Shadows Through Time : The Time of the Souls

[Ellysia]

Will you get out of my ass! I rested gods dammit what the hell else do you want from me you annoying little prick!
I rested like Mathias the healer demanded I do, if for no other reason than to get him to leave me alone for a little while and when I woke up from that rest I had gotten herself washed and dressed then headed for the Hall of Shadows to thank Prince Aidan personally for all that he had done to ensure that Sarabella was safe. I should have known better than to think I could actually go anywhere without the constant Shadow. I did manage to make it to the hall somehow without being stopped and I had just gone through the double doors when I was stopped by the sight of the healer leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest and a look on his face that I was getting a little to used to seeing now. What I didn't see because I was in the middle of yet another showdown with Mathias was the table and all the people gathered around it. I have to admit that healer is one damn good looking man but not when he was looking at me like that. He's down right scary then and I swear I don't know what happened but I was talking and acting like some damn young girl who was about to get scolded yet again for getting caught sneaking out of the house.
Stop looking at me like that Mathias. I did what you told me to.

[Braxton Shadow]

He had no problem when helping prepare the food and working with her to get things done. With a smile he worked with her to prepare the food in the tasks that he was given to do. He walked out with her helping her to bring in the food and all. What he was not comfortable with was when she grabbed the attention of the room to introduce him. He just was not one that liked a lot of attention or having the attention of the whole room like he was now having. He smiled watching her but did not like the idea of sitting there amongst so many that he did not know. He was all of a sudden shy and quiet. He felt like an animal trapped in the line of sight of someone's arrow and could not move. He knew they were all family but before his uncle landed on his father's doorstep he did not know a damn one of the other parts of the family. The ones he met so far had not been bad but then to be tossed in front of everyone like that. He would rather be off helping her what said he had to stay sitting there. He got up and went to the kitchen and started to help clean up, He did not say a word being around all of those people. He had been overwhelmed with so much at once he had to escape and he found himself escaping to where she had gone to.

[Abigale]

That's your family Braxton... you have to get used to them sometime.

Abigale made the matter of fact statement while she was washing dishes in the sink, she didn't look to see who had come into the kitchen, she could tell by the way the air around her changed who it was and she didn't look at him while he moved around the kitchen helping her clean up either.

Felt like you were thrown to the wolves doesn't it? That was the point. If you're going to be staying in Pallia even if it's just for a little while you needed to be seen by your family and they needed to be seen by you. If I upset you by taking control the way I did I'm sorry, it's in my nature to do just that. I didn't get the position I have at the Hall just because of who my mother was you realize. I know I'm bossy and demanding and that I think I can fix anything and everything. Sometimes it's a good thing, sometimes it isn't... will you stop trying to clean up right now... you still need to eat...

In full on take care of everyone and everything mode Abigale was in her element. She thrived on the responsibilities of running the everyday household duties of the Hall. Without so much as a thought she finished the dishes, wiped her hands on a towel and sat Braxton down at the table.

You're just like everyone else, you need to eat too... here.

She set a plate down in front of him, made sure he had anything else he might need and went about finishing what she was doing.

[Condrik Shadow]

I remember all too well how they acted. That is one reason why I do not want to say it now, I mean we all know the fights Aidan got into afterwards. Maybe we should wait until a time when he is present. Then again he may not be too happy about it either. At least with him around they will watch what they say to you.

He grinned and leaned and kissed her.

Are you sure you want to stay here. There are going to be some that I am sure will stay. I mean wherever you stay you know that is where I will be. And as far as me thinking with the wrong damn head maybe if you had not spoke of better uses for my hands I would not have had those thoughts in my head already.

He laughed and leaned his head against hers and kept an arm around her. He sat and watched all of them and he knew there were some missing. He could not help but smile though watching all his children together it was a rare thing.

Plus your children are not here Rayne. I would think you would want them here too.

He stayed close to her so much had changed over a few years but none as much as their relationship. He thought about the night that had started it all for them and his hand stayed holding hers.

[Phillip Ryder]

If there are some, we know there will be some that will open their mouths no matter what they know. Also it would not be you that they are speaking against. They would do it while watching out for you of course would be what they would say. Now as far as Kira goes it did take time to really make our peace but people don't always want to see anything like that. I know I was wrong in the way I handled things, it was a hell of a confusing time for me.

