Lydia’s dreams turned as dark as her days were filled with love and light. She should have been content with a life of quiet solitude with the one who completed her bliss, but her night wanderings revealed secrets her spirit knew but her brain rejected.<br/><br/>In the foggy time between wakefulness and sleep, she heard a voice beckoning her to come join the chosen few. Ignoring the dreams might strip them of their power so she never shared them with her lover.  During the day, she brewed teas guaranteed to protect her spirit from being lost in the shades. She meditated and did her best to slam protective walls in place for both herself  and Shenyo. Fasting was a last resort for tapping into strong energy but she finally broke down and entered into a time of fasting.<br/><br/>Worry began to eat at her and Lydia found herself scanning the landscape for evidence of search parties. Her fingers became roughened with gripping the bark of the tree limbs too tightly. She only relaxed when Shenyo’s tail was wrapped around her waist but he seemed more withdrawn than he had been. The tension was so great that she finally snapped.<br/><br/>Whispering, she said,<br/>“Should we take the battle to them? I’m tired of waiting. Maybe I will go and give myself up. You can live in peace. I think I love you enough to trade my life for yours.”<br/>