Elves-Queen Selvara & King Lorastor of Silvela-6,000 Anik-Soldier Humans-Arachnar of agmar-!,000 "ilo-Soldier Les#anden-!

,000 $ald%in-$old &riend Lasgalen-',000 (r)#hon-Nasir-&riend, Hel#er *") lord+ ") lord, a moment+, A voice called out- Ever)one turned around to see $ald%in running to%ards them- .hen he reached them he gave a dee# /o%*") lord, 0 understand )ou are de#arting for Lasgalen1, 22 nodded his head- *3ou are correct $ald%in-, $ald%in smiled hugel)- *4hen %hat are %e %aiting for sir1, 225s e)e/ro% 6uirked in sur#rise- *.e, $ald%in1, $ald%in nodded his head enthusiasticall)- *.ell7 me and a fe% friends-, 22 sighed and gave $ald%in an affectionate smile- *05m not going to /e a/le to #ersuade )ou to sta) am 01, $ald%in shook his head %ith a trium#hant smile- *8uh uh-, 22 sighed in defeat- *9ka) then7 ho% man) of )our *friends, are accom#an)ing us1, $ald%in #ut his fingers to his li#s and gave a shrill %histle- *9h7 a/out five thousand-, 22 fro:e- *&ive7 five thousand1, $ald%in smiled- *.ell7 )ou see .illiam is the /est second-in-command an)one could ask for- After )our father denied aid for Lasgalen 0 caught )oung .illiam tr)ing to sneak off- .ell7 %e all kno% .illiam isn5t sneak) so 0 cornered him and once 0 got the truth from him %e decided to cons#ire together and enter into a #artnershi# to /ring his #lan to com#letion- So %e rode to the surrounding villages and have gathered together an arm) under )our command to save Lasgalen-, *And this arm) consists of five thousand1, 22 asked softl), still in shock*0t does-, $ald%in ans%ered #roudl), #uffing out his chest a tad /it22 shook his head sadl)- *3ou kno% this is treason against the king7, *At least it is not treason against m) conscience- 0 %ould gladl) serve )our father if he %as a good, kind, and ;ust king7 /ut he is not- 3ou, )ou m) #rince, are good, kind, ;ust, honoura/le and so man) other 6ualities that a king should #ossessAnd so man) other 6ualities that 0 admire and res#ect )ou for- 0 gladl) offer )ou m) allegiance-, 22 smiled %arml)- *4hank )ou $ald%in- $ut 0 must talk to these five thousand men )ou have /am/oo:led into this /attle-, $ald%in /o%ed- *9f course m) king7, A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A< 22 stood on to# of a stum# in front of the five thousand talking men and %omen-

*<iti:ens of Les#anden+, He shouted out- As one the talking ceased and ever) man and %oman turned their head to 22- .hen the) sa% %ho had addressed them, the) sna##ed to attention*<iti:ens of Les#anden, 0 thank )ou for )our volunteering to aid the realm of Lasgalen- $ut kno% this7 the king of Les#anden himself has denied Lasgalen the aid of Les#anden- 0f )ou ride into /attle %ith me )ou are #artici#ating in treason against his ma;est)- 0f )ou are afraid to face the conse6uences )ou ma) leave no% %ith no ;udgment /eing #assed on )ou %hatsoever7 the choice is )ours-, After a fe% tense seconds a man ste##ed for%ard- He seemed to /e in his late thirties, earl) forties and gre) %as /eginning to a##ear in his hair and his thin /eard- *3oung #rince,, he greeted /o%ing dee#l), *.e kno% %h) )ou disa##eared from these lands t%o )ears ago7 %e kne% of the elves that %ere disa##earing from our villages and %hen %e heard that the king %as not going to go after them %e %ere filled %ith des#air- 4he fact that )ou defied )our father and risked his %rath and )our right to rule this kingdom for the sake of )our #eo#le7 %e figured it5s time %e re#a) that lo)alt)- 7 .e kno% the #rice /ut %e are %illing to sacrifice it for our #rince %ho has risked ever)thing for us and %ho %e kno% admire, res#ect, and love- .e #ledge our allegiance to )ou amara) sa)vor+, He e=claimed thrusting his s%ord into the air*Amara) sa)vor+ Amara) sa)vor+, 4he cr) rang out from the five thousand /rave men and %omen gathered*>rince 2osiah 2ames "oravian+ >rince 2osiah 2ames "oravian+, An authorative voice rang out4he cro%d snickered as 22 hung his head and shook it sadl)- aising his head u# he rolled his e)es and