Bittersweet Night
© Debbie Sutherlin & Aaron Baugh
(Contributions from B. Marburger and T. Dunn)

'Magnus.'

The big lumber man whistled some more as he poked more fresh wood into the bottom of the fire. He barely registered the mind-voice of Windswept. 'Magnus!' It was more insistent this time. 'Yes? What do you need, Windswept?' 'Sunstrike told me to tell you that Kalandra is leaving soon' 'Where?!' replied Magnus, suddenly dropping the stick he had been using to stir the ashes and coals of the fire. 'Towards the campus at the edge of the clearing. I'm going back to the stables. Goodnight, Bondmate.' Magnus smiled. 'Goodnight, Windswept. Thank you' 'For what?' 'Everything.' There was a long pause before Windswept replied. 'You're welcome. I'll see you in the morning. Now go walk Kalandra home.'

Magnus smiled as he bent to retrieve the ax Arthos had given him. When he looked back up, he saw the gray shape of Windswept trotting back towards the campus. He then set out to find Kal.

Kal settled the kedar case on her back comfortably and looked around. Magnus was walking toward her. Kal felt an inner urge to run. She waited for him to arrive. 'What must he think of me now...?' Kal sighed heavily. 'Kalandra, try to remember all the things you have learned from Master Andath, Taran, Tengu and Armsmaster Coul in training for your mission. You are going to have to start rolling with the punches a bit more. Now come on and face up to things. You can't run away anymore.' 'Yes, you are right again. I'm so glad the Light gave me a cool, wise head to balance me out. Thanks, Strike. You are quite a fellow you know.' 'Ahem...well of course I am...now if you don't mind, I'm going to walk with Prayer. We will be close behind if you need us.' 'Have fun, Big Boy!' Kal smiled at Strike and gave him and affectionate smack on the shoulder.

"Hi, Magnus...you don't have to walk me back...really. I can wait until some other time to talk..." Kal offered almost hoping he would take her up on it.

Magnus pulled up a little short. "Oh. Well, I heard earlier that you wanted to talk...but if you want to wait...Well, look, you're headed back to campus and so am I, so we could walk together. But if you'd rather wait, then I guess that'd be okay." His brow was knitted in thought and confusion. 'I thought she wanted to talk to me. . .'

While Kalandra and Magnus walked ahead, Prayer disengaged herself from the final clean-up at the bonfire and approached Sunstrike. 'Are you all right?' she asked him, greatly concerned. She had heard the weariness in his mind-voice earlier, and seen him lying exhausted on the ground. 'You were very brave' she added, more shyly. Her bay coat glistened with sweat in the light of the bonfire, and a small bandage was on her neck from where she had been hit by one of the imps.

Seeing the confusion on Magnus' face, Kal sighed. "I'm sorry Magnus. I...I guess I'm trying to run again...only this time with words. Forgive me?" Kal asked gently. Her arms are crossed in a subconscious effort to keep as much of her bare arms warm as possible. "If you are heading back anyway, I would be honored to have your company." Kal replied. She started walking, trying desperately to think how to start with all the nights events weighing her heart down. The path is well worn and though it is dark, the moonlight is enough to navigate the well traveled path. Kal looked at the surrounding rocks, knowing them well from all the times she had spent roaming this area. "Magnus...Magnus, I owe you an apology. I'm sorry about the other day...I owe you an explanation but that's a little more difficult...I'm sounding really stupid here, aren't I?" Kal sighed deeply and tried to stop the tremors. She wasn't sure if she were afraid, cold or something else.

"No, not at all. I thought that the other day, at the stream, that I had done something wrong." He shrugged. "But darned if I can't think of what it was." They walked in silence for a moment or two. "So. . .where's that blanket I told you to get? You still look cold."

Kal smiled. "The healers needed the blankets for the injured. All I need is a good warm cup of Omaku juice, a hot shower and a warm bed. I'll be fine." Kal looked over at Magnus. Biting her lip as she thought. They were nearing the stream now and the calming effect of the moving water was helping her immensely.

"Magnus...that's why I knew I needed to talk to you. You must not blame yourself. You were right, you did nothing wrong. It's me..." Kal moved off of the path and sat down by the stream, listening to the water. Then she looked up at Magnus, patting the rock beside her in invitation. Sitting next to him she still had to look up, that made her smile.

