Mia smiled weakly at Fou-Lu and continued walking in silence, up ahead, the met more undead. Mia added her strength to the shield and they continued on, the undead clawing at the shield. Eventually, they made it into Roid. They were welcomed by priests working hard at keeping up a holy shield and the group released the sylph spirits. "Hey folks get your jewelry! Beautiful ivory and jade!" A beautiful merchant stepped up to Fou-Lu. "Hey handsome, see any merchandise that strikes your fancy?" Mia raised her scarred eyebrow with almost a threat at the girl when she approached Fou-Lu. Strange, how she could focus so much on her business at a time like this.... Naclia and Kiran were both exhausted and looked at Mia, Fou and Talen. "Could we perhaps find an inn?" Naclia asked, ignoring the merchant. Kiran favored the girl with a dashing smile, though he was near exhaustion. Fou-Lu looked to the merchant. "Well not really, I haven’t seen anything much." he said not really concentrating at the moment. He looked over to Mia. "Unless there is something you would want Mia?" he asked. Talen looked at them confused. "How can people concentrate on business with all that has happened?" he said then looking away. He then looked to the wolf beside Fou-Lu and Mia. "That is a creature I haven’t seen before, it is of a different kind than the others." he said. Lucied walked up by Fou-Lu and Mia and nuzzled against Mia slightly stressed after all that has gone on. "No, I just want to rest," Mia said. She smiled weakly down at Lucied and stroked his head. Kiran stepped back from the group quietly, he didn't want to overstay his welcome. Now that he was no longer needed, he could get on with life. He looked to Mia one last time and walked off into the city, just wanting to get away. * * * "What is wrong with some people?" asked Moryssa. She still couldn't get over that strange band of travelers. "Well, they did look like they were about to pass out and you do have a habit of bombarding people." That was Frair. "Well anyhow..."As she said this, she noticed a young man trying to steal some of her goods." Stop thief!!!" When he turned around, he saw that the boy was a common elf, full from the pointiness of his ears. "Ohh this is rich" She mumbled. At that she pulled out her rapier and lunged at the elf screaming. He met her steel with his dagger. And so it began... "You no match for me you dark whore!" Laughed the elf. "You will pay for that!" Moryssa was outraged. "Now you'll feel the wrath of a woman scorn. 'Great golem a beseech you let the earth shake with my rage.'" With that the earth shook... Kiran had walked through Roid in the night heard the disturbance where he found the dark elven merchant they met earlier. She seemed to have the situation with the light elf under control. There was a small quake from the golem, but nothing near what they had experianced earlier in the day. "Milady, I believe it would be wise to avoid the spirits of the earth. After what has happened. I'm certain you sensed the evil occurances today," he said to her. "Ohh it's you" She replied with obvious disdain. "How dare you give me advice when you didn't eve..." All of a sudden, Moryssa was swept off her feet by a small tornado. Landing dazed on the other side of the street all she saw was two knives flyng towards her. As they were just about to hit her mark, she heard a loud grunt. Opening her eyes she saw her centaur friend Frair. Apparently he took the knives for her. As he collapsed, she saw the elf running away from the scene. Her eyes watered as she took her friend into her arms. "Frair you idot, why'd you do this? How could you do this to me? You're my best friend!!" He looked up to Moryssa and wiped the tears from his eyes."I did this because I love you. Of course I didn't tell you because you didn't love me back. And even if you did, we, ugh, couldn't be together." "But what am I suppose to do?" Cried Moryssa. "Who else can put up with me? Who else can I talk to? You promised you'd protect me!" "And..I did..Moryss......" As his eyes closed, Moryssa's whole world seemed to shatter. "Noooooooooooo!!!!!" Her scream echoed throughout the city... Kiran watched uncomfortably, unsure of what to do. He backed off into the shadows, still watching. Maybe it would be better if he just left. After witnessing the death of the centaur, he feared the light elf may come back for her. He didn't want to be held responsible for allowing the girl to be hurt. So he still watched from a distance as she grieved. Time seemed to be endless for her. She sat by his