Long Way Home

Chapter 28 – Au Revoir – Part II

Such partings break the heart they fondly hope to heal.*


Tristan burst through the Roenall's front door, followed by Jaheria and Keldorn and headed straight for Nalia, quickly disarming the Amazon as Lady Roenall flew up the stairs with a shriek and disappeared into a distant room, the door slamming behind her.

At their entrance, Isaea fell back, screaming for his guards to attack them. Those who had been with him at the start of the fight moved forward but the new group didn't move. Isaea's face flushed with anger/ "What's the matter with you! Kill them!"

Aidan stepped forward, "I'm afraid, dear sir, that this little farce is about to end. Given your propensity to ignore the ah…lower classes, you failed to notice the identity of your guards. These gentlemen are my men, not yours."

Isaea shot another look at the new guards, a stunned look on his face and then, screaming angrily, he sprang forward, his sword aimed at Aidan's face. One of Aidan's swords leapt to block the blow while the other swept forward to bury itself in Isaea's shoulder. As Isaea fell to the ground Tristan stepped between the men.

"Enough!" she said. "I cannot allow you to kill him, Ha - Aidan, no matter how much you might like it." She turned to Jaheria, "I hate to ask it, but please heal him. I have plans which require him to be whole."

Jaheira, who had been applying her arts to the wounds of Aidan's original two companions, came and looked at Isaea before motioning to two of Aidan's guard who came over to disarm him and help her carry him to the couch.

Nalia watched from a distance as Jaheira performed her healing ritual, waiting until the druid stepped back before coming forward. As she approached, Isaea struggled to his feet to face her. She looked at him disdainfully for a moment and then said sweetly, "How thoughtful of you to want to rise in the presence of a lady. But you're hurt! Do let me help you sit back down." With that, she drew back her foot and kicked him squarely in the crotch. With a strangled yelp, he collapsed onto the divan once again and lay there holding his injured parts and moaning in pain. Jaheira rolled her eyes, giving Nalia an exasperated look. Nalia ignored the obvious reproach and smiled sweetly again, this time at both nurse and patient before turning to look around the room. Spotting Jen near the fountain, she waved and called out, "Jen! It's safe to come back now!"

Jen stepped out from behind the fountain and headed toward the group assembled near the couch. Her feeling of triumph at the party's success made her less cautious of her surroundings than she should have been and she didn't think to check for the whereabouts of Lord Roenall. He seemed to have escaped the notice of the rest of the group as well and she was taken completely by surprise when he appeared suddenly in front of her, his left hand reaching out to grasp her shoulder. "Not so fast my dear. I believe you have something that belongs to me." As he spoke, she felt a sharp pricking just under her ribs.

She looked up at him in surprise as the jab became more sharply painful and she realized he was holding a weapon against her side. He pressed it into her, the knife piercing the thin cloth of her tunic and cutting into her flesh, causing a trickle of blood to run down her side. He looked down at her, a pleasantly treacherous smile floating on his lips. "Careful, sweetheart. For all that I don't look like a fighter, I do know how to use this. And believe me, I will if you don't do as I say." She nodded, her eyes wide with fear.

"Now," he went on, "slowly take the document out of your shirt and give it to me. Then you'll walk to the door with me. Once I'm gone, you can go to your friends. Don't try to run away." He unconsciously echoed Aidan's earlier words, "No tricks or you'll regret it."

Jen reached under her shirt, slowly withdrawing the leather case containing the precious document. She started to hand it to him jumping away as he released her to take it. With a look of annoyance, he reached out and grabbed her by the arm. "No tricks!" he hissed. "Pick it up!" She felt the stiletto pricking her side and bent down carefully to comply with his command, holding the case carefully in front of her. Her heart pounded against her ribs in a combination of anger and fear as she obediently shielded his walk towards the home's front door. As they drew near it, he suddenly shoved the stiletto smoothly into her side. It grated a little as it struck bone before sliding smoothly between her ribs and stopped with the hilt resting against her skin. She fell to the floor, paralyzed with pain, helpless as he bent to snatch the document out of her limp hands and pull the knife out of her side, laughing triumphantly.

