Isn't Tarz cute? I wish Tomora Pierce will include it in her books. He will make a very good villain… or not. I know I haven't updated in a long, long time. Hope nobody forget this…enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 15

"I got straight!" a soldier said.

"No you didn't!" an older man said.

"How did you know?"

"Because you always say that!" the older man laughed along with others.

Why are they so lay back? HOW can they be so lay back? Aren't we going into danger and trouble? How is Kel doing now, is she dead? Dom thought as he paced around the camp.

"Hey Captain Dom, come and join us!" One man said.

"No thanks."

"It's just a game, we won't be betting on anything…"

"No, I think I'll go walk around the camp for a walk instead."

"That's what you did all day during rest period! It's night, so let's have some fun."

Dom gave them a long look. How can they play while Kel is in danger? "No THANKS!"

All the men shut up.

Briskly, Dom walked away with a guilty conscience. Not far from the men, Roaul saw everything. He was worried that Dom will collapse with worry before he reached Goldenlake. So he went after Dom.

"Hey, Dom, want to practice with me? You know, since Kel was first attacked, she cannot be my practice target anymore…and I've been using you. To tell you the truth, you are pretty good, no worse than my ex squire I dare to say!"

"No." Dom sighed. "I'm just not in the mood to joke around like that."

"No, you are ALWAYS in the mood for my practices!" Roaul said and he half carried and half dragged Dom into an open space.

"I said let go…please. I can't concentrate today. I might get hurt!"

"Tsk, tsk…that doesn't sound too brave to me… are you scared? A big man like you and me shouldn't fear death. Besides, I'm not that cruel. We will be using sticks than real swords."

Dom turned his face away because it was flushed with shame. Why did I say that? That will only make me look stupider!

"Come on…" Roaul tossed a stick as thick as his palm and as heavy as gold. "Let's have a duel with this, my idiotic pupil!"

"Bring it on…and who the heck was or is your pupil?" Dom was getting mad.

"Oh ho…my mistake. Then Loverboy, if you want to kiss Kel one more time or even get married…you will need my permission!"

"Oh? And who wants your permission?"

Dom was on his feet…flying at Roaul with full force.

"Hey, not bad! But I'm sure Kel will want my permission."

Whack! Whack!

"Yeah right. If that's going to happen, we better save Kel first."

Whack!

"Naturally, you are right. (Give me respect!) So, believe in Kel to survive…believe that she is alive and well."

"I can't. There is almost no chance that she will be alive. It's natural for someone like me to worry about her."

"But it is unnatural for someone like you to be so worrisome. I thought your face is going to crack from that frown all day!"

Thud!

"Ouch!" Exclaimed Dom. "Can you be gentler? That stick is solid and my head… unfortunately… is not!"

"It's not me, but you. You have to get your guards up and stop worrying about Kel or I'll knock you out and sent you back in a wrapped and sealed package!"

"What did I do to deserve that? Why sent me?"

"Because you are unfit for this mission!"

"No…Way!" Dom picked himself up again and this time, he circled around him.

"Yes…and I'm going to replace you too if you keep sulking and worrying!"

"That's…"

Whack!

"…not…"

Whack! Whack!

"…gonna happen!"

Whack! Thud.

Roaul lost balance and fell heavily on his back. "Not bad…not bad at all. Look at you, you are huffing and puffing from this little exercise. How do you expect to fight a battle for four or more hours straight. If you stop, you will get killed. Man, I thought I was out of shape!"

"I…know that!" Dom's still trying to catch his breath.

"You are dismissed for today. But do think about what I told you. You have exactly half a day to pull yourself together. No more and no less." Roaul stood up. "And let Neal look at your goose egg on your head, it's starting to bleed heavily."

Roaul turned and disappeared among all the tents, leaving Dom standing and looking at his lowered stick.

Nearby, Wyldon saw and heard everything. He smiled to himself. Dom's not a bad kid. He knows how to pick himself up! And he will.

Like it? Anyways, I want to ask if you like Wyldon or not. Please respond…Don't ask, it's just a crazy notion.

Love&Kisses,

Sorceress Shadow Rain.