A/N: I'm so sorry about not having written in so long. It's seriously been way too long, and I'm missing writing. So, I'm going to try not to write something completely miserable. I hope you guys enjoy it. Plus, this was the chapter I was waiting to write for the longest time. I have no idea why I stopped writing then. :S Anyways. Try not to hate this!

- Abiona Marchand

"You see that village up the road?" Bis pointed to a cluster of buildings at the bottom of the hill they were riding on. Kaden could see that it wasn't as big as the capital, but it definitely was bigger than Blue Harbour, where she grew up. "That's where we're headed."

"Yes, I see it." Kaden hadn't spoken much the rest of the journey. She felt uncomfortable. She felt like she didn't belong where she was. It was awkward for her and at the same time, she would rather have been useful than useless. "Where are we headed first? Should we speak with the Lord?"

"Good plan, but not yet." Bis rode beside her, glancing at her slightly. "First, we meet up with the other half of our group."

"Of course." She smiled slightly. "Didn't King Jonathan say we'd meet them halfway?" Truthfully, Kaden had forgotten all about them. She had been too caught up in her own troubles to remember things like that.

"I don't think he did. He told me that we were to meet them here."

"Well, that's strange." Kaden tied her hair back with one hand while steering her mount the right way. "I wouldn't think of any other reason to meet up with them than for them to be back-up protection."

"That's what they're here for. For protection of the town, and extra protection for you. His Majesty seem to be quite fond of you." Kaden blushed as they rode through the gates of Goldenlake and headed for the stables. There, they cared for their horses, and then Kaden followed the crew to a building across the road. The town looked to be deserted. Kaden didn't blame them. If there was a strange falcon around her town, she'd have been long gone.

Inside the building was warm and smelled of ale. It looked to be an inn and restaurant. Few townspeople were seated in the booths, probably most were scared to leave their homes. They sat, and they ordered a simple meal each, Kaden keeping her head bowed. She didn't want to look at Damek as much as he wanted to look at her. After that night, they both kept to themselves.

"Well, well, well. You've arrived at last?" A crew of men in the capital's colors walked through the door, letting a cool breeze through, and stepping up to the table. Odus and Perie smiled, and Bis let out a laugh.

"It's nice of you boys to meet us here!" Bis said sarcastically. "We were never told where you were stationed." Bis stood and embraced the first of the men. "It's nice to see you again, Terin."

"And, you as well. Meet the crew: Ingus, Herry, Forrest, and Allan." At this, Kaden dropped her fork holding her food. It bounced off the plate with a loud clang, and landed on the floor.

"Here, miss, you seemed to have dropped this." The man who was Herry picked her fork up and gave it back to her. She was barely able to whisper the words 'thank you'. "Are you alright?"

"I-" She choked back shock, and finished her sentence with as much strength as she could muster. "I'm fine, thanks." She stared right into the hazel, green eyes that were staring straight at her, and swallowed.

"We're staying at the Oak Inn up the street. There's where we should go now to leave all of our belongings. Then, we should go to the Lord as soon as possible and see what you can do. Which is the one his Majesty has sent?"

"Her name's Kaden, and she's a sweet lady." Bis came towards her and introduced her to Terin. "She said she doesn't know much she can do, but if we get into trouble, we know who to call."

"Of course we do." Terin said. "Now, off we go, lads, and lady." Terin smiled at Kaden, and they all followed his crew back to the stables to get their belongings and to head to the Oak Inn.

When they got there, Kaden ran to the bedchambers to put her things in. Perie followed her.
"Are you okay, Kaden?" He asked. Over the week or so that they had been traveling, Perie had seemed to become a little protective over Kaden, and it seemed very brotherly of him.
"Yes, I'm fine, thanks Perie. I just need some alone time before we speak to the Lord. You know, to get my thoughts together."

"Yes, of course." Perie was about to leave before he stuck his head through the door once more. "Just let me know if there's anything you need." She smiled at him and thanked him once more.

Finally alone, she thought, whatever good it would do for her. Allan? Here, in Goldenlake? She hadn't seen him in, months, probably about a year. She wasn't ready to see him! She didn't want him here! This trip was already awkward enough. She didn't need exes coming back, too.

Pushing that thought away, she tried to think about the Falcon. Why had her father sent her here in the first place? What did he think she could accomplish? She didn't know much about animals, she didn't have the gift, she didn't have any superficial sense or instinct that could help her solve crimes or mysteries. What had he thought she was capable of? What did he think he was doing? All she knew so far was a Falcon that acted like a human. These days, all animals acted a little strange, partly because of the wildmage. But, she had heard of rumors. She had heard that sometimes humans can turn into animals. She had also heard that sometimes humans that turned into animals got stuck being the animal. Maybe this had happened. Or maybe it was just a normal Falcon.

There was a knock at the door, and it started Kaden out of her trance. "We're going to meet the Lord and speak with him, now, Kaden." It was Bis. She opened the door. He was alone, thank the Gods.

"I'm ready. Let's go."

Yes, I know, very short. But, I just want to ease back into this and get excited and inspired for the next few chapters. And hopefully finish this quartet up. :)

Please, as always, R&R. I hope that this was up to par. And I know a lot of you were really excited for Allan to come back, so, here he is! And, don't worry. I will try to update either tonight again or tomorrow.

Love you all!

- Abiona Marchand