Slight spurs of pain echoed back and forth through Shadow's head as a faint light began to solidify in front of her.  She felt like she'd been asleep for days; or possibly finally awakening from a very long coma.  Her mind swam around in circles as her whole body tingled into awareness... of being on cool grass... and suddenly she remembered.  Those eyes of fire and glass, looking through them and at them at the same time, and having felt like she'd had the air stolen from her as her mind fell apart.  From that thought came another sensation: a fuzzy little weight on her chest, its not so fuzzy or little claws digging softly into her flesh.
        "Shadow?" she heard a distant voice, light and sound slowly accumulating.  She lifted her hands to rub her eyes, and found that one of them was being held.  Blinking several times to clear her vision, she saw it was captured in Roan's grip, his face showing both concern and relief.
        The fog of her unconsciousness clearing away, she looked at the little jeweled eyes almost right in front of her own, belonging to that fuzzy little weight.  "Ow.  Ow.  Ow."  She responded at each excited whipping of the happy dragon's tail.  Adrian barked in the back of his throat and started to lick her face, and she used her free hand to give him a little scratch behind the ears.
        "So," she asked no one in particular, "What happened?"
        Roan grinned and helped her to sit up so she could witness the wonder in front of them.  "You... somewhat fainted."  She barely heard, the vision in front of her stealing her breath.  A huge, dark red dragon lay only a few yards away, incredibly massive wings of the same basic sort as Adrian's clenched tightly to the flanks--the eyes that of the glass and fire she'd seen earlier, just as vivid as her imagination.  Politely, the creature raised her "hand" and spread the fingers in a wave, the shimmering onyx claws making the sound of metal against metal as they left their sheaths of tendon.
        Fully awake and aware at last, she smiled widely.  My kind of creature, alright...
        "Welcome back to consciousness."  The dragon invited softly in a feminine voice, an interestingly gleaming smile on her face.
        Shadow stared silently at the creature, into her eyes, for quite a few seconds before she spoke. When she began the conversation, it was as flowing and natural as if the two of them had always shared a world together.  Indeed, she was certain they always had, in a sense.  "Hello."
        The dragon seemed more than quite pleased to be greeted.  "My name is Aliyn."  She introduced softly, holding out a finger with a sheathed claw.
        Lifting Adrian to rest on one shoulder, Shadow extended her hand and shook the finger, feeling the soft, fleshy scales.  Under normal circumstances, she assumed, she would have thought it weird to be shaking a dragon's finger.  Or perhaps even being in the same general area as a dragon--especially one that talked.  And then the creature's name hit her, and she remembered what the dead old man had told her so long ago...
        "Rest, relax."  Aliyn welcomed with a certain charm.  Craning her huge neck away for a moment, she called, "Come, creatures!  She's awake!"
        Finally having the chance to look around herself, Shadow found that they were certainly nowhere near where the tower had been.  It was a grassy hillside, instead; maybe a little more than just a hill considering how very little she could see over it.  From over the side of her witnessed horizon approached the siblings, each one with newly filled water pouches.
        "Everything alright?" Evyn asked, still quite concerned.  He'd never thought of her as the "fainting type" to put it lightly...
        "So far so good."  She answered, feeling quite a bit better, actually.  Sure things seemed strange, but... not in the worst of ways, this time around.  It was actually quite comforting somehow.  She waited until the siblings were seated, almost feeling like they were suddenly becoming part of a storyteller's circle.  And, if that's how it was going to be, she'd be the first to ask a question of the dragon who obviously must have gotten them to wherever it was they were.  That part would come later, she was sure.  "Does the name Ruran ring a bell?
        Aliyn's eyes flashed with recognition.  "Indeed.  I knew him.  I take it he's no longer... with us?"  As the siblings momentarily dropped their gazes, she had her answer.  "Did you witness it?"
        "I did."  Shadow admitted, the memory seeming almost faded.  It felt like it had happened so long ago...  "It was quick.  Very quick."
        "I imagine."  The beast sighed quietly.  "They are... methodical creatures, Aunger's minions."
        Roan found himself shuddering at those words.  He knew, certainly.  The dragon still hadn't explained... anything.  But she hadn't accused him of anything, either.  She was simply obviously aware of their "mission", offering to take them to safety and tell them what they hadn't been told before.  He waited with a tight stomach, unsure of whether he wanted to hear any of this.
