Thanks for you patience I've been out of town for a while...I hope this makes up for some of it...

The Dice fell from Kel's lap as she sat up and landed with a thunk on the floor. The groaning of the ship had stopped, but she could hear the thwack snap of canvas unfurling above her. Her head spun for a moment but quickly righted itself and Kel found herself reaching for the dice. They were heavy and unyielding in her hand…Kel's lips curled up in a smirk; they were the Hag's weighted dice. Kel moved her legs toward the edge of the bed and felt something pull at her side. Gently she hooked her fingers in the edge of her linen shirt and dragged it upward. Her eyes were drawn to the heavy red scar that marred her skin.

The wound itself was healed but angry red and sore, even the movement of pulling up her shirt to expose it was painful. Two of the fingers on Kel's hand, which still clutched the dice, came up and her fingers gently touched the thick roped scar. Her breath was coming in ragged pants as her head filled with the image of the Gods gathered around her and the memory of what it felt like to die rushed through her. She dragged her legs over the edge of the bed and let her shirt drop back into place. Her feet were bare against the dry hardwood of the floor and she sat there for a moment silently celebrating that small connection to the real world.

With Dom

Dom felt the sun warm his skin but it didn't ease the icy ache that gripped his heart. It had been almost six months since the last time that he saw her and it was slowly killing him. Roaul knew what ailed him and did his best to help…but it seemed that nothing could ease the ache that had consumed him. Dom surveyed the scene before him with grotesque fascination. Jonathan sat in his throne, though Thyat's throne was noticeably empty, as his herald read the new decree to a mass of assembled citizens in the courtyard below him.

"By Royal order of his Majesty King Jonathan of Tortall it is here by decreed: If soldiers do not report back to there commanding officer after completion of a mission or task, within a given time of two months, they will be stripped of title and rank. All citizens who have sword before the Gods that they are loyal to this nation and to it's King and people are required to report back to the palace once every nine months, to ensure their continued loyalty. All who fail to meet this decree will be faced with public flogging and will be stripped of rank and title. This is to be the law forthwith and as it is the word of His Royal Majesty King Jonathan it is unquestionable."

The wind danced through the milling crowd and ruffled the thick piece of parchment clutched tightly in the sweaty trembling hands of the herald. The wind didn't even touch the King making him look even more in control of the situation…as if even the wind couldn't shake his calm. Dom shook his head and focused back on the task at hand. Guarding the courtyard and preventing any stirrings of rebellion, because it seemed that everyone knew that basis for this law was their beloved Protector. Rebellion…the word was so sweet attached to Kel…it brought light to the dark night of the last few months.

Many stories were being circulated through out the city of the great deeds of the absent protector of the small. Some said that she had single handedly over thrown the oppressive King Maggur to save the children of Tortall from going to war, one claimed that she was sailing deep into the heart of uncharted lands to bring back riches and gifts for the people of Tortall, still others told that she had been forced in to exile by King Jonathan and was now traveling from place to place helping those in need. It seemed that in her absence Kel had become a legend. Children would run down the streets pretending to be the Lioness and the Protector slaying dragons and righting all the wrongs in the world, when times were tough in the lower city mothers could be heard telling their children that when the time was right Lady Kel the Protector would come and right all of the wrongs.

It was as if the God's had heard their prayers for a hero and they had delivered Kel…and they in so great a need for one had taken her in without question. His favorite thing to do on nights when the walls were watched by others was to sneak into the city and listen to the bards tell their tales of the Protector…who road a temperamental beast of questionable origin, traveled with animals of all shapes and sizes, and entranced men with a gentle swing of her hips…and was as deadly as the lioness with the heart of the Great Mother herself.

He let his eyes drifted closed for a moment and let his mind build the picture of Kel as he last saw her. Her head was shaved and her body was overly skinny and covered in deep bruising. Her clothing was ragged and dull…but there was a fierce strength in her eyes…one that was unbroken by everything. It was how he wanted to remember her forever...because it reminded him that strength was not circumstantial…

When his eyes came open again the sun caught them and he felt the image burn onto his mind…but more importantly onto his heart.

With Kel

A Heavily sarcastic laugh brough Black Jack down to greet her…his eyes lit upon with a hardy grin.

"See you've decided to rejoin us, thought you were a goner there for a few minuets…" His voice trailed off when he saw that the smile on her face drained away.

"I was dead Jack, I have died and I have come back…I was gone…" Her voice broke a little at the end…

"I know death now…and I know that he waits for me…when the time comes he'll bring me home…" She shuddered and wrapped her arms tightly around herself. A shiver raced across his skin despite the choking humidity of the air.

"I didn't know Kel…" His voice was soft and wafted gently through the space.

"It's okay…" They locked eyes, "I need to know that you will help me…stand beside me…because soon the journey will be fully underway and I could use a friend at my back." She didn't look away as she waited for him to answer…but she didn't have to wait long.

"Then a friend you shall have…My Lady Protector…" He reached his hand out toward her.

""Good…" She grasped his wrist and he clutched her…a sign of mutual agreement and friendship. When at last he pulled away he hesitated for a moment before he spoke.

"We are about a day out from a distant island that I have never seen before…perhaps you could explain that to me…when we weighed anchor two days ago." His voice was lacked with teasing good humor.

"Ah…My good Captain…never question fate…" She smiled back and let loose the first real laugh since she'd landed entered the temple of Mithros back in Carthak.

The end (for now...) Please Review...they are like my life support...(: