Hypatia slowly opened her eyes. She expected to wake up dead, what she had never expected about being dead was actually waking up. Her vision cleared in stages, gradually permitting her to see the long foreboding hall set with doors along its length. At the far ends were also doors. The hall seemed to have been formed out of some nameless metal that light simply fell into rather than reflecting back. In what was likely the geometric center of the hall a raised platform of the same metal stood. Upon it a heavily robed figure about the size of a man regarded her wordlessly.

A wild hope filled her. She had somehow, through some miracle she wasn't about to question; despite the lack of rogue stones on her person, woken in the Realm of the Reaper. That nexus point that was everywhere and nowhere at once. She was being given a second chance and she could only assume it was her goddess watching over her.

Wasting no time, for things were assuredly dire back in the Underdark right now; she scrambled to her feet. The sudden change of position so soon after having been felled by that vile arch devil caused her to sway slightly but she drew herself up and approached the Reaper. This blessed reprieve would give her the chance to go back and warn Valen and the Seer and the rebel drow forces. She could, somehow, stop the unfolding horror before they were all slaughtered.

"Hail the Dead," The hollow voice of the reaper echoed eerily through the hall. She didn't have time for pleasantries and she'd just have to ask him to forgive her for being rude; her haste caused her to overlook the odd greeting, unlike the greeting he'd given her the only other time she'd found herself here. Then it had been "Welcome Sojourner." She was too focused on her desperate need to get back and warn the others to notice details.

"No time," she cut across anything else he might have wanted to say. She was already running for where the proper portal would appear. "Seems I've died once again and I need to return to where I fell."

She hit the spot where the portal should be and was surprised to still be in the Realm of the Reaper.

From behind her the hollow voice filled the hall, and there might have been just the barest hint of some emotion—regret? Shame? "I cannot."

Hypatia skidded to a stop and turned so fast she tripped over her own feet going down hard, "Oooff!"

She managed to get to her knees before the Reaper, despair and desperation in equal parts keeping her from rising further as she pleaded, "What do you mean you cannot?" Fear made her voice far more harsh than perhaps she would have been when dealing with this creature. "Look, it's not just me. There are countless others who will die. Just let me warn them, help them."

"It is not as you imagine, Sojourner. You recall the first and only time you activated the Relic? I told you then that it was bound to you and through it, you to me."

She pushed herself to her feet, dusting herself off, "Yes I remember. You said you were bound to this place and could not leave. I asked if there existed any way to set you free and you seemed confused by the question."

She closed her eyes, remembering the conversation, "You said a place could be a prison but not a prisoner and that you and this nexus place are one and the same."

"It is as you have said, Sojourner," The Reaper then went on the hollowness of his voice making his words all the more foreboding and in the end, horrifying.

"I am sorry. You are barred from the world of Toril and I cannot send you there. Now as to why: You are barred from returning to that world by the command of Mephistopheles." He bows low once again. "I am sorry, Sojourner. It is Mephistopheles who rules here, and so can he command me."

There is a moment's hesitation then he continued, "The arch devil uses me as he uses all things, such is his nature. I was not always his subject... but once he learned of my True Name I was his forever."

Hypatia listened, the Reaper seeming to anticipate her questions and answer them before she could even give them voice. Or, she opened her eyes and considered the being before her for a moment, perhaps he is just lonely and this is a chance to speak to someone. Through it all she desperately searched for some chink in his arguments, some fault in the logic that would give her a chance at getting back to Toril, to the Seer and to Valen before it was too late…If it's not already.

The Reaper intoned on, unaware of her chaotic thoughts; "All beings have a True Name that is the definition of their personal essence, their very existence. Should another learn your True Name and speak it to you, they then rule all that you are."

"Mephistopheles discovered my True Name long ago, though I know not how. Only he knows it, so he alone commands me despite whatever I might wish."

"Mephistopheles used you, as well, creating a devil's deal that you were unaware of. A bond was formed with him the moment you discovered his relic, and upon killing the one who held him captive you took his place and he yours."

"He traded your freedom for his chains. Once he was bound to the planar realm of Cania but, through his trickery and deceit, he has escaped through the bond he formed with you. So are you now bound to Cania as he once was."