His mirth vanished suddenly as strong hands grasped him, tossing him against the wall of the foyer with a loud thud. Jen watched in bemusement as Lord Roenall slid to the ground, Aidan D'Asturias standing over him, his face twisted in rage. Lord Roenall struggled to his feet raising the stiletto defensively against his attacker only to have it knocked contemptuously out of his hand.

"You!" he rasped at Aidan, "What do you want?"

Aidan's face was calm although his eyes were alight with fury. He reached forward to pin Lord Roenall against the wall, holding him by the throat. His voice was tight with anger when he spoke. "I want a great deal. Understand me well, sir. There will be a reckoning for this and you will pay for what you've done. Not now and perhaps not even today. But it will happen. Don't think to hide from me for there is nowhere you can go that I won't find you."

Lord Roenall nodded weakly, trying to breathe. Aidan glared at him a moment longer, shaking him like a dog with a rat. "Give me the document!" Gasping for air, Lord Roenall obeyed, opening his hand slowly to allow the case to fall to the floor beside him. Aidan smiled contemptuously before shoving him into the arms of the guards coming towards them. "Take him to the others!" he commanded, waiting until the guards took charge of Lord Roenall before falling to his knees on the floor beside Jen.

She looked up at him, confusion in her eyes. "Haery?"

In answer, he removed the Hat of Disguise, looking at her with an expression of concern, "How badly are you hurt, my love?"

She put a hand against her side and removed it, looking curiously at the small splotch of blood staining her palm. Her hand seemed rather far away and she squinted, trying to see it clearly. There seemed to be less blood than she had expected, given the throbbing in her chest. Maybe it just feels worse than it really is. "I don't know," she replied in a shaky voice. "Maybe if I stand up.…"

"I don't think that's wise. Stay here and I'll get Jaheira."

"No. It hurts but I should be fine. There's not much blood. I want to get up." She struggled to rise and he put out a hand to restrain her.

"Wait. If you must get up, I'll help you." With that, he picked up the document and stiletto, thrusting them into his belt, and then reached out for her. The sudden change in position dizzied her and she clung to him for balance, holding onto his arm to take a couple of tottery steps forward as a wave of pain crashed over her, the fire in her chest becoming unbearable. Standing up was a mistake.

"You must sit down. You're badly hurt!" he exclaimed.

She shook her head stubbornly and took a few more cautious steps forward. Spots appeared in front of her eyes and the floor tilted. I can't breathe. Her legs shook and she thought, Haery's right. Must sit down. As she started to bend her knees, a loud buzzing noise filled in her ears and with a small sigh she slid forward. Haer'Dalis caught her as she fell, easing her to the floor and shouting frantically for Jaheira.

Within seconds, the druid knelt by Jen's side, her fingers gently probing the wound. "What did this?" she asked and Haer'Dalis grimly held up the stiletto. "Silvanus' Mallet!" she swore, "I hate those things! From the looks of it, the blade traveled upwards. It may have pierced something vital."

"Can you heal her?" asked Nalia in a small voice. She had come running across the room upon hearing Haer'Dalis' shout and was now standing by Jen's feet, her eyes wide with worry.

Jaheira shook her head. "I used all my memorized spells on Isaea and on Haer'Dalis's friends. But, I've got a couple of healing potions left. Perhaps I can persuade her to drink them." She opened a bottle of the potion. Holding her finger over the pointed end, she poured a few drops into the tube, removing her finger as she slipped it into Jen's mouth. Jen swallowed reflexively and Jaheira smiled. "That's a good sign." She tilted the bottle against Jen's lips but this time, instead of swallowing, Jen began to choke. Jaheria whipped away the cylinder and turned Jen onto her side, patting her gently on the back as liquid dribbled out of her mouth, waiting for a minute before trying again.

