The next morning Pyre was eating breakfast in the make shift Dining Hall/ dormitory when Uncle Wert came to visit him. The old man looked glum. He sat down across the table from Pyre and asked, “What do you think of that pathfinder?”

A spark of joy ignited in Pyre. Uncle Wert didn’t like Resen either. Honestly he said, “I am very thankful for the work he did to save Fand and us, but I don’t think he is fit for her.”

Uncle Wert rubbed his stubbled chin. “Nor do I, but he’s asked for her hand.”

All the air left Pyre’s lungs. What he had feared had happened. It took him a moment before he could ask, “What did you say?”

With a glint in his eye, Uncle Wert said, “Told him that was up to Fand. Seemed pretty confident she would agree. We both know she’s not so easily won.”

Indeed they did. Did Fand have feelings for Resen? Pyre was always so agitated when Resen was with her, he couldn’t think properly. Also, he was afraid that Fand might see Resen as her true love. He just couldn’t be her true love. Pyre was worried about how Fand would manage being married to a man who was just a step above a mercenary? He didn’t like it. No, it was more than that, he hated it.

Uncle Wert let out a slow sigh. He shook his head. “I just hope she chooses better this time. She was fool for refusing you.”

Pyre protested, “No, I was the fool. I over stepped my boundaries, didn’t respect her wishes and was impatient. Fand does not like to be rushed.”

A slow smile spread across Uncle Wert’s face. “No she doesn’t and that Pathfinder is in a real hurry.”

After breakfast Uncle Wert went visit Fand and Pyre went for a walk. Disheartened, he made his way down the streets. Classes had not yet resumed. He hoped they did soon, he needed something to occupy his mind. As he walked his eyes took in what remained of the Council City. It was a mess, a burned out ruined mess. The fire had raged two days. Despite the number of work crews, many of the buildings were still filled with charred rubbish. Tired of wandering around, Pyre headed for what was remained of the Dormitory. The stone structure stood like blackened bones against the morning sky. So ugly. Still it had been his home. He entered and went to his burned out cubicle. Everything was gone. All that remained were the ashes of what had been. He slid down to the floor and covered his face with his hands. Deep inside in a place he had not even admitted to himself, he had harbored a hope that when Fand recovered they would go back to the farm and live the life he had always dreamed of. It had been a fragile hope, is was even weaker now. Really, the biggest obstacle to a life with Fand was not the pathfinder, but the Council.

Jerue had stripped him of his robes and his position. All Jerue’s decrees had been nullified by Appocca, so Pyre was once again bound by the Council’s edicts. One did not leave the Council. In all Pyre’s history lessons of Council law, there had only been a hand full of men who had left and of they had been stripped of their reputations, their standing in their community’s and their dignity. They had brought great shame to their families. So far, no one had been discharged honorably. It was hopeless.

Despair covered Pyre like a blanket. He sat down in the ashes, his mind still reeling. Only some great miracle would free him to marry Fand. Abruptly, Pyre stopped his errant thoughts. One great miracle had already occurred. Fand was alive. In a few hours his shift with Fand would start. He would share the same space with her again. He must focus on that. Honestly, she had a long way to go before she would be strong enough to leave. She would be with him for a while longer. Though he knew it would be best to focus on that, all he wanted to do was break something, hurt some one, do anything but feel the violence of his emotions. Why couldn’t he go back, he just wanted to go back and make better choices.

There was a strange ringing in his head. The sensation was unfamiliar. Was someone reading his thoughts? He forced his mind into submission. Beyond his door he heard rubble scatter. Rube Johan called out, “Pyre are you in here?”

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Pyre stood and said, “Yes.”

Rube poked his head in the door and said, “Appocca wants to see you.”

The next important moment of his life had arrived. How would he meet it? “Thanks for letting me know, I will head over there.”

”I’m going that direction too. I’ll walk you over.” Rube paused and asked, “Did you hear about Wilm?”

Fear tightened in Pyre’s chest. “No.”

Rube’s voice cracked when he said, ”He passed away early this morning. At least I got to be with him.”

Rube and Wilm had been best friends since childhood, just like he and Zog had been. Pyre said, ”I am so sorry to hear that. I thought he was doing better.”

