He should be there with her. For Shea had felt his goodbye to her. She had felt so much. Too much. The battle was still a mix of emotions and feelings. There was no clear cut picture yet of what had happened. Yet the wind, that cold wind, it spoke to her. It told her of loss and death. Of deep blood shed. There was a voice in her mind. It was trying to call her back, trying to get her to come home.

Placing her hand to the trunk of a wide pine Shea took a breath in. The air did not smell of home, not of Edhel Ndor. The smell of the woods was not old enough, and there was that faint hint of blood. A scent that was like no other. Rhydin. Yes, yes he would be here would he not? Looking for her surely. He would not leave her to wander alone. Here in these woods she could find him. As he had found her many times in their past. They would be brought back together. Yet the wind echoed to her, that he was gone. Not here, not in Edhel Ndor.

Shea grasped for the pendant at her neck, it was warm, welcoming. It held the power and voices of her family. But his was not one of them. Then the battle started to come back to her. The blood, the loss, and the image of Keir. The fire mage who had sent her to deaths gates before. His hair blazed red, his eyes soulless mocking her. The voice taunting her. ?I will end you.? 'I will take all that you love.? She felt that fear once more. Then that burning at her chest. She spun around ready and willing to face him again.

*****

Fiona heard someone walking around in the woods not far from her. She cautiously approached them. She walked softly, but did not truthfully try to hide her presence. Her curling red hair framing her face and hanging low along her back was more than enough to expose her if someone was looking for her as well. Although naturally cautious, she knew where she was.

Many people knew Bristle Crios to be a safe haven. She would often find lost souls on their way to the grounds. This could be someone seeking a warm meal and place to stay for the night out of the cold. She noticed a woman who seemed to be upset from something. Fiona started to come in closer. Once she was several feet behind her, Fiona began to say hello to gain her attention, but she was startled by the woman suddenly turning around to face her.

Fiona lowered her hand and took a step back as the wind reared up. Her other came out of its pocket and it mirrored the other, falling slowly to her side. She did not know what was going on with this woman, but she did not like the signs she saw. The wind kicking up seemed to be less mere coincidence. It reminded her of the rattle preceding the snake?s attack. She continued to make slow backwards steps as she spoke with a soothing melodic tone, ?My child? You are at peace here.? She had no idea how young or old the woman was, but if she could instill a calming motherly position, she hoped to dissuade her from attacking.

Shea heard the voice, soft melodic. She settled feeling all at once the sudden cold that was Rhydin. The battle all at once flashed in her mind, the elemental swords that had pierced her flesh, when the alliance had been broken. That voice, it sounded much as the one had that spoke to her during the battle, telling her the time had come, and Shea recalled her reply... that she had been ready.

Blinking slowly, the world came in to focus. It was not Cala nor any other ancient that stood before her, nor Keir. But a woman, dressed in woodsy tones. ?Dihena amin.? The elven words flowed out at first, in that soft respectful tone she could take.

Fiona did not know whatever the woman spoke to her, but she could pick up on the intent behind the words, or at least the intent not to actively attack her. Although she was hopeful the woman was now with her, she would not casually stroll over to her. She remained planted where she was, several feet in front of her. She said gently, ?I do not understand.?

Everything was suddenly more clear. She was in Rhydin, standing within the woods, woods she knew well from her past. Yes her heart would guide her here looking for her lost beloved. But he as well as the rest of The realm she had once known was gone, she could no longer feel the pulse of that realm, nor anyone in it. She could feel home though, Edhel Ndor. The life and pulse of her family, her friends. Those who had battled at her side. They had won the battle, but lost more. Shea recalled it all.

?Oh forgive me, in my rudeness. I am Shea GreenStone.? Shea would bow, as she was at heart first a knight then a lady of GreenStone, only newly The Lady of Light and Dark. ?I will not need any where to stay.? A soft smile, Shea could return home on a whim, needing nothing more than the wind to take her. Even with out it, now the light and the darkness could take her, home or anywhere she saw fit to go. ?Though I suppose I could always stay within the city, should I have need. The Red Dragon still stands does it not??

Fiona replied, ?Yes, it does.? She was always hesitant to go anywhere near it. It wasn?t a bad place. Everyone loved it, and that was why she didn?t. She didn?t like to be around large crowds, but in a group of two, she felt more comfortable. Smiling, she offered in return, ?I am Fiona Knightfall. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. GreenStone.?

Shea nodded, it would take much for the Inn not to be standing. ?Well met, Ms. Knightfall.? Bestowing the same respect and candor she had been given, most people just called her Shea. Even people she barely knew. Shea sensed that Fiona was perhaps unnerved by the wind mages? sudden acts and strangeness. Looking the woman over again, Shea sensed power, it was lower key than her own, but it was there.

?Please call me Fiona,? she said kindly. She was warming up to this Shea and she hoped they might be friends one day. Besides, she was never one for pomp and circumstance, although she continued her proper speech. To her, maintaining a proper form of speech was more about giving respect to the other person, at least until she really got to know someone, and then she would feel more comfortable by incorporating a more carefree dialect. Reducing her title to her first name resulted in a more laid back approach to her own standing, showing a slight hint of her more relaxed demeanor. ?I take residence at Bristle Crios nearby here. If you ever need a safe place to turn, I hope you will visit. We often offer a warm meal and a soft bed to those needing shelter.?