Goldeneyedwildmage: I tried emailing you but the silly computer wouldn't let me. I am truly sorry about what I said, it was really not meant to offend, I meant it only in jest. I have removed that comment and I hope you will forgive me. I am really very sorry. I love getting your reviews, as they always make me laugh in a good way and I really appreciate your comments, so please don't stop them! What you said did not offend me, I was just horrified that I had caused you offense. Thank you for your comments. I am trying to stick to cannon, so I wouldn't kill off Cloud – and Sonnet reminded me that she was in TC! I'm glad you found it funny, I wasn't too sure if the humour was forced or not. Again, I don't think anything bad of you and I love your sense of humour! Sorry again. Aikia Riyen: It sounds bizarre! Fighting lessons with a sword? Explain, my dear! Spightly Mordred: Thank you for your reviews! Imakeladrygirl: Here's the update, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Sonnet Lacewing: Thank you for your proof reading skills, help and support I hope you realize that in two of three weeks you're going to start getting chapters of my own work of not-so-art! I love Chapter 2, by the way! Dolphin Dreamer: It will all start to fit together more soon. I had a moment of epiphany late last night. Unfortunately I couldn't carry on writing as I had work today. Glad you like it! Silverlake: I love Cloud too. I wish there had been more of her in the books. When's your next story coming? Daine's Daughter: There will be lots more fluff at the end. So keep reading! Narm's Briton: I have been snowed under at work, so my spare time has gone on writing rather than reading and spending some time with my neglected other half. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to do some reviews and catch up then. I'm sure you will be a great aunt, and even if you don't like kids, you will like your sister's because they're family. Neal's Chick: Thank you. More coming! Celuna Cirrus: Thank you! She does owe him now, I mustn't forget that! Esmerelda 01: How many horses do you own? I'm glad you liked the audience part! Lela-of-Bast: Thank you. I like fluffy chapters too!

Disclaimer: If you don't know it by now, skip back a few chapters…

Chapter 16 – At the Fair

Onua Chamtong woke up in a room that was not hers, the sunlight just starting to pour in through the open window. The night had been steaming hot, and they had needed the fresh air to counteract the heat inside. She looked at the man lying beside her, too tall to fit into the long bed and be able to stretch properly, dark skinned and muscular with only a crisp, white sheet wrapped around his midriff. Smiling to herself, she left the man sleeping, quieting throwing on clothes and leaving the room to go outside, into the morning air, which was promising a hotter day than the one before.

She headed to the stables, knowing that it was far too early for anyone else to be about, and that any signs of breakfast being served would be an hour or so away. The horses had made a good recovery, given what had happened the previous morning.Even Cloud was well and truly back on her feet after Numair's heroics. There would now be the task to find five suitable horses to replace the ones that the poison had claimed, and that would be harder than usual, given the state of the country after the war and the need for many horses to be replaced. She performed the usual morning chores; mucking out the stables, grooming any that needed it and letting the horses that had over-nighted in the stables out into the fields.

She had realised while she was in Port Legann that the man she had become rather accidentally involved with meant much more to her than she had previously thought. He had rectified many of the negatives installed in her by her ex-husband, and shown her that she could trust someone other than herself.Onua had worked with him for years, knew him as well as she knew Numair or Alanna, and he had earned her respect many times over. The time had now come, she knew, to let other people know of her feelings and his. They had discussed it last night, when she had gone to him, traumatized by the events of the day and needing some one to hold her and let her breathe freely. He was there, as always, with his strong arms and open ears, ready to do and be whatever she needed. How she had not thought of him this way before had become a mystery to her, but now they had made certain decisions, that they were smitten with each other, and the fact that her heart sang the loudest tunes whenever she was with him, or thought of him, she knew that the time had come to shout it from the rooftops and let the world know.

They had unintentionally been paired together at Beltane last year, Thayet trying to get as many people as possible to jump the dying embers. It was also the night that Kitten had gone missing, as Onua had discovered.Sarge had found her afterwards, seeking her out to check that she was alright. Onua was very fond of the dragonet and Daine and had worried insanely when they had realized that she had been taken. They had taken a walk into the stables, searching there for any signs. Standing close, she had looked up into a pair of large eyes, centred with pools of black, and found herself reaching up to place her lips on his; such was the electricity she had felt between them. The kiss had continued into more, both of them bursting with a passion that had not been released for an age. At first, she had wondered if it had simply been a cure for an itch that needed scratching, but as they continued to meet, secretly, whenever time and events had permitted, they realised that they had more in common than just a need and gradually she found herself needing to be with him, her heart aching when they were separated.

