It had been easy for Ellie to pick up the trail ahead of her partner, taking the half-elf little more than a day to reach the site where Jaren and his men had camped. Ellie had left a few false clues as she went, designed to lead the lovely, dark-skinned woman astray and ensure that she reached the Cold Light first.

From the looks of the debris in the clearing, it appeared there had been a settlement here at one time. From her vantage point in the tall grass, she could even discern the remains of an old dock at the water's edge. Upon her approach, she had noted five sentries posted at the edge of the perimeter, and several others closer to the base.

Penetrating the defenses would have been a daunting task for a less skilled rogue, but Ellie was the best in her profession. That and her training as a wilderness warrior gave her unparalleled skills in gaining access to secured locations.

Most of the camp consisted of simple tents; however, one of the buildings had been partially restored. It seemed Jaren returned to this camp often for some reason. Ellie decided the building was the most logical place to find her target.

Moving through the shadows, she reached the building. Judging by the charred outlines, it must have been grand once, but what now remained was little more than a hastily thrown together hovel.

Ellie pushed the door open and entered the room, crouching to avoid detection. Her wide elven eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, taking in every aspect of the tiny room.

It was simply furnished, with a small chair and crude writing desk pressed up against the left wall. In the center of the room was a cot with a sleeping figure curled up warm and secure in the blankets. Slowly, Ellie rose to her feet and approached the bed, unsheathing her dagger.

Ellie paused over the helpless man. He wouldn't be the first she had slain in his sleep, but she had not performed such a cowardly act since she had met Venom. Was she capable of killing a man like this now, in cold blood?

"You paused," she heard a male voice comment behind her. "It does show there is a spark of decency within you. A small one, to be sure, but it is still there."

Ellie spun around as Jaren stepped out of the shadows, a self-satisfied smirk painted across his face. How had she missed him?

"Don't feel badly," Jaren said, answering the quizzical look on her face. "I learned the art of hiding in the shadows from the Tymorian assassins. Even the likes of you would be hard put to notice one so skilled."

"Clever," Ellie admitted. "How did you know to expect me?"

"That's my secret," Jaren replied, drawing his sword. "So, did Venom send you to do her dirty work for her?" he spat.

"She wouldn't allow that," Ellie replied. "I came here on my own."

"Why?"

"Whether you choose to believe it or not, the woman who wronged you long ago is dead," Ellie answered. "Dealing with you would rip out her heart."

"I see," Jaren said. "So instead, you came to kill me and spare her that grief?"

"That was the general idea," Ellie confessed.

"Saving your partner from the anguish of dealing with her past," Jaren commented. "Commendable, though misdirected. Still, I feel obliged to offer you a chance to accomplish your wish."

"And how is that?"

"Defeat me," Jaren replied raising his sword, "and not like some skulking thief, no offense."

"None taken," Ellie said, drawing her sword. "No interference from your men."

"None," Jaren promised, "but I can't promise what they'll do once I'm dead. They're very loyal."

"That doesn't concern me," Ellie replied in deadly seriousness.

"You have several virtues, thief," Jaren observed as they circled each other.

"Thanks. I wish I could say the same for you."

Ellie leaped at her opponent, attempting to deliver two swift kicks to the head. Jaren blocked the move, grabbing her leg and tossing her out the door.

The former rogue twisted in mid-air, landing on her feet just in time to parry a killing stroke by Jaren.

"No!" Jaren ordered as his men rushed up to help him. "This is between me and the rogue." His men obeyed and fell back.

Ellie performed a quick tumble, leaping up behind Jaren and thrusting her sword backwards. To her surprise, Jaren easily parried her attempt and returned with a strike of his own, slashing her leg.

Dragperg, Ellie thought. What have I gotten myself into now? This Jaren was by far the best opponent she had ever faced. She imagined even Venom would be hard pressed against such a foe.

The Cold Light watched her with an amused smile as she circled him. The man was playing with her! Ellie feinted left; leaping to the side, she performed a quick somersault and catapulted herself at the man. Jaren was not fooled by the maneuver. He slammed his hard leather boot up against her head, knocking her unconscious. It was over.

"A noble attempt," Jaren said with a note of admiration, saluting the woman lying at his feet. Leaning down to her helpless form, he removed her purple tunic.

"What are you doing?" Gerard demanded, reaching the leader of the Cold Light as he dipped the point of a dagger into the blood welling from the fresh wound on Ellie's leg.

"Sending a message, "Jaren answered writing upon the leather tunic. "Wilnan, take this and give it to Venom," he ordered, throwing the tunic at the man.

"Find Venom?" Wilnan asked hesitantly.

"Yes. Take five of our best soldiers for protection," Jaren added. "Give her the tunic."

"Yes sir," Wilnan replied saluting his leader smartly, then rushing off to comply.

"What are you doing?" Gerard asked again. "I believe in our cause more than anyone here, but this has gone too far."

"What do you mean?" Jaren asked.

"I mean, my friend," Gerard began slowly, "that I think your feelings about this woman are clouding your normally good judgement."

"And what would you have me do?"

"Let it go," Gerard advised.

"You mean forgive her, because she has supposedly changed?" Jaren challenged. "What about her victims? Who will speak for them?"

"It's going too far," Gerard muttered, realizing there was no dissuading the charismatic leader.

"I'll decide when justice has been taken too far," Jaren replied. "And it hasn't gone nearly far enough."

Venom poked absently-mindedly at the fire with a stick. It had been over a day, and she was still no closer to finding Jaren than the day she'd left. It was almost enough to make her suspect someone had obscured the trail of her quarry.

That was doubtful, though; Jaren had left that man alive on purpose, she was certain. He wanted her to find him. She began wishing Ellie were here to enjoy the comfort of her fire. The tall, dark woman dearly missed her companion, but this was something she had to do alone.

Her sensitive ears detected a rustling sound as the individuals in the sparse forest moved about. Venom estimated they'd been out there for nearly an hour, possibly setting up some sort of ambush. While she lacked Ellie's ability in tracking, few could match her prowess in combat or tactics. Venom had decided the best course was to allow them to play their little games. Most likely, they were soldiers under Jaren's charge. If she couldn't track them, she would locate the army another way.

She doubted from their clumsy approach that Jaren was with them. From what she understood, the Cold Light was a warrior of incomparable skill, nearly matching her own.

At last, she heard two sets of footsteps approaching directly in front of her. The warrior got to her feet as the men entered the camp. She recognized the one on the left from the previous incident in the town.

Venom greeted them with a wry smile. "About time you decided to come out of hiding."

"We were sent to deliver a message," Wilnan informed her.

"Really?" Venom replied, feigning interest. She could hear two more approaching from behind; another one from the right; and a last one from the left. Obviously, their plan was to engage her in conversation and distract her, so she wouldn't notice their transparent strategy. "Why do I get the feeling you plan on delivering more than a message?"

"You insulted us back in that town," Wilnan snapped. "My comrades and I won't let such impudence go unchallenged. Besides, the Cold Light will kill you anyway."

"He might be disappointed you took it upon yourself to kill me," Venom observed. She could hear the shifting of feet behind her. She reasoned the man behind her to the right would strike first.

"Couldn't be helped," Wilnan replied smugly. "We tried to talk in a civilized manner, but you were unreasonable. We had no choice."

"Lying to your savior? Shame on you," Venom reprimanded him. The one on the right flank would be next attacker, though the second one from behind would soon follow, if she judged the distances correctly. "You know, we can avoid all this," Venom advised. "Just give me the message, and we won't have any problems."

"Don't threaten us," Wilnan snapped. "We know all about you, sea-bitch."

"Then you should know better." Venom fixed Wilnan with her ice-blue eyes. "I'm through talking," she hissed through clenched teeth. "Last chance to back off."

Before the man behind could strike, Venom took several steps forward, causing him to miss with his sword. Venom slammed her fist into Wilnan, sending him crashing backwards, blood gushing from his nose and mouth.

Havoc's Tears leaped into her right hand as she slashed the other man in front of her, severing his sword hand at the wrist. Venom threw the mystical blade behind her, impaling the man who had just attacked and throwing him back several feet with the impact.

Venom snatched the wounded man's sword before it hit the ground. Bringing the blade up, she struck the hapless soldier across his face, tearing off his nose and a good portion of his face.

Holding the blade over her head, she parried the blow from the remaining one behind before flinging the blade at the man on her right. The sword ripped through his chest and he fell to the ground. Spinning about, she caught Havoc's Tears as it flew back to her waiting hand. Swinging her awesome sword in a wide arc, Venom cleaved another assailant completely in two, leaving only the one soldier on the left.

Hoping to strike before she could recover, he charged Venom as the upper half of his fellow flopped to the ground. Venom ducked beneath his clumsy attempt; grabbing his leg, she tossed him over her. "Don't get up," she ordered.

Choosing to continue the fray, he scrambled to his feet, retrieving his sword. Shaking her head resignedly, Venom parried his feeble strike, plunging her sword into his stomach.

"T-Those w-were five of the elite from our army..." Wilnan stammered, wiping the blood from his face.

"Really?" Venom remarked, unimpressed. "I'm surprised your army lasted this long."

"What are you?" Wilnan gasped, gazing at the imposing figure approaching him.

"A warrior," Venom replied. "I kill people," she added, wiping her blood-smeared sword on his white tunic. "And I'm very good at what I do."

"Five of our best," Wilnan muttered in disbelief.

"You already said that," Venom sighed. "Would you care to give me the message now?"

Wilnan tossed the leather sack at her feet scrambling back out of her reach. "The message is in there," Wilnan informed her. "I swear, I had nothing to with it!"

Venom's eyes went wide with horror as she opened the sack. Her trembling hand reached in and removed the bloodstained purple tunic.

Only Ellie could have gotten ahead of her, with skill to put her off-track long enough to reach Jaren before she could. "Very smart love," Venom commented softly. "You've always been too clever for your own good."

Ellie was a competent warrior, better than most. Still, she was hardly a match for the likes of Jaren. Tears streamed down her cheek as she clutched the worn tunic close to her chest. She must have decided to try and kill Jaren before Venom was forced to deal with him.

Still sobbing, she examined the piece of cloth, noticing that someone had scribbled a message on it in blood.

Want your partner? the message began. Then come to the place where Jaren died and the Cold Light was born.

Wilnan had taken the opportunity to retreat, having no desire to tempt fate further by engaging Venom. Kneeling on the ground, she neatly folded the garment of her companion. "I will return this to you," she whispered tenderly, rising from the ground and placing the tunic in her sack.

Tonight was what the sages called death-night, a rare cycle when both moons were full in the black sky. This was the time the veil between the living and the dead was supposedly lifted. She knew that Jaren was waiting for her at the place where his nightmares began, where his childhood had ended.

The tall, dark-skinned warrior was torn by the emotions battling inside of her. She wanted to kill Jaren for what he may have done to her companion. And yet, she couldn't help but feel sympathy for the poor soul, despite the many deaths he had caused. Like many times in her life, it seemed the matter had been taken out of her hands.

Prior to entering the ruins of the town, Venom halted near a pile of stones with a single sword, now pitted with rust, sticking out of it. A grim smile came to her lips as she noticed fresh flowers had been placed upon the grave.

"He still remembers you at least," she smiled, dismounting from her bird and kneeling respectfully at the grave. "Then again, you are a difficult one to forget."

A familiar voice echoed in her head. He remembers, but has long since ceased to hear me.

"Janeela!" Venom cried at the voice of her long dead friend, tears running down her cheeks. "I've missed you all these plantings."

