On board the ship Belana watched him sleep with a broad smile on her face. He was so much more at ease now, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Of course, at the beginning of the journey he had acted a bit snappish toward Zerkan, Tarla and Gyro, and she had been almost shocked when she had realized that he was feeling insecure. Roj Kell, insecure! A paradox. Now though, only a few hours short of reaching Coruscant, Belana just sat there on the edge of his bunk, tracing his face with her eyes hungrily. He was so beautiful when he was at peace. She shook her head slightly, still disbelieving. What he had sacrificed to be with her... She never would be able to make it up to him. But then, maybe that was not what he wanted at all. Maybe, Belana thought, maybe he truly accepted her the way she was. After all he expected everyone to accept his arrogant demeanor and cutting remarks too. He would not change for her, that she knew.
Sighing deeply Belana rose and brushed a hand over his closed eyes, smiling again. But then her features darkened abruptly. The Council would not be overly happy to have him back on Coruscant. On the contrary. Although Zerkan had tried to reassure her repeatedly, and even Kell had managed to soothe her for a time, Belana was far from calm. He was in control, he had told her. She didn't believe it. Turning away she left the cabin and made her way to the cockpit. Tarla and Gyro looked up when she entered, and Zerkan smiled at her.
"We will reach the capital in an hour or so. Is he still asleep?"
"Yes."
"What you told me is astounding. And you are certain that he has parted with the Force? I did not think that this was possible."
"Well, I guess there are a lot of things we do not know yet."
"About him?"
"That too."
"You know, Belana," he began and gently urged her to take a seat. "I have thought about this whole affair at length."
"And?"
"Well, he may have massive flaws, such as having the psyche of a mass murderer," Belana laughed at that, but Zerkan continued right over her, "but I believe that there is a lot you can learn from him. First though you will have to teach him a lesson. Or else he will not survive."
Nodding slowly Belana closed her eyes. "What about the Council?"
"Frankly, I do not know. It is up to him, I guess."
"By the Force! Zerkan! Leave matters to him and the Temple will turn into chaos."
"You know better than that."
"Yes. Unfortunately."
"Come on, Belana. What happened to that determined hunter who protected her prey when it was under attack from a rival stalker? You really impressed me with that. And I think he felt the same way."
She shook her head vehemently: "No way. He probably thought it strange and stupid."
"Not at all." The threesome turned around at the sound of that enchanting voice. Roj Kell leaned in the doorway in an easy posture, his pale eyes fixed solely on the dark-haired woman sitting in the co-pilot's chair. "I thought it intriguing."
"Really?"
"Yes." He walked over to her slowly, took her head in his hands and started massaging her temples gently. Belana relaxed immediately, letting herself fall into his touch gladly. "You were different. You trusted me, in a way, and you did not judge me at first glance."
"Actually I did," she replied in a low chuckle. "But I always keep an open mind."
"I know."
After the uneventful landing on Coruscant Tarla was barely able to keep up with the rest of the group as they strode from the landing platform to the Council Chamber. She was on edge, awfully so, and she could not understand how especially Roj Kell managed to stay so calm. The stares he attracted were mostly hostile, or else surprised, and the hushed whispers followed them all the way. Shortly before reaching the great double doors Belana stopped and reached out a hand toward the Sith walking at her side. He took it without hesitating and squeezed it tight. The couple shared a knowing glance.
"Try not to make a mess of it like the last time," she said, in reference to Kha Door's death. "It took us hours to clean up the chamber properly."
"I am so sorry," he replied sarcastically. "He wanted to kill me. That's not something I take lightly."
"Understandable."
Tarla's mouth twitched in annyoance. Somehow she found this banter disgusting. Here they were, standing in the Jedi Temple and those two were making fun of the events of three years back. The young woman had perceived those as a major catastrophe and she knew that she was not alone there either. Why had Kell decided to follow his beloved to certain death? Tarla was almost certain that he had something planned. Growling softly she strode past Belana to follow Zerkan and Gyro, who had already gone ahead. But a hand clamped around her left arm, stopping her in mid stride.
"Hey!" Kell's voice was too soft, too gentle.
Tarla whirled around with a scream and struck at the Sith Lord holding on to her with a power borne out of fear and anger. He stared at her, surprised, but let go. At his side Belana's dark eyes were wide with shock.
