Have you seen him Losa? Does my brother still look like himself? I need to know if Kristian still looks like Kristian.

She whispered the words through her sobs. She had been there, staring into the pool up in the tower, she had watched her brothers blood spill, but she saw no more than that because she had fainted dead away at the sight. The shock of seeing her brother, knowing she was helpless to stop what was happening caused her body and mind to defend itself the only way it knew how. So she had no idea if anything more had been done, and she needed to know.

You have to come with me Losa. I need you there with me. It doesnt matter that you and Kristian didnt get on well, that you werent given the chance, you love me, you make me happy, that was enough for him, he didnt need to like you, I love you and that was all that mattered to Kristian. I know and I can admit without shame, that I will not be able to do this without you. You are my strength right now Losa, I have none of my own left.

Slipping from his lap she went to the door of their room, head held high she started to steel herself against what was to come.

Take me to him please, show me where my brother lies so I can kiss him goodbye one last time.

He moved to her and put his hand into hers.

I have seen him love, and I was there when he was taken care of and cleaned up. He does look like himself from what I saw. I will be right there with you Spitfire, you know not much goes on without me around.

Nothing he could say was going to make this easier nothing he could speak would bring her comfort. He led her quietly to where all the bodies were brought to be prepared. He had laid Kristian off by himself to take care of what had needed to be done. He walked with her and stayed right by her as she went to say her goodbye to her brother.

I'm alright Kain, you can check me from head to toe as proof if you need to in order to believe me, but later, now we need to get Gabriel out of there.

Kain had wanted to beleive that before, and he had made a promise that no matter what he wouldn't interfere, even if she was to be hurt. He wasn't able to hold that promise, not with what had recently happened. He attacked the monster with his very soul, leaving him gaunt, and skeletal. Pain and anguish were written all over his face. He took a few moments to slow down and figure out what was going on exactly, and then rushed to the scrying pool.

How do we get him out of there?

He looked to Ariela and nodded.

I guess we will just wait and see. I will be able to tell as time goes on what was what. Till then I am not going to really worry about it. I will let you know if I need anything right now I have my wife home. There is not much more I could ask for before she is healed. I will rest but I can not promise sleep.

He sat there and just watched over her. He could hardly believe he was actually looking at her. He could take the chance to heal her but he was not as strong as the one that was being called for. He felt so damn helpless and a little angry he wanted to be more of a help about all that happened and it felt he had been shut out of it. He was trying not to thnk the worst about the reasons behind it. So he bit his tongue and did the only thing he could do which was wait.

How do we get him out of there?

How were they supposed to get her brother out? She started pacing, she always paced when she had serious thinking to do, what she came up with at that point was absolutely nothing. She played several scenerios over and over again in head weighing the pros and cons of each course of action, and each time she came up with absolutely nothing that would prove to be beneficial. The more she thought the more and more clear the problem at hand began to present itself. It dawned on her then what they were meant to do and her face paled. She looked at Kain in disbelief, not ready to accept what the reality of the situation was, but she knew the truth and she was going to have to come to terms with it. Speaking the words out loud would confrim that truth, and she was absolutely powerless to do anything about it.

We arent doing anything. We cant. Gabriel needs to finish this himself, he has a purpose, he created that thing, he needs to be the one to destroy it. My brothers emotions were used against him, he has control of those emotions in a sense that he can bring an end to this, HE has to be the one, and he has to do it alone. Look at it as something like a test Kain. A test of his heart... no, there is nothing we can do, Gabriel will defeat this monster, and his own demons, only then will this be done. If he fails...
then I will know, we will know what was truly in his heart...

She took a good long look at her champion then and what she saw made her frown. He had ignored her pleas to keep himself from getting involved no matter what was seen, he had broken his promise to her, but she was not angry, he had done what he felt he had to do for her, for Gabriel, for them all, she knew the man could not stand by idly and just watch, she never should have asked for such a promise from the start knowing it was not in his nature to do what she had asked. Now he stood looking half dead.
She couldnt let him stay in such condition. Taking his hand she began leading him to one of the chairs they had been sitting in before.

