They did not run nor were they really walking. The horror that lay before them still sinking into their brains. Marc and Erik shared an equal anger of having not be present to help fight and save their village, a disgrace the felt to their very core that they themselves placed on their own shoulders. Darryl also felt an anger, he had helped many build their homes and also an anger that he wasn't their to defend. Even Kat felt anger, even though she had not grown up here she understood that this was a massacre, and that rubbed against her morale grain. Jade however had a different anger, an intense frustration at all the dead that lay before her. She was a healer and this abhorant seen struck at her very core. She felt bitter and angry that as one tear managed to fall down her cheek she brushed it away so angrily and held her hands so tightly by her side in an attempt to not cry or scream out in anguish that her nuckles turned white. With a rather cold and empty voice she said she would check for survivors, not that she expected to find any. Darryl said he would help and started in another area. Marc and Erick with the aid of Kat went to scrounge what little they could use for supplies.

It was Darryl who found Sarah. Her eyes where closed as he knelt down beside her. He was about to call for the others when she opened her eyes weakly. Quickly he shouted and then turned his attention to her.

"Look after her." Sarah said in the softest voice that Darryl nearly didn't hear, then he felt her hand brush beside his and she opened it letting a braclet fall out before she closed her eyes again. Darryl grabbed it looking at it realising what it was, a marriage braclet. Darryl noted that Sarah's own marriage braclet was gone, most likely taken by the raiders.

Jade reached Sarah not long after Darryl shouted and without even focusing her eyes could see her aura receeding into Sarah's body, like a candle flame going out. She cried out and reached despretly to her mother, trying to heal her. Erick caught Jade in his arms. She writhed in his grip beating at his arms and yelling her fury. Jade even resorted to biting him. Eventually she subsided, her body shaking as if she was sheding tears but none came. Marc had knelt beside Darryl and saw the braclet in Darryl's hands. He leant over and closed Darryl's palm over the braclet and told him to keep it safe for now. Darryl nodded numbly.

"I'm sorry for your loss" Kat said, simply resting a hand upon Marc's shoulder.

"Thank you." He stood then and let out a sigh. "We can not leave them this way, we will gather their bodies and burn them and scatter their ashes to the sea, it is our way."

They all agreed. Erick left Jade in Kat's care and the three boys gathered the bodies of friends and family. It was well into the night before they had them all. They used what wood they could find and burnt the bodies, the fire reaching high into the sky. Jade had gathered herself enough to say the prayer as was her duty as healer. When morning came she alone collected the ashes and then took them out to sea. The others watched as she went up to her waste in water before she scattered the ashes to the wind onto the ocean. It took a long time as there was a lot to scatter, Jade having to take several trips into the ocean. Then after she made it back to shore after the last of the ashes where commited she collapsed in exhaustion. Darryl carried her to under a tree and got Kat to stay with her as Jade slept. The rest gathered what they could.

As luck would have it a few of the basements had remained untouched and unnoticed and they were able to grab a few supplies. They packed only food that would keep. Darryl grabbed what herbs he could. He knew that Jade would be upset if they didn't have any for healing. They found a few items of clothing that were clearly to small and burnt and three large blankets. They packed the blankets.

By late afternoon they had everything. Jade was awake by then though rather quiet. She simply said they needed to eat. It was decided to move away from the village a little bit before they settled down for the night. Jade cooked what she could and warmed some bread they had and then they ate. As she ate she rumaged through the herbs Darryl had collected. She thanked him and said he had done well, like a mother talking to a child. Then they agreed it was time to rest as they had a long journey ahead. Kat had noted that they had only three blankets and suggested that she and Marc take one, Darryl and Jade take another and Erick have the last one. When Jade did not make a comment about that being immoral or improper there were some eyebrows raised.

Erick, Marc and Kat agreed to take shifts in keeping watch out. It was agreed that it couldn't hurt and that they were used to it. Originaly Kat was not assigned night watch but she argued that she also could do it. Marc had gone to protest but Erick stopped him saying it was her choice. Erick took first watch. Jade lay down by the fire and Darryl cuddled her from behind under the blanket. To his relief she shuffled back a little and curled up into his arms. Marc and Kat got under a blanket too.

"I'm worried about your sister."
"Jade?"
"Do you have any other sister?" Kat asked her eyebrow raised.
"No." He laughed softly. "But why?"
"I spoke to her once about bedding with you and she was fairly clear she thought it wrong, tonight, she did not make one comment."
"Her whole world has changed, she probably just wanted to take comfort in Darryl's arms."
"Maybe, but it seems deeper than that."
"Perhaps you are right."

