Nearly jumping to her feet Maerad felt Cadvan's arm tighten around her waist. Gently she rubbed his forearm and whispered, " I'll be right back my love."

Sleepily Cadvan let her go as he rolled over pulling the covers around him. Taking one last look at Cadvan Maerad raced from the room. Hurrying down the hall then down the spiral stairs Maerad was almost shocked to see both her grandfather and Raunar standing just inside the main entrance. Puzzled she hesitated as she asked, " Grandfather, Raunar has something happen?"

Raunar looked at Maerad almost mournfully as he spoke, " Child you must not stay any longer. I have already sent the child you had asked me about, back to the ruins of Turbansk. I worry that if you do not hurry all may be lost with."

Then before Maerad could say another word Raunar vanished into a shadow and was gone. Looking to her Grandfather panic fell over Maerad's face. She knew ( or thought she knew) that Cadvan was far to weak to travel let alone travel so many leagues to Turbansk. Seeing the look on Maerad's face Karn spoke slowly so that is Annaren accent seen so strong, " Granddaughter what is troubling you? Are you not yet ready to play our song?"

Shaking her head Maerad tried to bring her fears to words, " Grandfather it's not that I am not ready, but for all that both you and Ardina have told me I do not see how it will be possible for Cadvan to accompany me in his current state."

Drifting his mind into deep though, all seemed quite till Kern spoke, "I understand. You are right your love needs to be with you on your journey, because it is love that is the greatest enemy to the darkness you are to face. However I do understand why you do not wish for him to leave with you, so I offer this bit of knowledge. By this time tomorrow forces of the dark will begin to draw in on this city and if by chance they find the entrance I fear that none will survive for I can not be in to places at once. You must understand child that if your love does not go with you to keep your heart safe from the temptations that by come before you then I must join your journey if only to keep your mind on the task at hand."

Horror fell over Maerad's face as stuttering she said, " You …you mean if I do not make Cadvan go then I will be leaving him to his death, but if he leaves with me his condition may worsen."

Tears of worry and despair swelled in Maerad's eyes till her grandfather embraced her and whispered, " My heart can not bare to see you cry. My little one I give you my word, when you leave here with Cadvan of Lirigon his condition will not worsen. However I will stay in touch to give you guidance on where you must go, while I do this if at anytime you feel that your love is in danger I will have an Elidhu take him directly to Turbansk. This is not an option at this moment for the city is still being reconstructed."

Drying her eyes Maerad sniffled as she agreed. Hoping that her face was not red from tears she rushed back upstairs to wake Cadvan. Slipping into the room She saw Cadvan peacefully sleeping, the blanket pulled around his head only allowing his noise to be clearly seen. Trying to be quite Maerad lightly stepped as she made her way over to the bed. Sitting down on the edge of the bed she watched him sleep for a few moments before slowly pulling the warm cover away from his face.

Cadvan shivered as he felt the covers begin to move. Knowing that Maerad was sitting next to him he did not try to stop her from moving the covers from his weary body, secretly he was hoping that she going to lay back down with him. Seeing Cadvan had not yet opened his eyes, Maerad ran her fingers over the crest of his ear. Feeling her finger's so lightly touching him, Cadvan nearly jumped from the sensation. Fully alert he rolled onto his back and sleepily whispered, " What's troubling you my dearest?"

Maerad searched Cadvan's face as his eyes started to slowly flutter closed. Knowing that she must tell him that they had to leave and that there would be no time to waste, Maerad felt a hot tear begin to fall as she softly spoke, " I have been told that we must leave tonight. However seeing you this weak I do not see how you will be able to travel the distance that we must."

Once hearing the despair in Maerad's voice, Cadvan forced himself up then pushing the pain from his voice he spoke as calmly as he could, " Maerad I can tell by your voice that leaving me here is not an option, so I make you this promise if you can find a steed that can carry the both of us then I will be able to travel without need for you to worry."

Not wanting to question Cadvan, Maerad agreed to find them a horse. As Maerad left to prepare for their journey, Cadvan laid back down for a moment pulling the soft warm blanket back around him. With his more serious flesh wounds still burning and throbbing with movement , he pondered how he was going to be able to endure the ride ahead. Hoping that Saliman may have an idea, Cadvan Called out to him through mind touch.

