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Chapter 14: Invading the White-Hair Warrior's Territory

The road to the castle was long. The only light was from Myles in the front of the pack. No one spoke of how to get in without being noticed or what the plan was. Jack didn't care and she knew, whether or not she would admit it, Riddick would be behind her. She had only gathered a small amount of her best assasins to assist her. She didn't want to make noise now. She wanted her brother back. She wanted him alive.

She looked over to Riddick; his face was serious and his eyes were closed as the horse instinctly followed hers. She wanted to know what he was thinking, but she couldn't ask.

"We're approaching." The lead of the pack, Myles, turned to Jack. "Should we stop now?"

She nodded.

Myles slowed the pace and walked his horse into the dark forest.

Jack followed and dismounted quickly. She stood, and watched as everyone followed and waited for her command. Riddick came next to her.

"So, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know." She shook her head. "I just want to storm the castle and find him, but it's too dangerous at this point. I don't want to have to endager my brother to save him." Or my baby, she silently added herself.

"The Pail'ryion sisters are here." Riddick motioned over to the three women approaching through the forest.

"We 'ave found 'im, we did." Sceun grinned.

Jack let out a long breath and nodded. "Can we get him?"

Nadmi shrugged and sat down leaning on a tree. "It won't be 'ard, but it won't be easy. 'E's not well guarded."

"But that's not the problem." Jack added before she could finished.

All three of them agreed. Dritiva spoke up. "A back entrance is there, but it won't be easy."

"I'm not looking for easy." Jack snapped. "I want my brother back. I will do whatever it takes to get him. If it means all of you die, then so be it." She growled and stalked away. She didn't want to further this conversation.

Riddick followed her. "You're on edge."

"Of course I am. My brother is within my grasp and I afraid of what if I can't get him?"

"You will."
She snorted. "What makes you so sure?"
"You said you were the best.. So show me."

Riddick infuriated her with his comments. She would show him that she could do this, but she knew shouldn't take the risk. It would be easier to send in a few to take out the first guards and come in as backup. "I am the best." She muttered as she kicked the dirt and grass.

"You should not go in there alone." He said quietly. "Let me. Let me do this for."

She looked up to Riddick. "Why? Do you want to prove that you are better than I?"

"No, Jacqueline…" He stopped for a second. "Just let me."

She cringed as she hoped it wasn't a show of his power. She hoped it was something deeper. Soemthing to show her what he thought. "Are you that good?" She sneered.

He leaned down to her, nose to nose.

His breath was hot on her face and her body felt like it was on fire. Her skin tingled where he wasn't touching her. She felt a pull towards him as he stepped maybe an inch away. His body radiated heat, power, sexuality. All of those things that scared her so deeply.

"Go, Riddick, go. Go find my brother. Take the sister with you. I'll come in a few with Myles. The rest will stay here." Each word was a strain. His prescene invaded her space made her jittery as she felt his passion.

He didn't move for a moment, but instead brushed a lock of her fallen hair behind her ear. His lips touched the top of her nose as he kissed her for just a moment. She felt the breath being stolen out of her throat. She couldn't breath. She couldn't function with him near her. "Come soon, Jacqueline. You will be reunited, I swear it on my life."

She stepped back from him and watched him as he went to gather the sisters. If Riddick wanted to risk his life, it was fine by her. She knew he was more than capable than handling this. She didn't want to endager herself now. She would have loved to be the first to find her brother, but outside circumstances had prevented her.

She watched as Riddick left the forest, with the sisters close entail. She wanetd to go. She was worried by Riddick's reaction to her letting him. Maybe he thought he was finally winning her over. She sighed. If that was the only truth.

"Jack." Alec approachd her, also watching Riddick laeve.

"What do you need Alec?"

"Just curious."

She looked at him. What was he thinking? "About what?"

"Why would you let Riddick go to rescue your brother? Do you have a soft side for him?"

She grit her teeth "I do not think that is the reason."

Alec tapped his chin, his face breaking out in a smile. 'Then is another secret you hide?"
Jack looked past him for a moment and she could have sworn she saw her sister's figure hiding amongst the trees. If so, she knew where. "Do you think I could not have done it? Do you think Riddick is better than I?" She brought the blade up to his throat, each word forcing another forward step. She pinned Alec to a tree.

