Shea sat on the steps of the castle, Aiden now two sat next to her, a big smile upon his young face. Shea didn?t know it then but this would be the last day her son would see his father. Adaron Istalindir, a man of mystery. He came from a far off land that?s all she ever knew of him. But he had loved her deeply, truly and passionately. He would fight for her and with her, till the end of his days.

His deep blue eyes scanned the sky as he came to the gates of GreenStone. He dismounted and lowered that dark gray cloaks hood, and let his dark blue hairs fly in to the winds and over his eyes. As the gates opened he led his horse in. Shea rose she saw him the moment he came in through the gates. Her smile grew as she saw the man she loved.

Adaron walked his horse right up to the steps and took Shea in his arms he spun her around and kissed her. Then he looked to his son. He knelt down to him, and took him up in his strong arms. " How has my boy been?" Aiden just giggled.

I smiled, " he?s been very good, he enjoys to run all over the castle and to give my brother trouble. I have hidden the fact that he isn?t fully elvish from my brother as well as I can." Adaron sighed softly and lowered his son to the ground, " my love why does your brother hate me so?" I shook my head, " I do not know if he only got to know you better, he?d see that you are a fine man." Adaron held his gloved finger to my lips and smiled softly, "Do you think we could get out of here for a while, you me and our son?" I smiled, "yes, I would love that."

He nodded, " then get your horse my love," he lifted Aiden up in to his arms as I ran off to grab my mare. I took Violette?s reigns and came back ready to go anywhere he would lead. He smiled to me and helped me on to my mare then mounted up holding Aiden in front of him. We rode down the street slowly and out the gates. We road through the mountain pass and in to the valley of Dae. Adaron stopped and bowed his head towards the tree.

I had always wondered how he knew exactly what to do with Dae. I rode close to him, we soon came to the dark enchanted woods and he led the way through, it was amazing to me how when we rode through those woods that every creature seemed to listen to him very whim. I watched im amazement as he could speak to the trees and the animals.

We soon came out of the woods and went to that little cottage that Salice had found so many moths ago. As I dismounted I wondered how my sisters were, Shavyn had fought with Jinnalt and barely gotten away alive. By now she and Salice were on their way to Ros?-Whip in search of Ember. I took Aiden in to my arms as Adaron dismounted. He smiled brightly to me as he took our hoses to a shady spot. He walked to the door of the cottage and I followed. We went inside, Aiden giggled the moment we went inside and ran off up stairs. As I went to follow him Adaron took my hand in his, "Shea."

I turned and looked to him, "Yes." He smiled and drew me closer and kissed me lovingly. As the kiss ended he pulled back slowly "Im sorry it took me so long to get here." I smiled, " I am just glad you are here now." He nodded softly, " I wanted to be there to see him born, but there were pressing matters I had to attend to." I nodded, I had never questioned him about where he was from or what he did. It seemed very evident that he was a warrior with this gleaming armor and blade. But there in those deep blue eyes I saw more magic than I had ever seen, but for now I let my questions fade and slid from his hand and went to go chase Aiden.

After what seemed like hours Aiden laid down for a nap and I sat upon the chair looking across the table at Adaron whom made us some lunch. He looked to me and I could feel my smile widen.

I remembered the night I met him. I had left GreenStone and gone to see Hisime. After long talks with him I left. I rode out of SilverWaters and went towards GoldFeather as the sun sent behind me. Once with in the small walls of the guard city I led Violette along the path towards the Mellryn Inn.

The large building was a bustle with activity, but it was late, and I needed to rest my weary feet. I walked up the two steps to the porch and inside. One with in I found a lone table and I ordered a cup of hot tea and sat down. Pulling that hood further over my face, my jade hues looked out over the room. I wasn?t hiding everyone here knew I was of GreenStone thanks to that symbol of Dae on the back of my cloak. But I wasn?t the type to draw attention to my self. Sitting there alone my thoughts drifted to my sisters and how everything that had happened had bounded us even closer. As I sat there I wondered what would become of GreenStone?

Jinnalt was king and he was not fit to be so, the lands were at war and he was to blame. He and his teacher, Alaric. I sighed at the thought of the terrible war and the pain we had all been through then I withdrew a book from my cloak and propped my feet up upon the chair across from me. I turned the page and looked down to it, as my gloved hand brought that tea up to my lips for a sip.

It was then that he came through the doors. Every eye in the inn went to him as he walked in, he worn light armor over a sculpted chest, bare arms pulled that deep gray cloak that dusted at the floor around him, as he walked to the bar and smiled to the tender. He was very handsome, that cloaks hood was down and long deep blue hairs came to his shoulders and fell in to his face, as I watched him from the moment he entered the room, leaning back in to the shadows. I couldn?t help but smile as I watched him.

I was eighteen , a young girl in a new place. I sat back turning the page of my book with one hand my other boot came to rest up beside the other upon that chair as I sipped my tea and read, my jade hues watching the new comer he intrigued me. As he looked to the room wine glass in his gloved hand his gaze caught mine, his eyes were deep and blue like the sky at midnight.

I looked down to that book and sat my tea cup down. I couldn?t believe he had seen me there in the shadows. Before I knew it he was walking towards me. He reached my table and looked to me. " Evening, Miss." I looked up slowly my face hidden by the shadows of my cloak only my jade eyes could be seen, shimmering under that cloak in a light all their own.

He motioned to the chair across from me, " may I sit with you?" I nodded, and spoke softly, " yes, you may." He slowly sat down and lowered his glass to the table, he looked across to me. He smiled to me, " so who is the lady behind that cloaks hood?" I smiled dimly and rose my gloved hand to the edge of my cloaks hood and pulled it down, letting my dark blue locks fall to frame my face, I looked to him with a soft smile jade hues shimmered more as the inn light caught them. One gloved finger tucked a few strands behind my elvish ears. He smiled to me, " well, hello." I smiled to him, " hello" , I sat my gloved hands upon the table and he did the same and starred at me, " you?re beautiful.. Why would you hide?"

I laughed softly, " I wasn?t hiding, and most here know me." He would look to the room all the young men watched me and all the women watched him, he laughed, and "it seems were very popular here." I nodded, and held my hand out to him, " Shea GreenStone." He took my hand in his and kissed the top of my glove. " A pleasure miss GreenStone, I am Sir Adaron Istalindir." I shook his hand. He smiled, " you have a strong hand shake, for a lady." I smirked, " Im a knight, I have many strong qualities." He nodded, " I can see that." His eyes swept over me, and he smiled. " So Shea, what brings you to the lovely Mellryn Inn this fine eve?"

I looked to him, my jade hues took in every curve of his face, the glimmer of magic in his eyes. I couldn?t help but look to him and blush. Why was such a handsome man speaking to me? He smirked as he watched me. I could feel my cheeks flush with red. " I come here for rest and relaxation." He smiled, and leaned forward, his elbows came to rest upon the table, " Tis a good night for it, it?s rather quiet here." My eyes looked to the Inn I hadn?t even noticed that most of the gathered patrons had left and now only he and I sat there in the room and two others at the bar.

The tender yawned and came to ring the bell, "alright, its closing time, I have two rooms left if any wish to stay. The two at the bar were quick to get the rooms. I shrugged softly. "I guess, I should get going, we should." He smiled and nodded. I slid a few coins on to my table and rose. The tender came over and smiled to me, "thank you Miss GreenStone, please do give my best to Hisime, the next time you see him." I nodded to him, "Oh I shall. Thank you for your service."

I walked to the door and out followed by Adaron whom had been accompanying me. "Shea?" I turned to him, "aye sir Istalindir." He smiled, "you know the King of SilverWaters?" I nodded, "aye he is a family friend. I consider him to be sort of another uncle though he is not related by blood or marriage. Why do you ask?" He smiled, "I have heard great things about him, and about one Alcander GreenStone. I assume you are related to him?" I nodded, "he was my father, and I hate to tell you that Alcander died many years ago." He nodded, "your father?Oh yes I know he died, Im sorry I didn?t mean to?" I shook my head, "tis nothing to worry about I have grieved my fathers death, it was long ago." He nodded softly, "where will you go now?"

I stood on the porch of the inn for a moment and walked down and called to Violette with a whistle. He watched in amazement as the brown mare came trotting towards me, saddled adorned with my bow and giver and empty sheaths. I took the reigns in my gloved fingers. "I had intended to stay here but since all the rooms are taken I might go find some nice place to sleep under the stars." He smiled to me and whistled and a black and brown stallion rode to his side. "May I join you?"

I smiled softly, and mounted up. "I would enjoy the company." He nodded and mounted up and we rode off together. Soon we came to a perfect spot just inside the Mith Woods. I dismounted and took Violette to a nice patch of grass Adaron followed me and soon we came to sit listening to the far off chants of the counsel.

He smiled to me, as he leaned against the tree, his eyes closed as he took in the chanting. "So Shea," he opened his eyes and looked to me. Long arms strung out over my knees as I leaned against the tree letting the mystic breezes surround me. He smiled and rose and came to my side. He sat beside me. Feeling him there I opened my eyes. "Yes, Sir Istalindir." He smiled with a light laugh, "you can just call me Adaron." I nodded softly, "Adaron." He sat back against the tree next to me, "I do love the sounds of these woods." I nodded, "the chanting of the counsel the sounds of the falls, the faint hints of breath from Valar." He smiled, "you know these lands well." I nodded, "yes long ago my father taught us all the lay of these lands it dangers and its wonders."

He nodded, and rose he held his hand out to me. With a quirk of a brow I took his hand and rose. He smiled to me and led me through the forest the horses followed us, we came to the lake and there I saw Valar sitting and drinking water from the falls. I had never seen such a sight his silvery blue scales shimmered in the dim moon light, as silver eyes came to focus upon us. I stepped back in pure amazement and slipped and splashed in to the cool waters of the lake. Adaron smiled softly as the dragon looked to him and seemed to nod and fly away to his cave hidden in the cliffs of those falls. He then took off his cloak, boots, armor and weapons and laid them upon the ground. He then dove in after me.

I surfaced and swam to the shore and lifted my self out. Soaked to the core I took my dripping cloak off and hung it upon the braches of the tree, luckily I hadn?t been wearing any armor. I took my boots off and emptied the water out and sat there in my wet clothes, taking my gloves off and laying them upon the stone where I had laid my boots to dry. He surfaced and smiled to me and came to the edge and lifted him self out.

He smiled to me, "he wouldn?t have hurt you." I smiled, "I know, I haven?t ever seen him so close up before it was amazing. But now Im soaked to the core." Adaron smiled to me, and took off his shirt and rose and hung it near my cloak. I watched him move, his back bare, revealing the network of ancient scars that crisscrossed his back. Ripcord muscles across his shoulders rippled with his movement as he turned his back to me and then he came to face me. I looked down trying not to stare at his sculpted chest and arms. He smiled to me as he walked past me. "Well, come on and enjoy it then," he jumped back in to the water. And swam around and looked to me, " come on?don?t be shy."

I smiled, and shrugged, I slipped my belt with sheathed weapons off and lay it next to where he had laid his, and slid my ridding skirt off. Now I stood im my short sleeved shirt and my dark riding pants, bare feet wiggled upon the wet grass before I slid in to the water. He smiled and swam up to me. He looked to me, and winked and dove under the crystalline waters.

We swam there for a while, and then as the night grew darker we lifted our self out and came to find a place to stay, taking all the wet clothes with us. We found a nice hidden cave, warm and dry; we built a fire and lay out wet things to dry. He smiled to me and gave me a dry towel. I rose and found a place to take off the rest of my things, all except my under garments and then came back out and sat by the fire wrapped in that towel.

He sat there upon a blanket wrapped in his own towel. I sat there beside him. Warming my hands on the fire, our horses lay just out side the cave entrance. I looked to him and I ran my fingers through my wet locks. He smiled to me, as he sat back against the cave wall. I shivered softly as I wrapped that towel around me. He looked to me and moved in closer putting his arm around me, "cold?" I nodded softly. He moved in closer to me and pulled me close to him. I smiled and my blush deepened. He smiled to me, "feeling warmer?" I nodded and looked to him. "Yes, thank you." He smiled and looked to me, his hands ran up and down my back, over the towel then his fingers graced my neck and ran through my hair. He smiled softly. For some reason I felt very safe with him. There upon that blanket of fur we lay and at some point I feel asleep.


thing would change from that moment on.

but i am happy for them, for the most part


"M?love, I am not a rogue...I'd not touch you unwillingly, and you are not a girl amongst my harem."


those words still echo in my ears, the words of the man i first loved, the father to my son. How I have missed him all these long years.


"First, if anything should ever happen to me, you will find this dagger in that palace far from here, speak to Lord Darius. And he will give this to you if I should fall in battle or be killed. If I die before I can see our son grow to be a man, give this to him and tell him of me. Secondly," he put the dagger away and opened the box with in it was a simple mithral ring. He held it out to me, "I love you Shea, that night we spent together those years ago meant so much to me, I have loved you and only you from that day. Marry me, be my wife."


I said yes but the wedding day would never come

Soon before I knew it we were on our way back to GreenStone, Aiden sat in front of me as I rode. There at the gates I kissed Adaron goodbye, he then kissed Aiden forehead and smiled to me. "I shall return my wife and we will have a grand ceremony." I smiled to him and looked down to that ring upon my finger. I beamed with joy and as he rode away I blew him kisses then Aiden spoke, his first words. For moths I had been trying to get him to speak, but then as Adaron rode away he yelled softly, "Daddy!" Adaron stopped mid ride and turned his horse around, he came back to us and took Aiden up in his arms and kissed his forehead once more. His eyes beamed with joy. "Don?t worry my boy I?ll be back. Take care of your mother for me." He handed Aiden back to me and kissed me once more. "I love you Shea, I will return as soon as I can, then we can be a family." I nodded and watched him slip from my fingertips.


That would be the last moment I would see him , the last memory my son would have of his father. After all the battles and war was over, and even before that i came to find that Jinnalt my own flesh and blood my own brother had killed Adaron. My son shall never know his father, and I can not change that.

Some where within the Mith Woods Adaron stood, gray cloak flying back in the winds. Thinking of his new bride. He looked around him, before he started to chant. Then suddenly someone materialized before him. Three cloaked men stood before him arms crossed. " By order of the King we can not let you live." One lowered his hood, deep red eyes looked out from under black hairs that blew in to his face. He held a large stave, on top glowed a wicked orb of darkness. It was Alaric, but Adaron did not know this. " Step aside, I have business to attend to before I can marry my wife." Jinnalt was one of those cloaked figures, yet he never spoke or lowered that hood. Alaric spoke for him, " you shall never see your wife or your child again." That orb glowed and Adaron felt the darkness about the man before him. He drew his blade, " I will fight for her, and my son." Then Alaric, Jinnalt and the other cloaked figure rushed him. It was three to one. Adaron was out numbered. But he was skilled. He managed to kill the other cloaked figure and faced off against Jinnalt.

Then Jinnalt lowered his hood, Adaron looked to him in shock, " You!" It was then Alaric ran him through with his dagger, it pulsed with darkness and Adaron fell to his knees. Alaric patted Jinnalt on the shoulder and the two left Adaron there to die. But he didn?t, he rose to his feet, bleeding and finished chanting, when he finished he fell through a portal. On the other side three men found him and took him to a large palace where a man in shinning armor stood over him. " Adaron, who did this?"

Adaron coughed up blood and held out that sheathed throwing dagger to the man before him, " please? give this to my son?to Aiden.. Tell my wife I?m so sorry? and that I love her?" With those words his eyes closed. For hours healers worked their magic?s said their prayers but nothing worked. Adaron died, that day with in the tall Crystal Palace of the world just beyond the Mith Woods. The throwing dagger was hung behind the large chair of the man whom Adaron spoke to. Darius sighed he had lost one of his finest men, and now another had left through that portal to the world beyond Crendia. What would happen to Zel Bloodbine, would he return dying as well? Darius had to wonder what lied beyond that portal What sort of woman was Adaron?s wife, and would he ever have the chance to give that dagger to this Aiden? What sort of darkness had taken one of his finest men from the ranks? Darius slammed his hand upon the wooden table before him.


I had never come to know Lord Daruis even to this day, I still holfd abck from going to meet Shavyn. Even to this day, im a month late to meet them, our comrades, stuck here, happyily so, searching perhaps, for some to help me let go of my lost lover.

Shea lie there sleeping, within her bed. Blahl beside her his hand on top of hers, Shea was lost some where within her dreams. Within her dreams Shea stood before a great alter, in some great temple she had never seen before. Her eyes looked about for a face or a symbol she knew but none did she find.
?Where am I??? My voice echoed through the empty place, the temple was filled with light, the huge alter I knelt at was made of stone and crystal,
I had no memory of that alter, nor of the temple. I turned all around, although it looked as if it was night outside, the temple shown with candle and moon light. Huge columns were to my right and left, they were made of soft pure stone. A huge statue of a woman stood at the back of the room. She was beautiful, sculpted out of pure rock, chiseled to perfection, a women in flowing gowns, a crown a top her head. I studied the statue and rose from where I had been kneeling and walked slowly towards the statue.
?I never did understand why I became a goddess.? Another female voice echoed through the temple to my ears. I turned to see who spoke but no one was there. ?Doesn?t really look much like me does it? I suppose the fact is that I?m flesh and blood and not made of stone, what do you think?? I turned again and there before me stood a woman, long flowing white gowns, long locks of brown. Emerald hues looked to me as she smiled brightly, a crown atop her head. ?You?re? You?re?? My finger pointed to the statue, which was behind her.
She smiled, ?Oh yes, that?s me, or its supposed to be me. My name is Willow, and yes you?re dreaming, but I come to you now in my place, here in my home, Crendia. I come to you in your dreams, to speak to you of things. We have never met you and I, but I sensed something we both share. You are a warrior, and a mage. I was once a warrior and a mage as well, in fact im immorality both of those. You have in your grasp a great power, a power some wish to use to destroy your world, and mine.?
I gazed to the woman before me, how did she know so much? But then it dawned on me if she was a goddess and if that was so perhaps she was like the gods and goddesses of my world my realm, for they all knew much they could all see in to the future and past if it was true that she was a goddess then perhaps she too could see much in the past, future and present. ?Why have you come to me in my dreams? Miss Willow.?
She smiled to me and took a step closer, I looked in to her emerald hues, they were filled with magic, as I watched her step closer I noted that she didn?t seem like a ghost she looked to be flesh and bone. She placed her hand upon my shoulder; I could feel a pulse of light energy go through me. Much like the energy Blahl had used on me before to heal me. ?Blahl has healed you of your wounds,? Her eyes looked into mine, ?the ones he can sense, but there is one within your heart your not ready to be healed.? I looked in to her deep emerald pools, How could she know this, then it dawned on me, Adaron had been from this place, and ever since he died my heart just couldn?t let his ghost rest, ?Adaron..? She nodded, ?you lost a great love, a man that would have wed you and helped to raise your young son, but he died. He was a great man whom was murdered. I can sympathize with you, I too had a great love, we were wed for a long time, and I too had a son. And I too lost my love, and I also lost my son. Then I lost my life, it is only recently that I can become flesh and bone. The powers state I have a second chance.?
I looked to her, her white gowns had faded as had that crown atop her head, those long brown locks rested upon a soft green shirt with translucent sleeves , she wore ridding pants and a low bound belt with one sheathed long sword. ?There was a time when I was a great slayer of daemons, and a powerful mage of the same element you possess within you. But why I have come to you is for a few reasons, the darkness in your life threatens you, and he will kill you if he gets his hands upon you. You know of who I speak of, that mage in your lands, he intends much darkness with you. The daemon within him is nearly as dark as one I once had to face, that daemon in him is older than anyone knows; its plan has been in motion for as long as your lands have been. I can sense him, for I am a goddess of goodness, and light much like your Cala. I can sense the daemon in him, the powers he posses could burn the world you dwell in and if this mage is successful, he will burn all I have sworn to protect as well.?
?Alaric?? My words echoed again through the temple, Willow nodded, ?yes, I have seen the possible futures, and one of the out comes is not good: In that possible future this Alaric uses you and your power of the winds to fuel his fires, you will learn more about this from someone else, she will tell you all the things she knows when she returns home.? She smiled to me, ?but I know you can fight the possibilities and become stronger, I do have hopes for you my dear. I see a great future ahead of you if this Alaric is defeated and I do hope that you find the courage to show Lord Blahl how you fell for him, you will be the better for it? he can heal you of all your wounds. Trust him; he is a man of honor. And yes he is a paladin, he is one of his gods, he is not used to love, but I believe that you can change that. Your future lies here, in this realm, if you can find the courage to do what must be done. Do not fear possible death, for you have many on your side. Know that I will be watching over you, and know that if the moment seems right I may appear to you again, but this next time it will not be in a dream.?
The temple started to fade as she spoke her final words to me, ? beware that mage, keep on your guard and stay close to Blahl, and the others, do what any knight can do, lead her people in to battle, be ready to use that blade at any time, for at any moment, that dark mage could do his very worst to you and those you love.? The dream faded, the light of a new dawn approached.
I started to stir as the first light of day crept over the trees to the east. The light danced over the fields and those farmers first to rise, the birds began their morning calls. The morning light crawled up the walls of the castle, and shone through the lower windows casting long lazy shadows over the floor of the throne room, as the sun rose higher through each window, soon those rays reached my window and reached through like a warm hand to wake me from that sleep.
Blahl sat slowly waking beside me, his eyes shifted over my sleeping form as he woke from his night of resting there beside me. He smiled and rose to his feet to stretch. He kept a keen gaze upon me as he moved in the warming light of dawn.
With a sudden gasp I awoke, from that dream. ?Where? am?? I looked around I was home in my room at FairWinds castle. My eyes cast to Blahl who stretched in front of me, shirt less. I blushed softly, hardly remembering what had happened till I felt the pain in my back, I now remembered. Alaric had tossed me against the high upper wall, mopped the floor with me, to say the least. I had attempted to fight him, and I remembered that I had drawn blood, but he had drawn far more than I had.
Blahl turned to me, that dashing smile upon his handsome face. ?Miss Shea your awake, I was beginning to worry about you.? I slowly started to sit up. He came to my side, ?you should rest Miss Shea, and you had one hell of a night. Tell me how do you feel??
I looked to him, wondering if I should tell him of my dream or of the fears in my heart. I didn?t want to die, not by that mages hand. I didn?t want to leave my son, or my family. I didn?t want to go before I could at least tell him how I felt, I was so fearful. I looked to him as he stood before me, he was indeed a man of honor, he had proved that to me the moment we met. I slowly managed a soft smile, ?Im alright, sore?but alive.? He came to sit beside me leaning upon the bed, ?you?re mostly healed of any wounds.? I smiled to him, ?thank you?? I wanted to thank him for everything he had done; I also wanted to ask him something. But as I starred up in to his eyes I dared not to.
He nodded kindly to me with a smile, ?I imagine your back must hurt, you might want to soak in a hot tub for that?? I nodded, ?that does sound nice.? He rose and held his hand out to me, ?allow me to help you up.? I slowly took his hand and slipped out of bed, I stood face to face with him. I so wanted just to kiss him, but I held back my urge for now. He helped me as I walked to the bath door and opened it. He smiled to me, ?I?ll be here if you need anything.? I nodded to him and went inside the bath and closed the door behind me. I slipped off my clothes and filled the tub and sunk in to the waters with a soft sigh.
After some time had passed I felt more relaxed, I drained the water and slipped out of the tub wrapping a towel about me. I took my dirty things up in my arms and slowly walked out. I looked to Blahl who stood by the window. He gazed to me for a moment then turned his back, looking outside. ?We were all very worried about you, your son, sister and uncle will all wish to know how you are.? I looked to him as I let my towel drop I looked to myself as I changed no bruises, no cuts not anything left from that battle at all, I changed in to two clean silken wraps and slowly pulled new pants on. ?Yes, I know they were worried?? He looked out the window, barely able to contain him self, from looking at the reflection of her changing just behind him. ?We all were worried.?
I finished changing and walked up behind him sliding that belt around my hips. I tapped him softly upon the shoulder. He turned to meet my gaze, ?thank you? again, Lord Blahl.? I then took chance and leaned closely in and kissed his cheek softly. I wanted to kiss him on the lips, but I wouldn?t, I couldn?t? He smiled to me a soft blush upon his cheeks. ?My pleasure Miss Shea??
He smiled softly to me. I nodded and looked to him, he looked to me, and it was hard to hide what I felt for him, ever since the day he saved me from Magnus I had wanted to kiss him? And now with him there before me, it was even harder to fight.
I took a step back and turned, then figure to hell with it. As he walked past me towards the door I stopped him, I didn?t say anything, was the goddess in my dream right? If I made some sort of move would it change everything? I kissed him then, right upon his lips. He quickly withdrew looking to me, ?Miss Shea!? I withdrew and looked down. I didn?t know what to say. ?Miss, Shea please, you can not do that. ? I dared not look up, ?I?m? I was?I just? He looked to me and turned back to the door and opened it and left the room. I sunk to the floor and watched him go. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have done that? Now he hated me, and I hated my self. But for a moment when I kissed him, things seemed so right, for a moment I felt like I could move on and let Adaron rest.
Blahl walked away and down the hall, he was forbidden from those sort of passions, he was a man of his faith? He could not give in to any temptations, no matter what. But as he passed Shavyn and Aiden who ran past him towards Shea?s room. Blahl knew he had desperately wanted to kiss her back. But he had to fight those urges, no matter what. Even though he knew what she wanted to say, Shea was attracted to him, and he had to admit, he was attracted to her.
Shavyn and Aiden paused in my door way, and Shavyn came in first, she helped me to my feat and I embraced my son. After a while of talking of what happened I explained that it was indeed Alaric whom had attacked me. That was the ?Darkness?, Blahl had spoken of to Shavyn. After Aiden was sure I was alright he left Shavyn and I alone to talk. ?Are you alright Shea?? Those words echoed in my head for a moment once Shay asked, ?yes, I?m alright and stupid, as ever before.? Shavyn quirked a brow softly at me as she sat down on the edge of the bed I sat slowly beside her, after just standing there looking to the closed door, wishing I had the strength to chase after Blahl. ?I had a dream, of a place I have never been, and I listened to words spoke by a goddess I had never seen before, I do not I know her. Yet I listened to her words, and now I fear that things have changed not for the better but for the worse.? Shavyn placed her hand upon my shoulder, ?what do you mean? Who was this goddess??

I shook my head softly and leaned on to her, ?I was in a temple, in Crendia
I turned all around, although it looked as if it was night outside the temple shown with candle and moon light. Huge columns were to my right and left, and a huge statue of a woman at the back of the room. She was beautiful, sculpted out of pure rock, chiseled to perfection, a women in flowing gowns, a crown a top her head. Then I heard a voice, I turned to see the woman from the statue standing before me she wore the same long flowing white gowns, long locks of brown. Her emerald hues looked to me as she smiled brightly, a crown was atop her head.? I looked to the window slowly. ?I knew that she was the woman from the statue, her name was Willow. She spoke to me of things, she was wise, and knew much about me and my life. She said that I shared with her, that she too was once a mage of a wind element, and a warrior. She said that she was immortally both of those, and told me I have in my grasp a power that will be great. And that someone wishes to use that power to destroy my world and hers as well, she spoke of Alaric.?
Shavyn looked to me, ?but what advice did she give you? Something happened between you and Blahl I could see that.? I nodded, ?she spoke of Adaron, and that Blahl healed me of my wounds and that he may be able to fill that place in my heart that Adaron once filled. Then she showed me that she has now become human in sorts again, a warrior bound to these worlds, she seeks out her lost son, and a new love. She spoke of Alaric as if he was a greater threat then I knew, she said that he has some plan for me that will cause the possible end of both our realms. That he will use me to help him, she didn?t tell me the full story she said someone was coming that someone knew the whole story, I only hope that possibly that she spoke of Salice.?

Shavyn slowly stood, ?Oh, my. Alaric?s plan has been slowly unfolding for a long time now, and I am sure if this Willow is right, that indeed Alaric will do all he can to get his hands on you, but that we will not let it happen. But what did she say about Blahl?? I looked to her, ?that she hoped that I would find the courage to tell him how I feel about him.? Shavyn smiled, ?so you do like him.? I nodded, ?yes, I think that?s obvious. Willow said that if I could find the courage to tell him it may change things. But I think I went too far.? Shavyn quirked a brow, ?Oh?? I sighed slightly, ? After hearing what Willow said about what Alaric, what he could do, I panicked, I was worried that I?d never be able to fight again, that Alaric would kill me and I?d lose everything, my son, my family and any chance I had to get to tell Blahl how I felt, so I jumped on the opportunity and I kissed him..? Shavyn?s mouth dropped wide, ?you kissed him?? I nodded, ?I don?t know what I was thinking, I just? He?s saved my life so many times now? And I really do like him. Im very attracted to him, I was afraid, I still am but now I just know that I?ve ruined any chance, I just hope he doesn?t hate me.?
Shavyn smiled, ?how could he hate you, he understands, I?m sure, if you just tried to explain why it happened.? I nodded, ?think he?ll risk even talking to me alone again?? Shavyn smiled, ?just talk to him, things will work out.?


We did talk again and we fought side by side again, that day Alaric took me, to the high point of the greenstone mountains, Blahl had wished he could have done more. After he had found out that plan, to kill me he had vowed to keep me safe


In the garden at FairWinds, Salice and Blahl sat. New allies, now they were to talk of questions they both needed answers to. Salice also had to tell her family what Cala had told her, she alone now knew Alaric?s master plan. It had come to her that night she sat with Valar outside to the Counsels cottage.
I had been sitting there outside the cottage at the waters edge starring at Valar, when it dawned on me. Alaric had once said he was my father?s enemy, I had passed it off as a nothing more than the ramblings of a crazy old man, back then, but now as I sat there looking at Valar?s silvery-blue scales I couldn?t help but wonder could Alaric be the same man that killed my mother. I remembered that day vaguely , I was young, Shea had been born a few weeks before and I sat in her room with my mother. When Shea started waving at a large black bird that sat upon the window sill. I remember my mother telling me to take Shea and protect her, then the bird changed to a man a dark man, he took my mother and looked to me, his eyes filled with fire.
I remember the screams that Shea and I made as he changed back to a bird and carried our mother away. I remember after that father was gone for a long time then returned, with our mother dead. Three other people had died that day, but that was no longer true, Lance had lived to become Alaric, Aluora had lived as had Mae. As I looked to Valar I wondered for a moment, father once spoke of a great fire mage that he had once fought before, that had plagued the country for a long time. A enemy of his father, then I realized they were one in the same, the man who killed my mother, father and now had Lance under a dark spell. Alaric, I knew he had not always been known by that name, now I knew about Keir. Because of Cala, what she had told me, and because of my dreams and Radella Faye?s words at the high consuls house.
Keir?s plan was to use my mother and Aluora, to fuel his fires to burn the world. When Valar flew off I knew then Alaric planed to use Shea?s powers to fuel his spell. He would take her like Keir once took my mother. But with this spell he would take her powers and fuel his fires and burn the world. As I rose from the river I knew then that I had to stop the mad man and my brother at any cost. I would not let him hurt my family any longer.
Now as I sat there in the garden with the paladin known as Blahl I wondered why he had asked Shea to leave. But as I watched him watch her walk away I had some clue. He wanted to protect her, but there was something deeper there in his dark hues eyes. I had been a away for so long, away from my family, but as I watched his gaze toward Shea. I knew it was about much more than him protecting her, perhaps he had seen the darkness within Jinnalt?s heart. Perhaps being a paladin he had sensed it, as he turned his gaze back to me I could see that he had a few questions on his mind. I cleared my throat. ?So Lord Blahl, you must have questions for me, and I have some for you. So let us talk shall we?? He nodded and sat down slowly I stayed standing, ? as a quest here you may ask me first, nothing is off limits. Please ask away.? He nodded, ? I wish to know about your brother, I have asked Shea but she said you would be able to tell me more, about when he changed or if he was always as evil as he comes off.?



