Shey woke up early the next morning, well it wasn't really that early, for him, but for Sage this was too early. He moved Sage's arm and sat up careful so as not to wake him. He rubbed his face and looked over at the sleeping mage, as usual Sage was sprawled all over the small bed taking up most of the room, his hair was a tangle all around him. Shey had to smile, Sage had fallen asleep with his eyeliner on and over night it had smudged making him look like one of the panda bears in Jons menagerie. His laugh made Sage stir, gently placing the rest of the blankets over Sage, Shey stood and went to his clothes. Dressing quietly and quickly he ran his hands through his hair, once again he was glad he hadn't got long hair like Sages his took an age to do some days. Shey looked in the mirror, happy with his reflection, he had chosen his normal paler colours, red and oranges like the morning sky outside. He picked up his boots and tip-toed out of his rooms, once outside he closed the door and sat on the floor and put them on, a shadow fell across him, he looked up to see who else would be about this early in the morning. A young women stood opposite him, wearing a pale blue shirt and tunic with black breeches. Her curly hair was pinned up, but a few strands were coming loose already. "Daine" He said shocked, she was the last person he expected to see here.
"Good morning" Daine said with a chipper smile, she offered her hand to Shey and helped him to stand.
Shey put his finger to his lips and then pointed to his door, he pointed down the corridor and motioned for them to talk outside. Daine smiled a knowing but understanding smile, and walked down the corridor with Shey, they stopped outside and sat on the steps leading up to the wall. The camp was deserted, the only people about were the bakers and those on guard or watch duty.
"So when did you get in to camp?" Shey asked looking at Daine, he hadn't seen her since he had left six months ago. He liked her, but he wasn't sure what she had been told as to her leaving. They were good friends, they had a lot in common, being alone a lot due to being the lovers of powerful mages. When Shey was home so to speak, he and Daine had spent a lot of time together, they had found that they could talk to each other about many things.
"Last night, quite late, I came in as an owl" she told Shey, "I don't think the gate guard would have let me in otherwise, it was late or rather early"
"Does, Numair know you're here?" Shey asked, trying not make it sound like a leer.
Daine smiled in response, it was the smile that said of course he did. "He is still sleeping" she said finally with a grin.
"You know I think it's a trait of Black Robe Mages" Shey said catching her grin. Daine raised an eyebrow in question, not seeing what Shey meant.
"I mean, they stay up all night working on something that is brilliantly ground breaking and wonderful and keeps there attention for two minutes. Hate anytime of the morning before mid-day and" Shey paused trying not to laugh, "And they would be terrible at remembering where they left things"
Daine burst out laughing causing the guards on top of the wall to turn and look. "That's so true" she giggled "Both of them can do great things, but ask them where they left their boots and they have no idea" both of them started to laugh again.
"Have you eaten?" Shey asked. Daine shook her head. "Come on then lets eat"
They stood and walked across the compound, not hurrying as there was no-one around. Shey lead the way round the buildings that the refugees were camped in. Silently they walked round buildings, inside they could here some children, crying to go out and play and there mothers telling them to wait. Finally they got to the space between the buildings, this space was were all the backs of the refugee buildings met, it was a large area, sanded and battered wooden posts at one end. "This is were some of them men like to train, its out of the way of the camp and the children." Shey explained as they walked across it.
Daine nodded, that made sense. When they came out of the other side, Shey pointed to a long low building facing them, "That's the mess building, that one to the left is the bakery and that one to the right is the mill" Shey pointed to the buildings he mentioned. "And if you want to get back to where we just came from, then follow that path all the way round" Shey said pointing to a path to the left of them.
"And now its time to eat" he said leading the way into the mess building.
As the entered the building the few people that were eating paused to see who had come in, seeing it was Shey they went back to eating. "Most of the people here are the ones who are on guard or have just come off, few people are up as early as me" Shey told her quietly leading the way to the back wall, were on a table, food lay on covered trays, "So most of the food here is simple until later when more people are about to eat it" Daine nodded and followed Sheys example of taking a plate and piling it with food, she looked over what lay on the tables. Mainly cold cheeses, bread fruit and other things that were fairly simple. To her it was perfect, she hated being to full first thing in the morning. She took, bread cheese and fruit the same as Shey, he was waiting for her by then end of the table. When she was done the walked to one of the tables and sat down. Outside the sky was still oranges and reds, although the mornings mist was beginning to burn off. "Are you stopping for long?" Shey asked her after a while. Daine shook her head her mouth was full, hastily she swallowed.
"No, I came to tell the others that Magar has been reported close to the boarders south of here, his raiding parties have been crossing and killing people on their way here" Daine told Shey in a hushed voice, "I was going to tell the others this morning" She said taking another bite of the bread, it was the best bread she had, had in a while, it was light and fluffy and seasoned with the herbs grown by the kitchens.
"We have soldiers here who could fight the raiders" Shey said thinking, talking almost to himself. "We would have to sort these raiders out, some refugees are scheduled to leave for coast"
Daine raised and eyebrow.
"They have family there, they were only here as a half way point, when Magar burned there villages they came here until they could contact their families?" He sat thinking how to solve this problem. Finally he gave up and looked back to Daine, "Its up to Leva anyways, I am only his aide"
"That's rather tame for you isn't it?" She teased.
"Yes, I know, but since I am still trying to find the contact that the spy in the palace has here, its not so dull as it would be, besides I have lots to do here now anyway, teaching people to read, and reading and writing letters for people. Its very rewarding being honest" He said with a smile.
He looked up as some more people came into the building, they were more of the guards on the wall he nodded to them and then turned back to Daine.
"So tell me how have you been, its been a long time?" He asked taking another bite of his own meal.
"Fine being at the palace for the most part, the rest scouting out where and what Magar is doing" Shey nodded understanding, Daine couldn't talk about what she was doing in so public a place. So instead he changed the topic.
"If you want when you have finished we can go and see the stables, I am sure they would love the chance to talk to you" he offered.
Daine smiled and nodded, "Yes, please a chance just to talk to the animals, would be great"
She hurried down the last of her meal and they took their plates to the hatch to be washed, the sleepy eyed washer took the plates with an equally sleepily hello. Then Shey and Daine walked down to the stables, as soon as they reached the doors, Daine got swept up in silent conversations with the horses in their, recognising the look on her face as the same on that Sage and Numair got when doing something magical he left her too it. All of the horses had come forward in there stalls to see and talk to Daine. Shey went and sat on the hay bales by the door he lent back on them and stared into space.
Daine walked down the stalls greeting all the horses as she went, they had all moved forward to talk to her. The neighed in greeting all trying to be heard at once. With a laugh Daine hushed them, telling them she would talk to them all. She asked them how they all were, all of the horses told her that they were looked after to the best that the stables hands could. They showed her pictures of Stephan playing with the foals and helping exercise them. From what the horses told her, it sound like the young stable hand had horse magic, like Stefan back in the city. She made a note to ask someone about him and talk to him herself. Suddenly a loud crash brought her back to her senses, opening her eyes she saw a young teenage girl standing amongst dropped tack, she looked at Daine as if the wild mage had grown two heads.
Shey had heard the crash came running in at the other end of stables. "Silva, Daine, what's happened?" he asked looking from one to the other. Daine shrugged unsure of what had scared the girl so much.
"She..she…she glowed" Stammered Silva her eyes not leaving Daine. "I come in and she was all aglow and the horse were all round her, still like"
Smiling slightly Shey walked down the aisle to Silva. "Silva, its all right, allow me to introduce Wild mage Daine"
Daine tried a friendly smile. Silva looked at Daine with disbelief, "But she's only lil, I heard she was bigger" As soon as she said it Silva looked away blushing, "I meant no disrespect lady"
Daine laughed, "I have heard that I am bigger to, but no, here I am lil and all"
Silva looked up unsure, but seeing Daines smile, she smiled in return. Suddenly aware that all the tack was on the floor she bent to pick it up, Shey helped her.
"Silva could you tell me where I can find someone called Stephan" Daine asked silently thanking the horses for talking to her and shooing them back.
