TTT_DaineNumairNArram1

Chapter One:

A.N. Here, quick summary: Daine goes ten years back into the past, in Carthak. At that time, Numair, or rather, Arram, was nineteen. This is a story of Arram falling in love with the person his future self is in love with! That means Numair and his past self are rivals for Daine's heart!!!!

Daine snuggled happily against Numair, who bent down and captured her lips in his. Sighing in pleasure, Daine said, "Tomorrow we leave for Carthak. Gosh, I can't believe it's been a year!"

Numair grinned. "And now you're eighteen."

Slyly, Daine said, "And I WONDER what you used to do at my age........"

Numair blushed. "That's not in my category of discussion! Besides, that's all in the past now."

"You were at Carthak at that time, right?"

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, nothing in particular."

Happily, the two lovers lay under the stars in each other's arms.

~~~

A girl of thirteen with jet black hair and emerald green eyes watched them silently from behind a tree. A smile touched her lips. "Have fun in old Carthak, Veralidaine," she murmured. She disappeared in a flash of soft white light.

~~~

Kaddar smiled broadly at Daine and Numair. "Hello Daine, Numair! It's been a long time!"

Numair glared at him suspiciously and grunted. Daine held back a giggle. "Hi, Kaddar!"

Kaddar bit back a peal of laughter at Numair's sour face. "Um, would you like a grand tour of the new palace?"

"Sure!" Daine exclaimed. She dragged an unwilling Numair after her.

Kaddar showed them the main hall, the ballroom, the gardens, and the new menagerie, which, to Daine's relief, was specially designed to look like their natural environment. "Now, I would like to show you the mages' experimentation wing."

To Daine's amusement, she saw that Numair couldn't hide the spark of interest in his eyes. "Lead the way," she announced.

The mages' experimentation room was a huge network of rooms, each room for a specific type of magic. Numair poked his nose around in each of the rooms, intensely curious. Very often, he would lecture a mage who would grow more and more irritated about how to do spells right. Kaddar and Daine would roll around on the floor, laughing hopelessly. Finally, they arrived in a room where mages tried to figure out how to do time spells. Numair, by this time, was fidgety with impatience. He had always wanted to experiment with time spells, but had never had the spare time. Once inside the room, he zoomed all around the room, bombarding the poor mages with impossible questions.

Meanwhile, Daine looked curiously at a young girl of around thirteen with jet black hair and green eyes who was bent over an object in her hands. No one else seemed to notice the girl except Daine. Casually, Daine tapped the girl on the shoulder. The girl turned around and smiled blandly at Daine. A shiver went down Daine's back. For some reason, there was something not right about this girl. Daine couldn't quite put her finger on it. Clearing her throat, she asked, "Uh, hi! What's your name?"

"Foreste," she said in a soft, melodious voice.

"Well, Foreste, what's that you have in your hands?"

Foreste smiled and held up a beautiful sapphire pendant, interlaced all over with silver. Daine gasped in delight and reached out to touch it. Just as her hand was about come into contact with it, Foreste said softly, "Have fun, Daine." Immediately, Daine felt like she was spinning, and was covered in darkness.

