- Insert Disclaimer of Your Choice -

Really sorry it took me so long to update. Just for the record, this is about two years after the last chapter. I had to make a jump to get everything to work out as planned.

Chapter 12 - Enemies

"Give it here!"

"I asked first!"

"No you didn't! I did!"

"Not if it was inside your head, dummy!"

"Don't call me dummy! I'm not the one who can't even hammer a nail in straight!"

Toady, Wren, and Dann added to the noise of Kiyra's home. It was lucky that Geoff had insisted on buying a large house, because it was full to the brim with Goats and family.

Lars had paid all his time on the Navy ship, and was home for the summer. He was taller, tanner, and more filled out. Kiyra had been sad to see the two years that she had missed with him take their toll, though she was impressed. He'd matured a lot on the warship and become a man.

The Goat-pages, Tyrell, Merci, Finn, and Toady were staying at Kiyra's house and going up to the palace each day to practice. Luth and Wren went with them, because they were going to begin page training in the fall. Hashim, a 4th year page, was staying with Kiyra, because the journey back to his family was too far. He had been such a good friend to the Goat pages that they had made him a Goat. He was immensely proud of his necklace.

Rye and Emma had decided not to become pages. Emma was too soft-hearted anyway, but Rye wanted to be a spy. He spent most of his time "stalking" people in the market and practicing secret codes. Emma wasn't sure yet what she wanted to be, but Kiyra knew that she would be a good mother.

Cart, Julie, Anna, and six-month old Cole visited Kiyra during the days, and went back to their house for nights.

Demi, now five years old, had made good progress on his mage lessons. Lord Thom had told Kiyra that he had reached the level of a experienced fire mage. He told Kiyra that he was needed for the battle mages' league, to which Kiyra panicked, before Thom told her that he was joking.

Kiyra had decided that she loved the noise and bustle of her home during the summers. It reminded her of the Dove, but more active and less smoky. And yes, twenty children were definitely more active than thirty grown men.

Kiyra picked up Anna, who was crying and grabbed Dann, who looked like he was going through himself at Toady. Luth danced around them, shouting for a fight. Kiyra's arm slipped and Dann jumped at the older boy. Kiyra set Anna down, who was still crying, and wedged herself between the boys.

"Let me at him!" Dann pummeled Toady, Kiyra, and anyone within range.

Toady wasn't helping the problem by laughing. "Let him pretend he can hurt me. Let him pretend."

"Shut up!" Kiyra hollered. Almost instantly, Dann and Toady stopped taunting each other, the other Goats sobered up, and even Anna stopped crying. Kiyra looked pleased with herself.

"Now, what started this?"

Dann shrugged. "I dunno."

Kiyra raised her eyebrows. "You mean to tell me you two were at blows and you can't even remember what it was all about?"

"Yep." Dann answered, calm and happy again.

Kiyra rolled her eyes and released the boys. She watched them for a minute to make sure they had stopped.

Someone wrapped their arms around Kiyra from behind. Startled, she stiffened before realizing who it must be.

"Geoff?" Kiyra asked, before relaxing into his hug.

"I finished up early. This place is a madhouse."

"Sure is. I like it though." Kiyra said. "The boys were fighting again. I think Dann's upset about being the youngest Goat. All the others are pages or something."

"Rye and Emma are here during the rest of the year." Geoff reminded her.

Kiyra shook her head. "Rye's got his spywork and Emma's too serious for Dann."

"Rye." Geoff laughed. "I talked to someone and found someplace where he can train."

"Is it far away?" Kiyra frowned.

"Yes, actually." Geoff nodded. "Kiyra, don't be sad. It's what the boy wants."

"That! He's just a boy... What if he changes his mind?"

"Rye doesn't just change his mind. You know that."

Kiyra pouted. "You'll be the one telling him."

"Fine." Geoff grinned. "Come on. You know how happy he'll be."

She stuck her tongue out at him and he bent down, kissing her.

"Yuck." Luth stood with his arms folded. "Do you have to do that in front of anyone?"

"Leave them alone." Merci shoved him. "They can kiss if they want to."

"Not in front of me." Demi said. Emma stood behind him and her hands were over his eyes, though Kiyra noticed she had been watching.

Geoff laughed at the children. "We'd better go somewhere private then."

"You two." Lalasa scolded, just walking into the room.

"Hi Lalasa." Kiyra interrupted. Lalasa ignored her.

"...acting like a pair of newlyweds in front of the children."

