Airofday paced the confines over cell wondering how the hell she had managed to make a bad situation worse. Her gold garments had been traded for long pants and a shirt of cotton, one of the Longcoats seemed to think that her body covered in gold paint might be distracting to the guards and give her an advantage. She had been less than thrilled with what had happened but she knew that her only option was to bide her time. Still, without her makeup and gold costume she felt rather naked, even dressed in cloths. She had been in the prisons when Azkadellia had tried to take over the world once and for all, Zero seemed to think that it would be a good idea to keep her around for a bit and execute her as a gift to the Queen.

He was not quite as stupid as he looked.

Airofday had been a survivor for as long as she could remember. Survival was not just important, it was the only thing that truly mattered in the world. It was survival that had her in that window answering questions for coins. It was survival that had her fleeing to the Realm of the Unwanted in the first place, otherwise she would have stayed up with the rest of the world like she was supposed to. But she knew it would have been only a matter of time before someone found her, before someone found out what she was and tried to either kill her or do battle with a very powerful adversary. Neither of those options was appealing so she had run. Not away but down, down to where no-one would mistake a cheap fortune teller for a Witch.

"That's her," Airofday spun around as a group of guards appeared along with Azkadellia.

Being someone who had spent the past annuls telling people what they wanted to hear, Airofday was very good at reading people. She had met Azkadellia before once but it was not hard to see that the woman was recovering from a powerful enchantment, even if the rest of the world wanted to believe she was fine. Airofday crossed her arms and looked down her nose at Azkadellia, even if the Queen was a good deal taller than her. Azkadellia regarded her cooly before dismissing the guards and leaving the two of them alone and in silence, separated only by a handful of ironwork.

"I should kill you for what you did to my sister," Azkadellia stated, her voice deadly soft.

"I did it for the money," Airofday said, "not because I thought she was a traitor but because you put a lot of money on her head, money that I could use," she crossed her arms, "and besides, what are you complaining about, they got out."

"Yes they did, no thanks to you," she said.

"If your Longcoats hadn't clubbed me I would have fought them harder," she said bitterly, "and then I would have come after those Longcoats for betraying me, taken them and gone to the next highest bidder."

"Well it seems you've told me something very important," Azkadellia sad.

"And what's that?" Airofday demanded.

"You can be bought," Azkadellia said, "I need to find my sister, someone seems to think they can steal my throne using her. I need someone connected to the underworld of the Unwanted Realm," she looked at Azkadellia, "that's you."

"The Seeker is connected," she said crossing her arms. Azkadellia opened her mouth in surprise, "you thought I didn't see him grab that black haired girl and run? Since she obviously survived long enough to be kidnapped he was protecting her--fatherly instinct I suppose."

"How--"

"Well it wasn't the other kind," she said, "I've seen the way that kind of instinct works and it usually involves the girl coming willingly instead of screaming like a scared banshee."

"Then you see my problem," Azkadellia said.

"Anyone can see your problem, what I don't see is the solution," Airofday said turning on her heel and showing her back to the Queen.

"How much does the solution cost?" Azkadellia asked. Airofday looked over her shoulder, "my sister is priceless, how much are you worth?"

"I am not so easily bought," Airofday said crossing her arms and giving Azkadellia her back again.

"And I do not easily give up," Azkadellia said, "name your price, no matter what it is you will have it."

When they walked into the throne room Jeb was standing with a few people. Cain, Ambrose and Raw obviously recognized Airofday and she raised her eyebrows before putting an extra sway in her hips for them. They coughed and looked away, the plain garments she wore suddenly transformed into something far more splendid. She smiled and flipped back a lock of her blond streaked black hair before looking around.

"What is she doing here?" Ahamo demanded, his voice rough.

"She's here because she can help us," he opened his mouth, "I've bought her services. She'll receive her money when DG is back in the palace," Ahamo made a sound of anger, "if you have any better idea, I am listening," when he said nothing she turned to Jeb, "who have you brought?"

Cain recognized a few of the faces from their rescue. The red haired girl who had swung the pole and knocked out two of the Longcoats herself was dressed in distinctly masculine clothing, her red curls pulled back and pinned out of the way. She wore a long, dark cloak that would allow her to blend in with the woods rather perfectly. Jeb introduced her as Marian, her family had been killed by Longcoats when she was a younger woman and she had successfully tracked them to their camp that night before killing them.