"Jack-- M'lady, it's not that. Your sister… she…"

Jack dropped the blade down, shaking her head. "Xanthe, why do you torment me…" She turned around and walked a few steps away. "Let me tell you something Alec, if you want to make it back to see your family one day, I would suggest that you take heed my word only." She sheated the blade. Jack stepped through the trees. She would have to talk to her sister later, once Otis was out of the way.

She looked back at the rest of them, motioning to a few to follow her. She felt the blood racing to her heart as she moved through the forest around back. She heard little clashes of noise as she moved closer, then she heard the muffled screams. Riddick must have been doing his job right.

Leaning back, she stopped them and walked away. She looked around the corner, and saw the gated door torn off and lying on the floor. Riddick hadn't wasted time in getting in. She waved them forward as she quietly snuck down towards the entrance.

Two bloody and broken bodies lay on the steps down into the sub chamberes. Jack tried to avoid them on the way down, moving around the halls from the screams. The louder they got, the closer she was. She kicked one of the bodies out of the way, holding on to the corner. She finally had reached Riddick and the sisters. He was standing, waiting for the three to finish with the last victims. Sceun dropped hers first, the man's neck split so horrible it snapped off to the side as he hit the floor. She only laughed.

Dritiva jammed a hard left to the mans face, while her right hand brought the dagger up under the rib cage. She shoved him against the wall, then pulled the blade free. Nadmi's hand was pressed on the last man's head. The bone crushing noises echoed in the walls as the mess of brain matter, bone, hair and blood covered her hands.

Jack felt the blood lust ripple through her body and she stepped out of the shadows. "Riddick, where he is?"

He turned around and pointed forward. "He's here."

Jack moved quickly up, jumping over the bodies. She ignored what he said, but ran to the door he pointed at. There was no window, no way to know that he was in there. "Open it!" She pounded on the door, her mind frantic and her body responding accordingly. She wanted to claw the door down; anything to get him out.

Riddick shoved her out of the way and grabbed the handle of the door.

Jack's eyes were mesmorized by the muscles in his arms bulging and tightening as he bent to his knees and started to pull the lock apart. She saw the sweat dripping down as the lock started to crack. It flew open with Riddick letting go and stepping back in one fluid motion.

Jack didn't notice the loud slam, but ran into the room. "Otis!" She ran to the corner where a pale, shadowy man cowered.

Through dirty gray hair and full beard, he looked up, his eyes never shaking from hers. "Jacqueline?"

"Otis, what have they done?" His was barely clothed. Only torn pants covered his wirey frame. He was bloody; beaten to the point she should have assumed his skin color was purple. His face was covered with scars.

He didn't speak, but put his back down.

"Oh by the gods, Otis. We are taking you home. You are coming with me."
Otis lifted up his hands. "Get me out of these chains. Get me out now."

Jacqueline looked over to Riddick. "What will we do?"

Nadmi stepped up. "I can get 'em off." She pulled a little pin out of the front of her vest. She stepped close to Otis, and Jack watched her eyes wander over him for a moment before she leaned down. "Take not a worry," she grinned, "I do it fast."

Jacqueline watched as Nadmi's hands took to work on the chains that kept Otis captive. Her daft fingers quickly unlocked the chains that cuffed his hands. Before Jack knew it, Nadmi was almost done with the leg irons.

Otis wearily got to his feet, leaning heavily on Jack. He brushed his long hair back and lokoed up to Riddick. "We will talk later." He looked over to Jack, who knew what he was thinking.

Jack felt Otis tighten his muscles as he looked at Riddick. The animal instinct was taking over him, as Otis knew Riddick was trying to invade his territory. He knew that Riddick was trying to take Jack away from him. Jack couldn't stop his words, but she would agree with them for now. Otis was the one she needed all the while. If she could only have found him before she ever met Riddick.

Riddick's face didn't break the unfazed frown. "We need to go."

Jack nodded in agreement as she helped Otis out from the dungeon. She knew that she would be home soon. Otis would take charge and Riddick would never be able to get his hands on her again. No matter how he tried to prove himself, Jack had Otis back. Jack could rule the lands once more, with a man she trusted by her side. A man she knew would never turn his back on her.

In the morning

Jack couldn't stay asleep during the night. She awoke often and felt a pulling to go check on her brother. They hadn't gotten back for more than a few hours before Jack had to check on him again. It was nearing noon, and she had visited him every hour.

Xanthe and her healers were watching over him carefully.