"Magnus. Dear Magnus...I ran away because... I don't know how YOU feel...I want you to understand this is based on ME. Oh, Magnus I am not good at this. I only know how to tell you the truth. Tell you the way I feel, as stupid as that might be." Kal sighed and tried to still her shaking hands. Kal looked up into his dark eyes. Once again, sighing softly.

'Prayer! What happened to you? Are you hurt badly?' Sunstrike gently touched his muzzle to the bandage and felt delicately around the wound. He eyed the bandage critically. 'Looks to be properly done, I've watched Caira practice along with Kal. Do you need to rest? We can walk another time, I will stay with you. Kal...I can reach her quickly if she needs me...' There is concern in Sunstrike's mind-voice. His eyes go to where his bonded and Magnus are disappearing down the path, ears pricking forward and back nervously.

"There's nothing wrong with being honest, Kal," he said softly, as he hesitantly reached out and took her shaking hands in one of his own. "I have no desire to make you feel uncomfortable, or stupid, or anything like that. Honest," he said, his smile genuine.

Kal studied Magnus' large hand a moment as she gathered her thoughts. Finally she took a deep breath and plunged ahead.

"Magnus, you are a very, VERY handsome, exciting man. You are thoughtful, gentle and kind. Your endearing qualities are so many, I wouldn't dream of trying to name them all. In short Magnus, I think you're simply wonderful. Not only that...but I...well...I...I AM...well...uh...attracted to you, Magnus. VERY attracted to you." Kal stopped for a moment, his close proximity was making her breathing erratic. She looked away from him.

"My friend Caira has Tengu, Tani has Dalryk, Yana has an admirer, Taran has Liadri, Arthos has Emily... I am lonely, I admit that. Magnus...I find you...fascinating, EXCITING...tempting..." The last word came out in a whisper. Kal shivered visibly, then continued.

"That's one of the two reasons why I MUST stop now. I wanted to talk to you, so you would know its ME that's the problem, not YOU." Kal took a deep breath, then turned to look straight at Magnus. Gently laying a very chilled hand on his face, Kal smiled at him.

He didn't even notice the coldness of her touch, instead it did quite the opposite, warming his face with a feeling that ran down his neck and through him. It was a very nice feeling.

"Oh, I don't think you should stop. I just got you going. Why would I want you to stop now?" He paused. "Before you try and run off again or avoid me any further, you should know that you've found a place in my thoughts since the bonding party we had earlier, in the stables. You embody things that I'm not. You're dainty where I'm coarse, graceful where I'm clumsy. YOU intrigue ME, Kalandra. And because of that I don't want you to stop where you've already left off. And there's no reason to flee from things. Stand up and confront them, and whatever it is will either go away or be conquered." He paused and bowed his head a little as he looked at the one hand he still clasped. "Don't run away from me now."

Kal took a deep breath. Her heart was aching and she knew her resolve was weakening. It was her duty that took precedence.

"Magnus, I HAVE to, it will be best for both of us. These reactions I'm experiencing are new to me and very strong...but there IS something missing for me. Something in here." Kal pointed to her heart. "Magnus, you deserve someone who adores you with no reservation. I can not allow myself to become involved now. There is so much standing in the way. The Light knows what I must face...and when it will come..." Kal's voice trailed off and she got a distant look on her face. Sudden terror filled her features, as though she saw something hideous and frightening. Kal shut her eyes tightly as if to avoid seeing something to awful to behold. She shook her head and came back to the present.

"I have something I MUST do...something to face that I might not EVER return from. My apprenticeship time is drawing to a close and I will more than likely be leaving very soon. Dragons blood! This is hard..." Unshed tears began to build in Kal's amethyst eyes, making them shimmer. She looked up at the night sky to try to keep the tears from spilling out. She slipped her hands away from his warm strong grasp.

"Dear Magnus, I care too deeply about you, to use you in a selfish manner. The Light knows what a...temptation you are to me and perhaps I am being tested. I don't know. I don't want to hurt your feelings. I would rather you take that lovely ax Arthos just gave you and end my life right now, than HURT YOU! But it is better to stop this now, before it develops any further, than let it go and hurt you even more. I pray one day the Light will let you think fondly of me, instead of hating me, as I know you probably will." Kal looked down and let her hair fall down to hide her misery. She finally let the tears slip down her cheeks unchecked. Kal stood up, trying to see her way through the tears blurring her vision. She had to go.