Onua knew that it would not be long before Daine would arrive to check on Cloud. She knew that the young woman had been asked to go into Corus to do some spying work for George, but would not want to leave the palace until she was certain about the state of Cloud's health. Onua was also aware that Daine's room at the palace had been barely used since she had returned from Legann, spending her nights with Numair. Numair was not a fan of waking up early and Onua chuckled, wondering how he was coping with Daine's early rising. She wanted to tell Daine first; hoping that her friend would understand the reasons why Onua had not shared the secret of her relationship with her before. The horse mistress sat, rather nervously, on the fence surrounding the horses' field, her face warmed by the rays from the new sun, the deep calm of the early day going some way to soothing her nerves.

Daine arrived as Onua had predicted, just before the bell to wake the trainees. She walked towards Onua, waving at her from a distance. Onua sat up and returned the wave, waiting for Daine to reach her.

"How are the horses?" Daine asked, looking toward the herd of them in the field.

"They seem fine.I've checked over the ones that were sick, but they're showing no further malady. Even Cloud seems recovered, slightly tired though, but that's to be expected. I've administered another dose of the acid solution and applied a cream that Duke Baird thought would be useful for any that had shown physical symptoms on their skin. How are you feeling today?" She smiled knowingly at the smaller woman beside her.

Daine smiled back, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm fair fine, Mistress Onua.Why shouldn't I be?"

"I just wondered if Numair's bed was comfortable enough for you to sleep in, that was all," Onua looked it to the distance, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

Daine laughed. "It's very comfortable! Thank you! Where did you disappear to last night? I went to your rooms quite late on to let you know that I had been to check on the horses, and you were nowhere to be found!"

Onua looked at the Gallan girl she had found many moons ago in another country and recognised the bond that they had formed back then, that had continue to be built on ever since. "I was with Sarge," she said quietly, wondering what conclusion Daine would jump to.

"That would be fair late for a chat about the trainees…" She stopped speaking, her lips forming a perfect O momentarily while she grasped the reason for Onua being with Sarge. Her lips moved into a wry smile as she regarded the older woman. "How long has this been happening?"

"Since Beltane," Onua said, still wondering what Daine's reaction was going to be like.

Daine giggled slightly, her eyes filling with fun. "Why didn't you tell us?" She demanded her voice filled with laughter, letting Onua know that she was amused rather than annoyed.

Onua shook her head, joining in Daine's laughter. "We're both shy people, Daine, and to begin with it was just a … physical thing.It's grown into more now. We decided to let people know."

"I'm really happy for you, Onua.I understand why you didn't say anything before. Thayet would've had you married just so she could've made you a wedding dress," Daine rolled her eyes comically.

"He's a good man," Onua told her, seriously. "He makes me feel safe and happy."

Daine looked at the other woman's face and noticed a glow that hadn't been there six months previously. Onua had had a terrible marriage, being left for dead by her husband. She knew that the woman would not have gotten this involved with anyone unless it was something unignorable.

"Are you going to get married?" She asked the horse mistress, her thoughts going back to her and Numair's conversation the previous night.

Onua shook her head. "It wouldn't be right for either of us, Daine. Sarge still has the scars from one contract, as have I. We don't need a ring to know how we feel. It will be enough just telling our friends. And besides, I couldn't."

Daine looked confused. Onua decided to enlighten her. "I'm still married. My husband and I were never divorced."

Daine nodded, wondering if to confide in Onua about Numair's proposal. She decided against it. Although she knew that she could trust Onua with anything, the conversation had been between herself and Numair, and anyway, today would be Onua's day for stories and announcements, not hers.

George Cooper sat with his wife in the small, bare study he used when he was at the palace .It was unfurnished to avoid distraction and to also give nothing away. It was a room where people could speak freely, protected by the strongest speaking spells Numair could drum up. He sat back on the old chair that was almost ready to break and folded his arms across his chest in what he hoped was a manly fashion. Alanna was pacing around the room like a caged animal, becoming increasingly frustrated the lack of things she could do.

"Will ye sit down, lass," he told her, feeling almost sick with watching her repetitive movements. "There's nothing ye can do at present, but I've no doubt there will be soon. Save your energy for then, rather than using it up wearing down these floorboards!"

Alanna sat, glaring at her husband. "When did Jonathan say he would meet you?" She asked, impatiently tapping her fingernail against the table.

"Ye know, doing that will probably cause that table to crumble," he sighed, understanding where their younger son had inherited his impatience from.

"George!"

"He said he'd be here after breakfast, so anytime now," George pacified.

