Hello people!! This is Eunae reporting, live from Phoenix, Arizona. LOL. Anyways, I'm very sorry that I left you at a cliffie last chapter. It was all my fault, I'm sorry for leaving you for two weeks! ((GASP)) the most terrible thing! I know…SORRY! But I was hectic..i had NO time to do this chapter. And even now, I have stayed up til midnight the past three days, well, now it's one in the morning.
So if it's terrible, please, don't be mad. I tried my best. Honestly.
Okaydokay..so thanksies to:
Roherwen – thanks for the replacement review. Lol. That was nice of you…and yes. We killed Numair. But for good? Well, you'll just have to see!!!
Lady Knight 1512 – Thank you, thank you very much. And I have NO clue who's hoo. We decided not to do that. Cuz then we might get into an eternal fight! And Yes, we killed Numair. Kind of stating the obvious, doncha think? and um, live happily ever after? AS IF!! Just kidding…you'll just have to wait it out and see if it happens!
Jennyvre Moss – yes..twas evil. That's what I like 'bout it!
Narm's Briton – hey u changed your name!! koolio! Woah woah woah! Glad you liked our, um, interesting/weird idea!!! And also, did we kill him off forever? I DUNNO!!
Megster – yah..but wouldn't it be boring with Tristan just saying, "I'm not a tree anymore!" ? I think so..dudet. we gotta have some fun here, freaking you guys all out!
Heather-marie – yes…we killed him. Bring him back? Be prepared to beg!!
fell4adeadguy - so…seen any monsters lately? ;)
Amurak Wolfheart of the Wraith – ah yes, the wedding..but are you sure we're gonna have one? I mean, seeing Numair dead and all……
EquestrianBabe – oh man..i did leave you there. SORRY!
LexiLoLo200 – do I look like a person that would keep Numair dead forever? I mean…well. Maybe.
Protectress of the Small – thanksies for like, um, 4 reviews!! Lol. BEAUTIFUL! And don't you just love me, after murdering Numair?
AnnaWeb – oh yes I CAN kill Numair, didn't you notice I just did? D
Sesshomaruhasafluffytail – oh, I'm sorry that you think it's confusing. Did you read the one that goes before this one? It might help!! Just a suggestion…
red-rose-with-a-touch-of-dew – omgomgomg! You have so many hyphens in there. Sheesh!! Lol. And …hhmmm.. Numair seems to be a favorite topic in ALL of the reviews. I wonder why…. ;)
NICE PAYCHECK! 20 reviewssssssssssssssssss….love it. THANKS A BUNCH! R/R!
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Tristan Staghorn began feeling faint and nauseous after he knew that the assassination had been successful.
Finally, my revenge is complete. Hah, black robed mage indeed, he thought scornfully. And my plan bested him and the result is the death of Numair Salmalin, once known as Arram Draper.
Now the mage sat in his tent, his eyes tired after staring into the yellow light of the candle for what had seemed like hours. He yawned widely and rubbed his eyes to see clearer.
Deciding that now was the time for sleep and rest, seeing that his mission was complete, Tristan fell to a deep sleep to rejuvenate himself from the strength he had lost.
But he did not receive his full sleep that he had intended for he was rudely awakened when the sun had just started to peep from behind the horizon by two soldiers. Tristan growled grumpily but did as he was commanded for King Damien had sent them.
I wonder what that oaf wants now.
"Mage, the king requires you to pack and be ready to return to Tusaine with His Majesty as soon as you break your fast," announced one of the soldiers.
In reply, Tristan just yanked the flap of his tent closed to change into more comfortable clothing.
Now I can escape from the dirtiness of camp and finally be where I belong, in canopied beds with servants at my beck and call, he daydreamed. And I'm positive that king does not want to stay here any longer than I do, especially seeing how much of a spoiled person he is.
When I arrive at the palace in Tusaine, I can also gather information on current and recent events to catch up, for these plebeian troops know nothing of the sort of things I require. And then, I can return here to Tortall, accompanied by the military of this foreign country, of which Damien is king, and conquer this land.
But then, of course, the whole of this military here at Barad cannot evacuate with the king and I; they will have to stay of course, with me returning shortly to plunder this rich area.
And, most definitely, I will have to promise that fool empty promises. Oh, and I must not forget that I must look through the library in Tusaine for any books on the magic I have acquired.