cold body dazed. "Why? I don't understand." Finally she stood up, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Whoever you are, you will feel my wrath!!! A thousand curses upon your house, your kind and you!!!" With that, she picked up her rapier and ran after the common elf. She didn't know what she was going to do but she knew she'd destroy him. Kiran went after her quietly. He didn't want to miss the fight in case she needed help. Or just watch. He had nothing else to do now. * * * Mia and her party had found an inn. With the current situation, all the inn keepers understood the need for their aid. Despite the fact they had a full-blooded dark elf, half-dark elf and extremly large wolf, they were able to get into the last room of a decent inn. The moment Mia went into the room she fell on a bed and nearly passed out imediantly. Lucied licked her hand and she weakly petted his head. "I think you're spoiled, wolf," she muttered with a smile. Lucied's tongue lolled out of his mouth in a wolfy "grin". Mia chuckled and looked up at Fou-lu. Naclia walked up to the wolf and reached her hand out to him to sniff. After he accepted her by licking her hand, she petted him with Mia. Lucied had a look of total bliss on his face. Fou-Lu walked over and sat by Mia looking down at her smiling. He then looked to Naclia and Mia. "Well it seems that he likes you." he said with a grin looking to Naclia. Fou-Lu stretched after the battle and yawned. "Well hopefully we can all get some rest soon, were going to need it." Talen sat over at the other side of the room watching the elven people. "That dragon, how can it still be alive.." he thought while staring off into nothingness. Mia started to drift off on the comfortable bed. Lucied nudged her limp hand, then realized she was asleep. Naclia stopped petting Lucied and went to the other bed, "Talen, where are you sleeping?" she asked her human companion. She then realized something, "Hey, we never were introduced..." she said to Fou-Lu. "I'm Naclia and that's Talen," she smiled and extended her hand to Fou-Lu. * * * "Stop where you are so I can kill you!" Screamed Moryssa. She had managed to catch up thanks to her powers over the earth. A final leap and she was in front of the other elf. "You should have just let me take those jewels. Now you and that animal friend will die." Moryssa was now angry. No, she was spiteful. She almost had the rage of a berserker. "Spirits of the earth bind him with your power, Let my vengeance be borne upon him this very hour." As soon as she finished her chant, the very earth trembled and started to absorb both Moryssa and the common elf. "You stupid wench! Now we'll both die. I did your friend a favor by freeing him from you." "What's going on?" Moryssa asked. She couldn't understand. "Great sylph free me from my earthly prison. Let your strength save me from an untimely demise." The common elf's chant, along with the help of the sylph, freed him. As he ran off he looked back and laughed as he saw the dark elf being absorbed into the earth by a spell of her own invention. "Even if I die, know thief, I'll come back and haunt you!" Moryssa was now waste deep in the earth. "Help! Someone help me! Oh Frair, I'm sorry..." Kiran ran to her when he saw her plight. Drawing a dagger from his boot as he ran, he hurled it into the darkness after the fleeing elf. He heard a grunt as it hit it's mark, but Kiran was unsure how much damage it had done. He came up the the struggling girl and summoned a gnome, cracking the ground that bound her. He grabbed her arm and lifted her out of the ground, then closed the gape in the street. "Thank...you" gasped Moryssa. She heard a loud whistling noise and saw the shadow of the elf riding the winds. "Damn." she whispered. He would just have to wait. Besides, she was just a little curious as to who and why this dark elf saved her. "Well don't just stare at me, say something. What are you mute? No your not because you are what caused me to lose my concentration." Moryssa looked at him for a few seconds with a hardened gaze and then she smiled. "Well come on. Help me carry my friend's body to the temple of Marfa, that's the nearest one. Then after that you can come back to my place and I'll cook you something to eat." With that she turned around and walked to her dead friend's body. "You're welcome," Kiran replied, a little annoyed at her bluntness. "I appreciate the offer, as I doubt I'm welcome around my previous companions." He followed her to where the centaur had fallen. For some reason, the priests at the temple of