He gestures to the mist-shrouded door that stands alone at the far end of the chamber. "That path leads to Cania as it always has, as it has been a part of you since the bond was created. It is no longer barred to your passing, as it once was."

She opened her mouth to blurt the obvious question, but once again the Reaper seemed to anticipate her. Or perhaps he was simply weary of being used and abused by the arch devil.

"If you learned my True Name you could command me to break the bond between you and return you to Toril. I know not how you would learn of it, however, and I cannot tell it to you."

"What is your true name then, Reaper?" The words were out and she silently prayed he would tell her.

"I cannot provide it to you willingly, Sojourner... and I have no knowledge of how Mephistopheles discovered it. If you did learn it, however, then would you be free."

"You sound as if you'd prefer to betray Mephistopheles."

"I cannot openly betray the one who holds my True Name, Sojourner." There is almost the hint of a smile in the Reaper's featureless mirror of a face.

"But aren't you worried that I might abuse your True Name?" He must have been really abused to take a risk like this. To suggest to someone that they go find your true name is frightening.

"Abuse it more than the arch devil himself already has?" The Reaper shakes his head slowly. "I think not."

"Remember that you are now bound to Cania. If you knew my True Name, I could break that bond and send you from here. Otherwise even if you were to find another portal I would only retrieve you once more."

Hypatia turned to the shrouded door, her shoulders slumping. Already too much time had passed. Already she knew the horror had begun and started with those she'd grown to care about very much. Still, she had to know.

"Reaper, What of my companions? Where are they?" Her voice was barely audible, she feared the answer so much.

The Reaper paused for a moment, gazing out into the distance as if searching before finally responding. "They are dead, Sojourner."

She wilted with that knowledge. Suddenly it almost overwhelmed her. Bound to the 8th level of hell and her companions were already dead. With an impossible task set before her, how would she ever find the Reapers True Name? Even if she did, how could she bring back those she cared about who had already fallen?

The Reaper continued though, unaware of her turmoil, "That is, however, merely a transitory state as you are well aware. The Spirits of the Dead can end up in many places, as their will dictates. The outer planes are infinite in their variety and who can say where a soul will go? That said, this realm touches all places and so can these dead companions be found. But they will agree to come or not, each according to their desire. I cannot compel them to come here in the same way I have you. Who shall I summon?"

Looking up at the Reaper with sudden hope she blurted the first name that came to her, "Summon forth Valen."

"Consent is given. His spirit travels the gates now, hurtling towards us, and flesh is now forming... your companion returns to you."

Valen suddenly appeared, as whole as the last time she'd seen him. He looked around, mildly bewildered. "So I am summoned from beyond the veil once again. To stand at your side, Hypatia? I am glad to be here with you, then."

"When Mephistopheles killed me along with so many of the rebels I thought my time was done." He turns and regards the Gatekeeper. "And you, strange one... it was you I felt calling me, yes? You're the one who brought me to this... place?"

"Yes, fiendish one. Hypatia has requested your presence here in the hells... Now, Sojourner, is there anyone else you wish me to summon?"

Hypatia smiled at Valen, suddenly taking heart just from his mere presence. At least she would not be alone and with a warrior of Valens prowess and massive strength by her side, she stood a fair chance of surviving. With renewed hope she began to consider the situation and how she might still aid the Seer. Then she frowned, a terrible thought occurring to her.

"Reaper, what of the Seer?"

Again the Reaper appeared to gaze into the distance before answering, "The Seer remains on Toril, alive, although fleeing for her life with what followers remain to her."

"And Imloth?"

"He is dead, Sojourner."

"Summon forth Imloth." Now she had a plan. Not much of one, but it was something.

"Consent is given."

Within moments a rather surprised Imloth stood before them. He looked around curiously before turning to Hypatia. "So, you have called me back from the dead? Why me?"

She smiled at him then turned to the Reaper once more, "Is it possible for you to return Imloth to the Seer's side?"

The Reaper considered her for a long time before answering, "It is possible, although not exactly what you would call legal. I could do it."

Hypatia smiled and held up one hand. Turning to Imloth she spoke with quiet urgency, "You will protect the Seer." It wasn't a question. She wouldn't insult him like that. However she felt he needed a bit of a nudge, "You should tell her how you feel."

