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Location: Winum, Dolerum, Arkandia
Year: 29 045 (110 Fourth Age)
Status: Late Autumn

Night had long since fallen, but Kyrie and Khetal were not tired. After visiting with Gwen for an hour alone, Lynliss had returned to see why her daughter had not come to the clinic to bring her lunch; and after finding out that Kyrie had returned she had sent for Khetal and Leo so that the family could spend time with Kyrie. It had been an exhausting afternoon, but Kyrie, determined to spend some quality time in private with her brother – the only one who was after all her blood family – had asked him if he was interested in a walk after dinner. The fresh air re-energized her, and her exhaustion had faded away as if she’d had a full night’s sleep.

“So why were you gone for so long?” Khetal asked her quietly as they strolled around the outskirts of the city. It was so late that no one else was about, but they were keeping their voices down anyways so as not to disturb anyone. “I mean- two hundred years, Kyrie. We all thought you were dead.”

Kyrie smiled at her brother. Dark though it was, she could see his expression as clearly as if it were noon thanks to Uruloki’s ability. “Your faith in me is touching,” she teased him. Before he could protest, she added, “I made a promise. Ahkshi was worried about all my traveling … afraid that something would happen to me. Never knowing where I was or whether I was safe was driving him mad, especially since I kept going to Garnelia.”

“You were in Garnelia?!”

“Shh!” Kyrie shushed him. “You’ll wake someone. And yes, I was. The first time was right after the coup. I found Princess Mari and brought her to Ahkshi to be healed. You do realize you can’t repeat this to anyone, right?” She looked up at him anxiously. “To my knowledge the General doesn’t know she’s still alive, and if he finds out …”

Her brother shook his head slowly. “I won’t tell anyone,” he promised. “But … seriously? Her?”

Kyrie smiled slightly. “Yes. I trained her for seven years in Makshim, then brought her back. Ahkshi was worried then, but when after that I went to Wolsic to find Mari a volcano dragon … well, he started to get really upset. I promised him that I would bring the dragon to Mari and then go back to him and stay with him for as long as he wanted. I’d have let you know, but …”

“You never had the chance,” Khetal finished for her softly. “And there’s virtually no way to send messages that far.” He exhaled slowly. “I see. I’m impressed that you managed it.”

“It was hard,” Kyrie admitted. “And the longer I stayed, the harder it got. And then we started finding bodies … people escaping from Garnelia … it was driving me out of my mind, Khetal. Seeing people who I could have helped if I’d been there for them … that’s why I had to leave here in the first place. To prevent others from ending up like us, or like our parents.”

“Did you say anything to Ahkshi?”

Kyrie shook her head. “How could I?” she asked quietly. “I had promised him that I would stay with him for as long as he wanted. I wanted to honour my promise. I wanted to be with him.”

“And yet you’re here,” Khetal pointed out, arching one eyebrow.

They walked in silence for a few moments before Kyrie finally replied, “He could see that I was tormented. He suggested I come here.”

The silence returned as the two continued forward. After a moment, Khetal reached over and put one arm around Kyrie and pulled her in for a hug. Kyrie smiled and leaned her head against her brother’s shoulder. It felt good to remember that she wasn’t alone.

After they’d walked about halfway around the city in silence, Kyrie finally looked up at her brother and asked, “How about you? How have you been?”

“Busy,” he smiled in reply. “At least, I try to keep myself busy. You should see my lab while you’re here: I’ve developed several new medicines since you were last here.”

“So there’s no future sister-in-law in sight for me yet?” Kyrie teased him, her eyes sparkling. “In the nearly two hundred years that I’ve been gone?”

Khetal chuckled. “You know I’ve accepted that that’s not in the cards for me, Kyrie. No one here would ever allow themselves to love me because of our human blood. I’m smart enough not to set myself up for heartbreak.”

“You make it sound like you’ve had to convince yourself,” Kyrie laughed. “What’s her name?”

Khetal shook his head, but he was still smiling. “Seriously, Kyrie, there is no one and there has been no one. So there’s no point in pressing the matter.”

Kyrie giggled again, but she let the matter drop. “At least you’re not as serious as you used to be.” At his surprised look, she laughed again. “Come on, you can’t remember what you were like when you came with me and Lara to visit Ahkshi? It was a miracle you didn’t scare him off. You were like a bear!”

He had no answer to that, and Kyrie put one hand on his arm and smiled at him, calm now. “Seriously, though. You should come with me. You’re holding yourself back here. Free yourself! You deserve that kind of happiness.”

“Thanks, Kyrie,” Khetal said softly, “but really, I can’t. Lynliss needs me here.”

“Oh, she’ll manage without you,” Kyrie retorted. “She was healing people for a long time before you came, she could get used to it again.” She smiled up at him gently. “You can’t tell me you’ve not dreamed about having a family.”

“Don’t be silly, of course I have,” her brother muttered, looking away from her. “But it’s not going to happen out here. Look, maybe I’ll meet someone someday. There’s no need to rush it, is there? It’s better to wait for the right woman than to rush into something wrong.”

“You said yourself, you won’t find someone here,” Kyrie pointed out patiently. “The prejudice is still too strong. So come with me. Travel a bit. Meet some people.”

Khetal was quiet as he thought about it for a few moments. Finally, he nodded.

“Not this time,” he told her. “Right now I’m in the middle of too many things. So this time, when you leave, I can’t go with you. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to Lynliss. She counts on me too much right now. But the next time you come back, I promise I’ll be ready to go with you. All right?”

Kyrie smiled. “Fair enough.” She hugged her brother impulsively. “Thanks.”

Khetal allowed himself a small smile as he returned the embrace. If nothing else, it would mean spending time with his sister – and that was enough of a reason for him.

Location: Dekra, Garnelia, Arkandia
Year: 29 050 (115 Fourth Age)
Status: Early Summer

Looking back, Kyrie wondered if perhaps she should have left some of her weapons behind. She was hoping not to need them, and in all honesty, her sword was a bit of a hindrance with all the climbing she needed to do. But it was a bit late to think of that now. Besides, she reasoned with herself, it was better to be safe than sorry. If something did happen, if she was somehow detected, she would need her sword to defend herself.

She hoped that would not happen. If it did, she would have failed in her mission.

She knew why Mari had asked her to take on this particular mission. It was very dangerous, and she knew that no one else would have the necessary skills – or, in case of discovery, protection.

Yeah, that’s right, trust me to save your neck.

Kyrie grimaced. Uruloki, I’m trying to concentrate. This wall isn’t going to climb itself.

I told you I could have flown you.

Thanks, but that would have been a bit too conspicuous, Kyrie sighed. The point here is to remain hidden.

She had made it all the way to the palace walls without being detected, and her mission, if successful, would bring her all the way inside. How she would manage it, she wasn’t sure; but she had promised she would try. She was partially tempted to send Uruloki ahead to scout for her, but now, more than ever, she needed his senses to be her own.

