Bleeding Heart

"Are you filled, travelers? Good. Now, may I ask what brings such an…. interesting group into my woods?" There was a pause in his speech before he continued, "It is not every day you see five kids, an heir of Sol, sorcerers, clerics, rangers, a rogue, warriors, and one of Drez"s Children all gathered. At least not in this day and age. So, pardon me, but it has managed to arouse my curiosity. What exactly has brought you all here?"

Dawn was not sure what to say to him. On the one hand, she doubted that it really mattered all that much if she did tell him. She highly doubted a unicorn would side with those Grimshades. On the other she really did not know much about unicorns at all. So, she kept it to a minimum, only saying that they were after some people who were mutual enemies. She saw understanding flash through the unicorn"s eyes.

Then she asked him a question, well a two-fold question actually, "What did you mean by an heir of Sol? And Drez"s Children?"

"Did you not know what you were?" He seemed taken aback. "I mean I know that Drez"s Children have forgotten their roots but I was not aware that the Children of the Sun had as well."

Well that answered half of the question, "I see. I was not aware of that term. Who was Sol?" She was mildly curious, wondering if there was a story behind it.

"Sol was a priest who had been granted some special favor in return for his devoted services. It pa.s.sed down to his kids." He frowned, "I would have thought they would have remembered…. Ah, well it seems only the Twins and I are still working at keeping the old ways alive."

He looked strangely sorrowful. And then seemed to shake himself out of it, "Ah, well, the crossroads is approaching."

"What do you mean the crossroads?" She felt a bit alarmed, that sounded strangely ominous.

"No need to worry about it. It won"t happen for a while yet. Not till the Twins are near actual adulthood at least." The unicorn shook his head, "And it is a NiX"Rylian thing and since you have one of Drez"s Children with you, I am pretty sure you are not from here."

There was that term again, she sighed, "And may I ask what you mean by calling one of us that? What does that one mean?"

At that the unicorn smiled, "Ah, yes, Drez"s Children do not remember their roots now. We knew that; even if they keep to their traditions even now, they do not remember the reason. But Drez was a mighty warrior, Summit"s right-hand man in fact. A very powerful druid and, so I have been told, rather charismatic as well. He left these lands during the Calamity at the bidding of his master. It fell to him to make sure every one was safe when Summit lost his life."

Raven interjected then, "So am I this person you are referring to?"

"Of course." The unicorn laughed, "There are not many who are born to be druids apart from your old family. Though memory may fail, blood does not."

"I see… that makes sense." Raven paused, then asked, "But who are the Twins."

And the unicorn"s eyes lit up with utter and total adoration, "Ah, the Twins! The sweet wonderful Twins. Kinder souls there are not in all the land of Nix"Ryl left! Especially the La.s.s, her pure smile is one of the wonders of the natural world! A true daughter of Xeltia just like her aunt. And one of the few people who can actually curb the rashfulness of her brother. As wonderful as he is, there is no denying the boy has a few screws loose." He paused noticing that they looked confused, "Ah, I could talk all day about them. Their parents brought them here for them to grow during their childhood. As such I am incredibly fond of the two."

They wordlessly nodded. And decided to stop asking questions. Though Dawn did think of one thing to ask of the unicorn. But she decided to ask in more private circ.u.mstances in case the answer was a no.

So when the others were getting ready to go to sleep she walked over to the unicorn. He looked up at her, and asked in a soft tone of voice, "Yes, child?"

"I was wondering… the stories say that unicorns are capable of great feats of healing-"

"We are. But only as much as a normal priest would be able to. If your clerics can not heal the

infliction that you are asking me about, then neither would I be able to."

"…I see…" She had been going to ask if he could help Raven but it appeared that he could not.

But then the Unicorn smiled, "The La.s.s might be able to. She is highly skilled with healing and has even brought back the dead before. If you run into her do ask her for the help you seek. Though if you are seeking for the dead to be returned be forewarned that that is a tricky business and might not be allowed."

The words though gave her hope. Not just for Raven but for herself. If this lady could bring back the dead, then she might be able to bring Arrion back and maybe, just maybe, Dawn would be able to actually have her husband back. It was the first ray of hope that Dawn had since his death and she grasped hold of it.