Betrayal part 2

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if you haven't read part 1 yet, look below it's spelled "Betrayl" by Amanda.
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Xalla's eyes opened and she jumped back, suprised to see Drinas's hand so close to her face. She nearly cried out, but he shushed her.
"Xalla, we're tied up."
"My earrings..."
"I see them." He reached again to push her hair away. Suddenly Xalla's eyes widened and she froze. As his hand touched her ear, she shut her eyes, unable to bear seeing his face when he discovered her Elven heritage. He didn't notice her movement. His finger tucked her hair over her ear. They lingered, but he said nothing so she assumed he hadn't noticed. She opened her eyes in relief. Apparently, the shadows thrown by Saret and Markir's dying fire masked Xalla's ear, because he did nothing. He unhooked her earring and drew it out of her ear, then began to saw at the ropes that tied her wrists. She gasped in pain as blood returned to her fingers. He handed her the knife and she cut his bonds.
They stood and looked around. They were still somewhere in the forest, probably farther in then any path led. In the light of the dying fire, they could see the Saret and Markir asleep on the other side of the fire. Drinas made a searching motion with his hand, and he started around the clearing one way, looking for a possible escape route. Xalla went the other way. They met on the other side of the fire. Xalla shook her head. Drin sighed. He hadn't found anything either. It was obvious why Saret and Markir hadn't posted a guard. There was no way out of the clearing except by magic.
Xalla shivered, and Drin put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the fireside. Noticing that the fire was nearly out, he went to collect some more wood from a pile he had seen earlier. He placed the wood on the fire and walked away to brush off his hands. Returning, he could see hte silouette of her head from the back. This time there was no mistaking. Her ears were pointed. His eyes hardened.
He came up behind her and fingered her ear. She froze. "So, lady Xallanthia Zentralthan, you have many secrets," he said.
2 "Many more than you can imagine, perhaps. Would you like to get out of here first? Or I can leave you lovers to talk now, if you wish." A black shape moved through the trees, and landed on the forest floor.
"Thesis!" Xalla's exclamation was soft, but Drin froze for a second, putting his hand over Xalla's mouth. Then, remembering her ears, he took his hand off and backed away from the girl.
"Xana's training may have been pretty scanty, but perhaps I can get you out of this mess. Elves rarely remember about climbing trees. The barrier only covers three feet off the ground. Levitating isn't all too hard. First though, I think you may want your gifts."
"A Present? How thoughtful of you," say Drin sarcastically. "Did you bring a hat for the elf?"
"So you know," she replied grimly. "But still, the gifts are yours, and yours alone. I can tell this: if you do not use them, this quest will undoubtedly fail."
Out of a small black sack, Thesis took out a glittering pendant, a crystal suspended on a silver chain. "I give you the Starstone Pendant, Drinas. You must place it on, at once! I do not know all of its history, but no doubt Xana does...or Bay." Xalla's mouth fell open at the gift, but Drin didn't see her face. He was too engrossed in the pendant. But Thesis did, and gave a subtle smile. She nodded, mouthing the word 'Yes.'
"I give to you Xalla the cloak of the Ancient Ones. Put it on." The black velvet cloak came out of the bag, seemly too small for it. Xalla felt the soft folds, and placed the hood over her head. Suddenly, she vanished, into the night's air. "It's a cloak of invisibility?"

3 "Your powers of observation amaze me, Xalla," Thesis replied, laughing.
"I can't even see myself!" Xalla exclaimed.
"Good. Stay that way. ELF." Drinas's eyes narrowed, and he struck out at where Xalla had stood only moments before. She was invisible, but not insubstantia, and he slapped her in the face. She cried out softly, then remembered that Saret and Markir still slept. She placed her hand to her cheek. Drin knew how to hit, she noticed. Her cheek still smarted and she whimpered. Drinas heard her and moved to attack again, but Thesis restrained him.
"If you want to get out of here, we can't wake those two," she said, waving her hand at the dark elves. "From my little training with Xana, I know a sleep spell. I placed it on them before I entered the clearing, but I don't know how long it will last on those so full of dark magic. So we must leave now. Come." Thesis gestured to the edge of the clearing. "I can only lift one of you at a time. Xalla, you first."
"Okay," came the reply from the other side of the clearing. Drinas struggled in Thesis's grasp, but she held firm.
"You will behave if you want to escape," Thesis told Drin matter-of-factly. He stilled. "I'm going to let you go now," Thesis said. "Don't move." She removed her arms, and he stayed put, but glared at Thesis, thinking to himself that she was lucky she was his way out of here.
Thesis shimered back into her cat form and leaped into the trees. Then she was human again. "Xalla, you have to take the cloak off," Thesis said. "I can't levitate you if I can't see you."
Reluctantly, Xalla pushed the hood back from her head. Fear flickered in her eyes as she saw Drinas watching her. Then, suddenly, she threw back her head and pushed her hair behind her ears. She had faith in Thesis's ability to keep Drin still. Then she looked up at Thesis. "I'm ready," she said.
Thesis raised her hand, and Xalla's feet lifted slowly from the ground. It seemed to be working, but as soon as Xalla's hand touched the tree branch, there was a blinding flash of blue light, and Xalla fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Xalla!" Drinas exclaimed. He started to run over to her, then stopped and scowled. He wouldn't let himself feel anything for the ELF.
From her vantage point, Thesis could see all of the clearing. Therefor, she was the only one to see Saret rise from where she had slept. "I shall return. With the others!" she whispered to Drinas. Then she was gone.
"What's this? Trying to escape?" Saret said as Drinas turned. The dark elf waved her hand, and the tree where Thesis had so recently sat glowed blue. Drinas's pendant and Xalla's cloak also glowed faintly. "Someone else was here to give you those things!" she exclaimed. "The person was a mage, too. You and the elf aren't." Her eyes narrowed as she regarded Drinas's pendant. "But you soon will be something else," she muttered softly. Then Xalla stired, and Saret's attention was torn from Drinas. "She will need care. Get Markir," she ordered him over her shoulder. He turned, wondering to himself why he wanted the elf saved. For he found he did.
4 Markir still slept soundly when Drinas roughly shook him awake. He sat up, blinking his eyes in the light of the fire.
"What's going on?" he asked. "It feels like it's still the middle of the night!"
"It is," said Saret from across the clearing.
"Then why am I awake? You know the prisoners..." he trailed off as he realized who had woken him. "Saret," he said uneasily, "what's..."
"Just get over here, Markir. The elf girl is hurt. She needs your care."
"Very well." Markir stood, crossing the clearing to where Xalla lay. "She hit the barrier?" Saret nodded. Markir considered for a minute, then waved his hands above Xalla's body and began to chant. Drinas tensed, suspecting evil magic, but Saret raised her palm, warding him off. He had nothing to worry about, however. Xalla's elven body was naturally resistant to the dark magic. A red aura glowed around her and Markir dropped his hands with a sigh.
"There's nothing I can really do for her. I canceled the effects of the barrier spell, but that's all her body will accept from me. If she injured herself in the fall, there's nothing I can do."
"What will we do, then?" asked Saret. "You know we need them both." Markir shrugged.
"I can take care of her," Drinas said softly. The dark elves both regarded him, slightly suspicious.
They looked at each other, then Saret nodded. "Very well," she said. "See that she is made well quickly. Soon we will travel." A look of despair crossed Drinas's face, but the dark elves did not see it, for they had turned away.
5

