After being debriefed as to what had happened, Merlinus said he had someone who wanted to see him. It was great to see Damon again after all these years. Damn, he'd grown huge! He said he was bigger than Arun...and then came the bad news. His brother was dead. His son was clearly upset as he described Arun's bizarre death to him. Seems Arun and his dragon killed each other and there was nothing Damon could do but watch. Arun had cut the serpent several times. It was thrashing in agony flinging sand and it's poisons everywhere. Caught up in it's coils, Arun commanded Damon to stay back. He was gigged badly, right in the chest, but he managed one last thrust through it's neck and heart. Arun was dead by the time the serpent's death-throes had ceased. He could have taken a gigging anywhere but straight to the heart. It gave his body no time to process the poison. At least he died as a warrior and not by the hand of any of that arrogant slug Kahn's lackeys. Damon said he had a feeling Arun wanted to die that day. He was ready to go. He was fifty winters old and he'd been slaying dragons since he was fifteen summers. The last time Nico had seen Ruby, she was about knee-high. She'd grown into quite the young woman. Nico was the only other one who knew who her father was. He'd watched her be born and held her when she was only a few minutes old. Life came and went, didn't it? Lying there in the dim light of his room, he allowed himself a few moments of grief for his brother. He'd asked Merlinus if he could please go back to Terra. Merlinus said he'd consider it and then he asked him what he thought of Lt. Brennan. He shrugged. "She's really nice. Very sweet." "She's another special one - not like Ruby. Completely natural born, but she's one of the few I trust around here," Merlinus said. "Her, you can talk to. I shall hate to lose her, but her tour is up and she wants to go home. I can't blame her. I've forgotten what 'home' is like, I've been out here so long. I'm afraid if I leave though, they'll steal all our work and use it against us. You watch yourself and what you do while you're here, Nico. They'll be watching you and every move you make. Umush?" Nico understood...all too well. The intercom buzzed. It was Hope. He HAD promised to take her to dinner for rescuing him. He suddenly felt much better when she walked in the room. "Oooo, look at you! You look fabulous." "You look terrible," she said, coming toward him. "Are you alright?" "I'll be better when I get some real food in me...and some sleep. My brother is dead. But the good news is, I got to see my son and Ruby." "We'll be eating in Merlinus' quarters. He doesn't want it generally known you're here." "Fine with me. Now, where did I put my shirt?" "You can leave it off for all I care," Hope said with a smile, then turned to go back to the door. She said nothing more but she did turn around and toss him a sidelong look over her shoulder. ***** I made the room, bed and storage shelves in VUE. Thanks for your comments on my Queen of Hearts/Cups. There are much appreciated! Thank you as well for your own wonderful art dear friends. Have a great Sunday! Ray