(A/n: SOOOOOOOOOO Sorry for not updating in a while! I had a wb, then a started another story. PLEASE read my other stories too!)

Raoul rode hard and fast. No matter what he tried, he couldn't persuade Jonathan to come to his senses and get over Alanna. "She's married for Mithros's sake!" he had argued. But Jon made him go in this little excursion to fetch Alanna anyway.. After several hours of riding in silence, he realized that Jon must have loved her for the whole time. Hr grimaced. "This is all too confusing for the likes of me. Why did he have to pull me into this mess?" he muttered darkly.

Rounding a grove of trees, he heard galloping hoof beats that were not of his own steed. He slowed his mare and drew his sword, just in case. Quickly, a mounted rider came into view. Raoul turned his mount , blocking the road. As the rider got closer, he realized that they wore a hood and cape.

"Whoa, there!" he called, hefting his shield that bore the Goldenlake insignia. The hooded rider slowed their horse to a walk and pulled the hood closer to their face, masking their features in shadow.

"Where are you off to, if you don't mind me asking," Raoul asked. He knew that his rank entitled him to order this person their business anyway, but he thought it was better to be polite.

The hooded rider regarded him for a moment, then straightened in the saddle. "My Lord," they said slowly. Raoul recognized it as a man's voice. "My business is that of my own."

Raoul stared at them suspiciously, then cleared his throat. " Is it urgent?"

The rider shook their head. "Whereabouts is your…business?" Raoul prodded.

The rider laughed. "Anywhere the wind takes me, my lord.

Raoul nodded and nudged his mare over to the rider. "Would you like to ride with me?"

The hooded rider complied and held out a callused hand for him to shake.

"Raoul of Goldenlake," Raoul said amiably. He waited expectantly. "Do you have a name?" The Rider's only response was to turn their gelding around and coax it into a trot. The knight hurriedly caught up, caught off guard. Several times along the way he tried to engage the Rider in conversation, but the hooded Rider's answers were short and blunt.

"Where are we going?" the Rider asked after while.

Raoul smiled. "Pirate's Swoop," he replied. "A friend of mine lives there."

The rider grunted. When the two rode into view of the Swoop, the Rider stopped.

"This is where I leave you. The winds have changed direction," they joked.

Raoul smiled and bid them goodbye. The Rider turned and cajoled their steed into a gallop.

"What's your name?" Raoul called after them.

The Rider laughed, a sound that could be heard above the whistling winds and the waves crashing against the shore. They turned and called back.

"I'm….."

(A/n: AHAHAHAHA a cliffy! Sorry about that, but I feel neglected! *pouts* Yes, when I get 10 (TEN) reviews on this story, and at least 5 (FIVE) more on my story :The Final Battle (yes, I'm trying to get you to read it…its good!) then I will update and tell you who the Rider is!