She pressed her body against the cold stone of the wall, her toes finding holds where few would ever dare try. Her fingers were sore already, but she was doing her best to ignore the pain. She wasn’t used to this anymore. She knew she would really be feeling it the following day, but she refused to allow herself to think about that. The task at hand was too important.

Finally her fingers found the top of the wall, and she took advantage of the ledge to take a moment’s respite. She pressed her face against the wall. She was thankful that her feet weren’t in pain yet, though she suspected they would also ache by the time she finished.

Uruloki, take a peek, will you?

The tattoo around her torso rippled and separated. The new image seemed to crawl over her body and up one of her arms until one golden eye was right at her fingertips.

Clear.

By the time Kyrie had pulled herself up and over the edge of the wall, Uruloki was back in his usual position, hiding in the winding tattoo.

Recalling Mari’s directions, Kyrie headed towards the north tower, keeping low to the walk so that she would not be seen either from below or from other walks. She would have to take her chances at being seen from above – at least until she herself was on the highest point.

Suddenly she heard the door of the tower ahead of her rattling, and she climbed back over the edge of the wall and clung to it with her fingers, bracing her feet to ease the strain on her shoulders. As she listened, the door opened, and two guards came outside, deep in conversation. Quickly, Kyrie moved hand over hand along the wall towards the door, listening as she went.

“-the young master’s learning quickly,” one of them was saying. “Pity he’s got such difficulty with his training, though.”

“He needs a better teacher,” the other replied. “Though at the rate he’s going with his other subjects, he won’t need to do any fighting of his own when the time comes.”

“And if someone makes it far enough to get to him?”

The other’s reply was lost as Kyrie slipped over the wall and through the door just before it closed.

Well, this will certainly make the climb much easier.

Kyrie ignored Uruloki’s remark as she ran carefully up the stairs. She was listening carefully, hoping that if someone else was up there, she would hear them before running into them.

Mari wants to come back to this? Uruloki asked in a confused tone, clearly unimpressed by the cold grey stone.

Will you stop that! Kyrie thought angrily. I need to concentrate!

Suddenly, from above, there came the sound of a door opening followed by many booted feet descending the stairs.

Hide!

Where?

Look up!

Kyrie did as Uruloki told her and saw, about twelve feet above her, rafters that helped to hold the tower up. She ran towards the wall and pushed off, rebounding from side to side, a little higher each time until her fingers grasped the wooden beams. She pulled herself up and perched, waiting for the people to pass below her.

Within a minute, they did. There were six of them, all of them armed and armoured. She was glad she’d found somewhere to hide: she didn’t know if she would be able to handle all of them quickly enough.

Look, Uruloki urged her. Ahead.

Kyrie looked and she grinned when she saw that the rafters, like the steps, continued in a spiral around the tower. Without hesitating, she rose to a crouch and jumped to the next one, and then the next, building up momentum so that each jump became just a little bit easier. At last she arrived at the top of the tower, and she took a moment to rest and contemplated her next move.

Getting old? Uruloki teased her.

This time Kyrie allowed herself a smile. You do remember how long it’s been since I’ve done this, right?

She needed to see if there was anyone in the room beyond the door above which she was perched.

Maybe climbing the outside wall would have been easier after all, Uruloki quipped.

Kyrie rolled her eyes. Just check the door, will you?

Coolness washed over her as Uruloki unbonded from her and, small as a hatchling, glided down to the floor. He scratched at the door and quickly flew back up to rejoin Kyrie. Just as Kyrie felt the warmth that indicated that Uruloki had bonded again, the door opened and a single guard stepped out.

“I could have sworn I’d heard something,” he murmured in confusion, looking around.

From her perch, Kyrie could see another set of feet through the door, and her heart sunk as she realized that she would not be able to get in there. Not without creating a ruckus, at any rate – and that would not be a good idea. She had no idea how many there were exactly, and if there was another exit from the tower they would be able to call for reinforcements.

Mari wasn’t kidding when she said this was going to be hard, Uruloki quipped. So now what do we do?

Kyrie rubbed her forehead with her thumb as she thought about it. I really have no idea …

What about the window?

She looked around for the window Uruloki had mentioned and when she saw it, not ten steps from the top of the tower, she wondered why she hadn’t seen it before. Waiting only long enough for the guard to return to the tower room and close the door behind him, she dropped to the floor and ran lightly to the window. A quick peek out showed her that there was no one in sight, and she climbed out the window. Once again clinging to the wall, she made her way up to the very top of the tower and pulled herself up onto the roof.

Remind me again why we couldn’t have done this at night, when there would be fewer guards.

To be honest, Kyrie herself wasn’t sure. You really feel like waiting here until it’s dark? she asked in reply.

Not particularly.

Kyrie looked around until she saw her destination. A balcony near the top of a tower that was just within the castle walls. The roof of that tower was lower than the tower she was on currently, but the distance was too far for her to jump.

Care to try a partial bond? Uruloki asked.

Kyrie could almost picture him grinning, from the tone of his voice. Partial bond? she repeated, cautious.

Yes, where I unbond only my wings and see if we can fly over there.

At first the idea made Kyrie laugh; but as she thought about it, it became more appealing. It certainly would make things easier.

Not now, she decided. Maybe we can try it over a river sometime first.

Fine, fine.

She concentrated on solving the problem of how she was going to make it to the next tower. Between the two towers, there was a wooden flagpole, and she wondered if she might use that. It was thick and strong, about as big around as her waist, and it was within jumping distance. But if she missed it …

Well, then she would find out if Uruloki’s partial bonding idea would work.

She stood and took a deep breath to steel herself for the task. She backed up as far as she dared, then took a running start and leapt from the roof of the tower. Her foot caught the top of the post and she kept going, using her momentum to give her more distance, and jumped for the second tower.

She missed.

A gasp of surprise and fear escaped her lips as she hit the wall of the tower, and though her fingers fumbled for a grip on the edge of the roof, she failed. As she fell, her feet hit the edge of the balcony and knocked her sideways. She tried to right herself, and one hand caught the edge of the balcony’s rail. Her fingers slipped, and with one last burst of desperation she grabbed for the bars that held up the rail. One hand managed to get hold, and a searing pain tore through her shoulder as her body stopped falling with a strong jerk.

Sweat burned her eyes as she looked down. She was dangling over more than fifty feet of emptiness. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She couldn’t remember ever feeling quite this vulnerable. Then she swung her other arm up and gripped another one of the bars as tightly as she could. The relief in her shoulder was immediate, though not complete. She listened carefully. There didn’t seem to be anyone in the room that the balcony led to: if there were, they would have come to see what the noise was when she had fallen, and there was no movement.

