I Came, I Saw, I Conquered
by Corycian Muse

Wow, this chapter is a little longer than usual (10 pages), and it didn't take me too long to write it either.
This chapter has some reference to earlier chapters, like Chapter Three and Chapter Five, so I just hope you can remember back to those parts (Chapt. Three especially). Anyhow, some parts of this chapter I like, other parts I'm not so happy about. I just think it takes too long to get about things in the story.

Felix/Sheba? I think maybe. Sheba/Felix/Feizhi? Oh yes. Is Felix aware of it? Of course not! Oh, and another point on the pairings, I don't normally like to give away hints for the future, but there will be flashbacks/memories of things we haven't seen between Piers and Mia, to keep their relationship going while they're separated (until they finally meet of course! Or will they...?) Jenna and Isaac? I'm not planning on saying anything about that just yet. Wait and see.

Sakura Irving: Thank you, and I hope you didn't hurt yourself there, because otherwise you wouldn't be able to read this chapter! Thanks for the review!

ShadeXH: Yep, it's what makes Alex such an interesting character, and one of my favourites. And anyway! Bad guys are cool, aren't they? Well, they can be, though sometimes you do... get the odd one... who can be a bit... strange - or just plain unlikeable. O.O; Okay, I've lost track now... Oh yeah, the dagger! And again you pin-point it down! (ahem). As for the reviews, I love reading them, especially when you get nice reviewers (), and I love answering them just as much! So thank YOU, for reviewing! And yeah, thanks for this review!

S.P.Q.T: This applies to people who watch Naruto: Itachi is NOT cool. Thank you very much. Thanks! And I agree about the humour thing - I'm not actually sure if there is very much in this chapter (oh dear), so I hope you still enjoy it. Thanks for reviewing!

Meneil: I agree! And we all know Jenna wouldn't ever be a weak, feeble, calm, scared? person around anyone, let alone Alex. She'll do things her way! Yep, Piers is very knowledgeable in many things, as I'm sure we'll come to understand even more next chapter. There will also be more Saturos (yay!). Thanks for the review!

SpasticDjinn: O.O; I'm updating! I'm not sure if it's two days (looks at calandar) - nope, sorry about that part... but still! I updated! Thanks for reviewing!

Master of Reality: Aaaw, I'm sure the computer doesn't hate you that much. Well, I hope not. It's not a very nice computer if it does. Truthfully, the praise get's me embarrassed (though I don't mind it, really) . However, I do like your very big 'Great!' It looked very nice! As for the bloodlust? Well, it's funny, and that's for sure... I'm still wondering if it's good or bad... A lot of people want to know Piers' secrets, including me, so we'll have to wait and find out. Thanks for the review!

Please Read, Review, and Enjoy! ... ... ... ... ...

Chapter Ten : Disturbed

For the mind disturbed, the still
Beauty of dawn
Is nature's finest balm

"Felix?"

"… Sheba. Are you feeling better?"

"I suppose, yes."

"I… I would say we're on time." Felix stopped for a moment. It was tiring, just talking. He closed his eyes, resting them, while allowing Isatis to go freely without him holding on the reigns.

"It's night time, isn't it?" Sheba spoke up quietly in front of him.

"Yes…" he opened his eyes again, feeling the soreness. "It's good to see you awake."

"Well, I wasn't sure I was at first," Sheba answered, laughing slightly, almost nervous. "When I woke up, and everything was black, I wondered what had come over me."

Felix said nothing, and a gentle silence fell over them.

"You haven't eaten in a while, or stretched your legs," he said after the long pause. Sheba glanced back at him over her shoulder, to show she was listening. "Why don't we stop for a moment?"

"Okay then," she answered, rolling her shoulders. It was true, she felt stiff. She must have been lying on Isatis' back ever since she fainted, and that would have been at least nine hours ago… She sighed.

Isatis came to a calm stop, and Felix slid slowly from her back, without thinking. Sheba watched him quizzically, touched with amusement. He didn't even notice the slight grin spreading across her face, when he turned back to her to help her from the horse.