When she circled his neck with her arms he put his arms around her and pulled her closer kissing her. He knew it might not be an easy thing for people to accept but as wild as he was at times he was actually grounded in a lot of ways now. It had to do with her and the way he was with her. From the first time they did anything he knew that something more was there not that he wanted to admit it at all. But he knew that it would take time for him to figure out all that it meant. Then the problems started and things had been stressful to say the least as everyone got scattered. They were able to sneak sometime here and there but it was always just some stolen time together. He had to smile though while thinking about the changes in what they had gone through

You should not have to resort to guilt trips with them. After all things do change as you said. I mean look at your grandparents back together after how long? I mean really it had been years that they had been apart. At times they were just at each other's throats. I know you are right we deserve a chance to see where this all is going to go. I do not want you to have to use guilt trips on them either. I mean if other people can change why amd I beyond redemption in some people's eyes?

[Raynalia]

Doesn't matter to me when you tell them, you sure you want to tell them all at the same time though? I mean taking on Rhone, Hunter and Brendan alone was easy but all of them together? I d'nay be knowin' 'bout that one. Speakin' a Rhone, he'll show up just like Avery will, when they are ready to. Givin' them some time to themselves right now, not that they are really alone but they need time with each other and with Chase and Krys.
She was only kidding of course, it had taken some time but all of Condriks children and her own children had grown used to the idea that they were together again, how they were going to react to actually becoming one great big huge family well that was a bridge they would cross at another time and deal with it however it needed to be dealt with. She leaned over almost laughing when she whispered to him.
We should be thankin the damn gods not a one a them be caught in the in between years. You remember what Cori was like? Could you imagine if this was happening while any one of these boys was at that age? And I wouldn't worry about Aidan at all. Hawks got enough on his plate right now to be stickin' his nose in all of this. I do want to stay here tonight though Saint, maybe even a wee bit longer just until everything is a little more settled. The inside might look back to normal again but theres still so much that needs to be made right. Jade and Losa are gonna need our help. You know that and you know we can't just run off actin' like lusty teenagers just because we're home now.... course nothing says that can't happen here and there but for the most part right now we need to be around.

[Ardis Ethrorrian]

I think you might be missing the point just a wee bit Phillip. I know it sounds bad putting it this way too but for every damn thing I have done over the last decade.... they all owe me in one way or another and if I have to use that to get them to get their heads out of their asses and see you for the man I see you as then so gods damn be it.
Whenever Ardis thought about how some people still reacted to Phillip it irked her. She knew when the changes in him had first started, and everyday she watched how those changes shaped and molded him into the person he was now, he was still the same in so many ways but he was changed for the better in plenty of other ways and it was time people saw that.
It doesn't matter how much time it took for you and Kira to make your peace the point is that you did and the one person in the world who has every right to hate you, to never forgive you has forgiven you and I think even sees you as something of a friend now. If Kira can do that then the rest of them can too. I'm not just going to stand around and listen to anyone say whatever the hell they want to Phillip, I don't care what their reasons are. Not a damn one of them would put up with someone saying whatever the hell they wanted would they? Hell no. Well alls fair in love and war yes? If they want to bring it, they better be able to take it. You know I've never been one to back down so easily. And I'll use whatever the hell I want to get my own way... that is a habit I can't break, believe me I've tried. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get the hell out of here, the waters getting cold.

[Mathias_Shadow]

You know for someone that likes to act all high and mighty the language you use is no better than common trash talking. Actually I have seen commoners that have more respect for someone that has gone to great lengths to help, and to help someone that is important to you. Do you know at this moment my son is not with his family because until you are healed and until you are given the okay to go back he is taking care of your charge as you are so fond of calling her. You know what I do not know why I even bother you obviously don't care about your own health otherwise you would learn to listen some. You want to go great lengths for your charge but what are you to me? yet you expected me just to forget about my duty.

He looked at her he about had his fill of her.

I will be in contact with Ialia's healers and see if one of them are willing to take on your care because I am done trying to help someone who obviously does not care about their own welfare. I have better things that I could be doing with my time then trying to help someone who just will not listen and will not let themselves be taken care of. You want me to leave you alone fine I wash my hands of you and your care. In fact I wash my hands of this whole damn mess. Oh by the way my prick is not little

He said the last bit in a low voice. He turned and walked away from her and from all of the people in the Hall he really could not keep going at it like that. He could not understand how someone could care so much about someone like she claimed to care about Sarabella but so little about her ownself. He was done with it all though like he told her no more chasing her around trying to make sure that she was taking care of herself.

