Chapter Eight.
Okay… we're coming to the end of this fic here. I think this is the last chapter with only the epilogue to go now. Before I continue with the story however- do you have a favourite Tamora Pierce fanfic? If so, please go to the Circle of Heroes Awards website (the address is my homepage) and nominate your favourite fics! Those of you who remember how well the awards have previously run, please encourage others to nominate- I need more fics to be nominated before I can really run the awards. There are only a couple of days left in the nomination period, and I'm getting desperate!
The news that Daine and Numair were safe took a great weight from everyone's shoulders; Jon's not the least.
"Did you really ever think that either of them would betray Tortall?" His wife asked softly, sitting in a chair behind his desk as he paced across the floor of his study.
"No." He sighed, leaning on the mantel above the fireplace, in which a fire was lit, regardless of the stifling heat that oppressed Corus in the summer. They were still awaiting news of the spies in their midst from George and should Numair or Daine return from the Realms of the Gods, the first thing they would do was contact their friends. "But I do have to admit, for a while it was the only answer I could think of. You know as well as I do that even if Numair's magic could be blocked, Daine's can't be." He let out a short laugh "I never even considered that they could be in the Divine Realms."
"It's not something that would occur to most." Thayet rose gracefully from her seat and crossed the room to lay a consoling hand on her husband's shoulder.
"But the question still remains now we know where they are; how are we ever going to get them back? We could combat mortal mages or immortals, but we cannot hope to best the Gods."
"Maybe we won't have to." Thayet replied, "I cannot believe that the Gods would hold either Daine or Numair against their will."
"Neither can I… if it is against their will."
Onua, for her part, hurried towards the healer's wing, where she would certainly find Evin and it was more than likely Miri as well. After their trip to Greenhall, Evin and the seventh Rider group had been sent to Port Legann, only to be ambushed as they attempted to make a supply run through a previously secret exit. Two had died in the battle and another of her wounds soon after. Onua had recalled them to Corus after the attack, as they needed rest and as Evin, their leader, had taken a sword to the side and had been delirious all the way to the capital, his second in command had led them safely home. Onua paused for a moment, making a mental note to have a chat with Clara, she had kept all the rest of the group alive and had demonstrated a knack for command in doing so. The Second had lost their commander not to long ago and the second in command, although doing a competent job, was not a true leader. She knew that, the Riders knew that and worst of all, so did he. Nodding her head decisively, she continued her on her way. Both Evin and Miri, if she was there, would be glad for news of Daine. Miri and her group had been stationed around Corus, tracking down any immortals gathering in the foothills. Her commander turned a blind eye to Miri's frequent trips to Corus, often choosing to camp near the river Olorun. Miri would ride to the city and spend the night by the slowly recovering Evin's bedside, only to return to the camp in the early hours of the morning.
She caught sight of a healer as soon as she stepped into the wing and was given a quick summary of Evin's condition. The infection in the wound was nearly gone and he would be fit to return for duty, albeit with an extra scar, within the fourteen night. After thanking the healer, she knocked on Evin's door and opened it, only to see, to her amusement, two of her riders jumping apart with very red faces.
"A day of leave Miri?" She enquired wryly, only to burst out in laughter when the two began stammering out answers. She waved her hand for them to stop as they looked at her, laughing so hard she had to sink into a chair. "I'm sorry. But thank you, that's the first good laugh I've had in some time."
"You have news?" Evin said eventually, when their blushes and Onua's chuckles had subsided.
"Yes." She instantly sobered up. "Harailt of Aili found divine magic at the village. We believe they have been taken into the Realms of the Gods."
Miri nodded slowly. "The badger god."
"Of course!" The horsemistress exclaimed. "She always wore his claw as a token. We've been caught up in thinking one of the Great Gods took them."
"As the Hag did in Carthak." Evin nodded, his brow slightly creased in thought.
"While, knowing Daine's particular brand of magic, it's far more likely that they were in trouble and the Badger God came to save them."
"Or just Daine and Numair got in the way." Miri interjected wryly, knowing how deep the bond ran between the Wild Mage and her teacher.
"More than likely." Onua stood. "We are fairly sure they are safe, but we have no way of knowing when they will return."
"They will return Horsemistress." Evin said confidently. "Neither of them could stay away for long. They've got too much waiting on them here."