Silva stood and thought for a second. "He should be in soon lady he always comes in after me" Daine thanked her as her and Shey left the stables. Some time had passed and now more people were about. Together they walked back to where the guest rooms. As they entered Leva's study door was now open, inside Alanna, Raoul and Numair were sitting or standing talking to Leva. Shey left Daine to go inside and he went down the long corridor to his own rooms and see if Sage was awake.
Daine walked into the office, Alanna and Raoul looked surprised to see her, but that passed quickly, they were used to her sudden appearances and leavings.
"Daine, Numair was telling us you had something to report" Alanna said moving up on her window sill so Daine could sit down.
"Shouldn't we wait for Sage and Shey?" Raoul asked
Daine shook her head, "I told Shey earlier and I am sure he will tell Sage when he wakes up. I had to tell you that Magar has been sending his raiding parties over the borders to the south of here. Killing all who have been coming here" She told them looking round at their faces.
"That's why they never came in then" Leva said sitting down. "Two weeks ago some people were meant to be coming here from Camp Oaklands in the south, they had too many people and we've the space. But they never came, we thought that they had changed their minds and not told us" he explained with a shrug "It does happen."
Raoul started to his feet, "If its raiders then me and my men can help" he offered. But Leva waved him down. "No, thank you but no, I have some people due to leave today, I will send some of my own guard with them to escort them safely there"
"Let my men help" Raoul asked Leva, "They would hate to be left out of fight"
Leva thought for a moment and then nodded "Alright then, your men can help" Raoul smiled briefly. Then they launched into details. Daine telling them what her animal scouts had found out.
Shey stepped into the still room, it was now alight with sunshine. Shey looked round for Sage, he was still in the bed asleep. Just the same way he had been when Shey had left him. Pulling out the plums he had placed in his pocket from before he placed them on the table by the bed. Sage rolled over in his sleep onto his back, Shey watched him, looking at his tattoo and the scar that ran from his right shoulder to his left ribs. Sage woke up with a groan, Shey lent on the table. Sage sat up with another groan he flicked his braids out of the way. Vaguely thinking that he would have to redo them at some point today. Slowly everything came into view, Sage looked round and saw Shey leaning on the table smiling. "You are to cheerful, its to early" Sage grumbled in the way of a good morning.
"I bring fruit" Shey said throwing the plums at Sage. Sage caught the fruit and swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. He wiped his hand over his face, he looked surprised when it came away black. He stood and looked in the small mirror. Shey sat on the table and laughed.
"If you will wear that stuff, you should remember to take it off again. You look like a panda" Shey teased.
Sage stuck out his tongue at Shey and then put the plums down. His hair was all tangled together he could see that in the mirror, he reached up and untangled the braids, "Don't worry bout them I'll help you later otherwise it will take you an age" Shey told Sage, how turned with a smile.
Shey drew his legs up and sat cross legged. Sage walked back across the room.
"Has anything interesting happened this morning?" Sage asked hunting for his clothes which were still scattered round the room from last night.
"Daine has told us that Magar has sent raiders across the boarders in the south and that they have been killing people who are on there way here.?" Shey told him, smiling as Sage pulled on his trousers and then turned to look for his shirt, Sage paused.
"What's Leva going to do?" Sage asked
"Send out some of the guards I should think" Shey replied. Sage gave up looking for his shirt, he had found his over robe and his boots and the Stormwing feathers on the floor, the latter he carefully put on the table beside Shey. Shey pointed to the far corner the elusive shirt was wadded up in the corner. Smiling Sage went to put it on pulling a face at the wrinkles. Finished dressing Sage looked down at himself, with the over robe on he didn't look to bad, just a bit wrinkled round the edges.
Finally ready Shey jumped off the table and walked to the door, Sage picked up one of the plums and followed. Together they walked back along the corridor to the office and went in.
"Good afternoon" Teased Alanna when she saw who followed Shey into the office. Sage stuck out his tongue at her and sat down on the floor near the wall, Shey went to sit on the other window seat.
"Has Shey told you about what Daines reported?" Numair asked when Sage was sat down.
Sage nodded Shey told me that raiders have been about and killing. Everyone nodded, in agreement.