I slowly knelt to the grass, ? I have never known a time when he was not dark, from the moment I was born, he changed. My father sent him away many times, to a warrior school and a school for those with his power. I am sure Shea and Shavyn told you that we have each clashed with Jinnalt over the years, and that I have done more so than they, there is a reason for that. Jinnalt knows that I have always been next in line for the throne, and since that is true he has always tried to get his hands on this blade.?
I slowly unsheathed my fathers blade from my back sheath and drew it out in to the night air. It glowed with power in my hands. Blahl looked to it, then to me. He was amazed a bit it was a rather big sword yet I wielded it with one hand. ?This was my fathers blade, I have kept it with me this whole time away from my brother, as Shea keeps our mothers blade and Shavyn holds the powers I took from Jinnalt , though as I know he has gained new darker powers from his teacher Alaric.? Blahl nodded, ? so he has always had a darkness in him?? I nodded, ? yes, for as long as I have known him.?
Blahl looked to me, ? what can you tell me of Alaric?? I smiled to him, ? I have to tell everyone what I have learned of him, perhaps we should go in , but before that, may I ask you something Lord Blahl?? He nodded, ?aye, Miss Salice you can.? I nodded, ? I have met some of your comrades, your brother, and Miss Mila and Zorin. I do hope they are all trustable?? He nodded, ? they are the finest in their fields, and I trust them all with my life.? I nodded, ? and what about you, you?re a paladin from this strange realm?? He nodded, ?Crendia, yes I am a paladin, to the holy order of Darin. My commander is lord Darius. And I have come to help with this fight as have my comrades.? I nodded, ? good we could use the allies, now lets go inside I have to say all I know to everyone.? He held out his hand, ? wait, did your uncle tell you about any of the goings on that have happened in the past few days?? I shook my head, ? no, why?? Blahl looked to the castle, ? I suppose I should tell you then, when Shavyn brought us here to this castle, it had been over run by rogue rangers, riders and archers, all under an enchantment. Their leader had Shea held hostage up in the tower there.? His eyes gazed upwards. ? Magnus was his name, and after much fighting, I was able to save Shea from his wrath, but I could not spare his life.?
I looked to him then to the tower, I sighed softly, ? Magnus Conner Liam, was once a great ranger here , and once a trusted ally, if these enchantments were put upon him and some of his comrades it will be hard to tell who is friend or foe.? Blahl nodded, I looked back around the garden, ?let us go in, now that I have been told everything my news is of great need.?
They rose and went inside, Salice spoke softly with Nenime. Then he called everyone in to the lounge, ? If everyone could come in to the lounge, Salice would like to speak to everyone.? Soon everyone gathered there, all expect for, Zorin, James and Gretz. Salice stood before the hearth as everyone took a seat or stood somewhere in the room,? friends, allies, family? I now have to tell you all what I have learned, from Cala, and the high counsel .? I began, I looked to Shea she was my greatest worry, Alaric?s plan would put her in the gravest danger. ? When I went to find Devron I went and spoke to Cala, she showed me everything that Jinnalt had planned to keep him from me. Cala told me everything my past, my possible future After fighting and finding him, I went to the counsel, and I had a dream of long ago when I was young after our mother died. When we went to Iron-Winds with father, after mothers death, that was were I first met Devron. But there Radella told me that my dream was no dream, that it had happened then she told me a story of our father how he had fought with a dark fire mage to save or mother and lost her to him, that mans name was Keir, Keir had a stave with a dark obsidian orb on top. Pure darkness and fire lies within that orb.?
Blahl listened intently, stave with a dark orb, didn?t that Alaric fellow have one of those? I looked over everyone, then continued, ? I found out that Keir was killed, but that mother died saving a mans life, Lance Aelaryn, but it was in vein. Lance touched the orb that rolled off Keir?s stave. It shocked him, and his wife and their new baby girl. All lived though father didn?t know it at that time, Lance was Devron?s father, and Aluora was his mother, as I am sure you read in my letter. But what I didn?t know then was that Alaric, some where in that man we know as Alaric is Lance. When Lance touched the orb he changed to the monster we all know, the one who keeps Jinnalt under his thumb. I also know Alaric?s plan,? I stopped, paused I didn?t know if I should tell everyone this. Everyone looked at me intently, ?I realized when Devron and I were in the mith woods, Alaric?s plan is that the same of Keir?s. Keir once had a plan to use the most powerful wind mages to fuel his fires to burn the world, he would go to the tallest peek of the GreenStone mountains and burn the world. Anyone that did not die, would have to follow his rule or die in the flames.?
Shea sat back holding back the tears that wished to fill her cheeks, this was the news, this was what Willow had meant, this was the deadly plan. Shea looked down listening, was that to be her fate? Death by that mages hand? She couldn?t let that be.



I looked to Shea and sighed, then continued, ?Keir had taken Aluora and mother that day to use their combined powers to burn the world, but in this room there is a wind mage more powerful than both of them.? My eyes were cast to Shea. She slowly stood, ?its me?I know.? I shook my head softly, ? Shea, I will not..? Shea held up her hand and cut me off, ? I was told by a goddess of Crendia that Alaric had a deadly plan for me, she did not say what it was she said that someone would tell me, I hoped that Salice would be the one to tell me, but I had no idea that it was indeed as deadly as this.? Blahl gazed to Shea, now he understood, that was why she had kissed him, she didn?t want to die at that mans hands. Blahl wondered who this ?goddess? had been. Shea looked to Blahl then to her son, ? I know what it is you would say Salice, but since you have been gone it is twice now Alaric has tried to have me killed, Jinnalt and he turned Magnus Conner Liam against us, and the possessed man took me captive, intending to give me to Alaric no doubt. Then once again Alaric came here to this very castle he had fathers notes in his hands reading up on those great powers, we fought, I drew his blood but he won that fight. In both times it has only been thanks to Lord Blahl that I still live.?
I looked on shocked, Blahl had told me about Magnus but not that Alaric had been here in this very castle. Reading my fathers notes of all things. ?Shea?? She didn?t look to me, ?if you?ll please excuse me?? I went to follow her but Aiden held up his hand, ?I?ll go after her..? Blahl stood, ? Let me..?
Aiden nodded and sat back down I looked on watching Blahl go after Shea. As she disappeared around the corner to go up stairs I slowly looked to the others, ? I will not allow, Alaric and Jinnalt to hurt anyone else, they killed Adaron, and Zel, and hid Devron from me, they killed innocents. And used the people like pawns. I will not allow it, this ends here I will not let Alaric hurt Shea. In two days I ride to gather the riders and rangers, those who will ride with me to GreenStones gates. Once I reach SilverWaters I will send word back to you Shavyn, you are in charge of the archers, and Kulbin I will ask you to tell your brother that he and Shea are to gather a strike force. ? Shavyn nodded, as did Kulbin. ?You wont ride alone.? I turned to see Zorin standing in the shadows, ? I?ll go with you.? I nodded softly, ?Lord Blahl trusts you all, so shall I. Very well then, Zorin will ride with me, and the rest of you wait till you hear back from me.? They all rose then Aiden looked towards the empty spot where Shea had been sitting, ?Atara.? I looked to him, ? She will be okay, as long as Blahl protects her. And I know he shall.?
Blahl followed behind Shea as she walked up the steps, now it made more sense, it wasn?t just about her passions for him, she did truly care for him. Now he understood. Now it would be his job to protect her from this Alaric. He could hear her sniffle softly, as she looked back, then she picked up the pace. She nearly slipped and fell half way up but then she ran quickly up the stairs.
My hands shook as I ran up the steps, up the first flight to the second floor, the next to the third. Blahl was right behind me, tears I could not hold back as I raced up the steps, to the top floor, that attic like space, with boxes and dust, and one lone window. I had spent much time there when I was young, it always felt safe. I sat before the window and gazed out over the country side, my hands pulsed with magic, that I could not control. My mothers blade at my side seemed to hum with power. Was it true was I more powerful than both my mother and Aluora?


Blahl stood in the door way, ?Shea..? I dared not look at him, my cheeks stained with tears, I just looked out the window. Not really looking out but starring at Blahl?s faint reflection in the window pane. He now stood behind me, ? it?s a lovely country you have here, filled with very wonderful people.? He was doing his best to ger her mind off of it. I managed a soft smile, I knew what he was doing, attempting to get my mind off things. ? its always been lovely, but it seems its always been at war, for one reason or another.? He nodded, ?war passes through many great countries, but here there are many fine warriors, to lead on the fight. ? His eyes looked to me. I slowly turned my head to face him and slowly stood.
I dared not to look in to his eyes, so I just starred forward at that shinning breast plate. ?Lord Blahl..? He slowly placed his hand on my shoulder, ?Shea listen, no matter what happens, I will do all I can to defeat this Alaric, and keep him from completing this plan of his. We all will fight him.? ?You should listen to him, he is very wise.? Shavyn stood in the doorway, ? Look I?ll give you two your space, but I wanted to let you know Salice is mounting up an attack, in two days she will ride to gather those whom are riders and rangers, then she wills end word to us, you Lord Blahl and Shea are to go out and gather a strike force, then meet at the edge of the Dark Enchanted woods, where Kulbin, and I with the others shall meet you, Zorin is ridding with Salice. ? Blahl nodded , Shea didn?t even glance up to meet her sisters glance, ? thank you Shay.?




Shavyn nodded to Blahl with a smile and left the two alone again. I stood there looking at my self in that gleaming breast plate, then some how I managed to look up in to Blahl?s eyes. My hands still pulsed with magic, I could feel that hum of my mothers blade at my side. As if it asked to be drawn, to be used. I had never gotten up the courage or strength to wield that blade, perhaps this news was what I needed. He smiled to me softly, his hand still rested upon my shoulder, ? it is my duty to protect you, and I will do that. But know that I do it for more than just duty alone,?
I looked in to his eyes, so full of good and truth. An honorable man indeed, I never thought I would be able to put Adaron to rest, but as I starred up in to Blahl?s eyes I couldn?t help but feel that maybe, just maybe I would find some sort of happiness. I starred up in to his eyes, and nodded. I knew he would protect me at all costs and that was what frightened me the most. I knew everyone looked up to him for being a fine warrior and I had seen some of that, but I didn?t want to lose him, or anyone to that mad man.
Down stairs the group still gathered about the hearth, Aiden sat with Mila discussing tactics. Nenime and Salice stood in the dinning hall looking over the many maps laid out before them. ?This is our field of engagement.? Salice?s finger rested upon the sacred valley of Dae. ?It will take us two day to prepare, and send word, then Zorin and I leave. Devron and Caleb will wait orders from Shea. After hearing about Magnus we must tread carefully, spies may be every where. I just hope.? Salice was cut off by the sound of a horn in the distance.



I remember that day, it wasnt so long ago.


Now here in this new place a place with out family or friends. Just little things here with me now... like this book of notes...

I had looked up from my tea and slowly sat the cup down, my senses picked up on that ripple just as they had the night before, at least now I understood why...


that man from the other night again spoke to em today, of a stream of time, of which I have never heard, he knows of the elven kind, but this is not something i see as odd.

But I wonder now as I sit alone outside in the wilds, what a stream of time is and why he spoke of it to me. Perhpas I should keep my eye out, keep an eye on him. For now I have letters to get to the people awaiting them, and some new things to learn.


More on my travles later. Im off to see what these jade hues can find.

I will leave soon, leave these lands and take up my spot as I was supposed to, catch up to the others.... leave all here behind...


i may return, but for now i shall rest, for I am weary.


having not been home in so long, having been away from my friends and family, has made me home sick. I ahve longed for something new here, maybe I longed for it abit too much, maybe I pushed it all too far.


maybe those winds did bring me here to find my self, perhaps there is still more to find, for I still have to find the will, the strength to use this blade, my mothers....


i dont know if I ever shall...

that w wound would heal, it would leave no mark upon my face, but yet it bothered me still, though I spend most of my time alone here, watching from the shadows I have become far to found of.

"Passion, it lives in all of us.Sleeping waiting.And although unwanted,unbidden.It will stir.Open its jaws and howl.
It speaks to us,and we obey, what other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments.The Joy of love,the clarity of hatred and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear.If we could live with out passion maybe we'd know some kind of peace,But we would be hollow.Empty rooms,shuddered and dank.With out passion we'd be truly dead."


who had told me that, I can not seem to remember now..

Here's the thing, theres moments in your life that make you.That set the corse of who your gonna be.Sometimes there little suttle moments,sometimes there not.I'll show you what I mean


I remember who told me that Miss Willow... the goddess...


some times I wish i could eban imortally beautiful goddess

who was wise and strong as well




"Bottom line is even if you see them coming,your not ready for the big moments.No one askes for thier life to change not really,But it does.So what are we helpless?Puppets? Naw the big moments are gonna come you can't help that.It's what you do afterwards that counts,that's when you find out who you really are.You'll see what I mean."



Can one move change your fate?


Can you rise above your past to get a second chance?


Can you let go of your past and find a true love in your present?


Do you dare to step in to those deepest parts of your self to find out who you really are?


Can I put her my past to final rest, and believe in love once more?


do i dare to let my self move on....

perhaps it is time to go home...


perhaps the winds shall tell me soon

From inside FairWinds Aiden watched had Salice go. A few Days had passed now and they again gathered upon the steps, Shavyn was leaving now. Aiden turned to Shavyn who slowly dawned her cloak. Shea came from behind. ?You still intend to go then?? Shavyn nodded and turned to her, ?Salice has her journey I have mine, I will leave this orb here with you,? she slowly pulled it from her cloak. Shea shook her head. ?I can not take it, Salice entrusted it to you, keep it with you.? I nodded and turned to Aiden, ?I am sorry that I will miss your birthday tomorrow, I will try to be back before long.? Aiden nodded to her; tomorrow on his birthday he would turn twelve and become a young man, ready to be fully trained. Shea hugged her sister lightly, Aiden bowed to her .My eyes glanced to his and I bowed back softly. I then went up stairs and said my goodbyes to Audrey. ?Be well sister, I hope to return before that child is born. Audrey smiled back to me, ?Good Hunting.?
I nodded to her and went back down stairs and was met by Nenime, ?You?re going to search of Zel?? I nodded, ?I must know, if he is alive or dead or with someone else. He was meant to come back by now.? Nenime nodded, ?then go with my blessing I will keep our family safe.? I nodded to him and went down the steps and out the doors. I went to the stables and slid Tiger Lily?s saddle over her. She then slid her quiver full of arrows under her cloak and tied it on to her back and slid her bow over her shoulder.
I gave one last look to home as I mounted up and road away. My journey took me out of FairWinds in to every small town and Village along the road way. Through the Kingdom of Amethyst Rose and its hidden places. I rode through the Black Thorn Woods and through the edge of the Forest of Dark Myst. But I did not find Zel.
As I rode my mind flashed back to that fight I had with Jinnalt , day after Salice left I went to his chambers. I wanted answers, Alaric had come when Zel and I were together in the cottage, and now my heart told me that Jinnalt had something to do with this sudden disappearance of the man I had come to love. I remembered that day vividly. I had tied my blade to my belt and now wore my armor a thing I had barely touched before. My bow rested upon Lily?s saddle with the rest of my things.
I had planed to leave once I got my answers. I walked in to the throne room and there he sat again over the throne, much like he had been when I faced him the first time. Alaric stood at his back, looking down at something.
Jinnalt turned to me and smirked. ? I was told you?d be coming to see me.? I looked to him, I was not in the mood for his usual antics. ?Brother, I wish to speak to you about something.? He nodded and looked back to Alaric whom whispered something in his ear. Jinnalt then rose and walked towards me, ? My man says you were seen with a human. Is this true?? I shot Alaric a look, then my eyes set upon my brothers face. ?Aye tis true.? Jinnalt paced about me, ?so what were you doing with this human?? ?Cant your man tell you, he spied on us.? Jinnalt glanced back to Alaric who made a kiss face towards me before he disappeared.
?I want you to tell me dear sister. What were you doing in that cottage all alone with a man?? ?What I do in the privacy of a cottage is none of your business brother.? He stopped and turned towards me, ?it is, for I am lord and king of GreenStone , what my sisters do is my business.? I shook my head, ? nae tis not, we are all old enough to do as we see fit. You have no right to spy on us.? He smirked, ? well you must have been doing something, you wouldn?t be so flustered about it if you hadn?t. So come now lets share.? I looked in to his eyes, ? why not ask your man, he knows full well. I came not for this dear brother, I came for answers, I know you have some doing in this sudden disappearance of Zel. So I have come to ask you to tell me, where is he? ?
Jinnalt walked around me to the left, ? again you accuse me of such things, did I have anything to do with your mother being gone?? I watched him ,? yes, she may have left for duty but you went through her things, and she caught you.? He smirked, ?his is my castle I may search any room I please.? I glared at him, ? not if its locked.? He nodded softly, ? that?s why I have large men, so they can break down doors.?
?Enough of this, where is Zel?? He looked to me, his hand slid down the hilt of his blade, ? mm Zel.. Where did I see him last?? I glared to him, my hand had already been resting on the hilt of my blade. ?Toror?, stop stalling and tell me!? He turned to face me, ? never, dear sister, where ever he is I hope he stays there, in fact I know he shall.? His smirk widened. I then rushed in at him. He drew his blade and countered my attack. Our blades screeched past each other once more. This fight would be different from the last. I would get answers, this time.
He rushed in at me, his blade flared with fire. His eyes shimmered with darkness, no matter the work Salice had done to strip him of his powers he was Alaric?s pawn and Alaric held darker magic?s . None of us had faced off with that dark mage as of yet, but before the end I knew we would.
Jinnalt?s blade was caught by mine in the nick of time, I slid under him, through his legs. Even inside this throne room, the earth was still under my feet, I could feel the earths energy. I rolled up to my feet and faced him once more. Jinnalt was skilled and strong. But I was determined to win this time, not just wound him slightly.
He smirked to me, ? Sister, you cant match me, not this time.? I took a breath, ?stop talking and just fight.? He smirked and rushed in at me again, our blades clashed and grinded past one another. The flames that flew from his blade licked out at my hands. I recoiled and looked to him. I wasn?t finished just yet.
The fight went on for hours, but near the end I was at my brink of both energy and power. It was then that he struck me across my arm, the blade sliced through the fabric of my shirt and in to my skin, it burned like a thousand flames upon a fresh leaf. It burned in to my skin as a fire would burn in to the fertile earth. I rolled back and grabbed my arm. He swung his blade up and sheathed it. ?You?ll never get answers from me.? His voice was breathy, it I had been more on guard it wouldn?t have happened. I was forever scared now, I had learned the hard way that I nor anyone in the lands so far could heal me and I dare not tell Shea or Salice.
The wound burned , and bled for days, I had wrapped it tight and tended to it as I could. But even so, it was slowing me down a bit. I had been traveling for days and now both Lily and I were weary. I saw the banner of SilverWaters caught high in the midnight breeze .I slowly rode towards the castle and in. I led my mare to the stables for a long rest. My hood was drawn over her face the midnight air was cold as snow began to fall once again. I ascended the steps and went inside. I closed the door she heard a voice from behind her. ?Shavyn?? I turned and lowered her hood those silverish brown teases fell past my shoulders. ?Eve Morbin.? The Prince smiled to her, ?What are you doing here so late?? I smiled dimly, ?I come for food and rest.? Morbin smiled to her, ?well there is plenty of food left, tonight was the gala for Lilly and me. ? Oh yes, I had heard that you intend to wed once this war is over.? He nodded and smiled brightly. ?I am happy for you.?
He pointed in to the dining hall, ?there is plenty of food, please eat anything you wish, take some for your journey,? be brushed the soft dusting of snow off my shoulders. ?I will.? I bowed my head to him and walked in to the dining hall filling my plate with food. I filled my saddled bag with anything that would travel well, apples and other fruit, bread, and I filled my water gourd to the brim. I sat at the table alone and ate my plate clean. I yawned softly and slowly found my way up to the room that I usually stayed in.
I walked in and lay down and went to sleep. My dreams were filled with the sight of Zel and everything that could have happened to him when I awoke the light of the mid day sun covered me and Rhun stood before me. ?My husband requires a word with you.? I sat up and nodded to her, I quickly changed and got ready and went to find Hisime. I found him standing on the embattlements. I wrapped my cloak tight around me and walked to him. ?M?lord?? He turned the snow cascading around us. ?You?re on a mission, Shay?? I nodded, ?Aye.? He shook his head, ?you leave at a time when your people need you.? I shook my head, ?Hisime, Salice can look for Devron why can I not search for Zel.? He looked to me, ?Zel my dear never did say he loved you as you loved him, and if he is not dead?then he is most certainly with someone else?? I looked to him, ?either way I have the right to know what?s going on.? ?What will happen when you find him, if he is dead or with some one else will you turn and face the one who he was killed by or the women he might be with? Or will you flee??
I looked to him, ?I suppose I will do what I see fit.? I turned from him, he sighed. ?Daughter of GreenStone you can not leave in this time you must stay your people need you. The battles have just begun; you must be there to protect your country.? I turned back to him, ? Why is it that Salice is the only one that can search for her love, it doesn?t matter that Zel didn?t say he loved me, love binds me to find out where he is no matter what it means.?
?What if it means your death?? I shook my head, he grabbed my shoulder and turned me to him, ? you know as well as I do that you are destiny to be the duchess of Ros?-Whip when your mother is no longer, the power of the Seldarine may be with her now but what if you should die, then what shall Ros?-Whip do? You are the child of Ember you are the grand daughter the power of the old kingdom lies in your blood one day it will be up to you to keep order there.? I looked to him and shook my head, ?My destiny is not written in stone, I will not believe that just yet, my mother is young with the power of the Seldarine, her time is long from now, I may be of the blood line but it is not my time.?
He shook his head, ?Stay here Child of GreenStone, Daughter of the Rose.? I shook my head, ?Hisime please understand I know my duty is to my people but my first duty is to my heart you must understand.? He looked to me and with a heavy sigh let go of my shoulder. I pulled my hood over my head and left t embattlements. I went back down the stairs to the door and said my good byes to Rhun and Morbin and left the Castle and rode towards the Mith Forest.
I must have been ridding till the night came, when I came to a clearing. I looked and saw a sword sticking out of the ground the blade covered in blood. I dismounted and walked towards it. I then saw a blood leading towards a grouping of trees but no signs of Zel, dead or alive. I looked to the blade and saw that talisman hanging from its chain on the handle of the blade. I walked towards it and fell to my knees it was Zel?s blade and his talisman; I slowly drew the chain with the talisman off the handle and rose. I slowly backed away tears in my eyes. I drew the sword up and walked with it back to Lily, I slowly sheathed it. Something told me to keep it.
I mounted up and rode away deeper in to the Mith Woods. My mind filled with the image of Zel?s body laying in some deep part of the forests that I had dare not venture. I must have fallen asleep at some point for when I awoke I found my self in woods I did not know. I brushed my hood back and dismounted clutching that chain with talisman in my hand. I led Lily through these woods I didn?t know. I soon came out and my blue eyes scanned the land. Ruins covered the landscape that was grassy. Some of the building remains were burnt scared forever in time. I led Lily down the dirt path way towards what looked to be an old fort town.
I saw the large fort that still stood. ?Where am I?? I spoke my words seemed to float on the air in the mid day sun. ?You?re in the Land of Creinda.? A male voice came from high on the parapets of the Fort. I watched as the cloaked man jumped down and walked towards me. My hand slid under my cloak to the hilt of my blade ?The land of?what?? He looked to me, ?The land of Crendia.? I nodded and looked to him and slowly sat on a near by rock. I slowly let the chain slip through my fingers, and then the talisman slowly hit the rock and swung back and forth. I lifted it up and it seemed to pulse for a moment then fade, I felt that mark upon my shoulder tingle as if some power had leapt from the talisman to that tattoo that Zel had given me so I would never forget him.
The man looked to the charm as if he had seen it pulse with energy
and lowered his hood. I turned my gaze to look at him, his hair was deep red, tied back in a braided knot and his eyes were of an emerald green in color. He was very fit. His ears were softly pointed, yet he did not look like any elvish man I had ever met with in the lands of the Kingdoms. I smiled to him dimly his gaze met mine, I saw in those emerald pools, much sorrow and pain, wars and magic?s I had never seen before . He looked in to my eyes he would see the pain and sorrows I held in my heart, and the battles I had faced, as well as the loves of my world. ?It has been along time since I met an elder.? His voice was strong yet soothing. I nodded to him, wondering what he meant by elder. ?I am Shavyn GreenStone.?
?I am Kulbin,? he offered no bow or any kindly gesture he just walked past me and looked to the talisman as it slipped from my grip and fell to the ground. A cloud of dust rose around it, I looked down to it, the magic had faded and gone in to me. He
picked up the chain and talisman of Zel?s from the ground he held it out to me. I shook my head.
He looked to it, his eyes focused on the worn symbols upon the mithral, and at the dried blood he then looked back to me. I then rose from the rock where I had been sitting looked over the vast landscape. This place was new to me, but I felt as if some greater power had drawn me here,
I looked to Kulbin, his features reminded me some of Zel, he was tall, and fit. His hair was longer and darker than Zel?s. But there was something familiar in those eyes, I looked him over slowly as he held that worn talisman up in his broad hands I again sat down again this time on a different rock and slowly pulled my sleeve up. There was that never healing wound. The one Jinnalt had given me, it still burned but the bleeding had stopped. I slowly unwrapped the bandages and slid them in to my bag. The wound was deep, and it went deeper than just on the skin, it had wounded me deeper than flesh and bone. The burn marks around the major wound shown the fact that it was no normal blade that had cut so deep in to me.
I looked to it and grimaced. Kulbin walked closer to me and grabbed my arm. ? you should have that looked at.? I looked up to him and smiled dimly, ? no one I have met can heal it, it?s a very complex wound.? He ran his fingers down my arm, ? a blade wound, with burn marks. A blade was struck in to your arm, a blade that possessed fire elemental powers.? I nodded softly.
He then bent down and lifted the dirt from the ground and slowly sprinkled it over the wound then chanted. I did not recognize the language he spoke. The wound seemed to glow as small stitches wove them selves through my skin and sealed the wound. I looked to him, with a questioning. He said nothing only rose to his feet offering me a soft smile and walked back towards the fort. I slowly walked to Lily and led her up the path towards the fort. I looked up to him on the parapets. He moved with an ease and skill I had never seen before. I saw no visible weapons on his person but that deep grayish blue cloak hid most of his form from my view. I turned and ran my hand down Lily?s nose and smiled to her. He jumped down and walked to my side. ?It will be dark soon; you should lock that horse of yours in one of the rooms with in the fort.? With out question I led Lily within the fort and to one of the back room and slowly chanted a locking spell, ?Tangwa en' templa.?
I turned to meet his gaze. ?You might want to put this on it, just incase they bring one of their sorcerers with them.? He tossed a lock and key at me. I caught it and slowly placed it through the door and locked it slipping the key in to my coinage purse hidden at my side. ?You should get some sleep.? I looked at him with a puzzled look, ?Why?? He turned and looked out the open door way, ?Tomorrow I am taking you to the main city New Darius to meet with the commander.? I slowly sat down against the wall and lay my saddle bag down and used it as a pillow and my cloak I lay over me for warmth. I did seem to sleep though not very well it seemed.
?Psst.? I felt someone shaking me. I awoke and looked to Kulbin who held his finger tips to his lips. ?There is a party of darks coming, stay still and quiet.? I watched him climb the parapets and disappear. I sat slowly up in the shadows listing to the sounds of the dark elvish language being spoken, as well as a language I didn?t recognize. I heard the soft foot falls of them as they walked by the window of the fort. I listened as the foot falls stopped. I saw the gaze of one of the dark elves meet mine. But before he could shout to his comrades I saw the bolt of a cross bow go through him. Above me some where on the parapets Kulbin had shot right through him with fine accuracy.
I dare not move, not even to pull my bow from my back. The other dark elves watched their comrade fall and looked around. But before they could move towards me, vines emerged from the ground under them and trapped them. Kulbin jumped down from the parapets and looked to them as they turned to dust. I slowly rose and looked to him. He turned to me, ?are you hurt?? I shook my head. He nodded and then disappeared back up in to the parapets. I sat here against the wall once more. At some point I fell asleep.
The morning light drifted over me as it filtered through the broken boards of the fort. I slowly rose and slid my bag under my cloak and my bow over my arm and unlocked my mare from its room. I then walked with her outside and ran my hands down her nose. I slowly untied that sheathed blade and tied it to my left side, didn?t know why but I didn?t wish to part with Zel?s blade. After everything he had told me about it, I knew it had some power I had yet to discover. I looked back in to my mares soulful eyes,
?This is not place for you my dear Lily, ride the way we came find your way to a safe kingdom, and we will find each other again.? Lily nuzzled my face and turned and ran off to the woods. I then heard Kulbin?s voice, ?you know it?s a long journey to the city, you could have used her.? I turned to meet his gaze, ?this is no land for her.? He shrugged, ?well if you?re finally ready we will be on our way.? He started down the path and I closely followed. We walked down the dirt path, my eyes gazing over the landscape; the ruins that littered the ground spoke to me of what could happen to the village of Jadelle. I let my cloak blow in the winds; the area was covered in grass, with those ruins that seemed to grow for the very earth. My mind was wondering, as I walked beside him, it rested not with where I was but at home. With GreenStone. Perhaps Hisime was right and I should have stayed. But as I walked everything seemed to disappear, as I passed beyond the realm I knew to this one.
Hours passed and I could see the sun beginning to set, and there in the distance was a very large city center. It was heavily guarded. I could see the tall spires of a large castle like structure. We got closer to the gates and Kulbin spoke to the guards and then he disappeared. The guards walked to me as a storm started to brew above. And one spoke, ?This way miss.? The large gates were opened and he led me with in, I drew my hood over my head as it began to rain. The city was massive, people in the streets, homes and craft halls. I walked the cobble stoned street towards the large palace. Next to it was a large temple, which spiraled in to the sky; and glowed with the purest of white light.
The palace seemed to reach in to the clouds and disappear. The guard led me inside the palace and up many stairs and down so many halls that I lost my bearings. Then we came to two very large metal doors that had that emblem that had been upon that talisman of Kulbin?s. There were also many fine jewels embedded with in the metal.
The guard led me with in the room, it was massive, and at the far end sat a man, heavily armed and dressed like a high Nim'ohtar. His armor was amazing, and he had at least forty men surrounding him, that each flanked out and took stand near the long deep crimson rug that led to his chair.
They were also heavily armed, and their armor shone brightly. The man motioned for me to approach. So I slowly walked down the rug towards him, the man whom had led me in followed closely behind. That man reminded me much of Kulbin, but older. I bowed my head to the man that sat with in the large wooden throne. He rose and walked to me. ?I hear that you came through a portal?? I looked on confused, ?I know nothing of any portal sir, but I do know that I am here now.? He looked to me, ?What is your name?? I looked to him, ?Shavyn GreenStone.? He looked me over and nodded, ?Well Shavyn, I am Lord Darius. You have had a long trip I invite you to stay here in the palace, and rest, tomorrow we have a great breakfast, and we then shall speak of how you got here.? I nodded to him, I was suddenly quite tired. I bowed to him, and walked back towards the doors.
Lord Darius spoke for a few moments with the man whom had led me in and then he came to join me. ?This way.? He led me out of the room, the large doors closing behind us. And again walked me up and down many stairs and through many halls and over huge bridges. Then he stood outside a lovely wooden door.
?This will be your room, while you stay here, it will be guarded, and please allow those guards to lead you where you need to go, it is very easy to get lost here.? I nodded to him, ?Thank you.?
He nodded to me then spoke to each guard, then bowed his head to me, ?I am Lord Blahl, Head Paladin of the Holy Order of Darin. I will be watching over you while you are here?? He bowed to me and walked down the hall. I slowly entered the large room. It was amazing; it had two very large windows which looked out to the city below. I walked slowly to the bed, setting my bow down, taking my cloak off laying it there. I then slipped my quiver off and sat it on top. I walked to the large window looking out wondering what had happened to Kulbin. I then turned off the light and slid in to the bed, with my sheathed weapons, bow and quiver next to me; I used my cloak as an extra blanket.
The soft morning light slowly danced over the room. I slowly opened my eyes and looked about. Two women dressed in maids clothes stood at the end of my bed, holding up an exquisite dress. I looked to them. They spoke as one, ?Lord Darius bids you to wear this to breakfast.? I slowly sat up, and rose from bed taking the dress in hand. The two women looked at me and smiled, ?he also bid us to help you.? I held my hand up to them both, ?thank you ladies but I think I can handle getting dressed, leave me.? They nodded and slowly bowed and left the room I took the dress and held it over what I had on. I was far too nice a dress for me. I slowly hung it on the back of the door and changed in to clean clothes. Wrapping my belt around my waist, and slid my cloak over my shoulders clasping it. I looked to my bow and quiver on the bed, and walked out of the room locking it behind me. I looked to the guards as I pulled my hair up out of my face. They bowed to me and led me down the hall.



