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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1467480" data-attributes="member: 15043">Siabrey’s Goodbyes and Farewells“Mmmm,” Siabrey pulled hard at the pillow her fingers had clawed around, but it wouldn’t budge, and the rays of morning glory continued to spill into her eyes.  She tugs harder, hoping whatever is holding it down will be weaker, and as she gives a mighty heave, the pillow flies out, and she nearly rolls off the bed.  Grunting, she pulled it over her head tightly, her sleepy mind willing away the brightness.The light continued to burn through, by nooks and crannies between her feathery protection and her bed.  Her mind slowly awakened, and finally realized what the daylight meant, and pulled the pillow off with sad reluctance.  She slid a hand towards the other side of the bed, hoping to feel a warm body, which she hoped to cuddle with for just a few more minutes...“Mmm Luke?” her mind asked questioningly, her fingers finding a warm mattress where a body once was.  She heard a grunt, and she sat up, her tired eyes seeing Luke sitting on the edge of the bed, slowly donning his trousers.She rubbed her eyes, and quickly pulled off the strange couplet of covers twisted over her, and slid beside him, hugging him tight.“Luke,” she whispered in his ear, “Please... I don’t want you to go.”  Her eyes were dry... from the last few days, she wasn’t sure if she had many tears left.  “I don’t want to go either... but I have to,” she said back softly.  “I’d much rather stay with the new Countess, and try to produce an heir,” he laughed softly, trying to humor her.  “Oh... so I’m a baby mill?  You put in one part noble, and after my waterwheel grinds away, babies appear in sacks, neatly stacked by the door?” she raised an eyebrow, causing him to laugh. He’s trying to humor me... he’s as scared as I am The two kissed deeply, sharply, with enough passion that Siabrey lost her breath momentarily.“No,” he said finally, grinning.  “There’s also the part where this baby mill is the most beautiful of its kind.  It doesn’t need to produce babies to make me happy,” he hugged her again, and two whispered sweet nothings and quiet jokes into each other’s ear, until Siabrey’s nascent and growing concern finally rose to the fore.“Luke,” she pulled away from him, her eyes now serious, “can you make me a promise?”  He nodded her head, and she looked him deeply in the eyes.  “Luke?  Promise me you’ll stay off the front lines... promise me you won’t be reckless.”  I know you... you are like me.  You will jump to the front with no regard for yourself... that’s MY job... don’t do it...“I... I can’t promise that, Siabrey... I’m the commander, I might have to... even if I don’t want to,” he said softly.  She looked in his eyes and could see the fear playing deep inside them.  Pulling him close, she buried her head in his shoulder.“Luke... please?” she spoke into his shoulder and chest, “Please don’t?  I don’t want to lose you....”“Siabrey, I can’t promise that,” he said again, and he felt a slight shudder go through her body.  Sensing correctly she would soon start crying, he pulled away from her slightly.  “Listen.... sshh... listen hon,” he whispered softly, “I have forty thousand blades backing me... don’t worry.  Indeed, it should be I that should be worrying about you.”“No you shouldn’t,” Siabrey countered with a whisper, “my blades are experienced, many of yours are not.”“I have more.”“Mine are more experienced.”“My point is,” Luke said, resisting the strange urge to chuckle a little at the disagreement over who should worry about whom, “I’ll be fine.  Don’t worry about me.  Besides... I have a huge silver dragon watching me.  You don’t,” he smiled.“Luke... I love you too much to see something happen to you.... promise me you’ll be careful,” Siabrey asked, and he nodded.“I will.  And besides, we have the books Xanny found for us, so we can still keep in contact for the next few weeks or however long we’re separated...”Not long, love, Siabrey thought, her mind actively considering again the plan to find the idols, ditch them in Irulas and make a beeline towards Luke’s army... or destroy them herself, and then ignore Irulas altogether...“Promise me you’ll write,” she said, another reservoir of tears rising to the surface.  He saw this, and as he nodded, he pulled her close and hugged her as tight as he could, trying to smother her fears.   Thank you, Luke Siabrey thought as a twin tears coursed down her cheeks, before she pulled his head towards her and began to kiss him.It was deep enough and emotional enough that under other, happier circumstances, it would have resulted in a nice, long delay for Siabrey... but not now.  Gently he pushed her away, brushing his hand through her hair.  “You need to get dressed... its time,” he said remorsefully, and she nodded.  He helped her don her undergarments and armor, before their lips touched for one last time... a kiss that lingered as she started to pull away, but was drawn back.  Finally, he gently pushed her away, his eyes giving her the message, Please, Siabrey... you must go.As she opened the door to the small bedroom, she heard his voice behind her, starting to crack as his own strength and reserve waned.“Wing safe, my love.”Immediately after leaving her husband, Siabrey decided she had to do something, regardless whether it might make her late or delay the teleportation of the group... and she stormed over towards the Imperial Library, rushing through the place as a female wolf hunting her prey... until she spotted Xanadu, his form bent over a book clearly about demons from its cover.  She marched up to him, and unceremoniously slammed her hand down in the middle of the page he was reading, the loud crack echoing in the halls.“Xanadu,” her voice rumbled, icy command dripping from it, “You will watch Lucius.  And if anything happens to Lucius while you are guarding him...”  You are to take my place!  My blade cannot watch him, so your teeth shall!  And if you fail, I will hold you for it!  If you fail... I.... I fail...“Hello to you too,” the half elf replied slowly, his face gradually turning to hers.  Siabrey’s racing mind was nearing its breaking point, and swiftly fell into an alternate tack.“Xanny,” she sank to her knees beside him, “Please... for the love of all that his holy, keep Lucius from the front lines!  Don’t let him be reckless!”  Don’t let him be like I would be!“I can’t stop him,” Xanadu said, “he’s the army commander... technically he outranks me!  And sometimes,” his voice grew darker, “desperate times... the army may need someone to lead from the front...”“Besides,” the dragon added, “you’re reckless.  He just takes after you, and he’ll end up as fine as you.”But I don’t want him to be reckless!  If he fell...”Xanny?  Please?” tears were once again coursing down Siabrey’s cheeks.  She had fought to stay strong when Luke was around... no such prerogative existed here.The dragon looked deeply into her eyes, and sighed, carefully taking her head into his hands.  “I’ll try my best, Red Eyes,” he said quietly, “but I can’t promise everything.”“Fight as a dragon, will you?” Siabrey asked.  Then he’ll be safe... just as safe as if I was by his side... “I don’...” Xanadu began, before he saw her tearing up even faster, and his heart grew heavy.  “Fine.  I’ll fight as a dragon.  But you must remain safe in return... you’re in far more danger than he is.”“No I’m not!” Siabrey shuddered, her voice quivering.  Protect him, Xanny!It was then Xanadu finally realized how much of a nervous wreck Siabrey was becoming... and he carefully told her, “Do not worry.  I won’t let anything happen to him... by my life.  Now,” he said, pulling her to her feet, “I believe you have a teleportation chamber to visit.”</blockquote>

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