Disclaimer: They don't belong to me. We just play together sometimes.

"So?"

Daine looked up as a petite redhead threw herself down onto the bench where she was sitting.

"So... what?" Daine asked in confusion.

Alanna looked at her expectantly. "So... are the rumours true?"

"Rumours?" Daine said confusedly. "What rumours?"

"Oh please," Alanna huffed. "You don't think all those women chased him because they were hoping for a juggling lesson, do you?"

Daine's face flushed as realization dawned on her and Alanna laughed gleefully. "I'll take that as a yes," she laughed. She beckoned happily to three women standing nearby: Onua, the horsemistress and Daine's closest friend, Buri, the second in command of the Queen's Riders, and Queen Thayet herself.

Daine put her head in her hands as the chattering women came over and sat down. "Ladies, this is a rare chance," Alanna crowed. "We get all the details on Tortall's once most sought-after bachelor, straight from the horse's mouth."

"Alanna, please," Daine pleaded.

"Just for the record, I never sought-after him," Buri quipped.

"Alanna, don't tease the poor girl," Thayet said comfortingly, sitting beside Daine. "Give her time to enjoy her wedded bliss before you corrupt her."

"Corrupt?" Alanna said indignantly. "I spend my days surrounded by men who are all obsessed with who has the biggest..." She stopped herself. "Sword," she finished shortly. She sighed. "I am dying for some real-life girl talk."

Onua laughed. "As I recall, Alanna, you were quite enthusiastically participating in some 'girl-talk' with a few of the villagers last night. I'm not sure those poor women will ever be the same." She patted Daine on the shoulder. "Don't mind her. Just because you're married doesn't mean you have to spill all the details of your private life."

Alanna frowned, then leaned in. "Was it okay, at least? You're okay today?"

All of the women became much more interested then. Daine flushed again, even deeper red. "I'm fine," she said tightly.

Thayet leaned closer. "Don't be embarrassed if you need some advice. It can... take time. To... get used to one another."

Daine began wishing the ground might open up and swallow her whole. "I don't need advice," she said carefully. "I'm fine. It was... okay. I mean, better than okay... I mean..." She covered her face again as the women around her all laughed.

Onua hugged her around the shoulders. "We're happy for you, Daine," she said smilingly. "Goddess knows with all you've been through, you deserve to have someone who loves you. And it's clear as the nose on your face that Numair loves you with his whole heart."

"And it's as clear as the grin on his face that he loves you very, very well," Alanna quipped, drawing groans from everyone assembled.

"Alanna, you've been spending too much time with the boys," Buri said, shaking her head. "You should take a couple of tours with the Riders."

The redhead shrugged, finishing her drink.

"I... need to go find another drink," Daine said, standing to excuse herself. "I'll come right back," she assured them as Onua moved to come with her.

In reality, she just wanted a few minutes of quiet. She did appreciate all her friends were doing with these celebrations, but a big part of her wished she could have just stayed with Numair today, in their quiet secluded home. It had been so wonderful this morning, getting ready together, helping Numair tie his hair back, sitting together and eating breakfast. All interspersed with brief caresses and passionate embraces. Now, at this party to celebrate their marriage, it seemed as if they had been pulled apart the moment they arrived. At this moment, Numair was busy entertaining a group of children by catching and juggling random objects. He glanced up at her and smiled broadly as he caught her eye, nearly missing the apple that Aly, Alanna's daughter, threw for him.

"Mistress Salmalin? Mistress Salmalin?"

Daine started as she realized the voice was speaking to her. She smiled at the older, stooped man who stood waiting for her to acknowledge him. "I'm sorry, I'm not used to the name yet. I'm Daine. And you are?"

"I help with the horses here, Mistress Daine," the old man said. "I hoped t'meet you. I wanted to ask a favour of you."

Daine reached out with her magic, but could sense no Gift in the man. He was just a commonplace hostler. "Why do you need a favour? Is there something wrong with the Baron's horses?"

The old man shook her head. "No, Mistress. It's my dog. He's been my best friend for years. He's gettin' on, but he still has lots of life in 'im. Only lately, he's been a little... off." The man sighed. "He's all I got. I don't know what I do if he was sick and I didn't know. I thought, p'raps, you could ask 'im, maybe heal 'im, if he needs it?"

Daine smiled. She was sure it was nothing serious. Probably a senior dog with a touch of arthritis. It would only take a moment to put the old man's mind at ease. Besides, she could use a few minutes with People, who definitely didn't care about her love life. "Of course," she said with a smile. "Is he nearby?"

A wide smile split the old man's craggy face. "He's just outside, Mistress. He'll wait there for me forever."

Daine sighed, still smiling. "Take me to him."

Her step was a little bit lighter as she followed the old man. She reached out with a thread of her magic, looking for the ailing canine, but curiously, she couldn't find him. Maybe he had wandered off. Old dogs... sometimes they forgot their habits and wandered off when they'd usually stay. She threw her magic a little further, still looking.

She was so distracted she didn't even notice the large man standing in the shadows by the gate. She didn't even have time to scream when a heavy arm wrapped around her, a strong hand pressing a foul-smelling cloth to her face. She struggled against the grip, fighting to stay conscious, but the noxious fumes soon carried her to unconsciousness.