I don't own any of the characters created by Tamora Pierce.

=Lost and Found=

Alanna stared at Akane who was lying on the ground. She couldn't believe what her eyes had just seen. She sheathed her sword and walked up to the young child. She squatted and placed her hand on Akane's hand. "Where's she going?"

Akane's eyes were empty. She looked as if she was trying to figure out something very important, but couldn't quite comprehend it. As the gears slowly started working in her head, Akane looked up and said softly, "She's going to die."

=flashback=

She stumbled on her skirts as she tried to run. Her tiny legs wouldn't carry her for long, she half realized. Her arms flailed in front of her as she tried her best to break her fall, but her left arm wasn't strong enough. It bent under her weight and sent her head crashing into the ground.

She felt the hot stinging tears in her eyes, but wouldn't let them fall. Never. She pushed herself up, shaking away the sudden dizziness that she felt. When she finally caught her breath, she saw the faint light of torches coming closer to her.

"Where's the witch?" one of the townspeople cried. An old woman in her forties, she led the crowed through the streets, searching for one person. "I'm sure she's here somewhere."

The little girl froze. She didn't know where to go, what to do. Behind her, she heard the sniffles of her younger brother. "It's okay," she whispered, "we'll be fine."

She looked over her shoulder, trying her best to find a way out. Any way would do. Anything…

She chose a street and ran as fast as she could, her brother trailing behind her. Her long, almost white hair, fell away from her bun, casting a cloak of white hair to encircle her. Her red eyes were constantly wavering, looking for any free space.

"THERE SHE IS!"

The little girl felt something hard pelt her in the shoulder, but she continued running. She pulled her brother in front of her, acting as a human shield. If she stopped now, they'd be caught…and end up like their mother.

Another hard object whizzed by her, and struck her on the back of her knee. Her leg folded beneath her and she fell once again. She could feel the friction of the hard earth against her skin. She winced almost instantly and placed her hands on her leg. She closed her eyes and let the healing rays of her own magic ease the wound.

"WITCH!"

Something sharp pierced her arm. She turned around in time to see the almost psychotic eyes of a townsman. He withdrew his sword and was ready to slice at the young girl one more time. Before the young girl new it, she had dodged the shiny metal by twisting her body to the side. She ducked underneath the mans arm, kicking him in the back. He stumbled forward and the young girl grabbed the sword. Without thought, she hefted it up and ran it through the man…her first kill…

=End Flashback=

Cedar marched blindly to the source of her pain. She knew, with dim satisfaction, that everything would end tonight. She'd make everything end tonight.

===

George found a room near the back of the camp. He opened it, and stared at a bunch of people lying on the floor. All of them were children, less than twelve years of age. He breathed in slightly, staring at their almost decaying forms, and their soulless eyes. They looked hungry, near death.

He bent over one, and lifted the child into his arms. Lighter than a damned feather! he thought to himself. He stood, with the child still in his hands. He'd carry out each one and bring them back to his home even if it killed him. He was almost sure that Alanna wouldn't mind a few extra mouths to feed at home. Almost.

===

"Ekaw pu dlihc fo ssenkrad. I ma ruoy erut retsam."

Kel couldn't move. The words that the man clouded in darkness said, rung in her ears. She didn't know what to do, what to say. She may not have any powers, but she could feel the magic flow between the man and the child. Something was definitely going to happen, and soon.

Kel looked around the building, hoping to find anything she could use to fight against them. Near the corner of the building, she saw a wooden stick. Good enough, she thought as she made her way toward it. She weighed the stick in her hands, finding that it was heavier than it initially looked. Grinning softly, she twirled it in her hands.

"Wouldn't you prefer a sword?"

Kel jumped as she turned around. Dom, Daine, Yuki, and Neal stood behind her. Dom had his sword out to her and winked as she took it in her hand.

===

Alanna found George carrying different children toward the outer barrier where Numair was concentrating. She put her hand on her guide, Akane, and nodded to the men. Akane stopped, her eyes staring into the distance.

Alanna jogged over to her husband and asked, "What exactly are you doing?"

