Ch. 13: Plans

They all sat or stood in silence letting the news sink in. finding out that Perin was that dangerous and had that power made everyone weary. Now they had to be extra careful.

The four friends stared in space, lost in thought:

Perin is doing all this for Daine. If we could get her to trick him or somethin', and if Numair used his simulacrum, then we could stop him. But they won't put the other 'un in danger. They can be so stubborn. There has to be a way to knock some sense into 'em, George thought.

How did he get his hands on the god opal? Last time we saw him, he was just an everyday clerk. When did he get the chance? And now he has all this power. But then again he's still a love obsessed stocker. Alanna sighed mentally. I need information.

Numair scanned the people in the room, his eyes landing on Daine. He wanted more that anything to wrap his arms around her and make everything go away. But he knew he couldn't.

Well there goes my plan. Hm. . . If I trick Perin into thinking my simulacrum is me, I could try a sneak attack. It's going to take a few days to make it do what I want but we could do it. Alanna could help me and George can lead me to the bastard. The immortals could be handled by the King's Own. We could probably get more in the days we make my creation. So that leaves. . . Daine. With her things could be easier. But what if she gets hurt?

'She is a nineteen (A/N: sorry if the age is wrong. Go with it please) year-old woman and she knows how to take care of herself,' said a voice in the back of his head. 'You are her lover, not her father.'

That's why I won't let her come. And if Perin wins, who knows what will happen.

'Have faith.'

Daine bit her bottom lip, confused more than ever. Why me? Why all this over me? I'm nothing special. Why couldn't Perin pick someone else? She sighed out loud. Still. . . he picked me and I have to deal with it. I have to stop him before he does something outrageously stupid. At least I know the others won't let me go alone. They'll want to help. . . but maybe that's not a bad thing.

Under Alanna's command and watch, the King's Own could handle Perin's little helpers. George and his friends can help me find him. And Numair. Well, the Badger said I had to stop him; he never said I couldn't have help. But will he allow it? I have to find out.

Daine looked around the tent and saw everyone was still deep in thought. She coughed lightly to try to get the others attention. Alanna and George looked at her surprised.

Kitten got up from her seat in Georges' lap and went to her side. She sat down and chirped, happy that someone was going to talk.

Daine smiled at them and turned to make sure Numair was listening. He wasn't. He was still staring at the green entry flap.

She griped his hand and whispered, "Numair." He didn't move; not even a twitch. She tried again. Nothing.

"Numair!" she half-yelled.

Daine finally got thru. Numair looked at her startled. She gave him a questioning look and he smiled ruefully. "We'll talk about it soon. I have feeling your about to bring it up."

She sighed and sat on the desk, careful not to hit the papers.

"I have to go."

"Daine…" Numair warned.

"Just wait and listen," she replied patiently. "I have to go but I'm not going alone. I want-no- I need you all to come with me. I don't know why Perin is doing this on behalf but he is and he needs to be stopped. So here's what I say we do." Daine stroked Kitten's back absent mindedly as she continued.

"Perin won't kill me or he's more stupid than I thought possible. So I'll have to be the one to go in and stop him. But I can't without you. George, I'm sure you can find him and his lair. We'll help all we can. It'll be easier since we're closer to him. I'll go in and do what I have to do.

"The only way we can in however, is if he immortals are . . . distracted. Alanna, that's where I was hoping you could come in. The King's Own are the best archers and fighters I know. But just them against over two hundred lesser gods is something I want to avoid. Many of my friends are more than willing to help. If the King's Own and most of Galla's wildlife fight together, I don't think his stone slaves will be a problem.

"We're going to need an entry way, mind. Just leave an opening and we'll take it. When we get in, George, you can help them. I'll also get some Stormwings, Takka, and hopefully others. I'll find a way to reach them."

She turned her to Numair.

"Then it will be just you and me inside. Onua explained how you disappeared from the fight with Perin. When you had to leave, you used a sim- simulacrum? – to take your place and teleported yourself here. It must have taken you days to make it move and talk. Most simulacrums I know can't do that.

"Anyways, I was hoping you could make another one. If I couldn't tell he difference when I was disorientated, I doubt he'll be able to.

"I'm going to go in first and tell you where he is. I want you to find a place close by. When you get a signal, let the simulacrum out. I'm going to have to say things I don't mean so he can trust me. Your clone is going to have to try and stop me to make it believable. When Perin looks like he's about to kill it, you come out. Start talking or yelling at him.

