Time to Say Goodbye

[Tismri]

Marola smiled as her youngest child stared in wonder at the valley full of bright, colorful flowers. She'd shown this place to all her other children at some point in their lives. This had been a common retreat for her when she had been fleeing Galbatorix with Cortell and Rauthr. It was still an important place in her heart, and she wanted to share it with her family. She sat against her dragon's talon as Lyta romped around the field, following after the few bees that remained, before winter would hit with its usual fury. The girl giggled in delight as she spotted a rabbit hiding underneath the colorful petals. Marola was pleased that her children could know such peace, even if only for a little while.

She stiffened, and Rauthr raised his head. Something was coming; they could both sense it. Something dark, and pure evil. She stood and called to Lyta. "Precious, I need you to do something." She affected a tone that her children knew should not be disobeyed. Lyta stopped staring at the rabbit and faced her mother. "Just lie down in the flowers. Whatever happens, don't get up and don't make any noise until I say it's okay." The girl gave a small pout for a moment, but did what Marola told her to do. Marola rapidly chanted a spell to mask her appearance and warded her mind so that she could not easily be found. Once that was done, she returned to Rauthr, pretending she had never moved. The roiling darkness continued to advance. Although it had been years since they'd last seen one another, and she'd undergone a dramatic change, Marola knew in her heart who it was who approached.

"What a pleasant surprise, Marola," Katriana called as she broke past the tree line and into the valley field. Marola's hand moved to her sword in an instant as she stood and faced the Shade.

"Indeed, Katriana," she replied, ice in her voice. This was the mistress who commanded Tyrant, along with the rest of her army of abominations and fooled followers. Her guard was up.

"It has been some time. I don't believe I've seen you since you betrayed our king and fled his presence." Though Katriana's voice was merely a slight disapproving tone, her expression was menacing, perhaps a bit crazed. Swords were drawn in unison.

"He was getting too close to a secret I swore to protect," Marola replied flatly.

"You must mean your eldest son, Cortell," the Shade said, her voice very matter-of-fact. "Indeed, he never did discover the boy's existence. Not even after that relentless torture he subjected you to." Marola cringed at the memory. All the pain of that day ricocheted from a blocked corner of her mind. She had suffered much that day, but did so to protect Cortell. "I did not even know about him, until two of your other lovely children came to join my cause." Katriana was surprised at how little emotion Marola showed at that statement. Of course, Gloriann had escaped, but Daeron was still firmly in her grasp.

"It changes nothing," Marola stated as she raised her sword. Their weapons clashed together. Rauthr leapt to join the fight, but Katriana lifted a hand, pointing toward the green dragon. "Malthinae," she spoke. The spirits within her rushed to the dragon, forcing him to remain in place. Marola tried to use the distraction to her advantage and made a swing at the Shade's side. Katriana was too quick, however, and blocked the blow.

"I am sure all your children will make superb additions to my forces," Katriana taunted, swinging her ebony sword around toward Marola's head. It met Gulia's edge with a sharp ring, and the blades were separated again a few seconds later.

"What are you doing here, Katriana?" Marola asked, angered that her special day with her youngest daughter was interrupted. "It's no coincidence that you're here, and alone. Where is your dragon?"

"I asked Vanilor to stay behind. He has had no history with you, and I wanted to deal with your traitorous actions personally." Katriana jumped and thrust her blade toward Marola, who backflipped away, landing on Rauthr's shoulder. If he couldn't come to her, she could bring Katriana to him. When the Shade advanced toward them, he turned his head to breathe an inferno on her. The Shade glanced at him in annoyance. "Thrysta," she commanded her spirits, who constricted his throat. He was unable to breathe either fire or air. He struggled, but the spirits were not something easily overcome by willpower alone.

I am sorry, fricai iet, he told Marola as he eyed the Shade with a murderous expression.

I understand, hjarta, Marola replied. Focus on holding your breath. Rauthr was able to hold in his air for nearly two hours when he was able to breathe deeply before hand. Not at full capacity, he would probably last between a half and a whole hour.

"I must have exceptionally annoyed you," she told Katriana. "First you send Tyrant after me, and then you come after me yourself. I suppose I should be honored." Katriana smirked slightly, leaning back from Marola light swing and grabbing her wrist. Marola grit her teeth together, feeling like the bones in her arm were about to snap from the pressure. She kept ahold of her sword, and just before the crack from her wrist echoed, she switched to her left hand.

"Indeed you should, Marola. I have something special planned for you. Galbatorix was enraged after you went missing. One of the few servants he was certain never to lose, given your hatred of his enemies. He sent messengers to persuade you to return, and then hunters to drag you back. All the while, he'd become most unpleasant to live with. Losing both you and Einar in the same year wounded him greatly." Marola swung her sword at the hand that still held her limp, broken wrist. Katriana let go at the last moment, and Marola felt her blade slice through her own flesh. She held in a scream of pain, and Katriana made use of her distraction, planting her own sword deep into Marola's side.