Baron George Cooper paced the length of a tent in a wood adjacent to a battle field somewhere between the City of the Gods and Golden Lake. Leaving Thom and the young twins with Rispah and Coram at Trebond, he'd been travelling for some time, sending out scouts and spies to try and discover who the traitors were in their midst. Unfortunately both his investigations and those of the truth spells cast by mages had only led to a few low level ruffians, none who had access to the high level plans which the enemy had found out about. Discovering that his wife was encamped with the army closer to his position than Corus, he'd ridden through the night to reach her, knowing that she could send a message to Jon, be it through the fire or using the spelled mirrors. Reports had lead Alanna here, informing her of a band of killer centaurs and hurrocks joining together. Fighting Immortals normally was hard enough, but when they got it into their heads to formulate plans and armies, trouble brewed fast.
Alanna's appearance as she entered the tent at a jog was enough to tell anyone that. Her normally glistening armour was coated in mud, blood and other substances George didn't even want to consider the implications of. Although she moved somewhat stiffly, she didn't appear to be injured as she greeted her husband with a kiss.
"What news from Corus?" She asked, splashing water over her face and hands in a vain attempt to clean her skin. George absentmindedly began helping her off with her armour.
"I've not been to Corus yet. Came here straight from the Grimhold mountains." Alanna quirked an eyebrow and he smirked in return. "You were closer, I wanted to see my wife again, and I figured you'd send a message to Corus for me."
"Oh you did, did you?" his wife enquired archly. Their banter stopped when she saw the serious expression fall upon his face. "Very well. Let's get a fire started."
George nodded, walking out of the tent to collect a bundle of firewood. Swiftly he arranged the logs in such a way to get a hot small fire just outside Alanna's tent. A few minutes later, when the fire was burning merrily Alanna emerged from the tent pulling her wet copper curls away from her face with a leather thong.
Summoning a ball of magic in her hand, she checked the area for any soldiers loitering where they had no business being, and sent the few close by scattering with a few well chosen words and well placed glares. She flicked her Gift into the fire as George chuckled.
"Jon?" She called as soon as the flames licking at the wood turned violet.
"Lioness?" The voice that replied was not the King's but instead Onua's.
"Onua? Where's Jon?" Alanna asked, confused.
"With Thayet... and some other strange visitors." Onua replied, laughter in her voice.
Jonathan and Thayet of Conté sat at a table in a small conference room, staring at some of the most unusual beings ever to grace the human realms. A large badger, recognisable as Daine's mentor, stood on the table with two creatures which seemed to be made purely of darkness resting on his back.
Thayet sighed, trying frantically to grasp what the animal god was saying
"If I have this straight- no disrespect, Lord Badger, but I confess to some confusion." She didn't have to look at her husband to know he was wearing a smirk on his face. "You and this…" Her voice trailed off, not sure how to refer to the creature.
"Gold-Streak." She felt Jonathan sit up slightly beside her at the creature itself replied. She could guess that Daine had given it -him- that name, as a streak of gold did run through the creature.
"Tell me that these two creatures..." She continued
"Darkings." Jon snorted as she was corrected by Gold Streak, only to receive a light kick under the table.
"That these Darkings," she amended. "are made of Orzone's blood, and they were created to be his spies. Now they think for themselves, and they claim they will help us, not him. Is that correct?"
It is. Both Thayet and Jon squirmed slightly, unused to the Badger's mind voice intruding on their thoughts, Now these darkings who spied on you will tell you where your enemy is.
Thayet sank back in her chair, whistling slightly.
"The possibilities are endless…"
"Thank you, Lord Badger." Jon said smoothly. "Can you tell us any more about Daine and Numair however?"
They are on their way to the Dragon's Realm, in order to return here. They will be here, provided they convince the dragons, within the week.
The badger turned his head to the darkings, who slid off his back. A few moments passed in silence for the humans, as the god communicated with the darkings in his silent mind speech. Then, nodding to the King and Queen, his form shimmered silver before vanishing.
"Well." Jon spoke, looking intently at the darkings. "this is an unexpected turn of events."
Thayet tossed her head back and laughed aloud, feeling a good deal freer than she had in a good while. Daine and Numair were safe, and it looked as though the tide of the war had finally turned in their favour.
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HuntressDiana