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Chapter 21.

KELSEY followed after Kieran, watching him walk. They’d been walking in silence all night and day and it was already nearing night again. The silence was killing her. Every time she tried to talk Kieran told her to “just stop talking”, so she stopped trying. She closed her eyes and sighed. Kieran twitched a little at her sighing.
Don’t play coy, oh Goddess of Wisdom. I only need the blood of one goddess in order to gain immortality. Alain’s words rang in her head. What did he mean by that? She was no goddess. “Goddess of Wisdom…?” Kelsey whispered quietly to herself.
Kieran glanced over his shoulder at her, “What about her?” he asked.
Kelsey looked up at him, “Talking to me now?” Kelsey asked, her usual sarcasm wasn’t there which made Kieran a little nervous.
“Whatever. What were you talking about?” he asked.
Kelsey looked at him for a bit and sighed, “Something Alain said… he called me this Goddess of Wisdom. He said that he needed my blood to become immortal.”
Kieran stared at her, “Well, he was crazy! No surprise he’d be loopy enough to think that you were a goddess. One of wisdom no less…”
“Yeah… I guess you have… WAIT A MINUTE! What do you mean by that?!” Kelsey snapped angrily.
Kieran looked forward and grinned, glad things were back to the way they were meant to be. Kelsey wasn’t supposed to be worrying and caring for him. She was meant to be angry at him like this. This was what traveling with her should be like. It would definitely make shoving those confusing feelings back again. Then, there were the obnoxious feelings he had towards the annoying twerp, the brotherly feelings that would not go away! He need Kelsey’s nagging to snap him out of this obvious funk. A smack on the back of the head and Kelsey yelling, “ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!” snapped him out of his thoughts again.

VANESSA laid on her bed, body crying out in pain. Ever since Vanessa’s “miracle healing” Vortigern had upped her training with Miley, certain that she would heal fast and that they needed to work faster to get her magic developed.
On the plus side, she was getting very good at wind and found out she could control water and trees. She had to admit controlling the trees was pretty cool. She pulled out the folder and skimmed to the files about the Goddess of Magic.
“Ability to manipulate wind, water, nature, weather, and speak with animals. Only abilities that were revealed. Died before anymore could be revealed.” Vanessa read, sighing. She’d re-read those two sentences multiple times and still was having difficulty believing all this.
She stood up slowly and slipped the folder into her bag she packed. She was going to escape this place tonight with Sheila’s plan. Apparently, Sheila had an idea to help them escape and Vanessa decided she’d give her a chance. She looked at the door as it creaked open and Sheila slipped in.
“Way to go, Goddess,” Sheila spat, words dripping with sarcasm. “You have guards standing outside your door determined to make sure you don’t escape… moron!”
“Shut up!” Vanessa snapped, “Don’t judge me!”
“I’m way past judging you, Goddess!” Sheila said looking out the window, “Okay, grab your bag and use your wind to gently lower us to the ground. Okay? They’ll be watching the skies for us.”
Vanessa slipped the bag on her back and walked over to the window. “Okay, no problem, with the intensive training last night and this morning. I’ve got this wind down…”
“Yeah, yeah, stop gloating and let’s go!”
Vanessa grumbled something under her breath and jumped out the window, Sheila following. The wind caught them both and gently set them down in a bush. They quickly and silently ran for the gates, hiding behind trees and bushes and silent whenever a guard came by. Vanessa was fighting the urge to start her song, but Sheila told her not to. They got to the gates, but stayed hidden since there guards there. Sheila looked at Vanessa and whispered just barely loud enough for Vanessa to hear, “Make a distraction with your magic to get the guards to move from the gate…”
Vanessa nodded and made a tree on the other side of the gates fall onto the stone fence. Two more fell before the guards ran over to see what was wrong. Vanessa and Sheila raced out the gates and scurried into the woods. Sheila smiled triumphantly. “We mad it out,” she said turning to Vanessa, “What’s wrong with you?”
A tear slipped down Vanessa’s cheek and she glanced back at the palace. “Nothing…” Other than I swear I heard the trees scream as they fell… horrible sound.
Sheila rolled her eyes and stared off. Vanessa trailed after.

KELSEY was glad when they arrived at a town and could finally get some sleep. They headed straight to the inn and grabbed two rooms. Kelsey and Sonya went into their room and both were asleep in no time flat. Kieran and Minion went to their room, Minion fell asleep instantly too. Kieran laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling as he thought about Sonya and Kelsey and tried to figure things out before finally drifting to sleep.
Kieran woke up a few hours later, coughing hard. He stood up and covered his mouth. Fire! He thought with a bit of panic. He grabbed Minion and threw him out the window. Relief filled him to see Kelsey standing outside. He hopped out the window and ran over to her, a startled Minion following.
Kelsey looked at him, eyes wide. “I-I didn’t mean to! Honest! I ran to the bathroom and I heard you talking about me in your room, and I just go so mad and I started wishing that you would burn. I didn’t LITERALLY mean that!” she exclaimed in a panicky voice.
Kieran stared at her, “I wasn’t talking about you!”
“Oh yes!” Kelsey yelled, “I’m sure you were talking about the OTHER annoying-screaming-banshee-who-is-determined-to-make-my-life-as-miserable-as-humanly-possible! You were so talking about me! I’m sure Sonya could hear you from our… WHERE’S SONYA?! Kelsey’s eyes widened further and she looked around frantically.
Kieran looked around too and felt a little panic when he couldn’t spot the elf. “The twerp must still be inside!” he snapped, racing towards the door.
Kelsey blinked, “Wait! Where are you going?!”
“Where do you think?! I’m going to save the little brat!” Kieran snapped, still running.
“You’ll die! Wait for the fire department!” Kelsey exclaimed.
Kieran paused and looked back at her for a moment before barging into the building, wondering what the hell a fire department was. He made his way through the burning building, hearing the fire crackle and wood collapse.
“SONYA! ANSWER ME! WHERE ARE YOU?!” he yelled, soon followed by some coughs He listened intently and heard a higher a pitched coughing. “Sonya!” he exclaimed, racing towards the coughs.
Sonya sat in the upstairs hallway, covering her mouth and coughing hard. She looked up when she heard her name and saw Kieran coming up the stairs. “D-Daddy?” she coughed, “I-Is it…” cough. “R-really you?” cough. “Th-this time?”
Kieran ran over to her and picked her up. “Don’t talk…” he ordered, looking around. His heart skipped as he felt Sonya grow limp in his arms. He had to find an exit… fast. Burning boards fell around them, all exits were sealed. Shitshitshitshitshit…
“Sonya dear? Daddy needs you to wake up now…!” he said urgently, shaking her gently.
Sonya didn’t move. She mumbled, barely audible, “Awake…am…me…”
“Can you teleport us?” Kieran asked.
“Uh huh…” Sonya replied, already falling asleep.”
“WELL?!”
“Huh?”
“TELEPORT US NOW!” Kieran snapped, getting irritated.
Sonya didn’t reply and Kieran shook her again. He cursed under his breath when she didn’t reply. He looked around and glared. “Goddammit… the one time I show concern for someone else…”

