So Katniss has met Peeta. And she has had to return back to face Haymitch. Disappointing. However, her lessons with said sorcerer are not over. It is important that she learn more magic and she must also learn about the King and his son.

I do not own the Hunger Games

Katniss touched her lips.

Haymitch was speaking but all she could think of was the handsome man. His wavy blonde hair. The way his broad shoulders filled out his tunic. The fit of his leggings over thick thighs. Those blue eyes that pierced into her very soul. Katniss shivered.

She thought of the kiss. The way his lips molded to hers. The way he smelled faintly of warm spices and sweet vanilla. Katniss could feel the stamp of his kiss on her soul. Closing her eyes, she could see the golden string flowing to the golden door. Although her heart screamed for her to run toward him, there was a part of her that was frightened by the enormity of what she'd experienced. Katniss acknowledged she was not ready for more. She forced her lashes to open up.

Haymitch stood before her and she sighed from the disappointment. She would much rather stare at Peeta's handsome face than Haymitch's.

"Katniss have you heard a word I said?" Haymitch grumbled

"No, sorry, I was…"

"Thinking of your soulmate?"

"Yes, how did you know?" Katniss sat back, wondering if had the ability to read minds.

"I had an inkling you met him, you've been rubbing your lips as if you tasted something delicious and are savoring the taste," Haymitch chuckled. "Love is more powerful than deep magic."

Katniss felt her cheeks warm and she touched her cheeks. "I went to where he is, and I want to go again."

"In due time," Haymitch said. "Now clear your mind and concentrate."

Katniss sighed as he requested. Haymitch made her do many different tasks and he would make her repeat them until she'd mastered the art. She'd gone back so many times she was exhausted by the time the evening meal was served.

She yawned, thinking she desperately wanted to rest. Katniss sat in the throne room next to Haymitch. It was transformed into a banquet hall. There weren't many in attendance, they sat quietly eating. The only noise came from the minstrel playing a lonely lute.

Katniss could hardly keep her eyes open. She wasn't even hungry. The fair was simple, venison, a simple broth, hard rolls, and fresh greenery. Katniss nibbled on the broth-soaked bread.

Haymitch stood, "I'll be right back."

Katniss nodded but watched him go to the King's table. Within a few moments, he was invited to sit. She sighed there was no way she could leave now. One thing she noticed about Haymitch was his tendency to drink. It wasn't a lot but it was as if he needed the drink to keep his hands steady.

This worried her.

"You look lost."

Katniss looked up to see Ryker standing next to her, her first instinct was to look away, she didn't like the way he stared at her before when they first arrived. A man wouldn't be afraid, a man would stare back, Katniss reminded herself. Taking a deep breath, she glared at him.

"Whoa," Ryker put his hands in the air. "No need for such hostility."

"You didn't exactly make me feel welcome when we first arrived." Katniss noticed Haymitch's goblet was filled with ale. She stared at him from across the room when he reached out for it, upon sensing her glare he withdrew his hand.

"Fair enough," Ryker said, sitting down next to her on the bench. "You're not hungry?"

"No."

He reached out for a slice of venison with his knife and began to eat it. "What's your story?"

"What do you mean?" Sighing, she stopped staring at Haymitch and narrowed her vision at Ryker.

"Why are you traveling with Haymitch, are you some sort of wizard in training?" He stabbed another slice of meat all the while glaring at her knowing it made her uncomfortable.

Katniss rolled her eyes at him. Were men that obnoxious, she questioned? "Possibly."

"Alright," he said, shaking his head. "Not exactly friendly, are we?"

"No need to be." Katniss then asked, "What is your surname?"

"Mellark."

Katniss twirled the name in her head. "I've heard worse."

Ryker laughed. "I like you, Fletcha."

He pounded on her back and she was pushed forward. She caught the careful glance from Haymitch. He lifted his goblet and pointed to Ryker. Katniss understood, get him drunk.

"I've never seen such fine shooting. I saved your arrows by the way."

Katniss nodded, she motioned for one of the servants and asked for more ale. She took a pitcher of ale and poured it into a goblet and offered it to Ryker. "Thank you."

"They are going to be in your room when you get back."

"Once more, thank you," Katniss looked around the table, and spotting a goblet for herself she poured in some of the ale.

"To honor," Ryker said.

