"I can't believe this." Gregor ran his hand through his hair. "I just can't believe it!"

Mason chuckled. "You're repeating yourself."

"Laugh while you can. You're going to be in deep shit when he finds out about this."

"Why? Because she's human?"

"It's so much more than that."

"I know she was a witch. At least according to some of the guys she was."

"What do you mean 'was?'"

"As in she doesn't have her powers anymore." Mason grinned proudly. "I gave her a power binding potion."

"How do you know how to..." Gregor shook his head. "Never mind, I don't want to know."

"That's probably for the best."

"Are you sure it worked?"

"What?"

"The potion."

"My potions always work." Mason rolled his eyes when Gregor gave him a disbelieving look. "The one I gave your for your, how should I put it... manly problems worked didn't it?"

"Shhh!" Gregor looked around as he shushed him.

"Relax. No one else can hear me. Besides, I told you it was just between us." He shrugged when Gregor still looked doubtful. "Fine. Don't believe me. I guess we'll find out when she wakes up."

Gregor's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "You mean you really don't know if it worked?"

"She was shot with a dart covered in animal tranquilizer. I wasn't going to sit around all day waiting for her to come to."

"That's just great!"

"Hey, she brought this on by sticking her nose in where it didn't belong." He waited a beat for a response. "You should see what she did to some of the guys."

"It's nothing compared to what's going to happen to you."

"Would you stop being cryptic already and just tell me what's so special about her?"

"She..." Gregor started to answer but stopped himself short. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?"

"Did I stutter?"

"Why can't you tell me?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"I just can't."

"Because you're pulling my leg."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are." Mason pointed at him as he breathed a sigh of relief through his nose. "You're getting better at this. You really had me going there for a second."

"I'm not joking around. He's going to be pissed."

"Sure he is."

"Mason..."

He waved him off. "Whatever big guy."

"She's the lover of the woman Eadlyn was so anxious to get here to see. Now can you understand why he's going to be mad? She's seen us both. She knows who we are."

"Wait a minute." Mason raised a hand to shut him up. "Are you saying the woman Eadlyn was so hot and heavy for is into other women?" He laughed outright this time. "That's priceless!"

"And the least of our worries."

"Are you kidding? I'd be pretty worried if the woman I was about to marry would rather shack up with another chick than with me. Imagine what they're honeymoon is going to be like." He laughed again. "Just wait until the other guys hear about this."

That got Gregor's attention. "You can't say anything to them."

"Just try to stop me."

The bigger man's shoulders slumped. "This is why no one ever tells you anything. You have a big mouth."

"Oh come on. Would you be able to keep something like this to yourself? Wait a minute, you didn't did you?"

"No he didn't."

They both froze when they heard the new voice behind them.

Gregor froze. "Please tell me you've learned how to throw your voice."

Mason was deadly serious as he shook his head.

They turned toward the flap of the tent as one, both swallowing hard when they saw a less than happy looking Eadlyn glaring at them.

"What..." Gregor swallowed again in an attempt to wet his suddenly dry throat. "What are you doing here?"

"I would say I was worried because you never came back but that would be a lie." Eadlyn stepped inside, letting the flap close again behind him. "So I'll go with I came to make sure everything was all right instead." He looked back and forth between them. "Everything is all right isn't it?"

"Uh..." Mason gestured with his hand. "Sure."

Eadlyn focused his attention on Gregor. "Is he telling me the truth?"

"Yes." Gregor's voice squeaked. "No." He frowned when Mason gave him a look. "I can't lie to him. He can see right through me."

"You're pathetic." Mason sounded disgusted. "His horse spooked during the storm and he got so lost in the woods that the horse beat him back to camp by a good two hours."

"They have the witch!" Gregor retaliated. "The one that loves your woman. They shot her with a dart and brought her back here as a prisoner!"

Eadlyn shook his head. "I already knew that."

Mason looked confused. "You did?"

"Yes." Eadlyn sighed when he realized they were waiting for him to elaborate. "The Witch and Glinda went out looking for the one you have and came back with a gaggle of Animals. All they could talk about was the way their teacher and Breena fought off a group of trappers so they could escape."

"The Witch?" Mason echoed. "Do you mean the Wicked Witch of the West? Elphaba Thropp? Why would she be looking for our girl?"

"Breena is Elphaba's sister." Eadlyn answered. "That's what families do."

Mason's eyes got big. "Sisters?"

Eadlyn frowned. "Is something wrong with that?"

"No." Mason was quick to recover. "Not at all."

Gregor frowned at him. "Then why did you seem so freaked out by it?"

"I wasn't freaked out." He defended himself. "It just took me by surprise is all. I mean, I thought the Witch's sister was dead."

"That was a different sister." Eadlyn explained. "Now do you want to explain to me why the men were hunting children?"

"They... Uh..."

"Come on Mason." Eadlyn didn't wait for him to stammer around more. "You know they're no good to us until they're grown up. Where's the challenge in killing them?"