Luth, Merci, Emma, and Wren giggled. Kiyra blushed.

"Demi, Jerry's with the boys upstairs." Lalasa told the little boy.

Demi smiled and ran upstairs. Lalasa's little boy was around the same age as Kiyra's son.

"He sure has grown up." Lalasa remarked. Seeing that Kiyra wasn't going to get teased anymore, the children disappeared with Geoff, who was promising to show them something.

"I'm teaching him his letters already and he can write his name." Kiyra said, beaming with pride.

"He's one of the most accomplished child mages in the city and it's his letters that you think of first." Lalasa smiled.

"I keep having to tell him to stop burning things in the house!" Kiyra groaned. "How do I get him to listen to me?"

"Did you try explaining to him that it's dangerous?"

"That's the first thing I tried. I don't think he gets it."

"I'm glad I have you two." Julie joined the two other women. "Anna's the most stubborn girl I've ever met."

"Just like her mother." Kiyra said, with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

Julie made a face and softly punched Kiyra's shoulder. "I'm going to love watching you raise your children. They'll give you a run for your money."

The three women laughed.

"Mama, Mama!" Jerry ran to Lalasa. "They're fighting!"

Kiyra made a move towards the staircase, but Julie stopped her. "You take a rest, Kiyra. Me and Lalasa can take care of it."

Kiyra threw up her hands and headed towards the kitchen. Despite what Geoff, the Goats, and she herself had thought, she had learned to cook. Right now, she felt like some cookies.

Merci was sitting quietly on a chair by the fireplace. She looked up when Kiyra entered.

"Kiyra, am I pretty?"

"Fishing for compliments?" Kiyra teased, before realizing that her young friend was serious. "Well, I'm no expert but I think so. You have some of the clearest blue eyes I've ever seen and your hair's very beautiful."

That didn't cheer Merci up very much.

"Is it a boy?"

Merci slowly nodded. "He doesn't even notice me. I don't think he likes me at all."

"Boys like to keep their feelings to themselves. He wouldn't show them if he thought you didn't like him."

"But Geoff kissed you and he was just sixteen!" Merci protested. "The boy I like is just a bit younger!"

"It depends on the boy, of course." Kiyra informed her.

Merci's eyes filled with tears. "I think he likes someone else. Another girl. He's always writing to her!"

"Is this boy, assuming he's a page," Kiyra said and Merci nodded. "Does he treat you any different than anyone else?"

"Yes!" Merci's lower lip trembled. "He ignores me."

"Good." Kiyra grinned. "No, really, that's a good sign. He doesn't treat you the same as everyone else. So he either likes you or hates you. And no one could hate you."

Merci slowly smiled. "You really think he likes me?"

"I think so. Just remember, you have to act yourself. That's who he should like and if he doesn't, he isn't worth your time. Do you want to help me make cookies?"

"Sure." Merci hugged Kiyra and they began getting out ingredients.

Kiyra climbed up the stairs that led up to Geoff's office in the Dove. She rapped on the door and said, "It's Kiyra."

There was no answer. Kiyra frowned; Randy had said that Geoff was up here. Then, she heard a rustling around and a chair sliding.

"Geoff, answer me." Kiyra banged sharply, then twisting the knob. It was locked. Geoff had gotten Thom to fix the door so that lock-picks wouldn't work and Kiyra had no key. She began to panic.

"Geoff, open the door right now!" Kiyra yelled. She was close to tears. She began to push at the door with all of her might.

"Kiyra, what's wrong?" Tyrell came pounding up the stairs, Hashim and Finn right behind him.

"Geoff won't answer but I know that there's someone in there!" Kiyra whimpered.

Tyrell sized up the heavy oak door. "Alright, boys. On the count of three then."

The boys and Kiyra threw themselves at the door. The lock trembled, but didn't give. It held out for four more throws before snapping.

Kiyra gasped at the scene before her. Geoff lay on the bed, not moving. There was blood everywhere.

"Geoff!" Kiyra wailed, running to him.

"I'll get someone." Finn ran.

Hashim rushed to Geoff's side. "My aunt's a healer. I've watched her some."

Geoff's shoulder was bleeding and his other arm was cut. Kiyra inspected every inch of him, but couldn't find any other wounds.

Hashim ripped up a sheet into bandages and tore Geoff's sleeve away from his arm. Tyrell got him a pitcher of water and Hashim washed the blood away.

