A Battle My Own part 3 (this is long)

They were married.
They were happy.
They did not look beyond this brief time of happiness and bliss. They could not. To deny reality for a brief time was the only relief they had.
And as Lorin swept her away, Gwyne let fall a little box, given to her by Phoebe diJavic. 1


Major Taylor Harrnet saluted smartly to General Kynies. "Sir."
"At ease, Major." The General gesured to a man in a suit to his side. "This is special agent Reed with the F.B.I."
Harrnet held out his hand. "An honor sir."
"Major." Reed shook the oustreatched hand.
"Harrnet, Agent Reed is here to take over the investigation of the Horst case."
"Sir?" Harrnet looked back and forth between the agent and the general. "I thought I in charge of the Horst case."
"Well, unfortunatly, your progress has been unsatisfactory and the F.B.I has taken up a particular intrest in the case."
"But sir, with all due respect, I-."
"Harrnet, the President himself has given jurisdiction over the Agent Reed and the Breau. No argument. Now, I expect you to cooperate fully with Agent Reed."
Major Harrnet stiffined. "Yes, Sir."
Reed gave a stiff smile. "Shall we comence, Major?" He held a hand out to the door. Harrnet nodded and turned and followed the agent out, burning with resignation.2


The office was painted in soft brown with burgundy trim. The furniture was hand-carved mahogany and faced a desk which sat before a large window overlooking the water. Landor diKeurl stood with his hands clasp behind him, looking out the window. He wished that this was his office, but perhaps in time. Yes, in time; with all of his major enemies destroyed or about to be destroyed, he would have a clear path to success.
The office belonged to Chiem diTara, Iigoir of the Haurd Seiba; head of the council of the Seiba. diKeurl had only had audience with her once to petition a time of peace between the feudal lords. This time he had much better things to talk to her about.
The door opened and Landor turned and bowed as Cheim diTara walked into the room. She was tall, but not dark as most Seibas having instead frizzy red hair. She was smartly dressed and walked with a slight swagger.
"Ca'roum Landor diKeurl." She returned his bow.
"My Lady," He walked to the other side of the desk and waited to be invited to sit.
Chiem walked to her desk and sat down. "Please, sit. Would you care for something to drink?"
"No, thank you."
"Very well," She reached to her phone and pressed a button. "Elizabeth, hold all my calls please." A muffled 'Yes ma’m' came over the intercom. Cheim folded her hands on the desk, poised and calm. "Now, what can I do for you, Lord diKeurl?"
"Nothing for myself; but rather for the good of our community, Iigoir."
"Than please go on."
"I have been lightly monitoring the activities of Phoebe diJavic and the Anathema, Lorin Horst." Cheim's brow furrowed slightly, but Landor held up a hand. "Please, hear me through before you judge." She gave a reluctant nod and he went on. "Horst has been doing incredulous work. Now, I know we would normally not have any problem with the specific type of work he is doing but for one thing: he has killed Tolanous diRothe and more recently Yarmen caDia."
"We have known about diRothe. But it is acceptable under the Grievances Clause of our law. But caDia, are you sure?"
"Quite sure, Iigoir. I have heard it directly from the man who has been giving Horst is assignments from various clients. The man assured me that Horst has never failed at a job that he assumed."
Cheim stood and walked to the window. "This is a very serious accusation, diKeurl. You had better be right or it will be the end of your line of lordship."
Landor couldn't help but smile, it was going exactly as planned. "I am very sure." He paused for dramatization. "There is...more."
diTara half turned. "More?"
"Phoebe diJavic has encouraged Horst and Gwyne Havvock into marriage. And I do think that she had personal motives for wanting Yarmen caDia dead. She might have been the one that fed Horst the line to caDia." He folded his hands; things were playing just as they should.
diTara stepped back to her desk and sat down. She took a deep breath. "We shall deal with them. I shall call diJavic the council must decide how to deal with this. You are to bring Horst in to the council."
"He is currently on his honeymoon."
"When will he be back?"
"Two days."
"Then you will bring him before the council on the third." She waved her hand in dismissal.
diKeurl stood. "Thank you." He bowed and strode out of the office. 3

