Rise of the Equine (Home Again)

[Amariette Willowbane]

"Amariette does not NEED you anymore Gaelus. She needs only me. I'm the only one who cares about her and is willing to do what it takes to see her happy and protected from all pain. You would just lie to her and betray her fragile heart, a soul I have come to love more than you will ever know. Justice will not be done until all whom have wounded her are punished to the fullest extent. She does not understand right now, why I had to end her father's wretched life, but in time she will, and then she will come to love me just as much as I do her. As for you, you are an annoyance that I will no longer tolerate." The words were spoken with a proud and powerful tone as Merope slowly rose to her feet, silver eyes blazing with energy and her hands balled into tight fists that hummed and snapped with red light. Advancing on him as Brigham watched with wide and utterly terrified eyes, his blood was soaking the sheets on which he had been sleeping, the hilt still buried in his chest and the blade unable to be drawn free. She was a glowing deity of fury, her might insurmountable and her will to prevail indomitable. He would lose his life tonight and allow her to continue her mission, the knowledge of his kind and what he was capable of meaningless in its entirety. Raising her hands, palms outward, she took further steps, her body touching the very edge of Brigham's bed and her lips pressed into a tight line.

"Merope! Young One! I await you and the judgement you rightfully deserve!" The loud feminine voice called from the land surrounding the back porch, the intensity of it freezing Merope in her tracks and the familiarity rising in her mind. Brianne, or better yet, Kihadras, the one being she had wished to kill more than any of Amariette's other enemies. She was the reason the girl had been brought into a world of such horrible evil and maliciousness, she was the cause of every bit of pain that the child had been forced to endure. SHE, above all, had to be destroyed. Growling low, she let her hands fall and turned swiftly to storm out of the room, ignoring the dull throb from the knot she had gotten from colliding with the wall at Gaelus's push. Striding down the hall, she literally blew the back door off of its hinges, the giant wooden cover flying from the porch to soar over Brianne's head and into the woods at her back.

The older woman never flinched. "Show your true self to me now so that I may offer a swift and honorable death for the crimes you have committed in this world, using my daughter's body as your pawn." Stepping forward, Brianne drew her white robes open and let them fall to the ground, her entire body glowing with a bright blue light that was as clear as crystal and shimmering along her pale, naked flesh. She was covered by her purity and the image she conveyed was nothing short of breathtaking, a completely foreign being whose grace and presence covered a most undeserving world. Her brilliant crimson locks were billowing upwards as she drew forward on bare feet, the toes pointing maiden-like with each step she took and her arms outstretched. It was then, in that instant, that she was engulfed in a blinding flash of blue, a single silver horn spiraling toward the heavens and emerging from the midst of the explosion. A shrill whinny parted the air and the light suddenly died as the most regal and noble of all creatures stood tall and sleek, a gilded silver mane and elegant white body that held no rival. Kihadras rose up on her hind legs and pawed the air with her hooves in challenge, the blazing eyes centered on that of her opponent and her mind speaking out toward Gaelus, "Do not interfere. I will settle this matter once and for all."

An amused smirk spread across Merope's lips at the woman's 'performance'. It was all very impressive but she had yet to feel intimidated. Drifting down the stairs at a blatantly non-chalant pace, the young woman's red ringlets bounced deliciously about her shoulders and she laughed lightly. "You dare show your face here after all these years?" Stopping after the final step, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest as she addressed the waiting beast, a sigh passing her lips,"You must be quite the fool to think I would reveal my true self when it could result in me being banished into exile, something I cannot afford at this moment. I know you will not harm your precious daughter so I think it best if I just stay put for now, do you not agree Kihadras?" It was obvious that Merope was not going to cooperate without serious threat, an action that caught her challenger off guard and caused her to hesitate in worry. Kihadras would not attack.

