After the War

Disclaimer: Master Salmalín is mine; I can kill you with my brain. Just a warning, but unfortunately, I have to borrow Numair from Tamora Pierce. So sad, well, must go play with him.

A/N: Daine w/ animal, Animal w/ Daine (conversations)

Chapter Five

Daine drifted through her thoughts, absentmindedly saying goodbye to the animals within reach, their chatter made her grin. Not only were they worried for her, they wanted her to relay messages to families in Galla, she snickered at one hounds idea of family, it was an old tree that had stood beside his home in his childhood. With one last goodbye, she followed the others towards the road and the gateway to the city. Looking over at Numair, she smiled lightly and waited for the gates to open. The groan and creaks that resonated as the guards hauled the gate open made Daine feel vulnerable for the first time in a very long time. Finally, the open road to the city was before her and she remembered all the trips that she and Numair had taken, just the two of them with nothing but the wilderness around them. He was just as enamored with other life forms as she was. He could sit for hours on end having a conversation with a deer, asking strange questions that made his 'victim' ponder and walk away confused. He was inquisitive, perhaps too much so. The thought made her laugh and Numair scowled, assuming she was laughing about his riding abilities as she often did.

Daine only shook her head and smiled even broader, she let out a clear laugh and urged Cloud into a gallop, easily outstripping the entire party, she let herself lose herself in the crowds that were just beginning to rouse and go about their daily chores. Small children raced across the street, each giggling as if they alone had a secret that concerned them alone. Mothers woke to calm crying babes, and their soft lullabies could be heard floating down to meet the streets loud fray of voices. The bark of dogs and the laughter of thieves echoed in the alleys and the burning feel of eyes followed you. The progress was slow, and Daine was barely staying awake, Cloud would never let her fall off, but she wanted to be aware and on her guard. Daine had always been able to navigate these streets with ease, and speed, even when Numair was with her, but with an entire envoy, it was nearly impossible to make good speed without injuring anyone.

Her eyes roamed and when they landed on her teacher she had to hide her smile behind her hand, he was slumped over the saddle horn. His head resting on Spots' neck, his arms dangled on either side. She made a silent plea to Spots to be careful and not spill him; the gelding gave an indignant snort and shook its head. Though Daine knew she had won, for the shake had been very delicate and more for show. Nevertheless, the motion had attracted Alanna's attention, she urged her mount up next to Daine and she arched an eyebrow at the girl. Daine gave a grin as if to say that Numair always slept this way, and she was in charge of making sure he didn't break his neck. Alanna twisted her head and called back to Gary that she would be there in a minute.

Alanna shook her head ruefully, "Usually I'm safe, Gary wouldn't dare come to me to discuss numbers, but here I am all trussed up and stuck with nothing else to do. If I start enjoying myself, kill me." With that she skillfully turned her mount and fell back to talk to Gary. Daine was left to laugh at the warrior woman, and as she glanced around fell silent since she was quite alone. She laughed nervously and put her head down and focused on oiling Kit's scales, she wanted to make sure they were extra shiny so they were extra clean. When Daine finally finished they had reached the bridge out of the city and into the open countryside. She could finally feel the noise of the city flowing off her, the calm of the country rushing over her, the voices fell into her mind with ease, and she greeted them cheerily, not wanting to leave anyone out.

A loud groan to her ears and she turned her head and winced when she saw a half-unseated Numair. He struggled to right himself to the amusement of the rest of the party, and as he straightened, a glare came over his handsome features and he mumbled something about them regretting laughing at him. Daine urged Cloud over to Spots and in the cover of feeding Spots a carrot, she whispered to him, "Numair, only a day more until we reach the border, think by this time tomorrow we will be meeting with the delegation and be forced to socialize. On the upside, you can talk to mages; just think how you can show them up. Oh come on, cheer up! I'll race you to the bridge! One, two, three!"

She took off laughing loudly, hair flowing behind her, Numair reacted quickly, used to her antics to get him to stop moping, he was galloping towards her. Everyone in the party was quite surprised to see the stiff mage engage in such childish play, none had ever seen him race against a mere slip of a girl before, especially not when he was smiling and laughing. He hated riding usually because he had a rather ill seat on a horse, several peoples jaws had dropped and eyes had widened to shocking sizes.

"Jon is not going to believe this!" Alanna was staring rather flabbergasted, for as long as she had known Numair he had always been solemn. He only took comfort in shapely blondes and even then, his manner was rather cold, sure, he laughed and joked with his close friends, and was the first to help a new mage, but he was never openly happy. That was until Daine had scared the shit out of him a few times, or more like a hundred times.

She was one of his most profound discoveries and that completely validated him in a way that shapely blondes just didn't. He had been to the realms of the gods, what other mage could say that he had dined Gainel, the silent Master of Dreams. Had a demigoddess for a student or had trekked to the Land of Dragons, or stood before the council of elders to plead their case. He had done things no other man could ever hope of trying, and he was always in the mood to learn. When Daine had learned to raise the dead for a short time, it had been both terrifying and amazing that The Graveyard Hag, to rid Carthak of Ozorne and destroy the palace in the process, had chosen her. The pair of them had done things that were truly amazing and had saved dozens if not hundreds of lives. It would be a lie to say that Numair was not excited to show off his knowledge and experience to the Gallan mages, Daine too was excited to be considered famous. The only thing she feared know was meeting someone she knew, she knew who she was and that was enough, but old feelings could rip her apart more easily than one would guess.

