Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews! I appreciate them. Here's chapter three!

Peter watched the dark line on the horizon get larger and more defined. It was about an hour after dawn, and they were fast approaching what was believed to be the coast of Lorsolum.

Peter had been awakened by the lookout bellowing at the sight of land. Since then, he had stood at the prow of the ship, watching. Willing the ship on.

For some unknown reason, he had a strong desire to get there quickly. A compelling urge to arrive at Lorsolum, that he needed to be there. But as to where it came from, he didn't know.

The ship rocked slightly as they neared the land, the currents bumping into the wooden frame of the vessel. He placed a hand on the railing to brace himself. Turning slightly, he called to a sailor behind him on the deck.

"Go and get the ambassador from Lorsolum. He is needed so we can find our way to port."

The sailor hurried off to find the man. Close to twenty minutes later Hassin appeared, looking groggy and disheveled. Peter gestured for him to join him at the bow.

"I trust you slept well, Ambassador?"

Hassin grunted. Peter just smiled. He turned back to the view ahead of them, and the sandy beaches that were appearing ahead of them.

"Do you recognize any of the landmarks? We are unsure of our exact location."

Hassin squinted and searched the coastline. Finally, he pointed to a large spire of rock that stuck out of the dunes.

"That's Orkellon's Fang. We need to go south of it another few miles, and we will reach the port. And the castle."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe you've told me the name of your kingdom's castle, sir."

At this, Hassin grinned. Peter felt unnerved by his smile, by his perfectly straight, white teeth. And the look in his eyes.

"Blood-Gate"
………………………………...

When Jaselle awoke, the sun had already risen. She sat up slowly. She had dreamt that dream last night, except something was different. While her mother was talking, Jaselle had seen something in the distance. She thought that it might be a lion, but then it had disappeared. She was unsure of its meaning, as was the case in most of her dreams.

She rose from bed, changing into a light blue dress with a gold sash, and padded out of her room. She wasn't wearing anything on her feet, as the entire castle was carpeted in furs. Except for her father's audience hall, which remained unchanged since the castle was built 700 years ago. That was also when it had gotten its name, Blood-Gate.

Jaselle shuddered. She despised that name. Apparently, after the castle was built, the Calormenes had attacked, but had been cut down as they reached the gate. Many had tried to climb the huge gate, and been killed there as well. The blood that had seeped and oozed into the gate had dried there, and the gate was permanently stained crimson. Her mother had fought to get the gates removed, but Jaselle's father had stood with tradition, and so the gates stood for yet another monarchs reign. Jaselle knew that when she took the throne, her and whomever she married, that they would be one of the things to change. One of the many.

She walked into her father's audience hall, where he sat talking to Jaselle's younger brother, Clorin. Clorin was a little over 2 years younger than Jaselle, her only sibling. Her father had taken a liking to him, largely because of the fact that he was a boy. He had been very frustrated when she had been born a girl, and not a boy. Angry, even. At least, that was what he had told her. Her mother would never have told her something like that. Although, she couldn't tell Jaselle anything now…

She walked the length of the hall, ascending the stairs leading to her father's throne.

"Good morning, Father." She stretched up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. He mumbled a reply, then returned to his conversation. Jaselle turned and walked back out of the hall. She mentally told herself to not get upset. So what if he liked Clorin better then her? She didn't mind. She would get over it.

A single tear slid down her cheek.

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