It had been a little more than a week since the audience with the Lady.
Gunter had pretty much been told to wait.

So wait he did....but he had not been idle. Not having been given access to certain books of very forbidden lore, he made the occasional expedition to gather such knowledge the hard way.

Tomb delving. Blackmail. Necromancy. Diabolism. Celestialism. Raw Arcane research.

And when those failed, forbidden lore of his own.

Between all this, Gunter enjoyed the challenge of avoiding Sanguinis. So far he has been very successful in this endeavor.

Too easy. Gunter didn't think it likely that it should be this easy.So he remained wary and alert, even as he wandered randomly.

For some reason, he found himself wandering by Gabrielle's chambers. He stopped and frowned and lost part of himself into a deep thought. An hour or maybe two later he continued on.

So did his frown.

In the end, he found himself in the main hall. There he sat before the fire and waited.

Perhaps someone worth talking to would come along. He needed a break from researching Time itself.

~ a soft voice fills the room ~

and given another chance, you still find a way to upset things? Not only were you told to wait, I believe you were told to stay with San and you can't even manage that? Always have to be on the edge, don't you?

~ stepping out of the shadows, cloak wrapped around her body and head gently..only wisps of her red hair escaping from it's restraints ~

You are being given a chance to prove your word, but how can Jaeden, or any of the Knights for that matter trust you when you won't even follow her directions to stay with San? You walk a fine line Gunter...I hope you know what you are doing...because if you don't, let me be the first to warn you that you are one step out of the Sanctuary door.

Gunter stood. An expresion of mild surprise briefly flashing across his face.

It is hard for me to be other than myself. But I am trying.

Besides. I am pretty sure I was not told I could do nothing as I waited.

As for Sanguinis...he struck me as a resourseful boy. I am surprised I have not seen him lately. I'm not trying THAT hard to not be found. I imagine him to about doing....whatever it is boys like him do.

Gunter opened his mouth to say something else...and then shut it again. He then looked down for a moment before raising his eyes to look at her again.

How have you been? He asked softly.

Gunter looked down at the shadow leash with little concern, then looked at San.

There you are. As expected.

If you had been truly following, young man, you'd know I was never in the library researching said subjects...

I was out and about PERFORMING said subjects. Knowledge gathering the hard way. And yet...I never left the Sanctuary...in a way...

He then turned back to Gabrielle...she being the ever more important person in the hall...

When her Lady Mother left her in charge of the Sanctuary, Wisdom took that duty VERY seriously. She had been aware of Gunter's "travels" as was the Sanctuary itself. And she knew that her Lady Mother was also aware, but She had not yet spoken to her about it.

But she DID remember what the ArchAngel had clearly said:
"Gunter, Sanguinis will accompany you around Elysium. I do hope I hear no reports of you out of each other's sight...."

She stepped out into the areaway, sighing.

"Gunter, perhaps you should find something else to do. I know that my Lady Mother is doing Her own research. But, its slow going. To the point that She may want to see Zchadazar to ask his side of the story. One knows Mother tries to be fair and what you ask is almost impossible for the nature of their existence. My Lady Mother and Zchadazar are similar....but there are major differences....and therein lies the problem. I think you may have to re-think this idea of harming or killing him."

She took a step further towards them, nodding to Gabrielle and Sanguinis.

"But first, I think you need to understand that you asked my Lady Mother to become Her vassal. How can She accept that when you will not even honor Her simple request about remaining with Sanguinis?"

Gunter turned towards Wisdom and he pursed his lips briefly in thought.

I apologize for any misunderstandings. It's just that I do not feel comfortable doing...nothing.

I fervently hope that the Lady can find a different solution. Or perhaps one of the Knights. I have been so close to Zchadazar for so long that I may be blind to what others percieve...

On the other hand, my closeness to Him has given me to sense.... insanity of some sort. Or at least a vile purpose. A new purpose.

Perhaps your Mother should speak to Him. She could better judge Him than I could.

But if she ageres with my assessment, I would be glad to hear Her solution....and give Her mine, from what I have gathered from my own research, so far.

Him being a Being of paradox, perhaps He can be killed and not killed.

He looked at Sanguinis then looked back at Wisdom.

As for San. I knew he was following me...most of the time.Not my fault if he was playing shadow when I left my chambers. So I was following orders, in a roundabout way. But if he promises to stop playing shadow hound, I vow to actively let him know I am going to be out and about.

He looked back at Gabrielle as the last words left his lips...

~ Gabrielle rose from her place on the chair and drew her cloak around herself once again, looking at the others ~

My purpose here is done....although it seems I didn't need to bother....Please summon me if there is anything else I am needed for...

~ and with her last words, she strides back out the balcony doors and into the soft night ~

Gunter watched Gabrielle go with pained eyes. So many words to say and no time allowed to say them.

But just before the night swallowed her, his thought whispered across her mind....

*I'm sorry...*

~ one last thought reached out to Gunter as she disappeared ~

You have nothing to be sorry for. We all make choices that define who we are. You made one and now have to live with the consequences. I am no longer angry. If you truly want forgiveness for your actions, you need to begin by forgiving yourself, starting over...and then attempting to right those wrong and those you've donw wrong. That is the only way you can begin to heal.....