Hello everyone!!! I hope you enjoyed your week!! Lol....i had a terrible one. Lol...so much
Homework!!!! You would expect that teachers be nicer, but nooooooooooo..... o well. I
Survived. AMAZINGLY!! And anyone else who has complaints about proofs and theorems and
etc, PLEASE! Go for it!! Lol. And I'm about to thank all these people, so review like them! They are my example setters!! Ok...well big thanksies to:
Darkestflare – lol. Glad you liked the chapter.... And well, fluff to come, hopefully in the next chapter. Don't worry, it'll arrive in a nice package soon!!! And (blushes), that was too nice of you to say that we, me partner and I, could become a writer.
abused guard - LOL!! Luv your EVIL LAUGH!! Hehehehe... yes. This one will be another long chapter, not quite as long as the last one, but almost. Soo, be happy!!!
um – just a question. I wonder why everyone says that. About how Numair is adorable when angry. Lol. Just a thought...
Protectress of the Small – thanks for the review lizzie. And I no that you were not paying me. I just needed a good excuse to put it up there! JUST KIDDING!!! ;) hope you got more reviews on the story.... I didn't consider that one to be a cliffie, but hey.
bkwormalwys – thank you for your review, again. Well double thank yous are nice, I guess. And I like your concept about making up your own ending. Interesting....
megster – glad you liked it....oh. and I said whales? Thanks for telling me. I would neva have remembered unless I looked, and right now, I'm too lazy.. ;) o well.
RabidEnyaFan – you want more? Here's more!!!
heather-marie – I'm glad you can't wait. Now you don't have to wait, because it's up!!
Equestrian-babe101 – ack! Yes I can leave you hanging! It's fun, sorry. Not to be cruel or anything... well here's the update!
Narm's Briton 44 – thank you...I'm glad you thought that was the best chapter. I'll tell alex, if she hasn't read your review yet. Oh, and I'm glad you have updated your two fics!!! I haven't reviewed, yet! Alex has, so I'll do it anonymously...so await them!
LexiLoLo200 – I'm glad you think itz going really good. Sometimes I'm not really sure about it. Thanks for the boost in "self-esteem" . lol!
Padfoot's Sidekick – OKAY! I won't erase it, if not only for you. ;) I wrote more, so here it is!!!
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The wolves were lost. Not lost as in lost but as in clueless. (A/N: I hope that's not confusing.)
They wandered around the castle. Ever since they felt the withdrawal of Daine's wild magic, they felt uneasy. It was the same feeling as the time when Daine had come to Dunlath the previous time.
The pack of Long Lake tried to enter the castle to see if they could spot Maura, or even better, Daine.
They hadn't seen much of Daine these past few days because they had been hunting and she had been busy. But they didn't mind, because she had promised them time which should have been today.
But, she didn't meet them.
The wolves had a council with the elders after she didn't appear for a while and their connection with her had evaporated.
Now, they were even more worried. They knew that Daine was busy, but she had never abandoned them.
As they tried to nose their ways into the building, Kitten and Tkaa came around the corner.
The wolves now bounded toward Kitten and Tkaa this time, wet noses pressing inquisitively against the scales of the immortals.
Tkaa said, "Why are you against the door, wolf-friends? Don't you know that many of the humans do not like wolves?"
Some of the wolves growled deep in their throats but Brokefang maintained a cool attitude and just ignored that jibe, even though it was not from Tkaa. We understand. We feel like Daine has been missing because she was supposed to meet us, but she has not appeared.
Daine should be inside. She may have forgotten because she was a bit distraught at the fact that Numair had to leave suddenly, replied Tkaa. But you're right, it definitely does not sound like Daine to me, even though, aherm, Numair has left, he finished with a smile.
At that, Kitten started chirping indignantly and pointing to the door.
"Kitten, let's go inside. As I can see you are eager, you are welcome to join us," he said as Tkaa motioned to the wolves.
The wolves nodded their heads and rushed in with the two other immortals.
When the whole company strode inside, Kitten looked around and started chirping again, but in a questioning and then demanding tone.