'Light, why didn't you let that 'thing' make a clean end of me?' Kal thought miserably as she sloshed into the stream.

His mouth opened and worked for words, but none came as Kalandra moved away from him. A part of him raged to go after her, to grab her and shelter her from whatever tormented her, and his muscles clenched and unclenched, as if the orders from that part of him had taken over. He stood as words failed him, and he reached outwards, hesitantly, but let his arm fall. He respected her too much, cared too much, to contradict that which she appeared to desire.

'Damn it! What about your desires? You're strong, protect her! That's what you do!' screamed the part of him that had made him stand. But his will overcame his passions, and instead he stood and watched her walk away in the moonlight, his eyes sad and mournful, his shoulders slumped as if he had been defeated.

In a way, he had been.

Stumbling several times she was fairly drenched by the time she reached the other side of the stream. Cold before, Kal was now freezing, but she managed to keep her kedar up and safe from the water. The emotional roller coaster of the last few hours, the warning from the ghost, plus the 'shock' from Skyfire had now taken a dreadful toll on her. Kal's teeth were chattering and suddenly she began to shake uncontrollably. She looked around and saw she had a way to walk yet. She put her mental block up so Sunstrike could not see into her mind and realize what was happening. Kal knew she had to take care of this herself. What if she failed like this on her mission? It would mean her life. 'Light! I have to make it. I WILL make it.' Kal stumbled and fell.

It was an odd feeling, watching the moonlit grasses come up to meet her in slow motion. Kal lay still a moment. The world was spinning and she had to hang on! Kal grabbed fiercely at the roots of the grasses and concentrated on slowing her breathing. "Magnus...I'm so sorry...forgive me." she whimpered into the dark soil beneath her cheek.

'Oh..oh no' Prayer responded, sounding somewhat dazed by Sunstrike's gentle touch. 'It was just a small wound, really. One of the imps got me with his tiny sword, that's all. You did much more than I.'

Noting his nervousness, Prayer gently bumped him in the shoulder with her nose. 'You need rest more than I do, Sunstrike. Please...I would enjoy the walk.' She looked up at him with bright, anxious eyes. 'And you need to be close to your Bonded, Kalandra.' She takes a few steps forward, looking back to make sure he comes with her. 'It is a lovely night!'

'You are a brave filly, Prayer. I am very proud of you. I only did what I could, unfortunately it was not enough to keep people from being hurt...' Sunstrike is truly chagrined about the injuries and his lack of power. He reaches over and touches his muzzle to hers. 'I'm glad you weren't hurt badly.'

Startled, Prayer stood still when he touched her again, her eyes widening with surprise. Her insides quivered, and she had to focus on a nearby tree to keep from being overwhelmed by his nearness. 'Thank you' she finally said, her mind-voice softer than normal. There was a lightness to her tone that hadn't been there moments before. 'You did so much though' she repeated, forcing herself to meet his strong gaze. She turned her eyes away quickly when her legs started to tremble.

'Made lovelier by your presence.' Sunstrike replied to Prayer, his mind-voice weary, but sincere. As they walk slowly, Sunstrike looks up and stops.

Floating along next to Sunstrike, Prayer listens to him intently, not wanting to miss a word of what he was saying. There was so much more to the handsome stallion than she had ever imagined. She looked up at him, his form outlined by the moonlight. ::I wish Parade could see this:: she thought, surprised at her own words. She felt like a newborn filly again! As though this was the first night she had ever been outside. The details of the area etched themselves firmly into her thoughts.

'Kal is upset. Oh...she likes Magnus very much, but knows the timing is all wrong right now. She is setting him free so he may find someone. It's very sad. My poor Kal. That beastly dark Wyn that tormented her, its all HIS fault, she is caught in this tragic mess. I can't wait until the day the Light pierces him and ends his miserable reign of terror!' Sunstrike was more vehement than any unicorn had ever seen him. His eyes were flashing angrily. Suddenly he rotated his ears forward listening intently.

When Sunstrike suddenly turned angry, she found herself edging away from him, even though she knew he would never hurt her. 'Perhaps some day' she added tentatively once he had stopped talking, 'I could help with that.'

'Kal?.....Kal??...DEMON BREATH! She has blocked me!' Strike shook his head angrily and stomped with his front hoof. His frustration was evident.

