A/N: As usual, I apologize for the delay—temping during the day and then the gym at night...doesn't help that I would rather be writing than being in Central NJ and then NYC after that!

However, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 7- Red Hot Revenge

Isikan continued to watch as Imniar began his travel into the forest. "This should be interesting," he muttered.

"Interesting how?" a voice behind him asked.

"Get from behind me, Niarchos," Isikan growled.

"Damn you," Niarchos spat.

"Same to you, Niacha. What do you want anyway?" Isikan asked.

"I want to make sure you hurt for that stunt the other day," Niarchos hissed.

"Aww, you mad because I didn't shoot you in the ass too?" Isikan joked.

"Fuck off," Niarchos spat. "I'm going to get you for that. You could have killed my brother. Those two mages were nothing."

"So then why are you here, in my forest?" Isikan asked. "Leave while you still can, motherfucker."

"Er, how about no?" Niarchos said. "I challenge you to a duel, my dear Isikan. No bows and none of your hemlock-laced arrows either."

"Yeah, right," Isikan laughed. "Now why would I want to face you in a duel?"

"Because," Niarchos said. "If you don't, then I'll be forced to make my woman poison you with one of her potions."

"Yeah, sure," Isikan laughed again. "Everyone knows I'm the best potions master in the kingdom."

"True, but you've never challenged Siraena," Niarchos argued.

"I don't think I want to," Isikan said. "She might kick my ass in the middle of any competition with her."

"Good choice, my man," Niarchos said.

"Anyway," Isikan said. "You're wasting my time."

"If he's wasting your time, then I wonder what I would be doing?" Imniar said, emerging from his hiding place.

"What the hell? Both you and your imbecile brother get out of my forest before I pump both of you full of hemlock," Isikan threatened.

"You wouldn't," Niarchos sneered.

"He would," Imniar said. "He did that to me, remember?"

"Shut up," Niarchos hissed.

"Why tell him to shut up, Niacha?" Isikan asked. "He speaks the truth."

"Because I don't feel like hearing him at the moment," Niarchos said.

"As I feel about both of you," Isikan replied. "Now, get out of my forest," he said, reaching for his bow and arrow.

"You wouldn't," Niarchos said.

"I would," Isikan said. "Now leave, before I really do show you out."

"Okay, but not before you accept my challenge," Niarchos said, reaching for what appeared to be a dagger out of his boot.

"What the hell do you expect to do with that?" Isikan asked, laughing.

"Here, you figure it out," Niarchos said, throwing it at Isikan. The dagger caught Isikan's left thigh.

"Bastard," Isikan swore.

"My revenge is done," Niarchos said. "That's for nearly killing this loser of a brother of mine."

"That's it," Isikan said, grabbing his bow and arrows. "Eat hemlock, bastards."

Niarchos and Imniar took off running.

Isikan began shooting arrows left and right. "Damn you, stay still," he thundered.

"Never—oof," Niarchos laughed, then fell on his side. One of the arrows had gotten him in the side.

"Uh huh. And you were saying?" Isikan asked.

"Take this arrow out of my brother's side now," Imniar roared.

"What for?" Isikan asked. "I didn't hit you. I should though."

"Whatever—ow," Imniar growled.

He had been hit with an arrow from behind.

Neijior stepped from behind a cluster of oak trees. "You didn't think that you were getting off the hook, eh, Imniar?" he asked.

"Fuck you—and your brother too," Imniar growled.

"Just what you do to your brother," Neijior retorted.

"Hey! Getting back to what we were discussing," Isikan said. "The reason you and Kile were out here was?" he asked, glancing at Neijior.

"I just wanted to help," Kelkiar said, defending himself.

"As did I," Neijior said.

"You're all dead," Niarchos threatened. "Every single one of you."

"I second that," Imniar said. "As soon as we're healed again."

There was nothing but laughs as Isikan, Neijior, and Kelkiar walked off, leaving the two brothers howling in pain.