A/n: Here you go, sorry it took so long. Please review!

Chapter Five

Silhouetted by the fire, Rufin drew his sword out to meet Samuel's. Holding it stylishly, he pointed it at Samuel and nodded. Samuel tapped Rufin's sword with his, signifying the beginning of the duel. The began to dip and twirl, their swords clattering together. They dueled like no other I'd seen. It was more like a seductive dance than a fight, because the two of them moved like one; their actions seemed planned. Rufin was much larger than Samuel, but Samuel was obviously a much better swordsman. His movements were fluid and clean; he worked the blade like a master.

I didn't know who I wanted to win. On one hand, I didn't like Samuel. He was clever and cunning, and seemed too at-ease with himself. But then again, I didn't want to end up with Rufin, who was set on performing some tradition with, or on, me. I didn't know what Samuel wanted to do with me, but I could only hope he'd let me go.

I suddenly realized that Rufin and Samuel were wrestling on the ground, Rufin atop Samuel. I clutched my hands. What if Samuel lost? Rufin held his sword above Samuel's neck, aiming to stab him. As he brought it down, Samuel loosened himself and rolled over. Rufin stabbed the dirt, cursing. Samuel then climbed on top of Rufin, pinning his shoulders down. Rufin squirmed around, but couldn't get away. Smirking, Samuel pricked Rufin's arm, and a trickle of blood appeared.

"That'd be first blood, eh?" Samuel said.

Rufin sneered. Samuel laughed and walked towards me. "Come, lass," he said, beckoning to me.

I looked around at the tribe, who seemed to be eyeing me dangerously, hoping that I'd defy him or choose Rufin. Did they think I was mindless? I trudged towards him, looking him in the eye dangerously.

"I'd like my sword, please," I said assertively.

He nodded deeply and spun me around to face the clan. "Where's the lady's sword?" he asked.

Alabar came forth, dropping my sword at my feet. I picked it up and whirled around, facing Samuel, the blade at his neck. He began to laugh. He laughed really hard, until he was doubled over and panting. The entire encampment began laughing. Damn all of you. What's so funny? I wasn't sure if they were laughing at me or him, but either way it made me really angry.

"You're quite spiteful, lass," he finally gasped. "But I don't fear you."

"You should," I replied warily. "I could kill you if I wanted. Now allow me to leave."

He put his face close to mine, whispering in my ear. "If I allow you to go free, Rufin and his goons will follow you into the woods and take you again," he murmured. "I'll escort you back to where you need to go."

I clenched my jaw. "Very well," I whispered back.

He turned to the group. "Fare thee well, men!" he cried dramatically, bowing. "I fear you shall not see me for a long time."

They snickered. "We can only hope," someone called.

He turned away and began walking towards the woods, and I followed him hesitantly, hobbling along. "What of my horse?" I called to him.

"Ah, yes," he replied. "We'll get that too."

After a walk through the dark woods, we came upon a fenced area where a few horses stood. "Maverick!" I called.

He trotted up to me. I stood on my good foot and tried to hoist myself up, but I could barely move. I tried again, but the pain in my foot was too much to lift me up. Out of frustration, I let out a muffled scream. How was I supposed to be independent with a twisted ankle? I looked over at Samuel, who was sitting on his horse, staring at me intently, a silent smile on his face.

"Need some help, milady?" he asked politely.

I sighed. Hold your pride. "Yes, please," I replied. "I believe I twisted my ankle."

"You can't ride with your ankle twisted, lass," he said. "You could hurt it more."

I frowned. "Then what shall I do?" I asked nastily, immediately regretting my rude tone.

"You…I guess you could ride with me," Samuel replied coolly . "If you want."

I paused. Do I? Don't I? Just do it. You need him. "Okay," I said, equally casual. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," he said. "After all, any man is proud to have a pretty girl ride with him."

I smiled. "I'm flattered," I said, honestly pleased.

He held a hand out, and I placed my good foot in the stirrup, holding my bad one above the ground. We both heaved and pulled, and I swung my leg over the saddle so I was sitting in front of Samuel, he still holding the reins. He tied Maverick's reins to the saddle. I turned around to look at him.

"You can't sit…I mean, I don't think it's a good idea…" he stammered.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. Never mind," he muttered, as the horse began to move.

"Okay," I replied. "So where are we going?"

He smiled. "I knew you weren't so mean," he said. "Do you need to be somewhere?"

"I have to meet my friends in Jenn in two days," I replied. "We got separated, and I couldn't find my way back to them now."

"All right," Samuel said. "I can get you to Jenn, lass."