Finally, after a few more swallows, Jen's eyes fluttered and opened.

"Stay back! Let her breathe!" commanded Jaheira as the others began to crowd in, babbling their relief. "Stay still," she said to Jen. "You need to drink the rest of this. Can you do it?"

Jen blinked at her, gasping. The pain in her chest was unbearable and her heart seemed to be thumping erratically. She tried to take the flask, but her hands wouldn't obey her mental order to move.

Jaheira leaned forward, placing the potion bottle against her lips again. "Please swallow, Jen," she urged gently. Jen obediently tried to follow her directions but only succeeded in choking once again.

"This can't continue," muttered Tristan, looking around the room. Spotting Yoshimo, standing with the others surrounding Isaea and his father she went over to him asking, "Can you send someone to the Temple of the Radiant Heart and fetch Anomen? Hurry! The temple's not far. Jen needs a priest; she doesn't seem able to swallow the potions."

"I'll go, my friend. Don't worry, I'll bring him back shortly," Yoshimo replied and within seconds had disappeared through the front door.

Tristan returned to Jen and joined the group kneeling beside her. "I've sent for Anomen. He should be able to heal you."

Haer'Dalis slid her across his lap, gently holding her against him. "Anomen's coming, my Kestrel. He'll be able to heal you. It won't be long."

Jen did not respond. She could no longer see Haer'Dalis or hear the voices of any of those present. Looking around she saw nothing but darkness. Then a flash of light caught her eye and she looked up to see Ronnie standing nearby. "Ronnie," she said wonderingly, "What are you doing here?"

"I told you'd I'd come back when you were ready little sister. I've been waiting for you. Are you ready to go now?" He stood in a halo of light, holding out his hand.

At that moment, she felt Haer'Dalis's arms tightened. The light faded for a moment and she found herself caught between two worlds; unable to speak. She peered at the nimbus until finally she was able to distinguish Ronnie again and mutely shook her head at him.

Ronnie looked back at her, his eyes warm with sympathy. "I know. You want to stay." He came towards her and touched her face. Warmth flooded through her, releasing her from her speechless state.

"Please," she whispered, "I want to go back."

"Just for a minute, but that's all," Ronnie said, his expression one of empathy and understanding. Then placing a hand on either side of her face, he bent over, kissing her on the brow.

The darkness receded and she looked up to see Haer'Dalis's worried face hovering above her own. She whispered to him, "Haery! It's my brother, Ronnie. He's come back for me! But I don't want to go. Not yet."

"Then don't go Jen. Please, my love, don't go." He raised her hands to his lips, kissing them. His mouth felt hot against her skin. I feel so cold.

Behind him Ronnie beckoned to her, "C'mon little sister. Let's go. Your friends can't help you now."

She smiled up at Haer'Dalis, crying out as he faded from her sight and then Ronnie reached out to take her hand. "You'll be fine. Just come with me." As she stepped into the pool of light, she began to feel warm again and hugged her brother gratefully saying, "Alright Ronnie. I'm here." She looked back, still trying to see Haer'Dalis, but Ronnie tugged her forward, "Don't look. There's nothing you can do now." And so, with a sigh of regret, she turned and resolutely followed her brother as he walked away.


Haer'Dalis felt Jen go limp in his arms. He bent over her for a moment, the rings in his ear jangling softly as he placed it to next to her lips, listening carefully and then touched the vein in her neck. Nothing. "Jen," he said softly, "Jen!" Still nothing. Then a gloved hand touched his shoulder and he looked up to see Tristan looking down at him. Her eyes were soft and full of unspoken sympathy and he froze, a feeling of emptiness washing over him as he sat, silent and unmoving. He noted the numb feeling abstractedly and almost wonderingly. 'Tis not how endings usually feel.

"Haer'Dalis," he heard Tristan say, "Oh, Haery!"

He looked up then and saw the others standing around him in shocked silence. "She's gone," he said simply.


*Endnotes:

1. Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, George Gordon Noel Byron, (1788-1824)