KELSEY’S eyes widened as the burning building collapsed in front of her eyes, no sign of Kieran or Sonya. She gasped.
“KIERAN!

Chapter 22.

PEOPLE ran to the collapsed, burning, building, attempting to put the fire out with buckets of water as Kelsey continued to stand there in shock, tears unknowingly streaming down her face. Minion looked up at her, worried. “Kelsey?” he asked, confused.
Snapping out of her shock, Kelsey looked down at Minion with a resolved look on her face. “Come on, Minion. We have to get out of here before the soldiers come.”
“B-but Kiera…” Minion stuttered.
“NO! We have to go, Minion!” Kelsey sobbed, struggling to convince herself more than Minion. “We’ll continue on towards the next town and maybe we’ll be able to find someone who will at least give us something to eat and a place to sleep for the night.” Kelsey turned on her heel and quickly walked away from the burning site. Minion took one last look at the collapsed building, still burning, and then turned and followed Kelsey, jogging to keep up.
Storm clouds began to gather above and let loose cracks of thunder as rain poured down on the land. The rain began to put out the fire, leaving the building a smolder heap of wood and ash. Lightning jolted through the dark sky and the thunder continued to boom as Kelsey and Minion trudged on the dirt path which was quickly turning to mud. Kelsey was quickly drenched with rain water. Kelsey yelled up at the sky, “Jeez! Let’s continue to make my life a living hell today! She threw her up her hands and stomped off the path.  “Of course, Kieran had to die! I mean really he’s such an idiot that he had to run into a burning building and then make me feel awful because of him. The JERK!” Kelsey sobbed as she ranted and raved. She stopped in the road as Minion looked on in shock and horror.
“B-But Kieran was going to save Sonya…” Minion was cut off by Kelsey, who continued to rant and rave.
“I KNOW!” Kelsey sobbed, “He chose NOW of all times to be selfless! He couldn’t have chosen a less dangerous time!  Not to mention the fact that he stole my ipod and anything else in my bag that’s essential to my surviving this weird world!”
“H-he’s not that…” Minion was cut off again, by Kelsey’s rising voice and temper.
“Oh! And there’s the fact that Katy’s frying pan now has his face permanently imbedded in the metal! Never to fry eggs the same ever again! Along with all the dangerous situations he has put me through!!”
“But I thought you…”
“That JERK! How DARE you die and leave me KIERAN! Thanks to you I’m all alone now!”
“B-but I’m here, Kels…” Minion said with a dejected look on his face.
“I hope you’re happy, Kieran!” Kelsey sobbed, “Wherever you are now, I hope you’re happy you idiot!”
Minion sighed and shook his head at the situation he was in. Kieran was right, he thought to himself. Women are a pain in the ass.

KELSEY and Minion finally arrived at a town a day later, having slept (relatively speaking) on the ground. They entered the town, which was filled with numerous stands along the streets. Kids ran about chasing balls and vendors were yelling out prices and bartering items. Gossip echoed from the crowds trolling the streets.
“Wow. A normal looking town,” Kelsey stated, easily striding through the chaos with Minion quickly struggling to keep up. He had a perfectly justifiable fear of being forgotten. Kelsey began searching for inns that were relatively cheap. “Damn. Could really use Kieran’s thieving abilities right now… even though I didn’t approve at all!” Tears sprang to Kelsey’s eyes. “Damn! I miss that idiot!”
“Well, well, well. What do we ‘ave ‘ere?” a voice from the nearby alley echoed as Kelsey and Minion walked by.
“What?!” Kelsey asked jumping away from the alley, confused and leery.
A man stepped out of the shadows. He was dressed in dark brown pants, black boots that came up to his knees, and a dark green shirt. His face was young with a few light brown freckles dotting his nose. His hair was a light brown, greasy, mop of hair with dirty blonde highlights. His mouth was set in a cocky smirk and his dark hazel eyes grazed over her body and lingered at areas where they shouldn’t. “Hmm… not too bad a body. A bit lean for my tastes, but still…”
“Wait! What?!” Kelsey exclaimed in shock and horror.
“Oh come on! Don’t tell me you don’ want some of this,” he stated, cocking his eyebrow up and leering at her while gesturing at his body with his hand.
Kelsey swung her arm back and slapped the man… hard. The man stumbled backwards, a giant red hand gracing his face. The man blinked and rubbed his cheek. He smiled at her crookedly, “You left a bit of sting there, baby. Though you need some practice on leaving a defini’e mark.”
“YOU!” Kelsey pointed at him, heaving with rage, “YOU!”
“What? I did nothing’ wrong!” the man insisted, “And from the looks of you, you’re new. A traveler? Though a woman traveler with a young kid…you don’t seem to be old enough to be a mother. Not with that body. Though with your attitude… possibly could be.”
Kelsey glared at the man with loathing due to his pondering statements. “And why do you care so much about my situation?”
The man gave her a condescending look. “You definitely don’t know where the hell you are, do you?” At seeing Kelsey’s look, he shook his head. “Thought so. Well, guess I’ll join you and your boy there,” he turned towards an inn and with a look over his shoulder, “By the way, my name’s Liam.”
“Charmed,” Kelsey muttered as she trailed behind him. She moaned sadly, “Kieran would have tripped him and stolen his wallet by now.” Kelsey wiped tears away sadly, “God! Kieran! I miss you so much!”

