Hey everyone! I'm sorry that this chapter is so short! I hope that you enjoy it. I would like to officially introduce the new character of Laya, who was created by my awesome friend GFchamp! Please read and review!

With a sudden jerk, Cale began to splutter and cough. He opened his eyes; his vision was blurred. Straining to see, he rolled on his side and struggled to regain his breath. A soothing hand rested firmly on his back, guiding him into a more comfortable sitting position. Now breathing again, Cale rubbed his eyes and turned to face the person whom – he presumed – had rescued him from his (almost) watery grave. Kneeling next to him was an almost middle aged woman. Her brown hair was dripping wet and her soaked clothes clung to her skin. Cale stared – speechless – at his rescuer. The unassuming woman simply smiled at him, her blue eyes twinkling kindly.
"I'm glad that you're ok," she said, looking nervous.
Before Cale had time to reply, he heard a pair of footsteps, running, getting closer. Stiffening (having assumed that it was Bleylock or his guards) Cale turned around…
… and was suddenly knocked to the ground by a sobbing Jaina, who threw her arms around him neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Cale's eyes widened in surprise and his ghostly-pale skin turned beet red in embarrassment. He had not been expecting that. As if nothing had happened, Jaina buried her face in Cale's chest.
"I'm so glad that you're ok. I was so scared. I thought that you were going to die."
Once again, Cale could say nothing. That is, until he looked over Jaina's shoulder and saw who stood there.
"Dad?" Cale asked, in shock.
Grinning from ear to ear, Jaina slowly detached herself from Cale's embrace.
"What are you doing here?" asked Cale, still confused as to his father's true allegiance and true feelings. Every dark memory suddenly rushed back, and every cut and bruise suddenly burned on his skin. Hadn't he always hated Sinedd? Bleylock? Even Artegor? He hated everyone.
"He wanted to save you," Jaina piped up, noticing that Sinedd was struggling to reply, "But it looks like someone beat us to it."
All three turned to look at the woman who had saved Cale. All this time, she had been standing silent in an ever-growing puddle of water, quietly observing this strange interaction. The only sound that had come from her was the water droplets dripping from strands of her hair onto the floor. Looking at her for the first time, Sinedd's jaw dropped open in utter shock.
"Laya!" He gasped.
"Hello, Sinedd." She replied.
"I thought you were dead," Sinedd stuttered. All the colour drained from his face. It was as if he had seen a ghost.
"Dad, who is this?" asked Cale.
"Cale...this…is your mother."