Description: The mages deal with the Spidren infestation with help from the King's Own and the Queen's Riders.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce.

Author's Note: You've probably noticed that I've been enjoying writing scenes from the books in the opposite perspective. We don't actually get Daine's perspective when the barrier falls in ROTG.

Chapter 28

It took two days for Alanna and the Own to meet up with the mages. The Lioness informed the pair that a Rider group would be joining them in a matter of days but in the end, it was a week before their forces were gathered and ready to attack. Alanna and Numair spent their time fabricating a magical net to keep the Spidrens from escaping the forest while Daine scouted the area via a local buzzard. The plan was to strike at nightfall when the webs would be most visible, starting at one end of the forest and working their way through to the portal where Numair would seal it up.

Leaving Kitten and Zek with the horses, the mage positioned himself between Daine and the Lioness while members of the Own and the Riders fanned out in a line. It was a clear night with a waxing gibbous moon hanging in the sky, bright enough that Numair could see his breath forming clouds in front of his face. Alanna checked the lines before raising her sword in a silent command as the mages and soldiers moved forward stealthily into the forest.

Numair was first aware of the danger when Daine fired a bolt into the trees resulting in a shrill cry. In an instant the entire forest came alive in a mass of crawling furry bodies as the Wildmage fired bolt after bolt from her crossbow. The Lioness was like something out of legend, weaving and dancing while her blade sliced through legs and chopped off heads. Numair swallowed the taste of bile in his throat as he used his Gift to incinerate and explode the enemies he could see.

The sounds of screaming were pummelling at his senses while the mage struggled to hold onto his sanity. Step after step was getting harder to take as he killed creatures who only wanted to exist in a world with humans. He was so caught up in trying to stay in control, he missed the glowing thread draped between two trees. It snapped around his throat, constricting his airway as he was yanked off the floor towards the fanged mouths of two Spidren.

"Numair!"

A quarrel struck one of the creatures right between the eyes as an arrow pierced the other in the chest. The webbing around his throat dissolved dropping the mage to the floor to crumple inelegantly. He coughed and gasped for air until rough hands grabbed him and the cool wash of the Gift flowed over and around his neck.

"On your feet, mage." The Lioness helped him up, sword in hand.

"Is he all right?" Daine called. She stood in front of the pair ready to fend off an approaching attacker.

Numair steadied himself and nodded to Alanna who released him to face the dark forest with grim determination. The mage drew level with his friend and squeezed her shoulder gently, letting her know he was fine. She spared him a brief glance before continuing the advance. Weaving a quick muffling spell over his ears, Numair followed staying close to his Wildmage. It was slightly easier to kill the Immortals when he couldn't hear their cries, but it didn't stop the uncontrollable trembling.

He was drenched with sweat, which had nothing to do with the effort of using his Gift, when they finally reached the portal just before dawn. Alanna, Daine and two of the knights Numair couldn't name fanned out to defend their position while he took a deep, calming breath and began to mutter the sealing spell. It took less than half an hour to close the portal while the rest of the knights and Riders hunted down and killed the remaining Immortals.

By morning, the air was rank with the smell of death with bodies littering the snow-covered ground everywhere you looked. Alanna was checking each and every person for injury, healing burn wounds from the Spidrens acidic black blood and lacerations from their sharp claws. She was grey from using so much of her Gift but that wasn't stopping the Lioness. Numair wanted to offer her some of his own power but couldn't get himself to move.

"You're not looking so good." Daine squatted in front of him and offered a flask of water.

He took a shaky sip and considered giving her a reassuring lie but couldn't formulate a believable one. "I don't feel particularly well."

"D'you need food?" she asked, eyes sharp with concern.

Numair shook his head. "I'll just throw it up."

Daine scooted closer and flung her arms around his neck to embrace him tightly. Wrapping his arms around her, he returned the embrace, breathing in her reassuring scent as something inside him settled.

Releasing his friend regretfully after a very long minute, the mage offered her a hesitant smile. "I needed that."

She gripped his shoulders inspecting his eyes closely. "You were having another attack during the fight, weren't you?"

An interesting choice of words. It hadn't seemed like much of a 'fight' to him. Spidrens could hardly be called innocent, but they had still been massacred in their own nest-homes.

"I was," Numair admitted guiltily.

"I'll call Spots and have him come get you." The Wildmage patted his shoulder reassuringly and went to speak with Alanna.

He wanted to call out and stop her or provide some form of reassurance that he was fine now the killing had stopped but that was far from the truth. When his gelding appeared, Numair allowed himself to be loaded into the saddle by two of the knights and rode away from the carnage.

