It did not take long for him to find the place again, "Ah here we go," he said as they came around to the front of the building. The inn was much wider than the usual, but it was also much shorter as well. The building seemed to be an old one, but in good repair and most importantly, clean. "Shall we go in?"

"Indeed."

Nipa still held her hand, though he had not realized that he should have let her go a long time ago. The two of them walked up to the counter and met the innkeeper.

"Well, what do we have here, a mother and her child... would ye be wanting a room lass?" he asked Gettie and ignoring Nipa all together.

Gettie felt rage boil in her throat and her fists clench as her mind screamed, Lass!?! Lass!?! I am The Lady Gettie Mara, First Daughter of the... but she remembered where she was before the script could run its course. Composing herself, she coughed slightly and felt the heat drain from her face. Managing a small smile, she nodded, "If it isn't any trouble," she corrected herself normally formal speech, "Yes, I need a room for the night. On the ground level? I need a window as well."

Nipa held his tongue as she clenched her fists, which unfortunately he was holding one of them... He was distracted by the sudden change in her that he missed that she had asked for only one room.

The innkeeper smiled at her; "Very well," he turned about and picked up a key. "We have just two left on the ground floor for tonight and you are welcome to one of them. After you get settled you might join the others in the common room for a drink and some food." After handing her the key he was called off on other matters, "I'm sorry my lady, but I must take care of something." And with that he was gone.

Having remembered Nipa's comment, she called out to the turned back, "Keeper! Pardon me, keeper! My compan...nephew will be needing his own...," her voice trailed off as her words lingered in the emptiness of the hall.

Nipa began to smirk, and then chuckle before starting to laugh. "Nephew..."

With a faint grin, Gettie nudged him, "Hush, he addressed us as mother and child... what was I to do?"

"Well... what's done is done... come on... Auntie... we need to get you to your room." He chuckled as they walked to the room. Apparently the innkeeper's loud announcement of them and her calling him her nephew did wonders for not drawing attention to him not being normal.

The two walked down a short hallway to the door and Nipa realized that they had the room just right next to the back door, only one other door was close and that was directly across from them. "I have a feeling that we will be meeting some interesting people tonight..." he said as he looked at the door.

Gettie took pause... night, but managed to nod, "Perhaps, indeed." Taking the crude key, she slid it into the door and threw the latch, pushing the door open. The door swung open to reveal a small but adequate corner room. A comfortable straw mattress rested on a stout wooden frame in one corner across from a dresser and table with a washbasin. A pair of wooden shutters was latched shut on the wall adjacent to the wall shared by the back door, allowing some slight defense from the crowds, occasional peeping vagrant and, unfortunately not uncommon, thief. Gettie was pleased enough but missed the moderate luxury from back home. She turned to Nipa and shrugged, commenting, "This shall be quite suitable for my needs."

"I am glad, I was kind of worried that you would not like it, and I do not know where the better inns are."

"Would you like to go in for a while and talk before we have dinner?"

"Indeed. Dinner would be lovely." Nipa reminded her that the last thing she'd had was meager and several hours ago.

Prior to stepping out, Gettie remembered the bow string resting against her collar. She'd been carrying a strung bow and quiver of arrows across her back since leaving the other inn! Normally an inexcusable breach of manners, it had seemed to attract no notice whatsoever. Still, it would have to come off. She threaded herself out of the arc and with a grunt, gently unstrung the bow. "I should track down some cloth to wrap that. At least a sack for the ends, perhaps." She carefully tucked the bow and quiver under the mattress and, after satisfied with her work, turned and smiled. "Nipa, indeed, let us go for a meal."

"Ah food, my second... not third most favorite thing to do," he added with a grin. The two left the room and went to the common room. Most of the tables were taken already though there were a few empty tables to the sides. While some of the parts of Raiden seemed to be empty, here closer to the docks seemed to be more lively. In fact it seemed that not far from them was a group of sailors that were laughing and drinking themselves to what any normal fold would call an early grave. Pointing her over to an empty table the two had barely sat down then a bar maid came by and saw the two of them together.

"Oh he's adorable..." she said about Nipa which caused his ears to burn in embarrassment. "What will you be having?" She asked them both.

Gettie nodded, "Indeed. My sister is quite proud to have such an upstanding and handsome son." The smells of cooking wafted in the air and mingled with old ale and less-than-fine-wine. She licked her lips and went with her gut, "A well boiled egg, a small piece of rare beef and tea, if I may," turning towards Nipa and adding, "As well as his desires."

Nipa was trying to keep from laughing and so far he was succeeding, but he did sport a large grin. "Well... I will have an al... I mean some tea sounds nice... but I think a fish or two would be nice.

"Ok, I'll get them for ya," the woman said as she turned to go.

"I think you are enjoying this nephew business," he told her as serious as one could be while trying not to laugh.

She winked and said, "It's convenient. Besides, we're sparing the common folk from having to go to the trouble of believing that they're seeing a member of your tribe here on Lodoss."

Nipa just shook his head, "You may be right, but it is certainly funny... I always wondered what it would be like to be related to nobility," he winked as he joked with her. He made sure though to keep his voice down so that other nearby would not hear too much of their conversation... not that being quiet was a problem as the sailors were making enough noise to possibly hide a conversation in the inn across the street.

She took a quick breath and nearly hushed Nipa to keep the mention of nobility quiet but she could tell he was attentive to the delicate nature of her situation and kept his comment well beneath the roar of the common room. She glanced towards the unruly sailors and quickly looked away. "Back home," she began, "A number of the stable hands were known to get roaring drunk quite early in the day. Their Watering Parties, as they were called, were nearly legendary to everyone at the manor... except for my father, of course. He would have had them in stocks if he'd ever know of what they did."

"Oh? Did you ever join them? How did you find out?"

"Oh heavens no! What would I be doing with the stable hands? Certainly not. No, my handmaiden would tell me the stories afterwards and what... not exactly lies but what misdirection had been agreed upon to insure my father would be none the wiser."

"Ah I see, well it sounds like it would have been fun... well barring being caught anyways."

I t was not long before their drinks showed up, but the barmaid let them know that it would be a little bit longer on their food before she disappeared into the crowd. Taking a sip of the tea Nipa looked at it then at her, "Well, it's not bad, but it certainly is not the best I've tasted." He took another sip, "Have you tried any of the flavored teas?"

"My father thought tea was valuable as a commodity but not of much worth beyond that so we didn't have more than a half dozen types of tea at the manor. Once when we took a trip to the capital and attended a lunch, we were given our choice of nearly twenty types. I suspect his highness had dealings with the subject and the hosts were allowed to pick from his stocks."

"So, no... I've not had much time with exotic teas."

"Only 20? Humm I wonder where they came from?" He thought quietly to himself the chuckled again. "My father once though that the only drink to trade in was alcohol... ale beer, grog, rum and such. But when mom introduced him to tea he had a change of heart. He was able to get teas from the different forests and different elves, we once had about 40 different types of teas... I never've seen so much tea... And I never thought we'd get it all sold either."

"It's quite valuable to certain individuals. My father, in fact, was quite fond of...," her voice dropped. "Forgive me; this is not really a proper venue to be discussing such things."

"Oh you're right, how foolish of me, May Cha Za give us his good favor so that only good will come from this." He said seriously. "I guess we will have to wait till later to have a serious talk..." he said before looking around the room. So far no one seemed to think anything of them other than a woman with a child.

"May it remain so," she said, taking a sip of her tea. They were not even halfway through with their teas when the waitress returned with their food. Sitting the plates down in front of the two of them she wished them a good meal before returning to her duties.

"Hummm this smells good." Nipa said as he took a whiff of his food.

Gettie was oblivious to Nipa's comment as she immediately began to wolf down her food with an animalistic intent. Hunger, stress and the removal from her well ordered environment overwhelmed her normal impeccable manners as she dispensed with utensils and grabbed her meat with her hands and relished the feeling her teeth tearing the flesh. Ripping a bite from the beef, she turned her attention towards the egg and roughly picked away at the shell while gleefully chewing.

"I take it has been a while since your last good meal," he said her in all seriousness. "I wish I could have helped you out before now." Nipa turned his attention to his own food and he began to eat away at it, but to make sure the attention was not on her alone, he picked up the cooked fish and began eating it sans utensils as well.

* * *

Seri looked to the young man who arranged the tables for her. "Thank you," she replied, then choose to take a seat at the end of the line of tables, opposite from Zira. She was positioning herself in a place of leadership intentionally. Zira was acting as if she were the leader here, so Seri would be the leader on her end. The petite high elf waited patiently for her companions to sit. It seemed humans had already claimed the right side of the table. They were obviously uncomfortable around so many fair folk.

Cassandra waited for Dinalindel to leave his cart behind, when he got the harnesses off, with Leaf's help, she led them up to the inn. At least one good thing about the door being gone, the hole was large enough for the centaurs to pass through, though Cassandra had to duck because of her antlers.

The tables inside were set up as a long meeting board, but there was no room for Cassandra to squeeze in. She stood aside, where she could still be in hearing distance to interact with the group. The barmaids and innkeeper were gawking at her and Dinalindel, but they went about their business, albeit, a little clumsily when the paused the study the centaurs more. Cassandra crossed her arms in frustration and waited for the others to gather.

Leaf walked in alongside Cassandra, but she headed over to the table to sit on the human side, next to Fenix.

Dina sighed as he stood uneasily beside Cassandra, "If I would have known that we'd have this many staring at us I would have at least combed my hair more." he tried to laugh and make light of the stares but it did not help much. The best part though was watching two of the bar maids literally run into each other as they stared though they tried to not look like they were staring.

A simple smile touched Cassandra's lips as she noted the reactions to her and Dinalindel. She didn't have much to say on the matter though. Cassandra's weight shifted as she rested one of her hind feet.

Edwin bowed his head to Seri and then sat down at the table not even paying attention to that most of the humans where sitting on the left side, he was not effected by all the fair folk. Shaking his head at the silence, Edwin looked over to Seri, "I am guessing that you know all about what has been happening here the last few days," he knew Zira would take the leadership role but he was not really in the mood to sit in the silence.

Seri raised her eyebrow and looked at the young man who spoke. "I have no idea what has happened here in the last few days," she replied in her melodic elven voice, though it had a frustrated edge to it. "That is a part of the reason why we are gathered here." She returned her attention to Zira at the other end of the table.

"Sorry to interrupt, but should someone who was here from the beginning of the acid rain tell first of what happened?" Aiyanna said quietly raising her hand.

Seri's ears pricked. "Acid Rain?"

Zira nodded to Aiyanna. "We'll get to that. Let's get the formalities out of the way first. Half the people I arrived with are missing, but those who are here. My friends, I would like you to meet Seri, High Elf of the Forest of No Return." Zira turned to Azoth. "Seri, this is Azoth, a knight from a little fortress called Dark Haven on Marmo. The boy is Edwin Starym. You've met Aiyanna already. The elf at the table behind you is Orion, and he is with the priestess Elza."

Isorith, having just realized the meeting had started, went to the meeting table and took a seat beside Leaf. Deasa and Akaria came from the Marfa priestess' table and Dantcobs and Cadila came to represent the priests of Myrii jointly.

"Ah, and here are some of the priest who are aiding us. Seri, meet Isorith of the Cha Za temple. Deasa of the Marfa temple and Dantcobs and Cadila of the Myrii temple. And Akaria, Ariakan's fiance."

"Fiance?" Seri glanced to Akaria. "I recall hearing him mention a lost love."

Akaria nodded to Seri and smiled a little. "I am her. Ariakan will return later tonight. We have an announcement for you all to hear," Akaria said while her smile grew broader. She was nearly glowing with barely contained joy.

"Well, I suppose it's my turn for introductions," Seri glanced around at the few of her company that remained. "Azala, for those who don't know him," she introduced her former lover with an icy voice. "Sera, his sister. Ryna and Leaf, heroes of the last war. Fenix and priestess of Cha Za Sakura..."

Azala winced slightly as Seri introduced him. Lovely tone of voice. He was going to have to talk to her after this. If they were broken up, she had no right to treat him like a goblin.

"Fenix?" Zira broke in, having just noticed him. He looked different, his hair was sandy brown instead of black and his eyes blue instead of red. "What happened to you? And....I thought you went to Marmo."

"We can get to that later," Seri continued. She seemed to want to get introductions over with. "The boy...I don't know," she waved her hand toward Callin. "The elf here is Aiden. And the centaurs are the Seeress Cassandra and Dinalindel."

Cassandra bowed her head and swished her tail. That was all for Seri. With introductions out of the way, she leaned over the table and propped her chin up on her hands. "Now Zira, tell me all that has happened, since we split up. Were you in Blade? I felt something had occurred there, then we heard rumor it was destroyed. Is that true?"

Zira nodded and cleared her throat. This was going to be a long conversation. "After we split up, you know we headed north into Alania, to take the main road into Flaim. We met up with Ariakan again, though it appears Naclia and Talen came to you. Passing through Alania, we came across a half-elf by the name of Berry who agreed to travel with us. Altaris found us not long afterwards. So, we arrive within view of Blade and see a...well, giant, walking pyramid assaulting Blade. We rode hard to reach the city, and as we entered, the buildings turned to golems and tried to destroy us. The mage attacking us was Xion, another Chaos General. He made the earth bend to his whim like I never knew was possible. But he wasn't our only enemy, there was a man, well, at least he seemed that way. Anubus." Zira turned her eyes on Fenix suspiciously. "And he looked much like our friend Fenix here."

Fenix took a seat by Sakura, and didn't pay much attention until he heard Zira name him, and also Anubus. His head went down and he felt like throwing up. So, she suspected something. It was his fault though. And Mory was a victim. He didn't say anything as they went on with.

"Well, we were miserably defeated, no matter what we tried. Anubus took Moryssa and Berry to Castle Conquera on Marmo. Alwyn fell in Blade. We continued on to Shuva, to the Marfa cathedral. Along the way, we met Luda, a priestess of Myrii and Ardyn, a mercenary. They're still upstairs I believe. So we arrived at the cathedral, with other refugees of Blade. We were healed, and held a meeting to decide where to go. That was where we met Akaria as well. We decided to all go straight to Marmo, even Luda and Ardyn agreed. Oh yes, there was a squire from Blade, Kaiva. And Puzzle and Willow, Berry's brother and sister. We rode on to port and chartered a ship to take us to Marmo. When we arrived in Salbad, Azoth was already there, helping the city's defense against the dead. He took us to Dark Haven and lord Aldarite was gracious enough to let us stay. We were planning to attack Castle Conquera to get Moryssa and Berry back, but Kiran and Toan did it themselves with dark elves from Salbad. I don't know what happened within, but Toan and Kiran succeeded and brought back the girls."

"Berry was a little worse for wear, but she pulled through pretty well. Moryssa...she had runes carved onto her belly, they're still there...and they worry me. Akaria couldn't heal them. She said that when she tried, Moryssa tried summoning the power of all the gods of darkness, then passed out."

Akaria broke in. "I haven't checked on her this morning, is she doing any better?"

Zira nodded. "Much better, I saw her and Kiran go to the bath this morning. I still have a bad feeling about her though, those runes might be a tool Anubus can still use...Well, we departed for Raiden not long afterwards. When we arrived, well, we saw the effects of the Acid rain. We brought Duke Spark and Duchness Neese with us, they were staying at the Golden Flagon Inn, I believe, down the street. But Spark...he's been possessed. A djinni I believe has him. And King Kashue of Flaim as well. Ariakan fought him in Blade, and it turned out it was not Kashue, but a Djinni." Zira sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Falis, there is so much that's happened. I can't get my details straight."

"Well, Spark is resting, the last I heard. They had to blindfold him and put a silence spell around him, so the djinni doesn't know when we're weak enough to attack."

Seri listened gravely to Zira's half of the story. "I suppose it's my turn then. We haven't been through quite as much though," she said and took a sip of tea she had ordered during Zira's tale. "We took Gale with us to Shining Hill, however, he escaped, and nearly killed Fou-Lu. None of us much cared to go after him that time. Ryna and Leaf joined us afterwards, as well as Talen and Naclia. We went on to the Glassy Woods. There, we gained the aid of the rangers we have now, as well as Cassandra and two...three members of her herd. Sera came to lead the rangers. Really, all we've done is...travel. Now, what happened with this...acid rain?"

Aiyanna spoke up at mention of the acid rain, "When I arrived at Raiden, there was this rain produced by courtesy of Vesper, it ate through everything, thatched roofs couldn't hold it, wood, stone, even metal was being eaten away. Only difference was that stone and metal corroded away slower, wood was eaten right through as it was hit with it. It took a while to for it to return it to normal rain but then it got Vesper angry enough to send Falis know how many wyverns after us."

Then after a quick pause said again, "Then Zira's party arrived, then too many things happened to say it shortly, it's better to watch what happened. The area around here has been through two battles already, plus the acid rain. With a lovely Chaos Gate over our head."

Deasa took over after Aiyanna. "Well, the way I heard it, after the wyverns, the Air Mage, Vesper came. He told everyone they had three days to prepare before he came again. They tried to fight him, but it did no good. Then, he opened that hole in the sky."

"Then, last night, the creature came. Sevrina told all those who relied on magic to go down to the cellar before it came. She knew, somehow, that it was coming. It was a horrible creature....like a demon, but none I have ever studied. It was covered with body armor, and it killed several warriors. Marfa bless their souls." Deasa bowed her head, as if she were about to pray for the lost.

"Ariakan says it was a creation of Xion's," Akaria added.

Aiyanna nodded, "Absolute abomination, But if anyone wants to leave here, I would advise them to leave before dusk today. Falis knows what terrible things lie ahead...some of us aren't...." Aiyanna stopped in time, she didn't want any negative feelings feeding any thing to that horrible Chaos Gate.

Erias whispered, "Sister that sounded too grim."

Aiyanna raised her eyebrow, "It's the truth, I saw a terribly sad future, brother. Terribly sad."

Ryna listened quietly. She had no idea the sort of history these people shared. She glanced at Aiyanna. "I think we're all here because we're all willing to fight."

"Well, have we covered everything?" Seri said. It didn't take too long to tell their stories. Of course, that was just the summarized version. "Later tonight, we should assemble all our forces, at least the leaders, and decide how we will defend ourselves. Cassandra, would you be willing to do a vision casting to see if anything has become clearer?"

Cassandra shook her antlered head. "I have been trying to since last night, nothing has changed. Something is blocking my view of the future as to possible results of the battle. Once I get to a certain point, the vision is blocked by white lilies. The Stars are uncertain."

Aiyanna spoke up at the high elf's request to the centaur. "I can do vision casting if no one minds, but only what I think is strictly necessary...no one needs to be discouraged right now."

Erias's face went rather grim, his head going through every possibility of a bad future. "It can't be terribly bad...there has to be some hope."

"Yes, though according to Cray we might not...if we don't release the sealing runes on him which is currently restricting his power to flare in this chaos energy filled city." Aiyanna's voice went dry as she mentioned Cray, the elementalist and former chaos general was still hated, no doubt among many elves as well.

Erias shuddered, "That is..."

"...rather a terrible choice. He is willing to cooperate to get his revenge, at least he hasn't fried me alive." Aiyanna finished for him.

"Sister! Do you know how many Irisis died when Roid fell? I believe most of them if not all!"

"There is no choice in it, Erias we are rather forced to work together, do you think if not for this situation, that all of us here would be together to fight?" Aiyanna sat there for any reactions especially from the elves.

Zira winced as Cray was mentioned. At least Naclia wasn't here. She watched Seri's eyes twitched toward the cellar and almost a sneer form on her delicate face.

Azala growled when Cray was mentioned. He had not known much about him, but he had fought against him and that was enough. Especially since he knew that the same man in the basement had destroyed the Mirror Forest. So what if he wanted revenge? Served him right that he got his powers sealed. "Girl, your quite lucky we don't go down there and rip apart Cray."

Fenix shook his head. Revenge. That still did not give them the right to let a dangerous being out of sealing. Especially one so dark. "We can't unseal him. I will fight with him, but not when he's at full power."

Meanwhile, Sera had made her way back from the inn with Thorn, and she stormed into the room as her ears picked up Cray. That was one of the people on her 'to kill' list. "From what I heard, his powers got sealed because he was defeated by you, right? How do you know his revenge isn't against you people?" She hissed before taking a seat, staring down at the floor as if deciding whether or not to go down there right now was the best option.

Cassandra ground her teeth. She knew what Cray had done, but also knew he was crucial in the battle. She spoke up from behind Aiyanna. "Child, do not bother yourself with a vision. Undoubtedly, you have revealed too much to the wrong people," she murmured something in the soft, slurred tongue of centaurs.

If the girl saw too much of the death that was to take place, the faces of people to die, she was very likely to make a foolish mistake that could cost them Raiden and perhaps all their lives. But the simple truth was, neither of them could see the result of the battle.

"Well I am going, this meeting was futile, no need to discuss anymore. Wrong people or not..."

Erias tugged at his sister's arm, "Sister, please you can't be upset now, not now..."

Aiyanna tried to be calm with her brother's plea, but her temper wasn't calming down anytime soon. "Obviously humans shouldn't be here, after all we are prone to making foolish mistakes so 'we' humans shouldn't be here at all!" With that Aiyanna got up and walked away calm as possible, but the air around her was tense.

Erias smiled uneasily, "Please forgive my sister...I hope it didn't offend too many people." Erias sighed, not knowing what to say though he knew why she was upset, but really did she have to put it that way? Obviously Aiyanna thought ironically, even in this desperate situation the oceans between races weren't closed. Despite very small number of humans being present, they came here to fight in which ever way they could. She has seen the rift between different races in past two days so far and that thought didn't help either.

Cassandra shook her head as the girl ran out. {Hmph, I've been casting visions longer than that slip of a girl has been drawing breath,} she murmured in elvish. She stamped a hoof in frustration. Humans were always so brash. They had little to no respect for the elder races which had watched their kind grow from club-totting cave-men to a thriving intelligent civilization. Cassandra had never had interactions with humans before, and so far, her fist impression was not good. They were chaotic, destructive, brash and impulsive, always jumping to conclusions and lacking the proper respect for the world and time.

Erias held up his hand to the crowd gathered, "Sorry if my sister offended anyone, but those who never much interacted with humans must understand that the human world is very rough, to survive in it is a life time's work. Comparing that to living in forest, the forest of course is like living in a mother's arms and comfort." Then he paused. "My sister isn't stupid, she may have a temper but it doesn't mean you should dismiss her as brash and stupid. Her life is controlled by the stars as result of a bond one of our ancestors made a thousand years ago. Our lives are in their hands, every single person who carries Starwind blood. Just about every aspect of our life, including loosing everything we held dear thirteen years ago."

Dinalindel was not familiar with who this Cray was, but considering peoples reactions he was not sure he liked the way things were going. However to be told what he just was, was enough to make him want to squash this human. "You speak of losing what you hold dear as though you were the only ones to do so, my friend has lost his herd, his family, his everything. You humans are not alone in your grief over loss."

Seri looked sharply at Erias. "Boy, you don't know what it is to be an elf any more than I know what it is to be a Starwind. But keep in mind, my kind has watched humans for their entire existence, and we have not changed at all. The simple truth is, she is brash and inexperienced, even to human terms. She is but a child, barely into her twenties. It takes many decades for a sorcerer to truly learn their art, no matter their heritage."

Erias shrugged, "I am only a human mercenary, correct me if I am wrong in the future," he said to no one in particular. "I better go after my sister, she is probably regretting throwing her temper." Erias got up sauntered out it he direction she went.

Seri shook her head and looked back at those gathered around the table. "Cray will not be released until needed...despite his crimes...he is...of use to us," she said with much effort. "I don't want his presence mentioned to the other elves, especially Naclia, until we absolutely must."

Suddenly, she stood. They covered all they needed, more would be taken care of tonight. "Make sure everyone who will be fighting with us comes to the square in front of the inn tonight. Scour the city for warriors, if needed. I know there are dark elves. If you will excuse me, I am going to find myself a place for the night."

"Wait a moment," Isorith spoke up. "Last night, we enchanted everyone's weapons with the luck and blessings of Cha Za. We will be doing the same today, if anyone wishes, have them bring their weapons to us. Sister Sakura, you are welcome to help us."

Seri glanced down at her rarely used rapier. Cha Za's blessing wouldn't hurt...She unbuckled her sword belt and laid it on the table. "Then I will leave this for you. I will take my leave," Seri said with a small bow and walked out of Dabagon Inn.

Azala raised a brow at Erias at his comments. He felt like checking his ears to see if he was hearing right. It was rare that a human talked down to an elf. Most of them had more sense not to. He gave Isorith a quick wink as he patted his sword. "Thats alright. This one is already blessed." Even if it wasn't by a god, he liked just one enchantment being on it. He gave Seri a sidelong look as she left before following her out.

Kai listened from the back of the large room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed looking rather bored. He didn't need the update, he was a solder after all and a solder does nothing but fight, doesn't matter with who and doesn't matter where. Right now he was simply itching to let Gilgamesh taste some blood.

Dammed theatrics. he mused to himself. Why three days? Why didn't Vesper just attack us yesterday before we had reinforcements? Just then the knight noticed how Zira winced at the mention of Cray. Zatch had told him about mirror forest and the destruction he had caused, he was there when Cray walked into the inn bound in chains and claimed that they were to control his power, and without them he would slaughter everyone. Kai didn't understand, why not just kill him and focus on Vesper without having to worry about Cray turning on them?

I miss the good old days when wars were simple. You set out, killed some monsters, come a few inches from death, and went home to a hero's welcome. he thought to himself. Kai gave a soft grunt and remained otherwise silent, best leave the planning to others as a good solder does.

Zira sighed as Seri left. They came, they talked, now Zira had nothing else to do. She stood and looked to Altaris and Azoth. "I'm going to go find Blaze, do you boys want to come?"

Altaris looked up. Battle weariness was written across his face. His eyes were red, tired. He shook his head softly, trying to be polite. "No thanks Zira. I'm going to try to rest my eyes for a bit."

Azoth smiled, "I'd like to, but I think you should see Blaze yourself." Azoth always managed a smile, no matter what was going on. He looked at Altaris and patted the knight on his shoulder. "You've earned the rest." Azoth himself left to go meditate alone. His mind was pretty clear as it was, but he just felt that he should go meditate.

Granite watched the meeting and eventually grew silent as she listened to the stories. She was amazed at how far these warriors had come. Finally, they finished their tales and started departing. "Perhaps we should go for a walk?" she suggested to Thangroth.

Thangroth nodded, and spoke as he got up to help Granite from her seat. He was surely getting workout of all his manners his mother had taught him, but he wasn't complaining. "Aye Milady Granite, a good walk is just what's needed after a fine meal. Shall we?" Thangroth picked up his beloved hammer and rested it on one shoulder, while offering his free arm to Granite after paying the innkeeper. Looking at the man with broad smile he hummed to himself for a moment as they left the inn.

Granite linked her arm with Thangroth and let him lead her on. She giggled as he started humming. After they were a distance aways from the inn, she struck up conversation. "So, do you live here in Raiden, or are you just visiting?"

"No milady, I live in a small community in Alania. A small group of mountains just to the north, my father is one of the elders. As for why I'm here..well, I decided to leave home for a bit and find my fortunes and way in the world. My father was a bit unyielding at first but he came around. I heard about the trouble here and
decided to see if the strength of my good right arm and my smithy skills might prove of some use."

Thangroth smiled and looked at Granite, his eyes actually seemed to twinkle a bit, even though he was still blushing a bit. "Ask me anything, as I said it's been long since I've had the company of one of my own kind, and urm..especially a lovely lady as yourself."

Glosin suddenly hopped to his feet as he watched Granite leave with another dwarf.

"Whoa, hey, what was that about?" Turan said.

"Uh...I'm going back to the temple to check on our patient," Glosin replied.

Turan, who had been ignoring Glosin for most of the conversations, didn't know he was watching Granite. "I'll go with you," the half-elf priest replied.

"Oh, no. Don't worry about it, I can go alone," Glosin replied.

Turan settled back into his seat. "All right then..."

Glosin hurried outside after Granite at a fast walk, then broke into a run to catch up. "Granite!"

Cassandra watched as others departed. So the meeting was finished, though there was to be another tonight. {Dinalindel, perhaps we should find our herd members?} Cassandra said in the centaur tongue.

Dina agreed, {Yes, lets go find our lost ones,} he replied in their own tongue. Being a centaur came easy to Dina, however adjusting to human living just did not suit him. Since he was well over 8 foot tall he had to duck to miss most things in the room, but the hardest part was just turning around. It took him a moment and he almost stepped on a dwarf that went running out the door yelling for someone. "I guess I need to be more careful, it's a good thing Cara's not in here."

If Dinalindel had it bad, Cassandra had it worse with her antlers. She followed him out, taking his advice to watch her step. She paused for a moment to lay her long spear on the table to be enchanted, then bowed her head to the priestess and continued outside.

As she exited the inn, she shook a little, as if she were sloughing off the restrictive cover of the inn. It was oppressive inside those human structures. She paused outside and bowed her head in thought. Tapping into the powers of the stars, she located Caradithil and Rain in front of an inn near the bay. She lifted her head and looked at Dinalindel, {This way,} she said and lead him toward the bay.

Dina was deep in thought over what had been said, and it surprised him how easily one of his size could be for the most part ignored. It was not necessarily a bad thing, but it did get discouraging at times. "What do you think of this?" he asked Cassandra. "I have never known the elves to be a hasty bunch, but I guess," he looked to the sky, "hasty measures call for hasty actions."

"When this fight starts, what should we do? I am good at fighting off those that try to invade out forest, but this city..." he waved his hands about towards the city itself, "is going to be a lot harder to protect."

Cassandra sighed. She felt helpless when she couldn't See. "I do not know what we can do, except fight where needed," she replied. "Perhaps our purpose here has yet to be revealed," Cassandra mused.

* * *

Zatch walked in just as the meeting was concluding. "Did I miss anything?" he said to Kai who was still leaning against the back wall.

"Nothing too important." the knight replied "There are some priestesses offering to bless our weapons, I don't believe in any of that but it couldn't hurt."

"That's great." said Zatch "We could use all the help we can get. Where can I take my sword?"

Kai pointed directly at Sakura, he could have easily led him to one of the other priestesses but decided he'd be doing his brother a favor by forcing him to confront her. After all, it's no fun traveling with someone who mopes around all day because of a girl. She'll kiss him or kill him, either way he'll be better off.

"On second thought I don't think it'll help either, it's likely a waste of time anyway. I should just go." Zatch said in near panic as he headed for the door, but Kai grabbed him by the arm and forcefully led him to the priestess. Then with a quick shove Zatch found himself directly in front of Sakura while Kai made a quick escape.

"Um....hi." he said meekly.

Fenix looked up at Zatch with a slight glance. It had looked as if he was treating Sakura like poison, but he should have guessed he would eventually come. Even if his brother had to force him to do so. "I'll go for a walk. Its been a while since I've been home." He said, getting up and walking out of the door. Sakura had to
choose, and if it was him, or Zatch, that was up to her.

Sakura's eyes widened as Zatch was pushed up to her. She wasn't looking forward to confronting him. The problem was, she was afraid that if they started talking again, she would be reminded of their kiss, and she wouldn't be able to stand turning him away. She couldn't turn down Fenix either. After all these months, everything was still so complicated.

It didn't help much when Fenix decided to leave. She nearly whimpered. Composing herself, she turned back to Zatch, straightened her robes and met his eyes with a steely gaze. "Yes, Zatch?"

* * *

Kitsa sat and listened to the stories in awe. When they finished, she turned to Terin. "Wow, they have been through many trials..." She placed her hand on Terin's. "Do you think your sister is well enough to speak to yet?"

Aiden immediately shook his head at his sister's comment. "Let her find him, as I understand, Naclia has been through a lot of stress. I think I'm going to go find Aaewin. I'll let you two be," he replied with a wink to both. Kitsa seemed interested in Terin, and Terin needed a distraction it seemed. Aiden headed out and made his way to the Velvet Sparrow inn where Aaewin had gone.

* * *

"I think you and I have to get things settled right now. Shall we go for a walk?" Despite his sickeningly sweet smile his teeth with clenched together.

Seri glanced at Azala, then kept walking. {We're walking, what do you have to say now?} She said in elvish. She was wearing just as sickly sweet a smile as him, barely concealing her anger.

{I have to say...back off.} Azala said, walking with Seri, his eyes froward. Only an elf would know what they were saying, and by the look of the two with false smiles they might just avoid them. {As I said, we settle this right now. You may have the luxury of living forever, but I have a thousand years, and I've spent nearly a fourth of that. So get on with it. I'm getting tired of that venom every time you say my name or look at me.}

{You earned it, Azala} She spat back. {You acted like a foolish child in Honto, and I don't think I should have wasted my time with you.}

{I'm sorry princess, but we aren't all perfectly emotionless high elves.} He said flatly, brushing some hair out of his face. {Me, for example, I like having fun. You know, enjoyment? Or have you killed off that part of yourself to?}

{You ashamed me. You played a shameless prank on ME and all those other women,} she dropped her false smile to glare at him. Her pace had quickened with her anger. {How can I be your mate if you do not respect me?}

{If I remember correctly, you did a lot worse with me when I didn't fully pay attention to your lessons.} Azala winced, looking at her with a sidelong glance. {When did I ever say I didn't respect you? If you don't know my feelings now...}

{Say, Azala? Your actions speak louder than your words. I should have never have been so foolish as to let you charm me. Just what do I mean to you anyway? Am I just another fling for you?}

{If you were a fling I'd be done with you wouldn't I?} Azala snapped at her. With a sigh he looked up at her. {Sorry. You want to know how I feel about you? Well, it's not a fling. Not unless you decide to treat it that way.}

Seri was relieved to hear it. She met his eyes for a moment and nearly gave in again, but her pride wasn't letting her. Her soft gaze shifted to a glare again. {You have no respect for the union. Neither you or Mia. It's not a thing to be used for simple gratification, like humans do. It should be sacred, and I never should have shared it with you.} She said and looked away.

Azala watched Seri with a slight smile now. So, thats why she was so angry. He hadn't met any high elves to know what their sexual habits were. But he knew how to fix this, he had already broken through, even if she was trying to put it back up. He reached out and caressed her cheek before leaning in and kissing her deeply.

Seri fought for almost a moment before she gave in. It was too much to fight. The wall she was trying so hard to build against him crumbled. Seri returned his kiss and pressed herself closer to him, wanting so bad to be back in his warm, strong embrace.

After a few more moments Azala broke the kiss and stroked her cheek with a slight grin. Well, now that he knew the limits, he wouldn't cross it again. {What do you say to getting a hotel room? I've been on a horse to long as it is.}

{Damn you Azala} she murmured, but smiled. He'd left her weak in the knees and wanting more. Wasn't she supposed to be angry? She regained her bearing and took a step back from him, then looked down the street. A sign ahead read "The Velvet Sparrow" with a painting of a dark songbird on it. {There's an inn.} she said and pointed.

Giving a mock innocent look Azala looked at the inn. He didn't much care. As long as it had a bed, he would be perfectly happy. And hopefully no more bar fights. {Looks good to me. Probably already taken over by rangers though.}

{Ah well, I'm sure we can find one unoccupied room} He said as he held her hand, giving it a slight tug to take her along. Well, he was a bit glad this fight was over. And he knew he would be a bit happy that it had occurred, just for what was after.

Seri let him lead her inside. They spoke to the innkeeper and she gave them a room. The inn was actually mostly vacant. The rangers had gone to another, larger inn mostly. The key to their room was placed in Azala's hand. "Upstairs, to the left," the innkeeper explained.

"Thanks." Azala said, giving a grin to Seri as he swept her off her feet and started upstairs, giving Seri's ear a nip before closing the door behind him.

* * *

Granite coyly smiled and patted Thangroth's arm. "Ohh...you are strong," she said with a giggle. "What do you specialize in?" she asked, but before he could answer, she heard someone call her name.

Granite swung her head around and saw Priest Glosin hurrying after her. She rolled her eyes. He must have gotten the wrong impression. "Yes, priest?" she inquired as he approached.

Glosin looked a little hurt by her calling him by his title instead of name. "Granite...I thought...we were..." he stammered.

Granite blinked incredulously. Well, she had considered him, but Thangroth seemed to be more her type, in other words, Thangroth was stronger and more attractive. "Well, you were mistaken!"

"What about Dralock, you don't know if he's recovered or not!" Glosin argued.

"Dralock is just my friend!" she insisted. She hadn't really considered him for much than just to flirt with. Dralock turned red nearly ever time she batted her lashes and followed her like a love sick puppy. Glosin was a priest, and though marriage was allowed for him, he should be focusing more on his studies than women.