“ACHOO!”
Kieran sniffed and rolled onto his side painfully. He coughed hard for a few moments, his throat burning. Kieran groaned, “Vile woman!” cough. “Say a coupla…” cough. “…things she doesn’t like…” cough. “…and she sets… the bloody inn on fire…!” cough. Kieran managed to sit up. Sonya lay a few feet away, still out cold. Kieran felt a surge of panic. “Sonya!” he whispered between coughs. He reached out and checked the girl’s pulse. She was still alive, but not much more could be said.
“Damn it, twerp!” Kieran grumbled. He scooped Sonya up and struggled to get to his feet. He started walking. “You better stay alive, kid.” Kieran grumbled. “I didn’t go through all this effort for you to die on me.”
Chapter . 23

KIERAN winced as Sonya somehow managed to lodge her foot into his rib cage… again. He had Sonya cradled against his chest, her head on his shoulder. She was still out cold, but even in her unconscious state she kicked in her sleep.
“Dammit twerp!” Kieran swore before another coughing fit overtook him. He coughed painfully into his free hand for a few moments before swearing again. “Stupid smoke inhalation!” he snapped, “Stupid…” Cough. “… female…” Cough.
Kieran wasn’t totally sure where Sonya had teleported him. At the moment, he hadn’t really cared where they went just as long as they abandoned the burning inn, but after four hours of walking with Sonya on his back, a few painful burns, the most persistent cough that he had ever experienced… and one incredibly random sneezing fit (Kieran couldn’t really explain that one), Kieran wished that Sonya had brought them somewhere a little more civilized.
Coming to a crossroad, Kieran paused and adjusted Sonya’s limp body so she was more comfortably nestled against his shoulder. “Sonya?” Kieran moaned, “Can you wake up now? Please?…“ Cough. Kieran groaned when she didn’t move. He shifted her head so it would rest against his shoulder better. As he did, she turned over in her sleep, one of her pointed ears stabbed Kieran’s eye in the process. Kieran scowled and pressed a hand to his damaged eye. “Shoulda just let myself fry in the..” Cough. “…damn fire! Save myself the damn trouble…!” Cough. Cough. Cough. Kieran dropped to his knees as a particularly strong coughing fit overtook him.
“Okay,” he wheezed, “This is God’s way of telling me to rest! And He has good ideas…” Cough. Kieran scoffed. It had been a long time since he had believed in God. The thief had been mocking the “Big Guy Upstairs” for sometime now, especially when things went wrong. Kieran didn’t think God existed, but he sure wished that God did exist right now! He could just smite Kieran already and get it over with!
Kieran flopped to the ground and placed Sonya gently on the ground besides him. The two of them shared his slightly charred cloak as a blanket. Kieran closed his eyes wearily and was about to let sleep overtake him.
“D-d-daddy?” Kieran heard a small voice mumble next to him. Kieran struggled not to snap at the child. She WOULD choose now of all times to wake up!
“Don’t call me daddy…!” Cough. Kieran retorted, he couldn’t muster up any more energy to yell at her.
Sonya suddenly started coughing wildly. Kieran sat up abruptly. The sound flung him back to a distant memory of his past. His youngest sister. He remembered staying up all night rocking her when she had gotten sick. She had started coughing just like that. Kieran shook his head back and forth so hard his head hurt. He was starting to develop brotherly feelings towards the twerp. The thought appalled Kieran, but he couldn’t watch the twerp suffer like that.
Kieran reached out and gently started rubbing her back. “Try to go to sleep, Sonya…” he murmured. Cough. The girl looked exhausted and was incredibly pale. She was coughing harder than he was and she had quite a few more burns. Kieran cringed. What if I had been a few seconds late…? NO! Stop that! Kieran tried not to think.
“My throat… hurts,” Sonya croaked pitifully.
“I’m not surprised,” Kieran agreed, “Sonya…” Cough. “… please. Lie still. Go to sleep.”   Sonya closed her eyes for a few moments before curling up closer to him. Kieran was about to recoil again, but he was too tired to move.
“Daddy?” she piped between coughing fits. Kieran didn’t bother to correct her this time. “Can’t… sleep…”
Kieran sighed heavily. Of course not! That would be far too easy!  “Try.” Kieran murmured.
“Nanny…” Sonya muttered coughing so hard, Kieran forced himself to sit up and examine her again. God, she is pale!  “Nanny… used to… sing.”
Kieran plopped to the ground again. “Sonya!” he sighed, “I can’t sing…” Cough. “…even when I do…” Cough. “… have a voice!…” Cough.
“P-please?” Sonya murmured.
Kieran sighed heavily and struggled to dig a lullaby up from the depths of his memory. One that his mother had sung to him and later he had sung to his brothers and sister.
“Hush now baby, don’t you cry.
Rest your wings, my butterfly.
Peace will come to you in time.
And I will sing this lullaby.
Know though I must leave my child.
That I would stay here by your side.
And if you wake before I’m gone.
Remember this sweet lullaby.
And all love through darkness.
Don’t you ever stop believing.
With love forlorn.
With love you’ll find your way, my love
The sun has turned the world to dark.
I leave this night with heavy heart.
When I return to dry your eyes
I will send this lullaby.”

His “singing” sounded more like speaking in rhythm and he had to pause to cough into his hand many times, but by the time he was done she was asleep. Kieran let out a sigh and closed his eyes again.
“Daddy?”
“NOT daddy!” Kieran retorted. Cough.
There was a long pause of silence there. “What is it Sonya?” Kieran sighed. Cough.
“You’re a real good singer,” Sonya murmured before drifting off to sleep. Kieran bolted upright again and stared at the child in disbelief. He shook his head and rolled over. “Damn persistant feelings!…” Cough.

