Thanks to the help of Indigo and the guard she never got the name of, Kitty had been moved and was being carefully watched over and tended to by a number of mages and healers.

The mages came to the same conclusion she did about the problem being magic resistant. Their last attempt they tried to overpower the resistance, and only succeeded in making the poor feline woman go into epileptic seizures. Thankfully she along with the other healers were able to undo that damage. Now it's just been trying various herbal and medicinal remedies alone and in combinations.

She had returned to their rooms after another night of visiting the Inn and the Dueling rings. She always sat next to Kitty and told her what had gone on, whether the woman was conscious or not. Tonight was an unconscious night. Tass was sitting there, as he always seemed to be these days.

The poor man. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. She knew Kitty wouldn't want him to do this to himself, but he was a stubborn old man and never listened. She looked at him, seeing the weariness written all over his face and just shook her head before looking back to her sister. He had already cleaned her hair of the sweat that seemed to pour off the woman when the fever spiked. There was nothing left to do at this point but talk to her.

"I saw Artemus and Rhaine. I guess they didn't know what had happened to you. He's such a pompous ass. I really don't know what you saw in him. He seemed to think he could just provide the answers. Like the horde of people Lankyn brought in hasn't worked with Tass and I. Like we're so incompetent that we wouldn't think of such things and try them." She snorted derisively and shook her head. Sometimes Kitty's choice in friends and lovers baffled her. She found so many of them to be obnoxious and lacking in certain key personality traits. So many of them, as was the case with most of Rhydin, seemed to be oblivious to the idea that they cannot just run in and fix everything in an eye blink and be the conquering hero. Ah well. Maybe Rhaine could bring this one down a notch or two with time.

"I'm getting to know the dueling areas better. I understand why you like them. The company seems more pleasant generally. And the less pleasant ones rarely stay long once they've gotten their fill of fighting in the rings. Although I think I'll stick to trying to duel on the Isle. It's been so long since I've wielded a weapon I'm not sure if I can anymore. And you and I both know I'm horrible in fist fighting. That was always more your thing. Remember? That's why you always had to protect me when we were kids. I was always too small and physically weak, so you would kick our brothers' butts when they would pick on me. " She smiled as best she could as she wiped her sister's face with a cool damp rag. The wave of nostalgia was enough to make her own eyes damp up a bit, but she quickly blinked it away.

"Everyone in the Inn has been sending you well wishes. And the Chicken seems to be up to something, but I'm not sure yet. I've been keeping an eye on your office, but he and Erin seem to have everything well in hand. You should give them both a big raise when you get better. They certainly deserve it." And it was true. Both seemed to be working their tails off from what Chryrie could see.

"Everyone here has been so nice to me. I can see why you became part of their family. I still haven't seen or met the Lord Lankyn, despite the rumors that he's back in town. But that's alright. I understand he's a busy man and probably has very important things to tend to. But everyone else has been so nice. And Trae is thrilled that you and I are here. It gives her a reason to visit." She chuckled as she thought of her daughter's excitement at hearing that Kitty would be staying at the BHO and that Chryrie would be staying there with her as much as possible.

"Secretly I think she's just hoping Luse will be around so she can get more Pops time. Either way, she should be around now and again to say hi." She trailed off and just stared at her sister for a moment. It was going to be another long night of keeping her eyes glued to her microscope, trying to figure out the cause of this. So she bent over and pressed a kiss to her sibling's forehead. Tass was given a pat to his shoulder, and she slipped off so she could work in her lab. Some of the other healers had been making use of it as well. Maybe they found something while she was gone.

fear not, my love, the end of days, which comes to all who on Earth stand

take heart, my love, and with me gaze, beyond Earth's veil to Summerland

where lawns of love lay soft and green and kiss with bliss our barefoot soles

where lakes and ponds and crystal streams wash tears and fears from careworn souls

'tis time, my love, breathe one more breath " let Goddess' love thy lungs expand

kiss me, my love, and fear not death " we'll meet again in Summerland

Copyright 2007 by John Small ————————————————————————— —————————————

It had been days since Tass last tried to contact her. She only knew he had because of his vague mumble of frustration as he left. Tonight she didn't expect anything beyond the usual night's monologue from her sister. Although where Chryrie was at the moment was a mystery. She could occasionally hear Jade's soft humming and the turning of a book page.