~ ~ ~ 4

The phone at Agent Reed's desk rang. Reed saved the program and picked up the receiver. "Hello?"
"Agent Reed, FBI?"
"Yes."
"I understand that you are assigned to the Seiba case?"
Reed was startled and held the phone tight. He motioned frantically to the call screener, he needed this conversation recorded, and he needed to know where this guy was. The screener set to work. "Who are you and how do you know about this case; how'd you get my number?"
"One can find any number if one looks hard enough. I know about the case because I made it my business to know. And my name is not important at the moment."
"Okay, what can I do for you?" The screener nodded at him, the tracer was tracking.
"Things are blowing up faster than I expected. I want to come in, tell you what I know. But I am going to need protection."
"What do you have to offer me?" Just a few more secants till they had a lock on his location.
"I've been in the intricate Seibacian circles. I've lived with and among them for the past three years. If I don't have exactly what you need, I know enough petty crimes to put a good number of them away for a few years."
Reed was hesitant, the guy was far too confident. "How can I trust you?"
"You can't. Just meet me at two tomorrow at the corner of King and Cherry in front of the Laundromat. I'll come alone and unarmed."
Reed heard the click as the line went dead. He placed the phone back on its cradle and looked up at the screener. "Do we have a location?"
"A pay phone on Queen."
Reed sighed; he would be meeting this kid tomorrow. 5


At 1:30 the next day, Avery Horst placed his baseball hat on his head, slung his backpack on to his shoulder and locked the door to his apartment behind him. He looked at the door a moment before turning away. He had just closed the door to three very, very difficult years of his life. He had hid for so long, days and long long hours of loneliness, and it was all over now. Well, at least his part.
Phoebe did not know that he was changing the Seibacian circles for those of the government. She did not know that he had been watching all the Seiba Lords carefully, including her. Over time, he had narrowed things down to a single lord, the gopher for many of the other lords. diKeurl was not pure-blood, and that tainted his lordship. He had worked for both diRothe and diJavic, probably sparking the feud that had reign over then for so long.
Phoebe diJavic and Tolanous diRothe were the two major Seiba Lords for many, many years. If diKeurl had been a pure-blooded seiba, he mostly likely would have joined them in that rank. But he was not, so he was deprived of the status. Yet, he would have his revenge; by destroying first diRothe and on his way to destroy diJavic, diKeurl would have free passage to high Seiba lord.
Avery walked slowly down the hall, his hand trailing lightly against the wall. He had tried to stay the Seiba hand against Lorin from within their circles. But that time had run out. Yet, he was sorry that Phoebe would fall. She was not evil. After all, had not she saved him that night in the prison? Faking his death had been so easy; he had died to save his life. She had found the way, and for that he was grateful to her.
But in order bring down one Seiba, you practically had to bring them all down. They were a tight bunch, in love and in war. But when they fell, no one helped pick them up.
He punched the button for the elevator. He drummed his fingers against the wall. He was excited. It had been so good to see his aunt and Gwyne again, and soon he would see his brother again. He had missed him during the past three years. The elevator doors opened, Avery went in and punched the first floor button. Soon, so soon it would be over.6


On return from his honeymoon, Lorin snuck away as quickly as possible to the brick house where Yarmen caDia laid prisoner. He did not let on to Gwyne where he was going. He was once again hardened, full of hate, and Gwyne was serving her purpose; he had not reason to maintain a relationship with her. The words Mark Stiemich had spoken to him had now all disappeared. He forgot all but the object of his hate.
He was careful to lock his car; the neighborhood was not the best. Typing in the house code he sighed, he almost dreaded all he must do for satisfaction. But he must do it. He shut the door behind him and walked to the door of the cell. He punched in the access code; the door opened and the stale smell of the human body wafted out of the open door. Lorin cringed, but entered the cell, making sure to prop the door open.
Yarman lay in a heap on the mattress in the corner. He stirred at the sound of the door opening, looking around like a child discovering something he didn't know existed. His eyes focused in on Lorin, then recognized him, he cringed, but pushed himself upright to meet his adversary.
Lorin looked at Yarmen and was filled with loathing. This man looked so very pitiful, yet he was not deserving of any pity! This man, this monster killed his mother, framed his brother than murdered him. This man deserved NO pity! Then, mustering all the power of fear within him, Lorin let out his wrath upon Yarmen caDia.

