Zara had no lantern. The tunnel was dark, the sun light now behind them. Delan walked at her side at the same pace. They had no issues with seeing in the dark. The moment they walked in to the cave Zara's eyes adjusted. True she had not grown up in the tunnels of Abban but like many drow kin she could see just fine in the darkness. But that didnt mean she had to like it.

She did miss the sun already. The sound of the birds. It would be night soon, she could tell by the change in temputre in the tunnel.Since they were still close enough tot he cave entrance . That alone would provide the time of day for now, once they got deeper she knew the days and nights would bleed together. Heading east, as directly as possible. Shed run in to no touble in these tunnles when running from Renald and the other slavers. But she hadnt gone that deep.

In Abban there had been dangers. Ruvyn had told her of them all. Orcs,goblins.The least of their worries. There were giant insect like things that crawled the lower and higher reaches. Though at the moment the tunnel wasnt that high. If she reached up she could touch the tunnel ceiling. It was wide, at least the size of ten people standing side by side.

There were other creatures they might come across,beings that were golum like creatures. There was also cave trolls,or ither such beasts. She choose her footing carefully,trying to pass through the tunnels as quickly as possible. If they could avoid danger it would make this long dakr journey better. They walked on in to the deeping dark.

Delen looked back to Zara for a long quiet moment, before he relaxed a bit. "Just trying to keep my mind off of what happened earlier is all." Honestly answering her as he started to eat slowly again, as he glanced from her to the glowing crystals again. Enjoying the peacefullness that seemed to be within the cave with them. It was a nice moment to relax in.

Another glance to Zara for a moment, before he suddenly leaned towards her and kissed her cheek. Not saying anything as he leaned back to finish the food. Before moving to lay down on his sleeping bag, with his hands moving behind his head.

It was later when Zara woke to find Delan gone. She shot up from her rest and was about to call out to him. But then she saw him at the end to the tunnel.The fire was out, his weapons with him. Zara drew up her bow back over her arm and went to join him. They never took their swords or daggers off.Nor their wuivers, everythign was kept close at hand. Bows usually were laid side by side within reach. "What is it?" She crept beside him.

"I woke before, hearing a sound. I thought it might be more cave rats.. but look." He motioned with his bow . The tunnel they were in stopped there and dropped many miles down. There were rope bridges and natural rock bridges linking up tunnels across the way. And below them, a city.

"Drows?" Zara peered in to the gloom that was now lit by brightly glowing blue crystals below them. " No drow made this city.." He pointed to a bunch of workers. "Dwarves.." Zara breathed , she knew that in these moutnians there were likely serval dwarven camps but this was a large city. "They must be mining out the gold, or silver from The Bailion. " Delan looked down around more, there were forges, and homes, shops and cobbel like streets. And at the far end sun light. "They are traders and miners.."


He motioned to the light coming from the end of the cavern,it was dulling moon light. . Zara nodded. "We could be spotted, dwarves and drow have not always gotten along.there has been tension between the two speices for centries. " Delan nodded and pulled his hood over his head and face. "Dwarves and elves get along fine though." Zara nodded. "Yes, but if they think were radiers they will not like me either."She was quick to pull her cloak from her bag and put it on, only shifting her quiver and bow as she did so.

"It is dawn." The light from the cyrstals started to fade the light out side growing brighter. "They will move then, and so should we. Across the way on to the east."

He winked at her and kept on walking. "Whats so funny?" She asked as they walked through the tunnels. "You called me your husband. But would you love a man like you described, mute with a burned and ruined face..?" She stoped in her walk and eyed him. "If that man was you, yes.."

He linked his hand with hers and walked on. "It was the only way they would have let us pass."He nodded. "Then if we should pass any more dwraves am I to be your husband then as well?" She smiled a little but didnt answer.

