Cloaked and hidden for one moment before the wind tossed that dark blue hood back. Raven locks went flying into the cold wind filling with the snow that slowly fell. The road under her booted feet was not slick but she walked slowly nonetheless while clutching her left arm with her right hand and checking over her shoulder back down to the shoreline.

The walk towards the door seemed to take forever as she clutched her arm in pain, her green glove now covered with her own blood. The wind had whipped past her cloaked face and pushed the cloak back. Emerald hues starred at the door, and with a step she knocked right in to it, slipping a bit.

Thud. Right into the door did her right shoulder go and it sent a waft of pain through her whole body.

Wounded and cold and too far from the city or home to head either place for aid, she leaned on the door of the castle she had sworn never to have seen before. There was no king or queen in Rhydin,least not that she knew of. Perhaps it was a duke's home or a lord of this further reach of the city.

It did not matter to Aria at the moment. She had come all this way just to get away, to find what answers she dared to seek out on her own. But now having been attacked by a bristly thing on the coastline, the castle looked all too welcoming to her eyes.



Raven tendrils fell over her flushed cold cheeks as she knocked on the door with the tip of her boot, hoping against hope that someone was home, hoping that whomever lived here would be kind and allow her to come in just long enough to at the very least tend to her wounds. She needed to wash and dress those long scratch marks upon her left arm, they ached with pain as the cold air touched them. Blood still ran down her arm and into her gloved hand that was clasped tightly about those four long marks that ran from elbow to wrist. She kicked the door again, knocking.

A heavier lean was given against he door frame still ."Tua." She whispered softly as the wind blew towards the door, and she huddled in to her cloak.

The chill in the air stung not just her wounds but the tips of her Elven ears and her nose. Her fingers clasped about that wound under gloved hand were cold, as well as that bloody glove took on a bit of frost. Fair cheeks were red, flushed from the cold. That wounded arm was numb from the pain of those long claw marks. If no one answered she would not know what to do.

She knocked once more with the tip of her boot kicking in to the heavy door. If any were at home - someone, a servant, a maid - would surely answer even now at this rather late hour. Surely she would awaken someone. She hated knowing that fact, but she would deal with the angry owner after she tended to more pressing matters.

Catching her footing as the door swung open. Aria glanced to the man who had answered the door as he spoke ,?You are hurt and cold,? He sounded concerned but Aria was still a bit wary. ?Please, come inside.? But since it was either stand outside and freeze or bleed to death she gratefully accepted the support as he put his arm around her shoulders. ?Lillian, prepare a room, and have hot water drawn. We'll need some warm food and drink also.?

Emerald hues flickered up to the woman, then back to the man who's arm was across her shoulders. "Diola lle," the Elven words slipped out. Elven was not the common tongue in Rhydin she knew this, but perhaps it was the cold to the sting of the wound that made her forget that fact. "Thank you."

Normally she would have taken a glance around, but there were more pressing matters. First she would forgive her rude arrival and then tend to her wounds. " Forgive me for such a rude entrance. But it was far too far to go into the city for aid." The words came slowly at first as if for a moment she had forgotten every word she ever learned of the human tongue, then the words came with more fluidity. With every step she took she felt as if the floor would fall out from under her.

Wounds were nothing new to her, she'd had her fair share since coming to the city and before hand as well but this was no normal wound. Long jagged claw marks that would take some time even with magic to heal. Her right glove was soaked in her own blood and the chill had made things all the worse. "You need not go through so much for me, if you have simple bandages that will do me fine." Aria didn't wish to be rude, even if she had shown up that way.

?Nonsense, my dear, there's nothing to forgive. You are wounded and in need of help and Count Longden will be furious if we don't take proper care of you.? Now the castle in Rhydin made sense it was home to a Count. Aria had met Counts and Lords before in her brief stead in Baris Village. Aria caught those odd glances the servants they passed gave to her, she wondered why they looked at her so.

?This is Count Longden?s castle you know, so Fortune has brought you to the right place. By the way, I?m Lord David Dupres, a personal friend of the Count.?

