Hola! Sorry about the delay. I hadn't realized that it had been so long since I updated.

Enjoy!

Chapter 8

For The Love Of A Horse

Daine awoke to the sound of a crackling fire. Opening her eyes, she saw Alex making breakfast, Kit watching him intently. "Morning," she called out softly, so as not to wake Numair.

"Good morning. You slept well, I presume?"

"Yes," she replied, getting up quietly, sitting down next to him. "And you?"

"Okay. Is he going to sleep all day?" he asked, glancing over at Numair.

"It's still early, Alex. He usually wakes up a few minutes after I do."

"Yea, because you aren't there to keep him warm," he muttered under his breath, to low for Daine to hear.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing." He turned back to the fire, only concerned with making breakfast.

Daine smiled as Alex gave Kit a piece of the bacon he was frying. "You'll spoil her, you know."

"She's already spoiled thanks to you, Magelet."

Alex jumped, not realizing that the mage was awake.

"You helped," Daine accused as Numair joined them in front of the fire. Kit left her position by Alex in favor of Numair's lap.

"That I can't deny," he answered, poking Kitten on the nose playfully.

Alex watched the dragonet intently, thinking that she might get mad and attack the mage. Instead Kit slapped him lightly with her tail, thrilling happily.

Breakfast was soon ready, and as they ate they watched Black and Star chasing each other around the field. Black would chase the mare, nipping playfully at her flanks. Then she would turn, forcing the stallion to quickly turn, and gallop in the other direction, her urging him to greater speed by nipping at his long, flowing tail.

Seeing Black begin to outrun Star, Rain intervened, blocking Black's path at the last possible moment. But instead of forcing the stallion to swerve like she intended, he merely vaulted over her, clearing the obstacle easily.

Rain quickly moved so that Star would have a clear path, but the stallion had turned and now formed a solid barrier. Star skid to a halt, stopping just mere inches from the stallion. He reared up, claiming the victory. Then he turned to grazing, the mares following his example.

Cloud, who had been watching the contest, snorted. Youthful fools.

You were like that once.

Humph.

Finished with breakfast, Numair wrapped an arm around Daine's shoulders. "And to think I can actually ride that mare," he murmured, watching Star.

"And to think you can actually ride any horse," Daine replied quietly, a mischievous grin on her face.

"My riding skills aren't that bad!" Numair exclaimed loudly, startling Alex since he hadn't been able to hear the earlier part of their conversation.

"Well, if you would actually let me give you riding lessons, that would be true."

"That statement is already correct!"

"Sure it is."

"I'm a Black Robe Mage of Tortall! How dare you insult me!" he exclaimed in false anger, though Alex believed that he was actually mad at Daine. Daine however, knew Numair was joking and laughed. "If you don't want to be insulted, you shouldn't make it so easy."

Alex stared at her, appalled. She actually dared to anger the mage further! He watched, frozen, as Numair grabbed Daine, pulling her tightly against him.

"It's not polite to offend people," Numair told her.

"Oh, really?" she asked, a smirk on her face.

Just as he was about to reply, something pushed him from behind, sending him sprawling. Daine burst out laughing.

Looking up, Numair saw Black. The stallion pranced in place, neighing loudly in what sounded like the equine version of laughter. Reaching up, Numair grabbed Daine's wrist, sending her tumbling to the ground next to him. He laughed at the look of shock on her face.

Alex merely sat there, watching the laughing group. He couldn't understand how Numair could be so angry at her one minute, and the next be laughing beside her. Unless he had pretended to be angry…that would explain why Daine had teased him further.

He envied the Black Robe Mage, not because of his magic like most people did, but because of the beautiful young woman before him. He knew her so well, unlike Alex himself. What chance did he have with her, if Numair was his rival for her affections? But then, Numair was probably around 30, while Daine was around his age…

Finishing breakfast, the three cleaned up camp, Cloud staying close to Alex. Often she would close in, snapping at the young man's arm, scaring him senseless. Finally Daine noticed what was going on.

"Cloud, leave be!" she scolded, looking up from where she was packing up their food supplies. The mare snorted, and with one more half-hearted bite at Alex, went over to the other horses.

Seeing his bow, Alex went over to it, picking up it and his quiver. "Do you want to practice with me?" he called out to Daine.

"Sure." She went over to her bags, grabbing her own bow. "What target?"

He looked around for a good tree, finding one about 50 yards away. After all, he didn't know how good of a shot she was. "How about that tree?" he asked her, pointing to his chosen target.

She looked where he was pointing, spotting the tree. "That'll do," she agreed. "One arrow?"

"Just one?"

"For now. We don't want to lose them and then need them later."

He nodded, agreeing with her logic. "Ladies first," he said stepping back.

She glared at him before taking an arrow out of her quiver. He watched in amazement as she strung the bow, pulled back, and released in what seemed like a breath of time. She didn't even seem to aim, and yet the arrow flew true, hitting the tree right in the center.

She stepped back, motion to an openmouthed Alex to shoot. He did, taking his time to carefully aim, and his arrow embedded itself into the tree next to Daine's arrow.

"You're good," Daine commented as they went to get their arrows.

Alex stared at her, an unreadable expression on his face. "You're amazing!"

"My grandda taught me," she answered as he pulled his arrow out of the tree, handing it to her. Then he grabbed her arrow, attempting to pull it out as well. He was shocked when it didn't budge. He pulled on it again, this time harder. Still it wouldn't budge. He stared at her in amazement. "How'd you wedge it in there so tightly?"

"I didn't. Pull harder."

He pulled again, bracing his feet against the tree and pulling with all his might. The arrow flew out, sending him tumbling to the forest floor. The force sent him rolling away from the tree. He slammed against another tree, his feet tangled in the limbs of the fallen tree beside it.

"Oww," he moaned, trying to get loose.

Daine laughed, causing Alex to glare at her.

"Are you going to help me or not?" he demanded.

Containing her laughter, she went over to free him from the tree's grasp.

-----

"How much farther is it?" Daine asked after they had been traveling for several hours.

"We should be there by tomorrow afternoon," answered Alex quietly.

"Magelet?"

"What Numair?" she inquired, turning her attention to him. She was surprised to find carefully masked concern hidden in his eyes. Yes, it was carefully concealed, but it was still there for someone who knew him as well as she did to find.

"Can you fly up and look around? Something just doesn't feel right."

"Oh no, the big scary monster is after Mr. Black Robe Mage," Alex muttered under his breath, to quiet for his companions to hear. Rain, however, understood his tone, even is she couldn't hear his words, and raced off, stopping suddenly. Alex went flying over his mare's head.

"Rain!" Daine scolded. "What did you do that for?"

The mare just glared at her, not answering, as Numair and Daine ran over to help their friend up.

"What did you do to her?" Daine demanded as Alex brushed himself off.

"Nothing," he snapped, glaring at the mare. He was getting very annoyed with all of his recent experiences on the ground. Realizing this, Daine went over to calm down the mare.

Soon they were traveling again, Daine flying up above to see if she could identify what was troubling Numair. It wasn't long before she returned, landing on Numair's shoulder. Alex glared at the mage, annoyed that Daine never landed on his shoulder when she returned from one of her flights.

"Nothing," she announced. "But there is a small clearing with the remains of a campfire."

Alex nodded. "This is a well traveled road. You'll find a lot of old campsites in this area."

Daine flew down, landing on the road beside the horses. Alex watched in surprise as Daine turned into a tall, fine-boned white mare.

"I want to run," she explained, and then neighed to Black. The two men watched as she and Black tore off down the trail.

The two ran quickly, side by side. Black snorted. Did this two-legger turned horse really think she could outrun him? He added an extra burst of speed, passing her. He was surprised when she caught back up with him. She was quicker than he had thought.

He stumbled, amazed, when Daine flew past him, her white tail fanning out behind her.

He had just managed to pull up alongside her when they entered a large clearing. Let's stop here, she called out to him, slowing to a canter. This will be a good place to camp.

Are you sure you're not just tired? he teased, slowing to match her pace. He just barely managed to dodge her lightning fast teeth.

They examined the clearing for any dangers before searching for a source of water. A robin directed them to a small stream. The others still hadn't arrived when they returned. Daine laid down, still in horse form since it was warmer and more convenient than her normal body.

Black lay down beside her, resting his head protectively on her back.

When Numair and Alex arrived later, they found a white mare asleep and a black stallion beside her, guarding his mistress during her slumber.

AN: I'll try to post my new chapter quicker than I did this one. Maybe since school's out I'll have more time to write. (Crosses fingers)

Please Review! It doesn't take long, and it's your reviews that make me enjoy this story more than Opposites Attract!

Later ppl,

Kasia