"What for?" Natalya asked warily.

Kedemar didn't answer as his eyes roved over the walls and ceiling of the room.

"Alright." He said at last, quietly. "I don't think they can see us anymore. Haeil, you can wake up now."

The assassin opened his eyes, stifling a painful laugh. His eyes danced with amusement.

Benn looked bewildered, not understanding the captain's game.

Dath shook his head, rubbing his temples wearily with one hand.

"You sure know how to put on a good ruse, lad." He said, his mouth twitching into a smile. A tired, breathless laugh escaped his lips.

Kedemar smirked, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the wall.

"I'm going to put on an even better one by the time I'm done." He replied. "Now, we have to be quiet because I don't know who's listening below us. This Ulrek probably has spies down in the tavern itself; that taproom's right below us. But I believe it's just the one man watching us from the second story of the building across the street. Brown hair, green tunic. I wish we had a mage whose talent is tracing. Then we could track the spy back to Ulrek."

Natalya stood slowly, wringing her hands nervously.

"But we do have a mage." She said softly.

"Who?" Asked Kedemar, turning to face her, surprise written across his features.

Nat swallowed tensely.

"Me."

"What?" Exclaimed Kedemar and Haeil together.

"Quiet." Hissed Natalya, glancing meaningfully at the floor and the room below. "Dath told you I was the best hunter and tracker in the land. Did you never wonder why? I'm a tracker mage, and my talent's stronger than most. I use my gift when I'm hunting, whether it be animals or people."

"When you say 'stronger than most'," Haeil asked curiously, "what do you mean?"

Natalya thought for a moment.

"You know that magic takes energy, that its force or volume is only as great as the strength of the mage wielding it." She said.

They nodded.

"Well," she continued, "tracking is a magic that doesn't require much effort and is nearly untraceable. It's not like Lighting or Wind, which are harder talents to master. Most trace mages can track up to a city's worth of people before they hit their limit. I can trace up to a kingdom's worth and bind them all to trace tokens before I start feeling winded." She finished matter-of-factly. Not bragging, just stating truth.

They had asked.

Kedemar whistled appreciatively.

Dath smirked at the young men's surprise and awe.

"Come see our spy." Kedemar motioned Natalya over to the window. She peeked out, then dug a large bronze coin out of a concealed pocket. As the young captain watched, its smooth surface wavered and the image of a man's head appeared. It was the face of the spy that Kedemar had noticed. He peeked out the window again just to make sure.

Yup. It was the same man.

Nat flipped the coin at him. He caught it without looking.

"The Chalice isn't safe for us. We're too vulnerable here." Said Natalya, turning away from the window. Addressed Dath. "We need a safehouse."

“And where are we going to find that?” Asked Dath, crossing his arms.

Natalya smiled. Her eyes twinkled with unspilled secrets.

“Once again I come in useful. I grew up near this city. It’s as well known a place to me as any. There’s a place I know, a group called the Obsidian, a bit of an outlaw ring really.” She gave a small laugh. “Rogues, all of them. But loyal to a fault. And they owe me some favors. We'll be as safe there as anywhere else. Dannyl and his family may be in danger as well. We should gather them and go to the Obsidian.” She said.

Dath's mouth twisted. Suspicion and something akin to anger entered his eyes.

“An outlaw ring, hm?” He said, his voice deliberately devoid of emotion.

“They’re not against us.” Natalya told him quickly. “They mainly smuggle in trivial goods and information. In fact, I believe they inform the Council’s spies.”

Dath gave in and sighed, dragging a hand across his beard.

“Very well, lass. We’ll do it your way. It’s your call.”

“Fine.” Natalya said. She grinned. “I have a plan, but Haeil will have to play dead again.”

***

The plan was simple: Make it seem that Haeil had died in the night and stage a false burial for him. Then flee in the night to the Obsidian's lair. Use Natalya's mage-talent to make sure they weren't followed. Rest and recover and plot their next move while in hiding.

See? Simple.

In theory.

In reality, there were so many factors that could go wrong. Dath could be attacked again while he was out arranging Haeil's burial. Natalya could miss some persons in her trace-sweep. Benn, who was currently sitting miserably in a corner of the bedroom under Kedemar's watchful eye, could escape and betray them. Haeil could take a turn for the worse, becoming too dangerously ill for travel, or worse, dying.