"I have it!" Xana shouted, "I know where the spell leads"
"Where?" Bay asked as she jumped up.
"Some where in the forest" Xana replied
"The forest?!" Bay exclaimed.
"Yes"
"Let's go!"
"First let me adjust the location so we don't pop directly into their camp," Xana uttered some cryptic words that Bay could not understand and suddenly the trio was in a different, much darker part of the forest.
6 Bay, being impulsive, immediatly began to march off. This bold approach to the situation was quickly followed by a yelp of pain.
"Shush, Bay, what happened?" Xana asked.
Bay hadn't heard her. "That wasn't very nice! Everything is supposed to move out of my way! Even you, sir tree."
Xana sighed. "I forgot about the effects of teleportation on Sacari. Grab her, Alstax, please." Rolling his eyes, he did so. Bay continued to scream explicit words at the tree until Alstax silenced her with a light gag.
"That should keep her quiet," said Xana. "Now our friends should be right over there." She pointed. Setting the squirming Bay down, Alstax slowly moved the obscuring branches away. Then he jumped back in surprise. There, looking back at him, was Drinas!
"Alstax! You found us!" Drinas was equally as shocked, but he remembered to keep his voice low. He motioned over his shoulder to Saret and Markir, sitting by the fire with their backs to Drinas. Alstax nodded. "How did you do it?" Drin asked.
"It was MY doing," Xana said, appearing from the shadows. "I pinpointed the spell and traced it."
"Well I'm glad you're here," Drin replied. "Thesis was here and tried to help us escape. It almost worked, but we're trapped by magic. Xalla's hurt and I don't know what to do for her. I think she minght be dying!" The last was said with a tone of loss and grief. Alstax and Xana looked at each other.
"Where is she?" Xana asked. Drinas parted the underbrush. Xalla slept, eyes closed. Even in the dark it was easy to see that she was pale. Xana motioned and muttered a few words. This time Xalla glowed green.
"I can help her, but not tonight. My energy was drained by that transportation spell." She leaned against Alstax. "She will be alright for a few more days. You should sleep too, Drin." He nodded. "We'll camp a short way from here and come back tomorrow night." With that, Alstax and Xana turned and walked away, leading Bay who was beginning to calm down. Drinas sat back, reassured, and resumed his vigil.

The next day, however, there was no evidance that anyone had ever camped in that clearing in the woods.
7 "Xana, Alstax, Bay! I'm glad I've found you!" The normally quiet cat hopped down from the trees above. "I was looking for you and..."
"What are you doing here?!" interupted Xana angeriliy. "Drin said that you had come to help them, but ended up nearly killing Xalla! Are you so big of a fool that you can't just rescue someone without making a fuss?"
"I attempted to levitate her, but she bumped into a barrier, which woke those others up. I had to leave then and there."
"Levitate her?! Are you insane? You know that your magic is absoultly worthless! I have never had such an incompet student as you! Whatever possessed you to try to levitate her?" Her voice began rising by octaves, until the mage was almost screaming.
"Have you said enough yet?" said Thesis quietly.
"Actually, no." added Alstax. His eyes glimmered dangerously. "Xana was able to find Drin and Xalla through magic. But we knew that they were missing. Why did you look just for them, and not the rest of us?"
"How DID you find them?"
8 Thesis raised her head, aloof to the critisism. "What I did I did for a reason. Maybe someday you'll understand. I play a bigger part in the scheme of things then I think you realize, Xana. My meathods you may not like or understand, but trust me, the end justifies the means. Oh, and Drinas probably exagerated, or you took his words the wrong way. Xana, I know that my skills with magic are not nearly as strong as yours, but they are not negligable. It was more my lack of intrest that made me such a poor pupil. Understand also that I know more than you think."
"That doesn't explain how you found them," Alstax said pointedly.
"Or why you went to them, not to us," Xana snapped.
"I found them by means that are my own, and that I may not reveal to you as yet. It is the same why I went to them first. You three are easier to find, I will tell you that. The prophecy I know speaks more of you three then of them, but you are not where my primary task lies."
Xana scowled, but seemed to accept this, but her eyes said that she still was not satisfied. However, she would keep silent. For now.

Remarkably, Bay had slept through all the commotion. Thesis went to wake her, and Alstax drew Xana aside.
"Something else is bothering you, love," he said matter of factly.
She sighed and leaned her head against his chest. "It is. I feel so insecure and weak all of a sudden. Why could she do what I could not, find them in time to help? By the time we found them last night I was to drained to help them. I just assumed that they'd be here in the morning. I was arrogant enough to think that since I was here nothing could go wrong."
"You can't do everything, Xana."
"By the Gods, I wish I could." She turned her face to his shoulder and began to cry softly, while he stroked her hair.
"Love, there are bigger things at stake here then us. I have a feeling that this journey will be full of revelations. Let's trust Thesis for now. You know she is special in her own way. We all are, or we wouldn't be on this journey. Now, the most important thing is for us to find Drinas and Xalla." He gently kissed her tears away and she smiled, though humbly. He took her hand and they turned to see Thesis look up at them. Thesis smiled, and Xana was reassured once more. No hard feelings now. The results of the clashing of violent tempers had again fallen beneath the surface of the lake they all sailed, without a ripple to tell of its passing.
9 Xalla lay, sick and feverish, by the fireside. Drinas crouched over her, holding her hand. Saret and Markir stood to one side, talking quietly.
"D'you think she'll make it?" Saret asked fearfully. "We need her."
"I don't really know. I didn't think she'd react this way to my magic. I can understand how she could withstand my dark magic, being one of the light, but I've never seen this before. She is feverish, but she does not wake and the fever does not drop. For once I don't know what to do."
"Well you'd better think of something. We can't have her dying on us! And you know that if she goes we loose Drinas from grief." Saret was loosing her temper, using all her willpower to keep from yelling.
Markir placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. Saret quieted. "Just don't mention anything to Drinas," she said. "We have to keep his hope alive."
10 "My apologizes for acting as I did, Xana and Alstax," said Thesis as they finished their breakfast. "I've just been so worried about them, and uptight..."
"We all are," interupted Xana. But she smiled. "But still, how were you able to find them?"
"It was through a dream...I think the story will take much too long for now, if you want to search for them. Tonight perhaps?"
11 "There's nothing stranger than a dream, I can tell you that. It was my quest dreams that led me away that night, because there was a mission for me to do before we go on." Thesis explained at the fire that night.
"Quest dreams...I think I remember about those when i was last with you. Not many people get them, correct?"
"Perhaps one every three generations, but the receptor is always the Forgrath, or her daughter. My first dream was perhaps..."

As a young child, she always had been slightly different, special but reclusive. Although she was to be the Forgrath, she still was alone. There were false friends, those who admired her postiion, but failed to notice her interlect, bribing with hope to become first Chariter, the first among the Concil in her time. Before she could befriend others, their parents would lower themselves to give such explaination that their child was not worthy of her... To the all Jagu'men, she was the Daughter, a figurehead of the tribe. She would be the wife of the Shamen, and mother to the next Forgrath, but having little say in the Concil itself. For that was to be her only true duty, to marry and bear the children. Nor would her mate be her choice...but that beared no thinking. She was a daughter not of only a mother and father, but also of the all the Jagu'men.
Then came the Quest Dreams, taking her beyond the woods of her namestake into to the border mountains where she was warned not to go. So began her first journey, after the completion of her training, with a gift not in many - magic. Eventhough she was a poor student, a Questor often has powers unknown... and altough they understood, her parents had right to worry. A Forgrath with the Dreams usually does not return...

12 Interrupting Thesis’s apology, a graceful Teul jumped out of the woods and landed right next to Xana. Teuls are curious creatures who are often are shy and observant, but they're extremely curious. They often are tall and thin, but have a unique quality of being able to tell what other creatures are thinking. All present were absolutely scared out of their wits, but the Teul started to make some conversation.

"My name is Jisura. What are all of yours?" the Teul’s voice rang like little chimes.

Xanavieve, taking the lead began, "My name is Xanavieve, but call me Xana, he’s Drinas, and she’s Thesis." However, through all her confidence in her voice, both Jisura and she knew that she was worried.

"Oh, don’t worry, I come in peace. I was abandoned as a child and was raised by an old necromancer who was extremely mean."

Jisura’s frankness and honesty affected the 3 in a way they never would have imagined. Instead of worrying, they began to be comfortable with this Teul. After all, it was a common known fact that Teuls had great morals, all the time.

Soon, when Bay had woken up, the 5 discussed different things on different topics. However, the conversation lingered on the situation of the two captured. Jisura could see the doubt in the four’s minds. She knew that they were very desperate for a solution, so she came up with the most comforting thing she could think of, silence.

Some say that silence is golden. But really silence is the healer of all wounds. And that’s what it did for the four doubters. They began to regain some confidence.

So the group recuperated and began to plan out the escape.