Heal yourself! Rauthr called to her. She's going to kill you if you can't recover. Marola put her hand to her side as the sword ripped out of her, spraying blood over the bright flowers. Rauthr's voice sounded distant, his words dancing around in her mind. She thought for a moment.

The words...what are the words? she asked herself. A sickly sweet smell drifted up to her nose from the pouring wound at her side. She remembered the drug that Galbatorix and his pet Durza had loved to use, the one that would put a person's mind in a fog and render them unable to use magic. Katriana must have adapted it into a poison on her sword. Through the quickly growing haze, Marola felt dread take root. She glanced up at Rauthr with a helpless expression, and the dragon gave a strangled roar of fury. Katriana cackled mercilessly.

"I am going to enjoy killing you, Marola," she stated. She knocked the sword from Marola's hand faster than the eye could see, and Marola stumbled out of surprise. Katriana then knocked her to the ground and sheathed her sword, pulling out a dagger instead.

"I am going to find that Gloriann of yours," Katriana said, making a long slice down Marola's left arm. Marola felt pain, and her mind grew more hazy. "As a matter of fact, I will send Daeron to do it. I will have him drag the girl back to me, and I will hear her scream it torment for trying to escape from me." Marola felt her arm taken in two unnaturally strong hand, and it was broken in half like a twig, her bones showing through the opened wound. This was the exact torture that Galbatorix had put her through all those years ago. Except this time, it was worse. With every movement she made, Katriana would speak, and she would explain all the terrible things that she would do to her family. She would enslave all her children, and she would make them kill their own father. They would be punished mercilessly if they ever disobeyed her, and she would use their mother as an example of what happened to traitors. All the while, Marola's body was being slowly and meticulously broken and shattered. Rauthr struggled against the spirits to no avail. Katriana must have had thousands possessing her, and yet she showed the greatest control over them.

Finally, Marola lay as a broken, bloody, weeping body in the stained grass next to her dragon, every word the Shade said echoing in her mind with the throbbing pain. Rauthr was near the point of passing out, unable to breathe, struggling to move, and sharing in his Rider's torment. Katriana stood and walked away, wiping Marola's blood off her dagger with a dainty finger, licking it off her hand. As she retreated, her spirits released their hold on Rauthr, who collapsed with blackening vision, too weak to pursue after his ordeal. As she disappeared into the trees, Katriana called out, "Don't worry, Marola. I will take good care of your family."

Rauthr moved his head close to Marola, whining softly as he panted for breath. Marola stared back at him, her eyes full of tears. She was lying, she forced through her drugged and pained mind. She underestimates their strength. Each of my children has a will of iron and a strength of dragonfire. They will not be subjected so easily to her will.

What about Daeron? Rauthr asked, worried Marola had forgotten about her wayward son. Marola smiled. She was dying. She had no need to keep secrets from the friend of her heart any longer.

Daeron has perhaps the strongest will out of all of them, and the most cunning. Worry not, fricai. He will be fine. With her own self-assurance, Marola ceased her weeping. There was no more need of it. A peace she had never known settled over her mind. In spite of the pain, she laughed out loud. I am finally free, Rauthr! Free from my past, free from my secrets. Free from my fear of the unknown, and my fear for my children. I am free from Tyr, from Lucien, from Galbatorix, from my father's reputation. I am free from the burden I felt of knowing that I would linger on as those I know and love would grow old and perish before my eyes. Marola dropped all barriers of her mind and invited Rauthr inside. For the first time in his life, there was nothing hidden from him about her. He saw her entire life as she remembered it, knew and understood every secret, experienced her every pain and burden. For the first time, she immersed herself fully in his mind, seeing and understanding the world as he saw it. She saw how beautiful his life was, and yet how very lonely. She realized his regret at never finding a mate, his frustration at Marola's distance, his love of her children.

