Discovery
Written by Wildofre
I ran my hand through my short-cropped red hair
and looked at the scroll that was passed to me by one of Miles’ informant.
“Alanna, the King needs to personally get these documents as soon as
possible,” Raoul said helpfully from the big armchair he was ensconced in,
rubbing his sword with a cloth.
“I know that,” I sighed. “It is just that I am not looking forward to
waking up a Black robed mage in the wee hours of the morning, shove him out of
bed and tell him he has to endure a tedious journey to Corus pronto!”
Raoul smirked, polishing his sword. We were in the town of Discovert, having
chased out some prospective Scanran bandits and marauding immortals. For once,
we were in a castle and not under the yonder blue sky, because it was cold and
stormy recently. Even Raoul, after considering about the welfare of the horses
and the possibility of catching pneumonia and wallowing in soggy supplies, had
given in to the Lord Kendal’s invitation to stay at his castle. We were in the
library when Miles’ informant hopped by - a scuttling rabbit of a man who
twitched his nose nervously at me.
“Stop smirking, Raoul,” I grumpily said.
He hummed.
“And that Numair better not be with someone when I come visit. I saw several
ladies of the castle eyeing him like a wolf over a lamb,” I muttered.
“I would rather think it vice versa,” Raoul quipped.
“Ha,” I said.
“Well,” Raoul said, eyeing me, “If you rather not face the scary 6 foot 5
of a man, not to worry, I will make him see things eye to eye.”
“Ha ha ha,” I replied, not amused by his pun on my height. I got up from my
chair and headed towards the door. “Make sure you don’t stab yourself in the
foot with the sword when I am gone.”
As I closed the door, I heard him mutter, “Just because she kicks my ass in
sword fighting doesn’t mean she can insult me.”
******
I made my way to Numair’s door and paused. I lifted my hand and knocked on the
door quietly. And waited.
And waited.
I tested the door and found it locked, I sighed. I hope he is not too
preoccupied to hear the knocking. I took out a thin wire and jammied the locks
like George taught me. I opened the door and whispered, “Numair?”
I glanced around the dark room, the moonlight allowed me to see that his bed was
unslept in. “Oh great,” I muttered. “He picks this time to go traipsing
off with someone.” I shut the door quietly.
Hmm… If Numair was unavailable to deliver the message to the Jon, the next
best alternative would be Daine. I was muttering under my breath as I made my
way to Daine’s room. It didn’t help that I was cold and wished fervently
that I wore gloves. My bare hands were freezing! I shoved them impatiently in my
pockets.
I found Daine’s door and opened it quietly. I slipped into the room and closed
the door. I squinted in the dark, the window coverings were close and there was
no light in the room. I could see faint silhouettes and shadows. I grinned,
Daine could always see well in the dark and never minded about darkness.
I could vaguely see the rough outline of the bed and made my way towards there.
“Owww!” I muffled as I accidentally banged my knee into a wayward chair. I
glared at it and it looked like a recalcitrant shadow to me. Finally, I made it
to the side of the bed and reached to shake the figure on it.
“Daine,” I hissed. “Wake up!”
“Hmm?” Daine responded. “Oooh! Your hands are freezing!”
“Humph,” I replied, suddenly realising that her shoulder was bare. “Serves
you right for not wearing clothing, I think. Dang it! It’s so hard to see in
the dark.”
I turned and squinted at the small cupboard next to the bed; there should be a
candle there.
“Alanna,” Daine inquired softly. “What are you doing here?”
“Hmm?” I responded, my hands carefully prodding around the top of the
cupboard for the candle. “Well, your roguish teacher is off to his usual
tricks again.”
“What do you mean?” Daine asked, yawning.
“Oh never mind, it’s thieves’ cant,” I said. “I don’t suppose you
know where he is?”
Daine stilled and said slowly, “I think I do.”
“Really,” I answered. Perhaps I was distracted by my sudden find of the
candle or the cold was getting to my brain, such that things didn’t click
together as it should. “Where?” I asked, lighting the candle triumphantly
with my Gift.
“Here,” a familiar deep voice answered.
I turned around and with the better light, saw a much bigger looming figure
lying behind Daine.
It was Numair.
And from the looks of his bare chest, I think he was naked also.
Duh Alanna, duh.
“Numair? Daine?” I squeaked and nearly dropped the candle.
“Yes Alanna?” Numair asked, his eyes holding me in a silent challenge. I saw
his arm wrap around Daine’s waist protectively.
I blinked and gathered my bearings. Then I laughed. And laughed.
“Alanna?” Daine asked hesitantly.
“Sorry,” I replied, wiping my eyes with my sleeve. “It is just that I
vaguely suspected that something like this might happen. I just don’t know why
I am so surprised. Ouna did hint to me as such.”
“If we have provided sufficient amusement for you, could you please oblige us
by telling us why you are here?” Numair inquired in a haughty voice.
“Numair,” Daine groaned in dismay at his tone and to, I think everyone’s
surprise, she leaned over and bit him on the chin.
“Don’t worry Numair, Daine,” I said, raising my eyebrow at Numair looking
quizzically at Daine. “I totally and fully approve of you two together. As
mind as you two love each other, it’s great that you are together.” I
paused. “You both are in love with each other, right?”
Numair looked up from his scrutiny of Daine and Daine giggled. “Of course we
are,” Daine replied.
“Very much,” Numair added, cuddling Daine.
“Oh good,” I said. “Well, I came here as I need Daine to send this to King
Jonathon in Corus immelediately.” I offered the scroll to Daine. “Or
actually, I was looking for Numair to do it. But either will do.”
Numair sighed and took the scroll from Daine, “I’ll do it.” He sat up and
looked around, “Now where is my breeches?”
I looked down at the floor and discovered that it was littered with clothing.
“Uh hum,” I cleared my throat and bent down to retrieve his breeches. I
threw it at him and he caught it neatly with one hand. “I guess I better be
going.” I made my way to the door.
As I was about to exit, Numair called me. “Yes?” I asked.
“Next time,” Numair said. “Knock before you enter.”
^*^ THE END ^*^