On to book six, wow! I don't own anything familiar. Please review and enjoy!

Darren barely felt a thing while he floated down the river, even when he violently crashed into the walls of the tunnel the river carried him through. His body had gone entirely numb with the cold of the river and the shock, both physical and mental. Eventually, his consciousness went numb too and he knew no more.

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Larten numbly made his way to Darren's chambers, walking slowly. The Council decided that Darren was to be executed. Kurda and Gavner still hadn't returned. Arra had taken Elena to the hall of Kheldon Lurt, they wouldn't return until the execution was over, despite his daughter's protests. Larten would stand on the cliff face with his son as the princes strapped him into a cage and sent him to his death. He struggled to keep a straight face as he entered the room, but it fell straight away when he realized the chambers were empty. A hand gripped the edge of the wall tightly, his breathing coming in quick breaths. He took off to the Hall of Khledon Lurt as quick as he could, barrelling through throngs of vampires in his way.

Arra stared at him in shock when he burst into the hall. He quickly strode over to her, "What's wrong?" Arra cried, "Aren't you supposed to be with Darren?"

"He is gone." Larten said quietly.

"What do you mean he's gone?" Elena cried loudly. The other vampires in the hall turned and stared at the three of them.

"Come with me," Larten barked, grabbing her elbow, he dragged her along with him back to the hall of princes.

"Larten how can he be gone? Gavner and Kurda were with him, unless…" Arra trailed off. She groaned, "Oh, Gavner."

The trio made their way into the hall of princes, the doors opening for them almost immediately. To their great surprise, Kurda was already standing in front of the princes. "Larten, Arra," Paris said. "Step forward. You too Elena." He added.

"Paris." Larten greeted quickly, "It would seem that Darren has gone missing."

"Yes," Mika said, mouth twitching angrily, "So has Gavner Purl it would seem."

"Gavner must've taken him through the tunnels after I left them," Kurda groaned.

"We can track Gavner with the Stone of Blood," Arra said, "If we can find Gavner we can probably find Darren."

"He'll have to answer for his actions," Paris said, "I don't know what got into him."

Arrow placed a large hand on the Stone of Blood. "I don't think we'll have to worry about Gavner answering for his actions." He said quietly.

"Why?" Larten asked quickly, panic edging into his voice.

"Gavner Purl has moved onto Paradise." Arrow sighed sadly, "I wouldn't be surprised if your boy joined him."

Arra let out a choked sob. "Are you certain Arrow?" Paris asked.

"Positive." His expression slightly softened, "I'm sorry Larten."

Larten nodded weakly. "We should organize a search party." Paris said. "The two deserve a proper funeral. Kurda, I think it's time you put that map making hobby of yours to good use."

"Elena," Larten said quietly, "Go see Seba, he will look after you while your mother and I help with the search."

"I want to help too." She protested.

"No." Larten said firmly.

"She can stay here with me Larten." Paris said.

"But-"

"Listen to your father child."

Elena sighed but kept quiet, while her parents, Mika and Arrow left to organize a group to search for Gavner and Darren, or their corpses at least. The door of the Hall of Princes slammed shut with a thud and Elena was left alone with the elderly prince. Paris regarded the girl for several moments, hands folded together. "I never got the chance to congratulate you on the completion of your trials."

"Thank you."' She whispered.

Paris grimaced, "I suppose now is not the right time." He looked at her with a sad expression on his face, "I cannot imagine the pain you are going through. To lose not one, but two brothers."

Elena stared at the elderly prince in confusion, "Huh?"

Paris smiled kindly, "I see your father hasn't told you."

"He doesn't tell us anything about his past."

"Yes well, Larten's story is sadder than most. You see, he found Gavner Purl aboard a ship after he killed his parents. Not on purpose-" He added, seeing Elena's eyes widen, "But he felt obligated to care for the boy. He took him to Paris and a human woman your father had fallen in love with raised Gavner." He sighed, "Larten was too stubborn to call himself Gavner's father, he thought he didn't deserve the title, but the love between them was still there."

"Did my father turn Gavner?"