I re-read that passage Shavyn had accounted for every move she had made her frist day there in Crendia, now as I stand alone in the Mith wqoods ready to pass through to this place I knw not what lies on the other side or who shall be there waiting for me, I can hope , that one day my path may lead me back to Rhydin again, like that other night when i was sent there through the winds, i have unfiished business there I know and I entend to return for the masked ball on the 12th of this month....

if I survive that long, or if the winds will it so.


~Shea~

Conversations with dead people


"Adaron?"

She woke from a passing dream, looking up tot he dark sky above, next to her sat perched the sleeping hawk shed named Adaron, after her past lover.

Shea sat up running her fingers through her blue strands of hair, she was high up in a tree, having given her room at the inn for Ty and his young hatchlings. That dark green cloak served as a blanket that bag full of things as a pillow, that hawk at her side her only company.

"Adaron" She smiled looking to the hawk then looking to the stars above, she had made a vow to Ty to help him find his lost love, and shea would do her best, rising fully to stand within the great oaks branches she looked down tot he ground below, the winds swept past her and she jumped cloak flying up around her neck as she fell towards the ground booted feet touched the ground as she floated from above. Jade hues looked to the hawk that stirred and flew to perch its self upon her shoulder. " come my friend, let us begin our day" A bright smile as she walked away from that tree sliding her bag over across her self and under that cloak, she had messages to deliver and conversations to have with the gods ... the great Seldarine..

She hope that here within these woods she could find a way to speak to someone above, perhaps that goddess willow, from that land she was supposed to be in. Fighting that war... shea smirked as she walked looking towards town.

"It will be all to easy to just stay hidden today my love," a look tot he hawk upon her shoulder, it tilted it s head at her, and she laughed. She had named that hawk Adaron for a reason, for within its gaze she felt safe and they shared the same element ... wind the air, the longing to fly...


she paused looking towards town perhaps she would go have a cup of tea.


Maybe relax a bit, but then her vow passed through her mind, she had made it a vow, on her right and honor as high knight of GreenStone she would do her best to find out something ... if she could, keeping on her way she walked away from town, to find answers..within the winds.

::she stood hood drawn high over her face across the street from the inn, not sure when she would go inside again, she was meant to go back today she could feel it in the way the wind swept past her. That dark green claok floated up and around her, as she stepped away from the building. That symbol on the back shone brightly in the midday sun, that silver dragon, holding that blue-green gem. the thread that it was woven in sparkled as she walked away from the Inn.It all felt like a dream, some wonderful dream,that she never wished to wake from, but as shea made her way away from the Inn she knew that in a moments time the winds would take her away back to crendia, and yes a dream was coming true there,a love found, a hope not lost.::


But here in this place she was not just a knight of geenstone, she was more than that, she could prove her worthyness as a woman and not just as a warrior.

here she could train and learn and make new friends. And dream of the love she might be abe to find. She didnt wish to leave, she ahd no clue how long it would be before she returned. In crendia there was a dream coming ture, that man she had loved from the moment he saved me. That hornorable amn, a paladin, a warrior and a man of some mystery to me still. He was not Adaron, but I could feel that place in my heart, that place that had been empty, being filled with that new feeling. well it wasnt so new, love, that one feeling I had lost after Adaron died, the love of another filling my world. maybe this time things would work out, and I could let Adarons memory pass, and let his ghost rest.

::the call of a hawk that soared behind her echoed through the street. as it floated and soared right behind her.::

" yes my friend we are going home."

Arato was the eldest king, he and his wife Lirima Elena FairWind had two children at this time, Nenime whom was a year younger than Alcander, Nenime would be king soon; his father?s health was not very good, and Adamina their first born girl, whom would marry a king.
They would have three more children Alasse, Sanina and Dagor FairWind. These kings had already chosen their warriors; they were coming to discuss Alcander?s choices. It would take the SilverWaters King longer to get here; the FairWinds king had already arrived and was taking up the sights of the village with in GreenStones walls. Alcander hoped his knights would return soon with some choices.
A few hours pass and Alcander was getting worried it was near dusk and the SilverWaters King would be here at dawn. Alcander wondered through the gardens smelling the sweet air. He then heard a soft rustling behind him and turned quickly pulling his sword, ?Who goes there?? Lady Rea Sina bowed down slowly, ?Tis Lady Rea Sina M?lord your Knights have returned there are many men and women inside the castle awaiting you.? He smiled and walked up to her placing his hand on her shoulder, ?Your timing is excellent, diola lle,? She nodded and led him back to the castle court and there stood more than one hundred people.
He stood amazed at the turn out, ?Lord Erini, bring twenty of the strongest here men and women elvish or not to the archery range. Lady Rea takes the same amount out in front to the court yard and Lady Ayana takes the same over near the barracks.?
Each knight nodded and did as instructed each taking twenty warriors.


When they were done ten remained there, ?And you ten follow me.? The remaining ten followed the king. Alcander tested them all on their archery skills and their riding skills as well as strength, stamina and flexibility. He weeded out those whom might turn on the Kingdom and then was left with thirty-six men and women standing before him. ?You all have done well and each of you has shown your selves to be powerful, cunning and intelligent, six of you will take title command and the rest will fall in ranks under which I choose now I know it is quite late and you are all very tired this will only take an hour or so.?
He conversed with his knights and then would choose the leaders of the Rangers, ?I have split you all in to groups of eighteen each some of you are to be Rangers and some Archers. I will now call forth those of which will be the Nikerym, Shaalth and third in command for the Rangers.? A silence fell over them all, ?The Commander, Captain, Nikerym of the Rangers will be Sir Elli Liam,? The tall elvish man with brown hair stepped forward and bowed down to his knee before the king. ?As Commander Elli will carry this, Rangers sword,? He pulled forth a large elvish sword in his right hand and the sheath in his left. He held it out towards Elli; everyone looked over the wonderfully crafted blade.






The gleaming three foot mithral blade shone brightly under the soft moon light, the guard a slightly curved downward cross bar made of mithral, with a up curved extra guard made of iron under it with a long wooden handle, embedded within that handle were several deep purple garnet jewels, the handle tapered up to a softly pointed wooden top.. Alcander slowly handed Elli the sheath and blade. Then Elli stood aside and held his blade in both hands and brought the handle to the center of his body.
Alcander then looked back to the gathered men and women, ?The Shaalth of the Rangers shall be, Sir Devin Herald,? the tall human man took a step forward and bowed before the king. ?As Lieutenant, you are the bow master,? Alcander then handed him the Rangers bow and arrows, then presented a shorter sword.
Devin then stood with his bow, arrows and blade and moved beside Elli standing the same way. Now the last commanding officer was to be chosen Alcander looked over them all slowly, ?The final commanding officer in the Rangers shall be, Lady Mariana Rosette,? The Half-Elvish women took a step out and bowed before the king. Alcander smiled to her and then spoke, ?As third in command you are the Rangers Shield Master,? he slowly lowered the Rangers Shield to her, the long pentagonal shield could be used not only as protection but also as another weapon, with gold laden designs, holding three tear drop sapphire jewel that pulsate a soft magical blue then a brighter emerald green shine then sapphire once more. She also received a blade of iron and mithral.




She rose and stood beside her comrades, Alcander nodded to the leaders then turned to the other fifteen, ?The rest of you fifteen shall now receive your swords, bows or shields then fall in to ranks behind your leaders.? The fifteen other men and women all slowly received their blades, bows and shields then they all fell in to rank behind the leaders, each took up the stance that Elli had.
Alcander stepped back to admire his new warriors, ?Llie naa Taur'ohtar nuin I'anor, ar' Sila tiri,? at that point they all sheathed their blades sealing their destiny as Rangers of GreenStone.
Alcander was very proud of his first choices now he had to choose his archers. ?Now that the Rangers are chosen the Archers shall be next,? Again he conversed with his Knights then turned. ?The Commander, Captain, Nikerym of the archers shall be, Hyandae Jannell,? the strong tall elvish man stepped forward; his long blue hair tied tightly back, Hyandae bowed slowly before the king.
Alcander looked down to him, ?As commander you not only receive the best of the bows and arrows but also you shall possess this,? as he spoke Lady Rea Sina brought forth the Archers blade and kneeled a before Alcander presenting it. The archer sword shone in the midnight like a star. Alcander handed the blade and sheath to Hyandae. Hyandae stood and took his bow and arrows then sheathed the sword and took his stance to the left of the Rangers.




Alcander watched him take his place then turned back to the group of men and women, ?The Shaalth of the Archers shall be, Amandi Lorelle,? The lovely half-elf women took a slow step forward. As she knelt before the king, those fair golden wings could be seen. ?A winged archer shall be very useful to us all, stand Amandi and take your bow and blade.? She stood and slowly took her bow and blade sheathing it. Then went and stood beside Hyandae.
Alcander watched her for a moment then looked back, ?The final command of the archers will go to, Ehtele Avasa,? The young elvish women took a step forward; her long red hair was woven back in tight braid. She bowed to the king taking her bow and blade, Ehtele then rose sheathing her blade; she then went and stood beside Amandi. ?The rest of you fifteen shall now gather your sheathed blades and bows and fall in to rank behind you leaders.?
After they all had done so he looked to them all proudly, ?Llie naa Cuar nuin I'anor, Aa' amin pilin' auta ve' sulie.? Then all at once they tied their sheathed blades to their belts, and switched the bow to their aiming hand, then they brought their bows to the ground; ready for their kingdom.
Dawn had now crept over the mountains and swept through the valley of Dae then swept over the valley in which GreenStone sat. Alcander had made it in time he had chosen his forces, and now as the large GreenStone gates were opened, King Urime SilverWaters and his knights rode towards the castle, behind him rode King Arato FairWind and his knights.


The kings dismounted before the Rangers, Alcander?s knights had quickly made him look noble as if he had not been up all night, yet his eyes would speak the truth, the Rangers moved aside and let the other kings pass. Urime spoke ?Young Alcander, 'Quel amrun,? he looked to him with a dim smile. Arato did not speak only looked over his chosen forces.
?Vedui' il'er,? Arato finally broke his silence; both the Rangers and Archers bowed to the kings then turned and walked over to the right. Arato looked to Alcander, ?You have chosen wisely Alcander; it is a pleasure to finally meet you.? Urime smiled and nodded agreeing with Arato, ?Your doing a good job young man your father would have been proud,? Alcander nodded and bowed his head in respect, ?Diola lle creoso, melloneamin a'baramin, saesa omentien lle, tula, vasa ar' yulna.? Both of the kings nodded, Alcander then looked to his knights whom came over quickly, ?My knights shall show you in to the dinning hall.?
The knights of GreenStone waited, Lord Erini bowed to Urime, ?This way M?lord SilverWaters,? they walked away, and the knights of SilverWaters followed. Lady Rea Sina bowed to Arato, ?This way M?lord FairWind,? he nodded to her and followed, his knights followed after. Lady Ayana smiled to Alcander, ?M?lord?? He nodded to her, ?Yes? oh yes? lead the Archers, Rangers and our most honored knight guests around the city for me once the kings and I are seated with in the dining hall.?




She nodded and followed him in; Alcander went up the steps and through the doors, his first and second knight bowed to him. ?They await you inside M?lord,? he nodded, ?Thank you, go with Ayana and lead the new recruits and the knights of the kings about the city,? They each nodded and Lord Erini went in to gather the other knights, ? Most honored knights of FairWinds and SilverWaters, come with we knights of GreenStone so that we may give you a tour of our fine village,? the other knights rose and followed, they then all went and gathered the archers and rangers to lead them about the village.
Alcander slowly entered the dinning room, ?Thank you both for waiting for me please sit, let us talk.? Arato looked about, ?Tis a lovely hall, and wonderful wine.? He tipped his glass to his lips as he slowly sat. Urime looked about, ?Wonderful indeed for music and talk,? Alcander nodded, ?Thank you both,? they all sat slowly, to begin their discussion. ?Alcander, we both approve of your choices of Archers and Rangers? Urime looked to Arato whom was looking in to his wine glass.
?You make a fine king, now your eyes must set to pick a bride.? Arato rose slowly, ?Adamina would make you a wonderful bride and wife M?lord.? Alcander nodded slowly, ?Yes I shall marry your daughter M?lord FairWind.? ? Dear Alcander my life will not go much further , you will meet my daughter once she has arrived in HarpSing with her brother Dagor, she will learn well there and not be over taken by the royal duties that would plague her brother.?



Arato took a breath and smiled, ?You may marry her when she is twenty-one years old, Nenime will take over FairWinds throne very soon as my health decays,? Urime looked to Arato, ?Both of us elders will die soon, I will last only till my son is a young boy then he must take the throne our alliances must hold Alcander you must see to this.? Urime rose and walked behind the leaning Arato. ?We elders must head back now, but will you see to this that our kingdoms stay allied and safe?? Alcander rose, ?Aye M?lords I shall, I will not fail.? They both then nodded walked to Alcander all of them shook hands. Urime turned to Alcander ?We are allies now, and this shall be a new tradition.? He reached in to his cloak and pulled out a very ornate wooden box and handed it to Alcander, Arato then reached to his side and untied a sheathed blade and handed that to Alcander. Alcander then lifted two mithral boxes off the large dinning table and handed them to each king, ? Thank you both we shall be allies for years to come.?
Now the tradition was set in stone from here forth the allies would trade gifts as a sign of continued alliance. Then Arato and Urime made way out of the castle and kingdom. Their knights followed behind them.
Time moved quickly from then, the FairWinds Kingdom grew with two more births Alasse and Sanina FairWinds. Three years had passed and the elder king of FairWinds Arato FairWind has died. His health had only gotten worse. His wife gives birth to their final child Dagor. But sadly Lirima Elena FairWind died in child birth. Now Nenime at the age of fourteen shall take the throne of FairWinds.


Now the young grieving king must not only grieve for his parents but his youngest siblings, both Alasse and Sanina are dead, one killed by and one died of some strange sickness. Many deaths have over run the kingdoms and the surrounding villages and towns.
Many new kings, queens, dukes and duchesses had now graced the lands. Alcander was now fifteen. He heard the news of Arato, his wife and their daughters. Now would be the time that Dagor FairWind and Adamina FairWind would make their way for HarpSing. Urime SilverWaters health was now failing him his son was only eight. The Town of Myst took up a new Duchess, Lady Frea Tulre Myst.
The Kingdom of Golden Vine has a new Queen Melina GoldenVine she then married: Isaac Noric GoldenVine, they would have daughter soon after their wedding Princess Lorna GoldenVine. The Village of Dark Silver Mysts also got a new duke, Lord Orrick Chain, a rather cheerful fellow. The Town of GoldFeather assigned a new chief for their armies, Manka Belegohtar, son to Lume Belegohtar. The Village of Misty-Breeze acquired a new Duke when Duchess Fea-Tessa married, Pierce LongFellow. The Town of Althea acquired a new Duchess, a Lady Jira Sil Althea, and the duchess and duke had a daughter Cassandra Daphne. The Queen of Amethyst Rose bore four children Dristan Juliette Marie, Vanessa Hope D?KeRose and Samuel D?KeRose. The Kingdom of Ruby Rain chose its first forces. Otherwise things stayed the same.




Dagor and Adamina FairWind made their way to HarpSing from FairWinds leaving the brother to choose his new forces. Adamina had never been away from home and did not quite understand why she and Dagor had to go. ?Dearest brother, why must we head away from our home?? Dagor was silent as they rode side by side. ?Dear sister there is nothing left for us in FairWinds.
Nenime must choose his forces on his own? and we must now find other lives, I am too young to be a Knight or Ranger but I can protect you, and HarpSing is far less dangerous then FairWinds.? Adamina shook her head, ?I could have taken up a spot in the royal army I have the skills?? ?No?. dear sister, we would not have you dying before your times?please just try to relax and take in the sights?.? With a heavy sigh Adamina looked around. ?Alright tell me then brother what lies on the other side of those woods there?? Her eyes looked to the Dark Enchanted Woods. ?Beyond those woods is another elvish kingdom, GreenStone but in those woods lie many dangers you must never ride in them alone.?
They now headed in to HarpSing; it was a small village with only one inn. They would stay in a small three room cottage owned by a good friend of their father. They would be here three years. Yet that was unknown to them, in three years time Adamina would be sixteen, and at that time Alcander would be in HarpSing. Until then Adamina would become well versed in needle crafts, as well as jewelry crafts. Adamina learned about the enchanted stones of GreenStone. She was enthralled by their beauty the moment she saw them. All weapons are made in FairWinds. Here in HarpSing the weapons made in FairWinds are jeweled. GreenStones blades are the only ones to receive any stones unless other wise stated.
GreenStones Rangers blades received a round red garnet jewel. The Ranger shield was the loveliest shield she had ever seen with its gold laden designs and those three tear drop sapphires. Archer?s blades received an octagonal emerald. And the royal blades received a personal sapphire. Adamina found the sapphires most beautiful, with their ethereal green glow.
All the jewels had a glow, though the sapphires glow made her feel at home. FairWinds blades were very different, no jewels were embedded in the handles, and instead a long colored ribbon was tied about the handle in a very unique way for each kind of warrior.
Yet FairWinds shield did receive a jewel in the center of the elongated pentagonal shield, deeply embedded between two clasps of mithral was a lovely amethyst jewel. Adamina saw every sort of blade; bow, arrow and shield pass through HarpSing, Blades for FairWinds, GreenStone and the ocean kingdom of SilverWaters passed through HarpSings Jewelry Shops.
Two years had passed and she now knew how to make each blade and place the stone with in its handle. She also had learned much of needle crafts and after much practice she made her self a fine royal dress, and cloak. Her brother had suggested it, yet Dagor had not told her that Nenime had instructed him to do so. Now after his conversation with his brother, Dagor knew why they were here.


His sister was to marry King Alcander of GreenStone. Dagor was to see to it that she did not know of this, they had to fall in love. Dagor was now ten and a fine bowman, he had been under the charge of the top bowmen of HarpSing. Even though the small village did not go to war often they still needed protection.
A year later Adamina was getting restless and needed some adventure. It was near dusk one night that she took her horse, a white mare she named Snow and road out of HarpSing. She took with her a bow and arrows those Nenime had given to her and she barrowed a GreenStone dagger. She wore that new dress and cloak. She so wanted to see the trees of this forest, the Dark Enchanted Woods as they were called.
She rode in the dark the light was a dim crescent moon and the eternal glow of that dagger. The ribbons on her bow blew back in the wind as her rode. Deep green cloak pulled over her; those blueish-silver teases tucked under that hood, blue-green eyes looked out. From HarpSing she took the small North East path through the Woodlands; she heard wolves and saw a few sleeping with in an old mangled oak. She rode further in; she could see the dull lights of the Kingdom as they passed through the mountains.
She heard rustling above her, yet saw nothing. Now as she rode closer to the small mountains the trees lessened. There she saw in those mountains large caves. She dismounted slowly and led her mare down the small path past the caves.





She could see another road from here with her elvish eyes. ?That must lead to GreenStone.? That dagger she had barrowed glowed brighter. She heard a rustling behind her and as she turned she saw a large silver dragon, she was fearful that it would eat her but as she looked close she could see it was injured. It saw her and made a slow escape in to one of the caves. ?Wait?!? She ran after it in to the cave, leaving her mare on the out side, the cave was filled with jewels of many colors? she saw that most of them were sapphires. ?You?re the dragon of GreenStone?.? She stopped for a moment and then ran back further in to the cave. ?Please, I will not harm you, I wish only to help.? She then saw its large deep blue eyes. She took a slow deep breath. ?My name is Adamina, and yours is Dae correct?? The dragon merely sniffed at her, seeming to look her over, with a gentle nudge he pushed her cloak aside and saw the GreenStone dagger sheathed there. He then relaxed, laying his head down slowly.
?Let us see where you are hurt,? she looked him over and saw a few arrows sticking out of him. ?Oh my, it seems you went too far away from your home those are Golden Vine arrows I will take them out and I can heal you alright?? The dragon closed his eyes slowly. Adamina went to work carefull pulling the arrows out and healing each wound with the elvish magicks she had been taught by her mother. After the last arrow was taken out and the wound healed the dragons eyes dimmed in color as they opened to look at her. He then reached and pulled a sapphire jewel from behind him. The lovely jewel he then shaped in to a tear drop with a simple puff of fire. After it cooled he placed it before her, and snuck back in to his cave. ?Lle Creoso, mellonamin, ar? Diola Lle.? She bent down and took the jewel in to her hand and placed it in her pocket.

She would make a necklace out of it, once she got back home. Yet there in the caves as she walked slowly out she found a very old necklace , the pendant from it now gone, it was one made in HarpSing , she slowly lifted the jewel from her pocket and fit the tear drop sapphire in to the pendant opening , it fit perfectly. The necklace looked very old as if it had been there for years, yet the moment the stone touched it the mithral chain seemed to clean its self and shone so brightly in the dark cave, and that sapphire jewel that was held there, now began to glow its ethereal green.
Much time had passed by the time she got back out of the cave, it was mid afternoon and by now her brother would be worried sick. Dagor walked erratically in a circle, worried out of his mind, where had his sister gone? He had sent as many as he could think to look for her yet no one found her. And then more bad news came his way. The king of GreenStone would be here soon, he was moments away. Dagor saw that his sister had taken her bow and arrows, and that she had dawned her new dress and cloak. ?Oh Adamina where have you gone?? He saw many villagers as he walked about thinking. One man stood out to him, he had three others following him like body guards. Dagor knew the man to be the king he was already here, and he was well disguised, his knights must have been the others following him.






He hoped that the king would not recognize him. He hurried along the path towards the jewelry shop and went inside. Dagor went and spoke with Adamina?s teacher he had to cover until she returned. Alcander slowly stepped in to the shop followed by his knights, he did not remove his cloaks hood, looking to Dagor, and he asked ?Good man is you the owner of this place?? ?His apprentice sir, he has gone out to lunch, I can help you though, what you be lookin? for? Perhaps a lovely necklace for one of your lady friends, or perhaps you is here to pick something up, a blade, or shield??
Dagor looked on with a sheepish smile. Alcander answered, ?Yes I am from the Kingdom of GreenStone, I have come to pick up a dagger, two fine rings, both in boxes for the king and I am also looking for someone.? Dagor nodded, ?Aye well I shall go and get that dagger and rings for you then you can tell me who you?re lookin? for and perhaps I can help??
Dagor slowly went in to the back looking for the GreenStone dagger and could not fide it. It was then he head the back door open and saw Adamina enter, ?Sister where have you been?? She smiled, ?with the dragon of GreenStone.?
Dagor saw the necklace with pendant about he neck and the GreenStone dagger to her left. ?That is Alcander?s dagger,? he slowly reached over untied the sheath from her belt and held it in his hands. Adamina looked at him questionably ?Alcander, the king of GreenStone why are you taking it?? ?His knights are here to collect it?. Be glad you?re on time.? He smiled to her and hugged her quickly and went back out. ?So sorry sir for the delay, it seems one of the others put it in the wrong place but I found it.? Dagor smiled and slid it on to the counter.

Dagor also slid the two fine boxes on to the counter , one box held a lovely wedding ring, the other box held an engagement ring. ?Now you were saying you were lookin? for some one?? Alcander nodded, ?Aye?? Alcander?s eyes drifted over Dagor he saw Adamina so beautiful, dressed so fine as well? he was taken a back a moment. Dagor looked over his shoulder to his sister whom blushed and bowed then went back through the back door and in to the village. ?Tell me young man whom was that lovely women??? Alcander?s eyes were lit up like fire, Dagor smiled, ?That sir is my Sister Adamina FairWind?? Alcander smiled, ?You know of who I am then?? Dagor nodded, Alcander lowered his cloaks hood and smiled to him, ?you are the young Dagor FairWind then yes?? ?Aye M?lord, my brother told me of what is to happen, I was trying to cover Adamina had gone off on an adventure she was in the woodlands and with Dae apparently.? Alcander stepped back slowly and took his sheathed dagger and tied it to his belt.
He took the ring boxes, placing the one with the wedding ring in to his small bag at his side, and the other box he placed in his cloak pocket. ?She had my blade I saw her new necklace and pendant a gift from Dae I wonder what she did to receive it.? Dagor shook his head, ?it is anyone?s guess my lord, you will be taking her with you now?? Alcander nodded, ?you may come with us if you wish, and your mentor told me much of your skills.? Dagor smiled and shook his head, ?I must stay here, to learn more and my heart is here, I have my eyes set on the daughter of the duchess. ? Alcander laughed lightly, ?Elenya, a fine choice young man, I will speak with her mother on your behalf.? Dagor smiled, ?thank you M?lord, I give you my most gracious blessing and thanks.? Alcander then dawned his cloaks hood and went in to the village after Adamina.
His knights found her at the small fountain. He slowly walked over to her and knelt before her, ?Adamina FairWind?? She looked to the cloaked man, ?Yes?? He smiled and removed his cloaks hood his knights did the same. She was taken back for a moment when she saw his face so handsome, his mid-length silver hair and bright greenish-silver eyes drew her in to him. ?I am Alcander GreenStone, King of The Kingdom of GreenStone.? Adamina slowly stood and bowed respectful to him, ?M?lord?a pleasure to meet you.? He smiled and rose, ?Adamina I wish for you to come with me to my home land, to be my wife.? He then opened the finely crafted elvish box showing her the lovely elvish ring. She smiled and rushed in and kissed him on the cheek. They were now to be married.



after dae had saved me from my falling death, or what would have been my death I ahve felt more in touch with the dragons of my home land, with Dae most of all.

how I long to fly again, one day perhaps I shall

:: fine wine indeed, reminded her of home, very much Westridge
Reserve Elfin Wine ... it tasted like home, like the rich soils of a great
homeland...::
::shea smiled, and reached in to that side pouch, she had a perfect
gift in mind....she hadn't known ahead of time, but it was a lovely gift but she
would save hers for after the big present::
:; shea smiled watching on, waiting for a good time as her hand
felt around inside her side pouch tills he found that box there... ahh there it was
she pulled it out and held it in her lap ... box made of the finest mithril from her
homeland a small box, with a stone on he front the same stone shea wore on
that necklace around her neck. she watched as Des opened the huge box from
Gav smiling::
:; a smile , as shea noted the fine jacket.., lovely, looked hand
made, shea could sense the magic in it..., jade hues glanced down tot he small
mithril box in her lap, then it floated to sit before Des, the box was lovely in its
self small, simple with that blue-green gem that glowed its amazing color,s hea
hoped des would liek what was inside::
: :;shea sipped ehr wine and nodded, it fitted her well, it was just
right.... perfect for Des.... a smile as she lowered that wine glass, watching, jade
hues looked tot hat small box upon the bar top, her present to des... it floated
slwoly up fromt he bar and then down as shea looked to it... the gem on the top
of the box glowed as did the one about sheas neck::

::shea smiled, watching and sipping her wine::
:: shea smield her small box seemed the smallest of all, and still
unopened, sure it was amde of metal that finely made mitral a box her uncle had
made, jade hues watche dona s she sipped that wine slwoly, thinking of home, of
greenstone and her eldest sister and all her other friends and family... not all were
at home, some were in Crenida.. fighting a war she would soon return to, so for
now shea enjoyed::
"open it"

:; the box did open, inside was a finely made pin or brouch, in the
sape of a draogn, that same dragon that was on the back of sheas dark green
cloak, a teasured item fileld with magic, protection magics and sorts::
the gem is a rare gem of my homeland, it has many magic's with
in it and the pin can be worn many ways, the dragon that that pin is made after
is a symbol of my home land, Dae is his name and he shall protect you and
yours..



a gift of much power, a gift of friendship, the powers of greenstone lie with in that gem and with in that pin of dae,a rare artafact indeed hand made by Dagor FairWinds my uncle, botht he box and pin, hand made, by some of the finest craftsmen in the world that I have ever known...


I often wonder why the powers that brought me here have done so.. but the more I stay here, the more I come and go the less I want to leave, dispite the fact i have found something new, I know not what it is yet if it is love or not, or just mere passion, but i do hope for more than that


as I watched Gav and Des tonight, I missed my beloved Adaron more so... my mind and heart weary from the loss of so long ago, but happy to see a pair of finely matched... I hope for long life and long love for both of them together

:: back she appaerad in that wind that carried her, that hawk
pereched upon her shoudler now:: well done my friend, it seems we both needed that :: a smile as she spoke fo what ahd just happened in the market::
:: the hawk soared up and flew up higher in tot he sky perching its
self on the roof ledge, jade hues looked up to mtach the gaze from his blue:: go on now Ill be back in no time... :; with that the hawk was gone in the winds up in
tot he night air... back towards the far off trees, where shea would coem to meet him later, for nos she stood outside the inn leaning on the building across the way eyes looking to the sky::
::jade hues focused on the moon, as the soft breese brushed
through thos long blue locks, the soft touch of the wind tucked those strands of hair behind her elven ears, and she sighed softly, a rleaxing sort of sigh:: " the perfect night." :: a slient word to the stars above as words passed through her
lips::

:: shea watched her hawk friend slip away in tot he night:: Quel fara
:;a smile knwoing that he would hunt once mroe before returning to their oak tree resting place::
:: shea leaned upon the wall looking tot he porch of the inn, then at
the door, knwoing Ty and Icer were still withiin, enjoying a very empty inn... shea
wouldnt move to go inside, inseatd she would stay there outside across the way and wait a bit longer, jade hues watched the small clouds float over the moon, the air was cool, yet it was refreshing, the soft breeze brushed through that cloak and
through her hair, it whsipered soft words in ehr elven ears, words few others had ever heard, unless they spent much time outside int he winds, listening to all that was around::
: so peaceful now, jade hues closed as the wind breezed past her,
she had never tended to ehr wounds but now they didnt seem to hurt at all, the winds had seemed to make hem feel numb and she noticed them little, as she leaned there across the way from the inn
:; yet though ti was peaceful, it seemed abit lonelyer with out her hawk friend there, and only the sounds around her of the inn and the street to keep her awake.. and though she didnt mind being alone it made her think and wonder and gaze off in to the sky at the moon::


a moment was all I had then it faded..

