AN: yes, I still exist and forgive me for the momentous amount of time between postings. Hopefully, new endeavors will be more up to snuff for some of my deserved critics. And If anatomy doesn't beat the snot out of me during the next few weeks maybe I can post on a slightly more regular basis

No matter how much Tristan wanted to make it to his quarters for a few hours of blessed sleep and put off informing Alberich of both the girl and his own disregard of orders, it was not to be. As Tristan opened the door to his private quarters, he was immediately confronted with what he dreaded more than early mornings: Alberich.

"Kantor, interesting tales does tell. Think, I do, that you something must say," the older man's legendary granite face was in place. Tristan could read nothing in his eyes, but nothing could disguise the small ember of anger that radiated off of Alberich.

: Lyra, remind me to put a bridle and bit on your gossiping horsy mouth. Couldn't you have waited until I had gotten at least a candle mark of sleep?

: Sorry, chosen you can't lay this one at my door. I was going to guilt you into the truth later, after you got your blessed candle mark of sleep and were far more agreeable. No, Alberich doesn't know about last night from me.

"Well, you might put it that way," Tristan paused not quite certain on how to begin what he knew was a larger tale than what Alberich was expecting.

: Kantor's being mum dear, but I don't think you should sugar coat it. Kantor definitely isn't happy.

That wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear. Tristan fidgeted with his dirty clothing and the moment of silence stretched on.

"Beginnings are places good to start. As when you, to slavers, introduced yourself as one of them. As when you, not your duty did. Think, I do, you have much to say" Alberich stood up from the small wooden chair he had been sitting at.

"You not were chosen for this mission to foolish be. Much is at stake, we must try to these evil men bring down. Think, I do, that you do understand not the cost of failure. You were supposed to trail these men and find the head trader, not play a different part. At very least, talk to me, you should have done. Brave you are, but stupid. Now, tell me what actions you have made beyond that I know you act as one of them," he crossed his arms and glared expectantly at Tristan.

: Lyra, I think maybe we shouldn't have taken the Haven's into our own hands.

: Tristan, sorry love, but I'm getting my own scolding now by both Kantor and Rolan. Maybe you could handle your own by yourself for a little bit?

"Well, it started about three weeks ago when one of the men I suspected began talking to me at a pub in Catchman's Row and offered me a few weeks work. It was mostly looking at buildings and doing errands with his money until he began to trust me. Last night he offered me the chance to help him move some cargo. I never thought that he would bring me into the circle that quickly but….

(a few candle marks pass)

By the time that Tristan had finished his tale Alberich looked more like a granite stature than a living being.

"When, it was, were you going to tell me of these matters? True, gone have I been at the borders, but news should have been given, Far mind speaker that you are. Foolish you have been, and now these men of Herald's interest know. Lucky, are you, that disguise was worn for your face, but white horses not so easily are forgotten."

Tristan's breath constricted hopefully.

"Does that mean you'll let me continue working in this?"

"This, I did not say," Alberich paused, "but yes, if wisdom you have gained in this you may. You must to me come every night or message to me send. Now, though I have for you, a new mission. This woman, if you again see her, find her reason. Good it is not for one as her to fight alone. Justice often then is not truly served and information we will not gain. But do not make this mistake again. You, too new, at this game are, though now are our best suited player".

"Thank you, Alberich for letting me continue to be a part of this. After these past weeks I feel like I must be part of it".

"This I also know, and true it is. Though the how I am not sure. But foolishness again will remove you from it. Now go, Kantor, to me, says Lyra is too done with her reproaching. Perhaps the two of you together should repair?"

Tristan's amber eyes lit up, glad that Alberich was finally done with him.

: Lyra, how about we go out to that shaded tree at the end of Companion's Field to escape any more questions and get a blessed moment of rest before any more instruction goes on.

: Chosen, thank the gods you're finally speaking good sense.

( Rior's Holding)

Lana dragged herself out of the small bed that she had huddled in for the better part of the day. Sleep had not come easy. Her body felt sore and tense in a way that never comes from physical endeavors. Though Lana often doubted whether or not she had a heart or a soul, this morning she was forced to admit to at least a minor portion of both: for she was soul weary and heart sick. The question that had presented itself the night before had not been answered.

Lana did not yet know what she had become. Nor was she ready to face the demons of her life.

Sitting on the hay filled bed she turned to the small stream of sunlight coming in through the single window of the room. It was almost sunset and time enough for her self pitying to be through. It was time enough for a recalculation of her plans to take shape.

Last night she had made an error. Not a fatal one, thank the Haven's, but she should not have interfered. Lana knew, she should have let the transaction take place as planned, or not as planned given the presence of the white puppy. But she couldn't allow any child be forced into Tallmont's concocted hell in her presence. She had to accept that that part of her humanity was not yet gone. It was not an easy acceptance as it made destroying her father slightly more difficult.

Waiting for Lord Tallmont to be present at a transaction would never work, she would stop each one she was at, and thus ensuring the coward would never be present. Instead, she would have to offer herself to him. Or rather she would offer the protection of the Night against the Heralds.

Yes, it would taint her by having to associate with the man, but ultimately it was a sounder plan. One, in retrospect she should have come up with as soon as the Night's fame ran through the shadier parts of Valdemar. But at that time, Lana still believed in a chance for her own redemption and wasn't as willing to truly contemplate her own death for the hope of justice.

Now, however, she had seen an image of what she really was reflected in the eyes of that Herald. There wasn't hope of a far off redemption for her. All she could do was finish her quest for justice and end Lord Tallmont's child slaver circle. Hopefully, that would be enough for the Shadow lover to treat her more kindly than she deserved. As the last rays of the sun cascaded across her small room she allowed herself to surrender hopes, dreams, and longings that had been held within tight corner of her mind that she allowed to be merely Alicealana, daughter of Narina, sister to Marlyne. In that moment of hopelessness she allowed the shields of her troubled lifetime to slip for just a single moment.

In companions field, one resting soul felt the anguish of a time hardened spirit and the pull that he had waited his whole lifetime to feel but not truly expected.