Imloth took an involuntary step back from the cleric at her last statement, "I…I could never be…worthy. I would never burden her…with…how I feel. She has already done so much for me and for others." He waived one elfishly graceful hand towards Valen to include him in the number who had been helped by The Seer.

Hypatia snorted, "And she deserves some happiness. Tell her how you feel. Don't throw away your second chance."

Then, before anyone could protest she turned to the Reaper, "It's not legal but then I suspect a lot of what has gone on here since Mephistopheles got a hold of your True Name hasn't been exactly legal. So unless you've been forbidden to send Imloth back I don't see why you couldn't do it upon my request, if you chose to."

The Reaper stared at her for what seemed like an eternity before chuckling, "You are clever and persistent, Sojourner. I will do as you ask, this once. I wish you well in the hells."

With that the Reaper opened a portal for Imloth and to Hypatia's credit she didn't even try to sneak through, though it was hard knowing the way home was so close. Imloth didn't have to be told twice and as soon as the portal appeared he darted through it. Once he was gone the portal vanished.

"So," Valen had watched and listened growing more disturbed by the minute, "That sends what aid you can to The Seer and leaves us where?"

He looked around, intrigued. "This almost seems to be some kind of... demi-plane. How interesting. Does it have a name, Hypatia?"

"The Reaper has always referred to it as his realm, nothing else." Hypatia began to inspect the hall. She sought something that might help; anything to give her some aid in the coming trials.

"And the Reaper is an outsider, is he? How did you come to acquire the services of such a being?"

"I don't know what he is. He claims to be this place. All I know is that he just is." She found an icy pool near the portal to Cania and considered it thoughtfully.

"I see. And what do you know of this demi-plane, if that is indeed what it is?"

"The Reaper says his realm is a nexus. It connects to many places, if not all."

"Interesting: A demi-plane that has no allegiance to any higher power? And how did you come to have access to it?"

Hypatia looked up at Valen, somewhat surprised by the sudden suspicion. Frowning she answered truthfully, "That relic that I couldn't get rid of. I told you about it in the cavern where we vanquished Vix'thra. It was a part of," she paused and looked toward the Reaper, remembering his explanation and shuddering, "Mephistopheles. I guess it attached itself to the first person who picked it up, or touched it or something. I don't remember picking it up. I just found it in my pack one day and I couldn't get rid of it. The Reaper says that he used it to trade places with me. Now I am bound here unless I find the Reaper's True Name."

Valen watched her shudder and felt somewhat sorry to have questioned her so but he'd hoped he'd never find himself in the hells again after having escaped them. Then she told him her only hope of getting out and he scowled, "How in the hell's are we supposed to find that?"

Hypatia couldn't help a smile, "Well since we are in the hells, I guess we start looking. Mephistopheles did it, so it can't be impossible." She stopped and frowned, worried, "And quickly, every moment he is there he is visiting untold horror upon my home world."

Nodding, Valen motioned for her to go ahead, "Lead the way then, my lady. I will be at your side."

Hypatia hesitated, worry clouding her green eyes. She looked up at Valen towering over her and wondered if she were doing him any favors asking him to go to hell with her. Unable to find the courage to tell him to stay safely behind she finally turned and with one final hesitation stepped through the portal.

The cold slammed into her like a body blow. She couldn't breathe, the wind snatched her breath away and the air, so cold and dry felt like fire in her lungs. Instinctively she hunched over, clutching her cloak close, trying to wrap it over her mouth and nose. She had no feeling in her ears, or the tips of her fingers already and could barely see through the tears streaming from her eyes. Tears which froze almost instantly on her face.

Valen, right behind her and fully aware of the dangers of the hells didn't notice her near collapse. He was busy looking for danger, surveying the icy plane with narrowed eyes. It wouldn't do to be killed by some devil the moment they set foot in the god forsaken place. Thus he gave her the time she needed to cast a spell to protect herself from the elements. By the time he turned to her she was able to stand up straight and if she couldn't feel her feet at least she was functional.

Looking Hypatia over from head to toe Valen was struck once again by how small she was compared to him. Here in Cania, with the wind whipping their cloaks around them she looked smaller than he seemed to think she was. More fragile and less resilient than he'd come to think of her as being. Scowling deeply he scanned for threats once more.