"Kitten, Daine is fine. She is probably outside with the horses, but you know that demanding Daine to come over here is not going to work," admonished Tkaa.
It was then that the wolves were also looking around, sniffing furniture and such.
However, a servant happened to come in right about then, and seeing the wolves, she exploded in hysterics.
The wolves were startled and looked at her.
This seemed to scare her even more because she started yelling even louder at the top of her lungs.
Tkaa and Kitten tried to herd the wolves out of the house before other people arrived and were successful, but barely in time.
They all rushed toward the stables to see if Daine was in there, possibly communicating with Cloud and the other horses.
When they reached the stables and peered inside the dusty shelter, they could not sense Daine but reached Cloud. Cloud was trying to get out of the stables but calmed down a little when she saw all the other animals.
Daine, she's been kidnapped, said cloud quickly.
Everyone in the stables looked at each other.
We were worried this might have happened, said Brokefang.
Let us go and rescue her!! No one else is here, the stork-man is gone and none of the other friends are here, we must go and rescue her! Cried Battle.
Amid all the chaotic noise of all the enraged animals' breathing, Cloud's snorts and whinnies, and Kitten's chirping, Tkaa shouted, "Stop! We must plan! We know now that we are alone and isolated unless one of you go and retrieve help, but I doubt that any of you are in the mood for that. So, we must not be reckless and we must come up with a plan......."
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As soon as Numair's body sped out of view, Alanna woke up from her dream.
Or that's what she thought.
That was strange, thought Alanna and pinched herself to wake up.
But even after the pinching, she could see the clouds of dust and she was standing in the exact same spot as earlier.
"This is strange. I should go alert Jon," said Alanna quietly to herself as she hustled away toward Jon's chambers.
The red-haired woman bumped and collided into several people on her rushed way to her destination, but she didn't even notice. She was way beyond that at this point.
Alanna didn't even bother knocking and just barged into Jon's room.
She leaned against the doorframe for two seconds and caught her breath.
"Alanna, what are you doing here?" asked Jon in surprise as he looked up from behind his stack of papers.
"Jon, you won't believe it. Goddess, I hardly did myself," babbled Alanna.
"Alanna, slow down. We have plenty of time. Look, the sun's shining, the birds are singing, and we are all right," interrupted Jon.
"Jon, be serious, if this is the only time you will be. Numair was here, just a few minutes ago, looking as if the Black God himself was standing right next to him," said Alanna.
"Wait, Numair was here? I thought he was on vacation," said Jon.
"I thought the same, Jon," and Alanna proceeded to tell Jon of the whole story that she could tell.
"This is strange," said Jon.
"Yes, very, Jon. I think that you should send some soldiers with me and I will go to Dunlath and see how Daine and Numair are being. What do you think?" asked Alanna.
"Alanna, Daine and Numair are quite capable of taking care of themselves."
"Jon, Numair FLED with a scared, no, I mean really scared look on his face. I really think something is up, and that Daine and Numair will need our help. Please Jon," pleaded Alanna. "Or do I really have to get heated up about this?"
Jon took one look at Alanna's threatening look, and finally said what she wanted.
The next morning, Alanna and a group of soldiers and some of the King's Own were marching toward Dunlath.
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The clanking of chains woke Daine up from her sleep again, though it couldn't really be called "sleep" since she had drifted to and fro from consciousness.
It was the real Lord Henry waking up and moving around.
"Daine, are you still there?" he asked.
"Of course I am, but just half of me I think. Odds bobs! I think with no food and water, more than half of me has just wasted away," said Daine.
Lord Henry just chuckled.
"When did you say they bring us food?" asked Daine quickly.
"Actually, they don't have a routine, Daine. I really think they just bring us food when they actually remember there is someone down here, sorry to disappoint you," replied Lord Henry with a sigh.
"You know, we really should find a way to get out of here, if we want to survive. And I don't know about you, sir, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life here in this prison. The whole blocking from the animals is driving me insane!" cried Daine.
