Hi!!!!! sorry it took me so long to update but I had to sneak on my comp. I hope you like this new chapter and don't worry I'll be updating a lot during the summer!!!!

Disclaimer: I forgot to put one on before. I don't own any of the characters except if I make one up later on. I don't own them so don't sue me.

Once in the palace, Daine couldn't help but stare open mouthed at everything. It was so beautiful, decorated in red and gold. Numair led them to his suite and was about to open the door labeled "Numair Salmalin" when they heard a boyish voice behind them.

"So you're back, you old scoundrel." Daine turned to see a very short woman with shoulder length copper hair. She was stocky, not muscular, and obviously very fit. She had piercing violet eyes that made Daine slightly uneasy. They seemed to look through you rather than at you. Numair smiled and embraced her, lifting the woman off her feet.

"It's wonderful to see you again Alanna. But I would think you'd be at home with the baron at Pirate's Swoop." Alanna made a face.

"Thayet wanted me here to help train the new Rider recruits." Her eyes settled on Daine. "Who are you?"

"This is Veralidaine Sarrasri." The mage blushed slightly. "Her, uh, arrival here was under somewhat unusual circumstances." The King's Champion looked at Numair suspiciously.

"What kind of unusual circumstances?"

"You remember the spell I was working on?" she nodded. "Well, I figured I should try it away from the palace and it's distractions. I tried it in the Forest and instead of bringing back an object from another dimension-"

"You brought her instead." Alanna added flatly. "Numair. You'll never change. This is just like you. No thought to the consequences of your damn spells. The poor girl must've lost her wits by now!"

"Um…I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm glad Numair brought me here. Tortall seems like a wonderful place. I'd like to know more about it."

Numair looked at Alanna triumphantly. "You see? I did something good."

" You're lucky she actually likes it here." she turned to Daine. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Ah, to be that young again. I suppose you know Numair will present you to Their Majesties." Daine nodded. "Do you have anything to wear?"

"No."

"I'm sure Kuri can find something for you." Daine didn't even ask who Kuri was, figuring she would find out sooner or later. "Do you prefer breeches or a dress?" Daine never liked dresses much and she said as much. "So breeches then?"

"Yeah." Alanna grinned.

"Good. I'm so glad you're not a 'lady' fit for nothing but flirting. Can you wield any weapons?"

"Yeah, longbow and crossbow. I'm okay with a sword."

"Better and better. I'm going to have to see how good you are if that's okay." Daine grinned.

"I would be honored."

"Wonderful. Follow me, please." The girl looked at Numair. He smiled and nodded.

"Just come back here so I can escort you to Their Majesties." Alanna walked away, Daine in tow. While walking, Daine asked

"Are you the King's Champion?"

"I see Numair has been telling you stories about me already. But, yes. I am the King's Champion. Nice to met you." Daine laughed. She liked Alanna.

Soon they came to a room filled with clothes. A little woman stood in the middle of it all. She looked up as Alanna entered, a smile lighting her dark face.

"Hello Lioness. Here for more breeches?"

"No. My friend Daine here needs something to wear to meet Jon and Thayet." after a pause she added "And some clothe for everyday use as well. I'm off to see Onua. See you later Daine." she waved goodbye and left.

"So you're new to the palace. How do you like it so far?"

"I love it so far. But then again, I've only been here a few minutes."

"The palace can be overwhelming. Just remember it's only a building after all."

"Thank you. I'll try to remember that."

"Now, let's get you outfitted." she handed Daine a pair of blue-gray breeches, a soft white shirt and a blue-gray tunic. Daine was glad she knew how to wear these things or she would have been very embarrassed. When she came out of the changing room, Kuri whistled. "You look beautiful. Now, here's some clothing for everyday wear." She handed Daine a few shirts, tunics and breeches in assorted colors. "Now get out of here." she added playfully. Daine smiled and left.

As soon as she walked out, she was overwhelmed. Then she remembered what Kuri said and took a deep breath. It's just a building. Then she turned to a boy who seemed to know his way around.

"Excuse me, do you know where Numair Salmalin is?" the boy bowed and led her through a complicated mess of twisting hallways and winding stairs. How would she ever find her way through this place? In no time, she ended up in front of the door marked "Numair Salmalin". "Thanks." she said to the boy and he left. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

"Just a moment! I'll be right there!" she smiled at the sound of Numair's voice. She heard a crash and something very heavy fall to the floor. "Damn chair!! Gets in my way all the time!!" finally, Numair opened the door and smiled down on her. "Well hello Daine. You look splendid. Shall we be off?"

"Okay. I'm a bit nervous." Daine replied.

"Don't be. Jon and Thayet are very hospitable. Don't worry." he led her through the hallways to a large double door. Numair opened the door and Daine came face to face with the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. He had bright sapphire eyes and coal black hair. Daine didn't usually like guys with goatees, but this guy was an exception. He smiled at Numair.

"Numair Salmalin. Good to see you my friend."

"Likewise." Numair turned to look at the most beautiful woman Daine had ever laid eyes upon. "You look lovely as ever, Thayet. When I walked in, I nearly fell over my feet staring at you beautiful face."

"Oh stop Numair." she looked at Daine. "And who is this?"

"Your Majesties, this is Veralidaine Sarrasri." Daine couldn't believe how beautiful the king and queen were. It was like she was trapped in some parallel dimension. Then she reminded herself that she actually was.

"Hello, Veralidaine." the king said. "I hope you will enjoy your stay in my palace for as long as you wish. After all, any friend of Numair's is a friend of ours."

"Thank you, Your Majesties." Daine answered quietly.

"Pleas, call me Jon and My wife Thayet." Daine hesitantly bowed her head. Numair cleared his throat.

"Um…Jon? There is a small matter of where Daine is actually from…"

It turned out that Daine had nothing to worry about. Jon and Thayet were excited that Numair's spell worked and happy to have Daine with them. After speaking to her about what life in her world was like, they permitted her to leave and go where she pleased. She found her way to the stables and looked at all the horses. Some ignored her and some took the time to talk to her. They were all very well fed and happy where they were. Satisfied that the king knew how to take care of his horses, she walked into another stable next to a group of barracks. In here were ponies of different colors and sizes. They all looked up at her in surprise. ----Are you a pony? You're the strangest looking pony I've ever seen.---- Daine laughed.

---No I'm not a pony. I'm a human.---- the ponies shook their heads.

---- No you're not. You may look like one but inside you're not. Inside you're People.----

"What's People?" Daine asked out loud.

----People are what humans call "animals"----

Daine laughed outright at this. "You mean I'm an animal?! Ha!!!! Yeah right!!!"

----Laugh all you want. You're still People.----

"I'm not an animal. I'm not special. I'm just an ordinary girl."

"You actually believe that?" a voice said behind her. Daine whirled to see Numair leaning against the stable door, arms crossed.

"What are you talking about?? Of course I'm an ordinary girl."

"Well you're not. You have an ability which no one has believed exists for hundreds of years. You have wild magic, and you have it in great abundance."

"What?! You're joking, right?"

"No. I saw you're aura. You have wild magic but you don't know how to control it. I can help." seeing the disbeleif in her eyes, he continued. "Why else do you think you can communicate with animals?"

"I just have a knack with animals, that's all."

"No, it's more than that. You have magic. All you need to do is develop it." he paused. "I'll let you think it over. Remember, I'm always here if you want to talk." he walked out and left her to think about wild magic and why she could talk to animals.