[GaelusKurtis]

She had stormed out..strangely enough after the booming vocals of the woman Brianne he'd spoken with in the forest. But what was he to do? Surely he could sense Merope's power was quite awesome or awe inspiring..much like his own, but in the mean time Brigham laid writhing in pain with wide eyes. Forgetting of Merope for a moment he sprung to the bedside of Brigham..hands flailing a bit in disbelief before they gripped the hilt of the blade that was lodged deep within the mans chest. "Calm down Brig..Calm it!" the older man taking a deep breath in the pain and closing his eyes tightly..only then did he simply nod and let Gaelus prop a knee onto his thighs. "...One....Two...THREE!" and after the three he yanked so hard that the sound of ripping flesh was most audible. Brighams low cry and then his belly-ached forward wrench and then the blade was free. Tossing the blade to the side he then went to him further and took some of the sheets that were around beneath him soaked in blood and proceeded to rip them apart piece by piece..creating a long bandage that he would start to wrap around his body. "..Brigham...stay here..don't move or you'll lose alot of blood..let the wound clot for god sakes.." he patted his shoulder and then leaned up after hearing the words 'do not interfere'. That would not do...not at all..

Gaelus was a respectable being but this wasn't some fight of honor or something..this was the real world..he wasn't going to sit around and let Brianne fight merope alone. Storming through the room and out the rooms door, he'd then break towards the living room and grasp hold that was before the firey hearth, his double bladed battle-axe. Gripping the large object in his hand he'd then turn towards the back door and witness that..well there wasn't one. Instead as he stepped into the every deepening snow, the eyes would visualize the two as they made their stand off to one another. Strange..he came back this very day..found his best friend and father like figure..and now he lay stabbed in the bed as well as his best friend being controlled by some power tripped monger of a unicorn. Gripping the hilt of the battle axe tight, he'd shake his head "No!...Let me! This isn't a place for you to fight alone...I've lived my life without a purpose..let me have my purpose!" yelling out towards Brianne. He was not at all afraid of Merope..and if it came down to it..he'd do whatever was necessary to defeat her.

[Amariette Willowbane]

Merope drew her gaze over the shoulder toward Gaelus, the silver irisies flashing in unmistakable anger and rage, the swirling crimson energies hovering about her now balled fists. "Oh yes you thick headed dolt, attack the girl and kill her just as you did your wife! It appears that you are even more of a brainless twit than I first percieved. You would do well to keep out of this and allow those with true power to handle the situation at hand, am I correct Kihadras?" Offering him her back once again, she stalked forward a few more steps, daring the unicorn to betray her composure and strike the first fatal blow.

Amariette on the other hand, had quieted considerably and had begun to do a little investigating on her own. With her mother distracting Merope's consciousness, she had worked her own gentle will over those forbidden doors in the other's mind. Easing her mental fingers about the knobs and tugging ever so slowly until the hinges gave and she discovered the information that had been withheld from her in the beginning. It was then that she discovered something that sent her own blood to a fierce boil, her jaw setting and her muscles hardening to iron. The first name on the list was easily recognizable, the bearer of that name already bleeding out the last minutes of his life as he gasped for air in his bed. Yet the second made her eyes narrow in that display of determination that had carried her through the accursed temple of Seoul-Mun. Merope's next target was none other than Daniel Carter. HER Daniel Carter. The man she had braved jungles, temples, thieves, murderers, demonic beings, certain death, and the loss of her very soul for. This had to end. She would MAKE Merope leave her body and face her wrongdoings. Drawing away from the corridor of locked intentions, Amariette slid back into her place in the shadows, her mind working passively and secretively so that her will would appear harmless and fragile as always.

Merope had no idea what was happening until it was too late. Fire, red hot and engulfing exploded within her mind, a force she did not recognize until the voice rose that accompanied the anguish. 'You thought I wouldn't find out what you were planning? You murdered my father and sought to hide your next target from me until it was again too late to intervene! Daniel! MY DANIEL! You were going to kill him with my hands! Put his blood on my conscience! I've had enough of your 'support' and your 'protection' Merope. I don't need it! I'VE NEVER NEEDED IT!'

Another onslaught of fire brought Merope to her knees in agony, her palms drawn to her head and a howl of pain escaping her lips as she yelled out against the girl, trying to gather her scattered will. "It was necessary! They all have to die for the pain they have caused you! Including him! That sniveling, groveling, poor excuse for a man. He HURT you!! I was trying to get you to understand that! Amariette! You need me more than you can possibly know! I complete you! I'm your strength!" As she wailed on her knees, the woman's body was engulfed in a brilliant red light that pulsated and grew in a widening shield about her. Something was happening, something Merope did not want but could not seem to stop. She was being forced out, PUSHED out from the inside. Somehow, she had underestimated her vessel and with Amariette's rage only building in power far greater than her own, she could feel herself being strained and excersised from within.