"I think it was more of an odd sense of luck and a touch of fortune that brought me here. Tonight has not been one of my best nights in this city. I had no idea Rhydin was home to any Counts. It is a pleasure to meet you M'Lord Dupres." Aria had learned that much in Baris,that Lords and Ladies of fine houses were to be treated as such, with respect and honor. "I'm Aria Valya of Eldamar Ennorath." It would be the first time she spoke of the lands she came from instead of the mountains in which she truly hailed from.

Then standing at the foot of the stairs she starred at them. They led up to a second level it seemed an awful long way to go. ?You have lost much blood and are weak. Here, let me carry you up.?

She didn't even have a moment to respond before he swept her up as if she weighed nothing at all. Though not heavy by any means that thick dark blue cloak and sheathed sword and dagger of hers had to weigh her down some. But still he lifted her without any effort at all. "Thank you," She wasn't about to argue not sure if she could have walked up that flight of stairs on her own.

Now lifted still clutching her left arm with her right hand she took the time to glance around the fine castle. Nothing like the castle in Baris. This one was older she could tell by the scent of musk, leather and dust. More elegant for sure the Baris castle had only two levels and it was not decorated well. This castle was lavish, the Count must have good tastes.

?Well, m?lady Aria Valya, I think that I?d have to agree with you that perhaps you've had better nights than this one, but we'll do our best here to make sure it ends on a good note.? Aria smiled, the term M'lady made her nose crinkle as she thought of the old days in Baris. "Aye, I do hope so."

Her good luck was not in abundance tonight. First, the late night of patrolling with Gabe and Ovlana had left her tired and a bit weary. Then the fight with Kegan, which had led her to the coastline and to the creature that had attacked her - that gnarled creature of fur and fang.

Emerald hues wept over the hallway, over the glass windows and the sconces that lit the hallway with light that no mortal eye could call true lighting. But Aria could see. Elven sight was better than normal mortals, and as she took upon those dark tapestries and portraits she wondered who the people portrayed in them were. They seemed like the types she was often told to stay away from when in the city common. Dangerous types with that sense of allure and power.

Once inside the room Aria took a good glance around. A canopied bed with the covers down and lamps on each side of the bed. The room reminded her of the rooms in Baris castle yet this one was far more lavish. ?This will be your room, Aria, and these women will serve you in any way you require.? Aria's gaze swept to Lillian and Ali.

They took her bloody green gloves and that heavy blue cloak, that had only a touch of blood upon it. It could be easily cleaned, but the gloves were ruined; yet another pair gone to Rhydin and its wild ways. Aria sat trying not to look down at her bloody arm, her shirt sleeve was ruined from elbow to wrist. Torn, tattered and bloody; yet more clothing lost to Rhydin.

?I would stay with you, but I think that would not be so appropriate whilst your wounds are being attended to.? She glanced from her arm to David as he bowed and took a step back. ?If you need anything at all, just let Lillian or Ali know, and I?ll be here immediately. I'll stop by in the morning to look in on you.? Aria was not used to being waited upon by servants of any kind. Even in Baris she would insist that she brush and feed Arda instead of the stable hands.

"Thank you very much." A slow steady bow was all else she would give before she glanced to those long scratches upon her left arm. They still stung and she knew it would take a few days even with magic for them to heal.

By then Kegan and Karnil would be gone and Gabe and Olvana would likely stay until she came back to the cabin, or go looking for her. Ebony tendrils fell forward out of that silver pin that held them steady behind her head. As they fell her ears twitched softly. Her eyes keenly steady upon her wounded arm.

Aria's gaze flickered between Ali,Lillan and the elder woman. Then back to Ali as she spoke. ?If you please Miss Aria, I would like to clean you up now.? Aria just nodded. As her shirt sleeve was cut. No real loss there.

?Oh dear, Miss Aria, this looks like a bad wound. We need to get it clean. This might sting just a little, and if it does, I apologize ahead of time.?

Aria winced softly as it did sting for a moment. But the pain would pass. They made sure she as clean as possible, both hands cleaned and her arm washed off.

Before the elder woman who was the nurse maid it seemed but that salve upon those long claw marks, as well as a bandage. "Thank you." Making sure to nod softly to her before she was gone from the room.