The market was empty it was the perfect place. A nod to her
hawk there perched upon her shoulder, up he went and down the market street hunting:: Quel Fara... :: shea was hunting as well,this was the place, it was
empty perfect for an ambush, jade hues looked to the buildings then around to the carts covered till more merchants came to sell their things, most of the stores losed up till later::
:: elven ears listened to the winds, to the creeking of some pice of
old wood that dangled off a cart, tot he sound of foot steps above her then the scream of a mouse caught by her hawk friend. He had found his meal, now Shea was to find who hunted her, from above:::
:; jade hues kept watch as a steady hand came to rest upon the
hilt of that sheathed sword, another cry heard, her hawk came back full blood upon its razor sharp beak. Shea smirked softly, and nodded to him, he would be here eyes from above, again he would rise up to scan about where she could not:

:: then a noise arose from behind her, a quick turn a blade drawn. Nothing, just the wind... turned ina swrilling vortext behind her, jade hues then moved around, some one was here, hiding she could sense it with all her being::

" come out , now and perhaps we can settle this."

A blur of shadows around her, the sound of a blade being pulled froma sheath, shea readied her self for her attakers this time they would not be so lucky as to touch her::

then a shadowed figure stood before her gray cloak blowing behind him, face hidden, like a ghost from the past:: " Shea..." His words floated upon the air , shea froze, that voice so familar. That ahwk dove down uopn the man but flew right through his misty form. Turning back the hawk came to her perching upon her shoudler. Shea's eyes went wide, as she watched the cloaks hood blow back, that face... she knew it well. the misty figure walked towards her. then stopped a few inches away, a hand held out to her. " it is time..."

:: more errie words passed through the lips of the misty man before her.:: " come with me..." She looked to him, it could not be, it was a dream, some passing night mare that she would wake from. though her mind would beat against him her soul would obey and ehr hand would reach out to his, the mist then grasp ehr and the winds took her... in a swrill of feathers and wind both she and her hawk disappeared from the market place::

:: the moment I thought I was dreaming was the moment everything changed, my world had been tossed up in to the wind like the falling leaves, I had let go of my past and opened my heart to what could happen, then that dream happened there under the moon lit sky I had that dream, yet it seemed so real, was it my subconscious mind calling me back to Crendia? were the winds speaking to me again? There I sat under the oak trees, as the sun arose in the sky, lighting up the world of Rhydin for another day, I had business in town today, more work as an apperntice apotocary, and tutor. that one skill of healing came in to great use at the inn when I healed a fallen man, I asked for no payment, tis not my way. And on my honro as a knight if they need someone to hunt down that one whom might have posioned him, so I shall do. A sword for hire now, for those whom seek vengence, I am not that, only a woman of honor, a knight . Now as I make my way towards town I wonder what shal la wait me there. a new day has risen and many are awake, my student today learns the art of swordsman ship, a young lad whom one day may participate in some arena battle or may be of great use to some maiden caught up in some terrible fight. I do what i can. Then off to make more healing potions, and study those words in the book, and rewrite them in to elvish as well, a scribe now as well it seems. One of few ehre who speaks, and writes th elven word. All in all I must say I do hope this day brings new light on to an old problem. How do you put your past to rest and move on with your life, when you unsure if your ready to? I have placed Adarons ghost to rest, and done my best to find my way abck home, yet something still keeps me here, yet now as I walk throught he empty streets I feel that power about me, that nexus pulling on the ends of my cloak. Perhaps it is time to go home, all things aside I shall return here, again very soon that i know is certian.::

Now that Shea was back in rhydin her feet seemed planted there upon the cobblestone of the market place. Perhaps something more than the fine quilts had brought her back here. More so than the winds and her longing to be here with her new friends. Though she could still feel the wind tugging at the back of her cloak, Shea did not move from that spot.

She knew that she would have to return to the pass before to long. But She could feel it in the air. Something had brought her back here.


:; Jade hues would gaze over the market streets. All the stales and shops. Then back to the paladin. Blahl had once told her that all paladins had a power about them. Shea had seen it for her self a number of times. To date she had only seen a few paladins and knight types here in rhydin. Though there were plenty of warriors and swords for hire. The knights and paladins seemed to share something in common. Jade hues back tot he quilts. As her bare hand ran down the face of one. So warm so wonderfully colored. There was magic in the air this day, she could feel it.


Then a cry, from a far. The call of a friend she knew. That hawk came then floating upon the air of the day, and he landed upon her shoulder sort of quirking a brow at her if he could. He had left her at the [pass with Duchan, so he gave her that I know what you did look. Shea laughed softly::

"Hello my feathered friend, quel fara?"

: that blade was slowly sheathed, as the winds died down... shea
now managed to her feet, magic pusled from her fingers tips, she slid her hands beneath the folds of that dark green cloak as she walked on tot he porch leaning upon the rail there...::


:: slowly to the door and through it she passed, the soft breeze
opening it for her, shea looked like hell, dark blue locks a slight mess tossled from the winds, her face was hidden though by the hood of that dark green cloak, towards a table she staggered, and there she fell in to a chair half falling half sitting down, witha grimmace. Slowly she sat her bare hands upon the table top, they were worn cut and bruised, dried blood stained them slightly.... one could guess what this knight had been doing this eve...::


::jade hues glowed from under that dark green hood, as shea
looked to the room, her hands slid, her elbows touched the table top and that hood slid back, her long blue hair was damp tossled and turned as if she had been in the raina nd wind, her face was bruised on one side, from the looks of from either a fist or butt of a blade, a long sractch there on the other cheek shimmered as she chanted under her breath healing the soft minor wounds.... that seemed to cover her hands and that one upon her face, jade hues glanced down to her hands as they shimmered the wounds healing....she sighed a deep sigh, of relaxation or relife one could not be able to tell the difference::


:;jade hues softened slowly, those swrils of blue within them
faded, as she nodded to Wyh... in greeting...::


::thoughts now plauged her mind... after last eve: she had enjoied her time greatly that last ever there with connar... spekaing of magic, shea had done ehr very best to change his view on mages, and had done a fine job indeed. At that thought she smiled, that classic shea smile, through the pain, she would smiel still. A finger would rise to brush through her hair, and at her touch those damp locks dried, and were tucked back....::


elbows slid, arms spread out over the table top, her head
lowered, no drink in the world would rid her of those pains, or thoughts upon her mind, and even though elven wine was her favored drink this eve it would do her no good...for now she rested her head there within her arms closing thsoe jade
hues::


she fell to sleep, resting deeply now... silently wih her head
rested within her arms::


:;then shea woke with a sudden shudder, and a name whispered
under her breath:: "adaron..." ::jade hues looked to the room, a night mare
nothing more than a dream, a passing memory::


::then shea rose slowly from that table, back out the door she
would go on tot he porch to sit,,though the inn was warm, she felt better outside
in the winds... they seemed to help her regain some of that strenght::


::shea pulled that hood high over her face sitting back upon one of
those worn benches:: Sul... Val'istar :;elevn words spoek in tot he passing
winds...::



::what did those words mean to shea? she wondered now, she was a sul val'istar, a wing arch amge, one of the most powerful in all of her homelands, with the powers of her mother and the elders following freely through her finger tips...jade hues casta galnce to the sky, her eyes shimmered, thouse wounds were healing under that cloak, healing well now as she started to regain some of that strength::
"atara"....: :: she looked to the clouds passing over the star fileld sky... as she spoke to her self watching the clouds pass over the star fileld sky then her eyes shifted to those wind sweapt leaves that softly danced over the porch::


:jade hues watched the streets there just beyond the porch, now
shea rose fully to her feet and walked slwoly off the porch past the horse drawn coach, and down the street the winds would follw her making the ends of that cloak whip around her then she would fade from view as she walked down he raod towards one could only guess where:


::her long strides carried her away from the inn and great hall
towards the empty market place, soon her hawk joine dher resting there upon her shoudler, and above her in the cool air soared that white owl... she had named losa... and some where far from rhydin resting under a grove of oaks was her beloved mare... Violette, now alone she lowered her hood, cuts and bruises were healed now fully, and shea had managed a smile:: tis good to be alone... sometimes aye my friend? ::she spoke to the hawk upon her shoulder::



::and alone shea was no matter the friens she ahd or ahd made , no matter what she alone carried the burdens of a knight of greenstone, high knight: though ehr sister carried the ttile of knight as well shavyn had all she needed all she ahd ever wanted a love to call her own, and he loved her back completly.....

Shea was not as lucky with love, she had focused all to long on her dutys, and her honor to ever find love again, it was a curse she would ahve to live with or die trying....

A curse ...she called it unlucky she was, for the one man whom ahd loved her whom had wanted to be with ehr for all time to raise there son as man and wife had been killed in cold blood by Jinanlts malice and the rage of a fire mage... of all dark intent....
Shea could not undo the past only hope that her hopes witha paladin were not miss placed, for if all he wnated was her close friendship and nothing more than she would ahve to look else where for that love, or give up on it....::

::jade hues shimemred now in the light of the eharth, those swrills of blue seen more vividly in the fire light, those deep swrills of light blue within thsoe jade hues.... magic of the winds, sitting back withint hat chair shea smiled.... feeling that comfortaing warmth rush over her::

:: she closed her eyes with drawing her hands from the fire.... they were warmer now.... she brushed them through her hair and sighed softly...., the eve had been long.... yet some how even after all that had gone on shea smiled....::


::Stops next to her chair, the bottle of chateau de robinet offered to her:: How are you, Shea? Care for a drink?


:;jade hues opened and she smield to him:: I ....::she would not lie:; I have been better, and yes a drink would soot me well thank ye

::Hands her the bottle:: Is this okay or would you like something stronger?


:;she smiled to him:;this shall be fine...
::Smiles, as she takes the bottle of water:: Do you want company?

::a soft nod to him:; yes I would enjoy that as well :; she slowly took the bottle cap off the water and tooka long sip::

::He nodded, sitting down next to her, looking at her carefully:: Has it been raining? Your cheeks look a little water streaked.

::she then lowered that bottle to rest upon the small round end table:: it had bene raining, yet those water streaked stains are not from the rain....

: ::He smiled softly:: I know. Is everything all right?

I could not honestly tell you that it is.... but perhaps in time.... :: bottle lifted another sip taken, as jade hues looked into the fire::

: ::Simply nodded his head, taking a drink, eyes turning to follow hers to the fire:: I won't pry...just know that I am here to talk, listen...::smiles::...rearrange the furniture if needed...

::a soft smile managed as she looked back to him, that bottle floating down to rest once more upon that round end table:: i woudlnt bother me if you did pry.... and thank ye...:; as bright smile to him::

::Grins looking back at her:: I was hoping you'd want the furniture moved about. You look as if you've had "one of those days" that drains both the body and spirit.

::jade hues looked to the empty room, she did have that sudden urge to rearrage the tables... but she wouldnt, witha smirk she looked back to the fire relaxing back as best she could:: I have indeed... ::she slowly unclasp her cloak, shifting slightly in her seat to lift it up, folding it end over end, then again she folded it over that bag at eshe side, an ajustment of sheathed weapons was made, that bag lifted off to rest on the floor::

Have you received further word from your palladin?

:;shea wore her classic shea wear, black boots and black pants, she reffered to as ridding pants, fitted nicely amde of the finest elven weave.... that low bound elven belt made of calen mithral... with sheathed weapons.... and one of her classic shirts... with mid length sleeves, the color of this one was a deep wine color, like deep merlot...., that necklace she wore visble tongiht, that blue-green gem glowed softly:: Lord Blahl... nae....I have not.... he was expecting me.... yet thingshave changed....

Changed? In what way?

: I was meant to be on my way home, with a comanion of mine, I shoudl have been back in the mith woods by this time already yet I am not.... other duties keep me in rhydin and for that i am happy...., well how can I put it bluntly.... when last I spoke to him, he said he cared for me but not in that way, although we had shared a moment... he can not go against his faith... his duty, he is first a paladin then a man... he knows not if he can be ....both in love and true to his faith......

And although I care for him, I do udnerstand: yet I do not know if it is his faith that keeps him from me so much as...other things...


::Studies her expressions as she speaks, reading the heartache she feels:: I'm sorry, Shea. I know how you had such much hope and aspirations on your relationship with him. I'd be curious to know from his lips what it is about you that he thinks runs contrary to his faith...unless his pledge is celebacy.

: ::a smirk:: nae, this is why i think it is for other reasons....


: Other reasons? Hmmm...::strokes his chin::...it must be that you are too pretty for him then. I can think of no other rational explanation.


he believes that if he loves , anyone that he will not be able to do his duties as a paladin as a warrior, i think he fears putting me through soemthing i have already been through.... i know the costs a warrior pays in battle I know the chances of death..... he fears thatiof we become more than friends that he may, fall too deeply, and then that he might lose me or I him....


If not for love...that kind of love...what battle on this land or others is worth fighting?


He's an idiot...an ideological idiot, Shea. He's just damned scared of not having control.


:; a soft blush invaded her cheeks for a moment: I do not know I have fought for love before , there is nothing else worth fighting for, peace and love


Aye...ye have...perhaps not the love of another individual...but every battle has the protection and honoring of love at its core.

:;a nod:: and this is why i am cursed... I have settled on the knowledge that I may live out the rest of my days, having loved two men, one whom loved me back fully and wished to amrry me, yet was murdered, and another, whom ould not love me beacuse he is whom he is....


The foot soldier may not know what drives the king to battle, but the king knows.


Well, two loves in one life can be twice the love that some never have.


;a nod and smile:: Indeed.... that is true.... yet if you were to place your self in my boots... you would understand.... more fully.... yet this is not possible.....:: she would tuck those ever falling locks of blue behind her elven ears::

::Smiles taking a drink, imagining his feet in those boots with a grin:: Don't be too quick to assume I speak from the position of ignorance. I understand better than you might imagine. But I also would not presume to know depths of your pain and sense of loss.

: ::she lifted that bottle up and took another long drink of water, before lowering it down once more:: I do not think you ignorate, I can tell that you know .... that you understand.... I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice.....

: ::Nods slowly, looking into the fire, the flames doing their hypnotic dance:: So what lies before you now?

::she gazed in to the fire:: two rodes.... one leads home, then abck to crendia and the battle for peace.... and one leads here.... from my resting palce in the oaks awy from town.... I can stay in rhydin now, or go back to my duties and fight the fight, along side the man I love, knowing he does not love me, but I can also see my son fall in love, and know that the woman he loves love shim back fully....

: ::Smiles, looking at her:: So what's keeping you here?

then there is the thrid road.... where I can do both, fight for peace in crendia... and come ehre to the red dragon inn whenever i wish..... for my fate is not written in stone, perhaps here under this roof, before this fire I shall end that 'curse' and find one last love to last me the rest of my long years....

I have made friends here, done some good things.... taken up, a few jobs.... and the possiblites... of the unknown...


::Nods, understanding the draw friends and possibilities could have:: I'll be honest, Shea, I know very little of the elven way...are you immortal?

perhaps I stay here in hopes that someone will wish to ehar my stories... listen to the ramblings of a elven knight of greenstone.... perhaps here in rhydin I can do more good .... than i know, perhaps also I can become more than justa warrior,a knight.... ::a smile,jade hues glanced in to the fire;: no we are not, we live and die, some live a very long time, some die early.... but as all men and women do we too die.... we just live longer usually....

::Nods...her insight resonating:: And after death...what then?


some die and go to Arvandor, some die and become greater... the Seldarine, and some are already belssed with powers of the seldarine.... and have an immortal quality.... in which they die, yet there body does not, it is fileld wiht a power of the gods... the seldarine, and they live on but they are no longer who they were before....

And your first love...the father of your child...will you be with him then?

: ::she smiled, as she spoek that gem that hung from that smooth mitral chain glowed brightly, that deep green color, to most it would seem odd that this deep blue gem would glow green, yet if any looked at them gem closely they would see that tint of green to that blue:: perhaps.... he was not elvish though, he was a Taur'amandil,a druid.....
I may never see Adarons face again, exeacpt for in my dreams or nightmares.... yet I know in my heart that he has peace, he watches over me and our son....:;a soft smile as she gazed back to the fire:: and as Aiden, grows older I see more and more of Adaron in him, his strength and cunning.... the powers he held.... :;jade hues looked back to him and she smiled::

:He smiles, engaged at her explanations. His curiosity usually overpowering his sense of restraint at asking what could be considered very personal questions. He caught the glow of the necklace and marveled at it, completely breaking his train of thought:: I think your necklace is...uh...glowing.


: ::she looked down to that pendant:: yes it does that... :;her hand lifted , and she held the pendant in her hand:: this gem set ehre with in the wisps of mithal and silver is a very rare gem, from my home land, it glows often when I think of home.... or when i use powerful magics....

::Smiles, admiring it:: Makes a convenient night light.


: ::she gazed in to his eyes for a moment and smiled:: that it does...:; he might note that there at her sides those sheathed weapons had similar gems... that glowded very softly....:: the magic of Dae , lies within all the gems of greenstone....

You must have a dreadful time trying to perform sneak attacks in the dark with all that glowing.

: :;a bright smile as she spoke of Dae, jade hues glanced down tot hat cloak, which was folded upon that ag she ahd set upon the floor near her feet, there in the light of the fire she could see that shimmer of silver thread, there upon the back of that cloakw as that symbol of Dae the large silver dragon of greenstone...:: it doesnt always glow... :: she would let it fall again to rest and the glow would fade:: see


::Nods and looks at her with an appologetic grin:: I really have to stop teasing so much. It's a bad habit of mine...years, and years, and years at perfecting it.

: ::she then sat back, with a smile:: i dont mind....tease all you like...:: a sideways gaze to him:: it doesnt bother me....

:
as I have said before you shall know if your ever bothering me.... tis easy to tell... when youve over stepped your bounds.. with a lady whos well trained in sword combat....::a smirk , then she looked back to the fire::

: ::He laughs:: Duly noted. ::Takes a drink of his neglected cognac:: I shouldn't tease, though. It's not very polite. And I pry relentlessly. You must leave my company with such a headache at all my questions. Your mouth probably runs dry just trying to answer them.

nae, I told you i dont mind the questions, and you may pry if you wish, i doesnt bother me, my life is an open book.... and its not a big deal if you tease, I am sued to it really, in fact i enjoy itt... all of it.. all the questions,teasing and prying....

: ::Smiles:: Good...you belong to a very select minority.
I used to think the middle ages of earth were hard to follow, but it pales in comparison to this place.

: ::shea smiled:: I am glad to belong... at all... :: now she took one very lng sip of water, the bottle was emptied and disappeared as soon as she let go of it::

: ::Watches her and blinks:: I will never get used to seeing that, Shea

:;she smiled:: never get used to magic?

: ::Smiles:: Specifically the floating and disappearing water bottles.And...I suppose, magic, too.: Illusion, I understand. Magic, true magic, is quite another thing.

:she leaned forward toward him for a moment:: it grows on you in time :: he would feel the softest of breezes brush past him:: floating objects are my specilty... and disappearing ones too.... many tricks of the trade....

: ::Closes his eyes briefly at the gentle breeze, catching the briefest glimpse of some place peaceful, green, serene. He looked at her and smiled:: What trade would that be, Shea?

: ::she smiled:: the trade be magic.... for with me it comes easily.... unlike other things.....


Other things? Oh, you mean love...lasting romance? Your curse? ::smiles::


; a nod for each:; aye....
::jade hues closed slowly as she relaxed back:: if i could master those as I have mastered my magic... i would be a much bolder woman....

Give it time, Shea. Like magic, it runs its own course. You wouldn't settle for parlor-room tricks over your time-mastered skills, likewise, don't think that your mastery of love and romance would take any less work and patience.



::she nodded:: very true....::jade hues opened, and she gazed towards the dying fire light:: i am used to magic taking work.... but i always figured love would be easier, at least it was when I was younger....

::she gasp:: thats it..i have it thats why hes been saying its about his faith, im too old for him :: a smirk::


: ::Smiles:: ah, the innocence of our youth. Though, I suppose, we might have been smarter about love in our youth. We didn't have any assumptions, time frames, it just happened.
: ::Raises a brow:: Just how old is this guy? You've haven't been raiding the nurseries, have you?


::she relaxed back some more:: indeed, though im not old for an elf, and not that old in consiteration to human years either.... :;she smirked:: no... i have not.... he is a good age..... nearly the same age as i am at lrast in human years...

::Grins:: Oh, I see.. He's the one who wants to be raiding the nurseries.

::she laughed softly:: yes I go after young men in their prime i raid nurseries... youve caught me... ::another laugh:: well im not spring chicken....

Hey, get a guy while he is young, we're much easier to train that way.


::another soft breeze would rush past the flames making them rise again higher, the breeze would fill the room, the smell of wild flowerss was upon that wind...:: ::a giggle::trian... you can trian them...like a pet :: smirk:: I had no idea...

: ::Nods, raising a finger:: But only if you get them young, before the bad habbits get a chance to take root.

she gazed to him, and gave a playful wink:: sit.... stay.... ::smirk:: oh so older men the ones who have seen a few things cna not be trained.... darn... :; another smirk:: bad habbits, men have bad habbits now....since when :: jade hues looked tot he fire::


Chuckles:: We are a sorry lot...and, sadly...all you have to choose from.

::she gazed back to him, and smiled:: your not so bad.... ::another wink, not daring enough to say what she might::

so wasnt this the time I was suppose to ask queestions about you and pry deeply in to your private life ? ::not that she would pry to much or ask really persoan questions.... at least not yet::

: ::Smiling:: Are you trying to make me blush, Shea? I can make my bad habits dissappear when necessary. ::Nods:: That's right...we did say that...::He sits back, getting comfortable:: Ask away.

perhaps I am trying to do that :: a smirk:; is it working? ::she tooka moment:; alright I can tell yuo dont hailf rom rhydin so where do you hail from?


: I come from Earth...have you heard of it? Not too unlike Rhydin, fewer dragons mabye. ::smiles::

:: a slightly puzzled look:; heard of it yes.... know much of it no...but if it is like rhydin, then it cant be too bad

That last bit was a joke...I'll cease that.

::she shifted slightly and smiled:; i ahve heard of it, a palce full of odd things things my elven ears have never s een....

I've seen much of the struggles of humans on earth over the passing centuries. Their struggles, while lacking the magic that we have here, are very similar. Same driven passions, love, greed, hate.

::relaxing back she looked to the fire, a log floated upward and in to the fire, the air brezzed past the fire and it flared up again warming the room..., she smiled feeling the warmth:: well then tis not to far from rhydin or even my homelands at that..... but with out the magic....

::Nods:: Were it not so, I don't think we would linger too long here. There has to be something familiar to keep us about.

:: a nod as she closed her eyes for a moment, she was focusing on something behind the bar, another bottle of water then floated up from behidn the bar and to her hand, she smiled opened her eyes and opened the bottle and tooka long sip:: so why are you in rhydin? and what keeps you here?

perhaps there is some lucky lady you have not spoken of?

::Takes a deep breath and exhales slowly:: Ah, the thousand gold piece question.

and the answer?

No, no lady. I came here, followed a brother here actually. I left earth during it's middle ages...and haven't been back since. I drifted in and out of Rhydin, and was absent for a very long while, only recently finding my way back.

so youve come and gone and now are here.... no lucky lady :; a soft gasp:; At that I am surpised... women in rhydin are blind..... :: a smile:: so now you are here in rhydin... intend to stay?

::He smiles at her teasing:: Perhaps I should bathe more often...the blind ones might not find me so offfensive. As to staying...I can't honestly say. I feel the pull of home...it can be draining at time, down right painful. But it passes and I stay.


she nodded and smiled:; you smell fine to me... and I udnerstand that pull of home, for greenstone does that to me, it calls to me, it has been very long sicne i stood ebfore the castle and keep of my home....

::Nods:: I feel trapped sometimes, caught between two worlds.

but it too passes and I stay... until the winds take me at least :;she smiled, the slowly brushed her finger tips down through thsoe long dark blue locks;; that I do understand as well, for not only does home call to me but crendia as well, knowing what goes on there now pulls at me, tugs at my very being calling me back to the lines of that war...

: ::He nodded again with a smile to her:: See, we may not have the same boot size, but I think we walk very similar paths.
::she smiled:; aye we do.... this I could tell from the moment we met....

Really? I must read like an opened book...a comic book...a book none the less.::Smacks his head:: There I go again...sorry.

:;she smiled:; elves are very wise :;she looke din to hsi eyes:: we can elarn almost anything about the person the moemnt we met them, and the longer we know them the more we know... but with me tis hard to explain my wisdom....


You can learn almost anything? I fear I should be a tad embarassed or ashamed. ::grins:: How much do you know?

:;she smiled:: nothing too personal or anything liek that so dont be embarassed or ashamed.. and I know some, but id rather learn as I go.... ask questions and pry :;she leaned close and smirked::

::A soft laugh follows:: All right then...next question.

::she paused a moment:: hmmm, i know not what to ask....;;thinking::

I am better at being ask questions than asking them im much bettera t giving orders and telling stories...

Snickers, arms folded across his chest in triumph:: I guess I'm just too complicated...I'll let you sleep on it...see if you come up with any other things you'd like to know.

::she smiled:: alright.... though I dont know if I shall sleep but ill give it some thought...

::Smiles, relaxing again:: Don't give it too much thought, I hate to think I caused you any missed sleep or unrest.

::she slowly lifted that bag from the ground sliding it over ehr self across her body till it rested tot he left just below that sheathed sword, then she unfolded that cloak and reclasp it about her neck:: oh i wouldnt lose sleep because of that....::she gazed outside:: its for other reasons.... mainly being the fact that currently in rhydin i am staying in a groe of oak trees outside out town, and it tend s to get rather cold....

::she let that cloak slid around ehr form the dark folds hidding her clothes and hidden weapons in a moments time as she sat back in to that chair::

::Nods:: Can't you bring in a warm southerly breeze?

:she smirked:: i may be powerful but even i can not o against the weather.... thats a big no no in magic...


::He looks around, can't remember where he put his cloak, then remembered it was being cleaned:: No messing with Mother nature...I get it. ::He stands, extending a hand to her, to help her up. Not that she needed it, he was just being polite::

I would stay here but all the rooms are taken....but perhaps my luck shall change and it wont be so cold this eve...:;she took his hand and rose to her feet:: or if it is I may just sneak back here and sleep upon the couch....

: ::He looked around at the empty room:: What do you mean, sneak around? We're the only ones here. I won't tell.
::Points to a nearby couch:: I've slept on that one...not too uncomfortable.

::she nodded to him softly, plling her cloak around her tightly:: Oh yes that be a good thing for someone to walk in to in the morning me alseep in my night gown on the couch... a very good dight indeed....

I hadn't considered that...::laughs::
:He moved around the chairs, walking with her toward the door:: They should give us keys so we can lock up.


::smirks:; I can see it now.... early morning someone comes in tot he inn for a cup of eta and they fix it them sleves and go towards the couch and there before them is me alseep upon the couch.... in a nightgown of all things, and if they know em they woudl smirk to see me in anything even close toa dress, for it would eb the second time in rhydin history that I shea Greenstone would be seen ina dress by any

: ::she moed towards the door:: I could lock up, and I dont need a key, but best to just let the inn stay open....

::Grins:: Second time? Sounds like a great story. I can't wait to hear about that. ::He opens the door for her and smiles:: Remind me to remind you to tell me about that one.


: ::jade hues would look out the window, to the air outside to make sure the winds would not rise up, and remain ever still. so not to be too cold, she stpped out in tot he cool night the air was still for once ina great whule:; oh yes tis a wonderful story... and I shall remind you....


: ::He smirked, following her outside:: I might need to see the outfit, just so I can picture the story correctly.

: ::on to the porch she stepped pulling that hood high over her fair features, and dark hair, the soft breeze would brush by her....:: perhaps if your lukcy I'll wear it for you.... but it may cost you....

: ::Smiling, he closes the door behind them:: That makes it all the more enticing.

::she smirked and looked back to him:: its a rather nice dress I worn to the masked ball here in rhydin.... ::she smiled:: it went over very well at the ball :sarcasim::

::He steps off the porch on to the hardened ground, turning back to see her again:I always miss the good parties. Smiles::Do take care, Shea.

::off the porch she stepped and in to the street:: yet that is a tale for next time... till then..quel du... ::she smiled:; good night....I shall, you take care as well

::then the winds rushed in quickly, swrilling around her tossing that cloak up and ina moments time shea was gone in to the winds....and away dowbthe foggy street the winds would take her... like a drifting leaf::

: ::Gives her a nod and smile:: I will. Good night ...::And with that he turned, and moved up the road, into the shadows::

: Shea had awoken from the deep sleep at some point near dawn,
she had left the comfort of the inn, and the comfort there she felt beside connar to go to her duties, the day had managed along fine enough, a few lessons here, a helping hand there, and now at this late hour shea wondered the empty
streets of the market place. he only company that hawk that rested upon her Cloaked shoulder::

:; jade hues gazed to the hawk from under that hood:: go hunt my friend ... we shall speak more later..:;the hawk looked to her then with a sudden cry he flew from her shoulder up in to the night air to go and hunt:: quel fara...::shea walked down the cobble stone pathway slowly, jade hues watching her feathered friend go::


::He was taking a shortcut to the inn, cutting through the
marketplace, spying what looked to be a familiar cloak up ahead in the
distance. He smiled, picking up his pace to catch up with her. Morning came all to quick and he was so soundly asleep he didn't catch her when she left::

: Grem had been the first to the Inn this morning, but Connar had managed to put the room back the way it should be...other than the painting of Panther, which was probably still facing the wall. He grinned::


: shea paused, elven ears hearing something footsteps, a steady hand slid to that hilt hidden under her cloak, her day had been busy, full of training and tutoring, as well as a few other intaglements. shea was on guard. She paused there in the middle of the path way, cloak settling behind her in the mysic winds that flowed past, that hood was blown back by those winds, and jade hues now freely scaned the market place::


:He noted her defensive stance and slowed his pace a bit,
calling out to her:: Steady there, pilgrim, tis just your bunk mate, Connar, that approaches.

she smiled and lowered her guarded stance and smiled to him::
good eve Connar....:: she nodded to him::

::He smiled as he neared her:: Good evening, Shea...how are things this eve?

::her hands both came forward out of the folds of that cloak, they
ran through her hair and the winds died down about her now:; I am very well, and
you?and all s well as well, partly thanks to you....whom i owe many
thanks...


He smiled broadened:: I feel fantastic...best night's rest I've
had in...::thinks a minute::...in a long time.


; a nod:: was a fine nights rest for me as well the best Ive had in ages....

::In all truth I had slept very well, I enjoied the eve so much, more than I could say, and although the day had been a long one, I had smiled the whole way through thanks to him, and their lovely eve ....::




That whole business about the room fixing itself must not work when there are still bodies in the room. I had just tossed the last cushion back on the couch when Grem poked his head in just after dawn. You...::pokes her::...were already gone.

;she smiled:: I had buisness to attend to... forgive me...:;a bow of
her head:: lessons to teach, people to help


At the crack of dawn? Who are you teaching...roosters?


Those who wish to learn a bit of magic, and sowrd play must wake early when it is I whom teach them...


Ugh...maybe that's why I've never taken an interest in it. ::Looks
from Shea to the Baron and back again:: Is there a parade tonight?