        Aliyn took a deep breath, her tail raising and extending before flopping back onto the ground in a relaxed state.  "Well then, I suppose I should begin.  You've all been through so much, and explanation of all I know is the least I can offer."  She looked directly at Shadow, her head tilting ever so slightly as she regarded the eyes that were unnervingly similar to those of her specie.  "I knew a creature was coming through the gateway.  That's all I knew of you.  Your blood's past is... colorful, however."
        Those words didn't settle well, and Shadow didn't know why.  They could mean a number of humorous things, but... she knew that they didn't.  She wouldn't dare interrupt, however.  Maybe this would explain... something.
        "You've no doubt heard the tale of the Pin Princess."  The dragon's soft voice grew sad as she continued.  "Her blood is in your blood.  And it has been known to poison all of its possessors, in mind or in spirit.  You may have been aware of that much already."
        While everyone looked to her for a verbal response, they got none right away.  There wasn't really any she could give to that.  The "poison" spoken of may have explained her family line... or the ones that were still alive, anyway.  Things that happened, things that were said... and it's not like she came out of is unfazed, either.  She swallowed quietly, suddenly feeling a bit dry throated.  "Then... how would you explain me?"
        A full mouthed dragon grin is a sight to see.  Each tooth shone like a razor sharp pearl, and the warmth involved was enough to melt ice.  "You always knew you were crazy, did you not?"
        Everyone had a bit of a chuckle at that.  And it had made Shadow (and even Roan to a point) feel better about this storytelling.  "The Pin Princess is real, then?"
        "Absolutely."  Aliyn responded, resting one paw over the other and looking every bit like the gentle lady.  "The Aungrose--the sacred rose--is proof of that."  Her eyes were absolutely knowing, as if pulling up the image of the roses in the minds of the two that had witnessed them.  "But that's neither here nor there, now.  Her body has never been found, and it's the stuff of legends.  For now, that is the explanation of your bloodline.  So, you see, part of you... belongs here.  That's why I called."
        "You're the voice."  Shadow whispered in realization.
        "Yours truly."  The dragon joked.  "Legend says even we share the same blood.  Again, the stuff of legends.  Right now we've another matter to contend with.  Namely, Aunger."
        Roan was less than thrilled to have that voiced.  Never, for any reason, had he ever wanted to meet up with that man again.  Not even to kill him.
        Aliyn continued with a deep breath, putting all of her cards on the table at once.  "He's completely out of control.  We thought that he would... well, burn himself out, so to speak.  He is truly insane--we had no reason to suspect he wouldn't ultimately self-destruct.  That is, until the guardians of the Temple of Our Poisoned Lady disappeared."
        "Temple of Our Poisoned Lady?" Shadow repeated quietly.  She'd heard a lot of... interesting titles in her time that had to do with religious organizations, but never anything quite like that.
        The dragon nodded quickly.  "The Pin Princess.  Some suspect there are scriptures having to do with her exact location hidden within the very memories of the guardians themselves.  But I must remind you, this is legend.  Aunger was not so much for legend as he was for power.  His castle is proof of that.  It has never stopped growing."
        "So..." Shadow was desperately trying to keep up with all of this, "The legend isn't so much where the power is... it's people who believe in the legend he has power over."
        "That's it."  Aliyn responded.  "Although, he does have other power, too."  Her eyes lightly fell on the shivering boy.
        This conversation made Roan's whole body hurt.  Memories cascaded like an avalanche of sharp stones.  The man was cocky and sadistic--insane--enough to create his own power over people.  The legend was just a back-up to keep those same people in line.  Whatever his ultimate purpose was... well, he didn't think even Aunger himself knew that.  He finally found his voice, rough though it was.  "He feeds on the fear.  And he loves the suffering."
        The beast looked very apologetic all of a sudden, leaning her head down toward him just a bit.  "You see why we had every reason to believe he'd destroy himself, I hope."  She sighed, curling her tail closer to her body.  "But we should have stopped him.  I wish we'd have done more."
        "No one knew."  Evyn whispered genuinely.
