Sorry STWB, Black heart Feather, and anyone else; it's not Numair, but he's in the next one. And heads up: another cliffy

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Chapter: 6 Cloud

The next morning Daine felt a familiar body around her. She turned her head and saw Cloud lying behind her.

"Cloud!" she cried.

She got on her knees and hugged the pony furiously. Laying her head on Cloud's mane, Daine cried lightly breathing in the scents of woods and forests. It's OK, assured Cloud. Everything's fine. Daine released Cloud and wiped her eyes.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" she asked

I have known you since you were a young colt, Cloud said calmly. I couldn't let you go out and have an adventure without me. As for finding you, your trail hadn't faded much but it still took a while.

Daine stood up with a moan. Every bone in her body ached.

What happened to you? asked Cloud also rising.

"Perin."

Cloud snorted with anger. The pony met Perin in Corus and never liked him. Did he hurt you? I swear if he did, I will bit him so hard it will take all the strongest healers to fix it, snapped the pony.

Daine had to smile, even if it was only one-sided.

"He didn't hurt me. He just said some things that got me very… mad."

What filth did he put in yout mind?

"He said… he said that my friends in Tortall are all using me. That they don't really care." She hesitated for a moment and said, "You don't think he's right, do you?"

Cloud stomped her front hooves in announce.

Of course they care! They are all worried sick about you. Alanna and Onua have sent many search parties out for you. George and his men are using scyring glasses but find nothing but fog. Apparently Perin covered that.

Hearing this, Daine felt hope surge through her body. Her friends did care. Remembering something, Daine asked, "Numair?"

He's having a nervous break down, Cloud said with a hint of enthusiasm. Numair has been in almost every search party. He's also helping George with scyring, using his personal one. He's gotten so caught up in this. If he keeps this up, his feelings for you might seem obvious.

"What 'feelings'?" Daine said, remembering the strange feeling she saw on Numair's face.

Oh, come now, Daine. You know very well that the stork-man loves you. It's plain to see as the blue sky. I'm sure Alanna and Onua already know.

Part of Daine knew it was true but she didn't want to believe it unless he told her. She wouldn't be sure untill then.

Changing the subject she said, "Any news while I was away?"

Cloud hesitated for a moment, thinking. Finally she said Oh yes. The stork-man was walking near the stables when I heard the Badger appear. I moved closer to hear what they were saying. Numair told the Badger to bring you back and get someone else. The Badger said you were needed in Snowsdale and he knew that. Numair said he didn't tell you and the Badger got fair angry. He said Numair should have told you you were to save Snowsdale before this happened. Numair said he was waiting for the right moment. The Badger said he would talk to you and vanished.

Daine thought for a moment, letting the news sink in. What did she have to do? For a strange reason, she felt as if Perin had something to do with this.

"Save it from what?" she asked.

I'm not sure, I left after that. Before leaving, I told Spots to watch Numair and make sure he didn't do something stupid

"I'm not sure that will work," Daine said with a smile. She looked at the sky and saw it was a little after dawn.

"When do you think the Badger will come?"

As if to answer her question, the Badger appeared beside her.

"Badger!" she exclaimed. Daine knelt beside him and started petting his fur. "What's going on?"

Daine, Snowsdale is in danger, he said. Stormwings and other immortals are-. He turned his attention to Cloud who had been grazing near them. Cloud? What on Mirtho's name are you doing here? he asked.

As she stepped closer to them she said, Oh shush. I heard you and the stork-man talking. I knew it might take you days to reach her so I decided to come.

The Badger grumbled under his breath about horses being as stubborn as their owners.

"Badger, would you mind telling me what's going on around here?" Daine asked, losing her patience.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself he said, Perin has made a compromise with the Stormwings and other immortals that dislike you. He's trying to make a fort here for you and him. The immortals are clearing the land but are also killing more animals and people than necessary. You're the only one who can stop him.

"So I have to defeat him by myself?" she asked with great worry.

We're trying to get others to come but it's hard with the Scanran on their backs.

"Do the others know where I am?" she said.

Only Numair and Onua. They wouldn't stop hassling me untill I told them. I could-, he cocked his head to the left as if listing to someone. Daine recognized this from when her Mother did it in the Divine Realms; someone was talking to him. When he was done, a grave expression swamped his face.

Noticing it Daine said, "Who was it? What's wrong?"

It was Weiryn. He said Numair noticed Cloud was gone and he went to look for you. He's close by but... he ran into Perin.

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hehehe I couldn't help it