very long chapter... horray!

read it till the very end... PLEASE AND THANK YOUS

thank you all reviewers...

Knights of Ne- nope Jzet is not a seer... she just has funny dreams.. thanks for reviewing...

On Top of Cloud9- you are so oh to kind

sirladyknight- your wish is granted... I didn't want jzet and rae to hook up anyway... sorry guys... don't worry the Shang fox will return but maybe not in a good way

wave bender- I am truly honored to be the author of the first story you reviewed... thanks for liking it...

Rose 0- thanks for reviewing... I thank you for your views...

jamie lynn ()- sorry I'm evil... but you again are way to kind... lol... but I don't mind that!

maliphire- thanks! )

nativewildmage- yeah Neal is not off the hook, but we'll see as time goes on...thanks for liking this chapter... I try hard to please everyone... oo when are you coming out with your sequel to next generation squires... I can't wait... I check like every day to see if it's posted... don't leave me hanging!

Pesche- I'll take your thoughts into consideration... but nothing can be promised... P

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything which is very sad... tammy owns everything... maybe one day I will own something.. I'll let you know when...

Todays date is August 29th... sorry random... and today is the start of hell week... for all soccer players... if you are a soccer player I wish you luck in whatever crazy ordeals your coaches throw at you... because I to feel your pain...

hell week 05' let the pain begin

here's a happy im convo I had with my pal Bridget... (name of coaches changed.. and no I didn't give you my sn or hers)

me: i'm going to feel the burn tomorrow
me:coach isgoing to make us run
me:til we die
Bridget: oh ill prolly feel it the next day
me: wahh!
me: sorry strong emotions

now good luck reading this long chapter... -caiti-

Jzet walked quickly down to the practice courts. She wanted to do a little Shang training before the camping trip tomorrow.

She practiced for a little when she heard someone say:

"I knew I would find you out here." Jzet looked over to the fence where Rae was sitting.

"What do you want now?" Jzet retorted.

"That's no way to talk to your teacher missy." teased Rae. Jzet walked over to the fence and shoved Rae causing him to fall off.

"Some teacher you are." muttered Jzet and then asked sweetly. "You seem in a bit of a mix Rae, need a hand up?"

"That would be nice." he mumbled looking embarrassed. She offered him her hand and he took it. Suddenly Jzet found herself on the ground too.

"I'm going to kill you for that." Jzet said as Rae began to run away. Jzet got up in a flash and began chasing the Shang. Rae was pretty fast, but she was faster and tackled him to the ground.

"Mithros girl what do you have in your veins, horse blood?" Rae asked brushing the dirt off his tunic. Jzet laughed.

"Good guess teacher." she said feeling giddy. Soon silence was in the air.

"So I heard you pages are going on a little camping trip tomorrow." said Rae casually.

"Yeah, so, are you going?" she asked sitting on the fence.

"Nope I have business to attend to." he explained. He then spotted Jzet's look of worry on her face. "And no I'm not going to leave you."

"Really?" asked Jzet meeting Rae's gaze squarely.

"I wouldn't leave you for the world." Rae said. Jzet eyed him suspiciously and was about to say something nice, but remembered what Faris said two weeks ago.

'"Let me guess he called you a little slut." sneered Faris. "Well he's telling the truth. You probably sleep with all our teachers so you can stay here."

"Well I better get going." said Jzet abruptly. She was about to run off when she noticed Rae held her arm pulling her back.

"Jzet what's wrong?" he asked firmly.

"Nothings wrong Rae now let go of me!" she snapped. She turned and was beginning to walk away when Rae shouted:

"Jzet wait!"

"Sorry Rae I need to start treating you more like a teacher and less like a friend." said Jzet bluntly. "Now good night to you," She stormed out of the practice courts biting her lip to keep herself from crying.

She passed Faris on her way to her rooms and yelled at him:

"You always have to ruin things don't you! Just leave me alone!" She left Faris dumbfounded in the hallway as she ran to her room and slammed the door behind her.

She then slumped against her door and began to cry.

This is all wrong. She thought. All I want to do is be his friend.

