Paradise #16
By Tiger


Tiger swore and began running... Eric was in thrall!

She changed clothes and despite obstacles popping up,
she found him at the Shrine. She stopped the Lady Of
The Mist and confronted her. 

The Lady of the  Mist asked her," What is he to you". 

"Look into my eyes." she spoke.. hiding nothing. The 
Lady saw the truth. "I am certain Eric would have 
helped you on his own, but I do ask that you wake him 
so that he can hear this before all is done". 

She complied. 

"Eric" Tiger said quietly. "There is a lady trapped as 
a spirit and needing your help. Will you  help her?" 

"Sure would!" he said. 

Tiger knew that the Lady was listening. "As
In'Yan, it is my right to demand a binding promise
from you. You will swear on the name of Light that
there will be no meddling either during or after the
ceremony. I also will make that pledge.. Do you
swear?" 

"I will swear by the Name of the Light, that I
will not interfere in any way during the ceremony nor
afterwards." 

"Then lets do it!" Eric was full of enthusiasm. 

Tiger touched him only once and as everything was ready, 
began to feed him energy. She grew weaker as the hours 
wore steadily on. *Lady, I do not control Eric as you see. 
I lost my possessive streak a long time ago. He is his own 
man. All I want is truly for his own happiness* then turned her
concentration back to the task at hand. Her eyes
finally closed, as her life force slipped away. 

The Lady finally regained her physical form. "I wish to
reward you" Aurora Of the Mist spoke to Eric after it
was over with. 

"Don't need a reward, just was glad to help." 

Then Aurora looked at Tiger who was laying still
as death on the rocky ground. 

Eric followed her gaze and cried out. He had heard Tiger's 
telepathic remark to the Lady and knew it was true. 

Kevin appeared quietly. Kneeling down, he checked Tiger's pulse. "She
lives, but is totally drained. She held nothing
back."  Kevin took her to a safe hideaway then followed
Aurora of the Mist and Eric back. Eric went back as
well as Aurora. Kevin scowled at her for a moment.

After Aurora was made comfortable. she spoke of her
knowledge. Afterwards she spoke with Eric. "I still
wish to reward you. let us the see In'Yan then I will
reward you." 

Eric came in, and at the sight of Tiger tears fell.  

Aurora noted that her initial impression
was wrong about the In'Yan. She knew what the reward
would be. "Would you wish to be connected to the
In'Yan forever?" 

Eric stared in shock... then nodded.


Aurora touched Tiger and Eric at the same time. He felt
her drainage and suddenly she felt Eric! Her eyes
fluttered open in shock. 

Aurora smiled at her. *You are of good heart In'Yan. 
I could not take him away from you* Now you both are 
bound together as one.* So saying she left and went 
back to the others.