called out in e=as#eration, *3ou can ;ust call me 22+, At that moment a man /roke through the cro%d gar/ed in red and orange attire, he looked like he %as a/la:e*3our highness+, He e=claimed %ith a /o%- aising his head u# he sna##ed to attention- *3our highness 0 am Anik commander of the arm) of the elven kingdom of Silvela- 4he High Queen Selvara and King Lorastor send their greetings7 and si= thousand %arriors7, 4he snickers died do%n as ever)one stared at the ne%comer %ith o#enmouthed sur#riseAnik smirked- *0t has reached their ears of %h) )ou left Les#anden7 to go after )our #eo#le %ho %ere ca#tured /) slave traders- And ho% )ou sta)ed to save ever)one %ho %as ca#tured- 4he reason %e kno% is /ecause some of m) #eo#le %ere ca#tured- 4he) came to visit friends and relatives in Les#anden and %ere ca#tured- 39? rescued them /rave #rince- .e have /een tr)ing to figure out ho% %e can re#a) the de/t %e o%e )ou, though %e kno% that is not #ossi/le %hen it reached our ears )et again that )ou are tr)ing to aid Lasgalen against an attack from these same slave traders- .e kno% that )our father has denied the aid so %e offer )ou ours- 0t is an honour and a #rivilege to fight alongside one that #ossesses the 6ualities )ou do- 4heir ma;esties also do not %ant another elven cit) to fall to

human greed- .hat ha##ened to &eilar %as a mistake7 histor) %ill not re#eat itself %ith Lasgalen-, 22 /o%ed in hum/le thanks*Hear+ Hear+ ousing s#eech sir+, A mid thirties man ste##ed for%ard gar/ed in dark green and dark /lue %ith dark hair and a full dark /eard- 22 came do%n from the stum# %ith a /road smile and reaching the man gras#ed his forearm as the man did the same to 22*Smell) irksome human-, 22 6ui##ed*High and might) self righteous elf-, 4he man snarked /ack4hen releasing 225s arm the man gras#ed .illiam5s forearm as .illiam did the same*3ou old %ind/ag-, .illiam ;oked affectionatel)*3ou kno%-it-all sho% off-, 4he man 6ui##ed /ack %ith a /ig smile*9ka), oka) )ou gu)s o/viousl) kno% each other- Ho% a/out introducing the rest of us1, Am/er asked im#atientl) /ut %ith a huge smile that %as hidden /) her /andana4he man looked to her and s%ee#ing into a /o% introduced himself- *0 am "ilo- 0 hail from the human realm of agmar %here Arachnar reigns as king-, 8odding to 22 and .illiam he added, *.hen these t%o /o:os visited agmar the) got involved in some stu#id stuff and managed to ro#e me in as %ell- 8aturall) 0 had to save their hides and thus /egan the start of a /eautiful friendshi#- As m) #unishment 0 %as a##ointed commander of his ma;est)5s arm)- .e kno% that t%o )ears ago elves %ere disa##earing from Les#anden- Arachnar %as greatl) dis#leased %hen he heard that King Karan refused to go after his o%n #eo#le- .hen %e learned that )ou left to save them and sta)ed for t%o )ears in @evil5s Land saving an) that found themselves ca#tured 05m afraid m) king has #laced )ou on an e=alted #edestal that )ou %ill never /e taken do%n from- Hearing that )ou %ish to aid Lasgalen %e decided to offer our assistance- 4he fact that )ou aiding Lasgalen is def)ing )our father5s direct orders is ;ust a /onus- ") king offers )ou assistance in the form of five thousand %arriors7, 22 couldn5t hel# smiling and chuckling- *So no% 0 have an arm) that consists of five thousand men and %omen from Les#anden, si= thousand men and %omen from Silvela, and five thousand men and %omen from agmar7 %arriors, healers, elementals, elementresses, %i:ards, %itches, sorcerers, sorceresses7 /ut7, aising his head he looked to the gathered, e=#ectant arm), *0t is m) dut) to inform )ou that %e are not going against ;ust mere slave traders /ut also merciless killers that are not from this land, not from this realm, not even from this %orld- And also from the evil cro%n #rince of the elven Salindur clan, >rince "ahtinar- 4hese are over%helming odds from different races and challenging adversaries, if an) of )ou do not %ish to go against these odds )ou ma) leave %ithout an) fear of condemnation from me-, 4he men and %omen gathered there all shared a look /efore taking u# the cr), *Amara) sa)vor+ Amara) sa)vor+, again %ith si=teen thousands s%ords, s#ears, and other %ea#ons /eing thrust into the air in victor) and trium#hant-

