The snow fell, light and fast, coating everything in silence as Ian looked up at the skies. He could sense the storm lessening, and smiled. Not too deep to hinder travelers tomorrow, but just right for snow forts. He could do with some simplicity at the moment, he told himself. Defending oneself from his children's' snowballs was a damn sight easier than trying to untangle recent events. He grinned again, then stuck out his tongue to catch a snowflake.

"Long and long ago, so the elves of this plane tell me, an exceptionally foolish elf name Dholost walked out all on a Winter's day and did much as you are now, nephew. He stood in the middle of a field, head back, eyes shut, arms outstretched to his side. Eventually, he stood there so long a bird started building a nest in one hand, and squirrel climbed up to the other to perch there and look about."

Ian turned towards the voice. Ashe was sitting atop a rock only a few feet away, rubbing the mouthpiece of his flute. "How long have you been there? And feel free to comment on how dangerous my inattention could have been."

"Oh, I think I can safely skip that. You will thrash yourself mentally over it enough." He sounded a few notes, then lowered the flute. "You've seemed to be a bit preoccupied of late, nephew. What's wrong? Still no news of Lord Blackhawke?"

"None. The Knights of the Crystal and their Master are on the move again, but as yet we don't know for sure where their destination is. Perhaps the cave one of them mentioned in the firehall one night. If so, it might be a difficult rescue That's in the Shadow Lands. Tav's with them. I'm hoping he'll have some news soon for us."

"Then there's naught you can do but wait. Knowing you, that doesn't sit well, does it?"

"No, it damn well doesn't. `Hawke's gone off before, but never wounded as badly as he was this time, both physically and mentally. He nearly killed his own son. His own son nearly killed him. Bad enough the fall from the gryphon, but with the rest… I am more worried for him than I have ever been in the past, Uncle."

Ashe played a brief passage on the flute and then pulled it away from his lips. "Ianno, I barely know your liege other than to recognize him when I chance to pass him in the Hall. But I have heard a great deal, and the fact he has won the heart of as passionate a woman as Lady Xan speaks well of him, as does your loyalty. Now, if these Knights have mustered an army to attempt a rescue of some sort, then he might be home soon. Standing about in the snow will not bring him back any sooner." He rubbed the mouthpiece clean once more and slid the flute into its leather case.

"Skye sent you, didn't she?"

"Is that so surprising? She's already lining up herbs and a mustard plaster for the pneumonia she's sure will come of freezing your ears off out here." Ashe stood. "At this rate, I may need some of that myself. Come along, nephew. A warm hearth and a hot meal awaits us inside. I, for one, am ready for them."

Ian laughed, then joined Ashe on the path back to the front of the manor. " So, did Dohlost freeze solid?"

"He might have if the wood pecker hadn't arrived."

"Ah. Yes, I see. I wonder if there's a story about a bard freezing his lips to his flute."

Ashe winced, rubbing at his mouth. "You saw? I hope your lady wife has a balm to ease them. The things I do for my kindred! Your liege best return soon."

But he didn't.

**********

Some nights later, on a busy night in the Fire Hall, Ian noticed Tav entering and sitting alone at a table. By the time the Captain of the Black Watch had dealt with several matters, Blackhawke's former squire had been joined by Xan's friend, Janna. By this time, Xan had disappeared as well, gone off, Ian suspected, to look for her husband on her own. Despite Ashe's prediction, matters had not improved. Ian eventually made his way to Tav's table, sat, and then listened as the younger man began to speak.

"I have news, but would it be best to wait for the Lady Blackhawke. I am afraid it is not good."

"Tav, as Janna told you, Lady Blackhawke is not present at the moment. Make your report and I will pass your information along when she returns."

The young knight looked from Ian to Janna and then nodded." I was summoned to ride with the Master to where he believed Blackhawke was being held. A sizeable force accompanied as we ventured into a remote region of the Shadow Lands. We were on a ridge over looking a small valley that emptied into a large cavern, and the Master had dispatched a patrol to investigate."

"Where was this?" Ian interrupted. "How far from Camelot?"

"About a week's hard ride." He paused, then continued with his account as Ian nodded. " I am not sure how, but the Master knew Blackhawke was in the cavern. After much thinking he allowed the knights to attack in an attempt to rescue the man Some 200 knights with their men attacked in waves. I estimated some 3000 men rushed the cavern. "

Something in his tone made Ian suck his teeth. "I take it they failed?"

"The patrol was completely wiped out by a demon horde nearly 5 times its size. The demons and their minions seemed to pour from the cavern like water. When I saw them losing, I tried to go myself, but the Master had me bound. All I could do was watch as they died. The Master said he'd made a mistake in letting them attack By binding me, he would not make another." He fell silent.

"Did any of his men survive?"

