After dismissing Maiwen by way of throwing her out into the hallway that lie beyond his bedroom door, Verial left the Villa and did not turn back. He had made it to the stables without running into the distraction that was his sister before Deanna and Shaun were ever there. Verial saddled up a horse, something the Lord of Arthuran usually did not have to do on his own, and galloped out of Chaliceton without a second thought.

On his chosen horse, a stallion colored white with a just a few gray spots, Verial rode away from Chaliceton in an attempt to leave any of his troubles behind him, at least for a little while. The horse did not mind; in fact, it relished the freedom of galloping hard through Arthuran's barren fields and kicking up snow behind it. Chaliceton's animals, whether wild or tamed, seemed to have grown accustomed to the harsh climate and the frequent snowfall much like the people. For this, Verial was grateful to have chosen a horse that was eager to escape just as he was.

The pair of man and horse continued their journey on towards the northwest point of Arthuran. With his horse, Verial weaved through the few evergreen trees that dotted sparse woodland ahead. The horse took the snowy path well and although it was a bit more treacherous than galloping through the fields, it was as if the animal had been through this area before and knew the path. Once beyond the trees, fresh snow and empty land was laid out before them again until finally at last, Verial and his horse stopped at what was the very northwestern tip of Arthuran.

Here, there were no sandy beaches to be found. Instead, a twenty foot snowy cliff overlooked the ocean. Verial dismounted from his horse and walked towards the edge of this cliff where the waves crashed against the side of the rocky edge of Arthuran. Gazing down, the waters were clearer than any Verial had ever seen and occasionally the ocean glistened with white patterns, sparkling like diamonds. Verial could feel the cold mist of the ocean as it wafted into the air gently brushing across his cheeks until he lifted his head to look up.

The wind was a sting of bitter cold against his face since he was so close to the ocean, but for Verial this frigid weather felt nice and allowed the previous angry heat that was inside him to be smothered away and extinguished. Out here, it was only Verial, his horse, the ocean and the wind and there was nothing to seemingly tip him over the edge. His nerves calmed as he stood at the base of the cliff watching the ocean for hours until the sun fell down across the sky. Verial breathed in the scent of the ocean air and for the first time in a long time, he felt at home.


Late into the night, closing Verial's conversation in chat with Sahar...

It had been late when Verial had returned and unsaddled his horse, leading it back to the stables. Verial fed the horse which he soon realized was just as hungry as himself. After taking care of the animal that Verial now felt a sort of bond with, he made way back to the Villa. The hour was late and as such, not a soul was awake. Verial was thankful for this.

At least, that was what he had thought. To his surprise, Sahar was present in the dining hall with food and two glasses of wine, as if she had been waiting for him. So Verial sat, apologizing to the desert magae for not meeting her in the Solar earlier and took onto a plate some food for himself as well as a glass of wine. Though the food looked delicious and welcome - roast chicken, vegetables, cheese and breads - the dining experience would not come without its price. That price was not weighted in gold, but in conversation.

Despite all they had talked about over the next few hours, part of Verial was glad for Sahar's council and her company. Verial explained the situation with Maiwen, the peculiarities of his estranged sister that drove him into a rage and argument earlier. This eventually led to him dishing out the details of his and Deanna's frequent sexual encounters the last few days, something which Sahar reminded him she did not approve of or feel was healthy. This was difficult to get around.

((Some text from chat logs...))

Sahar sighed and leaned forward, placing her folded hands upon the table. "Ok, I'm going to be honest with you. While I believe it is best that you do not continue your 'relationship' with Deanna, I'm a tad upset the reason behind it is because you believe your sister to be lurking in the shadows to watch you have sex. That is rather disturbing, if I am to be frank." She shook her head then. "Perhaps it is for the best though," she eyed him for a moment, "let me ask you this: If Maiwen were not in the picture, would you still feel the same way?" Sahar's demeanor changed then to one of concern. "Verial, be honest here with me and I shall with you. I am worried about you, your mental and emotional stability, and Deanna's too, I might add. I feel that adding something so personal, so intimate in the mix would only complicate matters for both of you." Sahar leaned back in her chair once more and asked quietly, "Unless it makes you happy." She bit down on her lower lip. "Does it make you happy, Verial? Because your happiness is important to me. You are like a bother to me, only I have no desire to see you naked." She smiled some, trying to lighten the situation.

