Aiyanna was frozen on the floor of the cellar like a broken china doll. She was shocked and dizzied but most of all felt like a seven years old again. She didn't want to move, but she knew she would have to thank Cray for saving her life. She was still as a rock, almost breathing rapidly. She never more then now wished she had learn to fight without magic. She tried to get up but fell again seeing again and again of the replay of the leap towards her. A voice inside her head told her, you're not a kid anymore, be stronger! With that promise she made herself thirteen years ago got up like if metal chains dragged her limbs. She will not act like that ever again.

Zira lay on the floor where she had fallen after someone, or the demon, had thrown her to the floor. She hadn't time to think, and she was in no position to attack. She looked up at Cray, trying to decide if it was really him and why the hell was he defending them?

She picked herself up and staggered back to chair where she plopped down and took a deep breath. What in the name of Falis happened?

Sevrina coiled her whip and tied it back on her belt. The demon was defeated, they were safe, though, regrettably with the loss of several lives. Why should I care? Sevrina thought. I never have. She drew a glove across her forehead to wipe away the sweat and maybe a few blood splatters as well.

For the most part, everyone was fine. The priests could take care of everything else. Sevrina plopped down in a chair and put her knuckles to her forehead. She was tired, not too tired, but she hadn't kept down any of her meals for the last day or so. The fight may have been over for most of the people here, but not for her. She waited patiently for Blaze to find her.

After the battle was over Ariakan stood up and headed towards the remains of the Inn. Upon exiting the cellar he saw the devastation, this battle had taken a great toll on everyone. Inspecting the bodies that littered the area he sighed, then looked to everyone upstairs. "What was that thing? It looks like it was something that only a true fiend could come up with."

Luda was knocked back, her spell did not hold at all. "What a useless creature I've been," she said to herself and tried to stand. Ardyn ran to her side and caught her as she stumbled and fell. "Let me go," she said, but she wasn't scolding him and there wasn't any anger in her voice. He just smiled. "I have to help heal the wounded," she insisted.

"That was a long time to channel holy power," he said. "Don't even try to use any more, you'll just hurt yourself. There's plenty of other priests and priestesses here to heal." He couldn't hold his smile for very long, nothing about this battle had been happy except for the fact that they had survived. He looked around at the destruction, and the many dead warriors. "We haven't been very much use, you know. Maybe... maybe it would be better if we stayed out of their way."

"I can't leave now," Luda replied. "I have to see what lies behind this chaos, otherwise my life would have been a waste."

"Why do you think that way?" Ardyn asked, his deep concern for her state of mind was showing through. "You're not worthless. You couldn't help the Duke and you couldn't protect the cellar from that monster, but that's not important." Luda closed her eyes and leaned against him, so exhausted that she was completely unaware that she was doing so. "Just sleep... I'll wake you up if they make an announcement."

Without a word Orion put his whip back at his side and sat against a wall nearby. For now, at least it, was over. For now it was safe. But what next? He couldn't purge his mind of the thought, of the visions from the battle. Mephistoph's tattered body had stood out, because he had known him. "One beast caused so much damage?" he whispered to himself quietly. He knew Kaiza was not dead but at least for now he was gone, giving them a chance to regroup and heal their wounded.

* * *

Thorn fell to one knee, only staying up because his sword planted in the ground kept him up. In the end, that things had treated them as little more then children standing up against a raging thunder dragon. There was no time for this. He had to bury the dead. He pushed himself back onto unsteady legs and headed back into the inn, ignoring the people along the way. To each of the people he came across he felt for a pulse for several moments. Nothing. Only two of his knights were left, the old man looked as he had before the fighting. He had tried to guard the door after both of the guards charged, and he seemed to have been pushed aside by two dark elves. The other alive was his junior by at least two or three years, and his armor was torn across several areas, a nasty gash was at his side, and he held it as if his innards would be exposed if he didn't. He raised his sword above his head. "It has to be done...damnit..."

With a downward motion one head was severed from the dead body of one of the dead. He walked along to another, and made another downward motion. To each corpse he did this, cutting the heads from their body. The distaste in his face growing with each strike. When he was done he stood for a few moments. "Tell the clerics to heal my... mercenaries. I'll be burying them outside of town. Hopefully I removed the enchantment."

The older knight grabbed the body of the youngest knight that was with them. 16. He memorized that face with its blank stare as he took another body, grabbing the disembodied head as he dragged it out the front door and slowly toward the outskirts of town. When he was there, he ordered the older knight to bring the rest of the bodies. "I'll start digging the graves. Besides, if one of them is affected by the enchantment... someone has to be here to deal with them."

He watched the older knight nod, then stalk off. Thorn's gaze, however, shifted out. His eyes squinted. There seemed to be some type of camp. Maybe refugees who were gathering to leave, tomorrow maybe. None of his concern. He focused his mind, the ground was his to control. Thats what he told himself. It didn't work so well, he couldn't control every minute detail. He would have to do things the old fashion way. He waited calmly for the older knight to return, then asked for a shovel. It would be a long night.

The bodies were gathered. But even his precaution didn't work as the headless bodies began to move. The saying was true. Only magic could undo magic. He felt a pit in his stomach. "Pile them up... the enchantment won't take full effect yet."

He helped pile them up, moving around the slightly moving limbs before he stepped back. "Fire that... burns brighter then twilight... I ask you... I beg you... heed my command."

There was a bright spark, then a towering blaze as the writing bodies caught fire. He had fought. He had even dragged the bodies here and was preparing to bury them. But the burning of the writing bodies caused him to empty his stomach on the ground. The stench filling his nostrils, a sickenly sweet smell. Sometimes having dragonic senses wasn't a blessing.

* * *

Adali sat on the floor, cradling Erelind's broken body, and sobbing into the dead priestess's red hair. Erelind had been her best friend, and her sister as more than just another priestess was. The blood flow from her throat had stained Adali's dress, but she didn't seem to notice. Her best friend was dead, and she felt lost without her.

Dantcobs came over and knelt beside her, then cooed some comforting words to her, managing to pry Erelind's corpse out of her hands. The formerly grinning priest was now solemn. In one strong arm, he cradled Erelind's body gently and stood, pulling away from Adali while the half-elf priest Turin comforted her.

Dantcobs followed the path Thorn had taken and added Erelind's body to the funeral pyre and said a prayer to Myrii. Glosin the dwarf joined them as well and added Khazzuz's body.

* * *

Back inside the inn, Cadila scanned the room for wounded and went to the younger of the so-called mercenaries. She said a prayer of healing and helped him to a chair to rest.

Akaria had started cradling Moryssa in her arms when the demon stormed downstairs, but he was chased out thank Marfa, by the dark clothed man in chains. He was confusing to her at first, but when she heard the beast speak his name, it confirmed that he was man Ariakan and the others told her about, Cray.

Then it became more confusing. Why would the man who destroyed the Mirror Forest and Roid be helping them? Akaria carefully moved Moryssa's prone form to the floor, pillowing her head with a sack of grain. The dark elf was still wrapped in her white cloak.

Akaria stood and headed toward Ariakan, staring darkly at Cray. The man did destroy her home forest after all. "That's Cray? What is he doing here?" she asked.