"I'll help you," Sheba murmured once Felix began to take off the sacks from Isatis' back. She pushed him slightly aside, to reach for the baggage strapped to the horse.

Felix dropped back. "Are you sure? You're body is probably quite weak at the mo -"

"Yes, I am sure," Sheba cut in, pulling a face at him as she hefted the bags off. She didn't have a clue which one had the food in, but it didn't matter. She'd find out soon enough. She glanced back at Felix as she threw the baggage onto the ground, and raised a blonde eyebrow, seeing his head nodding slowly while he blinked with a sluggish determination to keep awake.

Turning, she placed her hands upon her hips, smiling lopsidedly. It took a moment for Felix to realise she had finished unpacking, before he glanced up at her with a questioning look. "Let me guess," Sheba started sardonically. "We've been travelling since – what would it be… yesterday morning? And you haven't stopped once for some rest. Tell me," She continued, the tone of her voice suddenly changing as she leaned towards him. "How long has it been since you last slept?"

Felix watched her with dull, clouded eyes. He frowned. "It's not important," he said at last, leaning over to pick up one of the leather sacks. "We're going to have to continue if we're to reach the village after sunrise."

"Why? Why do we have to get there so quickly? What's the rush?" Sheba interrogated, but all she got in return was a slow shrug.

"Like I said, it's not important." Felix looked at her wearily. "Try and get some of your energy back. We can rest when we get home."

Sheba laughed lightly, and then suddenly scowled. "You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"

He blinked.

"I asked you – oh," she gave up, exasperated. "I can't be bothered to repeat myself. You can be so difficult…"

Felix was frowning. It appeared he didn't have a clue what she was talking about. When Sheba chose to ignore this, and took the bag from his hand to get something to eat, he let her, and sat down in the soft grass of the forest glade, before slowly letting himself lay back on the ground, folding his arms behind his head.

Sheba sat down heavily next to him, taking a bite from a small, dry loaf of bread before taking a long drink from a flask. Isatis grazed contentedly, not far from them, and a comfortable silence fell upon them.

After a long time, Sheba took in a deep breath, and looked sideways at Felix. "What do you think has been happening… back in the village?" she asked in a quiet voice.

Taking a moment before he spoke, Felix answered, "Who can know?" He paused. "However, I hope Jenna's all right."

"Do I…" Sheba began tentatively. "Do I sense something happened before you left to come and find me?"

This time Felix looked at her, and gave her a weak, but true smile. "Jenna can get emotional," he began. "And I think I hurt her feelings in one way or another. I didn't really have enough time before I left the village to make it up to her properly."

"Oh," Sheba answered. She glanced up at the inky-blue sky, dusted with stars. "Well, at least that answers my earlier question," she mumbled.

"What do you mean by that?"

Oh, so he heard this time. "Why you want to get back to the village so quickly," Sheba explained. Felix raised an eyebrow.

"Well…" he said at last, unfolding his arms and pushing himself up. "I guess we should be starting off again." He tiredly picked up the flask Sheba had had earlier, and drank from it, before packing it away in the sack.

Sheba jumped to her feet. "We're going already?" she asked, slightly bewildered. Then she glared at him. "If you fall asleep on the way back, I'm accepting no responsibility when I return back to the village, without you."

Felix grimaced. "That's not going to happen," he answered, turning away from her and fixing the baggage back onto Isatis. "So…" he said, holding onto the horse's bridle. "Are we going then?"

"Well it seems I have no choice in it anyway," Sheba grumbled, moving forward and letting Felix help her onto Isatis' back. He wearily, but surely got up behind her, and took up the reigns. "I feel sorry for the horse as well," she continued, throwing a teasing glare over her shoulder.

Felix shrugged that same nonchalant shrug of his. "Isatis needs the exercise," he reasoned, pulling a face.

Before Sheba could reply (seeing as she was raring for an argument), Felix had kicked into the horse's sides, and Isatis was off, leaping over fallen branches, surefooted in the darkness.

After all, the village was calling to them…

Garet glanced warily at Mia. The silence was awkward; the waiting was awkward, and he was getting impatient. He started tapping his fingers on the table.

