He was never to forget that first sight of Avalon in the sunset. Green lawns sloped down to the edge of the reeds along the Lake and swans glided, silent as the barge, over the waters. Beneath the groves of oak and apple trees rose a low building of grey stone; Basaia could see white-robed forms pacing slowly along the colonnaded walk. For somewhere, very softly, he could hear the sound of a harp. The low, slanting light - could it be the same sun he once gazed upon in his youth? It flooded the land with gold and silence, as he felt his throat tighten with tears.

______


When Christianity began to cover Albion those loyal to King Evelake forsaw the the events of Morganna's betrayal and the coming of Drakoran. Because of that, he called the Island of Avalon back into the shrouded mists, so that it hovered between the world of mortal men and fairy. If a man were to search for it, he would merely find Adribard's Retreat on Glastonbury, a Christian church and military hold for the forsaken Avalonians of Albion. For the Avalonians loyal to Evelake, however, Adribard's Harbour was merely superimposed over Avalon. Calling the barge and sliding through the mists of another world was the mark of Evelake's loyal Avalonians.

_____


The veil was to be lifted...and the old Duke heeded the call of his King Evelake, known to the Celtic as Arawn the Lord of the Underworld, the Second Savior.

Azi peered over Crispian's shoulder with a shudder, but stayed seated on the edge of the bed. As he pulled away the canvas pack and her eyes met the glimmer of dull black metal, she saw a flash of the serpent-wielding man. As quickly as it came, it was gone again, and she shivered visibly.


Where had he made it? Azaeli shook her head, the memory of the rescue and escape dim in her mind. She tried to recall as she stared at the black metal.


"I.." she shook her head again, her long blond hair sparkling golden-peach in the light of sunset that streamed through the crack in the shutters. "I don't know. I don't know, Cris. Please, cover it again." She felt a glimmer of relief as he pulled the fabric to cover the metal and turned to her. But the chill lingered.


"I don't think it was there," she ventured, "not until Pappa came back to himself, but he told me to take it. And he took the bars as well.." She looked down to Pappa, stroking his cheek gently. "We ran out together, and he seemed well enough, though exhausted. When we arrived here, he collapsed in bed." She looked at Crispian tearfully. "He hasn't made a sound or movement since."

Lexi almost forgot what she was doing, almost opened the door to look at what the two were talking about... but it seemed she has learned someething since becoming Azi's sister: patience.... so she waited...

Crispian considered them both, Azi and Judan. He could sense the deep uneasiness of his dear friend in her every move and word, her gestures even when automatic communicated it.


"Azi," he said in a bare whisper, "there's the possiblity that more happened to your father below than merely a time of servitude. It's completely possible that he is under a compulsion, or worse, a possession." He paused at her startled gasp. He knew no loved one liked to hear such, and had helped Tobyas on a few occasions like this.


"If a compulsion, that's a matter for a sorcerer or some such, but if possession...well, even a trained cleric might not be able to defeat a possessing entity, Azi. It could be," he paused, his heart aching to even say, "better for him if he were released."


A brief silence fell between them, as Azi turned the implication of those words in her mind, and Crispian felt weary far beyond his twenty-five years.

 

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Azaeli's jaw clenched, her eyes grew distant and unseeing. Everything Crispian said, she had known already on some level. But to allow herself to venture into thoughts like that was just too unbearable. She drew her father's rough calloused hand to her lap, holding it tightly with both hands.


"That choice is his to make." She said lower than a whisper, barely a sound leaving her lips. "A choice he's had to make before, and he chose to stay. A choice I leave to him." She squeezed his hand, unable to bear the thought of losing her only remaining family. She was beyond tears, beyond grief. She wouldn't allow herself to think on it.


"I tell you this, Crispian," she said firmly, her eyes flashing with resolve, her gaze steady and serious as she looked at her friend.


"For nineteen years, all the years of my life, my joy, my hope, my dreams, my encouragement, my faith, everything has come from this man." She felt a surge of fury rage through her, consuming her grief. Her voice grew louder and colder as she spoke. "If he makes the choice that his time has come to pass, I will stop at nothing to put an end to the evil that caused him pain. I will no longer be the Azi you've grown to care for. Everything will change."

Crispian held her angry, flashing eyes a moment before he had to look away. How much of this was his fault for not dealing with Arcalan before she had made this play? How much of the play was hers? He had talked with Jashen after his trip to Barfog, but he couldn't share what had passed between them with Azi right now. That would have to wait to see the mileu in motion.


And he thought on his part at other casting outs, exorcisms as Tobyas called them. All but one had been successful, and that one had nearly killed Toby, and had killed the possessed. He sighed.


"If it is a possession, dearest," he said, holding her hand in his, "then Judan will fight it. No sane, no holy person would willingly undergo such for long. And the Almighty will help to see him through, I am sure."


He thought back to the cloying, vile yet sweet call Mirth had hurled at him, and shook his head. "our father would never choose what could be offered, rest assured."


He began pacing again. What was keeping Tobyas?

 

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"Crispian, I can't leave him.. but we need Tobyas desperately. Most of my training has been at the Academy, you know that. I've learned chants and fighting styles from the Church, and as a paladin I follow my heart and the Lord's guidance. But this is far beyond my learning.." She squeezed her father's hand and Crispian's, grateful for the comfort they provided.


"Will you fetch Sister Elaydith so we can seek out Tobyas together? Or perhaps just find him and bring him here? I don't wish to put this off any longer than necessary."

He smiled a resolute smile at Azi. This was part of her that he truly loved. "Let me fetch the good sister, and then we'll see about Tobyas."


He moved to the door, glancing once more at the pack and at Azi and Judan. "our faith is strong, and against such no evil may prevail." He offered a slight grin, and opened the door, to see Lexi.


With a shake of his head, he lift her by the arm. "If you're not to be excluded, at least you can keep Azi company!" He was a little cross with her, but had really come to think of her almost like a younger sister.


He turned and marched down the hall to find the good nun in question.

 

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Azi frowned and shook her head. Lexi's disobedience was trivial in the scheme of grander events that were talking place. Still, she couldn't help but feel disappointed that her sister still didn't trust her judgement enough to listen.


"Indeed, I suppose Pappa's smithing orders will jut pile up." She said sternly to Lexi as her sister hunched her shoulders in defeat.


"But Siiis, I was worried!" She whined softly, peering at Judan.


"Obviously not worried enough to aid in his rescue. I suppose you thought Basaia would help you, Miss Lynn Barfog." She scolded. "Now, help me with my armor."


The room was silent save for Judan's slow breathing as Azi let Lexi help her with her armor. Her shoulder pounded with a slow ache, she felt the hole in her flesh straining where the arrowhead had been extracted carefully by the healers. If that was the only scar left from this battle, she would truly have something to be grateful for.

Lexi helped Azi with her armor, waiting for Crispian to return. She felt it best to not initiate the conversation, since she did not want to incur Azi's anger at her. She knew Azi was indeed very upset at her running off, at her not listening to her just now... she sighed and waited.