Uncle Seven showed up that morning, even though no one had called him. And he knew about the fire. Crazy Uncle Seven, with the magic tricks and stories. His name wasn't really Seven, but they couldn't say Severn when they were kids. He was probably old enough to start calling him by his proper name... it just hadn't ever come up. He was too grief-stricken to really notice. He had loved her. Everyone had... but he was in love with her. His sister. His adoptive parents' natural daughter.

His parents had sent him off to school. 'Routine eases grief', and all that bullshit... but he had come home early. The stares. The whispers. The pity in people's eyes. The locker next to his that no one came to open.

He hadn't bothered to call, just ran home, just like a cross-country track meet. He opened the door, and before he could call out that he was home, he could hear the yelling. Yelling... and crying. They were in his dad's office, and it must have been loud for him to hear the muffled sounds. Dad composed music, and his office was soundproofed. Even when he quietly walked in front of the door, he couldn't make out words. He focused on the sounds, straining to hear.

And he did. Clearly... but not full sentences. Words. Emotions. Images.

...all your fault... didn't know... never should have adopted... left it to fate... would have met... thought they would be safer together... Proximi...

Anger. Sorrow. Regret. Hatred.

An image of a man and woman. The man looked like him, but older. The woman looked like his sister, beautiful and regal. Strange words labeled them in Uncle Seven's voice. The Adamant Sage. The Hierarch.

Another image. A Christmas card, with flowery script inside. Yesterday's date.

"The Fires of Heaven
Crushed Scepter and Broke Sword
The Throne Still Standing."

The door flew open and Uncle Seven had grabbed him. He was yelling. Angry. Tried to do something to his thoughts, his memories, but he pushed back, and stopped him.

His adoptive parents made Severn leave, and they never talked about that day again.

He saw Severn once more, while he was waiting at the airport, on leave from Bosnia. Severn's red eyes and shaky hands showed him the morning's paper. Elderly Couple Killed In Car Accident.

The sword which was broken became an Arrow.

And one day the Arrow understood what the arrogance of a Master of Time and Fate had done.