There is nothing we can do for Gabriel Kain. Please rest for me Kain, let me take care of everything, and of you.

He looks asleep...

Those were the only words she could muster to voice. Her hands traveled along the spikes of her brothers now blonde hair, each spike pricking at her fingers reminding her that what she was living was no dream. There could be no harsher reality than the one she walked at that moment. Only the loss of her husband and her children could ever bring the pain that Kristians death had brought. She had meant what she had said to Losa. If it werent for him and their son, for their own twins growing bigger and stronger inside her with each passing day she would have already succumbed to her grief, would probably be laying right beside her twin, only her death would have been at her own hand. Leaning she lay herself across her brothers chest her tears flowing freely. Kristian would slap her if he could for making such a spectacle of herself and it was that thought that kept her from turning hysterical. He would expect more from her, and she could not dissapoint him in death as she had let him down in life by not being able to protect him, by being helpless, powerless to stop him from losing his life. Righting herself she pulled down the clean shirt that adorned his body she looked at the black in that had been tattooed on his chest close to his heart. Two K's pierced by a dagger, the hilt shaped like a thick stem complete with thorns, at the end a rose, it was their own crest. Now she leaned touching her hand to her ankel where an identical tattoo rested on her skin. The markings had been their present to one another on the day they had both recieved their brands showing they were of the Elite, now she would walk the world alone forever marked without her brother. Wiping the wetness from her cheek she leaned over yet again, this time to brush her lips against her brothers cold cheek, and she broke down unable to stop herself no matter how proud she wanted to make him of her. Just as she had cried in her husbands arms mere minutes before she now sobbed into her brothers shoulder half expecting half hoping with all her heart that she would feel his arms around her telling her that it had all been a mistake that he was alive and well and not to cry. But that didnt happen, she knew it wouldnt and she sunk to her knees. Three words repeated over and over again echoed through the room.

I need him back...

Nothing they could do? Nothing? How could that be, surely Gabriel shouldn't be fighting it alone. They had to help, but how? Was there truly nothing they could do? All these are questions that ran through Kain's mind. She took his hand and led him towards the chairs by the fire. Kain not sure of what to do, willingly went along with her. She led him to a seat and sat him down. Kain had a completely confused, and blank look upon his face. He's always been able to help in one way or another... why now all of the sudden he finds himself completely useless. He looked to Oriana, now hovering over him, a blank stare. That was all that could come of the warrior. He was just looking for help himself, never had be been so helpless. The fire seemed to bring some color to him, but not much, even in it's light he was pale. He turned his gaze to the scrying pool, finally starting to get ahold of himself. Absentmindedly holding onto the charm.

He said nothing it was not that he was cold or anything else but what do you say to someone in so much pain. There were no words that would bring her brother back, there were no words that would fill the emptiness she was feeling. There were no words he could speak to make it better or even partly better. All he could do was be what she needed him to be. He went down to the floor with her and just put and arm around her letting her cry against him. He wanted to cheer her up he knew her heart was breaking. He hated to see her hurting so much, to see so much pain going through her.

He sat there and just tried to give all he could to his wife, letting her cling to him, hit him or whatever she needed.

Losa... find Alec, he'll tell you what needs to be done. I need you to bury my brother Losa, I cant watch, I cant do it. I've said my goodbyes to him, there isnt anything else I can do. I will NOT watch my twin be put into the ground, buried. Do this for me and I will never ask you to do anything for me ever again. I just cannot do this Losa.

She held onto him tight. Her very life did depend on Losa being with her. Nothing was going to make her think otherwise, he would be the sole reason they made it through, all the other times before, all the times they had fought together to keep their family from falling apart, this time she knew without having to think on it, that he would be the one to pull them through.

I cant be here anymore. The more I see him, the more it hurts and I cannot let myself walk completely in the dark, its dark enough already, if I go any further, I wont come back. I cant let that happen. Walk with me Losa, somewhere, anywhere, lets just leave here, just for a little bit.