[Ellysia]

Finally! Finally! Finally! I was finally going to be rid of the healer, and I damn near did a happy dance right there in front of everyone when I was stopped and felt my heart sink to my feet when I saw Lolo going after the healer, and I swear to you I took off running the other way, until I saw them. They came through the shadows looking like some strange creature. Nala, enveloped in Saras arms, and Sara was encased in the arms of the same man who had thought to put a dagger to my throat when I first came to Pallia. Everything changed in that moment. Everything....
I can't even begin to tell you all the details of what happened because I did something that I had never done before in all the years that I looked over Sara. I froze. I couldn't even ask what happened and everything around me started moving at such speeds I thought my head was going to spin clean off. Shadows were jumping up and taking Nala from Sara, Sara was taken from Jackson Shadow and the three of them were carted off to a room where healers, mages and anyone else with an ounce of knowledge in the arts of healing had been called to. Those first few hours were the longest of my life and all I could think was if I lost Sara then I lost everything that was ever important to me. I wasn't allowed in the room that she had been brought to, and it was killing me not knowing what was happening. What made it worse was knowing whatever happened the healers son had been involved and it was my fault because I was the one who came to Pallia asking for help. Fast forward a little bit and here's what I was told happened. Sara had been carrying Nala home, Jackson Shadow was with them and when they were close to the house, just a few doors down something, a smell or just a feeling made Sara turn away from the house covering Nala with her body, when she turned away Jackson it seems following his own instincts had covered Sara with his body and shoved both her and Nala to the ground just as the house exploded. Gods damn exploded, with Saras brother and wife inside. Later on we would learn that the explosion was meant to go off with Sara inside the house and let me tell you Kayne and Zhulin made damn sure that the ones responsible were dealt with, turns out Jason had some friends in Iallia that did not want to see Sarabella take the throne and in the space of one night had thought to bring Hallia to ruins by leaving no heir alive. The problem with that was they didn't know how much Sara detested the idea of being Queen and they sure as hell were not expecting her to live let alone have the likes of Jackson Shadow watching over her. I know I am getting a little ahead of myself but when he was fully recovered I have to say I have never and I do mean never seen anyone go seeking justice and maybe even revenge the way that man did. I don't even know how many hours passed when I finally allowed in that room and the first thing I saw when I went in was Richard standing next to Mathias who was sitting on one side of the bed with his son and on the other side Sarabella sat in a chair with Nala in her arms, the lines of worry on her face for the healers son were evident.I can freely admit I felt like such an asshole at that moment and couldn't even think of what to say. Sara saw me and I saw the fire in her eyes. She had a few cuts and bruises but nothing major that I could see and Nala looked completely unharmed thank the gods.

Seeing you could not for two damn days just behave yourself I took it upon myself to enlighten Mathias Shadow as to why you were being such a cunt to him while his son was risking his ass to save my life and the life of my niece.

I felt like someone had just punched me in the chest. I have never heard Sara say anything worse than shit in her whole life and to see her anger, to hear it... I was an asshole. I couldn't even think of anything to say to her not that it mattered because the Princess wasn't about to give me a chance to say anything at all.

I know how much you loved Warren Ellysia, and I know what happened, that his murder is the very reason you do not trust healers but if you would have just listened to what you were told you could have come to Iallia and we would have been able to return to Hallia. None of this would have happened Ellysia. And now look at where we are. Peter and Joanne are dead Ellysia. Mathias has had to tend to his own son and for what? Your fears? We're all afraid of something in this world Ellysia... do you know what my biggest fear is right now? That I am going to lose a friend who by fate or chance or whatever you want to call it, was brought to me and was actually able to see passed the Princess, see beyond the riches and the crown and just see me. And if that happens... I don't think I will ever be able to forgive you.

I was rocked to the very core of myself. I had never seen her act like that, and what was I suppose to say then? There wasn't anything I could say. I did the only thing I could think of. I just nodded my head and went and sat in a chair set in the corner watching Sara while she watched over Jackson. I don't know when I fell asleep or who even moved me all I know is the next time I opened my eyes I was in a bed in another room and the pillow my head was on was wet with tears.

[Braxton Shadow]

I know that they are my family but I am not like them. I did not grow up with a lot of people around me. I am more comfortable in smaller settings. You keep telling me I need to eat but I have yet to see you eat anything other than a sampling. Maybe if you would sit and eat with me it would be easier for me to eat, as I can not eat in front of a lady that I am not sure has eaten.

