Chapter 2: Silent Possession
The sun was riding high on the blue waves of the sky, letting its golden beams drift slowly to the ground, bathing the land in liquid light. The wind was light and playful, tugging at strands of hair teasingly and breathing warmly on exposed skin. Summer danced in the bright air and the war seemed to have been just a nightmare from a thousand years ago.
Yet there were constant reminders everywhere of the recent bloodshed and brutality between the two armies. Stormwings were always present, their foul odour tainting the purity of the earth's breath. Their metal wings would reflect the sun, sending forth a bright glare that would temporarily blind anyone passing by them; it amused them to see humans blundering about with their hands over their eyes, cursing everyone from the animal gods to Mithros himself. They had little sport since bodies were still being removed from the battlefield and buried, cheating the Stormwings of what they thought was their right to eat and befoul the dead. Now their harsh guttural laughs cut through the air raising the hackles of everyone who heard. Queen Barzha and her followers and gone, drifting further north, unable to stay long in the place where their most faithful follower had died.
Daine sighed and looked away from the bright shapes that circled overhead, lost in her own thoughts. She missed Rikash; he had been her friend, one of the few Stormwings with honour. A small part of her mind reassured her that he had died bravely, but a larger part of her grieved still.
'At least I have Numair,' she thought. She smiled at the thought of him; in her mind she saw his sable hair drawn back into a short horsetail, his dark complexion and his soft brown eyes. She also remembered how it felt to be kissed by him - certainly far different than what it was like when Perin had kissed her, or any of her other swains. 'Do I love him?' she wondered silently, confused and unsure of what love really meant, feeling foolish for being naïve. She knew he loved her - she was certain that after his extensive experience with women he knew what he was feeling. She thought again of her previous, fleeting relationships with men and her lips curved in a small smile as her mind returned to her current relationship with Numair. 'Horse Lords, I'm only sixteen - how in the name of Mithros would I know what love really is?' she thought, a soft, sad laugh escaping her. Apprehension plagued her as she suddenly wondered what her friends would think of her being with Numair, being with a man fourteen years older than her. She sighed inwardly. 'I guess I'll figure that out when it comes along, just like I will with the love problem'
Daine left her room beneath the rider barracks, locking the door behind her. Still thinking about Numair, she made her way down to the stables. She hadn't seen him since yesterday and she missed him already. He had left when the Duke Baird had re-entered the room since the chief healer had insisted that Daine get some more rest, but he had promised to find her again the next day to greet her properly when she was more awake. Daine giggled as she remembered the faintly suspicious look that had crossed the Duke's face when Numair had said that. Thankfully the Duke hadn't pursued this suspicion, elsewise she would have found herself in a very awkward situation.
As soon as she stepped into the darkened stable block she was greeted by a multitude of her animal friends. Cats and dogs and other suchlike creatures crowded around her, all eager to show her just how glad they were that she was still alive. Daine laughed, scarcely able to breathe beneath the furry mass of bodies that had pushed her to the ground. She ran her hands through their soft coats, happy just to be with the People again. Suddenly an indignant neigh rang across the yard, shattering the peace and rousing her out of her reverie. Glancing up she saw Cloud pawing impatiently in the field nearby, offended that her mistress hadn't come to see her first.
the pony demanded impatiently. I haven't seen you since you went off to fight that silly war, and that was nearly a week ago. Even before that you scarcely had enough time to tell me about your dam and sire and your visit to Divine Realms!
warned Daine, cutting off her pony's angry tirade.
Cloud was only slightly mollified by this.
Daine laughed out loud at this. She scanned the yards nearby, trying to catch a glimpse of Numair, not hearing Cloud trying to speak to her. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through her elbow, causing her to whip her head around so quickly that she overbalanced and fell clumsily to the hard ground. Glaring up at her little grey pony, she saw that her elbow was gripped tightly between Cloud's teeth.
said Cloud sarcastically.
Daine was thoroughly disgruntled, and standing up to brush the dirt off her tan breeches, she attempted without success to try and recover her lost dignity. She addressed the mare in the haughtiest manner she could muster.
enquired Cloud innocently, enjoying the way her mistress blushed and squirmed. Her horse laugh sounded triumphantly in Daine's mind as Daine buried her red face in her friend's mane.
Daine's only reply was a moan of embarrassment into Cloud's neck. The pony snorted in amusement into Daine's ear.
