Thank you very much to my reviewer,

Angelmail: Flick back to Chapter Two for a Col chapter, just for you! Lucky is fairly aptly named, he's had several bog-related accidents, including a memorable fight with a gorse bush, but he always pulls through :),

and also to the three new Companions fanfic's two authors, Miki-Onee-Chan and Argand! Yay, I'm so exited! New CQ stories! Any other readers thinking of writing a fanfic for Companions Quartet, DO IT!!! Let's see if we can beat the Cat Royal archive in numbers! And if you need a beta, feel free to contact me; I'm officially a registered beta for CQ! Once again, yaaay! Anywho, on to Chapter Thirteen!

Refuge

Nick sat in the company of the creatures and companions that were the very essence of the Society, feeling very uncomfortable. Gathering his courage as the minutes of waiting ticked slowly by, he spoke his thoughts aloud.

"Why am I here? I haven't been able to do anything to help so far, and to be honest, it doesn't seem like there will be anything I can do anytime soon. I don't really see why I'm needed." A wave of calm swept over him as Windfoal answered his question.

"Nick, I know that you don't feel of much use now, but there are two main reasons why we need you to be here, as opposed to your home. The first, most immediate concern is that Aisling awakens to somebody she knows and trusts. Nobody in her family has a gift, so you're the only one capable of doing it. The second problem is that where you live is very exposed and isolated in Society terms. We know that the creature knows where you are, and it is also possible that he knows that you are a universal. You need to stay in England for time being, near the headquarters and the only Society member who can train you, at least until you are able to fend for yourself." Nick looked at the unicorn indignantly, fighting her soothing presence stubbornly.

"I'm well able to take care of myself!"

"You have no idea of what you're dealing with." Kinga reprimanded him.

"But what about school, and my family?"

"That's been dealt with already. Your mother has already started to organize the move; you'll be transferred to Chartmouth school, where there's a few Society members your own age." Nick began to open his mouth, trying to think of a valid complaint, but thought better of it and closed it. They sat in silence for a few minutes until a loud thump coming from the courtyard broke them from their still trances. Nick, forgetting the presence of the Trustees, who were looking on in amazement, dashed into the courtyard. He froze in horror at the sight of the pale, unmoving girl on the dragon's back. Lifting her gently down, he carried her into the foyer and laid her down on one of the leather couches.

"Come on, Aisling, wake up." he murmured forcefully. His words had no effect. Seeing no other option, Nick parted her lips gently and leant in towards her. His face was met by a forceful slap. Aisling's eyes were wide with shock, but a faint smile played on her lips.

"Good to see that you're back to normal again," he joked. "Now I know how Conor felt!" She bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you, but you can't exactly control your reflexes! Are you okay?" Nick rubbed the red mark thoughtfully.

"I think I'll live. What about you? What happened?" The smile disappeared abruptly from her face. Nick hastily tried to correct his mistake.

"If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine."

"I don't think that you'll believe most of it."

"After your entrance, I don't think anything will surprise me." Aisling painfully recounted the events of the past few days, tears springing to her eyes as she recollected what had happened to Rua. Nick took her hand as she tried to hold back her tears.

"Don't worry about Rua. She's actually in a better state than you are at the moment, my mum is taking good care of her. Apparently, we couldn't have found you without her help," he reassured. She smiled weakly and continued. At the closure of her tale, the Trustees emerged from the Chamber of Council, joined by Jade and Connie, now in her human form. She sat down beside the younger girl on the couch and turned to face her.

"Aisling, I'm Connie." Aisling looked at her in recognition.

"I thought you were a dragon!" Connie smiled at her deduction.

"That's right. I'm the Society's version of the shape-shifter that captured you, the good version, or so we like to think. I hate to ask you when you obviously need to rest and recover after what happened to you, but is there anything that you can tell us about the creature?"

"Not much. I saw him change shape twice; once from a wolf into a lion-bird thing, and from that into a hawk. And the creatures were always black. He had some sort of control over me, it was like… being sucked down a plug." She gave a short laugh, blushing slightly at her description.

"Is there anything else?"

"Not that I can think of. Oh, wait! His name was Kulevro-" Kinga interrupted her, earning her a glare from the other occupants of the room.

"Kulevro? Are you sure it wasn't Kullervo?"

"No, definitely not. That was his father's name." Kira gasped and leaned against Windfoal for support. Eagle-child grimaced, and Stormbird cawed angrily, sparks of light leaping from his wings. Even Morjik looked shaken by the news.

"If that is true, then the situation is a lot worse than we imagined. We need to take the same precautions that we took with Connie three years ago, and both of your training should start immediately. Connie, could you contact Sentinel?"

"I will. Gard too?" Kinga nodded.

"He isn't completely necessary as we have Jade to help us, but it might be a good idea to contact him anyway. We have kept you two a secret within your own chapter, just like George." Connie looked puzzled for a moment.

"Why does the Chartmouth Chapter know about them, then?"

"We've actually transferred them both to your chapter; best to keep all of the universals in one place." Connie laughed.

"Mr. Coddrington will be pleased!" Aisling and Nick exchanged glances. Sensing their confusion, Connie filled them in on the joke.

"Mr. Coddrington is the person who gave you a lift here." Nick struggled to think of words to describe him, trying to hold back his laughter.

"Oh. Well, he seems very…"

"Boring?" Connie finished for him. Nick grinned, relieved that he didn't have to hide his opinion of the less-than-interesting weather giant companion.

"Exactly." Kira looked amused.

"Maybe it's a universal thing, disliking him."

"Honestly, who does?"

"I'll choose not to answer that question, Connie. On to more pressing matters than Mr. Coddrington's tediousness; we need to find companions for our two new universals. I'm afraid we can't offer you anything as unique as a golden dragon, but we'll do our best. The important thing is that you have a companion to act as a counterweight against Kulevro's pull. Nick, Aisling, are you okay with that?" Nick nodded his affirmation, but not a sound came from Aisling. Nick poked her in the arm, and when she didn't react, brushed the hair falling in front of her face to the side. She had fallen asleep.