It gets harder and harder to get up in the mornings, and harder and harder to write something on time...

Rune stirred, feeling something warm on his face as he regained consciousness. He realized it was the sun. And also that he was in bed, with a cloth on his head. His chest ached, although he wasn't sure why.

"You're awake? We've been worried, Rune. How do you feel?" Rune rubbed his eyes and sat up with effort. He yawned and opened his eyes. Alfeegi was standing next to his bed, filling a glass with water. He handed it to him, and Rune drank it thankfully, his throat was dry and it ached. He couldn't remember why... He started as he remembered what had happened before.

"Wha- Alfeegi? What happened?" he asked, even though he knew.

"You don't remember?"

"No," he lied. Alfeegi sighed, looking at him curiously.

"I found you... And you started coughing. We thought you'd faint from the coughing... Are you sure you don't remember?" The elf shook his head, Alfeegi cocked his, "Hm... Anyway, we brought you to your room, and you were sleeping. That was yesterday. It's about 10 in the morning."

"Oh... Am I sick?" he asked apprehensively.

"I don't know..." Alfeegi answered candidly. He suddenly turned serious, "Rune. Do you know where I found you? In front of the door that guards Nadil's head. I want to know what you were doing there!"

Rune fell back against the wall, taken aback by the force of his voice.

"Are you sure you don't remember?" he inquired again, even more forcefully. Rune stammered, then hung his head.

"I don't know why I was there..."

Alfeegi ran his hands through his hair, believing Rune's words, "... Alright. Well, I have to go now. Somebody'll come check up on you later," And with that, the secretary left the room.

"I was about to step in when you yelled at him."

"You should have seen the look on his face when I found him. Ruwalk, I was frightened by it. I'd never seen him so... so full of hate and malice," Alfeegi shuddered, and Ruwalk put his arms around his shoulders.

"It's okay. Nothing bad will happen to Rune," Alfeegi smiled despite himself at the irony. How could Ruwalk say that so optimistically? He knew of the coming dangers with Kaistern. Ruwalk took him to his office and then left for the tower again.

"Hello Thatz," Rune smiled pleasantly. Thatz had come in about half an hour after Alfeegi had left. He had in his hands a tray carrying two bowls of soup.

"Hello lazy elf," he answered cheerfully, "Guess you aren't well enough to get up are you?" he said sympathetically. Rune grimaced. He had tried to get up, only to find that his legs wouldn't hold him up longer than five seconds.

"Not right now, but I'm sure by the time I'm more fully awake –"

"Not to mention when you eat a healthy breakfast," Thatz set the tray down in front of him. Then, a spoonful of soup was shoved in his mouth. Thatz grinned, "I always wanted to feed someone like that."

"I'm not a kid! This wasn't made by Rath was it?"

"Rath? ...No, he's still sleeping. Know what? While you eat, I'll go wake him up!"

"Fine..."

Minutes later, Thatz came in. Rune looked up from his meal, "Where's Rath? You sure came back fast..." he trailed off as he saw Thatz scratch his head worriedly.

"Well, funny thing... I decided to let him sleep in a while longer," He stopped, as if not sure to go or not.

"What? Is something wrong?"

Thatz gave him a look, "I don't know if I should worry you more."

"Look, I'm okay, I don't know what happened, but that has nothing to do with keeping things from me! What's wrong?"

"Well, I mean nothing clear or something, but I came in, and he didn't look well. He had a bit of a fever, I tried to wake him up, but he was out like a light..." Thatz ran his hands through his green hair, "You know, he's seemed really worn out these past days... and he sleeps a lot."

"Well, if he's sick I could heal him," he offered.

"You up to it?"

"Of course! I've always been healing people, why not now? I'm perfectly fine!"

"Sorry!" said Thatz putting up his hands defensively, "I'm sorry, it's just that we don't think you're much better off. Man, there's too much going on..." he muttered the last part.

