Disclaimer: No characters except those that you do not recognize.

Author's note: most people don't read these things anyway, just like to say thanks to those who reviewed, so THANK YOU. There, now onto the story...

Section 2: Perplexed Thoughts

Kate's letter had an immediate effect on the palace. For one, Prince Roald (he was sent back immediately) was escorted everywhere. Almost all the knights had come back with their squires except Sir Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau.

"Damn it! Knowing Alanna, she probably went off in search of this fellow to try and take him down herself." Jonathon had said when she hadn't returned with Squire Nealan of Queenscove.

One day, (ugh, I promised myself I would never start a sentence like that) Keladry of Mindelan was summoned to the King's Council room. Nervous, and determined to hide it, Kel put on her Yamani mask and walked inside. The king and his entire council sat around a large round table, waiting for her to sit.

When she did, Jon said slowly, "Squire Keladry, I don't know how to tell you this but..."

"The psychotic Yamani warrior is consolidating on killing your family." Sir Gareth the younger blurted out, and shot an apologizing look at the king. Kel stared at them, unconsciencely (sp?) let her Yamani mask fall off, leaving her face full of shock.

"W-what?" she stammered, strings of Yamani curses flew through her mind, but she just stared at them all.

Jonathon grimaced and told her gravely, "I'm afraid it's true. It seems that he feels that since your family had a great deal to do with the treaty that signed his lover away to Roald, he wants to kill them. We have received another message from him this morning, explaining it all. Funny really, he may be demented, but he is rather a good speller." he attempted a weak laugh but it died immediately.

Kel stood and said, "With your permission, sire, I would like to go home to my family at this er, delicate time."

Jonathon shook his head sadly and said, "You heading there just gives him one more victim. Besides, they will receive the message soon and come to the palace, safe and sound." She was about to protest, regardless of him being the king, when they were interrupted. A guard suddenly burst into the room (guards have been bursting into this room way to much, it's has to stop.) and handed the king a letter.

~~

At the same time as, uh, up there, you know, the last bit with Kel and the king:

Katei breathed in the fresh air of the morning, for he was happy. Still in a rage, but happy at the same time. Being the complete psychopath that he was, he could only be happy for one reason-- yet another family dead. This time the Korkies' from fief Korkie, the father, mother, and five children, including two sets of twins.

He had just sent another letter to the king, elucidating what he had just done. 'Now, that's the Morigans (I can't remember your penname but you reminded me of that book. The book, Hounds of the Morigan, I love that book! Yer right, pretty ironic though), Chrestians, Airuens, and the Korkies.' he made a tally of the noble families that he had killed.

Most of them were very important to him, what he was looking toward for a temporary goal was fief Mindelan. The Mindelan family-- the family that had first started the whole treaty with Chisakami! The Mindelan Family-- the family that had sealed the treaty with Chisakami! And the Mindelan Family-- the family that had been taken into the emperor's inner circle, causing himself to be shoved off on lousy border patrols. Yes, he was nearing their fief, and would soon be there to the extremity of their last breaths. But now he resumed his emotionless face and continued to ride taciturnly down the dusty road.

He entered two gates with vines crawling up the marble. Unimpressed, he dismounted at the gate and slipped through the shadows, nearing the castle inevitably confident. Since it was daytime, and the Mindelans didn't expect to be attacked, there was no guards on duty outside the gates. He crept through the doors and peered around the entrance hall.

~~

Half an hour before Katei comes to Fief Mindelan:

"'Scuse me Sir, but I 'ave a letter for you from the King. Made it sound kinda urgent." the common messanger said, the king had decided not to use a royal messanger because that might attract Katei's attention and warn him of his own upcoming danger. Baron Piers of Mindelan frowned pensively and opened the letter. It read:

Dear Baron and Baroness of Mindelan,

You may not have received word yet, but a Yamani warrior by the name of Katei is on the loose. Normally, this would not be a problem, and I can see why you would not feel threatened. However, Katei is mad, to put it delicately, and is determined to get back at Prince Roald, my son. You are also in danger, and until you can arrange safe transportation from Fief Mindelan to Corus, you should station extra guards everywhere and be escorted everywhere. Please follow the instructions and I wish you luck.

Your Concerned King,

Jonathon of Conte'

The Baron nodded and sent the order out to all the guards in the fief. Conal and Inness were out around the realm, Anders was in another home up in the mountains, and all of Kel's sisters were at their husbands' houses. They were still going to need some protection.

~~

Back to Before, you know with Katei:

Katei entered a courtyard and looked around, strangely there were no guards anywhere. Even if it was daytime, this was too strange. His Yamani instinct became quite acute at how quiet it was and he decided to test it out.

Boldly, he stepped into the sunlight of the courtyard. For a moment everything was silent, and then something went whizzing past his ear. There was archers positioned all over the walls. Guards with knives, axes, spears, and staffs all ran in and straight at him.