People will say things if you two start hanging out. Her more sensible side argued.

So what I need him!

No you don't you have your friends and your cousin.

He's the only one who understands about what I have to deal with.

That's nonsense Cole and Kearney know as well.

They are both naïve in the subject of the Shang. They just both know my secret. They don't know how much pressure I'm under. How I have to hide myself from the world along with my abilities.

So what they both still are good friends. You can tell them about it. They'll understand.

But Rae is the only one who knows what I can do when I'm in combat. He knows how much destruction I can cause if I used my abilities during my page training. He knows how I have to hide them and how hard it is to.

So what he knows how you feel? But do you want to be called a slut all the time by Luke and his friends. Is Rae's friendship worth all that pain?

I don't know if I feel friendship when I'm around him.

Then what do you feel?

I think I might love him.

Friendship is bad enough. Being his lover is exactly what Faris said two weeks ago. Kissing your teachers isn't a good thing Jzet!

But he's only two years older than me! He's the only one that's around my age that I know in this palace.

What about Michael?

What do you mean what about Michael?

He's your age Jzet and he seems to have a soft spot for you.

He does not have a soft spot for me!

Oh you can't deny it Jzet he made sure you didn't get in trouble with the brawl and he was there for you when the Shang Hawk left. He was upset when you were crying over the Shang Hawk.

So what? I have no feelings for Michael what so ever.

Ok fine then. What about that dream Jzet? I think it will happen soon.

How do you know?

Well let's see Michael and you were in the woods at the time and you are going camping. And plus Michael will never go on any trips with the pages after this one. He'll be a squire in the spring.

He could be older in the dream.

No way he was definitely your age at that time.

You are probably right. But I'll conclude that I have no feelings for Michael what so ever. And plus what would people say if I was with him?

It probably wouldn't be as bad if you were kissing one of your teachers.

A knock on her door brought her back to reality. She opened it slowly to see Prince Jonathan standing outside.

"Um hello your majesty how may I help you?" Jzet asked wiping her eyes. She was blushing a deep red color.

"I heard you screaming at Faris." he said solemnly.

"Oh that I was just having a little disagreement with him." said Jzet keeping her face smooth as stone and her emotions secure behind her Yamani mask.

"Jzet-" Prince Jonathan began.

"I am quite exhausted your majesty." said Jzet sharply. "I need sleep for tomorrow's trip."

"Fine, but I just want you to know your friends are here for you no matter what." he said. Jzet bowed to her prince and then closed the door behind him.

Jzet then went over to her basin and splashed water over her face.

Get a hold of yourself Jzet. She thought shaking her head.

She tried to get to sleep, but failed in doing so. Instead she light a candle and began to read. She did this for fifteen minutes until she grew restless and decided to go for a walk.

She slipped out of her room making sure no one was in the hallway. She then made her way outside cautiously.

She found herself a half an hour later sitting down next to an old oak tree looking up into the starry night sky.

She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply taking in her peaceful surroundings.

She then spotted a dark figure coming closer to her. She stood up warily trying to make out who was coming closer to her.

"Jzet?" Someone called out in the shadows.

"Aye." Jzet said warily. A gold light shone swallowing the darkness around her. It was only Audrey.

"Can I sit down?" Audrey asked slowly.

"Sure go ahead." said Jzet leaning against the tree. "But first put that blasted light out someone might see us and report us to the Rattler." A grunt of acknowledgement was Jzet's answer and the dimming of Audrey's gift.

"So what's up with you?" Jzet asked breaking the peaceful silence.

"Why do you want to become a knight?" Audrey asked not looking at Jzet, but instead into the night sky that was light by so many stars.

"I want to help people." Jzet said truthfully. "I don't want people to suffer in front of me like so many of my friends did. I want people to be at ease when I'm around because they'll know I will protect them with every last breath in my body." Jzet added referring to the fire that claimed many lives four years ago.

"Oh sounds exciting." Audrey said almost dreamily.

"Why do want to become a knight?" Jzet asked out of curiosity.