I am glad you are here with me, they told each other. At last, here at the end, we are one.

~~~~~

Cortell spurred his horse faster down the road. He knew the route by heart, memorizing the location even as a small child. It would take less than an hour to get there from Celesti on dragonback, but by horse it took almost half a day. With every minute that passed, he felt his mother's pain rip his mind apart. It was a sensation he had not felt in many, many years. Why was Rauthr doing nothing? Was Lyta all right? What was happening? He had reached the foothills of the Spine when the onslaught of wave of pain finally stopped, settling to a dull, constant throb. He felt emotions of worry and sorrow coming from his mother over their mental connection. Then, all at once, the emotions changed. There was relief, and almost joy, although the pain was still very much present.

"Faster," he told his horse, "faster." He guided the horse expertly down the path until at last he knew he was nearing the clearing, the valley full of flowers, one of his mother's favorite places in the entire world. As the patch of color came into view, it felt as if his entire world turned black. The constant flow of emotions stopped, and for the first time in his life, Cortell was left alone in his own mind. He lost his grip on his horse and fell to the ground, stunned by the absence. It was as if a piece of him was ripped away. He lay there, winded, until he had the strength to stand up and continue to where he'd last sensed his mother. He could see Rauthr from here. But suddenly, he didn't want to go. He didn't want to see what lay before him. Impending dread grew in his mind as he stepped forward through the colorful field. He could hear a small voice near where Rauthr lay unmoving.

"Mommy...Mommy, wake up. Rauthr...why are you sleeping? Please wake up." Cortell approached slowly and saw his baby sister sitting next to the still and disfigured form of their mother. Cortell felt his head go light at the sight of her bones sticking out at odd angles, the huge gash in her side. The grass and flowers were all stained red with her blood, and Lyta was sitting in it. Cortell fell to the ground, eyes fixated on her. Lyta turned and saw him.

"Cortell! Mommy's sleeping and won't wake up! Rauthr won't either. I want to go home, before the scary lady comes back." Cortell reached for his little sister and held her in his arms, still unmoving. He kept his eyes on her face, and she looked oddly peaceful. More relaxed than he had ever known her to be. She even looked happy.

"Why, Mom?" he asked, his voice hitched in a sob as he became blinded by tears. "Why did you have to leave us?" A memory of a conversation rushed back to him, one he didn't remember having with her before. Parts of it were fuzzy and blurred in his mind, the exact words muffled in his mind.

"Cortell, words can never express how much you mean to me," his mother said. The rest of her monologue played out in his mind as he held his little sister and wept.

"Cortell, what's wrong? Why won't Mommy wake up?" Lyta looked confused, even frightened by his tears.

"Mommy isn't going to wake up," he told her softly. "She and Rauthr are going to sleep forever. But you know what? Even in their sleep, they're watching over us. Don't...don't worry about anything." He concentrated on the words his mother said to him, forcing himself to look away from her and compose himself. He fumbled around in his pocket for a moment until he found his scrying mirror. Though he was not exceptionally adept at magic, he had spent most of his life practicing and perfecting this one spell, so he could communicate with any of his family if he ever needed.

"Glory," he said as his sister turned to her mirror. Her expression immediately turned from happy to concerned, and she pulled the mirror closer to herself.

"Cortell? What's wrong?" she asked. She was back in Bromsland, though only for a short while. Her enslavement under Katriana had left her rather fragile still, and she was spending as much time at home as she could. Cortell hoped this wouldn't break her spirit entirely.

"You and Sundavar need to come as quickly as possible. Something has...happened." Another breathe, the cessation of more tears. "Come to mother's valley."

"What happened? Cortell, please!" Glory looked desperate and afraid.

"I...I can't tell you through scrying. Please, just come." Glory relented, running out of her room to find Sundavar before their spell had even finished. Cortell paused before attempting the next contact. Tally had left home some months ago with Erath in order to join Arucane, Ian's little group of rebels formed to fight against Katriana. He hoped that she would be ready and able to leave them; he knew she would want to be here.

[Trinn]

The sky was a heavy grey, preparing to unleash a deluge of rain on the unfortunate troop known as Arucane. The rain wasn't the worst part. It was the cold that was starting to seep into their bones. Winter was just on the horizon. Another month and snow would be flying across most of Alagaesia. Sullenly Tally wrapped her cloak tighter about herself. She trudged along with the rest of her cousin's group, heading towards a village that had reported shade activity. Erath flew above with Castiel. The dragons didn't seem at all perturbed by the creeping cold.

Tally was just thinking about the warm weather in Surda when the pocket in her tunic started vibrating. Hastily she withdrew her small scrying mirror, and peered into it to find the face of her favorite brother. "Cortell!" She exclaimed. It felt like ages since the last time she had seen him, let alone spoke to him. Her excitement dimmed like the sky above when she noticed the grim expression he wore. "What's wrong?"

[Tismri]

Tally's bright face did little to warm Cortell's heart, knowing what he had to tell her. He was having difficulty thinking around the stark emptiness that was left in his mind. He vaguely wondered if this was how dragons and Riders felt after their bond died. Despite the fact that he was holding Lyta and talking to Tally, he had never before felt so utterly alone.
"Tally," he said, trying to remain strong for her sake. For the whole family's sake. "I need you and Erath to come as quickly as you can. Something's...something's happened...just come to Mother's valley as quickly as you can."

[Trinn]

A cold chill crept down Tally's spine at the hollow tone in Cortell's voice. There was something disturbingly lost in his eyes. Already she was calling to Erath. The amber-scaled dragon hastily parted from Castiel to turn earth bound for Tally. "I'm leaving now." she told Cortell in a hurry. "Arucane is not too far from the spine. I should be able to reach you by sundown. " The earth shivered as Erath touched down next to her, and Tally cut the connection to the scrying mirror and shoved it deep into her pocket. Ian, I have to go. she said, reaching out to her cousin. There is something wrong at home, Cortell needs me. I will find you again. "Go, Erath!" she urged.

The dragon leapt skyward, spraying dirt onto a nearby dwarf who cursed Erath rather loudly. For once Tally didn't care about a bit of dirt on a dwarf. Her heart was thudding in anxiety as she thought of what might be wrong with Cortell. Fly with all haste, Erath. she pleaded.
~~~