"We?ll help you with your clothes and get this nightgown on you, and then you can freshen up and get into bed. Are you hungry? We can have soup brought up, or perhaps some warm milk or cocoa? And when you require the bath room, it's right through that door."

" I could use a little something yes. Soup sounds fine. Ye need not help me get dressed.I am sure I am able enough." Then she looked to the door on the wall opposite of the bed where the bath room was, then towards the flicker of the fire light. The room was plenty warm.

"Thank you for your assistance. " Aria smiled softly, she didn't wish to be rude but they had helped her enough, being waited on was not her strong suit. "Just the soup shall do me fine."

She rose slowly flexing her left hand, at least every thing seemed to be working alright. Then those now clean nimble fingers moved to unclasp that belt about her hips. Once it was free she sat it down with her sheathed sword right next to it and her dagger that was with out sheath next to it.

Aria wouldn't let those go far from her sight or side for long. Again she sat and unlaced her boots and sat them by the fire so they would dry and be warm by morning. Emerald hues flickered tot he nightgown that had been brought for her, and her thin raven brows rose at it.

Lifting it up she folded it over ehr right arm and walked bare foot towards the bathroom.

"As you wish, Miss Aria. Lillian and I will leave you now, but I'll be back in just a few minutes with your soup."

Aria smiled softly to them both as they left the room that was to be hers for the eve. While in the bathroom she changed into the nightgown, and it fit her well enough for the night. She washed her face with cold water and brushed through her raven hair with her fingers. That wounded arm still ached and would likely do so for many days.

Aria sighed softly as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and then she turned around with her dirty clothes folded over her arm. She went out back into the room and placed those clothes upon the chair by the fire near her boots. Sitting down at the edge of the bed she lifted that dagger.

Once it was her father's dagger. The blade that glowed dimly red in the firelight of the dark room. That deep wine color of the blade shinning as she looked down upon it. So light in her hand, made of mithral, calen mithral, gold, copper and iron, the dagger was flawless save for the few marks she'd put into it over the years.

Perfectly balanced in her hand, with a finger she followed the curved edge that made it so perfect for throwing; the end of the dagger weighted just enough. She would not let it nor the sword she had forged herself go out of her sight. Both were laid on the bed, next to where she would lie, if she slept tonight. But soon she sat by the fire side looking into it as if it held some answers for her. She was sure by now Kegan had made his mind up to go home.

Her fingers rose and slid down that silver chain that held that woven ring, the ring that she knew she may never wear upon her finger again. But she didn't have the heart to part with it either. A tear slid down her cheek as she tried not to think of everything that had pushed her away again. " Namaarie,Melamin." She uttered the words to herself before she let the ring fall back in to place. Her gaze then shifted to focus upon the firelight.

Aria rose from the fire side in that nightgown and smiled softly to Ali "Thank you. It looks wonderful" taking up the spoon and starting to eat as the questions flowed. "Aye they are mine, I forged the sword myself, and the dagger once belonged to my father". :another bite taken and a nibble of the biscuit. " Tis very good soup and the biscuit is delightful."

An idle finger tucked those raven tendrils behind her pointed ears, most could usually tell she was Elven by just looking at her: her height, her fair skin, even when her ears were not visable. "Yes I am Elven. I don't mind the questions at all. A yes the nightgown fits fine. Though I am not used to such pretty things"


Aria was all to happy to have someone to talk to, knowing she would likely not get any rest even with the nice accommodations "I hail from Eldamar Ennorath.Actaully," another bite of biscuit and a sip of soup. "From Ered Lithui, a wide range of ashen mountains there". she then dunked the last bit of biscuit in to the boul to get the very last bits of broth.

?I?m glad you like what I brought up. The Count . . .?Arias ears perked to the whisper. ?he owns this castle, and he has the highest of standards that we all must maintain here." A slow nod to that then.


"As I have seen. " Meaning the castle, at least what she had seen so far. ?I would love to talk more. Maybe we can be friends.?

"I would like that, I do nae know many here in Rhydin." Her ears twitched as she heard the clock chime.

