Lela-of-Bast - Hope you carry on enjoying it!
Snowtigress - thank you for your comments. I usually put in whatever word comes to mind first! Will pay a bit more attention.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to TP.
Chapter 6 – Walking…Running
Numair had been away for two days when Daine finally managed to get back on her feet again. The first place she decided to visit was the stables, wanting to check in on Cloud and the other horses that she helped to look after. Daine felt relaxed and at home as soon as she entered, the overtly familiar smells and sounds doing her more good than a week of bed-rest and nasty herb messes. Cloud shifted over to her, whinnying softly.
Are you better now? Her oldest friend asked her.
"Just," Daine replied, burying her hands in Cloud's mane. "No one was hurt by the unicorns, were they?"
Only you! Cloud retorted. Trust yourself to be bitten by a unicorn!
Daine smiled to herself, Cloud had never altered. "Numair's gone on a trip," she told the mare.
I know, Cloud replied, He took Spots. Are you missing him?
Daine was silent. Cloud already knew the answer to that.
Outside the stable Daine came across Perin, one of the clerks. She knew him fairly well. He was four or five years older than her and very handsome. He had kissed her on Midwinter's eve, and Daine knew that he had wanted it to go further.
"Daine," he addressed her and bowed slightly. "I thought you might be here. Would you care to take a walk with me in the snow?"
Daine looked at him. She felt lonely without Numair, even though she had plenty of friends at the palace. Perin was nice enough to talk to, so why not? "A walk sounds fair interesting, Master Perin," she replied, taking his arm.
They strolled for about an hour, chatting about non-eventful things, which made light relief for Daine. She found Perin quite funny; he had a good way of telling a story and was quite happy to laugh at himself too. Perin walked her back to the stable when he had to return to work.
"Thank you, Daine, you've made my lunch break much more fun," he smiled at her.
"It's been a pleasure," she told him, returning his grin.
Swiftly, he bent down and kissed her. It was pleasant, she thought, wondering how the ladies of the court felt when Numair kissed them.
Perin came to meet her at the stables everyday at lunchtime, and everyday he would kiss her, not only when he left her, either at the stables or in her room, but as they were walking too. Daine looked forward to Perin's visits; she was really missing Numair and the clerk's company helped to resolve that slightly.
Perin's advances to her were becoming more persistent after seven or eight days of courting her. He had begun to visit her in the evenings, suggesting moonlit walks in the snow, or stargazing from the tops of one of the towers. Daine had gone along with him, enjoying the attention as much as anything else. One the tenth evening since Numair and Alanna had left on their quest, Perin and Daine took a walk through the fields where the horses usually grazed in summer. Perin was especially attentive, holding her hand, helping her across fences even though she was far more adept at climbing them than him. When Perin returned with her to her room he entered with her, closing the door behind him and sitting on her bed. Daine was slightly perturbed by this; generally he saw her to her door and that was that, but now he was veering into her territory and Daine had a very good idea why.
"I'm not sure you should be in here, Perin," she said, as politely as she could manage.
"Why not?" he laughed. "We could have some fun!"
"I don't want that kind of fun with you, thank you," she opened the door and gestured for him to leave.
Perin stood up and scowled at her. "I suggest you're careful about who you lead on next time," he snarled.
"I think you're fair right, Master Clerk, I'd best be more careful with who I choose to associate with in future!" Daine closed the door as he left, managing not to slam it, and bolted it securely. Kitten slipped out from under the bed and whistled, concerned.
"I'm fine, Kit, thank you," Daine told the worried dragon. "Men! So many of them are after one thing!" Daine changed her clothes rapidly, pulling on Numair's old silk shirt and got into bed after opening a window slightly. She fell asleep surrounded by the animals that came into her room, aware that not all was well in the love life of Daine Sarrasri.
The following day, Daine went to the stables as usual too check on the mounts that were not currently being used for duty. Lunchtime cane and went and Daine was relieved to see no sign of Perin. Onua, whose sharp eyes hadn't missed a thing over the past two weeks, raised her eyebrows at Daine's rather serious face.
"No visit from your clerk then today?" she asked innocently, having a very good idea of what had happened.
Daine hook her head, grooming Cloud hard enough to cause the horse to complain.
"Why don't you come and have some lunch with me?" Onua sat down in a cosy corner next to some large bales of hay. Daine trudged over, sat down next to her employer and friend and sighed.
