We know it's been quite some time. We've been dealing with the aftermath of our friend's death, and then I (sarah c) found out some news, and had to deal with that before I even wanted to do anything. But we're still alive, and here's the next chapter.

Chapter Ten

"Who do we ask if we can talk to Lukas?" Zephyria asked unsure if they were to ask Rueben or go right to Lukas.

"Lukas," Brenna said. The two of them walked over to where their brother was sitting, reading a book. "Can we talk to you? In private?"

"Yes, of course, we can go down to the riverside if you would like," Lukas was not sure where to take his sisters that would be safe from Rueben.

Zephyria then slowly began to talk. "Do you remember when you said in the tent that I was stupid for being in love with Christophe because Bren and him are engaged, and Bren's expecting?"

"Yes," Lukas said slowly, looking from Brenna to Zephyria. "What's going on? I know you two."

"Well," Zephyria began, "You're wrong about me being stupid for being in love with Christophe because he is in love with me, too. It was an arranged engagement."

"They've been together since before they announced our engagement. Christophe had planned to ask for her hand that night."

"What about you, then?" Lukas wanted to know. "Whose baby are you carrying then, if not Christophe's?"

Brenna took a deep breath. "It's Jesse's."

"You are having the servant's child?" Lukas looked utterly lost. "Anymore surprises?" He was now teasing them.

"We're being serious," Brenna said.

"I understand that, but do you have any more surprises for me?" Lukas' face was now serious.

The two girls and Lukas had forgotten that they were still in a public place, until someone cleared their voice behind them. They turned to see Rueben. They shot worried looks at each other, wondering how long he had been there.

Zephyria then looked up at him and smiled, "May I assist you, Rueben?" She sounded so sweet it was almost fake.

He glared. "Get back to camp. Now. All three of you. I have something to announce." They followed him back, where he called for everyone to come out. "I have decided," Rueben said, his voice rising above the crowd, "That, in light of a recent illness-" he paused, his eyes lingering on Lord Henrie, and Brenna looked at her father in curiosity – "We shall stop in the town up ahead, Linnolis, and create our capital city there. We will arrive tomorrow." With that, Rueben turned on his heel and went into his tent.

Brenna pushed her way through the people to her father. "What illness was he talking about, father?" she questioned. "You told us yesterday that you've been fine."

He avoided his daughter's eyes. "I had pains this morning, nothing more," he told her. "The healer gave me medicine, I am fine."

"Are you sure?" she asked softly. "You're not overworking, are you?"

"I lent my horse to Garrett," he told her. She began to protest, but he raised a hand. "Daughter, the boy hurt his leg in an accident. He cannot walk."

"Neither can you!" Brenna burst out. "Father," she continued, struggling to keep her voice calm. "You have a weak heart. You need the horse. Overworking will kill you!"

"I will be fine," Lord Henrie told her as Zephyria walked up. "The pains are not serious."

"Why would Rueben take such drastic measures if the pains are not serious, father? We may be young but we are not as naive as you would like to believe." Zephyria looked at him inquisitively.

"Any pains you have are serious," Brenna said, agreeing with her sister. "You cannot just ignore them."

"You need to rest father and if the pains are still there after it could mean something serious," said Zephyria, who, until now, hadn't completely grasped the fact her father was dying.

"Daughters, I am fine. Stop worrying. You both have your own problems. No need to worry about mine."

"Father, your problems are our problems. You need to rest now father. Bren and I will go check on Jesse and Christophe. We will also bring you back some food." Zephyria hoped her sister was okay with all the walking they had been doing.

Brenna watched her father head towards his tent. "I really hope he makes it, at least through this war," she said softly to her sister.

"As do I," Zephyria's thoughts then drifted. What would happen to them if he didn't? He may never meet his Grandchild. She shook the thoughts away.

Brenna shoved unwelcome thoughts out of her head and linked arms with her sister. "Come, let's go see what the boys are doing."

Zephyria laughed as they playfully skipped along. Skipping always helped when she was down, and it apparently worked for Bren, too.

They reached the tent, both laughing, but stopping when they saw the healer hurrying across the camp. She exchanged a glance with her sister, and followed.

Zephyria was uncertain where the healer was headed but prayed it wasn't to their father's tent. She began to cry quietly as she followed Brenna and the healer.

The healer thankfully passed by their father's tent, instead entering Lukas's.

"Do you think Lukas or Issaic is injured or sick?" Zephyria now felt relief but worry as well.

Brenna shrugged, following the healer inside. Zephyria, having stayed outside, jumped when she rushed back outside and vomited in a bush.

Grabbing her own stomach Zephyria then asked, "What's wrong Bren?"

"They tortured him," she managed. "Don't go in there."

"Is Lukas still alive and is Issaic okay?" Zephyria's heart now raced she was frightened.

"He's alive," Brenna whispered. "I don't know what they did to him. It's awful."

"Let's go check on Jesse and Christophe and make sure they are okay," Zephyria tried to get her mind off of Lukas.

Brenna quickly agreed and they hurried back to their tent, to find only Christophe sitting on the bed, head in his hands. "What's happened?" she whispered. "Where's Jesse?"

"Gone," Christophe said, biting his lip. "They sent him and Lukas on a scouting mission to the village up ahead. Only Lukas came back, and he's injured badly."

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