13 ===================================================================
IMPORTANT. WHEN JISURA ADDED LAST NIGHT SHE MADE A MISTAKE. SHE HAD XANA INTROUDUCE DRINAS BUT AS ANYONE WHO'S BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY KNOWS DRINAS IS NOT WITH XANA. I HAVE CONSULTED WITH HER, AND SHE TOLD ME SHE MEANT ALSTAX. SORRY FOR THE MISTAKE.
~XALLANTHIA
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14
Thesis, though had many doubts, Jisura was not in her dreams, she was not to be trusted, or were Thesis' powers failing her. She had doubts about the fidelidy of her mother, was that why they called a Jagu'men council, was she not pure? When she was younger her inability to do magic had frightened her. Suddenly nothing could quel her fears, Thesis knew that it had to be the answer, she knew she was not the perfection her people had seen, she could never be the Forgrath, atleast not the way she was now.

15 “Does anyone have any idea on what to do?” Xana suddenly asked exasperatedly, breaking the silence.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help you, could I,” another voice answered from the fringes of the woods around the clearing.

Alstax immediately leaped up. “Who’s there?” he demanded.

“Good grief, another surprise intruder?” Thesis remarked sarcastically, throwing her hands up in the air. “One was enough for today, I thought.”

Xana scrunched her face in concentration. “I sense that there’s a presence somewhere near by, but I can’t quite pin point it. Maybe if I tried—“

“Don’t waste your energy, it’s not worth it,” the voice said. “It actually won’t work, since I’m pretty undetectable by magic. But don’t worry, I’m nothing like that. I was just interested in the story that cat-woman was telling—or wait, sorry, it must be Lady ZymenThesis. Then it got too quiet and I decided to say something.”

Thesis’ face looked surprised. “How did you know my—“

“It’s a gift.” Now the voice was coming from behind the group, and as they all turned around, they saw a young woman sitting cross-legged on a rock, calmly watching their surprised reaction to the sudden appearance. “It’s actually no big deal—haven’t you ever met a Jhin before?” She laughed and gave a big smile. Her long, dark brown hair was swept away from her face, revealing deep blue eyes. She wore a dark green tunic tied with a cream-colored soft rope and her skin was very tan.

“Jhin?” Xana repeated suspiciously. “I’ve never heard of that before. What kind of weird people are you?” She eyed the stranger cautiously.

“Well,” the Jhin answered calmly, not at all offended by Xana’s manner, “let me introduce myself, since you all look like I’m going to call in some hidden forces or something like that. I’m Larosik of the Jhin in Gmir, but you can call me Laro.” Seeing Xana’s mouth starting to open to ask another question, she continued, “I bet you’re wondering why I’m here, and how, right?” She grinned at the mage’s very surprised look. “It’s a common question, the Jhin are mind-readers and artists. Well, according to the Jhin custom, any girl over the age of thirty—that’s about seventeen in human age—must leave their village and set off to find their soulmate or soul companions in the world. I set off with my twin, and I’ve been just going around until I came here and found civilized people to talk to.”

“You said you had a twin,” Jisura said, speaking for the first time ever since Laro had arrived. ‘Where is she?”

A painful look briefly crossed Laro’s face. “I don’t know,” she said matter-of-factly, “but I’d rather not talk about it, please.”

16 Thesis closed her eyes in thought. Now, who was this newcommer? yet another whose comming she had not seen? Her thoughts began to return to the same course as they had in her earlier reflections, but she managed to turn them with no small effort. Then she realized something. Maybe she hadn't read all of the prophecy! Maybe Xalla knew something she didn't. So she turned her mind to the task at hand: finding her friends, and along with them, some answers.
17 The "newcomers" became fast friends with everyone with their great optimism, negotiating abilities, and their openness, that is, everyone except for Thesis. Thesis with her magical powers had not foreseen these new people. This led her to believe that there was something wrong about these newcomers. They must of had some bad intentions in their minds.

While everyone planned the escape of Xalla and Drinas, Thesis had her own ideas. She would save Xalla and Drinas, and these newcomers wouldn't get all the credit.
18 For once, she'd be the hero. She was tired of the idea of being just another woman in the crowd, or the figurehead of a long-outdated practice.

"So you can speak into other people's minds, Laro?" asked Xana.
> the Jhin said, broadcasting her thought to all of them.
"Amazing!" Alstax exclaimed. He opened his mouth to speak again, but Laro beat him to it.
"Yes, and I can hear your thoughts as well." He looked startled, but then sat down to ponder this newfound fact. Thesis, however, looked troubled. The Jhin could tell what she was thinking? She would have to guard her thoughts.
"That could be a useful skill," Thesis said out loud, masking her sarcasm so that they wouldn't suspect that she was lying. Jisura looked at her for a moment, surprised, then frowned, shook herself, and looked back at Xana.
"How wide is your range of thought?" Xana asked.
"Oh, one or two miles to be able to talk to a person I don't know well, more if I'm a good friend. But I can usually sense what direction they are in relation to myself."
"Well there's your answer!" Alstax exclaimed. "Laro can track Drin and Xalla!"
"I suppose I could," ventured Laro, "but keep in mind that I don't know them at all, so it may take a while. If any of you could describe one of them to me, however, I could give it a try."
"None of us know Drin that well," said Xana, "but I've traveled with Xalla for a few months. I think I can give you a fair description." So Xana began, and her tale lasted long into the night. It was supplemented by others as they tried to remeber things about the elf girl, what she had said and done, what her reactions to events had been, what they knew about her relationships with Drin and Normandy. Bay recounted the tale of Xalla's exile, which the elf had explained to her on one of the long days spent hiking across the mountains. Little by little, a picture formed in Laro's mind, aided by her innate artistic-linguistic ability. When the group had told her everything they could think of, she felt confidant, but it was too late to start out then.

The next morning, when they had cleaned up the camp, Laro sat in the very center of the clearing and closed her eyes. Assuming a meditative position, she concentrated on everything she had been told about Xallanthia Zentralthan. The others watched, amazed, with the exception of Jisura who seemed merely amused. Then, suddenly, the Jhin's eyes flew open and she pointed north. "That way!" She exclaimed.

The group set off. Jisura and Laro walked together, deep in conversation. Then both turned as one to Thesis, who had been walking alone, immersed in her own thoughts. Noticing their scrutiny, the cat-girl paused, then looked right at them. "What is it?" she asked.
The Jhin and the Teul looked at each other. Then Laro spoke.
"It is you, my friend. What are you? I cannot tell your thoughts, nor can Jisura tell your feelings. Who are you?"
> Thesis thought.
> Laro replied. > she seemed thoughtful, and slightly troubled.
"Excuse me, I'm kind of feeling left out here," Jisura broke in, irritated. "You can talk out loud, you know."
"Sorry," the two replied in unison.
"To answer you question, I don't know why," Thesis replied. I'm glad they can't read my mind, she thought very quietly. That way, I can use this to my advantage! If they don'g know waht's in my head, they can't stop me from rescuing Drin and Xalla on my own.
Then Bay cried out, "Big something ahead!!" and further conversation was averted, for the time.
19 =====================
I don't know why the thought blurbs in the > didn't come in. here they are, in order of appearance:
"Yes,"

"So you can't read my thoughts?"

"Well I understood that, as it was directed at me."

"With the others, I can understand their public minds, which is whatever is going through their heads. You, however, seem to have some kind of innate mental shield."

sorry! ~xalla
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20
The big something was a creature that looked an awful lot like the group's new found friend, Jisura. As they later found out, the reason was because he was a Teul. A very athletic creature, he was extremely fast at rushing at the group. However, when Jisura shouted out a few words in Teunish, the tall creature stopped in his tracks.

"What did you say to him," asked Xana.

"I told him that I was a Teul, a peaceful one, and we were on a mission to find a couple of your friends."

"And it worked?" Thesis asked amazed at this creature's ability to persuade.

"Of course, Teuls know the value of another Teul's word."

However, as the tall Teul came closer, all conversation stopped. All attention was averted to the newest newcomer. Naturally, the gregarious Jisura quickly made conversation with the new Teul and found out his name.

