It had been far too long.

Gone were the days of the multitude of guilds and wars. Gone were the days of getting into battles were the prize was one's freedom.

Praise the gods

Were things far simpler or more complex, that remained to be seen. All that matter was that she had come back to the first land she ventured into upon leaving the vale.

Would people remember her? She hoped for the most part the answer was no. Her past was colored by who she once allowed close to her. Things best left forgotten.

She wondered if her daughter was still in these lands or her dearest shayana. Still, she had a chance to begin anew and shape her life into something worth remembering.

And these lands needed much healing...

There was only so much verbal slapping one can take before the target gets fed up and leaves. The Headmaster was kind enough but the two women that seemed to rule the academy were not people she would want to associate with, much less work with.

So she was out of options, alone and quite angry, though she had reigned it in until she was home, such as it was. Home was a townhouse with a tiny yard in the back...

She settled into a chair and let the tears fall.

?Why do you weep, woman? It can?t be all that bad.?

She was on her feet like a shot and drawing power to her as a matter of instinct. She recognized him from the meeting and recognized the touch of her wingsib on him. Yet she was wary, she did not know him and he was in her territory.

The way the power came to her call was familiar to him. "Who are you and why have you invaded my home?"

Her cheeks were still wet with tears but that was pushed aside.

She knew she felt trace of her wingsib's power on him, but she had to wonder friend or foe?

The temperature of the room seemed to drop noticably as he drew closer to her. "Familiar.. How so?" She wanted to hear what this Count would say. Though Shariane tended to be the polar opposite of her wingsib.

Where she was fire, Shariane was ice... and the temperature dropped some more. One more step closer and she appeared to be enveloped by a frigid blue aura. The air misted before her with each exhale.

Damn it was growing cold.

She may have over-reacted. Instinct had kicked in when the temperature dropped. Now reason took over the the temperature raised noticeably.

Her words called out to him, "Connected how?" She did not know him, but still she could almost feel her touch.

"You know her, don't you? You know my wingsib?" She had to ask, had to know. She was well and truly tired of this place already and being left alone. Rhydin was not a kind place, never was.

?The ?how? and the ?who? is what I came here to find out. I was hoping we could discuss this together, yet at this point I don?t even know who you are? In fact, I?ve even failed to introduce myself. Please pardon my error. I?m Count Talomar Longden, and I certainly mean you no harm.?

A name for a name, a fair bargain she thought as she gestured to him to have a seat. Whatever had been bothering her was momentarily forgotten. "Shariane uth Dravon is the use name I carry now."

She settled into her chair without waiting to see if he would accept the seat offer. "Wingsib is what we use to describe the relationship... More like sisters or closer." She said softly, "I've been gone so long, I just hope she has not forgotten."

She looked at the devastatingly handsome Count. It was not that she did not admire his looks, but she was careful now not to be swayed by a pretty male face with power. "Her name is Firesong..."

Let's see what bells that name rings.

?Well, Shariane uth Dravon, that little bit of information has solved the mystery. It seems that you and I are connected through your wingsib. You see, Firesong and I have been quite close ? in many ways. I wonder what that makes you and I??

She returned the smile, though she didn't seem swayed by the darkly handsome man before her. "The barest of acquaintances, my lord Longden..."

She closed her eyes, though that smile had taken on a teasing quality. "At least until we can get to know each other better." While not spoken, the question hung there. She had visibly relaxed by then.

Shariane had been known to enjoy men, but Firesong was the only female she had connected with on so many levels even before becoming what she is today. She had known her long before and hoped that there was still something there.

?I think that?s possible, but tell me how long has it been since you?ve seen Firesong? You really should try to see her again while you?re here.?

She sighed softly, "It has been years. When last I knew, she and Talisa had hooked up."

It truly had been years. Since that night in the vale. The only night they had had between them. Did she regret the years? Perhaps.

"I would love to see her again."

Perhaps indeed.

And before she could say anything else, he was gone. Like most of the men in her life, here today, gone tomorrow.

She shook her head and made her way to her quarters. She stripped from the outfit she was wearing and donned a robe. The robe was ornate with intricate beadwork and crystals. It was one of the few things of home that she remembered.

She frowned and opened a gate them. Would it still be there? Her personal vale?

She stepped through with her heart in her throat. The vale still stood. It was not pristine, but it still stood. It would take some work, but she needed this little place of peace.