Soren Tamazki: I know. I cried too. Poor baby.

WaffleNommer: How could you tell by a ribbon in his hair? Lol. Yesss… Cadrian is a very bad man…

Voltagelisa: Ah yes. Cadrian is a total bastard…as for Daric… well… This chapter may help you make up your mind.

AlexanderDeathwalker: Ah. I've been called worse. ;D I'm glad you are enjoying the series, dear.

Herelies: You always post so much for me to cover. Lol. I don't mind In fact, I love your lengthy reviews. You make me think of things that I wasn't necessarily going to cover but now, will. YOU ARE AWESOME. Let me just say that now. All interesting guesses and theories my dear, but you will have to wait for me to update… (Which should be soon if the Gods are good?) As for Vincent being gay, yes he has every reason to shy away from it because of Cadrian but before the inkling was there. That's why he's left a stunned mess when Grace confronts him about Frey. There are lots of things that an older brother doesn't want his sister knowing about himself. I may have made it too subtle. You have my apologies.

Kogouma: Maybe. Maybe not. And yes… Grace was sweet.

Byvenic: Hmmm, no… I don't think you've commented before but I appreciate the words now! I'm glad you are enjoying the story my dear. You see, Vincent being the Dragonborn...at least in my opinion, would make him wayyyy to much of a Mary Sue character. He already has a lot of bad things in his back story and adding the "oh yeah, by the way Vilkas, I'm also the Dragonborn", seemed a bit too much. I have a Dragonborn lined up but he won't be around until the sequel.

TeB360: Indeed he is twisted…your mood on Daric may change after reading this chapter.

Chapter 16: Tears to shed

If I touch a burning candle I can feel no pain
in the ice or in the sun it's all the same

Yet I feel my heart is aching

Though it doesn't beat, its breaking

And the pain here that I feel

Try and tell me it's not real

I know that I am dead

But it seems that I still have some tears to shed.

By Danny Elfman- Tears to shed.

"You'll promise me. Won't you brother?"

Vincent opened his eyes to look up at his sister. He was lying in the summer grass beside her, shaded by a giant tree. She wasn't wearing shoes again, which made Vincent scowl but he dismissed it for now.

"Promise what?"

She smiled…and seemed wise beyond her years. "You're always protecting me…but you never look out for yourself. You need to live for you, Vincent and no one else."

He sat up slightly so he could look down at her instead. "What are you talking about? Why are you saying this?"

"When you wake, Vincent…You will most likely blame yourself for my death." Vincent felt his blood run cold and all the color started to drain from his face. His mouth gaped open to answer but she held up a hand to silence him. "You have a greater purpose to fulfill brother…as do I."

"W-What do you…?"

"Cadrian is a vile man and if he gets his way, all of Nirn may tremble before him. He is in league with Daedra and all manners of creatures. The Divines see him as an abomination to be wiped clean." She sighed. "But not yet. Too powerful he is in this place and too weak you are."

Vincent had the sinking feeling that he may not even be talking with Grace. She never spoke this way…this wasn't like her. "…"

She smiled as if reading his mind. "Thinking it's not me, Brother? You are half right. I am not the Grace you once knew. I have been…enlightened. I was naïve when I lived…but now I know so much. The fates have grand plans for you Vincent."

"I want no part of it." Vincent wrapped his arms around his legs and pulled them closer to his body.

"Is this true? You must have a desire to embrace destiny."

"I don't even know what happened. Am I dead?"

She grew silent for a moment. "No…but knowing you…you'll wish you were. What has been done to you is in your blood already."

He chuckled humorlessly. "Ah, so I'm dreaming right now then."

"I know what you are thinking. You must not kill yourself."

"Why not?" he asked dryly. "I've failed everyone I ever cared for."

"Because there will be yet another to live for again."

"…"

"You must live." She nodded. "If you do not, Cadrian will never be stopped. He will keep doing that ritual over and over. Let it end with you." She got to her feet and Vincent followed her.

"So what do I need to do?"

"Flee, brother. When the time comes to turn and face the tiger, you will know and the running may stop. You will not be alone. The one who holds your heart will join you."

"No one does." He muttered. "Not anymore."

"Not yet." She corrected. "The pain of being alone is a heavy one, dear brother… but in time, you will learn what it's like to live again. Do you believe me?"

He shuffled his feet slightly in the grass, feeling the cool wind of summer brush against his face. He didn't know why he should believe any of this…but for some reason he did. "Yes."