Glosin's jaw was working behind his goatee. His eyes turned toward Thangroth. "May I have a word with you, sir?" he asked, sounding barely restrained in his anger.

Thangroth was a bit surprised by the fellow's cant, but nodded then turned to Granite for a moment and spoke. "If you'll excuse me a moment milady, I suppose I need to see what this fellow wants. I'll be right back." Gently kissing Granite's hand and then dismissing himself, Thangroth sauntered over to the fellow. Then looked at him for a moment, smiled and spoke. "Well..um my good priest, what words do you have with me? Might I suggest a good ale or beer for that dour expression? Um..is something wrong?"

Thangroth couldn't for the life of him understand the priests reaction, he was a man of the cloth. Shouldn't he have been concentrating on blessings and priestly things, or something, he thought to himself while waiting for the priest's reply.

Glosin glared at Thangroth jealously, then took him aside down the alley. "Look, pal, I don't know who you are, or where you came from, but I had her first!" Glosin growled and thumped two fingers on Thangroth's chest. "So why don't you just back off and wait your turn, if she will even have you."

Granite listened from entrance of the alley. Glosin's voice echoed easily, so there was no real need for privacy. Granite rolled her eyes. She really had to stop leading the guys on...

Thangroth's normally gentle and easy going nature, began to boil into a ripe old bit of anger as he looked at Glosin. For a moment he considered the priest's words then spoke in a calm but very stern and obviously seething angered tone. "Good priest..for one thing. My name is Thangroth...Thangroth Broadarm. Two, that fine lady is not a piece of meat or gold or property...there will be no turns. If she chooses to keep company with me, that is her choice and her's alone. I respect that. Now, since your are a man of the cloth, I'll forgive your anger and out of respect I won't communicate to you in a non-verbal way. But just so you know. I think you should be ashamed of yourself, acting in this manner. Oh..and priest or no priest I wouldn't get me angry if I were you. You look a bit scrawny and I might break you." Having no further concern, Thangroth turned and walked away from the fellow and headed back to Granite.

Glosin was fuming. What made it worse, this Thangroth fellow was right. But for Glosin, that only made him madder, to be proved wrong, and to be insulted. His temper flared and he stormed up to Thangroth. "I'll show you scrawny!" And when Thangroth looked back, Glosin decked him in the nose.

Thangroth was surprised by the priest's punch, a bit of blood ran from his nose. As he chuckled for a moment, scrawny as the priest was he had a kick to him. The red haired dwarf, laid his hammer down and smiled a very wide grin. Then in one deft movement grabbed the priest and had him in a very solid headlock. Thangroth's eyes seemed to shine with joy, he hadn't rough-housed in sometime. As he applied a tiny bit of pressure to the priests ears, he took the time to liberally pull the man's ears with his free arm. Giving two good pulls, the muscled dwarf smiled as he looked down and spoke. "Ha!! Good sport friend priest. Now I think you need to cool that temper of yours. Ah!! Just what's needed."

Thangroth hauled the priest over to a horse trough, lifted him up and threw him into it. As water splashed around, the now jolly dwarf roared in laughter as he hoped that the priest's fiery temper might be quenched.

Glosin had been easily bested and gave up. He was blushing all the way up to his brow and avoided eye contact with anyone. Granite walked up along side the trough and stuck her nose in the air with a sniff. "Let's go Thangroth," Granite said and held out her hand for him.

Thangroth wiped the bit of blood from his nose and retrieved his beloved hammer then gently took Granite's hand smiled and spoke. "Aye milady, let's continue our walk. Now, I believe you asked me my specialty, I specialize in weapons and armor smithing. My father and his before he, all trained in the art of fine quality metals for such items and the making of those items."

And with a jolly spring in his step, the dwarf led Granite down the street hand in arm. Thangroth couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of pity for the priest but, he was sure that this experience would benefit the man in the future. But, not caring how the dwarf didn't ponder the fact.

Granite looked over at Thangroth to see a little bit of blood trickling from his nose. "Ohh...you're hurt," she said and pulled a clean handkerchief from the bosom of her dress and dabbed at the blood.

"Well, I make jewelry. My father is a black smith. See these bracelets? I made them," Granite explained and showed him the bracelets on her wrist.

Thangroth, was a bit surprised as Granite dabbed the blood from his nose. But he didn't squirm, in fact he'd barely thought about the injury anymore since it had happened. But as a Broadarm he wasn't one to whine or fidget, and smiled kindly as she tended the wound. As she showed him the bracelets, Thangroth's eyes must've widened like a child's as he examined them. After doing so, he looked at Granite and spoke. "Milady..your work is like you. Exquisite, very fine and beautiful, my mother would love you. She makes jewelry as well, and crafts. If only there was a forge near here, I bought with me a few tools my father gave me. My mother made the box, I carry them in in my pack. Would you like to see?"

Granite beamed with his compliments. "Maybe you would like to visit my family in the dwarven district? We have a forge," she suggested.

Thangroth smiled and a look of joy crossed his face as Granite mentioned the dwarven district, and meeting her family. He absolutely couldn't refuse such a lovely lady, as they continued walking the red-haired spoke in a happy and excited tone. "M..meet your family milady?? I'd be honored, and to see your
family's forge?? Lead the way, milady Granite."

Almost as happy as a small child heading to a festival, Thangroth had a bit more of a skip to his step. Anxious to see the Dwarven District, meet Granite's family, the forge, Thangroth hummed an old dwarven tune his father sang when he worked in their forge at his family home. As he was in such a grand mood, he couldn't resist. Granite giggled as she heard him humming a familiar tune, then chimed in singing the actual words to the song in a rich, reverberant alto voice.

* * *

Aiyanna was facing a wall in silence. "Aiyanna, that wasn't exactly nice thing to say," Erias said quietly as he approached her. Still no answer. "Aiyanna?" Erias tapped her shoulder.

"I regret it...I am just upset that we can't do much..."

"Same for us. Probably all of us." Erias hugged her, trying to comfort her.

Aiyanna sighed, trying to find comfort in his arms. "I better apologize."

Erias smiled and patted her head. "There, there, you are are still young, they can't expect you to behave like elves who have lived many years beyond count. Come on, I'll lead you back in." He offered her his arm which she took gladly. Aiyanna carefully stepped back in with Erias. She looked around some were still there, "Eh, I must apologize to high elf Seri sometime soon then."

"Do you need help sister?"

"No I will do it on my own, I caused it and I should make up for my childishness."

Erias took up her hand and gently kissed it, if anyone didn't know that they were brother and sister they might well as been a couple. "What ever you command my lady."

Aiyanna raised here eyebrow in question, "I am trying to be normal after that spat...geez."

Jinn excused himself from the table and joined Aiyanna and her brother. "I wouldn't worry too much about what happened." Jinn scooted his chair closer. "There's only so much that can be done while everyone's as stressed as they are. The best thing we can do is just get rest and prepare ourselves for tomorrow..."

Aiyanna said sighing, "Well that's that, what a waste of time it was apart from introductions. I might well as tell you what happened since that night we separated." Then she looked back at Jinn seeing if he would still be friendly after that temper tantrum. She started a circle then grounded it with several murmurs and she traced several signs in the air, silvery blue magic trailing her movement. A patch of air in front of them rippled and the first scene was the burning town. Both Aiyanna and Erias's eyes went hard. Thank goodness she had also closed off the sound.

Erias's expression became more grim as he saw everything his little sister saw as a seven year old girl. Women being raped and cut or burned, men falling in bloody shreds or some other horrible ways to die and Falis the children! They died too but small ones were torn apart live. Their screams were so clear, women screaming as their own children got torn in front of them then they died too. Then he gasped and unknowingly as tears flowed over as he saw his parents die. Aiyanna gently wiped her brother's tears. "Erias it's thirteen years ago...you know we can't change it."

"I know, but still..." He cried more silently. Then her life flashed by successful stages though a particular black haired young man caught his eyes. He seemed to have all the young women he passed giggling like silly. "Who's that?"

"Oh another mage I met four years ago he has just become Count Mellenroe Terries. His parents had died early."

"Oh that is sad...so much like us.."

Aiyanna nodded, "Well that is a summary of what happened so far...your's?"

"Well mine is short really, I was picked up by mercenary then trained to be one. He was betrayed by a woman he loved, because she was already married. He had a dream of a wife and a son. So in a sense I became his adopted son. I will tell you some of my adventures some day soon. And before you ask, no the old mercenary isn't alive, he got killed. I avenged him though." Erias smiled, he finally found this adorable and sometimes a little spoiled woman he called his sister.

Aiyanna vanished the circle and sat down tiredly, "Well I am going to order something to eat and go upstairs, stars aren't exactly fond of he who is down in the cellar."

"I will come too, but didn't you say you needed new shoes?"

"Oh yeah! Then we will go and get some?"

Erias winked, "Anything you command my lady!"

"I am honored. My brother should have been a holy knight of Valis," Aiyanna did a mock formality then asked the barmaid to bring what ever was cooking.

* * *

Kiran sat in the tub full of hot water with Moryssa in his lap. He slowly stroked his hand across her head of wet white hair, then ran a finger across her long elven ears. She sighed softly and trailed a finger across his chest. What they had shared moments before was something Kiran didn't expect, but enjoyed just the same. He had expected her to wait longer before letting him take her. Kiran feared it was Anubus' runes that may have invoked a change in personality, and he had done this against her true wishes. He glanced down through the water to see the scarred runes on her belly.

* * *

Glosin drug himself back into the inn, dripping wet and utterly ashamed. He left little puddles behind him as he walked.

"Well, what happened to you?" Sister Cadila asked, hands on her hips and staring down at the young dwarf with an raise of her eyebrow.

Glosin blushed and avoided eye contact. "I tripped and fell," he murmured. However, not only was he wet, but his ears were red and starting to bruise.

Turan watched Glosin and narrowed his eyes. "You went after that dwarf woman, didn't you?"

Glosin's jaw dropped. "I...just...I."

Cadila's glare turned harsh. "Go and clean yourself up. We're going to have a little talk. Turan, get him some clean clothes."

Turan did as ordered and went upstairs to get clean clothes for Glosin. Meanwhile, the dwarf priest dragged his feet to the bath and slipped in through the heavy doors. The room was already steamy from people taking baths recently...

Kiran heard the door of the bath open and quickly tried to cover Moryssa's body with his hands. "Get the hell out of here!" he growled.

"Hey, people are bathing here! Don't you knock?" Moryssa added, trying to cover herself as well.

Glosin just stared at the dark elf couple in shock. His feet were rooted to the floor.

"Well, get out!" Moryssa growled. Suddenly, Glosin snapped out of his surprise and scurried out the door. "The nerve of some people," Moryssa murmured.

"Well, I guess it's time we got out," Kiran suggested. With a sigh, Moryssa got out of the bath, dried off and dressed again. Kiran did the same and they headed out.

* * *

Thorn watched Glosin come in soaked, and he shook his head. He had heard the commotion outside, every elf or half elf probably could. He noticed the woman, Leaf, from before and went to sit across the table from her. Might be nice to talk to another half elf. "Dwarves are hard to understand sometimes."

He gave a slight shrug, then a grin. "So, does a beauty like yourself have a name or should I just call you a goddess?"

Leaf ears nearly perked straight up and her brown eyes were wide in surprise at his words. "I....I'm Leaf..."

Ryna glanced over at Dravin when he heard his comment. When she realized he was talking to Leaf, she kept her eyes fixed on him, ignoring Callin.

Thorn, or Dravin felt a shiver run down his spine. Felt like someone was walking on his grave, and it was holding there for some time. Well, the only thing he could do was ignore it and hoped the feeling went away. "My, you seem a less accustomed to compliments then most lovely women."

He was milking it. He did find her cute, but where had he heard the name Leaf before. He looked at her, the ears, the face... Leaf. It was his turn to be surprised. "Well, it seems all the heroes of Lodoss have gathered here then. Well, no matter. The only person who interests me, is you. Or are my attentions unwanted?"

Leaf's surprise faded and she started blushing instead. "Well, sir Dravin, I've never had anyone come right out and say it like you did," Leaf said and batted her eyes a little. "You can talk to me all you want, if you keep up those compliments!"

Ryna started to glare now. Any guy talking like that had to be sleaze. She should know, she dealt with enough. But why was he focusing on Leaf, and not her? Well, maybe he could see she was with Callin.

Callin looked at Ryna, who seemed to be glaring at someone. She seemed completely oblivious to anyone else. He followed her gaze to Leaf and Dravin, who were talking to each other. Well, he was complimenting her on her looks. "Uh, Ryna?"

Thorn felt like an army was marching back and forth over his grave now. He even rubbed the back of his neck to see if there was ice there. Finally forcibly returning his face to normal he smiled. "Of course. But thats an easy task."

It had to be in this room! And this was going to be a very distracting conversation if he stayed here. "Care for a walk? Raiden does have some nice scenery. Nothing compares to you, of course."

"Sure, I'll go for a walk with you," Leaf replied with a smile. She jumped out of her seat and walked around the table to meet Dravin.

Ryna looked back at Callin. "Oh, sorry, it's just...I'm watching out for Leaf," she whispered. She heard Dravin ask to go for a walk and Ryna nearly jumped to her feet and suggest that Callin take her for a walk. The girl can take care of herself, a voice reminded her.

Callin nodded, then watched as Dravin and Leaf were out the door. He frowned, if Ryna was really worried about Leaf. "We could go for a walk to. Might be a coincidence if we cross paths." Ryna watched Leaf leave with the mercenary. "Hmm...I should let her go," Ryna finally forced herself to say. "She can take care of
herself. Why don't we go find a place to stay? I hear this inn is full."

Callin looked at Ryna with some inquisitiveness. She defiantly wanted to go, despite what she said. But then again, they did need an inn. "Alright, I'll get an inn. Shouldn't be that hard, Raiden is one of the largest cities in Lodoss."

He sat up, wondering which in to take. He didn't want to room with the elves. Its not that he didn't like them, its the looks they were giving the humans that disturbed him a bit. It was clear that a few were forced here and couldn't care less what happened to a human city. "You wanna come with me or wait here?"

That was the pitiful. Ryna's best friend was a half elf, though Leaf seemed to be hanging out with the centaurs and the other half elf, well, half elves now.

Ryna stood, "Of course I'm coming," she told Callin and walked over to him. Ryna linked her arm with Callin's and walked out of the inn with him. She glanced down the street once to see Dravin and Leaf, but she reminded herself again to let Leaf handle it herself.

* * *

Isorith looked at the small pile of weapons with a frown. "Acier, Yukiri, get those upstairs to our room. Elza, Sairina, go to the other inns and see what you can find. Make sure everyone knows to gather here tonight as well, as the lady Seri requested."

Elza's head jerked up and she suddenly sighed in disappointment. She looked at Orion and shrugged. "Duty calls," she said and stood. A small smile came to her lips and she meekly looked down at the ground. "Could you maybe come with us and help?" she asked Orion.

Orion seemed disappointed that she had to go but when she asked if he could come and help he smiled again and stood quietly. "Alright Elza," he was rather happy to come along if it meant he could be with her. "I'd be delighted to."

Elza grinned and watched Orion stand, her head craning upwards. "Come on Sairina! Let's go!" she said and nearly bounced out the door. Begrudgingly, Sairina followed. Orion followed quietly and couldn't help but smile as she bounced outside. He tucked his hair behind his ear gently, following Elza.

* * *

Zatch tried to compose himself, but as always Sakura had a way of leaving him dumbfounded. The young scholar opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. So instead he simply stood there in silence for a few seconds until he did the very last thing one would expect from him. He started to chuckle.

In the few seconds he stood in silence Zatch realized that he wasn't the same person he was the last time he saw her in Kanon. He had lived and grown in that time, he was reunited with his brother, discovered he had a sister, found out that his father was dead and many other things. And in the midst of all that it seemed to him rather silly to stand there gap-mouthed, he had been through too much to act lick a lovesick pup. The humor struck him in the unlikeliest of times, but then he couldn't help but be amused, he couldn't help but laugh.

Sakura crossed her arms over her chest in frustration and tossed her head, throwing a little lock of unruly hair away from her eyes. Well, this was certainly a new reaction, Zatch was just standing there, laughing like a fool. "What are you laughing about?" she asked.

"Oh, Sorry." Said Zatch no longer laughing, though he still wore a slight smile. "I just realized it was a little silly that I keep getting choked up like that. I was kind of hoping we could talk, I never had a chance to explain myself."

Now that she knew the reason, Sakura smiled a little, though it was a touch uncertain. "We can talk Zatch," Sakura replied. "Though, the other priests will need my help soon."

Zatch walked beside Sakura and leaned against the table "I've had a lot of time to think since leaving Kanon." he said as he started to look down on the floor. "What I did to Fenix was terrible, and not a day has gone by since that wouldn't have given anything to go back and change it all. I'd like to just say that my magic went out of control, and it did, but it wouldn't have if it weren't fueled by my own jealousy."

Sakura walked to the lined up tables, idly arranging the few weapons they'd been left. The centaur seeress had left a very long spear that was taller than Sakura. She turned to Zatch and listened closely to him. Well, that was what happened, she made both men jealous, and they both lashed out. She really didn't mean to drive a wedge between them, it all just happened. She cared for both, and she still did, but she just couldn't choose. "I know..." Sakura replied and reached forward to tip up his chin so she could meet his eyes.

Zatch looked deeply into Sakura's eyes and pondered about the whole situation. By now his heart was racing despite his newfound confidence. Of all the trials he's faced nothing compared to speaking his feelings to this woman. "When I saw you two kissing.....It was just more than I can handle. Everything shattered, everything became cloudy so I had to leave. It's just that.....well I cared for so much....."

Just then, Falco, one of the brothers of Rada poked his head through the door and spotted Zatch. "Hey Crassus, we need you for some tests."

Zatch looked to the brother annoyingly "Not now Falco."

"Yes now." the brother snapped "We have a huge list of chemicals we need and your the only one here who knows what they are and where to get them. You think a knight knows what magnesium is? All they know is hacking body parts and seeing who can pee the farthest."

Sakura kept her eyes fixed on Zatch's as he tried to explain, inadvertently using her powers of enchantment. She just wanted Zatch to understand that she didn't want to hurt him or Fenix. Suddenly interrupted, Sakura sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. The priest, a priest of Rada, called Zatch Crassus. Sakura recalled Kai calling him that. He believed Zatch was another person who murdered his brother Crassus. Well, apparently they had found each other, and Zatch was Crassus.



