Previously on Warriors of Destiny: With the rebuilding of Aventine underway, the Warriors were relaxing or assisting the reconstruction efforts. Meanwhile, inside Selenia�s castle was a bustle of activity as servants began setting up for a victory celebration.
As the day wound down, the lords and ladies of Aventine began arriving at the castle for the celebration, some of the Warriors choosing to attend while others dealt with personal matters. Music and dance welcomed the party-goers, along with a spectacular fireworks celebration topping off the evening.
Elsewhere; Stryder and Kyra, on a strange alien planet, began to deal with their situation and the repercussions of Stryder�s mental breakdown. A kind native to the planet, Velyn, offered the two shelter which has caused concern with the other natives.
*Time passed: Nighttime*
Morning suns peak up from behind distant hills, snow capped peaks shining brilliant white in the golden rays. The sounds of Aventine begin to stir as civilian and soldier alike prepare for yet another day of rebuilding the White City.
DracBlue wakes up on his bed. He says, �Well, it�s time to get back to my friend. She looked glorious last night.� He gets up and heads to the shower. Stepping into it, he hums to himself some of the music he heard last night.
Stryder tosses in his sleep, dark thoughts flooding through his mind in nightmarish fashion. With a few claws to something in the air far beyond reach, he stops tossing and lays silently again.
Kyra lays several feet away, listening in anguish, wanting to comfort him.
Velyn raises a furred brow watching Stryder, then goes back to slicing up some local vegetation and a slab of meat. Lifting the round and flat rock used as a cutting board, he brushes the slices off into a rounded cooking pan.
Katie opens one eye and groans. �Ow.�
Valrash gets up because of the sunlight dancing on his eyelids. Grumbling, he says, �What a night. Too bad it wasn�t like mother�s parties. There weren�t enough demons there.� He gets up and heads over to the shower and washes himself.
Cara�s hands clutch at her chest as she bolts upright on her bed, crying out, �Noooo!!�
Shadow gets out of the shower and starts putting on his armor. He sharpens his axe after he has it on.
Kabal gives a glance across the rounded edge of the castle towards Cara�s balcony. ~Cara, you ok?~
Clarice startles awake at the sound of Katie�s voice and quickly draws her own hand from around Katie�s waist.
DracBlue finishes his shower, puts on black jeans and a waistcoat. �I think I will be wearing these type of things for awhile. I like them.� He heads over to Cara�s room and stands guard.
Katie raises her head and looks at her rumpled tunic and grimaces, turning to look over at Clarice. �That was fun, but my mouth feels like yesterday�s eggs.�
Valrash gets out of the shower and puts on his usual raiment of a breastplate with a three layered kilt, then heads out.
Syne paces in the hallway, a few doors down from where he last saw Katie, Clarice and several bottles of alcohol. From what he could smell of them, their kick would be comparable to a horse giving a swift hind foot to one�s head. Settling his eyes on a tapestry that he couldn�t determine the artistic value of, he sighs, glancing back at the door.
Cara hears the sound of Kabal�s voice in her mind. ~No!~ Looks down at her chest and realizes it was just a dream. ~I mean yes...it was just a dream...~
Valrash decides to go to the dining hall to get some food.
~Oh? What sort of dream?~ Kabal questions, slowly making his way across his rather small bedchamber to the door.
Clarice grabs her head as she sits up, �How much of that stuff did we drink?�
Tabris yawns, stretching a hand outwards and carefully maneuvering it around the sleek curve of Claron�s shoulder. Touching her gently with his still warm hand, he whispers softly into her ear, �Morning, beautiful.�
Katie shakes her head, then groans again, holding it. �I dunno. But it had some interesting side effects.� A faint blush paints her cheeks.
Voices, that meant they were awake, or as awake as four bottles worth of hangover would let them. Taking a few steps down the corridor, Syne pauses, what would he say? �I just happened to be pacing in the hall several hours before even the rooster was awake, wondering about the night�s events?� Maybe...but probably not.
Katie looks at the four empty bottles lined up along the footboard. She can�t help but smile.
Cara answers Kabal in her mind. ~I...was dreaming about how Str�stupid I was to impale myself on Stryder�s sword.~
Stryder rolls to his side and lets out a small snort of discomfort, but apparently ignoring the crushing of his hand with half his torso.
Kabal nods to himself, ~Very well...if you insist on that story.~
Claron cracks an eye open at the sound of Tabris� voice in her ear, �Morning, my love.�
Kyra peers through half-closed lids at Stryder, her chest tight.
Clarice begins to massage her own temples with her fingertips, �I had the strangest dream��
As the vegetables and meat begin sizzling softly under the fire�s heat, Velyn grabs several wooden plates and carved bone utensils. Stryder stirs awake, sniffing the air tiredly and groaning out his comment, �Smells good��
Katie rolls off the bed, stumbling. �Yer tellin me,� she mumbles as she goes into the bathroom to rinse out her mouth.
Leaning against the wall, upset at his own indecision, Syne gazes idly at the ornate chandeliers spaced every few doors in the corridor. A small pair of servant girls flit past him in the hallway, carrying baskets half their size full of linens.
Katie finishes rinsing her mouth, then wanders back into the room, meandering to the balcony door and pulling it open to let in some fresh air.
Valrash thinks of Drac, finishes eating, then heads to the armory. Upon arriving, he asks the guard standing there if he can get some metal for his friend.
�Was quite the party last night,� Tabris yawns mid-sentence causing his words to be drowned out.
Kyra closes her eyes and inhales the scent, but doesn�t move.
Clarice slides over to the edge of the bed and dangles her legs off the side, then glances down to make sure she is still clothed.
Katie walks to the closet, takes out her pack, and rummages, finally locating a sundress. She peels off her clothes with a wink at Clarice. �I guess being shy is out of the question, now that we�ve spent the night together.� She smiles tiredly and pulls on her sundress, then brushes out her hair and fastens it with her clip.
Velyn scoops some of the cooked meal onto a plate and walks over to the table. Sitting, he eats as quietly as he can manage, glancing over at the two sleeping on the floor, and shaking his head as he talks to himself between bites.