"Ciemhal," he replied with a soft voice that also rang like chimes.
21
Far from the two groups, large and small, the real enemy lurked. Deep in the heart of the Goteh mountains, an army was amassing. Mercenaries, theives, warlords, soldiers, evil men of every kind gathered for an onslaught that would affect every living being on the continent. One pair of cold eyes watched from a tent as the army practiced their war games. The eyes scanned for any sign of weakness for they knew that would be the downfall.
"My Lord!" A leiutenent shouted as he walked into the tent.
"Why do you interrupt me?"
"This man was caught deserting"
"Feed him to the Callagra"
"Yes my Lord" The soldiers dragged the screaming man away, while the leuitenent remained.
"What is the report on Saret and Markir."
"They are still missing, my Lord."
"When you find them, do not hesitate to kill them"
22 Meanwhile, the search party, led by the telepathic direction of Laro, gained some progress while investigating the Teul newcomer. Usually, he and Jisura were found in deep conversation, pausing briefly every once in a while.
"Well?" Xana asked Jisura as she was taking one of her breaks. "What's the news of your friend?"
"It seems like he lives in a village near-by," she said, sitting down under a tree and stretching her long limbs. "His people's scouts have heard some unusual noise coming from the north, but they aren't sure what it is. The village is preparing, in case of trouble or battle. The reason he charged us before is because he thought we were dangerous, especially with a cat-person in our midst He had been watching us cautiously for some time, but he didn't see me in the group."
"Hmm..." Thesis commented, appearing to join the conversation. "I guess the other Teul doesn't like my people very much. Just a moment ago I tried to offer my help when he was sharpening his weapons, but he just gave me the cold shoulder. What strange attitudes."
"Did you say weapons?" Xana asked. "What kind?"
Thesis shrugged indifferently. "Some arrows, I guess, a bottle of a substance, and a knife. Typical."
"What kind of arrows?" Xana asked, leaning forward.
"Hey, what's with the investigation of Ciemhal?" Jisura asked.
"I don't know, maybe elvin, I'm not sure. A sort of greenish color," Thesis replied. "Why?"
Xana's eyes hardened. "We need to have a talk with him, to see where he got them," she said, lowering her voice. "By your description, they look just like Xalla's!"
23 "Like Xalla's? But how could that be? She has them with her, doesn't she...?" Jisura asked. She sounded confused, with an effort, though her eyes lowered slightly and she bit her lip. She'd have to take this slowly.
"No, remember, she was kidnapped!" Xana exclaimed. "She and Drin were by a creek together when they were taken. We'd already settled down for the night so they had nothing with them, except Xalla had her earrings; she never takes them off."
"Why not?" Jisura did not have to fake her curiosity as she had her concern.
"They're daggers. Very useful if you find yourself tied up without any magic to call on. Used them myself once," Xana replied.
"Oh."
"So now, the question is, how did Ciemhal get Xalla's arrows? We took them with us when we left to look for her, didn't we..."
"I don't think we did, Xana," said Alstax, who had been listening to the conversation. "I seem to remember us in such a frenzy that we barley remembered to pack our own gear!"
"So then he stole them from the old campsite? Then he probably has everything else we left too!" Suddenly, Xana's eyes widened in fear and she whispered to Alstax, "He could have the Sun Pendant! It was in Drin's pack." Alstax looked alarmed, but said nothing.
"Wait a minute, you guys, how do you know they ARE Xalla's arrows," Jisura broke in. "I mean, couldn't he have bought them from some elven trader?"
"Elves, trade? Surly you jest," Xana said. "No, in order for him to posess such arrows, he would have had to have been a guest of the Elf King! That happens to a member of another race about once every millennia! Elves only trade with others of their kind. Besides, Xalla makes her own arrows. Her trademark is green feathers, and near the head of the arrow there's always a small, carved oak tree in full bloom with an X among the leaves."
"Someone has to get one of those arrows and see if it's really hers! Could you do it, Jisura? You seem to have gained his trust," Thesis asked.
"No, I can't, you see it's custom among Teul... we don't touch each other's weapons. Ever. Not unless it's a life or death situation for another Teul," Jisura rushed through the last part. Had Laro been paying attention, she would have noticed that the Teul's thought patters were something along these lines: "I can't let them know, can't give myself away, can't let go of his trust, I need him... Can't let them send him away..." Obviously, the Teul knew something the others didn't.
"Well I'll try to get one, then," Thesis said. "Let's appoint watches tonight. Say you're tired, Xana. Too tired to set up the magic barrier." Xana looked about to protest, but Thesis spoke before she could. "It's for good cause, and won't hurt your image, Xana. Everyone's allowed to be human." Xana rolled her eyes but agreed. "Anyway, on my watch, I'll get one of the arrows and check it out. If it's not Xalla's mark, we know he's ok. And if it is... well we'll figure something out."
Everyone agreed. Then Ciemhal called Jisura's name, and she went over to talk with him. After answering his question, she began to tell him what had just been planned.
24
Ciemhal laid looking up at the clear sky with the stars above. If Jisura was true to her word, then he had a problem. Over the last couple of days that he had known Jisura, he was learning about her and her ways. Knowing that she also was a Teul, made him trust her almost immediately. He knew that she was putting her reputation on the line. She had gone against all of the morals that all Teuls learn at the beginning of their lives. However, the reasons that they had to lie were good, and they had the best of intentions in their minds. No matter what happened, their code of morals was still upheld because they were trying to commit good deeds.

At the same time, Jisura was half asleep and lying on her bed of leaves. Even though she knew that her intentions were good, she still worried. Gregarious by nature, she liked her new friends, and was afraid that if they ever found out what she was doing, they never would forgive her. This was the first time naive Jisura had told lies or even misled anyone. She never had learned the hard facts of life, probably because she never was taught them. As she drifted off to sleep, her last thought was "If I get caught, what will I do?"
25

It was pitch black at midnight, as always. The watch was to change not for awhile, but another shadow had joined the silent figure in the trees.
"Laro? What are you doing up here now? Your watch isn't until the second moon's rising?"
"I came to talk, Thesis. I've told you that I can't hear your thoughts, right?"
"Yes... though what this has to do with our midnight talk i don't know..."
"Well, normally I can hear Jisura's thoughts clear than most, but tonight, I could sence confusion and mystery, but that was all."
"She's hiding something?"
"Perhaps, I don't know. Have you looked at the arrows?"
"Not yet, but soon... I have to look myself."
"What makes you different, Thesis? You are different from the others, but there is no need to take everything upon yourself."
She thought, and answered "It is my duty... and I need to see for myself, whether Ciemhal and Jisura can be trusted."
"Do you trust me, then? I have been here not much longer than them."
"Yes, I do. Because last night... I had a dream. But still, I, or we must look at those arrows. The drink i gave Ciemhal tonight had some Heart's Ivy. He should not be awake now. Can you keep watch?"
"Alright, go ahead. But don't be a hero, if it is too dangerous."
"Are you saying that I should be afraid? Do you doubt my heart?" Rather offended, the Lady of the Cats stared at the Jhin.
"No, just your sense sometimes." Laro laughed silently. "The little I can read from you is your courage and desire to who you are, but don't be foolhardy."
"I am never foolish."
"So I noticed, but too much courage is foolishness. Take care."

Thesis jumped down the tree, to the forest below. True, she had given the Heart's Ivy to Ciemhal, but also to Jisura. Not that anything could really happen, but just in case. To her knowledge, Heart's Ivy worked on everyone...aside from those with the antidote. On the other hand, the only places where it was grown was the Forgrath.
As she crept towards the sleeping Ciemhal, and reached for the arrows, her heart nearly stopped.
"Jisura!"
26
"All Teul are immune to the effects of Hearts Ivy Thesis" Jisura said in a voice that was not chime like, "or did you not know?"
"I..."
"Speechless? that's a rarity, there seems to be much you do not know"
"Like how to trust" Ciemhal said rising.
"But..."
"We know you do not trust us, infact we know you hate us, ignorance breeds fear which breeds hate. All your life you've had dreams to guide you, and now for some reason unknown to you, but known by all Teul, they have failed you." Jisura said with a steely gaze.
Before Thesis could speak Ciemhal continued, "Yes, we know about your dreams, we are the Teul, we know everything. The sole purpose of our race is to watch and record the events of the world around us, but never to interfere."
"A fortnight ago a lone Teul was killed by the beginings of the Dark Lord's army. Never before has one of our kind been killed in cold blood. It created a disturbance in all things metaphysical, including your dreams. Our people could not remain docile any longer, two were sent out, one from each tribe, Ciemhal and myself, to avenge the death of our fallen comrad, only then will the balance be restored."
"We sought out your group, because from our predictions, you will be the only ones to challenge this dark power"
"That still does not explain why you have Xalla's arrows." Xana said as she and Bay stepped out of the bushes.
"This does" Ciemhal said as he handed Xana a scroll.
"It's a spell," she said.
"If you cast it on Xalla's arrow and then shoot it, you can follow it to her location," Ciemhal replied.
"Why didn't you give this to us sooner?"
"Because" Jisura said, "Everything has it's own time, you of all people should know that."