But it was the only feasible plan they had, and in the end, it was the one they followed.

***

Natalya gazed out the window for many minutes before moving to the top of the stairs and watching the activity of the taproom. By the end of two hours her face was tired, but still serene.

"Alright." She spoke, reentering Haeil's room. "I was able to cast a mental trace on everyone in the Emerald Chalice and on the streets outside. I don't have enough tokens for a whole city's worth of people, but I can hold all the tethers in my mind."

She glanced at Haeil. The young assassin was sleeping again. A sheen of sweat covered his brow. He muttered something unintelligible. Kedemar sat beside him, sponging his forehead with a cold, wet cloth.

"When did he get like this?" Natalya asked, worry cascading over her features. She strode to the bedside and lay her hand on Haeil's forehead. Snatched it back as if he'd burned her.

"He's burning up!" She gasped.

Kedemar and Dath nodded grimly.

"Yes." Dath replied. "The fever set upon him only a half hour ago. But it was sudden and vicious. We need a healer we can trust. Now."

Natalya bit her lip.

"There's a healer among the Obsidian. I would trust her with my life. But we can't move until dark."

Dath sighed, closing his eyes. "Then pray to the One-Who-Made-The-Stars that Haeil holds on that long." He said grimly.

***

Dath went out around the noon hour and made arrangements for a secluded, private burial on the city outskirts in three days, while Natalya, Kedemar and Benn stayed in the Chalice. The two young people took turns tending Haeil, keeping him cool and calm throughout the hours of the afternoon. Dath returned without incident and they settled down for a long, boring, tense wait through the day until the dark cloak of night.

As shadows grew long and the sky black, bespeckled with stars, and the moon rose, the hubbub and noise downstairs in the taproom swelled. The three companions who were awake, as well as Benn, heard the cacophony through the floor. Felt the vibrations of the noise in their feet.

The Emerald Chalice was packed tonight.

Their job had just gotten harder.

Natalya slipped out of the room to stand at the top of the stairs once more, adding a multitude of trace-tethers to the ones already anchored in her mind. Then she stole softly back to the bedroom and gave the all-clear.

They all took a deep breath.

This was it.

Tonight, they would either find refuge, or they would die.

Dath wrapped the young, unconscious assassin in a blanket and hefted him into his arms, carrying him like a baby. Kedemar and Natalya grabbed up their knapsacks, Kedemar taking a good, firm grip on the hapless healer's shoulder and tunic, and preceded him down the stairs, alert for any danger.

After all, as Kedemar said, they couldn’t leave the healer behind to give them away or be killed by Ulrek.

They weren't that heartless.

To their relief, the companions encountered no suspicious figures in the tavern. Saw no shady characters outside of those which one would normally find in a tavern at this late hour. Every patron was occupied with either business, his drink, or women. Some customers were already flat out unconscious-inebriated. Dath curled his lip in disgust as he passed them. He had no respect for men, or women, who showed such lack of self-control.

But at least they weren't causing him trouble.

***

Somehow, they made it, were able to slip out of the tavern without any trouble, and access their horses. Natalya and Kedemar hurriedly saddled all four of their own. Tied their knapsacks and Benn onto one.

Somehow they got Haeil on a horse, riding with Dath.

The bounty hunter gave over the young assassin into Kedemar's arms. Stuck his boot in a stirrup and swung himself into the saddle of Kedemar's big black gelding. The gelding was the only horse among their own who was large enough to carry two at once. With a great deal of cautious maneuvering, and Natalya's help, Kedemar and Dath got Haeil into the saddle, directly in front of Dath. The young assassin's head lolled as he slumped, limp in Dath’s arms. Dark blood showed on his bandages.

Even with all their gentleness, they hadn't been careful enough.

They had to move, and fast.

Haeil's life depended upon their speed.

Dath gathered up his reins, held Haeil tight. Nat and Kedemar mounted up. Kedemar took the lead rein of Benn's mount in his hand.

They traveled the dark streets as fast as they dared, and with the mage tethers and the trace token Natalya had given to Kedemar, the huntress was able to discern that no one followed them to the lair of the Obsidian.

