Disclaimer: I own nothing. Tamora Pierce does though.
Chapter 12 – The Plan
Numair barely thought quickly enough to use a paralyzing spell on the hyena that was Daine. The change had been very abrupt and she had launched herself at Elyra, who was sitting just feet away. His black fire encapsulated Daine and pulled her back against the wall behind the door. His mind raced. She must know that Elyra had been sent to seduce him and to get a focus item. He had taught Daine about focuses and the horrible things they could be used for. The possibility of mind-control would have occured to her. Of course, Daine didn't know that Elyra had just confided everything. Elyra had trusted him with the truth and now her life was threatened by his best friend. This was the last thing he had imagined would take place this evening. Meanwhile, Elyra was screaming hysterically.
"Daine, calm down," he said. He tried to seem calm himself hoping she would respond in kind.
The hyena that was Daine growled fiercely. Despite the strength of the spell holding her she was fighting to get free. It was possible that her wild magic might be able to override the spell. One thing was certain, he wasn't willing to lose either woman over a stupid miscommunication.
"Daine, please, listen to me. She did not come here to do what she was instructed to do. I'm safe." Daine growled harder, overriding his voice.
"Daine! He said louder, this is not what you think it is!" Between Daine's snarls and Elyra's shrieks his head was starting to ache. "Elyra, please quiet down. I won't let her hurt you." But that promise seemed to further enrage the hyena that was Daine. Her scratching and snarling against the spell were ferocious.
"Daine!" He hollered sternly, hoping she would be startled. They hyena that was Daine glowered, hackles raised.
"Daine, think. You cannot taste human blood, especially innocent human blood – we've been over this. It was the reason the Badger sent me to stop you in Carthak."
The hyena snapped her teeth at him. She was becoming more able to move by the second. Numair was seriously afraid for her now. She had picked the first vicious animal that came to her mind and it was like living through the Carthak events all over again.
"Mithros! Daine, she just told me everything. I am better informed than you are at this point and you need to hear what she has to say." Sweat poured down his face. He was struggling to maintain the magical hold on her now. She didn't have to be able to talk to get it across to him that she had murder on her mind.
"Daine!" he roared sending a pulse into the magic. The shock it administered just made her more vicious.
In desperation, Numair reached up and swept his hair away from the left side of his neck. He dropped to his knees in front of the hyena that was Daine. "If you want her blood, fine! I'll release you. But you need to kill me first, because you'll lose your mind and I refuse to see you like that!" He tapped his neck under his left ear. "I prefer to get it over quick. So if you would be that considerate, my carotid artery is right here." He held his hair back in a tight fist and let the magic go.
The fury left her eyes and he watched them turn human again, spilling tears. She looked shocked and hurt. "I wouldn't kill you, Numair," she wimpered. Her countenance pleaded for understanding.
"I know that, Magelet," he said softly and held his arms out to her. She closed the distance and he pulled her into a warm embrace. She sobbed in his arms. "It's alright now," he murmured into her hair, attempting to comfort her. Then it suddenly dawned on him that she wasn't clothed. He colored and pulled away, then turned his back so she could put her clothes back on.
He saw now that Elyra had backed herself into the far corner of the room and was shivering with terror. He walked over to try and calm her but thought better of touching her. He took a deep breath and said, "Everyone is unharmed. I'd really like it to stay that way." She returned to the sofa, sitting on the farthest edge from Daine's position. He smiled encouragingly.
"I need to get two more people here, all right?" She nodded. He held out his hand and bubble grew there. He spoke into it, "Alanna, George, I hate to send this at this late hour but I need you in my rooms. It is urgent."
He turned so that he could see both women. Daine was glaring at Elyra. "Daine!" he chastised.
"Why are you barely dressed?" she growled the question.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Does that concern you?" The look on her face wiped every bit of amusement from him. "Daine, she woke me up. I don't usually sleep in my day clothes. Do you?"
Daine blushed and crossed her arms in front of her. "No." It was more of a pout than an answer.
She seems almost jealous, he thought. Then he felt a wave of horror. She had probably picked up on his attraction and she was very mixed up. He could remember being a bit seduced by another person's obvious desire for him. There were at least three relationships he'd been drawn into that way and all were regrettable. He could not allow that to happen to Daine. He was going to have to put some space between them from now on. "I would very much like to get dressed. Can I leave you two alone in a room together without bloodshed?"
Elyra looked terrified but said nothing. Daine obviously saw the fear and smiled sadistically.
