Chapter 3 – Confidants
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize is the property, creation and bread-and-butter of Tamora Pierce. May she flourish eternally.
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Alanna followed Numair out of the King's study. She wasn't sure what to say to her tall friend. She thought she knew what was wrong with him, but she was also fairly certain he had not figured it out for himself yet. She managed to corner him in an empty corridor. "Numair, have you got a minute to talk?"
"For you, always," he said with a smile.
It was contagious. She felt herself grin as well. The two had become closer while in Carthak. In many ways Numair was like the brother that Alanna had lost so many years ago. There was often academic discussions where people tried to decide who had been the more powerful mage. Alanna was glad the two had never met for that very reason. Unlike Thom, however, Numair thought about the consequences of his actions. No lovely and treacherous lady would be likely to convince Numair to try to raise someone from the dead. "You seemed leagues away from here today."
"I know. I'm sorry. I really was needing a break after Carthak and circumstances made it impossible. And I know you understand what I mean. You are probably thinking wistfully of the Swoop right now."
Her smile broadened. "I didn't think anyone had noticed that I'm homesick. But at least I'll get to see my Rogue before the week is out. And he's bringing the children too. He may not be able to bring my home, but the important parts will be here. And in the mean time, I have a job to do. So do you."
"Consider me chastised. I will try to be less distracted."
"I don't think Jon and Thayet will mind you being distracted, but I think they are hoping you'll be distracted by one of our guests."
Numair looked completely confused. "Who?"
Alanna laughed. "Numair, only you could ask that question. There is only one female among the delegates and she flirted with you shamelessly. Every other man in our group was practically panting over her – even Jon, which I'm sure Thayet will correct. I don't think you even looked at her properly. Was there someone else on your mind?"
Numair turned crimson. "I'm just – I was just…"
"Don't! It isn't my business or anyone else's. However, I thought you should know that you will likely be urged to show Lady Elyra Kelton around and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you somehow found yourself seated next to her at the banquet tonight."
"Sorry. I'll get my head together."
"I know you will. Tortall needs you right now." She patted his shoulder. "I assume you were off to get ready for this evening." Now she was grinning mischievously.
"Well eventually, yes. I have a couple of errands. I needed to stop by the kitchens. I have a couple of students who were expecting lessons this week now that I'm back. But I need to put them off. I had wanted to have a word with Daine about the birds and mice. Then I should probably get ready." His hand shot up to pull on his long nose. "While we were greeting the delegates, did you notice when Daine almost pulled that woman over? Do you think maybe there are some lasting effects from her borrowed power?"
Alanna laughed. "I doubt -- She probably.." She sighed and laughed again. It didn't seem like the right time to explain jealousy to the mage. "Nothing that happened seemed that strange to me. I wouldn't bring it up with her if I were you. Daine is probably pretty embarrassed as it is."
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Daine was mortified. She was standing in a stall combing a pony and trying to hide her scarlet cheeks. Her friend, Onua, had been teasing her about the incident for ten minutes.
"Perhaps I should keep you from lifting heavy objects for awhile. You might have built up too much muscle," Onua said, chortling.
"None of the men put her off balance," Daine said helplessly.
Onua, still laughing, said, "Maybe women that tall fall easily."
Daine tried not to laugh. "Goddess, what he must think of me."
"Who? Jon? I don't think he was too worried about it. Numair caught her. Come to think of it, maybe that was why she fell."
The "who" was hardly Jon. Perhaps she should be worrying about how she presented herself in front of her king, but she wasn't. "She did practically pour herself onto him. 'Oh, Master Salmalin, I've wanted to meet you for so long'," Daine imitated in a squeaky, breath-heavy voice. Daine rolled her eyes.
Onua stopped laughing and stared. "Daine, do you ummm – Honey, do you have a bit of a – a crush?" Her voice had lowered almost to a whisper as she said the last word.
Daine's cheeks were so red she couldn't really hide them any longer. "No. Of -- of course not. How could you even think it? Numair is my teacher and my friend. I just didn't like her. She seemed very fake to me."
Onua sighed heavily and studied Daine for a moment. "Sometimes I don't realize how grown up you are becoming. Perhaps I should stop being so protective and let you meet a few boys. One of last year's riders has been hanging around in the evenings when you are working. I know you've seen him. His name is Layne. I keep chasing him off but well, would you like to meet him? There's a general invitation to the opening banquet tonight. I'll be attending too. Maybe you would like to have an escort?"
Grateful for something to draw Onua's attention from her burning cheeks, Daine said, "Sure." Inside, she wished she could go with Numair. She knew it was stupid. Numair was quite a bit older than she and he was her teacher. Distraction might be good.
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Numair found both students and arranged later lessons. Then he headed for the kitchens. Joel, the royal chef was standing just outside the door, taking a break from the heat of the banquet he was preparing. Joel wasn't particularly fond of Numair after one of his experiments damaged an oven. So Numair was exceedingly glad he didn't have to go inside to talk to the man.
Bowing a polite greeting, Numair said, "Joel, I needed to ask you a favor."
Suspicious, Joel replied, "The last time I granted you a favor I regretted it."
