She was quiet in her approach, even the snow seemed to not crunch as loud beneath talons.Another visit to the cemetery, she did this for the kin she'd lost.

Even if they hadn't been close, Jewel, Empress, had been her sister.

Taking up vigilance in the back, out of the way of people who came to pay respects.

The dragon held a simple ice flower bouquet between her jaws, just like the candles, one flower for each lost.

News was wildfire when amongst a city of so many tightly knit individuals. Those she could claim she knew, she knew them well. They were almost a part of her, rather than a mirage of closeness. It wasn't a pretend show of grace and kindness. It was real, and tangible; a truthfulness that was as rare as the most crystal clear diamond, as pure, and ever more beautiful.

Ayaka was amongst those that had caught wind of the news, like a disease, it contaminated everything around her. Impossible to ignore, nor avoid, she sought out the validity of the claim.

She was as surprised as a squirrel on the flimsiest of limbs when she saw the memorial, the cross that stood high, a proclamation that not even she could match with the shrillest of voices; the hardiest of emotions. She was a family member by association, a member of the clan because of adoption. She didn't share the ties that others might; but she would consider them family, all the very same.

"So?" she lightly started, lowering to her knees, mindful of the snow that oozed in fleeting puddles as she graced the ground with her frame. Her hands calmly held her thighs, as she evenly regarded the ground, a mere focal point for her words. ?" I never did get a chance to talk to you. I was asked often to. But I" cannot express my reasons for why it never came to pass. I regretted those times I chickened out. I do three times as much this day."

Her puffy white jacket was reached into, withdrawing a single red rose that she'd held onto it were she able to confirm the situation for herself. The blond moved to settle it like a delicate crystal onto the ground.

"I promised him, before I?" pausing, refraining from speaking the references of death at such a time, "That I would look after you. I failed in that promise. And I apologize profusely for doing so."

Sliding from the ground, she wobbled to her feet, gaze lifting to the cross that loomed overhead. "As I can no longer keep to my word, I will see you off to the next. Father would have wanted it so," a solemn nod to her declaration, to affirm its power. Sidestepping, she retreated from place.

She would do as she claimed, and remain for the most of the day.

There wasn't any fanfare, or great notice, but sometime during the day, a small woman with a deep tan and large Jackie-O sunglasses made her way through the crowds. She was small, and her black hair peeked out from behind the rounded hat with its short black mesh veil. Her body was all curves and angles in the highly designed skirt suit she bought just for this occasion. Only the best fashion seemed appropriate for the memory of her friend.

She didn't say anything to anyone, or look up or even stop near the grave, though the magical who remembered her may have been confused with Erin's presence. It had been a long and confusing journey for her, but hearing of the death of her dear friend and all of her children was just more than she could bear without seeing it with her own eyes. The first people to welcome her to Rhydin had been the Ravenlocks and she had shared many nights with Jewell.

She left a wreath made of blue roses and baby's breath near the grave sight and single sunflower for each child's name. Laying it down, her hands shook. She pulled one glove from her fingers and dug them into the dirt for a moment. Closing her eyes, she prayed.

Standing straight, she moved back through the crowd. Standing back, shaded by trees and the tall memorials of Rhydin's past great souls, she paused.

"Jewell, it was nice to call you my friend, my team mate and my mentor. I wish your family safe travels to where you're headed." Erin bowed her head a moment more before turning and disappearing into the fog and shadows that rolled through Rhydin and into this place.

It was hard not to have to stop. To have to sit down and let the emotion roll out of her, but she had the entire trip back for that. Erin wasn't sure she could face anyone else on this sad day, and so she kept moving. It had felt like yesterday that the pair had sat in her old mansion and drank coffee while Jewell was dressed to stalk the West End killer, or that she had hired Jewell to fight on her TDL team almost taking them to the playoffs. That it hadn't been over a year ago that they plotted against Franco, or shared a ring in a Redwin tournament. A sister, a kindred spirit, there were no words to express the loss the universe would feel, has felt.

Once, Erin may have blamed God. She would have railed and thrashed against him as she had when Storm seemed taken from her. But, alas, it seemed pointless now to try and fight this. To fight anything in this awful place. Rhydin took life with no discretion. Sometimes Erin felt better not to have to face that anymore, but today, she felt guilty for abandoning her friends in the mire, only able to return to see them put in the ground.

