Kyandi: Greetings, everyone! I'm so sorry we've been gone for so long.

Alair: In an attempt to make it up to everyone, she has two new chapters for you.

Kyandi: Yep. And there's quite the surprise at the end of this chapter for all of you.

Alair: A very big surprise.

Kyandi: You will have to read to find out. Also, for any of you planning to go to AnimeFest in Dallas this year, or are going to be in the area, stop by on the 19th because I'm going to be there. Just look for the woman with blue-green in her hair and a shirt that reads Kyandi-sama across the back.

Alair: For those able to locate her, she has a present.

Kyandi: That I do. So with that, everyone, please enjoy and review.

Alair: Kyandi-sama does not own Heroic Legend of Arslan.

Chapter 29 Big Surprises

"Come again?"

The expression Alair directed in Daryun's and Narsus' direction was one of displeasure, a frown tugging her lips down. The girl was currently sitting up in bed as Elam sat a tray baring her lunch on it, in her lap.

"Come now, Alair, his highness has already agreed and it must be seen to as soon as possible." Narsus told her.

"And that means leaving me behind because I am still bed bound and weak." Alair said, her tone sour.

"It is an island that supposedly plays home to pirate treasure. There is no telling what kind of traps and dangers lurk there. Remaining here with the prince, is the best option." Daryun told her.

Alair heaved a sigh, turning her face away from them. After they had told Alair of the pirate treasure that the pirate captain had told Narsus of and of their plan to go to the island in hopes of bringing it back to fund the army, she had wanted to go, but given her still weak condition, Daryun had shot it down instantly.

Looking at her expression, which screamed both resignation and sourness, they could tell that she knew she couldn't go and that they were being reasonable, but she still wasn't happy about it.

"Please, Lady Alair. Lord Narsus and Lord Daryun are only thinking of your best interest." Elam told her, trying to encourage her to eat despite her appetite still not being the best.

"I suppose you are right, but I still do not like it." she finally admitted. "I would not believe a word that pirate speaks."

"Perhaps not, but on the chance that he is telling us the truth..." Narsus started.

"The amount said to be there could fund the army, yes, I know." Alair heaved a sigh before turning to look at the two, her expression one of concern now. "If it must be, then I will await your return patiently, but I beg of you...please be careful."

"We will." Narsus assured her.

"You must stay in bed until our return. Rest and gain your strength back." Daryun told her.

After having the argument so many times, Alair had come to the realization that Daryun really was just overly worried and that she would never win the argument, thus she had ceased bantering with him over the subject. She simply nodded.

"And you must eat while they are away, Lady Alair. I know you still don't feel hungry, but you need all the energy you can get." Elam told her.

Alair looked down at the tray in her lap. As with the past meals before it, Elam had brought her a light broth, but this time, he had added a few vegetables and a serving of lightly smoked fish in hopes she could manage to keep something a little more substantial down.

"I will. Thank you, Elam." she told him.

Elam gave her a smile before excusing himself. Once he was gone, Alair turned her eyes to Narsus and Daryun.

"Am I the only one to remain with the kingling?" she asked.

"Alfreed and Elam will remain as well." Narsus told her.

"That is a relief. I do not relish the idea of only normal guards to guard the kingling when I, myself, am still bound to a bed." Alair remarked.

Narsus and Daryun looked at each other, as if sharing a private message. Alair caught the look, her brows furrowing as she eyed the two.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It is nothing. We must finish preparing." Narsus told her.

Though her expression said that she was still suspicious of their look, she let it go and bid them farewell and a safe trip. Daryun made sure, once more, to insist she remain in bed as much as possible before he left. When he walked out the door, Alair heaved a sigh.

"Gods love that man, for only they know why I do." she muttered to herself.

And love him, she did, but that would be tested, if only slightly, in the days to come.

-0-0-0-0-

On the morning that Narsus, Daryun, Farangis, Jaswant and Gieve departed for the island, Alair was not able to go to the docks to see them off. Arslan, Elam and Alfreed were the ones that went. It would be well past night fall, Alair knew, before they would reach the island and, at least, another day or two before they would return. Alair didn't like the feeling this whole thing gave her. Leaving Arslan without four of his best fighters, five if they counted Alair, herself, just screamed of a chance for someone to attack Arslan.

