Chapter Two: Discoveries
The party arrived in Tortall at noon of the third day. To Daine's great surprise, the King's Champion, Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, Onua the horsemistress for the Queen's Riders, and and an elderly woman whom Daine recognized wiated for them by the stables.
"So kind of you to meet us, Lady-Knight," Numair called to the Champion as they drew nearer. He turned to Daine and said, "Onua will take care of the Cloud and Mangle. You just follow Alanna and Mistress Cooper. They'll tend to you. I have to get back out and meet up with a company of the King's Own, but i'll be back in a few days. I promise." He kissed her gently and turned his horse. Daine watched wistfully as he road off.
The afternoon's intense heat and the long days of riding caught up with her then, and she began to slip off the horse. Cloud moved to keep her from falling, but she continued the short drop to the ground.
Alanna, who had seen the girl faltering, caught her by the shoulders and eased her slowly onto the grass. Although she remained concious, Daine's vision grew cloudy. She heard the Lioness call for Stefan, the palace stable boy, and two pairs of strong arms lifted and carried her across the courtyard. Two large doors creaked open and a flight of stairs took them up to a long hallway. More creaking and she was placed on a soft bed made of down feathers.
"How is she?" Daine heard a female voice say. It wasn't Alanna or her mother-in-law, Mistress Cooper. It seemed softer and more elegant, yet full of authority. Queen Thayet of Tortallleaned closer to Daine's forehead, her ivory skina bit pale. "Don't worry, we'll figure out what's wrong with you." She didn't act like a normal queen should. Daine understood that when she first came to Tortall. In fact, none of the royalty ever acted as though they even had a station. She was a common-born, mid-wife's daughter from the North. Why would they ever associate with her?
Thanks to Onua, would had introduced her to the Lioness, they did associate with her. The Lioness had, in turn, introduced her to the king and queen. They were always helping her, even after they found out about her and Numair's relationship. Daine had tried to hide the fact that they were together, but she was found out when Alanna saw her kissing Numair.
So, as Mistress Cooper, the Lioness, and Thayet administered herbs and healing magic, Daine slowly regained her vision. The room around her became clearer, and she recognized its somewhat chaotic clutter.
Numair's desk was in the corner, stacked high with documents and scrolls. The door to his work room was locked, protected by a magic spell. Kitten, who had followed them up the stairs, trilled sharply and the lock popped open. She sauntered into the next room as Daine smiled and settled down in the bed she and Numair shared. She lay,silently watching the older women confer in the corner of the room.
"...are you sure?..."
"...check again..."
Daine heard small pieces of the conversation, but could not place a finger on what they spoke about. Thayet shot nervous glances at her, the pale tone in her face more noticable than ever. She wrung her hands when Daine caught her eye, then turned back to the group. A quick word was exchanged before the queen bustled out the door closing it softly behind her.
Alanna and Mistress Cooper came and sat on the bed next to her. Alanna took her hand and nodded towards the older woman by her side.
"You remember Mistress Cooper, right? George's mother? Well, Numair asked that she be here, since she is the ebst healer the city can offer. She-"
"'Numair asked'?" Daine said, interrupting the Lioness.
She nodded and continued, "In the letter he sent on the hawk. Well, Mistress Cooper told Queen Thayet and I something that we didn't expect from you for a long time, so it must be as much of of a surprise as it was for us. At least I hope it's a surprise. You wouldn't plan something like this,and Numair hasn't exactly proposed to you or anything, but I guess I should just come out and say it. Daine. Mistress Cooper thinks you might be pregnant."
Daine was quiet for a moment, not really understanding what she had been told. "I'm what?"
"Pregnant, dearie. As Alanna explained it to me, it's a miracle that it didn't happen sooner." Mistress Cooper got up and began to pack her herbs away in the small leather bag she carried with her.
Alanna stroked her hair and smiled empathetically. "It's a bit much, isn't it? I remember when I found out I was pregnent with my first son, Thom. It took a while to sink in. But you, you're not married and Numair isn't the type to settle down. You'll probably be the one to ask him to marry you, even with the baby. Numair's just like that."
Daine, who had been staring at her hands, loked up at the Champion. "But he did ask me. Last year in the Divine Realms."
Alanna was taken aback for a second, then leapt to her feet and shouted, "Then why aren't you married yet?!"
The younger woman explained their reasoning for postponing their wedding, but the Lioness was still fuming. "I don't care if you're fifty years apart. You're in love, damn it! Now you're pregnant and because you two are too pigheaded to do anything about it, your child will grow up like you did. A bastard!"
Daine struck her before she knew what she was doing. Alanna was known for her quick temper, but she had no right to say such things against Daine. Even though they were correct, her father, the god Wieryn, had always loved and protected her from the Divine Realms.
Alanna backed away from then bed, holdong her chin where Daine had hit her. "I guess I deserve that. I'm sorry, and i'll leave you to your thoughts now."
She left, followed shortly by Mistress Cooper who left herbs and a charm to help with the sickness. Queen Thayet, who had been standing watch at the door, peered in, nodded to her, then closed it again as she left.
Daine plopped back down on the bed and began to cry. What am I going to tell Numair? she thought bitterly.