"How is he?" Jack stepped into the room, closing the door softly behind her. She watched as one healer from another moved next to him, then stepped away.

Smiling, Xanthe nodded happily. "He will be fine, physically at the least. He has suffered much abuse, but it is all cosmetic."

Jack watched as all the healers stood back and let her moved next to his side. She sat down close to him, taking his hand into her own. She patted it softly. "When do you think he will wake?"

"Oh, I believe Otis will be asleep a long time. His body is weak from the treatment. A few days, at most I hope." Xanthe took place on the other side of the bed, mimicking Jack's figure.

Her hand brushed the top of his forehead, moving loose strands of hair from his face. His hair was clean and dried. "You bathed him?"
Xanthe laughed. "Oh, Nadmi wanted to."

"Nadmi?" Jack felt a little jealous rage in her stomach.

She nodded again. "Yes, I think she has taken a liking to Otis. No, the healers worked on him while repairing the wounds on his skin. He must not have bathed in years…" Xanthe sighed.

"He ruined him." She felt another type of hatred burn for her uncle. For Anthony, the one who destroyed so much of her life. Her father had been the breaking point, but her brother wounded her heart. She felt so protective over the man who had taught her so much. She felt the deep bound that could not be broken between. Each had demons, each had rage, and they were the only ones who knew the animalistic rage that came from each and every drop of blood that was spilled under their hands.

"I am awake…" Otis said quietly, not opening his eyes.

"Oh, Otis!" Xanthe leaned down, hugging his softly.

His vibrant blue eyes peaked out. His face couldn't help but show a small smile. "Xanthe… it is fine to be back with you."

Xanthe leaned back up, to look down at him. She brushed away a few fresh tears. "I had hoped you were not dead, brother."

"I know, Xanthe. I could not leave you two alone; I would never have submitted to them." He turned his head, and squeezed Jack's hand lightly.

She looked to him, her eyes becoming filled with tears. "Otis…"

"I know, Jacqueline." His eyes closed for a minute. "You do not have to worry anymore, we are all back together."

Those were the scariest words that Jack had ever heard come from his lips. She knew what it meant for the king. Otis had the least mercy, the least love for anyone. He could not live in normal society. The people drew things out of him that he could not control. He was a wild animal at heart. The only ties he had were his two sisters. But with his two sisters came the ability to control the animal rage. He was undefeatable as long as he remembered the ties he had to this world. Otherwise, his power was out of control. He wouldn't last very long without any idea of fear.

"Otis… you meant to Riddick?"

His full lips split into a smile, under the thick beard he had acquired in the dungeon. "He's taken claim to you, has he not?"

She felt so sheepish around her brother. She didn't know how to tell him yes, but she knew he would see it in her nervous mannerisms. She started to fidget and she would not look him in the eyes.

"I see…" he looked up at her, after a moment. "You do not want him around, and I will make sure that he disappears."

Jack felt her blood run cold. She didn't want him gone; she just wanted Riddick humilatied. She couldn't be the weakest in their relationship. The burning from inside her told her to be the strongest. Jack never wanted to be weaker than Riddick. She wouldn't let him have the upper hand. "Please, do not kill him Otis."

He managed a small laugh. "I did not plan on it. Fear is always the best rush."

Jack couldn't speak as she felt a bit of pride as Otis's words promised to take care of her. She kissed him softly on the forehead. "I will be back to check on you later."

He nodded and quietly began a conversation with Xanthe.

Once Jack was outside, she felt happier. She almost felt the hole in her heart consumed. She finally had her brother back. She felt a motivating force. She felt new. Jack knew that she would be able to bring down King Anthony once and for awhile. Without Riddick's help.

Nearly a week had gone by, and Riddick had not seen Jack once. He was conviced that all her tasks were simply done to avoid him. Jealously had overrun him seeing her so happy to be around her brother again. He cursed as he knew that he hadn't won over her love. He had simply shown off to give her something new to love.

Before he could move, he felt a cold breath on the back of his neck. He jumped forward, spinning in mid air. He was face to face with Otis. He looked at Otis, with his long scraggly white hair that hung past his shoulders. His face was covered with a thick beard and his vibrant blue eyes were wild. A sadistic grin was smug upon his face.

"Caught you." He put the knife that was in his hand, back down into the top of the brown leather boots.