"I want to do great deeds and become a legend." said Audrey. "I would be famous Jzet. No one would care if I was a girl if I did something amazing. And plus I would finally be out of the shadow of Michael. My parents will finally love me more." A frown seeped through Jzet's Yamani mask.

"Audrey believe me, your parents love you no matter who and what you are." Jzet put in firmly. "You will make your parents very proud even if you don't do great deeds."

"I'm very lucky to have you Jzet." Audrey said hugging her. "You always make things right. You're like the older sister I never had." Jzet couldn't help but smile at the younger girl.

"I believe that was the kindest thing I was ever told before Audrey." said Jzet. "So anything else on your mind you need to talk about."

"Yes, I think I might have a crush on Cole."

Oh no here we go again. Jzet thought. I guess I'm not the only love sick page at the palace tonight.

The next morning Jzet rose before dawn along with her fellow pages and made her way to the stables with Kearney and Audrey in tow.

"Are you excited Audrey?" Kearney asked as they walked into the stables.

"Oh believe me Kearney I can't wait." said the newly turned eleven year old. "I never went camping before so this will be my first time."

"Same here," Kearney put in.

"Oh I can't wait either." added Jzet sarcastically. "I can't wait to be bitten by bugs, attacked by wild life, and trudge up and down undiscovered lands."

"For a second there Jzet I thought you were being sarcastic." said Kearney saddling up his horse Blue Moon. Jzet smacked her forehead along with Audrey.

"Well you were right dimwit I was being sarcastic." said Jzet opening up the stall of her horse, Tonisha who was lazily nibbling on the oats that were put out for her.

"Well you sure fooled me." Kearney said aimlessly. Jzet heard a groan in the next stall belonging to Audrey.

A few minutes went past and the stables were filled with pages looking eager for the days riding.

An hour later they were on the road heading north towards Golden Lake.

The minutes and hours went by quickly for Jzet as she traveled upon Tonisha's back. She thought about the night before and the talk with Audrey. Her thoughts also wandered to her dream she had during the summer and found herself looking at Michael.

She rode ahead near Cole and Nolan for a while and then dropped back to join Audrey and Kearney who were at the back of the pack.

"Jzet why were you so mad at Faris last night?" Audrey asked she didn't look anxious, but Jzet could see the anxiety in her eyes.

"He just said some hurtful things to me." explained Jzet. "But I'm ok now." Jzet added reassuringly seeing the angry looks on her friends faces,

They went on to discuss more about the trip and midwinter. Jzet finally grew bored and rode ahead to leave her to small friends to talk.

"Hey Jzet," Jzet looked to her left to see Prince Jonathan.

"Hello your highness," Jzet said politely.

"Please call me Johnny, I don't like formalities." begged the prince. Jzet just grinned.

"No way your highness my father has taught me well." said Jzet pompously. She then remembered she hadn't heard or wrote to her father since she apologized to him for Chuck. A wave of guilt and pain hit her. She still was mad at her father for Chuck even though she had apologized to him almost a month before.

"Is Faris still bothering you?" asked Prince Jonathan giving up on the name thing.

"No," Jzet admitted. "Not one bit."

"Oh," said the prince softly. "I was willing to kick his butt for you."

"I'm so grateful your highness I have you as a friend." said Jzet sarcastically. "Without you I would have to kick his butt myself." Prince Jonathan laughed along with Jzet.

Fivedays and many bug bites later the pages finally reached their designated camping site. It was midday and the sun was high in the sky as the pages started setting up their camp.

Jzet and Audrey shared their own tent since their wasn't any female teachers. Lord Padarig gave them a whole lecture on being responsible and how they were to earn trust starting with this camping trip. Jzet basically shrugged off the lecture and got back to work pitching her tent with Audrey.

They were done before all the boys so Lord Padarig assigned them to gather wood for a campfire. It was tedious work, but they finally finished it with help from Benson of Fenrigh.

"Good work Queenscove, Fenrigh, King's Reach." said the Rattler nodding his head acknowledging them. "Now I sent the others to scout out the land. You run along and join them while I discuss things with Sergeant Torin." Jzet and the other two pages bowed to the training master and then scurried into the forest relieved to leave his presence.