"So, you need to promise me." She spoke, returning to the question she first asked. "Promise me if you find yourself with the feelings of love, you will not run away from it. It is hard, Vincent…but so is life. Trusting another…especially after how Daric has betrayed you is going to be difficult. His love is false and bitter…do not believe all love is like that."

"He doesn't love me." Vincent spat. "He only loves himself. If he hadn't changed…then maybe I'd…"

"Some people hide truth very well from others. Daric was enamored with you the moment you saved him from the bullies that teased him. He is not a man used to anyone defending him. He was already rotten inside, though he seemed fresh on the surface. He is on a path that you cannot save him from now. He has chosen."

"How do you know all this?"

She smiled, whimsically. "The divines are always watching. They guide you, Vincent…as you will play a key role in fate."

"What role am I to play then?"

"Unfortunately, I cannot say." She sighed. "I have overstepped my boundaries already. We shouldn't even be able to speak, as you are not a prophet. To give you too much information may alter the course of fate's design." When he tilted his head in confusion, she continued. "There are millions and millions out outcomes depending on the actions of one person. That action could take but a second, yet still drastically change the fate of Nirn. The course I am attempting to set you on has the best outcome for everyone involved, including yourself."

Vincent huffed. He hated all this riddling and deception. Why couldn't see just come right out and say it? "What in oblivion do you want me to say, Grace?"

She smiled…remembering those words well. "Nothing at all, dear brother."

Hr rubbed is arms as if he was cold but in reality he felt near to nothing. He glanced at the ground and her bare feet. "…You should be wearing shoes."

She laughed and he cracked a small smile. It was a welcome noise. "I no longer feel sick, brother." Her voice was happy and light. "I no longer feel pain, the cold, the heat or weakness. I am free from my mortal coil and given a purpose that I do not deserve." She walked forward and took his hands. He was surprised by the strength of them now. "I am free." she repeated. "You did not fail me."

The statement made him want to cry. He could feel his vision water up and he choked back a soft sob that rose in his throat.

"Oh, don't despair, brother…" she reached up to wipe a tear away that had yet to fall. "…I love you."

"And I love you…" he whispered harshly.

"Promise me." she spoke firmly again. "Promise me you will live and love when it comes to you."

"That's…hard."

"Yes… It is Vincent. I can promise you that there will be those who will teach you to live again. But now… you must promise me."

"I…." He looked down into her eyes and put on a strong smile for her. "…promise."

She nodded and squeezed his hand. "I am glad to hear it." She put a free hand against her chest and it glowed with a gentle, calming light. Vincent could have sworn he saw the symbol of Talos there… "Now, I must leave you brother. You will awake soon."

He blinked as her hand slid from his and she began walking away. His first instinct was to run after her but he was stuck in place. "W-Will we talk again?"

She stopped for a moment. "Like this…? No. You are no prophet Vincent and this was a one time rarity. If fate continues on the course we have set, the next time we speak, you shall be awake…and Cadrian will be dead. Goodbye, brother. I look forward to that day." Then she kept going and soon faded from his sight.

"So do I grace…" He muttered to himself as the landscape ebbed away. "So do it…"

THE FIRST DAY

When Vincent opened his eyes, he found himself lying in his bed. The first thing he noticed is that his window suddenly had bars on it. The coat Grace had made for him was hung up where he'd left it and everything else in the room seemed to be in its rightful place. The only thing different seemed to be those bars. So he was to be caged…hum…

He put a hand to is head, only to suddenly pull it back when he saw the bandages. Both hands had been wrapped cleanly with pristine white gauze. He daftly pulled at the one on his right hand and slowly uncoiled it. A hideous scar marred his pale flesh. Burn scars. He knew these were from when he grabbed the bars of Grace's cell. Those bars had been as hot as molten lava…he was surprised he didn't seem to have nerve damage. He wrapped it back up, not needed to unwrap the other, knowing it matched.

Oddly…the burn marks didn't hurt.

He swung his legs over the bed and attempted to stand. The whole room spun suddenly and he stumbled back, sitting down until it stopped. Then he tried again. He stood and swayed slightly. His brain felt like it was underwater. He took each step carefully until he finally reached his mirror. He looked in and pushed his hair out of his eyes.

His…eyes….