He smiled up at her but that smile faded when he heard something from the other room. He heard something about Jax being hurt. He flew from the room without another word spoken. Anyone who knew Braxton knew of his devotion to his family. He was out there helping them move his brother and those with him to a room. He stayed in the room doing what he could. He was not going to leave him. He knew someone would get Harper. He looked to one of the others.

Harper must be told, someone needs to get her. She can not hear it by word of mouth. She will freak out Jax is the one in the family everything sets on for her. Please someone go get her.

Braxton is right someone has to go get Harper. All that can be done for him has been done. Princess Sarabella I am not sure that this is the best place for the wee one, Nala is it that I heard the name of?

[Sarabella]

She wants to stay here...

Saras tightened her hold on Nala who was sleeping in her arms. A man named Quinn had come in and helped with Nala, he had eased her into sleep Sara assumed with a draft in the tea he had brought, and he gave Sara the news that Nala was not hurt, just a little scraped up but that he was sorry, her brother and his wife were gone. The man who was talking to her now, she knew had to be Jacksons father, it was obvious with the way the man was tending to Jackson, the fear Sara saw in his eyes was a fear only a parent could have, she had seen the same look in Peters eyes a few times. Peter. Sara held back a sob and it came out a whimper, she didn't want to wake Nala, her niece had been through enough already and was going to have to go through so much more in the coming days.

Nala... she wants to stay here... Jackson makes her feel safe. She lost her parents.. my brother... Joanne... why? Because of those loyal to Jason? Both of my brothers are gone, one wanted me dead, the other just wanted to live his life the best he could and now he's dead for no other reason than he was my brother...

Sara could not bring herself to look at Jacksons father. If she would have just behaved, and turned a blind eye to what she knew her brother Jason had been doing none of this would have happened. It wasn't Ellysias fault, it wasn't anyones fault but her own. If she would have just ignored everything that was happening instead of trying to stop Jason she never would have gotten caught, Ellysia would not have come to Pallia nearly getting herself killed in the process and Jackson Shadow would have never gotten involved, he wouldn't be laying in a bed broken and bruised, maybe even dying.

This wasn't suppose to happen. Not any of it. All I wanted was a farm boy and my chickens... I am so sorry.

[Abigale]

Abigale was on the move as soon as the situation presented itself. She knew the healers were going to need supplies and extra rooms were going to need to be made available for those who were brought in. There wasn't time for anything else other than making sure everyone had everything they needed and Abigale went through the hall issuing the orders to her staff doing just that. When she wondered was it all going to end? This was the thought she had when she slipped into the room where Braxton was with his father and his brother. Seeing Jackson laying there unmoving made a slight chill run down her spine, Jackson was always so full of life, they were not the closest of friends but their "incident" had made them allies in the war against Harper Shadows constant playful assaults on them over that incident and they had become friends of sorts. She was worried for him there was no questioning that, but for some reason she had a deeper concern for Braxton. She set down the tray with tea and light sandwiches on it, the business of being a healer was taxing on a person, she knew that and as much as they did not want to admit to it all the healers in the hall needed someone to look after them while they looked after their charges. She handed a plate to Mathias and gave him a gentle smile combined with a look that told him not to argue with her. When she spoke her words came soft and whispered.

I know the routine Lord Shadow, I have not lived on these lands my whole life without learning what it means to do what you do. You don't have to eat it all... the tea is hot so be careful. There is a room right next door ready for use when you need to find rest. I know you want to stay with your son but as you have most likely told your own charges... what good will you be to anyone if you suffer from exhaustion. If you need anything any one of my staff will get it for you or they will send for me and I will take care of it myself.

With another plate in hand she went to Braxton and set it down in his lap.

As for you... you have already done enough tonight to lower your energy when you helped me and I'll not have you trying to pull the same stunt here like you did in the kitchens. You will eat Braxton Shadow if I have to feed you like a child myself I will.

Without thinking Abigale reached out and held the palm of her hand to Braxtons cheek, running a thumb along his skin.

I'm not used to being defied Braxton, just do as you are told. You helped me, now it is my turn to help you and when you need to rest I will sit with Jackson. I'll be back to check on you soon.

Abigale saw the woman with the child in her arms sitting in a chair and she could see the concern for Jackson deep in the womans blue eyes. So this is Princess Sarabella she thought. She tried to keep the pity from her face, to have lost so much in such a short time had to be so hard on the woman and even harder on the little girl sleeping in her arms. Abigale went and knelt down in front of the Princess.

