Hey yall!! I didn't even notice that the Schatten Wanderers were like Dementors. I guess its like Little Ra Ra said in her review, "The Schatten Wanderers are kinda like dementors in looks but they aren't really like them in powers." I dunno, I'll let yall decide I guess! Anywho, here's chapter 21! It's pretty long, so enjoy!

Ch. 21

It observed as the petite, russet haired woman strolled alongside the sturdy, emerald-eyed young man, whose blood it knew all too well. It was, in fact, the same as that which runs through its own veins. The pattern of their feet created a symphony of leaves crackling beneath them. Some escaped the fate, however, by being carried off into the distance by the same powerful wind current that caused the young woman's curls to fly in wild disarray. Hungry young birds sung for the slightest morsel of food, begging to be released from the torment their hunger had caused them. Squirrels scurried up trees and frenzied ants embarked on their final attempts to find food before the cold front came. The man and woman's voices echoed through the forest of trees causing it to pause and listen for it could not be seen.

Remulus had sent Philip to the infirmary to tend to his slight head wound, which was causing him a pounding headache. The girl trailed behind him like a lost puppy, worried about what she had just heard of the Schatten Wanderers. He couldn't help but feel compassion towards her; having never heard of them and then seeing one without a mere warning. It must have caused her a bit of a shock. It was not something the northerners, especially the uneducated ones, are normally taught about. The Schatten Wanderers never traveled that far north anyways. He shook his head, not agreeing with this. They should educate them about the Schattens for their own sake and protection.

"You...you said many were lost to them. Did you know of someone...?" she trailed off, not wanted to complete what she was saying, for fear of offending him.

"Yes. Yes I did. A dear friend of mine."

Her head bowed slightly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. It's your business. I-"

"It's all right Daine. No need to worry about it. You probably would have heard about it from the others sooner or later."

There was an awkward silence, neither knowing what to say next. Remulus took a few more steps before he noticed something half hidden under the , decaying leaves. He stopped walking and reached down to pick up the bronze eagle feather that camouflaged quite nicely with the vegetation.

"It's a lucky feather," he murmured to himself, eyeing it with curiosity. "It's not very often you find a feather this color, especially around this part of the country. Here, you keep it." He outstretched his opened palm gesturing for the wild mage to take it.

Daine hesitated, slightly unsure. "Are you certain? You should keep it, you found it."

"Daine, I'm giving it to you. I already have my own collection back in my tent. I do travel a lot you know. I find one at least once every few months. Not usually around here though, so it must be quite lucky, I want you to have it."

She hesitantly reached over and displaced it from his hand to hers, gripping it carefully.

'Besides you're going to need all the luck you can get,' Remulus added to himself, recalling the events that had led Philip to going to the infirmary.

"Thank you," she murmured admiring the intricate details of the propitious feather.

"Tell me about yourself Daine," Remulus said softly, continuing to walk again.

"There really isn't much to tell," she chuckled before growing serious again. "My ma had me when she was quite young. I...I don't know who my pa is. Events led up to my ma being murd...murdered," she whispered, her voice breaking. She cleared it before continuing, "So basically I was young; I had nothing except for the clothes on my back, no job, no family or friends, nothing. I wandered the streets for a week or two stealing the necessities I needed, when one glorious day Philip found me. I got recruited to a band of thieves. I later met Numair who told me of my wild magic and offered to teach me about it. I wanted my friends to come with me, but they refused...all of them except for Philip. I owe him my life really. An-and now I'm here." She laughed, "That of course is the shortened version of my life story."

"Quite a life you had there," he replied thoughtfully.

"It's your turn now. You've got me interested."