“I appreciate your help,” Kelsey said to Liam, “Really, I do. But you don’t need to escort me…”
“No worries,” Liam said with a broad smile, “It’s really my pleasure. After all, can’t ‘ave women and little children running around without someone to look out for them right?”
Kelsey scowled as she could hear Professor Gaard’s lectures on feminism ringing in her ears. “Wha’s your name again, love?” Liam asked.
“Kelsey,” she said curtly.
“Lovely name,” Liam said, “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”
“Thanks,” Kelsey grumbled unenthusiastically. His attitude reminded her instantly of Alain. Kelsey cringed at the memories. The cold stone altar… the wild look in Alain’s eyes… Kieran carrying her out and lecturing her. Kelsey felt her eyes well up with tears again.
“So…” Liam asked casually slinging an arm around Kelsey, “Is there a Mista Kelsey?”
“No,” Kelsey insisted, tears running down her face again.
“Uh oh!” Liam said nervously, but with a wicked glint in his eyes. “Tears? Did you lose your man?”
Kelsey’s lip started to quiver. Minion rolled his eyes. “Great!” He glared at Liam. “Way to go! Start her up again!”
“He… he… he…. DIED!” Kelsey wailed as she burst into tears.
“Oh dear!” Liam said, clearly biting off more than he could chew. He patted her back awkwardly. “There, there. ‘e must ‘ave been very special to you.”
“He was a total bastard!” Kelsey yelled.
“Oh,” Liam said, “Then… you’re be’er off without ‘im!”
“NO I’M NOT!” Kelsey yelled, “WHO THE HELL IS SUPPOSED TO RESCUE ME NOW?!”  Liam backed away, now he was genuinely scared of what he had gotten himself into. Minion glared at Liam.
“I’m fine!” Kelsey insisted, “I’m fine!”
“Good,” Liam said, “Righ’  this way… milady.”
Kelsey trudged after Liam miserably. She missed Sonya and Kieran. Sonya was so sweet! So young and innocent! She didn’t deserve to die like that! She had been trying to help her! Even Kieran deserved a better fate than being buried beneath the charred remains of an inn.
Besides that, Kelsey was more than a little freaked out about how she had burned the inn down. One second she had been angry at Kieran. The next, flames had been leaping out of her fingertips. Kelsey shook her head. Maybe that was just something she imagined? She was under a lot of stress. Kelsey struggled to regain focus, but thoughts of the inn kept creeping back into her thoughts making her shiver.
“Are you cold?“ Liam had caught her movements. Liam fell back and slung his arm around her again. Kelsey cringed at the movement.   “So,” Liam said with a smile, “Did it hurt?”
Kelsey looked at Liam in shock. Oh God!  “When you fell from ‘eaven?” Liam concluded. Kelsey shrugged his arm off instantly.
“Yeah,” Kelsey said, “It did. Did it hurt when they kicked you out of hell?!” She walked away from him.
“Oh don’ be that way, love!” Liam said with a playful smile.
“Stop calling me love!” Kelsey yelled, “I’m NOT your love! You lousy womanizer!”
“Baby,” Liam said gently. BABY?! Kelsey thought indignantly. “Baby, I’m no’ like that other bloke.”
“No, you’re not!” Kelsey snapped, “HE was human!”
“Don’ be that way” Liam sighed, “I’m the sort of guy you NEED. I would die for you.”
“Prove it!” Kelsey snapped.
“Ooh! You’re good!” Liam said with genuine admiration, “But tha’s okay. I like a challenge.” He swatted Kelsey across her butt. Kelsey let out a wail of shock, turning bright red. She whirled around fiercely and slapped him hard across the face, giving him a new handprint to match the other one across his face.
Liam fell to the ground stunned by the force of the blow. “What a woman!” he cried before getting his feet and following after her.
“STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Kelsey yelled.
“As if I could!” Liam said, “Those beautiful eyes of yours, those lovely legs, that smile…”
Kelsey raised her hand again. Liam let out a squeak of terror. “Okay! Okay! I’ll behave! Sorry!” Kelsey slowly turned away struggling to wipe tears from her eyes. She missed Kieran more than ever. Kieran might not have been a perfect guide, but at least he had kept his hands to himself.

“TECHNICALLY, I never knew where I was going,” Kieran said to himself as he stumbled down the road. “So technically I can’t be lost. Right?“ Kieran frowned. “Who am I even talking to?!”
The roads had become more and more unkept as he followed them. He started walking alongside one of the rivers that flowed nearby. Since civilizations were usually built around water sources, he figured that he should stay as close to the river as possible. Sonya was passed out on his shoulder. She seemed to be growing weaker instead of stronger and that was giving Kieran an anxiety that he couldn’t explain. “Why do I care if the twerp dies?!” he cried, “While we’re on that subject, why do I care what happens to Kelsey?! Why do I CARE?!” Cough.
“I don’t know, but I’d start worrying less about the kid and more about that cough.”
Kieran jumped up at the voice. There was no one else there except himself, Sonya… and his reflection in the water. Kieran looked down at the river. His reflection stared back, but he didn’t look at him with HIS eyes. Kieran’s normally ice blue eyes were staring back at him, but they were bright turquoise.
“YOU!” Kieran yelled suddenly, “That stupid River Sprite from the sewers!”
“Your friend calls me, Kinni,” the sprite said with a smile, “What are you doing? HEY!”
Kieran had gently placed Sonya down on the river bank and was now desperately stomping around in the water. “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Kinni cried, “Now! Is there really any need for that?!”
“Yes,” Kieran snapped, “You almost got us killed, Sprite!”
Kinni held up his hands helplessly, “Hold on! I can make it up to you!”
“Oh really?” Kieran snapped, “Like I’m ever gonna trust you.” Cough.
“You don’t have a choice!” Kinni snapped, “Your little friend over there isn’t going to make it much further.”
Kieran looked over at Sonya nervously. Sonya coughed pitifully  Kieran let out a heavy sigh, “How can you help, exactly?”
Kinni’s eyes glittered, “The nearest settlement is that way.” He pointed out into the distance, the opposite direction. “About two miles.”
“Why should I believe you?” Kieran demanded.
“Like I said,” Kinni snapped, “You don’t have much of a choice.”
Kieran let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Heaven help you if this is a trap,” he grumbled, “I’ll come back here and use you as a target.” Kieran scooped up Sonya and stomped off in the direction Kinni had indicated. Kinni giggled wickedly.
“I don’t think I’ll have to worry too much about that!”

SURE enough, Kieran arrived at the settlement a few hours later. He caught sight of the guards that stood outside the gate and felt a surge of relief. “Finally!” he cried, “Something easy!”
Kieran hurried forwards when he made a horrible discovery. One of the guards had pointed ears. He was in the one place he didn’t want to be! Elf territory. Kieran froze in his tracks. He was contemplating dropping Sonya at the gates and running away when one of the guards caught sight of him and gasped.
“Princess Sonya! What have you done to the princess?! Guards! Arrest this man!”
PRINCESS? Kieran looked down at the unconscious Sonya in his arms. Kieran frowned.
“Shit!”

Description
Chapter 21.