They kept on their walk till the blue crystals shown brightly. They were within a deep tunnel the air had grown cooler.

~~~

Around a small fire they sat eating mushrooms and cave rats. "I miss the tatse of fresh good meat and veggies."She tossed the rest of the rat bones in to the fire. Delan nodded doing the same. "How long till Hael?" She shrugged, there was no way to tell how far Haelw as now, they were to deep. "It could be days or weeks away. Were too deep I can't tell. " They were at least still heading the right way.


It always amazed Zara that she slept so weel there in the tunnles. But then Delanw as there beside ehr holding her through the night. She always enjoyed waking beside him wth him already awake and looking down at her. Though this jounrey was hardly her favorite part of the way home, she was enjoying her time there with Delan.

~~~

They kept on their way at dawn.Treking to the east tot he best of the knowledge.


They walked hand in hand when they could and always on alert.

They didnt have to wait very long. A half hour passed and the goblins were on the move. Sent out the first line of defense. Golbins were lower in staus to Orcs, but they could fight and die well. Zara and Delan hid as the first patrols passed them they followed like shadows.

When the goblins went back down to the city. The two elves moved on throught he tunnles shadowing other patrols. They were lucky so far.

They were nearly clear Zara could tell by how the patrols moved that soon they would be free from shadowing the stinky little creatures. But then suddenly the patrol thy had been followinf turned towards them and ran. Not in attack but in retreat. The goblins didnt even notice them or if they did they didnt care.

Delan looked ahead in to the tunnle. Goblins were dumb, not really. Theyw ere juste asily convinced by laregr beings. As he peered in to the blackness he saw it coming.It was long, at least six feet, it had six legs three on either side. It crawled along quickly,darting after fleeing cave rats.Its head was massive, as large as the bolders it passed.


Large mandibles reached out snapping,and a nice set of sharp teeth when it opened its jaw. A horn like hook hung off its short stubby nose, and a long tail hung up above its body. That tail had a similar hook on its end. Zara drew her bow and fired at the massive thing that came crawling their way, the arrow though enchanted by ice boucned right off its hard shell.

"Thats not going to work."Delan cried and drew out hiw swords. They were alive with fire the next moment and Zara had to shield her eyes. The creature let out a loud screech.That rocked Zara to her core. It shot out at Delan with those massive mandibles. It seemed to be scared of the fire. Zara had never seen this type of creature before. But it made sense that if would fear fire. For it lived in the deep darkness. She coudlnt summon fire. Only Ice, but ice could be bright as fire. If anything she could help Delan fight, if not with sword or bow than with magic.

As Delan slashed at the creature she focused on the few small blue crystals that barely glowed at all and they got brighter and brighter, that wuld help to blind the creature.

Later after they were washed, changed and well fed they sata round a small fire. "We make a good team."She smiled to him as they lay there nose to nose. "Aye we do." He kissed her softly, and she returned that kiss with great vigor. "Giving me my reward fine lady?" She chuckled softly, " you bested the beast, with my help." He nodded, "Aye..a shared reward then?" She smirked to the look on his face, even after all that being with him reminded her to relax and live in the moment. "A shared reward."

It had been too long. Much too long since she felt his kisses trail over her body.Since his eyes lingered on her eyes,then over her body spred out before him. Too long since they had last been together.



Day and night were getting easier to distinquish. Delan was catching on to it as well, .The night was lit up by the blue cyrstals,like little stars in the blackness. Thedays were warmer, and although no crystals glowed they foudn their way easly. Zara wondered if this was beacuse they were both creatures born to darkness. The drow. Drow kin could se very well in the dark of the deepest tunnels and caves. No elf nor human could see as well.

There were dangers here, but there was beauty as well. From the citys they had seen, both dwarven and golbin kind. To the tunnles both hand craved by fine miners and made by running waters.

They moved throught he day light hours, kowing that soon Hael would be in view. No longer would they have to eat cave rats and mushrooms. They would have their fill of fine food and drink once at The Clover Inn.

The smell of the earth was alla round them, so musky and deep.

With every passing step Zara moved knowing the people of Eyllis needed her. Delan moved as if he knew his fmaily was there as well under the careful watch of the Collector.His sisters,mother and possibly even his father. All captive for so long. He held ont o hope, so did she. She could not let worry burry her down. She had to keep going for her friends and family.