Once he reached the point where the other horses were tethered with Kitten and Zek, he practically fell out of the saddle and was violently sick before breaking down into wracking sobs. His hysterics didn't last long but Numair was pleased he'd managed to stave them off until no one else was around. As soon as he'd seated himself against a tree, Kitten crawled onto his lap to lay bodily on his chest, her snout touching his chin. Zek climbed up to the mage's shoulder and began to groom his hair while Spots lipped at the other shoulder.

"Thank you," he whispered, overwhelmed by their kindness.

Even without his Wildmage around, Numair could still feel her magic where it had touched each and every one of the animals she'd affected.

When Alanna and the knights returned some hours later, she took one look at the mage and promised to deal with the clean-up while they moved on. Numair actually kissed her on the cheek, torn between guilt and a deep sense of gratitude. Kitten informed everyone there were no more portals nearby, so the mages mounted their horses and made for the village outside Fief Goldenlake.

The ride was silent and uneventful which meant the party reached the village well before the evening meal. They fell into the familiar routine of Daine taking the horses to the stables while Numair organised their rooms with the innkeeper. A hot bath and clean clothes helped to restore some of his humanity that the mage felt ready for food when he met his student in the common room.

They chattered late into the night, discussing Daine's first choice of animal to practice shapeshifting into. She didn't have a favourite animal or one she felt particularly close to, so her options were limitless. The Wildmage was quite taken with the idea of learning how to fly or running with the horses but in the end they didn't settle on a single animal.

"I think it's time to retire for the night." Daine stood and stretched, fighting a yawn. "Besides, Kit'll be ravenous by now."

They were both in the habit of leaving parts of their dinner for the dragonet and smuggling it into the room in napkins.

"I'll be glad to keep yer handsome friend company if yer leavin', gixie." A buxom brunette with a very low-cut dress sauntered over, flashing a smile at Numair.

"I expect he'll be retiring too." Daine's voice hardened as she shot him a meaningful look. "It's been a long day."

"I'm certain I can help with that," the brunette purred, sliding into Numair's lap to massage his shoulders.

He wasn't sure what to do with his hands as the woman straddled his thighs, her amble chest in full view. Daine scowled frostily at the pair when Numair didn't instantly dismiss the woman, turning sharply on her heel as she stormed out of the room.

"Goodnight, Daine," he called belatedly while he attempted to figure a way out of this situation without offending the lady.

"Yer a tall one." The brunette smiled, running her fingers up and down his neck raising goosebumps over his flesh. "Are ye big ever'where?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him suggestively.

Numair swallowed feeling himself blush crimson. "I'm afraid my friend is correct. It's been a very hard day, and I should probably turn in."

"No reason ye have t'be alone fer that." The woman ran one hand down from his neck to undo the laces on his shirt and play with his chest hair.

His breathing was coming in short pants as pleasure raced through his system. "I'm not interested in paying for any company tonight." He licked his lips nervously.

"I think I can sway ye different." The brunette rolled her hips against him provocatively before capturing his lips in a steamy kiss.

Numair's brain all but shut off as he gripped the woman's hips as she continued to rub up against him making him hard almost immediately. Mithros, Mynos and Shakith, he'd missed having a woman in his arms, the floral scent of perfume, and the feel of soft, supple curves. The brunette's kisses were hot yet controlled, knowing precisely how to entangle a man and make him want more.

She broke away with a sly smile. "Are ye convinced yet, mister?"

"While I would love your company," he gasped. "I'm afraid I would be no good to you tonight. I really am very tired from my travels."

The brunette leaned forward to nibble on his earlobe while she whispered in his ear. "I'd do all the work. Ye could just lie there and enjoy yerself." She slipped a hand down to stroke him through his breeches making Numair shudder as he bit back a moan.

He was very nearly tempted to take the woman up on her offer if only to escape the night terrors he was sure awaited him tonight. The mage made a quick mental note to set aural wards around his room so as not to disturb anyone if he woke up screaming. Numair had received similar offers from women at court but had known the moment he removed his shirt they'd see the Imperial brand and discover he was a former slave. He wasn't willing to blow his cover for a quick tumble between the sheets.

Cupping the brunette's cheek gently, Numair brushed his lips against hers in a soft kiss before helping the lady to stand. "I'm very sorry to disappoint you." He took her hand and bowed gallantly, kissing the knuckles.

"Yer loss, handsome." The woman shrugged, turning to walk away, swaying her hips in a way that drew the eye.

"Believe me, I am very much aware of that," Numair muttered before retiring to his own room and a cold, lonely bed.

Daine was in a foul mood the next morning, saddling the horses while Numair paid for their rooms. She'd left him laughing and making eyes at the voluptuous woman behind the bar. Who knew he was such a flirt? It's not like Numair ever behaved that way around her. No, he just reserved that sort of behaviour for hedgecreepers and women his own age.

