Time passed.
Midsummer came and went. Up in the mountains, Brother Llwyd went about the business of winning the trust of the villagers. The first few days he worked alone on the chapel. Then a few bored children wandered in, and stayed to help after he entertained them with a few stories. Another morning a bedraggled traveler showed up on his doorstep, grinned and said: "Hello! I'm Sergeant Timmons. Blackthorn sent me." The wily veteran stayed a few days; when he "moved on", another member of the Black Watch showed up on the doorstep the very next day. All through the summer this went on as Llwyd sent Ian reports. Another thing the monk noticed were the warriors who trickled in one by one to take up residence in the White Crow compound. Llwyd was sure Blackthorn was behind that as well.

Each day was spent cleaning and repairing the chapel. The nights alternated between time spent in the tavern and friendly talks over tea with Branwen. And gradually, ever so slowly, the villagers came to accept him. Only Heryn and a small group of regulars from the Bleddyn Inn remained aloof, and in Heryn's case, hostile. So naturally the monk took it upon himself to try to bridge this inexplicable gap. He visited the inn more often in the evenings. And somehow or another, he always seemed to be sitting on the new bench outside the chapel each morning when the shipments either left or arrived.

One such morning Llwyd and a once more "traveling" Timmons sat and watched as horses and a wagon were being loaded up for a trip to Camelot. A rather sturdy looking fellow was hauling a small crate out on his shoulder when Llwyd suddenly sat up, blinked, and rammed a not to subtle elbow into the ribs of his companion. "Brother, ye have elbows sharp as pikes! What in... "

"That box! That crate that Kevern there is loading!" Timmons took a look in the direction of the large lad, then nodded. "Aye, a strong one he is, Brother. What of it?"

"It took him and Madron to carry that in yesterday morn when the cart arrived." Llwyd's eyes danced in speculation. "And I know it's the same box, because it had one slat that was a darker grain then the rest... see ... there, in the center!"

"Don't point, for mercy's sake, Brother. Alright, I see it. And what does this tell your fine Church trained logic, heh?" Timmons grinned, then slapped Llwyd on the back as if they had just been trading some jokes. He watched as the dawning realization told the monk what he had already guessed. "Aye, it's not as full as it was when it went into yon Inn. And since that box is clearly marked for House O'Donnell 's warehouse, it should nae be, should it, Brother?" He stood, then stretched as if working out some kinks, then shook the monks hand while making loud farewells. "I'll be back again, Brother!" Then he leaned closer, and said in a lower voice, " The captain will be coming back soon, I wager, once he hears my report. Be careful, Llwyd. Two people are dead already; a third will not trouble the killer." He nodded grimly and set off down the road to the small cave where his horse was kept. Llwyd sat back down, then once more began watching the front of Bleddyn Inn. " 'Little wolves', indeed! More like a pack of thieves!"

**********

Inside the Inn, a cold eyed Heryn grabbed Kevern by the arm as he came back into the main room. "Yon monk is entirely too much interested in our doings for my comfort. When you and Madron get to Llandaf, switch off with our men there and get back here, quick like!"

"Little Llwyd is going to have an unfortunate accident. He can ask his questions of the Blade Sisters when he gets to the Other Side!"

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Fiat Lux: Part X

"Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed."
Isaiah 56:1

Time passed in Camelot as well.

It had been a somewhat hectic Summer. Ian had to deal first with the attempt on his life by the false Morninglord, and then with the departure of Lord Blackhawke and the resituating of the displaced Black Watch divisions after Skarra bought Blackhawke Castle.

There was also, more importantly, the matter of a divorce and then a remarriage.

But every day, whether early or late, Ian would spend some time on the Penally murders. Marcus was set the task of gathering all the information he could on Heryn. A day's visit to the dock and to the various merchants and warehouses produced a picture of who shipped by way of Penally and a stack of invoices from the last year, dating back to the time of the Orc War.

Meanwhile, Ian had set up a roster of trusted men who would rotate visiting Penally and watching over Brother Llwyd. He did not forget Branwen, either. The consolidation of the Black Guard and Black Watch had brought some unexpected tensions. Some of the veterans he'd recruited from the ranks of mercenaries he'd known began to chafe under the new command structure. He let it be understood that any of them who wished to resign would do so in good standing, and managed to steer some of them Branwen's way. The White Ravens would fly once more.

