And then, someone emerged from the shadow of the courtyard door ...
Rennyb and Chance noted this and watched the small figure
approach ... Its scarlet robes swirled like fluid with the graceful
movement of the new arrival ... A hood concealed any distinguishing
feature ...

It circled the globe of energy until it stood near Rennyb and
Chance ... Despite his relaxed posture, Rennyb was focused on this
individual ... Tiny hairs on his neck were beginning to stand up ...

It turned to Rennyb and pulled back the hood enough to reveal an
angular face of bone-white skin and jade eyes, halloed in jet-black
hair ...

"For one who has not a long life-span, you are wise, magician," he
said with almost musical intonation ... He turned to Chance, who
would not take her eyes off of him, and he said, "It is good to see
you, again, milady."

Chance shifted in her seat, feeling an odd twist in her
stomach ... "Do I
know you?" she asked ...

He smiled and replied, "Of a facet, or as you know the warmth of a
shadow." Here he turned and stepped through the shining globe ...
Rennyb and Chance turned to each other, brows furrowed ... When they
looked back, the scarlet one was standing between the Ravenlord and
Rhiobhan, and he looked up at the latter ... He cocked his head to
the side ...

"She hasn't caught up yet," he whispered, "but this too shall pass."
He faced the Ravenlord and touched him lightly on the arm ... The
Ravenlord looked down at the scarlet one, then slowly walked out of
the shimmering globe ...

Upon emerging, he looked back over his shoulder at Rhiobhan, then
turned his fiery gaze back on Chance ... For a moment, Chance thought
she saw a wistful look crack through the Ravenlord's stony
countenance ... And then, she heard -- felt, rather -- his hollow
voice in the deep reaches of her mind ...

*It is good to see you, again, milady* he said ...

She blinked at that, and in that beat he had vanished from sight ...
Rennyb didn't mark his passing, for he was intent upon Rhiobhan and
the scarlet one ...

Standing where the Ravenlord had been moments ago, he reached up and
took Rhiobhan's hand from where it had been frozen in space and time
against the Ravenlord's now-absent cheek ... He placed her hand
against his own cheek ...

"Now, let the tale unfold, and the dance resume," he said ...


Poe