Claron nods her head, �That it was�� feeling a twinge of guilt wash over her for having not thought of Stryder or Kyra once during the celebration.
�Well, old dog, you�re in it now. Wonder if I should go check on her,� Syne comments to himself before turning to glance sideways at the door; still several doors down the hall, growing neither farther away or getting any closer.
Clarice looks up at Katie. �How strange...you were wearing that very sundress in my dream��
Katie looks at the rose-hued sundress which hits her mid-thigh. �Yeah, I wa�huh?� her blush returns.
The guard shoots Valrash a glance with a raised brow, causing his coif to clump up above the brow. �It�s the armory, son, have to be a bit more specific about what kind of metal.�
Valrash shrugs, �Any will do. Preferably something that won�t be missed. He does eat metal.�
The guard holds up a hand, then turns, glancing around the racks and shelves, �Eating metal you say�� the guard shrugs and points to a few bulky bags in the corner. �Guess you can take some of the broken ones; with the city repairs�it�ll be a while before they�re seen to.�
Clarice�s eyes widen, then she quickly pulls the hem of her dress up to look at her knees. �It was just a dream�� feeling her face grow warm.
Valrash grabs some broken swords and heads out, saying, �Thanks.�
Katie giggles. �No grass stains, huh?� then her eyes widen, �No way.�
Kabal pauses close to Drac, glancing at him, then past him at Cara�s door. �Guess she�s still getting ready.�
Clarice�s eyes dart up towards Katie, �What did you just say?�
DracBlue nods at Kabal and says, �It was a late night, maybe she is a little slow when she�s tired.�
Kabal nods, �Understandable...and what can I say about getting ready,� he motions at himself. �No fashions to worry about myself.�
Valrash walks up to DracBlue and Kabal and hands Drac the broken swords. �So, when do I get those flying lessons you promised me?�
Katie shrugs. �Um. Nothing.� She turns and collects the bottles, and pads barefoot to lay them on a table by the door. She leans against the portal a moment, her head still feeling vaguely like it�s going to topple off her shoulders. Then she pulls it open, and walks away to the chair, sitting sideways across it and dangling her legs over the arm.
~I�m not slow. I�m already dressed. Just because I went to the dance doesn�t mean I intend to leave this room today!~ Cara�s mental voice hisses.
Eclipse stares at the ceiling and takes a quiet breath, not wanting to disturb Luna who was apparently still asleep.
DracBlue nods to Valrash and says, �When I have a moment of free time, or when Cara tells me I can.�
�Now would be a perfect time,� Kabal glances between Drac and Valrash. �I�ll keep an eye on my sister while you�re educating.�
DracBlue looks at Kabal and gives him a look like �I really want to do this�, then nods to Valrash and they head outside.
Valrash says, �I really appreciate this.�
DracBlue rolls his eyes, �You better be a fast learner.�
Finishing up his plate, Velyn drops it into a bucket of water. Adjusting the fire to keep the food warm, but not cook it any further, he nods, and then heads outside his hut.
Syne turns and marches himself down the hall. Turning to face the door, he curls up a fist and knocks gently against it a few times.
DracBlue steps outside and shows Valrash what each part of his wings are for. Then starts by showing him how to take off.
Kyra�s stomach growls and she rises with a sigh, crossing to dish herself up some breakfast. She casts a glance at Stryder.
Katie winces, �Not so hard, Rogue, we�re suffering here.�
Stryder watches Kyra, then slowly gets up himself. Wiping some of the sweat he�d gotten from his nightmare off his forehead, he sighs. �So, what�s on the menu?�
Tzaphiel sits on the edge of the uppermost turret, watching her dance partner with another winged man far below. �Now this should be a good show. Too bad I don�t have any popcorn.�
�Sorry...didn�t think it was that loud,� Syne steps into the doorway and looks over at Clarice and Katie. His gaze drifts to the numerous bottles lying around the room, �Busy night, ladies?�
DracBlue shows how to take off in slow motion, barely getting a couple inches off the ground.
Kyra looks at her plate. �Meat and veggies of some type.� She takes a delicate bite, then sighs in bliss. �It�s wonderful. Such flavor. Think we could hire him as the cook on Ettik?�
Valrash tries and shoots up into the air, hitting his head on the underside of a balcony.
Luna pulls the sheet up over her face as she rolls over and snuggles up against Eclipse, �It�s too soon for both suns to be up.�
DracBlue falls down laughing.
Clarice�s head continues to throb, �You weren�t saying that to him before.�
Katie gasps and slides down in the seat, her face flaming, and the skirt of her dress sliding up her thighs a bit more. �Shut up, Penance.�
Vin_Da_DM: A small creature resembling a flying gecko flits about Valrash, looking at this giant flying thing with curiosity after it crashed into it�s sunbathing spot.
DracBlue keeps laughing, unable to stop.
Tzaphiel laughs at the beginner and shakes her head.
Valrash rubs his head and says, �I�m glad you find this humorous.�
DracBlue gets up slowly, still laughing, and shows Valrash what he did wrong.
Syne perks a brow, �Looks like you�ve downed half the libations in the castle.�
�Downed something alright.� Katie glowers at Clarice.
Kabal opens Cara�s door slowly and sticks his head inside, �And how long do you intend to stay in here?�
DracBlue keeps trying to show him how to take off.
Clarice ignores Katie�s glower, �Downed more than just that, more like��
�Well, tell them that,� Eclipse says to Luna as he smirks looking at her through the sheet.
Valrash tries again to take off. But this time, he flies about 5 feet into the air. Then falls down, landing on his ass.
Cara shrugs her shoulders, �Forever...if I have my way about it. I see no reason why I should leave this room.�
DracBlue looks down, �Are you even trying?�
Valrash gets up, �Yes, but I haven�t used my wings before, much. So their not as strong as yours.�
The two-headed scorpion gardener clicks at Valrash, clearly upset. Crawling over to the crushed plant, it straightens it up with it�s claws.
Katie kicks her leg restlessly, then turns and sits properly in the chair, her cheeks still flaming.
