Hey Guys!!!! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my story. I'm so happy that so many of you like my story. Anyways, I barely have enough time to write up the new chapter, so sorry if I don't answer all the reviews in this chapter!!! I'll try next time. Enjoy the chapter!!!!



Chapter 2- Arriving in Tlanth

It took three long days of riding to get to Tlanth. Along the way, when I wasn't with the war council planning our course of attack, or stopping at inns to rest, I had plenty of time to contemplate what might have happened to Tlanth and the people I knew there. By the second day, I was frantic.

"Kessiarn! Can't we go any faster? We only just passed the river!" I snapped at one of the commanders of the ridings.

"Take it easy, m'lady. I know you're worried, but if we go any faster, the horses will be too tired to be much of an advantage when we fight. I pretty sure bandits from Denlieff will be on horseback and we really don't want to have to take them on foot." Said Nessaren from the horse next to mine.

"But, what if Bran..." I finished my sentence with frantic hand gestures.

"If Lord Branaric has held out so far, I'm sure he can hold out for one more day." Said Nessaren quietly.

I tried to believe Nessaren, but images of my beloved Tlanth lying in ruins kept popping into my mind. The last time I had been in Tlanth was before I left for Remalna City. I sincerely hoped that it would still be somewhat recognizable. I also worried that something might have happened to Bran or Nee, especially since Nee was expecting a baby. Bran and Tlanth will be all right. Bran is smart. He can take care of himself and Nee. He probably sent all the women and children into our hideouts in the hills.

Around midday of the third day, we finally came within sight of the old castle. Everything was strangely quiet, without the normal shouts and screams of children and villagers coming from the village. Instead, there was the distant sound of soldiers marching. I was relieved to find all the buildings still standing, but haunted by the fact that everything felt so tense. About 100 meters away from the castle, I lost my all pretenses of being in control and kicked my horse into a gallop towards the castle. I was immediately followed several of my warriors. At the gates of Tlanth, I was stopped by a group of alarmed warriors.

"Who are you and what is your business?" Barked one of the guards roughly.

I immediately relieved when I recognized the guard as one of my childhood playmates.

"Geval! It's me, Mel! We got your message from Devan and I've come bringing troops!"

"Mel?" he started in amazement, "I mean, Your Highness, I'm glad you've come. We been hoping that Devan got through to you. Lord Branaric is most anxious to see you. We've got rooms prepared for the soldiers in the garret. Stuvie here, will take your horse for you."

"Alright, then lead us to him." I dismounted and handed my horse to the gawking Stuvie. I turned and gave instructions to my warriors and then followed Geval towards the castle.

"Alright Gev, drop the formalities. How's Bran?"

"Ok Mel. Your brother is physically unharmed. Nor is Nee or anybody else important for that matter. All the women and children have been sent into the hills and the villages have been cleared. We have been holding out so far, but without your help, we probably won't last very long now. Branaric has been very worried about all this. He doesn't show it much, but I can tell. Since you're here now, I expect things to turn out much brighter."

He directed to a room I remembered that used to be used as a spare bedroom. Inside though, Bran had apparently turned it into a study. Of course, I didn't notice that until later. For the moment, all my attention had been focused on a figure pacing in the back of the room.

"Bran!!!" I yelled, running over and flinging my arms around him.

"Mel! You came! I knew it, I knew you'd come through!" gasped Bran hugging me back, relief showing on every feature of his face. I noticed there were lines of worry on Bran's forehead that I had never seen before, as I loosened my grip on him and stepped back to look at him.

"You've gotten older!" I wrinkled my nose at him in mock puzzlement. Bran's familiar ringing laugh rang out as he reached out to hug me again.

"Always the same little Mel, whether you're the barefoot countess or the queen of Remalna. Tell me, how have you been?" He stepped back and pulled out a chair and motioned for me to sit.

I sat down. "Fine. Same balls and courtiers at Remalna. Nothing surprisingly shocking or new. I hear you've gotten yourself into trouble within months of leaving court, hmm?"

Bran laughed again, sitting down in another chair. "What about you? I got a messenger yesterday from Danric saying that he was sending the army over with you in command. Now what's that about?"

I snorted. "Just like Danric to ruin the surprise. Yes, well I am commander. Danric can't come since he's just been crowned and it's not a good idea to leave court now. Nobody else at court was really war-trained and I was simply the best candidate."

Bran burst out laughing again. "You? The best candidate?"

I frowned. "What's wrong with that?"

"Never mind, nothing. I thought it was a joke when the messenger said it. Come to think about it, you might be right."

"Enough of this. What's happened so far?" I said impatiently.

Bran frowned again. "Well, it began with one of the small northern villages being raided. We thought it was one of the regular small bandit groups and didn't do too much, but within days, they had raided another one of the bigger villages. Since they had been better prepared, they put up a fairly good defense. Of course they were soon defeated, but this time, several people had escaped to tell us about the Denlieff bandits. We immediately sent the women and children out into the hills. I gathered out militia and marched out, but we soon realized that their army was too big. We retreated back here. Then, I sent Devan to you and ordered to clear all the villages. The past few days have been rather peaceful. I suspect the bandits have been riding from village to village, only to find everything cleared and gone."

"How many bandits do you think they have?" I asked.

"Several hundred, I reckon." Scowled Bran. "Hopefully, with the soldiers you've brought, we'll have enough."

"What do you think they'll go next?" I asked, hoping for a positive answer. Unfortunately, that's not what I got.

"From what we've gathered, their next move is to take over the castle, and then, the colorwoods are defenseless for their take."



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P.S. I know some people what more romance with Mel and Vidanric and I promise there'll be some coming up later. For now, things are about to get really interesting, if they aren't interesting already.