Without thinking, Katei ran through the courtyard, dodging blows from all who tried to hit him. He paused for just a second at a door on the other side, and paid for it when an arrow struck his left shoulder. He cursed fluently in his own tongue and ran inside the door. So it wouldn't get into the way, he snapped off the end of the arrow and stubbornly ignored the blood that dribbled down his arm.

He glanced around and realized he was in the inner part of the castle, the part that visitors don't see usually. 'This is it!' he thought, ecstatic of the thought of more killing. But then three guards poured through the door and ran at him.

"Stop you!" one yelled.

"In the name of Mithros stop!" another yelled.

"Won't you listen, we said STOP!" the last yelled. The three pounded after the fleeing Katei, in futile hopes of catching him. Katei spotted a stairway going downstairs and lept onto it. He slid swiftly down the railing, leaving the guards far behind. After all, they were much older than Katei, who was only nineteen. Yeah, yeah, nineteen is a little young for a warrior who had been a fighter for years, but the Yamanis start young.

Katei grinned and landed on his feet, dusting himself off professionally, and then strolled off through heavily decorated hallways. He passed an ugly, plain door and would've continued further, but heard voices on the other side of the door.

He burst through, causing a woman to scream and a man to curse. Standing discreetly behind a table was a very tall woman and rather short and stocky man. Katei raised and dropped his eyebrows.

"Hello, I've been wanting to meet you two for some time." he said and bowed, not forgetting his manners. The two scowled at him and the woman said, keeping a Yamani Blank Face on, "We have heard that you are quite insane."

Katei blinked and tried to swallow what she had just said, "Me? Is that what everyone thinks? I assure you that I am not insane, and the only reason I'm killing everyone is because I am simply angry." his voice rose to a snap, "Angry enough to cause myself to kill. Chisakami was--" he stopped and forced a smile, which looked very painful, before continuing on, "But I will, however, not kill you like I did everyone else."

Hope grew in the couple's eyes and Katei said amorally, "I kill you in a different way."

Katei quickly pulled out a sharp knife and aimed at the woman in lightening speed. Soon, blood was covering the small floor, but it wasn't the lady's. No, it was the Baron's. He had jumped in the way of the knife before it could hit Ilane.

Katei shook his head and muttered, "Fool." he couldn't understand saving someone-- even if you loved them-- by giving your own life. He doubted that he would've done that for Chisakami, but he loved her, right? Ilane allowed shameless tears roll down her cheeks as Katei brought his knife around her neck, silencing the quiet lady forever. Katei stood taller and wiped his forehead. Breathing steadily, he calmly walked out of the room and made his escape from the castle.

~~

Two days later:

Kel was walking down the hallway, vaguely thinking of visiting Lalasa when a page ran up to her, breathing hard.

"Uh, Kel? The king wants to talk to you, he says it's very important. He's in his study." and with that he ran off, uncomfortable around the girl. Curiously, Kel turned and walked towards the King's study.

When she entered, the king looked very grim. She remained standing when he offered a chair and asked, "May we please get to the point." then she added, so she wouldn't sound rude, "I am anxious to know what you have to say."

He nodded and said slowly, "The Yamani warrior is still on the loose. He just visited Mindelan."

Kel stiffened and said in an almost inaudible voice, "What happened? Where's my parents?" she knew that they were the only family members at that time there. The king sighed and said, "Keladry, your parents were found dead in a old cleaning room. And the Yamani is still not caught."

Kel looked down and away, blinking back tears, she would cry, indeed she would, but not infront of the king. Seeing this he quietly dismissed her and she walked out.

After an hour of crying without relief, she had made up her mind. She was not going to let this, this Yamani get away with this! She unobtrusively packed all her clothing (excluding dresses, skirts, etc...) into one backpack and slipped out her room window. It was nighttime and she played to the shadows, not wanting to be seen and stopped.

She wore pair of black breeches and a green shirt with another black tunic. If she was going to be inconspicuous, then so be it. She tied back her chin length brown hair and saddled the curious Peachblossom.

Riding out, she vaguely remembered that she didn't even know what the Yamani looked like our what his name was. 'Oh well.' she thought idly. 'No matter, I will still find him.' she was not going to let her parents' deaths be unavenged! Yep, she was going to find this Yamani and kill him.

~~

Author's Note: the next chapter will be (hopefully) a bit of a surprise. First of all, Kel and Katei meet up. But that's all I'm going to say. Thanks to all who reviewed before and review again! I need six more reviews before I post the next part. I know, I know, a lot of people hate it when someone puts a limit on the reviews, and hey! So do I, but I need to know if people like it, right? I mean, come on, what's the point on posting more if no one reads it? Next chapter is going to be so fun to write! So review! Oh and because I was raised polite, I will add a please and the end of that sentence.

REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! please. REVIEW!