He got up picking her up in his arms holding her close.

Alec and I will take care of things Kiara, you know that either of us would do anything for you. Come on we will go on a nice little walk once I put you down and by then it will be feeding time for that little red haired demon child of ours. You know love, I swaer that red hair brings a temperment along with it.

He carried her out and then put her down. He kept an arm around her and walked with her down to the waterfall for awhile. Hoping that his choice of places was ok. This was the place not in front of the priest or anyone else that they had exchanged rings. He kept his arm around her as they walked.

I dont need a damn healer, I dont want a damn healer. Its bruises, nothing else... what I want is the truth. There is something wrong around here, not just because of me, Oriana was hiding something when I saw her and it is too quiet. I know that Kristian is dead, that there is that hanging in the air but there is more and I want to know what. I have lain here drifting in and out of sleep listening. Who else is dead Condrik. Who else?

They were alone, she should have been in his arms crying, being a weepy wilted little flower, but she had heard bits and pieces of the conversation between Condrik and Ariela, she had been able to put together enough to know that there had been more than just Kristians death, she knew deep in her gut she was about to hear news that would rip her heart out but she rationalized to herself that she had been through hell and back, she was numb and so used to everything falling to shit that she didnt want to be babied, she didnt want anything sugar coated. Now she was sitting up in bed her body aching, her head spinning, she still needed to know, it didnt matter what she felt like physically, mentally she needed some sort of order, where she had been before there was none, now that she was home, she might finally be able to put everything back together again.

Just tell me Condrik.

He looked at her, and sat there. He was not sure how to tell her, he looked at her and he was trying to be strong. He took a deep breath.

Rayne the healer was asked to come to check things on you out. I know you want to know who else but I do not know how to tell you about all that has happened since that night. There is no easy way to tell you any of the news. But i know you need to know and you dont need to be babied.

He took another deep breahth.

Rayne, Rone was the last one killed, he and Alec were attacked. By the time any got to them it was too late for Rone. Losa helaed Alec the best that he could and he is doing ok. But the first attacks, were done to Brodrick and his family and

He could not bring himself to say it. He looked at her his eyes looked to her.

I am sorry Rayne but the kids, Thomas and Robert were killed also. It was too late by the time we knew what was going on. I had been to see him and all earlier. I am sorry Rayne.

Bobert...

She breathed the pet name for her son, her adopted son, but her son in every way that mattered. She didnt know if she would ever be able to have children of her own and it was something she worried over for so long until the day that Robert had all but been handed to her when his own parents became casualties of war. Now the beautiful little boy was gone, gone just like the people who had grown to love him, who had taken him in when she and Condrik were embroiled so deeply in a family feud, and then there was Rone. Her closest confidant, so much like the brother her own brother had never been given the chance to be. She knew the news was not going to be good at all, in fact she expected it to be the worst sort of news imaginable, maybe that was the reason why she didnt scream, why she didnt break down in tears. Instead, she slipped from the bed and started towards the door.

Walk with me Condrik, take me to our son, and on the way you can tell me EVERYTHING that has been going on, down to the last detail including how the HELL our son and my brother ended up dead right up to what Gabriel is doing here and why you and Oriana are at odds with one another.

She hardened inside in such a short period of time, but given all that she had been through, if she let herself be soft, she knew herself well enough to admit she would lash out and it would not be a pretty sight.

He looked at her and moved to her side. He walked with her and he did not know if he was ready to see this again.

Brodrick and Rachel had offered to keep him because Thomas was enjoying his company and it gave both someone to play with. I would go down and check on them and everything seemed fine. I was up in the tower and we were all trying to figure out what to do to help you. Well Oriana thought of something, and somewherein the mix Gabe came in it seems word had reached him, or something like that. So he came to see what was going on here and offered to help. Oriana and I got to fighting later on in ths whole mess when she started talking in ways that I may have taken wrong but I do not know. But she was talking as if she was going to try and get you to leave me for Gabe, she was talking about that she needed to fix what she had done. She blames herself I guess for you moving on with me, hell I could almost understand that but she was making it sound like that you dont love me and stuff. I know we been through a lot and all but I also know that we both love each other. This is all just a bit of a mess, as I said to Ariela she may have been right on what she said about what happened between Oriana and I. I was also frustrated cause it just was a total mess to be honest. As I said time will tell if I was right or wrong about things. I wanted to be there to help and all but there was nothing they would let me do, they would not even let me up there but I had already agreed that I would go by whatever was decided needed to be done to get you home safe, and to figure out what is going on here. I know this is not good stuff to come home to and I wish I had better news for you.

