A/N: Thanks for all your reviews!!! *Ahem* Although, I didn't get any for the last chapter I posted... *Sniffle* But that's *Sniffle* ok! *Run's away crying* hehe... jk! Well, here's the next chapter! It isn't much longer! But what can I say?? Don't forget to leave a review when you finish!!



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"Memories"



Ch.7 - Lost



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I sat with my head in my hands, staring at the maps in front of me though my fingers. "Palas..." I growled under my breath. I'd came up with a number of path's. Each of which a battle was certain to be held. I'd gone through all my connections, my relations with Warlords, Royalty, Commoners, anyone and everyone I could think of, after realizing most of them were dead or in hiding, I was just about ready to give up. One of the routes were fairly decent, and quick, but we'd be forced to pass though Austuria. "It's unavoidable. Austurian forces have almost half the continent under their control." I muttered. 'Why are you aiding Zibach anyway?' I asked my self.



'Who else is left?' I answered myself with another question. Lifting my head from my hands I yawned. Stretching, then looking at the route we would be taking. The map lay flat on the table, it's white corners turned up at the edges. I examined the many towns, mountains, valleys, and rivers carefully. Going over everything one last time before I would rest.



Silently I pushed my chair back, folding the map with our course outline printed on it, and sliding it under the my snug fitting arm band. I brushed my finger tips across the soft brown leather surface of the band. The soft material was littered with scratches and burns from all the fighting. I let my hand slide to the exposed skin above the edge of my glove. "Isa..." I whispered. The scar that covered my arm was a constant reminder of her. It reminded me why I was fighting, why I was living. Isa. It was all for Isa. I'd avenge her death, and I pitied the poor fool that killed her.



I put away the rest of the maps. In about an hour the unassembling of the camp would begin. I walked outside to see no one. Dilandau was, again - God know's where. And I'd given my bed up to the royal family of Ominu. Or at least Ominu's queen. "Nice move Jade." I took a deep breath of the cool morning air. My eyes passed over and around the area lazily until I found myself looking at someone standing in the distance. There back was facing me, my fingers wrapped around the hilt of my sword and I crept ever so quietly towards the person. They began to walk away, unbeknown to them I followed.



We walked though the trees, until we came to a clearing with a small pond. I stopped, hiding in the darkness of the forest, peering out at the person who I now knew was a man, his black hair was all too familiar, but I knew it wasn't who I wished it was. Silver rays of moon light reflected from the water, illuminating the small area. I edged forward, stepping into the open area.



What was he doing? He stood, staring up at the moons hanging in the sky. A heavy sigh could be heard as he turned around. I tensed, and in the same moment reacted to his action by swiftly drawing my sword.



"Woah!" he yelped. Hand's held. "Lady Jade... No need to be... ah... violent." he stuttered.



"Guire?" I questioned. Realizing who he was, and that I'd totally forgotten the formalities I'd been so accustom to using. "Your majesty..." I said slightly unnerved by his laughter. "Forgive me, I didn't know who-"



"No worries, Ms. Jade. A simple mistake, I didn't think anyone would be up this early. I should be more careful."



"No rest for the weary." I muttered. Walking to the edge of the pond, letting the toe of my boot slip into the icy water. "Call me Jade." I said, noting the 'Ms' he'd placed before my name.



I saw him nod from the corner of my eye. "Guire."



"Pardon? Your majesty?"



"Guire... Call me Guire." I nodded in compliance.



"Very well... Guire."



"So... What are you doing up?"



I laughed quietly. "I'd ask you the same question." I stated in reply.



"Ah, so, it's none of my busniss, I can take a hint." I watched him as he ran a hand through his hair.



"No, it's not that... Dilandau had me plotting a course to Palas." I replied.



"Dilandau seems to be a strange man, does he not?"



I was taken aback by Guires comment, casting a questioning glance his way. "You could say that..."



"It's almost as if he's not real. An illusion."



"Maybe you should have gotten a little more sleep." I smirked. Looking skyward. Basking in the moonlight. One moment of peace. A gentle breeze freed a ringlet of red hair from it's buckle, letting it fall in my face. I closed my eyes, relaxing to the quiet surroundings.



"Your from Fanellia?"



I took in a deep breath. "Not exactly." came my reply. Instantly regretting as the words came from my mouth.



"Not exactly? You are fanellia's general are you not?"



"No." I laughed. A general? What would give him that Idea. I pondered on the thought for a while before continuing. "I am... was... a close friend of Fanellia's rulers." I opened my eyes. He had gotten considerably closer to me. I looked up at him, he was at least a ½ a foot over me. I silently hoped he would let my comment slide.



