(-a/n-Once again thanks for the amazing review response :D I'm overwhelmed! And thanks for all the lovely private messages that you guys sent –I get really exited when I see them in my email inbox! Also I passed on your comments to Citrusfruit and she was really pleased too :D

Sorry about this late update, but you've no idea how ruthless my teachers are being with work at the moment. I've reached the easter holidays all but on my hands and knees. So now I have a 3 day break before embarking on weeks of work experience and revision! Yes –lucky me!

Anyway, for those who haven't seen the cover yet, please check it out, it's on my profile…

Thanks to these wonderful people:

where-wolf-kit, He-Yan, Cherrysinger, rampaging bookcase, 5253racer
, MoonGoddessBookworm, Kokari, JaBoyYa, On top of cloud 9, Flame of Burning Embers, brezzybrez, dovasary76, . . . and I Feel Fine, elf warrior princess, xXxCrazyBookwormxXx, Hunchbook, clurr, bookworm-4-ever2012, Your Anonymous, katiebug123, Lady Knight Jocelyn, ObSeSsEd WiTh ROXAS, Die Grosse Heldin von Lyoko, milky way bar, geka0taitsume0taikaiyou, Feed The Foxes,
Pie of Doomeh, Mirannda, 13.shimer.13, BlackWidow12, Uncertian Destiny, Da Lady Vitch, Mystic Moon Empress, Drunken Little Monkey, Eternityfalls, LadyKnight44, Dom-Basher CHAMPION, Shang Leopard, Fumbling for Confidence, sillygoose2332, jesi ki kage, Nkki, Jaden Scorpio, Bookflower, PlaidPanda543, Aly-Of-Tortall13, Brokenflamesrebel, LadyKitKat, Serilia, The-Muse-In-Me, Bradhadair fire starter, Erytha, hahaheeheehaha, Lady Mage, Minathia, Foret Me Not Blue, chariti, Pepper Lemon, Sarkule, Venuspixie, prettyhowtown, Dreamwings, stardust718, Geminia, abyssgirl, berndi, yaoi kitsune, juzblue, BlackCat, skyflyte12, Evil Bunny of Death, Michi, gaya2081, Transfiguration, Night-Player, stoictimer, Erynfaer, Fariy Lights, Me, Yabberli, Elementalmoon, Cheeseycraziness, SavingSaturn, killing u with umbrellas, Mint Tea Rose, writer wanted, youdontwant2no, SarahE7191, NotAfraidToLive, this fish flies, mountainelements, truffletruffle01, airforcegirl, ThJaFl, emerald lady, darkjewelledassassin, littlefreeeagle, Lady Knight Keladry, untamedspiral, princessofcrown101, Hisshou, x17SkmBdrchiczxx, seven3eight, oirishgoddess, Golden23, Grace of Masbolle, peddyviolin, epobbp, F75, Love.Always.Alice.and.Jasper, Lady Zarobiti, Skyline Romance, Krae Z.Rokke, LadyKnightSusan, Kyubbi-Sama & Opal-169.

Tomboy I actually got the quote from a poster-ish thing that I spotted in my sixth-form college (they have this habit of sticking up random pieces of paper with pictures/quotes/advice…-shrugs-)

The Shang Kudarungapparently the font was killigraphy ?

Elfie-may- Just so you don't feel left out! Thanks for diligently copying and pasting –I hope this chapter meets your expectations :P Wicked tomorrow! Yay :D

Confusedknight xxx

Kel felt the weight of Alex's gaze upon her as she bent down to pick up the infant that was tugging on the leg of her breeches. Ignoring him for now, she hugged Meah close to her, inhaling the sweet scent of a small child.

'You be good for your pa now,' she murmured into soft blonde curls.

Kel handed Meah back to Eron, but the small girl protested, crying out and reaching for Kel. A lump in her throat, Kel turned to say her goodbyes to Hal.

The little boy hugged her for all he was worth before mumbling miserably; 'Why can't you stay? I want you to stay.'

'I have to go,' explained Kel patiently as she smoothed back his soft hair from his face.

She then hugged Eron, who kissed her on the top of her head and thanked her for everything that she'd done for his small family. Kel nodded, trying to keep a grip on her calm composure. Finally she turned to Isra. The girl, bottom lip trembling, launched herself onto Kel.