As they walked she knew she was ucky to have him by her side. ALone she woudlnt have made it this far. No alone she would have died long ago,by the dragons claws or the masive sting of that insect they killed hours ago.

To fail meant that her family and his would die. That Eyllis would die under the slave trade. No one would be safe.. and all that was green and all those that were good would be gone. So on ward tot he west they treked through the day and mot of the next night.

She felt down trotten,defeated by these dark tunnles with their monsters and mayhem. She longer to linger there in the light and fresh air, but they had to press on. Delan had basked for a moment taken a few deep breaths of the cool fresh air then continued on.Zara soon followed. He knew his way now, they had been down here long enough for him to know which was was north,south, east was ahead of them and west was behind.

"We can not loose hope,Zara."He said a while alter as they walked in the darkness. "Eyllis is waiting for us, your family and mine need us." he took her hand and they walked on.

Day turned to night and the glow of the crystals shown brightly blue. They walked on at a steday pace not making camp, not stoping to eat nor drink.Everything was done on the march. They came to a break, the tunnle broke off in to three ways.Delan pointed tot he right one before she could say a word. Yes he was becoming good at knowing his way with no sun or stars to guide him.

They were not alone there. For a mile now they had been followed by soft footfalls, not heard by either elf. Zara was about to say something,the hairs on the abck of her neck stood up,somethign was amiss ahead. But before she could voice this a globe of darkenss descended over both their heads. Any normal elf wouldnt have been able to see within, but Zara could. Delan could as well. Both had their weapons drawn whent he globes lifted there stood thrity drow elves, cross bows leveled on them, blades drawn.

Zara looked around, these were the same drows theyd seen a few miles back. They ahd followed them and cut them off. She held up her gloved hands, "Vedui' il'er."She bowed greeting the drows in elvish.

" Ply'uss nina." They spoke in drow. That lessoned Zaras hopes that they had udnerstood her, but she understood them. It was all to clear. "They mean to take us captive." There were at least thrity darke lves there, there would be no hope of fighting their way out of this. Delan sheathed his blades,Zara did as well. They were taken with force back the way they had come and down the tunnel to the south.

"News had reached my ears about the two rangers in the tunnles." Had the drow been following them this long, long enough to know their names, but Zara knew they had never spoken a last name nor anything of Shynt Raena.

"You look like her, like Kalea." There was sadness in his voice. "You knew my mother?" He nodded, "I loved her, dispite what Ruvyn might have told you about me." Now he spoke her brothers name, who was this man?

He saw the look on Zaras face the fireceness in Delans eyes. "Forgive me, I am Riz Kenai Auvry."He bowed his head.

Riz had led them to a priavte chamber with a large bed, the night was upon them as the many crystals about glowed, there were many"houses" in the city of Bailion Drow. All lit up by blue crystals. Zara saw no signs of Lloth worshipers. No spiders nor pirstesses. Female drow walked about in the same mannor she did, like warriors. Some wore robes like a mage. "Eilitraee is who we send our prayers to. We try to keep the peace with the local dwarves and other kinds about, our warriors kill orcs, and trolls and aid the fine smiths of the mountian. "


Zara nodded. Riz looked to his daughter. Then to Delan. "I was wondering if you and I might speak.."He looked to Delan, they were the same height, nearly the same build. But Delans eyes were silver and withheld that deep fire. "Alone?"

Riz nodded, then snapped his fingers. Two female drow suddenly appeared. " These are Ayae and Csharynn. "Zara bowed to them. "Show Zara the sights of the city,and we will meet you in the hall when the moon is high." The females nodded. "This way lady Zara.." Ayae spoke she was short, wth very short silver hair and her eyes.. her eyes were green, not red.

Csharynn was tall, her hair was long, down her back in a braid, her eyes were ruby toned. Zara looked to Delan who nodded. Then she walked off with the two females. Looking back once at her father and Delan.