He could almost feel the time moving around him, leaving him behind. It was driving him crazy. Something had to happen… Something…

"Mia…" Garet suddenly spoke, shattering the silence into a thousand pieces. She blinked rapidly, taking in a quick breath before looking at him questioningly.

"Yes?" she asked, sounding slightly distracted.

"We've been sitting here for a long time, and you haven't said anything. Morning is slowly turning into midday!" Garet sounded just slightly hysterical, and Mia couldn't help laughing.

"Sorry, she breathed out, smiling. "I've been deep in thought."

About what! Can't you tell them to me? I am here to keep you company, after all."

"And thank you for your consideration," Mia quickly answered. She reached up and brushed a falling lock of hair from her eyes, before carrying on. "I've been thinking… upon something quite serious." She pursed her lips. "To do with Alex."

"What to do with that bastard?" Garet asked eagerly. His face quickly fell from the look Mia gave him.

"It's something I can't really explain," she answered, suddenly sincere. How could she illustrate the fact to Garet, that she knew something which could possibly have the potential to solve all the confusion that could not be explained? It was not possible; it was too complicated. "I'm sorry," she finished, feeling overwhelmed by her own thoughts.

Garet didn't ask anymore. Somehow, he understood vaguely. If Mia couldn't tell him, she wasn't going to lie about it. "I wonder how Isaac and Piers are?" he wondered aloud, changing the subject. "It was around this time yesterday that they left."

"Yes," Mia answered, her voice sounding strange. "They'll be fine," she continued, looking Garet in the eye. "I'm sure of it."

Garet grinned. "So do I," he said.

Slowly, Mia's thoughts returned to the subject of Alex, and to how she was going to break it to the others that she would be travelling north, back to where she once lived. It would be the only way to discover Alex's true intentions, and Mia believed with all her heart in Piers' words. She believed that something deeper, more sinister was at hand…

Through the open doorway, a calm breeze entered. It carried the smell of the sea upon it, and it was refreshing as ever. Slowly, something else, faint at first, entered the building as it was carried upon the gentle winds. It caught Mia's attention, and she sat up, alert.

"Is that Feizhi?" she asked, listening for the voice. Garet too, glanced sideways towards the door.

"Where did you go then?" Someone was saying outside, as they got closer. "And who is that?"

"It is Feizhi," Mia said pointedly.

"So what?" Garet asked, slightly baffled. "She's been hanging around here since Jenna was taken. It's not like she's anything new… hey… where are you going?"

Mia stopped at the door, looking back quickly. "She's with someone, obviously," she answered, vaguely exasperated. And with that, she left, disappearing from Garet's sight.

Garet groaned, and got to his feet to follow her.

Stepping out into the bright sunshine, everything went white for a moment. There were noises to his right, and his eyes adjusted quickly. What he saw, was a surprise, to say the least.

To find Sheba and Felix back from their unknown expedition was unexpected, and Garet walked towards them with enthusiasm.

Then he remembered Jenna.

"Sheba!" Mia was saying. "Where have you been? We had no idea where you'd gone. And when Felix suddenly disappeared without a word as well – we only hoped he'd gone after you."

"I went… to visit my father," Sheba explained. "I needed some time to think."

"Of course," Mia answered. Garet came to a stop next to her, and was not surprised at all when Mia shot him a warning glance. Obviously he was not to say anything on the matter they were both secretly dreading…

"How are you both?" Garet asked, unnaturally subdued. As he spoke, he stepped forward and took their baggage down from the horse with his strong arms, avoiding their gaze. "You look worn out."

"I'm doing okay, but I'm not sure about Felix," Sheba said, while casting a sideways glance at him. Felix dragged his eyes to catch her gaze as she said his name. "I don't think he's had a rest for over two days," she carried on, giving him a slight glare. "He's just been continually trying to fight time – to get me, and then race back here as quick as possible. He's really worn himself out!"

"Don't… talk like that…" Felix breathed, resting his weight against Isatis' neck.

Sheba made a distinct annoyed sound. "Just go to bed, you idiot," she spoke.