Daine reached the bridge and when she rode across it, she turned her head, seeing Numair on her heels. Once over the bridge she went up the hill and dismounted, settling down next to a tree, she set down Kitten next to her and the dragon and girl waited for their Stork-man to make it to them. A small creek ran next to the tree and Daine let her fingers trail in it while Kit touched it inquisitively her scales turning a pale rose pink. Daine at last heard the heavy steps coming towards her; she dipped her hand in the water and waited. When he put a hand on her shoulder, she spun from her crouch and let her cupped hand open, water sprayed into his face and it dripped from his slightly crooked nose and the loose strands of black hair. Grinning evilly, he made a bowl from his magic and dipped into the water, the unsuspecting girl was warned too late by Kit's urgent chirps. The chilly water was dumped over her head and the girl stood up and began to stalk down the hill, soaking wet she crossed her arms and frowned.

Cloud, go ahead and bite him for a while, just don't hurt him too bad. With pleasure, it has been too long since I had a good bite of Stork-man.

Cloud had snuck up behind the laughing mage and had easily latched on to his elbow; a gasp of shock reached Daine's satisfied ears. She continued down the hill and as she met the party, she got several questioning gazes and a few hidden grins. Just as she stopped, another outbreak of laughter met her ears, for Numair had just begun the decent with Cloud attached. He looked fair annoyed and Daine grinned innocently up at the man, locking her hands behind her back and rocking back and forth.

"Daine would you kindly ask Cloud to let go of my elbow," he asked through gritted teeth and mock anger.

Daine tried hard not to laugh; "Now why would I do that, I did tell her to bite you. See what happens when you poor water on me? You get punished, get used to Cloud, she'll be there a while."

Daine stalked away, wanting to explore the land that was nearby for she had never taken this road, it was much shorter than the Eastern road. Alanna signaled a stop for lunch so Daine nudged Cloud into letting go and the horse and girl headed off in one direction, no one daring to follow. Diane un-strapped the cage from the stubborn creature and looked back to see Kitten playing with a stick she had found on the ground, she was poking at the bushes that grew along the water. Daine laughed when a little mouse ran across Kit's silver claws and made her whistle with shock. The other members of the party chuckled at the young dragon. Daine pulled out her new friend and behind the tree she spoke to him, asking him about a myriad of different things, finally she exhausted the poor kitten and he just snuggled up to her chest, finally Daine fell asleep, asking Cloud to warn her if anyone was coming.

Sleep came swiftly and though she had slept fitfully the last night, she was not afraid to succumb to the sweet siren of the song. Daine's spirit was swept along in the river of fire that flowed only within herself. A sudden weight on her chest made her sputter and gasp for breath, sitting up as much as she could she was only just in time to hear the badger speak.

Kit, listen carefully, your terror is overpowering you. You must fight the pull of the river; it will be stronger once you are back in the land you were born in. The river with drown you with the need to be 'people' as you so charmingly put it. If you lose yourself this time, there is a very slim chance of coming back; the mage does not know just how powerful the tow can be. Do not let it pull you down! Kit! Are you listening to me, this is important, fight it!

Daine snapped back, her eyes opening truly for the first time on this trip, what she really wanted to do was crawl in a corner and cry, but if she was in danger of returning to the way she was, she could not. She shuddered, remembering the cold feeling of living as an animal, even those first few days when she began to transform back in the forest when she was helping the pack, she had been different. It had not been quite so strong, but she still felt the power that wanted her back, the fear and paranoia that could only be calmed by the submersion of her self. The inner beast that she had chained up for so long reared its head and rattled the bars of her mental cage. Rising to her feet, she cradled Shadow; finally, she set him down in the cage next to a sleeping Zek. Putting a hand on Cloud's soft muzzle, she closed her eyes, fearing even more the journey ahead of her. She led Cloud back to the group, no one noticing the far away gaze and broken motions. When they finally began to ride again, Daine was silent and was that way until she was tucked into her bedroll, waiting for the elusive sleep she waited for. As she waited, the thoughts of the other animals invaded her thoughts and she groaned in frustration at the abundance of voices, how was she supposed to deal with this hanging over her head.

Kit, why aren't you using your magic? You told me I could be drowned like before, with the wolves after Ma died. I told you no such thing, listen to the animals. Their voices are a cry of pain, if you weren't being silly you would realize that something is wrong here. Pay attention, and remember you are in control of the magic. But only if you remember to help the others or their pain will overwhelm you!

When she woke, she felt the sharp pain in her shoulders and the warm wetness of her shirt, all she could do was croak out for help, "Nu-Numair! Help, help me please!"

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Cliffy goodness, this was longer I hope. Thanks for all the good reviews and praise. I just love this story right now so I am trying to make it really detailed and good. Just a good note to know I know that the trip to the border takes longer, but right now, it doesn't. It would be a waste of my time to write about nothing for a week or two. Plus nothing is really going to happen until they reach the border; the pre-border is just setting it up. Next chappie should be them first meeting/seeing the delegation.

Anyway, remember to Read and Review, I absolutely love to here from all of you!

Still to find out: Who saw Daine and Numair? Soon to come, it was one of the envoy so it narrows it down. Shiny!

Daughter of the Black