Marfa seemed to be a little antsy when Moryssa and the other dark elf brought Frair's body there. "Can you believe those people?" Moryssa asked the elf, just a little annoyed. "And they're suppose to be so holy. Ugh!" She was just a little upset. As they finally reached her apartment, she realized they hadn't been introduced. "Oh, I've forgotten my manners. I'm Moryssa. And you are?" As she waited for her answer she invited him into her cozy residence. * * * Fou-Lu smiled at Mia then looked over to Talen and Naclia. "Well its a pleasure to meet you, my name is Fou-Lu, and she is Mia." he said looking back to Mia. He reached out and shook Naclia’s hand. Fou-Lu’s memories returned and he gave a hateful look to Talen. "What is wrong?" Talen asked. "You are a human, my family was killed by humans and I haven’t forgiven them for that." he said with a growl. He walked outside and jumped up on the roof. "If you need me just call out my name." he said as he laid back staring at the stars. Naclia stared after Fou-Lu, then at Talen. She laid back on her bed, and looked at her companion. A little while Mia awoke to the sound of a creaking stair outside. She was a light sleeper and still somewhat used to being held captive in Kiran's home. "Where's Fou?" she asked when she woke. "Outside," Naclia replied. "He seems to not like humans," she inclined her head to Talen. "Oh," Mia then looked at Talen and back at Naclia, "Well, I'll go talk to him," she replied and got out of bed. She glanced to Talen, "You can take the bed if you want." She then climbed out onto the roof after Fou-Lu. Fou-Lu laid back and stared at the night sky. "I have tried to avoid humans my whole life.." he thought then deep in his mind he saw the past memories of his family being killed by human soldiers. He clinched his fist but then calmed himself. "But i cannot live with this fear forever." he said. He heard footsteps approaching him and he looked over to see Mia. "Oh hello Mia, you couldn’t sleep?" he asked. "I just realized you weren't there," she replied and sat by him. She took his hand in hers and laid back against him. "What happened to you that made you react like that?" she asked softly. Talen looked over to Naclia. "Well I'll keep an eye out in case anything happens, we cant take our guard off at anytime after all that has happened." he said and walked over staring out the window. "Talen," Naclia said. "Get to bed," she ordered. * * * "Well, most other races see us as unholy. Just because of our ancestor's choices," he replied. "Especially humans." When they reached her apartment, Kiran accepted the invitation, "I'm Kiran. It's a pleasure to meet you Moryssa," he inclined his head respectively. "Humans are the most hypocritical beings in Forceria. Name your poison, white or red, wine of course." Moryssa smiled at Kiran. He seemed to have his head on his shoulders. "So why are you in Roid, especially with such a rag-tag group of people. Is beef stew alright?" Kiran smiled, "I agree. Red please." He sat in a chair and watched her. "We came here for safety. Do you know what's happening outside the city? I would imagine that the same thing is happening across Lodoss." He shuddered, remembering what he had to fight. "The human and light elf had captured me on the road through Kanon, believing I was one of the left-overs from the Marmo forces. I actually came here earlier this morning from Marmo to search for the two other elves," he laughed slightly. "After all that and I just left them. So much for exacting my revenge. But I guess I deserve what I got in the first place," he laughed again. "I guess I'm rambling now. You have to forgive me, I haven't talked to anyone about what's happened. I guess I just need to get it off my chest. Oh, and yeah, stew's fine." "I thought I sensed something evil, but I just disregarded it. I wonder if it has anything to do with my spell going wrong." After handing Kiran the glass of red wine, Moryssa went back to preparing the stew. "If you don't mind, I'm going to take a bath while the stew is cooking. I smell after that fight, and after I'm done you could stand for a hot one yourself." After lighting the fire under the pot, she headed to a back room. There she poured water into a large tub, humming as she worked. Applying perfumes to the water and chanting to the salamanders to heat it. "Now don't you peak!" called Moryssa. "Aren't you even interested in what a girl like me is doing in a city like this." Kiran smiled, "Thanks for your hospitality," he called to her in the other room. "Yeah, I am curious