*****
Onua looked on in delight as the girl and the pony continued conversing in the field. The last time she had seen Daine the girl was lying in the healer's wing, mottled with bruises and her soft skin was liberally lacerated with cuts. She had been as pale as the Great Mother Goddess herself, the hand of death near to resting on her abused shoulders. Onua had been so scared then; she thought that she might lose the girl whom she had come to think of as a younger sister.
The reactions of the animals hadn't helped either; they had been whining, fretting about, too nervous to let anyone other than those who possessed Wild magic to come near them. Their mournful voices had been joined in a never-ending lament, an execrable song of sorrow, grieving the loss of someone who had not yet passed into the hands of the Black God, but instead trembled on the boundaries of the worlds.
This had ceased after two days and the knowledge that Daine hadn't died gave Onua hope. When questioned the healers maintained that it wasn't the injuries that had invited Death to try and claim the girl - it had been the blood which flowed through her veins still; it was laced with silver, a fact no-one had ever noticed before, and this silver blood had been fighting for dominance over the crimson. It was ironic that it was her lifeblood that was trying to rob her of her life.
Onua pulled her mind back to the present and climbing the rough wooden fence, she ventured towards the girl clad in a blue shirt and tan breeches and watched the scene fold out in front of her.
*****
I Daine confided to Cloud
retorted the mare
The girl sighed heavily, wishing that someone would tell her what her heart was trying to say but she was caught in a paroxysm of fear lest they disapprove and turn their back on her. Cloud knew that her mistress was troubled but she could not relate to the emotions that were causing Daine so much confusion; in her view most humans were pretentious anyway - Daine could be learning bad habits from them, but Cloud was not going to encourage her. She snorted softly in pleasure as Daine roused herself and began to finger-comb her friend's mane, her nimble fingers untwisting any of the knots that the grey and black strands had caught themselves in. Suddenly a high whistle pierced the air, shocking the birds out of the nearby trees and they circled up above, cawing their displeasure. Daine had to laugh - the vocabulary of crows was so rich and interesting when they were irked. She stood there captivated by the gleam of the blue-black plumage until a light hand was rested on her shoulder. She turned curiously and smiled as she was caught in a tight bear hug from the person who had first brought her to Corus.
"Onua, you're fair crushing me! I can't breathe!" she gasped and inhaled the fresh air gratefully as Onua released her vice-like hold on the girl. She stepped back to get a better look at her companion. Tears glinted softly in her friends grey eyes and a smile of relief and happiness curved her lips as she gazed gently at Daine. Daine was confused - she couldn't begin to fathom the reasons why Onua should be looking at her in such a way.
Onua noticed the puzzlement that creased her friend's brow and couldn't suppress a laugh. "I'm sorry, Daine. I'm just that relieved to see you alive and healthy after you nearly died just four or five days ago. I was afraid that I would have to find another assistant, the prospect of which is not particularly appealing. Numair also would have had to find a new student to conduct his experiments on."
At the mention of Numair's name Daine turned slightly and pretended to be engrossed in the work of scraping some mud of Cloud's wither, lest Onua notice her blush.
"You're exaggerating, Onua. A few cuts and bruises be no proper cause for a near visit by death."
Onua stared at the girl - those healers hadn't told Daine how she'd nearly died? Onua shook her head in amazement. Should she tell her? - The girl had every right to know; after all she might be able to help solve the mystery. Reaching a decision, Onua spoke in a low voice.
"It wasn't your injuries that nearly killed you, Daine; it was your own blood." This statement was received by nothing but blank confusion. Onua sighed and continued. "Within your blood are entwined ropes of silver blood, blazing with a magic that is not mortal. You nearly died because the two different types of blood in your body were fighting each other and in doing so were draining your heart. Duke Baird doesn't know why it happened, or if there will be a recurrence or not."
All this time Onua had been watching Daine, trying to read the expression that was flickering across the girl's face, which she was surprised to find was one of understanding and acceptance. Onua could hear soft words escaping Daine's lips as the girl retreated into deep thought, though only snatches of the murmurings were clear.
"Da . . . divine . . . barrier between Realms . . ."
"Daine, what are you saying? I don't understand."
Daine's head snapped up suddenly, as if she'd forgotten that Onua was present. She bit her lip, scared that she may have said something that she hadn't intended to reveal yet: her gaze darkened and she averted her eyes, composing her countenance.
