Disclaimer: I don’t own the right to Deltora Quest and this is almost a completely un-original idea. Though I made up the story line.

A/n: whew! ok..yeah...i suck! i'll make this quick because this is a long chapter and you should hopfully enjoy it. A number of things..reason it is so late #1) compluter currupted, had to write it twice, ...was not happy. #2) i had surgery! it was great! it also hurt like heck!

the site i keep trying to plug will be edited into my bio for all you DQ fans, it has been a bit dead of late, so please join! we need more people! Also i wanna start more talk about the up-coming DQ anime!

Last thing, my proof reader moved to perth...i tried...but i suck.

this Chapter is dedicated to everyone that yelled at me so i felt guilty and wrote another chapter. i've lost the e-mail but you know who i mean! Also...don't hate me for this chapter...i had to...

Chapter the 60! That Special Bond

The sound of stone grating on stone bit at Seth’s ears as he took another dragging step forward. He had always hated that sound, but as the sun began to makes it way to its zenith on their fourth day of travelling Seth was too tired to actually lift his foot.

The weather had been getting steadily hotter as they had progressed south, and the trees and shrubs around them browner. Water was in short supply, twice now they had refired to Lief’s map to find a river or a creek to refile their water skins, but both times they had found nothing but a dried ditch overgrown with dying grass-weed. Every step Seth took kicked up another puff of dirt that made him cough and mingled with sweat and other grit on his face. He would have loved to wash the grime off his face, but the very idea of wasting water like that almost made him sick.

Seth tripped on another stone and stumbled into Arc, who firmly but gently pushed him upright and away from herself. She had hardly looked at him since their journey to the sands. Just the remembrance of his cruel words to her made him sick, he could hardly believe it himself, that those words had come from his mouth.

He knew this wasn’t the type of thing he should dwell on, but at that moment it was his only relief from the unrelenting heat and searing pain in his back. He had begged Jasmine for more of the herb she had given him that first night, but she had told him in no uncertain terms that he would be in no fit state to walk if she did.

But at least Jasmine had been willing to give him something for the pain. It did not work very well, but it at least took the edge of the pain that burned him to the bone with every step he took.

Seth wiped the sweat and dirt from his eyes, and chanced a look at the road ahead of him. Since they had started walked he had found the easiest way to just keep going was to look down at the ground, and take the road as it came. It was clear why he had settled for this approach when looking up he saw that the road steepened greatly. Of course the road wouldn’t stay flat, it want up a rise to spite his aching calf muscles, then on the other side it would veer down, to torture his thighs. Nothing antagonised Seth more then the sadistic pleasure the road must have been feeling.

Seth groaned softly to himself. There would be no resting as they climbed up that slope, not unless he asked for it, but he refused to be the first to ask respite. As the ground gradually began to slope upwards, Seth clenched his teeth and pushed himself forwards. He could feel the muscles in his back and along his wings twitching at irregular intervals, but to Seth it only served as another grim reminder about why he would not ask for rest. The shadow lord had done this too him, had turned him into this creature. He didn’t blame his parents for turning him away, but he did blame the Shadow lord. He would do anything to make the Shadow lords demise approach more swiftly.

Rocks tumbled down the hill at Seth’s feet, glancing up once more he noticed that they were only half way up the hill, and Lief was offering Rae his arm to help steady her. Seth wasn’t the only one to notice Lief’s increased attention towards Rae over the past four days. Jasmine, walking to the other side of Lief, glanced sideways at the both of them and for an instant rage and dislike were painted upon her features. Just for an instant, and then they were gone, and when she spoke her voice was sickly sweet enough to belay any such emotions.

“Why Rae, you do so stumble a lot, is that not your twelfth time today?” Jasmine smiled, a smile cold biting steel. “You really should be careful, I’m sure you don’t wish to get hurt.”

Seth stifled the sigh in his throat, lest her draw Jasmines wrath upon himself. He didn’t know the origins of Jasmines blatant hostility, but only a fool of a man opened his mouth when a woman’s back was up.

