A/N: Hello everybody! I am so sorry about the long wait. I am completely swamped with homework again (you people must think I'm just lazy). I'll try to get the next chapter out faster, but I won't make promises I don't know I can keep. By the way, the next chapter will be the second to last chapter. But before you throw rotten veggies at me, there will indeed be a sequel, so don't fret. And now...on with the show!
Disclaimer: this belongs to the almighty authoress Tamora Pierce!
Chapter 7- Message
A ball of copper fire burned in Daine's vision. She wasn't looking with her eyes, just like she didn't hear animals with her ears. She summoned a thread of that fire and cast it into the ocean in front of her. The sound of her slow methodical breathing was drowned out by her magic.
Numair stood in the watchtower of Pirate's Swoop. He watched his student below. She had been mediating for some time, but now she was playing with a sea lion pup as its ma observed from the tide. Numair had tried to meditate himself, but restless thoughts kept him from concentrating. It was a month since Daine had recovered from her bout of unicorn fever. Neither of them had spoken of what passed between them whilst Daine was delirious. Numair knew that she didn't remember what he said. Part of him was relieved, but another part, perhaps a stronger part, wished that she did.
After returning to Corus briefly they had been sent to Pirate's Swoop for Daine to mediate between the fief's people and the flock of griffins. The griffins had a fletching, and their over protective nature was startling some of the people. Behind Numair a couple of squire's were lounging in the courtyard. The squires were spending the summer in Pirate's Swoop to observe how the border fief was managed. Numair made up his mind to go down to Daine. Watching her made him want to be closer to her.
The female sea lion gave Daine a hurried goodbye, before she and her pup disappeared into the sea. Daine turned to see her tall teacher approach.
"I'm sorry." Numair said, looking a bit self conscience.
"It's alright." She replied, taking the hand he offered to help her stand.
"You might want to get cleaned up, George requested our company at supper and then he wanted you to speak with the Griffins."
Daine nodded to this plan and then followed Numair towards the castle. As they walked through the courtyard Daine noticed the two squires eyeing her with interest. Apparently, so did Numair because he shot them a look that would make strike fear in even the bravest man. Both boys suddenly appeared very fascinated by the stones under their feet. Daine shot Numair a reproachful look. She didn't want their attention, but she didn't think they deserved Numair's wrath.
My height has some benefits. Numair thought with satisfaction. Then again... He ducked to enter the informal dining hall.
George and dinner already awaited them. The conversation went through the griffins, problems in the realm, and news of Alanna. Daine told Alan and Alianne, Alanna and George's youngests, a story from Corus. Afterwards Daine and Numair began the trek up to the Griffins.
Daine felt the Griffins presence edging into her mind. She hesitated; remembering the pain conversing with griffins had caused her.
"It hurts when you talk to them doesn't it?" Numair asked with concern.
"Yes," she replied, amazed at how in tune he was to her feelings. "But I have to do this." She said with resolution in her voice.
Numair nodded and let her lead on.
Soon the shrieking became nearly unbearable. Daine covered her ears, wincing in pain. Numair watched, wanting desperately to help her.
"They know we're coming." She told Numair "And they aren't happy."
In pain she walked the last steps up the mountain. There the Griffin family stood. Surveying Daine and Numair, a large golden male griffin stood before a lovely Bronze Female, both were hovering around their eyrie.
"Um" Daine began, "hello." she said awkwardly. Numair watched her cringe with pain at the Griffin's reply. Numair supposed those screeches the griffins were issuing meant something to Daine. He watched patiently while Daine and the griffins "talked."
It seemed at least an hour before the conversation ended. All the while Daine spoke to the male with covered ears, and the female griffin eyed Numair reproachfully. Daine stumbled wearily over to Numair. He put his hand along her back to help her sit against a rock.
"They want the people to stop coming onto their mountain for a time." She told Numair. "The are terribly fearful that something will happen to their nest."
"I hope the George will be able to sway his people to consent with that." Numair remarked. His eyes watching the setting sun, he sat beside her.
Daine rested her head against his shoulder. Numair began to tip his head to her hair when one of the griffins squawked. The pair sprang apart in surprise. Daine hit her head on Numair's jaw.
"Oh, Numair, I'm so sorry." Daine said, half giggling.
"It's alright magelet." Numair said. He smiled at her as he rubbed his jawbone. "Perhaps they wish us to camp somewhere else?"
Daine laughed, "Yes, they do."
Numair led the way further down the mountain.
The next morning Daine's eyes fluttered open. For a moment she thought she saw Numair kneeling beside her, his hand awfully close to her cheek. She blinked again and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. When she opened them she Saw Numair sitting beside their things, bringing out the dried fruit they had packed for breakfast.
It Must have been a dream. Daine thought, still sleepily. She watched one of the griffins fly over them in search of food. Wordlessly Daine took the fruit that Numair offered, and then they began the tasks of putting down camp.
Hours later they emerged from the bottom of the mountain into George's study. Daine explained the Griffin's wish to George. The former rouge nodded. His hazel eyes were thoughtful.
"I'll see what I can do for them." George decided.
"Thank you, and George, Griffins are proud creatures. This was the only agreement I could make. They did make it clear that if someone were to come close to their nest, they wouldn't be friendly."
George nodded. "Understandable. Numair, a messenger came with a letter to you from his Majesty." George held out a white envelope with the royal seal on it.
Numair tore open the letter; scanning its contents quickly he looked up at Daine, his eyes slightly wide. "Daine, Jon needs us at the castle right now. Corus is under attack."
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A/N: So there you have it. I know it was short, but that's all I had time for. Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers! You are all so special to me. I hope I still have a few fans after the long update wait. Thanks goes out to...
Dragon and the Wild Mage: No! Don't die on me! I need your review. Lol. Sorry about that wait. Thanks for reviewing.
Alannawanabe: thanks so much for your review! Yes, the best thing about DN at this time is that they can flirt with each other without realizing it! Glad you like my stuff. Lately I haven't felt too good about it. Yes, Daine does know, but not in that kind of way. In more of a "I love you like a friend" kind of thing. I already read and reviewed your story. It made me cry. I want you to do more AJ.
MistyFox14: yep, "sweet" really summed up last chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Rachel: thanks! I'll keep writing, so you keep reviewing!
Alex: allow me to join you in your "can't live w/o Numair" hysterics!
Tortalls resident Wildchild: well, you beet me in fending off the homework and getting a chapter up. Thanks for reviewing.
LJ4Neal: thanks! I will keep it up
Kit49: thanks for what you said. Writing Numair in character is very important to me, as he is my fav TP character. Glad to know that you think I'm doing it well.
Narm's Briton 44: yeah, I'm a junior too, at an evil college prep school. I'm trying to take some college classes this year and it's getting out of control! Well, I can say that I did update as soon as I could. I just wish that could have been faster.
Fyliwion: lol, more "winks" will be in the sequel for sure. Glad you like my fic. I was hoping that someone would be able to picture what I'm writing as they read. Thanks for your review!
Ok all you people who read this, but don't review. You know who you are! So click the button or else I will make you see things that aren't really there.
Coram, Dudley, and Liam: Ah!!! Do as the authoress says!