...this is one of my favorite chapters.

Song for this Chapter: Mercy → OneRepublic

Disclaimer: (ignores completely)

Chapter 24: In a Forest

Romeli spent most of her time over the next couple of days by herself or with the People. All of her friends had gone with their Knight Masters, executing their own journeys. Ryoku was too busy being a fourth year page to hang out with her much. She didn't really mind however. It gave her personal time to train with her magic and her double-bladed staff, or just to relax.

There was one thing wrong however. It had been two weeks since James had left, and there had been no word of him. She talked about it to Ryoku, but she just insisted that he was probably getting really drunk at an inn or something. Even her parents said that he was fine—he was probably staying at House Olau for a couple more days. And even though that seemed likely, a feeling of dread that had rooted in her stomach since his farewell did not disappear. In fact, it only grew in its troubling mass.

Romeli was sitting in the rose garden, her favorite place at the palace to relax and practice. It has been two weeks and two days exactly since James had left. She kept on telling herself that he was just delayed, he would be here surely by the end of the day, but deep inside she knew it wasn't true.

With a sigh, she stood up. She didn't care what the others were saying about how absence. She had to do something. She walked briskly towards her parent's room, a determined look in her eyes.

"Ma, how many days does it take to get to Olau?" Romeli asked as she helped her mother clean a few bird cages that they kept for wounded or sick palace birds.

Daine sighed. "Romeli, James is fine," she insisted, exasperated. "Why don't you do something that will keep your mind off of him?"

"It was just a question. Can't a girl ask how far away a fief is?" Romeli asked innocently.

Daine sighed again. "Two days ride. About fifty miles away."

"Thanks," Romeli said. She hugged her ma and walked out of their rooms and towards the courtyard.

Daine continued with her cleaning tiredly. "What am I going to do with that girl?"

OOO

Romeli walked in the open grounds, unaware of her surroundings as she sank into deep thought. If Olau was only two days away, and he stayed there for a couple of days, he should've been back almost a week ago." The thought was troubling.

"I need to contact Olau somehow," she told herself as she walked, fumbling with her hands. An idea hit her. "Olau is only fifty miles away. That's well within range of my Wild Magic. I could enter an animal's surroundings and ask them if they've seen him!"

She sat down by an old oak tree and closed her eyes like she was about to meditate. Usually asking one of the People if could transfer through them with her mind took only a matter seconds. But with Olau being so far away, it took even a few minutes to find the area.

The House Olau to her mind's eye was beautiful. It seemed to be a gigantic garden island away from the chaos of the rest of the country. When she entered through the walls of the house, the first of the People that she spotted was an imperial house cat that was an astonishing color of white.

Excuse me? she asked of the cat politely through her mind. The cat, who had been grooming herself, froze.

Yes? She purred. Her voice was a velvety elegance.

My name is Romeli. She greeted. I am here to ask for your help.

And my name is Shrooku, welcomed the cat. And what type of help do you want me to give you? Her voice was curious rather then lazy.

I was wondering if you have seen a boy who looks like this around here lately. She sent an image of James from her memory into the cat's mind.

Shrooku purred while she thought. She began to lick the top of her paw. Yes, I believe I did see a boy who looked very much like that. He left seven moons ago. Why ask?

He's my friend, Romeli informed sadly. And if what you're saying is correct, he's been missing for around a week now.

Shrooku began to groom herself again. Well, he's not here if you're wondering. Now if you don't mind, I see a large mouse in the corner that looks most amusing.

Oh, yes of course, Romeli returned hastily. In the matter of seconds, she scrambled back into her own body and opened her eyes.

Romeli stood up light headed. What do I do now? It's obvious that James is in trouble. Where is he? She brought her hands up to her head. What I wouldn't do for my Guardians to be here right now!

Connection. Out of the blue, the word just popped into her head. Connection. What in the world was that supposed to mean? James and her had a connection in friendship, but she had no idea how that was even going to help her right now. She had a connection with the People, but that wouldn't help her find him, nor would her plant magic.

