Chapter 3: Awakenings
Daine's eyes fluttered open. It was daylight. She rubbed her head, wondering why she had such a headache. Then it all came back to her in a flood. She wasn't on the boat any more; this must be Kaddar's summer home. Then she remembered. Numair, is he okay?
"Numair! Numair!" She cried like a lost kitten "Numair"
"Daine, Oh Daine thank the Gods you're awake. We were all so worried." Alanna rushed in and hugged Daine. She handed her a mug of tea and magiced away her headache.
"How's Numair? She asked quietly.
At that Alanna's face darkened. "He's doing okay, still unconscious, but okay."
With that Daine's eyes filled with tears. "Why did he have to act the hero and try to save me Alanna? If he'd have thought about it for just a moment he would have realized that the animals would pull me out before they let me drown. Why?" She shook her head, eyes pouring.
"Daine, we've all stopped wondering why he's so irrational when it comes to you. He loves you too much to worry much about himself when you're in danger." Alanna smiled kindly.
"May I see him?"
"I'm sorry Daine, no. There's a lot of magic going through his body at the moment and if you get too close it could kill you. When he regains consciousness you'll be the first to know. I promise."
Daine shook her head yes. "Oh Alanna, he just means so much to me. I can't bear to loose him." Alanna hugged her and just let her cry. In all truth Alanna shed a few tears that she had kept bottled up for the past few days.
Just then a loud screech reached their ears. Daine! Daine your back! I thought you'd never come around! A very happy Zek ran into Daine's arms and began voicing his happiness. A minute later Kitten came bounding in followed by Onua whose face broke into a smile to see Daine with Zek on her shoulder and Kitten in her lap.
"I'm glad you're up Daine, I don't know how long I could keep these two from bothering you!" Onua laughed.
Daine talked a while with Zek, Kitten, Alanna, and Onua. It helped to keep her mind off Numair and she felt better seeing her pets again. Later she went to visit the crocodiles that saved her life and the life of Numair.
Thank you, if you hadn't pulled me out I'd be dead. I am eternally grateful. I talked to a guard who said he'd talk to the villagers who were bothering you and explain what would happen if they didn't stop. Daine said to the large crocodile named Orno who was the head of the small band who had saved her.
You are most welcome Daine. How is your mate? Last I saw he was unconscious. I hope that he's okay. You seem attached if you risked your life to save him.
He's still unconscious but a lady who has healing powers says that he might pull through. Daine replied.
Would this lady be one of the ones who came to help you on shore? The one called the Lioness? I heard her addressed that way and sensed her gift. Orno queried.
Yes she is. How did you know she had the gift? You seem very well educated in the ways of two-leggers. Daine replied.
We crocodiles have a special sense as do several other varieties of reptiles to whom we are closely related. Orno answered.
Amazing. Numair will be... Daine pursed her lips as tears began to leak from her tightly closed eyes.
You seem troubled child. Would it help to tell old Orno what's wrong? The old croc asked, concerned.
Daine nodded and told the crocodile the whole story from how she chased after Kitten to how she fell overboard and he tried to save her and instead almost drowned to how she felt it was her fault. When she was done she wrapped her arms around the croc and sobbed.
Child, from the way you tell it, it sounds as if it is no ones fault. You dear, have no reason to blame anyone. The only one you could even think of blaming is the dragon who made you chase her. Although even that is not deserved. Orno added. Kitten had expressed her displeasure at the crocodile by turning a shade of grey that was flecked with purple. She stopped after the last remark.
Oh thank you Orno. I really needed that. I couldn't tell that to anyone else. Alanna would scold me for feeling sorry for myself and Onua wouldn't understand at all. She said as she wiped her eyes and kissed the croc on the snout.
You're very welcome Daine. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be in the river with my clan. Don't beat yourself up and take care now. Orno said as he swam away.
Daine sighed stood up and walked back to the palace with Kitten on her hip and Zek on her shoulder.
The crocodile was right. It wasn't your fault at all. You need to stop blaming yourself when it comes to things like that. Zek said matter-of- factly.
Thanks Zek. You're right. Daine said and walked back in silence.
