Daine sat squeezed between Numair and Damae in Dareem's living room, with
all his advisors surrounding them. They had been allowed in because Numair
had vouched for the importance of it, and the village had developed a deep
respect for him. Dareem cleared his throat, and the quiet murmuring died
down.
"Our last council meeting," he started, "was interrupted, and today I would like to continue talking about the matter at hand." He sounded very grave, and Daine wondered what was the matter. She found out soon, as he continued. "There are no men between the ages of 15 and 35 left in our village except Yaman and Medaio. Over the last 6 months, Yema, Prenn, Harriay, Meduan, Voltair, Namean, Barun, Kineas, and Orien have disappeared, leaving no trace of where they had gone, many leaving families and all leaving much work for who was left. None of us know where they have gone, but we do know that they have been taken-only Voltair was the type of person to that was absentminded enough not to tell anyone where he was going when he left." Daine cast a significant look at Numair, who blushed, but they soon became absorbed in the conversation again. "We need to agree on something to do about it-these men can't be missed much longer. Anyone who has a suggestion, speak out."
Everyone was surprised, however, when Yaman was the first person to speak. "I.I have something to say. You all remember when I had the vision about Daine and Numair, of course." Everyone nodded, including Daine and Numair, who had been informed about Yaman's vision, and had been astounded. "Well," he continued, "Something like that happened again. Today. I was working in my garden when suddenly everything went misty, and I saw.something, something horrible. A horde of men, all armed and fierce. Ready to kill. And I think.that that's where our men are."
An astonished and wondering silence followed Yaman's words. It was Numair who finally broke it. "There are certain types of magic in this world. The Gift, wild magic, and anti-magic are all of them-except for one more. There are people who can see the future or the present, when something important is going on or will happen. Seers, they're called. Yaman," he turned to him, "do you accept your destiny?" His voice was grave, and there was a long pause as Yaman hesitated. He looked down, fright, nervousness, determination, and awe all registering on his face as he fidgeted in his chair, hands gripping the edge until his knuckles turned white. Daine squeezed Numair's hand, suddenly understanding that the future of Carthak depended on the youth's answer. She was surprised, but the quiet, solitary young man seemed the perfect seer-even his body looked it, with his straight, glossy black hair, tan skin, and large dark eyes. He was fine- featured and tended to remind people of a beaten puppy. But when he looked up, his jaw was set and an air of determination surrounded him. Daine held her breath, all her attention on Yaman, for once not aware that Numair gripped her hand just as tightly as she held his.
Into the silence, Yaman spoke, eyes filled with fire, but his voice was low. "I do." The whole room seemed to let out a breath, and then Numair, smiling slightly in approval, stood and made a half-bow. "We're proud of you, Yaman," was all he said, but it reflected the feelings of Daine and the rest perfectly. Now Dareem stood and moved forward, offering his hand, and the new seer nervously rose to clasp it. But with that, the formalities seemed to be over, and as they both sat down, Dareem looked around at the still-stunned advisors and said in a brisk voice, "Anything else?"
Lasar cleared his throat. "If you don't mind, Dareem, we'd like to say something-do you mind if it isn't relevant?"
Glancing at Numair, who nodded, the village leader answered, "Not at all. Good news?"
Lasar grinned and wrapped his arm around Hemaia, who sat next to him. She looked down, blushing and smiling a little-but it was a smile of pure joy. "Very," he answered.
After a slight pause, Meera's voice interrupted. "Come on then, you young rip, tell us the good news!"
Hemaia looked up, pride written all over her face, and said, softly but clearly, "I'm with child."
Gramoon was the first to react. Smiling broadly, his deep, gentle voice approving and pleased, he said, "And congratulations to you both!" This started a whole wave of well wishes by everyone, and the women all kissed Hemaia's cheeks for good luck while the men shook Lasar's hand firmly and with fervor. After the subsequent flurry of talking had died down, Dareem had something more to say. Numair, he said, had told him that he had something more to tell them.
