It was all happening so fast. Rayann was certain they had more time to prepare but as she was discovering, and quickly, some things simply wouldn’t wait any longer. It was no secret Rayann was nervous about the birth. What woman isn’t? While she tried to keep this from Myth and Kali she knew they had both sensed it from her more than once before she could but a cap on it. But now, she knew all of her concentration would be put on making sure the birth of the child she carried happened without trouble.

Like Ceri, Rayann had changed as well and when she was helped onto the table, she felt another nagging pain in her back. As Kali appeared, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the girl’s enthusiastic excitement. Taking Kali’s hand in hers, she held it tight and smiled at her daughter as she spoke excitedly about what was about to happen.

~I’m glad you’re here to share your excitement with me, Kali. I’d hate to think what I’d be like if you weren’t.~

There was some jest in her words but they were serious as well. As Kali slipped off to do what Ceri needed her to do then return in a flash of red then start heating the water, a flash of silver came next and with it the presence of Nol and Myth. The dragon stood off to the side as the flurry of activity began to happen.

Rayann reached for Myth when she felt a particularly hard pain and realized Ceri was right on the nose. She’d been in labor since the wee hours of the morning and now that she was closer to giving birth, the pains were becoming harder and closer together. As soon as Myth took her hand in his, he heard her soft voice in his mind. While it was strained he could tell she was trying to be brave for him more than anyone.

~At least your sleep will not be interrupted by a kick to the small of your back now. Or the feel of the bed shaking.~

The grip she had on his hand tightened as another pain racked her body and she closed her eyes clenching her jaw as she worked through it. Several more of those type of pains hit her and it seemed to Rayann as if there was no break ion them. In reality, there was a few moments between each contraction that she was able to take a few breaths. A fine sheen of perspiration formed on her brow and face as she worked through the pain with Myth and Kali’s help.

While it was no time at all, Rayann heard Ceri’s voice telling her to push. With each new pain Rayann felt she was instructed to push and with Kali and Myth’s help, she pushed with every ounce of her being. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity she heard Ceri’s voice give an excited cry and soon after the sound of an infant’s cry fill the room. Tears sprung to her eyes as she heard the cries of the child she and Myth had created and she looked up at him as the tears slipped out of the corner of her eyes. Using his native language, she smiled through her tears as she spoke to his mind.

~ Mela en' coiamin. Amin harmuva onalle e' cormamin. Ten'oio (Love of my life, I shall treasure you in my heart. Forever) Our child has finally arrived.~

Ceri got into position and the birth went as smoothly as one could hope. Finally Ceri could see the head crowning and she coached Rayann, “Come on Ray, you have this, I can see her head. Push on the next contraction and we will have it!”

The next contraction hit and Rayann pushed, the head came with ease and Ceridwyn whispered as she began to cry, “I can see her face, ok Ray, hold now hold and push on the next contraction.” Ceri used the towels and water to clean the infants face and she readied as the next contraction came, she felt Rayann pushing and then gasped softly as the whole baby came into view, she turned to Kali, her eyes wide. The look was one of shock at first as Kali squealed and then stepped back, holding her hands over her mouth and whispering, “Thank you Lunitari…. Thank you!” She broke down into sobs of joy and could barely stand as she buried her face in her hands.

Ceridwyn also went pale as the baby was brought into the light and she too began sobbing, though the parents could not see the child yet, Ceridwyn was obviously overjoyed at what she was seeing. The baby began to cry as it caught its first breaths and through her tears Ceri worked gently, snipping and tying the cord and keeping the baby from Myth and Rayann’s sight for those first few seconds. She looked up and smiled, her eyes going from Myth to Rayann and then back again, “I would like to be the very first to congratulate you on the arrival of your new baby son.”

