Session+37


 * 1-11-14** **The Many Shadowy Curses of Shar, Blessings of Passion, and Old Friends and Family in Waterdeep**

We walk down the stairway of the cliff facing Waterdeep as we take in the sight of the enormous city. We can see the fortress carved into the mountain, the residence of Lord Peregrine... the only open lord of the city. There is a secret council of Masked Lords who also make decisions within the city, but no one really knows who they are... they keep their identities hidden so that they may serve the people without political bribing and influence. There is a rumor that the famous archmage, Blackstaff, is a member of the council, but he will neither confirm nor deny it. The mountain is enormous and the only mountain in the area... we can see little specks fly around it in the distance... the gryphon riders. The harbor is vast with large gates... great chains go deep in the water... designed to lock up the harbor so that no ships can go in or out in times of war. Yuki tells us that the water is very deep and mermen work there guarding and maintaining the chains, "But Axton can tell you more about that..." The handsome red-haired priest at her side nodded, "I used to live on the docks when I was a young lad. I saw them frequently. Their city is at least 100 feet below the surface of the water. They have some sort of agreement with the lords of the city and they watch the ships that come and go and keep the harbor clean." Yuki tells us that the massive 100ft paired statues that line the archways up to the city can be brought to life to guard the city when necessary. Unlike the smell of the sea in Lyrabar, here we can smell the sweet scent of the open ocean. The city has several sections, divided into "Wards". The Castle Ward. The City of the Dead - where all of the graveyards are located. The Dock Ward. The Mist Shore - a naval harbor where Sahogan, a race of fish-men, once burned several areas - it's now the home of outcasts and criminals. The North Ward - home of nobility and their villas. The Sea Ward - the wealthiest of the wards - home of the temples, new money, and retired adventurers. Amynta points up to an area there, "Oh, my house is over there!" The South Ward - home of caravans and traders. The Trades Ward - Commercial section with shops of all types. Yuki leads us cheerfully through the streets toward her home with Amynta generously offering for all of us to stay in her home, "No offense... but your house is kind of small. It would be a rather tight fit for all of us to stay over there." "Oh... well... Yeah!" Yuki nodded to her slowly and then smiling at all of us and nodding, "Amynta's house is the best!" "It's my parents home... but they wont mind at all. My mom would love to meet you all!" Amynta smiled happily, slipping an arm around Dominic who sort of gulped nervously and quietly took inventory of his alchemy flasks he had on him. The city was vast, crowded, and overwhelmingly human to the elves of the group. Nature almost doesn't exist with the exception of the rare and occasional tree and the gardens around some of the homes. Tyrian warily eyed the little urchins clustering around in the streets eyeing our pockets and pouches. Axton pointed out the ones who would be more trouble than the others. Yuki laughed softly, "He used to be one..." "Shush you!" He pointed a finger at her, "A man has to eat... we can't all have comfy... estates." He glanced back at Amynta. Continuing on through the merchant district we walk down a tucked away quiet little street lined with trees. It's cold out with a saturating misty rain. Erevin nodded toward the trees, "Oh look... they have a token tree to show the children." Wren laughed beside him, relieved to be in a slightly quieter place. "Erevin!" Yuki chided him and then continued pointing out little spots with childhood memories. We come to a little picket fence surrounding a modest yard where it looks like a garden likely grows in the spring. Yuki slammed open the fence and ran up the walkway, throwing open the door, "Mother! Father! I'm home!" Avidon Ashdown came from another room in surprise, "Yuki?" She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly, "Father! I'm home! I'm home!" She twirled out and twirled back in, hugging him again! "I've brought friends!" "I ... I see!" He looked around in surprise at the gathering group in their cozy little common room with shelves of books and little knitted decor. Erevin nodded on his way in, taking up the poker and stirring the fire. Yuki linked her arm into his, "This is Erevin! ... and this is Wren!" she twirled over to the raven-haired elven woman, "She's my very best friend!" she leaned in and whispered, "She's a witch!" Rue, Ori, and Amynta chimed in together in protest at this declaration of best friendness, "Hey!!" "Witch friend! Very best new witch friend!" Yuki tried to correct her words to calm the trio. Avidon hugged the three human girls, "You've all grown up so much! Especially you, Amynta!" He rummaged around in a box, "I'm sorry I don't have gifts for all of you... but I have my new book." He offered them each a copy of his new romance novel, //The Knight Errant and The Shepherdess//. Yuki snatched her copy and quickly turned to the back to see the end. Avidon shook Axton's hand, "Good to see you again, my boy!" "Sir," Axton bowed his head slightly with a respectful greeting. Yuki introduced Tyrian next and Avidon wiped his hands, "My lord!" he bowed to him offering us wine and cheese. Erevin offered to take everyone out to dinner, but Avidon thanked him and said that his wife was not well enough to go out. He nodded to Yuki, "But I'm sure she'd like to see you." The company would know that Yuki's mother had been frail for a very long time. She had struggled through a long string of horrific miscarriages before finally giving birth to Yuki and her twin sister, Mayu. Erevin turned to Dominic, "Is there anything you can do for her? If only for the night?" "I don't know..." he shook his head, "I'd have to see her." Yuki and Dominic went in to see her mother together. Several lamps were lit around the bed where Elisabetta laid sleeping. Shadows scattered away from the bed as they stepped into the room. Yuki knelt beside the bed, greeting her mother who was happy to see her. Concerned, Yuki cast true seeing on herself and looked over her mother to see her wrapped in chains of shadow that pulled on her and held her aloft from the bed. A shiver ran through her, "Dominic... get Axton. Now." She clutched onto Axton's sleeve, twisting the fabric nervously in her hand, and whispered, "She is... completely covered in chains of shadow and loss. True seeing, Axton... There are chains wrapped around her everywhere, tearing her apart. How do I fight that?!" Axton also casts true seeing, but he is unable to see it. Trusting her words, he rains down a line of spells over Elisabetta... healing, dispel magic, remove curse, remove disease... she perks up a little, with the chains loosening slightly, but remaining on her, "Oh my! What was that all about?" Yuki shook her head, "Mom... I'm just seeing things that are really scary, and I'm trying to fix it. I'm sorry." Her mother nodded her head, frowning, "Mmm..." She turned to look at Axton, "Alex? Is that you?" Axton nodded to her, "I'm