Julius strode through the Mongol camp, untouched and unseen by any of the warriors. None of these men would ever know he'd been here. Their leader would. Julius had been advising him for the last year. He entered the chieftain's tent.

"Good evening," he said softly, aware that the man had company. One of his warriors was in his tent, glancing over the maps arranged on the floor. Analyzing the new recruit, Julius inhaled deeply and caught an unusual scent for this tent. A young healthy female. His body responded to her unconscious call even as he stepped back to regain his composure. Where was the woman? For him to respond to her at all meant...

He'd found her once again. His gaze landed on the warrior and a smile appeared. She always was one to put herself in dangerous situations. Or she had been recently. In the last three lifetimes he'd known her, she had turned to a warrior's lifestyle. Julius felt eyes on him and glanced over at the chieftain. Did he know? Yes, or he wouldn't be so wary. This was unexpected.

"How are you, my friend?" The chieftain spoke, with a wary look towards the warrior. Julius shook his head slightly at the chieftain's fearful wariness. He would have a rebellion in camp if they realized he'd let a woman fight. Superstition still ran rampant in these camps. On second thought, he was right to be fearful.

"I'm somewhat surprised," Julius said bluntly. The chieftain met his gaze without flinching.

"Why is that? Has someone snuck around your shields?" he inquired.

That's it. Play dumb, just in case I don't already know. With an added comment in an attempt to distract me. Not likely but nice try.

"No. I haven't had anyone even test my barriers in the last few centuries. The only one who could ever match them was my brother. What surprised me was how you could let a woman fight. No offense is meant, me dea let me assure you." Julius said when the warrior stiffened. "I'm just surprised your chief allows it." The chieftain closed the tent flaps and dismissed the guards. He came back in and looked at Julius.

"She's my daughter and a worthy warrior," he said stiffly.

"I don't doubt that," Julius said just as softly. He looked at her stiff back and could easily sense the anger she felt at the way they were discussing her. He looked back at her father. "Are you going to introduce your newest warrior or am I to go without that privilege?"

"Go without it," the other man said bluntly. The woman gasped and turned. Julius looked at him with a cool look. He'd thought they were past this. Apparently not.

"Very well, old friend. I'll say my final farewell. I was coming to let you know that someone here is plotting to kill you. I came only to warn you." Julius turned and walked to the door. He stopped and looked back at his daughter. "In case you're wondering, my name is Julius, me dea. You've only to call to find me." He stopped just outside the tent as he heard an angry female voice. The woman whirled to face her father angrily.

"Father, what did you just do? He..."

"I was keeping you away from a monster. You do not know what that man is capable of."

"And you do?"

"No. That's why..."

"That's why you just drove off a man of power. He was highly insulted by your words."

"And just how would you know?"

"I just do."

Julius cocked his head. He turned, using his telepathy to reach out to his former friend.

"Do you remember when you promised me anything within your power to give in exchange for my assistance in your campaign?"  The warrior went still, horror going through him. Julius smiled. "It was just a reminder of what I could have asked for and didn't. Remember that."

"I'm going to try and salvage our alliance with that man. I'll introduce myself and hopefully..." His daughter continued speaking, not noticing the silent communication between the two men.

"You'll do nothing of the kind." her father replied angrily.

"Watch me." She stormed out of the tent, towards Julius. Julius began walking away, feeling a mixture of joy and sadness. So it would begin again. Maybe he would be strong enough to end it this time. She tried to keep up but was always a second too late. When she reached the trees, he'd disappeared completely.

"Julius, that's your name, right? I thought if I called, you would come," she called out.

"It's dangerous to call out when you aren't supposed to be here at all. What if someone heard you?" he spoke from behind her, his tone amused. She whirled to face him. He could see her pulse racing against her throat, heard her thundering heart. She was a passionate one. And a welcome sight to his hungry eyes.

"You wouldn't let them hear me." she challenged. He inclined his head at her bold comment.

"Your father had reason in trying to protect you. He's seen what I'm capable of."

"Just what are you capable of?"

"For you?" he gestured wide. "Name it. Jewels? Not this time. What's the one thing you want? A ride on a dragon?"

"You're a magician." She guessed. The rich sound of his laugh echoed in the trees.

"I'm much more than a magician. A magician couldn't tell you what you're thinking. About how you're trying not to think about what I do to you. A magician couldn't sense the passion you have thrown into your battle skill. A passion not meant for war." Her eyes grew hot.

"Then as my boon, I charge you to show me what it should be used for." The moment the words came out of her mouth she clamped her hands over it tightly. His smile vanished and hunger glowed in his eyes. She was innocent in these things. She was too young.

"I won't hold you to that." he rasped his voice deepening. "You don't know..."

"Are you afraid to or just not capable?" she taunted. His husky voice held only a hint of laughter at her baiting.

"Me dea, I can assure you of one thing. I am more than capable. Afraid? For your sake maybe."

"Why for my sake?"

"You've had dreams. Of other lives." Her eyes grew wary at his question.

"If I have?"

"How do they end?"

"I usually end up dying."

"At whose hands?" He held her gaze, seeing the moment when she realized who she was with. She took a step back. He smiled faintly. "I wish you a good life." He turned to go.

"You're different then," she called out. "And you always try to save me."

"But I always fail," he said turning. She smiled.

"You always try. That's what counts. Go now or stay if you can. I won't hold you." Julius' eyes went soft and bleak.

"You already do," he said quietly, with a quiet sense of resignation. She stepped closer, encouraged.

"What are you going to do with your knowledge?" He grinned. That was a loaded question if he ever heard one. She blushed at his wicked grin. He took pity on her and answered. If she wouldn't leave, well then he knew how to make her want to.

"I'm going to let your father decide his own fate. It's what I should have done, to begin with." He watched her face pale. There was one way to drive her away before it was too late for either one of them.

"But he'll die!" she protested, stepping forward.

"Most people do eventually," he said blandly. She glared at him angrily.

"But you could stop it."

"Temporarily, yes. The end result is the same. He'll die as he lives. Violently."

She punched him with everything she had. He blocked her furious blow easily, but couldn't avoid her verbal one.

"What about me? What's my fate?" she dared. Nausea churned in his gut as he killed her last hope of his benevolence.

"The same," he said tersely, reminding them both. No one else ever escaped that fate. Just him.

"You're just going to accept it? My father was right. You are a monster." Her accusation sliced deep behind his impassive mask. She turned and marched back to camp. He allowed himself a brief sigh of resignation.

Well, that had been easier than he'd thought. Now to take care of that assassin. A heavy heartache readjusted in his chest as he heard her storm back into her father's tent. With a skill born of long practice, he buried the pain and sense of loss beneath his sense of honor. He had done what was needed. He'd lost her love and saved her life. This time.

His own? It would go on. It always did. Always.