The void was eirly welcoming.  As the small group crossed the great nothingness, there was a certain promise of peace to all those who fell into its black welcoming arms.  The eyes of the master mage scanned the  endless horizon.  There would be little chance for any would be pursuers or interceptors to sneak up on the group.  Then again, so would it be impossible for them to remain truly hidden out here where nothing moved.  Only the stars stood as silent witnesses of their passing. 

His chest felt the light weight of his young charge as she leaned back against him.  There was a slight flutter of his heart at the welcome gesture.  Had his hood not been drawn up to protect against the cold skies and any sudden blinding light, Eilis would have had no trouble seeing a slight smile on that rugged face of his.  The master mage heard the slight sigh and he wondered if it was contentment at this brief respite from the dangers ahead and the losses behind them. 

Arn looked down slightly feeling the motion of her hands until they came to rest upon his bigger stronger ones.  A slight furrowing of his brow revealed his curiosity and confusion at this gesture but he did not pull away.  There was something pleasing about feeling her smaller soft hands upon his.  Even the tattoos that were not covered by her robe contrasted his darker skin.  Seeing it from above, both of their hands almost looked like a relieve painting. 

[color=f6989d]“Arn…”[/color]

Her whisper brought him back from his musings.  So softly she had spoken and yet he heard her clearly.  Was it their connection?  Had he heard her with his ears or with his soul?  Even so, he leaned in closer, causing their bodies to become even closer and his ear to be almost in line with her mouth.  His ear listened intently, catching every single word and the feeling behind each one.  

As she spoke, the hood hid his slight reactions.  He feared she would ask him to kill her again “should the worst happen” but then his eyes opened up in surprise at her revelation about their meeting.  He blushed under that hood.  The master mage turned to her slightly but not fully, fearing the reactions painted on his face.  

How could she ever think that she was nothing more than a tool?  In his heart he had always known her to be more than just a simple girl.  Despite what she thought of herself, Arn had always had high esteem for her.  Even if their connection had not existed, he would have been amazed at her strength and goodness.  He wanted to tell her all this but dared not interrupt.  After all, even he could tell that telling him this had required considerable courage.  Yet another gem in her favor. 

When she revealed that she feared what they may encounter and that she faced it as some debt to the elder Venray, Arn almost interrupted.  Yet as she forced her self to continue he did not want to discourage her.  So he listened patiently, the furrow in his brow deepening.  Her sweet voice continued. 

[color=f6989d]“That I…that my life…means nothing.”[/color]

His mouth opened yet again.  It seemed that she made him want to talk more than he had in his entire life.  In his earlier years at the Academy, many believed him to be mute.  Yet each time Eilis said something he disagreed with he wanted to tell her the many things why that was wrong.  Not because he wanted to be right but because he could not agree with her that she was nothing.  Thank fully, the young lady found her words to continue. 


[color=f6989d]“…nothing if I don’t have you to share it with me.” [/color]

This time he truly turned to facer her.  There was wonder and incredulity in his face.  There had never been any true purpose in his mind other than protecting those who could not protect themselves and punishing the vile and evil as penance for his inability to save his mother.  If he had died in the service of the Belisian military, he would have had no regrets.  However, ever since meeting this wonderful lass, he had felt that his life was more valuable.  That it was meant to protect hers.  There was a sparkle in his eyes as the word [color=f6989d]“share”. [/color] 

The master mage almost chuckled at her apology regarding her appearance but he was glad he did not.  Especially when she restated her fears.  Through their shared Thread he felt the shudders and fearful flow as her soul began to be engulfed in the dark clutches of fear.  His eyes had softened in understanding and comfort. 

Taking his right hand off the reins, he placed on top of her left one.  Grabbing it, he brought it towards her stomach placing it just on her lap.  Then he would wrap his whole arm around her waist in a snug embrace bring her even closer in a secure manner.  His own Aether energy began to chase away the tendrils of fear like water cooling down tongues of flames.  [color=0054a6]“We share the same fears.  I cannot see myself lingering in this world long if you were not in it.”[/color]  His face was close to hers.  The strong baritone of his voice crisp but low. [color=0054a6] “When I said that I would give my life for you, I did not mean that I would carelessly throw it away.  My goal is to free you so that…”[/color] It was his turn to falter but he followed her example and gather up his courage.  [color=0054a6]“To be free to perhaps stay with me.” [/color] 

He shrugged his big shoulders as if he wanted to apologize for this seemingly weak reason to face whatever horrors lay in front of them.  [color=0054a6]“I do not know what we may find in Sensaridh, but I do know that I will face anything to see you free.  To see you smile and to hear you laugh.  You deserve that.”[/color]  His throat failed him then as a knott took over it.  He gulped a couple of times to get rid of it but it would not.  Instead, he smiled at her comfortingly and his right arm never loosened its hold on her.  

There was a brief flash of recollection.  Of the dark shadow mage that lived within Eilis.  Arn remembered his offer.  He wondered if he would be strong enough to remain Arn once the ancient mage took over his body.  Would he be able to end his life if the transfer ended Eilis’s?  Tourmaline would not so willingly confer power on the Hellspawn with out any repercussion.  Still, the master mage was committed of freeing the lovely girl in his arms from such a shade.