Heart pounding Ellowyn followed Leliana and Ser Eril down the corridor, her heart leaping each time she saw a soldier on guard, but those of Highever in Amaranthine armour had a blue ribbon around the right gauntlet to identify them. Fleta kept close to her ready to defend her. She spied Jayden at the corner of the corridor leading to the study realising he had suddenly stopped. She saw him turn back and gesture something to Leliana who nodded before he activated his token.

"We need to be quick." Leliana stated. "Soldiers are on the move through the castle."

Ser Eril moved behind Ellowyn as he unsheathed his sword and at Leliana's signal they ran towards the kitchens. Bursting through the door they came to an abrupt halt at the number of swords pointed at them.

"Ellowyn!" Fergus gasped in relief, moving to his sister and hugging her tightly. "I was so worried about you." He grinned in relief as Fleta jumped up at him hugging her too.

"I fear you had reason to, Maker I am glad you are here. We do not have much time soldiers are moving through the castle, but you need to know I did not attack Thomas as Will said you had been told. I was confined to my room apparently on Thomas's orders, but I do not believe that." She met Fergus's gaze. "All he has done here to protect me tells me he would never betray me."

"We can discuss all of this later once the castle has been retaken, now you need to get out of here." He glanced at her surprised as she agreed without argument.

"Will has already reminded me I have a role to play at the Landsmeet that only I can play. I would fight with you brother, but Howe has to be my priority."

Fergus gently squeezed her shoulder. "You gave us this opportunity."

"Be careful Fergus, Captain Horace is dangerous. I underestimated him."

"I will. Ser Eril, if you would be so kind as to take my sister out of the castle and ensure she reaches Aedan safety."

"Of course, my Lord."

He turned to Leliana, Theron and Zevran. "The rest of you should go with her."

"Our purpose is not yet fulfilled." Leliana stated. "We were also to retrieve Lord Thomas and Warin."

"But you no longer have the tokens to conceal you." Fergus stated in concern. "Will at least has that protection."

"But for how long?" Theron pointed out. "I will not leave here without him."

Zevran smiled slightly. "I assume you will not wish to fight Howe's soldiers in the kitchen, we shall leave with you, I am sure you and your men will prove enough of a distraction for us to seek out the Captain."

"I sent him to the study." Ellowyn stated. "I thought it might be the best place to start."

"Then we should make haste."

"Very well. Ellowyn you must leave." Fergus gestured to his men to get ready.

Desperate to stay and fight, Ellowyn forced herself to turn and moved through the soldiers who stepped aside for her, Fleta at her side and Ser Eril at her back.

The moment Ellowyn was moving down the passage Fergus unsheathed his sword. "They know we are here, so let us take the fight to them! We fight for our families, our people, our home and our freedom!" As the soldiers raised their swords Fergus led the way out, it would be several minutes before everyone was out of the kitchen and passageway, but he saw soldiers heading for them, there was no point in trying to be stealthy. "For Highever!" He roared.

xXx

Heart pounding Jayden finally reached the study having to avoid soldiers that had been heading into the Great Hall and those that had suddenly come out of the Cousland's private armoury. He reached for the handle darting back as the door opened, Captain Horace closing and locking the door swiftly behind him giving Jayden no opportunity to enter. He pressed himself hard against the wall as a company of the Arls men came around the corner.

Horace moved to intercept them. "We have intruders in the castle, we have to assume they are here in force given the soldiers in the barracks and Chapel have been debilitated. If the Cousland brothers happen to be here, take them alive if you can, I am sure the Arl will want to deal with them personally. We hold this castle no matter the cost. I will join you shortly, I have a traitor to deal with."

Praying that the token would last Jayden slipped past the company keeping close to the Captain, with luck he would lead him to Warin or Thomas. He stopped abruptly as the Captain did at the stairs to the dungeon, holding his breath as Horace looked right at him a frown deepening on his face before he shook his head and hurried down the stairs. Swallowing hard Jayden followed him; slipping silently down the steps seeing Horace at the end cell. There were several human women and both male and female elves in the cells, likely all servants in the castle, none appeared to have been harmed. He crept up close to Horace as he opened the cell door paling as he saw a badly injured Warin lying on the floor.

Forcing himself to his knees, Warin cried out as a boot smashed against his face, sending him back to the stone floor, gasping in pain and spitting out blood.