"No, but he did mentor him for a short while." He smiled, eyes sad, "Gavner Purl was a good vampire, and a good man. All he ever wanted from Larten was his approval, and I believe he had it, though Larten was never open with his affections."

Elena smiled softly, remembering the fond exchanges the pair had often had. "I think he did too. Are you sure he's dead?"

"The Stone of Blood does not lie. I am absolutely sure, much as it pains me to say it young one."

"And Darren-"

"You two have not been marked by the Stone yet. Nor can your mental signals be tracked. It cannot tell us for sure if your brother is dead or not, but if he was with Gavner Purl then I fear the worst." She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. Paris watched her bat her eyelashes quickly, clearly trying not to cry. He hesitated a moment, before putting a hand on her shoulder. She glanced up at him, green eyes watery. He smiled. "It is alright to cry you know, you have been through a lot since coming to the mountain. I would not think any less of you for it." She nodded again as tears escaped her eyes and trailed down her cheeks. Paris put an arm around her shoulders as her crying intensified. The pair stayed like that for a long time.

The other princes eventually returned to hall with Larten and Arra, this time accompanied by Vanez, Kurda, and Seba. Paris and Elena both stood quickly. "Did you find anything?" Paris asked.

"In a sense." Mika grunted, "The trail ended at the Hall of Final Voyage. We didn't see any body, but if they fell into the river…"

"What I do not understand," Seba said, "Is why they were there at all. There is no way to exit the mountain there except through the river. A full vampire would be unlikely to survive that drop, Darren would not stand a chance. Gavner was many things, but stupid was not one of them."

"Who knows what was going through his head." Arrow said quietly. "In any case, we have an investiture to prepare for, Gavner and Darren, may they be triumphant, can wait."

Larten sighed unhappily, "I would still like to look for them both, outside of the mountain, on my own time."

"I'll help you." Arra said softly, taking his hand.

"I'll help as well," Kurda said, "I'll round up some of my assistants to help too."

Arra frowned, "It's your investiture everyone is preparing for, you can't just miss it."

"My investiture is in three nights, I won't, but I want to help. I care about Darren, and Gavner was a good," Kurda paused, voice wavering, "Well he was a good friend."

"Finish your search with ample time for the investiture." Paris said sternly looking at Kurda. The blond vampire nodded.

Larten held an arm out and indicated for Elena to follow him. She followed her parents out of the Hall, with Seba and Kurda trailing behind. "When do you want to start the search?" Kurda asked.

"Tomorrow night, it is almost sunrise, there would be little point in trying to organize one now."

Kurda nodded, "I'll go find some of my assistant before they retire." He scampered off quickly, looking as though there was anywhere else he'd rather be.

"Are you going to let me help this time?" Elena asked.

"No," Her father said.

"Why?" She asked outraged.

"You will only slow us down. I would like to cover as much ground as possible."

"That's not fair!"

"Elena we only have two nights to search for your brother, let us handle this." Arra chastised.

"So what do expect me to do? Sit in the mountain all day and do nothing?" Elena crossed her arms and her bottom lip jutted out in a pout.

"No matter how many times you give me that face, my answer stays the same." Larten said with a backwards glance at her. "Quite the contrary, I would much prefer you kept yourself busy. You can help Seba with preparations for Kurda's investiture, I am sure he is overwhelmed."

"I would appreciate the help," The old vampire said meaningfully.

"Fine." Elena sighed dejectedly.

The group stopped outside of the children's chambers. "Get some sleep." Larten said, planting a kiss on her forehead. She nodded and entered the chamber.

"Larten, could I have a word with you alone?" Seba asked.

The orange-haired vampire's eyebrows raised. "Of course." He followed Seba to his chamber while Arra made her way to their own room.

"What is it?"

"How are you?" Seba asked.

"What?"

"How are you?"

"I am fine."

"I would like an honest answer."

"How do you know that was not?"

"You just lost both of your sons, you cannot possibly be fine." Larten began to protest loudly, "Despite your stubborn resistance to being a paternal figure to Gavner, I know he still thought of you as his father and you still thought of him as your son."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Larten asked with a pained expression on his face.