Romeli's eyes widened. Connection. That was it! She was connected to every Gift—it was one of the three ingredients that composed her internal scale of life. If she singled out on only one human being, James, then she would be able to tell where he was, wouldn't she?

But how? Romeli thought as she once again found herself in the palace rose garden. Maybe I could open my mind to all the humans, like when I'm in Chaos Thoughts, and single him out?

She sat down on one of the stone benches and closed her eyes. Though finding James as soon as possible was vital, she spent a few minutes serenely meditating. The calm brought on by the state of mind would help her control her power. More importantly, it would help her tolerate the immense amount of Gifted people that would soon enter her consciousness.

Feeling her heart slow to an even lul, she slowly opened her mind to the Gift. At first the pain was unimaginable, like Chaos Thoughts all over again. The initial pain retracted into only a minor discomfort as she focused in on one person only: James.

When she finally found him, for a split second she felt like she was James. She backed out, making sure to keep away from his mind. All she needed to know were his surroundings.

James was tired, wounded, and terribly thin. He looked as if he had been living with terrible treatment over the past few days. He sat on the ground with his hands tied behind his back around a block of wood used to picket horses. By the looks of it, he was captured by a large band of bandits in the middle of a dense forest.

I wonder if I can find out what forest he's in, Romeli thought quickly. She would have to save the panic of the situation for later—losing focus right now was a bad idea. With immense effort, she sunk back into James' mind. At first James struggled, sensing that something or someone was sifting through him. He even so far as used his weakening Gift to pry her out, but Romeli blocked his powers. Moments later, James was somehow reassured that whatever had trespassed meant him no harm.

Romeli searched through his mind quickly for any clue as to what forest he was in. The first place she checked were his memories of his trip to Olau.

James was outside the courtyard of a beautiful stone house, shaking hands with a young man who said he was one of Myles's and Alanna's best friends. The friend, whose name was Votul, was expecting his arrival and had to give him a few important things that Alanna needed.

Not that one.

James was staring at Votul as he sat in front of a desk. Votul was bustling about, handing him maps and an assortment of ancient parchments. After Votul had found everything he had apparently needed, he wrapped it all up and slid it in an oil paper tube, putting a cap over it before handing it to James.

Nope.

James was on his horse, a hood over his head to ward off some of the biting cold. He was on a brown path that led to a spread, yet dense forest. His sword was tucked on his belt and the tube of papers he had been given was hidden in his pack. He started towards the forest. Just before the line of the trees consumed him, he noticed a sign that read Raven Forest. He was going in the right direction…

Bingo, thought Romeli. She left James memories and opened the eyes of her real body. There was a slight pang of pain from the rapid transfer of locations, but otherwise she was fine.

Only one problem: James's wasn't.

Romeli stood up. Now the hard part. Finding him. A flash of James in his sick and tired condition brought tears to her eyes. I'm such an idiot. I should've known this was going to happen.

She sighed. It doesn't matter now. She walked as fast as she could towards her room to grab things that she might need. At the same time however, she had to sneak by her parents. They would surely stop her if she told them of her plan.

What's the fastest way I could get there? She asked herself as she entered the palace with a long stride. She sighed. It always comes down to this. Dragon it is! I'll bring my bladed staff. Something tells me that there is going to be some fighting. I'll need a couple changes of clothes and some food...

By now she was up the stairs to her parent's suite. She climbed the stairs two at a time. When she entered her room, she quickly snatched her bladed staff and a change of clothes. She also grabbed a pack that could easily be carried around her dragon neck while flying. At second thought, she wrote her parents a note so that they wouldn't be worried if she didn't show up tonight.

It read:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I just wanted to forewarn you that I will not be here for the night and perhaps a little of tomorrow morning. I have decided to go on a little adventure in the Royal forest to get away from civilization for a while. Don't worry I will be extra careful as I am traveling by myself. I will bring my bladed staff so you won't have to worry.

See you tomorrow,

Romeli

She thought it was pretty convincing. Besides, it was partially true. She sighed with relief to find that she wouldn't have to be sneaking by her parents after all. They were probably off doing some work or talking with friends. She climbed down the stairs again.

