I'm going to be switching to Numair's p.o.v. for the first section or two, just to warn you! I'll use a double line thingy andto show the change in p.o.v. - you'll know it when it happens!
Once again, thanks to my reviewers... couldn't leave you hanging more than a day - besides, i didn't want Sparklegift to explode on me... lol... Numair's Lover, Tortall's Resident Wildchild, Queen Tigress and DOMLUVR4EVER...
"No!" Numair screamed. He could only look on as his love was lifted into the air, her head lolling uselessly. "Daine! Daine!" He watched as she was spun in the air, her cloak wrapping around her. Silver fire spilled from her fingers and toes, even from her mouth, ears, eyes and nose. Numair didn't care that it was the Great Mother that had Daine, he had to do something. He called his magic, building it into a fiery mass in his hands.
A violet ball sparkled at the corner of his eye. "Numair," Alanna's voice came quickly and urgently. "There is nothing you can do for her now. She is in the hands of the Goddess. Trust in her. Come quickly, you are needed here." Numair hesitated. There must be something. Daine was suspended in mid-air; he could see she was unconscious. If she fell, she would be dashed on the sharp rocks at the bottom of the cliff. If she fell… "Numair, come now!" Alanna's voice was kind but matter-of-fact. "The Goddess will look after her."
Numair sighed. Taking a last look at his love, praying she would be safe, he ran for the steps that would lead him back to the castle.
When he reached the observation deck, he found the others staring over the balcony. Numair could feel the magic that echoed between them, it was a powerful force. Joining hands with Alanna to add his own crackling presence, he looked over the edge to see his lover's body. Silver fire flowed freely from Daine and into the rock, gold and orange battling the tendrils that seared it from its hold. He could hardly bare to look. He turned to face the wall of the building. Alanna squeezed his hand tightly, then gasped in horror and swore. Numair swung back around.
The gold and orange fire was snaking towards Daine's body, beating back the silver fire. Suddenly silver fire pulsed and flared white hot, as Daine's body was obscured by the blaze. Alanna turned into Numair's chest, hiding herself from the view. If Numair hadn't known any better, he would've said she was crying. But she was. George rested a hand on Numair's shoulder, his face white with shock. Jonathon, his face pale white, kept his eyes on the blaze, still clutching George's hand, shielding his eyes from the glare with his other arm.
A blinding flash and an explosion sent the four crashing to the ground. Blinking to clear his vision, Numair watched in silence as Daine's lifeless body was deposited on the deck by an invisible pair of hands. – She served her purpose well, Mage. Be proud of her. – The voice spoke to him, and him alone.
Alanna broke contact first, pulling away to check Daine's pulse. George filled the gap, quickly grabbing Numair's hand. Numair looked at it coldly, then back at the motionless body on the deck. Violet light flowed from Alanna to Daine, the Lioness checking all of Daine's body for damage, for signs that she was alive. It was no use, Numair felt like telling them. No one could survive divine power like that going through them. Not even his Daine. Anger surged through him. This was why he had told her to stay away. If she'd only listened –
Spluttering interrupted his thoughts. Unbelievably, Numair watched as Daine pushed herself into a sitting position. Alanna wrapped her arms around her, helping. "What happened?" she whispered. "Everything just went black. I –" Catching Numair's eye she blushed, then smiled. Numair looked away. This wasn't real. None of it was. He turned his back on the scene, willing it to be real, but knowing it wasn't. He tried to concentrate his mind on the magic.
The girl pulled herself to her feet, confused. Numair had just looked away. She knew he was angry with her for coming back to the Swoop, but... Daine turned to Alanna.
"Hush," the small woman warned her, holding Daine up round her waist. "We thought –"
He thinks I'm dead, Daine realised. As she was reaching out to touch him, the balcony rocked. Numair went crashing over the railings. Daine screamed, and, pulling free of Alanna's grip, went after him. She fell through the air, head over heels, crying his name, and changed to the biggest sea bird she could think of, an albatross, using its speed to help her dive towards Numair. As she grew closer to him, she thought she could hear him mumbling, no doubt the words to seal his spell in place. She changed her claws to the grasping hands of a gorilla, and grabbed Numair by the back of his shirt. She thought the material would give, but it held. Numair shook violently with the jolt, then looked up to see the source of his rescue. Light filled his face. She pulled upwards, her strength almost gone, she was so tired, forcing her wings to take the strain of the extra weight, and climbed towards the deck. Reaching it, she set him down gently, and collapsed onto the ground with relief. Alanna covered her as her body resumed it's shape, wrapping the cloak around her, and lifting her to her feet.
