A tall, cloaked figure appeared on the stairs of the Arena, drawing Xenograg?s attention toward the stairs as the image slowly descended the stone stairs. Xeno cocked his head and wondered to himself why the figure looked familiar until it pushed the hood off. Teleperien gave him a wide smile, ?Good eve.?

Xenograg?s mouth dropped open as she walked toward him. He blinked, rose and continued to stare at her as she unfastened her cloak and draped it over a chair. ?Hello old friend, it is you, yes?? He hesitated, knowing that this would be the perfect trap for him, but all of his senses told him this was Queen Teleperien.

Her dress was almost luminous, and her long legs peeked from the sides of the beautiful Elven gown, she smiled at him, assuring him that it was indeed she, as she asked if she could join him upon the caller?s couch.

Xenograg took her hands in his own, inviting her to join him. She took back her hand and embraced him in a warm hug, ?It is good to be home.?

He remained speechless as seeing his old friend appear unexpectedly at the Arena. She smiled, ?I wished to surprise you, I see I have.?

Xenograg confirmed that and soon Hubie appeared with a grin, bringing two cups of Eldarie tea for them. ?Thank you? Xenograg told Hubie as he took a long sip of tea to clear his head.

Xeric made his way into the Arena as its new Overlord. He stood at the top of the stairs a moment before descending and finding a table.

Teleperien relaxed back into the sofa, ?I?ve missed this,? she observed.

Xenograg bowed his head slightly, ?Hail, Overlord.? Then he glanced at Teleperien, ?You have been missed, Tel.?

She smiled, ?I missed you and Amanda. Erwyn is very impatient to see her.? Xenograg chuckles, as he knows precisely what his daughter?s reaction will be to having Erwyn back.

Right about that moment, Alais coalesces from a column of shimmering silver to arrive inside the walls of the venerable Arena in time to hear the new Overlord speak to Xenograg, ?Good evening, Baron.? She headed for her sofa near the back giving Xenograg a wave as she does. She gave the new Overlord a nod of respect as she passed.

Wyheree slipped in as Teleperien?s voice lifted, ?Greetings Sister,? as she gave Alais a happy smile.

Alais paused abruptly at the familiar voice, ?Yer Majesty! G?e?en tae thee!? She was genuinely startled to see the Elven Queen seated beside Xenograg. Alais altered her direction toward Teleperien.

Wyheree gave a bright smile and waves all around as she wandered toward the caller?s couch just as Xenograg announced, ?Alais, Wyheree! Teleperien has returned!?

Teleperien rose, ?And to you,? she told Alais as she smiled and nodded toward Wyheree. Her hand reached for Alais, ?I am glad to see you.?

Alais gave Teleperien a deep curtsey, ?An? verra pleased Ah am tae ?ear such Xeno.? She then flashed Wyheree a smile and greeted her as well. It was beginning to look like a reunion of the Darelir group. Alais smiled at the Queen, ?As am I.? She took Teleperien?s hand, ?Ye?ve been fair missed Majesty.?

Wyheree swept into a curtsey for the Queen as well, ?It is an honor to see you again, your Majesty.?

Teleperien nodded, ?I have missed you as well. I am glad to come home.? She gently squeezed Alais? hand, ?thank you.? She released her hand and invited Alais to join her and Xenograg upon the caller?s sofa.

Wyheree smiled at Alais, ?Good evening, how have you been faring??

She chuckled, ?Och, lassie, Ah?ve been verra busa ?pon th? Isle, an? thee?? Then she nodded at Teleperien, ?Ah wouldst be verra ?onored forsooth.?

Wyheree smiled, ?I have been well, I have been spending more time in my home realm as of late, quelling some unrest there.?

Alais? brow rose fractionally, ?An? thin?s ?re gae?in th? way ye ?oped??

She gave both women a smile, ?Positive progress was made this last trip, so I hope to not be needed for some time.?

Alais and Teleperien agreed that was good news, and that they were pleased Wyheree could return to RhyDin with fewer concerns regarding her home world.

Sylus extracted himself from the shadows as his amber eyes looked around the Arena expectantly. Teleperien saw him and smiled, which brought Alais? attention to where she was looking. His gaze fell on to Teleperien without any sign of recognition as he muttered, ?the cat isn?t here?..?