"Time to die traitor." Horace hissed unsheathing his sword, crying out in shock and grasping his neck to find the source of the sharp pain, staggering backwards and dropping his sword. As he slumped to the ground, he stared wildly around seeing no-one, his body refusing to move as he tried to get up. He cried out in terror as he felt a hand clamp on his wrist.

Warin stared at him in confusion, freezing as he heard a whispered voice.

"You made a mistake Horace, thinking you could keep this castle."

"What are you?" Horace screamed, seeing nothing, the shadows of the dungeon hiding even the faint shimmer of the spell.

"Who do you think I am?" Jayden whispered doing his best to imitate a voice he hoped would strike fear into Horace's heart.

Paling Horace lost control of his bladder. "I never killed you!" He squealed. "That was the Arl."

Jayden moved closer, bringing his lips closer to his ear. "You think to harm my children?"

Warin's face turned ashen, the voice was almost like Bryce but not quite, though who knew how the voice changed when dead. He would be next surely for he had been with the Arl, his own life meant nothing, but perhaps the spirit would listen to his pleas to allow him to save Thomas first.

Horace tried desperately to move, but his body from the neck down was paralysed. "Please, please don't kill me. Thomas will be dead soon, isn't that enough?"

"Why would I want Thomas killed? He is not his father."

Horace frowned then gave a sharp intake of breath as a man appeared before him. "William?" He gasped. "What … how? What are you?"

"Where is Lord Thomas?" Jayden demanded, frustrated that the token's magic had ended so quickly.

"I can't move, what in the Void have you done?"

"The paralysis will wear off, but right now you are going to tell me what I want to know." He glanced at Warin, the man staring at him wide eyed in astonishment, before he focused once more on Horace. "You did this to him didn't you?"

"Why do you care? He's a murderer and he's done worse I promise you. He killed the squire before you and others besides. You would likely have been next, but I reckon you know that, what with you disappearing that night. You don't owe him anything."

"Where is Thomas?" Warin gasped, spitting out blood feeling a rush of hope.

Moving to him Jayden brought a vial of health potion to his lips.

"I don't matter." Warin gasped. "You need to get to Thomas."

Unable to move his body Horace glared at them. "I won't tell you."

Jayden moved back to the Captain hunkering down beside him and removing the keys from his pocket. "You don't need to. Warin I will come back with help, but until then ..." He pulled out the box of darts. "Black feathers are paralysis, green are sleeping potions. Jab him if he starts to move." Taking a dagger from his boot Jayden placed it in Warin's hand. "Just in case."

Nodding Warin clutched the weapon, barely having enough strength to keep himself up.

xXx

The ringing of steel against steel filled the castle, along with grunts of pain and exertion; bodies were pressed so close it was astonishing soldiers didn't harm their own side. Fergus was aware of it all as he forged forward through the Great Hall, anger surging through his body. Each movement had more speed and force than he had ever experienced before; guilt, grief and pain fuelling his arm. He had been eager to reach Ostagar, eager to fight and prove himself, but if he had waited, if he had remained with his father, he might still be alive. He roared in pain and fury as he thought of how his father had died, the man who had been loved and respected by his people because he was fair and just, brutally slain by a man who had pretended to be his friend. Every enemy soldier became Howe, his sword and armour wet with blood as he fought leaving bodies in his wake. He had thought to take the castle with as little blood shed as possible, but as he thought of Howe's intention to kill his family, the poisoning of his son, all he wanted was blood. Oren lived, but he had come close to death and he would never be the same because of what had happened the night of the attack. He made for the huge warrior who had created a space around him as he swung a deadly axe.

Sergeant Daden caught sight of Fergus and grinned menacingly, driving his axe into the gut of a soldier, blood spraying on his armour, before he headed towards him. The Captain wanted him alive, but any battle was deadly and he could convince them in the heat of the fighting he hadn't realised who he had engaged. Giving a fierce roar he lunged forward, swinging his axe down startled when Fergus dodged him. It was Aedan who had the reputation of being a fierce warrior, but he quickly realised Fergus had skills in his own right. He found himself on the defence as a storm of fury lashed against him, seeing death in Fergus's eyes as his sword struck with a force he had not anticipated. Swinging the axe, he stopped abruptly staring at the weapon buried deep in his chest, slowly looking up at Fergus as he collapsed to his knees.

Bracing his foot against the warrior's chest, Fergus pulled out his sword kicking him to the floor. He barely paused, turning to the next of Howe's soldiers, ignoring the burn of his sword arm, as he lunged forward.

xXx

Reaching the trees Ellowyn grinned with delight as Aedan hurried to her, nodding to Ser Eril as he took his leave and hurried back towards the castle eager to rejoin Fergus.