Ariakan looked to Akaria and breathed deeply. "Yes love, that is Cray and don't be mad at him. He's on our side, from what I know he was betrayed by the other chaos generals. We need all the help we can get in this war, he can be a major help to us. Perhaps it would be best now to help everyone recover from this ordeal, I know I'm going to do what I can." He looked to the bodies and sighed, this war was going to be tough and he didn't like the fighting really.

The other priestesses--and priest--stood as Akaria did, but instead, they went upstairs to check for the wounded. It seemed the priests of Myrii had done enough already, but the floor of the inn was gorged from the demons claws and awash with blood.

Edwin was glad that the demon was finally killed but he closed his eyes as he walked back into the inn. He couldn't be sure of all that where lost but he knew at least one of the priest of Myrii where gone most likely more then that, along with a few warriors and Meph. Looking down at the two blades he sighed sheathing his own and laying the other down with other weapons of the fallen. "One creature was able to do this, we need to be ready for anything else that might strike " Edwin muttered to himself as he picked up his bow and unstrung it.

Isorith and the other priests of Cha Za came up from the cellar to examine the damage. Little five-foot Elza put her hand to her mouth and her eyes filled with unshed tears as she watched the dead being taken away.

The deaths were few though, probably thanks to their spell. If they hadn't cast it, there would be more dead. Isorith looked on with a steely gaze. They would do more work now. Tonight, they would spend enchanting weapons.

Nipa had followed the priests upstairs and he looked around, he felt numb. He knew that warriors preferred to die in battle, or so he had been told. But that knowledge did not help matters. When that creature has broke through the doors it scared him and he lost his concentration. Up to that point he had been planning on surprising their guest if he had made it through the doors. But he had been useless. He had hoped to be more use, but so far nothing had gone right for him other than surviving.

After it was over, Toan made sure to check his sister first. Not surprisingly, she was still passed out. It seemed that even all the commotion, fighting, and death didn't even wake her up. He began to wonder if she ever would. He made his way back up the stairs to Kiran and looked over the damage. "She's fine. Could you help me take her back up to the room?"

"Yeah," Kiran replied softly. His eyes were fixed on Moryssa with obvious worry. He bent to pick her up, all wrapped in Akaria's cloak. I hope she didn't wake up during the fight, she wouldn't be happy to know the others saw her in...this condition.

He carried her out of the cellar, and back upstairs to their room. As he climbed the stairs, he kissed her forehead gently. Please wake soon... he thought. He waited as Toan opened the door for him, then carried Moryssa inside and laid her back in bed. He tossed Akaria's cloak aside, then gently tucked Moryssa into bed.

* * *

Outside on the street, Estius had helped Glosin check on Khazzuz, and the dwarf, to find that the dwarf was still alive, though barely, he prayed to Myrii and watched as the dwarf's wounds healed. It wouldn't be so easy though. There was a river of blood on the street, a good number of that belonged to the dwarf. They would need to take him to the temple for more treatment.

Granite rushed out onto the street to where Dralock had fallen. Beside him, a skinny priest of Myrii had healed his wound, but Dralock was surrounded by a puddle of blood that was flowing through the crevices in the cobblestone. Her blue eyes filled with tears, then she ran over to him.

"Is...he all right?" she asked the priest.

Estius looked up at her, then recoiled for just a moment when he realized that the bearded dwarf in a dress was actually a woman. "I don't know," he replied. Bearded women, Glosin told me about that, but it just looks....wrong. Estius thought. "He lost a lot of blood, but he's still alive. We need to take him to the temple."

Granite nodded vigorously. "Please, do all you can," She replied. Dralock was such a nice man...and I had him under my thumb! Well...at least I can find another potential husband, but he's still a friend.

Glosin returned from the funeral pyre, his robes stained with blood. Granite's eyes lit up as she really looked at him for the first time.

"Glosin, we need to take this man back to the temple," Estius said.

"He lives?" Glosin asked, then shook his head. "He's lucky to have made it this far along. Let's get him there fast." Glosin turned to Granite. If the situation wasn't so serious, he would have seen a beautiful woman. "Are you coming with us, my lady?"

Granite nodded again in reply. Glosin hefted Dralock's body onto his back. For a dwarf, the man was heavy. And that was saying something. He might have been heavier than Khazzuz. Still, Glosin ground his teeth and carried on. Maybe a little of it was showing off to the lady...

Estius picked up Dralock's axe and followed after the low, hunkering form of one dwarf carrying another in the night. It did feel rather odd, being so tall and surrounded by those so short. Granite hurried along at his side. Take away the beard, he could understand what men might find attractive about her. She did have pretty blue eyes...but that beard was just...so...wrong!

* * *

Aiyanna finally managed to drag herself upstairs but not like a if she was dragging her limbs anymore. It was just matter of getting rid of the vision of the beast entering and the leap towards her replaying in her mind. She saw both Cray and Jinn not far from the stairs on the ground floor. Right now, her fear of the man was gone, that man saved a lot of lives tonight. She managed bow respectively, "Thank you for saving me and others as well...I hope I can repay you one day."

Cray remained silent, giving Aiyanna a slow nod simply acknowledging her words before dragging the orbs behind him back down to the cellar, a trail of blood flowing from his wrists down the chains.

With that she looked at Jinn, looking terribly tired. He must been under hell of a lot of stress too, just about anyone up here had been. "Are you well? I am sure Priestess of Marfa will be glad to look after you."

Jinn was better off than most, simply tired. "I'm fine," he grinned. "Just... tired." With a grunt he hoisted himself up, stumbling slightly but managing to keep himself up. "The priestesses have worse to worry about..." Solemnly he looked around at the damage cost. "I better lend them a hand... I can still move properly."

Aiyanna smiled slightly shakily but nodded, "I will help too, at least try to clean up all the blood splashed all over the place." Aiyanna crinkled her nose from the smell of blood hanging in the air and hoped downstairs to cellar, then noticed the trail of the blood. She hoped that wasn't somebody else's blood from the cellar. Then something hit her and she looked at Cray dragging those heavy orbs of metal. The trail of blood followed him.

"Ah! you are bleeding! I can't stop any internal pains..but I can fix that bleeding." Aiyanna flicked her fingers and a dark green glass bottle flew to her hand. For the moment she forget about the priests. She wasn't sure they were really going to approach this man who felled the Mirror Forest and the Holy city of Roid. Without thinking, she grabbed one of his wrists and dropped a few drops of her mentor's wonderful concoction on the wounds, then did the same for the other. It should stop the bleeding, though she couldn't stop any pain on those chained wrists inside.

Aiyanna nodded to herself and went to her bag, to retrieve few things to help her clean up the walls and went up the stairs. She wasn't so bad in alchemy as she was in healing at least. Simple spells such as cleaning up this place was one she could perform readily.

Finally satisfied with the quick brew she made, she spread a circle and dropped a few drops of the strange dark green liquid. It floated in the air, then with few motions of Aiyanna's hand, they were sent against the wall and it spread from like her shield. Blood didn't come off easy, and she repeated the same procedure to clean up the ceiling first. Though she might have to try to work out how to kill off this dreadful odor of blood.

