Needless to say, Shadow was more than surprised when she was woken shortly after dawn by the delicate hand of Taerlyn.  She stared at the younger girl through a sleepy gaze for long seconds before verbally responding.  "Yes?"
        "Maybe you two could go for a ride or something."  The girl suggested quietly.
        Well, that was certainly sobering.  Her eyes instantly changed pitch to awareness, awakeness.  "A long one?" she asked, making sure she understood.
        "No, not a long one... in fact, don't take much time at all.  Just make sure that when you come back, you stay a good distance away."  Ter reccommended intelligently.
        "Good advice."  Shadow commented in response.  The younger sibling nodded and walked away, back to her own bed.  The blankness in the girl's face made her a little uneasy.  It wasn't quite the same as when she was numb; her eyes were far brighter than that.  Maybe that's where the worry laid, that perhaps Ter saw something she didn't.  Either way.  She crawled out of bed into the not too chilly morning, and over to Roan.
        How very odd.  She thought, sitting on her haunches next to him.  Things had... really fuckin' hit the fan, hadn't they?  Or maybe they were just about to.  Not a pleasant thought.  Can't make it to Never Never Land that way.
        She stretched a hand out and placed it lightly on his shoulder.  If his sleeping habits were anything like hers, that would more than likely wake him.  As his eyes flashed open, there was a split second where she feared what that godawful pessimistic part of her mind told her would happen--that maybe it was all a dream, a vision, a lie, that nothing had changed.  But, blinking, she looked at those eyes again.  They'd recognized her, registered her, marked her.  They softened into a curious gaze.
        "Let's go for a morning ride."  She whispered.  "The siblings need some time."
        Sandy's ears twitched at that.  She'd been half asleep for several minutes, halfway hearing everything.  But she hadn't exactly been asked about this.  Not that she honestly minded at all, but... still.  She raised her head and took great care to lift and stretch her muscles without waking the last remaining sleeper.
        Roan only nodded.  He couldn't think of a damn thing to say to that.  Hell, his mind was still swimming with new... everything.  Odd thoughts, feelings... just odd.  The surreal quality of the night before had just rushed back to him, and he rubbed the back of his head as he sat up to be certain nothing had struck it and caused false memories.  But no, no falseness in the eyes of fire.  Hell, not even contempt anymore.  Astounding.
        Shadow subtly jerked her head in the direction Sandy was walking and stood, waiting for him.  He swallowed, hardly ready for this experience.  There had been some... bad events in the past with him and horses.  He had no physical scars from the event, but the memories sure as hell became clearer with every step closer.  He indicated silently with his hand that Shadow ought to be the one to get on first.
        She had no qualms about that.  She carefully set herself on the steed's back, getting a good hold, then signaled Roan to climb on behind her.
        He did so, slowly.  Sculpting himself against Shadow's back, he swallowed with incredible nervousness despite the particular beast's intelligence.  He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and prayed they'd survive the ride.
        "Ready?" she asked, gently weaving her hands into the long mane.
        "Do I have a choice?" he joked, his voice subtly shaking.
        "She'll take care of us."  She reassured.
        "Yeah, like she always took care of me."  He answered, newfound courage driving him.
        She grinned.  "Hold on tight, though."  She adjusted herself, then whispered to her steed, "Let's fly shall we?"
        Sandy whinnied in a quiet breath, then kicked herself up and began to run.  They moved slowly at first, a good regular pace.  But it wasn't long before the steed's powerful legs began thumping along the ground in fast, violent rock and roll drumbeats the moment they reached the top of the basin and darted into the flat field.  The two on her back could quickly begin to feel her heartbeat, lived with her pulse as she flew over the ground, faster and faster until it seemed that they they weren't even touching it anymore.  Her muscles rolled easily, possibly able to keep the pace for hours as they raced away from everything, if only for a little while seeming free from all worlds. 

        Taerlyn waited until well after the sound of hoof beats was completely silent before she approached her brother.  She kneeled next to him, the rush of air causing him to jostle in his sleep.  Seeing that as a good sign, she simply reached out to do a practiced double-shoulder shake.