Riz led Delan along till they were in a large room behind closed doors. "This is my house, nothing like Auvry. But still mine. "

It was like a large complex of drow style buildings. Riz walked ont hrough the massive entry hall where a scuplture of Eilitraee . She was lovely, naked save for a slight purple toned shift. Her hair silver along her back, her eyes to Delan's amazement were the same tone as Zara's own.

There were natural stair ways ahead of them leading up and away, the hall continued on down in to the dim blue light. Riz stopped and turned to look at Delan.

"You love her.. my daughter yes?"


~~~

Delan was taking in the sights around him as Riz showed him around, before looking to the woman when she spoke of Zara. Taking note of the tone of her question, before he moved to continue on. " I do love your daughter very much. She is scared that I will leave her, though she has no need to fear that. I plan on staying by her side for as long as she wishes for me to be by her side." Turning to look at Riz, as if guessing that is what she really wanted to know.

Riz smiled lightly. Zara had not spoken a word to him about ehr feelings for Delan.Riz just knew beyond a doubt how his daughter was.

"Good..good.She will need you in the battles to come." They came through a large arched doorway in toa room it was large and square on the walls hung every possible weapon anyone could ever desire to have, of ever make in every metal. Bows of every type of wood, along with quivers and quivers of arrows.Enough for a massive army. "My war room, items collected over time. I saw that Zara carries with her Mori'quessir elg'cahl. Ruvyn must be in dire straights to have sent that to her. I know you both carry fine weapons, and bows enough things to easily coat with the posion. But I have something better."

He crossed the room towards the far back was a large gilded chest. He knelt before it and spoke in drow and the lid opened. He with drew a dagger and gauntlet. The dagger was sheathed ina simple yet some how elegant sheath. For anyone could see it flowed with magic. Riz slid the gauntlet on and then withdrew the dagger form its sheath. It was a lovely piece of craftmenship. The blade was red,the guard, hilt and handle were all mithral. "This dagger was given to me by my father.. "He spoke softly.

'The Collector . Helkaer 'Ksher ,Erlan as I once knew him, my half brother. He stole the power of a great wizard who lived in Snow Haven when he was justa boy, twisted even then. My father had this forged by the finest smiths, blessed one could say by powerful magics..then gave it to me.Thinking one day Erlan would seek me out.. but the day never came.. I was too late to save Zara's mother.. to late to hope to save the woman I loved. I am a rogue yes, I have loved many women in my many decades. But Kalea Ilri fills my memory most. She and Zara look much alike. "He shook off the memory.


"Zara could likely weild this dagger. It pusles with power, but it would harm her.. " Delan might notice the balde how it pusled with fire.. the very core seemed to burn red hot. Riz held it firm with his hand and arm in the gauntlet. "I even have issues with it, even with its mate on."Meaning the gauntlet. "I want you to take both."

He sheathed the dagger and took off the gauntlet. "You may not need the gauntlet... "Yes he knew Delans power. "But you should take it just incase. This dagger chath'ELGHINN. will be the death of Helkaer 'Ksher . Its essance is pure fire.. its blade will never dull nor need tending to.. and will cut through anything, even solid bone, or rock. Its a master against ice.." He held it out to Delan.

"I can not offer my men, I wish I could. But I offer you this,in hopes that it finds a home in Helkaer 'Ksher's black heart. You must make sure Zara never touches it unless shes wearing the gauntlet, it would kill her instantly with just one touch. This with Mori'quessir elg'cahl will be the tools you both need to win the war that is coming."

Riz watched as Delan took the dagger and gauntlet, slipping the gauntlet on. His eyes wavored to the painting of his long dead beloved. "Elves, even Drow elves are long lived. Immortal some might say. Now after all my long years I think, one man could love one woman all his life.. and be much the better for it. "He looked back.

Riz didnt seem surpised tos ee the dagger react to Delan as it had.Roaring to life quite fully. chath'ELGHINN knew its wielders. It responded to each person differently. "The dagger agrees with you, I have only ever seen it do that one other time."Looking to the sword Delan now held. " My father held much power, it did that for him, long before the blade was ever passed to me. chath'ELGHINN . Or Death by Fire as humans or other elves woudl say. Is one fo a kind, Its older than most any other weapon I have here. "