Gradually a picture emerged. He was not happy with what he was seeing. One night, he sat in his barracks office, scowling at a map Marcus had pinned to the wall for him. Colored lines traced the course of all the shipments that had passed through Penally on the way to Camelot. He flung the reports of the warehouse thefts from last spring on the desk with a curse.

"That bad, is it, husband?" Skye walked over from where she had watched Ian and placed an arm around his neck as she slid into his lap. She was still in her black uniform, archers guard on her wrist, red hair braided back, and still, somehow, miraculously, the scent of sandalwood clung to her. He planted a kiss on her cheek and once again marveled at this treasure he held, then turned to look at the map as she shifted a bit for comfort.

"I was right, Skye. Lerrad was framed. But I was way off the mark too. T'was not anyone in Camelot. It was Heryn, tucked away up there in Penally, like a spider at the center of a web." He handed the reports to her, then waited in comfortable silence as she read them and glanced up to scan the wall map.

"All the stolen items went through Penally?" She snorted. Her eyes danced as she looked at Ian. "Too much a coincidence by half for me, my angel."

"Aye. But in the confusion of the war, easy enough to cover. And not all the items, love. I suspect Renee NightDragon spoke some truth when she tried to take the blame. She just didn't take all that!" He pointed to a list of a dozen or so items. "Those, I think, are what she did. High quality, mind you."

"So. Heryn stole all the rest. Hmm. He switched the cargo! Didn't he?" She roared with laughter. "Gods, I remember the time my broth... uh. nevermind, love. The less said, the less uncomfortable you and the boys will be when next we visit Innisfarra."

He kissed her. "Good idea. Aye, Heryn switched them. I think. A few men on the shipping end, a few here in Camelot, and Heryn in the middle. Some he switched in Penally. Some, I suspect, never were shipped but stolen at the departure points and marked as shipped. And when the merchants began to realize that the orcs were not responsible for losses on the road anymore, they reported the goods as stolen. I began looking into it, and Heryn had a plan already in place. He framed Lerrad O'Donnell."

"But why, Ian? What reason would a man way up in Penally have for doing such a thing?" She stood up finally, crossed her arms and stared in concentration at the map."

"Most basic reason of all, love. Revenge. Marcus tells me Heryn's father used to be a rival of Lerrad's father. He couldn't take the competition and lost the family business. Heryn took what was left and eventually bought the inn up the in the mountains."

"And those poor women? The Blade Sisters?"

He ruffled through the reports, then handed her one from Timmons. "Marcassa and Genovefa were here the night Lerrad and Elspeth burned down half the docks. Being conscientious, they checked with some of the merchants as to whether any of the freight they had helped guard was lost. That's when they heard about all the thefts."

"And they put it together, didn't they, Ian?" Her emerald eyes blazed as he stood and embraced her."They put it together, and Heryn killed them!"

Ian kissed her. "Aye, that's how I see it. Proving is another matter. I want him, love, to pay not just for the thefts, but for the lives of those two women. And I need proof." He gently stepped away and donned his great cloak, slinging his sword over his back." Tell Sean and Corwin I am gone, and I took Marcus and some men with me. I have already gathered up Heryn's accomplices here and at the other end. Now I am going after him. I hope Brother Llwyd is doing what Timmons told him to and being careful. Heryn is a dangerous man."

"He might be. Be careful yourself, husband!"

"Always am, love, I always am." A last quick kiss and with a wink he turned and walked out, bellowing for Marcus to get the men to their horses. Skye stood in the doorway, a fierce grin on her face as she watched the men ride out.

"Gods help you, Heryn. Your game, I think, is nearly done."

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Fiat Lux: Part XI

"All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers"
John 10:8

A few nights after Timmons had left, Brother Llwyd spent a few hours at the Bleddyn Inn, but they were not very comfortable ones at all. As soon as he had stepped through the front door into the common room, all conversation seemed to stop, and the silence went on as he crossed the floor to take the spot he had come to think his own by the fire.