The man who had called him sir and never seemed to be far behind Jeb was named Jack. He was a shorter man who had an odd sort of optimism about him. Jeb introduced him as Jack. Jack was the one who found Jeb in the Tin Suite and got him out and had been with him ever since. When Jeb had taken over the resistance, Jack had been by his side as his second in command.

"Marian can go ahead and track," he said, "Jack will stay here and take over the guard," he explained, "we've been staying ahead via hawks carrying message but if you've got anything better we are all ears."

"As a matter of fact I do," Ambrose walked forward holding a velvet bag full of something that clinked. He reached in and held up a sphere full of glowing smoke that shimmered in gold and pink, "this is a communication sphere. Toto was using a modified version of this. Basically you say the name of whoever you want to talk to to the sphere and there's a secure line of communication," he tossed a sphere to Raw who walked out of the room and closed the door, "Raw," Ambrose said clearly into the sphere.

"Raw here," Raw's voice came clearly from the glass ball, even though he was not visible.

"Okay you can come back," he said. Raw came inside, "these bad boys work over considerable distance and we can always relay if we need to," he explained holding the bag out to Marian who reached in and took out a sphere. He walked around holding out the bag and everyone took a sphere.

"I'm staying here," Azkadellia said, "I would be going but I need to stay here, to continue to rebuild," he looked around at the rest of them, "Cain, Raw, Ambrose Jeb and Airofday will go ahead."

"You're coming?" Cain asked looking over at Ambrose, "you're the consort, are you sure thats such a good idea."

"Oh because you all have the brains to pull this off," Ambrose returned, "not to mention the rhythm."

"Well we know we have none of that," Cain said sarcastically.

"I'm glad you agree," Ambrose said crossing his arms, satisfied, "we did just get back," he sighed, "its sad to be leaving so soon again."

"Don't worry, you'll be back before you know it."

Before they knew it they were saddled up and ready to go. Marian had rode ahead, to the North where the travel storm had last been seen going. Jack stood back with the guard, their eyes careful for anyone who tried to do something to the Royal Family. Cain wrapped his hands around the reins, itching to go after DG. He was dressed in his old cloths, both to help hide his identity and to make him blend in with the rest of the population. Jeb too was wearing his old cloths, red scarf concealing the pin. Hs sword was strapped to his back, almost disguised but not quite. Airofday was wearing men's cloth, though they looked better on her than they did on any man. Her blond hair was braided back off her face, making her look even more striking. Ambrose was wearing his old cloths as well, his hair messy. He would have looked like the Glitch they knew if not for his eyes which were full of the fire they had lacked when they first met. Raw looked, well, like Raw although Kalm had helped him rub dirt into his fur and make him look a bit more matted.

"Kalm stay with Azkadellia," Raw instructed, "Raw need Kalm to be brave, Kalm be brave for Raw?" Kalm nodded though they got the distinct impression the Viewer was pouting, "Kalm listen to Azkadellia, Kalm make sure she no hurt."

"Kalm brave," Kalm said raising his chin, "Kalm bravest Viewer. Kalm uses Raw's Courage."

"Kalm very brave," Raw agreed hugging Kalm, "Kalm take care of Azakdellia for Raw."

"Raw be careful," Kalm said as Raw got onto his horse, "Raw come back!"

"Raw come back," Raw agreed.

"You look like a wreck," Azkadellia said tugging at Ambrose's collar, "no-one will believe you're Ambrose," she smiled, "Glitch."

"Hey you named me," he said, his lips quirking up.

"Please be careful," she said, uncertainty in her eyes, "don't go getting into fights just because you can," she looked into his eyes, a single tear going down her face, "I'm scared Ambrose," she whispered, "I don't want to loose either of you."

"You won't," he said, "I promise. You know, though, since I am leaving," he gave no heed to the dirt on the floor and took her hand, "you said you wanted a proposal so here goes," he looked up at her, "I've loved you since I was a kid and saw you in with that muddy dress with sticks in your hair. I'll love you always and forever and I know that that's a long time but its true. I would have married you a long time ago if we hadn't been kept apart and," he took a deep breath and pulled a bright ring out of his pocket and held it up, "Azkadellia--Az, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" she cried, "A thousand times yes."

He slid the ring onto her finger and dipped her back, kissing her passionately. They didn't hear the cheers until they broke apart but they were there. Everyone from the stablehands to Ahamo and the Queen were on their feet cheering and clapping wildly. The poor horses were scared half to death by the noise. Azkadellia wrapped her arms tightly around Ambrose as he hugged her as well.