22 smiled at his arm), his /rave soldiers- 4hrusting his s%ord into the air he shouted, *4o Lasgalen+, *49 LAS(ALE8+, A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A< As the arm) /egan its march to Lasgalen there %as much merriment, ri//ing /et%een the soldiers, elves and humans, men and %omen alike, and a ;ovial mood %as evident- All of a sudden a cr) of alarm rang out- $o%s %ere aimed to%ards the sk) %here a large dark cloud %as seenAm/er glanced to the sk) and %ith her e)es %ide in alarm shouted, *Lo%er )our %ea#ons+ L9.E 39? .EA>98S+, 22 gave Am/er a 6uestioning look and looked to the sk)- .hen he sa% %hat she sa% he also shouted, *L9.E 39? .EA>98S+++, 4he soldiers lo%ered their %ea#ons %ith 6uestioning looks- 4he) didn5t get the chance to voice their confusion /ecause at that #recise moment the ground shook as the cloud landedAm/er %ith a glad, e=cited smile ran to the cloud7 of gr)#hons7 *8asir+ ") good and lo)al friend+ .hat are )ou doing here1+, She asked e=citedl) as she #et the gr)#hon8asir /o//ed his head u# and do%nAm/er5s look turned to confusion- *3ou5re here7 to hel# us1+, 4he arm) could s%ear the) sa% the gr)#hon smile- Am/er /eamed as she thre% her arms around 8asir5s neck- >ulling /ack she asked, *$ut7 /ut ho%1--- 3ou5re kidding+ .hen did )ou /ecome the gr)#hon king )ou little rascal1, She ri//ed affectionatel), her smile turning to o#en-mouthed sur#rise- Her smile returning to her face she turned /ack to 22 and told him, *3ou have the gr)#hon king fighting /) )our side as %ell as si=teen thousand gr)#hons7, She let the sentence hangA ho#ing 22 %ould catch her drift22 gave her a confused look, and then his mouth dro##ed o#en- 4urning his attention to 8asir he gave him a /ig smile and %ith a dee# /o% choked out, *4hank )ou7, Straightening /ack u# he turned his attention to his arm), *"ount u#+, 4he) hesitantl) a##roached the regal, magnificent creatures, not %illing to diso/e) 22, and slo%l), hesitantl), cautiousl) clim/ed on to# of them*Alright then+, Am/er shouted cla##ing her hands together to gain their attention*0 %ant the elementals, elementresses, %i:ards, %itches, sorcerers, and sorceresses over here,, she directed #ointing to her left- *4he %arriors here,, she #ointed straight in front of her- *And the healers over here,, she #ointed to her right- .hen ever)one sto##ed moving and shuffling around she continued- *.hen %e get to Lasgalen the elementals, elementresses, %i:ards, %itches, sorcerers, and sorceresses %ill lead the charge- 4he %arriors are to follo% and the healers are last /ut certainl) not least- 0t is not that 0 think )ou hel#less or %eakA the fact is though that )ou gu)s can kee# us alive- 4here are enough here that 0 %ant A4 LEAS4 t%o

%arriors %ith each healer- 0 don5t care ho% )ou gu)s figure it out /ut do it 6uickl)4his %a) )ou have a healer close /) if )ou get in;ured and that %a) the healers can heal on the /attlefield %ithout getting slain- 7 07 0 cannot thank )ou /rave men and %omen enough for coming to the aid of m) cit), of m) #eo#le- 4his7 this is a de/t that can never /e re#aid- $ut7 if ever )ou need aid send %ord to Lasgalen and %e %ill /e there- 8asuada va)-, She thanked them, /o%ing in res#ect- Lifting her head she smiled and re#eating 22 shouted, *4o Lasgalen+, #um#ing her fist into the air*49 LAS(ALE8+, Am/er mounted 8asir and %ith a *H3AH+, the) %ere soaring through the airA<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A< Am/er used her elven e)esight to scan the /attle %hen she came to7 *Him7, she snarled- *3ou /BBBBBd7, *Ame1---, 22 asked uncertainl) as his gr)#hon fle% close to 8asir*4hat5s the slave trader %ho took m) %ea#ons from me7, She gro%led, angling 8asir so that she could fl) directl) to @evon- 225s gr)#hon fle% in front of her, effectivel) /locking