Into the Icy Darkness: The Great Demon War

[Emperor Valerian]

How a Little Girl Caused So Much Trouble

”Hon!” Siabrey heard Lucius scream, “Hon! Heal her!” she felt him by her side, him panting harder than she was. With more than a little pain, she raised herself back up.

“I’m fine,” she hissed out of her mouth... she still didn’t have her wind completely. “Grumki... see to Tess,” Siabrey said quietly, seeing her friend clutching her stomach, her glammered armor showing a bloody dress. I am a fighter... I’m trained to function with this much pain. She is not. Siabrey did not realize how bad she really looked. Blood streaked across the entirety of the front of her armor, her shoulder plate was gone, revealing a large, nasty cut with a burn there, her stomach armor had a dent in it... the blade had not gone through, but its electricity had jolted her body... her thigh guard had also be knocked away, a large slash there still giving off small wisps of smoke from burning.

”Hon.... oh god...” Lucius kept panicking. When Grumki walked up beside them, he grabbed the half orc and shoved him at Siabrey.

“Mmmmm,” Grumki said, looking over the cuts, “The strength of Kord watched over you today.”

“Heal Tess!” Siabrey managed to snap again with all her might, but her efforts to shrug off the half orcs healing efforts were far to weak. It was only then that she heard Tess humming to herself, and saw the bard’s wounds closing, with nary a scar.

“Tess is healing herself,” she heard Lucius say sternly. “Let him heal you now!”

Siabrey relaxed finally. I am a fighter, I should be last to the healing tent. Now that Tess is fine... I will consent. Ouch, dammit! her mind yelped as Grumki probed the painful shoulder before laying his hands on it. She heard a quiet (very unusual for the half orc) chant rise up towards the rafters, and her wounds closed with magnificent ease.

”There... the strength of Kord requires healthy fighters,” Grumki said with a half orc smile. “Especially considering the shouting outside.”

”What shou...?” Siabrey was about to ask, when her own brain, free of the intense pangs of pain, now heard the shouting and screeching from outside... which after a few minutes, suddenly quieted down.

“Oh s**t...” came from the fighter’s lips, as a voice the party only became familiar with that very night echoed from beyond the door.

”I know you’re in there,” it said, calm and frighteningly smooth.

“Dammit!” Tess hissed her favorite phrase for the past few days. Alustair is out there himself... dammit, how are we going to stop him?! If he’s powerful enough to take out dragons, AND he has more guards, sweet Hieroneous on high... She watched as Grumki moved towards the door. “What are you doing?!”

”Tesseron, stand back, and open the door. As soon as its open,” he hefted up his warhammer, now glistening with holy fire from Kord, “I’ll let this wizard know what the strength of Kord feels like!” The half orc smiled, a move that bared his fangs dangerously.

“Alright,” Siabrey said quietly, her katana at the ready. She felt Lucius’ hand leave her shoulder, and she saw Ik-Mataar slowly rise out of the scabbard again, glinting dangerously in the light.

Tess gingerly went to the door, and waited. “One... two... three!” With a heave, she yanked the door back open, and Grumki flew outwards with a speed none of them thought he possessed. The great warhammer fell with a crash, but there was no dull splat, or loud crack of break bones, merely the smash of metal meeting stone floor. A soft laugh echoed from beyond the door, and the party gasped as they saw what they faced.

Alustair smiled before them, chuckling softly. As they looked, his form melted, melded into itself. The change could not have lasted more than a few seconds, yet it seemed to take an eternity, as his tall frame shrunk to less than five feet tall, his grey hairs shifted to jet black, and his eyes changed. His whole body went from form to slightly formless, and the party saw themselves facing a young girl, perhaps 12, with long black hair over her face... a young girl that shimmered, as if she was transluscent.

“Oh God!” they heard Renee cry, and the poor girl collapsed to the ground, seeing now that her father was truly no more. The party was entirely to focused on the apparition ahead of them, which tossed her head back, throwing her hair over her head, revealing her face... and her eyes. The twin orbs burned bright yellow, and bored in directly on Grumki.

The cleric felt something utterly dark and menacing grab at his very soul and begin to twist it... to pull it, to try and tear it asunder. From her lips came an utterance too vile to comprehend literally, though in his mind he heard the raspy voice of a small child scream, “Thou art cursed, in that name of Graz’zt! Thy spittle shall be poison, thy eyes shall see death, a death thou shalt be denied!”

Kord on high! Give me your strength! Grumki called in his mind, and a light from above seemed to shine in his mind, pushing away the encroaching darkness. He breathed a sigh of relief as the darkness passed, and the young girl’s curse failed (DM’s Notes: That was the Curse of Hatred The little girl’s full description will follow the story.)

Siabrey looked at Grumki, standing there as if frozen, an apparent battle going on in his mind. How can a little girl do something like this? her mind asked, and she looked on the girl’s countenance. The girl’s eyes turned to her, and in Siabrey’s mind they seemed to burn a great, distinctive blue, becoming brighter and brighter. The fighter tried to pull her eyes away, but she could not, she was drawn into them, even as a voice in her mind said softly, ”I have been banished to be alone by my parents! You too shall feel loneliness!”. The world around Siabrey went black, and she tried to scream, but she couldn’t hear anything. Oh god!? Am I dead?! Am I... Oh God! Oh God! she began to panic. “Help!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, “I can’t see! Luke! Please help!” She did not realize that she could not speak, and she heard no reply...

To the rest of the party, Siabrey, who had previously been jogging forward, sword out, seemed to stop in mid jog, stumbling forward, as if blind. Her eyes were glazed over and she stumbled to a halt. Her arms began waving around, and it was with some difficulty that party members rushing to fight the evil creature avoided her katana. “Hon, calm down! Calm down!” Luke called, grabbing her shoulder and barely avoiding a swing in his direction. She can’t see he realized, and she can’t hear me! He watched in horror as her lips tried to form words, and her lungs rose and fell furiously as if she was trying to cry out, to shout... yet nothing came from her lips (DM’s Note: Curse of Loneliness). He, and the rest of the party hear to their horror the creature cry aloud, her voice sounding as if thousands are speaking as one...

”Graz’zt, my protector! Bless me, thy servant Ravare, this day to crush thy foes!” a chorus of deep, rumbling roars mixed with unnervingly high screams called. As Grumki, Pellaron, and Orion charge forward to engage the apparition, Luke closed his mind, desperately trying to concentrate, finally letting out a grunt.

”Can you hear me?” Siabrey heard a voice in her mind say. It was Luke! It had to be!

”Yes! Yes! I can hear you! Thank you! Oh god! What happened! Help me Luke! I can’t see! I can’t hear!” her mind screamed, a mixture of sheer panic and relief that someone was communicating with her.

”You can’t speak either... oh god! My poor Siabrey! The creature cursed you!”

So, it curses me... well, with his help, I can get around that! “Luke! Tell me where that little bitch is, tell me where to swing! I’ll end her for you!”

”Hon, no! Stay to the rear! We’ll he...”

“No, dammit! Tell me NOW!” her mind roared, thinking of furious vengeance, and keeping Luke from the front line himself.

As the mental debate between the two continued, Grumki swung viciously at the creature that had tried to harm him, only to see his massive hammer glide cleanly through her form. Pellaron managed to land a few blows with his blade, and Aris managed a weak hit with his sword. Shaun literally jumped over the ducking Siabrey into combat, though his rapier also hit nothing. Elenya nervously waited in the back, unable to use her lightning bolt as too many of her friends are in the way. “Be careful! Move! I can’t help when you’re there!” she shouts, her calls drowned out by the party’s own cries.

As more blows are seemingly struck, most of them seemed to pass cleanly through the little girl, who in her thousand sound voice, cackled at their predicament. As her laughter dies in the air, she uttered a curse, loud and clear, and Tess alone picks up that the majority of the words are in Abyssal. She can only understand one word however that comes forth in common... likely a name... Darvano. (DM’s Note: In character, the PCs had no clue what this meant. Out of character, the players were scared to death, and going crazy )

Her eyes then turned to Pellaron, the paladin close to her and one of the few that had actually hurt her with his blows. Her eyes flame a blazing, abyssal red, and her lips curl into a snarl as a curse echoes from the walls of the very tower, “Thou paladin hath touched the last enemy thou shalt ever touch!” Pellaron’s face contorted into a look of pure, utter terror, before he collapsed to the ground, quite still (DM’s Note: Eyes of Doom).

”Two paces forward, then five paces left... left left!” Lucius had been calling Siabrey when Pellaron went down. At seeing his comrade fall, Lucius leapt into the melee himself with a shout, leaving Siabrey in the dark.

”Luke? Luke! Luke, where are you? Oh God! Luke?! Are you ok?!” Siabrey’s mind, pained and left unknowing as to where her love was, screamed out. ”Luke! Please! Help guide me! Let me know you’re alright!”

”Kinda busy here!” came his terse reply. ”Ik Mataar is getting a workout!”

”LUCIUS! Get away from her!” Siabrey’s mind screamed. I’m supposed to protect you! Your being reckless! If something happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do! “Lucius! Please! Don’t charge her! Guide me to her instead! I don’t want anything to...”

”Its my turn to protect you!” came his reply, interrupting her mental shouts. He then focused back on swinging Ik Mataar, unfortunately leaving Siabrey in the dark, quite literally, for several agonizing seconds.

”Lucius! Please!” her mind began crying. She didn’t know it, but tears were falling from her face, ”Don’t fight her.. let me. I’d much rather I be hurt than you... I don’t want to lose you...”

Lucius finally realized how much anguish his charge had put Siabrey in, and despite the fact he had landed several good blows on the beast, he backed away. ”Fine. I’m away from her,” he said in his head. ”Do you still...”

”Where is she?!” he heard his love’s voice snarl. ”Tell me! Get behind me as well!”
”Go ten steps straight ahead... good... keep going... now five to the right. Yes... four five. Turn right... there! Stop! Swing love!”

With all of her might, Siabrey spun her body like a top, extending her blade out as far as it would go, hoping beyond hope that she’d connect, and the vile girl will fall dead. She felt nothing as she spun, and continued spinning. ”Luke! I didn’t hit her!” she fumed. ”Why did you...”

”Yes you did,” Luke sent back. ”You hit her full in the chest... your blade passed clean throguh her... she’s a ghost!”

Before the conversation could go any further, Grumki swung his warhammer for the fifth time, and landed a tremendous blow on the vile little girl. Kord’s fury was imbued in his hammer, and it seemed as if the left side of the apparition was crushed in. As her tiny, shimmering form fell back and began to vanish, the same haunting voice echoed above...

”Forgive me, my Lord Graz’zt! I have failed you!”

As her dying form vanished from sight, Grumki was already by their prone friend’s side. He gave a sigh.

“Pellaron is no longer among the living,” he said quietly.

(EXTENDED DM’S NOTES:

Ok... Ravare Darvano, the ghostly little girl the party fought, was originally a bad guy from the another campaign that I, as well as two of my players, also play in. Ravare is a ghost of a little girl with a medium level of sorcerer and the “Dying Daughter” PrC attached. As a matter of fact, Tess’ player was the one that wrote up the Dying Daughter Prestige Class.

Anyways, in the other campaign, Ravare had given her soul to Graz’zt, in return for the demon giving her powers that she could use to kill her family, who had abused her. After the party I am a player in killed her, she came back as a ghost, and while the priests of Pelor had tried to intercede with her, there was no guarantee that she wouldn’t continue wandering the planes serving Graz’zt until she either reached adulthood, or had a chance to return to her home plane and finish her work.

Among the powers she had (as only a 6th level Dying Daughter) were the ability to mark someone for death, giving them a –4 to all their saving throws; Curse of Loneliness, which renders the victim, deaf, blind, and mute; Eyes of Doom, which functions as a Phantasmal Killer, save it is Ravare herself that changes form for the person; and finally Curse of Bitterness, which is like the spell eyebite using the sicken option. Added to this were the abilities of an 11th level sorcerer... altogether a very very nasty little girl. Fortunately for the party, her sorceress abilities were 1) focused on defensive measures, and 2) the party closed to hand to hand with her too quickly for her to loose a fireball or the like at them.

I decided since Graz’zt has personally made himself present on my homebrew, what better servant for him to bring in to aid in binding, and eventually killing, the good dragons in the region than a powerful evil in a form no one would suspect... that of a small little girl. She killed the real Alustair, and used Polymorph Self to take his form, while using Dominate to keep the wizard’s wife in line. She cast hte spell on Renee as well, but Renee’s psionic abilities saved her, and the girl was smart enough to realize that she should play like she was dominated in order to be safe.

It gave all the players who had seen Ravare before a good scare, especially once they heard her description... a little girl with black hair over her head. They were calling me all sorts of names through the combat, even as they played well and kept this knowledge out of character. I think them knowing OOC exactly what it was they faced helped heighten the tension a lot... )

 

[Emperor Valerian]

Pellaron is Dead... and the Dragons Return

”He’s what?” Tess asked urgently. “Dead? Really dead?” Oh poor Pell!

”I need a diamond,” the half orc growled. “I can bring him back, if I can have a 500 gold piece or greater diamond. It must be flawless... as Kord allows those whose strenght is flawless to return.” Immediately the party began searching through their backs.

