Chapter 03: Nothing But Hope

A/N: Hope you like it so far! J Been busy with school… :P Thx for the reviews!

* * *

Rika sighed and peeped open one tired eye.

"She's awake, Sarra," a tall, blurred shadow murmured. The shadow was immediately replaced by another one.

"How are you feeling, sweetling?" a gentle voice asked as something cold was pressed against her warm face.

"Hot," Rika croaked. "And thirsty." The shadow - she can now make it out as a beautiful woman - sat her up and held a cup to her mouth.

"Drink this and then sleep again."

"But mama and papa-" she protested, already feeling drowsy again.

"Your grandpapa will take care of it…"

* * *

A white faced Numair sat on his cot in his tent as Alanna and Jon conversed through magic.

"Are you sure, Jon?" Alanna whispered quietly. The image of the king nodded gravely. The Lioness looked over at Numair, who was speaking to somebody through his own magic. She suspected it was Daine or somebody with Daine.

"Thanks, Jon…" she snuffed out the speaking spell.

* * *

The next morning before dawn, a golden eagle landed in their camp. Numair ran out to meet the bird with a cloak. As he neared, it started changing - the mage laid the cloak on top of Veralidaine Sarrasri and hugged her as she broke into sobs. The soldiers looked away - they had heard the news of Rika Salmalin through word of mouth.

Numair supported Daine as the two entered the tent set up for him.

"Why?" Daine mumbled into his shirt, trembling.

"Jonathan and Thayet have suspended Page Zacharie and his boys for questioning, although, I don't think we'll find out much. Alianne and Alan reiterated the story for him already," he whispered, inhaling the flowery smell of Daine's hair. "You're shivering, love."

"Just cold…" She muttered while putting on a pair of brown breeches and a plain white shirt.

"You're in shock. I'll go call Alanna-" Daine was shaking her head fiercely.

Numair sat down and pulled Daine along with him so she landed on his lap. He held her there, hoping she was being comforted as he was being comforted by her.

The air behind them rippled and started to shimmer. Weiryn, Daine's da, stepped out and glanced around the tent.

"Hello," he greeted, startling the two.

Numair bowed to the hunt god as Daine gave her da a hug.

"I finally got to meet my granddaughter," he commented.

Daine's throat tightened as fresh tears threatened to spill. "Rika's with you?" she whispered.

Weiryn nodded. "Your mother went to retrieve Rika's physical body at the Palace. Unfortunately, that will have some effect on the poor child for awhile."

Numair put an arm around his wife. "How?" he asked.

"The Trickster was hassling the Black God when Rika's heart stopped," Weiryn answered with a smile, "So I interfered and brought her spirit to my lands." He laughed at his daughter and son-in-law's dumbfounded looks. "Even Gods and Goddesses make mistakes. Plus we can't be everywhere at once," he added with a shrug.

"Can… can I see her?" Daine pleaded, stumbling forward a bit.

"Not at the moment. She's still resting."

"Can I have her back soon? I haven't seen her since Spring, da. I miss her so much…"

Weiryn kissed his daughter's forehead. "You've been there, you know the laws. She'll be back with you during the Midwinter Festival."

"Midwinter!" Numair exclaimed.

The god turned to the mage with a hard stare. "It's impossible to cross between realms when you have a mortal on your hands, Mage."

"Beg your pardon," Numair apologized. "It's just that, Midwinter is so far away. Nearly four months…"

"And four months it will be. It was nice seeing you two. And don't worry, Rika's in good hands." He gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek and left, leaving behind nothing but hope.