seeing as you asked so nicely, here's the next chapter! i should be updating pretty regularly, cos i've written practically the whole thing - that's how i know its LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG... it get's a bit ropey here, but just keep going!
Thanks to Queen Tigress, Narm's Boreas, dragonseeker55, Tortall's Resident Wildchild and Sparklegift for reviewing, and for your kind comments! please KEEP reviewing! i want your input people! are the chaps too long, too short? doesn't make sense? let me know!
Reaching the tower, she saw a lone, tall figure standing on the observation deck. Black fire was glittering through every orifice of the Swoop, binding it together. White fire, from the Dominion Jewel, Daine thought, formed a net around the cliff, catching all but the smallest of pebbles that tried to fall through. It looked like the reason the cliff was falling into the sea was erosion, but below the white net, there were flickers of gold and orange, almost as if an immortal somewhere was trying to bring the Swoop crashing down.
Not wanting to distract Numair, Daine searched for George, hoping that he wouldn't send her away. When she found him, on the battlements, he was talking frantically into a mirror, one that Daine had seen Alanna with once, roses painted on its reverse. Landing in the courtyard, she formed her human body, wrapping the cloak around her as she did so. Tying its laces tight; it wouldn't do for it to come down; she raced up the stairs to George.
"Daine, what're you doing here? It's not safe! You're supposed to be with the children! Numair'll kill you!" George gasped in disbelief, ignoring the mirror.
"Maude's with them, they're fine. Well, apart from being worried that their home is about to come down round their Da's ears, that is. I want to help. I know I have no Gift, but there must be something I can do that's useful."
George handed her the mirror. In it, she saw King Jonathon, looking strained and weary. "Daine, in the names of all the Gods, what are you doing?"
"I want to help your Majesty, please. There must be something." Pausing for a second she added, "The magic that's under your net, I can see what colour it is, if that's any use?"
George grabbed her. "What magic?"
The King's voice came from the mirror, "Is there anyway you can show me it? Fly over the cliff with the mirror, perhaps?"
Another swell in the earth threw Daine to the ground, and George helped her up. Loosening the ties on her cloak, she became a sea eagle, and used her large talons to grasp the mirror. She could hear Jonathon's voice issuing directions to George, and then asking her if she was ready. Forming herself a mouth and vocal chords; she'd got better at it since she'd battled with Ozorne; she replied. "Up and away then, Daine," came the order. With that, she lifted herself off the battlements and into the air, grasping the mirror tightly. She flew up and over the castle, in time to see George join Numair on the balcony. George watched the bird and mirror anxiously, and then, joined hands with Numair, adding his own Gift to Numair's efforts. Falling down and away from the castle, she reached the level of the cliff.
"How's that, your majesty?" she shouted over the noise of the waves crashing on the rocks below.
Straining her ears to hear the King's reply, she heard a muffled voice. "Can you get any closer Daine? If you can't, don't worry. Don't put yourself in danger." Daine flew closer, thankful of the eagle's ability to hover despite the strong waves. "Oh Gods!" she heard the King whisper. "Not again. Never again! Daine, get away from it. Get up to the deck." Obeying his order, and slightly confused, she flew into an upwards current and was lifted up to the level of the deck in seconds. Landing, she put the mirror down, and then saw her cloak which George had brought up for her. Making sure she was out of eye line of all the men on the deck, she turned back to her normal body, wrapping the cloak around her. Goddess, she was tired. She picked the mirror up. "What is it, your Majesty? Did you see something?" she asked, confused.
Jonathon's image in the mirror had gone white, and she could see his throat working. His voice was strained. "Get George now, Daine. And whatever you do, don't distract Numair." Still baffled, she tapped George, who turned, still holding Numair, frowning. Daine handed him this mirror.
"It's him again, George," she heard the King's voice. "It has to be him."
"No. No, it can't be. Alanna killed him at your coronation. There's no way. Not again," George was certain. "It cannot be him."