"Well, shall we climb that tree to make a map?" Benson asked pointing to a sturdy looking maple tree. He ignored Audrey's startled look when he mentioned the words climb and tree.

"Sure," said Jzet grinning maliciously at Audrey who growled.

"Eww my hands are all sappy." complained Audrey as they began climbing a tree to scout out the area.

"Ah put a sock in it." Benson retorted. He was farther ahead than Jzet and Audrey and sat on a branch scribbling on a piece of parchment.

"If I wasn't so afraid of heights I would strangle you right now Ben!" Audrey shot back. Jzet could see the sweat forming on the girl's forehead and hands even though she was a few branches ahead of her.

"Just worry about getting up there before you fulfill any death threats." advised Jzet now situating herself on a branch bellow Ben. She began tracing out the area from the rocks, to the ditches, and to the rivers.

An hour later they had all descended to the tree and passed their maps around. Audrey's was the worst because she didn't draw much. Jzet's was ok except for the smudge marks. But Ben's was the best out of them all. It was absolutely perfect down to the last tree. Later, as they made their way back to camp Jzet could hear Audrey mumbling 'show off'.

For the next week and a half the pages were busy having fun and learning new wilderness skills. Jzet soon forgot her dream and Rae all together.

The sun was almost set over the horizon as Jzet sat on a log and listened to the sounds of the forest it was their second to last day at camp which put her in a melancholy mood

All the teachers, including Lord Padarig, and some hand selected pages were off on a hunting trip. AndJzet was set to be in charge of the camp while they were gone since she was the oldest and most responsible. Her first order was sending Michael and Dewitt of Disart off into the woods to gather firewood. They were gone for an hour now and Jzet and the others waited for their return so they could have the warmth of a fire.

Suddenly an uproar started as Dewitt stumbled into their camp looking like he had just been beaten several times.

Jzet was the first to reach him.

"What happened Disart and where's Michael?" Jzet demanded. Jzet looked deeply into Dewitt's glazed cobalt blue eyes. She could see the fear and pain inside them.

"We were separated after we crossed the path of a hungry mother bear, her mate, and two cubs. We decided to split up and I haven't seen Michael since." Dewitt said his voice raspy and dry. Someone supplied Dewitt with their water flask before Jzet could snap at them. Dewitt drank until the flask was empty.

"Here let me heal your cuts and bruises." said Jzet her finger tips now growing emerald green. Dewitt pushed her hand away.

"No you save your magic for Michael I'll be healed by someone else." said Dewitt nobly. Jzet knew he was right and handed him over to Audrey for some healing.

Jzet got up and rubbed her temples. She knew what she must do.

She grabbed a spear off the ground and was about to stalk into the forest after Michael when someone grabbed her by the arm.

"You can't go without us." said Cole flatly, Kearney standing beside him spear in hand.

"No, you have to stay here with the others. I'll get in enough trouble." said Jzet firmly. "It would make no sense in you two getting in trouble too." Cole nodded understandingly. Kearney just stood there still looking eager.

"Kearney go back, now!" Jzet ordered losing her patience with him. She watched as Cole silently dragged her young friend away despite his protests.

Jzet then stepped into the forest and began to search. She stumbled deeper and deeper into the forest as it grew darker. After two hours of reckless searching she felt like giving up and going back to camp.

Suddenly she found herself face-to- face with a large black bear. She screamed in fright as the bear growled. Jzet took off to her right narrowly dodging the bear's swipes.

She ran for her life occasionally feeling sharp thorns pierce her face and hands. She looked down and saw that her plain white tunic was covered in blood stains. She cursed and then suddenly became aware of a ditch that lay before her. One quick step saved her from falling in.

She then looked down after wiping her forehead of sweat. To her horror Michael lay in the ditch his nose bleeding, his tunic was covered in even more blood than hers, and his breeches were ripped at the knees.

Jzet acted quickly sliding down the ditch. She coughed as dirt flew up in her face also causing her cuts to sting. As she ran up to Michael she gasped.