At a loss of what to say, Prayer moved next to Sunstrike again, hoping her presence would help calm him in some way, although she didn't think it would do any good. 'What dark Wyn are you talking about Sunstrike?' she finally asked, her curiosity getting the better of her good sense. 'What's left of it' she thought to herself, as she looked up at Sunstrike again.

'My bonded had...a run-in with a dark Wyn when she was still only a young girl. She is still in danger. I despise him.' Sunstrike spoke the words for the first time. He hated the Dark, but he had never hated people. They were just foolish tools of the Dark in Strike's opinion. Nephilith however, had become synonymous with the Dark to Sunstrike.

'DEMON FANGS! The block is down, but Kal is unconscious now. I have to go find her, Prayer. She might be in trouble!' Sunstrike's ears were twitching back and forth, swiveling at any sound. He took purposeful strides stopping every little bit to listen. Hearing something off to the side at the stream, Strike stopped. He smelled the air and recognized the faint hint of wild flowers and the metallic smell of Magnus' new ax.

'Magnus?' Sunstrike concentrated on the big man, hoping he could hear. 'What has happened to Kal?' Sunstrike asked, the tension and worry in his mind-voice was unmistakable. Sunstrike snorted, his eyes wide and searching every visible thing around him.

Magnus hadn't moved much from the rocks where Kal had left him. He had sat and plunked small rocks into the stream while he thought, and thought some more. None of his thoughts were bright, though. He sat up with a start as Sunstrike's mind-voice reached him. He stood and approached the unicorn. "Hello Sunstrike, Kal left a little bit ago, that way." He extended his hand in the direction she had taken. "She was. . .upset; But I didn't think anything was very wrong with her? Why all the sudden concern?"

Sunstrike, his ears still swiveling nervously, stood looking around. He snorted loudly again as he breathed deeply, sensing each bit of air flowing past his nostrils. His mind was sorting the different smells quickly discarding those that belonged and seeking those that were unusual.

Turning to face Magnus, Sunstrike eyed him carefully. 'Magnus, something is wrong. I sensed a brief second of alarm and then Kal blocked me. The block is gone but I can tell she is unconscious. She is SO stubborn sometimes! I fear for her. I promise to answer any questions, if you will just help me find her!' Sunstrike shifted his weight on his hooves nervously back and forth. His ears were straining to hear, his nostrils straining to smell any trace of his bondmate. Only getting faint traces, just enough to keep him on edge. 'I would use my 'light' to search, but my power is exhausted. Prayer can help. Magnus, I realize you may be upset with my bondmate, *I* would be in your place...' Sunstrike hung his head. '...Will you consider helping me, anyway?' Sunstrike's mind-voice was filled with gentle concern, both for his bonded and for Magnus. Sunstrike's tenderness in asking the last question was a rare glimpse into his open heart.

When Sunstrike had mentioned Kalandra was unconscious, Prayer followed a short ways behind him, unsure what to do. 'Should I even follow?' she asked herself, sure she would not be much use. But her concern for both Sunstrike and Kalandra urged her legs to carry her after him. Keeping back several feet, Prayer sent 'Strike short bursts of comfort, trying to keep him from becoming too frantic about Kal. She pawed at the ground impatiently, and then followed after Magnus and Sunstrike again when they crossed the river.

The big man nodded hurriedly and gave the stallion a quick pat. "Of course, let's go," he said as he splashed through the stream in pursuit of Kalandra. Sunstrike splashed after Magnus with renewed zeal, a ray of hope in his heart again. He found a great admiration for the big quiet man at that moment.

'I look forward to going to this homeland of Groley Woods, it seems to produce extraordinary people. My Kal and Magnus. Ice tells me Taran is from there too!' Sunstrike sent to Prayer.

The moon was not quite at zenith, but the light was still strong enough to see dimly. Suddenly, the unicorn pasture so familiar, took on a strange look. Shadows lent the familiar terrain a surreal quality. Sunstrike sniffed the air anxiously, moving a few feet, stopping and scanning the terrain carefully. Magnus saw something reflecting the moonlight off about fifty yards away from them.

"There!" he shouted, pointing with the still-wrapped ax he was carrying. "Over there, in the light." He began running towards the shape that glittered in the moonlight.