Nothing to be done, she thought as she set back towards home, nothing to be done.

The little Dwarven lady came with a bunch of wild flowers and forget-me-nots wound up with a ribbon of blue yarn. She stood at the memorial for her friend and fellow bartender at the Inn and held back her tears. Big glossy eyes looked to the ground as she hung her head in sorrow.''

"I just seen you in the inn a few times ago. I got you a drink and you was so happy and alive, laughin' with Mz Des and all dat." There were no words for the seven children. That caught her breathless to think about the tragedy.

"How come stuff like dis happen? At least your kids ain't gone to Eternity alone." that got her sniffling so she set down the flowers for her departed friend. "I am gonna miss you, Mz Jewell." she said it aloud and bravely turned homewards. mopping up the tears with the hem of her apron.

Then as she stared back to her little cottage, Amber looked up at the beautiful blue sky above and her gloom began to lift. It was the same exact shade as Jewell's hair!

Farewell Jewell. :|

In a quiet lobby somewhere in Rhy'din...

"RAHH!" Punching the wall, right beside an old grandfather clock. But it worked, the ticking stopped. Supposed to calm him down; hardly.

"It was supposed to get better. It was why we went through all this pain! Was Huso right' Were more lives endangered because we did what we weren't supposed to do"! It doesn't make sense. Dammit!! ...It was supposed to get better." Dark said, the bottom of his fist on the wall now.

"You need to calm down." Sascha was facing him.

"This can't be. Why her" Why Jewell?"

"...You didn't know her."

"NO, I did! She's family. She's irreplaceable, family. That's what she was to Brian, and that's what she is to me!" he gave a look over to an older man who was the only other bystander. But that quickly changed. "What do you want"!" sending him fearfully on his way into the night, leaving just the two of them now.

"Dark, you've got to stop this."

"I can't believe it. It's too funny to be true. She must still be alive out there, somewhere! Think about it. What even WE had gone through! We were classified as dead, and here we are. And I would not put it past this family! I'll go on a search. To bring her back. She's out there somewhere. I know it. I'll?"

"Dark!"

"....."

"She's gone."

"...No." he said.

"And what if you're wrong" Is that what this family needs right now" Is that going to make this any easier on Brian if she really is gone" He buried his sister today. Don't dig her back up." Sascha said, walking out of the room.

Dark gazed into the clock.

The previous night he was walking the streets when he heard a timid ruckus.

I am going to hear my daughter sing. Do you have any children" "No."

Approaching and observing from the shadows, Dark saw an older man being surrounded, his helplessness attracting all the wrong sorts of predators.

"Just give us your wallet old man!" one yelled. But he only shook his head. And that was when they made the attack. Turning and tossing with the man the few seconds until they would become aware of a surprise attack, and not before he had finished choking him to sleep.

Oh well, there's time for you yet young man. Family is a wondrous thing. Are you from around here"

"No."

Punches flew, powerful punches taking this gang down with one a piece. Getting up again, they came for seconds, served just the same as the old man watched from a slightly safer distance. Grabbing the only goon that hadn't run away by his shirt, he pulled him up to his face.

"I'M not so helpless, AM I!" launching knuckles across his cheek once more and sending him out on his back. He was off running soon after while Dark approached the old man.

"Are you ok?"

The flashback began to deepen after Dark helped the man up.

Fine, I'm fine. I don't know how to thank you. You saved my life. My granddaughter would have been very upset if I hadn't shown up to her choir practice.

"Your, granddaughter?"

Yes, I am going to hear my granddaughter sing. Do you have any children"

"No."

Oh well, there's time for you yet young man. Family is a wondrous thing. Are you from around here"

"..." too long passed, induced laughter. "I don't know."

Just here for the holidays then" You're a good-looking man, where's your girlfriend"

"Girlfriend?"

Why yes, don't tell me a regular hero such as yourself is spending Christmas by himself!

Dark smiled, "I don't have a girlfriend. But I do know a woman who'd be mad at me for saying that."

The old man laughed. That's more like it. You go be with her boy. Our loved ones are precious, precious gifts. And unfortunately most people will not realize how precious, until they're gone.