Yes, 'tis something that cost me dearly, yet, it is worth all that I have endured. For my reward was sweeter than honey, death and revenge.
By then, Tristan had gotten ready to go and he was just about to step outside when the flaps of the tent were swept aside by an unseen person, more like the wind, and he found himself gaping at a demon.
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King Damien wandered in paces up and down in his majestic and grand apartment in the deserted town.
"Did you not report to me that you told the mage to pack up and get ready to depart from this town?" he asked to the pair of soldiers who had returned some time ago.
"Yes, Your Highness. We did just as you had told us to do, he must simply be delayed, being a mage and all," one man replied.
"I do not think you understand. I desire to leave this city at once, for it stirs an ominous feeling in my soul. Also, I yearn for the comforts of my home that I am familiar with, not this rustic kind of living."
And then, Damien turned to his commander, who had been watching him this entire time.
"This is all fine with me that we return to my kingdom, but why does Staghorn desire to do so suddenly?" said the king.
"Your Majesty, from what I know, although of course I am not positive that I am cor-"
"Just tell me!" roared King Damien.
"Of course, sir. He says that he wants to return to become more knowledgeable in current and past events. The man also says that if we return, we would buy more time in doing so, although it may sound like a retreat. But then, it will not be so because the majority of the troops are staying behind."
"Is that all?" asked Damien shortly.
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, you are dismissed."
The two men, who were slightly frightened but boasted of their successful visit with the king bowed deeply and went as far away from the room as possible.
Damien sighed as if he had a great burden on his shoulders, which he didn't, and sat more comfortably on his lounging chair as his servants packed his numerous belongings.
He knew that he had everything under control, and that everything was going as planned.
Yes, he did think that something was quite odd with Tristan since he would often be seen muttering or half fainting.
But the king of Tusaine also knew that the new mage he had acquired was crucial to the plan of destroying Tortall and gaining it for his own.
He got up out of his seat, leaving the packing to more qualified hands, and stepped outside for some air.
From his second story balcony, Damien surveyed the site his eyes beheld.
He saw many troops lingering around after the breakfast and several of his commanders under a tent most likely preparing a plan for an attack, or something of that sort.
Since his mind was not designed for that sort of work, Damien hastily brushed away those confusing thoughts of militarism away like as he would to an annoying fly.
The king was just about to return inside when the gentle breeze that had been whispering through the area turned into a rough wind. A faint but reeking smell was delicately able to be smelled.
And then, suddenly, Damien saw a black shape, yet it seemed more like a black blur, zip past the militia and pass into the mage's tent.
"That settles it," he muttered under his breath and swiftly turned around to return to his quarters as everything became normal again.
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The demonic face that Tristan was staring at was familiar to him, yet he recalled nothing that stated that this creature would return.
He started shaking in fright.
The dog-like creature, as if it fed on his fear, suddenly grew bigger until he occupied the entire opening of the tent.
Its maniacal eyes the color of staining blood fixed upon his and Tristan began gasping, trying to calm himself down so as to control this evil spirit with his powers.
Yet, it was not quite working well for him because his fear was finally taking control over him. Just when he thought he was going to cry out for help, the thing grinned in a malicious way and vanished, leaving behind a shuddering mage.
Some time later, a wide beam of light fell across Tristan's eyes and he saw the king.
But it was not the king that Tristan was used to seeing, if that person could be called a king even.
This was a person who had just witnessed a horrifying sight.
"Tristan, I demand to talk to you."
"You already are," he answered suavely, but condescendingly.
"Mind your manners before a king!" cried Damien.
"As you wish it, sire," mocked Tristan.
Damien gave a squeal of distraught and aggravation before pouncing on the mage again.
"You!" he pointed. "You shall not stay within my presence no more. I shall return to Tusaine and you shall remain here."
"What? I think I misunderstood you, sire," replied the mage in a shocked voice.
"No, I don't think so. You heard me, but if you want, I will repeat it for you."
Tristan just stared dumbly at him with big cow eyes.
"Aherm, you are going to remain here, in Barad, while I return to Tusaine. With every intention of coming back. I'm just going to wait the planning stage of this in my own palace and then, for the defeat of Tortall!" King Damien exclaimed.
"Your majesty," said Tristan after the initial shock, "why, may I ask?"