Sunstrike looked over to Magnus and followed where he indicated. 'Yes! The kedar case has a metal shield on one side!' Sunstrike followed behind Magnus, quickly overtaking him but pulled up short. 'Demon's Breath! It's the kedar, where is Kal?? She would never leave her kedar! KALANDRA! The grasses are very tall around here. If she is in them we may never see her!' Sunstrike sends worriedly as he noses through the grasses gently.

Magnus leaned over and picked up the kedar case. He took the strap and placed it over Sunstrike's neck. "You hold on to that. She'll want it back once we find her." Magnus was doing his level best to sound uplifting. Hopefully it worked.

He scrutinized the grasses, and saw some that were broken at the top, and others nearby that were returning to an upright position. AS he peered farther into the night, he could see others like the ones he was looking at now. "'Strike! Over here! The grass is bent and broken over here. This way." The big Roug began to move off into the tall grasses, moving slowly so he wouldn't lose the trail.

'Magnus! I smell her perfume! Over there, yes! Be careful, she isn't far! Magnus, something is WRONG!' Sunstrike sent frantically.

The world was crazy and spinning madly. Kal was determined. She WOULD fight this! One foot in front of the other, she WOULD get through this deep snow. She was shaking from the driving snow around her. Her face was wet from the snowflakes hitting and melting on her skin. This blizzard would not claim her life! She had to hold on and keep placing one foot in front of the other. She had to stop thinking about the cold!

Magnus saw Kal fighting desperately to drag herself through the grasses. As he neared her she was shaking violently, but continued to try to pull herself along.

"Kal?" he asked tentatively. "What's wrong?" he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Kal was shaking as she turned to look up at Magnus. Her eyes were very bright and dilated, reflecting the moonlight more than normal. "The st-t-torm...yyyyouuu shshshouldn't b-b-be without yyyyour coat!!" Kal looked around at the grass. "D-d-did I f-f-fall i-in the sn-sn-snow?" She asked him.

'Magnus! Her mind...its so confused I can't make any sense out of it! Part of her is still trying to block me, too!'

"Right," he said, addressing Kal's bonded. He took Kal by the shoulders and crouched down to look her in the eyes. "I'm taking you to the healers, Kal. Now." Without a further word he scooped her up in his arms, leaning the ax against a tree where he could find it later. He began moving back towards campus at as fast a pace as he could without jostling Kal too much.

"You want to get someone or warn the healers that we're coming, 'Strike?"

'Prayer, can you go see if there are any healers available? We should just take her directly to the Healers Wing. It's closer. Wait Magnus, let me carry your ax too. It will help balance the kedar case.'

'Yes!' Prayer responded, almost too enthusiastically. She was pleased that she could do *something* useful. Without another sound she tore off for the Healer's Wing to alert them to Kal's arrival. Running up to the door, she tapped her hoof against it. 'Hello??' she called inside. 'HELLO?' There was a grumbling, and one of the numerous healers assistants opened the door. "Prayer!" he said, noticing her small wound and wild-eyed stare. "What's wrong?"

'Kalandra..something's wrong with her. Magnus and Sunstrike are coming. Please be ready for them.' The man frowned, looking at the mostly full beds of the room. "I'll do my best. Nevan and Yeva are here..but they're busy...I'll do my best," he repeated, when Prayer started to look even more anxious. 'Thank you!' She turned from the door and trotted out, peering into the darkness for sign of the trio.

Magnus hefted the ax up so Strike could carry it, and the pair set off for the Healer's Wing, Kal still shivering against Magnus. He whispered soothing things to her. "SHhhh....don't talk. .. nobody's waiting. . .you're safe with me. . ." Subconsciously, his large arms tightened about her. He regretted not having his cloak with him to wrap her in, to try and give her some warmth.

Eventually, the lamps in the windows of the Healer's Wing became visible among the other buildings of the campus.

Kal was still trembling all over. As Magnus lifted her, he could tell her skin was very chilled. "I'm s-s-sorry...the sn-snow w-w-was t-too d-d-deep!" Kal stammered into Magnus' neck. She locked her arms around him tightly. She snuggled against him seeking his warmth, still trembling. Kal continued to tremble and as she leaned her forehead against Magnus' neck. He felt her skin was icy cold. "D-don't t-take m-me there! *H-H-HE* is waiting...w-w-waiting f-f-for m-m-me..." Kal whispered her voice full of terror, her trembling regaining strength.