* * *

Things were quieter now save for an occasional sob or crash of thunder. The salt and steel odor of blood hung in the air, a counterpoint to the sweetness of decay that had seeped through the very woodwork of the city. The fox forced herself out from under the shattered barrel she had taken refuge under during the most frightening moments. But now, things had calmed. Her eyes narrowed into slits and she saw bits of meat and carrion strewn across the street. Something in the back of her animal brain registered the scene as horrifying but the more present mind saw meat for meat. Her belly twisted and her bright pink tongue lashed out and ran over her teeth. Too many people were wandering around. Her urge was to stay in the dark and wait. They were taking the meat away. Cutting it up and taking it away. She whimpered slightly and began to follow from a distance. She stooped at the corner of the square and lapped at a small puddle of blood that had been spilled during the fight. Somewhere in her mind she felt vaguely guilty.

* * *

Granite sat beside the bed Dralock had been lain in. The chubby dwarf was pale and still showed no signs of waking. He had been stripped out of his blood soaked clothes by the priests and bathed. Granite witnessed none of this, for which she wasn't really interested. Dralock had been quite tubby, and despite her affection for him, it did not go as far as wanting to see him nude. His clothes had been taken to was and possibly mend, his axe hung from the wall on a rack that was made to hold the weapons of any sick warriors who stayed here.

Granite had lost any interest she had in Dralock, and now her attention and coy smiles were directed to Glosin, who she was already making blush. The human man, Estius, with him only shook his head. Apparently, he couldn't appreciate her beauty. She stuck her nose up in the air once at him. It caused him to start.

Glosin stood beside her, and looked down at Dralock's prone form. "That's all we can do," he said.

Granite smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. "It's enough, thank you," she said without conviction. "Will you escort a lady back to the inn?" she asked and offered her arm to Glosin.

Glosin beamed and linked his arm with hers. "Of course." He led her out of Dralock's room. Estius rolled his eyes and suppressed a shudder as he followed them out. One slender giant on the heels of two pudgy dwarves. So far tonight had been very disturbing, he didn't need to add bearded-woman romance to it.



* * *

It was about an hour, maybe longer, since everyone had bathed. Most of the camp, and especially the more recognizable members, were completely clean and no longer rank with smell, if that had been the case. Meals were taken, a few stories traded, the most turned into bed. Elven rangers took turns on watch.

Seri was about ready to head to be herself, but the centauress Cassandra wanted to caste a vision for Raiden. Seri, being the leader of the the so-called heroes of the moment, and the eldest in the entire camp, was asked to come. Seri agreed of course, but now, she wasn't waiting for Cassandra, but just hoping to see Azala come riding into camp.

Cassandra walked to where Seri stood at the edge of camp. Worrying over her lover, most likely. Cassandra had never had time for such things, she was a seeress, which was very important to her herd. "Seri, are you ready?" Cassandra asked.

Seri heard the sound of the centaur pace coming, then sensed Cassandra's presence. She nodded in reply. "Yes, lead on," she said and followed Cassandra back to the woods.

The spot Cassandra choose was secluded from the camp, and on the opposite bank of the river. To cross, Cassandra allowed Seri to ride on her back, which was just simply easier than getting wet or summoning spirits.

When they reached the small clearing, which was just big enough for the two of them, Seri summoned spirits of Air, invisibility, and earth to create a curtain like she did in the bath. Then, she let Cassandra work.

Cassandra closed her eyes and opened her mind to the voices of the heavens, the voices of fate. She stood still for a long time, just listening, opening the channels.

Finally, she opened her eyes and cast a spell. "Oh mighty spirits of Air, create me a window through which to see. Spirits of the water, give it solidity. Spirits of the forest, open their eyes to see what I see."

A round disk floated flat between Seri and Cassandra. It glowed and shimmered like a mirror. Then, it rippled. A battle was shown in the city of Raiden under the gaping Chaos Gate. Hovering in the air was a cruelly beautiful man with pale hair. He could control the air. A battle was in force. The two women watched as warriors were cut down, catching glimpses of familiar faces. Was that Fou-Lu? The boy Erias? That silver-haired mercenary Ryna was so attached to? Familiar faces of rangers fell. Seri would see faces she knew, though they were strangers to Cassandra yet. Then, it all cut off abruptly. A field of white lilies replaced the battle.

"Something has interfered with the viewings of Fate," Cassandra said gravely. "Or something is uncertain. I believe visions are somehow being blocked." She frowned.

Seri frowned as well. She had jumped when the vision cut off. "Who could block visions? You are convinced of that," Seri mused. "Are the lilies a symbol?"

"No mortal can," Cassandra replied. "Not even the eldest elves, or sorcerers of Kastuul. I would daresay, a god, but what god lives to do so?" Cassandra sighed and her window disappeared. "I don't know what the lilies mean, but they must mean something."

She looked back at Seri. "Let's go. Do not warn those you saw of their deaths. It could mean our defeat, and the fall of Lodoss if you do."

Cassandra walked out of the clearing and used her own shamanist magic to cut through the screen Seri made.

Seri shuddered at the thought. "I will not meddle in Fate," Seri replied, then followed Cassandra out. She dropped her spirit-curtain as she passed through, then climbed back onto Cassandra's back for the ride across the creek. Back in camp, Seri returned to her tent, half-hoping Azala would be there waiting.

* * *

Sevrina was drumming her fingers on the table, waiting for Blaze. The bloody Dragon hadn't come back in yet. Aiyanna decided to go to bed, but, didn't. Instead she insisted on cleaning up the blood and healing Cray's cuts. Sevrina rolled her eyes. Cray wouldn't care about little cuts, but he was making a mess. At least that stopped him from leaving little red trails.

Sevrina stood, her chair making a loud scrape on the floor, then put her hand on Aiyanna's shoulder. "To bed," she ordered. The girl was tired, and had shed no blood. There we plenty of people who could clean it up. "You are not the only person here, Aiyanna." Besides, Sevrina wanted them out of here when she talked to Blaze. At least most of them. She needed Blade here, maybe Zira would help her out.

Aiyanna nodded, dragging her tired body upwards. Maybe she could block the stars off and have a peaceful and dreamless sleep for once since she'd arrived in Raiden.

"That goes for the rest of you," she looked across the room. "I need two shamans who can use Undine to clean the blood out of here. Then everyone, get to bed. Talk to a priest if you need something to help you sleep."

Isorith stepped forward and raised her hand, "Wait," she started. "Drop your weapons by room three on the first floor. we will enchant them with the luck of Cha Za for your upcoming battles. The door will be open." With that, Isorith turned and headed upstairs, followed by the other priests of Cha Za.

"Hey," Sevrina called to the priestess at the end of the line. The girl had a name similar to her own. Seirina? Sairina? Sirina? The girl, and a couple others ahead of her turned. Since Sairina was at the end of the end line, she went to Sevrina and curtsied.

"Take mine, I'm staying down here," Sevrina said, then glanced across the room at Zira. Just watch me, Zira. She thought. Sevrina untied her whip from her belt, took off her sword belt, unsheathed the long, kris bladed daggers from her boot tops, took punch claws from their sheaths hanging from her main belt, and a good number of throwing knives and darts from her boot tops, then piled it all in Sairina's arms.

The priestess's emerald eyes were wide in surprise. "There's a small case on my dresser in my room," Sevrina added. "Inside is a bow. Enchant that as well. Room six."

"Yes ma'am," Sairina curtsied again, this time awkwardly, and turned to go upstairs after her sisters and brother.

