Kyana noticed that Oaklys knew his way around the sword; he was very good in fact. With every swipe and jab she made towards him he deflected it with ease. Kyana found herself becoming angry, she had never sparred against one better than her with a sword. Kyana clenched her teeth and tried to advance towards her opponent. She took a step forward and was able to push Oaklys back even slightly.

Kyana swung her sword to the left and tried to move the man away from where Azeilia hid behind a tree. Kyana was determined to keep the vile man as far from her apprentice as she could. She allowed her anger to fuel her as she swung her blade with a power she never had before, a renewed fury she had never experienced before. She jumped at the man and jabbed her sword towards his midsection. Oaklys dodged her blow with ease and sidestepped out of the way. He seemed almost amused by the situation as he allowed Kyana to continue her jabs.

Kyana let out a volley of swears as she unknowingly let her anger consume her and change her fighting ability. She swiped her sword at his head but the smile he had on his face when he blocked it she realized what was happening. The man was just toying with her, he knew that she was protective of the younger girl, he was using her feelings to his advantage. And it was those feelings of hers that was causing her to lose this fight.

Kyana clenched her teeth as she started to focus her energy on defeating this poor excuse of a human. With a renewed concentration, Kyana fainted to the left causing Oaklys to stumble before she spun around and her sword made contact with his ribcage. The man let out a loud grunt in pain, causing Kyana to grin in joy. The injury to his side was causing Oaklys to slow down, he was no longer able to keep up with all of Kyana's attacks.

Kyana had an almost sadistic grin as she landed a blow to Oaklys leg. The man stumbled onto the ground as blood started to pool out from multiple cuts all over his body. "This is what you get," Kyana snarled, "This is what you deserve for touching her, for even thinking about harming my friend…" Tossing her sword off to the side, Kyana clenched her fist as she landed a punch to Oaklys face. "Why would one be part of a rebellion?! What harm has the King ever done to you! The King is the greatest thing to happen to this land since the Dragon Wars!" Kyana continued to let out all her anger from those that wanted to kill her Father and all those she loved. Punch after punch, she never slowed down until she felt a hand on her arm.

She turned her eyes, filled with fire to meet a pair of steel gray, "Kyana, this has to stop. The man is gone, both he and his partner have paid for their crimes. It is time to return to the palace, the King has been looking for both you and this young girl." He turned his head towards where Thorn stood, his ruby scales glistening.

Kyana snapped out of her bloodlust, her anger subsiding only slightly and then withdrawing all the way when she saw Azeilia run towards her. The younger girl was quick to wrap her arms around Kyana's frame. Kyana returned the hug and turned her so that Zeil could face where Murtagh stood with Thorn's menacing body wrapped around his Rider. Realization came to Kyana that Azeilia had no knowledge of Thorn and had until that moment believed that Saphira and Shruiken were the only dragons left.

"It's okay, Zeil." Kyana said in a slightly hushed tone as she lead the younger girl over to Thorn and Murtagh. "They are friends of the Kingdom, have no fear." She ran her hand along Thorn's face just as she had when he was but a hatchling. A bit of relief flooded through her body as she saw Thorn lean towards her touch.

With a slight smile, she turned her focus back to Murtagh. "The King wishes to see us?" Kyana asked in attempt to change the mistrust in the air. Knowing that Azeilia didn't know of Murtagh and Thorn while assuming Murtagh had no knowledge of who Azeilia was, a lack of trust was clear. Murtagh took a deep breath before he nodded, always the silent and mysterious approach. "Alright, thank you Dragon Rider. We are in your debt." She turned back towards Zeil and pulled her apprentice back towards the woods, "Come, we must get the horses and ride back to the palace. I'm sure the King and your father are waiting for us." Even though she was still shaking from anger on the inside, Kyana knew she had to be calm and steady to assure Zeil that everything was okay.

As the two girls started to walk back towards the tree's and where they knew their horses remained tied up, Kyana paused and turned back towards Murtagh, "Thank you, Dragon Rider. You stopped me from doing something that you knew I would regret." She whispered in his head, "For once, I am thankful I walked in on the King that one day. You are a good friend."

*~..~*

Upon arriving back to the castle, Kyana noticed the larger number of guards waiting outside the gate. For once, they came up to her with hostility, "State your name!" one of them even growled at her, his face in a snarl as he went to reach for his sword.

Kyana had enough of men aiming a sword at her and her apprentice for one day. She flipped her hood off her head and snarled at the man, "How dare you talk to me and my apprentice in such a way! I am Lady Kyana, warrior of the Dark King, and commander of the Arget Andlát! You will show respect to your superiors, boy!"

It was clear her words struck something within the man and his companions as their eyes widened and were quick to be consumed by fear. He moved out of the way and frantically waved his hand to his fellow guards signaling them to let the two girls through the gates. Only few gave them looks of caution but most lowered their gazes when Kyana walked by. At that moment it was extremely clear to Azeilia how much power within the army her mentor truly had.

The two made quick progress as they drove their horses into a run towards the Royal stables. Kyana let out a whistle when they arrived, signaling a stable hand to come out and take their horses. It was a few moments before two small children ran out and each grabbed onto a horse, "We will take care of them, milady's." They both said in hushed tones as they lead the dark stallion and white mare into the wooden building.

Kyana quickened her pace as she almost ran towards the castle doors. Unlike at the doors to the kingdom, these guards did not hesitate to let both girls inside. Azeilia found herself almost running just to keep up with her mentor as they made quick work of the hallways as they made their way towards the throne room, where Lord Flemming and the King were sure to be waiting for them.

Both men let out a sigh of relief as the doors to the throne room were thrown open and both girls hastily made their way in. It was clear how happy Lord Flemming was to see his daughter, but no one managed to notice the similar look in Galbatorix's eyes as he saw Kyana walk in. Azeilia ran into her father's arms while Kyana made her way slowly to stand by the King. Kyana felt a slight pressure against the walls set up in her mind but once she realized it was her father she quickly let down her shields. "It is good to see you again, daughter. I take it they made it there on time?"

"Yes, I thank you once again for sending them." She replied.

"We shall talk later about getting yourselves captured."

Kyana knew that it was her fault for not being more aware of her surroundings and it was her lack of focus that got her and Azeilia captured. No matter her relation with the King, a punishment was certainly in her future. Yet she almost thought it to be worth it, as it allowed her to see Murtagh again after weeks of hearing nothing. Kyana knew that her father had a knack for punishing those who disappoint him, and for once, she wasn't afraid. The whole day had only made her stronger.

I just want to apologize, I know I haven't updated in about a year and that is all on me. I just haven't been writing anything and in the past year I have been crazy busy. I have just again found the inspiration to write and I hope that it doesn't go away again. I told myself when I started this story that I was going to write it until the very end of the story and I intend to stick with it. When the end will come, I don't know but someday I am going to finish this story. I wanted to thank anyone who has stuck with this story even with me not writing, you guys are part of the reason I decided to write this last chapter (and the fact that I left you with a bit of a cliffhanger). I don't know when I will be able to update again but I hope that it will be soon. Thank you all.