Numair was able to draw far more magic than he had ever possessed in the Mortal Realms as he prepared to fight Moonwind.

– There are mortals who may battle us on an equal footing. Not many, but some. – a slim, blind dragon with green, red, blue and yellow scales remarked from the lowest tier.

Jewelclaw and his companion on the ramp halted and even Moonwind seemed to rethink her actions. Numair kept a wary eye on the pearlescent dragon as the older dragon they referred to as Ancestor Rainbow scolded the others for their selfishness and bad manners. The elderly dragon even managed to force the black and white dragon, Riverwind, to dematerialise. For a moment there was silence in the amphitheatre when a sudden roar of voices protested Ancestor Rainbow's actions, over which Numair clearly heard Jewelclaw screech – The humans are mine. –

Moonwind unfurled her mighty wings and raised a paw as the mage bent the blast of air she directed at him. Out of the corner of his eye the mage saw a goshawk shoot past him, heading towards the advancing Jewelclaw who had now reached the floor. The Wildmage screeched defiantly terrifying Nuamir who could no longer protect her while she was airborne. Calling on his Gift, he threw a magical net over Moonwind willing it to contain her and restrain the dragon from being able to move.

– Enough! – Grandsire's voice snarled causing Jewelclaw to freeze in his tracks. – When did my personal invitation to guests of my clan become a matter for every wing and claw in the Dragonlands to discuss and interfere with? –

What Numair had mistaken for a large pile of stones formed itself into an eighty-foot dark blue dragon with a golden crest. Grandsire, or Diamondflame, strode down the ramp regally towards Moonwind and the mage. Daine hovered in the air, remaining in goshawk shape, surveying the area while the dragons continued to argue. The mage kept his focus and will upon Moonwind, feeling the pearlescent dragon fight against the restraints that held her.

Ancestor Rainbow appeared to be the one who judged this Dragonmeet as the other dragons called on him for a ruling. The elderly dragon joined Diamondflame on the floor and dismissed Jewelclaw from the proceedings by sending a bolt of lightning at him. The blue-green dragon snarled as he dodged and leapt into the air lunging at the goshawk. Daine cried out and dropped from the air turning instantly human, thankfully to be caught by Diamondflame. Enraged, Numair sent out his Gift to surround Jewelclaw and vanished the dragon, sending him to the Sea of Sand.

– That's impossible! No mortal mage has that sort of power. – Moonwind protested struggling against the net.

"If my daughter is harmed in any way because of your time wasting, you'll find out precisely what I'm capable of!" the mage glared at the pearlescent dragon.

– Enough! The pair of you. – Diamondflame snapped as he gently placed Daine on the ground. – What is your ruling Ancestor Rainbow? –

– Under the laws set out by the Golden Dragonmeet, Diamondflame is within his rights to allow the guardians of the dragonet Skysong to visit him in our lands. The mortals are under the protection of Diamondflame's clan. – Ancestor Rainbow proclaimed.

Another clamour rose from the amphitheatre only to be silenced by a mighty roar from the three immense dragons standing on the top tier.

– I would advise the rest of you to review the rights and laws set out within the Golden Dragonmeet. – the elderly dragon continued. – Some of you have clearly forgotten the privileges afforded to every member of the Firefolk. You are all dismissed, and I do not wish to hear of this matter again! –