Quietly, she slipped into the kitchens to bribe some food from the cooks to bring with her. Eventually she got two loaves of bread, jerky, dried fruit, and some cheese. Romeli thanked them and gave them a tip before she was on her way once again.

She stopped her walk behind the large stables and stored all of the food in her pack. She set her pack down along with her bladed staff, closed her eyes, and begun her transformation into a dragon.

This time her transformation was much quicker. In the matter of seconds she was a twenty-foot long dragon with a ten-foot tail. Her scales glistened a dark emerald green. Hastily, she grabbed her pack and put it around her neck, and grasped her bladed staff in her claws. She then pushed her wings up and then down to bring her into the sky.

I have to get out of sight, she thought as she looked over the imperial city below her. She rose up higher where the air became scarce and shallow and the clouds sank below her like a sea of melted marshmallows.

From what Romeli knew, the Raven Forest was right next to Olau, which was just past the Royal forest. The Raven forest was wide and about twenty-five miles long. It was known as a direct connection between Olau and the Great Road North. James had taken the forest path for a reason, knowing it was the fastest route back to the capital. But he was not expecting bandits.

Romeli ducked down below the clouds to see where she was. At the moment she was out of Corus' view and over the Royal Forest with miraculous speed. By the looks of it, she would make it in about thirty minutes. Comforted, she let her wings lift her back over the clouds.

She gave a shiver as the ice cold water droplets danced along her beaded, scaly skin. Her bladed staff felt slippery in her silver claws. She gripped it tighter.

A jolt hit her, like a small pinch of feeling. Somehow, in some way, she knew that time was running out for Jameson of Queenscove.

She flew faster.

OOO

At last she landed about twenty minutes later inside of the Raven forest. The flapping of her landing wings brought dust and deserted leaves up from the untouched ground. The little animals in the brush and trees scattered into their houses. Even if the girl was one of the People, the look of the landing creature was nothing to be comfortable about.

Okay, now where is he? She asked herself. Maybe if I sent out my hearing, I could sense the camp…

There, in the distance, maybe half a mile east of where she was were the voices of yelling and joking bandits. Romeli set off towards the voices quickly, still in her dragon form.

The camp itself was busy and rowdy. There were about twenty big tents scattered around the tree in no particular order. There were stolen horses picketed around the trees and blocks of wood. Then she spotted James. He was lying like she had seen when she entered his mind. He seemed to be unconscious, his head resting against the block of wood.

Romeli stared at him sadly. Okay, best way to do this. I could stay dragon, fight them with cool dragon powers that I've never even practiced doing before, or I could go human and against all odds beat them up with my staff. And there are at least fifty bandits out there, maybe more. I could also use my Gift, but I have to save my energy for healing James.

Romeli let out a quiet sigh. Dragon it is, she thought exasperated. She smiled. As long as I make a dramatic entrance, I should have the advantage. Good thing that wont be much of a problem.

Romeli stepped out of the shadows and into the clearing, roaringas loud and terrifying as she could. The whole forest seemed to be dominated with silence as all the bandits turned their heads towards her. The echo was so loud that she swore people could hear her from the palace.

OOO AT THE PALACE OOO

"Wow," said Jonathan as all of a sudden a roar from the distance overcame him. "What the?" He stopped frozen, his ears perked up. All of a sudden he began to laugh. "That sounded a lot like a dying moose!"

OOO NOT AT THE PALACE OOO

She stepped out into the sunlight with fully outspread wings. Smoke erupted from her nostrils. Her eyes blazed furiously and she felt lightning skip along her scaly flesh.

She swore half the camp bolted away in fear. The other half, well—they were toast. Literally.

She opened her mouth as far as it could go, feeling fire burn up her throat and shoot out of her mouth like an enormous flame-thrower. Many of the tents began to burn, along with a few drunken bandits. A guilt rose up her, she didn't like this power that she held. She was killing innocent people. And yet her fury towards them for kidnapping her friend made her want all of them to die. They had meddled in her life, and now she was going to meddle in theirs.