"Why's he having breakfast first?This is important. We need Numair here too," Alanna snapped.

"Lioness, or no Lioness, if you keep carrying on you'll find yourself back in Scanra! You'll be a hindrance not a help acting like you are!"George reprimanded. Alanna sat back in the chair silently, not looking at her husband. George knew that she was simply spoiling for a fight and would quite happily take on her own shadow in her present mood.

The spy, Lennik, had made his way back to the palace in the early hours of the morning, and George had been woken to meet him. He had passed on information that had caused George to leave the palace himself and ride to Low Wood, wanting to see with his own eyes what Lennik had reported. The news wasn't good. It had given George even more cause for concern than he already had, being fully aware of the real identity of Karrum Makheen and what this could mean for various people in the palace.

As of yet, he hadn't divulged any of the new information to Alanna, knowing that given the mood she was in she would simply charge off on one and go about things her own way. Alanna was not a good diplomat. When needed to be she could manage, but preferably under the management and careful eye of someone else. Jonathan, she had to obey. His presence would hopefully calm her and make her see the bigger picture. The news he had to pass on would highlight the action they needed to take.

Jonathan was accompanied by a rather sleepy looking Numair. By all accounts, Numair, when in bed had not been having much rest recently, although he looked much better than when he had been trying to deny and hide his obvious feelings for Daine. George found himself smiling at the mage, a knowing look in his eye, which Numair read correctly, and went red with embarrassment. Myles had also joined them; sitting next to Alanna.

"Do we have any news of Harailt's condition?" Jonathan began by asking.

Numair nodded. "It seems as if he's slowly rousing. Duke Baird doubts that there will be any lasting damage, but he will need some time to recuperate afterwards." Alanna sighed audibly. "George, I think you should share the reasons you went storming off in the night on a mission that could have gotten you killed!" George smiled at the realisation of why his wife was so tetchy. Well, he thought in amusement, Now she's had a taste of what I go through for much of each year!

"One of my men came back in the early hours of the morning after spending an evening in an inn in Low Wood, which is where we believed Karrum Makheen to be staying. The man found himself sharing a table with Makheen and was able to identify him, having met him several years ago in Carthak," Numair's eyes opened wide, any sleepy expressions wiped away immediately. "He gave me a name," George continued. "It was one that I recognised from a list that Numair had compiled several days ago." George paused, waiting for comments and studying Numair's face.

"How did your spy know it was him and get the information about his real identity?" Alanna queried, now a little calmer.

George smiled. "He had heard descriptions of him from other people and although he hadn't already connected him to the man in Carthak as soon as he saw him he was able to place him. I think you will be surprised, Numair."

"It's Alamid Mokhlos," Numair said, quietly, a worried look crossing his face."The mage we met in Dunlath, he was involved in creating the Bloodrain. I had heard that he had been executed by Ozorne shortly after his return to Carthak. Obviously I was mis-informed." Numair stood up without acknowledging anyone and made his way out of the room.

Jonathan looked quizzically at George ."I'm going to suggest that you knew that would be his reaction?"

George shrugged. "He said a while ago that the only mage he could think of who had the capabilities to act in this way was Alamid Mokhlos, but he had been killed by Ozorne."

"What do we know of him?" Jonathan inquired, knowing that it would be best to let Numair deal with what ever issues had just been dealt to him.

"Very little. He was executed for treason, plotting against the emperor. He was part of the university until he was expelled for poisoning a professor for giving him a punishment he didn't agree with. After that incident in Dunlath, he disappeared, emerging in Carthak on the day of his execution, which was a surprise as no one had heard of any of his crimes. I imagine Numair knows more, given his reaction," George tilted his chair back slightly, wondering if to send someone to escort the mage back.

Daine burst through the door, a rather odd look on her face. "Numair…" she began. "Something fair strange seems to have gotten to him. He's just grabbed Spots without a word and headed off…"

"Have you heard him mention a mage called Alamid Mokhlos?" Alanna asked the woman calmly, her sense of purpose beginning to be restored.

Daine nodded. "When he was writing a list for George. Although he thought he was dead."

"Well, it looks like he's not. Did Numair say any more about him?" Alanna looked grim, wondering what trouble Numair would get himself into.

"Before he was executed he asked Numair for help in getting out of Carthak, trying to play on Numair's sympathy and dislike of Ozorne. Numair said no as he thought Alamid was more trouble than he was worth. I think he always wanted to be pally with Numair to try and be friends with Ozorne when they were at the university together. From what Numair said, he wanted power, but nobody would give it to him, so he tried to get it his own way," Daine explained as best she could.