The look of shock on Myth and Rayann’s face was confirmed as Ceridwyn brought the infant child, an almost spitting image of Myth, strong in the arms and legs and with a long mid section. Ceri spoke gently as she laid the baby boy on Rayann’s chest, “So it appears as though the gods heard our prayers, we all knew that Kali could not exist in the same timeline simultaneously. Apparently your family has grown by two instead of one.” She smiled and gently rubbed her fingers along the back of Rayann’s hand as she handed the child over and stood back.

Kali leaned back against the wall, watching the events unfold and her eyes turned up, looking at Nol with a deep smile. She would get to stay, she would get to live and see that her brother was protected. The grin on her face was so wide her cheeks were hurting, but she didn’t even notice the pain as she walked over and leaned forward to see her brothers face. The child’s eyes were barely open but as his sister approached he almost seemed to recognize her and when she leaned in to place a gentle kiss on him a brilliant flash of light erupted between them, just as her lips touched the babies forehead. She leaned back, a look of shock on her face and her face went pale, she turned and looked at her mother as she could suddenly feel every thought in her brothers mind, she could feel that he was about to move, just milliseconds before he did, she felt as if she and he were one. There was an incredible sensation of awareness, as if she was standing where she was and also laying on her mother’s chest simultaneously. She turned and looked at her mother, her eyes full of understanding, Kali whispered as she looked at her brother with a smile, “By the gods…”

The trips away from Glen Durel were taxing on both Myth's patience and spirit. So far he had managed to keep his focus aimed at small topics of importance such as the state of the elven armies, and the defenses of the major elven settlements. It was not a pretty sight and the condition of things was much as he had expected. Lines were drawn to thin and gaps left room for the enemy. The first few months alone were spent conducting territorial triage to consolidate what the elves had left at their disposal.

There was also the matter of the proposed alliances that Cerdewyn and Aeolis had been working towards. Myth was admittedly perplexed by the entire notion of Aeolis helping to talk with the humans of all people. When questioned Cerdewyn explained things as she had understood them. Mention of the shadowy creature did not surprise Myth in the least and he felt pity for his elven kin. He had seen more than one of the beasts waste a person away and it sent a chill up Myth's spine to think of those days.

As if to make things worse Myth was certain that the background politics of the elven council had actually gotten worse in his absence. Myth's attempts to expedite the alliances were constantly meeting walls as different council members would block him every step of the way for some reason or another. It frustrated the warrior to no end, but never as bad as when a counselor would remark about Myth following blindly in Jerrin's path.

Though Jerrin was respected by the people he was not respected by the council. It became a common tactic to drag Jerrin's name threw the mud and flaunt it in front of Myth in an attempt to break his concentration. However in time Myth grew weary of such tactics. During the last meeting before Myth would leave to see his child's birth one counselor who held a rather hefty amount of disdain for Myth laid the lambasting of Jerrin to thick. The rage in Myth's eyes was building to a broil and others could see it. Suddenly the storm was gone and Myth's demeanor calmed considerably. Calmly he asked the counselor to repeat himself.

A couple venom laced words into the most recent rant and every became confused and horrified because in one moment Myth had crossed the room and had the offending counselor hoisted into the air by the front of his shirt. Myth made it a point to never try and intimidate with his size, until this moment. His voice boomed across the hall. "I will not tolerate another insult of a great elf. He was an elf of the people, a great warrior, and my brother. He showed more loyalty to this nation and it's well being than any other standing here. One more insult, snide comment, or jibe and I will begin to exercise my right to a warriors challenge in defense of my brother's honor."

Myth dropped the counselor to the polished floor and looked to his father. "I beg your forgiveness for my outburst Speaker..."

Nothing was said but the meetings had been adjourned till Myth's return. With a sigh Myth left Sylvanost mentally drained from the activities. Upon his return he was always happy to see how Rayann's pregnancy was progressing. His nights may have been restless because of the baby but he did not mind in the least. He always woke with a start but laid down once more with a smile upon his face.