27 "You people amaze me," a voice suddenly said from above.
Jisura instinctively stiffened, but then relaxed as she sensed who it was. "Oh, it's only you, Laro," she said in relief as the Jhin landed calmly in the middle of the group.
"What's so amazing?" Ciemhal asked, peering at Laro. "And how come your feelings seem stranger than most? They seem not at all covered."
"Well," Laro said, making herself comfortable, "by the 'conversation' all of you are having with yourselves, you all seem so confused with each other. But don't worry--it'll all work out." Then, focusing on Jisura's companion, she continued, "I'm a Jhin, didn't you know? All of us mind-readers of sorts, I guess."
"Ah," the male Teul responded, "I understand. Well, if you are so good at these things, why don't you help us make peace with this cat person."
"You know, I have a name," Thesis spoke up. "Please use it with respect, and I will give you respect in return."
"I'm sorry, he didn't know," Jisura said, "but we'll all try harder to get along."
"Anyway," Laro said, lowering her voice slightly, "we should speak softer--I have a bad feeling that something may possibly be listening." The small group conversed in low voices, and then they parted.
In the forest, just yards away from their dying campfire, a voice cursed himself and muttered, "@$%**@## than Jhin for sensing me!" The would-be intruder slinked off, not gaining any information for his evil master.
28 **********************
a break during the night.....
milk--it does the body good!
where's your milk mustache?
**********************
29 "But you do not know everything, do you, Jisura?" said Thesis quietly. "If you did, then you would know that the Dark Lord's minions do not just gather around us, but among your people as well. As a matter of fact, you do know one of them personaly. He is you!" she cried, pointing an accusing finger at Ciemhal. Jisura was enraged at the accusation, but Ciemhal quieted her.
"You are correct, cat woman, but explain your postion as well. Why have you sold your service to the Dark One?"
"For the same reason as you, Ciemhal. I went for infomation, but in disguise. I trust you did the same?"
"Yes... but how did you know?"
"By the same sign as your own - the Dark star! Didn't you see it too, Xana?"
"Yes, but I was not sure about its power. Let me show you." The mage's incatation was swift, but the aura produced was unmistakable. A blue glow was around both Alstax and Xana, a white around Bay, a pale green around Laro and Jisura, but changing aura around Ciemhal and Thesis. "See? It changes, as their thoughts predominate between good and evil." The aura alternated between black and light green for Ciemhal, but only black interchanged with multicolored stars was shone around Thesis.
"But it is all black!" said Jisura. "Is there no good around you?" Her eyes narrowed.
"Not visably, because of my guise as the Warlord's servant. You will have to trust me on this, and I will do the same for you, but Xana's spell cannot show..."
All of a sudden, the auras blazed silver, and disappeared. "I hope you understand. I need your trust... all of you." Thesis looked up at them all. She stared at them, challenging their opinons, hate, and fears. They took the challenge and answered. "All the same, I trust you now, since I know why you are here, but we must find Xalla and Drin... soon."
30
But Laro and Jisura remained unconvinced. They just could not believe that the only reason that there was only black around Thesis. Suddenly, there was a break through Thesis's thoughts. Laro could understand what had been going through Thesis's head. All of the doubts that were there for the friendly newcomers and the contempt she had held for all of the members of the group. The only thing that had kept her going was the evil they were stepping into.

Laro shuddered at the thought of Thesis's evil motives. All the time she had acted like their friend, she had told them how to be true to themselves, how she tried to fit in... It just could not be right. Laro tried to bring out the truth, it just could not be the awful thoughts that were coming to her. She wanted to hurt us, Laro realized at last. She really was part of the dark forces. Laro sat in deep thought shuddering, wondering how this could have happened.

Jisura looked at her friend trying to conceal the reflection of Laro's shuddering and horror that was creeping on her while just looking at Laro. Something was terribly wrong.
31 That night, however, Jisura didn't get to have a private conversation with Laro, to ask what was wrong. They all agreed to sleep while Alstax was on watch for the remainder of the night. Already, the sky was losing its deep black color and the stars were slightly fading, with the slow coming of dawn.
The next morning, Laro rose early and began preparing breakfast, silently crouching beside the fire and coaxing it to burn brightly again. Alstax joined her, warming his hands.
"Well?" he said after a long silence. "I've never seen you so quiet. Are you still reading my thoughts?"
"No," Laro said, sighing. "Not at the moment. But," she said with a smile, "just a minute ago I heard you longing for your lady to share the moment. Why don't you go over and wake her up, along with the others? It's about time for us to stop stalling and to save Xalla and Drinus."
32
So the group began to make their long trek toward the campsite where Xalla and Drinas were being held. Although there had been much unrest in the large group, Xalla and Drinas were facing a test, a test of Drinas' love, and of Xalla's ability to keep fighting.
33 Xalla still had not woken. Drinas still watched her, though he was not sure why. He had known only confusion these past few days. Since he had seen Xana and the others, and then lost them, no revise that since he had discovered Xalla's true... nature.
34 His inbread bias was still strong, but he knew felt something for the elf girl. What he felt was the question. He had told her he loved her, but that had been before he knew... Love should be outside racial boundaries, he told himself, but every time he looked at her he only saw... her ears. Pointed. And her eyes, almond shaped. In her face, which he had once been attracted to, he now saw the delicate bone forms that gave her somewhat of a not-quite-human beauty.
35 That was the problem. Not quite human. Elven. That one word, the word that was building a wall between them. And he knew that something had to be done. Somehow he had to confront his feelings for her and for himself, his upbringing. Again and again he told himself, it doesn't matter, as long as we have love we have everything, but then he'd think, how can I love an ELF. They'd been his people's enemies for centuries, beyond the memory of any man living today. Perhaps once, long ago, an insult had been made to one of his countrymen by an elf, or the other way around. Yes, that was probably it, one of his naďve ancestors had insulted an elf, probably the king, and had started an ongoing war. The elf to whom the insult had been meant still lived, probably, and remembered, continuing the war. So silly, yet so... unavoidable. So incomprehensible, yet so hard to forget. The world works in strange ways, he thought to himself.
36 The sins of the father really are revisited upon the son. So now I have to live with it. Great. His thoughts were taking a turn towards self-pity. Sad, that he could find nothing to smile about anymore. Xalla had made him smile, but that laughter was gone. Maybe if she were better, and I could talk to her, I could figure all this out, he thought. But she has to get better first! Damn, fate couldn't have contrived worse, he thought. I need her, and she's not available. He looked down at her face, which was peaceful as though she was only asleep, and sighed. Then, in an unexpected moment of tenderness that surprised him as much as it would have surprised her had she been awake, he brushed his hand across her forehead, stroking her cheek. She sighed, and he drew his hand back, wondering if she would awaken. But she was still.
He looked over at Saret and Markir, and noticed that Saret was banking the fire for the night and Markir was rolling out their bedroll. He lifted Xalla in his arms and carried her over closer to the fire, where she would be warmer during the cold night. He opened the blankets that Saret and Markir had provided him with, and began to wrap them around himself to keep out the chill. Then he looked once more at Xalla, lying by the fireside, wrapped in her cloak of invisibility, which was warmer then any blanket Saret and Markir had. Still, as he watched, she seemed to shiver slightly. Not knowing quite why, he disentangled himself from his blankets and walked over to where Xalla lay. Again she seemed to shiver, and he made a quick decision. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over to his bedroll. He placed her down gently, and then lay down next to her. Taking her in his arms, he wrapped his blankets around them both. With her quiet though maybe not asleep in his arms, he fell asleep himself.