Just as she had predicted, mother's valley came into sight just as the sun was brushing it's bloody rays against the horizon. "No..." Tally muttered, spotting a grotesque heap among the flowers. Erath whined as he descended. "No... no no no" Tally began to say over and over again as the crumpled form began to become familiar. Erath landed, and Tally slid off of his back and rushed to the form. She held out her hands, now shaking, hovering over the crippled body of her mother. Immediately tears burned hotly in her eyes. "Mother, no..." she sank to her knees and brushed matted bloody hair off of her mothers face, which seemed oddly peaceful compared to the sharp and twisted angles of the body. Reaching into her pool of magic, Tally began to think of a spell that would heal her mother. Surly, she wasn't dead! But there was no pulse, no mental signal. There was nothing but flesh, blood, and bones left. A pitiful dejected sob burst from Tally's lips as she gave in to the truth that so cruelly set before her. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she looked at Cortell, who she had forgotten in the moment. "What happened?" she asked around a sob. What could have hurt their mother in such an awful way? Marola was a dragon rider, one of the mightiest! And Rauthr, poor loyal Rauthr. Reaching she placed a hand on his snout, once always so warm and inviting, now cold. It was almost too much to bear. Erath whined and moaned behind her, grieving in his own way. She could feel his talons as if they were her own digging into the dirt unforgiving. Whatever had done this to their mother, it would pay dearly for it.

[Tismri]

Cortell sat staring at the body of his mother as he gently rocked Lyta back and forth. Daeron hadn't answered his call; perhaps Glory would have better luck. He almost didn't care. All he felt was emptiness, an odd sort of detachment from the world. He hardly reacted when Tally arrived. He just continued to stare, hardly even blinking. It wasn't until Tally asked him what happened that he even spoke.

"This is the second time Mother's been targeted," he said dully. He remembered when the Shade Tyrant had appeared in Celesti, attacking his family, as well as Einar and Gianna. She'd been badly wounded in that battle as well, struck by lightning. It was a sensation he could recall perfectly, having felt it through his mental connection with her. But that had been sudden, and fortunately she had not been killed.

"She was tortured just like this long ago...by Galbatorix, I found out. I was a child then, and very suddenly removed and separated from her. I was confused and frightened, and I knew she was in pain. Just like she was now. But I don't think Galbatorix intended to kill her back then. Whoever did this clearly hated her. And it was someone strong enough to fend off Rauthr."

"Scary lady," Lyta whispered from his lap. "She just pointed at Rauthr, and he stopped moving. She was faster than Mommy. Mommy'd told me to lay down in the flowers until she said I could get up, but she never said. Not even after the scary lady left." The little girl's face contorted as tears returned to her. "What did the scary lady do to Mommy?"

"Shh," Cortell told her, holding her close. His expression was blank as his eye returned to Tally. "How am I going to tell Father?" he asked, his voice as broken as his spirit.

[Trinn]

Father... How could they tell him about mother without breaking his heart? Their father loved their mother more than life itself. He loved his children just as much. His family was everything to him. Tally's lip was shaking as she tried to keep from anymore sobbing. "I don't know." She admitted. And should they bring the body back? Or should they bury it here, in the valley that the soul of the body had loved? And what about Glory and Daeron? It didn't seem right to lay their mother to rest without everyone being together. Her arms wrapped around her torso, her stomach beginning to feel nauseous. Glory and Daeron belong to Katriana... Kat.. "I know who killed mother!" she shouted suddenly, "The only creature that could do this to her is that shade rider! Cortell!" Tally stumbled closer to her older brother, a feverish thought burning in her mind. She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "We have to go kill Katriana! Then we can rescue Glory and Daeron, and avenge our mother! We'll take Einar and Gianna! They are awesome warriors. It will be alright!"

No, Tally, I am too young to go charging into that hellspawns camp. Erath protested.

You won't have to do the fighting! You'll just have to get me close enough to that b-

No! Erath roared in her mind, startling her. She let go of Cortell and put her face in her hands. Her mind was in turmoil. Cortell should know what to do. He was always so calm and collected, he was the older brother she had always looked up to. But looking at him now, glancing between her fingers at him, he seemed so cold and distant. He was mothers first child, and it was no secret that they had shared a special bond. "I'm sorry, Cortell." Shed moved back over to him and gently took Lyta out of his arms. She kissed the top of her little sisters head to soothe her. "I will take Lyta back to Celesti and inform father. Can you stay here and keep guard over mother?"

[Tismri]

OOC: Her mother's daughter indeed.

Cortell listened without really hearing as Tally spoke of taking revenge for their beloved mother. Of course, it had to have been Katriana, the Shade Rider. Who else could have so easily overpowered both her and Rauthr? Who else aside from Tyrant would have held such hatred for her? He felt his jaw set, and somewhere within him, the seed of hatred sprouted. Still, it was tempered by words echoing from the recesses of his mind, words of warning he had been unable to recall until now.

