Building Anew

[Vylrath]

Vylrath laughed, feeling the force and brilliance of Kahlan. He would be smashed against the wall, his breath forced through her choke hold. “I see I hit a nerve, Kahlan.” Sputtering his words, he tried to use his blood magic, but he was already too weak from creaitng the barrier. Kahlan was far too angry to reason with, or see his plan, so he decided to reveal it later- knowing she would be back.

Her threats would simply be ignored, but he did feel pity for Igraine. She shouldn't have to see them fight, but he didn't know any other way of getting Kahlan on the battlefield. The Siren wouldn't stand a chance against someone like Kahlan. Kahlan's energy was too raw and powerful, ancient and bold. There were times when he feared for his life around Kahlan, but this was one of the times when he remained calm.

Dying wouldn't scare the Vuri and he thought she might realize that. Her resentment toward him would end, once the battle was over. He fell to the floor, coughing and sputtering, knowing that a normal human would have had their windpipe and chest crushed.

Beings in this world were so easily manipulated. It was indeed like old times, but he hadn't planned on using that tactic against his own mate- regardless she would openly acknowledge that or not. Vylrath was not so fearful of her, as the other Vuri might be.

It's about time you showed up...Vylrath said to himself, meaning her form, that had the strength to knock him back. Whether or not she could hear him, he wouldn't know. He continued to stay silent, not wanting her to second guess his actions. Vylrath felt the sudden rage build up in Thorin, having predicted that outcome. His son had his temperament more than his other children. For that reason, he pitied him, until he felt his strength take hold of him.

The shadows basically enveloped around him, methodically. They were connected to Thorin. Vylrath felt the turmoil in his son, smirking and knowing it would be a harder battle for Thorin to face. His son was stronger by ten fold. In his mind, he knew that Trydian had been a fool for giving Thorin the blade, but there was little they could do about it now.

“Such a tormented soul...you're lucky I'm not in my full strength, or you'd be the one bound.” Vylrath said, feeling the bind tighten with each taunt. Thorin had a taste for blood and violence, so it didn't surprise him in the least.

Keeping quiet, he didn't want to distract Kahlan and make her think she had to watch over him. He needed her in full force, if they were going to get rid of the Siren. Even though his way of handling situations was unconventional, the old Vuri had his reasons.

[Shin]

D’Angelo was a mix of emotions, there was so much going, so much raw feeling that it was palpable to someone as normal as him. His black eyes, black due to the experiments done to him in hell, looked to the ground for a moment before gazing back up to Vylrath. “Shut up.” He said with all finality. He had enough of that mans speaking, his voice was annoying and he was, in D’Angelo’s mind, just another fool with power that he likely didn’t deserve.

He was brought from his thoughts of anger with a touch on his shoulder. “My Queen. Unfortunately, this is the sort of thing I signed up for. But….also… I am your ally. As leader of the Moonshadows it is in my best interests to personally see to your safety.” He sent her a friendly wink and then turned to Kahlan, whom had just touched his other shoulder, he felt a kinship with this women beyond any here if for no other reason than no one else could possibly understand the things that had tormented him.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t bother to watch how she dealt with Vylrath and instead moved to the part of the wall where Igraine had just been shoved and pulled back through. He sheathed his weapons and pulled the cowl of the cloak over his head and low over his eyes and focus his mind for the task at hand.


--

Rayn thought the whole ordeal amusing, truthfully there were two many chiefs and not enough Indians. She had coiled herself on the ground with Kal still leaning against her. The two had been discussing the events as they transpired, though both knew that it was nearly time for them to leave, certain events were forcing them to cut their tenure early.

“She can do such a thing.” Kal answered the Merrow King for Rayne. The older looking man turned to face the king, his head cocked to the side as if he were weighing the man. “And she will, but then we must leave. We have been called back.” He explained for all those around to hear. “You may want to step back.”

The current state Rayn was in was nothing like her true form, at the moment she was slightly larger than a draft horse. That would change in a mere moments time. “Till next time.” Kal’en said with a smile and he hoped onto Rayn’s back just before she launched herself in to the air, the magic under her dissipating as she ushered out a loud and deafening, primal roar that would echo for miles. The Dragon-fear she produced would very well send those villagers recovering from the Sirens call panicking .

She continued to grow as she rose high in the air, from a small horse, to a small house and even larger. Her scales were like millions of tiny blue stars reflecting any light they caught. Rayn was gigantic, even by dragon standards. She was several hundred feet from snout to the tip of her tail and the pressure she created from the beating of her wings sent small pieces of debris scattering. She turned a giant eye towards Kahlan and nodded that gigantic head before a massive claw gently grabbed the bell tower, at the same time the Merrow King would feel the sensation of a spell move to effect his body, though it could be easily resisted if he chose to. A simple spell of levitation that would allow him to rise to the height of the bell.

Rayne tipped the bell on it’s side and set it down with a resounding chime. Another beat of her wings sent her and Kal even higher into the air, a second brought them into the clouds and out of sight.

[Igraine]

Kahlan shook her head and walked away from Vylrath, ignoring what he was telling her in her mind. She was not at all thrilled into being forced to take one of her ancient forms, but she would for her daughter's safety. Vylrath knew that. He was just lucky she didn't want to kill him.

