A/N: A big thanks to all my reviewers who haven't given up on this story. With all the reviews I'm getting, that must mean I'm doing something right with this plotline. Now, in this chapter, many interesting things will happen, so be ready for the completely unexpected. To add to the chapter, I've thrown in some humor and fluff for your enjoyment.
Disclaimer: I only own the chararcters you don't recognize.
Everything She Ever Wanted: Chapter 7
It was close to sunrise when Nara slipped out unnoticed and well armed. Saddling Rala, Nara made her way towards the Royal Forest, where she knew that some stone ruins of ancient houses lay. That was where Galen had told her the mage was hiding.
Deep in forest, it was quiet, but Nara was on high alert. Thanks to her Rouge training, she could now tell what noises were threatening and which were harmless. She had learned to tell if she was being followed, among other things, and right now, shehad the feelingsomeone was behind her.
Suddenly, she was yanked off her horse, a cloth covered her nose, and a familiar voice whispered, "This isfor your own good, Lady Ice." And then everything went black.
The next thing she knew, she was in her room above the Dove, with Shadow staring down at her. "What were you thinking?" The thief hissed, livid with rage.
"I was going after the man who killed my family!" Nara snapped back, trying to get out of bed. Shadowgently held her down, trying to make sure she didn't hurt herself. She felt woozy from the potion, but that was it. She glared at Shadow.
"I don't need your help!"
"I'm not going to let you go out there and get killed!"
"I can take care of myself!"
"I just want to make sure you're safe!"
"Why? Why does it matter to you that I'm safe?"
"Because I love you!"
Deafening silence filled the air after these words, and Nara stared at Shadow in shock. Had he just said…? Shadow wheeled around, looking for a way out.
"I'm needed downstairs." He mumbled, making a quick exit. Nara sank back on her pillows, her mind whirling. Her heart was aching for vengeance, but her mind was whirling with Shadow's confession. He loved her? Her contemplation was interrupted by Galen bursting into her room, panicked.
"Nara," he panted, "I don't want to scare you, but…" he gasped for breath. "Your thief friend just left."
"What?" Nara yelped, working her way out of bed. "What happened?"
Galen stared at her. "He rushed downstairs, mumbling something about you, and then he rushed out the door." He looked at his sister curiously. "Do you know something I don't?"
Nara shook her head, busy plotting. Maybe she could pull this off. Meanwhile, Galen was still talking. "You know, I don't approve of you running off like that."
"Not now, Galen!" Nara snapped, feeling her nerves fraying. Seeing his hurt expression, she kissed his cheek in way of apology and made her way downstairs. Ignoring the comments from her fellow Rouge, she raced to the yard, where Rala stood, saddled and waiting. Picking up a nearby club, Nara rode after her wayward thieving friend.
Finally catching up with Shadow, Nara snuck up on him, tying Rala to a tree and approaching him from behind. Smacking him soundly on the back of the head with her stolen cudgel, Nara whispered sadly, "This is for your own good, Shadow."
So this is what my sister's like when she's pregnant, Galen mused, grinning down at the sight in front of him. I wish I was there when she was pregnant with Aidan. She must have chased Alex to the Black God's realms and back. Galen mused, grinning down at the sight in front of him
"Are you going to stand there grinning, or are you going to untie me?" Shadow demanded from where he was tied to a tree trunk. He winced as the lump on his head made contact with the bark, and looked up at the mage.
"I need to find Nara," he whispered. "She could be in danger." Galen's grin disappeared, and he quickly untied the thief.
"Come on," he murmured. "I know where she's headed."
Nara approached the ruins carefully. She didn't know what to expect, so she was on high alert. Leaving Rala tied to a nearby tree, Nara quietly made her way to the center of the ruins. The first thing she noticed was the large amount of feathers that lay scattered on the ground. They weren't bird feathers, there were too many different colors. Nara's heart leapt at the amount of large kudarung feathers that lay scattered amongst the close-cropped grass.
Focusing on the task at hand, Nara stood in the middle of the ruins. "Tamal Daray, I have unfinished business with you." She announced to her surroundings, and a deep chuckle responded, bouncing off the aged stone around her.
"Do you really, Lady Nara of Kudarung Falls?" A cold voice asked, making Nara shiver as it sounded from all around her. Suddenly, Nara realized one thing that made her shiver even more: She was up against a mage, but she had no Gift.
The cold voice laughed again, seeming to sense her fears. "But Lady Nara," it mocked, "don't you want to see your friends again?" Hoofbeats sounded, and the next second, Nara was surrounded by kudarung. She knew each color and marking like she knew her own skin, and with a glad cry, she ran towards the nearest mare.
