Disclaimer: This is based on the work of Tamora Pierce. If you recognize it, I borrowed it from her.
A/N: This is a long chapter with content which I think will surprise a few people. I needed to give Numair someone to talk to so the poor guy wouldn't burst. We all know this confidant can keep a secret well.
Chapter 5 - Confidants
Daine slept a lot over the following day. She did wake around supper time and was severely hungry. When she poked her head out of the tent, she found Alanna and George sitting by the fire talking with Jon, whose countenance was reflected there. "Daine!" Alanna greeted her enthusiastically, standing and rushing over to give her a hug.
Daine was feeling a bit strange still. She was surprisingly strong, despite the fever and dehydration. She was terribly thirsty though and didn't speak until she had downed three cups of water. "Where is Numair?" she asked.
"What'd I tell ye'?" George said. "First thing outta' her mouth."
Jon chuckled from the fire and Alanna joined him. "Resting," Alanna answered.
"Did he get sick too?" Daine asked, worriedly.
"He caught the fever, but it was healed before it could do any real damage," Alanna answered.
"I'm told we're quite lucky that you are still with us," Jon said with a smile.
She grinned at him. "I don't honestly remember, Sir," she said. "I'm not even sure how I got here."
"Big magic," George answered.
"The kind only Numair gets to play with," Jon added.
Daine looked from one face to another, feeling a little displaced. "Is that why he's not here?" she asked finally. There was a strange exchange from all three faces.
Alanna was the one who answered her question, "That's part of it. He did some other magic too. He will be fine though, don't you worry."
"I remember the riders were dead and Numair buried them. He said he was going to find you," she pointed to Alanna. "The rest is all strange dreams and darkness."
"Any dreams 'bout a lumpy mattress?" George asked. Alanna kicked him.
Jon's eyebrows shot up. Simultaneously, he and Daine asked, "Did I miss something?" They grinned at one another.
"Nothing important," Alanna answered, "Just my husband's bad sense of humor."
"Well then," Jon said, looking back and forth between Alanna and George, "I suppose I can tell you, Daine, that you and Numair are no longer needed in Pirates Swoop and you can return to Corus when you're ready."
"What happened to the immortals at the cliffs?" Daine asked.
"My griffin friend dispatched 'em," George answered proudly. He had helped the griffins find the monster that had killed their baby and had been rewarded by an oath that they would guard his coast lines. Apparently they took that oath to heart. George handed Daine a piece of camp bread and she began to eat it hungrily after a nod of thanks.
"Well, I think that about covers everything. You'll fill Daine and Numair in on what they missed?" Jon asked. Alanna nodded and bid him goodnight before he disappeared.
"What did I miss?" Daine asked as she reached for another piece of camp bread.
"Do ye' remember any of the riders eatin' any unusual things?" George asked.
Daine shook her head. "Are you talking about jerky again, like what it was last time?"
"That or meat that wasn't from something they killed," Alanna said.
"Not really," she answered shaking her head. But after thinking about it a moment she said "Adam had some gelatin blocks that he passed out just before we found the monkeys. Numair 'n' me – we didn't eat it. Numair was studyin' that book and – I'm down to fish, chicken, and mutton. I actually prob'ly still have it in my pack. It's fair insulting to say no to something like that so I just put it away. You don't think…."
"May I see it?" Alanna asked. Daine went and found her pack and dug around until she found the cube. Sugared, spiced gelatin blocks were candy – an unusual treat to most. "If it's this, every child in Tortall could be in danger."
"Why are you looking for a food thing?" Daine asked.
"Because you got so sick so fast," Alanna answered. "You should have had a full day of dizziness, and a full day of fever before you developed spots."
"Oh," Daine said. She sat in silence for a minute eating her camp bread. "Was there anything else we missed?"
"Jon wants Numair to teach the pages and new riders about immortals, just in case," Alanna said. "That means Numair will need to stay in Corus for a while.
"And," George added, "Our spies've sent back some strange reports from the Copper Isles."
Daine glared into the night. She had real reason to hate the folks of the Copper Isles. Were it not for the intervention of the Goddess, they would have succeeded in killing Numair.
Just then Cloud pulled free from where she had been tethered and walked right into camp. –It's about time you woke up- the mare scolded.
Daine jumped to her feet, "Cloud! I'm sorry." Both Alanna and George laughed. –Storkman had to brush me. He's not very good at it.-
"Why did St – I mean why did Numair brush Cloud?" Daine asked. In mindspeak she told Cloud, -See what you almost made me do? His name is Numair.-
"When did he brush Cloud?" Alanna asked.
-Last night,- Cloud answered. Daine translated.
"I didn't know he had," Alanna said.
"Don't look ta' me." George added.
-He told me they were going to make you better.- Cloud told Daine.
-That was very nice of him. You shouldn't grumble about him when he's so thoughtful.- Daine told the horse.
