Of Cabbages and Kings (CC,M/L,ADULT) (Complete)

[WR]

Hi everyone!

Good news! You get a new part posted this week after all. See how good I am to you? Well, it's only fair since you guys are all (really) so good to me.

BTW - it was only a warning that I MIGHT not be able to post as often. I'll do my best! Honest!

Well, as always, a big thank you for leaving me feedback. And there have been a number of great thoughts, hopes and guesses coming out, some I even wish I had thought of myself!

Little_Miss_Roswell - Well, Liz is hardly the strong warrioress type, now, is she? Still, stranger things have happened.

AJK001 - Well, you know me. Can't go too long without them and if I do, make up for lost time with doozies!

mezz - Meanie? Me? Mwuah Hah hah! Yup!

roswellluver - What can I say? LOL

Smac - No, Max never said that he wanted Liz in the same way, though he did say he would like to make her dreams come true. Yes, Ava is very interesting.

g7silvers - :):) he he he he . YOu just know I'm going to say - "But I can!"

Butterflies - Cruel, meanie - sigh, I am Soo misunderstood! LOL

LTL - Hmmmm... me certain me remembers a certain scene where certain queen was paying certain suspicious man! There's a first. A straight answer.

Alma - You seem to know me so well! LOL

frenchkiss70 - What? No! Course not! Not yet, anyway!

I am a dreamer - Sorry about your loss of sleep. I'm told catching up on my fics does that to you. They do tend to be long. Anyway, welcome aboard. Glad you liked my warning.

aurorasky - What? You don;t think Liz's cold shoulder was what it seemed?

BehrObsession - Remember that there is more than one plot going on here. It's not just Kivar with machinations at work.

youre my dreamgirl - Well thank you, Ma'am. As for telling you you are right... nope. Shan't.

NorafanofMaxandLiz - I promise to try to get back and update aa time will allow! What can I say? I'm a sucker for Oreo cookies and have no shame.

mareli - Yup. You may. Taking? I think thrusting sharp daggers into a heart does a little more damage than that.

BelevnDreamsToo - I could tell you all that... but I would be lying. Like I said. Zan did what every other guy does in a brothel. Nuff said. As for spys, yes. Just who is spying for whom and what information is being passed around?

Teresa - Okay, I meant much later. YOu will recognise when. Yes, to badd about working to live. But ir could be worse. I 'could' live to work.

Roswelllostcause - Now I would hate to be the reason you shoved yout Troll in front of a bus and become institutionalised, so I deliberatelt didn;t earn any money this week, just for you. Sure, the roof leaks and my kids are starving, but for you... Feeling guilty yet? Trust me, I will try to post regularly, nut sometimes, I might not be able to make it.

smokie - Well, if it's any consolation, Liz will soon be far removed from all the plotting. Ooooo. Does that sound ominous, or what?

SarahWhitman - LOL - Yup. It sure does.


Windmills Of Your Mind
Dusty Springfield

Round, like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel.
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
Like a snowball down a mountain
Or a carnival balloon
Like a carrousel that's turning
Running rings around the moon
Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on it's face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind

Like a tunnel that you follow
To a tunnel of it's own
Down a hollow to a cavern
Where the sun has never shone
Like a door that keeps revolving
In a half forgotten dream
Or the ripples from a pebble
Someone tosses in a stream.
Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on it's face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind

Keys that jingle in your pocket
Words that jangle your head
Why did summer go so quickly
Was it something that I said
Lovers walking along the shore,
Leave their footprints in the sand
Was the sound of distant drumming
Just the fingers of your hand
Pictures hanging in a hallway
And a fragment of this song
Half remembered names and faces
But to whom do they belong
When you knew that it was over
Were you suddenly aware
That the autumn leaves were turning
To the color of her hair

Like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
As the images unwind
Like the circle that you find
In the windmills of your mind


Part 21

Liz had never truly understood what was meant when they said that everything moved in slow motion, until that very moment. Her thoughts seemed normal but the knife seemed to take forever as the deadly blade arced toward her heart. Her thoughts were of one thing. She would die and Zan would believe that she did so still hating him. Why had she been so cold toward him? Liz closed her eyes and tightened her body against the blow. She just knew that the impact would hurt - if only for a little while. A tear dropped from the corner of her eye.

The blow never landed. She heard the clatter of steel against stone, followed by a muffled grunt, a thud and the sound of something sliding. Liz opened her eyes to see her would be assassin in a heap against the wall, unconscious. Standing next to her was a woman - at least, what appeared to be a woman, dressed as she was in a long, black cloak. Her face was hidden in the shadows of her hood.
"Are you all right, child?" the older voice asked in a calm, steady voice, as though nothing had happened at all.
"Uh," Liz's body started shaking. Her breathing started to speed up as her heart pounded loudly in her chest. The walls started to sway. "No. No, I don't think so."
"Come," the woman wrapped her arm around Liz and led her to a small alcove. "Sit," she indicated a small stone bench.
Liz did as she was ordered but it was some time before she managed to gain control of her own body.
"Who..." she finally managed to gasp. "Why did... that... man t... try to k... kill me?" She couldn't help her wavering voice.
"Because you pose a threat to someone's plans," the old woman shrugged, as though it meant nothing. "I told you that you should go home."
"I would if I could," Liz groaned. She started to cry. "Oh, god! I miss my dad. And my mom. And Alex. I want Max!"
"Then why do you stay?"
"Because... because we can't go," Liz controlled her sudden bout of sobbing. "Not just yet."
"No," the woman shook her hood. "Not until you've completed your journey."
"What journey?" Liz frowned.
"The one that led you to follow Zan to that place," she smiled.
"How do you know about that?"
"I know about everything," she chuckled.
"Like who just tried to kill me?"
"I have my suspicions. The important thing is that I was nearby to prevent it."
"And why were you nearby?" Liz narrowed her eyes.
"I seem to have a knack of being in the right place at the right time." She glanced at the heap. "Although to some, it's the wrong place at the wrong time. Nevertheless, where you are concerned, it's the former."
"You've been spying on me?" Liz accused.
"If I was," her voice laughed, "then it's lucky for you. Now, have you calmed yourself down? Are you well enough to attend your lessons?"
"I... I think so," Liz nodded.
"Then come," the old woman rose, and helped Liz to stand, taking much of her weight against her own body. "I will walk with you. In case I need to persuade you to finish what you started."
"What have I started?" Liz looked confused.
"Many things," the woman shrugged. "All of them incomplete."
"Do you have to talk in riddles?" Liz demanded.
"Riddles you say?" the woman laughed. "If you think these are my riddles, pray you never hear my real ones. Say you are on your way to a town in which everyone tells the truth, which lies next to one where everyone tells lies. Now, you come to a fork in the road, and you don't know which road to take. One road leads to Truthsville and the other to Liarsville. A young girl from one of the towns is playing at the fork, and you can only ask her one question. What would you ask her to find the right road?"
"What does this have to do with anything?"
"Now, that's a riddle."
"If all you're going to do is laugh at me," Liz tried to pull herself free.
"Am I laughing at you? No, child. I'm not that shallow."
"So why don't you answer my questions?"
"Who says that I'm not?"
"I do!" Liz snapped. "Just tell me what I have started."
"I've already told you. Many things."
"Can't you be more specific?" Liz groaned, shaking her head.
"More specific," the woman mumbled. She reached a thin, pale hand into the shadow of her hood. "For a start, you have started two journeys. One long and one short. Yours and Zan's. Now your journey is long and complicated. It has many twists and forks. You must decide if you are going to Truthsville or to Liarsville. Zan's, on the other hand, is short and simple. It has always been so. He will see his journey to its end. What happens then is up to you. Which direction will you take when Zan's journey is complete?"
Liz opened her mouth to speak, but the woman raised her hand.
"You wish more specific help? Very well. Zan is feeling... boxed in. Partly, he is confused by your attitude toward him. There are other reasons, too. Perhaps he might tell you. He plans to take a ride in the forest behind the Castle Z'ndrina. You should join him, though do not advertise this fact. Surprise him. You might find something that will help you decide which road to take; though it might not be the one you want. Ah, here we are. Your room."
"Are you some kind of wise woman?" Liz narrowed her eyes again. She turned to look in the classroom. "'Cause I gotta say. None of what you just said sounded very wise to me."
"But it made you forget your ordeal," the woman laughed. "I am not so old that I don't remember that strong, masculine arms are much better for calming young women than frail female ones. Words suffice for only a short while."
"So what was the question, again?" Liz turned, but the woman was gone.

* * *

"Oy, you!" Maria called out to Rath whom she caught walking along a corridor. "I've been looking for you."
"I was not aware of that fact," Rath looked around, as if searching for an escape route.
"So I haven't seen you in a while," Maria shrugged.
"Is that a good thing?" Rath's eyes narrowed.
"Perhaps," Maria rolled hers. "You do know that we're kinda counting on you to keep lines of communication open between Liz and Zan, right? Unofficially, of course."
"I was under the impression that Lady Elizabeth did not wish any contact with Zan at all. Officially or otherwise. She has been doing her level best to maintain her distance from him. I thought you wished the same between us."
"Liz is a little more sensitive than me," Maria smirked. "She takes things personally. Little things upset her. Like, let's say, oh..." she shrugged, "like seeing someone she's rather fond of visiting a brothel."
Rath's eyes widened with surprise.
"Yes," Maria nodded. "We spotted you the other day and followed you."
"Oh," Rath hunched his shoulders, showing little sign of embarrassment. "That explains a lot."
"It does, huh?" Maria stepped in front of him, forcing him to stop. "Does it explain what you were doing there?"
Rath started to chuckle.
"Two young men, a pocket full of gold and a house full of women who sell their virtues cheap. Want me to paint you a picture?"
"Okay," Maria shook her head. "That explains the what. But what about the why?"
"Why?" Rath looked surprised. "Don't the men from your country get... urges?"
"They do," Maria nodded. "But not all of them run to a cat house when they do."
"But some do?"
"Okay," Maria conceded. "But why Zan? Why does he need to run to one and such a cheap one at that?"
"Whether with gold or power, Zan will end up paying for it. And that particular one is the only place where the women are more interested in his money than who he is. Women don't exactly line up... rather, they didn't. Before..."
"Yeah, but..."
"Look, ever since Elizabeth... and he... well... his needs..."
Ah," Maria nodded tactfully. "I see."
"And he doubts that Elizabeth is the sort of lady who would..."
"Relieve the urges she's helped create?" Maria's eyes widened. "He's got that straight."
"If he's horny, I bet she is too. I told him to just go for it, you know? But you know Zan."
"You told him what?" Maria punched his arm. "I can't believe you told him to do that."
"What?" Rath complained, rubbing his arm. "He's head over heels in love with her and I don't doubt that she feels the same. It would cause a lot less stress all around if the horn dogs just did it."
"You're such a... a guy!" Maria stormed towards their apartment.
"I'll take that as a compliment, shall I?" Rath shouted at her back.

* * *

Liz was a little surprised, a little shocked, and whole lot disappointed to find the classroom empty when she entered it. Zan should have been here. A wave of anxiety swept over her. Had she been the only one to have been attacked? Had someone attacked Zan too, but had succeeded? Not fully recovered from the shock of her earlier ordeal, Liz froze. Her body started to shake again as her heart rate sped up. She felt very alone and vulnerable as every shadow hid a potential murderer. Liz was on the verge of full blown panic.
"Lady Elizabeth?" a deep, warm voice called from behind her. "Are you all right?"
"Zan!" Liz exclaimed.
She spun around to face him: to confirm that it really was him. Filled with a sudden and immense sense of relief, Liz launched herself at Zan, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself against his comforting body.
"What is it?" his voice was filled with concern. Zan's arms surrounded Liz, enveloping her within his shield. One hand on the small of her back, pulled her to him. The other held the back of her head, just above the nape of her neck. "Whatever is the matter?"
"Nothing," she sighed, feeling so very warm and secure. "It's just..." Liz couldn't help it. At that moment, she felt so... loved, that the dam burst its banks and she collapsed into a bout of hysterical crying.
With no hesitation, Zan lifted Liz into his arms as easily as he would a small doll, and left the classroom, taking his precious bundle with him.

* * *

The feeling was so pleasant, Liz did not want to recover from her bout of crying and give Zan a reason to let go of her. Call her selfish but she loved the sensations that his arms holding her made her feel. Sensations that she had never felt before, not even with Kyle. Only in her dream had she felt so... cherished. And the beauty of it all was that Zan showed no sign of wanting her to recover, either. As though he did not want Liz to have a reason to break their embrace. But... Liz understood that all good things had to end and she knew that Zan deserved some sort of explanation. For both why she was like this, and for her earlier treatment of him. It was then that she realized that she was in a room she had not seen before, and that she was sitting on Zan's lap... on a bed.
"Where are we?" she managed at last, once she had gained control of her speech.
"I, uh..." Zan was blushing. "I thought it would be better to bring you somewhere... where my father couldn't..." He started to try to untangle himself from her, to separate them. "I'm sorry."
Liz responded by holding him tight, resisting his attempts to release her.
"So..." she swallowed. "So we're in your room?"
"Yeah," he nodded.
"On your... bed?"
Zan continued to nod.
"It's okay," she soothed. "Thank you."
"For what?" Zan frowned.
"For caring," Liz shrugged. "I don't know. This. For treating me like a friend when I've been... you know." Liz suddenly gasped. "Your lesson! You'll be late!"
"We, uh, already missed it," Zan gave a soft chuckle.
"Have we been here that long?" Liz's eyes widened. "I'm sorry."
"It seemed appropriate," she felt him shrug. "You seemed so... upset. I hope it was nothing I had done."
"No, uhm... Sorry about this."
"No need for apologies, Lady Elizabeth. Would you like to talk about it?"
"Can you, uh..." Liz played with her fingers. "You can call me Liz, again. If you want to, that is. Like you used to."
"Of course," he smiled. "Liz."
"Will you get into trouble? For missing your lesson, I mean?"
"No more than usual," Zan laughed. "Although I dread to think what my father will do if he learns that you and I were alone in my chamber."
"Maybe," Liz looked downward but raised her eyes. "Maybe we should take steps to prevent your father from wanting to marry me."
Zan blinked.
"Forget it," Liz tried to shrug it off.
"As much as I would like to... uh... with you... Liz. I couldn't. Not when you so desperately want to return home. And as for my father, well, I will do whatever I can to find the, uh... Granolith, so that you and Maria can..." his voice fell. "Leave."
"Do you want me to leave, Zan?"
"No," Zan shook his head. "I wish that you could stay here, that we could run away somewhere, a different country perhaps, where no one knows who I am, and we could get married and... But that can never happen. Not while you still desire to return to your home, if only for a visit."
"Maybe I..."
"No," Zan shook his head. "You will wake up one day and blame me for being the reason you never see your family, your friends. Slowly that blame will turn to hate... and eventually... No, Liz. I will help you to go home, though it breaks my heart to do so. That way, I will forever be a little part of your heart, as you will be part of mine."
"Soul mates," Liz whispered, leaning her forehead against Zan's.
"Always," he reached his finger up and touched her lips.
Liz kissed his fingertip and looked into his eyes.

"So," Zan coughed and looked away, breaking the spell. "Will you tell me the reason for your distress?"
Liz really felt like hitting Zan at that moment.

* * *

"Whoa!" Maria stared at Liz in surprise. "Slow down, Liz. Since when do you eat your breakfast like a pig at a trough?"
"Since I really have to keep an eye on Zan today."
"What do you mean? I thought today was, like, holy day? You know. Their version of Sunday. Does Zan have lessons on Sundays?"
"No," Liz shook her head taking another huge bite of her toast. "Shmppme hmoweled ee uhhm fummmow imm uh-mmhay."
"Tell me you didn't just talk with your mouth full," Maria laughed.
"Sorry," Liz forced the swallow down with a gulp of milk. "She told me to follow him today."
"Who did?" Maria frowned.
"Remember that old lady? The one I bumped into that first time we met the king and she warned me about following Zan's doom or something? Well, I, uh... bumped into her again yesterday." Liz had neglected to inform Maria about the attempt on her life. By the time she had finally left Zan's room, she had calmed down. Rather, Zan's presence, and his warm arms had calmed her down. She had wisely decided to keep her attack a secret from her drama queen friend. "On the way to lessons."
"Oh yeah," Maria grinned. "So how did it go? Did you talk to him?"
"It went..." Liz smiled. Then her face fell. "Why won't he kiss me?"
"Wow!" Maria nodded. "That well, huh? Why am I not surprised? You know what, Liz? Take it to him. Be the aggressor for a change and kiss him."
"Do you think it will work?"
"He's a guy, isn't he? What's more, he's a guy head over heels in love with you - those were uh, Rath's exact words, by the way - so if you did that, he'll probably melt on you. Or explode. One way or another, though, he 'will' kiss you."
"I'm not sure. Wait. He said that? Those exact words?"
"He did."
"And that's what Zan told him?"
"I'm not sure that Zan used those words, per se, but I'm sure he told Rath in that round about way of his. So what's this about that old lady? Why did she tell you to follow Zan today?"
"Something about taking the right road to Truthsville and Liarsville."
"Huh?"
"You had to have been there," Liz shrugged. "It's some kind of riddle I think I'm supposed to solve."
"Like, whether Zan's a liar or not? About what?"
"I don't know," Liz sounded frustrated. "Why can't riddles be... I don't know. Easier."
"They are when you already know the answer," Maria shrugged. "And why do I get the feeling that if you add what's going on in our life to what happened in your dream, divide by two, you'll find the truth?"
Liz stopped and looked at Maria thoughtfully.
"Sometimes, Maria, you can be really smart."
"Thanks," Maria smiled. She narrowed her eyes "I think."

* * *

Following Zan without being seen had been rather easy. He didn't seem to have that sixth sense that many people do, warning him that someone was spying on him; at least, he never stopped and looked around to see if he was being followed or something. Liz had been worried that he would lead her into the rather unsavory section of town again, but she was relieved that he never even left the castle. After a number of rather unimportant seeming tasks, Zan ended up at the stables. When Liz slipped inside, she had to duck behind a bale of hay because there were four miserable looking guards inside, apparently waiting for him.
"Are you ready?" Zan asked them, his voice returning to the sullen whine that he had adopted in his early days with Liz.
"Yeah," the guards did not look happy.
"Will this take long?" their sergeant asked. "It's the big feast tonight, when King Azande's going to make some huge announcement. We want to be back by then."
"It's just a short ride into the woods, sergeant," Zan whined. "I've been cooped up in my lessons all week. I just need a bit of fresh air. I need to think. That's all."
"Well, make it quick!" the sergeant ordered.
Liz was shocked that Zan took such abuse from men who were technically subordinate to him.
"I will," Zan confirmed, climbing - awkwardly - into his saddle.
The soldiers mounted their own horses, and followed Zan out through the large doors into the courtyard.

"Great," Liz groaned as she surveyed the stables. There were no other horses. "How am I supposed to follow him? On foot?"
Then it hit her.
"On foot!" she exclaimed.
Liz lifted her skirts and started to run, following the soldiers. She knew where they were going. She knew that by taking some steps at the back of the courtyard, she would cut out a loop that the horses would have to take. She easily beat them to the main gate. She walked through the gates, and sat on the bench that stood to one side of the drawbridge, and waited. At last, she heard the clip clop sound of horses' hooves. Feigning nonchalance, Liz looked up to see Zan with his four guards riding across the bridge.
"Zan!" she exclaimed, hoping she sounded both surprised and pleased to see him.
"Liz," Zan looked startled. His eyes shifted about. "What are you doing here?"
"I just felt a bit... closed in you know? I needed some air. Where are you going?"
"I felt like a ride," he shrugged. "Clear the cobwebs from my mind."
"Sounds great," she beamed. "Can I come?"
"I don't know," he continued to look around. "What if my father saw?"
"I don't care," Liz asserted. "Look, Zan. You're my friend, right? Friends do things like this together. Let me come with you."
"But you have no horse."
"I can ride double with you. You already know I hardly weigh anything."
"All right," he sighed. He sat upright in his saddle and smiled. He then leaned down again and held his hand out to her. "Climb aboard."
Liz smiled. Mission accomplished.

* * *

Whatever notion Liz held about the romance of riding tandem on a horse died that afternoon. Even though Zan held her tight against him, she had never felt more uncomfortable in her life. Riding saddles were not made for two! But, at least she was with Zan, experiencing her first real look at the Antarian countryside. The mood was muted somewhat by the four guards that were always a few paces behind.
"You should be more careful, Zan," Liz looked back at the guards who seemed more interested in their discussion than where they were. "You should bring more guards. What about your safety?"
"No one would dare attack me," Zan laughed. "I am, after all, still royalty."
"Isn't that a little arrogant?"
"Perhaps," he shrugged. "But my father is so afraid of the people rising against the monarchy, like Kivar preaches, there would be rather... brutal reprisals."
"He wouldn't have to worry if he was more..."
"Tolerant?" Zan raised an eyebrow.
"I was going to say human, but maybe the term doesn't fit anyway."
"Are you hungry?" Zan pointed at the small village in the forest clearing ahead. "Perhaps there is an Inn."
"Okay," she smiled. "Is this like, a lunch date?"
"It's certainly lunch," Zan kicked the flanks of the horse to speed him up.

Armed with some bread, cheese, some smoked meat that tasted just like ham, some roast chicken, a bowl full of fruit and a skin of a light, fruity wine, the small party made their way through the forest.
"I thought we were eating," Liz gazed longingly at the basket that the serving girl had packed for them.
"We are," Zan nodded. "But in a place a little more suited to a quiet luncheon."
"Uh huh," Liz smirked. "And can I trust you to behave?"
"Of course," Zan nodded with a sense of solemnity.
"Pity," Liz rolled her eyes.
"Liz!" Zan gasped. He smiled. "Sometimes, you can be positively evil."
"But you love me, right?"
"Right," he smiled. "Right. Ah, here we are."
Liz turned to look at their destination. It was a small glade through which flowed a small, narrow stream. At the far end, the stream was fed by a waterfall over a tall escarpment, the water breaking into large droplets by the time they exploded into the small pool below.
"Oh, Zan," Liz's eyes were wide. "It's beautiful."
"Well," his eyes burned brightly. "Beautiful scenery for beautiful company."

They sat on a patch of light green grass, bathed in warm sunshine while they pulled pieces of food and fed themselves, and one another. The guards, drinking flagons of beer and wrenching slabs of dark meat from a carcass Liz didn't ask about, sat a respectable distance away, so that neither could hear the other's conversation. Although they were never happy with Liz's presence with Zan, they did nothing to separate them.
"I used to come out here when things got too much for me in the palace," Zan looked into here eyes. "Of course, in those days, there was no need for a guard."
"And did you bring any... young ladies?"
"Only you," he smiled.
"Really?"
"Really. Do you think I could lie to you?"
His eyes were locked onto here. There was a kind of molten quality to them. Zan leaned forward, reached his hand out to her face and tuck a loose strand of her long dark hair behind her ear.
"You had a..."
"Hair thing," she smiled.
It was a scene from her dream she had replayed many times. It was almost like a sign. Emboldened by this, Liz decided to act upon Maria's suggestion, and she started to lean toward Zan. When she saw him leaning into her, his eyes closing, she closed her own eyes in anticipation of the long, slow, and extremely fulfilling kiss she knew was just a heartbeat away. This was it, she sighed. There was an explosion of light and a sharp pain on back of her head. Everything faded into dark.

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone!

Yay! A new part And the good news is, part 23 is in the bag and I am half way through part 24 so things are looking good for the next two weeks at least!

Thank you for you wonderful feedback. It's this that helps me to keep up the pace I have set myself, churning out these parts, 'cause I know that you are all so eager to read them.

BTW - for those who would like the riddle answered... I'm not going to tell you! Someone else will have to do that.

youre my dreamgirl - Well, soory about the interuptus part, but as much as I'd like to give you what you want, I do need to move my story along.

BehrObsession - Yup, looks like Liz is a 'marked' woman.

frenchkiss70 - Harumph! - I sit here in my cold, lonely office, night after night, with only a picture of lucifer for company (not the cat), wearing my fingers to the bone by churning out all this entertaining stuff and I get called names for it. Yup. Worth every minute! Lady who save Liz and the Lady who took Zan were NOT one in the same. Zan's path being short could very well be that he'll soon be Max. Or not. And Zan being aroused, etc, yup. That's what Rath told Maria.

AJK001 - Well, you know? What's one of my stories without a cliffie or three? I mean, were synononomouse!

Smac - Well, maybe she did, but I kinda think she was talking of something a little more... grander. Glad you like the Liz/Zan stuff, though

smokie - Send me lots and lots of JD and Oreo cookies as a thank you for keeping your minds alert and active??? Just a thought. You know, at this rate, I don;t know when Liz will get her kiss. Maybe on her deathbed. Or Zan's. LOL
How long will this story be? Not too much longer now, I'm afraid. This chapter, along with the next one, will be my transition into the next phase of the story. Still more to ponder to come out, but answers do start coming. Well, at least. they're answers if you recognise them as such! Oh, and heres a first. A direct answer to one of your questions about the story. The guards were seated a respectable distance away/

roswellluver - Fear not. I'm sure Liz will be fine, apart from a slight headache. Unless...

foreverdreamer15 - What? Me? Stop the cliffhangers? But what would I do then? You might as well ask me to stop breathing. Can't be done.

Butterflies - Maybe he is? I'm sure all you ladies dream of being kissed by Mr Behr like that. Right? Course, I imagine someone else, and it's me doing the kissing. LOL

I am a dreamer - Okay, as much as I LOVE you compliment, It's impossible for me to be a queen of evil endings. That would have to be a king, and very much so! You did know I am a guy, right? Anyway, glad you looked past the evil ending and enjoyed the Liz/Zan interaction with the promise of more to come, surely!

auroraskey - Well, Liz IS a thorn in many peoples plans. Now, who would benefit most from her death?

Alma - No, this is not a dream too. It's just something Maria in her quirky nature has noticed. No, no blue pills here.

Little_Miss_Roswell - Mean? Evil? It's all water off a Canucks back. A clue, huh? That woman? She's female.

Serephinah - You really wouldn't want me to stop writing cliffhangers, would you? Would you answere be affected if I told you I couldn't write at all without them? LOL

NorafanofMaxandLiz - Hmmmm.... I'm not torturing you. Well, okay. I concede that maybe you are being tortured. Oh, and nice thought, by the way, but no Prince and Pauper here. There are not two Zans. Only one. No dupes in this story. So far, Rath has been Rath and Zan has been Zan. No one has spoken to Liz - or Maria - pretending to be anyone other than who they are. Hope you're feeling better.

g7silvers - No one is attacking Max as he doesn't exist yet! LOL.

Roswelllostcause - Yup. We lready established that! LOL Oh my. Seeing as you were there all through BRH, you would know that no matter how dark I make it at the end of a chapter... I can make it darker the next?