”Grumki, if they can’t find one, let me go through this tower and I’ll bring you back one in a couple minutes,” Shaun promised after coming up empty on his pack, surprisingly. At least Grumki can bring him back... A search into one of the pouches of Tess’ dress revealed such a diamond, and Grumki set to work bringing Pellaron’s spirit back from the dead...

In the chaos over Grumki, none noticed Siabrey sinking to the floor, crying silently, or Lucius holding her tight.

”It’ll be alright, Siabrey. Grumki can fix it,” Lucius’ voice came through her head calmly and quietly. ”Ssshh... It’ll be alright.” She couldn’t see where he was at, but judging from his body heat, she grabbed him and pushed him backwards.

”What was that for?” he asked, a little hurt.

”That’s for being so reckless and jumping into combat yourself!” she retorted, making sure her voice carried a weight of anger with it. ”Luke! You should have just guided me to the front and let me fight!”

”You’re blind, your deaf, and you can’t speak! I was defending YOU!” he snapped back. His anger subsided momentarily, and he grabbed her and held her close. ”As much as you don’t want anything to happen to me, I don’t want anything to happen to you! I love you!” Siabrey’s anger melted away, though she made a mental note once she could see and speak again to give Luke a lecture on recklessness.

”For me, Luke, its ok to be reckless! I’ve been in fights, I know how to dodge, to roll, and how to avoid being hurt! Luke, remember the ghouls?! You don’t know how scared I was then! Or how scared I was in Kulloden, seeing you laying there paralyzed! I don’t want anything like that to happen to you again!?”

Lucius by this point realized that arguing with Siabrey would have been pointless. Instead, he tried to raise her spirits some, ”Fine. Have it your way. But if you continue to be this obstinate, I think I shall have to prank you while you’re vulnerable...” A smile crossed his lips, and he grinned when he saw her lips echo the move.

”You wouldn’t dare,” came her mental reply, as her lips formed the words but no sound came forth. He leaned to her and pulled her close. Her only clue to the fact that he was tearing up was feeling wetness on her neck and shoulder.

”What’s happening? Whats going on, Luke?” Siabrey asked nervously.

”I’m taking you outside. Grumki said he can’t heal you tonight... raising Pellaron will take the rest of his divine powers for the day. He’ll heal you tommorrow.” He pulled her even closer. ”Until then, I’ll watch over you, I’ll be by your side, even when this spell runs out. You can still feel things, can’t you?”

”Yes,” she sniffed. I am truly lucky to have this man, her mind thought.

”Then I’ll hold your hand,” he said softly, before starting to cry again.


Shaun was likewise by Elenya’s side, who was finally crying about her inability to help during the fight, Shaun’s jumping into the middle of the fray and the results.

“Its alright... its alright...” he hugged her close.

“Why did you have to try to be a hero and leap into that mess?” she muffled into his shoulder. “You saw what happened to Pell... that could’ve been you. You’re a father now... and... and... I can’t think of life without you!” she cried as he held her close.

The two then went and began to comfort Renee, who was still crying and shaking from the terrible thing she had seen. The two pulled her close, and let her cry as she blurbed to them between tears.

Tess slumped to the ground, her last songstrike launched at the vile little girl. She felt weary and weak, and was fully expecting more guards to come down... yet none did. She felt horrible... Pellaron was dead, it was clear something very wrong had happened to Siabrey, and as of yet they had not found any trace of the dragons....

Off in the distance, even from here, deep in the base of hte tower, the party heard a distant growl... as if a roar of a great beast had been carried thinly through the air to their ears. The single noise grew into several, then tens, then too many to count. Tess, Lucius, Elenya and Aris immediately dashed up the stairs, while Lucius hefted Siabrey over his shoulder and followed.

”Luke... whats going on? Where are you taking me?”

”To see the dragons,” he replied.



As the party left the tower, they could see people scrambling around in the village below, as a massive constellation of lights, seeming pinpricks in the moonlight, moved in the distance. Tess cleared her lungs, and gave a mighty shout for Xanadu. The largest pinprick then seemed to turn, the others following suit. The pinpricks grew larger, until bodies became visible, then wings, and it finally sank into the party consciousness what they were seeing... over two hundred dragons coming in to land.

As the figures grew closer and lower, their sizes became apparent. Xanadu was easily the largest, though there were a few near his size. Most of the rest were comparatively small... only 50 feet long or so. As masses of dust arose over the village, the dragons all began to rear back, and just beyond, their legs began touching down. A mighty rumble echoed through the hillsides as they came to the ground at a gallop, and then moved aside to let the rest land. Before the massive cloud of dust and dirt enveloped the party, they were able to see that there were not only silver colored dragons, but others... gold colored ones, copper colored ones, and some that looked to be made of brass.

”Luke! Whats happening?” Siabrey asked desperately, feeling the ground shake underneath her. ”Tell me!”

”They’re landing... over two hundred of them! Massive dragons... Xanadu is there, and there are many other silvers... many gold dragons, many that are copper or brass.. oh... its beautiful!”

”I wish I could see it!” she cried, as Lucius described to her in detail as all the dragons drew themselves up, the largest ones near the center, and Xanadu himself coming forward, and bowing to the party.

”Mmmm... I am not sure what you have done, but the barriers that held us are broken. I feel we owe you a great thanks.” the great dragon spoke graciously into their minds. Even Siabrey heard.

”Where is your friend Pellaron? And his friend Igbar the paladin?” Xanadu asked quietly, and Shaun quietly said that both had fallen. Xanadu’s massive eyes went downcast... even moreso when he saw Siabrey.

”What has happened to Siabrey? Why can she not speak?” he said with grave concern, his head lowering to barely a foot from her.

”She has been cursed, Xanadu,” Lucius said. “She can neither hear, nor speak, nor see. She desperately wants to see all of you, I’m talking to her through the spell you taught me in Irulas.” Gingerly Luke took Siabrey’s left hand, and stretched it out.

”What are you reaching my hand out for?” Siabrey asked in her darkened mind. She did not resist however. ”Is it to...”

Her question was answered, as she felt familiar scales and the coolness of silver plating under her fingertips. She jumped out of happiness, her mouth making a soundless shriek of joy. ”Xanadu!” her mind leaped.
”Yes, Siabrey Sipner,” the great dragon spoke quietly. ”It is me... and I would consider it an honor to be nuzzled by one as brave as you.” Siabrey gingerly felt along with her other hand, and encircled one quarter of girth of the dragon’s massive head. She could not hear anything, but Lucius said into her mind.

”He’s purring again, Siabrey.” As those words entered her mind, she felt his head gently nuzzle her, and she felt the gentle vibrations herself.... and began crying.