here." He stepped closer, laying a gentle hand on her head. Elisabetta nodded, smiling, "And you're with my Yuki." "Well yeah!" Yuki nodded and beamed proudly, "He's my boyfriend! My very first one!!" Elisabetta smiled, "You remember him then?" Her eyes glisten slightly with tears. "No..." Yuki shook her head, "...not really..." "Hey!" Axton nudged her. Yuki smiled at him, "But I know the stories... and I'm beginning to remember things... bits and pieces...like...Mayu." At the mention of her other daughter, Elisabetta begins to sob. Yuki hugs her tightly, "No, no, don't cry! Please don't cry!" "How can you ever forgive me?" "There's nothing to forgive!" Her mother cups Yuki's cheek and chin in her hand and stares into her eyes, "You're so beautiful... Can you ever forgive me?" Yuki rests gently against her mother's hand, shaking her head, "There's nothing to forgive... though I don't really understand what happened... except that I was sad and you stopped it... H...How did you stop it?" "I didn't," Elisabetta shook her head, "You just forgot." "How could I just forget?" "I don't know... you just suddenly forgot one day... and this is all my fault." Yuki faltered, looking at her confused, "What? ...Your... what... what part is your fault?" The frail woman looked away, not meeting her daughter's gaze, "I... wanted children... so badly." Yuki shook her head, "You had them. Sune blessed you." "When I had those miscarriages when I tried to have children before you... There's something wrong with me... so they didn't survive... I was so sad... I wanted to give your father children... you understand that's..." "Of course, It's okay... don't stress yourself. This is nothing to be sorry about." "...but I couldn't." "But then Sune blessed you and you could... right?" Elisabetta looked away again, "A man came to me... a priest of Shar." "...what? ...a...priest of Shar?" She nodded, "In my loss and grief... he said that he could help me and that I could have children." "To... soothe your soul?" Yuki glanced from her mother back to Axton who seemed as surprised as she was by this story, and she continued, turning back to her mother, "but you didn't believe him... did you?" "Not at first... but after several more tries... and I lost another. He came to me again... and I accepted." Yuki exhaled...slowly, "I see." "And then I had you and Mayu... the perfect daughters. ...if only I had known," Elisabetta sobbed again. Yuki hugged onto her, "Known what? ...known what?" "The price... Oh, Sune, the price..." "Mayu's death was an accident! Not the result of this..." Elisabetta shook her head, "I know it looked like an accident. but I just know that Shar had something to do with it... That 'that man' had something to do with it..." "Did that man have a name?" "He was known as The Harbinger." "Right..." Yuki sighed sadly... "I just believe it in my soul... I just didn't know... My sweet little Mayu... My poor Yuki." Yuki hugged her tightly, whispering encouragingly in her ear, "I can get Mayu back... not now but soon... but I can get her back." Elisabetta gasped sharply as the chains tightened suddenly around her and she fell limply back into the bed. A whispering feminine voice came into Yuki's mind, "She's mine." Yuki frantically looked her mother over to find that she was breathing. Still alive, just unconscious. "The chains have re-tightened. It's Shar, Axton!" He nodded beside her, balling a fist, "Somehow I'm not surprised... That bastard!" Yuki sighed, feeling helpless, "How do I get rid of it?" "I don't know... I can't see it. Since they've had the high priests and priestesses here, I'm guessing they can't see it either." "So why can I see it?" "Maybe because you're of her blood or touched by Shar in some way... Maybe because Harbinger has taken an interest in you... Shar has taken an interest in you... maybe she's just taunting you." "Duh! Of course she's taunting me! Didn't you hear what she just said?!" "I didn't hear anything." "Oh... er...well she said that Mayu is still hers." Yuki looked determined, "But ...I'm going to get her back." He nodded to her, "Maybe you should stay here with your parents tonight... I'm sure they would like the time with you." She nodded, "And I'll go to see the high priestess in the morning... ask about my ribbon and the books..." She looked up at him and took him over near the door, away from her mother, "Like why do you have a priestess book?! You're a priest!" He leaned in close to her, whispering, "I stole it." Yuki gasped and looked at him in awe, "You didn't! You... you STOLE one?! How could you do that? You're a priest of Sune." "Yes, that gave me easy access to them." "Axton!" "When the high priestess gave you the book... I just figured that way I'd be able to talk to you..." "Spy!" "Spy is an ugly word..." Yuki walked out of the bedroom with Axton following her, continuing on, "If Sune wouldn't have wanted it to work then it wouldn't work!" A point Yuki found hard to argue against. Yuki lets everyone know that she's staying with her parents, assuring Erevin and the others that everything was fine for now, but they would talk soon. Tyrian laid a soft hand on her shoulder, his blue eyes staring into hers with concern, "Are you alright?" Yuki looked up into his handsome elven face surprised then melting dreamily, "It's definitely getting better..." Axton elbowed her from the side! She blinked coming back to reality, "Oh! Sorry!" She turned back to Tyrian, "Actually... tomorrow... maybe we can spend some time together... Tomorrow? You had dealings with The Harbinger of Shar before..." He would know...how they'd fought him then. "That bastard!" Tyrian growled. She agrees to meet with him at the temple of Sune in the morning. Erevin stirs the fire and nods to Yuki as she looks over at him, "It seems we were just in time then." She sighed softly coming closer to him as he returned the poker to it's proper place. Wren was standing beside him and nodded to Yuki coming over, "You want me to make you some tea?" Erevin turned to Wren, speaking in elven, "Easy! What... you get next to a fire and you just can't help yourself?" Wren turned back to him, speaking in elven, "Hey! Not THAT kind of tea! I know how to make other teas, you know!" Avidon and Yuki watched their strong elven exchange and Yuki just smiled, it was good to know elven. Wren glanced around the seemingly happy home where everything was almost too warm, quaint, and cheerful... whispers echoed in her ears, Lies and deceit... The shadows of the room moved a little oddly. Creepy. Axton offered to stay with Yuki, and she thanked him but told him that they didn't have a guest room and she would be fine... "Could you do me a favor and arrange a meeting with High Priestess Heartwood in the morning though?" He nodded to her, "Of course... and you won't go mentioning anything about the book to her right? Don't rat me out, Yuki... I know where there are plenty of scrub brushes and I'm not afraid to make you use them." For the first time since she came out of her mother's room a smile spread over Yuki's face. After saying their farewells to Avidon, Yuki and Axton walked their friends out while Yuki quietly explained that her mother was wrapped and bound in chains of shadow. Erevin's eyes narrowed, "That bastard!" Axton stood