***

They made a short detour to Dannyl's home to collect him and his family. Kedemar dismounted and knocked. The head of spies answered his door dressed in a night-shirt and breeches, a naked sword in his hand. His eyes widened at the sight of them all ready for travel, at unconscious Haeil leaning against Dath, at drooping Benn bound to his horse.

"What's happened?" Dannyl asked.

"Love? Who is it?" Came a woman's voice from inside the house.

"Just some friends, Margaret!" Dannyl called back to her, not taking his eyes off of the company in the street. "What's happened?" He repeated.

"What's happened is that we discovered that someone powerful wants us very much dead." Dath replied grimly. "That attack last night? That wasn't just a band of brigands looking for gold. Someone hired them to kill us, then paid a healer to finish the job. We found out his ruse in time, but now we can't trust anyone of the healing arts. Except for one person, apparently."

Dannyl warily shifted his weight in the doorway.

"So you've come to me for refuge?" He said. "Dath, I can't-- I have to think of my wife and children. I will not put them in danger. Not even for you."

Dath smiled. "On the contrary, old friend. I'm offering you refuge. The lass knows someplace where we'll be safe for sure. Come with us. There's no guarantee you and yours are safe at all. You could be attacked again."

Dannyl hesitated as a slim woman in a white nightgown, her wavy, sandy-hued hair flowing loose over her shoulders, padded up behind him and slipped her arm around his. She regarded the newcomers with wariness and curiosity.

"Attacked again? What are they talking about?" The woman asked. Dannyl turned to her, pressing a kiss to her temple and saying quietly in her ear,

"Marg, go and wake the children. Gather some clothing and belongings into a pack. We're leaving tonight."

Marg shot a puzzled, worried glance at Dath and his friends before kissing her husband and disappearing back into the dark house. Dannyl stepped outside and shut the door behind him.

He sighed and said, "I'll saddle my horse, mate, and go with you, truth. If you're sure we'll be safe in this place... I cannot, in good conscience, either put or leave my family in danger. If my two little ones can ride with the lad and lass...?"

Dath nodded. Dannyl disappeared into a tiny stable and came back a moment later with a large beast, nearly a draft horse.

The door of the house opened again and Margaret emerged, dressed in a brown tunic tucked into grey trousers. A bulging knapsack was in her hand, and she ushered two small children before her, a boy and a girl. The little ones were still in their nightclothes.

"Da!" Cried the boy, the older of the two. He ran to Dannyl. The spy scooped him up and held him close.

"Hush, now, Bear. We're going for a ride tonight. You'll ride with the captain, yeah?" Dannyl said, pressing a kiss to his son's cheek. The little boy nodded. Kedemar swung back into his saddle, and the spy lifted his son up into the young captain's waiting arms.

Dannyl's little lass was handed into Natalya's secure grasp.

Dannyl lifted his wife up onto the big saddle of his huge horse. The spy hefted himself into the saddle behind her, encircled her in his arms, and gathered up the reins. He nodded to Dath.

"We're ready." The spy said. Dath returned his nod, and the company took to the streets.

***

Natalya led them to a nondescript two-story house on a quiet street near the middle of the city. They reined in in front of the building, and Nat dismounted.

She knocked sharply on the door, then stepped back.

"Caution." She said to those who waited behind her. "The Obsidian are... not overly friendly to strangers, but they will not harm you if you do not make a threatening move first."

Dath hissed, "You could have mentioned that sooner! I thought you said they would give us refuge!"

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Just then the door opened and twenty shadowy figures dressed in dark garments poured into the street. Every one of them held a long spear, and these were leveled threateningly at chests and throats as the Obsidian surrounded the group. Still mounted, Kedemar, Dath, Dannyl, Margaret, and Benn tensed, but could do nothing.

Would do nothing to endanger the children who perched on their saddles.

Haeil remained oblivious, unconscious with his dark hair soaked with sweat.

The horses shifted uneasily.

The children whimpered, frightened.

Natalya alone was calm.

“Who dares trespass in the domain of the Obsidian?” Came a rasping hiss from the person who seemed to be the leader of the shadowed figures, his voice made silibant by a mage’s cloaking.

“Natalya of Kenrath, mageborn.” Natalya replied, not moving an inch away from the spearhead at her throat. “We come seeking refuge; these with me are under my protection.”