It had an ill boding feeling settling in her chest.

When night fall came and nothing had happened, Alair felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She still felt like anything could happen, but she was still relieved that it hadn't thus far. She fell into a restless sleep that night, without Daryun's presence to lull her to sleep.

Some hours before sunrise, her suspicions were proven right as several pirates swarmed the city, making a break, first, for the prison cells to free their comrades. Once done, they made for the building that Arslan had made into their headquarters. It was there that Arslan was found sitting in his throne, waiting. He looked up when a man burst into the room, falling to his knees in his haste.

"Prince Arslan, the pirates are attacking! They're heading this way!" the man told him.

"They made no move until Daryun and the others had departed. Clearly, this is being orchestrated from the inside." Arslan remarked as the man got to his feet.

"Surely not. Under Viceroy Pelgesis' rule, nothing like this ever-" Catching himself, the man apologized to Arslan, having not meant any offense.

"This building will be their primary target. Do not open the gates." Arslan ordered, the guards replying with "Yes, sir!".

Out on the walls of the fortress, Alfreed and Elam watched as the large number of pirate approached the building, ready for a fight. There were so many, all of them grinning at what they were sure would be an easy victory.

"It's unfolding just as Lord Narsus said it would." Elam remarked.

"Well, of course. Narsus' calculations are never wrong." Alfreed retorted.

"No...he's been wrong once." Elam corrected.

"When?" Alfreed asked, shocked to hear this. "What about?"

"Allowing you to remain by his side. It may be the only incorrect decision of his whole life, but it's a serious one." Elam replied.

"After all I've done!" Alfreed growled.

But Elam waved her off, turning his attention back to the men below. Alfreed, though slighted, did the same.

"Do you think it was the right choice not to inform Alair of Narsus' plan?" Alfreed asked.

"I do not know. Lady Alair is, sometimes, unpredictable. None of us knew how she would react, or if she would insist on getting out of bed. It is why I slipped medicine into her dinner to help her sleep. It was a mix of Valerian, magnolia bark, and lavender. It should have put her to sleep without raising any suspicion from her." Elam replied.

"She won't be pleased when she awakes." Alfreed said confidently.

"Perhaps not, but it was for the best." Elam said.

In fact, he was sure she was going to be upset with him, but, given her current state, they couldn't risk her deciding to jump into a fight.

"Here they come." Elam said, focusing on the men below. He raised a hand, signalling for the archers to get ready. Lowering the hand, he yelled, "Fire!"

Arrows raced through the air, bouncing off shields as men below rammed the gates. Archers among the pirates fired back, both sides exchanging fire. It was among this that Elam caught sight of the leader of the pirates. and it was none other than Shagad.

The man rode to the front of his men, smile on his face. It was as if he believed he had won the fight already. All fighting stopped, the men with the ram backing off, as he reached the front line.

"There's no point resisting. Be smart and open the gates, at once." Shagad called out.

Elam stared down at the man in surprise. Narsus had told him, of course, that Alair suspected Shagad of being in alliance with the pirates, but Elam had held some doubts about her suspicions.

"So Shagad, it was you along! You've been pulling the strings this whole time." Elam called.

"Yes, I have. For a long while now, this city has been mine to run as I see fit. Then you lot came and tried to take it over for that fool prince of your's. That is simply not something that I can accept." Shagad called back.

"You know, that sounds an awful lot like treason!" Alfreed yelled.

"The prince will die in battle. It will be a noble enough end for him. Far better for him to end his life that way, then as a failed ruler of a once prosperous city. Far better than the end I tired to give that beastly princess of yours. I tried to make it seem like an accident, but she simply would not die. Tried to have her silently killed in her sleep, but, once again, she simply would not die." Shagad scoffed to himself.

Elam and Alfreed growled lowly as he admitted his attempts against Alair's life and his scorn of Arslan. It was bad enough, a great sin in their their eyes, for him to speak the way he had about Arslan, but for him to add to it by admitting he had tried to kill Alair...he would never be forgiven. Then Shagad laughed.