So much has happened here it almost seems unreal. This is where they are

He lead her to where he knew the bodies were. He touched her hand and led her over to Roberts body.

I am sorry I was not able to protect either of you. I should have been able to do something but I was not able to do it alone, and the help was not there that night at the inn. I am sorry maybe if I had done things better and understood things better maybe things would have been easier. I am sorry love for everything. I have failed the two that I never wanted to fail, though I know what it was was stronger than me, stronger than anthing i could have fought.

He hated having to tell her about the deaths but he would be there with her for whatever she needed. He had vowed that he was going to be a different man, a better husban and father. He took a breath in and waited to hear it from her he knew he would get an earful.

She watched him not sure if he was aware of it but it wouldnt have made any difference if he had been. He was still so pale and the concern for her brother was there for her to see. How could she tell him that there was nothing they could do knowing full well that Kain would try and think of something, anything in order to aid Gabriel. Sometimes the mage wished she could just learn to keep her mouth shut. Kain was in no condition to be rushing off fighting or anything else for that matter so the point was a moot one. What lay before her now was trying to get him to understand so that he wouldnt feel so powerless was that this really was Gabriels fight. In a sense it was her fight as well, but no one needed to know what she would be doing to help her brother. Not even Kain. She asked him to let her take care of him and of everything else and that was what she would do. Not because she needed to be the saviour, but because her brother needed her and because Kain needed her just as she needed them. She knelt at his feet and took his hand from the charm slipping both his hands into hers.

Kain, look at me. Gabriel needs to battle his demons on his own, my brother is strong and I have faith in him, you of all people should know that no matter how much we may want to, we cannot save everyone. Isnt that what you told me once? Gabriel needs to save himself Kain, he might need a little push but that will be all we can do for him. Hes a Shadowbain Kain, we are strong and we have survived so much worse, he will survive, it might be one hell of a road getting there but he will make it to the end of that road alive. Do you really think I would watch my brother die? Theres no way. Besides my champion... you look like death warmed over and to be honest with you I think a church mouse could take you down right about now.

She winked at him then kissed him while she rose to her feet again. Taking a few minutes from thinking she hurried and made some tea, brought it to him and covered him with a blanket.

Drink this and take some rest,

She went to the pool then, her mind racing as well as her heart. Gabriel was in the dopplegangers world, it was time to bring the beast into their world. The reason behind wanting to something so crazy? When she was in the other realm, she knew she was weak, her magick did not flow as smooth nor freely, the beast was strong and could have killed her if he so wished. If Gabriel was fighting on the world he belonged, he might stand a better chance. Closing her eyes she reached out with all that she was not even knowing if she would even be able to touch her brother the way he had been able to touch her in order to warn her. Silently she commanded that he come home, that he return not to her tower but to the great wall of stone. If he heard her, Gabriels natural source of magick would know how to get him there, in a sense the arcanic blood in his veins would recognize her command and kick in. She could no longer look into the pool because the very waters themselves grew black until everything had been closed off to her. She sat at the edge of the well then, her own senses now dulled it took everything she had to keep herself from falling asleep sitting up right there.

