For the last several days, things had been adding up, one by one, all the things she needed to speak to Bri about. It was a cute little list, but one that probably shouldn't be held off any longer. So after dinner at a time when Tina was reading a book, Sha'uri wandered the compound in search for Bri. First stop was the Office. Melody wasn't there and so she set upon the door with a light knock of her knuckle against the wood.

"Yes?", the Headmaster's voice came from the other side.

She opened the door and peeked in with that delicate brow raised in question. "Busy?"

He nods, but then looks up at her. "I am, but not terribly so."

"I have a few things I need to speak with you about. May I?" motioning with her hand if she could come in.

"Of course." He put his quill down and looked at her.

She walks in, pulling out a thin list rolled up. It comes undone, though she hung on to the top of it... while the rest rolls down along the ground as she walks to a chair and sits. Grins. Pulling up the list in a haphazard attempt, she shifts through it and back again. Finally nods.

"Ah yes... here it is. So, you want the short questions first or the really long ones that might take a while?"

"Whatever you are comfortable with."

"Okay, first one.. there was a woman, a blind woman, that I met at the Inn. She was in the kitchen trying to open cans that she could neither read nor did she know how to use a can opener. Strange she was. But her story is that she was blinded by a dagger, which I suspect to have been an artifact. Her name is Lacee Mantova. I told her we could look to see if we have any information and let her know if we find anything similar to what she described. So, I thought I should run that by you first. Her words to describe it were...."

She clears her throat and does a perfect impersonation...

"cannae unless you could find the blade that caused said curse and destroy it, and e'en I do nae know where that blade tis now, tis been ages. I've come to accept it, an' I might say I've done a wonderful job o' it do nae know much of it, only tha' tha' blade has a greenish glow to it, other then that I took m'ex's punishment an' t'was used upon m'self, bu' I t'was n asked to ne'er return by m'ex so I 'ae 'onored that an' ne'er returned there. Now I woul' nae remember how to get to tha' place tis ."

She paused to allow him time to think. "Ever heard of something like that?"

"Many things like that..." he replied, "With a new librarian, I don't suppose that would be too difficult to research. Do not forget to consult the library and magic item shops in RhyDin proper"

"I've a feeling that this thing is rare, very rare...Anyway, I told her we'd look and if we find anything we'd let her know." She wasn't so convinced it would be so easy.

"Alright...let's do the research and let her know." He seemed all for the idea.

"Okay, so on to the next... Do you have any water?"

He pours some water from a silver pitcher on his desk into a glass. Her throat was parched and she gratefully took the glass.

"Thanks..." and she downs the whole thing. "Ah... now, oh that's better. Yes, so the next one is ... Trip to Secak. I've been thinking of taking Tina on a field trip there. I'm sure Bernie would be interested, and even mentioned it to me. I'd like you to come, too, if you're interested?"

"I don't know...you and the librarian seem to be doing well...I do not wish to be around for that."

Blinks. There was a certain amount of shock on her part for the words that just came out of Bri's mouth. It bothered her.

"Bri, that is not why we are going. He's interested in the place, probalby for the sole reason it seemed to have reverted after a chaotic... oh nevermind. I'f you're not interested in my home then that is your perogative, though I would've expected better from a friend. I guess I should skip the next and go to the last one then."

Miffed? yes. Jilted? definitely. Hurt? without a doubt. But she wasn't going to hit him just yet.

"It isn't that I am not interested in your home......I simply am not interested in being reminded of what I have lost over the last several years." His eyes regain their dull blue sadness for a moment or two.

That first part was said far too quickly, with what felt to Sha'uri like a long pregnant pause after.

"You know." she paused slightly, "Sometimes there are things you just don't understand. You assume too much." she bit her lip before she said any more, color rising in her cheeks and it wasn't embarassement for someone's obvious peeping....

"...not to mention that I am reluctant to ever travel through dimensions again. Perhaps it is you who assume too much" He quipped.