He didn't move.

"Felix," Mia began softly, and Felix looked up at her, his face drawn and fatigued. "Go and rest, if only for a while. It will do you good."

"You did say you would, remember?" Sheba added.

Felix frowned, as if he were annoyed by the fact that he was being told what to do. He was going to go to do as they said anyway – why couldn't they leave him alone? "I'm going," he slurred, stepping away from them, looking at the ground. "I'm going…"

They watched in silence, adding slightly to Felix's annoyance, and his displeasure of being their attention. Suddenly Feizhi stepped forward, grabbing some of the bags from Garet's hands. "I'll go too," she said in her edged voice, looking back at Mia.

Before anyone could say anything in return, she was after him, easily catching up to his slow pace. Sheba watched, slightly open-mouthed, unsure what to think. Felix didn't even look back at her. It was as if she no longer existed.

Suddenly, she snapped out of her reverie, and mentally slapped herself. 'He's tired,' she assured herself. 'And I've never seen that girl before in my life, so she's not important either…' Why was she so bothered about it? Sheba followed the stranger with assessing eyes, curious. "Who is she?" she asked.

Mia sighed. "Feizhi," she answered, sounding so utterly serious, and emotional, that Sheba's attention was brought straight to her. "I'm afraid that a lot has happened Sheba, while you have been away." She paused, and Sheba felt a sudden unnerving sensation of dread. Mia continued. "And I do not look forward to when Felix has to be told."

And before anything else was to happen, Mia told the younger girl of everything that had taken place.

"Lay down, and I'll put your things away," Feizhi said, taking the bags through the door into the main room. She came back a moment later to find Felix watching her drowsily from where he sat on the bed. She leaned back against the doorframe, and folded her arms. "Is there a problem?"

"I don't… remember you being like this…" he answered blankly.

"Yes, well," Feizhi started. "You are tired, and people change anyway." She gave a fake laugh. "This village is almost becoming my home."

Felix scowled. "I'm sorry if -"

"- Oh, don't be sorry!" Feizhi cut in. "Now get some sleep, and you'll feel much better – trust me, okay?" She paused for a moment, waiting.

Nothing happened.

Sighing, she walked purposefully forward, and sat down gracefully next to Felix, the lilac locks of her fringe falling perfectly around her porcelain face. "Do you want me to stay?" she asked. "Is that what it is?"

If Felix had been feeling like his usual self, there was no doubt he would be staring at her in horror right then. However, exhausted that he was, he merely frowned slightly. "No – it's fine," he answered. "Please… just leave…"

Feizhi smiled. "That's fine," she breathed, slowly moving away from him, and stopping on the other side of the doorframe. "I'll see you later, then," she said finally. One hand on the handle, she carefully pulled it towards her while never taking her violet eyes from him.

The door shut with a firm click.

For a while, Felix remained where he sat, his mind dark and empty, but slowly he let himself fall back onto the bed. His eyes closed gently, and his mind was blissfully unaware of anything that had just happened.

On the other side of the door, Feizhi rummaged through the bags for an object she didn't yet realise Alex already had…

Dusk was settling in upon the ocean and the islands, and it brought with it the inevitable feeling of ease. The only sounds to break through the gentle calmness were the faint sounds of the Proxians in the distance, on the other side of the rugged island.

Isaac however, sat with the ever-growing sensation of impatience. His eyes kept roaming over the terrain, looking towards the opposing encampment, wondering if he'd see the flash of auburn hair in the dying sunlight between the large tents; as his gaze drew closer, hoping to see Piers' aquamarine hair like flowing water down his back, hoping he would be returning soon with news.

He sat on the hard, sun-beat ground, twiddling a leaf between his adept fingers absent-mindedly, staring over the horizon. His thoughts travelled on the wind, and his eyes were blank and as blue as the sky.

"I've found a couple of things out," a voice spoke out of the darkness, right behind him. Isaac started, and turned to look at Piers with wide eyes.

"Please don't surprise me like that!" he exclaimed, more thankful that Piers had arrived than anything. He paused. "So…" he started. "What have you discovered?"