It was early the next morning, long after Lucius’ spell wore off, that she felt herself rise. She couldn’t see anything, but she felt a hand clasped around hers, and something, perhaps another hand, gently rubbing her arm, and something like lips touch her cheek. She smiled, knowing it was Lucius by her side... and then she jumped when another hand, much larger and rougher, clamped itself on her forehead. A second later, she realized it was Grumki.

She couldn’t hear the words intoned, or see the light that enveloped her as his divine magic did its work, but suddenly her eyes were bombarded with light, and shapes moved in front of them. To her relief, she heard muffled whispers, distant noises of something, which became louder and more distinct. When her senses were fully intact, she realized the shape blocking most of the light was Lucius, and the noises she heard were him repeating, “Its ok! Its all better! I love you!”

The two held each other for several minutes, before she rose, and looked around. Pellaron, back from his ordeal, was explaining to Aris what he saw. She looked out towards the village, hoping to see the dragons, but instead caught a glimpse of many people of various types, working on cutting wood, making saddles, or other affairs. Worriedly, she turned to Lucius, who covered her lips with a kiss and then an index finger before she could ask her question.

“Xanadu proposed the dragons give us a lift to Irulas. It would be much faster than travelling over the mountains... so they’re making saddles and the like so we don’t fall out,” he smiled. As she looked, she suddenly realized every one of the elves, humans, half-elves, and dwarves in front of her had the same brassy eyes of the middle aged half elf standing before her, smiling.

(Well, that brings us to only two sessions behind )

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Howdy ho! I play Tess (and Grumki) in Emperor Valarian's game. Having Grumki pick up a guy and beat another guy with it was a trick I picked up from my first 3e DM. It's fun playing both characters as I get to do things with Grumki that I never could as Tess. And visa versa. Go get something from the market, ask Tess. Beat someone into unconsciousness with their own arm, ask Grumki.

As for Ravare Darvano, yeah, she was a scary, scary little girl. I based her and the Dying Daughter prestige class off of Samara from the movie The Ring, which if you've seen it should send you into twitching convulsions of horror.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

Grumki is fun to DM

 

[Lela]

Any chance we can get a peak at the Dying Daughter PrC?

 

[Emperor Valerian]

I'll let Isida Kept'Tukari post it if she wants... as its her PrC.

Next update should come at the end of this weekend. Right now I'm waiting for a response from drag n fly on a couple things, and then things should start getting posted.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Lela, there's a link in my sig called "my collected PrCs." The Dying Daughter is in there.

 

[Lela]

Thanks Isida.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

The following rapidly became one of the most intense gaming sessions I’ve been in, and likely the most intense I’ve DMed. I know some of the players were clearly affected by it (this is the session drag n fly lost sleep over), which I think shows the depth to which they have developed their characters.

Of course, considering what they just got done facing, the party had some down time to start off with (and if you haven't figured it out yet, when Siabrey, Tess, and Shaun aren't busy busting demon butt, they tend to goof off... ALOT ) Without further ado, the session from March 5th.

Dragons Abound, and the Party Takes a Short, Much Needed Rest

The party spent most of that morning recounting their tales since they last saw their dragon friend; Of how Siabrey found her father, of Elenya’s capture, of the raid into the Temple of Hextor and the happy outcome. They also told him what they encountered posing as the wizard Alustair. After some thought, Xanadu says he can only conclusively say that hte little girl was a spirit in the service of Graz’zt.

Tess slipped away from the party, and began once again sorting through the items they had found in their travails. Most she found her mundane or had easily recognizable traits; one ring stood out to her, however. She carefully placed it on her own finger and found it came off easily. Interested, she spent the next few minutes recalling the ring’s tale, and discovered nothing less than it was a ring that protected one quite well against the elements (ring of elemental protection, major).

As the day drug into midday, Siabrey, Tess, Shaun, and the others noticed a few things... the first of which was Xanadu spent much of his time close to a particular brassy eyed dwarf, smiling over her, helping her short stocking frame. The second Siabrey noticed more than anyone else; About a half hour after she was healed, Lucius stole off after Xanadu and had been pestering him ever since. Siabrey, the bluntest of the three, finally wandered up, her curiosity getting the best of her.

“Xanny taught you any new spells?” Siabrey asked Luke, her face betraying a mischievious grin. Lucius blushed, while Xanadu turned to her in a patrician manner.

”Yes, I did, but these spells are meant for serious magical matters, not superfluous use,” he waved his hands about to emphasize the long word Siabrey didn’t understand.

“Super...” her face betrayed confusion.

“Wasteful,” Lucius said, reaching out with an arm and gently guiding her away as Xanadu began to lift a wooden beam with the dwarf he seemed in pursuit of. “Here,” Lucius said quietly, “let me show you some of what I learned.” He motioned for her to sit on a small rock nearby, while he dug around in a materials pouch by his waist.

He’s so excited when he learns something new in his power, Siabrey mused as Lucius grunted in disgust before turning to another pouch, He’s like a little kid being taken into a bakery full of cakes and cookies... “Hon, do you need any help?” she asked jokingly, seconds before he gave a tiny whoop of happiness.

“No no no... I found it!” he grinned, holding up what looked to be the wing claw of a dragon. “Several of the dragons shed their ‘baby claws’ while in captivity... Xanny collected their wing claws, as they are spell components,” he explained, holding up the deep black claw that was nearly eight inches long.

“Hmmm?” Siabrey looked up at him and smirked, “So, mighty sorcerer, when are you going to show me this spell?” Lucius took out his dagger and with some effort managed to shave off a thin part of the claw. He placed the rest back in his pouch, and then spat into the hand where the shaving rested. As he said several incantations, a glow seemed to form over his back as the shaving burned. A few seconds later, a set of dragon wings sprouted from his back, and he hovered in the air for perhaps ten seconds before falling the three feet or so to the ground, laughing. Siabrey stared back at him, slightly in shock, before her eyes narrowed with a smile.

“That was great, wasn’t it! Hey,” he jabbed her shoulder playfully, “I can fly before you can!”

“Hmmm,” she got up, and looked him in the eye. I have an idea... “How long does that spell normally last? Long enough?” she crooned, running a finger down the side of his cheek. That could be... fun... yeah...VERY fun...

”I...I...” Lucius stammered, his face pleasantly going red again, “I.. c...can’t use if for that. Sorry hon.. I only have five dragon claws, and to get new ones would require killing a dragon...” he sighed in disappointment. She could tell he would have liked to try out her idea as well.

“Oh well,” she sighed, pulling him close, “It just means you’ll owe me,” he gave him a brushing kiss on the lips and pulled him in for a hug. I know what you were trying to do yesterday... I’m really lucky... even if you are a reckless boy. Nonetheless... I do intend to collect on your debt... though I doubt you’ll have many qualms about paying it up...

