Okay… so, some things have happened. Some people recently submitted reviews which pointed out a few of my dumb mistakes… 'pologies, I didn't even think of things like that! So… if you have something to say, feel free to point out anything else dumb. Unfortunately, the stupidity will not be revised out, because a) I'm lazy and b) some things have to happen for the story to go on! Sorry, folks!

EDIT 12/16/04: I'm sorry, but there I can't finish this for a while. Personal issues as well as schoolwork have come up. Thank you for the comments, I'm not sure if I'll ever get to editing this story, but we'll see. Adieu for now.

-o-

Kurrem turned to look sharply at Cayri as she fell silent. :You didn't tell me the truth. I thought it was the Heralds who had done it to you. But it never had been.:

Her shoulders drooped and she looked away. "I know. I wanted revenge on those who ignored me. They deserved it." She noticed Josef's sharp look and amended. "Or so I thought at the time."

"So you've hated the Heralds... just for that?" Jaydn asked in amazement, though he was shocked into horror by Cayri's tale as well.

"Isn't that enough?" she shot back.

"But—but—" he stuttered, still trying to grasp. That was why she hated the Heralds? Because she had perceived some evil that never had really occurred?

:I came back to make amends to the wrongs I had done, Cayri,: Kurrem said. :It;'s time you started righting your own wrongs.:

Fury blazed again in Cayri's verdant eyes. "I will never become a Herald, Courem. I thought I had made that clear."

"But—" Jaydn started.

"But—" Kuviay began.

:But—: Kurrem echoed. :But you must, Cayri. It is not a choice given to thee.

"But since you know now that the Heralds were never at fault at that time—" Jaydn started to say.

There was fire in those emerald eyes as she spoke again. "You had better Choose someone else, Courem, or go back to where the dead belong—I know what I have to do, and none of it has time to be a Herald. Whether they're all they're cracked up to be or not." Kurrem's sapphire eyes were bright with shock. "I have a Hold to rule, Courem!" she went on. "I have to govern my people, the people you left behind! I have to command your guards and armsmen! I have children to raise, for the gods' sake! Children who never knew their father, and who could never survive to lose their mother as well! You selfish bastard, how can you make such a demand?" Tears again came to Cayri's eyes. There was a long pause.

"Go back to where the dead belong," she whispered. "Then things will be set aright." It was clear how much the words hurt her to say them, but there was also a steel-strong conviction in them. "Go back, Courem. Let the living continue in their own lives."

If equines had possessed the ability to weep, Kurrem would have; but he had been denied that comfort, and only hung his head. :I—I'm sorry, Cayri.: