I'm glad everyone enjoyed the last chapter- the gravy seemed to be a big success. Well, here goes with the 20th chapter…Wow, 20 chapters already?

This one isn't as long as the other before it, but is still about 900 or so words. Enjoy! (I might edit the first few chapters so they're a bit longer, what do you think?)

Disclaimer is as always; if you don't know what it is, read the other chapters please…

Chapter Twenty :Tweets, Monsoon and Mud

Recap: "I'll race you all to the woods!" The words had hardly left Neal's mouth before he had sped off, leaving a dust cloud behind him. This was going to be one unusual experience, that's for sure.

Tweet. Tweet. Rustle. Snarl. Twe-. Burp.

Those were the incessant sounds that greeted the company in the 'wood.' Although the only thing it had in common with a wood is that you're surrounded by trees- everywhere. Other than that, it was the complete opposite.

It felt like they had been travelling for days, weeks even, when in fact they'd only been travelling for three and a half minutes. They say time flies when you're having fun, but Neal found that time actually slows down when you're scared witless and bored to death. Or at least gives a terrific illusion of doing so.

"Are we there yet?" Numair was the only one who was able to tell the time by the whereabouts of the sun in the sky, so he was the one who was getting frequently pestered by Neal. He would have been able to tell how long they'd been there, but it seemed that the 'trees' were purposely annoying them by blocking the sun out, along with all the light too. Luckily, Alanna jumped in to answer.

"No Neal, for the three hundred and forty eighth time, we're not there just yet."

"You're been counting?"

"Only after the first hundred or so, yes."

"I didn't know you could count Alanna." Neal began to get on everyone's nerves, especially Alanna, who had already threatened to leave him here alone five times.

They rode in pairs, Alanna and George, Numair and Dom, and Neal trailing behind paired with Peachblossom. The king had insisted they brought along a horse for Kel, so she burdened no one's riding. Sadly every other horse in the stables had been injured in some sort of stable collapse. Neal was still oblivious to who caused it. Not surprisingly, Peachblossom wasn't much of a talker, but that was fine, Neal did all the talking instead.

"I think we're in the wrong place." Neal shouted all the way to Numair, who was leading at the front, but soon dropped back to ask why.

"Why is that?"

"Because I was under the impression that this was going to be a wood- you know, owls hooting, rabbits frolicking, and general tranquillity."

"Whoever told you that?"

"Well no-one as such, but when I imagine a wood-"

"This is a lot worse than you can imagine."

"Yes, I can see that now. What is this forest thing anyways?"

"I don't know." Interrupted Dom, "But it sure is damp and rainy."

"I believe it's called a Rainforest guys." Numair seemed to be the only one who was able to see sense in this place.

"Really? Well what an ingenious name. The person who came up with that must have some imagination. Though I suppose they should be dead proud, emphasis on the dead, it really captures the true essence of the place. Rainy; and a forest. How bloody brilliant for us." Neal rolled his eyes, just so they could see the actual meaning behind those words, as if his sarcastic tone wasn't enough.

"There's no need for that sort of talk boys." Alanna cut in, taking on the role of mother as she was the only woman in the group, it also made her feel sort of superior. She liked the feeling.

"What tone? Grumpy and miserable?"

"Yes, that's exactly my point- I mean, things could be worse.

A chorus of 'No!' and 'Please say I was hearing things.' Echoed around the group, much to Alanna confused dismay. "What did I say wrong?"

"Alanna, you never, ever say that."

"Say what George?"

"That things could get worse- o heck, now look what you made me say lass. When you say 'that phrase that I just said' bad things always happen…"

"Just don't say it again…" Numair looked worried, it had to be serious.

"Say 'that phrase I just said'?"

"No, that things could get worse."

"Neal!"

"Damn."

Out of nowhere, a monsoon appeared, and if getting them all drenched and making them continue with soggy clothes wasn't enough, the dirt had turned to a muddy soup, causing them to walk by the horses.

"Well, at least we got that over and done with…" George was always optimistic.

Numair, on the other hand took the more logical approach. "Doesn't that only count bad luck for two of the sayings? What about the third?"

"Third? But didn't we only say it twice?"

"No, Alanna said it, then George did, and finally Neal. That's three."

"Say what?"

"We're not going through this again Dom. They said the phrase."

"Which phrase?"

"That things could get… the opposite of good. There, I avoided saying it."

"What's the opposite of good? Bad? Things could get bad- that doesn't sound right. What's another word for bad?"

Everyone tried not to answer, ignoring Dom altogether worked quite well, but Numair broke- he couldn't leave a question unanswered, it just wasn't right. "Worse. The word you're looking for is worse."

Everyone gasped and held their breath at the same time, hoping he wouldn't repeat the whole phrase and curse them for the fourth time in less than ten minutes.

"Why have you guys stopped breathing? Is the air poisonous? What good friends you are! The air is deadly and you don't even tell me to stop breathin-"

"No Dom, we were just waiting for you to say the phrase out loud."

"Why would I do that? I'm not stupid Alanna…" Everyone started to breathe again, but stopped abruptly. There was a series of howls and grunts coming from behind them.

"Uh-oh, I think we've found what that third curse has done. It doesn't sound pretty though."

"And the monsoon and mud was pretty?"

"Compared to what these sound like George, yes, I'd say they were pretty."

"Would you call me pretty George?"

"Yes of course I would Alanna, you're my wife."

"So you're saying if I wasn't your wife you wouldn't call me pretty?" George had really stepped in it this time.

"No, of course not, I think you're extremely pretty."

"Pretty as in mud and rain, or pretty as in how everyone else thinks pretty is?"

"Er, the second one."

"Good choice."

Grunt. Howl. Snarl. Growl.

Alanna suddenly realised where she was, "Ah, forgot about them for a minute there. Well why is everyone standing around? Get out your swords men!" They all looked down with raised eyebrows. "Not those! You guys are sick, you're metal swords- the one to slash and stab with, since I have a feeling we'll need them."