A grievous departure...

With the rain streaming down her face, she hoped no one could see the tears. Through the years, he had become like a brother to her, more so than many others. He was the dependable one, the one who cared for others and who gave it all of himself. She had looked down at her treasured swan, the one he had folded for her out of paper so long ago under circumstances so much more elegant than these. It was now drooping, wilting away in the rain, while the rest of the company were busy saying their goodbyes.

"You better come back... in one piece!" She had warned him. What she would do if he didn't... she had no clue. The others looked just as distraught at the idea. Telpenaro, one of the finest of their house, would sacrifice his own happiness, his own life, for their safety. To venture out and find the one stalking them. The stories they had heard on the way were of such an odd nature that she could scarcely believe what was happening. And to know that there may be others out there, others from their house and of her own order lost somewhere, was too much to think about.

A last pat on the shoulder of her old friend and confidant and he was gone. Would he come back?