He paced away nodding to himself, or perhaps Delan, or maybe the painting of Kalea. He turned back towards Delan. " The dagger chooses who it wants, its not alive, not really. But it feels things, magic and power. It will respond to your style of fighting,with out you ever needing to pratice with it. It will be anything you wish it to be, dagger, short shor, long sword. Any style of blade. It may even do more than that. "

He smiled softly. "Use it well. "He looked towards the double doors which were closed. "I am sure Ayae and Csharynn have shown Zara all that is fit to see, she is likly waiting for us in the great hall. We should go, join her, have some food, drink. "

When they came back to their room to retire. Zara did not question Delan about the new addition to his weaponry. She felt as if it had been something between Riz and Delan.

" We are to leave tomorrow." Said as she lay down beside him. "We could stay longer.I know you wish to learn more about this place, and your father." Zara nodded, she did wish to learn more. "Every day we tarry, Eyllis and its people die. If we survive the coming fights.I will return to learn more about this city and my father."

"When we survive." He sounded very sure that they would live to adventure again. She smirked at him. "Are you going to tell me what you and my father spoke about?Or do I have to guess?"

Delan smirked at her and with drew the dagger in its sheath from his side he was still wearing the new gautlet. "He gave me this. chath'ELGHINN . Or Death by Fire. And its gautlet which is supposed to protect the wearer from harm. " Zara looked at the fine dagger. She did not need him to tell her not touch it, she already knew. "A powerfull weapon. He gave it to you beacuse its a fire sword,and it will kill Helkaer 'Ksher ." Delan nodded and tied laid the dagger in it sheath beside the bed along with the gauntlet. "Your father gave it to me,and the dagger reacted to my touch as he ahs not seen in some time. He said that this dagger was meant to kill Helkaer. So that must mean I am meant to kill him."


Zara crossed over to him,padding across the floor bare foot. "Along with
the drow posion my brother sent me.. we should be able to get clsoe to him. But we will have to figure out how to ge in to Eyliss."

Delan nodded and wrapped his arms about her and tugged her close. "We will find a way." She smiled up at him. His warm fingers brushed along her cheeks and through her hair.

The room Riz had gifted them with while there with the Bailion Drow was one of the few that opened up to the world outside the tunnles. The Balcony was a rare thing, and it was not large,nor very grand.But it did open up to the mountain air. It was magical, for it would open at the will of thsoe who stayed within that room, and close as soon as they left the fresh air behind.

Zara had woken up to find him gone. She was rather used to his nice warmth when sleeping, and the cool of fresh air woke her. She knew the room had a balcony that opened up to the fresh mountain air. Rising from the bed she crossed towards the balcony. She stopped when she ehard him speaking. She knew he spoke to the open air,the sky the moon.. She didnt say a word, didnt make a sound.

She knew he would die for her, as she would willingly die for him. She started on this journey to free Eyllis. To rid her homeland of the slavers that had ruined her life, and killed off so many. But now she had been going back for two reasons. Delan needed to find his family.. whow as held captive by her own flesh and blood. She had never known that, not till she learned the name of the Collector.

She looked at him there, with his head bowed under the pale moon light. She loved him so much. She wnated to go to him at that moment, wrap her arms around him. She wouldnt stop till he found his lost family.

She took a breath. and padded out behind him. She reached up and traced the soft beams of moon light that went over his shoulder. She knew he might be shocked , she hadnt made a sound. Her hand was cool as it touched his warm skin. " Mela en' coiamin .. you know I would fight and die for you as well.." She so rarely spoke elven, but the phrase was fitting, he was and would always be the love of her life..

She snuggled close to him.It was not yet dawn. But Zara was wide awake.Her cold fingers traced slow trails along Delans bare chest. She smiled sofly,thinking of the eve before. It reminded her of the apssions they ahd shared on the long road here.

