When Colm's head had cleared enough, he stood at last, he looked for Xanaphia. He blue hair was not seen until he looked to the sky. A Vineaxe from the forest had wrapped it's spiked vines around her waist, lifting her at least ten feet into the air. The voice that he had once heard singing beautiful melodies of Elvin war and peace was now set in a piercing scream. Panic and the pulse of battle spread through his veins. The forest creature had come silently out of the forest.Colm looked at it's eyes, blood red from either dark magic or madness. The creature was made almost entirely of vine-like limbs, all spiked and lethal if the venom that coats them got to the blood. The only cure for this venom would be the sap-like blood of the creature itself. Colm could see the blood oozing from between the vine and Xanaphia. Colm was unsure for a moment of what to do. Deciding that his medium hunting knife would not be enough to slay the creature, he drew his sword. The silver blade glimmered in the dull moonlight. With two strokes, Colm had both sliced the vine holding Xanaphia, and the middle vine. This being a deadly blow, caused the wounded creature to retreat. Colm placed a booted foot on one of the vine and, with his sword, separated it from the body. Xanaphia had since then fallen to the ground with a thump and a grunt of pain. Colm de-spiked the bleeding vine and took it to the cursing Xanaphia.

" By the Gods!" She moaned as he pressed the acid like blood of the Vineaxe to her five wounds.

"Yes, yes. Do you know what provoked it?"

"Only the Gods know that!" She hissed in a breathe as he pressed a cooler side of the vine to her wounds. "Gah! It must have been mad! I was sound asleep before the daft thing decided to play moster/damsel in distress."

Colm couldn't help but chuckle. "You did make a fine damsel. Though, you woman-ish scream could do with less cursing."

" You try not to curse when YOU have five poisoned spikes driving into your midriff." She snarled, and her final wounds were treated.

Xanaphia got shakely to her feet. Colm looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." Xanaphia ordered. However, as she stumbled, Colm caught her up, carrying her like a precious parcel.

"I thought I told you not to worry." She said sternly, but the cold iron had gone from her voice.

"I don't listen to well to orders." Colm amended. Xanaphia smiled weakly. Little sleep plus a terrifying and painful experience does horrors on one's stamina. She tried to stifle a yawn, but was unsuccessful, as it snaked out of her throat.

"It's late." Colm muttered, placing her down on her sleeping mat. She nodded, and let a whispered thanks slip from her lips. Colm went back to his mat, and watched as she fell asleep. Once He was sure that no further harm would present itself, he also drifted to an uneasy sleep.

The morning came bright and cheerful, as if the horror of the previous night was nothing but a bad dream. Rhyan had slept through the whole escapade like one dead, and was slightly confused to the jumpiness of Xanaohia and Colm that morning. Colm made sure to wrap his cloak about him tightly before letting Xanaphia give the signal to start again. They traveled several miles gliding on the whistling wind. Letting the bugs and birds zip past. Colm got his first view of the sunrise over the clouds. Seeing the clouds turn from their rose pink to the lighter shades until they finally turned the white of day stirred up a peace that the warrior he had grown up to be had never felt. Xanaphia sighed that of one who, even after seeing beautiful sights every day, never got tired of them. Colm had to wonder how often she had ridden the Sky like they were now.

When the sun was blistering directly above them, Xanaphia asked to stop for a lunch.

" Food?! You don't need to tell me twice!" The hungry Gryfin called back, his voice equally drowned out and carried by the wind. Xanaphia's ears had lost feeling well over an hour ago, and Colm wasn't much better. When they were once more on solid earth Colm rubbed his ears and grimaced.

"For a while there, I wasn't sure that I still HAD ears!" He grumbled. Xanaphia let her numb face spread into a grin.

"Let's get a fire going, that'll give out faces the feelig back!" Colm nodded, glad that they could talk without screaming.

Creeping through the forest, Colm and Xanaphia searched for a suitable hunting area. Half an hour past before Xanaphia spotted a prime place for Wolop hunting.

"Quick!" She whispered hoarsely into his ear, "Hand me my bag." Colm had insisted on carrying the bags while they hunted. Causing much eye-rolling from Xanaphia, but she let him with the intention of avoiding an argument.
Colm handed her the silver brush,and she quickly rid her hair of the few knots and snarls that the wind and forest had caused. Pulling a few hairs from the bristles. Xanaphia crumpled them like she had several times in Coppersea, into a shining ball. Placing it on a branch nearby, she whispered into Colm's ear.

"Be completely silent." As she slid onto the ground. Leaning against a tree where she could wait for hours and still be able to summon the lung power to scare the dim creature to death. It wasn't long, as the place was as good as Xanaphia had predicted. In no time at all, Colm and Xanaphia were digging their canines into the perfectly cooked Wolop meat. Colm was not surprised at the simple way She had come up with finding a meal. The Wolop meat was not known for it's speed, but that was of no importance. They would make up the time with skipping the next couple unnecessary meals. When they were once again speeding past the fluffy clouds, Silence persisted, until Xanaphia spotted the unwelcoming dark grey clouds fast approaching.

"We'll have to wait out the storm!" She called to both Colm and Rhyan. Colm pointed out a town a little to their left and near to the storm.

Xanaphia nodded and pointed it out to Rhyan, who nodded and turned slightly to head in it's direction. By the time they reached the town, Lightning was splitting the sky in angry streaks of fire and electricity. Rhyan's flanks shivered, and the streaks grew closer. Xanaphia had to remind him that if the storm didn't get closer, it wouldn't get farther either. Each time Rhyan would nod, then shiver again as the next lightning struck down. When Rhyan had fallen asleep despite the storm, Xanaphia went out into the rain and starred at the sky as the grey mass of clouds boiled above. Colm eventually came out to join her, then dragged her back under the cover of the abandoned barn they had found near the edge of town.

"You're gonna die of cold if you stay out there." He scolded her.

" Why do you care?" Xanaphia shot back, annoyed to be dragged away from the hypnotizing power of the storm. Colm Had to bite back what was in his mind and instead, said;
"Because you know how to ride the Gryfin. I don't If you die, then I'm in trouble."

Xanaphia rolled her eyes, but stayed under the shelter just the same.