She looked miserable in the cold too and she had some kind of spell going judging by the little glittering flecks swirling around her like diamond dust. He shook his head. If the Underdark had been no place for someone as tenderhearted as she was, the hells would be even more punishing.

Before he could suggest they try to find someplace out of the biting cold she was moving. He followed along watching, listening. The cleric questioned the dead, which made him nervous. He didn't like to think that he might come face to face with a spirit he'd vanquished on a battlefield somewhere.

Slowly and, he noticed frowning, with frequent pauses to cast spells upon herself; she discovered what might be useful here in this City of Lost Souls. She discovered that velox berries could be used to start fires, and how to find velox nettles. She located and marked on a small scrap of paper an Inn/Tavern, the Ice Quarry and an odd Temple to someone called The Sleeping Man.

Finally, shivering, Hypatia led them to the Inn. Inside She looked around, brightening just from being out of the punishing cold. Once she'd warmed up a little she started exploring. It was an odd little Tavern that had but a few rooms to rent out for the night. Weird little alcoves were placed haphazardly off of rooms wherever some deranged architect decided they should go.

Hypatia continued to speak to anyone who would make eye contact, and some who didn't. Along the way she found some odd bits of information. The most pertinent was that she needed to see some Sensei at the Temple of the Sleeping Man if she was to find anything out about some race called The Knowers. How those two things tied in together no one could tell her but everyone seemed to agree about starting there.

A few minutes of poking her nose into little hidden rooms and secret halls and she found the Innkeeper. A huge black dragon growled at her, "What do you want? I hope you have the coin for it."

She gaped up at the dragon for a minute then collected herself and very politely requested a couple of rooms and a hot bath. She'd need the bath to warm herself up after that cold.

The dragon rumbled a laugh, "A hot bath? What kind of flipping crazy berk are ya?"

Hypatia raised both eyebrows and looked up at the dragon, craning her neck. "The kind who would think that a savvy Innkeeper would realize he could charge a premium for rooms with hot baths and even more if he had a sauna installed."

That set the dragon back a minute and he peered down at her before rumbling, "You know, you could be right about that. Alright I'll see that it's done and I'll have tubs send up…for a premium."

Hypatia spent the rest of the day questioning everyone who set foot in the Tavern, buying a lot of ale and making the Innkeeper somewhat happy with the coin she spent.

The following morning, bright and early, Hypatia cast protection from the elements upon herself and Valen and led them out to see the Sensei at the Temple of the Sleeping Man.

Once inside they met the Sensei, who turned out to be a Githrazi mystic. Upon questioning her they discovered that the Sleeping Man was a Planetar who slept in the temple and had for countless centuries. They also learned that they'd have to solve a 5 part riddle the Githrazi mystic had concocted herself involving the Sleeping Man to get any answers regarding their quest. No amount of persuasion, pleading or reason would sway the Sensei and a furious Hypatia left the temple muttering under her breath.

Though not entirely sure why a riddle would make her so angry, Valen held his peace; deciding that the anger would help keep her warm. She still had to cast protections around herself before setting foot outside and he'd caught her casting healing spells upon herself at almost predictable intervals when she did have to go out.

Since Hypatia had introduced herself to anyone who made eye contact the day before there were a number of ghosts and Githrazi pilgrims whom she asked for any information they might have about the 5 riddles. In this way she had already gotten some leads.

In the course of their wanderings they stumbled upon a small and terrifically ugly creature whining outside of a cave that was magically sealed. Hypatia approached the creature and it whined and crackled at her when she came near. The creature moved about on four oddly bent legs, sported a chitenous thick shell and an oddly domed head.

For some reason she could not explain the creature reminded her of a dog and she reached down to pet its carapace, offer it some comfort in this uncaring plane. It made an odd happy sound and nuzzled her hand. On a whim she asked it the same question she'd been asking every living creature she'd encountered, "So, little one, do you know anything about the 5 fold mysteries of the Sleeping Man."

Watching her Valen almost decided it was time to get her out of the cold because she was acting like she'd taken leave of her senses. Before he could say anything, an image appeared above her head. "What the…?"

