This is a very informative chapter. Sort of a filler but then not. =) Enjoy!

I have made a blog and have put up my edited chapters of this story. Edited by unicorn-skydancer08. They are ten times better now then they were. I have all the way to chapter 3 up. www(dot)theslavesofzachavi(dot)blogspot(dot)com

Chapter 26:

"Your Highness, the King will be mightily upset if you soak yourself," Sharissa exclaimed with wide eyes as Ranaya lifted her skirts to wade in the water.

It was three days since Ranaya arrived in Zachavi.

Sharissa had invited to show the princess around outside the castle. Ranaya had been stuck inside for too long and needed the fresh air.

Ranaya had been delighted to see a lake. Immediately she had run to it.

"I do not care what he thinks. I want to have some fun." She quickly walked into the water. It wasn't long until she was waist deep.

"Milady!" Sharissa cried out.

"Come join me," Ranaya insisted with a grin as she let herself sink until nothing but her head appeared above water.

Her fear of water was gone thanks to Lando. She felt drawn to it now. The water made her feel close to Lando. She wanted to feel as close to him as was possible if that meant doing things that made her remember memories. But as always every happy thought of him was interrupted with disturbing visions of him lying motionless on the cobblestones.

She then felt sick, wondering if Lando was better or worse.

"I'd love too but I'm afraid of being punished." Sharissa sat down cross legged to watch Ranaya swim. The elf then noticed Ranaya's forlorn expression. "Are you alright?"

Ranaya sighed, "Before I left Lakishea a few days before Lando was sick. He didn't admit it but I could tell he was ill. When I was leaving to come here he collapsed to the ground. He looked as if he were inches from death. I worry about him." She lay back until she was floating on her back.

Sharissa took an intake of breath. "There was a reason he never told you he was sick."

"What do you mean?" Ranaya asked with small frown.

"When an elf is greatly sorrowed by losing someone he or she loves or is heartbroken grief can sicken an elf. No matter how strong the elf is. It's the worst sickness an elf can ever have. Elves don't get sick much. We get what is known as an elvish cold and then there is the sickness caused by great sorrow. It is incurable unless the one the elf loves comes back and accepts him back. An elf's only hope if the loved one does not return or accept his or her love is to go through elven treatments. Only few heal though." Sharissa stared at Ranaya.

Ranaya turned pale and she suddenly sank then sputtered back to the surface. "You are saying Lando has no cure and will perish if I do not return to him?"

Sharissa nodded slowly.

Suddenly swimming didn't appeal to Ranaya so much anymore. Instead she felt sicker then she even had before.

She made her way to shore and flopped down beside Sharissa. "Sharissa, I have to try to get back to him. I can't let him die."

Sharissa frowned, "You cannot dare try to escape Zachavi now. Karik will expect it. Wait a while longer and runaway when he least expects it."

"You are right. I just don't want to wait so long. For all I know Lando could die today or the next if he's not healed." Ranaya choked on tears.

"Landrian is a fighter. He will not give up easily." Sharissa assured the princess.

"When I go I want to help you escape with me." Ranaya stood up.

Sharissa gasped in surprise. "You would help me?" she stood then as well. "Why bother with me?"

"You have been a great friend to me since I have been here. You deserve to go back to your people." Ranaya smiled at the elf maiden.

"I have nothing to go back to. The Zachavians killed my husband Galan." Sharissa sounded as if she were to cry herself.

"But you will be with your people." Ranaya protested.

"I suppose you are right. I will no longer be under Karik's thumb."

"Sharissa, how long has Naylandi lived in Zachavi?" Ranaya suddenly asked. It had been bothering her ever since she met the elf who was Lando's older brother.

Sharissa took a sharp intake of breath. "He was one of the first elves enslaved by the Zachavians. He was only 100 years old when he was taken. Equaling to ten years old to an elf. He was only a small boy. Before Landrian was born. After that Landrian and Naylandi's parents raised Landrian to become a great warrior among the people. To avenge the capture of Naylandi—only Landrian doesn't know he has an older brother."

"Why doesn't he?" Ranaya picked her way back to the castle Sharissa by her side.

"His parents kept it a secret all these years. No one speaks of Naylandi in the Tarachi for it is far too painful to speak of. You see Landrian and Naylandi are both cousins to the Elven Prince. Their father brother to King Halidad. Since they were a part of the royal family losing Naylandi was a great misfortune. He was to be raised as a warrior. A leader to the other warriors. But Landrian was the one to have that fate. The Tarachi couldn't have a better warrior. Only as of late royalty and warriors do not matter for our kingdom and people are broken up. Some hiding in caves and others pretend to be humans in other kingdoms." Sharissa explained. By now they were entering the castle doors.

"I promise now and here. I will escape Zachavi with both you and Naylandi." Ranaya was determined to keep this promise and that she would in time.

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