Xalla was not asleep, and never had been. Instead, she had lain in that world between unconsiousness and consiousness, life and death. She didn't know this. All she was aware of was the pain. She had been hurting since she had met with the magic barrier while Thesis had been levitating her. Her elven body, which naturally sensed the presence of dark magic, reacted violently when it came in contact with such. The barrier had injured her, but Markir's attempts to resusitate her had also involved dark magic, and had hurt her even more. She had been on the brink of oblivion, which would have led to death, when Xana's spell had lessened the pain just enough to encourage her to keep fighting. So she had spent the days since the kidnapping, sometimes wanting to die and sometimes wishing that she could once again open her eyes and see the world, but always with the pain in her heart and mind. As she lay in Drinas's arms that night, she once again concentrated only on the pain, the pain, the agony. She was beginning to think that oblivion minght be a welcome alternative, when suddenly she was aware of something else, intruding on her awareness.
(Xalla?) The voice sounding in her mind was unfarmiliar, and she tried to push it away.
(Xalla?) Then suddenly it was gone.

"Damn!" Laro said, opening her eyes and regarding her companions. "She's pushing me away. She doesn't know me, and that makes her distrustful. Her mind is strong, and she blocked me. I think she did hear me though. Hm..." she furrowed her brow in thought. Then, suddenly, she snapped her fingers. "I have an idea! Xana, do you have any experience with telepathic communication?"
"No, why?"
"You can talk to her, through me! But you have to trust me. Completely."
Xana looked worried, and exchanged glances with Alstax, but then sighed and said, "Ok, I'll try. What do I do?"
"Place your hands on my temples and I will link my mind with yours. Then we together will reach out to Xalla. But be warned, she's in a lot of pain."
"Pain?" Xana looked worried. "Oh." I hope it's not my fault, she thought to herself. Then she stepped forward and did as Laro had directed. She gasped as Laro's mind impacted hers.
(Close your eyes, and it will be easier,) Laro said inside her mind. Xana quickly complied.
(Now what?) she asked.
(Now we go,) Laro replied.

The something intruded on Xalla's awareness again, but this time it had the taint of something familiar. Then, a truly familiar voice sounded in her head.
(Xalla?)
Xalla paused, considering, then replied, (Xana?)
(Yes, it's me. How are you.)
Instead of replying with words, Xalla opened her mind a bit and showed Xana a peace of her pain. Those watching Laro and Xana gasped as Xana reeled, but then Laro moved to block the mental blow.
(None of that, now, Xalla.) she said firmly.
(Who are you?) Xalla replied defensively.
(I'm Larosik of the Jhin in Gmir, but you can call me Laro. I'm a Jhin, and the means by which Xana was able to contact you.)
(Can you help with the pain?) Xalla asked, almost childlike in her entreaty.
(With some help. Jisura!) Laro directed another thought at the Teul. Jisura started, then listened. (Jisura, could you help me deal with Xalla's pain?)
(What about Ciemhal?) asked Jisura.
(We only need one, and I sense you are the stronger, Jisura.)
(Very well.) Jisura moved forward, and placed her fingers on Xana's temples, joining the chain that was linked to Xalla.
(Now, Xalla, relax...) Laro said. Xalla tried, willing herself totally into the hands of the Jhin. There was one moment of gut-wrenching agony, and then, suddenly, she was free. (Now sleep, and soon we shall be with you in person,) Xana, Jisura, and Laro said as one. The contact was broken, and Xalla was suddenly alone. The loss of contact was almost frightening, and the distress she felt caused her to awaken. All of a sudden, she was aware of her surroundings. Feeling arms around her, she glanced around, alarmed, then saw that it was Drinas who held her. Relieved, and no longer feeling alone, she laid her head on his shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
37
The link was broken, but more information had been exchanged then Laro had intended. Both Xana and Jisura had learned of Thesis' betrayal. Xana looked to confront her, but she was no where to be found, so Xana did what she thought was best, she told Bay. That night the four women met around the fire while the men slept.
"I knew my magic didn't lie, it sees through all disguises." Xana started
"Why didn't you tell me." Jisura asked Laro.
"I don't know" She replied.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you." Bay interrupted, "I saw Thesis heading towards the mountains, so I followed her."
"What!" all three women shouted.
"Uh huh, we Sacari are very good at following. Anyway, so I followed, and followed, and followed, it was a very long trip, anyway, she went into the tent of some one named Sofara, or Getthecara something like that, and she told her, that Beret, and Marker didn't kill Xalla or Drinas and they were trainers, but Thesis said she tried, but the itchy Xana, oh by the way, if you have poison ivy, I know a really good Sacari cure anyway she said you paved them, what's a pave? She also said you guys don't know a thing, but I think we're all real smart, 'cept for Drinas, just kidding. So I came back and decided to tell you."
"Bay how long ago was this?" Xana asked
"Hmmn when did the moon look like a thumbnail?"
"Two weeks ago."
"Before then."
38 "Closer to a month now, I think.” It was the voice from the trees. “I didn't expect you to follow me, however. My congratulations to your success," she added sarcastically. Thesis was perched on a tree, as always. "The camp's too small for you to disappear unnoticed ladies, so it wasn't that hard to follow YOU!" She laughed, almost insanely.
"And what are you going to tell the Darklord now?" questioned Jisura, no longer sounding like herself.
"Anything I feel useful - but not all. It is said that you can only be loyal to one master, and in truth, I haven't decided whether that should be the Darklord yet."
"Traitor! We never should have trusted you!” Xana was enraged in earnest.
“No, you should have for awhile at least." Her voice grew deadly in its quietness. "I did something for Xalla, that you all may even appreciate. But I can only stand so much.” She laughed again, truly an unnerving sound. “Come and find me! My magic isn’t quite as good as I would have liked, but disappearing and blocking tracing magic is nothing. And you can never trace me through those thoughts and feeling readings, can you?” she mocked. "I fare thee well, though for how long, it remains to be seen!" With that, a flash erupted, and Thesis disappeared into the night.

What she said was true - a disappearing ‘act’ was nothing out of the ordinary. Her magic, though not of the ‘white’ kind that Xana knew, was still pure enough without influence of the dark magic as well, preventing Xalla from finding her the first time. The barrier accident was simply that - an accident. She had never expected Markir to use the dark magic, over the trees. It was much too dangerous. The original plan was to return the captured lovers, even as the Prince began recognize but also love the Elf to the group, and then leave. There would be need of allies later. Then that would be time to return to the Pool and restore the Crystal. As it jingled on its chain around her neck, the catwoman could feel its power still within, probing. Still, even without full powers, the magic that was given to her was far from ordinary...
Even without her magic, she could always return to the Forgrath. Though Bay and Alstax may be good at tracking, none can outwit or climb as the Jagu'men in the Forgrath. The Crystal was enough protection for her, but the woods had their own methods. It was a true pity that the Sacari had seen her on her mission, but the Heartra had better ways to protect herself. Yes, that Sacari had heard her conversation, but that was a cover for the truth behind. Although now she would have to do it alone, it was possible to still overthrow the Darklord. No one will ever dare threaten the Forgrath again.

39 Jisura looked with a smile at the two "men" lying by the campsite. Ciemhal’s handsome features stuck out to her. His tall, slender body was much like her own, but it was his nearly clear blue eyes that captured her interest. What was so familiar about those eyes? Of course she had seen nearly clear blue eyes before, but not like these eyes. His eyes were blue specked with green. Where had she seen those eyes before? Her own eyes, a dark brown veiled her inside feelings. But his eyes were so see through, almost like she could see into his deepest thoughts. She just could not place those eyes.

Larosik was still disturbed by the truth she had found out about Thesis. What the others had not found out by their joint transporting of thoughts was that she still could track Thesis, contrary to what Thesis believed. Since the breakthrough, Laro had been able to see crystal clear through that pendant of Thesis’ into her deepest thoughts. What she could not understand was why. Why had Thesis turned, what had gone so wrong? It was a thought to ponder as she let her mind wander through the possibilities.

Meanwhile… the dark forces were gathering with Thesis. "I would suggest that you make your move quickly, Lord" she said, sarcastically. "I’ve been telling you now for a month that you should be closing in soon. Well, I think that the last time that you’re going to be able to make a successful attack is very close. The idiots are beginning to suspect. But it’s only the beginning. They haven’t penetrated my deepest secrets, yet," she said evilly with a hint of amusement. Little did she know that Laro did know much of the truth.
"You’re NOT my advisor, may I remind you, Thesis," the evil lord emphasized impatiently. "I decide that we wait. It can’t hurt. I want it to be the very best time to do it, and I can’t take the chance right now. My forces haven’t all gathered totally, at least their power isn’t gathered yet. Half my forces are sick from that blasted disease YOU brought in here!" His voice rose with that last phrase to an astounding force that made all take a few steps back.

40 "Wonderful," Xana muttered, groaning as Thesis swept off through the trees. "Just when we have enough problems on our hands, she just decides to tell us that she's some insane evil. Great, just what I had in mind."
"But should we trust her?" Jisura asked. "I mean...well, I don't know."
"Thesis is right, though," Laro said. "None of us are even up to tracking one of the Jagu'men, and we can't even sense her thoughts or feelings. But I have a feeling we might need her help to rescue Xalla and Drinus."
Bay, feeling impatient from all of the serious talk, decided to spice things up. "Hey!" she cried, jumping up and down. "I have a--"
"Shut up, you idiot!" Xana hissed, dragging the Sacari to the ground and smacking her on the side of the head. "Don't you know you could've been heard?"
41
But Bay had been heard, by one of the sleeping "men". Ciemhal jerked up at the surprise of a quick noise.
He looked at Jisura, "What's going on? How come you're up so late?" He came over and sat next to Jisura, close enough so their skin was touching.
Jisura, suddenly feeling bashful, moved away, glad that the others could not see the red creeping up on her cheeks. "Um... Ciemhal, we're just having lady talk here by the fire. Go back to sleep. We'll be OK."
Ciemhal, however, was not satisfied, "It's so cold out here. Isn't it time for you to go to bed?" he asked worriedly.
"Since when is that any of your concern," she said haughtily, annoyed at Ciemhal's concern for her. "I've been on my own since 36 moons ago. I can take care of myself very much."
The others glanced about. This was not the Ciemhal or the Jisura that they were used to. Jisura was always so friendly and sociable. Why was she so upset about Ciemhal's obvious worry over her. He was just trying to help her afterall.
Ciemhal, with his mind slurred by the late hour, was letting out the deep hours of worrying over Jisura. Jisura always had seemed so vulnerable, as if behind a mask, she was really a fragile creature that could be broken easily. Ciemhal had watched carefully, worried that she would break. Now, at a time that he was half asleep, he was letting all his impulses run high. All his hard work was going down the drain. He felt like such a fool. But there was an alternative, he thought. There always could be the possibility that he make a move on her tonight. The dark Lord HAD asked, no ordered him to kill her. Without her, there could be no rescue of Xalla and Drinas, and inevitably, the group would fail at their attempts to defeat the dark forces. But his feelings for her were so strong. I've got to finish her off now, he thought.
Laro, in deep thought about the Thesis dilemna, blocked off all of other's thoughts while she tried to sort all she was recieving from Thesis.
"Come over here with me, Jisura," he heard himself say. Jisura reluctantly complied, expecting to hear him talk about the next plans for the defeat of the dark forces.
As they moved farther in the woods, away from the group, Ciemhal saw his chance. He started to pull out his concealed knife, with the open opportunity at hand. But he stopped halfway. He could not finish it. It was too hard for him to do. He loved this girl, with all he had. He couldn't kill her.
Instead, he leaned over and kissed her.
Obviously, that was not what she wanted. Slap, the noise thudded in his head.
"Don't you understand, Ciemhal? Don't you get it?" Jisura with sadness and anger.
Ciemhal sat dazed as he watched Jisura run away. What had gone wrong? Jisura had seemed to like him. She talked to him all the time, and always seemed friendly enough until this night. When he tried to get near her, she pulled away. There was only one thing left for him to do. He had to leave them to save Xalla and Drinas.
42

"That disease was none of my doing!  I wonder at your forces, living in such conditions!  At least remove them to a safer place!"
"Safe from what, cat woman?" the Darklord's contempt was barely veiled. This agent was becoming too powerful for her own good. It would never do to have one of his former enemies, much lees the future leader of the Jagu'men.
Thesis's eyes flashed orange.  "Never call me that again, or you shall live to regret it," she said slow and expressivly, without raising her voice.  A flash hid her movements, as she startled the Dark Lord and sliped away in the form of a jauguar. 

Saret looked up from the fire at Markir, seeing his anglur face in the dim light.  He was thoughtful she could see, altough her talents could not read anything past his face.  They had been lovers for years now - many, many years, but yet she still knew little about the Dark mage.  It was rumored that he was among the most powerful, but were they rumors, or plain facts?  From what Markir had said, the one called Xana had some power - not that it was likely her forces could be as strong as his - but with the Light countering the Dark, many things could happen.  'Pity they weren't able to match forces.  It would have been very interesting,' she muttered to herself. 
"Markir, there is something on your mind."
"Foxen One," he replied, using her given name, "Something has gone wrong.  Thesis should have returned here by now."
"Perhaps she was delayed, my magnus.  There is much uncertain in this world."
"Too much.  We cannot wait much longer.  This is her land, conected to that stone of hers, and it will not be willing to have another spell of my kind cast until her Crystal is restored." 
"Shh, be quite now... perhaps they are awake. At least speak in the Old tongue."
"I have not done that since we became...one of the Fallen"
"I know," finished Saret quietly. "Neither have I." The conversation continued with little interest to the listeners, who sliped away.

43
Ciemhal went back to his bedroll, but he had many thoughts on his mind. The Teul civilization was very complex, it was based totaly on balance. Jisura was a light Teul, and Ciemhal was dark, they were not enimies, but they were only seperated to maintain balance. But in one swift move that balance was destoyed, so two were sent out, balanced once agian male and female, light and dark. Ciemhal had believed to kill the murderer, he had to join the Darklord's army, gain their trust and eliminate him. The Teul had almost reached his goal, but his final task was to kill Jisura. He was helpless it was a lose lose situation, if he didn't kill her, the murderer would escape vengence, but if he did, then he would be no better then be murderer, and he would become the hunted. But when he met Jisura all that changed, he saw the new alternative, before he went to sleep, he decided, he would join the travelers, and Ciemhal and Jisura would kill the murderer together, for the first time in Teul history the dark and light would work together.
44

"You were looking for me?" Thesis asked. Saret and Markir jumped, startled. Then they both rose, and bowed politly to the jaguar in the trees.
"Please, keep your voice down, milady, the captives are still asleep. We do not wish them to know any of our plans. And as they have made your acquaintance, milady, they may just wonder why we are speaking with you. They are not stupid," Saret said respectfully.
"Yes, I know," Thesis said, keeping her voice low. "And none of that 'milady' stuff. I have come for one reason, and I come as a friend, not a capitan. I have come to tell you that the Darklord's army has given you the Death Mark."
"The Death Mark? Why?" Markir burst out, forgetting to whisper. Saret and Thesis both shushed him. "Sorry," he said, softly this time. "Why do we have the Death Mark?" he asked again.
"You're marked as traitors because you didn't kill Xalla and Drin when you first found them," Thesis said simply.
"I told you that would be a problem," Markir said to Saret.
"And as I told you then, the possible gain in keeping them alive is greater then the risk!" she replied. "After all, we do have our magic."
"That's another thing," Thesis interrupted. "My woods have had enough of your darkness. There will be no more magic from you," she looked at Markir, "and only simple transport and hiding spells from you, if they are necessary," she said, turning her gaze to Saret. "Necessary does not include saving your feet some walking, by the way. It won't kill you to get a little exercise. And if you don't follow these guidlines, you'll find that the Dark Armies won't be the only ones holding you under the Death Mark."
Her meaning was clear. "Yes, milady," Saret said.
"I told you, I am no longer 'milady' to you!" Thesis snapped. Then, in way of goodbye, she said, "Hope that you do not see me again, for if you do, circumstances will probably be dire." Then the cat disappeared back into the trees. The two dark elves relaxed somewhat. Thesis' warning had frightened them. Then, suddenly, the black jaguar poked her head out of the bush beside Markir.
"By the way, how is Xalla?" she asked.
"She sleeps... Thesis." Saret answered.
"She will recover, then?"
"We believe so, but we know not when... Thesis."
The cat raised her head in a gesture of acceptance, and then was gone. This time, she did not return.
45
"The death mark!" Markir shouted.
"Quiet fool," Saret replied.
"I told you we should never trust a Jagu'man, regardless of her staure in the Darklord's army."
"What do you mean," Saret said in a hushed voice.
"How else would she know about our doings?"
"She? The Darklord is a woman, how do you know?"
"Darklord or not, every woman has needs"
"What!"
"Freeze" Markir watched as Saret locked in position, "I am a fool" he said to himself. "Forget" he said aloud.
"What do you mean?" Saret unknowingly said again.
"Thesis has informed the Darklord of what we have done,"
"We should dispose of her, if not for that damnable crystal, she would be powerless, perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?" Markir asked anxiously.
"Perhaps we should return our prisoners to their friends, and join them. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"Hmm, and what a friend you are."
"Betrayal's in the blood love."