She took a moment to brace herself, then pulled herself up over the edge. When she made it up onto the rail, she rested a moment again.

There was no door between the balcony and inside, and, confident that no one was there, Kyrie stepped in, keeping her steps as quiet as she could, just in case. The room was full of pots of dirt, which reminded Kyrie of Mari’s comment about the conservatory’s beauty, back when she had been a child; and there were also some musical instruments that appeared as if they had been untouched for decades, perhaps centuries. In fact, the whole room seemed untouched: draperies and tapestries were covered in dust and cobwebs; books lay open to crusty, yellow pages; and there was a musty smell to the air, despite the open balcony entrance.

She took another step inside, still looking around carefully, and suddenly she froze. There, not five steps away from her, sitting at a desk with his back towards her, was a man. He was bald and had but a single arm, so she was not afraid of him; but if he noticed her and called an alarm, there would be trouble.

Before she could move, however, he turned and looked directly at her.

“I have been waiting for you,” he told her quietly.

Kyrie swallowed hard. Now what?

Location: Dekra Outskirts, Garnelia, Arkandia
Year: 29 050 (115 Fourth Age)
Status: Early Summer

By the time it was dark enough for Kyrie to safely leave her hiding place – and the castle – the pain in her shoulder was growing unbearable. She knew there was some kind of damage, and she suspected it was dislocated. Maravel’s assessment was quite accurate: she would never be able to climb out of the castle again as she was. So as soon as it was dark, she hopped on Uruloki’s back and he flew her out to the forest.

Once they’d reached the safety of the trees, they bonded once again to continue the rest of the way on foot. When they returned to the cabin, there was a warm glow in the window of the sitting room. Kyrie tapped tiredly at the door before opening it and stepping inside, and, as expected, Chesnet and Mathias were standing in front of her, blocking her view of the sitting room in case Mari needed to run and hide. Their relief when they saw her was obvious, and they moved aside to let her enter.

“Kyrie!” Mari exclaimed, rising from where she had been sitting in one of the chairs. She set aside her work – some mending, apparently – and ran to Kyrie’s side. “You’re hurt!”

Kyrie smiled, though it was more like a grimace of pain. “Yes … yes. I fell, and I think I dislocated my shoulder. I don’t suppose you’d mind helping me set it?”

“You think I’m strong enough?” Mari asked anxiously.

“Well, whoever is, I’d really like some help,” Kyrie said flatly.

Mathias stepped forward. “Tell me what to do.”

Kyrie sat down on the edge of the couch. “Stand behind me … one hand on my shoulder, the other on my shoulder blade,” she directed him, wincing. “On three, push against my back and pull my shoulder back into place.”

“You’re sure?” Mathias asked, hesitating.

“Yes!” Kyrie exclaimed. “And make it fast!”

Mathias still seemed hesitant, and Kyrie ground her teeth together. “Never mind. Mari, you do it. You’re strong enough, and you’re not afraid to hurt me.”

Mari changed places with Mathias. “Ready, then?”

At Kyrie’s nod, she counted down. “One, two, three.” On three, she yanked Kyrie’s shoulder back into its socket. Stars danced before Kyrie’s eyes and her vision swam for a few moments. Then it cleared. The pain lessened, but did not fade entirely.

“Thanks.” Kyrie sighed and lay back on the couch. “Ugh … I just want to sleep …”

“Do,” Mari smiled. “You’ve earned it. We’ll get your report in the morning.”

“Mm.” Kyrie’s eyes closed. She could feel herself drifting into sleep – until suddenly Uruloki began to shift.

The message! he urged her.

Her eyes flew open. “The message,” she repeated aloud. She sat up again and looked at the other three, who seemed both concerned and surprised. “I must report now. It concerns Arphenion and Dae’er, but I will leave it to you whether or not to tell them.”

Mari was really intrigued now, and she moved to sit. “A message,” she repeated. “Then you spoke with someone.”

Kyrie nodded and sat up straight so that she wouldn’t fall asleep. “His name is Maravel.”

The other three sucked in their breath in surprise, and Kyrie looked up at them. “It seems you’ve heard of him.”

“The General’s new advisor,” Mathias said darkly. “Word is, there’s not much the General does without Maravel’s say-so. Including taking Arphenion and Dae’er’s son.”

“That explains the apology,” Kyrie nodded thoughtfully.

Mari was stunned. “Apology?”

Kyrie rubbed her temples but winced when she tried to move her injured arm. Mari immediately looked to Chesnet. “A sling,” she requested quietly.

He nodded and headed towards the kitchen, where the first aid supplies were kept. Mari turned her attention back to Kyrie. “You were saying something about an apology,” she said firmly, trying to get Kyrie back on task.

Kyrie shook her head. “You may want Arphenion and Dae’er here for this after all.”

Mari looked to Mathias, and he nodded and left the cabin, closing the door tightly behind himself.

“How much of your operation do you mind them knowing about?” Kyrie asked Mari seriously.

Chesnet returned with the sling. As he bound Kyrie’s shoulder, Mari watched. “You trust them all of a sudden, without meeting them?” she asked.

Kyrie winced again as Chesnet tied the sling but tried her best to ignore the pain. “I believe that after they hear what I have to say, they will be trustworthy, beyond a doubt.”

“You are very confident.” Mari was confused.

Kyrie stifled a yawn and couldn’t prevent a yelp as Chesnet placed her arm into the sling. She couldn’t help it – tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked them back. “Yes … I suppose.” She rubbed her eyes with her thumb and forefinger. “Wow … it’s been a long time since I’ve really felt pain.”

“And I do not wish to belittle your pain,” Mari said, moving to sit next to Kyrie on the couch, “but I do wish to know what makes you so confident. Remember how much is at stake!”

Kyrie looked up at Mari. “I have never been a mother,” she said softly, “nor shall I ever be. But I have seen many, and I have wished many times for children of my own. I know that if I had my own children, I would do anything to know …”

She trailed off, unsure how to phrase it without giving anything away.

“You have had word of their son?” Mari asked quietly.

They looked up as the front door opened again and Mathias entered with the man Kyrie had seen earlier cutting wood and a woman who was quite lovely despite the hardships Kyrie knew that she had been through. They stopped short on seeing Kyrie, and the woman looked at Mari in confusion.

“Mari … what …”

The princess rose and smiled uncertainly. “Dae’er, this is Kyrie … she saved my life when the General killed my family. You can trust her with your life, too.”

Dae’er still looked doubtful, but she made her way to one of the chairs and sat down. The man took the chair next to her and moved it a bit closer.

“Arphenion,” Mari introduced him as Mathias closed the door. Then she turned back to Kyrie and murmured, “Kyrie, I trust you. Tell them as much as you feel is safe.”