The idea that Sevrina had killed Gale was something that Blaze had thought up, or figured out on his own. He never mentioned it her, and the first she heard of it was just a short while ago. Zira couldn't even be sure of it. She didn't know the details of Sevrina and Gale's relationship, just that they had been lovers for a long time.

Zira watched Sevrina's gesture of good faith from across the room, though she wouldn't have been surprised if the assassin had more darts hidden about her body, not to mention the fact she was deadly enough without them. Zira stood and unbelted her sword, then ran up to the priestess retreating with her arms piled with weapons. "Here," she said and put her sword on top of the pile.

Sairina didn't say anything, but Zira could imagine she was exasperated. Sairina carefully climbed the stairs and disappeared past the wall. Zira didn't leave the spot she stood, beside the stairs. She waited patiently for the others to go upstairs before she went to Sevrina. And for Blaze to come back inside. Where was he?

Edwin watched as the warriors started to go to bed for the night. Standing up, he bowed to the Priests of Myrii in the room and walked up to his room.

Orion stood up from the wall quietly and went to the stairs as he was told, but looked at Sevrina questioningly for a minute. He didn't understand exactly why her and the dragon were fighting so he would not consider it his business, but the thought that Sevrina could be a murderer just didn't fit. He turned and silently went up stairs after depositing his weapons for the priests to enchant.

Ardyn picked up Luda to carry her. She wasn't injured, but the spell casting had left her very weak. Luda thought she was very capable of walking, but didn't bother to argue with him. "Luda's staff and my sword are over there on the ground," he said to the priestess of Cha Za. "I hope to Falis that we won't need them before you're through," he didn't want to bother about that though. Too tired.

* * *

Ardyn followed everyone up the stairs and claimed a small room with one bed. He laid Luda into it. He sat on the floor with his back leaned against the side of the bed and took a deep breath. "Sorry about that," he said to her. "I used to be a knight you know, old habits die hard."

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind... its a joke. They say knights are supposed to be chivalrous."

"I know... my father was a holy knight too. Hmm... I wonder how my family is. I'm sure they'll rebuild from whatever destruction took place in Valis. In Lodoss, rebuilding is a constant human effort. I wish I could have seen it happen... my home destroyed. How can I learn the face of war if I can not see that? You weren't there either, were you?"

A heavy breath came from Ardyn. Luda sat up to see he'd fallen asleep. She smiled. "I talk much more now, I know," she said quietly and laid back down to fall asleep.

* * *

The foreign aeromancer remained outside helping with the clean up. Rummaging through the broken wood to clean up some for their hosts, from time to time dealing with stains of blood and death.

The process took some time but Jinn did his part then remained outside under the starless clouds. To an aeromancer seeing the stars was a natural process, even when it was a dark night, cloudy or stormy he could always see the stars but tonight... tonight the Chaos Gate loomed over them...

* * *

The blonde woman struggled to a seating position, staff in hand. The Trance was gone. She felt a little drained, as was expected. Finally, she had gotten the chance to test it. It had some expected results. It needed more work though. Obviously, the fight with the demon had proved to her more effort was in need for the spell to be taught to anyone. Alera stood up slowly and breathed calmly. She gripped the silver handle of her staff and walked slowly into the bottom level after the order to sleep was given. She had heard it yelled, but did not go upstairs. Instead, she moved to the basement and retrieved what things Aiyanna had brought for her before taking the long journey back up. She found herself in a corner, as far away from Sevrina as possible. She opened her book and began writing in it. She didn't say a word or make a sound.

Ariakan sat up in a chair and did what he could to help cleaning up, but as everyone fell asleep he sat there with a goblet of elven wine from one of the bottles that had survived. "I'll stay up and keep watch with the others, I have a few ways to secure the perimeter."

Thorn finally returned to the inn. Soot covered his face. Not that he much cared. After he had emptied his stomach, a little extra color to his already tan complexion wouldn't effect his mood that much. That was the true story of warriors. In stories, the fighter never emptied their stomach. No. They fought valiantly, and always won. Then never effected afterward. When he entered the inn, it looked like a show down between the other dragon-kin and Sevrina. He was not in the mood for this. He sat down and stared intently at the two, cupping his chin in one fist. While he seemed outwardly cool and collected, it was an effort not to scratch his ear. And the tell tale sign of anger was still present as his eyes gave off a light glow.

Sevrina growled to herself and clenched her fists as Ariakan and Thorn decided to sit down in the common room. "GET OUT!" she screamed at both of them and pointed to the stairs.

Thorn simply smirked, making no indication he was going to go up. There was another reason for him staying down there. He had heard very clear what that dragon-kin had said. Murder. If this woman had murdered her lover, who knew what she was planning? Maybe gift wrap the lot of them to these Chaos Generals. "I don't recall becoming your servant, woman. No, I was hired to help you fight those demons. I just lost all but two of my mercenaries. I say I'm entitled to listen into this little discussion."

Ariakan looked at her and shook his head as he stayed in place glaring. "You are not going to tell me what to do, so if you have any notion of todays events it would be best to leave me be assassin... I would not push your luck with me, you have already proven unreliable and untrustworthy at best." He then moved to somewhere he could be alone and out of everyones way as he was not in the common room but sitting outside with his drink, not even caring to be social his mood was that dark.

Nipa lingered for a while in the common room looking at the destruction that had occurred and he felt very useless. However he was not one to just roll over and play dead. "Well if they don't bother to notice I am there then that gives me a slight advantage," he said to him self then grinned slightly. Turning he proceeded to the stairs only to almost jump out of his skin when Sevrina screamed. He was not sure she meant him, but he was not going to stay to find out. Saying a hasty good night to her he went to speak with the Priests of Cha Za.

Sevrina's jaw clenched and her right eye twitched. She stormed forward, grabbed the collar of Thorn's shirt with one hand, and the back of Ariakan's robes with the other--they weren't sitting very far apart--then yanked the two men to floor, which, since they were so close, resulted in them knocking their heads together. Then, her hands moved to the front of their collars and lifted their heads off the floor. "Don't play games with me boys," she growled, looking down at the two of them. "Get out before I THROW you out." She released their collars and let both fall to the floor, again knocking their heads together, and against the floor.

Akaria watched as her fiance was assaulted and turned to glare at Sevrina, unnoticed by the dark elf. She hurried to Ariakan and knelt beside him, putting her hand gently on his forehead. "Ariakan, we should go, just let her be," Akaria insisted. He was stubborn as all hell, but the simple truth was, he brought it upon himself. Sevrina, though Akaria had never met her until today, she was obviously the unpredictable type.

Glaring at Sevrina he brought Shatterstar to bear. "You are stupid assassin, you have no concept of who or what you deal with. I know how and when you shall die Sevrina, I look forward to it with great pleasure... Now I will be off, honorless cur." He then stalked up the stairs as he shot Sevrina one last dirty look before going to the room, his head pounding.

Something clicked in Sevrina's head, a voice that had been quiet for the last few days. A morbid smirk turned one side of her lips up, then she chuckled darkly after Ariakan. "One who dances with death knows that eventually, death will charm her," she said, loud enough for Ariakan to hear. She had no fear of it, and cared not a hair whether he enjoyed it or not. Somewhere, deep in her mind another voice whispered that now she had too much to live for now. The one in control didn't hear.