"Tarla!" she breathed just as guards came rushing over to see who had been the cause of this Dark Side outburst. Of course, to them there was just one possible suspect. Tarla almost smiled when she was pushed aside roughly and the soldiers seperated Belana from her lover.
But then the Jedi Master took her aside, a concerned expression on her face. "Don't do that again," she admonished her former student gently. "You are using your dark emotions against him. And despite what he is and was, this is the wrong approach."
"Master Jen, with all due respect. I cannot take you seriously in this matter." The older woman's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"No? I have spent three long years at his side. Don't you think that I know him better than you do?"
"Maybe in some ways-"
"Enough!" Belana hissed. "Stop this senseless rambling and recover your wits, girl! What has Zerkan been teaching you? Because I am sure that I myself never taught you such nonsense."
That stopped the young apprentice cold. "I am sorry, master," she replied, chastised and looked at her feet in embarrassment.
"Good. I know you are a caring woman, an adept fighter, but perhaps there are still some lessons you need to learn about reading others properly."
"My memories dictated my actions."
"Those memories should have reminded you of the price of failure. Roj Kell is a Sith, no Jedi. But you have seen that he has changed. A bit, at least," she added with a smile.
"Yes, I guess."
Roj Kell kept a close watch over Belana as she was talking urgently to the girl Tarla, and he ignored the guards crowding him deliberately, trying to overhear the women's conversation. But then Zerkan bustled up to him, pushing through the soldiers nonchalantly.
"Lord Kell, I have checked with the Council. They will question first me and the young people, the Belana. You will come last."
"I see. So I get to explain my point when they are already prejudiced by your explanations?"
"Exactly."
"Good." He closed his eyes briefly.
"Are you allright?"
"No, but that doesn't matter."
Zerkan frowned at him and gave the guards a cursory glance: "You cannot sense them?"
"No. It is ... strange, this way."
"I understand, I think. Try to relax."
Kell smiled coldly and nodded. The Jedi Master surely did not remember what it had been like without the Force. But he could. And the remembrance was driving him mad. Yes, he could tell what they were thinking from their faces, the way they moved, but that was only guessing. Nothing reliable. And Belana ... It would take time to renew their bond. If she would have him at all. But when she turned her head to smile at him he could feel that warmth rise in his chest again, filling his heart to bursting. But first things first. To be with her he had to survive. And that was something he had done all his life.
When it was his turn to answer the Council's questions after an hourlong wait surrounded by guards, Roj Kell was anxious to get this over with. Belana managed to intercept him and place a reassuring kiss on his lips before he was hustled into the stately chamber though and it made him feel much better. He recognized most of the beings seated in a semicircle around the chamber and he nodded at the giant Ho'Din presiding over this illustre round.
"Master Jeldo," the Sith stated calmly in acknowledgement.
"Roj Kell. We meet again."
"Unfortunately."
The Ho'Din smiled thinly. "So defiant. Tell me, are you afraid?"
"Of you?"
"Of failure. Your kind usually is."
"My kind. I see." His eyes narrowing slightly he tried to read the Council members' intentions. But there was no way he could get past those shields. "No, I am not afraid of failure. But perhaps I am concerned about the future."
"Your future?"
"No, yours," he replied sarcastically. "Maybe you could cease this meaningless talk? I am sure that we have more important things to discuss than my emotional disposition."
"On the contrary. That is a very important topic. You know that there is still a death sentence hanging over your head. The fact that you came back here of your own free will does not change it in the least. And yet we are willing to give you a second chance."
"Really. You never gave me one in the first place. No," he shook his head. "I correct myself. It was I who did not give you a chance, but that is quite beside the point. Fact is, that you were blinded by your seeking to uncover information at any prize."
"You blame us for your senseless attacks?"
"They were not senseless. Not in the least. But maybe you should reevaluate your own motives. Mine are clear, I believe."
"Indeed, we do remember your actions most vividly. Do you deny that they were evil?"
Roj Kell shrugged: "I do not care, actually." Master Jeldo sighed.
"Listen, even though we understand that your actions did not primarily aim at hurting someone, you have to admit that they still did. You were aware of the consequences but they did not bother you. Maybe you can justify that, but we cannot."
