I don't own any of the characters created by Tamora Pierce.
As a side note, .: this :. is going to be the mind talk.
=Prevalent Night=
"Daine, get Numair. NOW!" Alanna stepped forward to cover the younger girl as she ran up the stairs.
Cedar grinned at the lioness patiently. It was annoying. Then Alanna noticed it; the eyes were lingering on Daine. Alanna darted toward the creature, but it just shoved her away. I have to distract it so Daine won't get hurt.
"Goddess, what did they do to you?" Alanna whispered out loud.
Cedar's claw sliced through the lioness' skin. "The same thing that they're going to do to Neal's son…" she hissed. Then, she pounced over Alanna and crawled up the stairs, after Daine.
Alanna felt her knees become weak. Suddenly, the world about her was spinning. She was just scratched, right? Why did she feel so tired. Her veins felt like they would explode, pressure was building within her.
It wasn't long before she fell into a spiraling world of darkness.
===
The ride to the palace was going to take her a few days. Mainly, because she had two human companions by her side. Yuki and Neal were behind her, riding in silence. No matter what she tried to do, they had followed her.
She sighed and rode on. She couldn't change their minds, so she might as well accept them…since she probably would have done the same thing.
She was momentarily brought out of her reverie by the wild cries of the birds around her. They circled over head and Kel studied their movements closely. "We're being watched," she announced to her party as she picked up her glaive. Yuki did likewise and Neal unsheathed his sword.
"Yuki?"
"Yes," was Yuki's reply. Yuki rode her horse up to Kel's. Kel glanced her way and noticed the sadness still in Yuki's eyes; it was the same in Neal's. Kel bit the bottom of her lip and nodded slowly.
A mother cannot rest while her child is in danger, Kel. Yuki's words were still haunting her. It was what convinced her to bring them along.
"Can you see them?" Kel asked in Yamani
"About thirty are around us…" Yuki answered back in Yamani. "But…" She cursed and put her glaive back. "The bastard sent children after us."
As Yuki said this, several kids no older than twelve appeared from the bush. They looked starved and angered. One of them, a child with blonde-white locks stepped forward. He nodded to Yuki, Neal, and Kel.
"Come with us," he said.
"And who might you be?" Neal asked, re-sheathing his sword. He kept his eyes watchful on the leader.
"I'm Cedric. I'm the one watching over your child."
===
Daine ran down the hall way, changing into a wolf. She sniffed, searching for Numair as fast as possible. She could smell his distinct cologne somewhere near---
She was thrown off guard as something slashed at her back. She flipped around and peered into the slit eyes of Cedar.
.:You will not disturb us:.
Daine was silent for the moment. She was astounded that she could hear what Cedar was thinking as if she spoke into her ear. .:What are you talking about?:. she asked her.
Cedar shook her head, her eyes glowing bright scarlet then turning into a blood color. .:I have to save him:. She sounded as if she were trying to convince herself to do something.
Daine had to do something to buy herself some time. .:We can help you!:.
Cedar seemed to chuckle at this, her eyes changing back into scarlet. .:No one can help me. I've already sold my soul. Sorry, little girl, but you might be able to reveal our secrets…:.
Cedar raised her arm and slashed Daine across the eyes.
Loosing control of her concentration, Daine changed back into her real form. She grabbed her eyes and howled. It was too painful to think…
A hand was pressed against Daine's fingers. The skin felt soft and cool against her hands, just like a mother's touch. Stands of healing magic seeped over her face, making the pain disappear.
She slowly sat up, wondering what was going on. Who had known that she was hurt this quickly…unless Alanna was here.
"Alanna?" Daine called out. She felt cloth fall against her shoulders. "Alanna?" she tried again.
She opened her eyes and saw
Darkness. She couldn't see anything. Daine blinked her eyes frantically. She couldn't see anything at all.
=End Chapter=