Tess noticed Lucius pulling Siabrey aside, and watched as the dragon wings came out and he floated in the air. Having a good laugh at her reaction, she trampsed over to Xanadu, who by this point was helping the same dwarf do some shavings to smooth the lower parts of a large harness.

“Hey Xanny,” she said with a smile, “who’s your friend?” Probably his mate... a good person to know. Xanadu looked up at her, gave a brief grin, before returning to his focus.

“That is my mate,” he said briefly. “Wait dear, let me get that secti...”

“So I don’t have a name?” the dwarf stopped sanding and put her stubby hands on her squat hips. “Or are your too focused to be properly courteous, Xan?” The dwarf stared him down for a second before turning to Tess with a radiant smile. “I am Alisandra, his mate before he found his unfortunate end as a cat.”

“Tessoren Keldare, known as Tess,” the harpist bowed politely. Alisandra laughed.

“See, not all your companions are cretins! This one seems very nice!” Alisandra had by this point set down her filing and sanding tools, and walked over and grabbed Tess. “I apologize. He’s in a grumpy mood... still upset over how he got caught...”

“How long have you two been mates?” Tess asked. It may be a silly question, but I’m very curious. How long do dragon’s mate?

“I’ve been his mate for the better part of 350 years... though for a couple hundred of those I hadn’t heard from him because he was stuck as a wee tiny kittycat,” she smiled. “I would’ve given anything to see his proud form in that cute little package, and tease him just a little.”

“Thats... quite a long time to be with a single person,” Tess said quietly in wonder as they approached where Shaun and Elenya were creating space for a campfire between the tower and the town.. Seems strange, considering I can’t find a tolerable male for one night...

“Yes... quite. We’ve had only two clutches of eggs... the results are all the adult silvers you saw last night... ten of them. I raised some of them myself after he disappeared...” she sighed. “I waited so long for him to come back... I knew he would,” her head lowered. “I’m 470... to think I waited over half of my life for one person,” she said thoughtfully.

“You Xanadu’s mate? He must’ve been a helluva lay for you to wait that long,” Shaun quiped before Elenya slugged him playfully in the stomach. “Ugh! Hon... watch it... you might break your fiance doing that...”

Tess looked on in horror, fully expecting the dragon to be offended. Instead, her dwarven frame shook with laughter.

“Well, I suppose he’s ‘adequate,’” she winked. A distant growl came from where Xanadu was still sanding the harness bottom.

”I heard that,” his gravelly voice rumbled.

“So, Xanny, you need the Sune book? I bet your out of practice!” Shaun snickered, ribbing the joke a little further. Elenya fell over laughing, and Alisandra broke out into genuine laughter as well. Tess started to join in until she saw Xanadu come stomping towards them.

”Don’t push it, dirty one,” Xanadu growled again.

“Dirty one? Why do you call me that? I bet after she gives you your ‘welcome dinner’ you’ll be the one needing to be called ‘dirty one!” Shaun guffawed. Tess rolled her eyes at this quip, even as Alisandra and Elenya kept laughing. Don’t push him too far, Shaun...

With a growl, Xanadu snapped his fingers, and in a blink, Shaun’s clothes collapsed empty to the ground. Hovering about four feet off the ground was a tiny figure... an alligator perhaps eight inches long. Coming from its back were two sets of dragonfly wings, buzzing insistently. Now it was Xanadu’s turn to chuckle.

“Seems befitting,” he smiled, as the small creature flew straight towards him, tiny yips coming from its mouth.

“Its so cuuuttteee,” Tess cooed, “I want one now!”

The creature continued to yip at Xanadu for a few more minutes before suddenly stopping, and changing direction. It zipped down the hill towards a tussling Lucius and Siabrey, stopping just outside Siabrey’s ear.

“Wha... get... get away!” she swatted, turning her attention from Luke for a second too long before he pinned her down. The small creature yipped in laughter, as Alisandra pulled Xanadu close.

“Xan... thats enough now. Play nice,” she intoned quietly. With a sigh at seeing his playtime end, the wizard moved his hands, and Shaun fell three feet to the ground, quite nude. Elenya broke out laughing as she handed him his clothes... though she was the only one that laughed when he threatened to not put them back on.

“Hmmm... perhaps Tess would prefer nude paladin?” Siabrey, coming up the hill shouted. Its been a couple days... time to rib that joke again! It always gets a response... three... two... one...

”No!” Tess shouted, immediately annoyed. Why can’t she just drop that!? Me and Pellaron both have! “Siabrey, is that your new focus? Trying to play matchmaker?”

“Aww,” Siabrey let go of Lucius’ arm and drew up close to her quarry, “Tess is upset! She needs to relax!” she gently took Tess’ shoulder in her hand. “I am so getting you a brothel boy in Irulas!”

“Siabrey!” Tess jerked her shoulder away, “Please! I don’t want to talk about it! And no brothel men, or women for me! I’m fine!” she crossed her arms in a huff.

“Really, red eyes, you should be more focused at hand,” Xanadu added his own chiding, even as snickers went around among the others.

“Oh Xanadu,” Siabrey turned to another quarry. Shaun gets away with it... so should I. “You should be lucky Alisandra stayed with you so long. After all,” he cocked her head sideways, taking a look at his legs, “your thighs need work!”

Shaun and Elenya fell over laughing, while it was clearly present that the dwarf called Alisandra was only barely holding in ribalding laughter. Tess’ eyes went wide, as Xanadu snapped his fingers again in a fury, and two cat ears rose above Siabrey’s head.

Siabrey felt something growing up above, and reached up, feeling the tufts on her head, before laughing. “Wow, thanks Xanadu!” she giggled, and the wizard’s annoyance grew now that his punishment was being regarded as a boon. Laughter pealed from the ground, loud enough that even distant Pellaron and Aris were turning to look.

“Fine!” Xanadu snarled, and another snap of his fingers revealed Siabrey to have two large rabbit ears on her head, as well as a single large demon’s horn. “You think about mating so much, I gave you parts of two creatures you resemble in that aspect!” He then crossed his arms, and gave a huff. The party, especially Lucius, fell out from laughter. Siabrey, however, did not find it a laughing matter.

A demon’s horn? What is Xanadu thinking? Especially after we told him how demon’s affect Lucius! Please... he’s got to get rid of it!

”Xanny, I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please... please get rid of hte demon horn! I don’t know how Lucius will respond to it! Please get rid of it! I’ll apologize, I’ll fix you dinner! Whatever! Please?” she begged.