Sir Tav shook his head. "Only the 100 or so on the ridge with the Master. No one else did."

12/2002


Fealty II

"So, the Knights of the Crystal are decimated?" Ian stared at Tav with disbelief.

Tav himself seemed to find it hard to accept. "They were shredded, but enough were left to safely keep the portal closed. There were close to ten thousand demons dead, stacked like cordwood where they fell."

"And to keep Lord Blackhawke trapped on the other side as well, perhaps? Ian let out an exasperated breath, then glanced at Janna before continuing. The sea captain looked stunned by the news. "Unfortunately, it seems demons are easily replaced, more easily than humans."

Tav nodded, then went on with his report, as if wanting to finish it as soon as he could. This had to be as painful for him to say as it was for Janna and Ian to hear. "The Master believes the portal in the cavern to be closed, but he won't be sure until he goes down there to investigate. The master also believes that though Glabrezu may have provided information , he wasn't the force behind this."

Janna looked up startled. "Not Glabrezu? Then., who could possibly. ..?" She looked over at Blackthorn, who shook his head, puzzled.

"Strange! Who else would command such a force of demons?" Ian rubbed at his face, then waited for Tav to go on, sure there was worse news to come.

"The Master and I will return to the cavern soon to check it out, but I fear all we will find is a cave. If he can't solve this riddle, I am afraid we will just have to wait 3 years until the portal opens again and try to fight our way in."

"We can't wait 3 years!" Janna looked over at Ian in dismay. "There has to be another way, Captain. There has to be!"

"Do we have a choice? Some 3000 have just died trying." Tav paused, visibly upset by what he had witnessed. "I have nightmares now of how many of Blackhawke's comrades and friends have died trying to rescue him. The Crystal Knights may never be the same; they lost a lot of experience and skilled men that day. The Crystal is so weakened right now from the loss that the men guarding the portal must rely only on their skill. I hope Glabrezu doesn't seize upon this as a chance to break out and change the balance of the forces."

Janna looked wide-eyed at Tav, swallowing hard before speaking. "Are any of the men left from Blackhawke castle, Milord?"

"The most loyal castle guards. But all the Crystal Knights there are gone .They were the first wave."

"May their souls find their reward for their valor." Janna murmured.

Ian scowled once more. "Which is why I cannot commit a large force in an attempt on the cave. I need to keep Camelot and Blackhawke castle secure."

"The portal at the cave has closed. According to the legend it won't reopen for another three years." Tav repeated the news again, sounding as if he himself was trying to come to grips with the cruel reality of the situation.

"Please pardon the interruption, milords and lady." Ian looked up to see the woman named Colleenia standing nearby. He'd noticed her sitting with Tyralor earlier; she must have been drawn closer by their conversation. "If it's closed, and will remain so, then what use is it to guard an empty cavern?"

It was a fair question. "It might be beyond the means of mortals on this side to open it. But we don't know if those on the other side can force it open to attack."

"Then, milord Ian, wouldn't it be in the best interests to ask of immortal help? You are fighting demons, aye?"

"Milady, there is a Balance. For every escalation on one side, the other side will respond." Ian answered, and Colleenia nodded as she realized how disastrous such an escalation would be.

"This is a very old legend, the legend of the portal. I believe Merlin would have opened it if he could have." Tav paused for a sip of cider. "But alas, it opens and closes only every three years, and so far, no one has been successful in changing that. I think the Master would open it if he could. I know Blackhawke believed in his skills."

Janna leaned forward to look intently at the young knight. "And will the Master attempt to do so?"

He shook his head resignedly. " If he forces it open, then the demons and minions would be free to transit it, would that be good?" He let the sea captain add that to the lack of a defending force to draw her own conclusion.

"This legend about Merlin? "Ian asked Tav. "Where might one find what this legend says? Is it written down somewhere?"

"I don't know if it is written down. I've always heard it by word of mouth."

Ian wasn't certain this might be the solution, but he couldn't afford to ignore it." Then write what you've heard down for me, as soon as you may."

"Aye. All that I can recall." Tav took a deep breath, then looked Ian squarely in the eyes. "There is another matter we should discuss. "Sir, you must seriously consider taking over as the Guardian of Camelot. That post has been vacant long enough as it is."

It hit Ian as hard as a real blow to the body: Tav was resigned to Blackhawke being gone from Camelot for a long period of time. That, more than anything the knight had said before, made Ian realize his liege was perhaps beyond rescuing by his friends in Camelot. He stubbornly refused to accept it. "I cannot. That is Lord Blackhawke's title. To do so would be to admit we've given up hope for his return. I cannot do that."

"What if he doesn't return? How long do you wait? Can Camelot wait?"

12/2002


Fealty III

Tav pressed his point. " Do Blackhawke's feelings out weigh the good of Camelot? We both know how he would answer, sir."

