Captive was safely escorted by Michael and Cid to his prison cell while Shine went to Leone's quarters to fetch Gideon just in case. The rest decided to seclude themselves for the time being within the usual meeting place above Audience Hall waiting until the ruckus below will quiet down a little. King Eric was discussing something heatedly with Frey and only after a moment he noticed his baby girl disappeared somewhere.

"Where did my Lena run off to…?" he looked around little distracted, they had many things to discuss, especially who the hell that Dimitri-guy was.

Freya sipped her wine nonchalantly and ignored warning glare from Miriam "If you are looking for that tomboy, she mumbled something about prisoner and tried to follow men" her grin widened over the rim of her cup as she saw growing displeasure of her father "That little blond girl stopped her and convinced to change first" woman giggled in amusement which alone was quite unusual for her normally snarky attitude and unnerving in a way "I suppose they went to Lena's room…" she made meaningful pause and smirked "But they didn't go there alone…"

Aran King frowned and surveyed the alcove once again this time more carefully switching off his 'baby-Lena' detector. Suddenly he scowled and asked Frey suspiciously "Where is everyone?"

Younger man glanced around and noticed that only Arans were present, together with suddenly silent woman who 'tutored' Lena and quiet Princess of Tamir, though her silence was understandable.

But why is she blushing?

Frey knitted his brows and followed his father's suit "Where is Sigfrid?" he asked little distracted by fact he didn't notice suspicious silence in the room. How could he not notice the lack of constant jesting of older sibling? Then he abruptly gasped in surprise "He wouldn't dare….!" He whispered.

Freya sat more comfortably, mischievous and little mean smile tugging at her lips and saluted to her twin with her cup as if in congratulation "Oh yes~… HE WOULD~…" she sang and winked at him sniggering all over again.

Eric growled already sensing the answer but still reluctant to voice it himself "Where exactly did that good for nothing offspring wander off to, huh?"

His daughter moved lazily her slim forefinger over the edge of the cup seeming to be completely immersed with this one gesture "Oh? Older brother…? I think I saw him sneaking out after girls and then that Tamirian noticed his departure and stormed out after him with Laoudian hot on his heels…" as she glanced at her cursing parent her green-blue eyes sparkled with inner satisfaction.

Arena scowled at this babbler and looked at Miriam questioningly which earned her only resigned shrug. Princess frowned, she didn't want anyone to disturb her brother right now.

Before she could come up with any idea how to keep them from interfering Lucien with his talk, tall monarch growled more profanities and stormed toward door muttering something about ripping off certain body-parts in such colour fashion that not much was left up to her imagination.

Shocked Princess stared at wooden door still vibrating with the strength with which older man used on his way out and looked helplessly at other present people.

Frey shook his head in exasperation and slowly strolled toward door with intention to stop his father from getting rid of his main successor too rashly. After all he was the second to the line and Frey had absolutely no intention to resign from his freedom. He NEEDED Sigfrid even in his older brother was too stupid to value his own skin at times.

Once he reached the door he glanced over his shoulder to say a calming word or two but seeing stunned expressions of gathered people made him cough uncomfortably into his fist instead. With last slightly wavering smile which initially was supposed to be reassuring he quickly followed his infuriated overprotective father before he'd do something irreversible.

Dimitri…. Of all people...

Lena couldn't sort out her feelings right now. On one hand she was perversely glad it was him behind all this mess. She would gladly get rid of that particular man once for all since she already had an unfinished 'business' with him anyway. On the other hand she was somehow worried. That man just lost everything, from what Lucien mentioned Dimitri escaped Keunak Castle as first one, almost empty-handed even leaving his stubborn cousin behind.

If that's so, then how did he get enough money to hire a true expensive assassin? In Tamir there was price on his head, in Laoud because of Sean's warning King too not wanting to repeat last mistakes announced him as wanted. In Leone he'd be almost instantly eliminated since no outsider without proper warrant or invitation would be able to leave their territory alive.

Where was it leaving her?

Where could he hide and lick his wounds until he felt strong and brave enough to even send assassin after her? Or was that only act of a desperado who learnt that a woman he hated the most in this world, to the point of wiping out entire small city was about to gain some political position?

Hard to tell, she won't be able to figure it out before she'll talk with her 'guest'.

She strode through the corridors using hidden passages whenever she saw people, not wanting to talk with anyone right now. Sharris was trotting behind her and already wheezing because of her corset. Hearing her hard breathing Lena wanted to tell her 'didn't I say so?' but after little internal debated decided against it.

What's the point of needling saucy archer now if Ley had a prisoner to question within her grasp?

Faces of two young men she encountered in Rohim flashed before her eyes. Unknowingly she gritted her teeth and fisted her palms strongly on her skirts while quickening her pace. What was the point of saving them all back then if later entire city would be razed to the ground, every woman, man and child killed on spot?

A victory? What a joke!

She brought them deferred 'judgement', not real salvation…

Women entered Ley's alcove in haste quickly closing the door behind them. Exotic female opened first chest and begun rummaging with intention to change as quick as possible to not to waste too much precious time. Besides she had to see if she didn't overdo it with her specially prepared 'cocktail'.

Sharris followed her suit and opened trunk at the feet of the bed already desperate to get rid of this cursed corset as soon as possible. If she knew that with mere stroll through several hallways she would be this tired, dizzy and gasping desperately for air she wouldn't have made fun of Ley so eagerly mere hours before.

Lena was muttering something under her nose while looking for her usual leather shoes, the clothes already in her arms when after slight knock Sigfrid peeked inside without waiting for an invitation.

"Are you going to see your prey?" he cocked his head and as if that was nothing and quickly entered and closed the door behind him "If you don't mind I'd like to be there too…"

Archer frowned at his nonchalant stride with his hands clasped behind his back as he surveyed the room with great interest. Then girl shrugged figuring that they always have adjoining dressing room so there shouldn't be any problem. Besides it's not like she could just throw him – a royal – out of room that wasn't even hers. As she looked at Ley seeking some suggestion what to do now and Sharris froze her jaw sagging in shock.

Exotic woman stood near the chest, her gathered clothes long forgotten and examined sullied hem of her dress with devastated expression written all over her face.

Depressed face over a GOWN?!

And no other but Ley?!

Even prince stared at her with open surprise temporary forgetting what he came here for.

