Rath returned from the field, he was tired from the long day of preparing for his secret mission. He had spent the day with his dozen special ops soldiers. None but the king knew of their mission, too risky that word would get out. So he worked secretly.

Entering the castle he moved silently through the corridors towards his room. He planned to clean up before he went to eat dinner with the royal family.

"Rath?" At the sound of the voice behind him he turned and smiled at his old friend. Zan stood there with not a hair out of place. He held a book of some type in his hand. Rath had not had time to read anything in weeks.

"Zan."

"I have been looking for you. I want to go to the hunting lodge for a few days. I wanted you to come along." Zan was smiling and Rath wished he could, since Rath's new responcibilities as General had taken more of his time. He missed those days, but everyone had to grow up. Lately his thoughts had turned from sports, battles and hanging with his friends, to something more important. That something was a certain girl.

"I wish I could Zan, but I am busy training our new special forces. Your father asked me to hand pick and train them. I have to prove to your father that he made the right choice for General."

Zan looked at him seeing the changes in his friend. Maybe they could do it next month. "Does my father know that you are also training Vilandra as a warrior?"

Rath's eyes twinkled as he heard her name. "You know your sister gets what she wants. Since she is not the heir he didn't mind." Then putting his hand on his friends shoulder, "Don't worry Zan, I wont let anything happen to her. I'll keep her close to me if there is trouble."

"I worry about her. I just don't understand her wanting to be a warrior."

"I guess I should be watching her, she might want my job."

Zan laughed at the thought. "General Vilandra! Well let's hope she doesn't get that idea in her head." Rath was smiling. He had not had time to train her in the past two weeks. He had to keep her in the dark about what he was planning.

'I'll see you later Zan, I have to clean up before dinner. I am hungry."

"I hear one of the cooks has made your favorite pie. It's up in your room."

"What can I say, the girls can't resist me. You know I am too busy with my career for any lady."

"Hey if I have to settle down, you should too. Maybe Vilandra can be matched up too. A triple wedding."

He didn't notice when Rath paled, as he fought to hide his feelings from his best friend. He couldn't stand that idea. Of her being with anyone else. He ran a hand through his hair, and glanced around the large hall.

"Vilandra doesn't seem to be interested in getting married, and I'm not either. But I will come to your wedding."

"Just for that maybe I will talk to my father. Match you and Vilandra up." His smile devilish as he poked his friend in the shoulder. "Serve you both right."

Rath turned and walked away with a thoughtful look on his face.

Rath was in his room just finished dressing for the evening meal. He would have maybe two more days before they left, and perhaps they wouldn't return. He knew the risks, and he knew it was his duty to lay his life on the line for King and planet. To keep them all safe, and... her.

He could not let anything happen to her. He would return and then he would talk to her. It was time to see if she might care about him. He walked out his apartment and into the corridor walking with the cocky confidence he was known for. Down one corridor and then more until he came to the dining room.

Rath stopped inside the doorway, seeing the servants moving about the room, the royal family were there sitting and talking. Soft brown eyes turned and glanced at him before she turned away again to talk to her mother. Rath walked in and took his seat beside Zan who turned to him.

"Evening General, I hope you worked those boys hard today." The king was smiling at him, and there was something in his eyes that told him, he didn't just want to know that."

"Yes your majesty, the unit is doing very well. You will be proud of them. They should be ready for anything within a few more days."

The king nodded at him, understanding the unspoken answer. Rath watched the servants begin to serve them, and he knew some of the other high officers and dignitaries didn't like that he was welcome here. He didn't have time for their jealousy or their unfounded opinions. Hard work had brought him his rank, and he had been the childhood playmate of the royal kids. His parents friends of the King and Queen.