?I better go now, but I?ll return the first thing in the morning if that?s alright.? A nod to Ali then handing over the tray since she was done with the food. "Aye that would be fine by me, quel du." The elvish words slipped out again so easily, the words floated off her tongue.

Aria shifted upon the bed while watching Ali leave the room, and then rose and crossed to the fire, but did not go alone; she tugged that simple leather bound journal from the skin purse upon the bed and the quill along side of it. Before the fire light she would sit, emerald hues focused down on the embossed tree on the front of the journal. It was time for some deeper thoughts that only could be conveyed through pen to paper.


Most of the night Aria sat by the fireside, even after all words lost their meaning upon those bound pages of that journal. She knew she would have to get some rest if she wanted to heal those covered marks upon her arm, but she could not tear herself away from the fireside.

In the pre-dawn hours sleep at last took her, her weary mind put to rest till another day dawned. There in that chair by the fire, with her journal in her lap and pen folded into the pages, she slept with no weight upon her weary shoulders over what had passed days before.

"Aria" The voice was no more than a whisper in her sensitive ears, but she heard him. . ?Aria, it's Lord Dupres. I've come to see if you are well.?

Her eyes opened slowly before coming to focus upon the shape of Lord Dupres siting in a chair close to that one she had slept in overnight. As she moved she felt that journal shift upon her lap. She had not intended to sleep in the chair by the fire but some things just happen. "Aye." At last she mustered out the soft words, "I am fine." He had kept his word, honorable indeed. But those words she spoke were only a half-truth.


She felt well rested for only having a few hours of sleep, her arm was only a touch sore, under those bandages. She could feel her skin tingle,and twitch as the wounds were healing.

Now with the dawn so close she knew that all those troubles that seemed to float away the night before would soon break in to her mind once more.Her gaze drifted tot he fire light and the new logs there in, her emerald eyes were filled with the glow of the fire and her right hand came across her left arm and those banages. "Thank you for keeping your word,M'lord." Those eyes shifted again to him as she spoke.

?Dear Aria, why wouldn't I keep my word? I've been so concerned for you. I heard from the nurse that the wounds look like deep scratches from claws.? A slow nod was her reaction to that. "Aye,claws.Rhydin is full of dangerous foes. Dangers abound here. I am not used to people keeping their word. I thank you for your concern M'lord." She followed his gaze to that bandaged arm. ?You must have been through so much, my sweet.?

Her brows perked at his deep voice, so soft and comforting. "Yes, very much. Too much for one nights worth." As he brushed back her hair she smiled softly, and oddly those ever falling raven tendrils that he had pushed back stayed behind her pointed ear. ?I hope you're not leaving us this day, Aria. I would like some time to get to know you better. Unfortunately, I've been involved in an all night meeting and I need to sleep soon.?

"I am not going yet, its too far to go back yet, my wounds need time to heal. I need time to just.. " She didn't finish her thought touched by the fact that he wished to get to know her better she felt the same but would not voice it, "And I would like to stay, as long as it is no inconvenience to anyone. I have no plans to go anywhere. Sleep is important, I might even take in a bit extra myself."


A long glance was cast to the bed, which still lay with the sheets pulled up and her weapons upon the blankets. "'Tis been to long since I got a good nights rest." Those emerald hues fell upon him once more. "So you too should get what rest you need,for until these wounds are ehaed I do not think it would be wise of me to leave."

"I would like that. Tis been a long time since I've been in such a lovely castle. And in such good company. " Baris castle was not fancy and had far less good company, food or even servants.

?I must go, dear Aria. I do hope you feel better, but I need to leave.?

A soft subtle nod to that watching him move to the door, watching him open it then close it suddenly her thin raven brows rose, and wondered what was the matter.

"You know, I'm so tired, if you don't mind I think I'll just lay down here in your room today.? She watched as he pushed her weapons to the side a bit more. ?Would you mind??

He must be more weary than she was. "Nae, here. I'll move those out of your way." She was swift in her movements from that chair to the bed side. She swept up her sheathed sword and that dagger with nimble fingers and then that skin bag, made of dear skin, something very rustic.