Kahlan ducked through the tear in the Vuri shield after D'Angelo and tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the top of the guard wall. "We will have an easier time getting to the front gates unhindered if we take the wall. The guards will stay out of our way, they know me well enough." Kahlan rolled her shoulders, shaking out her wings a little. "I know you're only mortal, but would you be greatly humiliated if I brought you to the top of the wall? I don't know what was done to you..." Kahlan said indicating D'Angelo's time in hell, "but I don't want to anger you by simply throwing you of my shoulder. If you feel you can scale the wall without my assistance quickly then I won't question you."

Kahlan tucked her wings in behind her back looking at D'Angelo with haunting silver eyes rimmed in the familiar colors of the sea. Her chest rose and fell calmly, but he might notice now that they were outside the Vuri shell, her power was brushing over him as it scanned for the Siren. He would be shut off from the stifling powers within the shell and he might feel that he could breathe easier, Kahlan sure felt like she could. It felt as if there were a thick wall between her and all of the powers between them, and she was between D'Angelo and the others, effectively cutting him off from view with her wings, even tucked against her body.

She wasn't trying to humiliate him and she knew that he would understand that. Men were such...testy creatures if you indicated they couldn't do something.

-----------

Igraine watched Thorin bind Vylrath and indicate he would make sure to watch over her. She turned as Kal and Rayne took off into the sky and she smiled.

I am so sad to see you go my friends, thank you for visiting me. I wish it were under better circumstances! Igraine shaded her eyes from the sun as they rose into the sky and she smiled again as she spoke only to Rayne. I am proud that my daughter will carry your name. I hope that she has some of the wisdom and strength that you have.

Igraine sighed, sorry to see two friends leave, even if she'd only just met them a few short hours ago.

"Igraine, let's sit inside the Apothecary. I see that you have finally made your dream a reality. I would like to help if I could." Caela's voice brought Igraine out of her reverie and she smiled again and hugged her half sister tightly.

"I am sorry for your loss, Sister. I wish that it was different, that this problem didn't involve you in it. You have been through so much." Igraine glanced to where Vylrath was throwing out insults. She watched as the binds Thorin was controlling tightened around him. For once she didn't stand up for her Father. She didn't exactly have the patience or the will to deal with Thorin.

"King Slyail, be careful!" Was all that Igraine said as she watched him closely, feeling Caela tug her toward the Apothecary Hut.

Once inside Igraine covered her face with her hands and half laughed and half sobbed her distress. She felt Caela come to her and wrap her arms around her and draw her head under her chin. Caela had been more like a second mother to Igraine than an actual sister. She supposed it was because she half grew up with Trydian and Sebilla.

"Shhh, hush now. It's okay. Everything will be alright." Caela was running her hand down her back and through her hair, drawing her close and trying to comfort her. That was the only downside to having an Angel for a mother. She was awe inspiring but she was quick to act, quick to cut out the threat before it became a problem. It didn't make Kahlan that great at just sitting down and comforting her daughter. If there was a problem, she dealt with it, she held her daughter and comforted her but only after the fact.

"I'm sorry, Caela. Everything has just been so crazy. Thorin leaving and then coming back, the Siren, being pregnant. Trydian and Sebilla, gods what else can go wrong?" Igraine slowly got her sobs under control, the hiccuping of her chest slowly going away as Caela just held her and listened. It was only after she completely stopped crying that she realized Caela had been crying too.

"So I see you have some rare moonflowers..." Caela said after a moment, letting Igraine go to peruse the store of herbs and things that Igraine had on hand. "Those must have cost a pretty penny."

"D'Angelo gave them to me, as a gift. It was his way of cementing our alliance." Caela smiled as she heard Igraine draw near and tell her this. "He is quite a nice mortal man."

"Yes, he did seem rather nice. Your mother is drawn to him." Caela noted as she sifted through bottles.

"She does seem to be so. It doesn't seem romantic though. It's as if they have been through something together, but neither wishes to speak of it aloud. Strange, isn't it?" Igraine ordered some bottles toward the back of the hut. Keeping her hands busy meant keeping her sanity.

"Your mother has been through a lot. There is no telling what would cause her to have a link to a mortal man." Caela noted, logically. She and Igraine conferred over the herbs, flowers, and tinctures. Caela offered some of her own stores and offered to help Igraine grow others.

"Oh, before I forget." Caela pulled one of her blue apples out of one of the bags she had been carrying when they left. It was the only bag of fruit she had been mindful to grab before leaving in haste and anger. She handed it to Igraine and she laughed and bit into it. She loved Caela's fruit, knowing it had no adverse affect on her or the baby she carried.

"Your baby is strong, for a child of only one week." Caela murmured, not touching Igraine's belly but feeling the child within her as a separate entity already. The girl would be powerful, but loving. She could tell that the girl child was already in love with the woman that carried her. How could she not be? Igraine was a beautiful woman, but she also had a beautiful spirit.

Caela felt that, at that moment, she could knock a hole in Thorin's head for letting someone as wonderful as Igraine slip through his fingers. They would have made an exceptional pair -- siblings or not.

[Thorin]

Thorin left an unconscious Vylrath, while he met up with Caela and Igraine. He wouldn't let Igraine out of his sight, even if she still didn't accept him. Vylrath had been taunting him, comparing his younger self with Thorin. Thorin still refused to accept that he was sharing the same temperament as Vylrath. Without letting Vylrath have another word, he had swung the hilt of his blade into his father's face. He was sure that many would silently thank him for that.