-Who's grumbling? I kind of like Storkman. He looks out for you. Maybe he's your stallion.-
Daine turned immediately red. "What did she say?" Alanna and George asked together and then chuckled.
-I don't think you quite understand how that gets taken in two-legger circles.- Daine said in mindspeak.
"She – umm – she's decided she likes Numair a little." Daine tried to explain to Alanna and George.
"That's sweet, Daine," George said knowingly, "But it don't explain the pink cheeks."
"She said – umm – she was putting things in horse talk and.." she hesitated, growing redder by the second. "She didn't mean it like it sounds – umm"
"Spit it out, girl" George said with a big grin. He apparently could smell a joke when it was coming.
Daine shook her head emphatically. Alanna cocked an eyebrow and sipped her tea. So finally Daine decided she'd whisper it to Alanna. Alanna spit tea everywhere and tried not to laugh. She did not succeed.
George was obviously feeling left out. "You know I'll get it out of ya', Lass."
Daine had meant to take Cloud back to the other horses, but Numair picked that moment to emerge from his tent. His color was still bad and there were dark circles under his eyes. Daine took a long look at him and covered her mouth with her hand in shock. Her legs carried her to him without her conscious direction. "What have you done to yourself?" she cried, horrified.
His voice cracked when he tried to answer, but he smiled warmly. "Look who's awake. Goddess, it is good to see you, Magelet."
Behind them, she heard George laughing. Alanna must have shared the joke. George said, "Too bad he looks a bit like he was 'jest gelded." Now Alanna laughed.
"Ignore them," Daine said, throwing a glare at both Alanna and George that abruptly stopped their laughter. "Come sit down." Daine held his hand tightly and looked up into his eyes. Her stomach did flip-flops. Despite his weakened state he pulled her into a warm hug that seemed to go on and on. She nearly forgot that anyone else was present.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered hoarsely.
Finally she pulled from him and stared up at him. "For what?"
"For…" he grinned sheepishly, "For keeping my hands to myself." He paused a moment. "That didn't sound like it should have."
She giggled and walked him to the fire. Alanna was cuddled up to George now. Her head was on his shoulder and she was smiling at Daine and Numair with the oddest expression.
Cloud walked back over to the fire and lipped Numair. He looked at her startled. "Did I die and this is the Black God's idea of funny?" he asked.
-Tell the Storkman not to tease or I might bite instead- Cloud told Daine. "Accept those horse kisses in the manner they were offered," Daine translated, "Or she might just decide to bite you instead."
Alanna and George laughed. Numair just said, "Yes, ma'am," and patted Cloud.
Daine noticed that Numair had not let go of her hand and she wondered when he would notice and pull away. He smiled at her, still looking weak. There was a white streak in his hair and she saw it and clicked her tongue at him. "Whatever you did, it must have been some scary magic." She patted Cloud and sent her on her way and looked at Numair expectantly.
"How do you feel, Magelet?" he asked, then sipped some water.
"Strong as an ox, which is strange." It took her only a second longer to realize that she was feeling too strong for what she'd been through and he looked very weak. She paled. "How did you do this? Why would you do this? Can you take it back?" She was standing and had pulled her hand free.
"I could have told you this is how she'd react." Alanna interjected.
"Magelet," he said in his most soothing voice. "First, how I did it is quite complicated. I'd like to save that for a lesson if that's alright. Second, why I did it should be obvious. And third, yes I can take it back. When you are ready, I will."
"Then take it back now," she practically shrieked it. "You look half dead!"
"Give me your hand," he said. She did and watched with amazement as black fire seemed to flow from her into him. The streak of white in his hair began to slowly turn black again. And Daine could feel herself sway a bit and she was a lot weaker. He stopped it mid-flow. "Why don't you keep a little for just a few hours more?" he asked. "It's much easier to undo than to send it all over again." Responding to the look on her face he said, "It's alright. It won't kill me or harm me in any way, I promise."
Alanna's mouth was in a tight, thin line, but she said nothing. George was watching her. It was like they were having a conversation without words.
Numair looked so much healthier that Daine started to relax a bit. "You'll take the rest back at first light?" she asked.
He nodded and smiled at her making her stomach do summersaults again. "Did I miss Jon?" he asked Alanna and George.
"Yep, but I can fill ye' in," George answered. "I think Alanna wanted a word with Daine."
Daine looked at Alanna surprised and Alanna said, "Thanks, George, I almost forgot. Come with me."
Daine followed her to her tent. Alanna opened a small box in her pack and pulled out a tiny gold charm. "Tell me about Perin."
Without thinking, Daine said, "Perin who?" Alanna's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, you mean… I didn't think you knew about him."
"I have seen him. He was hanging around you in October."
"Yeah, that's right. You know I'd fair forgotten. Why are you asking about him?"
"Well, you see, while you were a little delirious, you talked about him."
