Chapter 1: Plans and Stormwings
Disclaimer: The only things that are mine are the the plot and the boy, Daniel. The rest belongs to Tamora Pierce.

[Author's note: I would like to thank everyone for reviewing my (what is now) prologue! I would also like to thank my sister for encouraging me to
write more. Her pen name, by the way, is KTLacy. She has a really cool and suspenseful story called "Running" (yes, I'm shamelessy promoting my
sister's story). I hope you like this chapter. I will probably create new characters, if not in this chapter, then the next. Enjoy!]

Traveling back to the castle from Legann, Daine and Numair started planning their wedding. Well, Numair listened, and Daine planned. "I never
thought I would like this planning stuff, but I do! It's so exciting!" All her friends, especially Queen Thayet and Onua, found comments like this
from Daine highly amusing. Even so, they gladly added ideas of their own.

There were so many things to think about for Daine. Where should the wedding be? Who would she invite? What would her dress look like?
Numair's outfit? What about decorations- what should they look like? Where would she buy them?

Luckily, Queen Thayet and Onua volunteered to help. Even the Lioness said she might help! [A/N: what we really need now is for them to help
Nazgulette get over writer's block! Oh well, I can manage!] Thayet was very exited about the dress. She volunteered to take over that whole
catagory- designing, buying, maybe even sewing, if she had the time.

They were gretted warmly when they reached the castle. Everyone was celebrating victory still, and word about Daine and Numair's engagment had
spread quickly. Daine and Numair were both congradulated by complete strangers, but that just heightened their excitment.

"Daine," said Numair, "since this has nothing to do with magic I ask you to please take over the wedding arrangments. I have never had much style sense,
otherwise I would have cut my hair awhile ago."

Daine laughed. "It looks nice. Besides, I'd be sad if you cut your hair off. It accents your face nicely. "Numair chukled, kissed her [A/N: Come on, the
kisses would have to come sometimes!] and walked off. "Thank you!" he called back.

Onua was approaching Daine. "Hello! I think I may have found the perfect place for the wedding! There is a big field near the edge of Corus. It is covered with
little flowers, and is currently being sold by the owner, who apparently really needs money. We can rent it, and have the wedding there!"
"That sounds great, Onua! I'll have to tell Numair!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After dinner one night, Onua, Daine, Queen Thayet and Alanna were wlking around a pond near the castle talking about wedding plans. Suddenly, Daine saw,
or sensed, colors. Gold with black and green lights in it. "Stormwings are coming." They all reached for thier weapons. "Don't hurt them immediatly. They may only
be coming to talk." Alanna snorted her disbelief.

Just then the Stormwings came in to view, with Barzha in the lead. "Hello, Daine," Barzha said, when they got close. "We heard about how you spoke for us from
'Big Blue'. We thank you."

"You spoke for them to stay?!" the Lioness sputtered. "What did you do that for?!"

Barzha smiled evilly. "So, it slipped your mind to tell them. Well, have fun explaining," she said still smiling her crooked grin. As the Stromwings flew off, the women
heard Barzha say, "Congratulations on the engagement."

"Goddess," said Daine, "if even Stormwings know about our engagement, then the news spread way too fast!"

"Now," said the Queen, "let's talk about this Strmwing issue. Why-"

"WHY IN THE NAME OF MITHROS, GAINEL AND KIDUNKA DID YOU WANT THEM TO STAY??" Alanna shouted.

"Lioness! Control your temper!" Onua scolded. "We're all curious, but we don't have to shout," she said, seeing tears begin to well up in Daine's eyes.

"Well, be- be- because they shouldn't be punished for what they are!" Daine said, hoping they would except their answer. They did, even though the Lioness seemed
to remain a little grumpy.

"Ok. I apologize for shouting," the Lioness grumbled.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning King Jonathan wanted to know why she spoke for the Stormwings, but the queen told her to go take care of Cloud or something and let her
explain. So, Daine went on her daily visit to Cloud. In the stables she found a stableboy about 10 years old waiting for her.

"Is it true you spoke for Stormwings?" he asked, brimming with excitment at the thought someone might actually know or like Stormwings enough to speak for
them.

"Yes," Daine answered,"and may I have the pleasure of knowing who I'm speaking to?"

"I'm Daniel," the boy said, "I'm a stableboy here. Is it also true you can speak to animals? I'm new here and I've heard that rumor."

"Yes, that is also true. Would you like me to speak to some and tell you what they say?" she asked, smiling. Daniel nodded. "Okay. How 'bout I ask that
gelding over there if he likes you." She asked the horse with her mind.

"Yes," the horse said,"I like him. He sneaks me treats after he eats. Usually apples." Daine smiled and turned to the boy. "He likes you," she told him. "He says
you sneak him treats."

The boy's ears turned red with embarrasment at being caught. "You won't tell anyone, will you? I'll get in trouble!"

"No," Daine assured him, "I won't tell. Now, I have to take care of my horse. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Nice kid," Daine thought. After taking care of the horse, she went inside to continue planning the wedding. Planning, always planning.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[A/N: Okay, hope you liked it! Not much Cloud in this chapter, but that's okay!