"Oh, nothing too amazing," Piers answered with a smile, leaning back on his haunches. "Some easier spots to enter the camp, places to run to if we're in danger – that sort of thing. We'll just have to remember to stick together tonight, because so far, I'm the only one who knows these places."

Isaac raised an eyebrow. "How convenient," he said, causing Piers' smile to broaden.

"And another thing," he continued, watching Isaac closely. "I think I may know why they're here."

"… What did you find?"

Piers' golden eyes glittered. "Inscribed buildings."

Felix lay in silence, breathing lightly. He stared up at the ceiling and wondered with increasing perplexity why he felt so confused, and more importantly, so suspicious. It had been like this now for at least an hour, though it felt a lot longer, and it did not take long before his attention was brought to the afternoon Sun, slowly falling through the sky outside his window. The same window Sheba had climbed through, the last day before she left.

Felix blinked, and took in a deep breath. It was so quiet outside.

And all the while he had been awake, he had not heard any noises in the house. It was an unnerving feeling, knowing that something was wrong. So why was he just lying here, doing nothing?

Slowly, Felix sat up, and stayed sitting for a moment to collect his thoughts. Yawning slightly, he got to his feet and ran a hand through his hair, pushing his bangs out of his face, before pulling the bedroom door open, and finding the leather bags left neatly against the wall.

Pausing, he ran his eyes over the baggage. Things like food had been taken out, and when he looked up, he saw it had been left by the fire, wrapped up. Water too, had been put with the rest of the supplies. His sword leaned next to the bags, and it remained there, untouched, as Felix continued past, and walked outside.

Not to his surprise, the first person he saw was Sheba, and he quietly made his way over to where she sat on a grassy slope.

She looked up, and smiled weakly. "Hi… how are you? Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes," Felix lied, sitting down next to her and leaning back upon his palms. "What time is it?"

"Late afternoon," she answered, and started to fidget with the hem of her dress. She knew all too well what was going to happen; she knew he was bound to ask any second, and as if by some unknown doing, he got straight to the point that she was now dreading.

"It's so quiet," Felix murmured, staring up at the clear sky. "I'm not even sure what day it is."

Sheba forced out a laugh. "Well, it's market day, isn't it?" she explained. "Everyone's out inland, into town, and Mia said your parents had gone away for a while, further down the coast to spread their blacksmith business…"

"I see," Felix was squinting in the sunlight – or was it that he had narrowed his eyes? Sheba pursed her lips. "Where's Jenna?" he asked, and her heart fell like a stone into water, rippling the surface. "I haven't seen her."

No words came to Sheba, and she opened her mouth, breathing out only air. Felix glanced at her quizzically, waiting.

"She's gone, Felix."

Both he and Sheba averted their gaze to see Mia, stopping next to him. She walked around, and sat down on the bright grass. Her eyes were pleading and sincere, and her tone was forceful.

"What do you mean she's gone?" Felix asked, frowning deeply.

"Felix," Mia started. Suddenly, she paused, and turned to Sheba. "It's up to me to say this," she told her. "It's because of Alex this happened, and he is my duty -"

"- What are you talking about?" Felix intervened, now highly suspicious, and, to his astonishment, sensing a rise of panic.

"You need to stay calm first, and take things slowly," Mia answered while holding up a placating hand. She started to talk, but found the words catching in her throat. A silence fell upon them, and Felix's eyes bore into Mia's. "There is no other way, to say this… but you have to be told…" she managed to say, looking at him sternly. "Jenna's been taken, Felix, most probably by Alex, and… Piers and Isaac have gone after them."

The silence was like a heavy stench in the air.

Finally Felix spoke. "What happened?" he muttered hoarsely.

"It seemed that Feizhi was to do wi -"

"Don't do anything drastic, Felix!" Sheba quickly spluttered, looking rather horrified herself. "It might have been a misunderstanding!"

"Who – who took her?" Felix asked, before pausing. "I… don't understand."

"Isaac was framed, causing Jenna to be taken – it's not very clear, but we know it was the Proxians, and I know it was Alex behind it all," Mia answered
"Why him?"

