Leaf's dreams were haunted by visions of her older visage of herself in the future shackled and mocked as she walked the halls of the Tower of Wayreth. She didn't want this; she didn't want to be caged. But Iatric was a part of her decision and she couldn't very well put him through the hunting and constant battles that would follow them if she had chosen the second option. She felt herself slipping away from freedom, from the promises she made to the other Solana trapped here. So much was riding on her to do the right thing for others, or was it to do the right thing for herself? She was so confused and all that had happened jumbled around in her head. All she could do for herself was to cry for her lost freedom. Unable even to help herself how could she be expected to help her trapped people in the dungeons.

Her shackles disappeared and she was free if only to run from what her life was now. She ran and ran; running amok in the forest of Wayreth completely lost. Falling and scraping she screamed and cried in pain. Tripping she fell down a hill hitting her head on the tree she reached back and felt blood on her head. She was bleeding from a head wound she could die from it but she didn't care anymore. She felt so lifeless with her life in the Tower; if she did die it might be better for the others. Shaking her head she dismissed her depressing thoughts and struggled to get to her feet. Standing up she was shocked to see that there was another person not so far from her. By the judge of the person's physique and stance she could tell it was a man. Another had seen her in such a pathetic state, not only that he was dressed in black robes just like Dalamar and Raistlin. She tried to look civilized and in control but it wasn't possible with blood dripping from her hand.

For a while the two just stared at each other. Then with quickness that Leaf hadn't thought possible the man was right against her back with his hand on her shoulder. It was startling. She hadn't expected that and as much as she wanted to run she couldn't bring her legs to move away from the man. Who was he?

"You already know that Leaf," the man whispered softly turning her around to face him.

Looking at him she still couldn't see him for the darkness of his hood concealed his identity. This man knew her but she hadn't a clue who he was.

"Trust me just like before," he whispered now holding both her shoulders easing her down on to the soft green grass.

She was laying down now still confused, but strangely tired now. She knew she was dreaming but yet she didn't, it made no sense. But she felt the ground give way and was shocked to find that she was slipping form him. She couldn't leave him, she needed him she knew it. She needed his help for the troubles ahead of her.

"We will meet again," he stated in that soft gentle voice of his. The sound of his voice right next to her ear yet he was so far away.

Waking up abruptly she saw to her dismay that the mystery man from her dream was just a dream he wasn't here. Neither was Iatric. He hadn't come back to even talk to her. Swinging her legs over the bed she was a bit startled to have her legs hit a chair. There was no chair here last night, how'd it get here? Iatric! He must have come back in the middle of the night to talk to her but she had fallen asleep. He probably wanted to thank her for choosing the first option so that he could continue on with the life he had already chosen himself. Sighing she sat on the bed petting Leo softly but absently her mind thought of her decision. Sure sometimes it was okay to be selfish but there was always a limit to it. But should there be a limit for her? She was always sacrificing for others, maybe just this once she could be a little selfish. Shaking her head fiercely she stood and washed her face in the water basin on the dresser. She couldn't be selfish not when another person's life was on the balance. She had done that to the other Solana, especially with Cleo. Tears brimming at her eyes, anger coursing through her as her minds eye remembered Cleo's body bloody and bruised. She would never be able to forget that scene; it would haunt her till she died. Thrusting the water basin away it crashed to the floor reliving some anger from Leaf's body. She wanted desperately to do something, anything except think. She wouldn't have to think any more once this was done. She would be a caged bird again. There was no need to think when others ordered you around. She would be no better there then she was with the 'true cohorts'.

"Why?" she whispered looking back at the little ferret on the bed, "As selfish and dramatic as this is why me, Leo? Maybe I should just stop being so stubborn. Maybe I should have just gone with the other 'true cohorts' but I couldn't but I should've gone."

Of course the little ferret couldn't answer her but it was comforting to use her voice even if no one could answer her. Sighing she leaned up against the wall her feet in the water from the basin she had destroyed. It always seemed as though she was destroying things. Maybe she had anger issues, whatever it was she was beginning to become annoyed at waiting. Waiting for others to determine her fate, so much for patience is a virtue. How long can it take to arrange to fight Raven? I'm sure that Raven is eager to kill me in battle Leaf thought rolling her eyes at the prospect of her life draining away in red heaps of blood. If she died in that battle fine but if she didn't that was fine too. She just wanted it over with. To get on with it and go to her seclusion either here in this tower or with the Conclave in the forest of Wayreth.