"Skål," she said in her mother's native tongue. All of the districts had a native dialect even though they all spoke the King Snow language.

"Sulk," Ryker said.

"No, skål," Katniss shook her head.

"SCUL," he said.

"Close enough," Katniss said, sipping her ale watching him drain his cup. When he tipped his goblet backward, she poured hers into a nearby cup. They continued the little game until he was laughing at some joke that Katniss could not understand.

She looked at Haymitch and he nodded. If she wanted answers now was the time to ask them. "Is Snow really going to attack?"

"Your arrival is very timely." Ryker smiled at a girl who was sitting across the aisle. "We've gotten word Snow has begun his march toward our peaceful shores. He brings with him an unholy army." Ryker refilled his goblet and drank deeply.

Katniss looked around and there weren't many knights or nobles. If Snow did attack the castle no doubt the siege would not last a year. They were a poor kingdom made up of forgotten men and women. Deserters who came here looking for a way out or who stopped for some rest before continuing on in their journey.

"As you have witnessed, we do not have an army. While we do have knights and some guards not in the numbers needed to defend ourselves." He filled it again and drank, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I am sure Haymitch has a plan," Katniss said softly.

"My family has suffered greatly." Ryker looked toward his father, he turned away and poured more libation into his goblet, and drank it all.

"I lost my father to Snow and my mother and sister."

Ryker looked at Katniss, from the rim of his cup. He put the goblet down long enough to refill its empty state. "I was young, nearly your age really. When they left, summoned by a supposed peace treaty."

"My father was summoned as well. Six years ago. I was a child."

"My uncles left here with great hope for a brighter future. They did it for me," Ryker said. His voice was raw. He blinked several times to dry out the moisture from his eyes.

"What were they like, your uncles?" Katniss was curious.

"My uncle Ryder was a fierce warrior, he was also a lout when it came to the ladies," Ryker grinned. "He and Finnick used to chase after the same lasses to see who could bed them first."

Katniss looked down at her cup and pretended to drink from her cup to keep the flush growing on her cheeks.

"What of your sister, was she fair?"

"My sister was more than fair," Katniss recalled how regal and gentle Primrose was. "She was beautiful with long flaxen hair, eyes so blue they mirrored the sky. Her beauty was such that I once threatened to shoot a neighbor in the eye if he did not stop staring at her.

Ryker whistled. "Such a loss of beauty."

Katniss nodded. "I miss them every day." She glanced at him, and then said, "But I'd shoot you in the eye if your intentions toward my sister were less than honorable."

Ryker laughed. "I bet you would."

"Do not doubt it." Katniss grinned then asked. "What of your other uncle?"

"Peeta," Ryker frowned, looking into his goblet. "He was good. There was no evil in him, he was better than I. Like you, you have that goodness inside of you. I wager you have seen a unicorn, haven't you?"

"Close, a Pegasus," Katniss told the truth. She was fascinated by what Ryker said about Peeta. "Was Peeta a great warrior like Ryder?"

Ryker laughed. "I knew I liked you. And no, my uncle was not a great warrior. He did not like war. Though he had the ability to wield a sword like no other. Peeta was a man of peace."

Katniss nodded. "My father was the same way. He did not like war but he fought valiantly. Men of peace often make the best warriors because they do not kill for sport. He taught me to use the bow and arrow. He taught me how to be a hunter."

"I wish my uncle taught me how to fight, my father refuses to teach me anything. He is so afraid of my disappearing like my uncles he never lets me out of the castle."

"Perhaps he will have to teach you how to defend yourself now," Katniss suggested.

"Yes," Ryker said standing up. He stumbled his way through the crowd that was beginning to leave.

"What did you learn?" Haymitch asked.

"I learned Snow has amassed a large army and is planning on attacking and laying siege to the castle," Katniss said as the alarm bells sounded.

They both ran to the courtyard. There were people running into the castle as the doors closed. They saw the King running toward the gatehouse and they followed him until they reached the top. Across the moat, was a large army.

"We're under siege," King Daniel muttered.

The army parted in half. Katniss gripped the ledge of the ledge. Even though it was dark there was a sea of lit torches. She could see a horse approaching, led by a man dressed in a shining suit of armor and a white fur draped over his shoulder.

Katniss shuddered as she stared in the face of evil.