"It's not another dimension, not any more. It's just a hop skip and a jump of the ship ride a few systems away." Her sigh was pronounced followed by yet another long pause of silence, broken only by the headmaster's voice. He was running out of excuses and she wasn't going to let him have one.

"If it is that important to you, then I will go."


Her tones softened, "I really want you to, Bri. I'm sure Tina would really love for you to go."

There was something about the way she said her name, as if she were emphasizing something.... something important.

"Then fine...I will go." he seemed to resign.

"I was stuck in the multiverse when i felt my God call to me for aid. I was unable to escape and then my connection to Him was gone. My powers that came from him, also gone. Eventually, while wandering, i ended up on Kadorasil. It was a blackened shell of what it once was. The sun glared red and the seas were all desert. That is what i remember."

"And what of Erique?" She was testing him.

"Destroyed, I would imagine."

"Was this before you came back to RhyDin?"

"yes"

"And you remember nothing more?"

"nothing"

He was oblivious of what had really happened, causing him to just hold on to that past, she was sure. There was no way out of it and she didn't want it to continue any more. He needed the truth to set the past free.... Even if it meant she'd lose his friendship. If it would lead to his happiness again, she'd sacrifice it.

"I can't keep it from you anymore. You should know the truth. I just don't know if you're ready or not." She moved back to him and her eyes were so misted with tears, a few fell over the rim of her eyes and down her cheeks. "I'm sorry Bri. I"m so sorry. I did everything I could."

He looks at her puzzled.

"Do you remember that day I came to you and said there was an odd shelf? I thought there was a hidden passage? Do you remember that day?"

"Yes"

"There was. and... um... there was more , and...I am responsible, the reason you. um.." She couldn't talk anymore, lips trembling so much. Her hand went to her temple and then to his as if asking to make that connection, to just show him telepathically.

He nodded slowly.

Her hand shook, trembling with fear as she paused. Then she nodded and let her hand stroke his cheek, coming to rest her fingers along his temple. She didn't show him everything, didn't show him those dreams she'd had, but just that last part, where she was going to leave and the aide changed... and Erique propositioned her and then everything from then on. Up to the point where she met him at the gates.

She couldnt' look at him after that. She saved his life, and yet failed. She blamed herself.

His eyes fill with shock...
"...so...I didn't lose the favors of the gods. He did all this. I need to be alone."

"Bri.. I'm.. guess I deserved that." it was barely a whisper. Her hand came away and she turned away. She almost forgot her list, but stepped on it. The last thing on it was about the recent visit of the Paladin. Many questions centered around the subject with many concerns, but she knew now wasn't the time, if ever.

"I'll um... go pack my things, and Tina's. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted us to go."

He breaks from his reverie for a moment and looks confused. "Why would I want you to go? I just need to be alone now"

She turned round to face him. "YOu mean you're not, like... loathing me or something? I was responsible for you losing so much."

"You freed me from a curse."

"And nearly destroyed your world, though it was saved, yet you've been cut off of it. I"m sorry fer tha, Bri.. It wa not my intention to cause you such strife but I didn't have a choice."

Was that her voice, her accent, her words trying to break through? Not exactly. Something in those memories she held screamed inside, desperate to get out, as if Erique might've been right. Perhaps part of her mother's spirit was actually in those memories ... She tried to hide it, though it was a blessing Bri seemed preoccupied by the whole rush of information, the Revelation she'd just given him.

"It's fine...but I do need to take some time to absorb this."

It was the last thing he said to her that night, deep in contemplative considerations for the future. She left him quietly, shutting the door behind her.

:: She could not help herself...she had finished the latest book she had started the Adventures of Tom Saywer and was headed to the Library to hopefully find another book that she could read when she spotted Sha'uri...she looked at her as if something was different..she seemed brighter than before as if something inside of Sha'uri was suddenly opened up...smiling she made her way over to her and waved cheerfully these past couple of days making that sad little girl slowly vanish as this new cheeful and sweet child emerged for all the world to see::

Sha'uri look..look I finished my book!