Thorn, or Dravin, both were pretty clear on one thing. Pure anger. How dare she push him down! If his eyes had been giving off a dim glow before, they burned like fire now. He reached for his sword. He drew it half way before a hand stopped him. "Go to sleep kid, you gonna kill her just because she pushed you down? Your just upset. tell ya what, if you still want to kill her in the morning, wake up, eat some breakfast, then split her open. But think before you do it."

Thorn nodded, his eyes still burned fire as he walked past Sevrina and gave her a growl before heading upstairs. "I should say the same to you all. I'd expect more from elves then to act like little children." The old knight simply rubbed at his wrinkled brow, then headed upstairs himself.

Alera walked inside. She hadn't been seen since the end of the battle. But she grabbed her things, nodded to everyone and looked around for less than a second. She felt something deeply frightening right from Sevrina. Not the kind of person one wanted to talk to about then. "I suppose my presence isn't welcome. I will be outside if anything is needed of me." Alera turned, using her staff for a walking stick and a book in her other hand, she walked outside.

Blade had sheathed his swords over his back and finally came between Sevrina and her view of the other warriors, a warm hand touching her shoulder. "Come on..." Blade looked around quickly. "We've got something bigger to deal with, calm down for now... please."

Deasa and the priests with her watched Sevrina through disapproving and somewhat fearful eyes before heading upstairs.

"There is something wrong with her," Thalia shuddered. "For a moment, she was just as creepy as that man in the basement."

"Despite that," Luc broke in, "She does seem to be set on saving Raiden."

The women glared back at him and he shut his mouth. "Perhaps we should look to another leader," Ialin suggested. "Maybe the sorceress, or the dragon."

"We shouldn't have been so quick to judge a dark elf just because she fought on the same side," added Cyrla. "She is too dangerous."

Suddenly, that malevolent voice slipped away and let the regular Sevrina back in control. The one that was starting to fear for her unborn child's life. Blade's touch and gentle voice brought her back. Sevrina sighed and rubbed her temple. "Thank you," she whispered.

She loved him, and it was one of the rarer emotions she felt. In fact, she didn't think she even really knew how love of any sort felt; for family, for a lover, for a friend. All she knew was that she always felt secure and at home around Gale.

With Blade, it wasn't romantic at all, and the feeling had manifested itself on recently. His presence was comforting, peaceful and strong. Something about him just brought out the emotion. She flirted with him, but was utterly comfortable in the fact it would never go further than that. She loved him as her friend. Maybe it was really Missa, the sword of life that was doing it. Either way, it felt good, and warm. Utterly lacking of lust, instead, it was innocent.

Sevrina stepped away and plopped down in a chair, sighing. Her emotions were running high and she was short fused. The pregnancy. So far, the only person who knew, the priestess Erelind, was dead. Perhaps a few others suspected because of her illness and appetite, but they didn't know. She would have to get away, hide out for the next nine months or until she knew who the father was. She was planning to tell Blade later on, she knew she could trust him the secret.

Sevrina looked up at Zira, the fervent light from her eyes gone. Now, there was exhaustion and honesty in those ruby eyes.



* * *

Akaria, meanwhile, sighed in relief as Ariakan went upstairs. They didn't need a conflict. Especially with someone like Sevrina, the woman would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Even if Ariakan did caste spells on her, Sevrina would not give in. He would have to kill her with magic, and Akaria didn't want to see any blood shed from these people, even Sevrina.

Akaria and Ariakan were able to secure their own room and Akaria sat down on the bed. "How much do we know about her, Ariakan?" she asked. "What if she really did kill that man, Gale, who ever he was? What will we do about her?"

Ariakan sighed, he once too almost killed Gale without intending on it so he had to show some form help for him. "Very little, she's too mysterious and somehow if she was truly on our side she would at least be more honest and not so controlling. If she did then I don't know what to do, we can't do much besides bring her to justice."

Akaria nodded, then kicked off her slippers. "I think she does care to some degree though," Akaria said, starting to take off her belt. "If she didn't, she wouldn't have been here. I heard her shouting orders as they defended us from that demon. She did everything in her power to keep it away from us."

Akaria sighed, then took of the mantle that rested over her shoulders with the upside-down crescent of Marfa in the front. She laid carefully on the dresser, then put her circlet on top. "Sevrina is a mystery, my love," she said. Her gown slipped easily off her shoulders. The only place it was tight was around her waist, where it was buttoned in back. She comfortably unbuttoned it, utterly comfortable with the eyes of the man she was going to marry watching her undress. "But," Akaria said and started to smile as she stepped out of her dress, "Let's just forget about her for awhile."

* * *

The other priestesses had chosen a room with two beds and all five women would share. Luc had his own room. They didn't want to put any of these warriors out. So far, nobody asked for healing, but they would be their if needed.

* * *

Although they had asked for them to leave the weapons Nipa could not just place his families prized daggers on the floor. Since the door was open (as they had said it would be) Nipa ventured inside.

Isorith sat cross legged on the floor with Yukiri on her right, Acier on her left and Sairina and Elza arranging the weapons. The two girls weren't yet advanced enough to do a proper enchantment on their own, so at the moment, they were running errands for their superiors. Later, when the weapons were gathered, they would all combine their strength to lay the most powerful enchantment they could over the gathered weapons.

Sevrina's whip, rapier, punch claws and various daggers had been laid out with Orion's bow and an entire quiver of arrows and whip as well as Ardyn's sword, Zira's rapier, and Luda's spear. Sairina hurried in with a wooden case that contained Sevrina's new bow.

Isorith glanced up and saw Nipa in the doorway, then smiled to the young grassrunner who had such great faith in Cha Za. "Ah, Nipa, please come in."

Dantcobs had done his best to clean up the mess, then went to Adali, who was still weeping, oblivious of everything else. He picked up Erelind's spear that had lain near where she had fallen, then Adali's as well. With one strong arm, he scooped up the priestess and carried her upstairs. First things first, he put her in the room she would share with Cadila and made sure she would get decent rest with a spell.

Then, he took the two spears and his own bastard sword to the room the priests of Cha Za were in. He slipped in past the grassrunner, then silently deposited the weapons. They were already enchanted by Myrii, but another enchantment couldn't hurt. Erelind's spear could be given to anybody, which he told the tiny girl named Elza before he left for his own bed.

Thorn grumbled the entire way up the stairs. Mostly about skinning Sevrina. Yes, that was on his mind. That and skinning that creature. Oh, if he could get his hands on either... Bah, no use thinking of that. He took out his sword. He wasn't totally for enchanting it any further then it already was. No use thinking about it, his knights had already given their weapons to the priests. He went into the room they had told him to dump his weapon, and laid it out among the others, leaving, he noticed Nipa. Well, nearly didn't. The only thing that kept him from stepping over the grassrunner were the priests acknowloging the little guys presence. He was to angry. He was starting to not see things. If he lost control, he would likely level the inn in his sleep. Not a good thing in a place you slept. "Pardon me..."

Nipa stepped inside and looked lost for a moment before speaking. "I... I know you said to leave the weapons here.. But I cannot be out of sight of these two." He touched the hilts of the two daggers. They have been in the family for too many years... And I cannot just leave them anywhere."