"Well, it isn't for me precisely. It's for Daine."
Now the man smiled. He was quite fond of Daine. She was able to keep the mice out of his supplies. And although rats wouldn't listen to her, the palace rat catchers did, and they put out a little extra effort at Daine's request. "For Daine I will listen."
"When we were in Carthak, she barely ate. She got kidnapped too and then was sick for several days. She's rather thin. But she won't eat game at all. Thayet said you planned a venison roast with your very fabulous wine sauce for dinner this evening. I'm sure it will be excellent as always. But for Daine – is there any way you could give her something else? Fish or chicken are probably the easiest. She hates chickens and still eats fish." Numair saw the cook smile in spite of himself. "I wouldn't ask, but she's just so terribly thin…"
"Say no more, Master Salmalin. You are a kind teacher to worry about your student so. I shall take care of her." His face turned serious. "But that does not mean you are welcome in my kitchen."
Numair grinned. "I understand that I remain banned. Thank you, Joel."
Numair left, walking across the courtyard toward the stables. He found Daine and Onua putting curry combs in the tack room. Daine had returned to work clothes for the afternoon, and her hair was all askew. There was a lovely flush in her cheeks probably from the brisk October breeze. He thought she looked stunning in spite of everything and the realization worried him. He could not allow himself to think of her that way.
"Good afternoon, Onua," he said then nodded toward Daine. "Magelet."
"Hello," Onua replied. "Shouldn't you be getting ready? You don't want to be late."
"Don't tease me," he said, winking at her. "Magelet, I wonder if I could have a word? Onua, you can come to if you like – but we need to go somewhere private."
"I was just heading to my room to get ready. We could go there," Daine suggested.
"That will work."
The three headed back to Daine's room beneath the boys' barracks. Once inside, Numair warded the room, sending black fire to all four corners. "I won't take much of your time. Jonathan wanted to know if you could have the birds and mice keep their ears open around our guests. As much as we would like this to turn out to be a real peace accord, something doesn't add up. We all agreed that it was wise to watch for anything suspicious. You don't have to put them in any danger. Just have them listen and report if they hear the strangers talking among themselves. And you need only report to Jon anything that alarms you."
"Odds Bobs, I just thought it was quick. I never dreamed…" Daine started.
Numair smiled at her. "It is right that you aren't as suspicious of everyone and everything as I am. Your nature is one of your greatest attributes."
"He is right about that," Onua agreed.
"Magelet, we all trust you to be the buffer here. We don't like the idea of spying on guests. It isn't the proper way to behave and we wouldn't do it if there wasn't very good cause for concern. So, don't report everything. You can tell your friends not to report everything. We are only looking for suspicious behavior or discussions of intentions to cause harm. Agreed?"
"Okay. That shouldn't be a problem."
Numair then turned to Onua and said, "And if you or any of the rider staff notice anything odd, please let us know."
"You know I will," the older woman answered.
Numair pulled his magic back from the four corners of the room. "Tonight should be fun, Magelet. They will have music and a little dancing following the banquet. I don't know how long you plan to stay. But if you stay to dance, save one for me." He turned to Onua, "And you too. I haven't had the pleasure of a dance with you in a very long time. You are coming tonight, aren't you?"
"Yes," Onua answered with a big smile. "And I would love a dance."
"Well then, I'm guaranteed one dance each from the two most lovely ladies in the room."
Daine giggled, "Numair, we're the only ladies in the room."
"Details, details," he said chuckling. "I'll see you later." Then he left.
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Elyra straightened an elegant bow in Meesha's brown locks. The six year old stared in the mirror and said, "Now I'm be-au-ti-ful."
She was. The six year old girl wore a frilly pink dress that floated delightfully when she twirled. Her hair had been set in ringlets and was held back from her face by the bow her mother had just tied. "Yes you are, darling. You will need to be on your best behavior this evening. Stay with Shay. Remember you cannot mention Michael at all. You will come down and eat with the rest of us and then Shay will take you right back up here to play."
Shay stood in the corner looking extremely nervous. She, too was dressed up, as much as any nanny is properly allowed. "Lady, it would be so easy for her to slip. Is there any way we can just eat in our room?"
"No. Unfortunately, the Queen saw her and invited her to sit with the other children. I should have left you on the ship I suppose, but you know I couldn't risk leaving you out of my sight. We'll remind Meesha repeatedly. She's young, but she knows what is at stake. So do you."
"Lady, what if they don't…"
"Don't say it!" Elyra nearly shouted. She looked for a moment like she might cry. She pinched her own hip to stop herself. "I can't think like that," she said softly. "If I do…"
Shay put a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to explain. I have worked for you since you were small. I know you. It will get better. We'll do what we have to do. Once Michael is back with us, we will take you home."
Elyra nodded sadly at the floor. "Do you know what the hardest part is, Shay? I liked the Queen. She is very kind."
Shay nodded in agreement. "Let me fasten your dress, m'lady." She began to button the numerous pearl buttons that lined the back of the emerald silk gown Elyra was wearing. "I love this color on you. It matches your eyes. Their mage won't be able to breathe when he sees you."