next to Yuki nodding in agreement with Erevin. "Technically it would be 'that bitch' since it's Shar we're talking about..." Yuki nodded to him. "And likely her servant..." Wren nodded to Yuki and laid a soft hand on her shoulder. A strange tingle crossed over Wren's lips and she laid her hand over them for a moment. Yuki asked for them to look into some elven magics that might help dispel the shadows squeezing her mother to death... "Perhaps Tyrian?" Hearing his name, he came over to join their conversation and he told us about the sun stone in his kingdom that controlled the mythal. Warm and bright like the sun. "It is said that it banishes all shadow." We make a plan to take Elisabetta back through the portal to Sanctuary to use Destiny to get her to the Crystal Palace in the north. Tyrian smiled at her, "I would be glad to help your mother and to show you my kingdom, Ara...Miss ... Ashdown." She smiled up at him, moved by his kindness, "Thank you, T...Tyrian." She sighed a little wistfully as he walked away, "He's very sweet... and very cute. Arabelle loved him very much..." She worried for his heart. Wren laughed softly and nodded, "Are you sure you'll be alright here by yourself?" "It's my home. I'll be fine." Erevin peered at her, "Who else is staying here with you?" "My dad... My mom..." "Pick someone else... perhaps Axton?" Axton nodded to him, "I asked..." Yuki looked back and forth between them, "...but..." Axton smiled at her and nodded, "I'll stay. I'll sleep on the couch." She smiled gratefully up at him and then tilted her head, "But my dad has books on the couch..." "Well then maybe I'll read a few." "Ooh?!..." Yuki's eyes widened, knowing the kinds of books her father wrote and kept on their couch, "...o...Okay." Axton nodded to Erevin, "I'll watch out for her." Yuki and Axton watched the group walk away with the sun setting and as they walked by the still, black pond... thin ice partially covered over the surface... a leafless tree standing beside it. Erevin looked over the quaint little area, imagining children swinging on a rope off of the tree out to splash into the pond. Wren glanced into the very dark water and it sent a chill through her, backing her up to the other side of Kale to snuggle up closer to him, "We're not playing in that." She shook her head firmly. He wrapped a comforting arm around her as they continued by it. Yuki stood beside Axton taking note of Wren's extra wariness, "Is that the place?" Axton nodded to her and Yuki's brow furrowed...thoughtfully, as if trying to remember... Yuki's father doted on her like he always did, happy to have her home... His eyes often strayed to the mantle, the one embroidered with the letters "A.V.", on her shoulders but as he wasn't saying anything, she flaunted it, fanning it out a little more. Still nothing. The three of them chat, Axton and Avidon seem to genuinely like each other and are chummy. Amynta takes everyone else through the Sea District past many many temples to several gods up to her home. Rue, Ori, and Amynta tell us stories about Yuki and their childhood. She was always a little clumsy and the last one to grow boobs. Stylized statues of hawks and a lovely garden lead up to Amynta's family home. Around the estate there are lots of flowers and plants growing in the middle of winter. Beautiful gardens and fountains and everything smells so alive. The inside is much like the outside with several planters of flowers and potted plants in every room. The cold and wet from the outside is completely dispelled on the inside with lots of cozy fires. The elves and the druidess seem much more content here. A large man with almost a hawk like face spreads his arms wide as he enters the room to receive a bouncing Amynta running up to him, "Daddy!" He smiled, "My little flower has returned. And you've brought friends." He set her down and came over to greet all of us, saying that Amynta had mentioned us in her letters. He introduces himself as Tesper Hawkwinter, and he slowly guessed who most of us were by Amynta's stories. Rue leaned closer to Wren, "They're one of the many noble families here in Waterdeep... there are about 30 of them." Erevin took note of his sword calloused hands and caught the slightest hint of the scent of leather and sword oil on him... more than meets the eye. He's very welcoming and has the servants prepare a meal for us. As we look at all of the planters of plants, Erevin peers at Tesper, "If I may ask... who is your gardener?" "Oh, that would be my wife, Vivenne... she has a bit of a knack for it." "It seems more than a knack..." "Come and I'll introduce you." "It would be an honor," Erevin nodded to him and glanced over to the red-haired halfling, "Mali pay attention... you may learn something here." The estate was large and beautiful with wide open rooms and paintings on the walls of family lineage. A lovely human woman with earthy toned skin and dark hair with a few strands of green in it. Full and ripe, it's easy to see where Amynta gets her beauty. She is delighted to see her daughter home and as she looks around at all of her guests, she turns to Tesper, "You have the servants cooking?" "Yes, my wife." "Very well then, why don't you gentlemen retire to the brandy room while I chat with the ladies?"

Wood paneled manly room with a bar and a strange rectangle table covered in green felt with a wooden triangle surrounding several spherical balls. Erevin raised an eyebrow, "What an odd decoration..." "Oh no, this is a sport, my young elf..." Tesper got down some sticks to show him how the human game of pool was played. After a brief exchange between Erevin and Tyrian never hearing of such a game before, Dominic spoke up, "I've heard of it." Tesper turned to the alchemist, "Oh have you?" Tesper went on to explain the game, shooting a ball into a pocket, "It is a popular game here in Waterdeep... perhaps it hasn't made it that far east." Freely unmasked far away from Lyrabar, Dominic and Tesper played the game. Erevin watching in amusement as Dominic subtly played out that he'd never actually played and doesn't know much about it when in fact he obviously does. There is a back and forth exchange as Tesper sets up challenging plays for him, certain that the young man knows more than he leads on. Kale watched them with interest, learning the game, while Tyrian looked around at the books and paintings in the room. Vivenne talked with Amynta and the girls. She seems delighted to have elves among them and she offered to Wren to introduce them to the few that they know here in Waterdeep. She walked over to one of her plants, brushing her fingers over one of the orchids and it reached toward her, blooming to perfection as they all watched in awe, and she plucked it and placed it in Wren's hair, "For your handsome man... I couldn't help but notice the way he looks at you." Wren smiled and bowed to her, "Thank you, my lady. It is quite beautiful. We are very much in love." Vivenne looked over Wren again, leaning in close and closing her eyes for a moment, "You've been touched by my sister..." "Who is your sister?" She smiled, "I smell fire and passion on you." Wren laughed softly, assuming that this would have to do with that fiery feeling that always seemed to come with Magda's presence, "Indeed. It was her