Willanaome Bramblerose
Episode II: Her Only True Love

Chapter 1: A New Generation

"Push M'lady, push!" Said Willanaome. "The baby's head is starting to show." Willa's mother was behind the woman in labor helping her push the baby out. The woman pushed one more time with all the strength she had left and the baby slid out and into Willa's waiting hands. It had been a long eight hours since her water broke while she was talking to Willa in Kithicor Forest. Her husband put her on his horse with him and Willa mounted the lady's horse and they rode quickly to Rivervale and to Willa's house. Willa cleaned up the baby and laid him into his mother's arms. The lady bared a breast for the baby and started feeding. After the two Halfling ladies cleaned up the mess, Willa went to the door to let her father in to examine the mother and child. Willa's father was a cleric. He came in and pronounced both of them fit after he examined them both. Willa's father performed a little healing on the mother. After her father left the room, Willa went to fetch the father of the child. "Gilliadson, Renwynn and the baby are fine. You may come see them now."

"Thank you Willa. I am glad that you were with us." Said Gilliadson. The young knight stood up, gave Willa a hug and walked into the room to see his wife and child.

"Beloved!" Said Renwynn when Gilliadson entered the room. "He is a handsome lad, just like his father. What will you name him?" Renwynn handed the baby to his father. Gilliadson held his son and looked on his face.

"His name will be Bralder. He will be a strong knight one day."

"I like that name." Said Renwynn. Gilliadson turned to Willa.

"Whatever debt you thought you owed us for saving you while you were on your trials, consider it paid in full. You have ensured the continuation of the Shadowbane legacy. Though we never considered there to be any debt owed. When we return to our home I will assume my rightful place as lord of the Shadowbane estate and my parents will move to a cozier cottage. That is our way. I have tried to talk them into staying at the manor but they have refused. Willa I would like you to come work for us as one of the house servants. We have a large library there where you can continue your studies. Maelyn will teach you all you need to know there. Maelyn is also fluent in all the languages of Norrath so she can teach you those as well. And when she retires you will take her place as our Head of Staff. When you and Ethan are joined, he is more than welcome to come there as well. I can always use another smith in the forge."

"Thank you Gilliadson. I will discuss it with Ethan. I am still two cycles of the seasons from being old enough to join with a husband. I know that he will ask me eventually and I already know what my answer will be." Willa hugged Gilliadson and Renwynn handed Willa the baby.

"If you come, I would very much like you to be his nanny." Said Renwynn.

"If I come, M'lady, I would be honored. You two have been wonderful friends to me since I met you."

"And you have been to us as well Willa." Willa handed the baby to Gilliadson and hugged Renwynn. Willa left the room and went in search of Ethan. Ethan was found in his father's forge.

"Ethan!" Willa yelled over the sound of the pounding hammers in the forge. "Ethan!" Ethan stopped beating on the piece of metal he was working on and turned to Willa. Willa motioned to him to follow her so he put his work down and followed her out of the forge. "Gilliadson and Renwynn have offered me a job at their estate. I cannot turn it down. It is an excellent opportunity for me to continue my studies in lore and history. I will not be too far away. Their home is in The Eastern Commonlands."

"That sounds very good Willa!" Exclaimed Ethan. "I heard that they are here giving birth to their child."

"Yes they are. They had a very healthy son."

"That is good. Pass my congratulations to them. I must get back to work now. We can talk more about all of this over dinner." Ethan kissed Willa and returned to his work in the forge. Willa returned to the Shadowbanes and told them that she would accept their offer. Renwynn rested for a few days at the Bramblerose home while Gilliadson completed the business that he and his wife were on when she went into labor.

"I must go appear before the Circle and give them my choice of region to serve before I go to your home." Said Willa when Gilliadson returned.

"Very well. We shall look forward to your arrival." Said Gilliadson. The next day, Gilliadson and Renwynn departed for home and Willa went to Surefall Glade.

Chapter 2: Shadowmanor

Willa cast her portal spell for Surefall Glade, stepped through the portal and appeared before the emissary that had visited her previously.

"Greetings Willa!" Said the emissary. "The Circle will be gathering soon. Have you decided where you will serve?"

"I would like to serve in The Eastern Commonlands." Replied Willa.

"Good choice."

The Shadowbanes offered me a job and I am going to take it. It will also give me a chance to continue my studies. They have a large library."

"Ahh, I see. Well I will inform the Circle of your decision. May you continue in the blessings of Karana."