"That doesn't explain what you meant by 'Not exactly'" he replied, unwilling to let the subject drop.



"I was born in Raudin." the words were barely a whisper, just loud enough for him to hear. "I was there until we were attacked, I was one of the survivors, King Van offered me refuge within the boundaries of Fanellia."



"Raudin..." the word floated in the air momentarily. His eyes caught mine, and I found myself unable to look away. "Have you been home since?"



I shook my head. Then grabbed the curl bouncing back and forth in front of my face and tied it back with the rest of my hair.



"We left Omni about a month ago. Just before it was overtaken, we joined forces with Zibach, stayed there until they were attacked." I nodded.



'So much has been lost.' I thought sorrowfully. 'So much...' I bowed my head. Watching the still, calm surface of the water. I drifted off into a thoughtless daze. Sitting down on the rocky shore.



"I miss being home..." he stated. "My country wasn't large, neither was the city. But it was still home."



"You'll return one day..." I replied.



"Do you plan on returning to Raudin after the war is over?" he asked. Sitting next to me. His shoulder brushed mind. I cringed at the contact. He didn't seem to notice.



"I haven't thought about it much... I haven't heard any news of Raudin since I left. I don't know who rules there. I ... Have no reason to go back." I replied coldly.



"Oh... Don't you have any family, or friends left in Raudin... A husband or lover maybe?" he inquired teasingly. I turned slowly towards him. My glare silencing him. I silently began to speak to him. 'What is it with you and this immense need for conversation. Can't you just be silent. I'm tired, I'm irritated, I'm-'



"Jade!" I growled at the interruption of my thoughts. "The map." Demanded Dilandau. He walked towards us until he was standing directly behind me. Slowly I stood up, turning to face him as I did so. I was overtired, annoyed and in no mood for anyone. brushing the dust off my clothes I took as much time as I could. Watching him squirm in irritation as he waited was... well... it was strangely satisfying. I stood gazing at him silently.



"The. Map." he growled. Eyes flashing dangerously in the moonlight. He'd changed since our first encounter. Wether it was just fatigue causing the alteration in his personality, or he had been acting earlier, I didn't quite care.



"Say please." I replied.



He blinked, straightening in uncertainty. "Excuse me?" He questioned... "Did you say... What I think you said..."



"I don't know... What do you think I said?" I asked.



"Give me the map Jade. I've no time for games." he snapped. His body tensed as he moved forward, in a threatening gesture. I eyed him curiously. By now Guire had gotten up and was watching us.



"So... We're going to Palas? Who do you intend on finding there?" questioned Guire.



Dilandau glared angrily at him.



"Here." I spat. Revealing the folded paper under my arm band. He looked at the small piece of paper skeptically. "If you have any problems with it. Make the changes yourself." I walked past him. Thrusting the piece of paper into his chest as I headed back towards the camp, hoping I'd be able to get a hour or so of rest, and sleep off the flood of emotions that the past few days had caused.



~*~*~



It was an unnatural calm feeling that had passed over the world around me. My dark green eyes opened slowly revealing to me the lush canopy of a forest.



'Where am I?' I thought, lying on the forest floor staring up at the leaves.



Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply savoring the sweet fresh smell of my surroundings.



"Sis!" The scream pierced my very soul. I jumped up, frantically searching for the source of the voice.



"Sis! Help!"



The trees around me had ignited, fire ate at the majestic trees surrounding me. I drew in a shaky breath, then ran in the direction of her voice. Isa's voice.



It was as if I was 17 again. Running through a burning forest. Trying to find something that could not be found... But no this was different. I was so close. I could hear her calling me.



I swerved drastically to the left, avoiding a falling tree, stumbling backwards as another one came crashing before me.



An agony I'd never thought possible gripped my chest.



"Sis!"



I was trapped. Walls of fire surrounded me.



I felt my face contort in a familiar pain. I drew in short shallow breaths. Anger rising within me. "It's not fair..." I chocked. "She's so young..." I barely had the last word out before I collapsed to my knees. Clutching my arms to my chest. I looked past the red/orange flames, and just for a second it was as if the flames parted. Only for a moment. But in that moment I swear I saw her.



"ISA!"



~*~*~





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A/N: Well I think I'll leave you here for now! Keep looking for the next chapter! Don't forget to leave a review!!! ^.^



Coming Soon - 'Chapter 8 - Open Wounds'



- Chaos -