I would like to thoroughly apologize to my readers. I am withdrawing my story...just kidding. But I would like to apologize. I know I left you with a huge cliffhanger and then did not post for a few months. I have been busy writing one of my own stories. Sorry again, hope you guys did not give up on me, here are the next chapters

Chapter 11

Conviction

All the next day Christiana managed to avoid Leven. She would engage in the smallest tasks in order to keep out of his way. Luckily for her, Leven was busy as well. For most of the day he was going in and out of his father's tent. She was pleased to see Brent go in as well and come out looking surly and angry. He shot her a glare when he saw her watching before storming away.

Still, she wasn't able to avoid Leven forever.

She was brushing out Thorn's coat when Leven found her. Thorn might be a pain to ride but he behaved when he was being brushed, at least. He leaned into her hand, eyes half closed with a look of such idiotic contentment on his face that she couldn't help smiling a little.

His ears pricked suddenly and he rolled his head to the side. She glanced over her shoulder then casually turned back to what she was doing, swallowing hard to try and relieve her suddenly dry throat.

Leven stood a few feet away, casually leaning against a tree.

"I thought you hated that pony."

"He's a pain," she corrected. "I don't hate him."

"The same can't be said for me, I suppose," he commented, not seeming bothered by it. In fact he seemed rather pleased by the idea.

Her stony silence was answer enough.

Adrenaline was pumping through her veins and she had to focus to keep her hands from shaking with nervous energy. Her ears easily picked up his movement as he came up behind her.

Trying to seem nonchalant about it, she ducked under Thorn's neck, putting his sturdy body between herself and Leven, continuing to brush over his body.

By the smirk he sent her way, she hadn't fooled him.

He folded his arms and rested them on Thorns back, leaning again them, bringing himself closer to her.

"You can't run and hide from me forever, Chris."

She fixed him with a level stare. "I was not planning to."

He raised an eyebrow, black eyes flashing.

"Glad to hear it. Then you wouldn't mind stopping by my tent tonight, since I was denied to pleasure of your company last night."

Tension made her stomach tight but she determinedly kept her face smooth of emotion.

"Of course," she said simply. "Though I cannot imagine any business you would have with me that you could not have mentioned last night."

"Can't you?" he said with a mocking smile. His hand shot out and grasped her wrist as she passed it over Thorn's coat, yanking her closer until he was nearly in her face.

She didn't have time to react before Thorn did. Vexed at having his grooming cut short his head wiped around and he sunk his big, horse teeth, deep into Leven's arm.

Leven bellowed in pain, instantly releasing Christiana to strike at the horse. Probably not the best idea in the world. Thorn's blow landed seconds after Leven's, in the place where it hurts the most. Even she winced as Leven was flung backwards, landing hard on his back, clutching his groin. Still, for the life of her, she could not hide her grin of glee.

And that is why am and glad that I am a girl and not a boy, she chuckled to herself.

"Nope," she said cheerfully. "I cannot possibly imagine."

She was sure if he wasn't in so much pain he would have flown at her. Instead he settled with a livid, hate filled glare before staggering to his feet and walking away, making pained noises and limping heavily.

She hurriedly went back to brushing Thorn, practically burying her face in his mane to smother her helpless fits of laughter. Every time she thought she had it under control the picture of Leven's face when he had been kicked set her off again. If there was an edge of hysteria to her laughter she hardly noticed. She was laughing too hard.

She felt more alive in that moment than she had in months.

When she approached her tent again half an hour later she was still trying to suppress huge grins. She had given Thorn an extra apple, as well as a thorough grooming. When she had finished she didn't think that Thorn had looked so fine in his entire life. His brown, chestnut coat had gleamed and his mane and tail hung loose and floating, not a single knot or tangle in it. He had even nudged her gently with his head as she had given him a pat goodbye.

Still, Leven would make her pay for it later tonight. Hopefully that would help what she had in mind.

"What are you smirking about?" a curious voice broke her thoughts.

She looked over at Redmond and grinned widely, smiling all the more when he gave her a startled look. In as quiet of voice as she could manage, shaking a little from barely controlled laughter, she told him what had happened.

Rather than being amused Redmond's face fell in concern.

"He is going to be furious."

"Yes, he is," she said cheerfully. Casually she went over and stirred the ashes of the fire place. Once again trying to hide their conversation in actions. He followed her example, though reluctantly.

"That is not a good thing," he snapped, pulling out handfuls of grass as if board. "How can you go after him to do what needs to be done when he is going to be on the war path and coming after you?"

"He is not coming after me. I am going to him. Tonight. He asked me, well ordered me, to come to his tent."

His expression went instantly from concern to alarm.

"Chris, he's going to have you killed," he said in a hushed voice.

She said nothing.

"He'll have Renegades either waiting to assisinate you, or he will kill you himself."

"No, I do not think that is his intention."

"Why else would he be calling you to his tent."

I can think of one, Christiana thought to herself.

"Information on the raid that Brent pulled off."

She saw him scowl out of the corner of her eye. "Is that what he told you? You really are an idiot, boy, if you believe that."

Her fist clenched around the the stick. "He did not say that. I know what he wants. I am just choosing not to tell you."

There was a long silence. "You do not trust me with the information?" he said.

She paused a moment, then. "I do not trust your reaction if you knew the truth," she corrected.

"Why is that?"

She snorted, standing and brushing off her hands.

"Because of the little confession you told me the other day."

She turned away, but not before she saw his face darken.

"It is that dangerous?"

She shook her head. "It is no more or less dangerous than when we first came up with the plan. The only thing that has changed is your perspective of it."

She turned to face him head on.

"I can do this Redmond," she said with conviction. "You may think of me as only a young g– boy," she hastily altered, cursing herself for the close slip. "But I know I can do this."

With that she turned and walked away from him. There were some last minute things to do before tonight.

Oh, Redmond,she sighed to herself, what would you do if you found out. Would you think me more incapable of carrying out what needs to be done, or would you become more concerned and try and stop me.

It no longer mattered. He had handed everything over to her the day she came up with the clan and just because he had gained cold feet all the sudden, because of her safety or not, she had not.

This is is, she thought firmly, no matter how it ends tonight I will not live another day under Watharen's or Leven's control. Dead or alive, we will be free of them after tonight.