Veldahar hesitated only faintly as they reached the barrier, then they soared towards the lake, where he landed rather rougher than he’d planned, and let Bast and Jing down on the ground just seconds before he collapsed on his belly beside them with a groan.

Jing still hend onto Bast tightly as they where let on the ground and Veldahar collapsed. That wasn’t good…

Keelin made sure to keep Iris and Cade safe as they flew, and when Veldahar landed she almost fell off with the two but finally kept them steady. She then tried to get them both off the dragon’s back.

Cade sat up as they landed and flinched as his side burned. Looking to Keelin and Iris is slid off and moved to Keelin could get down with Iris. Stumbling back he fell on his bum.

Lyuthi just happened to be by the lake and when she saw Veldahar land she began to run to his side to make sure he was okay.

Veldahar waited only long enough for those on his back to slide off safely to the ground, transforming back into draik form he lay where he was, unconscious. His wings and right arm were burned by acid, and his scales singed by electricity.

Bast looked to the others, then moved to where Keelin and Cade were with Iris. “Is she… is she okay?” He asked fearfully.

Keelin kept close to Cade, putting Iris gentally down on the grass to lay down. She looked at Bast and nodded a tiny bit “I think so… Just unconsious.” She said, though wasn’t completely sure herself what that xweetok might have done.

Jing looked at Iris worried from where she was behind Bast, hoping their friends would be okay.

Cade slowly laid on his side and curled up as he slowly fell back to sleep.

Lyuthi held out her hands and one large bubble formed over all of them as it began to heal them. “Wh-what happened!?”

Bast sighed, letting Jing slide to the ground beside Iris, he sat down as well. “Iris left the barrier and was attacked. We got attacked as well by a black dragon and his rider.” He looked at Lyuthi as he spoke, avoiding looking at Jing as he spoke of Aurixel. “Veldahar saved us, and took on the black dragon.”

Keelin kept close to Cade, putting Iris gentally down on the grass to lay down. She wasn’t hurt at all, but was glad the draik was there to heal everyone else.

Jing just sat on the grass, listening to Bast but not looking up. When Aurixel was mentioned she winced a little, but was thankful Bast hadn’t used the bori’s name.

Lyuthi nodded, glad they seemed to be safe. She closed her eyes and all of her markings began to glow as the healing got stronger. Cade curled up quite cutely like a cat.

Bast sighed, relieved as the pain from his burns eased and disappeared. Iris moaned softly, and began to wake.

Lyuthi looked to Veldahar and frowned, would his headache be there or would her healing help?

Cade shifted closer to Keelin and his tail flicked behind him as she slept. His own wounds slowly healing.

Iris slowly opened her eyes, and sat up looking around in fright, then calming down as she saw she was with friends. She worried though, as she saw Cade seemingly unconscious, as well as Veldahar. “What… what happened?” She asked weakly.

Jing turned to look at Iris, and moved over to give her friend a quick hug.

Keelin watched, smiling a little. “Thank goodness yor alright. Don’t worry, the xweetok who attacked you is gone.”

Lyuthi frowned as she watched Veldahar not wake up. But she continued to heal the group until she knew they were okay.

Cade didn’t wake up as people talked around him.

Iris blinked in surprise, but smiled faintly and hugged Jing back. “I’m sorry… I put you all in danger because of my carelessness.” She glanced at Cade worriedly. “Is… is Cade okay? He was… we share a bond, we feel each other’s pain…”

Bast looked shocked at this. “What!? Why? How!?”

Veldahar moaned, rolling on his side away from the others, as he too regained consciousness.

Jing was shocked to hear that, looking at Iris before Cade then back to Iris. “When did that happen?! And why?!”

Lyuthi stopped the healing and kneeled beside Veldahar. “Veldahar?” She said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Cade twitched, his tail flicking for a moment as he opened his eyes. Sitting up he looked at the group and stood. He felt extremely awkward, backed away then quickly ran off towards his house.

Bast scowled as Cade got up and turned to run, hopping to his feet he jumped after him, attempting to tackle him to the ground. “Stop right there!” He called angrily.

Iris watched in shock, letting go of Jing and getting to her feet. “No, Bast, wait!”

Vel’s eyes opened, wincing and he turned to look up at Lyuthi. He smiled softly. “H…hey there.”

Keelin got to her feet as this happened, going over to Bast and Cade “W-Wait! What are you doing?!”

Jing sat back watching, glad Bast had done that. This guy had some explaining to do!

“Let’s get you home.” Lyuthi said with a smile as she held out her hand. She figured he could just sleep, away from the others.

Cade flipped to the side and away from Bast. “Excuse me?” He asked as he backed away, his tail poofed up in alarm. “S-sorry..its..just..odd for me to be around so many people…” He said his tail flicking behind him. “…I don’t think that means you can tackle me!”

“What’s this that you and Iris share a bond, shared pain?” He demanded, “You wanted to put her in risk!? How dare you!”

Iris quickly moved in front of Bast, “No, Bast please! It’s not… it’s not like that.” She said softly. “He did it to know… to know if I was in danger, not the other way around!”

Veldahar nodded, he felt the headaches starting, and he sat up, glancing at the others who were yelling at each other. “Yeah… let’s go.”

Lyuthi put her arm around Veldahar, they could settle this on their own. “Lean on me.” She said with a smile.

Cade frowned. “I meant to break it earlier, its broken now.” He explained watching them. “Please do not lie on my behalf Iris. I did it to protect myself when you first arrived. I didn’t trust your group so I made sure you could not harm me so we didn’t tell you because then it would be false trust.” He bowed his head. “I am sorry for putting her in danger.” When really he got more hurt from her than she from him. “The bond is broken.” He backed away and looked up. “I…hope you can forgive my selfishness.”

Keelin looked at Cade, and moved to go beside him, mainly just to make sure that Bast didn’t go around Iris to attack the xweetok. Hopefully Iris could calm Bast.

Jing stood beside Bast, glaring at Cade “What if it had caused Iris to be hurt?!”

Bast was thinking the same thing. “So if we’d have hurt you Iris would have suffered…” He growled, “Or if anything ELSE had hurt you as well!” Iris was pale and distressed, but she kept in front of Bast, a hand on his arm. “Please… I accepted the bond, because I trusted you and the others would not harm him.” She said quietly. “It was my decision!”

Veldahar had a buzzing in his head and he paid little heed to the discussion. He realized though, that he MIGHT have attacked Cade, but what was done was done and they should just leave it at that. He leaned on Lyuthi, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, letting her lead him off.

Cade watched the group, not backing away any further. If Bast wished to strike him he’d let him. “…I do not know how I can further explain my actions.” He thought he was pretty clear that no matter hor cowardice it was..it had just been an insurance policy. “I meant Iris no harm….and without the bond I would not have been able to save her. So yes, it wasn’t the best decision but it ended up helping…” He looked to Keelin for a second then at Bast and Iris. “I truly am sorry for not telling you sooner, I hope you can understand why I did it though…”

Lyuthi looked back at the group for a moment then looked to Veldahar with a soft smile. “Let’s go.” She said quietly as she led him off to towards the house.

Keelin smiled at Cade. She understood why he had done what he did, and if Iris had been alright with it, she didn’t see why the others should be this upset.

Jing still glared at Cade, tail twitching behind her. “It is broken now right? You have no link to Iris anymore?”

Bast seemed to think of this, gaze flickering from Iris to Cade, to Jing and back to Cade. “Let’s make sure the link is broken then…” He moved around Iris and aimed a punch at Cade’s face. Iris cried out in dismay, and moved to stop him. The punch landed on the side of her head and she yelped, falling to the ground, ears ringing.

Bast paled, eyes wide as he stepped back. “I… I’m… are you okay, Iris?”

Veldahar just nodded, eyes closed. He was… glad though. The pain was the usual one, but this time he hadn’t snapped at those around him, hadn’t… yelled at Lyuthi. And her touch was soothing.

Cade was fine with taking the hit, in fact he hoped it’d prove that the link was broken. But instead he saw Iris take the hit and he lunged forward to catch her before she hit the ground. Placing her carefully in his arms he looked up at Bast with narrowed eyes. “Hitting a woman is one of the foulest things a man could do. And all because you refuse to trust me. Do you see why I do not let people like you in this forest? All you know is violence!” He looked down at Iris and pulled out a small shiney stone. “Hold this..” He said softly. “It will help with the pain…”

Lyuthi easily guided him back to the house, making sure to stay quiet so she wouldn’t distrub him. Leading him back into their room she led him to the bed. “Would you like anything?”

Keelin watched in horror, going down on her knees beside Cade and looked at Iris. “Are you alright?!”

Jing was shocked to see Iris get hit, unable to say anything or move.

Bast twitched a bit, falling back another step. “I.. I’m sorry.” He mumbed. “I didn’t… mean to hit her!” Iris kept her face downcast, a hand on her ear, the other grabbed the stone offered, with a small thanks. Se nodded to Keelin’s question. Bast bit his lip. “I’m… sorry.” He repeated stronger.

Veldahar groaned, discarding his hat as he curled up on the bed. He grabbed one of the pouches hanging from his belt, and handed it to Lyuthi. “One spoon for one cup… can you brew a tea for me?” He glanced up with tired eyes.

“Of course.” Lyuthi nodded taking the pouch gently she backed up then slowly walked to the kitchen. Setting up a pot and water she waited for the water to boil.

Cade placed a finger on her hand as she held the stone and it began to glow, soothing her ringing ears first. He looked up at Bast. “Was that the proof you needed?” He asked not happy with the situation at all. “Or would you like to kick her while she is down?”

Keelin looked at them all, putting a hand on Cade’s sholder. “Please… thats enough Cade. Its obvious he is upset about hurting her…” She said to the xweetok before looking at Bast “And it was over the top for you to think about hitting Cade. Shouldn’t you have just trusted Iris? She is your friend.”

Bast had the good sense to look ashamed. He flushed, looking away. “I… didn’t…” He shook his head, “I wasn’t thinking.” He said finally.

Iris relaxed as the ringing passed, and she leaned against Cade. “I’m sorry…” She said to Cade. Bast flinched, and sighed, “Okay! I went over the top… I… I’m sorry, Cade.” He said, looking back at the xweetok. “I was… just… it’s been very hard for us all, this whole… adventure.” He sighed.

More and more the situation at hand annoyed him and he remembered why he prefered to be alone. He didn’t look at Keelin or Iris he just looked to the grass then slowly gathered Iris in his arms as he stood.  “It was an accident. You don’t need to apologize.” He offered Iris to  Bast, he wasnted away from all of them. “I understand.” He said quietly.

Bast took Iris reluctantly, but finally accepted her, and looked down at her. She did not meet his gaze. “I… I’m sorry!” He said to her. He felt angry and frustrated, and unsure at what to do. He glanced at Cade, then turned, walking to the house the group shared.

Jing kept quiet, and followed after Bast. Things had gotten way to out of hand.

Keelin stood as well, looking at Cade but didn’t know what to say.

Cade had fists at his sides as the small trio retreated and he looked to Keelin for a moment before turning away. Heathens. Without a word he made his way back to his treehouse.

Keelin watched Cade walk off, not moving for a minute before finally following after him.

Bast took Iris to the ouse, leaving her in her room. Iris didn’t say a word, even when Bast tried to speak to her, asking her for forgiveness. Finally, exhasperated, he turned, storming out of the house on his own.

Veldahar had fallen into painful, troubled sleep on the bed, curled up and hands grabbing his head.

Jing made sure Iris was alright, but then quickly followed Bast out of the house.

Cade didn’t even know Keelin was behind him as he quietly stormed back to his house. Climbing the ladder he walked to his room and sat on his bed. He’d need to meditate….

Lyuthi soon returned with a cup of tea and slowly set it down on the nightstand before sitting beside him. Putting a gentle hand on his head she tried to help soothe the pain.

When Cade went to his house Keelin stopped, watching him go inside before biting her lip a little. She would… come back later. She desided before walking off.