"Daine?"
"It's nothing, Onua. I . . . I just need to talk to Numair." She noted the concern in her friend's face. "Please don't worry, Onua. I think I know what's happening, so everything will be fine, I promise."
Daine turned and started to walk back to the stables, throwing a reassuring smile over her shoulder at Onua that belied none of the worries that she was harbouring inside. Onua watched her go, scared for this beautiful young woman who did not seem to mind that the wind was blowing her tumbling curtain of curls across her eyes and who still walked with youthful nonchalance, as though nothing out of the ordinary had ever occurred. She appeared to have recovered, yet still - but no, she refused to entertain any dark thoughts of what might be. Daine was fine and that was all there was to it.
Daine tried thinking along the same lines as the older woman, but could not prevent the fingers of doubt from seeking a place in her heart. She had a fair idea of what was happening to her, though certain aspects were a bit ambiguous. For some reason it would appear that the crossing between the Mortal and Divine Realms had upset the delicate balance of her mortal and divine blood and now they were fighting each other, but to what consequence she had no idea. It scared her a little yet she put her faith in Numair being able to explain it when she told him. That, however, could wait until after he had "greeted her properly." Her full lips began to smile at the very thought of being greeted by him. Even though she wasn't sure what love was, she knew very well now what attraction meant and there was no doubt that she was very attracted to Numair.
'I wonder where he's disappeared to,' she mused silently to herself, passing into the cool shade of the dusky stables. Opening her mouth to tell the horses that she would be back to talk to them later, Daine inhaled a mouthful of the dust that had been shaken loose from the hay bales and sneezed five times in succession. She did not notice the ominous figure behind her, nor was she aware of the black shadow that fell across her body as she wiped watering eyes. Powerful arms slipped quickly around her torso and pulled her into the darkness of a stall. She struggled but a strong hand clamped itself over her mouth and held her tight against a hard body. Fear was instantaneous; she was trapped, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't move or see. Daine tried biting the hand that covered her face but a deep voice whispered roughly in her ear.
"Don't even try to scream or I will silence you in any way I can."
The sun was riding high on the blue waves of the sky, letting its golden beams drift slowly to the ground, bathing the land in liquid light. The wind was light and playful, tugging at strands of hair teasingly and breathing warmly on exposed skin. Summer danced in the bright air and the war seemed to have been just a nightmare from a thousand years ago.
Yet there were constant reminders everywhere of the recent bloodshed and brutality between the two armies. Stormwings were always present, their foul odour tainting the purity of the earth's breath. Their metal wings would reflect the sun, sending forth a bright glare that would temporarily blind anyone passing by them; it amused them to see humans blundering about with their hands over their eyes, cursing everyone from the animal gods to Mithros himself. They had little sport since bodies were still being removed from the battlefield and buried, cheating the Stormwings of what they thought was their right to eat and befoul the dead. Now their harsh guttural laughs cut through the air raising the hackles of everyone who heard. Queen Barzha and her followers and gone, drifting further north, unable to stay long in the place where their most faithful follower had died.
Daine sighed and looked away from the bright shapes that circled overhead, lost in her own thoughts. She missed Rikash; he had been her friend, one of the few Stormwings with honour. A small part of her mind reassured her that he had died bravely, but a larger part of her grieved still.
'At least I have Numair,' she thought. She smiled at the thought of him; in her mind she saw his sable hair drawn back into a short horsetail, his dark complexion and his soft brown eyes. She also remembered how it felt to be kissed by him - certainly far different than what it was like when Perin had kissed her, or any of her other swains. 'Do I love him?' she wondered silently, confused and unsure of what love really meant, feeling foolish for being naïve. She knew he loved her - she was certain that after his extensive experience with women he knew what he was feeling. She thought again of her previous, fleeting relationships with men and her lips curved in a small smile as her mind returned to her current relationship with Numair. 'Horse Lords, I'm only sixteen - how in the name of Mithros would I know what love really is?' she thought, a soft, sad laugh escaping her. Apprehension plagued her as she suddenly wondered what her friends would think of her being with Numair, being with a man fourteen years older than her. She sighed inwardly. 'I guess I'll figure that out when it comes along, just like I will with the love problem'
Daine left her room beneath the rider barracks, locking the door behind her. Still thinking about Numair, she made her way down to the stables. She hadn't seen him since yesterday and she missed him already. He had left when the Duke Baird had re-entered the room since the chief healer had insisted that Daine get some more rest, but he had promised to find her again the next day to greet her properly when she was more awake. Daine giggled as she remembered the faintly suspicious look that had crossed the Duke's face when Numair had said that. Thankfully the Duke hadn't pursued this suspicion, elsewise she would have found herself in a very awkward situation.