"I'll have my bow and arrows with me the whole time. I'll make an excuse if he asks. Then when he's distracted, I'll shoot."

When she was done, Daine looked at her friends, searching their faces. Numair just stared at her while the others looked surprised. She waited in silence scratching Kitten's chin nervously. Finally losing her patients, she asked, "Well? What do you think?"

George broke into a large smile and chuckled. "I guess after living with us for so long, you pick up a few things. Daine, that's a great plan. But be careful where you shoot. The stone has probably attached itself to his skin by now. Aim for it and make sure it breaks."

"He's right Daine. That is a great plan. We'll get all the help we need to stop him," reassured Alanna.

Daine smiled at them. Getting such compliments with the status they had made her feel invincible. "Thanks. Hearing it from you two means a lot."

She once again turned to Numair, who was frowning. "I don't know," he said carefully, choosing his words. "You're putting yourself in too much danger. The plan is good but I feel I should handle Perin."

"Numair! Even the gods said I had to do it," cried Daine.

"Yeah well . . . the gods say a lot of things."

"You can't be serious," Alanna commented. "Goddess help us. What have you been eating?"

"Nothing, I just think-"

Before he could finish, George cut him off. "I think mayhap your being over protective."

"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded the angry mage.

"I was just sayin'."

As they continued to bicker, Alanna and Daine joined in trying to stop them. No matter what they said or did, the two men wouldn't calm down. Even Kitten added a few chirps and shrills. None of them noticed the Badger as he appeared by the maps.

He walked over and sat in the middle of the tent. "Stop all this fuss. You are wasting valuable time," he demanded.

They all looked at the animal god surprised at first, than ashamed. They realized how childish they were acting.

"It's an honor to see you again," Alanna said with a respectful nod. George and Numair followed suit.

Daine however, wanted to get to the point. "Badger, will you please talk some sense into him?" She cocked her head to the side at Numair who glared at her.

He opened his mouth to reply but was (once again) cut off.

"She's right," Badger said flatly. "Daine, I'm happy to see you've learned your lesson. But for you mage, I see I have to tell you before things get out of hand. I'll spear you the embarrassment. Listen to the voice and do what it says."

Numair looked down avoiding Daine's gaze. Realizing what he meant, she glared at the god. "You mean you wouldn't help us because we had to learn that?"

"If you didn't, more disasters would have come."

"Well now that we know, will you help?" Numair asked looking at him.

"Sadly no." He sighed slowly. "Father Universe and Mother Flame do not want us to interfere with human affairs. They are still cleaning up the mess that accrued a month ago. And Chaos is acting up. All the gods are trying to get her under control but . . . well, that's for us to worry about. Mage, hold on but give space." He nodded to the four and light surrounded him and vanished.

They sat in silence until Numair sighed.

"Fine. We'll do it."

"Really? Thank you. And I promise I won't get hurt." Daine leaned upward and kissed him on the cheek, earning her a smile as he looked at her.

"So when do we leave?" asked George.

They talked about the plan until late evening. They were about to leave for their own tents when a man came in. He was about five feet six and a little chubby. His broad shoulders held a square head cropped with curly brown hair. It was cut short, army style. He had bags under light brown eyes and stress lines around a straight lined mouth.

"Lady Alanna," he said in a husky voice. He nodded to her and the others as he said, "Master George, Lady Daine, Master Numair. Greetings."

"What can I do for you Lieutenant Lucian?" asked Alanna.

"The others are wondering when we leave."

The Lioness looked at the others who nodded. Looking back at him she said, "Tell them to be ready in ten days."

"Yes ma'am." He bowed and left the tent.

Once outside, he walked out of the camp and into the forest. There, Lucian started to jog, checking behind his back many times to make sure to one was following. He stopped when he came to a clearing miles from the others. He leaned against a tree to catch his breath then straightened.

Taking a deep breath, he put two fingers to his mouth and whistled. Seconds later, Perin's head Stormwing glided down and landed in the middle of the area.

"Well?" he demanded and he shock his black hair from his face.

"Their leaving in ten days Lord Cazni," Lucian replied standing straighter.

"Very well." He went as fast as he came and disappeared into the night sky. Lucian stood there a moment and mumbled, "Soon, I'll be the one calling the shots. Instead of that stupid clerk."

He turned around and started to run back to camp.

Sorry for the slight cliffy, have to keep you interested. Hope you enjoyed.

Next chapter coming soon!