Myth had heard Nol coming long before anyone else and he already had a smile upon his face as he heard Kali making a mad dash from her studies towards the doors to were Nol was landing. Myth only shook his head "Yes... but if you have that scar I can only imagine what the red looked like" Welcomes and pleasantries were exchanged before Myth looked at Nol With a wordless before stepping outside so they could discuss matters of business. Myth gave the scar a glance and chuckled slightly glad the silver was still alive and kicking. Though Myth would never admit it he worried about the dragon because of the painting's image. Nol meant a great deal to his daughter and no father wanted to see their daughter cry.

Myth got down to business wanting to know everything Nol could tell him about where armies had moved. Before he left Myth had provided a detailed listing of most of the Queen's war banners. He also noted special ones of interest that should Nol came across them to be weary. Even the most trivial detail was committed to Myth's memory. Often it was the little things that cost one more when fielding an army. After that Myth inquired as to the events that led to Nol's new beauty mark. A dragon encountering a group of draconians was always a tale of amusement and Nol did not disappoint.

After passing stories back an forth of battles long past Myth was standing ask if Nol wanted to head to the training halls when Cerdewyn's missive came.The smile on Myth's face spread from ear to ear as Nol took them to the birthing room. Rayann had barely started to reach towards him when he took his hand in hers. When her grip tightened Myth was grateful he was not someone other than himself. It was like someone had just pinned his hand in a vice. However his smile never faltered.

His eyes remained locked with Rayann's and as Cerd handled the child Myth kissed his lover on the forehead showing her how he felt with his heart not his words. Myth turned to Cerd when he heard the baby and quirked an eyebrow as she went through the motions of keeping the child hidden for those moments. The pale complexion made his stomach churn till the moment she spoke and presented their son.

Myth's voice was like whisper on the wind "By the stars above..."

He leaned forward looking at the boy with great interest. He could already tell the boy had a purpose in life and Myth would do his best to prepare him for it. He looked up and the grin on Kali's face was priceless as she leaned down to kiss her brother. Myth shifted quickly shielding Rayann as the light flashed before a strange sensation washed over his senses. Something happened, something divine had just occurred.

Though happy Myth was now shifting his focus. Myth wanted to enjoy this moment longer but his logical mind screamed at him to be on alert. Myth was grateful to the gods to be blessed by this child but now that he was born Myth knew Rorie would be coming. For the moment he kept the thought locked away but as a warrior Nol would see the look of a prowling cat in Myth's eyes. The lion was preparing to protect the pride

Nol could only smile as the family rejoiced in the arrival of a son. He knew the implications behind this, and when he saw the flash of light between Kali and her new brother he looked up to see three faces, ever so faint, dissolving from sight. He nodded respectfully, the sallow look of a dark haired male dressed in black, the kind eyes of a woman in red with long blond hair, and the snow white bearded face of a man in white. He knew immediately who they were and as they returned the nod and faded away he turned and looked back at the family huddled around the new born boy.

He walked over and looked down at the child, he was already, even just minutes old, obviously his father’s son. Nol immediately recognized the long torso and the distinct Elven features. He looked like Kali too, thought not twins they had the bond, the sacred bond that had been given and lost was returned by the grace of the three moons. “The implications are staggering, and he was most certainly grow to be a fine warrior my friend.” He gently patted Myth on the shoulder and when Myth looked up at him Nol’s eyes were full of kindness but also conviction. Myth would recognize the look, it was the same look that he had just given his own new born son, a look that said, “I will never let you down.” Nol patted Myth gently on the shoulder and nodded as the non-verbal communication moved between them. He then turned to Kali and when she looked up and made eye contact with him she practically leapt over the table into his arms. She held him so tightly it felt like she was trying to pull him inside her. He returned the embrace and held her lovingly, closing his eyes and taking in the scent of her. Never once had he broken his appearance of being brave in the face of losing her, but now that they knew she would be staying, a single tear that looked like molten silver rolled down his cheek as she buried her head into his neck.

“I would like to be the very first to congratulate you on the arrival of your new baby son.”

