Is anyone else thinking that this story is kind of moving a bit slowly? It's like...okay...she's at the fort, she's at the fort...WTF A STORM, she's at the fort.

And I mean...don't get me wrong. It definitely picks up. Trust me on that. I wrote it. Haha (and not in a conceded way).

Better start reading....

Song for this Chapter: Mouthwash → Kate Nash

Disclaimer: I own some, she owns some, we all own some.

Chapter 19: Forgiveness and Friendship

"Dom what happened?" Romeli asked surprised as she came out of her stall and towards him and his mount. Both were badly wounded, though the horse seemed to be the worst off with a sprained leg, gash on the side, and bleeding snout.

Dom looked at her with sunken eyes. "I was out riding, and Shroom, my horse, fell in a ditch. Do you think you can help her? She's the best mount—and friend—I've ever had."

Romeli stared at him. She had never seen this side of Dom before. She could see tears in his eyes. He truly needed her help.

She nodded and looked at Dom's mare, Shroom. She was a sweet horse of the gray variety with white socks.

Do you think you can walk? she asked Shroom as she stroked the side of her head.

I think so, if it isn't too far, replied Shroom in a pained yet optimistic voice. Romeli nodded and led Shroom to a well-spaced corner with a light pile of hay by it. She helped the horse lie down as Dom watched with a worried face.

"Okay," Romeli said to no one in particular. She sat down by the horse and patted Shroom's belly comfortingly.

She closed her eyes with her hand on Shroom's soft yet bleeding nose. Gently she sunk into the horse's body and began to heal the horse's sprained leg, which was obviously the most painful.

In the middle of working on Shroom's leg, she noticed something else wrong with the mare. She sensed a dark pit in Shroom that usually belonged to diseases and other health problems.

Worried that something terribly horrible was wrong with the sweet horse, she quickly healed the rest of the horse's wounds, though still being extra careful to make everything perfect. A lump in her throat grew when she discovered the problem.

"Well that explains why she fell," Romeli pointed out opening her eyes with a pale face.

"What's wrong? What's wrong with Shroom?" Dom asked scared. He knew that Romeli's expression was not a good one.

Romeli wrung her hands and stood up. "She has a tumor in her foot," she informed grimly. "I don't know how to heal them, Daine never taught me." She saw Dom's face begin to pale. For once she felt sorry for the sergeant. "I'm going to got get her, stay here and comfort Shroom."

Dom nodded and went to his horse while Romeli rushed to find her mother.

It didn't take long for her to find Daine, and once she dragged her out of the bedroom, they headed for the stables at a run.

"Okay let's see here," Daine said kneeling down by Shroom as the horse stared at her patiently. Daine closed her eyes and examined the horse with her wild magic.

"Ah yes, I see it," Daine pointed out with still closed eyes. Dom bit his lip worriedly, glancing at the mare's foot. He tried to put pressure on a long gash on his arm so he didn't lose too much blood, but his attention was completely turned towards Shroom.

"There the tumor is gone," Daine said victoriously as she opened her blue eyes. Waves of relief swept over Dom and he gained some color in his cheeks. He kneeled down by his horse and patted her nose comfortingly.

Daine left minutes later saying that she had two leggers to talk to and a busy schedule to follow. Romeli sighed, exhausted. She had another one of her lessons with her Guardians last night. They were getting better, albeit slowly, and they still left her eyes droopy and heavy the next day. And now, after healing Shroom, she felt like she could just sleep on just about anything.

Dom watched Romeli rub her blurry eyes with gratefulness. "Thank you for—well—you know, helping Shroom."

"Huh?" Romeli asked, her ears too tired to tired to hear correctly. "Oh. You're welcome."

"I mean it's really nice of you to do this for me," he added.

Romeli glared. "I didn't do it for you," she pointed out. Wasn't it obvious that she did it for Shroom?

Dom nodded. "I would think no less," he said. "Shroom is half of my life—a really close family member—and you have no idea how much it means to me that she's well."

Romeli smiled weakly, not able to think of anything to say. She never knew Dom could be so compassionate.

"Well I better be going then," he announced feeling a little dizzy from blood loss. He wondered why Romeli hadn't offered a healing, but she looked so tired that he didn't bother asking

Dom's voice knocked Romeli out of her temporary silence. "Oh. Oh—no wait. Since Shroom just had a healing, I would recommend doubling—or even tripling—her feed so she can get back the lost fat and strength."

"I'll be sure to do that."