The figure-- man?-- tilted his head. "You would vouch for them?"

Natalya never wavered. Her voice took on authority and a tinge of anger.

"You know me, though it has been months since I last set foot in your lair. You doubt my word? These with me are my friends, to be extended the same trust and friendship I hold among you. The only one I will not speak for is the healer, who is our prisoner."

For a tense moment, the leader stood thinking.

Kedemar's finger's twitched, aching for the comforting feel of his sword in his hand. He hated feeling helpless. At his movement, the spear held to his throat pricked his skin. He swallowed reflexively and held Dannyl's son tighter.

Then the leader gestured.

"Very well. You, as always, are allowed among us, Natalya Mageborn. We will allow your companions refuge as well, provided they do not violate our laws."

The spears were lowered, and everyone relaxed, nearly sighing with relief.

Natalya smiled. "Thank you. I assure you: no laws will be broken among us while we stay with you."

The companions dismounted, and all were ushered into the house. Marg and Dannyl carrying their little ones, Dath cradling Haeil's fevered body, and Kedemar escorting Benn, they were led down winding stairs into an underground conical hall lit with numerous lanterns. The hall was crowded by tables and benches and many armored men and women. A small, blond woman who looked to be around Dath’s age raced to them and wrapped her arms tightly around Natalya.

“Natal-ee-a!” She cried, her words spoken in a crisp, Northern accent. “You’re back!”

“Adalyyn!” Natalya greeted her happily, returning her embrace. "How fare you and Jashur?"

Adalyyn grinned at her. "Oh, you know, we are slowly getting older. The big bear still has some fight left in him though." She answered affectionately, then looked behind Natalya.

“Who are these?” Adalyyn asked curiously. Her gaze landed on Haeil, who was cradled in Dath’s arms, and her expression darkened.

“These are my friends.” Natalya answered, quickly. “I’d trust any one of them with my life, except the little healer.”

“Even the assassin?” Asked Adalyyn.

Natalya nodded. “He’s already saved my life once, and lies on the brink of death because of it.”

Adalyyn stepped over to Dath and peeled back Haeil’s bandages. She clucked sympathetically.

“He’s lucky whoever attacked you missed his heart. We have a good healer here who can tend him. Jashur!” Adalyyn called. A broad, tall man with pale hair and a braided blond beard stepped out of the crowd. “This one needs Myra. And be gentle with him, ya big bear!” Adalyyn said.

Jashur grinned as he took custody of Haeil.

"You see my wife is as lively as ever!" He greeted Nat with a jest aimed toward Adalyyn. Natalya merely gave him a grateful smile as he carried Haeil off, back up the stairs, cradling the assassin like an infant.

A fiddle sounded out a bouncy tune somewhere in the throng, and Adalyyn motioned them forward.

“Come, sit!” She invited. Dannyl stepped forward.

"Actually, ma'am. My wife and children and I would like a place to rest."

Adalyyn laughed. "Forgive me! It's been such a long time since we've had any real guests. Usually everyone who comes here, lives here when they're not off having adventures, and they just settle themselves in. I'm afraid my hostess skills are a little rusty."

Margaret took an instant liking to the lively woman. "'Tis no trouble, Adalyyn. All we need is a bedroom."

"Nonsense!" Adalyyn said, warming to her role. "You'll have one of our family suites. I believe there's a vancant one through that tunnel, third door on the right." She pointed.

Dannyl looked at the underground tunnel that branched off the main hall, and raised his eyebrows. But he made no comment and ushered his family in that direction.

Dath adressed the small woman.

"My lady, if you have someplace for holding prisoners, this man," He grabbed Benn's collar and pulled him forward, "requires a place to stay until I figure out how to deal with him."

Adalyyn regarded Benn with pursed lips. The healer shrank back under her gaze.

"There is...." She replied slowly. "We don't often have prisoners, but there is the occasional miscreant. Does he need a guard?"

"No." Dath said. "Just a secure, locked room and some nourishment."

Adalyyn nodded, then gestured to one of the once-shadowed spear-holding figures around them.

"Tanner, see this man to a cell, would you?" She requested. Tanner, the leader of the spear-wielding group, and who turned out to be a handsome, sandy-haired man, gave a short bow and took custody of Benn. He and his patrol marched the healer away into a different tunnel than the one Dannyl's family had taken.