Daine's eyes fluttered open. It was daylight. She rubbed her head, wondering why she had such a headache. Then it all came back to her in a flood. She wasn't on the boat any more; this must be Kaddar's summer home. Then she remembered. Numair, is he okay?
"Numair! Numair!" She cried like a lost kitten "Numair"
"Daine, Oh Daine thank the Gods you're awake. We were all so worried." Alanna rushed in and hugged Daine. She handed her a mug of tea and magiced away her headache.
"How's Numair? She asked quietly.
At that Alanna's face darkened. "He's doing okay, still unconscious, but okay."
With that Daine's eyes filled with tears. "Why did he have to act the hero and try to save me Alanna? If he'd have thought about it for just a moment he would have realized that the animals would pull me out before they let me drown. Why?" She shook her head, eyes pouring.
"Daine, we've all stopped wondering why he's so irrational when it comes to you. He loves you too much to worry much about himself when you're in danger." Alanna smiled kindly.
"May I see him?"
"I'm sorry Daine, no. There's a lot of magic going through his body at the moment and if you get too close it could kill you. When he regains consciousness you'll be the first to know. I promise."
Daine shook her head yes. "Oh Alanna, he just means so much to me. I can't bear to loose him." Alanna hugged her and just let her cry. In all truth Alanna shed a few tears that she had kept bottled up for the past few days.
Just then a loud screech reached their ears. Daine! Daine your back! I thought you'd never come around! A very happy Zek ran into Daine's arms and began voicing his happiness. A minute later Kitten came bounding in followed by Onua whose face broke into a smile to see Daine with Zek on her shoulder and Kitten in her lap.
"I'm glad you're up Daine, I don't know how long I could keep these two from bothering you!" Onua laughed.
Daine talked a while with Zek, Kitten, Alanna, and Onua. It helped to keep her mind off Numair and she felt better seeing her pets again. Later she went to visit the crocodiles that saved her life and the life of Numair.
Thank you, if you hadn't pulled me out I'd be dead. I am eternally grateful. I talked to a guard who said he'd talk to the villagers who were bothering you and explain what would happen if they didn't stop. Daine said to the large crocodile named Orno who was the head of the small band who had saved her.
You are most welcome Daine. How is your mate? Last I saw he was unconscious. I hope that he's okay. You seem attached if you risked your life to save him.
He's still unconscious but a lady who has healing powers says that he might pull through. Daine replied.
Would this lady be one of the ones who came to help you on shore? The one called the Lioness? I heard her addressed that way and sensed her gift. Orno queried.
Yes she is. How did you know she had the gift? You seem very well educated in the ways of two-leggers. Daine replied.
We crocodiles have a special sense as do several other varieties of reptiles to whom we are closely related. Orno answered.
Amazing. Numair will be... Daine pursed her lips as tears began to leak from her tightly closed eyes.
You seem troubled child. Would it help to tell old Orno what's wrong? The old croc asked, concerned.
Daine nodded and told the crocodile the whole story from how she chased after Kitten to how she fell overboard and he tried to save her and instead almost drowned to how she felt it was her fault. When she was done she wrapped her arms around the croc and sobbed.
Child, from the way you tell it, it sounds as if it is no ones fault. You dear, have no reason to blame anyone. The only one you could even think of blaming is the dragon who made you chase her. Although even that is not deserved. Orno added. Kitten had expressed her displeasure at the crocodile by turning a shade of grey that was flecked with purple. She stopped after the last remark.
Oh thank you Orno. I really needed that. I couldn't tell that to anyone else. Alanna would scold me for feeling sorry for myself and Onua wouldn't understand at all. She said as she wiped her eyes and kissed the croc on the snout.
You're very welcome Daine. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be in the river with my clan. Don't beat yourself up and take care now. Orno said as he swam away.
Daine sighed stood up and walked back to the palace with Kitten on her hip and Zek on her shoulder.
The crocodile was right. It wasn't your fault at all. You need to stop blaming yourself when it comes to things like that. Zek said matter-of- factly.
Thanks Zek. You're right. Daine said and walked back in silence.