He longed to see the faces of his loved ones, but he didn't dare to look them in the eye. Ever since his return, he has been staying in the wing of Castle Wyvern where, although he didn't know it, his mother once stayed at her time of grief and repentance.

He had not seen Olrun on the first, nor the second night since he came back, but on the third night, she came to him.

He looked up, and despite his sadness and shame, his heart fluttered. Imperceptible magic was working its way between him and the rookery sister he had known all his life. His affection for her and admiration of her grace and beauty was becoming something else, something different, almost frightening in its power. Yet now, of all times, he felt smaller and more insignificant than ever before.

Olrun stood in front of him, beautiful and silent, and only her eyes shone with tears of mercy he did not feel he deserved. He averted his eyes from her, but she stepped up closer, took his face gently in both hands and made him look straight at her.

"You'd better go," he forced himself to say, her caresses making him burn with guilt like nothing, not even talking to Elisa, had done.

But she didn't go. "Steelclaw," she whispered.

"No," he said suddenly, "Jason was right. I should let the ones who love me give me a name, not my enemies. From this day on, I don't want to be known as Steelclaw. Not to you."

"I have always thought of you as Fireheart," said Olrun, "but you must have another name, one you give to yourself."

For a few moments he was silent, lost deep in contemplation. Then he looked up at her and said: "Samson. I shall be Samson."

"Samson Fireheart," echoed Olrun and smiled, "that is a good name."

Her fingers brushed against his lips, and gently, reverently, he kissed them for the first time.

... "Allow me to go," he pleaded with the leader, "I can't bear to stay here."

"It is cowardice," frowned Brooklyn.

"No," said the lad, "it is penitence. Are you afraid I might do something foolish again?" he asked. "It won't happen. From now on, I assume your authority over me as my rightful leader and my mentor, as my father instructed me to do, and as I should have done from the start. And if you forbid me to go, I will submit, but I ask you to let me take this journey."

Brooklyn said nothing for a long time, then sighed. "But where is it that you set your mind on going?"

"To Avalon," replied the young one.

"What about Olrun?" asked Brooklyn, acknowledging for the first time the connection between his daughter and this lad, who had for so long been proud of the name Steelclaw.

"I told her of my intentions," replied Samson, "and she understands."

... They all came to bid him farewell, and the boat that was to take him to Avalon was already waiting.

"Be well, my brother," said Angela tearfully, embracing him, "give my love to... to all our kin on Avalon. Heaven knows I have wanted to go and visit them many a time during all those years, but I was always needed here." Her eyes met Broadway's, and an understanding glance and a smile passed between them.

"You will be missed," said Broadway, pulling him in a one-armed, bone-crashing hug, "Samson."

Olrun said nothing, merely extended her hand in a gesture of farewell. Samson caught it gratefully and pressed his lips to it. He, too, felt no need for more words. All was said and settled between them, and she knew he would come back.

The parting, though, was bitter, and once the currents began to carry him away, her tears blurred her vision for long minutes. When she had finally managed to blink them away, the boat was but a speck of black in the grey mist that was carrying her beloved away to Avalon.