A/N: Ok…next chapter up….pretty quick, huh.?

Anyways, my little cousin wanted to watch a movie the other night and so I pulled out the first girly movie I had.  "The little Princess" There are two scenes in the movie that just caught my attention.  They just fit in the relationship between Numair and Jade so perfectly, I HAD to borrow them.  You may have noticed in the last chapter…the very last scene.  In this one, it's the goodbye scene between Numair and Jade.  It's very emotional and touching.  I really like how it turned out.

I also am re-introducing a character…you'll find out!  The character will have a very big role in the next two stories…I think you'll really like him.

I also tried to better depict the relationship between Atune and Numair, since a few of you had the horrid idea that I was trying to set them up!  Let everyone know, I am a TRUE Daine/Numair fan…Numair will never love another woman, I promise.

The Secret Magic : 2: Uncontrollable

By: Karigan Marie

Chapter: WAR

*****

            The letter fell to the desk, the slight rustling of it hitting the table, echoing throughout the room as if magnified by its message.  Numair stood, staring at the parchment with an intense sadness.  They'd worked for years to prevent this from happening.  Countless diplomatic missions gone to waste, countless lives were now inevitably lost.

The only two candles in the room flickered when he breathed out a light sigh.  Kitten, who lay by his feet during his hours of work, looked up at him with sad eyes and gray skin, sensing his utter grief.  He looked down upon her, the candles casting shadows upon her scaly hide.  Outside the open window to one of his studies, the rapid hoof beats of the messenger horse range out on its errand across Kilbao.  He stared out into the dark night and felt his heart sink; life had thrown its share of life-altering events at Jade and him, this would again, change everything.

"Well, Kitten," he said softly, "I can honestly wonder now, what will tomorrow bring."  He sunk into his chair and starred into the night sky once more, waiting for the hoof beats to return.

*****

"Lord Salim."  Numair reached forward, grasping the Lord-Governor's forearm in greeting, his tone somber.

The man, still half asleep, smiled tightly.  He looked around and sighed.  "Master Numair."  He shifted towards the window and heaved heavily.  "To be awoken so early in the morning, with notice of important news from the Capital, it pushed me to despair during my rather abrupt trip across our city."

Numair nodded in sadness.  "I have, alas, not good news to report, my lord." He picked up the parchment, which carried the Tortallan and Carthaki Royal seals.  He looked at it a moment before passing it to the Lord Governor.

The man, whose dark face could hardly be noticed in the night sighed and reached for the parchment with a wary air about him.  He met Numair's eyes before looking down at the letter.  Within seconds, his eyes closed in defeat, his own sadness taking over.  "It is as I feared."  He let the parchment fall to the table, letting a moment of silent prayer pass between them.  "I'll call for the draft immediately.  They will, no doubt, need soldiers to the south, to prevent the retched rebels from causing trouble for the northern fight.  Numair nodded.  Lord Salim sighed.  "You will be needed at the Capital shortly.  I'll see to it that your daughter and her governess have a carriage for transport."

Numair's head snapped up.  "No."

"I'm sorry?"

Numair's jaw clenched.  "Jade cannot go to the capital.  The man who murdered her mother will be expecting me to bring her there with me.  She would not be safe."

Lord Salim nodded.  "Then we shall arrange for guards to be here with her."

A simple nod was Numair's only reply.

"You will leave today then."  It wasn't so much a question as a confirmation.

"This evening, yes."

Lord Salim reached forward and grasped his forearm.  "May the God's be with you."

Numair sighed.  "May they be with all of us."

Lord Salim nodded his agreement.  "I must go, preparations must be started immediately.  Safe journey, Master Salmalin."  With that, the man walked from the room and down the hall.
            Kitten purred from a nearby chair, her gray skin shimmering slightly.  Numair looked back down at the parchment, tracing the edge with his finger.

Master Numair Salmalin ~

Scanra has raised their battle flags upon the Northern provinces of Tortall.  Serain, under the new leadership of the War-Lord Bant-Lei and under a new understanding of treaty with Scanra, has marched on Tyra, the neutral state, with intentions of positioning against Carthak.  Carthak and Tortall have no further option then to reply with defensive conflict.  The WAR flags have been raised.

Your immediate presence is requested at the Carthaki capital for further instructions.  Lord-Governor Jabari Salim is to also prepare Kilbao for draft and instructions.

Their Majesties of Tortall and Carthak

Goddess Bless

*****

            Numair tucked his riding gloves into his leather traveling bag, striding down the long passageway.  When bright blue skirts appeared in his vision, he halted abruptly and looked up.  Atune stood outside Jade's door, her hands folded in front of her.  He smiled sadly at her.  "The short notice makes it hard for me to concentrate," he admitted, showing his gloves.  "I forgot my riding gloves."

            Atune nodded.  She looked up at Numair with sad eyes, noticing the streaks of gray hair that were starting to lighten his black hair.  His face was still mostly young, wrinkles only from the last few years.  His towering height and slender build were still quite intimidating at age 46.  She looked up at the man that had been like an older brother to her since she lost hers many years ago.  Numair leaned down and petted Kitten affectionately.  The little dragonet purred sadly.  He stood again and smiled sadly down at Atune.

            Her apprehension towards touching anyone but Jade leaving her for the moment, she launched herself at him, wrapping her slender pale arms around his waste, burying her face in his chest.

            Numair was surprised at first.  Atune didn't generally allow any touching since…it was odd.  He smiled sadly and squeezed her gently, brotherly affection growing inside him.  "I'll be back soon."

            She nodded and pulled away, sniffing softly.  She walked down the hall to her own quarters, kitten trailing behind, her little clawed toes dragging on the stone, leaving him in front of the wooden door he never wanted to leave.

*****

   He knocked softly before entering the fresh room.  Jade stood by the corner, looking inside a trunk of toys without much conviction.  She looked up at him and then away, to a painting on the wall.  Numair looked at her wild curly black hair, barely reaching her shoulders, her tanned face with jade green eyes, lined with coal black eyelashes and eyebrows.  "We'll write to each other every day."  It was meant for comfort, to assure her he would not forget her.

            She looked at him momentarily, her eyes holding a sad resignation he never wanted to see there.  He walked over to her window, where cushions and blankets were set up on the fat sill for her to sit and gaze out into the sky.  He sat, his hands falling to his lap.  She was so quiet.

            He looked over at her nightstand and noticed a necklace, a familiar necklace.  He reached and picked it up, rubbing the badger claw in remembrance.  "Your mother used to get visits from the Badger God quite frequently.

            Jade looked up with interest.  "She did?"

            He nodded.  "This necklace connected her to him.  His visits ended shortly before we were married.  But she always kept the necklace, as a reminder, that they would always be close."  He beckoned her to him.  She walked over and climbed up onto his lap, one arm going around his neck, the other rested in her lap, the light shinning in from the setting sun making her eyes glow.  He held up the necklace and she took it.  "Whenever you're afraid, or miss me terribly, ask the badger to give me a message.  And I'll send one back, quick as lightning."

            His throat clogged up and he tried to breath normally when the tightening in his chest became worse.  He looked down momentarily, trying to collect himself.  She was the most precious thing in this realm to him, how could he leave her?

            Then he felt her warm small palm gently cup his cheek.  When his eyes looked up to meet hers, he couldn't help but be amazed at the calmness in them.  The vivid green irises sparkling with understanding and assurance.  "It's all right, Papa," she assured.  "I'm going to be fine."  He stared at her, unable to comprehend such maturity.  How was it possible that he, as a grown man, was having such difficulty holding it together when, she, a child of near 10 held such utter grace within her eyes?

            He shut his eyes trying to burn her image into his mind.  And the small hand moved to trace his nose and chin with a single finger.  She lovingly brought it up to his forehead, sweeping gently across and down.  He opened his eyes to see her observing him with soft eyes.  "What are you doing?" he asked, imagining she did the same as he.  "Memorizing my face by heart?"  He felt his eyes sting with tears.

            She shook her head softly, her eyebrows twitching in concentration only the tiniest amount.  "No," she whispered  "I already know you by heart."

            He let out a breath at her words and crushed her to him, her small arms wrapping around his neck.

*****

He stepped up the horse, sighing at the journey ahead, various other riders accompanying him.  Before mounting, he looked up to one of the windows, seeing a small figure curled up against the windowsill observing him.  "Goodbye, sweetling," he breathed out softly.   He mounted quickly and kicked off, disappearing behind the bend.

            Up at the window sill, the small figure raised a hand to the glass, a single tear running down her soft cheek, hanging from the side of her chin, the evening light shimmering against it, making the green light within the water sparkle.

*****

            A knock on the room door snapped him out of his concentration.  He placed down the quill and wiped his hands.  Standing, he walked over to the door and opened it.  Outside stood a short servant boy.  "Master Salmalin, his Majesty has just concluded his meeting.  He asked that you meet him in one hour in west wing chancellor's study."

            Numair nodded.  "Yes, of course."