A girl brought him some ale, and eventually the other patrons began to talk quietly among themselves, but none of the men he had befriended approached him to trade the usual nightly greetings. A quick glance around the room over the rim of his tankard showed him the probable reason for his isolation. Over by the bar, Heryn stood talking to Kevern and Madron, and by the dark looks being given, Llwyd guessed he was the topic of their anger. He tried to steady his hand as the tankard trembled in his grasp. Timmons had not returned yet, nor had he heard from Blackthorn. Another one of the "travelers " was not due until tomorrow.

Llwyd's mind raced as he once more risked looking at the trio across the room. Only Heryn stood there now; the others must have slipped out while Llwyd had looked away. Why? And what did those angry stares mean? The monk quickly drained the ale and stood, the sound of the cup touching the table sounding like thunder in his ears. But he inwardly sent up a prayer as he forced himself to walk casually back across to the door, nodding to Heryn as he looked him straight in eyes as he passed the innkeep. He would not be cowered by such a man. But perhaps an overnight visit to the White Crow compound might be a sensible course of action. Yes, that was what he would do! He quickly stepped outside. The nights were beginning to turn cold as Autumn approached, and his breath hung in the air as he set out for his visit with Branwen. Llwyd kept his hands tucked in the sleeves of his habit as he moved along, wishing he had boots on as his toes became chilled in his sandals. "Ah well, I'll be warm soon enough."

"Not so fast, dear Brother!" Two rough hands slipped under his arms as Madron and Kevern grabbed him from behind, dragging him back towards the alley where they had been laying in wait. "It be cold where ye be goin' now, ain't it, Kevvie?"

"Aye, cold as the grave. Our little monk here is goin' for a swim in the river. After we delivers a personal message, tha' is, like! Come along, now, we have other plans for the night. Let's get this over and done!" Madron shoved Llwyd further into the alley. The monk tried to run for the far end, but tripped a few yards away. The two ruffians howled, then stood still as he regained his legs and tried once more to escape. A few more yards, and a shrill whistle from big Kevern brought four or five men out of the shadows to block Llwyd's way. "Say your prayers, Brother. It's all over for you."

"Funny. I was just about to say the same to you." A tall figure rounded the corner back at the mouth of the alley, his face hidden as he stepped into the shadows. There was the soft whisper of steel on leather as he drew a longsword from the sheath on his back, and another from it's place on his swordbelt. "Let the monk go, now! Then throw down your weapons, and stand against the wall." Kevern laughed. "Ye may have two swords, but there are six of us. Why don't you surrender to US? We promise we will be gentle wi' ye... we'll slit ye throat." A loud chuckle was the other's reply. "Thank you, I was afraid you might take me up on that offer, and I really did want to hit one of you cowardly bastards. Let's shed some light on the subject, shall we? " He waved the first sword around his head, and then pointed it towards the sky. A blue ball of light shot up, hovering over the alley as Ian Blackthorn charged.

Llwyd stood amazed. "Fiat Lux!" Then something hit him very hard, and the monk plunged into another form of dark

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Fiat Lux: Part XII

And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Exodus 22:24

Llwyd was not in the chapel.
This, Ian decided most emphatically, was not good. He'd left Marcus and the men just outside of town while he rode on ahead to speak with the monk. But there had been no sign of him at the chapel. A quick look inside the tavern had gained him nothing but some surly looks. Perhaps he had gone to Branwen's place. He started walking up the dirt road when a sudden howl of laughter from an alley two buildings up made him stop and then advance cautiously. Keeping his back to the building, he peeked around the corner and saw about a half dozen men standing... and just climbing back to his feet, another: Brother Llwyd!

The larger of the two said something to the monk about saying his prayers, and Ian was filled with rage. "Funny! I was just about to say the same to you!" He stepped out into view, drawing Deathkiss from its sheath on his back and the other longsword Lord Blackhawke had given him from his sword belt. More words were spoken, but he was centering on the task ahead. For all he knew, the part of him handling the talk could be spouting gibberish, the rest of him was looking at the lay of the alley, where the opponents were, their size and weapons and how many he faced. Too dark. It was too dark. "Let's shed some light on the subject." He whirled Deathkiss around his head, summoned a ball of coldfire and sent it hissing up overhead, it's harsh blue light illuminating the alleyway as he rushed forwards. He had time enough to see Llwyd get knocked flying into the wall as the men at the far end rushed past. Then he was upon the two leaders, and the world narrowed down into the play of blade upon blade.