Then suddenly she felt energy roll through her. She couldn't do anything about it, of course. But she still felt it. About that time she could hear Jade close her book and move off. But she wasn't alone. Someone else was there. She thought it might be Tass. She had grown to recognize the sound of his clothes and the shuffle of his walk, but tonight was different. It didn't sound quite the same.

Suddenly that rolling energy was enough to leave her confused more than a bit disoriented inside her own head. Like she needed help in that right now. She'd been locked inside herself for weeks and it had been taking it's toll.

What she didn't know was that Tass was standing over her at the moment, focusing his own mental abilities into fine line that speared into her mind. And when he managed to break through the shields and the mental fog, that line found her mental energy and ensnared her.

Thinking the end was finally near, her mind jerked against it. She wasn't going to go easily! She wasn't willing to die laying in a bed. "God dammit! First I'm caged, and now it's fucking with me" What the hell?"!"

But what came back wasn't what she expected. It was a voice she knew and missed terribly, but it was edged with that cold power. "If you wish for me to do that...you had better be conscious first..."

Despite the coldness to it, her heart almost jumped with joy. Oh he'd found her! He'd broken through and found her! "Tass" Is that you? You broke through' How.."

What followed was incoherent mental noise as she lost control of her emotional state. Being locked inside her body had obviously taken it's toll. But Tass was calm as ever. "There have been changes...the dreamer is awake...The question is...how badly do you want to break free of this?"

The dreamer" Awake" He didn't elaborate and she was afraid to ask. Whatever it was, it had taken something from him. It had taken away that little bit of joy that seemed to flow through him normally and it hurt to feel him like this. Was she the cause" Was he disappointed in her for falling prey to whatever this was" Oh but he was still here....that's all she could focus on. Her mind clung to his mental touch like it was her last dieing breath. Despite rational thought, she was afraid to let go. Afraid she'd never hear him again. "Not badly enough apparently. I should be able to get free, but every time I think I can something feels like it's shorting out....I can hear you, you know. I can hear everything that's said to me."

His next words were disheartening. It only fed into her fear that she wasn't doing enough, despite how hard she tried. She had no idea that's not what he meant. "There will come a time when you will be ready...and as for what you hear...there is little enough said, especially by me..."

He was right. He never spoke to her. Occasionally he would say a brief word or two to the others who came and went. But that was all. His detached feeling was bothering her more and more though. "I know. I wish you'd say more, but then again, what would you talk about' Tass...you feel so cold..."

"The dreamer has awoken...the dream is no more...thus I am not bound as I once was.."

That made absolutely no sense to her. But she knew that he wasn't the same. He didn't seem happy at all. Despite her own condition she was worried about him. "I'm sorry. The dream seemed to make you happy. I'm sorry to make you worry about me."

"The dream only clouded what was...it is better now that the dreamer is awake...and I care about you...you are my treasure.."

The last part stood out to her like it was written in flames on the inside of her skull. His treasure" Oh but he had so many treasures. But it didn't take away the guilt she was feeling. He was worried about her and she knew how he was when worried. She had seen it when Jewell was in mourning. She felt powerless and it only made her more angry at herself. "I promise I'll try to keep myself out of trouble if I ever get out of this, ok""

He knew her too well. "Make no promises I know you can't keep...I just want to be there when you do so I can be by your side.. "

By her side....so he could smack her upside the head when she needed it, maybe. Not that she wouldn't deserve it. "I said I'd try. I never said I'd succeed. The road to Rhydin is paved with good intentions."

"I will never leave you..."

That simple statement, powerful in it's own way. But doubt flowed through her. How many had told her those very same words, only to disappear later" But it was Rhydin....People always came and left. She shuffled the feeling away, hoping he didn't detect it. "You're sweet to say so. I'm just happy you're here now."

Ah, but she wasn't so lucky. "Doubt it you will...it changes not the fact of the truth..."

