Dragoncrest Cliffs I hope you find your peace, falling on your knees, praying.

first it was val's expression that fell -- then his tail -- and at last, his heart.

there was no ounce of warmth in rosalyn's eyes. he'd played out this reunion so many ways, and had never anticipated this.

he misinterpreted it first as anger, and was at a loss until chacal spoke. dumbfounded, val glanced to his sister and then to indra. little, wide eyed indra -- who held his gaze questioningly.

val tried to smile encouragingly, but a knot had formed in his throat and it stabbed him now like a thorn. alright, let's go see maman erzulie. val nudged gently at indra's flank in a motion to reassure her, before he started after chacal.

how he wanted to look back at rosalyn, to see if it was some mistake! he restrained out of fear if he glanced back, the rest of his shattered world would fall to pieces.