            The boy nodded and ran down the hall.  Numair sighed and closed the door.  He walked back to his desk and looked at his letter to Jade.  He didn't have much to say other than he'd arrived safely and missed her with all his heart.  He decided to finish tonight, grabbing his mage's robe and sash.  He left his rooms and proceeded down the great Carthaki palace corridors.  He wandered about, looking at the new paintings and walls, smiling at the memory of why a new palace was required in the first place.

            He had been observing an ancient warriors painting when he heard various footsteps step out into the hall.  He turned and noticed two guards and a beautiful women step out into the foyer.  He smiled.

            Empress Kalasin looked up from her papers.  When she caught sight of Numair, she cried out in joy and ran to him, her guards slightly put out by such hasty behavior.  Before he could finish his bow, she wrapped arms around him and he around her slight form and smiled at her.  She'd by this point in her life, completely overshadowed her mother's beauty.  "Kalasin…" he said happily.  "I was sure I wouldn't have time to see you."

            Kalasin took his hands in hers.  "I would have put this retched war on hold just so I'd be able to see you," she gushed back.  "Tell me.  How are you?" Her eyes softened dramatically.

            He smiled back reassuringly.  "I'm well.  Not terribly happy to be taken away from Jade and Kilbao, but we always new it to be nearly inevitable."

            She tilted her head in understanding.  "Yes.  All this has drastically upset us all.  I'd hoped I wouldn't have to see any more battle after that night not to long ago.  I couldn't be more fed up with fighting."

            "I think we all were." He agreed sadly.

            Kalasin looked remorseful.  "I wish I could have been there for you more afterwards."

            He shook his head.  "You were with you daughter while she healed.  That was more important."

            She sighed.  "Yes.  I think we both can count our blessings that Jade and Ani were both saved that night."  She looked into thin air.  "Had it not been for…" she stopped suddenly and looked at him.  "I nearly forgot! Come, there's someone I think you'd want to meet."  He scrunched his nose up at her, but followed obediently.  "I think perhaps…yes, I'm sure they have finished with their meeting now."  They walked down the hall and down steps quickly, the guards trailing without a word.  "Here we are," she said with a sigh.  She pushed the door open before one of the guards could and stepped through, Numair directly behind.

            It was a rather large room, filled with a large table and various chairs, a meeting room.  There were still papers and documents spread out on the table, various men and servants talking amidst themselves in the aftermath of their meeting.  When she entered the room, all bowed to her in greeting.  She walked towards one man in particular who was collecting his papers.  He was young, far younger than most the other occupants of the room, by a good 10 years at least.  His dark brown hair cut short in the legionnaires fashion.

            "Captain Lenex…" Kalasin called to him.  The young man stood and bowed regally.

            "You're Majesty."  He smiled at her.  "What may I do for you?"

            She smiled kindly at him before turning to Numair.  "Captain, this is Master Numair Salmalin.  Numair, this is Captain Jayson Lenex.

Both men greeted each other with a firm handshake.  "Captain Lenex? So young to be a Captain.  I'm impressed."

"I'm the second of two boys, Master Salmalin, my elder brother will have the task of inheriting and keeping our father's lands.  I was ushered into to the Legionnaires at 14.  My family's good name and standing helped me to reach Lieutenant by 16.  But only last year was I so suddenly elevated to Captain, by our Majesty's insistence."  He smiled at the Empress.

She humped at him.  "After so many wondrous deeds in service of his country, it was only expected that he should advance so.  Do you not agree, Numair?"  They looked confused as to why Numair was expected to know all of Jayson's achievements.  Kalasin scrunched her nose.  "I thought you knew each other's names."

Jayson stuttered, "I've certainly heard of Master Salmalin.  Who has not?"

Kalasin's shoulders fell.  She looked towards Numair in confusion.  "I would have thought someone had told you?" she relaxed a bit.  "Though I imagine your mind was elsewhere at the time." She nodded at her own self.  "Yes, how silly of me.  How could you have?"  She looked at Numair again.  "Numair, that dreadful night a year ago, when Jade and Ani fell through the ice…" she gestured towards a wide-eyed Captain.  "Captain Lenex was the man who pulled them out."

Numair's head jerked up to meet the young man's eyes.  Realization set in, though the young man's eyes were astonished, they didn't hold the same knowledge.

"Captain Lenex," Kalasin turned to him, "the other girl you pulled out of the water that night, I told you her name was Jade?"

He nodded and swallowed at the memory.  "Yes, Majesty.  I remember…" He looked at Numair again, eyes questioning.

"Captain," she continued.  "Her entire name, of which I'm ashamed of not informing you of, is Jade Salmalin.  Jade is Master Numair's daughter."

