Chapter Eight

Meetings With Old Friends

My note: Hey everybody! Listen I am still very sorry for not writing a new chappie sooner but like I have said before, I was very busy. Okay I would like to thank writing extraordinaire Krizta for her kind reviews. Its nice to see someone with more talent than I to say I am doing okay. Thanks! As always, well most of the time, all characters belong to Tamora Pierce, this little writer only takes credit for da plot no matter how much I wish they were mine all mine * evil little laugh * Sorry about that. I was wrapped up into my evil little plots and plans to steal manuscripts from Tp so I can steal Daine and Numair and everyone else. * another evil little laugh * (maybe I should go see a shrink. JUST JOKES! Well not really but hey lets get on with the show. Ohh wait don't forget to R/R!!!!

"SSSSHHHHHRRREEEE! SSSSHHHHHRRREEEE!" Daine sat up with a jolt. What was that noise? Daine looked to her right and saw Kitten just about to let out another ear piercing shriek.

"Stop. I am up" Daine said firmly to the dragon and she clamped a hand over the dragon's muzzle to silence her. Daine was just about to go feed the little dragon who if was a little kid, would be muttering under breath, when someone started pounding on the door.

"Daine, Daine what was that? Are you all right? Are you hurt? Can I come in?" a very nervous and worried Numair said.

"Numair it's all right. I am not hurt except for a headache from the very hungry Kitten shriek in my ear and yes you may come in" Daine said as she finished giving the dragon food.

"That's a relief," Numair said as he came into Daine' s room. I was afraid it was some insane animal trashing and thrashing around the room or that some evil little immortal say a Stormwing that wanted revenge because you killed their son or something. Any way good morning Magelet (sniffle. I always get so emotional when he calls her that. Sigh) did you sleep well after last night's party?"

"Surprisingly, I did and could have slept in later but the evil little immortal early riser had to wake me up because she was just a little hungry" Daine said as she flopped back on to her pillows. Numair came up to the bed laid down on it and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her quickly and cuddled with Daine until the morning bell rang.

As the bell rang Numair went to his rooms to get out of his silk Winnie the Pooh jammies ( I'm sorry I couldn't contain my self. Hey I could have put some thing like Barbie or Pokemon. Oh speaking of Barbie, this is totally off subject but my two year old cousin has just discovered that my aunt's thirty some year old barbies are fun. Well my cousin saw Brittany Spears on a magazine and said "Oh look mommy, there's Barbie" I nearly died laughing but I personally don't think Miss. Spears should hear that. Any way back to the story) while Daine changed from her I Love Harry Potter jammies (Again I couldn't contain myself. You get it? She loves Numair and Numair has magic and so does Harry?) in to a shirt and breeches.

"Daine do you want to eat here or with your Rider friends?" Numair asked when they were in their living room thing.

"I think I will eat in the Riders mess hall," Daine said pulling her long brown curls back in to a horsetail." I haven't seen many of them since. Gods I can't remember!"

"Go ahead. They are your friends and I think you will be very bored if you stayed. I am going to eat with Master Lindhall and we are discussing how to change the City of the Gods magic spill using."

"Goobye!" Daine said not wanting to hear Numair ramble on and on. She kissed him goodbye and headed down the halls to the Queen's Riders mess hall.

No sooner had Daine stepped into the hall she was quickly hugged by Onua and several Riders including Miri, Evin, Buri, and Serge.

"Daine we were wondering when you would stop partying with royalty and nobles and join us" Said the very handsome Evin who was grinning.

"Daine! Congratulations! When's the wedding?" Miri said grabbing a tray for Daine as they lined up for breakfast. The cooks put rolls, sausage and eggs on their plates and Miri, Daine, and Evin sat down at a table. Daine reconized several faces and saw new ones. They talked mostly about their adventures and gossip that was going around the palace. After breakfast, Daine bid her friends goodbye and headed to the pasture where the Riders ponies were kept. She talked to every single one, giving them carrots, apples and sugar lumps. Then she headed to her and Numair's rooms. When she opened the door there was Numair, Master Lindhall, Duke Baird the chief palace healer, and a stranger about her age.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Hello to you Master Lindhall and your Grace. And I'm sorry, forgive me for not introducing myself," Daine said to the stranger."I am Veralidaine Sarrasri and what may your name be?"

"Nealan of Queenscove, Veralidaine" Nealan said offering a hand.

"Please just Daine. Your Grace, I am very honoured to meet your son. But pardon my asking, but, why haven't I seen your son in the palace before?"

"Well, Nealan was going to the royal university, but wanted to be a page" Baird explained.

"Ahh I see." Daine replied sitting into a chair. No sooner was she in the chair, when all of a sudden Numairs hand glowed purple and everyone could hear Alanna's voice:

"Numair please tell Daine to come to the Riders pasture immediately"

"Daine." Numair began to say.

"I'm on my way," She said. "Your grace, Master Lindhall, Nealan. I am sorry to cut this short but as you heard." And off she went.

There are very few times when Alanna gets as red in the face with rage as her hair. This was on of these times.

"Tell me what's wrong Lioness" Daine said voice calm and soft.

Several words spilled from Alanna's mouth that I dare not type for they are extremely rude.

"Blast him! If I wasn't his loyal servant and Champion, I'd kill him I'd."

"Now what have you and his Highness done and argued about now" Daine said hands on her hips. Everyone knew about how Alanna and Jon were lovers when they were young. Everyone also knew Alanna was the only one who could be extremely rude to the king without getting their heads chopped off. And again, the King and Alanna were infamous for stubbornness and the Lioness was forever famous for her feisty temper.

" Well, in the northern part of this realm the is a fief named Mindelan. Piers and Ilane of Mindelan are allowing their daughter to take advantage of the rule that allows girls to become knights. Well she's allowed to but Lord Wyldon and the King are putting her on probation. And what's worse, they are forbidding me to even talk to her. They think I will magick her and make her cheat to get her shield. I could kill him I."

"Lioness calm down," Daine said. Then she had an idea. "Lioness you may not be able to contact her and give her pointers but you can help her by giving her the things she needs like a sword, dagger."

"Daine you're brilliant!!" the Lioness squealed as she gave Daine a fierce hug and trotted up the hill.

Daine, feeling sleepy, headed for her rooms for a nap.

Well what do you think? Now put that little bluish purplish box down there to good use!!! And so they began to go and try to get and and and and freeze hey peoples and Krizta can my sis use your lovely character Thorn in her story.

Shut up Katja! Just my twin. But the torn thorn thibg yeah.