“Yes…I am sorry…” Rae said as she blushed deeply, she too hearing Jasmines biting undertones.

Seth was not sure what Rae was apologising for, but he had a guess that it had something to do with the way Lief kept glancing between the two of them, and the way his eyes always hovering on Rae for moments longer.

Seth saw Lief’s hand clutch around something in his pocket. That could only be the first half of the Amulet…or the second half…it all depended on how you looked at it….Damn, I must be delirious…Seth shook his head, and took yet another step forwards. As if his movement was the cue, everyone began to walk slowly up the slope once more.

A moment later Seth realised he was no longer walking uphill, the ground beneath his feet had flattened and as he chanced a look around him he saw a city sprawling out below the hill. Rithmere. By the end of that day they would be walking through the gates of Rithmere and towards whatever inn they saw first. The thought of bath, bed and wine was enough to make him pick up his pace.

The descent took considerable less time in Seth’s mind compared to the ascent. It may have been the promise of a meal, or the fact that they were walking downhill that made his step lighter, but whatever it was he found himself and the rest of the group staggering through the gates of Rithmere less than half an hour later.

“I can not believe we are actually here,” Seth rasped, as he bent double, placing his hands on his knees to support himself.

“Well we are…” Jasmine said, she appeared to be no worse for their trek, and was glancing at the puffing Rae in open disdain. “I suggest we find the closest Inn possible, we don’t want to risk the chance that someone might recognise Lief.”

“Yes, that would be the best option,” Lief agreed as he gave his canteen of water to Rae, “We can’t afford to spend much time here, and it will be easier to find what we are looking for without a large crowd following us…”

Seth yawned, “Well, I don’t much mind where we stay, as long as it has a mattress.” He’s body was soaked in sweat, and though his mind was firmly fit on a bath -or at least a wash basin- he would settle for bed.

They walked the streets for a while amongst the thick swarms of other people. Many were too bust looking at Seth to pay much mind to who he was travelling with. Seth was grateful Jasmine had bound his wings so tight, making him appear hunched rather than the monster he really was.

Normally Seth would have been elated by the very essence of the street. The hawkers yelling their wares, hand over heart that it was the finest in the city, or even the land. Others hobbled around, either begging or performing, attempting to best those around them for what little coin there was to be had.

Growing up he had loved aimlessly walking the streets. But now, with every step a burden hanging on his back made itself known, and every breath drawn from him a rasping struggle he was fast losing, all he felt was the memory of the shadow lands, and the arena engulfing his senses once more.

“Seth?”

Seth looked up, and met with the concerned eyes of Arc he could feel muscles he hadn’t felt tighten relax. That one look full of emotion unfettered by thought or incident had soothed him so thoroughly.

Realising he had stopped walking Seth took a step forward, a glimmer of hope stirring his chest as he moved towards Arc. He would apologise, he would hug her, draw her close, and yes, if she would permit it, kiss her. And she would smile, and the pain would stop; indeed the world would stop. It would have to.

He was half a step away, so close he could reach his arm out and brush her cheek with his fingers. He would have loved the startled look she would have made when their lips touched. Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face, so close, yet her concern vanished, leaving cold contempt in its stead.

“Hurry up,” she snapped turning away from him, “I don’t fancy spending the night on the street.”

And she was gone, striding through the throngs of people as she made her way towards Lief and the rest of the group, who were yet to stop. Disappointment tasted bitter, and he fought the urge to spit. Instead, hunching further in on himself, he followed her towards the inn, and inside.

The Keeper regarded them with suspicious eyes as they all shambled through the doorway. When Jasmine inquired about rooms the man scratched his chin, not bothering to hide his sneer as he took in their worn and dust covered clothes.

“You do know Inn’s require paying?” the Inn keeper scrubbed his hand through hair that was not quite there. Seth clenched his jaw. By the stains on the man’s apron and the overwhelming smell of dust and stale air this inn could not require much ‘paying,’ as the man had so crudely put it.