Jayson stared at Kalasin in astonishment before slowly turning to Numair.  "I see…" was all that came out of his mouth.

Numair, getting over his shock, held out his hand again.  When Jayson took it once more, Numair whispered harshly, "Captain, I don't know what to say or what to do to thank you enough for saving both Ani and Jade that night."  He swallowed hard.  "I lost so much that night.  Had I lost my daughter too…" He was unable to finish the statement.

Jayson starred wide-eyed at him.  "Sir…I…no thanks are necessary."

Kalasin smiled softly.  "I'm glad you both were finally able to meet.  It's a shame Jade had to stay in Kilbao, Numair.  I'm sure she would have liked to meet Jayson as well."

Jayson scrunched his eyes in concentration.  "You've moved to Kilbao, Master Numair?"

He nodded.  "Yes, a few months after the attack.  Jade is much safer there."

Jayson's eyes turned hard and dangerous.  "Safer, Sir?"

Kalasin quickly explained.  "It seems that the same man who was after myself and my children is now after Jade."  She sighed.  "Numair, you could bring her here to the palace, she'd be safe.  I'd have my own royal guards protecting her."

Numair nodded.  "I don't doubt she'd have the best protection here.  But it seems that this man is very good at getting into well-guarded places.  He almost expects it.  For now, I believe she is safer in the country.  She is well-guarded."  He nodded.

Jayson glared at the wall in anger.  "What kind of man would hunt a child?"

Kalasin sadly answered.  "The same kind of man that would plan the assassination of two royal children and kidnap a child and steal her away from her home to far off lands."

Numair nodded.  "This war may have only one advantage, it will force his identity out.  Once we have it, we can find him."  Jayson nodded in agreement.

Kalasin looked from one to the other and then smiled.  "I am being very inconsiderate today, Numair.  I meant to ask.  How is Jade? Better, I hope?"

He smiled.  "She seems to be doing much better.  Though I wonder sometimes…" the three sat in chairs facing each other, deep in conversation.

Kalasin looked worried.  "About?"

He sighed.  "She seems very lonely at times.  She downright refuses to make friend in Kilbao.  She's very shy naturally, I wonder sometimes if isn't too shy. "

Jayson half smiled.  "She seemed…well, of course I had no more than ten words with her…but, had she been in better conditions, I'm sure she looked as if she wanted to give me a piece of her mind."

Numair smiled.  "I'm sure she would have.  I think, under stress, she forgets her self-consciousness."  He frowned then.  "With he magic being as it is, she's very scared of herself.  She always have been, ever since the market place when she was five…"

"That magic," Jayson asked, "is it always as powerful as that night?"

Numair nodded.  "It rarely comes out in small amounts.  Except when she has night terrors."

Kalasin clicked her tongue.  "Does she get many?"

He shrugged.  "More than she lets on.  You can usually tell when she's had one.  Her hands shake for almost a whole day afterwards."

Kalasin looked sad.  "I'm sorry to hear that."

Numair smiled.  "She's doing well, Empress.  She's learned to ride now.  And Atune is a wonderful teacher."  He looked at Jayson.  "You are…18, Captain?"

"Only just," was his reply.

Numair grinned.  "It is rare to find young men worthy of such advancement.  I am glad the Emperor and Empress of Carthak have you on their side.  Are you to go to Scanra in two weeks with the ranks?"

"I am not, Sir.  The Emperor feels my talents better useful in the South."

"How so?" Kalasin asked curiously.

Jayson reached for the glass of water placed at his seat at the grand table.  "I am, of course, prepared for battle.  But I excel in tracking; the only reason, sir, I was able to find 'the child empress' and your daughter, Sir." He looked at Numair.  "I'd never been in snow before.  It seems much easier to track."

Numair chuckled.  "The wonders of snow."

Jayson smiled agreeing.  "I made a name for myself among the Legionnaires by tracking rebels across the dry lands."

Kalasin broke in.  "A name? He's a near legend among them.  He can catch a pack of rebel spawn clear across our lands."

Jayson's face turned slightly pink.  "You favor me to much, you're Majesty."

She beamed at him, her beautiful face making him further redden.  "I am inclined to give great favor to anyone who shows as much honor and valor as you, Captain.  Let an Empress confined to her duties fawn over one of her young soldiers."  Numair laughed at Jayson's bright red flaming cheeks.

*****

A/N: Hope you like! 

Next Chapter: Crumbling Stone

Future Chapters: 29. The road to Orleon

30. He who does Evil

Future stories: The Secret Magic: 3: Whisperings

The Secret Magic: 4: Indestructible (subject to change)

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