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Chapter 28 – Planning and Parting

Numair and Daine practically inhaled the food that they were given in the galley while Thayet sat with them. It seemed very bland after the food that they had consumed in the divine realms. And both were so hungry they had hardly realized it.

"Daine, I just notice what you're wearing," Thayet said, obviously urging them to tell some of the story. "Are those Numair's clothes cut down?"

"Yes," said the girl when she finished chewing her bite. "I fell off a cliff and lost of my things. Numair could have shrunk some things but he drained himself to save me and he needed to conserve magic in case we ran into trouble before we reached the Sea of Sand. We also weren't entirely sure if the Stormwings would be there to get us across the Sea of Sand." Thayet had blanched at "cliff" and stared, mouth open, as Daine finished.

"She lost her blanket and cloak too. We were close enough to the Sea of Sand to make due for camping, but she will need a new bedroll and clothing for any camping here," Numair said. "Oh and she lost her bow too." Turning to Daine he said, "I'm sure Weiryn will give you another one." Daine smiled at him.

"Weiryn really is your father then?" When Daine and Numair looked surprised she said, "When the Badger explained things, he included that, although I admit I wasn't sure until now." Thayet watched them eagerly again. "You are probably too tired to talk, aren't you? Daine, I can offer you my own cabin to rest in. I'm not sure what is available for you Numair."

"Honestly, Thayet, I'm so tired that all I need is a piece of floor somewhere out of the general traffic of the ship. It's only two short hours until dusk anyway. As much as I'd like a bath and fresh clothes, sleep is much more of a priority."

When they finished eating, Daine tucked into Thayet's cabin and Numair headed to Harailt's cabin. Their friends refrained from their questions so the two could rest. Numair and Daine promised to give them the full story when there was time. Numair had just removed his shoes when he heard a light knock at his door. He opened it and at first couldn't see who could have knocked. Then he realized there was a mouse on the floor waiting for entry. He let Daine, the mouse in, shut the door and draped his cloak over the small furry body so she could shape-shift. He turned his back.

"I wanted a private minute with you," Daine said behind him. He turned to see her wrapped in his cloak and he went to her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her eagerly. When they finally broke apart, both were gasping. "I know we should be sleeping, but I just needed …"

"I'm glad you came," he assured, sitting on the bed. "But if you want this kept secret, this probably isn't the way. Do you?"

"I don't know," she said as she sat beside him. "I'm not quite ready for all the questions that come with letting them know."

He smiled. "When we discuss our future, after the war, then you will know what to say. I understand." They kissed again until he was sure the heat of it would melt the furniture and, pulling away, he realized the cloak had slipped off both of her shoulders and she was now barely covered. And though he knew he should, Numair could not look away. He found his eyes fixing on her badger claw and was struck by the realization that something that had been there in January was there no longer. He wanted to ask, but didn't think it appropriate that he even knew she had worn a charm against pregnancy then.

Daine saw his gaze though. "Ma said it didn't make it through the crossing, I need to get another one."

Numair blushed deeply and tried to keep his mind from wandering there. Suddenly he felt awkward again.

"I never knew you had noticed it," she said softly. "When?"

"Do you remember the snowball fight in January?" he asked in return, looking at his feet.

"Oh – is that why you seemed to change so suddenly?" She put a hand under his chin as if directing him to look at her.

"Yes. I – I almost kissed you then. But I thought you and Perin…"

She began to laugh. "You must have felt strange when I told you I wouldn't invite him in a month later."

"A little," he admitted.

"The charm was a gift from Alanna. You noticed it a day after I got it. She said she had one for a couple years before she ever used it and that a girl should have one 'in case'. It was spelled to stay with the badger claw, but…"

"I'm sorry," he said, still feeling awkward. "I didn't mean to notice it or notice it's absence. Please, I –" He was back to looking at his feet.

"Are you afraid to talk about canoodling?"

He was deep crimson now. "Spoken like a true mid-wife's daughter. I tried to tell you before that sex is not what I want. Well, truthfully, when you kiss me like that… But do you understand that I want something permanent? And I want to be proper around you."