"Cortell," she said, staring at him intently from the side of the table. She had looked exceptionally radiant that morning, though her serious expression set apart from her normally cheery demeanor. "Words can never express just how much you mean to me. You were my light. My salvation. I might never have found my way out of Galbatorix's grasp if it weren't for you. I earned the hatred of many people when I left his service, but it was all worth it for your sake. And I would never have found the true peace, happiness, and love that Marcus and all of Gladia Celesti have brought me if it were not for you. You are my everything. You are what taught me that there is more to life than hatred and vengeance. You showed me what is really worth fighting for.

"Now that I am gone, I want you to remember the very lessons that you taught me; do not give yourself to hatred. Do not pursue the path of revenge. Let go and move on. If you must fight, fight to protect those who still live. Fight for your brother and sisters. Fight for Marcus and Einar and Gianna, and for their children. Fight for Celesti and Alagaesia. But do not fight for me; I am now a memory, and memories mean nothing if they lose their value from hatred. I love you, Cortell. You are the dawn of my true life. Never forget who you are."

Cortell clenched his teeth together tightly as he struggle with himself to hold true to her wishes. She would not have desired him to walk the path of vengeance. She wanted him to find peace. But for him, there seemed little choice. He would avenge her. He could have no closure any other way. Even if it meant the end of his own life, he would kill the one who took her from him all too soon.

"I agree, Tally. Katriana must be killed. And I swear to you that we, the children of Marola Celesti, Rider of Rauthr and wielder of Gulia, will be the ones to take the Shade's miserable life." His voice was sorrowful and tinged with hatred, but more than anything, it was simply resolute. He gazed at his sisters for a moment. Lyta was still too young; maybe in a year or two, he would share mother's memory with her. But as for Talia...

"Before you go, Tally, I have something I have to share with you." He paused for a moment as he tried to explain it. "I think Mother was always worried that she might not live much longer. At any rate, she gave me a memory to share with everyone, and personalized them for each family member. I...I can't specifically tell you what she had to say to you. I think she somehow enchanted the memory so that only those who she was speaking to could know what she said, but I have them for you, if you would like to hear them."

[Trinn]

Somehow it warmed Tally's heart to hear Cortel's affirmation that he and the rest of their siblings would be the ones to bring down Katriana. That would be the only fitting end for such evil. Even Erath was imagining the feeling of the shades dragon's throat in his teeth. In time. she murmured to him. She gave Cortel a nod and prepared to mount Erath when her brother spoke up once more. Tally paused, one foot on Erath's knee, one still planted on the ground.

"A memory?" She asked, bringing her uplifted foot back to the ground. "How is that possible?" she wondered. Almost painfully her heart skipped, eager to hear her mother's voice one more time. To see her mother not a mangled and broken corpse. The lump in her throat swelled again and it was all she could do to keep her emotions at bay. Afraid she would begin to cry if she tried speaking, Tally nodded at Cortel. More than anything she wished to hear her mother's final words to her. Erath settled next to her and wrapped his tail around her and him together.

[Tismri]

Cortell took a deep breath and took Tally's hands, opening his mind to hers as he focused on the memory that their mother had made for her, words from his memory that only she would be able to hear.

Marola gazed intently, her smile soft but sad. "Tally," she said, all the love a mother could convey being poured into the name. "My brave girl. You have given me so much courage by your example, and your kind heart reminds me so much of your father. You have all the qualities that any Rider should have, and I know that you and Erath will go on to do great things.

"In everything you do, dearest, always hold onto your belief that there is good in everyone. Even the crazed Shades that have been attacking us were originally normal people, like you and me. They had their own hopes and dreams. They had their reasons for doing what they did; few people ever believe that they are doing the wrong thing. Things like jealousy, anger, and sadness are what lead them do harm others. I am sure that these feelings are going to tempt you now. I am gone, and I know you will be hurt because of it." Marola paused for a moment, her eyes glistening momentarily.

"Watch over your family, and over all of Celesti. Though it is the only home you've known, it is still a young town, and it is still full of broken people struggling to put their lives back together after being enslaved for a number of years. Make sure the others your age, and one day their children, are safe and happy. They mean the world to both your father and me. And, in the years to come, watch over Gloriann. Once she is freed from the Shade Rider's grasp, she will need you in the years to come." She sighed, and finally allowed her expression to change from serious and grim to sad.

"Now I have to say goodbye. I know you will miss me, dearest Talia, and I will miss you greatly. I love you so much."

The memory faded and Cortell withdrew his mind from his sister's. He took a deep breath to steady himself. Even in the memories, he felt the aching loneliness that was caused by his mother's absence. It was a feeling he was likely never to get used to.

"I don't know what she said to you, but I know she loved you very much." He gently wrapped Tally in a hug.

[Trinn]

The image of her mother began to fade, and without thinking Tally reached for it. Her mind slammed into Cortells before she realized that her mother was truly gone now. Bereft, she sank into her brother's arms and let her emotions roil to the surface. Sobs racked her body as she gave in to the awful reality her family faced. Perhaps five minutes passed before Tally could pull herself together. She reflected on the last words her mother had left for her. It would seem she believed that Glory could be rescued from the Shade's grasp. Tally would need to find out how, and soon. And then her mother had told her to watch over Celesti. What did that mean? Certainly her mother didn't believe that the next caretaker of the tribe would be her? Tally had always assumed the role would fall to Cortel, or Eva and Ian.