The words echoed in Rayann’s mind and she thought perhaps she was hearing things. She was to give birth to Kali. So how was it they were calling the baby a….son? Her eyes looked from Ceri to Kali to Myth to Nol then back again. They all had a look of utter shock and disbelief on their faces as well as…..relief? She heard Kali and Myth’s voices as the shock of reality sunk into them. But when Ceri laid the newborn child on Rayann’s chest and Rayann saw with her own eyes that she had indeed given birth to their son, her tears flowed again, and she felt that same relief fill her. Trembling hands reached to cuddle the child close to her.

He was a beautiful, smaller version of his father. Already she could see his strong arms and legs. Knowing the Gods had indeed blessed all of them this day, she thanked Lunitari for her grace and she even thanked the other Gods allowing this to happen. The daughter she was so certain she would lose would now be able to remain with them. Along with the son she had so hoped to give Myth one day.

As Kali moved closer and leaned down to kiss her baby brother’s forehead, Rayann saw the light and immediately felt the bond that had formed between the siblings. Gasping softly, she instantly knew what had just occurred and she gave a soft cry of joy. The sudden understanding in Kali’s eyes and mind told Rayann everything she needed to know. This brother and sister would share the unique bond Rayann and Rorie once shared. Once more the Gods had blessed this family and Rayann gave her thanks to them.

As the baby started opening his eyes and blinking at the bright light he was suddenly exposed to, he began to vocalize and Rayann’s body began to react to his needs. Bringing the baby closer, she began to nurse him and he instantly settled as he realized he was safe, warm and soon to be well fed. As Nol moved closer to get a c loser look at the baby, Rayann looked up and gave him a knowing smile. While she could not fathom the dragon’s emotions as well as she could humanoids, she could sense his trepidation at this day’s arrival, and now that Kali was going to stay, she felt his heart felt relief.

Rayann looked up at Myth and smiled again. This joyous moment was the beginning of something else and while they both knew it, along with all others in the room, but nothing could take away what they felt or the significance of what the boy’s birth meant to everyone here. Watching the exchange between Nol and Myth then between Nol and Kali, Rayann knew this child’s birth was indeed a blessing from the true Gods. As the baby nursed, Rayann looked down at him and eased the back of her finger along his soft, flushed cheek. Her soft voice filled the room as she spoke, audibly.

”Welcome to your life and family. You’ve made everyone happy beyond words this day. Beautiful son and brother.”

Leaning down, she kissed his forehead gently then looked up at Myth, smiling tiredly.

~We need to give him a name, Mel’amin.~

Myth kissed Rayann's forehead his eyes shifted to his son. A smile crossed his face as a thought crossed his mind.

"I think I have the perfect name in mind."

Reaching down Myth gently lifted his son into his arms. His emerald eyes where fixed on his sons as he held him close. Myth spoke in a soft voice.

"From this day you are Shaeraer Tosali Padraig Thel'radin..."

He looked at Rayann passing his son back "In the common tongue mel'amin it means... Blessed Miracle"

As Rayann heard the name Myth had picked out for his son, she smiled even more, if that were possible.

~Shaeraer Tosali Padraig Tel’radin. It’s perfect and beautiful. Just like he is.~

Rayann felt the love Myth had for the child he held in his arms and she felt the love he had for her as well. While he kept things close to him and protected from others, she was able to have access to places within his heart and mind others weren’t. And what she felt from her husband now brought more tears of joy to her eyes.

He loved Kali, of that there was no question. And the love he felt for Shaeraer was no more than the love he felt for his daughter, but the miracle, as the child’s name now indicated, the baby brought to the family, to Krynn, has a profound affect upon the warrior.

As Myth bonded with his son, Rayann felt the pull of exhausted sleep tug at her and as her eyelids grew very heavy, she drifted off to sleep seeing Myth, Kali, Ceri and Nol gathered around Myth as he held his son in his large arms, cradled close to his body in both a loving and protective way.