and her husband who allowed us to use their portal to come here." "I haven't seen her in awhile... If you're going back, please tell her to come and visit." "I will do so. I hadn't realized you were her sister..." Wren looked her over again seeing no family resemblance, but breathed in the feel of earth and nature magic on her. A knock on the brandy room door was followed by the entry of an elf named Eliath. Handsome with a sinuous grace. He takes to a knee, "Lord Tyrian... I didn't believe my agents when they told me that the prince was here without a bodyguard. ... and Lord Erevin? You have a resemblance to your mother... she came through the city once and I never forget a face. You both should be more careful coming through the city... there are those who have no love for the elves." Planning a stop in to see this elf himself, Erevin was pleasantly surprised by his presence, "I shall be more careful then." "You need not worry. I've seen to it that you will be well taken care of." Erevin clasped his arm warmly. "It is good to see you both... I haven't seen you in years, my prince..." Eliath nodded to Tyrian and turned to Erevin, "and I have only met your mother. I hear you have a sister as well... I would have liked to have met her as well. I hear that she is quite lovely." "With a temper to match," Erevin nodded, "Again you are quite well informed. It is an honor to meet you, Eliath... you have done too much to say for The People... thank you." "I appreciate that. You and your mother have done a lot for us as well. Many of the elves who wished to return have found a good place to stay in Myth Coramanth. You've become a well respected enclave of The People. Your mother is greatly regarded by the Queen... due to no part of such events that we don't really need to talk about in Evermeet... She who needs not be named." "Ever again," Erevin nodded. "If you have need of anything while you're here in the city..." Erevin nodded, "The Snake is it?" "The Serpent... it is what they call me here in the city. In fact..." he glanced to Erevin's moonblade and raised an eyebrow, "A moonblade... and that's not your mother's." "Thank goodness!" Eliath nodded, "Otherwise I'd have to give you my condolences." "Actually... you might be able to do me a favor," Erevin nodded to him, "It is called the Winter Star." "A family from Myth Coramanth... he died defending the city from demons before the city moved," Eliath nodded, "A potent blade. Supposedly it contains the essence of winter." "It was a gift from a bane lord..." "I believe it hates demons as well... though it was one of the last runes acquired so you may have not opened that yet... something about freezing their corrupted souls." Erevin nodded and thanked him. "I also have a favor to ask of you, perhaps tomorrow?" "For Eliath... anything." Eliath leaned in closer, "You could bring some of your companions, but... perhaps not the lord prince?" Erevin nodded to him, "Of course." "Excellent." Eliath introduced himself to Kale as well, "It is good to meet you as well, though I am unfamiliar with the family name of Verdigris (in this case pronounced vair-di-gree) though it is encouraging to see a warrior such as yourself traveling with the two princes." Kale nodded to him, "I guard them with my life, my lord." Erevin nodded, "Kale is a stout member of The People. He has done us nothing but proud." Eliath nodded, "Very well." He sticks around for awhile socializing with the men. Erevin makes plans to meet with him at the Pavilion the next day... Eliath's place and the passing point of the elves from Evermeet and the rest of the world. Rumors of shady dealings and a ruthless nature linger around Eliath, though he is known as a great benefactor to The People. Vivenne invites us all to a party at the Hawkwinter estate tomorrow evening and we all share a grand dinner and many stories about Amynta, her childhood, and her adventures. Wren talks up the event where Amynta controlled the earth golemn, saving her and Yuki. Yuki throws her arms up in the air, "I can't take it anymore! Tell me!" Avidon blinked at his daughter, "Tell you what?" "This!" Yuki held out her mantle toward him, "'A.V.' Arabelle Valentine! How did you get 'this'?! My friends think you're a cross-dresser! I really don't think that's what you want them to think..." He laid a hand on hers and said seriously, "I am not a cross-dresser... no... no, no, no... no." He holds up his manly shirt without a hint of lace or anything. Yuki sighs with relief, "Oh thank the goddess! I was starting to wonder if you were some kind of pervert and I really didn't want to think that..." "One of my old traveling companions..." Yuki interrupted him excitedly, "Raven?" He nodded, "Do... you know her? ...was that her daughter? Wren?" Yuki nodded happily, "Wren is wonderful! Though her mom does really scary things and... well... potentially could be possessed by a scary tentacled monster some time in the future but THAT we're trying to prevent! But that's neither here nor there... Wren is wonderful!" She leaned in and whispered excitedly, "She's dating Kale and it's my fault! Matchmaking!" She beamed gleefully! "But anyway... Mantle!" Yuki held it out again. "Well... one night Raven came to me wearing that mantle..." "...er?!" "...'Nothing'...but that mantle..." Shocked, Yuki gasped, "Y...You perverts!" Avidon held up his hands defensively, "I did not do anything! Did NOT 'DO' ANYTHING. I loved only your mother. I fended off her advances..." Yuki's eyes grew wider and wider, welling up with tears. "You don't believe me!" "I... I've seen Wren in action! This is her mother! She's had like hundreds of years of experience on Wren... SEDUCTION experience!" "It's just the way that she was..." he tried to calm his daughter, "She was very 'flirty'. Anyway... she gave me the mantle." "And wore nothing else!" "And I shooed her away..." "Priestess of Sune, Dad!" "It wasn't like that! It was before I was dating your mother anyway!" Very embarrassed, but seemingly honest, "She had picked the mantle up from someone she had met about 100 years ago before we all met... and she has... well I don't know what the witches call it, but some kind of 'foresight' thing... and she told me that I would have a daughter someday and that I should give it to you." "With the memory of her wearing nothing underneath it?" "She was just kind of like that..." Yuki nodded, matter-of-factly "Well... Wren is kind of like that too, so I guess I understand... I mean she's A LOT like that. She'll drop her clothes at the hint of a fire... I almost rarely see her wearing clothes actually..." "She was wearing clothes when she came in..." "That wouldn't have lasted long... there was a fire burning." Yuki reached out and patted her father's hand, "I believe you, Dad." "When we all left and went our separate ways it must have gotten left behind in the library. How'd you get it?" "Oh we went to the library and almost got killed by demonic blood-drinking flesh-eating books." "Have you really been adventuring? ...I want to hear all about it." Yuki clapped her hands together happily and began telling her father all about their adventures, conveniently glossing over her...multiple deaths. Axton listened, playfully correcting a few of her points here and there, teasing her the way