He could see that Daine was blushing lightly. But she looked him straight in the eye as if determined to have this discussion. "I want to be part of your life always," she said finally. "I can't imagine loving anyone else the way I love you. Nobody else even tries to understand me like you do. I doubt if I could trust anyone else the way I trust you. And you are right – I'm a mid-wife's daughter. It seems fair clear to me that the girls who didn't talk about canoodling 'til it was too late are the ones my ma saw the most. We will sort out our future after the war and I'll try not to tempt you too much before then. You do the same thing to me, you know? I never wanted to canoodle with Perin, but part of that was because I was in love with you even then. He couldn't compare at all. And I didn't think you would see me this way. Now I think about it a lot, especially when you kiss me."

He smiled at her. "I can show restraint, Magelet. I'm well practiced by now." He kissed her again briefly and then they leaned their foreheads together. "I'm glad you came to see me. I hate being apart from you. That said, I think it best if I let you go back to your room to rest."

She stood and he followed. "And Magelet, I, too, want to be part of your life forever. I love you and I always will." She stood on tiptoe to kiss him and he bent to meet her. He felt her hands go around his neck and into his hair again. And once more he got lost in the incredible sensations and when finally they broke apart he realized the cloak was on his feet. He kept his eyes closed until she was a mouse again. He let her out the door and she crept down the hallway through the cracked door of her own room.

Numair struggled to go to sleep, but eventually drifted off. All too soon, Harailt was shaking him awake. Up on the deck, Numair could see Daine, Thayet and Admiral Hiyagashu already talking to the dragons that were hovering off the starboard bow. He joined them.

--..heading straight for Legann. We think you should land north of the enemy camp. We can hide you there and help you sneak up on the army,— said Diamondflame.

"They have mages that can sense stealth spells though," Harailt said.

--They cannot sense dragon stealth spells—Wingstar said haughtily.

"I have heard stories of dragons walking through cities without being seen or heard. The tales are old, but perhaps there was much truth in them," Thayet said.

--Precisely,-- Diamondflame said.

"A coordinated attack from both sides could bring the pawns into the open," Numair offered. "Can we get word to Jon and a few spelled mirrors to coordinate?"

--I will take a messenger to the king safely,-- Diamondflame volunteered.

"That's where Kit is. I prob'ly should be the messenger," Daine said.

"Don't forget the enemy was planning to take Legann from at least two sides – the enemy on this side and the Copper Isle's fleet," Thayet reminded.

-- There is a camp of immortals on the eastern edge as well.—Diamondflame informed them.--The fleet will be short work for us, but we do not want them to get word to their companions too soon. It is best to surprise them all.--

"I like the way you think, Diamondflame," Thayet said. "Can we put this together in two days?"

"I don't see why not," Numair said. "In that time the enemy positions could be mapped and word could be taken to Jon. He could prepare their forces from there."

--Another Naval fleet in red is south of Legann,-- Wingstar offered.

"The royal Navy of Carthak. Those are the ships that Kaddar promised us," Harailt said.

"So it's three to three," Daine said.

--But you have two dragons. We can equal one force on our own.—

Daine shot Numair a look that showed she thought the dragons were a little egotistical. He grinned at her.

--And you have me,-- it was the badger. --I will help take out the Copper Isles force.-- Numair wondered how long the Badger had been hanging around unseen before revealing himself.

Diamondflame added, --There is a very strong mage with a red-ruby for an eye among this camp. He is the only mage that we were concerned might detect us.—

"Inar Hadensra." Numair said. "Leave him to me." He saw the look on Daine's face. "He's strong, but he thinks he can't fail. That is to my advantage, Magelet, don't worry."

--Any human that can figure out how to use dragon magic is more than a match for an evil, self-absorbed mage,-- Wingstar said, trying to sooth Daine.

"I have some things to tell you," Numair told Daine when her mouth dropped open. He turned back to the others, "Daine's cartography kit should still be in Legann." He turned again to Daine, "You could map the enemy from Diamondflame's back, giving us the means to plan this properly."

"That would be amazingly helpful," Harailt said. "I have some mirrors to spell for communications. And Numair, I can also replenish the mage kit you lossed."

"Thanks, Ral," Numair said.

"Are we to land a day's march north of the enemy then?" asked Hiyagashu. Numair had nearly forgotten the man was there. He was so quiet and his face was so void of emotion.

"That sounds best," Thayet agreed. The admiral went to inform the other ships. "I should go organize supplies to go to shore," Thayet said. "We will meet once more to organize things when the first supplies cross. It would be good to have the stormwings and our immortal friend on the shore at that meeting."