* * *

Akaria had been sitting with her sisters, anxiously awaiting Ariakan to return. The news of her pregnancy was so wonderful, she couldn't wait to share. Hearing a noise, she glanced back to see Kiran and Moryssa leaving the bath, and Moryssa was up on her feet!

Akaria suddenly jumped from the table and hurried over. "Moryssa, you're well!"

Moryssa drew back a little. The woman was vaguely familiar, but Moryssa never had the chance to be introduced to her. "Akaria, right?"

Akaria nodded. "I've been trying to take care of you for the last few weeks since Kiran brought you back from Anubus' lair."

Moryssa shuddered and Kiran put his arms around her shoulders. "So, you're Ariakan's fiance? Kiran told me a little about you."

Akaria nodded again. "How are you feeling? Weak, hungry?"

Moryssa nodded. "Both, but a lot better."

"Let's get you some lunch," Kiran cut in. "Do you want to go back to our room?"

"Yeah, I need to fix myself up a bit. Come on Kiran," Moryssa said and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, leading him back to the stairs. Moryssa took a glance around the room and noticed, to much surprise, that Sakura was there with Zatch. "Hello princess!" she said and waved, though her voice was a little less disdainful that before. Moryssa didn't make time to chat, she just went upstairs with Kiran.

Akaria ordered a mild lunch for Moryssa and had a barmaid send it up.

* * *

Sakura was suddenly jolted from her train of thought when she heard a familiar voice across the room. Moryssa was near the stair well, disdainfully calling her princess. She looked like she had just come out of a bath with that dark elf that was always with her. What was his name? Kiran? They didn't stick around, instead they just hurried upstairs.

"Sister Sakura?" Sakura turned again and saw the dark elf priestess. She still had her reservations about Dark elves, she came to accept the ones she traveled with, but finding one in her own order was...disconcerting.

"Yes?" she asked, trying to keep all signs of her discomfort out of her eyes.

Isorith seemed to sense something though, but she did her best to ignore it. "Do you know how to place enchantments on weapons?"

"Umm...not very well," Sakura replied.

"Well, then we could use a hand here at the inn. If anyone brings weapons, bring them upstairs to us," Isorith ordered.

Sakura nodded and Isorith turned away and led Acier and Yukiri back upstairs. The two other priests carried a few of the weapons, apparently they were expecting Sakura to carry the rest.

As Zatch tried to explain himself his mind began to ease it's self, a byproduct of Sakura's enchantment. He began to sense that she held him in no contempt, and with this he felt a weight lift off his shoulders even as Falco beckoned him.

The voice of Moryssa was then heard, he had forgotten all about her and her unexplained rivalry with Sakura. But she was the sister of Toan and therefor a friend of his. Gods what has she been through? he thought to himself, but she left before he could ask. Likely best to let her rest anyway.

"I guess we both have our duties." he said smiling after the dark elf priestess requested her help. "Maybe we can talk again later."

Sakura nodded and smiled warmly to Zatch. "I hope so," she replied and turned away to take orders from Isorith. But, after a moment's hesitation, she turned back around and kissed Zatch before he had a chance to object.

Zatch was caught completely by surprise by the kiss, but he'd be far from truthful if he said he didn't enjoy it. When she pulled away he smiled at Sakura but realized his lips were rather clumsy. I may not be a man of experience but I'm sure I can do better than that. With that the young scholar wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.

"Time enough for that later." Grumbled Falco to himself as he waited impatiently at the doorway.

Sakura's knees went weak when Zatch wrapped his arms around her. To steady herself, she threw her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him as well. Finally, after a long moment, Sakura pulled back, blushing. "I'll see you soon," she assured Zatch, this time she was the one avoiding his eyes. She had started to feel a little guilty for the kiss.

Sakura quietly left the room while Zatch tried to compose himself, the last time they kissed it didn't end well. But Zatch didn't feel that ping of worry like he did in Kanon It was good that he finally expressed his feelings to her and if the tingle on his lips were any indication then it was also good that she did the same. And as for Fenix......Well, Sakura was no possession that could be stolen. She could decided for herself which she would ultimately love.

"You people," Said Falco "Tripping over yourselves with tedious rituals, all you have to do is compose a formula to match various factors and with it you'll know weather she's a good breeding partner."

"A bit more complicated than that. Not everything can be broken down into neat scientific categories out here. Sometimes you have to use your gut." Zatch said as he headed out the door.

"You're easily one of the last people I'd expect to hear that." Falco retorted "I think being out here has fried your logic. Admit it, you like it when a problem can be solved with an equation. You do the work, follow the formula, and it's either right or wrong, clean cut and simple."

* * *

After Aiden left, Terin stood from the table suddenly. He didn't want to stick around here much longer. "Kitsa, do you want to go for a walk?" he asked without looking at her.

Kitsa hopped up from her seat. "I would love to," she said and hurried to catch up. Kitsa was a little worried about him, and decided she would tone down her excitement for his sake. She gently linked her arm with his and patted his hand. "If you want to talk, I will listen."

Terin glanced down at her hand on his and finally got a smile to come to his lips. "Thanks Kitsa..." he said. However, they walked in silence for awhile. He was looking for a place to start, somewhere where they wouldn't be interrupted.

* * *

Naclia woke up. She'd drifted to sleep almost as soon as Talen laid her on the bed. He hadn't left, she had been sleeping with her head on his chest. She was feeling much more rested. Falis, had she really met her brother? Terin was still alive. Well, she only assumed he had died...but why, after all this time did he come to her now? Naclia sat up and kissed Talen to wake him.

Naclia laid her head back on Talen's chest and gave him a small hug. "A bit...I think I should try to find Terin later on. I need to know what happened," she said, then looked up at him with a small smile.

"In a little while," she added, then kissed his neck softly.

* * *

Joline watched as the others filed inside. Maybe they should go with them? No, it was their private meeting, they just happened to travel to Raiden together. She and Arturo had to find an inn. As the crowd thinned, Joline looked about for Kazh'e, but didn't see her. Luria and Fasz were still about though. "Hey, come on, let's find an inn guys," Joline said and waved an arm, motioning up the street.

Arturo sighed a bit, he was getting impatient. At least they'd found some others, as Joline waved Luria and Fasz in their direction he looked around wondering to himself. It'll be a miracle if we find and inn, in this place. Damn!! Hope we find one soon, my stomach is near twisted around my spine.

After he left his horse, Fasz noticed Joline calling him and some of the others to go with her and Arturo in search for an inn. Since he had nothing to do now, and Raiden was in this situation, it wasn't a bad idea to go with them. Well, I think I'm going to find an inn also, he thought. Fasz walked to where Joline and Arturo were. When he reached their location he said "If you like, I'll go with you."

Joline brought Arturo, Fasz, and Luria to the Golden Flagon Inn, which was a few blocks down from Dabagon Inn. Joline paid for a room for herself and Luria. Her reserves were getting low, but she didn't want Luria to spend all her money just yet. After a brief visit to their room to drop off their belongings, the girls came back downstairs and claimed a table to order lunch at.

Arturo turned to Fasz and spoke. "Well we should get a room as well, might as well share. Heh not like I won't be in good company." After paying for their room, however Arturo's stomach growled even fiercer than it had before. He needed a good meal and wanted a tall mug of water to wash the trail dust from his mouth. Taking a moment to head upstairs and drop off their gear, he saw that the girls had already gotten a table. Arturo stepped over and joined them sitting down with a slightly tired look on his face.

Following Arturo, Fasz went upstairs with him. While Arturo dropped the things, he replied quietly: "Yes..." He followed Arturo downstairs; the girls were sitting at a table. Arturo sat, and as he did, Fasz sat in the same table too.

Joline smiled to her companions, then looked around the nearly empty room. Curiously, she watched a group meet and quickly figured out it was Deedlit and Parn meeting Ryna. "My, would you look at who we're sharing this inn with," Joline murmured and pointed the heroes out to her companions.

Fasz looked at the heroes and replied to Joline "We can expect more surprises". In the last days, things had been changing, and they hadn't finished doing so; Fasz wondered what would happen to Moss if Raiden and other places were like this.

Arturo turned and looked in the direction where Joline had, and saw the Free Knight and the elf Deedlit with some others. A smile crossed the warrior's face as he looked back at Joline and spoke. "Most indeed, we can look forward to something big happening. The Free Knight and other heroes gathered in the same place, something that doesn't happen every day."

Joline turned to Luria. "So what do you think? We're in the same inn with the greatest living heroes of Lodoss," she asked the half-elf.

Luria was ecstatic. "That was Deedlit and Parn, really?" It was hard for her to think of them as real people. The glamorous tales of their adventures and romance were fed to her since she was little. As a well known elf/human couple, they were heroes to all the half-elf children she knew. "Heroes huh? Hehee...maybe we'll get to 'fight evil' and save our island of Lodoss, aye?" She gave a laugh as if it was a joke, never expecting that it may have been close to the truth. The ale she spent a portion of her earnings on was making her just a little tipsy. She smiled despite the sense of death and destruction that seemed to blanket the area of Raiden as if her positive energy would somehow negate it all.

"Maybe I'll even meet a heroic knight for myself," she said, and giggled. Her laughter was soft and twinkled like wind chimes.

Joline giggled with Luria. She hadn't found a knight, but a rugged and handsome bounty hunter. It was the dream of a lot of girls their age, though Joline felt much older, having been already been married and widowed. Joline met Arturo's eyes as she sipped her glass of wine, and gave him a coy smile over the rim.

Arturo had been studying the many inn patrons and listening to snatches of different conversations here and there. Then turning back to his companions he noticed Joline staring him right in the eyes and smiling a bit. Finding himself smiling back at her he picked up his mug and drained the water in it. Arturo hoped that Joline would come through this safely, he hoped everyone would. As long as he held a breath he'd see to it.

* * *

Callin nodded, half expecting Ryna to pull him to Leaf when she looked at the direction the half elf took. But, that didn't happen, and they skipped several inns do the the rangers going in and out, and by the looks, they weren't friendly. Finally, they stopped at an inn. Its name was the Golden Flagon Inn. Entering, familiar faces were there. Several mercenaries from their trip, and a certain free knight and high elf.

Parn looked around the inn. It certainly had gotten a bit more crowded. Well, Cecil and the others had already left, and it seemed nobody recognized them yet. Though his eyes went wide when he saw Ryna and another mercenary looking fellow at the door. "Hey Deed, look whose here."

Deedlit followed Parn's glance till she saw Ryna and the mercenary. "Oh My... !" Deedlit grabbed Parn's upper arm with one of hers, hoping to bring him to standing, then she stood up and waved to the others by the door. "HEY! We are over here!"

Parn let Deedlit manipulate his body and he got up with her and waved at Ryna. Well, Cecil left, and Ryna came. Though Raiden was a big city, he didn't know who else might be there. Though it seemed likely either Garrik or Leaf were somewhere in the city. "Long time!"

Ryna gasped in surprise as she saw Deedlit and Parn. "Deedlit! Parn!" she said and hurried over. She grabbed Callin's wrist and pulled him behind her. "Hey! I'm not surprised you guys are here! Is anyone else here?"

Callin nearly tripped when Ryna pulled him to a table with a mercenary looking man and what looked to be an elf. But this elf was different from the elves he had seen, well, except for one. He concluded that she was a high elf. He didn't say anything while Ryna the two began to talk.

"Well, some of the others were hear. They left a little while ago to get Spark healthy." Parn frowned at that. Cecil was being overly cloak and dagger, thats what he had concluded, but Spark's condition was not good. "We stayed behind to help deal with the chaos gate."

"Yes!" Deedlit agreed. "Cecil's behavior has changed much, he keeps his thoughts too much to himself! I don't think he wants to let on to Neese how dire he thinks Spark's condition really is. But there is more to it that. I could sense how much the young mage has changed since this evil darkness arose on Marmo. And he carries a great burden of guilt, and believes his excavations on Marmo triggered these events."

"I think that theres someone else behind this. And the excavation WAS the trigger, but I have a feeling that it wasn't because they were investigating that area." Parn knew that Marmo was at one time under the influence of Kardis, but now it should have been cleansed, so Deedlit had to be right about the mage's condition. "Anyway, lets not talk about that. Anyone else here?"

Ryna was a little confused by all the information. Spark was sick? Excavations on Marmo? "Yeah, Leaf is with me," she said and shook her head. "Wait...what's wrong with Spark? What happened on Marmo?"

Parn fell silent at that. In all honesty, he didn't really know. What he did know was what he had seen, and he wondered how an old comrade would take that. Well, there was no point in hiding it any more. "Spark is possessed by a djinn. Somewhere in Marmo. There was also one posing as king Kashue in Blade."

Deedlit crossed her arms as she often did when she was annoyed at Parn, but she remained silent, that also was a signpost of her temper showing itself. She was so angry and upset that she felt tears coming on. Deedlit excused herself and left the table. The others seemed lost in talk and did not notice. Deedlit made her way through the tavern room and walked outside. She needed to get away Parn before she said something she would regret later.

Parn watched Deedlit leave with a frown. Something was defiantly wrong, but he wasn't sure what. But he knew that look, and it often meant to leave Deed alone for a while, so he sat and continued talking to Ryna and he assumed her boyfriend, Callin. "Well, anyway, Cecil will take care of it. And I'm sure the others with him will keep him from being so dark."

Ryna gasped and covered her mouth. Spark was possessed by a djinn? What about Neese? Deedlit stormed out and Ryna watched her go uncomfortably. "Parn, you have to tell me everything that's happened!" she urged him.

Parn frowned. Thats about all he knew. Except for the obvious things that a great many knew. But then there was one thing he didn't want to say, fortunately Leaf was not there. "Neese was traveling with us, Aldo is somewhere... and since Garrack isn't with you, its likely he's with whats left of the Flaim forces. And the Mirror forest is... destroyed. We fought to save it, and it was still destroyed."

Callin nearly choked on his drink. The forest wasn't even destroyed when the six heroes fought against the demon king, and now it was gone? "Shouldn't we be worried about Shining Hill and Moss to? It seems they're attacking the capitals."

Ryna nodded. "Leaf and I passed by the Mirror Forest after it was destroyed, the elves there told us what happened. In Shinning Hill, we met Mia, Seri and the others and we've traveled with them since."

"They seem to attack one place at time, Roid, then the Mirror Forest, Blade, now Raiden. Either they're low on numbers or they're toying with us."

Parn nodded, tapping his gauntleted hand against the table. Something was up with them. They had put most of the capitals in arms with the one attack at a time strategy. And that allowed the cities to entrench themselves. "Agreed. They seem to summon forces where-ever they go. But magic only goes so far. No one can summon infinite forces, so maybe the intervals in between these attacks is a sign that they have to regroup."

Ryna saw a barmaid and waved her over, then ordered a glass of wine and whatever was cooking. She looked back at Parn and nodded. "But can we find a way to use that to our advantage?" she asked. "We don't know where they go, but they can teleport all over the place from what I hear."

"Unfortunately, they can. Which means any elf forest or city is in danger. I hate to say it, but the more places they destroy..." Parn paused, knowing how horrible his next line was. "The more places they destroy, the better our odds of stopping them. Right now we have the ability to stop one of them, who can fly. But I think we have enough forces gathered to stop it, or maybe even kill it."

Ryna nodded. "They said the general gave them time here, but I bet he's just playing with us. But maybe with all the elves we brought, we have a chance. And this is Raiden, you can find any sort of people here willing to fight."

"Indeed. Along with those rangers Deed and Cecil told me they met a young knight from Moss. He thinks himself a bit of a spy." Parn chuckled. He wouldn't mind meeting this Thorn, maybe someone playing something they were not would make his mood better. "And your right, this place is perhaps the largest city for mercenaries, I doubt all of them will leave without a fight."

"I think, I hope, we have a good chance of surviving," Ryna said. "Hm...a young knight eh? Sounds like someone Leaf would like to meet. She's always day dreaming of a knight of her own like Deedlit has with you."

"Ah well, heh." Parn didn't really know how to react to that. The last knight Leaf had been with was already in love, so unfortunately for her that hadn't worked. And it would be unfortunate if this new knight had another love and Leaf fell in love with him to. "She'll have to meet him... hmm, I wonder where Deed is, shes been gone for a while now..."

Ryna shrugged and sipped her drink. "Deed will be back," she said assuringly. "Callin, you've been quiet, anything on your mind?" Ryna asked. She was determined to get to know him better, but he wasn't helping much.

Callin blinked several times. He had been looking around and noticed they were being watched. He would have said something about it if it had been suspicious looking people. Just the mercenaries. "Oh, just noticing we are being watched. Maybe we could invite them over, otherwise they might think us snobs."

Ryna glanced over at the group across the room. "They were mercenaries with a merchant who joined us in Dragon Eye," Ryna told Parn. "I wouldn't mind talking to them."

Ryna got up and strode over to the group, swaying her hips enticingly. "Hey guys, would you like to join me and my friends?" Ryna asked the table. She smiled coyly to Arturo and Fasz, forgetting for a moment that she sort of had a boyfriend.

Joline shot the woman an icy glare for the way she smiled at Arturo, but it only lasted a moment. I'm being a little too protective... Joline thought and took a deep sip of wine to hide her face. She considered the offer briefly as she drank, then set the goblet back down and looked at her companions. "I wouldn't mind," she said with a tone suggesting the others give their two coppers as well.

Arturo saw the cold stare Joline gave the woman, just as he'd seen the look the woman had given him and his other companion. Spending a bit of a chat, with some other mercs didn't seem too bad. It might just provide him with some information as to the whereabouts of his father, and that did interest him. Looking at the woman, he smiled and spoke. "I wouldn't either."

Some people joining them wasn't bad. "I don't mind," Fasz replied after listening to Joline and Arturo. Maybe he could learn a lot more about the situation of Raiden.

"Sure!" Luria agreed, happy for any chance to learn more about the interesting people here. "My name's Luria. We all just came here from down in Moss ya know and I don't really know what in Falis name is going on here. Raiden isn't supposed to be all spooky-like."

Joline stood and took her goblet of wine. "Well, shall we?" she asked her friends and walked around the table to Ryna. "I am Joline da'Korv," she introduced herself and extended her hand to Ryna. She didn't bother with titles or a proper curtsy. She was a little edgy about the scantily clad mercenary as well, and one could say intimidated by her toned body. The few male patrons could hardly take their eyes off Ryna and Joline couldn't help but feel a combination of jealous and disgust, since Ryna's clothes left little to the imagination and drew attention like flies to honey.