One big man... one small... his mind put names to them from Timmons' reports... Kevern and Madron, he thought. And they fought in tandem. A cold smile crossed his lips as he settled into the rhythm of the fight. Tall man was slow, he battered away at Ian's sword, and a less experienced fighter would not have noticed until too late that all his opponents blows were aimed to knock the sword down or too the side, this leaving Ian's body exposed to attack from the thrusts of the smaller man's blades. Had Ian not drawn the second, he would have been defenseless. As it was, he was hard pressed to fend them off as he dealt with the force of the other man's blows. A parry and thrust at Kevern gave him a few seconds to choose an option. The alley was too small for him to get them to spread out. That was a blessing in that it kept the others from joining the attack. Had not the monk been lying unconscious down the alleyway, Ian might have fallen back to the road and hoped the attackers would follow where he could have more room to maneuver. That, this time, was not an option. He went to the only viable one he could choose. One that his old teacher, Ferret, had drummed into head years before.

"When in doubt, give them a target they can't ignore."

He let his reflexes take over, let his training do the work. He had made the choice in just a few seconds. It would take a bit more to bait the trap. He countered each blow from the tall man, parried the thrusts from the smaller, until he had drawn the others into a deadly dance.
SLAM... parry... thrust... parry.
SLAM... parry... thrust... parry.
SLAM... parry... thrust... step back.
The tall man, Kevern, gave an excited laugh. A big mistake, but Ian let him savor his brief moment of triumph. The next two thrusts from the smaller man were barely fended off; he too gave a whoop of excitement. "Now!", came Ferret's voice in Ian's memory. Kevern once more swung his sword in overhand to batter at Blackthorn... and Ian stepped to the side. Kevern turned to follow, then stopped, staring down in shock at the tip of Madron's blade appeared through the front of his tunic. Madron barely had time to register what he had done before Ian's own sword took him full in the throat. Clutching at the wound, he fell dead atop the body of his partner. Ian stepped back. The other men took one look at him, then at the blue orb still hovering over the alleyway. Almost as one. They stepped forwards, intent perhaps on just rushing over him to escape.

"Here now! Where d'you lot think you are getting off to?" Blocking their escape route was Lt. Marcus, Sgt. Timmons, and beside them, her sword drawn and ready, the white haired Branwen. The remaining thieves took in the odds against them and threw down their swords. Ian nodded as his men began tying the captives with leather thongs, then ran down the alley. "Llwyd! Brother, are you alright?"

There was no answer.

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Fiat Lux: Part XIII

Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Isaiah 56:1

"Brother Llwyd?"

"He's coming round, Ian. I told you it was just a blow to a hard headed noggin. This one is too stubborn to let a little thing like hitting a wall do him in." Branwen removed a cold cloth from Llwyd's forehead, smiling as the man opened his eyes and slowly brought the room into focus." Don't try to sit up just yet. Ian fixed the damage, but ye are most likely going to be a bit weak at first." She propped a pillow behind Llwyd's head, then left the room as Blackthorn came over to stand beside the bed.

"Where... where am I?"

Ian took a seat on the foot of the bed. "Branwen's. We brought you here as soon as the fighting ended. You gave us quite a scare."

"Kevern? Madron?"

"Dead. The others are being held in a makeshift cell here in the compound, down in the root cellar. Heryn is still at the Inn, acting innocent."

"He's going to get away with it, isn't he?" Llwyd sat up slowly, amazed he felt as well as he did, given what they had said of his injuries. "He's going to get away with the murders. Kevern and Madron could have told you, but they are dead." The big man nodded. "I fear so, Brother. There are ways to make men talk. I'm sure there are others here who can tell us what we wish to hear. I could threaten to have them draw lots and hang the lucky losers. Or give them until sunset before I burn the place to the ground. But I won't. Heryn will be jailed as a thief, an exceedingly clever one, but a thief never the less. He'll lose a hand, most like, and in a year or two or three, he'll be robbing travelers in some town that will not know he is a murderer." He fell silent, face set in anger. Llwyd looked at him bewildered. "That hardly sounds like the man who ordered Carcasonne leveled to dust!" Blackthorn laughed. "Carcasonne? You heard that tale, hey? Well, it was leveled, but not by my order. A man named Michael Ard Rhi gave it out it was my command, and the troops believed him. I never would have done such a wasteful thing. You almost seem disappointed, Llwyd!"