he always did. The fire crackled as they sipped spiced cider into the night until Yuki, almost mid-sentence,...dropped off to sleep. Avidon carried her off to tuck her into her bed. Axton lingered in the doorway, looking over her as she snuggles in to sleep... Yuki slipped into a dream where she's in the baths in the Temple of Sune... Axton coming in without a towel. She ducked modestly beneath the water, holding her breath as long as she could only to come back up to find him sitting naked beside her, laughing and glorious. "Y...Y...You're in my bath..." she flustered. "Of course I am, I could hardly kiss you if I wasn't..." He kisses her, warm and inviting. Slipping down into the bath, she turns to see the handsome and very naked Prince Tyrian sitting next to her, sweetly nuzzling the side of her neck. She melted as Axton sat on her other side, the two men seducing her, "This must be some sort of d...dream... or some REALLY good tea..." Her leg is lifted out of the water in front of her as Harbinger emerges glistening from the pool to kiss the inside of her ankle. She tingled all over, the water, the baths felt so warm...so hot! Hands caressed her everywhere. Unable to fight a moment longer, Yuki embraced the dream, enjoying it! Her Virtue!! Wren slept and Magda's blessing of passion seeped into her dreams as well... She watched the clouds pass beneath her as she flew through the sky with great white wings. She curved her long sinuous neck to see Kale riding the currents beside her as a magnificent green dragon, his wing just touching hers. The two of them spiral together, claws clasping together to swoop up above the clouds to a black star-filled sky where they shift to elven form, Kale pulling her into his arms for a long passionate kiss as she wrapped him in her own warm embrace as they seemed to hang there in the air for a moment before starting to fall through the sky. Passing back through the clouds, entwined together, the passion between them growing more and more and more... until it felt like any moment they would hit the ground and Wren jerked awake beside Kale, panting and burning up with a deep passionate need... Erevin's dream takes him hunting in the woods... catching a glimpse of the ebon-skinned elf appearing in various shafts of moonlight as she wove through the trees... the most beautiful of prey. He tracked her soft laughter dancing through the forest leading him to a moonlit glade with a waterfall running behind a moss covered rock where she lies, reclined in the moonlight, with open arms, speaking in drow, "You've caught me, mighty hunter... now consume your prey." Erevin grinned, "You always make it so easy..." As he moved in to join her, Mari Moonsong came up out of the lake, water running over her naked skin, "Consume me as well..." Erevin looked at her with surprise, "It's a good thing I have a heavy appetite." A third voice came from behind him... Vivian Dulsaer walking with the sinuous grace Erevin suspected she really has... her ruby dress sliding off of her body to pool at her feet as she walked. All three women descending upon him at once as the hunter becomes the prey. He jerks awake, heart racing, sweat dripping off of him as the heat of passion pushed him with a desirable need. Shri was draped over him, talking in her sleep, "Oh... Oh Erevin! You naughty, naughty elf! They're all watching... I love it!" Yuki wakes up so hot, burning up, with a need that doesn't seem to go away, growing...hotter with each passing moment. Avidon is concerned with her flushed face but she reassures him she's fine and she heads out of her room, still in her bunny slippers and nightie, preparing to head to the Temple of Sune. In the doorway, she runs into Axton, their warm bodies colliding for a moment before he stepped back quickly, blushing, "Uh Yuki! Sorry! Sorry!" Drawn to him, she unconsciously took a step towards him. Unmoving, he swallowed looking down at her, whispering, "Yuki?" "Hmm?" She sort of dreamily looked up into his face, lingering closer, "Mmm it feels...better..." "Yuki..." Axton laid a soft hand on her shoulder, holding her close. "None of that!" Avidon came into the room, quickly separating them. "Oh... right!" Yuki nodded, flustered, realizing she was still in her nightie and slippers and ribboned herself into a shimmering cooling priestess robe. Axton watched her as each of her subconscious gestures seemed to be sexier than the last. His cheeks blushing pink as she rubbed ice cubes over her cheeks and neck, trying to cool her body, still burning up. The two headed into the temple... Everyone else arrived late with big smiles... except for Rue and Ori who also seemed to be uncomfortably warm and distracted... Amynta, however, seemed to be just fine. Posy, Uther, Mali, Ursus, and Thorn stayed behind at the Hawkwinter estate... sleeping in... or something. Wren frowned, seeing Yuki looking flushed, "Are you alright?" She placed a hand on her forehead and cheeks... Yuki was burning up. "Oh... Wren your hand feels really good..." Yuki closed her eyes and seemed to enjoy the contact, opening them again to see Erevin looking at her with concern, "And Erevin... you're looking very handsome today too." She inadvertently took a step towards him... The stunning fire-haired High Priestess came in and introduced herself as Rose Heartwood, "Welcome to the Temple of Sune." Yuki greeted the beautiful woman with a big hug and kissed both of her cheeks, and, suddenly, she seemed very distracted again. Tyrian stepped closer to her, laying a concerned hand on her forehead, "Are you sure you're alright?" Yuki sighed softly, melting into his hand. The high priestess looked her over and grumbled, "Not again. That woman!" Recognizing the mischief of Magdalena... she took Yuki's cheeks into her hands and kissed her forehead gently, placing a blessing of Sune upon her, relieving her from her becoming more desperate need and finally she felt cooler. "Oh... was I coming down with a fever?" "Yes, my dear, just starting to take hold, but the blessing of Sune has cured you." "I feel so much better!" Rose Heartwood muttered something about 'HER' under her breath and kissed Rue and Ori with blessings as well. Thick, ruby red wine and rose-scented candles. We sit and talk with the high priestess. Yuki held up her ribbon, "It's come to my attention that my ribbon once belonged to another priestess... Arabelle Valentine, who was the paramour of Lord Tyrian of Evermeet." She gestured towards the Prince of Evermeet before turning back to her High Priestess, "I was wondering how you came to have that ribbon... and why you gave it to me?" "One day... perhaps about 25 years ago when I was just a young priestess... I was communing with our goddess and asked her if there was anything I could do to serve her better... and the most miraculous thing happened! She answered yes and when I came out of the ecstasy of the magic, I found this ribbon and I heard her voice say that you will give this ribbon to one who is most precious to me. I was amazed, but didn't know who to give it to. Many years later, still keeping it with me... you visited me one evening as a young apprentice and the ribbon happened to be on the table and it moved... almost as though stretching out toward you... and I knew it was for you. ...I