Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except Rathena. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce.

I'm going to over lap a bit.

Numair sat at his desk staring off into nowhere. He didn't do anymore not since Daine had died. Numair didn't know that she had died exactly but she had been gone almost a year and what else could have happened to her. The only thing left of her was her claw from the Badger god, near Ozorne's body. Numair had kept the claw and wore it constantly, he was never seen with it off. He barley went anywhere any more. He usually ate in his room and talked to people as little as possible. Numair still taught but other then that he stayed in his room. Alanna stopped by his room often but whenever she came Numair could tell he was worried. He didn't care, he cared for almost nothing since Daine left. He still tried to keep up with the news. The most important thing that had happened recently was Corus had gotten a goddess. She was the called the Protectress of the Hunt and was to be called upon for help with animals and archers. It was said that she was always seen with a bow and always wore a mask. She appeared in the palace stables or in the woods. It was said Stephan the stable man had seen her with the horses and Ouna had seen someone matching that description in the woods. Others had claimed to see the goddess too. Or so he heard. For some reason Numair was always inclined to go to see if he could see the goddess but he never had the heart to go to the stables or venture into the woods. He heard a chirping sound and looked to see what had caused it was Kitten. For some reason Kitten was often with Numair except at one time in the afternoon where Kitten would go missing. No one knew where kitten went but didn't mind most people were just glad he spent time with Numair. Numair gave a sigh and got up. It was around time to teach his class. He picked up a couple of books, opened the door and started going down the hall to his classroom. He taught people that were very skilled and competent with their gift. There was one student in particular that he spent time with. Her name was Rathena. She was a student in his class that he had met at the beginning of the year (right around the time Daine had left) and had become friends with. No one thought much of their friendship, most were just happy Numair still talked to someone. The few times Numair went out of his room it was to talk with Rathena. People started to notice that little by little Numair was coming out of his shell. As Numair walked into his classroom Rathena came over.

"Are you alright Numair? You look awfully pale." Rathena said with a mischievous voice.

I'm fine, I just haven't been outside in a very long time." He replied rather gloomily.

"Well we can fix that!" Said Rathena with a voice too cheerful for the time of day. "How about we go out into the woods tomorrow. You don't have a class and the out side will do you good. Maybe we will even see the new goddess. You know the Protectress of the Hunt. They say she has been seen in the woods before."

"I don't know-" Numair began but was interrupted.

"Please. Pretty please. It will be fun!"

"Well if you insist." Said Numair with a sigh.

"Oh don't worry I do!" She said with a laugh and sat down to let Numair begin his class.

"Good Morning class, today we will begin with the more complex spells now first you…"

After class was over Numair went to his room and started to eat. When he finished his meal he started to get ready for bed when all of a sudden a badger appeared. Not just any badger but the badger god who was Daine's mentor.

"Badger?!? What are you doing here?"

"I have a message from Daine."

"What!?!"

Ok I know I stink at ending places but that's chapter 2 I hoped you liked it. Please r/r especially ideas and comments. Thanks!