Adalyyn took a deep breath and clapped her hand's together. "Now, if the rest of you don't require immediate rest, feel free to settle yourselves among us and partake of our meal." She laughed lightly. "Truth, it's a late fare and nothing but kitchen leftovers, but there's plenty of it and it's good and nourishing."

Then she said to Natalya, guiding her to a vacant table as the others drifted away into the crowd, “How have you been, sweet?”

Natalya sighed, slumping onto the bench.

"I've been... healing." She said. Adalyyn laid a hand on her arm.

"I'm glad to hear that." She replied, and smiled, switching subject. "It's about time you brought by this Dath we've heard so much about."

Both women looked over at Dath being uncomfortably surrounded by a number of the Obsidian's older, single females.

Nat and Adalyyn grinned. Adalyyn chuckled and shook her head.

"The Obsidian's really grown since I was here last." Natalya said thoughtfully.

"Yes." Adalyyn agreed. Her eyes grew sad. "You should come visit more."

Nat dropped her gaze to the table. "I know." She said softly. "It's just, I'm better off alone, where I can't bring down any bad--"

Adalyyn tilted the lass's chin up and pressed a finger to Nat's lips.

"Hush, now." The older woman said, almost sternly. "You know how I feel about that issue. You are not a bad luck child. Believe that, lass. Not the lies those in your past have told you. Luck doesn't even exist anyway."

Natalya smiled thankfully.

"You don't know how good it feels to hear that, even for the thousandth time." She whispered. "Sometimes I forget, or doubt."

Adalyyn smiled back, gently touching Nat's cheek.

"I do know." She replied. "And I will continue to tell you until you believe it for good. And after, even." She laughed, and Natalya joined her.

Then their mirth quieted and both their gazes then swung to Kedemar.

The young captain stood leaning against a wall, dozing, with a cup of hot cider drooping in his hand.

"The captain seems like a good man. Is there anything between you and him?" Adalyyn asked gently.

Natalya ducked her head, red tinging her cheeks and the tips of her ears.

"No." She whispered almost sadly. "But I think there needs to be."

Her breath shook. She asked, "Do you know the Prophecy of Dinath Camuen?"

"I am familiar with it, yes." Answered Adalyyn carefully, unsure where this conversation was going.

"Well, Dath seems to think that Kedemar, Haeil, and I are the foretold." Natalya continued. "War's already started. I-- I'm not sure whether to believe or not. But things have already started coming true. I don't know what to think." She dropped her head into her hands.

Adalyyn stroked the young girl's hair softly.

"I think that there is more to Dath than meets the eye, and if you trust him in everything else, then maybe you should trust him in this." Adalyyn said slowly, comfortingly. "That prophecy wasn't written for nothing. Maybe it is time for it to come to pass. Dath certainly seems like a man of blood, from what you've told me."

"He used to be an assassin." Natalya confided. "He left them because he fell in love. Haeil left them because he hates killing. One of the assassins seems unusually interested in Kedemar. This assassin, Gavin, really wants Kedemar to join them."

"Hm." Said Adalyyn, digesting this information in silence for a moment. She then asked, "Do you know which of the foretold Kedemar is? You're obviously the huntress."

Natalya shook her head.

"I don't know. But Haeil has already bled for us, so..." Natalya sighed, dropping her head on the table with a thud. "I just don't know. Nearly everyone around me is happily wedded. You and Jashur-- and what a tale that is! And even Dath, a former assassin, fell in love. But me-- I never thought about getting married. Ever since..." She sniffled, tears pooling in her eyes. She squeezed her lids shut against them. Adalyyn laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Ever since Jonin's betrayal... I've not felt like I could love like that again." Natalya whispered brokenly.

***

Fever dreams tormented him. The faces of those he'd killed surrounded him, mouths open and hands outstretched, soundlessly crying out for vengeance. He jerked away from their grasping hands, but they were all around him. He could not escape them. They pulled him down into a place of freezing cold and blistering heat, a place where the screams of his dead echoed around him ceaselessly as he fought to get away.

Somehow he knew that his wounds had reopened. Blood stained him. His own, cascading down his body in his dreams, covering the older, crusted blood of innocents that stained him.

Was he dying? It would only be fitting and just. Blood for blood.

