For every success, a new challenge is presented; things are never easy. Why would Verial have thought differently this time? Perhaps because things had been going too well. Over the past few days, he had been helping Aursra gain better control of her magic. She had been able to wield fire so far and was getting more comfortable with the idea that she could indeed use this energy for better things. However, they were faced with the unfortunate realization one evening that if pushed to the limit, she could use this same magical force to kill as well.

An assassin sent by her Sire had come late in the night, Verial awakening to the sound of the intruder's footsteps on the leaves outside. He had managed to tackle the person to the ground and entering upon the scene, Aursra used her will to form a protective barrier around Verial, deflecting an attack from the assassin mage. The mage eventually got loose from Verial and headed towards Aursra. However Verial was able to catch up, pin the person against the outside cottage wall where the woman coughed out a secret that had Aursra both confused and angered to the point where the assassin was shortly afterwards burned alive from the inside by her very own blood.

Verial had momentarily convinced Aursra that they would not rush out to meet her Sire as that was what her father would have wanted, a hasty and stupid attack. So, Verial held Aursra throughout the night, trying to calm a mind that had been otherwise emotionally leveled. He hated the idea of it, but he brought her unwillingly to the Abyss of Dreams where she would be surrounded by the Abre`Verte fields in Oneiro. Wind swept flowers, journals and quills would be among her there. It took Verial several hours to hold together this image, to keep her sleeping, because he knew she would not be able to rest without him.

In the morning, he silently left the comforting embrace, covering Aursra with the blankets. He attempted to hold onto the lovely dream he had created from his memory and a bit of hers, leaving the sanctity of his cottage. Verial left out the back door and swept the assassin woman's ashes into the air, blown away by a winter wind.

When he made it to his mother's cottage, arriving much earlier before she could sneak breakfast to his own, his guard dropped. It was if some barrier had pushed away the dream he was holding onto for Aursra. He stopped and looked back towards his cottage hoping that Aursra's body would be too tired to wake, even though her mind was now free.

He shook his head and let out a sigh entering into the kitchen. Upon stepping a foot inside, he found his mother at the kitchen table with a cup of tea raised to her lips. She paused seeing him and he went to sit at the chair beside her. Verial was both tired and anxious it appeared; though he was running on no sleep, his decision had been set already about what was to happen next.

"I have something to tell you," Verial said looking at her with those odd colored eyes of his. "Aursra and Angelus have a child."

The cup was set pressed to her lips as she gently blew the steam away from the tea she was sipping. At first glance over the brim of the cup she noted the state of his emotion and being. She placed her cup down in the moment it took her son to sit and before he spoke.

He had that look in his eyes..yes. Indeed..something to tell her. She swept her warm finger tips across his brow, brushing his hair from his face as she heard the news.

....Angelus has a child...

She heard herself say it aloud as her hands dropped into her lap. She pursed her lips and sighed inwardly.

"Oh dear....where?"

Verial would lean against his mother's fingertips for a moment and though he liked the comforting feeling, it was with relief that she had soon moved her hands away from his forehead. He was not himself; that is he did not have his guard up like he normally did and his mother's mere touch might have unearthed things he would have rather liked to keep buried. This time, he actually did have a reason. The last thing Verial had wanted his mother to see was that two days ago, on one of Aleris' frozen solid lakes, he had kissed Aursra.

Her questions brought him back and he found himself sitting up a little bit straighter in his chair. "The child is with her Sire, Aursra's birth father," Verial said. Briefly, he looked out the kitchen window towards his own cottage and then turned his odd colored eyes back towards her. "It's not fair to ask you to come along, but this time... I thought I should tell you before I leave again, instead of just writing you the typical note."

There was a sort of silence for a few passing minutes as Verial listened intently trying to hear any sounds that might be coming from his own cottage not far off. When he was convinced there was still nothing going on there, his mind shifted back to his previous words and he noticed he hadn't told her exactly where he was going.