"Leva is sending out some of his men with the people who are relocating and my men are going with them, disguised of course" Raoul told Sage, "And Numair is going to be able to follow us through Daine, and her animals" Raoul and the others went into the plan in detail. After all was sorted Alanna and Raoul went out with to see the practise yards. Sage and Numair went out with Leva to see what could be done about the swampy lands behind the camp. Daine asked him if he could take her back to the stables because she wanted to talk with Stephan. Since he was at a loose end so he agreed together they walked back down to the stables.
"How is Stephan about magic" She asked him looking sideways. Shey thought for a second.
"He's normally alright, Why?" He asked looking at her.
"Well I will have to see him to make sure, but I am almost certain that he has horse magic"
"What like Stefan?" Shey asked turning to face her, this made him walk backwards for a while.
"Yes" Daine replied grabbing Sheys arm to stop him walking into a wall. He grinned and turned back around. When they reached the stables, the walked down the aisle a young lad stood up in a stall, and walked round to the horses head, he urged the horse to take a step forward, the horse did so with reluctance, Daine could hear the horses pain. As they neared the lad walked round to the back of the horse it was standing with its back offside leg was raised, a bad cut was visible. Unaware of the people watching them, Stephan picked up something from a bucket on the floor, it was a bandage, smeared with something to keep off infection, Daine was guessing. She watched the youngster he held the bandage for moment, his lips were moving, saying what Daine couldn't make out, but she thought it could have been a prayer, then Stephan wrapped the bandage round the wound as gently as he could. When he had finished he tied a knot and then stood up, all throughout he had been talking gently to the horse. Slowly it lowered it foot and gave Stephan a look that could have been construed of as a thank you.
Daine coughed quietly and Stephan turned round startled. Seeing Shey he smiled unsure, "Shey, sorry I didn't know that you were here"
Shey waved down his apology "No matter you were busy" Shey turned to Daine, "This is Daine"
Stephan's eyes widened, "THE Lady Daine?" he asked
Shey nodded. Stephan looked unsure. But Daine smiled reassuringly
"That's a good job you did there, she'll be alright" Daine said.
"Erm thank you lady" Stephan said looking from Daine to Shey.
"Relax Stephan, I am here because I wanted to see something and now I want to tell you something, but first I think we will need to sit down" She laid the slightly dazed boy out of the bustle of the stables and sat him on a barrel that was outside. Shey watched from a distance, keeping half an eye on the horses being made ready for the ride out later. He saw Stephan look at his hands in disbelief and then shake his head. Daine nodded and Stephan stared for a moment before smiling. His nerves vanished as he launched into questioning Daine about what he could do and learn.
Leaving them to it Shey went for a walk up the wall. As he reached the top he could see Numair, Sage and Leva walking round the edges of the swampy ground, they were talking and pointed, Shey had a feeling that some magical help was on the cards. He sat on the wall and watched the three tiny figures walking round and round. Finally they stopped and it appeared they had agreed on something. Numair was rolling his sleeves up and Sage was tying up his hair, something they unconsciously did when they were about to do magic. They walked to opposite ends of the swamp and raised there hands together chanting something. Faintly Shey could feel the ground buzzing then slowly water began to rise up from the ground between them like a mini cloud between the two mages, the ground was becoming dryer and firmer. When most of the water was in the little cloud. Both of them turned to face a dry and parched patch of trees. Rain had been sparse so the trees were dying. Slowly the cloud floated over to the trees and Sage and Numair stopped chanting, and the cloud broke up dropping all the water onto the trees and soaking the ground round them. Sage and Numair walked round to Leva and then both sat down suddenly. Leva was prepared he drew out flasks of water and gave them to both men, who downed them and took the offered refills. Shey looked at the now firm ground were the swamp had been, lush grass was all there was now. They had made the ground good for grazing, which had been much needed. Numair and Sage stood up now refreshed and walked back to the camp with Leva, who was already calling for the animals to be brought down to graze for a while. Shey watched until they had gone into the shadow of the wall, then he was distracted by a old guard who was hovering by his side, wanting Sheys attention, but not wanting to disturb him. Shey turned to the guard with a smile.
"Callum, what can I do for you?" He asked the old guard cheerfully.
