Last Week we saw Katniss slip into the past. In the future time continues on, as if nothing has happened. Snow sits outside of the castle walls. Weill Fletcha be successful? What happens to Ryker and Haymitch?

I do not own the Hunger Games

Ryker stood by his father. He witnessed the pallor of his face in the moonlit night. The way his hands trembled and gripped the stone before him. His father had every right to be shaken. The number of men that stood across the moat was terrifying. They would not live through the siege. Starvation, illness, and or the attack, would guarantee their deaths.

Ryker watched his father turn toward Haymitch. The wizard stoically stood with his staff clutched in his hands. The old wizard and Fletcha were their only hope. His eyes then turned to Fletcha. Ryker watched Fletcha's reaction to the invading army. His youthful face reflected the fear and dread they were all feeling as they watched King Snow make his way to the front of the line.

Snow was a frightful figure staring up at the castle wall without fear. Ryker gripped the cold stone wall. All of his life he'd known peace. King Snow and the atrocities he committed were like a fairytale to him, an old wives-tale told by those who passed through their kingdom. Seeing the man in all of his Kingly power was a wake-up call. Ryker heard his father shout to prepare for a siege. He had never seen his father react so powerfully before. His father was a peaceable man who avoided conflict at all costs. He didn't even have enough guards or knights to keep the realm.

In the melee, Ryker lost sight of Fletcha and Haymitch. Men ran from the walls to prepare the castle for a siege. Women scurried about with their children seeking sanctuary. Ryker searched for them in the throng of people. Turning a corner, he saw the wizard address Fletcha. Their relationship was an odd one. Haymitch was more of a father figure than one of master to apprentice.

He watched them leave. Ryker tried to follow them but they dematerialized in the crowd. He raced to the other side of the wall and watched them walk through the courtyard. Running, he made it quickly from his position on the wall to the courtyard. He caught sight of them as they entered the castle. Haymitch had lost the calm reserve he had earlier and looked agitated. Ryker thought they must know something and were not sharing.

Something in his gut told him not to lose sight of them.

Ryker was curious about the boy. There was something about him that seemed otherworldly. From the moment they appeared inside the throne room, Ryker could not take his eyes off of Fletcha. He was young and vulnerable and yet he was courageous.

He was everything Ryker wanted to be, Fletcha, was even a phenomenal archer. Ryker marveled over his skill, and he was jealous. Eragon of Everdeen had taught his son a formidable skill. King Daniel never allowed Ryker to be taught the art of swordplay or hand-to-hand combat. All Ryker could do was ride a horse. He knew not how to wield a javelin, a knife, a mace, or any weapon such as a bow and arrow, though he wanted to learn.

He'd approached Fletcha during the evening meal because his curiosity won out. He had so many questions not just about his archery skills but about Haymitch. The old wizard was widely known across the land. He had a Merlin-like mystique despite reports of his drunkenness. Any apprentice Haymitch took would have been considered illustrious, choosing the son of Eragon of Everdeen made Fletcha prestigious.

The boy had a keen mind and was pure of heart. Noble. His curiosity was not appeased, because as he spoke to Fletcha, Ryker got the feeling he was familiar to him. The more they interacted the more Ryker could not deny he'd seen or met the boy somewhere else. Perhaps it was the way Fletcha's eyes seemed to glow or maybe the way he carried himself. Ryker thought for a moment he'd met Fletcha somewhere and he could not remember where.

Seeing them scurry into the castle was strange. He thought they would have wanted to show an act of power or something to alert Snow, Haymitch the powerful wizard was on their side. Instead, they were scurrying like mice running from a cat. Ryker passed the alarmed people and made his way to the wizard's room.

Through the door, he heard Haymitch speaking loudly to Fletcha. Ryker pressed his ear to the door

"…there is no time…," Haymitch shouted.

Fletcha's voice sounded scared, "How…am I …stop an army…a king?"

Haymitch sounded as if he was moving about the room. "You…go back now."

Fletcha shouted, "Go back?

"Kill snow and save the kingdom." Haymitch sounded closer but his voice was softer. "…Save us all."

Ryker frowned as he strained to hear what Fletcha's response was. His voice was so faint, Ryker couldn't hear him. Yet, what he did hear allowed him to hear the fear in the lad's voice. "I'm not…"

"You are," Haymitch said and then the rest became muffled before Ryker heard Haymitch tell Fletcha, "Remember who the real enemy is."

Ryker wondered what was going on. He stood for a moment perplexed at the conversation. From what he heard, it was clear Fletcha was going to kill Snow. The question was how was the boy going to get out of the castle, past the vast army, and get close enough to kill the evil despot. He pressed his ear once more to the door.

"You can do this." Ryker heard Haymitch say to Fletcha. "You're the….one Paylor foretold..." Haymitch said other things but they were muffled and Ryker couldn't hear what he said. He frowned and his curiosity peaked. He couldn't hear anything but he could hear Fletcha's reply.

Just when he was going to eavesdrop, a guard came around the corner and gave him an odd look. His eyebrow popped up as Ryker stood up straight. He cleared his throat, feeling a rush of warmth climb up his neck. He had been caught eavesdropping. Nonetheless, no matter how embarrassing to be caught whilst being a tittle-tattling nebby. Ryker couldn't help himself; he needed to know what was going on for the sake of the Kingdom.

He heard Haymitch mutter something. "You can save..."

Ryker supposed it had something to do with the Kingdom.

"I... I am scared," Fletcha said. Even through the door, he could hear the fright in the young lad's voice.

"Peeta will help you..." Haymitch said. Ryker wondered who Peeta was. He then thought if this Peeta was going with Fletcha he too should go. He had the ability to assist Fletcha as well. Opening the door, he announced, "I want to go..." the words died on his lips as he saw Fletcha dematerialize before him the way a specter would. A shadow door appeared where the fireplace stood.

Fletcha twisted his hand and the door opened. Blinding light filled the room. Ryker fell to his knees; he blocked the light with his hand. Through his fingers, he could see her otherworldly form pass through the door.

The door shut behind him and everything around the room morphed back to normal. Ryker stood up, "BY JUPITER!"

"I see you have abilities," Haymitch said.

Ryker turned around, "What happened?"

"He went into the past to kill Snow before he killed your uncles." Haymitch moved toward the window, he stared out.

"He is a wizard like you?"

"Fletcha has great powers and will be able to get Snow."

"In the past?" It sounded complicated. Ryker frowned, "But what about the here and the now?"

Haymitch opened his mouth to say something but the door swung open.

"Ryker," King Daniel said, coming in through the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I was…" Ryker stumbled for a reply.

"He was fetching me to go up the gatehouse. Snow and Crane are no doubt about to commit an act of aggression."

"Yes, they are standing before the moat. I am afraid they will be able to destroy our defenses with dark magic."

Haymitch took his staff in his hands. "Then it is time we show the fraudulent King you are not alone and helpless."

This Chapter is dedicated to my bestie norbertsmom - whose birthday is today