"The prince's best fighters have left his side and the princess is bound to a bed. How will he fair without them?" Shagad asked.

"You're nothing more than a selfish coward. How could a man like you have ever been Lord Narsus' friend!?" Elam yelled.

"Narsus may think himself clever, but he is a fool. A naive dreamer. He simply can't accept that people are inherently unequal. If he is unable to see something so clear, how could he be considered wise?" Shagad asked.

"I see now! You're envious of Narsus and always have been!" Alfreed yelled. "You know you'll never be half the man he is! That must really get to you."

"You think I envy him? That's just ridiculous. The poor man lives in a fantasy world. He thinks he can abolish slavery? What an idiotic dream. He acts like I'm the disappointment, but it's the other way aroun-"

Shagad cut off as, suddenly, a throwing knife went flying past his head, the blade barely skimming his face, leaving a shallow cut behind. Clamping a hand to his cheek, he scanned the fortress walls for the one that threw the knife.

"You are looking in the wrong direction, rat."

Knowing that voice, Shagad's eyes widened before falling to the fortress gates's as one door was slammed closed after allowing a single person out. Standing there, a little white in the face, but looking healthier than she had in the past few days, glaive in hand, was Alair. Flanking her on either side, were her four largest wolves, Blackwing having remained inside. All four wolves were growling, ready to surge forward with a signal from Alair.

"Lady Alair! What are you doing!?" Elam called down.

"Elam, a bit of advice...next time you wish to drug a person to slumber, try not to use herbs that grew naturally around where said person grew up." Alair called back.

Elam flinched. So she knew what he had been up to. Her eyes, though, remained on Shagad and, though she was serious and displeased, there was a look of sorrow on her face.

"I wished terribly that I was wrong." she said, shaking her head. "But I am right and about more than one thing."

"Whatever are you talking about?" Shagad demanded.

"I was right about you, but I am also right about one more thing." Alair said, raising a hand. "Narsus is far too good for camaraderie with the likes of you."

With a sigh, she let her hand fall. It was all the signal her wolves needed. All four surged into battle, dying screams raising as the wolves tore through the men. Shagad grit his teeth.

"Kill her!" he called.

Pirate archers set their eyes on Alair, but she was already shifting her glaive, her weight rocking from foot to foot before she, too, surged into the fight. For someone who had been staggering on her feet just two days ago, she was awfully steady now, moving not as fast as she usually did in battle, but fast enough to send men scrambling to try to save themselves. Any that dared to venture too close to Alair, was cut down.

Shagad realized, quickly, that she was making straight for him. He yelled for his men to stop her, but Alair was dead set on her target and was refusing to let anyone stop her. She was forced back, though, by the sheer number of men and the fact that she wasn't back to her full strength. Digging her heels in, she refused to be pushed any further, her wolves rallying to her sides.

She was just gearing up for another wave of attacks when the cry of an eagle, drew her attention skyward. She knew that cry and sure enough, Arslan raptor friend came swooping down from the sky, just grazing Shagad's head as he flew by. As if a signal, Shagad's men came under attack from the rear, making the man turn in his saddle.

On a ridge behind Shagad's men, Narsus sat at the head of a group of Zot Clan warriors.

"Good timing!" Alfreed called out.

"Narsus!" Alair called, truly relieved to see him.

Shagad was not so happy to see his old friend.

"Finally, you've shown your true colors for everyone to see. You've got a silver tongue, but you won't talk your way out of this one." Narsus called out to Shagad before giving the Zot men orders to attack.

Narsus rode through the fighting men to the fortress walls where Alair stood, using her glaive to lean on, Wolfsbane at her side. Narsus looked up at Alfreed and Elam on the fortress walls.

"Thanks. Well done, you two! Good job keeping the enemy's attention off us." Narsus called to them.

"You had this planned?!"

Narsus turned his attention to Alair as, with a groan, she sank to her knees, head hung.

"Lady Alair!" Elam called in concern.

"You, all of you...are going to be the death of me." Alair said, her tone sounding put out.

"Seems you are not always so knowledgeable, Alair." Narsus teased.

The look Alair shot him through the strands of her hair, could of sent a lesser man running for his life.

"I am but human, Narsus, just as you are." she reminded him.

As Narsus chuckled at her, throughout the city, the rest of Arslan's comrades were flushing the pirates out of the city. Shagad could see the tides of the fight turning against him as more and more of his men fell.

"This is your doing, Narsus. You deceived me." Shagad said as the rest of Alair's wolves returned to her side, the four ringing her like a shield.

Joining her wolves in defending her, Zot men surrounded them, making it next to impossible for anyone to reach her easily.

"You're not exactly one to talk. Really, Shagad. The initial deception was actually your's. I just made use of it, turning it back on it's original author. The treasure of a pirate king, hidden on a desert island? You couldn't come up with anything better than that? You were so confident in your plan that you failed to see it's flaws." Narsus scolded.

"You've always been like this. An arrogant bastard who thinks he's smarter than everyone else." Shagad snapped. "Fire at will. I want that man dead! And don't forget that beastly princess, as well."

What remained of Shagad's archers took aim, seeking Narsus' and Alair's lives. Just when she was starting to grow a little concerned, the archers were taken out by a very well aimed spear.

A spear that Alair knew very well.

Her head whipped around, searching for it's owner, her fiery eyes finally landing on the sole outline of Daryun on a ridge.

"Sorry Narsus. It doesn't look like your reunion is going so well. Such a shame when friendship turn sour." Daryun called.

"Daryun!"

Alair could not contain the pure joy she felt at the sight of him. At hearing her voice call his name, Daryun's eyes searched her out, finally locating her sitting on the ground ringed by her wolves and men. Seeing her sitting here, her face turning white, his mind automatically jumped to her being injured and anger filled his veins. With a nudge of his horse's sides, he surged forward, cutting down men in his way.

"I've had enough!" Shagad yelled, swinging his horse around to retreat.

What remained of his men followed, Daryun hot on their heels. Narsus, with his own men behind him, joined in the chase and ended up reaching Shagad's ship right as it took off, managing to get on before it left the docks. Daryun was not so lucky. He reached the end of the docks as they were sailing out to sea.

"What did he do?" Daryun asked himself as running footsteps came charging towards him.

"Lord Daryun!"

Daryun turned to find Graze nearing him.

"Master Graze."

"Can we give you a ride?" Graze asked, his shipmates behind him.

"I am coming as well!"

Both men whipped around, already dreading who they were going to find. Coming towards, riding atop Wolfsbane's back, was Alair.

"Oh, no. No!" Daryun said instantly as Wolfsbane came to a stop in front of the two men.

"Yes." Alair countered.

"You are not suppose to be out of bed." Daryun told her.

Alair heaved a sigh, giving her head a shake. She was going to settle this now and put her foot down.

"Daryun, whatever you may wish to think of me, I am not so weak as to be undone by a snake. I had enough strength to fight Shagad's men before Narsus arrived and I still have strength to spare. Now, will you allow me to board or must I find another way to that ship?" Alair demanded, chin held high.

Daryun slapped a hand to his face while Graze chuckled lowly to himself. He knew if he said no, then she would just find another way and perhaps one that wasn't as safe. Aside from her complexion being a little white, she seemed to be doing fine, so it wasn't like he could send her back either. He would just have to keep a close eye on her.

"Fine." he agreed.

Alair gave a nod, happy he agreed. Graze chuckled as he got his men moving on getting his ship ready to sail.

"Come on, men. We've got work to do." Graze called. "We're going to make sure those pirates never mess with us again."

Once aboard the ship, Alair, still sitting on Wolfsbane's back, kept her eyes sitting on the three ships ahead of them, Wolfsbane giving her the best view from the figurehead of the ship. It was from that vantage point that Alair saw...their's wasn't the only ship aiming for the pirates. Other sailors from the city had set sail to help them.

