Both men looked up when the gate opened and Buri trotted in, towing a staggering Neal behind her. Instinctively, Dom stood up to take his cousin.

"What happened?" he asked the angry K'mir.

"I told him about Kel she replied shortly, then advanced on Raoul. "You shouldn't go. It's…not worth it." she stroked his arm with weathered fingers, which he promptly brushed off. Around him, men of the Own were returning with baggage and supplies.

"Look around you," Raoul growled at Buri, motioning from the soldiers to the intoxicated Neal. "You seem to be the only one who thinks she's not worth it. I can't believe you." Angrily, he pushed past her to question the young knight.

"Queenscove," he said gently, and odd contrast to his red face and moist eyes, "What are you doing?"

Neal swayed. "Kel got captured by the bloody Scanrans!" he gasped.

With an uneasy glance at Raoul, Dom pulled Neal out of the yards to find Alanna and her sobering potion.

"Wait!" Raoul called after him. "I'd like you to get Kennan here." He thought back to the several times he had walked in on Kel and her lover, and again felt a small pang of jealousy. When he turned around, Buri stood with her arms crossed.

"The King's not happy," she warned. "I think he just realized now what you were about to attempt to do. He said he would be here."

Right on cue, Jon stormed into the courts. He pointed a shaking finger at Raoul. "You are crazy," he accused. "There is no way I will let you do this. I don't know what I was thinking before!" Raoul waited idly, letting the King's words roll past him. Jon continued. "Mindalen had the right idea. She got you back here where you belong. I owe her that."

Raoul was seething. He mouthed wordlessly. Enraged, he turned his back on Jon.

"Do you want to die?!" choked Jonathon. "IT WON'T WORK, my liege." When Raoul didn't face him, Joon knew he was close to losing one of his best knights, and one of his best friends. "You idiot," he hissed, and left.

Still with his back to the retreating King, Raoul licked his lips. Buri didn't want to be around at the moment and walked away. Raoul too went to his rooms to get ready. He sat down on his bed, but hopped back up and searched through his cupboards for a drink. Finally, he found a bottle of wine. He sat down and poured himself a generous glass, the another, a third, and a forth. The big man had just gone back to fretting over Kel when Jon opened the door and walked in.

"Raoul, I'm sorry. I--"

"Idiot I may be, but I'm still going. I'll find her," Raoul said, a little too loudly.

"You've been drinking," Jon said cautiously. "You don't drink."

Raoul glared at him.

"I'm worried about you," whispered Jon. "You can't get killed."

Raoul jumped to his feet. Why Can't I ?" he demanded. "If Kel can, the so can I!" he swayed drunkenly, then broke down, sobbing. Just then, Dom tentatively poked his head into the doorway.

"Sorry, is this a bad time…or may I come in?"

Raoul nodded and Jon motioned the soldier in.

"We've got my squad, Aiden's, Sir Meathea--Queenscove, and Sir Kennan," he informed them. "I think we should get going as soon as possible."