Daine looked sideways at Damae, stealing herself for the revelation that would come. Damae's expression was as agitated as Daine felt. She thought everyone looked a bit surprised when it was not the mage, but the girl who spoke next. "This afternoon, Damae and I were gathering herbs when something a bit.unsettling happened. I'll spare you the boring details," she smiled wryly for a minute, but then sobered again, "but basically what happened was that the Graveyard Hag, patroness of Carthak, came to us then. She gave me a gift-anti-magic, and she granted Damae magical sight. Now we need your help to fulfill the task that was given us-fighting a rebellion that might mean life or death to your whole village." She had made it sound a bit more dramatic than it was, she knew that, but something told her that these peaceful villagers would need some urging to help them. For a moment, tension filled the air as they stared at her in shock-it was NOT what they had been expecting, whatever that had been. Surprisingly, it was Tarina's practical voice that first made itself heard.
"Well. That's quite a surprise. As for me, I'm for helping you-and if it will get our men back, that's what we must all do. What do you say, Dareem?"
"I, for one," he said heartily, "agree with you."
Daine looked around at her friends, her eyes getting a little misty. "Thank you," she said softly, and they smiled at her kindly.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Medaio sat back in his chair and listened with mounting concern and anxiety the story that Yaman, Daine, Damae, and Numair were telling him. It was all too clear to him that the chances of Damae getting seriously hurt were high, and he resented it. But it was also clear that it had to be this way. He would have to put his beloved friend and student in the way of danger to protect everyone else, but that still didn't mean he would be able to reconcile himself to doing it. If she were hurt-he wouldn't allow himself to think 'killed'-he would never forgive himself. He noticed, too, that she looked pale and drawn, a new kind of responsibility and worry on her slender shoulders. It pained him to see her like that, all her cheerfulness making way for this new awareness of possible martyrdom. As Yaman finished telling about his vision, he sighed and rubbed his temples, using his hand to conceal his conflicting emotions. When he looked up, his eyes were grave.
"What will you do?" he asked quietly, and as the three younger on all looked at Numair, he realized that they hadn't discussed this yet, and had waited until he knew what was going on to deliberate. He was touched by the gesture of friendliness.
Numair spoke, and his voice was certain. "First, we'll find where this army is. Then we have to find a way to fight it-with magic. I know now that Damae's magical sight is there to help Daine discover where dangerous magic lies. And then we go out and do the necessary." His voice was grim, and Medaio realized that, unlike him, this mage had seen war, and had seen what it did to people and areas. Wistfully, he watched Numair slip a reassuring arm around Daine, who leaned into him tiredly. He peaked sideways at Damae, who was staring off into space with a strange expression on her face, one that he couldn't interpret. They stayed like that for a moment, peacefully, until Numair looked down at Daine, who had just yawned, and smilingly said,
"It's late. We should all get some sleep." He supported Daine, and Medaio suspected that she pretended to need it and that he gave it to her for the same reason-just to be close to each other. After they had bid Medaio goodnight, they left, Damae following after smiling at him in a way that made his heart thump, but he knew that she smiled only for their friendship.
The healer did not get much sleep that night.
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A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever-I've had a bit of a writer's block for this chapter-you have no idea how hard it was to write. It isn't very good, but I can live with it. Thank you for reviewing people!
Zurizip: Thanks! Glad to be an inspirer. (
Spice: Have no fear, I don't hate them that much! Just kidding, we all love Daine and Numair.
Tilly-Willy: I would like anti-siblings so much! I have two younger brothers who are always trying to read these.yuck. Anyway, thanks!
Numair's Daine: Long. Sorry to break it to yah. I like pining!
Animelover52843: Thank you thank you I'm honored. * Bow *. :-D
Cassa-Andra: What would you say if I found a way to do both plot and fluff? Interesting idea, really. Hm. I'll have to think about that one.
