Author's Note: *trying to hold
back laughs* Your flames are pathetic! I mean, "The kel-raoul thing was
gross,disgustng, disturbing, awful, and down right wrong." Well, duh!
That's why we love it!! Get a life. Also, Briar's Rose, it looks like you want
it to be Raoul/Kel. This story is changing...to satisfy other people...then we
get to have fun again. *rubs hands in glee* hah hah hah hah hah!!! Read, AND
REVIEW!! Even a flame. Come on, we dare you to give us a good one. Please, can
you think of ANYTHING better than the ones we already got.
P.S. Thanks to everyone who's sent us good reviews (I'm too lazy to list everyone.).
Kel looked
impatiently around her. Where could the other scout be? He was ten minutes
late!
"Kel? Sorry
I'm late." Neil walked rapidly towards her.
"It's about
time!" she exclaimed. "I was starting to think you would never come." Neil
opened his mouth to protest, but at the same moment, a rush of footsteps
sounded behind them. They both turned around to see that they were surrounded
by the enemy!
"Is one of
you Keladry of Mindelan?" one of the men shouted. Kel stepped forward.
"I am."
"Surrender
now!" the man yelled. "Or else we will be forced to take you and kill your
friend. Kel glanced at Neal.
"Don't do
it, Kel," Neal hissed.
"Don't be
silly! I don't want you to be killed!" she responded. Two of the enemy stepped
forward. One hit Kel's head with something hard. She crumpled to the ground, as
her mind obliterated into darkness.
Qasim
rushed into Raoul's tent, where Raoul was reviewing the coming day's plans with
Lerant.
"Kel's
been captured!" Qasim exclaimed. Raoul became pale, while Lerant gasped.
"Are
you sure?" Raoul asked.
"Yes,
we can't find her or Sir Nealan anywhere. There were signs of a fight by their
post too.
"Get
a squad of men together to find them," Raoul said. He turned around and gripped
the table until his knuckles turned white. Qasim nodded, and ran out.
Kel
slowly came to. She gave a small moan. Her head throbbed! She slowly craned her
neck, looking around her. On her right side, Neal lay in a heap. Kel closed her
eyes, and rested her head on the wall behind her.
Somewhere
in front of her, a door creaked open. She reopened her eyes and gasped. The man
from her vision stood before her! He grinned evilly.
"Hello,
Keladry. I see that you recognize me; I am the great Maggur Rathausak! As you
know, it is our destinies to meet. One of us has to die, and that one is going
to be you. But before I kill you, you will tell me everything you know about the 3rd Company."
"Never!!"
Kel cried. "I will never tell you anything, you…you, maggot!"
Maggur grabbed her chained wrists, and dragged her to her feet. Once she was
standing, he hit her full-force in the face. She staggered back, but stayed
standing.
"You
will tell me, wench!" Maggur screeched. "I will make you so miserable
that you will gladly tell to stop the pain!"
Kel
spat in his face. He scowled. Suddenly, Kel's body felt as if it was on fire.
She had never felt such pain! Kel clamped her jaws shut to keep from screaming.
She looked at Maggur. His arms were outstretched towards her; grey fire
stretched from his hands to Kel's body. After about five minutes, Maggur
dropped his hands to his sides. The fresh pain stopped coming, but agony still
radiated through her body. Kel sank to her knees, gasping.
"Do
not anger me again," Maggur said, maliciously. "You don't want to know the
consequences." He turned with a flourish, and left the room.
Only
when Kel was sure of Maggur's departure did she let her tears fall. She ached
all over, and Kel realized how hopeless her capture was. She had no way to
protect herself from Maggur. A groan beside her made Kel start; she had
forgotten about Neal! He was just waking. He blinked, and sat up.
"Kel?
Is that you? Where are we? Why are we here? What's the matter?" Neal asked. His
eyes filled with worry when he saw
Kel's tears.
"Yes,
it's me. I'm not sure where we are. We're being held captive, or at least I am.
I don't think they meant to take you too," Kel replied. Neal frowned, and stood
up. He paced round the cell for a while until he finally sat down next to Kel.
"Are
you sure you're ok?" he asked, cupping her cheek with his hand.
"I'm
fine," Kel said. She was finding it hard to breathe. Neal's face was so close
to her own. Tentatively, he brought his mouth to Kel's. Kel closed her eyes,
and savored the kiss. The kiss went on for several minutes until Kel abruptly
broke away.
"What
am I doing?" she cried aloud. "I can't cheat on Raoul! I love him. I'm sorry,
Neal, but this can't happen; it would be wrong."
Neal
nodded. "I understand," he said. "I'm sorry too." He sighed, and looked away.