Before they could say a word the door were yanked open and furious Lucien braced the doorframe with his palms, breathing heavily after his quick sprint barely stopping himself from strangling certain cheeky bastard with his bare hands.

"King Lucien…!" Sean peeked over monarch's shoulder worriedly still wheezing "I don't think hitting Prince Sigfrid will solve anything…" his voice trailed off as he noticed that Lena still clutched her skirts worried frown firm in place.

"Leeey…?" Sharris warily came closer, glancing from time to time from woman's face to the object of her despair "Are you perhaps feeling unwell…?"

Lena blinked and raised her black eyes at petite girl pleadingly "Do you think it's still salvageable…?" the hopeful tones crept into her words unnerving present people even more.

Blond delicately plucked out the hem and gently steered woman toward dressing room with her arm circling her shoulders reassuringly "He only barfed at it a little… well it's not like he aimed at it… it's only several stains… but first you have to take it off, you know? Otherwise Head Dressmaker won't be able to save it…"

Lucien gaped at the scene his fury temporary on hold. Never in million years he would expect this woman to nearly mourn some piece of cloth.

"Ah! You're right! I have to take it off first!" Lena nodded vigorously and quickly reached with her hands at her back and did something strange. She moved her hands delicately down and with loud ziiiip the dress parted and in mere seconds woman held her gown in her arms while still wearing her black silky slip.

"What did you do…?" Sigfrid mumbled while staring at the gown "How…? You were just wearing it a moment ago… Did you destroy it accidentally?"

Taking advantage of the distraction Sean ducked under Lucien's arm strode inside and quickly grabbed dress "It didn't tear, did it?" he examined it curiously and finally glanced at Ley questioningly.

Woman quickly retrieved the gown and hugged to her chest protectively "This closure is called zipper and don't even think of taking it away from me! You have no idea what I had to go through in order to obtain it! Head Dressmaker still laughs at me for giving Aaron the task to reconstruct it!"

Tamirian gaped at exotic woman. She was actually possessive over a gown?! Was it the end of the world? It seemed that this one thought wouldn't leave him alone, try as he may he couldn't wrap his mind around it. That and the fact she so easily stripped down in front of them… him included…

"What does it do?" Sean inquired while examining the part he could touch without snatching it away from her protective hold.

Woman shrugged while trying to appear nonchalant though her watchful stare at his every action belayed it all "It's normal element of every clothes in my country… I don't understand how can you waste so much time on dressing up not to mention that in this kind of situations when you have to look decent you need help of other people with it as if you were a baby or an invalid!" she scowled warningly at mesmerized Sigfrid who came closer to them his intense gaze fixed hungrily on zipper "Using that you are more independent not to mention that it saves the time…"

Aran Prince glanced at her and smiled from ear to ear wolfishly "That's brilliant! I don't know how it works, but the way you were able to take it off in mere moments is quite something" he rubbed his hands eagerly "You have no idea how annoyingly long it takes to pluck out a woman from under all those layers! And let me tell you! Once they take off that corset and other silly things a man can feel quite cheated at times" he grimaced slightly at some unpleasant distant memory "Really disappointing…!"

That was enough! Lucien shut the door firmly and stomped heavily "Don't even think about getting even an inch closer to her!" since she observed warily both princes Lena wasn't prepared as he snatched the dress from her grasp and held it high above her reach "And you…!" he pointed at Ley with his forefinger "How long are you going to parade half-naked here, huh?!" he growled in her face and gestured angrily at dressing room "Go and change! N-O-W!"

At first her black eyes were wide with shock but then they swiftly narrowed dangerously. He dare to lecture her?! In her own damn room?! It's not like she invited all of them here dammit!

"What did you just say…?" she hissed back at him while putting her hands akimbo "That the only prototype I have so give it back to me while I'm still asking nicely…" she lifted her chin defiantly "I'm far from being naked and don't you dare to change topic! That gown is mine and I had to go through hell of pleading Head Dressmaker to finally obtain it!" She reached out her hand palm up in the air at his chest level and wiggled her fingers demandingly " .BACK." her patience was waning rapidly by each second.

Frustrated Lucien was preparing another riposte to this dense woman when once again the door slammed open the hinges barely keeping them in place.

Lena glanced above Tamirian's shoulder but couldn't see too much and scowled "What the hell? Did I leave a notice 'enter whenever you like' or what?!"

Huge silhouette of Eric seemed suddenly menacing. The word furious didn't give a justice to his current state. As he surveyed the room noticing blasted young king who didn't know better and was holding his baby girl's frigging gown over his head and his own blasted son grinning like some utter idiot he was ready to rip off some heads. The kid he didn't count. YET…

"You have exactly five seconds to leave this room…" he spoke in grave tone addressing males while his grey eyes cast lightning bolts "…If you want to stay in one piece, that is…" he folded his arms in order to refrain from fulfilling his promise immediately. His muscles bulged slightly as if he was ready to leap at them at any given moment and only with sheer power of his will he still stood at the door, his black clothes with silver thread made him even more imposing and menacing.

Sigfrid plastered pleasant charming smile and tried to placate his sire "But father…! It's not how it–"

"Five…"

"King Eric, believe me… I couldn't agree with you more…" Lucien begun and slowly lowered his hand with the gown which Ley took full advantage of and quickly snatched the dress back. Tamirian scowled at her warningly and gaped as the woman dared to stuck out her tongue at him doing it so that he was the only one who actually saw it.

"Four…."

"Father! We were only talking…" Aran glanced at Lena and saw her current attire in another light and suddenly paled "Nothing happened!" he quickly added his voice already little panicked.

"Three…"

Sigfrid cursed under his breath and with surprising speed grabbed glaring now at exotic woman Tamirian under his arm and caught Laoudian on the scruff of the neck and quickly strode to the door ignoring their protest and surprising them with his strength.

Apparently he didn't inherit only king's looks…

To think it would be his father's presence to make him to use his own strength and not to use Bisal for it as he usually lazily did before…

"Two…"

As the door closed firmly behind men cutting off Frey's tirade Eric finished "One…" then he turned toward Lena and frowned "Now, young lady! you go and change!" he raised his hand warningly "Without discussion!" he loomed over exotic woman and suddenly snorted seeing her stubborn expression and how possessively she hugged to her nothing else but a gown "Next time make sure first to close the door behind you properly…" he quickly lowered his head and suddenly kissed her forehead warmly "I like your creation, it suits you I hope you will wear dresses more often…" he whispered little amused by her perplexed expression.