"Who would do this?" Kiyra cried. "Geoff, please wake up! Please!"

"Kiyra, you need to calm down." Hashim told her. "He'll be alright. Look, he's still breathing."

"But he might die!" Kiyra sobbed.

"Tyrell, can you take her out?" Hashim asked. "Try and calm her down a bit."

Tyrell gently led Kiyra out and passed Finn and the healer, who were on their way in.

As soon as the healer gave the okay, Kiyra was back in the room.

"Is he going to be alright?" Kiyra asked.

"Yes, he just needs rest now." The healer answered. "He'll be fine."

"Kiyra?" Geoff half-sat up.

"Yes, Geoff?" Kiyra sniffled.

"You're overreacting." Geoff teased.

"Overreacting?" Kiyra said, voice rising in pitch. "Overreacting? You were bleeding and you wouldn't open the door! You could have died! Overreacting?"

"Kiyra, I wouldn't have died." Geoff reassured her. "Come here."

He held open his arms and Kiyra dove into them.

"I'll be more careful next time, alright?" Geoff promised. Kiyra weakly nodded.

"Who was it, Geoff?" Tyrell wondered.

"Someone I trusted." Geoff shook his head ruefully. "Someone I'd best kill before they start talking."

"Talking about what?" Kiyra asked.

Geoff shook his head. "Anyway, it's lucky you came along so soon. What did you want, anyway?"

Kiyra frowned and tried to remember. "Oh, I wanted to know if you were coming home for lunch."

"Sure." Geoff steeled himself and got out of bed.

"I'll get horses." Tyrell ran out. Finn and Kiyra steadied Geoff as he walked, while Hashim watched him with a careful and level eye.

"By the Gods, I'm not dying!" Geoff said exasperatedly.

Kiyra woke up with a gasp. She quickly looked to Geoff, who was still sleeping. She took a deep breath and quietly got out of bed.

She walked down to the kitchen, only half-surprised to find five guilty faced children sitting round the table with cookies and lemonade. Instead of scolding them, she plopped down next to them, taking a swig from Toady's glass.

"Sorry if we woke you up." Merci apologized.

Emma nodded. "We just got thirsty."

"I'm not sorry." Luth drawled. "I'd rather have you with us than sleeping."

They all laughed. "Just as long as you don't wake Demi up. I'd have a world of trouble getting him to sleep again."

"Did we wake you up?" Emma asked.

"No...I got thirsty too." Kiyra answered.

"Anyway," Rye said. "I was just telling them that Geoff said I could really be a spy!"

"I know. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you all too." Rye's eyes were bright with excitement. "But to be a spy!"

"Just remember to be careful." Kiyra told him. "And keep out of trouble."

Merci snorted. "Kiyra telling someone to be careful. Next, you'll get Geoff doing something stupid."

"Demi playing with ice."

"Emma picking on Dann."

"Finn turning white."

After the roar of laughter from the last one died out, Kiyra tried to hide a smile. "You are the cruelest group of children I've ever known!"

Kiyra held her facial expression for about fifteen seconds before breaking into laughter. The others joined her.

"Thought you were angry for a second!" Luth hooted.

"Really?" Kiyra said happily.

"No." Luth shook his head and started a new wave of laughter.

A small noise at the door startled them all. They all looked over.

"Demi!" All six of them shouted.

Demi frowned and shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. You're too loud."

"Kiyra, what did we tell you?" Toady scolded her.

"You never listen!" Luth threw up his hands. "Now what's gonna be your punishment?"

Demi giggled and climbed in his mama's lap. He reached for a cookie and took a bite before Kiyra could stop him. "Mama needs to be spanked."

That started them all laughing again.

"I really wouldn't have expected this of you." Tyrell stood in the doorway with his eyebrows raised and arms folded. Wren, Lars, Hashim, Finn, and Dann stood behind him, curiously peeking into the kitchen.

"Come on in, then." Kiyra said. "I'll have you know that they started it!"

The Goats shuffled into the room and shared chairs with the others. Tyrell got down more mugs and passed around the lemonade and cookies. For a minute or two, there was only the sound of contented chewing.

"Well, now is as good a time as any." Lars began. "I decided..."

"Wait, is it more bad news?" Emma interrupted.

"Depends." Lars said. "I want to go back to the Sea Dragon."

"You want to leave again?" Finn accused.

"I love the sea." Lars confessed. "I do. And I've got friends back on the Dragon. Besides, Cap'n said that I was officer material. He says I've got the quick head for it. I can be great too."