'You be a brave girl,' croaked Kel, hugging her young friend tightly.

'I promise,' replied Isra. Then looking up at Kel she said, 'Will you ever come back?'

'Someday,' Kel said falteringly.

'Promise,' insisted Isra, her clear blue eyes piercing Kel's soul.

'There are things that I have to do…' said Kel, helplessly.

'Well once you've done them, come straight back here,' said Isra practically.

'If I can,' said Kel, 'then I promise I will.'

This seemed to satisfy the newly turned eight-year-old.

Alex returned, having prepared the horses for their journey. Before she left the warmth of the cottage Kel secured a thick cloak over her many layers of clothing, and wound a headscarf around her head.

'We'd better make a move, daylight hours are precious,' said Alex quietly.

Eron nodded and took Alex's extended arm, shaking it firmly. He then touched a clenched fist to his heart and then his forehead, in a salute that Kel had seen several people use.

Alex returned the gesture seriously, holding Eron's gaze and the two men seemed to have some kind of private conversation with their eyes. After a pause Eron inclined his head in what was unmistakeably a bow. Alex turned away too quickly for Kel to see his reaction. With a wave and one heart-wrenching look back, Kel followed Alex out into the crisp January air.

The dumpy horse that Kel was riding snorted as she adjusted her seat. She stretched out her legs, trying to encourage more blood to flow to her aching muscles. Kel felt Alex's gaze on her yet again, and this time turned her head to meet it.

'What?' she asked.

'Nothing,' muttered Alex.

'Yes there is,' replied Kel. 'Why are you staring at me?'

Sighing, Alex turned to face the horizon and said; 'You've grown so much.'

It was true, over her time at Jacqui's, Kel had shot upwards, gaining almost two inches in height. That wasn't the only change to her appearance; although it couldn't be seen beneath her layers of clothing Kel had developed a womanly shape, curves that hadn't been there before.

'I mean the last time I saw you…' Alex trailed off at the memory. 'Well, you were in a pretty bad way.'

Kel didn't know what to say, and instead remained silent, staring around at the white, wintry landscape. The sun's rays were reflecting off of the pure snow, nearly dazzling Kel with their brightness. The crystal blue sky that hung above them seemed to stretch on forever, beyond the furthest peak of the mountains in the distance.

'So where are we going?' asked Kel, dragging her eyes from the beautiful landscape.

'I need to drop in to meet an old friend,' said Alex, unusually forthcoming with information.

'Oh?' inquired Kel.

'I think he may have some information for me, regarding a Gallan mage that has been in contact with Maggur.'

They rode on in companionable silence, both dwelling in their own thoughts. Around midday Alex passed Kel a plain lunch of bread and dried meat. They ate in their saddles, only pausing to allow the horses to drink.

After lunch the silence gave way to easy conversation and banter. Alex entertained Kel with stories and accounts of historical events.

He recounted ancient battles, explaining to Kel not only who won, but why. They discussed at length the tactics and strategy involved in commanding a battle and although Kel didn't realise it immediately, as she listened, she learnt.

As the sun sunk ever lower Alex told her age old tales of the Dominion jewel, of Miache and Zefrem and how they had saved Tyra.

'Not unlike what we're trying to do,' Kel mused aloud.

'It would certainly be a lot easier if we had the Dominion jewel,' said Alex with a hollow laugh.

'Is that it on the horizon?' Kel asked suddenly changing the topic.

Alex squinted into the sun's blood-red rays at the silhouette on the outcrop ahead.

'Yes,' he confirmed, 'that's where Heyl lives.'

They kicked their weary horses into a trot and began to climb the last one hundred metres towards their destination.

Something about the village struck Kel as slightly sinister; it's dark buildings cast long shadows across the frozen earth. A smell hit Kel's nostrils, a stench that was horribly familiar to Kel; the stench of death.

'Alex…' she said hesitantly, but her companion was already dismounting, sword in hand.

Kel followed suit, and together they walked cautiously towards the village, or what was left of it.

Now that they were closer Kel could see that the village's buildings were smoke-blackened, some with their roofs half collapsed, or doors kicked inwards. The stench of rotting flesh got stronger with every step she took, and Kel found herself breathing through her mouth to avoid being sick.