“I’m well aware of that,” the words were spoken sweetly, and Jasmine wore a pleasant smile. Seth noticed her hand had crept toward a dagger hidden up her sleave, thinking twice she had pulled out a money bag, “We will require the room for three days, I think.”

“Paying upfront.” The man held out his hand for coin, “Eighty Gold, and we only have two rooms spare.”

“What!?” Rae sounded aghast and stared daggers at the thin balding man in front of her, “Why we could stay a month at the Champion Inn and it wouldn’t cost us that much!”

“But you’re not at the Champion Inn, is you miss? You’re at here. And if you don’t mind me saying, everyone who is at here is so for a reason,” he grinned lecherously at Jasmine, his eyes roaming freely, “Ain’t I right, ma’am?”

“Why yes, sir, you are” Jasmine smiled at him in a way Seth was sure he had never seen Jasmine smile, and glancing around he was relieved that he was not the only one who had to snap his jaw shut and check their shock. Even the Keeper blinked a few times, before shaking his head and taking the Coin Jasmine was offering him.

He bit a piece of the gold and Jasmine hand once more twitched towards her sleave, but the keeper seemed satisfied and showed them to their rooms. Without showing them into the actual rooms, the man unlocked the doors and ambled off.

“Seth,” Jasmine lightly grabbed his arm as he tried to walk through the door, “Before you sleep I’m just going to check on your wings, and change the bandages.”

“Can it wait till tomorrow?” Seth asked, watching Barda and Lief walk past him and head in a straight line towards the beds, which looked hard and lumpy, but still the most comfortable things Seth had ever seen.

“Not unless you want itching and burning while you sleep,” like he wasn’t going to have that anyway? But she seemed to read his mind, “I’ll also give you some of those herbs, you will sleep fully, for tonight at least.”

With that incentive Seth was pretty sure he had no other option but to nod his head and follow Jasmine as she want to the room she was sharing with Arc and Rae, sitting him down on one of the very few stools and began to rummage through her pouch.

Rae smiled at him, determined that she was to be liked by at least someone other than Lief, and with a furtive glace to his future doctor, Seth chanced his own grin towards her.

He remembered when he first joined with Lief, Barda and Jasmine. Feeling as though he were intruding upon a bond the three of them held together, just always a step behind that deep understanding the three of them had with each other. He knew he was yet to be a part of that a part of that bond. Perhaps he never would be,.

With this in mind he waved at Rae, who smiled at him as though he had just saved her life, and earned him a sudden shove in the back from Jasmine. His father had been right when so long ago he had said, as they hid from his mother who was missing a pie; “a thing a man should be wary of was a woman baring a grudge. Best not to anger a woman, but best of luck trying not to.”

His eyes roamed to Arc, who now lay on her bed, her back staring him in perhaps the most hostile manner he had ever seen a back stare. With a sigh he sagged onto the stool Jasmine had herded him towards. He remembered staring down the shaft of her arrow when they first met, the word monster on her lips.

He dimly felt Jasmine’s nimble fingers begin their work on his bandages, and let his mind wonder to other things his father had said, so long ago, when he knew his fathers smile, he knew the scent of his mother’s favourite flower, and little boys did not have wings.

Someone was shaking him, and non-too gently either. His murmur of protest quickly turning into a groan when he tried to push whatever it was that was away.

His entire body felt heavy. His injured wing being the first thing he noticed, he slowly began to be aware of how numb the rest of him felt, as though it would take more sheer determination and will power to scale a mountain then it would just to lift his arm. And something was still poking him.

“What is it?” Seth growled, attempting to bury himself deeper in his sheets while not actually moving.

“Jasmine want’s me to give you this?” At the sound of Arc’s voice Seth’s eyes shot open.

“Arc? What are you doing here?” He blinked a couple of times, squinting at her, attempting to get use to the light. Arc gave a sigh of frustration.

“Jasmine told me to give you this!” she repeated through clenched teeth, and gesturing to a small cup containing what looked to be some more of the brew Jasmine said would help him sleep.

