Sequel to Origins

Sequel to Origins

Sequel to Origins

Sequel to Origins

Sequel to Origins

Sequel to Origins

Sequel to Origins

Sequel to Origins

For the story summary, see book one, Origins. For this chapter: Peace reigns on a silent and sacred day. . . .

For story summary, please see Book One. For this chapter: Christmas night. . . .

For the story summary, see the first book, Origins, for this chapter: . . . change isn't always for the best.

For the full story, see book one, Origins For this chapter -- what is illusion and what is real?

For story summary, please see book one, Origins. For this chapter. . . . fear is sometimes our single motivating force. . . .

For the story summary, see book one, Origins. In this chapter. . . . the consequences of hubris lie in a dangerous place. . . .

When a heart breaks. . . .

How does one react when faced with an old rival. . . .

How do you figure out what you have to do when you have no knowledge of what has come before?

Truth, as always, is a bit stranger than fiction. . . for there is no spoon. . .

Through a veil of mist. . . perhaps, one finds truth, perhaps more lies

Oh what a tangled web our tree has woven. . . and who will discover the threads of deceit first?

What happens when a young girl is left behind?

Hope is a waking dream. . . . and sometimes all we have to hold onto

Life is full of darkness and light. . . usually at the same time

How loud is the sound of a heart breaking?

Past actions begin to catch up with their perpetrators

Disappearing from the scene doesn't hide one's guilt. . . .

Aftermath. . . and the start of something else

Waiting, watching, wondering. . .

Meetings between enemies or are they? And what secrets will be revealed, or not, as the case may be. . . .

The art of negotiation often requires a show of power.

Warfare makes strange allies.

Preparing for action, and the last moments of peace

Preparations start . . . . on all sides.

And so it begins

Battle lines

Engagement

Battle lines drawn

Well, just like the title says. . . . never hit softly.

The fight rages on

Reaping what is sown. . . .

Just like the title says. . . .

Time in between

Some truths are harder to see and some sneak up when least expected.

Dilemmas all around. . . who will make the wisest choice?

What happens beyond the Pale?

One test has passed. . . will they survive the second?

Neither time nor distance can break bonds formed from love.

The day of reckoning is at hand

The wages of sin . . . and the moments of grace

What would you do to protect someone you love? And what would you to do protect someone you didn't want to love?

Finding one's home isn't always about location. . .

What is happiness? The rarest of things. . . .

Everyone's version of heaven is different.