Walking out on to the balcony leaving Leo's comforting presence she stood looking out on the landscape. Her thoughts were confused and she was beginning to become irritated by going over the same ones over and over. Why did her mind have to think? Why couldn't she just take orders? Why did she always have to argue with others? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad once she got out of here; it was only one god she would be chained to not all three. But her mother had told her that she would be the exile that they had waited for a thousand years. Her mother had been so sure that she was the exile. So what did that mean now? She couldn't help but feel as though she was betraying not only her self, but her parents.

The memory of her father was becoming stronger and stronger with every day it was comforting to know. She could see in her mind the image of her father smiling and laughing with her. All the trips down to the small lake near there home fishing and swimming. How many times had her father pushed her into that lake, too many times to count. She wanted those days to come back; she wanted the simple days of her life in the small cottage. With no evil mages or ancient races just a trouble-free life.

As Leaf was wishing for her old life with her loving parents Iatric was running over and over through his mind what he should do. He knew that Leaf was choosing to come to the Conclave only because of him. He was confused no one ever in his life had done what she had done for him. She was giving up on everything she believed, and he knew that her mother wouldn't want that for her.

"Iatric!" a shrill woman's voice yelled into his ear.

"What the hell?" he shouted jumping up, "What is your problem Mima!"

"Nothing except that I've been trying to get your attention for the last 10 minutes you jerk!" her voice was so shrill it was giving Iatric a headache, "Now what is your problem!"

"Alright already calm down Mima," he stated sitting back down on the bench, "I was preoccupied with other thoughts, that's all."

"You have thoughts?" she asked looking at him with a look of suspicion, "What thoughts could preoccupy that mind?"

"Look Mima go and bug Orla I'm not in the mood for your games today," Iatric waved her away and tried getting his thoughts in order again.

"It's about Leaf isn't it?" Mima asked laying a comforting hand on Iatric's, "Your not thinking of telling her are you?"

"I don't know Mima she deserves to know the truth," Iatric sighed his hand squeezing Mima's for comfort; "the thought she won't trust me keeps stopping me. I want her to know who I really am without it hurting her. But her mother would kill me for sure if I told Leaf the truth and plus I don't know how to begin to tell her or to even explain it."

"Well of course you don't it's not your place to tell her anyways," she whispered kneeling down to look into his eyes, "Iatric your just going to have to be patient. Ask anyone here and they'll tell you that Leaf is an enigma just as much as our powers of being ancient cohorts."

"But Mima our powers aren't such a mystery anymore," Iatric stated sharply rolling his eyes, "You and I both know what powers we have and how to use them."

"Does Leaf know how to use hers?" Mima asked sternly but gentle enough that it was a threat, "Iatric I care about you; you helped me get used to this life here and I'm happy you did that. Now you're just going to have to help Leaf get used to the life here I'm sure you can manage that."

"Is it wrong of me to think that I don't want her to come here?" Iatric asked locking eyes with Mima, "I really don't want this life for her."

"Well I see that what Orla told me about her is true," Mima stated smiling her bitter smile for him.

"What?" Iatric asked his face creasing in worry.

"That whoever meets her gets there world turn upside down," Mima said laughing a little of her heart felt laugh easing the tension between the two.

"That's true Mima so true," he stated smiling, "A part of me says that it's a good kind of turning around though seeing from her perspective. A girl that's been caged many times and way to trusting."

"Iatric!" Mima shouted, "Don't you dare start thinking like she does. She's a bad one, everyone here can tell that. You best remember that! If Par-Salian finds out you'll be in a hell of a lot of trouble!"

"Yeah I'll try and remember that," Iatric whispered letting go of Mima's hand, "Shouldn't you be getting to your mistress?"

"Oh yeah thanks for the reminder she's probably pissed off at me cause I'm taking so long to get to her," Mima clapped her hands together and ran off, "See ya!"

"No problem Mima!" Iatric called back.

Left alone with his thoughts again he remembered that Leaf still had to fight one more battle before anything was decided. He was getting ahead of himself, she would change her mind. He knew she would. Some part of him was solid in his belief that she would never change. Even if she did come here she would still find a way to still be herself.