Then he smirked while crackling his knuckles "In meantime I'll beat some sense in certain birdbrain…" he nodded to Sharris gesturing at the bolt pointedly and shut the door for the last time cutting off his booming voice "Sigfrid! You worthless excuse of a son...!" and leaving stunned women once again alone.

Lord Regent was still sitting at his table and stared with eyes wide open at the door through which a woman he decided to dispose of disappeared. In the background he vaguely could hear excited comments combined with shocked ones and constant questions. He could even sympathize with old knight who was pelted with storm of exclaimed queries if he himself wasn't so shocked at the moment.

Because rarely he made such vast mistake while evaluating a situation…

Here he came, for two days observed idiotically infatuated foreigner too weak to present any threat, and now? Now the woman in question spoke in clear fluent common speech without a hint of foreign accent, disarmed trained assassin as if that was a child's play and after creating such 'scene' simply left as if she didn't care what her guests may think of her now.

Man slowly blinked the sounds of the room still muted to his ears by his own loud rapid heartbeat. He glanced at the cup he still had halfway to his lips and slowly put it down not so sure he wouldn't spill it since his hand shook slightly. Northlander closed his eyes and reviewed entire scene once again.

To his frustration he missed the moment when woman picked the sword, just where did she get it? Surely she had it prepared beforehand, but try as he may he thought he saw her going there with only two cups in hands. True she stood with her back to him, but as he glanced at the floor there were two golden chalices still lying on it and the stains of wine and puke were already being cleaned by two servants.

Man frowned and looked at his own hands little irritated that this obvious miscalculation could shake him so much. Just what the hell happened?! It wasn't supposed to be that way! How could he underestimate that woman so much?

And now she had that man…

…ALIVE…

Regent scowled little furious with himself. About Peter he knew he didn't have to worry, it wasn't the first time he had to save his skin in such manner and probably won't be the last either. The real question was: what should they do now? True the assassin from guild didn't know about Peter and his connection to him, moreover his servant additionally disguised himself to minimise the risk of being exposed even more, but…

He hated leaving things unfinished.

And that man WAS dangerous to him.

Even if they would never connect his name with this laughable failure of assassination, they could easily track down Dimitri and his current hideout – meaning Northland. Not to mention that this blasted foolish excuse of a killer, who disturbed his further plans by acting so rashly could tell them just in which currency he was paid – and again it would point straight at his stolen by Count's cousin golden 'Suns' from Northland.

And that level of risk was simply unacceptable.

Lord bit his lower lip and drummed his fingers on the tabletop nervously.

As the voices of his surroundings started to reach him through his temporary haze he noticed that old man was explaining in tired but still polite tone that from the very beginning entire event was carefully planned and that everything was under control ensuring safety of their honourable guests.

Northlander smirked, as if they predicted everything… There were too many unknown factors to gamble like that. If it was him he would–

Suddenly man blinked with surprise. Was he comparing that woman with himself? Just where did ridiculous that idea come from?

Despite himself he couldn't be NOT impressed with this entire scheme. Well, he definitely wouldn't put HIMSELF in such danger, but even so…

She succeeded while he lost this round.

Man leaned more comfortably in his chair once again ignoring his surroundings more focused on his future plans and new possibilities. He picked up his cup one again, his hand stable and sure and saluted to the door amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

For the first time in a long time he had a true rival.

As he sipped to his silent toast he smiled under his nose his eyes shining with barely contained excitement.

Things just got more interesting…

Gideon washed his hands in big metal bowl and glanced over his shoulder tiredly "Ley, no matter how much you'll frown and glare at me like that I can't allow you to question that man just yet… I'm amazed that you could reduce him to this pitiful state in mere moments, but if you want to have any coherent conversation with him not interrupted with his retching, you still have to wait one more day."

Black eyes narrowed, but seeing that prophet was exhausted yet still honest she muttered under her nose something definitely unladylike for what Miriam would absolutely scold her and stalked angrily toward the door of the cell. As she glanced through small spyhole she could see dark silhouette lying on the rack, steel chains safely tying the man to the bed.

"You sure he's out of it?" she asked, the hope he would deny far too clear in her tone.

Leone sighed with exasperation and fed up with her current strangely impatient behaviour lectured her "He is unconscious, I had to give him harmless sleeping potion combined with healing herbs, if not for that he would be weaker for two days not mere twelve hours…" he braced his hands on his waist in irritation "Don't worry, he won't be able to do anything reckless right now and when medicine will wear off he'll be up to your disposition."

Lena scowled at him stubbornly her lips forming thin line "I don't want him to suddenly wake up and decide to bit off his tongue to suffocate, you sure we will be able to reach him before he regains consciousness?"

Gideon frowned and it was clear he didn't think about it "Hm.. we can put something into his mouth just in case so he won't be able to clench his jaws completely…"

Woman nodded gravelly "Do that… I went through far too much trouble to foolishly lose him like that only because we didn't take proper precautions."

Michael leaned his shoulder on the wall and crossed his arms over his chest "I understand you want to keep him alive at all cost" he glanced little worriedly at frowning Cid "But why are you so careful with that man?"

Ley shut close the tiny peephole and strode toward the exit silently, just as she was at the door leading to the stairs she stopped and reluctantly answered "He was sent by Dimitri" she glanced over her shoulder at silver-haired man "Dimitri who razed Rohim to the ground only to lure me out…" and then without another word she left.

Aran bodyguards confirmed that Ley secluded herself in Royal Library and didn't really want to talk with anyone right now. Unsure of her strange mood they decided to give her some time which appeared she really needed. In the meantime frustrated by turn of last events Eric called his baby girl's friends to his room to get some answers so he could understand this strange behaviour of his daughter some more. Simon and his companion stayed to hear further orders and glanced at worried Bisal who sat at his prince's side.

Naturally young Tamirian had to tag along and Sigfrid still sulked in the corner of alcove after firm lecturing. Freya already went to her own rooms not so interested in current events, though her twin decided to linger a little longer probably to ensure that his annoying older brother won't get in more troubles this evening. After all his own future strongly depended on Sigfrid's survival even if the man himself didn't notice it.

