Don't weep for me, because this will be the labor of my love.

[Librette]

As a child you would wait, and watch from far away. But you always knew you'd be the one to work while they all play. "Just do it." she growls, her rough voice as cold as ice. She doesn’t hate her granddaughter for this; perhaps it's always been her destiny, to be torn apart by magicians. Perhaps she'll be rebuilt again, but she isn't counting on it. She knows in her heart that this, here, is her end. At least, for now. The black mare doesn't speak, but Librette knows she's started. As Camrynn had promised, it doesn't hurt, and Librette almost wishes that it would. It feels as though something is gently sifting through every strand of her being, and although she's entirely numb to the pain of the process it still feels strange – like hearing the dentist drill your teeth, the Novocain blocks the pain but not the knowledge of the process. She can feel the magic dig and dig, deeper below the surface, until Camrynn has found what she seeks – Librette's heart. It pulses with the Valley's magic, tight invisible bonds that hold together a heart that was once shattered by Core and Carnage so many years ago. Camrynn doesn't care about the heart itself; all that matters to her are the invisible bonds, and the pure magic energy they represent. Camrynn pauses, and Librette knows that this is the end. But she refuses to do anything but stare straight ahead, refuses to look at her granddaughter, refuses to give any sign or acknowledgement. She doesn't cry out for her children, doesn't cry out for her lovers, doesn't cry out for anyone. Camrynn rips the bonds from around her heart, and with it goes the scraps of Camrynn's own power that were keeping the chestnut mare's life unnaturally extended. Camrynn absorbs it all into herself, taking back her power and absorbing the Valley's power too, tucking it inside herself like a reverse supernova. It settles into the core of who she is, magic winding around magic, and she knows it's done exactly what she had hoped. Her power has increased; she stands shoulder to shoulder with Eight, with Evrae, equal in power now to the eldest of Beqanna's magicians. And Librette? As her heart comes apart, her body falls to the ground, the gentle kind of death that no warrior deserves. Her last thoughts are of the Valley before her soul goes, once again, into the underland of death. HERE LIES LIBRETTE Daughter of no one, true lover of the Valley, and only the Valley. Queen of the Valley twice, General and Lady several times over. Mother of Chernobyl, Concord, Vivaine, Thorrun, Valkerine, and Aletheia (although she doesn't know about that last one). Valley – You have always been my home. I am sad to leave you. ....Again. Covet – As kids go, ours are pretty all right. Especially Thorrun. Try not to let them die. Or something. Oh, and you're kind of okay too. Children – I'm still a pretty terrible mother. Sorry about that. We've all got our talents, right? Vampyric – At least I got to see you once more before I died. Again. Farewell, my friend. Eight – If you fail the Valley I will find you and I will haunt you. Shahrizai – You should go live in the Valley. No really, it's super cool and fun. Nihlus – You should go live in the Valley too. My tree is probably lonely now. You and Shah can hang out by it and bond, or whatever normal horses do when they hang out. Magnus – My dearest friend, it'll be nice to fight by your side again. Camrynn – Magicians clearly have a thing for my heart. Kinda weird, but whatever floats your boat. Just repay me by serving the Valley someday. Core/Carnage – Speaking of my heart, if you want it, I'm pretty sure it's taken. Again. Beqanna/all those not mentioned here – I've led a long life. Technically, two long lives, considering I've already done this whole death thing once. I'm sorry if I've forgotten you, but you'll probably forget me too. Don't weep for me LIBRETTE Because this will be the labor of my love. Image copyright FFFiiiAA