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The Guardian Crusade

Volume I



Chapter 10



Kevin leaned on the dresser as he looked his face over in the mirror. He had healed a lot in the last couple of hours. Thanks to his cure spells he was feeling better, and his head wasn’t hurting. When he heard the door opened he turned around and saw three guards walk in with the Mage behind them.



“You have healed nicely.” She said with a nod. Kevin didn’t say anything as he kept space between him and her. “So, Rem tells me you are the eldest out of your friends.” The Mage said as she walked over to Rayne’s bed. “And I must say you are a beautiful looking Human.” She said as she looked him up and down.



“Well baby, I must say you are a nasty looking one.” He said as he leaned back on the dresser still looking at her with a half cocked smile. The guards didn’t stand for it and they grabbed him and forced him to his knees. The Mage furious with what he said flew off the bed and stood in front of him. She glared at him, grunted in anger at him, and he wonder if she was going to strike him again.



“Bring him.” Halian said as she spun around her robe slapping Kevin in the face. The guards stood him up as she opened the bedroom door and they followed her out, pushing and shoving Kevin through the doorway. As the group walked down the hall there was a loud crash from up above. The group dropped to the ground as dust from above fell from the ceiling and they quickly looked up. Kevin was slammed to the floor as the guards pinned his head down.



“What was that?” One of the guards shouted. Then there were loud thunderous stomping steps from above, the roof shook with every step, and Kevin wonder if it would fall.



“M’Lady?” One of the guards said as the sound made its way down the stairwell, down the hallway in front of them.



“Get up, get up.” The Mage shouted and as the guards began pulling Kevin up he saw the Mage reach for him. “You, come with me.” She hissed at him. “Guards go upstairs.” She shouted back at them. The three soldiers that were with them ran past them and headed to the stairs. They were stopped when a giant man, looked like he was made from dirt appeared from the hallway stairs.



Kevin’s eyes went wide as he saw it. It stood at least ten feet tall, his head almost touching the ceilings. His body was covered in mud and sticks, his teeth were large and jagged, and when the thing turned and saw the group of guards and the Mage, it roared, no more like screamed and screeched at them. Its arms went flying up into the air and as they did Kevin saw Nick running down the stairs.



“Found him!” Nick shouted, almost nonchalantly up the stairs. Kevin watched as Nick motioned for the beast to do something and then it took of running for the guards. As one guard ran at it, the giant man beast swung his arm and sent the soldier flying into the wall. That was enough for the other guards, they weren’t that nuts and they took of running, passed Kevin, and passed the Mage as she screamed at them. As Kevin looked back to the stairs he saw the rest of the Gang.



“You’re late!” Kevin shouted at them.



“His fault!” The guys shouted back as they pointed to Aj. Kevin started to laugh when he felt the wall slam up against his face, and his head started pounding again. Then he felt the Mage let go of him as a loud smashing sound exploded behind him. Quickly he turned around and saw the Mage holding her hand, he look to the group and saw Aj standing in front of them. Kevin decided to use this as his chance; quickly he reached down and grabbed a sword that was lying on the ground from one of the guards. Picking it up, he looked at the Mage as she spun around and looked at him but her attention was taken by the giant beast running at her. The Mage sent out spell after spell as she backed away from the beast as he came at her.



“Kev!” He heard Nick shout and he looked over. “Let’s go!” He said rolling his eyes. Kevin started running towards his friends. Then out of no where guards came running down the stairs and they erupted into a fight. Spells where flying left and right, swords were swinging and people were shouting.



“The Orc is down!” Kevin heard Nick shout and he looked back to the giant beast which laid on the ground, quickly he scanned for the Mage and saw her heading right for them. Something caught his eye and he spun to his left and saw a guard coming at him. He swung out his sword, hit the soldier with a holy spell and then slammed him into the wall, knocking the guard out. As he turned around another guard came at him, he brought his arm up but he wasn’t quick enough and the guard grabbed it pulling him up. Another guard came up behind him and grabbed his other arm. He jerked and pulled trying to get away, he tried to look back for Aj or the guys but he couldn’t see them. As he turned his head he saw the Mage pick up a sword and head straight for him. Kevin’s mind went blank he couldn’t remember the bubble spell he had preformed so many times, nothing came to mind as he watch the Mage pull the sword back.



He closed his eyes and flinched waiting for it, for the sharp pain to rip through his body. But after the thoughts of the pain left his head, he realized there was none. Slowly he opened his eyes and then he opened them wider as he saw Rayne standing in front of him. As the adrenaline rushed through his body Kevin head butted one of the guards, he let go of Kevin’s arm reaching for his head in pain, and Kevin used that as an opportunity to punch the other guard. The guards fell away from him and he quickly turned his attention back to Rayne and the Mage.



Kevin saw Rayne still standing in front of him, her back too him, he looked past her and saw the Mage slowly stepping backwards as she stared at her daughter. Kevin ran at the Mage with his sword out but before he got to her she disappeared into then air. Kevin spun around and saw Rayne pulling the sword out of her stomach. He ran up to her as she started to fall to her knees and he caught her, slowly lowering her to the floor. He looked at her with panic as she looked back at him the same way. Her breathing was short and quick and she lightly moaned in pain as Kevin laid her down.



“Stay calm Rayne.” Kevin said to her as she gasped a little. Kevin looked up and searched the hall for Brian.



“Brian!” Kevin shouted as loud as he could, it was so loud it made Brian jump. Quickly he looked back down to Rayne. Her colour was pale, her breathing was more like gasps and her eyes quickly searched around as Brian came up to them.



“Rayne?” Kevin heard Aj say and he looked up and saw Aj standing over them. He was staring at Rayne and he slowly dropped to his knees. “What happened?” Aj asked as he looked at Kevin.



“She jumped in front of me; I don’t know it happened so fast.” Kevin said looking at Aj. Kevin watched as Rayne’s hand reached up for Aj. Her hand covered in her blood but Aj didn’t care as he took it and looked at her.



“Brian?” Kevin asked as he looked to his cousin.



“I’m trying but I can’t cure her fast enough.” Brian said as Kevin looked back to Aj and Rayne.



“Hang on ok?” Aj said to her as he brushed her hair from her face. Rayne just lightly smiled at him as her eyes slowly blinked. Kevin watched as Rayne took a breath and then nothing. “Rayne?” Aj said as he looked at her hand as she let go of his. “Rayne?” He said again as he looked back at her. Kevin’s heart sank as Aj started crying. He looked up at Howie and Nick, both were standing there stunned. Nick was holding Nalia as she cried against his chest. Kevin looked back down at Aj, he was still holding Rayne’s hand as he looked down at the ground.



“Brian.” Aj said his tone was emotionless and stern. “Raise her.”



“What?” Brian said looking at him. “I can’t do that.”



“You’re a Priest. Raise her.” Aj said looking at him.



“Did they show you how?” Kevin asked his cousin.



“Yeah but I’m not..I mean they said it doesn’t always work, like two percent odds.” Brian said with panic in his voice.”



“Please Brian you have to try.” Nalia said as Kevin and Brian looked up at her. Kevin looked at Brain and his cousin was already looking at him.



“You gotta try man.” Kevin said.



“Fine.” Brian said as he took her hands. He put her hands down on her stomach and placed his over hers. Kevin watched as Brian closed his eyes. He looked at Aj, his friend was staring at Brian’s hands. A light started to admit from them and Kevin looked at Brian.



“Is it working?” Nick asked when he saw the light.



“Not yet, that is the spell.” Nalia said as she tried to calm herself.



Kevin looked back down at Aj, it broke his heart to see him like this, and for the first time he was glad they weren’t on Earth. He knew Aj was going to have a hard time dealing with this so the further he was away from the vises of the past the better.



When Kevin heard someone gasp for air his head shot down at Rayne, she gasped for air again as she started coughing. Kevin slowly turned his head and looked at Brian as Aj called for Rayne.



“Whoa dude.” Kevin said looking at Brian. Brian didn’t say anything as he slowly pulled his hands away and looked at them. He looked back at Aj and he was picking Rayne up in his arms.



“Is she?” Kevin said to Aj as he stood up.



“She’s breathing, that’s all I know, I need to take her to the Springs in Winnol.” Aj said as Kevin helped Brian up.



“Did I just?” Brian said looking at Kevin.



“Guys.” Nick said as he walked up to them. “We’ve got company.” He said nodding down the hall. Kevin turned around and saw the Mage standing at the end of the hall. Nalia walked out from behind him as she pulled her swords from their sashes, on her back.



“Get her to Winnol.” Nalia said looking at Aj. Aj nodded and turned around, Brian and Howie followed him as he ran up the stairs.



“You’re not going to fight her by yourself.” Nick said as he walked up beside Nalia.



“Yeah, Aj’s got Rayne, we can take this.” Kevin said turning to Nalia and Nick.



“Petty little human’s you have no idea who you are dealing with.” The Mage shouted at them.



“Hey, he’s a Dwarf.” Kevin said pointing to Nick sounding a little insulted.



“Yeah!” Nick shouted at her. “Wait, hey, you ass.” Nick said looking at him.



“Silence!” The Mage shouted as she sent an ice bolt at Nick and it sent him back a couple of feet. Nalia charged after her, readying her swords in the hair. As an Ice bolt flew at Nalia, she spun out of the way. A dark purple stream caught Kevin’s eye and he looked over to Nick, then to the Mage as she was sent flying against the wall.



“Nalia let’s go!” Nick shouted to her as she looked at him. When he saw the Mage getting up he sent another shadow bolt at her. This time she blocked it with a shield spell and she sent a fire ball at Nick. Kevin raised his arm and protected Nick with the bubble spell, the fire ball exploded against the glowing aura around Nick. He watched as Nick slowly brought his arms down and looked at Kevin.



“Thanks dude.” Nick said with a very grateful smile. Kevin smiled lightly as he looked back to the Mage who was fighting Nalia. Nalia was attacking fast and hard with her swords against the Mages’ staff. The staff broke and sparked as it shattered into pieces. Kevin watched as the Mage grabbed onto Nalia tossing her over the staircase balcony and then the Mage went over too.



“Nalia!” Nick shouted as he ran to the balcony wall, Kevin ran right behind him. They came to a dead stopped and looked over the edge. The Mage laid on the bottom floor, when they heard a little grunt they looked down against the wall and saw Nalia holding on to one of her swords as it stuck out of the wall. Nick and Kevin quickly reached down and grabbed her arm. Together they pulled her up and over the balcony wall. “Are you ok?” Nick asked frantic.



“Yes, I am fine.” Nalia said a little out of breath. “Do you think she is dead?” She asked as the three of them looked over the balcony. Kevin and Nick looked at each other; they had seen enough movies too know.



“They never are.” Kevin said looking at Nick.



“Yeah, let’s get out of here.” Nick said as he looked back to Nalia. The three of them turned around and ran to the stairs. All three of them skipped steps as they made their way up to the floor with the globe room. As they reached the top of the staircase they looked down the hall when they heard a clatter of noise. They looked to their right and saw a handful of the Mage’s men running at them.



“Go, go.” Kevin said motioning for them to just run for it. The three took off and headed down the hall with the soldiers running behind them. The door to the globe room was already opened and they ran right into the room. Nick and Kevin each grabbed a door and slammed it shut. Kevin looked around frantically for something to block the door, and then he saw a chair in the far corner. He ran over, grabbed it, and jammed it under the door knobs. A second later the doors started shaking and the knobs rattled as the guards tried to get in.



“Hurry.” Nalia said as Kevin looked at her standing at the pedestal. “Do not want them shutting it off on us.” Nick and Kevin ran up to the globe and put their hands on it. The doors busted opened and the chair went flying as the guards ran in. Nalia quickly put her hand on the globe and with all three touching the globe, it activated. The smoke engulfed them as the guards ran at them. When they didn’t hear the yelling and shouting from the guards they started to wave the smoke away. As they looked around they saw that they were back in Winnol.