She cradled the tiny body of the little boy in her arms long enough to whisper to him how much she loved him, that he and Tomas could now play for all eternity, and that she knew how much he missed his real mother and father and isnt he happy to be with them again. She also whispered how much she would miss him and how proud she was to have been given the chance to be his mama even if only for a little while. Then she went to Brodrick and his family giving her last parting words thanking them for all they had done, for giving her son a brother. Next came Kristian, her last words to him were the very same words she spoke to him each time they saw one another... he couldnt afford her.... only this time the words were not followed by the traditional teasing gentle slap to the face. When she reached Rone she stared down at his lifeless body, there were no words she could find, Rone knew her better than anyone, even Kiara and Oriana, he would know what she would say to him in death, leaning down she kissed his cheek then turned from them all and walked away. If she looked back she would not be able to leave any of them, and she knew the only way was to keep going. It wasnt until she gone from the room did she speak.

Only time will tell what Condrik? Our son is dead, our friends are dead and you are worried about a woman who just wants to mend the rift between her and her brother? I dont want to hear another word about Oriana Condrik, she has put her own life on the line more than once for me. Help was not at the inn that night because Kiara was respecting your wishes for privacy, how was she to know what was going to happen? As for you, how dare you think you are at fault for any of this! You have done the best you could and that is all anyone can expect from another. Nothing is going to bring that little boy back, nothing is going to bring any of them back, we have to learn to deal with that and we have to stop thinking the worst of everyone else around us. This is where we are, its not a good place right now but it will get better and that is what we have to keep striving for. Getting past this is going to be one of the hardest things we will ever have to do, but it needs to be done.

Where the tirade came from she didnt know, she really didnt care, she was numb and tired and the order she expected to come home to simply wasnt there.

He looked at her that had all come out wrong but he was not going to argue with her. His hand went to hers.

You are right Rayne. I did not mean it the way it sounded. I know nothing will bring any of them back, I knew that the moment I heard the news. It was just one big mess, hell Raynie I dont know half of what I said. Its just a mess, and I need to start cleaning up the messes that I have made in the past. I know she was respecting what she thought I wanted but somehow things got messed up, when Iknew you oculd be in danger I had agreed to the protection but I guess I got my head out of my ass too late on that one. I do blame myself for part of it, I keep thinking what if I had done things differently. You are right though that is not going to help things nor is it going to change things. Ah damn it this is not the type of stuff i wanted you to come home to Rayne. Yes its a tough road ahead and I know that.

I am just sorry for any of the turmoil that I had brought here, though it was not the cause of this stuff it did not help. I have thought bad about a lot of people but it comes from a lack of understanding somethings have changed though and I have seen things like I never understood them. Where do we begin with all of this?

Gabriel squared off against Vim. With Oriana out of his way he could concentrate on the one that orchestrated this disaster. He was glad that Oriana was no longer in the mix, he couldn't look at his sister knowing what the creature had said. He knew it to be lies, but what if the creature hadn't been lying, sure he felt like tearing Oriana to pieces every once in a while but that was just a sibling thing, he would never truly wish harm upon his sister. He knew that this creature took the extremes of what he felt and made it into something deadly...but who really created this creature was Gabriel's true concern.

I know you're a monster of Chaos...and I know you have twisted my emotions to your own needs and wills. But that doesn't answer my most fundamental question. Who truly created you?

Vim's black eyes glowed with malice as he the two circled the chamber in the standoff, each waiting for the other to make the first move. But as Vim circled he could he that the creature was toying with the notion of how he would answer the man. Finally though it spoke.

It is funny that you do not know after all these years who could possibly wish to arrange for your death. Is it really so hard to figure out?

Gabriel looked at him angrily, the creature was obviously trying to get into his head and make him act foolishly. Gabriel countered the creature's mind games with a few tricks of his own to pry some answers.

In my years as a warrior I have killed many and I know that through my travels I have made many enemies. Many that would give much to see me dead. In fact the one that sent you was probably such a petty footnote that I wouldn't remember who it was even if you told me.

Vim almost looked angry, but what came from his mouth told Gabriel otherwise, as a thick, throaty laugh escaped the monster's lips.

You are smart to try to play with me mortal....but I am a master of the arts of deception...you will not trick me into revealing my creator, nor will you receive that answer today. Should you defeat, and that is very highly doubtful. Then you will have to discover that answer on your own...or wait till the beings next attempt on your life.