Morning came at last. The storm brought down branches and mud covered the ground. Though this did not affect the crystal blue skys. Perfect for a flight to their destination of The nearest port city. Only lying a mere three hours away. Wind once again whipped Xanaphia's hair into a frenzy of glittering blue. The moon still shone weakly on the far right as Rhyan's powerful wings beat the air. Colm held gingerly to Xanaphia's waist, keeping himself on the Gryfin. He could feel the bandages holding the healing salve in place. Silently he cursed the creature. The shriek of pain that had ripped itself from Xanaphia's throat still echoed in his ears. A sound that would tear a heart in two, and a sound that Colm wouldn't be able to bare to hear again. When Rhyan started to turn sideways to land among the trees not far from the city, Colm unconsciously held tighter to Xanaphia. When she winced in pain, he immediately loosened his grip.

Once on Terra firma again, Colm restrained his urge to start immediately to the city,and instead helped Xanaphia off of Rhyan's back. Her wounds had bled a little since the salve had been applied. But it looked like it had stopped within the past half hour. Xanaphia smiled, it reached her eyes this time and seemed to illumine her entire face in the gloomy forest. Her hair was still disheveled and Colm dug in her bag, which held an astounding number of items, for her brush. Humming a small tune, Xanaphia unsnarled her hair. Finding more than one large knot, she cursed vibrantly in Elvin. Colm found it odd that even curses could sound beautiful and elegant in Elvin. When Xaphaphia straightened up once more her hair hung about her like a cloak, reaching almost her waist. Colm remembered having to push it to one side of him while the wind blew it earnest. Colm ran his hand through his own shoulder length hair, glancing at Xanaphia when he felt the snarled knots in his own hair he asked;

" Can I borrow that? Wind's murder on my hair too."

Xanaphia shrugged and handed the silver backed brush to him. It felt odd using such an elaborate brush.

Xanaphia watched with silent curiosity as Colm took care of his own hair. Once he was done, Xanaphia told Rhyan to wait for him on the other side of the city near the sea. Rhyan nodded. Xanaphia told him to be careful, as none of them knew exactly what was around in this forest. Rhyan scoffed and showed his teeth and claws.

" I think these are all that will be needed for anything that wants to give me trouble." Xanaphia smiled.

"In two days, then." She said and started towards the city. Colm, taken aback by her words quickly caught up with her.

"Uh, TWO days? Why two? Won't we be ready after a few hours?"

Xanaphia glared hard at Colm. "You might be, but I need to see a healer. The best healer will still take at least a day and a half to heal the stabs. I'd rather not worry about internal bleeding while I'm traveling on a boat, miles away from help."

Colm hadn't thought of that. His stomach growled audibly. Xanaphia smirked.

"Not used to Wolop meat, are you? They should keep you full for two days."

"It's been two days." Colm commented.
Xanaphia's eyes widened.
"It has? Well, time sure flies when you're having fun."

Colm coughed and choked on air at the same time.

"FUN? You call being attacked, trying to sleep through a storm, and missing a days worth of food; fun?!"

"Could be worse." Xanaphia said in a sing song voice, still walking through the dense forest. Colm caught up to her near a clearing.

"How?"

"We could run into bandits." Xanaphia said, entering the clearing. A sword dropped at her feet from the linking branches above. About twenty battle cries followed it, and Bandits dropped to the forest floor like raindrops. Over all the noise Colm could just catch Xanaphia mutter "Typical" under her breath. She drew her sword. Colm, followed. He had blinked from town to town and so had little experience with Bandits. However, from the annoyed and bored expression on Xanaphia's face told him that she did have experience with them.

The presumed leader stepped forward, to Xanaphia.

"What do you want?" Xanaphia demanded. Resisting hard not to add "Slime" in Elvin to it. The dirty and mean looking bandit looked her up and down. Xanaphia scowled at him, He was approaching dangerous territory. Very dangerous, indeed.

With an accent Xanaphia recognized as Ogre, he spoke.

"What's a pretty thing like you doing out in here?" HE asked. Reaching to touch her hair. She slapped his hand away.

"None of your business. And I don't remember giving you permission to toch me."

The Bandit Leader hooted with laughter, Leering at her, he spoke to his men.

"Hear that boys? I need "permission". Well, I don't take orders from little women." He glanced down her again. Xanaphia's blood boiled at the lechery he was showing.

" Oh, don't you?" Xanaphia challenged.

"No." The Leader said, taking another step towards her, " I don't."

Visions of her years in Slavery flashed through Xanaphia's mind. She had vowed that she would never again be imprisoned like that again. And she wasn't intending to break that vow. Ever. She struck a defensive pose and spoke clearly, so that all in the clearing could hear her.

" We want no trouble. JUst let us pass, and you'll all keep your lives, and perhaps your limbs."

The Leader raised an eyebrow. He crowed to his men.

"Didja hear that, boys? We've got a feisty one here!" The men roared with approval. Colm, meanwhile stepped up. Placing a protective hand on her waist.

"I suggest you let us pass." He said, the menace dripping off his words.

Xanaphia glanced at him. Somewhat surprised at his boldness. Both with the Bandits and with her. But she understood his strategy.

The Leader's yellow grin faltered for a moment.

"Oh-ho! Looks like LoverBoy is feeling threatened!" The men behind him jeered.

Calm as he ever was, Colm took a dagger from his belt and started to toss it into the air. Spinning it several times, then catching the handle safely.

" Just feeling a bit sorry for those who have failed in wooing their own women and so resort to harassing those of others.

An odd feeling stirred in Xanaphia, when she heard Colm address her as "his woman". No one had called her that since she had been considered a piece of property. But the way Colm had said it was not like her former Master. She wanted to frown, but smiled instead at the furious look on the Leader's face. He cursed Colm, violently, in fluent Ogre so fast that Xanaphia only heard snatches of.

"Listen, you--" The Leader started to shout at Colm, but Colm merely caught his blade a final time and held it steadily to the man's throat. The Men behind started to siege forward, But Xanaphia raised her sword, and they quieted, seeing the well trained hand that held the weapon.

"YOU listen." Colm growled. " I will not have this woman harmed. Especially by you and your lot. I will let you go and you will let us pass. We are clear?"

"Sure." The Leader answered, but he had a glint in his eye, that Xanaphia didn't like.

With one smooth flick of the wrist, The Leader called the men to attack. Battle cries roared in Xanaphia and Colm's ears. Fast as lightning, Xanaphia dispatched Bandit after bandit to the sidelines. A slice to the shoulder or leg rendered on usually unfit for battle. Those who were unfit slinked away to tend their wounds. Colm was acting with equal speed. Blinking from one area to the next, keeping the Bandits confused as to his whereabouts. This focused them more on Xanaphia, the target who stayed, relatively in one place. However, this was probably worse for them. The rage that had built in her conversation with the Leader now had an outlet. With slashed and jabs, twirls and twists. Xanaphia held her own in the swarm of Bandits. It was only minutes of battle, but it felt like hours. Eventually the Bandits had all slunk back to the trees. Only the Leader remained. Xanaphia's sword held to his throat. Already a trickle of blood was running from his neck, not worrisome yet.

"Looks like the "little woman" and "LoverBoy" have beaten you in all fairness." Xanaphia couldn't help but smirk the tiniest bit. The Leader would have hung his head in defeat, if Her sword wasn't still at his throat.

"Will you let us pass, now?" Xanaphia asked. Her voice was sickly sweet.

" Not like we have a choice. You fight well." He complimented.

Xanaphia gave a short laugh.

" Like the Elvin Princess, Xanaphia Luna Anara should." She dropped her sword and cleaned it with the cloth kept in the back part of her skirt. The Leader's jaw dropped. Like the jaw of everyone else's in the clearing.
One of the men moaned. "We got beat by a frilly princess." His buddy next to him elbowed him in the bruised ribs. "Does she look frilly to you?"

Xanaphia grinned at the comments. Then her own eyes widened in shock as the Leader bowed before her.

" M'Lady, I pray you forgive our foolish actions." While his words were surprising, the language shocked Xanaphia more. It was in fluent Courts' Elvin. Not just the common Elvin used among the towns people.

Responding instinctively in Court's Elvin, She asked.

"How do you know the Court's Language?"

The Leader grinned up at her.

"I was the Duke of the western coast."

Xanaphia looked at him more closely, and gasped. There he was. Under years of dirt, grime, and battle scars, was the Duke that She remembered
from her days in the palace. He was always near the Queen, her mother, and suggesting sea trades left and right.

" I see you haven't lost your love of the sea." Xanaphia commented. " But why are you out here?"

"I could ask you the same question. Why aren't you on the throne? Weren't you the Eldest in line?"

Xanaphia nodded sheepishly. "I like to travel. Besides, No one would want a half breed like me as Queen."

Colm couldn't believe his ears. Xanaphia was next in line to be the Elvin Queen?

The Duke nodded. Knowing well, the courts' disapproval of most half breeds, and especially in the royal family. Standing once again, the Duke embraced Xanaphia in a brotherly hug. She winced with pain, then hugged back. The Duke, whose court name was Ferinheart, stepped back.

"Why the wince?" He asked quietly.

" Vineaxe. Had a nasty bit of a problem with one. It had decided to act the part of Monster, to my Damsel in Distress."

Ferinheart looked at the barley visible bandages on her abdomen, then chuckled. "You didn't take to the part, I take it."

Xanaphia arched an eyebrow at him.
"Does it LOOK like I'd take to the part?"

"Well, " Ferinheart considered. " If you showed a bit more skin..." Xanaphia hit him upside the head.

"You are every bit the pervert I knew you for in court!" She spat with half mocking disgust.

Meanwhile Colm was almost doubled up with laughter. Once he had gotten over the shock of Xanaphia's heritage, the idea of her in a formal dress refused to work in his mind.

"Hey, LoverBoy." Ferinheart called, but Xanaphia elbowed him. "What's so funny?"

Between the bursts of laughter, Colm managed to gasp out. " Xanaphia, in a ... Formal Dress..." Before the laughter took over his breathe once again. Ferinheart didn't laugh.

"Accually, she did look quite stunning at the Summer Ball."

Xanaphia held her head with one hand.

"That dress looked awful on me. BRIGHT PINK!! Some one must have mixed it up with Annora's dress. I swear it to this day."

Ferinheart waved his hands in defeat, "Okay, okay. It was a mix up. But you were still the prettiest one their."

Xanaphia slapped his shoulder playfully.
"You said that to ALL the women there. Don't think I didn't hear about that. More than half there are family, you'll remember."

Ferinheart nodded. "Yes, that wasn't too wise of me."

"I'll say not. You were refered to as Ferinheart the Flirt, after that."

Ferinheart smiled. "Ah, the good old days."

Colm draped an arm over Xanaphia's shoulder.

" Well, Shall we be going?" He asked amusement still twinkling in his eyes.

She shrugged off his arm and said, " I think we should. You guys should come too. We're going to see a healer."

Ferinheart glanced around at his bruised and battered crew.

" Yeah, that was some number you pulled on us." Ferinheart took her arm as they walked through the forest in a giant group. It was then that he felt the scars on her arm. Pulling her cloak aside, he took a better look at the whip and bludgeon scars.

"Xanaphia Luna Anara, what is this?" He asked, a look of parental like concern in his face.

"Nothing." Xanaphia said, checking to make sure that Colm hadn't seen them.

Ferinheart looked at her suspiciously, but kept silent. All through the rest of the forest they walked like that. The heavy silence between Ferinheart and Xanaphia only broke when Xanaphia spotted the Healer's Cabin.

"There it is!" She called happily, leaving Ferinheart to be the first to the Healer's door. Knocking firmly on the thick wooden door, Xanaphia waited for the Healer. The faint "Come in" from inside was almost inaudible over the footsteps of the group following her. Xanaphia pushed open the door. It was heavy, but it moved easily. She stepped inside where the thick scents of herbs and flowers met her in a haze. Coughing slightly, she motioned for the rest to come in as well.

Walking deeper into the Cabin, which apeared much smaller from the outside, and looked for the owner of the faint voice.

As she found by walking for several minutes into the cabin, the voice was only faint by distance. And the owner looked like He couldn't faint if his life depended on it. He was a burly man. With long hair that looked like it had seen neither brush nor comb in over three months. Towering over Xanaphia at almost seven feet, he was a man that would make anyone feel intimidated and small. He was Z. No one asked what it stood for, though many wondered.