He could feel the overwhelming emotions of the women inside the apothecary. Before entering, he masked his power so that Igraine wouldn't be able to sense him at all. Caela would curse him for it, but he had to confront her- there had been too much left unsaid.

His pride wanted ignore the fact that he was wrong, but after being in the Vuri sanctuary he realized he needed to apologize. Stepping through the apothecary and was startled to find that most of the plants, herbs, were beginning to wilt and die from his presence.

“Of course she's strong...she has my blood.” Thorin commented, realizing they weren't the best words, after seeing his tear stained sisters face. Ignoring Caela, he pressured Igraine into acknowledging him. His presence would be different, as if a stranger were there instead of the old Thorin she used to know.

“We need to talk...I have ways of finding you now.” Thorin wanted to take back his words. The last sentence sounded more threatening. “Vylrath won't bother you anymore, or Caela. I knocked him out.” Thorin said, almost boasting that he beat his bound father. The moment was awkward, as if he had just walked in on a private conversation.

He waited for her to respond, even a simple glare would mean that she was listening to him. Ignoring the catastrophe that he caused with the apothecary, he looked to Caela for help. If he couldn't get through to her, maybe his sister would help him talk to Igraine.

[Shin]

D’Angelo smirked at Kahlan, as if he knew something she didn’t know. She was worried of offending him and while he thought it was a gesture he realized that she was worried for the wrong reason. It didn’t matter that he was mortal, that had nothing to do with it. Now, he thought, it would make more sense is she were worried because he was a man. Fortunately D’Angelo had no qualms about accepting help when he needed it, pride was not an emotion D’Angelo held or displayed very often.

At least Kahlan asked he told himself, rather than just assuming. D’Angelo was a man that didn’t like to be surprised, his first instinct was often to lash out at whatever surprised him. He didn’t really think lashing out to strike Kahlan would of done much other than make him look like a fool. “Be my guest.” He said, gesturing by sending his arms out wide. He obviously wasn’t exactly sure how she was going to carry him.

“I have been carried in the arms of an angel once before. What’s one more time?” He joked, stepping closer to her.

It was at this time that he began to focus on his own breathing, the positioning of his body, where his weapons were. This focus brought an instant awareness to D’Angelo, an awareness of himself, of Kahlan, even the others that she blocked from view. It wasn’t a supernatural sense, rather a combination of using all of his bodies senses to the limits of their ability. It was a technique that so few warriors knew or understood these days. “Lets go.”

[Igraine]

Amused, Kahlan wrapped D'Angelo's arms around her neck. "I do apologize, it's just much easier if you hold onto me, instead of me holding onto you." She glanced up at the sky, judging the wind and the weight she had on her. She liked having her hands free, it was better that way should anything unexpected come flying their way. She could protect D'Angelo with her body and wings, having far more resilience than a human.

"Okay, hang on. It won't take long." Kahlan spread her wings and heaved them both into the air with one powerful downward push. Turbulence created by the lift of her wings would scatter dirt and grass and leaves, it would even send small critters like lizards and mice scrambling for cover. It was only a second before they touched down on top of the wall. All of the guards standing around bowed low to Kahlan as she unhooked D'Angelo's arms from around her neck. She looked entirely unruffled by the event and smiled to the men.

"Come now, gentlemen. I'm just the dowager now." But she knew they were more in awe of her form than her history. It was a price that someone payed, being an angel. It created a sense of fear and awe in the human race that nothing short of demons could erase. In reality, humans hurt themselves far worse than any demon or angel ever could. Humans needed to fear themselves more than anything else, they were capable of great evil, but also of great good. It was why Kahlan had cast her lot in with them.

"Shall we?" Kahlan began to walk along the wall, looking out over the sea with a sense of deep longing. She had a history there and it was evident. A ghost of a smile drifted across her lips before she shook herself. Her wings rustled and she stretched them wide, enjoying the space in which to do so.

It wasn't a long walk to the corner of the wall near the front gates. They were sheltered from view but they could see everyone milling at the gates. Kahlan watched as some man ran with supernatural speed to the gate. Her eyes narrowed slightly but she smiled, he wasn't evil. He was simply curious, and a strange Fae. In the distance she could see a young woman with fiery red hair standing by herself, looking lost and alone. Her daughter seemed to draw the Seelie to her like a moth to flame. That was a good sign for her future as the Queen of the Seelie Court.

"She's down there somewhere." Kahlan motioned down at the dozens of people pleading to be let into the gates of the city of Emain Macha. There were as many women as there were men so it was impossible to tell who it was. The Siren was wise enough to mask herself and make it difficult to register her power. Kahlan knew that the Siren could feel her though and knew that she wanted her for that display of power.

"She can't see me and your presence will be masked by the power that I'm purposely giving off to notify her of my existence. There is a doorway at the base of this guard tower. Be careful when you exit it because it's right on the edge of the cliff. Part of the cliff fell away a century or two ago and the door is unused because of that. There is enough space for you to walk and not fall, but it is not plausable for everyday use." Kahlan explained as she kept an eye on the growing crowd at the gate.

"Assume that any woman that comes to me is the Siren. Move quickly if she starts singing. I may be able to withstand longer than humans...but I will eventually fall to her song." Kahlan laughed and looked at D'Angelo for a moment. "No one is perfect, after all."

