A/N: Please note that this story takes place two years after 'The Realms of the Gods", and does not take into account the plot of the 'Protector of the Small' series. Characters and elements from those books are drawn into my story, but the main plotline and significant events in Keladry's life do not come into account.

.::.

"Really?" Jonathan asked incredulously. His wife and Buri looked equally stunned as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. Suddenly, he shifted his gaze from empty space to Daine, who blushed under his intense gaze and looked down.

"We'll all be there," Numair said firmly, "Alanna, you, and I. Between the three of us and Daine's animals, there won't be a cause for concern."

"You mean a lot to us, Daine," Alanna said. "We'll protect you."

"Not many would cross me," Jonathan added. "The Dominion Jewel is on our side."

"It's strange though, don't you think?" Daine said worriedly. "Spidrens, knowing of our visit – were our communications with Kaddar compromised?"

"The whole of Carthak knows we're coming," Thayet said, "and we're announcing it tomorrow to Tortall. Perhaps they got word from Carthakis within our borders, here on their own business." Thayet gave Daine a reassuring smile, but she frowned and sighed discontentedly.

It was late in the evening; the dying sun was giving a last effort at prolonging the day as it inevitably sank below the horizon, causing the sky to be awash with soft light in a multitude of colours that filtered gently through the window. Daine was sitting beside Numair on a comfortable loveseat in the main room of their suite, cuddled up beside him in his arms. She faced the king, queen, Raoul, Buri and Alanna; they all sat around the hearth in chairs with the exception of Raoul, who perched on a low table for lack of proper seating.

Those on the hunting party had informed the others, causing a tumult of speculation and surprise, about the dying spidren's words that echoed now so repeatedly in Daine's head. Carthak awaits you, he had said, with all its splendour, surely, but along with the jewelled hilt of any Carthaki sword comes a goodly length of beautiful, yes, but deadly Carthaki steel. What does it mean? Daine thought. Something evil, masked in glory – what if it caught up to her? What if it hurt her or killed her ... what if it got to everyone else too? What about Numair? No, she thought viciously, nothing would ever harm Numair, not while she was alive.

"Daine?" Numair nudged her, bringing her back to the present.

Daine shook her head and blinked. "What?"

Thayet looked at her closely. "You looked pretty far away just then. Are you alright?"

"Yes," Daine assured her, "I'm perfectly fine."

"Good. Anyway, the Tortallan delegation will leave in seven days' time. We'll be having a ball, three days from now, as a sort of farewell," Thayet added.

Daine blanched at the word 'ball'. Mortal hours of wearing uncomfortable shoes, caked up colour on her face, dresses and curtsying and smiling and tortuous, winsome-as-a-court-lady behaviour. She thought – no, she knew – balls were from Chaos itself as a personal gift from Uusoae – how pleasant. She chanced a look at Raoul, and saw that he looked nearly as mortified as she did. He was famous for his evasion of social events, but to miss one that was a farewell to the king and the queen ... he knew it would be unacceptable, and was thus made miserable.

"I trust you'll be there, Raoul?" Jonathan said, a tad sharply.

"Why yes," Raoul said, "of course, Jon." He sighed and shifted, causing the table he sat on to creak slightly under his mass.

Buri laughed shortly. "I think we'll be going now," she told the group, meaning herself and Raoul, who nodded. "Good night."

"Good night," Raoul said too. He reached over and squeezed Daine's shoulder, noticing and recognizing the haunted look in her distant, stormy, blue-grey eyes. He knew the feeling behind it – he often had it too, before a battle, knowing he would be taking his life, and the lives of his men, sworn to Tortall and their Knight Commander, into the face of grave risk. If he weren't careful, he might die, and there were those who would die for him, protecting their lord and taking his place before the Black God. "Daine, I know you're worried about your safety and ours, but you needn't be – the matter will be looked after. Don't put creases on your pretty young face for something so insignificant."

Daine looked up at him, and smiled, although her eyes betrayed that she was still troubled. "That's fair wonderful of you, my lord. I'm grateful to have people like you in my life." She nodded at those around her, whose eyes were all on her face at the moment, anxious and kind. Raoul smiled down at her before he and Buri exited the room.

"We'd all best be going too," Jonathan said tiredly. "Tomorrow will be rough for us, what with all the conservatives who seem to have it imbedded in their minds that Carthak and Tortall are forever at war."

Thayet stood, the fire reflecting in her beautiful eyes. "Good night."

"Good night," said the king.

