A/N: You've all been so patient and good and gosh darn encouraging...

Here is a nice exciting chapter for you!

Sorry it's a bit shorter than I wanted it but this bout of writer's block has been the worst. Sorry

Beckett noticed something unusual and gave the order for his men to halt. He dismounted his horse and knelt down to study the ground. He looked back at from where they came and then ahead to the direction where they were going.

"I do not understand," he mused.

"What seems to be the problem, sir?" one of the soldiers asked.

"It is curious," he replied. "The tracks have been perfectly preserved since we have entered these woods and now they have abruptly stopped."

He has to entertain the possibility that they were being purposefully misled. Maybe the rogues deliberately created this pathway to cover up their true getaway. Indeed, they were clever enough to storm the castle virtually undetected and make off with the princess. One thing Beckett knew for sure was that he had to think swiftly. Dozens of men, half were younger than him, were all looking toward him for leadership.

Looking ahead in the distance, Beckett saw a clearing that was getting plenty of sunlight. He proceeded on foot, leading his horse.

"This way," he commanded.

After a few yards, the men were in the clearing and got off their horses.

Beckett stood atop a fallen log covered in moss so that everyone could see him.

"We will set up a temporary camp while I figure out where we go from here."

The weary travelers looked forward to the rest after riding for a few hours straight. They were hungry, sore and a few others wanted to relieve themselves.

"Beckett, look!" one of the soldiers pointed.

The company all gazed east as Noxymis, in his conspicuous black robe, walked toward them. He was far enough from any tree to have hidden but anyone would swear they had not seen him a moment ago.

"Hello there," Noxymis grimaced. "Lovely day, is it not?"

The young captain did not trust this seemingly benign man.

"We are the Royal Guard of Reinhart on direct order from His Majesty, King Helmond. And what business have you?"

"Business," Noxymis smirked. "That is precisely my game at the moment. See, I am looking to barter."

Beckett was growing tiresome of this 'jester with an ego' as he thought of him.

"Clearly we are not a trading post," he quipped.

"And yet you manage to have something I desire."

"What is your barter?" asked Luthik, one of Beckett's second in command.

Noxymis turned his head and pointed at his target, which was Victoria. The brunette had a sickly feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"A simple exchange: one of your men and I will spare the others."

This man seemed like a frail sort. Despite his threats, Beckett figured he'd play it tough and scare him off.

"Let me speak proudly," he pointed. "But I am a ward of the king's court. I must fulfill my obligation and retaliate when my kingdom comes under attack. Do you wish for me to have you hanged? I do not take threats against my men lightly."

"But that is not one of your men, is it?" Noxymis shot back.

Beckett admitted that the man in the helmet bore no resemblance. He also had not conversed with this man in any way.

"Let us see," the sorcerer said.

Suddenly, Victoria began to get very aware of her helmet getting hotter and hotter. Within seconds, it was as scorching as fire. She quickly unlatched the helmet and threw it off of her.

"Vic-Victoria?"

The woman didn't have her helmet; she was exposed, her flowing brown hair contrasted against her shiny grey armor plates. The attire itself was unflattering and unassuming. Nobody would have figured her a female until she spoke or purposely unmasked herself. Beckett's wide-eyed mouth agape reaction was more or less what Victoria anticipated.

Whispers permeated throughout the men, wondering who this woman was and what was she doing there.

"Why do you want with her?" Beckett asked trying not to act surprised.

"That is none of your concern," Noxymis replied.

"I suppose it does not matter because your intent must be malicious."

As Beckett spoke, his men readied their weapons.

Noxymis caught sight of some swords being drawn.

"This does not have to involve the welfare of your men," he warned Beckett. "Do not make it involve them."

Beckett, still bemused as to how she got here, quickly looked back at this girl who is ostensibly a friend.

"It involves me and that is enough."

"I just want her," Noxymis pointed at the brunette.

The soldiers looked at one another. A hush fell over the company when Beckett stepped forward, standing between Victoria and the sorcerer.

"You cannot have her," he told the thin man.

Noxymis frowned at the defiant man with long hair. It did not matter how little of a threat he posed to him; he was still in his way. And Noxymis has little patience for obstacles.

"Now you listen to me," Noxymis retorted. "I seek not to impede on your quest. Quite the contrary," he laughed to himself. "But your...companion...has something I want and I am not leaving without her. You can hand her over and walk away. Or you can continue to test my patience and be carried out of these woods. Anger me enough and you will find yourself in a deep, dark hole in the ground." He opened his robe, revealing a wand. "That is my bargain, reptile."

The dark-haired man narrowed his eyes.

"You," said Beckett as he took one step forward. "Shall not have the woman nor me."

"And so you have chosen," Noxymis replied as he raised his wand and flung it quickly. A mighty wind conjured up and knocked most of Beckett's men off their feet, frightening many of their horses away.

Noxymis held up his hand and Victoria is dragged by an invisible force before him.

"Come now, Victoria" he tells her menacingly.

Her neck was being strangled as she struggled to choke out the words "How...do...y"

"Oh, I know more than just your name, my dear. I know your secrets. And the funny thing is the biggest one of all you know nothing about."

Noxymis flicked his hand and made Victoria disappear.

"As for the rest of you," he said and then pounded the ground with his fist before vanishing himself into thin air.

A gaping sinkhole suddenly opens, making Beckett and his men hastily retreat in all directions to avoid the growing mouth of this bottomless pit.

In the cottage of the witch, Geolia; the enchantress was preparing supper over the open flame when two clouds of energy manifest behind her.

"Noxymis!" she growled, recognizing the second one to fully materialize.

"Sorry to just drop in like this," grinned the smarmy man. "But I have come to make my final offer for your jewel."

"Give me one good reason why I should not shrink you down small enough to place in my boiling pot this instant."

The sorcerer grabbed Victoria and held a dagger to her throat.

"How is this for a reason, Geolia?"

The witch puts her hands on her hips.

"A young woman dressed in men's clothing," she sighed. "What does she mean to me?"

"She means a great deal, my dear."

Geolia shook her head, uninterested "You must be mad."

"What is ever the matter, Geolia?" Noxymis winked. "You really do not recognize her?"

"No. Why would I?"

"Because she is your sister."