”So did Dr. Kran. Wilm got an infection and it spread rapidly. I wrote to his family this morning. His folks are going to take it hard. They were so proud of him.”

They fell into silence and walked outside. The mid day sun shone bright upon the street. Pyre couldn’t help but notice the dark blood stains on the cobbles. Images of that awful night flashed through his mind, the clash of swords, the groans of men and the smell of fear. He heard the weeping of women. His mind raced to all the graves that had been added to the Council Cemetery, tomorrow Wilm’s grave would be among them. Near cemetery was a large grave that contained the ashes of everyone who had been in the Inner Sanctum that dreadful night. Only Fand had escaped. All that remained of those who had served Jerue were a group of renegade Guards that fled to the mountains. All other that were aligned with Jerue had been executed for treason. The Purge had been thorough and swift. Too swift really. How had it succeeded so completely? Victory was seldom quick. The Purge would go down in the history books as a great success, but Pyre wondered at history. He had read the names and the dates of other conflicts and not given them much thought. Never, would he do that again.

When they reached the Infirmary, Rube said, “Appocca is in the dispensary. Good day.” He bowed to Pyre and took his leave.

Pyre made his way to the dispensary. The door was open.

Appocca sat on a low stool rolling bandages with three women. He stood. “Excuse me ladies.” To Pyre he said, “Come, I have something that belongs to you.” Appocca went into the medicine closet. On a shelf was a bundle. Appocca picked it up and handed it to Pyre. “For you.”

This was an odd time to receive a gift. Pyre undid the string and pulled away the cheesecloth. It contained a blue cowl. Without words, he had just received his official reinstatement. If Appocca had spoken, perhaps he cold have questioned this reinstatement, as it was, he could not. He stared down at the cowl in his hands. Not only had he been reinstated, according to the cowl, he had also jumped two places in rank, He looked at Appooca and asked, “Blue?”

“Yes, Blue.” He smiled. “Put it on Apprentice. You belong here. Jerue thought you would be his tool, instead you found your own strength and in part were responsible for saving the lives of many.”

Pyre thought, So many lives have been lost. He did not think he deserved any honor.

Appocca patted his shoulder. “You have no idea what you have done. You harbored secrets that protected those you loved and those who sponsored The Purge and you did not betray anyone. Angs is dead, the Council is cleansed and a new day awaits us.” Appocca slipped the cowl over Pyre'a head.

His fate was sealed. There was no going back. He said, “Thank you Sir.”

Appocca patted his shoulder and said, “You are welcome. Your shift is about to start. Give my regards to Fand and remember, things are not always how they seem.”

What an odd thing to say. Pyre bowed and said, “Yes Sir.” He turned away from Appocca and walked down the hall to Dr. Kran’s office. As usual, the doctor was out.

Inside his chest, Pyre’s heart began to race. The anticipation of seeing Fand always did this to him. He touched the wall and the panel slid open.

Uncle Wert got up from the stool and stretched his tired back. With one hand he rubbed his belly and whispered, “I could do with a bit of grub.” He glanced at Fand. “She has been asking for you.” He gave Pyre a wink and shuffled out of the room. The door slid closed behind him.

Pyre sat down in the stool. His eyes traveled over every inch of Fand's sleeping body. As always he winced when he saw her hand. Had Dr. Kran told her yet that she was missing all her left fingers and part of her palm? As far as he knew he hadn’t. How would she react when she found out? His eyes went to her sleeping relaxed face. The scabs and cuts were beginning to heal. His gaze traveled from her forehead and lingered on her lips, lips that would never kiss his. Her lips moved and she whispered, "Pyre?"

"Yes, I'm here." He would never tire of hearing her speak his name. He leaned forward and looked into her now open eyes. They were filled with tears. Her love for him reached out and wrapped around his heart. It might not be the kind of love he wanted, but perhaps it was the kind he most needed.

With great effort she said, “You, Uncle all I have now.”

He couldn't help but notice she didn’t include Resen. Did that mean something? It had to mean something. He wanted it to mean something. He wiped her eyes with his sleeve.