Teresa - Thank you for that compliment. But then, I have had a lot of practice. Just ask any of these fine people who followed me week by week during "Blue Remembered Hills" And as requested, here is more

missjamie - A cliffhanger is when you... oh, I see, WHAT a cliffhanger, not WHAT'S a cliffhanger. OOops. Well, a blow to the head is not a good thing if you are expecting a mind blowing kiss, not that I've been there, mind.

LTL - I was just telling Jen, it's been hard workinf with Zan/Max. To slow, and I run out of other things to write, keeping the plot moving and too fast makes it less plausible. It sounds like I have paced it just right. Well, I hope I can reward your faith regarding pulling good out of this. And as the only feedback leaver who has actually *met* me, you should know how evil I am.

Oh, regarding that riddle... I will answere it for you next week. Okay? So if you do know the answer, please dont post it here.

Now...



Follow You Follow Me
Genesis

Stay with me,
My love I hope you'll always be
Right here by my side if ever I needed you
Oh my love

In your arms,
I feel so safe and so secure
Everyday is such a perfect day to spend
Alone with you

I will follow you will you follow me
All the days and nights that we know will be
I will stay with you will you stay with me
Just one single tear in each passing year

With the dark,
I see so very clearly now
All my fears are drifting by me so slowly now
Fading away

I can say
The night is long but you are there
Close at hand I'm better for the smile you give
And while I live

I will follow you will you follow me
All the days and nights that we know will be
I will stay with you will you stay with me
Just one single tear in each passing year there will be

I will follow you will you follow me
All the days and nights that we know will be
I will stay with you will you stay with me
Just one single tear in each passing year




Part 22

As she slowly awoke, Liz could hear the sound of birds singing. The pleasant ringing of falling water was close by and the susurrus of wind through treetops added to an orchestra of nature. The ground below her felt soft and surprisingly comfortable. She allowed her eyes to flutter open. Stung at first by the sunlight, diffused by the leaves, streaming onto her face, she soon adjusted to it. Confusion hit her.

"What am I doing here?" her eyes narrowed.
Then it all came back to her. She had accompanied Zan on a ride into the country. He had bought some food for them to share a picnic. In a glade. By a waterfall. The one that she could hear in the background. There had been a kiss. No. Zan was about to kiss her, when... something... someone...had hit her on the back of the head.

"Zan!" Liz gasped, sitting upright in one fluid movement.
It was a movement she regretted making as a wave of blackness and pain swept through her skull. With a heavy groan, she sank back onto the soft ground, clutching the back of her head. The sounds of the wind, the waterfall and the birds were now just painful noise.

"Zan!" Liz called out, opening her eyes again. This time, she took her time as she lifted herself into a seated position. "Zan? Are you okay?"
She looked around the glade, but there was no sign of Zan. The remains of their picnic lunch - now covered with insects and showing signs of small scavengers - remained where they had left it. Zan's horse was still tethered to the small sapling he had tied it to while Liz had laid out their lunch. Four other horses stood picketed a short distance away, next to the four guards who now lay motionless around the insect covered remains of their own meal. There was, however, no Zan to be found anywhere.
"Zan!" Liz tried again. Perhaps he had gone for help. Or perhaps he was scouting around. "Zan!"

Using short, slow movements, Liz climbed to her feet. With one hand holding her head and the other extended before her, Liz staggered across the glade to the guards, hoping that like her, they were merely unconscious and not... dead. Two fingers pressed against their necks, in the soft, hollow area next to their Adam's apples confirmed that she was correct in her hope.
"Wake up, guys," Liz poured the contents of their water skins over their faces. "Come on, wake up!"
Liz knew from her experience that they would be pretty much incoherent until they, like her, had come fully to their senses.

"What happened?" the sergeant groaned, rubbing the back of his neck while reaching for the wineskin.
"I don't know," Liz could barely hold back the panic from her voice. "One moment I was... uhm, talking to Zan and the next... I'm waking you guys up. Uhmm. I thought you should know. I can't find Zan."
That one comment worked better than any smelling salts - than all of Maria's aromatherapy concoction mixed together. Liz now held the full, focused attention of all four guards.

"What do you mean," the sergeant narrowed his eyes, "you can't find Zan?"
"Take a look around," Liz waved her open hand in a circle. She wanted to shout but held back. "He's not here."
""Where is he, then?" one of the soldiers asked.
"How should I know?" Liz snapped. "That's why I said I couldn't find him."
"You three!" the sergeant barked. "Search the surrounding area. See what you can find. Look for footprints, that sort of thing." The guards leapt to their feet, clutching their heads as they did so, and scurried into the surrounding brush. "Lady Elizabeth. Show me where you were before... before."

"We were over here," Liz led the sergeant, walking as gingerly as she had been, earlier, to the soft grass where she had almost kissed Zan. "We were sitting here," she pointed. "Just, ah... talking. Then I felt, like, this sharp pain on the back of my head. That's all I remember."
"You didn't see anyone?" the sergeant stared at her, suspicion etched into every weather beaten crease. "Not even creeping up on Zan? On us?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "I... I kinda had my eyes closed."
"Why was that?" the sergeant frowned.
"Uhm..." Liz's face burned. "How will this find Zan? I never saw anyone, okay? Anyway, what about you? There were four of you. Or were you... were your eyes closed too?"

"This is getting us nowhere," he grunted. "Perhaps we should join in the search. Look here. It looks like something heavy was dragged from this point to..." he got up and followed a trail that Liz couldn't see. All she saw was a few broken blades of grass, here and there. "To here."
"So that means... what?" Liz looked puzzled.
"That Zan too was unconscious. Whoever did this, had to drag his body. They probably went into those bushes, to a waiting horse. Or horses."
"Well, that doesn't make sense," Liz's eyes narrowed in thought. "In order to knock us all out, there must have been at least six of them. Why didn't they just pick him up?"
"When we find them," the sergeant retorted, "we can ask them."

The other men returned; their faces pale in spite of their exertions.
"Anything?"
"No," two men shook their heads.
"There's signs of horses moving south," the third pointed at some trees, the direction the sergeant had predicted.
"How many?"
"Not clear," he shook his head. "Two. Perhaps three. No more, though."
"Nothing else? No others?"
"Not in this vicinity. Unless they were experts in moving without leaving a trail." He checked with his colleagues who nodded in confirmation.

"We can't go back to Azande," the sergeant's face was now as pale as his fellows. "We can't go back and tell him that his son was kidnapped from under our very noses by two, perhaps three men. Our lives won't be worth much."
"Not worth much even if it was half a hundred who had taken him. Face it. We should consider and extended leave from active service."
"You're right," a third nodded. "Azande will have us executed."
"After he's had us flogged. And tortured."
Four heads nodded.
"But we have to get back to the castle," Liz argued. "We have to warn someone. Perhaps we can rescue him."
"Not us," the ex-sergeant shook his head as he started to peel the insignias of his rank from his armor. "We have to get as far away from here as possible."
"Could you at least escort me back to the city walls?" Liz sounded lost. Realization that Zan was missing coupled with the idea that these men might just abandon her here in the middle of nowhere was not helping her frame of mind.
"You should leave, too, Lady Elizabeth," the older man, now devoid of any military bearing looked at her. "Azande's wrath is unlikely to stop at four guards. Especially when those guards have abandoned their posts."
"I'll be okay," Liz's eyes pleaded. "I have a kind of ace up my sleeve."
He looked at his colleagues, who gave short nods of their heads, though they seemed unhappy to do so.
"We will see you to the city gates, then," he nodded to her. "But you must give us time to get away before you raise the alarm. And please don't tell anyone which direction we have gone."
"I'll give you as much time as I can. And as you're pointed west right now, that's the direction you are going in. As far as I'm concerned, that is."
"Thank you."

* * *

They rode in silence, with Liz upon Zan's horse, through the forest that earlier had seemed so bright and filled with life. Liz felt relieved when they finally broke into clear terrain, in sight of the city walls.
"The longer you can give us," the one time leader reminded her, "the further away we'll get. The safer we'll be."
"I'll try and give you until this announcement or whatever, of Azande's," Liz stared at the distant walls. "I'll try to delay it as long as I can."
"Thank you. And good luck. In spite of your... ace, I fear that you will not escape the fallout from this."
"You too," Liz returned their thanks.
They turned away, heading back into the woods. She had no doubt that after retracing their tracks, they would turn south. Liz had no doubts that they would soon be joining Kivar. She wondered for a moment if they had anything to do with Zan's disappearance, but that just didn't make any sense. Waiting until they were no longer visible, or in earshot, Liz turned and urged Zan's horse toward the city.

The city streets seemed darker somehow, less safe, as she made her way through them, heading for the castle up on the hill, overlooking the metropolis below. The town's people stopped whatever they were doing and watched her as she rode by. Through her tear stained eyes, it seemed as though they were staring at her with accusation, as if they had already heard the news and somehow blamed Liz. Up ahead, she saw the high tower of the cathedral and she knew who she had to speak to first. Perhaps he would have some suggestions. She needed to see Syrus.

On autopilot, robot like, Liz slid from the horse and tethered him to the ankle of a marble statue. Some passers by looked shocked but Liz cared little for their outrage, if she even saw it. Her tears were flowing freely as Liz pushed through the huge doors, entering the chapel. She staggered down the main aisle, her feet shuffling like some undead creature. By the front pews, in front of the ornate altar, Liz collapsed to her knees. Barely holding back her sobs, she gazed skywards.
"Please, God," she cried, "If you can hear me, look after him. Keep him safe! And please, God. Let me see him again."
"Lady Elizabeth?" she heard Syrus's voice echo around the church. He sounded surprised. "Whatever are you doing here? They are going frantic up at the castle looking for you. No one has seen you all day."
"Zan!" Liz gasped. "They've got Zan!"

"What?" Syrus looked confused. "Who? Who's got Zan? Lady Elizabeth, what are you talking about?"
"We w-went for a r-ride," Liz wailed. "Zan and I. We h-had a p-picnic. But someone c-came. They knocked us out. And now they've got Zan. He wasn't there and we couldn't find him! They've got him!"
"Who!" Syrus held her shoulders and shook her.
"I don't know! They've got him, Syrus!"
Syrus released her and stared into space.
"Come," he spoke at last, leading her to the door. "We'd better get up to the castle. Azande needs to be told."
"But what about Zan?" Liz demanded. "Syrus, who's taken him?"
"Who else?" Syrus turned to face her. He was as white as the soldiers had been. "Kivar."
"What..." Liz swallowed. Her voice came out as a hoarse whisper. "What will he do with him?"
Syrus watched Liz for a moment before drawing a deep breath. "You do not need to worry about Denda challenging Zan to that duel," he exhaled. "I suspect Zan will be tried and then..."
"And then... what?" Liz's face fell.
"Let's worry about that later," Syrus kicked himself into action, taking Liz's shoulder and leading her. "Right now I need to think about the ramifications of this. And we need to tell Azande."
"Can't we, like, rescue him or something?"
"First we would have to find him," Syrus snapped. "And when our army is spotted by Kivar, what do you suppose he would do with Zan? Do you think he would say, oops, sorry? You're free to go? I don't think so."
"We have to do something!" Liz exploded,
"I agree!" Syrus yelled back at her. "And as soon as I think of that something, I'll tell you!"

* * *

"I see," Azande's voice shook with barely concealed fury. It definitely sounded dangerous "And just where were my guards while this was going on?"
"They were knocked out too," Liz told him, trying hard not to appear intimidated.
"Before that, you..." He took a deep breath. "Before. When you went riding with him."
"They were with him," she shrugged, looking down at the ground.
"And they did nothing to stop you?"
"Apparently not," her voice sounded small.
"And why was it that you accompanied my... 'son' on an... 'intimate' ride when I had expressly forbidden you to see him?"
"What?" Liz looked up and blinked, her own anger flaring. "What does this have to do with it? Zan was kidnapped! Probably by your enemy!"
"Do you realize how many laws you have broken? Do you know that it's considered treasonous to disobey a direct order from your king? I could have you flogged!"
"Listen, you arrogant, self absorbed..."
"Where are they?" the king bellowed, ignoring Liz's tirade. "Where are those poor excuses for soldiers who not only allow my son to be taken from me, but flagrantly disregard my orders?"
While Azande continued his witch hunt, ordering the arrest of the guilty guards, Liz felt a pair of eyes on her.

"What are you laughing at?" Liz glared at Prince Denda.
"Zan," Denda smirked. "Sneaking off with you and getting captured by his worst enemy. I bet he didn't even manage to uncross your legs. How stupid could he be?"
"I'm touched by your concern," she sneered.
"Oh, I'm concerned," Denda nodded. "After all, I wanted to skewer Zan myself. Now it looks like Kivar has won that honor. He's probably dead already."
"Not yet," Liz shook her head. "He can't be."
"Why not?" Denda narrowed his eyes.
"Because it can't end like this," Liz said, more for herself. She dropped her voice to a whisper. "It just can't."

"I don't care how many men it will take to do it!" Azande's bellowing attracted Liz's attention. "And I don't care how long it will take. I want my kingdom dismantled until you find those missing soldiers!"
"Shouldn't we be using those resources to rescue Zan?" Liz demanded.
Azande leveled his furious gaze at Liz. When he spoke, his voice came out cold and detached.
"Zan is getting no more than he deserves. You will return to your room at once. I will deal with you later."

* * *

"I'm so sorry, Liz," Maria held her weeping friend in her arms, sitting on their sofa. "I wish that there was something I could do."
"Thank you, Maria," Liz whimpered. "Just being here with me helps a lot. Have I ever told you what a great friend you are?"
"I just wish I had been there for you, you know?"
"I know," Liz nodded.
"He'll be alright," Maria sounded sure. "'Cause he knows he's got you to live for. He'll find a way to outfox Kivar."
"I hope so," Liz whispered through her tears.

Their door opened. Holding two large, cloth bags, Adaile entered their room.
"Ladies," she gave a brief curtsey and walked through to Maria's room.
She came back out a few seconds later holding only one bag and entered Liz's room. Liz and Maria exchanged bewildered glances.
"I wonder what that's about?" Maria shrugged. "Perhaps they're sending us home."
"It's about us, moving," Denda announced from the door.
"What do you mean, moving?" Liz demanded, rising from her seat. "Are we going to rescue Zan?"
"Yeah, right," Zan snorted. "We're moving to the Fortress."
"Fortress?"
"It's a keep. On the cliffs above the castle. Only one, narrow way up and impossible to attack. Impregnable. There's enough stores up there to hold out a siege for decades."
"So why are we moving up there?" Maria was standing a little in front of Liz.
"We have spotted signs of troop movements in the south. Our spies tell us that Kivar has been planning some kind of raid up here. Azande is convinced this is something major, so he's moving all his assets to a place of safety. It's much more..." he waggled his eyebrows, "intimate up there. Only room for a hundred or so. But hey? Do you realize something? It seems that Zan had his uses after all."
"What?" Liz demanded.
"It seems my father has postponed the announcement regarding your betrothal to him. Soon, it will be just you and me."
"In your dreams," Maria spat.
"No," Denda laughed. "In my reality. I have to go pack. We leave in the morning. So... see you later."
"God, I hate him," Maria hissed. "I live for the day when someone takes him down a peg or two. Like when Zan..." Maria stopped when she saw that Liz was crying again.

* * *

Their bags were already packed. Adaile had left them by the door, ready for collection the following morning. They were both thinking of an early night when Syrus entered their room.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Maria rolled her eyes.
"I have given this some thought," Syrus ignored her. "And I believe that I have come up with a solution."
"What's that?" Liz's spirits rose at once. She hurried to Syrus' side.
"We know that Denda is unsuited to rule, because of his arrogance, right?"
"Got that straight," Maria grunted.
"Yeah," Liz urged, clutching his sleeve.
"And Zan was our best choice because we believed that you could change him from being the..."
"Wimp? Wuss?" Maria offered.
"Maria," Liz warned.
"...weak young man, whom you originally met into the young man you loved in Max Evans."
"Right," Liz nodded. "So how exactly does this help us plan Zan's escape?"
"You are moving up to the fortress," Syrus continued. "Until this current crisis is over, Azande's attention will be focused elsewhere. He is even forced to delay his announcement."
"We already heard," Liz tried to hurry him.
"Up in the fortress, you will be left pretty much to your own devices."
"Uh huh," Liz could barely contain her patience. "Syrus, you said you had a solution. Can you just skip to the bit where we rescue Zan?"

"The whole idea was to turn Zan into the man you fell in love with, Max Evans."
"Syrus, I swear, I'm going to hit you in a minute. Unless we rescue Zan..."
"Forget Zan, little girl," Syrus barked. "He's as good as dead. There is no escape for him."
Liz was so shocked at Syrus' explosion that she stared in silence at him.
"It doesn't matter who we use as long as we can mould him into the ideal that is Max, right? Denda has become obsessed with you and would do anything to make you his. Even change, I'll wager. It seems that you have had a profound effect on our Royal family. So, my proposal is this. Use your connection to Denda and your feminine wiles and turn Denda into Max Evans. Zan was only the easier of the two options, but think how rewarding it would be to make Max out of Denda?"
Liz could only blink away the tears that stung her eyes.

"Adaile will see to your packing," Syrus looked around. He spotted the bags by the door. "Ah, I see she already has. That is good. Be ready to move up to the Fortress at dawn. It's quite a trek, I'm afraid. Once there, you will have ample opportunity to work your magic on Prince Denda. In the meantime, I shall re-draft the document to prevent Denda from signing away any power to a third party. Which reminds me. Have you finished with that book on the Granolith I loaned you?"
"In the drawer," Liz's voice was quiet. Defeated. "Over there."
Syrus crossed to the dresser that Liz had pointed to and took the book that he had left earlier in the week.
"I'll leave you this," he held up a small bottle. "It contains a sleeping draught. It will help you through the night. It's been a trying day."
He then headed for the door. He paused and looked back at Liz.
"Whichever of the two you chose," he gave a kind smile, "you would turn either into a great Max Evans. I have every faith in you, Lady Elizabeth. Do not let m... Antar down."
Liz gave a mute nod. Syrus closed the door behind him.

"Okay!" Maria exploded after a painfully long silence. "What the hell did I just see here? Cause that weakling that I just saw nod at Syrus was not the Liz Parker that I heard stand up to the Sheriff, fight the FBI, jump off a bridge, lie, cheat and steal just because she loved a guy. No way would that Liz Parker just roll over and die!"
"Maria!" Liz grabbed her shoulders. The tears remained but the look of defeat was gone. It was replaced by a burning determination. "I want you to go and get Rath."
"Huh?" Maria shook her head in confusion. "I don't know where he is? I tried finding him all day, but couldn't."
"I didn't ask you if you knew where he was," Liz rolled her eyes. "Get him. Bring him here."
"What if he won't come?"
"Maria!"
"But..."
"Are you still here?"
"No," Maria shook her head, shocked at the authoritative tone in Liz's voice. "I'm gone. Long gone, actually. I..."
"Go!" Liz pointed at the door.
"This is me, going," Maria was running.
"Tell him to bring money," Liz called. "Lots of it. And don't tell him anything. Oh, and Maria?"
Maria stopped and gave a wary glance at Liz.
"Thank you."

* * *

Where Maria had eventually found Rath, Liz didn't ask. He seemed rather annoyed when he entered their apartment, being dragged by a wild looking Maria.
"He didn't want to come," Maria shrugged at Liz's curious look.
"Ah," Liz nodded. "Can you carry those bags, please, Rath?" Liz pointed at the bags that Adaile had packed. "And Maria, can you take those?" On the table were two large packages. Almost like shopping bags.
"Where are you going?" Rath raised his eyebrows while Maria went to the packages.
"We've been ordered up to the Fortress" Liz explained.
"So?" Rath frowned. "You're not going up till morning."
"Oh, come on Rath," Liz pouted. "Do you have any idea what state our room's going to be in? I bet it hasn't been dusted in, like, a decade. Who wants to live like that? We want to go and make an early start."
"Really," Rath rolled his bored eyes.
Now, come on," Liz made motion with her hands. "Chop chop." She led the way out of the room.

* * *

"Uh, Lady Elizabeth," Rath called, grunting under the weight of the bags as he followed her out into the courtyard. "The path to the fortress is over there." He pointed in the opposite direction."
"I'm aware of that, Rath," Liz glared. "But the stables are over there."
"I thought you were going to the..."
"We are, Rath. But those packs are heavy. Do you really want to carry them all the way up there? Or would you rather let a horse do it?"
"Oh," Rath gave a small grin. "That's really a very good idea."
"Thought you'd approve," Maria smirked.
"We could even ride up there ourselves," Rath suggested.
"That's a good idea, Rath," Liz rewarded him with a bright smile. "In fact, it's a great idea."

Once in the stables, Rath secured the packs to the back of the largest horse. He then placed saddles on three other horses. He did growl at Liz when she suggested that he saddled Zan's horse for her.
"But he knows me, Rath," she pouted. "And I'm not very good with horses."
Rath soon complied.

The road that they had to take had led them back to the far side of the courtyard. The threesome rode in silence; Liz never once looked up at the main castle building. As the trio rode past a row of small outbuildings, a movement in the shadows attracted Liz's attention. The old woman who had saved her life stepped out into the clear night. Liz couldn't be sure, but she was sure that she nodded at her.

"Normally, the night guards like to play dice," Rath whispered drew her back to the situation. "Or else they sleep. But with Azande in the mood he is, they will be a little more vigilant than normal, so please remain silent. Otherwise we'll spend all night explaining just why we are going up to the fortress at this time of night. And they won't be impressed. Heck, I wasn't impressed. It's a good thing you are my friends, 'cause..."
A sharp dagger at Rath's throat shut him up.
"Liz?" Maria squeaked.
"Are you holding a dagger to me, Lady Elizabeth?" Rath sounded shocked - and frightened. He tried to lean away from the knife but Liz kept it pressed against him.
"I am, Rath," Liz hissed. She looked upset. "I'm really, really sorry for doing it. But we're not going up to the Fortress."
"We're not?" Maria sounded as surprised as Rath looked.
"No," Liz shook her head. "We're going to rescue Zan. Maria, go and open the gate."
"But the guards..." Rath started.
"Are asleep," Liz finished. "Courtesy of a wineskin I got from the kitchen and a sleeping draft Syrus left me. I'm sorry, Rath, but two unarmed ladies out in the wilds won't last very long and, well... we need you to come with us. He is your friend too, isn't he?"
"He is, Elizabeth. But if Kivar sees an..."
"He won't see an army, Rath. We'll just be a couple of travelers. A man, his sweetheart," she indicated Maria who was pushing the gates open, "and her maid. What threat could that possibly pose for him?"
"What if his spies warn him?"
"There are only three people in all the world who know we're doing this. And I don't think either one of us is a spy for Kivar."
"But we don't know even where he is."
"A wise woman once told you, Rath, of course, you were Michael then, but she told you to trust in the love. So just trust me, Rath. If Zan's out there, I will find him. It's, like... my..."
"Destiny," Maria finished. She had returned from opening the gates.
"Destiny," Liz grinned. "Will you come, willingly, Rath?"
"I know you wouldn't really stab me, Elizabeth," Rath reached out and pushed her hand away. "Would you still go if I refused?"
"Yes," Liz nodded. "Alone if I have to."
"Me too," Maria offered her support.
"Then I will accompany you," he sighed. "Only because if Zan does survive, he'll kick my ass if I let you go out there alone."
"Come on then," Liz tucked away the dagger and urged her horse through the open gate. "Let's ride. We're burning daylight, pilgrim."
Maria looked up into the pitch-black sky and shook her head.

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for you feedback and your kind words. As always, I appreciate them. So, it seems you are not sure if Syrus's actions ith Liz were to spur her inot action, or if he has ulterior motives. All I will say is this. Do you think Liz would have needed to be spurred into action?

A PLEA FOR HELP!!
I need to speak to someone from the San Diego area for background information for a story I'm planning. If you know the area, and are willing to help, would you kindly email at olde.worlde@btinternet.com or pm me.
Thank you.

BehrObsession - Who knows? Maybe Denda or Azande might do something drastic!

AJK001 - Even Michael got some (smarts)... eventually.

Doublestuf - The trouble is, everyone has their own agendasAnyway, gad you're back with us

g7silvers - Lots od maybes there. Lets see how they turn out!

TaffyCat - Well, she did say that she knows everything. As to what's going to happen, no. What needs to be done? Yes.
The old lady is NOT the one who used the Granolith, but she IS the one that Liz spoke to in Azande's throne room. Who warned Liz to beware she didn;t suffer Zan's doom. As for Azande being serious... what do you think? Based on what HE is trying to do, do you really think he cares for what Liz wants?

Smac - One thing you have to remember, Azande is first and foremost concerned with this promise of immortality. As long as he gets that, what use has he got for sons? If Zan and Liz had... then no immortality for Azande.

foreverdreamer15 - See my comment to Smac regarding Azande. And yes, it was obvious Liz would ride to Zan's rescue.

roswellluver - Yup. Go Liz!

SarahWhitman - This hunt/adventure will be VERY interesting! That's right. Short journey for Zan. [insert evil laughter here]

LTL - LOL - I could just imagine your reaction. And it helps, when tricking people, if you pull a knife on them Except even Rath recognizes that Liz could never use it. LOL

Butterflies - Who took Zan? Three guesses, but the first three don't count. And you are right. Syrus's number 1 priorit is NOT Liz's happiness.

I am a dreamer - Oh, no! I took NO offense at being called queen. (comfortable in my masculinity here ) I just wanted to make sure you knew I was a he. LOL
Yes, I think Liz is at the stage where she will do just about anything for Zan. Liz's dream went exactly the way season 2 and 3 went. So she knows all about Kivar and Nikolas. It was almost as though she watched the show herself.

auroraskey - Surprised, yup! Amongst other things. I expect Azande will explode! As for you "I wouldn't be surprised" comment,
you will be!

smokie - Well, give Liz a little slack. She's not rerally having an easy ride, is she? She can be soft on the outside, but tough where it counts. Actually, I think Zan's mother was paying an assasin. Not a kidnapper. Help much? Did you get my message? My computer was playing up and I'm not sure if it got sent.

Venus_star2.com - I'm back Very accomodating, me. I think it's fair to say that the girls who didn;'t make it through the dream remeber absolutely nothing about it.

mareli - Rath? A warrior? Are you responding to the right story? LOL wolf's lair is fine in any language and yes, she must be careful, I think.

Alma - I'm sure Zan will bear that in mind And as for Zan's rescue, well... maybe he will be the least of your worries.

VeronicB - Hello, welcome and thank you. Yup, poor Liz really went through it to get here. And it's still going pear shaped for her.

frenchkiss70 - Yup. Strong yet still soft. As for Syrus... we'll see.

Roswelllostcause - Was there any doubt that I would have Liz ride to rescue Zan? It's a good riddle, yeah? Not as hard as that other Truth and Liz riddle.