"Thank you, Emissary." Willa cast her portal spell for Misty Thicket, stepped through and was at the druid rings. Willa ran to her home and packed her belongings.

"I will come back to visit as much as I can." Said Willa.

"We will always have a place at the table for you, my child." Said Willa's father. "Go with our blessing and with the blessing of Karana." Willa hugged and kissed her parents and ran out to Kithicor to see Shadowpaw.

"I am going to be serving in the East Commonlands." Said Willa after she hugged her old friend.

"Well then, you will be able to come visit." Said the wolf.

"Yes and quite often."

"That is good. I would miss our playtime together otherwise."

Oh Shadowpaw! You know I would never move far from you."

"Ethan is going to serve in the West Commonlands."

"I knew he would choose someplace close to you."

"Ethan will move to his area later today. I am going to run to mine. I will also be working at Gilliadson's home."

"I know that you will do well there." Willa hugged her friend again and ran through the forest toward The West Commonlands.

The Commonlands were a much different place when Willa entered them that first time than what they have become. The Knights of the Marr twins patrolled the roads along with the Steel Warriors of Freeport. This was a time before the rise of Lucan D'Lere and the Freeport Militia. There was still a king in Freeport and the Shadowbane Garrison kept watch on the road from Nektulos Forest. The only problem for druids in The Commonlands was poachers. Willa didn't run into any of them. There was a small lake in the far west of The West Commonlands so Willa stopped for a quick swim. While she was in the water, a young warrior rode up to the lake.

"Greetings young lady!" Called the warrior. Willa swam to the shore where her clothes were and quickly dressed. The young warrior was clearly embarrassed to see her naked. "I am sorry M'lady. I did not realize that you were..."

"Naked?" Interjected Willa. "Do not let it trouble you. I am a child of nature it does not bother me. What is your name? I am Willa and I am a druid of Karana."

"Stulden, M'lady. I am a member of the Steel Warriors of Freeport. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Would you be so kind as to escort me to the Shadowbane home in The East Commonlands?"

"I would be happy to. You may ride with me if you like."

"There is no need. I think I can keep up." Willa cast her wolf form on herself and followed Stulden the rest of the way to Gilliadson's home. The Shadowbane home was the largest house Willa had ever seen. The manor house was four stories high and was Hexagonal in shape with two smaller versions of the main section on either side. Several smaller structures were inside the tall walls of stone that surrounded the complex. Willa could make out a stables and a smithy. One of the buildings appeared to be a barracks. The two guards at the gate appeared to be knights and there were more in the yard near the barracks type building. The manor house and the other buildings were built with wood. Gilliadson stepped out onto the front porch as a guard was escorting Willa to the house.

"Welcome to my home Willa." Said Gilliadson. "Come in and be at home, for today you are a guest. Tomorrow, you begin work." Gilliadson introduced Willa to Maelyn and his parents Nathir and Paenae.

"Thank you so much for bringing our grandson into the world safely." Said Nathir Shadowbane. "My son speaks highly of you."

"I am honored to be here Lord Shadowbane and glad I was there to help." Said Willa.

"I will be here for a few days to help the transition go smoothly. I know that it was my son's intention that you start working tomorrow but, I would like you to be a guest here until I leave."

"I have no objections Father if that is your will, so it shall be." Said Gilliadson.

"This will give you a chance to get your presence established in The Commonlands. We realize that you have duties to perform outside of the estate. Your job here will not interfere with those duties in any way. We believe that our duties to our gods must come first."

"I thank you Lord Shadowbane. I do look forward to serving your house."

"Not my house any longer, it is my son's."

"Bah!" Exclaimed Gilliadson. "This will always be your home!" Nathir Shadowbane laughed. "Go make yourself at home Willa, for home is where you are." Willa bowed to Nathir, hugged Gilliadson and left the room.

"She is a wonderful young lady Gilliadson. I think she will serve you well when Maelyn has passed on. Which you and I both know will probably be in your lifetime. Time catches up to all of us and she is getting on in years."

"Yes, Father, I know. She has been a remarkable lady and a great nanny to me."

"To me as well, son."


Chapter 3: Continuing the Legacy

Willa spent the next few days getting settled into her new region. Willa quickly made friends with a few of the local animals and an old druid that had retired to the area. The land owned by the Shadowbanes covered the area just south of the road leading to Nektulos Forest to the road leading from Freeport to The West Commonlands and from the foothills in the west to within sight of Freeport. The estate was situated in the middle of the property. The Shadowbane Knights were a group of the best of the Knights of Truth under the command of Nathir and kept a watch on the road coming out of Nektulos Forest.