It was deathly silent in the village. Nothing moved, and the soft tramping of their own feet through the snow was the only thing that Kel could hear. Kel's horse began to resist, evidently not wanting to enter any further into the hellish scene that was unfolding.

She tethered the horse to a nearby tree, and after a moment Alex copied her, leaving Prince to stand alongside the smaller horse.

Walking slightly closer together than they normally would, Kel and Alex slipped between two buildings to enter the village's main street.

It was a scene of devastation. The snow that lay on the floor was churned into the mud, staining it brown, with patches of crimson blood. Dark shapes littered the ground ahead. Children lay scattered across the ground, their insides spilling out of gaping wounds. Women with their skirts pushed up, lay where they had been left, killed as they were being raped.

Kel felt her stomach constrict and she doubled over, retching and heaving up the contents of her stomach. Her brain was numb, overcome with horror at the scene that lay in front of her. She wiped her mouth with a trembling hand and continued to step further into the village.

It was only when they reached the centre of what would've been the village green, did Kel and Alex discover the majority of the town's men folk. The men appeared to have been tied up, before being treated to an execution-like death. The heads that had once been attached to bodies had rolled away, leaving a trail of gore behind them.

Kel heaved once more, unable to bear the smell of rotting flesh. She shut her eyes, trying to block everything out. But the scene seemed to be imprinted on her eyelids; there was no escape.

She opened her eyes slowly and almost against her will, Kel stepped closer to examine the scene. Only one man seemed to have escaped a beheading, and he seemed to have died a symbolic death. He was bound to the post on the green; the same post which young girls would've danced around at Beltane.

A sign was nailed into his chest. Grim-faced Alex stepped closer to read it.

'This is what happens to those who oppose the rule of Maggur the Great. This man is a traitor to Scanra, a man who preferred to watch his people die than bow to his rightful master.'

Alex reached forward with two shaking hands and removed the sign, casting it aside. He used his sword to slash the bonds that held the man in place and the man slumped forward. Alex caught him and carefully laid the corpse on the ground. Kel reached down and gently shut the man's eyelids, covering the pain-filled eyes.

Neither of them said anything. For what could be said that would make the slightest bit of difference? They stood there immobile for several minutes. Everything was eerily still, except for the sun that sunk ever lower in the sky. It would soon be night.

Kel made a decision somewhere inside her and slowly walked over to the body of a small boy. She took off her cloak, and sheathed her sword; the enemy were long gone. Then, slowly she reached down and hefted the small boy up. She walked slowly back to where Alex was standing and laid the boy next to the man on the ground, shutting his eyes too.

Then she returned for another body, and another. Alex, jolted out of his grief-stricken haze, began to help, lifting the larger victims and laying them on the ground, side by side.

It was perhaps one of the most horrendous things Kel had ever had to do. The corpses smelt and before long Kel was covered in putrefied blood. When they had finally gathered together every villager that they could find, Alex did a head count. Thirty-seven bodies. Thirty-seven victims.

In reality the number was probably higher. Whilst searching, Kel had found human remains in the burnt out shells of houses; presumably mothers who had barricaded themselves in with their children. She shuddered involuntarily. She had come close to burning to death once before; and couldn't imagine how awful it must have been to feel the searing heat of the flames, the choking smoke…Kel retched once more, but there was nothing left in her stomach.

Alex started up a small fire which allowed him to light torches for them both. Using any wood they could find, they transferred the blaze to the row of corpses, making sure that every single body was consumed by flickering yellow flames.

The smoke stung Kel's eyes, and the stench was almost unbearable, but she stood stoically next to Alex, honouring the dead.

'Blessed Yahzed hear me now,' Alex prayed aloud, his voice full of desperation. 'Allow us to revenge the deaths of these people; give us the strength to continue in this venture. Grant the same courage to my people that Heyl showed here and let your country not fall prey to this evil. Help me to complete what I vowed I would do all those years ago…God of Righteousness hear this prayer and guide us in our quest for Scanra's redemption…For I will bring Maggur down. I will…' Alex dropped to his knees, his face in his hands.

'Give these brave people safe passage to the Dark god's realms,' whispered Kel, sending her own prayer skywards.

'Let's go,' she whispered, tugging at Alex's shirt.

He got up and Kel was surprised to see that his eyes were still dry. Her own tears had spilled long ago, creating tracks down her dirty cheeks.

