One term later and here we are again, hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Same as always...

FLAWLESS EVIL

Reunion

Darkness receded as the chill of ice crystals on skin prickled Kaddison's being, behind him a tether held the twin-spirit safely just on the border of death. Before him a dimly lit room slowly came into view, barely lit by some dusty light filtering through small cracks in the wall near the ceiling. The place was strewn with rubble and in many places the ceiling had collapsed entirely, spewing broken beams, ash, rock and its accompanying powder into the room.

Cautiously he stepped into the room, feeling his way through the dimness but after stepping on broken pottery three times the pale boy whispers a few words and a small charter mark, glowing warm orange, springs into existence before him, the golden one on his forehead blinking briefly.

With light it is but moments before he finds the bodies. The first one is a woman, probably the mother, a large slab of plaster and broken wood covered the torso where the fatal wound no doubt occurred and for that Kaddison was grateful.

The next two were the ones he sought, twin girls, probably eleven years of age. The two were locked in a death embrace with identical expressions of terror on their faces. A single long splinter had been the cause of both their deaths, entering through the back of one, crossing the gap between them and then protruding from the back of the other.

Doing his best to remain quiet, though there was no real need to, as he gripped the splinter with one hand and began trying to pry it loose from the bodies. It had soaked up a lot of blood and was sticky with it, giving off that sickly sweet scent that blood gave off when it was dead but not dry.

Eventually it came loose and he dragged the locked bodies out onto a clear patch of floor. He then placed one hand on each of their backs and began to mutter. A golden light like honeysuckle flowed out from the point of contact, rippling across their bodies like water, focusing around injuries and glowing brilliantly such that the other charter light was completely lost in the brilliance.

Eventually Kaddison slumped and rested on straight arms against the rock floor, the task complete. They were now healed, though still dead. With failing strength he pulled on the tether, frost cracked across the ground and formed tiny crystals on all their skins and a moment later they awoke, confused…

… Moments after that they screamed.

Back in the throne room Reece stopped his sulking and stood up. Something was different now, he could feel it, and he had an idea.

***

Lirael was most definitely asleep when her horse suddenly neighed and pranced sideways, waking her from her doze and very nearly unseating her. The first thing she noticed was lights, lights before her from lamps and windows, the next thing she noticed was the five or so armed men around them with arrows. Then she realised it was dark.

Sabriel had her hands raised, and the one who appeared to be in charge was brandishing a sword, just visible by starlight. It took a few moments for her to realise he was talking.

"… your business here? There's been smoke and fire and no messages and now you arrive unannounced."

Again Lirael marvelled at how calm Sabriel seemed, especially after all that had happened and what would now be nearly two days without sleep and nothing but hard riding.

"To answer your first question I am Sabriel Abhorsen and this is Lirael my apprentice. I think that should more or less explain it all."

The man fell silent and then called an order, a torch was lit and brought close so that he could examine them, their outfit and the bells which they carried. At last satisfied he stepped back, "My apologies your majesty."

Shuffling nervously he barked, "Put your swords away you laggards," as he tried to restore a little of his dignity.

"Are you here for your daughter?" His question is quiet and held some aspect of fear within it. Sabriel's answer of yes seemed to confirm the worst possible things he had thought about.

"My name is Captain Senlac, please follow us and we will take you to your daughter.

"Mother!" barely had the hard wooden doors opened before a dark haired figure had launched itself at Sabriel and locked her in a hug so fierce Lirael honestly wondered if her back was breaking.

"Oh we were so worried, last night even from here the sky was orange on the horizon and then all day there was those horrible grey plumes of smoke. Then there was…" she rambled on for ages crying and somehow it seemed, trying to justify her behaviour.

"There, there, calm down. It's ok now." Sabriel held herself with a weary strength, but the look on her face said that she certainly didn't believe her own words.

After a moment a butler came up to them dressing in royal livery, "Will you be staying tonight?"

Sabriel merely nodded, "Everyone should sleep now, and we will talk more in the morning."

There was general consensus and a few servants came forwards to guide them. Eillimere seemed reluctant to go but had clearly not slept well from worry and seemed content to do as she was bid for now.

Just as she was being led away Lirael noticed Sabriel call in Captain Senlac and walk with the butler and him to one side. She knew what they were talking about and she felt she should be there to help but she was so tired… she didn't even remember reaching the bed before she was waking again the next morning.

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