Said eyes widened and Vincent reached up to touch his cheek, just to make sure the reflection did the same. His normal, blue eyes had been replaced with rich copper ones. That wasn't all either. His skin seemed paler and his hair, a more vibrant shade of red then it was. He suddenly felt sick again and braced a hand against the cool glass of the mirror. He felt the cool glass touch his skin…and although he was aware it was cold, the cold did not seep into his hand.

"What has been done to you is in your blood already"

Vincent screamed in frustration and punched the image in the mirror. It shattered into a million jagged pieces, some cutting into his fist. What have they done to him!? He almost smiled at the pain…at least he knew he was truly alive.

"o-Oh! Vincent! Stop!" Came the voice of Mrs. Changine.

He whirled in her direction, ready to yell at her but stopped when he saw her face. There was a giant bruise over her left eye and her right cheek had some swelling to it. He settled for "what happened to you?"

She ignored him and took his hand, leading him back to his bed. She sat him down on it and begun picking the glass quickly from his hand. He could see tears forming at the corner of her eyes as she worked.

"Mrs. Changine…"

She pulled the last piece out and covered his injured hand with her own. "I couldn't stop them."

Vincent blinked. "What?"

"I didn't know what they had planned. I swear it to you!" She looked up at him, tears beginning to run down her old face. "I knew you had a test coming up. Master Belemonde warned me ahead of time to have the infirmary ready for your arrival, should you live…"

"That's what you tried to warn me about."

She nodded. "I took Daric to the back room to plead to him. He has the master's ear… I pleaded with him to dismiss the master from this course of action."

"What did he say?"

Her little hand tightened on his. ""Nothing… he just… listened to me with a straight face. Then he smiled and left the back room. I swear I didn't know they would come for Grace. It was almost immediately after you left. Some of the guards showed up and grabbed her. When I resisted they…" She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. What does matter is that I've failed you. I'm so, so sorry…"

"You've heard what happened?"

She nodded, more tears running down her cheek.

"Mrs. Changine…" When she continued to sob, he sighed gently and put his free hand against her face to catch some of the tears. "Emily…" He spoke using her given name. She met his eyes and he smiled with more kindness than he thought himself possible of doing. "It's okay. You did not fail me or Grace. You have been an angel to us these past two years and I could not have asked for better."

"B-But she-!"

"Shh… It's… okay. Grace forgives you. I forgive you. Just don't cry anymore. You're going to make me start."

She nodded and hugged him tightly. He felt a bit awkward but wrapped his arms around the small elderly woman to hug her back. She suddenly pulled away and picked up his injured hand again. "Look here, Vincent."

When he did, he saw the small cuts on his hand had vanished entirely. He was already healed?

"Vincent…" she started. "I know what has happened to you. Only one other had survived what you have endured and I had the pleasure of knowing her. Our lady, Lilliana Belemonde. The sister of our master…"

"What happened…? To her…I mean?"

"She was a brilliant woman." She smiled fondly at the memory. "A skilled mage, smart, talented and beautiful…. You actually look a lot like her… which is why I think the master was so smitten on getting you. She… also had a wild side to her that ached to be defiant. She went out one night and before any of us knew it, filled her stomach with child."

"I'm guessing Cadrian wasn't pleased."

"No." She confirmed. "The master…he's… a very sick man. He… coveted his sister. When he found out he… was not pleased. He was not yet the monster he was now, but he was still a powerful mage…much more powerful then the lady. She used to confine in me. She was terrified of the reckoning that she knew her brother must be planning. All she cared about was the safety of her unborn child."

"What happened then?"

She sighed. "I know not when the master did it but he made deals with the Daedric gods. He gained the power of immortality through Vampirism and bound that spirit of magic to a cage. With it, I believe, he intends to fulfill his contract with whatever Daedra he made his bargain with. The spirit needs a magical host….and he chose his sister."

"So that's why he was gathering us kids. That's why he fed any that failed to the fire."

"I believe so."

"Do you know what happened to her? Beside the obvious?"

"Yes and no. She became the spirits host. She was somehow strong enough to endure it. She talked with me…much like we are talking now. She had plans. She told me the spirit had manifested in her like a disease. In three days, she would become the spirit and all that was left of her would fade away. The spirit would then be able to walk the mortal plane and who knows what the master had planned then. This plague upon her soul could not be cured. Any temple would say that nothing was wrong with her."

"Did she kill herself then?"

"No. My lady was also a brilliant alchemist. She devised a potion to keep her illness at bay… all she had to do would be to take it every three days. It would be like a reset on a timer, Vincent. She would have three more days of time to figure out how to rid herself of the creature."