“You made it.” Avit said walking up to them.



“Shut it off, we got party crashers.” Nick said to Avit as they stepped down. Avit grabbed the key that Rayne had given him before they left and put it into the globe. He turned the key and the glow disbursed and the globe shut off.



“Where is Ranye?” Nalia asked Avit once the globe had shut down.



“Alexander took her to the Springs.” Avit said to her. Nalia turned around and headed out of the door.



“Is she ok?” Kevin asked Avit as they followed behind her.



“I am not sure. Alexander came through the globe with your friends and went right there; your friends are the ones that told me what happened.” Avit explained. When they got to the outside of the castle their walking turned into running as they made their way to the Healing Springs. They walked through the archway and into the open field in the middle of all the caves. Kevin saw Brian and Howie standing there talking.



“Hey you made it.” Howie said smiling when he saw the three walk in.



“Is she ok?” Nalia asked them.



“Not sure yet, Aj’s still in there with her.” Brian said.



“You ok?” Kevin asked looking at Brian.



“No.” Brian said half laughing. Kevin couldn’t help but smile at him. When he felt a tap on his shoulder he looked to his right and saw Nick nodding to one of the caves. Kevin looked and saw Aj coming out of the doorway.



“Hey.” Kevin said and Aj looked up. His robe was still covered in her blood; he looked like shit, eyes puffy and red. “Is she ok?” Kevin asked as Aj walked up to them.



“Yes.” He said with a sigh. “But she’s pretty weak and will need to stay in the Springs over night.” Aj said as he looked at Nalia.



“Is she awake?” Nalia asked.



“No, she’s.” Aj stopped. Kevin could tell he was still upset. “She’s sleeping.” Everyone looked up when they heard someone come out of her room. When they realized it was just Priests talking to each other they all looked away. “I need to go change.” Aj said as everyone looked at him. “Nalia, will you.” He stopped when he looked back at the room.



“Yes. Of course” Nalia said with a nod. Aj said nothing and he didn’t look at anyone as he headed out of the Healing Springs.









Aj walked through the city as the people looked at him and the mess of his robe, but he didn’t care. His mind was still racing from the events that had happened. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her, lying there, her eyes lifeless. He looked up quickly when one of the guards said hello to him as they opened the Castle doors. He lightly smiled as he looked away and walked into the entrance of the Castle.



“Alexander?” Avit said from behind him and Aj slowly turned around. “Do you need anything?” Aj looked at him for a moment, and then shook his head. Turning back around he headed up the stairs, and headed right to his room.



When he entered the room he closed the door behind him. He walked over to his bathroom as he pulled his robe off him and let it fall to the floor. Aj flicked at the water heater, lighting it with a fire spell. He turned on the water and let the tub fill up. The water warmed up as it flowed through the pipes. Turning around he shut the bathroom door and then slipped into the tub. He laid back as the water filled up around him. Not wanting to close his eyes, he stared at the ceiling, when his eyes felt heavy and tired he looked to the sink, then looked at the tub, and then back to the ceiling. When the water hit his chest, he slowly sat up and shut the taps off. He laid back with a sigh as he brought his hand up and rubbed his eyes.



As the realization that the events were over, he was back in Winnol, and the fact that Rayne had died hit him, he started crying. He hadn’t had time to deal with what happened to Marsa, with what happened to Kevin, and then what happened to Rayne. Now everything was quiet and his mind let him think. He leaned his head forward and splashed some water on his face as he washed the tears away. Laying back against the tub he took a deep breath and relaxed. When the water started getting cooler, he slowly pulled himself out of the tub. He grabbed the cloth towel from a stand in the corner, scrubbed his hair quickly and then wrapped the towel around his waist.



He walked out of the room and stopped when he saw the robe on the floor. Slowly he stepped over it and walked over to his dresser. Searching for one to wear he combed through the long pieces of clothing. Pulling out a solid black robe, he took it off its hook and wrapped it around himself. He walked over to his mirror and looked at himself, making sure everything was in place. When someone knocked on his bedroom door he looked over and stared at it. His heart raced a little as he thought about who it could be, someone telling him Rayne didn’t make it, someone telling him the Mage was back. He took a deep breath and walked over to his door.