"Daine, please don't think I haven't tried. I have tried picking that lock as many times as I could 'til my hands hurt so badly, and every other thing imaginable to get out of this cell."
"Excuse me for this question, I mean I don't want to be rude or anything. But has he, I mean Aeejah, done anything to you ever? Like tortured you, taunted you, anything of the sort?" questioned Daine.
"No. I haven't seen him since the time he abducted me, and I have absolutely no clue why he captured you," said Lord Henry.
"That is interesting. I have absolutely no clue either, but I guess we'll soon figure out, though I don't know if that is good or bad," said Daine with a wry smile.
Then, they heard footsteps coming down the cold, stone steps.
Daine and Lord Henry looked at each other, confusion written across their faces.
Their visitor was cloaked, protected by the cold of the dungeon by it, which did not allow Daine to see the face.
The person stopped in front of Daine's cell and then unmasked himself.
It was Aeejah.
"Well, hello Aeejah," sneered Daine.
Lord Henry could be heard shifting uncomfortably as he tried to get a better look.
Aeejah remained wordless.
"I know your true identity. Don't try to hide it from me, it's not worth it," said Daine.
"So, my dear. How are you enjoying your new home? Hungry? Thirsty? Scared?" asked Aeejah cruelly.
"As if I would tell you! I'm not a simpleton," she retorted.
"Oh, just wait a couple more days without food or water. By then, you'll be so willing to tell me everything about Tortall just for a cup of water or for a crust of bread," he cackled.
"Who do you think you're kidding? I would never betray my country, even if I had to die," snapped Daine.
"Oh yes. You say that now, all I have to do is bide my time. And don't think I'm going to let you die here, no, your death will not be so easy," said Aeejah evilly. "And then, I will have my full revenge on Arram also!"
"Arram? Don't you mean, Numair Salmalin, one of the most powerful mages in the entire world?" asked Daine, feigning innocence.
"Yes. But add me to that list, or did you not know? I am a black-robe mage also," said Aeejah.
"Don't believe him, Daine!" warned Lord Swobet, who had remained silent throughout the entire conversation until now.
"So, you two have become acquainted. Well, if you are enjoying yourselves, don't get too happy. It won't last."
"Why do you hate Numair so much?" asked Daine.
"Why? WHY? Such an naive question from you," he replied as he slid his fingers through the cell front and cupped Daine's face.
Daine only responded by spitting into his hand and moving further back into the dark of the prison.
Aeejah looked disgusted and just cleaned his hand on his robe.
"You will pay, Veralidaine," he warned.
"Eat my loincloth," she said instantly. (Sorry to take that from you, TP. I needed a good response to that.)
"Well, do you want to hear about my lovely story concerning the once Arram Draper?" he asked.
But he didn't wait for an answer and just continued.
"Let's see, my dear," said Aeejah.
FLASHBACK!!
(he's explaining, but the way I tell it to you will be more interesting)
It was a hot day in Carthak with the breeze blowing that rustled the jet colored hair of the student, Arram Draper.
He moved around on the sandy beach to get a better view of the crocodile that he was observing for a class assignment.
I wonder if the heat affects the behavior of these reptilian animals. Perhaps the water temperature can- but at this point, the young scholar was interrupted in his work when another student rudely began splashing water at him.
Arram looked indignantly at the other scholar, who he could tell, was at a lower level in the mage craft than him.
He stood up completely, making himself look taller and more intimidating, and tried to frighten the less advanced mage.
However, all his dreams of intimidation came crashing down when the student flung a ball of mud at him which landed flat on his spotless clothes.
And that was the day that he started to dislike the person, Aeejah Merric.
Through his intelligence, he was able to find out that Aeejah Merric was not the smartest of all apprentice mages; he was studying in battle magic the same as himself.
But, Aeejah belonged to a novice group that enjoyed pulling pranks on everyone else who was trying hard to seriously study, which included Numair and Ozorne, not surprisingly.
Now though, Ozorne had started to draw away from his classes and his group of friends and act more aloof and passive. He also had to visit his father and start to receive instructions on becoming a ruler fit toe be emperor of the mighty Carthak.