Numair turned around and saw Daine disappear in a vortex of silvery blue and white. "DAINE!!!!"

~~~

Daine moaned, and rubbed her throbbing temples. Slowly, she opened her gray-blue eyes and gasped. Whereas she had been in a quiet room with people bustling about, she was now in a balcony that looked strangely similar to the old balcony of Ozorne's palace. Looking down, Daine saw that she was still holding her bag which had her possessions she brought from the ship. Suddenly, the air in front of her shimmered, and Foreste appeared, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

"Why, hello, Daine," she said coolly.

"Foreste?! Where am I?!" Daine demanded.

"You are in Carthak, ten years before you met Numair Salmālin."

"WHAT?!"

Foreste examined a fingernail. "I think he's eighteen or nineteen right now."

"Are you a goddess or something?!"

Foreste sniffed disdainfully. "Course not, what a silly question! Gods don't have the power to control time! I'm one of the five guardians of the universe."

"What are those?"

"Universe guardians' jobs are to keep the universe in balance. But since there's practically nothing to do, I like to meddle with mortals' lives. You seemed rather interesting, so I chose you as my current entertainment."

Daine glared blackly at the younger girl. "When can I go back home?"

"Oh, I don't really know. I have no control whatsoever over that."

"WHAAAAAAAATT?!"

Foreste clapped her hands to her ears. "OWOWOW! THAT HURTS!"

"I'm glad!" Daine said snuffily.

Foreste glared.

"So, how long might I have to stay here?"

"It could be years, or an hour. It all depends."

"YEARS?! And what does it depend on?"

"Don't look at me. I have no clue."

Daine lunged at Foreste, furious.

"Oh! I gotta go!" Foreste disappeared hurriedly.

Daine slumped down on the floor and sobbed. How would she ever get home again? But, wait. Daine suddenly remembered what Foreste had said earlier about Numair. Her hopes lifted a little. Surely Numair would still be obsessed with learning at this age, right? Right now, what she needed most was a familiar face. Daine stood up slowly, wiping her face. I must look like a mess, she thought. Deftly, she fished out a hand mirror and a brush from her bag. After fixing her appearance, and dusting herself, she stepped out of the balcony and into a empty ballroom. Sighing, she sat down on a red velvet chair and thought of what she should do now, when, suddenly, a deep, familiar voice came from behind a curtain. "Hello."

Daine jumped, startled. "Numair?" she called out, before she realized what she just said.

A guy around her age who looked exactly like the younger version of Numair, and just three inches shorter, came out from behind the curtains. "Who's Numair?" he asked curiously.

Daine blushed. "No one," she said quickly.

Arram grinned slyly at her. "Then what is a lovely lady like you doing here all by yourself in the night? I don't think I've ever seen you around the palace before. If I had, then I don't know what I must have been thinking at the time instead of getting to know you immediately!"

Flushing, Daine said quickly, "My name is Veralidaine Sarrasri. I'm um... a visitor from..." she gulped, "From Tortall."

Arram observed the girl intently. She was very beautiful, with her long, curling, black lashes over dreamy blue-gray eyes. Soft, curly brown hair fell past her shoulders, tied back with a strip of leather. She was of medium height, slender, and quite curvaceous for her age. To Arram's slight surprise, she wore breeches and a tunic, slightly hugging her body, and was carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows which made her look like an exotic huntress. In her left hand, she was holding the strap of a rather large bag, which looked like it was filled with clothes and other necessities for travelling. Clearing his throat, Arram asked, "Do you have someplace to stay for the night?"

Daine blushed again, and shuffled her feet, unconsciously making her look rather adorable. "Not really," she admitted.

Arram grinned. "Then would you like to spend the night in my quarters?"

Daine looked relieved. "That is very kind of you."

"Come this way." Arram took her hand and led her to the wing where the nobles lived. He stopped in front of a door with silver and gold designs on it. After murmuring a word to the keyhole, he slipped a gold key inside, and unlocked the door. Daine stepped in a room with royal blue walls and silver trimming. In a corner was a four poster bed with sheets, blankets and pillows whose color matched the walls. Books and scrolls were littered everywhere, but otherwise, the room was neat. The furniture were also blue with silver trimming. Daine breathed in and detected the scent of musky lilies. A woman had been in here recently. Daine scowled blackly. Obviously, young Arram was up late from accompanying that woman to her rooms after some careless canoodling!

Arram pointed at a adjoining room to his in the right of his room. "There's a bed and everything else you need in the guest room," he said. "Course, you could always share my bed with me," he added with a hint of a purr in his voice.

Daine giggled. "No thanks, I'm alright." She walked lightly into the other room.

The second room was smaller, but designed in the same way as his bedroom. Daine set down her things on a chair, and produced a nightdress from her bag. After undressing and changing into her nightdress, Daine lay down tiredly on the bed. She started to think about everyone back home. I miss them so much, she thought sadly. She muffled her wracking sobs by burying her head into the soft pillows.