"How many other wizards with that particular shade of orange magic do you know, George? If it's not him, then someone's harnessed his magic." George opened his mouth to interrupt, but Jonathon's voice was firm. "It's Roger." Daine frowned; she'd heard the name before. "How far away is Alanna, George? It's her that he's after, it has to be. If he finds she's not here, he'll tear up the country looking for her. Gods, George, its Roger!"
"What can we do, Jon? My Gift's not strong enough to help Numair nearly as much as he needs it, and Alanna's prob'ly at least an hour away. There's no way that she'll make it on time, the place'll cave in on itself soon enough."
"Just hold on, George. I'm on my way." Suddenly, the sparkling aura from around the mirror was gone, and George put the mirror down, shaking his head. Throwing out her magical senses, Daine could feel that the King's net was still in place, as was the fire underneath. George turned to Daine. "Have you strength enough left to find my lass? I'd scry for her myself, but…" George glanced at Numair. "I don't want to pull away any power that he needs."
Daine forced a smile. "I'll try my best George." Leaving the deck, with a last look at her love, she climbed higher, to the roof, where she could get a view of the land all around the Swoop. Reaching with her sense, she felt for all the animals in her range, searching for a racing horse. She found one, a few miles inside the fringes of her range. It was Darkmoon, racing as hard as his legs could manage. Changing her eyes to eagle's she searched for him. There! She could see him! And riding on Darkmoon, a small copper-haired rider, bent low over the horse's neck for speed.
Daine willed him on. The horse was tired, and she sent him a thread of her copper power, not knowing, but hoping it would help. – You must get here quickly, Darkmoon. You're doing so well. Not far now – she told him, and the horse charged on. Heading back down to the balcony on the other side of the building, Daine still puzzled over the name that had worried George and the King so. All that came to mind was that of Jonathon's cousin, the Duke of Conté, but he was dead, his body burned on Traitor's Hill.
Returning to the deck, she found Numair leaning against the railing, his magic still flowing out of him and into the stone that formed the building beneath him. George was sat on the ground, one had still holding onto Numair, his face white under his tan. He looked at her hopefully. Daine nodded. "They should be here soon, George. Just keep going." She smiled optimistically, forcing the expression onto her face.
How long could Numair hold out? He'd been going at this since she left with the children. His Gift was great, but to use so much of it… Daine only hoped that the task required it to be applied sparingly over the building, not through the inner workings of the building itself. Numair had told her all about the many spells on the Swoop for protection; he and Alanna had worked on them together, and Daine hoped more than ever that the mage's cockiness had been justified, not just to boast. Certainly, when she was inside the building, she could see no glimmers or sparkles, which gave her confidence, but just because she could not see them, it did not mean that Numair's magic wasn't there.
Feeling useless, she set out to the kitchen. Food and drink would help the men regain their strength, and it would help hers too. All the way there, she was picking her way over upset tables, chairs and the occasional suit of armour. Broken pottery crunched underfoot, and Daine felt sorry for her friends. Whatever this strange thing was, it had ruined their home. Daine only hoped that it didn't bring the thing down around their ears too.
The kitchen seemed like a hurricane had wound its way through it. Pots, pans and broken crockery were spilled over the floor, cutlery and cooking implements everywhere. The food itself was undamaged, as much of it was contained in jars spelled against breakage. Selecting what she thought would help her friends' strength best, and finding some juices smelling strongly of herbs that had been designed to help recover strength, Daine returned hurriedly to the balcony. On her way, she grabbed cushions and blankets for the men so they could rest whilst they used their magic. When she returned to the deck, she found Numair sitting on the ground in a daze, motionless. She rushed to him, forgetting he did not know she was there.
He looked up at the sound of hurried footsteps. "Alanna, thank the Goddess –" Then he realised who it was. "Daine! What are you doing –" She covered his mouth with her hand, only removing it when she felt his shoulders slump in resignation, although the mage shot a glare at George, who shrugged.
"Now be quiet," she ordered. "Will you eat?" She propped the pillow behind him, and arranged another for the Baron. She dished the two out food and juice, holding Numair's head for him as he drank. All the while, she was feeling for Darkmoon and Alanna, feeling them get closer and closer, urging the horse on and promising the best oats for him when he returned. When she felt the horse reach the outskirts of the village, she told the men, who, despite their tiredness, grinned in relief. She rushed down to meet the Champion in the courtyard. Alanna rode in to find an empty courtyard, apart from Daine, with most of the men at arms deserted from their post, rubble strewn over the ground. Her eyes fell upon the girl. "What in the name of the Mother has been happening?"