"Yes, good night," Alanna echoed. "Tomorrow will be a mess of diplomacy. You two should go to bed – don't do other things," she said wickedly, "you need your sleep."

"Do let yourself out, Alanna," Daine said curtly. "Good night to you all."

The monarchs and the King's Champion left the rooms, closing the door behind them. Daine and Numair sat silently, staring into the hearth, each with their own thoughts.

Numair's chin rested on Daine's head as he worried for his love. It wasn't right, the way she was the one targeted like this when she was so young, and his heart ached to find out who was threatening her. He loved her so much – she was everything to him, and if anything happened to her, he knew that he would never be able to live. She was his light at the end of the tunnel; her presence was his sunrise. Instinctively, he held her tighter at the thought of losing her.

Daine felt Numair's arms tighten around her. The flames seemed to burn themselves into her eyes as she thought about spending her life without his presence. She loved him – this tall, lanky man with his dark hair and soulful eyes, his full and sensitive mouth that tasted so sweet. He was her teacher, her friend, and her true love, and she knew he would die to save her – which was the very thing she was afraid of. Something about the spidren's words had chilled her to the bone. Normally, the threat wouldn't have meant anything, knowing that she had very powerful mages around her who cared. But this was different, somehow – the look in the spidren's eyes and his menacing tone even as he slipped into death had imprinted Daine's mind, and she felt ... scared. She felt as if she'd be staring into the Black God's face tonight, maybe tomorrow night – soon. She didn't know why she dreaded the immortal's last words so much, but she did, and the thought of herself and her friends in serious danger was alarming. The spidren had mentioned a sword, and swords meant bloodlust and war. Who would die in this fight?

"Magelet," Numair said softly, "are you alright?"

"I don't know," Daine confessed. "I'm scared. Maybe I'm not scared, but I'm really uneasy. I've never really felt like this before. Something about the way the spidren said it keeps reminding me of death and doom. I don't know why, but –"

"Hush," said Numair. "It'll pass." He turned Daine around and lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes for a moment, before he closed the gap between them and kissed Daine gently, waiting until she responded equally before he let his passion take control of his caress.

Daine could feel herself getting warmer as their kiss electrified, making her head reel as her senses lost control. She slid her hands under Numair's shirt and ran her palms over his chest, stomach, and back, pleased when she felt him shiver. He pulled her tight against him suddenly, leaning back so she was on top of him. Daine pulled away, breathless and gasping, and realized Numair's hands were under her shirt, fiddling with her breast band. He realized it too and hastily withdrew. They looked at each other for a long moment before Daine collapsed on Numair's chest. He pulled himself up into a half sitting position, cradling her gently against him.

"I'm sorry," Daine whispered, "I just can't –"

"I know," Numair murmured against her hair. "I can't either."

For all that they had been together for a long time, Numair still had qualms about their relationship. Everywhere they went, he'd turn his head and find men, younger men, staring at his beloved. Determined court popinjays determined to win her heart even attempted to court her, only to find she wasn't available. He felt guilty, having the heart of a young woman – she was only eighteen, and had her whole life in front of her, whereas he'd lived half of his already. And what with Jonathan's battles needing them in different places some of the time, Numair always wondered what his love was doing without him. A black robe mage could deter most of her potential suitors, but if he weren't there? Then what?

Daine's heart ached as Numair held her. She loved him from the bottom of her heart with a feeling that was more profound than anything she'd ever known, but she didn't know how he felt about her. He'd been involved with court ladies for so long, and his reputation preceding him, they still flocked around him and he was obliged to entertain them for at least a little while. Buxom women, older and more mature, beautiful, flirtatious, with eyelashes that batted charmingly and strides that swished provocatively down lengths of hallway and ballroom. In terms of such women, Daine was still a baby, and she couldn't help but wonder if Numair thought so too. He hadn't bedded her yet, out of respect for her and because he had his own reservations; it was partially also because they'd been apart for the past year, travelling all over the realm and helping those affected by the damage inflicted by immortals. She'd missed him so much ... but she couldn't help wondering what else he'd done on his travels excepting Tortallan business for the king.

The two of them sat by the fireside as the sun disappeared from the sky and the only light left was that of the hearth. Shadows played along the walls as the flames flickered and sparked. Numair watched the fire until it died, leaving only glowing embers that burned brightly before they too faded. Daine's even breathing told him that she was sleeping, so he gently sat up and rearranged her in his arms. He waited until his vision had adjusted to the darkness, the patterns of dancing fire still in his eyes, then stood and carried her to their bedchamber, closing the door behind him with his foot. He placed her on the bed, lay down beside her, and drew the covers over them both. Numair's last thought before he succumbed to sleep was how lovely Daine looked, with her curls tumbled about her exquisite face made serene by sleep and the light of the moon streaming in through the window.