KELSEY followed after Kieran, watching him walk. They’d been walking in silence all night and day and it was already nearing night again. The silence was killing her. Every time she tried to talk Kieran told her to “just stop talking”, so she stopped trying. She closed her eyes and sighed. Kieran twitched a little at her sighing.
Don’t play coy, oh Goddess of Wisdom. I only need the blood of one goddess in order to gain immortality. Alain’s words rang in her head. What did he mean by that? She was no goddess. “Goddess of Wisdom…?” Kelsey whispered quietly to herself.
Kieran glanced over his shoulder at her, “What about her?” he asked.
Kelsey looked up at him, “Talking to me now?” Kelsey asked, her usual sarcasm wasn’t there which made Kieran a little nervous.
“Whatever. What were you talking about?” he asked.
Kelsey looked at him for a bit and sighed, “Something Alain said… he called me this Goddess of Wisdom. He said that he needed my blood to become immortal.”
Kieran stared at her, “Well, he was crazy! No surprise he’d be loopy enough to think that you were a goddess. One of wisdom no less…”
“Yeah… I guess you have… WAIT A MINUTE! What do you mean by that?!” Kelsey snapped angrily.
Kieran looked forward and grinned, glad things were back to the way they were meant to be. Kelsey wasn’t supposed to be worrying and caring for him. She was meant to be angry at him like this. This was what traveling with her should be like. It would definitely make shoving those confusing feelings back again. Then, there were the obnoxious feelings he had towards the annoying twerp, the brotherly feelings that would not go away! He need Kelsey’s nagging to snap him out of this obvious funk. A smack on the back of the head and Kelsey yelling, “ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!” snapped him out of his thoughts again.

VANESSA laid on her bed, body crying out in pain. Ever since Vanessa’s “miracle healing” Vortigern had upped her training with Miley, certain that she would heal fast and that they needed to work faster to get her magic developed.
On the plus side, she was getting very good at wind and found out she could control water and trees. She had to admit controlling the trees was pretty cool. She pulled out the folder and skimmed to the files about the Goddess of Magic.
“Ability to manipulate wind, water, nature, weather, and speak with animals. Only abilities that were revealed. Died before anymore could be revealed.” Vanessa read, sighing. She’d re-read those two sentences multiple times and still was having difficulty believing all this.
She stood up slowly and slipped the folder into her bag she packed. She was going to escape this place tonight with Sheila’s plan. Apparently, Sheila had an idea to help them escape and Vanessa decided she’d give her a chance. She looked at the door as it creaked open and Sheila slipped in.
“Way to go, Goddess,” Sheila spat, words dripping with sarcasm. “You have guards standing outside your door determined to make sure you don’t escape… moron!”
“Shut up!” Vanessa snapped, “Don’t judge me!”
“I’m way past judging you, Goddess!” Sheila said looking out the window, “Okay, grab your bag and use your wind to gently lower us to the ground. Okay? They’ll be watching the skies for us.”
Vanessa slipped the bag on her back and walked over to the window. “Okay, no problem, with the intensive training last night and this morning. I’ve got this wind down…”
“Yeah, yeah, stop gloating and let’s go!”
Vanessa grumbled something under her breath and jumped out the window, Sheila following. The wind caught them both and gently set them down in a bush. They quickly and silently ran for the gates, hiding behind trees and bushes and silent whenever a guard came by. Vanessa was fighting the urge to start her song, but Sheila told her not to. They got to the gates, but stayed hidden since there guards there. Sheila looked at Vanessa and whispered just barely loud enough for Vanessa to hear, “Make a distraction with your magic to get the guards to move from the gate…”
Vanessa nodded and made a tree on the other side of the gates fall onto the stone fence. Two more fell before the guards ran over to see what was wrong. Vanessa and Sheila raced out the gates and scurried into the woods. Sheila smiled triumphantly. “We mad it out,” she said turning to Vanessa, “What’s wrong with you?”
A tear slipped down Vanessa’s cheek and she glanced back at the palace. “Nothing…” Other than I swear I heard the trees scream as they fell… horrible sound.
Sheila rolled her eyes and stared off. Vanessa trailed after.

KELSEY was glad when they arrived at a town and could finally get some sleep. They headed straight to the inn and grabbed two rooms. Kelsey and Sonya went into their room and both were asleep in no time flat. Kieran and Minion went to their room, Minion fell asleep instantly too. Kieran laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling as he thought about Sonya and Kelsey and tried to figure things out before finally drifting to sleep.
Kieran woke up a few hours later, coughing hard. He stood up and covered his mouth. Fire! He thought with a bit of panic. He grabbed Minion and threw him out the window. Relief filled him to see Kelsey standing outside. He hopped out the window and ran over to her, a startled Minion following.
Kelsey looked at him, eyes wide. “I-I didn’t mean to! Honest! I ran to the bathroom and I heard you talking about me in your room, and I just go so mad and I started wishing that you would burn. I didn’t LITERALLY mean that!” she exclaimed in a panicky voice.
Kieran stared at her, “I wasn’t talking about you!”
“Oh yes!” Kelsey yelled, “I’m sure you were talking about the OTHER annoying-screaming-banshee-who-is-determined-to-make-my-life-as-miserable-as-humanly-possible! You were so talking about me! I’m sure Sonya could hear you from our… WHERE’S SONYA?! Kelsey’s eyes widened further and she looked around frantically.
Kieran looked around too and felt a little panic when he couldn’t spot the elf. “The twerp must still be inside!” he snapped, racing towards the door.
Kelsey blinked, “Wait! Where are you going?!”
“Where do you think?! I’m going to save the little brat!” Kieran snapped, still running.
“You’ll die! Wait for the fire department!” Kelsey exclaimed.
Kieran paused and looked back at her for a moment before barging into the building, wondering what the hell a fire department was. He made his way through the burning building, hearing the fire crackle and wood collapse.
“SONYA! ANSWER ME! WHERE ARE YOU?!” he yelled, soon followed by some coughs He listened intently and heard a higher a pitched coughing. “Sonya!” he exclaimed, racing towards the coughs.
Sonya sat in the upstairs hallway, covering her mouth and coughing hard. She looked up when she heard her name and saw Kieran coming up the stairs. “D-Daddy?” she coughed, “I-Is it…” cough. “R-really you?” cough. “Th-this time?”
Kieran ran over to her and picked her up. “Don’t talk…” he ordered, looking around. His heart skipped as he felt Sonya grow limp in his arms. He had to find an exit… fast. Burning boards fell around them, all exits were sealed. Shitshitshitshitshit…
“Sonya dear? Daddy needs you to wake up now…!” he said urgently, shaking her gently.
Sonya didn’t move. She mumbled, barely audible, “Awake…am…me…”
“Can you teleport us?” Kieran asked.
“Uh huh…” Sonya replied, already falling asleep.”
“WELL?!”
“Huh?”
“TELEPORT US NOW!” Kieran snapped, getting irritated.
Sonya didn’t reply and Kieran shook her again. He cursed under his breath when she didn’t reply. He looked around and glared. “Goddammit… the one time I show concern for someone else…”

KELSEY’S eyes widened as the burning building collapsed in front of her eyes, no sign of Kieran or Sonya. She gasped.
“KIERAN!