Alais was torn between going to him, or remaining where she was. She hadn?t seen him since he?d left her home on Gold Dragon Way, but she was glad to see he was still alive. She watched as he removed his ring from his right hand, slipped it over the cross on the dagger before embedding the weapon deeply into the nearby table and vanishing once again into the shadows. She sighed. Sylus had truly become someone she could no longer reach.

Nova?s gaze eye widens as he watches someone stab a table nearby, glad he chose this seat and not one at that table.

Teleperien glanced at Wyheree and Alais, ?What would you care to drink?? She gestured for Hubie as Xenograg informed those who had been away that he was not the new Baron of the Old Market District. She gave him a smile, ?Indeed? That is excellent.?

Simini?s voice broke her reverie, ?Still care to take your turn at pummeling me??

Alais gave a soft chuckle as she heard Xenograg, then turned to Simini, ?Aye, Simini, ?f ye?ve a mind tae dance still.? She smiled at Teleperien, knowing she would be thirsty when she came from the ring, ?Ah?ve a taste fer a hot cup o? Eldarie tea, Majesty.?

Nova?s voice rose, ?New Baron of the Old, Xeno? Good to see you?re keeping busy. Most guys just go for the woodworking or gardening.? Then he gave a slow wink at Simini, ?Hey, I know you.?

Xeno gestured in the direction of Xeric, ?And the new Overlord is present. Xeric Mues.?

Simini glanced at Nova, ?Thrown anyone through the Magic Door lately?? She grinned and wandered toward Xenograg to make the duel request.

Xenograg soon called Alais and Simini into Ring RED.

Simini quickly hurried into the ring, not wanting to keep the Darelir master waiting, and Alais took a quick sip of the tea before summoning Daemonbane from oblivion and entering the ring.

Simini gave a most respectful nod to both the venerated caller, and her opponent before stepping back in preparation to begin. She wondered silently to herself what in the world she had been thinking as she faced Alais. Moredhil?s dusky blade gleamed in the light as she readied herself for the blow that she was sure to come.

Likewise, Alais bowed deeply to Xenograg before saluting her old friend and then leveling the sentient black blade in preparation. She had grown so accustomed to having Morrin?s blade with her that it had practically become an extension of herself. It?s whispers harmonized with her own thoughts many times now, and Alais began to understand why Morrin was never without it.

Teleperien had ordered a huge tray of tea, sweets, cheeses and fruits, which was promptly delivered by Hubie, where she had it slid into place where all of her friends could partake, ?Please, help yourselves.? Then she had Xenograg?s tea refreshed.

The duel between Alais and Simini began. It was a clash between two of Dojo Darelir?s students, which was something Xenograg usually did not like to see, but the attendance of the duels now was such that even that taboo had become reluctantly accepted. And true to their Darelir heritage, they both opened with cuts. Alais going low with Daemonbane, and Simini going high with Moredhil. The match opened bloodily.

Alais and Simini sized one another up in preparation for the second round, and the women once again traded cuts. Each had reversed the first round, and once again, each lady bled at the edge of the other. Daemonbane thrilled to the taste of blood, fairly purring to her in the process.

Jaycy slipped in as Simini and Alais prepared for the third round, and Teleperien happily watched all of the controlled chaos of the Arena. Wyheree was intently studying the two rings that currently held duelists, and idly helped herself to one of the sweets Teleperien had ordered.

Daemonbane flowed effortlessly in her hands, slicing quickly with the high cut, but the weakness inherent in such a length of steel came into play as again she could not get it back to prevent the reciprocal cut from Moredhil. Simini muttered a through a wincing grin, ?Truly Darelir.?

Teleperien chuckled and leaned closer to Xenograg, ?I love this.? He smiled back and told her that he only wished he were not officiating for this turn out of his own students.

Jaycy smiled and nodded toward Teleperien and waved at Wyheree, whose eyes widened at the sigh to triple dual cuts.

Alais dropped lightly onto the couch beside Teleperien, but her gaze went to the knife still standing upright in another table. She pursed her lips in thought before rising and heading for the table and the knife. She paused at the table, only then spotting the ring impaled around the blade. She was unaware of anything around her as she took in the implications of what she saw there.

Simini and Jaycy were called to a ring, and Jaycy paused to glance again at Alais, noticing the object of her attention with a frown, and wondering what it meant. Teleperien too wondered, and was uncertain whether to intrude or not, ultimately deciding to finish her tea and moved silently toward her after grabbing her cloak.