Amethyst: Thank you! I can't stop writing, only I have been super busy. Grrr.
Evil Elf Inc: Thanks! I like your penname.
"Our last council meeting," he started, "was interrupted, and today I would like to continue talking about the matter at hand." He sounded very grave, and Daine wondered what was the matter. She found out soon, as he continued. "There are no men between the ages of 15 and 35 left in our village except Yaman and Medaio. Over the last 6 months, Yema, Prenn, Harriay, Meduan, Voltair, Namean, Barun, Kineas, and Orien have disappeared, leaving no trace of where they had gone, many leaving families and all leaving much work for who was left. None of us know where they have gone, but we do know that they have been taken-only Voltair was the type of person to that was absentminded enough not to tell anyone where he was going when he left." Daine cast a significant look at Numair, who blushed, but they soon became absorbed in the conversation again. "We need to agree on something to do about it-these men can't be missed much longer. Anyone who has a suggestion, speak out."
Everyone was surprised, however, when Yaman was the first person to speak. "I.I have something to say. You all remember when I had the vision about Daine and Numair, of course." Everyone nodded, including Daine and Numair, who had been informed about Yaman's vision, and had been astounded. "Well," he continued, "Something like that happened again. Today. I was working in my garden when suddenly everything went misty, and I saw.something, something horrible. A horde of men, all armed and fierce. Ready to kill. And I think.that that's where our men are."
An astonished and wondering silence followed Yaman's words. It was Numair who finally broke it. "There are certain types of magic in this world. The Gift, wild magic, and anti-magic are all of them-except for one more. There are people who can see the future or the present, when something important is going on or will happen. Seers, they're called. Yaman," he turned to him, "do you accept your destiny?" His voice was grave, and there was a long pause as Yaman hesitated. He looked down, fright, nervousness, determination, and awe all registering on his face as he fidgeted in his chair, hands gripping the edge until his knuckles turned white. Daine squeezed Numair's hand, suddenly understanding that the future of Carthak depended on the youth's answer. She was surprised, but the quiet, solitary young man seemed the perfect seer-even his body looked it, with his straight, glossy black hair, tan skin, and large dark eyes. He was fine- featured and tended to remind people of a beaten puppy. But when he looked up, his jaw was set and an air of determination surrounded him. Daine held her breath, all her attention on Yaman, for once not aware that Numair gripped her hand just as tightly as she held his.
Into the silence, Yaman spoke, eyes filled with fire, but his voice was low. "I do." The whole room seemed to let out a breath, and then Numair, smiling slightly in approval, stood and made a half-bow. "We're proud of you, Yaman," was all he said, but it reflected the feelings of Daine and the rest perfectly. Now Dareem stood and moved forward, offering his hand, and the new seer nervously rose to clasp it. But with that, the formalities seemed to be over, and as they both sat down, Dareem looked around at the still-stunned advisors and said in a brisk voice, "Anything else?"
Lasar cleared his throat. "If you don't mind, Dareem, we'd like to say something-do you mind if it isn't relevant?"
Glancing at Numair, who nodded, the village leader answered, "Not at all. Good news?"
Lasar grinned and wrapped his arm around Hemaia, who sat next to him. She looked down, blushing and smiling a little-but it was a smile of pure joy. "Very," he answered.
After a slight pause, Meera's voice interrupted. "Come on then, you young rip, tell us the good news!"
Hemaia looked up, pride written all over her face, and said, softly but clearly, "I'm with child."
Gramoon was the first to react. Smiling broadly, his deep, gentle voice approving and pleased, he said, "And congratulations to you both!" This started a whole wave of well wishes by everyone, and the women all kissed Hemaia's cheeks for good luck while the men shook Lasar's hand firmly and with fervor. After the subsequent flurry of talking had died down, Dareem had something more to say. Numair, he said, had told him that he had something more to tell them.
