Nervously Kel plucked at her lip. Her face betrayed none of her emotions. Only the sweat trickling down her neck notified Raoul that she was troubled.

"It's okay, Kel," he assured her.

"No, it's not. She won't hold out any longer. It's been three days." Suddenly angry, Kel motioned to Alanna's prone figure slumped in the shadows. "She's barely the energy to keep the barrier up. When she runs out of power, we run out of time. I haven't come up with a single idea to help us."

Raoul dropped to a crouch. He picked up a stick to sketch into the beaten earth at their feet. "Well, we have ten fighters, compared to their four hundred, and--"

"Sir? Four hundred?" Kel interrupted. "On my last count at the capital Maggur had three thousand strong."

"That's true, but roughly twenty-five hundred marched away last night, so that's 40-1 odds. Hm… I don't like that. Well let's see…."

Alanna's head shot into the air. With one swift movement, she was on her feet. Swaying, she stared at Raoul.

"Alanna, what--?" the big knight spluttered.

"Someone's trying to get through the barrier. I don't have the strength to stop them," she whispered weakly.

The air in front of Kel flickered, and next moment, a slightly distorted image of Peiden was standing in front if her. Furious, Kel raised her fist, forgetting that he was only an image.

"Easy, Kel," Peiden cautioned. She shook her head in disgust and walked away. "I just wanted to tell Alanna to drop the shields, for her safety. Otherwise Numair Salmalí n will have to force-break it. I think her power would shatter."

Raoul started forward. "Why in Mithros is Numair here?" he demanded. The sleeping figures of Kel's companions stirred.

"A good part of the King's army is here, along with Numair and the King. I guess he misses his friends," responded Peiden. He noticed Alanna's disbelieving look and sighed. "I called to them in the fire three days ago, the first chance I got," he explained. "I told him how Maggur broke the peace treaty and was now besieging you all."

Dom rubbed sleep from his eyes and joined his commanders. "But you betrayed Kel. Why would you help us now?"

"I did NOT betray Kel!" Peiden said indignantly. "It nearly killed me, to see her loathe me like that! But I don't want to intrude. I suspect you're the one she mentioned." He bowed shortly to Dom, Alanna, and Raoul, then the image disappeared. Alanna smiled vaguely.

"Everyone, wake up!" Raoul shouted, rousing the sleeping men. "Alanna's dropping the shield, and I pray to the Goddess that this isn't a trick!"

"Well, here goes," Alanna whispered. The wall vanished.

(A/n: wow! Short again! Surprise surprise! But I REALLY like reviews and I haven't even gotten past 55 yet! SOOOO ( I know I'm mean) I want a good 15 reviews before you get to find out if Jon really came to the rescue, or is Peiden is even more of a traitor!!!!!!!!!!!!)