Galen called Mizariah, He saw her blink and fall unconscious. Kain was cradling her body against him. Kain stroked her face to try and rouse her. He then looked up at Galen with such anger, that Galen stopped where he was. Kain rose after laying Mizariah gently down. He walked forward with menacing steps. Galen began to step backwards. He backed into a tree. Then Kain's clawed hand closed round his throat. Kain lifted him against the tree.
"Tell me Galen. Do you wish to die? For I should kill you for your dereliction of your duty."
"Want would have me say Kain."
" I'd have you say the truth, or have you betrayed me"
Galen batted Kain's hand away. Kain seemed shocked by this. He stepped backhand limp by his side.
"You EVEN consider that. I would never betray you. I have severed you faithfully all these years…Arrgh" Galen turned away from Kain.
"My old friend. What troubles you? What would cause you to put your own daughter in danger." Kain said quietly watching him. For some reason Kain felt on his guard about him now.
Galen replied to this a quiet voice.
"I never wanted that. I tried to hide it from her, but she knows me too well. I never would hurt her. You know that Kain"
"But you have"
Galen turned to look at his child still unconscious on the floor. How could he have hurt her so? His self-loathing grew so much that it hurt. He turned to the water. His mind filled with so many doubts. Kain had come by his side at this point. Waiting out his mind.
"Forgive my transgression Kain"
"It was forgiven even before you asked. But tell me Galen. Is the way clear for you?"
"I do not know. My purpose is gone. I seem just to linger. A useless relic. I seem now only to live for my daughters sake."
"Is that not enough?"
"It should be I know. But….I don't know" Galen gave up with an exasperated sigh.
Kain was so engrossed in Galen the nether of then heard someone approach from behind. He ran forth and pulled the Soul reaver from Kain's back before either knew what had happened. Kain spun round, snarl and rage plain on his face.
" You DARE MORTAL."
" So the mighty Kain has lost his precious sword. Lets see if I can kill him with it. It would be so ironic. Then I will kill that murdering bastard," said the human pointing at Galen. Now in the moonlight Galen could see him clearly. He was a big heavyset man. Beard brown and long. Across his chest he displayed the symbol of the Sarafan.
Galen's eyes widened in shock. The feral general. But how. He killed him. The mortal continued..
"You will die for killing my son."
So Galen had killed his son. Not the real target.
Kain's rage by this time was tangible. No one touched the reaver and tried to use it against him
"Give Me the reaver Mortal and I promise you a quick death"
"I think not"
Kain roared and leapt at the man. Suddenly a tk blast came from the reaver. Shooting Kain across the clearing and into the tree he had been holding Galen against earlier. He slid to the ground with a groan. Out cold…
The Man walked towards Mizariah's prone from. Galen watched him eye's narrowed.
"So this is your child. Maybe I shall kill her first"
"You dare go anywhere near her. And I kill you so slowly…you'll beg for realise. Your sons death was quick and painless compared to what I will do to you if you dare."
" Ho. Come then. Lets see what you can do"
They went to each other blades drawn. They clashed sparks flying. The reaver humming in rage.
They fought hard, the general surprisingly good. They continued, Galen keeping him moving from his assault. Until…Galen's sword was knock from his hand….
Mizariah Awoke with thirst, but also the sound of fighting. She looked up to see Her father fighting with some human. Mizariah's hand went to her mouth when she saw what he held…. The soul Reaver…No…she screamed, "FATHER" but he ignored her. To deep in the fight. She looked for Kain, and saw him against a tree trunk. She crawled over to him. Kain had to Help Galen. Only Kain knew how to fight the reaver and live. She went up to him striking his face.
"My Lord, My Lord. Wake up please" Kain grunted and his eye's flickered open. He looked at Mizariah Relief for a second at her being well. Then his look went dark as he remembered what had transpired. They both snapped their head in Galen's direction as they saw his sword go flying into the air….
Galen stood before the General. Death looming.
"Now die by this sword you so fear!"
" I shall never fear that sword" Galen replied him with such certainty that The General halted a moment. But just for a moment. Drawing his had back he said to Galen before he plunged the soul Reaver into Galen
"Then you are a fool"Galen doubled up over the blade…………
Mizariah and Kain watched, as Galen stood helpless before the mortal. Kain heard Galen say on last sentence before the General ran him through
" I shall never fear that sword"
Galen and Mizariah cried out as the reaver plunged into Galen. They saw Galen double up as it entered. Mizariah cried her Father as Kain cried in anguish, as his friend seemed lost
" FATHER…."
"GALEN"……….
Galen waited for a moment as the General laughed then quick as a snake closed his hand about his throat and lifted him off the floor. The General stared wide-eyed stammering
"H…H…HOW?"
"Only Kain has the power to turn that blade against me" then Galen snapped his throat, he threw the body at Mizariah sensing her hunger. She leapt on him drinking the mortal dry. Galen leaned down and picked up the reaver, he dusted it off looking at it a moment, then stuck it in the ground, then he turned and without a word left the clearing…
Mizariah saw Galen disappear into the trees as she sated her hunger. She rose and ran after him. He could not leave her. She ran past Kain Calling Galen.
"Father, Father stop please" she saw him stop ahead. She ran into his body holding him tight,
" Don't leave me," she sobbed into his robe. She felt his arms close about her. And he hugged her kissing her hair. But didn't say a word. She felt so tired, she wanted to sleep. But didn't dare, as she feared he would be gone when she awoke. She began to sway. As the exhaustion took hold. She heard him speak.
" You should sleep child."
"No"
"Why?"
"I'm afraid…Afraid when I wake up…you'll be gone" tears flowed anew as she said this.
He picked her up as he used to and wrapped her in his robe. It always made her feel safe. She cuddled her head against his chest, feeling his strength.
"I will never leave you my child"
She looked at him, his voice as it used to be, certain and strong.
" You promise?"
"I give you my word"
Mizariah fell asleep against him.
Galen walked back to where Kain was waiting. He nodded his head to Kain, showing he had made a choice.
" It is enough. To serve you. And she needs me too much" he said looking at Mizariah
Kain nodded. Taking his allegiance once more. But in truth Kain knew it had never been broken. They returned to the clan sanctuary.
Galen walked into his room. Mizariah had him in a death grip. He smiled. He walked over to his bed, now himself feeling tired. He lay down. He felt Mizariah snuggle closer to him. He closed his arm about her. Then drifted off to sleep.