Her eyes were closed but she still knew where ehr fingers moved, along is bare arm,then down his chest, her fingers left little coolt rails of ice, that melted the moment her finger moved on. His body was so warm, he likely didnt feel her cold touch. Or if he did he hadnt woken yet. She opened her eyes to look up at his sleeping form.

She knew she could lie there forever. She would have no need to ever move. She knew dawn was still at least two hours away, by the dull glow of the crystals in their room. Once dawn broke they would be on their way back towards Hael.. and Eyllis. She lifted her head from the little nook along his arm and ran her fingers through her hair. She didnt want to wake him, so carefully she slipped from the bed. She dawned her night gown and a little robe and slipped out to the balcomy where hours before shed come upon Delan under the pale moon light,


With her eyes closed she let the cool air surround her. Winter had sunk in to the mountians of Bailion. There would be snow in Eyllis, and likely snow in Hael. The cold didnt bother Zara she felt welcomed by the weather. The wind spoke to her,the little flakes of snow danced around her as if they welcomed their goddess. " Mother... Father. I retunr home to your gaves, undug,unmarked. Ibaea may be gone. All that I knew might be lost. Cesio pass will be crawling with slavers,witht hose looking for me and Delan. Teien is lost I know.. what of all the tribal lands? Did they burn? If everyone I knew and loved is hidding in Taindira forest, is everything else gone? " She pressed her hads to the stone railing. "Will I find my friends.. my family alive? Ny, Eli, Dho? Their families...Luana and Llewellyn.. Tanseril,Elara,Keelin.. Ruvyn. " She leaned a little deeper. "And what of Delans family? Does the Collector hold them hostage? "

She gripped the railing hard. The wind raced around her, the snow flakes danced down and settled at her feet. The snow that landed on her did not melt, nor did it bother her. "I swear, He will die. Helkaer 'Ksher will die. No slaver shall stand in my way, and none will survive. I will get our home back, our family..Delans family. "

She took a deep breath. "You would both like him so much.. you knew him so biefly. He carries your broadsword Atar. And he gave me back your neckless Atara. I have never loved someone as I love him. Hes amazing in every way, the way he loves me, would fight for me. As I would fight for him. I worried about our future. What was to come.. what is to come. But I do not worry any longer. We live each day to the fullest. " She closed her eyes again. " Perhaps when all this is over, when we are finally able to rest knowing all is well, those we love and the land I love. Perhaps then we might get married." She smiled to the idea.

Dawn broke through the mountains then.Casting its light through the ravine,down across the valleys and in to their tunnel room. Zara blinked lightly.It had been long since they say the light of day.

A knock came to the door. Zara left the perch and went to answer it. Csharynn stood outside the door in her mage like deep blue robes. "Quel amrun, Zara. I hope you slept well." Zara smiled and nodded. "Good morning Csharynn. " The drowess smiled, "There is to be a breakfast set for you and Delan, in the hall where you ate dinner last eve. In a few moments it will begin,I was told to come anf fecth you both."

Zara nodded, "Let me just wake Delan, we can dress and be right out." Csharynn nodded, "I shall wait."

Zara lightly closed the door and padded back to the bed to wake Delan but the bed was empty and made. She heard the tale tell signs that he was in the shower. The water would be cold but that wouldnt bother him. So she dressed placing her things away for the road ahead and laying they out on the bed.

She knocked on the bathroom door. "Breakfast is set.. hurry up."

She swore she heard him snicker and tell her to come in and get him herself. But she paid it no mind. "I will not, I am dressed already, and if you do notcome I will eat all the food."

She heard him chuckle more clearly now. As he opened the door a bit of steam came out, his hot skin and the cold water fogged up the room. "I am almost ready.."He stole a kiss and went back in to finish dressing.

Riz,Csharynn ,Ayae were the ones to lead them out. They were bid a fond farewell by all whom they passed. Through the crystal lighted tunnles they went.

They walked in silence till they reached then end of the drows reagion. Ayae and Csharynn bowed and said their goodbyes to both and then faded away down the tunnel. Riz looked to them both. "This is where I elave you, Hael whould be about two days that way." He pointed off to the east. " Go in hopes to free Eyllis. Go and fight well and return here one day."