"Because… I know."

"Where have they taken her?"

"We're not sure. They went by ship," Mia answered, breathing quickly.

Felix's expression was indescribable. Everything that he must have been feeling, the shock, the horror, not to mention anger twisted over his angular face, as he tried to comprehend, and come to terms with what Mia had just said.

Sheba stared wide-eyed at the ground, very much afraid, for a reason she could not discern. She was frozen in waiting.

The tense quiet was abruptly broken. "Who framed Isaac?" Felix asked, dangerously quiet. Sheba shut her eyes, and opened them slowly, looking to Mia.

It was her name again. "Feizhi," came the answer.

Felix leapt up. Almost drunkenly, he moved forward and fell against the door of his cottage, slamming it open. Leaning for a moment against the wall, he breathed heavily, the same look of horror, churning with fury over his features. He heard Sheba yelling, just behind him, but did not understand her words, and without thinking he found his cloak, and threw it about his neck, before swiping up the untouched sword he had walked past earlier.

Turning to leave once more, he found Sheba standing in the doorway, standing in his way.

"Please don't start all this again," she said pleadingly, as he headed straight towards her. "Please just stop, and think about it."

"I'm going after Jenna," came his reply. Despairingly, Sheba moved back before he could push her aside to get out.

"But Isaac is already after her!" Sheba continued to try, jogging to catch up with him. "And you have nothing with you! You can't even get a ship, and you've got no supplies – you can't go losing your head!"

Felix turned, about to retort, when he was stopped short by something he saw in the distance. His eyes narrowed, and he did not move. Confused, Sheba turned to see Feizhi moving quickly towards them with Mia hurrying beside her, speaking desperately.

Stepping past Sheba, Felix stopped, and waited until they too, had come to halt before him. Feizhi smiled. Mia frowned.

"What's wrong?" Feizhi asked as she looked up at Felix with her wide, violet eyes, simpering. "You seemed fine earlier…"

Shaking, he glared at her intensely. Then he swallowed, obvious to Sheba that he was trying so hard to keep his innermost emotions from spilling forth. He almost looked tormented – furious, and despairing. "Like I said," he managed to say. "I'm leaving." He turned, to go.

"Wait!"

Felix stopped in his tracks, impatient now to see what Mia had to say this time. To his surprise, her expression was that of determination, and she was glaring at him.

"There is something I haven't spoken of yet," she said, giving both Sheba and Feizhi a glance before returning her gaze to him. "I believe that Alex is behind this all, and furthermore, I grew up knowing him."

Feizhi laughed. "Is this necessary?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Mia answered, unperturbed. "Let me explain. I was the first person who met Piers, and I believe every word he said. We talked, the last night before he left, and he held such sadness in his voice – such sincerity, as if he knew that everything was worse; as if he were hiding it." She paused, and took in a long breath. "He knows, and I am beginning to understand, that we are in a greater danger than we first believed so," she said. "And I believe another person who also understood this well, was Alex."

"Mia," Sheba murmured, worry evident in her voice. "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that I've made a decision," Mia carried on. "I stayed here in the village to tell you the situation, Felix, to explain about Jenna, and now you and Sheba have arrived, it's time for me to continue on what I think is the right path. And," she added, "I won't be able to do it alone."

She knew she had their full attention – even Feizhi was curious. Taking another deep breath, Mia looked back to Felix, who was frowning in thoughtful silence, watching her.

"I'm going to travel north," Mia said quietly, "Back to where Alex and I once lived. I have memories of that place, and I have memories of Alex. He discovered something then – something that changed who he was. I believe," she said with added slowness, "That he's known about this danger for a long time."

Felix looked hard at the ground, his expression fading away, and Feizhi watched it all with calm, sceptical eyes.

"Isaac and Piers are doing their own duty," Mia continued gently, "Will you come with me?" She asked, before pausing and waiting watchfully.

After a moment, Felix stepped back a pace, and the sword fell from his fingers to heavily hit the ground. "Jenna…" he murmured weakly. Head hanging, his eyes were shadowed by his falling bangs, and he breathed shallowly.