Over the next few days, Willa would spend her mornings out in the Commonlands taking care of her duties there. She would spend the rest of the day talking with the Shadowbanes, reading in the library and listening to Maelyn's tales. Maelyn was a daughter of the Tuneweaver clan of bards and her nephew was Nathir's chronicler. The Tuneweavers were renowned loremasters and storytellers. If you wanted to know anything about Norrath and it's history just ask a Tuneweaver. The book that Willa let Gilliadson bring to the manor was of great interest to Maelyn since the Shadowbane library did not have anything on the life of the Elddar Elves. Maelyn had a niece, Tiranae, who was also employed at the manor as the chef. Willa and Tiranae became friends quickly.

The day came for Nathir to leave the estate in the capable hands of his son. All of the servants, Willa and the knights were gathered in the main courtyard. The Shadowbanes walked into the gazebo in the middle of the courtyard and sat down. The assembly sat in the chairs that were set for them as well. Nathir stood and addressed the assembled knights and servants.

"The day has come to continue the tradition started by my father, Thaddel. When the first-born son of the current lord of Shadowmanor brings forth his first son, he becomes the new lord and the elder Shadowbane departs to live out the rest of his life as he sees fit. Being lord of this estate is a great responsibility that the eldest son of each generation is groomed for from the time he is able to walk. My son has given me a grandson so now it is time for Gilliadson to continue the Shadowbane legacy." Nathir removed the sword that he was wearing and handed it to Gilliadson, who stood up to receive it. "The mithril sword of Vladimiri is now yours along with Shadowmanor. Continue in our traditions and train your son well. You have all served me well. Now serve my son as you have served me. Fellow Knights of Truth remember your charge to defend the pass from Nektulos Forest. Farewell my friends. May the blessings of Marr always be with you." Nathir and Paenae were escorted to their wagon. Everyone embraced the departing couple and wished them well each in their turn. Gilliadson and Renwynn were last.

"Please do return often, Father." Said Gilliadson. "You know that Shadowmanor is always home to any Shadowbane."

"We will stop in from time to time to share tales of our adventures." Gilliadson hugged each of his parents and Renwynn hugged them afterward.

"Take good care of each other and our grandson." Said Paenae. Nathir helped Paenae into the wagon, climbed in after her and the two of them rode out of the estate to travel around Norrath. Gilliadson and Renwynn held each other until his parents were out of sight. Willa was beside them holding Bralder and Maelyn was behind Willa with her hand on the young druid's shoulder.

Chapter 4: The Day Off

Gilliadson turned to the assembled knights and servants.

"My fellow knights, I declare the next two days to be holidays for you all. Half of you will take rest today and the other half tomorrow. For the servants of the manor, take today off and rest. I think Lady Shadowbane and I can fend for ourselves for a day. Go visit your families or whatever makes you happy and return to work tomorrow at this time." The assembly was dismissed. Willa spent most of the day with Maelyn, listening to her tales. One tale that really appealed to Willa was the story of two of the Elder Dragons, Lord Nagafen and Lady Vox. The tale of these two Dragons and their imprisonments is well known to all of Norrath so I shall not repeat it here. Needless to say that at the time of this story the two great dragons were trapped in their lairs in Lavastorm Mountains and Permafrost Keep where they remained until they were slain many years later by Lord Shinu Swiftpaw and his band of adventurers but, that is another tale.

"Tomorrow we begin your training, Little One." Said Maelyn. "You have much to learn before you succeed me. I know that I am not much longer in this world and I will be called to Quellious' presence. I have lived a good life here and have accomplished all I had set out to do except find a husband and bear children. I will rest peacefully though knowing that you will carry my knowledge onward. I do intend to pass on to you all the lore I know and will teach you enough of the languages so that you may master the rest on your own when I am gone. Your thirst for learning is what got you to this place more than your friendship with Lord Shadowbane. When he showed me the book you let him hold for you, I told him that you should become my successor. My job here is much more than making beds and fetching things for the Shadowbanes. I have also been their language instructor, trainer of all new help, and chief advisor in all things pertaining to lore and history and closest friend. Gilliadson has spoken very highly of you so you should be the one to follow after me."