~~~

Arram mused silently, one hand fiddling around with one corner of his blanket. For some unknown reason, his heart thumped when he thought about the girl, Veralidaine. She was much more beautiful than his current lover, Harelle. There was something special about her, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Suddenly, he heard a faint sob from the room next door. Alarmed, Arram got up and padded softly to where Daine was. He saw her hugging her pillow tightly to her face, trying to muffle the sobs, without success. Gently, he sat down at her side and put his arms around her, lodged snugly with her in his muscled arms. Daine, surprised, struggled for a momnt, then relaxed. It felt so soothing to be in his arms. She leaned against him and instatly fell asleep.

Now, Arram, who had planned to comfort her, then return to his bed, immediately abandoned all notion of seperating from her tonight. It was too comfortable to be like this. Soon, he too fell asleep.

Chapter Two:

Daine woke up, and felt a warm, familiar body next to her, holding her gently but firmly to a nicely muscled chest. Without opening her eyes, she snuggled closer and breathed in the comforting scent of Numair's body. Daine suddenly remembered the strange dream. Oh well, she thought, at least it was just a dream. Slowly, she opened her eyes. And froze. "Oh NO!!!" she whined, "That's WASN'T a dream!" Arram stirred, but remained asleep. Daine frowned. But wait, what was Arram doing in HER bed?! She suddenly remembered about her tears last night. Without success, Daine tried to hold back new tears. Struggling against the sheets, she got up quietly, intending to use the privy. Once in Arram's normal rooms, she yelped as she saw a certain little blue dragon with amber eyes appear in front of her in a flash of silvery light. "KITTEN!" Daine happily scooped up the dragon into her arms. She scowled as, in another flash of silver light, Foreste appeared, apparently angry.

"Nosy, horribly poky, over-curious creatures they are, dragons," Foreste muttered grouchily. "Just cause they can go anywhere they like doesn't mean they have to meddle with other people's businesses!"

Daine set her mouth in a thin, tight lipped line. "Foreste," she said darkly. Kitten's scales turned pink with irritation and made an incredibly rude sound at Foreste.

Foreste puffed out her cheeks furiously. "Why you!" she yelled, shaking a fist at Kitten.

"Be quiet!" Daine hissed. "You'll wake Arram up!"

"There's no chance of that. I put a spell on him to keep him in a deep sleep till I leave."

Daine scowled at Foreste. "This is ALL YOUR FAULT."

Foreste pouted. "But this is really fun," she pointed out. "And plus, you have your pesky little dragon!"

"Do you know how ANNOYING you are?" Daine demanded.

Foreste shrugged nonchalantly from the floor. "It suits me to no end. Listen, I came here to explain some rules to you."

Daine frowned. "What rules?"

"Whatever you do here could affect the future a lot," said Foreste, "Especially falling in love with that Arram fellow."

"What do you mean? I'm already in love with Numair, and Numair IS Arram!"

Foreste shook her head. "No, you don't understand. Arram and Numair are different people. Arram develops into Numair eventually, but right now, he's ARRAM."

"I don't get it."

"Look, at this age, Arram was a.... sort of a ladies' man. I know for sure that you'll get jealous. But you musn't let him fall in love with you now, or Numair in the future would love the Daine from his past, not you in the future."

Daine gasped. "WHAT?! But.... why?!"

Foreste shook out her black hair irritatedly. "Don't ask questions that I can't answer. I'm NOT a philosopher. Ask that Numair-person when you get back to the future."

Daine scowled blackly.

"Anyways, I explained the rules, so I have to leave now." Foreste disappeared.