His body was jostled continually, and it hurt. Voices and the clatter of hooves on stones disturbed his troubled sleep.

Blessed stillness, though he was still tormented by the horrors in his mind.

A soft whispered voice slipped into his ears and calmed his mind.

A cool hand landed gently on his sweat-soaked brow.

Then, sweet darkness.

***

Haeil cracked open his eyes to see an unfamiliar room. This was not the bedroom at the Chalice.

He felt a soft bed under him, a warm quilt over him, tight bandages wound around his chest. He opened his eyes all the way and looked around.

There was an open window looking out onto an unfamiliar portion of the city. The moon had set, all was dark.

What day was it, even?

A rustle of movement sounded and a young woman glided into the room. Haeil met her dark almond eyes and his throat went dry.

She was beautiful.

"Who are you?" He asked. She smiled at him.

"I am Myra, and you, Haeil, should be resting." Her voice was the same that had calmed his fevered mind. He watched her without fear, yet breathlessly, as she approached him.

She laid a hand on his forehead and he sank into more darkness, sweet untroubled sleep.

When Haeil woke again, Myra was gone. He heard voices outside the door of his room. One was Myra's. The others belonged to his companions.

Haeil peeled back the quilt and stood. He needed to see his friends. To know that they were fine and well, and that this wasn't just some dream.

"How is he?" Kedemar asked from out in the hallway.

"I could only take away the fever, and make it as if he has already been healing for two weeks. I could not heal him all the way. I'm sorry. It is beyond my strength." Said Myra's voice.

"That's fine. You did what you could. Thank you." That was Dath.

"Could we see him now?" Asked Natalya.

Haeil padded to the door and eased it open, careful to baby his wounded side. It ached sharply, but nothing he couldn't handle. He leaned against the doorframe, exhausted and slightly dizzy, and watched his friends' concern. Natalya noticed him first.

"Haeil!" She cried. "You're-- Should you be up?"

Haeil smiled at her, too weary and relieved to speak. Took a step toward her and stumbled.

Dath and Kedemar leaped to catch him. They supported him between them. His breath came hard and his wounds hurt.

"You should be resting!" Scolded Myra as she came forward. She reached her hand towards Haeil's head. He leaned away.

"No. He said. "No more sleep. I want to know what's happened. Where am I?"

"We'll tell you everything when you go back to bed." Myra said, looking Haeil over with a practiced healer's eye.

"Not the bed. I'd prefer a chair." Said Haeil. Dath and Kedemar helped him back into the bedroom. Natalya hurried to set a chair-- well padded with pillows-- by the window.

Haeil sat with a wince and a sigh. He leaned his head back and relaxed.

"Now," he said, tilting his head to see his companions, "I believe you owe me some explanation?"

Dath's lips twitched, as if he was holding back a smile. The bounty hunter clapped Kedemar on the shoulder.

"I'll let you handle this one." He said, striding toward the door. He left, grumbling about "Young people... ask too many questions... don't hav the energy... my old bones...."

Haeil gazed after him in surprise. Kedemar explained,

"He's just relieved that you're alive. We all are. When we got here, we were on the verge of losing you altogether."

"Where exactly are we?" Asked Haeil.

"You're in the stronghold of the Obsidian." Natalya told Haeil. "They're a well-meaning lot, even if they do smuggle goods at times. There're a few mages among them as well."

"Ah. I see." The young assassin digested that before turning to his savior.

"You're a healing mage?" Haeil asked Myra. She smiled, and it took Haeil's breath away.

"I am." She replied. "The best the Obsidian has. But not the best in the world."

"Does the Obsidian have any trace mages?" Asked Kedemar. Natalya shook her head in answer before Myra could speak.

"I'm the only one acquainted with the Obsidian that we know of." She replied, then leaned close to Haeil with a serious expression.

"Be careful, Haeil. Magic is a dangerous thing." Nat told him. "Myra can heal you, but don't fight it, even if it hurts. Magic, like a curse, can be broken. When it is, it often harms the mage wielding it. Remember that." She warned. Haeil nodded.

"I'll remember." He said, tucking the information away in his mind.

***

Days passed in the Obsidian's stronghold, and Haeil healed by leaps and bounds with Myra's help.