Kiyra felt her eyes tear up. She hated to lose both Lars and Rye.

"Aw, Kiyra," Lars comforted. "I'll be back."

"You could get hurt." Kiyra said. "It's dangerous."

"The mother in Kiyra coming out again." Lars joked around, but he gave Kiyra a sort of hug. "Don't worry, mum, this here's one lad who'll be careful."

"Promise me?" Kiyra held his eyes. She knew Lars could be a little reckless sometimes.

"I promise." Lars grinned. "Asides, there be too many pretty girls back home." He winked at Tyrell, who winked back. Kiyra rolled her eyes. She hoped Geoff had given them the man talk, before they broke hearts.

"Remember Enoroflla?" Merci asked suddenly. "Back in the prison, after Kiyra started the market fight?"

"Wasn't me." Kiyra protested. "It was those Mare's Heads picks. They started it."

"You used to proud of the fact." Tyrell raised his eyebrow. "Don't tell me that you still aren't."

Kiyra smiled. "You know me too well."

"Course we do. Pass the cookies." Luth pointed for the cookies, which were now almost gone.

Demi's face was twisted up. "What's enoroflla?"

"Enoroflla, all for one." Rye recited. "It's the Goat's war cry, at least, it was."

"Still is." Kiyra pointed out. "Enoroflla?"

"Enoroflla!" Lars and Finn shouted in unison. The others started pounding on the table as hard as they could.

"ENOROFLLA! ENOROFLLA! ENOROFLLA!" The Goats shouted over and over again. Luth and Toady jumped on the table and stomped. Kiyra laughed and moved the cookies and lemonade off the table. The wooden plates clattered and clashed around. Dann and Demi climbed onto the table also.

"ENOROFLLA! ENOROFLLA! ENOROFLLA!"

Finn, Lars, Tyrell, Hashim, Merci, Wren, Rye, Emma and Kiyra began to dance around in a circle around the table. Kiyra grabbed Demi off the table and swung him around. Demi giggled and shouted in glee.

"A wounded man can't get any rest around here." Geoff gave Kiyra his sad face.

Kiyra was caught up in the dance and the chant. "Enoroflla, Geoff!"

Geoff rolled his eyes and snatched his son.

"No, Da!" Demi squirmed away. "I wanna dance!"

Geoff moaned and slumped down at the table. Kiyra was at his side in an instant.

"Geoff, are you okay?" Kiyra panicked.

Geoff grinned up at her with that look in his eyes. Kiyra made a face at him.

"Someday, you're really going to be hurt, but I'm not going to believe you." She scolded him.

"Yes, someday." Geoff poked under her ribs and she jerked.

"Geoff!" Kiyra held her sides and kicked Geoff.

"That's a love fight." Luth told Demi, who was getting worried. The rest of the Goats were laughing.

"Let's go outside." Lars groaned. "I don't want to watch the rest of this. I've seen enough on shore leave."

"C'mon." Tyrell said. The Goats followed the two boys. Demi tried to sneak out inconspicuously, but his mother knew his tricks.

"Demi, get back here! It's not safe and you should be in bed!"

Lars scooped the little boy up. "Aw, let him come. I'll take good care of him."

Kiyra frowned. Geoff poked her again. "Spoilsport."

"Am not!" Kiyra protested. "Fine, he can go."

"Yay!" Demi crowed.

Once they were alone, Geoff lifted Kiyra up. She beat around his neck and shoulders in protest.

"Let's go to bed." Geoff insinuated.

"Geoff! Kiyra!" Voices thudded through their sleeping heads.

"What is it?" Geoff called out. He could hear the worry in their voices.

"It's Demi!"

Kiyra sat straight up. "Where is he?" She and Geoff hurriedly threw on their clothes.

There was silence on the other end. Geoff whipped open the door.

Lars was standing in front, eyes brimming with tears. One half of his face was bruised and there was a cut on his scalp. Demi was not with them.

"Where is he?" Kiyra wailed.

"I dunno. We split up to play a game. Demi was with me, then I woke up and he wasn't. I'm sorry Kiyra, I'm sorry." Lars bit his lip so hard it bled.

"It wasn't your fault, lad." Geoff squeezed his shoulder. "Don't blame yourself."

"It's okay, Lars." Kiyra hugged him. "Let's just find Demi."

"I'll need to contact some people. I can get them out within the hour. Tyrell, Lars, and Merci, I need you to go to the palace and tell their majesties."

