::Kari turned from the three men and walked out of the building without a word. Stepping out into the sunlight of the upper courtyard, she saw that all the men had gone. The place was empty. Her wolf-ears twitched and disappeared without her even noticing they were ever there. The scent of blood was thick in the air, poisoning the bright day with the stench of death. She grimaced, knowing some of that blood had been spilled by her and the sword that still laid on the white cobblestones before her. It was about five feet away, and she made no move to retrieve it. She only stared at it silently as a light breeze played with the ends of her long black hair::
out seeing a shadow moving off down the hall he followed it. Stepping into the courtyard he saw the girl staring off at her sword which lay on the ground. Sane moved in front of her and took a short bow.
"I must truly thank you for saving my sanity... If I had slipped any further I would have not been able to return. This place... It will take weeks for the smell to completely clear out."
Sane looked at the ground and shook his head.
"You remind me of someone I know... Someone I left behind to go on my journey... Sorry... I know I'm babling now... I just wanted to thank you... That is all."
Sane turned around and hung his head low walking away slwoly back towards the throne room.
::Kari felt her heart aching at the sight of him in such a state of sorrow. She called after him, closing her eyes and clenching her fists, fighting tears:: Wait.... You needn't leave...
Sane turned around and looked upon the girl seeing tears in her eyes he rushed over to her.
"Are... are you okay? What is the matter?"
Sane shows a look of concern on his face.
"What do you mean I need not leave?"
::Kari struggled to harden her features again:: I'm sorry... I'm fine... I meant nothing... Do as you will...
Sane nodded and brushed a tear from her cheek.
"If you are sure... Then I shall take my leave."
Sane turns around giving her a smile before he runs back into the throen room. There Ice who was now sitting on the throne having removed his Uncle from it and placed him in the fields, was talking to Hector thanking him. Sane walks over and smiles.
"So... That is it then my friend... I have helped you take back your throne..." Sane says
Ice nods, "I shall keep my end of the bargain. You are free to leave as soon as you want."
Sane nods, "I think I will leave tomorrow... I must continue on my way towards my village."
Hector smiles, "Going to try to avenge your family... Sane... I told you Lestat is... too dangerous for you to face."
Sane shakes his head, "I'm sorry Hector but I must... It is my duty..." Sane's eye become watery remembering that was what he had said to Kari before he left. "I can not force you to understand... I am off to prepare for tommorow."
Sane rushes out of the room making sure no one saw his weakness moving out of the keep and back into the town. Leaving Hector and Ice dumbfounded.
::Kari had also moved off into the town, having picked up the sword and sheathed it for the final time. It hung lifelessly at her hip. She moved through the town, being stopped a few times by random knights who had been in the upper courtyard only an hour or so before. As Kari moved on, she looked to the sky and saw that dusk was approaching. She gave the name of Avarice to all who asked for it. She would eventually reveal the fact that she was really the woman from the village the bandits had visited before attacking the fort. Now that she was on better terms with them, she could alleviate the name of Kiah, which she had given to Sane and the others just before the battle had begun::
::As night fell, the people of the fort seemed to turn out in merriment at the defeat of their former lord. As Kari wandered the streets, she heard the sound of joyous music and loud voices. She followed them back to the main courtyard to find the townspeople throwing a grand festival. The sweet smell of food drowned out the stench of the blood that had been washed from the stones. Kari smiled and leaned back against a tree, watching the merriment from afar::
Sane patted his horse head and moved him into the stabel tieing him up for the night removing the saddle. He turned to the stablemaster handing him a silver coing so that he would brush his horse down. Sane himself moved back outside stopping at a few vendors that were still open ordering items for his journey. All of the vendors nodded showing their gratitude by trying to give Sane the items he needed for free... Yet Sane still insisted on paying as he knew what he had done in the castle was horrific...
"I must control myself next time... If there is a next time."
Sane walks over to a stone wall and sits on top of it his head in his hands. He began to think about what route he would take to his village not paying attention to the festivities going on around him.
::After observing for a while, Kari decided to wander off again. She moved through the darkened streets, eventually finding the palace garden. It was beautiful and exceptionally large with a large reflecting pool in the center and an old willow reaching roots and branches into the water. Kari smiled. She loved the solitude of the place. It was near the beauty of Velnarre's gardens at night. Since she was alone, she untied her cape and boots, setting them against the tree. Rolling up her pantlegs, she sat down on a large root and dipped her bare feet in the cool water. It was a warm night, thick and humid, but the stars shone overhead and Kari began to sing softly, as she always did when she was alone::
Sane lifts up his head and then strains his ear... IN the distance he could hear singing... The voice that of Kari. Sane shook his head and smirked.
"It's just my damned imagination... I miss her too much I'm starting to hear things..."
Sane gets up to walk but a hand stops him, Sane looks back to see Hector standing there. Hector sits down next to Sane and frowns.
"Girl problem Sane? Is that why you talk to yourself alone at night my good friend?"
Sane nods his head, "Yes... It's something like that."
Hector smiles, "I remeber when I had girl problems..."
Sane laughs, "Hector you ALWAYS have girl problems."
Hector smiles and slaps Sane on the back, "That I do my friend..." Hector suddenly stops and listens to the wind, "Do you hear singing in the distance?"
Sane raises an eyebrow, "Don't mock me Hector..."
Hector shakes his head, "NO I'm serious... Come this way."
He grabs Sane by his shirt and pulls him while trying to focus on teh sound and where it was coming from.
::Kari swirled her feet in the crystal-clear water, still singing softly. She looked at her hair and remembered the spell she had put in it. She smiled. Remeli had taught it to her when they were young. She smiled at the memory of her good friend. Her heart saddened and she fell into the song that she always sang::
I don't know what words I can say
The wind has a way to talk to me
Flowers sing a silent lullaby
I pray for reply
I'm ready....
Hector pulls Sane foward running a bit then slowing down as the singing got louder. They crept foward moving into the garden careful no to disrupt anything. They positioned themselves behind a pair of bushes Sane stickin his head out look at the woman singing the one that sounded just like his love... It was the woman that had helped them. Sane mind began to coil... His gears began to turn yet he had no anwser... Maybe... No Sane shook his head and Hector looked at him.
"What's the matter Sane?" Hector whispers
Sane shook his head, "I don't know... I heard this before... Coming from Kari's lips before... This woman even sounds like Kari..."
"Well god damn it Sane go ask her..." Hector hisses
"Sane shook his head, "I can not... If she chooses to reveal herself to me... If it turly is Kari... Then that is her choice... If not... I shall go on..."
Hector shakes his head and sits down, "Well we might as well enjoy it you fool."
Sane smiles and closes his eyes.
::Kari finished her song, her pointed ears twitching at sounds from somewhere nearby. She sensed the two men lingering nearby and spoke loudly:: ...Please come into view...
Sane gives Hector a sharp look as if to say, "Told you to shut up." Sane stands up and steps out from behind the bushes pulling Hector alongside him. Hector has a smile on his face yet Sane looks at Kari.
"I'm sorry if we have intruded upon you my lady." Sane stammers out looking at the ground.
Hector shakes his head thinking to himself what an idiot Sane was if he didnt take this chance.
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