Disclaimer:I only own Messa and the storyline, nothing else.

Chapter 17 Daine's Reaction

Daine left the palace in a blur of emotion. She wasn't even fully aware of getting on Cloud. She wasn't aware of Cloud trying to get her attention in order to find out what was going on. All she could do was think 'They're here. He brought them here for the wedding.' Once at the cottage, she took care of Cloud as quickly as possibly before hurrying in and up to her room. Her mind was so clouded by her thoughts, that she didn't notice Messa's concerned look or how she had disturbed the wolves.

Messa looked at the wolves and told them that she would go find out what was wrong and that they should go check on cloud. Over the years, she had gotten comfortable with them and the fact that they could understand what she was saying. She went upstairs as the wolves followed Brokefang outside. She walked quietly and as she approached the Wild Mage, she heard crying. As she got closer, she caught sight of her friend, crumpled on the bed crying with a very worried dragonet beside her. Messa rushed to her side, "Oh, Honey, what's wrong?"

"They're here," Daine whispered, almost childlike.

"Who's here?" Messa asked, confused.

"Them, my friends."

"You're animal friends? Aren't they always around?" Messa asked, even more confused.

"No, my friends from Tortall."

"Isn't that a good thing, though? Now that they know you're alive, they can help you."

"They hate me."

"What? How do you know that? They were probably just surprised is all."

"No, they really hate me. I saw it in their faces; the emotions that went through their faces as they realized that it was me. I saw the hurt and betrayal. I saw the anger. They hate me."

"Daine, I'm sure that isn't true. You were probably mistaken because of your own shock."

"No, Ozorne planned this and it went perfectly. They think that I faked my death in order to marry him."

"They're your friends; there is no way they believe that."

"They do."

"Well, then, they're just confused is all. All they need is to have someone explain it to them."

"But I can't. There's no way for me to go to them. That is, if they would even listen."

"Well, then, we'll just have to bring them here." At Daine's quizzical look, she continued, "I'll go get them. Once they retire to their rooms, I'll go and get them."

"But Ozorne…"

"Will never know. I'll be careful, I promise."

"They won't want to come."

"Then I'll make them," Messa said, determined to do this for her friend.

She turned to walk out the door and ask Cloud for a ride when Daine called out in a stronger an clearer voice, "Thank-you, Messa."

Messa just replied as she was leaving, "What are friends for?"

Daine smiled slightly and looked down at kit who was whistling a tune to comfort her. "Everything will work out okay, right Kit?" Kit whistled in the affirmative and rubed against her in assuring motions, yet Daine couldn't shake the feeling that they wouldn't be okay.

A/N: Thanksto the following for their reviews:

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Tortalls Resident Wildchild

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