Chapter Three
Anger Management
Daine found herself in the stables after supper that night. Cloud welcomed the company, since Ana was taking up so much of her master's time. The horse munched happily on oats from her trough while Daine took her time in grooming her. The conversation was light, mostly a mutual silence that was perfectly fine for the two old friends, but their quiet was soon diminished to a Tortallen version of Romper Room. Ana burst in, laughing wildly, with a haggard looking Numair following closely behind.
"Don't let him catch me!" she squealed in delight as she hid behind Daine's loose work breeches. Clutching the folds of fabric in her tiny fists, Ana giggled helplessly as Numair attempted to reach around Daine and grab her. He huffed, frustrated, at Daine, who slowly brought her hands down on the little girl's arms. She lifted her effortlessly onto her shoulders, causing the child to shriek in protest.
"Don' wanna go ta bed!" she said through her tears. "Wanna stay and talk ta Cloud!"
Daine heard the horse whiney from behind her as she started out the large stable door.
Let the
child stay, for Mithros' sake, Daine! The noise she make sis giving me a
headache.
Daine scowled at Cloud, giving her a look that said she would deal with her later. Ana slipped off of her shoulders and wandered in and out of the stalls until she reached Cloud's small space. They were deep in conversation before Daine realized that Numair was no longer in the barn. She walked out a ways, and saw him bent over a trough filled with murky water. She made her way over to him, hands on her hips.
"What were you thinking?!" she hissed loudly as she pushed his head into the water.
"I was thirsty! Horse Lords, Daine! I was just thirsty!" he said through his sputters, his hair full of soggy hay.
"Not about the water, Numair! You left me in there alone with her and you know that she always wants to talk to Cloud! Numair, I can't control her all by myself! Between the two of us, she got more spirit and independency than anyone I know. I need you to be there when she shows that spirit, not hiding with you head in horse spit." Daine heaved, furious, then took a deep breath to calm her down. She kissed Numair lightly before saying, "I'm going to bed. You just get her out of there. See you in a while."
Daine
walked back to the Tower dejected, her formerly content mood shattered in a
million pieces. She had hoped that she and Numair could've "talked" that night,
but presently it seemed out of the question. I hope this doesn't continue. I
might not make it to thirty.
Daine stopped when she heard a frantic voice calling to her from the stables. She turned, and watched as Numair dashed up to her.
"She's gone, Daine! I can't find her!"
***
"Help him in, I said! Now!"
The man shuddered at the sound of that voice: distinctly female, but deeper than a person would normally hear from a woman. The men at the gates lifted him roughly, causing the gash in his side to burn as if he had set it on fire. A particularly large man dug a pointed finger into the cut, making it difficult for him hold up his charade. The pain was real, for certain, but he was used to pain like this. He felt it everyday, in his longing for the only woman he would ever love:
Veralidaine Sarrasri.
"Put him down in here, then get me a wet cloth. Hurry up, now! Don't dawdle." A calloused hand touched his cheek gently, and he could feel the woman's Gift flow through his face, healing him. She wiped away the blood that covered his face, and gasped seconds later.
She
knows me. Excellent.
A/N: good cliffhanger? Bad cliffhanger? Tell me what you think. Who should the lucky villain be…Perrin? Neal? Kaddar? Perhaps an unknown evil-doer that I just happen to make up… ah well. You'll find out soon enough… R/R ;-)
*Kyla*