"Did she ever?"

"I do not know Vincent. She left a few things in my possession and then fled. To where, I did not know. The spirit returned to the cage years later. She either found a way to rid herself of it's possession…or she died."

"What about the child she was carrying?"

"The master told me that when the spirit entered her body, she aborted."

Vincent grimaced. "And he didn't care did he?"

"No."

"Bastard…" Vincent suddenly snarled and startled the old woman. "He'll get what he deserves."

She pursed her lips. "Vincent…It will take me some time…but I promise I will help you. The objects that the lady left in my possession will aid you…I will help you escape here."

"I thank you but without that magic potion you were talking about I'll just turn after the three days are up."

A sudden knock on the door startled both of them. Mrs. Changine glanced at Vincent quickly and whispered. "Let me worry about that. Do not tell anyone of what we have spoken of." The she stood before the door flew open.

To reveal Cadrian.

Vincent bit back a growl that threatened to erupt from his throat. Every fiber of him wanted to rip this man to shreds for what he had done. Not just for what he'd done to Vincent, oh no…but for everyone he'd ever hurt. Grace, the lady Lilliana, Mrs. Changine, all the boys…and everyone else. He knew Cadrian's body count must be piling up…and it would only get larger unless he was stopped.

"Mrs. Changine, dear…I know you are tending to our little spitfire here, but do you mind terribly if he and I were left alone?"

She knew she couldn't get between them right now. She had work to do and it needed to be done. She glanced at Vincent and nodded at him before walking up to Cadrian, bowing and then leaving the room. Cadrian shut the door behind him and it filled Vincent with unease. Cadrian wouldn't kill him though. He knew it. Cadrian needed him….

"Ah. Look at you." he spoke affectionately. "Not even a tear in your eye."

"I won't give you the pleasure." Vincent snapped. He knew Cadrian would probably get off on seeing him upset and broken over the death of his sister. He held all his grief inside and slowly let it morph into rage for this man.

"You screamed so beautifully as she burned though…I was hoping to hear more."

Vincent grit his teeth. "If you've come here only to mock me, I'm afraid you'll be sorely disappointed."

"Oh Vincent…" Cadrian reached forward as if to touch his face and Vincent slapped his hand away. Cadrian's eyebrow raised. "My, my… such teeth you have now."

"You won't kill me."

"You sound certain of that, my dear."

"I am." Vincent glared at the taller man.

"How cute." Cadrian nodded. "You're right…for once. I will not be killing you. You can take your own life if you wish. I won't stop you nor would I be surprised. I'm sure you'd love to join your sister."

Vincent looked away from him. "Just… leave me alone."

Cadrian smiled broadly again, obviously thinking he won. He walked over and forcibly grabbed Vincent's chin and tilted his head up. "Your body is stronger now… I'm sure you've experienced a change. I've given you a gift, Vincent. One you were apparently worthy of…"

Vincent grabbed the Cadrian's wrist but his hand didn't budge. "Let go of me."

"Making demands now?"

"Your touch makes my skin crawl. Let go."

"You are adorable…" He leaned in and Vincent felt his heart rate pick up. "You look just like my sister." he mused, so close now that Vincent could feel Cadrian's breath against his face. "That same defiant, hated look she possessed, you also have. She shunned my attentions, much like you had…maybe that's why…I'm so drawn to you."

He leaned in as if to kiss him. Vincent would be damned if he let Cadrian take his first kiss from him. With a quick swipe of his hand, he dug his nails into Cadrian's cheek and left jagged scratch marks down the side of Cadrian's face. Cadrian let out a noise of pain and recoiled. He quickly backhanded Vincent across the face. The blow was strong enough to knock Vincent from the bed and onto the floor. He hit the floor hard and the room spun slightly from the impact.

"You little fucking bitch." Cadrian's voice practically hissed.

A sudden kick to the stomach took all the air out of Vincent's body and he tried to lock up as more and more blows to the stomach connected. Cadrian didn't stop until Vincent was coughing up blood. Vincent was used to his beatings so he just let his body go numb. Cadrian touched his own marks with a look of grimace on his face before glancing down at Vincent's broken form. Vincent could feel his body rapidly repairing the damage Cadrian had just wrought on him, though it was not instantaneous.

"You're lucky, you son of a whore." Cadrian scowled. "You're lucky you're worth more to me alive then dead currently."