her*227, She threatened*8o- .e have more im#ortant things to %orr) a/out than )our %ounded #ride over having )our %ea#ons taken, like the fact that there are si=teen thousand soldiers do%n there fighting for Lasgalen- And an)%a) Larkland made )ou ne% %ea#ons so )ou5re not %ea#onless- And )our ne% %ea#ons A E of the highest 6ualit)-, 22 reasoned %ith herAm/er sighed angril)- *7 9ka)- $ut %hen %e defeat them 0 am finding him and making him suffer greatl)-, She made to turn around /ut then noticed that @evon %as chasing someone, a little girl %ith flame-red hair a/ounding %ith loose ringlets7 *<arina7 m) dear little one7, Am/er %his#ered fearfull)- 4hen %ith a determined look she urged 8asir to%ards the fleeing figures*A"$E +, 22 shouted angril)A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A< Am/er carefull) navigated 8asir to the o#ening of the tight alle) that mere moments /efore <arina had fled into follo%ed closel) /) @evon and /) her count ten menShe kne% 8asir %ould never fit so %hen he %as a/out to enter the alle), she #ulled him u# short and did a front fli# over his head, dra%ing her dou/le s%ords as she sailed gracefull) through the air to land lightl) on her feet dro##ing to one knee as she did /efore straightening u# and running dee#er into the alle), ignoring 8asir5s sounds of distress /ehind her and the tingling feeling cra%ling u# her s#ine like something, something /ad, %as going to ha##en-

She didn5t have to run far /efore she caught u# %ith the stragglers of @evon5s little grou#At her ra#id a##roach the) turned and %hen the) noticed her the) dre% their %ea#ons and sli##ed into an attacking stance, effectivel) /locking her from moving for%ard- 7 0f she %anted to get #ast them, she had to fight through them- She slid her left foot for%ard and slid her right foot in a circular motion causing her to s#in in a circle as %ell- As she came /ack to her starting #osition her s%ords clashed %ith those of @evon5s men- She s%ung /oth her %rists slicing through the chest of the t%o men closest to her- As the) fell her right hand s%ung u#%ard to /lock the s%ord of another man %ith a snarl on his face- As their s%ords locked she s%ung her other s%ord around to cut into his side- .renching her s%ord in her left hand free she s%ung it around and used it to cut into the stomach of another man- 4he last t%o men rushed her together causing Am/er to use one s%ord for each of them- As their s%ords locked together Am/er struggled to untangle herself- She had to reach <arina+ .ith a roar she dro##ed her defensive stance %hich caused the men to carve dee# gashes into her forearms- @ro##ing her s%ords com#letel) she aimed her hands at them shooting out #illars of earth and knocking them flat on their /acks, unconsciousAm/er sighed and s%a)ing a little on her feet she tried running /ut onl) managed to stum/le for%ard- She %ould heal her arms later right no% she had to reach that slave trader /efore he harmed <arina7 She didn5t have to go far /efore she rounded a corner and came face to face %ith @evon holding a knife to )oung, struggling <arina5s throat- Am/er5s heart constricted #ainfull) as she sa% the tears running do%n <arina5s cheeks- 4he last time Am/er had seen her she had /een four and so little and chu//) no% she %as si= and had gro%n and %as no% #leasantl) #lum#- Am/er #ointed her s%ord threateningl) at @evon- *Let7 her7 go7, she gro%led@evon smiled and added a little /it more #ressure to the knife at the girl5s throat causing a thin line of /lood to a##ear and a small amount to trickle do%n the skin of her throat- <arina %him#ered as her tears increased- Am/er aimed her right hand at @evon- 4he knife removed itself from <arina5s throat- @evon5s face %ore a look of terror- *<arina7 go7 get to safet)7, Am/er ordered #erha#s a /it roughl) /ut she could feel her /andana sli##ing from her face- <arina thankfull) %as not in shock long and ran for her life- As soon as she %as sure <arina %as gone Am/er removed the offending /andana- * emem/er me )ou son of a /BBBh1+, She asked angril)@evon5s look of terror disa##eared as a sick smile no% graced his features*Ah )es7 the little demon maiden, the savior of that little insignificant village7 %hich %as it1, Am/er took a ste# for%ard, her rage evident- *7 @arvan7, She gro%led@evon5s sick smile onl) gre% /igger- *Ah )es7 @arvan7 and )ou gave me such #rett) gifts7, He gloated, o#ening his cloak to reveal her daggersAm/er s%ung her arm /ack to thro% a fire/all at @evon %hen she felt her arm /eing gra//ed and roughl) %renched /ehind her- 4hen she felt herself /eing