        That got him, alright.  As it always did.  But this morning he was unfortunately in no mood to be woken up by anyone.
        She didn't let his disposition affect her at all.  "Now," she began calmly, "Tell me all about everything."
        He simply stared at her.  Only when it was perfectly clear that she didn't plan on backing down or speaking again until he obeyed her order, he sat up.  He took a momentary glance around, more or less assuming the situation.  "I don't like one bit of it, Ter."  He waited, keeping eye contact, for her opinion.  Even in his waking grogginess, he understood he'd gone off a bit the night before.  Not that he thought he was wrong, nor that it was at all uncalled for.  But, still.
        "I'm... not sure what I think..." she responded, trailing off to glance at the dust still lingering in the distance left behind by Sandy's hooves.
        "What do you mean, you're 'not sure'?" his anger began to resurface, regardless of how hard he'd tried not to let it.
        "I was watching them last night."  She responded quietly, honestly.  "They seem... I don't know..."
        Evyn raged.  "She asked if she was to be his possession, Ter.  She said it.  He has captured her mind and she'll get us all killed."
        She tried to be as calm as possible, as open to both sides as she could be.  "A nervous joke, maybe?" she tenderly suggested.  "She does tend to say such things when she has nothing else to say."
        He obviously didn't hear.  "She was crying.  He was hurting her.  You know how he describes pain, he must have been hurting her.  I wish we'd been there when he captured her and seen what he'd really done..."
        "She was crying?" she couldn't help but ask in amazement.
        "Yes, she was crying."  He nearly hissed.  "I saw the light playing off of the tears."
        "Did you see wounds?" Ter asked with a swallow.
        He shook his head, but was still determined.  "No, but he knows magic.  He probably knows ways to hurt her without us being able to see it.  That must be it, he must be torturing her.  He said it himself, you lose your mind and your will with the pain!  That's what he's doing!"
        "Are you sure?" she asked, still as neutrally as she could manage.
        "Certain!" he yelled, staring at her.
        She sighed and didn't know where she stood.  She did however know that such two sidedness could tear them all to pieces.  "Do you love her?" she asked sincerely but distantly, not sure where this line of thought might be headed.
        He looked at her in a what-the-hell-do-you-think way, but gave in and answered.  "Of course I love her."  He said firmly.
        She looked around, taking his words under advisement.  Again, for a countless time, she went through the events of the night before.  Of everything, of before and after and during.  Then she gasped with a sudden thought; "Do you love her like that?"
        Evyn was stunned.  He looked up in surprise at her and had no idea what to say.  "I think maybe you're still a little crazy, little sister."  His lips finally set free, his tone surprised, but somehow worried and unconcerned at the same time.  Her intelligence honestly scared him sometimes, and he prayed that that was not one of the times that she was so right. 

        Sandy had taken her passengers on a wide circle around the field, giving them a pretty good perspective of nothing but rotting machinery and grass.  It looked like the equipment hadn't been touched in years, let alone witnessed.  No matter--it was a wonderful thing to get away at high speed, even if they did understand that they'd have to return to the inevitable in the back of their minds.
        But not yet.  True, Ter had said to stay close when they came back.  But even if she hadn't said anything along those lines, Shadow was sure that she would have done so anyway.  They slowed into a trot near the edge of the basin, and finally Sandy made a graceful tha-whump to the ground, tired but sated.  It felt good to run without being chased.  Even as her passengers climbed off, she remained laying, catching her breath and enjoying the grass and early morning sunshine.
        Her former passengers took her lead.  They almost felt they ought to be tired themselves, after that.  Sitting a few feet away from the horse, side by side, they gazed down into the basin and watched the world take on a golden hue, the lake dusted with gold and sapphire glitters.
        "I... I want to redeem myself..." Roan admitted quietly after a moment.  It was the truth; he wanted to prove that he was different, that he could be a part of them.  He still wasn't sure exactly how well he'd be getting along with that Evyn boy... nor his sister.  But he'd try.  He'd make that effort.  It was a scary thing to think about, honestly; the power the girl at his side seemed to have over him.