“I see how Lucius is reacting now,” Xanadu nods towards the ground, where Luke is still laughing loudly. Siabrey’s eyes start to tear up, and a swift elbow from a by-now-not-laughing Alisandra made Xanadu grunt. “Fine. I’ll shrink the horn down. But you’ll wear the two for the next twenty minutes. What?” he looked as Alisandra growled at him. “I have to keep them in line some way!”

Furious, Siabrey stomped off, even with her smaller horn. Lucius looked back at hte rest of the party and apologized, before dashing off after her.

“Hon!” she heard him call, though she didn’t turn around. “Hon! Slow down!”

I can’t believe Xanadu! Knowing that Lucius reacts badly when he’s exposed to demons, and he gives me a DEMON HORN! her fury continued to burn bright as she finally stopped, far from the party and out of their view. Panting, Lucius finally caught up to her.

“Hon, Xan...”

“I can’t believe he did that! Especially knowing you and how your react around demons!” she spat, turning and checking his eyes automatically. They were normal, saved filled with concern.

“It didn’t bother me... I have the sword you all fought for,” Lucius said, putting an arm on her shoulder. Siabrey relaxed, her twisted up worry for the last few weeks unravelling itself yet again. Lucius saw the tiredness in her eyes, and he smiled, hoping to cheer her up. “Now,” he whispered quietly,” with those ears,” he motioned to he already shrinking rabbit ears, “can you hear me whisper sweet nothings to you better?”

”Hmmm... no actually,” she smiled slightly. “Though can yours hear me ask for a sparring match?” Xanadu made me angry, and got my blood going... I need to release some of that energy. I wonder how good Lucius has gotten?

”Are you sure about that?” Luke asked, raising an eyebrow. “After all, as you said, I’m a fast learner.” He gave her a wink, and now her blood went even faster... a challenge had been presented, and she licked her lips.

“Very sure... you may learn fast, but you’re still no more than a student in this area,” she grinned at him, drawing her own blade. She knew the physics of the match, she also knew he was faster with his sword that would seem. I have to be even quicker then... faster, strike with more strength. He has adapted, so must I... she concentrated, as the two warily circled each other, her entirely focused, him with a half smirk on his face.

He’s holding his blade where he can’t slash down and left... he can’t block there... she thought an instant before she struck towards exactly that place, only to be surprised to hear a clang as he spung his blade in his hands so it caught her sword and pulled it upwards. It sailed through the air, landing in the sand nearby as Lucius let out a laugh.

HE’S SPINNING HIS SWORD NOW?!

The next two matches all went the same, as Lucius displayed how much he had indeed learned. It was apparent he had copied some of Pellaron’s moves with his githanil blade, adding spinning moves to Siabrey’s rapid cuts and slashes. His blade, despite being larger and heavier, danced too fast for her. By the third time her sword flew, she realized she had been easily bested. The toll from the exercise was apparent on him, as he clutched his knees and panted. She still bested him in endurance, at least.

“I win,” he rasped, smiling as he stood up finally. “Fair and square, no distractions. Impressive, huh?”

The excitement had only made Siabrey’s energy levels rise even more, and she looked him over... sweaty, worn out, with a lopsided grin on his face. He looks so... dashing? Handsome? lovely? Yes... my own devoted defender... so... wow... She turned her head to the side, looking at him, as an idea slowly grew in her mind. Yes... that would be very fun... very fun indeed.... She picked up her sword, sheathed it, and sashayed to where he stood.

”Hon... there’s one thing you’ll never best me at,” she whispered seductively in his ear, before letting out a giggle and grabbing his hand. With a lurch, she pulled him towards a secluded rock, hidden from the party’s view yet within earshot. This’ll only take an hour or two... an hour or two I’m SURE you would love to devote...

“Hey!” Luke laughed as she pulled him over and pushed his back to the ground, “No fair! You already wore me out! That’s cheat...”

Her lips silenced his complaints.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

The Party Relaxes While Harnesses Are Made

“So... things are back to normal,” Tess sighed absent-mindedly as she looked over towards where Aris and Pellaron were still talking, though it looked like their discussions had broken down into a debate, undoubtedly on theological matters. Pellaron is back among the living, Lucius is not evil... Lucius and Siabrey are off trying their best to make a child while Shaun and Elenya are... what? Trying to make it twins? her brow scrunched slightly, provoking Xanadu to speak.

”Yes... back to normal... as if they were normal in the first place,” he looked off into space himself, his half elf hand wrapped around the back of the dwarf with brassy eyes that sat next to him. “We truly are living through some dark times...”

“But it is in the darkest of times when the lights of those who are true shine the brightest,” Alisandra said quietly, laying her head on his shoulder. As the day turned slowly into dusk, the red sunlight from the desert caused her brassy eyes to turn almost into fire.

Her eyes are gorgeous in the setting sun... just like... Tess’ mind snapped. She knew how to make it normal... and get a laugh.

“Um... Xanadu? Wouldn’t it be funny if....” she whispered her plot hurriedly in his ear, on the side away from Alisandra. Undoubtedly, the humorful mate would have tried to stop him. When Tess finished explaining her idea, Xanadu let out a laugh.

“Tesseron, you humor me greatly,” he smiled. The half elf dragon then gently removed his arm from around Alisandra, and stood. Clearing his throat, he began to speak softly, moving his hands about in patterns Tess did not recognize. Alisandra’s eyes narrowed even further as she heard more and more of what he was saying, until they were mere slits when he was finished.

“Xan, that was very mean!” she scolded in a motherly tone. The dwarf was up on her feet now. “They’re just having fun! Let them...”

“Uh... hey!” came a raspy, breathy voice over the air, coming from the direction Siabrey and Lucius had wandered off to. Tess fell over laughing, as Xanadu began to chuckle. The voice continued its complaints for another few seconds.

Finally over the desert, in halting, broken breaths, came the same voice, “Hey... If you.... keep... this up... Xana...du.... We’ll... just... have... to... ex...er...cise....hard...er...to... keep... warm!” The voice was decidedly a woman’s, and Tess, despite her distate for the party’s antics, broke out in laughter again at seeing Xanadu’s face fall.

“I swear... nothing stops them!” he said quietly in disbelief as Alisandra lit into him.

“Xanadu Brightcold! You are an ancient silver dragon, not an itinerant prankster! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, interrupting young people in love like that! How would you like it if someone interrupted us at an intimate moment! I cannot...” she continued her rant, and Tess cackled even more at the visual image of a small, even petite (if thats possible for a dwarf) dwaven woman screeching at a large half elf man. Her peals of laughter grew louder as Alisandra caught Xanadu’s ear and twisted.

“OW!” the dragon squealed. “Fine fine! I’ll undo it!” he growled, holding his ear.


It was about fifteen minutes later when Shaun and Elenya came back. Both tried to move quietly, but their giggling was too loud, and Tess caught them out of the corner of her eye.

