Leaving Jewell, Des, Miles and the Ronin in the alley way, Brian made his way to the stables and found his horse readied for him. he could hear the chaos that ensued in the Inn, the cries of "Gang mentality" and "It wasn't fair" to other things as well. Brian didn't care.. Renna has brought it all upon herself and in the end she knew it would end up the way it did. Brian was played again and it wasn't Renna, it was Darkin who Brian had allowed to roam the realms once more. Brian had allowed that to happen the moment he first released the cursed artifact from it's seal and pondered using it. Darkin played Brian well enough that Brian actually thought of striking Des and his own sister.. That disgusted Brian to no end. Brian had let a great many people down this week, his sister was at the top of that list and that cut him very deep. Leaving town Brian had set out for Katharine's home. Knowing she was not there, Brian needed to let the wounds the Gauntlet inflicted on his body heal. He also needed somewhere to just curl up and have a good cry.


After about thirty or so minutes Brian arrived at Katharine's home. Using the spare key he had, Brian let himself inside and started the fire and went into the bathroom. After he stripped down to nothing, Brian looked at himself in the mirror. Cuts in the shape of various runes covered his chest and back, and even ran along his arms and legs. Dried blood surrounding each one, and the smell alone was enough to make Brian gag a few times. Shaking his head as he looked at himself once more for a good while as tears came from his eyes. Brian stayed there for a few minutes and let everything out. The events of the last few weeks, his sister's assassination attempt, the thoughts of wanting to hurt his sister and Des. Brian by any means was not one to shed a tear for anything, but he sure did this time around. The gauntlet always took more than it ever gave and Brian knew that. The events of the last few weeks were Brian's responsibility alone and he let his sister and friends down something fierce and it killed him. He finally stopped and looked to his right arm, as the swelling from the fractures had increased and it was tender to the touch. It would have to be looked at, but for know he needed to be cleaned.


Moving back into the living room, Brian tended the fire once more. He then found a towel and soap pouch and went back outside in the cool night sans clothes and headed to a nearby spring that he and Kat knew about. Arriving within a few minutes, Brian set his items on the ground next to the water and tested it. It was cold to the touch and the night air was no help. Beggars however cannot be choosers and this is exactly what he needed to help wake up anyhow. So in Brian went into the cold water, a loud cry left his lips as the water seeped into his wounds. After quieting down, and calming his mind Brian sat down and soaked . His mind began to wander on a great many topics.

"I can control it Kat, no worries.. I beat him, it's mine now."
"No.. of course I got rid of it. No I wouldn't lie to you."


Brian knew he lied to Katharine on multiple occasions over the gauntlet. Hell he lied to a great many people in that respect. Why he even thought he could control it was beyond him. He never felt it's tug when he was in Vana'diel. But he had let it happen none the less. Brian knew going into the fight with Renna that talismans and techniques were not going to cut it. He knew his body wasn't ready, but when he heard she had arrived he thought of nothing else save the hurt he caused his sister.

"I can assist you, all you need to do us use me. Control me and find the one. Then all I am will be you, you won't hurt so long as you wield me"

Brian foolishly believed what he had heard. Darkin struck again from beyond the grave and Brian assisted it. Luckily the damage was kept to a minimun and no one save Renna and Brian were seriously hurt at least this time. Brian closed his eyes and prayed softly. Brian prayed for his sister, and friends and for his forgiveness. He didn't why he did it, he just did. The words from his mouth became slurred as Brian began to drift off and soon was sleep.


Hours later Brian had finally woken up, in Katharine's home. He went to lift himself from the couch and noticed his arm was bandaged and a splint had been set. Groaning a moment, as he twisted the wrong way, Brian also noted his side had been stitched as well as his shoulder and forearms. The smell of a healing salve was in the air, as he moved the sheet that was covering him and noticed a great deal of the runs were now gone and the cuts were treated with salve and began to heal. His body stiff, Brian rose slowly and glanced around. On an end table was a small note with an envelope. Taking the note Brian read it aloud to himself.

"Raven,

Well love, you did it this time. I felt that cursed toy of yours all the way back home. I wish I had left earlier, but better late than never. You gave us some trouble with the healing. I always forget how your family is with that stuff. We went the old fashioned way and you'll be fine. Watch that arm and your ribs, I know you won't listen. But watch them anyways. Whisper and I had to leave. I wish we could have talked, but I think it's best we didn't. But if you truly need me, I will come. I know it's been over 10 years, but please forgive me. I left you a gift so ya don't forget you owe me. Also no more cryin' it don't suit you.

Faera"


Brian looked out the window a moment and then went to the door and looked outside and of course nothing was there. Moving back inside Brian ound fresh clothes and dressed himself. he moved back to the end table and opened the small envelope and found a small leather choker with a fang attached. Smiling to himself, he pocketed it. Brian hadn't seen that in over ten years, and in truth never thought he would. The fang was his, it was taken when he and Faera shared a pact of blood saving both of their lives in the process. It was Whisper who held onto it for him as Brian said he had no need of it any longer since he was longer kindred of any kind. That took him way back, but soon reailty set it. Faera and Whisper saved him some time. Brian put out the fire, and cleaned Katharine's home once more. Then locking up once more, Brian once more set out for town. He had to talk to his sister and make sure the Gauntlet was dealt with, apologize to his sister and Des, and then check on Charlotte. It was time to get back to work.

She didn't often communicate with nature, it was not a skill she had refined. That didn't mean she was totally incompetent. All the same, Jewell lacked the words to describe just how she did it.

The fae opened her mind and emotions to the creature, for the tree was certainly no mere object. It did not think and feel as Jewell did but it did go through those actions in its own way. Her mind, although inclined to more water-based manifestations of nature, could impress upon the tree her desire.

She wanted to hide the gauntlet within the tree.

The gauntlet would do no harm to the tree; they were not compatible, there were no humane emotions for it to draw out and prey upon. The tree relented to the request of the fae. She was a reminder of days spent with such creatures dancing in the air throughout his branches and swimming amongst his roots. She had spent many a morning, escaping from the bustle of the house, to sit in his shade and sing quietly to herself of fairer things then his world now knew.

He accepted the box within himself and the fae took leave of the magnificent creature after pressing her lips to his bark.

It was not until she returned to the house that she noticed the sad state of affairs her body was in, soaked with dew and shaking from the cold morning air. A hott bath would rectify that and the ache of her chest.