Anger...+Tears...+and+a+Plan+is+set+into+Motion

Gaerond Thaldaine had appeared at the edge of the pool, glaring at his daughter at the celebration, "This is where I find you?! You've been missing all day! You missed all of your classes. I've been worried sick!"

Her father was furious and he pointed to the stairs he was standing on, "Out. Now. We're going home." Lorwynelle blinked at him, "Why are you so mad? I went to classes today... just different ones than I normally attend. It was very educational... and I can't leave now... this is my first Celebration of the Seldarine. It's not over yet." "Ahh yes... the Celebration of the Seldarine... the temple of love and beauty," his voice was thick with sarcasm before he gestured at her, "And this is why you've never been... What exactly are you learning of our gods... up here in the arms of some commoner dressed like every other little elven whore who comes to these?"

Lorwyn took a step back, her eyes wide, and her mouth agape in shock... her hand smoothed her dress down, "Did you just... did you just call me a whore?!" He could see the hurt in her eyes. "Lorwynelle, this isn't a debate. Get out of the water. We're going home," his eyes pierced into her and again he pointed to the step next to him. Weeks ago... before she met any of the circle... she would have submitted without thinking... her eyes would have stared at the ground... but Lairesul stood quiet next to her and watched her meet her father's stare.

She was hurt and her gold eyes stared back at him with angry defiance and she spoke tersely, "No." "No?" it was Gaerond's turn to be shocked, "What do you mean no? I didn't give you a choice. Don't make me come in there to get you. We're leaving. Now." "You called me a whore!" she angrily glared at him before shaking her head, "I'm not going anywhere with you tonight. I don't even want to talk to you right now." Gaerond stepped into the pool, fury steaming off of him, and he spoke through clenched teeth, "I said you were //dressed// like a whore... not that you //were// one... yet." A gaze of scorn and detest fell on the pale-blonde sorcerer still next to his daughter.

"AND THAT'S SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER?!?" she screamed at him... never in all of her life had she felt so angry. He was insulting her... he was insulting Lairesul... the night had been perfect... and he came and ruined everything! Making her feel dirty and worthless...

"How can you talk to me... your own daughter... like... like //that//... like some insignificant student who's brought you nothing but disappointment..." her voice trailed in disbelief. She shook her head and screamed at him again, "I'm your daughter! I work hard every day... and the FIRST time I try new things on my own... you look at me like I'm //nothing..."// tears were starting to stream down her cheeks, but she didn't let up on the anger as she then pointed at Lairesul, still speaking toward her father, "and don't ever look at him like he's somehow beneath you again... just... don't even look at him at //all//... just go... just... just... GO!" She sprayed an arc of water across the pool as she whipped her arm up, trembling with adrenaline and anger, to point toward home.

"Lorwynelle," Gaerond spoke with a warning tone, "You're angry. I can see that... so I'm going to forgive that little outburst... but you're still a child. My child. And you //will// do as //I// say." "Forgive that little outb..." she blinked at him, shocked. A child?! As though everything she had just said didn't even matter! As though somehow she was the one who should apologize?! She bit her tongue and turned away from him, walking the other way, deeper into the pool.

"Lorwynelle!" Gaerond's voice was threatening. He had worried that something terrible had happened to her... How dare she defy him like this. What had gotten into her?! She acted like her mother. Ahnahi's beauty was infamous... but she was incredibly difficult to control. He reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly to his side, "Unless you want to see that boy's body floating in this pool... you'll do as your told."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She blinked wide eyes at him, seeing the truth of his words on his face and she turned toward Lairesul, defeated. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Don't worry about me, Nelle," he shook his head. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She turned back to Gaerond, tears still in her eyes and she nodded, "Fine. Let's go home." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Wise choice," he nodded, and in a blink the two of them were gone. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.... <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Valren stood next to Ahnahi as the last of the immense bursts of colorful magic went off in the sky above them. The dancing crowd gave a roaring cheer. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A tap came on Valren's shoulder, "Master Embermoss... forgive my interruption, but I'm not sure who else to turn to." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The green eyed sorcerer turned around and smiled briefly before seeing the concerned look on the face of his student, "Lairesul..." he stepped down from the dais beside the pale-blonde elf, "What is it?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He leaned in, whispering the event to his trusted teacher who had taken Nelle with them for the day. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"You've done the right thing to come to me," Valren nodded to him, laying a hand on his student's shoulder. "Ahna," the sorcerer gently touched the high priestess. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She turned around surprised, Valren generally held back his affectionate name in public. She seen the worried look on his face and stepped down from the dais, "Val?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"What?!" the priestess's soft blue eyes became steel. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"We'll talk soon," Valren nodded to Lairesul, "This will be handled." Valren took Ahnahi's hand and the two stepped and vanished.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lorwyn sat on her bed with her back against the wall, arms wrapped around her knees that were drawn up to her chest, and wiped the tears that were still running down her face. Strands of her still damp red hair clung to her face. She had a white, soft, and fluffy robe on, soaking up the water from the celebration dress that was clinging to her skin beneath it.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She could hear voices down the hall beyond her closed bedroom door. She had slammed it shut behind her when she stormed away from her father upon arriving home. The anger had faded, but the hurt was still fresh and raw. The voices grew louder, unmistakably her parents yelling at one another. She sighed, smothering her face behind a pillow. A small knock at her bedroom door made her sit up, dropping the pillow to the bed. The voices continued to argue down the hall, so... who was knocking?

