Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it belongs to Tamora Pierce.

A/N: Confused Knight had asked me to include a section on Faithful and I mentioned that I didn't think Faithful was in the Immortals. That was incorrect. Purple Eyed Cat reminded me where and I looked it up. Faithful is in the end when Daine meets the Goddess and Mytros and all. Unfortunately I still can't put him in this story because Numair never saw him. I regret that. Faithful was cool and he didn't have exactly the same personality as Queenclaw.

There will also be an interesting twist in this plot that did come from my own head. You'll be able to see that I planned it for some time and it will slide nicely into the story line. Numair and Weiryn never totally get along. There's a comment on the first bridge when the two animal gods tell them they cannot take their packs because Weiryn and Sarra connected those things to them. Numair says, "I didn't know Weiryn cared." I think it highlights the relationship they have – one of mutual toleration.

Sunfish Sailor: Thank you so much. Not many really commented on Jon from the last chapter. When I wrote that I cried. I had spent so much time trying to get my head in the right place to make it believable that by the time I was there, I felt like I'd lost someone. Also, you'll see some more into the weird relationship with Weiryn coming up.

Narms Briton 44: Thanks so much.

Native Wild Mage: You are correct about Faithful. It was small and though I've read the book several times, I apparently looked right over the top of it repeatedly. I think that happens when you read them out of order. Thanks anyway.

Kit49: I'm glad you like that, because before I'm done I will connect them all. A major thing from the first chapter of Enemies is about to show up. There's also mention of things from Two Weeks in Carthak in this and the last chapter.

Bitterosemary: Thanks again. This was so nice to hear. Not many commented on Jon and I was beginning to think that I should have split the chapter in two. Thank you for making me feel confident again.

Purple Eyed Cat: You are so right. I completely forgot

Alanna Cooper: Thanks.

Sarramaks: As much as I would like to take credit for making Broad Foot sound Aussie, you should know he greets Daine with "g'day" in the book. But thanks anyway.

Blackandwhiteroses: Wow, if your dad is like Weiryn, then you're a half-goddess. That should make you feel beautiful.

Chapter 8 - Revelations

Numair finished his porridge, but it was a struggle. It was far too rich and left him feeling a little nauseous. However, he felt that Sarra might have been insulted if he didn't make an attempt. He had hoped Daine might wake up and join him, but it didn't happen.

Sarra gathered apples for her pie and Numair entertained her a little by juggling a few of them. Then a patch of silver light bloomed and the badger appeared.

"I dropped by to see how my kit was doing," he said.

"She's still sleeping," Sarra said. "We're hoping she'll wake soon. And Weiryn's out hunting."

"I know," the badger said. "I talked to him already."

"Badger, I was wondering if I might talk to you privately at some point. Would that be possible?"

The badger merely nodded. He trotted back into the house and Numair followed until they entered a closed door that he had not noticed before. It seemed to be a study with numerous books and a large empty desk. It did not seem like a room that either Sarra or Weiryn would have in the house.

He wandered around the room staring at book after book on magic with his mouth hanging open. It looked like his own library. "Are we still in Weiryn's house?" he asked.

"Yes," the badger answered. He sneezed in amusement. "Now you needed to talk?"

"I was wondering – well, Weiryn seems to be sizing me up and –" he paused to collect his thoughts. "You told Daine that her father had asked you to look after her when you first met her three years ago. Consequently I think you are Weiryn's friend more than Sarra's. Is that a correct assumption?"

"Yes," the badger said. His black eyes twinkled.

Numair tugged at his long nose a moment and scratched his beard again. "I was wondering if -- he's Daine's father and I don't want to always be the target of his acrimony."

The badger sneezed three times consecutively and stared up at the mage. "You irritate him for a number of reasons outside of your control."

Numair sighed heavily. He looked around the room again longing to select a book and bury himself in it for awhile. Whoever used these tomes would be very knowledgeable about mortal magic. It did not seem like an interest that would draw Weiryn, but then Weiryn was a god and was probably very, very old. "When I first met you, I remember that you told me that my grasp of wild magic was usually very good. You knew a lot about me and you knew a great deal about mortal wild magic. Would I be correct in assuming that Weiryn knew as much about wild magic as yourself?"