“I just woke up,” he said frowning at the cup in her hand, “I don’t think I need that now. I might look around the city today.”

“Not according to Jasmine,” Arc’s smile suddenly turned genuine, and the light of mischief was suddenly in her eyes, leaving Seth taken aback, “If you refuse to drink it, jasmine told me to make you. Any way I saw necessary.”

Seth decided that the glint in her eye’s was enough to make him agreeable to any request she might have made, that she insisted on tenderly stroking her sword hilt he felt was overkill.

“Fine,” Seth said, gingerly sitting up and eyeing her warily, “In a moment, just let me…”

“What do you want?” she asked, laying a hand on his shoulder and pushing him down gently, “I’ll go get it for you.”

“There are some things a man must do on his own,” Seth smiled slightly as realization dawned on Arc’s face, and Seth pulled himself up from his side again.

“What are you guys doing today?” Seth asked slowly standing up, taking great care to make sure his legs were actually working.

“Jasmine and I are going to replenish what supplies we must,” she said, watching him lean against the wall for support, “not sure what the others are doing.”

“When are you going?” Seth asked making sure to take a few haltering steps forward, fully aware of Arc’s eyes scrutinising him.

“Soon as we are done here,” she muttered impatiently as Seth finally bent down and pulled a small tin pot from under his bed.

“Well?” he looked at her.

“Well what?” she regarded him evenly.

“I can’t do this with you here,” Seth said after a moment.

“Well I can’t leave till you drink that!” she pointed, already losing her cool, her voice starting to rise.

“I’ll drink it!” Seth snarled. Arc seemed to regain her composure at his own outburst, and stared icily at him. Seth managed to take a convincing calming breath, “I promise you I will.”

Arc continued to stare for a moment, before nodding, and without another word she turned and swept out of the room.

Finishing his business, Seth walked towards the window, cracking it open. Immediately the sound of wagons, horse hoofs and the murmur of the market place became ten times stronger.

He could see jasmine waiting at the front entrance beneath his window, and was almost immediately joined by Arc.

“Did he take it?” Jasmine asked, reaching down and picking one up of their empty packs.

“As good as.” Arc sighed, “He promised, so he will.”

“You should have made sure.” Jasmine grunted sourly, “Men can promise a lot of things.”

“Even if he doesn’t he seems in no fit state to sneak out, Barda and Lief will stop him if he tries to leave.” Arc looked up and down the street and shrugged, “Well, lead the way!”

The two of them turned right, and in five minutes had disappeared amongst the already crowding market place.

Grinning, Seth sprang over to the bedside table and taking up the glass poured the contents down the bathroom sink. Now that he was moving Jasmine’s drug seemed to be weighing him down less, and as for dealing with the pain, well he was a man with a mission, he would persevere.

Checking his pockets for money, Seth peaked outside his door, relieved to find no Lief or Barda standing there. Stifling the urge to whistle, Seth slid out of his room, down the narrow servants steps which looked as though they had not been used in a very long time, and out onto the street below.

“What do you want?” the voice hissed, deep and strangled at the same time.

“Sir,” Gildas bowed low, “We’ve received word. The first half of the amulet has been attained.”

The smoke in front of him billowed and twisted, turning deep shades of black and crackling with lightning, Gildas fought the urge to step backwards.

“Is that so?” the voice croaked more to itself then to Gildas.

Surprised Gildas chanced a glance up at the billowing smoke. It could hardly believe the tone of amusement the voice held, or perhaps it was excitement that made it crackle.

“So they still believe they can win,” The smoke crackled with electricity again, “after all this time? So much time…”

“My Lord,” Gildas returned his eye to the floor, humbling himself before the cloud of smoke, “What will you have me do?”

“You are Theagan’s man, are you not?” the smoke surged forwards, wisping around him, tendrils of it reaching out to examine him.

“Yes my Lord,” Gildas shut his eyes, trying hard to forget the proximity of the Shadow Lords touch.