There was a soft knock and the dark lady looked up from her desk. “Enter,” she spoke the word as if she didn’t really care if the person came in or not. Rorie Padraig unlatched the heavy black door and pushed it open, stepping in and closing it behind him. Tahkisis looked up again and her brows furrowed slightly as she looked him over. “It has been a while Rorie, I was beginning to think you wanted me to replace you.” Rorie stared at her a second and then crossed the gap between them, setting a scroll on her massive war table. The whole continent of Ansalon was laid out to the finest detail and she had been going over the strategies of conquest again. Looking at the scroll she flicked it gently with her finger and it rolled several centimeters before hitting the relief parts of the map that represented the Span of Thartis. “More love poetry Rorie?” He looked up at her, she was enjoying this, and he could feel it. He was purely at her mercy since the debacle at Glen Durel and they both knew it. “Hardly, word is that the child has been born.” “And whose word is that Rorie?” He did his best to restrain a glare, “The word of my spies Mistress.”

She walked around the table, her hip movement along enough to make any man weak with desire, “Oh Rorie, come now, you know I have forgiven you of the last operation. Kali is not the target, she never was, we just needed her out of the way. Now that Shulamite has been reborn however, you can make it up to me by bringing back the true target and fulfilling my initial wish.” Rorie looked up again as she brushed the back of her fingers against his beard, “You know Rorie, there is still a place in my bed for you, I feel you have been punished enough for your indiscretions.” Rorie glanced at her and nodded, acknowledging her invitation, however the truth was he was no longer holding to her sway, and he would do as she asked, but only because he had been formulating his own end. “Then perhaps I will visit you tonight.”

She leaned forward and purred into his ear as she nipped his earlobe, “And I will wait.” Rorie nodded and smiled, bowing his head before he turned to leave. He crossed the space that took him back to the door and her sultry voice weaving its way across the room like silk being pulled over the skin, “Oh and Rorie,” He turned to look at her over his shoulder, “Fail me again, in bed or this mission, and you will find yourself in the darkest most hideous part of the Abyss.” He nodded and exited the room, that statement he did believe.



Walking through the hallways of the dark castle to his quarters seemed to take forever. Everyone and everything that saw him coming side stepped him, the glowering, sallow look on his face was enough to frighten even the most seasoned warrior. He entered his chamber and slammed the door shut, locking it tightly and pulling his robes off his body violently and flinging them over a large easy chair. He walked over to his desk and sat heavily, rubbing his temples. He looked up at the parchments on his desk, looking over the plan he had been formulating. The castle of Glen Durel was drawn to the most descriptive detail, his point of entry, the hallway that he would need to cross and the child’s room. He looked at the map and inhaled deeply, he would go, he would find the child, and he would grab it but this time it would not be a kidnapping, it would be a murder.

Huge black eyes turned to look at the castle of Tahkisis, his ‘child’ was lagging behind slightly, which was not unusual. He was patient, and stopped to wait. She was in fact the only thing he was ever patient about. As she stepped up beside him again he turned to looked at her. His voice was hoarse and gravely as he spoke, “Why she summons I don’t know, it is unusual for her to want a personal audience, something big must be about to happen.”

Her eyes shifted slightly as she looked from him to the castle and he could see the slight nervousness in her gaze, “No need to worry my child, if she wanted us harm we would have not been summoned, she never summons to kill, she would have sent a visitor…” he paused and looked at her with a sinister smile, “And they would have been met with a surprise.” He winked and very gently patted her on the small of her back. Indeed she had become powerful as she grew, and he was proud of her. It was a strange day when he found her, a bloody mess of a human child, screaming in the bushes, afterbirth and cord still attached to her belly. He had never felt much compassion until he saw her, and even he was unsure what it was that caused him to take her as his own and feed her. As she grew he could sense the natural affinity for magic she had, and he taught her what he knew, which was ample, but he was no wizard. Wizards confine themselves to the ‘magic of the gods’, he simply could make things happen, and so he did. Often he would combine his magic with his blade or his staff, and somehow he always managed to get the job done.

