AN: I am really sorry about the delay. I've had computer problems, and then I wrote this in parts on three different computers and I had to go retrieve all of that and compile it. Just when I got it ready fanfiction shut down. Anyway, Its up now and it's a long one. I hope it makes up for the short and bad chapters that I have been putting out lately. –sighs- next chapter is the last. Btw I'm editing this at midnight and I'm really tired so don't hound me on typos : )
Disclaimer: I don't own it. I don't even have my own characters. How sad…
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Chapter 8-Fighting
Its getting dark, we need to make camp soon. Numair Salmalin ran his fingers through his black hair. It had fallen loose from its tie some ten miles ago. He had been riding hard all day, his least favorite activity. He could feel Spot's labored breathing beneath him. They had another hard day tomorrow, the horse's needed rest. He turned around to the brown haired woman behind him. Cloud too looked tired though she was doing her best to hide it. "Daine, we need to find a camp site." Daine nodded to him.
They fell into the pattern of setting up camp that they always followed. Its funny how familiar this has become. He thought. Numair laid out their beds, prepared a space for fire, unpacked cooking utensils and food. Daine untacked the horses and gathered fire wood. On some nights Daine's tasks would include hunting, but tonight she was much too weary for that. They would use some of the food that George had sent with them.
A little while later, Numair handed her a bowl of soup. She nodded thanks at him. The soup was good, warm and spicy with bits of sausage in it. Along with a piece of bread from the loaves George's cook had baked. Daine had a feeling that in her tired state anything would taste good. They had been riding non-stop for Corus. Their attempt was to make the normally three days ride into two. So far they were following that goal. They had left the Swoop before the sun rose. Cloud had scolded something awful about being awoken when she was just getting to sleep.
Daine was still uncertain about what the situation at Corus was. Numair had rambled something involving an immortal and lots of big words that she could not begin to comprehend. Glancing at Numair she saw him remove a very large volume from his packs.
"Horse Lords, Numair! You brought that thing with you?" Why am I surprised?
"Yes, well just because I am traveling does not mean that I cannot keep up with my reading." She noticed he was looking slightly embarrassed by her taunt. That elicited more teasing from her.
"Poor Spots!" She glanced at the tired gelding. "He has to carry all of you, and that thing! It's a wonder he didn't lay down and quit on you." She grinned at him. In her mind she heard Spot's shyly agreed with her.
"Well I can not simply leave this behind for the woods now can I?" he looked scandalized by the idea that she would want him to disregard a book. "There are only a few copies of this in the world, and it is essential that I have one."
"What is that anyway?" She inquired.
"It is a thorough study of all the currently existing immortals and their behavioral and social patterns." He explained.
Daine understood why that was so important to him. Sounds like a real page turner. She thought mockingly. "What do you need it for now? Does it have something to do with what's going on it Corus?"
"Yes, Magelet have I ever told you about Wyverns?"
"No" she replied meekly. I certainly hope this explanation will be under ten hours, I'm in dire need of some sleep. "What are they?"
"They are a Reptilian type of Immortal. Their fiercest weapon is an optically incommodious gas which allows them dominance over an opponent. According to this they are relatives of dragons!"
Daine's head was spinning. "What is inco- imcon-"
"Incommodious means irritating, Magelet. In the Wyverns case it harms your eyes."
"Oh, so they disturb people's vision and then attack. How many of these things did Jon say are at Corus?"
"He didn't. That's what concerns me. There is a chance-" He broke off, looking so lost in thought that he had forgotten he was speaking.
"There is a chance of what?" She broke him out of his trance.
"-A chance that they could be controlled by Kitten."
"Kit? Control these creatures? But she is only a few years old."
"I said nothing was definite Magelet. We need to get to Corus and find out what the exact situation is. Wyverns are relatives of dragons and my information tells me that dragons are capable of controlling them. There is no use fretting on it right now. Get some sleep, Magelet."
Daine crawled into her bed roll, wondering about the information that Numair had just presented. From behind thick lashes she watched him continue to read with light from his Gift. I hope he doesn't stay up too late. We have another long day ahead of us. As she drifted off to sleep, part of her wondered why she was so worried about him.
She awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. A fox that was curled up with her cried his protests at having his warm bed removed. Sorry hunter brother she told him. He licked her hand before heading into the forest for breakfast.
Daine spotted Numair lying exactly where she had seen him as she fell asleep. He was collapsed on the ground with the large book beside him. With a sigh she nudged him awake. Shaking her head at his tired expression, she began to put away camp.
At midnight riders rode to Corus Palace. They wore light traveling cloaks in the hot summer's air. A dark haired woman met them in front of the stables and took their horses.
"I really hate this war." Numair sighed behind Daine as they trudged up to the palace doors. "I'll be happy when I can go back to my Tower and live the relaxing life of showing up for ceremonies and such so Jon can prove that we do indeed have a black robe."
"Oh, you would get terribly bored with that." Daine quipped back at him.