Leafs eyes opened and she was startled to see that Raistlin and Dalamar watching her sleep. Jumping to her feet she couldn't help but stagger as she righted herself. The bastards were probably enjoying her moment of vulnerability. They stood fixedly watching her in silence. They reminded her of stone statues watching all who went by. She couldn't take the silence but there was really nothing she could do they were stronger and more in charge of themselves then she was. Well some ancient cohort she was she thought glumly to herself.

"Come Leaf," Raistlin finally whispered turning and walking away, "It is time."

Leaf followed Raistlin, Dalamar following behind her. As they walked the stone halls her thoughts went back to the Solana down in the dungeons. How was she to help them if she was in service to a god? Tears began to from at her eyes and she felt weak from the strain of all her emotions. She yearned for simpler days with the ease and grace that came with each new day. No blood or heartache just the simple daily duties of day in and out activities. She never had those days so why should she be missing them now? Something must be wrong with her memory. She couldn't concentrate on that now she had business to contend to fighting Raven.

She couldn't help but let her mind wander as she thought of how her home was doing, and her fake father. Maybe he got himself killed in the war that they were running from. Probably not he was most likely alright and not having problems with former friends like she was having with Dalamar. She began to wonder about him, was he even happy with Raistlin being his master. She never thought that he would become so evil in such a short time. He was pretty evil even when they were just little children. It hurt to know that he had betrayed her only cause of his master but she couldn't hate him for that. Being a mage was what he wanted and to be taught by such an expert as Raistlin must must've made his ego grow a little.

"Come on Leaf this way," Dalamar stated taking a hold of her arm leading her to a bench where he sat her roughly down.

They were in a rather enormous room, almost like a cavern. It was startling but she could tell that magic must've had something to do with this fighting arena. Looking around she saw that it was probably a cavern at one time of its life but it was evened out to look like they were walls put up. She saw that on the other side of the cavern was another bench much like the one she was sitting on. That couldn't be for Raven, could it?

"You're in for a treat Leaf," said Dalamar grinning at her confusion, "Raistlin has grown weary of tending to the Solana down in the dungeons so he's decided for a little bit of sport."

"What kind of sport?" Leaf asked suspiciously watching Raistlin seat himself in a leather arm chair at the front of the cavern.

"You'll see," Dalamar stated walking away still with that god damn silly grin of his.

She was worried now about this 'sport' thing. What could happen to the Solana down in the dungeons now?

Her thoughts were cut off as the door she had entered opened again. Expect it just wasn't Raven coming in alone. All of the Solana from the dungeons was behind her all trudging to the bench on the opposite side of the room from her. She could see each of them all worried and scared. She thought that they were here to cheer or something, hopefully not to fight. Even as she thought about it she knew they were here to fight, Raistlin was torturing her for her insolence to him. She deserved in some way the torture but her people did not deserve it.

"Leaf!" a young girl's voice shouted from the line of Solana.

Looking at the source of her name she saw that it was Rebecca and couldn't stop the tears come to her eyes. She quickly brushed the tears away knowing that Raistlin was watching her.

"No not her," Leaf whispered her eyes wide stunned by the prospect of someone so young as Rebecca having to fight, "Anyone but her."

The young girl ran to Leaf her arms wrapping around Leaf's astonished mind. Raistlin wanted her to suffer dearly. Dalamar had told his master how much Leaf wanted to help the young girl. Leaf's arms wrapped around Rebecca and she cried. She cried into Rebecca's shoulder, she didn't want her to die. She wouldn't let her. If Rebecca had to die Leaf would make sure that she would help in some way without Raistlin seeing.

"I thought you were dead along with Diane, Josh, and Cleo," Rebecca stated crying herself, "I was so worried about you Leaf!"

"I know don't worry everything's going to be alright," Leaf whispered into Rebecca's ear with sound determination, "I'll make sure of it, your going to get out of here I promise. You'll get to see Solace just like I promised, just what Cleo wanted for you and Diane and Josh."

"You little brat get over her," Raven yelled pulling Rebecca away from Leaf, "I'll see you in battle Leaf be prepared to die!"

"I can't die Raven not yet," Leaf stated locking eyes with Raven's, "I swear when you and I fight I won't hold back anything. I'll fight you all out, so you better be prepared."