Z took one look at the haggard group in front of him and sighed. This was going to take some work.

"Don't tell me why you're here. Just split up into groups of three. I can only heal that many at a time" No one else spoke before Z had. All were more than a little intimidated, and nervous. Xanaphia walked over to Ferinheart and Colm followed her. Slowly the groups walked into one of the many rooms in Z's cabin. This, Xanaphia assumed, was the healing room. The purpose of the other rooms remained a mystery that she played in her head while she waited. Finally it was her groups' turn. Xanaphia, Colm and Ferinheart walked in together, and were very surprised by the appearance of Z. He had changed from his gardening garb into the common dress of a doctor. He told one of them to step forward and show them his wounds. Indicating the curtained area so that they would have some privacy. Colm went first. The curtain was made of heavy furs so they were completely blocked from veiw. It took Colm ten minutes before he came back, Ferinheart went next. Ferinheart, having more wounds than Colm, took about twenty minutes before rejoining Xanaphia. She went behind the curtain, and took off her cloak. Thus the scars she had gathered before Coppersea showed. Even more when she pulled her top up slightly to let Z heal the wounds inflicted my the Vineaxe. Unknown to Xanaphia and Z Colm had re-entered the room, after he had left to check on the others who had not been healed yet.

"Do you want me to do something about the scars?" Z asked.

Xanaphia considered, it would be nice to be rid of the only reminders of her Hell on Earth, but she didn't want to tell any one. Finally she decided and said, "Only the ones on my arms." Z nodded and said,
"I can heal them better if I know what caused them" Xanaphia glanced toward the door. She hadn't heard any one come in. Figuring that no one would hear Xanaphia told her tale. Starting from when the had been lured towards a darker bit of forest, drugged and carried far away from the path. She had woken up, the drugs worn off by then, to find chains bolting her to the floor. She told of "Them" that had used a whip, small knifes and scarfs to cause most of the scars.

"Scarfs?" Z asked, confused interest in his light blue eyes.

Xanaphia took her hand to her throat and made a choking sound to demonstrate her point. Z nodded and started healing the scars. After an hour Xanaphia came out from behind the curtain to find Colm and Ferinheart staring at her in horrified shock. Ferinheart went to put his arm around her shoulder in comfort, but she shrugged him off.

"I'm over it." She said, slightly blushing in embarrassment that more people now knew of those hideous months. Colm couldn't bring himself to speak. He had unwillingly imagined the events she had described to Z, and felt the pain. Xanaphia glanced at them, annoyed now.

"You don't have to make such a big deal out of it."

Here, Colm found his voice.

"Don't have to?" His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't used it in years, " Don't have to? Of course we do! YOU WERE RA--" Xanaphia had clapped a hand over his mouth, silencing him.

"Don't scream it to the world!" She hissed, glancing again at the open door.

"But-" He started but Xanaphia cut him off.

"Later." She said, steel in her voice.

"But-" Ferinheart had spoken this time. She Growled the same to him. Turning, she walked out of the room. This was going to be a pain in the neck.

After all of their party had been healed. Z came out of the room. Holding a piece of paper, filled with names and numbers.

I have the price for all of you. Please come up to pay."

Every one crowded around Z until Xanaphia, tired of being squashed into the persons on either side of her Jumped onto the low beams that supported the roof.

"SINGLE FILE!!" She called above the clamoring crowd. They fell silent then started bustling about to follow the order.

Xanaphia jumped down to the front and paid quickly. It was a large sum, but Xanaphia had too much on her mind to care or calculate what would be needed to make up the loss.

Xanaphia went outside the Cabin to wait for everyone else to finish paying. A hand gripped her wrist. Too distracted to punch, she merely glanced at who it was. Colm stood their, concern coloring his eyes several shades darker.

"Are you ok?" He asked, squeezing her arm gently.

"I'm fine." Xanaphia said, and fidgeted. Something was definitely up. Up until now, Colm had never seen Xanaphia fidget, but the ice cool look of calm.

Pulling her away from the door he said quietly, but firmly;

"I know something's wrong. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. But if you need to talk, my hearing's fine." Xanaphia faked a small smile. She didn't really need to talk, just to think things over a little. Xanaphia nodded, and Colm slowly let go of her arm. A thought crossed his mind, but he pushed it back. It wasn't right for that.

Xanaphia watched Colm go, shaking his head as if to shoo away some insect buzzing at his ear. Xanaphia pulled a chain, hidden my her shirt, to look at the charm that hung from the end. It was a pretty thing; small pearl with a complicated gold pattern that wound around it. Thinking back to when her Best friend, Lia, had given it to her before she left the palace grounds. Xanaphia climbed a nearby tree. Needing a quiet spot to remember and not be interrupted.

Xanaphia and Lia were hugging a final goodbye before Xanaphia left. The rules of the court were that once a person left the grounds it was seven years before they could come back through. This was as a protection of the Palace. If one went to give information it would be quite useless by the time the spy would be able to go back for more. Lia pulled something out of the pocket of her robe. Lia was a Charmest, one who puts charms and spells to give certain articles special powers. Taking the thin chain, holding the precious charm, Lia held it out to Xanaphia. Her eyes widening at the beautiful trinket, Xanaphia took it and shot a questioning look at her friend.

"It's a charm. To protect you."

"From what?" Xanaphia asked. If one has a magiced article it's best to know exactly what it does.

"Oh, you know. Bugs,poison, Sickness...pregnancy."

Xanaphia choked on her breath when she heard the last word.

"What!?"

Lia shrugged, looking sheepish. "It's dangerous out there. You never know what might happen."

Xanaphia stared at the charm. Unsure of what to do.

Then Lia spoke again. "Promise me you'll wear it always... Well, not ALWAYS. " Lia corrected herself. Xanaphia and Lia shared several minutes of giggles before they calmed down again.

"I promise that I'll never take it off. Unless..." She winked at Lia and more giggles commenced. Slipping it over her head, Xanaphia tucked the precious gift down her shirt.

"Don't want it breaking on some branch." Xanaphia said. They hugged again. Just before She walked through the gaits Lia, the shyest, gentlest person in the palace, called;

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Xanaphia flashed a fake innocent smile.