Kal raised her head and looked at Magnus, her eyes were still dilated and bright. "I shall have a feast held in your honor on the morrow, Prince Darrian..." Kal leaned close and kissed Magnus on the cheek. She sighed with pleasure.

"Who's Prince Darrian?" Magnus asked of Sunstrike. "She's delirious."

Magnus entered the Healer's Wing sideways and immediately went to the nearest empty bed and lay Kal down as the newly-awakened healer approached.

'Prince Darrian was a character from a book she read as a child. She has told me the story many times.'

As the healer looked at Kal, his eyes went wide. "Blankets, quick! She's in shock. What happened to her?" The fellow asked turning to look at Magnus as he tried to hold Kal down. She was still trembling but suddenly her eyes took on a feral, wild fear and she tried to escape the bed by rolling off. "NO! No Nephilith, you won't kill me that easily!" She growled at the healer.

Magnus barely managed a shrug as he assisted in holding Kal on the bed, overpowering her despite the 'feral' strength she had. "You know of the battle on the training grounds, yes? She was dropped by one of those. . .things. She was fine for a while but then she's been delusional. I don't know."

'Skyfire had to hit the thing with a lightening bolt and got her too. Would that cause this?' Sunstrike asked. "Definitely. She was in shock. Why was she walking around? Her body temperature has dropped badly. I can't deal with this. We need Nevan. I can't give her anything yet to calm her...I...I don't know what to use if she was hit by lightening...if I give her something I could kill her." The young man's eyes are wide and alarmed. "Please? Hold her down. Try to get her calmed if you can. I'll go get Nevan."

"Calm? Fine." Magnus released his grip on her arms and instead gathered her to him, and he sat on the bed, with her more or less in his lap. He just held her like she was a delicate package, all wrapped up in blankets. He kissed her gently on the forehead and rubbed her back absent-mindedly with one hand, trying to quiet and calm her. Still he kept whispering reassuring things to her. "You're all right, no one is here who can hurt you. . .you're fine. . ."

"What?" The old man growled, as he looked up from his task of bandaging a student's arm. "Master Nevan, it's one of the Roug... she's gone into severe shock. I - I need your help." The young healer stuttered, his eyes wide as he tried to judge the senior healer's mood. "It's shock Rojay, not a severe head wound. Can't you deal with it? I'm busy." Seeing the look of panic on the young man's face, Nevan sighed. "Okay. You finish this," he said, indicating the dressing he was in the middle of, "and I'll go take care of your patient." Pushing his ancient body up from the chair he was sitting in, Nevan felt as if every bone in his body had begun to creak. Leaving the curtained off area where Rojay sat finishing his bandaging, Nevan hobbled over to where Rojay had left the injured Roug.

Spotting Kalandra, Nevan's mouth dropped open. "Oh Light! Not the bard...not her too..." He prayed, his voice hoarse. "Blankets! Blankets! The girl is like ice! Now, you," Nevan ordered, looking at Magnus, "are you a close friend?" He asked, draping Kalandra's body with several blankets. "Yeva! Yeva! We need herbs... or that blasted crystal. Where is Caira? She's the only one of us who's shown any promise with that stone. Can anyone get her?" He called out, partly to his wife and partly to anyone who would listen.

"Kalandra, it's Nevan... Kalandra can you hear me?" Nevan asked sitting in a chair beside Kalandra's bed.

Kalandra continued to tremble but calmed in Magnus' lap. His arms around her had been the only thing that stopped her desperate attempt to flee. Now she was resting her head against his shoulder but continuing to shake. She put her arms around his neck and hugged Magnus suddenly, with fervor. "H-how s-sad I must go to face the dragon on the morrow, Prince Darrian. Love me today, for tomorrow I die..." Kal whispered. She took no notice of Nevan until he leaned closer to her. "Ah...It is time? So soon? Ah Chamberlain, give me just a moment? But...I don't WANT to die..." Kal whispered sadly.

Magnus looked to the healer. "A friend, yes, I'm a close friend. Sunstrike told me that Darrian and the dragon and such are from a story she read when she was small." He looked down at Kal, who still held him close. "What can you do for her?"

'Uh...oh...uh Magnus...Magnus...she is reliving the story! Uh...oh...Oh dear...Magnus, the princess...' Strike sent a mental wince.

