Hey yall! Yep another chapter! (Kinda bad though, hope yall don't mind!) R/R!! Oh and I wanted to thank all u ppl who reviewed my previous chapters, I really appreciate it!

Ch. 10

Daine looked at Numair in alarm. He pulled her quickly to her feet and started pulling her back the way they came . . .up towards their tents.

"Numair! What's happening?" Daine asked in alarm, already knowing the answer.

"Carthaki," Numair whispered vehemently. (A/N: Can anyone tell me the actual name for the country.Carthak?)

After climbing rapidly up the steep terrain, Daine turned defiantly towards the mage. "Why'd we run? We could've taken him!"

Numair, a little out of breath, responded, "You think this is over? Look Princess, that "him" is probably more like a "they". And "they" are probably on their way up here to grant us a little visit. So, hurry and get your bow and prepare to fight." He smirked, "Hope you don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty."

Daine, a little dazed from hearing Numair call her "Princess"-Philip's nickname for her- stood motionless.

"Daine! Hurry!" Numair yelled.

Just then, 3 arrows pierced through the sky soaring at them. Cursing under his breath, Numair pushed Daine towards her tent and gripped his staff tightly in his hands, a cruel smile etching across his face.

Glancing back at Numair, Daine pitied the opponents. 'They don't know what they're in for.' Returning back to reality, she rushed into the tent and grabbed a bow and a satchel full of arrows, her nerves racing. She asked the Gods to give her strength and dashed out ready to join the action, hoping this wasn't going to be the first AND last battle she'd fight in.

Once outside the tent with the sun glaring in her face, Daine gripped her bow tightly in her hands. She crept forward, towards Numair, who was throwing black daggers of magic down the hill. The young woman reached towards the satchel and pulled out a pointed arrow. She knew they had the advantage of being atop a hill, but she was still scared and nervous. Once at Numair's side, she glanced over the edge, and gasped. There were close to 20 men down there holding bows in their hands! Hesitantly, Daine pulled her arrow to the string of the bow, aimed and shot. She watched as it hit one of the men, penetrating the armor, reaching the heart. She saw him go down and tried not to think he was the first person she'd ever killed, but she couldn't help it. She froze and tears threatened to escape.

Putting her chin out defiantly, she angrily wiped away her tears and grabbed another arrow. She aimed and was about to shoot when she saw an enemy's arrow coming straight at her. She quickly dodged it, but when she moved to get out of the way, another arrow struck her shoulder. She gasped from the pain and began to feel light headed. ~*~ Numair, smiled, he was actually having fun. These buffoons didn't know the first thing about fighting. He skillfully dodged another arrow ready to retaliate, when he saw Daine crumble to the ground with an arrow buried deep into her shoulder. The tall mage turned towards the men below. He was boiling with anger when he raised his staff high. They were going to pay. He quickly, but carefully shouted a spell at them. He watched as his black colored magic shot towards them, hitting them all. They stood stunned and then collapsed to the ground, dead.

Turing worriedly towards Daine, he knelt down next to her. He watched as she was fighting against world of unconsciousness. He cradled her head in his lap and gripped the arrow, knowing this would bring pain. He breathed in and quickly pulled the arrow out, expecting a cry of pain. But all he heard was a low moan and her head lolled to the side.

Confusion crossed Numair's face. Then he realized something, looking down at the arrow hoping he was wrong. . . he wasn't. The arrow was poisoned.

A/N: Sorry this chapter stunk. I'll try to do better next time!! Anywho, R/R and I'll try to update ASAP!

*~*SportzGurl*~*