[Sadbh]

With the silence of shadows, the five slipped down the steps, past the dead body of the once-mighty corsair. His expression was vivid, and Gil averted her gaze, holding more tightly to her brother's hand. Soon they had descended the spiral tower.

The stones of the courtyard were under foot, and the pale, gentle dawn sky was overhead. By that time, Gil had slid her own hand from Rolan's, and she looked about in wonderment. Although much as the day before, this dawn had a brighter feel than the morning before.

"Do you know them?" Awyrgan's voice drew Gillan's attention to the Main Gates, where a carriage was clearly visible. The shapes inside were so familiar...

"Mama and Papa!" Gil caught her breath and started for the carriage. She turned qucikly and called to Rolan. "It's them Rolan!" As she was running, her foot caught on her hem and ripped the lining of her gown, and she could not have been less worried.

"Mama!" Gil finally reached the carriage, and embraced her mother who leaned from the opened window. "Elvira, Papa." She hugged each of her family members in turn.

As she turned slowly, she smiled at Rolan who had reached the carriage shortly after her, and at their three rescuers, still a distance away. If she had tried, she could have never smiled more gleefully. "We're safe." She whispered softly to no one in particular.