Slowly he opened it and saw Avit standing on the other side. His stomach jumped into his throat as he looked at the General in the hall way.



“Is everything ok?” Aj asked forcing the words from his lips.



“Yes Sir.” Avit nodded. “I came to see how you were.”



“I’m fine I just want to get back to Rayne.” Aj said as he glanced over to the robe on the floor.



“I will have one of the maids come and remove the robe.” Avit said as Aj looked at him.



“Thanks.” Aj said quietly as he looked down.



“I talked to the Mages of the Council.” Avit said as Aj closed his door to his room and walked out to the hallway. “They are working with the Druids to conjure a shield spell so we can keep Halian from teleporting into the city.” Avit said.



“Sounds good.” Aj said with a nod.



“Hey.” Aj heard Kevin say and he quickly looked up. He was glad to see it was just Kevin and no one else.



“Well, excuse me, I will go talk to the maid and then head to the Council, see if there is anything new there.” Avit said with a nod to Aj.



“Thanks Avit.” Aj said with a light smile.



“You are most welcome Sir.” Avit said with a comforting smile. The General walked away from the men and headed down the stairs.



“So, what’s up?” Kevin asked as he turned back to Aj.



“Just heading back to the Springs.” Aj said nodding towards the stairs.



“Can I walk with ya?” Kevin asked.



“Sure.” Aj said with a shrug.



“Crazy day huh?” Kevin said as they walked down the stairs.



“Yeah.” Aj said nodding. “Are you alright, I mean being alone with the Mage?”



“Yeah.” Kevin nodded. “She roughed me up a bit, and I think she had something else planned but ya’ll bustin in on that.” Kevin said with a little smile. Aj lightly smiled as he watched the guards open the doors to the city. “Do you need to talk about what happened?” Kevin asked and Aj looked at him. “With Rayne.” Aj slowly looked away, he looked at the people who were bowing as he walked passed.



“It’s weird.” Aj said as he looked back to Kevin. “I decided to stay and be King cause well they need me too, there really is no other, and I can’t walk away from them.” Aj said with a shrug. “She was a big part of the reason why I wanted to stay and protect this place, and today.” Aj stopped as he took a deep breath. “Today she died, she was gone, and for one brief second I didn’t care again.”



“Well she’s back.” Kevin said putting his hand on Aj’s shoulder.



“Thanks too Brian.” Aj said as he looked at Kevin.



“That was nuts.” Kevin said looking at Aj. “He’s a little freaked out.”



“I would be too.” Aj said with a nod. When they walked into the Healing Springs, Aj looked around and saw no one there waiting outside of the caves.



“Well I’m going to head back; Brian wants to talk about you being King.” Kevin said with a light smile.



“Oh.” Aj said looking at him.



“Yeah, wait till I tell him I’m with you on it, I might be coming back here.” Kevin said with a light laugh. Aj started laughing too, and it felt good to laugh a little. They said goodbye and when Kevin left Aj turned to the cave that Rayne was in and walked through the entrance.



He walked over to the stone tub edge and carefully sat down next to it as he looked at her sleeping in the water. He reached in and pulled her hand out, watching the water fall from her fingers as he brought the back of her hand to his cheek.



“Alex?” Rayne’s weak voice spoke and Aj opened his eyes.



“I’m right here.” Aj said as he gently kissed the back of her hand.



“Is Kevin ok?” She asked as she tried to sit up.



“Don’t sit up, just lay there.” Aj said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. “Kevin’s fine.”



“Good.” Rayne said laying back down.



“Do you remember what happened?” Aj asked her. She nodded lightly as she looked at him, her eyes were barely open.



“She will push for war now.” Rayne said to him. “She will attack Winnol.”



“You don’t worry about that stuff right now.” Aj said as he put her hand down. “You just concentrate on getting better.”













Avit walked down the dirty hallway. It was small barely enough room for two men to walk down side by side. The sounds of prisoners talking and yelling echoed off the walls. He pulled out a key as he turned around one of the corners and stopped at the door way.