Alais chewed on her lower lip as she slowly reached for the hilt of the knife. She felt no hostile sorceries in from it, she saw no dangerous magics associated with Sylus? blade. Her delicate fingers curled around the hilt of the blade and she pulled it free from the table as the ring clattered off the steel and onto the wood.

Teleperien walked up behind Alais and looked over her shoulder before softly asking, ?what does this mean??

Alais reached with her other hand for the ring, closing her hand around it before turning to face Teleperien with a sigh of sadness, ?t doth mean g?bye Ah fear. ?it ist a long tale Majesty, an? nae an ?appy one.?

Teleperien nodded, ?I will sit and hear the tale when it is well with you, Alais.? Jaycy frowned from her ring as she watched Alais and Teleperien.

Alais nodded at Teleperien, ?though nae this nigh? Majesty, prithee.? She slid the ring into a pocket as she studied the blade, seeking some kind of clue, but she found nothing there.

Teleperien shook her head, ?No, I can see this in your eyes friend.? She pulled her hood up, ?Good eve Alais. Remember, you are always welcome in Eldicor."

Alais nodded, ?G?e?en Majesty. An aye, now tha? yer back, Ah?ll take thee ?p on tha?.? She gave her a sad smile and bade her fair travels.

The Queen then turned and walked toward the stairs, pausing at Xenograg?s seat, ?good eve Xenograg.? Then she quickly moved up the stairs and was gone from the Arena.

Taneth burst into the arena and looked around, gasping when she saw who she sought and instantly high tailed it to Xenograg.

Alais headed back to the sofa with the knife still in her hand, her mind a long way from that place as she studied it. She then laid the knife onto the table and picked up her now cold cup of tea. She missed seeing Jaycy give the blade a last look before her friend vanished through the doors, but she did slide her glance toward the ring where Wyheree and Simini even now dueled in a very close match. As Simini?s thrust perforated the high cutting Wyheree, Alais winced and glanced at Xenograg, ?Yer students ?re a blood thirsty lot.?

He smiled back at her, ?You included.?

Xerzes showed up, looking something like an official caller for the first time in longer than many could remember. Tass stepped onto the stairs from the Inn, and paused at the landing to survey the occupants of the room here to witness the challenge issues by Tormay Elludes to the Baron.

Topaz was there and waving as people arrived. Her son had come to attempt to reclaim the Barony that she had held for so long a time. Rena moved inside and paused at the bar to grab a mug of coffee before moving toward the table occupied by Topaz and Tormay.

Taneth bounded over and tried to link arms with Matthew Simon, ?Hey, Mister Governor!?

Matthew nodded, ?Good evening Taneth, how are you??

?I?m peachy, Mister Governor, How are you?? She waved toward Topaz and Rena before blowing kisses in Tormay?s direction.

Tormay however was busily directing a number of helpers to set up food, which consisted of grilled chicken and pineapple, and to set up his banner of light blue with a gold dragon clasping a black rapier in its claws. He never saw the kisses blown in his direction.

Alais coalesced from a column of shimmering silver at the bottom of the stairs and she paused only to glance about for Tass before making her way toward the Challenge ring.

Topaz smiled and waved, but Alais? focus was on finding Tass. She gave Topaz a nod as she approached the only ring set up.

Tass? lips curled into a smile as he watched everyone on the main floor of the Annex, and then his attention focused on Alais. Finally moving out of his lean, he moved down the stairs, the thud of the iron wood staff being a counter point to his steps on the cold stone.

Alais turned at the distinctive sound of the staff upon the stone, again absently nodding as Rena had greeted her, and remained intent upon the reason she had come.

Neo headed for an empty table, waving to Rena and Topaz and Tass before sitting down to enjoy the duel about to happen.

Tass smiled and leaned into Alais, speaking softly, ?It would seem that I am, once more, the underdog.? He winked and gave her a kiss on the cheek before turning toward Topaz. ?Evening hun.?

Rena gave him a wink and Tass sent a kiss off toward Rena.

Alais lifted her cheek to the old man, speaking with elven softness, ?Yer neffer th? underdog auld friend.? She?d seen too much of what Tass was capable of doing, and these rings were simply no judge of his skills. The outcome would never matter here. It was elsewhere that mattered, and she?d never known him to fail out there.

Tass laughed, ?It would seem most challenges I am.? He glanced around to his cheering section, which currently included, no one, then winked at her. ?Not that I mind.? He grinned. ?Even the old man is against me tonight.? He smiled and nodded toward Matt Simon as he spoke.