Feeling the strain in Cadvan's mind Saliman thought it would be best to talk face to face. Entering the room he found Cadvan sitting on the edge of the bed pulling his cloak around him. Seeing that all seemed alright Saliman half smiled as he spoke, " No what seems to be the great emergency that you needed to see me when by all rights you should be asleep?"

Cadvan lowered his head and roughly replied, " I take it that you have not hear yet."

Puzzled Saliman say on the couch as Cadvan continued, " Maerad has told me that we are to leave for Turbansk before night fall. I can tell that something is weighing on her mind to why she has not asked for me to stay here at least while I heal for a bit more. However I know if it is bothering her this much then I fear something worse than the first sacking of this city may be about to happen. This is why I must ask for your help as a healer, while we travel I fell that I must be asleep for the journey."

" Cadvan I have to agree that for what we know it may be better for you to stay here. However if your believe that you must travel with us then I will do what I can to see that we all get to Turbansk safely."

Helping Cadvan to his feet, the two of them slowly made their way down the spiral stairs and to the main entrance. As the reach the sitting area just inside the main doorway Ardina gracefully entered the room. She soft skin lightly glowed as she spoke, " Cadvan of Lirigon I do not think that you should be up quite yet, for all the preparations for your journey have not been finished yet. No matter you can make sure that neither Maerad nor I have forgotten anything for your journey. Come your packs are already outside."

As they followed Ardina out of the house Cadvan stood shocked seeing Darsor standing gallantly at the bottom of the steps. Looking around at the surroundings both Saliman and Cadvan noticed five other horses, two of which were packed down with rolls of blankets and draped in heavy furs. As Cadvan limped down the stone stairs to go to see his trusted steed Maerad popped her head up from the far side of the horse. Seeing Cadvan standing there Maerad looked puzzled but instead of asking to why he was not resting while he could, she seemed to float as she clibed the steps toword him. Taking his arm she jokingly said, " have to come to check up on me?"

Her small gesture made Cadvan slightly smile before he responded, " No Maerad , I do not see a reason to check up on you. I've only come too see if you may need help."

By now both Cadvan and Maerad stood next to Darsor. Cadvan stroked the horses neck and main as Maerad softly spoke, " I believe that all has been prepared, though Ardina has asked that we wait till she finds us better protection from the storm that we will ride into."

Saliman paying close attion to the conversaion interrupted, "Maerad I think that there is a few things you must address. First is why there are only three houses that are staddled and ready to mounted but there are five of us that are riding out of here? Second would be how do you know that we are to be riding in a storm?"

Glaring into Saliman's eyes , Maerad paused for a moment before she answered, "I was hoping that Hem could ride with you. It has been brought to my attention that he becomes slightly ill when he is exposed to the powers on an Elidhu, and I do not want for him to accidentally fall of the horse because his mind is to preoccupied. As for Cadvan, Darsor has agreed to allow me to control the reins while we travel. I have explained to him that Cadvan is not well and that I know the way to which we must travel. The storm that I know about will be created by Arkan. We hope that it give us ample cover as we make our way to a cave in the broken hills."

After the riding arrangements were agreed on and both Soron and Hem were present it was decided that it was time to embark on their voyage. Darsor kneeled down to allow Cadvan the ability to mount him without much help. Once Cadvan was moderately comfortably sitting on top of the black steed Ardina returned to the somber group. She handed each of them a heavy and very warm bear skin. As she handed the final one to Cadvan she spoke directly into his mind, " Take care of my daughter."

Not knowing how to respond or even if he should Cadvan nodded in acceptance. After wrapping her new bearskin around herself, Maerad mounted Darsor in front of Cadvan. Reaching her arm back behind her, she pulled her lover's head down to her shoulder and softly whispered, " Rest now my love."

Feeling the warmth of Maerad's body next to him, Cadvan nearly fell asleep before reaching the secret entrance that would take them into the cold dark night. As the horses stepped into the bitter cold, the bard all felt a sudden unease about this storm. Even though they were in the early part of the night, it seemed to dark for not a star nor the moon could be seen. Pulling the bear skins around them to keep the cold from over taking them Maerad called out, " Stay close."