Luna grumbles and throws the sheet over Eclipse as well. �Do we have to get up?�
DracBlue mutters, �Mine came this way. I just am born with natural talent is all.�
�You two okay? Combined, your redder than the suns of Renzor,� Syne studies Katie�s expression.
Valrash apologizes to the gardener, wipes himself off, and tries taking off again. He manages to stay in the air.
�Forever is quite a while,� Kabal shakes his head and enters her room, closing the door behind him. �Want to talk about it?�
Katie studies the carpet.
Clarice shakes her throbbing head slightly, �I think someone slipped us a mickey��
DracBlue sighs, �Finally,� as he takes off to Valrash�s altitude and starts explaining air currents to him.
Stryder laughs a little over his vegetables, �Doubt it, not much by our standards, but this hut seems good enough for him.�
�A mickey?� Syne shrugs, human expressions, countless of them in the galaxy and he couldn�t remember half to save his life.
Kyra looks around. �I�ve lived in far worse.�
Valrash sighs, obviously not understanding much. He just nods, listening.
Katie sighs. �We slipped it to ourselves, Clarice.�
DracBlue looks around as he explains air currents, then spots Tzaphiel.
Clarice stands up slowly, laughing. �I didn�t slip you a damn thing!�
Examining the cooked meat on the makeshift fork, Stryder nods and eats it, �It is good. We should probably try to find out where we are�if we want to find a way back.�
Katie makes a face. Getting up, she wanders over to the balcony door and peers out at the morning light bathing the countryside in it�s warm presence.
DracBlue looks at Valrash then, �Let�s see if you heard me at all.� Shifts his wings, glides down towards the garden and lands next to a tree.
�Well�probably not, unless the world needs saving again,� Eclipse smiles at Luna, now under the sheets, to get a better view at her furry face.
Valrash tilts his wings, gliding towards a tree. He tries to change his direction and fails miserably, lands in the tree.
�He�s all right, Claron...he�s our son, he�ll be all right,� Tabris glances over at his wife, guessing what caused her silence.
DracBlue starts laughing again, but obviously doesn�t want to do this.
Clarice watches Katie as she moves over to the balcony, �Do you remember where I put my belongings, Katie? I really should change out of this dress.�
Luna smiles at Eclipse contentedly, �Saving the world is highly overrated some days. I think right now the only thing I might end up doing is breaking up a few more fights.� She lays her arm across his chest, �I much prefer to stay here with you forever.�
Syne crosses his arms and leans on the wall next to the doorway.
Katie turns, silhouetted against the light from the outside. �I think they ended up under Kyra�s bed,� she murmurs.
Claron looks at Tabris, �We can�t know that for sure��
Valrash spits a branch out of his mouth, hearing Drac laugh. He decides to get out of the tree, �I think I�ve had enough of this for one day.�
DracBlue says, �Learn the rest yourself then, burning boy.�
�As do I, but I doubt lying in bed for eternity is what fate has in store for us,� Eclipse laughs a little, then rests his hands on Luna�s arms.
Valrash walks away to go help with the city, �Fine, I will.�
Tzaphiel is laughing so hard at the man crashing into the tree, that she slips off the turret. As she is falling, she spreads her wings and soars over the garden, casting a shadow across his path.
Valrash looks down at the shadow, mutters, �That damned showoff,� and continues on his way.
Luna sighs, �Fate is fickle, just when you think you know what is expected of you, something pops up.�
DracBlue watches Tzaphiel soar over the garden and says to himself, �Good, at least I don�t have to show him anymore.�
Clarice moves over towards Kyra�s bed. Kneeling down, she looks underneath and pulls out the garment bag holding her belongings. �I sure don�t remember stuffing it under there.� Standing up with the bag, she heads for the bathroom. �I suppose I should give you two some time alone. Although, seems you had plenty of alone time last night,� she giggles.
Katie�s gasp echoes through the room. �Bitch,� she says with no heat, turning back to look out the balcony door.
Tzaphiel disappears over the castle and lands out of sight. �This is a very interesting place,� as she shifts again.
From outside Velyn�s hut, several loud voices are shouting. "Nikaj, od...-siders will bring others here!� Oddly, the speech once alien to Kyra and Stryder begins to become understandable as the shouting continues. �They have shown no hostility, Devor, so take your warriors and go back to the village!�
DracBlue heads back inside towards his post.
Kyra gives a startled look to Stryder. �He means us,� she says quietly.
�No, but we can hope for it,� Tabris sighs and pushes the sheets aside as he rises from the bed. �He�s not alone, Kyra�s with him.�
�Pardon?� Syne asks Clarice, wondering what exactly she was talking about. �Did I miss something, because I recall retiring from the party after those fireworks, then seeing you two chat, then drag several decanters upstairs.�
�Guess so...wait, didn�t they used to be speaking in a different way?� Stryder looks puzzled, but doesn�t let it stop him from cleaning his plate.
Claron nods her head as she watches Tabris get out of bed, and silently thinks, �I sure hope she is STILL with him.�
Kyra nods, pushing her half-eaten breakfast away from her. �Strange that we can understand now. I don�t get it,� she whispers.
�Of all the arrogant�� Velyn mutters as he brushes aside the flap and meanders into the hut. Glancing at Stryder and Kyra, he nods. �You�re awake now, and eating. Good.�
DracBlue arrives back at the door and stands guard. He starts eating the meal Valrash gave him.
Clarice glances over her shoulder at Syne, �Oh nothing, Syne. It was just a dream, a very vivid dream.�
�Right�� Syne shrugs again. Dreaming, another thing he did very little of. A few recalled memories, but rarely did his mind come up with anything random like humans did in their sleep.
Katie steps out onto the balcony, leaning over the railing, the feel of the cool stones under her bare toes making them curl a bit.
�Yea, and it�s good,� Stryder says to Velyn. �So...care to explain why we can understand you now?�
Tzaphiel slips inside the castle thru an open door on the balcony. Grabbing a plate, she helps herself to the food laid out in the dining hall, and takes a seat in the corner.
Claron slips out bed and moves closer to Tab. Slipping her arms around his waist, she places a light kiss on his bare shoulder, �How are we ever going to find them?�
Velyn nods, �Some minor magic. I figured it would be best, though I�m not sure if others should know that you can understand,� he looks with concern to Kyra and Stryder.
