Trex nodded just listening. It was a good thing that Ryzo had been caught. If he had made Zelia cry or hurt even more Trex would have had to beat the fire out of him and make him regret it. No one made Zelia cry. He glanced over concerned as she talked about how she feared not waking up. It didn't seem stupid or silly to him. If any one of them had been trapped, unable to wake they too would be frightened to go to sleep. His fist tightened. The fact that the Caelum wizards were still out there with the ability to attack like that again probably didn't help Zelia. He should have taken them out when he had the chance. There was enough of them they could have defeated Maria and her friend and taken her keys. She would not be a threat then and Zelia could sleep in peace. "If they do it again," He told her. "I'll take her down myself." He vowed. "And we'll give the key to Flynn ensuring that you will never be bothered by the spirit again." 

The determination faded from his face. "Don't let the fear of what might happen hold you back." He told her gently. "That might have been their whole purpose all along. Make you so worried you won't go to sleep. It will be one less wizard to worry about because you'll be so tired." They never did know why Zelia had been put to sleep. The original assumption about her being the only one to fight in the city didn't seem to make sense anymore. The Caelum wizards did not attack at all while she was asleep. The only trouble they caused was after she was awake and that was with Flynn. Assuming of course that was them, which they all had a good hunch it was. He looked back at the fire. He wished he could do something to ease her fear. To take away the nightmare she had faced. But there wasn't. 

"When I was young one of my brothers, the closest on in age told me that a gremlin hid under my bed. And that it couldn't wait for me to close my eyes so it could come and eat my toes." He smiled at the memory. "I was so terrified I couldn't sleep. Despite having the fact my parents forced my brother to tell me the truth, and even checked under my bed, showing me nothing was there, I still couldn't sleep." He paused. "After many sleepless nights, my Father sat me down. 'Son', He told me. 'You just have to trust." He said. "Trust that the Creator's watching out for you. That no matter what happens He's got your best interest in mind'." Trex shrugged and looked at Zelia. "Though mine was just a childhood fear with no backing, the advice is good. You got to trust. If something happens, we'll be there. We got your back and we'll make the scum pay. You can't go through life fearing." He looked away so that she wouldn't see the emotions. He normally didn't go into something this personal. Sure he occasionally gave some of his stories and he openly admitted to be there. But not like this. Not with his emotions so close to the top. "Well, I better go make a pen for the horses." He said rising.
~~~~
Skye watched Flynn, noting his smile and distant look as he talked about his relationship. She was glad for him. He had a good relationship. Glancing back down at the board she put out another piece. "That must be hard." She agreed. Going two different directions and so rarely seeing each other... Skye wasn't sure how they did it. Some people could handle long distance relationships; rarely seeing their significant other. She didn't know how she would handle it, not that she was ever going that direction. She was done with love. It hurt to much. She glanced up at Flynn through her lashes. Though it did seem to work for others. 

She frowned when she saw him play. He picked up the game fast. She might actually have to pay attention to the game if she wanted to beat him. Sure, she could probably beat him quickly and effectively but that wasn't the point. She had learned from Eldar, when playing beginners you don't just play to win. Of course you are going to kill them. Eldar could have killed her in several moves even when she had played for awhile. No, as a master it was more challenging not to win right away but instead trying to make the game go longer. Not only did it prove to be more challenging as it was hard to pass up easy kills, but it helped your opponent get better so as to one day actually provide a real challenge or at least do well. "Nice move." She stated casually still learning how to be a good teacher. However, looking back at the games they played she realized she had improved on teaching. She no longer killed her opponent every game. In fact she had even let Flynn win one. She smiled a bit to herself. She had improved. The smile quickly faded. To bad it was so late. Thinking back on her childhood, she wondered if some of the reason Tye hated her so much was because she was so much better at the game. After several defeats Tye had declared that the game was to 'childish' for her and that only children played it. 

Skye toyed with another tile as she looked for a spot to make her move. She had to admit, it did feel good beating her sister. Tye was so good at everything she did. Everyone liked her and no matter what Skye tried, Tye could always beat her. Except in Pai Sho. That was her one sanctuary. So when she kept beating Tye she couldn't stop. She couldn't let her sister win. Couldn't let her rub in her superiority in yet another area. Perhaps she should have let her. Maybe if she had, her sister would have not hated her so. She looked at Flynn. "Do you have siblings?" She asked tentatively. It was a fragile question. He knew about Tye and might wonder why she was asking. However, she was curious. Did all siblings have the rivalry Tye and her had?