NorafanofMaxandLiz - Zan's journey being short? Maybe that's exactly what it meant. Or maybe it was darker? And are you sure Syrus nearly said Max's name? That was a lowercase 'm'. I may have a few typos, but I would not make that mistake.

Teresa - You know what? You're words are very profound. Profound indeed. Any volunteers?

* * *

Runaway
The Corrs

Say it's true, there's nothing like me and you
I'm not alone, tell me you feel it too

And I would run away
I would run away, yeah..., yeah
I would run away
I would run away with you

Cause I am falling in love with you
No never I'm never gonna stop
Falling in love with you

Close the door, lay down upon the floor
And by candlelight, make love to me through the night
(through the night, through the night...)

Cause I have run away
I have run away, yeah..., yeah
I have run away, run away
I have run away with you

Cause I am falling in love (falling in love) with you
No never I'm never gonna stop
Falling in love with you...
With you...

And I would runaway
I would runaway, yeah..., yeah
I would runaway (runaway)
I would runaway with you

Cause I am falling in love (falling in love) with you
No never I'm never gonna stop
Falling in love with you...

Falling in love (falling in love) with you
No never I'm never gonna stop falling in love with you




Part 23

The forest at night seemed a lot different to Liz, who had been riding in a bright sunlit one earlier the previous day. Rath tried to lead them, but was hampered by the fact that Liz was the only one who seemed to know where they were going.
"East," she kept telling him.
They rode for hours, feeling cold and tired, always heading east, until the night sky started to lighten as somewhere beyond the mountains, the sun was rising.
"It will stay dark until the sun climbs above them," Rath grunted.
Liz, who already knew this, simply nodded.
They had ridden all night in silence, listening for the sounds of any pursuit. Apart from nocturnal animals scurrying through the darkened undergrowth and their own horses, they heard nothing. At last, they came upon a crossroads in the rough track they had been following.
"East?" Rath looked back at Liz who rode a few yards behind him and Maria. "It's only a dozen or so more leagues to the lake."
"We can turn north now," Liz shook her head.
"North?" Rath widened his eyes. "I thought you wanted to rescue Zan?"
"I do," Liz nodded.
"Well, Kivar's camp lies to the south," Rath pointed southwards. "Everybody knows that."

"Which is the way to your village?" Liz asked with a huge grin.
"Excuse me?" Maria stared at Liz as though she had grown two heads.
"It's the answer to that riddle, Maria," Liz smiled. "Which is the way to your village?"
"I don't understand," Maria frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Whichever town she came from, she would point to Truthsville."
"Liz, you're not making sense."
"That riddle the old woman asked me. If the girl was from Truthsville, she would tell the truth and point to Truthsville. So, you just follow the road she pointed to and you'd be sure you'd get there. If she came from Liarsville, she would tell you a lie but she would still point to Truthsville."
"What does this have to do with Kivar?"
"Because everyone says Kivar is to the south," Liz explained, "yet no one ever finds him. The first lesson I had with Zan, the teacher told us that Kivar's lair was in the southern mountains. Even Azande said that Kivar was in the south. But who told them that? Sure, I bet there's something down there. Some kind of assembly area where disaffected soldiers go to join up or something. But I bet Kivar is no where near there. Especially with his frequent trips to the castle to see Vilondra."

"You think that old woman was telling you that Kivar really lives in Liarsville?" Maria narrowed her eyes.
"She said she knew everything," Liz nodded. "She said that there would be many choices on my journey. I think this is one of them."
"What old woman?" Rath twisted his head and stared with suspicion at Liz. "Are you basing your assumption on the words of some stupid old woman you met in the castle?"
"No, Rath," Liz shook her head. "I'm basing everything on my heart. And my heart says to go north."
"So north it is, Spaceboy."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Rath barked, glaring at Maria.
"Cause it annoys you," Maria shrugged.
"You don't have to call me names to annoy me, Maria," he spat. "Your just being here annoys the heck out of me."
"So, what are you saying, Rath? That you would rather be all alone out here in the woods with Liz?"
"Does she have to come?" Rath demanded, turning to face Liz.
"Afraid so," Liz grinned.
Their banter set the tone for the rest of the day. While they rode steadily northwards, Rath and Maria argued. It helped to keep the dark thoughts that had threatened to overwhelm Liz all night from resurfacing.

"I'm hungry," Maria announced after again questioning Rath's manhood.
"Do you ever think of anything except yourself and food?" he shook his head. "I pity the man who is forced to marry you."
"What do you mean, forced, buster?"
"I have some food," Liz interrupted the fresh argument.
"You do?" Maria looked surprised. Then impressed. "Good thinking."
"Where did you get food from?" Rath looked across.
"Same place I got the wine from," Liz shrugged. "The kitchens."
"Azande will be furious."
"You mean he isn't already?" Maria rolled her eyes. "I mean, we snuck out without his permission, we zonko'd his guards, we steal his horses and he's gonna get all pissy 'cause we stole some food, too?"
"Whatever," Rath looked away, muttering under his breath.
"What was that?" Maria called.
"Nothing," Rath gave a sweet and rather false smile.

"It's in one of those smaller bags, Maria," Liz pointed to the pack animal. "Never mind. I'll get it myself." She dismounted and went to the packs. She rummaged in one, found nothing and then turned to the other. As she pulled out some bread and some cheese, she stopped, a worried expression creasing her brow. Liz placed the food on the ground and returned to the first pack. "I've left it behind," she groaned.
"Left what behind?" Maria joined her.
"My journal. I must have left it in my room."
"Well," Maria placed her arm around Liz's shoulder. "You don't really need it, do you?"
"Not really," Liz shook her head. "But it has all my notes in it. You know, the prophecy, the stuff I copied from Syrus's Granolith book. Everything."
"Well, can't be helped Chica. I don't really think that it's a good idea to go back and look for it, is it?"
Nodding, she picked up their breakfast and joined Rath at the small campfire he had started. The baiting began almost immediately.

The only thing that stopped the bickering was the smell of smoke.
"There's a village up ahead," Rath nodded up the trail where thin tendrils of smoke snaked through the trees.
"Should we avoid it?" Maria turned to face Liz. "Want to ride around it?"
"I think we'd better," Liz nodded. "We don't want them telling Azande's soldiers that we passed through."
"They won't," Rath shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Liz spurred her horse forward to stand next to Rath. "Why wouldn't they tell their king's soldiers where the fugitives they're looking for went?"
"Because they don't trust them," Rath shrugged.
"But I thought everyone practically adored Azande," Maria screwed her face up. "Are you suggesting that there's a village out here that doesn't actually worship Azande and it's still standing?"
"Trust me," Rath shook his head, kicking the flanks of his horse and tugging the reins of the packhorse. "They won't tell anyone that we passed through.

Liz couldn't help it. She stared at the village as they rode through. The people were dirty, wearing rags, looking thin and emaciated. There were signs of illness and disease among a few of the less fortunate villagers. The dwellings were little more than mud huts, constructed of branches, reeds, stone and any other material that could be found. Half a dozen fires burned around which dirty children huddled to keep warm.
"This isn't how Syrus explained your society to us," Maria observed.
"Not the utopia you expected?"
"He said that hunger and disease had been eradicated," Liz told him. "He said that everyone lived in harmony."
"Everyone who openly worships Azande," Rath snorted. "There are those who recognize him as a king, but not as a god. Sometimes, he converts them with his soldiers. Mostly though, he forces them to live like pagan savages."
Liz suddenly sat upright. Her eyes searched throughout the camp. Something that had bothered her since their arrival at the village just hit her.
"Where are all the men?" Liz asked. "The boys?"
The villages consisted almost entirely of women, and girls.
"These people have no rights to farm, fish or hunt. The only way to feed their families is to buy food," Raths's tone was dry, "And the only way these people can earn money is to join his majesty's army."
"That explains the men," Maria was looking around too. "What about the boys?"
"There is no age limit to joining Azande's army," Rath shrugged.
"What?" they both sounded outraged.
Rath lowered his head and urged his horse to go faster.

* * *

They passed more villages like the first one, devoid of men and populated by thin, emaciated women. Soon, near to midday, the trail they followed came upon a road, paved with flagstones.
"Now this is better," Maria smiled at the road. "No more branches in my hair, no more..."
"The North Road," Rath nodded.
"So?" Maria huffed.
"For use only by those authorized by Azande. It is constantly watched. You did well to travel East for so long, Elizabeth. If you had tried to use this road, you would have been caught by now."
"But I thought we were travelling north," Liz frowned. "Have you been deliberately misleading us Rath?"
"No," he shook his head, shuddering at the dangerous look Liz was giving him. "Both roads twist and turn with the land. Azande wants his roads to remain level so as not to tire his troops out when they force-march great distances. It was inevitable that we cross it sooner or later."
"So what are we waiting for?" Maria demanded. "Let's cross."
"No!" Rath reached over and grabbed Maria's reins, pulling her horse back. "I said it would be watched. We would do better to wait for nightfall."
"But that's hours away," Maria stared up at the sky.
"No," Rath shook his head. "Darkness falls fast in this part of the world. It's the mountains. At least, the darkness we will require to cross the road unobserved."
"Will whoever watches the road not walk up and down?" Liz wondered. "Is there a danger they'll look down this path and see us?"
"No," Rath smiled. "If you assume that all soldiers are basically lazy, then you can understand why."
"Okay," Liz nodded. "Is anyone else hungry?"
"See," Maria huffed. "Liz thinks about food too, so don't give me any of that!"

* * *

In the twilight left behind when the sun disappeared behind the mountains, Rath ushered them across the road.
"Should we stop here for the night?" Liz stared hard into the dark woods. She did not relish riding through the thick forest when it was so hard to see.
"No," Rath shook his head. "There's a town a few leagues that way. I think a hot meal and a warm bed for the night would be preferable to sleeping on the ground. I did not see any bedrolls in your packs. And I'm not sleeping on the grass for anyone."
"Town?" Liz looked up. "Like the ones we passed?"
"No," he snorted. "This belongs to a Lord who supports... and worships Kivar. So too do his people. It's a town much like Z'ndrina, only smaller."
"Won't they tell anyone who asks that they saw us?" Maria sounded concerned.
"They'll have many visitors," Rath shrugged. "It's a busy market town. If soldiers asked if they saw any strangers in town, they would spend the next year checking them all out."
"This town," Maria was thinking out loud. "They'll have an Inn, yes?"
"Several," Rath nodded.
"You did bring some money, right, Rath?" Liz remembered her shouted order to Maria.
"I did," Rath confirmed though he did not sound too happy about it.
"And these inns..." Maria continued. "They'll have hot baths. Right?"
"If you desire one," he continued to nod. "Though the weather is turning a little cold. Perhaps you should..."
"And you will have one too, won't you Rath?" Maria made it sound like a command.
Rath stopped. His head tilted as he thought of something.
"I will NOT cut my hair!" he bellowed. "Not for you! Not for anyone!" He kicked his horse and hurried along the path.
"Nice try, Maria," Liz laughed. "Better luck next time."
"Sure," Maria grinned. "And I'm sure there will be lot's of next times."

* * *

They were on top of the cottage before they saw it. A small, run down dwelling that none the less looked far more solid than anything they had seen since they left the city. A flickering light glowed from one window. Smoke from the chimney suggested that the light source was a fireplace. A dog started barking, spooking the horses.
"Who's there?" a woman's voice called out.
A small, grey shape emerged from the doorway, pulling a shawl around her shoulders.
The voice caused Liz's horse to rear up, throwing Liz from her saddle.
"Liz!" Maria screamed as Liz hit the floor with a thud.
"I'm all right, Maria," Liz groaned, coughing from the sudden pain in her chest. She climbed to her feet even as Rath and Maria arrived to help her up.
"Liz?" the woman was right next to them. The same height as Liz, her hair was gray and cut shorter. She appeared to be in her late sixties, perhaps her early seventies. She was staring at Liz with something akin to awe. And fear. "Is it really you? Maria?" she turned to face her. "Liz Parker and Maria Daylucha?"
"De'Luca," Maria corrected.
"Do we know you?" Liz frowned. "Have we met before?"
"Liz!" the woman wailed, throwing her arms around Liz's shoulders. "Oh my God. Oh my God. It's you. It's you!" She pulled back from Liz and started running around in small circles, clutching her head. "I can't believe it's really you!"
"Uhm, is everything okay?" Liz looked at the woman, full of concern, and then at Maria.
"You came!" the woman squealed. "You came!"
Maria spun her finger in circles around her forehead.
"Are you okay?" Liz asked the woman, still running around.
"I wanted to meet you!" she grabbed Liz's hands. She danced from one foot to another, clearly distressed about something. "I wanted to be there when you... But he's not here Liz! Max isn't here! You've come at the wrong time. Oh my god. I screwed everything up! Oh my God! Oh my God!"
"Why don't you calm down," Liz suggested. "Let's go inside and perhaps you can tell me what you're talking about. You're kind of confusing right now."
"You shouldn't be here!" the woman yelled. "Not now! Not yet! Max isn't here yet. You're too early! I've doomed us all!" The woman turned and ran into the forest screaming. "What have I done? What have I done?"

"That was weird," Maria nodded with widened eyes.
"Tell me about it," Liz agreed.
"Do you have this affect on everyone you meet?" Rath asked with a smirk.
"Shut up, Space boy!" Maria spat.
"Should we go find her?" Liz turned to face them, fending off another fight. "She needs our help."
"I think it might be best to leave," Rath suggested. "Your presence seemed to upset her, somewhat. Finding her again might do untold damage."
"How did she know us?" Maria frowned. "I mean, she knew who we were. She knew about Max. Have you ever met her before, Liz?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "But she seemed so... familiar. Like I 'should' know her. Something about her... No," she shook her head. "No. I've never met her before, that's for sure."
"Come," Rath urged. "It would be good to reach the town before they lock the gates. They're a superstitious people this far north."

* * *

They arrived at the brightly-lit town just before the guards locked the gates. Not that the gates would have kept anything larger than a marauding badger out. They were frail looking, rickety. Even Liz could have forced her way through them. Maria looked at Rath and rolled her eyes as they rode through them.
"Okay, Columbus," she laughed. "Which way to a good inn. NOT one of your, ahem... 'special' ones."
"This way," Rath pointed with his head. "Why did she call me Columbus?" he frowned at Liz. "Who's he?"
"Have you been here often, Rath?" Liz asked.
"Once or twice," he shrugged.
"It's just... you seem to know your way around."
"Antarian architecture is a bit predictable," he smirked. "The closer to the keep you are, the more money you will have. So it's fair to assume that the more..." he glared at Maria, "...desirable Inns will be that way too."
"Oh," Liz chuckled. "Makes sense, I guess."

No one even cast them a second glance. It was like Rath had said. The Inn was so full of travelers, discussing the conditions of the roads, that no one was interested in three more. One or two young men glanced their way, taking in the figures of the girls, but they were left alone.
"They have only one room," Rath informed them when he returned.
"Should we try another?" Liz looked t Maria.
"There are no others," Rath shook his head. "There are soldiers in town. They've taken every available room in town."
"Searching for us?" Liz gasped.
""No," Rath held his hand up, warning her to remain quiet. "They are answering Azande's summons. He's gathering his forces."
"'Cause he's convinced Kivar's planning something big," Liz nodded.
"Tell me you didn't take it," Maria stared hard at Rath.
"Of course I took it," he spat back. "We're 'supposed' to be sweethearts, aren't we? What man would not want to share a room with his sweetheart?"
"What about Liz?"
"She's supposed to be your maid, remember? She would sleep on the floor."
"Oh no," Maria shook her head, looking outraged. "If you think... It's you sleeping on the floor, buddy."
"Why don't you announce our plans to the whole Inn," Rath shook his head and sighed. "I've asked for hot food to be taken to our room. There's a bath, too. You two go up now. I'll stay here," he looked over at the bar, "and give you time to bathe. I shall come up later."
"Not too late, dear," Maria patted his cheek. "Or you'll find the door locked."
"I will count that as a blessing, then."

* * *

The night passed as eventfully as any night with Maria and Rath in the same room could pass. By morning, Liz was full of sympathy for her parents over what they had endured any time she had invited her friends over for a sleep over. How she had hated her dad when he hissed that 'that was enough' and that it was 'time to go to sleep.' Not anymore. She made a mental note to apologize to him when she returned. 'If' she returned. A tear rolled down her cheek as she thought of her parents, at home, probably crying over a cup of unfinished chocolate, wondering where their baby went, if she was safe and where they had failed as parents. Before she knew what had hit her, Liz was weeping. They were all gone. Her mother, her father, Alex, Kyle and... Zan. Gone. Liz couldn't help it. She started to wail. The squabbling stopped and Liz felt herself surrounded by Maria's arms. They felt nice, comforting even, but she wished that they could have been Max's. Or Zan's.
"Is she going to be okay?" Rath's compassion was touching.
"Yeah," Maria whispered. "As soon as she finds Zan. Or Max."

* * *

They were on the road early. Rath had woken them with the sun, along with some breakfast.
"The horses are out front," he told the girls. "It will be better if we leave before the soldiers rise and clog the streets."
"Okay," they agreed.
They ached all over, groaning as they rose from their beds and chose to stand while eating, rather than sitting on the hard chairs.
"Couldn't you have stolen a carriage?" Maria complained to Liz as they mounted their horses. "It's way too cold to ride on horseback. Is it always this cold in the mornings?"
"We're much higher up in the mountains, now," Rath shrugged, returning his attention to the trail.
There was no name calling between Maria and Rath that morning. Rath seemed too preoccupied and Maria was too miserable.

"Is everything okay, Rath?" Liz frowned as she watched Rath looking this way and that.
"I don't know," he screwed his face up, peering into the distance. "Something doesn't seem quite right."
"What?" Liz looked around.
"Do you hear that?"
Liz strained to listen.
"No," she shook her head. "I don't hear anything, Rath."
"What?" Maria joined them. "What's the prob?"
"Liz can't hear anything," Rath continued to look around.
"News flash, Einstein," Maria cocked her head, listening. "Neither do I."
"And neither do I," Rath glowered.
"So?" Maria looked baffled. "What are you listening to, then?"
"We're in the middle of a forest," Rath looked annoyed. "We should hear animals, birds, anything but nothing."
"Oh, I see. Hear, I mean," Maria giggled.
There was an explosion of yells as half a dozen men leapt out from the surrounding bushes, holding ropes in their hands.
"Hyah!" Rath screeched at the top of his lungs, kicking the flanks of his horse with his heels.
He dropped the reigns to the packhorse and leant low in his saddle, hugging the beast's neck as the horse darted through a gap in the men. His horse leapt a gorse bush and both he and his rider vanished from site. Two of the men gave chase, but gave up when the horse cleared the shrub. Maria screamed. Liz turned to face her. Maria was struggling with a net that had been thrown over her. Before she could even blink, one was thrown over Liz. She stopped fighting when a cruel looking sword was pressed against her stomach.

* * *

"I'm sorry, Maria," Liz whispered. "Sorry for dragging you into this."
"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," Maria smiled, sounding less confident than she looked.
Both young girls were bound hand and foot and were currently leaning against one another, back to back.
"I hope Rath got away," Liz groaned.
"I can't believe him!" Maria wailed. "He could have tried to defend us!"
"They outnumbered him, Maria. Maybe he has a plan!"
"Yeah," Maria retorted as she pulled against the ropes binding her. "It's called self-preservation. He's probably back at that Inn, making goo-goo eyes at some barmaid he met last night. He was gone a long time, wasn't he? I wouldn't put it past him to have set this up, just so that he could go back to her."

"I said no talking," one of their two guards, a short, rough looking man with an eye patch kicked Liz's foot.
"So who gets first pop?" the second guard asked as he looked the girls up and down. He was tall and lean and his face was scarred with huge pockmarks. "The six of us gonna draw cards or something?"
"Why wait?" the first looked around. "There's two of them. And only two of us. The others are looking for the guy that got away. Let's be the first. Why don't we break 'em in ourselves?"
"'Cause we're not bandits, you scumbags," a rough, coarse voice to the side of the girls snarled at the men. "Nor are we rapers of women. You're supposed to be soldiers. So damn well act like one."
"Sorry, sir," both men snapped to attention. "We were only joking, sir. Trying to spook the girls into telling us who they was, is all, sir."
"Morons," the voice spat. "I already know who they are. And what they're doing here. So leave the thinking to me. You just do as you're told."
"Sir, yes sir!"
The two men sat down again. Liz knew that the voice had left.
"Fricken officers," the short man complained. "I bet he just wants 'em for himself."
"You don't wanna let that one hear you cussing him."
"I ain't afraid of him."
"You should be."

There was a commotion further to one side. Four men arrived at the small clearing where they were being held.
"Well?" the rough, unseen voice demanded.
"We tracked his horse for miles," the man who seemed to be in charge of the quartet reported. "He made straight for the North Road. Once he reached it, his tracks vanished. He must have feared the soldiers more than us 'cause he clearly took the road rather than the path."
"So perhaps he's not as stupid as he looks."
Maria couldn't help sniggering.
"We'd better go," the voice continued. "He's bound to ride straight to Azande with some story he'll cook up to save his cowardly hide. Bring the prisoners. Get them on their horses.

"Come on," the pockmarked man grunted as the two guards helped the girls up. "You give us any trouble and you'll... Just don't give us any trouble, all right?"
"Where are you taking us?" Maria tried to sound defiant.
"You'll have to ask the chief," the short man grumbled. "'Cause we're just soldiers and don't know fings like that."
"Who's the chief?" Liz asked.
"He is," they pointed to a man standing behind their horses, tightening their cinches. They couldn't really see him.
"What do you want with us?" Liz demanded through the horses' legs.
"Let us go," Maria struggled against the man holding her. "We haven't done anything to you."
"Let you go?" the hidden man laughed. "After you went to all that trouble to find us?"
"Who are you?" Liz narrowed her eyes but she still could not see him.
"Some call me 'sir'," he laughed. "Others call me 'the chief'. And there are those who even call me 'general'. But you," he smiled, rising. Both of the girls quailed at what they saw. He was a tall man, with wild, unkempt red hair. In his hand, he held a viscous looking sword. "You can call me Nikolas. Ladies," he grinned at them. "We've been awaiting you. So good of you to join us."

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone,

As always, thank you for the wonderful feedback. Ad thank you for those speculations. A few of you have made a guess that has been so close! But not close enough.

AJK001 - Well... maybe the fire is not such a good analogy. More like... well, see for yourself.

woodwinds - Maybe and maybe not. Maybe this is where Liz should be. As for Nikolas, didn't you pick up on his description earlier in my story? And don;t forget that Kivar has someone inside the castle spying for him, andhis relationship with Vilondra, he's bound to know what Liz would plan.

roswellluver - Yup. Rath got away. But what is he up to?

g7silvers - I'm sure Rath knows exactly what he is doing!

BehrObsession - After all the hate mail I recieved after I had that situation with Liz and Nikolas in BRH, I really would not want all that again! That old woman? The answere to your question is yes... and no. And absolutely! It's my one aim in life. Drive BehrObsession crazy.

aurorasky - Well, more surprises to come later. And as for a Liz and Zan reunion? We'll see.

frenchkiss70 - I do know how t drive you crazy. YOur feedback gives me clues everyweek! (but please don;t stop) Oh. And that old woman? Just a thought. Maybe she told Liz that Max wasn't there, because... he wasn't. Ain't I a stinker?

Venus_star2.com Oh yeah! The journal! I wonder who has it? Liz dream was some kind of training, in that it seems to have been trying to tell her something about what to expect here. The dupes? Think about it. And yes, Syrus believe that Max and Liz made love the night og the Gomez concert and the dream ended there.

I am a dreamer - Great idea! Way of base, but it was good, none the less! And her insanity (or moment thereof) is down to something else entirely. Yup, she sure knew Liz, MAx AND MAria. But curious how she got Maria's name wrong, isn't it?

VeronicB - Yeah. Rath and rescues don't seem to go hand in hand, do
they?

Alma - Well, IF Kivar has Zan, and as Ava IS Kivar's sister... what do you think?

smokie - Yup. Love teasing you YOur speculation about Zan and his journey? Very good! But you are missing something. When 'it' happens, you can take your bow then, okay? Ah yeas. Syrus and his opinions of Antar. Now why would he tell Liz those lies?

LTL - Well, it depends what you fall into his hands for? And that old woman would not have told her any more than she already did. Trust me. Someone familiar? In a way, yes. An older version of someone Liz knows? No. Liz never met this woman before in her life. Or her dream. Remember this. IT IS IMPORTANT.

paper - Max vs Zan? Yeah, in a way. And she is doomed to heartache regardless, because she wants to go home, and Zan wants to stay. As for Nicholas finding them, the palace was riddled with spys. Who knows who else spys for Kivar? And kudos. So far, no one has mentioned the link between Rath and his murdered father being a teacher murdered in an ally one night. Zan's mother was trying to ensure that the game went her way, and not someone elses. She is not planning to put Zan into a pod... yet.

mareli - Yup. Can't see Rath growing a pair THAT fast. I think we've seen the last of him for a while. So, yeah. Lix, Zan and MAria are all in Kivar's hands. Uhm...

Roswelllostcause - Why be mad at Nikolas? He might be taking Liz to see Zan. You do want Liz to see Zan... don't you? Well, that old woman SEEMED friendly. She certainly knew who they were. And Rath went... well, you'll see.

Teresa - Actually, I think you misunderstood. After your comment about a man needing a woman to rescue him, I was asking for volunteers to... oh well. Never mind! Liz's journal? Who know where it will turn up.

missjamie - That woman, well, sorry. Can't explain it yet. As for Rath? Where do you think he might go?

NorafanofMAxandLiz - Liz does not know this woman. She has never met her, has never heard of her. And she did not bring Liz here. Okay, since you asked so nicely, I will let you write the paragraphs for Kivar and Nikolas' deaths. I'll even highlight that you wrote them for me just before they appear so that everyone knows what you did. Okay? Can't say fairer than that, right? Look forward to the Oreos and Jelly Bellys

kissme4ever123 - Well, so far, everyone is all right. So I guess I'm doing well.




"Desperado"
The Eagles

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet

Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone

Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're loosin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late


Part 24

"Where are we going?" Liz found the courage to ask.
They had been riding - in silence - for what seemed like ages. Nikolas had ordered them blindfolded, and they had been tied to their horses. The other riders led the girls' mounts. Feeling the sun on her back, she knew that they were still riding north, and that the sun has moved a considerable distance. They had stopped to eat once, around midday, Liz deduced, but their blindfolds had been left in place. She knew that by now, it would be getting dark.
"You mean you can't guess?" Nikolas sounded amused.
"I know we're going to Kivar's camp," Liz would have rolled her eyes had they not been hidden. "What I meant was, where?"
"Be pretty stupid to blindfold you so that you don't know where the camp is and then go and tell you its precise location, wouldn't it?"
"That suggests there's a possibility of you releasing us?"
"You think that we are like those murdering scum, Azande, Zan and Denda?" Nikolas's voice sneered. "We do not butcher innocent people."
"Not what I heard," Maria spat.
Nikolas chose not to respond.
"Talking of... Zan," Liz's voice wavered. She swallowed. "Is he... is he still...?"
"Alive?" Nikolas finished. He started to nod. "For the moment. For the moment."
Liz breathed a sigh of relief. Zan was still alive. If Rath was following them, maybe there was a chance they could free him. She heard a horse approaching from behind.
"Any sign of followers?" Nikolas asked.
"No," a voice responded. "Rath isn't within fifty leagues of this camp. I'll stake my life on it."
"Pray you don't have to," Nikolas's voice had an edge to it.