As soon as Graze's ship rammed the pirate ship, Wolfsbane surged forward, carrying his mistress into battle. Despite her strength already waning, Alair charged into battle with a swing of her glaive, taking down those in her way. She would not let her friends, her prince, down. Daryun followed her, joining her. They cut down the men in their way, Wolfsbane jumping up onto the ship's railing. From there, she could see Narsus on another ship.

"Daryun!" she called, Daryun looking up at her. "That way!"

He followed her pointing finger to where Narsus was. From there, the two watched as Azrael, Arslan's eagle, swooped in to rake Shagad's face, giving Narsus the opening he needed to take down his friend. With a nudge from Alair, Wolfsbane cleared the distance between the ships.

"Narsus."

Narsus looked up at Alair, his eyes widening. His mouth even dropped open as he tried to find words. Finally, he snapped his mouth closed and tried again.

"Alair, what are you doing here?" he demanded.

"You as well, Narsus? I am here for the same reason as the rest of you. Now...is he dead?" she asked, looking down at Shagad.

Narsus heaved a sigh. There was obviously going to be no arguing with Alair. She had somewhat gotten her wind back and she wasn't going to be babied anymore. Turning, he looked down at Shagad.

"No, he still lives." Narsus told her.

Alair stared at Shagad for a moment before turning her eyes to Narsus.

"I am so terribly sorry, Narsus. I prayed to every god I knew that it was not him." Alair told her friend.

Narsus laid a hand on her calf, giving her a smile to show there were no hard feelings.

"I know, Alair, I know. Ultimately, this is the path he choose." Narsus told her.

After that, Shagad and his men were rounded up and restrained. Once they reached the docks, they were marched off the ships. Alair, now standing on her own two feet beside Narsus, Wolfsbane on her other side, watched as Shagad was marched past them.

"Like it or not, slaves are necessary. If you were a slave, I might even consider buying you...for a copper piece or two. Somebody has to empty chamber pots and dig graves-"

Shagad was cut off when Wolfsbane snapped at him, growling as he bared his fangs. Shagad couldn't get away fast enough. Alair pat Wolfsbane's neck as he continued to growl in Shagad's direction.

"Good boy, Wolfsbane." she whispered lowly to the wolf.

While Alfreed checked on Narsus, Alair got off the boat. At the top of the ramp down to the dock, Daryun stopped her, offering her his hand for help. Alair accepted the help with a smile, taking his hand and letting him help her down the ramp. He surprised her, though, by seizing her by the waist, when she was close enough, and lifting her the rest of the way down, sitting her on her feet on the dock.

"Your skin is white." he remarked, peering into her face.

"That might be the drugs Elam slipped into my dinner last night, finally catching up to me." Alair replied.

Daryun shot Elam a look, the boy shrugging sheepishly. Turning his attention back to Alair, Daryun lightly took hold of her elbow.

"Let us return and find you a seat." he told her.

"I will gladly accept that." Alair replied.

Daryun stayed by her side the whole way back to their headquarters, Arslan greeting them, grateful to see that they were all alright. Of course, he was a little upset with Alair, who took the scolding with a small smile on her face. When it was all said and done, a chair was brought in and sat at the foot of Arslan's throne for her. Arslan, still trying to decide Shagad's fate, entered a low conversation with Alair. Since it had been her life Shagad had threatened, more than once, he wanted her opinion. And she gladly gave it. Once Alair and Arslan were done talking and were seated, Shagad was brought before Arslan and sat on the floor.

"Anxious to learn what your fate will be?" Graze asked. "For my part, I bet you'll hang after everything you've done."

Shagad merely scoffed at him.

"Shagad. When you leave here, you will be handed to a slaver." Arslan declared.

It was obviously worse than anything Shagad could have ever thought of, because he gasped, the look on his face one of shock and outrage.

"What?!" he asked.

"For a whole year, you will live in chains, you'll know the harsh, relentlessly miserable life of a slave. You'll be worked to utter exhaustion, you'll know no comfort or kindness. For all that you were born a human being, you'll be traded like livestock. That is the punishment I decide and the punishment Alair agrees upon." Arslan told him.

As a former slave, herself, Alair thought it was fitting punishment for someone like Shagad and Farangis agreed.