A flicker of fear passed in Raven's cold grey eyes. Leaf knew she was scared and she had a right to be scared. Leaf was going to get her for harming Rebecca. Raven wasn't going to see the next day Leaf was going to make sure of that.

"The first round will soon begin!" Dalamar shouted, "Every old human over thirty years of age get into the middle and be ready to battle shyracks."

They were going to get rid of all the old Solana easily with what little dignity they had left. Leaf knew she couldn't do anything for them as much as she wanted to. She would have to watch their bodies be torn apart. She wouldn't shy away from it. That would show that she was bothered by it. She had to show Raistlin and Dalamar that she could take it. Even though she wanted to scream and cry for them.

"It is about time you came Iatric I've been waiting for far too long for those scrolls I sent you to get," Par-Salian stated taking the scrolls from Iatric, "Now come on help me translate them."

"Yes sir," Iatric whispered getting straight to work.

"You seem out of sorts Iatric," Par-Salian stated, "Are you troubled by Leaf still?" Iatric's shocked expression looked up from his work, "Mima told me that you don't want her to come here. You realize though that would mean that you wouldn't be allowed here either that the two of you would be hunted till you were killed."

"Sir I'm sorry she just doesn't belong here," Iatric whispered lamely, "I don't want this life for her and if that means that I have to give up my ways then I'll do it for her, sir. She's just sacrificing too much of herself for me. I can't let her do that even if I'm scared to go out there without the protection of the Conclave."

"Iatric you realize the consequences?" Par-Salian whispered coming to sit in front of his young prodigy, "You and Leaf are gifted you know that I don't even really have to state it. Maybe you're just a little too gifted or more likely your more in tune with each others feelings then would be safe for either of you."

"Feelings?" Iatric stated surprise etched on his young features, "What are you talking about sir?"

"Think about Leaf," Par-Salian whispered, "Think like she would what she's feeling right now what she would be doing if she were here."

Iatric was confused he wasn't afraid to admit it. What Par-Salian was saying made no sense to him. But he tried it anyways; he thought about Leaf's smile her laughter, her fear. He couldn't help but smile at how she had reacted to first meeting him; she was ready to hit him he could tell by the way she looked at him. Still though nothing happened and he was beginning to think that Par-Salian didn't know what he was talking about. In a whoosh of feelings of sadness and pain he felt it all come into his body.

Leaf was sitting peacefully trying to keep her emotions under control as she watched those she knew perish under another friend of theirs. For a reason she couldn't help but feel as though it was her fault. None of this would have happened had she not been here it would've been better had she just listened to Gabriel and Raistlin. But she couldn't help but feel that it wouldn't have made a big difference, they'd still have been brought out for sport.

"Rebecca and Raven to the fighting circle!" Dalamar yelled interrupting Leaf's thoughts.

This brought her back to reality and she couldn't help but let the mask on her face drop allowing everyone to see her pain. To see how tired she was, how heart broken she was. She couldn't watch this, Raven would utterly destroy Rebecca. She wanted to cry and scream at them but she couldn't show that weakness. She wasn't that same whimpering child from months ago, that young woman was gone forever.

Leaf watched as the battle progressed grimacing every time Rebecca was hit with those deadly blades of Raven's. Raven could easily kill Rebecca but she was making sure that Leaf suffered by watching her die slowly. Leaf was tempted to run into the ring but she couldn't there was a magical shield around to stop her from running into stop the fight. But she couldn't sit here and watch she had to save Rebecca, but how? It seemed impossible that she could save the young girl from a gruesome death. She could here Rebecca screaming and yelling as Leaf shut her eyes tightly against the sound. She tried everything to block the screaming of the young girl she wanted to desperately help.

"Isn't it just interesting to watch Leaf?" Raistlin whispered in her ear standing behind her, "It's always so much fun to watch another suffer. Wouldn't you agree Leaf?"

"You monster!" Leaf hissed seething with anger she opened her eyes and glared at him, "I'll never understand why you can be so evil."

"It's in my nature my dear," Raistlin stated softly sitting beside her watching the fight intently, "I must say though Raven is certainly taking her time in killing little Rebecca so much for her seeing Solace. It would beautiful this time of year the great trees red and yellow with the upcoming fall."