"Of course," the badger said.

"Then why did he never tell Sarra so that she could teach Daine about her magic? Daine said Sarra tested her and tested her for Gift. She also said that Sarra always behaved as if Daine's Da were right around the corner which – obviously Weiryn was always there. I'm guessing that means that Sarra saw Weiryn frequently in Daine's first twelve years. He didn't tell Sarra about wild magic and he didn't try to direct Daine's magical training, or even introduce himself in all of that time. Certainly Daine was old enough to understand and keep the secret by age eight. So I don't understand his distance. Can you tell me why?"

The badger studied him for a moment as if coming to a conclusion. "Weiryn has always maintained a distance from his children."

"Children?" Numair had not expected that.

The badger sneezed. "Mortals always tend to think of things in terms of their own understanding of time. We do not. Weiryn has sired six children in the mortal world over the years. Daine is currently the only living one. And her mother, Sarra, is the only woman he ever loved enough to bring into this realm."

"Did the others possess wild magic too?"

"No, Daine is the only one. The others had varying degrees of gift. All were very good with a bow, save one. That one had very, very strong Gift, like yours."

"Then why would he question my ability to protect Daine? If he had a child with as much gift as I possess, he would surely know what I'm capable of."

"Yes, he knows. But that son was not a good man. His death was recent and though he is in the black god's realm, he is not in a welcome part and he is not free to visit. I'm not sure if Weiryn would visit him."

"Somehow I'm a reminder?"

"More than you could know. You are very opposite to that son. He did not think of consequences and he hurt the innocent repeatedly. Weiryn did not like my trust in your nature. We argued about it. And ultimately you earned the type of respect from his daughter that he longed for."

"I'm not her father and that's the last thing I want to be."

The badger sneezed. "Weiryn wants to protect her."

"Maybe now. Where was he when she was orphaned and needed someone? Don't get me wrong, Badger, he sent you and I have the highest respect for you. I'll even go so far as to suggest that sending you was the best choice in the long run. But in my mind a father should have wanted that duty himself. I won't leave Kit to someone else's protection if I have a choice and I don't understand why he has."

"He cannot leave for a hundred years now. It was part of agreement when he petitioned to make Sarra a goddess."

"He still had twelve years before that in which to help her not feel so alone. He could have let it be known he was her father so she didn't have to suffer the label of bastard all that time. And he could have waited to bring Sarra here until Daine was safe in Snowsdale after Sarra died. For that matter, he could have protected Sarra in the first place. He did none of that. I want to respect him, if for no other reason because he is a god. But I'm having a little trouble."

The badger sneezed repeatedly. "You speak your mind, just like my kit."

Numair chuckled. "You do love her like a child, don't you?"

The badger nodded. "I'm proud of my kit."

"And…" he broke off. He wanted to know if the badger might accept them if someday Daine returned his affections. He just couldn't say the words.

"What you need to ask yourself," the badger said, "is if you think the way her life turned out is wrong. She would not be who she is today if Weiryn had been part of her life. Is that what you want?"

"Gods no!" He couldn't imagine not having Daine in his life and he couldn't imagine her any way other than she was. "I love her the way she is," he said softly, looking to the badger to gauge his response.

The badger sneezed. "You think I don't know that? I knew that when I saw you in Carthak." Numair couldn't help but smile. That was the answer he had hoped for.

"Will Weiryn come around?"

"Will he warm to you? I doubt it. He will tolerate you for her sake. He can threaten you all he wants to, but he knows what he owes you. However, you should know that he does not see death as an end the way you do. If the time comes to point out what you have done to protect Daine, remember that life and death is not as important as guiding her soul for the greater good."

Numair tried to absorb all this. "I think I might need to contemplate that for a while before I fully understand." The badger nodded and trotted toward the door. Numair opened it and let them both into the main room. It was then that a sudden horrible possibility occurred to Numair. "Did I know his son?"

"Briefly," the badger answered.

Numair sat hard in the chair.

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