This is my dream in reality! Jzet thought as her finger tips turned emerald green. She pressed her head against Michael's chest to check his breathing and heartbeat. He was breathing slow and steady to Jzet's relief.

Jzet began to heal Michael's cuts and bruises first starting with Michael's bloody nose. She suddenly felt very alone and helpless, as she began to heal Michael's bruise on his arm. Her Yamani mask broke and tears began rolling down her face which was covered in dirt and blood.

"I'm being silly." she mumbled wiping her eyes and finished patching up Michael.

Suddenly Michael's eyes opened to Jzet's great relief.

"Jzet, I knew you would come for me." he croaked. "I need water." She opened up her flask and helped Michael shove the water down his bone dry throat.

Before she could say anything more she heard the shouting of men and barking of dogs.

"Do you think it could be them?" Michael asked referring to Lord Padarig and their fellow pages. Jzet shook her head remembering what happened next in her dream.

"No they're speaking a different tongue than ours." said Jzet as she listened silently. "They are speaking Carthakian.

"We need to hide." she concluded wiping the sweat off her forehead. The healing had drained her a lot.

"I can't walk Jzet, you have to leave me and save yourself." said the boy. Now tears were falling from his eyes. Jzet grunted. She didn't like when others cried in her presence.

"Nonsense, I would never leave you." she said trying to comfort him. "We'll hide in the ditch. It's dark now. They might not even see us." She felt uncertain.

"Or we can hide in the bush over there." said Michael pointing to a large bush at the edge of the ditch. Jzet nodded in agreement. Michael tried to get up, but he fell right back down. "I can't walk. You'll have to carry me." Jzet's eyebrows almost touched her hair line. She didn't feel comfortable carrying Michael, but got up quickly anyway and swung him over her shoulders.

Her bones felt like they were on fire and they protested every little stepshe made as she carried Michael across the ditch. Finally when they were safely behind the bush Jzet collapsed, exhausted.

"If we make this out alive I will carry you up the palace wall." joked Michael. Jzet was too tired to respond and instead sighed.

It seemed like they waited hours for the men to come up to their hiding space even though it was only a couple of minutes. Jzet hair stuck to the back of her neck because of the humidity and the bugs bite her arms and legs with out any mercy.

Jzet heard the coarse voices of the Carthakian soldiers as they came closer to the ditch. Jzet heard another voice that sounded different than the Carthakian soldiers. It sounded like nail's being scratched against a wall. Jzet and Michael held their ears in pain. Neither of them could understand what was being said, but they soon spotted three men approaching them.

Jzet held her breath as one man came so close to her she could touch him. The men soon retreated back to their formation and Jzet heard a crisp firm voice say in Common.

"Come on lads let's move on. Five more days till we reach Corus!" Michael shot Jzet a look of question and fear as the crunching of boots against the forest ground began again. Ten minutes later the Carthakians were out of sight and Jzet decided it was best they leave their hiding place and head back to camp.

Without a word Jzet searched the surrounding area for a walking stick for Michael because carrying him back to camp was not an option. She finally found one sturdy and worthy enough and the two pages started back to camp.

"Jzet are those Carthakian's going to attack us?" Michael asked his grey eyes were filled with pain and agony probably from his stiff legs.

"I don't know Michael," Jzet said even thought she knew very well of Zulch's invasion plans, "right now all I want to concentrate on is getting back to camp, alive." Michael nodded and they trudged on in silence. Jzet spent her time praying to Mithros that the Carthakian's weren't going to invade Corus. She knew if they did so it would be all her fault that people died.

Finally two hours later they stumbled back into their camp exhausted and in need of multiple healings.

Audrey was the first one to confront them huggingMichael closely. Jzet smiled at her sign of affection for her brother.

"Nice job Jzet," Jzet turned to see Cole standing there with Kearney at his side. Jzet grinned.

"Thanks, cousin." she said yawning. She yawned again. She had never been so exhausted in her life.

Lord Padarig soon was aware that they had returned and began lecturing both of them which only tired Jzet more. He gave them each a week worth of punishment work for their irresponsible actions.

