Here it is. You know what I meant in chapter 7

Chapter 8: Numair

Daine stayed where she was, surprised, shocked, and scared. Her whole world seemed to stop spinning. She stared at the area where Numair had been, trying to think of a logical explanation. Try though she might, nothing came to mind; she could barely think straight.

As Daine stared, she didn't notice the Badger waddle beside her. Looking where she did, Badger realized what happened. He pressed his cold, wet nose against her forearm, waited, then let go.

Daine felt strength return to her body and her mind ease. Her head slowly became organized and she was able to think straight. She gasped as her newfound power overwhelmed her. She took slow even breaths to calm herself. When she was done, she turned to the Badger.

"What happened? Where is he?" she asked frantically.

I don't know. I thought he told you, replied Badger.

"All he said was my old village and something about a simulacrum."

They went silent as Daine thought. Finally she said, "You don't think he went…" Her voice trailed off thinking. "Do you?"

The Badger thought this over himself. He could have. He is one of the strongest mages.

"I know he is. But even he can be drained." Daine wiped her watering eyes, banishing the thought of Numair being ill. "We have to go to the village. It's our only hope," she said.

Very well, said Badger. I'll be with you shortly. I'm needed else where.

"Fine. Where's Cloud?"

During the fight, Could went in the woods and hid in a safe distance. Now she walked over to girl and god. Very exciting, said Cloud tartly.

"Cloud, this isn't the time," Daine warned. "Something has happened to Numair. We have to… we have to go to the old village."

Cloud wiped her tail in anger and fear. Of all places. If those people try what they did last time, I swear.

No one's there. They all evacuated when the immortals started cleaning the area, Badger informed them.

With a sigh of relief, Daine mounted Cloud. "Come on. I don't think we have much time."

Be careful, advised Badger.

"We will," assured Daine.

She waited until he vanished before starting Cloud at a gallop. They took a path that went straight through the woods. Thought it was rocky and muddy, it was the shortest way.

As they past tree after tree, memories of her childhood swamped Daine's mind. To her left was the lake where she helped her Ma and Grandpa fish. Up ahead was the area where she found all her game trail.

As the land steadily rose higher, she saw a familiar entry way. There, surrounded by trees and rocks, was the cave where she hid when she killed the bandits. Though it happened years ago, she could still smell the blood that was scattered.

"I was so foolish," Daine thought aloud.

Stop feeling sorry for your self, Cloud ordered. We have other problems.

Knowing she was right, Daine turned her attention to Numair. When they came to the village top, Daine gasped in horror. The place where she grew up in was almost completely burned to the ground.

The village market where she bought her Mother's cloth was all gone except the mental benches. The barn where the village livestock was kept was nothing more than a pile of ashes.

As Cloud walked forward, Daine looked for her childhood home. When she found it, it was a surprise. Her house looked exactly the same as it had when she was twelve. The walls were gone except some splinters sticking out of the ground. The roof had completely collapsed.

As she looked around, she noticed that the only thing left was the kitchen. She looked inside and saw all the herbs her Mother used were still there.

Daine dismounted and walked slowly around the kitchen. Memories of a life once lived entered her mind as she fingered everything she passed.

Cloud came by her side and put her head on Daine's shoulder. Come on. The sooner we find him the better, she said her voice comforting.

With a sigh, Daine left her old home and started looking. Girl and pony split up, Cloud looking on the left, Daine on the right. They looked behind doors and still-standing walls. They searched under ash and ruble with no success.

The sun was half-way below the horizon when Daine and Cloud met up again. "Well?" Daine asked hopefully.

I couldn't find him, Cloud said sadly.

"Where else could he be?" she asked more to herself.

Thinking something bad happened, Daine sat down and buried her face in her arms. "No, no, no!" she cried. "He has to be here!"

Cloud lay by her side and put her head in Daine's lap. Shh. We probably overlooked something.

About to reply, Daine stopped and listened. She wasn't sure if she heard right but she thought she heard someone say her name. She changed her ears to bat ears and waited. Just when she was about to give up, she heard a faint "Daine?"

Standing up she said, "Cloud, did you hear that?"

Yes. Come one. I think it came from this direction, she said walking toward their old home.

The sun had completely set and the only light was the moon. Thank the Great Goddess for my eyes, she thought.

When they got there, they waited and listened. Hearing something, Daine walked toward their old barn. Thought the home wasn't that bad, the barn was completely gone. Everything was gone except piles of ash. Daine looked around for anything that looked a little odd.

Her eyes fell on a large lump that looked like a log. She was about to say it wasn't anything when she heard it say, "Daine?"

She ran the short distance and knelt by it. Brushing the ash away she discovered Numair. Holding back tears, she lifted his head and settled him on her lap.

"Daine," he said. She saw a weak smile spread over his face as he caressed her cheek with his hand.

"I can't believe you're alive," Daine said, letting the tears fall.

"But I wouldn't have you and that's worse than death," he said his voice warm and soothing.

Daine pushed the hair out of his tired face. "Do you think you can stand?"

"No. I tried that earlier. But I do have the strength to do this."

Lifting his head, Numair kissed Daine warmingly on the lips. At first, Daine was caught by surprise but soon kissed him back. The passion Numair put in the kiss made Daine's blood run faster and go warm. Her heart pounded as Numair ran his fingers through her hair. At that moment, Daine realized they were meant to be. Thought she didn't know it, Numair felt the same way.

Finally, Numair slowly broke the kiss. A broad smile covered his face as he said, "Now go to sleep."

Very carefully, Daine lifted his head and lay by his side. As she cuddled closer to him he said, "Daine, I love you."

Daine wrapped her arms around his and with the biggest smile she said, "I love you too, Numair."