The wee one cannot stay like this your highness. At least allow a cot to be brought in so that she can rest properly.

Abigale didn't wait for an answer. She went to the door and told the guards standing outside that she needed a cot brought in, and she waited in the hallway until two of her staff showed up, then she directed them inside warning them not to make a sound. She went to work setting up the space where the little girl would rest and then carefully took the child from the princesses arms. After she got the child settled in she found a blanket and put it over the Princess.

There is a plate and tea for you as well your highness, I know it is difficult but you have to do what you can for yourself so that you don't make extra work for the healers.

That was all that Abigale said to the Princess, before she left the room she walked passed Braxton giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Remember what I said my lord.

[Mathias_Shadow]

This was not your fault. Jackson would tell you the same thing if he could. If Nala wants to stay I can understand that, I was just thinking some of the damage. Jackson is stubborn and a fighter. I know my son will be glad that you came through it with little injury and that Nala was not hurt. You have done a lot to help this family I am told, you could not have prevented this.

He went over to her and looked at her. He almost laughed at the thought she had said.

Did you just say a farm boy and chickens? If you want to rest I can wake you if anything changes with Jackson. I am sure he will want to know for himself that you and Nala are ok.

He sat down by his son's side and looked over at the woman. He was curious about things most of all how it happened.

I am sorry for the loss of your brother and his wife. What happened there? I know the news of your safe passage was passed on to the King and Queen of Ialia. You can sit with him awhile if you want. I know the sights are not pretty but we got the salves and the bandages with what we can. He is knocked out to keep his body resting some while healing. Some of the things work better when the body is still. Elyssia may have been a right pain in the ass, but she loves you that is evident. Even if she had listened to me she would not have been back with you in time. Things even horrible things happen for a reason.

[Braxton Shadow]

My father is right that this was not your fault. It is the fault of whoever set what it was. I know that sometimes people will blame themselves for things that they can not control. This is one of those things that can not be helped. Each of us has a path to walk.

He had to smile when Abigale went into her bossy mode as he would call it. He gelt her palm on his cheek. He looked up at her and before she left he took her hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

Thank you for all that you have done, and I will eat just as I was going to downstairs. I will not make you feed me like a child though the idea does seem interesting. Just as you have been saying to me you have done a lot tonight and you need to make sure you eat as well. We will let you know if we need someone to sit with Jackson at all.

He started to eat after Abigale left he knew he watched her leave but he could not help it, He was male after all and there was a lot about he that he liked.

[Sarabella]

Did I say something about a farm boy and chickens?

Numbly she shrugged, she didn't remember saying it, so she was probably just thinking out loud to herself and it slipped.

That doesn't matter... it never really did...

Mathias wanted to know what happened, thinking about how she and Jackson had watched Nala running through the streets like every other child on Devils night, seeing her laughing and egging Zhulin in his disguise, just enjoying the evening as each little event unfolded hurt. It actually hurt because the night had ended in such a tragic way that Sara sure how to come back from it.

We were walking, I was carrying Nala, she had fallen asleep while we were walking. Jackson and I were talking about what was going to become of me. He was teasing me because earlier he had gone to pull me down on a bench and he pulled a little too hard, I ended up in his lap... we had a good laugh over that but then the mood changed because I started thinking. I should know better than to think. I started thinking about how I was going to be forced into a life I never wanted, I was never meant to take Hallias throne... and he started talking about all the good I could do as Queen on top of what I already do... that made me use the excuse of getting Nala home to end the discussion. We were walking and I was carrying Nala, and two houses down, I don't know I think I heard someone whisper to me while they walked by something like "Have a blessed night my Queen". I can't be sure though, what I do know is I got this cold feeling inside me out of nowhere and the strangest thing happened. I turned my back to the houses with Nala in my arms and Jackson, like we were thinking the same thing...

Sara moved up in the chair and took Jacksons hand into hers, she studied his sleeping face and with her free hand wiped at her eyes to keep the tears from falling.

Jackson folded me up in his arms the very same way I had Nala wrapped in mine, the house just blew up, I didn't know it at first... I heard the most horrendous sound, it was the explosion, and the whole of the street shook from the force... Jackson had me and Nala pinned to the ground but the amazing part is... he did it in such a way that he wasn't squashing me and I wasn't squashing Nala. I tried to get up. I remember screaming at him to get off me that I had to get to Peter and I remember how he was so calm when he whispered to me that nothing could be done... then we were here and now he's laying here because of me. You are very kind to not place blame at my feet my lord but how can I not be blamed... if your son was not with me, he would not be here like this now.

