Rathnal felt his heart quicken as Sorith, the youngest Night Elf having seen barely nineteen winters hurried over to him. "What news?"

"There are at least one hundred soldiers heading this way. Twenty on horseback the rest on foot. A few have crossbows, but most just have swords. The rest of the Night Elves are on the ridge. Arley and Myla are in place."

"I still don't like this idea; they are just kids."

"They have been torn from their lives, imprisoned, beaten and sold into slavery. They have as much right and need to do their part as the rest of us." Melik stated, moving to join his fellow Night Elf. He had been born in the Alienage in Amaranthine, spending the last seven years in Highever through marriage. He had known well what faced them when the soldiers took over Highever and he was desperate to bring them to their knees.

Nodding Rathnal worried at his lip. Both young people were incredibly swift runners and they had argued that the soldiers would be more likely to want to capture them to use them to control their parents than kill them. Rathnal's protests that they were just as likely to wound them seemed to fall on deaf ears. When their parents actually agreed to the plan, he knew his arguments had failed. Assuming all went well they would lure the soldiers towards the camp. Several of Highever's citizens were in the camp to make the soldiers believe it was inhabited. They had a way out, but so much could go wrong. Sten and those citizens capable of fighting were hidden down by the shore and those not fighting were in the caves with the horses and the supplies. He glanced at Alistair, Rory and Peter, they would deal with the leaders of the force as well as provide cover for Dylan and Robert along with Ser Matthew. The rain was steady and getting heavier by the minute and he wondered who it would help and hinder the most. "Fine, best get ready."

xXx

Delilah watched the nug shifting itself in Leliana's pack before falling back to sleep. She was not at all happy that she had been reduced to babysitting a nug and she had not appreciated Fergus pointing out she could not afford to be captured by her father's men, but she had stopped her protests and came to the cave with the others. She glanced at Riordan, his fever was worse and Alea was working hard to help him. Morrigan was unconscious but healing, it was strange to see her so vulnerable. A little part of her was glad the witch wasn't with Jayden; it was bad enough he was with Leliana. She was trying not to think about him because every time she focused on them being apart, she felt as if her insides were being crushed. She had felt anxiety and fear for people before, but this was something else. She felt like pacing but people were worried enough, huddled in small groups talking in whispers as though afraid the soldiers would hear them. Delilah sighed softly at some of the glances her way, they didn't trust her and it chafed, but there was nothing she could do about it, so she remained sitting next to Morrigan. She glanced to the cave entrance where Airyl and Hunter stood guard along with several armed citizens, she almost pitied any who went up against the mabari and wolf. She knew Airyl wanted to be with Jayden and yet she stayed, not because he had ordered it, but because he had asked it. She didn't understand how they understood each other but they did. She had heard Morrigan say white wolves were endowed with elven magic, but she doubted the truth of that, it was simply like the bond with mabari, but even they were supposed to have some kind of magic in their ancestry. Yet one more bond he had that was a mystery to her. She glanced at the nug hoping Airyl wouldn't get hungry before the others came back.

xXx

Hearts pounding, Arley and Myla headed up the hillside seemingly absorbed in each other, their hands held tightly. "You ready?" Arley whispered.

"Yes."

He squeezed her hand gently hearing the tremble in her voice, this plan had sounded exciting when they were coming up with it, now it just seemed incredibly stupid and he wished he had listened to the Warden Commander. Reaching the top of the hill they froze seeing the large group of soldiers heading their way. The moment they were seen they turned and ran, slipping and sliding down the muddy bank, the rain having made it slick. They glanced back seeing the soldiers on the ridge, running faster than they ever had to stay out of range of the crossbows, several bolts hitting the mud just behind them.

Sergeant Gren chuckled. "Look at them run; save your bolts men, there will be enough sport soon enough." He glanced down at the huts below them, camp fires and torches burned brightly, hearing talking and laughter, along with the faint smell of stew that made his mouth water and his stomach grumble. "Take as many alive as you can, the Captain wants them. Lady Delilah is to be brought directly to me, alive!" At his signal those on foot headed down the hill, the terrain was rocky and hazardous with the rain, but having seen the young people race down it, the soldiers were not as careful as they should have been, unaware they had gone the safest route, a few giving startled yells as the rocks and mud suddenly gave way sending them hurtling down the hill. Gren hissed angrily seeing several soldiers striking rocks as such an angle there would be concussions and broken bones for sure. "Damn fools."