With her dragon magic, she somehow untied all of the horses and watched them bolt off through the forest in wide-eyed fear. More fire licked out of her mouth as she roared.

When all of the people left were either dead or too wounded to run, she ran over towards James. He was still unconscious.

She picked him up in her silver claws and grasped her bladed staff and pack in one of her hands. She flew away to a far away part of the forest.

The place that she picked was secluded and yet open and big enough to make camp. There was also a nearby river that they could use. One of the best factors was that the grass was soft and untouched. Perfect for a bed away from home.

She laid down James softly on the grassy land and walked away to transform back into her normal self. At the same time, she tucked herself into the river to bathe off all of the grit that she had picked up during the skirmish of the screaming bandits. After washing off all the soot, she changed into a fresh pair of clothes and walked once again over towards James.

She sat by him and brushed his matted hair away from his eyes. There were many cuts and scrapes on his body. His breathing was weak. She checked him with her Fift to find that his emerald pool of magic was nothing but a flicker in his soul.

"Shoot," whispered Romeli. She ran over to the river and wet her old T-shirt in the cold water to clean his wounds. First she took care of the major cuts like the gouge on his forehead and the nasty scrapes on his knees. On his shoulder blade, there was also a terribly bad scrape that had shredded his skin. Both of his wrists had major rope burns.

Romeli looked at James sadly. Slowly but surely, she began to heal his wounds. When she was done about five minutes later, his face and body were clean of any traces of blood. There were only faint scars where the big wounds and the burns on his wrist were. Soon enough the scars would heal and fade away.

She went over to the river again and cleaned her old shirt so that all of the blood and yuck was off of it. She then saturated it once again with water and went over to James. She wrung out the water part by part over his mouth so that his throat cleared of all of the dry dust and ash that may have dried it.

She laid her bladed staff and pack next to the both of them before making a protective shield with her Gift. Surely none of the bandits would try and take them, but she couldn't be too careful. As long as they made no loud noises or walked out of the charm, they were unnoticeable. Exhausted, she settled down next to James and got some sleep.

OOO

Romeli woke up early the next morning. The sun had only just crept above the web of trees. The shield that she had placed the night before was still there and strong. She broke it off at once. They wouldn't need it anymore anyways.

She looked towards James concerned. He was no longer unconscious, just sleeping. He would wake up any moment now. She stared at him, finding herself entranced by the beautiful sunlight kissing his eyelids and warming his tattered and dirty clothes.

Romeli opened her pack quietly, careful not to disturb his slumber. She took out the loaf of bread, the jerky, cheese, and fruit, preparing a well filling breakfast for the both of them.

She heard a rustle next to her and she turned to James. His green eyes were wide-awake and he was attempting to sit up. Romeli let him do so and smiled at him.

"Hullo," she greeted as she shoved a large piece of bread into his mouth lovingly. James chewed it greedily, wolfing it down. Romeli gave him a second piece that he ate hungrily as well. "You have quite the appetite."

James attempted to smile, but he couldn't find it in him. "Thanks," he whispered. He helped himself to a handful of dried fruit.

Romeli smiled weakly as she held her bladed staff in her hand, fingering the steel that capped both of its ends. "Are you going to be okay?"

James looked at her. His face was emotionless. "I'm fine," he said dryly. He ate silently for a few minutes. His face began to soften. "Just—thanks."

"For what?" asked Romeli confused.

James looked at her with disbelief. "For saving my life Romeli," he told her. "If you hadn't come and—."

"James," she said interrupting him. "You saved my life, I saved yours. We're even. You're my best friend. You know I would do anything for you...no matter how stupid."

James smiled. "I know. I was just making sure," he said wickedly.

Now this is the James I know, thought Romeli. She mock glared at him as she ate her own handful of dried fruit. Her stomach growled.

"So, what happened? How did you save me? How did you even find me?"

Romeli sighed. "Finding you was a long story. I had to talk to a few animals to make sure you weren't at Olau. When I heard you left a week ago, I had to find out where you went."

James looked at her thoughtfully. "You were the one who pried my mind," he accused.

Romeli looked at him sheepishly. "Sorry. It was the only way for sure that I knew you were in trouble."