"I am no Jedi, Master Jeldo. I am a Sith. I am Cor'dan. It is a question of morals, of ethics. That is what you are getting at, am I right?" The Council nodded. "I see. But the Force does not know these concepts. They were invented by sentient beings who were forced to live together in communities. There they are valid rules, necessary even, and I accept that. But they are not for me. I am not part of a community."
"Which does not give you the right to break those rules when you are, even if only for a time."
"Another one of those useful inventions. Rights. Strangely enough some people have more rights than others even in the same community. I find that they often try to justify that by claiming responsibility. Is that why the Jedi take the right to impose justice on everyone as they see fit? Because you feel responsible?"
"In essence yes. Apart from that we feel that we have to protect those who have less rights in their community."
"Interference into foreign affairs."
"You are very observant."
"That is why I survive. I know what you want to hear. But I do not regret my actions."
"A pity. Then tell me, Roj Kell, what should we do with you? There must have been a reason for you to come. You knew what was awaiting you here."
"Well, yes, there is a reason."
"Belana Jen. Do you love her?"
"Yes." He was slightly surprised at his own sincerity. But Master Jeldo simply nodded.
"That is very good. A progress on your way back to humanity, so to say. Recovering your true feelings is important for you to overcome the Dark Side. Master Jen has told us about your sacrifice, which is actually the whole reason for your still being alive. "
"I see. I welcome your willingness to help me, however I would like you to refrain from interfering with my life."
"It is entirely up to you, of course, whether to accept that assistance. But we have to ask one thing: as long as you stay here you must submit to the rules. Is that agreeable?"
Roj Kell balked at that. He would lose his freedom, that was for sure. But they would keep out of his affairs, at least that was what they had promised. And he would be close to Belana.
"It is."
"Thank you. That would be all for now, but maybe we can talk again later?"
"Of course."
"One last thing, Roj Kell. You said the Force does not know the concepts of good and evil. As far as I can tell you have abandoned the Force."
"So?"
"Maybe it is time for you to learn those concepts."
Gritting his teeth Roj Kell fixed the Jedi Master in an icy stare: "I know what you are trying to accomplish here. But you are mistaken. I will never be a Jedi."
"You misunderstand us, I believe," the Ho'Din answered calmly: "We do not want to change you. That is something you must do yourself."
"And you are not afraid of what might spark from that change?"
"Should we be?"
Kell smiled coldly: "I remember the way I was as a young man. But I have grown and I cannot go back. So you see, even I do not know where this path will take me. Perhaps it is I who should be afraid."
"You are courageous. You will manage."
"Master Jeldo, what about the Republic?"
"This is our affair. They will not be allowed to interfere. Besides, I do not see any sense in punishing you further for your crimes. You have forsaken the Force and somehow I believe that for you that sentence is worse than death."
"You truly are wise, Master Jeldo," the Sith replied after a moment of pained silence and bowed toward the Ho'Din respectfully. Straightening again though his pale eyes were pits of green ice. "Yet your vision is limited. Perhaps we can both learn from each other."
"I am looking forward to that."
Belana was smiling broadly when he came striding out of the chamber, his pale eyes flashing as if he dared anyone to provoke him now. She watched him come closer, that predatory gait of his all too cocky and all too arrogant. More than one of the Jedi assembled in the hallway looked at him crosswise. But the Jedi Master intercepted her charge quickly and caught him in a tight embrace.
"How did it go?"
"Not too bad."
"So?"
"I am allowed to live, for the time being. Ain't that gracious of your precious Council?"
Before she could reply a harsh voice interrupted her. The Wolfman growled angrily at the Sith, but Kell merely raised his eyebrows, clearly at a loss of what to make of this.
"What does he say?"
"He says that I had no right to bring you back here and that you have no right to live."
"Interesting. So they blame you?"
"Apparently so."
His eyes narrowed dangerously and Belana watched his right hand curl into a fist. For a moment she closed her eyes and heaved an exasperated sigh. Men. It was ridiculous sometimes. But he should know that he could never stand against the Jedi if he chose to attack them now. His face twitched with anger, but Belana lay a hand on his right shoulder in an effort to soothe him. When he spoke though his voice broke through the terse silence with mind-shattering force:
"The Force recognizes the different aspects of life. Maybe you should too."
The Wolfman howled an angry challenge: "You come here to teach us a lesson, Sith?" he hissed viciously in garbled Basic and came up to face the tall human. "How dare you! You are nothing, nothing in the eyes of the Force!"
