Thanks to those commenting on my story.

And hey, don't worry PurpleLight, Jasmine is NOT going to fall in love with Dain.

Chapter II: Guilty

"Lief…..."

A familiar voice was calling his name.

"Hello?" He called. The cave was dark.

"Lief….." I brief flash of light illuminated the cave. A boy was standing a few feet away, his back towards Lief. Then it was dark again. Lief thrust his hands out in front of him, feeling for the cave walls. He couldn't find it.

"Who's there?" he challenged.

There was a short, humorless laugh.

"Don't you recognize my voice, Lief?"

Lief's hearts seemed to have stopped.

No….. He thought. How could it be….

"Dain?" He whispered, barely audible.

Another flash of light. Lief flinched as he saw Dain's face right in front of him, before the light faded away again.

Dain's voice sounded in the darkness.

"How could you, Lief? How could you kill your own friend?"

"I'm sorry, Dain." Lief whispered.

An uncomfortable feeling was curdling in his stomach.

"Fool." Dain hissed.

Lief felt cold wind blowing against his cheek. The light flashed again. Lief saw that he was not in a cave, but at the edge of a cliff. Dain took a menacing step forward.

"No!"

Dain took another step forward.

"Please, Dain, don't do this!"

Dain ignored him.

Lief was forced to take a step back. Pebbles skittered down the cliff.

"Dain, No!"

Dain stopped for a moment.

"It's too late, Lief." He said, then pushed him forcefully. Lief lost his balance and fell down, down the cliff.

"Dain! DAIN!"

Lief sat up in bed, beads of sweat sliding down his face.

He was gasping. He groaned, holding his face in his hands. What was wrong with him? Dain was an Ol! If he hadn't killed him, all of Deltora would be lost!

But he couldn't deny the sickening guilt eating at his conscious.

He straightened slowly. It was still dark.

Then, Lief stiffened. Someone else was in his room. A figure was crouched a few feet away, staring at him. Lief looked more closely, then sighed in relief.

"Hello, Jasmine."

Jasmine smiled weakly. "Good Morning, Lief."

She looks different. He thought. Then he realized that it was because she had bathed and changed into clean clothes, and she was wearing a simple green dress, with no ornaments or decorations. But it suited her well, bringing out the color of her evergreen eyes. Her hair was pulled back into a long braid that fell to her waist, and to those who didn't know her well, she would easily be mistaken for one of the painted, spoiled princesses of the palace. But Lief saw a slight bulge in one sleeve, proving that a dagger was hidden there.

Jasmine stood slowly. "What was it about Dain were you dreaming of?"

Lief looked up in surprise.

"How -?"

Jasmine snorted.

"You were screaming his name."

"Oh. Right." He forced a laugh.

Jasmine sat next to him on the bed.

"You are still guilty of killing him? Even thought he was an Ol?"

He sighed

"Yes."

Jasmine touched his shoulder gently.

"I miss him too. But it is not your fault, Lief. You did the right thing."

Lief's shoulders sagged.

"Leave me alone, Jasmine."

Jasmine jerked away from him, looking stung. "Fine." She snapped, and stalked towards the door.

"Jasmine, wait!"

She stopped, but didn't turn.

"I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I'm just not myself right now…." His voice trailed off. Jasmine turned slightly to look at him. His head was in his hands again. She longed to put an arm around him, to try to comfort him in any way, but she knew that now was not the time. She slipped out silently and closed the door behind her.

The shivered as she began to walk towards her room. The palace was a nightmare to her. The portraits on the wall were so unnatural; the walls always seemed to be closing in on her, and there were no plants to be seen except in the pitiful excuse for a garden. Lief had tried to plant a makeshift garden, for there had not been any plants in the palace during the shadow lord's reign, but it was a hideous attempt.

Jasmine suddenly whirled around. She had heard someone behind her. But there was no one standing in the hallway. She turned back again wearily. Something moved at the corner of her eye. She whirled again, gasping and drawing out her dagger. But it was only one of the portraits of the old Kings of Deltora. Yet she did not move to sheath her dagger. Someone was whispering something. She backed away slowly from the portrait, and jumped when she backed into a wall.

Breathing hard, she sheathed her dagger slowly, and buried her face in her hands. As much as she wanted to stay with Lief, this place was killing her. She hadn't slept well for a long time, and she was becoming very jumpy and suspicious.

"I have to get out of here" She whispered.

Dain

Dain was collapsed on the soft turf. He was in the forests of silence, far away from the city of Del, but he began to wonder if that was a good thing. He was terribly weak and thirsty, and he didn't have an ounce of strength left to find water. He groaned and tried to turn on his back. He was so tired….. He was going to give up when a strong hand grasped his shoulder and flipped him over none too gently.

He looked up challengingly to find himself lost in a pair of deep, evergreen eyes.

"Ja-Jasmine!" He panted.

She was more beautiful than he remembered. Her ebony hair was pulled back from her face, showing off her pretty facial features.

Against the pale dawn sky, she seemed so perfect, like an angel.

The only flaw in this heavenly vision was that the angel was holding a dagger. And she did not look happy.

Hope you like it! What do you think should happen next? Any suggestions?