A/N- So we left 'Flame with the mage, Firesong trying to keep magical tabs on his sister, Starfall acting like a father to our beloved heroine.

Kyrette- :You are all still enjoying this now that its picked up a bit, aren't you?:

Cat-*bending down to scratch her depressed muse* It seems Jelana (who is still AWOL) has broken 100 reviews on I'm WHERE? So Kyrette's a bit down about it. We need about 36 reviews to do it on this one. *hint hint*

Chapter 22- Asking For Help

The sinister smile that crossed Smoke's face caused the mage to shiver in apprehension. Whoever caused her to smile that way, he hoped they had a head start. The mage was beginning to wonder if she was entirely sane. Of course, it was not necessary that she was. She would just bear a bit more watching. He looked over at his bodyguard, who was watching Smoke, speculatively. 'Hmmm. I wonder if I can use that?' he thought.

It didn't bother him to use anyone and anything necessary to ensure his plans went through. He had to have a node. If he'd had anyone else with him, any other mages actually, he would have been tempted to try to capture a Heartstone. Just thinking of having that power at his command gave him chills. These, however, were chills of anticipation.

The thought of having that much power at his command was enough to make all his years of sacrifice worthwhile. Oh yes, with that much power at his command, he could have what he wanted. Anything, he wanted. He fell asleep, a smile crossing his face at the thought of finally having what he deserved.

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Smoke watched the mage fall asleep. She could feel the bodyguard's eyes still on her. It discomfited her a bit, to have him watching her so closely. She deadened her own features, as she had learned to do, making sure her eyes were flat. Looking up through her hair, she saw him flinch as her eyes rested on him. His face paled and he rolled into his blanket.

Once he was asleep, she let herself relax for only a moment. Ayren fluttered into their clearing, alighting in the tree right above her. He had agreed to keep an eye on her two traveling companions while she Worked. 'Flame stood, stretching herself out. Reaching up, she scratched Ayren quickly before heading to where the horses and Darkfire were picketed.

He was waiting for her and immediately lay down, so that she could use him as a back rest. She smiled and removed her sword, leaving it ready at hand. If it was needed though, she would have to kill both men, without ever finding out the true plan.

She sat so that her back was against her friend. Her senses opened, feeling out the local ley-lines. She found one. That one was tied in to the magical defenses that the mage had set up. She quickly backed away from it, leaving no trace of herself behind.

The next tapped was clear of anything from the mage. She nudged the energy a bit, waiting to see just how sensitive he was to it. She nudged it again. :Nothing. He's still sleeping bond-mate.: Ayren's report relaxed her a bit, but she held on to her caution, fearful of what could happen.

She let the ley-line lie for now, thinking for a moment. She knew basically where they were. Unlike the mage, she had no need of any map to the Vales. She only needed to tap a ley-line softly and Feel where it lead. More often than not, they led back to Heartstones.

One thing 'Flame had always had was a head for maps. It was both a curse and a blessing. She had no need of a piece of parchment to tell her where the Vales were.

So, with that reasoning, she checked her mental maps. If they were truly where she thought they were, then…. 'Hmmm. Would it be k'Varis, k'Jeia or, k'Verei?' she wondered to herself. She touched the ley-line again, gently, listening for any warning from Ayren. Nudging it a little, she felt a faint response somewhere down it.

Gathering her courage, she nudged it again, hoping for a stronger response. :Who?…. Do I know you?: The faint response encouraged her.

Before she sent her reply, she touched Ayren's mind again. :He's still sleeping as near as I can tell. I'd hurry if I were you, though.:

'Flame acknowledged the warning and quickly set tight shields about herself, just in case the mage did wake. Tapping the ley-line one last time, she quickly found the presence she had touched before.

:Who are you to try to tap this power?: The mage demanded of her.

'Flame however, didn't have time for this. :Hush, and listen to me. I don't have a lot of time. My name is Shadowflame k'Treva, sister to Adept Firesong. There is a mage headed into the Pelagirs, looking for a Tayledras to capture. We cannot allow this to happen.: She sighed, feeling the others reluctance. :I have a plan. I need you to send me a scout. Ayren, my bondeagle, will guide them. You must trust me. Contact Firesong in Haven, if you must. This is k'Varis?: She barely waited for his affirmative before continuing. :We will be there in a week. Be ready.: Quickly she broke her contact and withdrew from the ley-line, dropping all her shields. Quickly, she cleansed herself and the ley-line of all "smell" of her Workings.

Standing with all the stealth and silence taught to Tayledras Scouts, she made it back to her blankets without waking the other two. Her only hope was that, whoever the mage had been, heeded her warning and had everything set for her.

Ayren took to the air, settling in a tree away from them, so as not to be seen. :Will they do it?: He asked, settling himself for the night.

'Flame sighed and thought. She sure as hells hoped they would. If they contacted Firesong, would he help or interfere? A lot depended on her being able to trust people that she had not trusted almost all her life. If what Darkwind had found out was true, now was the time it would be tested. It would be tested to the hilt and beyond.

