Nightshade

Shavronne - yuletide travels

Shavronne sighed.  December 21st. He'd hoped to get to give astrida good first yule after the adventure they'd had getting the second fragment,  but the truth was they couldn't afford to wait any longer to continue. He looked over the maps of the Sierra Nevadas,  then the list of gear he was going to have to get set up for each of the group. Everyone had insisted on going,  considering the fact aeris was likely here in wait.  He thought back to the description of the dream uriel had been having.  Red feathers and whimpering... he had an odd feeling about that. Someone must have kept the blade from aeris all this time, he suspected. But there wasn't any proof. And eri knew something about it,  but she certainly was staying close lipped.  Astrid had come in while he was thinking,  gently laying a hand on his shoulder. "Shav,  you need sleep.  We will finish running last second checks tomorrow. Come to bed." He sighed and set down the papers,  leaning up and kissing her before standing from his desk,  stretching.  Astrid handed him a warm mug of mulled wine,  and he took a long sip, enjoying the warmth that radiated through him. Where would he be without Astrid and Cody... speaking of which,  here he came.  He looked so much happier,  his wings huge and beautiful, and his eyes no longer were filled with pain. "Shavronne,  I know you're about to go to bed,  I just wish for permission for something." He smiled and clasped his old friend by the shoulder "anything for you." "I want to come, shav.  I can leave frey in charge,  I've been training her.  I just... I won't risk losing my charge again simply because I wasn't there.  Especially..." Shavronne nodded "with you getting a second chance." He nodded back "exactly.  Please Herr,  it's all I ask." Shavronne thought a moment.  While he was nervous about the idea of his best friend coming,  he had to admit he understood the personal need for him. "Yes Cody,  you are of course free to go. But don't let your guard down on this trip,  your mother is keeping something from us" he frowned "I'm sorry to hear that." Shavronne shrugged, exhausted,  and headed to his bedside, getting dressed for bed,  Astrid already in bed watching them.  "Is there something else Cody?" Cody smiled a bit "I just wanted to tell you, congratulations.  From the bottom of my heart,  I am so happy to see you healing together with your fiance." He smiled, and hugged his friend. "It's been a long journey,  but it's never over. Thank you for being by my side every step of the way." He nodded "From the day you were born Shavronne,  I saw you,  and knew you were special.  That one day you'd do great things. And I'm sure everyone says that,  but I really did. And then... I lost you. First physically,  but then spiritually... you were broken and drifting and alone,  and I told myself I was powerless to stop it,  that you wouldn't listen to me.  And maybe you wouldn't have.  But at the end of the day I didn't stop you. That makes me every bit as guilty as you,  Shavronne.  So know you don't walk this path of redemption alone.  Not one step. And now,  you do great things every day,  save lives.  Don't let my mother or anyone else look down on you for doing the right thing now.  It's never too late.  A hypocrite is sometimes just a man changed." Shavronne felt tears well up in his eyes,  and all he could do was huskily reply "thank you... I will take those words to heart Cody." He said goodnight to Cody,  then headed to bed,  getting in with astrid, who'd already fallen asleep. He kissed her goodnight and went to bed himself.

The next afternoon,  they all gathered around the table again,  finishing up their plans.  They would take the jet to the airport nearest,  then helicopter from there again.  The good news was the hike wouldn't be too bad,  they already had an lz planned out for the helicopters. There was just one last thing left for each of them to do before going.  Benji got out a big mixing bowl made from marble and set it heavily on the table. He got out a lovely but cold looking iron knife,  and had them all gather around the basin. He took each person's hand gently,  then sliced quick but deep into each Person's forearm horizontally,  letting a modest amount of blood flow into the bowl, letting it all pool together.  They all watched with a grim sense of finality as he poured in incense ash and then consecrated the basin with sage, speaking an ancient tongue over the mixture,  mixing it rhythmically, then it seemed to... shimmer and change.  Shavronne looked at it and chewed his cheek.  This blood magic felt different than the usual magic of the coven,  but he had been assured that it could prove crucial in their survival. He painted a short series of symbols on each of their arms using the mixture, then said a few more words.  The deep red mixture suddenly burned a bit,  and seemed to engrave on their arms,  causing several hisses of pain to rise around the circle. They bandaged each of their cuts,  and headed out to the airport in a limousine Shavronne had arranged for. Astrid sat next to shavronne,  biting her lip. They all wore a simple, dark colored outfit,  once again with many pockets and loops for attaching gear. She fiddled with her sleeve, looking at the new mark on her skin.  He gently took her hand and kissed her head.  He knew she must be terrified, to be honest he was as well. Who knew what horrors lay ahead. Whatever they were,  they'd face them together. He looked out the window,  and soon,  they boarded the jet,  quickly on their way.  To the final step.