Title: Of Healing and Love--Chapter 3
Author: I Dream of Peace
Category: drama, missing scene, pre-romance (pairing Numair/Daine)
Rating: PG-13, there's going to be a bit of violence, nothing too intense, but definitely some blood, and blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to non- graphic sexual assault
Spoilers: all the Immortals books, but really, you wouldn't be reading this if you haven't read those
Archive: anyone can have it, just please tell me so I can come and visit
Feedback: I know you are all capable of pushing the review button…
Series: stand-alone
Summary: When Daine is gravely injured, Numair comes to see how much she means to him
Disclaimer: You all know the drill. All this wonderful stuff belongs to Tamora Pierce. I'm obviously not making money off this, because if I were I would have a better computer! It's all just for fun.
Author's Notes: This one is short too. Even shorter than chapter two. I figure lots of short chapters are better than long chapters with weeks in between them. See chapter 1 for the quote.

Numair landed with a jolt and staggered a bit, desperate not to fall and further injure Daine. He had managed to bring them to one of the seldom-used practice courts deep within the palace. Just as Numair began wearily heading towards the entrance, Jonathon of Contè, King of Tortall came striding out into the yard. Upon seeing Numair with a limp Daine in his arms, Jon gave a strangled cry and hurried to his friend's side. Gentle fingers brushed Daine's cheek, and the king sighed in relief to find her alive.

"What happened, Numair?" Jon asked. Numair turned haunted weary eyes to his friend and king.

"Bandits. On the road to Ravenswood," he said, taking a shuddery breath before continuing, "They snuck up on us. Somehow we got separated, and Daine panicked and shape-shifted. They hit her with an arrow. It was contaminated, Jon." A small, tight frown crossed the king's face at this. Numair continued, "I got her to Ravenswood; the local hedgewitch tried to keep the infection from setting in for a few hours. I drained my magic—discouraging—the bandits. I brought her as fast as I could manage, but I'm afraid the contaminant is already in her bloodstream." Something akin to fear flashed in Numair's dark eyes. Jon put a hand on Numair's arm and began steering him into the palace.

"I knew all the best healers were in the field," he continued, "but I thought maybe you could tell me where to go…" but Jon was already shaking his head sadly.

"The truth is, I don't really know exactly where they are myself. I haven't heard from Alanna or any of the others for a while, not since they got so near the City of the Gods anyway. I'm sorry Numair," Jon said regretfully. Numair nearly tripped on a loose stone. Jon smile ruefully.

"Anyway, you don't look fit to do another teleportation spell right now. Let's bring her to the infirmary; I'll send for a student from the royal university; no, don't scowl at me! Some of them are quite good. You will get some rest, and then we'll discuss finding a better healer."

Numair was about to argue but thought better of it and nodded resignedly.

"Only for a few hours and only because I need to gather power for another transportation. I'll take her all the way to Carthak if I need be, warrant for my arrest or not." Numair gave Jon a desperate look. "I won't loose her, Jon." The king nodded and gripped Numair's shoulder.

"We'll do all we can. Just, please, don't do anything rash?" Numair looked Jon straight in the eye.

"I'll do what I must, Jon."

By this point they had arrived at the infirmary. An older healer approached them and promptly instructed them to take Daine into an exam room. As soon as she was settled, another healer, this one a woman (but just as old as the man), bustled into the tiny room and shooed the king and his mage out into the hall. Numair leaned against the wall, rubbing a hand over his face. Jon put a hand on his arm and caught his eye.

"You can't do anything now. Why don't you get some rest? If they need you later, you'll be available." Numair was already shaking his head.

"I can't, Your Majesty, not now," Numair formally addressed Jonathon for the first time, expecting a royal command if he didn't convince the king to let him stay.

"Please don't make me order you to leave," Jonathon answered sincerely.

"It's all my fault," Numair whispered desperately, trying to keep the quiver out of his voice. "If I had been paying attention, if I had sensed them sooner, if I had done—something—this wouldn't have happened.

Jonathon was quiet for a moment, then asked, "Do you honestly believe that?" Numair shrugged, feeling indecisive and hating it.

"I have to blame someone. If I think this was meant to happen, that the Gods willed it this way, I'll go mad." Jonathon firmly tugged Numair into another tiny examination room.

"Why don't you just lie down? If this place is slow normally, think how long this could take with half the normal staff! I promise I'll wake you if something happens." Numair still attempted to protest. But Jonathon put a hand to his shoulder and enforced the order with a bit of his Gift. Numair slowly closed his eyes.