Mason nodded. "I know."

"Then I expect you to say something to the others so it doesn't happen in the future. Now let's have a look around camp, shall we?"

"That's it?" Gregor frowned as he and Mason followed him out of the tent. "That's all you have to say about the girl?"

Eadlyn shot him a look over his shoulder. "What else do you want me to say?"

"Aren't you afraid she'll see you here? What if she escapes and goes back and tells everyone what we're doing!"

"She won't escape." Mason jumped in before he could say more. "I gave her a potion to bind her powers," he explained to Eadlyn. "And I've already tightened security around the prisoners in case she decides to try anything. If my potion didn't work the men have been ordered to shoot to kill."

"Your potions always work." Eadlyn grinned. "So she doesn't have powers anymore? That makes things interesting."

"Even without powers I can handle a piece of scum like you."

"Breena." Eadlyn's grin became a full fledged smile as he turned toward the owner of the voice. "Are you saying you're a mere mortal like the rest of us now?"

Penny stepped closer to her friend. "You know him?"

"You could say that." Breena glared at Eadlyn, seemingly unaware of the four men moving in behind them. "This is the bastard who's blackmailing Addena into marrying him."

"So you know the truth." Eadlyn shrugged. "Personally I liked the whole military hero come back from the dead story she came up with, but what's a guy to do?"

"How about leaving her alone?"

"Now what fun would that be?"

"She's not a game."

"That's where you're wrong." Eadlyn contradicted her. "This whole thing is one big game. And I'm already the winner."

Breena clinched her jaw. "Addy will never..."

"Addy?" He cut her off. "Addy." He repeated the nickname. "I like the sound of that. It just kind of rolls right off your tongue doesn't it?"

"Don't..."

"Addena is so boring." Eadlyn stifled a fake yawn. "Addy has a much nicer ring to it. I'll have to try it out when I get back."

"You can't..."

"Of course I can." Eadlyn growled as he put himself toe to toe with her. "You don't seem to understand that I'm in charge here. I can do whatever I want. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

Breena's fist connected with his jaw, knocking him off balance before anyone could react.

Gregor moved a little quicker than Mason, steadying Eadlyn as he staggered backward. The other men surrounded Breena and Penny, two of them grabbing Breena as another leveled his rifle at Penny's head. The fourth hung back a bit, waiting to see what would happen next.

"Are you all right?" Gregor's voice was full of anxiety.

"Let me take a look."

"Stop it." Eadlyn smacked at Mason's hand as he reached for him. "I'm fine."

"You're bleeding." Breena pointed out.

Eadlyn touched his lip, shocked to see she was right. He pulled out of Gregor's grasp, barely waiting to cover the few steps between them before punching her.

"You're quite the man aren't you?" Breena commented, somehow managing to act as if the blow to her cheek didn't hurt at all. "Hitting a woman while two of your men are holding her. Too bad you didn't make me bleed too. Why don't you call them off and take another try?"

"Because I have other people to handle my dirty work for me." Eadlyn retorted. "And they're going to give you a proper greeting to this camp in the morning."

Gregor frowned. "Aren't you getting married in the morning?"

"No actually, I'm not. We postponed the wedding." He narrowed his eyes when Breena grinned triumphantly. "But only for a few days while they look for you. And seeing as you're here, they're not going to find you. So what's a few more days? While your precious Addy thinks I'm off helping with the search I'll actually be here, watching the next round of fights. And you," he tried to cup Breena's cheek, laughing when she immediately pulled away. "You're going to be the star."

"How exciting." Breena's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Act brave now." He leaned in close. "Because tomorrow you'll be begging me for mercy."

Breena stared emotionlessly into his eyes. "I doubt it."

"We'll see." He held her gaze for a moment before turning away. "Mason, get things ready for a gauntlet."

"A..." Mason was obviously surprised. "A gauntlet?"

"Yes, but tell the men to choose their favorite weapon to use instead of the normal clubs. The brave one here can handle whatever they throw her way, right Breena?"

"You can't be serious." Penny finally spoke up. "They'll kill her."

"That's the idea. Can you think of a better way to build morale among my men and be rid of her at the same time? Not to mention you and some of your filthy animal friends." Eadlyn grinned at the look of disgust on the Lioness' face. "You didn't honestly think I'd waste a perfectly good gauntlet on just her did you?"

"It's me you want. Leave her and the others alone."

"That's touching, it really is." Eadlyn clapped his hand to his chest. "But it's too little too late. You should have thought of them before you hit me. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to be getting back before someone misses me." He stared at Breena for a moment. "Addy's mine now. You're never going to lay eyes on her again."

Breena smirked. "That's what you think."

"It's what I know." With that Eadlyn walked away.

"You're a real handful aren't you?" Ginny clucked like an old hen as she gripped Breena's chin, turning her head to get a better look at the bruising forming around the girl's right eye. "It's no wonder Addena is attracted to you. She's a hothead too."