Kal looked up into Magnus' face. Tears streaked her dirt-smudged face. "If I must die, I will go and willingly for my people. One request before I die. Let me die with your kiss upon my lips, beloved Prince?" Kal reached up and gently took Magnus' face in her hands and kissed him. A very tender kiss, salted by tears. She turned to Nevan. "Take me to the BEAST! For now my life is over. Grieve not my Prince Darrian for this will give you victory." Kal moved to stand and promptly fainted.

Magnus moved to place her back on the softness of the bed and stepped back slightly to let the healers do their thing. "So how does the story go from here?" he asked Sunstrike. "If she's living out the story, then maybe that'll tell us what to expect next, hmm?"

'Let me see...the Prince races to the throne room and removes the Dragon Crystal from the throne. He takes it up to the place the Chamberlain has chained Arianna. Darrian stares into the stone and suddenly the magic of the stone turns Darrian into a Golden Dragon too. In this guise he defeats the other dragon. Turning back to the terrified Arianna, the Golden Dragon that is Prince Darrian rests its nose upon Arianna's cheek and when she moves to open her eyes she sees Darrian and the slain dragon behind him. He takes her back to his kingdom and they reign together. At least that's how I remember it. How can that help?' Kal was still trembling, even under the mound of blankets.

"Light if I know!" Magnus half-exclaimed. "I'm not used to feeling helpless like this. I don't know what to do for her, but I wish I could do something."

'Magnus...you have done so much...I will never forget what you have done. She appreciates it too...at least she will when...IF she comes back...' Suddenly Sunstrike shakes his head angrily, his front hooves shifting nervously on the smooth stone floor. 'I WON'T be another Fathom. Kal will be okay!' He sends so forcefully, it is almost a shout within everyone's mind.

Kal's eyes flew open and she gasped. Nevan was trying to feel the life beat in her wrist. Kal cringed away from him. "NO, LIGHT PLEASE!?!! Nephilith, you *demon spawn*! Leave me ALONE! Was spilling my blood once, not enough for you? Haven't you tortured me enough?! No, no!" Kal cried out as she yanked her hand back and tried to once again flee from the bed.

Nevan shook his head. "Kalandra? Kalandra its Nevan. You are at the Academy. We are in the Healers Wing. Demon fangs! Can you corral her again young man? Where is Yeva? Rojay, go tell Yeva we need a really stout morphia tea. We have got to get Kalandra to stay calm enough for me to look at her. Light! Tell me everything that happened to her. EVERYTHING!"

'Skyfire hit her with a lightening bolt...it was the only way to make the demon drop her...that's...that's after the ghost delivered her warning to Kal...oh dear...then Lena embarrassed her in front of everyone...Sir, she had a BAD night...' Sunstrike replied apologetically.

"I saw her up walking around helping care for the others...Why was she up? Did none of you realize lightening is dangerous? It causes the mind to stop working like it should...in essence scrambles things around a bit...she should NEVER have been up and around! Sounds like before that she had a rather nasty shock. How much can one person be expected to handle?" Nevan grumbled as he tried to keep from frightening the skittish young woman.

'She is so stubborn...she said she was fine and wanted to help...Oh Kal...' Sunstrike replied miserably.

"Sunstrike, you are going to have to try to help me later. First we have got to get her calmed down. Can you stay with her a while? Until we get the liquid in her? She seems to trust you." Nevan said as he turned to Magnus.

"Of course I'll stay with her. As long as it takes." He gathered her up again, holding her close to him, trying to impart both comfort and warmth to her. "It's all right. . .princess," he said after a pause. He shrugged at Sunstrike as he continued. "I'm here. . .Darrian's here. . .don't worry. . ."

"Prince Darrian, please don't let him cut my throat?" Kal murmured as she settled back onto Magnus' lap. Kal watched Nevan with mistrustful eyes. Still very cold to the touch, the trembling lessened but was not gone altogether. She snuggled into his warmth, resting her head in the crook of Magnus' neck. She sighed.

Rojay returned with a steaming cup of something and another small (demitasse size) cup. The small cup held a white liquid. Kal's eyes grew wide as Nevan brought the small cup closer to her and she saw its contents. She tensed ready to fight or flee.

