Chapter 2: Wild Magic

Daine darted expertly through the crowded streets. By the time she reached the city limits and entered the forest where Russet was waiting patiently for her, she was laughing breathlessly, quite pleased with herself. She held up the black opal bracelet triumphantly. Can you believe it? she asked her friend. It's so much better than that earring! There I was, all ready to snatch that stupid sapphire when this peeks out of his sleeve instead!

Russet hopped to her feet happily, trotting beside her two-legger as they took off into the forest. Course I'll have to wait till sundown to pawn it, Daine added thoughtfully. Make sure he's really gone... Oh, Russet, you should have seen it! That great oaf couldn't have caught me if I'd had two broken legs! Course I am damn near uncatchable! the young woman's laughter died on her lips as a large crossbow suddenly appeared inches away from her nose. Whirling around, Daine saw that she and the wolf had become surrounded by a half dozen men , all formidably armed with crossbows.

Damn near uncatchable, you say, lassie? came a vaguely familiar hiss. Daine's eyes narrowed as a tall, greasy haired man with yellowing teeth emerged from behind the ring of armed men. She recognized him instantly as the man who'd tried to attack her in the alleyway in Cria earlier that day. His mouth was twisted halfway between a leer and a sneer, his watery eyes gloating as he looked at her. I'd say I had no trouble catchin' you a

The Greasy Man slinked towards Daine, his fingers inches away from her hair as Russet snarled at him. What say you and I finish what we started this mornin'-

He was suddenly cut off in mid sentence from a great cry of pain that went up from one of his men. Greasy Man jerked his foul head around just in time to see one of his fellows drop his weapon, clawing at his eyes while he howled. One by one, the surrounding attackers began to scream as they suffered various injuries from some unseen force.

Greasy Man quickly drew a jagged dagger from his cloak, spun Daine around and pressed it to her throat. Show yourself! he growled. Show your face or I'll cut her throat!

Daine's eyes widened in shock as the tall, black haired man whom she stolen the bracelet from materialized out of thin air before them. Put down the blade, you filth, he said calmly. Or you will find yourself in the most unbearable pain very quickly.

Daine could feel her attacker's body stiffen as he hesitated. Then Greasy Man snarled and wound his hand tightly into Daine's hair, forcing her to her knees, his knife still firmly against her jugular.

That warm voice spoke once again, though this time, it contained an unmistakably harsher note. I told you to let her go.

Greasy Man opened his mouth to respond, but before he'd formed his words, a vicious Russet launched herself at him. Thrown off his guard, Greasy Man dropped his hold on Daine while he screamed and tried to kick the striking wolf off of him.

Chaos broke out all around as Greasy Man's still-wounded henchmen rushed the black haired man and Daine. Daine's rescuer seemed rather unfazed by the several enormous bandits that ran screaming towards him, catching one neatly in the jaw with a sharp punch, another in the ribcage with a bone crunching kick, and a third with a crack of the long staff he carried to both of the man's knees.

Daine's two assailants were readily fended off as she swiftly clawed and kicked at them. One man yanked a large rusty axe from a nearby tree stump and swung it menacingly in the air. Daine dove for the ground, drawing her dagger and quickly driving the blade into the bandit's calf. He stumbled backward, knocking his head hard against a tree trunk, the heavy axe flying up to stick precariously in the branches.

She withdrew her dagger, wiping it on the snow before resheathing it and looking about her. Russet had run the Greasy Man off, and the black haired man was standing amidst the bodies of his three now unconscious aggressors. She stared at her rescuer silently for a moment, unsure of what to say.

He on the other hand, seemed to have no such problem. he snapped, striding towards her. Have you any idea the trouble you've caused me today?

Taken aback by his outburst, Daine's eyes flashed dangerously and Russet growled low in her throat. I don't seem to recall asking you for your help, sir! she spat rudely, turning on her heel and walking away from his angry gaze.

Not so fast, you little thief! he shouted. Get back here and give me back my-

CRACK! THUD.

Daine spun around just in time to watch the rusty axe break through the branches of the tree where it had landed and drop down to hit the black haired man squarely on the head.

Horse Lords! Daine cried, rushing back towards the man as he hit the ground with a sickening thud. She knelt down beside him, and breathed a sigh of relief when she found a pulse. Turning to Russet she said decisively, C'mon, help me drag him over to the caves on the other side of the hill.

The wolf cocked her head in surprise. Him?

the girl replied impatiently as she flung one of his heavy arms over her shoulders. He may be an oaf, but he saved our skins. I can't just leave him here, what if the bandits wake up?

Russet grunted and gathered a mouthful of the tall man's shirt in her jaws, dragging him. Two-leggers. she scoffed.