"Would I do that?"

Without hesitation, Lia said "YES!" And laughed. Xanaphia was still laughing when she walked through the gaits and into her waiting adventure.

A sound from below jerked Xanaphia out of Memory Land.

Colm was calling for her, so, a ways away, was Ferinheart.

She sighed and rolled her eyes before jumping down next to Colm.

"Gyah!" He yelped in surprise. Xanaphia smirked.

"So, I'm not the ONLY one who is scared easily."

Colm scowled at her, then softened and told her the news Z had told after she had left.

"Z has invited us to stay in his Cabin for tonite. He says that the road between here and the town is too dangerous to go at night."

"What's out there?" Xanaphia inquired.

"Bandits, thieves...Kidnappers."

Xanaphia clenched her fist, eyes turning from their normal gleaming green to a dangerous red.

" You mean like the one that ahem 'Kidnapped' me?"

Colm nodded. " But we should stay." His words faded as Xanaphia turned on her heel and started walking to the road. The only thing that could and did stop her was the glimpse of something eerily familiar.

Xanaphia paused, Her eyes returning to green as she recognized a plant that she knew only grew outside the gaits of the palace. The Pinita, a twiggy bush that grew wild only in the palace grounds and the few miles around it. Could she really be that close? Picking a stem, she chewed it for a few seconds.

"One...Two...Three...Four...Five" She thought, and right on que the sweet flavor of the plant filled her mouth. She almost jumped up and down in glee. Exactly the same as the plants she'd picked hundreds of times at the palace. They were her favorite snack, and perfect to chew while lost in thought. Looking forward, she saw the plants become slightly more organized over to the east. following the slightly organized trail, she soon came to the invisible wall that protected the Palace. Knowing that a guard was never far, she started singing a Palace song.

" From West to East and Back again,
Beneath the cloudy sky
Will never fall
As long as my head's held high"

She grinned as the Second chorus was sung by her old Friend Garrn.

"Inside the Wall, we place our lives
Together great and small
With our swords and skills and baking knives
The Crimson Place will never fall."

Garrn came over, and stood on the other side.

"Who are you?" He asked.

Xanaphia grinned and chewed the Pinita stem, a bit of it sticking out of the corner of her mouth.
"Don't you remember me?"

A small spark of memory shone in Garrn's eyes.

"Maybe. What's your name?"

"Xanaphia Luna Anara, First Daughter of Her Late Majesty Queen Isebella Florn Winn, the second. Great to see you, Garrn."

His eyes went wide as he fully recognized her.

"Xana!! How are you!" He paused, taking in her appearance, "You look a wreck."

"And you look like a surprised marmoset." She joked, as she had six years ago. " But look at you! A Guard! Your Dad must be proud."

"Head Gaurd." He corrected, his eyes saddened, "Dad died two years ago."

"Gods! Garrn, I'm so sorry. Ya think it'd be okay for me to come in? I know it hasn't been seven years yet..." Garrn snorted.

"Like that ever stopped you before! You snuck in and out of here so much that no one else knew the woods out there better!"

Xanaphia grinned, " You're right. Stand back!" She bent down and pushed the barrier up slightly. The Magical Red glimmer slid up ward and stayed just long enough for Xanaphia to slip through. She Hugged Garrn.

"Say, Is Lia anywhere around here?" Xanaphia asked as she stepped away from Garrn.

"Yeah, she's over in Pinita Field number three."

"Great! See ya later, Garrn. I only came back to chat, but I'll be back again soon. Ok?"

"Ok. Just try not to do it at night! Someone might think you're up to something."

Xanaphia looked at him, her well known, fake innocent smile on her face.

"Would I really do something like that?"

Just like Lia had those years ago, Garrn answered without hesitation;

"YES!!"

Xanaphia laughed and headed over to the Pinita Fields.

Lia was kneeling on the firm ground, like Xanaphia had years ago. Picking the soft twigs, Lia was humming a soft tune. Xanaphia snuck up behind her.

"Hey." Xanaphia said when she was right behind her. Lia jumped and stifled a small scream. Turning around, irked at who had scared her. Her eyes widened and she hugged her friend close.

"Xana!! What are you doing here? By the gods! Those scars!"

Xanaphia cursed. Z's healing took time and the scars on her arms hadn't completely disappeared.

"They're nothing." Xanaphia muttered, then changed the subject.
"Hey! You're looking..." Xanaphia noticed the belly that could only mean one thing, "Big."

Lia grinned, a little foolishly. "Yeah. Almost four months now."

"Who's the Father?" Xanaphia asked, raising her eyebrow at her friend.

Lia blushed a bright red, "Darryn."

Xanaphia thought back, then nodded. "Nice guy. Awesome eyes."

"Aren't they, though?" Lia gushed, just like they were back in The Training. This jogged a memory in Xanaphia's mind.

"Hey, do you still remember, The Song?"

Lia's eyes glimmered in the predawn. " The Song? Of course! Who could forget, The Song?"

With that they both burst into song the bouncy tune flowed from their lips as the danced along to it.

Through the halls of Training
Where the Queen Bee's reining
Hear her scream
Hear her rant
See her be the Cook's Assistant!

At the end they collapsed into fits of giggles. Much as they had when they hummed this song in the halls when they saw the Queen Bee ordering her friends about.

"By the by. Where is Dear Queenie?"

Lia giggled, "She's in Bookkeeping."

Xanaphia's eyes widened. "She's The Secretary?"

Lia laughed again. A warm song like sound. "No, she's the Recipe Keeper."

Xanaphia grinned. "Well, that is an important job. I hope she's happy."

Lia solumned. " I think she is. She's also married, same as I."

This peeked Xanaphia's interest again. "Oh?"

"Yup. To Briamm."

Xanaphia gasped. "There's something I never expected!"

Lia nodded. " I know. It shocked every one when they started seeing each other."

"When did this happen?"

"About a year and a half after you left."

Xanaphia nodded. She had just gotten to Coppersea at that time.

"So, where have you been all this time?"

"Coppersea." Xanaphia said, looking around the familiar fields.

Lia gasped. "That's clear across the country! You must have had some adventures. Tell me how you got those scars."

