Hi Everyone! Thanks for taking an interest in my story. Just a heads up, I've rated it as M for now but I think that might change in the future. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter One

"I'm sorry," Maerad whispered, and clutched Cadvan's hand in her own. He didn't move, she didn't think he would, but a small part of her had hoped he might wake up. "By the Light, I'm sorry."

Not far away, she heard the Hulls speaking softly to one and another in a twisted tongue only they seemed to know. One said something and the other chuckled. Maerad recoiled from the noise and shifted closer to Cadvan. The shackles that bound her hands together rattled and the Hulls paused in their talk to turn and look at her. She felt a shiver race down her spine at their attention, as if their gaze was enough to pierce her. When she remained silent for a few minutes, they went back to their conversation.

Now, with Cadvan incapacitated and bound and her powers bound up in her fear of herself, Maerad of Pellinor was no threat to any of them. After a while, one of the Hulls rose and approached her slowly. To Maerad, it was a horrible sight, something from nightmares, for the deathly looking thing was framed by the flickering fire and its eyes glowed bright yellow in a pale face. When it saw her expression, the Hull smiled too wide, revealing a mouth full of razor sharp teeth.

"What are you doing, little Bard?" the Hull asked in a sickly soft voice. "What mischief are you getting up to over here?"

Maerad lifted her chin, and didn't answer, though her hand in Cadvan's tightened. She willed him to wake. Please, Cadvan, please.

"Hoping he'll wake for you?" the Hull guessed, its eyes jerking down to Cadvan prostrate form. "No, he won't, not unless we tell him to. Even now he battles with us, but we keep his mind in check."

"Let him go," Maerad said in as firm a voice as she could. "Release him."

The Hull looked to her again, its head snapped loudly on its neck. "Why would I do that?"

"I swear, on the Light, I'll-"

"You'll do nothing, little Bard," the Hull hissed and suddenly lurched toward her. Maerad jerked back but the Hull was kneeling before her, still smiling, now it's bloated fleshy face inches from hers. It grabbed her by the hair and shoved her cheek against Cadvan's slowly rising and falling chest. "Beg for him to wake. Call his name and beg him to wake for you! See if he answers."

Mearad's mind was engulfed in pain at such proximity to a Hull and she cried out, trying to shake the thing off her.

"I said call him!" the Hull snarled. "Call him or I'll take a brand to his lifeless corpse!"

"Cadvan!" she cried out and beat the ground beside her with her fists. She hit the ground again and again, her fear and anger at her helplessness welling up inside her. "Cadvan, please wake up!" He didn't wake and Maerad trembled, wondering if the Hull would strike him anyway. In a broken sob, she said, "Please, Cadvan, please open your eyes."

"He won't," the Hull murmured, its breath rattling on her ear. "Even now, though he struggles against us, we hold him trapped in his dreams. Best to keep him locked in his own mind then free to wreak havoc."

Maerad sat up a little and looked down on his face. There were sweat droplets there, as if he were striving against an immense and immoveable weight. "He challenges you," she said through gritted teeth. "You are not enough to hold him."

The Hull didn't like this statement, this casual observance of its own weakness, and it struck her smarty across the face. "In the morning he will be awakened. He comes with us, little Bard, for the Master has a great interest in him."

Though she kept her face still, Maerad felt a petal of fear unfurl in her chest. She knew why the Nameless One wanted her, but Cadvan…He had proven himself a worthy adversary for most of the Nameless One's soldiers, taking him all the way back to Dagra seemed a long journey that would provide a gifted Bard such as himself ample opportunity to escape. Why risk it? She curled her fingers around Cadvan's shirt.

"What does he want with him?"

The Hull laughed. "Call it a professional curiosity."

Maerad glanced back down to Cadvan, and her stomach roiled in fear. "Let him go, and I'll go willingly to the Nameless One. You'll not hear another word from me the entire journey. I'll ride quickly, I won't struggle in the saddle. I'll even-even set up camp and-"

"But what if we enjoy the struggle?" the Hull asked, eyes twinkling. "It whets our appetites."

Who could possibly begin to image what horrors await Cadvan in Dagra, she thought. Whatever curiosity the Nameless One has for Cadvan, it is certainly torment in his dungeons.

"Then I'll struggle!" Maerad offered suddenly. "I'll do as you wish."

"That's no fun," the Hull hummed, taking pleasure in the sound of her voice tightening in fear. Her eyes had widened and reflected the fire light, and the Hull fancied it saw itself there, smirking down on her. It inhaled and the scent of desperation hung around her. If only its master had not forbidden them harming the girl and man…the Hull would have taken such delight in tormenting them both…making them watch the other be slowly torn apart. "Stop with your bargaining. He goes to the Master just as you, and since he must go in one piece, we shall have to keep him hurting himself in a struggle."

"I can keep him calm if you wake him," said Maerad. She realized now that above all else, she craved his company for the night. The idea of spending the dark hours with these creatures alone made her feel cold on inside, and she knew having Cadvan at her side, even if only to rest his hand on her back as she slept, would be a great comfort. "He won't do anything if I tell him."

The Hull rose up, obviously bored of the conversation. "I think not. I think he might fear for you, and in his desperation to protect you, might engage in some very unsuitable behaviors. He would force us to subdue him by less than savory means."

Maerad opened her mouth to plead again, but the Hull kicked dirt in her face, and she fell back, gagging on it. It returned to the fire, no doubt to mock her and her begging. She wiped the dirt away and sat beside Cadvan. Occasionally, she would tug on the chain holding her to a stake in the ground, but it only rattled forlornly, like a reminder that, yes, she was still trapped. It left a bitter taste in her mouth, that she might die chained like a slave. When these thoughts overcame her, she would look to Cadvan's prostrate form and remind herself that wasn't fair. Cadvan had been born a free man, lived a free man, never known such a miserable existence. He didn't deserve to die like that.

But it doesn't seem like death is in the near future, does it? A voice asked in the back of her head. It sounds like days and nights of torture await you and Cadvan at the end of this road.

Maerad shied away from the thought, but it remained like a shadow in the corner of her mind. She would try to remind herself that even though she and Cadvan were being taken to the Nameless One, hope was not entirely lost. If he had had no need of her, then the Hulls would have killed her, but they hadn't. Did that mean the Nameless One still had a use for her? Could she trade that for Cadvan's freedom? Maerad had already accepted that she would never be free again, but Cadvan…he wasn't part of the Song. Perhaps the Nameless One would release him if she promised to serve him.

Serve the Nameless One? she asked herself, thinking of the Hulls. Would I allow myself to become a monster?

She thought she would rather be dead.

Ah, but it isn't your death on the line, is it? She looked down again. No, it would be the deaths of the people you love. The Nameless One is no fool, and you, stupid girl that you are, have too many friends than it good for you.

She considered the prospect for a moment, swearing to serve the Nameless One, turn against the Light, if it meant sparing her friends. Would she do it for Cadvan, or Silvia or Malgorn? Could she? At the very least, could she beg for a merciful and painless death?

Stop this talk, she ordered herself. Stop when there is nothing you can do.

It was little comfort, the feeling of helplessness, but it reinforced the notion that, for now at least, she could change little. Exhausted, Maerad slowly sank onto the ground beside Cadvan and placed her bound hands in one of his large ones. It was cold and clammy, and she grasped it tightly between hers, determined to offer him what little comfort she could.

You will wake, and when you do, Cadvan will rise with you. Take heart in that, Maerad told herself, and closed her eyes, listening to Cadvan's breathing in her ear.

The desolate waste of the Hutmoors stretched out before Maerad, and as she searched for some clue, some hint that she had led them the aright. She prepared to call Hem. The air swirled around her and a voice was there, and Maerad's heart skipped a beat, for who else would reach out to her? It was the most beautiful voice she had ever heard, but it sounded tight with pain, like string pulled taught in harp. It was thin, almost like a wail, and made her cringe. She recoiled, confused, for this was not a voice she knew.

No, no it is not an old friend, but perhaps a new one? And Maeard knew then that this was the Nameless One, finally reaching out to her. When Maerad raised the defenses around her mind and prepared to call for Cadvan, the Nameless One softened his voice. This world could be ours, Elednor. We could build this world anew, and you would be a glorious Queen of Creation. No need to call on Ardina, Queen in your own right.

Maerad turned away from the voice as beautiful and tempting as it sounded. Liar. You would say anything, show me anything, if it would give you your immortality.

The Nameless One laughed, and it was like needles on her spine. I would do anything, if it meant I could rule this land unchallenged.

This is your answer? Maerad said, disgusted. You're a monster.

No, Elednor, said the Nameless One, and for some reason his voice seemed closer now, like a whisper in her ear. You and your ilk simply lack imagination, lack the will to do what must be done. Your kind is weak.

You're a murderer, she answered simply. You destroy all that is pure and good and true.

Be careful how you throw your curses around, as they might come back to you, the Nameless One said in a soft voice. Was it not you who murdered that poor Bard woman? Maerad gasped, appalled at the Nameless One's words. And was it not your wise and gentle mentor, Cadvan, who murdered his lover?

That is different, Maerad insisted, but the Nameless One was laughing. It wasn't intentional! It wasn't as if either of us desired death-

Do not the ends justify the means? Do not your actions mean all the same to the dead? The Nameless One seemed to sense Maerad's wavering will. You slaughtered the innocent. Snuffed out a life as easily as I do, and you thought nothing of it. You thought you were justified in your actions. She attacked you.

Maerad shook her head though the Nameless One certainly couldn't have seen it. Beside her, Cadvan was watching and frowned at her behavior. He should have been watching the horizon for Hulls, but Maerad's face had gone deathly pale, her body seemed to be shaking. He took her hand, but she didn't feel it.

It was a mistake! Maerad insisted.

A mistake doesn't bring that Bard back, does it?

Stop! Maerad cried out, but the Nameless One was relentless.

You think it was well done, then? You think the murder of the innocent was true?

Maerad had sunk into herself, hoping to find peace from his teasing voice, but it was in her mind now, setting her thoughts on fire. Cadvan had turned her to him, but she wasn't waking from her trance though he called her. I do not think it was well done, and that is how I am different from you. I know what I did was wrong, I am horrified by it. But you, you revel in death.

The Nameless One paused, considering her words. You think you are innocent of the crime because it was not committed with malice?

It was an accident, Maerad insisted, her sense of righteousness returning. She saw the thread of logic that vindicated her actions and grasped at it. But you murder with intention. You feel the weight of your actions, and it destroys you. That is why you are a void of life, that is why you are a monster.

For some reason, Maerad sensed that the Nameless One was pleased with her answer. His voice, when he spoke again, reminded her of a cat purring contently when a person pets its back. So be it, Elednor, but I swear to you, that you too will feel the weight of your actions, and you too will have to reckon with the consequences of your choices. You will see that we are not so different, and, when the time comes to choose between what is just and what is right, you will be hard put to make that decision. The Nameless One laughed then, and it was chilling. Then, Elednor, we shall see.

Maerad threw up her hands then, as if to ward off the Nameless One and he was gone. But when she came back to herself, back to the Hutmoors and Cadvan and her summoning of Hem, she beheld a horrible sight, for the Nameless One had sent Hulls. They had encircled her and Cadvan, and Cadvan had been too concerned with Maerad to notice. It had been a trap, as she debated the Nameless One, he had sprung.

She immediately went to join Cadvan, but it had been far too little, and far too late…

Maerad jerked awake, gasping as she escaped the nightmare. Above her, the sun had begun to rise, but out on the Hutmoors, it was a steely grey, and offered no promise of warmth. She rolled over and pressed herself into the warm side of Cadvan, who was still asleep, and, as evidenced by the sweat on his face, trapped in the nightmares of the Hulls. She reached up and placed her palm on his cold cheek.

By the Light, I'm sorry Cadvan, she thought. I should have been there. I should have helped.

The sound of footsteps pulled Maerad from her thoughts and she looked up to see a Hull approaching her. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Cadvan's hand. The Hull stood over the two of them, looking at her grasping at Cadvan and flashed its sharp teeth in a smile. It was unfair, this charge to bring the Bards back unharmed. The Hulls could have had such fun with them…lovers were always the most fun…they certainly cried the loudest.

"The sun is up, Little Bard, shouldn't you and your teacher be as well?"

Maerad raised her chin defiantly. "Free him from this spell."

The Hull raised an eyebrow at her imperious tone. "Perhaps we should just leave him like this all the way back to Dagra? Perhaps, then, when he wakes from his slumber, he'll have been driven to madness by his dreams?"

Maerad lunged at the Hull in a show of force. "Even the three of you don't have the strength to keep him bound."

The Hull snarled, unwilling to admit the truth of the statement. "Where's the fun in breaking him in his sleep? No, we'll let the Master handle him." The Hulls eyes moved from Maerad's eyes to Cadvan's restless face and he murmured something in the Speech of Den Raven. Cadvan jerked suddenly and gasped before his eyes fluttered open. "And good morning, Cadvan of Lirigon, we've been waiting for you to rise."

Cadvan's gaze snapped to attention and he instinctively tried to make a sign with his hands to cast the Hull back. When he realized his hands were bound, he narrowed his eyes. "A cowardly thing, but unsurprising."

"You ought to consider your words before you speak them so carelessly," the Hull responded, enjoying the sight of Cadvan bound at his feet. "Who knows where they might land you."

Before Cadvan could respond the Hull turned swiftly on its heels and went to join its companions. Cadvan made as if to move in its direction, but Maerad's hand on his arm and her voice in his ear startled him.

"Don't bother with them, it's not worth it," Maerad said softly.

"Maerad!" Cadvan gasped, the relief palpable in his voice. He took her hands in his, searching her face. "Maerad are you alright? The last thing I remember was you collapsing during the summoning and the Hulls and their wers coming upon us. I thought you might have died!" His dark blue eyes moved over her pale face, alighting on the bruise spreading across her cheek.

Maerad looked down, ashamed. "No, no, nothing like that. It was a trap, Cadvan. The Nameless One sensed me, he caught me and sent the Hulls for us. I should have managed to free myself but…" she petered off, unable to explain her inability to escape him. "But I couldn't escape him. When I came to, we were both bound, and the Hulls had trapped you in sleep."

He looked away, as if recalling something that left a bitter taste in his mouth. "I've had dark dreams of late." Cadvan shook himself a little, returning his attention to her. "How long have we been here? How close are to we Dagra?"

"I don't think we've moved," Maerad whispered. "I think it's only been a day since I spoke to Ardina."

"It feels much longer," Cadvan murmured and Maerad guessed whatever nightmares they kept Cadvan trapped in were long and painful. She squeezed his arm gently and he looked down at her hands on him. "They were sent to take you to the Nameless One, then?"

"Both of us," she amended.

Cadvan narrowed his eyes. That doesn't sound promising. "You're sure? You are sure the Nameless One wants me-"

"Yes," Maerad said ruefully and looked at the Hulls who were gathering their possessions. "I asked-I asked them to free you in exchange for my obedience-"

"Maerad!" Cadvan hissed, personally startled by depth of her sacrifice.

"It didn't matter," she said helplessly. "They said you were to go to the Nameless One. That he wants to see you."

Cadvan caught her eye. "Don't ever trade your freedom for me," Cadvan said urgently. "Whatever else happens, I'm not worth it. If the opportunity should ever arise, you must escape, even without me."

Maerad's eyes widened. "I won't abandon you to the Dark."

"You are the One, Mearad, the only one who can stop Sharma." He saw her flinch inwardly and wondered what she was thinking. "My life isn't worth the countless that could be saved."

"It matters little now," said Maerad listlessly. "They're taking us to the Nameless One."

Cadvan cupped Maerad's cheeks in his hands and held her gaze. "It's a long road from here to there, and I have not given up hope yet. We will fight Maerad, even if we are taken to the dungeons of the Nameless One himself, we will fight."

Maerad trembled, thinking of the stories Cadvan had told her of the Nameless One's first rise to power. Would that be her fate? To spend the rest of her life in torment in the darkness of Dagra like the great queen Recabarra? Would she have to watch as the beautiful Schools of Annar were razed? Her friends enslaved? Or would her death be swift? Would the Nameless One end her life before she could cause him any more trouble?

Instinctively, she reached up and grasped Cadvan's wrists. Yes, she was afraid, even with Cadvan at her side, she was afraid. "What will happen to us? Will it be like when the Landrost held you captive?"

Cadvan frowned. "I think not," he said softly and was aware of the Hulls approaching. "Quickly, Maerad, there's not much time. But listen, do not give into fear, do not betray yourself to the Dark just yet. I'm here with you, don't forget that."

Maerad squeezed his wrists a little tighter. "We won't be separated."

"And what have we here?" asked the Hull, looking down on the two clinging to each other. "Two little lovers afraid to be parted?"

Cadvan looked up boldly. "You know nothing of love."

The Hull raised an eyebrow. "Love makes you weak, as you shall soon see. Our master has such plans for the both of you." That didn't sit well with Cadvan who shifted to place himself between Maerad and the Hull. The Hull noticed but seemed indifferent. "Come, no more time for rest. It's a long way to Dagra."

Cadvan glanced to where Darsor stood, tied to a tree. He had a thought that if he were on a horse, even without his sword, he might be able to cause enough of a distraction to the Hulls that Maerad might escape. However, the Hull saw his glance and guessed what must have been on his mind.

"No, no, Cadvan, do not think we are fool enough to give you a horse of your own lead," the Hull laughed. "We'll keep you both on a short leash." To the other Hull, it said, "Tie up the stallion."

"Darsor will get exhausted if we both ride him," Maerad said to no one in particular. She glanced at Keru who was pressed against Darsor.

The Hull twisted to look at her and Maerad saw an awful glint in the creature's eyes. "Two Bards, on two horses, both trying to run away? I think not. You'll ride one horse, and it'll be lashed to ours."

"There are two. Tie me to Keru, and Cadvan can take Darsor."

The Hull smirked and Maerad's stomach flipped as she watched it approach the two horses. Darsor pawed the ground and his nostrils flared, looking swiftly to Cadvan for some guidance. The Hull hissed when Darsor reared back and grabbed around him for the rope that bound Keru to the tree. Keru whinnied in terror to be so close to the Hull and Darsor snorted and jerked at the ropes binding him, desperate the reach the mare.

Maerad caught Keru's eyes and tried to calm her, and it was then, as Keru stared back at Maerad and took a few tentative steps toward the girl she had so loyally carried from Innail that the Hull drew its blade and drove it into Keru's throat. Maerad cried out as Keru collapsed to the ground screaming and kicking. Her eyes rolled, confusion then pain chasing each other across her face. She was still looking to Maerad for guidance, guidance to tell her how to be calm in the face of death, guidance to tell her how to die, but Maerad was in terror. Keru kicked helplessly while she bled, and the jerking went on for some time. Maerad lurched forward but Cadvan caught her and pulled her against him. She could hear him cursing at the Hull.

The Hull came stalking back, taking Maerad by the arm then. "Now there is one horse. And you will ride it, so saddle the beast." It tossed Maerad at Darsor, who was watching as Keru's blood soaked into the dirt. Maerad took a moment and leaned against Darsor's flank, shuddering.

That was needless, Darsor said, tossing his head back. A cowardly and weak thing.

Darsor, Maerad said, running her fingers through his mane to calm herself as much as him. Darsor I'm sorry, but I need you to be strong now for we must go with them.

Darsor caught her eye. I will carry you, I will not make you share a saddle with these things. He looked over to where Cadvan was now being inspected by a Hull. Will my friend ride as well? I can carry you both; I don't not want him to ride with one of them.

Cadvan will come with us, said Maerad and she began to saddle Darsor. We'll all be together.

She finished saddling Darsor and brought him over the Hull. She saw that Cadvan's wrists had remained bound, and that the Hull was resting a blade light under his chin. It gestured for her to mount, and she swung herself up into her saddle, watching the dagger at Cadvan's throat. Another Hull bound her hands to the saddle, tugging to check the chains. It had tied them so tight Maerad's wrists ached.

"Now, up in the saddle, Cadvan." The Hulls snickered while Cadvan shakily mounted Darsor. He sat behind Maerad, looking unimpressed with the Hull's plan for them both to ride.

"I can't balance on Darsor's back like a bear on a ball," he said plainly.

"Don't be an idiot," the Hull snapped and jerked its head.

Maerad furrowed her brow, but a moment later, Cadvan had brought his arms up and around her. She could feel his chest pressed up the length of her back, his elbows pressed into her waist, his breath tickling her neck. Cadvan for his part, felt better having Maerad safely in his arms than anywhere else.

"We'll keep a quick pace, so keep up," the Hull said to Cadvan as it bound the reins to his shackles. "If you fall, it'll be a nasty trip." Cadvan looked like he wanted to say something in return but the Hull mounted and jerked on the lead to move Darsor.

The Hulls kicked their horses into motion and Maerad twisted in the saddle to look back to Cadvan. Their eyes met and they tried to touch their minds, at the very least to take comfort from the contact. Maerad felt Cadvan's conscious like a balm on the fear roiling in her stomach, and Cadvan, freed from the nightmares that the Hulls made him watch, clung to Maerad as if she were the only good thing left in his life.

Hem sat upright in the middle of the night, nervous for some reason he couldn't quite place. It was though something were reaching out for him, and an image of a clawed hand hovering over his head came swiftly to his mind. He shook himself and the thought passed as quickly as it had come, but he was still unsettled. He glanced around the small caravan they were travelling in, and relaxed slightly when he saw Saliman in the bed beside him, sleeping soundly.

But just barely, Hem thought, recalling how close Saliman had come to death at the hands of the White Sickness. He continued to watch Saliman, as if the Bard might suddenly fall ill again, but his sleep went on uninhibited. Hem realized in that moment how deeply he loved the Bard, and how close he had come to losing what was arguably the only father he had ever known. Push these dark thoughts away.

Hem rose and quietly crept into the kitchen area where Hekibel had made her own bed, tucked against the bench around the table. In her sleep she was just as lovely as in waking hours, and Hem wondered, not for the first time, what had brought her here in that moment and why she was not off somewhere with her own family.

There was fruit in the kitchen, apples and oranges, and Hem took an apple and slipped outside to sit on the bench and watch the stars. He found though, that the stars and moon were veiled by heavy clouds, and that world was dark and silent. A renewed sense of unease settled around him and he tried to push it down. They were alone, certainly, and nothing had followed them as they fled the sickness, but why this feeling of something stalking them? Hem wrapped his cloak tightly around him and waited for the sun to rise. It took some time, peeking over the horizon and then creeping up into the heavy clouds that still hung in the sky. The morning light, when it came, was dull and cold.

"How long have you been up, Hem?" It was Saliman, emerging from the caravan and shaking the last bit of sleep from himself. "I would have thought you'd been laid out after that healing."

Hem frowned. "I woke last night to a strange feeling and couldn't sleep. I think something is amiss."

Saliman raised his eyebrows and sat down beside Hem. "How do you mean, Hem? Where?"

"I don't know," said Hem ruefully. "It was as if something was reaching out for me. Trying to take hold of me."

"Could it be your Edilhu sense?"

"This was different," said Hem. "There was malice, a cruel will."

Saliman considered his words for a time in silence, then said, "I think it is high time we found your sister. This seems like the work of the Dark to me, and I don't like the idea of us wandering about, waiting to be attacked."

Hem brightened at the idea of finding Maerad. "But she could be anywhere in all of Annar."

"I think first we'll go to Innail," said Saliman. "Your sister was fond of that School, and she still has friends there who will protect her."

Hem nodded. "Once we're together, perhaps we can make sense of this feeling."

Saliman rose unsteadily, still a little weary after the Sickness. "I'll wake Hekibel and see if we can't get a fast breakfast and then move on."

Hem continued to sit outside, watching the sky and wondering if Maerad really was waiting for him and how she would be when he found her. Hem fiercely missed his sister and longed for her guidance. Since his escape from Den Raven with the tuning fork, he felt a renewed sense of urgency to reunite with her, but the going had been slow. More than anything, he missed being around her, missed her calming presence, the way she would hold him in a hug and ruffle his hair or smile across the room at him.

Saliman returned not long later with a plate of fried eggs, and, naturally, they were then joined by Irc. He stole bits of food from Hem's plate while he spoke to Saliman about their path. Midway through their conversation, though, Hem was again struck by the feeling that something was creeping up on them. He stood up, looking over the plains.

"Do you think something is there?" he asked Saliman, who had cast out his hearing.

"I don't sense anything but I have no love of this place," Saliman agreed. "We should leave as soon as we can. I'll get the horses."

They managed to break their camp fast and set off at a good pace, but Hem couldn't take his eyes off the land around him. Something was stalking them, he just didn't know what.