Kell smiled sardonically: "Those eyes have seen more than you ever will. Maybe I should advise you to keep your temper in check. But on the other hand," flexing the fingers of his right hand he moved closer to the Wolfman unafraid, "perhaps I should show you just what you are missing."
"Kell!" Belana admonished him coolly. "This is neither the place nor the time. Come."
"Yes, take him away. Get him out of our sight."
She drew him along calmly, trying to ignore what she could sense from the other people crowding the hallway. But it was a vain effort. There was hatred and anger mixed with fear and sorrow aplenty. Belana wondered if Kell was really able to ignore that dark storm of emotions. And then she recalled what he had told her again. He would be ignorant of their feelings, completely so. For a second she even envied him. But then she hustled him into her room and frowned. He was shivering underneath her touch. Sitting him down on the bed Belana frowned when he lay back and stared up at the ceiling pensively.
"What's up?"
"Guess," he snapped.
"But you knew they would react that way. Don't tell me that this came unexpectedly."
"It is not that, but before the parting I could feed on those feelings, use them to my advantage. Now though I can only tell by their faces, by the look in their eyes. It hurts, Belana, it really hurts."
"You mean it hurts that they are gaining power over you?"
"Yes." His voice dropped to an eerie whisper: "When I was still part of the Force it was the other way round."
Belana wrapped her arms around his neck. "I see. But, my love, it is not so much you who concerns me here. Three years back you did the same on purpose and now it is involuntary, right? But the effects are still the same: you are sowing darkness in the hearts of the Jedi." She hesitated: "It is involuntary, is it not? You are not playing again?" Somehow the thought of his deceiving her like that made her shiver.
But his pale eyes were completely sincere when he looked at her: "Even if I did, Belana, I could only lose. Don't you see?"
"You did not answer my question."
"Allright then. It is not just a game this time. It is a lesson the Jedi have to learn. There is more to forgiveness than mere words. Am I right?"
"For someone who once claimed to not even know the meaning of the word compassion that was a pretty good try at explaining it."
"Compassion. What has that got to do with it?"
"Everything. I cannot believe you actually question that at all."
"Am I really that bad?" he asked and Belana smiled at him fondly. Tousling his thick hair she gave him a long look.
"Well, my love, you have that slightly menacing aura, you know?"
"Really? And that is why people don't trust me?"
"Maybe it is also because you like playing those psycho games."
"Don't think I will stop that just because the Council believes I should."
"Then perhaps you could try to be a bit less obvious."
"Obvious?"
"You are gloating."
"What?"
"That smile, you know? People hate a knowing smile like that. It makes them feel inferior. No," she put a hand on his mouth, "don't say it. I won't deny that you may be sly and knowledgeable, but you can't claim that you are superior." Taking her hand away she looked at him expectantly. He smiled. "That's exactly what I mean. You don't take me seriously."
"But I do. Honestly."
"Well, if you do, then tell me why you turned down the Council's offer."
"Of becoming an apprentice? Because I do not want their permission. All I need is yours."
"Could it be that this is just an excuse because you don't want to tell me that you are too old to learn?"
"One is never too old to learn." He seemed scandalized at her mere suggestion.
"Then maybe you should learn to live this new life. I know it will be hard on you, but I you will undoubtedly manage just fine."
"If you say so."
He was pacing the whole length of the room and he was getting on her nerves. Tarla, sitting in her chair as calmly as she could, growled at Gyro and shook her head. But then she jumped up suddenly and stopped him.
"I cannot believe this! He cannot stay here!"
"Who are you to judge him?" Gyro answered coolly. Oh yes, he was a true Jedi Knight.
"Come one, you can feel it too, right?"
He shook his head: "No, I do not know what you mean."
"Wha-?" Tarla gasped, then sank back into her chair. "I hate him," she declared heatedly.
"Tarla, Master Zerkan is very concerned for you. And I am too. Don't let him gain this sort of power over you. You must be strong."
"The only thing I hope for is that he will challenge the Temple again. And this time he can only lose."
"You really think so? Tarla, Tarla, he has defeated you already. The only one who can teach him that lesson is Master Jen."
"What lesson? Even if he were acting like a wholly innocent person our memory would still condemn him. Which is why he has to leave."
"I know. But we have to be compassionate. The Council has given him a chance to truly redeem himself. And Belana Jen will make certain that he takes it too."