actually. Most dark elves aren't allowed in Roid. About the only reason we've been allowed in is because of the conditions outside. You should consider yourself very lucky to be in the Holy City." He sipped his wine and sat uncomfortably, knowing what was going on in the other room. "Well,"she said while scrubbing her ear, "It's actually because of Frair. He helped a knight when he was lost in the Glassy Woods. So when he showed up with me, he was even with the knight. I myself am looking for my brother. He was a relic hunter. He went off with a bunch of our men in search of a magic sword. Well, needless to say he never showed up. "So I decided to do my first love, selling and follow my brother's path. I started hunting for treasures and selling the useless ones. I met Frair because he was looking for a dark elf who killed his family and slaughtered my village. And you'll never guess who the culprit was. "Yup, my brother. I don't know what happened to him, but he lost his mind and killed his men. And the irony of it all is his name, Toan, means Light and my name, means dark one." Moryssa walked out of the back room with a violet satin robe while wrapping her hair in a cloth. She put out the fire in the stew and poured Kiran a bowl. She sat dow and studied him for a few moments. "You know you're kind of cute, in a bizarre you 'got my best friend killed and then turned around and saved my life' kind of way." Laughing, she started to eat her stew. Kiran tried to avoided her gaze, "Well, I don't think I would like to be known as the 'guy who got your best friend killed.'" He replied shyly and took his bowl. He would almost hate to hear Mia's reaction to her comment. He started to eat. "I'm surprised by the way you're takeing this," he said softly as he ate. "But perhaps Friar would have died regardless of my interaction, who knows though. I expect you're going to stay true to your word when it comes to that light elf." "I remember, sluurp, excuse me, the final words of my grandfather. He said 'the best way to grieve is to remove the cause.' So, by killing that thieving elf, I'll have grieved for Frair." She finished the rest of her stew in silence. Finally she asked" So what is going om outside? You guys looked like you saw a ghost." she laughed. "Is it going to ruin my business? Speaking of which, you never told me what you do for a living." Kiran shuddered again, remembering. "I don’t know if you would believe me, but their are undead rising up all over. At least where we were in Kanon. The dark clouds that settled over Marmo when Kardis fell have returned and we all sense an evil growing. During those two earth quakes, the earth spirits all spoke of a great evil. And Narse flew over us. He's a year dead, a horrible stench. You're lucky to live here. As soon as this started, I'm certain the priests of Falis raised the holy shield." Kiran paused and finished his bowl of stew. "As for business, I doubt now is the time to think about it. This is a time for everyone to band together and forget about material things, like money. Money does you no good against ancient evils. As for what I do, you could say nothing. I live the way of most dark elves and petty things like money mean nothing to me," he explained. When Moryssa heard the word "undead" her heart nearly leaped out of her chest. All sorts of foul images went through her mind. Trying to gain her composure , she drank her full glass of wine in one gulp. "Business is, is, is my lively hood. And money can buy us mercenaries." Moryssa was extremely worried now. An undead dragon, along with who knows how many other vile things. "Do you know what caused this?" Moryssa's mind went back to one of her treasures. An old book that had a list of magical items lost sometime before Kastuul's fall. This became even curiouser. Curious indeed. * * * Fou-Lu held her hand tightly and moved closer to her. "I reacted that way because of my past, is because my family was killed by humans, I saw my mothers body torn by their blade and my father fighting to protect us, but it was all in vain. He died and I barely got away. Till that day I have tried to stay away from humans because of the deep anger I have for them. But sometimes I cant hide it, I still remember my mothers scream at her death…I remember it all." he said slightly shivering at the thought of it all. He then remembered what his mother had gave him and he took out his necklace from under his shirt. "Mia I want you to have this…it was my mothers and I wanted to give it to you." he said leaning up slightly and putting it around her neck. Mia moved up closer to comfort him. She looked down at the pendant hanging from her neck and touched it, it was two copper dragons wrapped around a sword set with a small crystal. She smiled slightly, "Thank you, it's beautiful." She then laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. She shivered in the cold night air and pulled herself even closer to him. "I'm sorry to hear that about your family," was all she could really say. "But don't blame that boy, it was Marmo soldiers who killed them wasn't it? I doubt he has even a drop of Marmo blood in his veins," she said, then shivered again. Fou-Lu moved closer to Mia after feeling her shiver. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to keep her warm. "Yes I know about the boy, but every human I see makes me feel that way, it was Marmo soldiers that killed my family but for some reason I haven’t been able to forgive any humans for what happened. I’ve had all those painful memories deep inside of me and it is still painful to remember." he said as he closed his eyes. * * * "No, It all started suddenly. I was walking with the human and common elf, and this earthquake hit. The woman and I both felt the pain the spirits were feeling. We all saw the clouds over Marmo and Narse fly over. We just kept going until these undead started showing up. It was everything dead, humans, animals, birds." He shuddered yet again and put the bowl and glass down, burying his face in his hands to try and force the images out of his mind. "I'm sorry, but I saw some things I didn't want to ever see." "This is too intense. We need to cremate all the dead bodies in the area. Does the King of Roid know what's happening. Oh Cha Za, we need your blessings more than ever now!" Moryssa replied. "I'm certain the king knows and they are probably taking measures. The priest's magic should protect the city," Kiran assured her. "Hmm, I still think I could sleep better if I knew what was happening." Moryssa stood up and went to the backroom. "Hold on let me just slip something on." she called back. In a few short moments, she came out of the room wearing an outfit remarkably like her original one. "Common hunkster," she said grabbing Kiran by the arm and dragging him out the door, "we're going to meet your friends!" Kiran stumbled after her as she drug him out the door. He really would hate to see Fou-Lu again when he regained his bearings. Mia for that matter too. And that wolf...but Moryssa needed to talk to them and he knew them. Kiran took her to the inns closest to where they entered the city until they found the right one. The innkeeper lead them to the room and Kiran knocked on the door. Moryssa was not in a very patient mood. "Open up this door now!" she yelled furiously through the door. "We're having a major crisis and all you guys can think of is sleeping!? Open up now!!!" Naclia and Lucied woke up, both growling. Naclia got to her feet and yanked the door open. "What?" she growled, her long brown braids dishelved and a look of contempt on her face to the intruders on her sleep. "It's the middle of the freakin' night and I just walked up and down the Kanon coast and fought things I didn't want to think existed! And you have the nerve to come here and wake us up?!" she yelled at them with the large wolf next to her growling in agreement. Moryssa taken aback by the rudeness growled right back at the woman and the wolf at her side. "That's exactly what I came here to talk about! There's something very bizarre going on and we need to find out what it is." Moryssa was feeling just a bit self-conscious now that she had gained an audience. "Now are you going to let us in, or are we going to have to scream to each other through the door." Moryssa's look of contempt matched that woman's. "Fine," Naclia growled and turned to the window. "Fou-Lu, Mia," she called. "Kiran and that merchant girl are here." She then looked at Talen. "You talk to them," she said and fell onto her bed, pulling the blanket over her head. "Keep it down at least," she muttered. Lucied jumped up on the bed with her and she snuggled up to the big wolf as she fell back to sleep. Mia smiled contently as he held her and was near falling asleep when they heard voices inside their room. Naclia called them in, saying Kiran and the merchant they met earlier were there. Mia felt anger welling up in her at hearing Kiran's name. She looked up at Fou-Lu. "What's he doing back here?" she glanced back at the window. Fou-Lu looked down at Mia, "I don’t know what he is doing here, but for some reason I don’t