Even though Gideon went already to his room, Shine decided to stay despite fierce frown of Eric far too worried about exotic woman's current state after prophet's report.

Aran King paced within his temporary quarter like some caged wolf and finally addressed Cid as probably the calmest one of those four "Why she is acting so strange and who the hell is that Dimitri?!" he growled.

Kabul knight blinked nervously noticing that previous jovial demeanour of that old warrior was nowhere to be seen already replaced with thunderous expression bringing the chills to whomever it was directed at.

Currently HIM.

As he hesitated just how much should he reveal in Ley's absence Lucien relieved him from this dilemma "This Dimitri was the cousin of deceased Earl Auye, he was his left hand during last war as his brother was a right one." He answered reluctantly.

Eric froze and stared at Tamirian with his narrowed eyes "That man? I never could remember the names of his sidekicks, but what do they have to do with my Lena?"

Shine frowned when he suddenly remembered and connected the dots "She was constantly searching for some Dimitri on the battlefield, though she never told us why…" he looked at Lucien who was as puzzled as him "We had quite a trouble with staying at her side to prevent her reckless actions, she was so focused that it seemed more like an obsession..."

Eric liked it less and less by each second.

Tamir King started pacing nervously "That's the main problem with this woman!" he grumbled angrily "She never explains her actions, rarely shares what's on her mind." He glared at her four companions "Beside those four who occasionally may know a thing or two we can only count on those rare occasions when she will graciously say something on her own, dammit!"

Eric bristled and spat at Tamirian "Watch your tongue youngling! You're talking about my daughter!"

Michael looked at Cid discreetly for some explanation, he was the only one who wasn't present during their campaign in Tamir because of obvious reasons. He didn't know what happened there and judging by agitated state of present royals, they too could only assume.

Kabul knight cleared his throat uncomfortably and commented "I had to throw her off the horse as she was charging head-on at Dimitri on her own despite his archers ready to shot her" he reluctantly admitted "She behaves like that only when someone hurt her really deeply, probably playing on her guilt" his voice trailed off but soon he resumed his hesitant explanation "I don't know the details but her reckless actions had to be somehow connected to her need to avenge someone, she reacted the same with that Edith in Glasgow…"

Sevian knitted his brows and looked at bodyguards who stayed at Ley's side during the war only separated with her by her abduction "Why would she mention Rohim and its demise? You should know that… When we left that city it was faring quite fine…"

Everyone looked at Michael and frowned.

Lucien's arctic-blue eyes narrowed "Just what do you mean by 'when WE left THAT CITY'?"

Sevian promptly ignored him completely focused on Aran bodyguards and their suspicious silence.

Simon was strangely pale and didn't want to look in anyone's eyes, so George answered instead of him in voice low and barely audible "After leaving Leone Territory lady Ley decided to head straight to Kabul to get rid of Queen as soon as possible…" he swallowed nervously and licked his lips in agitation "On our way there we took a detour to visit some friends of her" he looked at Bisal guiltily "Instead of small rural city called Rohim we encountered smouldering ruins, not even one building standing, everything abandoned and countless corpses of long dead people mostly eaten up by scavengers piled on former city streets…" he glanced at his companion "Normally an attacker would kill the men and elders, but would probably spare women to have some fun with them and kids to eventually sell them to slave trades…" he lowered his eyes "It seemed by sizes of corpses that they annihilated entire city not caring about eventual profits as spoils of war."

Hooded man straightened in his seat and in deceivingly calm voice asked in deafening silence "And you dared omit THAT in your report?"

Simon suddenly raised his head and looked defiantly at his superior probably first time in his life "We both wondered if we should mention that, but somehow it seemed it was a personal tragedy to our lady so we decided to keep it silent unless she herself would share this with any of you."

Bisal blinked surprised by this heated even angry retort. To think that this duo would forsake their duty in order to protect the woman they were appointed to…

Michael suddenly sat with loud thud barely landing on the couch and hid his face in his hands, his elbows braced on his bent knees. The sudden realization hit him hard in the gut. No wonder she is so impatient…!

Lucien looked back and forth from Arans and clearly devastated Sevian and finally snapped "What on earth has a small city within Tamir to do with Ley? A 'personal tragedy'? Why did you call it like that?"

Silver-haired man scrubbed his face tiredly and raked his long strands with his slightly shaking fingers "I should probably answer that…" he pinched the base of his nose and closed his eyes briefly as if to collect his thoughts "When we were separated by Yuriel's sudden attack in the Forest of Evil, to prevent him from killing one villager after one in front of her eyes only to subdue her, Ley decided to fight him even though she already was exhausted because of work on the field through entire day…"

"In the end he managed to disarm her and seeing he had no intention of leaving villagers alive, using temporary distraction she freed herself and sprinted to the forest with intention of luring attackers after her…"

Eric stared at him absorbing his every word the feeling of dread rising his hackles. His poor baby girl…

"In the process Yuriel ordered his archer to shot her to slow her down" man raised his steel-grey eyes various emotions brimming within "And they got her."

Aran King inhaled sharply and fisted his hands forcing himself to not to interrupt the man until he will tell everything. As he glanced at Tamirian he could see that he too was shaken. When he looked with the corner of his eye at Leone he saw his ashen face and stubborn scowl as he muttered under his nose "And yet she allows Jeggers to roam free…"

Cid's hawkish eyes widened and he glanced at Sean "So that's why people said that this lonely wanderer we were looking for seemed to be injured…" suddenly he frowned and shot suspicious glare at Sevian "They claimed she travelled ALONE… how do you know this all?"

Michael clasped his hands to prevent them from shaking and smiled in melancholic way, but instead of answering right away he continued his tale as if nobody interrupted him in first place "The arrow was poisoned and soon Ley lost consciousness" he raised his eyes and finally met the gaze of Kabul knight "That's when I picked her up and hid from pursuers" once again he focused on his entwined fingers noticing how his knuckles whitened and he tried to loosen his death grip a little.

"At that time my own emotions were in turmoil…" he looked defiantly at his friend "Eleanor ordered me to capture the Child of the Prophecy alive and to bring it to Sevia for her amusement" he glanced at suddenly pale present people and snorted humourlessly "And from my own experience I knew very well just what kind of amusement she had in mind…"

He gazed through the window noticing first stars "During raid on the Glasgow I learnt Ley's true identity and despite fact I already localised desired object of our bloody queen I constantly put my decision on hold thinking I still had some time left" he smiled sadly at his own foolish attempts to lie to himself "If not for the fact Ley on her own went straight to Kabul because of you" he shot a cold glare at Lucien "I would probably travel at her side till the end of the world forsaking the quest of my sovereign."

