Author's Note: I know! I haven't been writing. Yes, I do know what it is like to wait to find out more and it takes the author forever to update. I haven't read The Immortals in forever. My plan was to read along as I wrote, but my friend asked to borrow them. I haven't gotten them back yet, so if something's wrong, please tell me. I knew Numair wasn't a native Cartahki and I couldn't remember where he was from. A lot of fics have him coming from Tyra. That's how this fic will work. Ugh! I'm trying to remember as I type and fanfiction and the actual books are sort of mixing together. Thanks to my reviewers, tortallanrider, Seirien, and Madame-S-Butterfly. I love you guys.Well, here's the next chapter. Please REVIEW! I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Chapter 3 - Tyra

Traffic thickened as we came closer to the city. It was in a rich delta sparsely covered in weeds. Snow still adorned the frosty ground too often to get anything to grow. The weather was chilly, but required only a light traveling cloak.

Tyra was a huge port city. It bustled with goods of the widest variety from the farthest reaches of the world. I drank it all in wide-eyed. This was almost as crowded as the fair in Cria.

Cayden was riding beside me. He reached over and closed my mouth. His hand was warm and rough from the calluses he gained from working. I blushed and mumbled, "I have not seen people packed together enough to not stare. This is craziness. I do not understand how these people can live all smushed together."

Cayden laughed and my blush deepened. Cloud sighed at my silliness. I shrugged it off. Jarvi had just stopped in front of a large, imposing gate. This must be the noble's house.

A burly man on the wall called down to us, "What is your business here?"

Jarvi told him that the mistress of the household had hired her on as a live-in healer, and that I was her assistant and the boys were to help in the stables or wherever needed.

The heavy gates groaned as they slowly creaked open. A mansion of a house surrounded by beautiful gardens was revealed. Shock and amazement swept over me. I would be living in this splendor.

Blaine led the way to the stables. A young boy in a rough, but clean, tunic greeted us and took our mounts. Another boy in matching attire of the household told us to follow him. He turned around, and weaved through the labyrinth of paths and hallways at a fast pace.

I had to jog to keep up the stubby legged boy, partly because I kept admiring my surroundings instead of watching where I was going.

I was admiring a painting of a lovely white horse when I ran into something hard. The breath was knocked out of me as I hit the ground. I looked up. The boy had stopped and so did everyone else, but I had not noticed and ran right into Cayden's back.

I blushed and Cayden just grinned at my folly. He held out his hand and took it. Slowly, he helped me up. Finally standing, he did not release my hand. I looked into his glittering eyes curiously as my stomach rolled over.

My cheeks growing rosier, I glanced sideways. Blaine was staring at Cayden and mine's clasped hands with disapproval. Quickly, I slipped my hand free and looked expectantly at an opening pair of double doors.

The boy ushered us into the room and closed the doors behind us. It was a bright room with windows all along the opposite wall. A sleek ebony table with a glass top was in the middle of the room and encircled by two women. One was old and wrinkled with salt and pepper hair and the other in the middle of her life voyage with wavy golden tresses down to her waist.

The women stared at us with intrigue as they sipped their tea. After a few silent moments, the older woman cleared her throat as if to call attention to herself, even though everyone was gazing at her anxiously anyway.

She pulled the layers of shawls closer around her shoulders. Her mouth opened and she wheezed, "It is good to see you've made it, Jarvinia. These must be your boys. You are too modest. They hold more value than you would like to convey. The older one, can he wield any weapons?"

Blaine bowed slightly and answered, "Yes'm, I am good with a sling, crossbow, and spear, and fair enough with daggers, longbow, and a sword, but barely. I am a hard worker though, my lady."

The woman nodded then continued, "As I thought, though it wouldn't matter anyway. I have needed another man to add to my guards for some time. It is desirable and easy enough for an able-bodied young man. Now, you boy, you are not yet old enough to become a guard and are hardly sufficient enough. I saw you through the window. You have a hand with horses. You can be a stable boy, and in your spare time you can train to master your weapons."

Cayden nodded, obviously pleased at having to comb horses, instead of spending long nights on watch. The elderly lady now stared at me. She seemed to be pondering as to why I was here as she sipped her tea once more.

Jarvi recognized that there was no explanation for my presence. Turning the attention towards herself, she spoke up, "My lady, this is Daine Sarrasri. She was my patient and I took her on as an assistant. She has no magic, but an expansive knowledge on the arts of healing. She is trustworthy and can earn her keep."

The woman turned to me, "I was not expecting someone else. I can afford to keep you, but it will not pain me to get rid of you, and that's exactly what I will do at the first sign of trouble. I do not need any drama in my old age." She gave me one last look and nodded.

The middle aged woman stood up. She smiled warmly at us and led us out of the room and to the infirmary, where there was housing for all of us.

The woman was very nice and told us all about the mistress of the household. The old woman had been a mentor for her. She was a noble lady as well and lived near-by. Her mother had died when she was younger and her governess had little concern for her feelings or questions. The old lady nurtured her like she was her own.