[Harper Shadow]

I just want to know one thing.
Harper went into the room she had been directed to when she made it back to the hall. She was only told that her father wanted to see her and she figured it might have something to do with one of her brothers or that batty woman Ellysia that had given her father such hell when he took her on as one of his patients. She was prepared to see her brother laying in bed looking like he had just been blown sky high. The irony of that thought would come back to her later when she learned that he really nearly had almost gotten himself blown up. She was so concentrated on her father that she paid very little attention to anyone else in the room.
Don't pussyfoot around it either, I'm not going to fall apart if it's bad. I just want to know if he's going to live. And then I want to know why the hell he wasn't called to come back home once this princess he was supposed to be guarding was safe in Iallia. I mean who is this high and mighty Sarabella and what makes her so damn special that my brother ends up like this for her? I knew it was a bad idea when Aidan sent him, but how could I say anything and not end up getting my ass handed to me for it. So what's the verdict father? Is Jax going to be all right and I do want the truth because that truth is going to decide whether or not I stay Elite or I resign so I can kill this princess my damn self for putting Jax in this position.

[Mathias_Shadow]

Princess, Jackson did what he felt he had to. None of this was done by you. He did what he did because of his need to protect the innocent. He has always put others before himself. The people responsible for this are the ones that put that house to explode. You and your niece have lost a lot today. It is never easy to lose someone we love.

He had just got done speaking when his daughter came in. He knew she would be a bit wound up. He just put his hand up to Sarabella. He looked at his daughter and spoke directly to her in a bit more of a stern voice.

Harper Shadow, first off yes Jackson should recover. Princess Sarabella is not high and mighty, and she has not left Jackson since it happened. It was in no way her fault. Jackson did not return because he saw his duty as staying with the Princess until her guard was able to come back to her. We are still piecing together what happened but damn good thing your brother has good senses otherwise there would have been five deaths instead of two. I swear to the gods Harper you best keep your voice down that little girl has been through hell tonight. You were all grown when your Mother died, just think of being a child and your Mother and Father being murdered. You and your Aunt barely escaping death. You know your brother as well as I do. There is no way he was going to leave someone he was put in charge of. Now if you can find it to act more civil you can stay. IF you can not act civil towards Sarabella then I am going to have to ask you to leave. Because we all know when Jackson wakes he is going to need to see that Sarabella and Nala are ok.

He knew that Harper would be upset but he also knew that he was not going to allow things to get out of hand. He looked at her and took her by the hand.

I know how you love your brother Harper but taking it out on the wrong people will not help any at all.

[Harper Shadow]

This is me acting civil especially when what I really want is to show you just how uncivilized I can be right now.
Harper had this tendency to want to resort to violence and bloodshed when she was as upset as she was at that moment. It was a flaw that she had been working on and even thought she had gained some sort of control over during her time in the Elite, until now. Her father gave her choices and with the mood she was in it was best she just left.
My brother damn near gets killed for some woman we don't even know and I'm supposed to make nice?
She did settle a touch when her father informed her that the two deaths were connected to the little girl she finally noticed sleeping on a cot in the room. Her voice dropped down to a whisper and she couldn't help but feel some sadness for the childs loss, what her father said was true. They had all been grown when their mother died, and that had been hard on them as old as they were, she couldn't imagine what it felt like to be so small and not have either parent to turn to.
I am sorry that Nala... that is what you said her name was isn't it?... has to go through losing her parents I really am and you know Jax, Brax, and I will do whatever we can to help her... I can't say the same for Jacksons princess though. You're right father, it's best I just go. Have someone send for me when Jax is awake.
Harper kissed her fathers cheek and looked at her brother one more time before she left the room. She knew she needed to do something to keep herself from losing her temper with the wrong people, and she decided to run. Going wolf was not something she enjoyed doing often so when she ran she did it with her own two feet. Where those feet were going to take her now, well she'd find out when she got there.

[Mathias_Shadow]

He sighed after Harper left. He looked to Sarabella.

Please forgive my daughter and her outburst. She is very protective of Jax always has been. Since she was a baby it was all about Jax. When she was sick she would not settle down until she was laying next to her brother. She will calm down once Jax is awake. She is not thinking right now, and that is causing her to say things that she normally would not. When they were little Jax used to try and stay out of fights, well this one kid was trying to bully Jax and there goes Harper straight after the boy who was bigger than her and kicked the boy right in the shin. Telling him to leave her brother alone. Of course the kid decided to try and mess with Harper and Jax defended her. The kid never did mess with them after that. They are closer than most siblings, and though they are both close with Braxton the closeness they share is much deeper than what any really know.