"I meant to say... I'll be going with Aursra to help her look for her child," Verial began. "I'm sure you can understand her plight. Even if this is a trick, she is remembering that she was pregnant and I don't think any of us could convince her otherwise. I don't think I'm capable of making her stay and it wouldn't be right of me if I did that, so I thought you should know where I've gone just in case..."

Aursra slept on. The dream that Verial had created for her was so vivid and so like what she remembered of Oneiro, that she felt as if she were right back in her childhood. Her body had stirred when he left, but only slightly. Her mind wasn't ready to let go of that dream, even if some part of her had to know that it was only that. Truly, that was probably why she clung to it. Oneiro was symbolic of much simpler times. She wrote a dozen stories and poems on the parchment provided in that dream. She lounged around, making daisy chains and counting clouds.

She'd spent countless days doing just that in her younger years, and many of her own more natural dreams were spent in such a state. So perhaps that had something to do with just how well the dream had taken within her mind.

Eventually, though, all good things must come to an end, and eyelids jumped once, twice, and again. Then, her eyes flew open and she sat up straight in the bed, every muscle tensed.

Had she really killed someone?

That was the first thought on her mind, and she instantly felt as if she would be sick. That wasn't something she'd ever expected to do, even in self defense. Yet she'd taken the life of that woman without little more than a touch. Then, she remembered what had set her off.

"My child..."

That was enough to get her up out of the bed. She ran fingers through her curls, but it was more out of habit than any desire to better her appearance. She didn't even bother tugging on her shoes. Somehow she knew where Verial was without really thinking about it, but she didn't know that she was in much of a rush to find him in his mother's cottage. She'd brought so much chaos to this peaceful villa. Everything had just gotten to be so complicated.

Half in a daze, she walked down the stairs, and she paused for a long moment at the door leading outside, where the brief combat had taken place in the wee hours of the morning. Finally, she turned the knob and stepped outside. All signs of the woman had been swept away, but the image of blood burbling from the other woman's lips would be burned in her mind's eye forever. She didn't want to be that person. That was who her Sire wanted her to be.

She touched at the spot where the woman had been pressed to the wall; where ultimately she had met her death. "I'm sorry..." She whispered. Then, Aursra glanced toward the other cottage, bracing herself for joining Verial and Sorvynia... something that she knew she'd have to do sooner as opposed to later.

Continued from chat logs...

Verial should have just left. He should have just take off too look for Aursra's lost child and left a note like he usually did, but the courteous stop to his mother's cottage proved to be more troublesome than he had wanted. Sorvynia had meant well, but when Verial had heard her say to bring Kyrian along, he could hardly believe what he was hearing and in the end, doing. Yes, he was bringing his son along to go meet Aursra's Sire as well, the bastard that had kidnapped her and tried to force her to use magic for ill intent.

Sorvynia's reasoning had been quite sound, though still incredulous to Verial. She explained that Kyrian needed to grow up and go on an adventure with his father. The young dreamer, although very capable in healing, needed to learn and get real experience, that which could not be obtained from his outings with Itarilde. Still, Verial was very hesitant in bringing Kyrian. After all, he had no idea what was going to happen and he had no idea if he could properly protect his only son. Nevertheless, when it came down to it, Verial had caved in and decided to bring Kyrian and protect him - and Aursra - with his life if need be.

After saddling up some horses and heading back into his cottage, Verial toyed with the idea that maybe Kyrian would object to coming. If Verial could have had it his way, there would never be any reason for Kyrian to be subjected to anything bad, or have a reason to fight. This thought was coming from the same person who had told Maiwen and Aursra they needed to learn how to defend themselves better. Unfortunately for Verial, Kyrian was thrilled about the idea of going and quickly rushed upstairs to pack some of his things. They would be leaving right away. Something about taking a visit to Aursra's Sire bothered him and he couldn't quite place what it was. Maybe it was the nagging suspicion that this whole idea of Aursra having a child was a lie implanted into her subconscious.

Verial drowned his thoughts away and looked up from the floor when Aursra entered the living room from the kitchen and stood posed in the frame of the doorway. She had this look on her face - almost melancholy like himself - as she had overheard Verial talking to Kyrian and knew the young boy was coming along. Verial assumed Aursra was not too keen on the idea either, mostly because she loved Kyrian too, perhaps even as much as her own child... if she even did have one.

