I have to say, I don't normally go in for the whole Roger-coming-back thingy, but that's the way the story wanted to go, and besides, Alanna was spoiling for a fight… Also, once again, sorry about Varice, but I did warn you that it would get nasty, and besides, you didn't think she would leave it at being thrown out by Thayet did you? Anyway, Varice is pretty much an unknown entity… I'm sure we'll find out more when TP publishes the Numair books (can't wait for them ;) ) but until then, this is the way I want to play her. She always seemed a bit manipulative anyway… and if she's gone a bit manic… then she's suffering from, em, stress.
I meant to say in the last chp, but I forgot, I don't think you do have to be Gifted to receive speech spells – Numair sent them to Daine in RotG. Whether you have to be conscious or not… well, if you were trying to contact someone who was asleep, what would you do, just wait till they wake up?
Oh, and sorry about that cliffy. Well, not really hehehe… honestly, I'm not evil!
Can you believe this is the last chp? Me neither… just the epilogue to add, and nothing really happens in that – apart from Numair's surprise…
Disclaimer - I still don't own any of this, other than the (shaky) plot...
George ran quickly through the corridors, back to the surface. He knew Alanna would be fine, he was sure she would be. Ever since the house had been attacked, she had increased her daily practices, training as much as she could. If she carried on at this rate, she would exhaust herself. That was what he worried about. That his young lass would run herself into the ground before she was forty. He shook his head. Once this was over, he'd make a point of having a word with Jon. He needed to see that despite all outer appearances, Alanna couldn't go on at this pace forever, King's Champion or no. He shook his head to clear it. This wasn't what he needed to be thinking about just then.
Clearing the lower levels and returning to the main hall, George froze. In front of him, a spidren stood, its back to him. Slowly it turned, its long limbs raising its head more than six feet from the ground. This was without a doubt the biggest spidren George had seen. The spidren hissed and lunged for him. George brought his sword up immediately, chopping at one of the creature's long legs. He hit it, and blood spurted from it to land on George's hand, burning him. He swore and wiped his free hand on his shirt, his attention on the spidren all the while. It was advancing on him, pincers raised. George smiled grimly, palming one of his many daggers. He threw it at the exposed spinneret, the dagger embedding itself in the spidren securely. The immortal screamed its fury and lunged towards him. Quickly, George threw another dagger, and another, all hitting the spidren squarely. Now it closed in, hesitating slightly. George swung up his sword, chopping at the legs, slicing two of them away cleanly. Now he echoed the movement on the other side, cutting another two away. He pulled back, avoiding the blood, and then stabbed it in the stomach with his sword, pulling it free as the immortal fell to the ground with a thud. It convulsed for a moment, and when it had stopped, George wiped it clean on his tunic, then recovered his daggers. He wondered if there were more of these things around – he should look for them. He wondered if Alanna was safe. If she'd killed her duke again. He smiled, shaking his head. After all these years, the lass still had the same effect on him. Alanna was more than capable of taking care of herself, and he knew it. Instead, he should be searching for survivors.
Daine fell forward as the ropes around her flowed away. Varice had dragged Numair away somewhere, Daine dreaded to think what to do. She leant against the wall for a moment as dizziness washed over her. She examined herself, taking account of her injuries. Her side and collarbone ached, but they had both stopped bleeding. Numair's makeshift bandages had served their purpose. Gingerly she bent to pick up her bow and quiver, checking it over, then testing the string, making sure she could pull it all the way back if she needed to use it. Gently she released it and then looked around her. She picked up her belt knife from the floor where Numair had knocked it earlier, wiping her blood from it, and then checked for anything else that she could use. Numair's skin was so pale, and she knew that if he'd kept trying to fight Varice, it would've killed him - he'd had no choice but to submit to her control.
She ran out the room and through the corridor, checking behind all the doors for Numair. She yanked one open to find the strange dark man standing over a small body, his sword held there. He was talking to whoever was lying on the ground, his voice light and amused. Daine strained to see who it was, and was shocked to see a copper flash of hair spread on the ground. It was Alanna!
Silently Daine put an arrow on the string of her bow, raising and drawing it, aiming silently. She coughed, and the man turned round to see who was there, raising his sword tip slightly. He looked at her in surprise as she released the arrow, gasped as it embedded itself in his side, running through him. Quickly Daine rearmed her bow, and fired another arrow, this time into his chest. He looked confused as he fell, clutching the arrows, trying to pull them out as he fell, Alanna rolling out from underneath him before he hit the ground.
