AN: This is a follow up for Flames of the Heart. I made a slight change in Flames that will be shown in this chapter. Instead of 'Head Moderator' Lyude's title is Minister of Internal Affairs. Just a slight change, but I wanted to let you know up front.

Chapter one: New life, new problems.

It was a sweltering day in the Mintaka desert. The noon sun blared mercilessly across the sands as a small air vessel made its way across the sky. Lyude and his new bride were returning home after a pleasant three week honeymoon. Alyssa sat fanning herself as Lyude piloted the small vessel. They had traveled to each of the nations, enjoying the sights and a little privacy, which was the purpose of the vessel they were currently using. Since Lyude had been appointed Minister of Internal Affairs he had been constantly busy. He had organized an International council among the nations and was chairman of the Alfard council that was running the country. Unofficially, the most powerful man in Alfard.

It had been over a year since the ocean's return yet the young Minister's fame still stretched far and wide. Not only for his role in defeating Malpercio, but his triumph over the Organ of the Flame. The past year had been a difficult one, but Alfard was finally holding it's own. Healthy trade was blooming throughout the nations and under Lyude's leadership, Alfard was making excellent progress.

Alyssa rose from her seat at the back of the vessel and draped her arms around her husband's neck. She leaned closely, burying her face in his silky, scarlet locks affectionately. Lyude smiled and leaned his head further against hers as he continued to guide their small ship. They had decided to take a detour to Azha for a final stop, but on their current ship it would take them another day to traverse the desert. Alyssa allowed her arms to slip from around Lyude's shoulders and began searching their magnus for some water. They would have to be sure that they had plenty. There was an oasis a few miles ahead and they would likely replenish there. She handed a pristine water to Lyude and he thanked her and sipped from it.

Never far from his mind was Alfard and the numerous tasks that would be expected of him upon his return. He loathed to see his desk, likely piled high with paper work. The past year had been taxing and it had not slowed for the wedding. The world nor his country was going to stop operating for a few weeks of romance. Yet if they had not married then, it would have been two years before they would have been allowed the leave that they had enjoyed.

Andrews, Lyude's trusted secretary and friend had promised him that he would handle what business he could, but that was very limited. Lyude did not allow much to go by without him seeing it first. Somehow, he had managed to be fairly relaxed throughout their vacation, though Alyssa had been forced to prompt him to stop worrying several times.

Lyude's crimson stare swept across the desert sand pensively. There were several pockets of oil out in the desert that were scheduled to be mined within the month. Azdar and several of the former mad wolf unit would be working them. Alfard's army was still very much alive, but was not nearly as belligerent as it once was. There were still extremist groups that wanted to return to the ways of the old empire. Mostly, it was those who had been of high stature in the Empire and still felt Alfard superior to the other nations.

Lyude had tried several times to reason with their leaders, but they were becoming violent and he feared that the council's hand...his hand, would soon be forced." Mechanically, he steered them around a large rock face.

"Lyude." came Alyssa's voice a hint of scolding in her tone. "Will you stop worrying about Alfard? The country is doing fine. It will survive without you for a few more days." she said smiling. Lyude smiled ruefully back. "You caught me." he said. "I'm sorry Alyssa, there's just so much that needs to be done. I find myself drifting back to it without realizing it."

"I know, Lyude." said Alyssa placing her hand on his cheek, "But this is our time. You should be enjoying yourself."

Lyude placed the vessel on auto pilot and took Alyssa in his arms. "As long as I'm with you. Nothing seems too difficult a task." he said looking into her startling, emerald eyes. Alyssa leaned against his chest and tilted her head back kissing him gently on the lips.

A moment later the vessel shook violently and the sound of firearms broke loose. Lyude grasped Alyssa and threw them both to the deck.

"Stay down!" said Lyude as Alyssa tried to tentatively peer over the side. He rushed to the helm and removed the slow auto pilot. They were sitting ducks. "Stay down there and don't move!"

Shouted Lyude over the din as he began to take evasive maneuvers.

"Lyude!" cried Alyssa noting that he was fully exposed to the gunfire around them.