"Stop that," he said to her, trying not to grin. It was funny to see such a petite girl press her advantage like this. "I guess I will just pull on a shirt then. Daine, why don't you go in there and make some tea." He pointed to door on the left. "I have a kettle with water already in it. Tea is in the cupboard above."
"I know," she said icily. "I have been here before."
He returned in less than 30 seconds, still pulling the shirt over his head. When he was done he sat down beside Elyra. His feet remained bare and his hair still hung loosely about his shoulders.
While Daine was making tea, Elyra seemed to be a little braver. "How did you know she wouldn't kill you?" she asked.
"The same way I know that she will help me help you. She's not a violent person by nature. She was protecting me. She thought you meant to hurt me. Just thank your stars that you weren't sent to kidnap Kitten." He saw the blank look and added, "Her dragonet. She is that dragon's mother for all intents and purposes. I doubt very much if I need to explain to you the things a mother is willing to go through for her child." He smiled warmly. "She nearly tore down Carthak looking for that dragon a couple of weeks ago." There was a knock at the door and he stood to answer it.
Once Daine, George and Alanna were sitting and everybody had a cup of tea. Numair said, "So we've had a bit of excitement here tonight. Elyra has told me what our Copper Isle friends are really here for, and you aren't going to like it."
"The dominion jewel?" George asked.
"Yes," Elyra said. "I do not know what they intended to do with it afterward, but I suspect that they are acting as mercenaries for someone of great power – someone able to control immortals."
"Did they send the hurroks?" Alanna asked.
"I believe so. I didn't know they could do that. And I don't know how long this has been in the works. I never imagined... My husband was killed by hurroks two years ago and I wonder now if they were behind that."
Daine interjected, "But the mouse told me you were helping them in order to save Michael. If he's dead why would you do anything they say?"
Numair answered, "Magelet, the Michael they have is not her husband. He is her three year old son." Alanna and Daine blanched. "When Elyra came here tonight it was not to ask for help getting him back. It was because the group is getting restless and talked about possibly kidnapping one of Jon and Thayet's children and using them to ransom for the jewel."
"No other mother deserves to go through what I've been suffering," Elyra said hollowly. She turned her head to face the candleabra, obviously trying to stifle tears.
"So what were you supposed to do to get your son back?" Alanna asked softly.
"Seduce Numair. Bring back something of his for a focus. Master Tyrus believes that he can use Numair to obtain the jewel."
"So you see, when she came here tonight, she thought she was sacrificing her son," he looked at Daine while he said it. Her mouth fell open, but she said nothing.
Numair stood and retrieved a pair of sheers from his desk drawer. He cut a lock of his hair and gave it to Alanna. "If this plot had worked, Master Tyrus would have been in for a shock. Go ahead and try, Alanna."
She looked at him puzzled. "What should I try to make you do?"
"It really doesn't matter. Surprise me."
A purple glow filled the room as Alanna completed the spell. "Lift Daine and spin her around," she said into the glow.
Numair just stood there smiling. "As entertaining as that sounds, I don't think I will."
Alanna smiled broadly. "Well now I know of one thing you know that Thom never did."
"So what do we do now?" Daine asked.
"Our next logical step is to find a way to get Elyra's son back. It would be so much easier if he were here in Tortall, but he's not. I've given it some though and the best course of action is for me to go to the Copper Isles and find Michael," Numair said.
"Then I go too," Daine and Alanna said almost simultaneously and grinned at each other.
Numair shook his head. "No, I'll have to go alone. It would be easier if I could take Elyra, but her disappearance will tip them off."
"And yours won't?" Daine demanded stubbornly.
"No, Magelet. You seem to have forgotten that I can make a copy of myself accurate enough to fool an executioner."
"Alright, fine. So make a simu-thing of me and I'll go too."
He smiled when she said "simu-thing". She still couldn't say that word. "No, Magelet. You will be needed here. No one knows me better than you and Alanna will need help if it's going to be convincing. Also, if more immortals attack, you are essential . No one else feels them coming. And finally, if we're going to send Elyra back to those monsters, I want to know that they won't kill her or Meesha before I get back. You are the only spy who can keep track of her without being detected."
"So why am I staying behind," Alanna said, narrowing her eyes.
"Well, my simulacrum will need to convince Jon. That means I need someone with a very powerful gift to keep up appearances."
"But wait, why aren't we telling Jon?"
"Plausible deniability. We are going to have to do this without starting a war. If I get caught, Jon will honestly be able to say that he knew nothing about it." Numair stood and paced. "But more than that, Alanna, I'm not going to be here. If we get another immortal attack during the peace accord we can't both be gone. We have to keep up appearances to buy time and that means we may have to deal with another attack."