Daine walked over to the Champion, pulling her to her feet as the cut in her side ached. Alanna swept her into a hug. "Thank the Goddess," she whispered. "You just saved my life." Quickly Alanna went over Daine, checking her injuries. She dealt with the one in her side, as it was the worst, then told her the others would have to wait until they got away, as Alanna couldn't risk using all her magic. "Are you alright?"
Daine nodded shakily. "I'll be fine. I need to find Numair. Varice has him."
Alanna swore again. "I'll help you find him." Daine watched as she gathered her things. The Champion was limping heavily.
"What's happened? Are you injured?"
"It's just a small cut. I'll deal with it later," Alanna said through gritted teeth.
"Odd's bobs – you can hardly walk! I've been warned about you overworking yourself before. You're not going anywhere. I'll find George."
"Find Numair. He needs you more. I'll make my way up to George. I'll be fine. Here," she pulled her shield off her arm, and handed Daine her sword. "It's not the perfect length for you, it's a bit short, but it'll have to do. Put them on."
"But –"
"There won't be anyone else in this gods-cursed place, Daine. It's deserted! Besides, I can fend for myself without it. I have my axe, and daggers, and… I'll be fine. Just go!"
"Take my bow. If I have your sword, then you should have this." Alanna took the bow and slid the quiver on over her shoulders.
"Go!" Daine nodded and turned to leave, but Alanna grabbed her arm. "Goddess bless."
Daine ran out the room. She had to find Numair. She ran back down the corridor to the room she had been in, but they were not there. Going further down the corridor, she found a flight of steps at the end. She hurried down them, testing her grip of the sword in her hand, her palms sweaty. She was so glad Alanna had taught her how to wield one of these things. She would never be as good as the Lioness, but she knew enough to get herself out of a tangle.
Running down the corridor, she was surprised to see it had merely one door, at the end. If Numair wasn't here, then she didn't know where he'd be. She ran forwards, and yanked the door open. Numair was strung up on the wall in front of her, blue fire keeping him there. Varice was standing before him. She spun as Daine came in. Confusion crossed over her face.
"Let him go, Varice," Daine demanded.
Varice cackled. She raised a hand and threw her pale blue fire at Daine. Daine dove behind the nearest table, knocking it on its side to make a shield. Varice screamed and threw the spell at her again. The table caught fire instantly, and crumbled unnaturally quickly to ashes. Daine swore as Varice advanced, fire building at her hands. Daine rolled over and away from the useless table, looking for something to cover her. Again Varice threw the magic, and Daine crouched behind Alanna's shield, hoping to deflect the magic and praying her gambit would work. Heat hit it, and the metal glowed white hot, then violet as Varice's blue fire bounced off. Daine heard a scream, and chanced a look over the top of the shield. The fire had caught Varice, knocking the woman to the ground for a moment, but she pulled herself to her feet. She laughed, and sent flames to Daine again. This time Daine danced out the way, and moved closed to Varice, Alanna's sword raised.
"Varice, I don't want to do this. Please, just stop."
Varice laughed again. Daine brought Alanna's shield up and ducked behind it as the blue glare glanced off the top.
"Varice, stop!" she tried again. Varice sent more fire at her. Daine ducked, then moved in, chopping at Varice. She hit her arm, and then pulled back. She hoped that would stop the woman.
Varice raised her hands, power building between them. The pressure in the room built, and Daine knew it was now or never. If she waited a second longer, then she would be dead. She slid in with the sword, running Varice clean through. The woman looked shocked for a moment, and her fire disappeared. "Arram," she whispered, falling to the floor with a sickening thud.
Daine shook violently. She had not wanted to kill this woman because she loved Numair. She looked up at him, dreading the look on his face. Would he hate her?
Numair fell forwards in a daze, and Daine leapt over the body to catch him. She winced as his head fell forwards onto her collarbone. She pushed him upright, holding his head as she examined him. Numair was unconscious, his skin grey-blue. He was very weak. She called on her magic, searching for something to help her.