Kitten chirped softly, and rubbed her muzzle against Daine's face. Daine smiled gently. Well, at least she had Kitten now. Suddenly, a thought came to her. "Kitten, what about Arram? How am I going to hide you from him when he's so powerful?! He would detect you right away!" Too late. Daine heard muffled steps behind her and stood paralysed, her mind suddenly running very slowly.

"Daine?" she heard his velvety, husky voice, the one that always gave her shivers of pleasure. "Are you out there?"

Arram stepped into his normal bedroom, saw a little blue creature in Daine's arms, and gaped. Daine gulped nervously. "Morning, Arram," she said weakly. Suddenly, her legs felt like overcooked noodles.

"Is that... a DRAGON?!" Arram breathed, eyes big as saucers.

Daine gulped. "Um..."

Arram strode over to her and stared at Kitten from all angles wonderingly. "It IS! But, aren't dragons locked in the Realms of the Gods?! I never even DREAMED I would see a creature spun from legends and fairytales!"

Daine took a deep breath. Kitten chirped worriedly. "This... this is Skysong, but we --I mean-- I call her Kitten."

"How EVER did you come across her?!"

"It's a long story." Daine forced herself to calm down.

Arram glanced at her with a clever look in his eyes. "We have plenty of time. Wait--Oh, darn it! I promised to meet Ozorne at the university before midday! And it's already past eleven!" He looked longingly at Kitten.

Daine started. "Ozorne?!"

"Hm? Oh, Ozorne's the future heir to the throne of Carthak. Surely you've heard of him!"

Daine bit her lip. At this time, Ozorne and Arram had been best friends. She wasn't so sure she wanted to see the person she would kill in the future.

"I would like it very much if you came along with me." Arram grinned charmingly at her. "Of course, Kitten can stay here as long as she likes."

Daine couldn't resist that lopsided grin. Reluctantly, she gave in. "Oh alright. Wait while I get ready." She grabbed her bag and went to the other room. Running over her things, she selected a sapphire-blue satin tunic that stopped mid thigh (she had brought lots of finery for Kaddar's evening balls, luckily) and a light blue, silk blouse. She washed her face and hands, slipped on the fine garments and fastened on iceblue crystal earbobs. Reaching inside her bag again, she took out an iceblue silk hairtie, and leather ankle boots. She looked in the mirror and was satisfied. Daine stepped back into Aram's regular suite.

Arram was petting Kitten when he noticed Daine. He felt his heart skip a beat as Daine stepped into his view. He had never seen the style of clothes she was wearing before in Carthak, but maybe that was the latest style in Tortall for women. Personally, he liked how short the tunic was. It flaunted her legs.

Daine secretly thought that Arram looked positively wonderful in his black attire, but showed no sign of it. He wore long black breeches, a silk shirt, and a small silver sapphire drop on one ear. His mage's robe was also black, and embroidered a little with silver thread. Obviously, Arram preferred northern style of clothes for men than the long tunics worn by southerners. Perhaps that was because of Lindhall.

"Well, let's be on our way, then, my lady." Arram grinned at her adorably, and took her arm in his.