Daine shook her head, there was no time to explain. "Just get to the deck, Numair and George need you. The King said something about a Roger, or something?" When she said the name, the colour drained from Alanna's face, her bright hair and eyes almost garish in her now white face.
"Goddess, no," Alanna prayed, then ran from the courtyard to find her husband. Daine, still mystified as to the owner of the name that had seemed to scare her friends so, led Darkmoon to the stables to care for him.
Returning to the balcony soon after, she found Alanna deep in consultation with George. Numair looked at her, his skin slightly pale. It didn't stop the shadow of annoyance chase across his face at the sight of her. "You shouldn't be here," he hissed. Daine ignored him as she poured him more water. "It's not safe for you here!"
"No safer than it is for you," she retorted. "At least I'm not trying to push people away!" Numair sighed, and submitted to her holding the cup for him as he drank. "You're weary, you need to rest, and keep your strength up. You need to save it for this, not telling me off for breaking an order that you would have disobeyed if I'd have given it to you," she told him. "Enough now?" she asked. When he nodded, she took the glass away. She turned to find Alanna and George watching them, and blushed. She wouldn't want her friends to think she was mollycoddling her man. Straightening, she added, "Is there anything I can do to help?" Alanna shook her head, then bent to talk to Numair.
George grinned at the girl. "Ever feel a bit left out?" he asked, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. Just then, there was another roll in the ground, causing them to stumble. George caught Daine's arm and the two of them straightened. "Goddess bless us," George prayed. This, more than anything, fazed Daine. She'd never seen the big man scared before, and she wasn't sure she liked to see it now.
Eventually, Numair, George and Alanna formed a circle, power flowing and swirling around them. Daine, feeling distinctly unhelpful, left to find something she could do. Returning to the room she and Numair had been in earlier, she found the room strewn with shattered glass. The large mirror that was on the dressing table had smashed on the stone floor, and the wardrobe had fallen over, its contents spilled across the ground.
Spotting something, she bent down. The tip of her bow was poking out from under the bed, her arrows scattered across the ground. Collecting them, and pulling her quiver out from under doors of the wardrobe, she immediately felt better, knowing that she could protect her friends from anything less friendly that came along. She stood, taking in the damage, thinking of what else she could do to help.
Suddenly, she felt an immortal brush her senses. It felt like a winged horse, but she couldn't be sure, and even so, she did not know the nature of the immortal's rider. She rushed to the deck, checking her bow had not been damaged or the wood split whilst the castle had been rocked. Her friends were deeply entranced in their magic, and Daine didn't know whether to interrupt them to warn them, or leave them to it. She decided on the former, whispering in Alanna's ear of the danger. Her friend twisted, not wanting to break the contact, trying to see, but it was no use. Numair looked up to see why Alanna turned, and Daine shook her head, not wanting to worry him.
Alanna spoke to her over her shoulder. "Can you handle it? If you need help, let me know. How many, can you tell?"
"Just the one. It doesn't seem evil, but best be on the safe side," Daine tapped her bow. "Don't worry, just keep doing what you need to. Alanna nodded, and Daine returned to looking out for the immortal. Straining her eyes, even with a raptor's eyes, all she could see was a speck on the horizon. Taking a spyglass from the deck, she put it to her eye. Still, she could see little, although the figure on the back looked familiar. She was tempted to fly out to the figure, but then she would risk be caught unguarded if it was a foe. Waiting a few seconds more, she put the eye glass back to her eye, finding the horse again. Whoever was a stride it was a commanding figure, black beard trimmed close to his face. Daine breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to Alanna. "It's alright. It's the King."
Alanna looked confused, but reassured. "You're sure. It's definitely him? Can you see the colour of his magic?"