What's put the burr in your tail this morning? Cloud asked in a level tone.

Nothing! The young woman snapped.

I've a mind to bite you if you tug on my straps again. The mare bared her teeth to emphasise the threat.

Daine gentled her movements, not really wanting to take her mood out on her loyal pony. Sorry. I just think Numair should be more careful while we're on the road. We don't know any of these people. Any one of them could be spies for Ozorne.

You're jealous, Cloud pointed out with a sneer.

I never am! She denied hotly.

You believe your stork-man is frisking with other females when you want him to frisk with you, the mare whickered, the horse version of a laugh.

Daine turned her head to check the fastenings. He doesn't think of me that way! She knew she sounded disappointed and scolded herself silently. And I don't know if I want to be frisked with, thank you very much.

We can smell it on you. If Numair had a better nose, he'd smell your heat too. Spots nudged her with his nose.

Daine blushed furiously just as the mage himself appeared. "Is everything all right?"

"Fine!" She squeaked, turning her back to him which made both the horses laugh as Cloud teased that if she wanted to present herself properly, she'd remove her lower coverings.

The Wildmage shut off her magic and refused to speak with anyone for the next few hours. Zek chose to ride with Numair who kept shooting worried glances in her direction which wasn't making Daine feel any better. She was behaving like some scorned lover which was ridiculous! Who Numair chose to canoodle with was none of her business. He was just her teacher and friend, nothing more!

In a desperate bid to break the tension Daine started an overly bright, innocuous conversation which thankfully Numair responded to but with about half his usual enthusiasm. At least it filled the silence before they stopped for lunch.

"Are you going to tell me what's bothering you now?" the mage asked softly while he unpacked the bags.

"S'nothing. I'm going to hunt." Daine grabbed her bow and stalked off into the woods without meeting his eyes.

Opening herself up to her magic, she listened to the voices all around her. Most of the animals were as focussed on finding food as she was with the squirrels offering to share their nuts as she passed by. The Wildmage thanked them kindly but refused, not wanting to deplete their stores when the Big Cold wasn't over just yet. She really should be shutting off her magic and hunting like any other predator, but her bow arm trembled at the thought of killing one of her friends.

With help from the People, Daine picked a good handful of blackberries and chestnuts. The edible mushrooms were a lucky find, growing near some wild garlic that had started to push up new shoots. Numair was very fond of using spices and herbs when he cooked so she picked the fresh tender leaves for him. The crows and voles showed her to a crab apple tree which had a good supply ready to pick. The Wildmage thanked them all as she removed her headscarf to carry the apples, regretting not bringing a bag with her. Her ma used to make a jam with them, but they tasted quite nice chopped up in porridge. Daine hoped she'd be able to convince Numair to make the travel bars again by mixing the apples with oats, cinnamon, and a few other ingredients. She'd taken a real liking to those the last time he'd made them. Apparently, he'd picked up a thing or two from Lady Varice while they'd been lovers.

Returning to camp Daine revealed the results of her foraging, grateful that Numair didn't comment on the lack of meat. They ate a hearty midday meal which neither human spoke much through. Zek and Kitten were determined to fight over the chestnuts until there wasn't a single one left, not that Daine minded overly much, watching in amusement as Kitten made a grab for the last one when Zek stole it before racing up Numair's arm to jeer and taunt the dragonet from his shoulder.

Kitten took a deep breath but before she could utter a sound the mage clamped a large hand around her muzzle. "Don't even think it," he warned.

Daine tried to smother her giggles behind a hand when she noticed her friend's distraction. "Is there something wrong with the apples? You've been staring at them for ages."

Numair blinked and shook his head. "Nothing. Just idle foolishness."

"What?" She nudged him with her foot until he looked at her.

"I used to juggle years ago. I was wondering if my hands still remembered the skill," he mumbled.

"You can juggle?" Daine found it hard to keep the surprise and delight from her voice. It seemed like a very unmagely feat in her opinion.

"It was a long time ago." Numair shrugged as he began to pack, separating the things that needed to be washed. "I would juggle for the children in the plague districts while we treated the typhoid outbreaks."

"I thought you said you couldn't heal?" She frowned at him while she put out the fire.

"I can't, but I can grind herbs and add to their potency. It strengthened the medicines we administered," the mage explained.

Daine looked between her clearly embarrassed friend and the apples. "You won't know if you don't try." She held out two apples to him. "I've not seen a juggler in a long time. The player troupes never came as far as Snowsdale and Onua and I've been too busy the last few times any came near Corus."

Numair stilled his movements to look at her with those soulful brown eyes. "I might not be any good…" He accepted the apples before taking a third. "The last time I did this... felt like another lifetime."

