Disclaimer: This is a tribute to the genius who made up most of these characters, Tamora Pierce. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"
Chapter 9 – In the Dark of Night
Elyra had cried to the point that tears no longer fell. She sat in her room whimpering uncontrollably. The last person in the world who knew all her secrets and still loved her was gone. She smoothed her daughter's hair and cuddled her closer. Meesha had cried herself to sleep clutching her mother as if she might disappear too.
Elyra could not imagine what Meesha must think of the world. Six was far too young to have known so much death and separation. Although Meesha could not remember her father, she knew that two other people in her life had been lost. And she knew that her mother's life was unraveling.
There was a knock at the door. She had no desire to get up and stir her child. But she didn't dare ignore it. "Come in," she said hoarsely as she carefully slipped out from under Meesha.
"Things did not go well tonight," Sir Myren said.
"Things did not go well? You bastard! Shay is dead. My one friend – my one friend in the world is dead and the best you can offer is 'things did not go well'. Get out! Get out and let me grieve."
A fist plowed into the side of her face, knocking her back against the far wall. Through the open door a pearly blue bolt of lightning seared into Myren's back and he screamed in pain.
"I told you not to mark her face!" Master Tyrus growled. "But since she's going to be getting naked in front of that mage, I guess you better just keep your hands to yourself altogether."
Elyra held her hand in front of her cheek. "Don't do me any favors Master Tyrus. You might fool me into thinking you're less of a monster than you are!"
"You're not in a position to be making comments like that, or have you forgotten that Michael is depending on you," Master Tyrus shot back.
"That's not something I am capable of forgetting."
"We did not get to see where the jewel is kept. Now it is much more important that you get us something of Salmalin's."
She looked at him in shock. "You did this? You – you don't command hurroks." She was shaking her head violently from side to side. "You can't, no one can."
He laughed viciously and offered his hand to Sir Myren, pulling him to his feet. "Can't I? I'm not a black robe mage, that's true. But that's only because I didn't have the time or patience for the study. I do have the talent. Want to test me?"
"If you're so great, what do you need Salmalin for? Can't you just blow the place up, use a word of power or two to destroy everybody and take the damn jewel?"
He glared at her dangerously. "Salmalin has access and some abilities I require. When I'm done with him I'll kill him, so don't get attached. Now, how bad is the bruise?"
"I can fix it with a little of my own gift. Now if you don't mind, Meesha has managed to sleep through all of this, but I don't know how much more noise she can ignore."
When they left the room and closed the door, she got up and stood in front of the dressing table mirror. She pulled her hand from her sore cheek and turned her face side to side. There was no sign of a bruise or any broken skin. But she knew there wouldn't be. Master Tyrus thought himself so smart, and yet he was unable to see the truth, right in front of him. It may be all she had over them, but at least it was something.
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Daine was asleep when Numair finally made his way to the infirmary. A jar of dark red chrysanthemums was on the table next to her bed. A small card was displayed in the center wishing her well. They were from someone named Perin Porter. Numair idly wondered which one of her dance partners that was.
He stroked her hair and watched her sleep, thinking the whole time about everything that had transpired that day. But his thoughts lingered the longest on almost losing her again.
Suddenly her eyes fluttered open. She looked at him sleepily. His hand froze mid-pet.
"Hey, Sleepyhead, I didn't mean to wake you," he said in almost a whisper.
"What time is it?" she asked groggily.
"I think they just called the midnight watch. I honestly wasn't trying to wake you. But I did promise to come by."
"I'm glad I didn't miss seeing you, so don't worry." She snuggled her cheek against his hand.
He smiled at her and tilted his head toward the flowers. "I see you have an admirer."
She frowned slightly.
"There's a little note sticking out of them. It says they're from Perin Porter. I hope you don't mind my snooping."
"Nah, that's okay, seein' as it's you."
"Is that the guy I terrified when I cut in at the dance?"
"Mm-hmm. He is a clerk assigned to the negotiations."
"I wanted to ask you, am I really that scarey?"
She giggled. "Sometimes. But you don't scare me."
"Daine, I –," he stopped mid-sentence. He wanted to apologize for what nearly happened before she sensed the hurroks, but he didn't know how.
"We lost someone I know, didn't we," she said. A hollow look passed over her face.
"Yes, Magelet." He now took her hand in his. She looked at him with fear in her eyes. "Layne Smithson died tonight." He squeezed her hand gently and watched her face with concern as tears began to fall.
"I thought terrible things. I didn't say them but.."
He put his finger to her lips. "Shhh," he soothed. "You didn't think anything more terrible than I did. But they are just thoughts, Magelet. There is a reason the Gods allow our thoughts to be private." He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. "We can still honor him to the Black God. He died a hero's death, fighting for his home. Many good people are afraid of magic – ours in particular; yours because it is unusual; mine because it is too powerful. As George would say, 'we weirdos have to stick together'."
She smiled weakly. "What else did you learn?" She looked almost afraid to ask, but determined to be practical nonetheless.
Briefly, Numair recapped everything. "Have your friends heard anything to report?"
"They hadn't when I went to sleep. I haven't spoken to any since I've been awake."
"Well, I know you will inform me if there's anything." He stood. "I should let you go back to sleep. I need to rest as well, although a bath might be in order first. I'm still wearing the blood of someone I care deeply for." He smiled to her as he said it.
"I'm sorry about that," she said.
"Don't you dare apologize to me because those monsters hurt you. I admit I would prefer if you didn't get yourself hurt, but I couldn't be more proud of you, really. You didn't hesitate. You are the bravest woman I know, and I know a lot of brave women."
"Thanks, Numair."
"You're welcome. Go back to sleep now. I'll see you tomorrow."
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As tired as she was, Alanna still heard the door to her rooms open. She reached for her sword and pressed her back to the wall. Sliding silently along the wall of her sleeping chamber, she made her way to the door and kicked it open, landing smoothly in a fighting stance. In the main room stood George, a sleeping twin on each shoulder and a very drowsy Thom bringing up the rear.
"Now isn't that a great way for my lass to say hello," he said cheekily.
Alanna set the sword on the chair and rushed to him. "Hello," she said meekly. She lifted one sleepy six year old and kissed her on the cheek. Together they carried the children to the back sleeping chamber that had been prepared for them. Thom followed, determined to take every step himself, though he looked asleep on his feet.
Once all the children were tucked into bed and kissed goodnight, Alanna could finally greet her husband properly. A long, passionate kiss followed and when they broke apart she punched him in the shoulder. "What do you mean, pushing yourself and the children this hard? And what if the hurroks would have found you?"
He rubbed his shoulder and half-smiled, half-frowned at her. "We saw the hurroks flying in. They weren't in'trested in us, darlin'. It's been so long since we saw ya' and by the Gods it wasn't gonna' be to find ya' dead or injured. What's been goin' on here?"
She wrapped her arms around him again, smiling and crying all at once, "Goddess, I've missed you." She led him to the bed chamber. "And if you want me to answer your question, you'll just have to wait."