Arley and Myla reached the camp and raced inside, Harold and Jenna pulling the doors until they were almost closed before herding the young people to the healer's hut. Nicolas and Kyra were at the trap door several others having already dropped into the tunnel underneath.

Arley swallowed painfully, he knew it was the only way out, but getting into that small tunnel terrified him more than all those soldiers. He glanced at Myla who had gripped his hand.

"I don't want to go in there either." She whispered. "But if we stay here those soldiers will do worse to us."

Seeing the fear in her eyes Arley forced himself to move to the trap door and lower himself down grabbing hold of her as she joined him. Hearts racing, they crawled after Kyra who was urging them to hurry, Jenna and Harold moving behind them after shutting the trap door. Arley tried not to think of how narrow the hastily built tunnel was, or how easily it could collapse in on them because of how quickly it had been created. The air was damp and stale and with each move he was finding it harder to breathe. A few metres into the tunnel it became even narrower and Arley was sure he was going to die there, but there were others behind him and he had no choice but to keep going. As they reached the end, he gasped at the air seeing the thick mist giving them cover to the trees. He was never so glad that they had mages on their side. They reached the trees and hesitated turning back, there should have been an explosion by now. They heard the soldiers start to ransack the camp slowly realising no-one was there. "They need to hurry." Arley gasped.

"So do we." Kyra hissed pushing them in the direction of the caves. "We did our part, now move."

xXx

Rathnal stared as the burning arrow he had sent into the camp fizzled and died. "Everything is too damp and the rain is too heavy!" Rory and Peter were having no better luck with the arrows they had fired. He fired a second burning arrow and a third and despite hitting the targets where the wood had been soaked with what oil they had, the flames were extinguished before they could take hold. "Damn it they are going to leave and Sten and those with him won't survive." He turned sharply as Dylan moved closer to the ridge. "What are you …" He fell silent as Dylan's eyes seemed to burn with flames, his hands glowing with coils of orange energy. He stared at the camp seeing what could only be described as a fire storm, burst into life above it, waves of flame rolled through the air igniting the buildings. The vials of volatile liquids hidden around the camp exploded in the heat.

Robert stared in awe, seeing flames snake out towards Howe's soldiers. He glanced to Dylan wondering how long he could hold such a clearly powerful spell.

Gren stared in shock at the raging fire consuming the camp, it was all he could do to keep his horse steady. This was no natural fire, while it consumed the buildings it looked as though some of the flames became tentacles reaching for his men. "They have a mage." He growled, turning and signalling to all but five of those with him. "Find it and kill it!"

"They are coming." Peter hissed. "We need to protect Dylan." He glanced at the mage who was still fuelling the fire that was turning the camp to ash, soldiers screaming and trying to flee the flames that chased them, they would find no safety as they fled the camp and raced towards the water heading straight towards Sten and those with him, though they had yet to show themselves.

Dylan poured all his rage into the flames, his fury at being taken from his family, from his twin sister, for being locked up all these years, humiliated and degraded by Templars, raging at people that felt they had a right to hurt others, that they meant nothing. He downed a lyrium potion feeling the renewal of his mana focusing his flames on the terrified soldiers below.

Robert turned as Matthew drew his sword, before creating a shield barrier around Dylan and then putting himself between him and the soldiers.

"Do what you must." Matthew stated never taking his eyes from the soldiers heading towards them, grateful the Wardens were with them.

The soldiers thundered towards the Wardens, three falling from their horses hit by arrows from Rathnal, Peter and Rory, before they dropped their bows and drew their swords. Rathnal momentarily wished they had the Night Elves nearer them, but they were on the opposite ridge to provide cover fire for Sten and his group. "Robert!" He yelled, relieved to see the hex's that appeared beneath the horses sending them into a panic, rearing up and shaking off their riders before bolting. The soldiers had barely got to their feet when the Wardens engaged them.

Driving his shield up into the jaw of the nearest soldier, Alistair sent him slamming into the ground, driving his sword down into his chest. Rathanl had made it clear, they had to do this as quickly as possible ensuring their own survival which meant none left alive to threaten any of them. He glanced at Rory and Peter, both fierce fighters, but back-to-back against four soldiers. He wished Kolby was with him as he lunged forward charging into one soldier, sending him with force against another, giving Peter and Rory the opportunity to get out of their defensive stance. He jumped back as a body landed next to him seeing Rathnal flick the blood off his sword before moving onto the next.

