Hello everyone (well, to those who actually still read this). Sorry about the huge delay, I have had the worst time trying to get someone to check this and here I am, putting this chapter up even though it STILL isn't edited!
Hotmail, at the moment, won't let me send mail out, and if it DOES send, the person doesn't receive the chapter. sigh ( I hate technology
Any way, down to the story.
This chapter is for Jaimi (aka Kryptic Insanity) for being there every Friday night when I'm on a high because it's the weekend, and for kindly telling me that she would take away the Fruits Basket manga she brought me if I suggested we sing 'Get Happy', 'Feelin' good' or 'We Need a Little Christmas'. Thanx Riff.
Also, this chapter is for Dancing Amethyst. I'm sorry, I tried to get this to you, and then I found out about the problems the hotmail has been giving to me. If it's possible, could you check this and send me the corrections. Thanx!
Ok, here it is.
Chapter 4: Attack
Cloud watched in interest as her young master started crying then stoped just as soon. She huffed. She would never understand these human emotions.
Hey, Daine called the old mare irritably, are you just going to stand there all day or are you going to tell me what is going on?
Daine looked over Ouna's shoulder at the mare and slowly walked over to her. Sorry girl. I didn't mean to scare you
Scare me! Pfh, you just added a few seasons onto my life, that's all
Well, I'm sorry anyway but I have great news. I am with child Daine waited for her reaction. After the mare had been silent for a few minutes, Daine called out to her again, afraid that she was angry.
You're with foal Cloud said, more of a statement than a question. Daine nodded in the affirmative.
Congratulations! How did the stalk man take it asked the pony, mischief glinting in her eyes.
Well…he was a little shocked, then he was so happy
Good, a foal should keep him on his toes said the mare testily and she watched as Daine stifled a giggle.
Ouna, tired of being left out of the conversation quietly came up to Daine and tapped her on the shoulder. "Maybe it is best if we go inside now. The bell just tolled for supper"
Saying goodbye to the mare, the two women walked slowly towards the riders' mess hall discussing the day's events.
When they arrived at the hall, Daine was looking forward to seeing Numair, but he was nowhere to be found. With a sigh, she sat down next to Ouna and joined in the discussion over the trainees and of the war with Scanra.
After she had eaten, Daine employed the help of some mice to find Numair. They came back half an hour later stating that they could not find him anywhere. Getting worried, she called out for a night bird to aid her. Her reply came in the form of a small owl named Maelgwn.
Greetings night sister. What is it that you ask of me
I need a favour wing brother. I need you to search for a human for me. He is almost as tall a tree with dark hair, have you seen him?
His answer came immediately. Do you mean the mage that is currently upon Ballor's needle? she saw in her mind the lanky form of her fiancé staring out over Corus, facing North-west, near pirates swoop. Thanking Maelgwn, Daine started towards the tower.
Numair was talking to Alana when Daine walked up the stairs to the needle.
"Hello Magelet. What are you doing here?"
Daine smiled. "Reminding SOMEONE that they need to eat! Who were you talking to?"
"Alana. Apparently she and Alianne had another disagreement and ally went storming off."
Daine frowned. Those two fought anywhere, over anything. "What was it about this time?"
"Well, Ally took Peonny out for a ride with out telling Alana."
"Yeah, and what is wrong with that?"
"She turned up five days later. Peonny had torn a fetlock and Ally, for lack of a better word, was completely smashed."
"She was drunk!"
"Yes. After she sobered up, Alanna kept yelling at her about responsibility and settling down and Ally walked out.
Daine sighed. "Where is she now?"
"That is the problem Magelet. We both can't find her. The last time someone saw her she was heading down the main road to Corus. We've tried scrying for her, but nothing works. I was going to head out tomorrow on Spots to find him."
"Well, I'm coming with you."
Numair's reply was swift. "NO."
"Why not", Daine pleaded, "I'm not made of glass and I can help you more than anyone can."
Numair sighed and put his hands on her shoulders, keeping the hard features that had occupied his face. "Daine, please. You might get hurt."
"Oh pish posh Numair. I'm going and that is final. If you don't let me go, then you're going to have to walk there."
Numair tried to digest the threat before letting the frustration that was building with in him release within his words. "I would prefer you to stay here where it is safer, Magelet."
Just as stubborn, Daine refused to give in. "NO Numair, I'm coming and that is final!" Seeing that he was not going to give in so easily, she resorted to playing on his emotions. "Come on, she is my god daughter too."
With her final comment, Numair deflated and wrapped his wife up in a hug, gently resting his lips in her head. "Just promise me that you will be careful, OK?" he whispered into her hair.
