I'm so sorry for the gigantic gap between posting. I've got loads on my mind and most of you have probably forgotten about the story...oh well
Daine could barely move. More live, green magic was rooting her to the spot, and the Stormwing leered at her as he approached.
"Don't try to struggle, human, your bonds will tighten." Indeed, when the wildmage tried to move her wrist, a burning green rope curled itself tighter around her skin. She winced in pain.
"Let's see…you're the third human that's been foolish enough to get in my way."
Daine attempted to reason with him. She was known to the entire Stone Tree nation, and was considered an ally; perhaps she could retrieve the Stormwing's memories, if he had lost them.
"Please-my name is Daine Salmalin. I'm an ally of your queen, Barzha of the Stone Tree Nation." She pleaded. The Stormwing stopped in his tracks, digested her words, and shook his head.
"Veralidaine Sarrasri?" The wildmage said hopefully, her heart sinking. Obviously the mad Stormwing had lost his memory.
"Do not try my patience, human." Her attacker spat, and with that, sent a spear of magic towards her. She had no choice but to shape shift; and even then, it might not work. She had avoided shape shifting, worried that it could affect her unborn child. Now, it was a matter of life or death.
The Stormwing mage hesitated in confusion when he found himself facing a snarling wolf with blazing eyes. A distant memory flickered in his mind, but was soon snatched away as a fast flowing river would.
Daine would not risk fighting the Stormwing. Her change to wolf shape was only to save herself; she was ill equipped to face down a Stormwing, and a strong mage one at that.
"Daine!" A familiar voice called, fraught with worry and fear. She turned, her upper lip still curled in a snarl, and saw Numair run into the clearing. The Stormwing cried out when he saw the mage, and the staff before him. He thrust into the air, blowing waves of stench downwards.
"No you don't!" Numair shouted, black magic bursting from his staff. The magic sped after the Stormwing, encircling him, pulling him back down. He beat his steel wings in frustration, green magic beating against its black opponent in futility. With a final push, Numair forced his cage of magic further down, crushing the Stormwing to death. All trace of the Immortal was incinerated in a final burst of energy, and the dust left from it flew away on the wind.
"Daine?" The mage whispered gently to the bewildered wolf, slowly kneeling with open arms. The wildmage abandoned her snarl and padded cautiously towards him, wolf eyes blazing with a mixture of emotions.
"It's alright. You're safe. Be human again."
The wolf whined, but as it did so its silvery pelt melted into pink skin, its face returning to its true form.
"I was frightened…" Daine began, her voice quivering. Numair wrapped her in a tight hug, thanking the Gods that she was unharmed.
"Don't worry." He pulled his cloak off and handed it to his pale, shaking wife. Weariness hung around her like a heavy blanket, and she was grateful when Numair picked her up, intending to carry her back to the camp.
"You're light as a feather. I ought to feed you up." The mage said in a strained, joking voice. He had realised that his wife and child were more or less unscathed, but a husband's worry is a rock strong, permanent one.
Daine smiled weakly up at him, drifting in and out of consciousness. She was quiet during their journey, but in one of her lucid moments she said in an amused, giddy voice, "You were the father of a wolf pup just back there."
The party of Rider scouts and Alanna had been pleased to hear of the Stormwing mage's destruction, albeit concerned for Daine. Making amends between the Stone Tree Nation and the village that had lost two of its people would be a different matter.
"Here, this'll ease the aching a little." Alanna said, pressing her hand to Daine's belly. Threads of purple shimmered at the contact, absorbing into Daine. Immediately the pains the wildmage had been suffering lessened.
"Thanks."
"I was wondering-perhaps it would be best for you and a few of the scouts to stay here while we go on. You're exhausted." The knight stoked the frail fire before them, the embers weak with despondency.
"Certainly not!" Daine protested. "It'll be good to see the Stone Trees again. And I'm not entirely useless when it comes to settling arguments."
Alanna shrugged. "You have a knack for getting into trouble. Numair and I want you to solemnly swear that after this tirade, you'll start resting, and get on with preparing for the child."
"I've no choice anyway-Numair's already told me he's tying me to the bed after this." Daine grinned, her mood lighter than it had been for hours. Alanna smiled back and knew that the wildmage was for once going to take her pleas seriously.
"Well, I'm glad that's sorted. And I believe the scouts are ready to get going. Come on." The knight checked that her sword was sheathed, and helped Daine up from the ground. The two marched to the front of what had been their camp, their mounts already saddled for the journey. As Daine shifted onto Cloud, her body still aching slightly, Numair drew up alongside her. His own mount cringed inwardly, and the wildmage sensed it.
"I trust you had a certain discussion with Alanna?" He asked softly, though his expression was wary of an outburst provoked by his question.
"Yes." His wife replied curtly. "And you won't need to tie me to the bed." Numair laughed.
"Neither rope nor sorcery could stave your stubbornness." He said, just before Alanna shouted an order: they were on the move again.