He made sure to never fight the young healer's ministrations, even when it was all he could do to keep his mind intact through the excruciating pain of his cells knitting back together at hyper-speed. Myra could have used her mage-talent to knock him out, but Haeil was done sleeping. Remembering the horror of his fevered dreams, he preferred his waking mind.

Natalya spent most of her time with Dath or Adalyyn and Jashur, subtly avoiding Kedemar as she wrestled against the implications of the Prophecy. If the young captain was hurt by the treatment, he didn't let on. He was as civil and polite with her as he's always been.

***

Dath grew restless the longer time went on.

Four days after they'd fled to the Obsidian, he drew Jashur aside and they walked the halls together.

"What's on your mind?" Rumbled Jashur. The huge man's ice-blue eyes calmly met Dath's own worried gaze.

"If your concern is safety, you and yours cannot be touched here." Jashur said. "Our mage-cloaking will not allow it."

The big man was the most talented cloak-mage that Dath had ever seen.

"No." Dath admitted. "It's not that. It's just that the tidings that I bear are so new that the Ruling Council knows naught of the threat within our very borders. Truth, they may not know until it is far too late. We will be swamped by Kathiare from within and without and we will be able to do nothing."

Having been already informed of the situation three days before, Jashur did not react to the bounty hunter's news.

"Ah." Jashur mused calmly. "I'll send a rider to them with a message from you, if that'll put you at ease. I perceive you've business here unfinished?"

"Thank you." Said Dath, visibly relieved. Then, " Yes, I must speak to Kedemar." He turned away.

"Dathran!" Jashur called after him.

The bounty hunter turned back, startled by the use of his little-known full first name.

"You're not all that you seem. Truth?" Jashur's eyes glittered knowingly at him like two crystal-blue gems.

Dath's face became as stone.

"Truth." He replied tersely, and left.

***

Dath tracked down and cornered Kedemar in a secluded hallway.

"I've something very hard to talk to you about," Dath began, "And I need you to be a man about it."

Kedemar eyed his pale, tight face and nodded warily. Dath took a deep breath, then plunged in.

"Haeil is the foretold protector, lad." He began.

Kedemar paled.

"You're the savior of Gibethon, the forestaller of its destruction." Dath finished.

Kedemar shook his head in distraught denial.

"No." He whispered. "I can't-- I--"

"You must, lad." Dath said gently, laying a hand on his shoulder. Kedemar turned stricken eyes on him.

"I have not the makings of a king, Dath." He said. "I am not fit to sit on a throne, and I am not the man you seek!"

"You have not realized what I already known and understand, lad." Dath replied. "I have made my choice. You have none." This last was said apologetically.

"And what of Natalya? What does she want? I can't just marry the girl against her will!" The captain cried.

Dath stood calmly.

"I'll talk to her and Haeil." He said. "And she will do what's best."

With an effort he turned away and strode down the hall, leaving Kedemar sagging against the wall, his face buried in his hands.

***

The talk Dath had with Natalya and Haeil left Natalya quietly distraught and Haeil grim and sober.

"You're the huntress foretold, lass." The bounty hunter spoke softly, half expecting the girl to bolt like a frightened deer. But she merely sat calmly on the bed in her assigned bedroom, looking up at him with tears pooling in her eyes.

"And," Dath took a deep breath, forcing himself to go on, "Kedemar is the foretold savior of Gibethon."

Natalya merely bit her lip and looked away.

"I'm sorry." Dath whispered, sitting down beside her and drawing her tense body close. She relaxed somewhat in his embrace. "This is painful for you, I know. Jonin--"

Nat tipped her face to look in his eyes.

"Please." She said. "Don't. I-- I'll find a way to make this work. I could certainly do worse than Kedemar."

With that, she stood and fled from the room.

Dath remained sitting on the bed, wondering if he'd ever had a more painful conversation.

His talk with Haeil went slightly better.

The assassin tended to stick close either his chair or his bed, though Myra had pronounced him sufficiently healed enough to join the community downstairs. Today, Dath found him on his bed, leaning back against the headboard, quietly reading a book.

Haeil looked up as Dath knocked on the half-open door and entered, but made no move to speak. Merely waited.