"Ell, thank the Maker." Aedan gasped, hugging her and stroking Fleta who jumped up at him. He gently pulled Ellowyn further into the trees where Stephan, Daniel, Ayanna and Perin were waiting. "Are you injured?"

"No, but I fear there will be more injuries than we can cope with by the time this is done."

"As long as most of them are Howe's men." He growled.

Ellowyn shivered meeting Aedan's gaze as he wrapped a cloak around her. "It was awful." She whispered, leaning against him.

"You are safe now Ell."

"None of us will be safe until Howe is dead."

xXx

Reaching the study first Zevran found it locked. "It is unlikely he is inside." He glanced along the corridors. "Where would he go?"

Moving passed him Theron glanced around the corner seeing soldiers fighting spying Jayden fighting his way towards him. "Leliana." He roared. "We need cover fire."

Spinning to the right Jayden drove his dagger into the throat of a soldier who had tried to grab him, dodging a sword, startled when the soldier fell to the floor with an arrow in his chest. He ran towards Theron and Leliana, trusting them as arrows tore past, missing him by barely inches as they took down the soldiers surrounding him. "Thanks." He gasped as he reached them. Glancing back, he felt his heart ache, despite all they had done to avoid bloodshed and minimise the loss of life the castle once more experienced death in her corridors. With Theron, Leliana and Zevran covering him he grabbed the ring of keys, finding the right key at the fourth try. Hurrying into the room Jayden frowned as he saw a dead soldier, paling as he realised Thomas was slumped in the chair, a pool of blood beneath him. "Shit. Thomas!" He knelt beside him grabbing bandages from a pouch on his belt soaking them in a healing potion before pressing it to the wound as Theron quickly untied him, Leliana and Zevran remaining in the corridor. "Thomas can you hear me?" He winced at a soft groan that was the only response. "We need a mage or he won't survive. Maker I should have had Robert come with us. We are going to have to move him, get him to Stephan."

"We will need to clear a path." Theron stated slipping out of the door, joining Leliana and Zevran telling them quickly of Thomas's injury. Seconds later they were engaged by Howe's soldiers. Theron felt steel bite into the flesh of his arm, jumping back and grabbing the dagger from his hip, lunging forward and driving it deep into the soldier's throat. In this Zevran was absolutely right, you should never leave an enemy alive behind you. He turned sharply hearing Zevran cry out seeing the crossbow bolt in his thigh. Leliana was already moving towards him, but so was the soldier who had fired the bolt.

Gavin unsheathed his sword as he and Lucus rushed forward. He drove his hilt down against Leliana's temple, sending her crashing to the ground. Lucus reached Theron driving his elbow up against his jaw, sending him staggering backwards, his head hitting off the wall, stunning him, his knees buckling beneath him, before he headed for the study.

Staggering to his feet Zevran lunged for Gavin startled when the soldier dropped to his knees, realising what he was going to do he knew he couldn't move fast enough and instead moved towards the soldier, gritting his teeth as he felt him grab the bolt in his leg and twist. Dagger in hand he drove it down sinking it deep into the soldier's neck.

Gavin stared at him in shock, his hand slipping off the bolt before he slumped forward, his blood spilling out on the stone.

Zevran crawled over to Leliana who was still unconscious, seeing Theron stagger to his feet and lurch towards the study going after Lucus.

Hearing the fighting Jayden had grabbed more bandages from the pouch in his belt tying them around the already saturated ones he had used. "Thomas, I need you to stay with me. I need to get you on your feet. I know it's going to hurt and I'm sorry, but we have to get you out of here." He turned sharply as the door slammed shut.

Lucus smiled menacingly. "You aren't going anywhere."

Unsheathing his sword Jayden put a little distance between himself and Thomas, but stayed between him and the soldier.

Smirking Lucus lunged forward surprised when the blow was parried and his prey dodged away from him. Snarling he drove his sword against Jayden again and again, each sweep of the blade wilder in his frustration.

Deflecting the blade Jayden darted forward and shoved him hard sending him staggering towards the door. He saw the fury on the soldier's face and realising his intent, he moved to protect Thomas feeling the sword bite deep into his back sending him crashing to the ground his sword thrown out of reach. Gasping in pain he glanced to Thomas who wasn't moving. Dragging himself across the floor he grabbed his sword, hissing in pain as Lucus's boot pressed hard on his hand. Ignoring the pain, he twisted, locking his legs with those of his attacker and driving him to the floor.

