<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff00ff">"I need you.."</span><br/><br/>These words pulled Ry'kanos from oblivion. He gasped as he opened his eyes to look up in to Raida's. A spasm of confusion crossed his features before settling in to calm repose. He closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath before opening them once more to look up at Raida. A slow smile crawled across his features and a single tear broke free from his eye to track silently down his cheek. He had not wanted to kill Heston. He did not want to live. He had hoped that Raida would not heal him, that she would allow him to pass on to the next world in peace. Instead, as he should have known she would, Raida had healed him and brought him back to the world of living. A deep sigh and he gently pushed Raida back so that he might sit up groggily.<br/><br/>He was met by Slayer, standing guard over both elves. The wolf's eyes met Ry'kanos' and there was a silent conversation made between wolf and elf. Ry'kanos patted the head of Slayer and rose unsteadily to his feet. He reached out and leaned against the tree as he watched the water of the river stream by. Despite the healing of Raida, he felt so very tired and sore. His shoulder, despite being healed, ached with the memory of the spear driven through it and he reached up with his free hand to probe at the hole in his armor to touch flesh that had just a moment ago been a ragged hole.<br/><br/>They were approached by one of the elves and, as he got closer, he cleared his throat to alert them to his presence.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"Ry'kanos. I think you should have this.."</span>In the elf's hands was the spear of Heston, the silver haft and blade shining dully in the fading light of the moon. Ry'kanos shook his head and looked away from the elf before the elf stepped forward and thrust it in to the hands of Ry'kanos.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"You killed him. It is yours by right. He had no family for the spear to fall to. It's name is <i>Balataur</i>. Take it and wield it proudly." </span>He nodded to Ry'kanos before turning his attention to Raida.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"The Elders have been appraised of the situation. Even now the debate rages. We are torn. Heston was our leader. However, the Kinslayer has killed him. By Challenging him, Heston made Ry'kanos' fate his own. Ry'kanos is free to do what he would but there are many here who would see him die. They stay their hand because of you Raida Inais'kin." </span>He seemed to consider his next words carefully before speaking.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"I have no hatred in my heart for Ry'kanos."</span>He looked back at Ry'kanos and nodded to the elf before returned to looking at Raida,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">" By my Honor, I grant you passage to our Home and you may rest on my Hearth."</span>