He looked at his son and then looked at Sarabella again. He knew there was something different about this Princess. He knew no matter who it was his son was protecting his son would have done the same thing and not changed a thing. His son was the protective type. Only thing is no one knew just how dangerous Jax could be. All the children shared his heritage, so he knew they all could turn into wolves, each had some bit of the same powers he did, though Braxton was the more gifted with Magic, he thought part of it was it did not interest the other two.

You need to get some rest Sarabella Nala will be asleep for quite awhile. It is not going to help anyone if you do not rest. I will stay up with him, and then Braxton can. We also have that woman was Abigale her name that said she could sit with him as well. Which I might take her up on so we can all get a little rest.

[Trifton Wakefield]

You can stop fussing already Rory I am fine. So I got a little banged up. I am surprised you have not gone to check on someone else. From what I hear almost everyone is back already. You know you want to go check and make sure he is ok. I am sure he would not mind you fussing over him either.

He laughed and nudged her a little bit. He knew she meant well but right now all he wanted to do was go for a walk by himself. He needed some time alone. He knew his sister would be fine in the house, and that Rory really did not need to stay with him. He was going to check on other people make sure everyone was ok. He did hear that a few had not come back yet, but should be on their way back. He smiled and kissed her cheek.

Who knows you might be missing out on a party at the Hall. You should go see what is going on. Thanks for making sure everything with me was ok. I will be careful I promise.

He decided just to go walking around with no set destination in mind after all he had got to know the lands rather well so he could always find his way back

[Sarabella]

Please don't apologize for your daughter...

Sara kept her voice to a whisper not wanting to risk waking either Jackson or Nala, maybe under normal circumstances she would have been offended at the way she was being spoken about by Jacksons sister, but these were not normal circumstances and the woman was right after all. Who was she that any one of them should have been put in the position that Jackson had been put in?

She loves her brother and is rightfully angry, I would be angry and worried too if that was my brother...

Sara stopped mid sentence. If that was her brother... her brothers, both of them were dead. No matter how twisted Jason had become he had like he reminded her, up until he ordered her death, loved her more than anything, and then there was Peter. Peter who was ten winters told when she was born doted on her from her first breath, to his last. She remembered hearing her father tell her how when she was born Peter declared she was "his baby" and he loved her everyday that he lived.

My apologies... I didn't mean to lose my thoughts. Please don't worry about my rest. I'm comfortable enough where I am and I would like to just stay here. Your son could have died this night, I owe it to him to at least watch over him. I do have to apologize for the exchange between Ellysia and I earlier as well. Normally such vulgar words and harshness do not pass my lips and I know that my madre was only acting on her fears, I should not have let my anger, worries or my grief get the better of me. You can rest now if you'd like my lord, I can keep watch over your son, there is no need to bother Lady Abigale, I'm sure she'll be back in here soon enough on her own to see that you and Lord Braxton have done as she has ordered.

[Aurora Hope]

Now why would I go running off to find him Trifton Wakefield when you know damn well he'll be hauling ass this way as soon as he catches wind that Nessa was damn near..

Rory nudged him the same way he nudged her and shook her head.

Never mind I am not even going to finish that thought, the whole idea is just vile and I won't dignify one damn bit of it by even talking about it.

Rory and Trifton had stayed on the porch talking among themselves while Janessa was holed up in the house probably scalding herself with every last drop of hot water she could get from the faucets if Aurora knew her like she thought she did.

And don't get upset with me just because I fuss a little here and there, you don't let anyone else do it, not since...

She stopped herself again, scowled and sighed.

Not going down that road either... all right lets start over. I'm going to stay here just until Janessa is done with her bath, I'm not too comfortable with the idea of leaving her alone in the house right now given whats happened. Don't worry I'll make sure she knows you want to be left alone neither one of us will bother you I promise. I'll get to the hall eventually don't you worry none about that, with everyone returning Winter is going to need all the help she can get. So you do what you need to and I'll get out of here as soon as Nessa is settled in for the night okay?

Rory pushed him off the porch shooing him away and with a laugh on her lips sat back down on the porch just watching the sky and listening to the world around her.