        She took his hand, something she never would have thought of herself doing, and held his eyes gently.  "It'll take... time.  And effort."
        He nodded.  "I know.  And... I understand... but I want to try."  He saw her smile and was indescribably grateful for her knowing he was being truthful.  He let his mind wander a moment, finding a curious wonder entering his train of thought.  "Would you happen to want to tell me about the nightmare?  That night..?"
        "Not really."  She answered with a soft bit of humor.  "But I'll give it a shot."  She explained, quite uneasily, what she remembered about the evil man and the two blond children, how they looked so different and so familiar, like she had seen them before, and the pins...  It was hard to remember, let alone to talk about.  She did her best.
        He listened closely, but was pretty much at a loss.  They were just dreams anyway... but they seemed to hold quite an interest in him.  In Shadow, too obviously, and the telling struck the same unfamiliar chords in both of them.  Still he could make nothing of it, didn't know what to say about it, but was just glad to listen to her pour her heart out to him.
        She was equally as glad.  It felt so incredibly wonderful to just... talk.  Just say what she needed to say, even if it didn't make sense.  When she finished and looked at him for his thoughts, he only shrugged.  Not a word, not even an idea--only shrugged--and it made her laugh. 

        Finding a "happy medium" between standing up for himself, while being sincere... was going to be difficult.  That was more than clear from the start, from the instant Evyn's hateful eyes stared more through him than at him.  Well, now he'd know how it felt, right?  Not that that was going to make him feel any better about the whole situation...
        Shadow knew from the moment she could trace their gazes that this was going to be a painful experience.  For everyone.  Suddenly they were all starting to wish they had somewhere else to go--separate from one another.  Not forever, just... for a little while.
        Regardless, their leader was not going to let this hamper... too much of the journey she was on.  At least, those were her intentions at the time.  She deserved a fucking Academy Award for keeping herself in check and delivering the most boring, normal performance of her life.  "Anyone hungry or should we just go?"
        "We'll just go."  Evyn stated in a voice far too calm, far too quiet.
        Both Roan and Shadow could read that anger.  It was possibly the most dangerous sort: slow and quiet, patient and kind--and then snap.  Like a mouse trap, like a spider at the captured prey.  One could deal with knowing they were going to die by being ripped apart by a wild animal.  It was far harder to accept that something so sudden and unreal could snatch you away in a heartbeat.  And worse yet, maybe that thing that would snap and snatch your life away didn't even know it was going to happen.
        While Shadow would not cast her gaze directly toward her, she saw Taerlyn packing up supplies just as calmly.  She was not angry.  Agitated, scared, worried, confused and somewhat convinced this all had to be one hell of a weird dream, but not angry.  She assumed her place as the peace keeper for the time being.
 

        Evyn was not too very happy to be traveling with that demon boy again.  He found himself wanting to physically pull Shadow from him, get in between them and kill Roan... not quickly, not mercifully, just kick him until there was nowhere solid enough left to kick.  He could worry about whatever influence was on Shadow after the little bastard was too dead to heal.  And even then he pictured setting the remains on fire...  But for the moment, the death march would have to suffice.  Every passing moment would bring him closer to the time when that boy would die, and that kept him in check for a little while.
        Taerlyn was starting to feel the tension like a stone structure, being built brick by brick on her back.  This would not do.  What worried her most was the fact that most of this tension was actually coming from her brother.  She'd known him all her life, obviously.  And this... this was not him.  This was not good, not healthy, not Evyn.
        Stranger still, perhaps even worse, Roan was... very quiet.  Ter was very careful not to be caught looking at anyone, but she was watching all events like a threatened predator.  And Roan... was strikingly different.  He was walking along behind not as a slave in tow, but... willingly.  And softly, like he was treading upon loose ground--stepping carefully along the lines drawn deeper and deeper into the ground in front of him.