"C'mon," the Lioness muttered. "Let's get you inside." Blinking as her eyes adjusted to the light, Daine felt light-headed. She didn't really care where they were going. Alanna led her down to the stables, and found a cot set up for her there. Laying the girl down, she said "Sleep now." Daine didn't even need the woman's Gift to help her sleep; before the woman's fingers had even touched her head, she was asleep, and violets chased the darkness from behind her eyes.
Waking, hours later, Daine discovered it was dark outside. Swinging her legs off the side of her cot, she sat, waiting for the dizziness to wash over her. Once it had receded, she stood up, clinging to the post of the stall. Darkmoon whinnied at her. "I'm alright," she told him, going to stroke his mane. "Just a little used up, that's all." Wrapping her cloak tightly around her, she made her way unsteadily to the door, to meet the King on the other side.
He smiled at her. "I was just coming to check on you. The others are just finishing up. Whatever it was that happened to you, it sealed the rock in place. I suppose we'll never find out." Jonathon, his skin pale, sat down roughly against the side of the stable wall. Daine drew him a pitcher of water, and handed it to him. He nodded his thanks, too weary to speak more.
"That was some speed you got here at, Majesty." Daine sat next to him. Just then, George helped a grey Numair down the stairs into the courtyard, Alanna behind. Daine ran to him, but he put his hand out to stop her.
"I told you to stay away Daine. What in the name of Shakith did you think you were doing, coming back? What about the children? Did you just leave them all on their own?"
The hairs on Daine's neck prickled. She wasn't exactly sure what had gone on today, or what part she had played in stopping it, but she had saved Numair from falling into the sea, and he wasn't being very nice about it. "Did you think I would just leave you here?" she hissed, as Alanna and George slipped away. "Leave you to die? The children are fine, because Maude is with them. I didn't leave until she told me to."
"Oh, so you follow her instructions, but not mine. Well, that's just great, isn't it? Perfect foundation to a marriage, that."
"Em, if I may be permitted to butt in on that point Numair," George interrupted, ignoring the mage's glare. "My wife has never followed a single one of my orders, because I wouldn't dare order her in the first place. She's her own woman, as is Daine here, and if it hadn't been for her, then we'd all be in serious trouble at the minute. So before you go questioning her for not following orders, I'd think about what she just did for you, for all of us."
Numair's shoulders sagged, and he leaned against the wall for support. Daine walked up to him, putting his arm round her shoulders so he could lean on her. "I'm sorry Daine," he sighed. "I know, I'm being horrible, but I just wanted you to be safe. You saved my life. Thank you." Numair kissed her forehead, and she hugged him back. They would talk about this later. Numair looked up at the King, who was watching the events from his seat against the wall. "Your Majesty. Glad to see you could join the party. I think you and that jewel of yours saved us all."
Jonathon snorted. "I don't think it was me, somehow." Glancing at Alanna, he added, "I wasn't the only one to make a timely arrival."
Alanna snorted. "That's only because I have a fast horse. We don't all have the winged variety at our disposals. Not that you are under his orders," she added to the immortal, who was watching from inside the stables. Then she turned to the King and bowed. "Thank you for saving my house and the lives of my husband and my friends, your Majesty."
Jonathon sighed. "You would have done the same for me. Alanna, we need to talk about this Keladry girl. I –"
"I don't think so, your Majesty. I think you made your view on the matter quite clear. She will not receive any assistance from me." With that, the Lioness made a mocking bow and stalked inside to survey the damage to her home.
"Alanna!" Jonathon called after her. He dragged himself to his feet, and went in after her. Numair, George and Daine watched.
"We'd best leave them be, for the time being. No sense in us getting in the firing line of my Lady's temper," George sighed. He turned to the two, Daine and Numair holding each other up. "Come, we'd best get you somewhere to rest, Master Numair. I think the room you had this morning is reasonably undamaged," George grinned. "And don't you go telling your lass off, either. She did more than her salt's worth today. When you've both rested, we'll discuss the matter of this Duke. He's bothered us too many times for my liking, what with Alanna having killed him twice. Obviously I never taught her well enough on how to kill a man when she was a page. Or not this one, anyway. We don't even know if it is him. It seems so un–" Just as George began to lead them into the house, Alanna burst through the door, closely followed by a tired King.