"On it." Tyrell ran out, but Lars still stood with his head down in shame.

"Lars, listen to me. I'm not angry at you, it could've happened to anyone. I'm just glad you're not dead. For right now, go with them." Kiyra told him.

Lars looked up, then nodded and hurried to catch up with his friend.

"What should I do?" Kiyra looked to Geoff for instructions.

"You stay here with the others."

"I want to help find my child!" Kiyra cried.

"No!" Geoff roared. The others looked at him in surprise. "No, Kiyra. Whoever took Demi wanted to hurt someone. You'd be a bonus."

"And what about you, Geoff?" Tears were running down Kiyra's face. "Maybe it was you they wanted to hurt."

"There are protective wards on the house. You'll be safe here." Geoff finalized.

"What about Lalasa and Julie and Cart and the babes?" Rye reminded them. "They'll be targets too."

"Rye, you're good at sneaking. Hurry, try to get them. Don't take any chances." Geoff told Rye. The boy nodded and took off his shoes.

"Quieter barefoot." Rye grinned. Emma hugged him and whispered something into his ear. "Emma, don't be such a girl. I'll be okay."

Rye slipped out the window.

"Stay here." Geoff warned Kiyra. "Kids, make her stay here. Knock her out if you have to."

Hashim nodded. "She'll be safe with us."

"Good. Kiyra, I love you." Geoff rushed out of the room.

Kiyra opened her mouth but nothing came out.

"He'll be fine, Kiyra." Finn reassured her. "Geoff can take care of himself."

"Yah. Why don't you try and sleep?" Merci encouraged Kiyra. "You didn't get much rest."

"Demi's out there!" Kiyra whimpered. "I couldn't sleep."

There was no answer to that. Kiyra slumped down on a chair. Luth sat by her feet and rested his chin on his knees. Emma sat by Dann and Wren and hugged them. Finn and Toady sat in the corner and conversed in whispers. Hashim noticed and sat next to them. He looked as if he was comforting them. They kept pulling on their Goat necklaces, but Kiyra didn't notice. Merci pulled a chair up to Kiyra. Some time later, Rye shouted up the stairs. "It's just me and the others! They're all okay."

The door burst open and Lalasa and Julie stood there uncertainly. At the sight of them holding their own children, Kiyra burst into tears.

Lalasa rushed over. "Hey, hey, it'll be alright."

Merci and Emma took Anna, baby Cole, and Jerry onto the bed. Julie started to rub Kiyra's shoulders.

"Cart and my Vince are with Geoff. We passed him on the way here." Lalasa said. "They're going to find your Demi."

"Am I a horrible person for hating you both?" Kiyra gazed enviously at the women's children.

"No, of course not." Julie hugged her. "Kiyra, everything is going to be fine."

"I want him back with me. I shouldn't have let him go out. What kind of mother lets their child go out in the middle of the night?"

"It could've happened during the day. They must have been watching you." Lalasa said.

Kiyra shook her head and didn't speak.

A noise came from downstairs. All in the room jerked up and listened. Heavy footsteps were heard on the stairs. Hashim and Merci drew their daggers and stood on either side of the door.

Hashim gestured wildly and whispered. "Get behind the bed now!"

Lalasa pulled Kiyra behind the bed. "You'll do no good to your son if you're dead."

Julie grabbed the younger children and they rolled under the bed. Finn, Rye, Toady and Luth also pulled out their dirks and hid. Emma, Wren and Dann drew out their daggers, but hid behind the bed.

A door down the hall opened, then shut. The footsteps were heard again and they stopped before the bedroom door. Slowly, the knob turned and the door was slowly pushed open.

A small, dark figure stepped into the room. It didn't see Hashim and Merci.

"Mama?" The figure called.

Kiyra flew up from behind the bed. She stared for a minute at the shape, then her hand went up to her mouth.

"Demi?"

Hashim and Merci dropped their dirks.

Demi was covered from head to toe in ash. His clothes were burnt and he was barefoot.

"The bad men took me. They wanted to hurt Da and you. They talked about it."

"Did they let you go?" Kiyra ran to Demi and kissed him over and over again. The other children and the women came out from their hiding places.

"No." Demi answered, beginning to cry. "I scorched them."

Hope you liked it. I, personally, loved the last line of Demi's. Anyway, someone's out to get them and it will come up in the next chapters. I haven't totally worked it out yet. Please review.