"It is not his feelings I am concerned about. It's a matter of loyalty, and the morale of Camelot's citizens. To take the title of Guardian would be to declare him dead, or as good as dead." Ian shook his head once more.

"Loyalty would be to place Camelot first."

Blackthorn poked at his coffee cup. "I do, Tav. I always have."

"Then think on it, and do what you must."

The two women had listened to this exchange in silence, but now spoke as Ian paused. Janna nodded her agreement with Tav. "He has a point, Captain, no matter how else we feel."

"Then take it temporarily milord Ian? Should he return, you would not be a false Guardian, but the responsibilities will fall on you anyway. And Camelot needs a strong protector and leader." Colleenia's voice stayed quiet, hazel eyes looking to Blackthorn.

But Ian was growing increasingly discomforted with the suggestion. "I would not feel right. Declaring myself Guardian seems so…so…self-serving!"

"Do you have any other choice? Do the feelings for one man, the needs of one man, " asked Janna, "outweigh the needs of many?"

Tav stood, reaching for his gauntlets. "Besides, if you leave the post empty, who else will rise and take it? Maybe someone who won't place Camelot first?"

Janna nodded once more. "Aye, Camelot does have many who covet Her."

"They would have to deal with me first." Ian looked up Tav, perhaps a bit annoyed with the younger man. "I shall think on it."

Tav nodded, then walked out of the Fire Hall, leaving Ian to be offered help and more advice until he finally stood and left.

But he didn't go home.

*********

"Corwin? Brother, are you there?"

"I am always here, Ian, only a thought away. What troubles…wait! I am coming!"

"Good. The old spot, then."

Ian walked through the back pathways of the gardens until he reached the shore of the lake. This sandy stretch of beach had been the site for many a discussion with Corwin in the past, and he smiled at those memories as he awaited his brother's arrival."

"I'm here!" A dark shadow sailed over the lake water, blocking the stars above, and the cold sand whipped into small dust devils. Forewarned, Ian had shielded his face and eyes with the edge of his cloak, uncovering only after the air calmed. Corwin stood there, the fading of a slight red glow in his eyes the only sign of his transformation, the grave expression on his face caused by his absorbing the knowledge Ian had sent via their mindlink.

"Is there anything that can be done, Corwin?"

"Not this time, Ian. I thought I had sensed a disturbance recently, and what Tav told you explains it all too well. That portal is closed, even beyond my abilities to try to open it. You have to accept it, Ian. There's nothing we can do for Lord Blackhawke, at least for now, except wait and pray."

Ian finally let loose a long stream of curse in elven, his brother waiting patiently for him to finish. "Tav thinks I should takeover as Guardian."

"Tav is an exceptionally astute young man. And you are an amazingly stubborn half-elf. He's right, Ian. You have to take it."

"Damn it, I know he is, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I was able to resist the idea until Tav said one thing that settled it for me He said if I didn't take it, then someone else who doesn't have Camelot's best interests at heart would. He'd no sooner let the words out of his mouth then I could hear the names of those who'd tried in the past sound in my mind: Bornek, Brakis, Talor, all the others. There'd be more like them, moving in on Camelot, and on Blackhawke Castle as well. I can't stand by and let that happen. I can't!"

Corwin regarded his brother with affectionate amusement. "I see. So what am I doing here then?"

"Moral support?" Ian grinned back. "I guess I just needed to say the words out loud, and have someone else listen and tell me if I was being a fool. Am I?"

"No, Ian, you are not. Deep down, you already knew Tav was right. But it's understandable. You didn't want to admit there was no way we could help `Hawke come home. And, I suspect, you are worried how Xan will take this. She's a resilient lady, brother. She will wait for Blackhawke as long as it takes. Takeover as Guardian, Ian. Serve Camelot."

Ian nodded. "I'm sorry I made you come here over this, Corrie. Aren't you leaving for that trade mission again?"

"Aye, on the morrow. But you did me a service, because Kylan will be devastated his knight is gone. He barely had more than a few months squiring for Blackhawke. I best stop by the castle and break the news tonight before I leave for France tomorrow. I think I'll take the back road. The guards most like are too jumpy for an aerial arrival." Corwin grinned, then gripped Ian's arm in a warrior's clasp. "You know I'll do whatever I can to help, Ian. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"I know. Tell Kylan I said hello."

"Ian, you've got him looking for double meanings in everything you say to him ever since you had that little talk with him. He'll wonder what you meant by `hello'. "

"I know." The brothers laughed, then Corwin gave a last nod and walked off towards Blackhawke Castle and Ian turned back for the main gates. Just as he reached them, a messenger rode up and dismounted, walked over to Ian and handed him a rolled up piece of parchment.

"A messaged from Lady Blackhawke, milord. She's summoning the knights of Camelot for a meeting."

12/2002