:: She nods smiling as she produces the one and a half page report strangely though her hand writing was indeed improving now looking to be close to a fouth or fifth grade cursive...somehow she had developed the skill for writting and reading...but what Sha'uri suggested made her very curious indeed...unlike the other things she had done so far she has yet to have any real experiences with magic...that she had known anyways...so smiling and without word she happily took Sha'uri's hand while she read the report of how she was a reporter recalling the trial of Muff a big friend of Tom Sawyer but was being tried for a murder::

:: She shook her head::

Nothing really...I have seen Wyheree use ..magic I think but ..nothing else really.....

I do know others get tired from using it

:: she perks up just a bit at knowin that little bit of knowledge::

:: She nods slowly as the go to the Library::

thats increadible..I had no idea singing could be used as magic

:: and that got her real excited and she tugged more on her hand as she asked questions::

So can anyone learn magic..or do you have to be born that way.....do you do magic Sha'uri!

Shuffling from behind towers of books after his hours of quiet study, ticking off Bri's list and marching through the dust and old magic with a steady hand and reverent gaze he looked at Sha'Uri and stopped short. His eyes wandered her hair, face, eyes and he quickly dropped his own to the floor; smokey and sore. The dust and the sight she was there; surprised at his appearance from behind the shelves and still her lips traced in the tightness of hurt. She was a lovely woman and he had killed two birds with one stone and not in the better sense of the phrase. Sha'Uri had been more than accomodating, well, that was an understatement but he should not have led her into the territory he had.


A moments consternation and he disappeared behind some more precariously piled mountains of text and broken book spine, rummaging in his back pocket for the list in both consultation and for something to do in the choking awkwardness. He bent down and gathered a few books on incantations and Druidic lore to his chest, before standing and striding back from where he came.

:: She blinked and then giggles as Sha'uri was tickled smiling when she was becond to meet Porthois she smiles shyly to him as she grasped Sha'uri's hand lightly...and then she blinked....babies....babies!...but then she heard something else....Sha'uri and Bri were leaving for somewhere...she slipped out of Sha'uri's hand and slowly moved away....in her mind she was lost...were they leaving her too?......her gaze was downcast as Sha'uri talked with Porthios...silently she shuffled behind a large stack of books and out of sight::

:: She lifted her head a moment as she let those words sink in...she wasn't being left....she was going with them!::

:: Running out from behind those books excitedly she hugs Sha'uri and bounces up and down as she asks::

When do we go shopping?

:: she has never actually shopped before and was as excited as the first day of school..this was a big deal for her::

She set Tina down gently.

"But for now, we need to find you that book."

On that note, her attention was back on the librarian.

"Hey, Bernie, can you help us find that book? I'm looking for those beginner books on magic. I'm sure there's got to be at least one or two here somehwere... Oh and I almost forgot. If you notice anything on Daggers, Green ones or glows green, possibly and likely artifacts or spells that can cause someone to go blind with no healing save for the destruction of the item, then..well, there's a nice woman in town who needs that information, especially if it can lead to finding that dagger. Master Bri told me to tell you to let us know if you come across anything remotely like that. Anything. So, are you still back there?"

She started to walk back but noticed a small dark blue book with platinum lettering and ruins of copper and gold enscribed all over the book. She carefully picked it up off the top of the pile, making note of it's location.

"Oh...whoa, what have we here? Magical Theories an Introduction. Hmm.... I wonder where Erique got this one from? Hey, I found something! Odd, though, there is no author...."

She opened it up and began to skim through the contents. It wasn't a very thick book and seemed to have basics about the types of magic, trades including druidic lore, ... and then it slowly dawned on her. It was like a book her own mother used when she began to learn magic , back on Krynn where she was born... she flipped to the last page to find the suspected inscription, It was the same book.