He laughed. "You are right I would, Magelet." He grinned at her. "Though, I do fancy a bath and a warm bed."
"You and I both do." She agreed. Numair looked up to see his king standing a few feet away. They had reached the palace doors, where an anxious looking Jon was standing.
"I trust you had a good journey." He smiled weakly at the pair.
"How are things here Jon? Onua did not know much." Numair asked.
"Honestly, things are not well. Though, your arrival should change that. Numair," The kings blue eyes were stern. "I need you to help without using yourself up. I've got other mages to help."
Numair nodded, though Daine knew that he would disobey that if it was necessary. Or even if its not necessary. She thought wryly. Numair was eyes her. His eyes questioned her smile. She shook her head slightly at him.
"Get some rest." The King told them. "You are not use to me half alive."
The man and girl headed to their rooms, both looking forward to what was left of their night's sleep.
Loud chirping met Daine as she opened her door. A very excited Kitten rushed over to her and latched onto her leg. "Kit!" Daine grinned at the young dragonet. Bending down she hugged her. "I missed you too." Daine did not attempt the stifle the large yawn that overcame her. "Come on Kit, we need sleep. You can I might have an – interesting – day tomorrow." Kit whistled a question at her as Daine collapsed into bed. She snuggled among Kit, Zek, and a few other furry companions who had sensed her return. A wave of soporous darkness swept her away.
Dawn rose all too soon. Numair wanted to stay in bed a few hours longer, but he knew that his sleep deprivation would not prevent the Wyverns from moving. Reluctantly he climbed out of bed, he wondered if Daine was resenting this as much as he was. Daine, his thoughts turned to often to her for his comfort.
Daine and Numair met the King in front of the palace, where they would stage their attack. Daine sat abroad Cloud with Numair up on Spots. Jonathan's eyes were stern as he regarded his black robe and wild mage.
"I don't want either of you to over do this, especially you, Numair, I say again, do not exhaust yourself. These days I never know when I might need you, and I will need you at your full strength."
Numair nodded to the monarch, though Daine knew perfectly well that his instructions fell on deaf ears.
With the King gone they turned to face the upcoming cloud of attacking Wyverns. Kit peeped a question at Daine. "Numair, do you think there is a chance that we could use her."
"I'd rather not, Magelet." His eyes looked very worn, "Not unless we have to." Daine would rather give Kit a try than have Numair exhaust himself further. A few lower palace mages stood awaiting Numair's instructions. As the cloud approached Numair dismounted and began walking towards it. His black and white magic grew around him with every step. Daine could feel the magical tension crackle through the air.
Numair raised his hands, shouting something in a language she did not know, a wall of magic burst around him. The force blocked the Wyvern's fog, and one Wyvern who tried to penetrate the shield shriveled up to a pile of ashes.
Daine changed her eyes to those of a hawk. She could see that the Wyverns were attempting to break through the shield. Numair was having to maintain its power and fight the Wyvern's immortal magic. She turned her sharpened vision to Numair. His face was tight with concentration and beads of perspiration were growing on his brow. Daine could hear some of the other mages murmuring about the power needed to support that shield. Others of the mages looked anxious as though wondering if they should help.
Daine was just beginning to wonder when the spell would wear Numair out when he collapsed, the shield dissolved into the air. Cloud was galloping towards the fallen man before his shoulders hit the ground. She jerked to a stop beside Numair and Daine jumped off. Go back Cloud. Get help! Daine knelt beside her fallen teacher, he was pale but his pulse was steady.
"Numair…Numair get up." Daine nudged him with growing urgency. The Wyverns were coming towards them, Daine was beginning to feel their affect. Her eyes itched and watered. Numair blinked at her.
"Magelet?" He sat up. Quickly he realized the severity of their situation. Daine looked around, regretting her decision to send Cloud back. She groped for weapons that she didn't have. Panic built in her chest. She didn't dare call the people into what would be a certain death. She looked at Numair's grey face and tired eyes; she knew that he had nothing left to help them with. Neither did she want him to try.
In a moment the Immortals would be on them. From watery eyes she could see sharp teeth and deadly silver claws. Like their dragon cousins, they had thick scaled skin that appeared to be nearly impenetrable.
Daine closed her eyes, the pain in them was too intense. She leaned over Numair, her back to the approaching predators. A piercing whistle split her ears. She covered them, but that did nothing to muffle the sound. In the back of her mind she wondered how the Wyverns would attack, and if this whistling was a part of that. Instantly she noticed that something was different. She reached up to rub her now not irritated eyes.
Looking up for the first time she saw, to her amazement, the Wyverns were retreating. A wave of glittering pale blue fire flowed behind them. Daine had never seen magic that looked like that. She wondered if its source was even human. She noticed that her hands were still over her ears. As she glanced up she spotted Cloud a few feet away. On her back was Kitten. Daine had never seen the dragonet the color that she was. It was somewhere between royal blue and steel grey. More shocking was that the glittering magic was coming from the small dragon.