Kyrie nodded. “Forgive me if I pause … I’m more tired than I’ve felt in a long time.” She took a deep breath and clasped her hands together in her lap. “Today I went on a mission for Mari. She asked me to get some information for her. The details of that are unimportant for now.”

Dae’er looked as though she wanted to speak, and her eyes were on Kyrie’s sling, but she hesitated so long that her husband spoke for her.

“Is that from your mission?” he asked, nodding at her arm.

Kyrie nodded. “A simple dislocation. It will be back to normal within a few days. It’s unimportant. But I have information that is of great interest to you, I believe. I spoke with a man called Maravel. He-”

She stopped when she saw how pale Dae’er and Arphenion had turned. Dae’er’s grip had tightened so much that her knuckles were white, and Arphenion reached over and put his hands over hers. But neither of them spoke, and Kyrie went on slowly.

“He … apologized,” she murmured. “Profusely. For helping the General. For taking your son.”

“I knew he was to blame!” Dae’er burst out angrily. “He knew! He knew everything! He always did!”

“Hush,” her husband murmured, putting his arms around her. Dae’er burst into tears. Arphenion tried to console her, but it took a few minutes for her to calm down just enough for the others to be able to hear. He turned to Kyrie and explained, “Things are complicated where Maravel is concerned. He blames himself for just about everything but when Dae’er was thrown into prison it was he who encouraged me to do what I could to help her in the prison. It really is thanks to him that we escaped at all.”

Kyrie nodded and rubbed her eyes again. “The more you all tell me about him, the more his message makes sense,” she yawned.

“Please continue,” Mari spoke up, putting one hand on Kyrie’s good shoulder. “You need to rest.”

Kyrie nodded. “Thank you. So … apologies … reasons. He’s with the General for one reason alone – fear for his life, and fear for what kind of advisor he will employ if Maravel does not have the position. Mari, he has known of your survival since before I returned you here, yet he has said nothing.”

Mari was astonished, but Kyrie went on.

“Cael has been given to Maravel for his education, and though he has had to teach him certain things for the General, he has also told him the truth about his past, that you are his parents and that he was stolen away. The General knows none of this.”

“Did you see him?” Arphenion asked eagerly, cutting off his wife. “How is he? What is he like?”

Kyrie shook her head. “No, I did not see him. I’m sorry. And please, just let me continue. I’m falling asleep and losing my train of thought and I would like to get this out before I forget any details.”

Arphenion was chagrined. “Sorry.”

Kyrie closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. “He … hmm … Cael … must stay … where he is. He – Maravel – is a sage, he has visions of things that will come to pass … he … has seen …”

She yawned again and this time she felt a chill wash over her. It took a few seconds for her to realize that Uruloki had materialized in her lap, the size of a hatchling once again. She was too tired even to realize that Dae’er and Arphenion were staring in horror.

It was Mari who rose to Uruloki’s defense.

“Don’t worry about him, it is perfectly safe,” she said, holding one arm out between the tiny dragon and her guests.

“Thank you, Mari,” Uruloki said, looking up at her. “Kyrie’s not going to get the message out coherently so I thought I’d help out.”

Kyrie had her head against the back of the couch, her eyes closed, and she was already half asleep. Mari laughed softly and nodded, lowering her arm once she saw that Dae’er and Arphenion weren’t going to try to do anything.

Uruloki settled in. “As a sage, Maravel sees much,” he began. “Some of it is only possibilities, while other things are certainties. Caelamondorion is one such certainty, and has been since Arphenion and Dae’er were married. Until then he was only a possibility, less than a probability. But I digress.”

He looked from the pale couple up to Mari again. “I know how hard you have been working to take the General down,” he told her, “and your work has been vital, and will be when the time comes. But you will not be the one to avenge your family. Maravel has seen that only Caelamondorion has the ability to end this strife. Bring an end to the suffering. Maravel told the General this to save his own life.”

“Then why has the General raised him and educated him?” Mari questioned. “Why not kill him outright?”

Uruloki shook out his wings and folded them once more against his back. “Because Maravel told the General only that Caelamondorion will bring an end to the rebellions. Not in what manner he would do so.”

He looked back at Arphenion and Dae’er. “But the puzzle is not complete. Pieces are missing. That is why the General’s rule continues. Someday it will end, and your son will be vital when it happens. But until then, you may rest easy knowing that he is being taken care of – and that when this is all over, he looks forward to meeting you both.”

Dae’er was still crying, but this time it was from joy rather than grief.

Uruloki looked once more at Mari. “I know this is not the information that you sent us for, but it does answer the questions you asked, does it not?”

The princess smiled. “Absolutely. Thank you, Uruloki.”

She looked over at Kyrie, who was by now fast asleep. “And thank you, Kyrie,” she murmured softly. “Rest well, my friend.”

Location: Dekra Outskirts, Garnelia, Arkandia
Year: 29 050 (115 Fourth Age)
Status: Early Summer

Considering that they were in the middle of the forest, dinner was pretty extravagant, Kyrie thought. A tender selection of venison roasted with fresh vegetables; thick, smooth gravy for the large pot of herbed mashed potatoes; a loaf of bread fresh from the oven; and cool, clean water to drink.

“You seem to do very well, considering you don’t go to the city for trade,” Kyrie smiled as Dae’er passed her a very well loaded plate.

“We work hard to provide all that we need,” Arphenion replied, clearly pleased by Kyrie’s praise. “Mathias and Chesnet help out quite a bit as well.”

Dae’er blushed faintly as she continued to serve the rest of her family. “Until last night, I must admit I resented Mari somewhat for not helping out more than she does … but now I realize, she is very busy doing far more important things.”

Kyrie chuckled softly. “My apologies. I’m afraid I was the one who said she should trust no one.”

“With reason,” Dae’er agreed. “Do not apologize.”

“But we are very happy here,” Arphenion added. “It’s very peaceful.”

“Not at tax time,” spoke up the eldest son, a handsome young man.

“Ruaven,” Arphenion said in a warning tone.

“Ruaven is right, Papa,” the girl spoke up. Still a child, she was as beautiful as her mother, and far bolder. “The soldiers are not nice at all and it always takes you a long time to repair things after they leave.”

Kyrie blinked at that. “Why would they destroy things?”

“Well, we haven’t any money,” Arphenion explained, “and so we must pay in goods. We do what we can to keep the amount we owe as low as possible. We’ve a large cellar, well hidden, and since we came here we have always hidden the children in it.”

“Taxes are by the head,” Dae’er explained. “The more people, the more taxes you must pay.”

“We also hide away about half of our crop yield in there,” Arphenion went on. “Make it look like we haven’t much to give. They check our storehouse, take more than they’re supposed to, break a few windows, sometimes break the door … nothing that can’t be fixed. The children are safe and we are left with enough food for the winter.”

“Seems a fair arrangement,” Kyrie mused. “Though I suppose you’re not quite as far from the General’s eye as I thought.”