"Oh—and Dom?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"For what?" The sergeant asked confused. What was there to be thankful for?

"For—you know—being nice to me for once," she answered hesitantly.

Dom smiled weakly and soluted lazily. "Anytime." He led his horse out of the stables and towards the stables that belong to the soldiers.

OOO

Hello Romeli, greeted Sclythe in his usual way. Romeli found herself in a beautiful lakeside area where everything seemed to flourish.

Hello, Romeli greeted politely. Are we off to do more practicing?

Actually no, Old White said, also sitting with them. We came to talk to you.

About what? She asked casually, the curiosity getting the best of her.

Well as you know, there is a war going on, started Sclythe.

I think I've noticed that, Romeli replied with a grin.

Sclythe seemed to glare at her before continuing. This isn't a normal war, Romeli, he pointed out.

Romeli stared at them confused. What's so different about it?

More than you think, my friend, Old White stated keenly, as if he knew something that she didn't. Which was apparently true.

Well can you give me a clue as to what's so 'different' about it?

Sclythe let out a sigh. The reason to the war is hidden in the gods' lips. They speak of the thing of life, power, magic, and jewel. Only that thing that started the war can end it.

Romeli eyed them doubtfully. Yeah, good luck with that. A thing like that doesn't exist.

Open your eyes, do you not see what's around you? Old white asked dryly.

I do admit that I am not the most observant person, but more or less, I doubt anything has that much power. Besides a God perhaps, but Gods cant stop wars can they?

Not usually no, Sclythe replied with a blank face.

How many people know about this prophecy?

Not many, mostly mages and people who concern themselves in such things. Most of them are Scanrans. It's said to be a Scanran prophecy, though it really isn't. It involves both Scanra and Tortall, informed Old White.

Romeli thought for a moment. As weird and important as this is, what do you want me to do about it?

Search for the thing that holds the power. Give it to someone who can control it and wield it. It is said that only that person who holds that power can stop the war, Sclythe announced.

Before Romeli could ask anything else, her Guardians vanished in silvery smoke.

OOO RATHAUSAK OOO

King Maggur was incredibly weary. His face was cold and clammy as the Scanran winter was approaching. He had aged more than he wished over the past two months with shallow—yet visible—wrinkles on his face, and gray tinged blonde hair, pasting to the top of his head thinly.

Most people thought that the reason why he was aging so rapidly was because of his weakening health. It wasn't his health however. In fact, his health was fine. It was his obsession.

It's all he could think about lately. That powerful 'It' told in the prophecy was the only thing he cared for. Ever since he got word from one of his spies in Tortall that there had been a sighting of It, his obsession only grew. He remembered that moment so well. It always crept to the front of his mind and flashed before his eyes in dreams and memories.

"Your highness, I think I found it," announced one of his good friends as they talked through magical rocks that he gave all of his spies to keep in touch.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Maggur blurted out impatiently. "Go and get it!" He could have It before any more Scanran soldiers were lost. The thought was unbearable. He could have control over the whole world with It.

"It's more complicated than that—you see—oh no. I have to go, someone is coming," said his spy flustered. And then their connection was cut off, leaving Maggur to his thoughts.

What was so unique and complicated about it? He asked himself as he sat atop his throne, where he spent most of his days. What was so hard about bringing It to him that not even his most experienced spy could do so?

But what if It was more than just an object? All along he thought it would be a rock of some type. Like the Dominion Jewel, only more powerful. Never before has he actually thought that the thing prophesied might be alive. That would certainly be much more complicated then expected.

He clapped his hands loudly and immediately one of his mages scurried to his side.

"Please connect me to spy number twenty-four," he ordered. The mage bowed and got a magical rock out of his pocket.

OOO

Romeli fluttered her eyes open to the sound of drums signaling the arrival of more newcomers. She quickly stumbled off of her bedroll and dusted herself off.

She quickly tied up her boots hoping that the arrival came with a certain horse and cobra of hers. She ran out of the stables happily, leaving horses staring at her amused.

When Romeli arrived at the entrance of the fort, soldiers, horses, people, nearly everyone was crowded around it. Romeli quickly scurried towards the crowd as she looked for someone she knew.

She heard a familiar whinny a little to her left and she immediately headed towards the direction of Shadowdancer.

Dodging around the many people, and feeling quite uncomfortable surrounded by so many two-leggers, she eventually spotted her horse's ebony coat.