#ushed to her knees- @evon leaned over her and gra//ing her hair %renched her head /ack so she %as forced to look at him*8ice tr)7 elementress7 /ut 05m not so stu#id7, 4hro%ing her head for%ard he gro%led to the rest of his men, four of them, *Hold her do%n7, As Am/er %as forced to the ground, struggling fiercel), he took off her /oots and his smile got even /igger, if that %as even #ossi/le, as he discovered her ne% daggers hiddenemoving them he e=amined them glinting in the sunlight- *Ah7 0 see that )ou have ac6uired ne% %ea#ons to re#lace the ones 0 o/tained- 4hese are magnificent7 0 might ;ust have to sei:e these as %ell7, Am/er /ecame more enraged- *3ou touch m) %ea#ons 0 %ill slaughter )ou violentl)+, She screamed as she struggled more fiercel) against the four men holding her do%n- @evon rolled his e)es in e=as#eration- *9h reall)7 can5t )ou think of an)thing more original1---, He asked sadl) and then turning his ga:e /ack to Am/er he grinned evill)- *3ou5re so furious7 )ou5ve alread) tried to use )our elements on me and no% threatening to kill me1 7 4sk, tsk, tsk, %e can5t have that no% can %e7, And %ith an evil trium#hant smile he sta//ed her ne% dagger into her right #alm- Am/er5s mouth dro##ed o#en, /ut she 6uickl) shut it and ;ust gritted her teeth instead- @evon took her other ne% dagger and slo%l) cut her right cheek, *<ome on no%7- 8ot even one little scream /et%een old friends1---, 4hen he sta//ed her left #alm %ith the other ne% dagger- Am/er had to reall) concentrate on controlling her /reathing and not shouting in #ain or vomiting*4here %e go- $ut 0 also kno% that )ou can use )our elements through )our feet so7 let5s take care of that, shall %e1, He disa##eared from vie% and Am/er thought ma)/e he had left until she felt e=cruciating #ain in her feet- A gas# of #ain managed to esca#e from her li#s- *Here7 no% there5s a heated /lock of stone attached to )our feet- Ho% does it feel to have )our feet /urned /BBBh1, He taunted t%isting the daggers around in /oth of Am/er5s handsAm/er /it do%n hard on her li#, dra%ing /lood@evon5s smile ;ust got sicker- He leaned do%n and %his#ered, *3ou reall) are /eautiful- 7 "a)/e 0 can get something more from )ou7, He o/served as he un/uttoned the first and then the second /utton on her shirt- Am/er made to struggle and a gas# of #ain esca#ed her li#s as the daggers /it dee#er into her skin0n her anger and fear she had forgotten the) %ere there- She %as getting scared no%- She had onl) done this once /efore and it hadn5t ended %ell, /ut %ith her hands and feet out of commission it %as her last resort, al/eit a ver) #ainful oneShe focused her fire #o%er in%ard and rearing her head /ack /reathed fire at @evon much like a dragon does, a monstrous /la:e- @evon ho%ever sna##ed his head /ack and though he avoided much of the fire he no% resem/led (erard $utler as >hantom of the 9#era- 7 .ithout the mask- @evon snarled and /ackhanded Am/er making her cheek s#lit o#en and her head hit the #avement- He gra//ed the daggers in her hands and t%isted them violentl)- *3ou demon7 0 %ill make )ou #a) dearl) for that+, He gro%led and gra//ed her shirt in his hands, making to ri# it o#en.hen his head sna##ed u# to attention-