Then he stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him.

When Vincent could breathe again, he cracked a smile and rested on the floor where Cadrian left him. It still felt like a victory.

DAY 2

Vincent knew he'd show eventually. In the middle of the second day his door was opened to reveal Daric. Vincent didn't even glance up at the other boy. He sat by his barred window with the coat Grace had made for him in his lap. He looked out at freedom while touching the fabric softly. He'd get out of here…He had a promise to keep. Vincent could feel Daric's eyes on him but he didn't care.

"Vincent…"

He ignored him. He didn't want to talk to Daric right now.

"Vincent. Look at me."

Again, Vincent ignored him. The plea in his voice almost made Vincent look but he remembered what grace had told him. His love is false and bitter…

He heard Daric sigh and heard his footsteps draw closer. He tried not to flinch as Daric grabbed a chair and sat down across from him. Vincent did not meet his gaze. He keep looking out his barred window as if Daric hadn't even walked in.

"Vincent…listen to me. Are you eating? You need to keep well." He paused, as if waiting for a response. When he got none he continued. "I saw the Master's face. He is furious, Vincent." that almost made Vincent smile. "I don't want to lose you. I care for you and I love you."

That made Vincent meet his gaze, finally. Daric was different. The grey eyes that Vincent had become accustomed to were now a deep shade of red and his skin appeared an almost sickly pale. Vincent chose to ignore his declaration of love and raised a fine eyebrow.

"What happened to you?"

Daric blinked. "Pardon?"

"You are different."

Daric cracked an affectionate smile. "So are you."

"Not by choice. How about you?"

"The Master saw it fit that I join him in eternity. I accepted." he wrung his hands together almost nervously. "It…was painful."

"I can imagine." Vincent scowled, sounding dreadfully sarcastic. Daric didn't know the meaning of the word.

"Vincent…I'm glad you live."

Vincent's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why?"

"W-Why?" Daric seemed off put by his response. "Because…I'd be lost without you."

"In less then two days I won't be me anymore. You're going to lose me anyway. I'd be better off dead."

"T-That's…that's not…" Daric seemed to stumble for the right words. "You'll still be around Vincent…it will be more as the passenger instead of the main host?"

"So I am to become a guest in my own body, if not vanish completely…. Yes. My thanks for that."

"Don't be that way. It-"

"Answer me something, Daric." Vincent spoke cutting him off.

"Uhhh…okay."

"Did you know? Did you know that he was going to use Grace?"

"…."

"You said you loved me." Vincent stated.

"I do."

"Then answer me and answer me with the truth."

The long pause was all Vincent really needed to confirm the truth but he to hear it from Daric. After an age, Daric sighed. "Yes… I knew."

"For how long?"

"A few days."

"And you didn't see it fit to tell me?"

"I knew how you would react Vincent! You'd freak out and do something stupid and get yourself killed! Master was getting sick of your defiance and was just going to feed you to the flame! I had to do something!"

Vincent's eye twitched slightly…the only expression now on his blank face. "Daric…what did you do?"

Daric's lips pursed slightly. "I…gave him the suggestion."

"…." Vincent took a moment to process that. "You…what?"

"I gave the master the suggestion to use your sister."

He surprisingly did not expect the punch that followed. He took Vincent's fist full to the face and toppled backwards out of the chair from the force of the blow. Daric groaned and clutched his nose in agony as Vincent slowly got to his feet.

"How could you…" Vincent hissed through a veil of rage.

"She was holding you back!" Daric's voice came out slightly nasally. Vincent grinned inwardly at the thought of breaking his nose. "Everything you did concerned only her and not yourself! You could have been the best if not for her!"

"My sister was NOT a handicap on my training! I LOVED her! That's what it meant to have family!"

Daric slowly got to his feet. Vincent could see blood pouring down his nose and onto his chin. Daric's now red eyes narrowed. "She probably wasn't even your real sister."

"…"

"You looked NOTHING like her Vincent! Not even a single feature was the same!"

"Shut up!"

"Why would you risk yourself for someone who isn't even family!?"

"I risked myself for you, didn't I?!" Vincent advanced on him and saw the boy flinch slightly. Yes. A boy…not a man. "You and Grace seemed to be my only lights in this dark hell and you betrayed me!"

"I did not! I saved you!"