Dath studied the young man, taking the bulge of a bandage under his tunic, his boyish face, naturally clean-shaven and just a bit pale, framed by his dark hair. His dark eyes, alert but with the shadows of terrible memories lurking in their depths.

Dath knew all about memories like the boy's. Had even more of them than Haeil did. He realized that Haeil was alike to a younger him, though the lad had broken from the assassins for a better reason than he. And with that realization came the knowledge that the bounty hunter held a high degree of respect for Haeil, and even-- dare he say it?-- a friendship born out of shared conflict and peril.

Dath swept his gaze over the young assassin again.

A handsome lad, to be sure, and not yet much more than a boy.

He'd make some lass a fine spouse someday, if he could conquer the lies his scarred soul would tell him.

Dath realized he'd stood silent for too long. That Haeil was waiting very patiently for him to speak.

The bounty hunter cleared his throat uncomfortably. Then got straight to the point.

"Lad," He said, not even noticing he'd used his customary term of endearment for a fond, young male acquaintance. But Haeil noticed. Dath took a deep breath.

He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"You are the protector, foretold by the Prophecy." The words dropped slowly from his lips, weighted like chain, falling away as Dath at last relieved himself of the great burden he had carried for days.

The young assassin simply looked him in the eye and quietly replied,

"I know."

Dath was startled.

"You know?" He said. "For how long?"

"Since right before the attack." Haeil replied calmly.

Dath ran his hand through his golden hair. This was... a new development.

"So...," he said slowly. "You don't mind that Kedemar and Natalya...."

Haeil smiled.

"No." He answered softly. "My heart is already claimed by someone else."

Dath left soon after, leaving Haeil alone again. The young assassin's book lay forgotten on his lap as he stared out the window at the sunshine.

He saw none of the beauty of the outdoors though.

His thoughts were filled with the image of raven haired and almond eyes and a bright smile, with the scent of lavender and sunshine, and with the sound of loud, merry laughter.

***

After his talk with Haeil, Dath decided that the three young people were better off without his meddling for while. He stayed out of their way for the next few days to let them sort themselves out.

But tonight he was glad to see them sitting together, joyful, in the underground feasting hall.

A fiddle sounded out rousingly, and Dath leaned against the wall to savor the sounds of joy and family.

***

At the table, Haeil nudged Kedemar in the arm with his elbow.

"You should ask Nat to dance." The assassin spoke with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Kedemar shifted, feeling awkward.

Natalya gazed at him with unreadable eyes. Said nothing.

He cleared his throat, blushing.

"I don't know..." He said.

"Well," Haeil said decisively, standing. "If you won't go dance with your girl, then I will."

With that, he threw a cheeky grin at Kedemar, a wink at Natalya, and whirled her, grinning, off to the dance floor.

***

Kedemar watched Haeil dance with Natalya.

An expression akin to longing crossed the young captain's face.

He could think of so many reasons to love that girl and no reasons not to, so maybe he should start trying.

It seemed he was supposed to marry her after all.

And wasn't love a choice? Didn't he and Nat respect each other? A good marriage could be built on that, couldn't it?

The love would come in time.

He watched a moment more.

Haeil swung Nat around in time with the fiddle; she laughed so merrily.

It was the first time Kedemar had ever seen her laugh.

And she had done it with Haeil, not him.

A pang of jealousy stabbed his heart. Natalya laughed again, not even trying to keep up with the steps of the very fast-paced dance. Haeil merely grasped her securely around the wait and spun her in time to the music.

Stars, she was beautiful.

A third laugh, and that decided it for him.

Kedemar grabbed a half-full cup of cider, drained it, gathered his courage. The dance ended, and he stepped out on the floor as the next one began.

"Excuse me," He said to Haeil, shouldering him aside. "But I believe that's my girl you're dancing with. I'd like her back, please."

Haeil laughed.

"About time." He said, handing a grinning Natalya over.

"Oh, go on," Scolded Kedemar. "Be off with you! Go dance with Myra." He winked.

Haeil blushed bright crimson and fled from the dance floor.

Kedemar chuckled and Natalya joined him in his mirth.

Kedemar gazed down into her smiling face. Never wanted to look away, ever. Natalya gave a smile just for him as the fiddle sang sweet and slow.

He clasped his arms around her and swayed them to the music.

Thought that nothing had ever before fit his embrace so well as her.