.::.

A heavy, musky scent filled Daine's nose. She sat in a clearing in a forest; looking up, she found that she couldn't see the sky – the tree canopy hid it from view. A fire burned merrily just in front of her; she took comfort in its warmth – it was a cold night. She looked to the ground beside her, and found a familiar presence.

"Badger!" she exclaimed, happily surprised.

–Greetings, Daine,– the badger said calmly. He rose up on his haunches and placed two large forepaws on Daine's shoulders, poking his muzzle into her face and sniffing. Daine laughed and hugged her mentor tightly.

"I haven't seen you in so long! What –"

–Hush. I haven't come to socialize.– The badger cut Daine off abruptly and dropped back down to all fours, looking up at her with dark eyes. –You must not go to Carthak.–

Daine frowned. "But I have to; Jonathan said so."

–Whatever Jonathan said is of no importance. What I've come to tell you is a divine matter, and your mortal kings have no part in it. You have no place in Carthak!– The badger stamped a paw on the ground for emphasis.

"Badger, I have to go. What's this 'divine matter' of yours anyway?" Daine asked.

The badger had no answer for a moment. –I don't know,– he confessed finally. –I don't quite understand it myself. It's just a feeling – Carthak will not be safe for you, kit, and I know it. When I know something like this, it isn't something that I can shake off, and it's true. Weiryn asked me to look after you, and so you mustn't go.–

"I haven't any choice. I wrecked their palace with prehistoric creatures brought back to life, and it's like a personal debt I owe to Kaddar. I might as well go back and see the new palace they've built, you know, and give my congratulations for a job well done." Daine paused. "I'd like to go back," she added. "I want to see how the menagerie's progressing, and all the southern animals are most interesting to talk to. And Zek – I miss him."

The animal god huffed a great badger sigh. –Very well, kit,– he said. –As I can see you've got your heart set on it, I won't do anything to impede your path. Take care, however; your parents and all those you know in the Divine Realms have eyes on you.–

"I don't get it," Daine protested.

–Maybe I'm just overreacting,– the badger conceded. –But all the same, I wanted to see you anyway. Take out my claw.–

Daine took hold of the leather thong around her neck, lifted it over her head, and dangled the claw in front of the badger's snout. He prodded at it gently with a paw, and then placed his nose against it. A silver spark flared where he touched it and grew to an incandescent globe of bright light that surrounded Daine and the badger. She felt raw power coursing through her veins, and as she closed her eyes to shield them from the brilliance, she suddenly felt more connected to nature than she'd ever been. Something inside her was just – in tune. Casting a net of her own wild magic over the surrounding forest, she found she could feel the presence of every tree, every bush, every animal – flora and fauna. She sensed the leaves blowing in the wind above, a branch being broken as a bear stepped on it, a deer brushing past a bush. A cold nose on her arm caused her to open her eyes to the clearing, now free of the blinding light, and the badger.

"What was that?" she demanded. "I could – feel, or sense, or whatever you want to call it – the plants! Like animals, only they aren't aware, but I could reach out, and –"

–Precisely,– the badger said satisfactorily. –That is what I intended. Before I let you go back to sleep, you'll learn some of what you can do. Put it back on.– He nudged the claw.

Daine nodded eagerly and obliged. She was suddenly reminded of the Dominion Jewel, with its power over Tortall and Jonathan's ability to make the very stones of the ground in his kingdom rise up against the enemy. If she could do the same thing – how wondrous, she mused.

–Since mortal plants are unaware, as opposed to, say, the First Tree that you and the mage met in the Divine Realms, it is possible to command them in your favour without the reservations as such you have with animals. And one correction, kit – you not only have the sense for plants, but also all that is Nature.– The badger looked at her. –Do you understand?–

"Everything?" Daine breathed. "The earth, the dirt, the branches that have fallen off the trees?"

–Everything­,– the badger confirmed. –You can call things to you. Reach out with your magic, and fetch a branch that's fallen.–

Unsure, Daine closed her eyes and reached out with her mind. She felt a branch on the cold earth at the edge of the clearing, but found she was uncertain as to how she would summon it. She concentrated hard on the substance of the branch, and putting her will behind it, she thought a single word with strength as she held her hand out: Come.