"One year? Hmph! You really are soft hearted. Once that year is passed and I'm no longer in chains, I'll be free to seek my revenge. On you and your princess." Shagad swore.

Daryun came forward then, seizing Shagad by the front of his shirt to yank him up.

"You might want to rethink that. I happen to be a man with a very long memory. It doesn't matter if it's one year later, or a hundred, I won't forget your crimes, what you have done to Alair, or what you have said here today." Daryun promised, throwing Shagad down. "Do not seek out his highness or Alair once your sentence is over. Don't think for even a second of doing either of them harm, or I will make your time as a slave, seem like a fond memory."

When all Shagad did was scoff at him, Daryun growled "Bastard!", but a hand on his shoulder, stopped him, making him look back at Arslan in surprise. Arslan shared a look with him before moving over to Shagad, knelling in front of him.

"I don't know if it is true, but I have heard you were once a man of wisdom. I sincerely hope that you will now become a man of compassion. For the sake of Narsus, who once called you friend." Arslan said, getting to his feet, turning to Alair. "Alair?"

Shagad's eyes turned to Alair, who had not moved an inch from her seat. She watched through eyes shaded with sorrow.

"Despite your short comings, you are a smart man, Shagad, so I pray you heed my words, as someone who once lived the life of a slave." Alair said, fixing her eyes on Shagad. "The life of a slave ill cared for by their master, is one of nothing by hardship, misery, and pain. It is enough to either crush you under a wave of hatred and despair, or to leave you seeing life in a better light. I pray to all gods both Parsian and Alhirian, that you are a man of the latter." Alair told Shagad.

Shagad stared at Alair as Arslan turned to Graze.

"I will leave the rest to you, Graze. Make the arrangements as you see fit." Arslan told him.

"Yes, sir!" Graze replied.

Shagad was removed from the room after that, taken to be handed over as Arslan wanted. Alair's eyes turned to Narsus then. The man excused himself, probably for a little time alone to think. Time he deserved.

After that, several citizens came back to swear their loyalty to Arslan. Many were offering their support to Arslan and his army. With the area fully under Arslan's control, a force lead by Graze and accompanied by Daryun, weeded out the rest of the pirates, making the seas around the city, safe once more. Alair, now able to rest without the threat on her life looming over her head, caught up on her rest and was able to fully leave her bed a few days later.

Something Daryun was grateful for.

For their help in retaking the city and driving out the threat, the Zot Clan was gifted a banner just for them. With Alfreed's support, the clan decided to fly the banner wherever they went and to serve the kingdom however they could.

The night after everything was finally settled, two guest rode in, seeking Arslan's help.

When Farangis showed them in, Alair and her friends were surprise to see Etolle with a red haired man baring the marks of a Zot Clan member, at her side.

"Etolle, what are you doing here?" Arslan asked.

Etolle fell to her knees, head bowed in begging.

"Arslan, please, I came to ask you to send troops to Ecbatana. It's King Inocenntis. I beg of you, help him!" she pleaded, shocking them.

Arslan left his seat, hurrying over to her, knelling beside her.

"Just slow down. Gather your thoughts and then tell me what's going on." Arslan told her.

"It's King Inocenntis. He's being held prisoner." Etolle told him. "He asked me to help him and I did my best, but instead I was framed and branded a traitor. I didn't know what I could do or where else I could go. So I came here. I'm in no position to ask for favors, but please, will you march to Ecbatana and free his majesty?"

Arslan looked up as Alair stepped forward. Reaching down, she took Etolle's hands in hers and lightly pulled to get the girl to rise to her feet.

"To your feet, Etolle. I am sure the kingling will agree when I say, you have no reason to bow your head here." Alair told her, Arslan nodding in agreement. Etolle rose to her feet. "Now, tell us, how did your king come to be in chains?"

"The king has been removed from power. Prince Guiscard rules now. He's the king's own brother, how could he conspire against his majesty!?" Etolle asked.

"Its nothing new." Narsus told her. "He may not have the title, but Guiscard has held all the power in Lusitania for some time."