Another knock tapped her door, and then a slightly familiar voice, "Lorwynelle... it's Valren Embermoss. Are you there?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She blinked surprised eyes, "Master Embermoss?" She got up and walked across the room, tying the fluffy knee-length robe around her before opening the door, with a puzzled look on her tear-stained face. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Lady Lorwynelle," he greeted her, and looked her over with concern, "Are you hurt?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She stared at him for a moment, unsure of how to answer that... of course she was hurt... she felt bruised and beaten down to worthless... but then she realized he meant physically and shook her head slowly, "No, my lord, I'm uninjured... but... why would you come here to ask such a thing? ...Res." his name was whispered from her lips, her voice caught in her throat. She blinked wide, frightened eyes, "Is it Lairesul? Is he hurt?"

Valren smiled and shook his head, "No, no, my dear, Lairesul is just fine. He was concerned for you though, so your mother and I came looking for you. But... you're alright? You're sure?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She looked up at him with glassy and bloodshot eyes. Fresh tears were welling up and she fell into him, wrapping her arms around him as they fell. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Startled, Valren barely caught her, putting his arms around her, "Lorwyn?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Her only reply was sobs.

Young girls could be so emotional... he stepped into her room, away from the shouting voices, and closed the door. He pulled a linen scarf from around his neck and handed it to her, keeping one arm around her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She accepted it gratefully, apologizing through her sobs, and wiping her face. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"It's alright," he soothed her with a comforting voice, "You're a fighter. I seen you just earlier today bypass all fear to throw spells out to protect another... hold onto that." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She nodded, sniffling, still trying to stop the tears.

"Look at me, Lorwynelle," he looked down at her with bright green eyes, soft and comforting. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She looked up at him with teary golden eyes, and he could see both of his best friends in her. There was no doubt in his mind that this was Luthais and Ahnahi's daughter... <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He smiled, "I'm going to pull you out of your classes with your father for the next few days. Let this quiet down. Give you some time to pull yourself together. I have quite a bit of pull with the university. Your mother is going to come in to teach a short course on religion and you're going to be one of the students selected to attend... and I'm going to pull you aside to teach a few things and I'm going to assess your skills. I think you'll do well in a special class that another instructor is working on. Would you be willing to try?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She softly bit the center of her bottom lip and shook her head, "I don't think my father will allow that." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Valren smiled, "He's not going to have a choice in the matter... so don't you worry about a thing. Alright? Are you willing to try?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She nodded, feeling very nervous. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Wonderful! I knew you were strong," he nodded to her, "Try to get some sleep. Go out and enjoy your day off tomorrow. I'll see you at the university the day after." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">She nodded, and hugged on to him, feeling a little better, "Thank you, Master Embermoss." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He smiled and nodded to her before opening the door, "Have a peaceful night, Lady Lorwynelle." He placed a soft warm kiss on her forehead with a silent sleeping spell.He placed a single finger over his lips before exiting her room, whispering words of magic over her door as he closed it. The shouting stopped moments later and she sank to her bed, her eyes weighted with a sudden need for sleep.

As Valren entered the living area, Ahnahi's hand was on her cheek fading the deep welt from the backhand delivered by her husband. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Her beautiful face was glowing pink with her rage, "She's not even yours! Not a single drop of your pathetic filthy blood runs in her veins! Not one!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"What?!" Shock and betrayal lit with rage on the wizard's face, "You lying fucking whore!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Oh you have no idea!" She taunted him further, an inner need to protect her daughter pushing her forward, "You own nothing!" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Gaerond was coming for her, hand lit with fire, and blind with rage... but Valren interposed, "I wouldn't." He shook his head at the wizard, dispelling him with water and sweeping the priestess behind him. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"We need to talk. Let's go," Valren took Ahnahi by the hand, dragging her off.