Dark's eyes turned emotional as he looked to him. A superhighway trafficked with thoughts.

We must be there for one another. That is a family. And we are all we have.

Walking away, that was the last he saw of him. Destination, church, and looking safe the whole way.

Back in the lobby, the clock frozen as it was, he was unable to gaze upon it. His forearm pressed to the wall now, and his forehead upon that, he remained deep in thought. Dwelling on the funeral. He and Sascha had just arrived in coach.

"You wanna come?" Dark asked with the door half-open.

Sascha hopped out.

"Graveyards aren't my scene. But I'll be over here if you need me."

"Thanks for coming." he said.

"We're a family, remember" We're all we have." a wave and a smile over her shoulder, walking away. He most definitely caught that.

He had mentally prepared for this moment hours before, but not spending hours to reach. Wrapping himself up in his long coat, he made for the service. It was a most odd feeling sort of day. The security pressure was there, but a villain would find himself incredibly lucky to even find this memorial, much less know about it.

He accepted a beautiful blue rose, and was keen about his privacy. This was a time for mourning, and unknown, more uniquely than anyone could have guessed. He held the rose down low, with both hands until he would come to Brian and his family, breaking arms to open them around his loved ones. Special treatments for each of them. All of them whisperings over the shoulder during their embraces.

To Brian, "We're getting here a little late. One thing getting a carriage then another a coachman who knows the directions. It's great to see you. How are you holding up" " — Seasoned chitchat betwixt the two men. A time of mourning, yes. Palliated" Absolutely. He knew in more ways than one the bond they shared. He came back from over his shoulder and looked him in the eyes with hands on his friend's shoulders, "If you need anything. We're going to grab our seats." referring to Sascha and him with a gloved hand, still that hushed tone. Fabrication. If they had been alone" Their exchange would have been much, much heavier. Brian knew this, probably by the first onslaught of simple greeting and conversation.

To Jenai, a deep breath taken in embrace, "Glad to see you. The kids are warm enough' You can't decide the weather for these sorts of things, I swear." — funny, how the loss of a loved one can so regularly remind one to look after the next generation. Simple, chitchat. Was all he could do to, was all the children needed to see. Parents tell them it's serious, and the strangers suggest it's not the end of the world. Subconscious teaching" "Keep it up, you're the only thing keeping him from falling apart right now." — coming back to look her in the eyes, forced smile a near perfect forgery. And then to their daughters.

To Nathressa, hug from a stranger, "Hey there sweetie."

To Aleyah, "Your dad didn't tell me how beautiful you girls were." laughter, recalling straight and joining his hands together once more with the rose, but not before interrupting to pat Brian on the shoulder in passing on his way to the memorial itself.

The wind did play at his thick head of black, as he did take as a compliment, poetically. All payers of respect usually receive a caress from the wind during these sorts of things. He gazed up at the tall cross, and was instantly in that traffic jam again.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I didn't get to know you. I'm sorry I wasn't here, to protect you. I'm sorry that ...it wasn't me." he put a hand on his knee to bend over just enough to place the rose down at the base, a reaching stroke to perfect its lying position. "But I'll protect that man. And his family. You have my word." looking into the cross, seriously, expecting it to almost talk back. To give him some sort of sign. When this never came, he half-turned, but remained one eye on the memorial. "Goodbye."

He returned, and claimed himself a seat two lines back and over from where Brian and his family sat. He did well from that moment to hide his thoughts. What there was left could have been easily interpreted as 'reflection' as per funeral service tendency.

Afterwards, he could be found chatting it up with several of the attendees that were not pressed for time at this event. Being that they all knew Jewell, or Brian, or some connection to, it would not have been complicated to strike up conversation. Point being, he was there. He would always be there. A final glance to Brian quite a time after their official farewells at the service, before getting into the warmth of the coach.

"Sorry about the wait."

"..No trouble. How is he?"

"...Exactly like I remember him."



Finally, he could look at the clock. It was still stopped. A deep breath brought upon by some conclusive thought, and he did open the glass door and get it working again. Stepping outside, a waiting and wall-leaning Sascha Kay did bring her lowered head up to look at him.

"We're going. There's something I have to look into."