"I gots a letter from me daughter in the city and I was wondering, that is if your not to busy like, if you would mind reading it for me" Callum asked, holding the letter in one hand.
Shey nodded, "Of course I will, sit down"
Callum sat on the wall and gave Shey the letter. "Thank you Lord" he said his voice filled with gratitude.
"Like I said before no problems, and please don't call me Lord, I am Shey, or Shelan" he admonished the guard with a smile.
"But you being Lord Sages partner an all it wouldn't be proper to call you anything less" The older man protested. He didn't care what people said about men being with men as far as he was concerned people could be with who they wanted, but manners mattered.
Shey smiled, this was an old argument between them. "Sage is a Lord, not me if you have to call me something then call me sir but please not Lord, it makes me feel too old"
Callum thought about this and then nodded. "Sir it is then"
Shey nodded and then opened the letter, and read it to Callum. "Good news your daughter is getting married to the scribe from the Mithros Temple in Port Caen" Shey finished with. Callum sat there smiling, tears in his eyes.
"My little girl is getting married" was all he could say. He stood and went to the stairs completely forgetting any thank yous. But Shey was smiling to see the older man so happy.
"Come find me later and I will write a reply for you" he called as them man went bounding down the stairs to tell his friends the good news.
Later Shey and Leva were in Leva's office going over the list of people who were due to leave that day and people who were meant to be coming, they were halfway through the list when an urgent knock on the door interrupted them.
"Come in" Leva called looking up.
Alanna, Raoul, Numair and Sage all filed into the office, the only person missing was Daine, after talking to Stephan, she had, had to leave again in a hurry. They all looked serious.
"What the matter?" asked Leva standing up seeing their faces.
Numair gestured to Alanna who stepped forward.
"The suspected spy in Tortall has been arrested" She told the room, "Jon has just told us that he is confessing all now, he fears for his life, so far he has admitted to trying to frame Sage and Shey" Alanna looked over to Shey. He was smiling grimly.
"Well Jon thinks that his contact here may be making a run for it, now he has the spy and we have to stop him"
"I can help with that" Leva said standing, "I'll order the gates shut any person wanting to leave must be accompanied by me" The others nodded. Leva hurried off to make good his offer. The others looked at each other for a second. "Finally free of this whole act" Shey said with a genuine smile. "I hope Jon makes this may pay" "He will" Alanna promised, "Both of them and any others we find will pay dearly for all that they have done"
A sudden shouting outside made them all hurry out, Mal was there standing in a ring of armed men, the Kings Own surrounded him. "I'll not be taken to that fool" Mal was shouting waving his sword round the circle.
"Mal give in you know you can never win on these odds" Leva shouted, from outside the ring of men.
"No" screamed Mal he hurled himself at the circle of men, the man he was aiming for Dom. Dom simply side stepped and knocked the man out as he flew past. With Mal down the other men dispersed. Raoul and Dom hauled Mal up he dangled from their grip.
"I think that he shouting would indicate that he is the man we are looking for, failing that he guilty of something" Raoul said over his shoulder as they hauled Mal away.
Later that day
Sage and Shey stood atop the wall watching the column disappear out of sight round the bend. "It would appear that this is the end then" Sage said the Shey as he lent on the wall.
Shey said nothing for a moment and then replied with a smile.
"Oh no dear heart, this is not the end, this is the beginning, all that had ended is one try to harm us, but it failed, as the ones before did and as the ones that will come will. We have so much that we could do here and so many people here now need us"
Shey said turned to look at Sage.
"You know, your right" Sage turned to look at Shey, Sages hand found Shey.
"We stay" he said with a raised eyebrow
"We stay" agreed Shey.
"What are you pair planning now" an amused voice drifted over to them, both turned still holding hands to see Numair and Alanna walking along the wall to them.
"Oh nothing much, just how best to corrupt the youth of this place"
"Nothing new then" Numair laughed and the others joined in. together all four turned to watch the sunset on the horizon.
THE END
So this is the end of this story, I hoped you liked it. Sorry for the short ending but I have had no reviews for so long I am guessing that my story has fallen from grace so I have ended it. Thank you for reading this story