“Tell her to send out her children, and any others that she thinks necessary.” Gildas bowed and turned to leave, but the Shadow Lord spoke once more, “And Gildas, make sure to remind her of what happened when she failed me in the past.”

Gildas bowed once again, and exited the room, walking straight past a figure laying bound and chained in the corner of the room without so much as a second glance.

Despite her predicament, the woman smiled. Lief was fitting the pieces into place, and he was winning. Her Son was winning.

Seth struggled to wake up, dragging himself upwards towards consciousness. A week had passed since his fateful trip into the markets, where with the retreat of the sluggish feeling of Jasmines tea, came the mounting pain that dragged at him like weights.

Twice he had spotted Jasmines and Arc’s face’s through the crowd, and once he had been pretty sure they saw him. Both instances he had jumped towards the closest store, and hid under the table until he was sure they were gone.

On the first such occurrence, the owner of the shop, a middle aged woman, covered in an odd assortment of weapons and armour which turned out to be her trade laughed and offered him a hand up as Seth struggled to his feet.

“Run into an old lover, eh boy?” the woman’s smile was somewhat infectious.

“You could say that,” Seth muttered taking up her hand and pulling himself to his feet.

“Well,” the woman ran an appraising eye over Seth, frowning at what appeared to be a hunch on his back, “for the most part you appear a fine man. I would not have let you get away.”

The second time Seth had not been so lucky. Ducking behind a fruit stand he watched Jasmine’s and Arc’s feet walk towards him, pause for a moment, then turn and walk in another direction.

Slowly getting to his feet, Seth peeked over the cart, patting the dust away from his already ragged looking cloak when-

“Hey!”

Seth turned to see a large man storming towards him, within a moment the man was upon him, hands searching, seeking out pockets in his coat.

“What have you stolen!” the man hissed, his hands rummaging through Seth’s pockets.

Without a word Seth had run, chased halfway down the street by a delusional shop-keep.

But in the end, as he crawled into his bed and feigned sleep as Jasmine checked in on him, and with his pockets empty save a small parcel wrapped tight in paper, he thought it had been worth it.

All he needed was the right moment, and he would, with a flourish, pull the packet from his pocket and smile.

And a week he had waited, a week of Jasmine’s brews and teas which served only one purpose; to make him too groggy to tell up from down, let alone Arc from Barda, much to everyone else’s amusement. So the moment had never come, locked in his room with daily doses of tea.

One morning, three days ago, Jasmine had walked in, with out her cup, and stated they would be leaving shortly, and he should be fine enough now for travel at least.

They had been travelling ever since, eating their meals while walking, with the exception of dinner. All in all it tested Seth’s new found health, as fragile as that was.

“I think this will do for tonight,” Jasmine spoke up suddenly, relieving the companions of their fast becoming traditional silence.

Relieved, Seth sunk to the ground, the day’s burden weighing greatly upon him. Jasmine set about clearing a space for the evening meal, while Rae looked on uncertainly. A little further away Lief and Barda were discussing who would stand watch first that night, And Arc disappeared into the undergrowth with vague mutterings of fire wood.

Idly Seth wondered where the got the energy from. He chuckled softly to himself, realising that he sounded like his father. All to fast his mirth was gone. Whatever fond memories of his father that rabbitted in and out of his past seemed more distant now than ever before, replaced with the look of disgust and repulsion as Seth had been driven away. With timid tips he reached towards his past, and wondered briefly what further great deeds he would have to accomplish before being seen as hero before monster.

Shaken from his thoughts to happier things, Seth looked around the little chosen clearing. He was surprised to note the dimming light.

“How long has Arc been?” he asked no one in particular, receiving only shrugs in reply. As though prompted by some cue, Arc chose that moment to reappear through the trees, her breath even and her stride steady, her face grim.

“Where’s the wood?” Lief asked, nudging Barda -who had apparently dozed off- awake.

“We can not stop now,” Arc left no room for argument in her voice, “There’s something following us. I don’t know what, or why –though I can guess that last one – all I know is there are lots of them.”