There was first an image of a winged man throwing sticks for the creature to fetch. Then a series of five arrows, the second one glowing blue.

She cocked her head towards the creature, one eyebrow raised, "So you know the second mystery?"

The image changed to a snake like creature swimming through water, then changed again to 1 +1 =2. Frowning thoughtfully Valen offered, "Each image seems to be part of a larger word."

Hypatia nodded, also watching the images carefully and silently moving her lips as she tried out different words that might be combined into larger ones. After a few moments she looked back down at the creature, "Snake ocean addition?" The creature whimpered and hung its odd head.

Valen offered, "Eel?"

Hypatia thought about it some more, "Eel…sea…um…"

"Elysium!" Valen blurted, basing his hunch on the only plane he knew that started phonetically like those words and hoped he'd guessed right.

The little planar doggy crackled happily at them, nuzzling Hypatia's hand again before turning back to the cave and whimpering again.

Valen was not surprised to see her kneel down by the creature and take its head in her hands to ask it, "Do you need our help with something?" She was freezing and every moment out in the open was painful for her but she would not leave even this ugly little creature to fend for itself if she thought it needed help. Even he was starting to feel the biting cold, for all his demonic heritage gave him some protection from it. She shouldn't really be lingering in the punishing weather.

But it was part of what set her apart, this compassion for every creature she encountered. It was part of what made her such a force to be reckoned with. It was one of the things that drew him to her like a moth to a flame. Lost in thought, Valen realized he'd missed the first part of her odd conversation with the creature.

"Right I remember seeing those pillars and reading the inscriptions on them to see if they would help. Shall we go to the one you want to see?" Hypatia stood and dusted the ice off her knees.

The little strange creature crackled happily. She smiled and repeating the words to herself went in search of the first pillar. It took three pillars for the creature to be satisfied and then it did an odd thing. It carved a name in an endless ice wall full of names. Once that was done it collapsed in a weary heap and rested, content at long last.

"She must be who is in that cave, becoming one of the Lost." Hypatia read the name and thought about it for almost a whole minute before reaching some decision. "Hmmm…she probably won't be grateful but I think we're going to go talk to her. She might know something and, and I think she deserves to be heard by someone who isn't there to judge her."

"Who, my lady?" Valen followed along wondering just who Aribeth deTremain was. It was a tragic tale, which they only convinced her to tell them after thawing her out and then kicking her butt. Although Hypatia was firm in her faith to Mystra, even as the Seer was to Eliastraee, Aribeth's conviction that she'd been betrayed by Tyr came as no surprise to Valen. The gods, he felt, could be fickle.

Aribeth also knew the fifth of the 5 mysteries. Since they had, during the course of the day, found all but the third mystery and she was out of protection spells, Hypatia decided it was time to return to the inn, have some hot tea and a hot bath to warm up.

The answers to these mysteries were starting to make Valen feel vaguely uncomfortable. A Planetar who was waiting by the Gates of Cania for his love to find him? Something about that seemed wrong.

Once they'd had dinner Valen gave voice to something that had been bothering him since he'd been summoned to the Nexus realm, "I can't help but wonder why your Mystra did not protect you from the relic that bound you to this fate."

Hypatia, enjoying her second cup of tea and looking forward to her bath frowned and put the cup down. "What do you mean?"

"Hypatia, you are the kindest person I've ever met. There is no justice in you being in the hells. Surely if your goddess were watching out for you, you'd never have laid eyes on that damned relic." Valen didn't know if he was indignant on her behalf or if the constant call of the blood wars in his veins was prodding him to pick a fight.

Still it was a question that bothered him and maybe that was enough of a reason for him to be asking. He hoped it was because her expression was forbidding. "And why don't you take off that ring and get one that carries enchantments that will protect you from the cold?"

Regarding him for a moment, Hypatia considered all the things she could say; sad that he did not understand her faith or the unimaginable value of the Ring of Mystra to her. Finally she nodded, "Alright, we will discuss this but not here. I'm still cold and I want a bath. When I'm done with that we can talk."

They went to their rooms to clean up and take care of their armor and weapons. Hypatia lingered in the hot bath, truly a luxury, especially after spending all day trying to avoid frostbite.