No, this can't be happening! This will ruin all my plans! Now there is no possible way that I can contact any other neighboring country, without the Tortallian people or Damien knowing. Gods curse it all!
"The reason is quite simple, mage. Your being here has caused much disruption, for just minutes ago, with mine own eyes, I saw a figure. Yet, it had no shape for it is a cursed thing from the gods, it had no shape for it is a cursed thing from the gods, and it entered your tent. Now understand, I cannot have such fiends running around in front of my sight nor in my palace, so therefore I shall go to Tusaine and leave you to your tampering with spirits," said Damien decisively and swept away back into his own rooms, leaving a desolate Tristan behind.
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Daine stared through her veil of tears as her eyes, now brimming with tears trying to be held back, looked around at the amount of people that had come to pay their respects to the black robed mage of Tortall, Master Numair Salmalin.
She tried to look back in her memory and recall what had just happened yesterday.
But it was too hazy for her.
All she remembered was Numair falling and then her catching his body and begging for him to hold on.
FLASHBACK!!!
Daine held onto Numair's clothes, tugging as if it would bring him back to life.
It couldn't be, it was too soon. It wasn't his time, oh why did the gods have to curse her like this?
The wild mage's hands wandered over Numair's chest, trying to find the place where the monster had penetrated him. Yet nothing could be found, it was as if he died from an invisible foe, she especially thought this because she could not remember anything before the fainting of her lover.
Daine wiped away her tears hastily and smoothed out the stray hairs. She knew that shortly somebody would com, surely hearing her weep and wail, and she wanted to take advantage of the time she had left with Numair alone
Her grief was too great and she sat next to his body, tracing his strong and defined features of his face, and reminiscing all the memories they had shared together.
However, all this time, her thoughts returned to this one main thought, the question of why he had died and why the gods would make her so unhappy.
It was not any person that they had taken from her, no; it was her lover, Numair. The person that had made her happy when she was sad, who had shown her a new side of human beings, the intimate side that lovers share.
The tears streamed steadily down her face, no matter how much effort she put in not crying. And then, Alanna came and Daine remembered warm and comforting arms to help her with this heartache.
END FLASHBACK!!!
As people passed by the displayed body of Numair, they gave their greetings and condolences to Daine as well. She, in reply, just automatically nodded her head in return and stared blankly with no expression on her face.
So many people came that even Alanna, Jon, Onua, and the others became tired and they all agreed to let no more people come.
Alanna put an arm around Daine's shoulders and said, "C'mon, Daine. Let's go get some dinner and – "
"No thanks."
"Daine. You cannot act like this, you must eat."
"I'm just not hungry, Onua," replied Daine.
"Numair wouldn't want you to act like this," warned Alanna.
This struck Daine in the heart and made her stop and face Alanna.
"I know," she whispered, "but it is hard to do anything that Numair would want me to do right now."
"Oh, Daine. You cannot do this, you have to keep Numair in your heart, but you have to keep living," Onua said.
"Keep on living? No, it's impossible."
"Daine, you're being irrational!" cried Alanna.
There was no answer in reply and the wild mage just walked over to her lover's body that was about to be taken to the burial site.
She kissed his lips, and silently wept as she felt no return of passion or zeal, just cold flesh.
Daine and Numair's closest friends walked out to see him buried in the ground, for this is what Daine wished.
Two men were digging and got out of the pit and bowed to Daine and expressed their sympathy.
She thanked them courteously and watched intently as his body was in the hands of the men. Tears started welling up in her eyes again as she realized the hard, stark reality of her life.
And then suddenly, the body vanished with a flash of silver light, leaving astonished faces and gasps.
This was too much for Daine, she ran away from the site, through the corridors and hallways and into her and Numair's room.
And there she stopped, in front of the door.
She looked at the bronze plate that said, Numair Salmalin and Veralidaine Sarrasri.
So many memories were tied with those two names that she became overwhelmed and stepped inside.
Daine stopped dead in her tracks and opened her mouth to scream when she saw the form of a body on her bed.
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So how did you like THIS chapter? Personally, me not so much. Also cuz I did most of it at 12/1 a.m. LOL!!!!!!
You wanna know what happens next? SIMPLE!
REVIEW!! Let's get to um, 70 reviews. Kkays?
Yah, I quite agree. It's not THAT much.
Thanks again…for reading. And especially if you…
REVIEW!!!!