Tobyas took her hands between his own, both consecrated to a purpose. "Thou art My right Hand, My Holy Arm, You strike down My foes, None shall stand against Thee." His right thumb, still shining with oils from blessing the corpse that had been Hecathia, traced signs of blessing on her hands.


"Wash me, Lord, that I may be clean in your sight," he intoned, letting a nuance of healing energy flow through his touch, the slightest of healing spells. "As Michael raised his sword against the Fallen One, so you have acted."


He looked up to her, hoping for a more active response than he had recieved thus far.

Azaeli blinked. She felt Tobyas' hands on hers and realized it was a gesture of warmth, not accusation. When he spoke, she heard his words. One more time, the scene flashed before her. Tears flowed freely now. Her mind cleared. She was comforted. She looked from the flames into his eyes, still utterly saddened.


"Tobyas, what have I done? Yes, I acted as the Just Warrior.. and it was Right.. but surely I've killed my sister--?" Her voice cracked as she spoke those last words, her eyes moved from his to the lifeless body once more as she remembered the terms of the message passed to them.

Knowing the pain of a lost sister, his own now five years or more dead, he frowned. "We don't know that yet, Azaeli. Only the Almighty, in Divine Wisdom, knows the outcome of these events. Today, you have acted as the Sword of Justice, even as blessed Saint Michael did defeat the Fallen One for the security of Heaven, you have defeated a fallen one."


His eyes lowered. "For Lexi, all we can do is pray and hope. Even action now would not be as swift as word upon the wind. We must hope for her safe return on to us, and trust that if it is not to be, that it is as the Almight wills it. Recall the words of Lot: 'Naked I came into this world, and naked shall I go forth. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the Lord.' If she is not returned to us, we must recall that Apolexi is a Gift from the Lord."


He swallowed hard to control his own emotions. He would not want to lose a sister again, and here he was faced with just that.

Tobyas' words, the words of scripture, washed over her. His voice was soft and kind, filled with Wisdom and Truth. She wondered at that, remembering how young he had seemed when they first met. He was truly in his element now, and even in her grief Azi was happy for Tobyas. That he was able to give such comfort, that he had become so full of the Lord, brought peace and joy to her heart.


It was then that Azi realized her own element. Never had her own emotions been selfish, whether happy or sad. Always, her feelings were a direct result of the feelings of those around her. She was a sympathetic soul. Her happiness came from others' happiness, her sadness came from others' grief. That was how she lived. Never had she allowed herself to feel one way or another because it was how she, herself, felt.


It had always been that way, she suddenly realized, though it came to her as a revelation now. At that moment, she realized she did not know herself. She had never allowed herself to be free of others and just live and feel and be true to Azaeli. There had always been Pappa, and Ascot, and Crispian and D'vena, and the League, and Lexi..


The Almighty did work in mysterious ways. Had this not happened, Azi may never have come to realize this about herself. She squeezed Tobyas' hands and allowed herself to have faith. He was right. Whatever God willed would be done.


"Thank you, dear Tobyas," she said softly, bowing her head, "I shall pray for her.."

Tobyas smiled, a wistful look at this moment. "In the quiet of your soul, Azi, He knows you. Trust in him." He smiled at her, more warmly, as he rose to his feet. His hand raised in blessing over her, then he was turning away, a haunted look on his face.

As he turned away Azi sighed and rose from her chair, still shakey. Her eyes passed one last time over the body of Hecathia and the blood that seeped across the shining wood of the floor. She made a mental picture of it, to save as a reminder of this day, of what she was capable of, of what she had learned.


"I go hence to church," she said to herself more than to Tobyas, her whisper resounding from the walls of the hall. Gingerly, she lifted up her cloak behind her and stepped over the pool of crimson to stand in the charred remains of the smited doorway.

Illos watched them bring Lexi into the city and was very glad she knew she must run back to the League Hall as fast as her old legs would carry her. She beat a drum as she went and sang a song, the Song of Rescue, and it told of Lexi's escape even though Illos knew no details, for songs, like stories, can oft describe things that are universal and constant, even in such an uncertain world.


_____________________


Arcalan paused in the street and saw Crispian gesture to two men employed to follow her. He called them off, which she felt was an act of faith on his part. She resolved not to do mischief right now, and to bury soem of the animosity she had for that pompus Armsman. Afterall, she could afford to be generous, for her ultimate reward would be immortality and godlike power over pety things like men.

She now knew of Lexi's claim on the House of Ulfwych, and since Lexi must know too that meant she wanted it kept secret. She certainly would want her Grandfather kept secret! All these many things she could hold over Lexi, but she needed Lexi to live first. If Hecathia's men had slain the girl her revenge would make Morgana shudder in horror, but if she had been spared the Greeks may yet retain their skins.


She decided to wait until Apolexia was found, and dispatched a dozen riders to comb the land near Ludlow for her, then retired to a local Inn to wait for word. She had gone through a lot of trouble for that key, and it had yielded great results, but now it could all be dashed from her at the 11th hour. She swore that she'd harm no member of the League lest they struck first at her, and now that oath may bind her for no gain! It was unthinkable.

Hoping for the best she prepared provisions again to make haste to Llyn Barfog, but this time she had ample information to go on. She considered whipping up a little trouble to delay Crispian but waved the thought aside, it was more trouble than it was worth. As she thought upon that a whim came to her.