Even with her arm bound she carried the sword across her arms, since she was still dressed in that provided nightgown and had no place else to place her weapons at the moment. The dagger she dangled from her fingertips. She crossed back to the chair with her journal.

The journal was lifted and the dagger placed upon the arm of the chair while she slid the journal back in to that bag, then she lay the sheathed Elven blade across the arms of that cozy chair and left her bag in the seat and lay the dagger on top.

She then crossed and made sure those shades were pulled so hardly any light touched the floor. Best to sleep with any hope of real sleep in the darkness or what dimness those shades could provide. Then she crossed with silent footfalls back to the other chair by the fire. She didn't mind if he stayed there, she was a guest after all. So she would sit in that other chair and let him rest.

She glanced up from the firelight and across the room to him as he spoke. She had no plans, she was just going to rest for the bulk of the day. But he was likely right the nurses would be back with breakfast for sure within the hour if not sooner. ?I must go. I ask but one favor. I must borrow the extra quilt on the bottom of your bed. You see, my room is very cold.?

A nod to that. "Ye may take anything ye need M'lord." She was not about to say 'no' he could take anything he needed, she was the guest here. She flushed softly at the kiss to her cheek and bowed her head to him as he left the room with the quilt over his head.

Once the door was closed she moved back towards the bed and relay her things down, then sat there. He had said something about dinner. With that thought she crossed back to where she had laid her pants, shirt and cloak. Surly not the sorts of clothing one wore to dinner in such a place. But she had not other cloths, not with her at the very least. The shirt was ruined one sleeve longer than the other, the black pants were far to simple and her black lace up boots were great for hunting and walking. But surely not the type of things shed wear to some grand dinner.

Perhaps she could persuade everyone she was to weak to attend.

Crossing slowly back to the bed she sat, now she knew she'd not be able to sleep. But she left the shades drawn, and just sat there, flexing the fingers of her left hand before lifting the bandaged arm up so those fingers could trace around the tattoo that adorned her right shoulder.

She had done her best not to think about everything so far, but she could feel the weight of that ring as it hung from that simple chain round her neck. Though it was such a small thing it felt very heavy. With a long sigh she lay back and closed her eyes, trying to push every stressful worry from her mind.

She lay there for so long that at last sleep would overcome her.Laying across the quiltless bed spread.

Alatariel came running to the door, gave a slight knock then opened it slowly. She was surprised to see Aria standing there. She hadn't heard the scream, but she was already on the way to her room.

"Aria, I'm so glad you're awake!" Ali's voice was so excited. "Lillian and I discovered where Lord Dupres goes when he sleeps!"

She grabbed Aria's hands. "Come! Come with us!" Ali giggled, "We going to go exploring in parts of the castle we've never been! It'll be fun! We'll have to be very quiet."

Ali was excited. This was definitely something they shouldn't be doing, but that made it all the more fun.

You know what they say about curiosity: it killed the cat.

Aria followed Ali,her left hand had left Ali's hands and now rested along that bandaged right arm. It was tender and throbbed with subtle pain. She paid it no mind, as the rush from the thrill of the hunt went through her veins. She wondered were exactly they were going, the castle had so many levels, they could be going anywhere. Within a castle so old, as Aria knew it had to be. There could be secret passage ways with ghosts in them, and this being Rhydin anything else could be lurking deep within the shadowed reaches of the castle.

She followed with slow tentative steps. "We going to go exploring in parts of the castle we've never been! It'll be fun! We'll have to be very quiet." Ali's words echoed in her mind as they walked being quiet as mice, sneaking along tot steal from the kitchen while the staff made dinner. The thrill made Aria tense, on alert, ready for action. It also made her arm tinge with that subtle pain,that was becoming not so subtle. Going to places unknown, and unseen was not usually done with such an abandon to caution.

When going out on a hunt one never went alone, and one never went unprepared for anything. Though Aria was slightly ready for anything she was still not at her best and it was certain that Ali and Lillian though they were experts at what they did were not trained fighters. If some danger should arise, they may all be in more peril than any of them knew.