As the horses pulled together Maerad called upon her full powers. As she did a bright blue light fell over them and the horses seemed to be floating just above the snow covered ground. Hem feeling dizzy closed his eyes in hopes that the feeling would pass. Saliman could not tell if it was the storm or some other power that Hem was sensing. To him they were traveling at a normal speed on horse back though the horses were not leaving any tracks that he could see.

They traveled this way till the sun was clearly in the sky. Being guided by her grandfather Maerad brought them too a sheltered area that would be safe enough for them to have a quick meal. It would also give Irc a chance to scout the area that they were coming up upon.

Hem got down from the horse with help from Saliman only to become sick as he felt the ground beneath his feet. Concerned Saliman offered to use the same charm on him as the one being used on Cadvan. Hem just nodded as his stomach began to settle. Slowly Cadvan's eyes started to flutter open, realizing that they were no longer moving he began to stir in the saddle. As his eyes fully opened a sudden spinning feeling came over him. Maerad sensing his uneasiness, reached her and around to the back of his head, allowing him to regain his composure before getting down to stretch and eat.

As the bards were enjoying their brisk meal, Maerad took the opportunity to look around while she awaited Irc's return. As she looked out into the desolate valley Cadvan came up behind her. Touching his gloved hand to her shoulder, she jumped from being startled. Worried that he had frightened his beloved he asked her quietly, " Is everything alright dearest? You seem worried."

Turning to face Cadvan, Maerad tried to form a smile. She knew that she could not keep anything from him nor would she try right now. As she gazed into his deep blue eyes she began to whisper, " We still have far to travel before night fall and it worries me that Irc has not returned yet." then through Mindspeech she continued, " Then there are things that I must discuss with Saliman though I do not wish for Hem to hear or to know just yet."

Cadvan's face went blank as he felt a strong presences in her mind. Not wanting to cause alarm or fear that it may be the Landrost he replied carefully though the same way, " If you need to speak to Saliman do so this way, but I think you may want to choose your words wisely. My love as I speak to you now I can fell that I am not the only one in your thoughts."

Taking one of Cadvan's hands in hers Maerad smiled as she tried to calm his fears, " my love you are right that some one is in my thoughts but there is no need to worry. The presences that you are sensing is that of both grandfather and Arkan. Between the two of them , we are being kept safe and undiscovered by Sharma's forces."

As Cadvan began to breath in relief Irc flew to Hem franticly. With a screeching caw he was able to convey that the dark forces were close on all sides. With word of Maerad's fear being told they all quickly mounted the horses. As quickly as possible Hem joined Cadvan in slumber as Maerad once again summoned her powers.

As they glided through the snow covered valley both Saliman and Soron sent out their Bardic hearing trying to listen for signs of the dark forces. They could only hear the sounds of snow being crushed beneath some one's feet. As they drew closer to the sound they could make out the faint clash of metal clanging against another piece of metal. As Saliman reached for his sword Maerad hissed, " do not make any foolish moves. Right now we will travel unnoticed but I cannot continue if you make unnecessary noise."

Not wanting to find out what Maerad was talking about , both of the bards took their hands from their swords. Traveling along in complete silence, the sound of the approaching menace never seemed to come with in normal hearing distance. As the sun started to set Maerad hoped that they would be close to the cave before long.

With the sun casting down dark shadows and the wind howling into the night air, Ardina appeared before them . Leading them to a mystical cave the horses seemed drawn in before the entrance vanished behind them. Once safely inside Ardina warned ," you may be safe here tonight but do not say past first light."

With her words echoing in their ears Ardina left in a ball of light. As the natural light of the cave began to be seen both Hem and Cadvan began to stir. Once the five of them were dismounted Soron lit a fire. Doing so they could now see that pallets of straw had been left for them. Saliman helped Maerad lay out the bead rolls as Soron made a quick stew to go with their bread and cheese.

Still feeling the effects neither Hem nor Maerad felt much like eating but after picking though their bowls they both managed to take a few bits.

Soron was still uneasy about his surrounding asked, " Should we to keep watch tonight?"

Closing her eyes for a moment Maerad answered," I do not think that will be necessary for we already have the protection of many Elidhu and this cave can not be found with out the help of one."

As Cadvan began to lay down on the soft bed of hay and blankets, he sleepily called out for Maerad to lay near him. Playfully she said through Mindspeech, "I will sleep next to you once we are safe in the city Turbansk."

