Disclaimer: Alas, I this all belongs to Tammy.

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Chapter 2

Shocking the Lioness

After the Badger left, Alanna came in. Seeing Daine sitting up, she exclaimed, "Daine, you're awake!" Then she glared at Numair. "Why did you let her up? She needs her rest!"

Seeing the Lioness's famous temper about to explode, he quickly cut her off. "Alanna, I had nothing to do with it." He pointed to the vase. "We have a little issue."

Alanna looked at the remains of what used to be a vase. "What happened?"

"I blew it up."

"You WHAT!"

"I blew it up," Daine repeated.

"How?"

Daine stood up, walking over to another black vase. With a couple hand motions, she blew it up as well.

Alanna looked at her in amazement. "How long have you been able to do that?"

"Since this morning."

"But how?"

"Apparently our little visit to the Divine Realms has caused Daine's magical abilities to advance and they should continue to do so until she has reached her full potential," Numair answered.

"Badger said that I would continue to find my magical powers by accident. Does these new powers mean I have the Gift as well as Wild Magic?"

"I'm not sure, Magelet. I'd say that this would be considered as the Gift though. When I have enough strength, I'll check your magical aura to see what has been added."

"Is it possible for Daine's powers to be advancing, especially since she's a wild mage? Besides, I've never heard of anybody who can do that," she said, pointing to the vase.

"I haven't either. I guess no god-borns have been to the Divine Realms and returned for us to know."

"Daine, you said 'by accident.' Did you really want to get rid of the vase that badly?" Alanna asked her, a hint of amusement crossing her face.

"No, I had a dream in which I blew up Ozorne. Badger said that was a one-time thing to get me to see what was happening."

"Well, there's nothing we can do to stop this. We'll just have to see where this goes. I'm going to go and get you a wonderful healing drink I made just for you," she said, grinning wickedly as she left the room.

Daine groaned.

"I had to drink one too. It's only fair for you to suffer as well," he said laughing.

"Well, since you got to get up it's only fair that I get to get up as well."

"But…but you need your rest!"

"So do you."

"Face it Numair. You walked right into that one," Alanna said, returning with a tray. "Daine, you can get up once you finish this. Just don't overdo it, ok?" She sat the tray on the bed beside Daine.

Daine nodded as Alanna left.

"Magelet, I'll be back later. I have to go talk to Jon."

"Sure, I'm going down to see Cloud later. You'll find me there."

Kissing her lightly on the lips, he left her to her meal.

-----

Daine walked through the stables looking for Cloud.

"Daine!" a voice called, and she turned to see Onua, her first Tortallan friend, coming towards her. "You're awake!"

"Yea. I wasn't allowed to get up until I had one Alanna's little healing brews," she said, making a face.

Onua laughed, hugging her. "It's good to have you back. I've never seen the animals so depressed."

"Speaking of animals, where's Cloud?"

"Oh, she's out in the field. We did have her in the stable, but she tore down the stall door. I've never seen such a irritable little pony."

"Neither have I. She and I are going to have a little talk. Can you have a stall ready for her?"

"Sure." She paused when she heard one of the young hostlers calling her. "What do they want this time?" she muttered under her breath.

"Have fun," Daine called, grinning evilly as she headed out of the stables.

-----

It's about time you showed up, Cloud snorted as Daine jumped over the fence. I was actually starting to worry.

Next time I'll make sure I'm gone longer.

You couldn't. You'd miss me too much.

Daine laughed. Her horse was right. Unless you were with the storkman, Cloud finished.

Oh, but he doesn't have your horse sense. Or, thankfully, your temper.

See? You balance each other out.

I don't have a temper!

Of course you don't, Cloud snorted in disbelief.

I don't! At least, not much of one.

I said you didn't. Now make yourself useful and get these burrs out of my mane.

Daine spent the next hour talking to her horse. After a while, she took Cloud into the stable, putting her in the stall Onua had fixed for her.

Cloud, don't tear down this stall door, ok?

Fine, she snorted. But you take the fun out of everything.

Cloud!

Fine!

Leaving the stable, she went looking for Numair. Unable to find him, she talked to Alanna.

"We head back to Corus in a couple days. Now that you and Numair are awake, Jon's ready to get back," Alanna told her.

"I was the last one to wake up?"

"Yes, but you also has the worst magical draining. Even Numair wasn't drained as badly."

"I'm worried," Daine said.

"About your magic?"

"What else?"

"Daine, I'm sure it'll be fine. You magic won't do anything you don't wish for it to do. Don't tell me you didn't want to blow up Ozorne."

"Of course I wanted to. It's just…I don't want these powers. I didn't ask for them. I was perfectly content with the magic I had."

"I didn't ask for my Gift either. However, we are stuck with what the gods gave us. We certainly can't give them back." She paused as the dinner bell rang. "Come on, let's go eat."

At dinner, she realized just how lucky she had been. Except for Rikash, everyone she cared for was alive. She wondered when she had actually started caring for the Stormwing. She couldn't figure out when, but his death hurt her badly.

Jonathon announced that they would be leaving for Corus in two days. This pleased her. She didn't want to be here in Port Legann any longer than necessary. Feeling a tugging on her leg, she looked down. Seeing Kit, she picked her up, asking Diamondflame where she had been.

She's been with her grandmother and me while you were asleep. We've decided to allow Skysong to stay in the Mortal Realms with you. You've done a good job with her, you know. Now of our other young one are so advanced in their education, Diamondflame answered.

When are you leaving?

Tomorrow. We only stayed as long as we did so I could talk to you.

I'm flattered, she told him.

Daine spent the rest of diner talking to Numair and Alanna about what else the gods might have in store for her.

-----

After dinner, Numair walked Daine back to her room.

"Where were you?" he asked as they sat down on her bed.

"I was at the stable, and then I went looking for you. When I couldn't find you, I talked to Alanna until dinner."

"Hmm," he said, kissing her lightly on the neck. "Should I believe you?"

"You should," she answered, turning her head to catch his lips with hers.

As their kiss became more passionate, they heard a cry of shock from the doorway.

Breaking apart quickly, they turned to see a very shocked Lioness.

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