"Shadowdancer!" She cried making her way towards her mare with increased gusto. At last she was free of the crowd's grasp as she felt the warm, soft fur against her face and hands. She never knew how much she had missed her horse until now.

My Sister! Shadowdancer greeted ecstatic. I have missed you so much!

Me too! Romeli agreed, embracing her horse tighter. When she let go of her, she felt something cold and scalely on her neck.

Sharpfang? She asked excited. The snake brought his head up to her face and licked her nose. Romeli grinned, her nose tingling from the soft touch. She kissed Sharpfang on the nose making the cobra sneeze.

I missed you guys so much! She told them happily. You won't believe what happened while I was here!

We have plenty of time to talk later, Shadowdancer pointed out elegantly. But now is the time to meet other people that have surely missed you.

"Wha—." Was all she could say before Shadowdancer nudged her into someone who was standing behind the mare.

"Sorry about that," she apologized as she rubbed her head. When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring at bright emerald ones.

"Romeli you stupid idiot," James whispered as he embraced her tightly. "How could you do such a thing!" Romeli knew well enough what he was referring to: Numair's death. And how he found out she would surely get to the bottom of. "You could have died. You should died! Gods I—I hate you so much." He only hugged her harder.

Romeli, barely able to breathe, made him let go of her. "If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about it around—all of these people."

"Understood, fair lady."

"Don't call me that," she grumbled.

"I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to—your horse."

Romeli rolled her eyes. "Sure Oh Mighty One who Worries over the Stupidest Things."

James snorted. "And I thought I was bad at names."

Romeli smacked him on the head as she led him, her horse, and her snake to a place less crowded. "You thought correctly."

"As much as I would love to continue this discussion of ours, and believe me, I really want to…"

"Just get on with it," Romeli grumbled, patience already growing thin with James' eloquently extended conversation starters.

"I can't because I'm going to be a busy man—."

"Man?"

"Yes man now shush!" he cried. Then under his breath he muttered, "Women these days." At Romeli's glare he continued. "I'm going to be a busy man working on the fort and training with my fellow soon to be squires, so we may not be able to hang out a lot."

"Oh," she said as they walked on. "Well what if I help? You know, with the fort?"

"I doubt you can do anything," James said uncertain.

"Oh you did not just say that," Romeli challenged. "You have no idea how much I have been helping around here."

"And that help you're referring to good help, correct?"

"Um, Yeah!" Romeli told him as if it was obvious.

"Hey Romeli!" called and all too familiar voice. James and Romeli turned around to face Sereem, Whave, and Ethan.

Romeli stood uncomfortably. She wasn't sure if her friends would ever forgive her for being 'possessed' by her evil. How could they trust her? Her, and her freakish hair with freakish eyes and freakish powers—an alien. They didn't think like James. They didn't forgive like he did. So why would they now? For all they knew she could still be getting over her evil instead of conquering it. And how would she confront them about it? Who said they wanted to even be confronted?

"Um, hi," she greeted awkwardly. She looked over towards James for help, but he was ever so cleverly talking to a particularly large, yet kind soldier.

Before Romeli could find a retreat from violent pages, they came at her at a run.

Romeli yelped, expecting perhaps a massive plummeting or a tackle, but instead she only got happy and missed hugs.

"It's wonderful to see you again Romeli!" said Whave ecstatic. He gave her a friendly slap on the back. "We really missed you!"

"Yeah! You have to tell us everything!" added Sereem. Ethan of Tirragen only smiled happily and waved, clearly showing that the past was behind them.

"You guys done now?" inquired James with a drawl as he stared at them amused. "She's not your teddy bear, you know. Faleron told you to leave them at home, Sereem."

Sereem glared at James in mock hurt. "Not cool James. Not cool at all. And I do not have a teddy bear."

"That's what they all say my good fellow," Whave said concerned as he clasped his shoulder. Sereem shrugged it off as if it were poison and pouted. But before anything could grow serious, they all started to laugh and snort.

"YOU BOYS! GET YOUR HIGHNEYS BACK TO UNPACKING OR SO HELP ME, I WILL CUT THEM OFF AND DISPLAY THEM ON TOP OF MY FIREPLACE!" Roared the voice of Faleron's assistant, Ryland. He was known for his strictness. His favorite weapon was his screeching voice.

James, Ethan, Sereem, and Whave shuddered and waved to Romeli.

"Duty calls Rome," James announced in solute, they then jogged towards their things before Ryland could think of another reason to yell at them.