�I have no idea...but they�re out there somewhere,� Tabris glances out the window, staring at the sky. �We�ll find them...I just wish we didn�t have to keep looking, only to lose them again.�
Luna purrumbles softly, �I�ll be back, nature calls,� as she crawls out of the massive bed and runs to the bathroom. She decides to brush her teeth before returning to bed.
Eclipse watches Luna as she returns to the bed, �It is a shame that not everybody enjoyed their evening. Not much of a celebration.�
�Well then, I just thought I would make sure everything was all right,� Syne says to both Clarice and Katie. �If you need to freshen up or something, I can go.�
Claron squeezes her arms gently around Tabris� waist. �I wish we didn�t have to either. Seems ever since we came here, that�s the one thing I am damn good at...losing our children��
Luna runs in and jumps on the bed. Laying on her tummy with her chin on her paws, she looks at Eclipse. �I know, but Selenia didn�t want to put it off for too long. I�m not sure why.�
Eclipse shrugs, �I know not myself. Suppose she had her reasons,� rolling to his side, he props up his head with his arm, looking back at Luna.
Katie looks over her shoulder. �Why? Are you saying we stink or something?� her words are teasing, but there is a note of discomfort in them.
Taking the third seat at the table, Velyn looks between Stryder and Kyra yet again, �Now that we can commune properly, I wonder if you could explain how you suddenly appeared on the beach, several moons ago.�
Cara moves over to table in her room and picks up the sword that had belonged to Daegriss. ~I know I am not fooling anyone with my version of how I was hurt...anyone, but myself�that is�~
Kyra looks at Stryder, then down at the table.
Stink? He hadn�t paid attention to the smell of the room. Syne shakes his head, �Not that I�m aware of, I thought that�s what women did? Freshen up?�
�Not entirely sure about that myself,� Stryder rubs his head, his eyes settling on Kyra for a moment. �Other than my using my powers to transport us here...wherever here is.�
Tzaphiel looks around, watching all the servants coming and going. Something in the garden reflects the sunlight into the hall, hitting her in the face. She finishes the last of her meal, then stands and walks slowly out the same door. Looking around for anyone else in the area, she picks up a dark blue carving off the railing and looks at it.
Kyra picks at fingernails and doesn�t look up.
Luna grins at Eclipse, �So, what do you want to do today?�
Velyn nods, �You must possess a fair deal of magic for such a thing. And here would be my home, a short distance from our village.� Noticing Kyra, he perks a brow, �Is something the matter, child?�
Katie chuckles softly. �Indeed they do. I think Clarice is doing that very thing right now. But if you have other things to attend to, we won�t keep you from them.� She drifts back in and pulls a light sweater out of her pack, then puts the pack back in the closet. Laying the sweater across the back of the chair, she busies herself picking up stray clothing and pulling the covers up on the bed.
Eclipse returns the grin, his expression changing to pondering after it, �I don't know yet...but I�m sure there are plenty more nails to be hammered, or some other repairs.�
Tzaphiel turns the miniature over in her hands, marveling at the clarity of the gem. Catching her breath as she looks at the face carved in such fine detail, �Oh my goodness, this is what I looked like last night.�
Kyra flashes a glance at Velyn, and shakes her head.
~And why are you fooling yourself?~ Elexorian�s youthful voice plays into Cara�s mind.
Luna sits up and runs her paw over Eclipse�s chest, pouting. �I have some repairs that you could work on.�
Kabal watches Cara with the sword, thinking of what to say to her.
Shadow heads downstairs, walks into the dining hall and sits down by himself.
�Oh, and what is broken?� Eclipse catches Luna�s paw with a hand and moves it up to lay a kiss on it.
Luna chuckles, �I think I chipped a nail in that last fight.�
�A nail...how unfortunate. Luckily for me, your divine powers seem to have fixed your nail,� Eclipse looks her paw over with an inspection.
Cara shakes her head. ~I�m fooling myself for refusing to accept that Stryder wanted me dead. He can�t have meant he loved me.~
Luna chuckles, �Oh well, I have heard other girls use that excuse. It was worth a try,� leaning in for a kiss.
~People often say one thing and do another, perhaps you should find this Stryder and discover the truth behind his actions?~ Elexorian chimes in, it�s voice seemingly distracted as the light plays off it�s blade.
DracBlue sits down and starts carving a figure of every single one of the Warriors. As soon as he carves one, he latches it on to another, making a collage of the Warriors.
�Were you always this solitary, or do you simply distance yourself because of your new abilities?� A soft voice speaks to Shadow as a familiar white haired man in red sits across from him at the table.
Shadow looks up and says, �I was always quite solitary after my wife�s death.� He nods to the figure across the table from him.
�It was,� Eclipse kisses Luna, then smiles at her. �I�m sure we�ll find something to do.�
Tzaphiel wonders, �Who did this, and how long did they watch me, and why did they leave it here?� as she holds it in her hands. She walks away from the castle down thru the gardens, taking the carving with her.
The man nods to Shadow, �As long as it does not keep you from your duties. All is going as it should, but there are still renegade cells out there. The Elders have seen a possible flux along the Warriors� path,� Crossing his arms, he studies Shadow. �But they have told us you can handle it.�
Cara mumbles, ~That�s true, I�m guilty of that myself.~
Shadow nods, �It has never kept me from my duties before. It�s good to know that someone has such confidence in me. Still, why would the Warriors be facing these renegade cells?�
�Don�t have anything to attend to really.� Syne shrugs a bit, �But I�m sure the repair crews would love an extra hand, unless there�s something I can help out with?� She looked busy, but he�d at least offer.
Tzaphiel sits on the bank of a small river and stares out at the countryside. Her clothing taking on the colors around her, she blends into the surroundings like a chameleon.
�If you are searching for your home, the stars should be in full view above the lake tonight,� Velyn says, hoping that a look at the sky could help them in some way.
Katie looks over her shoulder at him. �You don�t look like the �woman�s work� kinda guy. But I think I�d pay good money to see you in an apron.� She smiles at him sunnily. �Go ahead and help the repair crews if you wish. I�m probably just going to take a walk.� She goes to the closet and pulls out a pair of jeweled sandals and slides them on her feet.