James shrugged. "Next time just give me a warning, kay?"

Romeli laughed. "You know, I was the only one who believed you were in real trouble. Ryoku thought you were just getting really drunk at an inn."

James rolled his eyes. "She'll be sorry. She needs some intelligence, that one. I'm glad it was you that saved me, though," he said shyly.

"Why?" asked Romeli confused.

"Well, because if it was anyone else, we would have both been dead. Not everyone has the power to take out seventy bandits. But anyway, please continue."

Romeli sighed. "I flew over towards Raven Forest yesterday when I found out where you were."

"Wait. You flew over there in one day? How does that work?"

Romeli sniffed and rubbed her nose. "Dragon shape," she told him quietly.

"Oh. That's cool."

Romeli shrugged. "Anyways, I scared them half to death when I appeared as a dragon. I swear half of them ran away. The rest burned to death when I destroyed their camp with some fire. That's basically it. You were unconscious the whole time."

James nodded. His eyes were distant as if he were thinking about something else. After a short pause he spoke. "They killed my horse," James said bitterly as he looked down. "They had too many horses at the camp so they killed him."

Romeli looked at him concerned; her thoughts were full of sorrow. "I'm sorry," she whispered, putting her arm around him. "I'm sure he was a great friend."

James nodded, leaning his head on her shoulder. "He was," he told her. "He left strong though— I have no regrets." Romeli wiped her eyes and smiled at him. "But I also lost the parchments I was supposed to give Alanna. She'll blow me up for sure."

"Can't help ya there," Romeli said in sympathy. Alanna's fury was something no one could prevent.

James sat up and hugged his knees. "If half of the bandits ran away, then aren't we still in danger?" he asked slightly worried.

Romeli smiled weakly in confirmation. She tapped her bladed staff. "We'll be fine," she told him surely. "You have your sword, I have my staff. We both have the Gift, and you're a squire. With my calculations, we have the upperhand." James smiled and shrugged.

"So, are we going to walk to the palace?" asked James stretching his arms and wincing at the rope burns on his wrists. "Because if we are, we better start soon."

"Walk?" repeated Romeli amused. "Gods no, we're not going to walk! We're going to fly!"

James went pale. "Er…Romeli? I hate to destroy the moment, but I don't have wings."

"Usually people don't," she laughed. "I'm going to transform into a dragon and you can ride on my back."

"Ah. That's…great news," said James worriedly. "I mean, I guess it will be fun. Kinda weird though if you know what I mean…" Romeli laughed.

"Yeah," Romeli said shrugging. "Do you think you're up for flying though? You just went through a healing. "

"I have a hell of a headache, but otherwise I'm fine," James said brightly.

Romeli rolled her eyes. "Good. Do you have a jacket or something? Of course you don't. You may want to make a heat charm on you then. I mean, I totally would, but…"

James grinned wickedly. "You and weather aren't on agreeing terms. Fully understandable. I'll do it myself." He puffed out his chest. "I on the other hand, happen to be a natural when it comes to anything along the lines of climate and weather."

"That's great," said Romeli sarcastically. "Um…yeah…I'm gonna transform now."

James stepped back as is to give her room. He watched her intently. Romeli closed her eyes and breathed deeply through her nose, letting it out with her mouth. She began her transformation into a dragon. She thought of the dragons she had read in books, with silver claws, long wings, and a whipping tail. She thought of the way the wind split under her spread wings. The way the fire burst out of her mouth violently only the day before.

When she opened her eyes she was the same mystic green dragon.

James looked at her shocked. He came slowly towards her. "Okay, how in the world am I supposed to get on you? You're like fifty feet tall!

Romeli snorted, making smoke rise from her nostrils. —Just because I'm a dragon, doesn't mean I'm an idiot. I'll tell you how later. Can you grab my pack for me? I'll carry the staff in my hands.—

James nodded, not really used to people talking through his mind. He grabbed her pack and held it tightly in his hands. Romeli lowered herself on all fours, sinking down to the ground as low as she could.

