George led Arie away from the kennels. Once they were a good distance from any source of people did he ask, "So?"

Arie took a deep shuddering breath and it all spilled out of her.

"It's different for people and animals. Animals I get a vision of where their soul is. People my soul goes with them and waits with them for the Dark God. Most are comforted to have someone there."

George leaned up against the fence and pondered what she said. "But not everyone."

Arie sat down on the ground drawing her knees against her chest and hugging them. Something; George guessed; she did a lot of when she was on her own. She shook her head no.

"The Gods condemn necromancy. So once people realize I know when someone's going to die it's usually only a matter of time." Her words stung and she did her best to keep the tears from her eyes.

"But what you do isn't necromancy. You don't trap souls. You give them peace. Someone to hold their hand when they would otherwise be alone and afraid."

"And their strength flows into me." She leaned her head back and looked up at the sky, sometimes she wished she could just fly away and leave her Gift behind. "When we die, when we are truly at rest, it is the greatest feeling. I get to feel that peace, but it also connects me to that person or animal so I grieve at their loss as if it were my mother all over again. Doesn't matter if I've known them years or seconds."

George looked up at the sky too. "How exactly does your Gift work?"

Arie looked up at him sharply. She wasn't sure if she trusted him anymore. The only two people who ever asked about her Gift in detail were either sick or looking for a way to condemn her. She had learned that the hard way once already. "What's your interest in it?"

George smiled softly and Arie got the distinct feeling he dealt with many people with sharp tongues. He held his hands out to her as if to show they were empty. "I took a look at the crossbows and swords of the soldiers manning the gate. Those ain't people."

Arie ducked her head, bushed colored her cheeks. She had forgotten about that.

"The wood looked like it had been out in the rain for years. Any metal was rusted beyond salvaging and the string was gone. The swords might be safe after they are sanded down and cleaned for a few days straight." He sighed when Arie didn't answer. "My wife has done wonders for this land. Regular hero."

Arie looked up at him but he was staring off in space.

"Yet there are many who'd have her killed, just cause she's different. Cause she does what a man does. Don't understand it. Being so stuck in your ways that you'd kill someone who'd save you, just cuz they're different." When he finally looked at her Arie's breath caught. Something in her told her, this one you can trust.

"Aging. Anything and everything ages and decays. People, animals, plants, metals, cloth, minds, memories, even the Gift itself. It all dies or breaks apart. I can speed up, slow down, and in a lot of cases completely reverse that. That's why I can heal. And anything that dies I can," She thought about the best way to phrase it. "Touch with my Gift. That's what allows me to give my memories to someone else, is that connection. There's a lot of power in that process of dying. Even small plants."

"So why didn't you heal Bear?"

Arie sighed.

"Not everything can be fixed. All of us have a time to go and sometimes I can't change that. In order to heal I use some of my energy and the injured person's own energy or life to literally reverse the dying or mend their injuries. But if their body is all used up then I can't fix it. That energy has to come from somewhere. So, I can give some of what I have, but that is a temporary solution at best. If I give too much, I use up my own life."

George nodded and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"That's what you did to that man back then." he chuckled and slapped his knee. "He wasn't able to hold anything with any strength."

Arie shrugged.

"I can reverse it, but some don't deserve to have strength when they abuse it."

"Agreed. My wife, Alanna-."

Arie stared at him mouth wide open. He returned her look with one of confusion.

"You are married to the Lioness?"

He smiled and this time he looked like the happiest man alive. "Aye. That would be my lass."

Arie looked the man over this time trying to see what might have attracted the Lioness to him. He must have guessed what she was thinking.

"We met when she started at a page, I didn't know until later; she was girl, when she needed help. I didn't believe until she offered to undress to prove it." He face turned red. "But when she was a page there was another page who was bigger and older than her. Always picking on her and other nasty things. She got fed up with it and did something about it."

"She beat him up, didn't she?"

"Aye. He left only to come back later like a nasty snake. But I took care of him when he came back and he won't hurt no one ever again. What I'm tyrin to say is, I understand using what you have to protect others from the evil in the world. Maybe just don't flaunt it when you bend or break the law." He winked

"You weren't born a nobleman."

He flashed her a white grin, but he said nothing.

"Figures, you've a crooked bend to you, just like my teacher, and a friend of mine."