I missed the ball, had no idea there was a halloween party til I showed up...my social calendar is just a wreck..::Gives her a smile:: How did the lessons go?

::shea glanced to the man in the armor, then back to connar with a smile:: very well... the lessons go well..., I missed that party.... ::


::thankfully, I knew that even though in my eyes the words I could not speak were there most vividly as the colors were, yet I hid them well, what I had wanted to say...::

he smiles, looking at her with that same look he had when
talking about re-arranging the furniture with Wyh:: Was that your bird that took off just before I caught up with you? A raptor, wasn't it?

::jade hues look back to the other, as he shapened his blade then back to connar:: he is a hawk....and yes he went off to hunt... as he often does about this time....

:Nods:: I love raptors...hawks and falcons especially. Beautiful animals. They have efficient bodies for hunting...speed, quickness, agility. Few, if any, predators. They are just too quick.


:she smiled:: Indeed, I enjoy them as well, all that flys I enjoy .
we share a common thread...:;a bright smile:;


::He doesn't look back toward the Baron, his back turned to him as he looks at Shea, who was very gifted at telling stories and reading between the lines:: Aye...I had a small falcon, once, very cunning bird. Loyal to a fault.

soft brezze would brush through her hair:: they are loyal... some far too much....Adaron.. ::she smiled at the name, she had named the hawk after her passed lover... why she had her reasons:: is very loyal.... though he is stilla wild creature... at heart


I could never get him to wear a hood when riding...as a result, the bird would take off after even the slightest darting prey. Many rides that should have taken just a few hours took all day because of having to wait on that bird. But when he knew I had business, he was all business.


::she smiled:: You can take the animal fromt he wild but not the wild out of the animal.... tis as it goes


And as it should be.

I do agree

::He looked skyward then back to her:: I'm afraid to ask what Adaron comes back with hunting in this city.

mice, rats.... yet he feeds off some where and then comes back much later, if at all....tis the way he is....he flys off far usually in to the trees to hunt better pray... he knwos this city well, better than I do....


:Smiles:: I thought he might come back with the occasional
pixie, wood elf, small gnomes...

;:Jade hues looked sky ward, another brezze went past her swrilling about her tossing that cloak about, making her hair fly upward:: nae, he does not eat those....only mice, small rodents....

::she would close her eyes for a moment and take a breath, a very deep cleansing breath, opening her eyes she tooka few steps forward with a wide smile, she could hear everything , from the soundlessness of the wind, to the sound of some far off mouse scrambling for cover.... ::I love the sounds of the market at this hour...


::Looks around, a tad surprised:: The sounds? What sounds?

::her hands slid beneath her cloak again:: the sounds of th wind, the small sounds of things moving far off...only elven ears can hear the sounds such as these :;she smiled to him:: so yes I have news, to tell..

:she stood there almost perfectly still,looking upwards:: this morn when I left the inn, upon the winds I was sent a letter, as is common in
my case.... from a certian paladin I have not heard word from since I came here....the letter was very short.... he has made his choice, the fool that he is, but an honorable and honest fool.... he has chosen his faith and his life as a paladin over love, he can not do both, he pleds with me to let him go.... and so I shall...


she lowered her gaze:: I can not weep for what might have been any longer, the past is past. I can not blame or be angred with him for if I had that choice I would do the same.... but tis easier for me... I do not have to make sucha choice....:: she smiled:: besides... new ... things have come to my attention here in rhydin...

In all truth I had to make that choice long ago with Adaron, or I might have ahd to if not for his untimely deatg.... and if it had been up to me I would have chosen love over my knight hood.... for I have fought for love and peace, and love is worth fighting for, but not is the same with all


:he looked to her, a knowing look in his eye:: He shouldn't
have sent you a letter, Shea. He's both a fool and a coward.

He can not come here.... I know this... his duty keeps him in crendia.... tis where I should be fighting for peace, I gave my word... but I do not know if I can go back to fight by his side, not yet....tis I who am the coward... i refused to go back, I had many chances yet i did not.... for I could forsee this.... end...


Wouldn't that be a tad awkward? Going back to fight at his
side?

: ::a nod:: yes... but i gave my word to my sisters that I would fight, I gave my word to lord darius.... yet shavyn and aiden hold strong for me, they fight when I can not seem to go back.


Nods:: Okay...you take one flank, and he takes the flank
waaay over on the other side. ::grins::

But it sounds as if "new" things that have come to your
"attention" will keep you in Rhydin...

:;shea smiled:: i have to contorl over that he leads the armies
there I merely follow... I owe him my life, he saved it many times....

yes I intend to stay in rhydin....she shugged softly:: many here seem to follow me, hunt my steps, worthy challanges to come perhaps perhaps he was blinded by my beauty :: she smiled:: and he
couldnt control him self being near me :; nearly laughing:: or perhaps the
nexus took him...
..

Laughs:: I betting he sharpened his sword to the point it was toothpick sized and had to leave to find another...that..and your beauty.

: :::shea smiled and nodded:: besides whom ever he was... he
would not have attacked a poor defencesless woman... :: another smirk::


Who are you calling a poor defenseless woman? Clearly he
could see I am no woman. I'm not even wearing a kilt?!

::Grins::

::shea laughed softly:: not you connar...:she walked slowly towards bench and sat down:: I was speaking of my self...


Surely, you weren't thinking he was thinking YOU were
defenseless? You're heavily armed...::smiles. He put a hand to her shoulder, giving a soft squeeze:: I'm glad I happened across you this eve. I was only passing through on my way across town. I have business there tonight. I won't be "closing" the inn thrice in row, I'm sad to say.

: :shea smirked:: tis ahrd tos ee that I am armed when i wear this cloak.... unless you know what to look for I look defensless... ::she smiled:: buiness you say, and what buisness do you have in the market place?

Shakes his head:: Not in the market place...I was just
cutting through...going to stop at the inn, grab a quick drink, and head back to the road. That's when I saw you.

ahh so I have detained you from your buisness then ? :: a smirk and she rose up from that bench....:::: so after the inn where were you to head?


Even now I am expected. I won't be stopping in the inn now. Not very polite for me to show up late, now would it? I'm just glad you happened by...or I happened by. ::Smiles::

::she smiled and nodded:: then you best get going.... I would hate to keep you....I too have business.... to attend to...I have made my self a date ::a smile:: or rather soneone has made a date with me... so to speak...

:Nods, he was truly going to have to hasten his steps to get
there:: A date? Well, that ought to be interesting. You'll have a new story to share when I see you again, soon, I hope. Safe travels, Shea.

she would raise her fingers up towards her lips and a whistle would sound from her lips, then the soft trotting of a horse was heard, from behind , her mare came to her side:: yes indeed I shall have to tell you of it, safe travles to you as well...

:He back peddled a few paces with a wave and then turned to hurry off into the darkness::

she would take the reighs and mount up, pulling her hood high over her face, she would turn the horse:: we ride to the woods Violette, with all speed, for we are very late indeed :: then witha sudden gust of wind shea was gone down the cobble stone path, on horse back.:

The more time I have spent here in rhydin the more I have come to love it: the place itself and the people. Yet now in four days time i ride home, and this time I am not turning back, I have a few things to settle here in rhydin a few more lessons, a few more fine events... I do hope to be back in time for Miss Wyh's wedding, for she had become one of my fondest friends here, one of many it now seems.


I came here seeking solitude, seeking to esacpe my duites as high knight, yet I gave my word my oath... to Lord Darous, so in four days time I ride from ehre through the woodlands, back towards the far off mountians, then through the misty path now surely covered with snow... then through the woods, past what remains of the wood elf city of Taur-Fea. then towards my home lands along the shores of Silverwaters, or as close as I can come, then back through the mith woods through that mysict portal back to Crendia and the battles that await me... perhaps then I can face him, perhaps then he will come to understand why i still love him and shall not give up, perhaps in time he will see that he can be both a paladin and the man I love.

with all hope..


yet I have things here in rhydin I musta ttend to first, I must come clean, be honest with my dear friend.... I should not have lied to him.... my bravery seems lax as late.... so tonight i head for the inn, in hopes of being able to tell him , and hoping that he may forgive me... for my foolish hearts ways...


if I were any other woman from any other time and he....


but we are who we are we can not change that.

::off the porch she steeped and that ahwk came to join her
perching upon her shoulder as she pulled her hood over her fair face and made way towards the market::

::Watches her leave, wanting to say more, but the words
weren't coming. He just stood there::

:the winds took her to the market square where her mare
awaited....she took up the reings and glanced around:: twas not the send off i expected Violette... ::she spoke to the mare...:: but it will have to do:: down the cobble stone path way she walked mare close behind, hawk upon her shoulder::

;she started down the pathway, then with one last look around
she mounted up:: well V let us go... :: she nodded to the mare, and they were off the hawk flew from heer shoudler up in to the air giving her a farewell cry as she dissappered from sight...::

Memories

Journal entry: Ringare Kinta



As darkness crept back over the Kingdom of FairWinds, Shea sat alone outside in the cool winds. ?Winter is on its way, shall this be another dark winter?? Her jade hues looked upwards, long had it been since Shea could remember a bright new day. I watched as the wild elf readied them selves for the coming march Those who would not go to fight would remain, safe within the castle gates under the watch of Nenime. I looked to the sky over the stars for some sort of answer, a shooting star cascaded down through the clouds disappearing some where behind me. I closed my eyes and made a wish.
?What did you wish for Mother?? I opened my eyes to see Aiden standing there next to me. ?I wished for peace, though I know it shall take more than my mere wish to make it so.? Aiden smiled and sat down beside me. I looked to him, in to those dark eyes , the color the same as his fathers. I couldn?t help but smile a bit brighter, knowing that some how, some way my wish would come true, but I did not know at what cost it might be. ? Aiden..? My words floated to him upon the cold crisp air. ? Aye Mother?? His eyes were gazing off some where else as well, long past the fires of the make shift camps . I rested my hand upon his shoulder, ? I do not wish for you to be worried about me. I know that now, after hearing of Alaric?s plan for me it might be hard.? He smiled to me, ?Atara, amin mela lle, tis hard for me not to worry.? I looked to him, over those features, my young son had become a young man so quickly. Now with a love and life all his own. I patted his shoulder, ? with you protecting me, all shall be well.?

the days before the war, the days before the final battle. How i would long for those simple days.


The sun sunk lower, and the gates of FairWinds were closed tightly, the winds blew in cold. Aiden rose with a shiver and held his hand out to me. I shook my head as I drew that cloak about me tighter. He smiled to me then went in to the castle. I sat there on the steps of the castle, watching over the make shift cam fires, thinking deeply about all that had happened. Then I felt a soft tap upon my shoulder. I looked back to see Shay standing there, ? you?ll catch cold out here, you should come in.? I shook my head, ? the cold doesn?t bother me dear sister.? I watched as she pulled that cloaks hood down so that I could see her face. She had a huge smile upon her features, ?suit your self.? Then she turned and went inside, I couldn?t help but laugh a bit, she was up to something.
I sat here taking in the cold. Then suddenly snow started to fall, I looked up wards, letting my cloaks hood fall back, I stood and spun around in the falling snow. I closed my eyes feeling the wind rush by. The snow flakes filled my dark blue locks. As I spun faster and faster laughing, long had it been since I could laugh so freely.
Blahl was walking outside patrolling, when the snow had begun to fall. He smiled a bit, ? first snow.? He walked through the camp site of the elves and then stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Shea spinning about in the falling snow. He watched her, the way her body moved, the way her hair shimmered with snow flakes. His mouth opened, as he starred at her, ? wow..? He had never really taken the time to look at her, not in this way at least. A blush crept over his cheeks, as he remembered the day when they sparred, she had done pretty well for herself, he had ended up cutting in to the sleeve of her shirt, and she had ened up ripping both of those sleeves off, he remembered seeing her bare shoulders and arms. He took a breath, and walked towards her.
Shea spun and spun till she fell to the ground in laughter. ?Ha ha..? I remeber My voice rang though the empty streets over the slow dancing flames of the wild elf camp fires. I opened those jade hues of mine and they sparkled, as I looked up, then as they panned down ward I saw Blahl. He was going towards me: I smiled brightly, watching him walk. Imagining, myself being able to wrap my arms around him tightly, run my hands down his bare chest and arms. The feeling of his kiss?on my lips. A blush raced to my cheeks just as Blahl came to stand before me, hand out stretched. ?need a lift?? I held out a gloved hand and took his. He lifted me up off the ground, and now we stood mere inches from each other.
Inside Shavyn was sitting at the window watching the whole ordeal outside sipping a cup of hot tea. Kulbin came up behind her, ? you should stop spying on them.? She jerked a bit, he had snuck up on her, she glanced back to him, and planted a deep kiss to his lips. ?Shh I want to see what happens.? Kulbin smirked at her, and gave her hind a little pitch.? Nothings ever going happen between those two until you stop spying on them. Come on up stairs with me.? He held out his hand to her, flashing that dashing smile to her as he did so. Shavyn smirked setting down her tea cup and letting the drapes close on the window. She followed Kulbin hand in hand up to their room.
Outside still standing inches from each other : Shea and Blahl stood, starring at each other. Finally I broke the ice, ? so tomorrow we head out to Iron-Winds to gather the strike force.? Blahl was starring at her as if he was studying her form, even though it was well hidden under her cloak. ?Yes we do.? He spoke looking up over her in to her eyes. He then shook his head and cleared his throat. ? Yes we do indeed,? he repeated himself.

That day burned its self in to my memory, nothing more than another fain fantasy, simple ramblings of a knight long lost in her old ways. Perhaps one night is all I can hope for, for i must resume my duties.

:;The winds carried that letter, on high currents willing it towards GreenStone, though the dark and cold night. Then it was caught up, by the great owl messengers of the Mith Woods. The huge owl carried the letter the rest of the way through the night to the gates of Greenstone.::

::The hour was late, but someone was awake. Kulbin stopped his patrol about town to see the huge white owl pass over head, he picked up the pace and ran towards the castle . Once he arrived the owl was gone but there sat a letter carried by the winds. He took it up in his hands and ran it inside::

:;He ran up the steps, going to the third floor. There in their fathers old study Salice and Shea sat. Mila sat by the window gazing outward. Devron sat behind Salice rubbing her shoulders::

Its here :: Kulbin ran in to the room, he handed Salice the letter::

:;Salice opened it and began to read it out loud::

Salice?

Seler? thank you for telling of this grave news? To know this news brings me sadness , and anger. ::Salice paused:: as we all figured she would be?:: she then continued::


To know that Darius is truly a mad man. That he would risk his people in order to have his best man on the front lines again, I am furious . Fully cured, I do not care if he has been ordained a saint by every god and man with in Crendia : He is not cured. The fact that he does not remember what he did to me, matters little now. He needs not remember it, I can remember it for everyone?s sake.

:;Shay sighed:; Seler?? none of us will forget either?

No we shall not.. :;Kulbin sat beside Shay, as Salice continued:

Never :; Devron said::


I am glad he can not remember the ways to GreenStone and Rhydin. Though I wish he could remember all that had happened here.. In some way? I want vengeance. I will not seek it though. Though none would blame me if I did. I have sought out vengeance before , and that is why I carry that scar from Jinnalt?s blade. I can not be so careless now, though I would enjoy much to cut.. Every limb from his body.



Can I help her ? ::Shay posed to Salice, Salice just continued. Holding back tears::

I can and will never forget, but I must put it all behind me. I will come back with everyone in the spring. Not for Darius or my so called oath. I do it for the people, our people and the people of Crendia. We have peace, they deserve as much. I do it also for what I saw.. I tell you this? I tell you so that you may understand?

In Rhydin I found a temple old and in ruins , the temple of the Sul Val?istar. Cala came to me there as did Adaron? Cala showed me many things but one thing hangs in my mind, she showed me Aiden, dead on the field of battle . Then I saw Mila, holding a child.. Aiden?s child. And her having to raise that child on her own, as I had to raise Aiden. I would wish that on no woman?

A child? :: Mila came to sit beside Salice:: Me??

:;Kulbin smiled to her softly:: even a warrior can be a great mother?Shea?s proof of that?and soon Salice will be proof of it as well


That she is?:; Devron smiled to his wife, kissing the top of her head::

:;Salice smiled to Mila:: If Cala showed her that it will come to pass?the child.. Not the part with Aiden dead? Shea will not allow it :: she continued to read::


I will not allow my son to die, and leave his love and child behind? in Aiden?s eyes I see Adaron? my past with him? though there is no future with him? I will always love him. I have found new love and it will pain me more than I can say to leave Connar here while I go to Crendia? but I trust in this new love, come of it what may. I need him in my life? I do not tell him that enough?

She should tell him :: Kulbin smiled to Shay:; she will never know him the way she wishes to until she tells him everything?

Honesty and Love will save her from her grief :;Devron sat beside Salice::

:;Salice nodded as she continued::

I will risk my life for Aiden, and for Connar.. As I would for you , Shay or anyone I care so deeply for. I will return in the spring?


~Shea
:;Salice folded the paper closed:: she will return.. Oh Seler? ::she gazed out the window. Leaning in to Devron::

What now? ::Shay asked::

I don?t know? I can sense her pain.. from this news

As can I?

We wait?.

:Salice paced, as Shavyn wrote::

How about?:; shay paused:: your a crazy man and we here with refuse to come back?

::Salice smirked:: were not writing to Darius for the last time.. Were thinking of baby names?

Shea?s better at that than I am?you should write her?

Yes I should, maybe send her a few things, I am sure by now she?s running low on clothing and supplies..

Aye?shall I stay here and write it for you?

::Salice shook her head:; [col

or=cyan]I?ve kept thee long enough, go be with your lover
:;Shay smiled, looking behind Salice to see Devron standing in the door way:: perhaps yours shall convince you to get some sleep :;she rose and left the study going out and up to her room::

::Salice sat at the table, looking to Devron who sat in that large arm chair by the book shelf:: my love what do you think?

::He just smiled softly at her lowering that book to his lap:: give your sister a little note, she?s the one who?s good with names.. Not I

:;Salice smiled:: I worry for Shea.. I worry for us all

::He rose and let that book rest upon the arm of the chair, he crossed to her and behind, slipping his hands over her shoulders:: the weight should not lie upon these shoulders that I love : I know you worry for Crendia and its people as your sisters do, and worry that the darkness there might come here? but we have seen through wars now, battle after battle, we need this peace, and we have it? we should think not about tomorrow, your sisters will see this fight through. I know you wish you could go with them.. but this time my love, it is not your battle to fight..

I know..:: she began to write to Shea:: I just? want it to be done? finished? for everyone to be happy.

Give it time love :: he kissed her cheek and gave her shoulders a squeeze before crossing back to that arm chair and picking up that book::

:;Salice smiled and continued that letter ::

::she?d only gotten the Dear Shea part down::

Dear Shea,

:;quill moved from paper to ink well and back again ::

I write to say hello. I hope all is well there In Rhydin. I have half expected to hear from you, but things I know have taxed on us all some since that letter from Miss Fey. I understand fully now, why you will return to Crendia.

I can hope that we will have allies there, something in my heart says that we will, you have the four allies you know, Mila ,Kulbin ,Shay and Aiden. I know in time things will be all right.


I also write to ask you something

You are very good with names, what names can you think of for this child I carry? I know not if it will be a boy or girl?but I am eager to figure out names..

Also I send some rations of food, and a good number of clean cloths, by now I am sure you need them. Shavyn sends her love as does Aiden and all of the rest of the family.

My love to you and Connar. Give him my best.

I think he suits you well.. :;she would smile at that:; very well

Who knows, maybe in time? that ?uncle? statement Vanya made will come true?Yes I know of that.. Fully well. :;another smile at that::

Be well my beloved sister..

Salice.

::She signed the page and folded it shut and sealed it with that green seal of GreenStone and held it out:; Love? ::eyes moved to Devron::

::He rose to his feet and walked to her, helping his beloved to her feet. And out of the study. Salice would open the window in the lounge and let the note fly freely in to the wind. Then Devron would lift her in to his arms and carry her off towards bed:: the winds will guide it to Shea, she?ll have it by morning I am sure.. And those things you wished her to have, are already on their way?:;he kissed her cheek and they made their way up to their room::

?Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears A Crown.? (King Henry the Forth, Part II, William Shakespeare )


:;Salice sat there by the window gazing out, they had left last night. Salice had bid her sister, nephew ,Kulbin and Mila goodbye. They went to SilverWaters. And Now Salice sat uneasily. Knowing that Shea had come from Rhydin to meet them. Knowing that by now they were already in Crendia. She could feel it.::

?Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave.
Gently they go, the beautiful , the tender, the kind.
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.? (~ ?Dirge without music,? Edna St. Vincent Millay)

::Salice muttered softly to her self::: I have sent my sisters to their deaths?and I can not go to aide them. What sort of Ruler am I, for If I can not help those I love the most

::Devron rubbed her shoulders:: they will not die My love , no one will die that we here do care about. You must have faith.. ::he kissed the top of her head:: you are a fine ruler, you must never doubt that, you are with them in spirit

::She smiled dimly:: I know not what they will face, but my heart tells me that much GreenStone blood will be shed.. Upon the soil of Crendia.. I can feel the darkness, I can nearly smell the blood.

If you could go, we would be there with them. But trust in them, they have long been fighting, all of them. They go in well ready and prepared. You love them, keep true to that, worry will only cause ye not to sleep. And worry will do them little good in these time my love. We must live for tonight you and I, live on for our child ::his hands graced her stomach:: they will all return, you will see.

We live and love where death has become king: I can not undo this war, and I can not fight in it this time. I worry for them all.

::He smiled:; I would rather live and love where death is king than have eternal life where love is not .( ~ Robert G. Ingersoll)
For with out love I would not have ye. :: a he kissed her forehead:: Come now to bed ::he helped her up:: soon enough we will have word. Till then you need to rest. ::he led her away from the window and up stairs::

::She followed him slowly her heart ached for her sisters, for word from Crendia. But Salice needed not word, she could feel it. Darkness, death. She had never stepped foot in Crendia but in her dreams she could see the blood red sky, and the yellow grass stained with blood.::

(Continued from Aiden's Tale: The word has been sent to those that love Shea)

::While Aiden rode to Rhydin, the owls flew, to GreenStone, FairWinds, SilverWaters, and Amethyst Rose. The great owls of the elder elven counsel. Their wings beats broke through the silence, of the kingdoms as they each broke away towards their goals. One owl for each kingdom, in which someone could be found that loved the fallen warrior.


::The first owl landed in SilverWaters, upon the great steps. Morbin, the kings only son had been out that night and had seen the owls coming. He received the letter from the counsel and ran it within the castle, to present it to his father. He was sleeping, but some how with out opening it Morbin knew this letter was urgent.::

Father :;he knocked on the door softly::

Aye my boy ::Hisime called from bed, barely getting to bed him self. His lovely wife Rhun already sound asleep. ::

:;Morbin peeked his head in through the door as he opened it slowly:; a letter from the elder counsel. :;He held it between his fingers::

Oh.. ::Hisime waved his son over:: Come in my son

::Morbin passed inside softly, trying his best to to wake his sleeping mother::

::Hisime took the letter in his hands and slowly opened :; oh my?

Father? ::Morbin looked on:; what news?

I must wake your mother, go get ready were heading for the Mith woods

Father what?s going on ?

:;Hisime handed his son the letter:; read while you walk to go get ready?Rhun :;his whispered down to his sleeping wife:: Rhun my love?

:;Morbin read, as he walked out of the room:: Oh my god?::He let the door shut behind him and ran down the hall::

::In no time the three were down stairs and ready to go.::

::The next owl had landed in Amethyst Rose. A guard took the letter and ran it in to the throne room. There Almathia sat with Her children and beloved husband. They were in celebration over the coming of her very first grand child. The guard ran the letter to the queen and she nodded to him and opened it:: Oh my god.. :;She nearly fainted::

Mother.. :;Dristan walked up beside his mother and helped her sit back down:: what is it?

::She handed him the letter::

Shea? oh gods?:;he cast a glance to his wife then to his brothers and sisters::


Go my son, take your brothers and sisters with you..I do not think I am fit to travel

:;Dristan nodded looking over the room:; saddle up everyone, were going to the Elder counsel?

:: each sibling ran off to get ready. Hope, Dristan?s wife came to his side:: I do not know If I should travel? ::he kisses her cheek:; stay here with my mother

::He pressed his hand to her full tummy, and smiled to her:: I?ll be back?

::Out he went to join his siblings ::

:;The third owl landed in FairWinds. Duchan, Audrey and Vanya were out side sitting, Dagor and Elenya were readying them selves to go back home when the owl appeared.::

:;Duchan took the note in hand:: Uncle.. Go get my father, and mother..

::Dagor let go to his horses reins and went in side, with drawing both Nenime and Cermie.::

:;Duchan held up the letter in his finger tips::

::Nenime opened it:: Dearest Nenime and family, I Albreda Mithdome : ask you to swiftly get your selves to Mith Woods and our dwelling. Your beloved Niece, Shea has been mortally wounded. Aiden asked that is end for all those who love her, come at once.

::Nenime looked to them all:; is the carriage ready Brother?

Yes

::Nenime nodded and taking his wife by the hand led her to it. Everyone soon followed suit, soon once all were boarded and ready the carriage sped off::

::The last owl beat its wings over the final peeks of the great greenstone mountains. As the sun began to rise. It came to rest on the steps of the castle. ::

:;Devron opened the door, looking right in to the great blue eyes of the great owl of the counsel:; M?love? :;he called back to Salice::

Yes dear.. : :she stepped to him, then she saw the owl, it let the letter drop before her before flying off.::

:;Salice lifted the letter from the ground and opened it:: Oh gods? Shea? :;Devron read over her shoulder:: I?ll have the carriage ready?:;he flew out of the doorway and down the steps ::Salice followed him:; there is no time, I?ll ride moon?::She rushed to catch up to him:; My love in your.. I mean?

I know my love, but moon has always been my trusted mare she will be easy with me. Ride Myst we will ride there, they alone will get us there?the fastest

::He nodded and ran to grab their horses. Soon enough hey were off out of the village and in to the Valley:: Hold on Shea?. Were all coming..

(Taken from Ramblings)


:;Salice turned and left the room, soon everyone that had come filed inward.::

:;They stood around Shea?s sleeping form::

::Alfreda Spoke: I know not why she is bleeding again, we sealed the wound and yet it bleeds again. You here have come because you love her. She is a sister, a niece, a friend, a commander, a knight, a mage. You here know her and love her. We must use that magic, those here who possess any magic?s, concentrate on the healing side :;Alfreda looked to Radella::

::Radella spoke:: . It will take everyone here, and three others to help her heal. Her son, and Willow the goddess from Creinda I have seen , in my foresight the goddess and Aiden go to aide Connar. Shea?s beloved?They go because Aiden loves his mother, she took the blade in her that was meant for him.. To save his life, his future :: her pale lavender eyes shifted to rest of Mila:: We must hope for the best, but while hope will do us good, hope is not enough. We must all here, combine which we know. Those with magic, those without . :;She smiled; but there is not a person present here, that does not have magic in them. Together we will chant? Albreda.. Will lead us :: she parted her hands and stepped back as the high arch mage stepped forward::

Join hands? :: he joined hands with Radella and Alfreda. Alfreda joined hands with Salice, and Radella held Salice?s hand. Around in a a huge circle the joined hands, clasp tightly, friends, allies, family.::

Now chant with me, friends, family ,comrades ::He closed his eyes:: We will chant in in elvish?those who not know elvish, chant with us the best you can, say your prayers for her with bowed heads ::He smiled his gaze rested on Shea?s sleeping form::

Agar en? tel? talant

Re ya a?mael ed? ilya sinome

Ohtar, Istar, Atara, Seler?, Tinu, Niece, Kano , Shaalth, Melar, ar? A?mael Mellon

Lye sinome, yel no? tel? poldor lye sinta

Lye yel no? tel? Seldarine en? Arvandor ar? tar

Lye yel no? tel? talant ya mela re

Lye yel no? tel? fallan val en? Sul

Lye yel no? tel? fallan val en? Alu

Lye yel no? tel? fallan val en? Arda

Lye yel no? tel? fallan val en? Naur

Tanka tel' taurnin

::The group chanted as one unit. All in elvish, those who did not know the words as well as other, spoke under their breath in common saying their own prayers::

While Shea sits alone by the waters edge the others ready to Go. Salice knows what lies ahead for Shea, but she will not speak of it. She readys everyone. They leave the Mith Woods.


::Aiden watched Connar go off and turned his attention to Salice:: You knew she was alone out there? And you didn?t let any of us know.. Why?

:;Salice gazed to him:: She needs this Aiden.. You must trust me.

:;He gazed in to her eyes:: you know something?

I do, but I can not tell you. I can not tell anyone. ::her hand rose in to the air:; all packed everyone?

:;Kulbin helped Shay up in to the saddle and made his way up behind her:: Aye all accounted for?

All except for Shea ::Hinn looked to Salice::

She?ll be fine.. ::Zorin smiled softly as he mounted his horse::

Zorin is right. She will be all right. :; She slowly mounted Moon with Devron?s help.:;

::All were mounted. Soon enough. Salice gave a wave back to the elder counsel. And the party made their way out of the woods. Salice could do nothing for Shea not this time. In time Shea would go home, leave off her things and return to Rhydin. Salice knew this, Then in time Shea would return home again.:; (w) My blessings with you Seler? :; she gazed back at the woods:: To GreenStone?

:: The party made their way north East. Aiden gazed back over his shoulder:: Atara?

::Mila kissed his cheek:; She will be fine love.

He wounds are not healed..

It would take more than a wound in her side to stop her?:; he nodded knowing Mila to be right and off they went following the others.::

"You can see the world as you want, or as it really is."

:;Salice stopped dead in her tracks, looking to the sky, as it got dark. Thunder rolled through the sky, as bolts of lightning crashed in to the mount side:: Dear god..

:;Kulbin looked up:: this is no normal storm.. :; h ecalled over the bounding thunder::

We need to get inside :; Shay called as the rain feel harshly to the ground. Villagers and royal alike ran for indoors. Salice pulled open the door, to be greeted within by a warm towel put over her shoulders by Devron:; we will discuss those other things later.. Right now I am thinking..


Time for a few of us to saddle up :; Hinn stood perched upon the stairs::

Yes, Kulbin, Shay, and Hinn shall go back towards the great temple?Soemthing tells me, they might need your help...

The rest of you will stay here:: she cast her gaze to Aiden, then to Kulbin::

:;He nodded and slowly took the sheathed blade off his back and handed it to Aiden:: you?re in charge of guarding this, till I am back?

:;Aiden nodded, slinging the sheath across his back::

::Salice hugged Shay and the three were ont heir way back out in to the rain::

::Salice watched them go through the window, and watched the storm as well:: this is a storm of magic.. Not of nature?

::Devron nodded, and kissed her forehead:: let me go get you some tea :; he looked to Zorin and slowly passed out of the room::

:;Salice cast her gaze to Zorin, before Mila and Aiden entered the lounge, taking seats. She felt it in her gut, something bad was going down.., she closed her eyes and hoped that Shea and Connar would be all right::

::Salice gazed out the window, waiting to see when someone would show. It had been hours, since her sister Kulbin and Hinn left. She wasn't the only one waiting. Aiden sat across from her holding that great blade in his hands::

They will be all right love :: Devron pressed a kiss to Salice's head::

:;Salice looked to him then back outside. She couldn't see the storm in the Mith Woods but she could feel it.::

Atara.. :; Aiden pressed his fingers across the blade that sat in his lap::

::Salice looked to Aiden, then to that great sword. She didnt understand it, nor its power.:: we need to continue to try and contact that Goddess..

