Many months had passed since that night. Torrigan regretted losing his temper but still stubbornly believed he was right. Rogir had not shown any signs what so ever of Free Magic. Sure there was something darker and more sinister about him, but Sabriel came back changed after she had traveled did she not?

These thoughts always came to him lately, especially since he began to lie outside, late at night and gaze at the stars, while just letting his thoughts wander. At these times his mind would often drift towards Sabriel and when they last saw each other. There might have been a reason for Sabriel's warning… but Torrigan was determined to have proof before he went accusing Rogir of anything.

"Nagirrot!" Rogir's voice barged in, "wonderful news! Mother has decided it's about time you got outside the castle for a while. She has purposed that you join us on the annual 'Check on the Great Charter Stones' trip. Do not roll your eyes at me good sir," he said playfully as Torrigan groaned and rolled over, "Mother says you've been neglecting your duties as a member of the Royal Guard and it is about time you stopped moping over Sabriel."

Torrigan had never told his family the exact circumstances under which Sabriel left. They would never know about the fight they had about Rogir. To their knowledge, Sabriel had felt the immediate need to go and perform her Abhorsen duties and that was good enough for them.

"But going down to the Great Charters? I think I'd rather be put on early morning watch." Torrigan muttered.

"I am just the messenger of Mother's will."

"I know," Torrigan sighed resignedly, then smiled, "there is no talking Mother out of whatever she has her mind set on…stubborn old goat!" Laughing Rogir offered a hand to his brother and pulled Torrigan to his feet.

The next morning Torrigan's ceremonial armour glinted brilliantly in the early morning sun. He stood strictly at attention, his stormy grey eyes straight ahead; he was stationed just before the plank that connected the dock to the long, single-masted boat. As the Queen and her two daughters were lead down a lush scarlet carpet Rogir strode proudly a head of them. Before he boarded the boat he gave Torrigan a quick wink and a smile. A few of the ladies that had join the small assemblage of the Royal Guard sighed and giggled as Rogir flashed them a quick smile and blew them a kiss, one lady almost swooned.

Rolling his eyes, Torrigan marched smartly behind his mother and half sisters. As was proper for a member of the Royal Guard, Torrigan hung back, away from the railing as Queen Rachelle waved graciously to those still on land as the boat rocked gently away from the dock. Even here, at the very beginning, Torrigan should have noticed something was amiss, it was a beautiful clear day with no hint of clouds, a warm breeze gently caressed their faces and yet no birds sang. Other than the wind rustling through the leaves there was no sound at all, as if everything else had been scared off.

Eyes wide with large dark circles under them and her hair tousled. She sprinted past the front gates and breathless asked for Torrigan. The guard only pointed towards the docks. Running at breakneck speed, she reached the docks just in time to see the ship float around the bend. Screaming in frustration, Sabriel muttered the Charter marks for swiftness and flight and began to follow the boat.

Rogir had suggested they stop for a pick-nick around noon before heading down into the reservoir. So of course the boat was stopped and the Royal family with a few guards sat beneath the shade of a large willow tree and began laughing and chatting away. Rogir glanced back towards the palace. The expression on his face did not change but the glint in his eye hardened as he stood up and excused himself, saying that he had forgotten something on the boat.

"Hello Sabriel," Rogir's voice was smoother than the ice at the Clayr's glacier, "so nice of you to drop by."

"Shall we skip the pleasantries Rogir? Or should I call you Kerrigor now? How could you? Using the childhood name to insight fear?" Sabriel's sword was drawn and her other hand lingered near her bells. A look of cold determination was etched onto her face. "And planning on using your own mother to break the Great Charter Stones that is not the Rogir I knew. How could you betray your kingdom and your family…especially Torrigan?"

"When did you acquire this information?" Rogir said, still smiling, deliberately trying to buy himself time enough to release his Free Magic form. In his human form, Sabriel could have easily beaten him without even breaking a sweat, but he was more than a match for her.

Before Sabriel could answer, Rogir was consumed in a small cloud of complete darkness. It was like he had been swallowed whole by a piece of the star-less night sky. Before the cloud had completely cleared, Rogir attacked. Sabriel's last conscious thought was of Torrigan and the soul tearing sorrow she felt knowing she would never see him alive again.

Torrigan caught a scent on the breeze. He immediately perked up and his eyes scanned the landscape. What was the metallic smell of Free Magic doing on the air? Surely no Free Magic form could have gotten into the Palace. The others in the party seemed to have also caught the smell for the chatter had completely stopped.

"Perhaps we should keep moving," Torrigan suggested finally and the party was quick to comply. Rogir stood smiling at the railing. For a moment he seemed to reek of Free Magic but that moment passed and the air was once again clear. "Rogir, did you smell anything just now?"

Without breaking his perfect smile Rogir replied to the negative and asked jokingly if Torrigan had gotten enough sleep the previous night or if he was out with the barmaids again. The brothers laughed and Torrigan shook it off as his senses fooling him. The boat was gently rocked by the current as it floated towards the Great Charter Stones. Once they were safely out of sight Rogir signalled the guards.

"What is the meaning of this?" Queen Rachelle's voice boomed with authority as her arms to grabbed and twisted viciously behind her. The same had happened with the two princesses and Torrigan. Rogir chuckled coldly as he watched his family struggle against their captors. Torrigan was starting to snarl and his veins were bulging.

"I feel I must at least thank you Mother, my sisters," he turned towards Torrigan, "and you, half brother. Without you, my plans would not be able to be completed. I did have another who would have aided me, but unfortunately she had to be…disposed…of." His cold, dark eyes met Torrigan's as he smiled cruelly.

Rogir quickly muttered a spell that stank of Free Magic and Queen Rachelle and her daughters so longer struggled but were put into a deep sleep. Rogir turned towards Torrigan, whose breathing was becoming laboured and leaned down to whisper in his brother's ear.

"Torrigan, I never told you that you just missed Sabriel. I believe she would want me to relay this message. Highness, I bring sorrowful tidings, the Abhorsen is dead."

The last thing Torrigan knew was a pure loathing, his heart screaming in anguish and the unadulterated rage that followed as his vision grew red.

Finis

An: Well lads and lassies. That was it. I hope u enjoyed it. I might do an alternative ending for those who want a happy one. But I may just leave it like this. I hope I've made at least one person cry or entertained at least one person. Reviews are always welcome!