Meanwhile in another part of the forest. "Two spells have just been cast," Xana said.
"How do you know?" Alstax asked.
"The detect magic spell I cast, somewhere, somewhere near, a forget and freeze spell have been cast, but the origin was not the Traitor," Xana couldn't even speak her name.
"Yes," Laro continued, "It was the ones who kiddnapped your friends, but their intentions have changed. They will come to us tommorrow."
46 The next morning, as Jisura was making the morning meal, she heard a strange crackling near the edge of the camp. Taking precautions, she crept over to the source of the noise. Accidentally snapping a twig under her foot, the mysterious source disappeared, and there was only empty air where it just was.
Feeling annoyed, Jisura returned to the fire. She yelped as the garin vegetation she was cooking caught on fire, and she quickly dumped it onto the burning wood. "So much for breakfast," she mumbled, irritated that her attempt at cooking the strange plant.
"What was that?" Xana asked sleepily, stumbling over to the fire and rubbing her eyes. "All I smell is something burning."
"It WAS our food," Jisura said, gingerly poking at the remains.
"Hi everyone!" Bay exclaimed, leaping out of her bedroll. "And how is everyone on this fine morning?" Without waiting for a response, she continued. "Wow, are you making breakfast?" she asked, eyeing Jisura's makeshift pan. "That's hunky dory! I'm starved!"
"I don't think you want it," Xana commented, pointing down. "Unless you like it extra crispy."
"What?!" Bay cried.
"Oh, if you want food, get it yourself!" Jisura snapped, frustrated.
"Fine, fine, I'll do it," Bay said, walking off. Before reaching the woods, she stopped dead and noticed something odd. "Hey, everyone!" she shouted, waking up the rest of the sleepers. "Did Ciemhal go and take a nature hike today? It really is a nice day, you know. His stuff's gone--"
"Gone?" Alstax exclaimed, bolting up. "What do you mean?" He immediately looked at Jisura. "Well?" he said.
"I really don't know where he is," the Teul said, "honest. I didn't even notice that he was gone! Where could he be?"
"Probably back to the Darklord to report what he discovered," Xana said bitterly. "What else?"
"But-but," Jisura sputtered. She couldn't say what was really in her heart--with Ciemhal's absence, she felt empty inside. (Oh, stop it!) she told herself sharply. (You can't start to like him, anyway. It just can't happen.) But wistfully, she wish she would let herself. Why did he leave without saying good-bye?
Feeling numb, she sat down on her handmade mattress. She felt a bump underneath the top layer. Pulling it back, she found a smooth, green pendant with the letter C carved on it. Ciemhal.
47 She reached the camp at nightfall, passing the sentries at their posts and the pickets in the forest. It had been a long while since they had last met, ever since that one night by the Pool. Thesis smiled at the memory, for then she had found what she had been looking for. He was no ordinary mage, but one of strong - though dark - arts. It was he that had fashioned the Crystal she wore. The Warlord had presented to her in honor of her loyalty, yet he was the only one capable of the magic.
“Milady, should I announce you?”
“No, it is alright, Frike. The Magnus expects me.”
“As you wish,” the servant replied, running off. “I will insure you have your...privacy tonight.”
“My thanks,” Thesis answered and entered the tent. It was an ordinary tent, but with bookshelves and chests lining the walls. He was asleep on the mat lying before the campfire. Thesis waited before waking him, taking in again the features that had captivated her before. They were physical opposites, his pure white hair showing him to be of the Snow Leopards...the hereditary enemy of the Jagu’men, and yet they had still fallen in love. Quiet by nature, he was formal with almost everyone, including her, but his eyes showed the warmth he sometimes couldn't express. He appeared open in personality, but was much wiser than others had credited him with. And she loved him for it, for all he had given her, enough to betrayal her people and follow him to the Darklord.
“Erikson, my love. Wake up!” she called softly. Thesis gave him a gentle shake, just enough to wake him. He woke.
“Thesis? You’ve returned. How I’ve missed you!”
“And I you. Are you busy this night?”
“No, not without you.” They embraced, and smothered the fire. Their night had begun.
48 Ciemhal walked slowly across the long distance that separated him and the captives. He walked without ceasing except for the occasional break to eat or to sleep. By the time he reached the camp, he was so tired that he almost dropped asleep. Instead, he kept on going until he finally reached the camp. When he arrived, he saw both Xalla and Drinas lying by the fire. Realizing he couldn't do anything until he was energized again, he found a nearby cave to spend the night before he was going to make the dangerous attempt to save Xalla and Drinas.
49

Suddenly, Xalla was cold. She groaned and reached out to where Drinas had lain, and, finding nothing, opened her eyes. Drinas was immediatly at her side, a look of surprise upon his face.
"Xalla! You're awake! You're ok! You're alive!" Shocked, he reached out and touched her cheek. Then, taking her chin in his fingers, he bent and kissed her softly.
"Yes, I am awake now, I awoke last night from my fever-dream. And I was ok until you left," she admonished jokingly, looking up at him. She squinted in the light of the midmorning sun that was shining over his shoulder. "Now I'm cold!" She smiled. Then she made a face designed to make him feel guilty. "Won't you come make me warm?"
"Just let me tend the fire first." She pouted, but agreed.
After stirring around in the ashes with a long stick and adding another log, he came back to her. "Now come make me warm," she said.
"With pleasure." Drinas lifted the blankets just enough for him to get in, and took Xalla in his arms again. She laid her head on his shoulder. He must have forgiven me for being an elf, she thought to herself. She smiled, and hugged him tight.
50 "Good you are awake," Markir said to the couple.
"We're leaving," Saret added.
"Where are we going?" Drinas said as he rose sheilding Xalla.
"We are joining your friends." Saret said with a wicked grin, but her expression changed as she heard a soft whispering song in her ears. Then words formed in her mind,
"Go, take them to the ones I seek." Saret numbly followed her lover and the prisoners towards the camp of her former emimies.

They walked without care, for they expected to meet no one on their way to join the other group, when the male Teul leapt from the trees. "Stand aside" Markir demanded, "we have no quarrel with you."
Ciemhal responded with a laugh, "While you imprison friends of friends I do."
Xalla interrupted, not wanting a fight and said, "I do not know you, but if you say you are a friend, I believe you. Still I do not want a fight and these two are bringing me back to Xana, Bay, Alstax, and Thesis."
Saret, Markir, and Ciemhal simultaineously spat at the mention of the cat's name. "There is much you have missed, you do not want to be returned to Thesis." he replied.

The five friends sat around the fire waiting for the arrival of the dark elves, for they believed in Laro's prediction. To pass the time Bay made up a song.
"We're waiting for dark elves,
Gee I wish I had some shelves,
Somewhere to put my belongings,
This waiting is so longing,
So we have to entertain ourselves,"
They laughed until Xana and Alstax heard a different song, "a ha a ha, a ha a ha" They immediately were alert.
"Why didn't I notice this before!" Xana shrieked.
"Are the sheilds still up?" Alstax asked Xana ignoring the confused looks of the Teul and the Jhin.
"No, I thought, we were safe!" Suddenly the Xalla, Drinas, Saret, Markir, and Ciemhal, stepped into the clearing where the others were. The song became louder and louder in the immortals minds, "What have you brought with you!"
~End of part two~

51 ********
Dun-dun-dun... What will happen now?
I can't stand the suspense!
A commmercial break coming soon....

Ahem--a song
This is a commercial
It's really kinda crucial
And as u can see I can't rime
So that just saves my time.
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52 for a continuation, see Betrayal part 3