Home Coming....(open)

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

The ship had finally docked in the Port of Turas Lan. Kae had paced her quarters, her children slept, their belongings packed in trunks. Arrangements were now being made to acquire a carriage to take them to Raven's Crest... the home Darius had built as a wedding gift.

She was still not happy that he had sent her to spend the Yule here in Scotland and while he stayed in Argania, but after long discussions about all that was happening there she knew he was right. He wanted his wife and children safe and to him no better place could offer that except Skye, Adam, Bess and Dmitrii would all see to it... he felt that to his very soul.

Darius had even sent word to Bess, Adam and Dmitrii of Kaelyn's arrival with the twins....though Kae herself was unaware of this.

"My Lord and Lady of Skye,

Lord and Lady Aberdeen,

I write to you now to say that things here in Argania are not of the best. When we arrived we found that Kerrigan had been poisoned by some unknown person or person's for reason not yet known. I felt it best to have Kae and the twins spend the Yule there with you, until I can settle things here. I have sent a missive to Dmitrii as well explaining things as he is her brother.

I know not how long this will take, and as you know Kae is most stubborn at times... Ciara our nanny will travel with her as well as Pagan and Phantom. I mentioned to her about staying at the Castle with you or even with Dmitrii but she insisted on staying at Raven'sCrest, but it is so isolated there.

I am sorry for the ill timing of this letter but know that if I did not fell it was necessary I would not be writing or sending them there. I know this sounds cryptic, I will send word when I can. Thank you... my friends.

I shall write soon.

Lord Darius Urquhart-Raven"



There group was small and traveled well into the night to reach her home. All precautions were met and followed as Darius had instructed Pagan and Phantom. The ship they came on flew no flag that could be identified, and once the sun set they arranged for horses, all were cloaked from head to toe and moved in small numbers as not to draw unwanted attention.

Kae and Ciara each caried a babe strapped to them in a sling of sorts as they rode. Snow had begun to fall by the time they reached the clearing that sheltered her home... and when it came into view a small smile graced her lips " Home" she whispered and instinctively she turned to look at Darius who was not there and the smile vanished.

Pagan and Phantom helped the women to dismount, Phantom took the horses to the stable in back as Pagan led the women to the house. Once they were inside Kae and Ciara laid the children down in their cribs and set about to tidy the place though it did not take long. Pagan went outside to gather wood to make a fire, which he did in no time... soon the fire warmed the house. Once all inside were settled the Pagan went to hunt so they could eat something other than the bread and cheese they had, and Phantom went to town to get supplies.

Kae noticed that Ademar was not around but a note had been left...

" Suisan,

I have gone to Blackmoor to spend a few days with family... thank you for offering to tend the house and keep it clean for me. You are most kind.

Ademar"


Leave it to him to find a woman to help him out.... Kae chuckled softly to herself. " Ciara why don't you go and rest, Garet and Jelani are sleeping.Take the room at the top of the stairs... first on the left." when Ciara would have said nay... she held up a hand " Go... we are fine." she said with a soft smile. Ciara nodded and yawned and went upstairs.

Kae moved the cradle closer to the fire and sat in the chair Darius had built for her to rock the babes in. She stared at the flames and wished her husband were with them, hopefully by Christmas he would be here? She hugged herself missing him more than she could say, but she would do this as he had asked .

And soon they would be together right??

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Snow blanketed the ground in white, those in those in the house slept peacefully all but one that is. Kae sat by her children's cradle in front of the fire thinking of days gone by.

How many times had she and Darius sat here wrapped in love talking of the future and all it would hold for them. She could almost feel his large hand stroking her swollen belly laughing softly when a babe within would kick at his hand. " Soon enough wee one ye shall greet this world and yer Mum and I." he crooned softly.

A faint smile curved rose hued lips... blue eyes drifted to the cradle where her son and daughter slept unaware that their father was not here with them.

The house seemed so large now without him to help fill it. Smoke drifted out from the chimney and swirled about the home like a beacon to all that once more someone was in residence at Raven's Crest.

No longer able to just sit Kae stood and grabbed a fur blanket from the settee and wrapped it around her and walked to the window to look out at the snow falling...." Darius... my love I miss you so." she whispered to the soft flakes as the drifted to the ground.

She loved the snow, it always made her think of her childhood and times shared with her father in Argania and the times they spent in the forests there.

She stood at the window for a long time how long she knew not, it was then she heard a familiar voice " M'love... ye need tae rest... come tae bed." she turned and looked around to find no one there.... with a soft sigh she went to the settee and laid down.

Closing her eyes her mind was filled with images of Darius, his laugh, the way he smelled of pine and leather, the sound of him breathing as he slept..... tears slid down her face as she drifted to sleep.

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Adam was sitting at the desk in the Library when the messenger gave him the missive from Lord Darius. Breaking the Arganian seal, he canted his head and looked at the messenger... "Get mae Lord Zurban... 'e is in the guards' quarters..."

Tapping his chin with the paper, momenst seemed as hours, as he contemplated his next actions... When Dmitrii entered, Adam stood up...

"Aye M'Lord, you summoned me?" Dmitrii said with a slight bow of his head. "I was about to go on patrol..."

"Yae shall bae replaced this time mae brother..."He hands Dmitrii the missive... "Knaew this... Ah'm at yer disposal..."

"Chort..." [chyt] Dmitrii simply replyed. Looking to Adam... "Skye is my priority now M'Lord... Darius can handle all there is to do in Argania... " then he paused and looked to Adam... "I shall meet my sister and her family at the docks M'Lord... Can she stay at the Castle M'Lord...?"

"Aye Dmitrii... gae meet wit yer family... bring 'em here... they are always welcomed here sir..."

That said, Dmitrii bowed deeply... turning to go to the docks to meet with his sister and her family... all the while, his mind churning the subversion in Skye and now Argania...

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

By the time Dmitrii arrived at the dock all that was left there was a large galleon ship with a few armed Arganian Knight's there. Kaelyn and her children had been taken to their home during the night for safety reason's.

One knight recognizing Dmitrii approached him and bowed his head " M'Lord Zurban I was instructed that should I see you to let you know that your sister and her children are once more in residence at Raven's Crest... Pagan and Phantom are there as well." he said in a deep voice. Thrain was dressed in the colors of Argania, green and gold, yet the ship bore no markings and flew no flag of any kind. To most it would be just another ship passing through. He met Dmitrii's gaze and gave him a nod. " I must see that the men are settled M'Lord... by your leave." though he did not move waiting to be dismissed before returning to his duties aboard the ship. Thrain had been told by Kae that Dmitrii was the Prince of Argania, and should be treated as such by all who serve Argania in anyway. Thrain was as loyal to Argania as his father had been, he would lay down his life for the Royal family all of them.

Meanwhile back at Ravens'Crest.....

Kae had been unable to sleep, and was once more looking out the window at the falling snow in her arms was her son who seemed unable to sleep as well. She swayed with him in a gentle rhythm to coax him back to sleep as she hummed softly to him.

She was unaware of all that was happening back in Argania and she watched and waited for her husband to come so they could celebrate the Yule together... with friends and family. She stared at the road leading to the house til her eyes burned before she once more sat in the rocking chair by the fire.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

It has been several weeks since Kaelyn and her children along with Ciara had arrived back at Raven's Crest. The Yule was pleasant and quietly spent with only a few gathered.

Kae was becoming more and more concerned for Darius still had not arrived nor has there been word of what is keeping him. Unable to sit any longer she informed Ciara she was going for a ride and would return later. Ciara nodded to her Lady and set about daily tasks.

Up the stairs Kae went to ready herself for her ride.... she had heard that unrest was once more on the rise... would Skye ever see peace?? Ademar had returned from his visit with family at Blackmoor , she would have him remain here.... to guard her children and home.

Descending the stairs dressed in her usual ranger garb white tunic shirt lacing in the front, black leather pants, with black knee-high boots. The difference being the light weight armor she wore as well... her sword strapped to her hip, bow in hand and armed with several daggers.... she was not one to mess around. She after all was the Elite Ranger of Skye as well as a Knight here.

" Ciara... I go to patrol and to see my brother." she said and then turned to Ademar ". Remain here keep watch and send word if aught is amiss... you know my route... Pagan and Phantom shall accompany me." Ademar met her gaze, nodded Adan went to his 'post' but was close enough if Ciara needed him. Kae had to chuckle seeing the braw knight holding her children one in each arm and bouncing them gently. " One day Ademar you will make a fine Da to children of your own." she winked at him and walked out of the house.

This day she would ride her large black warhorse Baran and Zhara was now with foal... thanks to Seledorn Darius's fine stallion. Saddling the black and attaching her bow to her saddle she mounted, the two Shadow Knight's were already awaiting their Lady.

They wore their black armor with the Golden Griffin as well as the symbol of Argania emblazoned on the chest plate... a sign of loyalty to both countries and a Yule gift from her and Darius.

She gave each a nod and smiled " We patrol first and then seek my brother." she said as she gently kneed Baran forward." Lead us M'Lady we follow you as always." Pagan said in a deep yet quiet voice with a worried look to Phantom. Neither had missed the look in her blue eyes telling that there was something wrong but they would leave it be for now.

~~ Meanwhile back in Argania~~

Darius had left with twelve trusted and finely trained knight's to patrol and follow information obtained about any and all who sought to cause the Royal family harm. That was weeks ago right after he had sent his family to Scotland for the Yule.... no word has been heard from the since.