Xanaphia gulped, and told of all the scars that hadn't been earned in That Place.

Lia frowned. "And what about those other ones?"

Xanaphia groaned. She didn't want to go into that story. But Lia pestered her all the while when they started back towards the Palace.

"Alright, Alright. I'll tell you!" Xanaphia exclaimed finally, halfway towards the Palace. She then went into a hurried tale of That Place, and what happened to her there. At the end, Lia had tears in her eyes and hugged Xanaphia tightly.

" I'm so sorry." She said.

"Me too." Xanaphia whispered. And for the first time since her escape, she let a tear trickle down her cheek. When they puled away, Xanaphia looked towards the shimmering red wall.

"I have to go now. I'm still on a quest. I'm helping a guy get to the Island of the Gods."

Lia looked impressed. " Wow, can I come with you? I need to inspect this guy. Make sure he's worthy."

Xanaphia groaned with exasperation. "He's a traveling friend. Not my suitor!"

Lia looked at Xanaphia, a twinkle in her eye. "Are you sure about that?"

Xanaphia rolled her eyes but led Lia to the spot she had come in at.

The ocean of tears that Xanaphia had kept locked away for so long threatened to spill as she hardened her defence against it. When she let that one tear fall, thousands wished to follow it. But Xanaphia could not allow that. Lifting the bit of the wall once more for herself and Lia, she started towards Z's Cabin. There the two found chaos. Everyone was running around, searching the woods and the roads. Colm was in the thick of the confusion. He stopped his frantic searching when some man or another saw Xanaphia and called to everyone else
"She's back!!" The entire group stopped and looked at her. Colm, a very odd expression of anger, fear, and relief on his face, walked over ti Xanaphia and pulled her by the arm to a separate bit of the wood. Lia followed close behind, not noticed by Colm.

"Don't scare us like that." Colm growled. Xanaphia was quite shocked at his action and took her side.

"How so?" She asked defiance quite clear in her voice.

"You disappeared. We thought you had gone to look for the Men who 'kidnapped' you. To get revenge."

Xanaphia, even more baffled,said, "My revenge on them was settled long go." She pulled down the shoulder of her shirt to show the scar she had Z leave there. "This was the last scar they left on me, before I stole my sword back."

"Well..." Colm started, a little taken aback by this news, but regaining his breath quickly, "You should have told me that!"

" I don't need to tell you every little thing about my life!" Xanaphia snapped back. The fight that would have followed was stopped by the burst of laughter that came from Lia, who had stood silent up till then.

Xanaphia looked at her with a mix of annoyance and curiosity, "What's so funny?"

"You...You..." Lia gasped, doubled over with laughter. "You fight like a married couple."

Xanaphia and Colm both looked away to hide the blush on their cheeks. However, Lia's sharp eyes didn't miss a thing. Still snickering, she said;

"I'll leave you two lovebirds to yourselves." Then ran away, as was wise as a look of indignant horror spread on Xanaphia's face.

"We aren't Lovebirds!!" She called after her retreating friend. Turning to Colm, who now looked very embarrassed, Xanaphia said, " Let's get back. We don't want that rumor spreading. Or I'll never hear the end of it."

Colm smiled. He could just picture Ferinheart's remarks if he suspected what the strange laughing lady had spoken about. Returning to the clearing, they found Lia waiting for them.

"Oh!" Xanaphia exclaimed,remembering what Lia had requested back in the Palace grounds. "Lia, this is Colm; my traveling companion. Colm, this is Lia; my best friend."

Colm nodded to Lia, who nodded back. Then circled around Colm and Xanaphia, looking at Colm very hard.

Finally, she announced to the both of them. "I approve."

Colm said, after a few very confused moments, "Of what?"

"Never mind. " Xanaphia almost snarled, looking at Lia, willing her to read her thoughts which went something like " Why did you say that in front of HIM,for Goodness' sake??"

But Lia didn't, and only smiled, waved and turned to go back to the Palace. Xanaphia rolled her eye's as Colm looked to her for an explanation.

" Don't ask." She said. Now very tired from all the happenings that had occurred. Wandering back to Z's Cabin, she found Z waiting for her, to show her to her room. Winding down the immense hallway to a room almost to the end of it. Xanaphia peeked inside. It looked comfortable enough, but there was nothing on which she could hang upside down on. She quietly explained this to Z, so as not to disturb the others sleeping in the next rooms. Colm, who had followed them as much to listen as to be on his way to his room, commented

"But you slept normally the other day."

Xanaphia sighed. This was going to be complicated.

" That was because I was hurt or there was a storm going on. I don't know why that affects my sleeping pattern, but it does." Xanaphia waited for the question that was sure to come. Colm asked;

"How did your sleeping pattern get messed up in the first place?"

" A creative witch decided to give me blue hair. Since this not only involves the hair that has grown, but the hair that has not grown yet, it messed with some things in my brain. Thus messing with my sleeping pattern."

Colm nodded, still not completely sure of what was going on, but was willing to let it drop at that. Shrugging, Xanaphia told both of them goodnight and got ready to try to fall asleep.

Colm shook his head.

"She baffles me, sometimes." He confided to Z. Who merely nodded and went to his own room at the other end of the hall. Colm went into his own room, which happened to be across the hall from Xanaphia's, and got into the ready made bed that waited for him.

Xanaphia had finally started to drift off into sleep when she felt something tickling her nose. waving her hand at it, she felt something very hairy. Her eyes fluttered open as her suspicions floated in her mind along with desperate thoughts of;
'please be a cat. please be a cat, please be a cat.' As her eyes adjusted, they found they eight pairs of a spider. Not, unfortunately, just any spider. Xanaphia cursed her luck. This just HAD to be a spider the size of a medium dog. Before any other coherent thought could form in her mind, a scream forced it's way out of her throat. She did not normally scream because of spiders.However, as she later reasoned, a spider the size of a dog was a special matter.

Colm woke with a start, yet again, to the screams of Xanaphia.Barging into her room, it did not take long to find her. For she was on the floor, moving backwards as fast as she could while never taking her eyes off of the biggest spider Colm had ever seen. Colm lit the lamp by the door. The sudden light making the spider scurry away into the closet of Xanaphia's room. When Xanaphia had stopped screaming, she picked up her bag and walked out of the room. As Colm followed her and started to ask where she was going, he heard her muttering.