He must have drifted off to sleep, for the next thing he knew, Kel was shaking
him awake.
"Hurry,
Neal! Maggur's coming! Hide!" she said.
"How?"
"I
don't know how! Just do it!" Kel exclaimed. Neal used hi gift to make himself
invisible. At the same moment, Maggur walked in the door with another man.
"Well,
Keladry, have you decided to tell after all?" Maggur asked, grinning.
"I
told you I would never tell! I won't change my mind, so don't even try to make
me!" Kel cried. She clenched her fists.
"You
will tell before long," Maggur replied. "Now stand up."
"No."
"What?!"
"I
said, NO!!"
"Girl,
don't make me angry!" Maggur strode over to Kel and yanked her chained arms.
When he was in the best place, Kel kicked up as hard as she could. Maggur
howled from both rage and pain. He finally succeeded in getting her to stand.
Once on her feet, Kel kicked Maggur in the shins. He cursed, and punched her in
the stomach. Kel doubled over, wheezing. While she was vulnerable, Maggur
kicked her in the side, making her fall to her knees. Maggur grinned
maliciously as he proceeded to hit Kel like a straw bag.
Kel
winced. She knew it was hopeless to try and protect herself. When Maggur tired,
he nodded to the man who had accompanied him to the cell. He now stepped forward,
and uncoiled a leather whip. Maggur tore off Kel's shirt, and pressed her
against the wall. Kel stifled a gasp. What are they doing to me? she
wondered. I hope it's not what I think it is. The man started to beat
her back with the whip. Kel's back screamed at the pure torture, and it was all
that she could to keep from screaming.
"Harder!"
shouted Maggur. The lashes became even harsher. Kel started to feel faint.
Finally, the whip stopped coming. Abruptly, the two men left, leaving Kel
half-clothed on the floor.
As
soon as the key turned in the lock, Neal reappeared, and ran over to Kel.
"Gods,
Kel! Why are you so stubborn? Just give them the damn information!" Neal cried.
"No,
I won't," Kel said shakily. "I don't care what they do to me! I won't tell."
"They'll
kill you, Kel." Neal's eyes were bright. Kel's heart melted when she looked at
him. She silently berated herself. You love Raoul! Remember?
"I'm
sorry, Neal, but I refuse to tell them anything."
He
sighed. "Well, at least let me look at your back." Kel gladly turned away. She
felt herself blushing. She'd forgotten to put her shirt back on! Neal grimaced
when he saw her back; it was covered with blood and welts. Gently, he placed
his hands on her, letting his Gift flow into her. Slowly, the welts shrank and
scabbed. Neal wiped away the blood with his handkerchief. Kel moaned in relief;
Neal felt his heart flutter.
Once
he was done, Neal sat back, feeling rather ill. Kel looked the same way.
"Are
you all right?" she asked. "you don't look too good." Kel pulled her shirt back
on, and crawled over to him.
"I'm
fine and you?"
"Much
better, thank you." Kel leaned her head against Neal. His hear wriggled again.
"Kel?"
he said softly.
"Hmmm?"
"I
love you. I know you love Raoul, but if you ever need help, you can come to
me." Kel opened her mouth to speak, but then abruptly closed it. She thought
about what Neal said, and then came to a realization.
"Neal,
I love you too. I hadn't realized it until just now. I guess my feelings for
Raoul just weren't real."
"Kel!!"
Neal whispered, and pulled her into a passionate embrace.
Before
Kel could reply, the door creaked open. This time, the door opened to reveal
Dom. He had a worried expression, which disappeared when he saw Neal and Kel.
"Kel!
Meathead! Thank the Gods we found you! Raoul, Lerant, and the others are
waiting outside. We killed Maggur's assistants, but Maggur ran to safety before
we could get him. But more importantly, how are you two doing.? What were you
thinking, Meathead?!? You should have protected her!.
Neal
sighed. "I tried, but Kel is just too stubborn sometimes."
Dom
frowned at his cousin, then said, "Neal, Raoul wants to see you outside." Neal
nodded, then left the room.
Dom
looked at Kel once more. He started to speak once more. "Kel, I never realized
how much I loved you until you were captured. Please say that you can return my
love."
It
was Kel's turn to frown. "I'm sorry, Dom. I will always love you as a friend,
but the love you wish for belongs to another."
Dom's
face passed through several different emotions. "Very well," he said, bitterly.
"I know I will never love anyone the way I love you. Since I can't ever have
your affections, I shall join the Mithran cloisters. Good-bye, Kel. You will
have my love forever."
He
stormed out of the cell, calling to the people outside. "Neal! Raoul! Kel
requires your assistance."