"That aside, do you understand what you're asking of us?" Daryun asked. "Your king invaded Pars."

"Yes, I know that!" Etolle retorted. "I do. I realize what I'm asking is crazy. Even so...I had to try. I didn't know who I could turn to beside you."

"I'm glad you came, but..." Arslan trailed off.

Gieve looked between the two, one eyebrow perking up as he did. Of course his mind could not stay on the matters at hand.

"Oh, well...I see there have been some interesting developments while I was away. And here I didn't think the prince was particularly skilled in that department." Gieve remarked.

"Keep your speculations to yourself." Farangis and Alair both called out to Gieve.

Gieve flinched, but quickly recovered.

"Mistress Farangis told me that we had some unexpected visitors and I can see now, exactly, how correct she was." Gieve said, walking over to stand between Farangis and the young man that had arrived with Etolle.

"Of course I was correct. The djinn don't lie." Farangis replied.

"By the by, who is this strapping young man?" Gieve asked, turning to the young man.

"My name is Merlane, and I'm a member of the Zot Clan." the man replied.

"Wait, the Zot Clan?" Narsus asked.

"I hadn't planned to seek you out but then Etolle told me that my-"

Merlane was cut off as Alfreed came into the room, happy to hear that Etolle was there. When she saw Merlane and Merlane saw her, they both froze. Alfreed tried to continued on sneakily, but Merlane seized her by her clothes, dragging her back.

"You stop right here." Merlane demanded.

"Oh, hey, big brother." Alfreed greeted.

While Alfreed's friends watched in surprise, the two siblings started wrestling, Alair watching with her wolves beside her, all six tilting their heads to the side at the same time.

"I want some answers! Where have you been all these months!?" Merlane demanded.

Alfreed finally broke free of him, yanking away.

"That's none of your business!" she declared running to hide behind Gieve and Farangis.

"Don't you run from me! We're going to have a nice long talk." Merlane insisted, charging through Gieve and Farangis to try to grab his sister.

"There's nothing I want to talk about!" Alfreed retorted, running over to Narsus, her brother following, still trying to grab a hold of her.

"Quit pretending you've forgotten our father's wishes." Merlane said.

"I don't care what he said, I have no interest in being chief!" Alfreed yelled.

The two siblings moved on, Merlane chasing Alfreed about the room.

"Did she said chief?" Daryun asked, looking at Narsus.

"I don't see why you can't just do it! You're older than I am and I don't want to!" Alfreed yelled at her brother.

"But I'm not the one Father choose. And I certainly can't ignore the man's dying wish." Merlane replied.

This time, Alfreed darted behind Arslan and Etolle to hide.

"Why not? It's not like you and he got along, anyway. If I can ignore what he wanted than so can you!" she told her brother.

"Are you joking? She's next in line to be the clan chief?" Elam asked in disbelief.

"No, I'm Narsus' wife and that's all I want to be." Alfreed told him.

At this point, Daryun had to tease Narsus about this involving him too since Alfreed was supposedly his wife. Narsus insisted that it didn't and to end the bickering between siblings, Arslan stepped in.

"I look forward to hearing the whole story, but for now, allow me to welcome you. We're happy to have Alfreed's brother with us. And thank you for escorting Etolle all this way. I am grateful." Arslan told Merlane.

"I should thank you. For looking after my sister until I could track her down. No small feat." Merlane replied.

"And what of Ecbatana? Can you tell us the state of things there?" Arslan asked.

"Certainly, your highness. The capital is anxious. Guiscard is hunting down a man named Hilmes and he's having a hard time of it." Merlane said.

This one sentence caught the attention of most in the room.

"What did you say?" Alfreed demanded, running forward to seize her brother by his clothes. "Listen to me! It was Hilmes that killed our father! We have to make him pay!"

"Him? He killed our father!? Damn it!" Merlane wrapped a hand around the hilt of his sword. "I spoke to the man! If I had known, I would have cut him down instead."

"Interesting. After all this time, Silver Mask has part ways from Lusitania." Daryun remarked.

"Which he was planning to do all along. At least, I would assume so." Narsus replied.

"You know what his next move will be." Daryun stated.