Kel collected her cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders to protect her from the cold winter's night. But as warm and as comforting as the thick material was, it could not ward off the chill that had settled over her heart.

They climbed back onto their horses and rode off into the night. For hours they travelled, simply following the path ahead, aiming to get as far away from the village as possible. Fortunately it was a clear night, and the moon that hung pearly white in the sky illuminated a little of the surrounding landscape.

Every now and again, Kel would glance back over her shoulder towards the ever-decreasing glow of the funeral pyre.

As they rode, Kel became colder and colder. Her face was frozen and she could no longer feel her fingers. The tears that still leaked down her face stung dreadfully, but she didn't wipe them away. The pain was almost welcome, something to distract her from the images that played across her mind.

They came to a small river and Alex dismounted, evidently planning to set up a camp for the night. They set up the camp in silence, each performing the tasks almost without thinking. Soon their tent was erected, and a small fire was light nearby. The horses, tethered loosely to a tree, huddled together to ward off the cold.

As Kel watched, Alex stripped off his filthy shirt and kneeling by the water's edge, used his fist to break the thin layer of ice on the river's surface. He then doused his torso in the freezing water, gasping involuntarily at the cold.

Kel searched for a clean set of clothes in her saddle bag and changed inside the tent, pulling on clean breeches and a clean jumper to replace her blood-covered ones. Kel then used the river water to wash the smoke and grime off of her face. Finally she removed her headscarf, letting her tousled hair hang loosely around her face.

She shivered again and drew closer to the small fire, soaking up the heat that it radiated. Alex, now changed into a clean shirt joined her, staring into the flames.

'Alex…' Kel began minutes later. 'I have to know why,' Kel's voice was slow, uncertain and desperate. 'I have to know why they all look at you like that. I have to know why a man would watch his whole village being slaughtered rather than betray your secrets.' Her voice now had a slightly hysterical edge to it. 'I have to know because otherwise everything I've seen…everything I've been through…It doesn't make sense.'

Alex turned to Kel, his eyes normally so full of life were deadened.

'I can't…'

'I've given everything I have to give for this campaign, followed you blindly. I've followed you into danger Mithros-only-knows how many times, and I'll continue to do so, but I need to know why. Those people that died…The suffering that I've seen…I needa reason, something to keep me fighting…'

'Damn it Alex,' she swore. 'Everyone else knows something that I don't. I'm not blind, I can see it in their eyes, the respect, the hope, even the love... Why won't you tell me?' Kel finished her speech, breathing hard, her eyes slightly wild.

'Because it's difficult…' croaked Alex.

'How difficult can it be?' shot back Kel without thinking.

'What nightmare is it that haunts you night after night?' Alex replied.

Kel's rage evaporated as she realised how foolish her earlier words had sounded. Some things were difficult to say and remember. Some things still hurt years after they'd happened.

'I'll make you a deal,' said Alex quietly. 'I'll tell you about my nightmare, in exchange for yours.'

'But what does your nightmare have to do with Scanra and Maggur?' asked Kel confused.

'Everything.' Said Alex shortly.

'Alright,' replied Kel before she could change her mind. 'It's a deal.'

Alex shut his eyes briefly accepting the inevitable and began to speak.

'I told you on the first night we met that I go by many names,' he started slowly. 'But I was born Alexei of Rathhausak.'

Kel stared at Alex in horror, 'You're Maggur's son?'

'No!' said Alex vehemently. 'That man was not born a Rathhausak, nor will he ever be one.' He continued on, 'I don't suppose you remember all those months ago, when we met up with George. He told you the tale of how Maggur came to power. Well, it was more or less accurate. I should know. I was there.'

Alex's voice was thick with emotion as he recounted the next part of his tale.

'I grew up as the second youngest of the five children of Clan chief Birtrus of Rathhausak. I lived with my parents, and my four siblings in the castle, and as a young boy I never really worried about very much.'

He smiled weakly, 'All I ever really cared about was swordplay. I practised for hours every day with the guardsmen. I wasn't interested in learning to run the clan; I had accepted that my elder brother Jonai would take over from our father when the time came…'

'I never really had much to do with my older siblings, but my younger brother and I were inseparable. I used to teach Sameis, or Sammy everything. I taught him swordplay, how to ride, the best places to hunt…' Alex swallowed with difficultly. 'You remind me so much of him. You have the same spark for life, the same determination. It's one of the reasons why I took you on in the first place…' He trailed off.