did some research on it to find that it was a very holy relic of our goddess said to be given only to the "Daughters of Sune"... I assume it was some kind of group... I tried to confer with Sune more about it but she told me to wait and that all would be revealed. After I gave the ribbon to you, I asked if I had done her will and she said yes... so I was happy. I trust that it's treated you well?" "Yes! Like I said ... before it came to me it belonged to Arabelle Valentine. She was a priestess who founded the temple in Lyrabar. What can you tell me about her?" "I would have to look in the archives... I do recall her name as one of the "Daughters of Sune". I have a listing of them." "Can you show it to me?" Yuki asked her excitedly. Erevin raised an eyebrow, "What is this "Daughters of Sune"? Is that a group of priestesses?" Rose nodded, "I assume it's an order of priestesses within the order. Though there only seems to be one at a time." Yuki nodded and asked her to verify another story she'd heard about one of Sune's daughters embarking on a search for epic love... giving up her divinity to walk the earth. One told to her...by The Harbinger of Shar... Rose nodded, "That's one of the parables told to the priestess's of Sune as a cautionary tale. 'Be careful what you wish for' kind of thing. Just a story." "My understanding is that this daughter is always reincarnated to walk the earth..." The High Priestess shook her head, "That would be awful! Never to be with Sune." Reincarnation is not the natural order of things. "...yes..." Yuki nodded, "But my understanding is that this time instead of being reincarnated as a whole... the soul was split into two beings... but the soul can not be put back together because one of these two people has died... Is true resurrection possible after 10 or 15 years?" "Certainly... but that is beyond my power. You would have to find a very powerful priest, which would be difficult because priests of that power are usually called to the heavens to serve their god personally." Desperate, Yuki asked softly, "I...Is there no one?" The high priestess thought for a long moment, "I know of a great library of knowledge called Candlekeep that lies several weeks from here... it is possible that they may have a scroll with such a spell on it. Though it would be risky... I believe I could cast it... and if Sune wills it, it could work. That spell also requires a very expensive offering to Sune." (A $5000 gp diamond.) "What if that soul were not just dead but in the hands of another goddess?" "One would have to free that soul from that goddess' domain first." Yuki sighed softly, "My...understanding is that the other half of the soul lies in the demesne of Shar." Rose gasped, "I'm sorry then... The Lady of Secrets does not give up 'hers' easily. I could not let you venture into her realm, that would be folly..." The High Priestess frowned, "Who is it that you speak of?" "My sister... Mayu." "So... you remember?" Yuki seemed surprised but continued, nodding, "Pieces. I don't know why I forgot... and neither does my mother." Yuki took a deep breath, "The second problem... It is my understanding that my mother approached the Lady of Loss in order to conceive us, Mayu and me. Yesterday, I saw her body as it truly is but....her spirit body was wrapped in chains of shadow and suspended above her bed... How do I combat that? How do I fight back against Shar and the shadows." "Joy... happiness... Light... Light casts out shadow." Yuki recalls the pink light against the shadow dragon and the light from Axton's hand dispelling the darkness of Harbinger. Erevin peered at Yuki, "So your mother struck a deal with Shar..." Yuki turned to him and nodded, "She was approached by the Avatar of Shar." Erevin nodded, "Harbinger... but she was rewarded with twins." Yuki nodded, "So perhaps it was Shar who split the soul..." "But to what end? For what purpose?" "Well if Mr. Harbinger's telling of the story is correct... then Sune's daughter went to Shar to gain humanity... Perhaps Shar was just calling in the chip? Collecting the soul that she claimed a thousand years ago?" "So the taking of your sister was payment?" "Partial payment?" Yuki suggested tentatively. Erevin nodded, "Then if we are to believe this tale... then that makes you the other half." Yuki nodded, "Yes... but...I don't want to make a big deal out of that." "Okay," Erevin assured her, "Then we won't... but in order to be fully paid, she'll want both halves." Yuki nodded, meaningfully, "Yes... Erevin, she'll want both halves... But I spoke with my goddess, communed with her... As we are now, we can never be whole... and the soul will never be as it was again." Erevin nodded, "So the cycle is at an end?" Yuki shook her head, "Not exactly, but things can never go back to what they used to be... I asked Sune where my sister was now and my goddess showed me... It's a horrible place." Erevin nodded, "Some time through the thousand years, we are to assume that Harbinger was one of the lovers?" "He was the first," Yuki nodded. "I wonder then... if you were meant for him... as payment. A reward from Shar." Yuki shook her head, "She doesn't seem the rewarding type... More the "dangle me and then take me away" type... He...wasn't always the Harbinger of Loss... He was mortal before... when he and Anauria were lovers... He was angry, Erevin. He said that I never remembered him... I kept reincarnating but I would never remember him or our love." Erevin nodded, "And his lady would keep it that way." "Of course she would!" Yuki nodded angrily, "She's a terrible woman... goddess... My family is so tied up in the world of loss. I'm sorry. I've only just realized this." Erevin shook his head, "You need not apologize to me. How do we come to this world of darkness?" Rose Heartwood interrupted, "It is my understanding that you could find a powerful priest of Shar... and they could open up a gate to go in... But it's a horrific place and not easy to get around unless you have a way to find what you seek... It is like an endless void. Darkness. Silence. Nothing." "Perhaps if I could only remember more..." Yuki pondered. Erevin nodded, "There has to be something else." "I need to remember Mayu. Maybe...she can guide me... Perhaps talk again to Mr. Harbinger... and hit the history books. Goddess how I hate history." Wren frowned, she had been standing silent watching the conversation thus far, "So... Harbinger told you this story... and that he was the first... and you think he still loves you?" Erevin turned to Wren, "I think that that love has become corrupt and lost." Yuki glanced apologetically to Tyrian and turned back to them, she spoke quietly but firmly, "I need to save him." "Save Harbinger?" She nodded. Erevin shook his head, "You've allowed him to guilt you." Yuki shook her head, "No... Arabelle felt the same way. I was inside her... she felt... responsible... and also... he's... I can save him." "From what exactly?" Wren turned to Yuki. "Loss." Yuki nodded. Rose nodded, "Perhaps there's something left in your soul that remembers... I'm certainly for rescuing your sister's soul. I knew your sister. She was certainly blessed of Sune. She would have become a priestess... She had a great love in her. For you and her parents and everything... Although