"No, I'm not. I just meant, the stories they tell, and what I just saw you do in that alleyway! Surely that would strike enough fear into the heart of any man to shed light on darkness!" He stopped, embarrassed at his outburst, then sank back down on his bed, closing his eyes. "

"Fiat Lux!" he murmured, as in his minds eye he once more saw the blue light's glow.

"What did you just say?" Ian reached out and tugged at Llwyd's sleeve. The monk's eyes popped open to stare back at him." Um, I said '

"Fiat Lux." It's Latin, it means-"
"I know, 'let there be light'. It's from your faith's Bible. I use the phrase myself, often. Not that, before that!" The monk frowned. "What, about the light?"

"Yes, yes!" Ian stood up, his face beaming with excitement. "I have a plan, good Brother. And, I think, you will be most happy with it."

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Fiat Lux: Part XIV

According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. -Deuteronomy 17:11

He sent out his men, and the men from the White Crows, and together they rounded up the rest of the men of Penally, bringing them all to the Bleddyn Inn. When they were all there, Marcus came and accompanied Ian and Llwyd to the common room. Heryn stood at his bar, his face flushed with anger as the monk and warrior entered. "There he is! He murdered Kevern and Madron!"

A roar filled the tavern as Heryn kept haranguing the men, but Blackthorn neither moved nor spoke. He was the rock upon which the tide of their anger broke. Finally, gradually, the noise subsided, as all eyes now fastened on the tall figure in black and silver. And still he said nothing, merely giving each man there in turn a long look that some later swore reached down into their very souls. When words were at last spoken, they came not from the half-elven but from the short human monk who stood quietly beside him. "You know what has happened. Two men lie dead. Now let me tell you why." Then in short, concise sentences Llwyd told of the attack in the alleyway the night before. He watched their faces as he spoke, noting the reactions of people he felt he had come to know quite well the past few months. Some showed first sympathy and then anger, others plain slack-jawed astonishment that he had been attacked, others still shifted their eyes from him in what he hope was not guilt. Sadly, there were a few in the last group he had not expected.

When he finished, the room once more broke out into a cacophony of voices, while on either side of it two men stood staring grimly at the other. Heryn never wavered, his contempt for Ian and the monk plainly visible. Then Ian Blackthorn smiled, and held out his left hand, and summoned the blue coldfire. The room suddenly fell silent once more. Again, Brother Llwyd stepped forward and spoke. "You have heard of Ian Blackthorn. You know he is Commander of the Black Watch, but he is also a battle mage. He was present at the Fall of Carcasonne. You've all heard the song, I know you have!" Now the voices rose in fear and protests of innocence. Llwyd let it build for perhaps thirty seconds, then raised his hands. "Hear me, Oh men of Penally! The light in this man's hand can level the strongest building in the village in the blink of an eye! But my friend will not destroy your village. Instead, he will seek out the truth, separate the wicked from the righteous!" On cue, the blue light left Ian's hand, then hovered a few feet over his head.

And finally, he spoke.
"The light will pass over each of you. If you are blameless in the deaths of Genovefa and Marcassa of the White Crow Company, you have nothing to fear. But if you bear part of that guilt, or know anything about it... well! I cannot say what might happen to you."

"Trickery! It's all a sham, I tell you! Don't stand still for this!" Heryn's voice finally rose as well in fury. He fairly shook with anger, the realization that his plans were all about to come to naught finally full upon him. He shot Ian a look of pure hate as the tall man merely shook his head, and whispered, "Fiat Lux!"

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Fiat Lux: Part XV

When I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me.
Deuteronomy 32:41

"Fiat Lux!"