Kahlan swept herself into the air and landed against the wall in the shadows so she wasn't in full view of the crowd. The Siren would be drawn to her and she would want her.

-------------------------

Igraine stiffened at the sound of Thorin's voice and immediately put Caela between her and her ex lover. It had only been a few hours since his abrupt departure and she wasn't ready to acknowledge his presence. She exclaimed softly at the wilting of some of her herbs and she looked at the ceiling of the hut, anywhere but where Thorin was standing.

Her hands ran along her belly, flat and beneath the bodice, as if comforting the child inside her. As if saying she was sorry that she was half anything that Thorin claimed to be.

"Please, just go. You're killing my herbs." Igraine said, her voice a monotone devoid of emotion. She didn't even give Thorin the satisfaction of looking at him.

Caela stepped forward and rested a hand on her brother's forearm and shook her head silently.

She's not ready. It's only been a few hours for her since your departure. Time runs differently around the Vuri Lake. I'm sorry, but it's in the best interest of the baby right now. The child feels the turmoil of it's mother. Mother and babe will be fine if they can get some rest, but right now she's wound tighter than a spring with you here. She feels trapped. Caela said to Thorin's mind, looking directly into his eyes with her own. Her eyes held the faint hint of pain but it was fading quickly in the light of what was transpiring.

Make sure that Vylrath can't get free. He's liable to push her out of the safety of the barrier again if he can get his hands on her. That shook her up pretty badly, though she won't say that to anyone. I can feel her stress, she's about to break Thorin. You're part of the problem. No, don't argue with me, you know you are. Do not be the reason that this child is lost, or the reason that Igraine has a breakdown. She's too proud to let anyone know she's falling apart on the inside. Caela glared at Thorin as she turned to the herbs and let her power keep most of the herbs alive in his presence. Those that had died were being remade, though their color was off. The moonflowers had survived Thorin's presence, and they glistened in their container, immune to the passage of time.

[Thorin]

Thorin shared a much more intense glare with Caela and let her feel his absolute anger. He was not against sharing his emotions with other Vuri, but he was still getting used to the concept. So far, he had been denied everything- now his father was back and he was the one meant to secure him from harming Igraine. In the back of his mind, he thought of letting Vylrath free and simply leaving everyone to their own devices. No matter what he attempted to do, he could never redeem himself, or feel the same warmth from Igraine.

He was lost to her.

Cursing, he grabbed Caela before she could fully turn her back on him. He didn't share a word, but he let her delve into his corrupted mind. Your son was smart for giving me the sword, sister. You will not be able to touch Igraine, so long as I am alone with her. I would not hesitate to use it on you- give me some peace! I am the father of her child. That is something that will never be changed and you will all have to live with that reality. Thorin exclaimed, pushing his sister out the door. He set his dominating strength on her, knowing fully that she could not defend herself entirely against his muscle. Caela was strong, but taking her by surprise had been the smartest maneuver. It would have been ironic to use her son's sword against her.

Once Caela was out the door, he blanketed the door with shadow. It would be impossible for any other being to open the door, save for Vylrath, or Kahlan. Knowing that Vylrath was completely unconscious and that Kahlan was out on the battlefield- he used it to his advantage. The room seem to be endless with his shadow, encasing Igraine in the process.

While he agreed with some of Caela's words shared in his mind, he also felt trapped. He felt desperate and his actions were showing that emotion. Looking toward Igraine, he would appear larger than life to her with his bulky frame.

“It has been a week since I last saw you in the Vuri sanctuary. I should not have to force the fact that I have changed...you are making it very difficult for me to prove otherwise. I'm sure you and Caela delight in the fact that my reputation is ruined.” Thorin sounded grim with his explanation, but gaining pity was not the purpose of his speech. He wanted to make her understand that he wasn't going to be absent from her life any time soon. “I can always feel Morgana and you- I suppose you don't grasp that yet? She will never be free from me...not unless her life has ended.” Remembering his threatening words about his daughter's life, he decided to make something crystal clear. “I am here to protect her. She'll always be my child, even if you deny those rights. She will eventually learn of me.” With those words, he did leave them to sound like a threat. He knew that Igraine would keep his history from Morgana. With the way Igraine looked at him, he doubted Morgana would know anything about him in the future- that was fine. Like he had explained earlier, he had ways of contacting his daughter and watching Igraine.


“Now...we can talk, or you can make things difficult.”

[Shin]

The short flight wasn’t really a flight at all, it seemed more akin to a high jump to D’Angelo. He disengaged from Kahlan as soon as they were on top of wall. The respect they showed her was not lost on him either, if he were in their shoes he wondered if he would have done the same. He didn’t paused long however and was on Kahlans heel as the two of them walked to the front gate.

Once there he looked out over the throng of people, they all looked like lambs to the slaughter to him. Rushing the gate to be free of what they didn’t understand, hell, D’Angelo only understood part of it and it was all based on assumption and assuming that his sword could protect him could very well leave him like a fish on land. He hoped he was right.

“I won’t need to be masked.” He said with a sly grin. “I’m just a normal person.” He brazenly offered Kahlan a wink and turned to enter the guard tower, them all giving him startled looks as he descended the stone stairs with all speed, shouldering past men as he went. Shouts didn’t follow him though, it seemed that his position as the Queens personal guard had already been spread out.