This gave Valen plenty of time to worry that he'd really offended her. He polished his armor and his flail and was pacing nervously before the quiet knock sounded on his door. He ran to open it for her, his feet pounding heavily on the wooden floor. He sincerely hoped he hadn't said something irreparable.

"Hypatia," he started but stopped when she held up her hand to silence him. Her face was closed and her mouth tight but there was a sadness around her eyes.

Sitting Valen waited for her to speak, not knowing what the outcome would be. Her first words surprised him though and somehow also set him at ease.

"You are right. It is not fair." She looked at him and once more was sorry she'd spoken his name when asked whom the Reaper should call for her. He did not deserve to be here, not after having suffered so much here and having worked so hard to escape.

Yet she could not imagine facing the hells without the powerful warrior by her side, his sheer size intimidating to most and his unquestionable skill with his weapon answering any threat. Besides, his questions had merit.

He was smart and courageous and he had a strong sense of right and wrong. She noticed that his shoulder length red hair was not tied back and it seemed to make his blue eyes even more blue, deeper and warmer somehow.

While it would be easy to give in to the temptation to just look at him, sitting there wearing rough homespun that did little to disguise his powerfully muscular frame; he was waiting for her to continue, so she did. "But it might just be necessary."

Valen felt a blush start to creep up his neck and warm the tips of his ears while she looked at him and he fought to keep his mind from imagining something a bit more primal in the way she studied him. Her words surprised him again, and confused him. "What do you mean?"

Hypatia chewed her lower lip, trying to think it through, "That relic was laying around in uninhabited parts of Toril for a very long time. Perhaps even since the Netherese ruled. It seems to me that the gods were keeping people away from it for a very long time. Else Mephistopheles would have moved before now.

Someone had to find it, someone who could put a stop to this plan. Valen, you said that you found a way from, oh what was the city?"

"Sigil?" Valen supplied trying to follow her reasoning.

"Right, Sigil, thank you. From Sigil to Toril in your search for The Seer. What is to say that Toril is the end rather than the beginning of Mephistopheles plan?"

Valen's eyes grew wide and he shuddered, "That…that is something to consider. His ambition knows no bounds."

Hypatia nodded, "Right and that is something the gods would want to put a stop to. I think," she hesitated and blushed, looking away for a moment, "I know this sounds conceited but I think I was selected to be the one to put an end to his grand plane to conquer the planes."

Valen's shocked expression caused her flush to deepen and he tried to come up with something to say but she cleared her throat, a soft sound that threatened to send his mind onto an entirely different and wholly inappropriate track.

"You said that you've always felt cut off from others. That you felt like a beast when you were here. And the ghosts speak of being cut off from everything and everyone they knew. It's like the loneliness is the worst of what is done to people who come here. They feel cut off and they despair and…and…become lost." She finished lamely and waited to see if he thought she was onto something or was going mad.

Valen nodded thoughtfully, "What you say has some merit. How much I cannot say. But that doesn't mean you had to be the one."

Hypatia shook her head, denying his words, "I'm never alone, Valen. I can still feel my sister's presence and…and yours. I can hang on to hope because of the two of you."

She watched him, hoping he would take that explanation as sufficient because there were two more things and she wasn't ready to share them with him yet. She was too afraid of his reaction if she did. Afraid he'd be horrified, afraid he'd see her as some kind of freak, or worse.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, and putting down the uncertainty in her eyes to being so far away from her sister, Valen nodded. "It may be as you say. " Her comment that his presence also gave her hope warmed him through and distracted him from other questions he might have asked.

Hypatia smiled, "The ways of the gods are a mystery. I can only have faith that there is a reason for me being the one."

Valen scowled, not liking it one bit. There wasn't much to be done about it now. At least she didn't believe she belonged here for some reason. He had to warn her though, "Hypatia, I fought in the blood wars for decades. Devils don't move unless they believe they know their enemy very well. You won't be able to surprise Mephistopheles. He's probably been watching you since you picked up that relic."

She looked at him, hesitant and worried. Biting her lower lip uncertainly she thought it over.

Watching her sudden nervousness he wished he hadn't been the one to make her feel that way. But it was better that she understand what they were up against. She was smart enough to alter her tactics as necessary.

He watched her worry her full lower lip with her white teeth and wished she'd not do that. It made him think of things he'd not allowed himself to think of in a long time. It made him want to kiss her again.

She finally offered, "There are things yet unknown about me by the likes of him. Things that have not…come up…since I found the relic. Things that might yet be important."

Sitting back in surprise, the big Tiefling considered her words, studying her with his penetrating blue eyes. What could be so important that it might make a difference and that he hadn't discovered about her yet? Of course she hadn't mentioned helping Zesyer come to power because it 'hadn't come up' so who knew how important this thing was.

He frowned realizing that although it seemed like it had been months since he met her, it had only been a few short weeks. He watched her, sitting there looking worried and determined at the same time. Whatever it was she was still hiding, he trusted her. She had proven herself to him time and again, he could take her on faith.

He remembered their brief kiss back in Lith My'athar again and her advice to Imloth in the Gatekeeper's realm.

Hypatia watched Valen's eyes while he pondered her words, fascinated by the way they gave his emotions away. They started to turn that glowing red but instead went to a blue so deep and warm that it reminded her of the ocean on a sunny day, then they changed again to the icy blue he showed the world, shuttered and foreboding before turning a softer blue. The strong planes of his face did not give him away the way his eyes did.

She glanced down to check his tail. It was flicking back and forth. Something was bothering him. She only hoped he still trusted her enough to speak to her. One of the many things she admired about him was his courage in speaking his mind, and his heart.

"My lady," He broke the silence that had fallen between them.

Surprised by the sudden return to formality she answered almost reflexively, "Yes, Valen. I am listening."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, flickering his eyes to meet hers before looking away briefly; seemingly unsure how to continue. "We might meet our end at any time now and there is something I'd like to get off my chest first."

She glanced down at his broad, strongly muscled chest and had a moment of nervousness herself, that's some chest. Of course her irreverent and somewhat naughty thought calmed her and she looked back into his eyes, her own an encouraging soft green, listening as she always did to his words.

"We have not known each other for long. I wanted you to know, however, that in the brief time we've spent together I've…come to feel quite close to you."

Hypatia sat up straight, suddenly nervous herself. He doesn't know about the bond. If he says the wrong thing it'll form and he won't have a say in the matter. "Close in what way?" she asked very carefully.

His lips turned down slightly and he blinked a couple of times before forging ahead, "I…I think I've come to know you quite well. I believe we have a companionship, perhaps something more than that. Do you…not feel the same?"

She smiled warmly, "I feel close to you too, Valen." This was safe. This was ok. She wouldn't have to explain yet and he wouldn't head for the hills.

Returning her smile shyly he looked away for a moment. When he looked back his eyes were bright and filled with emotion. "I am most glad to hear it, my lady."

"My life," he began slowly, "has been one of nothing but rage and despair. Even after I came to the Seer, I still believed that gaining my humanity was the most I could aspire to."

Once again, Hypatia's heart broke for him. What a terrible life he has lived. He deserves so much better.

"I do not feel that way anymore," he continued. "I believe there is something greater I could aspire to." He stared into her eyes, the intensity of his gaze capturing her, "I…I love you, my lady. With all my heart."

Hypatia gasped as her heart joyously responded and the empathic bond snapped into place with full force. There was no denying it, and she'd simply have to explain and hope he understood. She stood up, unable to stay seated.

The tiefling froze when she gasped, suddenly, horribly, sure that she had not wanted to hear that. Except that with equal suddenness he felt unlike he ever had before. He felt connected and despite her gasp he was certain she felt the same way. Far in the back of his mind his demon half screamed in agony and retreated even farther. Confused, unable to sort out these new feelings he stood too.

"Valen," she spoke his name like it was precious to her and her first thought was to reassure him for she felt his turmoil and was sorry she'd been the cause of it. Stepping around the table she reached up to run her fingers over his high cheekbones and up the leading edge of his ear. The touch, light as a butterfly's wings sent shivers through him.

Then she said the most magical words he'd ever heard from her lips, "I love you too."

Smiling gently he leaned forward, lowering his lips to hers. The kiss was slow and contained a hint of promise. Afterwards, Valen smiled bashfully. "It is more than I could have hoped for that you might return my feelings, my lady. Nothing could make me happier."