The light floated out over the heads of the men of Penally. Llwyd watched a man who stood six feet away from him as the light began its crisscross journey, saw how the villager broke out in a cold sweat, and then blinked as the man made a run at the door, only to be stopped short by the strong arm of Lieutenant Marcus. Another man simply flung himself on the floor, shielding his head with his arms as the blue light bobbed on over him. He was followed by more men, some kneeling and begging to be forgiven a multitude of sins in quavering voices. The light made two such passes around the room, as a total of eight out of forty men threw themselves on the floor, then stopped in mid air directly over the head of a now panic faced Heryn. Ian made the tiniest of gestures with his hand, and the globe began to fall slowly down towards the innkeeper's head. The whole room seemed to hold its breath as it came closer, and then Heryn fell screaming to the floor.

"I did it! I did it! Don't let it touch me, please!!" The ball of light came lower, touched Heryn's head ... and burst like a child's soap bubble. Heryn looked up. "A trick! A damned trick!" Ian smiled. "Not precisely. I never said the light would make any one tell the truth, only that those who were innocent had nothing to fear. Neither did the guilty, for that matter. But I've learned from my dealing with a certain McDougal in Camelot that what you don't say is oft times just as important as what you do." He walked across the room, the villagers parting before him as he came face to face with the now standing murderer. "Heryn of Penally, I charge you with the murders of Genovefa and Marcassa of the White Crow Mercenary Company. What so you have to say to these charges?" Even now Heryn tried to brave it out. He spat contemptuously at Ian's feet. "What if I did? You are far from your precious Camelot. Its rule stops at the far side of these mountains. And there's not a man in Penally who will stand against me and mine!"

"Perhaps not. But I will." From the rear of the crowd stepped the leader of the White Crows, her jaw set, eyes blazing in fury. "You stand condemned by your own lips! And we, like your people, take care of our own, and take our own justice. Marcassa was barely a woman, still learning to be an adult. And Gen?" She leaned closer to Heryn, her face set in stone, "Genovefa ni Branwen was my own daughter." She slapped Heryn across the face, and two of the younger men who had recently joined the Crows pinioned his arms, moving him swiftly towards the front door. Ian nodded as his old friend walked by in Heryn's wake. "T`si im T`si, Branwen."
"Aye, Ian. T`si im T`si... "
"Blood for Blood!"

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Fiat Lux: Part XVI

That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. -Deuteronomy 16:20

In the morning, a strange banner hung from the walls of the White Raven Compound. Heryn had spat out all the story, defiant until the very end, refusing to take any comfort or solace from the Bible or Mother Church. He seemed proud of himself when he described how he had poisoned the food at the shelter after sending the two woman suggesting they meet there to discuss the thefts in private.

Llwyd did not know what Heryn might have said afterwards. A tight-lipped Branwen had politely asked the monk to leave her alone with the prisoner, and after Heryn had once more refused his prayers, Llwyd left to hold solitary vigil in the chapel. A few hours later, the night silence was shattered by a last shout of rage.

Heryn's body swayed slowly in the breeze as Llwyd turned his head away and walked over to a group of riders gathering by the compound's gate. "Leaving, are you, m'lord?"

Ian Blackthorn swung up into the saddle, then leaned over to shake Llwyd's hand. "I'm afraid so, Brother. Odds and ends left on this back at home. And I must let Lord Lerrad know I've finally cleared his name. Not that it will do me any good." He chuckled. "Call me Ian, Brother. You and I have too much between us now for you to ever call me lord. And what of you? Back on your journey for your Father-Master?"

The monk shook his head, a smile now crossing his face. "Timmons did not tell you? I petitioned to be allowed to stay here and serve in Penally. There's a lot of work left to be done here. Branwen and I had spoken of this over the summer. And there are some of her older men that can retire and serve out their last days as servants of God. I may very well have a new chapter house going in a few years! Come back and see if I don't. In fact, just come back and visit, friend Ian?"

"Alright, I shall. Although why you would want to see a bloody killer like myself... "

"You? Never. You, Ian Blackthorn, serve the light! Whether you want to believe it or not, you are its servant, whatever god or goddess you might worship."

The big man started to speak, then just shook his head, rubbing at his neck. "Llwyd, what would you say if I told you one sent me to find justice for those two women?"

"I'd say he had chosen well."

"She, Brother." Ian backed Horse a few paces back, then turned the big bay towards the gate. "Most definitely a She! I'll be back to visit, Llwyd! Keep the Light shining!"

********

That night, in his dreams, She spoke.

"That was the first, Ian Blackthorn, Two more remain."

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