"You left her?! How could you just leave her?!" Ahnahi slapped Valren across the cheek! <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Ahna," he took her hand into his, holding it, "She's sleeping and I left her door magically locked... she will sleep until the spell wears off and can leave the room freely. I didn't know you were going to throw grease on the fire... but she's fine." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"You think that man can't get in through a simple magic lock?!" She was still shouting, but Valren held her hand close. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Simple?" Valren feigned a look of crushing disappointment, "Is that what you think of me? After all of these years?" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Well no, I..." she stammered, shaking her head.Valren grinned at her. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; line-height: 1.5;">.... "I can't send her away..." Ahnahi shook her head, "There has to be another way!" "Ahna... we've been over this.This has gone on long enough. It's time to end it... and it's going to be dangerous," he looked seriously into her frightened blue eyes, "How long before you're fading welts from your daughter's cheek... or worse?! She will be safe in Bloodstone. The arcane university there is held in high regard. I'm sending in papers with a special request, but it will go much smoother if she has your consent. This is the best way. It wont be forever, and she will be safe in the meantime." The high priestess closed her eyes, sending a silent prayer to her goddess to watch over her beloved daughter, and signed her name to the document. He was right of course, but her heart ached.

"I've received a letter from Lu... he and Lumani are in a port city to the east called Lyrabar. You're going to need to go there... tell him everything... and get him to come home. I'll go with you if I can," Valren took her hand into his and gave it a gentle squeeze, "and Ahna... there is a woman who has potentially caught his eye after all of these years... A paladin of Corellion... from Myth Coramanth. He's talking about visiting the elven city in his letter." Her heart leapt into her throat, "A woman? ...he certainly goes for the religious ones, doesn't he..." she twisted the edge of her sleeve around her finger, "he loves her then?"

Valren laughed, "I know little... he simply mentioned that he's met a woman that he would like me to come out and meet... apparently she helped him rescue Lumani from a dragon. But she must have made an impression if he wants me to meet her. It's been nearly 20 years since your marriage, Ahnahi... even you can only hold a man's attention for so long when you're unobtainable. You can't say that I haven't been warning you that the day would come. I've been saying it for years..." "A dragon?!" the high priestess raised her hand over her mouth, ignoring her friend's accusation, "Was the city under attack?" Valren shook his head, "I know little. Luthais wasn't exactly long winded in his letter... it didn't sound urgent, but when he invites me to come out to join him... I, of course, go. ...but I want your daughter out of the city first." Ahnahi nodded. The prince and sorcerer were friends long before she met either of them... they had been close since childhood.

He re-read the letter sitting on his desk,

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Master Silvermane, Head of the arcane university and Ambassador of Bloodstone,

Thank you for seeing one of my most promising students, Lairesul Emynhal. I deeply regret that I am unable to come to you personally, but events here demand my presence. I know that he will represent me without falter.

There is a young elven student here in the arcane university in Evereska. She shows real talent for both sorcery and wizardry... However there is a conflict of interest for her education here. She is held back by her step father who instructs the wizard class.

I think she would make a fine addition to your arcanist teachings there. She has strength and real promise... she just needs a real opportunity away from the restrictions of an overly controlling bastard of a man and all of the danger and threats that accompany him. I believe that your school in Bloodstone could make her shine. I have tested her myself and assure you that she can handle any entrance exam.

She has her mother's consent to go as well as my recommendation. I will work out everything here for a transfer to your school with your acceptance of her application. There is more to her story that you should know... she is unaware of her biological father, the son of the Daughter of Air.

I would consider it a personal favor for you to accept her into your school and would be in your debt. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Valren Embermoss - High Council and instructor in the arcane university of Evereska

and her mother, Lady Ahnahi Thaldain - High Priestess of Hanalil

Valren nodded, sealing it with other documents with red wax embossed by his family crest as well as his own arcane mark. He called for the pale-blonde sorcerer and handed him the envelope, "Lairesul... I need you to deliver a very important message for me. I'm going to open a portal to send you to Bloodstone in Damara. Deliver the envelope to the head of the arcane university there... a man called Silvermane. Bring back any documents from him straight to me."

"Of course, Master Embermoss... but is everything alright?" the blue eyed sorcerer peered questioningly at his instructor, accepting the sealed envelope. "Not yet... and I'm afraid there is likely to be a bigger favor that I'm going to require later," he nodded to the eldest of his current students, "Try to be quick, but be respectful. Your best charm forward." Lairesul nodded, "Always. When do I leave?" "I've already obtained permission to use the portal in the school there via the messaging stone," the golden-haired elf led him out of his office, "You leave now." "The others will be looking for me," he glanced back over his shoulder... mostly concerned about Nelle. He hadn't seen her yet this morning... not since she vanished from the pool during the night. "I'll inform them that you're running an errand for me," Valren nodded, magically opening a locked chamber with runes on the floor and the walls. He gestured for Lairesul to step inside. The elven sorcerer glanced down the hall one more time hesitantly and then stepped inside the chamber. Valren followed him in, closing the door and immediately began work on the elaborate spell of opening the portal.

Clutching the envelope in his hand, Lairesul stepped through.