They struggled, Lucus twisting violently slamming Jayden's back against the desk, managing to free himself and kicking out wildly, driving hard into his chest.

Gasping in pain and momentarily struggling to breathe Jayden saw the soldier go for Thomas. Grabbing a dagger from his boot he lunged forward driving it into his calf and then into his lower back as Lucus collapsed to his knees, his sword hitting the floor.

Pain and rage filling him Lucus twisted his body roaring in pain as he grabbed Jayden by the throat. His eyes widened his fingers loosening their hold as he stared down at the dagger in his chest. He looked up stunned, coughing violently. "You can't save him." He gasped clutching his chest as Jayden pulled out the dagger, falling backwards dead before he hit the floor.

"No, but I know someone who can." He turned as the door opened, relaxing when he realised it was Theron.

"You alright?" Theron gasped.

"I'll live, but we need to get Thomas out of here before it's too late. Where are Lel and Zev." He hesitated as they staggered through the door, realising they were both also badly injured. "Shit."

"I can fight." Leliana muttered leaning against the wall trying not to be sick.

"And my leg is a mere inconvenience." Zevran stated, his bravado unable to mask his pain.

"Theron can you take the lead?"

"I can."

Gritting his own teeth, he and Theron got Thomas to his feet. Ignoring the pain Jayden hauled him onto his back. "Get us out of here."

Nodding Theron moved from the room, Zevran and Leliana moving behind Jayden. They moved as quickly as they were able, soldiers fighting filled the corridors, but Ser Eril saw them and he and his men began clearing them a path.

Jayden finally staggered into the kitchen feeling sick with pain and exertion.

Zevran slumped against a bench, beginning to feel weak from blood loss, the bandage around his leg saturated. "Just a little further to go." He muttered leading the way through the storeroom, Theron now at their back to cover them. The passageway seemed to last forever before Zevran was opening the door and fresh air hit them.

Jayden collapsed to his knees just beyond the tree line, relieved to see Stephan and the others hurrying towards them. "Thomas has a gut wound." He gasped as Stephan reached him. "I bound the wound, but Maker knows what further damage I did in getting him out."

"Right, Lady Ellowyn, your help please."

"Of course. He will make it won't he?" She gazed at Thomas's ashen complexion and realised he was barely breathing.

"Wounds like these can be healed with magic, but it is a difficult process and there is no certainty he will survive, but he definitely won't if we don't get moving. I need you to remove the bandages and have more ready for when I say." He took a healing potion from his belt. "See if you can get some of this into him."

Ayanna checked Leliana over before handing her a healing potion, moving to Zevran as he slumped to the ground.

"I believe I am losing too much blood."

"We need to get the bolt out."

Removing his belt and biting on the leather Zevran nodded to Theron who got to work. Mercifully it was removed quickly though painfully and only his training as a Crow kept him silent.

Theron moved aside to allow Ayanna to help him, relieved as the wound began to heal with her magic. "It's not as bad as it looks, you will keep the leg."

"That is something." Zevran smiled slightly, glancing to Jayden who was looking over at Thomas. "You did all you could my friend, whatever the outcome."

"If he dies …" Jayden fell silent feeling sick at the thought.

"He knew the dangers of this plan." Zevran stated softly.

Nodding Jayden remained silent.

Aedan watched Stephan work on Thomas, pacing anxiously. It was like being back at the dock all over again, but this time there was nothing he could do to help, he just stood there feeling useless. He glanced to Jayden realising something was wrong, hurrying over. "Where are you hurt?" He demanded.

"Took a sword to the back, feels like fire."

Gently easing off the stiff leather armour, Aedan paled at the blood-soaked tunic, cutting away the cloth, the tunic was ruined anyway. He bit his lip; the wound was deep and crossed down from his right shoulder almost to his spine. He glanced up as Ayanna joined them cleaning her hands, both surprised he had managed to carry Thomas with such a wound.

"Will I haven't any mana left and no lyrium potions. I didn't even have enough to heal Zevran completely. I'm going to have to sew the wound, it is too deep to be left any longer."

"No problem." Jayden gritted his teeth forcing back the moan of pain as Aedan carefully cleaned the wound and applied the juice of elf root to help numb the area, while Ayanna threaded a needle.