* * *

"Sounds like we're here," Maria whispered as the sounds of their surroundings changed. Gone was the skitter of animals and the chirping of birds. They were replaced by the sounds of people moving, talking, cooking. People going about their every day lives. "Where ever here is."
"I never met Kivar in my dream," Liz whispered back. "I sort of saw Nikolas. He was this little kid, an adolescent, not some... barbarian. Oh wait. I did sort of see Kivar at Isabel's wedding. Of course, I didn't really see him, rather... it's complicated. Like I watched an episode of some teen drama. You know? Through someone else's eyes?"
"What was he like?"
"Well, he like, inhabited this human who went missing. He was handsome. Sort of. Tall, late twenties. Dark hair, I think. He wanted Isabel... I mean, Vilondra to fall in love with him or something."
"So going with how everything in your dream is coming out skew-whiff in reality, Kivar is going to be short, fat, bald and ugly as sin?"
"Can you feel everyone looking at you?" Liz changed the subject. "I can. I can almost sense them stopping what they're doing and watching us."
"Keep your head up, Liz," Maria suggested. "They've probably never seen anyone as classy as us. Smile like you're not afraid."
"I'm not," Liz shrugged. "I'm supposed to be here, I think."

The sounds of the people and their lives faded, giving way to more voices that sounded less 'homey' and more military. Fires crackled without the delicious aromas that had accompanied them earlier. The clashing of steel against steel rang out. Someone was practicing with swords. It had the feel of an army camp. The horses stopped and the two girls heard the sounds of men climbing down from horses.
"Help the ladies down," Nikolas ordered. "And treat them with decency or I'll carve your kidneys out. Remove their bindings. You two, take their packs to that tent over there."
"Yes sir," voices rang out.
A pair of hands helped Liz dismount her horse. They were gentle, and made no unwelcome maneuvers. When she was standing on her own feet, the hands started to remove her blindfold. She closed her eyes against the stabbing pain from the light, but as she slowly opened them, there wasn't any. It had grown quite dark. She saw Maria to one side, watching her guard untying her bonds while the other guard undid hers. Looking around, there was no sign of Nikolas.

Liz had been correct. They were in the midst of a military encampment, though the few soldiers that they could see wore no uniform. Their equipment was a hodge-podge of preferred or available weapons and armor. To their right, a dozen or so men were sparring in a clearing, practicing with swords under the watchful eye of another soldier. None of the swords were lined in blue.
"This way, ladies," one of their captors gave a slight bow and pointed to a large tent, sent back from the main encampment but close to a larger, crimson tent.
"Aren't we like, being put in a cell?" Maria looked from the white tent to the nervous guard. "A dungeon or something?"
"Would you be more comfortable?" the guard frowned. "I'm sure we could find..."
"This will be fine, thank you," Liz grabbed Maria and pulled her toward the tent.
"There will be hot water for you," he called. "Your bags have already been placed inside. You might wish to freshen up before meeting with Kivar. Will you need someone to help, do you think?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "We're good, thanks."
"Okay," he nodded. "Someone will come for you within the hour. Oh. Are you hungry? I'm sure that Kivar will provide food, but I could perhaps arrange for a snack?"
"We're okay," Liz nodded, looking at Maria.
"Well, I'm sorry if we were a bit rough back there, but I hope to see you around. Good evening, Ladies."

"Now this kind of behavior, I didn't expect," Maria shook her head as they stepped into the tent. "All politeness and... wow!" She stopped to survey the tent's interior. "And I thought our room at the castle was sumptuous."
If a tent could ever be described as luxurious, this was it. In spite of the temporary nature of a tent, its interior had the look and feel of permanence. Outside, the night air had been cold. Inside, it was pleasant. The tent was illuminated with an unseen source, as it had been at the castle. Beside a large table, two steaming tubs of water frothed with a mountain of bubbles.
"Well," Liz started to undress. "Let's get this over with."
"What are you doing!" Maria hissed. "Those guards... they... and we..."
"You heard Nikolas," Liz shrugged. "I get the impression that everyone is terrified of him. We're probably safer here than we ever were in the castle."
"How can we be safer when we're Kivar's prisoners?"
"We're not prisoner's, Maria," Liz smiled. "We're guests. And I for one do not want to feel like a scarecrow when we finally meet our enemy."
"'Our' enemy?" Maria's eyes widened.
"The enemy of my friend is my enemy," Liz smiled.

* * *

Liz blinked when she finally saw Kivar. Led into the large, red tent right next to theirs, they found him sitting at a dinner table set for four. He rose when he saw the ladies enter. He appeared only just shorter than Zan. Wearing white robes seemed to make his hair almost glow. His gray eyes seemed lifeless. She forced down her shudder. There was a sense of awareness about him, as though she had met him before. Just as she had felt that she had met that woman in the forest before. In spite of his appearance, Liz could not help herself. Her eyes were drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
"Good evening, ladies," he bowed. "Welcome to my home."
"Thank you," Liz nodded, looking at the tall man with the long silvery white hair.
"And your accommodation?" he waited for them to be seated before sitting himself. "It is satisfactory?"
"You can say that again," Maria rolled her eyes.
Kivar turned and smiled at her.
"And my men? They treated you well?"
"They did," Liz confirmed. "Well, one or two thought we were some kind of prize, I think. But Nikolas soon sorted them out. I must say that our treatment has been remarkably civil."
"Of course," Kivar shrugged. "We are, after all, bandits, thieves, rogues, rebels, traitorous scum who butcher innocents and seek chaos and disorder wherever we go."

"Tell that to Orest," Liz leveled a neutral glare at him. Kivar blinked. "Yeah. I heard all about Orest. And there was another one. When we just arrived. Westendeep? Something like that."
"And did you see us commit these atrocities?" Kivar's pale face returned to its normal hue after it had colored for a moment.
"I was told about it. By Zan, and others."
"I see. You heard all about it from a member of the royal family and some of their lackeys," Kivar sighed. "So of course, it has to have been the absolute truth. Oh well. For now, shall we call a truce? Let us put aside our differences, for awhile at least, and be polite. The cooks have outdone themselves, I'm told. I think they want to impress you. You have made quite an impression on these people. Anyone who can make Zan seem even remotely normal must be magical indeed."
"I suppose we'll dine in splendor while your followers eat rat and roots?" Maria sneered, though she was eager to eat. The smells coming from another room - the kitchen, she assumed - were divine.
"No," Kivar shook his head. "My... 'followers' will be eating the same provisions that we eat. However, I will admit to employing some people to cook it for me tonight, but it's the same fare. Even our prisoners will eat the same."
"Talking of prisoners," Liz looked at him. "I'd like to see Zan. As soon as possible. I want to make sure he's all right."
"Of course," Kivar nodded. "I'll have you escorted to him after you have eaten. In fact, I have heard how close the two of you have become. So, because I am such a horrible and evil man, you may visit with him any time you wish, just so long as you clear it with me first. I can't have you dropping in on him at an inopportune moment."
"You're torturing him?" Liz gasped, all kinds of horrific visions appearing in her mind.
"Please, Elizabeth," Kivar looked shocked. He raised his hands. "Whatever preconceptions you may have formed about me, we are not barbarians." Nikolas entered the room and greeted them with a grunt that would have been more at home during the Paleolithic era. Kivar nodded at him. "Well, apart from Nikolas here."
Nikolas sat down with a growl, glaring at Kivar.
"He looks like a Teddy Bear," Maria smirked.
Nikolas' eyes burned as he tried to stare Maria down. She barely even flinched.
"Ah," Kivar laughed. "We appear to have found someone you don't frighten, Nikolas.
"'Cause she don't know me," Nikolas' voice was low and threatening.
"And 'that's' supposed to frighten me?" Maria faked a shudder. "I'm so scared. Not."
"No, Elizabeth," Kivar shook his head and returned to his conversation with Liz. "As he is a prisoner of war, we do have rights to question Zan. But we are not torturing him."
"Thank you, Kivar," Liz's eyes softened a little.
"I'd get him to answer," Nikolas flexed his muscles. "Five minutes alone is all I'd need and he'd tell us everything. Pathetic little runt."
"As you can see," Kivar laughed. "Nikolas has little regard for him. It's a pity we couldn't get that feeble minded poodle of his. Rath."
"Yeah," Nikolas was staring at Kivar. "Pity. Are those wenches ever going to serve us? I'm starving."

* * *

Liz stood at the top of the stairs that led down into an underground chamber. This was their prison, according to Kivar. She glanced at her escort, who nodded that she should continue down the stairs. Liz wondered how she might be received. Would Zan be pleased to see her? Or would he be upset that she had placed herself in such danger, just for him? Or... - Liz swallowed, hardly believing that the thought had entered her head - or would her appearance here lead him to believe that she had been in league with Kivar all this time, that she had simply been using him?
"No," she shook her head, talking to no one in particular. "He's basically Max. He'll know why I'm here."
Taking a huge breath, Liz started to descend to the iron door at the bottom of the steps. She tried the door handle, but found that it was locked. A small opening appeared, a pair of eyes stared out at her.
"What do you want?" she heard a muffled voice ask.
"I...," Liz reached into her pocket, producing the permission slip that Kivar had given her. "I've come to see Zan."
"I see," a hand reached out and took the slip. "One moment."
The locking mechanism started to click as someone unlocked it. The door swung open.
"You may enter," a guard indicated.
Unlike the other soldiers she had seen, this one wore a purple tunic over a shirt of chain mail. Small silver symbols appeared to be etched onto the purple cloth, symbols that Liz had seen in her dream. Prominent on his chest was the symbol she recognized as the four square.
"What?" the guard started to look down at his chest. "What do you see?"
He was unsettled by the way she was looking at him.
"Nothing," Liz shook her head. "Nothing at all. So... Zan?"
"This way," the guard eyed her with a wary unease.

She saw him first. Zan was sitting in a small cell, huddled in the corner like a lost child, his knees drawn up to his chest with his arms locked around them. He stared upwards, to a skylight in the ceiling of his cell. The floor, the ceiling and three of the walls were made of metal while the fourth consisted of thin metal bars, spaced six inches apart. Liz knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the metal was what she knew as depleted uranium. Other than his defeated demeanor, he did not appear harmed in anyway.

"Zan?" She called out, a little hesitation in her voice.
Zan looked up.
At first, his eyes went to the door but they turned swiftly to face her. He blinked, rubbed his eyes and blinked again.
"Liz?" his voice shook with wonderment. "Liz, is that really you?"
"It's me, Zan," Liz smiled, approaching the bars. "Are you... are you okay?"
"I'm okay," he nodded. "Nothing a week of bed and rest would cure. What... uh... what are you doing here? Oh my god. Did Kivar capture you too?" He rose and stepped up to the bars. "Please tell me your okay."
"I'm okay," she nodded. "I... You don't understand. I came to rescue you."
"You did?" he looked surprise. He looked past Liz. "You brought my father's army?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "He didn't... uhm... It's just me and Maria. Well, Rath came too, but when Kivar's men appeared from nowhere... he ran away."
"Oh," Zan's shoulders fell, the sudden hope wiped from his face.
"Maybe Rath will bring help?" Liz suggested.
"Rath... uhm... he's not the bravest of men," Zan looked down. "He's terrified of Kivar and Nikolas." His voice fell to a whisper. "So am I. But at least with me... I get a trial, you know? There's at least some hope for me to be freed. But Rath... they'll kill him on the spot."

"Oh," Liz felt bad. "I'm sorry I dragged him into this. I never really thought... He must hate me."
"Not Rath," Zan smiled. "For all his faults, he's a great friend. He would have helped you anyway."
"I kind of forced him into it."
"He won't care. He knows you did it for the right reasons. So... is Kivar locking you up down here, too? What about Maria?"
"No, uhm..." Liz blushed. "Kivar's given us a tent. You know, up there," Liz pointed upwards. "It's near his."
"It his, huh?" there was a catch to his voice. "And you are, uh... okay with this?"
"Yeah," Liz nodded. "I mean, I don't... wait. Are you jealous?"
"Me?" Zan hid his mood badly. "No! No way. It's just..." His head dropped. "Yes. I am. I mean..." he reached through the bars and stroked her cheek. "He is free to see you any time he chooses, while I am not, and... Kivar is everything I'm not."
"Yeah, Zan? He also has no chance of becoming Max."
Zan looked around his cell.
"I have some news for you," he gave a rueful smile. "I doubt that I have much chance, myself."
"I'll think of something," Liz promised, her eyes burning into Zan's. "A plan. Something. Anything."
"Don't do anything to jeopardize your safety," Zan shook his head, grasping Liz's arms through the bars. "I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you, because of me."
"Don't worry, Zan," Liz soothed. "Kivar says that we're not prisoners; that we're free to leave any time we choose. So I doubt we're in any real danger. It's just... I don't choose to leave without you."
"Liz, please," he squeezed her forearms. "Don't trust Kivar. Remember that he is opposed to the monarchy. He will do and say anything to get his way."
"I don't think..."
"Please, Liz. Promise me that you won't..." Zan swallowed. "You won't fall under his spell."
"I promise," she nodded. "But you should know, Zan..." Liz smiled. "After you, everyone is like... second best."
"You told Max that," Zan nodded. He was no longer smiling. "In your dream, remember?"
"I did," she chuckled. "So does that make you feel better at all?"
"No," Zan shook his head. "After you said that to him, things changed. And not for the better."

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone!

Thank you all so very much for your feedback. And I thank you for your dpeculations. You will be pleased to know that things start getting wound back in soon, though this in itself will raise more questions than get answered. And of course, the biggest question will be... Nah. I'll let you ask.

AJK001 - It's a difficult concept, isn't it? Kivar not being as evil as he was portrayed. Or is he?

kissme4ever123 - To paraphrase a famous (an hitherto unexplored) Roswell character. you'll get some Zan and Liz when you get some Zan and Liz.

Alma - Oh-ho! And guess how close Ava is?

mezz - He sure did. Glad you are enjoying

BehrObsession - Yup. Something devious. Yes. Remarkable how Liz recognises people she's never met before. And yes, Zan is 95% our Max, now.

Smac - I agree! Who in their right mind would trust Kivar? I bet he's up to something!
And as for Zan not trusting him...

roswellluver - Well, who wouldn;t treat Liz and Maria well?

cherie - Welcome back Make a change! My devious mind beinf 'missed'

Venus_star2.com - Thank you Yes, the symbols are from her dream. Hmmm.... Kivar putting Zan under his spell? Close. Kivar wants to put Zan undersomething!

frenchkiss70 - Wow. If Kivar unsettled you after that, I can only imagine the effect after tohight. Yup. A REAL blast! LOL The foursquare was really there. It wasn't a vision. It's Kivar's emblem. And BTW. Right.

aurorasky - As they will, right to the end. Or could he be fearing something worse? Like Zan and Liz falling further apart? Oh oh!

VeronicaB - Yes, Kivar definately wants to be on Liz good side. Why? Maybe he's not the monster everyone thinks!

NorafanofMaxandLiz - 'Back' at my wicked ways? You mean I haven't been there lately? Note to self, must try harder. Kivar DOES have an agenda, and that is to remove the monarchy. And you know what? That's a really good quastion you asked about Zan being kept in that cell. Would do you good to consider that. Aspirin on ther way. LOL

LTL - As a certain individual might say... Curiouser and curiouser! LOL

mareli - Ah, yes. Now what IF Kivar heard the prophecy? Does that mean he might want Liz for himself? ANd what would that mean for Zan?

YonkersMe - Well, what can I say? Thank you to ever recommended you tio real my 'evil genius' and thank you for not heading their warnings. What? Did they really say - "Don;t read WR, cause he's this really evil genious? LOL.
Fear not. If you had followed my stories in the past, you will know that I have completed EVERY fic I have started to post, and I post regularly. Once a week every friday. SOMETIMES, I may miss a friday, but it is so very rare. Now, that old mysterious woman, it was never made clear WHO she was talking to, but you can assume it was Kivar and not Denda. Anyway, you will hopefully have heard that part of my evilness is that I seldom give things away. Hpe to see more of you

BelevnDreamsToo - As I always say, the fb is great, but it's better that you still read me. I would hate to think that you just grew bored of my story. Now, Rath? Hmmm... I wonder where he got to?

Teresa - Flexible muscles? Wiggly bottom? batable eyelashes? Pouty lips? Long hair? If it's dark, you're hired! Am I being too nice? Ah yes. Does Kivar know about the prophecy? And does he want Liz? I'll let you decide.

SarahWhitman - WB. And thak you for that honor. And yes, I can see Liz becoming VERY confused. Hope she can figure it all out before it's too late.

Serephinah - Well, here it is. Next week already


Little Lies
Fleetwood Mac

If I could turn the page
In time then I'd rearrange
Just a day or two
Close my, close my, close my eyes

But I couldn't find a way
So I'll settle for one day
To believe in you
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies

Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies

Although I'm not making plans
I hope that you understand
There's a reason why
Close your, close your, close your eyes

No more broken hearts
We're better off apart
Let's give it a try
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies

Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies

If I could turn the page
In time then I'd rearrange
Just a day or two
Close my, close my, close my eyes

But I couldn't find a way
So I'll settle for one day
To believe in you
Tell me, tell me, tell me lies

Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)

Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me lies, tell me, tell me lies)
Oh, no, no you can't disguise
(You can't disguise, no you can't disguise)
Tell me lies
Tell me sweet little lies
(Tell me, tell me lies)


Part 25

In spite of it being without a doubt, the most comfortable bed that she had ever slept on, Liz did not sleep very well that night. She couldn't help feel guilty that while she lay here in luxury, Zan was being forced to sleep on a cold, metal floor. Her mind also replayed segments of her conversation with Zan.

"Are they treating you well?"
"They are," Zan agreed. "At least, they don't torture me or anything."
"Do they feed you?"
"Yes. Quite well, actually."
"I expect the guards torment you. You know, gloat and that?"
"No," Zan shook his head. "Not at all. In fact, unless someone comes to see me, which is rare, I never see the guards." He patted the bars. "It's not like I can get out."
"No one checks on you?" Liz's mind whirled. "That's good to know."

Another part of the dream helped to relax her, as others wound her up. It had come at the end, when she was saying goodbye.

"Although I am concerned for your safety, Liz, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you."
"Really?" she smiled.
"Really," he nodded.
He reached through the bars, caressed the side of her cheek, leaned forward and brushed a light, soft kiss against it. Smiling, Liz leaned and placed her soft kiss on Zan's startled lips.
"See you tomorrow," she whispered.
Zan could only stand with his fingers touching his lips, where she had kissed him.

And behind all of her thoughts, a tall man, with long silver hair and white robes watched.

* * *

Dawn was a long time coming. When it finally arrived, Liz rose, washed, and dressed herself, ready for a new day.
"Good morning, my lady," a young girl entered the tent. She held her face down, almost afraid of looking at Liz. "I've brought breakfast for you and Lady Maria."
"Thank you," Liz smiled. "You can, uh... put it down over there."
"Yes, ma'am," the girl gave a short curtsy. "And I have a message. Kivar bids you a good morning and wonders if he might show you around the camp this morning?"
"Oh, I..." Liz looked back to Maria's compartment, "I'm not sure what my plans are."
"Well, I do know that Lady Maria has convinced Nikolas to show her around."
"She has, has she?" Liz shrugged. "Well, I guess my morning's free then. Tell Kivar that I would like that. Thank you."

"Morning," Maria yawned.
"Morning," Liz nodded. "What's this I hear about you and Nikolas?"
"What?" Maria shrugged. "I thought I could, like, pump him for information. He's Kivar's second-in-command or something, isn't he? He must know almost everything. And Kivar wasn't giving much away, was he?"
"Well, I'm hoping to change that," Liz gave a tight smile. "He's showing me around the camp this morning."
"See if you can work out where we are."
"That's easy, Maria," Liz rolled her eyes. "We're up north. Once we get Zan out, we head south."
"Speaking of whom... How is he?"
"I'm not sure," Liz's face fell. "He's scared, Maria."
"Nikolas said that they're going to execute him soon. He says that he's going to do it, personally."
"I'll bet he'll enjoy that," Liz growled.
"I'll work on him," Maria grinned. "The old DeLuca charm can go a long way."
"But be careful, yeah?" Liz's face filled with concern. "Don't like, antagonize him or anything."
"Me?" Maria's face was masked with innocence. "Whatever makes you think I would even do such a thing?"
"I wonder," Liz's voice was dry.

* * *

"This, as you can see, is our military compound," Kivar stood just outside the doorway to Liz's tent and waved his outstretched hand in a slow arc.
"Could you explain something?" Liz watched some soldiers practicing with their swords.
"You have but to ask," Kivar nodded.
"None of these men," Liz pointed, "wear a uniform of any kind. But the men who were guarding Zan wore a purple tabard over a chain shirt. What's the difference between them? Are the ones in purple, like, your secret police or something?"
"No," Kivar smiled. "Nothing so melodramatic. These men you see here are still in training. We will not allow any man to face Azande's soldiers until he has shown he can look after himself in battle. I will not have men killed needlessly for want of training. Being awarded the purple tabard is the sign that a man has gained that trust. Usually, we send those men to one of our many staging posts. As you can imagine, the logistics for an army of any size can be a problem. And a problem shared is a problem halved, so to speak."
"And what does that symbol mean?" Liz drew the four-square in the air.
"Ah," Kivar laughed. "Permit me some secrets, please?"

"So how many men do you have here?" Liz glanced around. "There don't seem to be many."
Liz realized that Kivar was no longer beside her. She looked back to see him staring up into the air, through the clearing in the trees. She looked up at the large space. A couple of thin, white clouds were floating past in the clear blue sky. The leaves that still clung to branches swayed in the light breeze. A few large, black birds flew in a wide circle above the clearing. She looked back at Kivar and then up again, trying to see what was holding his attention.
"Only three?" his face was puzzled. "This is not good. Not good at all."
"What's not good?" Liz asked.
Kivar looked back down at Liz and seemed surprised to see her there.
"I'm sorry," he shook his head. "You asked something about my men?"
"Uh, yeah," Liz narrowed her eyes and looked up again. "There doesn't seem to be many of them. Your men, I mean. How many do you have here?"
"As much as I like you, Elizabeth, I think that sort of question is best left for Azande's spies to try and find out, don't you? But we only ever have a few guards on duty here at any one time anyway. Training, for the most part. But some guard duty is involved. I am, after all, considered their leader."

"Considered?" Liz arched an eyebrow. "Like, elected or something?"
"Not elected," Kivar shook his head. "No. Until I chanced upon a small group of... rebels, opposed to King Azande's methods, they had no one leader. Just hundreds and hundreds of small groups. All with the same aim, but with no direction. So, I sort of pointed them in one. Soon, other bands heard about me and joined. Our numbers grew as word was spread."
"And everyone just accepted you as their leader," Liz narrowed her eyes. "Just like that?"
"No," Kivar shook his head. "Not just like that. Many questioned my right to lead, and others sought to replace me, by force if necessary."
"I expect you gave them a decent burial, right?" Liz shook her head.
"Why do you insist on believing the worst of me?" Kivar looked down on her. "I allowed any who wanted it to take the reigns of command in my stead. I willingly stood aside. In fact, if I were to come across a man better suited than I to leading, then he may take full control with my blessing. I only stepped back in and reclaimed leadership when they were about to be lynched by a very angry mob. So you see, they are very much alive today. Well, one or two have long since perished in skirmishes, but that is the price we pay."
"You expect me to believe that you didn't just execute anyone who questioned your authority?"

Kivar looked long and hard at her before sighing, shaking his head.
"I guess I don't expect you to believe anything," he said softly. "You are clearly set against me so nothing I say to you will be believed. In your eyes, I have been tried and found guilty with no sign of a defense. You must come from a very harsh country."
"What about Zan? Will he be allowed a defense?"
"Does he have one? Zan t'Azande, you are hereby charged with being an heir to the throne of Antar and to being a descendant of King Azande. How do you plead? Can he honestly say that he is not guilty of those charges?"
"But being the son of a bad king is hardly a crime."
"Tell that to my followers, Elizabeth," Kivar looked out across the compound to the distant tented village. "Come. We have more to see."

"This," Kivar pointed to a series of large white tents, "is our hospital. Many people arrive at this camp weak from malnutrition, or ravaged by illness and disease. Most times, from both. Many have injuries from fighting, or fleeing. Stab wounds, broken limbs; that sort of thing. We look after them here until they are able to rejoin their friends."
"Is the recovery rate good?" Liz peered into an opened tent . She could see rows of beds with people lying on them.
"The sick and the wounded from Orest," Kivar nodded at the tent. "Feel free to come back and talk to them any time, Elizabeth. Ask them about my cruelty and how I destroyed their village, killing every man, woman and child. Ask them what a monster I am."
Liz looked up and blushed.

"The recovery rate is not as good as I would like. One in four will not make it. But those odds are better than if they tried to live in the wild."
"And what if they choose not to stay?" she asked. "What if they decide that they have no wish to be part of a rebel army?"
"Then they, like you, are free to go. Any time they choose. We will even escort them to the borders of another country, if that is their wish, for surely, they will not be free under Azande."
"While I am your prisoner..." Liz saw the pained look Kivar threw at her, "...uhm, I mean, guest, could I help out? In the hospital, I mean?"
"I thought you might have preferred our school," Kivar smiled.

"You have a school?" Liz's jaw dropped.
"Of course," Kivar frowned. "Why are you so surprised? Are the children not our future? Shouldn't they be taught?"
"Oh, I see," Liz nodded. "Indoctrination. Kivar is great, Kivar is a wonderful leader. Four legs good, two legs ba-a-a-ad."
"Excuse me?" Kivar turned his gray eyes on Liz. "The first part, I understood. But that last? Four legs are good but two are bad? Explain."
"It's a kind of joke," Liz shook her head with a sigh.

"Aren't jokes supposed to be funny?" Kivar narrowed his eyes. "I do not think that what I do here is funny, Elizabeth. We have children of all ages, whose home lives have been disrupted by a king who cares only for his search for immortality. They come to me, traumatized by their experiences. I try to give them some sort of normality and for this, you mock me? My enemies, I understand. They are ignorant and afraid. You, however, I do not. For someone apparently so intelligent, you are incredibly stupid."
"There's no need to call me names," Liz's face burned.
"I see. You can dish it out, but are unable to take it."
"I... I'm, sorry, okay? I've heard all these bad things about you and you have Zan in a cell and plan to... kill him. How am I supposed to think anything but bad thoughts? Free Zan, and maybe I'll see that you aren't some... monster."
"Nice try, Elizabeth," Kivar smirked. "But Zan remains where he is. Now, would you like to see our school?"