Once he reached the bottom of the tower he saw the door that Kahlan had referenced and so he approached it with more caution, lifting the bar that locked it and stepping out onto the narrow pathway. It was not so narrow as to be treacherous to one of D’Angelos skill, but he could see how it would be more of an inconvenience if he were forced to fight here. He inched his way around so he could still see the crowd and where he knew Kahlan would be, now all he had to do was wait and watch.

--

Those long strides turned into a quick walk which was forced to a dead halt as William neared the back of the crowd. He kept the cowl of his cloak low to avoid attention but remained vigilant of his surroundings, thoughts of glory and triumph constantly being pushed away as he tried to force himself to concentrate. He knew the creature would be here somewhere, but without Nimue he didn’t really have a way to find this Siren…at least not without making himself known.

As more and more people crowded the gate William found that he had been pressed into the middle of the group of people waiting and shouting for the gates to be opened. His weapons would be useless in these close conditions. “What to do, what to do?” He asked himself silently as he continued to peer about with his hawk like eyes.

His fists clenched in anticipation, his palms were sweaty as was his forehead. He tried to calm himself, taking deep breaths, but it was to no avail, Williams blood was pumping and he wanted to get this over now. Despite his situation he closed his eyes and communed with the spirits, silently, that resided in the earth below his feet. ‘Help me.’ He asked them, though received no answer in return, not knowing that the glamour’s that the creature wore were enough to hide her from his allies and so, he waited for a sign, either from the spirits or the Siren. Something had to happen and soon.

[Igraine]

"What do you hope to prove, Thorin?" Igraine said, edging away from him. He looked impossibly huge in the tiny hut. She found the wall at the opposite end of the hut all too quickly and her heart sank into the pit of her stomach.

"Thorin, stop it. You're scaring me!" She said with that same sinking feeling in her stomach. She tried to make a break for where the door should have been, but she only felt the wall. She scrabbled around in the dark clawing at the wood of the hut trying to find the door, knowing that Thorin would be amused by her terror.

That was when she tripped.

Later she wouldn't remember what she tripped over or even how she had let her terror get so overwhelming, but with the shadows closing in so tightly around her it was hard to think rationally. Igraine had been terrified of the dark as a child because of the Unseelie Court. They had always expressed interest in her and some even visited her during the night when she wasn't nestled close to Kahlan.

When Igraine tripped she found herself pressed against Thorin, clutching at him for stability. The overwhelming sense of the 'unclean' is what caused her to let go of him. She looked up at him, startled by the power of darkness that had infiltrated his soul. All of the color was draining from her face as she backed up against the table that held all of the dead and dying herbs. The bottles clanked together and she felt herself sinking lower and lower until she was half under the table and still clutching it tightly in her pale fist.

"What has happened to you?" Everything was coming to a head and Igraine was incapable of holding it all in anymore. Thorin would smell the blood staining the inside of her gown long before she even registered it.

Igraine didn't even register the panic in the baby she was carrying. It was distressed by it's father's darkness too and the blood staining the front of her gown was important for that growing baby. She wouldn't lose Morgana, the baby had a firm hold on life, but it would be close -- especially if Thorin did nothing. Especially if no one came to stop the bleeding. All of the stress in her chest seemed to break free with the blood and her eyes went unfocused as she let go of the table and fell hard underneath it.

Thorin wouldn't survive the present powers if Igraine lost the baby. He just wouldn't.

[Shin]

Those that were thought of as nothing more than beggars were often over looked and forgotten by those that held themselves above the rest. Beggars and poor men were overlooked with hardly a second thought, wrapped in a brown road weary tattered robe, covered in dust from a dozen countries, his hands and feet wrapped in old cloth suggested perhaps he had open sores or wounds underneath. All of which were reasons to leave the beggar alone.

Yet, the beggar entered a beautiful garden, unhindered by the castle guards, seemingly unaffected by the wards that had been placed. He had been in the city when the people were being effected by the Sirens song and had crossed into the castles grounds as the water rose. Yet, he stood now, emerald eyes soaking in everything around him.

The beggar took a step forward, he could hear voices, he could feel him…yes, there! His emerald eyes sparkled with amusement when they happened upon his old rival, helplessly bound by shadow. The beggar took a moment to identify the shadowy substance that held Vylrath down. He then continued to feel the taint that was Vylrath…and yet, there was another one similar near by, very near.

Those penetrating orbs locked onto the small apothecary, he could feel the essence of three individuals inside. One an unborn child and in distress, the other it’s mother, and the third a man that seemed to similar to the shadow bound rival laying not far from him.

The beggar let out a deep breath, his left hand reaching out as if he were grabbing an invisible item. The tainted mans essence, the one causing the women distress, was as clear to him as a blazing fire on a lightless night. He focused not on the man, but on the area around him for the fraction of a second.

In that moment there was no warning, no smoke before the fire as the saying went. The beggar’s hand cut from right to left and was held out wide to his side. Thorin would likely feel the effects of that simple motion as an intangible and invisible force that was the beggars will moved the area violently even as the beggars hand moved, the force would rip a hole in the apothecary with Thorins body and very likely toss the tainted man to a rolling halt along the dirt and trees planted in the queens garden.