Chapter 22.

PEOPLE ran to the collapsed, burning, building, attempting to put the fire out with buckets of water as Kelsey continued to stand there in shock, tears unknowingly streaming down her face. Minion looked up at her, worried. “Kelsey?” he asked, confused.
Snapping out of her shock, Kelsey looked down at Minion with a resolved look on her face. “Come on, Minion. We have to get out of here before the soldiers come.”
“B-but Kiera…” Minion stuttered.
“NO! We have to go, Minion!” Kelsey sobbed, struggling to convince herself more than Minion. “We’ll continue on towards the next town and maybe we’ll be able to find someone who will at least give us something to eat and a place to sleep for the night.” Kelsey turned on her heel and quickly walked away from the burning site. Minion took one last look at the collapsed building, still burning, and then turned and followed Kelsey, jogging to keep up.
Storm clouds began to gather above and let loose cracks of thunder as rain poured down on the land. The rain began to put out the fire, leaving the building a smolder heap of wood and ash. Lightning jolted through the dark sky and the thunder continued to boom as Kelsey and Minion trudged on the dirt path which was quickly turning to mud. Kelsey was quickly drenched with rain water. Kelsey yelled up at the sky, “Jeez! Let’s continue to make my life a living hell today! She threw her up her hands and stomped off the path.  “Of course, Kieran had to die! I mean really he’s such an idiot that he had to run into a burning building and then make me feel awful because of him. The JERK!” Kelsey sobbed as she ranted and raved. She stopped in the road as Minion looked on in shock and horror.
“B-But Kieran was going to save Sonya…” Minion was cut off by Kelsey, who continued to rant and rave.
“I KNOW!” Kelsey sobbed, “He chose NOW of all times to be selfless! He couldn’t have chosen a less dangerous time!  Not to mention the fact that he stole my ipod and anything else in my bag that’s essential to my surviving this weird world!”
“H-he’s not that…” Minion was cut off again, by Kelsey’s rising voice and temper.
“Oh! And there’s the fact that Katy’s frying pan now has his face permanently imbedded in the metal! Never to fry eggs the same ever again! Along with all the dangerous situations he has put me through!!”
“But I thought you…”
“That JERK! How DARE you die and leave me KIERAN! Thanks to you I’m all alone now!”
“B-but I’m here, Kels…” Minion said with a dejected look on his face.
“I hope you’re happy, Kieran!” Kelsey sobbed, “Wherever you are now, I hope you’re happy you idiot!”
Minion sighed and shook his head at the situation he was in. Kieran was right, he thought to himself. Women are a pain in the ass.

KELSEY and Minion finally arrived at a town a day later, having slept (relatively speaking) on the ground. They entered the town, which was filled with numerous stands along the streets. Kids ran about chasing balls and vendors were yelling out prices and bartering items. Gossip echoed from the crowds trolling the streets.
“Wow. A normal looking town,” Kelsey stated, easily striding through the chaos with Minion quickly struggling to keep up. He had a perfectly justifiable fear of being forgotten. Kelsey began searching for inns that were relatively cheap. “Damn. Could really use Kieran’s thieving abilities right now… even though I didn’t approve at all!” Tears sprang to Kelsey’s eyes. “Damn! I miss that idiot!”
“Well, well, well. What do we ‘ave ‘ere?” a voice from the nearby alley echoed as Kelsey and Minion walked by.
“What?!” Kelsey asked jumping away from the alley, confused and leery.
A man stepped out of the shadows. He was dressed in dark brown pants, black boots that came up to his knees, and a dark green shirt. His face was young with a few light brown freckles dotting his nose. His hair was a light brown, greasy, mop of hair with dirty blonde highlights. His mouth was set in a cocky smirk and his dark hazel eyes grazed over her body and lingered at areas where they shouldn’t. “Hmm… not too bad a body. A bit lean for my tastes, but still…”
“Wait! What?!” Kelsey exclaimed in shock and horror.
“Oh come on! Don’t tell me you don’ want some of this,” he stated, cocking his eyebrow up and leering at her while gesturing at his body with his hand.
Kelsey swung her arm back and slapped the man… hard. The man stumbled backwards, a giant red hand gracing his face. The man blinked and rubbed his cheek. He smiled at her crookedly, “You left a bit of sting there, baby. Though you need some practice on leaving a defini’e mark.”
“YOU!” Kelsey pointed at him, heaving with rage, “YOU!”
“What? I did nothing’ wrong!” the man insisted, “And from the looks of you, you’re new. A traveler? Though a woman traveler with a young kid…you don’t seem to be old enough to be a mother. Not with that body. Though with your attitude… possibly could be.”
Kelsey glared at the man with loathing due to his pondering statements. “And why do you care so much about my situation?”
The man gave her a condescending look. “You definitely don’t know where the hell you are, do you?” At seeing Kelsey’s look, he shook his head. “Thought so. Well, guess I’ll join you and your boy there,” he turned towards an inn and with a look over his shoulder, “By the way, my name’s Liam.”
“Charmed,” Kelsey muttered as she trailed behind him. She moaned sadly, “Kieran would have tripped him and stolen his wallet by now.” Kelsey wiped tears away sadly, “God! Kieran! I miss you so much!”