“No one is,” Dae’er said softly. “Even the others must pay their taxes. Mari hides as well, and Mathias and Chesnet pay in furs.”

“I think I like our taxes back home better,” Kyrie decided. “Seven percent of coin, though my husband doesn’t have to pay.”

“You’re married?” Arphenion was surprised.

Kyrie smiled. “Yes. His name is Ahkshi. He is a physician, which is why he does not pay taxes, and why he does not travel with me.”

“Ahkshi,” Dae’er repeated thoughtfully. “What country do you live in?”

“Shiezin,” Kyrie replied. “He is a fire elf. Our marriage is not much appreciated there, but he doesn’t let it bother him. The people need him, so he doesn’t fear repercussions. And there have been none since we have been married.”

“Why do you travel?” Iadrim asked curiously. “Mama would never go anywhere without Papa, or Papa without Mama.”

Kyrie rubbed the back of her neck as she thought about how to reply. “It is true, I miss Ahkshi very much when I travel,” she admitted, “but … when I was young, my family was attacked while we were traveling. My parents were killed, my brother kidnapped, and I was taken captive. I escaped and learned to fight to defend myself, and I decided that I would dedicate my life to helping other travelers, so that what happened to me and to my family would not happen to them.”

She smiled at Iadrim. “I do miss Ahkshi terribly, but it makes our time together more precious. And when I can help others … it is worth it.”

“Do you have any kids?” asked Janos. Thirteen, he was in the middle of a growth spurt, and seemed too skinny for his height.

Kyrie shook her head. “No. And I never will.” She pushed her chair back and showed them the scars that raked her belly. “I was attacked by a bear and the damage was so severe that I am unable ever to have children.”

“Aw, that’s sad.” Iadrim sighed and continued with her dinner.

“So where exactly do you travel?” asked Dae’er as she cut her meat.

Kyrie swallowed down her mouthful of food. “Well, I’ve been in every country on the continent except for a few of the White Elven countries,” she replied. “They’re too dangerous. I’ve enough of my mother’s blood in me to pass for human in the human countries, and enough of my father’s blood to pass for elven in the elven countries, but White Elves are too dangerous. They’ll kill anyone who isn’t a White Elf.”

“You’re a half-blood, then?” Hamir spoke up for the first time. His youthful features were etched with surprise. “I mean, I kind of wondered – you don’t … uh … I mean …”

Kyrie laughed. “I know. My clothes, my ears, my height … not exactly standard, are they?”

Hamir blushed and fixed his eyes on his food.

The comment caused Iadrim to look at Kyrie’s clothes more closely. “I don’t know,” she said hesitantly. “I think it would be too cold to dress like that …”

Dae’er put her face in her hands, and Kyrie knew what she was thinking: Don’t you ever dare dress like that! Kyrie would discourage most people from dressing like her, too, for many reasons. Modesty being the primary one. But she also knew that Dae’er would not say it aloud for fear of offending Kyrie, and so she took it upon herself to reply.

“Well, Iadrim,” she smiled, “for most people, yes, it would be too cold, and also very dangerous. In fact, I don’t know anyone else who dresses like me, and really, it’s not a very good idea. But I dress like this for two reasons. For one, I don’t feel cold, so I don’t have to worry about that. And secondly, I-”

She caught herself just in time. She couldn’t just say, I’ve been violated in every way imaginable and so I have no modesty to worry about. She was dealing with a child, a child younger than she herself had been when her parents had taken her and Khetal on that fateful trip.

So what then? I need it for my work? She didn’t work in a brothel, though her clothes suggested otherwise. For freedom of movement? Other clothes allowed the same.

Iadrim was watching her intently. “Because you don’t feel cold,” she repeated, “and …”

Kyrie smiled faintly. “I’m sorry. But I can’t explain my other reason. But trust me when I say that it is extremely unwise for anyone else to dress like this.”

“Oh.” Iadrim was still watching her, though. After a moment, she pointed at Kyrie’s stomach. “Why did you paint a dragon on you?”

Kyrie laughed. “Oh, it’s not paint, it’s a tattoo.”

“A tattoo?”

Kyrie nodded. “Yes. I … just trust me when I tell you that you don’t want one. It nearly killed me, getting it.”

Iadrim was puzzled. “Then why did you get it?”

Kyrie looked over to Dae’er and Arphenion. “May I?” she asked, gesturing towards Uruloki’s image.

The two exchanged a glance, then nodded, and Kyrie smiled at Iadrim. “Don’t be afraid,” she murmured.

The tattoo rippled and Uruloki slid into Kyrie’s lap – hatchling sized, as appropriate for the situation.

Iadrim’s eyes lit up, though the boys just stared in surprise and fear. “He’s so cute!” she exclaimed, pushing back her chair and coming closer for a better look.

“Iadrim,” Dae’er cautioned her.

“No, it’s all right,” Kyrie replied with a smile. “He is harmless to those who mean no harm to me.”

Iadrim didn’t hesitate to reach out and stroke Uruloki’s head. “What’s his name?” she asked eagerly.

“My name is Uruloki,” the dragon replied for himself. Iadrim squealed excitedly, and Kyrie laughed softly and returned to her meal.

This might just turn out to be more fun than she thought.

Location: Caras Galadhon, Caras Galadhon, Arkandia
Year: 29 050 (115 Fourth Age)
Status: 20 Stirring

The morning after Kyrie had arrived in Caras Galadhon, she woke early. Of course, she had gone to bed early, so it stood to reason. She left the bed silently, careful not to wake her niece, and dressed quietly and headed outside. She wanted to talk to Luk, her oldest friend, and she wanted to meet his family. His sister.

She shook her head. How had Elysia survived across an ocean? To the continent the furthest away, of all places? And still been strong enough to give birth? There was no surprise that it had taken her life, she must have already been half dead by that point. Still …

The sun was up by the time she reached the city’s northern gate, and no one questioned her as she left the city. She followed the white marble path to Luk’s house and blinked in surprise when she came upon three tents. All was quiet, and for a moment she thought that perhaps she should turn around, let people wake on their own – but then one of the tent flaps opened and a young woman stepped out. She was slightly taller than Kyrie, and with her golden hair and light mocha skin, Kyrie could tell that she was of some kind of mixed blood.

“Good morning,” the girl said, smiling brightly despite the fact that she was clearly surprised to see Kyrie.

“Good morning,” Kyrie replied, blinking at her. “Who are you?”

The girl giggled. “I’m River. Are you looking for my uncle?”

“Your uncle?”

The girl laughed and nodded. “Yes, my uncle. Uncle Luk. This is his place, after all.”

A slow smile crept over Kyrie’s face. “Then his family is larger than I was led to believe,” she mused. “Yes, I’m here to see your uncle.” Then, remembering her manners, she added, “I’m Kyrie. Luk’s friend.”