“We must not keep her waiting Pela, She is not the most patient goddess.” He started walking again, his massive feet thudding against the ground like small echoing anomalies of rolling thunder. “Just relax and be yourself, or at least, a toned down version of yourself,” he winked a large black eye, “she won’t be tolerant of sarcasm or banter, she will just want to ask you some questions and make sure you are worthy to be brought into the fold. As you know I tend to avoid the politics and the squabbling of her minions, I don’t care for grappling for scrapes, I just want the money.”

They approached the massive black gates of the Dark Queen’s castle and he could feel her slight trepidation, “Calm lass, you are powerful, there is no danger in this place that we can’t face, I assure you we are safe.”

”I don’t like this place, father. It smells.”

The young woman lagged behind on purpose, hoping that she would somehow devise a plan to convince her ‘father’ to find a reason not to answer the call that had been sent to him. As she walked up beside the creature who had raised her, she scowled at the castle that loomed ahead of them in the distance. She was comfortable back where they were. This place was cold. Dark. And alien to her. Turning nearly iridescent blue eyes to his black ones, she pleaded once more with.

”Please? Can we go back? Anything that looks like that can’t be good for us.”

When he simply patted her in the small of the back with his massive hand, she sighed in resignation. As they started out again, she found some comfort in the sound of his large feet hitting the ground. How many times that had brought her comfort she couldn’t say, but it was more times than she could remember.

Pela, was a slender, tall young woman who stood every inch of 5’10” with platinum blond hair and eyes that seemed to look right through you. She grew up under the watchful eye and protective hand of the strange creature that walked along beside her now. He taught her how to start using magic and from there, she taught herself a good many thing. It seemed she had a natural affinity for ice or water spells and it was those particular spells she excelled at. But he also taught her how to fight, with weapon and fist if need be and she found her femininity gave her an advantage. Strong men who thought she was an easy target were now good fertilizer for plants and flowers.

Still, as they grew closer to the Dark Queen’s castle, she couldn’t stop the butterfly’s form taking flight in her stomach and she hesitated yet again only to have her father beckon her again. He was confident in her abilities. If only she could be.

”Wish I could have your confidence, father. But I will try to do my best. For you.”

He turned and looked at her right before they crossed the massive iron drawbridge, “Calm Pela, calm.” He nodded gently and they continued across the bridge and past the main gate. Two guards in shiny black armor approached and Bad Rock stepped in front of his daughter, glowering at them both. “We were summoned, chose to make a stink and I assure you that things will become unpleasant rather quickly.”

He shifted his gaze slightly backwards and they would see Pela’s hands glowing a shimmering blue, indicating that an ice spell was on deck. He turned back and looked at them as they backed up to their posts and stood at attention again, “Wise choice boys.” He laughed a booming belly laugh that shoke his whole body as they entered the main greeting hall. A handsome, dark robed mage greeted them and motioned for them to follow. They walked for what seemed to be forever along the long dark marble corridors of the Dark Queen’s castle. Torch light reflected off the shiny, polished stone which cast strange iridescent shadows in all directions as they moved through the palace. The place was obviously constructed to show the incredible power the resident wielded.

Bad Rock whispered to her as they passed a portrait on the wall, it was a five headed dragon rearing its heads back in triumph, “That is the mistress of the palace.” The painting itself looked evil and foreboding, she could only imagine what the real creature would be like. Bad Rock whispered again as if sensing her fear, “Worry not, she will be in human form.”He turned and smiled gently, she was in fact the only person he smiled at. The mage stopped in front of a massive set of double doors and turned, “Please wait here.” He entered and left them in the hall, Bad Rock turned to Pela, “We need to be invited to enter the hall of the Queen, it is one of the many stupid customs associated with dealing with royalty.”

The instant the guards moved forward, Pela had started conjuring an ice spell just in case they decided to try and do Bad Rock any harm. As nervous as she was, when it came to the creature who saved her life, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. Including murder. And she had done that plenty.