~ ~ 7

Agent Reed looked at his watch for the third time. Two thirty one. He looked around, edgy. He had no clue what the kid would look like, and there were a hundred teenagers at the intersection right now. School had just let out across the street. Anyone of them could be the kid. He checked his watch again. Two thirty two. Perhaps he should call this quits. He had nothing really to go on here.
"Agent Reed?"
Reed spun around and came face to face with a hard-faced man, no he was a teenager; but he looked so very much older. "Yes."
The boy stuck out his hand. "Avery Horst."
Reed let out a disbelieving laugh. "Avery Horst is dead."
The boy dropped his hand. "The police have my records. You can run me against them. I am Avery Horst."
Reed took half a step back. If this kid was for real he would be handed this case on a silver platter. But if this kid was not...what could he lose? His job for one thing, but this kid could bring down a whole circle of international crime. That would mean a promotion. It was a chance he would half to take. "Fine, Mr. Horst. Come with me."
"Gladly," Came the reply that sounded like a smile and a tear at the same time. 8


"No! The council is already set to convene tomorrow, Phoebe. I can not take anymore of your excuses." Chiem diTara passed back in forth in her office, on the phone to Phoebe diJavic. "You half to come, and if you do not, we may have no choice but to take action against you and Horst!"
"I do not control Horst," came diJavic's repeal. "I have never been able to control him! How can I bring him in to the council tomorrow if I have no sway over him?"
"You have sway! If nothing else, he respects you, if you ask he will comply. I have given diKeurl orders to bring him in by force if necessary, but if you call him in, I shall take diKeurl off. No harm shall be done to him."
"Don't you mean, no harm shall be done to him yet? Because that is what this is all about. You want to bring him in to destroy him before the council!"
"Its for the protection of us all!" diTara took the phone away, trying to collect her composure. "Now, are you going to bring him in, or do I half to use force?"
diJavic sighed. "I will."
"Good. Ca'roum." diTara punched the phone off, waited a moment than turned it bakc on, punching in a number for diKeurl. She sat down at her desk for this call.
"Yes, My Lady." diKeurl answered.
"Landor, you are not to bring Horst in. diJavic has agreed to do it."
"But, but, my Lady!" diKeurl sputtered. "You said I was to do it."
"Don't argue with me!" She snapped. "diJavic's actions will do a good deal for my case in the council. You wanted them to come before the councils and they are. Be content with that."
"Very well, my lady." But diKeurl's tone did not speak of very well at all.9

10

Hours after he had started, Lorne emerged from his torture chamber. It was over, compete. He had is revenge. Those who had caused him so much pain could no longer do so, they were gone, eliminated, every last one of them. He had destroyed them from the inside out. Utterly destroyed them; he had their blood now, he had his revenge.
Yet, why did he not feel the satisfaction that he should feel? Why was there an empty hole in his soul that their blood did not fill? Why wasn’t his anger quenched? It should be- he should feel total glee and freedom now that he had his revenge. He had lived it, planned it, envisioned it for three years. He had taken it out in careful precise moves, he had stalked them, found them, terrorized them, every last one of them. So why was he not satisfied? He should be, he had everything he desired. He had seen them writhe in agony and fear just as he had; he had heard them scream for mercy and confess all their wrongs. This was supposed to calm his anger and fill his hollow soul.
Yet he was empty. Totally void of any satisfaction.
He had committed atrocities against his fellow man and all he had to show for it was horrible, horrible guilt! Lorne jerked open the door to the house and stalked out to his car. Opening the trunk he removed a tool chest. He would not be needing this building anymore. Returning to the house, he numbly ripped off the panel to the electricity box. Clipping and crossing a few wires he managed to create a spark which quickly caught the dry plaster on the walls. He walked out and locked the door behind him, returning the toolbox to the trunk he then slid into the front seat and sat for a long moment without moving.
What had he done?
So many wrongs- what right had he to create revenge? He had ruined men’s lives with out the slightest remorse. What right had he to live? He glanced over at the glove compartment that he knew housed an .87. Should he? He had become the monster he had once sworn to destroy. He had fallen to every evil trap that lay in his way, never once looking back.
He had fallen.
How could he even begin to pick himself up? 11

