<span style="font-style: italic">Reika was trapped in a small, dark room, similar to where Alyxander had been in his nightmare as well. A shadowed figure stood not far from where she knelt, collapsed near the wall, the top of her bodice bloodied and torn. </span>"No... Please, don't make me do this..."<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">"It's not a choice for you, girl. Doesn't matter you don't want this."</span></span> The glint of a whip could be seen in the air, and a loud cry from the girl.</span>"Stop... please, stop!"<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">"I beg of you, stop."</span></span> Another lashing, another whine and cry of agony. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">"What have I done? Am I not loyal?"</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline">"Loyal? And yet refuse to fight? Do not speak of loyalty, you worthless rat!"</span></span></span><br/><br/>Reika jerked a bit at Kate's touch, but her movements began to calm after a few moments.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">The horrible scene drifted away from her, turning to a peaceful and beautiful dream instead. Reika glanced around within it, trying to find the source of her saving. How had she escaped the torment of her past now?</span>"Shhh...your safe now. Stay here and enjoy the pasture. No one will harm you here."<br/><br/>Her whimpering quieted and eventually stopped; yet she didn't wake up just yet. Her mind was still burdened by the fears and frights of her nightmare, though slowly drifting away thanks to the young mage whom had helped her. She couldn't feel anything aside from her sleep, she was still deeply under its grasp. She remained deeply in sleep even as Kate left, though it was much more peaceful and comforting than before. The girl no longer was shaking, nor tossing and turning, not a sound could be heard besides her soft breaths.<br/><br/>Alyxander was awake again, and had been for quite some time. His body didn't need sleep, and with so much on his mind, putting forth the effort of sleeping was no simple task. He sat on the blanket he'd been left with, listening to the rustles and voices outside of his tent, all around the camp. No danger, no unease or fighting anymore. It calmed and comforted him much to know such peace existed even after the battle they'd all just gone through. Alyx glanced towards the opening to his tent as he heard Kate's voice not far away.<span style="font-style: italic">"The girl, has not awoken. Please tell my father she is a slave nothing more. I wish to keep her overnight. Alyx, is in the tent across from mine. Announce yourself and call him to you. Do not enter and awaken him. He could be asleep and has just come from battle. He may attack if awoken abruptly."</span><br/><br/>Alyxander avoided walking out too soon, listening a bit more but deciding it would be best not to just stay hidden in his tent. 'After Kate returns with Reika, I will go out.' He thought. He didn't completely trust everyone, and knew they didn't all trust him as much as Kate did. However, he also knew he had nothing to fear in the matter of being harmed. He was safe, he knew no one would hurt him. He was practically part of the family by now.<br/><br/>Reika had woken up a while after Kate had left, but stayed where she was, laying on the cot. As she heard someone come in, she glanced towards the noise, recognizing the other girl as she came closer.<span style="font-style: italic">"Reika.. Reika... it is Mage Katherine. Wake up. I need to come with me."</span>She sat up slowly, looking over towards Kate. "I'm awake." She whispered warily, on edge and a bit fearful. Why did she have to go with Kate? Where was she going to be taken? Would she be safe? She pushed back her fears and questions a bit, shifting onto the edge of her cot.