So he had felt it after all. Then it suddenly occurred to her that he could possibly be putting himself in danger by being in her mind. Not in danger from her, of course, but from whatever it was that kept her prisoner. After all, she had no idea what it was. And she would not allow someone she loved to be taken down too. "You should withdraw...being in here too long might hurt you. I don't know how this thing works."

"if it ment that you would feel more safe, I would take it gladly to be here so you could have someone to..." The thought trailed off.

"But you do need your rest." He finally agreed.

"I know I'm safe. You're here. But yes, I should rest. Tell the others I can hear them' Please?" She wanted them to know she was in there still. She was desperate for the sound of voices again.

"I will let your sister know...she will inform the rest."

She was reluctant to release her hold on his mental touch, but eventually she did. Her fear for his safety eventually overrode her irrational fear of not feeling that touch ever again. She let herself slide back into the black haze of nothing. Oh how she had grown to hate the confines of her own head.

She had no idea that when he withdrew, he didn't entirely go. He was still there, in the recesses of her mind, keeping tabs on her. The awakening had done more than just broke the dream. It had released him to the full potential of the dreamer's power. And so it was there he was able to watch her as she grappled around the dark haze, clinging to every bit of news that was told within her earshot, even if it wasn't directed to her. Although she did seem a bit stronger now, at least in resolve.

Now....to pinpoint the cause.

The world changed before her eyes as the mist filtered into Kitty. There was still Artemus somewhere nearby, still quiet presence of Chryrie....But her main focus was on Kitty, and additional senses rushed through feline's body, providing information for vampiress' mind to analyze. Bloodflow....nervous system....What could be abnormal" She forced herself to speak aloud.

"Sodium channels blocked..." yes, there was something of familiar looking configuration on them. Enhanced memory threw her a series of clear images. "Tetrodotoxin based.....at least in structure..." she looked at where Chryrie should have been, world around quickly fading before her. Familiar molecule....how was this altered" Why' What could be the impact' Interesting....neurotoxin.... "How much do you know already?" Rhaine asked, trying to communicate with the outside world, trying not to drown....How curious....what an interesting protein chain....replaced aminoacid" How do the synapses react to the altered toxin? And where does this molecule go' Oh....this group....

"Not much, honestly. Something about it seemed familiar, but then when I tried to pin it down, it was against everything I know," fae's voice sounded hushed. Without knowing, Rhaine started to speak faster, although she was trying hard to slow down. "The toxin seems to be multiple compound. One is strontium-ninety. Radioactive. Record....please....somewhere....Second - something similar in structure to tetrodotoxin. Third....I have little idea. It's magically active. Two protein chains....one di-sulphuric between them,....and polysaccharide....short one..."

She was losing the ability to comment on what she could see. Or sense. "How....challenging....what .a...structure..." She was referring to curiously curved globule of protein molecule. Oh, these altered amino-acids - they were characteristic for magically active compounds. Her mind was rushing through possible ways of synthesis and native metabolic role of this compound. Really looked like a plant protective toxin....but some things were dubious. Fascinated, she rushed through reactions, drowning in the state that killed so many of her kin...Her speech turned faster and faster as her mind accelerated. The mechanism of toxin action and synthesis flared before her eyes in blinding clarity. The unknown magically active compound - it was a masterpiece. Either creation of one of her kin, or a natural product...."How....beautiful..." she whispered.

A torrent of cold water snapped her out of this. The shock was breathtaking. As a warm anchor in the dazing swirl of information, she felt Art's touch.

"I'm so sorry....I should not have let it to overcome me.." she whispered, "My Lord will bring me back to normal....He knows...". Her fingers curled around the medallion of asmodean priest dangling on a silver chain around her neck, as Artemus carried her out.

She had spent days in her lab. She occasionally stopped by the Inn for a drink, only to return to the Onyx for a quick check on her sister, then back to the lab she went. Each night she would be found there, surrounded by lab equipment and the notes she had taken during Rhaine's visit, along with the notes and drawings Rhaine herself had drawn a few days later.

Her eyes were glued to the microscope as she carefully worked on the antidote to the Silverthorn. Kalentor had been careful to alter it so it would reject magic violently. She also found moredhel DNA locked into the plant's structure. He purposely made it so it would seek out moredhel blood and then attack.

Days had been spent with samples of Kitty's blood. Splicing the genes of the antidote and working on it. Each time she managed to weaken it just a bit more until...

"Yes!" She all but shrieked as she leaned back from the microscope. She had finally managed to alter it perfectly. The other healers who were making use of her lab turned to blink at her before returning to their own work once more.

She carefully mixed up more of the antidote with the exact precision she had made the test sample before feeding it into a syringe. She couldn't help but smile slightly as she capped it off and tucked it into a pocket. Finally they were on their way to getting Kitty better.

In a few moments she was once more at Kitty's side, peering down at her sister.

"I think we have it now, Kitty. Soon you'll be feeling much better. And then all I need to do is talk to Tass. After that, if he says you agreed, we'll be able to get you back with us very soon." She could barely hide the hope in her voice.

Her fingers reached out to catch the IV that was feeding nourishment into Kitty's bloodstream. The syringe was pulled out and plugged into the line where she slowly fed the antidote into the moredhel's system.

Once that was done, she gently sat and wiped down Kitty's face with a damp cloth.

"It won't be long now..."

But thou, O Beauty, art a pledge That there is purpose in thy mold; That yet beyond th' horizon's edge A Summerland that grows not old Nor yields to Winter's dread embrace It's heritage of green and gold And thou shalt grow from grace to grace Immortal in thy native place.

Author Unknown. ———————————————————————

Days had past. At least, she thought it had been days. She wasn't really sure. She had felt people come and go, but there wasn't really any sense of time of day or night in their movements.

She had heard someone come to sit next to her at one point...and there was a clearing of a throat that sounded male. It sounded like Luse...but nah...she brushed that thought aside. He was there for a bit, then got up and left just as silently as he had arrived.

More time passed. More people came and went. And then...

Chryrie's stilleto heels could be heard as they hit the hard floors at a fast pace. She was in an awful hurry, wasn't she" She heard the door burst open and the sound of the fae rushing to her side.

"Kitty! You agreed, and he gave it to me. At least...I think that's what this is. Now...rest easy, since I don't know how this is going to affect you."

What the hell else was she going to do' But she understood the fae's concern. She herself was unsure what was going to happen...but she wasn't worried. She trusted the old dragon completely, despite the apparent opinions of others.

She could hear Chryrie mumbling more as the fae prepared Kitty's body for the transfer.

"And Kalentor won't be bothering us any longer. He came to harrass me in the Inn. Luse and Icer obliterated him. Luse may be ever stoic usually, but I've never seen him attack someone like that before. He is more of your brother than Kalentor ever was."

Well duh. She never had to beat the crap out of Luse for being pointlessly cruel to another sibling. She was sure Luse could be pointlessly cruel if he wanted, but it was always to someone who deserved it.

She felt Chryrie touch her head and then she lost touch with reality as the fae had apparently applied some sort of anesthesia so she wouldn't feel any pain. Everything went black.

How long it had been, she did not know, but that black slowly went to grey, and then to white. And then suddenly all hell broke loose inside her body. Her mind's eye was overtaken in visions of colors, swirls of smoke, dragons....huge angry dragons unlike any she had ever seen before.

There was one she couldn't help but watch. It felt so familair to her. And then it suddenly flew towards her viewpoint...and then everything exploded.

Her body writhed in the bed where it lay, and suddenly she sat straight up with a gasp, her eyes wide open. But her eyes were changed. They weren't a dark green anymore, but more of a yellowish golden shade. She blinked a few times, only to fall back against the pillows again, slipping once more into unconsciousness.

Tass's presence never left her. It only grew stronger as the contents of the vial he had given Chryrie was absorbed into her bones. The strength of it was amazing. It's power ripped through her body to force the poison from her system. She felt Tass's presence weaken again, but she couldn't explain why. Maybe it was his own doing"

As she lay there, her mind lost in the visions that came with the precious gift given to her, a day or two passed...the poison being forcibly pushed out by the strength of a dragon. The power in her mind was building to unbelievable levels, and she didn't even try to control it. Not yet. Other physical changes that she wouldn't come aware of until she awoke were subtly taking place as well.

And the whole time, she could hear the memory of his voice...

"You are my treasure....I will never leave you..."