Parn rolled his eyes at the display. Apparently Ryna was still as much as a tease then ever. Though he himself had to drag his eyes away from her body. Looking was one thing, and he scolded himself on Deedlit's behalf. But touching was quite the other. "Sit down, I'm sure your all tired."

Meanwhile Callin was growing more jealous by the moment. Their relationship was odd, but he considered them lovers now. Even if he hadn't been her lover for a bit of time. He had to unclench his jaw muscles when he finally spoke. "Yes... sit down."

Arturo got up from his seat as well and stepped over to Joline, extending his hand as well to Ryna, he spoke in his usual tone trying to use as pleasant a tone as he could muster. "Arturo Demor, nice to meet you."

Ryna was certainly turning a few heads, Arturo did his best not to stare. She had a nicely toned figure and her attire did it's work well to keep one's eyes focused on that figure, something that probably worked well for her as a distraction in a fight. He had to admit it certainly would be an effective tool. Noticing, Joline's
slightly cool air around the woman, the blond-haired mercenary guessed she was just a tad jealous. But while Arturo did like the look of Ryna, Joline was the keeper of his heart, even if he didn't tell her.

Ryna noticed Joline's discomfort, but she kept it to herself. She dealt with that a lot, she kind of liked it. "I'm Ryna," she introduced herself to Joline and Arturo and shook both their hands, "Well, come on over!" Ryna said and led them to the table Parn and Callin were sitting at.

Luria always got the feeling that she wasn't invited into things. Maybe it was actually that she invited herself into things so often that she couldn't tell. The mechanics of socializing weren't exactly clear to her. Her best friends were horses up until this mercenary business. But she wasn't about to miss her chance to talk with adventurers who actually managed to make a difference in the world, so she smiled and tagged along close alongside Joline and Arturo.

* * *

Islia stood high atop one of the largest buildings in Raiden, staring up at the chaos gate. It was almost ready to be tapped, but not yet. Unfortunately. Looking back down at the city she looked at the inns the 'heroes' were staying at. It appeared that that creature hadn't done its job. Well, leave it to a foolish creature, and the job wouldn't get done right. She pursed her lips, half tempted to stomp the roof of the building, but holding herself from it. She was already annoyed at having to be out in broad daylight, and had the hood of her robe pulled over her pretty face, showing only a small portion of her eyes, nose, and full, red mouth along with a great deal of her cleavage. Not that looks really mattered to her. "I wonder who will win..."

She mused to herself, looking down at the inn Parn and Deedlit were staying. She could help these chaos generals greatly by using her deadliest spell, but she was told to remain neutral, and she wasn't foolish enough to reveal her position. She would watch, right up until the end. Though whose ending, even she wasn't sure of. Not that she cared either way. If the chaos general won, it would be one less obstacle out of the way, if the chaos general lost, one less fool to impede lord Anubus' progress into Lodoss.

* * *

Terin led Kitsa to a quiet section of the market place and sat down by a fountain that looked like it had been shut off a couple days ago. He sat on the edge and patted it for her to sit with him.

"I'm sorry, Kitsa, if I've been rude," he said. It was the best way to start. "I just found Naclia again after all these years, it's been about 30 years, and she thinks I'm a figment of her imagination. Then, you and Aiden found out you were siblings...and it hurt. Then that Aiyanna girl and her brother. It was like everyone else was having these happy reunions and I nearly made my sister go insane when she saw me. Falis, it stings. I just hope she'll come around..."

Kitsa was at a loss for words. Instead of saying something, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. "I am sorry I cannot help," she said as she held him. "I hope things will get better."

Terin was surprised by the sudden embrace, but after a moment, he wrapped his arms around her and held her close, grateful for her presence. "Me too Kitsa," he said and buried his face in her raven black hair. He breathed in her scent, something exotic and soothing and closed his eyes. "You're doing all you can," he assured her.

Kitsa pulled away and smiled at Terin, searching his face to see if he was doing a bit better. She was desperate to cheer him up and she thought about what she could do. After hesitating for a moment, she leaned forward and briefly kissed him.

Terin looked wide-eyed at Kitsa as she pulled back. The kiss was so brief, it took a moment for him to figure out what happened. She really kissed me? he thought and a smile touched his lips. Terin took the initiative and put his finger under Kitsa's chin, tipping her face toward him. Slowly and tenderly, he moved in and kissed her much more deeply than she had. Kitsa kissed Terin back and wrapped her arms around Terin's neck and pulled herself closer.

Finally, Terin broke the kiss and rested his forehead against Kitsa's. He was at a loss for words, but after a long moment of silence, he spoke softly, "Why Kitsa, why me?" He couldn't understand why such a beautiful, exotic woman was interested in him when she could have her pick of men. Why would she want with a tattered elf when she could go for someone like Orion or any of those other elves that they had brought today.

Kitsa blushed and shrugged. "Because you look like you be needing it." She cuddled up to Terin and moved to sit on his lap, hugging him lovingly.

She didn't cease to surprise him. Kitsa climbed into his lap and cuddled against him. Terin wrapped his arms around Kitsa and held her. He even managed a small, slightly confuse smile. Well, they say don't look a gift horse in the mouth...

Kitsa sighed contently. She felt good now that she had kissed him, like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. It was like confessing a secret to a friend, but better. "Should we go back now?" she asked.

Terin hugged her and debated going back, but settled on staying with her for a little while longer. "Hmm....lets wait awhile," Terin whispered her little pointed ear and kissed the tip of it.

Kitsa sighed in contentment and laid her head back on his chest. "That will be good," she said softly. I hope this makes him feel better. I definitely made me feel better!she thought. Kitsa rubbed her hands over his chest, enjoying the feeling of his muscular chest. She could faintly feel scars beneath the material. Terin kissed Kitsa's forehead and held her close. If only they could stay like this a little longer...

* * *

Cara & Rain had wandering though a good portion of the city and they found themselves around a section of town with a number of older inns, one of which had a sign saying it had ground level rooms.

"Humm this sounds good," Cara reasoned and he let Rain go inside while he looked to the side. They had a side door that connected directly to the stables. "This looks interesting," he mused before returning out front to wait for her. It was while waiting that he was looking through his pack and he discovered something... A doll, a memento of his lost herd... It had gotten damaged along the trip. An immense sadness poured over him as he looked at it, his last connection to his mother, his family...

Rain nodded with childish glee before venturing into third inn they'd visited today. She'd been careful about this one, knew the layout, the placement of the rooms, the exits, the bar, the tables, and everything in between. The rooms looked clean, strong, the beds strong, a door leading towards the stables and rooms large enough for centaurs on the bottom floor. The half-elf arched her eyebrows in merriment, at the thought of asking the innkeeper about accommodations for her herd. She meandered around briefly then exited. "Cara, you've got to see the rooms in this inn- just wonderful. They'll suit us perfectly..." she said reaching for his hand, any contact at this juncture, would be most welcomed, and continued to babble excitedly at her discovery.

By the time, she'd finally noticed her wasn't paying attention. "Helllooo?" Rain had wormed her way onto his back, and was knocking on his head, "You've not even heard a single word I've been saying, have you..." she said flatly. Sitting forward offered the much smaller creature a better opportunity to peered over the centaur's broad shoulders. "Oh no... Cara, your doll," she cried in a little voice. She recognized how much something so small could mean to him. It had been her fault it had gotten damaged after their fight. "It's my fault. I'm sorry, Cara," she pleaded with him, pulling on his shoulder and traces of tears brimming at the edge of her eyes...

Cara blinked then looked to see Rain peering over his shoulders, "It's not... Your fault... It... I..." Cara choked back a few tears blaming the dust for making his eyes water. "It'll be ok.. What did you find?" He asked as he tried to put it back into his pouch only to have it miss and fall to the ground. "Damn it!"

The small doll fell to the ground and upon hitting the ground it's opening became larger and a cylinder of some sort could be seen inside it. "What's that?"

Rain jumped off of the tall centaur's back, stirring up a small cloud of dust from the significant drop, she took a second or two for it to clear, waving the small puff away, before stooping down. With two hands carefully she scooped up the doll, trying to hold its stuffing emptying from the tear, bringing it to herself when a cylinder rolled out of the fluff onto her palm. "It's a casing." Her fingers fumbled with it, "Looks like it has a catch or something but I can't get it- ah," she exclaimed as the tube parted and a slip of paper dislodge from inside. She carefully unfolded it, "It's a note..." squinting at it before turning the slip of old paper upside down, "I- I can't make out what it says. Look," she said holding it out but not waiting for Cara to grasp it before she wormed back onto his back, leaned over his shoulder and held it in front of his face with one hand. The other cradled the torn doll with loving care to her chest like a child. "Can you read it?"

"Only if you hold it still...." Cara was still trying to get over the shock of finding out that his most prized possession had been damaged, but to discover that this had been inside it all that time, it was incredible. "Well... I have not seen this in a long time..." He took the paper from her and began walking towards one of the nearby stables absently. "You see this part, it invokes a change and this part..." he said and stopped dead in his tracks. His abrupt stop almost dislodged Rain from her perch

"It does what-,"she said before nearly taking a tumble off the centaur's back. "Woah!" She grabbed onto forearm to pull herself back into her seat and steady herself again. "What in the pit does it invoke? A swift fall," she said angry and a little breathless at the close call. "What is it, Cara?"

"It changes me." He said before they were stopped but a large man at the door of the stable.

"What do ya need?" he asked as he eyed the large centaur.

"We um, I need one of your larger stalls. Near the door to the inn."

"Aye. This way," he said as he turned to go inside.

Cara followed him still reading over the parchment, when they got to the stall he had the man hang up some blankets before he told her anymore.

A confused look flashed across her face, "It does what?" She jumped with a start at the sudden appearance of the human. Though she posed finely tuned pointed ears Rain had not been training them for listening to approaching figures. Her confusion grew with the strange requests of the centaur. "Cara," she whispered, "I found the rooms inside the inn are large enough to accommodate Cassandra. What are you up to?"

"Um. This does. oh words do not even begin to describe it."

Once the human was gone Cara pulled the curtains closed and he took off his pack and a few other things. Rain could tell from his motions that he was becoming very giddy. almost like a young colt again.

Seeing Cara happy for the first time in since they'd left the forest brought a smile into her heart. "Oh, really, Caradithil. What could possibly make you as excited as a springtime foal," she said, slipping of his back once more, with a curious glint shining in her eyes.

"This!" he proclaimed as he held the scroll, "Thanks mother," he said quietly before he began to read.

Some of the words she could almost make out, but as she watched his body began to glow.

"Thanks for...?" Rain shielded her eyes from the light the centaur began to glow. Peeking through her hand she tried to see what was happening. "Cara?"

A few thuds were heard as his armor fell to the ground. Shortly after he stopped chanting the glow disappeared. However in the place of a 10 foot tall centaur was an 8 foot tall elf. with Cara's hair. "Whoa." he said as he stood there.

Rain's eyes widened as the centaur's body shrinks and reshapes itself into something she had only imagined since their first encounter. She exclaims dumbfounded, "Cara, you're an elf!" his chest armor fell to the earth below, "And a really tall and naked one at that..." her eyes roved over his new body a few moments. "Wow."

Cara just grinned at her, and held up the scroll. "It doesn't say how long it will last so..." he took a step towards her.. Or rather he tried to take a step and only ended up falling on his face. ".ouch."

Rain dropped to Cara's side, "Oh my gods! Cara, are you alright?!" She tried to help him into sitting back, fighting through the strange and wonderful haze of disbelief. The half-elf still couldn't believe what her eyes were telling. "Did you hurt yourself?"

He chuckled as he was helped up, "You know. it's not that easy to walk on two legs. how do you do it?" Standing back up on his now two feet he marveled at the feelings, "This is amazing. This is unbelievable. This hurts!" He picked up his foot and grabbed it as he pulled a few pieces of straw that had been poking them. However in doing that he lost his balance and fell forward on top of Rain. Weather is luck or instinct he was able to put his hands out and he did not hurt her as he fell on top of her.

"You know, I didn't really have a choice in the matter," she teased, readjusting the eight-foot elf in her arms, trying to balance out his unsteady weight. "You are so beautiful. oh no, your poor feet. They must be too soft too tolerate the hay- Ooft!" She exclaimed with the fullness of his weight crashing down on ground. Her face was a breath away from his. "Nice save." Leaned up and pulled him down to give him a kiss, ""Can it be? Is it really you, my love, or a cruel trick?"

He kissed her back gently, "Well if it was a trick then my hind legs should be sticking straight up into the air." Slipping his arms under her he rolled himself over so that he was lying on his back and she was lying directly on top of him. "If this was a trick then this would not be possible." he said as he kissed her again.

* * *

Sevrina laid in the grass dozing. The horses nearby had enough play and were now grazing through the meadows, their tails swishing lazily at flies. So close to the ground, it was easy for Sevrina to hear the hoof beats coming from the road. She woke at the slow rumble and sat up, looking at Blade. He was sitting nearby on a jutting rock, playing a soothing tune on his harp.

"I hear hoof beats coming," she said and glanced at the horses in the meadow. They were just as calm as they were when she dozed off, so it was definitely from the road. It must have been the group lead by Seri and Mia, but why were they coming through here? "It must be Mia and Seri with their elves," she suggested and jumped to her feet. "Should we investigate?"

Blade continued playing his harp, softening the sounds so they could speak. "We should probably go see." Finally he stopped and stood from his rock. "At the very least go meet them. Don't you think?" Placing the harp into its pouch Blade swung himself onto his horse, his eyes towards the hoof beats.

* * *

Fou-Lu rode along, occasionally glancing at Mia to admire her beauty. He had a small smile on his face and was utterly content to just watch her. So strong...and yet delicate. He couldn't wait to stop and caress her delicate face, kiss those lips and hold her small form again.

Mia glanced over at Fou-Lu, finding he was STILL staring. Honestly, it was starting to get a bit disconcerting. Mia raised her eyebrow at him. "Better watch the road, Fou," she said and he did as asked. Mia rolled her eyes. She was starting to get frustrated with him again. Maybe she should just call it off...find some way to get away from him. Mia had no idea what she was getting into when she first met him months ago. She was tired and her life was nothing but darkness, Fou came in and rescued her from it. Falling in love with him was merely a result of heavy stress, and she'd recovered now. Mia could never stand one man for too long, though this would be a relationship for the record books in shortness, if she were to end it soon.

Sevrina didn't bother calling Seana over. They weren't too far from the road. Sevrina jogged toward the road, navigating through trees and brush easily. Near the road, she climbed up into a tree to get a better vantage. The cavalry coming was mostly riderless horses...led by Mia and her little wolf on a leash, Fou-Lu.

Sevrina dropped down to the road from her perch, putting herself in plain sight of Mia and Fou. "Well, hello Mia."

Fou-Lu reined in his horse as he saw a dark clad form fall from the trees. Dark elf woman, silver hair...it was Sevrina. Why did she have to be the first one they met?

Mia spoke up beside him. "Well, hello Sevrina. What are you doing out here? Why aren't you in the city?"

Sevrina had a small smirk on her lips, though it was quite as malicious as her smirks used to be. In fact, there was a different air about her, something warmer, and lively. She used to be as cold as steel.

"I was looking for a little freedom," Sevrina replied and propped a hand on her hip. "I also brought the horses from the inn, I thought they would be safer outside the city."

Fou-Lu was surprised she had much concern for the horses. But then, she hadn't been around any horses much since the time he'd known her. Mia seemed to notice a change too. Fou watched his beloved as she studied Sevrina and debated what to do. "We're going to the dark elf forest down the road. You're welcome to join and bring your horses. Hopefully, they will be shod and cleaned up there and ready to go again."

Fou's eyes traveled back to Sevrina. The dark elf nodded. "Let me gather my herd and I'll ride with you," she replied. "Blade! It's Mia and Fou, come out and say hello!" With that, she turned and disappeared into the brush alongside the road.

Mia watched Sevrina depart and drummed her fingers on her saddle horn, anxious to get on with the ride. She could feel Fou-Lu's eyes on her though. He was staring, or 'admiring' as he would likely say. Whatever he called it, it was getting annoying.

Sevrina returned to the meadow and whistled for Seana. The mare came to her slowly, and with much disappointment. Sevrina gave her a reassuring pat, then jumped onto her back. With another whistle, she got the rest of the herd to come to her. She brought them around the way they came into the meadow, then led them out onto the road, bringing up the rear of the herd. She then urged Seana to catch up to Mia and Fou. "Well, shall we continue?" she asked when she reached them.

Mia and Fou-Lu rode into the Forest at the head of the herd, Sevrina and Blade were riding just behind them. The village seemed quiet, Mia assumed their warriors might be in Raiden trying to find out more about that hole in the sky.

"So this is your forest?" Fou-Lu asked, looking around at the trees.

"It's one of the many places I've lived," Mia replied shortly.

A dark elf woman with very dark skin and golden hair came out of a house and walked up to them with her hands on her hips. She had the youthful appearance of all elves, but her demeanor showed that she was a woman of a long life.

"Mia! What are you doing here with all these horses!" she called.

"Liora! I need a favor," Mia said and slipped gracefully out of the saddle. Lucied followed as Mia walked up to the dark elf. Not long afterwards, Fou-Lu climbed down from his saddle and walked up behind Mia.

"Ohh...you'd better not have stolen these horses...who are your friends?"

"Liora, there's a battle coming in the city. I've brought these horses here for their safety," she explained. "Can they find sanctuary here?"

Liora nodded. "We'll have them all cleaned up and they can visit our farrier. There is plenty of grazing in the pastures outside the forest, they will be safe. Will you be returning to the city?"

"Shortly, I think we'll take a break here. Is the guest house open?"

"Yes, everyone is either leaving Raiden or in the city," Liora replied. "So who are these people?"

"Yeah, I'd better get to introductions," Mia said with a chuckle. She turned around to see Fou-Lu was right on her heels. She glared at him for a brief moment, then introduced him. "This is Fou-Lu," she reached down to pet Lucied's head. "This is Lucied and that's Sevrina and Blade."

"It's good to meet you all," Liora said. "Mia, you can find your way, I'll have some of the children take care of the horses. Liora called in dark elven and several children came out of the woods and peeked through windows.

Mia took her belongings from her saddle and gave her horse a pat goodbye, then walked down the street to the guest house. Fou walked as close to her as possible and Lucied trotted along on the other side.