They both turned their heads when the saw the door open and a dazed looking Rath came in.

"Is Rune okay? Did something happen?" he mumbled uncoordinatedly. His eyes were still heavy from sleep, and his face pale from the anxiousness of it. Thatz came forward, helping Rath to a chair.

"I'm okay, but are you?" Rune said.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just thought something had happened to you when Thatz came to wake me up..." he said, his head nodding as he fought the urge to sleep.

"You sure you're not sick, pal?" Thatz asked. Rath nodded.

"I don't believe you," Rune took Rath's hand and a white light flowed from it. Rath laughed. His tiredness gave way to energy, his fever was gone, and his face gained a healthier color. But he wasn't laughing because he was glad.

"That won't do anything. Sorry to disappoint you, but this will only repeat itself tonight, and the next night," he said, "Ah... whoops."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't sleep. That's all," he said, not wanting to reveal anymore.

Tetheus came in then, saving Rath from interrogation, "Hello Rune, how are you doing?"

"Um, good," he said, not used to much interaction with the black dragon officer. "That's good to hear."

"Hey, Tetheus, you think you could get Rath here some breakfast, I have some business to, um, attend to," Thatz said, stepping out of the room, "I'll see you two later. Bye!"

"Hey, where are you going?" Rune said.

"I'll get him breakfast," Tetheus walked out of the room too, leaving Rune and Rath.

"Rune... You want to go outside?" Rath asked suddenly.

"Um, well, I don't know if I can walk..."

"I'll help you then," Rath offered.

"Shouldn't we wait for your food?"

"I don't want it. Not hungry," he said, helping Rune up, and together, they headed outside. The elf was glad to be outside again, he felt like it'd been ages since he had, even though it'd only been two days.

"Feels nice, doesn't it?"

Rune nodded. Rath sat next to him on the bench, shielded from the glare of the sun by a canopy of vines and roses. Grass and wildflowers grew in swirls and strings in the small meadow in front of them. A wall of shrubbery that surrounded them was part of the garden maze the castle had lavishly grown.

Rune leaned his head back against the tree. Rath sat hunched forward, hands clasped in his lap, staring at the ground.

"Something is coming up," he said quietly. Rune opened his eyes and looked up.

"What?"

"I don't know. I'm afraid it has to do with Kaistern. And you. Maybe Cesia too, but I think I'm just being paranoid about that."

Rune looked at Rath's serious face and shuddered, "Well, it's true that Kaistern hasn't been back in a while, but we never know, it could be just an unexpected delay."

"No... There's a lot at stake. I can feel my demon blood brewing. I know Tetheus can too. And what about Ruwalk and Alfeegi? They've been acting weird too."

Rath now looked Rune squarely in the eye, "But this also means I get to kill demons. Isn't it fun to know that that is the one sole purpose in my life? To me. I know that I mean much more to other parties. I am their main piece in their selfish game. I would be easier to die than to go through with their plans."

Rune almost gasped, feeling his heart wrench. How could Rath say that so calmly? No, that wasn't right... Underlying the calmness was pain like he'd never heard in Rath's voice. On impulse, he hugged Rath, taking him in his arms. Rath's eyes widened. "Wha-"

"Shh," Rune silenced him and instead hugged him tighter. Rath suddenly felt safe. He'd always felt like Rune was the closest thing he had to a brother, and these were times when having a brother brought relief. So he let Rune comfort him, without Rune even knowing what he was really comforting him from.

"It'll be okay, Rath," Rune murmured. Rath felt his throat choking, and though he couldn't cry, he knew that had he been able to, he would have.

"I'm worried about you and Kaistern, and Cesia. You're the only ones that matter to me!" Rath cried. Rune looked at him compassionately.

"What about Thatz?"

"I-I don't know. He's not like you and Kaistern and Cesia. I'm sorry." Rune sighed, "It's okay Rath, it's not your fault."

