The day had been nothing but an entire mess, first with my son coming to me about the dagger Emerald had been keeping, second Emerald leaving in a burst of flames and leaving us all shocked by her exit.

Now here I sat in my robe with a steam cup of tea in front of me and nothing but worry washing over my entire body, hours had passed since Emeralds disappearance and I kept hoping she was ok. I took her under my care and now she was gone, out in the world where I couldn't protect her and frankly it terrified me.

Light shuffling came from the doorway of the dining room and faint light filled the dining room, I looked up from my tea to see Numissa standing in front of the table with a small candle in her grasp. Her sad gaze loomed over me as she took a seat next to me and gently placed her hand on my arm."Oh Lorik, my love you can't sit out here all night. I know your worried about her but she needs her own time, I believe Cassius pushed her to far this time." She whispered.

I snorted at the mere mention of my son, I gently pushed my tea cup away from me and leaned back in my chair."I promised her mother that I would take care of her Numissa and so far I've done a horrible job, she was attacked on my grounds, kidnapped and she's been bullied by my own son." I whispered in a stressed tone.

A low grumbled came from the entrance of the dining room, there Sood a sleepy Cassius."I did t bully her, we just don't agree on many things." He mumbled.

Numissa rubby my arm soothingly and glared at Cassius."You dare speak to us?, After all the havoc you have caused you still think your some superior prince." She spat venomously.

Cassius's shoulders slumped in defeat, he made his way over to us and sat down. He rested his hand against the side of his cheek and glared at the table like a pouty child.

With my free hand I pinched the bridge of my nose and leaned my head back. For a moment I felt some shard of peace fall over me, bit it was quickly taken away when one my guards limp body slid across the floor.

I jumped up from chair and placed myself in front of Numissa protectively, a dark shadow of a man appeared before me. He held a large bundle close to his chest and slowly walked forward, his dark hair damp with sweat and his eyes cold yet pleading.

He pressed his lips together and swallowed before speaking."You need to help her, what ever she's done it's taken to much out of her.."

With out waiting for my response he marched past me and gently laid the bundle on the table and Cassius jumped back in response."By the gods.." He breathed in horror.

I quickly moved closer to the table and sucked in a breath, there on the table laid a very frail Emerald. I went to touch her but the stranger growled as he loomed over her, he bared his teeth at me."I said she needs help, your no doctor so no touching." He hissed.

Cassius quickly jumped to my defense."How dare you speak to him like that!, He is the king of Scalefire and you will show respect!"

Bitter laughter seeped from the man's lips, his electric blue gaze darkened as he glared at Cassius."Don't push me little fledgling, keep your mouth shut and Help Her." He demanded.

My son opened his mouth to reply but I held up my hand to silence him."Emerald cast a spell of some kind earlier, she used a dagger. Is this the result of such power?"

The man's gaze lowered to Emerald and his features softened."Yes." He whispered.

I wasted no time, I quickly summoned the healers to the dining room and they began examining Emerald. They did the best they could but I knew I needed a witch, I ordered my guards to find me one and bring her to see Emerald as soon as possible, I wasn't sure how much more time Emerald had left.

I kept my stance next to the table with my eyes glued to Emeralds limp frame, Numissa had been kind enough to put pillows underneath Emeralds head and even placed a warm cloth upon her forehead.

The strange man sat next to Emerald with her hand resting in his own, with his other free hand I watched as he drew a distinct pattern along the back of her hand. I glanced at my son, he stood a few feet away from the table with a pale look on his face, he kept staring at Emerald in fear.

Three guards walked into the room and saluted me, they pushed an old woman forward."Sir this is the closest witch we could find." One of my guards said.

An old wrinkling woman lifted her head into the air causing her long white hair to fall along her back, she sniffed the air carefully before shifting forwards. She stopped by the dining room table and poked Emerald with her walking stick, leaning her head to the side she looked at the dark haired man."Outcasted, the power in which she posses's is something I've never come across before. Her will is strong but her body has never faced such a draining, I can smell that this is her first time using so much energy. To help her recover quickly, take some of your blood and mix it into a hot cup of tea, make sure she drinks all of it." She stated.

Cassius widened his eyes as he stepped forward."Wait wait, you want her drink blood from an Outcasted. How can she drink something to filthy and tainted!." He sputtered.

The old women hissed at him and shuffled away as though being near him burned her, she tapped her cane furiously against the floor as she wondered over to the guards."Disgusting, if this bloody imbecile is the face of the dragon race then I'm siding with the Outcasted. Their level headed and well...more attractive obviously." She said while giving a toothy grin to the raven haired man.

Shaking my head in annoyance I waved my hand to the three guards, I turned my back to them as they dragged the old woman away. I really did wonder where they found her at such a time like this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Added Bonus: Savon's Pov

I had to hold back my laughter when the old woman insulted the almighty prince, his mere presence disgusted me. I hated the way he looked at Emerald, as though she were some kind of horrible creature who had stepped out from the deepest of shadows.

He Had No Respect.

The middle aged woman who was nice enough to make Emerald more comfortable walked towards me with a silver tray in her hands, a steaming cup of what I assumed to be tea rest next to a small dagger on the platter. She set it down on the table and gestured to it before taking a few steps backwards.

I bowed my head towards her and gave a small smile."Thank you mistress." I said politely.

Turning my attention to the tray, I picked up the small dagger and sliced open my palm. My dark veins flickered underneath my skin for a brief moment before dark blood began seeping into the cup of tea with a light sizzle. I let the bloodied dagger clatter to the tray before walking over to Emerald and gently sitting her up in my arms, I let her head rest against my shoulder while I parted her lips with my thumb.

I looked over at the woman and nodded my head towards her, she picked up on my hint and carefully lifted the cup of tea. Steadying it in her hand she walked over to me and gently pressed the cup against Emeralds lips, as the hot liquid seeped past Emeralds parted lips she gulped it down greedily and soon the cup became empty.

Hopefully the old witch knew what she was talking about...