“Bad news Dyn.” Avit said as he opened the man’s cell door. The Elvaan looked up at Avit with a confused look on his face. “Seems Queen Halian has forgotten about you.”



“She will be back and Alexander will not harm me, if he does not want his friend to die.” Dyn said.



“Who Kevin?” Avit said as he picked Dyn up. “King.” Avit said making sure Dyn heard the word. “Alexander, Nickolas, Nalia and Rayne went to Drisel and glad to report to you Kevin is in Winnol and doing very well.”



“She will come for me.” Dyn said as Avit pulled him out of the cell. Avit laughed a little as he walked Dyn down the hall, his hands tied behind his back. “Where are you taking me?” He asked as they walked down the hallway.



“Alexander wishes to see you.” Avit said with a smile.



“I have nothing to say to that imposter.” Dyn snapped.



“That is quite alright Dyn but he has some things to say to you.” Avit said as they walked up the stairs.



“I have no interest in anything he has to say.” Dyn said as he looked away. Avit stopped and slammed him up against the wall.



“Then you will listen to me, you have ill feelings towards your Father that is yours to bare and bare alone, but Princess Rayne was a good friend of yours, you had strong feelings for her, and you align yourself with someone who wishes her dead?” Avit said angerly as he presses Dyn against the wall.



“He has filled your heads with lies Avit, why would Halian want Rayne dead?” Dyn asked and Avit heard the innocence in his tone.



“Dyn you fool.” Avit said angerly. He grabbed the Elvaan and walked him up the rest of the stairs. Avit opened the door and they walked behind the city, behind the houses, business, and the people. They reached the Healing Springs and Avit walked Dyn quietly over to the cave where Rayne was. “Look.” Avit whispered. Dyn looked from him to the cave opening, he saw Aj sitting by the stone tub. He glanced up and his face fell when he saw Rayne laying in the water.



“What happened?” He asked as he looked at Avit.



“Halian, she ran her through with a sword and she died.” Avit said as Dyn looked away. “If it had not been for Alexander’s friend she would not be in there.”



“They Raised her?” He asked shocked, Avit nodded.



“It is not Halian and you are so blinded by hatred for your Father you can not see it.” Avit said angerly. “And it almost cost Rayne her life, if I were Alexander I would do more than talk to you.” Avit said as he pulled him away from the door.









“Sir?” Aj heard Avit say and he looked up. Aj stood up and took a look back to Rayne as she laid sleeping in the stone tub. He walked out of the cave and into the open field where Avit was standing with Dyn.



“Who killed Marsa?” Aj asked as he stood in front of Dyn. He said nothing and made no eye contact with Aj. “It was you wasn’t it?” Aj said and Dyn looked up. “Kill your father, I become King, you protest the throne, ride on the backs of the people who don’t trust me and take the throne. That about sums it up right?” Aj said looking at him. Dyn swallowed a little pissed Aj figured it out and threw it at him.



“You waste your time imposter.” Dyn said staring at him. “I will not help you.”



“I don’t need your help.” Aj said as Dyn laugh. Aj started getting angry at him, he was Marsa’s son and he wanted to destroy this place. He wanted to send a fire bolt at him and show him how stupid he was for being so petty.



“I should be King.” Dyn snapped at Aj.



“Well you’re not I am, so deal.” Aj said as Dyn looked at him confused. When Aj saw Avit look at the door he turned around and saw Rayne standing at the cave entrance. She was leaning against the stone wall, her robe soaking wet.



“What are you doing out of the water?” Aj asked as he quickly walked over too you.



“I do not want to be in there anymore.” She said as she looked up at him. “I want to go to my room.”



“I’ll get a Priest and if he says you can then I’ll take you to your room, but until then get back into the tub.” Aj said as he wrapped his arm behind her, helping her back into the cave.



“Rayne?” Dyn said and Rayne stopped and slowly turned around. “It is good to see you again.” He said as Aj looked at him confused. Aj looked at Rayne and her eyes showed hurt and pain.