Daine sat back and watched him expectantly as he gave the apples a few experimental tosses. With an ease that belayed his worries, the mage made the apples dance in the air. When he asked for a fourth, Numair almost dropped the lot but somehow managed to keep them going. Kitten was watching delightedly as Daine applauded from her seat. Cloud and Spots were less impressed with his antics but were watching all the same. It went wrong when he tried to show off some fancy trick and dropped them all, two hitting him right on the top of his head. Daine covered her mouth trying and failing to muffle her giggles while Numair smiled shyly as he bent to pick them up.

"The children used to like it when I made mistakes too," he admitted softly. "They especially liked it when an item hit me on the head."

"Did you ever do it on purpose?" she asked, curious.

"Sometimes. Mostly it was just poor coordination." The mage turned away to place the apples in one of the food bags.

"You're full of surprises, master mage." Daine winked at him, making her friend blush.

It was nice to know she could affect him the same as any other woman, it was just a shame Numair wasn't interested in someone like her. That stupid kiss continued to feature heavily in her dreams, making her long for more of those affectionate touches and tight embraces. Daine wasn't quite pathetic enough to ask him to kiss her again, especially after last night, but she'd fantasised fairly often about him leaning over to press his lips against hers, or for those long fingers to tangle in her curls, or for him to press his solid body against hers. She'd seen enough of his body in Carthak to know what he looked like under his shirt and breeches even if he did attempt at modesty while they travelled together. Numair looked even better without a shirt now his chest hair had grown back. Daine had an almost irresistible urge to run her fingers through it and rub her nose against him. It didn't help that he smelled wonderful even while on the road!

"Daine?"

"Hm?" She looked up sharply to see him giving her an odd look, feeling her cheeks heat at being caught staring again.

"Did you want an apple?"

For the next few weeks, they headed towards Dunlath where Numair suspected one or perhaps several portals had been opened. He pushed the group hard despite the terrible riding conditions, stopping to investigate the area where Alanna and the Own had found a lot of Immortal activity. The weather had warmed just enough to melt the snow leaving thick mud in its place which caked the horses' legs and the mages' boots. Daine wasn't keen on them riding in such slippery conditions, so they mostly trekked on foot not finding any evidence of an open portal in the area. Numair feared there was one open on the other side of the mountains in Scanra where they couldn't investigate.

They were two days out from the Dunlath pass on the eve of the Spring Equinox when Daine woke suddenly before dawn, her magical senses flaring. She could sense every creature, animal and Immortal, for miles around in almost precise detail and not just the animals. The Wildmage felt the strength and solidity of the rocks, the sway of branches on the trees in the wind, and the expectancy in every plant and blade of grass for the sun to crest the horizon and fill them with light and life. It was incredible! She'd never felt so connected with nature.

Kitten began to trill incessantly but Daine ignored her, far more shocked by her connection to the man next to her. She'd never sensed a two-legger before, but she knew without looking that Numair was wide awake and drenched with sweat. His Gift was flaring as violently as her magic was, though she had no idea what the mage was sensing.

"Kit, hush." Daine stroked the dragonet's scales trying to soothe her. "Numair, what is it?"

"It's the barrier," he whispered. "It's – gone. Evaporated."

Daine could feel his chest expand with every breath and his long, shadowy lashes brush against his cheek. What was happening?

"Wonderful!" she huffed. "Does that mean Immortals are going to start raining from the sky?"

"Nothing quite so dramatic," Numair chuckled. "But there is nothing stopping them from entering our realm whenever they choose now."

Daine looked over at the big dark shadow beside her, only just visible in the darkness of the cave, but she could feel his eyes on her. "Why can I sense you?"

His breath caught and his throat convulsed several times before he replied. "You can feel me too?"

So, it wasn't just her then. "It's a bit like when I'm merged with one of the People only, I can't see through your eyes, or listen with your ears. But I can feel your body, your movements –" All of a sudden, the connection vanished leaving the Wildmage alone. "What happened?"

"I raised my mental defences. They seem to have vanished when the barrier fell," Numair apologised.

Daine missed the connection with him, wanting more time to understand it. Could she do it again or was it a result of his magic? "I've never been able to link with a two-legger before. How'd that happen?"

"I'm uncertain. It would require more examination and experimentation that we simply don't have the time for." Numair threw off his blanket and began to move about. "I should contact the king and inform him I failed to repair the barrier. Kitten, could you light the fire please?"

The dragonet whistled an affirmative as the mage rose to hunt out his boots while Daine observed him as the flames illuminated the cave. Numair was acting all fidgety and tense again and hadn't once looked at her to check she was fine. She had a sneaking suspicion that there was more to his behaviour than she'd first thought. Or was it all just wishful thinking?