        And Shadow... now there was the really interesting thing.  She walked more or less between Evyn and Roan, though a "safe" distance from either.  There was no soft stepping upon the quaking ground for her.  Those bricks that were building one by one on Taerlyn's shoulders seemed to be doubled on Shadow's; and she was bearing the brunt of it as quietly and calmly as she could be.  She knew the situation was her fault, her doing.  There was guilt and the sense of responsibility, and those were waging a little war all their own in her head.
        "Should we offer our wrists?" Shadow's damned mind would not let the words go.  Would that solve things?  She was beginning to wonder.  Healing ability or not, the spilling of blood... she tried to push that image away.  That was not what Evyn was like at all.  He had every fucking reason to be pissed as hell at her.  She was almost surprised he hadn't struck her or something of the sort, but she knew better.  He wasn't like that, and could never be.  But he was... growing closer toward that direction.  With every step she could see the tension raising--his motion was harsh and stiff, almost weighted.  This was not going well.  No, this was not right at all.  And yet she could think of so little to do about it.
        The hatred was raging in his mind.  He knew Roan was trailing behind without having to look.  He also knew Shadow was probably close, but that was no matter.  She would heal if an accident happened--he blinked at that thought, feeling almost... violated by how horrific it had been.  That stinging hatred covered over it like an avalanche, and the tension turned cold.
        It was felt, and it was witnessed through internal senses.  Sandy, who had been keeping perfect pace at Evyn's side, gradually pulled away just a bit.  This anger was poison.  This poison was stronger than mere emotion--and it wasn't coming from a source it ever had before.
        At a rock concert, Shadow thought, the object was the bring the crowd up and up until they were at that moment of massive, overwhelming destruction--then to help them tumble over the line with controlled and practiced efficiency, releasing the emotion safely.  That... was clearly not going to be the case this time around.  And step by step, in the calmness and sunshine of the day, the dim undercurrent of expectation began to seep through.  Something would happen here, and there were few ways to prepare for it.
        So they kept walking, silently.  The formation began to spread, Ter and Sandy leading to leave the rest to their own devices.  Evyn and Roan were slowly losing Shadow to the side in what could only be described as a predetermined path; it was of no conscious choosing.  But these were the tracks to be taken.
        Things mixed, mingled, until past and present were one.  Thoughts collided, unspoken words flung back and forth.  It was a train wreck about to happen, unavoidable by any means.  That stung.  But the hope this would hurl them all in another direction like the violent gravitation of a planet to a comet was a bittersweet assurance at the back of their minds.  A moment of insanity was all it took for better or worse...
        Evyn stopped--utterly sudden, completely without warning.  The edges were fraying, the dam would break in a massive flood; but a controlled one.  At least, that was the plan.
        Roan halted just as quickly, making and holding eye contact.  That much was important.  His life was in danger.  The life he'd finally put a little value on, was finally on the line.  And the boy in front of him, who he still held a touch of dangerous hate for, was that value's friend.  All things made simple in that narrow scope of time.  Kill, be killed, join somewhere in the middle.
        "There is a problem, boy."  Evyn's voice was so pristine and gentle that it gave the others awful chills.
        Roan nodded, feeling the adrenaline creep through him like the warm embrace of alcohol--but tighter, higher, sharper.  The thrill before the pain.  He didn't trust his voice, so he didn't speak--just waited.  The trigger was so close...
        Shadow actually unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself, standing back and waiting.  In the echoes of her thoughts, she understood that she could step between them and stop this.  But it would never be that simple.  Sooner or later, this was going to happen.  Better sooner.
        Scared.  Taerlyn was just completely scared.  There was more than a mere chance these things may not turn out all well and happy.  Telltale signs and possibilities...
        "And I feel only a slit throat would solve it."  Evyn continued in the same tone.  The grip around the pummel tightened, his body language shifting instantly to attack and defense.
        The other boy finally reacted to the words, and he reacted hard.  He tore the bracers from his arms and flung them to the ground.  "Do you want them?" he asked roughly, holding out his naked wrists.  "Then go ahead and take them!  They're yours!"
