Chapter 8: What's Wrong With Numair?
Alanna had seen Daine tear out of the palace garden the night before and wanted to know why. She hadn't asked immediately because she was afraid that they might have had an argument and didn't want to talk about it. The next evening, however, when neither Daine nor Numiar had shown up for the peace talks or attended the ball, she knew something was very wrong.
The Lioness marched to their room and pounded on the door. "Numair! Daine! Open up! It's Alanna!" Upon getting no answer, she unlocked the door with her Gift and entered herself. It was eerie, looking around the room that was usually so cheerful and was now dark and mysterious.
"Nu-" Alanna was cut off by a noise behind her and whirled around in a fighting position out of habit. "Onua! You-um, you surprised me!"
Onua Chamtong stepped into the room. "Sorry about that. Anyway, do you know what's up with Daine and Numair? I was looking everywhere for them today, I wanted to review some of the wedding plans, but they aren't anywhere!"
Alanna nodded. "I couldn't find them, and this place seems to be deserted. You check in the stables and I'll look in the palace." Onua nodded and left.
Sighing, Alanna turned to leave as well when she heard a soft cheep. "Kitten? Where are you?" The Lioness was worried; the young dragon was seldom seen apart from her foster mother.
The blue immortal peeked out from under a discarded blanket on the floor and leapt into the knight's arms. "Is Daine here?" Alanna asked, and wasn't surprised when Kitten shook her head no. "Humph." Using her Gift, she made the room light up, and when she didn't see anyone, she walked over and rapped sharply on the bedroom door.
Thunk! Something heavy hit the floor in the bedroom. Alanna used her Gift again to open the door, setting Kitten on the ground. She swung open the door.
Numair Salmalin was lying on the floor; it was obvious that he had just fallen out of bed. Clutching the emberstone at her neck, he was covered in pale yellow magic. "You're under a spell!" she cried, trying to help him to his feet.
Numair stared at her with strange, wild eyes and said clearly, "I hate her. I must hate her." He kept repeating that as Alanna dragged him to his feet and down into the hospital wing.
I know it's short. But- is Daine dead? Should she be? Or has she just left Tortall for good? Review with your ideas. Also, feel free to e-mail me.
Another thing-please R/R my other fic!
~Lady of the Wolves
Alanna had seen Daine tear out of the palace garden the night before and wanted to know why. She hadn't asked immediately because she was afraid that they might have had an argument and didn't want to talk about it. The next evening, however, when neither Daine nor Numiar had shown up for the peace talks or attended the ball, she knew something was very wrong.
The Lioness marched to their room and pounded on the door. "Numair! Daine! Open up! It's Alanna!" Upon getting no answer, she unlocked the door with her Gift and entered herself. It was eerie, looking around the room that was usually so cheerful and was now dark and mysterious.
"Nu-" Alanna was cut off by a noise behind her and whirled around in a fighting position out of habit. "Onua! You-um, you surprised me!"
Onua Chamtong stepped into the room. "Sorry about that. Anyway, do you know what's up with Daine and Numair? I was looking everywhere for them today, I wanted to review some of the wedding plans, but they aren't anywhere!"
Alanna nodded. "I couldn't find them, and this place seems to be deserted. You check in the stables and I'll look in the palace." Onua nodded and left.
Sighing, Alanna turned to leave as well when she heard a soft cheep. "Kitten? Where are you?" The Lioness was worried; the young dragon was seldom seen apart from her foster mother.
The blue immortal peeked out from under a discarded blanket on the floor and leapt into the knight's arms. "Is Daine here?" Alanna asked, and wasn't surprised when Kitten shook her head no. "Humph." Using her Gift, she made the room light up, and when she didn't see anyone, she walked over and rapped sharply on the bedroom door.
Thunk! Something heavy hit the floor in the bedroom. Alanna used her Gift again to open the door, setting Kitten on the ground. She swung open the door.
Numair Salmalin was lying on the floor; it was obvious that he had just fallen out of bed. Clutching the emberstone at her neck, he was covered in pale yellow magic. "You're under a spell!" she cried, trying to help him to his feet.
Numair stared at her with strange, wild eyes and said clearly, "I hate her. I must hate her." He kept repeating that as Alanna dragged him to his feet and down into the hospital wing.
I know it's short. But- is Daine dead? Should she be? Or has she just left Tortall for good? Review with your ideas. Also, feel free to e-mail me.
Another thing-please R/R my other fic!
~Lady of the Wolves