His right hand had been moving independently of the left in that same short moment, the effects were meant for Vylrath though. By transferring some of his own life-energy, his Qi, to Vylrath he could give the man enough power to act on his own will, but not enough to be dangerous, even break the bonds that held him. Of course, the beggars Qi was pure and undiluted…Vylrath would very likely feel the effects as a sort of non-lethal poisoning until his body could naturally convert it to something his Vuri body could use, which would take time.

As all of these actions happened the beggar kept his penetrating stare on Thorin, his face was calm, passive and despite the intensity in his eyes they did not issue a challenge or register the boy as any sort of threat. In truth, what happened did so with such speed and ferocity that if his hands were still not outstretched one would think the beggar had nothing to do with it all.

[Thorin]

Thorin smelled the blood, long before she would be able to react. Her body was reacting to everything. He could feel the stress of the baby and Igraine. Just as he was about to catch her, he felt a great force break his barrier and launch him. Cursing, he kept his distance, guessing that it was an Unseelie breaking the barrier. He put up his fighting stance, unsheathing both swords. The chaos sword hummed, low and monotonous in response to the Vuri blade. Both of the blades gleamed an ethereal hue.

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to physically touch Igraine, while he held the Chaos sword, he concentrated on the shadow element to completely cloak over her form. He could feel her pain, the damage having been done. He didn't know if she would lose the baby, but he had to at least protect her. Something inside of him was different. It was the same calm he felt at the Vuri sanctuary, but he could physically feel her and the baby's heartbeat, in an almost surreal unison.

He fed her mind images- images of everything he had been trying to express. Thorin knew he would be leaving her, thinking that he might be drawing this unwanted force. Unable to see Igraine, he focused only on her pulse and Morgana's essence. He drew from his power- something unnatural that would penetrate their souls. It wouldn't be pain free- she would suffer momentarily. Thorin spent most of his energy on her, the dark fluid motion was visible on her frail form.

Thorin began to concentrate on a new waypoint- he could no longer stay in her presence, knowing that she was being attacked because of his power. Cursing, he felt his own energy consume her. It happened so fast, that it felt almost disorienting. Igraine would be unconscious, unable to respond to what was happening to her. The monk would feel his presence and the fact that Thorin distributed his own energy to Igraine.

His body began to fade, Thorin took to the shadow and began his journey back to the sanctuary. He would at least be safe there. Thorin silently hoped, that his shared power would continue to protect her, unknowingly doing damage to her and Morgana. Igraine's mother would notice the difference and perhaps Vylrath.

It was an unintended curse for both mother and daughter.

Sharing his thoughts with her one last time, he hoped that some part of her would hear: I'll always love you....

Until his new powers were under control, he knew that he would never be able to be near Igarine, or Morgana for the sake of their lives.

[Vylrath]

By taunting his son, he had asked for the severe blow to the face. Blood spilled like thin crimson rivers. He was slowly waking, hearing the noise outside. Vylrath could feel his son's power, but there was little he could do to save Igraine when he was bound. Vylrath also hadn't fed, so he wouldn't have had enough strength to go against someone like Thorin. He began to regret coming back, seeing the turmoil enveloping his daughter.

There was an unusual presence, one that fueled an unnatural fear in his body: Ryuku. The monk had wanted him dead in the past. He knew that he had once carried a high bounty on his head, but he doubted that mattered in this realm. What did the old monk want then? Feeling Ryuku's energy transfer, he slowly felt his energy return. Even though he hadn't fed yet, he would be strong enough to get up on his feet at least. The shadow dispersed, once his son left Ulster. There were obvious gashes where he had been bound. Regardless it had been shadow, it had cut through him like steel.

His son was gaining too much power and the sword didn't help matters. Vylrath began to think that they could use Ryuku's gifts, even though they had never spoken on mutual terms before. If someone could help his daughter, he would gladly swallow his pride and give in to the notion.

The darkness that had settled created another fear. Thorin was attacking Igraine openly, but he didn't understand what had spurred the moment. She was unconscious and helpless, her presence waning in his mind.

He didn't have time to thank Ryuku, but he was sure the monk would understand. Leaving the castle, he found himself in the garden. The figure startled him, but he hadn't planned on running into him so quickly. Vylrath was sure that the monk would sense that he wasn't a demon anymore. The Vuri taint was something of a blood curse, not easily remedied.

Almost breathless, he tried to explain the situation. “My daughter is nearly dead and I fear she'll lose the baby as well...I need your help.” Vylrath said, waiting for Ryuku to respond. If the monk had given him energy to fight him, then it would be fruitless to explain the situation. He would be weaponless and he knew that Ryuku always fought with some honor- it would be unlike his character.

“She's in the apothecary. My son was with her, but I can't feel him with us anymore.” It was a good thing that Thorin had left. Vylrath made a mental note to gut the bastard the moment he held a blade. Thorin had caused too much strife and pain to be called a son any longer.

“Help me...I can't lose anymore.”

Ryuku might see the change in Vylrath, compared to what he was when he was younger. He had been a reckless demonic being then, killing without a conscious and wrecking havoc in various clans. From all of the stress, it was unlike Vylrath to beg someone- even a monk such as Ryuku.

“She's my daughter. Do not let her suffer for having my blood.” Vylrath said, beginning to fear that maybe Ruku had come to attack him and anyone associated with him.