�Simply put, not everybody agrees in our idea of fixing the problems and letting the rest be,� the man sighs, content in his study of the dwarf. �They desire to shape events more to their liking, regardless of the timelines.�
DracBlue rummages through his pouch and realizes he never put the other figurine of Tzaphiel in his pouch. Slapping his own head, he moans out loud at his stupidity.
An apron...if he knew what that was he would put one on just to see her reaction. �A walk sounds good, would you mind some company? Some fresh air could do good, I�ve been in this castle all evening.� Syne comments.
Shadow sighs as well, �Why can�t they leave things well alone, is my question. So, do you have an update for me, or are you here for pleasure? If so, we could order some ale and reminisce.�
Clarice changes into her tunic and leggings after her refreshing hot shower. �What are you going to do, Penance?� bits and pieces of the conversation with Turian flickering into her mind.
Katie looks up. �Company accepted.� She reaches for her sweater.
DracBlue finishes the last figurine of the set, �Well, this will make a good present for the castle. I wonder whom I should give it to, though.�
The man laughs, though coldly, but still with a smile, �The Warriors will be returning to the mortal realm soon. We want you to keep an eye out for the usual, and make sure the transition goes...uninterrupted.� Standing, he looks down at Shadow, �And don�t be afraid to talk with them, just remember what you can and cannot say.�
Shadow chuckles and nods. �That I will, ol� friend. That I will.�
Tzaphiel�s eyes settle on a spot across the river, a green, different from the rest of the grass. She sighs and wades thru the shallow water to see what it might be. She kneels down and sees another carving, this one in green. The detail is the same, but this one has wings. �Could it have been the boy I danced with?� she wonders, taking a seat facing the castle.
The man nods, �Perhaps next time we can share that ale, and chat about our lives before time became meaningless to them.� Giving a short bow, he turns and begins walking away, fading out as he does.
Shadow goes back to eating, thinking to himself about the days he shared with his wife.
�It�s worth a shot, but I�m not up-to-date on my stellar cartography,� Stryder glances over at Kyra, wondering what her take on the idea was.
Luna shrugs, �I suppose we could go find something to eat, or we could go check in with Selenia.�
�So, what can I do to persuade you to not confine yourself in here forever?� Kabal looks at Cara, concern showing as best as it can with his expression.
�Perhaps both, in that order,� Eclipse leans up and stretches his arms out to the sides.
Kyra meets his gaze. �Couldn�t hurt,� she says, turning to Velyn.
Velyn nods his head, �Very well. The day is still long. If you wish to rest more, feel free, but if you wish to venture outside�I would ask you not travel to the village without my accompanying you.�
Luna�s tummy rumbles and she giggles. �Well, I guess it�s decided, then.� She crawls off the bed and walks into her closet to get dressed.
DracBlue picks up all the shavings of the carvings and sets the carvings in his bag. Then decides, �I�ll give them to Cara. She can do with them what she sees fit.�
Cara looks at her brother, �Say you know where Stryder and Kyra went...or hey sis, let�s go find them��
Eclipse watches Luna walk into her closet as he slides off the bed. Looking around, he sighs and picks up his shirt and pants, �I definitely need more clothing. One set isn�t going to smell good after a few days.�
Kabal shakes his head, �If I knew, I would. But I would guess they�re no longer here, in this realm.�
Luna calls out to him, �I�ve already taken care of that.� She walks out of the closet with several sets of clothes in her arms. She drops them on the bed. �See if you like any of these,� she purrs and smiles at him.
Sliding on his shirt, Tabris turns back to face Claron. �We won�t lose them again...I�ll do whatever�s necessary to keep that from happening again.�
Clarice places her gown from last night back into the bag, �I should just give it to one of the servants...it certainly didn�t seem to impress my drow.� Then tidies up the bathroom and reenters the bedroom, �Going somewhere?�
Eclipse looks through the sets, then picks two different ones. �This red or green,� he pauses to chuckle, �going millennia without clothes makes for poor fashion sense, I must say.�
Cara exclaims, �Surely there is someone in this realm that would know!�
Luna tilts her head and holds up a blue shirt, �This one looks better with your eyes.� Digs thru the pants and finds a black pair, �Try these on for size.�
�Well, if there is someone, I don�t know where to find them,� Kabal shrugs at Cara.
Eclipse chuckles and slides on the blue shirt, then looks on the pants. �Might be a problem.� He points to the obvious lack of a space for his massive tail.
Luna grins and flexes a claw, �I can fix that, not like I don�t have any experience with that problem,� twitching her fluffy tail.
Cara accusingly says to Kabal, �Maybe you do know, but just don�t want to tell me.�
DracBlue rises up and stands guard yet again, waiting for Kabal to leave so he can talk with Cara.
Syne steps into the doorway and looks back at Katie and Clarice, �For a walk to get some fresh air.�
Katie smiles. �Was just about to ask you if you wanted to join us. I think I�ve secluded myself long enough.�
Luna slices a line up the back of the pants and hands them back to Eclipse. �That should do it. I�ll send these others back and have that problem fixed.�
Katie slides her arms into the sleeves of her sweater and looks at Clarice expectantly.
Kabal turns his head towards the door, then back at his sister. ~I don�t know. Your bodyguard is back. If you find yourself in a less accusing mood, I�ll be here.~ Opening the door, he eyes Drac, then continues into the hallway.
�I�ll just stay right here. Not so certain I want to run into Tewyn or even face him yet, for that matter,� Clarice glances quickly at Katie. �Not after last night.�
Tzaphiel lays back on the grass and watches the clouds.
DracBlue pokes his head in the doorway and says, �May I talk with you, Cara?�
Katie shrugs. �Alright.� She glides to the door and looks over her shoulder. �If you change your mind��
�Let�s see here,� Eclipse arches his tail back and snakes it through the hole in the pants. Sliding them up, once his tail is secure, he fastens them, �Okay...they fit, that�s good.�
Claron reaches for her own clothes. �Don�t promise me that, Tab. We haven�t got a very good track record keeping our children already.�
Cara watches Kabal leave, �I suppose...but I am warning you right now... I�m not in the best of moods.�
DracBlue closes the door behind him and says, �First off, I have something for you.�
�You found Stryder and Kyra!?� Cara asks Drac excitedly.