Willow :: Zorin spoke from the fire side::

::Mila looked out the window, pressing her hands to Aide's shoulder::
How are we to contact her, we have no idea how to ..

::Salice sighed and laid her head back against the chair:: I am worried, and fearful, what if they are out numbered?

Nothing we can do about that love. ::Devron gazed out the window:: all we can do it wait..

:;Aiden rose to his feet:: I am going to try and contact Willow my self.. :: he slowly sheathed the sword and went slowly out of the room. Mila and Zorin followed him. Salice sat still in the chair, her eyes closed, as if focused on something:: Devron...

::He sat down a cross from her:: Salice?

I can sense them.. that darkness.. much blood from both sides had already been shed... at the end of this fight they now wage, the portal shall be destroyed.. but it will not end there

::He nodded:: Looks like the time of peace has lifted again to a time of war

But this time it is not my war to wage, :: her hand pressed to her stomach:; I must think of our child, I love my sisters and our allies have been very good to us.. but I can not aide them as I have in the past. My sisters must fight this war, this is Shea's battle. I am just so fearful, I know at the end of this battle, she will face something else..

what?s that?

::She gazed to him:: she will be parted, from Connar, again, maybe forever..

::He quirked a brow at her:: why would he leave?

He has to, he too has things he must do, people he must protect,a world he must fight to keep in the balance. He was willing to give it up for her, I could see that when he spoke to me, but he can nto turn his back on his world, or its people, they need him

Shea needs him.

She does.. but she will have to be strong.. She will have to be able to be without him.. it will hurt her.. but she must prevail.. there fight may end at dawn, but her fighting will never end. The portal will be closed, the sword either destroyed or found use for.. But after these fights, after everything Shea has been through.. she will not be the same.. She will have to trust in love, in her self.. She will have to believe that even if they are parted that maybe one day, they may see each other again. She loves him, I know this. He loves her, that is obvious.. But they can not be at least not right now. He can not be of this realm and of his earth, and she can not be of his earth and here as well. They must and will be parted.. Eventually. Perhaps forever.

::He nodded, pressing his hand to her shoulder:: she is strong, she has so much to live for.. she will fight and she will survive..

I promised my mother that I would watch over her.. I have done so for years now.. watched over Shea, I have watched over everyone. But now things are different my people need me to lead them, my sisters are grown and they are both skilled, and powerful. I can no longer watched over them as I used to...I can help them, and fight beside them, in my own way. But I have a child to think about now..

:;He nodded:: I agree, you have watched over them for a long time, they ahve grown up quickly, this must be their fight. All we can do is help as we can.. and wait..

:: Salice woke in the night witha fear deep and great, she ran her fingers down over her stomach. And glanced over to Devron who slept at her side soundly. She slwoly rose to her feet and crossed the room slwoly, towards the bed room door, slipping on that dark green robe as she slipped out in to the hall, Salice went down stairs and cast ehr glance down the hall way.::

::Shavyn was sitting out side of her room, dressed in her night gown and similar green robe. Her eyes lifted to see Salice.::

::The sisters came to meet by the stairs, they exchanged a look, and togetehre went down stairs. There in the lounge Aiden sat before the fire, wide awake, his chest bare wearing simple black pants.His blue on blue gaze shifted to see Salice and Shay. He rose to his feet, the three exchagned a look. He knew they ahd the feeling he had that night, he slowly let that great sword lean against the hearth and the three stood there, casting galnced to each other, none had spoek yet.::

You felt it didn't you.. : Aiden spoke, breaking the silence.::

::Shay nodded, looking to the fire::

::Salice looked to the great sword, then to Aiden:: Yes, I felt something

A deep darkness.. :: Shay said softly::

::Salice slowly sat down, Shavyn followed suit, Aiden remained standing..::

Atara... :; he spoke::

::Salice looked to the sword, then to him:: yes, something stirs in Rhydin..

I should.. :;Aiden began::

No..::Shavyn cut him off:: its no longer our fight, Shea must finish it on her own

:;Salice nodded:: I would feel better if I had some sort of news from her

as would I :: Aidens fingers touched the hilt of that great sword:: Salice.. :;he gazed to her, he knew she knew something::

::Salice looked to him:: Its time you both knew this..I was not going to tell you Aiden.. but..its time everyone knew...

Good thing I am light sleeper then :; Kulbins voice came from the door way, where he, Devron,Hinn and Zorin now stood::

::The men passed in to the room and each would take their respected places::

::Mila also crossed in to the room::

:;Salice nodded:: Shea and Connar... are to be parted, as some of you alread know :: her eyes shifted to Zorin and Hinn:: In the woods he spoke to me of things, he is bound to his world and Shea can not got here...

::Hinn watched on, he knew this all ready.::

:;Zorin smoked his pipe, looking to Salice. He ahd over heard her and Connar's talk, he too knew this all::

::Salice cast them both a look:: I thought for sure it would hurt her more to know this. I know that they spoke, and that he reamined with her at the cousnel.. I also know that he departed to Rhydin.. and she after him

::Shay smiled, she ahd filled Salice in on what she knew::

::Salice cast them all a look:: we felt something tonight...a darkness, in Rhydin I can only assume that Raevyn and Blahl have found a way there.. I know Shea will ace them with out abandon.. she will not hold abck from killing them, its not this I worry about. It her heart i worry about, she has knwon sicne the beggining that she was to be parted from him, yets he loves him any way... I worry that she may face... ::she paused::

::Aiden cast his glance to his aunt:: what she did when my father died...:: His glance moved to Mila.. he couldnt imagine living with out her...::

Yes... ::Salice nodded:: Shea had loved and lost twice already.. if it happens again.. I do not know what shall happen to her...I worry...


::There was silence then as they all looked to one another, none had wise words. Devron squeezed Salices hand. Kulbin rubbed his fingers of Shavyns shoulders. Mila wrapped ehr arm over Aiden's shoudlers. Everyone held that dim look.. of... ' what do we do?' ::

::Finally the words seemed to come to her::

"Dearest Shea

we were all so happy to hear from you, all is as it always has been here. It has been peaceful, but something still hangs like a dark cloud over us. Shay did in form me of all that happened in the woods, I assure you Hinn and I will have a 'talk' We are all well, Aiden is very well. Raevyn and Blalh found a way then, please do be careful, I know you always are, but they will do what they do best, so you too must do the same, Kill them both. Blood must be shed, I do not wish it to be yours my sister.. nor Connars..

::Salice paused a moment, avoiding what she didn't want to say, but she could no longer::

"I knew that you and he would be parted, he spoke to me at the Woods the morn you gave him fathers medallion understand that you two must have spoken, after we all left. I know that no man, no one could hide anything from those eyes of yours. I want to depart some wisdom.. but I don't have much..."

::a moments pause::

"When Devron went missing, you know what I went through, you were there, you watched me ride out to find him, he'd been gone for weeks, nearly a month and I had gone ut of my mind. I was lost without him.. I looked and looked and got lucky... Cala aided me... I remember what you went through with Adaron and what you must be feeling about The Paladin.. My most beloved sister, you among us all has loved and lost once too many times.. Connar is a good man and I know he loves you, I am sorry that you cannot see him as much as you would like, and that you two cannot be as close as you where, he said it was a dream, while you two where here at the Fest, and that the dream ahd to end, you both have things to do... I can only pray that if you are parted that it is not forever, I know that love can transcend death.."

::Devron brought her that hot cup of tea..and sat across from her, her blue one blue gaze rested on him, trying again to put her self in Shea's place, she knew that fear, the fear of losing the man you love to death, to darkness... Shea had faced both so far.. Salice still wasn't sure if she could do it again ... yet she continued.. trying to be as wise as she could be, but it was hard::



"It is hard, to know what comes next all I can say is savor in the moments ye have ... and do not hold back. Say I love you, every moment you get the chance, for you never know when the day may come that you will be parted...lay in his arms, savor in his kiss. Savor in every moment... and rest.. you must be able to sleep, to heal.. it is the only way you will be able to keep fighting...

My love to you..

all our love to you..."

::Salice wondered a moment if she should tell Shea that Aiden and Shay were on their way...::

"Soon enough you will have help...

Amin Mela Lle

Salice"


::She signed her name and Devron sealed the letter for her and walked it to the window and let it out in tot he coming winds ... and then sat beside Salice... knowing that there was nothing he could say to help her right now...::

::The four comrades sat around their fire, Mila's head resting on Aiden's shoulder. Shavyn sleeping her head in Kulbin's lap. The two men wide awake. Exchaning looks over the fire as it flickere din the night sky::

Somethings different :; Aiden cast his eyes around, the feeling had passed, soemthing was still wrong though he could feel it:; I no longer sense what I did before

::Kulbin nodded. brushing his fingers through Shay's hair:; I don't think it was Shea holding us back, I think it was Raevyn... something must have happened.. :: he could feel it under his palm throught he earth, soemthing had happened, her felt it in his soul, his brother was dead now . But Rae, she still lived. His emerald hues cast to Aiden who had that great sword sheathed accross his back, wearing thatw a slike wearing a target.. Kulbin shifted his eyes back to the fire:: keep an eye out, were not alone out here

::Salice sat outside running her fingers through the mane of her white mare moon.Shavyn and Kulbin sat together in the garden Salice could see them from where she stood,so happy planning out thier life together.They had all come back,all save for Shea. Devron was outside too with Aiden teaching him some hand to hand combat passed down through the ranks of the dark knights. Salice watched Devron and Aiden and ran her fingers down over her full stomach.In a few months she'd be a mother,and Devron would be a wonderful father.Watching aiden her mind drifted to Shea.Then she felt a wind gust blow in through the stables. Salice stepped out in tot hat wind feeling it upon her cheeks,those deep hues caught sight of a letter floating her way. Salice cautgh it as it floated past her. Then she went to the castle steps to read the letter,she all ready knew who it was from::

"Dearest Salice,

I know that you have been waiting to hear from me for a few days, I have felt you. In the water that surrounds me, in the very air I breathe.There has been much going on in Rhydin since everyone else went home. I have gone in to help some friends, to help protect Rhydin from what ever darkness I sense coming. Last night was a odd night indeed. Now I have even more misisons for me here,I am sure everyone there is waiting for me to come home and I will come home for Shavyns much awaited wedding. But until then I stay here and help out my new allies and old friends. There is some distubances with elementals here,Storm, and air pure elemental went missing her home burnt tot he ground,her brother came to me in the inn last night very angry... he kind of put a damnper on the mood between Connar and I but what can i say Trouble should be my middle name."

::Salice read the first part slowly to her self then again out loud trying to make since of ehr sisters hastely written words,then the second time Salice sighed softly:: always putting your self on the line...and of corse nights in rhdin have all ways been odd ones, trouble you my sister... never :;salice giggled softly as she read on::


"Then i spoke to her love, a man named Juri, he was one of the first friends I made here in rhydin all those months ago, I have agreed to help him in what why I can. I have been informed of what happened at her home and my gut tells me the man this man Juri called Korigan is a fire elemental...you remember all those moths ago when I felt them,they have been here. I have faced my trials by fire, faced Alaric and Jinnalt and the deamon fromt he dark orb, I never thought that world would find me here. Also I have put myself in the empoly so to speak of the local...I do not know what to call them besides priestesses, sisters they are called here. I have offered to help them in the coming months with any missions they might need my help with, the pressing matter of the deaths in the west end and all the darkness, that i can feel in my very soul. I write so that you know I am all right, give my love to all there, tell my son I mis

s him, I will soon write to him,personally."
::salice nodded as if Shea could see her:;ahh yes I remember your saying something about him before..::talking to her self..:: Fire elementals..again your greatest foes...death and blood run hand innhand like too lovers in rhydin. Aiden will be happy to know all is well...::salice read on::


"The days and weeks ahead I am sure will be filled with things I can not even forsee. there is still the pressing matter of Connar a nd I, he is close to finding a way back home, it could be any day now or never, but he told me he intends to amke sure that if or when he does find a way that he will make sure he can come back. I was worried for some time now since I left the mith woods that we were....I still feel like I should let him go,so he does not feel the need t worry about me or coming back to rhydin...but I do not deny not to you most fof all that in my heart i long for us to be more than we are...I am not sure what we are more than friends....in love.. but not savored in those things that go with love, we have been clsoe though, and it sooths me more than any thing....."

::Salice smiled,there was stilla connar and I to talk about Salices smile widened:: you two..so stubborn, never let him go Seler' never, what is life with out love in it, even where death is king. ::salice had much to wrtie back all ready but all in good time as she read on::

"I also write to ask for your help, I am sure by now Shavyn has told you of what happened with Raeyvn... and that i saw Atara...I do not know how to explain what i feel now, a deeper magic, that goes beyond everything I know, that lioght I saw Seler' awas like the light of some goddess or heaven...I need to knwo what happened, am I still a mage of the winds? or a fulle elemental mage as Alfreda said I would become, or is it something more, write to the counsel, seek out Willow, or Cala or Ember, or even Anarya for me, will you do this for me my beloved sister, I knwo you should not travle, so please send out someone you trust to gatehr info for me, shay,Kulbin,Mila...my son,Devron any one that you know I trust with my life...."

::Salice nodded as she read the passage:: aye Shavyn did tell me.. every last detail, you know very well what you are Seler...and I shall help ye...you know this.. ::salice would save that for her letter back::

"there is one more thing I am unsure of with the storm issue, there is an elvish man who says he was there, juri spoke of man whom was there I am unsure who to trust...Juri is trustable..."

::salice nodded:; keep your friends close and your eneimes closer...seler' :: two more lines::

"do you think I a m stubborn? " ::salice chuckled loudly at that::

"I send my love and blessings

~Shea"

::Salice was still giggiling as Devron came up to join her:: news from Rhydin my love?

:;Salice nodded:: yes could you fetch me my quill and ink? ::he smiled to her and kissed the top of her head as he passed inside to gather those mateirals.::

:;Salice didnt hear back from Shea yet it was begininng to worry her, she knew her sister had a great deal on her mind but something vexed Salice. A feeling she just couldnt shake. She lifted her head to the winds as she stood on the embattlements of the castle. It was dawn and the light played over the valley and mountians...the light bounced off the lake and back up to the sky. She knew her sister was all right, but she could feel some pain there far to the south beyond where her eyes coudl see in Rhydin where Shea was. Salice had thought of sending someone,Aiden perhaps to see if shea was all right but she would not. She knew above all else that her sister needed this time. Spring would come soon enough till then they all had other things to do....::

:: her hues caught sight of those dark blue locks int he wind it was Aiden sitting on the tower wall looking out in to the valley, his thoughts often were the same as salices...On Shea. Salice knew he felt what she did, everyone felt it. Salice Devron, Kulbin, and Shay they all felt it, as her eyes looked down to see Hinn at the gates she knew that he had felt it too.. in the winds perhaps or in his own heart. He cared deeply for Shea, but she had turned away from him twice now.. and he wouldnt try again. Salice knew thaat even if Connar ahd gone home that Shea would still wait, to see if their love could last. But time would eb the victor in that match, shea was destine to live much lnger than even Salice could know. Connar though not a nomral mortal man in some aspects, would still live and die and grow old or die by the sword...::

: Shea would never look above the age of 30 to most human eyes to most eyes at all.. perhaps in time Shea woudl gain some silver hairs, but she would always be young no matter how much older she got. salice smirked Shea was going to be one hundred and fourty five, in April... that amde Salice feel very old her self... though she didnt look it... she smirked to ehr self as she felt the winds:: Aman tel' Seldarine Seler'... :;salice spoke the words to the winds, she had no why of knowing whatw as going on in Rhydin with Shea but they were all connected the sisters the family. Salice could feel that power tinge at her chest that gem pendant that hung from her neck glowed softly green.::

::Some where Inside Shays did the same::

::Both sisters knew that some where in Rhydin Shea was there usuing ehr magic, training perhaps, or going about ehr jumping from roof top to roof top.Salice had to smile feeling that gentle warmth emmanted from that necklace... her sister, who she swore to watch after was doing so much good for rhydin and for greenstone and the elven lands. Salice was always proud of her kin and sisters and those that she loved, but most of all as of late of Shea and her enduring strength.:

::the one thing he never figured he'd come up against would be Salice,Sheas eldest sister who held the throne at that castle.::

Your deeds towards her seem honorable, but what of Lord Valdor?::Salice spoke of Connar::


::Next to the silver haired Salice stood ehr husband and King Devron and next to him with his arms crossed stood Aiden Shea's son...they had hardly expected this....::


::After thos elong talks were done Salice would hand over a greenstone gem to him,and then she would speak bluntly to Aiden:: Follow him

::and aiden would follow on horse back not as quickly perhaps, now he had reason to find his mother...::

:;after the mysterious strnager left and Aiden hot on his heels::

::Salice looked to Devron:: Wake Shay and Kulbin....

::he nodded to her and slowly walked towards the stairs thatw ent up to the bed rooms::

::Salice rose up and crossed towards thr Garden door. she peered out:; Mila, Hinn Zorin.. inside...

:;the theree cast ehr a look and rose and came inside.. soon they all sat in the lounge::

We have a problem... ::Salice began::

::The next dawn came and went and none in the castle of GreenStone would sleep. Shavyn and Salice would pace the floors waiting for news from Aiden. It had been raining all night. Salice's doing, that was evedent enough. Then throught he doors came Aiden soaked to the core.::

::He looked to Shavyn and Salice. He knew they would be awake, the castle was wake whent hsoe two were, in the lounge Kulbin,Mila,Devron,Zorin and Hinn sat Mila nearly half asleep when Aiden came throught he doors. She would open ehr eyes and rush to him hugging him tightly and kissing his wet cheek.::

:;They would go in to the lounge and Aiden would ebgin to tell them what he found out::

Shes in love,with him. ::He smield softly:: And he loves her.

::Salice all ready knew that:: where is she?

::Aiden gazed to his aunt:: In rhydin with him, finsihing ehr duties, she will be home for the spring fest, and he intends to come with her. He and I had a long talk.

::Shavyn flopped down on the couch next to Kulbin witha smile:; so, what did she say about Connar?

::Aiden looked to Shay:: she loves him she may always love him but shes moving on, he left for good reasons but she is not just going to wait around for him, he knew as she did they could have no future.

:;Salice nodded::and what of Victor?

::Aiden gazed back to Salice as he leane don the wall worn and weary but hapy, knowing his mother was happy and safe:: he told me I could ask him anything but...if he and Atara were... ::his eyes flashed up to Mila then looked to Shay,then to Salice::

:;Shay burst in to giggles::

::Mila just blushed at Aidens look, everyone knew what he meant::

:;Aiden smiled softly:: I dont want to know what Atara does in her own private time,its none of my buisness...but I did ask him a few questions...and he told me what he is, and his intent for her.

And :That was Hinns voice::

:;Aiden shot Hinn a look: he said he would fight to protect her..even if it would cost me his life.. ..he told me what he is .

::Zorin smirked:; I can guess what he is....

::Salice shot Zorin a look::

He is a vampire, yes...but he has angelic wings... ::Aiden continued:: And he has tasted Ataras blood but only when she lets him, she showed me... well I saw the marks myself

::Shay was smirking the whole while, she whispered back to Kulbin and he chuckled loudly::

:;Everyone looked at the two as if to say' whats so funny?' ::

::Kulbin smirked:: Sorry, its just that can't you feel it? I can I know you can Salice....

::Salice nodded:: She's happy, yes, she loves him...they are very connected.

:;Shay smirked:: I bet they make a cute couple...

::Aiden cleared his throat:: Victor does indend to come to spring fest, though I do not kow how much Atara has told him about it...and I welcomed him....but also warned him....

:;Hinn smiled:: if he hurts her....

:;Aiden shot Hinn a look:: I told him he'd better not... or I'll kill him my self.... I was blind sided by Blahl, and totally surpised by the sudden disappearance of Connar, I will not let Atara be hurt again .

::Salice nodded:: It is good that you welcomed him, perhpas we can all learn more about him then....but I will trust in Shea, she is wise. Love has not been somethign kind to her, death and darkness fill that part of her life, or it did.... I want to believe that maybe this time she will be happy....that way she can do here duites for Rhydin and come home again, I know she will go inbteween ehre and there till the day she can not any more... but I have missed her, as I am sure we all have....::Salice smiled and slowly rose to her feet with Devrons help:: We shall welcome him as we welcomed Connar.... may this time be different than the last...::Salice left the room witht hat and Slowly Hinn and Zorin slipped back outside, Mila and Aiden left to their room and Kulbin and Shay slept there on the couch..::

Peace again for the time being...

::In the room sat Salice in that throne, neext to ehr stood Devron. At the far end of the room Sat Aiden,and his beloved Mila. Also present Hinn and Zorin near the rear of the room. Shay and Kulbin not to be seen::

::Salice looked to him, she had mountted ehr fatehrs sword back tot he walla few days back,now to big with child to keep the ehavy sowrd on ehr back, yet she stillw as armed at the hip with her own sword:: Why do you wish to have those things ::she knew very well what that medallion meant to Shea....she was there the day he gave it to her. The sword on the other hand she had kept safe, they all had risked their lives at one point to keep it out of evils hands...it wa s based in water elemental like her self, she ahd been the guardian of it for years now...::

I know you love her.... enough to risk your life for her?

::Salice looked to him, and slwoly rose from the throne and crossed to him, her long silver hair was up, an she was dressed much lieks eha did, but with less form fitting mroe relaxed clothes,and it was clear she was with child..Her blues hues looked to Victor,then to Aiden across the room:: Rouse Shay, wake her, she knows where Shea keeps the medallion...::Aiden rose kisisng Mila on the forehead before walkign towards the stairs:: So I hear your coming to Spring fest ::she smiled to victor as she crossed the room,Devron close at her side.:

::In the back of the room Hinn move dlooking to Victor,Zorin just chuckled and hit Hinn in the arm:: (s) Watch your step,even I know that... ::in to the kitchen Zorin went Hinn watched Salice...then his eye slooked to his sietr by the window and he moved to join her::

::Salcie nodded softly and looked to Devron::Love could you fetch my fathers blade for me...? :he eyes then looked back to Victor:: I am gald you are here, and that you intend to come back..

::He smiled and kissed ehe softly:: always my dear...:;off Devron went::

::Down the stairs came Aiden follwoe by Shavyn and Kulbin. Shay was pulling on a green robe, and Kulbinw as in what looked like silk pants... Aiden had intrupted the soon to be wed couple. Shay crossed to Salice, tucking her silvery-brown hair back behind her softly pointed ears:; Seler... you asked for this? ::she slowly set the medallion down int to Salice's hand and turned her gaze to Victor,Shay smiled softly to him.::

:: Kulbin stood in the door way, looking to the room slowly,past Victor,then to Hinn and Mila at the window then to Salice and Shay, he smirked softly...before his emerald hues looked back to Victor:: The man returns.... ::Kulbin wasnt looking for trouble he was just stating the obvious::

::Kulbin smirked and looked to Shay as she crossed abck to him the two soon disappeared back up satirs and Aiden rejoined Mila at the window then Hinn crossed to stand in front of Victor::

::Devron then came back witht hat sword and handed it to Salice:: there you are my love, anything more I can do for you?

::Salice smiled to him:: No thank you my love... ::she then cast her glance to Hinn:: Hinn...! ::She walked towards him and tapped him on the back witht he hilt of that sword:: back off... ::She smield to Victor:; you do not annoy us, i hope we do not annoy you :;she handed him the medallion first then the sword hilt first, with sheath and all:: I trust you to take good care of these and Shea...


::Hinn backed off only a little bit::

::Hinn didnt run... and Salice let Victor Deal with Hinn:: I warned you before Hinn, not to get in to this... not with me not with him.. and not with Shea...

::Behind her Aiden and Mila rose and crossed to Salices side:: Hinn ;;Aiden spoke looking on:: If ye don't run I may very well help Vic here rip you apart...::he had wanted too sicne the woods since his mother told him of what Hinn did... Aiden didnt take it lightly at all::

Brother:: Mila spoke:: run like he said...::Then Mila crossed out of the room, and Devron went with her. Aiden stood by Salices side::

::Hinn stayed still,he had been taken back by Vicotrs power but wasnt standing down:: Your just like the others....

::Aiden cast a glance to Vic and nodded, he knew when to stand down, Shea had trained him after all,his ears took in that tone,and he smirked,looking to Salice::

::Hinn looked to Victor and backed up very slowly,after seeing what he alone saw, all those things,the utter choas and tourture ..done to him..... and now he ran right in to the kitchen, out of sight.::

::Aiden smirked and looked to Salice and crossed out of the room,off to find Mila...::

::Salice smiled:: you have a way with words....:;Salice nodded to him:: I thank you for loving her... enough to come here,to speak with me....I welcome you always , and shall see you both at the fest...:;she bowed her head to him respectfully...::Give he my love will you... ;;a smile:; safe travels

::Salice smiled:: I know you love her beacuse you want to, but it means the world to me as well,so that is why i thank you. ::a nod:: take good care of her... ::she perked ehr ears to the next part about Aiden::

::Some where down the hall Aiden heard those words that 'son' stuck out to him... more than the behave...he was always a gentleman with his eloved,at least in pulbic..In private....well he wasnt going to tell::

Son....::he smiled:: perhaps in time I will be....


::He and Mila were alone in the Study.He cast his eyes to Mila and smiled:: Always....behaved...

::Salice smiled to him softly:: just head inside and gather witht he other sin the lounge.. ::and so he did Mila at his side,and Shay and Salice behind him. To the lounge they went where, Kulbin,Devron,Hinn and Zorin sat. Now with everyone there,at least as far as the imediate family...Salice could tell them of Sheas letter and the news...about Connar::

::Shay walked to sit beside Kulbin and Mila sat there on the arm of that chair where Aiden sat. Salice looked to Zorin and Hinn:: You two are dismissed... :;Zorin nodded and left right away but Hinn took longer. Devron shot Hinn a look,before Hinn hurried along his way::

::then with a breath Salice began:: My family, we have news,we got news today from Shea.
Atara? ::Aiden started to stand as if the news might be bad::

:;Salice looked to him:; worry not, she is all right,I will read to you her letter ::Salice dug in to that pocket at ehr side and pulled out that letter.

"My dearest family,

I write beacuse I know you can all feel me now. As I can feel you. I write to all of you. Aiden,Salice, Shay, Devron,Kulbin,Mila. I have missed you all, and often wished to see you. I am sorry it has taken me so long to write back. Much has gone on. As I am sure all know, Aiden, my dearest boy... he was here as you all well know, Salice you sent him here... and I am glad you did...."

"I am coming home, in the spring, so soon now. So Soon. I can hardly wait to see everyone, to celebrate all the new life...I also write to give rather sad, but expected news

I saw Connar, a ghost a vision a dream, but I saw him. He's gone, in his heaven...by choice by some deed I do not knwo which. But he seemed at peace, he asked to to give his love and prayers to thsoe he knew, his friends... so I give them to you now... I also ask you salice, to tell everyone,Uncle...the family. Of his death. I knew the moment we said... fareweel that we would nevers ee eachother again....at least not like we used to, he regrets nothing,nor do I. I shall remeber every moment, every tear....But know that I am happy, that I am well, and that you will all see me soon..."

::The room was at a stand still,no one spoke barely anyone breathed. Devron placed his ahnds upon Salices shoulders:: Oh my....I never

::Kulbin just looked back to Shay and caressed her cheek softly::

::Aiden looked to Salice,and sighed.He had knwon something in him had known:: may he rest in peace

::Salice smiled softly to him. She knew he could feel his mother,as she and Shay could. In fact she knew that everyone in that room could feel Shea right then and there....the pain,the sorrow the loss. Yet the hope, they all knew beacuse there was new love in Shea's life. Salice softly continued to read that letter::

"Salice... I have so much to thank you for.... I never thought I'd see the day you parted with it....I half ecpected for Devron to wield that sword some day....thank you,seler' ...for trusting him with it, and the medallion, you know how much that means to me....."

"We will be there come a few weeks from now. I can ahrdly wait to see you all, to part take in Shay's wedding and see my niece or nephew born... to celebrate that old tradion, to see the sacred tree bloom...once more...to be with you my kin,my loves and family....

I think of you all, and soon enough we shall be able to celebrate and see the peace regained...

My love to you all....

Shea"


:;Then she folded it and tucked it away again:: Mys elf Mila nd Shay will write to the other members of the family tonight, anyone who wishes to help,is more than welcome. Everyone must be told of this loss,so that no one dares ask, what happened to Connar at the fest, it would hurt Shea too much, and she is happy. I know we all know that.

:;The room nodded at once it seemed and everyone there offered to write letters to each family member that been at the winter Fest. Devron would go off to collect parcment and quills for everyone. And slwoly Salice looked over them. :: all right, I will read off who was here at the fest in wintera nd each of you will take one or two fo those people. We have Uncle Nenime and Aunt Cermie,they can have one letter sent to them.
I will wirte to them ::Mila announced::
then there is Uncle Dagor and Aunt Eleyna:; Salice was looking over the guest list now,marking off who was writing to whom::
I will write to them ::Aiden said softly as he rose and got his ink and wuil and paper::
:;Salice smiled and nodded to him:: Then there is Caleb and Isis Evermore

I will write to them,my love. ::Devron said as he ksised Salice on the forhead::

That leaves Audrey and Duchan ,I will write to Audrey.Shay will you write to Duchan?

::Shay nodded softly:: Audrey will have to tell Vanya...

::Salice nodded softly:: yes it will be very hard for the little one to hear, she was very fond of Connar. But he is at peace, and Vanya will understand that much..Now lets get to work shall we?

::And to work they got each writting their letetrs to each of thsoe family members o Shea's behalf. By the time dinner was served allt he letters left the castle ont he way to each home or castle of thsoe who ahd been at Winter fest, the sadness of this news would be much to bare and as Salice sent her letter out she wounderd how Shea was holding up::

- And like a shadow.. Victor land with a soft thump of boots..a few feet behind Salice.. Once he rose to that full height of his, he turned to look over the land.. He knew Shea's sister was heading inside, but he came for a reason -


Rest your mind Salice... what you all wish for..is already set into motion...I just ask..that you keep what I am going to say..just between us. - True..it was a large favor...but he wanted to tell Salice himself..-


I asked Shea to marry me..the night before last...She said yes... We have decided...that after the spring festival is over..we will marry..but we haven't picked a date yet. - A glance over his shoulder to her. - I hope that all of you can attend...if not..I'll create a link between myself..and here..so all of you may see it..

Thank you..- He smiled and chuckled to the comment she made about him..not scaring people by just showing up- Welcome to the family..- Murmured to himself after she left...-


- A shake of his head, before closing his eyes a moment..creating that link between himself and here..but for now..it would lie sleeping..untill the need for it. His misson here done, he disappeared..for a long day in Rhy'din -

::Outside in the open air,Shay and Salice sat whatching Devron and Kulbin train. They all were in the gardens, and Salice could see Aiden and Mila sitting upon one of the many benches. Salice and Shay were enjoying wtahcing their shirtless men fight,training. Shay's fingers played through Salices hair, as her elder sisters head laid in her lap.:: look at those two...::Shay smirked::

:;Then they would all feel it, a great power,to the south, someone had passed through the pass in the mountains and come in to the lands. Salice lifted ehr head and looked south.. it was Shea. That they all knew. Kulbin and Devron even stopped trianing, and gave each other a look::

::Shay looked southward with salice and there by Mila they all could hear Aiden::

Atara, she's back....

::Salice nodded:: and it seems shes got some business to attend to before the spring fest....