"Thank you, Cortel." She said to her brother, withdrawing from the comforting embrace. She could see the emptiness in his eyes still. Whatever loss she was feeling, was doubled for him. "I will return with father." There was nothing left to be said until then. She gave her brothers hand one last squeeze, picked up Lyta, and took her place on Erath's back. "Hang on, little one." She told her little sister.
***

Celesti was drenched in red light from the setting sun. Erath's scales took on a rusty hue as he swept down towards the village. Smoke drifted from the chimneys of many of the homes, and as they drew closer, Tally could see some of the younger children out playing. A flash of silver and Amethyst could be seen at the edge of town, near one of the larger homes. That would be Gladia and Stigandr. It relieved Tally to see them. That meant Uncle Einar and Aunt Gianna would be around to look after everyone while father left.

Erath landed in the center of town. He was still a young dragon and could fit easily in most towns and cities. As the dust settled around his talons, the children came dashing over to them. It concerned Tally somewhat that they lacked a fear of dragons. It would be best to teach them hesitance towards them from now on. Not every dragon rider who arrived would be their friend. Still, she couldn't help but smile as they called her and Erath's name and stroked Erath's legs. At least they knew that dragon's were not pets but intelligent beings. "Where is my father?" She asked a young boy who was asking Erath what clouds tasted like.

"Um, I think he is at Einar and Giannas. He seemed worried." Of course he would be. He probably expected Mother to be back by now. Swallowing hard, Tally thanked the boy and dismounted. I will be with you the whole time. Erath assured her. The promise of his mental touch assured her. Unable to stall any longer, Tally left Lyta with the other children and made her way through the village towards the large house with the two resting dragons.
~~

She found her father sitting inside with Gianna. Her aunt was heavy with child, and looked slightly miserable. It had been a long pregnancy, and the child was past a week due. Marcus turned and smiled when he saw her. "Talia!" He exclaimed, nearly leaping out of his chair to hurry to her. He wrapped her in his arms and lifted her up in a giant bear hug. "You had me worried, girl." He said, not putting her down an inch. "Ever since that dragon of yours was big enough to ride, I haven't seen hide nor hair of you!" At that, Talia felt guilty.

"I'm sorry, father." She said bashfully, "I have been with Ian and his group of fighters. I want to help in this war, now that I'm a rider."

"Ian?" Gianna put in, concern in her voice. "How is he?" At last her father put her down.

Tally gave her aunt a reassuring smile. "He's fine." she assured her, and Gianna seemed to relax. "He and Castiel are strong and tough. They take after you and Einar exceptionally." Gianna smiled, then grew concerned. "Tally... what's wrong?" Gianna always had a way of noticing anything out of place, even if it were someones emotions. Tally's lip began to quiver again. "What is it, Tally?" Her father asked, grabbing her shoulder in concern.

"It's mother." She said at last, fighting down the tears. "I... she... Cortel was there...in her valley.. Katriana found her... and ..and.. Mother is gone." It was as if the light blinked out of her fathers eyes as he stared at her, processing the choppy words. "I mean that Katriana found mother in her valley and she killed her. Mother is dead. I'm so sorry."

Her fathers hand went from her shoulder to his face. All of the blood seemed to drain away and left him pale and distant. He ran his hands through his hair, over and over again. He began to pace, his hands held out as if looking for something. In a blink Gianna was beside him, grabbing his shoulders and steadying him. Tally had never seen her father so upset. Not even when she or her siblings were at there worst trouble making. All of a sudden he shouted at Gianna, but she remained steady, hands clasped to his shoulders.

"No!" He yelled at her, "It can't be true, Marola would never leave us like that! She was too strong!" Tally flinched at his shouting, and then flinched again when she felt something touch her mind. It was Gianna.

Show me. she said, and so Tally allowed her to enter her mind and see the memory of her destroyed mother. From across the room, Tally watched as Gianna's mouth tightened.

"Marcus she speaks the truth." Her father began to tremble, and tears began dripping down his cheeks. He turned away from both of them and Tally watched as his shoulders began to shake. ***

Useless Marcus thought, his back turned on his family in shame. I am useless. I cannot protect my family. I will not be able to protect this tribe. I am but a man, and my wife, my love, is gone. His tears burned down his cheek as if fire. He couldn't stop them. He had had a bad feeling when the sun began to set and Marola had not returned. She would leave from time to time, but she was never gone for very long. And now she was gone forever. His heart clenched painfully and he turned and rushed towards Tally. "Where is Lyta! Oh Gods please tell me she is safe." He remembered suddenly that Marola had left with their youngest child. If anything had happened to her, too.