Daine strained her eyes, then smiled. "It's definitely the King, it's a blue Gift." Alanna grimaced, and turned back to the circle. Daine stood and waited for the King to arrive, feeling helpless as her friends did all the work. There seemed little Daine could do. When the King came close enough, Daine signalled him to go down to the courtyard, where she ran to meet him. He was dismounting as she entered the yard. Immediately Daine went to the winged horse. "I've never seen anything so beautiful. Where did you find him, your Majesty?"
The King spoke quietly, his voice strained. "There's a herd that moved in to the Royal Forest after the war ended. I explained my need to them, and once they heard you were involved, this fellow here offered to help. I'm eternally grateful to you and your kin." He patted the horse, which whinnied. Daine looked closely at her King, to see sweat on his face, and tiredness in his eyes. "Where am I needed most then?" the King asked, turning to her. At that moment, another tremor struck, leaving Daine and the King clinging to each other as slates fell to shatter on the cobblestones. Jonathon took a small pouch from his belt, and the Dominion Jewel fell into his hand. He whispered a few words, and white lace fell from it to cover the ground, helping ease the shaking.
Daine shook her head, amazed at the power the Jewel, and Jonathon, commanded. "I think you'd best talk to Alanna or Numair about what to do. They were right. I'm fair useless here."
Jonathon shook his head. "You're never useless unless you let yourself be, Daine." He left for the stairs at a run. Daine turned to the horse. "I'd best see to you then," she said, taking the horse into the stables too groom him. Darkmoon whickered at the sight of his new stable mate, but Daine reassured him. "No fighting, you two," she ordered as she left them.
Back on the deck, she took stock of what she could see. The King was leaning over the balcony, Numair at his side, trying to see where the Jewel could be put to best effect. Turning to see Daine arrive, Numair grimaced. "Daine, I really would prefer it if you weren't here."
"Nonsense, Numair," the King said, still leaning over the balcony. "She's been very helpful."
"All the same," Numair continued, "it's not safe. I'd still prefer it if you were at home." Daine opened her mouth to argue, but the King interjected.
"Well Numair, if the Swoop comes down, then I, Tortall's Champion, my Spymaster and my most powerful mage go down with it. I'd rather there was no one left for Thayet to skin if that actually happens. Which it won't." Daine smiled at the King in gratitude as Numair scowled, and George hid a grin under his hand. "Now, to work." Jonathon turned to Daine. "Have you tested this magic, to see if you can help battle it? I know it doesn't sound likely," the King added, stopping Numair from butting in, "but it's always worth a shot."
Daine nodded. Letting her magic flow out of her, she formed a net from the copper strands, and let it drift down to the cliff. There was something there that was wild alright, but she had never used her magic to battle anything before, only to take on forms and to heal and talk to animals, never to fight other magic. Releasing her magic, she looked at the King. "There's something there, I can't tell what though. And I don't know how to fight it. I've never done it before. I'm sorry."
Jonathon sighed. "Not to worry, Daine, you've done so much already for us."
"What about creating a net of some sort? To at least hold the rock?" George asked.
Daine shook her head. "I've not the right sort of magic for that. Besides, I wouldn't want to try for fear that when the King took his net away the rock would crumble."
Numair nodded. "It's not worth the risk. But what about fighting it? We can try that at least Daine."
She was shocked by his sudden change of tact. "Are you sure it would work? I didn't think I was able to –"
"You have to try," Numair said. "I'll help you if you want."
Daine shook her head. "You're busy."
"Nonsense," the King interjected. "I can spell Numair. As long as the Jewel keeps its magic going, we should be alright. Besides, you need a rest." Numair shot the man a questioning look, but Jonathon was firm. "Go on, help her."
Numair whispered a few words, sealing his spell with "So mote it be." Nodding to the others, he took Daine's arm, and guided her off the deck.
"Where are we going?" Daine asked in confusion.
"You, Magelet, are going home, where I told you to." Numair didn't look at her, but his grip on her arm tightened, and Daine had to run to keep up with his long strides.
"No Numair! I'm not going. You heard – the King thinks I can help. Please," she begged him, "I want to help." Digging her heels into the ground, and forcing the man to stop, turn and look at her, she added, "I'm not leaving you here."
