I haven't updated for a while for many reasons. The main one being a severe case of writers block (which I still don't think I have overcome) and the second reason is pure laziness. This chapter is short again, sigh I know, my chapters were supposed to get longer as I went on, but this one is an exception.

Thanks to all my reviewers! (there could be more!)

Return of Chaos chapter 4

Daine felt lost. She had been frantically searching for Numair for the past week, and not even a strand of his raven black hair turned up. She had sent out every animal scout she could, from the tiny field mice to the giant grizzly bears. Every day she would listen to the People reporting in, and every day she would get the same thing. Nothing.

Daine climbed into Cloud's saddle, hoping that maybe today would be the exception. Maybe today she would find some hidden clue.

It was a beautiful autumn day, with a gorgeous array of different colored leaves from coppery browns to dark crimson. There wasn't any other sound in the forest except for the soft crunch of leaves under Clouds hoofs. Despite the nippy breeze, the temperature was quite comfortable.

Daine wished that the wonderful weather would cheer her up in some form. But it didn't. She still felt depressed, and she knew she would stay that way until she found her lover. Anxious for some sort of good news, Daine closed her eyes and reached out to the People. There was still no sign of Numair.

Since she had already been prepared for the absence of news, Daine just sighed. How can someone six and a half feet tall just, disappear? Daine hated the fact that she had way to many questions than answers. She felt tears sting her eyes again.

Don't worry, the storkman will turn up, he always does.

"I know Cloud, I just wish he would turn up soon."

Daine wiped the free-falling tears off her cheeks. How could things that were going so well, take such a turn for the worse?

Daine, I think we should be heading back now, it is getting too chilly for my liking, Cloud commented, interrupting Daine's thoughts.

Sure enough, the wind was starting to pick up and a cold drizzle was coming through the trees.

Daine turned Cloud around and started to head back to the palace.

"Don't worry Numair," Daine whispered," I will find you."

(Numair's POV)

Miserable didn't even begin to describe how Numair felt. A week of never being able to stand and stretch his legs had made his knees permanently ache. But his knees were the least of his problems. A week of starvation rations had already taken a hard toll on his body. His already lean figure was now even leaner, and the skin on his face was sallow and gaunt.

"Ohh Draper! Did you forget about our little meeting today?"

Numair sighed. This was the very much dreaded daily routine of questioning and crude remarks from Ozorne. At the amount of time that Numair thought about it, it was impossible to forget.

Numair looked up to see Ozorne stride in with a maniacal (A/N I am not exactly sure if that's a word or not…) smile on his face.

"Nice day, don't you think Arram?"

"Humph," grunted Numair. He wasn't very impressed with Ozorne's attempt at small talk. "Just get to the point Ozorne," Numair impatiently said.

Ozorne grinned wider. "Well I assumed that you wanted to know why you were brought here." Numair snapped back to attention. This was his biggest wonder for the whole week, and it was just about to be answered.

"Well, yes, I had been wondering why you did that," Numair replied slowly, not wanting Ozorne to see how anxious he was to know.

"Alright, here it goes," said Ozorne. " I thought that if I grabbed you and left some subtle clues in your classroom, it would lead your precious wildmage right to me. She is already starting to catch on, and it wont be long until she will be mine." Ozorne's eyes glittered darkly. He then smirked and left Numair alone.

Numair could feel the blood drain from his face the whole time that Ozorne was talking. How was he going to be able to just sit here and let he worst enemy take the one person he loved? He would never forgive himself if Daine died because he was her bait. He had to get out of there, and fast. But the question was, how.

I know, I know, it sucked, and it was too short. You don't have to tell me. I hope the next time I feel like writing I do a better job. Blame all of the laziness on my softball coach; she is sucking the energy right out of me. It might be a while till I update again.

Review please!

Sarah