Kel lifted her head to look at him. Hatred burned from her gaze. "Someone will give proof that it is your fault of the deaths to come. Not fault of mine, not fault of Tortall. Someone has to!"

"And who would dare do that?" Maggur hissed. "Firing squad…Aim!"

"I will."

The men in the firing squad spun around, and their arrows flew wildly into the air. Raoul had risen from his crouch in the bushes, pale with fear for Kel. He put on a brave face, however, and signaled his friends up. As one they stood.

"Reload!" Maggur screamed. "Reload and take them down!"

Alanna yelled and held her sword aloft. It shone violet with her magic. At her command, a jet of fire lashed at the Scanrans, instantly killing a score of them. As fighting ensued, Dom crawled over to where Kel was tied.

"Dom!" she whispered excitedly. He looked up at her with a jaunty smile.

"Thought we'd drop by for a visit," he chuckled.

"The King must not know," she hissed.

He motioned for her to look around, cutting her bonds as he did so. She surveyed her surroundings, noting the important figures there. So what if the King didn't approve! She was going home…hopefully.

Alanna beckoned to Neal. He hurried over, sword glimmering in his fist. Kel watched them as she rubbed her chafed wrists. Suddenly Neal and Alanna raised their hands. The skies overhead lightened. The sun thrust its first rays over the tops of the towering pines. Kel reached for the sword that Maggur had neglected to take from her and fought her way over to Neal. As she reached them, the two mages shouted a word simultaneously. A fiery sheet of magic instantly surrounded the Tortallans, allowing them a chance to catch their breath. Raoul leapt forward and pulled Kel into a tight hug. Then came Neal, Alanna, Merric, and the rest of the party.

"Well, it's like de ja vu all over again, eh?" claimed Dom. "First Kel's captured, then we HEROICALLY save her. Haha!" He slapped Kel on the shoulder.

"Good to see you again, Kel," Raoul said.

Without warning the magical sheild disappeared as quickly as it formed. Arrows rained upon Kel and her group. With a stifled cry Owen fell, clutching his shoulder. Soon Seaver was felled by an arrow. As the rescue party's number dwindled, Kel gathered Raoul and Alanna.

"We need to take action!" Kel urged. Alanna frowned.

"There is something I could do, but I would be useless for fighting…" Alanna said slowly.

"Do it!" Raoul and Kel said at the same time.

Alanna nodded determinedly and closed her eyes. A violet sheild came up again, and soon solidified. The Lioness leaned back against the wall, eyes clenched shut in concentration, fists balled up, and sweat dripping down her neck.

Neal crouched down next to Owen and Seaver, who were laying side-by-side. Green fire streamed from his fingertips, and he settled into the healing process.

Kel viewed it all, feeling sick. Alanna couldn't last forever. Maybe longer than most, but not forever. They needed a plan. With Raoul conferring with Dom, Kel felt as if she were in charge. They needed a plan….

(A/n: yup, short again. But I have work to do. I'll probably post again tomorrow.)