And I you, Janeela replied. Though I am glad to see your heart and mind are no longer diseased. You've changed, my friend.

"I only wish I had been able to do so sooner," Venom said regretfully. "All this might have been avoided."

It's a matter of choices.

"And I made the wrong ones."

Did you?

"That's a stupid question," Venom retorted.

Really? Janeela asked. You let the boy live, despite your thirst for revenge.

"It was your dying wish," Venom snapped defensively.

And you chose to honor it, Janeela responded in that calm voice Venom remembered and had loved so well. Jaren had his own choices, she continued, and he made them of his own accord, despite any of the lessons I imparted to him.

"You always did have a unique way of looking at things," Venom sighed.

I thought that is what you loved about me, Janeela teased.

"Among other things," Venom admitted. "So, what do I do now?"

That is your choice, Janeela answered.

"More choices," Venom groaned.

Life is full of them, Janeela said. Venom could almost see the lovely woman shrugging her slender shoulders. I will say that a sword is sometimes a coward's weapon.

"A rather cryptic comment for you," Venom observed wryly.

Actually, its rather obvious, Janeela countered. I will also tell you that your partner is still alive. She's a fine match for you, by the way.

"Thank you," Venom responded. "And thank you as well for letting me know she's alive."

She's a bit headstrong though, Janeela observed, with a tendency to leap before considering the entire situation.

"That would be her," Venom sighed. "I am," Venom paused, "sorry you died."

I made my choice, Janeela answered. And now, my dear sweet friend, it is time for you to make yours. Go rescue your friend.

"It's been good to talk with you again Janeela," Venom said, getting to her feet. "I've dearly missed you. You were my first true friend."

I've always been with you, Janeela said enigmatically. I'd like to think part of what I said helped to change your life in some small way.

"I believe it did, old friend," Venom replied with a melancholy smile. The tall dark-skinned woman strode purposefully away from the grave in the direction of the camp as the sun began to crest over the horizon.

Venom scowled as she considered the best method of entering the camp. She knew Jaren would be aware of her approach. If she could somehow infiltrate the site, she might be able to free Ellie and deal with Jaren another time.

Edging closer to the camp, Venom's heart sank when she saw her beloved partner in the center of town, stripped from the waist up, and tied between posts. There was no way she could reach Ellie without exposing herself.

Then she spotted a man in glistening chain mail striding into the center next to Ellie. It was like staring into the past as she viewed the man, with his dark hair and features. Jaren was the exact likeness of the father she had slain so many plantings ago.

"I know you're out there, sea-bitch," Jaren shouted. "Wilnan told me how you ambushed our men when he delivered my message, how you killed them before they could even raise a sword."

"He's lying," Venom replied from her place of hiding.

"So, you did come," Jaren commented, smiling. "Apparently, this girl means much to you. She's a brave one, too."

Venom chose not to respond. Jaren didn't know where she was. She reasoned he was trying to engage her in conversation to isolate her location.

"No response?" Jaren queried, obviously disappointed. "And you refuse to come out of hiding. Then you leave me no choice." Jaren shook his head sadly. Lowering his arm, he signaled one of the archers to fire, hitting Ellie in the shoulder. Venom bit her lip, as she heard her companion cry out in pain.

"The next part is simple," Jaren explained. "Either you show yourself, pirate, or your companion suffers for your cowardice."

"I can kill you from here," Venom warned. "Let her go, or else!"

"I don't care," Jaren laughed insanely. "If you kill me, the next arrow fired will be aimed at her heart. You kill me; you kill her. Then again, what's one more innocent life after all the others?"

Venom realized she was trapped. She rose to her feet and walked slowly into the clearing. Ellie managed to raise her head as Venom surrendered to the Cold Light.

"No!" Ellie rasped, struggling to speak.

"The cold-hearted bitch does have a soft spot," Jaren sneered. "Who would have thought it possible?"

"Your father said the same thing," Venom said quietly. "Just before he threw me over the side."

"My father was changing his life," Jaren accused her. "He was making something of himself, and you killed him! Take her sword," he ordered two of his men.

"You're right," Venom admitted. "So now that you have me, let Ellie go."

"Cut me loose and I'll rip out your heart, you sand slug," Ellie threatened Jaren.

"She's a feisty one," Jaren smirked. "Very loyal, too."

Venom started to resist as Wilnan and two others led her toward the outer perimeter of the decimated village.

"I wouldn't try anything," Jaren warned. "That arrow is still aimed at your companion's heart."

Sullenly, Venom allowed them to lead her off.

"Jaren, I beg you!" Gerard pleaded. "Stop this madness! It doesn't serve justice."

"And I told you," Jaren snapped, "this is justice. This is what I've dreamed of since that day long ago. If you don't have the stomach for it, leave."

Wilnan led Venom to a post embedded into the ground, with a set of manacles attached to it. He smiled triumphantly as he shackled her to the post.

"Those chains are of twice forged iron, laced with singing silver. Even your legendary strength can't break them," Jaren informed her. He gestured toward the post. "This is where I crouched in the bushes. I sat here, helpless, while you tortured and murdered my father."

"Please," Venom begged, "please let her go."

Jaren sauntered up to where Venom stood, chained and helpless. "Would you beg on your hands and knees for her life?"

Without hesitation, Venom dropped to her knees. "I beg you," she pleaded. "This is between you and me. Let her go."

"You must really love her," Jaren said looking into the eyes of his most hated foe. "Good. Then you'll know how I felt that night."

"You bastard!" Venom exclaimed, leaping to her feet.

"And you made me that way," Jaren replied calmly.

"Stop this madness!" Gerard demanded.

"I told you; don't interfere," Jaren replied, approaching Ellie with a sharpened dagger.

"He's beyond reason," Ellie spat, her violet eyes filled with ire. "Do your worst," she grimaced.

Jaren heated the dagger in a fire pot, then placed the glowing metal against her exposed breast. Ellie screamed.

Blind rage enveloped Venom as she listened to the cries of her companion. Letting out her own anguished shriek, she struggled against the chains.

"Struggle all you want," Wilnan jeered, gleefully watching her torment. "Those chains are unbreakable."

Ignoring his jibes, Venom wrapped the loose chains around her mighty fists. The veins in her temples pulsed as she exerted her awesome strength, struggling to break free. Wilnan laughed even louder at her futile effort.

Every cry of anguish increased Venom's determination. She had to break free, must break free. Blood ran down her fists as the chains cut into her flesh, but the pain was welcome. She used it, adding it to the fire building up inside her. Slowly, one of the links in the chain began to separate. Wilnan's smug look soon changed to horror as the chains holding the former pirate snapped. "Impossible!" he cried in disbelief.

Before Wilnan could unsheathe his sword, Venom swung one of the heavy chains. It crashed against his face, shattering his jaw. She let out a primal yell, launching into the men, bashing them with the lengths of chain.

"Stop!" Jaren ordered, as the men gathered to put down this hellion from dragperg.

"Let's settle this," Venom challenged.

"You're right," Jaren agreed. "I must admit, I don't find torture enjoyable as you did. Give her back the sword." Two of the men cautiously placed the sword in the hand of the former pirate.

"Only one of us can win," Venom stated, fixing her icy glare upon the unemotional face of her antagonist.

"I agree," Jaren replied drawing his blade. "I prefer this."

Venom tossed Havoc's Tears onto the ground. "You win."

"What?"

"I said: you win. I lose. It's simple," Venom replied. "I was wrong long ago; you are right."

"Pick up that sword!" Jaren ordered. "Or I swear, I'll run you through."

"That's your choice," Venom agreed. "But if you do, it will have nothing to do with justice, and everything to do with vengeance."

"I tortured your partner," Jaren snarled. "The only being you truly loved."

"True, and I did the same to your father, but I can admit what I did was wrong." Venom replied. "Besides, I did love one other, and you profane her memory."

"Pick up the sword! Fight me!"

"No."

"Pick up the sword," Jaren stammered, "Or I'll order the archers to kill your partner!"

"No, don't fire!" Gerard ordered, racing forward to where the two warriors faced each other. "It's over. Please Jaren, for the sake of our cause, stop this."

"Fire!" Jaren commanded. The archers hesitated.

"It's over Jaren," Venom said sympathetically.

"NO!" Jaren cried. "I'll kill her myself." Jaren dashed toward Ellie, his sword poised for one single, deadly thrust.

Suddenly, Gerard leaped in front of Ellie. The naked blade pierced his body, even as he wrapped his arms around the Cold Light. The two collapsed to the ground.

"Why?" Jaren asked like a lost lonely child, holding the trembling body of his dying friend in his arms.

"It's over," Gerard whispered. "I couldn't let you kill an innocent." His eyes rolled backwards. Jaren hugged the body of his companion close, sobbing uncontrollably.

Walking past Jaren, Venom freed her Ellie from her bonds.

"I'm sorry," Ellie said in a weak voice, collapsing into the strong arms of her companion.

"Nothing to be sorry for," Venom replied, stroking her hair and kissing Ellie gently. "You did this because you care. I can't fault you for that. You tried to save me from myself."

"Somebody has to," Ellie grimaced. Venom lifted her up in her strong arms. "You can be so freggan noble sometimes."

"Yes love. Now, rest. You need to heal. Afterwards, we'll have a talk about the value of assessing a situation before you decide to act."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Ellie attempted to laugh.

"That," Venom shrugged, entering the small shack "and the fact that we still have an anniversary to celebrate."

"I love you," Ellie whispered, closing her eyes as Venom laid her on the small bed.

Gasqule arrived with several lightly armed warriors a few hours later. Most of the former Soldiers of the Cold Light had already wandered off, their cause, and their army now gone. Their former leader sat clutching Gerard's corpse, rocking back and forth, explaining how right he was. No longer able to deal with reality, his shattered mind had retreated into itself.

The warriors gently led the ruined man back to town. Gasqule helped Venom care for Ellie, using the unique healing abilities of a paladin to stabilize her enough to be safely transported.

Several weeks later, the two companions stood by the grave of Janeela. Venom replaced the rusted sword with a carved stone. "A much more suitable marker," Venom said with a satisfied smile.

"She must have been some lady," Ellie observed.

"She was." Venom placed an arm around her companion. "Janeela said you made a good match for me, though you should watch being so careless."

"I already got that lecture," Ellie reminded her. "I thought you were going to kill Jaren when you broke free."

"I almost did," Venom confessed. "I saw what he did to you, and I wanted to so badly."

"What stopped you?"

"Something Janeela had said that night when I visited her grave. That sometimes, a sword is a coward's weapon."

"So what is the brave person's weapon?" Ellie asked.

"The heart."

"I can see why you loved her," Ellie said tenderly.

Venom looked into the deep violet eyes of her partner. A loving smile curved her lips, and she pulled the half-elf closer as they made their way back to their mounts. "Have you ever heard the tale of the scorpion and the swan?" she asked.

"I think so," Ellie replied, "but go ahead."

"There was a scorpion who wanted to cross a river," Venom began. "So he asked this swan if she would carry him to the other side. 'If I carry you on my back,' the swan argued, 'you'll sting me.' 'No I won't,' the scorpion promised. 'If I did that, we would both die.' The swan thought this over and seeing the logic of it all, agreed to the arrangement. Halfway across, the scorpion felt the urge to sting the swan, but he managed to overcome his basic nature to kill, and didn't sting the swan. Thus, he reached the other side."

"That's not the way I remember the fable," Ellie pointed out.

"True," Venom agreed, "but I liked this ending better."

"Me too," Ellie approved, kissing her partner on the cheek.