Michael sighed heavily "Before I got to know Child of the Prophecy I intended to kill it as soon as I find it, so Eleanor wouldn't get what she desired" he shrugged seeing their shocked expressions "I figured that beside getting my revenge it's far better fate than being under tender care of that monster for God only knows how long."

Nobody could argue that.

"But when I held a knife ready to strike unconscious Ley my will wavered" he closed his eyes "In the end I couldn't bring myself to kill her no matter how my reasoning convinced me to do so." His lips curved in slight smile at recollection "Imagine my shock as I started tending her wound instead and found out that below all those male clothes hid a female…"

Steel-grey eyes opened and he glanced at Shine "I figured since she disguised herself this she didn't want anyone to know her true gender. Then she woke up and met Shine over there" he scowled at Leone "If not for fact I wanted her to treat me normally as if nothing happened I would've got rid of those ruffians on my own…"

Son of the Patriarch shrugged "I didn't notice your presence then, but the pleasure of killing them was mine…"

Sean frowned in puzzlement "What are you talking about?"

Leone smiled nastily at recollection "Before I handed her sword and clean clothes as Gideon asked me to, we had to get rid of two dirty pests who attacked her."

Michael gazed at him speculatively but in the end resumed his tale "In the end I followed Ley secretly waiting for the most natural moment to reunite with her without raising unnecessary questions" he cocked his head and looked at his right palm where the arrow of Sharris stuck him "In meantime I disposed of bounty hunters and Jeggers sent after her" there were many ways to protect her.

"She wasn't familiar with the country so she had to ask for directions" he smirked a little "Besides it's not like I knew where she was heading in first place, so the only thing I was left with was to follow her and protect her back with hope she will soon regain her strength" he glanced at bodyguards "During her journey she visited a small city which was being rapidly abandoned by its citizens since Mark's forces were nearing and everyone knew just how ruthless he was. Because Rohim was more like outer village of Bilbow it had a strategic value so it was almost sure it would be attacked at some point."

Lucien nodded slowly in agreement.

"On top of that provincial governor fled as a first one heading probably to Trollian leaving his duty and citizens to fend attackers off by themselves. The only one who stayed was his son Cedric, who refused to forsake his honour, though because of shame caused by his father's actions he became a complete drunkard."

"When Ley reached Rohim it was in state of complete turmoil, no real forces formed, citizens rushing to leave the city, no real leader to direct them all." Abruptly Michael chuckled which surprised his listeners since things he was talking about were rather grim "And this woman just sneaked in private quarters of governor's son and splashed a jug of water right in his face rousing him from his drunkard delirium and told him to sober up since they'll have a lot work to do."

Eric blinked and for a first time this evening a slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth "My Lena did that?"

Silver-haired man flashed him crooked smile "A pity you didn't see that man's confused face – it was priceless. His sword dangling in his hand he demanded that she would introduce herself, as she did he stood there ass naked and pondered if he knew a guy named Ley. She enlightened him that there is no way he would know her since it their first meeting and he should dress first to not to freeze off certain body parts, so they could start planning."

Shine's shoulders trembled as he tried to suppress his laughter "She will never change…"

Everyone smiled slightly, the previous heavy atmosphere lightening up a little bit.

"Not only she managed to successfully order that man around so he obeyed to her short instructions and dressed up but he also called a late meeting with the few guards still left in Rohim in the middle of night." Michael followed with his gaze from one face to another "And she did that all winning his trust without revealing her face even once. Not one of the knights who followed her saw the face of the person who led them at first… and yet they still listened to her – a virtual stranger crazy enough to not only arrive to the doomed city but intending to save it."

Frey looked at his father who was puffing his chest proudly and was more similar to his normal jovial self "She inherited her charisma from Zara…" he murmured to Sigfrid who cheekily grinned at him "And it was me who found her…" his brother answered.

Shine folded his arms and pointed with his chin at Michael "What happened next?"

Sevian blinked his memories abruptly disturbed "In mere twelve hours prior to arrival of Mark and his advance forces she managed to convince devastated knights to face the army five times bigger than them, she killed Mark and wiped out his forces."

The silence was ringing.

Lucien gaped at Michael "She did what?! I heard that despite Bilbow's troubles with the Count Rohim managed to prevail, but I never had a chance to learn details because of intervention of the Queen later on– "

Sigfrid as other seasoned warriors suddenly straightened and asked the most nagging question "How did she do this?"

Silver-haired man mused aloud "She has an advantage of a person raised in different way in different realm, many of her ideas just wouldn't come to us… Even though there were few seasoned knight within Rohim she managed to convince simple citizens to join the fight."

"But they would die without proper training against veteran warriors of Mark's…" Bisal muttered in confusion.

"We fought in a way that I never witnessed before in my life" Michael answered "Mark reached us just before sunset and he met completely empty eerie abandoned buildings. It seemed as if there wasn't even one soul within Rohim. Even so, he ordered some of his soldiers to do a brief reconnaissance. Though nobody returned to him since we killed them all secretly one by one while hiding within growing shadows."

"When the sun hid behind the line of the horizon completely and it became dark Earl's cousin forbade his troops to use torches afraid to make them easy targets. And then they were left in complete darkness hearing only distant screeches of dying one after one comrades."

"That's when Mark's troops frightened by this situation unknowingly clustered on the main streets too afraid to separate. Only then on Ley's order women illuminated the city briefly with their torches on the rooftops showing just where exactly enemy's main forces froze. Under the light Mark issued retreat already sensing the trap but it was far too late for that…"

"The protectors of Rohim only needed this brief light to narrow the main position of the enemy and in complete darkness to not to endanger women even more, they shot numerous arrows using only the light of the stars and moon. Since unconsciously Mark's troop gathered in one area it wasn't important that villagers were untrained, they only had to pull chords in general direction of the crowd below them to hit anything."

Lucien's eyes widened in realization "She herded them there like some sheep…"

Sevian nodded in agreement "When Earl's advance party tried to regain some order they were attacked from behind by last true seasoned warriors of Rohim bringing even more chaos in this utter darkness."