At that moment, they heard footsteps and Rath pulled back from Rune. Alfeegi and Ruwalk walked into the little glade, holding hands. Upon finding that Rune and Rath were in there, they let go and sheepishly tried to make the two forget what they had seen.

"Oh, um, hello Rath, Rune, nice day, he?" Ruwalk blurted. They were looking at them with wide eyes while Alfeegi coughed into his hand, trying to hide his blush.

"Um, well, Ruwalk and I decided it was such a nice day that we should come out here and play cards or something," Alfeegi said, then added very softly, "I told you it was safer in the tower than out here."

Ruwalk coughed and Rath spoke up with a malicious grin, "We want to play too, where are the cards?"

Rune sweatdropped, knowing the answer, "Um, cards? Well, I have them in my pocket, but why don't I go get some snacks before we start playing. Wait for me!" Ruwalk rushed off.

"Um, I'll come help you bring snacks too!" Alfeegi piped and dashed behind Ruwalk. The elf and demon laughed for a good couple of minutes before Rath stood up, holding out an arm for Rune to take, and then helped him out of the maze of shrubbery.

"Raath! Ra-ath!" they turned towards the voice to find that it was Lykouleon, carrying a tray of food. He caught sight of them and ran forward.

"Oh there you are," he smiled, "Tetheus asked me to bring you this."

Rath took the tray of food that was presented to him and Rune lifted an eyebrow, "Why did he ask the Lord to run an errand?"

Lykouleon pouted, "I think he just wanted to get me out of the way because he was having a meeting with the masons and carpenters about rebuilding some of the castle wall and didn't want me to hear and get any possible escape ideas."

Rath laughed, "Maybe the both of us should go and spy on their meeting."

"Ra-ath!" Rune wailed. He was starting to feel lightheaded, "Can we go back?"

"Oh, yeah sure. Plus, I'm hungry now," and with that Rath walked Rune back into the castle, leaving Lykouleon to wander the gardens, absorbed in the problems he was afraid he was going to face soon.

Thatz stepped lightly through the crowded roads of Draqueen. The city was exceptionally busy today. Maybe a little too much for him. He felt kind of guilty that he'd left Rune and Rath behind, but he really just needed some time to chill. He was sure they'd be okay. They were inside the Dragon Castle after all, and there were people there if they needed help.

"Yo, Master!" the salmon-haired knight (okay, I can never remember what color hair Thatz has, but I always imagined his hair to be darkish pink, pink-salmon. If I gave him some other hair color somewhere, please tell me. Bad memory). The elderly bar tender waved his hand in approach. Though elderly looking, this bartender had a lot of energy and life left in him. He also was the best pocket of information in all of Dusis. That was usually the main reason Thatz came by. The other reason was just to talk, exchange info, and have some good wine. That was the reason the earth knight came for today.

"Anything new in your exciting life in the Dragon Tribe?" Master asked complacently. He always had time for his favorite ex-thief.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"So I take it it's not something good."

"Yeah. Rune's sick, and something wrong with Rath too. And I can't help but to feel that something worse is coming, or that I'm missing part of the information. I think Alfeegi and Ruwalk are hiding something too..."

"So the other knights are ill of health?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that's too bad. Although there's been some interesting news circulating that you might want to know about."

"What?" the bartender's tone had held great importance, immediately piquing the young knights interest.

"Well, supposedly, I heard that some Dragon Officer has been wandering around town today. Lost, I heard."

"But all the officers are in the castle..." Thatz frowned, with a puzzled face. Then he snapped his fingers, "Oh yeah! Except Kaistern! He must be back! Well, that should lift everyone's spirits! He was taking too long in coming back," he explained.

"Ah yes."

"Well, he must have been touring a lot of places to be lost in his own home city," Thatz laughed.

"Aha, speaking of touring lots of places, there's some rumors going around you've touring the city at night with a well known lady," Master teased, enjoying Thatz reaction to his comment. A blush crept onto his cheeks, although his carefree nature kept him from looking too sheepish.