The next morning they awoke all early and refreshed. Jade made them breakfast quietly and then they all set off. Marc and Erick used to long treks seemed to swallow the land up as they went without any qualms. Kat was also used to long treks but felt the resistence in her body for not having taken such long walks for a while. Darryl and Jade where the ones who felt it most. Not because they were unfit, simply because they were not used to it. So after a few hours they stopped to rest. Jade went to scamper off behind a bush to relieve herself and Marc sat beside Darryl.

"Don't worry, you will get used to it."
"Thanks, I think." Darryl smiled
"What is that?" Kat asked, noticing Darryl handle something.
"It's a marriage braclet." Marc replied
"Oh?"
"When the Elders of our village decide that two people are suited for marriage then they make a braclet. It has a black pearl, they are not commen or found often and so are used only in these braclets and the necklaces of the Elders. The beads show status. This side, the blue beads mean healing. This would mean Jade. These green beads represent Darryl as a provider and fisherman."
"Then why not wear it?"
"It's to be worn by Jade."
"Why isn't she wearing it?"
"We are not bonded. Sarah was holding it. She gave it to me before she died. It means that the Elders had given us permission."
"Then it is of great honour to have it. I see no reason Jade should not have it."
"It is a little more complicated than that. I'm sorry Kat, I just don't know how else to explain it than the time is not right."
"I see."
"She does have a point though." Marc commented "Perhaps Jade should at least know about it's existance."
"And what anguish her more?" Darryl accused.

The conversation broke off as Jade broke through the bush again, arms full of a certain flower. Marc then saw what Kat was refering to the night before. Normally Jade would be pleased to have found such a beautiful flower but her tone was flat and her smile fake as she said that she had found this rare flower. He watched as she grabbed chopped the flower up. Her actions were so mechanical. Marc turned to Erick and saw that Erick to was aware of how lifeless Jade seemed. After Jade finished cutting up the flower and storing the different parts in different bags she said they should move on.

They reached the nearest village late that night. The villagers welcomed them with open arms and feed them a feast as they told of their woe. Then an Elder of that village, known as KatE stood up and spoke.

"You bring such sad news to us tonight and we are sorry greatly for your lose. Our village and yours having been friends for so long. We can see however that this sorrow haunts you greater than we could ever feel and so if you wish you may stay with us."

"I thank you kindly for your offer Elder KatE but we are bound for foriegn lands on a journey that we feel we are now honour bound to for we gave our word to this traveller who crossed our path three moons ago and that journey is our hearts beat. Maybe one day we shall return to your kidness and lay ourselves to rest upon your soil." Erick responded

"Then we will bid you rest here tonight and give you what we may to aid you in your journey."

"Thank you Elder KatE, your generousity is beyond what mere gratitude we feel."

They ate some more and then we taken to different huts. Jade and Kat shared a hut with a lovely old lady who's daughters had put up their hair long ago and bonded and moved out. She insisted they have a bath and gave them some clean clothes. Then as she showed them to a room each. First Kat and then Jade. As Jade got into bed the lady sat down on a chair.

"I can see you are a healer. That is not easy, especially after what you must have seen. I knew your mother Sarah well, she was wise and wonderful in so many ways. She knew as you must now know that being a healer is a hard duty, you must be strong my child. If there are tears, do not hold them within yourself, let them flow. Tears are a natural cleanser as is laughter. Don't be afraid to have laughter, you need that as much as you need to cry."

With that she stood and left the room closing the door behind her, leaving Jade to mull over her words.

The smell of bread woke the boys up the next morning and briefly they all forgot where they were. They got up and dressed then headed to the kitchen and ate. They met the girls in the city square, more suitably dressed for travel. The villagers had provided suitable carry bags which replaced them placing everything within the blankets and slinging them over their shoulder. They also got two more large blankets and more food that would last. Marc and Erick had their swords sharpened and Darryl was given a sword. At request Kat was also given a sword and a bow and arrows. Her request had shocked them a little but KatE had said it was fine. Jade was also given several satchels of herbs and several empty ones so she could carry the other herbs she had. Last but not least they were given a bag. It held within several pearls. Erick thanked them all and KatE hugged them each. Then the went on their way the villagers waving them on and singing a song about safe journeys and finding ones treasure.