Numair sat up, he rubbed his eyes before he too noticed Kitten. "Goddess bless!" Daine giggled at his shocked expression and she realized that Kit had accomplished something that Numair had been unable to.
"I told you that she could handle it." Daine told him smugly. He continued shaking his head at the dragon.
"I only wonder how long she can keep it up." Daine nodded in concurrence.
Suddenly Kit stopped. She chirped scoldingly at Daine for getting herself into trouble. Daine laughed at her exasperation. "I know, Kit. I'll be sure to bring you along next time I battle Wyverns."
A soft nose pushed against her arm. Daine turned to see Spots standing beside Cloud. You need to get back. He advised. Daine agreed, though she was certain that Jon would have something other than blessings in store for Numair.
The girl and mage climbed aboard their mounts and rode back to the palace. Daine cast a concerned eye at Numair, who looked beyond exhausted. He wavered a bit on Spots but managed to stay atop. He nodded at Daine before they set back. Kit rode in front of Daine's saddle. She too looked very tired.
As expected, Jonathan came marching up to Spots. He looked absolutely livid. "Numair, did I not clearly say that you were not to expend your power!"
"Jon-" Numair held up his hand to try to defend himself.
"Silence, Numair! What if something comes up tomorrow and Corus needs its black robe mage? You need your power! The realm could need your power! By the way," the question seemed directed at Daine, "how did you get those Wyverns away?"
"It was Kit, Majesty." Daine replied. She drove them off.
"Goddess" He stared at Kitten, who basked proudly in the royals attention. "You are certainly worth your weight in gold." Kit sounded something of a "thank you" at Jonathan.
Jon regarded both Daine and Numair. "Well, you two had best get some rest. Numair-" Jon looked just short of exasperated. "-next time try to not use your gift up completely."
Numair laughed softly and nodded at Jon. "I'll keep that in mind."
"See that you do."
A couple of hours later, Daine entered Numair's room after knocking quietly.
"Daine," Numair tried to sit up from the couch he was lying on. He was under strict orders to stay in bed for a few days, until his strength recovered. Personally Numair thought it was nonsense.
"Don't." she told him. She came and sat beside him. She carried a tray of food in her hands. "The healer said you need to eat something."
Numair couldn't help but notice that she had only selected foods that his stomach could handle. He took the tray from her. He didn't feel like eating, but he knew that she would not allow him to disobey the healer's orders. Next time I will be sure to listen to Jonathan. Being drained is far too maddening.
As he thought this he felt Daine's eyes on him. Quietly she reached out her hand and touched his cheek. It was such a simple gesture, but it burst a casing of contained emotions in his mind. He fought hard to keep those emotions under control. She knew him well enough to make that a difficult task. She withdrew the hand, stroking a stray hair back into place as she did. "The Wyverns seem to have moved off for now. Hopefully they will stay that way until you are doing better." Numair nodded. "Eat. Daine ordered.
An hour later he lay sleepily on the couch with the tray of half eaten food discarded. Daine sat with her back against the couch reading. Numair was simply lost in thought. "It's late, Magelet." He touched her hair gently. "We should both get some sleep."
She nodded at him. "Good night, Numair."
Late in the night he tossed uneasily in his bed. A vision was playing in his dreams. Something about it felt real, like a waking dream. He could see the world and the invisible barrier that kept it separate from the realm of the gods.
Numair felt the magical tension radiating from that barrier. The intensisty grew to where Numair felt like his already tired head would burst. Suddenly it stopped. Numair knew that the barrier had vanished. He didn't know how he knew that, he just did and for once he did not question.
He sat up suddenly, and somewhere from amongst her nest of animal friends, so did Daine.
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A/N: Wow that was a long one. Ok, so again I am very sorry about the wait. I will try to get the next one out faster, though finals are coming soon. Thanks to all who reviewed and special thanks to those who reviewed my one shot Surrender. Some of you asked for a sequel to that, if I do write one it will not be for a little while, because I have a lot of other fic stuff going on. If you haven't read Surrender then you should and you can give me your sequel opinions.
Skyoelf: thanks for the review. I hope you keep reading and reviewing it! : )
Erlina Silverstra: yep, I just left it there again. Oh, it isn't like you don't know what happens! : ) this was not exactly "asap," but I did continue. You have to give me that credit.
DATWM, Alex: lol, Numair kissing you must be a vision, cuz he is so kissing me :D and I'm not seeing things…-nods- nope, I'm not seeing things. Lol
Kit49: yeah, there are too few DN fics. I think I'm going to single handedly attempt to end that.
Padfootz: thanks for the compliments. Sorry about keeping you waiting
Tortalls Resident Wildchild: wow, glad to know that this is something "good to read." Yes, you don't have to cry because the fluffy sequel is already planned out…I think…
Fyliwion: another person who told me that this was "something nice to read." I'm feeling quite proud.