Cadvan walked along the hall, one hand on his dagger and the other on the poison. The night had come, and he could feel the anticipation, like cold water, rushing through his veins. He was prepared to do anything—he knew it was for Maered. She would understand.

No one gave him trouble, and he slipped in and out silently, pouring the powdered wolfs-bane infused with lethal magic into Jien's box. He shook the container to mix the deadly makeup, and left, unseen. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, for someone could use the powder and die as well, but it was a risk he was willing to take.

Cadvan threw the vial into the bushes in the courtyard, and when confronted with other teachers and bards, was forced to smile and assume that false air of comfort, the one he used with Maered. He knew where to find Vaner and Maered, but knew that, for the assassination to work, the two victims must not know about each others fate. That was the challenge, and that was the thrill.

Cadvan met Maered in the street outside the School, and her anxious expression confirmed what he had already knew; that the world would come crashing down if it was not done right.

"I could do it," she whispered, walking alongside Cadvan, her black hair floating about her.

"No," Cadvan shook his head, "I won't let you. This is for me and me alone. You will not bloody your hands,"

"Why not?" she argued, "you think I couldn't do it."

"Yes," Cadvan stated bluntly. "Please, just play your part, and I'll play mine. All will be well, Maered. Please believe me." Maered looked into his eyes and leaned up to kiss him for the first time since before Arkan. Their lips met for the barest of moments, and Cadvan closed his eyes.

"I will be back for you," he whispered into her hair. "I love you."

...

Vaner brandished his stiletto, and with a wicked grin imagined how it would feel as he plunged it into Cadvan's back, how it would sound. He had been walking along the corridor when he saw Maered kiss Cadvan, and knew that he had been betrayed. They knew.

His first impulse was to warn Jien, but then another thought came to mind. If Cadvan wanted to play, he would oblige him. Killing Jien would have to be clever, and Vaner knew Cadvan possessed not the resources to hire an assassin, so the death keel would have to be delivered in something mundane; a poison perhaps. He knew Maered was not a pawn, but with sadistic excitement decided to join her into the game. If Cadvan did kill him, which was unlikely, neither man would have Maered. She would be long dead.

"Maered," Vaner said when he caught up with her in the square, "Dear, they are missing a dancer for the celebration. Would you fill in for her?"

Maered looked pleased and she blushed. "You know I don't dance," she replied modestly.

"Oh no," Vaner insisted, "I have seen you dance plenty of times. You always wanted to be a part of this, and you know all the steps."

"Well..." Maered cast her eyes to her feet,

"Do it," Vaner said a little forcefully, "Do it so I can show my new wife. You will be the talk of the Vale. Please, darling."

"Fine!" Maered said, "I'll go meet Jien."

...

Jien knew something was amiss, she always did, but when she put on her powder before the big performance, her nerves were too tightly bound to register the faint smell, or the small smudge along the edge of her tin.

When Maered came into the dressing room, smiling like a child, Jien shared her powder, and they found a costume for her, fitting almost perfectly the missing girl. Jien was pleased. She knew that Vaner would be watching, and he would know that the plan was a go. Some other girls came around when the curtain was about to lift and borrowed some powder, or some pins for their hair, but Jien barely registered their presence, more focused on Maered and the Cause.

...

The curtain opened, the dancers began, and Jien fell to her knees. A moment later Maered joined her. Then another girl. Then another. Vaner ran. Cadvan went after him.

Cadvan managed to corner Vaner in the dark, disused section of the School, and, backed against the wall, Vaner brandished his weapon, an evil grin on his face.

"Enjoying the game?" he asked.

"This is no game," Cadvan replied coldly, "Turn yourself in, Vaner. No one else will be harmed."

"Oh, but so many people have already," Vaner's eyes glinted in the dark, "Nice touch with the poison. Maered died tonight, you know."

Cadvan rallied his wits, and moved closer to the young man.

"You aren't going to kill me," Vaner smirked, all the mirth gone from his eyes, "It won't be that way. I am going to take this knife and shove it into your cheating, lying heart." He lunged at Cadvan, and Cadvan blocked him with his arm, leaving a long gash.

Cadvan parried Vaner, and the two bards were suddenly locked in a contest of physical might rather than mental wit. Vaner seemed to register this, and his movements became more calculated, more determined. Vaner leapt at Cadvan, and Cadvan, in a well timed move, disarmed Vaner and used his free hand to shove his blade hard between the boys ribs. Vaner let out a little hiss of pain, and Cadvan let him sink to the ground. With his foot on Vaner's chest, Cadvan pulled the knife from his victim, and looked down at him with what closely resembled pity.

"This was all a dream," Cadvan murmured, "you will never win." He turned to leave, and was halfway down the hall when he heard the chocked voice of Vaner.

"I just have. You killed her Cadvan."

...

Cadvan sprinted to the square, to the stage where Maered lay, ashen faced and silent, the pallor of life bleeding from her skin. He took her in his arms, and, with a cry of desperation, wiped her face clean of the poison, using his sleeve to rid her of the worst. Her pulse was faint when he tried to lift her face to his, and her head lolled to the side when he called her name.

She was alive, but it was her barding that would save her now. He could not.

"Maered," he sobbed, "Please come back. Use your healing. You can do it." Nothing happened, and Cadvan saw her face becoming impossibly paler. "Maered!" he shouted, hands tightening around her, "Maered, listen! Come back, use your barding. Come back!" His angry tears, so similar to the ones he had shed for Ceredin fell to the stage, his heart breaking. It was happening again, and like the first time he was powerless to stop it. He felt Maered's pulse begin to slow, and with his healing, attempted in vain to help her. Her pulse picked up for a moment, then crashed until there was no trace of life left.

He had killed her. He squeezed his eyes shut against the night, and heard noises around him, signalling others who came to help, but no one touched him, and he was grateful, sure that he could not move.

People cried; people screamed, and he was still. He stayed there, holding her and crying, the tears crashing like waves. No, please come back, he thought. For the Light's sake, Maered, come back!

He thought it was over, that there was no hope, when he felt a hand on his cheek. Startled, he looked down and Maered smiled up at him, her face pained but sweet.

"You brought me back," she whispered. "I will be alright now."

Cadvan kissed her and buried his face in her hair.

AN: so I'm calling it quit-sies on this now, I think that will do. If anyone wants more, just review, and I can fill you in or write a follow up. Nothing before New Year's though (If we survive... hehe)

R&R as always, goodnight :)