The sight the two offered was as disturbing as it was amazing, large dragon-like wings emerging from her back, ripping through her dress and unfurling their great wing span into the cold winter air. The claws were wickedly hooked and gleaming as the appendages beat the air in panic, the feeling as though her skin was melting under the heat of her dismissal. Throwing her head back as the brilliant silver irises took on a fierce glow, the skin of her forehead split as a thick spiraling horn of the deepest black emerged with a sickening sound of tearing flesh. Merope was screaming now, her essence being purged from the mortal coil she had been trapped in for so long, an existence she had actually come to relish in. Suddenly her image was blotted out by a bold stormy haze of crimson light and a deep resonating war cry of equine rage parted the air. From the midst of the torrent rose Merope, blackened hooves and fire hued mane materializing into view, nostrils flaring and eyes blazing in fury. Stepping out of the evil glow as it faded into nothing, she pawed the earth and her wings curled against her, her size easily greater than that of Kihadras whom watched with passive and unafraid eyes. Her hide was the color of gray smoke, ashen and dying, her eyes the same silver but her mane and tail the embodiment of the flames of false justice, hooves and claws as black as the darkest abyss of the soul.

"She may have bested me, but you will not Kihadras. I will show you no mercy and your death will be only a joy to my eyes. Now that I am free and no longer require your daughter's body, there is no limit to what I can AND will do." The creature hissed telepathically for all to hear as Amariette, her body reclaimed, fell over against the snow, unconscious and pale, her skin and features unmarked and undamaged.

[GaelusKurtis]

This was his cue. For you see he had no intentions of killing Amari even if he had the ability to fight. Maybe knock them unconscious..but that was about it. However seeing this 'creature' appear from the very body that was releasing it..he was almost in awe. Shocked..but nonetheless retaining his mortal wit. Scrambling through the snow, Gaelus would reach down and quickly scoop up Amari in his arms, pulling back on his feet and then giving a nod to the good unicorn..since they were both quite awe inspiring..and thus with her in arms, tossed her up a little higher with his hands under her knees, arm around her shoulders..pursued the course back into the house out of the snow. He had forgotten his axe as he had to sit it down to carry her..but it of course was of no importance right now. After moving inside the house..Brigham who was up and walking..clutching his now wrapped chest said 'Whats wrong with her?!' "She's alright..don't really know myself..todays just..one of those days I guess..." and thus Gaelus moved onward inside, kneeling down to the couch in the sitting room with the hearth and then setting her body down on the couch. She was unconscious..of course he did not know how far in the deep recesses of her own mind she was. Afterall..from that shocking experience he just saw..he'd most likely either be dead or in a coma of some sort. That was him though...captain thickheaded. "Amari you alive..? C'mon wake up..." he'd turn his head sideways..and press his head to her chest..all this..to find a heartbeat..

[Amariette Willowbane]

Kihadras advanced further as she watched Gaelus sweep Amariette into his arms and usher her safely back into the house where the two beasts could be alone to finish things once and for all. Raising her head higher, regally, she rose onto her hindlegs once again and gave a triumphant cry, silver mane and tail billowing in the winter breeze. Settling back down again, fore hooves pawing the depths of white beneath, she looked to her left and then to her right as sudden figures materialized within the forest proper, ghostly shapes fading in and out of view as though there were mere mirages. They surrounded the two, watching from within, waiting for the precise moment. The spiraling silver horn gleamed and pulsated with blue light, as the ancient creature of myth was slowly backed by the others of her kind, those whom would judge their wicked kin in full force. "The child did what I could not and now we have come to end your evil reign upon this land and the innocent inhabitants within it. You were foolish to think I would come alone, though my power far surpasses your own. No, our kind have gathered to ensure that your banishment will be eternal and there will be no chance of you ever freeing yourself again. I pity you Merope, that you would see one prison destroyed, only to be cast into another because of your own madness. A prison you shall know forevermore."

Merope stirred angrily, her eyes shifting from one ghostly figure to another as her wings spread and she took a few tentative steps back, hissing with a venomous edge in her voice, "I will not be done away with so easily. You cannot send me away now that I have tasted freedom at its finest. Not when I have worked so hard to get where I am. Not when I have the very world to enjoy at my own accord. I will kill you all before I allow you to be rid of me again!" The curved black horn against her skull exploded in a ball of wicked crimson light and she stalked forward against them, the massive animal that she was being a very formidable sight to behold. Nostrils flared and puffs of heated air pushed through the cold, foam issued from her mouth and her muscles tensed and quivered in sweet anticipation of murdering the lot of them and relishing in her new found liberation.