Luna goes back to the closet and dresses in a loose white shirt and black pants. She carries her boots out and sits on the bed to put them on. �I�ll just get my sword and I�m ready.�
�Ah, knew I forgot something,� Eclipse grabs Morthoseth and slides it into the leather back-sheath he bought for it.
DracBlue shakes gis head. �No, but I�m ready to start trying to find them when you are.� He pulls out the interlocking statues and sets them up on the table. The figure of Stryder amazingly detailed.
Syne looks at Katie as they walk down the hallway, �So, how much trouble are you in with Shinta after last night?�
Katie sighs. �More than ever, I�m sure. He just doesn�t understand.�
Luna walks thru the sitting room and takes her chains off the alter, slipping them over her head. She then fastens Luciendar�s sheath and turns to look at Eclipse, �Ready?�
Velyn leaves his hut again, taking with him a few lines and a jar of bugs, presumably for fishing of some sort. Stryder watches him leave, then looks at Kyra, �You�re awful quiet, Kyra.�
Katie�s eyes are tinged with hurt. �But then, I suppose I�ve not been the most understanding, either. But dammit, I�m still only half a woman yet. There are so many things I need to get worked out in my mind.� She sighs.
�You�d do that? You�d help me find them...even though you know the truth?� Cara watches Drac place the interlocking statues on the table. �Oh my, Drac! They are beautiful!� as she runs her hand along each one of them.
�Indeed,� Eclipse nods to Luna, then extends a hand. �After you.�
Kyra resumes picking at her nails. �I didn�t see that I was really needed in the conversation.�
�Don�t suppose there�s anything thing I could help with?� Syne looks at her, knowing more than he was willing to say right now. It was probably better for the moment, if she didn�t know everything.
�If they both mean that much to you, there is nothing I can do to stand in the way. So�yes, I will help.� Drac sighs, �Thank you.�
Katie brushes her fingers over his arm. �Sweet of you, but no. This is something he and I have to either get right, or not.�
Luna opens the door and steps out, into the inner garden. Then leads him to the dining hall. �Hmmmm, smells good,� as they get close to the hall.
�It�s me, isn�t it?� Stryder stands up and looks at Kyra, �I...it seems to be under control for now.�
Kyra looks up at Stryder, her heart in her eyes. �I know it is.� She says softly, reaching out to brush the backs of her fingers lightly along his knuckles.
Cara smiles warmly at Drac. �You�re welcome. Was there anything else?�
DracBlue smiles back just as warmly, �Yes, did you want me to fetch you breakfast, or did you want to go down and eat?�
Nodding, Syne heads down the staircase, curse the stairs. �Next time you two talk, I should let it be done privately. My presence didn�t help matters last night.�
�Kyra�� Stryder reaches out to take her hand, �Why�d you come with me? Knowing what I did to Cara...what I could have done to you?�
Katie shakes her head. �I don�t think your absence would have made a difference, Rogue. He and I seem determined to rip the hearts right out of each other. But I suppose it would be best left one on one.�
Cara shakes her head, �Not really hungry. Thanks anyways.�
DracBlue nods, but argues, �You�ll have to eat sometime. Don�t want to be too weak to find Stryder.�
�Sounds like something that is only painful to both of you,� Syne sighs a bit as he and Katie clear an archway leading out into the gardens.
Kyra�s eyes glimmer as they fill with tears. She looks above his head. �I hadn�t planned on making it here alive, Stryder. I wanted you to kill me, if it meant Cara would get the chance to live her life with the family who loves her. I�d pretty much lost everything at that point. I wanted to trade my life for hers.�
Cara ties to placate Drac by saying, �Maybe later...I promise not to starve myself.�
Katie closes her eyes. �More than you know.�
DracBlue smiles again. �Good. But one thing still bothers me, how did Valrash save your life?�
Stryder lowers his head, �Seems she won�t get that chance...but you�re still alive.� Walking over to a wall, he slumps against it, letting himself slide down to the floor. �I didn�t want to kill anybody�� He begins pounding a fist into the ground, uncaring for the bruises and blood after repeated strikes.
�Sure does, wonder what�s cooking?� Eclipse sniffs the air as they enter the dining hall.
Kyra throws herself at him. �We don�t know that, Stryder!� She grabs his hand, causing him to slam it so hard her bones pop. �Until we do, don�t do this to yourself. I didn�t want to tell you about it. I didn�t want you to know what had happened. At least until we can be sure.�
�Wish I had some advice or something for you,� Syne looks over at Katie with another heavy sigh. �Afraid I haven�t dealt with many situations like it, though.�
Luna leads Eclipse to the serving tables and picks up a plate. As she moves down the table, she catches a light hint of the same odd presence as the night before. �It all looks good,� she tells Eclipse as she looks around the room.
Katie chews her lip. I did, though, she thinks, once upon a time. This same situation.
Stryder stops his fist and blinks as he watches the blood drip down to his fingertips, �Death is fairly sure...I can�t escape it. It always kills someone��
Cara feels a shiver run up her spine, she closes her eyes briefly, then begins to tremble. �I don�t know for sure...I just know I relived what happened over and over again. I think he took my soul, or spirit. I-I don�t ever want to go through it again.�
Eclipse places several things on his plate, examining a bowl of fruit as he notices Luna looking around, �Looking for someone?�
DracBlue stares in horror, and after a long pause he asks, �Does he know the secret you want to keep? And do you want me to kill him?�
Kyra presses her free hand to the side of his face. �I can�t help but feel as if she�s still alive. There were healers there. Surely they managed to save her.� She closes her eyes, thinking, �And she�s probably anxious to know you�re still alive, too.�
Luna glances over at Eclipse, �I don�t know. I smelled someone last night and again just now. But I can�t figure out who it is.�
�Until I see...until we see...I feel nothing. Cold and dark,� Stryder leans his head into Kyra�s hand. �You shouldn�t stay with me, Kyra...I�m dangerous.�
Cara nods, �I am certain he knows. No, not kill him...I just want him not to say or tell anyone what he knows.�
�There were lots of people here last night, it could have been anybody,� Eclipse raises a brow at her, grabbing a glass of juice, he glances around the room.