'Anyway we all grew older, enjoying long and happy childhoods. I spent everyday riding and fighting. Life was good, life was simple. That was until one day when I was seventeen. My father died and suddenly everything changed. Although I didn't suspect it at the time, I'm pretty sure that it was Maggur who killed him. Loyal, brave, courageous Maggur, Captain of my father's private guard,' Alex spat bitterly.

'I wasn't overly affected my father's death, but Jonai, who had spent most days of his life at my father's side was distraught. In hindsight, we should have been there more for him and Mithros only knows how much I wish that I'd tried harder to support my elder brother… But the fact was that whilst everyone grieved Sammy and I isolated ourselves. We sought comfort in each other alone, left the workings of the clan to Jonai.'

'Over the next few months, Maggur rose to be my brother's right-hand man. They would spend most of the day together, locked in my father's office deep in conversation. It was during this time that Maggur poisoned my brother against the family. He used my brother like a pawn. His lies tricked Jonai into thinking that we, his own flesh and blood, sought to usurp him.' Alex took a deep breath.

'And then one night I was shaken awake. It was Rhonda, one of my elder sister's maids. I'll never forget the look on her face. Rhonda may not have lost her life that night, but some part of her died. You see, when she dragged me to my sister's rooms I found them both dead. Their throats had been cut. I then ran to my mother's room, to discover that she had suffered a similar fate.'

'By this time I was in a state of shock. And that was when I heard it. The scream that tore my world apart. I raced to Sammy's room, just in time to see Jonai pulling his sword from Sammy's stomach,' tears sparkled in Alex's eyes now.

'I was so angry that I couldn't think straight. My brother turned on me and I on him. We fought as though we were possessed. It wasn't an easy fight. We had both grown up with a sword in our hands and were evenly matched. I was wounded…' Alex gestured to his chest, where Kel knew a long scar resided.

'For a moment I thought that I was going to die but then I saw my younger brother was still breathing. I had a glimmer of hope and somehow, I managed to overpower my brother. I ran him through,' whispered Alex, horrified at the memory.

'But Sammy had gone by the time I reached him. My whole family, Kel, wiped out in one night. I was suddenly alone in the world,' his voice broke and tears cascaded down his cheeks. 'That was when that piece of filth turned up. If I'd known at the time that he was the reason behind everything I would've killed him on the spot, but I was so confused. I was weak and dizzy with shock and blood-loss. He shouted, woke up almost the entire castle, shouting and screaming that I'd killed them all…'

Kel was frozen in place, unable to think of anything she could do to help her friend and mentor. Alex meanwhile continued, ignoring the fact that tears were dripping off of his chin and that he was shaking from head to foot.

'I stumbled down the stairs, mumbling that I didn't do anything. Rhonda was with me, shouting at Maggur, yelling that I didn't do anything. I don't really remember much of what happened next,' admitted Alex quietly, 'but Rhonda grabbed Prince and got me out of the castle. She used her gift to keep me alive and for days we fled from Rathhausak, pursued by Maggur's men.'

'Then what happened?' asked Kel, caught up in Alex's tale.

'We crossed the Vassa into Tortall and came to rest at a small village called Queensgrace. I had caught a fever and for several days I drifted somewhere between life and death. I was ready to give up and go to the Dark God's realm, but Rhonda refused to let me go. She and another healer battled to keep me alive and eventually I recovered.' Alex twisted his hands convulsively in his lap, trying to stop them from shaking.

'I was a mess. I was so depressed that for months I simply couldn't do anything,' he sighed. 'And yet again Rhonda saved me, working her fingers to the bone to provide for the both of us.'

Alex shook his head slightly. 'I owe Rhonda my life a hundred times over. Mithros knows what she was going through, but she managed to keep us both alive. She fought so hard to keep me alive…but she's never forgiven herself. She and my sister Evarna were so close. She was Evarna's maid, body guard and best friend. On the night that it all happened, she'd gone to the town to meet her lover. And she came back and found…She blames herself for what happened. Rhonda's never been the same since…' Kel's mind reeled, suddenly understanding for the first time the prickly, tough woman whom she'd met in Sekholm.