“ACHOO!”
Kieran sniffed and rolled onto his side painfully. He coughed hard for a few moments, his throat burning. Kieran groaned, “Vile woman!” cough. “Say a coupla…” cough. “…things she doesn’t like…” cough. “…and she sets… the bloody inn on fire…!” cough. Kieran managed to sit up. Sonya lay a few feet away, still out cold. Kieran felt a surge of panic. “Sonya!” he whispered between coughs. He reached out and checked the girl’s pulse. She was still alive, but not much more could be said.
“Damn it, twerp!” Kieran grumbled. He scooped Sonya up and struggled to get to his feet. He started walking. “You better stay alive, kid.” Kieran grumbled. “I didn’t go through all this effort for you to die on me.”
Chapter . 23

KIERAN winced as Sonya somehow managed to lodge her foot into his rib cage… again. He had Sonya cradled against his chest, her head on his shoulder. She was still out cold, but even in her unconscious state she kicked in her sleep.
“Dammit twerp!” Kieran swore before another coughing fit overtook him. He coughed painfully into his free hand for a few moments before swearing again. “Stupid smoke inhalation!” he snapped, “Stupid…” Cough. “… female…” Cough.
Kieran wasn’t totally sure where Sonya had teleported him. At the moment, he hadn’t really cared where they went just as long as they abandoned the burning inn, but after four hours of walking with Sonya on his back, a few painful burns, the most persistent cough that he had ever experienced… and one incredibly random sneezing fit (Kieran couldn’t really explain that one), Kieran wished that Sonya had brought them somewhere a little more civilized.
Coming to a crossroad, Kieran paused and adjusted Sonya’s limp body so she was more comfortably nestled against his shoulder. “Sonya?” Kieran moaned, “Can you wake up now? Please?…“ Cough. Kieran groaned when she didn’t move. He shifted her head so it would rest against his shoulder better. As he did, she turned over in her sleep, one of her pointed ears stabbed Kieran’s eye in the process. Kieran scowled and pressed a hand to his damaged eye. “Shoulda just let myself fry in the..” Cough. “…damn fire! Save myself the damn trouble…!” Cough. Cough. Cough. Kieran dropped to his knees as a particularly strong coughing fit overtook him.
“Okay,” he wheezed, “This is God’s way of telling me to rest! And He has good ideas…” Cough. Kieran scoffed. It had been a long time since he had believed in God. The thief had been mocking the “Big Guy Upstairs” for sometime now, especially when things went wrong. Kieran didn’t think God existed, but he sure wished that God did exist right now! He could just smite Kieran already and get it over with!
Kieran flopped to the ground and placed Sonya gently on the ground besides him. The two of them shared his slightly charred cloak as a blanket. Kieran closed his eyes wearily and was about to let sleep overtake him.
“D-d-daddy?” Kieran heard a small voice mumble next to him. Kieran struggled not to snap at the child. She WOULD choose now of all times to wake up!
“Don’t call me daddy…!” Cough. Kieran retorted, he couldn’t muster up any more energy to yell at her.
Sonya suddenly started coughing wildly. Kieran sat up abruptly. The sound flung him back to a distant memory of his past. His youngest sister. He remembered staying up all night rocking her when she had gotten sick. She had started coughing just like that. Kieran shook his head back and forth so hard his head hurt. He was starting to develop brotherly feelings towards the twerp. The thought appalled Kieran, but he couldn’t watch the twerp suffer like that.
Kieran reached out and gently started rubbing her back. “Try to go to sleep, Sonya…” he murmured. Cough. The girl looked exhausted and was incredibly pale. She was coughing harder than he was and she had quite a few more burns. Kieran cringed. What if I had been a few seconds late…? NO! Stop that! Kieran tried not to think.
“My throat… hurts,” Sonya croaked pitifully.
“I’m not surprised,” Kieran agreed, “Sonya…” Cough. “… please. Lie still. Go to sleep.”   Sonya closed her eyes for a few moments before curling up closer to him. Kieran was about to recoil again, but he was too tired to move.
“Daddy?” she piped between coughing fits. Kieran didn’t bother to correct her this time. “Can’t… sleep…”
Kieran sighed heavily. Of course not! That would be far too easy!  “Try.” Kieran murmured.
“Nanny…” Sonya muttered coughing so hard, Kieran forced himself to sit up and examine her again. God, she is pale!  “Nanny… used to… sing.”
Kieran plopped to the ground again. “Sonya!” he sighed, “I can’t sing…” Cough. “…even when I do…” Cough. “… have a voice!…” Cough.
“P-please?” Sonya murmured.
Kieran sighed heavily and struggled to dig a lullaby up from the depths of his memory. One that his mother had sung to him and later he had sung to his brothers and sister.
“Hush now baby, don’t you cry.
Rest your wings, my butterfly.
Peace will come to you in time.
And I will sing this lullaby.
Know though I must leave my child.
That I would stay here by your side.
And if you wake before I’m gone.
Remember this sweet lullaby.
And all love through darkness.
Don’t you ever stop believing.
With love forlorn.
With love you’ll find your way, my love
The sun has turned the world to dark.
I leave this night with heavy heart.
When I return to dry your eyes
I will send this lullaby.”

His “singing” sounded more like speaking in rhythm and he had to pause to cough into his hand many times, but by the time he was done she was asleep. Kieran let out a sigh and closed his eyes again.
“Daddy?”
“NOT daddy!” Kieran retorted. Cough.
There was a long pause of silence there. “What is it Sonya?” Kieran sighed. Cough.
“You’re a real good singer,” Sonya murmured before drifting off to sleep. Kieran bolted upright again and stared at the child in disbelief. He shook his head and rolled over. “Damn persistant feelings!…” Cough.