With those thoughts racing through her mind, 'Flame succumbed to sleep, troubled but necessary.

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:Adept Firesong?: The gentle mind brush woke him from the sound sleep he had finally fallen into. He sat up groggily, clumsily, waking the sleeping Silverfox at his side.

He waved his lover back down as he stood and dressed in a lose robe. Sitting in a chair, he looked out the westward facing window. :I am Adept Firesong. What is it?: He had felt the tentativeness of the touch and sought to reassure whoever it was at the other end.

:This may come across a bit odd, but I assure I have not woken you for nothing.: Firesong felt his mouth twitch a bit. The touch was a bit awed and definitely slightly afraid. :Earlier this evening, I was studying, when something or actually, someone, touched the ley-line I was using. At first, I wasn't sure they was there but then the presence returned. This person contacted me.: Quickly the person at the other end relayed what 'Flame had said in her message.

Firesong felt the smile stretching the scars on his face. Whatever she had planned, she wasn't too proud to ask for help now. He could now help her in a way that would actually help. :Trust Shadowflame. This mage is the one responsible for the harm done to her. Give her any and all help needed.: He went to break the link, but the equivalent of a throat clearing stopped him.

:I'm willing to help her but my teacher doesn't believe that she can be trusted.: He sounded decidedly uncomfortable. :I haven't been able to convince him.:

Firesong held in the feral growl that wanted to escape him, but only barely. He told the other that he would handle it and broke the link harshly. Grabbing a mask, not caring which it was, and strapping it on, he left his own bedroom for his father's.

A quick knock on the door, and Starfall was at the door, looking slightly rumpled but awake. In Starfall's room, with the door closed behind them, Firesong flung his mask across the room, not caring that it shattered against the far wall. Starfall said nothing, merely looked at his son worriedly.

"Do you know who the leader of k'Varis is? Or any of the Elders?" Having shattered his mask, Firesong was feeling his temper finally come under control. "'Flame contacted a student, probably preparing for his Master trial, tonight. The student told his teacher, who then refused to give her aid. Said she couldn't be trusted." He calmed his breathing, bringing his temper fully under his control. "If that's what she's had to deal with…." His voice trailed off. He couldn't bear to think of it. If she had met this elsewhere, no wonder she was convinced that she wasn't welcome in the Vales!

Starfall poured himself some water and sat his son down, pouring another glass for him. "Yes, I do know one of the Elders at k'Varis. I would not believe this of him, or that his wife would allow it. So we ask him for the help she needs. None other." Starfall looked very fierce at the moment. Firesong wondered how much was anger and how much was regret. Right now, it really didn't matter.

Firesong took the Elder's name from Starfall and opened his mind again. :Elder Snowblade?: Firesong could feel the man's sleepy and confused response. As much as he hated disturbing the man, he felt that if this wasn't handled tonight, it wouldn't be handled. He had let 'Flame down in so many ways before, he couldn't allow it to happen again.

:Elder, I won't take up much of your time.: Quickly, he explained what had happened and what 'Flame needed. To his relief, Snowblade was much more open to helping 'Flame than whoever the teacher had been. He also promised to find out who that was, and see to it that they were punished for it. By the time Firesong broke the link, everything was in place for her.

As a last note to the Elder, Firesong had added his own request. The smile in the Elder's thoughts had been apparent. He was more than willing to be a conspirator here.

When Firesong returned to his bed and a waiting Silverfox, he was much happier than when he'd left. So much so that he woke his lover and proceeded to show Silverfox just how happy he was. Silverfox was more than willing to share in it as well.

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Starfall stayed up, however, having "listened" in on the conversation. He was glad to have finally been able to help. Even in so small a way, and supplying a name was very small, helping her this tiny bit, started to ease his conscience. Not much, but just a tiny bit.

He stared out the window, to the west, where his love's daughter had gone. 'Flame's entire life he had punished all of them. His love, 'Flame, his son, and even himself had been punished by his hard-headedness.

He sighed and scratched his cooperi hawk's head. The bird accepted the gentle his gentle caresses, sleepily. Knowing he should be getting some sleep, Starfall turned away from the window and looked at the empty bed he had occupied. Now it seemed achingly empty.

He looked back out the window. The night was growing no lighter, showing no sign of dawn. Yet his aching heart and conscience would not allow him to rest.

"Adept Starfall?" The soft sounds of a hertasi voice came from behind him. He turned to look at the young male, who had adopted him when he'd arrived. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

Starfall smiled sadly, looking back out the window. What he wanted was time so foolishly wasted, back. Yet that was not something anyone could get him. "No, thank you." He said softly. The hertasi left without a sound. Now he was alone again with his regrets, remorse and memories.

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A/N- Poor Starfall! And just what does 'Flame have planned? I'll never tell!

So 36 reviews are needed… lets see if we can help Kyrette feel better shall we?

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