Chapter Three: Refused

 Daine snatched her wrist out of the black haired man's grasp, her insides warring between indignation, confusion, and an unexpected thrill.

Who are you?

Numair blinked, his magical vision having dissipated at the loss of her touch. He looked at her with normal sight, silently drinking her in with an unreadable expression on his countenance.
He finally broke the long, tense moment with a ghost of a smile.

How rude of me, he said. My name is Numair Samalin. I am the Master Mage in Residence for the Royal Palace of Tortall.

Royal Palace? Daine's mind began racing- of all the lousy luck! She had gone and stolen from a noble! Her eyes widened in horror and she ducked her head.

Forgive me, Nobility! she stammered. I didn't... I'll return your bracelet at once-

Her posture and tone of voice immediately reminded him of the slaves in Carthak. Suddenly he was twenty again, standing in the foyer of the Imperial University watching the young emperor cruelly berate his mute before a jeering crowd of students; the hot desert air stagnant and unforgiving. Numair frowned and grabbed the girl by the chin, forcing her eyes on his.

I'm not royalty, he said, more harshly than he intended. Do not address me as such. He released her and smiled more genuinely, trying to put her at ease.I'm a simple teacher. Daine, is it? Daine, please sit down.

She acquiesced, still wary of this unsettling stranger but willing to listen.

You seem to have a very... unusual relationship with animals, would you agree?

She shrugged. I've just got a knack with animals is all.

I'd say it's a fair sight more than just a knack'... Daine, have you ever been tested for the Gift?

He'd hit upon a sore subject. she hissed, her short temper beginning to surface. Yes I been tested, and tested, and tested! I don't have any magic! A bit of a knack with animals, that's it! There isn't anything magical about me! she began to rise to her feet but Numair put his hands out, not touching her, just asking her to stay seated. She looked at him reproachfully, all traces of the fear and inferiority she'd been feeling rubbed away with the reintroduction of this most painful reaffirmation- there was nothing magical about her.

I believe you're dead wrong about that, he said quietly. She let out an exasperated breath. Hear me out. There is a rare form of magic- so rare in fact that most scholars will refute its very existence. This connection you have with animals, this ability you have to communicate with them- Daine, you possess immense quantities of what's come to be known as Wild Magic'.

Wild Magic? she echoed in disbelief.

Numair's eyes increasingly lit with excitement as he continued. Yes... I know this must sound impossible to you- but just now when I grabbed your wrist I examined you with what's commonly referred to as magical vision. I saw your aura with my own two eyes and I can assure you that you do have Wild Magic. More than I've ever personally documented before. More so than has ever been recorded, actually.

What makes you the expert? she asked coldly. I though you said most people don't believe this magic even exists.

Wild Magic was an area of acute emphasis for me when I was in university, he explained, not allowing himself to rise to her rudeness. True, it is a field often left unexplored, but it exists. It exists in you.

So what? I can talk to animals. I don't see how-

Communication is just one facet, he interrupted. Transfiguring, telekinesis, healing. There's so much more more your power than simply talking! He laughed mirthlessly at his overzealousness, forcing his voice to remain calm. He had to make her understand.

Daine, the kind of power you possess... well, suffice to say it's beyond any kind of precedent. You have a very unique opportunity, there's no telling what you could accomplish with the proper training. his enthusiasm was creeping back steadily now. Do you live with your family? I'd love to discuss this with your parents- I really think it would be in your best interests to accompany me back to Tortall where you can begin a full course of study. Where you can learn to harness and expand your power. he studied her expressionless face incredulously. Hag's teeth! Say something! he laughed. I'm offering you the opportunity of a lifetime!

Numair was shocked when the young woman's eyes filled with tears. She stood up, her body shaking with anger. Leave me be. she ground out, her voice strained. She moved swiftly to her pack and shoved her few scattered belongings back inside. She shouldered her burden and faced the speechless mage once again. Tears were now falling freely from her eyes and in an instant the tawny wolf was at her side, whining in concern.

Numair finally found words. Don't be a fool! he said, his patience wearing thin. You could never be properly trained here! A girl like you-

You don't know who I am! Daine cried furiously. You don't know the first thing about me!

His equally volatile temper flaring, Numair spat out savagely, Why you spiteful, ungrateful little wretch! I saved your neck back there! And I've offered you a life amidst the royalty of Tortall!

You hateful son of a bitch! You would have frozen to death if I hadn't dragged you to this cave!

Refusing to be beaten, Numair closed in until his nose was mere inches from hers, his voice was low and dripping with malevolence. I should have known that a backwoods piece of filth like you wouldn't recognize a real opportunity if it bit her in the ass. I should have let the bandits keep you as their plaything, maybe they could have knocked some humility into that mulish head of yours!

Struck dumb by his cruelty, Daine cocked back her fist and punched him square in the jaw. Caught off guard, Numair stumbled back against the cave wall while she spun on her heel and marched out into the night, the young wolf trotting dutifully beside her.