like it." he said with a growl. He looked at her again. "Should we go in and see what’s going on?" he asked Looking at Kiran she whispered" Now I see why you left them. They're obnoxious." But remembering her manners, she reached her hand out and introduced herself. After the pleasantries were exchanged she got to business. "Okay. Let's see if this is correct, there is an undead army, with an undead dragon, crossing Lodoss? So what are we going to do? I don't understand!? Why is this happening!?!" Moryssa was about to go hysterical. After looking at them stare at her, Moryssa regained her composure. "Now, if you don't mind," she said coolly "what is going on out there?" Mia nodded and stood, then climbed back in through the window. She saw Kiran and glared at him. "What are you doing back here?" she growled. "How could you let this trash in here?" she asked Talen, shooting another glare at Kiran. Kiran tried to avoid her jade eyes as she glared at him. He stepped back behind Moryssa, "Their all yours," he whispered. "Hi I don't know if you remember me, but we met when you first entered Roid. Now Kiran, the handsome little bugger, was telling me something about walking dead? Please tell me he's delusional." Moryssa was highly upset. Not only had she lost her friend, but she was relying on a group of rude strangers. But she was determined to find out what was going on outside the city walls. Mia still glared at Kiran dangerously who was avoiding her gaze, "Kiran? Delusional?" she said coldly, still glaring at Kiran, "I wouldn't be surprised. But yes, we did come across undead," she replied to Moryssa more warmly. "Will you keep it down!" Naclia yelled from under the blanket. "I have a headache!" Mia glanced back at the form cuddled up next to Lucied under the blanket. "Perhaps we should go to the roof," Mia offered. "Lead the way" Moryssa replied as she followed the woman. This whole idea was getting curiouser and curiouser. Mia led her out, Kiran didn't follow them, but instead went out the door of the room and waited for Moryssa. "What has Kiran told you?" she asked. Moryssa debated on how much she should tell. "He told me that an army of the undead had risen." Simple, she remembered her father told her that playing ignorance gives you the best protection. Depending on how much she learned, she would decide to help or not. Besides, she would definitely have to report this to the guild. "Well an army of the undead has risen, didn’t you see that dragon that flew overhead?" Fou-Lu asked. He then looked over to Mia. "We have a very serious situation on our hands." he said. "I doubt they would have been able to see him here," Mia added. "But we don’t know much besides what we've seen." Moryssa decided to try and pry some info. "Do you know what caused it? Was there some kind of item or something?" Moryssa was getting very interested. It's not everyday an undead dragon ravages the land. "We definitely need to form a plan." "Honestly, I have no idea what caused it and I have no clue what to do," Mia shrugged. "If you want to go fight, find someone willing to do it. I just want rest and a hot meal. Oh and be careful of Kiran. He may seem 'sweet' but I know better," she pointed to the scars in her eyebrows and ears and ducked back into the window, leaving Fou-Lu and the merchant outside. She went over to the bed Naclia was in and crawled under the blankets next to Lucied. Fou-Lu glared over at Kiran then over at Talen and shrugged slightly. "Well it seems that there must be a powerful force behind all this, especially to raise a dragon from the dead." Fou said. He then responded to Mia’s words. "Yes keep an eye out for Kiran, he isn’t trustworthy." he said. Talen watched Naclia and Mia as they spoke their words and watched them. "I know what that dragon was, I know that body and those wings." he said as he looked down. Mia still hadn't fallen asleep. "Well, if anyone here wants to do something about the dragon, we should think about this after a good nights sleep," Mia muttered, half asleep and curled up to Lucied. "Yes, it was Narse, Talen, we know. Are you ok?" Naclia had woken up again and looked at her companion. "Narse? But wasn't that Kardis's dragon." Moryssa was starting to break out into a dark sweat. If there is a power strong enough to bring back a dragon from the dead, would this rag-tag bunch be able to stop it? "That's it! I've decided to join you guys." Moryssa hoped this would be a good idea. I've almost forgotten about my brother. Cha Za, Damia, Marfa, someone! Please bless us on this journey. "So