"You just want to go to get out of wedding planning," she accused with a laugh.

"You know me too well," he kissed her one last time, "I'll be back before you know it, I promise," he said swinging himself into the saddle, "see you later Az."

She waved and they kicked their horses into life, riding off down the road and out of sight. They quickly fell into an order. Cain rode up front with Ambrose, their eyes peeled for any sign of trouble or DG. Raw rode in the back, keeping an eye out for anyone coming from the rear. In the middle rode Jeb and Airofday rode in the middle. They rode in silence for a long time, the coming night clinging to them like a blanket. Finally when it was dark outside Ambrose stopped his horse and look at them.

"We should camp for the night, we're going to need our strength when we find DG."

Reluctantly they agreed and set up camp for the night. Soon they were all asleep to some degree. It was quite obvious what they dreamed of, all except Jeb who found himself quite unable to go to sleep. His mind was all over the place. He sighed and ran a hand over his face, getting to his feet and figuring he would at least take a walk if he could do nothing else. He made his way out of their makeshift camp sight and towards a lake he had spotted earlier. He heard footsteps behind him and was careful to walk normally for a few more steps before spinning around drawing his blade in one fluid motion and pointing it strait at Airofday's throat.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, "why are you following me?"

"Why are you walking away?" she questioned in return.

"Do you speak in anything but questions and insults?" he demanded shoving the sword into his scabbard and walking off again. He heard her follow him but figured there was little he could do about it, "you sound like--" he stopped, "nevermind," he said quickly shaking his head.

"I sound like what?" she asked

"Like a con artist which is what you are," he said, "telling people what they want to hear and calling them fortunes for coins. Turning in people like they are dogs and nothing more."

"You're upset I turned your father in," she stated, "I did it for the money."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better? Is it supposed to make me trust you?"

"Well the Queen did give me more money than whoever this fake King is and that should tell you that I am on your side for this," she shrugged, "people like me are predictable."

"You aren't a person," he said gruffly.

"Oh no, what am I?" she asked, "or better yet, what do you think I am?"

"I think you're a Witch," he said turning to face her.

"Ha!" she laughed, "I'm no more a Witch then you are a Knight," she stopped when he pulled back the inside of his scarf to reveal the insignia, "fine," she said, "what do you want of me?"

"What I want you cannot give me," he said resuming his walk.

"How do you know if we you do not ask me? I will buy your silence by giving you what you desire," she caught up to him, "what do you wish? Happiness? Fame? The Love of a pretty girl?"

"Where's DG?" he demanded.

"I cannot see, he is cloaked by magic much stronger than my own," he glared at her, "I am not a trained Witch, we were banished when I was a little girl, I never had the chance to learn how to use my gifts properly."

"Try," Jeb bit out.

Airofday sighed and nodded, settling herself. Closing her eeys she reached deep inside where she had her magic and focused on the burning light. Carefully she stripped away the barriers she had placed and let the fire burn through her body. Inhaling she collected it inside her and exhaling sharply she released it. She followed the magic that had cloaked DG, the magic she felt in the palace. She could not see where the Princess was but she could feel the magic It had flown to the south and then it thad exploded and flown to the North to a kingdom of ice and lost memories. She felt something sting her face and focused on the pain, yanking herself back to reality. She opened her eyes and looked at Jeb who had clearly smacked her.

"Sorry," he said, "you went into this trance and you stared talking about going south and then north to a kingdom of lost memories and ice," he looked at her, "we're going the wrong way."

"What?" he gaped, "but we saw--"

"Oh gee why ever would they ever change direction to try and throw us off the trail?" she said sarcastically.

"Alright," he said sheepishly, "come on, if we're going the wrong way we need to hurry. Lets get everyone up, we need to move," she grabbed his arm, "I'm not going to tell," he said reading her face, "your secret is safe with me for as long as I can keep it."

"How long is that?" Airofday demanded, her eyes narrowing sharply.

"Until your secret puts us in danger."

She sighed, figuring she was not going to get much more out of him. Since he had no way to get around it she was going to have to do what he said. Witches were still banished, forbidden from existing in the OZ thanks to the evil witch feeling that there should be no witch but her, no power but her own. Airofday had been one of the few to survive the genocide of the Witches, a day that would live in memories for much longer than she would live. However if she had to be indebted to anyone, he had a feeling that Jeb Cain was the best of a bad thing. With a sigh she followed him back to the camp sight so they could continue on their journey.

