*((NOTE: The events of this thread and the events that are alluded to herein occur before the events in "Arise, Molotoch, Arise!", "Of Rolling Thunder and Pouring Rain" and "Storm Raging."))*

The pace of her steps betrayed her. She did not want to reach the Sanctuary with haste, she was dreading the words that would have to come from her tongue. She screamed silently to the heavens for having to think upon how to put it. Isuelt was, however, grateful to the snow that fell upon her cheeks. It masked the hot tears that streaked her face down to her chin. Those would be well wiped away by the time she reached the Northwest Cliffs.

Alain had drawn something that he didn't understand. He had seen something that he felt was important, and had nearly died in trying to get it to her. She had tried to keep the full significance of what it meant from him and Cassandra. And, for the most part, she believed that she had succeeded. She had only told them as much as she dared, and as much as she thought would leave them satisfied and away from prying questions. Neither Alain, nor Cassandra would have had any way of knowing that what they had shared with Isuelt this night was enough to make her lift her dark eyes to the snow-speckled heavens and cry to her goddess. She prayed for aid and strength the entire way home, she tearfully revisited her vows as a priestess and as a warrior of Scathach.

As she stood at the gates of the Sanctuary, she paused, her fingers at the holy garnet at her throat. A heavy sigh pushed a puff of steam from her lips. Her heart was heavy, and her feet were more so.

She must press on. She must tell them. A meeting must take place. She still dreaded the words she had to tell her Sisters.

Isuelt quietly made her way into the foyer of the Sanctuary and walked to the thin strip of tapestry that lay against the stone wall before the hall. She hadn't even taken off her cloak, nor brushed the snow from her shoulders before she reached up and yanked solidly on the bell pull. The tolling of the great bell pounded against the serenity of the Sanctuary.

The call was sent up until Heaven itself had no choice but to look down upon the woman in the dark cloak who stood in the stone foyer of the Sanctuary with her head bowed in heartbreaking sorrow.

She was surprised by the strength of her own voice. It belied the lack of strength she felt in the pit of her stomach, "DAUGHTERS OF SCATHACH, COME FORTH! YOUR VOWS ARE PUT TO TEST, YOUR DUTIES MUST BE PLACED BEFORE ALL. WE ARE CALLED TO WAR!"

North in the Forest of Rhy"Din~

Some bonds are never broken, even when they go unheard or unspoken.

Laying on her side in the family room, Jenai watched and played with the Ravenlock Princesses. The soft lamb skin rug, large enough to accommodate them all, seemed a favorite resting place for much of the family fun. The girls of course found their way to the buffer of pillows to slow any escape and soften any head heavy topple.

Tikki watched from a high perch, clear of tail pulls. It was her ear twitch that told Jen Brian was returning from the kitchen with a light tray of fruits and cheese. It was to be a family evening in, quiet, bonding. Just the two of them and the girls.

But the game of "what?s that?" she liked to play with them, giggling over toes, nose, fingers, and bellybuttons, was over. Sad eyes looked over their glowing faces as she rose to her knees. Tanned fingers reached out to each girl, delicate tips ran over the full dark red baby curls, followed by a small kiss to each of their heads. The scent of her children would linger now in her memory to carry her into what she knew was un-avoidable.

"Jes" was all she wanted to say as she rose like a flame to her feet, bringing the taru into the room. Brian stood in the doorway, she couldn't look up, not right now, she hid her eyes under her bangs in a shadow as she walked past Jes to Brian. Not in shame or fear, but in thought, knowing what she was leaving for what may come.

She places a hand on his shoulder, both of their forms blocking the doorway. She was trying her damnedest to steel her expression even from him, but that was impossible. He would see thru it. Even if he could not see her eyes fully.

"They are calling, Raven?

"Just wait, for while they may roam...Always, the heroes come home. They go, where no one else goes. Always, the heroes come home." ?"They are calling, Raven" The words of his beloved were felt, more than heard. For he knew her in such a way, that words truly were hardly needed between the Lord and Lady Ravenlock, between Brian and Jenai, between 'Raven' and 'Red'. It mattered not what guise the pair wore, they were a part of each other to their very core. The turmoil inside his beloved, had been felt as he approached the room. Coupled with the appearance of Jeskola, and moments later, Henrietta. The touch of her hand on his shoulder only strengthened what they felt, while to some it would look like they wore faces of regret, rest assured that was hardly the case. They were not regretful for anything in this life they shared, good and bad. Sometimes worse, they were never regretful. Relunctant' No not that either, so what was it then? It was being parents...No parent wants to leave a child behind, while they dive head long into the abyss, the unknown. No parent truly wants to leave their children to the possibility they may never return. No parent wants to leave their children period...