A villager came to the Castle and begged to speak with King Kerrigan ( as he still held the crown until Kae could safely return). It was from this man they heard the tale of Darius and his Knight's. Bodies littered the field... there were no survivors... that he had heard of. This was not good news for sure and Kerrigan would have to tell his cousin the future Queen that her husband maybe dead! He bellowed and rage filled him, first he would send out troops to see if this man spoke true.

Four days later the word had come the tale was indeed correct though they would continue to search. Kerrigan immediately dispatched two missive's.... one to Kaelyn herself and one to the Lord and Lady Aberdeen explaining all and asked that Kae have faith that Darius would be found... to write those words nearly ripped his heart from his chest. She had been through so much and finally found happiness and love only to have it possibly snatched to soon from her. He would not rest until they had proof the Darius was indeed no longer with the living for now he was listed as missing, as were the men with him including Bjorn.

Bjorn's brother Malcor would carry the missives to Scotland, with orders to personally deliver them to the intended parties.

He left at dawn the next day and would travel by horse... for unlike most of his kin he had no love for the sea or for ships, he would arrive within the week.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

The sun was up but offered no warmth against the chill of the day as the three rode in silence. Covered in thick cloaks of fur wearing armor they patroled the lands... the trappings on thier horse making tinkling sounds with every step.

Completing the circuit around the lake they were now heading towards the city, passing through a small village people smiled and waved at the all to familiar faces of the three knight's. When a young boy ran towards them calling her name... she soun in her sadlle to see a face she remembered all to well.. it was young Duncan a child she had found after the floods. Reining Baran in she called a halt..." Duncan... ye have grown lad. How are you?" she asked her tone light and friendly.

They chatted a bit Duncan was now three and ten and asked if he could become a squire to her or one of her knight's... she looked from the youth to Pagan and Phantom... it was Pagan who spoke first " I will take him as a squire and train him if his parent's agree." he said in a rich deep voice Phantom nodded " Aye, we will train him." Duncan all but jumped up and down. He was lder than most tobe a squire but he was eager and they all smiled. His mother and father nodded and greed to the deal. " Duncan do what is needed and in two weeks time come to Raven's Crest... " she said and ruffled the boys hair and once more they set off to finish their patrol.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

The three Knight's were heading for Turas Lan when a rider was spotted riding straight at them as if the hounds of hell were on his heels.

Kaelyn brought her mount to a halt Pagan and Phantom did the same stopping next to her. The lone rider carried a standard they knew well bearing the mark of Argania... with a white wolf's head on a green and gold flag.

Her heart began to thunder in her chest... perhaps he brought news that her husband had finally arrived. Pagan and Phantom looked at the rider and then at each other a sense that something was not right hit them, but they remained silent. They knew that if Malcor were here then things must be grave...


It took all she had not to urge Baran forward and meet the rider but Pagan's hand on her as they held her reins stayed her where she was. Malcor drew his great grey warhorse to a sudden stop flinging dirt about in the process as he held out a missive to her... his eyes the same shade of amber as Bjorn's looked at her regretfully " M'Lady... my Queen.... Kerrigan sent me to give you this missive..." he bowed in his saddle and moved his horse back... not wanting to be close when she broke the seal. That gesture gave her two Shadow Knight's more to worry over.

She broke the seal and read the words... her heart shatering within her and she threw her head back and let out a very primal screm born of pain, rage and disbelief." Lies!!! It cannot be!!" she wailed. Letting the paper flutter to the ground she turned Baran and put her knees to his sides and sent him galloping towards the mountains she needed to think... to breathe.

Pagan dismounted and picked up the missive read the words... and cursed aloud "Krekk!!!"( Chyte!) " We ride for the Castle to find Lord Dmitrii, or General Maahes... I do not know about you lads but I for one am not going to approach her in her current state...mayhap one of them can get through to her." without another word the three headed to find either Maahes or Dmitrii better yet perhaps both.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Kae had riden for what felt like hours... the words of her cousin swirling in her mind...lost is how she felt. Darius was missing and possibly dead? How was she to go on? Would she now have to raise her children alone? She could not stop the thoughts, once more she reined Baran to an abrupt halt eyes burning with ehr tears... she turned him for Raven'sCrest.

Rage consumed her... how could he leave them? How could he be gone? He was the part of her that was good and loving... and now that was gone. Her chest heaved in gulps of air as she rode hell bent to her home and children.

Sadness filled her that they would never know his deep voice, his gentle touch. Sadness was replaced by anger that he had sent her away... them away. If she had been there maybe he would be with them now.

Blue eyes turned to icy anger... he promised he would alwys be here for her and the children. He was to teach their son to use a sword, their daughter to ride. Now it would not be!

Raven's Crest came into view and with it her heart grew heavier and her anger took a firm grip around her heart and squeezed hard until it felt as though it would explode." Damn you Darius... Why?? Why did you leave us? I cannot do this on my own." she said softly to herself.

In front of thier home she dismounted Baran with a leap from his back and stormed into the house... heading for Darius's private den. Looking about she became angrier... it smelled of him.... pine, leather, and the man himself. Grief consumed the young warrior woman and she picked up the nearest object and heaved it at the wall. A cold smile curved lips of rose as she watched it shatter into a million pieces.

Ciara came running down the stairs from where she had been in the nursery with the twins. " M'Lady?? What is amiss?" she asked from beyond the locked door... her only answer from KAe was screaming in her native language... Ademar ran into the house as well. Pagan, Phantom, and Malcor had stopped to speak to him on their way to Turas Lan to deliver another letter addressed to Adam and Bess.

Hearing the wailes from within the room and looking to Ciara he spoke " Get the children pack some things I will take you to Griffin Castle until we can calm her down.... it is a precaution only. She will not hurt the children that I know but.... her grief is strong and she is greatly pained.... Darius is missing and all presume him to be dead." his tone firm and flat. His eyes speaking more than words as he dealt with his own kind of grief. Ciara nodded and did as he asked. Once things were packed and the children ready they left for the Castle.

When he returned he would try to talk to Kae, now was not the time she needed to vent and deal with the blow she had been dealt with the news.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

The solar was in total disarray... things lay on the floor broken, as she is her grief and anger threw anything and everything she had gotten her hands on.

Walls bore marks of where she had stood and pounded her fists against them until the skin ripped and bled but she did not let that stop her. Hand bloodied and torn she continued in her rampage.. not seeming to care.. about anything.

Her grief torn her from the inside out... her thoughts clouded as Kae screamed his name over and over " DARIUS!!! DARIUS WHY DID YOU LEAVE US!?" soon her voice was faint and hoarse.

Tears streamed down her cheeks... she fell to her knees holding the one thing she had not destroyed and that was his clan tartan... she cradled it to her chest.

She had sat there a long time and just when one would think the storm over she once more stood and paced the room grief, anger, and loss consumed the young female warrior and Knight. Kae looked around and saw the proof of her emotions... lifting a chair she heaved it at the fire place and once more she tore through the room and anything she got her hands on went flying.

[Dame Kaelyn Urquhart-Raven]

Dawn came and with it the normal sound of men praticing with blades echoed in the wind. The last thing Kae remembered was being at the Briar Rose Inn doing her best to drown her emotions in the heady taste of rumm and lots of it.

Her head felt as if Thor himself were tossing his hammer around in it and her jaw felt as though she had slammed into a wall... slowly she opened her eyes and groaned as the light made her head hurt more.

Soft chuckles from somewhere near her had her turning slowly.. it was then she realized she was not at Raven'sCrest, but in the familiar surrounding of her tent.... the camp? Her eyes slolwy focused on a familiar face... Pagan... who was looking at her.

" What is so funny may I ask?" she hissed out her hand laying against her head as if to stop the pounding within. He smiled softly " Naught a thing Lady, save for that you look like hell." his voice soft as his eyes danced with mirth.... oh yeah she had tied on a good drunk and him having to hit her wold impact that as well.

" I will apologize now for my part in your agony, but had you just come with me it would not have ended as it did." he said pointing to his jaw... she then touched her own and winced. Eyes flashed angry blue briefly " You hit me?" she asked as she sat up slowly.

He nodded and a slow smile curved her lips " Only you would do such without fear of forfieting your life." her words soft for even speaking made her head throb. Metal clashing against metal rang out clear in the morning quiet "I will dress and practice we can talk more later, but first tell me... do I need ot apologize to any for actions I cannot remember?" she met his gaze. Once more he shook his head in a negative manner " Nay, I did that for you last night as I took you from the Inn." he gave her a brief nod and bow and then left giving her privacy in which to freshen up and change.

Her mouth felt like a woodland creature had deciced to make its home there... smacking her tongue against the roof of her mouth, rising she walked ot the small table where a pitcher of water and a basin waited, fresh mint leaves to freshen her mouth aswell. Pagan had though of everything except to make the pain in her head go away. She smiled.... having cleaned up and dressed she left the tent. All the eyes of her men came to rest on her... some filled with sorrow and others filled with trepidition as to ehr mood.

She waved " Fear not I am well and no recourse will be taken." she chuckled softly. " Now let us practice and prepare for the war looming on our horizon... we need to be ready to defend Skye at all costs." With that said she walked toward the list in the camp the proud warrior though her heart was frozen within her... still not wanting to believe her husband was dead.