Fou-Lu reached down shyly to take Mia's free hand in his as they walked. However, she suddenly jerked it away and shot another harsh glare at him. Fou returned it with a hurt look and her eyes softened. "I'm sorry..." he said, trying to make amends for whatever mistake he made.

"No, I'm sorry Fou," Mia replied and shook her head. "I'm just stressed, it was unexpected. Sorry."

Fou was satisfied by that and smiled adoringly at her. As her jade eyes met his, he admired their unique beauty. However, somewhere in their depths, he saw frustration. Mia suddenly looked away, almost gratefully. They had reached the guest house. Mia climbed the steps of the porch, then pushed open the door.

"Stay out here Lucied," she ordered the wolf. Obediently, he sat down on the porch. However, he wouldn't stay there long. As soon as he got bored, he would probably go play with the local children, or go hunt rabbits.

Inside the house, there was a clean, sparsely decorated sitting room, obviously not very lived in. Of a sudden, Mia grabbed Fou by his collar and drug him through the door, then led him to a bedroom. He stumbled along obediently, but confused. The hall was lined with doors, and she finally chose one at the end of the hall and shoved the door open and pulled him, then slammed the door shut. Was she angry?

Mia threw her pack on the floor and quickly unclasped her cloak. Fou set down his own pack and took of his cloak, worried that she was going to fight him. Instead, the instant he undid the clasp of his cloak, Mia tackled him onto the bed and started unlatching his armor.

"Mia...what..." Fou tried to say, but Mia interrupted. "Shut up and kiss me," she said fiercely and kissed him before he had a chance to. Mia was certainly turning out to be a very confusing woman.

* * *

Sevrina slipped off Seana carefully. Her morning sickness was coming back. Well, it wasn't exactly morning sickness, but more constant sickness. She gave Seana a pat on the nose and said goodbye, assuring the mare everything was going to be fine. Seana whickered and tossed her head, then happily let one of the dark elf children lead her away.

Sevrina walked up to Blade and wrapped an arm around his for support. "Lets go to the guest house," she suggested.

Blade quickly took her arm and placed his opposing hand on her elbow. "Come on... let's get you inside and comfortable." He gave her a soft sigh. "Of course... even if I were to suggest you stay put I doubt you'd listen right?" The swordsman led them on into the guest house, opening the door open for her and helping her in...

"Ugh, with the way I'm feeling, I probably would stay put," Sevrina replied and let Blade lead her along. When they made it inside the guest house, Sevrina just plopped down in a chair in the sitting room. "I wonder if that Liora is an herbalist, I hate feeling like this," Sevrina said softly to Blade, in case Mia and Fou were anywhere near.



* * *

Thorn smiled back, linking his arms with her. He led her out the door, and out of the icy touch. Which was a major relief. He wondered if some type of ghost had been messing with him. Cursed things! He looked down and noticed a rose bush, with a smile, he plucked one, giving a slight wince as a thorn nicked him. Well, no matter. "Hmm, you know, your a lot like this. A wild rose." He said, handing it to her with a smile.

Leaf took the rose gently, to keep from getting poked by thorns. She brought it to her nose and sniffed it, then smiled. "Thank you Dravin." She gave a little giggle and hugged his arm, then picked a few thorns off the rose and put it in her hair.

Thorn nodded, ignoring the bleeding finger, but still keeping it away from Leaf. Not that it was that bad. What was bothering him was the Dravin thing. Well, a few people already knew, why not the heroes of Lodoss? He debated this for a little bit, though exchanged words with Leaf, until finally he gave a slight sigh. He couldn't, not yet anyway. He would just have to watch what he said, he already had almost let his actual name slip. "I'm somehow not surprised that a hero of Lodoss is already here. I saw Deedlit, Spark, and Cecil yesterday. I would imagine Parn isn't far behind. So, why not Leaf, the famous half elf mercenary. Who is quite the beauty, the songs forgot to mention."

"Really? Deedlit's here?" Leaf said excitedly. "Well, it only makes sense." She blushed at his compliment. "Dravin, you're too sweet for your own good," Leaf told him and touched the tip of his nose. Leaf wondered if she would see any of her other old companions, Spark and Neese were probably too busy to fight, but maybe Aldo Nova came? Or Garrack?

Thorn nodded, blinking slightly at the sweet remark. Well, maybe he was. He hadn't ever courted a woman before, as it was usually only a one time thing among nobles. Most of his lines were just other lines he had heard, amended of course. "Yes, Deedlit is here. I just don't know where they're staying. They left really quickly yesterday, in fact, they didn't really go into Dabagon Inn. I suppose we could find it, its been a year since you saw your comrades, right?"

Leaf considered for a moment. "Well, we can always see them later," she replied. "I wouldn't mind walking with you a little longer."

"Oh?" That answer had surprised Thorn. After all, her reaction to Deedlit had been. Well, at least he could talk to her a while longer. He still had to go back and do something about his own horses, but for now. "Well, your company is fine by me. Its been to long since I've talked to another half elf, and he and I didn't get along. Besides, I couldn't really flirt with him."

Leaf giggled. "I've already met two other half-elves on the trip. Rain was raised by the centaurs. Then there was another one with the mercenaries, but I didn't get the chance to talk to her."

He wasn't entirely joking, the last half elf he had met had been morbid, and fatalistic at best. "Hmm, theres port. I've heard Alecrast has some interesting exports, care to take a look?"

"Sure!" Leaf said and hugged his arm. "I don't know how many merchants will be around with that thing in the sky though." she said and pointed to the Chaos Gate.

Thorn nodded, looking up at the gate and giving a slight shudder. That did nothing for his personality, he was getting used to it now, but it was still a constant a, annoyance in the back of his mind. But he smiled at Leaf, walking to port. He had the feeling he was being watched, and if there was a cold chill when Ryna was watching him, this was like being in an ice storm. "Theres still a lot of people here. I think most are selling their goods, or getting their goods and leaving as soon as possible."

Finally at port, it seemed almost deserted from what it usually looked. But there were a few merchants here and there, most having Lodoss flags, but a few had foreign ones. Thorn, forgetting his roll of Dravin, a mercenary of Raiden made a comment. "So, thats an Alecrast ship... first one I've ever seen..."

Leaf looked at the ship, but she wasn't very interested in ships. "Wow," she said and let go of Dravin's arm. She easily hopped up on top of one of the thick posts that held the docks in place and looked out across the horizon. Just past the thick clouds, she could see sunlight hitting the sea miles away. With a sigh, she wished the clouds would break so she could feel the sunlight again.

Thorn looked at the sea, the sun was hitting out there. Just not anywhere close enough to Raiden to make the clouds clear up. As a dark elf and ancient dragon, it didn't bother him in the least. As a common elf and human, however, it was an annoyance factor. "Leaf, we will win, and the sky will clear. Its not a prediction, or a prophecy, its history."

Leaf looked down at Dravin and smiled. She then hopped down from the post and linked her arm with his. "You're very good at assuring a lady," she said.

"Ah, well, you know, I guess its just a talent." Thorn would have said he was used to it, and was just court talk. Frilly talk for the common speech. Ah well, not like it hurt anything. "But its simply the truth,and basic tactics. We'll be ready for them. Hmm?" His ears perked lightly, and he looked back to see a blonde haired woman who looked familiar. His strained his eyes a bit to notice who it was. "Thats Deedlit, isn't it?"

Deedlit walked through the tangle of streets lost in her thoughts, before she realized that someone was staring in her direction. It took her a few seconds before she realized, where she had seen his face before. Wasn't he the strange knight she Spark and Cecil had met up with, outside the Dabagon Inn? Too late to turn back, Deedlit moved forward nodding her head politely towards Thorn and his companion.... "LEAF!!!! Is that really you????"

Leaf gasped when she recognized Deedlit coming. "Deedlit!" She ran up to the high elf and hugged her. Deedlit was one of the people she most admired and best related too when they were trying to save Neese last year.

Thorn watched Deedlit run and hug Deedlit, and he walked up to meet them. Hmm, by the looks of it, Deedlit wanted some alone time, and since Leaf was her friend, it seemed likely Leaf would know how to deal with this would be, Leaf. "Greetings, Deedlit." He left it at that, he would see how the conversation went, but he had the feeling he might as well go back to the inn and get his horse ready to travel.

Deedlit exclaimed. "Leaf it is so good to see you here! We have so much to catch up on! You must tell me everything! Leave out nothing, including how you met up with Thorn here!" She paused long enough to look at Thorn. "Greetings to you as well Thorn. You must BOTH come with me to the Golden Flagon Inn and see Parn! Oh... But I'm being rude I haven't let you get more then two words out! It's just that it's truly so good to see a friendly face in this dark place now!" Deedlit said with a wide smile towards them both.

Thorn's stomach jumped to his throat as Deedlit said his real name. He was happy she seemed in decent spirits, but now that she had blown his cover. So much for being cryptic. He thought as he scratched behind his ear. "Sounds fine with me, but only for a little bit. I have to get my men's horses out of Raiden before nightfall."

"Thorn?" Leaf looked at Deedlit questioningly, then at Dravin. Thorn was his real name, or maybe the name he told Deedlit. Either way, he lied to someone! Leaf frowned and walked up to Thorn and kicked him in the shin.

"Did you lie to me? What's your real name?" Leaf put her fists on her hips and waited for an answer. Maybe Ryna was right, he was just a sleaze.

"Yeah, I lied to you." Thorn said, still scratching behind his ear. This was going to turn out very badly, well, now that the proverbial cat was out of the bag. "My real name is Thorn Gias, Knight of Moss. I was sent here to see the damage incurred by the Chaos Generals. But Moss can't be dragged into the war yet, not until we know who to attack, so... I took the name of Dravin, a mercenary. Plus my own personal safety and that of my men. Raiden isn't exactly friendly to soldiers."

He paused, pulling out his pendent. At least that would prove he was at least a noble. "See, just your average noble. Not very good at acting out the part of a mercenary."

Leaf blushed since apparently Thorn had a good reason for lying. "Oh...Um...I'm sorry, Dra-Thorn," Leaf said and looked down, scuffing her boots on the docks.

"Just don't spread it around." Thorn say the advantage to this and he put his finger up against Leaf's lips and winked. "I think some of Raiden doesn't know who I am yet." He turned back to Deedlit and shrugged. "Well, we just met at that Dabagon inn. I just thought a walk might be nice and thought Miss Leaf would like to join me."

Leaf blushed a little as he placed his finger against her lips. "I wont tell. Sorry again, Thorn." He seemed understanding about it, and he was no mercenary, but a noble knight!

"Its nothing." Thorn said, giving her a quick smile before turning back to Deedlit. She was still there, she hadn't said much. "So Deedlit, why are you here? Getting fresh air?"

"Yes...you could say that, but this place is so riddled with evil magics... so near, it has me somewhat on edge. It's hard to feel anything fresh about the air here. I left Parn with some others back at the Golden Flagon Inn. Would you two care to return there with me? I've been gone long enough that even that thick headed knight might miss me!" She added with a smile.

Leaf nodded, agreeing with what Deedlit said about how Raiden felt. She spent enough time with Thorn, now she wanted to see Parn again. "Of course he missed you Deed!" Leaf assured the high elf. "I wouldn't mind going back with you."

Thorn shrugged, still trying to make the effort of being a mercenary. Even without the court there was still politics. "I have spare time until they start the meeting, I'll have to wait to move the horses to the dark elf forest until after. So if you don't mind, I'll accompany you."

Deedlit smiled at Leaf. "Good, it's not a long walk back, just a couple of blocks this way then. As for Parn, that's one knight that can be as thick as a rock at times!" And Deedlit started off towards the Golden Flagon Inn.

Leaf tagged along after Deedlit and let the high elf lead them back to her inn. Leaf was looking forward to seeing Parn again too.

* * *

Toan had slept in late, passed out on the floor after the long watch on Moryssa. Last he knew, she was still unconscious, but when he had woken up a few moments earlier, she and Kiran were both missing. His sword was wrapped in someone's cloak and propped against the wall.

Suddenly, the door opened to admit Kiran and Moryssa. Their hair was wet, their skin glistened and they smelled of soap. Apparently, they had just returned from a bath, and it was obvious they had at least bathed at the same time, and most likely together.

At least Moryssa was walking on her own. She looked a bit weak, and Kiran was watching her closely to make sure she didn't stumble and fall. "Toan! You're awake," Moryssa said with a smile. She staggered a bit in her high heels and Kiran suddenly put his hands on her waist to steady her.

Toan jumped up off the floor and smiled at his sister. "Moryssa, it's good to see you up and about again." He walked over to her to keep her from having to exert herself too much. "How are you feeling? Better I hope."

He then looked to Kiran and a part of him wanted to be the protective brother and yet he controlled himself. "Thanks for taking care of her, though I would have liked to know when she woke up." While it was true that Kiran and he were not the best of friends, he at least respected him. And that small point right there put Kiran up higher on the list than anyone else. However, she was still his sister and brothers had a way of being over protective.

Moryssa hugged Toan. "I'm a bit better," she said and kissed her brother's cheek. Weakly, she moved to the vanity dresser across the room and sat on the stool. Her beauty supplies were nearby and she started fixing up her hair.

Kiran watched her, then returned his attention to Toan. "Sorry Toan, I was just so happy to see her up again, I kind of forgot. You slept right though it all," Kiran replied, scratching the back of his head. Honestly, he just wanted some time alone with her. They wouldn't have been able to do what they did in the bath if Toan were awake.

Toan knew very well what was going on and a part of him wanted to scream and rip Kiran apart for touching his sister. Yet, he stayed his hand and his anger. She was happy, and as much as it pained him, Kiran was a friend, and an ally. They had been through too much to let his emotions overload him.

Still, he thought that he might be able to keep things from getting too out of hand, at least he hoped. "You forgot?" He asked as he looked at Kiran. "After all that we have been through and you forgot?"

Kiran glanced to the side, uncomfortable with meeting Toan's gaze. "Well...Toan...we just wanted some time alone," Kiran tried to assure him.

Suddenly he heard a knock at the door that he was thankful for. Kiran quickly turned to answer it and saw Akaria with Moryssa's meal. "Ah, Akaria, thank you come in," he said and ushered the elven priestess inside.

"I hope I'm not interrupting, I've brought your food Moryssa," she said, glancing by the dark elven men.

"Thanks," Mory replied, watching the priestess through the mirror as she combed her still wet hair. "And Toan, don't worry, I'm just fine alone with Kiran."

Kiran smiled slightly, then took a chair that Toan had put beside the bed and moved over to the vanity for Akaria to sit at. "Have a seat priestess."

"Thank you," Akaria said and glanced between the dark elves, curious as to what had just conspired. She sat down at the vanity and placed her tray down. "Moryssa, Ariakan and I have something to discuss with you," she explained.

"Could you help me out? My arms are rather weak," Moryssa said and offered Akaria the comb. "What do you want to talk about?"

Akaria took the comb a little uncertainly, then stood and started combing Moryssa's long hair. To tell Moryssa what she needed, she would have to reveal her little secret. She was fine telling Moryssa, but Kiran and Toan didn't need to know yet. "Could you two let us speak in private?"

Kiran glanced over at Toan. Well, without the sword, Toan wouldn't try to kill him if he figured out what he and Moryssa were doing. "Yeah, sure, come on Toan. Let's let them have their girl talk," Kiran said and headed out the door.

Toan was only slightly annoyed about being interrupted by Akaria, but his annoyance soon passed. As he watched the priestess he could not help but give her a slight grin. Maybe it was from his upbringing or maybe it was something else, but to see a regular elf combing the hair of a dark elf that just made his day. 'May the
gods have mercy on me for thinking that', he thought to himself as the two girls talked. He was brought out of his thoughts when they asked him to leave and at first he wanted to object, as his sister was still weak and was not as capable of defending herself is she was attacked. But this was a priestess, surely she would not do that. When Kiran left, he shook his head and decided that she should be alright up here for now.

Moryssa watched Kiran and Toan leave through her mirror. Finally alone, she glanced at Akaria's reflection behind her. "So what do you want to talk about?" Moryssa asked.

Akaria blushed and focused a little more on combing Moryssa's hair. "Well, I just....learned I'm pregnant," she said.

Moryssa gave a little smile. "Congratulations?" she offered.

Akaria beamed. "I just found out this morning. Ariakan and I are talking about going to Blue Dragon Island so we can keep our child safe." Moryssa watched Akaria's reflection, waiting to hear more. "Because of what happened to you, and the state you're in, we thought it might best for you to come with us while you recover."

Moryssa frowned. "I'm not weak, I'll be fine," she said strongly. Well...maybe she's right. I could use a little R & R. With a sigh, she added. "But it probably wouldn't be such a bad idea."

* * *

Kiran stood out in the hall for a moment and sighed. He'd hardly left Moryssa's side since he rescued her. He was so concerned for her that it was hard for him to walk away. "Well, come on, let's let them have their girl talk," he said with a sigh and led Toan down the hall, then downstairs. "So....we're in the city of Anarchy, what to do?"

Toan did not want to leave, but he knew how his sister got at times. He followed Kiran out and down the hall. When Kiran asked what he wanted to do he was at a loss. He had been so concerned about his sister lately that he had not thought about much else. Now that he had the chance he was not sure what he wanted to do. "I guess lets start with a drink downstairs then see what happens." As long as he was not near his sword he would not had to worry about things, but the mere fact that he had been thinking about it so much troubled him though he tried to hide it.

Upon reaching the main level it was clear to him that there had been a big meeting, but since he overslept he had missed it. "I guess we missed things again," he said and looked for a place to sit down.

"Yeah..." Kiran replied, but stopped before he said anything more about him and Moryssa being in the bath for the entire meeting. "The other group returned, Mia, Seri and the others."

Kiran's eyes fixed on Sakura as she and Zatch kissed. Was that the one she settled on? There were very few other people in the inn, mostly priests of Myrii and Marfa. Everyone else was off going about their own business before tonight's meeting. Kiran approached the bar and slapped the counter. A barmaid popped her head out of the kitchen, then went behind the bar. "Can I help you?" she asked.

"What sort of liquor do you have?" Kiran asked.

The barmaid nodded and turned around to the cabinet behind her and started naming off brands and sorts. Human, dwarven and elven brews, even some foreign ones. Kiran settled on a dark elf liquor, paid for a small glass of it. He didn't want to get drunk, he just wanted a little something to relax him. Kiran took a swig and sampled it. "Hmm...not a Marmo brew, must be local," he mused. "Not bad."