But 'they' do, and 'they' will, as others who fight along side them, do the same. Time and again, they will for it was written long ago, that this was the life they had chosen, they had adopted and they would never regret. Resolve was their strength, their love was the anchor, their family, immediate and adopted, were their supports. Now it was time to put all of that to the test. It was time to commit to that which they commited to, so long ago. And they would not keep their family waiting. Carefully passing the tray of food to Henrietta, Brian leaned and lovingly kissed the flamed locks of his beloved. He knew this would not be easy for her, more so than anyone, and especially since she recently became a new mother. Motherhood was a wonderous thing, and a puzzlement at the same time to Brian. It seemed the men got the easy out at times, when it came to parenthood, as they were not bonded for those months to their children, as they developed prior to birth. But he knew, Jenai would do what needed to be done. Jenai would do whatever it took to ensure, their commitment was met, and more so that they would come home to Aleyah and Nathressa, and Brian was right there next to her in that sentiment.

The Ravenlocks were not the nicest of people, they didn't wear white, they didn't collect alms and tithes, and slap out hymns and melodies, they didn't cowtow to anyone or anything. They had the ability, and the means to stoop as low as they needed to, in order to see their ends met, and see justice dispenced, it didn't matter if a line needed to be cross, stepped over, stomped upon or worse. So long as the innocent were protected, their cause was indeed just. That ladies and gentlemen is how they rolled. Another kiss softly planted on the head of his heart, his soul. A hand lifted to hers, taking it into his own. A quiet nod, and loving smile was offered to that which he adored like no other, that which blessed him to no end. The partner in life, he should have found so many years ago, but we know in truth all good things come to those who wait, and she- the mother of their children, was worth every single bit of that wait, a thousand fold. To hell and back, Brian Ravenlock would walk in and out of, for her, for their daughter. He knew she would do the same, and more so, they would do the same on this evening, if it were called for. For their family in and out of this home, they would do that and far worse if need be. That is how strong their resolve was. Steeling himself, he lifted the chin of his beloved. Blue eyes met, Lilac in a show of inconceivable love, as his hand moved to her cheek with the softest of caresses. Slowly, he moved to that lamb skinned rug they so loved to share with the princesses, Brian took to a knee, and smiled warmly to Aleyah and Nathressa. The twins wobbling back and forth, arms and legs in motion, as excited sounds came from each of Ravenlock daughters. Moving to both knees, Brian sweetly kissed each child's cheek and head softly. A soft prayer whispered to Aleyah and Nathressa, named for highbourne warriors who lived long ago, for the Sin'dorai. A prayer of protective, and compassion, of forgiveness and uncomparable love that only a parent would feel.

A soft giggle was his response, and he knew it would be alright, somehow. Another kiss given to their daughter, as he lifted to a vertical base once more, and nodded to Jes and Henrietta, who in return gathered the children, and began the task of relocating them to their safe house in Appleburg, where Kairee reigned. This had been set into motion, months ago and Brian trusted all involved to no end. Turning to Jenai once more, Brian offered a smile of assurance, as he then approached his beloved, taking her hand into his, leading her out of the room. Down the hall they went, as they soon arrived to the armoury. Jenai's hand was released, as Brian worked the enchanted lock. A moment later they were inside, as Brian moved to his side and began to ready himself. Clothes were slid off, and tossed to a near bid, as he went through the change from 'home' to 'field work', this was 'Raven's' ball park now, and he was more than fine with that.

'Pulgasari' and 'Tyris' were set aside, along with a pair of light elven mail gloves dubbed 'Pleasure' and 'Pain', a gift from Kerrithra aka 'Gorgonite'. Light body armour procured and moved aside, as the tactical harness was readied with whatever he felt they would require. Maps of WestEnd, marked and readied were found once more. All of this, and still no words as he made ready. A nod of assurance to his beloved Jenai, as they continued to make ready. After a bit of time, a hand reached to his 'Link Shell' earring he wore, as he finally spoke. "Gorgonite, it's Raven and Red. It's time to go to work. WestEnd. Jes and Henrietta have the girls, Red and I are prepping to head inbound. Meet where we planned in thirty, and bring your gear, looks like it's gonna storm tonight." Looking to Jen, as he continued to suit up, he could not be more proud of the lady of his life. There was no one he would rather have at his side, going headlong into the unknown. "I love you, Red."

Dun-tiss, dun-dun-dun-tisssss. Dun-dun-tiss, da-dun-dun-tisssssss"

It wasn't a particularly challenging beat she was tapping out with her arms crossed near the wrist, nimble fingers using the drumsticks like they were extensions of her hands. But that didn't matter. She had her eyes closed, her headphones around her neck, and her mind on some relaxation.

Well, until her ear twitched at a call from outside the sound-proofed walls, which she was only able to just make out since the door had been left ajar a fraction of an inch. She couldn't make out the words, but the tone was enough to have her standing. She dropped the 'sticks and headphones onto her seat, curled her fingers around the neck of her beer bottle, and headed out with a grimace.

"I dunno if I even want to hear this?" was growled to herself as she took a swig, following the corridors to track out the scent of her Sisters"beneath the smell of food. Luckily, her determination kept her focused.

Rounding a corner, she tugged at the black sports bra and looked around to those gathered; her expression got more tense, more unsettled. This would not be pleasant.