To D'Shara, May this lead you to the hopes and dreams of your imagination. May they be as beautiful and limitless as the Bloom you are in an endless Night. Always... ~R.

"Oh my ... How can this be?"

She did seem to turn about three shades pale....

The hug snapped her out of her reverie. She hugged Tina back and half laughed at herself. Color slowly seeped back into her skin. After all, Erique did say they looked far and wide for Sharalis, it would stand to reason they would go all the way to Krynn and to her beginnings.

"I'm fine, hun. I just didn't expect to find my mother's beginner books, all the way from the world of Krynn. If they found that, anything could be here...."

She handed the book to her.

"Here, you can borrow this, though, I would ask that you keep it in the school room on my desk and read it in class only. I would not want anything to happen accidently to it. That would be the least likely place."

Nods, hoping that explanation would suffice.

A soft heartfelt smile was given, watching Tina reverently hold that book. She saw the hunger in the little girl's eyes, taking in the contents, her young mind soaking it up like a sponge. A chair was summoned and Sha'uri helped Tina to sit down. Then she left the girl there while she moved to look for more books, trying to gather all the beginner material she could find. By the look in the girl's eyes, she was going to soak up everything she could. It was Sha'uri's educated guess, that Tina would likely have the aptitude of a spell caster, perhaps much more.

After all that time....

"Sure, Bernie."

She moved to intercept Tina, preventing her from reaching Bernie.

"Tina, hun... why don't you go ahead and very carefully take that book to the classroom while Bernie and I talk? I'll catch up with you later. It'll be fine."

She nods to reassure Tina it was fine and escorts Tina to the door. Once the girl was gone, she turned back to Bernie. There was that fiery flame in those sapphire hues.

"Okay, let's talk. I'm curious... Just what do you want?"

"No."

The flat response was cold, swift and clean like razor sharp claws slicing through a fleshy heart. And yet, still that diplomatic air was held. Tones, though not warmed, were softened.

"I don't think she should stay with you, Bernie. I know you mean well and would sincerely try to protect her, but I don't think staying with you is a good idea. I don't have a problem with her visiting you or that you would protect her while she sneaks out.... and by the way I know she does and I know you aren't always there.. ... However, now is not the time nor place to talk about it ... not in front of her like this as you seem to want to drag her into it when the issue is really between you and I. That's not fair to anyone, Nor right."

Her gaze darkened as she pulled the gift, his necklace, from off of her, placing it in her pocket as it deactivated and her gaze returned to his. For that moment, that tiny slice of time between the deactivation and the return of her dark flaming gaze to his, it was so blatently obvious that she was afraid he was trying to take Tina away from her...as if she were an unfit sort of mother ... Which, she was afraid she couldn't deal with what Tina had been through, having her own similar problems to face... and she was afraid of the changes he was going through and how that might affect not only Tina but himself. She was like a mother fighting for her child, simultaneously a friend protecting a friend from himself.

Her thoughts forcefully entered his,

~I know what you are, what you were and what you might become, Bernie. You are changing. You need to figure out into what first before involving her too closely to you. If you truly care for her, heed my words. You've been warned.~

Out loud, she continued ... thoughts oddly going blank though the necklace is no longer in place. She didn't really need it.

"This conversation will wait until we've returned from Secak. She needs a chance to get to know her new surroundings better ... for her decision in this is just as important as anyone else's. More so. Now is not the time to decide. That's nOt fair to her, nor anyone else."

Her lips pursed together, obviously, she was about to unleash her anger on him which is why she turned away from Bernie and walked out of the library, defenses dropping, tears stinging her eyes. There was no way she was going to allow herself a good emotional blow up while he was using Tina like a shield, or a weapon.

The door shut behind her while she protected a friend from herself. It should be obvious in that act of leaving Tina with him, that she reallly did trust him, or at least was trying very very hard to do just that, even though as time went on it seemed he was making it more and more difficult.

The future was a precarious thing....