He looked to Delan, not speaking but his eyes spoke words to the young man, to keep Zara safe. Riz then looked to his daughter, "fight well, and keep safe."He emraced her for a long moment before nodded to them both then fading away down the tunnel. Zara watched him go ebfore heading off to the east for the last of this long dark walk.

She thought about her father as they walked away.. put miles between them and the realm of the Bailion Drow. When Riz bid them goodbye, Zara could tell he lamented that he could not be of more aid to those in Eyllis. But she understood, while Ruvyn and she would be in dnager tillt he slavers were gone, this was his home, these were his people. The slavers could never learn of them, or else risk the safty of the Bailion Drow.

Zara hoped that one day after all the mess in Eyllis was over that she and Delan, perhaps even Ruvyn could return here to learn more of these drow and her father. But now, now was not the time. They had been shown the quickest route away from the undercity, and bid farewell, and would be weclomed back at any time.

Delan didnt speak of what he and Riz had said to one another. But Zara told Delan of all the wonders she had seen within the undercity. The things she had caught on to. But she left what Riz and Delan had spoekn of between them two. In a days ime maybe elss they would break free of the tunnels and out a cave mouth in to the light and then they would be one step closer to Hael.. and freeing Eyllis.

She looked over to Delan as they walked away back downt he dark tunnles. "Yes, The Collector, my own kin.. my uncle by all rights. "She knew, Riz had not hidden that from her. " I am glad you two spoke. " Her brows rose to him as they walked hand in hand. "I know you do not intend to run off Delan. But you can hardly promise anything, there is a fight coming, or many fights, perhaps a war. You nor I can make any promises. Only to live each day, to fight when we must, but to live fully. "

She looked ahead in to the growing darkness, they had left the Bailion Drow settlement behind, and now the light of the blue crystals was fading in to soft low lit , and some very dark tunnels ahead.

The darkness was dimming. The crystals were less and less. The days had passed easily. And now she could see the sun light ahead of them. The sound of birds filled her ears. Before they took another step Delan stopped and looked form the light to her. Before she could ask him anything he leaned down to her and kissed her. It as a slow deep kiss that lifted her to her toes.

When at last the kiss was broken she slid her fingers down across his chest. He smiled to her, "I don't know whats coming,or when we might get moments alone again. But never doubt for a moment that I love you. "

She smiled and ran her fingers to rest over his heart. "As I love you. What ever comes, we face it together."

They turned and heaed in to the light then holding up their hands to let them adjust to the brightness. Zara tooka deep breath,looking around tos ee the ground was thick with snow. When they ahd left on this journey it it had been fall, and early in the season it was now deep in winter. Her skin welcomed the cold, she didnt even shiver as a cold wind whipped up past them. And below just to the south downt he little pathway she could see Haels Northen most gate. The city was busy, the snow had been pushed off the streets but still covered the roof tops. And she could see there were more gaurds about the road and at the gate.

She looked to Delan. They had trouble with gards before. Drow were not always welcomed. But Hael had always been different. She took his hand in hers and led the way downt he little roadway towards the gates.It was nice to smell the air, even if it was winter and no flowers were in bloom, she could smell the trees, the fires burning,bread being baked and spices in the air that wafted towards them from Hael.

She left her hood down and Delan followed her example.

Whent hey reached the gates there were eight men standing outside, four with swords four with spears, on the wall above along the gaurd towers stood archers watching them and the surround.

"State your business." They looked as if they had seen a few more battles than normal. Zara looked from the archers ont he wall tot he guard that had spoken. " We are here to stay at the clover inn and speak to Sydney Moon." The guard tooka few steps forward.

"And you are?" Zara looked to him, he was young for a guard but his face showed sings that whatever youthfull joy he had once had was gone from his eyes. "I am Zara Idande ranger and warrior of Eyllis and this is Delan Dulthaas ranger and warrior with me."[/color

]The guard looked to her then to Delan. He nodded slowly then. "You both may pass."

The gates were opened and they were allowed in.