After the lecture she was led to hertent.As soon as the healer's magic touched her she slumped over unconscious, from exhaustion.

When Jzet awoke she could feel the light warming her face. Her eyelids fluttered and she sat up in her bed. She looked around her to see she was in a tent. She looked to see Cole sitting next to her absorbed in a book.

"Jzet you're awake!" he exclaimed dropping his book.

"How long have I've been asleep?" Jzet asked rubbing her temples. She had a terrible headache which she usually had after healings.

"Just for a few hours, it's only noon now." Cole said.

"I must have looked like a fool for fainting." said Jzet mumbling a few curses under her breath.

"Nonsense!" Cole said patting her hand. "Healings usually tire everyone. You had a long night yesterday."

"Did Michael say anything to the Rattler of interest?" Jzet asked remembering their close encounter with a Carthakian army.

"Yeah he said you two ran into some army." said Cole his gaze narrowing. "He said they were bound for Corus."

"Are we leaving?" Jzet asked.

"Yes tonight," said Cole his voice was serious like the situation. "My lord wanted to leave this morning, but you were unfit for travel." Jzet felt flustered. She might be the reason why Corus will meet its doom.

Jzet shot out of bed.

"I'm better now," she announced, "let's leave." She than felt a dizzy spell take her and she threw up in a bucket. Cole grinned.

"Yeah right," he said, "you lady page are going no where until tonight. Now go back to bed." Jzet growled.

"Never, no one is going to confine me to this horrible bed." Jzet got up again this time she was able to stand on her own two feet without getting sick. "See I'm fine."

Jzet set off to her own tent ignoring Cole's protests and threats.

"Jzet good to see you up." said Nolan who was grooming his horse, a chestnut mare.

"Thanks Nolan, how's Michael?" Jzet asked.

"He's already up and about." said Nolan. "He wasn't as tired as you were thanks to your healing." Jzet nodded. "Where's Cole?"

"Chasing after me." said Jzet shortly. Nolan laughed. "He thinks I'm not ready to be on my feet again." Nolan snorted.

"He's such a worry-wart." he said chuckling to himself.

"Well I have to go pack." said Jzet waving good-bye. "Hopefully Cole still isn't in my tent."

"Already done," Nolan said before she could run off. "Kearney and Audrey took the liberty of getting your things packed and your horse ready." Jzet sneezed.

"Oh thanks for telling me Nolan." she croaked and then ran off to find Audrey and Kearney.

Jzet found them with Michael, Prince Jonathan, Dewitt, and Ben.

"Hello," Jzet said observing Michael through her stone cold eyes that resulted from her Yamani mask. He looked much better now; his arms and legs were fully healed along with his nose.

"Jzet you're okay." Audrey cried throwing herself into Jzet's arms. Jzet hugged her back and then released the girl. Jzet and Kearney mock saluted each other in greeting and Jzet waved to everyone else.

"I just came over to thank you guys for packing my stuff." said Jzet gratefully to Kearney and Audrey.

"Anytime," Kearney said heartily patting her on the back, "you had a long day yesterday."

"Yeah we sure did." Jzet mumbled not looking at Michael. She changed the subject. "What does the Rattler want us to do after we pack?"

"He gave us the rest of the day off." answered Prince Jonathan quickly.

"Well I'm going to do some stuff." said Jzet lamely. She bowed. "Your highness, everyone else I'll see you later."

She then ran off with the shouts behind her.

"CALL ME JOHNNY, QUEENSCOVE!" Jzet just laughed and decided to find a quiet place to meditate.

A few hours later Jzet was ordered to report to Lord Padarig.

"Can you ride Queenscove?" he demanded.

"Yes sir," she said her face stone smooth. What do you think I am a weakling?

"Don't lie to me Queenscove."

"I would never dream of it sir." Jzet answered sarcastically.

"Did I just catch sarcasm Queenscove?" he asked his eyebrows rising.

"I don't think so sir." said Jzet evenly. The training master looked at his student and could see her thoughts were elsewhere.