If Liz was convinced that Kivar was a cold hearted dictator, that soon started to fade as soon as she approached the small areas of woodland clearing that had been designated as classrooms.
"Kivar!" someone shouted, spotting their approach.
"Oops," Kivar blushed.
"What do you mean, oops?" Liz frowned.
The classroom erupted. Every student leapt to their feet and rushed at the silvery haired man. As the commotion disrupted other classes, those students too flocked to their... hero.
"I'll get into trouble now," he chuckled, as he lifted one small boy up onto his shoulders. "The teachers hate it when I drop in unannounced. I seem to disrupt their lessons."
Around his legs, the children of all ages were bouncing up and down, calling his name, trying to attract his attention. He tried to speak to, and to touch, as many as he could, calling many of them by name. He ruffled their hair and patted their backs. In spite of herself, Liz couldn't help smiling.

"What is going on here?" an elderly female's voice called out.
The children stopped their clamor at once. Even Kivar ducked his head.
"Oh, hello Constanz," Kivar's voice was less than confident.
"Kivar," the tight, cold voice replied. "How many times must I tell you not to disrupt our classes like that? You stick to your politics and leave me the luxury of trying to drum some education into children who should know better than to leave their lessons without permission. Back to your classes," she clapped her hands. "Now! Or there will be detentions for everyone!"
"Yes, miss," the children droned, their faces as long as could be as they trudged back to their classrooms.
"Just what do you have to say for yourself, Kivar?"
"This is Constanz," Kivar faced Liz. "Constanz, this is Elizabeth. She's here as our guest for a while."
"The girl who's actually made Zan attend his lessons?" she raised a single eyebrow as she nodded at Liz. "I'm impressed."
"She might be staying a while. If she has a notion, would you like her assistance at the school?"
"Not if you will be appearing every five minutes to ogle her."
"I would do no such thing!" Kivar sounded outraged.
"I may be old, Kivar," she snapped. "But do me the courtesy of not assuming that I am blind. I can see. Perfectly well, in fact. Now if you'll excuse me, some of us have real work to do."
"Before you go, Constanz," Kivar reached out and touched her shoulder. "How is the indoctrination going? Have you taught them to recite 'Kivar is good, Kivar is a wonderful leader,' yet?"
"What nonsense is this?" she barked. "If you insist on wasting more of my time, I'll have them all chanting 'Kivar is an obnoxious, supercilious dunderhead' by the end of the week. Now leave!"
"You see?" Kivar shrugged as he led Liz away. "Even if I wanted to indoctrinate them, I'd have to replace Constanz first. And as she's the best damn teacher I've ever seen... well, that's not going to happen."

From the school, Kivar took Liz past the administration tent.
"It's where we keep the records of where everyone comes from," Kivar explained. "We note who's missing, who's dead, that sort of thing. It's our hope that we can reunite families who have been separated when... well, you know."
From there, they crossed back into the camp and past the prison. Liz noted that there were now four guards wearing purple tabards standing outside.
"I'd offer to take you down to see Zan, but he's being questioned again. We're kind of hoping that maybe he'll be more cooperative now that you're here. And before you ask, no, we will not use the threat of violence against you to trick him or anything like that. We hope that maybe he will mellow. That's all."
Afterwards, he took Liz to the village. In truth, it was a collection of villages, with small gaps of trees and shrubs between them.
"Kivar!" a soldier called.
"Excuse me, Elizabeth," Kivar turned to face the man.
"A runner has arrived," the soldier announced. "With news."
"Forgive me, Elizabeth," Kivar apologized. "This sounds like something I should attend to. Please, continue your wandering. Feel free to ask any question of anyone. You are free to visit anywhere, with the exception of Zan's cell. You may visit him later on, but as always, please see me first."
Liz watched Kivar walk away with the soldier, her head shaking at the enigma of him.

"He's quite the dashing hero, isn't he?" a soft voice spoke from behind her.
"Excuse me?" Liz turned to face the woman who spoke. She was carrying a basket of wet clothing. "Who is?"
"Kivar," she smiled, nodding at his retreating back. "He's unattached, you know."
"Really," Liz rolled her eyes. "Haven't you heard of Vilondra?"
"The King's daughter?" she laughed. "She has as much chance of marrying Kivar as you have of marrying Prince Zan."
"Actually," Liz smirked. "I've come to see Zan. Kivar's just showing me around."
"Well, as much chance of me marrying Zan, then. None at all."
"Well, my interest is in Zan, not Kivar."
"I saw you looking at him."
"I was only trying to puzzle him out," Liz shook her head. "You see, all this time, I've heard he was this... monster."
"But now you're finding out he's not."
"But then again," Liz shrugged. "Zan's not the person you all think he is, either. So it goes both ways, you know."
"Well, with Zan, and Denda too, for that matter, we'd rather not find out. Kivar will rid us of the monarchy and we will finally have the peace we have prayed for."
"So, how long have you been here?" The woman appeared to be in her late thirties.
"Here? Only a few months. With Kivar? Two years. Ever since he appeared with Nikolas to lead us forward."
"So why did you rebel against Azande's rule in the first place?"
The woman looked at her.
"Come with me," she nodded.

Liz followed the woman back to her tent, where she placed her washing basket on a large rock. She turned and walked toward another 'village'.
"Oriel," she called as she approached the small cluster of tents.
A young woman, not much older than Liz, stopped her work and looked up.
"This is Oriel," the woman told Liz. "Oriel, this young lady is a visitor who's not sure about our Kivar. She thinks he might be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Perhaps you could tell her how you came to be here?"
Oriel looked down, wiped her hands on her apron and then looked back up.

"It was a beautiful day," Oriel started. "Some of the men folk went out to the woods, hunting, even though they're not supposed to. Just after sunup, we heard them. The king's soldiers, led by that bastard, Kharden. He and twenty horsemen charged through our village, wielding these huge clubs. Swinging this way and that. Around and around they rode, like demented... Then they were gone. Dozens of our friends lay on the ground, dead or dying. Men, women... children." Oriel started to weep. "My own father had his head broken open like it had been an egg. Not more than half an hour passed when Kivar rode into town. Him and his men. They had been riding hard. He stopped right next to me and ordered a man to bury my father. Then gives a command to take care of the wounded and to round up the rest of us. He offered us the chance to go with him, to his camp. He said that we could rest there while we decided what path we should follow. We could either help him in his struggle to overthrow the tyranny, or we could perhaps move out of the country. He wouldn't leave anyone behind. The soldiers collected everything of value they could find. Then, they burned our homes. This was to stop Azande's soldiers using them for shelters of their own. Those who were wounded were put on soldier's horses. Some of the elderly rode, too. Even Kivar gave up his horse to an old woman, though she didn't make it. She died of grief, 'cause her daughter was killed. When we were some distance away, we heard the sounds of the kings' army. They would not find a soul left behind, except for the hunters that had left early that morning. We only found out what happened to them a short while later."
"What did happen to them?" Liz had tears in her eyes.
"Azande's men caught them and forced them into his army."
"Your town," Liz swallowed. "What was it called?"
"Orest."

* * *

"Liz," Zan breathed, his face breaking into a huge smile. He was not sitting in the corner looking lost this time, rather, he was doing push-ups on the floor of his cell. "I've been looking forward to your visit all day."
"Hello, Zan," Liz's voice seemed distant. Her mind was elsewhere as she did not even seem to notice Zan.
He rose to a standing position and crossed to the bars, reaching out for her hand.
"So, did you have a good day?"
If he noticed her apparent distance, he did not show it.
"It was... interesting," she stared at the floor. She had stopped before she was anywhere near the bars. If she saw his extended hand, she did not acknowledge it.
How should she react to him, she wondered? He had told her that it had been Kivar who had attacked Orest, that he had killed everyone there. He said that it had been his father's soldiers who had found the village razed to the ground, its inhabitants slaughtered. Was he merely passing on what he had been told himself? Or was he somehow involved deeper in the lies than he was letting on?
"Did you sleep well," his smile seemed electric, but she barely noticed.
"Good," she nodded.
Why couldn't she act the way she normally did around him? And he had constantly told her that Kivar was a monster, that he made Denda look civilized. Again, were they Zan's own words or what he had been told? Had Zan... lied to her?
"Have you already eaten?" his smile faded as he noticed that she was not really with him. His hand dropped. "I was hoping that maybe..."
"Yeah," her nod seemed too automatic. "I ate with Kivar."
"Oh." Zan's voice dropped. "Did you have a good talk with him?"
"Uh, yeah," Liz did not look at Zan. Would he see her doubt? Could he sense that she was not comfortable with him right now? "I did."
Liz really wanted to hate Kivar right now, especially for how he had made her feel awkward around Zan, who she had traveled all this way to rescue. Try as she might, she couldn't.
"And?"
"And what?" she frowned.
Had he guessed her confusion? Was he testing her somehow?
"What do you think?"
She did not see Zan close his eyes, or see him step back against the far wall.
"He's..." she waved her arm. "He's treating us well."
"I'm afraid, Liz," Zan slid down the wall and pulled his knees to his chest. He wrapped his arms around them. "I have no idea what is going on up there. And it's so lonely in here. No one comes to see me... except for you." His voice dropped to a whisper. "And now... you don't even see me when you come."
"You know what, Zan?" Liz's head started to pound. "I'm really tired." She felt dizzy, too. "I've hardly had any sleep since we crept out of the castle, and then my capture, and last night and everything. I think I'm going to turn in. Do you mind?"
"Not at all, Elizabeth," Zan stared up at the skylight, now darkened by the night.
If she even noticed how he had addressed her, or his dead tone, she gave no indication.
"I'll drop by tomorrow, 'kay?"
She wished she sounded more positive about that.
"Good night," he whispered.
Liz turned from where she stood, still half a dozen paces from the cell bars.
"I'm just tired," she shrugged, as though that explained everything. "That's all."
As she left the room, she did not see Zan touch his lips to his fingertips and move his hand, as though blowing her the kiss. She did not see him bury his head into his folded arms, nor his shoulders slump in abject defeat.

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone!

As always, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. It has inspired me to write another M&L Christmas story. Hopefully, I will have it out in time for THIS Christmas.

I M P O R T A N T !
Now, many of you appear to have been confused by the start of that last chapter. The scenes of Liz with Zan were flashbacks, She was remembering what happened whenshe visited him in his cell, not dreaming them. And Kivar's appearance was Liz's mind, thinking of him. NOT a mind warp. And Liz's headache, tiredness, etc when visiting Zan that last time was a politic headache. You know the kind! At the moment, there is no unnatural force acting upon Liz. She is just confused right now, not sure who to trust. No Mindwarps!

Okay...

Butterflies - I think poor Liz will remain confused for some time.

youre my dreamgirl - Glad to have you back, even if all I do is confuse you more

BehrObsession - Liz is afraid that Zan has been lying to her, and afraid to find out that she's right. Remember, she wants to find Max. How horrible to find that someone who could lie to her would become Max.

Alma - Yup. Known all about my evil streak since I started writing! Ah yes. A kiss between Liz and Zan/Max would be the start of something beautiful, I think!

AJK001 - There *might* be an element of things not being what they seem. After all, the whole reality is nothing like Liz's dream, so why should Kivar be as bad as she thought?

TaffyCat - It's a shame that it's eluding you, but you are SOOO close! One very good reason why Kivar wants to kill Zan. Provided Kivar is telling Liz the truth.

Smac - Well, I guess that believing Kivar would be hard, but why? Everyone else has appeared to be the opposit of hat they were in the dream. Why not Kivar too?

roswellluver - no mindwarps.

Realistic Dreamer - LOL. Guess you REALLY don't like Kivar, huh? And your appraisal of Zan's plight... brilliant. And regarding Zan's apparent lonliness. Interesting.

mareli - And for Zan, there's worse to come!

aurorasky - I would have to say that Kivar is definately doing something to Zan's mind.

frenchkiss70 - Ah yes. Kivar the hero. Catch? Catch? What you see is what you... well, yes. There IS a catch. But hey. MAYBE it's good?

VeronicaB - Keep with that suspicion.

smokie - YOu are forgiven. As long as you had a good time away. Interesting points.

YonkersMe - Me? Not have any feelings? Now they ARE hurt! Now, as confusing as all this is for you, think about poor old me who is actually writing all this! LOL

g7silvers - Well, Liz's problem is that Zan has told her these things about Kivar, and she is witnessing the opposit. So, she has to decide what the truth is. And whether Zan knew the truth or not. Plus, she needs her lab partner to bounce her ideas off, but where is he?

cherie - Yes. A good point and one worht considering.

katmcken - Yes, perhaps Liz should look deeper into Kivar. Hmmmm... I bet she might uncover a whole heap of things. And thank yoy

Roswelllostcause - Oh my. Looks like I'm going to be in a whole mess of trouble! As for the crazyness issues? Trust me! I believe it!

Teresa - Glad you like the songs. Sometimes, they cause me the most headaches. And actually, it was MY rescue I was hiring for.

BelevnDreamsToo - Ah, is it a trap though? You DON'T love Kivar? But he's great! He's Wonderful! He's got four legs!

SarahWhitman - Yes, Zan is going through it right now.

LTL - Thank you for the b-day wishes. Yes. Zan desperatley needs his Liz. But she's just too confused. Let's hope she wakes up soon, huh? Ah, yes.

I am a dreamer - Yes, Zan will surely crack if he doesn't see Liz soon. And who knows what Ava is up to? And that conversation... So dark. So... Poor Zan.


Mixed Up World
Sophie Ellis Bextor

I'm feeling all messed up
I have a voice inside my head it says turn to the left
then it says turn to the right
Don't want to bring you down
But I am really needing guidance now
What would you do within my shoes
(don't cry) I'm going crazy
(stay high) I've never felt so low
(don't hide) I want to turn and run
we've got to find a place to go

so when you're feeling kind of mixed up
just remember it's a mixed up world
and when you're feeling life is just too tough
just remember you're a real tough girl

I look around my life
And all I see is contradiction and a lack of faith
Cynicism rules the day
I know it has it's place
But I am really needing guidance now
Reminding me I'm strong inside

(don't cry) I know you love me
(stay high) and we'll make it through this time
(don't hide) I want to feel the sun
we've got to start to take control

(why) do I feel this pain
(why) has this world gone insane

Part 26

"You okay?" Maria asked.
She found Liz after breakfast, lying on her bed. Her best friend radar was telling her that something was up.
"Fine," Liz mumbled. "Oh, did you have a nice time with Nikolas, yesterday?"
"How anyone can have a 'nice' time with him is beyond me. Know what he did? He practiced with his sword. All day. And his vocabulary?" Maria grunted. "That means yes, I think." She grunted again, a little differently. "That means no. And this one..." she grunted a third time, " as far as I can tell means why don't you just go away?"
"That's nice," Liz nodded.
Maria looked at her, her eyes narrowing. She could see that Liz was far away.
"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"
Liz was still staring up in the air.
"Yeah. I had a good time too."
"Uh huh. How's Zan, by the way. Have you seen him today?"
"He's fine," Liz nodded. "He's a prisoner, you know? So he's kinda..."
"What's up, Liz?"
"Do you think..." Liz sat upright. "Who are the liars, Maria? What was your impression of all this?"
"What do you mean?"
"At the castle, we were told all these horrible things about Kivar, right? About all the really bad things he's done, about how he's this tyrant who wants to rule with a fist of terror."
"Your dream told you these things as well, right?"
"Yeah, but Maria? In my dream, it was Max and the others who told us that Kivar was their enemy. The speech from their Mom said they had been... enslaved. She said to look for the evil within, but you know, what is evil to one person isn't necessarily evil to the other. I never saw any proof that Kivar was actually evil."
"What about the Skins? You said they sashayed into town with a green... stick and zapped us all... somewhere."
"They never killed anyone. In fact, we were the ones doing the killing. But they only came so that they could capture Max and the others. What if it was Max who was the evil one? What if Kivar was the one trying to do right and... Oh God, Maria! I'm so confused!"
"I have to admit, I've not exactly seen any hints of evilness around here," Maria shrugged. "Everyone seems pretty much normal... well, except for Nikolas and he's just... I don't know," Maria shrugged. "But then, I never saw any signs from Zan, or Rath, either. Being dense, stupid and cowardly aren't exactly your average evil traits, you know."
"I know."
"Plus, you have to kind of factor in that Zan is not Denda nor Azande."
"Yeah," Liz nodded. "But what if everything we were told about Kivar is a lie? Does that mean Zan lied to me?"
"Only if he knew the real truth. Have you asked him?"
"I... I'm afraid to."
"Oh," Maria blinked. "Well, all I know is that according to you, in your dream, you were never afraid to ask Max anything. At least, I got that impression from the way you spoke about him, so..."
"But what if Zan isn't Max?"
"Huh? Where did that come from?"
I don't know," Liz collapsed back onto her bed. "I don't know."

* * *

Liz peered through the red tent flap. Kivar was seated at the large table that doubled as a dining table. In front of him was a mountain of paperwork. She watched him for a while, aware of the beating of her heart. True, it wasn't the same she felt when she was with Zan, but... She stepped into the tent's interior and stood in silence, waiting for him to look up. When he didn't, she cleared her throat.
"Elizabeth," he looked startled as he looked up. "I didn't see you there. Please forgive me. Will you sit?" He indicated the chair.
"Thank you Kivar," Liz sat down.
"So," he reached for a blank pad. "I expect you have come for a pass to see Zan."
"Uhm..." Liz nodded, though it was slow, almost reluctant. "Yeah. Yeah, thank you."
"What?" Kivar looked up, sensing her doubts.
"I'm just..." Liz sighed. "I'm just trying to work some things through," she shrugged. "Perhaps seeing Zan right now is not a good idea."
"I see," Kivar nodded. "Did you speak with him last night?"
"Yeah," Liz nodded. "Well, no. Not really. I mean, I went to see him... but..."
"But what? Was he rude to you? Did he hurt you?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "Zan would never hurt me."
"Do not be so sure of that. He is his father's son."
"No," Liz stated with defiance. "He might be his son, but he is nothing like Azande. I would trust Zan with my life."
"But yet you did not visit with him."
"The last time I went...I... I kind of wasn't really there. My mind was in two different places, I think. I think I may have inadvertently hurt him."
"I see," Kivar narrowed his eyes. "That explains much. Then it seems I must thank you."
"Huh?" Liz looked confused. "Why's that?"
"Because Zan was not his belligerent self this morning. I'm told he answered every question asked. The interrogator asked me if Nikolas had tortured him, because he seemed broken at last."
"Oh," Liz's stomach heaved. "I didn't mean... That's not what I wanted to do."
"None the less, it was the result. And for that I thank you because the information might just save lives."
"What information?" Liz looked up sharply. "Are you saying that he's in some kind of position where he knows stuff? Like what villages will be attacked and when?"
"No," Kivar shook his head. "He liked to wander the castle battlements at night. Did you know that? Something about looking up at the stars. Some constellation he's fond of. Anyway, he knows the location of every guard post, their strength and when the guards change. Okay, it's the only information he divulged, but that alone will prove useful when we attack the castle."
"Oh," Liz felt sick. She had betrayed Zan in the worst possible way. "Did... did he say anything? About me, I mean?"
"No," he shook his head. "But then, why would we question Zan about you? I doubt you have many secrets to hide and those you do probably have no bearing on what I am trying to accomplish here."
"Oh," Liz nodded.

"So," Kivar continued. "If not to see Zan, why are you here?"
"I was," Liz swallowed. "I was hoping that we could continue our talk. You know. From yesterday?"
"I have all this paperwork," Kivar waved at the mountain of papers. "Can you wait till it's done?"
"What is it?" she leafed through the corners of one pile.
"Logistics," he shrugged. "I have to organize duty rosters, training schedules, disposition orders, food orders and deliveries, weapons and armor, horses... the list goes on."
"Why don't you get someone to help you? A couple of someone's even?"
"I'm not sure that I would trust anyone else to do all this," Kivar frowned. "What if they got something wrong? What if extra grain arrived at a military camp that had no swords while a camp that was starving received more tabards? No, it's better that I look after this myself. I'm very thorough."
"You're very controlling," Liz shook her head.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Liz sucked in her breath. She went white.
"Are you alright?" Kivar looked on with concern.
"Yeah," Liz nodded. "Yeah. It's just... You should get some help. Otherwise, you'll never have any time for yourself."
"And what would I do with all that spare time?"
"I don't know," Liz shrugged. "Find yourself a wife, perhaps?"
"And who would have me?" Kivar smirked.
Liz's face burned scarlet.
"Half of the women in your camp would have you," she suggested. "At least, from what I hear."
"Ah yes," he nodded. "Your infamous 'hearing'. The same that heard what a monster I was. Are you sure I can trust that it is true?"

"About that," Liz looked down at her fingers, which were twisting around each other. "I also came to apologize. About making a snap judgement about you. You were right, I was being totally unfair to you. But I'd like to get to know you. The real you. Not the Kivar that's been fabricated by... the royalists."
"What is there to learn? My life is dedicated to eradicating, as you say, those very same royalists."
"Tell me about your life, before."
"It was pretty unremarkable," he shrugged. "Typical really."
"Why do I get the feeling that you're hiding something?" Liz smiled.
"Forgive me, Elizabeth," Kivar's voice was cool. "Yesterday, you were here to rescue Zan and you had me guilty and already hung. And now today, it seems that I am a storybook hero and Zan is a villain who deserves what he's got. Allow me the luxury of coming to terms with your sudden one hundred and eighty degree turn around before I divulge my life story."
Liz fell back in her seat, as though she had been slapped.
"Well, then," she pushed on, "how about we just talk?"
"About what?"
"Anything," she shrugged. "And we could walk, too. It's a nice day, outside."
"Is it really?" Kivar looked past her to the flap. "I hadn't noticed."
"Come on," Liz rose and crossed to Kivar. She gave his arm a tug. "Let's go."
"Kivar," a guard with a purple tabard entered the tent. He held a piece of paper in his hand. "News!"
"Ah," Kivar looked up at Liz. If there was any emotion in his eyes, Liz felt sure that it would be an apology. "I'm sorry, but duty calls."
"All right," Liz sighed.
"And sir?" the soldier continued. "Ava and Nikolas would like to speak with you."
"Okay, Kivar nodded to the guard. He turned to Liz. "Would you like to go and see Zan, instead?" he reached for his pad.
"No," Liz shook her head. She rose and moved toward the tent flap where the soldier stood, holding his envelope. "Not right now. I think I'll take that walk alone."

* * *

"Is Zan doing any better?" Maria asked as they prepared for bed.
"Yeah," Liz nodded. "He is."
"He should be," Maria smirked. "I mean, we've been here, what? Five? Six days? And you must see him twice a day at least. All that alone time?" Maria winked.
"Six days," Liz confirmed.
"So, you obviously worked through your differences, right?"
"Absolutely," Liz nodded as she pulled the brush through her hair.
"Have the two of you come up with any plans on how to get him out of there?"
"We're still working on it," Liz stopped brushing. "His cell's made out of depleted uranium. There are four guards in the next room, and four more outside the door."
"What about when they open the cell door?"
"Cell door?" Liz frowned.
"Yeah. Don't they, like, let you go inside or anything?"
"Oh," Liz shook her head. "No. I've never been inside."
"Oh well," Maria slipped under her blankets. "You'll think of something. If you need a diversion, I could think of something. Tell him 'hi' from me, yeah?"
"I will, Maria," Liz nodded, climbing into her own bed.
The lights went out soon after.

"So..." Maria called out in the dark. "This festival tomorrow night. Are you going?"
"Not sure," Liz shook her head though in the dark, she knew Maria could not see. "Probably not."
"Duh!" In the dark, Maria's voice sounded as though she had just realized that she had said something dumb. "You'll probably be with Zan. I might go, though. You know, to snoop around. I remember when my Mom has too much to drink; she talks a lot more than usual. She says things that she would probably wish she never said. Heck, she says things 'I' wish she never said."
"Your point, Maria?"
"We might learn something to our advantage."
"True," Liz whispered. "Good night. Maria."

As silence fell, Liz's tears started to fall. Now, not only was she wracked with guilt over her treatment of Zan and her confusion over her attraction to Kivar, she was lying to Maria too. She had not been to see Zan since that evening she had visited but not faced him, the day she had, as Kivar told her, broken him. That had been four days ago. She always asked for a pass to see him, but she never made it past the four guards who were now on constant duty outside the prison. The longer she left visiting him, the harder it got. And now, after only those few visits during her first days, she was as far away from Zan as she had been the day after she had experienced her dream. There seemed to be no way back. Zan would surely hate her by now. And as the guilt mounted, so too did her insomnia. Liz had not slept in as many days as she had not seen Zan. There seemed no end to her cycle of despair.

* * *

"Damn," Maria cursed as she emerged from the large tent that served as a camp canteen. She had been trying to find Nikolas all morning, but had come up blank. She spotted a soldier wearing a purple tabard.
"Excuse me," she called. "I'm looking for Nikolas. Have you seen him?"
"Are you Maria, by any chance?" the soldier looked at her with suspicion.
"Uhm, yeah," she nodded. "Has he mentioned me?"
"I have not seen him," the soldier shook his head. "In fact, I think he may have ridden out on a mission."
"He's avoiding me, isn't he?" Maria demanded.
"Ah," the soldier looked guilty. "He didn't tell us how to answer that one."
"Who does he think he is, the son of a..."
"He is Nikolas," the soldier shrugged. "And I for one will not cross him. Not the sort of man to have as your enemy."
"Like I'm afraid of him."
"Well, unlike you," he looked around, "I am. Very much so. So if you'll excuse me..."
"Can you at least point me in the right direction?"
"Not I," the man scurried away.

Maria started to retrace the man's steps, heading for the direction he had just come from. She didn't find Nikolas but instead, found a cluster of rocks to the back of the camp. There appeared to be a well-worn path that ran through them.
"Interesting," Maria nodded as she followed the path.
Climbing higher through the large boulders, Maria found herself on a west-facing ledge, overlooking a still lake. There was a smooth stone that looked well worn, in the shape of a recliner, facing west. It was shaped, as though people had been using it to watch sun sets for millions of years. She sat down, surprised by the warmth that the rock emanated. Sheltered from the cool breeze, Maria found that the spot was almost idyllic.
"Who cares about Nikolas anyway," she sighed, closing her eyes and basking in the sun's warm rays. "He's just as childish in reality."