This woman was not so much different from me. Her mother had died early in her life just like my mother just did. Maybe there is hope for Sara's fatherless child yet. Just look at her, she is doing well enough.

The woman told us her name was Caressa. She smiled to every servant that walked by and greeted them all by name. She wore a fine silk dress, but her hands were not the soft ones of a lady who does nothing.

The gate came into view again. A long driveway led straight to the house and hugged a circle garden in its middle and hedges along its borders. A smaller pathway led off to stables on the left side of the gate. On the right side were barracks for the men-at-arms. Beside the barracks were stables for their warhorses.

Caressa led us to a long hall on the other side of the stables. Inside, rows of beds lined the walls. At the far end there was some rooms created for more important patients that required privacy. General supply closets were on both sides half-way through the infirmary.

Slowly, we surveyed the room as we walked towards the rooms. Caressa opened a door that was straight in front of the walkway. She opened it to reveal a large office. An L-shaped desk was in the far left corner. One leg of the desk cut into the middle of the room and created a counter-like space. Two chairs were there for business meetings. On the right side of the room there was a door to a private pantry, where the delicate, expensive, and powerful herbs and potions are stored.

Caressa led us further into the strange infirmary. There was a door in the center of the opposite wall. It would be our housing. The door opened to the common room. There were large French doors with glass panes that opened to a private courtyard.

The design was quite unique. From the common room, two bedrooms wrapped in a half-circle around the courtyard on the left, and another two bedrooms surrounded the courtyard on the right. With a small, rusty, wrought-iron gate between each set of bedrooms, it made a complete circle.

Jarvinia scrambled down the left hall. She entered the first room, so I meandered farther along the corridor, and took the second bedroom as my own. The boys took the bedrooms on the right side.

The room was small, but cozy. A fireplace adorned the wall opposite the entrance. There was a bed, an armoire, and a chest. A bookshelf was filled with text on every subject.

Turning around, I see that there are a set of doors adjacent to the courtyard. I crack one open and slip into the sunlight.

There was a maple tree in the center of the courtyard. It was encircled by a wooden bench. Every bedroom had its own pair of doors leading out to the quiet sanctuary.

A pebbled path wove around patches of flowers, but this seemed to also be a private herb garden, so the infirmary could have what they needed fresh.

I plunked down onto the worn bench underneath the tree. I closed my eyes and breathed in its scent. Above me, a sparrow sang out a greeting.

I opened my eyes once more and looked straight ahead. The archway that was blocked by the wrought-iron gate unbolts to a small pathway. On the other side, is the stables.

This is too perfect. I will be able to talk to the horses from my bedroom, now I will just have to find a way to get Cloud housed here, instead of in the stables on the opposite side of the estate.

Quietly, I crept over to the gateway and let myself out. People were bustling everywhere. Maids brought in laundry that was left out to air-dry. Boys carried messages in and out of the gate. Men-at-arms practiced to perfect their weapons with one another.

The place was alive with activity. We must have come in the servant's entrance. The front of a noble house should not be this busy.

Feeling curious, I entered the dim and dusty barn. Warhorses stuck their heads out and whined a hello.

I went around to everyone. I carefully ran my fingers over each one and patted them in their favorite spot. They were well taken care of, happy, and eager for some attention and a listening ear.

I was inspecting an extremely inquisitive gelding when I could feel heat radiating off of a tall figure behind me. Ma had warned me not to wonder off on my own because bad things could happen to a defenseless girl. Grandpa taught me a few unwomanly things behind her back though, and I could land any attacker or mugger on his rump in a few quick movements. That's watcha git for bein' a country girl.

The gelding didn't seem alarmed, but curious. Slowly, I maneuvered around the horse, looking like I was still unaware of the new presence. When there was a horse between us I looked up.

I could feel the tension roll off of my shoulders. It wasn't some robber, thief, or abuser just looking for another victim, but Blaine.

He was leaning against the doorframe. His bulging arms were folded across his wide chest. The edges of his lips were flicked up in amusement.

I chuckled at him and asked, "What? What are you smiling at?"

His grin grew broader until it was a full smile, showing all of his pearly white teeth. He lifted up a foot and placed it in front of him. He balanced himself on his feet and walked on the other side of the gelding until he was opposite of me.

He stoked the horse and said, "I just think it's funny. We just get here and you're already sneaking out on work, but not like a normal girl. I would think a girl would want to meet the new people and find out all of the gossip, but you come to the stables."

I just shrugged. I did not have a father and I had a knack with animals. I was far from the average teenage girl.

A bell tolled from somewhere. The sound of moving people came from outside. Blaine gave a questioning look and led the way out. I gave the horse one last pat, before closing his stable door.

I found my way back through the wrought iron gate and into my room. I emerged into the hallway, to find Jarvi coming out of her room as well.

She was smiling. Tears were welling up in her eyes. "It's been almost eleven years. Finally we're settlin' down. Me and m'boys. How I have dreamed of this day, and it has almost come too late. Blaine will be getting' married soon, and Cayden not far behind. Uh! Well, you just have to cherish life as it comes atcha."