"I'm sorry but this will hurt." She stated, feeling him shudder as she pinched the skin together. She glanced at Zevran as Theron helped him move to Jayden's side.

"Tell me my friend …" Zevran stated as Ayanna began sewing, Jayden paling and gritting his teeth in pain. "You know the Warden Commander well, what can I do to encourage him to consider my joining himself and Rinna in their bed?"

Jayden almost choked, glancing at him realising what he was doing. "The flirting is always fun to watch, for the rest of us anyway." He tried a mischievous smile that turned to a grimace, closing his eyes as a wave of nausea washed over him.

"Flirting, it is fun no."

"Perhaps, but sadly I'm not very good at it." Biting his lip hard to stifle his groan he shuddered.

"Nearly there." Ayanna soothed.

"Ah then if you will permit, I will instruct you in the art."

"You're going to teach me to flirt, I can just imagine Delilah's face."

Zevran leaned closer. "Trust me my friend, she will enjoy it."

Jayden saw the mischief in Zevran's gaze feeling his cheeks warm, shuddering as Ayanna finished closing the wound.

"That should see you until we have more time."

Jayden forced himself to stand as Stephan joined them, glancing at Thomas who was lying still, Ellowyn remaining at his side. "How is he?"

"He's lost a lot of blood." His concern was clear in his tone. "The wound is deep and he could have done without being moved, but you did the right thing getting him to me. I have stabilized him for now, but we need to get him settled as soon as possible. Did you find Warin?"

"He's in the dungeon badly wounded."

"Then let's hope the fighting ends soon so we can get to him."

Ellowyn gently held Thomas's hand. "You are going to be fine Thomas."

Thomas shuddered, closing his eyes trying to control the urge to vomit as the pain spiked. "In case I do not survive this … I …" He gave a moan of pain before his head fell to one side.

"Thomas!" Ellowyn gave a panicked look to Stephan who hurried over.

"Just passed out, but he is on a knife edge. There is nothing else I can do until I get him settled or get more lyrium."

xXx

Fury burned through Fergus as he fought and despite the ache of his arms, the protest of the muscles in his back and legs he kept moving, inflicting death with each step. He parried blows, barely noted those that struck, blood slipping down his face from a wound to his forehead. Panting harshly, he turned when there were no more of Howe's soldiers bursting through the door to the Great Hall. The scene brought him back to himself, bodies of dead and dying soldiers covered the floor. Slowly lowering his sword, he glanced over his own men, some dead and all wounded, but by the state of Howe's men he believed they had fallen into the same battle rage he had. "Split into your teams, I want the castle searched for any more of Howe's men." He turned to Ser Eril. "Find out where Captain William is, with luck Thomas and Warin are with him, I want to see them all."

xXx

Glancing down, Horace looked at his hand, finally able to flex his fingers. He yelped in pain turning to see Warin jab a dart into his other hand, his eyes closing, his head slumping forward.

"I'd prefer to kill you." He muttered glancing at the dagger. "But Lord Fergus may have need of you." He gripped the dagger as he heard footsteps on the stairs giving a sigh of relief as Ser Eril and several men came into sight.

"Maker, have mercy." Ser Eril muttered as he hurried over to Warin, signalling his men to speak to the others in the cells and find out who they were. "Can you stand?"

"I might need some help."

Ser Eril helped Warin to his feet pulling one arm over his shoulder and wrapping the other around his waist taking much of Warin's weight. "Let's get you out of here."

"Lord Thomas, do you know where he is? Captain William went to find him."

"Then he is in good hands and you will likely be reunited shortly." He didn't have the heart to tell him that the young Lord had looked close to death. "Now come, you need to be tended to."

xXx

A short time later Fergus was leaning over a basin in the Great Hall, scooping up a handful of the icy water within, bringing it to his face. The bodies of Howe's soldiers had been removed to the courtyard, those of his own men who had lost their lives had been taken to the Chapel. Their blood still stained the floor and he wondered even after it was clean if he would ever stop seeing it. He had thought it justice, taking back his home, freeing his people, but he had fallen into slaughter, a rage of vengeance. Because of this night more families were forever torn apart, wives left without husbands, children without fathers. He bathed his face again washing away the blood, sweat and grime before scrubbing hard at his hands to remove the blood. He steeled himself, Highever had been liberated from Howe's men, the castle retaken, he had done what had been necessary. There were prisoners true, but many of the soldiers were dead and of those injured there would be those unlikely to survive. His father had warned him of the price of war and had always counselled diplomacy. Killing monsters was one thing, killing people, that took a toll on the soul that he had not been prepared for. He thought he had understood his father's teachings, but now he realised he had been deaf to much of what his father had been telling him. "Maker forgive me." He leaned against the fireplace and gave a shuddering sigh. They almost hadn't won and there could still be a fight ahead depending on what had happened at the Storm Coast. He glanced up seeing Ellowyn and despite the blood on his armour he was grateful when she hugged him.

