Hello, everyone! I normally write weird humorous fanfics, but when I heard a story about something that happens in here, I got this inspiration to incorporate it in here.

Disclaimer: Most of this story is mine, except the story about the chickens I heard somewhere, and I don't own anything like Daine and Numair that belong to Tamora Pierce.

Daine and Numair were riding along in the woods one day, when a sparrow flew towards Daine. She halted Cloud, and behind her Numair did the same with Spots. The sparrow flew around Daine once, then landed in her palm.

"Calm down," Daine said. "Tell me what is the matter." My name is Nalia, she said, There is a fire! You must go to it! There are animals, in the barn! They cannot get out! You are People. You can save them.

Daine nodded. "Numair, there's a fire in the woods up ahead!" Numair looked alarmed.

"In the trees? Coming this way?" he asked. Daine inquired of Nalia, then said, "Not in the trees yet. Only the barn is on fire now." Numair held open a palm, and started a speaking spell immediately. "Two rider groups and Buri are near here. They can help." He said as he worked. "Can you send a note to 3rd Company?" Daine nodded. She quickly wrote a letter to Raoul, using code symbols and consulting with Nalia for directions, relaying them to Numair as she wrote. She immediately sent the note with Nalia, then mounted Cloud again. Numair mounted Spots, and they raced to the other side of the woods.

The Riders and 3rd Company were already towing buckets of water to douse on the flames. Daine immediately sent her magic out, calling for all of the animals to come out. The goats, cows, and cat all came out. Daine started to run into the barn to check for others, but Numair grabbed her arm.

"No, magelet, " he said gently. "The fire is too hot. You'd only get burned."

Daine wanted to argue, but she knew he was right. Besides, she didn't know there were any other animals. Nalia had said there were only a few.

After the fire was put out, the building smoking, Numair and a few other mages checked the building out. Numair came out, a grim look on his face. "Daine, come here please," he said. She knew the news wasn't good. She followed him into the barn, to see a chicken still inside. She gently touched the chicken. "It's dead," she said softly. "Stupid Chicken!" she muttered, eyes watering, "You heard my call! You could have lived." In frustration, Daine kicked the chicken away. Underneath were five little baby chicks, still alive. Daine, eyes widening, next down to pick up the chicks.

"I've never seen anything like it," Numair stated, voice hoarse. "She knew she could get out, but she chose to save her little ones."

Daine's eyes spilled over. She left the barn, Numair's arm around her.

The next day, she buried the chicken. "I will never call a chicken stupid again, " she said. "A greater love hath no being than this, that he will lay his life down for his friends."

Nalia rested on Daine's shoulder. Don't worry. You tried to help the animals. The only mistake now would be to forget her, she said, nodding at the grave.

Daine wiped her eyes on her sleeve. And I won't, she thought, I won't forget.

I love reviews. This hasn't been edited at all, so go ahead and criticize, as long as it's constructive. If you flame me, I will laugh at you.