He paused momentarily as the annoying Human tried to step over him. A passing thought came to mind about how well this man would stand without his leg mussels. Pushing those thoughts aside he tried to act ok with how everyone kept trying to step on him or over him.

"I would like to watch... If I can?" He asked while holding the two dagger out to her.

* * *

As the room emptied, Zira pushed off the wall she had been leaning against. She just got a second-hand taste of Sevrina's temper and instability. If it weren't for Sevrina's outburst, Zira would have kindly asked them to move upstairs. She would be more demanding if she had too, though she wouldn't have beat them up over it. Somehow, the swordsman Blade had illicited a change in Sevrina when he spoke to her. Still, that outburst wasn't very convincing of her innocence.

Zira took a seat across the table from Sevrina, looking into those eyes that nearly matched hers for color and shade. She could definitely see sincerity in those eyes, but she couldn't be sure it was real with a woman like Sevrina.

Altaris and Azoth were the last to leave. They stuck around, just behind Sevrina's view and watched in disdain as she dealt with Ariakan and Dravin. Azoth thought Sevrina was a little off her rocker, but she certainly gave a man a nice view of her firm bottom. And those legs. Even though he was a knight, Azoth was a dark elf first.

Altaris, on the other hand, was too disgusted by Sevrina herself to not care for her looks. He believed she was responsible for the death of Blaze's friends, even more so.

She finally noticed them and shot them a glare that nearly made Azoth shrivel. Altaris returned the glare with a contemptuous smirk. Sevrina's upper lip twitched, almost ready to snarl again, but this time, Zira spoke up.

"Go, guys," she said and motioned with her head to the door. Her arms were crossed over her chest. "Let's not make a scene."

Reluctantly, the two knights stood and headed upstairs. Azoth made a stop at the room occupied by the priests of Cha Za and deposited his sword and bow. Altaris felt his weapon was enchanted enough by Marfa. They took a room with two beds and turned it, but didn't fall asleep just yet. They were listening for the conversation downstairs.

Zira looked across the table at Sevrina and Blade, her eyes were unreadable, she made sure to mask her uncertainty of Sevrina's guilt. She knew the woman was possibly a butcher for Cray in Roid, but did she have it in her to kill Gale? At least she kept her head level, Blaze on the other hand, was quite the opposite at the
moment. Zira would have to keep a tight rein on him. He professed to be a pacifist, but he still had a dragon's temper.

Outside, Blaze had shifted forms when he saw Kaiza disappear too quickly to catch. The fight was too fast for him to keep up with in this huge form, but while he was in the sky, a familiar voice resonated in his mind. The steady, strong and beautiful sound of Seri's voice. She and the others were outside the city, but probably too tired to enter. It was for the best with the demon about. At least this assuaged the worry that they had been murdered by Sevrina as well. He wouldn't be surprised if Gale had gotten away from them and tried to rescue that worthless dark elf whore himself.

Blaze shifted as he drifted to the ground, slowing going from dragon to winged-man when he touched the ground with his boots. He was slightly tired from it, and had to take a moment to catch his breath. His temper cooled, just a little, but he was certain as soon as he saw that dark elven woman's smug face, that liar's face, that the rage would be back. Blaze inhaled the salty night air, then made his way into the inn. He paused, just outside the busted-through window that big half-elf had been pulled through.

Sevrina had ordered everyone out, save Zira and Blaze. A few lingered, Ariakan and a young knight, or maybe mercenary. He was half-elf, but obviously had reptilian features. Another of his kind? By Marfa, he'd already met three others like himself in the Mirror Forest. Talen, Fou-Lu and Ariakan. It had to be some sort of meaning. And this young man, he wasn't sure what his name was, controlled the Earth element. Blaze and Fou-Lu were Fire, Talen was Air, and Ariakan was Water. If one of the Fires stepped aside (of course, it wouldn't be Blaze) they could be a powerful foursome. Perhaps some sort of destiny?

Blaze suddenly recalled what he was intending to do as Sevrina strode forward and yanked his two dragonic brothers out of their seats. Blaze's lip drew back in a snarl. They disappeared from the room though, as did Azoth and Altaris a moment later.

Blaze drew one of his swords, and half of him hoped he didn't have to use it. Then, he stormed inside, through the hole that used to be the front door. As he cleared it, he spread his wings to appear more menacing. His eyes were fixed on Sevrina.

"You bitch..." he growled, crossing the floor. "Get out of here Zira, you too Blade. This is between me and her." He held his sword ready. "Draw, you lying whore."

Zira stood her ground, but uncrossed her arms, as if she were ready to defend Sevrina? Her sword was gone, but she had her magic still.

"No." Blade moved in front of Sevrina's table, into Blaze's path. "Stop now Blaze... this is meaningless. Gale was not murdered."

Sevrina stood and held her arms out, and now Blaze saw that she was unarmed. He didn't sheath his blade, as far as he knew that lying slut had daggers hidden all about her body. "They stay Blaze," she said solidly. Zira had her head on her shoulders still and Blade was her witness.

Blaze growled and stretched his wings out further. "Move aside Blade, I don't want to hurt you," he said through clenched teeth, his eyes were on Sevrina over the swordsman's shoulders. "She probably lied to you too."

"He disappeared outside the city. Sevrina had been under my watch the entire time." Blade stretched his arms out as he would to a raging beast. "Now stop Blaze, before anyone gets hurt."

Blaze actually growled. He didn't want to believe a word of it. "It's true," Sevrina said. "Gale met me in Roid. He, myself, Cray and Blade traveled north. Cray left us at Shuva, then Gale tracked him ahead to Raiden. When we got there, Gale was nowhere to be found."

"You lie!" Blaze cried. "Gale would be here no matter what! Where the hell is he?"

"I don't know!" Sevrina growled back. "The fool left me! He was nowhere in Raiden as far as I know!" Suddenly she felt tears rising in her throat. Pregnancy brought mood swings, she knew, this had to be one of those. "Damn you Blaze! Why can't you bloody listen!" Sevrina choked on her tears and suddenly they were trickling down her cheeks.

Zira's jaw dropped. It had to be ruse. Sevrina was milking her tears...but...Her face. Sevrina's face was contorted with emotion. Pain, fear, shame. Zira stared in open wonder at Sevrina.

Blaze straightened a little and clenched his jaw. She couldn't really be crying, but he didn't think she'd use such a tactic unless she was very desperate, much more desperate than this. Either way, it took him off guard.

Sevrina took a ragged breath and put her hand to her head. The sudden movement made Blaze jump back into his attack position. "I have told you the truth," Sevrina replied, her voice almost a croak. "Blade can confirm it. You do trust him don't you? The holder of the Sword of Life?"

Blaze relaxed just slightly. He didn't speak. Zira turned to look at him. "Blaze, I trust Blade," she said. It almost sounded like a bad rhyme. Blaze relied on her trust. It wasn't as if she said she trusted Sevrina after all.

"Blaze..." Blade sighed slowly and slowly drew each of his swords. "I would not risk my life on a lie. If you still want to get to Sevrina then come."

Blaze smirked, then raised his own sword to Blade. Zira, however, made it Blaze's side before he made any foolish mistakes. "Enough Blaze!" she hissed. "Have you not heard a word they said? Even if you don't trust Sevrina, Blade is a good, honest man. We should know that! I can feel it." She was referring to her elven senses. Zira could feel the warmth and peace of Blade's presence just like Sevrina did.