12

Agent Reed opened the door to the interviewing room and closed it behind him. Sitting himself down at the table across from Avery, he set the file down in front of him and folded his hands on top of it.
“Well, it appears that you are who you say you are, Mr. Horst.” Reed opened the file. “But what I don’t understand is how we have records of you being killed in J-Hall three years ago; and yet here you are.”
Avery sat cool and composed across the dreary table. “It is actually quite a simple thing to fake a death if you know what you are doing. I had one of the best help me out of that.”
“Yes….” Reed glanced down at the file, pretending to form his next question. “Which brings us to why you were a juvenile delinquent; our files tells us you were arrested for murdering your mother.”
“They were false charges.” Avery remained calm. “If you wish I can present you with a clear path to my innocence, along with the confession of one who helped to level the charges.”
“Hmm…well in time perhaps. Lets get down to business shall we?” Reed flipped the file shut and leaned back in his chair. “You said you knew something about the Seiba. Let’s hear it.”
“I’ll need the laptop and notebook from my backpack.”
Reed frowned at Avery, but nodded, darting an eye towards the dark mirror that ran the length of the one wall. Presently another agent entered and handed Avery the laptop and notebook.
“I don’t know why you insisted on searching them.” Avery commented, receiving both items. “Everything on them is written in the Seibacian language. He flipped open the computer and turned it on. A few clicks and passwords brought him to his information. “Okay, here we are. This is a history of events starting from the place where they began to involve myself and Lorne.”
So Avery told Agent Reed everything he had gleamed over the past few years. Everything about the Seiba and their illegal activities and their connection to the Horst family was brought out on the table. Avery told their names, their positions in the Seiba hierarchy, their businesses, their families and their illegal activities. It was quite a long monologue.
When Avery had finished, Agent Reed sat stunned and silent, in awe of this boy’s ability to collect and deliver data on a group that Reed had hardly scratched the surface on. “Is that it?” He said jovially, but Avery did not seem to appreciate it.
“Actually no.”
Reed lifted an eyebrow in wonder, how much did this boy have to say?
“There is an urgent matter that I need your help with.”
“And what is that?”
“The Seiba Lord diKeurl is planning to kill my brother by presenting his actions before the Seiba Haurd. Lorne has broken their laws, and by their laws he must die. If diKeurl can kill Lorne, he can bring down diJavic and become high lord.”
“Annnnddd…what do you propose we do?”
“We half to stop that meeting, half to expose diKeurl’s dirty little actions for what they are.”
“Well, that’s very well and good, Mr. Horst, but do you have any idea where they hold this Seebaa….seeeba hound?”
“Haurd. And yes, I do.” 13

14

Before he even entered his apartment he knew something was up. He recognized Ligment, diJavic’s lieutenant standing post outside the front steps; he sighed wearily as he walked past him. The door was unlocked when he came to it and he wasn’t surprised to fine Gwyne and diJavic sitting together on the couch. If they were drinking tea it would be a perfect picture. But they were not drinking tea. Their faces were both drawn and tight, having the expression that someone had just died.
They both stood and he entered and were silent as he took his coat off.
‘Why, Phoebe, what do I own this great pleasure? Do you need me to do something for you? Another job somewhere?” He slanted ironically.
“No.” Her voice was cold and hard. “We are in hot water, my friend.”
“Friend?” Lorne snorted. “Now there’s a new one.”
“Lorne please!” Gwyne pleaded. “this is serious.”
“Oh but I am serious, love! I have never been more serious in my life! Why- I owe this woman everything!” He slowly swaggered towards diJavic. “After all, I wouldn’t have any of the hellish curses I carry if it wasn’t for her! Why – she’s the one that gave me the power to kill- to hate! In fact that’s what she created me for!”
“Lorne!” Gwyne was abashed.
“What?!” Lorne whirled on her. “If it wasn’t for this person,” he pointed a finger at Phoebe. “I wouldn’t be what I am right now! I wouldn’t be a…a” He practically screamed in frustration. Gwyne and Phoebe exchanged confused looks then Phoebe took a step forward.
“What have you done, Anathema? What have you done?”
Lorne covered his hears and screamed: “NOOOOO!”
“What have you done!?”
Lorne fell to his knees and hunched himself over, screaming for Phoebe to stop. His screams gradually melted into weeping and Phoebe knelt in front of him.
“What have you done, Lorne?” She whispered.
“I have become a monster.” Came the weak reply.
“How?”
“I’ve killed men. I’ve tortured them. I’ve felt their blood on my hands all for the sake of revenge; and now I have it. So why am I so despondent?”
“Oh, Lorne,” Gwyne knelt by him and pulled his head into her arms.
He clutched her and wept in deep, agonizing tears. “I’m so sorry. So sorry.”
“Shhhhh, shhhhhh, my love. There is nothing you’ve done that cannot be forgiven.” Gwyne rocked him as she looked up at Phoebe. “What now?”
Phoebe sighed. “We still have no choice, we must go before the council and pray that they will have mercy.” 15

16

diKeurl waited outside the old and grand townhouse where the council would take place. He pulled out a .45 from his coat and checked the rounds. He would take off Lorne and diJavic before the council even convened. There was no way that the other lords would find diJavic and Horst guilty, they were too feared. He didn’t care anymore if he was high lord, he only wanted to see Lorne Horst quiver in fear before him. He only wanted to feel the glee of diJavic’s blood upon his hands.
They would be here soon, he must wait here in the shadows and be patient. 17