        Taerlyn looked at Shadow as though she were expecting her to intervene, but she only shrugged as a response.  This was already ugly.  Already... terribly insane.  It fucking hurt to watch.  Any way this turned out, it was just... not going to be pleasant.  And she was at fault for this.  That would stick with her for a long time.
        "Well?  What the hell are you waiting for?" Roan yelled at a completely unmoving Evyn.
        The elder sibling turned fully to face the monster and threw his pummel down.  As soon as the weapon lost touch with his hand, before it was even halfway to the ground, he reached to his belt and flung the dagger out skillfully (He's been practicing, Shadow thought with a shiver), swiftly, deeply, slicing into both of Roan's wrists.
        No one had anticipated the move what so ever, and it paralyzed the group for an instant with shock.  In actuality it was seconds seeming like an eternity; almost immediately as the blood gushed from his wrists, Roan healed himself with splashes of blue fire.  Even he was stunned with Evyn's action, but his anger drove him further.  He dropped down on his knees and yelled. "And why not my throat too, while you're at it?  That's what you wanted, right?"
        Taerlyn cringed and leapt forward, grasping onto Shadow's arm.  But she had no help to offer; only a hand over Ter's as they were forced to do nothing more than watch.  She didn't think it smart for either of them to get in the way, regardless of healing abilities.
        Evyn brought the dagger back, his arm across his chest, and prepared for another cut.  That time, however, he was unable; the moment of insanity was burning through. "Do you love her?" Taerlyn had asked him, and he had said, and fully meant, yes.  Then she'd asked if he loved her "like that"... and he'd choked.  But the truth had been told (Is being told now, he thought), and he did love her.  He really did.  He glanced just for a moment at the pained expression on her face, almost hidden, and agonized to think his behavior had, even for a moment, aided to cause it.  He brought the knife down slowly and put it back in his belt, bent to pick up the pummel, then turned his head away from being able to see anyone.  The most surprising move of all: he held a blind hand out, palm up.
        Understandably uncertain at first, Roan just stared at him for quite a long time.  Speechless, thoughtless, confused.  When Evyn shook his upturned palm from side to side and finally looked him right in the eye, Roan felt he had no other choice but to take it.  Evyn helped to lift him from the ground and looked at his wrists closely; sealed and unharmed.
        "Okay."  The elder sibling spoke softly, but clearly.  His eyes fell on Shadow, almost drawing a gulp from her.  "I'm sorry."
        The odd and long silence was surprisingly enough broken by Roan, apparently feeling quite playful after having his wrists sliced open and his life on the line.  "My fault for living, it is."  He grinned widely and shook Evyn's hand--and with a surprise that completely threw everyone off, Evyn's expression softened and he shook back genuinely.  It was, needless to say, enough of a shock to make Roan's grin fall straight into a puzzled--almost frightened--look.
        Shadow was simply very quiet.  Taerlyn had removed her hands, leaving her to stand on her own.  She wasn't sure she'd be able to remain upright without help until she looked at the ground and realized that it was indeed still beneath her feet.
        "Talk to him."  Taerlyn whispered to her.
        She looked over with a raised eyebrow, but Ter would say no more.  Walking over to Roan, she said simply, her voice quiet, "We'll be right back."
        He nodded.  He wasn't quite certain what was going on, but he had a suspicion that perhaps those two certainly had some need to talk alone.  Without missing a beat, he turned to Taerlyn with outheld wrists.  "You want to try?"
        The girl looked down at his palms and reached for her knife.  "How many chances do I get?"
        He was struck with silence for quite a while before realizing Taerlyn was joking.  At least, he certainly hoped she was joking. 

        Evyn wasn't completely sure why Shadow was leading him a good distance from the others, but the ultimate feeling was that something most certainly needed to be discussed.  She picked a spot at random on the grassy field, sat, and waited for him to do the same.  Eye to eye, without distraction, she tried to pour out all of her feelings into a very heartfelt, "I don't know if there's a way to express how sorry I am for... all of this..."
