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

A/N:

Bibliopheliac: Umm, thanks? There was actually a lot of new stuff in there. There was a smidgeon of Numair's past in there too. It will be important later.

Goldeneyedwildmage: The tauros happens on the following morning. So, no, he doesn't know yet.

Twilight Shades: You're right that he doesn't have a proper understanding of time. This will further highlight it, but don't get used to Numair and Weiryn getting along. Something will upset him again.

Ethalas Tuath'an: Thanks

Alanna Cooper: You're psychic.

Nativewildmage: I had always wished there was more Alanna in RotG though I understand why it wasn't there.

Hoshi-ko88: I'll miss you. I hope you have fun while you're gone.

Sarramaks: We'll call it a draw. "Philosophical Enquiry?" Interesting.

Chapter 10 - Truce

Numair couldn't put the mirror down. Throughout his life, new challenges of magic had consumed him. He should have realized this would happen. Hearing Broad Foot say most mortals could master this type of viewing in a week was like issuing a challenge to his studious side. He had to master it in a day or even a couple of hours just to prove it could be done. It had always been so.

He picked subject after subject, finding a way to pull them into his vision in less and less time for each. Not surprisingly, it took him only 30 minutes to be able to focus and instantly pull the image. The sounds had not come yet, but he was sure they would if he kept trying. He decided to check on Kit. He saw her riding in Tkaa's pouch as they walked along a corridor in the castle at Legann. Her color was a dull green – she was sad. It was enough to pull him from his academic single-mindedness.

He walked to Daine's room and rapped lightly on the door. She didn't answer. He opened the door slowly and found her sleeping soundly in her bed. Completely captivated, Numair was drawn into the room against his will. He crouched beside the bed and watched her sleeping soundly for a moment. He gently brushed her hair back from her forehead and pressed his lips near her hair line.

"I tried to tell her," Broad Foot said lightly, "But she went to sleep."

Startled, Numair looked at the duck mole and whispered, "Tried to tell her what?"

"That you love her."

Shocked, Numair said, "I thought Gods had rules."

"I did say 'maybe'," the duck mole said lightly.

"Please, don't do that again. She has the right to choose for herself. I cannot influence the decision. If she knows she might believe herself in love with me and... I want her to be sure."

"If you say so," Broad Foot said. "What brought you in?"

"I was going to let her see Kit, although it might not be the best idea if I want to give her the option to stay. However, I think she's decided."

"Of course she has. But it was right that you offered. You tried to do what was best for her, even though it was painful. I am impressed." The duck mole waddled to the very end of the bed and disappeared in a flash of light.

Numair smiled to himself. If Broad Foot was Daine's father, he would surely have that blessing. But Weiryn fathered Daine and it was Weiryn he needed to somehow reach. He thought it might be too much to expect the hunt god to ever like him, but he'd settle for a lack of open hostility.

Numair left Daine to sleep and walked out to the garden where he knew Sarra was preparing dinner. He thought he could offer to help her and maybe ask how to send a message to his friends. But when he got close to the garden he heard Broad Foot say, "… suggested she might stay to get to know you, while he returned home."

He chuckled to himself. Broad Foot seemed determined to help. He wondered if duck moles were that friendly by nature or if Broad Foot somehow felt a special bond with Daine. He stopped at the top of the path to see how it would be accepted. Then he heard Weiryn say, "I would not have expected that."

Sarra laughed. "I keep telling you that he takes care of her. He's a good man, my love. Give him a chance."

Numair decided it was best to quit eavesdropping and show himself. He wandered into the garden with the mirror still in his hand.

"You look much better, Master Salmalin," Sarra said when she saw him.

"Good evening, Sarra, Lord Weiryn, Queenclaw, Broad Foot," he said in acknowledgement to all in the room. "And thank you, Sarra" he said stroking his clean shaven chin. "I feel much more like myself."

Weiryn eyed him as if struggling for something to say. It ended up being rather insulting. "Are you vane?" he asked gruffly.

Sarra openly glared at him. "Charming tonight, aren't you, Weiryn," Queenclaw sassed.

Weiryn shot the cat a cold look and said, "One of these days I'm going to add an orange and white pelt to my wall." She hissed, offended.

Numair stood there for a moment trying to figure out the vane comment and finally got it. "Oh, the mirror," he tried to chuckle good-naturedly. It came out a little too nervous. "I was viewing."

"Did you already master it?" Broad Foot asked, shocked,

Numair grinned. "No, I have not succeeded in listening in yet, but otherwise. It's a lot like learning new spells and I've always had a natural ability in that area." Weiryn rolled his eyes.

Numair brought the mirror over to Sarra who was nearest and said, "Would you like to peek at my little girl?"

She looked taken aback. He focused on kitten and held the mirror out to her. When she saw the dragon, she began to laugh. It did the trick. Weiryn was too curious too stay away. However, he didn't think it was funny.

"Skysong is my daughter's charge, not yours," he said gruffly.

"Yes, that is technically accurate," Numair answered. "But I have always been there. I was Daine's teacher when Kitten came into her charge and I helped her get information for caring for the little dragon. Over time she's found her way into my heart."

Sarra gave Numair a very warm smile and Queenclaw said, "Awww." Then the cat proceeded to wash her tail. Numair couldn't decide what the expression on Weiryn's face was.

It was then that Weiryn spoke. "You don't think of Daine as your child?"

"No," Numair said. The question made him a little sad. He thought it demonstrated clearly that Weiryn would not approve of the age difference.

"He's not old enough to be her father," Sarra said. She turned to Numair, "Mortal years fair confuse my Weiryn."

He looked at Weiryn and said, "There are others in Tortall who have acted as surrogate parents to Daine when the need arose. However, she has always been very independent in that regard. In many respects she was more responsible at 13 than most people twice her age."

That seemed to brighten Weiryn up slightly. So Numair added, "Once after a visit from the badger, Daine confided that she was frustrated because she would forget to ask who her father was until after he left her. Daine always wanted to know you, Lord Weiryn."

Sarra shot him a conspiratorial grin.

Weiryn looked a little penitent. "Did you actually suggest she stay with us while you return."

"Yes," Numair said, regretfully. "But it made her angry. I've known Daine a long time. This is not something she is willing to agree to. She can be very strong willed, but it's a quality that also makes her courageous."

Weiryn sighed heavily and asked darkly, "Did you know how she would respond before you asked?"

"I suspected she might say that. I tried to be persuasive because – there are many unknown foes in this war. I do fear for her safety. She is exceptionally capable of taking care of herself and she is an immense asset in a battle – still I don't – I cannot know how this will come out. I promised myself I would always do what was best for her no matter what. So I had to give her that choice."

For the time being, Weiryn seemed appeased. Numair offered to set the table and when he carried a stack of plates and utensils to the table, Queenclaw looked at him with a new respect and whispered, "Well played, mage. You would have made a good cat."

He assumed this was her idea of a high compliment, so he said, "Thank you, Queenclaw," and bowed slightly.

-

-

Okay, respond