“Enjoy yourselves?” she asked quietly, and Shaun gave a nod. Tess looked on with some dismay, noting that Elenya’s finely braided hair, which Tess had spent an hour and a half fixing early that morning, was now all undone and hanging in untamed tresses about her shoulders.

“Very much,” Shaun verbalized the nod, before quickly adding, “I’m starving. Where’s dinner?”

“Is that all you think about?” Elenya asked gently. “Yeah, you also think about... I’m in public, I can’t say that...” she said slyly. Tess started a groan.

“Say what?” Shaun pressed.

“That you are obsessed with food. If you aren’t careful, you’re going to eat yourself into having a large belly... like a pregnant man,” she teased. Both Shaun and Tess knew that was likely not what she was going to say earlier. “Be patient. I’m going to take Siabrey to teach her some things about cooking finer meals. We’ll fix your food, be patient,” she cooed.

“Ok, fine. Luke!” Shaun shouted over the desert, not knowing where his friend was, but hoping the desert wind would carry his voice to the neccessary destination, “Hurry up! You’re holding up the chow line!”

It wasn’t until some fifteen minutes later that Siabrey finally came into view. To the party’s surprise, she was carrying something large...as she drew closer, everyone realized it was Lucius’ form, his 6’0” splayed across her 5’3” form in what would be called in other worlds, a ‘fireman’s carry.’ Some apprehension initially went around the party, until she drew close enough they could see she held an enormous, proud smile across her face.

“You broke him!” Shaun called out in mock astonishment. Siabrey shook her head with a smile.

“No... I’m just good enough that I wore him out,” she giggled, setting Luke’s unconscious form on the ground. Tess gave a smile, and unusually, was the first to make a quip.

“Lucius has been by our side, fighting demons, orcs, spiders, and assassins. None have managed to defeat him. If they only knew what they had to do before hand to knock him out...” The entire party shared a laugh at that.

Elenya grabbed Siabrey by the hand and began pulling her towards a pot Elenya had set boiling before going off with Shaun. “Sorry to pull you away before he wakes, but Shaun is getting antsy for food... and of course, I wanna talk! Compare notes?” They giggled, running off towards the pot which was simmering about 30 yards away, towards the village. As the skipped away from the rest of the group, the noise of Siabrey chattering rapidly in high tones was clearly audible.

Lucius began to slowly stir by this point, his eyes fluttering open slowly as he gave a grunt and tried to sit up.

”Ah... Lord Lucius,” Shaun grinned, “how does it feel to re-enter the world of the living?”

“Ugh. If I have to leave the world of the living, I wouldn’t mind if it happened when...” he stopped his tired sounding voice in mid sentence. His voice changed, filled with properness, “Ahem. Excuse me... gentlemen do not discuss such things in public!” His haughty air broke a second later as a grin came through.

“Aw... c’mon!” Shaun jeered, patting Luke on the back, “details, my boy, details!” Tess gave a very loud groan. “No details!” her voice added to Shaun’s cajoling. Lucius merely gave a distant smile for some time, but never spoke.



“Siabrey... hon... no... don’t touch...” Elenya gave out a sigh as Siabrey’s whirling about caused another set of spices to fall over. The former barmaid turned wizard quickly set about salvaging it, as the fighter, suprisingly giddy, apologized.

“Sorry Elenya, I just didn’t realize it was there! Now, you said just a pinch of ginger?” the fighter asked, as a handful fell into the pot. Elenya gave an exasperated sigh, and hoped for the best.

“Yes... just a pinch. Siabrey dear, you put in about ten pinches.” It was hard dealing with her after she had spent time with Luke... she tended to get excitable and giddy, hardly the proper mood for good cooking. Nonetheless, Elenya was showing great amounts of patience. “No matter. We can add some extra cloves to take away the bite.”

“So, how come you’re such a good cook?” Siabrey asked, taking the cue to sit away from the cooking and let Elenya do the mixing. It is a rather unusual combination... a barmaid that knows magic that could also be a chef...

”Well,” Elenya said, then halted as she dipped a finger in the boiling pot of stew and tasted it. “Mmm... needs more cloves. Well, I wasn’t really the waitress at my uncle’s tavern... when you all met me, I was covering for another waitress, Isildra. She just had a baby,” she put several pinches of cloves into the stew, “and she was a good friend. Normally, I was the cook on days when I wasn’t helping my father at his magic shop. Dual education, you know? “ She dipped a finger in again, and with a nod, pronounced it good.

“Ah,” Siabrey nodded before jumping back in with several strips of her sandhog ribs. “Now, do I just dip them in this stew, and then add the cloves, or do I...”

“Yes,” Elenya said, and watched with relief as Siabrey did exactly that. “Good... good good. I don’t know why Lucius wouldn’t let you eat these, they’re delicious. Put some garlic on them, and you’re we’re set.” Elenya turned her back to douse the fire and lift the pot, not noticing the mound of garlic Siabrey accidentally poured over the ribs.

Dammit. the fighter giggled, Gotta fix that. She began taking other ribs and smearing them through the garlic, piling them on a cloth bag. While the mound disappeared before Elenya turned around, all the ribs were doused in a coating of garlic potent enough to kill every vampire for ten miles.

“Looks good?” Siabrey asked, and Elenya fought hard to scrunch her nose at the ribs covered in white specks. It was hard teaching someone so eager, yet so...

“Yes... looks delicious. Lets go call take it to the hungry boys.”


“Food’s ready!” echoed over the plains, and with a bolt, Shaun was to his feet and dashing forward. Lucius came with a half stumble, apparently still dazed, while Tess sniffed the aroma’s wafting through the air with anticipation. To her surprise, she noted Xanadu was not coming with; normally in half elf form he enjoyed eating human food with the rest of they party.

“Xanny, you’re more than welcome to come and eat... you too, Alisandra,” Tess offered, and the half elf shook his head no.

“Alisandra is going to be fixing me something today... its been quite a while since the two of us have shared a meal, so I’ll take you up on your offer some other time.”

“Oooo... go Xanny!” Shaun catcalled as he grabbed a rib and added cloves to it. “Someone is gonna...” he finished before Elenya elbowed him. “Ow!”

The party could see for a moment the same annoyance in Xanadu’s eyes that had greeted them when he turned Shaun into the flying alligator, and gave Siabrey her now long gone rabbit ears. The look faded rapidly, as he gazed down at Alisandra, and they could literally see in his face the expression, “not worth my time.”

Rather giddily and excitedly, Siabrey fixed a plate for Lucius, snatching his empty plate from him before he could grab some food, piling it high, and then shoving back towards him in a few seconds.

“Try?” she asked, her voice high, her motions rapid and giggly. Lucius turned his head a little sideways, and looked at her.