        "There's not any need to be sorry, Shadow."  He said quietly.
        "That is a lie."  She stated seriously.
        "No, it really isn't."  He responded very softly, honestly, making certain they had complete eye contact.  "No one can help falling in love, no matter the match."
        "Those weren't your feelings not long ago..." she prodded, though gently.  She really wanted to know what he was thinking.  Mostly because she had absolutely no idea where to even begin trying to figure it out.
        "I realize that."  He admitted.  "But... that talk with Ter sort of helped."  Shadow's genuinely curious stare drove him onward.  "She just beat a little sense into me I guess."
        "It's more than completely understandable how you felt."  She assured.  "It wasn't exactly a senseless reaction."
        "Well, I know that.  But I needed things pointed out.  And I needed proof.  Part of me still does... but the point being, Ter just... helped it along."
        "So she's the real peacemaker."  There was only a light grin in the backs of her eyes, but it was enough to set Evyn at ease.
        "Yes, I think so.  She always was good at tending to two sides of everything."  He took a deep breath and tried to explain without sounding like a lunatic.  He thought he may as well jump into the proverbial fire.  After all, he felt he owed her that much.  "See, I... Ter asked... if I loved you... like Roan loves you..."
        A horrified, stricken look crossed her face.  "Oh... Evyn... I..." but she found quickly that she hadn't the faintest idea of what to say.  She had been blindsided and she simply looked into nothingness.  Someone had actually succeeded in shutting her up.  Possibly forever, if no one said anything else to her ever again, allowing her to live in a state of strange shock.  She had been sadly, utterly, oblivious...
        He felt amazingly guilty, taking her hands.  "I didn't mean... I mean..."  He paused just long enough to take a good, deep breath, starting over.  "I do love you, Shadow.  But I love you as... a close sister and a good friend."
        She swallowed and met his eyes, searching, trying to make sure he wasn't lying.  A lie about a thing like that would cause pain day by day, and she couldn't live with causing that sort to a friend.  "Are you certain?" she asked firmly.
        He nodded.  "I will admit that I thought about it..." the tiniest wicked grin crossed his face for only an instant, "But that's all, I swear.  Just a passing thought.  And a few more passing thoughts that night... they got pretty caught up in, oh, extreme rage..."
        She nodded slowly.  "You are being honest with me, aren't you?" she asked once more.
        "I am."  He assured.  "I really am.  The Powers know why," he smiled a little, "But the two of you seem... to go together.  I don't know what happened to him, but..." he trailed off, not sure how to finish the sentence.  Now that he had been standing outside of himself, so to speak, he did see it.  He wasn't sure he could believe everything he saw, but it helped him to understand a little better.
        "I am so sorry, Evyn."  She sighed.  "I must have been acting like such a..."  What an idiot she had been not to know, not to see it.  But, being that thing that she was, there was no way she could tell love from a rash or a mild head cold.
        "There's no need to be sorry."  he interrupted gingerly, the voice of a big brother.  "Let's just say we're even and let it go."  He looked at her for a moment, just at her, still holding her hands.  They had become so close, and almost broke so far away.  It wasn't a pleasant thought.  "You do love him, don't you?"
        She nodded, unsure of whether she ought to feel proud or continuously guilty.  Truth was, she felt neither any longer.  It just.. was.  "How or why or a thousand other questions I have no answers to, but..."
        "And you trust him."
        The question left a bruise; but not because of it's intent.  Because of the real answer.  "I do trust him."
        "I have good reason to trust you."
        She titled her head and looked deep into his eyes, assuring herself that he was being truthful.  As deeply as she could dig, all of her instinct and experience, she could not find a lie there.  And that felt... quite good.
        "That's not to say I won't be watching..." he grinned.
        "I'd never ask you to stop."  She replied very softly.
        "And you watch, too."  It wasn't a warning.  Just a brotherly suggestion.
        "Of course."  She swallowed, very uncomfortable at just that moment, and visibly so.  "You're... a very good friend to me, Evyn."