"Will the centaurs and ogres know to meet us?" Daine asked.

Thayet smiled. "The darkings will let them know. They have been amazing allies."

The group began to split up. "Ral, I'll be along in a moment to help with the mirrors and mage pack. I owe Daine an explanation I didn't get time to share," Numair said.

He and Daine walked side by side around the deck as he explained what happened while she was knocked out. When he was finished she said, "We won't be together when the fighting starts." She looked like she might cry and he felt the same urge.

"It's necessary and only temporary. This battle may very well end the war. And you know that once it is over they will have to pry me from your side to separate us again." She wrapped her arms around his chest and hugged him tightly.

"I will miss you so much," she said.

"And I will miss you. I also won't get to see Kitten until it's all over. You will tell her I was thinking of her, won't you?"

"Of course," she said.

"We both have tasks to ready before we head to shore. We're going to work through the night and Diamondflame is taking you to Legann just before sunrise, right?" She nodded. "I promise I'll come to say goodbye before you leave. But if I don't get to my tasks now, I might change my mind and that could destroy our world."

She sighed heavily, resolved. "You're right. To work –" she smiled, parting from him and heading to the hold.

Numair went to Harailt's cabin and together they spelled mirrors. He also created a new mage's kit while Harailt admired the staff Weiryn had given him. "I think I'm jealous," he said.

"Don't be. Weiryn was never certain if he liked me. He spent a good part of the time we were there glowering at me."

"Why?" Harailt asked.

"It's so complicated. Suffice it to say he didn't like the years I have spent with his daughter." He wanted to say more. He wanted to prepare Harailt for the possibility that he might marry Daine. But he didn't know how she would feel about that. "Worse, the gods can read minds, no matter what you do. So if I thought he was behaving like an ass he knew it." Harailt laughed. "I ended up telling him what a poor father I thought he had been and a few other choice things that nearly got me struck by lightening. But Sarra and the other gods in the house all liked me, luckily. He gave me the staff as we left to protect Daine."

"I am jealous anyway. The whole experience sounds amazing and I want the whole story the second this war is over."

"The second? That might be a tall order. Can we agree to as soon as possible?"

The next conference was held while the long boats were busy carrying weapons, supplies, and fighters from the Yamani Fleet to the shore. They were cloaked by darkness and dragon magic. Numair, Thayet, Harailt, Diamondflame, Wingstar, Admiral Hiyagashu, commanders of the Kings Own regiment that was with them, the commander of the 6th rider group, the Badger, Goldstreak and Jelly were all in attendance as well as Queen Barzha, Hebakh & the centaur herd leader and the ogre tribe leader, both of who had been carried over by dragon power. Plans were made up and finalized. Battle maps were drawn and copied. It seemed to last forever to Numair. He was starting to ache for Daine and he had no idea how he would make it through the next two days.

Thayet smiled to him as they wound up the battle plans. "Harailt and the other mages want to go over a few more things with you. I need to give the maps and the dominion jewel to Daine."

"Tell her I'll be along in a moment."

The mages that were heading separate directions wanted to make sure they wouldn't interfere with the dragon power. Numair merely laughed. "I could ask them over to assure you if you really want a lesson in Dragon egotism. Suffice it to say that there is little anyone could do to stop Diamondflame if his mind was set to do something. He has more power than even the typical dragons. Stick to the plan and everything will go smoothly."

"And the enemy?" asked Master Colem, a young war mage who had yet to really see a battle.

"The only mage on the other side who could possibly cause any disturbance to them is Hadensra. I will keep him occupied," Numair answered.

Queen Barzha, who had dropped in just in time to hear them sassed, "You think something of your own abilities, don't you, Mage?"

He grinned at her. "You're the one who said I'd make a good stormwing and I have yet to meet one who wasn't arrogant. I'm just living up to your compliment."

She grinned at him showing steel teeth and seemed to look him up and down. "You might not make a bad consort either. Are you large everywhere, longshanks?" She took off cackling while Numair felt his cheeks flush.

Some of the mages chuckled, a few looked down right unnerved.

"Do they – uhh…." Master Colem asked.

Numair chuckled. "Some questions are better left unasked. She just wanted the last word."

Harailt shook his head as he laughed. "You have strange friends, Numair."