It was then that the entire line of unicorns reared against her with shrill cries of fury, their horns glowing bright and their eyes shining with an intensity that caused her to faulter in her attack and draw back in genuine horror. They were a living army of might and power, their manes flaring and hooves pawing the air in defense against her maliciousness, denying the evil and deceit that made up her soul in its entirety. Energy snapped and crackled about them, forming a great void that swirled and grew above her, a black hole that was beginning to draw her upwards into it, hooves digging for leverage in the snow. Great wings unfurled and she beat the air, her cries of rage shaking the foundation of the earth about them as she was caught up and slowly devoured by the spell they had conjured. The line of white beasts that watched with passive eyes seemed some great ocean tide sweeping in with the change of the moon's pull, the stream lined bodies standing silently as Merope thrashed and struggled against their collective strength. All in an instant she was gone, caught up and swallowed into oblivion to face a fate that none would ever know of and would never concern themselves with. The threat of the Equine, was over.

As silence settled over the land again, Kihadras' companions seemed to simply shimmer out of existence, fading away into nothing to leave her alone once again, her thanks to them flowing on the wind to be carried away into the night. Lowering her head, eyes closing, her body was engulfed in blue light and she was flesh once again, a woman of impressive heart and beauty, clothed in those brilliant white robes that trailed behind her as she drew up the stairs and into the house. She had one last matter to attend to.



Brigham had stumbled in, a trail of blood left in his wake as he settled into a chair to watch Gaelus and his attempts to revive his only daughter. It was amazing that the man could even walk, but surrendering to fate was never one of his strong points and his indomitable will pushed him to place one foot in front of the other until he was situated where he could watch. The man still had no idea why Amariette had attacked him and even now, he strained to breathe as his essence soaked through the makeshift bandages and pooled on the floor around him. Letting his head fall back, he raised a weak hand to Gaelus, "Ya take good care of her boy. Her survival depends on ya now and I know she'll come around and need somebody to help her through. I think I've about had it....in fact...." The words escaped him as he took another painful inhale and felt his strength steadily waning, his head falling to the side as he glimpsed a familiar image moving down the hall through his misty vision, a sight he could have sworn was an hallucination. His wife. It was Brianne, and by the Gods, she was the most beautiful image that could have ever been his last. Offering a weak smile and a coughing laugh at the noted irony, blood trickled from his lips and the blacksmith was gone.

Drifting into the room, Brianne Willowbane frowned deeply at the sight of her late husband. Already she could feel and see his essence lingering not far from his body. Waiting. Waiting for something that she would graciously offer. It wasn't unnerving in the least, to see him watching her so calmly, his spirit rather like an observer caught by the scene of something gripping. She understood the shock he was in, and she would take care of him once her daughter was attended to. Drawing across the floor, she rested a hand on Gaelus's shoulder, "She's afraid my dear, she knows what she has done and she fears the life that awaits her if she returns. You must seek her out on the subconscious level. Quiet your mind and reach out to her, open yourself to her so that she will no longer fear those whom love her. If she does not return to herself, she will waste away and die within her mortal shell. Her pains are numerous, her despair deep, and her faith in her own abilities greatly lacking. Memories that she cherishes have crumbled in her very hands and even now, with the death of her father, she will be reluctant to face what has become of her. Convey to her the importance of returning. Show her that she is still needed in this world. Prove to her that her heart is still as pure and innocent as the day she was born. Make her see the truth."

Moving away from him as his eyes rose to her in a silent inquiry of where she was going, Brianne smiled faintly and leaned down to press a warm kiss to his forehead, curling his hair behind his ear with a slender finger, "I cannot stay. She will know how to reach me if required, but for now, I must take care of him." She let her emerald gaze settle on Brigham's shade, wavering in substance as he stood in passive acceptance, the smallest hint of worry on his translucent features though no one could see him but her. "He is waiting for me..." Lifting her hand, the ghost was shocked that she had noticed him and slowly, as if in a trance, he drifted across the floor and found himself capable of taking that hand, a small smile spreading on his lips. Meeting her eyes, his voice was a sound that only she could hear now, "Where....where are ya taking me...?"