"I will do my best to learn all you have to teach, Maelyn." Just then Willa felt a familiar presence enter the area of her awareness and her tush started to wiggle. "Ethan! He is heading this way!" Maelyn pushed her awareness to its limits but it was several minutes before she could sense the presence of the young Halfling approaching the estate.

"Your companion I presume by the excited wiggle in your tush I see."

"Yes. We have been together since childhood. I am looking forward to joining with him in two years. I can not help the wiggle. My tush has always done that whenever I get excited or cast a spell." The two ladies laughed together.

"Go to him, my dear, we will have plenty of time together after tomorrow." Willa cast her spirit of the wolf spell on herself and ran out to meet Ethan. The two lovers ran together into each others arms.

"I chose to serve in the Western Commonlands so I can be near you." Said Ethan.

"I was hoping that you would." Said Willa. "Come to the manor and meet Maelyn. She will be training me to take her place when she leaves. I think Gilliadson would like to show you his smithy as well."

"That sounds great!" The two of them ran to the manor where Willa introduced Ethan to Maelyn. Gilliadson showed Ethan the forge and then set him up in a guest room for the night.

"Tonight you are a guest." Said Gilliadson. "Tomorrow you will be shown your regular quarters and you may begin training in the smithy the next day."

"Thank you, Gilliadson." Said Ethan. "I look forward to working with you." Gilliadson smiled.

"Now go spend some time with Willa. I know she has missed you."

"I have missed her too. My thanks again." Ethan returned to Willa and they spent the rest of the day together.




Chapter 5: Training Begins

The next day the servants that had left started returning. Willa ran out to tour her area before joining up with Maelyn for her training.

"Your training day will start when you return from you morning tour as it has today." Said Maelyn. "The first part of our day will consist of training you in the day to day operations of the estate. We will then have lessons in languages followed by lore and history. You will receive responsibilities as I feel you are ready for them. First thing to remember is that no matter how close to the Shadowbanes you are, when you are around the other servants you must always address them by their titles. Lord Gilliadson and Lady Renwynn or Lord and Lady Shadowbane. Their son is to be called Master Bralder. They will let you know when it is acceptable to be informal with them. Respect must be maintained in front of the other help. You will be in charge of all the help and only superceded by the Shadowbanes and me. Even Ethan will be under your charge when it comes to work here. I hope he does not have a problem with that. Once you are joined, how the two of you manage your private affairs will be your business. Around the other servants you will address me as Mistress. The other help will address you in the same manner. Is everything clear so far?"

"Yes Mistress." Willa replied with a smile.

"You will do fine."

"For now you will assist me with the master bedroom. That room will be your responsibility when I am gone. I understand that you are a trained midwife. That training will come in handy here."

"I learned from the best in Rivervale, my mother." Willa said with some pride.

"Very good. Come, let us go do the master bedroom and you can see what is expected there." The two ladies went to the master bedroom and prepared it. "Master Bralder's room will be done in like manner. Go tend to it and seek me when you are done."

"Yes Mistress." Willa did as she had been ordered and returned to Maelyn.

"Let us go critique your handiwork, Willa." The ladies went to Bralder's room where Maelyn looked the room over. "Excellent work, Little One! You learn fast and well. Now as the other maids report to me we shall go inspect their work as well. In the meantime, let us go see how lunch is coming along and then we will tour the forge. We do not inspect the barracks or the garrison, that is Lord Gilliadson's and Lady Renwynn's duty. One day of the week the entire staff is invited to join the Shadowbanes for dinner. The Shadowbanes have always treated us well." Maelyn and Willa toured the kitchen and each got a sample of what Tiranae was cooking. After they toured the smithy, Maelyn called the staff together. "As all of you are aware, my days of serving here are drawing to a close. My niece is content to continue in the kitchen rather than fill my shoes as Head of Staff. I do not hold her decision against her. It is her desire to work her magic where she works it best. So I had to seek my successor outside of my family and she was found not by me, but by Lord Gilliadson. I present to you all, Willanaome Bramblerose of Rivervale. She will succeed me. You all are to accord her the same respect that you do me." Willa stood and moved next to Maelyn. "She is a druid of Karana and serves the Eastern Commonlands. You will find her very wise and insightful for one of such youth." The assembled staff applauded and cheered. Willa bowed.

"Thank you all for the warm welcome." Each of the staff members hugged Willa and welcomed her to her position.

Chapter 6: Willa Takes Over

During the next year, Willa trained under Maelyn while Maelyn grew weaker. One day Gilliadson called the two ladies into his study.

"Ladies, you may be informal with me during this chat since none of the other servants are near. Maelyn, you have served this house longer than anyone should. I wish we could have found your successor sooner than we did."

"I have no regrets Gilliadson. I have enjoyed every day that I have worked here."

"Is Willa sufficiently trained to take over yet?"

"She could use a little more language training. I have taught her all the lore I know that is not contained in the library. She is well versed in the daily activities of the estate and has good judgment in dealing with unusual circumstances. I feel she is ready. She has been a joy to be around and I would like to continue her language training."

"If so then I would like for you to retire. You are getting to the point where your work is too much of a burden for you. I have noticed it Maelyn and so has Renwynn. You have done more than what has ever been expected of you here and you have done it gladly. I give you a choice of living your final days in comfort where ever you wish and any one of our servants to go with you."

"I always knew this day would come and I know that I cannot talk you out of this as much as I would like to so, I would like to live out the rest of my life here on the estate. I would choose Willa to be my handmaiden if she were not my replacement so I will take Sariha. I have loved this family for as long as I have been here and I cannot think of anywhere else where I would feel at home than with you."

"You are from this day no longer an employee here but a full member of the family with all rights, privileges and responsibilities thereof. As per your preference you shall take one of the guest rooms as your quarters. Sariha shall be your handmaiden as you requested and shall either share quarters with you or shall take one adjacent to you. Willa, I would like for you to take quarters near Maelyn as well. You are my friend and as such are entitled to live here in the main house with us. Now what do the two of you say we all go out to dinner in Freeport this evening? Ethan is invited as well."

That evening the five of them climbed into the Shadowbane coach and rode into Freeport. At dinner that evening Ethan asked Willa to join with him and presented her with a ring.

"It is a small token of the love I bear for you." Said Ethan as he slid it on her finger. "I promise to get you a much nicer one for our Union."

"Oh Ethan!" Willa exclaimed as her tush started to wiggle. "The size matters not to me. Only the love that comes with it." After dinner the five of them celebrated the engagement at one of the taverns in town before returning to the estate. Willa spent the rest of that night in Ethan's bed in his arms. It was a night that Willa would never forget for the rest of her life.

Willa arose in the morning and left Ethan sleeping. Willa silently entered the manor and went to her room to prepare for the day.

"I see someone had a very nice evening." Said a voice that Willa knew all too well as she closed the door to her room. "While such practices may not be taboo to the Halfling Druids of Karana, the Knights of Truth wait until they are joined before partaking of such activities. Do not let Gilliadson find out. While he may not let it show openly, he will be disappointed in you."

"Maelyn! Have you been in my room all night? I am sorry I had no idea that Gilliadson held such views. I will not do that again on the estate. But you are right. Among my people once a maiden is of age and is betrothed she may be intimate with her mate. Actually that is how most engagements are celebrated and sealed among us."

"No I just came in here when I sensed you enter the manor. I knew you had been out all night and where you were. I just wanted to give you this warning. You will never lose Gilliadson's friendship but he thinks very highly of you and I would not wish to see that diminished in any way. I would advise that now that your engagement is sealed, do not do that again until the two of you are joined."

"I see your point and I agree. I shall talk to Ethan when he wakes. I am sure he will agree as well."

"That will be good." Maelyn went to her room and Willa got herself ready for the day. All that day Willa seemed a little distracted. She could still feel Ethan's kisses and his caresses throughout the day and sometimes the sensations would make her tush wiggle and she would blush. Willa had talked to Ethan and they had agreed to not get intimate again until they were joined.

Chapter 7: Ethan's Quest

One morning while Ethan was out touring the West Commonlands, he ran into a Halfling Rogue, who was a good friend of his in his younger days, named Delbad. Ethan told him of his engagement to Willa and his desire to find a magnificent ring for her Ring of Bonding.

"I am on my way to meet up with some adventurers in Freeport who have a plan to raid the treasure of the great Dragon of Lavastorm, Lord Nagafen. I am sure you can find a ring in his lair fit for a queen."

"That sounds quite dangerous Delbad."

"The plan they have sounds really good though. I think we can pull it off. We would need druids to port us all out of there and we are one shy of the number we need. You would be gone no more than a week and could most likely return with a ring to your liking."

"I will go if I can get leave from Lord Gilliadson. Do not ever let Willa know about this. She will skin us both." Delbad agreed and the two Halflings ran to Shadowmanor. Gilliadson granted two weeks leave to Ethan.

"Just in case whatever this endeavor is takes longer than you planned." Gilliadson told Ethan. Ethan went to Willa and told her that he was going on a short adventure and that they could set their Union date when he returned. Willa kissed Ethan deeply as they embraced for several minutes.

"I do not like not knowing where you are going but, I will trust your judgment. I will take this time to visit my parents and let them know the good news so they can come to the ceremony. Be careful my love and return to me swiftly."

"As quickly as I can my dear." Ethan kissed Willa once more and left with Delbad for Freeport. Willa took a short leave and returned home to let her parent's know of her upcoming Joining. Willa's mother made a magnificent dress for Willa to wear at the ceremony. It was green like the leaves of the forest and had many emeralds and blue plains pebbles sewn into it. Ethan's father hired a jewel crafter to make a golden emerald tiara to hold her veil. In those days blacksmiths were among the wealthiest of all tradesmen because of the high demand for their goods. Willa went back to Shadowmanor a few days later and counted the days for Ethan's return. The day of Ethan's arrival came and went with no sign of the young Halfling. Willa grew more concerned as the days passed without Ethan's return. When Ethan's leave expired, the Shadowbanes started to wonder. Gilliadson made frequent trips to the taverns in Freeport seeking information on the two Halflings and the band of adventurers that they had joined with but to no avail until after two months had passed and Gilliadson stumbled into a familiar rogue.

"Delbad!" Shouted Gilliadson. "Where is Ethan? Willa is in quite a distress over his disappearance." The young rogue looked like he had been at the losing side of a barroom brawl. He had one arm in a sling and the fingers of that hand were bent in unnatural positions like they had been broken and not reset properly. There were several gashes on his face that had not been healing well and his leather armor was in tatters. "Wait, let us get you some proper care before you start answering questions." Gilliadson took Delbad to the Temple of Marr to be tended by the priests. Delbad's wounds had to be reopened and his fingers re-broken so that they could be reset before the priests practiced their healing magics on him. When they were done, they put Delbad in a room to rest and told Gilliadson that it would take a couple of days for Delbad to recover. Gilliadson dispatched a bard to the estate to let Renwynn know that he would be in town for a few days.

Delbad regained consciousness on the second day and Gilliadson was called. When Gilliadson arrived in the room, Delbad was sitting up in the bed. It appeared that Delbad's wounds were healed well with some minor scarring.

"You are in a lot of trouble, Delbad. I would suggest you tell me everything from the beginning. I can tell from what I have seen of your armor that you were probably on the losing end of a fight with a Dragon. I currently know of only two on this continent and only one of those could have put the scorch marks in it. So what were you doing in Lord Nagafen's lair and where is Ethan?"

"We were trying to sneak some treasure out of the lair while Nagafen and his guards were asleep. Our plan was that the rogues among us would sneak in and out carrying as much treasure as we could carry quietly to the door of the lair. We had warriors and priests along to keep the Dragon and the Giants busy long enough for the druids to port us out if anything went wrong. It seemed like a good plan. I found several nice rings and Ethan chose one of them for Willa. As I was going back in for my last load, one of the other rogues tripped and dropped what he was carrying. The noise woke Nagafen and the Giants and the battle began. Ethan and the other druids came into the lair and started casting their portal spells. Nagafen saw the portals starting to form, summoned the druids to him and crushed them. Nagafen had given me quite a beating before I managed to get away and hide. It took me several weeks to sneak my way back out since the Giants started patrolling the caverns. Before we set out on this adventure, Ethan made me promise not to ever tell Willa where we went. I guess it does not matter now. I am so sorry it turned out like this."

"Not as sorry as you would be if Willa ever finds you. I want you on the next boat to Butcherblock Mountains. Never set foot on Antonica again for Willa will eventually find you here. I will deliver the news to her but I will not reveal the source. If she does find you, then you had better pray that she asks me to champion her cause for by my hand your death would be swift. Now begone and never return." Delbad departed as he was ordered and was never heard from again.

Gilliadson kept his word and delivered the news to Willa but would not tell her the source of his information. All that day Willa sobbed on the shoulders of Gilliadson, Renwynn and Maelyn. Gilliadson gave Willa all the time off that she felt she needed before returning to work. Willa went to Rivervale to tell Ethan's parents of their son's fate. Willa's father held a memorial for Ethan. A few days later, Willa returned to Shadowmanor and resumed her duties there. It took Willa several years to get over the loss of her only true love. Willa never slacked in her duties, not even during her time of grieving.