"Are you hurt?"

"Nothing serious." Suddenly feeling exhausted he sank heavily onto the bench next to them.

"Fergus!"

"Just tired." He whispered, glancing up surprised to see Ayanna approaching with his brother. "I thought you were both under orders not to enter the castle."

"We were under orders not to get involved in fighting in the castle, the fighting is over however and much healing needs to be done. For the moment my mana is depleted; I am afraid it will be non-magical attention to wounds."

"Thank you for any help you can give Warden Ayanna."

"My pleasure, now let us get this armour off you and have a look at your injuries."

"Is there word on Thomas?"

Aedan sighed softly. "He is settled in a guest room and is stable for the moment, but the wound was deep and he will need further magical healing if he is to have any chance of surviving."

"I should go and see him."

Placing a hand on his shoulder Ayanna held him firmly where he was. "Stephan will let you know when he can be seen, for now I suggest you let me see what wounds you have sustained, the gash on your head will need immediate attention."

Sighing Fergus nodded, Thomas had risked so much and if he died, he was not sure he would ever forgive himself. Despite his exhaustion once Ayanna had finished, Fergus forced himself to go to the guest rooms finding Jayden pacing outside. "You should rest."

"I just wanted to check on Thomas before I head to the Storm Coast."

"You do not need to go; I can send someone else."

"Delilah should hear what happened from me."

Fergus sighed but nodded. "I suppose you are right." He turned as Stephan slipped out of the room.

"I gave him a draught that will make him sleep deeply to prevent movement. I have repaired much of the damage, but his recovery is by no means certain." He glanced towards Jayden. "Healing from gut wounds is rare. I suggest having someone watch over him at all times. There is nothing more I can do at the moment for him, but once my mana is replenished, I can work on the wound again." He glanced at the pouch Jayden handed him as well as a flask of distillation agent. He raised an eyebrow as he opened the pouch seeing lyrium dust.

"Figured we might need it and I didn't think we could wait until we retrieved more supplies from the Storm Coast."

"It was good thinking. I will start to make more lyrium potions immediately."

"And I will arrange for someone to watch over Thomas until you return." Fergus stated, moving to the doorway and glancing in; Thomas looked so young and pale it tore at his heart.

"He is strong." Stephan stated. "That he survived long enough for Will to get him to me speaks enough of that. I have hope that he will survive, but if he does, he will be weak and he will be unable to travel for some time."

"He will have all the care he needs." Fergus stated softly. "We will not lose him."

xXx

After ensuring Jayden, Theron and Ser Eril and five of his men who were accompanying them, had horses to hasten their journey to the Storm Coast, Fergus wanted a few moments to himself. He worried at his lip, while he knew they were exhausted and injured he was glad they would not be swayed from leaving, they were all worried about what might have happened in their absence. He prayed all was well with those at the camp. To take his mind from his concerns he walked slowly through the Castle, it was quiet now, the signs of battle had been minimised, but he suspected it would take days of cleaning to remove all of the blood. He hesitated as he reached the family rooms, his parent's room straight ahead. His feet felt leaden as he forced himself to move, reaching out a shaking hand as he reached the door, pushing it open. He could almost imagine his parents were simply late in coming to bed, but they would never again grace the halls and rooms with their presence. The wave of grief caught him by surprise and he stumbled forward, collapsing to his knees at the foot of the bed, clamping his hand to his mouth to muffle the heaving sobs tearing from his throat. He barely heard the footsteps so lost in his misery, feeling arms wrapping around him knowing it would be Aedan and Ellowyn. He clung to them tightly wishing he could keep them with him, he was the eldest and he felt responsible for them, but he could not keep them from the sorrows and cruelty of life no matter how much he wished it. When he could finally speak, he gazed at the twins his heart almost bursting with love. "No matter what your path, I will always support you and no matter where you go, where duty or love take you, you will always have a home with me." Howe had tried to destroy their family, but he had failed and he was going to discover that traitors were never to be tolerated.

xXx

Author Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed.