When Anger and Confusion Collide

Riding into the illuminated Demonai Camp sent cold shivers down Raisa's spine. It felt incredibly strange to finally be returning to the Fells after nearly a year away in unwanted exile.

It must have been close to midnight when she, Reid, and the other wearisome Demonai warriors rode into camp, for it was not buzzing with its usual raw excitement. Several figures, however, did appear from inside the main lodge. Though it was extremely dark outside, the pale moon's glossy glow provided ample light for Raisa to distinguish the elderly features of her grandmother, Elena.

Reid dismounted his horse near the center of camp, several yards away from Elena and the other clan elders. Raisa followed suit and tied her horse to one of the long wooden poles that stood adjacent to the fire pit. Most of the Demonai warriors hung back to tend to the horses as Raisa and Reid were greeted by Elena and several others.

Astonishment was clearly displayed on their faces. "Granddaughter, thank the Maker you're safe. But, what are you doing back in the Fells? We had no idea you were coming..." Elena asked as she pulled Raisa into a deep embrace.

"It's a long story. Is my father here?" Elena shook her head.

"No. He just left this morning. But we'll dispatch someone for him immediately," she promised Raisa. Elena whispered something into the ear of the man beside her who quickly proceeded to pull aside three well-rested Demonai warriors.

By now a small crowd was beginning to form. "We'll continue this once everything has calmed down a bit. For now, why don't you wait in the Lodge? I'll handle this," Elena suggested to Raisa who happily agreed.

She knew well that the coming hours would test her as the future leader of the Fells.

Pushing his way through the growing crowd, Han caught a glimpse of a young girl slipping away into the main Demonai Lodge. Due to the amount of people, Han could not get a clear view of her face, but his focus soon became occupied by the strong voice of Matriarch Elena.

"No one is speak a word of anything they have seen tonight. One of our daughters has finally returned tonight. But, her continued safety relies on your continued silence. Understood?"

"Yes," answered nearly everybody. For some reason, Han knew that the clans people would never think of defying the Matriarch's orders. These were dangerous times... and it didn't hurt that most of them had a pretty good idea who this returning 'daughter' was.

Unfortunately, Han hadn't the slightest idea.

One by one, most of the clans people began to disperse back to their homes, but Han remained where he was. Elena caught his eye and frowned. She motioned for him to approach, but Han hesitated. What did she want from him? Against his better judgement, Han cautiously walked toward her.

"Come with me Alistair," she spoke softly. Han subconsciously allowed a frown to form on his face, but he fell in line behind her as she led the way. To his mild surprise, she led him to the Lodge.

The Lodge was composed of three main rooms and several smaller rooms that branched off. The first room was filled with finely made clan chairs surrounding a large, handsome table. Besides the table and chairs, the rest of the room was rather sparse.

Han heard the sound of a door closing and a moment later Reid Demonai appeared from the left corridor. Han hadn't seen him slip inside as the crowd had dissipated.

"Where is she? Elena asked.

Reid inclined his head down the hallway. "The far room. I thought it best she rest, at least for a few hours," he shrugged. "Apparently, she agreed."

Elena nodded approvingly. "Well, go and get her. She can wait a few more minutes. I think it's time for Alistair to meet her."

Elena spoke to Reid as if Han wasn't here in the room. But, something was nagging Han: who was this mysterious 'she' that Elena and Reid were talking about? It was obviously the girl he had seen walking inside the Lodge. But, he had no idea who it could be. Reid's voice suddenly pulled Han away from his thoughts.

"Why is he even here?" Reid demanded as if he had just realized Han was in the room. "We don't need a jinxflinger to protect her. We can do it ourselves."

Perhaps if Han had been more awake, he would have seen it coming sooner. "Hang on," Han whispered, revelation filling his mind, "you're talking about Princess Raisa, aren't you?"

He didn't wait for either to respond. The blood inside of him began to boil and he clenched his fists tightly, resisiting the urge to use his amulet. As far as he was concerned, the princess heir and the Queen were responsible for his mother's and Mari's death. There was no way he wanted to protect this spoiled princess. No matter what she'd been through.

"Do you think I want to be here anymore than you? 'Cause I don't. Just give me the word and I'm gone," Han struggled to keep his voice level. Where was this sudden anger coming from?

"Will you please be quiet? I'm trying to sleep."

Han allowed himself to glance over at the figure who now stood slightly behind Reid. It must be Princess Raisa, Han thought as his eyes finally focused on the short, slim figure.

Han's heart stopped dead in his chest.

"Han?" she whispered with clear astonishment.

"R-Rebecca?" Han replied, just as confused as she was. He then remembered that Rebecca had been missing. "What are you doing here? Corporal Bryne said that you'd been taken..."

Raisa was too speechless for words, but Reid wasn't. "Your Highness... you know this... jinxflinger?" Reid asked, slightly sneering.

Both Raisa and Han froze.

What was going on...? Han asked himself.

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