"Aaall right!" she cheered, pressing her boot harder against that wall to send her straight and out and to get her moving. It was a dark part of town, but he had a lead this night. Coming to a massive citadel, he placed a hand on the front door before catching himself.

"Just cover me if anything goes down in here."

"Consider it covered." Sascha looked around for any prying eyes.

Dark seemed to count to himself before rushing in. A lot of echoing footsteps and door creakings in their sudden entrance, but not a soul in sight.

Both their eyes wandered while they remained in fight-ready poses until the church looked to be completely clear. Sascha walked on ahead slowly while he slowly but surely pulled that giant door to a close and shut out the howling wind and numbing cold. Their footsteps echoed much longer and clearer now.

"I'll be quick." he said, moving on ahead of her. His loud boots sounding that of a reckoning man's with suggestive speed-walking. He counted the aisles of benches, and turned into one, counting the bible drawers. He finally stopped, and dug into one.

"Good-a time as any to brush up on your scripture?" Sascha said, hands on hips.

"...You have no idea." he pulled out a folded shirt.

And then, a voice did emit from the preacher podium. "Well, it looks like our mystery guest isn't such a mystery, anymore."

"Who are you?!" Dark yelled out.

"Someone who knows about you. Because even if no one has seen that face of yours, only one man could have known where that shirt was." he said, revealing himself as rather overweight in a deep purple suit, and a tiny cap with devil horns on it. "Boys, restrain our lovely guests."

From the shadows of the many sides of the church, men did begin to come out, drawing pistols one by one.

"All this over a shirt?" Sascha complained, closing her distance with Dark while assessing all of their potential opponents.

"It's Brian's shirt. He gave it to me in my other body. It's the only thing linking me back here."

"And now if you don't mind. We've got some questions." the purple-suited fellow said with a most evil grin.

Guns pointed at Dark and to Sascha's head as the men finally reached them. Confident faces outnumbering the two serious ones.

"Here we go!" Dark signaled to Sascha as he ran out the aisles and down the center after the podium. Sascha had immediately steered a pistol away from her head and elbowed its wielder in the nose. Likewise for his closest defender and at least four pointed guns. Her own modified steel throwing-weapons took care of the ranged firearms and various others as she closely covered his back on his way to the podium. One gunman stood between them, and he shouted for him to stop, or he'd shoot. Time wore on, and he never pulled the trigger. Sweat beat upon the purple-suited man and that particular, now dispatched gunman on the ground of the church seeing as many stars as the others.

As Dark up and approached him, the purple-suited man pointed his pistol at him, shocked. "Are you crazy"! Don't you know what guns are"!"

He quickly disarmed him and put him into a headlock on the ground, down on one knee. Unable to see his face, he looked down to his head he was clenching.

"And now if you don't mind. We've got some questions." Dark said.

A cycle of the moon had passed when in the dark of a very cold night a tiny naked figure glided down from the sky to the granite marker. Though he could not read the letters there on, he knew what it said. Silently tears fell to the snow covered ground barely leaving a mark. It was true, all of it was true......Without any tool, other than his tiny finger, he etched a heart symbol into the dwarven hewn monument. He flew in close, kissed the stone and remembered the last time he had kissed his sister.

Feeling the weight of grief he slowly lifted into the air and flew off into the stary night.

"Ugh, look at him!"

"I know, it's fairly disheartening, is it not?"

"You're being kind again, sister...He looks more than disheartened, he looks pathetic! It's a wonder that woman of his, hasn't taken a rock upside his head, goddess knows, I would have."

"Luckily, for him, and the rest of the Order, you aren't Nyu. So let us get him rightened, for Mother, shall we?"

"I know, Rienna. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'm still sore, about a lot of what he did, before. Sides, we haven't seen him in what? At least two or more years, now" I mean save the funeral, so why are we even—"

"Because, Nyu...Mother asked it of us, and since she had done so, we will comply, shall we not?"

"I know, I know...Ugh, how much did he have to drink! goddess above! Okay, come let's turn him, over more, and drink up big boy!"

"Good, while that takes effect, the rest, will sweep the area clean, and someone find those clothes we brought, please. Yes, good. Those will suffice. So let's give him a moment, or two and see how well this 'pick me up' of yours actually works, Nyu."

"Oh it'll work, Rienna. I just wish, I had another to cause him some massive grief stomach wise, or something. Anyways, it'll work. So no worries. So why the rush, Rienna" Why are we out here in the middle of the night, dealing with this" You know worse has happened, and we did nothing, so why now?"

"Because Mother has asked this of us Nyu, and I do not want to have to remind you, or anyone else of that, again. He, like Garet, is still one of us, regardless of what has happened, or who they are associated with. And they have done a great deal of good for the Order, and more so, we do not turn our backs on another eachother. He has answered whenever, we have required it. Sides, we owe to him, and his family, and more so, he owes it to his wife, and children."

"Rienna...I'm sorry, and you are right. It's just after Lucy, and what not...Darkin, and everything else. I'm, just sore. Do not mind me, I will do what you, and Mother ask."

"Thank you, Nyu. It looks like, he is coming to, as we speak."

"Hmm, so he is. Well, let us get him up, then, we can be on our way, and he can change, in the coach, I guess."

"That is a good idea, and Mother advised, she will meet us in the hall, of the Abbey, and breakfast will be waiting as well."

"Oh, so it's breakfast and a show too' Lovely, well, here we go, come in Lordling, we need get you back. Ugh, can some one, give me a ha— yeah, that's it. Thanks. Okay, here, and there...Up the— Watch the— Ow! That may leave a mark, if he asks, I did not do that! Alright, we got him secured, and we're off."

The pair of coaches, slowly took off, leaving the area...The area left, as it was before his arrival earlier in the evening, as well. It was as if no one had even been there. As they sped along, the occupants, had to ponder, just what Mother Iscariott, had to say, and more so, why now of all times...All, she advised to Rienna, herself, was rather cryptic.

"As more return, those in slumber, stir. It is only a matter of time, before, what once was, becomes, what is. Tend to those, we may."

Since her return to Rhydin, Isuelt had heard the rumors, listened to the stories, and quietly accepted the truth. The Empress, Jewel Ravenlock Kidd was gone.

It had taken the Scathachian this long to convince her body to travel south to the cemetery to pay her respects. Partly due to the fact that she wanted to believe it wasn't true, and partly because she didn't want to come to terms with the loss of another friend.

Dressed in her usual black leather, her tall, strong frame made its way through the grand gate and down the path until she came to the marker where she had been told that Jewel and her children had been laid to rest. She stood, still and silent as a sentinel, gazing at the larger marker for a fair amount of time. Letting her emotions ebb and flow as she expertly controlled them, bullying her poker face to stay as her stone facade. Isuelt deeply inhaled and held her breath as her mind raced: every moment she had known Jewel had been a joy. They had shared more than an alliance. They were friends. And true friends were commodities of which Isuelt had very few. Jewel had been one of the first people the Scathachian had met when she had first come to Rhydin. Jewel had aided her when Isuelt had been imprisoned. Jewel had always kept a smile on the gypsy's face, even when life became stingingly sharp.

Her forceful exhale pushed her lips apart, and she stepped closer to the stone marker. Her deep brown eyes quickly looked around, and seeing no one, she removed one glove and laid her bare hand on the cold, smooth rock. The weight baring down on her shoulders begged her to take a knee, and as her legs bent at the head of Jewel's grave, she pressed her forehead to the back of her hand as it held fast to the corner of the stone marker. Isuelt had never been a fan of emotion. To her it was useless and wasted energy, not to mention a wretched weakness. Still, this proved too much for the Scathachian, and her eyes tightly shut, daring to pen in her tears as she struggled to control her breath. She wept. She wept for longer than she would ever care to admit, but still, she wept.

When Isuelt felt the icy echo of grief finally hollow her out, she opened her eyes and wiped her face with her hand. Her lips softly kissed the grave's marker, and she stood slowly back up with her eyes fixed on Jewel's name. Isuelt suffered a stabbing prick as her eyes rolled over each letter. "Sleep well, my darling friend." She sighed emptily and let her gaze linger on each of the smaller markers. She simply shook her head at the waste of it all before she turned and gritted her teeth, forcing her customary hardened expression back onto her features as she walked away.

A few months after Jewels Death...

Sha'uri made her way into the Cemetary on a night when most celebrated Valentine's Day.