"No, Nephilith! I'm wise to your trickery. You'll not give me that mind-stealing stuff again! I'm not a child anymore to be duped by you. Take your own poison and leave me alone!" Kalandra growled at Nevan. Suddenly she had the dagger from her boot in her hand. "Don't come near me...us..." Kal warned the poor weary healer. Her eyes were still dilated and she looked rather wild and bordering on feral again. She was however still sitting on Magnus' lap and holding onto him. She looked as if she was trying to protect Magnus with her small dagger. (If not for the tension of the moment, it would have been so ludicrous as to be funny.)

'Kallie! Kallie, shh...shh...its okay honey. Nephilith is gone, Nell says you have to take this to get better. Please Kallie...be a good girl and take Nell's medicine. Whoever would dream such a thing would happen in Groley Woods...' Sunstrike broadcasts, but its a softer feminine voice very much like Kal's voice only it has a mature ring in it.

Magnus extended his hand for the cup that the healer held. "Let me try," he said. Kal allowed Magnus to take the dagger from her fingers. Kal leaned back against him, still eyeing Nevan with warning. "Ah, but you are right. I must not fight my destiny. The dragon has promised to leave the kingdom alone if its appetite is appeased. You and the kingdom will be safe..." Kal sighed deeply and Magnus felt her muscles begin to relax. This time as she laid her forehead against him instead of the chilled skin, her skin was raging hot, but she still refused to take the liquids.

'Magnus! Tell her, you have defeated the dragon and now it is time to toast the new kingdom. Maybe you can get her to drink Yeva's potion that way!' Sunstrike suggested anxiously to Magnus. He pranced slowly in place, his weary nerves on edge.

He nodded, and placed a finger on Kal's chin so that she could look him in the eye. "My Princess. . ." he began, "the dragon has been defeated and we shall rule the kingdom together as one. Come. . .drink to our new future. . ." he held out his hand to the healers for the cup of the potion. He gave a hopeful look to Sunstrike, as he hoped that it would work.

Kalandra looked at Magnus, studying his brown eyes with intensity. "Yes, Darrian, all because of YOU. 'Twas your bravery and skill that has given me new life. May our friendship stay with us always and our love grow for all time." Kal smiled at him took the small cup. She downed its contents and gave it back to him.

'Splendid, Magnus! You've done it!' Sunstrike mind-sent gleefully.

Nevan nodded his head and handed Magnus the warm tea. "Try to get this down her, too. It will make the Morphia work quicker." Kal sat up and looked at Magnus again as she sipped at the warm tea. She handed the tea to Nevan. "Prince Darrian, I owe you for the lives of my people. Alas, the dragon has devastated my lands and I have nothing to give you. Take this as a token of my esteem and high regard for you." Kal pulled his face to hers and kissed him passionately.

In spite of himself, Magnus returned the kiss fervently, but it was made all the more bittersweet because she didn't... couldn't be with him.

"Tell the Chamberlain to go. We should be alone. He is such a nosy fellow..." Kal whispered huskily, her eyelids suddenly drooping. She sighed happily and snuggled down into the blankets. "Tell me when he is gone, my prince..." Kal murmured sleepily, nuzzling Magnus' neck.

'Magnus! You did it! Oh, thank you! I owe you a debt for this. My poor Kalandra. Will she be all right, Nevan? This is not permanent is it?'

Nevan raised weary eyes to Sunstrike. "Sunstrike, its far too early to tell. She is burning up with a fever now. I'm afraid she is going to be our guest for a few days. Let's give it time and then we will see. That's when we will need your help to try to see how bad it is. You look like you need rest too."

The old man turned and eyed Magnus with approval. "You may have saved her life just now. I am grateful to you for staying and helping out. You are always going to be a welcome pair of hands to any healer because of your strength and your gentle ways. Thank you, young man." Nevan moved over and began to take the life beat of the now peacefully resting Kalandra. The lines of worry and fear were easing off of her face. "Rojay, we are going to need to get these dirty, damp clothes off of her, tell Yeva when she is done there, I need her...or has Sasha made it back yet?"

"I should go, then. And thank you, Nevan. I'm always glad to help." He stood, but only after easing Kal down to the mattress and the soft pillows below. With a final caress of her sleeping face, he left the Healer's Wing and entered the coolness of the night. With a final sigh, he set off to retrieve his ax and head back to the dormitory for some rest.

He only had a bruise on his shoulder from an errant rock, but there were some deeper wounds in his chest. Right around his heart.