"She is safe, father, Lyta is alright. Cortel had found her. She is a good girl. She went and hid." With shaking hands Marcus let go of Talia and sat down on the floor next to her. "I'm so sorry, Tally." He told her, "I'm so very sorry." His daughters arms wrapped around him and they sat together, sharing their grief. Gianna left the room, no doubt to find Einar.

After a while, Marcus stood and brought Tally to her feet too. "Can Erath carry us both back to her?" Tally nodded, her eyes rimmed in red from crying. No doubt his were too. "Then let us go to her."
~~~

Riding on the back of a large dragon was much different than riding on the back of a small dragon. Several times during the flight Marcus was afraid he would simply topple off the back of the young creature, only to find he was safe. He admired the courage of his dragon bonded children. It took guts to soar this high. But more than anything Marcus felt empty inside, as if someone had reached into his chest and twisted his heart. He had always planned on dying first, and having Marola live on and carry on his legacy. But now she was gone, and he was getting older every day. His straw blond hair was fringed with gray now days. It would be up to their children now. He hadn't wanted to burden them in this way. He pondered this as they came ever closer to the valley that Marola had loved.

At last it was in sight. As they dropped lower and lower, Marcus felt his insides clench. Erath landed, and Marcus slid clumsily from the back of the dragon. "Oh no, Marola, my love ,my life." He crawled over to the mangled corpse of his dearest. He stroked her blood stained face as tears fell freely from his eyes. Bending he kissed her forehead, found her hand and kissed her hand. Carefully he slid her torso into his lap and rocked back and forth. He noticed Rauthr, silent forever too. He hadn't known the dragon very well, but he had counted Rauthr as a good friend. Gone too now. "I'm so sorry, Marola." He whispered to the corpse, wrestling with his grief. He had to be strong for his children now.
***

Tally went and stood with Cortell, giving her father time to grieve. Seeing him so saddened and upset left her feeling the same. "Have you heard yet from any of our other siblings?" She asked Cortel.

[Tismri]

Left alone with his thoughts, Cortell stared at what remained of his mother. The woman who was nearly half his own soul, who should have lived many long and joyful years as a Rider. The emptiness he felt in his mind as numbing, all that was left was solitude and misery. His sisters' absence only made the isolation even more evident.

After a few long minutes, something in the back of his mind told him that his legs were starting to cramp, and he should move. He stood slowly and walked over to where the great form of Rauthr, placing a hand against his motionless side. This was another crushing loss that resounded within him. Rauthr was his first friend--for a few years, his only friend. He knew better than most, the dragon's frustration with Marola's silence. They both knew she was keeping things from them, an agitation they shared, but accepted. She knew how much he'd loved and wanted to protect her whole family.

He barely reacted when Erath returned, but Marcus' despairing voice reached into his spirit. Cortell turned and stared dully as the man who had accepted him as his son held the body of his wife. He knew his mother had left words for him, as well. Just as with Tally, Cortell had no idea what she had said. He turned away and gazed instead at his sister as she approached him. He pressed his lips together as she asked her question.

"Daeron didn't answer. I'm not surprised; he hasn't responded to me since he left. I did manage to get through to Glory, though." He kept his expression straight, but concern showed through his otherwise dead eyes. "She was upset, but...we know she can't do anything about it." He growled to himself, his anger at Katriana growing by the second. She imprisoned two of his siblings, and now she killed his mother. "That damned Shade is going to pay for everything she has done to us."

[Trinn]

Tally bowed her head, disheartened that Daeron and Glory would not be able to come and see their mother laid to rest. She understood why Glory couldn't make it, but Daemon... Hopefully he was ok. "Cortel... I wonder if we should bury mother here, or at Celesti?" she asked of her older brother, hoping he would have some idea. Mother's valley was beautiful, and it represented the beauty and peace that their mother truly loved. Yet now it was tainted as the cruel and torturous scene of her death, a place that had been touched by the evil of the shade rider. And it was so lonely and isolated, away from those who might like to visit her grave. It would be hard to reach without a dragon. The thought of leaving her mother here, alone forever, made Tally feel sick to her stomach.

She looked over to her father. He still sat with mother, holding her and whispering his goodbyes and his heart break. Sometimes he would reach out and stroke Rauthr's snout as well. Just watching the scene made Tally's tears rise. And then she grew afraid. Her father was simply mortal. Eventually he would pass too, and Tally would be left with Erath. She would watch her whole family pass away, save for Glory who was also bonded. And she would live on and on, with only the memory of her family... Unable to help herself, she reached out and grabbed Cortel's hand, squeezing it tightly. At least Gianna and Einar would still be around, and Glory, and Ian and Eva, and their dragons. And Erath, faithful Erath would be forever with her. Yet if she never were to die, then she would never meet her mother again in the next world.

Don't think like that, Tally. What is meant to be, will be. Eventually you and I may not dwell in this plane of existence, but for now we must strive on, and live well. Tally had nothing to say in return. Her apprehension was too great.

[Tismri]

Cortell considered Tally's question with care, though he hated having to think rationally about anything. He glanced between the bodies of his mother and of Rauthr as his sister grasped his hand.