“I wish I could say the same.” She said quietly and then slowly turned around walking back into the cave. He walked her back over to the tub and held her arms as she stepped in and laid down.



“Why did you get out?” Aj asked her as he sat down on the edge.



“I wanted to go to my room, and I heard you talking outside.” Rayne said as she slowly got comfortable. “Why is Dyn here?” She asked him.



“I wanted to talk to him.” Aj said with a sigh. “But he’s not telling me anything.”



“Perhaps I could try.” Rayne said as she looked at Aj.



“No, Rayne you need to rest, I don’t want him in here upsetting you.” Aj said looking at her. “I’m going to go get the Priest now.” He said to her with a light smile. She smiled back at him as he stood up and headed out of the cave.



“I see my Father has poisoned her mind as well.” Dyn said as Aj walked out of the cave and Aj jumped a little forgetting that Avit and Dyn were outside. Aj looked at Dyn and then back to the cave.



“No buddy you did that yourself.” Aj said as he continued to into another cave. He heard Dyn yelling but ignored it as he walked up to a Priest. He told her that Rayne wanted to go to her room, and he wanted to make sure she was ok to go. Aj then followed the Priest back outside to Rayne’s cave.



“What is he yelling about?” Rayne asked Aj as him and the Priest walked into the cave.



“Who knows.” Aj said with a shrug.



“I really wish you would let me talk to him.” Rayne said as Aj looked at her.



“Tomorrow.” Aj said as he took her hand. “I’m going to go talk to Avit, I’ll come back when the Priest is done.” Aj said to her. She lightly smiled as he let go of her hand and headed out of the room.



“You have a choice Dyn.” Aj said looking at him as he walked up to him. “You can sit in the jail and wait for Halian to show up, if she show’s up.” Aj told him. “Or you can be a friend to Rayne, like you use to be, and help us end this war.”



“Friends, we were more than friends and I will not help you.” Dyn said angrily through his teeth. “Imposter.”



“Your choice.” Aj said with a shrug and looked at Avit. “Send him back down to the jails.” Avit nodded and turned Dyn around.



“She will see, she will see you for the imposter you are!” Dyn shouted as Avit dragged him away.



“Yeah.” Aj said as he turned around and started to head back to the cave. But he stopped when he saw the Priest walk out.



“Can she go to her room?” Aj asked.



“Yes, she can.” The Priest nodded. “She has healed quicker than expected.”



“Really.” Aj said as he looked at the Priest. “Should I be worried?”



“No, I am sure it is because of who she is.” The Priest said with a light smile. Aj lightly nodded and then the Priest left. Taking one last look around and not seeing anyone in the field, he turned and walked into the cave. When he walked in he saw Rayne sitting on a bench in a dry, clean robe.



“Ready?” He asked as she looked up.



“Yes.” She said with a light nod. He waited as she stood up and walked over to him.



They walked side by side as they left the Healing Springs and slowly walked through the city back to the Castle. The dirt streets were quiet, people in their homes, relaxing, sleeping. As they neared the center of the town, they could hear the chatter and laughter from the town pub.



“Could we stop for a moment?” Rayne asked and they stopped walking.



“Yeah.” Aj said with a nod. “Are you ok?”



“Yes, I just need to sit for a minute.” She said as he walked her over to a bench by the fountain. He held her arm as she sat down, and then he sat himself beside her.



The sound of laughter erupting from the bar made both look up at the pub window. The people inside were defiantly having a good time. Aj lightly smiled remembering a time when he would have been in there with them. He looked over at Rayne; she was gazing at the fountain, watching the water fall.



“Can I ask you something?” Aj asked her as she turned her head and looked at him.



“Of course.” She said as she tilted her head a little.



“How close were you and Dyn?” He asked.



“We were friends.” She told him. “Although I do know he wanted it to be more.”



“He did…” Aj said a little shocked. “Did you?” She looked up at him quickly, and then sighed.



“No...” She said but was cut off.



“EH!” Someone shouted and the two looked up. “It’s the imposter!” An Elvaan shouted drunkenly.



