Usual Disclaimers Apply, you should know what I do and do not own.

I'm getting pretty good at having chapters done on time...shame I can't keep my muses under control...

[Avara] - You should feel honoured to have the right to use myself in this lowly story of yours...and I've been gone for EIGHT Chapters!

[Kahri] - And you're not giving me enough eating or sleeping time...

[Elaine] - And all I've been doing lately is being the damsel in distress! I wanna kill something, get your act together or it'll be YOU!

[Andrew] - And if you keep postponing my kiss with Elaine, I will chop your head off!

[Star Dragon Sword] - I deserve much better treatment than chopping HIS head off...

[Warren] - Well, I'm happy with the way my character is going...

*All other Muses glare at him*

[Warren] - What?!?

Sigh...on with the story please...which is Kahri Chapter Twenty Three, Andrew Chapter Twenty Two, Elaine Chapter Sixteen, Malcolm Chapter Six and Warren Chapter Four.

[Avara] - What about me? What about the great Avara?

[Elaine] - Yeah, what about you?

[Avara] - Grrrrr....

---

Chapter Forty One

Plan of Attack!

(Location - North Window Castle)

---

The main meeting room of the old North Window castle was actually pretty impressive, there were too many conversations going on to pick up a single voice. The general feeling around the room was that of a sombre one.

"They'll be on their way here eventually..." Flik said, putting what practically everyone in the room was thinking.

Then the doors to the hall burst open, to reveal the human dynamo we affectionately know as Nanami.

"Highland Army...gonna come here....next....huff." She fell down on the floor, as Riou, Kahri, Warren and Malcolm followed her in.

"Next time, do not run up all those stairs without breathing. You're neglecting your training you know." Riou said knowledgeably.

You could almost see the sweatdrop forming on Flik's forehead. "We already know that the Highland Army will make their way here eventually."

Nanami peered up, "So I wasted all that energy for nothing? Drat."

"So what are we going to do...I can't imagine we're just going to sit here and wait for them to get here." Andrew said, trying to focus on the main problem.

Flik thought about it, "Well...we have limited options here. We can either stand our ground...or run."

"I'm fed up with running." Warren moaned.

"Ha, it's better than staying here and getting slaughtered." Kahri said irritably.

"If we run away now," Elaine interjected, "We'll be running forever. I'd rather stand my ground here."

"We're never going to agree...what do you think Riou? What do you think we should do?" Viktor asked.

"Is it wise to let the young master decide?" Freed piped up, "I mean, he is still a child."

Malcolm walked over to Freed, "Yet you're still here - ready to help him out. He is no ordinary child, that much is evident. I believe the decision is his, and his alone, to make."

"Whatever decision you make, I will assist you." Tsai added.

Riou's small head fell in thought. "There must be a way...we cannot run anymore."

Eilie walked over to Riou, "He's right. There has to be a way to win! We can't just give up now!"

Rina chuckled, "You'd agree with anything he said."

Eilie fumed, "Shut up sis!"

Then it was Apple's turn to speak up, "I think there might be a way to win."

Viktor turned to face her, "What, do you have a plan or something?"

Apple shook her head, "No...not me, my abilities aren't capable of this...as I have already learned. But there is a man who can handle this."

"Who is this person then Apple? If he can really help us..." Andrew started, but never finished.

"His name is Shu. He and I both studied under master Mathiu...but Shu was expelled, he and Mathiu had conflicting views...but he is a brilliant strategist. He may be the only one who can help us now."

Flik nodded, "Where does Shu live?"

"He currently resides in Radat, it's not too far away from here. We should be able to get a small group there and back without any trouble." Apple then walked over to Riou, "We should get going as soon as possible, Riou."

Nanami clapped her hands together, "I'm going too...I want to see this Shu for myself...hey Apple, is he cute???"

Apple actually blushed, "Well, I wouldn't know anything about that..." She trailed off, looking away sharply. "So who else shall go with us?" Apple added hastily.

"Well, not me. I need some well deserved sleep!" Kahri said, moving to leave.

"I'll go, I heard they serve EXCELLENT food in Radat's bar." Andrew said.

Kahri's ears perked up, he spun around again and looked back, "On second thoughts, the chance to explore Radat is too good to pass up."

"Hmph, I'm staying." Elaine grumped, "My skills are better suited here, reconnaissance and stuff."

"You're just saying that because we're not going to kill anything." Andrew said, teasing her.

"Shut up!"

"I'll stay here too." Malcolm interrupted, "If anything I can prepare the magical portion of our attack."

"Well, I'd like to see Radat...always seemed like a nice place...so count me in!" Warren said happily.

"Okay, then the party to Radat will be Lord Riou, Nanami, myself, Andrew, Kahri and Warren." Apple confirmed.

"Fine, we'll try and gather as many soldiers as possible. We're still scattered around the place after retreating from South Window." Flik added.

"Let's go then Lord Riou, the sooner we find Shu the better our chances will be." Apple finished, as the party to Radat left the meeting hall.

Everyone watched them leave.

"Do you think we stand a chance?" Elaine asked, to nobody in particular.

"We always have a chance, no matter how slim it is. As long as we believe we can succeed, that is half the battle won." Malcolm answered.

"Is that a yes then?" Elaine asked again.

With a sigh, Malcolm answered. "We have a chance. I believe that young Riou has something that makes us all believe we can win."

Elaine nodded, "You noticed that too. He is a remarkable child. Well, I'm going to scout the perimeter, just in case."

"Be careful...guess I should prepare myself too." Malcolm said, before heading out of the meeting room.

---

"Their faith in the boy is amazing...so similar to young Tir McDohl three years ago. It is almost time...the Stars of Destiny are poised once more to gather. Are you prepared Luc?"

"Yes Lady Leknaat, although I wonder why you asked me to save him before."

"It is destiny Luc, something not easily overturned. Is he fully healed yet?"

"He is still unconscious, but he is indeed fully healed. If he comes around and sees us...he will surely strike out at us."

"No...I do not believe he will. He wants to face you and you alone...he will wait for that moment to come. It is not now."

"Your trust is admirable, Lady Leknaat. Fine, I will leave him be. And remember, I'm only doing this for you."

"Luc, you are doing this for destiny."

---

"Nanami, Radat's THIS way..."

"Sorry Riou, I'm just so excited!"

The group of six headed East to Radat Town, where Shu the strategist lives...all unknowing about how destiny is about to grab them by the throats and shake them really hard...

---

Radat Town awaits our heroes, as they prepare to meet Shu the strategist. The fight is inevitable now...but how will it play out? Well, that is another chapter...which (hope, hope) will be done for Friday.

[Avara] - If I'm not in the next chapter, I will fry your ass with Heaven's Wrath.

[Elaine] - Fool, if you kill him off you'll have a whole load of angry readers kicking your ass.

[Avara] - Please, you rate this story too highly Blondie.

[Elaine] - You're just mad because I'm more popular than you are.

[Avara] - Slut.

[Elaine] - That's it, I'm gutting you myself!

Oh, let me separate these two - see you Friday with the next chapter...unless they kill me...

x_x

Oh, one more thing! I'm running a little poll as to who the favourite New Character of this story is so far. I've had a few votes from the people on my mailing list (yes, I have a mailing list...amazingly). If you want to vote for your favourite Character, then please drop me an E-Mail at mail@malcolmcowan.co.uk stating your favourite, and whether or not you wish to be added to the mailing list - the only way to learn of new chapters FIRST!

I'm sure you know the characters by now, but here are the choices anyway!

KAHRI / ANDREW / ELAINE / AVARA / MALCOLM / WARREN

See you soon!