"What's on your mind Queenscove?" he asked with a voice that was eerily calm. Jzet just shook her head.

"I'm just worried we won't get back to Corus in time." she admitted. "And if people die I will blame myself."

The training master was troubled over the pages words.

"Queenscove I promise it won't be your fault and we'll reach Corus in time to give them a proper warning." said the Rattler his tone serious. Jzet just nodded aimlessly. He put his hand or her shoulder.

"You must not blame yourself." he said firmly. "People will die if we get back there in time or not. That is our fate no matter what."

"Yes sir," said Jzet shrugging his hand off her shoulder. "Am I dismissed?"

"You are dismissed." he said. He watched her bow to him and scurry out of his tent that he had yet to take down.

Jzet sat on a rotting log meditating, alone.

"I thought I would find you here." She looked up from her meditation to see Michael.

"Oh hello Michael." she said with ease. She closed her eyes and began to mediate again, ignoring him.

"You mustn't be so hard on yourself." he said sitting next to her. "The world will not end if people die because of the attacks." Jzet just shrugged still not convinced.

"I still have a bad feeling about this Michael." she said feeling gloomy.

He patted her on the back. Jzet could feel his hands shaking in nervousness in doing so.

"Hang in there Jzet." he said and then got up and left Jzet to mediate.

The sun was setting as they started down the rode towards Corus.

"I don't understand why we're leaving so late." she heard Danrizh say over the chatter of the pages.

"We had to wait for that weakling girl to recover from fainting." said Luke imitating her fainting. Jzet gripped her reigns until her knuckles turned white. Anger boiled in Jzet's stomach, but she pushed it away and rode on ignoring them.

"I hope you're not thinking of doing anything stupid." Cole advised in a firm tone. "You have enough punishment work for one week."

"Don't worry I won't." said Jzet. "For your sake not mine." She added throwing Luke a death glare.

They traveled late into the night before stopping outside of Golden Lake to catch up on a few hours of sleep and to rest the horses.

The next morning they were off again this time going at a faster pace than the day before. Lord Padarig was hoping to make up for lost time.

That night at camp Luke imitated her fainting again to make his friends howl in laughter. The next morning Jzet saw Luke again this time sporting multiple bruises and a black eye. She couldn't help, but grin.

The night before they were supposed to arrive at Corus Jzet sat up late next to the fire while it withered away. She looked around her and everyone was sound asleep. She was a troubled soul. She felt like many peoples lives rested on her shoulders.

"Go to sleep Queenscove." a familiar voice hissed. Lord Padarig sat up across the fire staring her strait in the eye.

"It's no good for you to fret over Corus now." he said in a low whisper. "Save your strength for the morning." Jzet nodded without another word and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

In the morning they set off once again for Corus. The roads seemed to be empty all together which was rare. This brought unease to the pages along with their training master. Suddenly someone shouted.

"Look over there smoke!"

Jzet turned and looked to her horror to see black smoke rising above Corus.

"Move on!" ordered Lord Padarig who had a glint of fear on his face. Jzet bit the side of her mouth from keeping herself from charging ahead. The pages moved at a quicker pace now hoping it wasn't too late.

As they passed around the final bend there she saw what she didn't want to see the Carthakian's attacking the city.

bum bum bum.. cliff hanger...

I admit readers I am truly evil...

And you thought Rae would show up while Jzet sat under the tree... haha... you think I'm that predictable? ((well guess again readers... guess again))...

I'm not going to make things that easy...

So review... I hope this chapter will produce more reviews than 10... and some new reviewers... I love my old time reviewers (trust me guys you rock).. I just like new blood... so don't even think about not reviewing this story... if you don't it will sit on your concious clawing at your brain... why didn't I review? What possessed me not to click 'Submit Review'.. why am I so frickin crazy... why am I asking you all these questions?... so have fun with your last few days in summer...

"god speed as you click submit review... god speed..."

"GET IT DONE PEOPLE>> SUBMIT THAT REVIEW"

most truely, your crazy author...

-caiti-

----------------------Submit that Review----------------------------------------

I'm such a begger...