I don't own Mercedes' characters! I think I've forgotten to put this up, for a bit, but this covers all previous chapters as well! Have a nice read!

Chapter 7: Divine Interference

Quietly, silently they vanish deep into the woods. Taven's death grip is returned by Tris, both wondering who this man is that they are following. As soon as they are far enough away from the men, Tris reaches forward and tugs on the man's cloak. The man turns and appears to be amused. Tris frowns, "Who are you? Why did you help us escape? Where are we?"

"You call me Servant. You needed help and are favored by the Sun Lord. You are inside Karse."

"We're WHAT!" Shiantris shrieks in horror, her skin turning white.

"You said we are favored by the Sun Lord?" Taven whispers in shock.

"CRAP!" Tris blurts out. "The Sun Lord is just another form of Mithros, and if that's true, then that means that he's God as well! Someone must have put a Shin'a'in curse on me that says 'may your life be interesting'! This is just great!" Tris begins to get sarcastic.

"He is? They are? You're not cursed!" Taven speaks out of shock.

"Eiliona! Your charge is here!" Servant calls.

: Farrar! You just interrupted my nap! : a Firecat growls as she jumps down from a tree.

"Um, Eiliona… you weren't supposed to tell them my name," Farrar/Servant glares down at the cat.

: That's right… YOU were supposed to tell them that! You were also to tell them that they're going to be heading back to Valdemar! : Eiliona chuckles mentally as she wears a cat equivalent to a grin or smirk. : Greetings, Shiantris and Taven. I am Eiliona. I am…:

"An ego-inflated, bratty, conniving, mischievous…" Farrar grumbles.

: Enough of that, Farrar! Servant indeed! I am a Firecat. I will be traveling with you two. :

: We've met Altra. Eiliona, do you know him? : Tris asks.

: He's in Valdemar? MEOW! : Eiliona wiggles her tail in excitement.

"What did you just tell her?" Farrar asks worriedly.

"That Altra's in Valdemar," Tris bites her lip nervously.

"JOY! Now she'll be talking about him non-stop!" Farrar grumbles. "I must take leave of you three here. I can not deal with a love-sick Firecat!" Farrar disappears into the woods.

"That was odd," Taven mumbles.

"Welcome to the story of my life," Tris rolls her eyes. "ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD THAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN?"

"Are you yelling at me?" Taven stares at Tris and notices her upward gaze. "Um, it's not a good idea to say things like that…"

"Do I look like I give a crap?" Tris glares at him; then sighing, "Sorry, Taven. I'm not mad at you."

"I guess that's a good thing," Taven quirks a grin.

"Yeah, a plus for you, a minus for me and Eiliona," Tris smiles at him sadly. "Are you mad at me?"

"Na, you're my ticket out of Karse," Taven jokes.

"YOU!" Tris pretends to pout and tackles Taven. Taking him completely by surprise, she deems it a tickle war.

"Stop! Please!" Taven whispers out between broken laughter.

"Okay," Tris sighs and stops tickling him, but she stays on top of him, pressing her head into his chest. Taven takes a deep breathe in shock, and starts to say something, only to have Tris place her hand over his mouth. Her eyes focused on something through the bush they are behind.

"Hungry?" a male voice asks.

"Where's my mommy?" a little girl replies loudly.

"Your mommy told me to take you on a trip. She doesn't want you anymore."

"Where's my daddy?"

"He's sleeping."

"When will daddy wake up?"

"Never," the male smirks.

"How long until I see mommy again?"

"She said she didn't want a little whore like you," the male sneers at the little child.

"Taven," Tris whispers, removing her hand from Taven's mouth. "That man isn't right."

"Huh?" Taven whispers back.

"Trust me," Tris rolls off Taven, motioning both him and Eiliona to follow her.

"Get to sleep," the man sneers and shoves the girl into a cage, tying the door closed with a complicated knot. The man chuckles and is soon asleep.

Taven and Eiliona follow Tris around the man's camp and behind the cage. Tris opens her mind to her two companions. : Eiliona, I need you to go out first and mindspeak to the girl. Then I'll tackle that knot on the cage. Taven can watch our backs if that man decides to wake. Does that work for you two? :

: Fine with me. : Taven sends it with the impression of a shrug.

: I will calm the child. : Eiliona shows her impression of a wicked human grin. Her tail lashing about, Eiliona soundlessly makes her way towards the child. The child stares in awe at the Firecat.

Tris' eyes flicker to the man and she quickly hurries toward the knot, careful not to step on any twigs that would make the man alert to their presence. Tris begins to fiddle with the complicated knot, taking her time and a few deep breaths; she soon has the first of five parts unraveled. In five minutes, two more parts are undone. Finally, she has fully undone the knot. She stores that knot in mind for future use, slips the rope off the cage door and holds her hands out to the child. The girl almost leaps into Tris' arms and develops a near death grip on Tris' neck. While carrying the girl, Tris is unmindful of her footing and snap!

"What are you doing brat?" the man glares at Tris and the young child.

Tris doesn't answer, but she runs towards the bushes, the man trying to follow, but finding an angry Firecat and boy standing in his way. : Eiliona! What does a freaking bloodpath mage feel like? :

: A bloodpath? : Eiliona keeps her attention focused on the man. : I believe your assumption is correct! :

: Taven! Eiliona! Get out of there! : Tris sends loudly. Soon she hears the man cursing as he tramps through the forest looking for the little girl and her saviors.

Yes, I know it's rather short, but I was a bit stuck on how to get a Karsite near them. My father told me that a little girl had been kidnapped on our street, recently. I hope her family gets her back unharmed and alive. It doesn't seem real until stuff like this happens to you or in your neighborhood, and then it really hits home.

Sorry, Hishonami, (if you're reading this) I couldn't do much humor in this chapter, but if I can get them back to Valdemar or near someone Tris knows, I'll try in the next chapter.

Katsiebee: YEAH! A new reader! I'm glad you approve of my fic! Wow! You know someone who acts like Shiantris? COOL! I'm glad you can identify with my character! I have troubles finishing up stories for the night, as well. Must be because we love the serene-like quality of the enchanting night; that is, when it isn't freezing or snowing outside and turns you blue.

Well, it has been a blast typing, although a bit more serious than usual. Probably between that girl being kidnapped, and finding out that my sister has a heart problem, I lost my sense of humor. I hope it comes back soon. I really need it to cheer up my peers. Not that I can tell a joke worth squat, because I can't, but being a bit silly and telling them about my stupid mistakes always seems to make them laugh. Listen to the writer ramble! Ugh! I hate it when I do that! Oh well, I hope to put up another chapter soon! Please, any feedback is appreciated! Sayonara!

Snowfire the Kitsune