She huffed an indignated sigh: "I would not be so sure. What if he is just playing with her? He has put her under a spell-"
"It is called 'love', Tarla."
"Oh, you!" she yelled, truly angry. But the look suddenly appearing in his eyes frightened her. He was at her side with a few long strides and grabbed her arm tightly. "What are you going to do?" she asked timidly. But Gyro did not answer. Pivoting on his heel he dragged her along and into the hallway. "Where are we going?"
"I believe that there is someone you need to talk to."
Her eyes widened in understanding. "No!" She started dragging her feet, but Gyro held her tightly. He did not even look around. "Please! Don't do this to me!"
Stopping in front of Belana Jen's apartment Gyro turned around and raised his eyebrows coolly: "It is time to face you fears, I believe." He raised his left hand and knocked at the door firmly. When there was no answer he opened it and peeked inside. A heart-beat later he withdrew again, his face beet-red. Tarla grinned at him openly, a nasty thought entering her head. "We will come by later," he managed to say and closed the door again.
"Face your fears," she whispered in his ear and turned away, laughing.
"Shut up."
Kell was smiling at Belana's sleeping form fondly and his left hand brushed along the soft curve of her flank to come to rest on her hip. She did not stir, so deep was her slumber. Roj Kell bent down to place a light kiss on her left shoulder. "Sleep tight," he whispered and rose carefully as to not wake her up. He had spent too much time cooped up in her quarters and he had had enough. Picking up his clothes he dressed quickly and stalked toward the door. As he reached for the door controls he smiled at the memory of Gyro's shocked face and shook his head. The young man was a model Jedi. But inexperienced in some ways, it would seem. He left the room quietly and nodded at the Jedi standing down the hallway. They were subtle, yes, but he could read the man's eyes well enough. A guard, no doubt. Walking down the corridor Kell let his mind drift ever so slightly. But not too far. It gave him some comfort to retain that sort of control over himself, even though it would not do him any good anyway.
"Lord Kell!" Turning around the Sith frowned at Master Jeldo. The Ho'Din came toward him with measured steps and inclined his huge head gravely. "If you please, I would talk to you."
"Of course."
Side by side they strode along the corridors and Roj Kell's fury deepened as he realized that the Jedi Master was seeking to protect him. Once they were inside the now empty Council Chamber he rounded on the giant alien angrily.
"Master Jeldo, I do not need a baby-sitter!"
"No? If I let you walk around here on your own it will be only a matter of time until something bad happens."
"Such as? You are all so afraid. It is ridiculous. You are scared of a single Sith who is completely at your mercy."
"You are too modest, Lord Kell."
"No, it is the truth. And that is why you fail. You let yourselves become distracted by magic and deceptions instead of remaining aloof. Belana Jen was this close to breaking me. This close. And you were so stupid as to relieve her of her command and set my own apprentice at her place. Foolish." He took a deep breath and started stalking the marble floor.
"You may be right," the Ho'Din conceded at last. "But we were afraid-"
"Fear is my ally, Master Jeldo," he hissed.
"Yes. Indeed."
Roj Kell gritted his teeth in an effort to get himself back under control: "Tell me, Jedi. Are you afraid of me now?"
"No."
"And why not?"
"You have forsaken the Force. I do not perceive you as a danger anymore."
"And yet you feel compelled to escort me through your precious temple."
The silence at his back told him that he had gotten the alien Jedi Master thinking. His ears picked up the soft rustle of cloth as Jeldo joined him at the window. Nodding slowly the Ho'Din heaved a deep sigh.
"Maybe I am still afraid. And perhaps I even have reason to feel that way."
A tiny gasp wrought itself from the Sith's lips. "I have to go," he whispered suddenly, his voice full of anguish. "I cannot stand being constrained like this. No."
"Giving up that easily?"
He growled softly: "Do not mock me this way."
"Apologies."
"Tell me, what would you have done if I had not parted with the Force?"
"Let me ask a question in return: what would have happened if we had broken that connection without your consent?"
"I would be dead now."
"Just as I suspected. Your sacrifice impressed me."
"Did it? Strange. I thought you would be glad."
"And I am that too. I cannot let you go. You understand, don't you?"
Turning his head Roj Kell gave him a cool look: "And what makes you think that you could possibly prevent me from leaving?
The Jedi Master spread his arms in surrender: "Please. Not again."