Am/er heard it too- Something %as ha##ening %ith the /attle7 *Sir+ Sir+ "ore allies from Les#anden are here+ 9ur men7 our men are d)ing+ .e5re losing+, A man %ith a /andana around his mouth re#orted to @evon@evon snarled and %ith a scream of rage ri##ed the daggers out of Am/er5s #alms onl) to slam them /ack in again- He reached /ehind him and Am/er felt the #ain in her feet intensif)He gra//ed her hair and forcing her to look at him he snarled at her, *05ve got #lans for )ou /BBBh7 and7 unfortunatel)7 the) re6uire )ou still /reathing7, 4hen he %as gone from her sight*Ame+ 7 Am)+, Am/er tried to get her mouth to %ork, to call out %here she %as7 /ut her %orst fear %as confirmed- 0t had ha##ened again- 4he last time she had tried that trick %as %hen she %anted to sho% u# )anHer throat had /een /urned for monthsShe could onl) %his#er and even then it had caused her #ain- She %as falling into des#air, the #ain %as e=cruciatingl) horri/le, %hen she heard feet running to%ards her and .illiam calling out, *Am)1--- 9h m) gosh7 Am)7 22 0 found her+ <ome 6uick+ 4he) did something reall) /ad to her+, Am/er tried /reathing normall) around the #ain and tried to get her voice to %ork around the #ain in her throat- *.ill7, She could onl) %his#er as a %him#er esca#ed her li#sHe knelt do%n /eside her- *9h7 oh lass7, *")7 m) /and7 /andana7, She tried telling him- He 6uickl) reached into his #ants and #ulling one out 6uickl) tied it to cover her face- $efore he did though he sa% her smile of gratitude*.ill+ .ill, %here5s7 9h m) gosh7 )n+, He had /een running and slid to his knees as he got closer to her, much like sliding to home #lateHe /rushed her /angs /ack from her forehead tenderl) as 2ohn and Larkland a##eared as %ell*9h dear Eltasiron no7, 2ohn muttered*.hat1 .hat is it dear /rother1, Larkland asked %orriedl)*She7 her cheek is s#lit o#en, the to# t%o /uttons on her /louse are un/uttoned and7 there are daggers #lunged dee#l) into her #alms %hich are /leeding #rofusel) and7 and there5s a red hot /lock of stone #ressed against her /are feet-, He e=#lained sadl)- Larkland shook his head sadl)*")7 throat7 07 dragon7, She managed to %his#er out around the coughing22 shook his head in dis/elief- *She also /reathed fire like a dragon, /ig and /la:ing7, He said loudl) enough for 2ohn and Larkland to hear- C>ostedD C8ot #ostedD *2a;e7 2a;e7 #lease7 #lease7 get them out7 it hurts7 it hurts reall) /ad7 #lease7 make it sto#7, She #leaded in a soft, %his#er-like voice then coughed violentl) as her throat e=#loded into #ain-

225s lo%er li# trem/led as he heard her #lead, /eg- He heard the #ain so evident in her voice and couldn5t image the level of #ain she %as e=#eriencing- And he kne% ho% /adl) this %as %ounding her #ride to ask for hel#- 0f she %as %illing to do that7 it %as /ad22 nodded his head- *5Ka)7 oka) s%eetie7 )ou got it7, *2osiah 2ames7, .illiam started /ut had to sto# %hen 22 gave him a determined /ut #leading look- *7 .hat do )ou need me to do7, 22 sighed heavil)- *7 Hold7 hold her still7 this is going to /e 6uite #ainful and she could do more damage to her hands if she thrashes around7, .illiam nodded sadl) and held Am/er5s %rists gentl) /ut firml)22 moved so that he %as /ehind her no% and %ith a 6uick nod at .illiam he 6uickl) )anked the dagger out of her right #almAm/er %ould have screamed in #ain, /ut her throat %as too /adl) damaged, all she could do %as %him#er as tears cascaded ra#idl) do%n her cheeks.illiam 6uickl) released Am/er5s %rist as 22 6uickl) reached for her small, delicate hand and encased it in his large, calloused ones and as Am/er5s hand disa##eared a glo% emanated from 225s clas#ed hands- After a fe% seconds 22 #laced the no% healed hand on Am/er5s chest and %ith another 6uick nod to .illiam 6uickl) %renched free the other dagger and again .illiam released Am/er5s %rist as 22 6uickl) held it and then healed it- Am/er5s face %as no% %et %ith all the tears she had shed and her throat %as sore and full of #ain from the times she had tried to scream.illiam glanced do%n at Am/er, s)m#ath) %ritten all over his face- He reached a hand out and gentl) /rushed her hair /ack- *3ou5re doing good kiddo7 reall) good- 225s almost done- He5s almost