"Saved me!? SAVED ME!? FROM WHAT?! CADRIAN?! DEATH!? You have saved me from NOTHING!" Vincent erupted into a coughing fit and put a hand against his own chest to try and stop the grated hacking noise.

Daric shook slightly in place, swallowing thickly. It was clear that he didn't know what to say. Good. Vincent didn't want to hear another word from him. His coughing finally calmed down and he narrowed his eyes at the boy across from him.

"I don't care what you think, Daric…She WAS my sister. I remember looking into her cradle as a child and I took care of her my whole life. You have taken that privilege from me. Get out."

Daric's mouth opened for a moment before he shut it again and wiped his nose on his sleeve. Vincent could see it was defiantly broken. "Vincent… I-"

"Get. Out."

"I love you." He blurted. "I always did."

Vincent heaved a big sigh. His love is false and bitter. "No. You didn't. You don't. You never did. Get out."

It took a few minutes of silence but Daric finally spoke. "I won't give up on you." Then turned and left the room. Vincent sighed again and sat back down. Cadrian would most likely be furious about Daric's injury but he found himself unable to care. He picked back up the discarded coat and resumed looking out to freedom.

DAY 3

Vincent held on to the shard of glass he had saved. He twirled it about deftly in his fingers as he watched the sun rise and move across the sky. He coughed, feeling ill as the hours flew by. He had not received a replacement mirror so he had no idea how shitty he must look right now. He almost smiled. So this is how it felt to be so close to the edge? When the sun set, it would be the final push and Cadrian will win. Vincent would be damned. He'd kill himself first.

Daric had not come back to visit nor had Cadrian. Vincent did not see this as a loss. If he was to die, he didn't want to see either of them. Grace had said that fate had more in store for him, but with each passing moment he was loosing faith. As it got darker, he palmed the glass tighter. It would be sharp enough to slit his throat with and if he was lucky, he would die from it.

He did not fear death but he would be lying if he said he wanted to die. Grace had changed his mind on that. She made him promise to carry on and that's what he'd do...if given the chance. How long could he wait? The end of the third day was drawing closer and closer and Vincent was at wits end. A low burn in his stomach was becoming more and more prominent, to the point of being painful. Part of him wanted to curl into the fetal position and cry but he knew that would do him no good.

He closed his eyes tightly as dusk approached and silently begged the Gods to help him. As if answering his call, salvation did arrive.

Mrs. Changine quickly opened the door without knocking and rushed over to Vincent's side. She gasped as she saw his face and shook his wrist.

"Vincent. Vincent sweetie… are you okay?"

He nodded slowly but erupted into another coughing fit.

"Here! Vincent!" She handed him a little red potion bottle. "Drink this! Do it quickly!"

He took it from her and downed it without asking. He gagged and almost threw up the offensive substance but he managed to hold it down as it burned down his throat. In a few moments, however…he felt much better. The burn in his gut subsided and he found himself feeling stronger. He looked up at the old woman curiously, to see that she had a giant smile on her face.

"It worked! Praise the Gods!"

"It worked?"

"The potion Vincent. The one that reverses the progression by three days! Praise the nine!"

Vincent let the glass slip from his hand, a smile slowly coming to his face. He was not to die here. Not today. "So now what do we do?" She handed him a knapsack as he stood up and he took it slowly from her. "What's all this now?"

"There is enough potions in there for a months worth of doses, the recipe, some of the ingredients and anything I could spare. The master and Daric will be here soon to get you and we need to get you out of here!"

"What about you? Won't they know you helped me?"

She smiled. "No. The other servants are covering for me. When you escape, the master will go looking for you. The others and I will leave while he is gone. He won't notice we've left before it's too late…and I don't mean to place this on you Vincent, but he'll be too busy chasing after you to chase after us."

"I understand."

"Well hurry up and get ready."

Vincent dug through the knapsack and found a pair of leather black gloves. He quickly put those on and smiled as he saw she managed to get him a few changes of clothes, some gold, a blanket, food and other important items. She really was a saint. He needed only one other thing.

He grabbed the coat grace made for him and slung it on. Then he slung the knapsack. "Okay. I'm ready."

"Good. Follow me." She opened the door and peeked out into the hallway. "Alright. The master will be here shortly. We must hurry."

She led Vincent through the twisting hallways and toward the staircases.

"Where are we going?"

"The master will have the doors guarded." Mrs. Changine spoke as she started climbing up the stairs. "You will have to leave in the same manner the lady did."