Waking up Belana found the spot at her side cold and empty. How could she have forgotten that he was such an early riser? If he slept at all. She swung her legs over the egde of the bed and stood up slowly. What time was it anyway? Too late, a tiny voice told her and suddenly her throat constricted in dread. Dressing hurriedly the Jedi Master left her quarters and went in search of her troublesome charge. She did not know what he was up to, but then she remembered her vision from Alderaan. Walking faster she started asking around for him. Noone could tell her anything. After a while she grew anxious. "Kell," she sighed, "where did you vanish to?"
"He left."
"What?" Turning around Belana's eyes found the Jedi standing not far away. The usually so calm Zerkan looked worried.
"Master Jeldo told me," he explained.
"That is strange. He did not wake me up."
"Ah, how polite. But he can take care of himself."
"You think so? He has a knack for finding trouble."
"Really. On this planet trouble will find him first. Besides, Master Jeldo has strictly forbidden him to leave the compound."
"And when did he ever stick to the rules?" she sighed. Zerkan came up to her and the urgency in his tone overwhelmed even her:
"Belana, I feel that you have to move quickly. He has to learn that lesson now."
"But how to teach him?"
"I do not know ..."
"Zerkan," she began hesitantly. "I have told noone before, but I had a vision back in Aldera."
When she had finished explaining it to him his frown deepened. "I see. My advice is to find him fast and keep him under tight guard."
"What?"
"Trust me," he begged and turned around to leave.
Belana shook her head, disbelieving. But maybe he was right. Kell was used to being on the move constantly and now he was acting defiantly aggressive, as if he were just waiting for someone to provoke him. He had to learn peace and that quickly. Whirling around she went into the opposite direction that Zerkan had taken, determined to find her errand lover before anyone else managed to lay hands on him.
Tarla had wrapped her arms around her torso tightly, trying to keep her anger from taking hold of her again. Currently she was striding down the broad alley that lead toward the main gate. Everyone else was busy in the practice yard and only few Jedi found the time to walk the beautiful park at their leisure. But Tarla had felt that she needed this solitude for a change. Gyro had let her go without protest, sensing her mood. And an awful mood it was. The young woman sighed deeply before she decided to walk over to the small pavillion perched on an artificial hill a bit further away. She remembered that it was always windy there and maybe the cool air would soothe her temper a bit. Unfortunately Roj Kell seemed to have had the same idea. He was scowling at her when she stepped inside the shadows to join him. But Tarla tried her best to ignore him. It was so unsettling that she could not sense him at all. Her only comfort was that he could neither. On the other hand it was elating, in a way, that she was more powerful than him now. Thus reassured she let her hands rest on the pavillion's thin railing and took a deep breath. But when his hands slipped around her waist she gasped in surprise.
"Belana," was all she said. His low chuckle caressed the back of her neck.
"What about her?"
"Let go."
"Why should I?"
"What?"
He turned her around to face him. "Tarla, I know you do not like me in particular, but maybe you should learn to let the past go."
She stared at him and tried to break away. But he held her tightly. Tarla closed her eyes desperately. "What do you feel for Belana Jen? Do you really love her?"
"How can you doubt my sincerity?" he replied, prompting her to laugh at that and he continued with a wry smile. "I take that back. But I am serious about her. She has given me back part of myself, but I have lost more - " he stopped himself suddenly, his pale eyes focusing into the distance. "Too much."
"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning slightly.
"Nothing."
"Please take your hands away," Tarla sighed and wriggled out of his grasp. He let her go instantly. The young woman frowned. What had he been trying to accomplish by that anyway? Gods, he was playing again. Biting her lower lip hard she was waiting for the inevitable snide comment.
"You were worried about Belana? Do you think I cannot be faithful to her?"
"I am not sure."
"You care for her deeply, I believe."
"Yes. She is my friend."
"I envy you for the trust she shows you."
"Then maybe you should have treated her better," she snapped.
"She loves me."
His tone was one of utter astonishment. What was it with him? It was as if he could not quite believe his luck yet. And then she got it. "If you leave now you will break her heart."
"I cannot stay."
Tarla shook her head wildly, sending her black curls flying. Propping her hands on her hips she faced him down unafraid: "I just know that I will regret this, but Gyro said that I should face my fears. Will you let me help you?"
"What is your plan?"
TBC