Resting a palm against his cheek, she let him nuzzle against it before speaking, "Home. I'm taking you to our home my love. The White Lands, where you will know true peace with me forever. Come, it is time to go." With that she was gone, shimmering out of existence and leaving only the faint scent of her skin behind, the man she loved accompanying her, never to be separated again.

[GaelusKurtis]

Brigham was indeed a strong individual. He had thought the man would have keeled over by now but even then he surpassed himself in his own strength just by lasting this long. "...What are you saying Brig??" Looking up from the figure that lay so daintly on the comforter in her unconscious state, noticing how the old man turned his head to the hallway whilst echoing out those words both past and present drawn. He was dead. The poor old fool had died..and thus left him alone with Brianne and Amari to his side. The fixation of a lithe hand that pressed into the cloth of his shoulder made a strained face look up from the corner as if trying not to break into tears at the passing of brigham alone, but now he was losing Amari as well.

"....So.." Gaelus rebuttled in her direction after a few moments of conscious thought. "...I have to perceive myself within her..to save her?" blinking his eyes in thought of one traveling deep into anothers subconsciousness just to pull them back out..as if they were a stranded steer in a river of freezing cold water and ice. All the while, his hand gripped tighter to the one he held of Amari's and thus bowed his head in a state of anxiety of things he'd never done nor perceived before. "...Can't lose anymore important people to me...I will not let it happen damnit..I won't!" His confidence no longer shattered, the man much like that now of his father simply curled his lips down into a thoughtful frown. The kiss to his forehead then let him realize that Brianne was leaving with the spirit of Brigham. "..You two take good care of one another.." smiling "I'll guard your daughter with my life if I have to. She won't pass to the other side unless it's of natural causes..." they were now gone..he was left alone with the burning hearth to the side, her figure on the comforter, and his knelt beside it with hand in hand.

"...Amari I know you can hear me..." the words began, an idle hand reaching up and brushing back bits and pieces of her hair from her head. "...Open yourself to me okay...? You gotta try..." Thus gaelus closed his eyes. In a unique twst of humanity, he recalled the faint ideals of Minds Eye from the tutor of Berserker Fury. The words rang in his head <...My disciple..to be one with the mind..you have to be one with the spirit...>. His minds eye was always one with his spirit..a constant state of harmony that belittled not the pitiful souls, but lashed at them with constant care. All was black in his head...the endless gap of darkness that riled the hellish pits of eternal damnation themselves. One could go mad here...<Hello??> his inner voice echoed. He did not know if this was his mind or if it was Amari's. He only perceived what he thought she would be in. If he was right...then this would be the place to search...

[Amariette Willowbane]

<I killed him. I'm responsible because I let her fool me. I let her murder him.Oh Papa, I'm so sorry. I miss you, I miss you so much.> There was the sound of weeping, piteous cries that echoed in the darkness, the dismal abyss of her despair that was without light, without form, simply was. The sounds were echoing and had no discerning source, though a small, almost imperceptible flicker of candle light shined from somewhere within the deep, beckoning as though it desired protection at all costs. <So much blood...there's so much blood on my hands. Oh god, it's everywhere. EVERYWHERE ON ME!>


The scream was shrill and high pitched, maddening and frenzied as though insanity was not only natural, but accepted. As the light grew about her, Amariette came slowly into view, curled into a corner, knees drawn up to her chest as she rocked back and forth in sickening repetition, her arms wrapped about her knees and her head buried within them. Crimson stained her dress, her skin, her hair, matting it in tangles and pooling around her as though she herself was wounded. Of course, this was not the case. Yet Amariette didn't seem to care, in fact, she didn't seem to recognize someone intruding upon her broken solitude. She just rocked, forward, backward, to and fro, crying terribly, a sound that wrenched at the heart and chilled the very soul, the atmosphere about her heavy as though there was some strangling heat that was suffocating and debilitating.