"Goddess Daine! When did you become so obstinate?" Seeing the hurt look on her face, he sighed, his voice softening. "Please Magelet, I need to know you're safe in all of this."
Daine shook her head. "You think I could sit at home like any old wife, waiting from her man to come back from battle? I'm not going, and that's final."
"I could make you."
"You wouldn't," she retorted. She knew only out of serious concern would Numair voice a threat at her, but she also knew him. Numair sighed, knowing she was right. "Now are you going to help me, Numair? I have to at least try." The mage nodded reluctantly. "I think we should go down to the sea. I can get a better view of it there, and the water will help me." With that she took the man down to the shore.
When they reached the sea front, Daine looked for a spot to anchor herself in the water. She had done it here once before, and chose the same two rocks to hold her, facing inland this time. Numair sat astride one of the rocks, his fingers on her temples, the way that they had been that first time he taught her to use her magic in the Undine's pool. Feeling his magic flow into her, she relaxed, enjoying the feeling it gave her.
"This is no time for you to start relaxing, Daine," Numair scolded. Daine scowled. "Take your magic and test the cliff – I need to know what it feels like." She did so, prodding and poking the golden magic until Numair knew what it felt like. "Right Daine, I need to think." He pulled his hands away, and she rested her back against him, grateful for the warmth that filled her as she did so – her feet were numb in the water. Pulling her cloak up so it covered her legs like a blanket, she waited for his instructions. Putting his fingers back onto her head, she felt him flow into her. When he spoke, his voice came from inside. "Daine, you're going to have to concentrate for this – we both are, so sit up. That's better. Now, listen carefully. Take a bit of your magic, just a thread – we have to see if this will work before we go using you up – and shape it like a spear. I'll help you mould it. Good. Now, throw it at the magic." She did so, watching for the result, testing the gold and orange fire with her magic to see what happened.
The fire flickered, then strengthened, absorbing the power. Numair swore. "This isn't going to work Daine. We best get out of h –"
A shimmering form had appeared in front of them. A shape formed and emerged from it. – Put your defences down, Mage. What are you up to now, Daine? – Daine grinned.
"Badger! It's good to see you. Can you help?" Daine asked as Numair bowed to the God.
– What is it? – With Numair's hands still in place, she could see the Badger's magic flowing over to test it. – This will not do – the God said, and disappeared.
"What was that all about?" Numair asked the woman.
Daine shrugged, curious as to where her mentor had rushed off to. Suddenly, a noiseless explosion threw Daine back into Numair's stomach hard, and the man stumbled. She grabbed him to stop him falling into the water, and felt his magical defences flare up around them. Through the veil of his sparkling magic, she saw a tall woman appear, taller than any mortal woman should be. Her face was beautiful, and a superior air surrounded her. Numair bowed low, dropping his shields, whispering to Daine, "The Great Mother Goddess." Daine followed suit, bowing as low as she could whilst seated. She clung tighter to Numair, twisting her hand in his clothes.
The woman spoke to Daine. In her voice Daine heard the powerful crashing mountain streams of the north, and the roar of the ocean to the south. The noise echoed inside Daine's head. "You have discovered something that should not be, Weiryn's daughter. Now you must help me be rid of it."
Daine shook with fear, she didn't like the way this was going. She could feel Numair trembled slightly behind her, but his voice, when it came, was firm. "Daine is but a young woman with wild magic. She cannot battle anything – she would not be suited to it." Daine knew he only took this stance to protect her, but still it prickled her. "There must be better vessels for your magic. I mean no disrespect, Great Lady, but –"
The Goddess interrupted. "As a child of a God, Daine will be suited to my use. Has she not already been used as a vessel before for my sister? She is a child of a God, already she has divine blood in her veins, and she is more suited to the task than most. Now, mage, be quiet," she ordered. "We have wasted time enough already." Turning to Daine, she added, "Come child."
Daine was lifted into the air by silvery fingers. As she felt herself be filled with silver magic, she could hear Numair shouting in the distance. He was so far away… her eyes filled with a bright white light, then everything turned black.