****Castle Wyvern

Angela and Broadway finally returned home, Angela in Brooklyn's arms to take pressure off of her wounded leg, and Broadway was held over Othello's shoulder by his arm.

"You have no idea how many times I dreamed of carrying you over the threshold when I was younger," Brooklyn teased Angela as they made their way inside the castle, "But that pleasure is Sata's now, so it's your lose."

The two clan mates shared a laugh.

When they all finally arrived at the castle, shocked and worried looks followed them as Angela and Broadway were taken to the infirmary.

Goliath demanded to know what had happened as Brooklyn and Othello returned from the infirmary as Owen made his way there, the two of them recounting to their leader what Angela had been able to tell them, though they were not quite sure about everything.

"Broadway hasn't said a word the entire time," Brooklyn said, his voice colored with worry.

Goliath could only frown as Elisa quietly said,

"Being in shock from a stressful near death experience will do that to you. Give him a little time, he should be okay. He just needs to know that we're here for him."

Everyone gave small nods, but worry was still felt by all.

"Clan leader," a demur voice quietly inquired, Goliath turned to see Kwan Yin and Li Shen standing nearby.

Needing no other words Goliath gave a small nod to the young jade gargess, and she then made her way to the infirmary.

"May I speak with you privately for a moment, clan leader?" Li Shen requested.

Goliath and the dragon-like elder walked to a private corner not far from the infirmary.

"What do you wish to speak to me about, Elder?"

"Only to ask if this is a common occurrence for you clan. Though I can see a few benefits to living and allying with humans in the outside world, your younger brother's plight has reminded me of why my clan withdrew into isolation many years ago, and this makes me worry for young Yin's safety in an unknown far off land."

Goliath's face creased a bit as he gave frown.

"Broadway's condition isn't unheard of in my clan, but it is rarer than this one incident would have you believe to indicate."

Li Shen once again stroked his feelers as he thought carefully. He finally gave Goliath a thoughtful but neutral expression as he said,

"Indeed alliances in the outside world are a strong option, but my clan may not yet be ready for it. You could withdraw your clan to a place far away and safe from human civilization. But with their technology becoming more powerful every day it will only be temporary. It may last a year, fifty years, or a hundred years, but it will still only be temporary. To be unprepared for a crisis from the outside poses too great a cost, as my clan and other isolated clans had to learn."

"You are not the first to make such a suggestion to me," Goliath said with a nod, "But I won't abandon everything my clan has worked so hard to build. Even if there will always be those who will fight against change, I chose to accept it as it comes."

"Adaptation and acclimation are not always easy to accept," Li Shen said.

"If you will permit it, clan leader," Li Shen said with a reserved sigh, "I should like to remain a few more nights to learn more about your clan's customs and how your clan lives, and to be sure young Kwan Yin settles in well."

"Stay as long as you need, wise elder," Goliath said as he gave Li Shen a respectful nod.

A long wait followed as the clan awaited any word on Broadway's condition. Though there was no word until at least a half hour before dawn, relief flooded through the clan that Broadway was stable, but will need to remain in the infirmary for another two or three nights.

Though Angela's leg will be fine by the next night or two, she would need to use a crutch while she walked, and she had been extremely lucky the bullet did not hit an artery.

Broadway, meanwhile, had his deep scratches and torn wings sown up, most of his hefty girth was wrapped in gauze, his broken ankle was in a cast, and his swollen eyes was covered with a patch. He also sustained a few bruised ribs and a cracked nose.

Though Owen had extensive medical training, with Kwan Yin's help and superior knowledge of gargoyle physiology and healing techniques, they were able to patch up Broadway in no time.

However, what had Kwan Yin truly worried were not Broadway's physical wounds, but his mental and emotional wounds. She could tell something had affected him deeply, and she vowed to do all she could to help him, for her apprenticeship to her clan's elder healers had also taught her much of spiritual healing as well as physical healing.

For now it could wait, for she and Li Shen had been shown to adequate cornices to roost for the day.

Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Angela sat by her beloved lifemate's side, holding his hand while his one good eye stared off into space.

"It's okay, My Love," Angela whispered, "I'm here."

"Why did I do it?" Broadway mumbled to no one in particular, "I swore I'd never do it again."

"You did what you needed to, Love," Angela gently responded, "You were defending yourself."

"No. You don't understand. I used a gun. I killed someone. Like I . . ."

But Broadway was denied the chance to finish as gentle sunlight filled the room from a large glass window and silenced them in stone for the day's sleep.

End of episode 8.