"How was I supposed to know she would come looking for him?" Maria was startled by a voice. Kivar's voice.
She sat up and looked around but she was unable to see anyone.
"I thought that when we took Zan," he continued, "she would give up. That she would lose interest and go home."
"Hello! Do you even have a brain?" a woman's voice shrilled. That could only be Ava. "She's in love with him."
"I know that," Kivar spat.
"But what you didn't know was her strength of character and her determination," Ava accused. "She's much stronger than you thought."
"So I underestimated her. Sue me."
"Send her back," Nikolas's gruff voice ordered.
"Do you think she would go?" Kivar sounded exasperated.
"Look, Kivar," Ava whined. "We've both noticed. She's spending way too much time with you."
"What are you suggesting?"
"She's falling in love with you," Nikolas barked. "Idiot!"
'What?' Maria mouthed in silence.
"What?" Kivar demanded. "No! She's in love with Zan."
"Then you are as blind as you are stupid," Ava's voice grated. "'Cause how many times has she visited him, huh? And remember that we know that you are aware exactly how many times."
"I know."
"Twice!"
"I know!"
"Are you blind, Kivar?"
"No," Kivar sighed. "I'm not blind. And you're right. But I'm trying to counter it. Believe it or not, I have taken steps to make her like me less. It's just... She seems oblivious to them. I've even issued orders for soldiers to approach me with fictitious letters when I'm alone with her for too long, just so that I have a valid excuse to send her away. She comes to me. Often. Every day. Just to talk. And she is so... It's refreshing to talk to her like this. I prefer it. As for her falling for me, I just didn't foresee that."
"How could you not foresee it?" Ava snarled. "It was inevitable, you jackass. I mean, you're the..."
"The old woman warned me," Kivar interrupted. "She said that she could make me, or break me." He sighed. "And here she is, doing both."
"You have to stay away from her," Ava ordered.
"Get rid of her," Nikolas commanded.
"How?" Kivar inhaled. "You saw for yourself her determination. She won't obey an order and if I escorted her away, she would only come back."
"We don't care how. Just do it."
"I'll take care of it," Kivar released a long, heavy sigh.
"When?"
"Tonight. At the festival."

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone!

Well. The big news of the week is that I have been rumbled. One of you has worked out 90% of the plot! I was pm'd with the guess, and it was so very nearly spot on. All that was missing was the why, and how. I will not reveal who, to protect him/her from the many pm's they will recieve begging for hints and clues. If that person wishes to crow, then it's up to them. But I have been promised that schtum will be kept!

So, the clues are there, and it CAN be worked out. A few of you have been SO close. Now that I know it can be done, I will no longer comment dierectly on any guesses or comments that affect the plot, unless I see that you have the wrong end of the stick.

Now, the two women still seem to be causing concern. The one refered to as the Old Woman is the one who appeared at the beginning, who spoke to Liz at the meeting with the King and saved Liz's life. The 'crazy' woman is the one Liz met in the forest, who told Liz MAx was not here yet, who ran off screaming. That is the only time, so far, that the crazy woman had made an appearance, or been mentioned. The two are separate.

Thank you all for the feedback, especially your guesses and your comments. Some of them really brighten my day. They all do, really, but some are especially cheering. And it's not just the feedback that makes me smile. Your pm's can be just as entertaining.



Alma - Max isn't here yet!

BehrObsession - Well, confused is good, because that's how I wanted you to be. As for Zan and Liz happy time, she has to go see him, first.

AJK001 - Well, I have a good Xmas story coming up that will not leave you confused. Just happy and (I hope) earger for more.

youre my dreamgirl - I'm pretty sure she has her reasons.

Strawberry Shortcake17 - Well, I hope that there will be a few more twists for you to enjoy

g7silvers - Liz will explain about her attractio to Kivar... I hope. Oh my! I hope Kivar isn't planning to kill her!

smokie - Yup. Well, except for one person. Who managed to 'sort' the confusion. Yes, you missed my birthday - 24 Novemeber When it arrives, I shall consider it as both Thank you.

Katcin Lee - And which one will Liz make the fourth to?

Venus_star2.com - No spell on Liz. All natural. Damn it! Janet????

SarahWhitman - No spell. Good old Maria. What would Liz do without her?

frenchkiss70 - You are a member of a big club. See my note about the old woman.

aurorasky - Sigh. Yeah, I knew this chapter would bite. As will the next. And the next.

nirvana - Well, Liz's dream had to mean something!

Norma Bates - It was my intention to write a sequel to TCoT - but sadly, other ideas came to mind, and I have long ago laid that one to rest. Sorry. But thank you for re-reading my stories

VeronicaB - Ava was indeed. Lucky for me she didn;t finish.

kissme4ever123 - I'm sure it will. Who knows? We might hear some good news.

NorafanofMaxandLiz - Forgiven. Actually, there are two people who have a clear idea of what's going on. Me and the mystery reader. Oh, and the old woman. Now as for Liz not going inside the cell, so far she has been to see him twice, and she has never asked. So... does that help?

LTL - I'm sure Liz WILL figurethis out, but she has one or two things to achieve yet. ANd fear not. I WILL keep writing. Did you get the e-mail I sent you?

roswellluver - I'm sure Maria will drag her there if she has to.

YonkersMe - I'm putting you through this? There's always the off bu



Realistic Dreamer - Good theory though! I did think about making Denda look like Sean, but remember the Denad is a little younger. Yes, my avatar was chosen especially.

Smac - Oh my. It's all plot related. Thanks for yout thoughts, though. Some interestng questions that you should poder.

BelevnDreamsToo - I'm sure Maria will talk to Liz. The old woman meant Liz could make or break him. Remember her conversation with Kivar at the begining?

Roswelllostcause - Me? Kill Liz? Not in this chapter, baby! I promise that Kivar will not harm a hair on Liz's head. Okay?

Teresa - Yup. Power trip. Liz wants to see who is the dominant male before she submits to him and purrs like a kitten.

Serephina - You can understand Liz's confusion then, right?


Sorry, no song this week, I couldn;t find one to fit the mood.





Part 27

Liz wandered amongst the merry makers, moving from group to group, not really listening to the excited conversations, or paying attention to who it was she was passing. Some few who had recognized her called out, but she did not see them. Her mind was on her dilemma. It had been days since her arrival and days since she had last seen Zan. What must he be thinking of her?
"Elizabeth?" Kivar called out, a little in front of her.
Liz almost didn't see him.
"Sorry," she shook her head. "I was miles away."
"Uh..." Kivar frowned. "But you were right here."
"Figure of speech," Liz shrugged. "So, uh... your party's going well."
"I'm surprised you even noticed. You seemed somewhat distant. Ah! I see. Miles away. Very good." Kivar started to chuckle.
"It's not that funny."
"Is it perhaps something I might help you with? Your problem, I mean."
"Yes," Liz nodded. "As a matter of fact, it is. You could release Zan."
"Ah. No. Something else?"
"No," she sighed. "Then there's nothing you can do."
"I wish there was," he stepped beside her. "Walk with me."
"'Kay," Liz nodded.
She followed Kivar's lead as he guided her through the throngs of people having fun. Everywhere he went, Kivar was greeted with handshakes, 'thank yous and blessings.
"I don't like it that they treat me this way," Kivar sighed. "I ask them not to, but they continue. What can I do?"
"I don't know," Liz shook her head.
"They treat me like I'm a god or something," Liz could sense the disgust in Kivar's voice. "And talking of a man acting as god, have you given any thought to your return to the castle?"
"Not until Zan's freed," Liz shook her head. "That's why I left the castle in the first place and I won't leave without him."
"You make things very difficult for me," Kivar sighed. "I would prefer it if this could be resolved without your hating me."
"Release Zan," Liz shrugged. "That's all there is to it. I could never hate you then." Liz paused. "Why? Why would I hate you? What are you going to do?"
"Do you dance, Elizabeth?" Kivar stopped her. "There's a new dance that has come from the castle. Really simple and rather pleasant, I'm told. The people find it very enjoyable. I wonder...?"
"No," Liz shook her head. "I don't dance. Ever. I uh... don't like it. At all, actually."
"Oh," Kivar nodded. "Perhaps you would care for a drink?"
"I'm okay," Liz sighed. "Was there something specific you wanted to discuss, Kivar?"
"No," he shook his head. "You looked so... I thought you might like to be cheered up a little."
"Thank you," Liz nodded. "Uhm... Perhaps you could give me a pass to see Zan?"
"Of course," he nodded, reaching into his robes.
"My Lord!" someone called.
One of Kivar's soldiers looking travel weary and road stained arrived, panting. The horse he was holding looked as though it had been ridden hard, all day.
"A message," he gasped. "From the castle."
He handed a silver scroll to Kivar. Kivar frowned, opened the scroll and started to read. There was a momentary pang of sadness before his brow creased into a frown.
"Thank you," Kivar nodded at the man. "Please, relax. Take what enjoyment you can from the party."
"Thank you, sir," the man saluted and turned away.
"Bad news?" Liz watched the soldier walk away.
"I'm not sure," Kivar continued to stare at the note. "It's not unexpected, just... early."
"Oh," Liz nodded.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," Kivar tucked the scroll away. "I'm afraid I must leave you. I need to speak with Nikolas."
"Okay," Liz nodded. "Uh, my pass? For Zan?"
"Forgive me," he shook his head. "But, uh... we may have need of Zan ourselves."
"Oh," Liz felt a sense of relief that her confrontation with Zan had been delayed. "Okay."
"Seek me out, later," he called as he hurried away.

* * *

"There you are," Maria finally caught up to Liz later on that evening. "I've been looking for you all day."
"Sorry, Maria," Liz frowned. "I've been... busy."
"With Kivar."
"No," Liz shook her head.
"How many times, exactly, have you visited Zan since we came here?" Maria demanded."
"Maria?" Liz frowned. "What is this?"
"Tell me, Liz! How many times?"
"Well, I'm not sure. I..."
"Twice?" Maria snapped.
"I..." Liz's eyes widened. "How did you know that?"
"And how much time have you been spending with Kivar?"
"I..." Liz was stammering, unable to answer the question. "I..."
"Too much, if you ask me," Maria replied for her. "What are you doing, Liz?"
"I..." Liz continued. "I'm trying to do to Kivar what I did to Zan."
"Huh?"
"Kivar won't release Zan 'cause he hates him, or he doesn't trust him, right?"
"Right," Maria nodded.
"It's just... Abraham Lincoln once said, the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend."
"Are you sure that's all you are doing, Liz?" Maria narrowed her eyes. "Making friends?"
"It is," Liz nodded. "I mean, sure, Kivar has so many qualities that Max has, the control issue for one, and his caring nature... but he doesn't have the same heart that Zan does. It's Zan I'm in love with, Maria."
"So how come you're not visiting him?"
"I tried," Liz looked miserable. "But I couldn't. The last time I saw him, I was so afraid that he would see what I was thinking, see that I doubted him... I... I think I hurt him, Maria. Kivar said I broke him. And I'm terrified.... I'm afraid that..."
"You're afraid to go and see what damage you've done," Maria completed.
"Oh, Maria," Liz wailed, throwing herself into Maria's arms. "What if he hates me now?"
"Well, call it the acid test."
"Excuse me?" Liz stepped back, wiping her eyes.
"In your dream, you destroyed Max with that whole future Max thing, sleeping with Kyle setup, right? I mean, he was totally destroyed."
"Yeah," Liz frowned. "So?"
"So, go to Zan. If he forgives you, as Max did in your dream... Voila. Max Evans."
"Yeah," Liz nodded. She started to smile. "You're right."
"Aren't I always?"
"I'm going to find Kivar," Liz started to hurry toward the main campfire. "I'm going to see Zan right now and I don't care what important issues Kivar has to discuss with him."
"At 'a girl," Maria beamed.

Just as Liz, closely followed by Maria, reached the main fire, with its small raised platform from which announcements were made, a trumpeter blew a couple of notes, attracting everyone's attention.
"Gather round," he indicated that everyone approach him. "Gather round. Kivar has some important news."
"Wonder what's going on," Maria looked around as everyone started to approach the stage.
"Kivar had an important letter, earlier," Liz shrugged. "I think it was from the castle. Maybe it has something to do with that."
"Hmmm..." Maria frowned. "I hope it's nothing to do with Rath being punished for helping us escape, or something."
"No," Liz shook her head. "He said that it wasn't unexpected news, just early. So it must be something big."
"That could be anything," Maria complained.
"Or nothing," Liz shrugged.
"You don't do this," Maria pointed to everyone who had gathered close by, "for nothing."

A hush fell on the chattering audience as Kivar stepped up onto the stage.
"A short while ago," he announced when he held everyone's attention, "I received this note from the castle."
Kivar held the silver scroll high as he turned so everyone could see it. The people craned their necks, as if hoping they might read the print hidden inside.
"I would very much like to read it to you."
The crowd, as one, nodded.
"Excellency," he began to read. Liz noticed the slight tinge of color that rose in his pale face. "I have pleasure in informing you that there has been much change in the castle's hierarchy. For one, the butcher of Antar is nor more. Kharden was found last evening in the central courtyard with his throat cut."
A cheer was raised among the revelers.
"It is widely believed, though no witnesses are to be found, that Denda challenged him to a duel. And this morning, when his seneschal went to rouse him, King Azande was found dead, with a huge knife sticking from between his ribs. It has been whispered among the corridors that this was the handiwork of Queen Layola, as there were a number of entry wounds; every sign of this being a frenzied attack."
He paused while the murmur swept the crowd.
"The king is dead," Kivar looked out at the crowd. "It's customary to add, 'Long live the King.' But I think under the circumstances..."
The tittering among the people burst into a roar and then finally, an earth shattering cheer.
"Any moment now," Maria pinched her fingers to her ears, "I expect the munchkins to start singing, ding dong the witch is dead."
"You know what this means, Maria?" Liz gave a half smile.
"What?" Maria looked at her.
"Looks like our double wedding's off."

* * *

She wasn't really paying attention to her route as she just wandered, thinking of the things Maria had said. And the things Maria had heard. She was also thinking about the death of Azande. She wondered if anyone had told Zan yet. She would tell him herself, once she nailed Kivar down to get a pass from him. Before she knew it, she had wandered far from the campsite. As soon as she realized this she turned to make her way back to the distant lights of the many fires.
"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Liz heard Kivar speak from amongst the trees.
She turned to answer when she heard another voice.
"You shouldn't be."
It was the old woman's voice. The one who had saved her life and spoken about riddles. The one who had warned her about her heart being torn by two.
"What took you so long? Elizabeth has been here for days."
"I had other business to attend to. Serena for a start."
Serena? Liz moved a little to the left. In a ray of moonlight, she could see them.
"Serena?" Kivar copied her silent question. "Why?"
"Just because her part in all this is over, it does not mean we need forget about her. She must be returned, you know. She does not belong here. You know of Azande's death?"
"I do," Kivar spoke quiet
"You seem upset."
"I..."
"You wished his life to be taken by your own hand?"
"No!" Kivar was outraged. "I have never 'killed' a man in my life. And I do not intend to do so now."
"You will let others do your work for you?" The woman sounded like she already knew the answer.
"Others more suited to killing," Kivar whispered.
"While you are more suited to leading."
"No!" Kivar's bark made Liz jump. "I am not a leader."
"It's your destiny!" the woman urged. "Do you not see that? What's the matter with you anyway?"
Kivar remained silent, looking at the woman.
"I see," she nodded. "You've fallen in love with her, haven't you."
Liz groaned. Quietly.
"From the moment I first laid eyes on her," Kivar nodded, turning away from the old woman. "No," he started to play with the twigs of a tree. "I tell a lie. From the moment I first felt her presence."
"So, what have you done about it?"
"She's in love with Zan," Kivar whispered. "I really messed that one up, huh?"
"It is not irredeemable."
"What?" Kivar stood with his mouth agape. "After what I must order? No. She will never speak to me again, after that."
"Does Zan still have to die?"
Liz's heart pounded. Painfully.
"Can you not let him rule?" the woman continued. "You know as well as any man that he is no Azande."
"No," Kivar shook his head. "No, the old ways must die if we are to move forward. As long as a member of the Royal family rules, he must reign according to the old laws. And you know as well as I, that Zan will lead as all the kings before have led. He must follow the rules, and slowly, they will crush him. Whatever else Zan is, he is..."
"Then break the rules," the woman shrugged.
"There are many people who are not ready for that," Kivar sighed. "Those who still want the monarchy, for one. If there is no more monarchy, they will accept peace under a strong, but fair ruler. The people who follow me will not accept any ruler from Azande's loins. No matter how... 'just' he appears to be, or how much magic Elizabeth can wield upon him. This is the only way."

"Tell her."
Her voice was quiet but strong. Liz almost didn't hear her.
"What?" Kivar sounded shocked.
"Tell her the truth," the woman reiterated.
"I will not," Kivar shook his head with defiance. "The truth is... No. I won't do it. Sometimes, secrets must be kept. And this one has to not only be kept but buried deeply. Beside, she will never accept it."
"The other two know."
"And they will not uncover it. They wish for their own lives as much as I do."
"Then you damn yourself to an eternity of emptiness instead of..."
"Immortality?" Liz could see Kivar's raised eyebrow. He seemed amused. "No. Those dreams belong to someone else. My own dreams are quite simple. To prevent the others gaining that immortality."
"There are many forms of immortality," the old woman smirked. "And not all of them have to do with being alive."
"It is better this way."
"Then you are a fool, and whether you like it or not, that girl will destroy you. Your soul will be damned."
"My soul was damned the moment I decided upon this course," Kivar's voice was low, filled with pain. "And I have been destroyed since the moment Elizabeth stepped foot in Antar."

"Paths can be changed, you know," the woman sounded caring, affectionate, even. "You may have to end Zan's path, but 'you' can still take another."
"And who will ensure that Antar lives in peace? Elizabeth will return home, leaving whoever rules by himself. Without her influence... who knows? It is better this way."
"Whatever you say," the woman shrugged. "But remember this. The path to Antar's peace does not have to run through Antar."
"Must you always talk in riddles?"
"Elizabeth asked me the same question."
"And you answered her with a riddle, I suppose?"
"How many times has Elizabeth visited Zan?" she sidestepped the issue.
"What?" Kivar shook his head. "Only twice. She is feeling guilty."
"I see," she nodded. "And did you have anything to do with that?"
"What do you think?"
"You can't have it both ways, Kivar. You can't live the life you have chosen to lead, and Elizabeth both. There is only one way you can have her."
"No!" he snapped. "I will not do it."
"The you will lose her."
"If I must," Kivar whispered, "though the very thought cuts me like a knife."
"I suspect that she will see Zan tonight," she spoke a little louder than she had a moment ago.
"I doubt he will take her presence kindly," he shrugged. "He will be hurt."
"He will be overjoyed to see her," the woman predicted. "You know very well that he has missed her. And in spite of what she has done to him, he is just as much in love with her, too."
"Maybe I will deny her access," he threatened.
"No you won't," the old woman laughed. "Because you want this as much as she does, and I know that you can deny her nothing."
"Almost nothing," he warned.
Kivar turned on his heels and left the woman, chuckling softly to herself. She too soon followed.

* * *

Liz made her way back to the camp, using the fires as her guides. Kivar had not yet returned to his tent by the time that she had made it back. She was both relieved and disappointed. He was in love with her. Yes, she had to admit that she held some feelings toward him, too, but not love. Was it? No. No, it was Zan she was in love with. Zan, and the Max he would become. 'If' she could free him. Where was Rath, anyway? She waited in the comfort of the tent she shared with Maria. After a few moments, she went to check on him and was relieved to find him there. She did not want to lose her nerve.
"Ah, Elizabeth," he beckoned her in. "I looked for you earlier. No one had seen you."
"I went for a walk," she waved. She did not look at Kivar. "I've come for a..."
"There was more to the letter I read out this evening," he interrupted.
"Excuse me?" Liz frowned. "Uh... oh."
"Would you like to know what else it said?"
"Okay," she shrugged looking out of the doorway.
"Denda has offered a reward for your safe return," he smiled. "Your weight in gold."
"That's uhm... a lot of gold," she nodded. "An awful lot."
"Perhaps you should bulk yourself up," he teased. "I might return you myself, then."
"Uhm..." Liz looked around, not amused by his joke. "The pass? To see Zan? You said I could have one earlier, but you never gave it to me."
"Ah, yes," he nodded. He paused before reaching for his pad. "Are you sure? Would you not prefer to wait until tomorrow?"
"No," Liz shook her head.
"Okay," he wrote on the pad. "It's just as well. I have a rather unpleasant duty I must attend to, now. Here you go."
"Thank you, Kivar," Liz nodded, tucking the paper away. "Uhm... good night."
She hurried from the tent as fast as she could. She did not hear Kivar's reply.

* * *

Liz hurried across the campgrounds before her nerve left her. She would face Zan and his disappointment in her, and then she would let him know that she loved him. She would beg for his forgiveness and then... she would kiss him senseless. After that, together, they would find a way to free him. The four guards nodded as she approached. As she reached into her pocket for the pass, the prison door at the bottom of the steps opened. A blonde haired woman climbed up toward her.
"Hello," she sneered. "There's no need to ask who you are."
Liz felt her hackles rise.
"And I know who you are, too, Ava," Liz hissed.
"I expect you plan on not visiting Zan again tonight," Ava laughed. "I've told him all about you, you know. How you prefer to spend time with Kivar over him. He knows almost every word you have said to Kivar. And I uh... embellished a little bit. I told him all about your shared nights of passion."
"Zan will recognize the truth," Liz's confidence belied her true feelings. "But whose truth will he recognize. Especially considering the close bond we now share." Ava looked around, and stepped closer to Liz. "Really close," she winked.
"So?" Liz tried hard not to sound hurt. "It's not like he... I don't believe you."
"Sometimes," Ava leaned so that her lips were millimeters from Liz's ear. "It's hard to make people see the truth, even when it's right in front of her face. Good night, 'Liz'." Her name came out as a sneer.
Ava started to laugh and walked away in the dark, leaving a fuming girl behind. Liz almost turned away, but decided that Zan was going to get a piece of her mind. She practically forced the pass into the guard's face. They opened the doors for her. She felt no nervousness as she swept into the cell room.
"Elizabeth!" Zan gasped. She found him in the same fetal position he had been in on her first visit. "I did not expect to see you."
"I can see that," she spat.
"Have I offended you, somehow?" His eyes betrayed his hurt and his confusion.
"I just saw Ava," Liz's voice came out like a glacier.
"Yeah," Zan nodded. "She was here. She came to see me."
"No," Liz's sarcasm could have melted the bars. "Really? You do surprise me."
"Uhm, Elizabeth?" Zan's face was pure bewilderment. "I'm not sure if you realize, but I am hardly in a position to dictate who does and does not come to see me. Unlike you, who is free to choose whether or not you see Kivar."
"How did you know about that?" Liz narrowed her eyes, though she already knew the answer.
"Ava," Zan slid back to his fetal position. Liz had not come to cheer him up after all, but to gloat over him. "She..." his voice fell to a whisper. "She taunts me with it."
"Zan," Liz's voice softened. "Did you... uhm... you know... Did you ever... with Ava?"
"Do you mean have I ever been intimate with Ava?" Zan's eyes widened. "No." He started to chuckle. His voice seemed a little strained. "No. That is one fault that I can honestly deny."
"Are you angry with me?" Liz approached the bars, holding on to them in her small fists. "You know, because I haven't come to see you for a while?"
"No," Zan shook his head. "No. Why should I be angry with you? You have your life to live. While I," Zan indicated his cell. "I have mine to die."
"Don't say that, Zan." Liz pressed her head against the bars. Her face fell in misery. "I... I'm sorry."
Zan shrugged, but his shoulders seemed too heavy for him. He stared up at the skylight, where the sky was already dark.
"Are you alright, Zan?" Liz's voice was soft, comforting, even. She bitterly regretted the time she had lost. "I mean, really?"
"I just," Zan sighed. "I missed you. I miss the trees, the open sky... the birds. I miss the wind on my face, Elizabeth. And the stars. I really miss the stars. I would like to experience all that again.
"And so you shall," a rough voice grunted from behind her.
Liz turned to see a smirking Nikolas standing at the open doorway.
"What do you mean?" Hope rose inside her. "Is Kivar releasing him after all?"
"No," Nikolas laughed. "I've just come to inform Zan of his sentence."
"Sentence?" Liz frowned. "You mean he's already had his trial?"
"What do you think we've been doing all week?"
"But..."
"What is my sentence?" Zan whispered from his position on the floor.
"Tomorrow morning," Nikolas grinned. "At dawn. You, me and a very large, very sharp axe. You're being executed."

* * *

[WR]

Hi everyone,

Well, this week has been a good week for me, and all of your feedback is just icing on the cake. The answers will be coming soon. I won;t leave you wondering for too much longer.

youre my dreamgirl - Yup. YOu know that you can trust me, 'cause I would never do anything like that. Would I?

BelevnDreamsToo - If they were twins, don;t you think a) Vilondra would know and b) Zan's mother would know? Nice try.

roswellluver - YOu're right. There probably isn't a worse place I could stop.

g7silvers - Well, what do you think? Good or Bad?

AJK001 - I have something that is going to make this all something, that's for sure.

LTL - So, did rereading help at all?

Venus_star2.com LOL

auroraskey - If I said that, I would be hinting at the plot line, which I said I wouldn't do. Yeah. I'm sure that by the end of this fic, your hatred of Kivar will reach new levels.

BehrObsession - Well, lets see... Hmmm.... So far, you have become THIS crazy. And we have that many parts till I reveal all, so... Yup. Crazy.

VeronicaB - He certainly want to kill him. You can bet that Rath will show up. Eventually.

frenchkiss70 - Ah. A simple choice, huh? Which would you choose?

kissme4ever123 - She will certainly try!

Timelord31 - I bet he's just waiting for the right moment to strike! Hope he doesn;t wait too long. LOL And as for your question regarding Liz and the King... this is not 'Oedipus'.

cherie - Can you buy confused colored crayons? Better send me some then. LOL

smokie - If I answred all those questions, the story would be over. Soon, though.
(takes bow )

Realistic Dreamer - If soothsayers etc weren't all mystic, who would take them seriously?

YonkersMe - He wasn't being derisive, he just agreed that he had underestimated her and that he would see about getting rid of her.

Alma - Perhaps Kivar being in love with Liz means that Liz is so loveable?

mareli - If you were Kivar, would you have told her?

Emz80m - Thank you. Wait. YOu LOVE Kivar? There's a first.

Roswelllostcause - Because I can. (I get withdrawal symptoms if I don;t say that line! LOL) Well, there's quite a queue for people wanting to kill Nikolas (and Kivar) but you can still join it.

Teresa - I'm sure Liz will be galvanized into action now.

NorafanofMaxandLiz - Just don;t forget that you are first in Line to kill Nikolas, and Kivar. Want to add Ava to the List?

katmcken - Maps to follow soon.

CherryFlavoredChica - And her it is. More.

paper - Yes, Liz is in a state of confusion right now. I'm sure Liz and Zan have more important issues to worry about. The other two - Nikolas and Ava???

Okay.... on with the story...