She grimaced as the shifted her form to look around. Her fight with Valeria had hurt her more then she let the girl know. The wounds beneath her scales still burned from the ice. A quiet but feral growl briefly escaped her as she shook the thoughts from her mind. She shifted her amethyst gaze over the slumbering dead, searching for an ideal spot to lay among them to rest.

Floating over the plot of graves, she descended beneath the trees to get a better look, meandering towards the more wealthy section in search of a nice comfy mausoleum. She spied the Ravenlock special section and made a note of Jewel's own grave among her children. Part of her felt the pain of loss for the family....a part of her that buried so deep it didn't even allow her to cry, yet she would of if it weren't for the taint.

Part of her grinned with a feral thought while amethyst light flared briefly in her eyes. Sarcasm dripped darkly within sultry tones.

"Sleep well, Ms Popular. You're better off dead." She grinned. "A pity, though. You would've been fun to add into my army....but.....nObody should be that special. You've been special long enough. Rest in blissful Hell."

A maniacal chuckle quietly escaped her as she simply turned away, leaving the Ravenlock to her rest....a boon from the subdued self to get the other to leave the Ravenlock alone.

Present Day...

How long had it been since Sha'uri was last here" The thought made her shiver as she entered the cemetery. Too much had happened since then, more then she cared to remember. The only reason she came this way was because it was a short cut to her more recent hiding lair. It was inevitable that she'd come through here. It had been a long time since she last came to actually pay respect.

Thoughts of the last time she'd been here came to mind as she came upon the Ravenlocks section. It had been for any reason but respect. All those dead and that poor grounds keeper....and Vanyel.

"Thank the One for my death.." she whispered, closing her eyes to the thoughts of that night in an attempt to hold back the tears. She could feel them welling up inside.

All the things she had done, all the things she had thought came rushing into her head ...a brief but powerful flashback. Then suddenly his emerald hues flashed within her mind blotting out the memories from continuing. And all she could do for several moments was stand there spellbound with her eyes closed staring wide eyed into the eyes of Aquil. The tears fell down unchecked.

"I'm sorry." Soft sorrowful tones as her sapphire hues opened releasing the tears even more. She knelt down before Jewels grave, some of her tears dropped upon the stone.

"What I said was wrong. You may not have even heard but....I did. And I remember that night, so awful. I'm sorry for what I did. And I'm sorry for your death. You and the children. I wish I could've known you better. You mean much to Brian and Jenai...I wish I could've known them better too..but I guess that may never happen. Not after what I ..."

Her voice trailed. What was she looking for" A conversation' Advice? Forgiveness for so many things, from so many. She suddenly felt ridiculous talking to a grave stone and let out a long sigh.

"Who am I kidding. You are probably gone by now, and hopefully resting peacefully...and I mean it this time. Rest in Peace, Jewel." There, she'd said it and felt a shift of peace within herself.

Rising up to stand she glanced once more to the gravestone...then made her way through the rows of stones and mausoleums for one more visit....paying some respect to her half brother and sister. Then she quietly left, returning to the nearby cave, her temporary home away from home.

"How long has it been?"

"A few lifetimes, actually?"

"I thought it had been roughly three years or so."

"Three years that felt like a few lifetimes, and you of all people should know that' Henrietta."

"You're right, Brian. I'm sorry, I should not have said anythi—-"

"Stop that."

"Stop what"

"Acting as if you should not have "this" or "that"."

"But?"

"What is it?" said Brian with a somewhat sigh, as he turned to look upon the woman for a moment.

"I don't deserve to have any say of anything. I don't deserve to even be here, let alone live. I should have—- I should have died with him, you know. You should have ended me, when you ended him—-when you finally ended him for good. Or you should have sent me back to Darkenwood and let me Reilenna, and Rena take me, or even Desire?"

"What would that do, hmm' They would end you as well, Henri" That is they would have before your turning so to speak. I think if they realize what you had done here, they would think as I have."

"But—-"

Brian shook his head, "Walk with me, Henri."

"Where are we going?"

"To see my sister, that's where?"

After a bit of time, they had arrived.

"It's" Beautiful."

"That it is, Henri."

"Wait there's more than—- oh, gods. Brian, it's hers isn't it' It's theirs?"