Casting a misdirection hex on the soldier who lunged for Matthew, Robert saw the sword swerve in a wide arc giving the Templar all the opening he needed to run the soldier through. Robert moved closer to Dylan as Matthew caught the second soldier in the face by driving up his shield, thrusting his sword into his chest as he hit the ground. He was reminded in that moment of how efficiently Matthew had been trained to kill, but he was one of the good ones and it was far better than having someone useless with a sword defending them. They worked together as a third and fourth soldier tried to reach them before Matthew gave a hiss of pain staggering back against a tree. Robert paled seeing the crossbow bolt sticking out from his left collarbone. He turned on the archer, chain lightning hitting the soldier and the one next to him sending them flying back towards the Wardens. Panting heavily starting to feel the effects of his mana draining, he hurried over to Matthew helping him to get up from where he had been knocked down. Gritting his teeth Robert renewed the barrier around Dylan as crossbow bolts hit the ground next to him, drinking a lyrium potion and extending the barrier to cover himself and Matthew.

xXx

Sten watched the base burn from his position near the shoreline. He had been uncomfortable by the number of mages present both in the Wardens and those who followed the Captain, but he had to admit they were effective. He glanced over to the group on the opposite side of the natural funnel leading to the sea. They were being led by Warden Serris, despite her being a mage the people accepted her without question given she was a Warden. It made him uneasy, but he had seen what she was capable of in her demonstration to prepare the people so they were not alarmed when the fighting began. He glanced back to the fire, the terrified and disorientated soldiers were scrambling to get away from the base, choking on smoke and the fumes of the exploding vials; the fire herding them down towards the water. He rose as Serris moved into place.

Manifesting her magic Serris drove her staff against the rock focusing the energy through the ground towards the soldiers.

Already panicked they fell further into disarray as the ground began to shake, sending them stumbling or falling to their knees. Smoke bombs exploded in their midst sending them scrambling, further disorientating them as they struggled to see, alarmed that whatever had also been in the bombs had sprayed something on their armour that made them visible targets through the smoke. Only the raging fire kept them orientated, but they were vulnerable where they were.

The Night Elves began firing as the soldiers sought to find cover that simply wasn't there. Those that still had some measure of their wits raced for the shore. In their confusion they ran headlong into those they had come to capture or kill. Sten was the first to reach them, cutting down soldiers with every step he took, wielding Asala with lethal efficiency. With the fire behind them, the hillside too steep to offer escape, the soldiers had no choice but to charge those barring their way to the shore.

The conflict was violent and bloody, the Amaranthine soldiers desperate to flee the magical flames and the Highever citizens fuelled by fury at all they had suffered at their hands. If Howe's men thought they would be easy to kill, or would be merciful they had seriously underestimated the hate they would face.

xXx

The few young elven children who had escaped slavery gathered around Haren Varmoth as the noise of explosions and fighting reached them, glancing fearfully towards the cave entrance. He pulled them close talking soothingly, reminding them of the force on the shore that would stop any soldiers reaching them.

Everyone tensed as Hunter and Airyl got to their feet, Delilah grabbing the dagger from her boot and everyone else reaching for something they could use as a weapon, relaxing as Arley and the others hurried into the cave.

Elsbeth hurried towards her son. "Were you followed?"

"No, I don't think they even saw us. Too busy fighting." He flushed with embarrassment as his mother hugged him fiercely, but he smiled slightly realising Myla's mother was doing the same to her.

After making sure her son was uninjured, Elsbeth busied them both with going over the healing supplies, trying to distract herself from the noise of battle and trying not to think of what was happening in Highever, praying that Philip was safe.

"Dad will be alright mom." Arley whispered.

Smiling, she hugged him gently. "I know love, I just wish we were all together."

"He had to go with Lord Fergus."

"Aye I suppose he did." She held her tongue wondering if Bryce's oldest would be as just a man as his father had been and if he would remember those who helped him when this was all over.

Arley glanced to Delilah who had gone to stand next to Airyl. "Dad doesn't trust her, does he?"

Glancing to where her son was looking Elsbeth shook her head. "No darling and neither do I, stay away from her."

"But she has been helping Lord Fergus, they are friends."

"That may be, but just because he trusts her does not mean we have to. Teyrn Bryce trusted Arl Howe and look what happened. That man should hang for what he did in Highever and if you ask me his children shouldn't be allowed near the place. Just stay away from her Arley, promise me."

"I promise mom, but I do like Airyl."

