Strongbow sat in a chair beside the bed, reading the book of Nim’Alkar. Maya was away again on another trip to acquire more of the special mushrooms required for the spell of healing. He understood much more now of what had happened to Veil at the ceremony.

Each of the two swords had a similar power; they siphoned energy to help their respective wielders or increase their own powers. Nim’Alkar drew her power from the earth, but Wrath drew his power from living beings. When the bond had been severed between Q’wellen and Wrath, the angry sword had tried lash out at Veil, but distance affected the evil blade’s effectiveness, and it resulted in a slow, life draining sickness, instead of instant death. It was a weak but deadly bond, if given enough time. The spell they were working on would easily break this bond and partially heal Veil, but who knew how much longer they had to accomplish the process?

Von closed the book in his lap, his gaze drifting to where Nim’Alkar sat in its rack over Veil’s chest of drawers. It had been silent since the ceremony, and he wondered if indeed he had the ability required to awaken her. He truly hoped so; Veil’s very life depended on it. He heard the door open and close downstairs and sensed a familiar presence. Strongbow rose and placed the book on the seat of his chair. Leaning to kiss Veil’s cheek, he walked to the bedroom door and with a lingering glance back at Veil, he slipped outside and went downstairs to greet his soul sister who had finally returned from her journey.

“Welcome back seler, I was almost beginning to worry.” He winked at her, then a smile graced Strongbow’s features as he and Maya embraced warmly.

“I’m sorry toror.” Maya apologized. “It took longer than I thought it would.” She frowned a little then continued to explain. “Those pesky pixies... they wanted to play this time, an... well… I didn’t want to insult them or anything, so’s I waited til they gots tired of all the games and fell asleep, an I guess I did too! When I wakeded up, I asked ‘em if’n I could have some more of those special ‘shrooms, and it took some talkin to ‘em, but they said yes. So.. I picked a bunch in a hurry and got out of there!”

Strongbow chuckled softly. “I’m just glad you are back in one piece!”

Maya disengaged herself from Strongbow’s arms and moved to the chest in the entryway. “I can take care of myself you know..” She countered with mock indignation. “Did you learn what you needed to do from the book?”

Von studied her thoughtfully for a moment before answering, “Uma, at least, I discovered the how of it… whether or not I can actually do it is still in question however.”

“What do you mean?” She asked and stopped her rummaging in the chest long enough to cast a puzzled look his way.

“Well, it seems that in all of Nim’Alkar’s history, there has never been a male to bear the blade. All have been female.” Strongbow paused, waiting for Maya to finish in the chest. When she stood and turned around he continued. “It makes me wonder a little more about what Zhi said before she left. About how the blade would react…”

“It wouldn’t hurt you would it?” Maya’s face held a look of concern as she realized this may not be as simple as she had previously hoped.

“Hurt me? Hmm, n’uma, I don’t think so.” He replied. “At least not in anger or on purpose, if that’s what you mean. As you know seler, everything has its price.”

Maya nodded silently, not liking at all his last statement. “I know…” She lowered her head with a soft sigh.

Strongbow lifted her chin and smiled into her eyes reassuringly. “Don’t worry hon. But come, we must hurry. Let’s go upstairs and see what we can do…”