Katie turns her attention to the castle gates. �Maybe I should go into the city,� she says to herself.
DracBlue nods, �Don�t kill him, but make sure he doesn�t say a word. Man, this is gonna be tough.�
Kyra�s eyes are full of pain, and a hint of fear. ~How many ways, you stubborn ass? How many ways can I tell you that I will NOT abandon you. I promised to stick with you no matter what. Don�t even THINK about making me break my promise.~
Syne looks down at Katie talking to herself. Should he say something? Humans often talked aloud to themselves, half of the time not liking someone pointing out they could hear it as well. �So, keep going?�
Luna shakes her head, �I know, you�re right. But it smelled familiar, but different at the same time.� Picking up a glass of cream, she moves to a table facing the balcony and sits down. �It�s a mystery I�ll figure out eventually.�
Katie looks up at him, then nods. �Yeah. Sounds like a plan.�
�I won�t stop you from staying�� Stryder looks into Kyra�s eyes, �But if...if I lose control. I may do terrible things��
Kyra leans her head forward, pressing her forehead to his. �Then, I�ll accept the consequences. But I swear, I�ll stay beside you till you�re home again.�
�It�s been a while since we�ve had a good mystery,� Eclipse says over a sip of juice and a bite of some ham rolled in a sweet bread.
�Wherever home is�� Stryder closes his eyes, losing himself in Kyra�s closeness.
Katie eyes the destruction of the city, and the beginnings of the renovations. As they pass several shops, her heart breaks and she wonders how many others suffered crushing losses that day. Then her eyes fall on an intact window, and a black sheath dress shot through with silver thread, slits going up each side to an almost indecent level. She cocks her head as something teases her memory. �I think I had a dress like that, once,� she whispers.
DracBlue steps back. �I�m going to take a fly and stretch my wings, you should be safe in the castle. I�ll see if I can talk with Valrash later.�
Luna nibbles on a slice of buttered toast and nods, �I don�t know if I�m ready for too much mystery.�
Syne follows Katie�s gaze to the shop window and it�s contents, �Interesting designs. Think I saw somebody wearing something like that last night.�
Katie looks at him. �Really? I didn�t see anyone dressed like that,� she shrugs.
Cara nods her head, �I don�t want anyone to hurt Stryder. If he is to pay for what he did...I WILL be the one to see it�s done. Understood?�
�A little mystery then perhaps?� Eclipse reaches a fork over to steal a piece of fruit from Luna�s plate with a grin.
DracBlue nods at Cara, �I agree, you are the one who should make him pay. But I think, I have to go on a morning fly now. I forgot something last night.� He nods again and heads over to the balcony, then flies off to retrieve the statues he left out last night.
Luna laughs and smiles at him, then reaches over and takes a slice of bacon off his plate with a wink.
�Lots of folks wearing lots of fancy clothes, I don�t blame you for not noticing,� Syne shrugs. �Looks nice, though.�
DracBlue lands at the spot where he left his statue and looks around. Noticing two statues, he stares for a moment.
Katie nods, looking at the dress one more time, thinks hard, then shrugs once more. �Too true. And I was preoccupied to boot. But still�.� she shakes her head, deciding to analyze that line of thinking later.
Syne continues down the street with Katie, a walk with a friend. You�ve had too few friends in the past, old dog, you�d almost forgotten. Speaking of past friends, he saw Tza last night, �I wonder what she was doing there�� he can�t help but say it aloud, becoming more human by the minute.
Tzaphiel feels Drac land close to her. Remaining quiet, she moves the carvings just a bit to test his eyes.
Katie resumes walking, waving now and then to a passing citizen. Then she frowns, pointing. �The fountain.� She realizes she�s spoken her thought, and blushes a bit. �What who was doing there?� she asks, glad of a change of thought.
DracBlue sees the statues moving. He walks towards them, looking closer at the surrounding area.
�Oh, saw somebody I knew at the dance last night,� Syne pauses for a moment, how much should he say about his shady past? �An unexpected old friend,� he nodded, that would do.
Claron�s eyes light up as a thought enters her mind. �You know when you were missing, Tab...Finn and I promised to help each other. He would help me find you and I would help him find Clarice. I wish he was here. Somehow, I feel like he might be just the right one to help us find our son and Kyra.�
�What about a fountain?� Syne looks around, thinking that he might have missed something during their walk.
Tzaphiel feels Drac�s shadow cover her face and she opens her stormy hazel eyes to stare up at him.
Katie smiles. �Always nice to see a friend. Sorry I monopolized all your time.� Then, hearing Syne mention her blunder, she tries to shrug, nonchalantly. �Nothing. Just blurting random crazy things. No matter.�
�Maybe he�ll pop up...that kid seems to show up at opportune moments,� Tabris wraps his arms around Claron.
DracBlue stops for a second to realize what he is seeing. �I see you found my carvings.�
Tzaphiel sits up, her skin and hair taking on a more human appearance. �You did these?� Holding them up for him to take.
Syne laughs, �Not as crazy as some I�ve heard.� Before he really cared about humans, most of what they said was random and crazy to him. �Once this fellow went on and on about size increasing mushrooms, turtles and something called a 1up?�
DracBlue takes the statues, sighing. �Yes, I made them. I make them often when I find something pretty to carve, or when I make gifts for someone.�
Claron relaxes in Tabris� arms, �I don�t know if I would have had the courage to go AWOL by myself. My love was strong enough. There was never a question about that.�
�Well, I�m glad you two did. Otherwise, I could have been stuck on that planet for a long time,� Tabris sighs, glancing out the window again. �Though our shape-shifter problems might have been less��
Tzaphiel picks a piece of grass and chews on it. �So, who did you make those for?�
DracBlue blushes a bit, �For no one in particular.� He kicks at the grass at his feet.