[Shin]

… and he was gone. Vanishing by the use of some power or ability that prevented Ryuku from tracking him, it could mean any thing. But the fact that he was gone was enough for Ryuku, any man that could so carelessly harm a women and the child she was carrying would not be someone he would have given much change to explain himself, that sort of person had no honor, no sense of decency.

Ryuku could feel Vylrath stir and approach, he knew full and well that the demonic man was coming straight towards him, or rather, towards the women that now laid unconscious and bleeding. To finish her off? Doubtful Ryuku thought, evidence pointed towards the opposite for the monk. He stood, pondering the situation for a moment, he needed to keep his head clear of emotion and be reasonable. He had already helped Vylrath once.

As he predicted the old rival, once a target he had tried to assassinate came stumbling into the garden. He was weak and in a pitiful state, certainly not the powerful creature that Ryuku had once known. The words that spilled from his mouth were shocking, enough so to prevent Ryuku from speaking any words in return. He could feel the distress in Vylrath, the raw emotion that overtook reason and cloud judgment.

This girl was his daughter! The thought that anyone or thing would even want the man before him in that way, with Ryuku knowing his history, was absurd and yet Ryuku believed him, he knew Vylrath was lying. Yet, he didn’t act right away, a lack of action that would no doubt cause some emotional stir in Vylrath.

Ryuku could feel the life essence of the girl and the child inside, he could feel the life slipping out of her as her life faded. He knew his own ability and he knew how long girl had left to live if gone unattended. He also knew that her current condition was beyond his ability to heal completely. He could keep her alive, of that he had no doubt, but…

Without a word Ryuku pointedly turned away from Vylrath and walked towards the still intact apothecary. The place was too small, too cramped, and moving her was out of the question. Ryuku hated shows of power, he disliked even more showing Vylrath any fraction of what he was capable of now, yet a life was at stake and pride had no place here.

Outstretching his left hand Ryuku concentrated on the building, the process taking only a few seconds. Then, with one jerk of his hand the building completely separated only mere inches above where the women laid, as if someone had taken a sword and slice the building and all the objects inside in two. In actuality Ryuku created a field of Qi that so easily sliced through the wooden shack and then with a force of will lifted the building into the air and set it some twenty feet off to the side.

In a moments time he was kneeling by the girl, emerald eyes studying her carefully, his right hand held over the lower portion of her abdomen and his left hand held over her heart. Again nothing happened, not for another moment at least.

“Fetch me water of room temperature and as many rags as you can.” A pure, strong, and voice full of confidence demanded, he knew Vylrath would comply. He showed so much emotion before Ryuku knew he could of asked for the Vylrath to deliver the very sky to him and he would die trying. Luckily, Ryuku was not the man he used to be.

Energy trickled out of Ryuku then, very slowly as to prevent sending the women or the infant into shock. He had to let her body adjust and convert his Qi into her own and for the infant inside. Kneeling at her side Ryuku closed his eyes and focused intently. The process was three fold, he would heal the women inside, replenish her Qi with his own, and keep her in a deep sleep. It was a complicated process and demanded his full attention.

[Vylrath]

Vylrath wanted to sigh with relief. He never expected Ryuku to answer. For a moment he panicked, only when Ryuku turned his back before responding to him. If Igraine died, he would never forgive himself. The girl had been his obsession and the idea of her suffering brought about a new kind of rage. If he had had the energy, he would have followed Thorin and faced him one on one. Knowing that this energy was needed with his daughter, he fetched the water and rags.

“Why is it always water and rags? I think I've done this five times now.” Vylrath said, thinking out loud. Even though his race had changed, his personality hadn't. Ryuku would still see the mischievous and troublesome man he had met years ago.

Reaching the castle, he fetched the supplies almost gingerly. In his mind he called out to Kahlan. If the monk could help Igraine, he knew that her mother could. Trying to calm her when he spoke in her mind, he masked his emotions of fear and worry.

Look, I know you're busy, but your daughter needs you now- she could die, Kahlan. Vylrath stopped abruptly, getting a larger bowl to contain enough water. Putting the rags in the other hand, he carefully balanced the load to Ryuku. Vylrath always managed to contact Kahlan in a nonchalant fashion, but it wasn't as if he had time to contemplate his tone of voice.

Thorin decided to attack her when she was at her weakest. She could lose the baby...if you don't hurry. Vylrath said in a softer tone, his figure hulking back toward Ryuku. Placing the supplies by the monk, he kept silent, noticing Ryuku's concentration. There's someone here helping her...sort of an old friend, but I don't think he's got that much power.

“Hate to bother you, but her mother is on her way. She's something of an archangel, so I'm sure you will get along with her- you being a monk and all. I can't be in her presence when she uses her abilities, so I'll be watching from afar.” Without another word, Vylrath left the possibly confused Ryuku. If Kahlan didn't show up, then Igraine would surely die. He couldn't have yelled any louder for her presence.

Vylrath watched the skies, as if he expected Kahlan to merely show herself right then and there. He knew that she was fighting the Siren, but when it came to her daughter, she would naturally abandon the fight.

[Igraine]

Kahlan cursed loudly before swirling around to where she knew D'Angelo would be. She used her wings to shelter them both for a few moments, putting a blanket of power around them to confuse the Siren. She wouldn't see them even if she stumbled right up to them.