<I can taste it now, it's inside me, so much. Why can't I choke? Why can't I die? OH PAPA! I'M SORRY! I wasn't fast enough. WHY DIDN'T I KNOW? I could have stopped her. I WOULD HAVE! DANIEL! DANIEL! Where are you? You promised you wouldn't leave me. You promised you'd stay. That you'd be here. Are you dead too? Oh god, have I....HAVE I KILLED YOU?>

Her head jerked up suddenly and those emerald eyes were bloodshot, cuts zig-zagged across her cheeks and bled down her skin, lips chapped and broken, swelling in some places. There had been no one here but her, so the truth became painfully clear. Amariette had done it to herself. It was then that she heard a voice, another voice, belonging to someone who was not supposed to be here. In this world, in this world where she bled, where the blood was plentiful, where it coated and covered her, blotting out her transgressions. Tilting her head as his image came into view, there was obvious disbelief, pure and total denial of her senses. He could not be here. How did he find a way in? If he had come for her, perhaps there was a way out. Merope would not have shown her the way. Merope would have let her rot in her grief. But it didn't matter now, Merope was gone. She HAD done at least that much. She had strength enough for that. But now? What would have been the point?

<Go back. Go away and leave me alone. Leave me alone to die. I don't want you here. I don't want to go back. The blood. The blood understands. The blood is all that matters. LEAVE ME GAELUS! And never come back.>

[GaelusKurtis]

There was utter blackness here..an irrefutable sense of keen unknown..an enigma. It was as if an invisible labyrinth have taken up residence in the stead of Amari's very being and let loose fates most cruel web to set up it's traps. Gaelus' very fingers pulled into the center of his Gi, pulling it inward and forward before taking a look about in the darkness. What was this? A voice..feminine and sweet..succulent like the brightest youth as it individually tainted the air in quick succession. That was definately Amari. However in her babblings she had come to witness in the candlelight her reflection of disrupted agony. A sight even Gaelus did not wish to look upon for it hurt him deeply to see her so..how does one say it..there was no way to describe the sensation.

"No...I will not leave you here...Even if I have to sit here for eternity I am not leaving here without you Amari...Damnit you did not kill your father..that BEAST did..You're no beast..you're a damn person with a heart and a soul and only you can free yourself...I can only guide you...please!" moving closer to the candlelight that beckoned him like a moth to a flame. Drawn inevitably by the power of affection for his childhood friend..even more so for the developed love that would always be between them as it always had been. "Amari..Dear friend..companion...Please!" the large gruff hand reached out towards the light, hoping and praying that she would take it and listen

[Amariette Willowbane]

Amariette was content to ignore him, her rocking returned as she gazed listlessly past his image into the darkness once again, her lips moving at every thought that passsed within her head. There was only one tone of voice, of pitch, as though she were some machine that had been left to run for far too long, centuries even, an abandoned mind. <I have no control in the world outside this body. I have no hope and no security. Others will die if I don't stay. Many will suffer less if I do. How can you possibly understand this burden that I carry? You have no idea of the madness that lurks in this mind, this spirit. Where one Merope is cast aside, another can very well rise to replace her. I cannot allow that. I will not allow that. I am dangerous, and dangers should be avoided at all costs. I should be avoided. It is time for you to leave Gaelus.>

She was about to force him from her mind completely when a tender voice rose in the darkness and pacified her instinctively, almost paralyzing her in its grip. "You are not this being Amariette. You are not so different from the rose at night when dawn has yet to touch its petals and give it new life. Where the dew still coats its soul and prevents it from glistening of its own accord. You are the girl no longer. You are the woman. It is time for you to return as that woman. Those you seek to forsake need you more than you could ever know, and even now, if you listen well, feel with that magic that still burns within you, you can understand. He needs you. He is in trouble and he needs you. You must go to him. If not for yourself than for him. You must find Daniel." And the moment was gone, the older feminine voice fading away into nothingness, leaving the two alone and the young woman trembling in sudden revelation.

The sensation was indescribable, and yet she had no idea how she knew, how she could almost feel the need for her presence as effortlessly as one feels the first drop of rain before the storm. Lifting her eyes to Gaelus, there was fear in that gaze, bold and brilliant fear, but she slowly rose to her feet and moved across the distance between them. With trembling hands, she reached for him, taking his firm grip and falling against his chest with a soft cry of despair, her cheek pressed and fresh, but clean tears cutting through the stains of blood on her pale cheeks. "Yes. Even if only for him. I must go. I made a promise and I must live by that promise, even if my own life no longer matters. Gaelus, Gaelus take me home. Bring me back, I...I'm ready."