Tzaphiel looks down at grass Drac kicked and mumbles, �How long did you watch me?�
Claron smiles. �I�m glad we did, too.�
DracBlue puts the figurines in his pouch. �In what form? I mean�in the first form, I watched you for about five minutes. In your second form, I followed you down here and sat with you until you changed back into the first form. Then we flew back to the castle.�
Katie stretches. �We should head back, I guess.� She tugs the hem of her dress back down on her thighs.
Tzaphiel glances up at Drac, �You carved those in that short an amount of time? Amazing.�
Kyra gives in to her need, and wraps her arms around Stryder�s shoulders, holding him, not speaking.
DracBlue smiles, �I can show you if you want.�
�Works for me.� Syne nods to Katie, �So, care to bet on how long it takes the next �save the day� quest to fall into our laps?�
Cara looks at the figurines, then back at her sword. She places her hand on the hilt. ~Elexorian, what secrets can you share with me during your reign with Daegriss?~
Tzaphiel looks at Drac, �Sure, I guess.�
Stryder opens his eyes and looks at Kyra, close. He needed her close, more than he cared to admit, but another part of him was afraid. Afraid that the darkness...his darkness would try to claim her, and that he couldn�t stop it again.
Katie turns. �Ugh. I begin to tire of saving the day. It�s all I�ve done since I was sixteen.� Her eyes are sad as stormy blue eyes loom in her memory. She feels frustration as, when she tries to remember, it slips further away from her.
DracBlue smirks, �Well then, I need you to change to a form I haven�t seen before. So I can show you how fast my memory works.�
~It was dark and filled with chaos and death.~ Elexorian speaks softly to Cara, the tone of voice regarding the memories as frightening.
Kyra closes her eyes, snuggling herself into his lap, letting him, in turn, hold her. She�d deal with the reasons this wasn�t acceptable some other time. For right now, she just needed his arms around her.
�It can get old, I suppose,� Syne agrees with a nod. �But as you humans say, somebody�s gotta do it.�
Katie pulls a face. �Yeah, well. Its good to know one is good for something, I guess.�
Tzaphiel thinks about it for a moment, then shifts into a rather large rose bush with bunches of small blooms all over it. The bush seems to mock Drac, the rustling leaves sound like faint laughter.
DracBlue starts carving almost immediately after she changes, carving with blinding speed to put a bush into a ruby. He even catches the thunderbolt on one of the leaves.
�Caution, Katerina. Are you sure it is wise?� Katie hears the damning voice and cringes inwardly, shoving it aside.
DracBlue finishes the carving and sets it down.
Clarice stands on the balcony looking out at the city, trying to understand how Katie seemed to have known so much about her dream.
�Besides, I�m beginning to like doing all the saving. Granted it doesn�t pay as well as some of my other careers,� Syne�s expression changes to remembrance. You�ve done a lot for money, old dog. Some good, some bad.
Tzaphiel returns to her human form, her hair remaining the color of the rose blooms. �Wow, I can�t believe how fast you did that,� picking up the carving to inspect it.
Katie rolls her eyes. �Well, saving me pays a pittance, to be sure.� She nibbles her lip again in thought.
~And this frightened you? Yet...you did help him? Where did you come from and how is it you ended up with Daegriss?� Cara asks Elexorian next.
DracBlue sighs. �I�m not as fast as my parents. They put me to shame. I�ve only had four hundred and fifty years to practice.�
Money isn�t everything, he thought. Syne looks over at Katie, �Hanging out with everyone has it�s rewards. Certainly an adventure of a lifetime.�
Katie nods. �That much is true. I wouldn�t trade the friendships I�ve made while saving the world.� She smiles, remembering meeting Claron, Tab and the others. And remembering feeding Midnight scraps from her plate.
~I came from the creator. Daegriss found me long ago. There is little choice in who we serve, we are weapons, nothing less than that. You wield me now and so shall I help you, until your end or mine.~ Elexorian speaks, the innocent voice retaining a deeper, colder understanding.
Luna sets down her empty glass and waits for Eclipse to finish.
Eclipse sets his fork down on the edge of his plate, watching Luna. �Good meal.�
Cara continues with her mental questions. ~Who is this creator? The one that forged the sword, the one that enhanced it...or both?~
Tzaphiel hands the carving to Drac, �Four hundred and fifty years sounds like a long time to me. I can�t imagine someone being faster than you are.�
~It is the creator...more than this I do not know.~ Elexorian sounds sorry that it doesn�t know, ~Perhaps the others may know.~
DracBlue nods. �In my village, entire houses can be built in the time it takes me to carve a carving.�
Luna nods at Eclipse, �Yes, it was. We have the best cooks here.� Looking out the open door to the garden beyond, she wonders out loud, �Who is Drac talking to?�
Cara doesn�t give up, still pumping Elexorian for answers. ~How many others are there? And do the swords care who possesses them?~
Tazphiel asks, �Why are they in such a hurry to do that? Why can�t they take their time and enjoy it while they do it?�
~The others...we care but in the wrong hands our concerns go un-heard.~ Elexorian sighs, then starts being distracted by light playing off it�s blade again.
DracBlue says, �They�re Quicklings. They think that if they do the job at top notch speeds, their work is as good as anything else. They do it, lasts for generations. But they think if you do it fast, it is the best thing, because you have more time for family.�
Cara senses that the sword seems somewhat distracted. ~Something bothering you, Elexorian?~
Tzaphiel looks back across the river to the castle. �More time for family? I wouldn�t know about that.�
DracBlue looks at Tzaphiel, �You don�t have a family?�
~No, just the light. I�ve missed it.~ Elexorian almost seems to giggle childishly for a moment.
Tzaphiel just shrugs and doesn�t say anything.
DracBlue sighs and watches the river flow.
Glancing down from the battlements of the city wall, Wraith nods to the invisible wind blowing around him, his hair dancing around seemingly by itself, �Three, who soon seek their kin. Yes, we will travel with them until they find the others. Perhaps even guide them, should they stray.�
Midday begins it�s decent into afternoon as city life continues. Reconstruction going as quickly as manpower and magic allow. Elsewhere, Kyra and Stryder remain in their embrace until a loud atmospheric boom sounds from outside, the sounds of something big coming.