Matthew was being led to Topaz and Tormay?s table by Taneth as Alais glanced that direction, then she turned back toward Tass, ?Ye?ve me Tass, sae yer nae alone, ?f tha?s wha? yer thinkin?.?

He smiled at her, ?You know it isn?t, and I couldn?t be more honored.? She gave him a smile.

Xerzes scratched his head, ?Whenever you?re both ready, I suppose.? He waved vaguely toward the rings.

Alais summoned Daemonbane from oblivion to salute Tass before he entered his ring.

Tass then turned to Xerzes, ?I?m ready old friend.?

But Alais was perplexed, Xerzes hadn?t done the standard introductions and queries, he?d not given either the Baron nor the Challenger their time to declare seconds and ladies of honor.

Tormay stood upon his chair to address his cheering section since the official seemed disinclined to follow protocol. ?Thank you all for coming. The Baron and I will begin shortly.? He waved at Tass who was already inside the ring, ?For everyone that is here, there is grilled chicken and pineapple on the bar, help yourselves.?

Alais? argent eyes slid over the assembly before she returned her focus to the ring and took an ?at ease? stand with Daemonbane positions cross body before her.

Tass bade Tormay skill and honor as Tormay unsheathed his rapier and dagger.

Xerzes glanced at Tormay and his announcements, ?So, challenge for something or other, am I still expected to ask all the silly questions about whether or not you want to go through with this?? Xerzes was looking at Tormay when he spoke.

Tass chuckled, ?It is customary.? Alais had slid her attention to the official as he seemed to be making light of tradition.

Tormay grinned at Xerzes, ?Ready as ever, fourteen months ago my mum lost this Barony, I am going to reclaim it if I can.?

Xerzes nodded, ?Good then, is there anything else??

Tass chuckled again at Xerzes, ?Quite a bit more, but that?s fine.?

Byzannce walked down the stairs, pausing midway down when she caught sight of Lord Momus in the ring and the Challenge trappings about the room, then she skipped the remainder of the way down and sat in a front row seat, pulling her long sleeves down to cover her wrists.

Matthew applauded, ?Ok, old man, show?em what you?ve got!!?

Alais continued to hold Daemonbane diagonally across her body as she waited just beyond the boundaries of the ring. Such disrespect for the traditions troubled her, and she wondered for a moment if she was simply growing old and intolerant.

Xerzes shrugged, ?I?ve never called a Baron?s challenge before, or been in one, that I can recall.?

Rena spoke up then, ?Ask if they have colors, ladies of honor and seconds Xerzes.?

Tass had begun to say that he was ready, unless Mr. Eludes had something more, but then he smiled hearing Rena, ?Or, follow Rena?s suggestions.? He winked at her from his place in the ring.

Topaz smiled brightly as Lucien faded into the visible spectrum at the back of the Annex amidst the darkest shadows. He hated public gatherings, but this was important to Topaz, and he would attend for that reason. Topaz wished her son good luck before Lucien made his way silently toward Topaz?s table, which was entirely too busy for his tastes, and at the moment, had the current Governor seated entirely too close to his mate. He bristled slightly.

Neo seemed a trifle confused, he kept glancing at Alais and her stand outside the ring with her sword drawn and held at the ready. He was not familiar with the way these high up things worked in Swords. ~Why?s she have her sword out?~ he wondered.

Byzannce grinned and wolf whistled before giving Tass a jaunty wave from her perch as Taneth issued a ?go, fight, win? cheer for Tormay.

Tass turned his head and looked at Byzannce with a smile, ?Well, it appears that I haven?t been forgotten.? He sent a kiss winging her direction, which she caught and pocketed.

Xerzes sighed, ?I suppose both of you have the things she just said??

Tass looked at Xerzes, ?Of course.?

Xerzes appeared long suffering as he said, ?You?re probably supposed to tell me about them then.?

Topaz turned with a happy smile toward Lucien and rose to greet him with a hug as he pulled her close to nuzzle her neck and whispered, ?You like crowds.? His obsidian eyes slowly took in the entire group at her table before giving Rena a nod of greeting only to slide his gaze back to Topaz.

She whispered back to Lucien, ?I like seeing Tormay?s challenge, and I like people, and love being alone with you.? She motioned then toward an empty chair, asking if he would care to sit with her.