Numair cocked an eyebrow. "Speaking as one?" There was a roar of laughter. He pointed to where Barzha and Hebakh appeared to be almost dancing in mid air. "Strange as it sounds, they grow on you. Rikash can still make me feel dirty with a leer, but I do count him as a friend. If he kills Ozorne, I might invite him over for tea once a week."

--I'd like a word with you,-- the Badger said, appearing in mid-air before him.

The two went to the stateroom. "Yes?" Numair asked.

--There is a possibility that Uusoae's pawn has more chaos tricks. We are certain the skinners were hers. I have now heard from Gainel that one of her creatures may have delivered a box to her pawn.—

"Have you any idea at all what it might contain?"

­--This is Uusoae we're talking about, it could be anything.—

"I'll pass the word. We'll have the mages search for it. I think there is a spell that can help. Thank you, Badger. And please, give our thanks to Gainel if you talk to him before I do."

He headed toward Daine, talking all the way to Jelly who was again hiding in his shirt. Daine was talking to Rikash.

"Gods help us, it's the stork-man, come to make sure I'm not corrupting you. Has your grand conference ended, Longshanks?" Rikash asked.

Numair ignored the jibes and nicknames. "It has. There go Barzha and Hebakh now." He pointed to the two Stormwings that were flying toward the shore.

"And I must follow, like a good servant," Rikash commented. "I'll see you both when the dust settles in two days." He took off, soaring over the water and narrowly missing a collision with the back of Wingstar's neck.

Numair put an arm around Daine's shoulders. "It's time, he said quietly." They were mostly alone now. Thayet had crawled into the second to last longboat to head for shore, along with Harailt. Only the crew that would remain was still on board. Numair would ride over with the last load of supplies and Master Collem, who was in his cabin, doing some hasty packing.

"Come with me," she whispered, turning to grab a fistful of his shirt. Jelly squeaked at her. "Well if you wouldn't hide in his clothes all the time," she snapped. Numair could tell she was afraid.

"Magelet, I can't." He didn't know what the next two days would bring and it was far too difficult to dwell on it. He caressed her face, staring into her eyes. "No one else can take on Inar Hadensra, not without risking lives needlessly. He could have been a black robe mage like me, but – he thought the university was too confining. He's in the main camp for certain – I can sense him even at this distance. I must be there when Thayet attacks." He wouldn't tell her some of Hadensra's capabilities. She would beg him not to do it and if she begged too much, he might fold.

"You get into so much trouble without me to look after you," she whispered.

He kissed her forehead. "You belong in Legann. Make sure that Jonathan understands what Gainel told us. It's not the kind of thing we can trust to a letter or speech spell. He's got to see that it's vital to capture or kill Uusoae's pawn, Valmar of the Copper Isles. Diamondflame says he'll get Deniau of the Copper Isles when his fleet reaches Legann." He sighed and stared out over the water wondering if this was the right decision. This is not the time to question yourself. "And we'll just have to hope she is drawing on those two or Inar Hadensra, or Ozorne, not one of the other immortals that were in our dream, because we have no way to identify them."

Daine threw her arms around his neck and they kissed passionately, clinging desperately to one another and ignoring Jelly's renewed squeaks of protest.

When finally they broke the kiss, Numair let her slide to the deck. "I love you," he whispered. "If you get yourself killed, I will never forgive you."

She was sobbing and tried to laugh at the same time, resulting in a sort of breathless choke. Numair offered his handkerchief. "You'll need it," she said and wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

"Something else," he said pulling Jelly from his shirt. "We talked about this," he told Jelly firmly. "You'll be much better off with Daine and Leaf."

Jelly stretched its neck long until it could rub its head against his cheek. It returned to a glob of dark and Numair tucked it in Daine's pack where Leaf was.

­--If the touching farewells are done with?—Diamondflame hovered beside the ship. Numair had not heard him and judging by Daine's leap of surprise, neither did she. –We too must be on our way.—

Numair and Daine kissed once more briefly before Daine climbed on the rail and then onto Diamondflame's back. When she was seated, Numair watched her blow him a kiss.

The dragon rose in the air, carrying away the woman he loved. He sent her a last message, a speaking spell, "Goddess bless, my darling," complete with a spelled kiss for her cheek. He felt hollow and desperately afraid that this goodbye might be the last they ever saw of one another. All that was left was to get himself to shore.