Numair rubbed his bloodshot eyes closing the book he had been reading. A look at the sky told him that it was well past midnight, and he could hear

light sleeping sounds coming from his wife, Daine, in the next room. Kitten stirred softly as Numair stepped over her sleeping form, shedding his

clothes for a nightshirt. He smiled faintly as he looked over Daine in bed. She had clearly been looking after some animal as there were feathers in

her thick curls. He reached over to pluck a white feather out of her locks when an immense pressure filled his head forcing him to his knees. He saw

black edge his vision, and he vaguely noticed Daine sit up with seemingly the same affliction. Kitten started letting out a splitting screech and turned

a dull shade of grey.

"Numair?"

Daine had left the bed and come to his still kneeling form. The pressure had left her head fast, her wild magic less sensitive to whatever was going on.

His eyes still squeezed shut he reached out and gripped her hand in acknowledgement that he was ok. Daine left the room to get him a glass of water.

"What was that?"

Her own voice trembled as she brushed Numair's sweaty hair off his forehead, handing him the water.

"I have no idea. The fact that it seemed to have affected both you and me to an extent, most likely indicates that it was some large magical working."

He paused for a moment pulling his long nose in thought.

"The only other time I have felt such a disturbance in emanations was when…"

He let the thought trail off, but Daine had caught on.

"When the barrier between the Mortal and Immortal realms was broken."

•••

Outside of Corus, in Pirate Swoop, Alanna the Lioness and the Baron awoke with much the same symptoms that were being felt across the land in

those who were gifted. Alanna bolted to the piracy, usually not the one for a weak stomach, but this time stood no chance at holding it down.

George looked much the same, and remained seated on the bed for fear he would fall if he attempted to get up.

"We have to contact Jon or Numair."

Alanna had appeared at the doorway leaning heavily on the frame.

"Whatever that was, its trouble, and I DO NOT like being awoken by magical workings which I have no knowledge about."

She kicked the door frame, her famous temper getting the best of her.

George rose and nodded, too unnerved to respond.

~Hello Everyone! This is the first time I've EVER tried to write out a story for other people to read so please give lots of feedback! I'm still developing my newest character (you will meet her in the next chapter!) and I promise my next chapters will be a little longer and more in-depth. Hope you enjoy!~