Ian knew something was up. And it had to involve Maradomin. And he knew how Maradomin worked; if it did involve him and Reva shared her information, that psycopath would not rest until he killed her.

He brought her to a room just down the hall, very near to his own. He would be near enough to protect her but far enough to give her privacy. He opened the door for her, just being polite, and let her enter before him. Once she was safely inside, he closed the door.

"It's Maradomin, isn't it?" he said, very bluntly. "I could tell by your eyes, and by his body language."

"Listen, don't you go trying to be the hero and try to save me here. This is my own buisness. Not yours. And stop treating my like a lady, it's annoying me to death."

Ian stood there flabbergasted. Reva laughed at his expense.

"Look, I can handle anything, alright? I'm not your damsel in distress, and I definitely never will be."

With that she grabbed him by the coloar and shoved him out of the room. When he turned to protest, Reva slammed the door in his face.

"Your welcome," he muttered.

"Whatever."

Ian shook his head. He couldn't win either way with her! An attitude and a half, then her indepence kicking in... He sighed, walking away.

But he did know one thing. Maradomin was the traitor she had mentioned. That was unquestionable. And he would take care of it.

But first...Ari. Ian went back to their room, ready to take care of his companion.

**TIME SKIP!! ^_^**

Ari stretched once she stepped outside into the courtyard. Finally! She didn't have to stay in bed anymore! One week of being unconcious and another week just trying to figure out what was wrong with her wasn't a very good combanation for her. It took Ian all he had not to strap her down by force when she wouldn't cooperate with the nurses.

"Hey, you're finally up!" commented Reva, a little ways off. She had visited Ari frequently, not paying any mind to Ian when she did.

Ari had then figured she liked Reva's personality; strong and independent, not needing a man's help for anything. Just the way she used to be until she found Ian...but with less attitude, of course.

"Yeah; they figured they couldn't tie me down to the bed forever, so they let me go." Ari laughed. Gautier, you ready to go flying? I know you've been dying to!

Yes, of course, my dear! It's been too long!

***Yay!***

Ian was sparring with a couple of the guards in a small yard, just below the main courtyard. His shoulder had finally healed, letting him get back into action. Unfortunately, Thorn would need more time. He had come so close to dying... Hell, he may even have to retire. He may never fully recover from his own wounds.

And if that's the case, Ian thought as he disarmed and pinned down his opponent, The mercernary unit will be mine. He grinned at the Sergeant, sheathing his sword and extending a hand to him. "Good match."

"Good match," the guard stood, slapping dust off his tunic and pants. He looked up at the courtyard, focusing on a few faces; Ian followed suit. Reva greeting Ari in the courtyard. And...well, damn. Thorn on the balcony!

He grinned, running toward the corridor that would lead him to them.

Reva was glad Ari had gotten better, she was a strong general - and woman.

But now she was looking for someone to parry with. Reva was bored of sitting around and wanted to stretch her legs and magic.

"Who would want to fight?..." she mused to herself as Reva looked around for a victim.

"Who would want to fight?...." Ari heard Reva mutter.

Gautier landed beside her, his wings streched out and a sparkly twinkle in his eyes. So, are you ready to fly? He asked excitedly, nudging Ari with his snout.

Gautier, I want to fight with Reva first. Would you mind...?

No, no, not at all! As long as we get to fly afterwards.

For you, my friend, anything. "Hey, Reva! I'll parry with you. I've been itching to have a sword back in my hands for some time now. What do you say?"

Reva turned to face her, mirroring the excitement and anticipation on Ari's face.

"Sure, I'd be more than happy to," she replied. "But don't think that I'll go easy on you just because you just got done healing." Taking her sword out of her hilt, she walked towards Ari with importance.

Ari chuckled. "I wouldn't have it any other way." she said, taking out her own sword. Gripping it with both hands, she and Reva circled each other.

Ari swung first. Reva easily dodged it. "I see you're still stiff." She laughed.

"You wish." Ari swung at Reva's ankles. But when she looked up Reva wasn't there.

"I'm on your sword." Reva was standing on Ari's sword balancing on the tip of the blade. Ari stared in shock, Reva flipped backward in responce.

They started to circle again. "How did you?..." Ari asked.

She laughed, "I've had assassin's after me for years - you learn some fun stuff when fighting for your life. The Dark Knights sent so many of them it became easy after awhile."