A few moments later, Spots crashed through the door. Daine loaded Numair onto the horse, head and torso first, then pushed his legs up, her shoulder protesting at the effort. She turned him so his head rested on the gelding's neck. She raided through Spots' pack until she found what she was looking for. Pulling a length of rope free, she quickly tied Numair to the horse to ensure he wouldn't fall. Taking Spots bridle in one hand, and stroking Numair's back with the other, she murmured to him. "Come sweet. You'll be fine." Numair stirred and she shushed him, as she let the horse take the lead.
As they wound their way upwards, along various corridors, each one identical to the last, she told the man how much she loved him, and that everything would be alright. She knew Numair needed rest, food and drink, she hoped nothing more. Her shoulder ached, and she tried to keep it as still as she could, whilst making sure Numair did not slip from the saddle. As she cleared the underground levels, she found Cloud, Mischief and Darkmoon standing in a large hall. The horses whinnied when they saw her, and all rushed to her, except Darkmoon, who stayed where he was, standing over George and Alanna. The ex-thief looked worried as he bent over his wife. He'd removed her mail leggings and was cutting his shirt into shreds as he created a bandage for her. Alanna was leaning against the wall, her face pale as she instructed George with what to do. Daine hurried over to them.
George swung as he heard footsteps, daggers raised, then lowered them as he realised it was Daine. "She'll live. We just need to get her to a healer."
"I can heal myself, George," Alanna said wearily, although Daine thought she didn't look as if she could light a candle with her Gift at the moment.
"If you want to lie a-bed for days and days and completely exhaust yourself," the man retorted. He tied the bandage down tightly. Alanna winced and flexed her leg. "Will you not keep it still!" George exclaimed.
Alanna pulled herself to her feet as George growled at her. She nudged him with her hip, and walked over to Daine and Numair. "Your bow is over there," she pointed. "I didn't need it." She looked over Numair, still passed out on the horse's back. "Is he injured?"
"Not that I can see. Just used up, I think."
Alanna nodded. "We'll get him to a healer soon, just to make sure."
"We'll get you to a healer soon as well, lass," George told Alanna. "Before you go tryin' to overdo things like always." He beckoned Darkmoon over, and lifted his wife into the saddle before she could protest. "Sit, and stay sat," he ordered. Alanna grimaced, and moved so she could sit side saddle.
Daine and George mounted. As their horses led the way outside, Daine turned to look at the castle. "Has the King been told?"
George shook his head. "He had troops on the way, so we'll meet them on our way back no doubt. We didn't wait for them before we came in. Their mage can send a message to him, or the mage of the village we get to, with our mages used up," he ignored a growl from Alanna, "whichever first."
The four rode on in silence, stopping every so often to adjust Numair's position on his horse and make sure he was alright. After a few hours, they arrived at the inn that Daine and Numair had left early that morning. The innkeeper, surprised to see not only more guests, but the Lioness herself, hurried into action, calling the healer from the nearby village, and caring for the mounts efficiently.
Numair and Alanna both woke after three days rest, Numair in the early morning, Alanna mid-afternoon. Daine, who had been sitting patiently at his bedside, reluctant to leave him, smiled when the man woke her just before dawn. She smiled into his dark eyes. "See all the trouble you get into without me?" she told him.
To her surprise, Numair ducked his head, his eyes bright. "I'm sorry Daine. I couldn't stop her –"
"Ssh," she told him. "I know. I love you, Numair." She kissed him, and held him tightly, not wanting to let go, burying her fingers in his hair.
"I love you too," he mumbled. "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. She had control of you – there was nothing you could do. Now hush whilst I get you food." She returned from the kitchen to find Numair sitting up in bed, a speech spell open.
He looked guiltily up at Daine as she entered the room. "Anyway," he said, quickly changing the subject, "have you cleared the castle out?"
King Jonathon's voice came from the other end. "Yes, I've had mages scour it from top to bottom. I've been informed that two of Daine's arrows did for my cousin. He and Mistress Kingsford will receive a warm welcome on Traitor's Hill. It seems they had plans for yet another uprising. I don't know what it was I ever did to that cousin of mine, but he seems to hold something against me.
"The Own are following it up, and Lord Raoul will be escorting the bodies back to Corus himself. Harailt is working on something to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again. I didn't like to ask, for once. Anyway, I'll leave you to it. I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do." Quietly he added, "Everything's ready here for you," and then the globe vanished.
"What's ready?" Daine asked suspiciously.
