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

Chapter 21 Secret Meeting

Daine awoke that morning feeling completely happy for the first time in a long time. She had all her friends back. She had Numair, her once teacher and now…something…she'd think about what he was later. The best thing she had, though, was the beginning of a plan to rid herself, and the world, of Emperor Ozorne. Speaking of which, she had better start on those letters.

Daine spent the whole morning writing the letters and having her bird friends end them out. Her mother had appeared when she sat down to write to tell her the basics of what to write. She was to tell them that she was leading a revolt against the emperor. She added that the revolt was ordained by the gods. The fight would occur the day of the wedding, two days from then, when she came out to go down the aisle. Her mother assured her that only those who would stay true to her would be able to read the letters.

The rest of the day passed slowly. Her only job after attracting the masses to fight, was to sit back and wait. The others, however, had a lot of work to do. First, they had to pretend like they were still upset that Daine was Josephine. They had to pretend that they were pretending to cover up that they knew that she was Daine. They also had to prepare for the battle. Alanna was sprucing up the few weapons that she had brought. Onua was learning some moves from her as well. Actually, all the girls were practicing their moves, under the guise of workouts. Numair, Lindhall, Kaddar, and Jonathon were constantly going to the university to learn new spells so that it wouldn't be suspicious. George was left to learn the terrain of the castle and the people as well.

Ozorne was suspicious of them the whole time, however, he never found any evidence of their treachery. He kept an eye on them. He had people tail them, but they never found or saw anything that would give away what they were planning. As long as he didn't find them around the cottage and Daine, he was okay with what they were doing. If he even for one second thought that they had found out the truth, he would have had them killed in their sleep or thrown in jail for treason.

They stayed away from Daine for the two days up to the wedding since they knew that Ozorne's reaction would not be good if he were to catch them. It took every bit of control they ha to keep from going to their newly found, long lost friend. It took even more of their self control to prevent themselves from going after the emperor every time he went in the direction of Daine's cottage.

The night before the battle, Numair decided to risk going over to see how she was. He waited until most of the palace was asleep. He got the others to agree to let him know if they saw anyone going up that path, especially Ozorne. However, it took a bit of arguing with them to get them to agree to help him. He did a spell to keep him hidden, just in case.

When he got to the cottage, Daine was outside sitting at the creek side, nervously swinging her feet to and fro. He walked up quietly behind her. She was distracted by her thoughts that she didn't realize he was there until he picked her up and spun her around while taking off the invisibility spell. When he finally put her back on the ground she whispered loudly, "Numair! You 'bout scared me to death."

"Why are you whispering?" he questioned, still holding her close to him; still marveling that he could.

"Messa is already in bed, and I didn't want to wake her up because I was screaming at you." Daine looked down, "for a second there, I thought that you were him."

"Oh, Daine, I'm so sorry. Ishould have known better than to grab you like that."

"No, it's okay. I'm going to have to get used to people doing stuff like that meaning to be totally harmless again."

"You shouldn't have to get use to anything. You should never had been forced into a life like this."

"If I hadn't lived like this, would I have ever been able to this?" Daine asked before kissing him.

When they broke apart, he had a smile. "I don't know, maybe we would have gotten here eventually."

"Maybe? You would have thought that you were too old, or I would have thought I was too inexperienced to keep you. Our insecurities would have kept us apart."

"So, you think this time apart brought us together?"

"Yes."

"You're not afraid that maybe I am too old and you too young?" Numair asked, voicing a thought that had been bothering him.

"No, I haven't been young in a long time." She got such a sad look on her face that Numair couldn't resist kissing her in an attempt to make it leave. However, inside, he was mourning the fact that she was right. This combine with what happened in Snowsdale had practically ruined her youth. He just hoped that she wouldn't have to face such hardships in the future. She'd taken more than any one person should have to.

They sat together, her in his arms with her back to him, by the creek. "So, are you worried about tomorrow?"

"Yes. I've been under his thumb for so long that I almost can't grasp that I won't after tomorrow; that tomorrow I'll be free."

"And?"

"And, I'm afraid that we won't win."

"Don't worry about that. Everyone is ready for this fight. You have provided us with ample backup, I am sure. Besides, we have the gods on our side." Daine took in his assurances. When he said it, she felt like he was right. They remained in silence for the rest of their time together. Every now and then, Numair would kiss the back of her head, as if to make sure she was really there. After about an hour, Numair got up to leave. He led her to her door and kissed her sweetly for a good bye. As they parted, he whispered, "Tomorrow." She returned the promise and parting word, before she enter the house to sleep and he left for the palace.

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