Riddick didn't think it was funny. He didn't reply, but waited for Otis to say something more.

He watched his match for a moment, then spoke, "My sister does not like you."
Riddick snorted. "I had not noticely." His voice was dry and sarcastic.

"Now, listen to me, boy," Otis stepped a bit further. He didn't match Riddick in height, or in girth. Otis was by no means compareable to Riddick in brute strength. But there was something not so right with Otis. He was a wildcard. Just about anything could be going on his mind.

Riddick didn't take kindly to being called a boy. "Boy? Who do you think you are talking to?"
"Future King? I do not care." Otis's hands hung loosely at his sides. "Let me tell you something, Riddick, I was hear long before you came around. Before you could even walk, and I do not intend to let you torment my sister."

"Torment her?" He laughed. "Your sister is more of a devil than I could have ever imagined. Our joining…"

"Marriage, you mean?" The wild look took back again to his eyes. "I can not say that I am very happy about all this, but leave Jack to her whims. You try to entrap her, you ever try to harm her, I will make sure that you do not ever breathe again."

"So you feel about her the same way I do."

Otis was taken aback. The look on his face was pure shock. "You are not--"

"Not using her for what she could have, no." Riddick shook his head.

Otis gave a little shrug and stretched his arms back, placing them behind his neck. "You understand my point."

"I know." He looked at Otis with a deadly glare. "However, you will not stop me from being near Jack."

Otis's hand snuck down to his dagger and as he brought it up, it clashes against the shiv that Riddick had drawn. "Leave her be, you will never understand her."
"I understand her better than you."

Otis gritted his teeth, his legs pushing harder in the ground. He wouldn't slip against Riddick's power.

In the shadows, Jack had heard every word. She felt her heart surging with love for both. Her brother, who would protect her from any man who stepped near her. Even Riddick, who would fight her absolutely insane brother to be with her. It wasthe ultimate form of dedication for her. Maybe Riddick didn't know how dangerous Otis could be, or maybe he didn't care.

Maybe he did care about her. Jack knew she should step out, stop the fight between to the two titans. For just a moment more, she watched as neither of them backed down. It was a play on power. She knew neither of them would step down. Each of them had their own reasons for being dominant.

"You don't have to do this, Otis." Jack stepped forward, showing herself.

He still didn't move, and pushed his blade harder against Riddick. "It is not about you now, Jack."

"Bigger than that." Riddick gritted his teeth. He hadn't expected this much resistant from such a small man. He had underestimated Otis's determination, but he wasn't going to back down now.

Jack walked forward and touched each of their shoulders. "Stop now. I do not need more blood over my head." She grabbed each of their wrists, pulling them back.

Otis kept the blade close to his chest.

Riddick did the same.

The tension didn't break as the men neither looked away.

"Stop it already." Jack felt like she was going to scream. "You two are acting like animals!"

"There is no act." Riddick's arm gripped the blade tighter in his hand. He wanted this man to back down. He had never so much resistance in his life. He wasn't sure if Otis or Jack was worse.

Jack stepped in the middle of both of them. "Well you both won't kill me, now will you?" She looked to Otis, then to Riddick.

Otis raised the blade, his eyes widened with shock.

Jack felt her heart start to race, the beating hurting her chest.

His fingers loosened from the blade and it flew from his nimble fingers.

Riddick felt the urge, the need to duck.

As the blade rushed the body, Jack spun in an instant. The unknown assaliaint fell against the wall behind him, clutching the blade in his chest. She looked back to Otis, who smiled at her.

Otis walked by Riddick and Jack, and leaned down to the dead man on the floor. He pulled the blade out of the squishy part of his chest. He wiped it off on the dead man's shirt and put it back into his boot.

"Otis… you…"

He didn't say anything, but patted Jack on her shoulder. "You still have much to learn." He looked over at Riddick and an actual, genuine smile appeared on his face. "Good timing."

"Good aim."

To be continued….

Note: So here is the next chapter. Go me. I would like to thank Ariel, Titi, and Wildfire6962000 for the wonderful reviews. For everyone else, I'm hoping that you will all review sometime soon… probably at the end of the story--- which isn't too many chapters away. So be prepared-- the next chapter is going to be wild.

Nonetheless, hope you had fun reading and please please please please review. I would much appreciate it and I can promise that the more reviews I get, the quicker the chapters will come out. So with that said, have a good day and review!

-Saphi