"That's it. I'm going outside. I can deal with NORMAL spiders. Normal spiders are no problem. Dog-spiders, no. Just, no. no no no no no no no."

If Colm weren't so shaken by the screams in the night, he would have found her mutterings quite funny. As it were, he left her to calm down and went back to his own room. After checking his closet for giant spiders, and finding none, he went back to sleep.

Xanaphia hung upside down from a spider-free tree. Shuddering for the tenth time. The remembrance of the feeling of the black spider still sent shivers of disgust down Xanaphia's spine. After a long time hanging upside down in the tree, Xanaphia went to sleep.

When morning came, Xanaphia woke to the startling upside down grin of Colm.

" 'Morning sunshine!" He said, too cheerfully and too loudly in Xanaphia's opinion. Forgetting that she was in a tree, she tried to roll over, like she would in a normal bed. This was not such a wise idea, but she was, after all, still mostly asleep.As her knees unlocked to move, she once again fell. Colm, trying to hide the smile that fought to take over his expression, caught her yet again.

"You really need to stop doing that." Xanaphia growled.

"Such a treasure in the morning, aren't you?" Colm asked, still way too cheerfully. Xanaphia grumbled something unintelligible and looked toward the Cabin. A thought struck her.

" You ready to go to the town now?" She asked Colm, who was humming a tune she did not know.

Colm nodded. Oddly choosing then to become silent. Xanaphia, showing a great deal of patience for so early in the morning, asked when he planned on putting her down.

"Sometime." He answered unhelpfully.

"Great." she muttered, kicking her legs a little, out of annoyance. Unbeknowest to her, this made Colm notice just how long her legs were. Averting his eyes, Colm finally put Xanaphia on her feet. She was just starting to walk away, when a devilishly funny thought popped into Colm's head. Feeling a bit impulsive that day, Colm acted. He plucked Xanaphia off her feet and over his shoulder. Surprising Xanaphia completely, she barely had enough time to shout "What the-?" before she was staring at the ground, slung over Colm's shoulder. Colm wisely put an arm across the back of Xanaphia's knees to keep her from kicking him in very unpleasent spots. However this did not stop her from voicing the indignancy of this action.

"What do you think you're doing? Put me down this moment! You--" Then she went into a peel of what Colm assumed were very descriptive and insulting names in Elvin. Colm continued toward town, her bag on his other shoulder. When Xanaphia had tired of calling Colm very insulting names, she propped her head on her hand, her elbow carefully digging into Colm's back. He shifted his shoulders.

"Mind moving your elbow a little to the left?"

"Mind putting me down?" Xanaphia replied, dryly.

"No."
Xanaphia dug her elbow in harder, and Colm pinched her leg. Not hard, but hard enough for her to feel it through her leggings.

"Ouch! Why you!" She spun off into furious Elvin again. She felt Colm's shoulders shake beneath her. It took her a few seconds to realize that he was laughing! This fed her anger more, and if she didn't already know what he was laughing at, she would have asked. When Colm had carried her far away from the Cabin, and almost to town he put her down.

Her temper had cooled considerably so she only grumbled in Elvin. Colm did not know much Elvin, but he did recognize the phrase " Ignorant pigheaded fool" which she used quite a lot.Sitting down, and glaring at Colm, who only smiled at her, Xanaphia started eating her brunch.

'If looks could kill.' Colm thought. ' I'd be dead thrice over.' He couldn't help but grin. He doubted she noticed, but when she was annoyed, or angry, her ears tipped back. It was quite interesting to watch them move of their own accord. Much like a cat's or horse's would. Once they were done with their brunch. Colm tried again to pick her up. But this time she was ready and darted out of reach at the last second. This gave the insensitive to chase, and Colm ran after her. Xanaphia couldn't help but laugh as the game carried on for quite a few minutes. Colm fell to the ground. Tired from all the running about. Xanaphia sat next to him, slightly winded. She stretched and yawned, making, to Colm's amusement, what sounded like a 'meow'.

" Did you just meow?" Asked Colm, and interested smirk on his face.

"No!" Xanaphia said sharply, but looked away to hide the blush.

" Yes, you did." Colm contradicted. Xanaphia's ears turned a soft pink in embarrassment.

"Ok. I did." Xanaphia said, breathing out a long sigh. "It's because I'm a halfbreed."

Colm raised his eyebrows curiously.

"Oh? How so? Last time I checked Humans didn't meow unless..." He trailed off and Xanaphia blushed another shade deeper.

"It's not like that. I'm only a quarter Human." Xanaphia muttered into her knees.

"So, what's the other quarter?"

"Well it's really a half. I'm Half elf, and half Preene."

Colm looked at her with interest.

"Preene? As in Human with many feline traits?"

Xanaphia nodded. Colm was thinking this through.

"So, why the fear of spiders? I don't think cats dislike spiders."

"They don't give a dead bird's feather about spiders. Do I really need a reason for one's phobia's?"

Colm shrugged. Xanaphia stared at him. Her green eyes glinting in the mid morning sun.

" You're not going to pull that 'I'm not afraid of anything' speech, are you?"

Colm laughed. " No. I just can't think of any fear that would classify as a 'phobia'."
Xanaphia rolled her eyes towards the sky. Then remembered Rhyan, waiting for them at the other side of the town.

Standing up, and stretching to get the knots and kinks out of her back, Xanaphia said,
"We'd better start for the town if we don't want Rhyan to get too impatient."

Colm nodded and stood. He did not, at first try to pick Her up again. Preferring to surprise her. Once Xanaphia had stopped glancing at him suspiciously, Colm plucked her from the ground and once again had her over his shoulder. He chuckled slightly at the exasperated sigh that came from the girl over his shoulder.

"Why do you like to carry me?Isn't it tiring?"

Colm shrugged and said "Because."

Xanaphia grumbled " Oh, That's real enlightening."

Colm smiled. She got into too much trouble when she was walking. He thought back to the quest his father had described, back on the island.

"Colm, you are too accustomed to life here." the God Alcomist had said. His deep booming voice, that could break glass for sheer volume, echoed in Colm's ears.