Both came at the other at the same time, the blades clanging against each other. They held the stance before Reva pulled back, and Ari fell to the ground.

Reva placed the sword next to Ari's neck. "Checkmate. Best two out of three?"

"Say your prayers!"

"Yeah, I'm praying that I don't beat you too badly."

They came at each other again. Full of competitiveness and possibly the bonds of a new friendship. That only time would tell.

*Oh, I see. you think Reva can beat Ari, now, do you? *

They came at each other again, and Ari swung. Reva ducked and Ari jumped, landing behind her. Quickly turning, she blocked Ari's attack that was aimed at her back; their swords were stuck at the hilts.

"Were you planning on killing me? Because I don't die that easily; just letting you know."

Ari smiled, a mischevious gleam in her eyes. "No, I knew you'd block it." Swords still stuck, Ari kicked Reva's feet out from under her, so she landed on her back with a thud with Ari on top of her.

Ari slipped her hidden dagger out of her boot, lightly pressing the edge on Reva's neck. "Checkmate, my dear. Now, what were you saying about beating me badly? I've got you on your back."

*Oh, it's on girl!*

"Now that's unsportsmanlike, but I'm not much for rules myself," Reva took her legs and putting her feet underneath Ari's stomach, flung her into the air and landed ten feet away.

Reva laughed. They charged. The swords clanged so hard together their ears stung. Both girls were like that for minutes - pushing against each other, trying to find a weak point.

Reva then turned around Ari so that Ari fell on her face. Reva quickly sat on her back with the flat of the blade on her neck. "Game. Set. Match, my dear."

Ari huffed. No one had beaten her before. As Reva walked away, Ari noticed a wooden pole not a foot to the side of her path. Ari grabbed her dagger and threw it. Reva quickly turned around and caught it by the hilt. "Sore loser, eh?"

She took the other and threw it at her. Reva quickly put a force field around herself. "Nice try, sweetums. But I don't go down that easily." Turning around, she threw the daggers back at Ari - which landed on either side of Ari's shoes without an inch to spare.

Although, Reva didn't want to admit it, Ari was a match - not some little game she played with the assassins. And as twisted as Reva was, she loved it.



*Ari needed to lose - she's getting too good*

**Ugh my head, so are you two fighting... Yes. Okay I'm back again, Mwhaha.**

Maradomin:

It was a wonder that no one had taken action against him in the past week, Maradomin knew that Ian was onto him, but he also knew that Ian didn't know that it was the fire. Ian propably thought that Maradomin was a spy.

Let Ian think that, makes it easier for me.

Ari was back up again, which in theory was good, but if Ari was to find out about the fire... A shiver went down Maradomin's spine.

He couldn't bargain with Reva, and if he cut her into pieces Ian would be on him in a second.

But for now Ian had no prove, or knowledge about the fire or anything else.

Vanis wasn't up to much.

But Ciru was gathering some kind of battle troop. Maradomin had asked him about it, but Ciru hadn't told him anything... Yet.

Maradomin sighed, it was hard to get allies. His only actual ally was Vanis and he was as trustworthy as Maradomin himself.

"What am I to do?" He asked in the silence of his room.

Kill the lot of them.

"Oh shut up you." Maradomin snapped.

I still haven't got the full blood sacrifice.

"But you've got two already."

His blood is weaker than expected.

"That's just great," He continued "How will we win "him" now?"

Do not fret. He will die.

"We should attack him now. When he is weak. Not play around all day long. This is killing me."

There was only silence.

Maradomin stepped out of the pitch black room. He walked across the corridors,until he heard a voice, he heard blades clanging. He walked to look what was happening. He saw Reva battling Ari.

He grunted but stayed to watch the match.

Reva walked back to Ari as she mounted her white dragon. "How about you teach me some of those moves, and I'll teach you some of mine sometime?"

Reva outreached her hand to shake, Ari grabbed and shook, "Sounds good to me." She took off.

Reva turned around to see Maradomin watching her intently. She scowled at him as she walked right past Maradomin and purposely hit him with her shoulder roughly.

Reva didn't like him much.

Maradomin:

He grunted when Reva pushed him, but his ego forced him to dismiss the feeling.
He followed Reva until he was walking just besides her, "I'm surprised that you haven't ratted me out yet." He said. "You know that both Gautier and Ian would be on my neck if they found out, not to speak about Ari."