Sahar turned serious and inquired about his relationship with Deanna and the thoughts about Maiwen looming in the shadows to watch over him even in the most sensitive of situations. "Of course it's a disturbing thought," Verial said pursing his lips together for a moment. He then exhaled and shook his head. "That's why I was unable to control my anger towards Maiwen, because it simply did not sink into her thick skull that watching me, whether in the bath or anywhere else, like some sort of stalker, is not the right thing to do." Verial's lips twisted into a frown. "If Maiwen was not in the picture, I'm not sure I would be able to stay away from Deanna." Verial noticed the look on Sahar's face turned to one of general concern. "I'm fairly certain you know how I feel about Deanna. We don't need to discuss it. In a way, yes it... or Deanna makes some foreign part of me happy, but I also still have guilt and anger, as does she. I don't expect that to ever change, but it is difficult to deny the comfort we bring each other, however brief it may be at times." Verial paused and rubbed his temples as if in thought and then dropped his hands back to the arm rests of his chair. "Thank you, Sahar. I have no desire for you to see me naked either." Verial returned her smile, though the gesture was a very light one.

((End chat logs...))

Sahar as if sensing he was growing weary over talking about Maiwen and his "troubles" with Deanna, changed the topic going on to ask Verial how the state of Chaliceton was, including its stock of food and wine. Verial told Sahar about the goblin and orc tribe in the southwest that was trying to unsuccessfully infiltrate the snowy city of Arthuran. To this, she seemed interested at the news of a possible threat, but eventually their attention turned back to an apparent inventory list that Deanna was supposed to have delivered to Verial.

Must have left it in the council room, Verial mused and his mind entertained a flickering past memory of a certain evening spent on the council room table.

This thought led him to ask Sahar of Deanna's whereabouts. Though he had "officially" sworn off Deanna once more with the idea of Maiwen watching them and lurking about in any more intimate moments, Verial did shed some concern over her. After all, when Verial had dismissed Deanna to only argue with Maiwen, he was aware that Deanna, as calm as she acted, was no better off than him as far as her anger was concerned.

"I have no idea. She came downstairs presumably after visiting with you, and left. She hasn't returned yet." Sahar was concerned, that was no doubt, and she did her best not to let it show. She forced a smile of reassurance to Verial. "I am positive she is fine. No doubt trekking about town, perhaps she stopped at one of the taverns for a bite to eat. Most likely she'll return soon."

Verial smiled gently to Sahar in return and stood, taking his plate and wine glass in hand. He was as confident as Sahar; Deanna would be fine on her own, even if out for some time. She was noticeably stronger than any woman Verial had ever met and Verial knew Deanna was able to take care of herself. Nevertheless, it wasn't just these thoughts that made him at ease. Because Deanna wore his dragon scale so close to her, if something were terribly wrong, he would feel likely feel it. But as of right now, there was nothing.

"I am not worried," Verial said to Sahar. With that, he circled around the corner of the table and bowed down to kiss the top of Sahar's forehead, which might have been a strange gesture. Verial then rose and nodded to his healer and council. "Thank you for the chat, Sahar. Get some rest soon."

With that, Verial retired for the evening leaving Sahar once more alone in the dining hall.


Because of his father, a drow, Verial inherited sensitive hearing so the sound of footsteps, however soft they were, did draw him out of his reading. Verial had been sitting on his bed, his back propped against the headboard and a few pieces of parchment in his hands. He had made an attempt to sleep, but with the thought of Maiwen about, sleep did not come easy of course. Instead, his body and mind refused the concept of rest.

Earlier in his room, Verial had written a short letter and sent it off via carrier raven to Madrin Kir, the Lord Commander of Eiler. The scroll of parchment was sealed with light blue wax, bearing the emblem of a snowflake, the sign of Elysia and Arthuran. Verial had not forgotten his suggestion to Deanna that he would inquire of Wish Star's whereabouts from Madrin Kir.



He had no doubt that Madrin would send a letter back. Nevertheless, with Verial's avoidance of Deanna, he could not deliver Madrin's response to her. The letter would ultimately need to be shuffled through Sahar and Verial hoped that the healer would agree to play a messenger, however temporary or permanent it was.