"No idea what you're talking about whatsoever."

"Oh, I think you know who I'm talking about. A certain thief who know spends her time working for Lord Lykouleon. Name's Kitchel, should ring a bell."

"Aw man, how did you figure it out? Rumors my butt!"

"Had a sneak preview of what I'm sure is to follow."

"Well, before my private life is further peeked at, I'm gonna look for Kaistern."

"Well, good luck. And don't you dare take advantage of a sweet, innocent girl like Kitchel!" Master called after him.

"Me? I'm not that low! Or at least now without her consent," he added quietly. Then raising his voice, "Kitchel? Sweet and innocent? She has the grip of a python and the hit of a batter! And a book blacker than Rath's!"

Heading out, he dodged and maneuvered his way past the people of the city. Children, elderly, strong young men, dragon fighters off of duty, soldiers, women chatting about the latest gossip, men showing off their strength, fortunetellers chasing after possible customers and the here-and-there shady character that completed the scene of an urban area. Now where could Kaistern be in all this mess?

"Ma'am, have you seen a guy around here? Tall, white hair and light eyes, um, glasses, sometimes, he's uh... probably not the cleanest looking guy, considering how much he's traveled, but, any help there?"

The young lady Thatz had targeted turned around, "Thatz?"

"Oh! Hi Kitchel!" Thatz jumped from surprise, "What are you doing here?"

"Me? Oh, some shopping. Cernozura said she needed some cloth and such. What about you?" the pink haired girl hugged Thatz then kissed the end of his nose as she waited for his answer.

"I'm looking for Kaistern. Master said he'd been spotted around..."

"Oh, so he's back? That's great!"

"Yeah. Help me look for him."

They asked various people his same question, until finally, "Hm... Yes, I've seen a man like that. He headed towards the outside of the city, but there was someone with him. I think..."

"Oh? I wonder who?" Thatz whistled as he headed the way the lady had pointed, Kitchel following behind.

Finally they came to the outskirts of the city, where they asked some guard about the blue officer.

"Oh Kaistern? Yeah, he's back. But he went outside the city walls a little while ago. Up over there, behind those rocks," the guard pointed over a little rock wall. Obviously he was well acquainted with Kaistern, which wasn't surprising, since the officer had to go through this same gate to leave and enter the city. Something he did a lot.

"Thanks!" Kitchel waved.

"Well, he's an idiot. Why isn't he going back to the Dragon Castle instead of coming and leaving the city?"

"Well, maybe Kaistern spent too much money on his trip, and decided to turn back for a while and enjoy his freedom before being clobbered by Alfeegi," Kitchel suggested. Thatz guffawed.

"Yup, that's it," he had no idea how wrong they both were. As they rounded the corner behind the rock wall, they spied a couple flat rocks. On one of them sat Kaistern, looking lost and bewildered.

Behind him, sitting atop another boulder, was Fedelta. Looking quite smug, one could add.

"Kaistern! Behind you, look out!" Thatz yelled, preparing for combat. Kaistern looked up and at the knight, his surprise and bewilderment clearly obvious.

"What are you talking about? He's with me. Who are you?"

GASP! WHAT is Kaistern doing with Fedelta? And why does he not recognize Thatz?

Rune: It's the makeup. It makes Thatz looks like a girl.

Thatz: Not as much as you do!

Rune: Take that back!

Rath; Now children...

Gil-pops in -Has anyone seen Fiji?

Kharl -sipping tea- No my little pet, we haven't. Why?

Gil: Ah... -holds up a broken doll - I kinda ripped her favorite doll to pieces.

Rath: Bad demon!

Kharl: Fiji will be mad.

Alfeegi: Why would I be mad?

Rune: Not Feegi, FIJI

Ruwalk; What's the difference?

Gil: Who knows... I have to find her -walks off- where could she be?

Review to tell Gil where Fiji is... and what she'd gonna do to him! Mwhaha!