Emily and I decided we wouldn’t take the children back with us the first time after much deliberation. So I once again pawned them off on family and we headed home. This time I was much more in control of things and we entered arriving right in Oakhaven keep’s yard. Oh, if you could have seen Nicky’s face! It was soo funny, Emily and I were holding our sides laughing. Nicky, while we love him dearly is a not exactly every girls dream man. He very tall and skinny, with shaggy auburn hair and a almost bird like thin face. We  met in college and have known him for years, he truly is one of our best friends. A unnaturally intelligent ninja, we used to call him. For all his scientific ways and lanky appearance, he’s also an amazing fighter.

So back on track…after we finished laughing, we ran off into the house pulling Nicky along. Ash was the first to greet us, and was very surprised that we had brought an outsider along with us. However Mother made Nicky feel very welcome and by our third day home Ash had stole him from us. We stayed seven days. The time was wonderful, with no dealings with Odin, or court life. It was exactly how I had wished it to be, other than the constant nagging desire for Raven to be a part of it all.

On the morning of the eighth day we said our goodbyes which were not as sad as before, promising to return home soon. As we walked to the garden gate, Nicky gave a violent shudder. Later he told me, it felt as if evil it’s self had touch his back.