"Because I know you. You have never handled grief very well. And so help me Larten I will throw myself onto the pit of stakes in the execution hall before I see you throw everything away again."

Larten sputtered angrily, "I am not a cub anymore Seba, you cannot-"

"I will always be your mentor my boy." He put a hand on Larten's cheek, "Think before you plan to run away again. If not for me, then for Arra and Elena."

"I am sure Arra would be fine." Larten mumbled.

"After losing her son?" Seba asked with his eyebrows raised. He put a hand on Larten's shoulder. "Do not take this conversation lightly Larten. This is not only for your best interest, but your daughter's as well. Now, answer me honestly, how are you."

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Elena stared at her brother's hammock, tears streaming down her face as she tried to go to sleep. It was no use, the last thing she wanted to do was sleep in the same room she had shared with him. She jumped out of her hammock, startling Harkat. The Little Person had been confined to the chambers since Darren had gone missing, refusing to tell anyone where the boy had gone.

"Elena where…are…you…going?"

"I can't sleep," She whispered, "I'm going to go talk to mum and dad, I'm sure they can't either."

Harkat gave her a fanged filled smile, "Okay…I'll see…you in…the…morning…then."

She smiled back, "The evening you mean." He laughed as she made her way out the room. She ran a hand along the wall of the tunnel, hesitating just outside her parents' doorway. She wasn't entirely sure if her parents would approve of her running to them just because she didn't want to sleep by herself. Elena took a deep breath and entered the chambers.

Arra was sitting on the edge of the coffin, head in her hands. "Mom?" Arra's head snapped up.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?"

Elena shuffled her feet, "I couldn't sleep." She glanced around, "Is dad still talking with Seba."

"Yes. You should sleep Lena."

"I can't! At least not in that room." She paused, eyes pointed directly at her feet. "Can I stay with you?"

Arra stood and lifted the lid of the coffin, "Alright," She said softly. "But just this once." Elena climbed in next to her mother who wrapped her arms around her tightly. "Seba can probably find you a new room tomorrow if you would like." Elena nodded her head against her mother's chest.

"He's not dead." Elena said.

Arra sighed and lifted her chin so she could look at her daughter. "I think it's best for you not to get your hopes up."

"He isn't" Elena protested stubbornly, "I know he isn't, I can feel it."

"Okay." Arra said, pressing her lips to her forehead, "Okay."

They were both silent for several minutes after that. Arra thought she had finally fallen asleep but- "Mum?"

She sighed, "What is it now?"

"How-how old were we? When you left us at the orphanage?" She tried to keep her tone neutral, but Arra picked up on the hurt in her voice.

Arra tucked Elena's hair behind her ear, stroking her head for a few moments before answering. "A little older than six months."

"Did you-did you ever-I mean, did you ever regret it?"

Arra's expression softened, "Everyday."

"Did you ever think about coming back?"

"A few times, especially in the beginning." Elena nodded again and tucked her head back underneath Arra's chin. "I wanted you to have a better life than what I could have given you." Arra whispered in her ear, "Don't you ever think it was because I didn't love you."

She felt Elena's arms tighten around her, and she kissed her forehead. "Don't worry I still love you." Elena murmured as she drifted off to sleep.

Arra stayed awake for a while afterwards, thinking about whether or not things would have been different if she hadn't dropped them off at the orphanage. If Darren and Gavner would still be here if she had gone to Larten like Evanna had suggested. Speaking of Larten, the lid of the coffin flung open and she was met with the tall orange-haired vampire, his eyes rimmed red. She placed her finger over her lips, nodding down at their sleeping daughter.

"What did you and Seba talk about?" She whispered as he clambered in next to her and closed the lid. She shifted so that Elena was lying partially on top of either of them. Coffins were not designed for three.

He wrapped his arms around both of them, "He was concerned I would leave the fold again after Gavner and Darren."

"Would you have?"