River beamed at Kyrie. “Oh! Uncle Luk told us a bit about you! He said he hasn’t heard from you in a really long time, though. I bet he’ll be glad to see you!”

Suddenly the flap behind her opened again, and a slightly taller girl, his one black-haired and dark skinned, stepped out. “River-” she said; and then she cut herself off when she spotted Kyrie.

Kyrie smiled at the girl. “Hi.”

The girl nodded in greeting, and Kyrie saw the familiar flicker of her eyes going over Kyrie’s appearance. It didn’t bother Kyrie. She was used to it, after all.

River was still grinning. “This is Kyrie,” she told the other girl. “Uncle Luk’s friend. Kyrie, this is my older sister, Jasmine.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Kyrie smiled.

The girl dipped ever so slightly in a hint of a curtsey. “And you,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

River laughed and poked her sister in the side. “Don’t mind her,” she grinned at Kyrie. “She gets her shyness from Mama.”

Without another word, Jasmine returned inside the tent, but River stepped into the yard and beckoned for Kyrie to follow her. “Come on,” she invited her. “Uncle Luk’s always the first one up. I bet he’ll be really happy to see you!”

That alone made Kyrie grin even wider. She hadn’t seen Luk smile in nearly a thousand years.

When they entered the house, Luk was preparing some breakfast while a blond-haired young man was sitting at the table.

“Good morning!” River chirped, leaving Kyrie at the door and seating herself in the chair next to the blond young man. Kyrie chuckled to herself as she watched the young man smile warmly at River before greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.

“Morning, River,” Luk called over his shoulder without looking up from his preparations.

“No greeting for me?” Kyrie teased him, leaning against the doorway.

Luk whirled around, his eyes wide. “Kyrie!” he cried joyfully when he saw her. He laughed aloud and dropped what he was doing and threw his arms around Kyrie and twirled her around. “You’re alive!”

Kyrie laughed and hugged him back when he put her back on the floor. “Yes, yes I am. It’s good to see you again, Luk. And I hear you have a family now!”

Luk chuckled. “You have no idea. Stick around, you’ll meet them all soon enough. I can see you’ve already met River.”

Kyrie grinned at the golden-haired girl. “Yes. And Jasmine.”

Luk chuckled again. “Well, this here is Jess. No relation yet, but he and River will be married as soon as both of them are sixteen.”

“Hello,” Jess said shyly. Kyrie grinned and returned the greeting. She moved away from the door as she heard someone outside take the latch, and in stepped a whole train of people: a tall blond-haired man with a scarred face; an earth elven woman with one eye scarred shut; a pale-haired earth elf with vibrant violet eyes; a light elven woman; then Jasmine; and finally a smaller version of Jasmine.

Kyrie had never met Leontis, and didn’t even know what race he was, but considering that the Four Lands naturally held only Light and Dark elves, she had a feeling she knew which of these was Luk’s half-sister.

“Kyrie,” Luk grinned widely, stepping forward and putting his hand on one of the one-eyed woman’s shoulders, “this is my sister, Arthael. Arthael, my childhood friend, Kyrie.”

The two women smiled at each other, and Arthael bowed her head. “A pleasure to meet you,” the darker woman said softly.

“Likewise,” Kyrie beamed. She laughed softly. “It’s like meeting a ghost.”

“So I’m told,” Arthael chuckled. “I’m also told I look like my father.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Kyrie said apologetically. “I never met your father. Your mother was one of the most amazing people I ever knew, though.” She tilted her head and smiled. “You have her eye. Eyes.” She added that last word quickly, anxious that she might have offended the woman.

Arthael just smiled. “Thank you. Don’t mind my eye. Humans.”

Kyrie’s smile turned sympathetic, and she gestured towards the scars that covered her body. “Same.”

Luk took his hand from Arthael’s shoulder and continued on to introduce the others: Halmir, Arthael’s husband; their son, Timaeus, and his wife, Alyse; and their three daughters, Jasmine (the eldest), River, and Brooke (the youngest). Jess was River’s fiancé, as Luk had already explained, and it seemed that both of them were just shy of adulthood, when Timaeus and Alyse would allow their daughter to marry Jess.

Kyrie stayed for breakfast, asking and fielding questions, and after breakfast was over, it became apparent just how comfortable the family had grown to be in the city. Most of them left to do their own thing, and only Brooke stayed behind with Arthael, Kyrie and Luk. Dishes were of course the first thing on the agenda, and Kyrie was more than willing to help out, which gave Brooke the opportunity she needed to go back out to the tents and play. It was also a good time for conversation.

“So what do you do, Kyrie?” Arthael asked curiously. “Professionally, I mean.”

The question was one that Kyrie hadn’t really thought about before. Having a profession usually implied that the person made a living doing their job, and she didn’t really earn money. She wasn’t sure her work with Ahkshi counted, since really she just helped out – he was the doctor.

“Travel, I suppose,” she answered finally. “Sometimes I stay in a place for a while, but more or less I’m always on the move. I spent the last two centuries with my husband, Ahkshi. He’s a physician, so I helped him out there.”

“You’re married?” Arthael sounded surprised. “But you’re here alone?”

Kyrie smiled ruefully. “He can’t travel, and I can’t stay in one place. It just makes our time together all the sweeter.”

Arthael frowned slightly. “Why can’t you stay in one place?” she asked, not understanding.

Now that was an easier question to answer. She’d been asked that same question far too many times. “Because there are people who need me,” she said simply. “People who travel … sometimes they’re not even travelers. But things happen. Attacks. Kidnappings. Accidents. People being forced into slavery. People who need help. For whatever reason, they need help. I have the ability to help them … and as such, the responsibility to help them.”

She grew quiet then, thinking once more about the last bodies that had been found near Makshim. If only …

No, she had to put away that kind of thinking.

She shook herself out of her reverie and looked back at Arthael, who was smiling bemusedly at her. “What?” she asked, confused.

Arthael chuckled softly. “Your profession does not sound so different from my own. Halmir and I met at the ranch where we work, and where we now live. Haven. For a long time, dwarfs and humans were stealing elven children and using them as slaves. The ranch was established to stop that. It took us a long time, but we did it. We hope.”

Kyrie shook her head wistfully. “I wish I could know that my actions were doing any good,” she murmured. “Every time I turn around, there are more people that I didn’t save … people who are dead, or worse … it drives me mad.”

“You’ve always seemed pretty sane to me,” Luk put in.

Kyrie laughed. “Yeah, well, you were the crazy one who cut yourself off from civilization for a millennium. Anything is sane next to that.”

Arthael chuckled at that. “Well, just be careful not to have too many weapons on you when my husband comes back,” she warned Kyrie with a grin. “He might challenge you to a spar.”