Even though Ozorne had started to withdraw himself little by little, Numair was still very close to him at this time and explained to him about Aeejah already.
"He is just a little novice that cannot learn to be disciplined. I'll just warn the teachers about how he has been disturbing you, and if he does it again, he'll get kicked out of the University. Mind you, that would not be good for his career," said Ozorne.
Numair just nodded knowingly the same as a puppet would.
The next day when the older and more advanced mages were mentoring the younger ones, Numair just happened to have the luck to be paired with Aeejah. When he tried to explain to their professor that he had trouble getting along, the professor just merely replied, "Numair. I'm shocked; I thought you were grown up by now. You know how to be diplomatic in these kinds of situations."
And that was that.
So Numair just tried to deal with him the best that he could. There was one thorn in the rose that was slightly mutated, (lol), he was stuck with Aeejah for mentoring for two weeks.
After a couple of days, Numair's days fell into a familiar routine. He would go to his classes, spend time with his buddy, Ozorne, and then help mentor Aeejah, who was a curse sent from Mithros, as perceived by Numair.
He would go to the room of Aeejah, where a few cronies of Aeejah would always be around until the last minute, resulting in Numair kicking them out.
It was the end of the first week now and Numair was on his way to Aeejah's room, again.
Only one more week. Thank the GODS!!
This time when he was outside the room, he didn't knock; he just stood at the door to see how long it would take for them to realize that he was waiting outside.
Numair stood outside for five minutes and they still didn't come outside. All he could hear was hushed whispers from the inside of the room.
The mage pushed open the door big enough to slip in and stood in the shadowy corner behind the door.
Well, if this is how Aeejah wants to spend his time, instead of getting tutored usefully by myself, then I'm satisfied. Now where did I put that book? thought Numair.
He began to search among the folds of his robe when he heard the name of Ozorne mentioned by Aeejah.
"Yes, we'll act tomorrow night. When the banquet begins, Ozorne and his father will be so wrapped up in their whole political appearance that they won't notice the poison in their cups," he said.
Numair had heard enough. He ran down the halls, smashing into objects on the way and trying to avoid getting caught by the posse of Aeejah who were hot on his trail.
He reached Ozorne and managed to spit out the story quickly and catch his breath.
Ozorne just left Numair panting in his room and quickly went to his father.
Numair then passed out.
When he woke up a few days later, he found Marianne by his bed already gushing her heart out about how worried she was, etc.
He just walked out on her and sought out Ozorne.
"What happened to Aeejah and his group?" he asked earnestly.
"Oh, they got kicked out of the University. They were blaming you the entire way," replied Ozorne casually.
"I think they curse the day you were born, as do many others," whispered Ozorne as he left Numair in the corridor.
End Flashback
"And that, is the end of my woeful tale," said Aeejah with a smirk. "But it really did me the benefit, for now, I am a most powerful mage, I assure you."
Daine just sat there; trying to digest it all in the short time she had been told the story.
It was just then that Daine's stomach growled loudly and she was brought back to reality. She realized how hungry she was, though she wasn't sure if hungry could even describe half of what she was feeling due to the lack of food.
Aeejah just looked at her with a sneer.
"Hungry? Good, because I hope that soon you will be willing to persuade Numair for both of you to come to Tusaine and help overcome Tortall by letting me use your powers," said Aeejah cruelly.
"So that's it, hm? That's why you want us? So you can claim Tortall by using us? And that's your plan for revenge on Numair also. Well I assure you, you will fail Aeejah!" Daine angrily replied.
"I like your attitude. I enjoy watching people with a feisty spirit go down so low that they beg at my feet later," he jeered as he started to retreat back up the stairs into the world of light and laughter.
Daine shook the bars roughly and screamed at the top of her lungs, "YOU WILL PAY, AEEJAH!!!"
I know, I know. I left Numair and Lasku out. Don't kill me! Hopefully they will be in the next chapter.
Oh, note to Fantasizing-Lady-Knight, can I have your email? Alex and I have a question for you.
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