As soon as she stepped into the darkened stable block she was greeted by a multitude of her animal friends. Cats and dogs and other suchlike creatures crowded around her, all eager to show her just how glad they were that she was still alive. Daine laughed, scarcely able to breathe beneath the furry mass of bodies that had pushed her to the ground. She ran her hands through their soft coats, happy just to be with the People again. Suddenly an indignant neigh rang across the yard, shattering the peace and rousing her out of her reverie. Glancing up she saw Cloud pawing impatiently in the field nearby, offended that her mistress hadn't come to see her first.
the pony demanded impatiently. I haven't seen you since you went off to fight that silly war, and that was nearly a week ago. Even before that you scarcely had enough time to tell me about your dam and sire and your visit to Divine Realms!
warned Daine, cutting off her pony's angry tirade.
Cloud was only slightly mollified by this.
Daine laughed out loud at this. She scanned the yards nearby, trying to catch a glimpse of Numair, not hearing Cloud trying to speak to her. Suddenly a sharp pain shot through her elbow, causing her to whip her head around so quickly that she overbalanced and fell clumsily to the hard ground. Glaring up at her little grey pony, she saw that her elbow was gripped tightly between Cloud's teeth.
said Cloud sarcastically.
Daine was thoroughly disgruntled, and standing up to brush the dirt off her tan breeches, she attempted without success to try and recover her lost dignity. She addressed the mare in the haughtiest manner she could muster.
enquired Cloud innocently, enjoying the way her mistress blushed and squirmed. Her horse laugh sounded triumphantly in Daine's mind as Daine buried her red face in her friend's mane.
Daine's only reply was a moan of embarrassment into Cloud's neck. The pony snorted in amusement into Daine's ear.
*****
Onua looked on in delight as the girl and the pony continued conversing in the field. The last time she had seen Daine the girl was lying in the healer's wing, mottled with bruises and her soft skin was liberally lacerated with cuts. She had been as pale as the Great Mother Goddess herself, the hand of death near to resting on her abused shoulders. Onua had been so scared then; she thought that she might lose the girl whom she had come to think of as a younger sister.
The reactions of the animals hadn't helped either; they had been whining, fretting about, too nervous to let anyone other than those who possessed Wild magic to come near them. Their mournful voices had been joined in a never-ending lament, an execrable song of sorrow, grieving the loss of someone who had not yet passed into the hands of the Black God, but instead trembled on the boundaries of the worlds.
This had ceased after two days and the knowledge that Daine hadn't died gave Onua hope. When questioned the healers maintained that it wasn't the injuries that had invited Death to try and claim the girl - it had been the blood which flowed through her veins still; it was laced with silver, a fact no-one had ever noticed before, and this silver blood had been fighting for dominance over the crimson. It was ironic that it was her lifeblood that was trying to rob her of her life.
Onua pulled her mind back to the present and climbing the rough wooden fence, she ventured towards the girl clad in a blue shirt and tan breeches and watched the scene fold out in front of her.
*****
I Daine confided to Cloud
retorted the mare
The girl sighed heavily, wishing that someone would tell her what her heart was trying to say but she was caught in a paroxysm of fear lest they disapprove and turn their back on her. Cloud knew that her mistress was troubled but she could not relate to the emotions that were causing Daine so much confusion; in her view most humans were pretentious anyway - Daine could be learning bad habits from them, but Cloud was not going to encourage her. She snorted softly in pleasure as Daine roused herself and began to finger-comb her friend's mane, her nimble fingers untwisting any of the knots that the grey and black strands had caught themselves in. Suddenly a high whistle pierced the air, shocking the birds out of the nearby trees and they circled up above, cawing their displeasure. Daine had to laugh - the vocabulary of crows was so rich and interesting when they were irked. She stood there captivated by the gleam of the blue-black plumage until a light hand was rested on her shoulder. She turned curiously and smiled as she was caught in a tight bear hug from the person who had first brought her to Corus.