::the day before they had all noted that new staute of Alcander on the tlalest peek of those mountainsThey all knew who had put it there, they all had felt Shea and Victor, that other night.::

:;And now they all cast their eyes to the south. Salice,Shay and Aiden all had some sense of why Shea was ehre, but they could not have know....exactly what would become of it::

::The gurads would lead Ghallon in to the lobby, and ask him to wiat there then they would walk out the doors and in tot he garden and gather Shay,Salice,Aiden,Mila,Kulbin and Devron. Who would all walk in side a bit perplexed. Kulbin and Devron walked behind the rest, they exchnaged one of those, ' our spars not done' looks. Before they would step beside their lovely women. Aiden was the first one in to the lobby, his eyes looked to the man there, this friend of Victors. Before he guided Mila to a seat, he sat next to ehr, they all tooka seat and Salice looked to the man, Devron stood behind her::

You come with news? ::salice would ask, the rooms eemed a bit tense, they all knew Shea was in the lands, there in the Mith Woods and now there was thie 'friend' of Victors standing before them:: Speak... ::Saice would give the floor to him, as all Sheas imediate family had gathered::

::They all were settled, no one spoke, but glanced between were given, they knew not of this friend. The room was tense, what news could he have to give to them. Many questions would linger in their minds, but still not a soul would speak. Aiden watched this friend very closly,with those dark blue hues. Kulbin and Devronw atched him closely as well. All in the rooom could sense that power about this new friend.. this friend of Voctors, they would listen,to his news, this tale that would shock them::

::Salice and Shay shared a look as did Devron and Kulbin, but none spoke, mouths had hung open, eyes bared shock::


::Aiden rose and now passed the room, Mila watched him. And turned ehr gaze back to this friend of Victors, yes it was true they all had questions...but what to ask after hearing that::

::Aiden walked right to Ghallon, and looked him dead in the face:: is he truly a changed man? ::Aiden had welcomed Victor, as a friend as a father even, and now his worrys for his mother seemed to reopen, after hearing that Victor in his past had murdered like Jinnalt, and Aalirc and even Keir but ten times worse. Kulbin nearly rose to pull the boy back but dared not step in the way. Salice and Shay had nothing to say at the moment. Salice had given Victor her fathers sword, he himself had said to, but now... Salice was questioning it.::

::Salice cast Ghallon a glance,then looked to the room, she didnt say anything she looked to Shay, the back to Devron. Then towards Kulbin and Mila. They had all faced hell in crendia here at home,and that fera was ever lingering::

He's a changed man,::Kulbin spoke:: if Shea can trust him, then we here should as well
::The room was silent::

:;Aiden still looked to this friend:: he's told my mother this,yes...? :;he waited a moment:: He would die for her,yes I know... for us for these lands... you give me your word hes really Changed and I'll believe you..

::After he was gone they all exchanged a look::

:;Salice rose slwoly: we all know that people are capable of change, and that everyone has a darkness to them,we all here, save for those who were not involved forgave Jin for his tresspasses, for he was under Alarics thumb, it seems to me that Victor also was trained to do these things,but .. it worries me no less... and I am sure, it worries shea...

::Shavyn rose up,and nodded:: somethings not right... why wouldnt Victor come here to tell us this...
Because he knew how we'd all feel about it ::Aiden casta glance to his aunts:: we all faced darkness with Jin,Alairc,Blahl, Raevyn.. but this disturbs me... more than I dare say....

::Salice nodded:: I will trust Atar... I will trust Seler'

As shall I ::Shay said::

as shall I,I will trust in Atara... ;:Aiden said softly::

:;They all left it up to fate, little did they know that just tot he south fate was playing its own game with Shea::

:;Salice stood on the embattlements alone in the wind,knwoing allw as well witrh Shea, and her family. Knowing that in a few days her child would be born a nd the fest would Start, the preperations were all ready being made. Banners flew,lanters were being lit,the spring winds flew throught he valley of Dae, the blooms on the great tree had started to blossum...a few new ones each day. The woods and fields were green, she could all most smell the wild flowers near moon wolf...it would be a greta time of much celebration, Salice had a secret to hide, about Shea and Victor she had been doing a good job so far no one knew about their engaged ment...some part of Salice knew that Shea wasnt ready to go through with this new engagement, she could feel it in the air, she felt something else too,something older.. darker... something as if from the past that lingered over GreenStones peace.... she had heard from Novella Aure about the attck of the hell bent Blahl back from hell itself...he'd be raised, byt whomw as Salice's question, who had the power, who would wish such torment on her sister...?::

::Salice breathed running her gloved hands down her very large tummy,days maybe her daughter would be born, oh yes Salice knew that it was a girl...she gazed over the lands wodnering what kind of lands these would be when that child grew up...Salice leaned there watching over the viallge as the day light played away...dusk so close... Salice closed her eyes,and said a soft silent prayer...::

::Shavyn and Kublin were off, with a wave from Salice and Devron. The castle would seem very empty with out her sisters there,Aiden and Mila had gone with Victor and Shea. That left the three of them,Salice did hope that perhaps Vanya and Audrey would come to stay at the castle.::

::But until then she was happy to be with ehr beloved husband and her daughter.::

::Salice was sitting relaxing in the throne room,watching Devron show Lona the birds out the far window when she heard somthing.Then came a guard::

My lady there is some one here to speak with you, he came in tot he city with Lady Audrey and Vanya

:;Salices ears perked at this:: please send him in.

::Salice smiled to Devron who crossed over to the throne next to hers.As he cradled their daughter in his arms.::

::Salice blue hues looked tot he entry way,seeuing the man enter.:: Welcome to GreenStone,M'lord How can I be of help to you?

::The man in the door way looked to be elvish, and wondered what sort of business he had come for, and why with Audrey. Salice then heard Vanya and Audrey ::

::Salice looked to him, watching him clpsely, she was not queen just becasue she was the eldest but she was wise as well, she tucked silver strands of hair behind ehr ears and nodded:: Crendia is our ally, and we are thirs, your bother wishes for our allaince,and thsoe are the terms,nothing more? ::bule hues studied the man before her, she could see she could tell that behind his soft blue heus was a calculating mind:: and this kingdom I am to ally myself with is called? And whom are you,My lord...? ::Salice watched him intently,with those blue hues never wavering, very cautious,if there was to be another ally, papers would have to be drawn up, she looked to Devron giving hima slient motion to get ehr pen,parchment and ink,incase indeed appers would have to be drawn out.::

::Devron moved taking thier daughter with him, to get those things that might be needed::

::Salice nodded:; A pleasure then M'lord Alcar and thank you :;for the complement about her daughter:: and how may I ask did you come to find GreenStone ::it was rather hard and yes Salice all ready knew the answer, but sh e did so enjoy asking questions that she knew answers too:

::Salice all ready knew that Audrey and Vanya had shown him the way,yet had not ehard of those things about she and Lord Alcar just yet,those things that happene din fiarwinds,but soon enough word would reach ehr ears,but the matters of passion and love amoung ehr family were always news after all.::

:;Devron came back with en,paper and ink and sat them ebfore his wife before ksising ehr brow and going to lay their daughter down for a nap,knowing Salice could handel anyone.. and anything..::

::Salice nodded:: aye that I do ::she knew he was mocking her, but didnt much care any how. She took those things from her beloved gave her duaghter a kiss upon the brow and called that small table to ehr witha touch of wind magic.:: the terms are a simple allaince. Bwteen the three Crendia,Nosgoth and GreenStone and the other elven kingdoms yes? :;she was writing as she spoke. Drawing out those papers of allaince she had not done that in some time::

::The papers were writen very nicely in elvish and in common,and then she singed the bottom :; I will have to send these out to the other kings or queens of these lands, but you have earned GreenStones allance M'lord,pelase feel free to say awhile here, let Audrey show you around, the rooma cross from ehrs is empty please use it if you like. When the papers are done and all singed I shall hand them to you, and keppa copy for mys elf and each of the kings or queens of these lands and send one off to Miss Willow as well. :: a bow then,Salice liekd to cover all the bases:;

they say sometimes that when you meet the one,the one person that will make you feel happy and whole that it happens like lightning it was often so for those of greenstone like lightning, it would be no different for the daughter of fairwinds,widowed,Jinnalts wife,mother to his child. Audrey had not known love. Not the type like that,she had known passions and such,and had born a child,but her daughter would never know Jinnalt as Audrey did,she had known him as a good man,long before the true darkness took his soul...Now witht he war over, and her heart mended would it now be time for lightning to strike?


- And with a silent thud of boots..a new stranger appeared in the elven lands, a few days after the festival was over. He knew were to go, and would do so shortly, but for now he chose to enjoy the view, as he slowly started in the direction of Greenstone castle -

: ::Some where beyond GreenStone Castle, stood that Castle of FairWinds. There Audrey was tending to ehr duties for her brother,Duchan who was about to be wed. She caried bushles of flowers in her arms and behind her raced her daughter,giggling the whole way.:: Stay close Vanya..::Cyan toned hues looked to her as she piad the market vendor::

- And he would come to a stop, as he seen the two running in his direction, as he was placed between the two castles. He chuckled softly before continuing to walk, hands inside his coat. -

::Audrey looked back towards FairWinds castle:: Come now Vanya,Uncle Duchan will be awaiting us ::her gloved hand came to rest upon her daughters shoulders as she walked on towards the castle. It was a busy day in the market of FairWinds.,Vanya skipped ahead towards the castle:: Don't go to... :: Auddrey dropped her bundle of flowers::Oh no... ::she knelt down parting her skirts of her dark green dress to the cobble stoned ground as she went to lift those flowers again::


- And he came to a stop, and kneeld down to help her gather the flowers back up, with him pulling out a ribbon to tie them all back together. - There you are. - He smiled before looking at her, then smirk - Beautifull flowers for a very stunning lady..

::Audrey smiled to him softly as she rose to ehr feet,taking up the bundled flowers::thank you ::a soft blush touched her cheeks:Diola lle,Heru en amin ::she bowed her head softly to him, her hues serched out ehr daughter who was racing uo the castle steps in to her fathers arms::

Tenna' ento lye omenta. - Said back to her, before heading on his way, with a glance over his shoulder to looks her over. -

: ::Audreys cyan hues looked back to the man before her she had not seen him in FairWinds before, perhaps a travler,a travling merchant or one of those sailers that came upon the seas to these lands.. Yet he knew elvish,he must have been from about .She bowed her head softly and headed towards the castle,slwoly looking back in to the busy market streets once more before passing with in..::

- And he ran his fingers through his hair, as if she watched long enough..he had elven like ears. Anyways, he checked into the town's inn for the night, as he guessed it would be a long trip ahead of him -

::That night at that very inn there seemed to be a wild celebration, many lords and ladies gathered,and Audrey was there sitting along side her mother and father and brother,emjoying some good tlak and lively conversation.Mai Lasgen her brothers soon to be wife was there as well,sitting next to Audrey.:: Come now Atar.. do not say that about Duchan, his wife is right here ::she giggled looking to her father:: Don't listen to him Mai...my father is a mad man when he has his ale...:: a brght smile graced her face as she spoke ::

- And he was leaning against the bar, watching the whole celibration, before looking over to Audrey, and bowed his head to her, allowing her to catch those elven ears of his. He had the look of a teacher, minus the glasses of course -

::Audrey cuaght his gaze and nodded back, tucking her light brown locks behind her human ears,before cyan hues looked back to her father and mother as they rose to leave,all paid very kind attention to her father and mother being they were king and queen:: goodnight Atar ,Atara... Toror? are you and Mai off as well? ::The two would nod and join that rise:: I shall be back at the castle shortly... ::she watched them leave then sat there at that table,watching the bust royal inn..::

- He whispered something to the tender, whom sent a drink over to her, with the waitress pointing Kahn out, as the girl set it on the table. It was a nice elven wine. -

: ::Audrey smiled looking back towards the bar,inclinging her head to him softly as she rose that nice glass of elven wine up in a silent thanks::

- And he leaned off the counter, and strted towards her table, then without asking, sat across from her - What is a lovely lady like you, doing all alone here? - Soft blue eyes stayed on her, and had been since she walked in -

::Audrey lowered that glass after all she had just taken a sip:: Me ::cyan hues looked around then back to him:: I decided,to stay a bit longer :: after all a few moments ago she had been surroudned by that royal family of hers:: I enjoy watching the patrons of the inn..meeting new people

I see..- He nodded to that as he sipped his wine, eyes staying on her - and why do you stay? - A slight quirk of his brows, as she was a beautiful woman. -

::Audrey smiled softly:: for many reasons,I suppose,my brother is getting married and the castle is a bustle with activity,and I come here to be away from all that, while my daughter sleeps...

The child I saw before..- A soft nod to that. - She is a beautiful child...I see her growning up to be like her mother...- A wink to her- Beautiful.

::She slowly shofted her fingers through her hair and her blush deepened:: thank you M'lord... she is quite the handful.. I have not seen you in FairWinds before... are ye from these lands? : taking a sip of wine now savoring the flavor,it was her fathers private reseve wine, he had ordered for her the finest and most expesive wine in all of the elven lands::

: - He had a love for fine wine. - I just speak the truth, m'lady...and no..I am headed towards Greenstone castle...- Another sip of the wine, as he continued to hold her in his view.-

::She smiled::Oh,to greenstone you say tis not to far from here...through the dark enchanted woods over the mountian through the Valley of Dae and over the next set of mountians,there you shall find the gates to greenstone,I have family there,may I ask what takes you towards GreenStone?

I come on behalf of my brother..He would come himself, but I offered to come in his place..- He looked around a moment, before leaning across the table, motionning her to do the same. -

: ::She sat her glass down and leaned her elbows upon the table,leaning slightly across it towards him::sounds like a great mission indeed,if your in need of a guide I could fine one sutible to get you through the woods with safe passage to GreenStone Castle.. The Queen is my sister-in-law

: - He nodded to that, before grinning - I go there to forge an alliance...We already have one with Crendia, and wish to do the same here. - His glass was set to the side, before he started to brush his fingers over the front of her neck...Shamelessly flirting with her. - You can be my guide...

Crendia...::she knew that name, and of that palce though she had never been there, she blushed to his fingers against her neck and sat back some more:; I could be your guide , I know those woods very well...

: - Oh but he softly cupped the back of her neck, keeping her in that lean towards him, as he continued to play with her neck. - Then it is settled..meet me here in the morning..and we shall head out..m'lady

: ::she nodded softly tempted to lean in to his touch, but daring not to:: yes of coarse,I wll ahve to se up for someone to watch my daughter while I am away... but I shall meet you out front of the inn...

- And his thumb caught her chin, and tilted her into his touch, before dragging his thumb along the front of her neck. - She can come as well..unless you wish to be alone with a stranger..on such a long trip.

::She smiled to him softly:: I do not fear being alone with a stranger,M'lord. But I may bring her with me. ::Cyan hues stuided him a moment, as she felt him tilt her in to his touch,which she did not fight:: perhaps ye would be kind enough to tell me your name?

Kahn Alcar..- Whispered to her, and he leaned a touch closer to her, while continuing to play with her neck, as well as sending very faint pulse of energy through his fingers, just to make the caress feel much deeper -

::Audrey shivered tot hat pulse of energy.Her cyan colroe dhues slipped closed but for a moment:: A pleasure M'lord Alcar...I am Audrey FairWinds-GreenStone

even as she spoke her name she thought,how odd that I say greenstone still when I am no longer married to Jin..I am merely Audrey FairWinds now...


Nay..tis my pleasure, Lady Audrey. - Another whisper as he teased a kiss to her lips, as he brushed his against her's before leaning back fully from her, with a sip of his wine..like the moment never happened -

::She blinked softly with a soft breath,rising that glass to her lips for a sip of wine,the glass then lowered, and she slowly rose to her feet:: I must depart and tend to my duaghter,I shall meet you here tomorrow...::a bow of her head:: Quel esta

Quel esta lirimaer - Whispered to her with a wink, before sipping his wine again. -

::Audrey slipped off slowly her cheeks red with blush as she made ehr way tot he door,which was held open for her. away she went to the castle::

- And he watched her slip off, with a grin crossing his lips, as the glass hid those vampiric fangs. Yes..Kahn was a vampiric elf. -

::The next day dawned quickly and outside the inn Audrey stood her daughter upon her stallion of white and grey,Juniper was his name. Audrey wore an outfit more suited for a long ride, those form fitten black pants tall black boots and a top of soft lavender with a V neck that tied up the V,her hair was down,she tended to her stallion as her Daughter burshed at his hair:: Jun Jun is so handsome.. mama ::Vanya giggled as she sat there:: Aye my darling he is, now remember what I told you yes? ::Vanya nodded:
:
- And he slowly slipped out of the tavern, hair pulled back to show off his ears, before looking over to the two - Hello again, Lady Audrey - A bow of his head to her, as he lifted her hand and placed a kiss to the top of it, before looking to Vanya. - And you must be her daughter...

::Vanya nodded with a soft smile an d little wave::

::Audrey smiled:;M'lord Alcar good morn, aye htis is my daughter Vanya...

: - A smile and a little wave back to her - Just like your mother..beautiful..- He then turned to Audrey - Shall we?

: ::Vanya giggled softly and even blushed::

::Audrey nodded::aye we shall..;;she nodded to Vanya:: remember Vanya not to tight on the reins now,Juniper doenst like that ::she patted her daughters head softly,Vanya loosened her grip::

- He chuckled to that, before stepping to the side, before letting them take the lead, then fell in behind the two, with a hidden smirk on his lips..He already knew how to get there, but this was rather nice. -

::Audrey led the way,her daughter rode on her stalion and Audrey walked with ,leading the way. The gate guards would bow to ehr as she passed by, she nodded to them and wlaked on towards the edge of the woods::

- He hands were stuffed in his pockets, and he continued to follow the two, with his eyes, every so often looking Audrey over from behind, only to look away if one of them glanced back to him -

::Audrey kept ehr eyes ahead but Vnaya glanced back to him catching his glance,she looked forwad too as they entered the woods, the trees shifted with movement from abive,Audrey casta nod to the archers of greenstone as they pressed on, even though they were well protected here audreys free hands slid tot he hilt of her sword at her left,cyan toned hues looked about as she led them on out of the woods and towards the mountain side::

- And he gave Vanya a "shh" motion with his finger, before looking around again, as he did enjoy the scenery..mostly the one right on front of him. -

: ::Audrey led them on with otu a word,Vanya giggled as she pointed and waved at the trees,they passed in tot he valley of Dae and both inclined their ehads to the sacred tree,before moving on.:: Pretty tree :: Vanya smiled her silver hued eyes looked back to the man they were leading her mother had told her about him, but Vanya liked to learn things for herself. even though she was only half elvish her eyes watched him keenly... ::

- And he just seemed to understand why Victor had loved this place...it reminded him of Nosgoth..with all of it's beauty. He had a soft relaxed smile, before looking to Vanya and bowed his head to her again. -

::Audrey led them on, her eyes shifted back to him for a moment as they passed through the gates of greenstone::Creoso a' CalenOndo...::she bowed to the gate guards as they moved towards the stables of the castle, she helpped her daughter dismount::go tell Salice we are here shall you my dear? ::Vanya nodded and skipped off towards the castle.Audrey then tended to her horse:: up the steps there::she pointed:: in to the main hall down it all the way to the right, is the throne room,Salice will be there awaiting you M'lord Alcar...

- He bowed his head to her - Thank you for showing me the way here. - He then produced a red rose for her, taken from the flowers she dropped the day before - For you

: ::She smiled to him taking the rose::thank you..::she bwoed her head her hair slid over her cheeks with that bow hiding her blush:: twas my pleasure... enjoy your time in GreenStone..

Nay..twas my pleasure. - And before heading inside, he caught her by the neck again..and pressed a kiss to her lips, but slipped away before she could even react, and up the stairs he went..leaving Audrey to stand there...wondering what in the world just happened. -

The day of the deal,and after wards.

: ::Audrey did stand there wondering what had just happened she blinked a few times and pressed her fingers to her lips her blush deepened and she went inside the castle as well to gather her daughter and get some food. It would be too late by the time he and Salice were done tlaking to head home so Audrey would stay there that night. She sat at her duaghters bed edge and sung her softly to sleep,nefore going down stairs. The castle was dark, and her bare feet slid silently aacross the floor towards the lounge ::

- And of course the deal was hammered out, with Kahn being the gentleman with the queen, before being shown a room to stay for the night. He slipped out of his room, and caught Audrey heading down the hallway, and smirked before quietly following her -

: ::Audrey stepped in to the lounge it was dimly lit buy the dying fire light, that fire light danced over her skin and hair and over that lavender nightgown she wore,she stood looking up to that painting of Jinnalt, his sword was there too tightly mounted to a marble slab under that portait, She then slid towards the couch and lowered her self to sit there before the fire::

my memories betray me, I come here often ::thoughts raced her mind as she starred at the portrait of Jin,he looked as he always had handseom yet dark,a king,yet under someones power. he is dead,and his duaghter shall never know him,never have a father,and what of me...

- And he slowly stepped into the longue with her, and leaned back against the doorframe, soft blues watching her every movement.- Hello again, Lady Audrey

::Her hues shifted back to him as he leaned in the door way::M'lord Alcar...::she gazed to him a moment then back to the fire light:; did all things go well with Salice and the new alliance?


Aye..- He grinned and leaned off the doorway, and started towards her. - I do hope I didn't offend you..by kissing and running...- Truth was..he slowly walked from her, but it appeared that, the kiss rooted her in place untill he was inside -

Nae you did not M'lord... ::Her hues shifted looking back to him a moment before she looked back to the fire,brushing her hands through her hair.Audrey was often found there in the lounge either at home or here in the late night hours,unable to sleep it always seemed:: I was not offened

- He smiled to that, and once again cupped her neck, with his thumb tilting her gaze up to his. That fire light from the fireplace, just enhanced his soft elven features, with his thumb brushing over her lips - Good..

::Her cyan hues looked to him as his thumb graced her lips,she noted how the soft fire light seemed to ehnace his elven features, it did the same for ehr, accenting soft cheek bones and higlighting her hair and those eyes,as well as her from,under that lavender colored nightdown,the fire light bounced off of it, and her skin,her long arms and legs.She just studied his features a moment before looking away::

I should not let my self,should not get involved with any one...

- Oh but he caught her chin with his thumb, and turned her gaze right back to his, not letting her look away from him, as he slowly...inch by inch started to lean closer to her -

::She stuided his gaze, and couldnt not help but to lean in to that touch upon her face,she watched him as he leaned slowly closer to her inch by inch..:

- He then pulled back, just when he was about to kiss her, and walked over to the table, with the various bottles on it..and poured himself a glass. Oh he was toying with her..-

::She breathed in deeply,a shiver ran though her and she gazed back to the fire light,letting the moment be passed off.She shifted rising to her feet slwoly then,crossing away towards the dinning hall in the darkness::

- He turned and blocked her path, then cupped her neck again, in the same teasing caress as before, only to kiss her yet again, letting it linger for a moment...before lightly pushing her back. Would she slap the hell out of him...or just stand there...letting him get away with two kisses -

::she stood there a moment taken back,then looked to him::why do you keep doing that... ? ::she wouldnt slap him but she was close to it::

Doing what? - A tilt of his head, to that query..playing the innocent and polite gentleman right now -

: ::Audrey sighed softly and pressed by him:: mankoi miqula amin,san' ::she shook her head and presse don in to the dinning hall ou t of sight::

- And he grinned and turned, following her. Oh..she wanted a kiss huh?...Then he was going to deliver...He slipped in front of her, and caught her in very close, before kissing her, more deeply...and more passionatly than she had ever been kissed in her life. She wanted a kiss...and he was giving her one...but..he let her have time to react -

::she was shocked her breath takena way by that sudden kiss,it was deeper and more passionate than any kiss she had ever felt upon her lips,and for a moment she returned it,as if savoring in the rush::

- And he continued that deep seated kiss with her, as he slipped a hand up into her hair, to keep her from pulling away from him, with his other hand pressed into the middle of her back, keeping her in close as well. My..my. -

why is he kissing me like this? ::her mind and heart raced.:: why does he keep doing this... and why do I feel so...

::She was pressed in tightly againt him,unable to pulla way but she wasnt pulling away she was doing just the opisite she felt that kiss continue and continued to return it,going to ehr tip toes,as she inched in against him. seems as though she didnt mind his bold move one bit::

- He then slowly broke that kiss. - That..m'lady is a kiss..- Whispered to her, letting her have a moment to gather herself as well as to catch her breath -

::She breathed out deeply,a shiver crossing over her form, as she opened her eyes and starred at him:;indeed... and qiute the kiss....::her words slightly breathy::

Aye..- Soft blues gaze down at her, before grinning a little more..allowing her to see..He was only part elven..- There are other kisses as well...that can be..quiet pleasurable.

Audrey gazed to him,noting the fact now that he wasnt fully elven. Frighteed and perhaps a bit intruquedshe didnt step away:: others sorts of kisses? what sorts are those?

hes... hes.... a vampire... and an elf,I am way off my game

- He grinned to that, and leaned to her neck, and softly tilted her head to the side - A vampiric one..can be..quite..exotic..

Audrey shivered softly,as he titled her head tot he side to expose her neck:: I wouldnt know... ::she breathed in deeply,her eyes closed heart racing:

I can tell..- He then teasingly ran his lips down her neck, before running his fangs up it as well, then suddenly slipped from her...leaving her once again to think on what happened - Sleep well..Lady Audrey.

Good Night:; she breathed opening her eyes to gaze to him::M'lord Alcar

- He grinned and slipped off back to his room, which was right caross from her's -

::Audrey shook her head softly running her fingers through ehr hair as she passed back up stairs to ehr room, she didnt know that Salice had given him the empty room right across from her.She passed in to her bed chamber closing the door and crossed towards the balcony window, and opened the doors and stepped out on to it,deep in thought over all that had transpired::

The tale wasnt done yet though oh no .

The next morning, Kahn was already up and waitting outside, as he already ate breakfest, and was petting Jupiter. -

::Audrey patted Vanya on the head as she stepped outside:: You be good for Auntie Salice all right,I'll be back by mid day... ::she hugged hedaughter then walked slowly to the stbles and stooped seeing him there...Juniper looked so calm,which was odd for the wild stallion to be::good morn Lord Alcar

Morning Audrey..and please..call me Kahn. - A glance over his shoulder, before looking back to Jupiter.. As anyone could tell the reason the horse was calm..Kahn dispite torturing her...was kind to animals -

::She nodded tot hat::Kahn ::she looked to ehr horse::seems Juniper has taken A liking to you...::she rounded the horse setting her bow along the saddle, she was dressed to ride again, a dark blue FairWinds cloak folded over her arm::

As has his owner..- Said in a teasing tone..- What do you think? - That to the horse as he looked over to Audrey, blowing a kiss to hre with a wink -

::Audrey blushed softly petting her horse,who stomped his hoove to the ground and shook his head almost ina yes like motion.::

He grinned to that and gave Jupiter an apple, before continuing to brush the horse, as he seemed more..calm than usual -

::Audrey tilted her head to one side, as she readied ehr pack on the side of her horse,she had a misison to do for her father, the note was in her left hand as she slid Junipers reins on, she noted that he was calmer than usual,but what did she know reallyy they had just met::

And he reached up and plucked the note from her, and started to read it. Again..a bold and daring move from this stranger -

:;She crossed ehr ams and looked to him the note was in elvish,penned by her ftahers hand which was hard enough to read in common, but the note simply ssaid, Audrey my dear,pelase come to the castle at once, leave Vnaya with Salice, and bring some of red flowers fromt he sacred tree,love,your father:: I have a misison today... it seems...:;she slid her cloaover Junipers saddle::

He handed her the note back to her, only to mount up on Jupiter's back - Well..what are you waitting for? - Said as he held out a hand to her -

::She crossed hearms:: you intend on coming with me?

no..I'm up here for the view. - A smirk down at her....as it was a rather..pointless question -

::She sighed softly and took his hand and mounted up slowly,knwoing that had beena pointless question:: a' Vanya Suile.. Juniper.. ::she gave her horse a pat and off they started::

- He chuckled and held the reins in one hand, with his other wrapping around her, to hold her in a lean back against them...sure to give her family inside..something to talk about, as they headed off -

:Audrey would not let ehr self lean to far abck in to him,letting Juniper ride the way he liked to slow and easy, towards the mountian pass, once they were in the Valley of Dae she would stop the horses trot::Tampa :;she slowly slipped off,and to the ground,she ahd to go collect thsoe red blossums of the sacred tree, which would be a very long job::

He smirked to that, and slipped off Jupiter and started to pet the horse again, while watching Audrey. - She's trying to play hard to get now..- Said in a whisper to the horse -

: ::Of coarse she didnt hear him,she didnt have that advante of elven ears,s he walked tot he huge tree and looked to the ground plenly of pink and white flowers the size of dinner plates but all the red ones were in the tree stiil::My father is a mad man

- And he walked up to her side and looked up to the tree, before closing his eyes a moment. A thin blue glow surrounded him, before a few of the red flowers started to float down to her...with him waitting for her to say stop -

::She gazed to him::thats plenty thank you ::she blinked a few times before she walked to gather up the flowers:::

Welcome..- He grinned and gave her butt a nice well timed swat, before helping her to pick the flowers up -

::She was shocked by the swat to ehr rear but tried to pay it no mid as she gathered up the flowers,then she would cross back towards Juniper and slipp the floweres in tot he bag there at the side, it was a bag of magaicl properties good for this sort of thing:: just place them in here :;she held it open smiling softly to him::

- He smiled and placed them into the bag, before moving to help her mount again, then moved up behind her. -

:She mounted up and patted Junipers side once he was mounted::On ward...:: the horse trotted on,out of the valley and over the second hill tops through the mount pass and towards the edge of the woods,slowly through them.Audrey was silent,some where lost deep in thought::

- An dhe leaned to her ear. - Are you thinking about last night? - He just had to bring that up..didn't he -

::that she was but she wouldnt ay that:: hmm? Oh no not at all, eyes forward,for they told the truth of the matter::I wonder why my father would call on me to do this for him,when he has dozens of people at his beck and call,hes up to something

in truth I know its all I can think about...

Maybe..- He grinned and softly pulled her into a lean back against him, before whispering even softer into her ear - Maybe he knows you were seen with someone..rather dashing and charming.

:She leaned back againt him closing her eyes:: perhaps...he did... ::dashing and charming and handsome... the thoughts flooded her mind ebfore she opened her eyes, the fields of FairWinds and tot he south Amethyst Rose,Juniper trotted on twoards the walls of FairWinds:

- He grinned and upon noticing their location...made it clear to whomever looked..that she was seeing someone, as he started to kiss her neck...in full view of the public. She forgot..evil...a total flirt..-

::Oddly enough she did not fight him,she shivered at his touch, before cautching the gaze of the villagers whom watched them,she didnt want to but she did slwoly pulla way from him and dismount to lead her horse to the stables, she took up that bag of flowers and slung it across herself...::I will go see what my father wishes of me...

Alright..- He grinned and guessed news travled fast here, as he slipped off and started to brush down Jupiter again. -
She looked back to him and headed with in,it tooka while for her to come back out again,her cheeks were red with a rosy blush as she crossed to the stables::

And he looked over to her, as he had been singing to the horse, then slowly grinned to seeing her blushing badly - Well? - Like he had to ask -

::She looked up to him:: my father wishes to speak with you... :;she crossed to her horse,almost semeingly hidding behind him::

- he nodded to that, and leaned off the wall to head inside. This was going to be interesting. -

: ::Audrey stayed there with her horse sitting down in to the hay,leaning her head back witha deep sigh. Once he was inside he would have to make his way abck tot he throne room, down the hall to
the left. There sat Nenime,King of FairWinds Cerime his wife and queen sat ebside him the throne roomw a s lavishly decorated there was to be a wedding any day now for his son. His hues would look to Kahn as he enetred oh yes this would be intersting::

- And once in the throne room, he bowed fully to the two..being the gentleman and all - You wished to meet me, m'lord?

