The beginning of Gwyn and Azriel

Keep On Marching

  Gwyn held out her hand, reaching for the rope that was tied around Tamlin's waist.

  She heard Lucien do the same thing on the other side of the beast.

  They had decided to use the rope for a guide, and for another purpose..

  Tamlin took a step forward, causing Gwyn and Lucien to move with him.

 "What ever happens...remember that you cannot winnow out of this forest. And, do not let go of the rope before we reach the lair," Tamlin rumbled as he took another step into the forest.

 "And do not, under any circumstance, remove your blindfolds."

  Gwyn took in a shaky breath as she scented the forest all around her.

  It seemed to usher her into its presence...into its darkness.

  See me, Gwyn.

  Do not be a coward.

  See me, Gwyn.

  Gwyn's fingers tightened around the rope...around Tamlin.

  She could hear that Lucien was also struggling to breathe, as if the forest was also condemning him.

  But Tamlin kept a sturdy pace through the darkness.

  His footsteps, his breath, his heartbeat...all helped Gwyn relax. 

  Gwyn knew that he must have spotted his fears along the way because he had to stop several times...to collect himself.

  He began gasping and Gwyn did not know why, but she slid up her palm, towards the fur of his head.

  She began to rub his forehead, trying to coax him out of the darkness.

 "You are not worthless, Tamlin," Gwyn whispered.

  She had not known how she understood his fears, but she felt the sense of unworthiness that surrounded the beast.

  That same sensation surrounded her more than she would like to admit.

  At the feel of her touch, he held his head high and began to move.

  Gwyn's hand slid back to the grasp on the rope as they made their descent.

  For several minutes, there was nothing but the sounds of their footsteps. 

  Gwyn straightened her spine as they were closing in on the lair.

  It was almost too easy.

  But then she heard the screams.

 "HELP ME, GWYN!" Catrin shrieked.

  The tree's seemed to sway by the sheer force of it.

  Gwyn stopped.

  Her legs...shaking.

 "GWYN, HE'S GOING TO KILL ME!" Catrin sobbed out.

  The men both paused in step, waiting for her to begin her trek.

 "HIDE US, GWYN," the children from the temple began their tormented screams.

  But, Gwyn could not move.

 "Tamlin," she trembled.

 "Tamlin...I can hear them."

  Gwyn's lips began to quiver as she heard  her sisters shrill right before she had been beheaded.

 "Gwyn, fight it. It is not actually them."

  And then she heard Lucien hunch over in a gasp.