Lucien?s obsidian eyes slid around the table, and there were too many people much too close for him, ?I would not wish to intrude.? He had already seen the exuberance of those seated there, and it was simply more than he was willing to bear, so he elected to remain behind her, where he could touch her but not be part of the group.

Jaycy slipped in about then as Tormay was nodding at Xerzes, ?I have named Rena as my second, and Taneth is nice enough to be my lady of honor.? He nodded then at his banner that he had placed earlier, ?My colors are light blue, black and gold.?

Neo had listened to Rena, but he hardly understood any of it, ~Colors? Ladies?~ He decided to forget about it and enjoy the duel, but he couldn?t help but overhear the last bit and he asked Rena, ?Was there not much of an audience for Bran?s challenge match?? This crowd was apparently much larger than the one the previous evening. She told him that only Bran and the challenger Liena had been present.

Alais remained unmoving, though the cloth of silver robes shimmered in the torch light. The black blade in her hand pulled light into itself and reflected absolutely none. It was a one way trip for light, blood, or souls.

Topaz was exhorting Tormay to make Tass burn more energy on mirrored parries when Lucien leaned low and nuzzled a kiss to her neck. She tilted her head to the side and whispered up to him, ?He does look good in there, doesn?t he??

Lucien never glanced at the rings, ?He is your son,? he told her in reply.

Topaz nodded, ?That he is. I?m looking forward to Sylviana doing that.? Topaz called again to her son, ?You almost have it Tormay, just keep focus!? Then she smiled up at Lucien and spoke more quietly, ?She?ll want to make you proud of her.?

Lucien lifted a black brow at her, ?I am not.? The last thing he wanted was for his daughter to take up swords and compete in this kind of sport. ?She will make me proud simply by existing. She has no need to take up arms and try to be a male.? Somehow he suspected that he would never get across to Topaz how much it cost him to watch her fight and be struck, let alone how much harder it would be to watch his daughter learn such things.

Jaycy was sitting right next to Alais, but her attention was riveted on the ring, and the slow drip of blood into the sand went unnoticed as Tass attempted to sidestep and Tormay caught him with a low cut to seal the match and lay claim to the Barony of Dragon?s Gate.

Matthew Simon spoke up then, ?Nice effort Tass.?

Jacycy sighed as Byzannce booed the outcome. Alais remained silently waiting where she?d stood through out the match. On the other side of the coin, Taneth was cheering madly for her beau. Topaz turned into Lucien?s arms and hugged him tight exclaiming, ?He won!?

Tass nodded to Xerzes and Tormay before stepping closer to Jaycy and Alais. The elven mage bowed her head to her friend, ??it was a fione match m?friend.? She?d been there, lost her Barony and the Overlord?s titles in her time, she knew how he felt at this moment.

But Tass seemed unperturbed by it, and his hand reached out and captured hers as blood dripped into the sand from the blade?s bite. She curled her fingers inside his hand, not wanting to bloody him further, and the crimson fluid began to dry.

Jaycy?s man had arrived and she only now spotted him. He settled one hand on her shoulder to give her a gentle squeeze of greeting, ?Hi, bad outcome??

She turned to Tass, ?I am sorry to be such bad luck hon.? But then she blinked as she saw Alais? hand and the blood there. ?Alais? You?re alright?? She had recognized the quickly drying blood as unusual even as she inquired.

Tass looked at Jaycy, ?I still count myself among the luckiest and most of all, a winner. You?re here, after all, hun.?

Alais gave Jaycy a smile, ??t ist one o? th? prices tae pay wi? this blade lassie, dinnae fash yersel?.? Alais did not want to explain Daemonbane further, and she prayed Jaycy would accept that at face value.

Jaycy did let it go and she smiled at Leo then, ?Alais, Tass, you both know Leo, aye??

Tass winked at Leo, ?The gentleman who has stolen you from me once more? Of course I do.?

Alais however had never met Leo.

Jaycy grinned at them both, ?Leo almost qualifies for the old timer?s home as well. He is my partner.? Then she smiled up at Leo, ?This is Alais, one of the best duelers ever to grace these halls.?

Alais would have offered Leo her hand, but it was still Tass? captive, and she did not want to bleed on Leo as their first meeting. ??t ist a fione pleasure sirrah.? Tass was, in his own way, working to heal the bite of Daemonbane as unobtrusively as possible. She then gave Jaycy a smile, ?Verra kind words lassie, thank thee.?