He crossed the room towards her and lifted his hands placing both palms gently on her cheeks. Verial's fingertips grazed over her temples for a moment and he nodded looking into those hazel colored eyes of hers, as if searching for some answers in their depths. However, what he need was something she would have to unearth by herself.

"This is going to be difficult," Verial began, "but you need to remember where you ran away from... that is, where your Sire is at. If you can't do that, it may take us much longer to find him and your child."

Aursra cared very deeply for Kyrian. He had been a little lad when her first child had miscarried, and she had always credited him and the other Oneiro children with restoring her to something a bit more like her old self--though she’d always been a touch sadder but wiser since that day. Her position as teacher for the Kingdom’s children had taught her how to smile and laugh again. In spite of her worries, it seemed oddly fitting that Kyrian would be accompanying as healer for this trip. But gods, she wished it wasn’t necessary.

Necessary. There was a part of her that doubted it all as much as Verial likely did. Even if it was only a ploy to get her back into the clutches of her Sire, she had to face him. She couldn’t have that threat looming over her and those she loved. She couldn’t let the fear of him rule her life anymore.

Kyrian passed by on his way up to his bedroom to pack, and Aursra was very conflicted. Half of her wanted to tell him that he couldn’t go …that it was far too dangerous , but the facts that she was not his mother and that they might very well need a healer stopped her. She settled for lightly touching his arm as he walked past.

The lad's father approached only seconds after Kyrian had disappeared into his room. She inhaled sharply as her face was cupped between gentle hands. Fingers caught at the hair near her temples, but she was too lost in his searching gaze to care. For a moment, her thoughts were filled with a frozen lake and snowflakes that turned into flowers… and a kiss… She wanted to slip in close, her face buried in against one of his wings while he told he that everything was going to be okay. That wasn’t going to do anyone any good though. So she resisted the urge though she was in no rush to pull away either.

Of all of the times for such thoughts to creep into her consciousness...

He was speaking, telling her how he knew that what he was asking would be difficult. She shivered. It wasn’t that simple. Describing the location was near impossible because it had been ever changing. That was okay though. She swallowed, “Finding him will not be a problem… Since touching…” She paused on that word, remembering the blood that had boiled out of that woman’s mouth with a wave of nausea. “his messenger, I have known that I can find him.”

It could not be certain if Aursra and the Dreamer's Angel had had a child after all. For all Sorvynia knew, it could of been a half lived dream. But it was true that Aursra must needs do what she was compelled to learn the certainty, for the idea of such possibility could not be abandoned.

She had it made up in her mind that this time, Verial would be taking his son if he was to once again set off on a heroic journey. He argued, briefly as it were, but she refused to allow him a say. There were few things she had ever forced or pressed upon her children, but she too had grown in her ways and she judged her grandson's needs against his father's feelings on the matter.

Verial needed his son with him just as much as Kyrian needed to be with his father. Her children grew without the guidance and love that a child deserved and required of a father. She refused to allow her grandson that same loss if it could be helped.

Kyrian's departure would no doubt bring longing and grief to his adoring little faery friend, but it was something that needed to be. Sorvynia could not say for certain why she felt so impressed that Kyrian should go beyond all the obvious reasons she gave her son. It was just meant to be, no matter what came of it. She held comfort in that at least, for she held some faith in destiny.

"Every child, every lover, every dream...was meant to be as they were. Who am I to say different, when they all have fashioned me as I am." She murmured to herself, but thought of her eldest son, her grandson and her daughter in law as they took flight. Her thoughts turned to the book of memoirs Verial told her he had kept, and that she was likewise in his. There was a distant smile in her eyes, one that was in part proud and the other half vexed.

From the moment she stepped foot beyond the Temple of her youth, she had been overshadowed by the wings of Dragons and a reverence was born in her. For the threads that wove her and her offspring to them were strong and unyielding. There was a constant concern in the background of her heart and mind, for what rooted itself into her son's soul. His own demons...his..Dragon.