Blaze drew in a breath sharply and stood straight again. He sheathed his sword, then folded his wings down. "Zira is right, Blaze speaks the truth, but Sevrina, watch you back. I'm keeping a VERY close eye on you. Those waterworks aren't going to change my mind."

Sevrina had wiped her eyes and gave Blaze a hateful glare. Was that shame in her eyes? Blaze gave her a disdainful glare again, then let Zira lead him upstairs. She nearly had to drag him out of the room. They did make a stop at the room claimed by the priests of Cha Za where Zira convinced Blaze to get his swords enchanted. Zira unlaced the white corset-like bodice she wore over her dress and laid it on the floor of the room. Her daggers were hidden in the seams. With that done, Zira drug Blaze to an empty single-bed room, though she had her heart set on two beds tonight.

Alera sat outside the Inn. She could not hear what was said inside. She placed herself so she wouldn't purposefully. She wanted to rest, but wouldn't. She wrote inside her tome, a well of ink beside her and a quill in her other hand. Her old tome sat on her lap as she wrote swiftly what happened with her magical theories and the changes that needed making. She had come so far...so far from her youth. Alera sighed, looked up at the sky, then went back to her work.



* * *

Sevrina put her hand to her brow again. "Bloody hell," she muttered. Cursed emotions! Curse your father, and curse myself for being such an idiot! she thought to her unborn child. Even calling it her unborn child sent chills up her spine.

She took a ragged breath, then went to Blade. She could tell him, she had to tell someone. Sevrina wrapped her arms around Blade in a hug after he had re sheathed his swords. "Blade, I have something I need to tell you," she whispered in his ear. "Let's go back to our room though," she added.

"Oh," Blade gave her a gentle squeeze before letting her go. "Alright, let's go then. You must be exhausted. Blade took the lead to their room but only by slightly, he made sure Sevrina was doing alright and only trailed him slightly as they went up.

As soon as they were in their room he nudged her to sit. After locking the door behind them he drew a chair near her and sat himself down. "So... what is it?"

Sevrina sat down on her bed and stared at her hands in her lap. The words were hard to say, and she didn't want to admit the truth. "I went to one of the priestesses of Myrii for healing," She started. "Erelind, the one who died. And she told me..." Sevrina paused. "She told me I'm pregnant." She practically spat out that last sentence. It gave her a unsteady feeling in her gut to think of it.

Blade's eyes went wide and she could nearly hear him blink. "P... pregnant? When? Are you...." Blade stopped a minute and scratched his head. "Right... that would explain just about everything until now... Are you alright? Need anything?" Blade leaned forward in his chair. "Either way, congratulations." Carefully he reached forward with his right hand and pressed his fingers against her stomach and smiled.

Sevrina couldn't return his smile. She drew back without really thinking as he placed his hand on her stomach, then leaned forward again. His touch was reassuring. "Blade...this can't be a good thing," she said. "Not in the middle of this war. Not with me for a mother," Sevrina was shaking her head. She stopped, then looked back up at Blade. "I don't even know who the father is."

Blade continued smiling. "It's always a good thing when a new life is created." He ran his hand up from her stomach to her cheek. "And we'll know soon enough won't we? You can't concern yourself with the past, there's nothing you can do. There's no point in grieving over what's been done."

Sevrina managed a tiny smile and looked at Blade. "I just think that this child would deserve better than me," she said softly. "It's either Cray's or Gale's. I've been with so many outside of Gale, and he's never known. But I suppose it doesn't matter now. He's gone."

Blade just nodded. "It will be alright. I'll help you in every way that I can."

Sevrina's smile took on more warmth. "I don't think Cray needs to know he could be a father either. Even if Gale comes back, I don't want either of them to know. They would be at each other's throats, even worse than they are now."

"That's true enough, the two of them have tempers..." Blade hopped off the chair and sat himself next to her. "I think... that either of them would handle being a father well. They take themselves much too seriously not to."

Sevrina leaned against Blade absently. "But first, I need to know who really is the father. I'll go away for awhile, until the baby is born. It should be easy enough to tell between a half-human or half-were-wolf, right?" she said with a slight chuckle.

"A wolf as fuzzy as Gale? I'd hope you can tell the difference."

Sevrina laughed a little more, a very lighthearted and almost innocent sound that was alien to her. Blade brought it out, he seemed to fill her with life. She was already changing for the better, thanks to his mere presence. "So, will you go with me? We'll hide out maybe in Moss. What do you say?"

Blade held up his smile, but his eyes were sad. There was nothing more that he wanted then to help her, but there were so many more that needed him here. "You know I can't Sevrina..." He leaned close and pressed his warm lips to her forehead. "I need to be here."

The levity of the moment seemed to slip away. Sevrina sighed and felt a weight drop back onto her shoulders. Her voice was thicker, more serious again. "You're right," she admitted and leaned her head against his face. "I take care of myself. I'll find somewhere to hide out, find a midwife when it's time."

"And let them know Sevrina. No matter who the father is you need to tell them. You don't know how to raise a wolf or a pyromaniac."

She nodded. "I will, when I know," she frowned as a thought occurred to her. "I don't even know where Gale is right now. I might have to seek out a were-wolf tribe if I can't find him. How will I be able to watch both of them from the distance, so I can find them again?"

"There will be a way I'm sure. I'll help you with that tomorrows. But for now," he kissed her forehead "Go to bed."

Sevrina sighed, then returned Blade's kiss with another on his cheek. "All right," she said. "Goodnight Blade." Blade flashed her a smile and quietly scooted off to his bed.

Sevrina undressed and changed into her sleeping tunic, then crawled into bed. Sleep came quick to her tired body, and the healing magic Erelind had cast had so far kept away the sickness. Sevrina slept deeply and undisturbed.

* * *

Aiyanna was having nightmare. She was in the cellar, not with the others, but by herself. She felt like she was being hunted by something she could not see. Then ahead of her, she saw the demon again, grinning a maniacal grin. Aiyanna froze with fear, then slowly backed up, never turning her back on it. For every single step she took, it took a step forward then it jumped with impossible speed for her dodge. She screamed with all her voice would allow, unmistakable fear heavily laden in the voice.

Then she woke up, fear sweating all over her face. Aiyanna tugged at her hair then realizing it had been barely one hour since she fell asleep. It must been only about forty minutes or less that she was in that nightmare but she didn't want to sleep nor did she want to talk to the stars. She sat there, almost still then blinked in the darkness.

She didn't want to show too much weakness in front of others either nor talk to them right now. Finally she decided to go and see a priestess, trying to find some way to sleep peacefully. Maybe their touch would help her, she wouldn't dare try any mental healing spells on herself. After all she wasn't the person to ask for healing. She threw on her dark gray cloak over her shift and wearing her ankle high boots, dragged herself out of her room with her staff and tried to look for the room priestesses of Marfa might occupy.

After leaving the cellar, the innkeeper and his maids stuck close together in the kitchen. He insisted that the girls go home, but they were too scared to travel at night with that demon still out there. Instead, they decided the stay the night at the inn and maybe go home at day break. A couple girls opted to stay behind and help take care of the warriors with food and drink.