She sent a short letter to Jashen the Mercenary turned infiltraitor, and brother to Crispian.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Jashen,

I have not yet extended my warm congratulations on foiling the theif who broke into the League Hall recently. Her true nature was exposed in great part due to your cunning and bravery.

Impressed by your skill I cannot help but think you may be well suited to another task of fact finding. I am preparing to set off upon such a mission to the region of Llyn Barfog, and would be honoured if you would accompany me.

I am sure you know it's not safe for a girl to travel by herself in such times of strife, but aside from your protection and companionship I think that your eye for detail would be very well suited to the undertaking.

Your dear brother Crispian will fill you in on such background as you may need to know, should you wish to join me.


Your Sister in Arms,

Arcalan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


She began to add some drivel in postscript about having longed to speak to him after D'Vena's death, but she quickly crossed it out and cut away the bottom of the parchment. What was she thinking of? She had merely offered to take him to discover more about Grandfather Basaia and "cousin Ani" to convince Crispian and his advisors that she was willing to co-operate. She chose Jashen because he wasn't Seneschal like his brother, and he was well trusted by Crispian... and... and.. well, ...just BECAUSE. She didn't have to justify herself to herself, she though haughtily and promptly sealed and sent out the letter.


She tapped her fingers impatiently for word of Lexi and to hear back from Jashen, while she sat in the public house, sipping a glass of wine.

Lexi looked around the guild hall to cheers and many hugs. She quickly told her story of her rescue, but was distracted. "Where is my sister?" she asked, worried that she might've went out to look to her.


Obviously noticing this in her voice, Tobyas smiled. "Worry not child, she's at the church."


"Thank you Tobyas." she smiled, and quickly left the guild hall without a goodbye, though all understood where she went.

Little did Dannidas know that he was being watched by more than one set of eyes. Dannidas had spotted Kanna easily enough, and dispatched his men to kill her. She had barely escaped with her life intact o’er it, but there was another set o eyes trained on these men, Dannidas specifically. He sat silent and cloaked and watched everything. He watched Kanna be chased off. He was sorry for this event, but his mission per Tashtego was not to mount any rescue attempt, or ta make any sudden moves to attract attention to himself, his orders were to strictly watch. And watch he did. In the end he thought, Kanna’s prescence and eventual chase helped ease these vagabonds tensions thinking that the enemy had been spotted and dealt with. Oh no! There is more than one way ta find out the truth, he thought to himself as he watched things unfold.

He watched silently, cloaked, all that took place before him in his secure spot. He watched Hecathia belt out orders, he watched Dannidas kill his own men, he watched Dannidas free Lexi, he watched Dannidas change his appearance, and he watched Dannidas cart her off to Camelot. He had what he came for, and he had Dannidas cold. The message was relayed to Tashtego at the most opportune time, and e’erythin was told ta him that was witnessed.

Lookin grim and his eyes fixed on the distance, Tashtego spoke ta him, “you have done me a great service, nay ye have done the Guild a great service this day Thenard. Your reward will be handsome, and I will call on yer services again I am sure soon enough. Lay very low now…you know me sign…” Thenard spoke not one word in this exchange after his accounts of Dannidas were laid out. He silently nodded, took his payment, and exited, finding the shadows and eventually his hideout until he was needed again.

…a struggle in the night at the Hall, and one falls to the arcing swing o a mace…


Dandiar, or les jes say Dannidas now, hung upon the short manacles secured to the Guild Hall great wall. His feet as well were secured tightly. He awoke to an abrupt slap in the face. His eyes opening slowly, he could feel his hair clotted with blood, three loose teeth, a broken nose, and his head throbbin in pain. The taste o blood in his mouth almost made him gag. He hung there stripped down to his unders, everythin that could conceivably be a weapon taken from his person. He was a pathetic sight ta see, and he was utterly defenseless.

In front of him stood Tashtego, Crispian, Lady Azaeli, Lexi and Rhizzia. They were all in full battle gear. Tashtego, the closest, glared at the spy with a thirst for vengeance in his eyes. Crispain stood there very eager to question this new found spy. Tashtego had given him the full story as relayed to him from his own infiltrator and confidente. Everythin had checked out, and his old supervisor had given information that was damaging to his character as well. Lady Azaeli stood there wondering just how far all o this treachery could go. Lady Rhizzia stood there with thunder rollin in her eyes, and Lexi stood there almost in shock at the news about this scout and his actions against her. Striking the spy again, Tashtego belted out, “WAKE UP ASSASSIN!” Dannidas’ broken nose let out a burst o new pain, and he could not help but yelp at it. Getting ready ta slap the spy once more, Crispian stayed his hand and spoke up walkin towards the spy. “I charge ye with attempted murder, murder itself, treason and espionage against this House. Do you have anything to say in your defense, or do ye wish for a plea bargain? I WILL have information from ye one way or another. I give my officer, Tashtego, full leave ta torture you here on this spot right now for any information ye have tucked away in yer head, and trust me in this, he is very good at it. So, I will have answers…NOW!”

Forming a protective ring around the spy Dannidas, they wait fer him ta speak what he knows and began questioning him very intensely, the threat of toture unner the hands of Tashtego havin its effect.