It only seemed harnessed...because it slept, while Verial was awake. Her son's dreams...

well...they were not dreams she often entered.

Aursra was never alone in her thoughts. So when she imagined the things she would rather be doing than going on this mission, Verial entertained the same ideas. There was a point in his life not too long ago where he had wished things were much simpler, but they never were. Instead of being able to stay in his cottage and have a pleasant reunion with his brother's wife, Aursra, things had turned rather sour. They always did. Nevertheless, Verial could not find himself backing down should a challenge present itself; should someone he care about be hurt or in danger, he was usually right there to help.

And Soryvnia was not the only one who feared the wings of a terrible beast that otherwise slumbered inside Verial for now. In the past, Verial's dragon had been unkind and had only caused trouble. Though he was able to control it at the moment, his mind still fretted over the possibilities. What if while the trio went to meet with Aursra's Sire something went awry? What if his dragon awoken and he was unable to contain it? Verial just had to hope that he could be stronger than it.

While Aursra shivered under the palms of his hands, Verial soothingly cupped the side of her face for a little while longer until he felt perhaps it had gotten too intimate and dropped his hands to his sides. He needed her to focus on finding her Sire, rather than any mixed feelings he might have bloomed inside her heart.

"And your finding him will make bringing your child back much easier," Verial answered with a sort of certainty in his voice, though he was truly uncertain of the outcome. "I will be right back and then you can think on the location of where he is."

While Aursra might let her mind dwell on things, Verial headed upstairs to his room. He opened the door to one of the closets and reached up to one of the top shelves. While doing this, he could hear Kyrian in the room nearest shuffling around and hurriedly grabbing things. Verial's fingers found the hilt of a small sword laying in the darkness of the closet and he pulled it out. The weapon, a blade about two and a half feet long, was one he had used in his youth - one he would give to Kyrian. There were a few nicks in the hilt, but for the most part Verial had kept it in good shape.

Returning to the stairs, Verial brought the sword and sheath with him. Verial wondered what Aursra might think of him giving Kyrian a weapon, but he believed she might find it necessary too should Kyrian need to defend himself beyond healing capabilities. If only he had time to give his son proper lessons on sword fighting rather than just handing one to him...

"Are you ready?" Verial asked Aursra and took her free hand with his own, urging her forward to think about where her father might reside.

She hadn't thought that things could get worse. She had escaped her own personal hell and brought more than a little of it back home, but she had started to gain control. Just when it seemed as if she was going to manage to fit the pieces of her life together again---though certainly in a different way than what she had wanted or was accustomed to--- worse came literally sneaking in like a thief in the night. It had left her with no other choice but to walk straight back into the proverbial lion's den.

Verial's closeness was as unsettling as it was comforting, but that was nothing new.Conflicted was becoming synonomous with her name whenever he was near. Regardless, she needed to focus. At about the same time that Verial was removing his hands, she'd composed herself enough to take a step back. A hand reached up to touch one of his very briefly though to they to convey that she didn't feel he'd done anything wrong... that she understood that he was only trying to soothe her.

In spite of the seriousness of the moment, Aursra was inclined to give a brief laugh He'd misunderstood. Or at least, he had taken what she had said about finding her father in a much more general manner.

"Verial, it is the same way that I seem able to hone in on your whereabouts.." Especially since sending that flood of excess magic at him. "Ever since using my magic against that woman.." She couldn't bring herself to say that she had killed her. "I have just... known where to find him." It wasn't as specific as that, but she didn't know how else to explain it.

Then he was headed upstairs, and she went back to packing up supplies from the kitchen. She looked up when she heard Verial approaching again.She saw the sword and gave a small nod, realizing who it must be meant for. They couldn't send the boy in unarmed. If Angelus had taught her anything it was that there was a difference between simply fighting and defense.

She squeezed his hand. "As ready as I think I'm likely ever to be." She looked at him concerned. He seemed to have some additional worry, but Aursra had quite limited knowledge in regards to that dragon of his. "Are you?"