A/N: Yo, chapter seventeen's in the heezy (at least, that's how Jake would say it). Anyway, sorry I didn't have time to reply to all the reviews last night, but I will now. (Oh, by the way: You know how I told you about the whole "power failure" thing? Well, when the power went out, me and my friend Felicia were just about asleep in the living room when the alarm system went wacko! I freaked!) Anyway, at the bottom are the replies to the many, many reviews I've received. (By the way, thanks for those)

Well, I guess without further ado, here's chapter 17, entitled "A Chat With Huntsman". Hope you enjoy.

Choices

Chapter Seventeen

I shivered violently as I was led through the dark, damp corridor. It was not so much as cold, but also anticipation, dread, and—even though I didn't want to admit it—fear.

"Scared, boy?" sneered the Huntsman.

"No!" I replied indignantly, determined not to let my true feelings shows. In fact, I tried to be, erm, somewhat, annoying. "No way, dude. I…just think you need to get your thermostat fixed. It's…cold."

"Ah, I will have someone attend to it immediately," Huntsman said, seeming somewhat amused. "You may not be afraid now, boy, but just you wait. Your, ah, situation is inescapable, and your fate inevitable."

"Not quite," I said, as we took a left into another corridor, this one darker than the last. We seemed to be moving into the heart of the Huntsclan. I guess that's where the ritual takes place.

"How do you mean? Huntsgirl has given me her solemn oath that she will not free you."

"Well, Rose may be outta the picture, but Gramps will be here to save me."

"Forget it, boy. The Huntslair is absolutely undetectable, reinforced by our 'dark magic'. And if the old man did, by sheer luck, of course, find it, the only way he would be able to enter would be if he was with or part of the Huntsclan. Face it boy—your fate is sealed."

"But why?" Finally, my curiosity got the better of me. "I mean, why this huge 'ceremony'? Why 11:15?" And although I didn't dare say it aloud, I was thinking, Why me?

Huntsman eyed me suspiciously. "Why?"

"I…just want to know."

"Curiosity killed the griffin, remember?" He snickered evilly. "No, wait, that was me. Anywho, all your questions should be answered at the ceremony, will you shall be the…guest of honor, boy."

He waved a gloved hand at the tow members of the clan that had been holding my arms tightly so I wouldn't escape. At their master's motion, however, they let go instantly, and set to the task of opening the large, molding, wooden door we had stopped at. While they did this, I weighed my chances of escape. No one was holding on to me, yet my hands were still tied. But that wouldn't slow down my running, would it? Should I make a break for it?

I decided to take a chance, and turned and got ready to run for my life when Huntsman looked away, however; before I had a chance to run away, the sharp point of a Huntstick was pressed into my back.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed.

"Walk forward," my foe ordered, jabbing me severely in the back once more.

I reluctantly walked into a large room that seemed to hold an uncanny sense of foreboding. It was a large dome; the walls, ceiling, and floor made of dark stone. The rounded walls were lined with stands, where hundreds of Huntsclan members sat, silent as the grave (ironic choice of words, no?). In the center of the room was a giant podium with a large stone tablet sitting atop it, strange letters and markings carved into its surface.

Behind that was a tall, thick stone pole, with the same markings as was on the tablet.

"The post of doom," Huntsman whispered sinisterly in my ear. I gulped. I was forced to walk to the "post of doom". I struggled, but was unable to stop them from tying me to it with a long length of sphinx hair rope.

Huntsman then stepped up to the podium. "Welcome, Huntsclan," he said. "I have called this meeting because we have a very special guest in our midst." He chuckled softly. "That's right. The American Dragon." All eyes were on me. Now, usually, I love to be the center of attention (ask Professor Rotwood). But today was different. "Or," continued Huntsman, "Jake Long."

Huntsman's red eyes burned eagerly, almost gleefully. "Soon, the Prophecy of Draconiana will be fulfilled, our arch-nemesis destroyed, and the curse lifted from upon us.

I frowned. Curse? Prophecy? What was that all about?

I had no time to ponder on that, at least at the moment, for Huntsman's voice filled the room once more. "The ritual shall begin now."

A/N: Well, there it was. How did you like it? I will probably be able to update tomorrow...if I can make myself get up at like, 5am. I dunno. If not, I will probably have to wait until Tuesday, because after school I have to go to The Boys and Girls Club (my mom works there), and then to drama. We're putting on "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Anyway, my point is, if I don't end up updating tomorrow, I've not been abducted by aliens, so don't stop reading...or reviewing. Thanks. Please continue to read and review...but for now, time for me to get a little shut eye.

~Emachinescat ^..^

Review Replies

To snowboarder9: I'm glad u liked it. "'Tis half after ten" merely means "It's 10:30" Sorry about that. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter too. -EMcat

To epobbp: Yes, you're right. Sorry, I made a mistake. A quarter past 11 is 11:15, not 11:25. Sorry. Anyway, I hope you like it. -EMcat

To EvilAngelOfDarkness: I'm glad u like it. Thanks for the review. I hope you like chapter 17 too. -EMcat

To Fuddog: I'm glad u liked it. Yah, Victor sure was "being nice" hee hee. Anyway, I thought that it would build a little suspense and surprise the reader about the whole "I trusted you" thing. I'm glad u liked it, and I hope you like 17 just as much. -EMcat

To Worker72: I'm glad u like it. You know, one of the things I really like about reading your reviews is that you really notice things, and you have great theories, and you give awesome advice. You don't seem to miss a thing! I love it! Thanks, EMcat.

To YFWE: I'm glad u liked it. I know the chapters are sorta short. Oh, by the way, I loved your fan-fic "The Burger King Adventure". I loved it so much! It was awesome! I have a theory about the Starburst: A squirrel stole it. Who knows? Anyway, may the force be with you, and your pet fish. Peace out EMcat.

To AmericanDragonFan: I'm glad u liked it. Yeah, poor Jake and Rose. Thanks for the review. Love, EMcat.