Alianna once again saw the blurry figures of a man and a woman. But this time, the woman's screams were becoming louder and louder until finally she turned her head and began to speak. What she was saying, Alianna did not know.

The woman then turned her attention back to the man. As soon as she did this, he took his sword and stabbed her in the stomach. She collapsed on the ground, blood flowing heavily from her wound.

The last image Alianna saw was of the burning house in the background.

Alianna sat straight up, gasping for breath. Her body was covered in sweat.

Thorn looked at her, concerned.

Are you alright?

After steadying her breathing, Alianna said. "I'm fine."

Was it a nightmare?

Yes, the same one. But there were more details this time. I wish I knew what it all meant.

I'm sure you'll figure it out.

I hope you're right.

Alianna got up and, feeling rather hungry, she reached into one of the bags and took out some bread and an apple.

Thorn, I'll be alright for awhile if you need to go and hunt.

That won't be necessary.

I'm serious. I don't want you to go hungry.

Don't worry young one. I hunted well before I left. I should be just fine until Murtagh arrives.

Alianna nodded at him and began to eat. It didn't take long for her to devour the food. After that Alianna decided to walk down to the river to bathe.

Thorn stayed far enough away to give her some privacy but close enough where he could get to her quickly if she needed help.

As Alianna was walking, she took a good look around her. It occurred to her that this was the first time she had ever been outside of Uru'baen. She had no idea where she was, even though she had seen a map of Alagaesia thousands of times. Obviously they were near a river, but which one? Ramr? Jiet? She would have to ask Murtagh once he arrived.

Alianna sighed as she thought of him. She hoped he was alright.

Within a few minutes Alianna arrived at the river. After checking to make sure no one was around, she slipped out of her dress and slowly stepped into the water. It felt good to be able to wash away all the dirt from traveling. The water was warm and relaxing. Alianna felt like she could lay there for hours. But she knew she had to get back. After quickly washing her hair she got out of the water, put her dress back on and headed back to the camp site.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Over the next two days there was nothing for Alianna to do but wait. She tried to distract herself from thinking about Murtagh by talking to Thorn or writing in her journal. Neither of which worked for very long. She felt a tightening in her chest with each passing hour.

When it got to be nightfall, Alianna turned to Thorn.

Still no word?

None.

I know what Murtagh told you, but I think we should go look for him. What if he's hurt? Or captured?

Suddenly Thorn turned his head in the direction of the forest. In the distance Alianna could hear horses and began to panic. Had her father's soldiers found them already?

Quickly she reached into one of her bags and pulled out her sword. Alianna and Thorn waited for any sign of movement. A few seconds later she saw two horses- one dark, the other white.

Alianna relaxed and began to smile.

Murtagh!

The tightening in her chest vanished as she ran towards him. As she got closer, Alianna noticed that Murtagh looked absolutely exhausted. He probably hadn't slept at all in the past two days. But Alianna didn't care about any of this as she wrapped her arms around him.

Murtagh held her tightly. "Alianna! You're alright."

"Of course." Alianna said.

Before Alianna could ask him if he was alright, Murtagh crushed his lips onto hers. She immediately kissed him back. It had only been two days but it felt like longer then that.

When the need for air finally presented itself, they pulled apart.

Murtagh looked at her, concerned. "You were sick…"

"It didn't last long." Alianna assured him. "I'm much better now."

"Is the baby alright?" Murtagh asked.

Alianna smiled. "He's fine. What about you? Thorn said you had to fight off some guards."

"It wasn't anything I couldn't handle."

Alianna could tell just by the look on his face that it hadn't been as easy as he was making it out to be. Still, she didn't press him any further.

"We should pack up and leave as soon as possible." Murtagh said. "I think it's best if we travel on our horses for the time being."

Alianna shook her head. "You need to rest."

"We have to keep going. It's dangerous for us to stay in one place for too long."

"I understand that, believe me. Just a couple of hours then. You'll feel better plus it'll give Thorn a chance to hunt. Please?"

"You're not going to give up until I say yes are you?"

Alianna shook her head no.

Thorn chimed in.

She's quite stubborn this one. But I agree with her.

"Alright." Murtagh sighed. "But just for a few hours."

Alianna smiled. "I'll get you something to eat."

While Alianna got the food out of the bag, Murtagh started a small fire. They figured it was safe enough.

"Here." Alianna said as she handed Murtagh some bread and dried meat and sat next to him.

"Thank you." Murtagh replied. "Aren't you going to have some?"

"I ate earlier."

Murtagh just nodded and began to eat.

The two of them just sat there in silence for a long time. Alianna thought about asking him exactly what had happened during the last two days or about where they were going next. But she decided to wait until he had rested.

After Murtagh finished eating he layed down for awhile, although he refused to sleep incase something were to happen.

While he did this, Alianna took out her journal and began to write. She became so lost in her writing that she did not notice Murtagh looking over at her until he spoke.

"You started writing again?"

"Yes."

Murtagh looked down at her journal. "Where did you get that?"

Alianna hesitated to tell him. She knew that Murtagh wasn't thrilled whenever the subject of Argus came up. He didn't hate Argus, but it was probably as close to hatred as you could get.

Despite this, Alianna told Murtagh the truth.

Murtagh looked at her strangely. "When did you see him?"

Alianna told him the story about how she had run into Argus along the way and that he stayed behind to distract the guards so that she could escape. The only detail she left out was the kiss, for obvious reasons.

"I'm glad he helped you." Murtagh said. "Who knows what would've happened if he hadn't."

"I know." Alianna said sadly.

Murtagh got up and sat next to Alianna. "He's alright."

Alianna looked at him, wondering what he meant.

Murtagh continued. "Argus."

"How do you know?"

"I scryed him last night." he told her.

"You did?" Alianna asked, surprised.

Murtagh nodded. "I knew you'd be worried about him. And I know… how much he means to you."

"Thank you." Alianna said. She wiped a few tears that had fallen from her eyes. "So Argus is really okay?" She would feel absolutely horrible if something were to happen to him.

"Yes." Murtagh said.

But an odd expression came across his face. Then, thinking Alianna couldn't hear him, he mumbled. "He's alive anyway."