        It was as close to "I love you" as he thought she could ever get to saying to him, and it made him feel incredibly good.  Giddy, really.  "I think I'll keep trying."  He grinned. 

        Lucky thing she had been joking.  After the adrenaline had bled out of his system, Roan realized how fucking tired he really was.  Much more healing energy used and he might well lapse into a sleeping coma.  Alright, maybe not that serious, but it sure felt like it as he was trying to concentrate on rebuckling his bracers.
        Hearing the footsteps and jingle of various metals, he glanced up.  It was a welcome surprise to see Shadow and Evyn walking back without bruises or scars.  They looked quite normal together now, in fact.  His heart still raced; he couldn't help but think the worst.  Strange as it sounded, that usually helped him get through most situations.  One moment of eye contact with Shadow, though, set him more at ease.  He waited as still as he possibly could, for their approach.
        "May I... take you aside, Roan?" Evyn asked quite calmly and naturally.  Shadow was honestly worried a bit at first, the tone of his voice gentle but the way he put it very menacing.  She looked at him and he glanced back with a smile, a real smile.  Safety.
        Roan nodded and followed him a few yards away to talk.  In a sense, he was well beyond nervous.  But, having seen the glances exchanged between the other two, his worry slowly started to calm.
        There was something Evyn needed to do, for himself and all of the group.  They had become, in all senses, a family.  Granted it had taken some pushing and shoving, but it was a family nonetheless.  He would take the entire situation at face value and watch, hoping for the best.  Until he had a good, solid reason to doubt, he would not do so.  He swallowed, took a deep breath, and offered his hand to Roan.  When the other boy took it with a slightly nervous expression, Evyn assured him, "I'm sorry."
        That creature once known as "the prisoner" stared at him for a moment, the words sinking in slowly.  "You have no reason to be.  And I am more sorry... for much better reason."
        "Well, we're even so far."  He stared into those eyes Shadow had gone on about, and certainly did see the difference to say the least.  For several seconds he just looked, assuring himself.  "But I will warn you, as her big brother," he began with a light grin, "That I will not hesitate to kill you should you hurt her."
        "I take that to heart."  Roan let go a grin of both amusement and complete relief.  "I love her Evyn.  I won't hurt her."
        The blonde nodded slowly.  "Just in case."  He said softly, a grin still welcomely plastered on his face.  Something had changed, indeed.  Something had become a lot more trustworthy in those gleaming black eyes.  Roan was glad just to have a group around that trusted him... at least, for the most part.  It was definitely a welcome start. 

        "Did he tell you about... our conversation?" Taerlyn asked quietly, watching the two boys just over Sandy's shoulder as she gave the steed a gentle pet.
        "He did."  Shadow answered simply.
        Ter nodded.  "So everything's well?  Everything?"
        "As far as I know."  She let a hopeful smile cross her lips.  "And a good thing, too."  She stared out at Roan and Evyn grinning at one another; not nervously or wickedly, but civilly amused.  It was... nice to see, and almost freeing.  She didn't let herself hope for too much, but... this was nice.  A good start, and really what they needed.
        "You do love him, don't you?" the youngest sibling asked, watching as well.
        "I do."  Their leader breathed.
        Taerlyn nodded.  "Nice to know."
        She laughed softly and looked at her, by all rights, little sister.  "Sometimes I think I'm capable of miracles..."
        "Oh, we know you are."  The girl grinned back.
        Shadow looked at her for several seconds, a dead blankness across her features.  It melted thankfully into a rather wicked grin.
        The boys returned to them, walking side by side this time around.  No hands on weapons, no deadly glances--but there was still a touch of nervousness.  That was everyone's nervousness, however.  It was a too good to be true situation in a number of ways, and while no one was willing to express that common knowledge, everyone knew it was there.  They were also aware that they should take what they could get, though.  That much settled, Sandy turned and started walking on again with her companions in a much easier silence (punctuated from time to time with Taerlyn's flower classifications).