"What happened?" The older woman asked.
"He only wanted to bed me," Daine told her, an ironic laugh in her voice.
"Perin has a reputation for only being interested in one thing. He's a little like Numair used to be in that respect, but Numair was slightly more discreet. The trouble is, Perin's quite pretty for a boy so a lot of girls give him whatever he wants."
"Well I didn't. I told him to leave and he did. He didn't try any funny business," Daine assured her, knowing that if Onua thought that the clerk had put one unwanted finger on her he would be as good as skinned and stewed.
"I didn't think he would do, else I would have warned you about him," Onua told her. "He'll have found his next target by now, so don't worry, he'll pester you no more." She paused, looking at Daine's glum face. "You didn't like like him, did you?"
Daine shook her head, "No, that was the problem."
Onua looked puzzled.
"Perin was charming," Daine began to explain. "But he wasn't as interesting as…" She stopped what she was about to say and blushed.
Onua raised an eyebrow again. Daine shrugged. "He's clever, he knows lots of things!" She defended herself. "All the other men just don't… well, they don't…"
"They're not Numair?" Onua finished for her. Daine nodded, not looking Onua in the eye. Onua passed her a thick piece of bread and roast ham.
"Eat," she ordered. Daine ate, glad that Onua wasn't making her talk any more. Onua had already guessed at Daine's feelings for Numair and didn't particularly want to dramatize them for Daine's sake. However, she wasn't one for letting someone wallow in his or her own misery. "I know you miss Numair, Daine, and I know that, for you, no one else compares with him. Maybe you should tell him how you feel?"
Daine shook her head and laughed woefully, remembering the dream when their kiss had lasted until she had woken up. Now wouldn't be the time to tell him, he had to realise that she could make her own decisions about him. "He'd think I was ridiculous, Onua. And then I'd be too embarrassed to see him again. Let's talk about something else. I need to get my mind off this man business."
Onua laughed and changed the topic to Thayet's wardrobe as they continued eating their lunch.
Fifteen days after leaving Corus, Numair Salmalin, Alanna of Pirates' Swoop and a very cold Lindhall returned from the north of Tortall not much wiser than when they left. As soon as she sensed Spots and Darkmoon nearing, Daine grabbed her warm winter shawl and ran out of her small room to greet them. The day was cold, more snow had fallen and more was promised for that evening. Daine changed her eyes to that of an eagle as the party drew nearer, noticing the grim look etched upon Numair's face. The mage looked grey with the cold, his hands quite heavily bandaged. Daine grew cold with concern. She ran hurriedly to meet them, sending word with a maid to let Alanna's husband and the king know of their return. Numair caught sight of Daine running to them, and Alanna noticed his face light up. He's really missed her, she thought; He's not his usual, annoying self when she's not around.
Daine reached them quickly having reshaped her feet to that of a snow leopard. "It's good to have you back," she told them, producing apples out of her pockets for the horses. "How was you trip?"
Alanna's face fell into a scowl. "The old mage we went to see was killed two days before we arrived."
Daine looked grim. The Lioness would not have appreciated leaving her family for a wasted journey.
Numair smiled at her, noticing that her old colour and strength had returned. "You look better, Magelet," he said. "That's good to see."
"You, on the other hand, Master Salmalin, do not look so good!" she replied. "What's happened to your hands?"
Numair grimaced. "Frostbite. We came across Hurroks one night. It didn't take long for the cold to do its damage. They're on the mend, though," he reassured her, noticing the worried look on her face.
They dismounted; Stefan, the chief ostler took their mounts and took them back to the stables. Daine felt a strong urge to go with him and check the horses were alright and administer any healing, but her need to check on Numair was even stronger. George, the Baron of Pirates' Swoop had come to greet his tired wife, and surrounded her along with their three children. Lindhall was led away by Harailt, probably straight back to the university as Harailt has been stewing over something for a few days. Numair and Daine made their way to Daine's room, which as closest. Numair fell down on the bed, groaning as he did so.
"Was it that bad?" Daine enquired softly, as Kitten curled up to him.
"It was cold and snowy and the weather made it take us twice as long to do anything. The old mage was killed; probably by someone from Scanra connected to Ozorne. He knew of ways to restrain immortals but had apparently never told anyone, or written them down."
Daine began to tenderly unwrap the bandages from his fingers, hoping that the warmth of her room as well as the comfort of being home would help the healing process.