Sheba bit her lip, aching inside. She wanted to do something… that would make a change. She wanted with all her heart and will to speak those simple words: that everything would be okay – but she couldn't. Somehow, it did not seem her place, and it tore her inside.

She softly laid her hand upon his arm, knowing of no other possible way to show him that she cared.

Suddenly sensing a change around her, Mia glanced to her right to see Feizhi with a look of anger upon her face. Furrowing her eyebrows, faintly amused, Mia averted her gaze and looked the other way, the wind blowing straight into her face from the ocean. It refreshed her, and she found herself remembering that first day when she had come across Piers, alone in a world that he did not know, or understand. A faint smile spread across her lips.

Finally, Felix looked up and allowed the same breeze to push back the bangs from his eyes. "Fine," he said, not looking Mia in the eye. She gazed at him, hopeful. "I trust Isaac," Felix found himself saying, surprised at his own words. "And I'm sure that Piers will take care of things."

"I will be setting out a while before sunset," Mia explained. "I plan to get some travelling done before night falls, and then continue tomorrow morning."

"Whatever you want," Felix answered. "I'll go and get ready." Slowly, he sat on his haunches, eyes returning to the ground. Not looking at anyone, he picked up the sword, and walked past Sheba, past Mia and Feizhi, and disappeared into the shadows of his home.

Sheba sighed. "I want to go with you," she said to Mia, folding her arms. "There's no point in me staying here."

"Are you sure?" Mia asked.

"Yes – I'm very sure," came Sheba's answer. Abruptly, she turned her gaze upon Feizhi, and glared. "And what about her?" she asked. "And Garet? And I haven't even seen Ivan yet? Are they staying?"

Mia was about to speak, but Feizhi cut in. "No one decides what I do, and don't ever think you can talk to me like that, brat," she said with much distaste. Sheba glared even harder, her emerald eyes glittering.

"I told Garet… earlier," Mia said, sounding exhausted, "Not long after I told you about the incident with Jenna. He says that he'll be staying."

"And Ivan?"

"There is no doubt that he'll be staying too, and he has every right to do so, seeing as he is warlord of this village." Mia paused. "He says he'll talk to you before we leave, Sheba."

Sheba pulled a face. "Only me?" she asked, and Mia nodded yes. "Well… then – I suppose I'll have to go see him now – if we're leaving soon?"

"Okay."

Sheba left, and Mia and Feizhi stood in mutual silence. The breeze was quickly picking up, changing distance as it moved round to slowly travel from the north. "We'll be working against the wind, it seems," Mia said.

Feizhi didn't answer. She ran her fingers through her hair, curling a lilac lock behind her ear before placing her hand on her other arm. "I'm going too," she said thoughtfully.

Mia pursed her lips. "It would be better if you stayed."

"Why?" she suddenly snapped, turning on her. "What makes you think that?" Before Mia could even answer, Feizhi continued. "If you disagree with me going with you, then I'll go on my own accord. You can't keep me in this village like a hostage, and you know it!"

"Fine!" Mia answered quickly, taken aback. "But we can never trust you – not after what you did to Isaac. You were essentially helping Alex there, and we're going north to stop him. Don't take my words for granted, Feizhi," she said, lowering her voice. "To us you are our enemy, and you know what that means."

"I know exactly what it means," Feizhi hissed. "And if you can never trust me, then it suits me just fine!"

Mia nodded curtly, and turned to leave, when she paused in her steps. "Oh," she said, looking back over her shoulder. "And I'm well aware that you're still up to no good, whether Felix knows it or not. So just remember one last thing…"

"And just what is that?" Feizhi asked, trying not to give away her surprise and retain her cold, calculating glare.

"I'll always be watching you, Feizhi," Mia murmured. "Always."

Mia! I can't believe you talked so... evil sounding! Felix, get your act together - you're annoying me at the moment, and come on Isaac and Piers. For now, we're all relying on you to get some act-tion! Next chapter... ...

Please review! Thankeee so much, if you do!