Romeli shook her head. Rome? What type of nickname is Rome? she thought as she absentmindedly stroked Sharpfang. She grabbed Shadowdancer's reigns. Something tells me I'll be getting a lot of them this year. She looked down at her trunk of things that James had so kindly packed for her and shrugged. She'll get it to the stables later.

Come on guys, she told her People friends. I'll show you our new home.

Hmm. That's odd. No cliffhanger.

Replies:

Anonomus: Wow did you read all 18 in one day? That would be pretty extreme I have to say. Sorry it's depressing I hope this one lightened it up a little. The next chapter should be pretty funny, but I haven't written it yet so…yea. Is the main character the thing that Maggur wants? You know, it may be, maybe not, she could be connected with the thing, or she could be it, or maybe she just needs to find it. Who knows? Well I do, but I'm not saying. She is part dragon due to her family tree. And the stormwings know something that she doesn't. Will I tell you what that something is? Of course not!

Cylobaby: I'm glad you like it so much! I'm glad she fears storms too because otherwise she would be way too perfect. Yeah the inner evil is supposed to be freaky. It's the horror part of the fic I guess. You're scared of ET? I was when I was little…lol. I like her sis too! Yeah the nickname Romy really bugs me…shiver. W/e. whee!

HyperLittleCat: YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! YOU LOGGED IN! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! Yeah it's adopted sis, they're only related by law. Sugar…sugar…sugar…mmm. Okay good, I'm still stuck there. Well at least I have my computer still! It's all good! And I like to throw my food at the guards! It makes me laugh! Giggle giggle. Lord Voldie is my cousin! We AIM each other all the time! He's always talking about killing Harry, and so I tell him to go to therapy, but he doesn't seem to listen. Shrug. FBI ONG AHHHHHHHH! RUN BEFORE THEY CATCH YOU!

Blue mariposa: Yea you'll have to get used to cliff hangers. There will be a lot more coming up. Fear of storms is good. I used to be scared of storms, so I know how Romeli feels making it easier to write. But that was like forever ago.

Pourtoujourmort: sorry for the slow update. Stupid writer's block. Okay…long one this time. I love your long reviews. They make me all moosey inside.

!. wow…that was confusing. Well I guess if you look at it that way…it could be said by Dom or Roaul. But I guess what I was trying to get through is that Romeli is flustered that she can't do anything about the storm, and she's scared that the storm is going to destroy the fort. Trust me, when I was little I was so scared that everytime it was windy or there was a thunderstorm, that it would blow down our house. You can't really think clearly when you're afraid. But either way works.

. Does it really take longer? I guess I'm used to Colorado weather (where I used to live), whenever it stormed it could go on for hours of only like two minuets. The weather is crazy over there I swear.

#. Arrest Romeli? You think too hard! Lol…no it was only Dom. No don't cry!

$. Wow that was an amazing paragraph right there. You could go on for hours couldn't you! Lol. silly. No Laloria is their real daughter. No criminal or anything like that. (Sees your disappointed look) ah well.

. A goddess you say? Maybe! Maybe not! She could be a demi goddess, a water sprite, and immortal, an alien from a different galaxy, who knows? Well I do, but I'm not saying anything.

. Dude…just wow. Your imagination is a tinge bit more then overactive my dear. Yet that is a good idea.

&. That is a great idea. I think I shall use it! Keep it secret! Keep it safe!

. Um…it's only Dom hun. What are you sugar high? Geeze…mutters about crazy people—one just happening to be me.

Lost goddess of the shadows: All we know is that she's half dragon. Is she half god? Don't be to sure… lol. family tree! Family tree! Thanx!

Kuyaga: what is up? Yay weather! Weather god you say? Romeli doesn't like weather gods…lol. Dude she would so totally die on the Roof of the World if she ever went up there. silly.

QueenThayet12990: It's okay, everyone has been thinking that. Oh no…our other spring break is coming soon! We have two isn't that just great? Well no actually, because our skool year doesn't end until like June 23 or something. Crazy skool board. Wanna help me murder them? I like to eat molasses! Yummy! What's molasses? No she's not half chaos being, and there isn't a chaos being living inside. You were closer before. Oh well! Whee. Noodles.

Wingedrider: Sorry for updating so slow. (yawns) lol. You'll have to get used to the cliffies.

Ephona: hmmm, it was like 11 last night and I was dying of tiredness. (Yawns) sleep is good for me! You little nocturnal person you! Lol.