"Where is the signal going to?" Fallon asked as he leaned back casually with his hands in his pocket. Kashara realised she was staring at him when he flicked his eyes in her direction and smirked slowly. She pointedly turned the other side, oblivious to the amused eyes of Eraiek who was following all this with avid interest.

"The V.P.S signal is actually heading in the opposite direction to Mt.Vesuvius. Contrary to where Lady Kashara thought she was when she was kidnapped." One of the Analytics said.

"Well, they are obviously trying to confuse us. They knew we would detect them. I think probably, they suspected we would attack Mt.Vesuvius after we found Kashara was kidnapped there. So either, that was a fake location to throw us off, or this is the fake location so that we don't attack Mt.Vesuvius." Eraiek pondered.

"I don't understand why any of them have to be real in the first place. If I were the leader of the rebellion, I would never jeopardise the safe location of the headquarters. I would just stick to using false broadcast locations."

"Even if it was false, It still means some rebels are still there, and it is an obvious point of interest for us, because we can capture them. V.P.S signals cannot be falsified. If there is a signal, it means someone is definitely there." Eraiek replied, and turned to the people working on huge transparent displays.

"Alright, lock the signal to a single grid. And someone get the reconnaissance team here. I need to brief them, so Mallet, get the report ready. And don't forget, these guys are the brawn for a reason, so don't use very flowery words okay. Keep it simple." Eraiek said offhandedly, sharing a conspiratorial smile.

Kashara receded to the background as she watched the Analytics team flutter around shooting out strange technical terms. She was amazed by how they seemed to blend technology with their magic. It was strange how Erth had never advanced technologically, but Demitytes had managed to come so far.

Kashara couldn't even have imagined all these futuristic technologies before coming here. In a way it was a bit ironic, because everyone here seemed to be magically yet they invented so many ways do things without magic. Yet on Erth, not everyone has magic, but there was no inventions that made life easier for the non magical.

Kashara turned to see Fallon deeply in conversation with Eraiek and another person. He seemed to be discussing something intently on a map. His eyebrows were furrowed and he seemed deeply irritated with whatever the other person was saying. The person was pointing at some route on a map and Fallon's eyes flicked up and down the person from the corner of his eyes. The enthusiastic analytic seemed oblivious but if it were her, she would have run for the mountains. Fallon seemed to be sizing up his next meal, and from the looks of it the poor thing was so deluded.

Just then Fallon swing his head around to look at her. He raised an eyebrow questioningly as if to ask why she was staring at him, and Kashara narrowed her eyes at him. He was being just way too cocky.

Kashara continued to observe the scene around her, feeling a bit bad since she wasn't really contributing anything, but she couldn't really do anything, so she felt it was better to not get in the way. She suddenly, felt a bit drowsy, and leant on the wall. She tried to focus her eyes, but they began to get blurry and her world started spin. She placed a steadying hand on her head, and channeled a bit of soothing healing spell. However her magic felt weak and strained and hardly did anything for her pain. She grimaced and tried again, this time putting more force into it and let out a breath as her vision returned clearly. That was a totally sudden headache...She thought.

She looked at her hand, troubled that her magic was causing problems for her again. There had been no incidents since Fallon had fused her magic back long ago. Though sometimes she had felt like her magic had been a bit reluctant. But nothing like her magic actually failing to work. She was feeling a bit paranoid that her magic was being leeched off again. Yet Fallon had assured her only a minimal was channelled into the planet. She tried a basic flame charm, and small but steady flame burst into life in the middle of her palm.

She stared at it, dancing and waving. Her reflection reflected back at her from it. It seemed like her reflection was burning in the fire, yet totally oblivious. But that was a ridiculous thought. She was here, safe from any burning flames or other dangerous. She stared at her face amidst the fire a while longer and closed her hand again. Something gave her an odd feeling somehow.

Just then Eraiek approached her with an Analytic in tow, walking hesitantly behind. "Hey Kashara. We just want to ask a few questions about the men, for the Reconnaissance team, so here's Mallet, he was a bit apprehensive about meeting the alien so I have had to babysit him." Eraiek joked.

Mallet nodded at her anxiously and spoke up. " Hey, Erm hello. Sheesh do you understand me? Oh Artemis, of course you do. What am I saying...Er I just, how are you liking the weather here so far..." Mallet managed to stutter and cringed.

"As you can see, Mallet is our new trainee, and apparently, crime Analytics isn't the only thing he needs training in. He doesn't really do well with aliens, or girls. Unfortunately, you are both. Give me that Mallet." Eraiek feigned an angry grab at the glass panel Mallet was holding. "Off you go, unless you would rather stay and learn how to talk to someone of the opposite gender."

Mallet blushed and stayed put, as Kashara watched amusedly. "Okay, Kashara, can you recall the names of your kidnappers?"

Kashara shook her head. The incidence had really faded from her mind. Eraiek swore and Mallet stiffened comically. "Shit, this is why we always debrief people immediately after the incident, but apparently Fallon thinks immediately and days later ar the same thing." He griped, but continued,

"Okay, can you recall any identification or unique attributes?"

"Ermm, I think both of them had the rebel tattoos."

"Why thank you Kashara, of course I didn't know the rebels we are looking for had rebel tattoos. How helpful this will be, I wonder." Eraiek said sarcastically.

Kashara stared at him amusedly, he was being uncharacteristically bitchy today.

"Why are you so bitchy Eraiek?" Kashara asked and had to stifle a laugh as Mallet gave a start and stared at Eraiek as if expecting him to scold her.

" Because I got this idiot for a nephew who thinks we should let someone get captured on purpose, to get to the head rebels. Who lets their own side gets captured and tortured?"

"I don't know if you have noticed, but Fallon isn't exactly a role model for a good Samaritan."

"It's not about good, it's also about losing the confidence of the people by sacrificing someone to the rebels when everything's already fragile."

Kashara gave Eraiek a long glance, and turned to look at Fallon. "Do you remember what I asked you in the Ball?"

Eraiek turned looked at her, "I hope you didn't make a decision, just because of that. I would like to think that you chose this, because you are happy."

Kashara smiled wanly, and Eraiek followed her gaze to Fallon who was talking to the Reconnaissance team. "Do you honestly believe that?" She asked.

Eraiek was silent. Kashara continued, "On Erth there was a very bad dictator, who was selfish and obsessed with his own power. The people suffered under his rule. I was young so I didn't really understand or feel a direct impact of whatever happened. But now, I can see what kind of terrible things happened there.

Massive brain washing, the seclusion of the entire group of non magical people as second class citizens, autocratic government, caste-ism, poverty, crime, corrupted authorities, the burgeoning extravagant excesses of the upper classes.

"I have a sudden feeling that that is exactly what is happening here. And if I have the power to change it at-least here, I will do it. I can't say I might be a good queen, but I will try to help the undermined and poor the best I can." Kashara said determinedly.

Eraiek gave a long sigh, and said after a long silence, "All right, I will tell you what you wish to know, but I must tell you, your conclusions are farfetched. The situations on Erth and here are not the same. You and I both know Fallon has a deep love for the planet."

"For the planet yes, for his people? Eraiek, your judgement is clouded, you are his uncle."

"I'm his uncle, but look at you. Can you honestly say you would fight against him? Even when you...lov-"

"My feelings have no bearing on this matter." She retorted sharply. "And how do you even jump to the conclu-AAH!" Kashara shrieked suddenly, clutching her head. She thumped against the wall and slid down, clutching her head.

"Shit, Kashara what happened? Are you okay?" Eraiek knelt down anxiously next to her. Kashara could only register a vague ringing noise. Everything else was just pain. Her head felt like it was on fire. As if someone had taken a hammer was trying to saw through her head with it. She was suddenly aware of someone lifting her up, and managed to open her eyes to see the figure.

Fallon. He was carrying her somewhere. She suddenly felt a cool feeling and her pain receded slowly. She opened her eyes and found that she was lying in their bed. Their bed. Felt odd to say that. She never thought she would say that. Fallon was sitting next to her brushing the top of her head, and the pain receded even more. He peered over her with a look of concern on his face.

"Rest." He said.

"What happened?" Kashara asked. "I don't-" Kashara continued but her voice flatlined.

"It was just a simple headache. Nothing," he paused and flicked his eyes over her, up and down,"-to be afraid off." He rubbed her head lightly, and added, " Everything will be fine soon."

Kashara didn't know if she had imagined it her confused state, but Fallon's eyes had suddenly flared with something dangerously animal. She felt like prey. But the moment passed so fast, she decided it was just her tired mind playing tricks on her.

Fallon bent down and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

Kashara soon drifted off to sleep and into a dream that dwelled in the dark recesses of her mind. Fallon kept saying, "Everything, will be fine soon." Over and over again. She didn't know why, but in her dream, the tone of it seemed off, terrifying.

____________________________________________

Tom: It's just me today. The blue icicle has gone to Jotunheim for an occasion

Ink: Why don't you go somewhere and leave me alone too!

Tom; —

Ink: Oh wait you are bound to that stupid book of yours.

Tom: I wouldn't be, if someone would actually do the ritual.

Ink: oh that flesh of servant, bone of father, blood of enemy voodoo magic. By the way, when you came back that time in the Hangleton graveyard, did you realise you were one third Peter Pettigrew?

Tom: No, that wa-

Ink: And one third, muggle, from your father. So how on earth did you even manage to do magic...?

Tom: Magic doesn't work that way...it not like chemistry when you mix three things you get a result that is the mixture of three. In magic you get something totally different.

Ink: Honestly, that way means, you are half muggle. So I think one third muggle would be better right...

Ink: Tom? Oh damn it! have you gone to sulk inside your book?

Ink: Well I guess he has, bye guys.

Tada! Are you surprised? HAHA I had a bit off free time so voila! Since normally I would update next week, I'll still try to give that update, but it might be off by a day or two:) Hope you liked this chapter!!

Why do you think Fallon is being so ominous ?

MUAHAHAHA ;)

love

ink on parchment