Gabriel's angry face turned to cold emotionless steel. The game was over and now the true battle would begin. Gabriel took a step back and cracked his neck and stretched his arms. His back still stung from the stabbing wound he suffered earlier, even though it was healed, but it was a pain that could be ignored.

Well then, if this is the way it is to be....then there is no avoiding it. Only one of us will make it out of here alive, and there is no place for your kind in my world.

The two seemed to realize that this would be the bout to decide the fate of the two beings. And they each seemed to show their respect to the other before they each made their leap at the other, two blades meeting one in a vicious dance of death.

Vim's eyes flashed with excitement as the battle began. He knew he wouldn't be disappointed with this battle. After all the time he had spent in dormant vigiliance, he had come to know the man's calculated ruthlessness and his expert skills with his mythical blade. The steel itself would not be enough to destroy him, but the magic both frightened and enticed him. It's holy power could almost be enough to dispell the creature should it be used properly...but Vim didn't count on the man knowing how to do this. But one did not live as long they did without weighing one's risks. Vim would be careful, but he would make this battle good, and he would make the torture afterward even better. It would take time to break this man...and he would take pleasure in every second of it.

With the battle begun, Vim made the first move. He knew that if he wanted to defeat Gabriel he would have to stay on the offensive and try to wear Gabriel out by making him try to stop his two blades with his one. With Vim's near inexhaustible endurance, it would take a long time for Vim to run out of steam. And he made that obvious as he assaulted Gabriel with an endless barrage of punishing blows that almost sent the man reeling with every parry.

But Gabriel was determined he could see, and that man's determination mixed with his need to survive made him truly deadly, and before Vim knew it he was on the defensive himself. Vim let out a howl of delight as met the man's assault with his own blades. The feral look of pleasure on Vim's distorted visage drove Gabriel into a frenzy that sent the monster reeling. With a savage arc at waist level the monster was hit clearly by the blade and sent flying backwards into the wall, the impact sending dust and fragments of stone all around him.

Vim was quick to recover and let out a little chuckle as he wasted no time going back into the offensive, and this took Gabriel off guard as he dropped back, trying to escape the lightning quick blades of the doppleganger. Finally his speed to it's toll and the blade bit home into the flesh of Gabriel's lower abdomen. The Warrior let out a howl of agony and hit the monster so hard with his fist that the creature was sent flying across the small room and into a pile in the corner. Rising to his feet he looked over at Gabriel who was on his knees in the corner, his hand holding his bleeding stomach.

Victory flashed in the creature's eyes....he remembered this from earlier...it was just as it was before, he knew his enemy to be beaten. It would only be a matter of time before Gabriel's strength seeped out along with his life's blood. But Vim would stop before death touched him, for Vim needed him alive. Slowly he approached the man.

Gabriel had dropped back to the corner...his cut was deep and he could feel his blood pump out of him at an alarming rate. Gabriel knew he had to do something and he had to do it fast. He could see that Vim was sure of his victory. The stab wasn't a death blow but it would be fatal in time, and time was on Vim's side now.

But this was exactly where Gabriel wanted to be....it was only when Gabriel was on the brink of death did he feel the closest it his true strength, and that was the strength of his father. He could hear his father speaking into his mind...telling that he was with him, that his strength was melding with his own inside this blade. It was a power that not even Oriana was aware of...a gift handed down through the ages of Shadowbain men. That only when a Spartan was closest to death would they truly free to unleash their true fury with no respite. For a dying man no longer has anything to lose.

Gabriel watched Vim approach, and a smile slowly crept across the man's face. The creature's arrogance in his situation would be his end...for he knew the creature had no idea of his blade's true power. And as he creature drew closer he could feel the blade vibrate and hum with power. As the monster hovered over him and leered down at him with it's wicked smile. Gabriel looked up and smiled, then with all his might he let out he swung upwards, his face as mask of fury, but no sound escaped his lips...the singing arc of the blade making all the noise nessecary and as the blade tore through the creature from its crotch to his crown, Gabriel could read the fear in it's eyes.

