Thirtieth Chapter everybody!

First off, sorry for late chapter. They're gonna be a little less frequent the closer school creeps up. But here it is.

Also, thanks to all you guys that have been reading my story. I sincerely hope that you're all enjoying it, and that you'll continue to enjoy the chapters to come.

Now what to do for this momentous occasion? Lets see what's going on in Outworld.

D'Vorah sat next to the emperor's throne, stroking Qint'l while she pondered. Search party after search party came back with nothing but disheartened apologies and weakened spirits. There were no sign of the emperor or his men.

Outworld-- while still functioning well as ever with D'Vorah as temporary guardian-- was experiencing a visible lack in spirit. Without the powerful figure of Kotal Kahn in charge, the Outworlders were without their symbol of strength. That, coupled with the disappearance of his generals, led to a very unmotivated realm.

Try as she might, the Outworlders could not rally behind D'Vorah.

The palace doors swung open, signalling the return of the twenty-fifth search party the First Minister sent out. She stood upon their arrival, startling Qint'l, who flew off at the disturbance. "Well?" she asked eagerly.

The soldier in front stepped forward kneeled in front of her, "We apologize, my lady, but my men and I have found no leads on the Kahn's whereabouts."

D'Vorah sighed and slumped inelegantly back into her chair. "Leave me," she commanded weakly. The Osh-Tekks bowed and exited the throne room.

How could this have happened? It was a quickly fought battle that ended in our victory. Yet, the only thing that e have achieved is the surrender of an Edenian.

The whole predicament frustrated the Kytinn. Her inability to do anything frustrated her further. She was a great leader; intelligent, just, enforcing. However, while she was obeyed, she would not be celebrated like Kotal was. If he did not return soon, Outworld would fall into chaos.

She rose to her feet, growling, desperate to do something. As the First Minister of the emperor, she was not used to being useless, and she would not be today.

She turned to a nearby Osh-Tekk with one last idea.

"Bring the Edenian to me."

______________________________________

"I believe the emperor said I'd be treated well while imprisoned, but I was sure that I was in for some interrogation. After all, a serpent's words are but a hiss."

Tanya stood bound in front of D'Vorah. While only a precaution, the bindings seemed to bother the Edenian to no end, and she complained the whole trip from her suite/cell to the throne room.

"Kotal Kahn's word is golden," D'Vorah stated matter-of-factly, "He commanded that no harm will come to you. However," D'Vorah rose from her chair and stood eye to eye in front of Tanya, "the Kahn is not here, and This One leads the Outworlders in his absence." Tanya scowled at the Kytinn's words.

"Rest assured, Edenian, This One will honor the emperor's decree, so long as you answer her questions truthfully."

Tanya thought for a bit before answering, "Very well. What is your question, Kytinn?"

D'Vorah's compound eyes stared hard into Tanya's pure, white ones, "Where is Kotal Kahn and the others?" The words hung in the air for a few moments.

"Honestly," Tanya began, catching the attention of everyone in the room, "I haven't the slightest idea."

Quick as light, D'Vorah's ovipositor was out and pointed an inch away from the Edenian's nose. "Lies!" she snarled, "Forgive her, but This One finds it difficult to conceive that after many years in the company of Rain and his amulet, that you would know nothing about where it would put one."

"From what I hear," Tanya argued, "the amulet exploded. Do you find it difficult to conceive that when something explodes, it doesn't work the same as usual?" She was unfazed by the blade in her face.

"If you have nothing to tell us--"

"I didn't say that," Tanya interrupted, smiling.

D'Vorah was surprised to hear that. "You do have information, then?" She was seriously doubting that the Edenian was worth her time.

"Of course," said Tanya, "Would you like to hear it?" She held out her bound wrists to the Kytinn.

D'Vorah growled as she cut the bindings with her ovipositors. "Now," she commanded, "Speak."

"With pleasure," Tanya purred, rubbing her wrists, "They are in Earthrealm." D'Vorah looked taken aback. "The amulet's only worked for Earthrealm/Outworld travel. Rain and I had to travel first to Earthrealm then to Outworld to make it stealthily to your palace. While I can't say exactly where they are, I can say this: They are in Earthrealm, nowhere near each other at that. They are scattered."

D'Vorah sat down and pondered this. "So if we were to search in Earthrealm, we'd find the Kahn and his men?"

"Most definitely," Tanya confirmed, "But it is a big realm. Not so easily traversed at that."

"We have a treaty with Earthrealm. Outworld citizens are allowed into Earthrealm as long as they harbor no I'll intent and remain inconspicuous," D'Vorah explained.

"Yes, but," warned Tanya, "A search party and yourself does not really count as 'a citizen' does it? And how do you suggest that you remain inconspicuous?"

D'Vorah scowled at the Edenian, "You speak as though you have a solution to This One's predicament."

"I might," Tanya said mischievously.

In case you all were wondering, this is what's going on back in Outworld.

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Until later, my gators