"Did Numair say anything to give you an idea as to why he would want to cause a rebellion in Tortall?" Jonathan asked.

"Only that if Alamid was alive he would probably try to find away to force Jon off the throne and get revenge on Numair for Tristan Staghorn's death. I get the impression that Alamid bullied Numair a bit when he was younger. They didn't get along," Daine was obviously itching to go after her lover, Alanna could tell.

The Lioness looked at the king. "We need Numair back quickly. He needs to share his knowledge with us before rushing off after this mad mage."

Jonathan nodded his agreement. "Given Numair's riding skills and the short amount of time gone, I suggest Daine quickly goes after him. Is that alright?"

"I'll shape shift. I can also find out from Spots exactly where he is and get him to slow down," Daine agreed, opening the single window to outside and leaving the room as an eagle, flying off to find Numair.

"What happens now?" Alanna asked. "We have an identity. We have proof that he has committed crimes. Can we not arrest him?"

"That won't work," George said. "It's not that simple. If we do that there will be an outcry from the people who have taken to following him. We would have a full rebellion on our hands. There have already been mass problems at the gaol."

Jonathan nodded his agreement. "He has managed a following there that is now large enough to cause serious problems. It will be the same in many other areas. He is far too influential to simply take down like that. We have to tread carefully."

"Then what do we do?" Alanna asked quietly.

Jonathan smiled. "We wait. We keep an eye on him and gather information. He will trip himself up at some point. We will see what happens."

Daine found Numair growling at Spots who was refusing to move. She circled around him, squawking furiously, having every idea of what he had intended to do. Occasionally Numair forgot to think before he acted, something he needed to be cured of. The mage looked up and recognised his lover even in bird form. He took off his robe and wrapped it around his arm so she could perch without maiming him. He walked with her into a cluster of trees, allowing her to change back to her own body in privacy.

"What do you think you were doing?" She began to berate him, standing fully naked in front of him. "Where were you going? They needed you in that room, not storming off to get yourself hurt or killed by some mob of idiots and an insane mage!"

He let her rant for a couple of minutes; amused that she was complete unbothered by her state of undress.

"Daine…" he attempted to interrupt her.She continued her monologue. He tried to interrupt her again, but she continued still. He stepped over to her and kissed her, finally managing to silence her speech.

He pulled back when he was sure that his telling off had finished. "I was going to see a friend in the shop I took you to, to see if they had known that he was still alive. I heard about his execution, Daine. It must have been an exceedingly good simulacrum or someone who looked identical to him. Now he's apparently back."

"Is it definitely him?" Daine asked.

"Not definitely, but it fits. Alamin's specialty was poisons. He would have had a lot to do with the bloodrain. It was what got him expelled eventually. He was very influential at the university, and always desired power.I never was one of his friends, he was manipulative and selfish. Ozorne would have found him useful later on."

"You think his execution may have been staged?" Daine queried.

"It would be a possibility. Alamin as an ally would have been extremely useful to Ozorne .It would have also given him a chance to finally get what he always wanted. He never liked the fact that Ozorne listened to me and not to him," Daine noticed the dark look in Numair's eyes as his thoughts had turned to the events that had changed the path of his life.

"So you think he's here to take real power?" Daine's fingers were running over Numair's body, causing the mage to wish all this trouble would simply float away.

"Maybe. He had a power complex, always wanting more than anyone else and believing he could do more than he actually could. Maybe he thinks he's better than Ozorne and Tristan and wants to prove it by causing an uprising so severe that Jonathan has to leave Tortall. Or maybe he just wants to finish me off. I was responsible for him being expelled and I thought until today that I ultimately sent him to his death by not helping him flee Carthak." Daine could feel his troubles echoing inside her. She wished she could take it away and make him happy again, but she didn't know how. Gently, she stood on tiptoes, feeling the ground beneath her bare feet and kissed him softly. Keeping her face close to his she began to whisper.

"We should get back to the palace. You need to share what you know with Jonathan. And I think you should leave going into Corus until we do know more, or at least arrange to meet this person outside of Corus. It was Harailt who was attacked, but could've been meant for you."

He moved her hair away from her face and looked down at her, still standing there oblivious to the fact that she was naked. "Magelet," he whispered back to her. "I agree with you, but you've still got no clothes on!"

Daine shape-shifted back into bird form, remaining close above Numair's path. They were almost at the castle when a large vicious noise flooded their hearing. Immediately both turned to the direction from where the sound had come. Daine saw streams of black smoke trailing furiously up from distant tongues of flame. Clearly, a different type of war had well and truly begun.

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