A/N- Cat- So last chapter we found out who her father was. Now 'Flame has to tell everyone else about the big bad mage that's come to town.

So what will happen when Firesong finds out that 'Flame intends to go after that mage herself?

Kyrette-:Two chapters in two days. I'm exhausted! So R&R Please. I'm going to take a nap!:

Cat- *laughing* Poor thing! Go take a rest, you've earned it!

Quick Disclaimer- I own nuttin. Lackey owns all!

Chapter 17- 'Flame Tells

A little while later, everyone was gathered at the ekele wondering what was going on. 'Flame had stayed inside the ekele waiting for everyone. Once everyone had arrived, including Hydona the gryphon mage instructor, 'Flame came out of the ekele, Silverfox close behind.

She had a new purpose to her stride. A new set to her shoulders. She looked over the group. Kero was here as were Daren and Dirk. Both Talia and Selenay would be in Council now. But both would receive full reports from their husbands.

This crisis was hers to end. If even there was one. She didn't know what was going on just yet but her instincts all told her it couldn't be good.

:What's going on?: Firesong asked her worriedly. 'Flame just shook her head and didn't answer him. Once everyone noticed her and settled down she would begin.

It didn't take long. The first thing she did was read the letter from Darkwind and Elspeth. It answered so many questions for several people for her not to share it. Starfall kept his face carefully blank while she related the letter to them. Everyone was silent for a long time. Firesong was the first to break the silence. "Now we know." He said. 'Flame and Starfall only nodded, both still a little stunned by the news that had been between them for so long. It was anticlimactic for it to be over so easily.

"That is not the reason I brought all of you here though," she said much to everyone's surprise. That got everyone's attention. They all looked at her expectantly. 'Flame took a deep breath and prepared herself to tell them what Ayren had seen. He came winging in to settle in a tree overhead.

"Ayren was hunting outside of Haven and saw something to cause me to call you all here." 'Flame said evenly, proud her voice wasn't breaking and showing her real distress over this news. "Approaching the city were two men I thought had died. It appears I was wrong, however." She, unconsciously had begun pacing. "One of the mages and a bodyguard who are responsible for this," She grabbed a lock of her red hair. "They are coming into Haven now. What they intend here I have no idea but I thought everyone should know before anything happened." Now everyone sat up and knew why she had told them to come. "We have to find out what he's up to and quickly."

Hydona was the first to speak. "We musssssssst know what he intendsssss. Beforrrrre he doesssss anything. I know Trrrreyvan and I would be happy to ssssssscout overhead, if neccccesssssssary."

'Flame nodded pleased to have such a friend.

Daren, however, had a few questions first. "Won't all of the mages here be able to tell what he's up to?"

'Flame let Firesong answer since he was a higher ranking mage than she. "Possibly. If he draws on the Heartstone certainly. If he uses blood magic definitely. But what if he doesn't? What if all he's here for is to recruit others or to hire a bodyguard? He could come into Haven and not use magic at all. Then where would we be?"

When Firesong had said hire a bodyguard, 'Flame's mind had jumped to several possibilities. If he was just here to hire a bodyguard, they could use that to their advantage. She Sent a stray thought out to Alberich who hadn't been able to come. :Do you think that that is possible?: She asked once she had explained her thought.

:Possibly. If it is… What are you thinking?: He asked, sounding more wary than she'd ever heard him.

'Flame could feel a smug grin stretching her face. No one in the Vale was paying attention to her so she was safe. :That we can use it to our advantage.: She broke the link with that thought and came back to the present.

The others around her hadn't noticed her momentary departure. "We still must know what he is up to before we do anything," Daren was saying.

'Flame then broke in, knowing they had been going round and round and would keep doing so until someone stopped them. Since she had brought the problem to them, it was up to her. "Daren's right. We have to know what he's up to before we decide anything. And I don't think that having Hydona or Treyvan spying on him even from above would be a good idea." The gryphon moved to protest but 'Flame held up her hand. "We have Ayren, Darien's bondbird and… other resources we can use instead. You are a bit conspicuous." Hydona looked like she wanted to protest but held her peace knowing 'Flame was right.

"My suggestion is that we all just think on it for a time before we decide what to do." Everyone agreed, knowing she was right. There was nothing they could do yet. They didn't have enough information.

Everyone left to go think on what she had reported. Darian approached as the others left. "Kuari and I will be glad to help if we can." He offered, Keisha on his arm.

'Flame smiled and thanked him. For now, until it was decided what to do, the only thing that could be done was waiting. She hoped she had the patience left to do it.

Firesong took her off to speak with her in further detail about what was going on. Starfall took the letter from Silverfox and retreated to a place in the shade to read it for himself. Darian and Keisha went to find lunch for everyone. Silverfox looked towards the ekele but decided not to disturb the sibs. Starfall would need some time to himself. So he left the Vale to go for a walk, hoping to straighten out his own heart and mind.

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Much to his surprise he wasn't walking alone for very long. Aya had stayed behind with Ayren and the siblings. Darkfire, however, obviously felt the need for some company because he fell into step beside the kestra'chern. Silverfox barely acknowledged his presence.

"Several things are happening, Darkfire and, honestly, I'm not sure what to do with them." Darkfire only walked quietly at his side. "There is something about this mage that sets me on edge."

Darkfire nuzzled his shoulder and continued to keep him company as he worked out his problems to the silent stallion.

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Inside, 'Flame was changing her clothes to her traveling leather. Assuming she could get off Palace grounds without too much fuss, she had some odd idea to get some of her own information. Firesong was sitting on her bed watching her. "Where do you think you're going sister dear?" 'Flame just ignored him and continued to change. "You're fresh out of Healer's. You cannot expect me to let you walk out of here."

'Flame held in a sigh of frustration. She had known her brother would be difficult but she had hoped he would see her feelings on this. She had to go see what he was up to. For her own sanity she had to know. If she could just find out how he had survived and what he wanted now, her entire past could be put to rest and she could finally look to the future.

"Firesong, I have to do this." She said sitting down to pull on her boots. She stomped into them and began pulling on other parts of her outfit that caused her brother's eyes to widen. He hadn't known that she'd owned so many weapons, let alone carried them! 'Flame saw his face and smiled, secretly.

The one thing she had done upon arriving in Haven had been to seek out Alberich and have him teach her as much as he possibly could. She had been a superior student, soaking up every bit of knowledge that Alberich had thrown at her. He had deemed her one of his finest and it wasn't long before no one but the most advanced Guards were the only ones allowed to spar with her.

She continued until every weapon she thought she would need was secreted somewhere on her person. With a quick glance at her brother she went to leave the ekele. Firesong stepped in front of her. "Let others handle this, Shadowflame. You are not ready for this." 'Flame was ready to burn Firesong down with well chosen words until she saw the very real worry in his crystal eyes.

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A/N- AWWWWWWWWWW Poor Firesong!

And what will Starfall do? What will 'Flame do? She has a plan doesn't she?

Wait and see…..

Next chapter soon… maybe

Darkfyre- I hope I got the gryphon accent correct.

mysticmoods- Kyrette is in love with you. Send more scratches ok?

Etc- we are missing you…. Any reviews for us??

~!*Cat*!~