Even before the creature hit the ground it had reverted back to it's original form, a shattered charm and chain, severed in half. Gabriel looked down at it breathing hard. So much had happened to Rayne, Oriana, and himself over the charm....and still he had no idea who was behind it. Perhaps he would never find out, but that was not important right now, only that it was finished was what mattered. The threat was no more, and Gabriel would no longer fear his emotions playing against him.

The blade still shook in his hands, he could hear Griffon's voice in his head, telling him it was time to go home to Oriana and Rayne...that it wasn't his time to die yet. Gabriel nodded to himself, and the blade glowed again. As he closed his eyes he felt the ground sink beneath him, and when he opened his eyes again he was back in the tower by the scrying pool.

Gabriel looked around him and saw Oriana sitting by the pool asleep. He knew she was exhausted from having cast the spell, to retrieve Raynalia. He smiled a little and ran his fingers through her long hair.

It is over Ori...I have defeated my demon.

He whispered the words softly, not wishing to disrupt her slumber. He was glad the battle was over....there was still a small rift between them, but that hole would be filled soon enough. Gabriel would not allow the rift last. But as he looked down at his still bleeding midsection, he realized that there were more important matters to settle. He couldn't very well repair their rift, if he died from the rift in his gut.

Walking slowly out of the room, Gabriel stumbled nearly drunkenly down the stairs, in his search for a healer, his strength nearly depleated...

Kain said nothing, just sipped the tea and folded his arms underneath the blanket. Ori had went over by the scrying pool, he too knew she wished there was something she could do. Then Kain saw Gabriel emerge from the scrying pool, noting that he had defeated the demon. As the man turned to leave the room, Kain saw the wound. He may not of been able to do much before, but he would be damned if Gabriel was leaving the tower with a would like that. Quickly moving to his feet, taking up his sword Kain rushed over by the door where Gabriel was heading. Shadowbain! I'll not have you die on us. Kain wouldn't let the man leave, he motioned for Gabriel to come over to him. After doing so the man realized what Kain was doing, the man had a crude, effective art of healing. Using powers granted to him by his sword, much like Gabriel, Kain found power through his blade, it was a part of his heritage. Kain started moving the sword about in swift, precise motions, and it hummed a gentle tune, almost as if it was a lulliby. Then it began to glow with a white light, placing the blade to the wound it began to close. If one was looking, they would notice Kain's features appear even more gaunt. This crude form of healing took much from the warrior. After all was said and done, the wound was sealed, and healed, and Kain soon found darkness as he colapsed to the floor, the sword of light falling to his side, laying there, illuminating the room. Kain was finally able to help, despite the drain put on himself.

Where do we begin with all of this?

Good question, she thought, now if only she had the answer. She didnt have a damn clue where to start with any of it. They walked in silence for a while, her brain sorted out the scarce details of what her husband told her, her own memories of events filling in the blanks, but there were still chunks of time missing that needed to be filled before she could make sense of anything. Robert, Rone, Kristian, Brodrick, his wife and child were dead, that knowledge alone was difficult to process even after she had seen their bodies, kissed them all goodbye and bade them sweet sleep. She should have been at home with Condrik mourning, reuniting, do something other than walking the halls of the keep, but she could not bring herself to go back, she had been away from people for so long that she now felt the need to surround herself with as many as possible. It was like her mind was telling her, the more people she was near the safer she would be, but how could she be safe when Rone, her greatest protector of them all were dead? It had been Rone who knew she would bolt out that night by the waterfall, Rone who had tried to talk sense into her drilling it into her head that she was wrong for thinking the way she had been thinking, Rone who knew her greatest fears and deepest secrets. Shaking her head she silently scolded herself for allowing her thoughts to wander in such a way. She needed something to keep her mind from turning on her. Talk with your husband you idiot!