As the guards backed up to their stations and they were then escorted thought he palace by the handsome mage, who Pela thought was a rather nice specimen of a man, she couldn’t stop herself form looking around in wonderment and fear. Several times she stopped to look at something that both frightened and repulsed her only to have to rush to catch up to her father.

When the picture of the five headed dragon came into view, Pela gasped and brought her left hand to her mouth to bite down on the edge of her fingers. She wanted to run from the palace. If this was what she was to face, there was no way she could do anything to protect Bad Rock or herself from the likes of that. Even when Bad Rock tried to calm her fears, Pela still felt as though she were walking a gauntlet to her death.

When they stopped before the doors of the hall, Pela stood behind Bad Rock and inched closer to him as she tried to hide herself like she did when she was a child. Of course, his massive frame made it easy for her to hide behind. Still, she turned to look over her shoulder as her hand rested gently on the enormous hilt of his blade. Her voice was a hissed whisper as she spoke to him now.

”I have a bad feeling about this, father. I feel like we’re constantly being watched.”

He turned and looked down at her, he smiled warmly, as he only did when he smiled to her and whispered, “That because we are constantly being watched child.” He snorted a laugh and patted her gently on the shoulder. His hands were massive and if it had not been for his gentleness when dealing with her it would have been an effortless endeavor to crush her chest with one squeeze. “You have good instincts Pela, just be calm, she will sense your fear if you bring it into the hall of the throne.”

The door opened and the mage looked them over, and then spoke, “She will see you.”Bad Rock brushed the man aside as if he was paper and he glared at the massive creature who was tired of all these idiotic formalities, “Come child.” He moved through the huge doors and began walking down the huge hall of the throne. A dark lady sat at the far end, the only bright light shone from seemingly nowhere and encircled the throne she sat on. Her voice was like silk and though she was far away it sounded like she was speaking right beside them, “Welcome Bad Rock, it has been too long.” Bad Rock’s footsteps echoed like small booms as he approached the throne and he responded, “Has it?” Tahkisis raised an amused eyebrow and giggled gently as she stood and began descending the stairs that elevated her throne above the floor, “Why of course it has Bad Rock, just because I have not summoned you for 50 years does not mean I have forgotten you.” He looked at her as the space between them closed to a few short meters and he responded with his deep, gravelly voice, “I suppose that is a matter of opinion, but I am willing to take in the perspective from your point of view for now.” The few minions that still remained looked at each other nervously, that this creature would speak to the Queen of Chaos so brashly caused them to anticipate he was about to be fried on the spot.

“Oh now Bad Rock, I save you for the special assignments.” She cooed the words and he leaned heavily on his staff as he listened, his massive horns glistening in the light that surrounded the throne area, “Really Queen? I thought you had the Man Elf to give those to.” Her face went sallow and instantly Bad Rock smirked as she turned her head away to hide her own anger, there had been a falling out and that was why he and Pela were here, things were starting to make more sense to him now. She turned to look at them again, the mask of calm back in place, “It just so happens that he is the very reason you are here Bad Rock, he made a choice, and now the consequences of that choice are to be brought forth…” He interrupted her and she quirked an eyebrow as his words moved over hers, “And you summon me and my daughter to bring that justice?” She looked at Pela and laughed, “Daughter? This is a human that you found Bad Rock, little more than a pet.” Bad Rock reached and grabbed Pela, seemingly to protect her, but more to stop her as he could feel her anger and that in her recklessness and lack of experience in these situations she might do something stupid.

“With respect Dark Queen, I would request you be kinder to my Pela, she may not be my blood daughter, but she is the closest thing I will ever have, and I treat her as such.” Tahkisis turned and looked at him, a smile of amusement on her face, but there was also more seriousness. She then turned her attention to Pela and then shifted her gaze back to Bad Rock, “Fair enough Bad Rock, I see your point.” He nodded respectfully, “Thank you.”