Reva looked at him angrily, "Why are you following me?" She snapped.

Maradomin gave a warm smile under his hood, and tiled his head to one side. He gave a´smiling sigh.
"What happened to Ari, wasn't actually my fault you know."

"But you still killed all those innocents without hesitation."

"Not too many died, maybe ten, the rest ran."
Reva looked at him annoyed "And yet you feel no remorse."

"Who ever said that?" Maradomin smiled.
Reva got angry again, "Who ever gave you the power to choose who dies and who lives? You make me sick!" She spat on the ground, and strode away.

"Who ever said I felt no shame?" Maradomin called, Who are you to judge me?! That magic has blinded more than your eyes!"

Reva stopped, she strode back "You know, don't push me, or I just might rat you out."

"Stupid child! I have done what I must to weaken the enemy, if a few people die with it, I am sorry. But there is nothing I can do about it anymore! The enemy is cursed, without food and dying! And all you do here is play!!"

Maradomins words filled the corridors. "The more we wait, the weaker the curse grows, the more food they get and the stronger they grow. The only one who is actually doing something is Ciru!"

That was when Ian walked from the corner on the left that led to another corridor.
Ian was with a man whom Maradomin didn't recognize. Ian looked serious, "Maradomin..."

"How much did you hear?"

"Everything."

Maradomin stood silently still.
Then he smiled "Let us not ruin this beautiful day. Who is your friend Ian?"

Ian scoffed at the forced show of kindness. "My father, Lieutenant Colonel Althorn, commander of the mercenary unit here in Kettia."

"Oh?"

Ian resisted the urge to storm forward and wring the wretch's neck. That wouldn't look too good as a leader, much less as a man. Besides, he had better things to do. "Don't play the good guy with me, Maradomin. After what I just heard, I should have you clapped in irons and interrogated...completely and, if necessary, by force."

Maradomin returned the cold glare. "Then why don't you?"

"Don't tempt me."

Thorn carefully touched his son's shoulder. "Ian, calm down. I know you're protective of Ari and all, but think. Be reasonable, be responsible."

"Oh, I am. I am." He glanced at Thorn. "I was given a tip that we had a traitor amongst us, and, by carefully measured inference, I figured it out. Maradomin. This little exchange just now only confirms it. It's the proof I've been lacking."

Vanis

It had been interesting watching Ariadne and Reva fight - now he knew some of the newcomer's limitations. For one, she could only beat the young general when she was still recovering. If Ari had been at full strength, Reva wouldn't have stood a chance. The new girl was cocky, and she had some skill, but not enough. Her magic intrigued the dragon, though. It would be interesting to study her...

But for now, Vanis had other things on his mind, the faceless metal plating of his helmet swinging to regard Ianeil, Althorn and Maradomin. A worrying conversation if he'd ever seen one, given that Maradomin could easily reveal Vanis' knowledge of the event. Even though it would not be as condemning as Maradomin's part in everything, it wouldn't exactly endear him to the Saviours. And he still needed them for the time being.

At least they aren't aware of my true purpose here, though. Nor Maradomin's true purpose. They trust neither of us, but they don't know the half of it, yet.

Ciru

The soldiers he'd picked to fly to the Buried Spire were mostly veterans, although a few rookies were thrown in there as well. He didn't like taking them along, after all, the Spire was meant to be Hanik's fallback option, probably harder to attack than the palace. Cliares had told him a dragon couldn't even get in there, the rock was magically reinforced to prevent them tearing it apart, and the corridors were too thin for anything bigger than a human or elf. She'd said even Reva's wouldn't have a chance in there. So Ciru was taking recruits with him, youths who were better trained at regular fighting than the specialised fighting that took place in the air.

He made his way to the main courtyard, stopping as he saw Ari and Reva duelling. Ari looked as though she wasn't quite ready for a full-scale battle again, but perhaps Reva was up for the challenge.

First, though, he approached Ianeil, Althorn and Maradomin, motioning Ian aside for a moment.

"Sir, I know you want to stay here and deal with Maradomin, but my men are ready to attack the Buried Spire now, Cliares says that Hanik should have retreated to there, and every day we waste now is a day that the Dark Knights are allowed to recover. I wish to leave to day, with your permission, and perhaps yourself and Reva would like to join me?" He leaned in, "Your father and Ariadne should be able to handle Maradomin."