done- 7 05m so S9 sorr) %e failed )ou7 %e should have /een here7 %e should have sto##ed that monster /efore he could hurt )ou7 %e should have7, *Shhh7 sh, sh, sh7, Am/er interru#ted in a %his#er, taking her recentl) healed hand and holding it to .illiam5s cheek soothed him- *07 0 shouldn5t have7 run7 run off like that7, She managed to %his#er out /efore she started coughing again, adding more #ain to her alread) sorel) damaged throat.illiam smiled s)m#atheticall) /ut %ith a hint of fatherl) #ride as %ell*3ou5re right7 )ou shouldn5t have7 /ut if )ou hadn5t <arina %ould /e dead7, Am/er 6uirked an e)e/ro% 6uestioningl) at that statement.illiam chuckled softl)- *Ho% do )ou think %e found )ou1 <arina came running out of this alle) screaming a/out someone #lease hel# this /andana %earing lad) %ho had ;ust saved her7, Am/er smiled- *07 told her7 to7 to find her7 #arents7 she7 she al%a)s did7 have a good heart7, Am/er managed to stutter out*9ka)7 .ill, don5t let her struggle-, 22 gentl) ordered- He #laced a shield around his hands to #rotect him from the heated stone and then using his earth element he slo%l) cooled do%n the stone- He gentl) removed the stone from her feet and 6uickl) used his healing %ater to erase the /urns from Am/er5s feet- As

soon as the) %ere /a/) smooth once again he told .illiam, *(o find me an em#t) cu# #lease-, .illiam gave Am/er5s %rists a reassuring s6uee:e /efore going to do %hat 22 had re6uested9nce .illiam left 22 sat Am/er u# and leaned her against his chest- He let his hands glo% gentl) %ith his healing #o%er and holding /oth her hands he gentl) massaged her recentl) healed #alms adding more healing to themAm/er ti##ed her head /ack, leaning it against his chest and looking u# into his face she smiled- *4hank7 thank )ou-, He could /arel) hear she /arel) %his#ered- He smiled do%n at her and holding a finger to her li#s gentl) shushed her*.ait until .illiam gets /ack %ith that cu# and %e5ll have )ou talking full /last again in no time, talking ever)one5s ear off7, Am/er chuckled sadl)- *0n that case7 /etter7 /etter leave me7 like this7 0 kno%7 ho% anno)ing7 0 can7 0 can get7 0 kno%7 0 kno% that7 that at least7 that at least Hana#u7 Hana#u %ould /e7 %ould /e ha##)7 if7 if 0 can5t7 if 0 can5t talk7, 22 shook his head sadl)- *.ould )ou shut u# alread)1 3ou5re ;ust causing )ourself more #ain /) talking- And 0 for one, need someone to /anter %ith so 0 am definitel) restoring )our throat if onl) for that reason- Scre% Hana#u7 he5s ;ust a mood), angr) at the %orld and ever)one in it kind of gu)- Listen to )our friends instead-, Am/er gentl) el/o%ed 225s leg- *Shhh7 )ou7 )ou /e nice7 other%ise7 other%ise 05m going to have7 going to have to hurt )ou7 he5s7 he is7 m) friend7 and 07 0 %on5t have7 0 %on5t have )ou7 talking a/out him that7 that %a)7, 22 rolled his e)es in defeat- *5Ka)7 oka) ;ust7 ;ust sto# talking alread)7 Eka)1, He #leadedAm/er chuckled- *0 thought7 0 thought )ou %anted7 )ou %anted me to talk7, 22 rolled his e)es again, this time in e=as#eration though- *0 do7 0 do ;ust7 ;ust after %e heal )our throat oka)1 0 can see the #ain cross )our face each time )ou s#eak and )ou grimace as )ou talk- 2ust give it a rest Eka) S#ark)1, Am/er gave him a 6uestioning look22 chuckled- *"atches )our #ersonalit), tem#er, and hair7, He some%hat e=#lained as he #la)ed %ith a tendril of her hair- Am/er gentl) el/o%ed him again- 22 chuckled again- *S#ark) for )our tem#er, for )our hair %hich is au/urn colored, and )our #ersonalit) %hich is )ou5re a light that /rightens ever)one5s da), )our tem#er, lo)alt), and honor can /e ignited %ith ;ust one s#ark7 %ell7 )ou get the #icture7, He then moved his hands to her shoulders and started to gentl) massage and knead them %hile #ouring healing through his hands and into her shoulders- *0f )ou sta) tense like this all the time )ou5ll lose )our fle=i/ilit)7, Am/er smiled sadl)- *07 0 can5t remem/er7 a time %hen 0 %asn5t tense7, 22 shook his head- *4hat5s ;ust sad-, Am/er tilted her head /ack to look at him and %hen she caught his ga:e she scrunched u# her nose and stuck her tongue out

