Guardian's Key - The End Text Only

If you saw my post over at Fate's Ribbon you saw that I have a non-Sims manuscript I'm working hard to get completed and turned in. Unfortunately, that is taking far more time than I ever anticipated, so as a result, I just have not been able to even think about finishing this story. But that hasn't stopped the guilty feelings I have about leaving everyone high and dry. I've been dragging this story out for more years than I even care to contemplate and it's time for that to stop.

Just so you know, I have every intention of completing this evenutally as a Sims story, however, in the meantime, I'm posting my text file of the ending of the Guardian's Key. If you want to wait for for the Sims version, you're more than welcome to, but I can't guarantee when that will be. What I can promise is that it will be more polished than what I'm going to post in the text version. This is what I presently have on my computer. It hasn't been proofed very well, there's a good chance there are grammatical as well as spelling errors. I'm also, unfortunately, good at misspelling my own charachters' names and I'll often find I have "day" instead of "turning". However, if you don't mind the writing warts, then read on.

Part 8 Morana Part IV

“Son-of-a-bitch,” Xavier said under his breath.

“Yes, that would most definitely define Silanos Garnaych.” Azrael said.

There was no need to be quiet as they entered the building calling Kerrin’s name.

A muffled sound came from a room in the back, and when they reached it, there was a wood plank sealed over a hole in the floor.

“Kerrin! Are you down there?” Lessa’s voice broke as the tears started to flow, she could feel his pain and hunger, even greater than the last time. Their minds had connected again, and this time, no one was going to rip it from her.

“Son of a bitch, Lessa, go away! Silanos is looking for you, don’t make it easy for him. He’ll kill you, you must go away,” his voice was weak, but the fear overrode every other emotion. Fear for her was all she could feel from him.

“She’s not alone, Vampire, I wouldn’t leave her alone. Now stand away from the panel or you’ll get a mouthful of dirt. Although I know you’re hungry, you won’t find the dirt as satisfying as blood.”

Kerrin laughed a broken harsh sound, “The only fucking blood I’m going to find satisfying anytime soon is that bastard Garnaych’s. Don’t worry, I’m nowhere near where you’re calling from. I don’t see anything in the ceiling. But then, I don’t see anything, period.”

“Oh, Spirits.” Leassa breathed. He was blinded. He didn’t sound right. Something in his voice had changed and she feared the man she loved would remain forever changed thanks to Sianos Garnaych’s treatment of him.

“I’m afraid there are other more pressing matters that must be handled, my son, you’ll have to wait, but I promise Garnaych will pay, only this is not the time. You will have what you seek, and yes, it will be by your hand.”

“Master Wizard?”

“Yes, my son. Now Xavier, the longer we’re here the longer we and your friends who are traveling in the south are in danger.”

Xavier and Azrael lifted the panel and Thalia turned to Lessa, gently wrapping her arm around her shoulder.

Azrael released a magic ball of light into the hole, and once he could see where he was going, teleported down. Lessa looked over the edge, the distance was so great she knew teleporting was the only way in and out of the hole. Her parents were right, Kerrin would have been left there for eternity to slowly go mad.

I seemed to take forever before her father finally returned, holding a slumping Kerrin in his arms. Lessa closed her eyes and gave thanks to the Guiding Mother that they’d not only found him, but that despite his injuries, he was still whole. She opened her eyes as Kerrin crumpled to the floor at her feet.
Lessa fell next to him, holding him close, trying to give him all her strength.

“Move away Lessa, you’re going to be covered in blood,” he snarled at her. She looked at him, he’d never spoken harshly to her ever. Silanos had damaged him in ways that left no outward marks on him.

She refused to be pushed away, or bullied. He was just going to have to learn to deal with the after affects of his capture, and her love for him. “Do you think I care? Why are you still bleeding, shouldn’t you have healed?”

“Couldn’t afford to sleep. If Garynach returned during the non-evening-time he wouldn’t have expected me to be strong enough to fight him. Fortunately, they released me last evening-time.” He shook his head, looking confused. “I don’t know why, but it was the break I was looking for. I just needed him to feel confident to stand close to me again. I would have grabbed him him before his Warlock could fucking blast me again, and drain him of blood before I broke his damn neck. Then I would have attacked the kid who thought he was a strong Warlock, if he hadn’t run away. Unfortunately, the bastard left here last evening-time and not returned after removing the chains. Guess he just thought to leave me here to suffer.” Suddenly his eyes changed the blue almost glowing as hatred swept over him. “Someday he’ll suffer and eventually I might think about killing him, but not until he begs me to do it.”

Her father reached in his jacket and handed him a bottle of blood. “Here, son, drink.”

Kerrin reached for it, and drank. Watching him, holding him, Lessa finally understood. Now that her mind was clear and her memories restored, she knew she’d never stopped loving him; confusion had clouded everything, including faith in herself and her feelings.

Kerrin finished the bottle and sat it on the floor, saying, “Thank you, Master Wizard.”

Xavier reached for him and helped him up. “Well, Vampire, you sure do know how to get yourself in a shitload of trouble.” He held out his hand and a shirt appeared which he handed to Kerrin.

“That was one breath of air I wish I hadn’t taken,” he answered with a weak smile as Lessa rose to stand beside him while he pulled on the shirt and buttoned it with shaky hands, grunting as the fabric rubbed against the raw welts against his back. He was too weak from loss of blood and sleep to heal properly; she remembered that from their encounter with Ghalt.

She was nervous and scared, especially after what she’d said to send him for that breath of air. She fought around in her turbulent mind to come up with something to say. Lost, all she could think to do was slip her hand in his and hold onto him. Kerrin looked down at her with eyes full of confusion and love. He was too tired and weak to hide either of the emotions like she knew he had been for so terribly long.

“Come everyone, let’s give these two a moment, I think they need it,” her mother said leading everyone out.

She looked down, what the hell was she supposed to say?

“Okay, that’s interesting, why did they just do that?”

“Because Father gave me back my memories,” she said softly. Would he still love her as much as he had, as much as she did now? Everything that had happened to him had been because of her.

“And?” She barely heard the question, he’d asked so quietly.

“I-I don’t know,” she looked into his blue eyes filled with a touch of hope. She released the breath she was holding, hope blooming in her own tight chest.

“Is that a start?” he asked softly, he too was afraid this was a fragile thing that would disappear with a puff of smoke. She had to prove to him it wasn’t that he was hers and she was his.

Never taking her eyes from his, she cupped his face kissing him. “Yes,” she whispered, her lips brushing his, savoring the taste and feel of him.

He pulled her toward him and buried his face in her hair. She held on tight, all their nights together rushing toward her. She’d never stopped loving him, and given time, she would have loved him again. Even more, which she did now.

Her father entered the room, “I’m sorry to break this up, but if you’re up to leaving Kerrin, your friends have reached the point where it’s imperative you leave now.”

“We’re not teleporting, I have a charm,” Lessa held up Adrostos’ pendent.

“That will not serve you after this point, powerful as the charm is. You must all go now, without you, they will fail.”

Kerrin pulled back and held out his hand and she joined hers with his. “I’m ready.”

They joined up with Xavier and Lessa linked arms with Xavier saying “Adrostos.”

Part 9 Kumara