you mean you aren't going to do anything? Well we should at least warn the priests to cremate the bodies or something!" Moryssa couldn't believe how cowardly these people were. If they could give her some more info she might be able to refer to her books. Some of which might be confiscated by the Mages Guild because of there authenticity. "Well do you guys have a plan?" "Well, you guys are going to need financial backing on this trip. And my knowledge in the occult will come in handy." With that said Moryssa left the roof and grabbed Kiran by the arm. "We'll meet in the square tomorrow at noon!" She called back." Come on handsome. You can stay at my place." Mia looked up at Fou-Lu. "You think we should?" she asked. "Honestly, I won't want to sit this out. I don't think I could take the boredom. I just need to get a spear, I'd fight better with that," she yawned. "Double-ended preferably," she added and rolled over falling back to sleep. Kiran was relieved when Moryssa finally drug him off. "Thanks again Moryssa," he smiled at her while they returned to her home. "Though I worry about what could happen if I travel with Fou-Lu..." "That reminds me. What did you do to piss that lot off?" Why are all the good looking ones total nut cases? Kiran shook his head. "It’s a long story I’d rather not get into. I’m trying to get passed those things. I’ve made mistakes that I’m determined to not do again," he said softly. He was afraid that if he told her these things, she wouldn’t trust him. He had never talked to anyone rationally about this, but maybe he could. "If you need to know, just promise me that you will keep in mind that I’m no longer the same person," he looked down at her, begging for her approval. "Ohhh. That's so sweet. Of course I wouldn't judge you." Moryssa opened the door to her house and walked in. "You can tell me while you help me braid my hair for the night." "Thank you again then," he smiled and walked inside. Kiran sat down where he had earlier that night, waiting for her to sit in front of him to help her with her hair. "Thank you again then," he smiled and walked inside. Kiran sat down where he had earlier that night, waiting for her to sit in front of him to help her with her hair. Bringing Kiran some scented oils and a lavender ribbon she sat down on a cushion in front of him. "I hope you're a good storyteller." * * * Talen looked down with a serious look on his face. "Such a power someone must have to bring back Narse, I thought that dark dragon was gone forever, but now its back, seems my duty is not yet done. I’ll have to go and confront it with the force that brought him back to life." he said then looked to Naclia. "Well I’m just a little shocked, I’ve heard so many stories about Narse and now to actually see him I see what they meant about him." he said staring over at her. "I’ll most likely have to go see him along with the other knights...." he said. "What do you plan to do, I don’t really want you going along with me because of the danger that dragon possesses." he said "Narse was dead though, what's more important is what brought him back. Undead rose up everywhere." Naclia tried to assure him. "Now come on, get some sleep." With that, she rolled over, but then a thought came to her mind. The other dragons who were killed... She sat upright in bed. "Talen! What about the other three? Bramd, Abram and Shooting Star? What if their brought back too?" Mia had been woken up by this. "Bramd and Abram, perhaps, but Shooting Star met his doom in a lava pit. There's nothing to resurrect of him," she added. Naclia looked back at Mia, only slightly relieved. "Did you say you didn't want me to go along?" Naclia looked over at Talen, glaring. "Are you suggesting I stay behind while you big tough men go and save the world?" her voice started to raise as she glared at Talen. "Humans!" she scoffed and turned her back on him. "I'm going to sleep now, so I suggest you all shut up," she muttered under the blankets. * * * What's with the oils? he thought. Women. He started to comb through her hair with his fingers and braid. "Well, it started about 50 years ago while I was living in Raiden. I met this dark elf there, Zira. I fell in love with her and we were together for about 20 years, but things changed. I stopped loving her, but I was afraid of hurting her by telling her that. So I was still with her for a year longer, but didn't really love her. Then I met Mia. She was so beautiful. Big jade eyes, long pale hair and glowing gold skin. And a few other things you wouldn't want to know about. I started