I must caution you that when you speak of reuniting your souls... It is said that twins are born of one soul, but when they become twins and split... each metaphysically speaking... each half grows into it's own person... it's own soul." Yuki shook her head, "But what happens to the original soul... you could say that of every reincarnation... What does that mean?" Rose spoke gently, "I'm just saying that you and your sister are separate people... I would not want to ... mash that back together. You've led an extraordinary life... and so has she, though hers was cut tragically short." Erevin nodded, "So Shar's involvement has somehow corrupted the original magic." Yuki turned to him, "I think it was corrupted from the beginning, Erevin. Reincarnation is unnatural. So it's just one layer of corruption on top of another." "Workings of the gods have always been corrupt..." "You're in a temple, Erevin..." Yuki chided gently... "A temple that has doomed you to walk the earth." "To find love, Erevin... that's hardly a bad thing... and it wasn't the temple... or even Sune... it was 'Anauria's' own choosing." Rose Heartwood brought her a list of 50 beautiful names, starting with Anauria and ending with Arabelle... all of the women dying young and none of them baring children. Anauria is listed as the Heartwarder of Sune, Empire of Netherel... Erevin blinked, "Whoa whoa whoa... Netherel... the nethereese? In the waste?" Sorcerers from a thousand years ago... who now dwell in the desert of Anarok... some of them are worshipers of Shar, with the last of their floating cities escaping in the shadows before the fall... Once a lush and green land when the original goddess of magic, Mystral held sway. Sorcerers who were powerful enough would cut off the top of a mountain, turning it upside down to float as an enclave. Some say that one of the races they enslaved began to drain the land of it's fertility... so the desert lands grew a little more every year. Karsus, a powerful sorcerer, sought to rip the power of Mystral herself... all of the magic in the world into himself to crush this race... but Mystral seen that if he stole her power, he would not have her wisdom and the weave of magic would destroy the world so she killed herself in a sacrifice and all of the magic of the world vanished. Karsus turned to stone and the floating cities fell to the earth. Everything destroyed. The whole kingdom dying in a night... except for the one that slipped away. ...and whatever the race did to the lands, continued to grow... forming the desert of Anarok... but that was thousands of years ago. "Such are the bedtime stories of the Prince of Myth Coramanth..." "Your mother doesn't have much of a sense of humor, Erevin." Yuki shook her head. "My mother has a long list of enemies." "So Anauria died when the enclave with Karsus fell...I see." Yuki nodded sadly... The first. "Is there a way to remember these lives?" asked Yuki. Wren shook her head, "You wouldn't want to remember all of those lives... 50 lives!" Erevin nodded, "You wouldn't want to remember them all... all of the time... but perhaps to be able to remember moments... tap the remnants of the souls within... like the rings of a tree. The memories piled on top of each other... not touching... not overlapping... but concentric... if there's a way to reach in to one of the deeper rings." Yuki nodded, "It's just that... Mr. Harbinger has been there since the beginning... and he has all of those memories. I'd like to have them too." Rose nodded, "Perhaps visiting some of the places that they lived might trigger memories." Erevin shook his head, "You do not want to remember ALL of that... the lives and loved ones lost over 50 lives... it would be maddening." Yuki nodded, "I understand." But nothing about her manner seemed to suggest she was giving up the idea. "But to tap into one of the lives deep within... and talk to her... that might give us some answers... but how far back to go, I have no idea." "To the first one," Yuki nodded. "That would take powerful magic... probably more than Attalicus of Myth Coramanth... Perhaps someone in Evermeet or here on the surface world... Blackstaff maybe." Yuki nodded, "Rosche... or Silvermane..." Erevin nodded, "But it's powerful powerful magic... and there's no guarantee that she'll give it back... your life. It's all very experimental... what would you want to find out from her? What do you want to know? What would be the purpose of this?" "To undo the bargain with Shar... save Mr Harbinger." "That could eliminate you from existence," Erevin frowned. "Why?" "To go back in time to somehow undo this bargain?" Axton stepped in, "You're saying to fulfill the bargain that they made? So you're no longer obligated?" Yuki nodded, "To pay the cost. Or...fulfill the finding." (Anauria approached Shar... Give up her divinity for a human soul to find an epic, perfect love. Shar now has half that original soul in her possession with Mayu. If she were to claim Yuki's soul as well, she'd have the complete soul. Was this the cost?) Erevin nodded, "Or at least find out what the cost is." "The only person who I've talked to who seems to know... is Mr. Harbinger... and he's... angry." Erevin nodded, "He's broken." "Is that what that is?" Erevin nodded to her, "He's been alive for far too long. Too many reincarnations." "I can save him, Erevin." Yuki looked up at him, earnestly. A male whisper brushed Erevin's ears, "I can damn her, Erevin." Yuki nodded, "So perhaps we start by taking Tyrian up on his offer... travel to his kingdom with my mother where we can try the sunstone... and if that doesn't work... then I'll have to find something stronger." Tyrian nodded, "It certainly couldn't hurt. I can't think of anything stronger than ancient high elven magic." Erevin nodded to him in agreement, and then added gently to the high prince, "You may incur the wrath of the goddess of loss and shadow in doing so." Tyrian shook his head, "I incurred that wrath a long time ago when I fell in love with Arabelle..." He glanced towards Yuki. Erevin nodded, "Are you willing to risk your new kingdom for it?" Yuki looked at him worriedly, "That..." but before she could speak further... Tyrian looked from Yuki to Erevin, "I would risk everything for her." Yuki's eyes...widened... She couldn't help but remember the feelings flowing through Arabelle Valentine as she fought...the great black dragon in the snow, the beast she believed that had killed her beloved Tyrian... Erevin nodded to him, "Then I will follow you in this. We will see it done. Shar be damned." Tyrian looked to her with sparkling eyes... Yuki's heart raced as she looked back and forth between them, "R...Right... and somewhere in there we have to save the world and prevent that future from happening... and take on a goddess... in her realm." Erevin turned to Yuki, "It wont be the first time my family has done so." Yuki nodded to him, "That's encouraging!" "As the son of the woman who once did... let me remind you that gods do not soon forget." "Meep! ...right..." Yuki nodded. "We are hunted now for what she did. They are wrathful and powerful... and have the utmost of patience." "Not mine... she is very beautiful." "And Powerful." "Good because we'll need a powerful goddess on our side." "We do indeed."

