Chapter 10
A/N: I finished my exams and now it's the painful wait to the results mid December that tell us whether we will or won't get into the courses in uni we want… I know we shouldn't make our results like an ultimate deciding factor in our lives but I can't help it! It's really weird coz I have no homework, nothing to do at all! After this whole year of working practically non-stop it's so unusual to not have anything on my mind saying 'you should go do some homework or study'. In about five days I finished the first three books for the SOTHL quartet and it's such a relief to be able to read and not worry about anything! I actually finished my exams about 2 weeks ago from this coming Monday but I needed to recuperate from the stresses of exams and I'm back. I kept my promise to an extent… I know I did promise to be back on the 22nd but I did say around then. *sticks out her tongue* hehehe… anyway I wanted to thank Coley again for helping me out with this fic otherwise I would've never added anymore chapters coz I was soooooo stuck! I predict maybe a further three or four chapters to this fic before it comes to an end. BTW, even though I said I wouldn't start on any other 'big' fics I have a new fic up called Outside Appearances so go have a lookie. It's about Alanna and may turn into A/J or A/G depending on what reviewers want and what I want. Okay I should probably stop blabbing huh? Otherwise this author's note is going to turn into the actual chapter! But first some big THANK YOU'S:
Keita: Thank you for reviewing!! Yeah I live in Australia and it's finally all over!!! Here is the next chapter – thank you for waiting so faithfully! :)
queen of chickens: I am a diehard Daine and Numair fan… so do you think I'd want to break them up? One of the reasons for why I wrote this fic is to get them closer and… who knows? *wink* Thanks!!
PhoenixWings: I read both your fics and they are not "super-crappie"! I liked them a lot! Thank you for reviewing.
Nicole: you have the same name as my beta… just thought I'd say that. Thanks for the luck for my exams. They're finally done and I'm so happy!!! I really hope that I did ok!! Have you had yours yet? Thank you for reviewing.
Lady Jilly Bean: Hi! Thanks for reviewing!!
alisa: no it's not Numair… it was Varice – read the 9th chapter and you'll see.
Rachyda: sorry about the whole mystery thing… but at least this keeps people reading right? Eventually, slowly I'll reveal the answers to the questions you ask :) Thank you for reviewing!!
Everyone else: thank so much! I love you all!!!
And a special thank you to Merry even though she didn't review for telling me how to work these italics finally!!!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters 'cept for the plot and the poem (it's called 'Poison' and I have it up go review it please!!!) – you steal it and I'll sue… lol
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~Poison~
Why is that some people feel the need to lie?
To deceive? What reason is there?
I do not understand the manipulative games people play
To gain favour or attention
To poison your mind and think ill of others
Spread that doubt within your heart
Coerce you to grow a feeling of unreasonable mistrust towards others
Why?
"So Daine," Varice said the next day finding Daine alone in the stables with Cloud, "I haven't seen Numair around." She stopped and gave a small giggle. "Did you two have a lover's tiff?"
Daine remained silent as though she had not even heard what the older woman had said. She continued to brush down her mare, her face downcast. Anyone could see she had been crying; she was one who whenever crying turned red and blotchy. She could not get the image of Deiniol and Varice stuck fast to one another lips locked in a passionate embrace out of her mind. She had awoken late and had scrubbed her face hard in an attempt to wash her tears but also at trying to get the image out her mind but to no avail. Worse she had begun to think other things when the two had arrived in the dining room together – she could not help but believe they had spent the night together.
Varice, however, refused to be stopped by the girl's quietness. She knew that Daine would listen if it had anything to do with Numair. "Actually, if you'd like to know, I received many letters from Numair recently." That got Daine's attention when her brunette head shot up to look in urgency at Varice. The older woman grinned almost evilly. "Yes, but that was a while back saying he just had to leave Tortall. I have no idea why though. I was hoping you'd know why?"
The WildMage's brows were drawn together and for a second it looked like she would burst into tears again. To think that Numair had contacted his former lover saying that he had wanted to leave Tortall was like being trampled over and over again by a huge stallion. But she refused to played with and smiled awkwardly back at Varice. "I have no idea whatsoever, Varice. I mean, why would I? I am only his student, am I not?"
"Is that so? Oh yes, I guess so. You know, he came to me as soon as he left Tortall. He utterly refused to leave me alone but," she smiled sweetly, "I must admit I sure enjoyed his company."
"Then why not go back to Carthak, Varice?" Daine replied. She was shocked at how calm she sounded. It certainly was not how she felt inside – actually she felt as though there was a hurricane whirling in her very body. It was a strange feeling that made her want to reach over and slap Varice's cocky smile. She had had enough of the games the manipulative witch played. If Numair had indeed gone to Varice, so be it. At the moment her anger was creating a barrier against the tears and anguish that threatened to overtake her.
"Hm, maybe not just yet because I find I am quite enjoying my stay here." The implication of that was overwhelming for Daine but before she recover and say anything Varice had left the stables.
.:Ignore the white one. You'll only end up giving yourself a headache if you listen to the lies she spreads within your heart:. Cloud told her butting her mistress affectionately.
.:I can't help it, Cloud. She's got it into my head and from what's happened with Numair – no contact with us, not nothing… I can't help but believe that he is with her, that he's in Carthak. You wouldn't understand, Cloud. Goddess, I don't understand myself!:.
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"You can't tell me that you believe her, Daine!" Alanna cut in. Varice was being a downright bitch. She knew that Numair had gone and the fact that he had gone to her was bad enough but she had to rub it into Daine's face. The Lioness knew what Daine was thinking: that Numair had really believed that she was not woman enough for him – that she was just a child, just as she had feared. And so he had left in such a hurry into Varice's arms.
"Alanna, I've told Cloud this and I'll you this now: from the way Numair acted before he left and how he had no contact with us since, what else is there to think?" Daine replied, shaking her head.
"Daine, Numair was so young when he was with Varice. He's a different person to who he was. It's just one of Varice's little games to get you jealous and react. And you're now complying with her because you don't want to set yourself out for more hurt. He would never do this to you."
"What else is there for me to think, Alanna," Daine threw back. "I can't do this anymore. My head is constantly spinning. Numair has acted this way because he doesn't want a wild child. Why can't you just let things be?!"
"Because I know Numair and I know he would never intentionally hurt you that way. He would talk it out with you. He loves you, Daine, I know it. And even if he doesn't – not that I am saying that – he would tell you so. You are his student, his friend. He would want to keep that."
"Well, if you know Numair so well why don't you go marry him!" At that she left Alanna's study.
The redhead sat down heavily at her desk, hand at her forehead. Daine was running around the place on emotions solely – at the moment it seemed anger and lashing out anything and anybody.
It's worse this way, she thought. She's going to believe what Varice says so that she won't be rejected or put through more pain if it's true. She's dumping Numair before he is able to clear things out. She isn't giving him the benefit of a doubt.
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When Daine reached her loft, she found Deiniol standing at the ladder.
What does he want now? she thought viciously. I cannot deal with this at the moment.
"What do you want?"
If he was hurt of shocked at her harsh greeting he didn't show it. "We need to talk."
"Frankly I don't think there is anything we need to talk about. I got you here. Now it's up to you to go request an audience with the Queen."
"I wasn't talking about that."
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A/N: this might be another abrupt ending. But I'm renowned for abrupt things and jumping from one thing to another… anyway please press that lovely button just below and review. And please have you name this time! I just want to know who's reviewing and when I thank people again I won't have to put you into the 'everyone else' group ~Jossie~