"It's not lass," I replied. "It's Nora. Nora Rose."

"Well, Nora Rose, you can call me Sam," he chuckled, riding away. "Samuel Havanara."

We rode to the Yock River, where we spent the rest of the night, right after I changed into some breeches and a tunic. Then I set up a bedroll and laid down on my back, looking up at the sky. It was extremely calming, staring up at the stars, listening to the babbling water. My mind jumped from idea to idea, and I found myself thinking of Ella and Char. I wondered what they would do when I arrived in Frell, how I'd be treated if I ever became a princess again. I thought of Sidney and Ophelia, praying they were okay.

I soon drifted off to sleep, where I found myself dreaming. I dreamed I was running on water, and the Oderians were following me. I could see them, dressed in black, on their huge black horses. I was running as fast as I could, my horse gone, and they were gaining on me. I suddenly fell through the water, and saw them gallop over me, thinking I was lost. I rose from the bottom to break the water, but I was stuck. I couldn't get to the surface. I felt a cold hand on my shoulder and turned around. There was a huge man in my face, laughing cruelly. He was gaunt and skeletal, dressed all in black He grabbed me. I screamed, and someone thrust their hand over my mouth.

I suddenly sat up, panting. What a terrifying dream. Sam sat next to next to me, hand over my mouth. "Shhh!" he whispered. "You don't know who you'll find in the woods!"

"Sorry," I replied. "I was dreaming."

"I know," he said. "What about?"

I frowned. "Nothing," I snapped.

Sam laughed. "Okay," he said. "Can I ask you a question?"

"I've got no money," I replied.

"No, that's not it. Listen, I saw you in the woods today," he explained. "I was the man you kicked in the stomach when you snapped my bow."

"I'm sorry," I said. "But I was just trying to defend myself."

"And that you did, Nora," Sam replied. "There's no need to apologize. I would have done the same thing. You can certainly take care of yourself. You're quite good with a sword."

"Thank you," I said. "I've trained since I was little."

"My question is, why were you in the woods today?" Sam asked. "You don't seem like the type of girl who likes to get dirty."

I paused. Should I tell him? "My friends and I are journeying to Frell, and we stopped for the night in the forest. I went to get firewood and was captured by Alabar," I replied. "And I hope you didn't let that ridiculous dress fool you. I live near March with my three aunts. I've grown up doing everything for myself. I have no problem getting dirty."

He laughed. "I'm sorry," he said. "I should have not assumed."

"I accept your apology," I said. "What about you? Alabar is your father?"

Sam shrugged. "Yes. But it's actually quite more complicated than that. My father is king of the Donhash, a gypsy clan. My mother is the daughter of the king of the Habblah, another gypsy clan. Their two tribes had been mortal enemies for centuries. But the two of them fell in love and were secretly married, and had me and my sister. But they began to hate each other, realizing their 'love' was more of a lust due to the fact that their tribes were adversaries. They separated, and I split time between the two," he explained.

"Wow," I replied. "Which clan do you prefer?"

"Habblah," he said quickly. "They're much more peaceful, and not as…womanizing as the Donhash. My mother is much kinder than my father, and the Habblah enjoy having fun."

"I understand," I said.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. "The Habblah Forest is on the way to Jenn," Sam said suddenly. "I could stop there tomorrow, and my sister Jocelyn could heal your ankle."

"Really?" I said. "She's a healer?"

He laughed. "Sort of," he replied. "It'll be quite exciting for you."

We rode most of the day the next day to reach the Habblah Forest. Sam and I made fast friends, talking about Kyrrian royals and our own lives.

"Have you ever been to Ayortha?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Oh yes!" he replied. "It's wonderful there."

"I've never been," I said, envious. "When did you go?"

"A few years ago," he answered. "I was a merchant's apprentice."

He told me of his adventures in Ayortha and Kyrria, and how he traveled and got himself in and out of trouble. I told him about my trials with my aunts and how I'd taken in Ophelia and her siblings. He didn't ask prying questions, just listened. It was nice; he was a good storyteller and very attentive.

"Do you miss your aunts?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes. Very much so," I replied. "They're like parents to me."

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your parents?" Sam asked.

I sighed. "Well…I don't really know," I explained. "My aunts never really elaborated on them, and I didn't feel like asking."

Immediately I felt a stab of regret. Sam was being quite open with me, and yet I was hiding one of my most important qualities. Why shouldn't I tell him about the curse? I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly closed it. Ginny's words echoed in my head. Better safe than sorry.

A/n: There you go!! Please review! Humor me, I love getting them!