George chuckled and looked like he wanted to ask about her friends, but kept his silence. Instead, he sat there in a more comfortable silence until the sound of pounding hooves started getting louder. Both of them looked around at the same time. They saw SandStorm vault over the fence and race to them. Arie stood and started walking to meet her friend. George followed close behind her. When her horse met her, he sniffed her over and nosed her; checking to make sure she was okay.

"What is it?"

*One of your herd is here. The one who liked knives.*

"Twitchy?"

SandStorm threw his head confirming what she thought. What would have brought him here? Twitchy was her teacher in all things knives and a few other less legal skills. He was very uncomfortable in the big cities because quite a few years back he had nearly been killed in a large crowd. However, he was the fastest rider in the group that had left Sea King with her and his presence didn't bode well for her people.

*The guards are suspicious of him and are questioning him. I will take you to him.*

*Please.* Arie was about to pull herself onto his back when she looked at George. "I think we have news from the people who are watching over Sea King and I suspect it isn't good. A friend is here being held by the guards."

"Maybe I can help."

Arie nodded and flung herself onto SandStorm's back then held a hand out to George. He took it and swung up behind her with practiced ease of a man who ridden without a saddle.

"Hold onto me," she told him as she wound her hands through SandStorm's thick mane. Arms wrapped firmly around her waist then SandStorm lurched forward. Arie squeezed his flanks with her knees keeping her firmly on his back. George slipped back slightly then redoubled his hold ensuring he squished her and remained on the horse's back. The next moment she felt the unmistakable feel of SandStorm's muscles bunching before he jumped. Then they were flying through the air, wind whipping around them, and the funny feeling in her stomach before they came crashing back down. George slammed in her back with enough force to knock the wind out of her, but they both remained seated. She was actually impressed with his riding. Most people would have fallen off from that. Especially, without a saddle.

"Another jump," she warned as they approached the end of the pasture. This time when they landed George was prepared and didn't crash into her back. SandStorm moved swiftly eating up the distance between them and the front gates. It didn't take long to see their quarry. A small knot of guards was surrounding a man who was looking a little harassed. SandStorm came to an abrupt halt just before he stepped on one of the guards who stumbled away.

"Bout time." Twitchy grouched from the center of the knot of guards. "Kid, they need help."

Arie held a hand to silence her teacher. She eyed the guards suspiciously. Even now she wasn't sure if any of them were working for their enemy. They may have been clean of the poison, but that didn't mean they were on her side.

"This man is with me." At her unsaid command the guards stiffened. She couldn't blame them really, she was a child, under what authority did she have to order them, they probably wondered. One man puffed up his chest and opened his mouth, but before he could speak George intervened.

"Do as the young lady asks."

This time the guard looked at George he seemed to recognize George for his status. He nodded begrudgingly.

"My lord, we suspect this man is a thief."

George smiled ironically at him. "Thief or not he's carrying news I think the king would want to hear. Now do as the lady says." His earlier accent was completely gone. This man was noble who held authority over lands and people. It was almost frightening for Arie to see the sudden change as well as the immediate response from the guards. Twitchy was released no worse for the wear. Her teacher rubbed his wrists and growled curses under his breath. Arie slid off SandStorm and dragged the thief away from the guards before he could cause more trouble.

"What is it?"

Twitchy looked at George. "You trust em?"

Arie didn't even think about her answer. She simply nodded. Twitchy whistled and looked George over more carefully. Taking in the scars on George's hands that were so like the ones Arie and he had.

"Those infected at Sea King are looking to attack another town over. Ray heard em talking. They will be on the move soon."

Arie swore and turned to George.

"Will the king act?"

George thought about it before replying, "How sure are you that they will attack another town?"

"As sure as I can. They are running out of supplies at Sea King so they are turning their eyes to other prey."

George rubbed his chin and nodded. "The King will act."

Together the three of them went into the palace. It amazed Arie how swiftly things moved once the King and a few other nobles who gathered. They listened to Twitchy then the king ordered a group of riders and Raoul's company of the King's Own to go and detain the men, as well as provide aid to Sea King. He asked Arie to go with them. She wouldn't have had it any other way.

"Detain these people. They are our people and they may be under the influence of this disease until we know for sure I don't want anyone to be put to death. I'll also send a few knights with you. Sir Keladry, Sir Jorrey, and Sir Nealan will also join you. You should be able to teach Sir Nealan how to remove the poison."

Arie nodded and thought to herself, great she had to babysit a knight.

The king dismissed them.