"Well what was I supposed to do, just stand there and take what he had to dish out?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes."

"Hitting him certainly wasn't the solution." Penny added her two cents worth.

"You're probably right." Breena grinned. "But it felt good." Her expression became serious again as she looked at the Lioness. "I'm sorry I dragged you into that whole gauntlet business."

"What's a gauntlet?" Ginny asked.

"It's..."

"Nothing." Breena cut the feline off, giving her a look.

"Don't even try it." Ginny used her motherly tone. "I raised two daughters and know every way there is to get information out of someone. So one of you might as well tell me what I want to know to save me the trouble of amazing you with my skills." She looked back and forth between them, finally deciding which would be the easier target. "Penny?"

"Don't." Breena warned the cat.

"But..."

"There's no sense in worrying her when I've already got a plan." Breena spoke over her.

"So whatever this gauntlet is will worry me? And I suppose you're not going to tell me your plan either." Ginny pursed her lips when she still didn't get a response out of either of them. "Fine. Don't include me. Let me sit here with images of horrible things racing through my mind just because you think I'm too old to handle the truth."

Penny frowned. "We never said anything about your age."

"You didn't have to." She continued. "It's obvious that's what the two of you are thinking."

"No..."

"Like I said, that's fine." Ginny interrupted the Lioness. "I don't need to know."

"Ginella..." Penny tried again.

"No dear, it's all right. Really. Just let me know when to breathe."

"Oh for the love of..." Penny sighed. "A gauntlet is a form of punishment. People form two lines and beat someone with clubs as they run between them."

"What?" The older woman was shocked.

Penny nodded. "Only this time the men are going to get to use whatever weapons they want."

"That's... that's..." Ginny couldn't even form a comprehensive thought. "And you're going to be put through one of these gauntlets?"

Breena was too busy looking at Penny to answer. "Push over."

"Like you weren't about to crack with that whole 'tell me when to breathe' comment." Penny groused.

"You were right about your skills." Breena smirked at Ginny. "I'm impressed."

"Girls. Focus." Ginny kept her attention on Breena. "Answer my question. Are they putting you in one of those awful things?"

"Yes. But it's for a good cause."

"Good cause?" Penny scowled. "They're going to kill you!"

"They're going to kill you?" Ginny echoed her words.

"No." Breena tried to reassure her. "Can we get over the shock factor of the whole gauntlet thing for a moment and think about the big picture for a second?"

"The big picture is you dying." Penny persisted.

"Stop it." Breena chastised her. "Judging from the reaction Eadlyn's announcement got, gauntlets aren't something these guys get to do all the time."

Ginny shivered. "I should hope not."

Penny continued to frown. "What's your point?"

"It's different so they'll all want to take part in it."

"I'm still not following you." Penny shook her head.

"If you'd quit interrupting me and let me finish you would." Breena waited to make sure the Lioness was going to cooperate. "The men are going to be too busy boasting and bragging and thumping each other on the back in anticipation to pay much attention to anything else."

"Including us." Ginny caught on.

"Exactly." Breena snapped her fingers and pointed at her. "While they're getting geared up to have their fun some of you can get away."

"Some of us?" Penny raised her eyebrows.

"It would look too suspicious if everyone disappeared at once. So we're going to have to ask for some volunteers to stay here with me." She felt them both staring at her. "Eadlyn said I'm the star, remember? I have to be here."

"I don't like this."

"He also said they know I'm missing." Breena kept the feline from saying more. "If I know my sister she'll have half of Oz looking for me. It shouldn't take long to come across one of the search parties. I can hold my own in the gauntlet until someone brings the cavalry back."

"I don't know." Ginny looked doubtful. "It sounds pretty dangerous."

"I'm not exactly thrilled about the whole thing either, but it's the only chance we've got." Breena sighed. "If either of you have a better idea, let me know."

"I'd like to say we could all run at the same time," it was Penny's turn to continue before Breena could. "But deep down I know you're right. I hate it, but you're right. And I'm staying with you."

"Penny..."

"Don't argue with me. Being in this thing together has worked for us up until now. Why tempt fate?"

"So you're both going to put your lives on the line while I run away with the others?" Ginny raised her hand to keep them from commenting. "I'm not protesting. I just want to make sure I have the plan down."

Breena grinned. "Then you've got the gist of it."

"So now we go talk to the others?"

"Now we go talk to the others." Breena nodded. "Wish us luck."

Ginny obliged with the most chipper, "Good luck," she could muster.

"Do you think my shiner will help convince them to help us out?"

Penny guffawed. "I'm starting to think you wanted him to punch you."

They continued their banter as they walked out of the tent, leaving Ginny to wonder if they weren't too brave for their own good.

A/N: I just wanted to give a shout out to everyone's who's reading and reviewing. My muse loves the attention. Yeah for 100 reviews!! Thanks again :)