"In the heat of the battle Ley faced Mark and killed him successfully getting rid of the only one who could yet save his troops. After his death enemy's forces went into complete disarray and it was child's play to kill most of them after that. We only lost 19 people, true many were injured but that compared to almost complete annihilation of Count's forces seemed like nothing."

Eric's proud smile froze on his lips "You are saying that THIS Rohim was razed to the ground in the end?" he looked at his two servants "The same city my baby girl saved with so much effort and risk?"

Simon lowered his gaze in shame "There was a sort of letter left for her…"

"In the middle of the ruins there were two crucified bodies almost completely devoured by crows with the note engraved in stone below" George added hesitantly "One of them was lady's friend, that Cedric I think… the son of traitorous governor..."

When his voice failed him, Simon finished by reciting "Enemy of Mark. Till the last life and stone, it will perish. Whoever is responsible for these lives shall find me, Dimitri."

"Then lady Ley buried those two and abruptly changed her plans heading to Tamir instead." George added.

Shine paled and massage his forehead "That's why she decided to take part in war instead of killing Eleanor immediately."

Lucien suddenly remembered his discussion with this woman as he questioned her presence at his side and the way he was somehow disappointed he wasn't a reason for her return. Now his behaviour seemed petty and childish compared to what he just learnt. Not that she ever explained anything properly!

Frey closed his eyes briefly as he thought just how much pain it must have caused to his sister. Even though he didn't know her for too long he could see she rarely allowed anyone to get close to her and as it seems her comrades from the battlefield were slaughtered only to lure her out.

Cid nodded gravelly "Now it makes more sense… It was as I suspected – she was behaving so recklessly because she wanted to kill the man who wiped out Rohim, to avenge those she felt somehow connected…"

"So this assassin is the only clue to learn just where this Dimitri is right now?" Sharris muttered deeply lost in her thoughts unaware she voiced her conclusion aloud.

"Indeed" Michael slowly stood up as if he suddenly aged greatly and headed toward the door "He is very important connection to Ley and right now I think she is plagued by her own memories awakened by this one name. I advise to leave her alone for the time being, sooner or later she will shake off her wrongly placed guilt and will come back to us."

With wishing everyone good night he swiftly departed to his own room consumed by his own memories and emotions from that time.

Lord Regent was taking off his kaftan and tossing it on the armchair when the noise from his balcony made him freeze. After a minuscule pause he asked without turning toward intruder "I hope that nobody saw you coming here, Peter…"

His faithful servant hopped from the balustrade inside the room and swiftly bowed his head "My deepest apologies, because of my foolishness that man disturbed Your plans sire, feel free to punish this lowly aide of yours however see fit to."

Northlander finally glanced over his shoulder and noticed several deep gushes on Peter's face and one bandaged hand already soaking crimson "Nah… It wasn't your fault since that man was this weak to the point of being unable to control his low urges. Besides I saw something really interesting thanks to that, so I suppose we gained more than we lost" suddenly he grimaced with disgust "Go and do something with that face of yours for Chrissake! Just looking at it makes me nauseated! Because of all this blood and sweat your features are already dripping down, it's as if they were out of wax!" he shuddered slightly.

Peter nodded once and quickly filled the silver vase with fresh water and promptly ducked his head in it. As he resurfaced once again while sputtering Lord once again saw well known to him face of his servant as dull as it normally looked like.

"It'll never cease to amaze me how easily you can disguise yourself, the only problem is with your voice, but I suppose it's doable to lower it a little or to make it sound higher, though you have to constantly remember to do that…" he eyed drenched face of Peter and noticed that scratches weren't as big as he first thought and without all this grease and dirt with little help nobody should notice tiny wounds "So thus the companion of our dear Claude disappears without a trace" he snorted and started unbuttoning his shirt.

"Even so I don't want them to connect Dimitri to us" he cocked his head to the right thoughtfully "If you feel up to it I want that assassin dead within two days" he glanced at injured hand pointedly.

"As my sire wishes it" Peter retorted without blinking "You don't have to be concerned, it's only minor superficial scratch, once I'll tend to it properly I can begin locating our dear 'friend' within the palace" servant frowned and after a little pause he finally asked "Am I allowed to reach him at all cost, even if it will mean to dispose of others standing in my way?"

Lord Regent froze naked from the waist up and tossed his shirt at the chair "No… That would be too messy, the more you would kill the bigger chance they would double their efforts to locate your previous alter ego… and that we don't want" he smiled widely his previous excitement illuminating his eyes "We also won't be targeting her anymore." He announced.

Peter's eyes widened slightly, but it was the only proof of his clear surprise "Temporary?"

"No, permanently…" Regent clarified "I just found new toy to play with, we can't tarnish her too fast, now can we?" he picked up his night shirt and flashed sharp toothy smile at his aide "I finally have someone to entertain myself, a true rival… Besides…" his smile became even wider "Don't you think that taming her would be quite amusing not to mention satisfying? On top of that she is about to become a queen of the second biggest nation after Aran, since Tamir I don't count – it was far too much damaged by Earl and constant state of war" he waved his hand dismissively "Imagine how much political influence I would gain by seizing this one female."

Northlander chuckled very pleased by this evening's fiasco "Did you see how protectively Tamirians, Arans and Leone behaved? Those rumours must have been partially true if they were involved from the very beginning in this masquerade… they are somehow connected to this woman and if I would capture her one way or another I would become even more influential."

"Then what do I do with her sire?" Peter asked him hesitantly little worried by such big enthusiasm emanating from his rather composed and calculative lord.

"I want to know everything about her and I mean EVERYTHING… this time go beyond castle walls, the rumour you brought us back before were purposely spread by her…" he started twirling his signet in agitation a vague pleased smile playing on his lips.

When he glanced at his suddenly silent servant who looked at him with not-so-veiled worry he snorted "Why so wary?"

Peter wetted his lips nervously and finally asked "My Lord, just how do you intend to capture this female?"

Regent donned most serious expression and answered "How? But of course by seducing her and marring afterwards…" seeing openly panicking aide he couldn't hold it down anymore and he burst laughing. As he wiped his tear still barely containing his merriment he reassured his servant "I couldn't help it… You had so serious expression…" he straightened and winked at shocked man who now scowled at him petulantly "Damn! I'm not blind! I know she isn't that kind of woman to be easily seduced – and thank God for that!"

Northlander snorted once again while unfastening his trousers "I'm not in love either – before you ask…" he sniggered "I don't know how to 'obtain' her yet, but we have much time to decide the best tactic."

Peter eyed his lord who seemed to be in strangely cheerful mood "Sir Dimitri won't like it." He murmured.

Regent's good mood vanished without a trace "I couldn't care less about this bloody fool! He should be grateful he still can breath after what he had done behind my back!"

Aide bowed his head respectfully not wanting to worsen his humour even more "Any particular wishes how should I end that man's life?" he swiftly changed topic.

Northlander folded his arms and tilted his head thoughtfully "Just slice his throat or whatever – just don't kill the guards" abruptly he grinned once again and added "But leave a little present for our witty hopefully soon-to-be-queen…"

Next morning Lena entered the cell with Michael and Cid and eyed the man now standing on his own two feet chained firmly to the wall, his hands high above his head causing him nearly to stand on his toes some kind of gag in his mouth.

And staring at her.

"Bonjour, mon ami. Vous avez bien dormi? (Good morning, my friend. Did you sleep well?)" she asked him and nodded while looking at him as if she was sympathizing with his current uncomfortable position. She swiftly switched to common speech and added "Today we will speak this way" she gestured at Cid who reluctantly took out the gag "Now, tell me where is Dimitri, hmmm?"

Claude spat the awful aftertaste of whatever they poured down his throat yesterday after the feast and glared at woman defiantly.

Lena cocked her head and nodded with satisfaction seeing that his shoulder through which she pinned him to the ground was well dressed by prophet despite his constant complaining "Unless you have another poison stored somewhere within that stubbornly silent mouth of yours you are completely at my mercy." She strolled closer and smirked in his face "If you only shared more details I would've tried to aim more accurately sparing your other teeth" she shrugged nonchalantly "You can't blame me for that…"

Man's eyes narrowed but still he stayed silent.

Exotic woman shot him nasty smile and sneered in his face "You were a real fool to believe in this poor pantomime during feast… to think I only needed to look nice and behave like little weak female in love to lure you out…" she shook her head mockingly "Really, what an amateur!" she sighed with exasperation as if his own stupidity and unprofessionalism was beyond her.

"Watch your tongue, you putain (whore)!"

"Ah~!" she turned to her comrades and pointed with her thumb at him while speaking to Michael "It can talk!"

"Merde (shit) !" prisoner trashed within his shackles futilely and tried to spat at her, which she effortlessly avoided as if she was dancing to some tune only she could hear.

"Only profanities? You disappoint me! Bad! Bad boy!" she snorted derisively and continued the conversation with her companions as if he was a mere dog who was able to entertain her with a trick or two "See? He is not only stupid and reckless but he also lacks imagination…"

She turned to him her smile wider and wider at his long string of curses under her address "Much better… you're becoming more and more inventive!" she applauded him mockingly "Now tell me what I want to know and I'll kill you quickly, though God only knows you deserve probably much more…"

"Or else what?" he sneered in nasal accent "You will spank me?" he leered at her and snorted "I can show you just what can we do together and I assure you it will be you begging me to spank you…"

Michael growled warningly but Cid stopped him from interfering. At his firm shake of head silver-haired man reluctantly ceased to struggle and only shot killing glares at offending oaf.

Lena feigned surprise and tapped her lower lip thoughtfully as if she was considering his offer. Then in blink of an eye she yanked his head backwards by his dirty hair and slammed his skull on the wall "Sorry to disappoint you, but my standards are far much higher than you could ever achieve…" she pulled his head further backwards until his entire body bowed slightly while he was still trying to not to lose his footing. He wanted to relieve his strained humeral joints and now she robbed him from this too.

"Now since we have an introduction behind us, tell me what I want to know."

"I have no reason to tell you anything, you already know far too much than you ever should" suddenly he grinned showing several empty places in his set of teeth thanks to her courtesy and added "You smell nice for a corpse~ why won't you pull my head even more? It feels so great to have your body so close to mine~"

Lena forced to not to show any surprise by his comment and smiled widely to him "Dream on…"

Claude flashed her ecstatic grin his cheeks already little pink and winked at her "I already am, mon amour (my love)… I already am…" he bowed even more backwards until his groin was grinding her hip.

Lena quickly leapt backwards and glared at him in disgust noticing just how excited he became judging by the meaningful tent in front of his pants "You're really sick…" she commented while desperately trying to keep up composed act together.

She folded her arms and pointed with her chin at his groin "So you are some sado-maso, huh? Way to go to be really disgusting…" she frowned in distaste noticing discreetly that she fared far better than men who now didn't go to her aid only because they tried to stop each other from doing it at the same time.

"I don't know this term… sado-maso" Claude slowly rolled the word down his tongue as if he was tasting it and grinned back at her "Doesn't really matter~ You can do with me whatever you want~ I may even enjoy it!" he sniggered nastily.

Woman smirked and shook her head "Look at you! Now you became quite talkative…" she picked up the gag and promptly pushed it into his mouth "You like the pain? Well, then we won't use it… You indeed like to talk with your targets? Hm… then we will live you alone for a little while to stew a little bit." She petted his cheek and whispered to his ear "I bet after a long boredom you will be more than cooperative~"

With that she sashayed to the door and shot him kiss on her palm before exiting.

As the three of them were outside safely beyond hearing range of their prisoner Lena grimaced and quickly refilled the basin Gideon used the day before and quickly washed her hands "Goddammit! Why do I have to always meet some creeps?! First Yuriel and now this one! Ugh!" she quickly scrubbed her palms to get rid of his presence.

Michael was still glaring at the door and as he glanced at Cid he noticed the man did the same, probably thinking about the same thing – that they should get rid of that pest as soon as possible.

Woman finally grabbed the towel and wondered if perhaps she should take a long bath in the meantime "He likes pain, so torturing in normal way is out of question, any ideas?" she looked at her friends and arched her brow "I have completely no experience in those matters, so I'm relying in this on you…"

"We will have to think about it…" Cid rubbed his nape thoughtfully "I too have absolutely no idea how to force him to cooperate with us."

Lena frowned "How is your search of the other man going?"