Leaf couldn't bring her eyes to look at the battle she just closed them more tightly. She wanted to scream with Rebecca.

"What do you feel Iatric?" Par-Salian asked softly.

"I feel her pain and sorrow," Iatric whispered opening his eyes as tears streamed down his face, "How can she live with the pain?"

"Cause she knows that people needs her help so she keeps fighting," Par-Salian whispered laying his aging hand on Iatric's young hand, "She needs your help, once she gets out of the clutches of Raistlin she's going to need you to show her that there is still so much good still in this world."

"You never intended for me to ever stay did you?" Iatric asked locking eyes with Par-Salian.

"Never Iatric," he whispered.

"You know why I don't want this life for Leaf don't you?" Iatric asked.

"Yes I've known ever since I first met you," Par-Salian stated smiling down at him, "It's been a pleasure having you here with us. But you've over stayed your welcome I'm afraid."

"Yes I think I have over stayed," Iatric stated smiling, "It's about time I left here for good along with Leaf."

Par-Salian nodded his head watching Iatric walk out of the room. Feeling a little dispirited at losing such a good pupil. He knew though that Iatric had to help Leaf, she needed his help more then he did. Leaf was going to be in for a surprise, but he was pretty sure that it was going to be a good surprise.

"Farewell Iatric," Par-Salian whispered into the darkness.

"Come on Leaf you know you it," Raistlin whispered seductively in her ear, "Stop closing your eyes and begin to embrace I assure you if you switch sides to evil I'll teach you all about your lineage and you powers."

"I won't I can't allow that to happen," Leaf whispered softly, "I'll never walk that road, I can't walk that road. I have to learn on my own what my powers can do."

"It would be much easier to just trust me and come with me," Raistlin whispered sensing her breaking down, "You won't be alone; you won't have to worry about anyone but yourself only yourself to worry about."

"No I can't," Leaf stated incoherently her mind's goals beginning to disappear.

She tried vainly to remember what it is she was supposed to believe in. But she found that she couldn't remember, she couldn't even remember what her father was like. She was losing herself to the darkness that Raistlin was tempting her with. She didn't want to be evil she couldn't be evil. She needed to help someone but she couldn't remember. It always seemed though that she had to help someone, why was it always her? Maybe what Raistlin was saying wasn't so bad. After all it would be as he said, easier.

"No Leaf!" a voice shouted from above.

Looking sharply up she saw that it was Iatric above the magic's shield breaking the shield from above. He had come back, but why?

"Leaf you can be selfish I promise I'll help you!" Iatric shouted pleading with her to believe in him, "Raistlin's wrong he won't help you. I will because I'm your older brother and I want to help you!"

"Older brother?" Leaf stated confused, "How's that possible?"

"I left before you were born so you don't even know me yet," Iatric stated jabbing the shield one final time with his fire sword that he held breaking it apart.

He fell down to the floor his wings sprouting to let him float down. He grabbed Rebecca just before Raven was about to plunge her two blades into her heart. Gracefully he floated over to Leaf dropping down with Rebecca still in his arms. She couldn't help but stare and smile at him.

"I'm sorry," Iatric whispered, "Were not going back to the Conclave were going to stay away from them, and you know what were going to be happy."

Smiling Leaf ran to hug Iatric just as he put Rebecca down. Crying into his shoulder he let his wings wrap around her protecting her from all the evil that was about. She could sense Raistlin's anger but didn't care; her older brother was here to help her.

"This isn't over Leaf!" Raistlin hissed at her.

"A proposition then Raistlin," Iatric stated glaring at the mage, "If Leaf defeats Raven then she gets to go free with all the other Solana. But if she doesn't then her and I will do whatever you order us to do."

"Deal," Raistlin hissed turning from them to walk to Raven, "Ready yourself Leaf."

Author talking here:

All right I finally posted! Took me long enough so I'm so sorry to all of you who were you know waiting on this chapter. Well I switched back and forth from Leaf to Iatric to establish that releationship I wanted. So yes I'm happy about this chapter. Oh yeah and I told you Dalamar Nightson that I would so make sure that they didn't fall in love. I so didn't want that so I instead turned them into brother and sister. Oh yeah told ya so! Sorry to those reading this who aren't well him. Yeah I'm gonna go now so hope all you enjoyed the chapter! Laters!