"Onua, you're fair crushing me! I can't breathe!" she gasped and inhaled the fresh air gratefully as Onua released her vice-like hold on the girl. She stepped back to get a better look at her companion. Tears glinted softly in her friends grey eyes and a smile of relief and happiness curved her lips as she gazed gently at Daine. Daine was confused - she couldn't begin to fathom the reasons why Onua should be looking at her in such a way.
Onua noticed the puzzlement that creased her friend's brow and couldn't suppress a laugh. "I'm sorry, Daine. I'm just that relieved to see you alive and healthy after you nearly died just four or five days ago. I was afraid that I would have to find another assistant, the prospect of which is not particularly appealing. Numair also would have had to find a new student to conduct his experiments on."
At the mention of Numair's name Daine turned slightly and pretended to be engrossed in the work of scraping some mud of Cloud's wither, lest Onua notice her blush.
"You're exaggerating, Onua. A few cuts and bruises be no proper cause for a near visit by death."
Onua stared at the girl - those healers hadn't told Daine how she'd nearly died? Onua shook her head in amazement. Should she tell her? - The girl had every right to know; after all she might be able to help solve the mystery. Reaching a decision, Onua spoke in a low voice.
"It wasn't your injuries that nearly killed you, Daine; it was your own blood." This statement was received by nothing but blank confusion. Onua sighed and continued. "Within your blood are entwined ropes of silver blood, blazing with a magic that is not mortal. You nearly died because the two different types of blood in your body were fighting each other and in doing so were draining your heart. Duke Baird doesn't know why it happened, or if there will be a recurrence or not."
All this time Onua had been watching Daine, trying to read the expression that was flickering across the girl's face, which she was surprised to find was one of understanding and acceptance. Onua could hear soft words escaping Daine's lips as the girl retreated into deep thought, though only snatches of the murmurings were clear.
"Da . . . divine . . . barrier between Realms . . ."
"Daine, what are you saying? I don't understand."
Daine's head snapped up suddenly, as if she'd forgotten that Onua was present. She bit her lip, scared that she may have said something that she hadn't intended to reveal yet: her gaze darkened and she averted her eyes, composing her countenance.
"Daine?"
"It's nothing, Onua. I . . . I just need to talk to Numair." She noted the concern in her friend's face. "Please don't worry, Onua. I think I know what's happening, so everything will be fine, I promise."
Daine turned and started to walk back to the stables, throwing a reassuring smile over her shoulder at Onua that belied none of the worries that she was harbouring inside. Onua watched her go, scared for this beautiful young woman who did not seem to mind that the wind was blowing her tumbling curtain of curls across her eyes and who still walked with youthful nonchalance, as though nothing out of the ordinary had ever occurred. She appeared to have recovered, yet still - but no, she refused to entertain any dark thoughts of what might be. Daine was fine and that was all there was to it.
Daine tried thinking along the same lines as the older woman, but could not prevent the fingers of doubt from seeking a place in her heart. She had a fair idea of what was happening to her, though certain aspects were a bit ambiguous. For some reason it would appear that the crossing between the Mortal and Divine Realms had upset the delicate balance of her mortal and divine blood and now they were fighting each other, but to what consequence she had no idea. It scared her a little yet she put her faith in Numair being able to explain it when she told him. That, however, could wait until after he had "greeted her properly." Her full lips began to smile at the very thought of being greeted by him. Even though she wasn't sure what love was, she knew very well now what attraction meant and there was no doubt that she was very attracted to Numair.
'I wonder where he's disappeared to,' she mused silently to herself, passing into the cool shade of the dusky stables. Opening her mouth to tell the horses that she would be back to talk to them later, Daine inhaled a mouthful of the dust that had been shaken loose from the hay bales and sneezed five times in succession. She did not notice the ominous figure behind her, nor was she aware of the black shadow that fell across her body as she wiped watering eyes. Powerful arms slipped quickly around her torso and pulled her into the darkness of a stall. She struggled but a strong hand clamped itself over her mouth and held her tight against a hard body. Fear was instantaneous; she was trapped, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't move or see. Daine tried biting the hand that covered her face but a deep voice whispered roughly in her ear.
"Don't even try to scream or I will silence you in any way I can."