One More Night,
Phil Collins

One more night, one more night
I’ve been trying ooh so long to let you know
Let you know how I feel
And if I stumble if I fall, just help me back
So I can make you see

Please give me one more night, give me one more night
One more night cos I can’t wait forever
Give me just one more night, oh just one more night
Oh one more night cos I can’t wait forever

I’ve been sitting here so long
Wasting time, just staring at the phone
And I was wondering should I call you
Then I thought maybe you’re not alone

Please give me one more night, give me just one more night
Oh one more night, cos I can’t wait forever
Please give me one more night, ooh just one more night
Oh one more night, cos I can’t wait forever
Give me one more night, give me just one more night
Ooh one more night, cos I can’t wait forever

Like a river to the sea
I will always be with you
And if you sail away
I will follow you

Give me one more night, give me just one more night
Oh one more night, cos I can’t wait forever
I know there’ll never be a time you’ll ever feel the same
And I know it’s only words
But if you change your mind you know that I’ll be here
And maybe we both can learn

Give me just one more night, give me just one more night
Ooh one more night, cos I can’t wait forever
Give me just one more night, give me just one more night
Ooh one more night, cos I can’t wait forever


Part 28

"No!" Liz gasped.
"Yes!" Nikolas mimicked her gasp, using a high pitched voice.
"But..." Zan rose and stepped up to the bars. He closed his fists around two of them. "So soon? I mean, I..."
"What do you mean, so soon?" Nikolas sneered. "Surely you understood the implication of our capturing you? If I had my way, I'd have slit your throat the day we took you."
"But... I thought..."
"What? That we would keep your sorry ass hanging around here? Some living banner for your... 'people' to rally round and execute some rescue? Nah. It's better that it is we who do the executing."
"Nikolas," Liz called. "What if I guaranteed that Zan would be a fair ruler?" Her eyes were red with the tears that streamed from her face. "You said yourself how I was making a difference in him. What if I said that I would stay and rule by his side?"
Zan turned to face Liz.
"You..." his face dropped. "You would do that? For me?"
"Yes," Liz reached a hand through the bars. "I would. I would do anything, if it meant..." Liz paused. She remembered what she had told Max the night he had proposed in her dream. "I would do anything if it meant being with you."
Nikolas looked shaken.
"No," he growled. "No. No, it has to be this way." He looked at Zan. "I have to do this."
"Nikolas," Liz begged. "Please. Help us."
"No!" Nikolas turned and left the cell room, slamming the door shut behind him."
"You..." Zan took Liz's hand and pressed himself against her. Only the bars separated them. "I can't believe it. You almost turned him."
"Almost," Liz nodded as more tears fell. She grabbed the bars and started to tug. "Come on, Zan. Maybe there's a weak bar or something."
"I have tried them all already," Zan sighed, although he started to help her.
They pulled, they pushed and they stretched, but they could not get the bars to budge.
"Have you tried the skylight?" Liz looked up but saw that it was out of his reach. Even with her on his shoulders, Liz could not have reached the window.
"They took away my wings," Zan laughed.
"What are we going to do?" Liz moaned.
"Elizabeth?" Zan took her hand again. "It's impossible. And even if there was some slim chance that I could escape from this cell, they would pursue us. I am too afraid to take that risk. I am too afraid that somehow, you might get... hurt. And if that were to happen... I would never forgive myself. You see... Elizabeth? I think... No. I know..." Zan lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. "That I have fallen," he leaned forward, she could feel his hot breath approaching her lip. "Totally..." his lips drew closer. "Hopelessly..." they were almost touching. "In love with you."
"That's it!" Liz's eyes widened. "That's it!" she moved away from the bars. "Zan! Don't give up hope. I think I know a way to make Kivar release you."
"Excuse me?" Zan seemed dazed as he shook his head. "Elizabeth?"
"I think I know how to free you," she started to move toward the door. "Something I overheard earlier. It never really clicked till now. Zan, I think I know what it will take to release you." She stopped at the door. "And please... Always remember that I did this... because I love you too... Zan."
Liz ran back to the bars, slipped her hands either side of Zan's face and kissed him as soundly on his lips as the bars would allow. She turned and was gone.

* * *

"It has to be here," Liz almost screamed with frustration as she rummaged through the clothing that she had not yet bothered to unpack since their arrival a week ago. She was sure it would be here. "Aha!" she cried with glee when she found the dress.
Clutching it to her, Liz hurried into the section of the tent where a hot bath awaited. She scrubbed, she primped and she prepared. Forty minutes later, Liz stood in front of the full length mirror, wearing the red dress that Prince Denda had provided for her, when she had first arrived on Antar. Then, he sought to seduce her away from Zan. Now, she planned to use it to save Zan. Pleased with how hot she looked, Liz took a shawl from her wardrobe and wrapped it around her shoulders. She paused at the doorway to her tent. It was only now that the implication of her plan hit her. She started to quake.
"Please, God," she looked up, fighting back her tears. "If you can see me all the way over here, please make sure that Zan knows that I do this because I love him. Him and only him. He 'is' my Max Evans."
With a knot in her stomach and her whole body trembling, Liz stepped into the night air and approached Kivar's tent. She was please to see that a light still glowed and she fervently hoped that he was alone. She especially hoped that neither Nikolas, nor, more importantly, Ava was with him.

"Elizabeth," Kivar looked startled when she entered the tent. "It's late. What are you doing here?"
She did not miss his look of appreciation as he looked her up and down. He liked this dress, and her in it. Yes, she was affecting him.
"I just came from visiting with Zan," she said in a neutral tone.
"Ah," he nodded. He looked down at his desk. "So you have heard."
"I was there when Nikolas took great delight in delivering the news."
"That, I'm afraid, is Nikolas."
"Is there no way you can reverse the decision, Kivar?" Liz frowned. "I mean, what if I said that I would stay and rule as Zan's queen? Surely, you know what a difference I have made to him. He's not a monster like his father, Kivar. And with me to keep him... steady... Give him time to prove it!"
"The offer is tempting, Elizabeth," Kivar nodded. "But as I have explained before. It is not down to me alone."
"You're their leader," she shrugged. "So tell them that this is how it's going to be."
"I can't do that," he shook his head.
"What about..." Liz stepped close to him. This was it. Her trump card. She couldn't stop her body shaking. Even her voice shook. She lowered her voice, trying for all the world to sound like a sex siren. "What if... as well as me ruling as Zan's Queen, I became your... your mistress?"
"Elizabeth, what...?" Kivar looked up sharply. His mouth dropped as Liz let her shawl fall. She had his attention now. "You would do this for Zan?"
"Yes," she nodded, trying hard to resist the temptation to cover herself up under his scrutiny. "To save Zan, I would deliver myself to you. I'm a virgin, Kivar. You can have me, you can have my virtue. It's yours. I'm yours, but only if Zan walks free."
"It would destroy him," his eyes narrowed. "You do know that."
"But he would be alive," she started to cry. "I will do anything to keep him alive. Anything."
"Even become my whore?" he walked around the back of her.
She cringed when he reached his hand to touch her shoulder, but he never touched her.
"Yes," Liz nodded as tears dropped from her eyes. "Order his release and you can take me to your bed. Right now. I'll do whatever you want."
She felt the heat from his body as he stood behind her. She expected him to grab her at any moment, to ravage her. Her whole body tensed. Liz knew that he was in love with her; she had heard it. She hoped he wanted her physically just as much. Then she felt her shawl being draped around her bared shoulders.
"As much as I am flattered by your offer, Elizabeth," Kivar sighed. "I fear that I must decline your... incredible... amazing... You must really love him."
"I do," Liz nodded.
"And me?"
Liz's head snapped up. She looked at Kivar.
"Do you think you could ever come to love me?" he continued.
"Would it get Zan released?" Liz narrowed her eyes.
"No," Kivar shook his head. He had a sad look on his face. Liz's question was all the answer he needed. "No, I'm afraid that Zan's fate has long ago been sealed. He has to die, Elizabeth. It's the only way to bring total peace to my country."
"Please, Kivar," Liz sobbed. "What if he came back home with me? You can tell everyone he's dead. No one will ever know."
"I'm sorry," Kivar sighed. "What if, one day, he decided to return and fight for his birthright? Or what if someone, somehow, discovered the truth? There would be many people who will remember him. Many who would want to see a return to the monarchy. No. There is no way that Zan can avoid his destiny with the executioner's axe."
Kivar turned to his desk and took of a piece of paper. He started to scribble.
"Give this to the gate guards," he handed her a note. "I think you should be with Zan tonight. The guards will let you into his cell. They'll have to lock it behind you, I'm afraid. But you will have your privacy, at least."
Liz nodded as she took the note.
"I truly am sorry that it has to be this way, Elizabeth," Kivar almost whispered. "More than you will ever know."

* * *

Liz noticed that the party was still in full swing as she returned to the prison.
"Are they still celebrating the king's death?" Liz handed the guard her note.
She didn't see them look her up and down.
"That and the news of Zan's impending execution," he smirked. "You here as his last request?"
Liz leveled a cool gaze at him.
"And just who would come for yours?" she sneered, heading down the steps.

"Elizabeth," Zan hurried to the bars. He seemed a little out of breath. She could just imagine him, doing his press ups, even though it would make no difference in the long run. "I was afraid you might not come back." He noticed her dress. "Why have you changed?"
Liz stood still as the guard unlocked the cell door. Part of her wanted to grab Zan's hand and pull him to safety, but she knew that they would both be cut down in seconds. Instead, she stepped into the cell with him.
"Elizabeth?" Zan frowned.
The guard locked the door, and left the room.
"Oh, Zan," Liz rushed into his arms.
"I take it your idea didn't work," he welcomed her into his embrace.
"No," Liz wept. "I'm sorry. I offered myself in exchange for your life."
"You did what?" His voice was tight.
"I did it for you," she dropped her face. "To try to save your life."
Zan remained silent. Liz couldn't tell if he was more angry or jealous.
"Thank you," he sighed, pulling her to him. "Thank you for trying. I can't imagine what that must have cost you. But I'm glad that he turned you down." He looked sideways at her. "He did... turn you down, right?"
"Even though his turning me down means you're going to... die?"
"Yes," he nodded. "Because I meant what I said. Before you left to try and save my life. I love you, Elizabeth."
"Please," she hugged him back. "Call me Liz."
"Liz," he nodded, his hand moving to the nape of her neck. "You know, when you arrived in Antar, I was afraid of you."
"Afraid? Of me?" Liz started to laugh.
"Hey," he shook his head, laughing with her. "I mean it. I felt you. The moment you arrived, I felt you. And I was so afraid of what you would find. That you would judge me and find me wanting."
"How did you know I had come here for you?" she teased
"I knew you hadn't," he shrugged. "But I knew that my feeling your presence meant something, even if you weren't here for me. I mean, I was afraid that next to Denda... I am not an admirable man, Liz."
"Well, you are to me," she pulled him tight.
"I've never wanted to play the royal game, Liz. There's nothing I would like more than to be allowed to simply be... me."
"I told that to Kivar. I asked him to send you into exile. That you could come home with me."
"Really?" Zan leaned back. "And still he refused? He must really hate me."
"I think it's more than that," Liz gave a slow nod. "I think... I think he's afraid of the idea of you."
"But, I can't help but admire him," Zan sighed.
"Why?" Liz frowned.
"His plan to bring down the monarchy," he shrugged. "To make all men more... equal."
"What difference would it be, Zan? A king or a dictator? They both do the same thing. Rule unilaterally. It's just that one is surrounded with this whole... royalty mystique. And one day, probably when he's older and feeling his mortality, Kivar's going to start doing... become more like Azande."
"How is it in your country?" Zan asked. "Do you have a king? Or a dictator?"
"We have a president," Liz shrugged. "He gets elected by the people every four years."
"So how does this help? He's still there all the time, right? Ruling over everyone. The same as it is here."
"No," Liz shook her head. "At the elections, other people stand to be elected too. The people choose who they prefer."
"The people choose?" Zan frowned. "How do they know who the best leader will be?"
"Sure, mistakes are made. But then he wouldn't get re-elected the next time. And he has an elected body to help him. People vote for them too."
"It sounds complicated."
"It can be," Liz laughed. "And expensive too. The candidates travel all over the country trying to persuade the people to vote for them and not their rival. Sure, it has its flaws. But it works. On the whole."
"Perhaps," Zan considered, "after I'm... gone, you should teach this method to Kivar."
"He'll have to learn for himself," Liz started to cry again. "I won't raise a finger to help him."

"I'm sorry for the way I treated you, Liz," Zan pulled her toward the shelf that served as a bed. They sat down, side by side, with Zan holding him to her.
"So what was that all about, anyway?" Liz looked up.
"I've always known that between Denda and Kivar, I would never have much... peace in my life. I always tried to walk the middle ground, but it seemed that neither would let me be. Denda would never believe I wanted no part in ruling and Kivar wanted to destroy the monarchy... And you are so young. You have such a bright future ahead of you. You could rule the heavens, Liz."
"Not without you."
"I wanted to protect you," his face dropped. "I'm so sorry for not being who you wanted me to be. I am not your Max." He turned to face her, cupping her cheeks in the palms of his hands. "I wish I could be, but I'm trapped in this ridiculous... mess. Some of it of my own making." His eyes caught hers. They were bright, urgent. The amber of his eyes glowed. "Go home, Liz. Live out your life and be happy. For my sake. Because if you do that, then there will be at least one life in all of creation who I have touched that came out good."
Liz looked deep into his eyes. Tears welled in his, just as they did in hers. He 'was' her Max, whether he knew it or not.

"Make love to me, Zan," she begged.
Pain crossed the amber orbs that stared so deeply into her soul.
"I would like that so very much, Liz," he whispered. "But I am not worthy of that gift, as much as I would like nothing more than to take it from you, freely given. I would not want you to ever regret it. Save the gift for Max."
"You are more my Max right now than you have ever been," she sobbed. "And I would never regret it."
"Does the dying man get his last request?" Zan gave a half smile.
Liz could only nod, her eyes glistening with moisture.
"What is it?" she breathed.
"A kiss."
"What?" Liz blinked. She had been dying to kiss him all night.
"A single kiss from the lady who someone who doesn't exist was lucky enough to have her fall in love with him."
Liz nodded, and moved to him. Zan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her head to his with his other hand. Their lips met. A tentative meeting where their lips barely brushed. They pressed themselves closer together, their lips mashing. Zan's tongue snaked out and brushed her lip. Their mouths opened. Like starving people, they devoured one another's lips. The kiss was explosive, breathtaking. Their tongues explored one another deeply. Liz literally saw stars. She was disappointed that she received no flashes from him, but then, they had done nothing to form that special connection. It had taken Max healing to form that particular bridge. Time had no meaning. They could have been there for hours, days or years but it made no difference. They were alone. They were together. They were in love. If only for a short while.
They clung to each other for some moments, both fighting to regain their breath after their world-shattering kiss.
"Thank you," Zan gasped.
Liz started to weep again, pressing her face into Zan's chest.
"I will never meet another woman like you, Liz," Zan stroked her hair. "Not for as long as I live."
Liz emitted a quiet wail.
"Sorry," Zan pulled an awkward face. "Not a good time to joke."
Liz could not hold it back. She was crying openly now.
"From the question's he's asked me," Zan hugged her. "I think Kivar knows where the Granolith is. If you ask him nicely, I'm sure he'll take you and Lady Maria to it. He'll let you go. Especially... now that I'm... out of the way."

The door opened. Nikolas stepped into the room, along with a huge axe slung over his shoulder.
"It's time," Nikolas sounded less arrogant now.
Through the skylight, a faint golden glow could just be made out.
"No," Liz shook her head, trying to move between Zan and Nikolas. "No, it can't be."
"It's nearly dawn," Nikolas frowned.
"Please, Nikolas," she tried to push Zan backwards. "Don't do this. Please!"
"Liz," Zan took her arms and turned her to him. "Please. Let me have this one moment of my life with dignity. Let me die unlike I have lived. As a man."
With tears flooding from her eyes, Liz gave a mute nod. Zan turned to place his back to Nikolas. He placed both of his hands behind him. Nikolas strapped a pair of cuffs to his wrist.
"Do you want a blindfold?" Nikolas held out a black strip of cloth.
There was no hint of mockery. He seemed almost sympathetic.
"Yes please," Zan nodded. "But not because I am afraid of seeing my own death. It is simply because the last thing in all of creation that I want to look upon, is the beautiful face of Elizabeth Parker."
Even though she was crying, Zan gazed at her as Nikolas stepped up to blindfold him. Liz watched until she no longer saw the amber lights beaming at her with love and devotion. He truly loved her. She could see that. He loved her like Max. And in return, Liz loved him right back. For only a matter of moments. She had found her soul mate, and then he was taken from her. Liz collapsed to the floor, wailing as Nikolas led him away, his head held high with pride. She sobbed and sobbed as outside, the dawn gave way to day. It was like that poem. Nothing gold can stay. And right then, Liz really hated Kivar.

* * *

oh my!

[WR]

Hi Everyone!

My! Wasn't that a short week! It just flew by!

As always, thank you so much for your awesome feedback, especially after such a tough part. Sorry I had to do that to y9ou, folks. (and if you believe I'm sorry, then... heh heh heh)

Oh, and that reminds me. I hope you all voted for me!

SpiderGirl - I thought that it was the perfect place to stop! Insane? Perhaps. Evil? Me? Nah.

BehrObsession - Sorry I made you cry. No I'm not. It's exactly what I wanted to happen!

cwm_ - Well, stopped there 'cause I can! As for lots more...

Evans3 There now. Didn't leave you for too long, now, did I? Well, what else did you expect to happen with Zan in Kivar's power?

you're my dreamgirl - A new level? Well, at least I didn't get hate mail this time.

AJK001 - Highlite of my week is seeing how nuts I've driven you!

Itzstacie - I do indeed. And no. This is no dream And yes, it has to be this way.

kittens - Well... funny you should say that...

Serephinah - You know what I am like and I still surprise you with my cliffies? Wow. I'm good.

paper - Like I said. No dream. Sorry.

Smac - I do apologise for upsetting your daughter like that... But glad that you were moved by my writing.

kissme4ever123 - Well, seeing as Zan is with Nikolas and senteneced to death... Sadly, I'm not sure how I can not.

BelevnDreamsToo - Maybe it won't work out at all. But thanks for the compliment.

g7silvers - Well look at that. YOu waited a whole wee. This CAN be and Zan CAN die!

LTL - It even hurt when I thought of this scene, WAAAAY back when the idea for the story struck me. NOw, on to the next cliff!

Realistic Dreamer - Thank you And yes, I deliberately took those lines from the show. As they have not been over used before, they have not become cliche.

Frenchkiss70 - I know, But then, we decided ages ago hoe evil I was. And good men did nothing, so I succeeded!

Venus_star2.com - Actually, I would have to be the KING of tension. But thank you Glad that SOMEONE like my Kivar.

aurorasky - Just remember how much you hate Kivar. Let's see if I can turn it up a notch or two!

I am a dreamer - Guilty as charged. Well, you never know. Maybe the declaration was enough.

roswellluver - Well, not sure if I can help you out here... uhm...

VeronicaB - And here is what happens next! Yup. Rath showing up now would be most fortuitous!

marteloise - Judging by everyone's reactions (threats) they will be the death of ME too! Thank you

Timelord31 - Thank you

smokie - The parcel hasn't turned up yet. I'll let you know the moment it does. - - Nope. No threats of violence, please. Smirk? Whay smirk? No, really. I *hoped* I would raise a few tears and so to have it confirmed... And guess what? It's Friday!

katmcken - Sorry I had to make you wait, but weekly posts is all I can manage. Sorry.

Hayleigh loves Dreamer - Thank you, Hayleigh.

Emz80m - Well, Liz certainly spotted some Max like qualities in him.

Alma - Sorry that yo9u have flu. And no. This really happened.

mareli -

Teresa - I can! I would LIKE to give Zan some will, but there's a problem with that... That axe. So, no rescue, I'm afraid.

cherie - LOL Fascinate? That's a new one.



Tears in Heaven
Eric Clapton

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way, through night and day
Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more...
Tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven






Part 29

Liz would never remember how long she sat in Zan's cell, calling for Nikolas to return Zan to her. Her tears flowed freely while she stared in vain at the doorway through which Zan had disappeared. The skylight above was no longer showing the feint golden glow. Daylight had long since arrived. Dawn had vanished ages ago. So too had Zan. Barely able to control herself, Liz rose from the position she had slumped to and started to force herself to move. The door opened easily. There were no guards in the other room. After all, there was no prisoner to watch, now. Liz trudged up the steps and into the daylight. There were no guards there, either. Placing one foot in front of the other, Liz made her way toward her tent. She wanted to collapse onto her bed and cry. She wanted to forget. As she reached it, a movement by Kivar's tent caught her eye. She saw Nikolas entering it. Changing her mind, Liz turned to confront the two. She was going to let both Nikolas, and Kivar, know just how evil they truly were. She barged into the tent, brushing past the lone sentry with ease.
"Elizabeth!" Kivar looked startled.
He looked tired, Liz noticed. Then she noticed something else. Leaning against his desk was the large axe that Nikolas was holding earlier. The blade was still stained with blood. Liz lost it.
"I hate you!" she screamed, flying at Kivar like a demon. "I hate you!"
Liz was pounding Kivar with her fists. Weeping hysterically and proclaiming her distaste of the man, Liz attacked Kivar. She punched, she slapped and she scratched. She even kicked out at him once or twice. Kivar defended himself but allowed Liz to vent her fury upon him. As her attacks weakened, Kivar pulled her into his arms. He wrapped one arm around her waist and placed his other hand at the back of her head, holding him to her while she cried her heart out.
"Liz?" she heard Maria call out.
Opening her bleary eyes, she saw Nikolas escorting Maria into the tent.
"Liz?" her eyes widened when she saw her friend in Kivar's arms. Then she saw Liz's condition. "What did you do?" she hissed.
"Elizabeth has received some disturbing news," Kivar explained.
Liz pulled away from Kivar and stumbled toward Maria.
"He's killed Zan," she cried as Maria swept her arms around her. "He's killed... Zan."

* * *

Alone in their tent, where Maria had hurried Liz to, away from Kivar, Maria sat with Liz in her arms, rocking her back and forth. Maria too was crying, but she was trying to remain strong. For Liz.
"It's okay, Liz," Maria soothed. "I understand."
"Do you, Maria?" Liz murmured. "Do you really understand that everything I worked for is gone? That my dream just... died?"
Maria's eyes widened.
"Liz!" she gasped. "Your dream!"
"Yeah," Liz sniffed. "It's gone. Finished."
"No," Maria shook her head. "It's not. In you dream, Zan died then, too. But he was... re-created. That's when he became Max. Maybe this is how..."
"But he wasn't born for a couple of decades after his death, Maria," Liz rolled her tear stained eyes. "And then it was as a six year old. When he's sixteen, I'll be twenty-six. Not going to work." She shook her head.
"But Max died, too," Maria refused to give up. "And you brought him back to life. And this time, he was Max again, not the Max who was obsessed about his son and Tess and..." Maria's eyed went distant. "You kissed him. You kissed him and you brought him back to life. Maybe..."
"Maybe what, Maria?" Liz shook her head. "Nikolas used an axe. I don't know much about executions, but I think..." she swallowed. "I think that would make quite a mess."
"Damn you Liz," Maria spat. "Are you just going to give up? I'll tell you this for nothing. There's no power in this universe that will prevent me from allowing you to let go of the dream, Liz. I'll be your dream keeper, and I'm going to make you fight for it every step of the way."
"And what good will that do, Maria?" Liz demanded. "Huh? Will me not forgetting the dream bring Zan back to life? Will your interfer..."
"It's a roadmap!" Maria squealed.
"What?" Liz looked confused.
"Don't you see?" Maria bubbled with enthusiasm. "Your dream. It's all been laid out like a roadmap. It's all there. Everything. All we have to do now is figure out which road to take."
"Easy," Liz mumbled. "The road that leads us home."

* * *

Every time Liz found herself alone with Maria, her friend would badger her about looking for guidance from her dream. Liz would repeat the relative aspects of her dream and tried to explain what had happened over and over again, until she was positive that Maria knew Liz's dream better than she did herself. To avoid the issue, Liz took to avoiding her.
She also took to avoiding Kivar, and hadn't seen him for three days. At last, however, she knew that she could not procrastinate any further. It was time to face him.
"Elizabeth," Kivar smiled when she entered his tent. "I have missed you. It has been ages since we last spoke.
"We had nothing to talk about, Kivar," Liz made it clear that she had not forgiven him, nor would she.
"And now we do?" he raised an eyebrow.
"We do," she gave a curt nod. "Do you know where the Granolith is?"
"Why do you want to know that?" he narrowed his eyes.
"Do you?" Liz barked.
"I do," Kivar nodded.
"You said we weren't prisoners, Maria and I." It was a statement rather than a question.
"I did," Kivar nodded. "That is correct. Are you..." There was a catch in his voice. "Do you wish to leave?"
"I want to go home," she nodded. "My real home. Not the castle."
Kivar opened his mouth to speak but stopped as Ava entered the tent. Liz froze. She prepared herself to give a retort to whatever insult the blonde happened to throw her way. Liz was surprised when Ava barely cast a second glance her way.
"We have news," Ava grinned.
"And that is?" All of a sudden, Kivar looked weary.
"It's Denda's birthday today," Ava was still smiling.
"And this fact should surprise me because...?"
"He's announced his coronation. For tomorrow night."
"Tomorrow night?" Kivar mouth widened in a grin.
"Is there an echo in here?" Ava grinned.
Kivar stood motionless for a moment before her strode powerfully to his tent flap, moving aside to bypass Liz. He stared up into the sky.
"Twenty four," he returned to his desk, grinning.
Liz stepped to the doorway and looked up. All she could see were some clouds, lots of trees, many with leaves still attached, and the ever present circling black birds.
"Good omens at last," Kivar continued to smile. "Send out word. Rally the men. You know the meeting point. It's time."
As Ava scurried through the doorway, giving Liz a polite nod as she brushed past, Kivar turned to her.
"It seems that I am now in a position to grant your wish."
"How do you mean?" Liz's eyes narrowed. "Were you going to refuse me before?"
"Not refuse," he shook his head. "Delay. You see, the Granolith is in the castle. And we were not ready to make our move yet."
"But now?"
"Now it is time. It is time that I finished this once and for all, Elizabeth. We have an appointment at the castle tomorrow. We can convey you and Lady Maria safely to the Granolith along the way. Now go and pack your things. We will be travelling all night and we shall be leaving shortly."
"Before we go," Liz hesitated. Her voice dropped. "I'd like to take... Zan's, uh... body... home to his mother. So he can be... buried... with dignity."
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth," Kivar looked uncomfortable. He looked around his tent. It was some moments before he spoke again. "I cannot risk that Zan's mother will clone him and have him reborn somewhere hidden far from here. I cannot risk everything I have striven to achieve for the dignity of a dead man. Now go." He was short with her. "Pack."
Liz stared at him through narrowed eyes for a moment before she turned and headed back to her tent.