"I think...she would want to be buried here," he said, gazing across the valley. "This place always brought her peace, especially back when it was just the three of us. Before we found Gladia Celesti, the only time I can remember her even feeling happy was when we were here. Despite what has happened, I am sure she would still love this place. And...she would want to be with Rauthr." He remembered the peace he'd felt in her mind, and briefly he had sensed her achieve a greater sense of unity with her dragon than they had ever known before. For that brief second, he'd shared his mind with three people, rather than himself and his mother. And then they both were gone. "We can't move him back to Celesti very easily."

Cortell stared at Marcus for a while, seeing him grieve. Though he didn't know what exactly she said, he felt that perhaps her final words to him might bring him even the smallest measure of comfort. He went to the man who had become his father, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, opening his mind to share her memory.

Marola held his hand, staring deeply into his eyes. "My love," she said softly. Her voice was quivering, her eyes tearing up. Still, she was resolute, and her words were warm and firm. "Marcus...thank you for everything you have done. Thank you for loving me, and accepting me. I have always been a poor wretch. So much of my life was spent full of hatred, sorrow, pain, and loathing. Even more has been spent in fear and isolation. I have been so distant, though I long yearned to tell you everything that has even weighed upon my heart and mind. I am...unworthy of the love you have given me. So undeserving of your kindness and your selfless deeds.

"Ever since Tyrant's attack, I have had a foreboding feeling. I am afraid I do not have long left in this world. I wanted to tell you so many things, but most of all...I just wanted to say goodbye. I don't know when or how my end may come, so I am leaving this memory with Cortell. He won't be able to recall what I am telling you, but I am leaving my final farewells with him.

"There is so much that I wish I could tell you, my love. I have unfairly kept so many secrets from you. And even now, I cannot say them without putting you and all of Celesti in grave danger. That has always been the reason for my silence. There are things that I must bear alone, secrets that must fade away with me.

"I do want to tell you this: do not worry for any of our children. They are strong, with wills of steel. They have inherited much from you in that regard. Daeron is safe, I can promise you that, though I cannot tell you how I know. And he will watch and protect Gloriann until they both can return home.

"Continue to be strong, Marcus. My love, do not grieve over me for too long. Celesti still has need of you. Our children need you. Weep as you must, but do not lose yourself to the sorrow. That is a path...you can never return from.

"You might doubt me for my silence. You won't hate me for isolating myself, or leaving you like this...Though perhaps you should. But just know that I will always love you. Marcus, even death will not quell my love. Thank you for everything; for giving me a chance, for giving me your children, for giving me your love. I am unworthy of any of it, and I will be eternally in your debt. Farewell, for now, my love. We will meet again on the other side of the void.

Though he didn't know what words she had said, Cortell sensed emotions in that memory so deep that it shook him to the core. He grasped Marcus' shoulder tightly, both to comfort him and to steady himself.
"I'm sorry, Father," he said, sobs breaking the words. "I am so sorry I couldn't protect her."

[Trinn]

The image of Rauthr and Marola faded from before Marcus's eyes, and in their place bloomed another image. Here was Marola, but she well and alive. Startled, Marcus found that he could not move or speak, or do anything other than watch his lovely wife. Her words pierced his heart, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not reach out to her to hug her and wipe away the tears forming in her beautiful eyes. There was nothing he could do other than to sit and listen to her farewell. All too soon she was gone, and he had to blink to clear his vision and find the horrible scene of her murder still there before him. With one hand he pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling dizzy and sick to his stomach, as well as hollow and angry and sad, so very sad. After a minute he realized that Cortell's hand was on his shoulder, and that his son was weeping. There was no shame to cry, not now.

"This was out of our control, son. When the mighty fight, the weak can only watch and pray." Standing, he turned and pulled Cortel into a rough hug. "Aye, there was nothing any of us could have done. Perhaps if Einar had been here...." he couldn't say anymore, for the what ifs of the situation would kill him with guilt. "Best not to think of it. Your mother... well... she must have known what she was getting herself into. I think she expected this to happen all along." Marcus's voice was beginning to break, so he fell silent and kept his thoughts to himself. Oh Marola, he thought, if you could have just let me in a little more... Smaller arms wrapped around his waist, and he looked down to find Tally hugging both of them. How he wished his other children were there too, safe and sound, away from harm. It was nearly enough to drive him mad.

[Tismri]

Cortell stood there quietly with his family, still feeling the acute emptiness within his mind. He heard his mother's voice, her final words to him. Her pleadings to not give in to hatred and vengeance. He knew she wanted him to always be at peace. For her, revenge had never brought her any kind of happiness. She would not want him to dwell upon her death.

But as he stared at her shattered remains, he became all too aware that he was not her. He knew he would never be able to move on while her murderer remained, terrorizing the world. If he did nothing, how many others would suffer the tragedy that had befallen his family? How long would this war drag on, the world still mending from the last one? Too many had suffered already.

Make them pay! his mind was shouting. Kill everyone who caused her suffering. It was so loud in his head that his ears started to ring.