I am sooo sorry I haven't updated!! I have been soo busy!! I was lookin over all the stories and realized that mine was in the 300's. Sad isn't it! Hope I still have fans out there!!

Ch. 6

The next morning, Daine awoke and sat up confused. 'Where am I??' Then the events from last night came flooding into her mind. She was saddened that she was no longer part of the Silent Stormers, but she will always love them.

She got up and stretched thinking of the long day ahead of her. She was positive she would get lost in the twisting corridors of the castle. She sighed and started to get ready for the day.

When she was done getting ready, Daine reached for her brush and started brushing her long locks. She thought absentmindedly about Philip and she felt a fluttering feeling in her stomach. She smiled, thinking of the impact he had on her. A knocking on her door interrupted her thoughts.

She walked over to the door and answered it. There stood Master Salmalín.

"Good Morning Daine."

"Hello Master Salmalín."

"Please call me Numair, Master Salmalín sounds so formal. Anyways, I came to escort you to breakfast."

Daine nodded slightly and followed Numair. She arrived at the dining room and had the same reaction she had at the ball. The knights, squires, and even some pages all looked her way, whispering and pointing. Daine blushed a deep red, and continued to walk. She smiled when she saw Philip was waiting for them at a table. Philip waved to her and blew her a kiss.

Numair looked at Daine and Philip confused. Than it dawned on him. 'there a couple' he thought miserably. 'Why am I so sad, it's not like I liked Daine or anything.' He knew he was lying to himself. It seemed that in the short time he had met Daine, he had fallen in love with her. He sighed and tried to push his feelings away and sat next to Philip, ignoring the throbbing pain in his heart.

After breakfast, Daine and Numair started training. Philip was out watching the squires practice in the courtyard.

"Try again!" Numair commanded.

Daine sighed. Her head was pounding and she could hardly think straight. "Numair, we've done the same task 14 times already. I just can't seem to get it right!!" She looked at the broken wing and the pain the blue jay was in. "It pains me to think that I can't help this creature, I'm just not experience enough, that's it!!"

Numair looked at her. "Nonsense, you CAN do this, if you put your mind to it. We've finally conquered the last problem you had. You can do this," he repeated. He looked so determined and anxious that Daine sighed and tried again.

What seemed like hours, Daine finally opened her eyes and saw a beaming Numair and a healed bird. "I did it?!?" Daine asked excitingly. Numair nodded happily amazed at how fast this young woman learned. Daine jumped up and down and gave Numair a big hug. He pulled away quickly, his face red. 'Philip' he had to remind himself.

"Good Job Magelet, you're advancing quickly. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you Numair," Daine responded happily. 'He's a great teacher' she thought to herself. 'So smart, and so handsome.Daine! Get a grip, he's your teacher!' She sighed. She had these kinds of thoughts in her mind and was trying to get rid of them.

"Since we're finished for today, I think it's best for you to rest." Numair said, not wanting her to leave, but knew it was best.

"Alright," Daine whispered, "Thanks again Numair." She turned and walked out.

When she was walking back to her room, she ran into Phillip. "How'd it go?" he asked.

"Numair said I'm advancing quickly, quicker than most people."

"Oh I'm so proud of you," Philip said, gazing deeply into her eyes. He reached up and put a stray curl behind her ear and cradled her face in his hands. All thoughts of Numair quickly disappeared from Daine's mind. All she could concentrate on was Philip.

Philip leaned down and placed his lips gently on Daine's and kissed her sweetly. When he pulled away, he pulled out a single white rose from his pocket and handed it shyly to Daine. "I hope you like it." He said, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and walked away.

Daine placed her hand on her cheek where Philip had kissed her, and realized that she was in love.

~~~

Numair walked away quickly. He had just witnessed the scene that had just occurred. "You see Numair, you'll never have her. She's your student and that's it. Nothing more." He sighed deeply. He wasn't watching where he was going and ran into someone. "I'm so sorry..Alanna. I didn't see you, you're just so small."

"I'll just ignore that." The red head said, "Numair, just the man I was looking for. Is there some sort of spell you can help me with to rid spiders from my room?"

************************MEANWHILE*************************

Ozorne, the emperor of Carthaki, smiled evilly. "The plan is complete," he said to his soldiers. "Prepare for an attack on Tortall."

A/N- Cliff hanger?? Maybe?? Anywayz, Hope you liked it!! The more reviews I get, the faster I'll try to update. :) It won't take as long as last time, I promise! Review please!!