"These kids…" he motioned to one of them who groaned in pain. Alanna touched the young child's shoulder and immediately recoiled. It was like they were being drained of magic…or something else. She fed a little of her own into the young child and watched as the pain in his face was alleviated. Frowning, she knew what she had to do.

She walked back to he guide and whispered a few commands. Akane nodded somberly and took off running. Alanna watched her momentarily…her eyes had picked up on those scars on Akane's back. Alanna shrugged and turned around. She had to help George with those children. They were near death's door.

===

Kel felt the handle, twisting it slightly. "It's locked," she murmured to her group of friends. "Neal, pick it."

Neal shook his head. He didn't have any of his lock picks on him. They both turned to Dom who was already at his knees. He touched the top of the locks and pressed his hand on them. It was melted as if no one could enter from the outside. Of course. He indicated the windows but Kel shook her head.

"If we act too quickly, there's no telling what that brute will do to the people already inside." Kel ran her hand through her hair. "We have to sneak in somehow."

They all looked at Daine, who knew that it was her turn.

===

Cedar stared at the house. The ceremony would almost be down right about now. There was no choice except to ram through the walls or something…No…What if the Master reacted to the sound? He might do something stupid… Cedar frowned. She'd have to follow everyone in, then.

She was about to make her move to the rest of the group, when she saw Akane make her way to them. "Akane…"

===

"--Alanna--children." Akane bent over and tried to regain her breath. She took a large gulp of air as Yuki touched her shoulder. Akane glanced into Yuki's eyes and saw something she hadn't seen in a long time. Kindness. "There are children who need magic. Alanna, the Lioness said she needed Neal and anyone else that you can spare."

The group stared at each other. Kel finally said, "Dom, Yuki, Neal. Don't worry, Daine and I promise nothing will happen to your child."

Neal looked as if he were about to protest. He took a step forward and looked Kel in the eye. "Promise?"

Kel held out her pinky, something she hadn't done in the longest time. Neal clasped his pinky onto hers as Kel said, "Promise."

With that, Dom, Yuki, and Neal raced after Akane to find the rest of the children.

===

Blind as a bat, Kel turned into one. She crawled into the little space of broken glass inside the door and used echo location to find her way around. It was easy, and soon, she had the lock in her sights. She crawled onto it and heard the soft click of the lock. She fell away as the door started to open ever so slightly.

Daine changed her nose into one of a wolf. She could smell the different smells, the strongest being Kel who had to be really close. She felt Kel's hand along her head and knew that they were still safe.

===

Cedric didn't know what was going on as he watched the Master at work. He was still holding onto the little girl, burying her face in his chest. She had begun crying the second that the master had started chanting. Something, he knew, wasn't right, and since he promised to protect this little girl, he wasn't about to let the master have her. He took a few steps back, wondering if the master noticed, then a few more.

"Cedric," the Master's harsh tone invaded Cedric's senses. "Hand over the child."

Cedric held his breath. For a second, he felt his arms wavering, but that quickly stopped when he remembered his sister's loving arms encircling him. "No," he whispered softly.

The Master took a few more steps toward him. He picked up a dagger that was twisted into the shape of a serpent. It appeared to be casting a dim light that was harsh to the eyes. The Master raised it over his head. The last step in the ceremony was to kill the child with this weapon. It was either the child, or Cedric. Either way, the master was getting a new follower.

Cedric turned around, enveloping the child with his body. "NO!" he cried out as the master's arm dropped down quickly.

===

Kel swung her sword only to make contact with a barrier. It was enough to break the Master's concentration and he quickly turned around. She was about to curse slightly when she remembered herself. She picked up the sword once again and swung. Nothing happened. How am I suppose to break through that?

He curled his mouth into a dangerous grin as he shut his eyes to call upon more power.

===

Numair struggled to keep the shield in place. Something was trying to drain him and everything inside. Alanna saw him and frowned. What was amplifying the Master's magic? Something powerful in order to make Numair, one of the greatest mages of all time, try struggle.

Alanna stood by him, having seen that Neal was healing most of the children, and combined her magic with his. Together, they would hold this Master, in his place.

=End Chapter=

I changed my mind! J ! Yea, there will be two more after this one!