A few weeks before:

She sat looking at her tangled web. Hayll would fall. All those she knew would die including her friend. Grass and trees would sprout up from the bodies. She saw her own death. Cruel and vicious. Nothing of the blood would remain. Not here. Not in this territory. Not without help. A single thread dangled offering protection and guidance. A way to heal the land and the scars that had been placed on so many. The strand pointed to a warlord prince. Cruel, vicious and deadly. The warlord prince remembered only as the Sadist.

Pulling away from her vision she gasped. He wouldn't willingly help. She knew that yet maybe; just maybe, if someone asked politely. If someone asked with knowledge of the hourglass yet was removed from the caste he might listen. Might offer protection and guidance without really coming here.

Nurice let out a sigh. She was one of few black widows left in this territory. And the most feared. Between her sharp tongue and her vast knowledge of poisons and death webs. Few willingly came to her. Well today that was just fine because she was going to the current territory counsel. The ones who had declared themselves the voice of the Blood who still lived here. Today they would heed her warning or risk their own deaths.

Nicole jumped to her feet. There was no way in hell she was going to live under the rule of the Sadist. None. She would see him dead first. Hell she would sell her own sister to the hell hounds… if there were any… to keep that man away. There had to be a way…

She smiled a horrible sweet smile. Yes… that might just work.

Sweetly keeping her inner barriers kept tightly closed she humbly said, "If it pleases the counsel I will go speak to Prince Sadi. I 'm sure he would grant an audience with a humble Witch who he so far outranks I couldn't possibly be seen as a threat."

The council agreed. Now she just had to find a reason to seek him at the Keep. Just needed to find a way to make sure he never ruled or wanted to rule this territory or any other. One SaDiablo had corrupted the realm before and she was not going to see what someone who was raised in her court could do. Oh no she was not.

Present day:

With her temper still churning inside her she found her sister. The one who had brought Prince Sadi here. The one responsible for the Kealeer Queens' deaths. Damn her to the bowls of hell she just had to ask for help. She only had to say, "Prince Sadi at your connivance I would like to speak to you." That was it. Damn her. Didn't she have the sense to know not to push? And that brought up another question… How did she get him here? How had she survived when Queens … Queens… that were stronger than her and of the highest caste hadn't? Furthermore she didn't even have a speck of blood on her, not one scratch nothing and he was covered in the blood of his victims. And why if he is or was so powerful hadn't he shielded. Even youths are taught to shield before stepping onto a killing field. Too many questions. Too many puzzling questions and her sister… her dear sweet bitch of a sister was going to answer every damn one of them.

In a low growl Kathrin spoke, "Nicole we need to speak."

Nicole pouted her lips out. She was pretty where her sister was plain. She wore the Summer-Sky where as her sister only had two sets of White; one just a bit darker than the other. They both were witches. "Of course dear sister. And what do we need to speak about?"

"How is it you survived? How the Hell did the child… an infant survive? And how in the name of darkness did Prince Sadi get here?" With each question that Kathrin spoke her voiced became louder till she was at an angry shout.

In a dismissive tone Nicole answered, "Oh come now don't act so surprised you silly nit. They were gone before I got there. Splattered over the walls and the remains of what appeared to be splendid Aristo Dinner." Nicole closed the distance between her sister and herself then placed a hand on her adored sister's cheek. "As far as how I got him here… well I help of course. The poor creature had exhausted himself and the thing that lives in that awful Keep wanted him out of her home. As for the child you really don't expect something that looks so inhuman to take care of a child do you?"

It sounded like a lie. Damn her everything that came out of this woman's mouth always sounded like a damn lie… which it usually was. She leaned her head forward till she rested it on her sister's forehead. "Would you like to tell the truth this time… Dear sister." The words were lightly spoken even if she had to force them through clenched teeth.

"Why, Darling that is the truth. Now since you're so clearly distressed over the Prince… why don't you take a day or two and go find something that would fascinate a hearth witch. I'm sure there has to be someone that needs help with … well whatever it is that you do and I'm sure I can handle the child while you're away."

"And Prince Sadi?"

"Of course I'll see that he has everything he needs…" or deserves "…in your absents. You'll see everything will be just fine. I promise on my jewels that it will." Nicole placed her hand on her sister's shoulder and tried to lead her to the door and out of the cottage.

Any other time she would have protested. Any other time she would voice her opinion but not today. No right now leaving seemed a very good idea. And if she was right she knew just who to ask for help getting to the truth. That is if Nurice didn't kill her first. No she wouldn't think of that. Not when she knew her for more years than not. And not when she considered her a friend. "Alright fine. I'll go and see some friends. I'll be back at the end of the week."

The end of the week that would be perfect. More than perfect. "Of course. And when you return you'll see that everything is as it should be. Maybe even better."

Oh she knew it would be better when she returned just as she knew that leaving that poor baby here was going to be a stupid mistake. "And you will look after the child?"

"Of course I will. After all you know how much I love babies."

Just as long as they aren't near you. "Yes I know." With that said Kathrin Left the cottage and hoped leaving Prince Sadi here for most of the week wouldn't be too big of a mistake. She hoped.