The other papers Verial currently had in his hands were the inventory list. Verial had snatched it from the council room earlier where Deanna had left it and was reading over what was needed to ensure the city got through the winter. Any attention he had on this matter was drawn away by the sound of those familiar feet outside his door.

Deanna.

Verial held his own breath, but he could hear behind the closed door Deanna let out a hesitant one of her own. Briefly, Verial entertained the action of sliding from his bed and opening the door to let Deanna inside. To sleep with Deanna (and actually sleep) would have been a welcomed comfort, but Verial stood his ground, silent as a statue as he sat on his bed. Eventually he heard Deanna shuffle away from his door in a hurry as quickly as she came and Verial finally let his breath out which turned into a disappointed sigh.

Somehow, Verial managed so soothe any dark images he had in his head, thoughts that were angry and fueled by Maiwen and his resolutions to stay away from Deanna. Still, there was a noticeable dent and crumbling on the parchment papers from where his fingertips once were.


The next morning...

It was early when Verial had made his way downstairs into the main hall of the Villa. Though he had never actually slept, he was able to mask his insomnia and any visage of exhaustion well. It was a skill he had learned when he was younger. Having been plagued by too many nightmares that were to eventually come true, Verial had a difficult time sleeping as a child and even throughout his years growing up. His reluctance to let people know he was tired was merely because he didn't want others to ask him how he slept and then to ask him what his nightmares were about.

Verial was unprepared for Edgar who happened to sneak up upon the Lord of Arthuran. Verial was gazing out a window in the main entry room of the Villa, holding a mug of coffee that he had fetched when first heading downstairs, when the butler approached him. Verial noticed that the man was wearing a new suit that Verial had never seen him in before - an article of clothing that was likely purchased from Deanna's winnings in gambling, something Verial did also not know about.

"Nice suit, Edgar," Verial said pausing to drink some of his coffee.

"Thank you, My Lord," Edgar said beaming with a momentary smile that marked of pride. After his smile wore off, Edgar coughed a bit and seemed to turn a bit serious, to which Verial lifted a questioning brow. "Lord Verial, it has come to my attention that no one has spoken to you of Chaliceton's traditional winter ball. It is a masquerade that we hold every year in celebration of the upcoming winter and Elysia. It would be an honor if you would be the host and if you do not mind me saying, I think it would do well to invite some of the other Lords and Ladies of the continents to establish ties and relations. After all, many do not know about our beloved city because it is so far away."

"A masquerade ball, huh?" Verial said. He lifted his mug to his lips, but paused and did not drink. With the thought of a ball, Verial wondered if he would be able to act appropriately, meaning to not be angered at the slightest thing. There was no way he would deny Chaliceton their yearly tradition though and Edgar was right about one thing. It would be good to support the city of Chaliceton and invite people to see the town as well as meet its new Lord. "When is this ball usually?"

"About a month from now," Edgar said letting out a relieved breath he had been previously holding in. It was as if there was something inside Edgar that imagined Verial might reject the thought of a costume ball or... dancing. Nevertheless, any doubts Edgar had were quickly extinguished.

"Very well, Edgar. I agree. I think it would be a good opportunity for Chaliceton and there's no point in not having the masquerade ball since it's been going on for quite a few years now, correct?" Verial asked. Edgar nodded enthusiastically, a smile once more blossoming on the older man's face. "Draw out the details and we can send invitations. I'm sure you know a lot about this, but Sahar may also like to help with the planning as well. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a party planner, but I'm confident that the staff can handle it."

"Thank you, Lord Verial," Edgar said dipping into a bow that contained more fancy mannerisms than usual. Edgar then stood straight and nodded. "I will find Lady Sahar right away."

With that, Edgar turned away likely to hunt down Sahar and inform the kitchen as well as the rest of the Villa's staff. So there was to be a winter festival of sorts and Verial was to play host. Briefly, Verial wondered how on earth he was going to make it through that night? He would keep his mind busy - to distract himself by everything that Chaliceton could ever need. After all, he did have a duty to this city and that was to keep it safe. He could not allow his anger to get in the way of Chaliceton's safety, less his dragon surface at the wrong moment as an uncontrolled and unrestrained beast. It was a troublesome idea that had crossed his mind more than once since the loss of his wings.