She opened her eyes as she felt a weight in her palm and grinned – it was a gnarled branch, brown and twisting. "Did I do that?" she asked the badger.

–Yes. But you needn't think a word for it to come to you such as you did. Will it to come. Compel it with your will – you are a human. It is a branch. Try again,– the badger suggested.

Daine reached out again and found a stone – round, smooth, and flat; it would have been perfect for skipping, she thought. She concentrated, and willed it to come. Coldness settled in her hand, and she smiled at her success.

The badger pawed at the stone. –Pretty colour,– he remarked. –Give it to Numair – it's the colour of your eyes. But remember, summoning is only among the least of what you can do. It's up to you to discover the limits – I have other things to do, kit. And one last thing – you were given this power by your parents and many animal gods for protection. Do not hesitate to use it should you stumble upon trouble. Farewell, and take care!–

Daine patted the top of the badger's head in goodbye as a bloom of silvery light formed around him. When it had cleared, he was gone.

.::.

The bright sunlight of noontime woke Daine first. Her eyes fluttering open dazedly, she found Numair, still out cold, beside her. She squinted and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Hearing a loud chirp from outside, she crawled out from under the covers and went to the bedchamber door.

A very irate dragonet was standing outside, scowling up at her guardian, her scales tinged with grey.

"What's wrong?" Daine asked, slightly alarmed.

Kitten whistled piercingly and snorted. She waved an imperious claw in the general direction of the hearth, and stalked off. Daine raised an eyebrow and went to investigate.

A scruffy young puppy was curled up on the rug in front of the fire, which Daine assumed Kitten had lit – though the afternoons were intensely warm, the nights and early mornings were still slightly chilly. Hearing her approach, the puppy raised his head and looked up at Daine with big, brown eyes. He stood and loped over to where Daine stood, struck with surprise – it wasn't a puppy; it was a young wolf pup with dappled grey fur.

"Pack-brother," she addressed him. "How did you get in?" The pup clawed at her knees, clamouring to be held. She picked him up and sat down on the couch.

–Old White sired me; Night Black birthed me,– the pup answered. –You helped their mortal pups, of whom they are gods. We are hunters, and he who sired you is the Hunter. We are of kin, you and I, and I was sent here to help you.–

The events of Daine's dream last night came rushing back to her all in one moment, and it occurred to her that she wished she could speak to Numair about it. No wonder Kitten was upset, she thought, being as the son of the First Wolf was here. The badger must have requested his presence, using the help Daine gave the Long Lake Pack as a favour to be reciprocated. "How may I address you?" she asked the wolf pup politely – he was of godly parentage.

–I am called Silver,– the pup answered.

"You aren't really a pup, are you?" Daine asked curiously. "Meaning no disrespect."

Silver reached up and batted the side of her face. –No,– he said, –not really. I was born before all mortal wolves. The Third Wolf, if you would.–

Daine smiled. "I see." She smiled as she noticed something familiar hanging around Silver's neck. It was a tiny replica of the badger's claw, hanging from a thin, brown leather collar.

–It binds us together,– Silver explained, seeing what she was looking at. –I'll always be able to find you, much like the badger can, and no matter how far apart we are, we'll always be able to speak with each other. Range means nothing. It is also supposed to remind me of my responsibility for you. The badger is busy, and he is not of an ideal shape to keep up with you in your travels. I am, though,– he added, a little smugly.

Daine grinned and scratched the wolf behind his ears. "Thank you for coming here," she told him, "and I daren't say that you'll be able to help me with my new ranges of magic? Lovely," she said enthusiastically when Silver nodded. "I'd hate to flatten myself by accident if I called too hard and toppled a tree down on my head."

.::.

Thanks for all your positive reviews!

Martini, Highflyer, Csporty128, BAHJA, bojanglesbiscuit, chameli-bean, Spice: Thanks for being so supportive, and I'm glad you like it (:

lirealbean: Thanks for the advice – I'll make sure to take it into mind. Maybe I got a little carried away … :: sheepish smile ::

Alanita: :: blushes :: Thank you! And I love Alanna's character – she's different from most and reminds me a little of myself. I'll take into mind what you said, thanks for the tip!

Singing diva: Yes, I hope I get to finish this – I love writing, it's an outlet for the soul. Thanks!

I hope this chapter was worth it – please review; I'd like to know what I can work on. Thanks for reading!