Numair wandered the halls, looking for Daine. Giving up for now, he returned to his rooms to find the door slightly ajar.
Curiously, he pushed it open and was startled to find Daine going through his drawers. Hearing his approach, her head snapped up. "Excuse me, Master Salmalin, but I was told that I could find my spare clothes here." She looked confused. "I really don't know why they are here, but I would like them back. Do you by any chance know where they could be?" Nodding dumbly, Numair pointed to a drawer. She opened it and pulled out her clothes, still looked extremely confused. "Um...thank you Master. I'll...uh...just be going."
Numair stepped in front of her and blocked her exit. "I would appreciate it if you would call me 'Numair'. It's more informal."
"Sorry Master Salmalin, buy I don't feel quite comfortable talking to you with personal names. We are not comrades, much less friends."
"Are you sure about that?" His voice was light. He took a step towards Daine. "You don't remember anything about me at all?" He took another step. "You don't remember our...first kiss?" Daine let out a nervous laugh.
"I'm sorry Master Salmalin, but you must be a bit drunk right now. I don't believe we have ever shared a kiss."
"You don't believe so? So you're not positive?" He took a few more steps, following as she backed away. She hugged he clothes tight to her chest and looked up at him, fear plainly visible in her eyes. "Why aren't you positive?" His voice was softer now, barely even a whisper.
"Please...Master Salmalin...you're scaring me." He could feel her tremble, but he couldn't stop.
"Where are you Daine?" His eyes were searching hers. "You've left...you need to come back. Don't leave me. Please..." He looked at her for another moment then slowly turned and walked away. Without a backward glance, Daine bolted from the room.
Daine sat in her rooms pondering what Master Salmalin had said. Our first kiss, she thought, there was no such thing. I have only been with Perin. But somehow, Daine had felt right in the Master's presence, not as shaken as she thought she would be. What does this mean?...I need to talk to Perin."
"Alanna, I'm so confused. I've tried to get through the magic, but something pushed me away. It's like my magic has no effect on her." He sat in his study, cradling his head in his hands. His voice was a faint whisper. "What has he done with my Daine?" His black eyes met with hers, bright with unshed tears.
"Numair...I...I really don't know...Here, let me try. Maybe my magic will work." She closed her eyes. Numair felt the room fill with tension as she tried a spell. Suddenly, to Numair's surprise, Alanna smiled.
"Perin's not very bright now is he? He set a ward on Daine that repels magic. But, I assume to save his energy, the ward only works on your magic. I can get through perfectly fine." She thought for a moment. "However, the spells he has are very strong...I won't be able to break them unless I'm right by Perin. I can break a small spell he has so that we can locate Daine, and then we can go to her to finish the job. I'll still need help though -- in magic for breaking the first spell. Can you help me?" Numair nodded and she sat in a chair closing her eyes. She silently began to break the spells while Numair used his magic to keep her strength and energy up.