Those left behind|Clan Fira-Rccus, Naurorod

[Kender Bard]

Thelon didn't answer. His hands curled into fists and his expression darkened that it was a wonder he didn't burst into a scream of rage right then and there.

Libre started to comfort Ann as well but caught the look of his father out of the corner of his eye. ~Father?!~ he cried, alarmed.

~She will be avenged~ he whispered to Shadow. Libre, overhearing this time, started at that, his mouth dropping open.

"I will return shortly," Thelon said tersely.

~Father! No! Don't go right no-~

He disappeared. Libre sucked in a deep breath, fresh tears pricking at his eyes.

[Northen Light36]

"I didn't want to tell him," Ann whispered. "I didn't..."

Shadow bit down on his own rage. For all he wanted blood and vengance as well, there were three people here who desperately needed support right now. "I know, it's all right," he murmured to Ann, stoking her hair soothingly. He caught Libre's eye and thought, Libre, do you know where your father went?

[Kender Bard]

Libre rolled one shoulder. ~I can guess. Father grew up in Beastiamens. Sometimes he goes there; but not often. He has other places he goes to, but I think that with how upset he is right now, that's where he'll be. I think he left because he was going to scream if he didn't.~

[Northen Light36]

Let's let him work out some of his anger then while we get the girls calmed down, Shadow suggested. Hopefully by then he'll be back, but if not, we'll figure out what to do next. He reached out to put a sympathetic hand on Libre's shoulder and asked gently, How are you holding up?

With her father gone and Ann upset, Flame looked at a lost for what to do. Then she latched onto Shadow and began another outbreak of silent crying.

[Kender Bard]

~I don't know~ Libre responded, glancing down. ~Sometimes I think I'm handling it better than most others, but I still feel so lost.~ He glanced towards the south. ~I wish Father hadn't gone, but I'm glad he didn't stay. He doesn't get angry, truly angry, all that often and it's very frightening to see.~ He licked his lips nervously. ~Later will you tell me what he meant? About avenging mother?~

[Northen Light36]

If you want to know, then yes, I will, Shadow replied. Now that he could feel Ann was shaking a little less and wasn't as hysterial, he turned his attention her. "It's all right, fire-spark," he soothed. "Come on, take a deep breath. That's my girl. Now another..." He smiled as Ann's sobbing slowly came under control. "Better?" he asked.

"A little," Ann replied shakily, and sniffled again.

"Hold it together until we're less in public," Shadow murmured to her, then dropped to his knees to give Flame a hug. "It's all right, Flame. Your father will be back soon. He just needed to be alone for a little while." He held her and stroked her hair soothingly, frowning slightly as he noticed the deep shadows under the child's eyes. Your sister looks exhusted, he remarked to Libre. Has she slept at all recently?

[Kender Bard]

~I doubt it~ Libre said. ~I know I haven't much. When the dust of all this settles a little, I'm going to have to take her to see Mikasi or one of the other Mind healers, I'm sure. If nothing else, but because she's not really coping... normally.~

[Northen Light36]

Shadow nodded as he made soothing, shushing sounds to the exhusted little girl. Let me know what the healer says? he requested of Libre. And Libre? If you or either of your sisters need a break or just a change of scenery at any time, you're welcome in my home.

Once Flame had calmed a little, Shadow stood back up (though he let Flame cling to his hand) and suggested gently, "Ann? You look tired, sweetheart. Why don't you lie down for awhile? Flame could keep you company."

Ann managed a weak smile, knowing full well her uncle was using her to manipulate Flame into getting some rest and using Flame to do the same to her. But it didn't seem to be a bad idea - she hadn't slept well since hearing the news. "I think I'd like that, what about you, Flame?"

Flame looked at her brother, silently waiting for his opinion on what she should do.

[Kender Bard]

"Go on," Libre told her. ~Ann needs some rest too and you could help her get it.~ He glanced at Shadow. ~I appreciate the offer. Depending on what happens now, I may take you up on that--not for myself, but for Flame.~

[Northen Light36]

Flame hesitated a moment longer, then let go of her bruisingly tight grip on Shadow and latched onto Ann's hand instead. Resisting the urge to wince, Ann smiled at the girl. "Come on Flame, let's get some rest." She looked at Shadow. "Wake me if anything needs me?"

"You know I will," Shadow said softly. "Go on, both of you get some rest before you get ill." Shadow watched Ann lead Flame away to go lie down in Ann's hut and sighed. At that moment the King looked... very old. Old, tired and very, very lonely. Almost as if Tres' death had aged him a decade or two in a few days. "Let's hope they actually manage some sleep," he murmured.

[Kender Bard]

"Yeah," Libre murmured, running a hand back through his hair in a gesture very similar to his father. "If you don't mind me saying, sir, you look pretty worn out yourself."

[Northen Light36]

"I suppose I do," Shadow agreed with a sad smile. "It's been a hard few days." He took a deep breath and asked gently, "Do you still want to know what your father was talking about before he left?"

[Kender Bard]

Libre's expression hardened. "Yes," he said. "A part of me doesn't, but more of me does. Everything about mother's death has been sudden and veiled and I just... I need to know."

[Northen Light36]

Shadow nodded, understanding. "Come on, let's find somewhere more private to talk." He led Libre slightly away from the clan so they could talk in peace and quiet. Once there he sat done on a rock, running his fingers over a faint inscription that looked like it had been melted into the rock in the shape of crudely formed letters. With a sigh he told Libre bluntly, "There's no gentle way to say this. It looks like your mother was murdered."

[Kender Bard]

Libre grew tense all over but he didn't have the kind of outburst his father had. Instead, he took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, "Who would do that? Do you think father knows?"