Jessi: I'm back! At last! Sorry, sorry, sorry to all those out there who have been waiting for this chapter. My computer died and the delivery of my shiny new computer was delayed by three weeks. So please, don't come after me with rusty knives, go after the suppliers instead!

I'm very glad that I can type again. When I can't I tend to buy more manga, anime and video games (than usual) to entertain myself. It's bad for my wallet and my sanity though it did cheer me up (except when I brought Fruits Basket and Fushigi Yugi – such sad happenings! Wah!)

So let's get back to the story then, written on my new computer Momo-chan.

Kerova tugged on the sash of his quilted robe, checking absently that it was still tight around his slim form. That done he pulled his fur cloak around him again, continuing to meander through the snowy palace gardens. These were not the gardens of his own home but those that surrounded the Heir's Palace, the home of his daughter… and Chel.

He stopped and hugged himself. They said that if it snowed twice in one year it was an omen of bad luck to come. Personally he couldn't see how his realm's luck could get any worse.

Chel, the Imperial Guardian, snatched away by a cloaked figure and, shortly after, his daughter vanishing too.

He glanced down at the white powder that blanketed the ground.

Vale loved the snow. He had many fond memories of watching her scamper across it, forcing her stoic guardian to play who'd relent with the tiniest of half-smiles on his face.

It was on a day like this, when the snow and ice lay thick on the ground that his parents had been found, the king and queen dead from exposure, frozen together hand-in-hand.

It was on a night like this, when the wind howled, heavy with snow that his queen, Isiarll, died bringing their daughter into the world.

Yes, Kerova hated the snow.

It took all those he loved and this time it had not even done him the courtesy of leaving him bodies to burn.

The elven king slumped slowly to his knees, his hands coming up to hide his face and the tears that fell freely from his eyes.

Cabl blinked away, dodging Tiamet's swipe. Smirking he brought both fists down onto the deity's half-healed wing, feeling the bones crunch underneath them. The many-headed one bellowed and scrambled a short distance away, injured wing held high above the ground.

The small mammal threw a lightning bolt at him. It brushed past his blood-stained arm as he swayed away from it. His mane crackled, the few hairs that were not weighed down with blood standing on end, up away from his skin.

He growled at her, aiming a lance of magical energy at her but was forced to change targets as the god charged towards him. Tiamet howled as the magic crackled across his flesh but continued to charge, much to Cabl's surprise. Instead of slashing out at him with his deadly claws as he'd done before, the Dragon Lord drove the monster to the ground, putting his full weight forward to crush his opponent.

Cabl looked up into Tiamet's central head which was just a hair's-breath from his own. The god's lips were pulled back from his scimitar-like teeth and animalistic snarls escaped him. Reason was steadily leaving the deity, all rational thought vanishing behind a crimson fog of rage.

Draconic deities – of all those who sat on their heavenly thrones – were the most hypocritical. Strip away the flowery words and the veneer of superiority and all that was left was a slavering beast. He smirked.

Vale gasped as a brilliant white light flared from the creature's hands and her deity was thrown back. He sailed through the air and landed with a bone-jarring crunch, his injured wing trapped between his body and the ground.

His opponent advanced quickly, hands raised to strike.

Vale began chanting, her own hands moving with desperate speed. Without even looking the blood-stained creature flung more magic at her. She threw herself to the ground. Though she avoided the attack she landed awkwardly and winded herself, losing the spell in the process.

She could only watch helplessly as Tiamet's opponent reached for him.

Tiamet growled in frustration.

He couldn't understand it.

Even if this creature could somehow absorb his magic and breath weapons he should have been able to finish it with physical attacks. He snarled again at the advancing monster as he dragged himself to an unsteady stance, his four legs seeming unable to support him. A deep sound came from the creature and Tiamet realised it was laughing! Mocking him!

He lunged forward, but his jaws merely closed on air again. That disdainful laughter became louder, seemingly echoing in the deity's ears, engulfing all other sounds until it was all he could hear.

A truly bestial howl escaped his throat and he turned to face his opponent, blood, mixed with spittle, running from his parted jaw. His eyes flashed dangerously as he began charging, all thought gone and instinct telling him to fight on, the scent of his child's blood thick in the air…

He halted suddenly, ears held up and twitching.

There! Working against that maddening laughter and steadily growing in strength…

It was music, but like nothing created by elf or human. The notes rose undulating through the air and were felt deep within the deity and cleric.

Cabl screeched, turning to face the pit, his hands already up and ready. Tiamet teleported quickly to Vale's side, all five heads fixed on the opening.

The music reached new and dizzying heights and silvery light spilt from the ragged hole. Something moved within the radiance and the young cleric gasped as it came fully into view.

It was a dragon – a female. Her scales were a mix of blue and silver and shimmered in the sunlight, giving her an ethereal quality. Her every feature was elegant from the two curving horns on her head to the long, whip-like tail. Her eyes were like orbs of quicksilver and glowed with power and light.

A strangled noise came from the deity at the princess' side and she tore her eyes from the beautiful creature to glance at him. All five of his heads were fixed on the blue-and-silver dragon and his jaws were slack with shock. Finally he spoke,

"K-Kerrie? Kereska?"