Daine smiled as she returned the hug. "I will."
The couple set off in the morning, Numair on Spots and Daine on a very grumpy Cloud who was complaining loudly about the time that the pair had gotten her up.
They had travelled for four hours and, by noon, found themselves in a little bit of trouble.
"Just admit it, Numair, were lost."
"We are not lost", he replied feverently, "I just can't find my way onto the main road."
"Well, we have been searching for this 'road' for some time now. I TOLD you that you should have asked for directions."
"It's a male pride thing! Besides, those travellers looked…scary!"
"Oh looky here", remarked Daine sarcastically, "Mr big, bad black-robe is afraid of three travellers and a five year old!"
Numair grinned sheepishly. "But she had sticky fingers!" he wined.
Daine rolled her eyes at her husband's foolishness and returned to searching for the elusive road.
Cloud, she called after a few minutes.
What is it?
Something is coming this way, FAST!
Cloud Stopped and turned towards the disturbance, also hearing something. Numair looked at the mare and her rider, wondering if both had lost their minds. Looking into the bushes, he neither heard nor saw any disturbance until the figure tore out into the clearing that they were in.
"Uncle Nummy, Aunty Daine! What are you doing here?"
Daine dismounted, chuckling. "Rescuing you apparently."
"But how did you know that I was here. Or even travelling to Corus for that matter?"
"Your mother was worried about you. She asked for us to find you while she went to war."
Alianne rolled her eyes. "Yeah right. She wasn't worried about me."
Daine sighed and went over to her god daughter and wrapped her up in a hug. "Don't talk like that about your Ma. She loves you, more than you know."
"Ok", Alianne replied, but Daine and Numair heard the uncertainty in her voice. The pair stayed in a hug until Ally gasped and broke the hug. "Aunty Daine, are you pregnant?"
"Yeah. I only found out a few days ago."
The smile on her God daughter grew and she once again hugged her Aunt. "That's great! When are you due?"
"Some time around midwinter. I don't knot know wether it will be a boy or girl. Do you know?"
"Yeah, but I don't want to spoil your surprise."
Looking at the grateful smile and numerous thankyous that were coming fro her uncle, ally knew she had done the right thing.
The group had been walking towards Corus for a few hours, resting the horses, when Daine stopped them. Silently, she call two hawks named Aragon and Arwen to her and asked them to search the area.
"Magelet, what is the matter?" Numair asked.
Daine's eyes remained shut, concentrating on the foggy reply that she was getting from Aragon but when she heard her husband repeat it franticly, reaching out with his magic to check on her, she broke away from the hawk and confronted her husband.
"There are bandits coming, 27 or 28 by Aragon's count. They are coming this way."
Both Ally and Numair were getting their weapons ready when Arwen's soft voice rang through Daine's head.
Daine, there are three men with fire in them, just like your man
Mages? Dine questioned.
Fire men she returned. Not as bright as this one, but still a little
Ok, Thanks for your help. Now go with your mate
"Numair, there are three mages."
Numair smiled grimly at the thought of a challenge. "Then they are mine."
Ally turned to Daine with a crooked grin identical to George's plastered on her face. "So dear aunt. Are we going to go halves or first come first serve?"
"First come."
"I was hoping you were going to say that. Just be careful and don't get the babe hurt. I would never live it down."
As the bandits came into sight, Daine took out three arrows and loosed. Three targets went down before Numair began engaging the mages and anyone else stupid enough to try and get close to him.
Ally, even though she would never admit it, was having the time of her life, cutting down enemy after enemy. She was counting softly to herself, trying to keep a close eye on both of her god parents. When she cut down the last of her opponents, she turned to see her uncle do the same.
Numair looked up to see his niece staring at him with a grin on her face. Raising his hand, he gave her a thumbs up, noticing the diagonal cut along her cheek that would have to be fixed as soon as they got back to Corus. When he looked around for his wife, however, the pit dropped out of his stomach.
"Ally, where is Daine?"
Sensing her uncle's fear, she turned to search for her aunt, reaching out with her power to find the unique signature of her aunt at the base of a tree.
"Aunty Daine!"
Numair saw the pale body of his wife, slumped against a tree before the cry of his niece. They ran towards ran towards their fallen friend, Numair gathering Daine up in his arms, checking for and injuries. When he found none, he turned to Ally with desperate eyes.
"Ally, what is wrong with her? I can't see….I mean…there's…"
Ally had never seen her uncle look so upset and gently placed her arm on Daine's, reaching out with her magic to probe her Aunt. What she found shocked her to the core.
"Uncle Numair, we have to get her back to Corus. Something's wrong with the baby!"