Avery jumped out of the van before it even came to a stop. Agent Reed followed him and was preceded by S.W.A.T. team members. “Okay, men! We need to secure the building, but let them all in. Sergeant! Spread ‘em out!”
“Yes sir! All right you men, lets move! Cover the rooftops and alleyways. No area left unwatched! Stay alert, stay hidden. I will personally see to it that the man who lets our presence here be known gets a demotion quicker than you can bat an eye! Now lets move!” The swat team moved out and Reed turned in search of Avery. The boy was peering around the side of a big brick building towards the house that he said housed the Seiba leaders.
“You’d better be right about this, Horst.”
“Don’t worry, Reed, I know what I am doing.” 18


diJavic drove them to the meeting. She was tight faced and stern, casting warning glances at Gwyne and Lorne. They were to arrive last to the council as custom demanded. Technically Gwyne had no right to come, but she would not be put off.
Lorne felt sick. Gut wrenching, pit deep, pure agonizing, sickness racked his being. But it was more than just sickness of the body, his mind was sick. He lay on the backseat writhing with the horrible memories of the person he was. How had he let himself become so distorted? It didn’t seem possible. But here he was, about to pay for the dire mistakes of his doing. Actions inevitably redound. And in all his doings he had done nothing for Avery, his dear dead brother.
“Gwyne…”
“Yeah?” She turned in her seat to look back at him.
“I was the one that really killed Avery ya know. And all this time I though I could avenge him, but I can’t cause I’m the one that did it.” He sat upright, clearheaded for the first time in hours. “I see it now. As surely as I killed him, I’m the only one who can atone his death. This council must be God’s hand against me.”
“You are a fool to believe such things, Lorne!” Gwyne looked at diJavic in frustration. “You did not kill Avery.”
“Yes I did.”
“No, you didn’t.” Gwyne gritted her teeth.
“Yes I-“
“Lorne!”
He looked at her in astonishment.
“Stop it, Lorne!” Gwyne reached out and slapped him. “Stop it! You did not kill your brother!”
“Gwyne, yes I-.”
“No! Stop it! Avery isn’t dead!”
Lorne just stared in blank astonishment. “Wha…wha.”
“He isn’t dead.”
“No..no! we buried him! I was there!”
“It was all a muse, Lorne…Tell him Phoebe!”
Lorne turned to Phoebe who was glaring at Gwyne. “Is this true, Phoebe?”
“You were not supposed to tell him.” Phoebe admonished Gwyne. “He was not to know.”
“Why!?” Lorne leaned into the front seat. “For God’s sake why?!”
“Because you had to come to terms with your anger, your hate, your crazy incensed desire for revenge. It was more than just Avery, it was the Anathema inside you: eating your from the center out. It had to be brought to a head.” Phoebe sighed. “It was for your own good.”
Lorne swore and threw himself back into the seat. “You have no idea what is for my good.”
Silence ensued for a long minute before Lorne asked the question that gnawed at him. “Soo…you’ve seen him?”
diJavic snorted. “Seen him! I’ve housed him for three years! Everyone has seen him except you. Even your aunt saw him.”
“Gwyne?” Lorne turned to his wife.
“Yes, I saw him.” she hung her head. “I’m sorry, I should have told you, but Avery told me not to. Said you weren’t ready.”
“Perhaps I wasn’t.” Lorne gazed out the window. “So then it comes down to this. I will be executed for my crimes by the council and I will never see Avery again. Such an irony isn’t it. I tried so hard to avenge him, and yet there was nothing to avenge.”
“Lorne you don’t know what the council will decide.” Gwyne said.
“But I do! I’ve listened to the secret circles. They will not allow me to walk out of there today without a sentence on my head.”
“A sentence yes, but not death.” Phoebe retorted. “Don’t despair so.”
“If it be so, I want to see Avery as soon as we are done.”
Phoebe nodded. “It shall be so.” 19

20

diKeurl smiled with evil glee when he saw Phoebe’s black Sedan park across the street from the house. Ah, this would be so easy! He slowly, slowly edged out of his hiding place as the couple and diJavic emerged from the car. It didn’t matter anymore. He had seen the government agents surround the place, waiting for the right moment; they would storm the Seiba lair today. Someone had obviously been talking. The only thing left for him to do now was to act before them.
Here they came across the street. Phoebe and Lorne in front followed by that despicable wife. He had to act now or never.
Stepping out from the shadows with practiced efficiency he pulled the gun from it’s hiding place inside his coat and took aim. Choosing to eliminate the more dangerous target first, he pointed the gun into Lorne Horst’s chest. 21