"Alanna, in the name of Mithros, will you just reconsider. There's a reason why Wyldon doesn't want you to see her, and I need all the help I can get at Court. I won't have you chasing even more of the conservatives away!"
"No, my Lord. Far be it from me to get involved in Court issues. I would never dream of getting in the way of Court politics. You must excuse my ignorance. I'm at Court so little, you see. Whilst I've been out defending this realm in your name, I was unaware of all the scandal that still centres around me. When you picked me for your Champion, I somehow came under the misconception that you would support me as I support you. Obviously I was wrong!" Alanna pushed past her King, tears in her eyes, and, brushing off George's hand, went to stand on the battlements.
Jonathon sighed. "She's right, you know," he said to George. "When she took her oath to serve me, I made one to her as well. I should be backing her up."
George shook his head. "No Jon, you shouldn't. I know what it's like to have a Court where there's some rebellious group, always trying to get one over on you. Maybe your rebelling Lords won't try and kill you," he grinned, "but you have to keep them on your side. She'll come round," he added, but there was a touch of doubt in his voice.
"Just not any time soon then," Jon guessed. He sighed. "I don't think I like being on the bad side of the best swordswoman in Tortall. Is there any chance you could find me a bed for the night? I'm not quite ready to return to the Capital yet."
George laughed. "Of course, Jon. We'll just have to make sure it's out of my lass's warpath, and you might survive. What did she threaten you with?"
"She said she would leave Court altogether, renounce her title as Knight and Champion and she didn't care what punishments the Gods sent her for breaking her Oaths. She wouldn't actually do that, George?" Jonathan sounded unsure as George lead the four inside. "Normally I wouldn't believe it, but I don't think she's ever been this angry before, with anyone, let alone me."
"No, Jon. Don't be daft. She's just tired. And upset. She wouldn't dream of it, she likes being a Knight too much. Can you imagine Alanna being a simple, plain old 'Lady' anything? And you of all people should know she takes her oaths seriously." George put his arm around the King's shoulders. "She'll come back sooner or later. How's this room for you?" He guided Jonathon to a door, which opened to reveal a large bed chamber. "It's not our finest," George joked. "If you'd got here a few days earlier, then you'd have beaten Daine and Numair to it, but you can't have everything, your Majesty."
Jonathon grinned, "It's people like you that keep my feet firmly on the ground, George Cooper. Now, if you don't mind, I have to let my Queen know that we did actually survive this mess. Good night," he closed the door behind him.
"Aye, I should get a message to the children, let them know they still have a home," George joked. I'd best go find that mirror of Alanna's. I can leave you two to find your own way back?" he asked Numair and Daine. Numair nodded wearily, and George smiled. "I'll see the two of you when you wake up; I'm sure my wife will have some nasty drink for you both." With that, he grinned and left them.
"C'mon Magelet. We'd best get some sleep. We'll talk later." Numair sighed and lead the woman under his arm to bed.
When she woke, she found the room deserted. Someone had straightened the wardrobe. Rummaging around, she found some of her clothes and got dressed, wondering where the others were. She need not have looked far. She found Alanna, George and the King in the kitchen, eating. Alanna glowered at Jonathon, as George looked between the two, helplessly trying to ease the tension with a stream of chatter. When she entered the room, Alanna got to her feet and came over to the girl.
"Are you alright?" she asked, checking Daine's eyes. "Follow my finger," she ordered. Daine meekly submitted to the tests, then was led to a seat opposite George. Alanna placed a steaming mug in front of her. "Drink!" she ordered. Daine grimaced as George grinned at her. Blocking her nose, Daine gulped the thing down as quickly as she could, then washed it down with water.
"How are you feeling, my dear?" Jonathon asked. "You gave us quite a scare. We thought you were…" he didn't finish.
Daine nodded her head. "I'm alright. What time is it? It feels like I've been sleeping for days."
"Not quite," Alanna said, placing a bowl of porridge down in front of her. "You've been asleep for a day and a half. Numair got up this morning, as did he," she pointed to the King, who made a face.
"And Alanna here has been up since last night, when she made that nasty concoction for you all." George added. "I myself have been up since yesterday afternoon, so I avoided it," he gloated. "Have you noticed Daine, it's like sitting between a pair of prickly porcupines in here?" Daine snorted into her porridge, looking down. She heard, rather than saw, Alanna's foot connect with George' shin under the table, as the grin on the Baron's face widened. "Ah lass, I thought I taught you better than that."