The mare reached out and snapped at her, it's teeth clicking on air, and Nara backed up, puzzled. She studied the mare, and then she realized what was wrong. Looking around, she noticed that all the kudarung had blood-red eyes, instead of the dark tones she knew so well. She shivered again, knowing they had been enchanted.
Suddenly, a shortman appeared before her, glowing with a sickly green aura. His dark eyes showed no emotion, just as hers had a few short months ago. His black hair was wild and was tossing in the breeze, and a cruel smirk decorated his face.
Nara's blood boiled with unabated rage, but she knew she couldn't do anything. She was Giftless, how could she attack him? She braced herself for death, only regretting that her child would never live. Tamal Daray lifted his hands, smirking. This was going to be too easy.
Before he could do anything, however, Galen, Haunt, Lightning, Shadow and a few other Rouge that Nara knew poured into the clearing. Galen's copper magic immediately raced towards Tamal. Haunt, Lightning, and the other Rouge spread out to encircle Nara as Shadow raced to her side.
"What are you doing?" He asked, frantic, trying to pull her away.
"Getting revenge." Nara spat back coldly, wrenching herself out of his hold.
"Kudarung!" The command came from Tamal, who was busy in a mage battle with Galen. The kudarung took to the air, shrieking, their blood-red eyes alight with fire.
A snow white bubble surrounded Nara, Shadow and the others: Haunt was protecting them. Golden Gift surrounded one of the kudarung: Lightning was keeping them hostage. As the Gift surrounded them, a strange thing happened. The Gift began to become redder, and the kudarung's eyes became darker, until a normal kudarung was floating in an orange bubble, safe and alive.
Lightning's strange golden eyes lit up at this, and he repeated the process over and over. Haunt joined in, her white Gift turning pink. The rescued kudarung flew off, confused, while the others fought the Rouge mages.
Galen and Tamal were still locked in battle, green fighting copper, while Shadow and the other Rouge kept the kudarung away with daggers. Somehow, Nara had become separated from the others in the battle, and Tamal spotted this for an instant.
Uttering something in a guttural language, he pointed towards Nara. One of the kudarung that was still under his power leapt to obey, red eyes shining with bloodlust as it bore down on Nara.
There was nothing Nara could do. She tried to duck, but the kudarung followed her. Suddenly, she felt immense pain at her throat, and then she could feel no more.
"Nara!" The cry went up from two throats. Galen detached himself from Tamal, who was already weak, and Shadow stared at Nara, horrified. Haunt and Lightning surrounded the offending kudarung, sucking the magic from it and then letting it go, the mixed magic trailing after it.
Tamal looked on with satisfaction, not caring that all the kudarung had been returned to normal. He had done what he needed to do, and that was enough for him. The next second, he was rammed off his feet and sent flying through the airby a thoroughly enraged Shadow. The thief was silent, and livid with rage as he attacked the mage. Tamal, weakened by his extensive mage fight, had no more energy to defend himself. Shadow drew his dagger, and without remorse, took the mage's life.
Galen crouched by his sister, surveying the damage. The kudarung's teeth had clamped on her throat, nearly killing her. Knowing he didn't have enough Gift left to save her, but knowing he had to try, he laid his hands on the wound, submerging his hands in her blood. The copper light rushed out his body and into the wound, and he immediately started sweating. He didn't have enough energy left from the recent mage fight, but then he was struck with an idea.
He smiled sadly down at his sister, who was barely breathing. "Nara, listen to me." He pleaded, wondering if she could even hear him. "Nara, I'm probably not going to make it."
His skin was turning gray, and he gasped for breath as he continued. "Nara, if you don't marry that thief Shadow, I will come back from the Black God's realm and I will drag you down there with me." Nara's mouth flickered into a smile, and Galen managed a weak smile, as the copper light, now infused with his life force, sewed up her wound.
"I love you Nara." He continued, watching his magic heal her. "You did what you set out to do, and I'm proud of you for that." He gasped for breath, leaned down to kiss her forehead, and pushed the last of his life-force into her.
Haunt felt the life loss through her magic, and as she turned, she gasped. "Shadow!" She called, a strangled sob that made Shadow sprint over, wondering what was wrong. Haunt pointed a shaking finger towards two bodies at the edge of the ruins.
Afraid of what he might find, Shadow slowly walked over to the two. One was Nara, her chest rising and falling, appearing to be asleep. A white scar shone her neck, newly made. Next to her, clutching her hand, was Galen, dead.
A/N: sniffles I hated writing that part! I loved Galen, and I didn't want to get rid of him so soon, but it was necessary for the plot. If I don't get five reviews for this chapter, I won't post the next one forawhile, and you'll just have to wait and see whether Nara wakes up or not! Please review, and no flames!