A/N Well, once again we have come to this little annoying thing that everyone hates reading. I'm so sorry to everyone who loves this story ::blinks and looks around at no one:: that I haven't been faithful in writing every day, but I have had terrible writer's block. Please forgive me. I will have the next chapter up *soon* hopefully. If I can get "Kiss me" by Sixpence None the Richer out of my head. Don't you just have to love that song? Anywho, back to the subject…..I only own the renegades, and Rachel. Everything else belongs to Tammy. ::bows down in awe and wonder::

"Well, it looks like they forgot about me. Not surprising, " Rachel murmured quietly. She sighed and looked around at the sloping land.

She was standing on the Great Road East, which passed through where Hill Country and the Tusaine Mountains met. An armed escort was supposed to have met her here at least 2 hours ago! The ship had already long since left, continuing north to Galla.

Rachel turned around to face the beautiful teal-blue Drell River, and sat down with a thump. She didn't care if her dress got dirty. Nobody would probably ever see her again anyway. How could her parents just dump her in the middle of nowhere? She hadn't thought they had hated her *that* much. She sighed again and was just contemplating whether or not to walk to Corus on her own when the sound of horses' hooves brought her out of her train of thought.

She looked over her shoulder to see a cloud of dust. From that cloud was emerging the shapes of men on horseback. "Finally," she whispered and stood up, brushing the dirt off of her skirt.

"Who are you?" said a deep voice Rachel didn't recognize.

"Rachel of Tirragen," she said impatiently. She just wanted to get going. "Can we leave yet?"

"I don't know why you are in such a hurry to go, but why not? But, first, hand over any jewels you have."

Ok, this is odd. What in the world would they need my jewels for? "I don't have any sir. All I am carrying with me are clothes and other necessities."

"Alright, then. Get on behind me. Artinol, take the bag. Hurry up…Lady Rachel."

Rachel looked at the man. He was wearing clothes that resembled rags and had not shaven in days. He was also riding bareback. This could not be a normal knight. There was no way. She glanced at the other 5 or so men riding with him, who were also riding bareback and looking like they hadn't groomed themselves in days. They had copper colored skin and dark hair with coal-colored eyes. They look like…oh what was the word? I can't remember a thing about Tortall….

The man who seemed to be running things looked down at her. "Come on Lady, surely you aren't scared of me."

"I'm scared of no one sir." Rachel mounted the horse behind the man's back in one swift movement. Surprise showed in his dark eyes. "Didn't think a noble girl could do that, did you?" Rachel had to smile at the man's obvious confusion. He just turned around and began to gallop….in the wrong direction. "Excuse me sir, but aren't we going to Corus?"

"Well, we have a little pit-stop to make on the way there." He turned his head and grinned at her, revealing all 8 teeth.

Rachel was starting to remember who these men resembled. They were heading south, to the Great Southern Desert….That's when it hit her. They were Bazhir. And not the kind that were friendly with the crown either, or they wouldn't be kidnapping her. Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into?

"I demand you release me right now!" Rachel screamed over the whistling of the wind through her ears. "Take me back to the Great Road East!"

"Oh, it took you that long to figure it out did ya? Well, it's too late now. We're on our way to my tribe. We shall have fun with you, my dear."

"NO!!! Let me go!!" Rachel started to panic now and hit the man's back with her small fists.

"I'm sorry LADY, but you are going with us now. Forget about leaving. I didn't see anyone coming for you when we arrived. I don't think anyone will miss you," he sneered.

The sad part is….he's probably right. Well, all I can do now is pray to the Great Mother Goddess that they don't harm me. Or maybe, if I die in the desert, Alex can't force me to kill anyone. Maybe this will be for the better. NO, don't think that. Well, what else is there to think about? her mind argued with itself. Rachel just resigned herself to the fact that she would probably never see Corus or her parents or anyone for that matter ever again. She leaned against the Bazhir's back, and fell into an interrupted sleep.

What are you doing here? Why didn't you wait for the knights to come? Are you crazy, just heading off with renegade Bazhir like that?

Alex, it's not my fault. I sat there and waited, but no one ever showed up. I thought maybe they were my escort. Please don't blame me.

::Sigh:: All right, I forgive you but quit messing up. This plan has to go into action soon. Now how are we going to get you back to Corus? Let me think about that. You just don't get yourself killed by these low-down bastards and be careful. They like to take your possessions so you have to depend on them, and then rape and kill you. Prove of enough use to them, that they don't have to kill you. Take care, Rachel.

Good-bye Alex.

A/N Hoped you like! I know, kinda boring and pointless but hey, I have writer's block give me a break! If you loved it to death, please review, if you hated it, let me know, if you can't decide, give me suggestions. All of these go in that box right there. Much love, muah *KaT*