Leo had nodded toward Tass before sliding his eyes toward Alais, ?The pleasure is mine,? he told her.

Jaycy grinned, ?Xeno picks his students and dueling associates with care, they are not kind, simply truth,? she assured Alais with conviction.

Alais gave her a nod of agreement regarding Xenograg before welcoming back Leo, and observing that he indeed had a fine woman at his side. She glanced at Tass, not wanting him to spend his energies healing what would in time heal of its own accord. She leaned closer to him, ??t wilst ?eal auld friend, dinnae worra.?

Tormay giggled as he approached his mother, ?Hey mum, I got Dragon?s Gate! It?s back in the family again!?

Tormay paused, telling Topaz and Lucien that he had a gift for them. Topaz looked up at him from Lucien?s lap, ?A present?? Lucien?s black gaze settled on Tormay.

The new Baron reached into his pouch and pulled forth a small, silvery statuette, it was 12? in height and he placed it before them on the table. It was very much like a portrait, it showed Topaz, complete with thin silvery wings sitting with a small girl, Sylvy, held in her lap with Lucien standing behind them with one of his hands on Topaz?s shoulder and the other on Sylviana?s. ?It took some doing to get it right, but I managed to convince the silver smith to use platinum.?

Lucien had already scanned it for magic or danger, and Tormay gave him a nod as he recognized what the male Carpathian was doing. Lucien nodded once, ?It is finely worked, Baron.?

Topaz smiled, ?That looks absolutely adorable.? She picked up the statue and brought it closer for further study and admiration, she held it so Lucien could see all the fine details as well.

Tormay smiled politely to Lucien, ?Thank you for caring for my mum. You are? good for her.?

Lucien caught the suspended flow of the words. It was simply as it was supposed to be for him. She was the light to his darkness, he could do no other than take care of her. ?She is my purpose in life Baron.?

He smiled more warmly, ?I am happy for you both.?

Lucien turned his attention back to Topaz, ?You will find it the perfect place, I am certain.? He wasn?t much on small talk, but he felt it appropriate to make that observation.

Topaz smiled first at Lucien and then at Tormay, ?I will do that. Thank you so much Tormay.? She grinned at Lucien, ?I will set it on your desk.?

Lucien lifted a brow at her, ?It is your gift my dear.?

Tormay paused as he prepared to depart, ?You?re welcome, just don?t let Sylvy get a hold of it, she might break it.? He looked at Lucien, ?It is also your gift.?

Topaz nodded agreement with Tormay?s advice, ?Good thinking. She knows not to touch anything on Lucien?s desk.? Then she studied Lucien?s features, ?It is our gift, Darling.?

Alais settled onto a chair with Jaycy and Leo. ?How are you doing Alais? We don?t get much chance to speak anymore.? Jaycy commented as she got comfortable.

Alais smiled, ?Ah?m verra well lass, an? verra busa, th? Isle hath taken much o? mine time an? energy tae rebuild. An? wha? o? thee??

Jaycy glanced at Leo then smiled at Alais, ?Between our ships and Dockside, life has been full for me as well.? When Alais asked if it was pleasantly full, Jaycy added, ?Now, aye. The last few months were tiring, to a degree.?

Alais reached for Tass? hand with the one he had so recently mended. He settled himself beside Alais and Jaycy, happy to simply sit and enjoy the company. His hand wrapped into Alais? as she asked Jaycy if the ships were paying well then.

?Business is well, aye. Leo?s is doing much better than mine of course, as he has more time for personal attention. Not to say his crew needs it, they?re amazingly wonderful.?

Alais gave her a soft laugh, ?Ye cannae le? ?im dae better lassie! Surela nae!!? She was teasing of course.

Jaycy glanced at Leo, then back at Alais with a chuckle, ?We have a good partnership. We contribute in different ways, but do so equally.? She glanced at Tass, ?What of you Tass? Are you to be married this year??

Tass startled, ?Someone?s getting married?? Alais chuckled softly, having already seen this routine from Tass. When her brow furrowed, and Jaycy asked if he was no longer engaged to Kitty, Tass smiled and winked at Jaycy.

Alais chuckled softly at Jaycy, ??e doth seem tae forget such thin?s ?n ?is dotage.?

Tass chuckled, ?Oh, I am still with her, aye. She?s actually on Odhran trying to blow it up.?