to fall for her and we got together," he paused, not wanting to say what happened next. "I was still with Zira though. Both of them found out, I got what I deserved and went off to Marmo. "After about five years alone, Mia shows up looking for her father. I did my best to help her and things kinda heated up again. When she found out her father was dead, she was going to go back to Kanon and leave me." now he seriously hesitated. He was also at the end of her braid. "Now please don't hurt me for this," he winced, "I made sure Mia wouldn't leave. I didn't think I was capable of that. Three of my friends on Marmo helped me out and we wouldn't let her leave..." he stopped and got up, walking across the room to a window. He couldn't believe now that he actually did those things; he didn't want to believe it. "You held her captive on Marmo?" Great! Why do I always find the weirdoes? "I can tell that you're hurt. But the past is the past. All you can do is strive to make the future overshadow it." That was from her mother. Moryssa walked over to Kiran by the window. She looked outside the window wondering. "You can't wait for their forgiveness. You have to forgive yourself. The rest will follow." Frair. She could see him trembling so she moved closer to him, locking her arm in his, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know I don't think of you any less. In fact, I like you more." After that, there was silence. He smiled and kissed the top of her head after a long, silent moment. "I just need sometime before forgiving myself," he said softly. He laughed a little, "Thank you yet again." he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight. Moryssa was shocked. She could feel herself heating up. For once she was at a loss for words. But this time she didn't mind. She just stood there, looking over the sleeping city. "Why don't you go to bed? If you want to leave tomorrow, you're going to need your rest," he said. "I could use some sleep myself." Kiran then realized a stinging sensation in his thigh and remembered how Naclia had apprehended him. He released Moryssa and looked down at his leg. "You offered a bath earlier, I think I'll take you up on that," he said to her while he examined the wound. "Sure" Moryssa was startled out of her daze. "I'll get it ready for you. Do you mind smelling like freesia?" Moryssa didn't really care about the answer, she'd already fixed it. "There you go, it's nice and steamy. When you're done, I have some silks that you can wear. We'll get up nice and early so we can get you some new clothes. Besides, I have to run a few errands." Moryssa said all this while making a cushiony pallet beside her bed. "Good night! And don't try any funny stuff." *Moryssa snap out of it! You can't fall for him already.* Kiran thanked her yet again and said goodnight before climbing into the bath. It was very relaxing after all he'd been through and he finally tended to the arrow wound he had received from Naclia. He wrapped his thigh in some bandages he found and put on the clothes provided for him before going to the bed she provided. He was slightly uncomfortable sleeping so close to her, but he was honestly to tired to really care. * * * "Naclia..." he said silently as he wanted to speak to her but something had stopped him. "I don’t want you to go along because I don’t want you to get hurt." he said under his voice. "I’m probably not tough like all the other knights but I have a sense to protect the one I care about, so I’ll protect you Naclia!" he said then walked outside. He looked up to the sky and unsheathed his sword-training outside. He swung his sword wildly as he continued on. "I know about Bramd and Abram. I’ll be ready for them if they come back. I’m not like the other ones you call humans, I’m not like them. They care about nothing except their rank, but I, I am different Naclia, because I care about you." He spoke as he sheathed his sword and caught his breath. Naclia sighed as he left. I don't need you to protect me, she thought. She sat up and looked down at Mia. "Are all men so protective?" she asked, even though she basically knew the answer. "Yeah, for the most part," Mia smiled and whispered so Fou-lu wouldn't hear, "But just let them. We can all take care of ourselves and when they're in love, nothing can change their minds. I'm certain Fou-Lu is going to say the same thing." Naclia smiled back at her and scratched Lucied's head. "At least someone got some sleep," she said as she stroked the wolf's head. I just hope Talen doesn't do anything rash to prove himself.