“I appreciate your help,” Kelsey said to Liam, “Really, I do. But you don’t need to escort me…”
“No worries,” Liam said with a broad smile, “It’s really my pleasure. After all, can’t ‘ave women and little children running around without someone to look out for them right?”
Kelsey scowled as she could hear Professor Gaard’s lectures on feminism ringing in her ears. “Wha’s your name again, love?” Liam asked.
“Kelsey,” she said curtly.
“Lovely name,” Liam said, “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”
“Thanks,” Kelsey grumbled unenthusiastically. His attitude reminded her instantly of Alain. Kelsey cringed at the memories. The cold stone altar… the wild look in Alain’s eyes… Kieran carrying her out and lecturing her. Kelsey felt her eyes well up with tears again.
“So…” Liam asked casually slinging an arm around Kelsey, “Is there a Mista Kelsey?”
“No,” Kelsey insisted, tears running down her face again.
“Uh oh!” Liam said nervously, but with a wicked glint in his eyes. “Tears? Did you lose your man?”
Kelsey’s lip started to quiver. Minion rolled his eyes. “Great!” He glared at Liam. “Way to go! Start her up again!”
“He… he… he…. DIED!” Kelsey wailed as she burst into tears.
“Oh dear!” Liam said, clearly biting off more than he could chew. He patted her back awkwardly. “There, there. ‘e must ‘ave been very special to you.”
“He was a total bastard!” Kelsey yelled.
“Oh,” Liam said, “Then… you’re be’er off without ‘im!”
“NO I’M NOT!” Kelsey yelled, “WHO THE HELL IS SUPPOSED TO RESCUE ME NOW?!”  Liam backed away, now he was genuinely scared of what he had gotten himself into. Minion glared at Liam.
“I’m fine!” Kelsey insisted, “I’m fine!”
“Good,” Liam said, “Righ’  this way… milady.”
Kelsey trudged after Liam miserably. She missed Sonya and Kieran. Sonya was so sweet! So young and innocent! She didn’t deserve to die like that! She had been trying to help her! Even Kieran deserved a better fate than being buried beneath the charred remains of an inn.
Besides that, Kelsey was more than a little freaked out about how she had burned the inn down. One second she had been angry at Kieran. The next, flames had been leaping out of her fingertips. Kelsey shook her head. Maybe that was just something she imagined? She was under a lot of stress. Kelsey struggled to regain focus, but thoughts of the inn kept creeping back into her thoughts making her shiver.
“Are you cold?“ Liam had caught her movements. Liam fell back and slung his arm around her again. Kelsey cringed at the movement.   “So,” Liam said with a smile, “Did it hurt?”
Kelsey looked at Liam in shock. Oh God!  “When you fell from ‘eaven?” Liam concluded. Kelsey shrugged his arm off instantly.
“Yeah,” Kelsey said, “It did. Did it hurt when they kicked you out of hell?!” She walked away from him.
“Oh don’ be that way, love!” Liam said with a playful smile.
“Stop calling me love!” Kelsey yelled, “I’m NOT your love! You lousy womanizer!”
“Baby,” Liam said gently. BABY?! Kelsey thought indignantly. “Baby, I’m no’ like that other bloke.”
“No, you’re not!” Kelsey snapped, “HE was human!”
“Don’ be that way” Liam sighed, “I’m the sort of guy you NEED. I would die for you.”
“Prove it!” Kelsey snapped.
“Ooh! You’re good!” Liam said with genuine admiration, “But tha’s okay. I like a challenge.” He swatted Kelsey across her butt. Kelsey let out a wail of shock, turning bright red. She whirled around fiercely and slapped him hard across the face, giving him a new handprint to match the other one across his face.
Liam fell to the ground stunned by the force of the blow. “What a woman!” he cried before getting his feet and following after her.
“STAY AWAY FROM ME!” Kelsey yelled.
“As if I could!” Liam said, “Those beautiful eyes of yours, those lovely legs, that smile…”
Kelsey raised her hand again. Liam let out a squeak of terror. “Okay! Okay! I’ll behave! Sorry!” Kelsey slowly turned away struggling to wipe tears from her eyes. She missed Kieran more than ever. Kieran might not have been a perfect guide, but at least he had kept his hands to himself.

“TECHNICALLY, I never knew where I was going,” Kieran said to himself as he stumbled down the road. “So technically I can’t be lost. Right?“ Kieran frowned. “Who am I even talking to?!”
The roads had become more and more unkept as he followed them. He started walking alongside one of the rivers that flowed nearby. Since civilizations were usually built around water sources, he figured that he should stay as close to the river as possible. Sonya was passed out on his shoulder. She seemed to be growing weaker instead of stronger and that was giving Kieran an anxiety that he couldn’t explain. “Why do I care if the twerp dies?!” he cried, “While we’re on that subject, why do I care what happens to Kelsey?! Why do I CARE?!” Cough.
“I don’t know, but I’d start worrying less about the kid and more about that cough.”
Kieran jumped up at the voice. There was no one else there except himself, Sonya… and his reflection in the water. Kieran looked down at the river. His reflection stared back, but he didn’t look at him with HIS eyes. Kieran’s normally ice blue eyes were staring back at him, but they were bright turquoise.
“YOU!” Kieran yelled suddenly, “That stupid River Sprite from the sewers!”
“Your friend calls me, Kinni,” the sprite said with a smile, “What are you doing? HEY!”
Kieran had gently placed Sonya down on the river bank and was now desperately stomping around in the water. “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Kinni cried, “Now! Is there really any need for that?!”
“Yes,” Kieran snapped, “You almost got us killed, Sprite!”
Kinni held up his hands helplessly, “Hold on! I can make it up to you!”
“Oh really?” Kieran snapped, “Like I’m ever gonna trust you.” Cough.
“You don’t have a choice!” Kinni snapped, “Your little friend over there isn’t going to make it much further.”
Kieran looked over at Sonya nervously. Sonya coughed pitifully  Kieran let out a heavy sigh, “How can you help, exactly?”
Kinni’s eyes glittered, “The nearest settlement is that way.” He pointed out into the distance, the opposite direction. “About two miles.”
“Why should I believe you?” Kieran demanded.
“Like I said,” Kinni snapped, “You don’t have much of a choice.”
Kieran let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Heaven help you if this is a trap,” he grumbled, “I’ll come back here and use you as a target.” Kieran scooped up Sonya and stomped off in the direction Kinni had indicated. Kinni giggled wickedly.
“I don’t think I’ll have to worry too much about that!”

SURE enough, Kieran arrived at the settlement a few hours later. He caught sight of the guards that stood outside the gate and felt a surge of relief. “Finally!” he cried, “Something easy!”
Kieran hurried forwards when he made a horrible discovery. One of the guards had pointed ears. He was in the one place he didn’t want to be! Elf territory. Kieran froze in his tracks. He was contemplating dropping Sonya at the gates and running away when one of the guards caught sight of him and gasped.
“Princess Sonya! What have you done to the princess?! Guards! Arrest this man!”
PRINCESS? Kieran looked down at the unconscious Sonya in his arms. Kieran frowned.
“Shit!”