“You’re a little odd tonight,” he said slowly. “Are you sure you are ok? The cooking smells didn’t go to your head, did they?” She shook her head vigorously, an expectant grin on her lips as he tried some of the stew.

Lucius’ face went beet red, and he fought will all his might to not cough, and instead choked it down. It took a few moments effort, and he turned to Siabrey.

“Tasths good hun,” he said as his eyes teared up. He found himself in a crushing bearhug as the hyperactive Siabrey grabbed him.

“Thank you honey!” she cooed excitedly.

“Mmm... tad too much spice in the stew... otherwise very good job Siabrey,” Elenya a few minutes later, to cover up the more apparent reaction of Shaun, who after the first bite set his stew bowl down and only went after the ribs. Seeing that she was still giddy and hadn’t noticed, Shaun lightly elbowed Lucius.

”Luke... do me a favor, ok? Get your girl into action more often, ok? She’s in such a better mood afterwards! It’ll help keep me alive!”

“Um...” Lucius began, before seeing her staring at him and grinning, “I think if that happened too often, she’d break me...”

“Sooooo...” Tess jumped in, changing the subject rapidly, “Elenya? Have you and Shaun picked out a name for your kid yet?” For the love of the elves, maybe you all can talk about something not involving sex?

“Um... not yet,” Shaun said, glancing at Elenya. “We were kind of hoping that some of you might have ideas to help us out.”

“Nuahs!” Siabrey squeaked, which caused many in the party to jump.

“What? Say it slower,” Shaun asked, leaning close to her. The fighter was bobbing up and down in place almost.

“Nuahs! Your name spelled... BACKWARDS!” she giggled with laughter. Shaun made a strange face a Luke, who merely shrugged.

“Um... no. Something more normal.”

“How about Shawn! With a W! Like your brother!” Siabrey announced, now definitely bobbing up and down where she was sitting, her face giddy with glee.

“NO!” Shaun snapped loudly, causing the party, even Elenya and the rambunctious Siabrey, to jump back. I reacted too hard... tone it down... relax Shaun... its not like W is going to come back and get you... A few deep breaths later, he repeated, in a more normal voice, “No. Out of the question.”

“Why?” Siabrey asked, his jolting cry evidently knocking much of her giddiness away, at least temporarily.

“Um... personal reasons...” Shaun quickly offered, before thankfully Elenya interrupted with an idea.

“I think I have one... El-en if its a boy. You know... El-en with the hyphen. If its a girl, we could always name her Ellen. Its dual use!” The party agreed, and after some more discussion, the topic prompted Tess to ask a very deep question.

“What are you going to do when this is all over, Shaun?” Shaun went silent, as his mind began to think...

What SHOULD I do once this is all over? I don’t want my former life back... and because of W and my family I can’t go back home and take over my father’s business... what can I do?

”You should be a dance teacher!” Siabrey laughed, bouncing up and down again beside Lucius, who stared at her funny before mouthing towards Shaun, “She’s nuts.”

“No... actually I wasn’t thinking that,” Shaun said thoughtfully, “I actually think I’d like to be a guard.”

”A guard?!” Siabrey stopped her hyperactive bobbing, her voice incredulous. “A guard of what? A brothel? Are you... what... gonna give tips to incoming patrons?” she rolled her eyes, and Shaun held up his hand for quiet.

”No... hear me out. Now, you all know I was a thief... a very good one. Well, I know what thieves look for... why not the city watch?” Lucius breaks out into laughter, while Siabrey rolls her eyes again.

”I’m sure you’ll be on watch... watching as you steal my money!” she quipped, before Elenya interrupted yet again.

”Shauny... actually, I know something you could do that would use your former skills. I am my father’s only child... and my uncle has no heirs. Likely one day I will inherit both the magic shop and the tavern... if you could run the tavern, honey...” Shaun laughed.

”I could be an innkeeper!? Great!” he giggled. “And its not like any thief would be robbing inside my establishment! I’d be ready to kick them out with a swift kick of my boot! Huzzah!” he shouted in excitement, his leg in a mid-kick when he noticed the party staring at him, somewhat afraid. “Sorry,” he sat down quickly. “Um... what about you, Tess?” Shaun asked quickly, trying to divert attention.

“Um... well...” Tess began slowly.

“You could always live with me and Lucius!” Siabrey excitedly offered, “After all, you’re like a sister to me!”

”Um... no no no...” Tess quickly declined, “I... I wouldn’t want to intrude.” Good save Tess... can’t blurt out that they’re messing around like bunnies would annoy you to no end... “I think I would want to have my own concert hall... in Irulas or Iskeldrun or some big city like that. And there,” her hands began to wave gracefully in the air as unsounded music lifted in her head, “I will perform for adoring audiences and live in the lap of luxury for years upon years... Heaven knows I’ve earned it with you jokers.” The party laughed, before turning their attention the Lucius.

”Um... me?” he pointed at himself, and they nodded. “Well... I’ll likely be occupied for a while rebuilding Holstean...”

“Why not move your capital to Obash, or close to the desert, my love?” Siabrey suggested hopefully. I would sure enjoy it... and perhaps I could convert you to the ways of the desert as well... heh...yes... that could be fun... her mind darted about.

“No,” he said gently, bringing her daydream to a halt. “I can’t... the city of Holstean right now is in the center of all the iron, mithril, and precious metal mines at the southern end of the valley. Economics, love,” he ran a hand along her now downcast face. “However,” he added quietly, “I will build us a villa between Obash and Kardatic, where we can stay during the winter... and you can take flying lessons from your father...” his smile grew as he saw her eyes open wide in wonder. I have no clue how I’m going to pay for that, but I’ll find a way, Luke hid behind his smile.

”You... you would?” Siabrey stammered hopefully, before crushing him in an embrace when he nodded his head yes. He really loves me! Building a villa! In the desert! Her mind leaped in realization of the potentialities that this could prove. So his little statement before Obash was not a prank... it was something real! He does want to marry me! We’ll live together... in a peaceful place, and grow old side by side... with children...

Wait.... CHILDREN?

Siabrey’s daydream screamed to a crashing halt. Children... but they will have Ananias’ blood in their veins as well! They’ll run the trouble he has! Oh no... I could never do that!

The thought troubled her mind enough that later that night she sought out Tess privately to ask her for advice. When she explained her mental predicament, Tess merely laughed quietly, before whispering back, “So? The child will have a trickle of demon blood in him. They child will also have an ocean full of siabrie blood in him. It should make no difference, if you two raise the children properly,” the bard smiled. Siabrey relaxed, and thanked Tess... and her mind went back to the delayed daydream...

and children... how many? Two is too few... three? Four? Five is the most I could take, though I understand some nobles have seven or eight...