Shana lay staring at the ceiling. She was wrapped in comfort, finally clean after several long days of travel, and yet sleep eluded her. She tried to calm her mind, but to no avail. Thoughts kept twisting their way in and out whether she wanted them to or not. With the dark surrounding her, she almost felt as if she were back in that dreadful cave.

Frustrated, she finally pushed back the blanket and stood. Around her body draped a cotton nightgown, much softer than the clothes she had been wearing for the past several days. Going to the window, she pushed back the curtains, letting in a small amount of moonlight, before getting back in bed. Unfortunately, this extra light seemed to make no difference, and instead of feeling surrounded by darkness, she felt surrounded by that horrid light that had destroyed the snake, the light that had emanated from her.

She left her room and made her way to the library. Bright moonlight shone in the window, bringing her a small amount of comfort. Lighting a small candle, she carried it to the edge of the books to read the titles. Finding one that sounded interesting, she grabbed it and carefully made her way back to her room. Settling back into bed, she began to read by the candlelight.

Several minutes later, she realized that she was staring at one word on the page, not actually reading at all. She sighed heavily and set the book down. After another attempt at sleep failed, she got up once again, this time making her way downstairs to sit by the warm fire. The night was not particularly cold, but she found great comfort in the fire's heat. With a blank expression, she stared at the flames, leaping about as if they were trying to grasp something just out of reach Unaware of the passage of time, she sat there, mesmerized.

After a while, she heard movement upstairs, followed by footsteps walking down the hallway and then to the stairs. To her surprise, Lavitz's voice broke the silence.

"Shana. I didn't expect to see you up."

She turned and saw Lavitz, dressed in simple clothes, walking toward her. He sat down at a chair, joining her by the fire.

"I can't sleep," she replied. "Beds are too soft, I guess." She attempted a weak laugh.

"I understand the feeling. After sleeping on the ground so long, after Hellena…" His voice trailed off as he, too, stared at the fire. He suddenly began rubbing his temples and added, "Sorry. I shouldn't bring that up. It's bad enough that we were actually there. We shouldn't have to go back."

"Yeah," said Shana quietly. She wanted to ask him if his mind went back as often as hers. He was there longer than she was, but she couldn't help but wonder if he had felt as threatened, as stifled. "Lavitz, I-" She stopped herself midsentence, then decided to say something else when he looked at her expectantly. "I keep thinking about the cave. I keep replaying that moment in my head over and over again, trying to find an explanation. But I can't."

He sat silently for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Then, "I've thought about that, too, although I haven't gotten to speak to you about it. It was clear to me that you had no idea that this power existed, and neither did Dart. Do you know of any outstanding event in your life that may have granted you some kind of magic?"

Magic? she thought skeptically. Magic was a thing of legend, lost in the winds of time. But, then again, so were dragons. She tried to think over her life, remembering every fall, every scar, every hurt. She could recall nothing of importance. "I don't think so," she said slowly.

Lavitz leaned forward, looked at her intently, and said, "I want you to know something. Sometimes, we never find an explanation for things. And as frustrating as that may be, I know that you will be just fine. You are a strong woman, every bit the woman that Dart needs and wants, and I don't want you to think that this event has changed who you are or what you're worth to us. Or to yourself. Whatever may have happened in that cave, and whatever may happen in the future, you are still Shana. You and Dart are basically my family now, and nothing will ever change that. I know for a fact that Dart feels the same way."

Her chest tightened. Somehow Lavitz always knew what was going on in her mind, sometimes when she didn't know it herself. Ever since that day in the cave, she had worried that something was wrong with her, that Dart wouldn't look at her the same once he really thought about what it could mean, or that eventually something would happen and she would let them down, or worse, hurt them. She felt tears well up in her eyes, and she quickly looked away from Lavitz, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

Burying her face in her hands, she changed the subject and said, "Dart... what am I supposed to do about him?"

Chuckling, Lavitz said, "Strangely, that seems like a harder thing to figure out than some mysterious light bursting out of your forehead." Shana laughed at this, as Lavitz continued. "It is very clear to me that Dart has no idea what he wants. In the shack after Hellena, when you told me about the two of you, I had just met you and thought that surely Dart knew what was going on. I was astounded at his obliviousness over the days that followed." He paused. "If I had to make a wager, I would say that Dart just needs time to sort through his emotions and distinguish between thirteen-year-old you and who you are now. He seems to be stuck in the past. I saw you two on the balcony at the castle-" she felt blood rush into her cheeks "-and he clearly feels something. My best advice is just to be patient. Men can be complicated, especially when it comes to raw emotion. Give him some time to sort it out."

She could feel her cheeks burning as she considered the possibility that Dart may actually care for her. She remembered their time on the balcony, Dart's poorly delivered monologue, and when he lay his head on hers. She was embarrassed that someone had seen it, but at the same time greatly appreciative that it had happened.

Trying to get the spotlight off herself, she asked Lavitz, "So why are you up? Worried about tomorrow?"

He sighed. "I think we all are, to be honest. Dart apparently not as much. I could hear his snoring through the wall of my room. But it's not exactly easy, walking straight into a battle. I get apprehensive every time. Especially since last time, we were thwarted by Sandora and my entire team was killed." Lavitz's gaze returned to the fire as he relived the memories. "But I want to help. I need to help. It's my duty as a knight."

Shana admired Lavitz's convictions. She tried to stifle the growing fear inside her that questioned her decision to follow Dart blindly wherever he might go. Remembering Lavitz's words, however, she was content to stay by Dart's side and bide her time until he was ready.

They talked for a while longer, discussing more trivial matters, like the quality of their dinner and the supplies they would need to get before they left. Shana was pleased that she could feel so comfortable with Lavitz after so short a time. It was clear that he would be a lifelong friend to both her and Dart.

After perhaps an hour, she was relieved to find herself feeling sleepy, and retired to bed. This time, she felt more at ease having gotten some of her problems off her chest. She hoped that Lavitz felt the same way.