"Never thought I would see the day I would share space with a wolf right enough, but she's special and no mistake."

"She likes Lady Delilah."

"No son, she is watching over her because Captain William asked her too."

"Well then he likes her."

"Aye he does and I pray for his sake he sees sense, but she has her claws in him right deep." She sighed at Arley's slightly confused look. "Just stay away from her, mark my words that woman is not to be trusted."

xXx

Despite his focus on his spell casting Dylan had been aware of shouting close by, of the clash of steel and the sound of horses, but his focus had remained on the fire trusting his companions to protect him. He felt in his pouch for another potion realising he had already used the last one. Growling in frustration he gave another burst of magic and sank to his knees, the storm extinguished as his mana came to an abrupt end. Panting painfully Dylan glanced around seeing several soldier's bodies along with their unsettled horses, the Wardens checking to ensure the soldiers were dead. Realising Matthew was hurt he tried to get to his feet to go to him, collapsing back to the ground utterly exhausted. Dylan glanced up as Robert steadied him, they both knew giving him lyrium now would cause more harm than good, he needed rest. "Ser Matthew's wound …"

"I will see to it once we reach the caves, I have bound it for now."

Dylan nodded knowing there was nothing he could do no matter how much he wanted to help.

"Come on." Robert encouraged, helping Dylan to his feet and holding him steady, not at all sure they would make it to the caves. He glanced at Matthew who despite his own injury moved to help.

"I can manage." Dylan murmured almost asleep on his feet.

"I know." Matthew stated. "But the quicker we are at the caves the quicker I get seen too."

Too tired to argue Dylan felt them take his weight, barely conscious as they began to make their way down towards the cave.

Rathnal glanced at the five men on horseback watching the slaughter of their men. He focused on the leader, seeing the realisation dawn that they had lost. "We need to get to them before they leave." Rathnal hissed hurrying through the trees towards them, his Wardens a step behind.

xXx

Furious at their defeat Sergeant Gren glared at the four men still with him. "We ride for the Castle!" He snarled, a sharp pain in his neck made him cry out in alarm as he fell from his horse into the mud. He was so shocked he barely registered the pain of a broken leg as it struck a boulder. Vision blurring, he saw the men with him also lose their balance falling from their mounts and hitting the ground, the horses bolting. Blinking rapidly, he was aware enough to pull the dart from his neck, staring at it realising it had to be poisoned. He heard movement and turned to see an elf standing over him, seeing hate in his eyes. He had, had a lot of fun in the Alienage in the early days of the takeover, but a memory triggered as he saw a scar that snaked from his forehead to his jaw, a gift he had given when the elf had attacked him after he had selected his wife as one of several for him and his men to spend time with. He felt the pain in his chest staring at the blade.

"For Elra." Ardin hissed.

He was alive long enough to see the rest of his men killed by elves, before Ardin twisted the blade, the last shocked breath leaving his lips with a burst of blood.

The Wardens had halted as the Night Elves reached the soldiers. They knew a little of what had happened to their families having overheard several conversations. Alistair swallowed hard, what happened in those few moments was brutal vengeance and he knew in his own heart that if anyone had defiled Bethany, he would have made them suffer before they died as well.

Ardin moved towards them, Melik, Sorith, Eris and Felin joining him. "Our families are avenged."

Rathnal nodded, hoping he never got on the wrong side of any of them, they would all make excellent Wardens however and he wondered if any of them would be interested.

xXx

As the flames died and the smoke began to disperse Sten and his group slowly made their way towards the ashes of the base checking that none had escaped. Few lived, but those who did were not long for the world. Those that lay dying were left with only confusion that a handful of Wardens and escapees had managed to defeat them. They all had one certainty however, the Arl when he heard of what had happened would burn Highever to the ground.

Rathnal felt exhausted but relieved as they headed down to the shore; thanks to their preparation and likely a good dose of luck they had survived the night. Slumping onto a rock Rathnal gazed at his hands, their fight was against the Darkspawn, it seemed madness that they had, had to kill soldiers, the very men they needed to fight the Blight. He rubbed his neck attempting to ease the tension. If the Landsmeet denied Fergus his rightful place as Teyrn they would be in for a mess of trouble for what they had just done. Duncan had spoken of their neutrality in the political affairs of the countries they were stationed in, but Rathnal realised that in a Blight all of those rules meant to keep them on the right side of the leaders of those countries simply couldn't work. The fact they had put a warden on the throne of Orzammar was enough to remind him he was willing to throw out those rules. Forcing himself to his feet he nodded to Sten who was approaching.