"Stay down!" Lyude repeated and veered them sharply to the left barely avoiding yet another round of fire.

Alyssa cried out as their vessel was struck, Lyude desperately trying to compensate for the blown engine. "It's no good! We're going to crash! Brace yourself!" he ordered. With a sudden lurch the final engine died out and they fell at an alarming speed. Lyude stayed at the helm, steering with all his might to try to keep the ship level. They hit the earth levelly, tearing a forty foot rut into the sand. As they finally skidded to a stop, Alyssa noticed fuel dripping dangerously close to the sparking control system. "Lyude!" she gasped and heard no response. She cried out as she saw him lying limply near the steerage, a gash in his side. He must have been thrown into one of the damaged control systems on impact.

"Lyude!" she cried again. She never knew how she found the strength, but she managed to pull him from the wreckage and drag him away, just in time. The ship exploded violently. Alyssa threw herself protectively over her injured husband, receiving some scratches from the flying shrapnel.

After a few moments, Lyude's eyes fluttered and opened. Alyssa still draped over his body shelteringly. "Alyssa..." he said weakly.

"Lyude! Thank heaven!" Alyssa cried in relief.

"We have to move, Alyssa! They may not have seen that we survived the wreckage. The oasis isn't far, it's the only place we can go."

"But you're hurt!" protested Alyssa.

"I'll be alright." he said sitting up an grimacing slightly. "It's not serious, I think I was only stunned." he said. "We can't stay here."

"All right." said Alyssa, "But let's hurry. I want to have a look at that wound."

Lyude forced himself to his feet hurriedly and bent double almost immediately.

"We should really see to that." said Alyssa.

"Once we've made camp." conceded Lyude. "It's too dangerous to just stay here. We can't remain exposed in the sun like this for long, and the one's that shot us down could still be looking for us alive."

"I don't like it, but all right." said Alyssa. "Here, let me help you." she said.

"I can make it." Lyude grimaced, "You should save your energy."

"It would only take a moment to do something about that." said Alyssa as they began making the trek to the oasis.

"We can't waste the time. I'll be all right." Lyude said holding a cloth to his side.

It was a long trek to the oasis, the desert sun beat down on them mercilessly and both were becoming quickly fatigued. Lyude's injury soon caused his strength to wane. He had been battered and bruised as well, but he did not want to worry his wife. As long as his injured side was seen to, he would be fine and Alyssa need not know how weak he really was at the moment. They were beginning to run out of water, and Lyude was beginning to see spots before his eyes. He removed his imperial coat and stored it on a magnus. It was ruined, but he wasn't about to leave evidence of their presence aside from their footprints in the sand, the searing desert winds would soon cover those for them.

The removal of his coat helped moderately, his white shirt much cooler than his black vest. He glanced at Alyssa who was hunting for some more water. She found some and took a small sip, offering it to him next. He accepted gratefully.

Lyude and Alyssa made camp at the cool oasis. Both were exhausted and Lyude cradled his injury as he lowered himself slowly to the ground. His bride knelt beside him as he leaned against the single palm tree and closed his eyes wearily. Alyssa took his hand an moved it from his slashed side. Her brow was furrowed in concern and Lyude opened one eye to look at her. He smiled slightly in reminiscence. The look his beloved now wore was the same expression he had first seen on her face. He had been injured then too. Though the cut that was now on his side was more of a superficial wound.

Alyssa used a healing magnus and Lyude washed the blood from his healed side. He removed his ruined shirt and summoned up one of his spare uniforms, changing into the clean shirt and vest.

"We should get some rest." He said softly. Alyssa nodded and Lyude stretched out on his side on the ground. Alyssa stretched out beside him and wrapped her arm around Lyude's waist affectionately. Her hand slid upward to his chest and she hugged him to her. Lyude entwined his fingers with hers, the lovers content just to be near one another. Lyude rolled onto his back and rested his head on his forearm. Alyssa moved closer and laid her head on his chest, snuggling close and hugging him to her. Lyude placed his spare arm around her shoulders and they closed their eyes. Comforted by one another's presence, they both drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.