In seconds the small clearing they had hoped to call home for the night was in a stir of action. Jasmine packing away the small pieces she had unpacked in preparation for their meal, while everyone else drew blade.

“There is no point in that,” Arc gestured to Lief’s sword, “there are too many of them, and this place too open. We will be overwhelmed in moments. Besides, one of us can’t even stand, let alone fight.”

Lief seemed torn for a moment, his face a mixture of bravado and sense. It was only Seth’s gasp of pain as Arc helped him to his feet that decided the battle.

“Right, we run.” Lief commanded, and Arc rolled her eyes.

As though they sensed their prays looming escape, a guttural call cut its way through the forest. The cry was followed by another shout, and then another, and another. They continued to sound until the once silence of the gentle twilight soon resonated with a harsh screech from inhuman throats.

Less than a hundred yards away birds took flight into the night air, only to crash back to earth as a column of flame engulfed them. The companions looked at each other, bloodless faces, wide eyed with fear. Lief licked his lips.

“We run fast.”

Seth had known fear before. He had faced it, chained hand and foot face down on a table while he caught the glimpse of figures moving around him out of the corner of his eye. This time felt different. Every part of him trebled with a rigid tenacity. He willed his legs to move and with jolting objection they obeyed.

Gasping as a lance of pain struck through his shoulder, Seth stumbled. With grudging acceptance Seth knew he was finished. He would fall to the ground, and in moments the ever closer wave that was threatening to drown them would be upon him.

In a second Arc’s hand was on his shoulder, straightening him while urging him onwards. Gratefully Seth looked at her, and saw in her eyes a sense of urgency he had never seen there before. She had been beside him all along, poised for the moment he might stumble.

The night was already darker, and with no moon to light their way Seth found himself stumbling over logs and trapping his ankles in holes he could have sworn were not there. But with every falter Arc was beside him, urging him forwards as the howling pursued them through the night.

Ahead of them Seth could see the forest open up, and Lief, Jasmine, Barda and Rae all stood huddled together, in front of a red sandstone cliff.

Seth skid to a halt in front of them, Arc by his side moments later. Panting, Seth looked right and left along the wall with dread.

“What…what’s this doing here?” Seth asked, trying to suck in lungful’s of air.

“Why don’t you ask the cliff?” Jasmine snapped, walking up and running her hand along the grainy surface. “It’s only thirty foot tall, but not a handhold in sight.”

“This is it…” Rae sloped against the wall, regret tinged her voice.

“We all knew this could happen.” Jasmine spat, pulling daggers from the folds of her clothes, “If you can’t cope with it you never should have joined us.”

“Now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves.” Lief stepped forward beside a fiercely scowling Barda, who already held his sword in hand, and drew his own steel.

“If this is it, then this is it. Let us fight and die with honour!” Arc notched an arrow to her bow, and loosened a few into the trees.

Seth turned and peered in the direction of her shots. He saw nothing there, but Arc had always had better eyesight than he, or perhaps in desperation she was firing at nothing, her last defiant act to die fighting.

“No,” Seth whispered, panic a vice around his chest, “No I will not die here!”

He ran to the cliff face that stood over him, beating it with his fists, and kicking the boulders strewn around the base.

“Save your energy Seth,” Arc said firmly, “you will need it.”

Seth ignored her, continuing to vent his rage on the rocks. What overtook him he was not sure, but in anger did he draw his sword and bring it down upon an outcrop of the cliff face with shattering force.

The tip of his blade snapped, flew into the night in swift circles until it landed with a soft muffled thud in the dirt. There is lay unnoticed, as all available attention turned towards the now crumbling face of the cliff, a small dark hole appearing there, and getting larger.

Lief walked up to the hole, peering deep into is depths.

“Erm…” Lief turned to Seth, almost baffled, “Good work Seth, keep it up!”

“Sure,” Seth walked up next to Lief, and gazed into his creation. It was dark, and he could only see a little way in, but it seemed to go much deeper and further than they could see.