Vincent raised an eyebrow but followed the old woman. He could hear the urgency in her voice and knew they must hurry. If Cadrian had not yet discovered that he was missing from his room, he soon would. She led Vincent up to a tall tower. He'd never been in this section of the castle before. Cadrian had declared this whole wing off limits so he hadn't even been near it.

Mrs. Changine opened up an old wooden door and led Vincent inside. Inside there was some dusty old boxes in a rather spacious room and a wide open window. Other then that, it was a dead end. Vincent was about to ask, but he heard a cry of alarm far behind them and Cadrian yelling in the distance. Time had run out.

"This is it." Mrs. Changine spoke gesturing toward the window. Vincent made his way to it and looked out. It was a dizzying drop at least fifty feet down with nothing to grab on to. The only thing to catch him would be the harsh freezing river water below.

"Are you serious…?"

"This is the way the lady took. With that spirit inside…you should survive the fall."

"Should, hun?" Vincent chuckled nervously. "There is no other way is there?"

"I'm afraid not." She sighed. "I have to leave you now Vincent, so the master doesn't catch me up here with you. You must make your choice and make it quickly."

He took her hand briefly. "Thank you…for everything."

She smiled a bit sadly. "I'll pray for you Vincent. May we meet again in different circumstances."

Her old hand slid from his as she left the room and took off down the hall. Vincent waited until she was out of sight before turning back to the window.

"Okay…" he spoke softly to himself as he stepped up on the windowsill. "If some lady who was probably half my weight jumped from this window and lived then I should be able to, too…right?" Vincent was never really afraid of heights, but looking down was making his head spin. He could see and hear the loud crashing of the water against the castle. If he fell in, he'd most likely be dragged out toward the sea. Plus side, if he lived, Cadrian would have a hell of a time finding him at first and if he kept moving, he'd be way ahead of him. Negative side, he died. Not very good choices but he didn't really HAVE a choice.

"VINCENT!"

He glanced over his shoulder to see Cadrian and Daric coming his way. Daric was sprinting toward him but Cadrian was casually walking. Cadrian's face was furious, however. Vincent felt almost a sick satisfaction at making him so angry. Daric stopped in the doorway and Vincent could see his nose had been healed, probably by magic. Shame.

"Are we quite finished, Vincent…?" Cadrian asked folding his arms. "You are acting like quite the child. Come down from there."

Vincent stayed on the sill and looked back down at the rushing water. Now or never, he supposed.

"Don't go!"

Vincent looked over his shoulder once more at Daric. "…Daric."

"Don't do it. You'll die."

"No I won't."

"Stay with me Vincent. Don't leave me."

"…"

"Yes. Do stay, Vincent dear. Poor little Daric would be lost without you." Vincent did not miss the mocking tone on the edge of Cadrian's voice. "Daric is quite right, you know. You'll die from such a height."

Vincent turned his back on them again. "Your sister didn't die." he smiled at Cadrian's silence and started to lean forward. He shut his eyes and smiled a warm a gentle smile. This was it. He then let go of the side and felt his body falling forward into the open air.

"NOOO!"

He could hear Daric yelling and his voice became more and more distant. Soon all he could hear was the wind rushing in his ears. He knew he could be falling to his death but he smiled as he rapidly descended. Either way…he was free.

Hitting the cold, rough water, snapped him senses into place. He knew it was cold and for the briefest moment he had felt it. Then, nothing. He could feel the water but not the cold. He opened his eyes as he felt the current pulling him roughly away. The surface looked far above. With a though and a small gesture of his hand, he cast water breathing on himself and just let the current pull him away from the Devil and his special hell.

Vilkas took a moment to process what he'd just heard. Vincent had stopped talking and it had been a good ten minutes since he last spoke.

"Is that all?" Vilkas asked, finally speaking. He'd been silent for the whole tale, even though he'd had so many questions.

"What do you mean?"

"You ran from Cadrian when you were eighteen and now you're twenty-seven. That can't be the whole story."

"Well, there are the years that filled those gaps." Vincent admitted. "I wouldn't say they were overly important though. I met kind people who would take me in for a few months…longest a year and then at the first sign of Cadrian's presence, I'd leave. Though the people I've met have restored a faith in me that I thought I'd lost. They were willing to shelter a stranger. It was a kindness I could have never repaid."

"So for nine years, you've been doing nothing but running?"

"I didn't have much choice in that Vilkas. I wasn't about to risk the lives of the people who took me in by staying."