"Have you learnt anymore of Ozorne?" she enquired.
"Nothing solid. It seems Scanra and the Copper Isles are hoping that the releasing of the immortals will weaken the land and then they can invade. I think we will have a lot of work to do when the thaws come."
Daine nodded in agreement. She imagined that they would have plenty to do also.
"It's good to be home," Numair murmured, wrapping an arm around Daine's waist before he drifted off to sleep.
Daine woke Numair just before sundown with an ointment that had been sent from Duke Baird.
"Here," she said as he woke. "This needs to be put on your hands. You also need and bath and to get ready. Jon wants us all to have a meal together."
Numair smiled at her, still too drowsy and wrapped up in his dreams for words, and sat up, disturbing a snoozing Kitten in the process.
"A hot bath sounds good," he said when he was able. "I'll go back to my rooms. I'll see you at dinner then?" He stood up.
Daine nodded. "And try not to do any more damage to yourself!" she instructed. "It seems you have to have me around to keep you out of mischief!"
Numair grinned at her as he left her room, he did seem to get into more scrapes when Diane wasn't around.
Daine found herself sat next to Numair and Kalasin, Thayet's eldest daughter, at supper. Looking across the room she saw that Alanna was decidedly more cheery than when she had first returned, and was seemingly enjoying the company of her husband and children. Daine watched George and the Lioness. They'd been married twelve years or near enough and they still looked at each other with that something in their eyes. She sneaked a look at Numair, who was in conversation with Harailt on his other side. She'd once though the kind the most magnificent man she'd ever met, but now she thought that way – and more – about the mage instead. She grinned as she saw him pushing the food about his plate. Long journeys did not help Numair's appetite. He saw her smirk from the corner of his eyes and grinned back at her.
"I might just ask if I can have some bread and ham," Numair smiled. "At least you don't have to ask your canine friends to eat the meal for me."
Daine scowled. "At least there's nothing weird being served here. I can't believe Varice gave us dormice to eat. That's food for cats!"
"At least she isn't here as well," Numair shuddered.
"Where is she now?" Daine enquired. "Is she still working for the emperor?"
Numair shook his head. "She went to work for one of the noble families in Carthak as I don't think she was entirely to Kaddar's taste. I also heard that she's betrothed to some wealthy nobleman."
"Does that bother you?"
"Not at all, Magelet. It makes me feel quite relieved, if anything."
Daine smiled happily to herself. She hadn't liked Varice Kingsford one bit.
A waiter brought simple bread and ham over for Numair, which he ate with much more gusto that the rather elaborate dish that Daine had enjoyed. His colour had begun to return to him and he looked much healthier than he had when he arrived that afternoon.
After dessert, Jonathan stood and hushed the hall of people.
"The weather, for once, is acting in our favour. Neither we nor our enemies or the immortals can move much in these conditions, so our current plan is a simple one. Until the spring thaws it is suggested that we remain in place; those of you here will stay at the palace. In the meantime, we will prepare our minds and bodies for whatever types of battle the Gods may throw at us. We will aim to stay healthy, build our strength and develop strategies for what may happen. We will also use this time to enjoy ourselves before war commences."
A round of applause greeted Jonathan's speech. "He spoke sense," Daine whispered to Numair. "There isn't much we can do until the snow has thawed."
"Jon nearly always does speak sense. I'm tired, Magelet. I think I'm going to go to my room." Numair began to stand up slowly, still showing signs of his tiring journey.
"Don't forget to put that ointment on your hands again," Daine reminded him. Numair grinned, causing a flutter in Daine's chest. "I won't," he called back, as he moved away from the table.
He will forget, Daine thought, I'd best send someone to remind him.
Numair snuggled down into his bed, sighing with the satisfaction of sleeping in a comfortable place after two weeks on the road. He intended to make the most of this comfort while he could, as after the thaws, he predicted, their would be much fro him and Daine to do.
Daine. His thoughts turned to the woman who had slept beside him. The last time he had slept in his bed she had been with him. He tapped the locket around his wrist and glanced at her picture. He was disturbed from his thought by a tapping at the window. Getting out of his bed, Numair opened up the window and let in a large raven. The raven hopped over to the ointment for his hands and began to tap on its lid.
"She's right," Numair thought out loud. "I do get quite lost without her." He applied the cream, a wistful smile upon his face as he wondered what the future held for them.
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