"With pleasure," Daine replied. Her heart sank horribly. It was going to be very hard not to love him.

~~~

Ozorne glanced at his pocketwatch irritably. Arram was late. Again. Probably because of his newest mistress. Whomever she was. He wondered yet again why Arram had suddenly grown such an interest in women two years ago. Before, he had only been interested in his books, and they had practically eaten through all the books in the Carthakian royal libary. Perhaps it was because he had grown out of his period of gangliness. Suddenly, his train of thoughts were broken by Arram heading into his direction with some girl holding his arm. Ozorne recognized the fashion of her clothes. Tortallan. Hmm. He had not heard of any Tortallan lady coming to the Carthakian court. As she got closer, Ozorne suddenly realized how pretty she was. His heart raced.

Daine and Arram stopped in front of a handsome young man. He had slanted brown eyes, and golden brown skin. No paint or jewelry adorned him at all except for the royal emblem on a thin gold chain around his neck. His clothes consisted simply of a shirt, long tunic, breeches, and boots. Yet the material was apparently costly. Daine practically gaped. She could hardly recognize the vain, selfish peacock emperor as this grinning, dashing young man. He looked more like a Kaddar than an Ozorne! In time, she remembered to curtsy. Arram, though, shook hands familiarly with him. It was obvious that they were long time friends.

"Ozorne! Let me introduce you to Veralidaine Sarrasri, from Tortall!" Arram gestured at Daine.

Ozorne grinned again, and kissed her hand. He looked at her luscious lips and had an urge to kiss her. Suddenly, he had a light frown on his face. "Sarrasri?" he inquired mildly, emphasizing the "Sarra".

Daine felt like slapping Ozorne. Instead, she kept cool, and answered, "Weirynsri, if you like, but I prefer Sarrasri."

There was a tense silence. Then, "So, you are Arram's latest lady?" Ozorne narrowed his eyes coolly and looked Daine over. He didn't like the effect this girl was having on him.

Arram's face turned stormy. "Ozorne, may I speak to you privately for a moment?" His voice had a hint of steel in it. Ozorne asquieced, and they retired to a neiboring room.

Once out of sight, Daine turned her ears into a bat's. She listened to the conversation.

"What do you think you were saying, Ozorne?!"

"The truth. She's just another one of your mistresses. I don't need to be polite. I must admit, she is very beautiful."

"She's NOT my mistress. We just.. came across each other last night."

"She isn't? Then why were you bringing her with you if you just met her LAST NIGHT?"

"You sound like my mother. I brought her along because she's--because we're--because... oh, I don't know!!!"

"You like her a lot, don't you? And I don't mean as in a friend."

Arram didn't answer.

"Well, if you don't want to answer me, I might as well not continue this discussion." Ozorne walked out of the room.

Daine hurriedly changed her ears back and pretended to be interested in a mosaic on a nearby wall. Ozorne stared at her for a few minutes, then stalked out to the hall. Arram came out of the room as well, dark hazel eyes stormy. "Let's go," he said shortly to Daine, who outwardly nodded submissively, but inwardly was thinking happily of different, painful and bloody ways to kill Ozorne for hintingly calling her a prostitute and for being so insulting to Numair--no, Arram.

~~~

"Absolutely fascinating!" Arram breathed, once Daine finished telling him the slightly modified version of Kitten's finding. "So you came across her in a cave in a mountain?! I thought dragons lived in the realms of the gods!"

Daine fidgeted nervously. "Um, yeah. But, remember, this is supposed to be a secret!" Obviously, Arram had instantly forgotten about his and Ozorne's heated discussion as soon as she started telling the tale. Kitten whistled inquiringly at Daine. Sighing, Daine let Kitten go, who hopped instantly to the huge pile of scrolls sitting on Arram's disorganized desk (the drawers were noticeably crammed with scrolls and strange looking gadgets). Kitten spread out the scrolls and read them, absolutely captivated.

Arram started. "She can READ?!"

"Yes. She has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Numair and her used to pore over dusty volumes dug up from the back of the libraries--" Daine gasped, and covered her mouth.

Arram frowned. "That's the second time you mentioned that name." He looked at Daine with strangely overbright eyes. "Is he... is he some sort of... lover," Arram managed to say with a slightly choked voice. He cleared his throat.

Daine blushed hard. "Um... " Luckily, they were suddenly interrupted by a soft knock on Arram's door. Panicky, Daine lifted Kitten from the scrolls and dashed into the other room, closing the door quickly behind. Then, on second thought, she left it open just a crack. Arram, meanwhile, waited anxiously for Daine and Kitten to hide (especially Kitten!), then opened the door to reveal a pretty, slender blonde with sky blue eyes.

"Hello, Arram, darling!" Eighteen-year old Varice Kingsford said in a soft, seductive voice. "It's wonderful to see you again!"