        "And everyone was afraid."  Taerlyn added, remembering all of the horrible things she'd ever heard about the man.  Hell, her brother had been struck over it, once.  The king had power, alright; even over the very thoughts of his subjects, sometimes.
        Shadow waited in a calculating way.  She let her instincts run where they may to ensure they were told only the truth.  She never suspected the dragon of lying, but... no one could be too careful in this sort of situation.  "What's our place in this?"
        Aliyn swallowed softly.  There was really no way to prepare for a question of that sort.  It felt like she was sending them off to their fates; and in a way, she had to admit to herself that she was.  "I suppose you may have suspected.  I believe, between the four of you, you can stop him."
        The answering eyes of fire hardened slightly, and everyone held their breath.  "The four of us?" she kept her voice calm, but firm.  She didn't mind the siblings coming along, of course-- but they didn't belong in this battle.  And she sure as hell had no intentions of delivering Roan back to that bastard.  How could four measly human-ish creatures go up against a madman and his army?
        "Do you believe in the telling of the stars and fate?" the dragon asked quietly.
        What a question.  "Can't say I ever did."  Shadow responded casually.
        There was neither dejection nor disappointment of any kind in Aliyn's eyes.  "Well then, all I can tell you is that you already accepted your mission, and that you certainly won't survive alone.  Pure and simple logic, if you like."
        While her voice hadn't changed, Shadow's lips held the essence of a smile. "Logic never applied to me, either."
        "I'll go."  It was surprisingly Taerlyn that made the first offer with barely a moment's hesitation.  What?  She was going to see this girl that had saved her and her brother more times than she could count, probably in more ways than she even knew, go off by herself with the good possibility of never returning?
        Shadow opened her mouth to say something--what, she was uncertain--but was cut off quickly by Evyn's offer.  "Me, too."
        Roan was not quite as eager to add himself to the fire--but that didn't make it any less meaningful, actually.  He'd crossed his arms over his chest--to keep him warm, to feel safe, to try and settle his stomach--and stared at the ground in silence.  No, he couldn't stay behind.  It would be easier that way, sure.  Scary truth was, he may just follow this girl to the ends of the world; and had a feeling he may have to do just that.  But even beyond all of that... he owed it to them.  To all of them.  There was a debt of gratitude so great, it may never really be repaid.  Sure they'd hated him, tried to kill him, wanted to leave him behind to say the least.  But he'd definitely brought that upon himself.  They'd given him a chance after that, tentative though parts of it still were.  Besides, he wasn't just beginning to discover peace of mind to have it all ripped away.  "I know my way around."  He stated softly.
        So now we're tied to the stakes, waiting to be set on fire.  Shadow's pessimism insisted.  Strange as it was, though, it didn't detract from this... odd feeling she was getting.  She just felt... more solid, somehow.  She nearly laughed with the passing thought: Is this what it's like to be believed in?
        Aliyn's smile was bittersweet.  "It's a long way to the castle by foot.  But I'm certainly willing to fly until we reach the point of danger.  We can rest and decide upon a method then."
        It was at that moment that Shadow was finally stricken with the fact: they must have flown to where they were.  And she missed it!  Ah well, this time she'd be awake for it.  What an intriguing, fantastic idea--to ride on the back of a dragon.  She'd already done so on a unicorn, so why not? 

        Leaving the dragon alone to do some "pre-flight stretches", as she called them (Adrian watching with fascination), the group of four ventured down the side of the steep hill to stretch their legs and do whatever else they needed or wanted to do.  So they were "destined", now.  Together.  Officially.  Didn't feel all that different, strangely enough.
        Passing some low bushes on a rocky ledge, Shadow let her curiosity wander.  "What's it like?"
        Taerlyn instantly responded.  "It's scary!"  Despite her words, her face was lit up like flying on a dragon was the best thing that had ever happened to her.
        Evyn chuckled.  "'Scary' describes it very well.  It's fun, though.  If you hang on really tight."
        Shadow was not a person to place her hands in her pockets.  However, it seemed vaguely appropriate in an unconscious way.  There was this... nagging feeling crawling up her back, across her shoulder blades.  The end is coming.
        It wasn't so much an Ides of March warning or anything.  It was just a passing, matter-of-fact thought.  The outcome was still vastly uncertain.  But either way... there was going to be an end to all of this, by some means or another.  The idea was a little jarring, to say the least.  Just what might happen afterward?  Suddenly the end to their journey had become a death of sorts--death beyond an end of life.  This idea of such finality... was a little unnerving.
        She glanced up to gaze surreptitiously upon the friends she'd made, walking alongside.  Hell, more than just friends--family, soul mates.  Weird concept.  They'd come... a long way.  So long that an end to all of it actually seemed frightening.  And, with the continued glances, she began to realize the same group of thoughts were passing over the rest of them, as well.
        Ridiculous.  She reminded herself.  There was far too much left to do to even think of an end to it.  They couldn't let their concentration slide that easily.  Having a dragon befriend them meant only that they wouldn't have to walk a few extra days, and that was all.  They still had to rely on every bit of what they had to get through this.  And they had to avenge Sandy, besides.
        "Alright, kiddies!" they heard from above.  "Let's get this show in the air!" 

        Taerlyn's eyes were closed tightly for the first ten minutes as she grasped at the soft second layer of leathery back scales, white knuckled.  Shadow found that she could hardly blink, let alone close her eyes.  She'd been on a small plane, and even a huge roller coaster, once.  But that was nothing.  That was a sneeze compared to flying in style.  The take-off--otherwise known as "flinging jump-off"--had left a little to be desired, though.  Mostly warning.  Also, seat belts.
        Aliyn's muscles flexed powerfully with every movement of her wings, and the sound of their flapping was almost as loud as the wind whipping past.  Adrian had dug his claws right into Shadow's right pant leg, his mouth wide open like an excited dog in a car--only, every direction was like a window.  A dog's paradise.
        Roan was terrified for the first few moments, electing to stare straight down and try to zone out until he could get a grip on the situation.  The many experiences he'd had with any sort of creature before he'd met their group were always... unpleasant.  It took quite a bit of willpower to get over that.  After a few minutes, and seeing Taerlyn loosen up a little, he was able to lean back a bit and enjoy the ride.
        Evyn was quite literally going back and forth between fear and exhilaration--and he rather liked it that way.  He had to admit, if only to himself, safe adrenaline was good adrenaline.  But only the safe kind.  So long as he held on, really tight.
        The landscape opened up before them, showing fields, valleys and desert cliffs that could really only be appreciated from their height above them.  Shadow had thought this flight might save them days, but it became clear that it was more like weeks, if not even longer.  There was even a spot of tundra in the distance from where they were, seemingly out of place.  This world was utterly massive.
        Watching Bright Sun set from where they were was absolutely awe-inspiring.  Even Roan let out a mild, "Oooh."  Making the view even more amazing, Dim Sun was in such a rotation that it hit the horizon right afterward, casting a red glow across the twilight.  It was absolutely beautiful.
        Mere moments later, Aliyn began to descend in a shallow valley.  It was a hell of a lot more smooth than a small plane, with a lot more precision.  Even at the very end, when her rear feet made contact with the ground, she ran along with her wings facing forward to act as a slowing mechanism (their supplies kindly grasped within her front talons, only slightly hindering her braking).  All their trip was missing were those annoying little bags of peanuts.
        The dragon finally stopped with a great deep breath and laid down flat on her belly.  She panted through her speech, though that was barely noticeable.  "I'm afraid this is as far as I can fly you."
        "That's quite alright."  Shadow assured.  "You've saved us a lot of walking."
        "And 'food'."  Taerlyn added.
        Aliyn chuckled, catching her breath as her passengers slid off.  "Tomorrow morning, I can hunt for you.  You'll have some real food to carry you through.  And a bath."
        Evyn almost looked like he could cry.  "That's so kind of you."
        Shadow chuckled, pulling Adrian from her leg and placing him on the ground.  "Yes, thank you.  For everything."
        The beast turned her head and smiled sleepily.  "You can thank me when the journey is over.  For now, rest.  It may well be hard passing to get to the castle from here."
        Well, that thought wasn't very appealing to any of them.  But, the resting part of it seemed good enough to follow through.  As Adrian continued to stare in awe at the creature so similar to himself, the siblings began to gather the firewood.  Shadow went about getting their supplies in order.  That done, she looked around for their suddenly missing member. 

        Roan sat near the edge of the valley, all too close to the danger ahead of them.  He stared toward that point his eyes could no longer make out clearly, though he knew it was there--Aunger's castle, without a doubt.  More than a day away from where they were.  Maybe more than two, it was hard to tell.  The castle was unimaginably huge, but it was a mere memory in the distance.
        It took him a moment to realize something warm had settled next to him.  When he glanced over, comforting eyes of flame met his gaze.  "We've been promised a bath before we go."  She announced in quiet, good humor.
        He made a weak attempt to grin.  "We could all use it, I bet."
        Shadow pulled just a touch closer, looking outward as he had done.  "That's it, huh?"
        "Yeah."  It was a rush of air more than a word.
        She kept staring, trying to make that tiny speck out... but of course it was useless.  Her eyes weren't that good from such a distance, either.  Still, she tried.  It distracted all of the stupid questions that were floating around in her head for a moment, anyway.  She was pretty sure he didn't want to be answering to her at a time like this; especially regarding what she wanted to ask about.  There was so much she didn't know--maybe that was because she already knew far too much about some things.  Maybe it was best to remain in the dark...
        "I... can do this."  He whispered flatly.
        She turned her eyes to him curiously.  She got the feeling he wasn't really talking to her, but she'd listen anyway.
        He took a deep, shaking breath before turning to face her again.  His voice was... uncharacteristically sheepish.  "I just... don't know what will happen.  Aunger... is capable of a lot of things.  None of them... good."
        "So I've heard."  She scooted even closer, offering herself up for any comfort he needed.
        "It's different, now."  He sighed, hesitant even to allow himself that comfort, so freely offered.
        "Because you give a fuck about us?" she attempted.
        At least that inspired a real grin.  "Yeah."  He let himself cast an arm around her lower back.  "But... he'll want revenge.  And he's very good at revenge."  He shivered, bits and pieces of memories striking him.  Mostly of the screams he'd heard when he had been granted leave of the situations.  Putting any one of their voices in that place--
        "We're going to have to try not to think about it."  Cold statement though it was, she knew it to be true.  Too much thought was far worse than not enough.  "Goal accomplished... we'll come back for each other, if we need to."  The bitter taste in her mouth after that statement reminded her of  all of the shitty glorified war movies she'd ever seen, and it made her nauseous.
        "Yeah."  He responded again, unable to think of anything else.
        She closed her eyes in a moment of surrender, simply leaning against him.  Yes, this was going to be hard.  She could only pray that there wouldn'tbe any leaving behind.  The very thought... it was awful.  The familiar question, Why me? came up...
        "Come on, lovebirds."  They heard Aliyn tease.  "If you don't get to sleep soon, there won't be any time for breakfast tomorrow."
        "That is a threat."  Shadow announced. 

        Truth be told, they were all achingly tired.  The chance to sleep early and in safety just couldn't be passed up.
        And yet it was still a little hard at that point in time.  Taerlyn had been the first to bed, Shadow (surprisingly) not that long behind her, but sleep proved hard to grasp.  Fatigue just didn't seem to be enough.
        Aliyn had taken her new protégé out for a bit of a gliding lesson, assured of everyone's relative safety.  That left only Roan and Evyn, sitting at the fire.  It was laughable, in a way.  Literally days ago, they'd have been at one another's throats, if not worse.  Now it was just comfortable, inward silence.  Of the nearly friendly sort, even.
        Evyn chuckled quietly with the full realization of it.  When the other boy's eyes fell on him, he dismissed the curious look with a shake of the head.  "Just thinking.  It's amazing any of us survived."
        Roan grinned slightly, nodding.  "I'm surprised either of us made it this far.  And completely in tact."
        "And I am sorry for that.  I really am."  He countered, honestly.
        "Don't apologize."  The other boy responded firmly, but thankfully.  "We had our reasons then.  And much better ones now, I think."  He let a smile cross his features.
        Evyn slowly realized how perhaps that very smile had melted through Shadow's shields; sliced through her defenses like a honed razor, surprised and scared her at the same time to see a monster with such... heart.  It seemed that the hard, cruel eyes of the boy that had threatened to cut his sister's throat had disappeared.  "But you... you worried me."  He admitted quietly, almost to himself.  "Scared me, really.  When I saw the two of you together... I don't know..."  He stopped to look at the ground, gathering his thoughts.  "We'd become family... and I just really wanted you dead."
        Roan tried to keep his laughter quiet so as not to wake the others.  "I understand.  And believe me, I really do."  There were a million unspoken things in that statement--but they'd remain that way.  "I know what I'm capable of... or was, anyway."
        "You're... proving to be a good man, Roan."  Evyn admitted softly.
        He blinked, honored and somewhat horrified.  "No, no, I only try.  You're a better man than I, in life..."
        "I don't think so."  The blonde admitted.  "I just... never had the experiences you did."  It was a wonder how things had shifted.  All he needed was to see the way Shadow was around the boy for confirmation.  He was quite sure she wouldn't put up with the least bit of shit thrown her direction.
        "Mmmm."  Roan muttered softly.  "Am I deserving of your sister?"
        "No."  The "big brother" grinned.
        Even after being labeled unworthy, he was grateful for laughing again.  "I worry, though...  I do worry about... this..."
        Evyn turned and looked to his newest sibling for a good, long time, then turned back.  "I worry, too..."  He paused, thinking about a way to state his thoughts.  "I really worry about her... going back to her world..."
        "This is my world."  Shadow whispered gently, not so much as opening her eyes.
        He nodded suddenly, very slowly to himself.  She had a damn good point for a sleeping girl.  "Yes.  I think it is."
        Roan smiled gladly, looking toward the girl who still laid unmoving.  "How much did you hear?"
        "Everything."  She whispered in the same tone.  No one even pretended to be surprised.
        "You may as well come sit with us."  Evyn invited warmly, scooting over and patting the dirt between he and Roan.  "After all, you know the topic..."
        She smiled and quickly, quietly threw the covers off.  Stretching, she sat between them, looking quite glad not to be laying down and grasping for a sleep that wouldn't come.  "It's been hell, huh?"
        Her brother by default shook his head and smiled.  "Not completely.  No, it's not been fun all the time..." he trailed off, glancing at Taerlyn who seemed to be waking up.
        Shadow peered into the starry sky, trying to find the words without getting all mushy and stuff.  "I think... this is where I've always really belonged."
        Roan regarded her words for a moment.  "This does feel right..." he agreed, his voice far quieter than what he'd have liked.  He worried when something felt right, even now.  It never seemed to last, that way--and he hated to think like that.
        From Taerlyn's bed, a tired voice mumbled, "Do you think we're all going to die?"
        Shadow grinned brightly, looking at the yawning girl.  "Some day, sure."
        Ter shot her a glance that she was almost proud of, then stumbled over to the fire and plopped down next to Evyn.  Rubbing her eyes, she said, in a sleepily slow kind of way, "I just keep wondering about it.  If we're going to live through everything..."
        "We have so far."  Evyn commented, his voice showing only the least bit of frailty.  "Not that it's much to be said..."
        "I think it is."  Shadow added softly.  "It's a lot to live through."
        Roan took a deep breath with the memories those words sparked.  He knew what lay ahead... would not be pleasant.  Or easy.  They would really need to rely on one another.  And, dammit, he was not going to let them down.
        Another silence, wrapped around warm and soft like a blanket.  It was a comfort more than anything else, to sit with one another and just... be silent.  Some people would find that uncomfortable, or just irritating.  But they'd somewhat gone beyond that point to where silence was the same as conversation.
        "'Ain't it fun when you know that you're gonna die young.'"  Shadow haphazardly uttered, reminded of only one song in that moment.  Strange that should be the one.  Unnerving, too.
        "No."  Evyn responded with humor.  As another moment of silence passed over them, he realized... that threat of breakfast could have been true.  He was hungry as it was, for something that wasn't canned.  He didn't even care what it was, so long as it was "natural" food.  His body was starting to feel tired, as well.  A lot more tired than his mind, but they all really could use the rest.  Hell, Taerlyn looked to be nodding off little by little.
        Shadow took a breath, knowing it was time for this night to end.  And in sleep, of all things.  It seemed sort of... cheap, somehow.  This night was a threshold, and they had to let it go through their unconsciousness.  It was aggravating.  But necessary, she knew that.  Sleep was as important as food.  And then a bath... that was a nice thought.