The doors had closed and her form disappeared, fading from view while she teleported to the roof of the library. Crouched down to the ground, hand over her mouth covering the sobs in silence. It had been an emotional day, one that she wished would just end. Indeed, how many birds had she killed with one stone just now? Plenty. But it had to be done, just like destroying Erique, even if it meant her own demise, had to be done. She sacrifed emotionally for Bernie and for Tina.

"That was the push he needed."

For the second time in one day, she'd heard the voice of Corellon. Sore, puffy eyes turned their bloodshot gaze his direction, questioningly.

"It's true." he sauntered up towards her, hands in his pockets with a nonchallant air. "The male of any species tends to be slow, thickheaded and sometimes we just need a good swift kick in the 'ol arse to push us where we needed to go emotionally."

"What?" She was confused, though in that confusion she found her tears were drying up.

"It's true. But, don't tell anyone I said that." feigning innocence with his hands pulled up in the air as if in resignation before they were placed once agian into his pockets. "You just pushed him where he needed to go.. to take his first step as a real man. I think you'll see a marked difference in him, starting with the masquerade party."

"Will he be better?" Her voice was raspy with emotion again as she wiped the tears away.

"Some may think yes, some may think no... I'm sure his Lady won't be inclined to think so after a time. Watch that one for she has nothing but growing malice for you and Bri."

He came closer and put an arm around her shoulders, opening a portal to his plane and drawing her in for a more personal conversation, void of peepers and ears listening from places unseen. The portal closed as they entered his realm.

"What?! Why? There's no reason for it." None that she could see. They had never even been properly introduced let alone had any real kind of conversation.. nor even arguement.

"Just like the man who raped you and the one who hurt Tina.. they thought they could do what they wanted, when they wanted, how they wanted and with whomever they wanted too."

He paused with a hard expression, displeasure, anger and more towards those that thought this way.

"They will face retribution. For what they did, what they do...There is no balance there, only evil in their self serving attitude! Your friend will, if he hasn't already, come to understand that, too. Just be yourself and keep doing what you do because of love and your friends will come through for you and Bri and Tina."


He was warning her of something within that emerald gaze drawing her attention, mesmerizing her with their sparkle and showing her things she had been missing. A slow sober nod was given by her.

"I see... And what of Jonathan?"

"Watch him and over his men as they come. They will need protection as men do from a siren."

"But.... " It was unfathomable.

"She's questioning the loyalty of her subjects already... and you know what that means. War."

With that, Corellon left her there, on the rooftop once again... and with the load he'd just set on her shoulders... was he testing her or was he really warning her, seriously? It was hard to tell ... hard to fathom the reasons.

She stood and moved to the edge of the roof just in time to catch sight of Tina going into the Living quarters building with a running pace. The confusion was immediately sensed as well as the self guilt and fear. Oh how that pulled at her heart!

A prayer to walk the air was uttered as Sha'uri stepped off the roof and into the air. Instead of falling, or floating, she seemed to be walking on the air as if it were solid ground. She walked swiftly to the window of her own room, sensing the girl was going to her own. Then she opened the window and stepped on in.

By the time Tina arrived to her room, Sha'uri was only a moment later in opening the other door from the bathroom. Her head cocked slightly to the side, sapphire hues deep and pleading as she squatted down and held her arms wide, voice soft and soothing in a loving manner.

"Come on, sweetheart ... come here. I need a hug, and so do you. Let's talk about this, okay?"

And she waited patiently, hoping to help ease her fears.

"Shh..."

She tried to soothe and just held Tina, stroking her hair and letting the girl ramble for a while until Tina's chatter began to subside. She picked her up and carried her over to the rocking chair by the fireplace, and sat down with Tina upon her lap.

"It's okay, hun. We love you too. I love you, Bri loves you, Bernie loves you .... Wyheree and Icer, even Brian." she nodded.

"It's just that sometimes people don't always see eye to eye and even misunderstand each other. I'm sure we'll both get over it, sit down and talk.... and be better friends soon. Just don't think it was your fault. It's not."