Foreste yawned. She was on guardian patrol again. Looking at the position of the sun, she mused out loud, "Hm. Already midday! Time for..." Her face fell, suddenly realizing something VERY important. "YEARGH!!!" she screeched, "I was supposed to go to the yearly Guardian and Gods' meeting! I'm TWO HOURS late!!!" She hurriedly disappeared in a flash of the usual white light.

~~~

"WHAT did you think you were doing?!" Syph hissed while dragging Foreste in to a corner right when she appeared in the Hall. "You are TWO HOURS LATE."

"I know!" Foreste whined at the dark-haired guardian in front of her. "I thought I had patrol!"

Syth glared at her. "That's EXACTLY the same thing you said last year, and year before that, and the year before..." He ticked off fingers one by one. "You've said the same excuse for a HUNDRED YEARS!!!!!!!!!"

Foreste made a face at him and grumbled darkly. Suddenly, a chestnut haired girl sautered towards them, a frown on her face. "Forry! Where were you? The Gods are not pleased at all!"

"Who cares about those grumpy 'all knowing' immortals?!" Foreste retorted. "I don't see why we have to meet them every year anyways! Could you just get me a cup of tea, Falles?"

"Sure thing. I'll be right back." Falles moved back into the crowded hall.

"Stay right here," Syth ordered. "I'm going to go get Syphor." He turned and disappeared.

"As if," Foreste murmured to herself. "I'm not waiting for Mr. Bossy and Mr. Clever to get here!" She made a movement to disappear as well, when, as if on cue, Syth appeared again with a blueish black haired youth.

"I thought I told you not to move!" Syth pointed out.

Foreste laughed nervously. "Who, me? Oh, no, I didn't move an inch!" (A.N. Heehee! ^-^')

Syphor laughed softly. "Forry! You were always the queer one."

Foreste crossed her arms sulkily. "Harrumph."

Syphor stopped laughing, suddenly, and narrowed his silvery dark blue eyes. "But I would like to know what you have done to make the Gods--ALL the gods--so angry." His voice was dangerously pleasant.

Foreste winced. "So they're mad, are they..."

"OF COURSE THEY ARE MAD!!!" Syth lost all apparent control of his temper. "You made a vortex in time that could CHANGE ALL HISTORY!!!"

Foreste clapped hands to her ears. "Ooooouuuuch! Why is it that people delight in rupturing my eardrums?!" she demanded. Then, suddenly, Syth's words hit her. "Change all history?!" Her emerald eyes were wide.

Syth gritted his teeth. "How can you be so THICK?!" Of COURSE it'll change history! At this rate, Salmālin will find the time rip, go and join Weiryn's daughter, and Draper and co will end up meeting the Trebond girl years earlier then he's supposed to!!!" His usually friendly amber eyes were suddenly very scary.

Syphor put a calming hand on Syth's shoulder. Then, he turned to Foreste. "As the leading female Guardian," he said coldly, "You don't seem to care about the Balance all of us are supposed to keep equal!"

Falles finally arrived with the cup of tea. She turned to Syphor and Syth with a charming smile. "Does that mean I'm finally getting to be the lead female gueardian, now?" she asked innocently.

"No," both boys said flatly.

Falles pouted. "How come every time you both go on her side even if she did something bad?"

"Because," Syphor pointed out impassively, "You haven't got a grain of common sense! I don't know why you were appointed a Guardian."

Falles grinned. "Cuz I'm pretty!" Her comment was answered by silence. "What?" she demanded.

Syth rolled his eyes. Foreste smothered a giggle. Syphor then said sarcastically, "Of course you are." The trio then proceeded to ignore Falles, who was trying to figure out why they were ignoring her.

Syphor gave Foreste a severe look. "Foreste, you do realise what a serious thing you've done?"

"But I don't get it!" Foreste complained loudly. "You and Syth always do stuff like that!"

Syth raised an eyebrow. "We select unimportant characters. You chose a character who was part of the major history!"

Just at that moment, the Graveyard Hag called out in a somewhat croaky voice. "Attention all! The meeting has commenced!"