* * *

A short while later, when the packing had been completed, some soldiers arrived with four horses. Liz noticed right away that one of them was the horse she had ridden up on. Zan's horse. Tears welled in her eyes. The soldiers tied their packs - considerably lighter as they were not returning to Earth with anything from Antar -onto two of the horses, leaving the other two for them to ride. The men then assisted the girls into the saddles.
"Kivar requests that you stay close by him," one of the men informed them. "He wishes to ensure your safety."
"I bet," Maria rolled her eyes. "Just like he ensured Zan's."

Even though they were reluctant to be too close to the man, it did have its advantages. They did manage to hear snippets of information.
"Have the emissaries left?" Kivar asked Nikolas.
"They have," the red haired wild man grunted. "As you asked, one has been sent to each king or leader of our neighbors."
"What's this?" Maria's curiosity got the better of her. "Trying to find allies?"
"We will offer them their lands back," Kivar told her. "We'll offer peace and the commencement of trade if they promise to keep out of Antar's domestic problems."
"I don't understand," Maria looked around her at the lack of men. "Don't you want their help?"
"Not the kind they would offer," Kivar shook his head. "I can sort out Denda by myself."
"And what if they refuse? What if they decide that they want to ride in and take whatever they can?"
"Then I will be forced to fight a war on as many fronts as is necessary. And I will win, Lady Maria." There was a hint of steel in his words. "Do not be fooled by what you see here. My army outnumbers Denda's."
Even as he finished speaking, Maria and Liz became aware of a large column of mounted soldiers joining them from their left.
"I suppose you'll need as much of your army intact," Liz joined.
"That would please me," Kivar nodded. "Yes."
"The better to defeat your neighbors with afterwards, right?"
Kivar studied Liz for a moment.
"Wrong," he shook his head. "I know what you're thinking, Elizabeth. You think that once I take the throne, that I will proclaim myself King and use my armies to conquer the world? I could have taken it easier than this."
"Kivar!" Nikolas barked.
Kivar looked at Nikolas and then down to the ground.
"I need a large army to ensure that I have the time to remove Prince Denda, and keep my borders safe at the same time," Kivar looked up again. "Then, when we have peace, the soldiers can return with their families to their towns and villages... their farms. We can start to rebuild. And all my neighbors will remember the army I raised, and will think twice before they come to shatter my peace.

A sudden shout from ahead drew their attention. The sounds of shouting and the clashing of swords could be heard ahead.
"Ambush," Nikolas snorted, spurring his horse forward as he drew his large, wicked sword.
A dozen soldiers followed him, their own swords waving in the air as they lined with a blue light.
"Surround the ladies," Kivar motioned to some of the men behind. Spurring their horses forward, Liz and Maria found themselves in the middle of a small mass of men. The noise of battle died away and soon, Nikolas returned. His sword dripped with blood. One of the horses came back riderless.
"Not much of a fight," he shrugged. "They didn't even know how to ambush us properly. Our scouts found them."
As they rode past the scene of the battle, Liz felt sick. Dead men in Royal Antarian uniforms were strewn about, blood oozing from their wounds. Already, the large black carrion crows had arrived to feast.
"Thirteen!" Liz heard Kivar's strangled voice groan. "A terrible omen! Something bad is going to happen. Really bad."
Liz looked at him, surveying the scene again. She turned and was about to speak.
"Get them moving at the front," Kivar bellowed. "Nikolas, come with me. You men, keep the ladies safe.
And then he was gone, heading for the front of the column.

* * *

When the pace had picked up, Kivar returned, with Nikolas as always, by his side.
"My Lord," a soldier rode up to him. His horse had white flecks of foam over its face and haunches. The man, and horse, had ridden hard to get here. "Denda has massed his army and now lies encamped on the plains in front of the city."
"Oh, no," Liz groaned, realizing the implication.
"What?" Maria frowned.
"Do you have to defeat Denda's army before we can get to the castle?" she called to Kivar who was deep in thought. Then the thought struck her. "You're going to have to lay siege, aren't you? It's going to take months. Years!"
Nikolas started to laugh.
"I promise you, Elizabeth," he smiled. "You will be at the Granolith before the sun has this day, reached its zenith."
He pointed to the east where the first fingers of daylight were reaching out.
"I'll believe that when I see it," Liz shook her head. "Like Denda's going to stand to one side and say, after you."
"He won't have to," Kivar chuckled. "He'll be too busy trying to get himself crowned before we turn up to crown him personally. Permanently."

* * *

In the full light of morning, Liz sat with Maria and a dozen of Nikolas's best soldiers, watching the two men setting out their army below. In the distance, Liz could see Denda's army facing them. She could see that in spite of Kivar's boast, the Prince outnumbered his army.
"We have not gathered all our forces, my Lady," a soldier seemed to detect her thoughts. We have had to hold large numbers back to watch the borders. Kivar does not fully trust our neighbors."
"He's going to have a tough job fighting his way through that little lot," Maria nodded at the distant army. "In just a few hours. And how many men has Denda held back?"
Down below, Liz saw Kivar and Nikolas ride up toward them. From a small copse of trees to the side, a lone rider approached.
"Ava," Liz groaned.
"Hello to you, too," the young blonde woman smirked.
"Come," Kivar nodded his head, and urged his horse into the trees behind them.
Liz looked down at the two armies, and then at the retreating forms of Kivar, Nikolas, Ava and the soldiers.
"That's it?" Liz shrieked. "We're just going home?"
"In a manner of speaking," Kivar smirked. "And for now, home lies this way."
"But what about your army? What about the Granolith?"
"The army knows what to do," Kivar shrugged. "In twenty minutes, they will melt away, as though we have decided against a battle this day. We do appear to be, after all, outnumbered."
"What good does that do?" Maria frowned.
"What it does, is that Denda's army will do the same. They will start to disband, to return to barracks. Then, when our army reforms and appears in front of their city, they will raise the alarm and come rushing out."
"Trying to launch a surprise attack, huh?"
"We will be launching no attack this day," Kivar shook his head. "I plan to avoid an all out confrontation and to keep Denda's troops away from the castle, which is where we're going."
"Oh, what?" Maria rolled her eyes. "You're just going to walk up to the door and say, 'Hi. I'm here to see the king. Let me in.'"
"Not quite, no," Kivar shook his head.
Kivar's silence frustrated Maria, so she turned to Liz, who was miles away, deep in thought.

Nikolas led the small unit to the base of the cliffs below the castle.
"We're here," he nodded, sliding from his horse.
"We're where?" Maria demanded, looking around.
Her eyes widened when Nikolas started walking toward the cliff face and disappeared before her very eyes.
"It's a cave," Kivar laughed. "Because of the light, it looks like a solid wall. But there's a twist just there, and you slide into the cave. Unless you know it's there, you will never find it."
"And just who knows about it?" Maria narrowed her eyes.
"Until this moment, the three of us. Now you know as do the guards."
Kivar smiled at her and then looked at Liz, who still seemed distant.
"Look after her, Lady Maria," he nodded towards the dark haired girl. "She will come to terms with what has happened. She will meet someone worthy of her love."
"You didn't know her very well, then," Maria shook her head.
"I know her better than you understand. Goodbye, Maria. I doubt you and I will meet again."
"Yeah," Maria nodded, ignoring Kivar's outstretched hand.
Kivar shook his head and walked up to Liz.
"Good bye, Elizabeth," he sighed. "I'm truly sorry that you never found your Max Evans. That you have to go home empty handed, so to speak. But I hope... my part in Zan's death aside, that you will not think too harsh of me."
Liz nodded and wiped away her tears.
"I guess you're not as bad as you were portrayed," Liz conceded.
Kivar gave her a weak smile. He looked like he was going to pull her into a hug, but changed his mind.
"Let's go," he waved his men and disappeared into the wall.
Two guards remained.
"We will escort you to the Granolith," they told her.

* * *

"Are we going home, or what?" Maria looked at Liz as they stood in front of the Granolith. She showed no signs of entering it.
"What are we doing?" Liz let out an exasperated sigh.
"We're going home is what we're doing," Maria rolled her eyes. "You know, like you wanted."
"Things don't add up, Maria," she turned and grabbed her friend's arms.
"Liz," Maria sighed. "Zan's dead. Max is dead. Nikolas beheaded him. Who cares if what Kivar's doing doesn't add up? Let's go."
"No," Liz shook her head. "Nikolas only said he executed him. Did you see any evidence? Did you see Zan's body? Did they even show anything to Kivar's people? No. Nikolas only told them what he had done."
"You said you saw the blood on the axe."
"How did I know it was Zan's?"
"So..." Maria narrowed her eyes. "What are you saying? That Nikolas betrayed Kivar?"
"We've known for ages that there was a spy in Kivar's camp, right? Someone important. Why not Nikolas?"
"I don't know, Liz," Maria shook her head. "They looked pretty tight to me."
"In my dream, Nikolas had a thing for Vilondra too. What if..."
"I don't know, Liz. It's all a bit tenuous."
"Tenuous is all I have, Maria. Please," she urged. "What happened to making me keep the dream alive?"
"Just making you work for it," Maria grinned.
"Come with me. I... It's just a... a feeling, Maria. You were right. Zan died and came back to life. But I have a feeling that Zan's still alive, that he didn't die in the first place. That Nikolas never killed him."
"What makes you say that?" Maria couldn't help grinning.
"Zan told me he could feel me. When I first arrived. And now... I realized that for the first time, I've been feeling someone too. I've been feeling Max. I think that Zan and Kivar are going to meet tonight. I think... I think that they're going to sort this out, once and for all. I think..."
Liz paused and looked at Maria with hope dawning in her eyes.
"I think I'm finally going to meet Max tonight."

* * *

[WR]

Hello my friends!

I am so sorry that I have taken so long to get back to you, but Real Life just wouldn't go away, and then I had that 'situation' with my phone line. In a nut shell, it seems an engineer 'plugged' my telephone line into someone else's house. When I contacted them, they said that my line was okay because they detected traffic on it. I finally got back online last night, and Jen rushed the editing of this part just so I could post tonight. Thank you so much, Jen!

I will have a new part of Home For the Holidays out soon, and my plan is to continue telling the tale intermitantly through holiday scenes.

Thank you all so much for your patiance, and you kind words. For both stories. No individual comments tonight, let's just get on with it. You've waited long enough for this.






Heart of Gold,
Neil Young

I want to live,
I want to give
I've been a miner
for a heart of gold.
It's these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old.
Keeps me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old.

I've been to Hollywood
I've been to Redwood
I crossed the ocean
for a heart of gold
I've been in my mind,
it's such a fine line
That keeps me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old.
Keeps me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old.

Keep me searching
for a heart of gold
You keep me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old.
I've been a miner
for a heart of gold.



Part 30

Maria watched with a sense of awe as Liz followed the invisible trail left by the soldiers who had escorted them to the Granolith. At every intersection or crossroad in the corridors, Liz would pause for a moment, tilt her head down and to one side before continuing with confidence along her chosen path. They walked along passages, up staircases, down different ones and through small antechambers. How Liz knew, Maria could only guess, for she could see no hint of a trail, no sign that anyone had passed this way. No dusty footprints, no torn cloth, no breadcrumbs.
"You're amazing, Liz," Maria chuckled. "River Dog would be proud... if he wasn't just part of your dream."
"What are you talking about?" Liz turned and frowned. "What do you mean, proud?"
"Your tracking skills," Maria nodded. "Following those soldiers. I mean, I can't see a thing, but you're still following them."
"Uh," Liz shook her head. "No. I'm not following them, Maria. In fact, I have no idea if they went this way or not."
"So, uh," Maria's face dropped. "How do you know which way o go? And more importantly, why do you look so confident?"
"It's like you said before," Liz smiled. "If my dream is a roadmap, then that's what I'm using. In my dream, my Grandma Claudia told me how to find Max. So that's what I'm doing."
"And that is...?"
"I'm following my heart."

* * *

They continued to walk, using Liz's heart - which seemed drawn to something, no, to someone... to Max... - as their guide. Although her heart was a good tool to find what she wanted, like in her dream, it did not predict obstacles along her path. Obstacles like certain annoying females.
"So, you've returned, I see," a cold voice called from behind them. "Heard that he's the king now and you've come scurrying back to be his Queen, have you?"
They turned to see their one time Lady in Waiting, Adaile, standing in the middle of the crossroad with her hands on her hips.
"Adaile!" Liz exclaimed. "No, uhm... No. No, not at all," she shook her head."
"Actually, we're here to mmmph..."
"Get the rest of our things," Liz threw her hand over Maria's mouth to silence her. "You know, we left in such a rush. In fact, we don't even want to see Denda."
"Yeah," Maria nodded, pulling away from Liz's hand. "What she said."
"Well," Adaile shook her head. "It doesn't really matter. You have to come with me, I'm afraid. You see, Denda wants to see you, even if you say you don't want to see him."
"Oh, uh, you know what? We're in kind of a rush. So I don't think we can come. Sorry."
"Well," Adaile shrugged. "I had hoped that you would come, you know, willingly." She pulled a very sharp knife from her sleeve. Both Liz and Maria's eyes widened when it became lined in blue. "But you're coming whether you want to or not."
"Which way?" Maria swallowed.
"This way," Adaile motioned with her head, stepping back to let the girls go first.

They followed Adaile's instructions and walked, a little ahead of her, in the direction that their maid wanted to go. Maria glanced at Liz from time to time and knew from the small smile on her face that Liz was going the direction that her heart was pulling. At last, they entered a large domed room.
"I recognize this place," Maria looked around.
"You should do," Adaile smirked. She pointed at a large set of gilded doors, guarded by two familiar looking soldiers. "The throne room's through there."
"State your business," one of the guards challenged.
"No flowery soliloquy? At least Denda doesn't have delusions of grandeur, like his father," Maria spoke through the side of her mouth.
"Yet," Liz hissed back.
There was an edge to her voice. Maria glanced at her and saw Liz's eyes flicker toward the back of the room, away from where they were headed. She knew that whoever Liz's heart was leading to was in that direction.
"It's me," Adaile shook her head. "I have the Lady Elizabeth with me. She's come to see Denda." There was more than a hint of a sneer to her tone.
"He'll be pleased, then," the guard laughed. "You may enter."
Maria released a heavy sigh.
Liz's steps seemed almost leaden to Maria. She knew why, too. With great reluctance, Maria wrapped her arm around her and escorted Liz into the room.

* * *

The throne room seemed the same as before, except that it had Denda's personal touches, rather than Azande's. Denda himself sat on the throne, dwarfed by the enormous chair. He lounged in it, rather than sat. Syrus stood beside him, leaning over and talking to him. From Denda's expression, it was apparent that Syrus might just as well be talking to a brick wall.
"Look what I've brought for you, darling," Adaile announced their presence.
"Darling?" both Liz and Maria mouthed in silence to one another.
Denda sat upright, his attention fixed on Liz, his face breaking into a huge smile. Syrus, too, was smiling broadly.
"Elizabeth!" Denda started to rise. "How lovely of you to join us. And just in time for my coronation, too."
Adaile had led them to the base of the dais, and waited for Denda to embrace her. She looked shocked when Denda passed her and went straight to Liz's side.
"We have much to prepare," he reached for Liz's hand. She pulled it back from him. "We will be married within the week."
"I don't think so," Liz shook her head. "I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on... in Antar."
"I think you will," he grinned.
"Not willingly," Liz shook her head.
"Willingly," Denda nodded. "And what's more, you will be a compliant little wife, forthcoming eagerly in your matrimonial duties."
"What do you mean?" Adaile almost screamed. "You said that she would be a wife in name only. You said that I would be your only lover!"
"I lied," Denda shrugged with a smirk. "But I will still find time for you, my loyal Adaile."
Liz missed the venom-filled look that Adaile directed at her, but Maria did not.
"You have nothing to worry about, Adaile," Liz glared at Denda. "I will not marry him and I certainly won't... Not with him."
A shriek from Maria attracted her attention. A guard was holding a hand over Maria's mouth and a sharp looking dagger to her chest.
"It's like this, Elizabeth... or can I call you Liz? You either marry me, and be the contrite, dutiful wife, or your friend pays. It's your decision.

* * *

"Don't do this, Liz," Maria begged as they sat in some seats behind Denda while the new King discussed the current situation with some generals. "Don't give yourself to this man. I couldn't live with myself knowing that you were..."
"And I couldn't live with myself if you died because of me," Liz shook her head.
"She is making the right choice," Syrus approached them from the side.
"What makes you say that?" Liz narrowed her eyes.
"Denda is, after all," Syrus shrugged, "the rightful heir. Plus, he will make a better ruler than Kivar."
"Says you," Maria rolled her eyes.
"Do you even know much about Kivar?" Liz demanded.
"I know that he has a silver tongue," Syrus nodded, "if he has you so besotted with him."
"He didn't charm me," Liz shook her head. "I saw things... heard things that led me to believe that Kivar will be a better ruler than Denda. And definitely better than Azande."
"And Zan?"
"Zan was executed," Liz shrugged without a hint of remorse.
"And you do not grieve?" Syrus raised his eyebrows. "Then you did have more feelings for Denda than Zan."
"In your dreams," Maria smirked.
"So, tell us, Syrus," Liz neatly sidestepped the issue. She glanced at Denda who walked with his generals to a table filled with maps. "Apart from a change in power, what's been going on here at the castle?"
"Intrigue?" Syrus shrugged. "The generals are all jostling for position. They each want to lead the assault against Kivar's troops... if they ever stand and fight."
"What are they doing?" Liz feigned a look of ingenuousness.
"They form up for an attack," Syrus looked confused. "Then, just as our forces prepare to counter attack, they melt back into the trees. It's clear that they have an ambush set up and hope to lure us into the trap, but Kivar really is a fool if he believes Denda will fall into that trap." He was shaking his head. "Zan might have. But not Denda. And neither Kivar, nor Nikolas will show themselves."
"Talking of showing themselves," Maria looked around the room. "Do you know where Rath might be hiding?"
"No one has seen Rath since the day you crept away from the castle," Syrus shrugged. "But without Zan to protect him, he was probably murdered by one of his many enemies."
"Oh," Maria's face fell.

"Where's everyone else?" Liz noticed the absence of many people. "Where's Denda's mother? Zan's mother? Where's Vilondra?"
"Well," Syrus took a deep breath. "Layola is currently in her room, where Denda placed her under arrest for regicide."
"Denda arrested his own mother?" Maria's mouth dropped open.
"She murdered the King," Syrus shrugged. "Of course he arrested her. As the new King, he has to uphold the law."
Both Liz and Maria shook their heads.
"Zan's mother has not been seen since the King's death, and there are those who claim that it is she who murdered the King, and not Layola. This is a view that Denda supports, but has his own mother in custody pending an investigation."
"I expect she'll be found in some ditch with the knife that killed the King in her hand," Liz shook her head. "A total frame up. But what about Vilondra?"
"Vilondra has been missing for about as long as you have. Everyone thinks that she finally fled to be with Kivar."
"She never showed up," Maria shook her head. "At least, I never saw her."
"Well, wherever she is, she will want to stay hidden," Syrus nodded. "She's been implicated in her father's murder too. It's Denda's opinion that she helped her mother."
"This is so Machiavellian," Liz laughed. "Why am I not surprised?"

"But your return brings fresh hope," Syrus smiled.
"How's that?" Liz frowned.
"With your impending nuptials to Denda, you can still persuade him to sign this," he handed Liz a scroll.
"Is that...?"
"The document that prevents power sharing," Syrus nodded.
"Call me slow," Maria frowned, "but isn't that kind of unnecessary now? I mean, who's left to share the power with?"
"There is always the need of such a law, Maria," Syrus glared at her. Suppose we have a similar situation arise when Denda grows old? What if we have two brothers fighting for the power with outside parties attempting to interfere?"
"But..." Liz narrowed her eyes. "If Denda becomes immortal, as the prophecy suggests, won't that be impossible?"
"I would rather play it safe," Syrus shook his head. "Yes, it might never be necessary, but what if one day it is?"
"And you really think he'll sign it?" Liz started to chuckle.
"You could always tell him it's some wedding custom from your home. It's an acceptance of you, or something."
Liz took the document while shaking her head.
"This doesn't mean that I am agreeing to marry him," Liz stated.
"Then your friend will pay the consequences. Now is not the time for vacillation, Elizabeth!" Syrus grew quite angry. "I didn't bring you all this way so that you could dither about while my country dies. You were brought here to ensure our future."
A sudden rising of voices interrupted them. The young King was standing with a group of agitated generals.
"Then chase them into the damn trees next time!" Denda shouted at the top of his voice. "Are you all cowards? You outnumber them by at least two to one."
"But, your highness..."
"Elizabeth!" Denda bellowed. "Your presence is required."
Liz threw a contemptuous glare at Syrus.
"This isn't finished!" she hissed.
"Not by a long way," he nodded with narrowed eyes.

* * *

"What?" Liz barked as she joined Denda and his fawning generals.
"You would do well to moderate your tone," he glared.
"You can force me to marry you, your highness," she sneered the term, "but you can't make me respect you."
"What is Kivar up to?" he demanded. "First his army forms up, then he fades away, Forms up, fades away, Forms, fades. Is he some kind of coward who just likes to postulate?"
"I don't presume to know his mind," Liz shook her head.
"You spent enough time with him," Denda pointed out.
"So?" Liz shrugged. "That doesn't mean anything."
"Now you listen, bitch," Denda grabbed her hair and pulled it backwards. "You will tell me what he's doing, or you will suffer. Rather," he nodded to one side. Maria was struggling to escape from two mean looking soldiers. One held her hands behind her back while he muffled her mouth with his other hand. The other showed every sign of preparing to molest her. "Your sharp tongued friend will suffer. I have many soldiers, Liz. And they all like the company of women."
"Just like the boy you are," a familiar voice called from the back of the throne room. "Threatening women to get your way."
Liz's heart leapt for joy. She could feel his presence. When she looked, however, it was not Max. Neither was it Zan. With a crescent of soldiers behind him, Kivar, Nikolas and Ava walked into the room. Denda released Liz, who fell to the floor. Maria, too, was released. There was the sound of steel sliding from leather. Soon, every man in the room, with the exception of Syrus, had a weapon drawn. All were lined with blue. Soldiers took up protective stances, shielding their leaders.

"Are you okay, Elizabeth?" Kivar asked, his gray eyes searching out hers.
"Yeah," she nodded, rising to her feet.
"I'm okay, too," Maria rose and glared at Nikolas.
"I didn't doubt it," Nikolas shrugged.
"How touching," Denda sneered. "Come back to get some more of her, have you? Is she worth it?"
"I would have to hazard a guess, Denda," Kivar's voice was tight. "I treated Elizabeth with nothing but respect. And I believe that her friendship is worth any risk." Kivar then looked at Liz. "Of course, she was supposed to be a long way away from here by now."
Liz dropped her head.
"You've finally made a mistake," Denda started to laugh. "In a moment, I'll have a hundred guards in here."
"Actually, you'll have the same number you do now," Kivar smirked. "The others received orders to reinforce the army outside. I believe we're evenly matched."
"Except for one thing," Denda smirked. "There isn't a man among you who can stand up to my swordsmanship."
"We'll see," Kivar smiled.
"Come on then, Kivar," Denda indicated that they should duel. "Let's get this over with."

"Just one moment," Syrus intervened.
There was a sudden shriek from Liz. All eyes turned to Syrus, who now held Liz in one hand, while holding a knife to her throat with the other.
"Before the pair of you hack one another to bits, I want you both to sign an agreement."
"What kind of agreement?" Kivar, looking worried, was watching Liz and that knife carefully.
"It's a document that will hand over all power to the church. To me, effectively."
"Why would we do that?" Denda narrowed his eyes.
"Because if you don't, then I'll kill Elizabeth. Then neither of you will get your immortality. And who knows what's going to happen to the winner of your little duel? The neighboring countries are poised to invade even as we speak. Either the church will rule through you, or with the help of our neighbors."
"So this was all a trick?" Liz groaned. "You've been using me right from the beginning?"
"Of course I have," Syrus laughed. "Did you really believe all that soul mate garbage? For some one purportedly intelligent, you are incredibly dense."

"I'll sign it," Kivar shouted without hesitation.
"Are you mad?" Nikolas yelled in astonishment. "He'll be worse than Azande."
"You can't do this," Ava shook her head. "Not without our agreement.
"I have to," Kivar whispered. "I won't let him hurt her.
You're pathetic," Denda shook his head. "And this is why I will defeat you."
Denda flicked his hand. Syrus flew from Liz's side across the room and crashed into a wall. After emitting a groan, he collapsed into a motionless heap.
"She's mine, Kivar," Denda walked toward Liz. "I was prepared to fight for her. You were just going to wimp out."
"I can't believe this!" Adaile screeched. She stepped between Denda and Liz. "You're all obsessed with her. You are," she pointed to Denda. "He is," she indicated Kivar. "Zan was and so was your father. And why? Because some old parchment says you're going to live forever? What powers does she have?"
"Get out of the way," Denda tried to push past her.
"She's just a... powerless weakling!" Adaile cried.
Her arm swung around and the knife she used earlier, plunged into Liz's abdomen. Liz's face widened with shock, and then pain, as she realized that the knife had entered her in the exact spot that she had been shot in her dream.

"Liz!" Maria screamed, rushing to be by Liz's side.
"No!" Denda cried out.
As Liz collapsed to the ground, Adaile pulled out the knife and started to run. Cursing, Denda chased her, keen to vent his fury. Meanwhile, Kivar's face drained of whatever color he had left. He looked as though he himself had been struck by the blade. He shook himself from his stupor, and started to push through his protective ring of soldiers. Nikolas grabbed his arm.
"What are you doing?" Kivar turned to him. "Let me go."
"Kivar, what are you going to do?"
But Kivar didn't answer. He was already free of Nikolas and beside Liz. Ignoring Maria's pleas to do something, he grabbed two handfuls of her dress and pulled, tearing the fabric open to reveal the blood pooling on her abdomen.
"It's going to be okay," he assured her, unaware if she could hear him or not.
Neither was he aware that Nikolas had moved his soldiers so that they were now forming a loose picket line around them. He placed his hand over Liz's wound.
"You have to look at me, Liz," he called, concentrating on forming the connection that would allow him to heal her. "You have to look at me."
Liz, aware of her life starting to ebb away, looked up at him, wishing that it were Max that she was seeing. And then she felt him. He was inside her mind; the connection had been made. She blinked as the images assailed her. Images that revealed Kivar's life to her. Images that showed her the real Kivar.
"You're alright now," he gasped, climbing to his feet and helping her stand. "You're alright."
Everyone in the room stared at Kivar with awe. Everyone that is, except Liz. She looked him in the eye.
"You bastard!" she spat, slapping him with as much force as she could muster. She started crying. "How could you do that to me? How could you... do...? So evil!" She turned to Maria and collapsed into her arms in tears.

* * *