She hugged her close.

She forgot about Bernie, about the way she left him in the library, the pain of knowing he'd probably never want to see her again.... it just didn't matter anymore that his friendship is what she sacrificed. That pain was washed away from that one little name, Mommy, and the swell of that little girl's heart. She succumbed to that feeling and held her close, rocking her. Indeed, she felt as if she were her mother.

But she couldn't allow herself to let it go any more. If Tina was molested, as Sha'uri was now suspecting by what little Bernie had told her, she needed to know. Gently pulling Tina from the close embrace, she smiled lovingly and yet a tinge of fear was in her eyes as she searched the girl for that truth. It was the hardest thing for her to do, having been raped when she was younger. Somehow, she found the strength to address the issue......

"Tina, I have to ask you something very important. And I need to know the truth, hun. You remember telling me about that Cutter guy? Well, I need to know what he did to you, hun. I know he hurt you, but I need to know what he did. Can you tell me?"

Tears welled in her eyes and she bit her tongue, tasting the blood from it. The dragon within her wanted to taste this Cutter guy's blood, feel his bones crunch between her teeth, grinding them until they were nothing but paste and goo. Yes, there needed to be retribution on this one. Revenge was the only justice fitting, in Sha'uri's opinion... to make him feel as he made Tina feel.

She held Tina close, comforting Tina even though Sha'uri was unsure of herself. It did strike a cord way too close to home and it was an emotional struggle for her.

"Shh...that's enough, hun... you don't have to say any more...okay... I know now and I'm sorry I made you talk about that so much. But... sometimes it helps to talk about it. I know what you went through, hun. I had someone do similar to me. So, you are not alone... not the only one."

And that was why she couldn't allow Bernie to take her, keep her at his home. It wasn't that she hadn't trusted him, it was because she didn't believe putting Tina with a man by herself like that was very good thing to do right now in her life, period. She paused, trying to think about all the things she'd read on what to do for this... all the things she herself had tried.

"I know you've been sleepwalking, hun and I want to help you. You need to stop sleepwalking and I don't want to have to lock you in your room. I really don't. But I'm afraid for you, Tina, when you do walk out there like that. I mean, if you want me to lock you in, I will. But only if you say so. You are not a prisoner here and I don't want to lock you up like one. I'm gonna suggest you do something, to try it.. maybe we can try it together and it'll help us both. Something we can do as part of your nightly routine. wanna hear it?"

:: Her tears quieted and slowly she nodded::

Yes...please..what is ...it?

:: She snuggled into her feeling safe here...feeling like here nothing can go wrong and everything will be ok::

:: She sniffled a bit...how could he be wrong...she was a bit confused at this but...Sha'uri just had to be right..as far as she was concerned she could do no wrong...so slowly she nodded to her::

But...do I really....have to fight...I dont like fighting..its mean and cruel...I would be just like Master Cutter if I did that...I dont want to be him...I want to be me...is that ok?

:: She looked up at Sha'uri a bit hopiong it was ok the small tears at the sides of her eyes::

Gently she wiped the tear from the corner of Tina's eye and kissed her forehead.

"Of course that's okay. I would not want to see you be anyone but you. You're a very wise and loving girl, and that's why I told you my story so that you could understand that there are no perfect people in any existence, even me. We all make our mistakes. That is precisely why you should be taught how to defend yourself, not how to be like them and pick fights on others, but to defend against them or to defend others."

She paused as the knock came at the door. Fighting back a new surge of tears, her voice cracked.

"Come in."

The Headmaster enters.

"Is something the matter?"

"What is the matter?"

He moves into the room, shutting the door.

He moves closer and takes her hand. His hand is cold...unnaturally cold.

:: She smiled a little watching the two....and Sha'uri was right..he had the warmest heart she knew of...caring and kind...opening up the school for others to learn...she smiled a bit more at her thoughts before turning to them a bit happy to be in their company::