Amariette Willowbane's earthly eyes, brilliantly emerald and clear as fine crystal opened then as her body jerked up into a sitting position and she surveyed the familiar room. Gaelus was there, his brow still furrowed in concentration and his eyes closed, but she knew he would easily find his way back, after all, he had come for her had he not? It was the audible whines of the hound Kramar that stirred her gaze and directed it toward the large chair to which the dog was scratching at, his paws working the material and the high pitched sounds of despair filling her heart with dread. She could see for herself now. Her ruined father long gone from his mortal shell. "Papa...." Was the only whispered word that could escape her pouting lips as the real tears, the liquid tears of a human being, began to spill in torrents down her otherwise perfect face, hysterical sobs filling her chest and throat.

Gaelus was there then, again present with her on this plane of flesh and blood. And as he encircled her in his large arms, she surrendered to the comfort as a child does to its mothers' breast in the darkest times and she felt herself purged of sadness, the sorrow overflowing. Crimson ringlets of hair shielded her face from view as though her pain was hidden by the wing of some unseen angel, come to her to protect each and every falling droplet of salt. She was awake. She was alive. Yet Amariette would have to be reborn and for now, those tears were the first step in what she knew would be a long and event-filled journey.

[GaelusKurtis]

It was in that instantaneous moment of revelation that her fleeting spirit had come to collide with that of his ethereal body. The way she held him in her tears and in her fears belied the actual truth that she was now opening to him. And in such actions he had but simply nodded his friend as he could only do and hold her in his large arms as their figures traveled through that immerse and undoubtedly spectacular tube of thought that glittered with brilliant lights and an opening at the end. The personification of Mind versus Body. When he awoke, she was within his arms..crying to herself and to the obvious that would be of the passing of Brigham. Now..both of these childhood companions were fatherless..leaving them both in the world alone..at least with each other if nothing else..and the dog. He simply held her there, large arms encircling further and attempting the best comfort he could. "...I am sorry Amari...It is a tragedy...but he passed willingly...there was no hatred in him..there was no remorse or regret for what he or you have done..for it was not you at all.." fingers passing through the mass of hair atop of her very hair, brushing aside parts of it so he could view her eyes further ."...We all as people have done terrible things that we mean not..if not even our fault...Like you, controlled by that thing, killed him...i've killed my own wife...it was not my intention..but like me you must move on to more important things..perhaps someone important in your life needs you and you must go to them...Don't give up on it all...Do not be like I was..." and with this he pulled away from her a little, looking over to the former shell of Brigham as it lay lifeless in that comforter..lowering his head a little in prayer for his spirit that now rests in peace "...I shall bury him with the rest in the forest..it would be what he wanted to be buried next to my father...His brother in life..."

[Amariette Willowbane]

She watched him now, grateful for his dedication to Brigham even now in death. Sighing, she tested her footing as she rose and moved toward the limp figure with shaking steps. Curling back the hair from his eyes, she slid her palm down against them, the eyelids shutting and pressed her lips to his forehead, sobs still echoing from her gently. "I never stopped loving you. Rest well. Father." Balling her hands into tight fists, she stepped back from him then, footsteps imprinted in his blood as she swallowed roughly and lifted her haggard features to Gaelus. "Please, see that he is taken care of. Kramar too. I have to go Gaelus and I don't know how long I will be gone. Take care of this home as if it were your own, actually, it is your home as far as I am concerned. It was built and kept by a strong man, and it deserves no other type of caretaker. I am eternally in your debt for what you have done for me...and for him." Letting her gaze fall on Brigham, she turned away to fetch her white fur coat and disappeared through the front door, knowing full well that Gaelus was probably not too far behind.

Striding along the snowy surface, tear stained cheeks cooling in the winter wind, she left through the gate and moved past the entrance of the blacksmith shop. It was on the opposite end that a small stable was situated, where the only mare they owned was resting warm and comfortable in her stall, content to fill her belly on the winter's ration of apples, a staple crop of Chartha. Gaining the wooden door, Amariette drew inside and offered a faint smile toward Lyra, the horse she had not laid eyes on for some time, a friend whose presence in her life was long overdue. Stroking the mare's haunches and running her fingers through the soft mane, Lyra was more than pleased to see her mistress, rather anxious at her presence so very near. Even a beast could feel when action was stirring about it. "I need your help my beauty, are you strong enough to fly?" Amariette questioned gently, moving up to face her with a determined gaze and stroking the sensitive patch between the mare's eyes. Lyra whinnyed softly and gave a series of visible nods, stomping the floor of the stable and setting her tail to swaying impatiently. She was an impressive animal. Warm autumn brown with a lighter hued mane and tail, deep dark eyes that were oh so expressive and a body that was built not only for speed, but for power as well. A true mountain horse. "I knew I could count on you. We must hurry. I don't know how much time I have."