at him- 22 ;ust laughed softl) and removing one of his hands from her shoulder he used his inde= finger to lightl) ta# the ti# of her nose /efore going /ack to massaging her shouldersAt that moment .illiam arrived %ith the em#t) cu#- 4aking it from him 22 asked sim#l), *Status re#ort1, .illiam sat do%n /eside him and after 6uickl) ru//ing his e)es he re#orted, *.e lost a/out t%o thousand from all three classes, men and %omen alike, according to $ald%in- According to Anik he5s lost men and %omen alike, from all three classes as %ell in the total of a/out t%o thousand as %ell- According to "ilo he5s lost a/out fifteen hundred, men and %omen alike, from all three classes- And 9#hion told me that Lasgalen has lost a/out a thousand from all three classes, men and %omen alike- 0 don5t kno% ho% man) of the enem) got a%a)-, *4hat7 slave trader %ho7 took m) %ea#ons7 at @arvan7 and7 and four of his men7 that7 that 0 kno% of7, 22 glared gentl) at Am/er- *8o7 more7 talking7 %ait7 t%o, He held u# t%o fingers, *Seconds7 can )ou do that1 <an )ou /e #atient for once and %ait that long1, Am/er crossed her arms angril) across her chest indignantl)- *0t5s going to take longer than t%o seconds7, She mum/led in a %his#er22 chuckled and shook his head- *$rat7, >lacing his hand flat over the o#ening of the cu# #alm facing do%n he #oured healing %ater into the cu#- As he #laced it to Am/er5s li#s she drank the healing %ater*Slo% do%n7 not too fast7 )ou5ll make )ourself sick7, 22 cautioned- Am/er ;ust glared at him %hich caused .illiam to chuckle, his accent thick even in his chuckle*@on5t /e u#set lass- .e kno% )ou5re not a /a/) /ut7 after all )ou5ve /een through7 making )ourself sick %on5t hel# matters-, He tried reasoning %ith the offended Am/er- $ut his %ords %ere %asted as Am/er %as fast aslee#- .illiam5s face registered shock- He looked u# to find 227 %ho %asn5t shocked7 in fact, he looked7 relieved- 0t da%ned on .illiam*8o7 no )ou did not+, He /erated 22- *3ou did 894 ;ust drug her+, At 225s des#airing look he continued, *2osiah 2ames she is going to SLA?(H4E )ou %hen she regains consciousness+, *.ill7 the healing %ater has healed the e=terior of her throat /ut %hen she tries to talk she5ll meet a %all of #ain- 7 4he same goes for her hands and feet- 0f7 if she tries to use her elements .illiam she5s going to meet a %all of #ain- 4o /reak through that %all %ill cause7 un/eara/le #ain- 7 .ill7 0 don5t think she5s ever going to use her elements ever again- 07 0 think she ;ust lost her element #o%ers7, A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A<A< Am/er slo%l) regained consciousness- She %as la)ing on a soft /ed and looking at the /ed set she noticed ho% it e=uded elegance and chic- She recogni:ed the /ed set, it %as the Amar)llis /ed set- She recogni:ed it /ecause of the stri#ed accents and delicate floral em/roider) that %ere in a /lue, multi #attern- She could

feel the #ol)ester material- 4he comforter %as thick and fluff), the fitted sheet and flat sheet felt like slee#ing on clouds as did the t%o #illo%cases- 4he /edskirt reminded her of the /eds in the #alace as did the t%o #lush shams, t%o Euro shams, the t%o FG, = FH, o/long #illo%s, and the 6, = F!, neck roll #illo%- 4he four FHI = !J, valances, four JGI = HJI dra#es, and the four tie/acks decorating the %indo%s made sure that the sunlight that drifted through the %indo%s %ere muted, enough light to see ever)thing /ut not enough light to hurt her e)es- She gra//ed the sheets, making to thro% them off herself, %hen the material ru//ed against her ne%l) healed #alms, irritating them /e)ond /elief- She ignored it though and #laced her feet on the hard%ood floor- 0t felt like her feet had fallen aslee# though and as she #laced her %eight on /oth feet she colla#sed to the floor creating a loud thum#At that moment the door fle% o#en and .illiam, 22, 2ohn, Larkland, and K)le came running into the room