Hullo everyone, I have been sick all this week! Boohoo. I'm embarrassed hides face. I reread all of the chapters of this fanfic, and the POVs suck! I can't believe it. Sometime when I feel better, I'm going to redo every single one. O well. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks to all our lovely reviewers! We've got 38! I can't believe it. Thanks:

EbonyFirePhoenix: we shall see…wahaha

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everybody else that I haven't forgotten about: thanx a bunch. it means alot

Does it gross anybody else out how has advertisements for toenail stuff? Blah

Ch. 9: Answers

…Rory…

At the garbage dump, I gagged. Lying just as I had left them were the five thieves. I swallowed back the bile that had rushed into my throat and got control of myself. There was work to do.

I started with the closest thief to me. Pulling him towards me, I felt for a pulse in his swollen and purple tinged neck. Nothing, as I thought.

I checked through all seventeen pockets and crannies in his outer doublet and found three daggers, each well kept and an old and moldy bread crust. Probably saving it for later, I thought in disgust. He stank all over. His ripped cloak contained only a wrinkled map of a far-off place.

I could barely make out the word, Lecgano'brond at the top of the crinkled and faded page. A long red blotch stained one corner. I peered at the stain carefully and was able to make out a seal. An eye and a spear and arrow crossed over a purple battlefield. I recognized it from the night before. The place, Lecgano'brond, was a foreign realm, I had never heard of it, and no familiar countries bordered its edges. In fact, no country touched it; Lecgano'brond was an island

I pocketed the map for safekeeping and went on to the other men.

…Still Rory…

I sank back on my heels. It had taken me an hour to search every one of the men. Only one was still alive, the biggest burliest one whom I had had that scary connection with last night. I had him bound and gagged just in case.

I had not found the ring. My only hope left was to question the live soldier, maybe I would get some answers on the rings whereabouts.

I walked over to him and prodded his side with my boot. I couldn't help going hard on him, he tried to kill me last night!

Groaning, he turned over and blinked a couple of times. When he finally saw me, he flailed out with extreme speed and attempted to trip me. I jumped easily, Nelly always said I had reflexes to challenge anybody. With the same lightning speed, I had my dagger to his throat. He fell still.

"You're in no position to fight back. I have the guts to use this." I warned him and pressed the blade harder into his flesh. I hadn't broken the skin just yet.

"Now, lets get down to business." I said in a no-nonsense tone. "Where is the ring?"

He managed to shake his head in confusion. I dug the knife deeper, drawing a trickle of blood.

"Don't play innocent, I know you took it!" He whimpered and cowered at the rage in my eyes.

"We'll try this again. Do you know what ring I am talking about?" I said in a menacing tone.

"The Eorcanstan," he rasped. "We don't 'ave 't."

"I know that you do, idiot! But where did you put it?" I cried out in frustration.

"When we attacked tha' night…" He coughed and I loosened my blade a little to let him finish. "We found no ring and left the body."

"Why were you looking for it?" I asked, curious. This eorcanstan thing had something to do with me, otherwise, why had they attacked me, a lone peasant girl?

"Master's orders." Pause, then he said, "Thief Coopa, the Master, 'as a mission to find 't. 'Tis rumored the beautiful daughter of an elf has 't an' she's livin' as a peasant in these parts." He gasped again.

I looked into his scared eyes and saw the truth. I had never had this power to see accuracy before, but I pushed that the strangeness of it away. I needed more information on this Eorcanstan Ring.

"What is this Eorcanstan Ring?" I asked. My grip had loosened on the knife now that I saw he had relaxed. However, I was still alert.

"'Tis part of a powerful jewel, the crystal of Eorcanstan, that belonged to the elves. My Lord, His Highness of 'Brond--"

I interrupted him, "'Brond?"

"My country. His Royal Highness craves the jewel for its powers, but it is not whole." He began coughing violently. I withdrew my knife when I saw he was helpless and helped him sit up. Only then did I see the blood running from his nose and the corner of his lips.

No! I thought. I didn't want to loose my source of information!

But it was too late. He toppled over and lay still. I checked his wrist and felt no pulse.

Wearily I arose, turned and walked out of the lane without looking back.

Something had changed in me, was it pity? I had no idea why I would pity a man who had once stabbed me in the gut. But I did.

A/N: Well now. That was refreshingly short. Sorry. I'll post another one soon. Questions about Lecgano'brond will hopefully be answered in the next chappie. Toodles!