"Yes. To take back the royal capital."

Alair looked from Daryun and Narsus to Arslan. With everything that had been going on, as of late, Hilmes had been shoved to the back of all of their minds. It was hard to remain worried about the man when one had pirates and would-be assassins to deal with.

Farangis suddenly perking up and turning towards the doors, drew Alair's attention to her.

"Is something wrong, Farangis?" Alair asked.

"The djinn are clamoring. They say we have more visitors yet to come." Farangis answered.

"More?" Gieve asked. "I wonder who it will be this time?"

Wolfsbane suddenly raised his head, his ears standing straight up. Alair turned to look at the wolf as he turned to fix his one eye on a nearby window.

"What is it, Wolfsbane." she asked.

A sudden squawk had all of them turning to an open window where a red tail hawk sat cleaning it's feathers. Alair instantly recognized the hawk.

"Crilim? But then that means-"

The door flew open then, an out of breath Thea rushing in. She looked around, her eyes lighting up when they landed on Alair.

"My lady!" she cheered.

"Thea? What are you doing here?" Alair asked as Thea flew to her side, grabbing her hands. "Should you not still be at Rrigen Abbey?"

"Yes, my lady, but...you will never guess what we found when we opened the Abbey doors!" Thea said, excited.

"Were the Monks still there and alive?" Alair asked.

"A few, yes, and there were even more of our people there, but that is not all we found." Thea cheered, the woman practically bouncing on the spot.

"Well then, tell me." Alair insisted.

Thea moved in close, whispering something into Alair's ear. The others watched Alair's expression as Thea told her whatever it was that she had to tell. As they watched, Alair's eyes grew wide and her breath hitched. She pulled back from Thea, staring at the woman with an expression of someone afraid to hope for something.

"You are not jesting? It is to the gods honest?" Alair asked.

Thea nodded, her expression brimming with joy. For a moment, Alair stared at her in a dumbfounded way, as if her brain could not process what Thea had told her.

"Alair?" Arslan called.

Alair gave herself a shake, blinking a few times before gripping Thea's hands tightly, her expression intent.

"Show me." she demanded.

"Yes, my lady!" Thea agreed happily.

Thea turned, one of Alair's hands still caught in hers, and lead the way back out the doors. Her friends called after her, but when it was obvious she didn't hear, they followed the two women. In the hall leading out into the enclosed court yard, a Parsian soldier stood waiting.

"Princess, they bore your royal seal, so I let them in. Well...as many as would fit within the court yard." the soldier told her.

"Thank you." Alair told him quickly as she and Thea rushed past him.

Alair and her friends came to a stop as they entered the courtyard. Before them, cramming into the court yard, were hundreds of Alhirian soldiers. Daryun even spotted Garth and Calio, Farangis quickly spotting Etney.

"Where?" Alair asked, her eyes scanning the crowd.

"There, my lady!" Thea pointed.

Alair and her friends followed the gesture, Alair's breath hitching once more.

There, standing next to Garth, was a young man about the same age, who stood with the help of a cane. He was tall, board shouldered, with a half quirked smile, handsome face, fiery red hair to match Alair's and, when he turned, they could see he had the deepest blue eyes, vivid even in the low lighting of the court yard. A half choked sob left Alair before she was running across the court yard.

"Cormac!"

The man turned when she called out, catching sight of Alair just before she threw herself at him. He had only enough time to call out "Lairy, don't!" before she barreled into him, knocking him off his feet, her arms around his neck.

"Wait, did she just say Cormac?" Daryun asked. "Isn't that-"

"That's right!" Thea said, smiling brightly.

What she said next completely floored them all.

"That's Prince Cormac der Terrigen Alhir...Lady Alair's older brother."

END

Kyandi: Surprise, surprise!

Alair: No worries, she will explain in the next chapter.

Kyandi: That I will.

Alair: And you have the next chapter ready, right?

Kyandi: I just need to do a little editing and it's done.

Alair: Then shall we?

Kyandi: Yes, we shall. Everyone, enjoy and review.

Alair: We shall return instantly.

Kyandi: Bye-bye!