“Well,” Jasmine said, hoisting herself into the hole, “At least we can keep running, if we hurry maybe they wont see us.” In moments she had disappeared, With Rae, Lief and Barda following after.

“Come on,” Arc grabbed Seth’s arm, “Jasmine’s wishful thinking aside, they’ll know where we have gone. At least we can have a head start.”

“I Can’t.” Seth whispered flatly. He pulled his arm from Arc’s insistent pull.

“Don’t be stupid.” Arc reached for his hand again, but he danced away from her.

“I’m not,” Seth whispered again, his eyes glued to the break in the smooth stone, “though I dearly wish I was.”

“What’s wrong?” Arc stepped closer to him, and seeing something in his eyes she reached out for Seth’s hand. Seth didn’t try to back away, the warmth a comfort in his hand.

“Look at that,” Seth gestured to the whole, sitting about knee height it seemed to taunt him. “Arc, when the Shadow Lord put these wings on me I don’t think he expected to kill me –break me maybe, but not kill me. But now it turns out he as good as put a blade through my heart; I’ll never fit through that hole.”

“Of course you can!” Arc’s voice cracked gripped his hand tightly, making him wince. “Of course you can fit…”

“No, I can’t.” Seth gently wiped a tear off Arc’s cheek, and tried his best to smile for her.

“Then I’ll stay here with you. We can make it through this.” There was something about her defiant voice and face that almost made Seth believe it might work.

“Then we’ll both die, and Lief and the rest will come back to look for us, then they’ll die, and then Deltora is doomed.” Seth grinned at her.

“Well when you put it that way…” Arc chucked, short and mirthless.

“You’d better go. I’ll try and block the hole up after you.” He pushed her gently backwards until her heel hit stone. All she had to do was duck down and climb in.

“Seth…” Arc bit her lip, then mouthed wordlessly.

“It’s ok,” Seth whispered gently to her, and for a moment they held each other in silence. With a sob she broke away, and turned to leave.

“Wait!” Seth said, his memory sparked Seth began rummaging through his pockets, and Arc hovered near the entrance to her freedom, waiting. “I forgot. I got this for you.” He handed her the small tightly wrapped package, and Arc looked from him to it wordlessly.

“It was my way of saying sorry.” He paused for a moment, watching the tears gliding silently down Arc’s face. “Well I guess now I have a lot of things to be sorry for.”

“Seth…” Arc angrily wiped her eyes, “the Shadow Lord may have killed you-“ her voice tightened for a moment, but she forced herself to continue “-but he never broke you. You stand tall despite your burden.”

There was silence again, punctured by the whooping and shouting of their pursuers. Neither Arc nor Seth heard them though; each stood poised, waiting for their hidden cue. Finally with a sad smile Arc shook her head and bent back towards the hole.

“Goodbye.” Arc said over her shoulder before crawling into the hole, and away from Seth. No words had ever sounded so final to him.

“Goodbye.” Seth whispered back, gazing longingly after her. After a second he rolled a loose bolder in front of the hole, making it as though it had never been there at all.

Seth felt it wasn’t bravery in his heart; given the choice he would have turned and fled. But still he stood, feet planted steadfast, his grasp tightened on the hilt of his broken blade, and with a cry turned to face the onslaught.

Arc could hear the scratching and scraping as Seth rolled the bolder in front of the hole. Cast in darkness, Arc stopped, looking over her shoulder, with rock pressing in on her from all sides, her eyes trying to penetrate the stone.

After a moment she could hear the clash of steal on steal. It went on; Arc shut her eyes, her mind forming images of Seth’s form torn and bloodied.

Then she heard him cry out, a wordless roar cut short, and a few seconds later the sound of movement as those who had chased them began their search for the others they would never find, and that was the end of it.

She had felt it again when Seth had been with her; something from that distant memory of belonging and love. All that was left was to release it from its bonds and perhaps they could have enjoyed it. But long before its time it seemed to have slipped through her fingers, and all Arc had been left with was words unsaid, and half faded dreams of stories never completed.