~ Chapter 27 ~
Elspeth slowly got to her knees. Darkwind did the same and checked to make certain Fyn had not suffered further harm.
The keep was gone. The stones had even melted.
"My Gods." Darkwind said and helped Fyn to her feet.
Fyn was ashen. "Keli!" She wailed and started to sobbed uncontrollably.
Caewen lurched to her feet and walked slowly towards them. :We have to help Kenyon and Gwena.:
Elspeth started at the strange voice but hurried to Gwena, ignoring the throbbing in her head.
Darkwind was much slower in helping Kenyon. Luckily the small stump had pierced mostly skin. It took some work but they managed to get the Companions on their feet. They made a splint for Gwena and bandaged Kenyon with Elspeth's tunic and straps from his saddle.
Satisfied they had done all they could Darkwind and Elspeth sank down next to the still sobbing Fyn and tried to comfort her.
"She said she would be my sister forever." Fyn sobbed.
"I know." Elspeth put her arm around Fyn's narrow shoulders. "And she still is."
Darkwind tried examine Fyn's arm. "It's broken." He said unnecessarily.
Fyn didn't care.
Caewen looked up at the slight rise where the keep had stood and walked slowly away.
~*~
Keli was surprised at the lack of pain. She was floating in the Light without a thought to trouble her.
Then the pain returned. Every nerve ending screamed.
:Tris?: She sent.
:I am alive.: He sent back. :But I wish I wasn't.:
:I know.: Keli fought through the pain and opened her eyes. :It worked.:
She saw the strange man again, this time looking away from her. Beyond him was a crater where the keep had stood.
Tris looked to see what had caught her attention. :Is that him?:
:Yes.:
Keli still couldn't read him but she didn't think on it. :We have to move.:
:I know.: Slowly they climbed to their feet.
The man turned and stared at them, he looked like he had just seen a ghost. He faded away like a wraith.
Keli couldn't tell if the vertigo was from trying to stand or if it was from the stranger.
She forced herself to put one foot in front of the other. Beside her Tris fought an equally difficult battle.
:Stay there, I'll be there to help in a moment.: Caewen's voice said in their minds.
Keli and Tris used each other for support until the Companion knelt beside them. Carefully Keli and Tris climbed onto her back. Keli wove her fingers in Caewen's mane and Tris wrapped his arms around her waist, careful of her side burned side.
They heard Fyn before seeing them. It was nearly dawn now and there was just enough light to see the shadows by the path and the two Companions standing on the path.
"Keli!" Fyn screamed upon seeing them.
Darkwind and Elspeth obvious thought it was grief until they say the pair of Heralds.
Keli managed to gather Fyn in her arms before she slipped out of consciousness again. Tristen, in no better shape, sat on the other side of Fyn and rested his head on the top of her head. "Its over." He whispered.
Fyn sniffed back the last tear and rested her cheek against Keli's chest. "I told him you would blow his head up." She whispered.
Darkwind prepared a fire to keep the exhausted trio warm as Elspeth and Gwena sent urgent word to the Healers to send help and word to Haven that the Blood Mage was well and truly dead.
~*~
Keli stirred slowly. She could feel Tris start to rouse beside her. She could also sense Fyn sitting next to them.
:Morning my Lady Love.: Tris greeted her.
:Good morning my heart.: Keli answered. "How are you Fyn?"
"You're awake!" Fyn exclaimed. There were soft footsteps then she called for someone.
Keli opened her eyes and recognized the green robes of a Healer approach.
"Is everyone else alright?" Tris asked.
The Healer sat on the stool next to them. "Everyone else is just fine." His soothing hands touched their bodies and removed the pain.
"Thank you." Keli said and laid her head on Tris' shoulder.
"I'll bring you some broth. You two have scared quite a few people." He warned. "And everyone wants answers."
"Where are we?" Tris asked.
"Haven." The Healer answered.
:Kenyon?: Keli called. :Are you alright?:
:Yes, I wasn't suffering from backlash and all the rest like you two.: He explained.
:I heard him!: Tris said in wonder.
:I know.: Kenyon answered. :Everyone is eager to hear how you pulled off surviving a Final Strike. Myself included.:
:Time delay.: Keli answered. :It wasn't a Final Strike.:
Selenay came in and sat next to the bed.
Keli opened her eyes and smiled. "Your majesty, I am afraid we are not at our best."
"Considering we thought you dead, you are looking wonderful." Selenay assured her. "How are you feeling?"
"Like we were hit by a truck." Keli said.
"Should I ask?" Selenay smiled at the strange reference only Keli and Kenyon understood.
"Really big and really fast." Keli explained succinctly.
Tris saw an image of a truck in her mind. :That is a good analogy.:
"Are you up to some more visitors?" Selenay asked. "Everyone is eager to know how you survived."
Keli was still exhausted and felt that Tris felt the same. "Perhaps later."
"I doubt we can keep our eyes open for long." Tris explained.
Selenay nodded in understanding. "I'll let Fyn back in then. She has been hovering ever since we brought you back two weeks ago."
Selenay left them alone.
Instead of Fyn returning it was Elspeth and Darkwind entered and closed the door.
:I guess we will have to explain at least some.: Keli said.
:You understand it more than I do.: Tris reminded her.
The other mages sat down beside the bed.
"How did you do it?" Elspeth demanded.
Darkwind smiled fondly. "Patience kechara."
"We didn't final strike." Keli said simply.
"What did you do?" It was Darkwind's turn to be impatient.
"I have firestarting." Keli explained. "I used it and magic to create a white hot firestorm and Tris used the same spell Hegrith used to take Fyn to get us out before I triggered the spell."
"That is the simple version." Tris warned.
Darkwind and Elspeth accepted the explanation and stood to leave.
"I am sorry about Solaris." Elspeth said.
"If it hadn't been for her we wouldn't have succeeded." Keli said mournfully. "She may have been a bit of a pest at times but she was a good friend."
"We are going to hold a memorial for her when you are back on your feet." Darkwind said from the doorway. "Most of us didn't even know she was here."
"That was what she wanted. She turned up whenever she wished." Keli remembered.
"She talked to Fyn a lot, begging her to sing." Tris reminisced.
"They need their rest." A Healer opened the door and bore down on the two mages.
"We were just leaving." Elspeth assured him and preceded Darkwind out the door.
"You two should get some sleep." The healer turned to the couple in the bed.
"We will." Tris assured him.
Fyn dodged around the healer and resumed her seat beside the bed.
The Healer sighed and shook his head. Obviously he had met with Fyn's stubborn attitude already but started to shoo her out.
"Let her stay." Keli ordered quietly.
The Healer gave in with a long suffering sigh and left.
"Get in Imp." Tris smiled and Fyn scrambled into the bed and rested her head on Tris' free shoulder.
When the Healer checked on them a few minutes later he found the entire family asleep.