"So..." Yuki nodded, "Is there anything you need? We have beautiful baths here..." Erevin raised an eyebrow, "What are you offering Yuki?" Memories of the passionate dream the night before came flooding back to Yuki, bringing her cheeks back to rosy. Three sets of hands pleasuring her. Rose grew alarmed and came over and kissed her forehead again, relieving Yuki with another blessing as the beautiful high priestess muttered, "Damn her..." under her breath. Amynta told Yuki about the party her parents were throwing that evening and Yuki got very excited as they chattered away about how they used to hide under the tables and try to guess who the people were by their shoes. Erevin nodded, "We used to spy from the balcony when I was a boy. I understand." Amynta nodded, "But now we're all grown up! Full priestesses of Sune! We'll talk to them like adults! Surely they'll respect us!" "That remains to be seen..." Erevin mumbled quietly. "Erevin!" Yuki scolded him. "Sorry!" he turned to her quickly, "That was out loud, wasn't it?" "Certainly they can have nothing but respect for you, Lady Hawkwinter," Dominic put an arm around Amynta who leaned into him happily. Erevin shook his head. Yuki looked around at everyone... more than just Dominic and Amynta... all of the couples seemed extra close today... She glanced at Axton who was still looking rather flushed. Wren looked at Yuki, "Maybe you should kiss Axton and do the little bless thing... He's looking a bit flushed too." "Oh!" Yuki nodded, "I can do that!" Axton nodded to her, "Yes, that would be alright." As Yuki leaned in to kiss him on the forehead, he embraced her face in his hands, pulling her in for a full kiss on the lips... the blessing still flowing into him. Yuki blinked, glancing at the High Priestess of Sune, standing inches away. Exclusive relationships between the priests and priestesses of Sune were strictly forbidden and he was giving them away! "Oh... er...Mmmm..." Axton nodded to her, relieved by the blessing, "Thank you, that's much better." Yuki's cheeks blushed pink and the high priestess kissed her forehead again. Erevin blinked looking back and forth at them, "That's catchy!" Yuki sighed, "Yeah..." A flustered Yuki looked over to Wren, "We need to talk..." Wren nodded, "It's long overdue." Amynta, Ori, and Dominic head back to the Hawkwinter estate to prepare for the party. Erevin, Shri, and Tyrian headed off to go shopping while Yuki took Wren, Kale, Axton, and Rue with her to go and see Hana at her family's textile shop, Wool and Webb... explaining to Rue on the way there that William has been neglecting his family to date some girl. "WHAT?! That is so LOW! He always goes for the losers!" Yuki nodded, "I think he might marry this one..." "WHAT?!" "So we're going to go put a stop to it!" "Can we punch him?" "Yes, lots!" Yuki nodded. As they pass by the black pond on their way, Wren shivers as the pond almost seems to whisper hauntingly at her. She snuggled in closer to Kale, "I don't know what happened there... but I really don't like that pond." Yuki glanced over at the pond and then to Wren, "...my sister died in that pond." Wren was frozen in place, staring at the water where she could almost see a face looking back at her through the thin layer of ice... Wren's eyes grew wider and wider. Kale put his arm around her guiding her more firmly, "Come on, baby, we're walking this way..." Wren shivered against him and let him lead her away. Yuki assured the others that Rue punches William a lot and he calls her names... it's all very normal and part of their relationship. A young woman working away at the counter spoke as she heard the chime of the door's bells, "Hello and welcome to the Wool and Webb. I'm Hana." She looked up and smiled brightly, "Yuki!" Yuki embraced her warmly, hugging her close, and felt that the young woman was quite thinner than before, "Hana, you haven't been eating!" "Who has time for eating?" "You should! You're skin and bones!" "Running a shop isn't easy..." "Where's your mom? Where's your dad?" "Mother's been sick all the time and Father has to do all the traveling to get the cloth from the south, so I'm in charge of the shop half of the time since stupid William is off screwing around with his..." "WHAT?!" Rue's eyes narrowed! "Okay... well we're here to save the day!" Yuki patted her friend's shoulders, reassuringly, "Where is he?" "Before we go looking for him..." Wren stood closer to Hana, "I'll need a list of chores... little things that you need done that would help you here." After getting the list, Wren casted an unseen servant, putting it to work helping out with the shop. Yuki and Rue went to find Hana's mother to heal her, finding that she was cursed by a powerful spell. Yuki hugged her tightly, casting out the curse to see shadows leave her. Shar... Hana's mother nodded to Yuki, "I feel better!" She got out of bed, "I feel great!" Yuki pondered doing a hallow on the shop, but it would take more time than she had now... Debating on what to do, she heard Rue's voice coming from the other room, "William, you bastard!" and she walked out to see Rue straddling over him on the floor with fists out and Williams arms up blocking her, "What did I do? You crazy bitch!" "How could you leave your sister to tend the shop all by herself while you run off with some slut?!" Rue shouted down to him, still swinging her fists. Yuki stepped behind Rue, looking down at William, "She's got a point, Mister!" He pushed Rue off of him to land on her butt as he stood up, "Well you all left! What was I supposed to do? I have a life too!" Yuki folded her arms, "What? So who is this girl?" She looked him over to see another shadowy curse over William, "Oh my Goddess! You've been cursed too!" "Cursed with good sense! I don't know what you're talking about!" "Stand still. Let me take care of this." "Uh uh!" William started backing away. Rue grabbed on to him. Yuki shook her head, "This is for your own good! Kale! Kale, hold him please!" William struggled against Kale and Rue, "Hey! Let me go! This is assault!" Yuki waved her ribbon in the air, "Heart! Power! Make-up! Remove the curse from this dolt!" William shook his head, cleared from the curse, "What's going on?" "You were cursed! Who have you been hanging out with?!" William doesn't seem to remember a lot... he can recall hanging out with a shopkeeper's daughter named Daphne, but he isn't really sure why, "She isn't even all that attractive." He frowned. The party at Amynta's house is brought up in conversation, and Yuki makes several gestures and mouths words of encouragement behind Rue to William... to get him to agree to go with Rue to the party. After things are settled there, Everyone goes shopping... Yuki also purchased a beautiful dress for Hana and a suit for William.

Erevin goes shopping to a very fine wine shop where he purchases a few bottles of very old elven wine at 100 gold per bottle! On his way out of the shop, he notices that he's being followed. Elves and humans alike seem to always be strategically placed and keeping an eye on the two princes. Eliath had told them that he took care of them. Erevin smiled to himself and made no notable observation that he'd noticed them, but continued on his way. He took the newly purchased bottles as a gift offering to Eliath at his bar, The Pavilion, where the elven man was delighted to see them. Erevin praised and thanked him for his service to The People. Eliath slipped him a note, //Meet me here tomorrow night without the other prince.// Erevin nodded to him subtly. Eliath poured them glasses of his newly gifted wine and they all share a few old stories. Everyone gets ready for the party where we are introduced to several of the Hawkwinter's guests... including a nobleman with a woman on his arm by the name of Glacia. Yuki leans in close to Wren, whispering, "She looks like you Wren..." Wren took another look at the flawless elven woman with pale skin and long beautiful white hair, "Do you really think so?" Yuki nodded, "There's a real resemblance to your Dad and you in her." Wren looked at her again, searching for the likeness that Yuki saw... Glacia... the name brushed a spark of memory in her mind... //Argent shortened her name for her human appearance... could it be... that this beautiful human woman has done the same...// //The white dragon who's blood flows somewhere in my veins...// //Is it possible that we would find her here? Is...this... Glacierwind?//