Kyrie half-smiled. “I’m afraid that might not be a good idea,” she said apologetically. “I don’t … spar.” She never had, aside from her white elven teacher, and she didn’t want to delve into that memory. “I kill.”

Arthael shook her head sympathetically. “Then you’re more merciful than I am,” she said softly.

Kyrie could hear in her voice that she didn’t want to explain, so she didn’t press. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder.

Location: Makshim, Shiezin, Arkandia
Year: 29 051 (116 Fourth Age)
Status: 50 Stirring

On the way back to Ahkshi’s clinic after bringing the rest of the group to the inn, Kyrie was thoughtful. How were they going to pay for the group’s stay at the inn, indeed? At the moment, they were using three rooms, but if Iorlas and Daeron joined the rest of them, that would be four … and even if one room wasn’t expensive, four rooms quickly became quite pricey, especially when they didn’t know how long they were going to be staying there.

Akoreyl and Coravel, Ahkshi’s parents, would have the room at their home for at least a few of the travelers. They had the two rooms that had once been Ahkshi’s and Cantor’s, as well as two other guest rooms. But even that wouldn’t be enough for the group, since that still only totaled four beds. Even with two to a room, that would leave two of the group on their own – plus the child they’d found.

By the time she had reasoned this much, she had arrived once more at the clinic, and she headed in to join her husband, Iorlas, Daeron and the child. By this point, they had left the emergency room and were in one of the recovery rooms. A soft bed had been made up for the young child, who, at this point, had fallen asleep.

“What news?” she murmured softly in the Common Tongue, sidling up to Ahkshi and slipping one arm around his waist.

He smiled softly and drew her close, tucking her head under his chin. “He’s t-t-taken almost a f-f-full bottle,” he replied just as softly. “And with the extras I a-added to it, there’s h-h-hope.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Y-you got him here j-j-just in time.”

Iorlas and Daeron were sitting together on the edge of the bed, just beyond where the child was lying, and Iorlas looked up at the two of them when she heard Ahkshi’s remark.

“If he does recover,” she asked quietly, “will there be lasting damage?”

A pained expression crossed Ahkshi’s pale face. “Unf-f-f-fortunately,” he murmured, “given the t-t-time it took to get him here … y-y-yes. I c-c-can’t say what it will b-be, b-b-but … there will be s-some.”

He looked down at Kyrie. “W-w-what happened?” he asked.

Kyrie grimaced. “As best as I could tell, given that I couldn’t complete my investigation, it looked like an honour killing,” she replied.

“Honour killing?” Daeron repeated curiously. “What’s that mean?”

Kyrie looked at the foreign prince. “It means that it’s most likely that White Elves from Sier Belen felt that their family was dishonoured or shamed by the fact that their daughter – or whatever relation she was to them, a sister perhaps – chose to marry someone of another race, which in their eyes is an abomination. In order to restore honour to the family – which is a big thing for the White Elves – they had to destroy not only the girl, but the man who had, in their eyes, seduced her, as well as their offspring. The rest of the people in the area were in all likelihood nothing but collateral damage.”

Fury blazed in Daeron’s eyes, but the young man managed to keep himself outwardly calm. Iorlas simply looked sad.

“Even here, where the Valar lived and guided the people for so long,” the prince seethed, “people are so foolish. I had thought that in our land it was at least partially understandable, since the dwarfs were not creations of Eru, but here – here where everyone is essentially the same – I would never have expected …”

He trailed off, the touch of his wife’s hand on his cheek keeping him from losing his temper.

“And we shall raise this child,” she told him softly, “and teach him better.”

Knowing what Iorlas was – or rather, what she had been, Kyrie couldn’t help the questions that suddenly flooded her mind. Had Daeron known about Iorlas’ past when he had fallen in love with her? Had she already become an elf at that point? As one who had once been another creature, did Iorlas have the same capabilities of the elves? Would Daeron and Iorlas ever be blessed with children of their own? Or, like she and Ahkshi, would they remain barren?

The touch of Ahkshi’s hand on her shoulder drew her back to the present.

“You’re l-l-looking thoughtful again,” he murmured softly into her ear.

Kyrie shook her head to clear it and sighed. “Nothing that’s my business,” she told him. It wasn’t a matter of her keeping Iorlas’ secret: she would never dream of keeping such a thing from her husband, just as she never kept anything else from him; but it was exactly as she had said. The questions she had weren’t her business; they were the private affairs of the young couple in question. It would be rude of her to ask them.

“Anyways, we’re going to need to sleep in shifts,” she murmured, slipping out of Ahkshi’s arms and sitting on the second bed in the room. “Someone is going to have to watch him all night, and if he wakes, try to get him to keep drinking.”

Ahkshi nodded. “I’ll prep-p-pare more of the solution f-f-for him,” he told them, “so that we w-w-w-won’t run out in the night.”

“Iorlas,” Daeron said as Ahkshi left the room, “you should sleep first. You never slept a wink on the trip here.”

Iorlas shook her head. “I want to watch him.”

Daeron sighed and tugged her gently away from the boy. “You have limitations,” he reminded her. “Come on.”

“I’ll take the first watch,” Kyrie volunteered, moving off the bed so that Daeron and Iorlas could take it. “Both of you, rest. I’ll wake you in a few hours.”

She made sure they were comfortable, brought in a second pillow and a blanket for them; and when Ahkshi returned, she put a finger to her lips and nodded towards them to let them know that they were both fast asleep. Ahkshi smiled warmly, and he and Kyrie took a seat where the others had been sitting earlier. It felt good to be back with Ahkshi again – it had been a long absence for Kyrie this time – and rather than waking Daeron and Iorlas as she had promised them, Kyrie spent the entire night watching the child and simply talking with Ahkshi. Despite the grim situation, she had to admit that she was happier than she had been in a while.

Location: Makshim, Shiezin, Arkandia
Year: 29 051 (116 Fourth Age)
Status: 51 Stirring

As Kyrie made her way to her and Ahkshi’s home, she brooded over the rudeness of her mother-in-law. The way she had swept into the clinic was one thing – calling out despite knowing there was a patient who, for all she knew, could have been resting – but then, in front of the others, she had openly shown her prejudice against those who were different from her. Her slur about Kyrie being willing to pick up any trash she found was beyond unforgivable. And while it was clear that Akoreyl hadn’t expected anyone to understand what she had said, the worst part was that Iorlas, having once been a dragon and thus having a gift for languages, would undoubtedly have understood.

“You could always apologize for them on Akoreyl’s behalf,” Uruloki reminded her from his perch on her shoulder. “I’m sure they would understand. They wouldn’t hold it against either you or Ahkshi.”

He was speaking in the White Elven tongue, a language no one in the city would understand – with the exception, of course, of Iorlas and Andarien. And since neither of them was around, it was a safe way to have a private conversation.