That night Cadvan started to dream of the ordeal that took place at the prison in the forsaken land.

He heard a voice coming from somewhere in the darkness, "So you return Cadvan of Lirigon. Did you really think that your escape would go unnoticed or that I would not find you? You cannot hide from me." The voice was harsh and unwavering.

Cadvan had heard this voice before, and now it echoed in his mind as well as his ears, filling him with the same sense of dread - yet increased tenfold, because now he had someone to fear for. "What is happening to Maerad? Where is she?" Cadvan demanded, trying to keep the tremors from his voice. He feared that she may already be dead.

"So you worry for the girl? There is no need; Sharma will take care of her shortly. As for you… I will give you may have a choice. After all your studies of the Dark, you can join with us and let the girl live, or you can live out your days with the knowledge that you have killed yet another of those that you claim to love."

Cadvan's heart constricted. He yelled out "you leave her be. It's me you want."

"You are right, but I have not yet decided if I want you alive or dead. Your knowledge of the dark makes you very valuable to me but it also make you a burden I do not need. All the same you grow weaker as we speak. I suspect that by time Sharma arrives you will be too weak and in far too much pain to care either way."

Cadvan could feel the poison that was in the air and the irons that held him. He also could feel himself becoming weak. Trying franticly Cadvan sent out his mind to find Maerad, he found her with out much effort then before he could say anything to her, she was gone. Moments later a tall dark creature entered the room, almost slithering he made his way over to Cadvan. The creature placed its boney fingers around Cadvan's throat squeezing just enough to make it difficult for him to breath. Then it said "the girl you were with has made a choice to save her own life and leave you here. Now there is the question of what to do with you."

The creature let him down from the irons that held him. Catching his breath, Cadvan tried to cast a white flame at the creature, but only now it would not form, he was already too weak. As the creature exited from the room he tossed Cadvan his sword. "It shall be more fun to watch you fight for your life then simply take it." As he left a few wers appeared with a strange liquid dripping from their claws and fangs. Scratching and clawing trying to cause pain as possibly but not yet ready to kill him, the wers tore his flesh as Cadvan tried to fight to stay alive. The wers had to know that he was already too weak to put up much of a fight but they continued to attack with full force.

When Cadvan started to think that he was going to die there, with out seeing Maerad again, The door to the cell flung open and there stood a man or rather what appeared to be once a man covered in iron plating and with a flick of his wrist the wers were gone . Cadvan lay on the ground several open wounds that now were bleeding and felt to be on fire. The man stepped forward "I have heard of you Cadvan of Lirigon. You protect the fire lily from me. And you bring her here now to defeat Me." he kicked Cadvan in the stomach then bent over him. "You do not seem such a threat but one can never be to sure now a days. Do not worry, the fire lily will be treated as the whore she is and all her powers added to my own. Though I think that, I will not kill you till you see this for your self. That is if you live till morning." grabbing Cadvan's face this strange man said sending a chill down Cadvan's back "Yes you will live till morning only barely." at that said a guard came in with a bit of food and forced it down Cadvan's throat .

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Cadvan laid on the bed roll calling out for Maerad, sweat poring from his body and his fever starting to rise. "Cadvan by the light wake up!" Maerad voice giving way to her fear and waking every one else up as well.

Saliman quickly glided over to them then said "Maerad what's happen?"

She looked up "I don't know I heard him call my name through Mindspeech but he will not wake."

Saliman said some words quietly so Maerad could not hear but Cadvan seemed calmer and slowly flickered opened his eyes to see every one looking at him with worry. He wiped the sweat from his face to find his hands shacking from fear.

It was still hours from dawn Saliman turned to the Hem and Soron and said "we have a long day tomorrow we should sleep."

Looking to Maerad who was already holding Cadvan close to calm him Saliman laid back down to sleep. Through Mindspeech she asked "are you alright. I heard you call for me but then I couldn't wake you, tell me what is wrong."

Cadvan held her hand his own. Though he was still trembling it was not as bad. Once he got his nerve back answered her "Sharma was at the prison he wants to take your power and ….." he couldn't bear to say the rest. He would not let it happen not with his dieing breath would he let it happen. Maerad lay down next to him with her head on his chest for the rest of the night.