A Wildmage and Mage: Love at Court
Disclaimer: Sadly, it all belongs to the great TP. If only I was as good of a writer as she is. Then maybe I could some of the other things I want to own but can't.
A/N: Thanks for all of the great reviews. I hope you're all happy. I haven't been able to focus on any of my other stories in so long, but I was suddenly hit with inspiration for this one today. All of my other readers are soo neglected thanks to you and this story. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the chapter!
Italics will be used either for flashbacks or for when Daine is talking to the animals. Flashbacks will be marked at the beginning and ending to avoid confusion. ' ' will be used for thoughts or for thinking of things that will be or are written. " " is used for talking. I'll mention anything else as it comes up.
Chapter 3
Daine's Room under the Rider Barracks
'I wonder how I can get this to him without being obvious? He's in class right now, but… I know! The birds! They can take it to him. His students are all used to him getting messages that way anyway!' Daine opened her mind to the palace birds to find one that would take the message to Numair. When a sparrow landed on her arm and stuck it's leg out to accept the letter, Daine thanked it and reminded it of its job. Thank you, winged friend. Remember, take it right into the room to him. If he doesn't read it right away, start to peck at him 'til he does. And if you can't get in, tap on the windows with your beak. Let me know if he doesn't open the window for you. I'll ask one of the animals that can get in to pester him 'til he does. With that thought, she sent the little sparrow off to deliver the message.
One of Numair's Classrooms
"Now, can anyone tell me why the stormwings…"
"Master Salmalin, what's the matter? 'Why the stormwings' what?" asked a young boy. Numair didn't answer him as he moved to the window to let in a sparrow with a piece of parchment almost as big as it on its leg. The sparrow landed on his outstretched arm and stuck out its leg.
"Just a moment class. Judging from the deliverer of this, I suspect our resident Wildmage has something to tell me," he said as he opened the letter. As he began reading it his eyes got huge and he began cursing under his breath.
"Master Salmalin? Is something wrong?" another student, a girl planning to join the riders the following year, asked. Numair folded the letter and carefully tucked it into his pocket before turning to his class.
"Don't worry. Nothing is wrong, exactly. I just was informed of something I have always dreaded happening soon. Our King and Queen have decided to hold a ball for some of the members of court. I am forced to go. I hate balls, especially fancy ones, which is what this one is. But we have become sidetracked. I believe I was in the middle of asking why the stormwings were created. Who would like to answer?" Numair continued on with the lessons and headed to the large horse meadow when he was finished. Upon arriving, he spotted a familiar figure walking to the meadow from the stables.
As Daine walked to the large horse meadow after helping the riders with their mounts, she spotted Numair heading there too. Deciding this was as good a time as any to tell him her idea, she picked up her pace and beat him there, despite the longer distance she had to cover and the much longer reach of his legs. She waited for him under a tree well hidden from prying eyes.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I know it's going really slowly right now, but I need to establish what leads up to the 'big reveal'. I hope you can all bear with me right now. Don't forget to review!