This chapter is dedicated to AlmightyWarrior! I hate keeping Arielle and The Kurgan apart. . .but the two have been caught up in another Game besides the one The Kurgan already plays. Enjoy. . .

For weeks he ventured into the surrounding forest and had his men look for Arielle but they didn't find her. The Kurgan hunted for months afterwards and even had his people hunt for his lost mate. After two months a man brought him Arielle's night robe that The Kurgan saw her in last. Everyone convinced him that she was dead. He went on a rampage and destroyed the Duke's village, killing everyone. His actions made other villages look for the woman but after a time everyone left her for dead. He resigned himself to his castle where he raged over the loss of his only mate. He ate food and kept up his strength but was provoked at the slightest thing to strike and kill someone.

Half a year passed. . .

Nothing.

Not all the masses of hunting dogs could track her down it was like she just vanished off the face of the earth. Could something have happened to her body in her last world? Then again he doubted it because he didn't think he'd be able to sense her thoughts like he did. None of the servants even dared to so much as be in the same room with him unless he commanded them to, his temper was even more wicked than it ever had been. Somehow they managed to keep themselves alive in his service, most of them prayed that the Mistress would come home to him.

The only real companion he kept at all times was the Outlander beast dog that had followed him through battle. It was the only creature that didn't anger him with its very presence.

Despite not finding her he knew she was still alive, he could feel it. He could still sense her thoughts but they were different, as if she had changed. He didn't sleep in his bed anymore, instead choosing to sleep in the wing-backed chair in their room or on the floor. After he came back from the successful battle at Hartmann's gates he looked at the bed and nearly stabbed it with his broadsword in all his anger and frustration.

He didn't speak to a single soul. None of the servants, none of his allies, no one. In the very beginning when he mourned for his mate his people could feel the evil and fury just melting off of him. His eyes were always black, his movements heavy and thoughtful. Even the dog could feel his anger, but it was also the only thing not afraid of him. Somehow the dog reminded him of Arielle. Not that she was in any way comparable to a dog but the way it didn't fear him in anger but by it's caring attitude for its furious master. It never barked louder than The Kurgan spoke and stuck by him night and day.

He would stare out the window in the direction of the ruins of Hartmann's castle and pet the dog's head absent mindedly. For months he wouldn't leave the castle. Until the day came when a familiar face tempted him out of his solitude.

There was a timid knock on his door. He was sitting in the chair again looking out of the balcony doors.

He growled and then turned his dark gaze to the door, "Enter," he said.

The door creaked open and one of the man servants looked in, the beast dog raised its head curiously. He walked in an hurried over to him. "My lord, you have a message."

It got his attention, he stood up and towered over the other man. "And it would be?"

"The form of a letter my lord." He held out a small envelop and his master took it.

The kurgan ripped it open and read it. "Hello Kurgan," it read. "Six months have passed and I hear that you are still without a mate? I believe I can be of some assistance although I helped to put this situation on you. Why you ask am I helping you? The answer is simple; this is a game to me and I happen to be enjoying it. I know where she is, I've even seen her. She's alive and healthy I can assure you, but she is different. If you wish to see her again journey back to Hartmann's castle and follow the forest, keep going north, you'll find her eventually." The whole time he read the letter the fury that had somewhat subsided in him in the past six months resurfaced and his hands shook as he read who it was from. "Ian Derbith."

The letter was crumpled and dropped to the ground. His eyes turned black and the servant man ran from the room, fully knowing that his master about to break. When he made it to the bottom of the stairs though he was surprised to look back and see the Count at the top, looking quite in control of his emotions and dressed in his armor without his skull helmet.

"I ride out and don't know when I'll return." He said curtly as he passed the astounded servant man.

He stuttered before finding the right words to say, "Y-y-yes my lord." He bowed his head. "I'll prepare your horse."

The Kurgan nodded and watched the other man scurry off. He strode through the castle out to the courtyard. There he sat at the center fountain and went to work sharpening his sword. The sword that had accompanied him through many fights and battle, Immortal and otherwise. He looked out over his castle and knew that his indentured servants could be trusted to take care of his castle's affairs, he didn't need some steward to strut around his home and take command.

Half an hour later he heard the sound of his horse being lead to him and when he looked up he saw that the saddle bags were full. He didn't grin or smile as he got into the saddle. He merely looked at the man servant catering to him.

"You know what to do while I am away. If the castle needs defending go to the Outlanders with my seal and ask them for assistance. There is also a letter on the desk in my room to be used in such a case." He instructed the man carefully and knew he understood. He looked at the dog wagging its tail . "Stay!" He commanded. The beast sat on its haunches and whimpered a little because he knew his master wished him to stay.

The servant stepped back and with a loud whiny from his horse The Kurgan was gone. To where none of his people knew but they felt the tension leave with him. Whatever that letter said they knew it had been about Arielle and that their master was going to claim her again.

Will he find her? Tune in tomorrow morning for details!