Toan took a seat beside Kiran and ordered a drink as well. He had a bad feeling that something big was about to happen so he did not want to be too far away from his sister. Either that or that sword was possessing more of his mind lately. However he did have some things on his mind that he needed to tell Kiran, and since there was not a better place he decided that he might as well say it.

"I know what is going on between you and my sister," he said in a low voice though it was pitched so that only Kiran could hear it. "I wanted you to not that I do not completely approve of it." This was a hard subject to bring up, and he knew that if he handled it wrong he would make his sister mad at him and he would loose someone he has fought beside as a friend. He hoped that Kiran might pick up on the fact he did not say he disproved of them.

Kiran took another swig and swished the drink around in his mouth before swallowing. "Well, at least you aren't trying to kill me this time," he said. Kiran swirled his glass around, watching the amberish liquor slush inside. "Toan, I've known Moryssa for only half a year, and in that time, we've all been through a lot. We rescued her and Berry from Anubus on Marmo together, and I have hardly left her side since. I love her Toan, more than I ever thought I could love a woman. I think I'm ready for this sort of love too. I can't see myself ever being with another woman. Can you respect that?"

Kiran couldn't quite bring himself to mention marriage just yet, his better judgment was speaking against it, but it had been on his mind. Once he knew she was safe again, then maybe he could speak more openly of it. The problem was, he didn't know if she was ready for it. She was much younger than he was.

Toan took a drink and sighed, "I am not sure... As an older brother I want to protect her... But I can't protect her from everything." He paused then added, "You have fought with me, and have helped me more than anyone else as well when we rescued her which is why I am not against this... It is just hard. I am worried though, even if it's unfounded... I am." At this he almost chuckled once. "I am her big brother, and we're supposed to protect our sisters."

He took another drink before completing his thoughts, "Though I guess she's not that little anymore, and I've not been doing a very good job of protecting her lately."

"If you're worried about me trying to kill you... I won't... Unless you give me a reason to, but with all we've been through I'd hate for it to come to that." After he spoke he took a drink and prayed that he would not let his emotions get the better of him next time he drew his sword, Damn it, he thought, why can't I get that out of my head?

Kiran finished off his drink. "Toan, I would never intentionally hurt her...but, I don't know if I can trust myself. If I ever lay a hand out of place on her, I would expect you, Mia, Zira, Fou, and anyone else to make me pay for it in blood," Kiran said, every word was grimly serious. The way he had always acted on Marmo was completely different than on Lodoss. Kiran assumed it had to do with Kardis' presence. Some other dark elves, and humans as well, were affected by it. Their minds and souls were twisted and tainted. Maybe that was Sevrina's problem, and the problem of other dark elves he had known.

Casting a sideways glance at his friend Toan let a smile come to his lips. He knew that Kiran was serious, and he meant every word he said. But it was what he said that seemed to touch off something inside him. "I may take you up on that offer... But do I get to decide what is out of place?"

Toan knew enough of the situation to know why both Kiran and his sister came into the room like they had earlier. And though he was not exactly gifted with the brains that she was, he knew well enough what the two had been up to. Just the thought made him want to call his friend on it, but he also knew that even in her weakened state, Moryssa would not have let him force himself on her. It was that one thing that seemed to keep his overprotective streak in check. She had wanted it too, and how can he call a foul on something that they both wanted, no matter what he thought of the whole thing.

Kiran chuckled uncomfortably and started to take another drink when he realized his glass was empty. He set it down on the bar, that was enough. "We'll let Mory decide," he replied. "Let's get out of here for awhile. I'm sure she'll be safe with Akaria and all these priests."

Toan nodded his head in agreement and set down his empty mug as well. "She should be safe, but... I guess I worry about her too much." Paying for his drink he looked towards the door and was about to move when he stopped, "Just where are we going anyway?"

Kiran kept on walking through the hole that used to be a door. "I haven't a bloody clue," Kiran muttered. "Come on, let's go see what damage this Vesper did to the city."

Toan shook his head, "I seem to remember hearing words like that before from you." With that he followed his friend out and then stood beside him. Lets see what's to the left..."

Kiran chuckled a little, but he was still a little serious from the conversation they just had. The two dark elven men wandered about Raiden for awhile a little aimlessly, oblivious as to what was happening back at Dabagon Inn...

* * *

Blaze stood alone, looking out over the land. The marrs of the raging war were everywhere. He always wanted to see the lands of the world...but had never wanted to see them through the eyes of war. He sighed, his mind heavy with deep thoughts. Something Dragons were prone to getting. He shook his head, dislodging a few surface thoughts and worries. Folding his arms across his chest, he shifted on his left foot and cast his eyes to the ground, exhaling a sigh. "Why did it have to be a war? Light and Darkness. Good and Evil. The battle must be fought sometime, somewhere... But why now, why here? We are all but chess pieces in a game of dueling gods. Both sides will lose pieces. One side will win, one will be defeated, but not defeated entirely. The cycle will begin again some time in the future and new heroes will have to find the battle we are now." He could feel Zira's eyes on him. "Am I not right?" He hung his head. "Or are we all just giving into a hysterical blood lust orchestrated to reek havoc upon the land in a guise of noble quest and righteous battle?"

After much searching, Zira finally found Blaze, at least she had a good idea of where he would be. Somewhere outside the city where he could get a good vantage. He was up in the hills building up to the east of Raiden. "There you are," she said softly. A slight breeze whipped her loosely bound hair about her face, she kept trying to tuck it behind her ear.

Zira walked up to Blaze and rested her head on his shoulder. "It's either fight or sit on our laurels and wait for it to be over," she replied. "Do we have much choice?" She paused for a moment. "I'm sorry for not saying anything to you this morning, I was angry about you and Sevrina fighting."

Blaze didn't look back at her when she first acknowledged him. He shook his head lightly. The wind felt nice, but the wind was dry...a wind of war. Blaze felt reassured when Zira rested her head on his shoulder. His hand rose and caressed her cheek affectionately. By the gods how he loved this woman...he'd die for her. "I was being a fool. I let my prejudgments get the better of me. You were right and I was wrong. I shouldn't have cast judgment on Sevrina like I'm judge, jury, and executioner. She's not...all the bad. She helped... I'm sorry Zira. I wasn't in control."

Zira closed her eyes and enjoyed his touch on her cheek. A few loose strands of her golden hair whipped around Blaze's face in the wind. "Let's not worry about Sevrina, she has her own demons to fight," Zira said softly, then put Blaze's arms around her and hugged him close. With her cheek pressed against his, she looked back at the city below them. The chaos gate loomed above it, dark and oppressive, just above her line of sight.

"What more can we do but stand and fight? If we lose Raiden, I'm afraid we are beaten no matter how many battles are left. One more city, and Lodoss will lose hope," she said softly. "And Raiden....Raiden is more powerful than any other city in Lodoss. There wont only be us fighting, there are factions all over the city preparing. Tonight, I called all the warriors with to the square in front of the inn. Hopefully we can boost some morale. Vesper may attack tomorrow, everyone seems to believe that."

"If it weren't a sign of evil....it might be breathtakingly beautiful." He sighed, feeling comfort in the arms of his love. He drew her closer and folded his wings around them. "...I'm not a warrior. I'm a wanderer. This war is taxing. But I can make it, as long as you're there." He kissed her and looked deeply into her eyes. "If you've gathered everyone, then I'll be there too. I may not be the greatest, but I have the ancients to confer with. They may grant us some of their wisdom in the coming battle."

Blaze exhaled softly and smiled. "If he does come, if the battle does come tomorrow. I want to be at your side. I want to fight side by side. I feel safe, alive...I feel...loved when I'm with you. Zira, I love you." He shut his eyes lightly and held her warmly. He knew they'd have to let go of each other, but he was revealing in the moment and felt comfort when they were like this."

Zira nuzzled her nose against Blaze's neck and kissed it softly. "I love you too," she whispered. "I will be by your side, no matter what." After a long moment of tender embrace, Zira pulled back a little and looked up at Blaze with a mischievous smirk. She kissed him with as much passion as she could muster, then pushed him over so he fell in the dry autumn grass beneath them.

Blaze laughed as they fell to the ground. He landed with a thump. His wing joints protested loudly at the clumsy fall upon them. He bit back a sharp jolt of pain, least he ruin a good mood. He returned Zira's kiss with all his passion. Everything was rendered moot in this moment. He only cared for her. War or not. But the ever present nag of duty tugged at his mind. They'd have to hold a council soon. Discuss battle plans, tactics, fall back plans; everything. They'd be plenty to ruin a day later, for now, it was just them.

* * *

Sairina glided gracefully out of the inn and fell into stride with Elza. "A little love-struck, aren't we sister?" she asked with a smirk.

Elza shrugged and frowned at Sairina. "So?"

"So, you're a priestess, you can't be falling head over heels for just any pretty elf," Sairina said.

Elza glared at Sairina this time. "It is allowed. You have no say in it, sister." She stuck her little nose in the air and choose to ignore Sairina. Elza slowed her pace a little which brought her alongside Orion.

"Don't mind what she says," she told him and linked her arm with his.

Orion looked down at her and smiled gently as she linked her arm with his. His azure eyes shown brightly and he couldn't help but admit that he was happy to get away from the inn but even more happy to be with Elza. "Don't worry, I won't," he spoke gently, having every intention of ignoring Sairina as well. Since he barely knew Sairina and felt no connection with her it wouldn't be hard.

Elza looked up at Orion with adoring eyes and smiled. She was so happy to have found the handsome elf, and maybe she was getting ahead of herself, but she was looking forward to something long term with him. Especially since he was so responsive to her.

Sairina glanced back as they approached an inn that looked busy with elves entering and leaving. "This one," she told Elza and Orion, then entered. Elza led Orion in with her.

Inside, the Glassy Woods elven rangers eyed the new comers curiously, some disdainfully, but the room quieted and they waited to hear the priestess's purpose.

Sairina cleared her throat, which drew the inn's attention her. "Pardon, we are here representing the Cha Za temple of Raiden," Sairina started, speaking loudly. The inn quieted completely. "We are willing to enchant any of your weapons for the coming battles with the luck and blessings of Cha Za. If you wish to have your weapons enchanted, bring them to Dabagon Inn. Also, your presence has been requested in the square in front of Dabagon Inn at night fall tonight. Please, pass our messages along."

Sera watched the priestess somewhat disdainfully. It was one thing if Seri ordered her around, but quite another if a human did so. "We are quite aware of that. I've already informed them. Is that all you wish to say, priestess?"

Sairina did something very rare for her, she blushed uncomfortably. So many of the fair folk were intimidating, especially with the disdainful way they watched her. She bowed quickly to the uniquely dark-headed elf and back out the door. "That's all, thank you for your time," she said, trying to salvage whatever dignity she had left to cling to around the elves. Their eyes seemed to be picking her apart.

Sairina quickly departed, Elza and Orion following. Sairina glanced around the street looking for inns. Sairina came up on an alley and on a whim, decided to check down there.

Orion may have been uneasy with so many eyes upon them but he didn't show it. Instead, he kept his eyes hard and made as if he didn't care, but as soon as they were outside again his eyes became soft. He smiled slightly, admitting that he was relieved to get out of there.

Islia stood watching the inns, seeing who came out from them. She had abandoned her post on the tower, since it didn't offer her much sight, just who she thought was around. So far she had mapped out where the warriors were stating in contrast to the elves. She frowned, however, when a priestess looked down the alley. To cover what she had been up to she casually walked forward, and through the priestesses and elf. She wanted to do more, and she didn't bring herself to apologize to them.

Sairina watched the petite woman walk by them and instantly felt a chill up her spine. In the current time, it was strange to see someone like her just wandering around. Maybe she was interesting in joining up with them, or possibly just passing through. Sairina didn't get a good feeling about her. "Can we help you madam?" she asked the woman. What was wrong about her?

The first thought made her chuckle, playing the events of their demise in her head. Of course, she wasn't that stupid, it would attract to much unwanted attention. Instead she turned, the hood of her hood still down. She faced them, not saying anything at first. Finally, she spoke, in a calm manner. "I am simply here to sell a few useless magical artifacts to the fools who plan to stay here when Raiden is destroyed. Its rather amusing what people will pay for if an object has even a slight protection enchantment on it. Don't you agree... priestess?"

Sairina clenched her fists at her side and restrained her urge to throttle the woman. "Raiden will NOT be destroyed," she said defiantly. She looked the woman up and down, noticing her voluptuous build and impressive cleavage. Sairina suddenly felt as skinny as a rail compared the, what was she, a merchant? "Cha Za Bless you," she said harshly through clenched teeth.

Elza laid her hand on Sairina's arm, trying to comfort her sister priestess. "Sairina, calm down," she said, then looked at the dark woman. "Yes, Cha Za bless you."

Orion watched the dark women with a mock anger. These kind of people had no business in Raiden at a time like this. Besides, she made him uneasy and he watched her critically.

"Raiden will be destroyed, it already has been. Like rats from a sinking ship most of its inhabitants have left, all that are left are fools and zealots." Islia shrugged, then frowned at the blessing. She didn't need some light blind god to bless her. Well, she wasn't a priestess, but this was a free city. "I suppose I should return that. Falaris bless you. Though even he, the supreme god of darkness won't be able to save you once this place is destroyed."

Now Elza balled up her fists in anger. Raiden was the city of anarchy, nothing was legal nor illegal so the mysterious woman had every reason and right to worship Falaris, but to following of any dark gods were against her morals and very wrong. What could she do about it though?

"Raiden will NOT fall!" Sairina said and stamped her foot like a petulant child. Immediately, she blushed in shame for her reaction.

"There is no place for you in this part of town," Elza sneered, trying to restrain her anger. "We will not fail..." She so fervently wanted to believe that, but there were doubts. Roid, the Holy City, had fallen after all. But then...they had no time to prepare. Would that matter though?

Islia laughed, actually laughed at Elza and Sairina. She glanced over at the cute little priestess with a look of challenge, then reached in her robes and pulled out a large ruby. Inside was a pentagram shape. With a mocking look she tossed it to their feet. "Oh, don't worry your pretty little head off. Thats sorcery protection, not Falaris. You'll need it if you don't want that pretty little face of yours scarred forever." With a laugh she turned her back to them and moved to another dark ally, turning back with a slight wave before going down another ally.

"Oh my, she was a rude type, wasn't she?" A voice said from behind them. A rather cheerful voice. He walked around them and picked up the ruby. His face was about the plainest one could think of, though right now it was smiling. "But at least she left this. I must say its rather nice looking, I'm a bit envious. Do you two mind if I keep this for a while?"

Seygrim leaned on his staff and continued smiling at the three-some. "Surely pretty young women such as yourselves don't need such a gaudy thing? Especially with your formidable looking bodyguard."

Sairina watched the young man, he was nothing special in looks, not ugly or attractive. He was very friendly it seemed, a mage perhaps. Sairina didn't want to touch the gem, but if he wanted it, he could have it. When he asked for it, she nodded, then blushed a little at his complements.

"We don't want anything to do with what she has," Elza piped up, clinging to Orion's arm.

"Oh my, but surely light and darkness must both exist. And just because something COMES from a dark source doesn't necessarily mean that it can't be used for good." Seygrim said with the smile still plastered across his face. "How rude of me. I'm Seygrim, priest of Atsuki. My views are a bit neutral, after all, Falis and Falaris were both children of Atsuki, so I can't choose favorites, only go with my feelings on the subject." He said this while winking, with his finger wagging from side to side. "So you'll forgive me if I sound like a heretic to any of the light gods."

Orion looked down at Elza and smiled slightly before returning his eyes to Seygrim. "Everyone has a right to their own opinion Seygrim," Orion spoke calmly. "My name is Orion." He extended his hand to the stranger. He didn't seem like a bad fellow, that was for sure and from the looks of it he was rather friendly

Elza pondered on what he had to say. It really made good sense. What good would the light be without darkness? "Well, I'm Elza," she said and gave him a small curtsy.

Sairina shrugged, it sounded a little blasphemous to her, but her instincts said it was common sense. Well, that was a priest of Atsuki for you, a backwards cult worshiping a god who couldn't even hear your prayers. "I'm Sairina," she said, instead of curtsying, she extended her hand.

Seygrim took Orion's hand first, giving it a firm shake. Sairina, however, he took her hand and kissed it. Well, all that was basically true. He gave Elza a smile, then bowed himself. "Raiden is a town that truly has the will of Atsuki to it. So, I came to see that it isn't destroyed. Perhaps we could discuss theology later? But at the moment I'm a bit tired from travel, could you recommend an inn?"

Sairina smiled warmly. Seygrim seemed so kind. "Well, if you want to help out with the warriors here, there are a couple inns on the street they're gathered at," Sairina gestured to the street they were nearly standing by. Dabagon Inn seems to the be their base, but you might want to find another to stay at."

"How troublesome. Ah well, I will just have to fine accommodations in one of the other inns." Seygrim said, his smile still on. Even something that should have irritated him didn't seem to phase him to much. "Ah, could I ask your help in finding an accommodating inn? I do not mind elves so much, but I would prefer not to be the only human in the inn."

Sairina smiled warmly, feeling very much at ease with Seygrim's sweet talking. "We still have another inn or two to visit, you can accompany us until you find one you like," the priestess replied. "Follow me."

* * *

They sang the song a couple times over until they entered the dwarven district, which was an obvious change from the rest of the city. Buildings were shorter, the area was cleaner and everything had a sign of excellent craftsmanship.

One block was completely set aside for forges, one of which was Granite's home. She led him into the front entrance. The room was filled with mostly pieces of armor and shields on display. The counter was pretty high, set for mostly human sized-customers, but there was a set of steps for small dwarf feet going behind the counter. "Mother, father! I'm back, I have a friend with me!" she called.

Thangroth stared in joy and awe at the district, it was like coming back home. Only his little community where he'd grown up and lived wasn't as large as this district, the next thing that nearly made his eyeballs pop from his skull was the block which consisted of nothing but forges. The smell of smelted metal, and sounds of hammer and anvil actually made the red-haired dwarf sigh in contentment. Granite could've given him no greater gift, it had been long too long since he'd been among his own kind. The community gave him a feeling of peace and contentment, as well as a desire to start doing a little smithing.

As they neared an area, Thangroth was shaken from his jaw-fallen awe when Granite called for her parents. Instantly, the young dwarf's mind raced with memories, as he tried to remember all the proper manners his mother and father had taught him. As he did so he spoke, in a low and happy voice as he practiced introducing himself a few times. "..hmn..um pleased to meet you..no no I am Thangroth..no no that's not right...hmn.."