“I’m just amazed she had the gall to say something like that,” Kyrie muttered darkly. “I mean, honestly. I’ve always known she’s not fond of me, but I at least thought she would have the decency to keep her prejudice to herself in front of others. And there’s a reason I introduced them with their titles! Even if she doesn’t respect their races, couldn’t she at least respect their positions?”

Uruloki nuzzled against her ear, trying to calm her. “I know,” he murmured reassuringly. “But look at the bright side. Ahkshi is nothing like her.”

Kyrie sighed. “Yes, I know. But I somehow doubt now that, despite the fact that she and Coravel have enough room for at least most of them, they would be willing to take them in. The inn is way too expensive. They’re planning to be here for quite a while, which I really hope they do. But we need to find somewhere for them to stay.”

“Not before tomorrow,” Uruloki said firmly. “You and I are under strict orders. You are going to sleep, and I am going to make sure that you sleep, if I have to bite everyone who comes near the door.”

His comment drew a laugh from Kyrie, relieving some of her tension, and she reached up and plucked the tiny dragon from her shoulder and hugged him gently. “What would I do without you?” she giggled. “But please don’t bite anyone. If I’m not allowed back to the city, Ahkshi would have to leave, too, and I don’t want to make things harder on him than they already are.”

Uruloki stuck out his tongue. “Spoilsport.”

They arrived at the house, and Kyrie let herself in. “No one will come looking for me, I’m sure, but do keep an eye for me, won’t you?” she requested, holding the door open.

Uruloki hopped out of her arms to the ground. “You know you don’t have to ask.”

As he flew up to his perch on the roof above the door, Kyrie smiled and closed the door. As much as she wanted to be a part of what was going on, she knew she needed sleep.

Location: Makshim, Shiezin, Arkandia
Year: 29 051 (116 Fourth Age)
Status: Mettarë

After Kyrie and the others had left the clinic, Ahkshi had stuck around a few more hours. At first he had continued taking care of Mailon, who, after taking a medicated drink to help with the pain, had fallen asleep; and then he had waited around to see if any of the others would be returning or if any more bodies would be showing up. But when neither had happened by dinner time, he decided to return home for the evening.

When he opened the door to his house, he stepped inside and stopped dead in his tracks, stunned. The place was a mess, as if someone had ransacked it. The sheets and blanket had been torn from the bed and thrown to the floor, tables and chairs were overturned, papers were strewn about everywhere, and books had been thrown from their shelves.

Ahkshi panicked. “Kyrie,” he gasped fearfully; and he ran into the house to make sure she was safe.

Suddenly he heard a noise from the water room, where they did their bathing and laundry. His heart in his throat, he ran towards it and shoved the door open. “Kyrie!”

It was Kyrie, all right. And though the condition of the room was little better than their main room, it seemed Kyrie was unhurt. She was sitting in the tub, her forehead on her arms which were resting on her knees, steam rising from the water. Uruloki was sitting, hatchling sized, on the edge of the tub, watching over her like the guardian that he had become.

When Ahkshi entered the room and saw the two of them like that, he let out a sigh of relief and stepped forward. Uruloki turned to look at him, then hopped down off the tub and padded quietly over to him.

“She’s been in there for nearly two hours,” the dragon confided to him in a murmur. “She wouldn’t let me fetch you.”

Ahkshi’s brow furrowed in concern, and he approached the tub slowly. He looked down at his wife. Her shoulders were shaking, but she was silent. Ahkshi wasn’t sure what to do. He had never seen her so vulnerable. He had seen her sad, of course, and angry, and everything in between … but he had never imagined that she could be this weak, this helpless. He reached out and put one hand on her back and sat on the edge of the tub, in the same place that Uruloki had vacated just a moment before.

“Kyrie,” he murmured softly. “Are you all right?”

Kyrie didn’t answer for a moment, and Ahkshi’s concern for her only grew. He was about to speak again when she let out a soft sigh.

“He was the one who trained me,” she said quietly, so softly that Ahkshi had difficulty hearing her.

Ahkshi lowered his gaze. “I know.”

Kyrie raised her head slightly and rubbed her eyes with the backs of her hands. “He tortured me.”

Ahkshi swallowed with difficulty. “I know,” he said softly, pained.

Kyrie put her head down again and wrapped her arms around her knees, pulling them closer and making herself smaller. “He raped me,” she whimpered.

Ahkshi knelt beside the tub and put both arms around Kyrie, holding her as close as he could. Warm water sloshed over him, but he ignored it. “I know,” he said again, holding her tightly.

She turned to him and buried her face in his shoulder, and though the water hadn’t even been up to her knees and her hair was still dry, he felt his clothes dampen, and he knew that she was crying. He closed his eyes and laid his cheek against her head, wishing there were more he could do for her.

“I thought I was over it,” Kyrie whispered, shaking. “I thought I’d moved on … but seeing him … seeing him again …”

“Shh, I know,” Ahkshi murmured, stroking her hair gently. “There’s no way to be prepared for something like that.”

“I wish I could kill him.” There was genuine longing in her voice, and Ahkshi sighed quietly.

“You did,” he reminded her softly. “And if he were still the same person I would let you do so again. But he is not. He is indeed the person of whom you told me, the one who, like you, spends his life traveling and helping those who need it. His reasons are different, but that is his life.”

“I know.” It was Kyrie’s turn to say the words. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

For several minutes they sat like that in complete silence, with Ahkshi trying to comfort her, and Kyrie trying to control herself. Finally, Kyrie sniffled and turned her head to look at the room.

“I made quite a mess, didn’t I?” she murmured.

Ahkshi smiled softly and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Nothing that an hour or so of cleaning won’t fix,” he assured her quietly. “Don’t worry about it. You finish your bath and I’ll get things cleaned up.”

He moved to stand, but Kyrie’s fingers closed tightly around the fabric of his sleeves, and he found himself trapped.

Without looking at him, Kyrie murmured, “You know what I hate the most about him?”

Ahkshi knelt again and took her hands in his. “What?” he asked quietly.

Now Kyrie looked up at him, and her eyes were brimming with tears. “The fact that it was his child that was last in my womb,” she whispered, her voice wavering. “And that you and I have never-” Her voice cracked, and she had to choke back a sob. “That you and I … we can never … we can never have …”

She burst into tears, and Ahkshi put his arms around her and held her close again. This time, he didn’t let her go until she had cried herself out, and then he helped her to dry and to dress and put her to bed.

Exhausted as she was, she fell asleep immediately, and for a while, Ahkshi just watched her. What he hadn’t told her – what he couldn’t tell her – was that, for the same reason she hated the man so much, he’d had to fight very hard against the temptation to forget his oath as a physician and let the man die on the operating table. It would have been so easy …

But if he had done that, he would not have been permitted to still call himself a physician. He had done the right thing. Not that the thought made it any easier.

He sighed and began to clean up.