22

The impact and the startling pain came unexpected and unforeseen. The force of the bullet knocked him over backwards, grunting with the pain that bloomed and raced through his vanes like a wild team of horses. He clutched at the source of the pain, gasping for breath.
Distantly he heard a crack and saw the fuzzy form of Phoebe diJavic collapse beside him, then there were screams, many of them. He felt his beloved Gwyne by him. She was pressing on his chest, at the heart of the pain. And then…there was another figure above him in the hazy sky, someone that looked rather familiar. 23


Avery’s scream had been ripped from his throat just as he ripped his feet from the sidewalk when he heard the crack and saw his brother fall. He was running in a daze; it wasn’t supposed to happen this way. No one had been commissioned to kill his brother, that had never been a consideration. How had he missed the possibilities?
Phoebe had fallen as well, but he ignored her and fell to his knees by his brother. Gwyne knelt over him, applying pressure to a soaking red wound on his chest. From first glance, Avery saw it was bleak. The bullet had not pierced his heart, rather striking a large vein near the heart. Lorne was loosing too much blood too fast.
Avery let out a despondent cry and reached down to help Gwyne stop the flux. Perhaps they could stop it, perhaps Lorne might yet live. But the wound would not stop bleeding and Lorne was now gasping weakly for breath.
“Its no good.” Gwyne said chokingly, tears running in rivulets down her face. “We can’t save him.”
Avery looked down at his brother. He had tried so hard, only to fail when his brother needed him most.
“Ave…” Lorne’s weak whisper barely reached Avery’s ears.
“Lorne, I’m here.”
“You’re alive.”
The simple proclamation brought tears to Avery’s eyes. It couldn’t end this way. “Yes, I’m alive.”
“I’m sorry…so sorry.”
“For what?”
“Monster…”
Avery looked up at Gwyne and she shook her head. “Lorne, don’t-.”
“Shh.” He cut her off. “Ave…”
“Yeah.” Avery leaned close to hear the softly spoken words.
“Gwyne…take care of her.”
Avery closed his eyes and nodded. It was no use trying to deny the inevitable. “I will.”
“Wife.”
“Yes,” Gwyne leaned in to catch the final words.
“C-call the baby…call him…”
“Call him what?”
“Call him..” Lorne struggled for breath. “Nation Tahaird. For he is here to change this nation, an…and he is the son of my strength.”
“I will.” Gwyne answered nodding.
Lorne’s eyes searched hers for a moment then a look of peace swept his features and he breathed no more. 24


Avery accepted the towel from the medic and began to wipe the blood off of his hands, arms and face. It wasn’t his blood, it was his brother’s. The though twisted his gut and he pushed it away. As he worked, he turned to watch the coroner load the secant of three bodies into the truck: Lorne Horst, Phoebe diJavic and Landor diKeurl, who apparently had committed suicide after shooting his victims.
Handing the towel back to the medic, Avery went in search for Gwyne. She was sitting on the sidewalk hugging herself and watching the coroners. He sat down next to her and was silent for a time.
“He was different at the end wasn’t he?”
“Yes,” Gwyne answered. “He was repentant.”
“I’m glad.”
Gwyne didn’t answer, leaving him in silence again. But then a though nagged at the back of his brain. “Are you really pregnant?”
“Yeah,” Gwyne sniffed and wiped moisture from her eyes. “I don’t know how he knew. I just barely found out about it.”
“Lorne could always sense things…but…we will half to keep this to ourselves.”
“Why?”
“There were not as many of the Seiba leaders in the council as I had thought. Many are still out there. You know what they all believe about children of Anathemas.”
Gwyne folded her arms over he knees. “They have no evidence of what a child would be, they only speculate.”
“They are a superstitious people, Gwyne. It would not be safe.”
Gwyne laid her head down on her arms and began to weep. Avery put a comforting arm around her as she rocked back and forth.
“Don’t worry. I promised Lorne I’ take care of you and I will. We’ll move away. After the time of grieving and mourning we will bury Lorne and disappear off of the Seiba map.”
Gwyne lifted her tear stained face to his. “Can we do that?”
Avery gave a weak half smile. “For Lorne I would do anything. He’s my brother after all, and though he made this war, this battle, we do not half to continue fighting it.”
25