He stroked her cheek with his thumb, "No. I am not a cub anymore, I handle grief better these days. Besides, I could not leave Elena like that, not after everything."

"Good."

He paused for a moment, "He offered me the position as quartermaster."

"Are you going to take it?"

"I think so, I will ask Elena first of course, but I have missed being a part of the clan." He admitted.

"I wouldn't complain." Arra said, "I liked travelling with you the first time, well for the most part anyways, but I enjoy living in the mountain."

"For the moment though, I would like to concentrate on finding Darren."

"We'll find him Larten, even if it takes months."

"I cannot believe he would just run away."

"We'll probably never know what really happened."

"Unless he is alive."

"I don't think it's wise to hold out hope."

"Hope is all I have keeping me going."

Arra pursed her lips, "I want him to be alive too Larten, but if he is alive you know they have to go forward with the execution."

"I know," He groaned, "I should never have blooded them, or brought them here so soon."

"You were only doing what you thought was best and you loved him. That's all any child could ask of their parent."

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The sun beamed down on the mountain. Darren slowly beat his eyelids open, raising a hand against the glare. His first thought was that the rumours of a light at the end of a tunnel were true, his second was that Paradise hurt an awful lot. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the light and he realized that he had washed up nearly halfway down Vampire Mountain. He was alive, battered and severely bruised, but alive. He shivered intensely, he remembered his father telling him to take off any wet clothes immediately if he was stuck out in the open, or he would get hypothermia. He peeled off his clothes, continuing to shiver.

A howl sounded from the left. Darren quickly dashed into the treeline on the other side of the river, muscles tense. He relaxed when he saw it was a pack of wolves, one with a familiar dark streak running down his spine. "Hello Streak." Darren said. The wolf brushed against his legs. "I'm afraid I'm in a bit of trouble." The wolf nipped at his leg and walked away. He turned back at Darren and gave a bark. Darren followed him to the other wolves. Streak nudged Darren with his nose and he dropped to his knees as the other wolves curled around him, making a protective circle for the young vampire to sleep the day away.

The next time he woke it was to the sound of voices. More importantly, it was the sound of his name being called. He peered through the trees, his heart leaping as he glimpsed a tall figure with orange hair. "Arra! Look at this!" His heart climbed even higher when he saw the vampiress approach and kneel besides the man. His father picked up his soaking clothes and held them up for her to see.

"He might be alive," She said trembling, "Larten he might really be alive."

"Darren!" His father called out.

Darren wanted so badly to answer him, to call out and tell his parents that he was alright and there was nothing for them to worry about, until he say Kurda Smahlt and two other vampires come up behind his parents.

Kurda put his hand on Larten's shoulder, "He might be okay Larten, let's keep searching." Darren saw the other vampire tighten their grips on their spears.

Darren felt his hatred for the vampire grow. Kurda's plan was evident. If they found Darren they would kill him and his parents and Kurda would get away with everything: killing Gavner, betraying the clan.

"Kurda we need to get back to the mountain." One of the other vampires said.

"But-" Larten began.

"We'll find him Larten. We'll come back everyday until we do." She put her head on his shoulder, next to his ear, whispering, "He's a smart boy, if he managed to survive that fall down the river he can manage to survive by himself. I swear to you we will find him."

The group passed on. Tears escaped his eyes, he wanted nothing more than to be with his mother and father, but that was impossible with Kurda and his men. Darren suddenly knew what he needed to do. "Streak" he rasped, not entirely sure if the wolf would be able to even understand him, "I need to get into the Mountain, do you know a way in?"

Streak simply walked away from him. "Wait!" Darren called, running after him, "Streak, wait!"

The wolf led him over to another, this one much older and feeble and female. She gave a small groan as Streak nipped at her ear.

"Hey!" Darren shouted, "Cut that out! Leave her alone!"

Streak growled at him in return and then turned his attentions back on the she-wolf, growling and yipping at her until she made her way to her feet. Streak looked between the other wolf and Darren, as if telling him she would show him into the mountain.

Darren nodded at Streak and put a hand on the back of the female wolf. His second journey to vampire mountain was about to begin.