[Mathias_Shadow]

You have had a long couple of days mi Lady and though I hate to argue with royalty you really do need rest. I know that rest may not be easy to find, but you really need to if not for anything else than the wee one will need you when she wakes up. I know you have been dealt some hard losses, Harper does not know the full story. Does not know what you have had to deal with or just how much you have helped this family. As for Jax there is something to be said about the Shadow men we just seem to keep coming back for more. We are a resilient bunch and you will see he will be awake when the time is right. I am also sure he will be complaining about having to stay in bed too. I need to change his bandages soon anyways. And that is a sight no one should have to see. Most of it will heal I think but he will have some scarring.

He smiled at the woman and then at the sleeping child.

I bet we could move the cot over some more and you would still be close by him. I think you could fit on there with her and might help her some too to know you are right there with her. I will wake you when I tire or when Jax wakes whatever comes first.

He smiled at her as he was not yet tired and he knew she had been through a hell. She lost two brothers and her sister in law. Had a lot thrown at her.

About your words with Elyssia, yes they were a bit harsh and vulgar but sometimes we are not always at our best. We all are just human or mostly human. But that is not the point. She needed to hear some of that I am sure but maybe not in the way you said it but then again there were certain times I wanted to say similar things to her. If she had just told me she had a problem with healers without telling me the whole story I would have done what I could to put her at ease. It was kind of hard not to laugh at her when she was going off on me cause of the look she gave while doing so.

[Cole Shadow]

He had been with his family but all he could think about was the two women that he wanted to check on. One was his best friend and he had heard the hell the false King tried to put her through. He could not miss Hunter's wedding though and he knew if he had he would hear it from both the women. He heard that Trifton had been hurt and he knew if Rory caught wind of it she would be over there fussing over him. He shook his head and took off for the house that Trifton and Janessa shared. Sure enough as he came walking up he saw her sitting there. He grinned seeing her.

Rory is there room for me there or is that spot saved for someone else. I would have come to check on things sooner but Hunter came home and basically laid his claim on Maddy right there and then and had her marry him. He had brought Gregory back with him. As soon as I saw Gregory I knew what that mean the poor guy keeps getting dragged here for weddings.

He waited to see her reaction and all. He did not have much wrong with him after all he had been using the bow and arrow. Though he and his brothers could also fight with a sword at times the bow and arrow made it more fun and more of a challenge to see which one could kill the most people.

I was up high most of the fighting using the bow and arrow, after all we all were well trained in that. And I swear there are times I am shooting that thing that I can feel my mother is near.

[Sarabella]

Jackson is a good man, he was obviously raised with good parents and a home filled with love. I don't think I have met anyone quite like him.

Sara almost started to protest, to tell Jacksons father that she really didn't need to rest, but then she realized she would just be acting as stubborn as Ellysia, and it would be wrong for her behave that way given she was the reason that Mathias' son was where he was in the first place. That was a thought no one was ever going to be able to change her mind on. What happened to Jackson, what happened to her brother and his wife and the fact that Nala was going to have to grow up without her parents was Saras fault. Reluctantly Sara let go of Jacksons hand, reached over to brush back a few locks of his dark hair then stood up nodding her head in agreement with the healer.

I can try and rest but I cannot promise that it will work. The cot can stay where it's at, I don't want to move it and have Nala waking sooner than she needs to. That baby needs every bit of rest she can get and I can only hope that while she sleeps her dreams are filled with all the things little girls her age dream of because I know once she wakes, she'll wake to a nightmare.

Nothing around Sara felt real. She was more numb now than she had been when Jason had come to her in her rooms with his order of death. Nala had no parents, she had no brothers, and everything was falling apart too fast for her to catch the pieces to try and put it all together again. The only thing that Sara was sure of was that no matter what happened she was not going to let anything more happen to her niece. The instant Peter and Joannes' lives were lost became the instant that Nala belonged to Sara and no one was going to take her from her. Settling beside Nala she took the little girl and held her in her arms smoothing down her hair. Nala whimpered shifted in her sleep. Sara soothed her until she settled again. She knew she wasn't going to be able to sleep and she kept looking over at Jackson as though if she looked long enough he would wake up and complain just as his father said he would. Saras whispers broke the silence that had come over the room.

If I do fall asleep, though I doubt it please don't forget to wake me and if you do get tired don't pretend that you aren't just to try and get me to rest more. Thank you for being so kind to me and for taking such good care of Nala, and thank you for raising such an amazing son.