Alanna swore at him, as George laughed. Even the King had a smile on his face. He finished his lunch, and stood up, placing the bowl in the stone sink. Quickly he washed it, then turned to the others. "If the Lady of the house thinks I'm alright to go, I should get back to Corus soon. My Lady will be wondering where I've got to. Alanna?"
Alanna looked him over, unhappiness apparent on her face. Despite her anger with him, her hands were gentle as she checked him over. "You may go, Sire. We wouldn't want to keep you any longer than you had to stay with us backwater –" George came up behind her, covering her mouth with a large hand.
"Be nice, Alanna." Removing his hand, he wiped it, then shook Jonathon's hand. "Thank you for helping us Jon. It was good to have you visit for a while as well." He laughed.
The King smiled, then looked at Alanna. "Come back to us soon, Alanna. Just because you can't see the girl, doesn't mean you can't come to the Palace." Pausing, he added, "Thayet misses you. And the children as well. Please?" He sighed as the Lioness looked away, worried eyes watching her for a moment, then turned to Daine. "I'll be seeing you soon enough. Numair said you should be back within the month." He smiled at Daine. "Make sure he doesn't get too involved in an experiment. He's to help teach the pages this term." Daine nodded, promising she wouldn't. Catching George's eye, he nodded, and with that, the King was gone, with one last remorseful look at Alanna
Alanna sighed, and returned to her seat. George looked at her, unhappy, his hands on his hips. Daine decided to leave them to it and went to find Numair. Coming to the curtain wall, she spotted a large, dark form hunched over the battlements. She walked up to him, putting her hand on his back. He glanced at her, then turned back to the view in front of him. Daine looked over the wall. The courtyard bustled with men-at-arms and stone-masons repairing the external damage. Inside, maids and cleaners were everywhere, sweeping up the breakages and clearing away the dust. She was surprised, with all the extra hands around, that nobody had been there to wait on the King, but more than once she had heard him say he was sick of never being able to do anything for himself.
Numair's voice interrupted her thoughts. "I'm sorry I shouted at you Magelet. You did right to come back. I thought I'd lost you." His face was pale and unhappy as it stared out ahead of them.
Daine turned his shoulders so he faced her. "You'll never lose me," she promised, and was swept into a hug. Numair's strong frame held her close against him, as Numair kissed her head. She looked up at him, and they kissed for several minutes.
When they could breathe again, Numair, still holding her close, said to her, "I know I was horrible to you, but I needed to know you were safe. As it was, when I thought you were… dead, I couldn't concentrate enough to hold the magic in place. That's why I fell off the deck…" He held her closer, as Daine snuggled into his chest. "Thank you for saving me, Magelet. I'll never underestimate you, or send you away, again."
"Promise?" the girl asked, looking into his eyes.
"Promise," he confirmed, smiling at her. "I love you."
"Love you too," she murmured as she buried her face in his clothes.
They stayed at the Swoop a few more days, waiting until the children had returned, and most of the damage been cleared before they left, Numair, once his strength had returned, adding to the potency of some of the protective spells and adding new spells on top. Kitten had scolded Daine for leaving, but she had been happy to see her all the same. Daine had stayed out of all the talks concerning the source of the gold and orange magic; she was too confused over what had happened to understand it anyway. When Numair pressed her on the issue, she told him that she had been unconscious the whole time, and did not know what had happened. While this was more or less the truth, she neglected to tell him that the Goddess had spoken to her, warning her of things to come. She would tell Numair this piece of information when he'd calmed down enough to listen carefully. He was still angry she had gone back to the Swoop at all, despite what had happened.
When they finally said their goodbyes to Alanna, George and the children, Daine was relieved to be away from the Swoop. As much as she liked it there, she was still slightly spooked by what had happened. From what she had gathered from Alanna, she had been dangling in mid-air with power flowing out of her. Daine had had no control over what had gone on, and she didn't like the feeling that someone else, even if it was the Goddess, had had such control over her body. She had hardly had a choice in the matter. She was more than happy to be home.
Numair caught her eye and smiled. "We'll be going soon again, Magelet. Try not to get too comfortable!"
"For once, don't you just wish you could stay in the same place? We deserve it as well, after all we did in the war. Just a month, that's all I ask!"
Numair laughed. "You're in the wrong line of work for that, Magelet, we both are. We're at the King's beck and call, or at least I am. Anyway, we'll talk about leaving for Corus later. It's not important now. Come on." With that, he kicked Spots into an awkward canter. Daine, riding Cloud, hurried to catch up.