Firelight played on his eyelids, waking him much the way the harsh sunrise had woken him that morning. Numair's eyes fluttered open, trying to focus the image before him. A young woman was lying on her stomach beside a small fire, talking to a large white jackrabbit while a tawny colored wolf napped by her heels.

Numair didn't move or speak for long moments. Truthfully, he wasn't even sure if he remembered to breathe. The woman whispered excitedly to the rabbit, whose sleek head was motionless, his eyes fixed attentively on her. She chuckled softly and extended her hand, he nuzzled his head against it briefly before bounding out of the cave and into the snow.

She smiled to herself and sat up, careful not to disturb the wolf. Numair watched as she dug through a pack, looking for something. Despite the various aches on his body- the most painful one by far radiating from the top of his head, Numair couldn't resist staying silent a bit longer. Watching her a bit longer. The sun had set, and the only light in the small cave came from the fire he assumed she'd stoked. The heat from the flames juxtaposed with the cold air outside had left her face and neck flushed. Her hair was long and curly, and though it had been severely pinned up when he'd seen her this afternoon in the city, it was coming loose now, and untamable tendrils spilled down, framing her face. Her eyes were busy searching through her pack, but Numair could see they were a stormy gray and framed by long dark lashes. A tightening feeling rose in his chest as he looked at her, but his rational mind pushed it away. Who cared if she was pretty? She was a thief.

He groaned and pushed himself up on his elbows. Where am I?

Daine looked up in surprise. About a mile outside of Cria, she said. I couldn't drag you all the way back to town so I took you to a cave in a cliffside instead.

As he lifted his head off the cloak he'd been lying on, a searing pain flooded through his skull. He swore loudly, clutching the top of his head and dropping back down.

Daine winced sympathetically and drew a small jar from her pack. Er- if you'll hold still, sir, I think this might help.

Numair sighed in relief as her fingers deftly spread a cooling poultice on his injury. He opened his eyes as the pain receded and looked at the young woman again. Who are you?

Daine smiled softly in spite of herself. My name's Veralidaine Sarrasri... but really that too much of a mouthful. I'm called Daine.

You must be quite the healer, Daine, he replied, sitting up again. My head feels a hundred times better already.

She drew away awkwardly at his words and retreated to the spot where the wolf lay asleep. she said quietly. My Ma was the healer, not me. She was a good teacher s'all.

Well, I'm feeling much better all the same, Numair said briskly, seemingly unaware he had initiated a painful subject. So if you'd be so kind as to return a certain personal article of mine, I'll be on my way.

Daine raised her face haughtily. I don't know what you mean.

Wha- why, I- my bracelet! he sputtered. You stole it, I know it was you! she continued to gaze at him defiantly. You cannot possibly understand its worth! he snapped in response. It contains magical properties a hedgewitch could never comprehend!

Infuriated by his arrogance and his slur, Daine shot to her feet, eyes blazing. I'm no witch! she spat. Her words awoke the wolf near the fire, who immediately stepped in front of the girl, growling menacingly at Numair.

Back off, Russet, Daine said. He's not worth getting your paws dirty. Numair watched in amazement as the wolf obeyed- resentfully backed away from him and lay down again- her bright black eyes firmly fixed on him. I know, sweetling, the girl said. But I'm sure this fine gentleman will be taking his leave any time now.

Numair raised his eyebrows. There was definatly more to the exchange than his ears could hear. Suddenly his mind flashed back to those first silent moments he'd spent watching Daine in the cave. She'd been talking to a jackrabbit. No, not talking to- rather conversing with. A strange idea struck him...

Daine took a few steps back and drew her dagger in warning as Numair stood up to face her. Put it away, he scoffed. I'm not going to hurt you. I might even let you keep that trinket you stole from me if you do me one small favor.

Her eyes widened in horror and she brandished her dagger again. No, not that! Numair said, an involuntary flush creeping up his neck. I just want see if I'm right about something.

Then without warning, he reached forward and grabbed her wrist, shutting his eyes as he did so. Heat flared up where he touched her, and Daine suddenly found herself quite breathless, energy coursing through her.

Numair's eyes snapped open again, though he kept his grasp on her wrist. As he looked at her with magical vision, he found himself rather breathless at his discovery.

Her magical aura was the color of bright copper, but rather than radiating softly from her skin, it writhed and slithered over her body like a thousand panicked snakes. There was no mistaking it- she was absolutely covered in it. Wild Magic.

Author's Note: I know that the Daine and Numair I've given you in this story are a little out of character... that's half the fun! The Daine and Numair in are in a different place in their lives than the Daine and Numair in the books. Just remember that at heart they are still the same people.