Disclaimer: I don't own anything that came from Tamora Pierce's head.

Chapter 20 Reuniting and Planning

Numair couldn't believe it. She was alive. She was well…well, for the most part she was. His Daine was okay. She was safe and sound and in his arms. It wasn't until Lindhall's uncomfortable cough that he realized that he wasn't only hugging, but kissing as well. He practically jumped back, away from the woman he had been kissing.

Daine was looking at him confused and dazed. She didn't know what to think. One second he was holding her in her arms so tenderly and kissing her to her very core; the next, he was pushing her away. She was at a complete loss of what to do or say, and so was Numair, it appeared. They were saved from a long awkward silence by George. "It's good to see you again, girl, we all thought you were gone, and its just nice to know that we were wrong," he said giving her a hug.

Once he backed away, she was given a hug by everyone, one by one, until finally, it was just Kaddar and Lindhall left. She looked at them strangely. "Why did you two act surprised when I came out? You already knew that I am Lady Josephine."

"We did not know that you are her," Lindhall replied.

"Yes, you did. I helped you escape, remember? In fact I am the reason that you needed to escape."

"Be that as it may, we have no recollection of you being Lady Josephine."

"But why not?"

"We can answer that question," cam a voice from the back of the room. All turned toward it to see the Green Lady and the Badger.

"Mom!" Daine shouted, rushing toward her. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help you and your friends. You see, those two couldn't remember because it wasn't in the gods' plans for them to. They were needed to forget."

"Why?" Numair demanded of Daine's mother, "So that your daughter would have to remain here to be hurt."

"That is not the only reason. You see, if you had found out about her before, you wouldn't have been able to win the battle that is coming. And she would never had been able to leave this plot of land, assuming that she lived."

"What do you mean, 'wouldn't be able to leave'?" Jonathon asked.

"Hold out your hand, Kit," the badger commanded in answer.

Daine did as she was told. She held out her hand so that everyone could see the bracelet that Ozorne had put on her. Alanna gasped, "Is that what I think it is?"

"An acyle bracelet," Numair studied it in awe. He had only read about these powerfully binding bracelets. However, the awe wore away into disgust as he realized that it was being used to bind his Daine. He swore it would come off, and soon.

"Yes, this is what Ozorne is using to keep Daine here. Trying to leave the designated area without his permission would kill. When Ozorne is defeated, you will be given the knowledge of how to take it of her."

"Is that it? Is that why the gods have made her suffer so much?" Onua asked.

"No, she will be rewarded for what she has suffered through just as Ozorne will pay. However, you would need the support of the people here in order to win the upcoming battle. Daine has won that support in her time here."

"So, my whole reason for being here was to help bring down Ozorne?" Daine asked.

"Yes," her mother answered. "I tried to get them to go about this another way, but with Ozorne kidnapping you, this was the best option that they had."

Daine just nodded, "What do I need to do?"

"Send messages out to everyone you know you can trust. Tell them that the wedding is to be stopped and Ozorne brought to justice as mandated to the gods. They are to bring as many faithful followers with them as possible and weapons as well."

"Okay, I'll get right to it, Mom."

"It can wait until morning, my sweet. Right now, have a reunion with your friends here," her mother told her lovingly before disappearing with the badger.

Daine did just as she was told. Messa and her made drinks while the others caught her up on the happenings in Tortall. In return, she described the less gory things that had happened since she had been held captive. During this time, Numair slowly moved closer to her. He came to accept what he felt for his old student. When he had pushed her away, it was because he thought that he would ruin her. He came to realize, however, that perhaps he would save her from everything she had endured. As her tale came to an end, he wrapped his hand around hers.

It was right then that kit and the wolves entered the cottage. Kit got excited and bounded from one old friend to the other. It had been forever since she had last seen them. The wolves went straight to Numair, happy to see the storkman again. Daine giggled at the sight. It was when she yawned that the others realized how late it was and decided to head back to the palace. Daine walked them to the door, making them promise not to try anything against Ozorne. They each hugged her before heading out the door. Numair was the last to go. Daine was unsure of how to tell him good-bye. She wanted to kiss him, but didn't know how he would react. Numair made it simple by initiating the kiss. This one was much sweeter than the one before, almost like her was revering her. When they broke apart, he gave her a smile and wink before going with the others, leaving her there with her fingers to her mouth.

A/N: Thanks to the following for their reviews:

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