"They were fools." Sten grumbled. "We have a bigger fight and they wasted their lives on petty tyranny. We should not have had to go the way of blades."

"It is a waste." Rathnal agreed. "But they had a choice. Let's just hope all went as planned at the castle." He yawned loudly. "The Night Elves have agreed to keep watch for a rider from Highever, Maker willing we will have no further trouble, but I suggest we rest while we can, just in case."

xXx

Despite feeling exhausted, when Robert had reached the caves he tended to Matthew's wound. Dylan had given into his exhaustion and was sleeping on a pallet, Alea checking him over. He checked in on Morrigan and Riordan, both were sleeping and appeared no worse than they were when they had been moved, though he wished they could do something about Riordan's fever. It broke and returned just as quickly and even magic seemed to have little effect on it. He wondered if it was something to do with him being a Warden, but he was too tired to try and puzzle it out. Dumping his cloak on a rock, he slumped onto a pallet next to Dylan, he was so tired he didn't have the energy to take off his boots. In the haze of almost being asleep he was sure Matthew was removing his boots and putting a blanket over him. He drifted to sleep having the surprising feeling that he felt safe when this particular Templar was watching over him.

xXx

Waking from a brief slumber Rathnal realised Melik was the reason he had woken. He sat up grabbing his sword. "Trouble?"

"Nothing we can't handle if it is. A group of eight riders heading for us, too far away to say who for sure, but the leader is holding the flag of Highever."

Rathnal nodded. "Let's hope they are ours and they bring good news." Alistair, Rory, Peter and Serris joined him as he left the cave and moved along the shore line to meet them, the Night Elves taking high positions in case of trouble. He realised it was almost midday though as usual for here it seemed the sun was hidden behind ominous dark clouds heralding rain. He imagined those approaching must have ridden hard to get to them if they were indeed from Highever. He couldn't help smiling in relief when he recognised Jayden, Theron and Ser Eril and his men.

Handing the reins of his horse to Theron, Jayden moved to Rathnal and clasped his arm.

"Well, you're alive." Rathnal grinned.

"You too." Jayden glanced to the pyres and the charred remains of the camp. "How many attacked?"

"At least one hundred." He shifted slightly. "All dead. We suffered a few major injuries, most were minor and Dylan has mana exhaustion, but thankfully no fatalities. You?"

"More fatalities than I had hoped and some major injuries, but Howe's men came off worse and the castle and Highever is retaken."

"That is good news. What about Lady Ellowyn, Lord Thomas and Warin?"

Jayden rubbed his neck trying to ease the tension, wincing as the movement pulled his wound. "Ellowyn is fine." He was not blind to Rory's look of relief. "Thomas sustained a gut wound and is stable, but in critical condition. Warin was also badly hurt, both Horace's doing. The Captain survived though I suspect he will wish he hadn't. We should try and get everyone to Highever as quickly as possible; they should be safer there now. Where is Delilah? I need to tell her of her brother."

"Coming this way." Rathnal stated, smiling slightly as Airyl raced towards them jumping up at Jayden and rubbing against him.

"Hey beautiful." Jayden grinned hugging her. He stood as Delilah reached them smiling as she hugged him, the others moving away to give them some privacy.

"I was so worried for you."

"I'm fine."

"What about Thomas?" She frowned at his pained expression. "What happened?"

"He is badly wounded, Warin too."

"How?"

Jayden quickly explained the events that had led to him finding Thomas.

"Why did you not go into the study?"

"Given what Horace said I thought he might lead me to them. I had no idea where he was going to go and if I had lost him, I might not have found him again. Plus trying to pick the lock on the door would have got me caught. I made a choice …"

"You made the wrong choice." Delilah snapped, terror filling her that she would lose Thomas as she had lost Nate, as she lost all the people in her life that she loved.

"Delilah I …"

"Of course you would look for Ellowyn first!"

"That's not fair, I went to the family rooms first. If anything from the information we had Thomas should have been there and Ellowyn in the dungeon. I had to start somewhere."

"I need to get to my brother." She strode towards the horses near the caves looking back. "The least you could do is escort me." She strode passed Rathnal and the others, ignoring their startled looks.

Sighing Jayden turned to Theron and Ser Eril. "Will you stay and help the others, looks like I won't be staying."

"Gladly." Theron stated, glad to escape Delilah's presence.

