I can't believe I've not updated for so long…anyway, I hope people are still reading this, I'm so sorry its taken ages! This is just a sort of filler chapter to get me back into fan fiction-ing and an excuse to include Raoul who I love. Please review!

Disclaimer: Everything you recognise is the mighty Tamora's.

As Daine walked away from the Imperial gardens and the sinister mage, her feelings of foreboding only increased; deciding the best way to banish such thoughts was to keep her mind and body distracted, she headed for the Carthaki army barracks. Kaddar had remodelled the complex, creating new practice arenas for his men to train in and extending the stable block to almost double its size. A stable cat came trotting out from one of the stalls and rubbed against her legs; bending down, Daine scratched her head.

- You're a beauty, my girl - she said, as the tortoiseshell cat purred appreciatively.

- You're not so bad yourself, for a two-legger. – the cat replied. Daine giggled at the cat's tart reply, a similar one Queenclaw, the goddess of cats she'd met in the Divine Realms, might have given.

- Do you know where they keep their weapons around here? ­ - Daine asked.

- I'll show you if you scratch behind my ear…a little to the left…ahhh. Follow me – Daine trotted after the tabby as she moved swiftly across the stable yard and round the back to a large, well-maintained out building. – Here you go, I'll leave you to it, two-legger nonsense if you ask me. They call me Pearl by the way. –

Daine introduced herself and thanked the cat, who flicked her tail at her in reply before slinking off. The Wildmage ran her practised fingers over some of the longbows in Kaddar's extensive armoury, quickly finding one suitable for her strength and selecting a quiver of arrows on her way out. Daine strode eagerly back towards the practice arenas and set up a circular target as far away as possible, deciding the harder the task the less time she'd spend worrying about mysterious mages and blonde vixens. Unfortunately, Daine realised a few minutes into her session, this would prove impossible.

"A most un-lady like pastime I find," drawled Varice Kingsford from the fence. Daine ignored her and notched another arrow. "I know if I was had Numair I'd be keeping an eye on him every minute I could spare, not wasting time in target practice."

"That didn't work the first time for you though Varice? You still let him get away," Daine said, fighting to keep her voice even. She could feel Varice shooting icy daggers at her back and turned round to face her for the first time. "And I note you're not so quick to denounce archery as un-ladylike around the Lioness."

Varice ignored her last comment. "I didn't drive Numair away, Veralidaine Sarrasri," she said bitterly.

"No but he didn't come back to you either," Daine shot back. She refrained from saying anything else, however, when she saw the genuine pain in the woman's eyes: the idea that she'd had Numair and lost him made Daine suddenly pity her. "Look, Varice, can we just move on? I'm with Numair, there's nothing you can do to change that, but I'd like us to at least be civil with each other. For his sake…he still cares about you."

"Don't I know it…" Varice smirked. Despite herself Daine frowned. "I'd keep an eye on him if I were you Veralidaine…one day soon he's going to wake up one day and realise he needs a woman, not some peasant girl from the back of beyond."

Her words touched a very raw nerve and Daine all but growled at the woman in front of her. "I'm warning you Varice, stay away from Numair," her voice was low and filled with anger. Varice smirked, her pretty face contorted with spite, and left the arena. Daine quickly released the arrow; it missed the target and hit the back wall with a thud.

"You shouldn't let her get to you Daine." The girl spun round, her face softening as she saw Raoul enter the arena. "Even if it's for no other reason than she turns you into a lousy shot." He was rewarded with a laugh from Daine, and ruffled her hair affectionately. "What did she say this time?" He took the bow from her as he spoke, marvelling silently at the young woman's ability to handle such a strenuous weapon, and notched an arrow. Daine watched it fly into the distant target, missing the centre by scant inches.

"Not bad Goldenlake," she grinned, taking her turn. "She said that Numair was going to realise he wants a noble woman like her and not a common girl like me."

"And do you believe her?" he asked.

"I know I shouldn't…but some part of me always doubts myself, doubts his love, which makes me feel horribly guilty…sometimes I wish I could just stay shifted, the People never feel this confused, everything is black and white to them," she sighed.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself Sarrasri," Raoul said, his smile softening his words. "You and Numair were meant to be; it's as simple as that. Why on earth would he even look at another woman when he's got the perfect one by his side already? You should hear him when you're not around Daine…you represent everything that's good and pure and beautiful in his life. Don't waste time doubting how he feels for you." His next arrow hit the target dead centre.

Daine smiled. "When did you get so wise Raoul?"

"I have my moments…I'm not just some buffle-brained soldier you know," he laughed.

"Have you ever been in love?" she asked. He looked at her seriously for a moment.

"I think I was…a long time ago but she chose someone else," he said quietly.

"Did you ever tell her how you felt?" Daine asked, moved at his confession.

He shook his head. "No…I knew she didn't feel the same. Which is why you're so lucky Daine."

"How do you know if you never asked her? Any woman would be lucky to have your love Raoul," she said.

The big knight shook his head again. "It wasn't worth ruining our friendship." They were silent for a while, Daine observing the play of emotions running across her friend's face and Raoul lost in bitter memories.

"So what about now, no one at court catch your eye?"

"No, and they're not likely to either. I need a strong woman, not some silly court maiden…some one who can ride alongside me, who challenges me," he said, then blushed.

"You'll find her someday, I promise," Daine said, giving him a hug and laughing when she only came up to his shoulder. "You're just as Gods-blessed tall as Numair."

"And I hope you're not now going to swap me for Goldenlake the giant killer magelet," said a warm voice behind her.

Raoul laughed and gave Daine a gently shove towards her lover. "I'll leave you two to it, think about what I said Daine."

Once he'd left Numair entered the arena and folded Daine into his arms. "What did Raoul say to you?"

Daine kissed his chest through the opening of his shirt and was rewarded with a shiver from Numair. "Just how lucky you are to have me…" she laughed. "And how lucky I am to have you."

"He makes a lot of sense for a knight," Numair laughed.

"I do love you Numair, more than anything you know?" Daine said suddenly, playing with his long fingers.

"Of course I know sweet, I love you too," he said softly, tilting her face to look at him. The look in his eyes made her forget all her doubts, as she felt herself falling into those absorbing pools of brown light. "What's brought this on? Is something wrong Daine?"

She shook her head swiftly. "No, its just with Varice…and Kaddar, I feel like we've got distracted from what's most important…I'm not making any sense I know but…" she sighed and trailed off.

"My darling Daine," he said affectionately, kissing both cheeks before finding her lips and easing his own over them so sweetly it made her knees buckle. "I could never get distracted from you. You're a highly distracting creature…in fact when you're around I can't concentrate on anything else."

"And that's how it should be," she said firmly, a glint in her eyes as she stood up on tip toe to kiss him again. He lifted her off her feet so that her legs were wrapped round his waist, his hands gripping her tightly.

"You know sweet, we have an hour or so before we have to reconvene with everyone again…and I can think of some excellent ways to fill it," he said in her ear before trailing kisses down her neck.

"Doing some washing? Helping Alanna rehearse her speech for tonight?" Daine said mischievously, laughing when he buried his head in her chest with a groan in protest. She slipped out of his arms and grinned. "Race you." Numair shouted in protest as she shifted into a starling and flew up towards the castle and her rooms, swiftly deciding that to join her in the sky was the best idea he'd had all day.