Alright, so you blame yourself for alot that has happened here yes? Maybe not directly but indirectly you do. Is that not the same thing as Oriana blaming herself for hurting Gabriel? He is her brother, she has always felt guilty for what she did Condrik, she does not blame herself for my actions, she blames herself for not keeping quiet and not defending, protecting her brother. Different scenerio same principle. Just thought I would point that out There is no point in beating yourself up for past mistakes Condrik, if there is one thing I learned while I was gone, one thing I told myself I would never do again is live life with regrets. Elven I may be, but it seems with the way things go, I dont have long to live and I am not wasting anymore time with "what ifs" and regrets. Right now we should look for Kiara and Losa and the others. My friend has lost her twin, Oriana has probably damn near killed herself, you have no idea how much a spell like the one she cast takes from her, and yes Condrik I want to see Gabriel as well, whatever reasons he has for coming here, I owe him my thanks.

That was how she was going to keep herself from going completely off edge, she would make the rounds and see each person responsible for her return, she would be there for her red haired friend, and then she would be there for herself. Making the rounds did mean seeing Gabriel again, how long had it been? Was she really ready for such a confrontation? Would it be hostile and would he hate her? It did matter to her, she loved Gabriel with all that she was at one time, part of her still loved him as was right given their history, he was the father of their son, it didnt matter that their son died, Griffon had still lived long enough to be in the world for a few short hours, she carried the scar with her and would for all her days. She owed it to herself and to Gabriel to see him, to thank him for his role in her being alive.

He smiled as she spoke, she had done some thinking and so had he.

You are right love, having regrets is not going to fix anything. But it is becuase of those regrets that I have had that I was able to do some real thinking. I do not like the man that had been showing himself, I was being so stupid for so long about the things here. I love you Rayne, I have since I met you, even when we were fighting. I could not go far because I knew my heart and that no matter how mad or stupid I was acting that you are more important than anything. I can understand some of what Oriana is feeling, its a long story and part of it was the timing of the whole thing. I have been wanting to go see Kiara and Losa, I wanted to give them sometime first.

He looked at her and he touched her hand gently.

I was thinking about going to see them all as well and thank them. I knew you would want to talk to all of them including Gabriel, I would like to thank him as well. I am not sure why he came but his sister needed him for what she was going to do. I have no issue with you seeing Gabriel. I love you and that love I believe in. I mean did you really think I would not want you to see him after he did so much? He was a big part of your life once, and will always in a way be a part of you. Just like I needed answers before you need them now.

He wanted time with her, he did. He wanted to mourn with her for thier son, he wanted just to be able to be with her, but he knew this was something she needed. He knew that doing what she needed right now was more important, and its what she needed most that mattered to him. Maybe before he would have flown off about Gabriel but not now. He had been ready for this and expecting it. He also was not wanting to fight with her like they had been for so long.

She woke to the setting of the sun and with it came the shadows cast throught the tower, for a moment she was caught between the world of sleep and wakefulness, oblivious to the world around her but once the cobwebs cleared Oriana recalled everything that had happened when the sun had still been high in the sky. How long had she been sleeping for? Where was Gabriel? He had to be alright, he had to have overcome the trials he faced, if not she would not still be alive, if something else had gone wrong would someone not have come for her? She wasnt going to panic, not until she fully collected her thoughts, was more awake and could stop her heart from beating in her ears. Getting to her feet she hurried across the tower hoping that Kain was still sitting near the fires. When she saw him she let out a tiny yelp, he looked even more pale, even more... hollow than he had the last time she had seen him, before she had made the mistake of sitting down near the pool. She hated to wake him, but she truly believed he could tell her of her brother. That the blood she had seen near the well... no she wasnt going to think the worst, if she did that it would mean she lost faith in her brother , that was something she could never do. Gently she kneeled down and shook Kains shoulder to wake him.

Kain... you should be resting elsewhere, the floor is no place to find proper sleep, if you can walk just a short way, there is a bed up here in another section of the tower, let me help you there, and if you can manage, please tell me where the hell my brother is...

The last of her words were cut of by a sob she choked back, she told herself she would not think the worst, not until she was told something more other than the tricks her mind had been trying to play.