I had thought it might be too much, yet she had to know and there is no way of easing into such a subject as I barely understand.

“Of course… I promise.” Gently now I turn Mari to face me, brushing a lock of her hair from her cheek. “Listen now Mari. I promise I will do all in my power, never to leave you like this.” Silently I hope my words are enough to reassure her.

“As to Corwin… I’m not so sure he has done anything but survived and I’m not even certain of that.”

“What do you mean?” Mari asks

“In hearing about each of the circumstances before and after our ordeals it was clear the only commonality was that it happened.”

“You’re not making any sense” Mari flatly states.

She’s right… I’ve had enough time to process all I’ve heard from my brothers. Ha enough time? – How much is enough? I need to go slow and give her more information.

“At the tavern Corwin related to us a time when he had a head injury. He could not recall how the injury happened only that he was being cared for by others who kept him drugged.”

“Who were…” Mari begins to ask.

“Please let me finish… Ill answer any question you have.”

Mari nods in agreement and I continue.

“He eventually escaped yet lost all account of who or where he was. It was several months later along with the aid of another one of my brothers that he finally was able to remember. Of Brands death, he told of a similar experience; yet what he was able to remember, was restored in only a few days. They both asked me if I had ever lost my memory... I joked I couldn’t remember… and it doesn’t seem too funny now. That night we promised each other that upon hearing of anyone of our deaths, we would remain and make sure........ We also promised to let each other know if, like Brand our fortunes changed. At the time these promises were made with much drink and at least for my part a hope that they would be long in coming.”