Daine looked sideways at Damae, stealing herself for the revelation that would come. Damae's expression was as agitated as Daine felt. She thought everyone looked a bit surprised when it was not the mage, but the girl who spoke next. "This afternoon, Damae and I were gathering herbs when something a bit.unsettling happened. I'll spare you the boring details," she smiled wryly for a minute, but then sobered again, "but basically what happened was that the Graveyard Hag, patroness of Carthak, came to us then. She gave me a gift-anti-magic, and she granted Damae magical sight. Now we need your help to fulfill the task that was given us-fighting a rebellion that might mean life or death to your whole village." She had made it sound a bit more dramatic than it was, she knew that, but something told her that these peaceful villagers would need some urging to help them. For a moment, tension filled the air as they stared at her in shock-it was NOT what they had been expecting, whatever that had been. Surprisingly, it was Tarina's practical voice that first made itself heard.
"Well. That's quite a surprise. As for me, I'm for helping you-and if it will get our men back, that's what we must all do. What do you say, Dareem?"
"I, for one," he said heartily, "agree with you."
Daine looked around at her friends, her eyes getting a little misty. "Thank you," she said softly, and they smiled at her kindly.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Medaio sat back in his chair and listened with mounting concern and anxiety the story that Yaman, Daine, Damae, and Numair were telling him. It was all too clear to him that the chances of Damae getting seriously hurt were high, and he resented it. But it was also clear that it had to be this way. He would have to put his beloved friend and student in the way of danger to protect everyone else, but that still didn't mean he would be able to reconcile himself to doing it. If she were hurt-he wouldn't allow himself to think 'killed'-he would never forgive himself. He noticed, too, that she looked pale and drawn, a new kind of responsibility and worry on her slender shoulders. It pained him to see her like that, all her cheerfulness making way for this new awareness of possible martyrdom. As Yaman finished telling about his vision, he sighed and rubbed his temples, using his hand to conceal his conflicting emotions. When he looked up, his eyes were grave.
"What will you do?" he asked quietly, and as the three younger on all looked at Numair, he realized that they hadn't discussed this yet, and had waited until he knew what was going on to deliberate. He was touched by the gesture of friendliness.
Numair spoke, and his voice was certain. "First, we'll find where this army is. Then we have to find a way to fight it-with magic. I know now that Damae's magical sight is there to help Daine discover where dangerous magic lies. And then we go out and do the necessary." His voice was grim, and Medaio realized that, unlike him, this mage had seen war, and had seen what it did to people and areas. Wistfully, he watched Numair slip a reassuring arm around Daine, who leaned into him tiredly. He peaked sideways at Damae, who was staring off into space with a strange expression on her face, one that he couldn't interpret. They stayed like that for a moment, peacefully, until Numair looked down at Daine, who had just yawned, and smilingly said,
"It's late. We should all get some sleep." He supported Daine, and Medaio suspected that she pretended to need it and that he gave it to her for the same reason-just to be close to each other. After they had bid Medaio goodnight, they left, Damae following after smiling at him in a way that made his heart thump, but he knew that she smiled only for their friendship.
The healer did not get much sleep that night.
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A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever-I've had a bit of a writer's block for this chapter-you have no idea how hard it was to write. It isn't very good, but I can live with it. Thank you for reviewing people!
Zurizip: Thanks! Glad to be an inspirer. (
Spice: Have no fear, I don't hate them that much! Just kidding, we all love Daine and Numair.
Tilly-Willy: I would like anti-siblings so much! I have two younger brothers who are always trying to read these.yuck. Anyway, thanks!
Numair's Daine: Long. Sorry to break it to yah. I like pining!
Animelover52843: Thank you thank you I'm honored. * Bow *. :-D
Cassa-Andra: What would you say if I found a way to do both plot and fluff? Interesting idea, really. Hm. I'll have to think about that one.
Amethyst: Thank you! I can't stop writing, only I have been super busy. Grrr.
Evil Elf Inc: Thanks! I like your penname.