“Do not speak to King Alexander that way!” Someone shouted from behind the man, and shoved him.



“He is not a King, He is not even Elvaan!” The man yelled as he stumbled around.



“Aye Prince Dyn is the real King!” Someone else shouted.



“Let’s go.” Aj said as he took Rayne’s hand and helped her stand up.



“You are a disgrace to the Breezewalker name.” The drunken man said as he approached Aj.



“Now that is really quiet enough.” Rayne said as she looked at the man. The man went to turn to Rayne but a guard had come up behind him and pulled him back.



“Sorry Sir.” The Guard said as the drunken man squirmed around. He handed the man off to another guard. “Are you two alright?” He asked.



“Yes we’re fine.” Aj said as he looked at Rayne.



“Shall I escort you back to the Castle?” The guard asked.



“No, we just stopped for a moment.” Rayne said. “We will be on our way now.” The guard nodded and then diverted his attention to the pub.



“Well that was interesting.” Aj said as he looked at Rayne. She was holding onto his arm as she walked beside him.



“Just the ramblings of a drunken Elvaan.” Rayne said as she looked up at him.



“I think it was more than that Rayne.” Aj said. “Dyn is right; there are people who don’t trust me.”



“Because they do not know you, give them time and they will.” Rayne said to him.



“You seem confident.” Aj said with a light laugh.



“Well they have not seen what I have.” She said with a light smile. Aj looked at her and smiled. Then as quickly as it came it left as the image of her on the Palace floor flashed in his mind. He shook it from his head and looked away.



When he looked up again they were approaching the Castle doors. The guards bowed to them as the doors opened and the two walked inside. The place was quiet almost everyone had gone to their homes, it was getting late and only the night maids were around. They walked up the stairs and turned down the hallway towards Rayne’s room. When they reached her door he stopped.



“Maybe I should get Avit to post a guard out front your door, in case you need anything.” Aj said as she turned to him.



“Are you alright?” She asked as she stopped at her door.



“Huh?” Aj said a little confused where her question came from.



“Back in the city when we were talking you went awfully quiet.” She said looking at him.



“Oh.” Aj said remembering back to the conversation. “Yeah, yeah I’m fine.” He said as he tried to smile.



“Alex.” Rayne said as she took his hand. He looked down at their hands. Her touch was warm, unlike back at the Palace. He shook the thoughts from his head and looked back at her.



“Long day.” He said, not wanting to get into it. Afraid to tell her how he felt when she died, would she understand, he didn’t really understand. Having feelings was one thing, but the way he felt when she died in the Palace was not the loss of someone he had known for a week but that of someone he had known and loved for a long time.



When he felt a small tug on his hand he looked up and Rayne was standing at her door. It was opened a little and she nodded for them to go in. She opened the door wider as they walked in, letting go of his hand as she closed the door behind them.



“Now that we are behind closed doors,” She said as she turned to him. “I will ask again, are you alright?” Looking at her he fought himself within his mind to tell her. He looked up as he took a deep breath, the last stand against his feelings. He lost and as he looked back down at her, tears fell from his eyes.



“You died.” Aj softly cried. Rayne frowned as she reached out and pulled him into her arms. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her as she held him. “Where I come from when people die the way you did, they don’t come back ever.” He said as he slowly pulled away from her. “There is no raising, no healing springs, its over.” Aj said as he looked at her. She reached up and wiped his tears from his cheeks. His eyes locked on hers and they stared at each other for a minute. As her hand gently slid down the side of his neck, she leaned up and kissed him. At first the kiss was slow and soft but the longer they stood there, the longer they kissed, the more passionate it became. He felt her fingers drift down the side of his neck and down his chest. Gradually they pulled away, their eyes opening and locking on each others.



Gently he reached down and picked her up in his arms. Rayne lightly smiled at him as she leaned in and kissed him again. Carefully he walked them over to her bed and then laid them down. When he felt her lips drift from his mouth, to his jaw bone, and down his neck he lightly smiled. Then Aj reached up and pulled on the rope that held the one curtain back and the heavy, thick drape fell closed.