"Oh, nothing, sweet," Numair replied innocently. "What did you find? I'm hungry."
"Numair," she spoke, her voice warning. "What's ready?" She sat on the bed next to him.
Numair grinned and pulled her into a deep kiss, forcing everything from her mind. When he released her, he grinned. "I've missed you, sweet. I thought I'd lost you."
"Nonsense," she smiled. "I've been through harder than that trying to save you. Here," she offered him the food. "Eat." She watched as Numair devoured the food quickly, then drank the tea she had brought, pausing only to blow on it to cool it down. "And will you be wanting breakfast, sir?" she teased. Numair simply smiled, and then pulled her down into a deep kiss. She pulled away for a moment, surprised. "Aren't you tired?"
Numair grinned. "I'm never too tired to show my betrothed how much I love her," he said as he kissed her. "I love you a lot, you know."
Daine nodded. "I'm aware of the fact, Numair."
"Good," he said, kissing her between words. "I love you so much I never ever want to leave you alone again. Not even for five seconds." He stopped and looked at her, then added, for good measure, "Ever." He kissed her thoroughly before letting her go.
"That's fair impractical, Numair."
When they emerged from their room for breakfast much later, George smiled knowingly at them. "I was coming to see if you were up, but you sounded busy, so I left you to it." He chuckled as Daine made a face at him. "How are you feeling this morning Numair?"
Numair smiled. "Well, thank you. Despite all events, I'm actually fine. Where's Alanna – is she still in bed?"
George looked at Daine. "So you didn't tell him then?" She shook her head, blushing. "She took a sword to the thigh, but Daine here saved her from Roger."
Numair looked at Daine. "And what are you doing fighting sorcerer dukes?" he enquired.
"I was looking for you, but I found Alanna instead. I shot him," she explained.
"She did a good job, even though she got a dagger in her side, didn't you, lass?" George smiled. "How's that this morning?" he enquired.
"It's a little stiff, but I'll heal. My shoulder's the same, but the healer said I'd just have a scar, nothing worse."
Numair touched Daine's cheek where Varice had cut her with the dagger. "And here?" he asked quietly.
"A scar again, probably. I don't mind – I'll have interesting tales to tell my children one day," she smiled at him.
"One day," he said softly.
George coughed as the maid brought food over to Numair and Daine. "I hate to interrupt your plannin'," he smiled, then turning to the maid who offered to fill up his fruit juice, "No, I'm fine thanks." He turned back to the couple before him. "We have to get the once Duke and Mistress Kingsford back to Corus first before you two go gettin' up to mischief under the bedrolls." He grinned as Numair swore at him.
"There's apparently a paper train about a mile long on this one, details on troops, mercenaries they were to hire, or had hired. That's how they got into old Tormod's place. They found the rest of his family in the dungeons. They're all alive, but for his eldest son –" Numair shook his head sadly; he had known him, "– and one of his daughters, who by all accounts brought down two mounted attackers with a pike. She wanted to be a knight seemingly. Now her ma's wishing she'd sent her," he shook his head sadly, then continued. "The guard wasn't at full strength; most were out in the fief patrolling, and they took a hit last week from bandits, as we did. We don't know why Roger and Varice chose there to operate from. It's too far from Corus to be a base."
"How far is it from Trebond?" Numair enquired. "A day's ride now, or less in the summer. Maybe they thought to attack Trebond. That would draw Alanna away from Corus, and keep her from the Palace and Jonathon, and then they attack the Palace somehow. New Year festivals? That way, no one would notice hundreds of men streaming into the city, and no doubt the Palace too."
George nodded. "That sounds about right. That could have worked. Lucky we caught them in time. Roaul's on his way up here with some of Third Company, and the whole of First and the remainder of Third are garrisoned in the Palace and around the capital. The Palace Guard is running increased patrols, and Jon has set the mages at the university to scrying for any possible attackers. The threat of an uprising is averted once again," he smiled. "And to think, all because some lass got jealous of young Daine."
"Shut up, George," Numair warned him. "It has nothing to do with you, Daine. Varice was just a little…"
"Touched in the head," George supplied. Daine laughed. She couldn't disagree with that.
Numair grimaced. "Probably." He wrapped his arms around Daine, pulling her close. "But we don't have to worry about her anymore," he murmured. "She's gone."
"And good riddance to her," Daine muttered. George raised his glass in agreement.