The gods (including the animal gods) and the four guardians filed into the Judgment Room. It was a wide, circular space, with a special seat for each god or goddess. For example, the Goddess' seat was emerald green velvet with vines and flowers carved all around it. beside it, was a small, purple velvet stool where a black cat with violet eyes installed himself, watching everyone with intense eyes. Mithros' seat was made of shimmering light, and covered with red velvet cloth.

The Guardians' seats were put in the middle of the front row, and the lesser gods sat in rows of personalised seats behind the Guardians' chairs. The greater gods, of course, settled in a row in face of the rest of the room. The Dark God rang an intricately carved silver bell to get everyone's attention. "The session has begun," he said quietly. The whole room was silent.

Mithros, shining like a beacon, spoke first. He addresses himself to the cool and calm guardians sitting in the front row, making sure to especially look into Foreste's direction. "Guardian of Air!" he boomed, "You have done an act that has upset all us gods. I am sure you know what I am talking about! What have you to say?"

"I haven't done anything serious," Foreste yawned delicately. "I just thought it would be entertaining to send Weiryn and Sarra's daughter to meet her lover's past self." Guardians and gods had never gotten along. They always made a show as if they weren't very anxious about the gods. Of course, since the gods were so accustomed to being adored, they get very irritated at the rude, but nonetheless powerful universe guardians.

There was a murmur of fury in the crowd. The Goddess frowned, motioned to Mithros to sit down--to which he complied--and stood up gracefully. "Your meddlings are usually not very serious, but now it is not the case! If Veralidaine meets my Chosen One, Alanna of Trebond, then my Chosen One's destiny will change!" Her voice was dangerously pleasant. "I do not like guardians to meddle in my affairs. You'd best fix this VERY soon." She settled herself back into the chair.

Suddenly, the usually silent Dark God stood up. His dark hood turned towards emotionless Syphor. "Guardian of Forests, what think you of your fellow guardian's misbehavior?" his voice was like a serene lake, and endless beyonds.

Syphor looked straight at the somber god through half-closed eyes. "She was wrong to behave so--" he was interrupted by the sudden murmurs of agreement, and continued. "--but I believe it will be possibly the most interesting event that has happened for a very long time. We immortal beings have little to entertain us since we have already tried everything." The murmur of agreement turned into mutters about what pesky beings guardians were. Syphor smiled lazily, "In fact, I have an idea. Normally, if Veralidaine meets Alanna of Trebond, at these course of events, Alanna would be already a knight, and her gender revealed. But I shall arrange it so that they shall meet when the lady of Trebond is seventeen... And maybe I'll add Salmālin to the list of people going to join Veralidaine Sarrasri..."

The Goddess' face turned pale, and she jumped out of her seat. "You HORRIBLE guardians! You will change everything I worked so hard for!!!" she screamed, a look of horror on her face. By this time, all the gods were standing up, all extremely upset. Foreste fidgeted uncomfortably. Syphor grinned at the gods. Syth was simply shell shocked, and Falles attempted to catch the eye of a rather attractive minor god. Finally, Foreste spoke up. "All right, this is what I'll do; once all of this is over, I will erase everyone's memories of this incident, thus no harm will be done. I will also rewind a bit the time that was lost. Alright?"

Mithros and the Goddess hesitated. But the Dark God caught their eyes, and they nodded. "So mote it be," the Goddess said with a sigh and settled back down on her seat. With a tired wave of her hand, she said, "You are all dismissed." The immortals filed out.

Syth looked at Foreste with new respect in his eyes. "That was a brilliant idea!" he exclaimed.

Syphor nodded, smiling at Foreste appreciatively. "Yes, indeed, it was a very good move."

Falles sighed enviously. "I wish I was as clever as you, Forry..." she said wistfully.

Foreste patted Falles' head, and smiled her thanks to the other Guardians. With a sigh, she said, "I suppose I'll have to go check on Veralidaine right now."

~~~