Ser Eril nodded clearly uncomfortable by Delilah's response to their news.

Taking the reins of his horse Jayden hesitated as Rathnal caught his arm.

"She had no right to speak to you like that."

"She is afraid for her brother, it's alright. See you at Highever." He gave Rathnal a reassuring smile and mounted Luna. "Airyl go get Hunter, Aedan will want to see him as soon as possible." He smiled as Airyl bounded away returning just ahead of Delilah, an excited Hunter at her side.

Rathnal shook his head as Delilah returned on a horse, her look one of cold fury. "Why does he put up with her?" He muttered the moment they were out of hearing distance.

"Because he's lonely." Alistair muttered. "And he has a seriously messed up sense of duty at times." He shook his head at his fellow warden's puzzled looks. "Come on, let's get these people ready to go home."

xXx

Fergus had gone to the warehouses himself, despite the fatigue that clawed at him, this was something he had needed to do himself. The men had been awake though just barely. Wardens Stephen and Ayanna had assessed injuries, while there was a great deal of evidence of blows inflicted there were no serious injuries, the main issues were dehydration and malnutrition. He had spoken to the men informing them he had taken back Highever. There was muted cheering, simply because the men were so weak, but their eyes gleamed with hope and satisfaction and that had helped to lighten his soul a fraction. He had returned to the castle only when the last soldier had been released from their prison and taken to the barracks in the castle, exchanging places with those of Howe's men who were now prisoners. Those captured would be treated in a better fashion he would see to that, if only to help soothe his guilt over the deaths. He sighed, twice now the home he had always known had rang with the clash of violence and the screams of the injured and dying. Again, its corridors were marked with blood and the smell of death. He felt suddenly hollow, he had believed he would liberate the castle, but he felt he had brought only more death. He moved into the empty Chapel sitting on a bench. "What would you have done father?"

"He would have done the same as we did." Ellowyn stated softly, joining him.

"I wanted this to be as free of bloodshed as possible, instead I led a slaughter."

"They deserved it."

Fergus turned, seeing a coldness in Ellowyn's eyes he had never seen before. "Do not become that cold hearted person Ell, we had to take back Highever, but these deaths …" He fell silent as she squeezed his hand.

"These men butchered our people, terrorised them and were involved in handing them over to slavers. These men had no remorse for their actions."

"We have to be better than them Ell."

"I am glad so many are dead, they cannot harm anyone else again. These prisoners we have I hope never experience freedom again. They deserve no mercy."

"Does that include this Emery? I hear he has been kept separated from the others."

"He was not part of what happened that night and he saved my life, therefore I will ensure he keeps his life, but he is still one of Howe's men. I want to trust him, but things here have changed and we cannot be sure his loyalty would be to Thomas over the Arl. So, for the moment at least he is our prisoner." She sighed miserably. "I thought I could read people's intentions, but I realise I am barely a child in the art." She gazed up at the statue of Andraste. "Nothing will ever be the same again."

"No." Fergus stated softly. "It won't, but we can make a better future, we have to."

xXx

Riding in silence Jayden glanced to Delilah who was slightly ahead of him setting a fierce pace. She hadn't looked at him since they had left the others and his attempts to speak to her had been met with cold silence. He glanced at Airyl and Hunter who were running alongside him grateful for their grounding presence. He had expected Delilah to be upset and fearful for her brother, but her anger towards him was unexpected and it stung. Worse he was second guessing his actions and wondering if he should have done things differently, but given the situation he had faced, he doubted he would have altered his actions if he could. The thought brought little relief, Delilah's fury was still aimed at him and she refused any attempt at comfort he tried to offer. The rain which had started not long after they had left the others had become torrential and he was glad when they finally entered the caves, grateful for the brief respite they offered. He now took the lead feeling Delilah's anger like daggers in his back.

Delilah tightly gripped the reins refusing to give into the tears, clinging to the anger that was clawing at her. She felt as though she could hardly breathe. The relief she had felt the moment she had seen him had turned to fury. Part of her was aware of how unfair she was being, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. If her brother died, she didn't know what she would do. They had known the plan was dangerous, but she had not expected harm to come to Thomas, Ellowyn perhaps, but not her brother. She felt hot tears burn and blinked them away, focusing on her anger just to make it to him. As they finally left the caves and she saw the castle she felt a rush of dread, assuming her brother survived this would have changed him, she felt it in her very bones and she wondered how much they would give of themselves in the attempt to make up for their father's madness.

xXx

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