Partially up the stairs something compels him to look over his shoulder. Alarmed at what he sees, “Alliana, are you okay?” rushing back down the stairs, he quickly kneels in front of her and gently wipes the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.  “What…What is wrong?”  Concern was written all over his face.  Oblivious to the real nature of her feelings, concern etched deeply in his face, “Alliana, please you can tell me, I would hope before anyone else.”   He runs his hands along her arms reassuringly to provide comfort for her, but it gave him strength to be strong for her.<br/><br/>He was patient; looking into her eyes he could see a sadness that simply should not be there.<br/>