...Remember...Every rose has it's thorn...

"If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm any hostility." -HW Longfellow

"You will find them, I am sure of that. But what I am not so sure of is what you will do then," his cool voice made me shiver with anger towards the three men who had killed my brother and cousin.

"I will kill them. Simple manipulation and soon we can have our revenge. I will kill them, just as they drove Matthew and Roger to their deaths," I said, my icy tone surprised my father, his eyes flew to mine and then he smiled, proud of the livid temper I had acquired over the past years. I gritted my teeth and tried to hold back the tears I could feel underneath my fluttering eyelids. My fists clenched until they were white and the emotions past.

"Very good. The memories. The emotions. The rage. It's all unfolding in front of you. Soon enough it will be time. You will have your revenge. But, you must pass the first test in this long journey, finding those killers. Do you know where they are?" my father asked.

He circled around me, watching me, my eyes grew intense, I could feel the blood running through my body, coursing through me. I closed my eyes hard,"You can do this. Concentrate. This is what you have been waiting for. You can find them. Focus on the feelings, the memories, channel your anger, your thoughts."

I stared intently into the black of my mind. I could feel it, I could feel the power, I just had to use it to my advantage. Then the shadows appeared. Murky forms hovered in and out of my thoughts. Then I saw them, "I-I see three men, and a woman with one of them, she has a ring. There-there are two others. Two women. They are connected somehow to the other two men," I started to explain through tight eyes and clenched teeth, I concentrated harder, "Connected-connected through flesh, through their children. Yes. Yes, it is more clear now, there are three couples. Two of them are married, the two brothers, and they-they each have a child. They each have a boy, almost the same age. And the other ones, they are engaged."

"Good, good. Now what do those men look like? Focus harder," my father's voice entered my mind briefly and I tried harder to see their faces.

I inhaled deeply, and concentrated, "Two of them are blond, the other has brown hair. He-he is the oldest, but not by much. One of the blonds, he is bigger than the others, taller. His eyes are blue, and the oldest's brown. I can see them so clearly now, their features are striking. But-but the other one, it's harder to see him. His face is darkened by something. Emotion. Fear. I-I can't see his face, I can't."

"Try harder, you can do it. I know you can."

"He-he is the youngest. I can feel him, I can read him. He is impetuous. Head strong. Terrified."

"Terrified of what?" my father implored. I could hear the satisfaction in his voice. It was almost unnerving.

"H-himself," I stuttered. I could feel him, feel his fear, hear his thoughts. I was engrossed in this man, in his life, in his soul...

And then all of a sudden a pair of electrifying blue eyes flashed from underneath the darkness that cloaked his face. They plunged into me, into my thoughts.

Then I opened my eyes, breathing heavily.

I was scared. But of what? Of this man? Of his power over me? No. He did not have power over me, I have power over him. But those eyes...

"It's alright. Breath. You did very well. You have found them. Now all you have to do is go to them. Feel their location. They will guide you to them. Trust me," my father said, soothingly patting my head. I looked up at him, trying to hide the pain and fear that I felt, "It's okay get some rest now, get some rest," he said as I laid down and fast fell into a fatigue induced slumber, "Sleep well my thorn, for tomorrow the real test begins..."