Far away DG opened her eyes. She was in the middle of a room made with white linens. Carefully she sat up, her head spinning and looked around. She knew the room and she didn't all at the same time. Standing up she walked over to the closet and was assaulted with a mess of lace, satin and silk that threatened to overwhelm her. Turning away she caught her reflection in the mirror and stopped. Her raven hair was swept up off her face and held back with a mess of pearl pins. Strong features set in a china doll face, she recognized the person staring back at her in disbelief. Like the room she knew it but she didn't all at the same confusing time. She did not know the dress she was wearing though. It was the color of quicksilver and held on her body by two white straps. that matched the pears in her hair.

Her feet were bare and the marble floor was cool underneath them as she made her way to the door. Swallowing thickly she reached out and touched the doorknob. The resulting shock sent her backwards, sticking her fingers in her mouth to try and stop the stinging. She walked over to the windows but was afraid to get close. She didn't want to get shocked again. Slowly she sank to the ground wrapping her arms around her knee and looking for something to hold on to but she was quite alone in the room. She felt tears prick at her eyes but she refused to cry, she had to be strong, she knew that he would want her to be strong--even if she couldn't remember exactly who 'he' was.

The door opened with a hiss, showing the magic had stopped working. DG struggled to her feet almost tripping over the hem of her dress. Framed inside the door was a man she knew she should recognize. He had dirty blond hair slicked back close to his scalp and dark blue-grey eyes. His skin was pale, almost frighteningly so. He was wearing a dark grey tunic and pants embroidered with silver to match the long cloak that billowed around him like a cape. She looked at him with fear, was he the person she was supposed be be brave for? Something told her he was not the one but a part of her recognized him. Maybe it was just because she was confused.

"Forgive the lock on your doors, Princess," he said, "but its for your protection," he looked at her, "there are a lot of bad men out there who wish to harm you."

"Princess," she whispered.

"That's what you are," he looked down and then back at her, "and my nickname for you. Do you remember me?"

"No,' she said, "yes--I'm not sure," she looked at him, "my memories are, odd," she said after a moment, he looked away and she felt guilty, "I'm sorry if I don't remember you."

"Its alright," he said, "your memories of me, of us, will return," he said with a soft smile. She nodded.

"Are you a King?" he asked.

"Yes," he said, "but my throne had been stolen by an evil sorceress who has turned my kingdom of the Outer Zone into a wasteland. My troops and I have taken refuge my old palace in the Northern Isles."

"I know this place," DG said.

"It was your home," he said, "it was our home. You are the Princess of the Outer Zone," he said, "everyone just calls you Princess, "he said.

"And who are you?" she asked cautiously.

"I am the King," he said, "or I was, but you can call me Z," he said with a kind smile.

"Alright Z," she said, "or should I call you King or--"

"Z is fine," he said with a nod, "I will leave you now, I have business to attend to," she nodded, "goodnight Princess," he said going to close the door.

"Goodnight Z and thank you," she said softly. He nodded and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him leaving DG alone once more.

Closing the door he walked down the hallway, his boot hitting the ground in rhythmic, military-style steps. The white cloaked figure fell into step beside him, absolutely silent. He led them into the deserted throne room and turned to face the white figure who swept into a low, deep bow.

"Yes what is it?" he demanded hotly.

"My King Zero," the Wizard whispered, his voice gravely, "a party has come from the Palace. They have traveled to the south, following one of the bogus travel storms but I fear it is only a matter of time before they discover the truth and come to the correct place."

"Well let hope that's not for a while," he said, "I trust you have something to aide the cause."

"Of course," he said, "you did not say her name or your own correct? Names are a powerful thing, especially her own name. Its the one thing that's stayed with her through all of her lives. You must not say her name or she will tart to remember, slowly at first and then faster and faster."

"No-one has said her name, they won't unless they want to die," Zero said harshly, "and no-one wants that," he continued.

"You are wise, King Zero," he said bowing deeply, "much wiser than Azkadellia and the Witch. You will rule the Outer Zone and finish the work started by another," he said with a nod. Zero gave a satisfied smile and turned on his heel, walking off down the hallway and the leaving the wizard bowing there deeply.

"You aren't going to get her back Cain," he whispered, "oh you'll find her alright but when you do, she'll hate you more than you hated yourself. She'll be mine Cain, mine because that will be the final thing that will crush you like the nothing you are," he felt laughter, pure and cruel, bubble up inside him, "and then I'll watch you die and the kingdom you love burn to the ground and there's nothing you can do to stop me!"