"Yes it is" I— we buried them here, just after I had returned from Darkenwood."

"After Darki?"

"He's gone now, Henrietta. You can call him who he really was."

"Jacyn."

"Yes, Jacyn."

"How can you say it like that!" How can you be so calm, when all of this—-THIS happened to you all, Brian!" How can you all just stand there, and look at me"knowing what I did to help him, in Darkwood and here!" Knowing what he did to her! To YOUR Henrietta! And what I tried to do to you all!" I mean, look at this Brian! Look at those names, and there are so many more out there too! All because of—-"

The woman called Henrietta sobbed heavily as she fell to her knees before the memorial that belonged to Jewell Ravenlock, and her children. Tears littering the stone flooring as the young woman, continued to let loose the torrent of emotions that had been so closely held in check for longer than even she would ever have been able to recall. Her head hung low, as sobbed words slipped from the woman once more.

"You should have killed me too' I didn't deserve to live, not after—- Wha!?"

The woman's tearful words were soundly cut off, by Brian's arm that had wrapped about her, as he took to a knee with her. Pulling her closely to him, as his other arm completed the circle, so to speak. No words came from the man, while he held Henrietta who had initially struggled against the embrace.

"Let me go' Please?" The voice of Henrietta was soft, and ever so cracking as she pleaded.

"I can't," replied Brian.

"Please?"

"Henri, I can't— we can't let you go."

Relenting to the embrace, turned herself to him more so as her small hands reached up taking hold of his coat in a rather tight grip. Her body shuddering more so, as the tears continued to flow from the eyes of the former Death Knight, with several sobs for company. Brian said nothing, as he continued to hold the woman closely, understanding all too well what it was she struggled with and more so"how much if haunted her inside, and out.

"I can't let you go, Henrietta" You've been let go of, for far too long, and it stops here."

"But—-why can't you just let me go, or kill me" Just—"

"Because she didn't let go of me, Henri" Because they didn't let go of me, no matter what I did, and no matter where. And if she were here right now, she'd be holding you too and telling you that it's time to stop living in what was, and start living for what is, and what will be?"

"If she were here?"

"But Jenai—-"

"Will heal in time—-"

"I love the girls you know! Jacyn wanted to—- and I wouldn't let him, or anyone else! I'd die before I let them be hurt, Brian' I swear it, I love them. They showed me, you know"they showed me what I'd been fighting for"what Jacyn made me, it was wrong. They helped save me, and—-"

"I know, Henri?" Brian offered a bit of a squeeze to the woman, as he continued to hold her. "Just as Desire saved you and I in the dungeon."

"You remembered that?"

"I do."

"So what now, Brian?" asked Henrietta who began to compose herself more so. Lifting her head, as Brian released his hold, while she wiped her eyes a bit. Turning a bit, her eyes landed upon the memorial as she silently counted the names.

"Jacyn, nor you had anything to do with these, Henri. This was not you, dear" And I brought you here, because I know she'd speak to me somehow."

Brian's eyes followed Henri's, "She always does, when I need it most."

"What did she say?"

"She said we have a lot of work to do, you and I?"

"I want to be here with you all, I mean that' I really like Ahnika, and Ursi, Even Kerri too. I want Jenai to get to know me, even though I know she hates me for what I did" That won't stop me from trying, though. You're right, I do have work to do' A lot of it, and wanting to die all the time, isn't helping it."

"Step by step, Henri. And like everyone else with us—- "You'll never fight alone?""

The woman lifted to her feet, as Brian did the same. A quick hug was given to the man, as she turned and walked away. "I need to get back to the Valley. It's my night in the mess hall, you know" I'll find my way, Bri. Thanks for everything."

And off Henrietta went down the path once more leaving Brian with the memorial.

"Well that didn't go as I'd originally planned" Still, better than our last chat in Darkenwood. You know, she reminds me of you, Jewell?"

Brian moved to the center of the memorial, taking a moment to brush a few errant leaves away. His eyes took in the candles that would burn, so long as any Ravenlock still drew breath in Rhy"Din.

"Someone else reminded me of you too' Let me tell you about her, Sis.?

And so Brian remained, speaking to the memorial in great detail about this rather interesting encounter that had him recalling, oh so much of the sister he missed ever so dearly.