::Nenime would nod::yes I did ::he gazed to him rising from that throne,Nenime was a man part elven yes,tall, witht hat huge sword sheathed acros shis back, that he hardly used these days:: I heard of your...::what was he to call it::interest in my daughter...

He grinned to how he worded that. - I figured as much, m'lord. - Said as he looked to Nenime - Yes..I have been..spending time with her...She has helped me a few times...and I in turn have helped her out as well...

:Nenime nodded to that:: yes she is very helpful indeed ::the room was filled with thsoe red flowers Audrey had collected:: but word travels fast in these lands, I have he a scroll from Salice whom you know, of an alliance to a place called Nosgoth,I am to signt,have my son sign it and send it off to Hisime and Morbin. Bu before I do.... I'd like to know one thing

And what is that? - He quirked a brow to that, but would be polite and answer the question -


what are your intentions towards Audrey?

- He looked down to that. - It depends on her, sir..- It was an honest answer -

He idly stroked his chin:: and if I told you that her intentions were of a good nature? then what would you say? ::Nenime was a sneeky fellow, the papers had all ready be signed an were all ready on their way to SilverWaters, he ahd also gotten a long confession out of his daughter,he was rather good at reading her::

Then I would do my best to make her happy..but. - He smirked and crossed his arms - You already know her intentions to be good...or else I wouldn't be here...as well as the papers being on there way...- Dear lord...had Nenime met his match in being a sly person? -


:Nenime chuckled to that:;clever man...:;he ndoded:: she is rather guarded,since Jinnalt...it has been a long time since I saw her smile the way she smiled...::he held out his hand:: If salice trusted you
enough to make up papers of alliance with you, then I know this allaince will be a worthy one,please do take care of Audrey :;a soft wink:: she may not be my own... but I love her as such

- He smiled to that and shook his hand. - Pleasure to meet you..Lord Nenime...I am Kahn Alcar...- Said with respect and a bow of his head -

::Nenime nodded:: A pleasure Sir Alcar. Please you may call me just Nenime everyone does... ::he motioned back to his wife who had been sitting there watching the two witha smile:: My wife Cerime...::a good firm shake:: dont tell Audrey I told you this but I think she really likes you ::a soft whisper::

I know. - A wink back to Nenime, before bowing his head to Cerime, before turnning to leave. He grinned to that..as it was interesting..but at the same time...rather glad it happened -

::Outside Audrey still lay in that hay with Juniper nuzlzing at her::I dont have any more appels Jun,youll have to wait...:: the horse nudged her again, and she rose to her feet and dusted the hay from her hair and back and rubbed his nose:: you'll be fat and Lazy like Violette if you eat a bunch of apples...:: a slight giggle then

Oh let the horse eat an apple...- Said as he walked in juggling a few, before tossing one to her, while giving one of the others to Jupiter -

::she caught that apple and smiled to him:: I dont want to know y my father wished to speak with you:;bitting down in to the fruit then::

- He shrugged to that, as he bit into his apple, as he leaned in the doorframe, watching her. -

::She gazed at him while she chewed,then away trying not to blush as she went back to brushing Junipers mane, she knew ever well why her father had called him in tot he castle,and could only imagine what he said::

- And he grinned slowly at her, as if letting her in on what they had talked about, before tossing the apple coreaway, then motioned her over to him -

::She finsihed off her apple and gave the core to Juniper and walked over to him slowly:: are ye ready to depart back to greenstone? ::tose cyan hues looked to him,they had sweppt over him very quickly before she gazed in to his eyes::

No.. -he
grinned as his hands came up to her sides, and slowly pulled her up against him, before leaning down to softly kiss her. -

::that kiss was returned softly as she was pulled in against him.Her hands slowly found thier way to his shoulders::


- And he was sure everyone was pointing to the princess being kissed in public like this, as his arms snaked around her, pulling her in even closer -

I have never felt....No... I can not let my self....but I want to

::Audrey didnt care who saw them at this point,she inched in closer,savoring in that kiss,her eyes closed,her hands inching over his shoudlers as she inched to her toes::

- And he kneeled down a bit, before lifting her up more into that kiss, making it a little deeper, as his eyes slowly closed as well -

::Her feet left the groun d as he lifted her in to that kiss,she felt it deepen and did not fight it,her hands slipped behind his neck.She was deeply enjoying that kiss::

He was deeply enjoying it as well, before slowly pulling back, and openned his eyes. - My..my..looks like the princesss of Fairwinds...has a fellow..

: ::She smiled to him softly::aye it seems that way...:: she breathed out softly,gazing back in to his eyes::

Aye..- He smiled back at her, before slowly lowering her back down to her feet. - Should we head back now?

: ::She nodded softly to that::aye we could do that...::she shifted ehr boots across the ground,a soft blush raced over her cheeks as she moved to Juniper::

- He grinned to that, and followed behind her, lightly swatting at her rear with both hands..-

::she smirked to that softly, before she mounted up::

- And he mounted up behind her, one arm around her again -

::Now she would lean back in to him,without a moments pause:: a' Calenondo Juniper ::a pat to her horse then::

- He grinned to that as they started to head back, with him started to playfull kiss her neck now...looking for a weakness -

::she smiled softly to those playful kisses upon her neck tilting her head to one side,he would soon find that weakness,as he went lower upon her right side of her neck, nearly in the middle,even that flesh there was tender::

- He grinned to finding that spot, and started to kiss, nibble and suckle on it, without a hint of mercy. -

::Her eyes shut,thankfully the horse knew its way,she shivered to those ksises,nibbles and to that suckling upon her neck::

- He tne moved his free hand up to cup the left side of her neck, then softly eased her into those tesing touches to her neck, as he started to run his fangs in a circle over that one spot -

:that just caused her to shiver more.she leaned in to his hand exposing her neck fully to him,with out fear, her hands cripped at the reins a bit,thery were out of the woods by now and allr eady in the valley of Dae..she pulled on the reinsand Juniper would stop,rocking her back in to him::

- Which of coursed rocked her right into his fangs, as well as getting Kahn to slowly start drinking from her. Granted..it might of been an accident..but it was happening -

::Her eyes were closed even tighter now,as she leaned back in to him,feeling his fangs in ehr neck and feeling him drink from her,it made her body race with heat and shiver as well ::

I've never... god this feels.. like lightning

- And to seeing she didn't mind that it happened, he continued to drink softly from her, with his hands slowly starting to caress her body from behind..-

::She leaned in to his touch,her eyes fluttered open then closed her hands were idle,they lay upon h e bent knees.It was indded an erotic sort of experience::

- That it was, as he continued the drinking from her, as well as running his hands over her chest and legs...Good thing no one could see them..as this really would look bad -

::she leaned in to his every touch,her bretah deepened as a soft exhale escaped her lips,she shovered to his touch and that feeling of him drinking from her,it made her fell as she ahd neer felt before,now her hand would reach back and slide up along his leg::

- He grinned to that, and started to send fair pulses of energy into her neck through his fangs...as he slowly started to slip his hands up under her shirt. She could stop this at anytime..as in a way..he wasn't acting very...gentlemanly right now -

:she shivered more to those pusles in to her neck,she felt his hands slide slowly under her shrt she did not stop him, she didnt want to. Gentlemenly or not,her fingers slid up his leg as she leaned back againist his chest with a deep breath passing through her lips...::

And with a slight spur to the horse, they started to travel again, yet he continued to tease her body, not caring who seen what was going on between the two. -

::She leaned againt him as the horse moved on again towards GreenStone, she didnt care who saw them either,lost in the moment,she leaned in to every teasing touch or motion he made::

- And his hands started to caress and grope her breasts now...with them preety much in full view, as he started to drink a touch deeper from her, yet Audrey would still be at full strenght.

- And his hands started to caress and grope her breasts now...with them preety much in full view, as he started to drink a touch deeper from her, yet Audrey would still be at full strenght...-

::thank the gods it was just guards and villagers who saw them,and not her daughter,she pressed against his ahnds at her breasts,enoying the feeling of his hands upon her,as she felt him drink a bit deeper and a subtle moan passed through her lips as the stables were coming up now::

- True...but word did travel fast, as he finally decided to stop this show..so not to make people think to little of her, with him fixing her shirt back, then licked her neck clean. This was going to cause quite a stir with some people...to Audrey being openly touched like that in public. -

:that was true it would cause a stir but what did that matter. She gazed back to him now,speachless::

- He smiled back to her, and what did it matter? Kahn possibly being strung up for publicly having his way with a member of a royal family -

:No that wouldnt happen even if Salice had seen them it would just geta wide smirk out of the queen, and thank the gods that her father was not there though,but on the other hand he had done some thing sin his youth such as that with Cerime.. so he wasnt one to start...,::

::Audrey lowered her self to the ground,and slowly made her way for the castle folding her cloak over her arm.Vanya skipped down the steps and in to ehr mothers arms:: Your late ::vanya smiled softly::


::audreay patted her daughters head as she carried her in, giving him one of those long lingering looks before she slipped within to go give her daughter a bath .::

He chuckled to that, before slipping off the horse, and grinned more to that look, before heading inside...surely they know by now..as he did parade her through town while doing all that to her -

::Audrey gave her daughter a bath and put Vanya to bed before ehading towards her room to do the same. The castle seemed very quiet,the new born baby sleeping Salice and Devron as well.Shay and Kulbin were gone along with Aiden,mila,Victor and Shea.Audrey kind of liked the castle like that she could get some much needed rest ehre,before her bothers big wedding. She looked across the hall way as she got to her bed room door,a lingering look,before she passed inside her room::

- And he was in her room, yet another daring and bold move, as he was leaning back against the wall, tossing an apple from hand to hand -

::She paused looking to him,her bag rested to the chair along with her cloak..Those bright cyan eyes of hers looked to him, arms crossed across her chest::

And he dared to smile innocently at her, before taking a bite of the apple..Once it was eatten and swallowed. -

: Aye, why are you in my room? ::she knew he was bold,but hardly expected that. She continued to move taking her belt off and laying it with all her sheathed weapos next to her bed::

Your room? - He looked around a moment, then watched her start to undress. - Could of swore this was my room.

:;she smiled to him:;Nae tis my room see :; she moved across to the desk and oepend it pulling out very audrey like thing s a hand mirror perfume,ties for her hair,a brush.:: your room is across the hall...

Oh..- A nod to that, yet remained in his lean, while slowly eatting that apple...watching her every move -

:: she gazed to him,in that lean::not that I mind your comapy,but I was hoping to take a hot bath..:;a glance to the washroom door,then back to him::

by all means...take one. - A smile to her, giving no hint that he was going to leave..and in truth..he wasn't -

::she just looked to him, and walked in to her closet grabbing her night wears before crossing to the washroom door,glancing to him before she passed inside and closed it behind her. She tooka deep breath, and started to fill the tub with hot water,and some of those rose petals that were highly coveted by Shavyn and the others sisters::

And he grinned to that, and leaned off the wall and started towards that door, quietly testing to see if it was locked -

: ::Audrey ahd not locked the bath room door, it didnt have one, never was much of a worry to put locks on the door, she slipped in to the hot waters eyes clsoed under the water,so she wouldnt even note the door::

- He grinned and slipped in while she was undressing, and as quietly closed the door...Poor Audrey would probably let out a scream..once she saw him-

::She lifted ehr head out of the waters eyes still closed,wet hair over her face,she leaned back witha soft sigh,relaxing.Then she felt something something stirred ehr to open one eye and she saw him there:: My Lord...! ::she sank in lower against the tub::

- And he smirked more - Yes? - He was leaning back against the door..to keep it shut
-
: ::she looked at him wide eyed::what in..hell fire are you doing in here...? :: trying to hide against the edge of the tub, but she coudlnt hide that blush upon her cheeks.::

Enjoying the view..- He was a bad boy wasn't he, as he had gotten her towel and robe she brought in with her, drapped over his shoulders -



::she blinked at him, and saw her towel and robe over his shoulders::enjoying the..::she sunk lower against the tub:;my towel please ::she held out a wet hand::

Come over here and get it. - A cocky and daring smirk crossed his lips....so not the type of guy...most would want to see their princess with...then again..maybe he was the type of guy she needed. -

::a look of shock crossed her face:; But then you'd see me naked...::she sunk in to the water that was steadily getting colder::close your eyes and I'll come out there and get it

Nope..already seen you nude..and I must say...it was a rather lovely sight..- And he just continued to be that rogue she was warned about -

::her blush deepened,and she rose up out of the tub,arms crossed over herself and reahced out for her towel ,she didnt even say anything to his comment her blush told the story well enough::

- And he held it up just out of her reach, you know..to get her to try to reach for it -

::Cyan hues looked at him and up she reached for her towel,dropping those defenses,as she reached for it.:;Come on..I'm getting cold...:: her hair was wet and lay dripping off her slender shoudlers, water dripped down her body as her feet shifted bare against the cold floor::

- He chuckled and lowered it a bit, and just as she reached up, pulled it just out of her reach..not trying to get her to bounce...hopefully without her catching on -

::She bounced after it::Kahn come on ::she shivered as she reached for it, not even catching on to what he was doing:: I'm wet and its cold...::she reached bouncing on her toes::

- And of course, like any rogue asshole...he was watching her bounce..grinning more and more.. He was so going to get slapped when she found out..she was playing into his hand -

::She looked to him and stopped her bouncing wrapping her self in her own arms::hey..::she sneered at him, and shivered reaching for the door knob hellw ith her towel and robe she could get another towel out of the closet in her room::

- True..but hard when he is against the door. - What? - Said as he started to dry her off now...Oh he was really pushing it -

::she looked to him,as he started to dry her off she grabbed the towel and starred at him: Your far too sly M'lord ,sneeking about,watching me bathe and undress

Maybe..but..- He turned, grabbing her by the shoulders, only to pin her against the door, then pressed flush against her - You need someone like me..around

:she breathed in deeply as he pressed her back against the door,with him flush against her::perhaps I do,makes life intersting...but now I think I am owed ::her hands oved to his shoulders:: you have gotten the best of me a few to many times now..

- He smirked to that and leaned down to her ear - Maybe...but are you really complainning to someone finally showing up...toying with her..as well as publicly making you feel alive?

::she smiled softly shiving against him, from the cold?or that rush of heat feleing his bretah against her ear:: Im not complaining at all,its been a long time since I felt alive

But not publicly paraded around..- He grinned to that..when they got back from that mission for her father...publicly turnning her on -

Nae I am not complaining about that either... ::yes he did publicly turn her on, and now he was at it again,her hands moved behind his neck:: your a rather
bold rogue..::she looked to him:: but I do like your methods...

Thanks..- He smirked and slowly pulled her back from that door...only to push her away as he tossed her robe to her...again leaving her with wanting more -

she took that robe and slid it on,tying it shut.She crossed her arms and ran her fingers through her wet hair, before she pressed on out the door now that he wasnt blocking it, but not before she gave his rare a god pintch with ehr fingers,she hummed innocently though::

- He smirked to that and followed her out again, before trying to catch her off guard, by bending her over the nearby table -

:she looked back to him, not about to be caught off guard again by his sly movements..she shook her head as she took up her brush brushing her hair, then sat it down,she dropped that robe and moved across the room for her closet::

- He smirked to that, and turned, starting towards the door..just to see if he could catch her off guard again -

::She smirked to him softly and turned looking to him::I will not be caught off guard again by you M'lord...::she blew him a little kiss and slipped in to her closet and slipped on that lavender colored night gown::

We'll see..- He smirked and slipped out of her room, letting her think she wouldn't be caught off guard...as well..with her expecting something to happen..He'd play cool..and let her come to him -

: ::She smirked to her self watching him go.She slipped past her closed door and flopped upon her bed closing her eyes a moment to let the days events gather in her mind as she stroked her neck that spot on the right that made her shiver even to touch::

- And in a blur..she'd find herself pinned down to her bed. He caught her off guard yet again, and let her know it with a cocky rogueish smirk -

::She gazed up to him,now pinned to her bed.He had caught her off guard again::; fine you caught me off guard again....happy?

Aye...- He smirked and murmured a few words...as some ropes appeared on the bed. Looks like the rogue had a plan, to really make the princess of Fairwinds....to feel even more...unlady like -

::she looked to those ropes::and what pray tell do you intend to do with rope...? Tie me down?

Aye..- He smirked and slowly started to do just that, tieing her arms at the wrists to the headboard. - And once that is done..I'm going to take full advantage of you... - So not treating her the way he said he was...was he? -

_fade to black_

:;Salice sat up in the study that once belonged to their father and had two eltetrs to write one to Shavyn and one to Shea. Shavyns would be first,tell her of all the enws that had come of date,and wishing her a grand honey moon also telling ehr of that new alliance that was to be amde betweenthe elven alnds,crendia and Nosgoth. Then she would send that letter off and write to Shea. Salice had ntoed one thing when her sister left, that emdallion was gone too, fromt hat cabnet there in that study.Shea had taken it with her.. but why?::

"Dearest Shea and Family,

I write to you to make sure all is stillw ella dn to tell you of news. We have gained a new ally. It was in the afternoon two days ago that he came Audrey led him here with Vanya. His name Kahn Alcar, and his mission here to gain our allaince with him, well he came on behlaf of his brother. The allaince is simple three palces, the elven lands,Crendia and Nosgoth as he called it are to be allies. I made up the papers and he is now staying here,and it seems he and Audrey have grown rather close. The alliance papers should be back by tomorrow and I shall send them off to Willow and her consort in Crendia. Then I shall amke magical copies for all the kings and queens hree and give one to M'lord Alcar and send one to Willow. There is also other news, word from Isaac about some dark mage hanging around. I have sent a few to look in to it. Word has been hes been seen with lady Aure... perhaps a new member to the beloved Godlen Vine Mages? I do not know, more word on that when it comes.

But Shea, I know you'll love to hear this. As I said it seems very clear that Audrey has grown to like M'lord Alcar. How do I know, well I'lls ay this the daughter of fairwinds has a very loud voice...I am happy for her,so very happy it has beena long time since Jin died. But there is soemthing lingering in her mind I can see it,she worries. She is mortal and Vanya is not, and Lord Alcar is not. He is elvish and he is like Victor as well :;she drew a little face, her best vampire face:: In her heart Audrey knows that she will not live long enough to see her daughter become a fine woman, I wish to help ehr I know Nenime went to Cala to ask for help to save his beloved wife from old age and death. Perhpas I shall need to contact some firneds, and see what i can do. Shea do you have any idea's? Please do ask Victor Mila and Aiden for their help as well,Audrey is family.

My love to you all

Salice"

:;a penned name and a signed page and off she would let the letter go sleaed and all in to the winds to find its way to Shea::

::Salice stood on the embattlements looking over the land, soon enough the letters of allaince would be back, but gfirts to come she knew as word from Shea the winds brough ti as they often did. She reache dout ehr hand and caught that letter that had come from Rhydin to GreenStone the seal was borken and salice leaned there upon the side of the embattle ments and began::

"Dearest Salice, you know you have any help I can be of to Audrey,Perhpas we should find a way to get cala to come to all of us,or for one of us to be able to go to her, with you and I and Shavyn all being busy it may vere well have to be Audrey whom seeks her out. I know of Alcar... at least his brother, not this Kahn you speak of. I am well aquanited with Nosgoth tis where Victor is from so to speak and where w e are all staying I also know whom rules it,perhaps I shall speak to him to lean what i can if ye wish.

we shall find a way,I will not let Vanya live her life with out knowing her mother as long as we have the power to do so. Love is worth it,love is worth many things. I shall give your love to Aiden,Mila and Victor. and you have my aid if needed call on me I shall not hesitate to come home, even though many duties bind me here, I am more bound to there....

My love

Shea"

::Salice nodded she had not yet heard form Shavyn but knew that Shavyn was on her honey moon,in some way Shea was as well, yet Salice sensed it,in the air or water or just ehr way she knew something wasnt right. She would speak to Audrey soon enough about seeking out some outside help,or perhaps go her self,oddly enough she saw ehr self going to Rhydin,something seemed to draw her towards that place, but first things first Audrey would be helpped. Salic e tucked the letter away to reply back later once things were done, off in tot he castle to seek out Audrey::

In greensotne the queen awaited ehr sister,knowing things had to be set right ,or as right as they could be

::Salice left the two love birds alone, and while Vanya still anpped she started to feed Lona. Then she felt soemthing the hairs on the back of ehr head stood upa bit,as if a cold wind had touched her there::

::In Nosgoth Shea had conjured that water mirror before ehr there sitting in that living room of that manor house. Seler' :; she called to the water mirror::

::Salice heard that,and her brows rose and she saw that mirror of water appear before her,still in mid-feeding mode, but it was her sister on the other end.:: Shea.. ;;;Bright blue hues looked back:: is something wrong:: as if Salice didnt know::

Hes alive.. ::shea began:: I saw him

::Salice lay Lona down on the bed behind ehr as the baby started to doze:: Connar... :: she buttoned up her shirt then:: so his from the beyond message wasnt from the beyond, how did it go? :;as if she had to ask::


I fainted...

::Salice blinked:: oh dear... did you ...well did you need to talk?

More than that I need to come there and get something. ::Shea looked in to that mirror of water ::

Ahh yes, you took the medallion but not the other thing yes yes,all right, well I know I can not stop ye,and shall not try, come here and gather it and we can talk then

Theres more Salice..

Theres always more with ye Seler' just head on over when ye are ready,I'll be awaiting you and Victor... ::knowing all too well that Victor would come too perhaps to speak to Kahn::

All right we will see you soon :;shea nodded to the mirror.:

::after dinner::

::They arrived and Shea went off with salcie after salice called Audrey and Kahn down in tot he lobby. Some how she knew Shea's plan... she knew her sister all to well. They two left after a moment there in the lounge with the rest fo them and headed up stairs.:;

:: Audrey watched them go,brows perked. Then she looked back to Victor then to Kahn...::

::The sisters went to their fathers study and salice unlocked that cabnet where that armor that Adaron ahd amde Shea hung with that gauntlet of Blahls. She reahed in and pulled out that white shirt and handed it to Shea:; here you go...

:;Shea took it and folded it over thrice and in to the folds of her cloak in to that bag there no doubt.;: you think I am crazy I know..

I didnt say that ::Salice shifted her hands through her hair:;

You didnt have to ::Shea looked to her elder sister:: I Must set things right..

I know..::Salice nodded:: you need to say a few things do what ye must,your honor binds ye to do so...I know


I hate to make you do this for me.. ::Shea confessed::

I dont have to do anything I think Kahn and Audrey will keep him very entertained...::Salice added::

I must do this,if I am ever to see past what was I must do this ::Shea looked to Salice::

Please do be carefull ::Salice wished she could go with her, wished she could do somehting, but she could not this was up to Shea.::

I wont be long, I know Aiden needed to get some things off his chest,but now so do I... :: she took the shirt and smiled to Salice then vanished in a swril of wind::

:;Salice ran her hands through her silver locks:: Victors gonna kill me... ::Shea had gone ,and Salice knew that shea needed to do this,needed to get it done once and for all::

:;Salice went back in to her room to put her daughter to bed before she and Vanya would join Victor,Audreya nd Kahn in the lounge.::

::Audreys brows perked:: where is Shea? ::the first to note that the wind mage was not there.::

::Audrey nodded:: Connar... Oh my :;a glance to her daughter then::

::Vanya looked on wide eyed...:: Con... ::holding back tears now..::

:;Salice looked down to Vanya then,oh dear this was going to be hard to explain::

::Audrey shifted from ehr seat near Kahn to Vanya. Knealing to her daughter::

::Salice looked to Victor then badk to Audrey and Vanya how do you tell a little girlt hat some one she was told was dead was not... some one she had liked very much.::

::Vanya sniffled softly and ndoded, understanding as she looked to Victor:: Okay

::Audrey smiled to Victor,in a silent thanks::

::Salice took a deep breath:: whos up for tea and cookies?

::Vanya smield and ksised Victors cheek and let Victor lower her and skipped off to Salice:; I want to help...

Yes your my good helper now... ::a pat tot he girls head the two went off::

::Audrey took a deep breath::ohh my,poor...::she looked to Victor then silent once more going back to Kahns side and sitting::

::Audrey beamed:; ooh yes I would like to go, maybe Salice would like to Go Devron will be back tomorrow, and Vanya loves fests.. yes I will go...

::Salice and Vanya came back with tea and cookies::

Where did Victor go? ::Salice looked about from Auddrey to Kahn::

::Salice nodded::ahh, so tea? :: she handed the beaming Audrey a cup:: what are you all smiles about?

:;Audrey smirkd: want to come toa fest?

::Salices brows perked:; a fest?

:;Vanya clapped:: a fest with dancing and pretty dresses and all like spring and winter fest

:;Audrey nodded:; yes a ball in fact, dont worry your coming too

::Elbowed he got from Audrey softly though::

::Vanya looked up to Kahn and stuckhehr tongue out and took her little tea cup from Salice witha cookie and walke dover to sit at the fire side::

::Salice smirked and nodded:; aye a fest,well if Devron wishes to go we shall come, baby in toe as well... :: a smile to Audrey then::

:;Tea and cookies was quickly followed By Audrey sweeping Vanya off to go get ready not knowing when this dance would start she ahd to make sure to be ready to go when they needed to be.::

:;Salice smiled she knew she might be late to this ball if Devron didnt walk in that door in five seconds. she pondered going with out him,would he mind? she doubted it, but she would have to bring someone with eher to help her watch her dauughter and who would watch Vanya, the water mage rose and smiled to Kahn before heading off to make a few contacts::

Now back at home Salice took Lona up to bed, and Devron would go up with her. Now he had the chance to make up for lost time.

Audrey would take Vanya up for a nap as well before joining Kahn in the lounge ;: I have made my choice... ::she sat down beside him now,it had taken some deep thought but she had made her choice.::

::Audrey gazed back to him,she knew Salice and Devron wouldn be seen for a while. And now with Vanya down for her mid-day nap,she could really take the time to finally tell him her choice:: Though I do enjoy.. ::she touched her neck softly at that spot and then looked back to him:: I have chosen the soul path... ::She gazed to him, she was still totally surpised about all of this, he ahd offered to help her,which emant they would be connected like Vic and Shea... He would always feel ehr and she him.::

:: Audrey blinked her eyes opne and gazed to him her hand in his:; well that wasnt so... hard.. ::she smiled to him brightly:: are ye all right :;she knew that ahd taken alot of focus and power::

::Audrey inched in closer and closed her eyes as she rested her head against his shoulder,she felt different,as if she was more connected not only to him but to every thing else, she didnt know much of magic she had some of her own, but it never did come easy. She nestled in against his shoulder eyes closed witha breath::

::Night fell upon the kingdom of GreenStone once more.::

::Salice stood on the embattlements looking out towards the mountains,thinking of all the things that had changed. Then came the breeze.She smiled and closed her eyes. The night air was warm and wonderful. Then came the papers of allaince as if upon mere whim. She took them in hand and smiled she would make copies of them through magic of coarse and send a copy back to thh rulers of the kingdoms of the elven lands,Nosgoth and Crendia.::

::once she had that done she would send them off with a word:: Lema ed' templa :: the copies would then shimmer out of view and appearon the desks of the kings or queens of the lands that were now all allies.::

::Salice turned her blue on blue gaze to Kahn, down on one knee her brows rose softly:: The allainces have been sent out,we are allies now,raise Lord Alcar...ye not bow to me...:: she smiled softly to him:: Thank you,though :: she looked back out across the village,Lona was sleeping and Devron was gone again gone at dawn this morning.A king yes he might have been but he was a knight first,her fingers slid over the hilt of that sword she had not pulled since she was with child,and had not used saved to knight fellow members of the kingdoms...::

::She took in the air,and the wind touched ehr hair,her sisters were not here,Shavyn was in Crendia with Kulbin...and Shea in Nosgoth and Rhydin,spring was getting hotter the summer season was coming...and the former high knight now queen was ready for anyother change::

::She nodded to him softly:: these lands are everything to me...I found Nosgoth most lovely,very wild. ::she smiled then:; I am happy for my sister ::meaning Audrey:: To have found a man that truly loves her...::she looked out tot he lands again:: Nae,my place is as queen... my time as a knight and lady of these lands ended when my brother died...but I enjoy being Queen, the people need a good leader :: she leaned softly on the embattlements:: I just miss my husaband,since weve been married i feel like i see him less and less, with his sduies in Iron-Winds I know he goes beacuse he must....but hes missing his daughter....::she leane doff the embattlements and turned again to face Kahn::

::Salice smiled tot hat softly:: thank you for your offer Lord Kahn, and if it were up to em Id be packed and out the door with mydaughter now,and leave this kingdom in your and Audreys hadns while ,but it is not simply up to me...::she shifted her hands through her hair:: but perhaps I shall take ye up on the offer any how...::she smiled again and headed for the door back in to the castle:: for a few days I will let ey and audrey take care of things hee should either of my sisters return they will be in charge till I return,if they do not I leave my people in your and Audreys hands... till I return to the castle :: she opened the door and passed with in,it wasnt thats he didnt trust Audrey or that she didnt trust Kahn,it was just the way::

:;The guards would eye him a moment before letting him do as he wished being he was an ally and all, Monn Salices horse would have to be hitched tot he carriage so that both mother and child could ride in comfort. There was a small white carriage that would suit that ned quite well,::

::Salice nodded to him and left the kingdom in his and audreys hands::

::Audrey had just taken Vanya out of the bath and was now drying and dressing her,then Vanya skipped out of the room,as Kahn came in::

Aye Kahn? ::brows perked as she rose,cyan hues looked on:; Is all set then? Salice on her way to Devron?

::Audreys brows perked:; she acutlaly left? and we are in charge? :;Audreyw as surpised,justa bit when Jinnalt was king and she was amrried to him she had never felt like a queen,never felt liek a ruler,though it was in her blood.Now they had that big castle to them selves and people to keep watch over,and thank god it was a peace time no wars to worry about::

I shall not let Salice down

::Audrey smiled and leaned softly in to his embrace.Audrey had been queen for two years and knew how hard this job was and how tursting Salice was of her and Kahn:: aye we will do just fine... ::she kissed his cheek softly::

::Salice arrived in Iron-winds and spoke with Caleb Evermore about where Devron was, and she found that he had not returned from his late night patrol Salice worried she had not seen him since the night in Nosgoth the summer fest was coming soon,and every day he missed his daughter was a day he could never get back.::

- Kahn grinned to Vanya, as he rested with Audrey in the garden, having taken care of a few things that needed attention, so things wouldn't get backed up and dropped in Salice's lap. -


You throw one more petal at us..I'm going to chase you around this garden. - A joking narrow eyed glance towards Vanya, as the days passed...he had taken a more fatherly role in helping Audrey with caring for her daughter. -

Why you little imp! - He grinned to that, before kissing Audrey on the cheek, then slowly stood up, and started to casually walk towards the fountain. He seen where Vanya went..but he was going to play along as he looked around. -


- He had fallen for Audrey when they first met, and was glad to be a father figure for Vanya, as well as being in love with her mother. -

I can too...and I do not look pretty with flowers in my hair. - A pout towards Vanya in play as he chased after her, not really trying to catch her, but still was enjoying himself, as he cast a look towards Audrey as she laid down..only to make some rose petals appear, then fall on her. -