I hugged her and wiped her tears away as we walked into the common room. A maid had just let herself in. She curtsied and informed us that she was supposed to lead us to the dining hall. It was time for dinner.

We followed her back through the infirmary and out on to a cobble stone path. It led to two sets of double doors. Inside, there were huge wooden tables lined in rows and benches on either side of them.

There was a buffet table on right side of the Dining Hall. The maid instructed us to get in line and get our food, and then sit anywhere and enjoy ourselves. She then rushed away to a huddle of girls about her same age.

We walked over to the line. We all stood self-consciously because people kept staring at us. Blaine led the way down the line. Cayden went next, then Jarinia, and I cowered behind her.

The man in front of Blaine turned around. He looked to be the same age as Blaine. He smiled and said, "Hello! You must be the new guardsman." He looked around Blaine and saw the rest of us. We smiled weakly in return. The man continued, "Ah, and you must be the new stable hand slash guardsman in training, the new healer, and the healer's assistant."

"Word gets around fast here," he informed us seeing our startled faces.

He resumed talking to Blaine. "I'm a guardsman here, too. My name's Sloan. Hey, so a bunch of us are sitting over there, if you want to join us."

As an afterthought he added, "And you too, little man."

Jarvi and I were not so lucky as to receive an invitation to sit with someone. We stood there with our wooden trays scanning the room. The seats were almost completely filled. We would have to hurry.

Jarvi spotted a space big enough for the both of us. We scrambled up to them before they were taken.

We shifted around in the cramped space. There were women beside Jarvi were older maids and cooks. Jarvilistened to their conversation and welcomed her when she joined in.

I still didn't find any friends. It's just like back in Snowsdale. I'm the outcast again. At least I have Cloud.

My head perked up from it's drooping position. I haven't gone to see Cloud yet. I shoveled the rest of the food in my mouth and stood up.

Jarvinia was deep in conversation by now and rest waved her hand good-bye at me. I took my tray up to the dish-washers and headed out to find Cloud.

She must be in the other stables. She was not in with the warhorses when I was there earlier. I could feel Cloud as I grew closer. Mainly what I felt was great irritation.

I saw some sugar cubes as I entered the stables. I grabbed them to help sweeten up Cloud's temper.

Cloud's head was stuck out over her stall door. She snorted when I rounded the corner into her sight.

"I leave you to go off and get groomed and you forget about me, and just when I thought you were starting to grow up. You still nothing but a young filly," she grumbled, but sort of mumbled off as she consumed her treat.

When the last one was gone she nuzzled her nose in my palm. I hugged her around the neck. "It's good to always have you with me, no matter what," I murmured into her mane.

Cloud shook me off like I was just getting emotional, but I new she felt good for being appreciated. I would have to find a way to get her closer to the infirmary. I didn't see a personal stables, so she might have to go in with all of the warhorses. Cloud will be just fine. Her kind are known to be mischievous and testy. She'll keep those big mounts in line.

I squeezed Cloud once more before heading back over to the infirmary. I could not find Jarvi in our suite so I went into the infirmary.

Jarvi was kneeling next to one of the beds. I rushed over to her to see how I could help.

A girl about seventeen years old was lying down all muddled. She was telling Jarvi a story about how she bent down to get something and hit her head on the table when she went to get up. Blinded with pain, she fell and hit her nose.

Jarvi was trying to shush her so she could properly examine the injured nose, but the girl continued rambling on.

Her eyes went wide when she saw me. She went to sit up to greet me, but Jarvi had just reached out to see something. The girl's nise hit Jarvinia's hand straight on.

The girl cringed in pain and covered her nose with her hand. She chuckled at her luck and squealed, "Hi! You must be Daine. I'm Maddy. Not how I imagined meeting the new girl, but you would see me in here sooner or later. Oh what am I talking about! It's me! It would have been sooner. I tend to have a lot of accidents. I mean just last week, I was walking down the stairs and whoopsy-daisy. Blood was everywhere and…"

Jarvi forced her to lie back down. She placed her hand on the nose and released a flood of magic. She guided the nose until it was straight again.

Maddy got up and walked over to me. She took my elbow and led me outside. She continued to chat about mindless things. I could not help but block her out.

Soon I found myself in a courtyard. There were a bunch of young girls sewing and socializing. Maddy introduced me. She was a little loopy, clumsy, and talkative, but I think I just made myself my first friend in Tyra.


What did you think? Any good? I hope so. Now I'm going ot reveal a little bit of where I think I'm going with this. Don't read any farther if you don't like anything to be spoiled. I think Daine will meet Numair's mom, and then Numair. Yes, Numair lives. Daine will be kidnapped by slave traders. Numair will be visiting some city and see Daine up for sale in the distance. More hoopla and Numair frees her. He trains her in magic. There will be some more of the Wolfards, especially Cayden, but it will eventually be DN. Some things are just destined to be.

Starlit Emerald-Eyed Empress