Vincent stopped walking. He could see their destination before them and he had to have this whole mess behind him before he went to battle. "So, what about us? Were you just going to leave once you were aware of Cadrian's presence?"

"…"

Vilkas turned to face him for the first time since Vincent had started his story. His eyes narrowed slightly at Vincent's lack of response. "Vincent. Answer me."

"Yes." He admitted quickly. "I was going to conveniently vanish on a task you would have sent me on. You probably would have thought I was just a fool who got myself killed in some ruin."

"How long then…?"

Vincent sighed. "How long, what?"

"How long have you known that Cadrian and Daric were here?"

"I had…an inkling when we found Skjor. It was Cadrian's trademark…I had tried to trick myself into thinking it was that Krev the skinner. Maybe it was him…but the red in his eyes had unsettled me."

"So that's why you blamed yourself as you did for his death…"

"In my head…I knew Cadrian must have had something to do with it…I just wasn't ready in my heart to accept it." He sighed and his shoulders slumped. "I didn't want this life to be over."

"If it was so easy to run…" Vilkas began taking a step closer to him. "…then why did you stay? You could have ran off when Kodlak sent you on that week errand."

"Yes. I could have." Vincent concluded. "I chose not to."

"Why?"

Vincent's head snapped up to meet his gaze. "Why?!"

"Aye."

"That's obvious Vilkas. Isn't it?"

"You lied to me before." Vilkas tried to be stern but he knew deep down in his heart, he already forgave him.

"I had my reasons Vilkas. How fast would you have thrown me from Jorrvaskr's halls when you found out what I was? Not only am I a mage but I am basically housing a creature of raw magic within my very soul. I know how you detest magic."

"Magic has killed Kodlak as well. You're little friend Daric saw to that."

"D-Daric…?" He saw those copper eyes widen and Vincent suddenly put his gloved hands to his face. "Oh Gods…Daric."

"Do you care for him?" Vilkas tried to keep the anger from his voice but he was sure he was failing.

"No. Any feeling I may have had for Daric had died long ago…I'm just….disappointed at how far he's fallen."

"…I see."

"So…magic has also killed Kodlak…" Vincent looked away. "I guess you hate magic more then ever now."

"Aye."

"You told me once…that Magic had touched me and I wasn't spoiled by it…but you are wrong Vilkas. I have lied to you…I've put you in danger and it's my fault that Skjor and Kodlak are now dead. I'm as spoiled as it gets…."

"Vincent…"

"I'm sorry I lied to you. I'm sorry about everything and I'm sorry that I caught you up in this. I just thought… I don't…" He seemed to struggle with the words. "I've met a lot of people, Vilkas. I've had my opportunities to stay and try to love but I'd never felt anything. You make me feel…different."

"Different…?"

"Almost like… I don't know. I care about what you think of me. I cared when I thought you hated me. I found myself wanting to be around you and I actively tried to seek you out…even if just for a second. Every time we spoke though…you just seemed so angry and magic was always the cause. I was terrified to tell you…but I know these are all just horrible excuses. I should have told you. I should have trusted that you would understand…I just…" He sighed again. "I didn't want to loose you."

"Why did you stay?" Vincent repeated.

"I hadn't planned on it…even though I felt…something for you. I decided I would stay the night you marked me. It must have been the way you kissed me or something." He glanced up a bit shyly. "I knew the ritual would most likely fail but I was willing to try so I could stay."

"I see. So what now, Vincent? Where does this leave us?"

"That's up to you. I did not lie when I told you I loved you Vilkas. I have not loved since Grace was ripped from me and that was a different kind of love. I… understand, however if you cannot care for me that way any longer. I am what you hate. I-"
He was cut off when Vilkas suddenly leaned in and kissed him. Vilkas was not even sure why he was doing it but he thinks it was to answer the unanswered question. It would have to be enough.

"I have questions…but they will wait for today." Vilkas pulled away and sighed, pulling his sword from its sheath.

"Vilkas…"

"We have work to do. They have made off with all our fragments of Wuuthrad. But you and I are going to reclaim them. We bring this battle to their chief camp. There will be none left living to tell their stories. Only songs of Jorrvaskr will be sung. We WILL avenge Kodlak and they will know terror before the end." Speaking those words made Vilkas feel better.

He glanced behind him and could have sworn he saw that beautiful smile. He fought against a smile of his own and charged into battle.