As she sat back on the throne her gaze drifted between them, “I wish for you to meet Rorie Padraig, a black robe mage in my service. He is planning an assault on the castle at Glen Durel and has an assignment of his own, you two are tasked with killing anything that he doesn’t, and if he fails in his task, him as well.” She smiled, “He of course doesn’t know that you will be ‘watching’ him, but he has failed me enough that my trust in him has weigned, and as you know I can’t afford blunders, the timeline is too short.” Bad Rock turned and looked at Pela and then back to Tahkisis, “Very well, we will meet your mage.” Tahkisis smiled and spoke, “Good. You may stay in the guest quarters and I will arrange a meeting for tomorrow morning.” “As you wish Mistress,” he turned and the porter to escort them out was already there, he motioned with a warm smile to Pela to follow.

Pela thought she’d never seen a woman as beautiful as the dark haired woman that sat on the throne in this massive hall. To say the least, she was quite taken with the beauty and confidence this woman portrayed. But that was short lived. It was obvious Bad Rock had no love for this woman and when she referred to Pela as his pet, the blond haired woman’s anger quickly rose and she was already preparing a spell to be cast at the woman for insulting them. If it had not been for the fact Bad Rock grabbed a hold of her when he did, she would have made a grievous error and tried to encase the Dark Queen in an ice tomb to make her think about her choice of words and how she treated people.

Glaring at the woman who walked around Bad Rock, Pela remained silent but seethed the entire time. Pela had never been in any sort of formal situation such as this and because of that, she lacked the manners that were expected of her regardless.

As she heard what the Queen wanted them to do, she would have gladly told the woman to stuff it had it not been for the look her father gave her. But when her father agreed to this babysitting sort of job she had tasked them with, Pela blinked and looked at him when he turned his black gaze to her. There was something in the pit of his black eyes that gave her pause to hold her tongue. He knew something and when the time was right, he would explain it to her in detail. For now, she would follow along.

When they were dismissed and Pela turned to se the nice looking mage that had led them to the hall was there and smiled at her, she suddenly felt awkward and inadequate but still she kept her head held proudly and walked along side her father as they were led out of the hall and through more of the castle.

Like before, as they moved along, Pela would find something of interest, even if it was strangely morbid and found she was beginning to see a pattern here. Like the mistress who lived here, everything had a certain sensuality to it as well as a sense of danger. As she examined one particular artifact of a strange looking statue of a man wearing some kind of robes and the look of sheer terror on his face, she couldn’t help but comment.

”I’ve never seen such utter fear caught in such a detailed way. It’s almost lifelike in it’s reality.”

As she looked to Bad Rock, who had once more halted to wait for her, she saw the look on his face and when she glanced at the waiting porter, who seemed a little annoyed by the frequent stops, she furrowed her brows and looked back at the statue again before she quickly made haste to join them.

”Is everyone so stuffy around here, father? If so, why do they stay?”

Bad Rock waited patiently for Pela as she stopped from time to time, it was her first time here and it was understandable. As she spoke of the statue he nodded gently and also took note of the Porter and his annoyance. He simply brushed it off and turned as Pela spoke again, “Perhaps they stay because she has all their nuts in a sling?” He turned and looked at the Porter who was now glaring at Bad Rock, “Problem son?” The Porter turned and said nothing but the heaviness of his steps said all he needed to hear, he had gotten the man’s goat and in the process a satisfaction in still being in control of his own destiny, for the most part.

As they arrived at their quarters and the Porter opened the door Bad Rock stepped aside so Pela could go in before him and then he turned to the man who had escorted them, “That will be all.” The man turned and stomped off and Bad rock laughed as he ducked and came into the room. It was massive, having its own sitting area and two bedrooms across the room from one another as well as a big deck that over looked the landscape beyond. “Hmmm, as usual the Dark Queen knows how to entertain.” He walked around, never setting his staff down and then walked out onto the deck. He could feel the dozens of questions his daughter wanted to ask him and he looked at her, leaning forward and whispering, “There are too many ears here child, I will explain more later, I promise.”

He leaned back and nodded gently at her, the look on his face was one of assurance that she would have her answers in time, when the opportunity was right.