And for those desperate to finally have something happen between Tymber and Daire... Here ya go...

Chapter 6

Tymber looked at the lamb that rested in Daire's lap. They didn't sell the little one. It's fur shone white as snow in the sun. Behind them, it's foster mother made everyone know of her uneasiness.
They rode on their horse's backs as they made their way along the dirt road. Tymber noted Seabring's anxiety. He wasn't enjoying the horses around him, tied to his saddle. He frequently reminded Tymber that at any moment they could run and he'd be dragged along.
"Stop complaining." Tymber said aloud. Daire looked at her, then his gaze turned to the black horse under Tymber, but he didn't reply. Tymber was glad that he seemed to accept what she was now.
"We'll be there by dawn." Daire told her. He had explained to her already that they won't be stopping to rest. He knew that her legs weren't as accustomed to riding as his, and she'd be aching afterwards. His eyes traveled up her legs and he wondered if she would want a massage. He shook his head of improper thoughts and kept his eyes straight ahead.
Tymber looked at Daire out of the corner of her eye. He stared at the road ahead, and she wondered why he seemed so intent to focus on it.
"Tymber?" Daire asked, still looking at the road.
"Yes?"
"You don't think -" he cleared his throat, "-that your sister will follow us. Do you?"
"I don't know." Tymber answered. Truly she didn't. But they would meet up again one day, for sure. She is the evil that Presta spoke of. And Neolyn knows it. We will see who's more powerful in the end, she had said. Tymber shivered.
If Daire had anything else to say, he kept it to himself. Tymber grew deeply uncomfortable watching him sit there in silence. She wanted him to talk to her. She wanted to him to hold her, and kiss her and --
He is unsure of when to court you. Staar interrupted Tymber's thoughts.
Why? Tymber asked.
He rode ahead of the skewbald horse that was tied to Seabring's saddle. His red bandana was accentuated against his black fur and the grey dirt behind him.
Because. Staar told her. Your kind is too confusing. A wolf knows when a bitch is most fertile and ready to have offspring. It would be easier if you were just a wolf.
Tymber wasn't sure whether to laugh or blush. She did a little of both, and Daire looked at her for just a moment. His head quickly turned away and settled on the road again.
Potter is atleast a mile back. Daire thought. I have enough time to do anything with Tymber.
And that was what he was afraid of. He wouldn't let his lustful thoughts get the better of him. He was a gentleman.
Tymber felt his reluctance to be near her. It stung her. She wondered if it was because he knows what she is. Maybe he hates what she is. But he had already confessed to loving her, even when he knew that she had powers. She was so confused.
Possibly it is not that he hates you. Staar told her.
Then why?
Staar's yellow eyes settled on her blue and then pulled away in subordinance.
He loves you.
Why does he not want to be beside me then? Tymber asked him.
Maybe he is afraid that you do not return his feelings. Staar replied.
Once again, Staar's simple rationalizations made sense. She gazed down at him, and he even looked smart.
"How far back is Potter?" Tymber asked Daire, shyly.
"About a mile or around there. He prefers to travel slow in the carraige, as the road is fairly rocky."
Tymber nodded. She looked at him. He seemed to notice her stare, but made no attempt to look at her. She felt more alone than she would if there were nobody riding beside her.
You are not alone. Staar told her.
Tymber sighed. I am not alone.

Seabring's hooves pounded the ground and woke Tymber from her half-sleep.
We are there. he told her.
Tymber saw the massive stone walls that surrounded the city. A guard looked down from above the drawbridge and called down to Daire.
"Who are ye?" he yelled.
"I am the new royal stablehand! The stablemaster comes from behind!" Daire yelled back.
"Aight!" The guard replied. "Lower the bridge!" he yelled to his comrades on the other side of the drawbridge.
The bridge lowered and the dust rose as it pounded the ground before Tymber and Daire. The horse beside Tymber reared and pulled at Seabring's saddle. Seabring held tight, and the horse stopped but still jittered. Tymber reached out to him with her mind and lay a blanket of calmness over him. Daire watched Tymber out of the corner of his eye, knowing what she was doing,but no words went along with his critical look.
They made their way across. Tymber looked down at the discusting water on her left. The putrid stink was almost overpowering, and feces littered the muck. She looked away in disgust. Staar didn't return her feelings. He thought the smell was merely interesting, and was sure to wander to the edge and give the sewage a sniff. Tymber's link with him was ever strong, and her nose wrinkled and she gagged as her own sense of smell was heightened at his deep breath. Tymber wasn't sure if horses could roll their eyes, but Seabring was filled with dry amusement.
Keep your eyes ahead. Seabring told her.
Tymber did as she was told for a moment, but her eyes drifted back to Daire. He looked confident as he rode upon Chilles. She imitated his look of self-assurance, but as they entered the gates, hundreds of eyes fell upon her and her shoulders slumped as she drew back into herself.
They are looking at me too! Staar said, his head in the air.
Only you like it when they look at you. Tymber replied.
You don't need to hate it. Take it as a compliment.
Seabring whickered in agreement, and he strutted his legs in large steps.
The tribe never paid this much attention to me. Tymber retorted.
Then it is not nature, but truly nurture that made you feel this way. That gives you some power to change it. Seabring told her.
Tymber didn't feel assured. She looked at the people. They didn't stare out of fear, but only curiosity. She saw children running and playing and laughing. They weren't working like Tymber did as a child. For a moment she felt envious that she grew up in such a hard-pressing community; but looking over at Daire, who only smiled at the children, she realised that she was being selfish.
And why shouldn't you be jealous? Staar asked.
It's wrong. Tymber replied. My life was fine.
Do not be afraid to anger yourself with feelings that come naturally. Seabring told her matter-of-factly.
I won't.

Potter and his family walked through the stable entrance. Potter carried PeeWee upstairs where she could sleep peacefully. Sera followed, yawning. Martha didn't look much better. Her eyes were red.
"You know," she told Tymber who was rubbing Seabring off in his stall, "We took it slow in the carriage so that not only will the carraige stay in shape, but also we we can sleep on the way. Well I can tell ye dearie, that not only does the carriage look as if it's been hit by a whirlwind, but not one of us has slept a minute." Small laughter rolled on her throat. "Well, best to say g'night to ye then!"
Tymber laughed. "Goodnight."
Martha looked out the door behind her and at the bright morning sky. "Well, even better to say good mornin' I s'pose!" She climbed the stairs and shut the creaky wood door behind her.
She's a happy spirit, Seabring said.
Tymber turned to see Daire rush past her.
And Daire is a busy spirit. She laughed.
Seabring whickered.
"Tymber," Daire yelled from the last stall, "can you bring a scrubbrush over here, and a bucket?"
"Alright." Tymber answered. She gave Seabring one last pat and fetched the brush and bucket.
Daire was in the last stall, picking out every last bit of hay and throwing it in a pile. She noticed a blue-grey substance on the stall walls and floor.
"Mold." Daire told her. "Mold, bloody mold!"
"Daire calm down -- "
"I can't calm down, Tymber! I'm set on having everything unpacked tonight. We can't even bring the horses in here until every last stall is cleaned!" Daire yelled.
Tymber's mind probed his, sensing great stress. She lay a blanket of calm upon it and Daire's head jerked up to look at her.
He stood up slowly. "Don't you ever use your magic on me." He brushed past her and ordered, "Take every horse out of here! Tie them outside."
"But what if we don't get done toni-"
"We will get done tonight!"
She felt a small bit of regret that was pressing Daire's mind. She knew it would get bigger in the mean time, and he would feel guilty for snapping at her. However, she was feeling guilty herself. She was taking advantage of her abilities.
She sighed, took the brush, and started scrubbing the stall.

Daire's night dragged on as he finished unpacking and setting things in the stable to his liking. Tymber lay in the straw watching him. She would have gladly helped him if he would only let her. His guilt overpowered any other emotion going through him at that moment. He needed to keep busy, and she respected that. So, she lay and watched him run around in a frenzy, desperate to finish that very night, though the night slowly pulled into morning, and Tymber's eyes began to tire at watching the repetitiveness motion of Daire going back and forth.
Just as she let herself fall into slumber, she felt a presence beside her. Assuming it was Staar, she reached out, but her hand touched a flanel fabric and she pulled back. Her eyes opened and met Daire's.
"I didn't finish your room." he told her, apologetically.
"What about your's?'' Tymber inquired.
"I don't have one."
"Where will you sleep than?" Tymber asked, concerned.
His eyes quickly fell to the hay they lay in, and back to Tymber's.
"On the ground?" Tymber exclaimed.
"The straw is comfortable." Daire rationalized.
"So is a bed." Tymber said. "This is your job more mine. You take the bed. I'll be fine."
"No." Daire said firmly. "You need your privacy. And -" his voice quieted,"- This is a larger town than Sarsborough from whence we came. There's no telling of what men live in these parts. The stable doors offer less protection than will both them and the doors of your room."
Tymber's features softened as Daire's compassion shan through.
She pushed herself closer to him. "Well, I don't want you sleeping out here if there's any danger."
"I don't think anyone would want to bed with me." Daire laughed. "I'm not exactly a picture of 'feminine beauty.' "
"Oh." Tymber said. "And I am?" Tymber inquired, smiling slyly.
Daire coughed. Daire pushed his upper body up and propped his head on his hand. "Tymber..." he said.
Tymber felt his intentions before he could say more. She pulled her face towards her's and kissed him.
It was a long kiss -- atleast Tymber thought so. She'd never experienced one before, and so it was difficult for her to say. But it was no harder than cotton wool so say that it was intensly exciting.
She linked her mind with Daire's once more, and he almost pulled back; but she pushed all of the emotions she was experiencing into his mind and he melted, his mouth covering her's in a passionate embrace.
He picked out the one feeling that had him pondering so long.
Love. She loved him.
They parted to breathe and their blue eyes stared deeply into eachother's.
Daire lay back and pulled Tymber close to him. "I love you." he told her.
But she was already asleep.

Before Tymber fell asleep on Daire's shoulder, she could have sworn she felt Staar enter the hole in the stable wall, and then hear him snort ''humans,'' and trot back out again.