Kabul knight grimaced "It's as if he disappeared without trace, I'm sure one of our guests had to help him. When we reached the place where he fell there were bloodstains everywhere, I suppose he got injured while escaping."

Woman itched in the places where what weirdo touched her "Dammit! I have to go to baths!" she nodded to two guards appointed by Sir Wulf "Don't pay any attention to him unless you'll hear he somehow got rid of the gag – then please go inside and put it right back, I don't want him to commit suicide just yet."

Jess smiled and jokingly saluted "As the Child of The Prophecy wishes!" on her way out she friendly clobbered him in the back of his head causing them to start sniggering all over again.

Lena was brushing her annoyingly long hair, or more precisely she had to ask Sharris to help her with it when suddenly someone knocked loudly at her door. Both women glanced at each other in confusion and blond finally opened the door through which agitated Sean burst.

"He is dead!" he waved his hands in distress while tugging at Ley's arm.

"Wha? Who is dead?!"

Boy managed to pull her toward the door and explained chaotically "Your prey is dead and…!"

Before he could finish the sentence Lena was sprinting down the corridor her still wet long hair waving wrathfully behind her.

As she reached the cell she noticed Gideon who was kneeling beside two lifeless silhouettes on the ground and the blood in her veins froze.

"Are they– ?" she swallowed through suddenly dry throat unable to finish her sentence all the faces of people she failed flashing briefly behind her firmly closed eyelids.

"Calm down…" Michael squeezed her arms "They are only unconscious…"

Hearing than she took deep relieved breath and opened her eyes once more composed and calm. She returned his squeeze and knelt beside Prophet "How bad is it?"

Leone frowned "As far as I can see they weren't injured in any way, neither they were poisoned, and yet I don't know why they are in this state, I'm sorry…"

Woman worriedly looked at the faces of young men who not so long time ago joked freely and now looked as if they were deeply asleep "Take them to the room next to mine, it's empty anyway" she looked Gideon straight in the eye "I want you to be constantly at their side until they will regain consciousness."

Man nodded "Don't worry, I too want to know what happened to them."

Lena nodded and decisively stood up and strode to open door to the cell "How did this happen?"

Cid was still looking at the door and answered little distracted "Jess still had the key deeply hidden in his shoe, but whoever attacked them didn't need it in order to reach your prisoner" he pointed at untouched lock "One servant came down with the dinner for guys and was somehow worried that they were so silent. As she touched them they fell to the ground causing her to screech so loudly even Claude would hear it in his afterlife. When we got here the door to the cell were still closed."

Woman glanced at the door briefly and entered the cell.

Claude hung in the place where they left him and from afar it seemed as if nothing was wrong. As she neared she noticed that nobody manipulated with shackles and that his gag was still in his mouth. His eyes were closed, but that wasn't alarming at all. He resembled those two outside his prison in a way.

She crept one step closer and examined his pose. He was just strained as before… she frowned. If he was dead shouldn't the body loose its footing and hang on his arms?

She glanced at his feet and saw to her horror that they were pinned to the ground with iron nails used by blacksmiths while shoeing horses. She quickly looked up and noticed that he had some strange dark tape tied around his neck. When she came closer she knew what that was.

It was one of the ribbons from her dress from the first banquet, now crimson with blood from his slit throat tied in cheerful bow.

Lena stood at the battlement where Geralt tied her to the torch handle and allowed rain to soak her freely. As she gazed at the grey panorama of Sevia with her fists braced on the embrasure she couldn't shake off feeling of powerlessness. Once again she felt as if things were getting out of her hands, slipping through her fingers like a water or sand.

She found the way to trace down Dimitri and once again it was snatched away from her probably by the other assassin – Claude's companion who not only managed to successfully avoid Sir Wulf's guards but came back and cleaned the 'loose end' to not to leave anything useful behind.

This situation was similar to that from the past in modern world when no matter what she did some things would never change or happen.

And she hated that feeling.

She opened her clenched fist and glanced at now crimson element of her bodice which she quickly snatched before others would notice. Whomever put it there had to not only sneak into her rooms but also spent some time there in order to find this particular dress.

Somehow she felt violated. Somebody just invaded her private space rummaged through her things and proudly tied his swag on her prey's neck for all to see her in particular.

Though she never met Dimitri long enough to have a 'discussion' other than with her sword with him, this tiny detail didn't fit the image of cowardly man who run from her through several battlefields until he hid safely within Keunak Castle.

Anyway what could she do with that unfinished 'business' now? She couldn't just hop on horse a sword in hand and charge after him if she had completely no idea where he could be. By now judging by his previous behaviour he could be as well heading to the other side of the continent far beyond her reach for all she knew.

On her own she could do nothing about it and it frustrated her more than she was ready to admit even before herself.

Besides he wasn't there during this banquet, so how would he issue this particular gift to be left for her?

As the rain drops plastered her hair to her skull she had the urge to scream in frustration or to hit something, preferably someone who dared to waltz into her domain as if he was on a damn stroll in some amusement park.

This feeling of powerlessness was suffocating, back then in past too she didn't have any position, no influence to help her mother and thus she only could beg or watch helplessly.

Suddenly black eyes narrowed as the thought hit her. She abruptly pushed away from the battlement the ribbon sill in clenched fist and strode decisively inside the hidden passage.

The alcove above the Audience Hall was buzzing with many agitated voices when suddenly the door slammed open and slim drenched figure silenced them all.

Lena closed the door firmly behind herself and leaving puddles of water at her wake strolled toward shocked Sir Wulf.

"Ley! What did you do to yourself you foolish girl!" Miriam exclaimed and quickly rushed with her shawl to warm soaked female a little.

Exotic woman pushed her hands away delicately without averting her gaze from her goal and finally stopped in front of old knight.

Then she tossed back her wet tresses and raked her fringe backwards revealing briefly her jewel which reflected slightly the light from the fireplace. Slowly she opened her fist and dropped ribbon on Kabul's lap and as he glanced at it reflexively she leaned to him her both hands braced on the elbow-rests of his armchair successfully caging him in.

"Dear Lord, tell me… you didn't change your mind about Kabul throne by any chance?"

Wulf glanced at her suspiciously "If you mean my proposition to you… No, I haven't… but why are you asking?"

Woman straightened and put her arms akimbo while surveying many curious and worried faces "Why you ask? Oh, but of course because I'm taking it."