Granite looked around the shop, but no one was tending the counter. The forge was ringing with the sound of metal being forged. They were probably preparing for battle. "Mother! Father! I'm back!" Granite called, leading Thangroth behind the counter.

A dwarven boy of about ten ran up to them. He was smiling and his face was smudged with coal. "Granite!" the boy cried and hugged his big sister around the waist.

"Bosin!" Granite said and hugged him back, ruffling his black hair. "What's going on? Where is everybody?"

"We're all working in the forge! Da is letting me work the bellows!" Bosin stated proudly. "He says we all have to do our part. Come on!" Bosin eagerly lead Granite and Thangroth to the forge.

Thangroth couldn't help but smile when he heard the boy speak so happily about helping his father. It reminded him of his younger days when he and his bothers, helped their father in their forge. Learning to work the bellows and using hammer to anvil, were good memories and bought a light chuckle from the Red headed dwarf. Who smiled and spoke to the boy as he led them to forge. "Haha..learning to work the bellows is a big responsibility, I'm sure you're doing fine young sir, by the way I'm Thangroth. Pleased to meet you."

Bosin beamed proudly. Even after losing a brother, he was doing well. "I'm Bosin Stoneheart!" He said. "Granite, what happened to Dralock?"

Granite sighed. "He was hurt in a battle," she said.

"Will he come back?"

"I don't know Bosin," she replied, shaking her head. Bosin frowned, but led them into the forge. There, Granite's parents and older brothers were hard at work patching up armor that looked made for dwarves specifically.

"I'm home!" Granite cried over the racket.

The hammering stopped and an middle-aged dwarven man, a woman, and three young men looked up. "Granite!" They almost cried in unison.

"Why are you back?"
"Whose this guy?"
"Where's that Dralock fellow?"
"Is everything all right?" Questions came from her family and Granite did her best to answer them, and introduced Thangroth the first chance they gave her.

Thangroth waited and could only smile broadly while Granite and her family conversed. While Granite's family spoke with her, he glanced around the forge and couldn't help but be pleased by what he saw. Fine billows, anvils and an assortment of hammers and tools that any dwarven smithy worth his salt would be proud of. It reminded him of his own family's forge, for the slightest moment the young-dwarf found himself just a bit homesick. But that passed quickly as he found himself being introduced to her family. Putting on his best manners his mother taught him, the dwarf he spoke in a hardy and polite tone. "Thangroth Broadarm, I'm very honored and pleased to meet you all."

Granite's father came over to Thangroth and gave him a firm handshake. "Ah, Thangroth! Merry met, I'm Folkner Stoneheart! This is my wife, Muli, our sons Velfur, Nagnar, and Hungan..." Folkner introduced his family to Thangroth.

"So what brings ye here?" Muli asked Thangroth, wiping soot stained hands on her apron.

Thangroth smiled and met her father's hand with a nice firm grip, the young dwarf was pleased to find that Mr. Stoneheart's shake was good and stout. As he was introduced around, Thangroth nodded and greeted each family member with a warm broad smile, he was reminded of his own family. Turning to Muli, Thangroth bowed and spoke. "Ahh Well Milady, I've come this fair place seeking to lend my good right arm to the troubles here. And I'd come seeking food and drink from the long time I'd been on the road. When I met your lovely daughter here, and I can see where she inherited her great beauty and spirit. If I say so it's a pleasure to meet you both."

Muli grinned, then started taking off her apron. "Well, we'll get you something to eat then, come, follow me," Muli said and led Thangroth of the forge through another exit.

As they walked out, Muli gave Granite a discrete look that made her daughter come up to her. The two women whispered between each other. "He certainly is handsome! I would say much better looking than that Dralock fellow. Myrii bless to poor fellow though," Muli said. The light in her eyes dimmed, obviously she was recalling how hard Dralock fought to save her youngest son from the acid rain. She seemed to fell ashamed of speaking bad of him.

Granite nodded, she felt a little bad for Dralock too, but she honestly wasn't going to sit around waiting for him to wake up when there were men like Thangroth about. "I like Thangroth, but what will become of us is yet to be seen."

Muli led them down to the cellar which had been fixed up as a kitchen and dinning room since their actual kitchen was destroyed in the rain.

As Granite's mother led him down to the cellar, the smells and make of the place reminded him of home. The young dwarf couldn't help but wonder how his own family were doing. The smells of good spices, meat and other good food already were hitting his nose, the cellar had been converted into a kitchen. Stepping carefully, the dwarf's face turned jolly as he felt more at home than he had in quite awhile. As he mused, the dwarf put his hand to his chin and spoke. He'd forgotten to bring a gift for the household, he hadn't been thinking he hoped it wasn't insulting to Granite's family. "Tis a lovely and comfortable home you have here milady, forgive me. I'd have bought a gift for the home had I been able."



* * *

Aiyanna nodded at Jinn about the stress. "True...but, well, I am still young and not experienced enough. After all, I am only twenty."

Erias grinned, "Well that is my little sis. I must say though, having so many elves, both light and dark, around me unnerves me."

Aiyanna had ordered a good meal. "I need to repair the shield around this place. It's broken in a lot of places after last night's battle."

"Yes...I must say..." Erias agreed looking at the door less door way.

"Not that it would have helped but...nonetheless I will do that so the places around here won't get blown to pieces." Aiyanna at that moment thought she saw a vision, it was a woman who had black hair and blue gray eyes and reminded her of her mother, but had long wavy hair that fell to her hips. She was with another that was almost identical to her and they kissed in a moonlit garden. They turned around and she saw both of them wearing the silver pendent. Aiyanna slightly jerked awake from it.

Erias frowned slightly before asking, "Sis, are you well?"

"I am okay just saw a vision from the past of the Starwinds that is all."

"What sort of vision?"

"You don't want to know. They must been brother or sister or even twins. Do you remember what our grandmother is to our grandfather? I think it's trying to tell me something."

Erias's eyes went wide, "Oh goddess no...I hope not."

"So do I...but...what if it was destiny?"

"Still my dearest sister it violates my morality and I just can't do it no matter what..."

"We will see," Aiyanna answered, she didn't want to think about the thought Erias meant. It was like to Erias violated her morals.

Erias's hand was shaking underneath the table from shock, no he couldn't do that. To be with his sister was to him violated every moral he knew, it was taboo in society in general. He looked at his sister who at the moment was talking to Jinn about something. Aiyanna asked Jinn before he could ask them what all those words were about. "Do we have any suggestions on strategy? Especially on the magic side of things? Surely we must some sort of use in this battle."

"Well..." Jinn scratched his scalp through his fluffed hair. "I'm afraid I don't have much advise to offer, I am just a swordsman who uses wind. I would think, with the exception of the elves and centaurs he would know best." Jinn pointed discretely towards the cellar door.

Aiyanna frowned a little when he pointed to the cellar. "I am not still at all comfortable working with him." Then quickly after a pause, she added, "Maybe we should go down there...or not. He doesn't exactly talk much. Falis knows what goes on his mind." With that she got up, trying to get her courage up. "Erias do you wish to come or rest?"

Erias's head jerked up, waking up from his thoughts. "Eh? Hell no! I am not going anywhere near him."

Aiyanna could not blame him for it. "Then go and rest, okay?" She gave him peck on the cheek before moving forward and repeated the procedure she did on the first day, putting a shield over the inn. Anyone who used magic probably picked up large amount of magic blanketing the inn and the walls were being washed with a visible soft silvery magic of the moon. Aiyanna felt a little drained and still was considering to go down to the cellar or not.

"Come on." Jinn stood after Aiyanna. "We'll go down there together, it won't be so bad." After a quick stretch Jinn began taking the lead.

Aiyanna doubted that, but it was them or us after all. Life was ever just peachy. Aiyanna then walked after Jinn down the cellar stairs. She fetched a candle using her kinetic magic on the way to the cellar. It was still gloomy down in the cellar. Maybe she regretted coming here...Aiyanna's pulse raced with fear that seemed to spring every time she went in to a dark room.

In the back against the stone wall Cray sat. He had not moved since the previous day, legs still crossed hands placed face down on his knees. Cray's left eye slowly opened as he heard them coming down the stairs. He watched them come down through his mask, remaining quiet and just watching.

Jinn tugged Aiyanna along behind him, keeping from changing her mind on him. He gave the flameweaver a small wave with his free hand which went dismissed. Jinn lead the way straight to the flameweaver. "We, ah, wanted to talk."

Too late now, Aiyanna thought and peeked from behind Jinn at the Flameweaver. "About what we are going to do, apart from physical combat in the upcoming battle, magic will take up fair share of the battle. I am hopeless in physical battle. We need to know what to prepare for...I think."

Cray took a slow breath, his shoulder rising then falling again, the edges of his clothing running against the stone and wood. "Do not put a thought into it. Concentrate on your magic, the wind-swordsman can keep the wind away from you. Same with the others. Concentrate on what your specialty is."

Jinn nodded slightly. "I suppose that makes sense." He turned towards Aiyanna. "If you trust me."

* * *

Deedlit lead them into the inn just as the others were gathering at Parn's table. "Seems like Parn has collected quite a crowd!" Deedlit mused. So much for secrets! Deedlit thought in amusement. She turned to Leaf and Thorn and said with a smile. "I think we will have to pull some more chairs over there." Then she picked up a chair and moved it towards Parn's table looking back to see if the others were doing the same.

Deedlit suddenly entered with two more elven folk, a brown haired girl and a tan and very unique looking man. Joline was a little awestruck by the famous high elf and was frozen where she stood for a moment. After Deedlit had seated herself, Joline took a chair from a nearby table and seated herself. She sat poised and dignified like any noblewoman, but beneath that camouflage, she was very nervous in the presence of two of Lodoss most well-known heroes of the modern day.

Thorn, meanwhile, pulled two chairs to the table, one for Leaf and one for himself. He was a bit awe struck himself, its not every day you meet the free knight of Lodoss, but he waited to seat himself until Leaf had sat down.

Parn watched Deedlit come in, and when she came over he moved his arm behind her and gave her a slight squeeze. He hoped a public display of affection would have her forgive him for whatever he did. "Have a nice walk Deed?"

"Yes! I needed a little air and look who I ran into. I brought Leaf and Th... this young knight back to meet you!" Deedlit said with a smile and added. "But who are all these others? Are they all gathered here in this city because of that dreaded thing in the skies above us?"

"Hey Leaf, its been a while. And this is the young Knight?" Parn looked over the dragonic half elf. He certainly didn't look like a knight, though by his mannerism, the fact that he brought Leaf a chair, confirmed it. "Well, these are mercenaries, not sure if they're here to help us..."

Parn and Deedlit would certainly not recognize the family resemblance between Luria and her cousin Luda, they were far too different in expressions and mannerisms, aura as well. Complete opposites. "Well what do you guys need help with?" Luria asked Parn enthusiastically. Luria wasn't particularly thrilled about going guarding Jonas's cart all the way to some boring sale, but she did have loyalties to the man and her new friends. Part of her itched to follow these people somehow or another, because they were surely off to do something meaningful, and very exciting. "You're heroes of Lodoss, right? If you actually need help, and there's a way some folks like us can help you, then I'm sure a lot of us would like to umm, well, to help out!"

Ryna sat down next to Callin and crossed her legs. She waited for the others to join the table as Deedlit and Leaf returned. To Ryna's displeasure, that mercenary was still with Leaf. Then Deedlit introduced him as a knight and Ryna looked at him curiously, but didn't think it was her place to say anything. She didn't' trust anyone with such cheesy pick-up lines.

Callin, meanwhile, had begun to get angry to say the least. Finally Arturo had glanced away from Ryna's cleavage, but she still seemed to be drawing a great many eyes from the male portion of the gather. The only person who seemed to be averting his eyes was the one Ryna was staring daggers at.

Parn was about to answer Deedlit with a 'no' when Luria asked her own question. He grinned, looking back at Deedlit. "Well, it appears so. Do you want to tell her or do you want me to explain the situation, Deed?"

Joline sat demurely and waited for Luria's question to be answered before she introduced herself. She certainly was no mercenary, but she would clear that up shortly.

"You'd better go ahead and tell them about the situation Parn. I've already let my tongue slip by with too much this evening!" She said with a smirk on her face.

Parn chuckled, turning back to Luria and the other mercenaries before he answered. "The help is needed with the big black hole thing in the sky. We could use as much help tomorrow, because we need people to defend the mages that have been gathering here."

Luria almost preformed a face plant into the ground. Such suspense for such a simple answer! She straightened up and looked her most determined. "Well, I couldn't call myself a shamanist if I didn't know that thing in the sky was a problem, and damn it all if I'm gonna stand by and let this lovely land as Raiden turn into a ghost town because of it." She turned around and looked at Arturo, Joline, and Fasz, scratching her ear anxiously, a drastic change of character. "Ummm.... you guys don't think I'll get fired do ya?"

Fasz remained quiet when Luria asked him and the others a question. He was listening to the conversations, it was a good idea to help the ones who were already defending Raiden.

"Luria, Master Mathwin already left for Hishi," Joline said as she leaned toward the half-elf. "I thought you choose to stay with us?" Joline hoped the girl hadn't been inadvertently left behind.

As Arturo sat and listened to the conversations around him, Joline's comment to Luria caught his attention. The blond-haired mercenary felt a bit curious and spoke. "You did stay of your own decision did you not?"

He hoped as well that Luria's remaining in Raiden wasn't a mistake or something other. Still with everything happening so fast now, he wondered just with all the elf kind, mercenaries even the few dwarves he'd seen here and there if they would be able to handle whatever lay ahead. But, worrying wasn't like him if they could handle it they would if not then he'd worry but before.

"Whaaat?" Luria blinked her big eyes twice and then laughed. "Aha! Oh yeah I knew that, I was just testing to see if you guys were payin' attention." Actually she hadn't known that because she had been following them around completely oblivious to the fact. "Okay then umm forget what I said a minute ago. I suppose then, that there's nothin' standing in the way."

Fasz listened to Luria babbling for a meaningless thing. "Sure." Another time, talking a lot when it isn't needed failed for someone, but it was better not to mind the incoherent things that Luria had said before.

Ryna took a deep sip of her wine and her eyes darted back and forth between the people gathered at the table. However, they kept drifting back to Dravin and Leaf.

Since Luria was finished, Joline cleared her throat to get the attention of those at the table. "Well, I think some introductions are in order. I am Joline da'Korv, this is Arturo, Fasz and Luria," She said and motioned to each of her companions.

Thorn almost choked. Korv? He tried not to let it show to much, sipping on his water with slightly choked sounds. Finally looking up at Joline he watched her close. She could blow his cover with great ease.

Joline heard someone at the table choke quietly after she said her name. She glanced in the direction and saw the mercenary with the strange reptilian eyes watching her. Was he familiar with the house? Possibly Mossian himself? Joline was a Kanonian noble, and even after she married into the Korv family, she and her husband had lived in Alania for the short time they had together. Joline was hardly familiar with Moss Houses.

Ryna glanced toward the window and realized how dark it was getting. "Oh! They said everyone should go back to Dabagon Inn tonight," Ryna told everyone at the table. "I think they want to discuss battle plans."

"By way of introductions, most know me as Deedlit, and this is Parn. Well then, if I understand correctly, this 'They' want to rid Raiden of that evil in the sky, then I say the sooner the better! Seems that we have kept them waiting too long as it is! Shall we be away?" Deedlit said as she happily stood and moved to the outside door. Turning to see if the others followed.

Joline felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach. Maybe they should have gone on to Hishi with Mathwin. However, she felt she couldn't turn her back on Raiden. She wanted to help. Joline glanced at Luria and Arturo for their thoughts, then looked up at Ryna. "Would it be possible for us to attend as well? I wish to lend whatever aid I might be capable of," Joline asked.

Arturo smiled, he was glad that Joline had asked. In truth, he was curious about the meeting also. He could've asked but, his manners for things while not horrible, weren't always the best. Joline had grace and charm, and of course it worked for her. Speaking in his usual manner but as polite as he could muster the mercenary hoped they'd be allowed to attend. "Same here, we're well acquainted with danger. I'm ready to lend my sword arm to aid as well."

"Well, I don't know what else to call them Deedlit," Ryna said and scratched her head. "Everyone who wants to help Raiden is welcome to come," she told Joline and her friends.

Joline nodded in response. "Then I will come as well. Luria, Fasz? Will you be coming as well? I don't know how safe this will be, but I don't wish to stand back and let others fight for me," Joline's voice took a fierce note. One might have wondered why she was willing to fight when they didn't know what they were up against. What could one woman of mediocre fighting skills and no magic--at least not known by the others--hope to do?

Shortly after Joline spoke, Fasz said "Indeed, I am." There was no way he would not help protect Raiden, all of Lodoss would be greatly damaged.

"Well, you definitely can't get rid of me," Luria said. "Most these guys started out by recklessly endangering themselves at one point or another and they're great heroes now. I say bring it on, I'll go fight Falaris and Kardis both at once! Hmf, mess with my favorite town will ya..." and she continued to ramble happy boasts as she slung her quiver over her shoulder and pranced after the others leaving the Golden Flagon.

Deedlit smiled as the others joined in on the way to the other inn, she felt a renewed sense of hope growing for Raiden once again.

Parn nodded at Deedlit and sat up himself. He was maybe getting a little to old to be saving Lodoss. Ah well, as long as Deed could, he would defend Lodoss. Following behind Deedlit, he figured Ryna and Leaf would likely come, and the knight, but he wasn't so sure about the mercenaries. They should really think about that they had just pledged...

"Oh! Right," Leaf said and hopped up from her seat. "Come on Dravin, let's go," she said and looked to Thorn.

"Right." Thorn didn't much known how to react. They were real mercenaries, though that woman's name... Ah well, he had to hope to keep incognito for a bit longer. He got up, pushed the chair back in and followed everyone outside. He would defiantly have to get the horses moved once this meeting was over.

Joline rose from her seat and followed Deedlit, waving for Fasz, Arturo and Luria to follow.

Arturo smiled and rose from the table, something was happening at last. He'd been growing more than a bit restless and bored, now planning a campaign or strategy with some of the greatest heroes in Lodoss that was more like it. Looking to Fasz, the blonde-haired mercenary smiled and spoke. "Well Fasz, somethings sure to happen now." With that he quickly followed Joline as she headed after Deedlit.

As Arturo talked to him, Fasz noticed Joline waving, they should be going. "Of course..." he replied to Arturo and hurried to follow them. Fasz wondered what the famous heroes were planning to do.