Elaina awoke to the blaring white light of the sun.  After spending so much time underground her eyes had forgotten how bright it was.  The air smelled thick of smoke, but all the fire from the night before had finally ended.  Beside her Christopher still slept soundly looking almost peaceful.  In the morning light she could see gashes along his face, which had been the source of all the blood on him.  Nasty scabs mixed with ash and dirt covered them. Sighing Elaina got up deciding she would go find a first aid kit to try and clean them to see just how bad the damage was.  Her muscles screamed at her from her night on the ground.  Stretching she tried to loosen them a bit with no luck. Around her people still slept soundly, if it wasn’t for the bandages and sores on them she could almost believe that they had just had a massive campout. Quickening her pace Elaina made her way

Later that evening after the Eastern Warriors had fully settled in a welcome dinner was held in their honor.Elaina hadn't seen Chase since earlier that afternoon, she was almost positive that he had immediately run off to meet with his little fiance. Despite her best efforts to pretend it wasn't bothering her she couldn't help the burning jealousy that was raging through her.Charise who had come to join her and Christopher kept her curious gaze fixed on Elaina as she tried to pretend that she didn't notice."Have you stared enough?"  Elaina finally snapped unable to take anymore.Charise laughed, "I'm just wondering when the smoke will come out of your ears."  Clearly she was amused at Elaina's expense.  "If you're so concerned why not go find him.""Who the hell is concerned?"  Elaina growled crossing her arms across her chest.  "If anyone is concerned it is you."Beside her Christopher began to laugh

Elaina wasn't sure how much time passed as she remained locked away in her dingy cell.  With no windows she couldn't see the passing of the time.  It could have been minutes, hours, even days and she wouldn't be aware.The only signs of life she was allowed to see during her stay were the dark warriors that brought her her three meals a day.All alone and having nothing else to do Elaina found herself trying to figure out if she could communicate with her friends or even Elder Zacariah like she had done with Rathial previously.  If she wished to ever escape then she had to figure out a way to get to freedom and she wasn't completely sure that she would be able to do it on her own.Closing her eyes she attempted to focus on finding her calm space.  Faint light began forming in her mind as she allowed herself to go deeper and deeper before suddenly being ripped from her meditative state by a clawed hand."What do you think you're doing l

"Look over there!" Came a familiar voice through Elaina's warm darkness."No way, it can't be!" Came another as strong arms wrapped around her.Shivering in pain Elaina tried to pry herself free of the embrace.  "It hurts." She growled keeping her eyes shut."Oh my gosh!" Gasped another voice, "Look at her back!""What the hell happened?"Despite Elaina's best attempts at getting out of the arms that held her she did not succeed as they tightened their grip."We need to get her back to camp." Came a deep masculine voice that made her heart race.Squinting through one eye Elaina looked up at Chase, only he didn't quite look like Chase.  His hair was longer and he had grown a goatee."What..." Elaina's voice came out hoarse as a coughing fit overtook her."Just try to relax." Chase urged quickening his pace."What's going on?" Elaina asked after the coughs ended."That's what I want to ask you." Cha

"Is that...." Samantha began before covering her mouth with a hand."Behemoth." Elaina said happily.  "I told you that stupid rat was useful."Everyone was staring wide eyed at the herd of Behemoth beasts heading towards them."What do we do now?" Charisse asked coming up and grabbing Elaina's arm."We need to try to make nice with them." Elaina responded.  "How else will we be able to use them?""How do we do that?" Oliver asked scratching his forehead."We let them come to us and then go from there." This was the opportunity that they needed to turn things around and they couldn't mess it up.  Taking a deep breath Elaina began moving forward. "Elaina wait." Came Chase's voice from behind her as a large warm hand wrapped around her wrist."What's wrong?" Elaina asked eyeing Chase. She hadn't noticed it earlier but he looked so worn out.  "Are you sure this is a good idea?&nbs