Sorry guys that I haven't been updating. Bear with me until I finish serving my time as a prisoner of boredom.

Chapter 12

It was before dawn when Dom arrived at the gate. He didn't get a good sleep last night, he tossed and turned and blamed himself for leaving Kel alone in a dark corner like that, but how should he knew that someone would kidnap her the first chance his back was turned? He should because Kel was secretly attacked so many times, he should at least be alert.

Mounting up, he took a deep breath to calm his nerve. His horse had sensed his unease and it whined. Dom patted it on the neck, saying smoothing words. Dom didn't want to worry others by telling them that he had made his mind up to go to Golden Lake by himself, so he will have to leave before they do and leave a note in his room.

The sun rose with a gentle morning breath, Dom took a gulp of it and set out on a nearly impossible task with only his sword and Kel's glaive. He figured that once he rescued Kel, she could defend herself with it, which was if she was still conscious and living. Besides, Kel had been kind enough to train him by always dueling him using glaive, so if emergency came; Dom could also protect himself using a glaive.

If Kel was dead by the time he got to her, he will bring her body back for a proper burial. She would always have a part of his heart with her.

A sad smile touched his lips as he thought of Kel and all those time he spent with her. He was sure that he would treasure everything she said and do forever and ever.

Before Dom even knew it, he was galloping towards the North gate in a surprising speed, his horse whined and he creased his speed. They were almost at the gate when another horse and its rider blocked their path. For a minute, Dom thought about charge right into it, then changed his mind all of a sudden. Pulling on the reins, his horse halted with a screech.

"Where do you think you are going in this early hour, Dominant?" Roaul's voice boomed.

"To do a little business in town." Dom lied with out thinking.

Roaul sighed, "Look Dom, everyone knew that you are anxious to find Kel, and everyone feel the same. However, running away from a group to travel to an unknown land by yourself will get you killed!"

Dom's mouth opened and closed, he couldn't think of any good replies.

"Because that everyone shared the same thought as you do, they've already prepared." Roaul went on as if he didn't notice Dom's reaction to his words.

"Where are they?"

"Our search party?" Roaul asked. "They are coming."

As if on the cue, Dom heard horse hooves behind him. He turned around and looked and his mouth gapped open.

Riding toward them was a group of well armed and trained Owns, lead by Lord Wyldon. But Dom recognized that it's his squad. Follow closely behind were about a dozen or so people that Kel consider as 'closer circle of friends'.

"We can't take so many? The empire will lose its best soldiers and fall if we take them." Dom protested.

"Sorry, that's best we can do. We have already cut back about three dozens more people. If we cut more, people will protest and we can never leave." Roaul explained from behind.

"And you are going to take Yuki? Girls? They will squeak at the sight of any blood." Dom protested.

Just as the words left his mouth, he felt a heavy thing landed on his head. For a minute, he saw stars flying around him, singing carols. "Haven't you learnt anything from Kel? She is a girl, she doesn't squeak at sight of any blood. And neither will I. Whether or not that you will accept me, I'm going." Yuki said with confidence.

"Told you to be careful around Yuki." Neal whispered and grinned. For once, he was not his wife's fan's victim.

"I'm so sorry that she is my sister-in-law. Out of all those court ladies, you just have to pick her don't you?" Dom accused.

"I heard that!" Yuki said and another blow hit him across the back. Dom thought he heard some of his bones crack.

"You are wasting daylight, don't stand around and chat, there will be plenty of time to do so once we are on the road. Now get moving!" Lord Wyldon's voice ran out across the group and it was met with a loud cheer.

With that, the company started out at the well built road towards Goldenlake, home of Roaul...and the mysterious killer of Kel's.

Another chapter, this one is quite short and I know that you are all anxious about what would happen. You know, you have to wait to find out.

Don't forget to review! (I hope you guys haven't forgotten me since I didn't update for so long.)

Kisses & Thanks,

Sorceress Shadow Rain