"So how about if I go and leave you behind." Alanna said stubbornly.
"Alanna, I am nobody's anything. You are a wife and a mother. You are also the King's Champion. There is no way anyone would believe Jonathan wasn't in on a conspiracy if you were caught. Also, thanks to Ozorne, people throughout the realm have heard that I behave treasonously. All the pieces fit to keep our kingdom safe if I'm the one to go."
"So I'll go with ya'," George said.
"No, that can't work either. For one thing, I may have to spend some of the trip as a hawk. You can't do that. For another, I may need you to do something else." He held out his hand and it filled with black fire. A moment later the fire receded and a beautiful gem remained.
"Did you summon the dominion jewel," George asked, shocked.
Alanna reached out a hand and touched it with her magic. The gem glowed. "It's a fake," she said finally, "but a damn good one."
"If it comes down to it, I may need you to swap it out." He tossed the fake at George. "If worst comes to worst, I think we could let them steal this one. It has enough magic in it to fool them temporarily. But that means it too can amplify. That is dangerous in itself. So we use the imitation as a last resort."
"This is stupid," Daine cried. "If you're traveling in hawk shape, I could follow."
"I explained it, Magelet. There are many things over which you can argue with me, but not this."
"There's no way I'm lettin' you go alone." She was on her feet now impeding the path he was previously pacing.
"You don't have a choice, Magelet. It is just as well you realize it now."
"I'm strong and good in a fight. I can watch your back. And you…" He realized she was fighting tears. Although everything she was saying was true, he knew she couldn't go. Moreover, they could use the time apart.
"Magelet, I'm sorry. But this is not open for discussion," he answered.
"Don't treat me like a child," she said stubbornly. She was less than a foot from him now.
"I never treat you like a child. I don't see you that way. That's more than half my problem." He hadn't meant to say that last part and was instantly sorry he had.
Alanna came and stood between them. "Back off both of you, before you say things you can't take back."
Numair turned and sat back down. He sipped a little tea, though it was cold now. "I'll prepare the simulacrum here in my rooms and I'll leave first thing in the morning. The faster I go, the faster I may get back. Timing will be everything. We will have to keep the Islanders in talks as long as possible."
"What should I say when I return to my rooms," Elyra asked.
"Give them the lock of hair Alanna's holding. If you had really done what they asked the result would be the same. Besides, it will slow Master Tyrus down. In case his temper overflows, stay out of his way as much as possible. Also, you should take one of Daine's friends with you. If you need help you'll be able to get her a message right away. You can trust Daine with your life, despite how things started this evening." She looked skeptical and Alanna and George gave a startled look.
"Daine's mouse reported. The timing was off enough that she arrived believing I was in danger and responded accordingly." He could have told them that Daine turned into a vicious beast intent on ripping Elyra's throat out. But Daine looked severely humiliated enough already and he could not add to it in good conscience. Both Alanna and George still looked curious, but when he shook his head, they understood to leave it be.
"So how exactly do you plan to find her son?" Alanna asked.
"I'll take a page out of Tyrus' book – I'll use a focus."
Elyra removed a fine gold chain from around her neck. It bore a double locket which she had shown him earlier. He knew one side had a portrait of her son and his first curl. The other was Meesha and her first curl. Elyra dropped it into Numair's hand.
"I'll bring it back along with your son," he told her. "Now, I think it's time we call it a night. We all need rest and there are many preparations to make. I'll leave at first light. Elyra, you can stay in my room. I'll be in the work room for several hours more and I can rest out here when I'm finished."
"Why..ohhh," Alanna started, smirking.
"If they are to believe the story, the actions must be played out accordingly," Numair answered. "If she had seduced me, she would have to wait until I was soundly asleep to cut my hair. It is easier if she just sleeps here for a few hours."
George chuckled. "The master romancer needs more th'n an hour, huh?" he teased.
"As a matter of fact, I do," Numair answered straight-faced. He was used to George's jokes. George and Alanna snorted but Daine clenched her jaw. She was obviously still upset. Numair shot her a worried look.
"There is an empty guest room down the next corridor, Numair," Daine said acidly.
"That's fine, why don't you show her the way. I'll have more time to prepare," he answered back. "There are many things I should take as precautionary measures, anyway."
Everyone rose. George patted Numair's shoulder and said, "I wish I could find a fault in your plan." Numair just smiled in response.
"I'll be here to see you off," Alanna said.
Numair looked to Daine. He could see she was hurt. She continued to grind her jaw. He reached to brush a curl out of her eyes and she jerked away. "I'm sorry, Magelet," he whispered. She just walked out without saying another word.