(This chapter has a bit of Daine/Numair Fluff...every story needs a little! Pieter in next chapter and new characters...!!)

(If anyone reads can they please review, too? I've had a lot of people add me to their story alert list, so I know people are reading it, but reviews are helpful, too! Suggestions are welcome, I am always open for new ideas! Oh, and I own nothing, of course.)

It was early evening as Daine made her way back from the servants' quarters at Fief Realan. She had just met with Pieter's surrogate mother, Margory. Daine had found Margory to be a large, well-humored woman, with tanned, leathery skin from toiling under the blazing sun each day in the gardens. Margory was quick to laugh and very loving toward Pieter, and Daine suspected that the young boy was in good hands. She remembered how excited Margory had been when informed of Pieter's possible abilities.

The sun had all but set and the air was becoming dark and cool. Lately the weather had been unnaturally warm for that time of the season, and dusk had become Daine's favorite time of the day. As she approached the stables, mosquitoes accosted her in packs, and not for the first time, Daine wished she could control insects as well as animals. Slapping at her arm in an annoyed manner, she entered the warmer, smellier interior of the stables. A hostler was nodding off to sleep in a corner, although it was still very early.

Horses clamored for her attention before she had hardly taken three steps. They poked their massive heads over the rails of their stalls and whickered softly. Daine placed her finger on her lips. Hush! She thought, That Two-legger is asleep!

A feeling came to her mind that was similar to a human giggle. He won't wake up. He drank from that bottle; an elderly dray horse informed her. Daine looked more closely at the man. There was, indeed, a bottle of rum slipping from between his relaxed fingers.

He drank from the bottle a lot, Another horse added.

Thank you. Daine told them. She went over to the stall where Cloud was stabled. I just came to make sure that you're settled down alright.

These Two-leggers are brainless. Cloud answered offhandedly.

Oh, good, so you like them!

Do not twist my words.

Goodnight. Daine thought, chuckling inwardly. Cloud only whinnied softly in reply.

Daine left the stables as silently as she had arrived, finally heading up into the fief itself and finding her way along the twisting corridors to the room where she and Numair were staying. She entered the room eagerly, ready to tell Numair of her discovery. Her heart sank as she saw Numair dressed in finery, seated at the dresser and combing his unruly black hair. He turned around and flashed a brilliant smile when he saw who it was.

"Hello, Daine! No, don't make that face; we really must go to dinner with him. Don't tell me you forgot? After all, he is showing us considerable hospitality by inviting us to stay here in his household. If you think about it, really, we would have to be staying in that awful inn down the road…what's-it-called, the Brown Mouse, and however fond I am of bed lice, I---"

Daine finally cut off his rant by interrupting him. "Numair! I…I didn't forget."

"Good." He said, and turned back to combing his hair. "Then you'd better get dressed, Daine. You can't go in that."

A few months ago when they had first become lovers, Numair had suddenly stopped referring to Daine as 'magelet'. Numair had explained to Daine at one point that after sharing your bed with someone it was rather hard to see them as a child anymore, and thus the nickname 'magelet' hadn't seemed sensible anymore. Nonetheless, Daine still missed the endearment.

"I have news, though," Daine spoke up. Numair turned in his seat to look at her, and the rest of her words came out in a rush. "I found someone! It's this young boy who lives in the fief. His name is Pieter and I've already talked to his guardian, she works as a gardener and—"Daine's words were cut off as Numair jumped up and wrapped her in a huge hug.

"We did it! We've found someone? Mithros, Minos and Shakith, Daine, we actually found someone! This is incredible!" Numair kissed her hard on the lips. Daine stood there, stunned.

"Well," she finally managed, "If that's how you're going to receive news from now on, I think I'll have to become the town crier!" A low, disgusted whistle issued from the corner of the room, where Kitten sat, voicing her ill will toward the joke. The small dragon had four different colors of ribbon that she was playing with. Apparently Kitten had again stolen Daine's hair ties. Numair only laughed.

"This is great news!" he exclaimed, kissing her on the nose. "It deserves some celebration. But first!" he added, stopping Daine's move for another kiss, "Where is this boy? I have to meet him straightaway!" Daine shook her head.

"No, you don't, Numair. I've told Pieter that we'll meet with him tomorrow morning. You can question and pester him as much as you want then, but for now you will leave him alone." Numair sighed.

"I suppose you're right."

"Now…what about that celebration?" Daine asked slyly, running her fingers down Numair's neck.

"Quite so," he agreed. "However, that celebration will be in the form of us going to dinner with the Lord of this fief." He pushed her towards her dresser. "Get dressed."

Daine headed in that direction with a fake pout adorning her lips. "You tricked me," she accused him.

"Did not."

"Did too." She answered.

"You forget, Daine, that you must first undress to redress." Numair smiled craftily. Daine giggled, thinking that she would exact revenge on Numair later.