Jaycy made a face, ?You had me worried for a moment.?

Tass gave her an ?oh so innocent? look, ?Why? You lookin? to marry me??

She mock scowled at him as Leo sipped his scotch content to simply listen. ?I am more than content with Leo. You?re too much trouble for me.?

Alais had come to RhyDin to find a new carpenter. Rab had simply vanished, leaving the work she needed done in limbo. He?d been the best, but without hide nor hair of him, she had no choice but to seek another. The pleasant surprise had been discovering that Teleperien had returned. And they had spoken, with the agreement that Alais would travel to Eldicor to see if together they could find the cause for the woody plants to continue to refuse to grow on Matlal.

While she was in town, she decided to stop at the Arena and hoped that Xenograg still haunted the place since she hadn?t been able to catch him at the Dojo yet, and she did not wish to trouble him if he was in Barsi or his new home, which remained under construction. She coalesced from a column of shimmering silver inside the Arena?s stone walls and headed for her sofa near the back. From there, she could take in the entire room, and none would be behind her and out of view. Her argentine gaze swept the space seeking out Hubie or Marcus while she waited to see if Xenograg might arrive.

Lang Darkwing arrived and slid behind the bar, and Alais gave the demon a brief nod, but did not speak. She?d had quite enough of demons, and even though this one hadn?t been part of Matlal?s destruction, he was demon still.

Hubie brought her a snifter of Liquid Fire, and she took it from him before settling comfortably into her sofa.

The doors pushed open and a white robed figure silently moved into the Arena. Alais froze as the demon glanced at the robed figure and moved toward a table. She didn?t need to see the woman?s face to know it was Alia Anor. Alia Anor folded both hands into the sleeves of her robes before making her way down the worn stone stairs. She paused on the landing, still not lowering her Temple robe?s hood as she surveyed the room. An aura of disappointment radiated from her as Alais continued to watch her estranged daughter closely.

Xenograg chose precisely that moment to enter the Arena, walking in with greetings for everyone, and apparently not seeing the white robed figure that had in the past attacked him in her misguided fervor driven by the Temple. Alais watched closely, she hadn?t forgotten her responsibilities to her friend, and she would not allow her daughter another shot at the man who?d given his time to raise her in Ulysses absence.

Alia Anor turned at the sound of Xenograg?s voice, but her features were cast into the deep shadows of her hood as she stepped in behind the man she insisted on calling ?Libertator? rather than Xenograg, or Sir.

Xenograg sat down on the caller?s couch and announced that he had rings available immediately. It was then that he noticed he was being followed as she maintained a respectful distance to allow him to be seated. Perhaps it was for her former perfidy that she remained distant, suspecting that getting too close to him would provoke an unfavorable response. She bowed her head respectfully, but Alais suspected there was no genuine respect in her actions. ?A moment please, Liberator?? The voice was low and laced with a touch of compulsion.

Alais slowly set down her glass. Alia Anor had not even looked her direction, but undoubtedly the young half elf knew where her mother was even without looking. She slid her hand into her robes to have her sorcery ready if it would prove to be needed.

Scarlet walked in and waved to all, and as she transited the room, for a moment blocking Alais? view of the caller?s sofa, she knew a moment of tension that one should not feel in regard to one?s own child. But Alia Anor had made it clear that they were no relation to one another in her eyes. ?So be it,? thought Alais.

Xenograg now looked Alia Anor?s direction, ?Hello, Alia Anor.?

She gave a slight inclination of her head, ?Good evening Liberator.? Alais noted that even now her daughter refused to cease calling him by the title he did not want, and would not acknowledge.

Xenograg?s expression did not change, ?What do you want of me??

Alia Anor remained just out of reach of Xenograg, ?I know you continue to refuse to come to the Temple, but we are having a celebration at the Orphanage, I hoped I could persuade you to come as our guest?. For the children.?

Alais listened intently and smiled when Wyheree arrived. She headed for the caller?s sofa, which was a blessing and a curse. Wyheree would never suspect that Alia Anor might once again attack Xenograg, but Wyheree was also a very capable swordswoman if need be.

Xenograg sighed, ?I must decline.?

Alia Anor?s aqua eyes shifted briefly toward Wyheree and once dismissing her as a threat, returned her attention to Xenograg. ?I do not understand Liberator. There is no risk, no harm in pleasing children.?

Xenograg remained firm, ?My position has not changed, my dear.?