"Well...I was born into a nice family. We were poor, but we lived well enough. I was happy. I had an older brother and a younger sister. I used to help my pa plant vegetables and sow the field. We'd come home at night and he'd put my brother on one knee and me on the other and tell us all sorts of stories. One day my brother and I went hunting. It was a cold day..." his eyes turned distant. "We were on our way home and we sensed something wasn't right. Our suspicions were confirmed when we saw smoke coming from the direction of our cottage. My ma, pa, and dear little sister were murdered, a cold blood murder. Burned to in our very own home. Unlike you, I at least had my brother. We held our own pretty good. Went to the castle eventually and became knights. Fought in quite a few battles. And...Now I'm here."

Daine nodded slowly. "And what became of your brother?"

He paused for a moment. "Here, let me show you." He led her to a ravine a few feet away and knelt beside a slab of stone. It was sloppily engraved, as if he had done it himself.

She read it, tears filling her eyes. "William of Vandamere, beloved son and brother, may the Gods watch over his soul."

She watched as Remulus reached up and ran his hand through his short hair. "This war has been costly, but it must be fought."

She nodded, "This is his grave site?"

"More like his memorial. There is no body."

Her eyes grew wide. "He, he was the one? The Schatten Wanderers?"

Remulus nodded regretfully. "His spirit is lost forever, but his body still roams this land possessed by something far worse than the Black God."

"I'm sorry Remulus," Daine whispered, her voice full of sorrow.

"Daine, please, I want you to know...the reason I told you all of this...I don't want your pity. I'm warning you. The mark Daine, it won't go away. Once you are marked it is almost as good as done."

"I...I don't understand Remulus," Daine replied, starting to feel nervous.

"He was marked Daine."

"Who...?" A dawn of realization suddenly flashed across Daine's eyes. "NO! Remulus you are mistaken!"

"Daine, being marked-It...it means you are their next victim. They will not rest until it is completed"

x A/N: Okay, I was gonna stop it there, but I decided not to! I'm so nice!! Yall better comment!! :) x

Tears streamed down Daine's cheeks as she swayed back and forth. She couldn't seem to find her balance anymore. "Is-Is there anyway to prevent it?" Daine hiccupped.

"There is one way. Send him back to the capital Daine. They cannot go that far north. Otherwise, he risks too much being here."

She nodded, her face bent down allowing the tears to cascade to the ground.

"Are you ready to go back to camp?" he asked softly.

She nodded again silently.

"You know Daine. If my sister were still alive, she'd be about your age now." he said thoughtfully with a slight tone of regret.

"Really?" she whispered looking up at Remulus's face.

"I never had a chance to be there for her...I want you to know that if you ever need someone, I'm willing to help."

"Thank you Remulus," she managed to get out through the tears. "I have to get to Philip and warn him. Do you mind if I run ahead?"

"Go ahead, just watch out for danger."

She nodded once again and began to sprint towards the camp. She steadily approached it and when she got within hearing distance, something caught her attention.

"Numair! There you are! I was so worried about you! I heard you came to the front and I just wouldn't believe them when they told me you were unhurt. I had to see for myself!" a honey-coated voice spoke loudly, almost in a whiny quality.

Daine curiously rounded the corner and saw a strikingly beautiful woman, dressed in a sheer blue, clingy dress, nearly hanging off of Numair's arm. She grimaced in disgust as she witnessed the woman giving Numair a flirtatious kiss on the cheek and giggle relentlessly.

The wild mage didn't want to ruin Numair's moment with this woman, whoever she may be and decided she was going to attempt to sneak past them unnoticed. Right then, Numair turned his face straight towards her, as if he sensed her, and recognition filled his eyes. She averted her face quickly so he wouldn't see her tear-stained cheeks and reddened eyes.

"Daine! I want you to meet someone. Th-"

"Someone very special to him," the woman interrupted smugly, giving her a brittle-looking smile.

The wild mage gulped with anticipation.

"Daine, this is Varice Kingsford."

A/N: Whew! Another chapter done and ready! Hurray for me!! And hurray to you for reviewing!! I love your reviews! It's just a happy day today isn't it?? : P Anyways, hope yall enjoyed that. Send me a review (cause this chapter was extra long)! I wanna know what you think!

Till Next Time,

SportzGurl