"Igraine has been injured by Thorin. Vylrath just contacted me telepathically. I have to heal her." Kahlan gestured calmly but D'Angelo wouldn't notice the turmoil in her heart. Hardly anyone did without Kahlan's consent.

"If you get the opportunity, take the Siren out. If you don't just hang back here until I can get back to you. I won't have you be lost on the account of my daughter's rogue lover." She moved away from him then, making herself completely unseen from the eyes of the front gate. She launched herself into the air and with a few powerful strokes of her wings she was high above the castle. Kahlan drifted for a moment, setting her sights on the completely obliterated apothecary. She felt sorry for her daughter's loss in something she loved so dearly and resolved to help her rebuild it better and bring her herbs from the Fey realm.

Her descent from the sky was something like that of a bird of prey. She plummeted quickly, catching herself at the very last moment to land in a whirl of grit and debris right behind Vylrath. She pulled him out of the way and knelt next to her daughter, the white gown of armor that she wore not getting sullied by the debris at all.

"Igraine, my heart. I know that you have been through so much. Your daughter is hanging on, she wants to live." Kahlan looked at the monk with her eerie silver eyes edged with the colors of the sea. Vylrath was right, he wouldn't be able to get near her once her power started to flow.

"Thank you for holding her together until I could come to her." Kahlan pressed a hand to Igraine's forehead, featherlight, and one on her chest which was pressed firm against her skin. She could feel the turmoil and the twisting in her daughter's form. She could also feel the taint of Thorin's magic and she fought the urge to chase him down and gut him. The idiot didn't know the first thing of energy transfer, but he'd done it. Kahlan could also feel the transfer of energy from the Monk to her daughter as she closed her eyes.

Kahlan was able to visualize the human body because, over the course of time, she had seen many opened in the persuits of knowledge. She was completely aware of the mechanics of a living body and had the ability to hone in on the "problem areas" as it were. Kahlan felt the problem in Igraine's womb before she saw it in her mind. To Kahlan, it was as if she was there inside the body when she healed.

"Tsk, tsk. What has that careless man done to you two?" Kahlan murmured as she began to heal her daughter, knitting flesh back to flesh, muscle to muscle, and torn vein to torn vein. The process would take several minutes as the finer fibers had to be encouraged more than the larger. The blood had to be told how to flow properly back through it's veins and not fill up and slow down. Kahlan let her minds eye follow the course of the blood back to the heart. She encouraged the heart to pump steadier, stronger, feeding the whole body more rich blood.

Igraine wouldn't be completely healed. Kahlan had only jump started the process by a few days with her magic. The vital things were mended, but the body had a week or so to go before it could fully heal itself. Igraine would be quite sore for a few days as her womb reattached itself fully to her body. The baby, small and near missable was happy at it's Grandmother's presence. It reached out to her with it's power and thanked her in the only way it could, through feeling.

Kahlan pulled back from her daughter, her hands no longer glowing a muted soft gold. She delighted when he daughter's eyes fluttered open, happy to see those brilliant emerald green eyes all over again.

"Welcome back, my dear." Kahlan said and kissed her daughter's forehead gently.

Igraine gasped as she became fully aware of what was happening. She felt her mother restrain her hands from slapping at the Monk that held his hand over her abdomen. She realized it wasn't Thorin and relaxed against the wooden floor she was laying on.

Wait.

Wooden floor? Igraine frowned as she looked around and sighed. Her apothecary was ruined. The only thing that seemed to have survived were the moonflowers that D'Angelo had given her. Perhaps there was a kind of luck in them that she needed to harness.

"Where's Thorin?" Igraine felt the words tumble out of her thickly, as if she had been drugged. Near death experiences would do that to a person. "Where's father?" Those words were stronger. Despite the transferrence of energy Igraine still felt lethargic as her body kicked in it's own defenses and natural healing responses.

"Oh, Gods I feel like I've been hit by a mountain of lead." Igraine rested one of her hands on her forehead once it was free of her mother's clasp. She glanced up at her mother and kissed her hand gently before looking at the Monk.

"I don't remember you..." Igraine frowned and then shook her head a little. "Well, I don't remember you physically. You found me while I was lost though. I was looking for something, but I don't remember what it was." She frowned and shook her head gingerly.

She could smell the blood then as she tried to sit up. Kahlan wouldn't let her so she laid back and tried not to panic.

"The baby?" She said, quietly to the sky, and no one in particular.

"Alive, and quite happy that you decided to stay with us. It seems she's looking forward to meeting the strong woman that will bear her in six months." When Igraine looked incredibly startled Kahlan laughed and kissed her forehead again. "Children born of a half demon only take six months. The Vuri only take three. Poor Caela already knows that."

Caela was at Igraine's head in a moment, standing outside the ruined apothecary and touching her half sister gingerly.

"I'm sorry, Igraine. I should have seen or felt him coming but I didn't. He shoved me out before I could do anything." Caela looked up at the monk, the power she held was that of Vylrath's and the man he had thrown out of the apothecary to begin with. She was a Vuri.

When Igraine made some soft sounds saying it wasn't her fault, Caela still felt a tear roll down her cheek. She couldn't lose three people in as many hours. Besides, she had a soft spot for Igraine as a sister.

"I think we should bring her inside. Vylrath, are you strong enough to carry her? I think Kahlan has to get back to the battlefield." Caela said, glancing back at the Monk. She was curious about him, very curious.