Hypatia opened her eyes and took a breath; that was some kiss. "There is something…um, that you have a right to know."

Smiling and confident, as if there were nothing that could possibly threaten him now, Valen asked, "And what would that be, my love?"

"I couldn't help it. I've been controlling it for some days now but as soon as you spoke those words it was beyond me." Hypatia toyed with the end of her braid, looking up at him her eyes clouded with fear.

Frowning, unable to think what she might be talking about Valen encouraged her to continue, "And what would that be?"

"An empathic bond," there, it was out. Now he knew and she just prayed he didn't feel like she'd chained him or something because the bond didn't work that way. But he couldn't know that.

Valen frowned, turning it over in his mind, "Like what you share with your sister?"

Nodding slightly she found herself compelled to clarify, "Stronger than the one I share with my sister. I didn't mean for it to happen. I wanted to tell you so you could make the choice knowingly. I never wanted to be unfair to you."

Reaching for her he pulled her gently into his arms, lowering his chin to rest it on her head, "And this is because you love me?"

"Yes," she whispered, thankful for the strong arms that held her and the steady beat of his heart under her ear.

"Will I be able to tell when you are hurt, the way you seem to be able to do with me?" He smiled down at her, placing one finger under her chin and gently bringing her face up so that he could look into her eyes.

She allowed him to lift her eyes to meet his and looked into the deepest blue she'd ever seen. "I don't know. I've never been in love before."

Smiling he kissed her again, moving to cup the back of her head with his hand, splaying his fingers through her silky hair and loosening her braid a bit. "However it works, I am glad," he murmured against her lips. "I have been alone for so long, my love. I have felt cut off from others for my whole life it seems. To suddenly be given such a gift is…is more than I could have hoped for."

Smiling up at him, far too happy for words, Hypatia finally gave herself permission to do something she'd been wanting to do for what seemed like ages. She ran her fingers all over his face, up through his red hair and over the thick muscles of his neck and shoulders. Watching in wonder as his eyes took on a blue so intense they seemed to glow with it.

Valen stood still under her feather light touch, not quite able to believe he was the one she wanted. He was half demon, had been a snarling beast for decades in the blood wars and he could not think of a single thing he'd ever done to have earned her love. Her touch started a song in his veins that rose to drown out the call of the blood wars, even here in this place. His long fingers still entwined in her hair he kissed her again, running his other hand down her back, pulling her close to him, cradling her against him. A low growl sounded deep in his throat when she wrapped her arms around his neck.

It might have gone beyond kisses had Hypatia not, with infinite gentleness, stopped it. "It is not yet time, beloved."

Though he might have protested, her designation of him as her beloved stopped him. Looking down at her, her braid all undone and her uneven hair hanging down around her plain priestess robe he could not deny her; even if it meant denying himself.

"You will tell me when it is time then?" He asked, smiling.

She looked at him, her fingers reaching for him before she visibly stopped herself. "When we are finished here, I shall take you to meet my sister. Then it will be time."

That surprised him and, in a way, hurt him. Was she so afraid that he would forget her in the face of her sister's beauty? Did she think he would so easily forget his love?

Reaching up she smoothed the frown on his brow with her fingers, "I just want to be someplace safe, someplace that I know. And I want you to meet her and she, you. You are both important to me." Because the empathic bond will become its strongest once we have become lovers. And it frightens me to open myself so fully to you, to have no place to hide. You don't yet know me completely and I am still unsure of myself.

That little spike of fear that he caught in her eyes, or perhaps felt as it sliced through him was enough. Whatever the reason, she was afraid…of him.

He saw her back to her room and spent a restless night. What was she afraid of? In the dark hours before dawn, when the wind died down and the cold became almost a physical thing his demon half rose up to torment him once again. His dreams filled with endless battles, he and Hypatia both fighting and reveling in the blood, the death and destruction they could wreak. He growled in his sleep, fighting the horrors of his dreams.

She fears losing her humanity to us. You thought to keep me at bay through her humanity but the bond goes both ways. I will command her as I have you. You will both be beholden to your demon blood, and her love for you will doom her.