After the decision was made, one of the girls, short, busty and brunette was making her rounds upstairs. She heard the dark elf Sevrina order everyone but her and a few select others out of the common room. She was happy to oblige. Mostly everyone had gone to their rooms, but the young sorceress was walking in the halls.

The maid curtsied to Aiyanna, stepping in her path, just in case the girl decided to go downstairs. "Do you need assistance, ma'am?" she asked.

Aiyanna smiled tiredly, "I was wondering if you know the rooms the priestesses of Marfa have taken, I need some help."

The maid rose from her curtsy and nodded. "Right this way, ma'am," she said and led Aiyanna down the hall to the last room.

The maid knocked on the door, then informed the priestesses, "You have a visitor." With that, she bobbed her head to Aiyanna, then went back down the hall to do other chores.

Deasa opened the door and smiled as she saw Aiyanna. She didn't know the young sorceress, but she smiled just as warmly as if she did. Deasa wasn't surprised that she came to seek comfort after nearly being killed by that demon.

"Come in child," Deasa said warmly, with a motherly tone to her voice. She looked the part of a mother too, there were strands of gray in her brown hair and lines etched by time at the corners of her eyes and mouth.

Aiyanna nodded and thanked the maid, then came in. "Priestess Deasa, I can't get a peaceful sleep naturally and I am bad at healing of any sort. I keep having that nightmare scene replay in my mind...or rather it was even more worse since nobody else was there..." She said as she sat on floor tiredly, hoping a blessing from Deasa would calm her, at least till the morning.

Deasa watched Aiyanna take a seat on the floor. The other priestesses were in the room. There were only two beds, but the younger girls, Thalia, Ialin and N'shara, didn't object to their elders taking the beds.

Deasa took the chair from the nearby desk and placed it behind Aiyanna, then took a seat. She placed her hands gently on the sorceress's pale head and spoke a soft prayer, "Holy Marfa, mother of creation, allow your comfort to surround this troubled child's heart, let her fears hide from your Holy light." Her hands glowed with magic.

A comforting warmth settled into Aiyanna's mind and the thoughts of the demon attacking her faded into distant memories which would trouble her no longer tonight. Her heart rate slowed to it's normal beat and the adrenaline level in her blood dropped. "There," Deasa said and pulled her hands away. "That should help you. Do you feel better?"

Aiyanna smiled, as the images stopped replaying in her heart. It was a good idea after all to come to priestess Deasa. "Thank you Priestess Deasa." Aiyanna smiled and bowed respectively to the older priestess and nodded and slowly got up and walked out the door. She swore that she will learn to fight if they survive Raiden. Because she knew the war wasn't going to end here, no...it was going to last longer.

That thought troubled her heart but the warmth the priestess blessed her with soon enveloped the thought as she climbed back to her bed but just before she fell asleep, she looked through the small window, only to see the Chaos Gate, not the stars and the moon.

* * *

Granite, Glosin and Estius returned to the inn. They were on edge, obviously. Dralock had been left in the care of the Temple of Myrii, and Myrii was the only one who knew when the dwarf would be back on his feet. He was beyond the help of healing magic right now.

They passed by the sorceress Alera, sitting outside the inn and absorbed in her own thoughts. They didn't think to disturb her. Instead, they just continued back inside the inn. Estius and Glosin went to find the other priests of Myrii, Granite found a haggard and anxious maid to give her a room. Granite stopped in the room occupied by the priests of Cha Za just long enough to smile at Nipa and give them her mace.

She went back to her room and got ready for bed, then turned in. She wrapped herself tight in the blankets and eventually fell asleep from pure exhaustion.

* * *

"Mmmmm. Kiran..?" Hey blue eyes, watery and laced with red looked up at the handsome dark elf. She was feeling a bit better, but no where near her old self. "Where am I?" The surroundings weren't familiar at all. She tried to sit up, but the pain in her abdomen removed any will to.

Kiran's mouth hung open for a moment as she woke, then he sat down beside her on the bed and brought her into a gentle hug. "Mory..." he whispered softly, then sat back up.

"We're in Raiden," He didn't know if she remembered that much. "At an inn, called Dabagon Inn. Some of our old friends were here, and enemies. Sevrina is here, so is Blade, do you remember him? It looks like Sevrina has dug up quite a diverse army here as well." He paused and brushed some of her hair out of her eyes. "Do you need anything? Are you hungry?"

"Dabagon Inn? Uh, I'm soliciting the competition." She didn't have the energy to roll her eyes. She simply looked at Kiran's loving face. "I could use something to drink." Moryssa normally didn't mind being waited on, but not like this. Not being so helpless. "I'm not sure how much I can eat." She was quiet for a moment.

"What's been going on? Why is that...woman here?" She obviously meant Sevrina. The last time they'd seen each other, they left on bad, in Mory's case murderous, terms.

Kiran smiled a little. Falis, this is wonderful. She's not only awake, but coherent. Is she getting better? Kiran thought. He shifted into his natural tongue for the rest of the conversation, {Sevrina and Blade were the first ones here, I believe. Gale wasn't here, and Blaze threatened to kill Sevrina. He sounded convinced she killed Gale,} Kiran explained. {Just a little while ago, I could hear them downstairs. Blade and Zira talked Blaze down. You...missed a battle as well. There was a demon that broke into the inn, at least that's what I think it was. Sevrina was conducting the defense, but a number of lives were lost.}

He sighed and rubbed his temples. He didn't want to tell her Cray was here too. {I'm going to go get you some water and something that'll be easy on your stomach, ok love?} Kiran said and looked at her for acknowledgment.

Moryssa was doing her best to listen, but her head was pounding and her stomach burning. She nodded to Kiran. But then she thought about something he'd said. "Gale's dead?" Her eyes perked up a bit. She'd never cared for the werewolf.

Kiran shrugged, "I don't know. But if he was, I'm sure Sevrina and Blaze would be fighting to the death right now." Kiran chuckled at the light in her eyes. She despised Gale just as much as he despised Sevrina. You tend to feel that way when your life was threatened by a person.

"I'll go get you something," he said and kissed her forehead, then left the room.

Kiran returned a few minutes later with pot of hot tea, a jug of spiced wine, a tray with a loaf of bread, cheese, and what little fruit he could scrounge up. He set the tray of food on the nightstand and the jugs on the floor, sat back down on the bed. "It's the best they can do. Nothing was cooking, and they're low on supplies. I brought some tea, and wine if your up to it."

Moryssa forced herself in a sitting position. She winced as she did so. "Why not both?" Sweat beads were on her forehead. She felt so tired and Kiran was just sitting there. Patient and loving. "I'm going to kill Anubus." As she said the man's name, her scars welled up in pain. She muffled an agonized scream.

Kiran leaned forward and embraced Moryssa. If only Akaria could have healed her! Her scream felt like it ripped right through his heart, it was killing him to see her in so much pain. He cradled her in his arms and buried his face in her ivory hair. "We'll all kill him. Me, you and Toan. We'll rip him apart," Kiran assured her.

* * *

During the night Blade kept awake. Once Sevrina's breath deepened he slipped out of under the covers and approached her half of the room, carefully. Once he had approached her without triggering any of her defensive instincts he stood right next to the bed. With a smile he pressed two fingers to his lip and lowered and pressed them against her stomach. "The child and her mother will be safe. The Blessing of life to you Sevrina..."