I have neglected to mention something important here; a mention of the people who inspire this story. No time like the present, so here we go. Firstly I will mention 'Formerly Known As,' who can be found here on ff . net and is a major encourager of the continuation of this tale. Thanks for always encouraging me and instigating. A lot of the traits that Vexx, Kiri, and Gly have taken on, I blame on her. Secondly, my room mate, who prods Vexx into action on occasion, even though she doesn't read fanficiton. She's a big help. Thirdly, a huge thanks to Butterfly-of-Pearls, who can be found on deviantArt. She's in the process of writing up a bunch of profiles for the villagers of Overwood, and her write up on Gly helped me a lot in developing him the extra step that he needed at the time. The archery was due to her inspiration. Finally, a thanks to the Vexx community on deviantArt, especially those who stay in contact with me. You know who you all are and every one of you has inspired this story in some form or another. Thanks for reading, and let's see this thing through to the end.

So there's a high note to start off a rather short, grim chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen

"I'm really not so sure about this," Giles muttered, scratching his head.

"Well we can't just leave him like that," Gly replied quietly. "The healer doesn't know what to do, so now it falls on us."

Giles sighed and turned his attention back to the forge. He threw another log onto the fire and started stoking it further. "Go make sure he's ready then."

Gly moved over to where Vexx sat, slumped forward in his chair. He knelt beside the warrior and spoke softly, "Are you alright?" Vexx's reply was to lift his head enough to give him an unsteady glare that indicated he was not. Gly shifted uneasily. "You're sure you want to do this?" Vexx nodded before lifting the flask of brandy to his lips once again and downing the last of it. He then set it aside and placed his sword hand on the arm of the chair. Without a word, Gly set about lashing the arm down with ropes.

Vexx kept his eyes closed and repeated to himself in his mind that this was alright, he was among people who were there to help, and that the pain to come would be necessary. His head was swimming from the alcohol as it was and he wanted to make absolutely sure that the War Talons understood what was going on. They had acted of their own accord before and the last thing he wanted was to hurt someone now.

Having finished with the sword arm, Gly put a hand on Vexx's shoulder. Vexx only opened one eye, the gaze unfocused and distant. "You're really sure?" Gly asked again. Closing his eyes once more, Vexx sighed and placed his shield arm on the table beside him, refusing to indicate if he was really sure or not. Hesitant, Gly tied down the arm to the metal table. "We're ready, dad."

"Ya have him biting down on something?" Giles called.

Gly looked about quickly and found the cleanest wash rag he could. Rolling it upon itself, he offered it out to Vexx, who was more than happy to bite down on the thing. Hanging his head, Vexx kept his eyes closed. Gly set his hands on the man's shoulders and spoke quietly, "It'll be over soon."

"Here it goes," Giles said.

Vexx could feel heat coming closer to his severed fingers and he braced himself. His back arched sharply and the arm of the chair splintered under his claws.

While her home was a ways down the road, Kiri's ears perked at that sound of a distant scream. She listened for a moment, then pressed her hands to the sides of her head to block it out. Shaking from the thought of what was happening in the forge, she sank down into a chair and wept.