Authoress' Notes: Okay, so Numair's all missing and stuff. First thoughts say, 'Hey! Why isn't Daine flying around looking for Numair?' Normally and all, I assure you she would. (I'm not trying to intentionally OOC her or anything, I'm doing a pretty good job of that unintentionally, but there is a pretty good reason.) I don't know If I'll explain it this chapter or the next… we'll see.

Chapter Two: "Realizations"

"Hello, miss." Stefan Groomsman descended swiftly down from the loft, landing with a sure-footed 'thud' next to the unsuspecting wild mage. He had been watching her for days, acting on George's orders. Up till now, Stefan had never sought Daine out to speak with her, but knew he couldn't be silent any longer. "The horse's missed you."

She shrugged, caught off guard. "I just… have had other things on my mind…" Dropping off lamely, she took several steps towards Cloud's stall, wishing he would leave her alone.

"Were you planning on going for a ride?" Stefan had followed her, watching as she stepped into the pony's stall and stroked her nose. "If you do, there's something I think you should know," he was leaning against the stall door now, "You'll be stopped before you get very far."

"What! Why?"

"A new safety net. The King's Own is stretched all the way around Corus."

Daine blinked, "Why are you telling me this?"

He laughed, wryly. "Orders from the Crown, miss. I'm to keep an eye out for your interests."

"Of course," Daine sneered, anger coursing through her until even Cloud realized it was best to take a step back. "That's just like his highness." She was yelling now, and incapable of keeping her anger in check. "Why does every one think that because I love Numair, I'm going to do something stupid?"

Bemused at her outburst, Stefan shook his head. "Begging your pardon, but it wasn't the king who I was speaking of. Not Jonathan, leastways – George."

"Oh." Daine was immediately sorry for what she had said. Them men in the woods positioned to protect the capital were from Jon, of course, but George was just looking out for her. He was someone to trust, she knew, and he would always be an exceptional friend. Alanna was lucky. "I feel so useless."

Stefan watched helplessly as a tear trickled down her cheek. "Now, now, miss. I'm sure he'll be found. The trail's not cold yet."

"What?" She turned her tear-streaked face in his direction, sniffing.

"You heard me," his voice was soft, "I believe you have a few things to think about now." He turned to leave, but was stopped by the wild mage's quiet reply.

"Wait – I – thank you."

Stefan nodded, and disappeared into the hay loft.

Left with her thoughts, Daine returned to her and Numair's rooms. Anyone passing by the open hall door would have seen the wild mage half hidden under the bed, and cursing at the dust rising into the air. After what felt like an eternity to her, Daine's hand hit the wooden chest she was looking for. When she had first moved in with her teacher, she had done her best to keep the apartment clean; returning Numair's piles of books to their proper places, and keeping her few belongings in orderly boxes. While her lover had never been an especially tidy person, their differences had never been a problem.

Gingerly lifting the lid, she began to dig through the treasures inside – small portraits of her and her friends, letters, and the puppets her grandda had made for her – all mementoes of happier times. Moving aside a necklace, she encountered the pair of earbobs Numair had once given her. Gently, she lifted them so that the sunlight streaming in the open window gleamed through the crystal. Rubbing the dust of two years off, she replaced them in the box, in favor of a letter. It was undated, and Daine figured it had been set aside for several years.

'Dearest Veralidaine,'

Daine wrinkled her nose, but continued.

'I'm sure that heading caught your attention. I wish you were here with me, magelet, but you have far more important things to worry about. (Although I could most assuredly use your assistance in cleaning up this tower of mine, you're far better at this sort of thing than I am.)'

The letter had been written shortly after the Tortallans' return from Carthak a few years ago. Numair had been sent off on some business of Jon's, the nature of which Daine had long since forgotten, and was unmentioned in the letter – although it had resulted in her teacher spending time at his tower near Pirate's Swoop.

Reading through the rest of the letter made Daine feel as though she had only just received it, and Numair was only a few days' ride away instead of missing. His written words were so Numair-ish that he may as well have spoken them.

When she reached the bottom of the page, she noted something that caught her interest.

'Daine, I want to remind you that if you ever find yourself in trouble, you should speak with Lindhall. He's a very dear friend, and can surely sort out your problems in my absence.

Missing you and your lessons,
Numair.'

Daine couldn't help but notice the cold way he had signed off his letter, and then disregarded it. It was no longer important. Folding the page carefully, she placed it back in the box, which was put back under the bed. In seconds, she was down the hall and on her way to Lindhall's apartment.

End Chapter Two

Closing Comments: Okay, so no explanation. However, in the original draft of this chapter, the letter Daine reads was written by Kaddar, reminding her that he could be reached through Lindhall. Considering Daine's problem, it works much better this way, with Numair telling her what to do. (Finding old letters from people you miss is the weirdest thing ever. It's a little on the warm-fuzzy side, and then also kinda creepy.)