Colm merely nodded, expecting Alcomist to speak further on the matter. Which he did.

" Therefore. I have a quest for you."

Colm looked up, interest shining in his eyes.

"Your quest is to bring a woman with you from a far away city. You must bring her here, and she must come of her own free will."

"Ok." Colm said. The quest sounded easy enough.

"You cannot use your powers on her." Alcomist said, sternly. "A bride cannot be won through magic."

Colm choked on his words.
"B-bride?! Father! Don't you think it's a little soon to be playing matchmaker?"

Alcomist raised an eyebrow at his sun. Even though he was not a God, he was well respected throughout the Island community.

"Depends. I'd like to see my son married before I die."

"Father. You're not going to die. You're a God!"

Alcomist shrugged. " A figure of speech."

Colm rolled his eyes towards the sky. Where was it written that parents had to be so annoying? He was, after all, only twenty five. HE had plenty of life before him. Especially for being a Demi-god.

Sighing in defeat, Colm asked " Where should I start?"

Alcomist though for a minute, then brought up a map of the world through the golden mist that covered the ground on the island.

Studying the map closely, He looked into the world closely looking for the place where he had been watching a rather interesting young woman. This Blue haired beauty had shown great courage and strength. Fighting of such brutes and still making it to such a far city.

"Coppersea. I think that will do. If you need any help with this quest. I think the man Crusher will be of help."

Colm shrugged.

" I can blink to get there, right?"

" Of course. But none of your magic to get her back. You don't want to break every bone in her body, do you?"

Colm shook his head. This would definitely be interesting. Then, he gathered his magic and blinked.

Xanaphia was now squirming in his grasp. Unconsciously he loosened his grip. Xanaphia noticed this and wriggled further. When he had let go more, she pushed herself away. Diving into a roll on the ground. She walked beside Colm for about ten minutes before he noticed the lack of weight on his shoulder. He started and looked around, to see her at his side, smirking at him.

"Thought you would never notice. Have fun in Dreamland?" She asked. Colm frowned. He had been so lost in thought that he hadn't even noticed.They were coming up to the town very quickly now. They gaits were tall in front of them, casting little shadow in the noon sun. Xanaphia looked to the top of the gaits, craning her neck.

"Sentries." She said. then muttered a curse under her breath.

"Why the curse?" He glanced down at her.

" That means I can't, uh, earn back some of my money." Xanaphia said, her eyes shifted from side to side as she said this. She scanned the road, picking up small-ish stones along her way.

"What are you doing?" Colm inquired, glancing up at the sentries himself.

"Nothing." Xanaphia said, and continued to pick up the stones. Colm pondered this until they made it to the middle of the city, away from the sentries. Xanaphia took some of the stones from her pocket and traded them with the coins of another. Doing this silently until all her stones were gone. Colm looked at her with amusement.

" I didn't know you were a rogue." He commented. Xanaphia shrugged, then suddenly elbowed a man who was standing next to them in the crowd, in the head. He glared at her, but said nothing.

"Now, what did you do that for?" Colm asked, quite surprised at her actions.

"He touched me." She snarled. Glaring at the man as he walked away.

Colm looked confused. "What does that have to do with it? I touch you all the time."

Xanphia chocked on a laugh. "Hardly. He 'touched' me." She looked at him, a deeper meaning in her eyes.

Colm coughed, " Ah, yes. That would be disturbing."

"Just a little." Xanaphia said. Sarcasm chilled her words. " Especially considering that no one has touched me like that since..." She cleared her throat. Colm got her meaning almost immediately.

"That would put a bit of danger for them." He agreed.

Xanaphia nodded. She didn't like these crowds. Necessary though they were to her work, she preferred the forest to the noisy cities. They made their way through the city rather quickly, stopping her and there for supplies or food. Xanaphia wanted to stop by a weapon's shop, but Colm argued that she had enough weapons. Xanaphia argued, and won her point, saying that one could never have too many weapons. So Colm consented into entering the shop. Xanaphia browsed along the walls of weapons. Glancing over the arrows and bows. Looking a bit closer to at the swords, but she already had a sword and wouldn't trade it for all the gold in the world. However, she didn't have a decent dagger. Hers was so nicked and battered from odd jobs that hardly any of the blade was left. So she stopped by the daggers. Admiring the blades. Most were very plain or too elaborate for her taste. Then she spotted a very special dagger. She gasped when she saw it. It was made of amber, and had the same coasting dragon on it in silver that her sword had. It even had the delicate golden design of the Elvin symbol for Strength and beauty. She had to have it. She then glanced at the price and groaned. That would take days of earnings to afford. Colm looked over her shoulder to see what she was groaning at. He was no expert at matching, but he recognized the pattern on the blade as the same that was on Xanaphia's sword. He, too, glanced at the price. He whistled and looked at Xanaphia.

"Too rich for your blood?"

"Too rich for my purse." Xanaphia corrected. Colm pondered for a moment then called the shop keeper over.

" We'd like to purchase this dagger." He said, calmly to the man in charge. He raised an eyebrow at Colm. Then started to take out the Dagger.

Xanaphia turned to Colm. "You couldn't possibly afford this!"

Colm smirked at her, then drew a few priceless rubys from his purse. Xanaphia's eyes widened in shock. Was he really buying it?

Colm handed the rubys over to the shopkeeper. The man took out his eyeglass and examined the rubys. Finding no flaws that would degrade their value. He took them and handed Colm the dagger, along with several gold coins as change.
Colm thanked the man and walked out of the shop. Presenting the dagger to Xanaphia.

"No, I couldn't possibly." She said, even though the gesture was probably the sweetest that had ever been directed at her.

"Just think of this as an early payment." Colm said. Pushing the dagger into her hands. Xanaphia did some quick calculating.

"This will take over a year to pay off!"

Colm smiled. This was going better than he had hoped.
"Guess your stuck with me for a year." Thankfully, Xanaphia was too busy staring at the dagger in her hands to notice Colm's unmistakable grin.

One thought kept running though Xanaphia's head while she and Colm continued on their way out of the city.

Did he really buy this for me? Why did he buy this for me?

Colm was whistling pleasantly as the walked. Knowing that the object in his pocket would soon find it's proper place. As soon as they got to the sea.