For a few minutes they sat in silence. 'Rhonda returned to Scanra. It was then that I met Annie.' Alex's voice took on a different tone as he continued his tale… 'Before I knew it I was head over heels in love with her. We were going to be married…'

'Yes?' said Kel when Alex faltered.

'But then Rhonda returned from her trip to Scanra. She described what Maggur had done to our people, to my people. And somewhere deep down, I realised that I couldn't settle down with Annie. Not while my people suffered. So I made a promise. A stupid, crazy vow to Yahzed the Scanran god of righteousness, that I would bring Maggur to justice.'

'And that's what you've been fighting for ever since,' said Kel softly. 'You're the rightful heir to the clan of Rathhausak.' Kel whistled, 'And if Maggur crowns himself,' she said slowly, 'then that makes you the rightful King of Scanra.'

Alex nodded heavily. Kel stared at her friend, an awed expression on her face. No wonder the people respected him so.

'It scared me tonight,' Alex admitted after a moment's pause. 'The fact that Heyl sacrificed his whole village to keep my secret. You see, there are only a few people who know my true identity. A few trusted people; Rhonda obviously, Marthea –who used to be one of the head cooks at Rathhausak, Jacqui & Eron…' he trailed off. 'Most people involved know that we're going to replace Maggur, but not who we're going to replace him with.'

'As it stands the idea is to let Maggur crown himself and engage in a war with Tortall. Then whilst his armies are busy on the southern border, a smaller army of selected warriors will sneak towards Hamrkeng. When we've got his personal guard tied up then I can fight him, man to man for the throne of Scanra.'

Alex took a shuddering breath. 'I know what I've got to do and I'm not afraid of getting hurt in the process…but I am afraid of others getting hurt. I know that hundreds, maybe thousands of people are going to die for this cause…how can I live with that?' he asked helplessly.

'You'll live with it because you must,' replied Kel firmly. 'Because if you succeed then these people will not have died in vain. They believe in you. I believe in you,' said Kel seriously. She then got up and embraced the man who was closer than a brother to her. 'You can do it,' she murmured into his blonde hair, 'we'll do it together.'

Breaking away and looking straight into his tear-filled eyes she said 'You have my sword Alex of Rathhausak. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth and back if that's what it takes to set things right in Scanra.'

Alex pulled her into a tight hug, and they cried together. They cried for things past, for the villagers who'd been sacrificed for their cause and for the unknown, uncertain future. A future they would face together.

When their tears subsided, they broke apart and Kel stared into the embers of the dying fire.

'I suppose I need to tell you my nightmare now,' she said slowly, hugging her knees.

'No you don't need to-,' said Alex shaking his head.

'Yes I do,' said Kel firmly. 'We made a deal and I'll honour my side…Although my nightmare seems trivial in comparison.' She steeled herself, and not meeting Alex's eyes began to talk.

'Nearly two years ago now, I was attacked…raped by a Tauros.' There, she had said it. 'I was trying to protect a friend,' Kel could feel sobs rising in her chest once more. 'At night I can still see it, still feel it on top of me…'

'Kel…' breathed Alex horrified, despite the events of the evening. No young girl deserved that.

He drew her shaking form into a strong embrace.

'And it's stupid,' continued Kel, mumbling into his chest, 'but every time it's so real and I'm so scared. I don't think I could live through that if it happened again. I was just so frightened, and I couldn't fight it off. No one came to help me,' Kel choked. 'I screamed and nobody came.'

'Shh,' Alex soothed.

It was getting very late by the time Kel had calmed down enough to go to sleep. She settled down in her bedroll and then shuffled herself over so that she was snuggled against Alex. His solid presence calmed her. Alex reached out and squeezed her hand.

There were no words that could be said that could help remove the burdens that had been placed upon the two young people that lay there. But they sought solace in each other as they'd done before, drawing the strength and courage that they would need for the coming months.

(-a/n-So what did you think? Alex's secret's out! Hopefully if you ever re-read fallen you'll be able to spot and understand some of the clues that I've laid down for you along the way :D Well done to anyone who guessed that he was the middle brother!

Please leave a review, as not only do they make me extremely happy, but it's also my 17th birthday on Sunday, so leave me one as a present! )

I hope you all have a great Easter!

Confusedknight xx