—Step on my wing joint,— She instructed. —And then swing your leg over.— James stepped as told and swung his leg over with difficulty. When he was settled, Romeli grabbed her staff. —Clutch onto my scales tightly. But not too tight, mind.—

When Romeli felt is warm hands touch her scaly flesh, she snapped her wings open. Elegantly, she lifted off into the morning sky.

"This is really cool!" said James enthusiastically as the wind rushed by him and Romeli. They were soaring over the sea of clouds.

—Yeah. Good thing you're not scared.—

James pouted. "You know, I never knew dragons were so pretty."

Romeli blushed. Well actually, her scales turned a light pink. —Thanks. We should go searching for a real dragon sometime. They seem wondrous.—

James nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

OOO TEN MINUTES LATER OOO

—We're almost there,— observed Romeli when she looked through a gap in the clouds.

"What!" asked James shocked. "We've only been flying for ten minutes!"

Romeli laughed. —Yeah. Time flies when you're riding on a dragon.—

"You can say that again," said James moodily.

—Time flies when—

"I was kidding."

—Don' t make me throw you off my back,— Romeli threatened as she glided along the clouds lazily.

OOO

Ten minutes later, Romeli landed gracefully on all fours just inside of the Royal forest. She didn't want to make a scene by landing right in the middle of the courtyard.

James slid down her bumpy side, still holding her pack. He stepped in front of Romeli, transfixed by her dragon face.

"Can you do me a favor?" asked James a little uneasily.

—Sure. What?— asked Romeli as she let go of her bladed staff and rolled playfully so that her back was on the ground. She looked very much like a puppy, begging for someone to scratch her stomach. She looked at him intently.

"Can you not tell anyone about my little bandit problem? I mean of course we can tell friends, I'm surely gonna tell my family, but just don't go yelling it at the public."

—Wasn't planning on it,— she replied simply. —But the part about me coming to rescue you as a dragon is to be shushed. Except for friends.—

"Of course," said James. He looked at his shredded clothes. "Um…maybe I should sneak in,"

—You do that,— She told him lazily.

"Why haven't you changed back yet?" James asked. "Aren't your parents worried?"

—Of course they are,— She replied simply. —But unless you want to see me naked, I'm going to wait until you leave.—

"Gods no!" said James flustered. "I'll...I'll be seein' you then. Bye Romy!" He walked out of the forest quickly, intent on making his way to his room unseen.

Romeli sighed and changed back to her human self. She put her clothes back on, picked up her bladed staff and pack, and headed back towards the palace.

RESCUE MISSION: COMPLETED

Replies:

Blue mariposa: aww yes. It's okay. Ethan is a tuffy. And as you can see Romeli did indeed see James at Olou. And yes I found out that it is spelled that way. Awesome. Lol. I like the Gerardo part too. Lol. thanks.

Lost goddess of the shadows: thanka. It wasn't really that fluffy, but whatever works! Lol. thanks so much for telling me how to spell it. I was wondering for like ever and I totally couldn't find any of my books. Lol.

.: lol. well that's good that you have time. Lol. I liked the tripping too. It was fun to write. Lol. That's what everyone says. When I read fanfics that are really funny, my fam stares at me like I'm some type of crazy person. It's quite amusing. Lol. At least I updated quicker. And—Don't die! (hires Romeli to do the phoenix spell on you) better?

George Bassy: lol. Ah yes…camp. I hate memorizing stuff. It's hard. Lol. thanks.

HyperLittleCat: cool. Lol. Hooray mistakes have lessoned. Excellent news. Lol. Tirragens are awesome. I have to say that Alex was pretty hot…NO! BAD THOUGHTS! Stop it moose…you're over reacting…yes he does have a GF! Ryoku kinda bugs me tho. I think she acts like a court girl sometimes. Stoopid Snape. I used to like him too. Dumbledore why did you leave me! Stoopid R.A.B. yah. I think R.A.B is Sirius's brother cause his name starts with R and he's a Black (B). w/e. I dunno.

QueenThayet12990: Yes I do love writing on demand. It makes me type faster in fear of getting hurt! Yay! Lol.