The Endless Gallop: Sequel to Torn From Hope
Chapter Four:
By starzsong magick

A/N: Oh wow. Just... wow. It's been months since I've written for this site at all. I found a chapter screw-up too, so that was fixed. Yeah. And this is my update (finally!). Sorry to all my reviewers.
Has anyone here finished reading the fifth Harry Potter book? I did! I cried. It was sad, much sadder than the fourth one (when Cedric died). But that has nothing to do with this story so I'll stop babbling and let you read!

Disclaimer: You know what goes here. Nothing is mine, except for characters you don't recognize from the books.

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Daine sank down onto the ledge, shaking with pain and the fright of Numair's fall.

"Numair?" she called desperately over the wall. The only answer was the soft breeze brushing against the tall grass in the meadow. The sound reminded her of a cobra's hiss, the hiss it made before striking...

Daine bit her lip and stood, attempting to see over the wall. But trying to see down to the other side was impossible without climbing higher. Filled with terror at what could lie ahead, she continued upwards, taking a brief break when she was nearly at the top. "Numair?" she tried again, tentatively. No answer

Then she spotted him, unconscious below. Ignoring her arm and all her other small aches and pains, she hurried down to the other side, slipping ever so slightly on the dew-covered rocks. The full moon shone silently above her, a beacon of light, her grim spectator.

"Oh gods, please let Numair be okay!" she pleaded, then bent down beside him.

Numair's chest was rising and falling softly with every small breath he took. He was alive, but for how long?

A small chattering noise startled her. She turned around in a flash and noticed a chipmunk staring up at her, curious. For a brief moment their eyes met; Daine's blue-gray ones and the rodent's brown ones. Suddenly it took off into the brush.

"No, wait!" she cried, but the chipmunk did not reply. Within moments the sound of its flight through the grass had died away into the darkness.

Sinking down into the ground, Daine put her face in her blood-smeared hands. This can't be happening, she thought. Where did my magic go? Why? Who brought us here? And how long can I survive out here like this?

She began to cry again, tears dripping down her face, mixing with blood. The wind continued to blow unfailingly, chilling her. It brought words.

'Listen to me,' it said, 'I can help you.' The final word was long and drawn-out, almost spooky.

Not quite in a great state of mind, Daine whimpered, "No you can't. Nobody can. I'm useless. Dariou–"

She was cut off by the harsh voice of the wind. '–died not because of you. Not all is what you think. Not all ailments are natural.' There was a small pause. Then, it continued. 'I go everywhere. I can travel through a palace, explore every room, in less than a minute. I know all; I can find anything. The cause of Dariou's death, and the possible deaths of many more, will not be found here. Weeping does not do any good; you know that. I know you are not stupid.'

Although the wind did not mention it, she knew it had gone. The air was still, and everything seemed somehow muted. Somehow Daine believed she had imagined the whole thing, but deep inside of her, she knew the wind was right. Sitting around would not solve a thing.

Watching the still Numair, Daine decided to do what she could to make him confortable, then think about what the wind had told her. Filling with resolution, she realized that all really wasn't what it seemed. Perhaps there was a moral to be learned.

"But for then I will have to cope with the present."

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A/N: I found it a bit corny. Hmm...