-Chapter Twenty-two -

Casavir entered the temple and stood for a few moments absorbing the serenity around him. He had been here many times in his life to pray or for duty's sake, but never felt such urgency to speak to Tyr until now.

He walked to the altar and bowed himself in supplication. Casavir knelt quietly for several minutes, clearing his mind of the previous turmoil with Bishop. He sighed from deep down as he considered all that he wanted to bring to Tyr. As he sat, he pondered the real reason he had come, it wasn't to save Lana from Bishop. He knew he wanted to be with her and this might be his last chance. Fear had gripped his heart and he knew he had acted irrationally in coming.

He sat for several minutes as the thoughts of Lana roiled through his mind. The idea of losing her after finally finding what he sought for his life struck fear in his heart, fear like he had never experienced before. He was a tried warrior, but no one taught him how to react to losing their beloved. No instructions are given for how to bear that unrelenting weight on your soul. He felt alone in unchartered territory. Casavir did not notice as a few tears to streak unchecked down his face. He sat upon his haunches, fingers interlaced between his bent knees and head bowed. A sob of anguish shook his broad shoulders as he offered a prayer.

I come unto thee, Tyr, as one of your faithful servants. I bow myself in humble prayer to offer myself, heart and soul, to thee. I thank thee for thy rich blessings, the opportunities to serve and redeem myself to thee.

It has been too long since I have come to thee and for that I am sorry. Know that I serve thee in my heart and only desire to be thy faithful servant. Thou hast brought me love that I did not know could exist for one so unworthy as I and I thank thee. I acknowledge thy righteous hand in my life and only wish to bring honor to thy name.

It is for this love that I kneel before thee. I know this woman is not one of thy servants but she has had great injustice done unto her. Please aid her cause, steady her arm so that she may fight and bring about thy justice. Her cause is just… and I need her. Please, do not take her from me now. I will serve thee for as long as thou hast need of me. My sword and my soul are thine but I beg of thee, watch over Lana. She is the world to me. Please mighty Tyr, do not let me spend another day without her.

He knelt for several more minutes, feeling the temple's calming presence wash over him. Casavir stood and went to the room where Lana was serving her ritual. She sat quietly staring up to at the giant statue before her. She turned slowly at his approaching footsteps.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to disturb the Rites. I was troubled though. I thought perhaps by seeking you out, that I could help somehow," he said as he sat on the bench beside her.

"You know I must do this on my own. Please Casavir, this is hard enough."

He nodded, "I admire your conviction. I am certain that you shall see to it that justice finds Lorne at last. May Tyr guide your blade tomorrow, and may the people of Ember grant strength to your weapons."

Lana sighed and returned her gaze again to the statue before them. "May Tyr guide my blade? I am not so sure Casavir, I am not sure of anything anymore."

He reached a hand out and placed it on her thigh. "My lady, I am sure that you will find success tomorrow. Justice will triumph and you are on the side of right. Your cause is just."

Lana looked at him, her face pinched in frustration. "My cause is just? I have to battle someone I used to call friend to the death for something he did for some reason I don't understand or want to? My cause is insane! I want nothing to do with this cause Casavir!" she spewed angrily.

Casavir sighed, "Lana, I do not know the meaning of any of this either. What I do know however, is that you must make it through tomorrow. We must see this one battle to completion so together we can find the answers. I also know that whether you like it or not, Tyr is guiding your hand and is with you, as I am. That will have to be enough, at least for now."

Lana only looked at him as the different thoughts and arguments collided within her mind. "You are right Casavir. This must be done and I must be the one to do it. I don't know why and I guess it really doesn't matter. Thank you for always being my steady hand."

"Always my lady, as long as you have need of me."

"Casavir, I want you to know, in case I don't make it tomorrow…" Lana stammered.

He cut her off, "No, you will make it tomorrow. Of that I have no doubt. Do not even think otherwise."

"Casavir, please hear me out. In case I don't make it tomorrow, I want you to know not only do I have need of you as you put it, but I have always wanted you. Having you by my side is all I ever wanted." She reached up and stroked his cheek.

She stared into his eyes, "I want only you Casavir, nothing and no one else for as long as I live." She chuckled mirthlessly, "For as long as that might be."

He sat quietly staring at her when he suddenly remembered what he had brought. He reached down into his rucksack to retrieve his ritual flask and held it lightly in his hand, staring at his as he fought the memories it threatened to return.

"This is something someone gave me once. Make use of it tomorrow, and it will have served its purpose. It will heal you and also convey a blessing upon you."

"Casavir, I know this is special to you. You should keep it, you may have need again. It is too important to give away."

"No my lady, you are too important to me to not have it. As I said, it can heal you and bless you. Make use of it and know that I am with you as it blesses you. At least let me do this small thing so I may watch over you and know you are protected." He took her hand and pressed the small flask gently into her palm, wrapping his hand over both.

"Thank you Casavir, I will use it well and think of you when I do. I will use this tomorrow and treasure it always. I will be sure to keep it close to me." She held onto his hand a moment longer and then tucked the flask into her bandolier next to Bishop's hunting knife.

Lana leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek. "You always watch over me don't you?" Whatever would I do without you? Will you stay here with me through the night? Please don't go. I need you… I want you."

Casavir turned to look at her again and nodded. He stood and undid his armor and swordbelt while Lana rolled out their bedrolls. She removed her bandoliers then sat watching him. He sat next to her and gathered her close. He reached a hand up to cup the back of her neck and pull Lana into a slow kiss. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her chest against him.

He pushed her down onto the bedrolls and ran his hand down her backside. He caressed and kneaded her exposed flesh, groping her buttocks under her leather skirt as she wrapped her leg across him. Casavir kissed her neck and between her breasts as she threw her head back in ecstasy.

Casavir stopped and looked at her, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "My lady, we cannot go any further. You know I want to but…"

Lana sat up beside him and stared at him with mixed emotions.

"As much as I would like nothing more then lay with you now, we cannot. Not here. This is holy ground. I will remain here with you the remainder of the evening, but nothing can happen. It is important to me, I am sorry to have done this to you," he said as he caressed her cheek.

"No Casavir, I am the one who should be sorry. Please forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive. We will finish what we started after the trial by combat, this I promise."

Lana scooted close to him, folding herself into his arms.

"Then I shall be sure to be successful. I am holding you to that promise."

He smiled into her hair and chuckled in spite of himself, "It is a task I will just have to suffer through. The things I do in the name of duty."

She turned and looked at him with a wry grin. "I shall be sure to make you suffer slowly then. That is my promise. Shall we get some rest before I decide to call in that debt sooner after all?"

They lay in other arms attempting to sleep through the remainder of the night. Casavir remained awake listening to Lana's slow, steady breathing. Sleep was slow in coming for him as he pondered the morning to come.