With that, the young woman saddled her mount and secured the bit and bridle before leading her outside where Gaelus stood waiting with an incredulous and unknowing look on his face. Moving to Lyra's side, Amariette drew up into the saddle just as her father had always taught her, the riding prowess of a man made graceful by the woman. "I'm going back to Emain Macha Gaelus, and I don't know when I will return. Be safe my friend and do well for yourself in my absence. I will see you soon, if the fates allow it. For now, I must go to him. Goodbye.." And with that she spurred Lyra with a sharp outcry that set the horse to rearing before exploding from the spot and vanishing down the white covered cobblestones to be swallowed by the blinding beams of the rising sun. A lingering scent of Vanilla Jasmine perfume was all that remained of her presence and the smell hung faint in the air before fading away with a fresh winter's breeze. A new day had begun and the castle awaited her.

[GaelusKurtis]

And with that she was gone. Back out of his life once again just like the time when he left..only the positions had indeed changed. There was a promise here, subliminally, to watch over her homestead and take care of her father and Kramar...he couldn't just leave them there like that could he? Of course not. Besides..he knew deep down that if he indeed wished to follow her, it would not be hard. The scent she gave off was one of a kind and easily trackable. In thus he gave a light wave as she disappeared into the horizon and turned around in the snow, moving back towards the homestead where Brighams corpse lay in quiet agony. He pushed through the door and inward to the living room where Kramar was licking the dead mans hand with whimpering whines "...Sorry boy...He's gone...C'mon..lets go give him his proper burial.." rolling his hand through the fur ontop of Kramars head between the ears, he then leaned forward and picked up Brigham, hoisting him up and over his shoulder with his midsection bent over the brunt of his massive form. He turned, ducked under the archway into the room, went through the hallway to the backdoor, and walked outside. He jumped off the back porch since the door had smashed the steps when it was removed from the hinces by that demon thing he had no clue of what it was..strange powers..in all of this he wondered if he was strong enough to protect those he truly cared for..or was he just another weak man? Afterall..he let Brigham die.

It was not long before he was at the gravesite. He had brought a shovel along from the bottom of the porch when he did and thus he set brighams body down and went about erecting a grave in the dirt with slow powerful strides in his digging game. Kramar sat on his hinds, tail wagging and head tilted to one side with an occasional bark to accompany the sounds of the forests soothing melodies. The thoughts played out in his mind as he was digging..many precarious things that seemed to all come together at once. That moment when his axe flew and struck not only the bandit..but his very wife too...Then when he could not face Merope..he was too weak...then he let Brigham die. Why does everyone around him have to die? Was he a curse..? "...Tch.." he said pessimistically, hoisting up brighams body and sliding him into the grave that was now dug up.

It didn't take long to cover it. Gaelus patted it down and pulled up a nearby rockface to stand it at the head for this mans Tombstone. The Epitaph he'd carve on it with the edge of the shovel was as follows..

"Here lies Brigham. He was one tough old bastard who gave it his all...but in the end it didn't even matter..We love you Brig"

He knew he'd have liked it that way. It WAS Brigham afterall now wasn't it? There was a quick glance over to the neighboring grave of his fathers, lightly shaking his head. "Don't worry dad...I ain't lettin' her get away that easy this time. Im her friend and i'll follow her anywhere if necessary.." he left the gravesite with Kramar in tow, the dog bewildered at why the man had such a hustle in his stride. You see the minute he walked into the house, he grasped up his battleaxe in one hand and held it defiantly, slapping it on his back with the blade facing down and the handle facing his shoulder. "...C'mon Kramar. We're going to Emain Macha....wherever that is.." Kramar barked and started jumping along the side of Gaelus. The house would be fine..the citizens here were respected and would definately watch after it in Brighams death..that is until Gaelus came back...his mother would possibly as well. With this newly found self, Gaelus petted Kramar on the head and they exited the village by foot..never to be seen as the horizon devoured their figures.