"I did?" Daine barely remembered him being in her dreams at all. Most of her dreams had been about Numair, though it wasn't the kind of thing she felt like she could tell anyone about.
"Yes, you did. Numair and I heard you say you loved him." Daine automatically turned her head toward the fire ring, though she couldn't see Numair from where she was now.
"Ummm, if you say so. But I don't really – I mean I haven't really ever thought of him like that. He's a swain. He …" she blushed scarlet.
"Yes?" Alanna urged her to finish.
"He likes to steal kisses," she looked at the ground while she said it. "I don't love him though."
Alanna looked at her gravely, chewing her bottom lip. "That's strange. Do you remember your dreams?"
Daine blushed even redder and looked at the ground again. "Some. Most don't make sense. There were a lot of monsters, some memories, and well – the usual dream stuff."
Alanna smiled. "Well, I'm going to give you this any way because you're the age where you should have it. This is a charm against pregnancy."
"I know," Daine answered instinctively. "Ma was a midwife. She wore one. After me I 'spect she learned her lesson."
Alanna covered her mouth with her hand but her eyes were smiling. "That's why I'm giving you one now before you get the chance to learn your lesson. You should wear it with your badger claw so you don't lose it. I can spell it so it stays if you like. Then if you ever want to be with a man you won't have children until you're ready." Daine thought it sounded rehearsed and she wondered how many times Alanna had practiced. "Give me your chain."
Daine handed her the necklace and Alanna added the charm and spelled it. Then she motioned for Daine to sit beside her. "I know you're fifteen and maybe a bit old for this, but I want to know if you have any questions. Let's have some girl talk."
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After George filled Numair in on what they had learned from Jon, he sat eyeing the mage for a few moments. "I've a bone ta' pick with ye'," he said.
Numair looked up at him nervously. "What?" he asked.
"Ye' asked if I'd do what you done for my children. Now that's a low blow. 'Specially since I'm no fool. If I looked at my children the way you look at her, they'd lock me in the dungeon with good reason." Numair blushed so deeply, George almost felt sorry for him – almost. "Now my lass don't want me interferin'. But see I know a few things she don't – what it's like to wait for years for my girl to see things my way. So I think ye' should say somethin' to Daine."
There was a long silence. "I can't." Numair said. "It isn't right. I'm her teacher. I'm fourteen years older than her. And she's in love with another." George couldn't help but feel sorry for Numair. The mage had let go the mask that he had been hiding his feelings under and he looked like he was absolutely heart sick.
"Do ye' know I first kissed Alanna when she was fifteen? I told her I had in mind ta' marry her. A few weeks later she took up with Jon and I felt like ye' look. I waited years. When she did come to be with me she didn't stay. Next thing I hear she's seein' the Shang Dragon. But still I waited. Damn glad I did." Numair opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. He looked a little humiliated and a little empathetic. "I ain't gonna' tell Alanna I talked to ye'. This is between us men. But if ye' want that girl, ye' should say somethin'."
Numair closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "George, I'm so grateful that you don't think I'm as lecherous as I do for wanting Daine." George opened his mouth to object but this time Numair cut him off, "But these two women are not the same. It would be too easy to fool Daine into a relationship she doesn't want. I see men do that to young women all the time. I've been guilty of it myself. But I don't want her that way. I want the kind of permanent love with her that you and Alanna have. You can't get that by coercion. Plus, she's been shunned enough in her life. I couldn't ask her to put herself in a position to be shunned even more. You may accept this as normal, but most people won't like the age difference. I don't exactly have the best reputation. And then there's this clerk who, according to everyone in Corus, is a nice young man. He's the right age and he seems to treat her well enough."
"When ye' asked 'round 'bout him, did ye' ask any girls?" Numair looked confused. "Ye' might wanna' do that," George continued. "I doubt much if he's really gonna' be half as acceptin' as ye' are." At Numair's puzzled look he asked, "What would ye' do if ye' shared a bed with that gal' 'n' a hedgehog or two joined ye'?"
Numair blushed and chuckled. "Make room and try to think of them as pets. They are kind of fascinating and animals behave differently around her so…" He laughed at the look George shot him. "If it really bothered me I would ask her if she could convince them to leave."
"See, this is what I'm tellin' ye'. Yer just as weird as she is." Numair laughed again. "Now me, I'd start smashin' critters. I'll bet ye' a gold piece that Perin feller' would too."
Numair looked a little worried. "That would hurt her."
"Now I never thought 'bout it that way. Only someone who loves her would," George said. "Which is why I think ye' outta' speak up."
"I'm not going to do that, George. I just can't." Numair looked at his hands. "But I'm not going anywhere either. I couldn't if I wanted to. This fever proved that to me. I could try courting a few women my age but it won't work."
George nodded and looked resigned. "Ye' heard her say she loved that other guy and still gave all yer strength ta' save her. I figur'd that out already 'n' I been there." The two men stared at each other for a moment in silent understanding.
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Okay, let me know what you think.