Three days after the Winter Masquerade Ball...

Wish did not linger on long after the ball in Chaliceton. In fact, she took an evening ship back to Eiler and started her journey home. It was a funny word to her - "home". The more she thought about it, she hadn't quite had some place to call home since Oneiro's destruction. After escaping the fall of her beloved city and somehow managing to keep herself alive, her feet had taken her from one place to another without so much as a stopping point. But somewhere ahead when Eiler's coast came into view, there was home waiting for her. She was going to see her plots of land she had purchased some time ago, the eventual place where she would hopefully be able call "home".

As the ship sailed onward, Wish spent quite a few days on deck. Despite the cold and the steady snowfall as they inched away from Arthuran, she enjoyed the feeling of the bitter wind against her cheeks. More often as her travels took her to different places, she was beginning to adore the sensation of being at sea and watching the waves as they crashed against the hull of the ship. It gave her time to be alone and to her thoughts without any distractions, which she actually had quite a few of.

There was of course Deanna to think about. Her friend was apparently alive and living in Chaliceton with the Lord of Arthuran, Verial Akilara. The last Wish had heard, Deanna was no longer among the living. This she saw with her very eyes after Terra Vale's war which was before she left for Arthuran to help Madrin Kir. While away from Eiler though, something had happened. Deanna was resurrected somehow, her body used as an instrument for destruction by a goddess foreign to Aleris and with this ensued a bloody path of destruction. In the end, Deanna was accused for the murders and mysteriously disappeared before her would be execution. An act of bravery (or stupidity) which Wish assumed was now the work of Verial Akilara.

She had read all about it in The Chronicle's editorial articles but never had she assumed she would find Deanna in Chaliceton, let alone partaking in the Winter Masquerade Ball. But there she was. Deanna had asked a few questions of Wish, namely what she was currently doing. In particular, Deanna's interest seemed to pique when Wish mentioned where she was going to be residing once she returned to Eiler. Deanna even hinted at accepting an invitation to come visit Wish so long as it was safe. Wish wondered if this had something to do with her mysterious discussion she had with Aurora. Things were certainly on the horizon and it wasn't just the snowy gray clouds in the sky.

The encounter with Deanna also had Wish thinking about Deanna's sudden bout of illness during the masquerade ball. She had tried to pass it off as wanting a much needed breath of fresh hair out on the terrace, but Wish as a healer knew that look. The way Deanna broke out into clammy sweat was noticeable as she dashed away from Wish. So what was wrong with the therianthrope? Wish thought back to the way Deanna appeared besides the nausea that crossed over her face. She was lost her thoughts until something struck her - some minor but oh so significant detail. There was a moment during their conversation when Deanna absently reached down and folded her hands across her abdomen, almost in a protective manner. To anyone else, the action might have gone unnoticed, but for Wish, she knew. So suddenly the resolution came to her.

Deanna is pregnant. And with Verial Akilara's child.

The ship lurched forward pushing over a wave and in her state of being stunned, Wish lost her footing and fell onto the deck. Wish toppled onto her knees, but thankfully no one was around to see her fall. She picked herself back up once more and let out a sigh, her breath appearing as a frosted cloud in front of her face. To think of Deanna as a mother... or maybe that was not exactly what the woman was planning, being as how she made a subtle hint that she would be visiting Wish soon enough.

There was no use dwelling over Deanna's fate presently. Wish was halfway between Arthuran and Eiler and there was no turning back to the snowy continent. Time would just need to run its course and if Deanna came to Wish one day, then she would find out her friend's true intentions. Perhaps sooner rather than later for all Wish knew.

Another sigh escaped her lips. Her mind was drifting and it went from Deanna to Madrin Kir. She supposed being on the ship made her think of him. Wish hoped that the Lord Commander of Eiler did not have to stop any fights during the rest of the evening. When he excused himself from their dance, it was to go protect King Elias as it was his sworn duty. She had not stayed around long enough to see what the rest of the night brought. Nevertheless, on her way out to catch a ship back to Eiler, she did spot him at night from some distance on Chaliceton's roads as if searching for something. Still, Wish turned her back and made way to the harbor hoping that he wasn't on the hunt for some criminal.

That man was prone to accidents and wounds. Wish had a guess their last encounter together would not be the last time she would have to heal Madrin Kir. At least they seemed to enjoy each other's company, although she constantly felt need to threaten him to rest which never worked anyway.

Wish's blue-gray wings fluttered out behind her, flicking off snow. With one last look into the frigid waters of the sea, Wish pushed away from the ship's railing and headed down into the cabins below. She could use some rest.


Four or five days later... Eiler...

Lucky for her she was able to secure a small row boat at Hinewai Harbor to make way to her plots of land. After dropping the gold for the quaint but sturdy vessel, Wish was on her way manning the boat by herself. The island where she was to make her home was nestled inside the curve of Eiler and there was no way she could make it by flying there. The trip would have been too long and she would have dropped into the ocean.

Once she reached the southern coast of the island, Wish used her wings and grabbed the edge of the boat, flying to bring the boat closer to the shoreline. Eventually her booted feet dropped into the sand and Wish folded her arms behind her taking in the sight before her. No part of the island had been submerged by the tidal wave. It remained intact and dare she say it, beautiful. Thick forests of palms and other exotic trees dotted the island from about a mile or two from the shoreline. Wish walked forward, her feet leaving prints in the sand until she was met with tall grass. Wish waded through this grass and up to a presently abandoned cottage.

Although two stories in height, the cottage was a small dwelling that was just the right size for Wish. A porch surrounded the front and on the left side of the second floor, there was a little balcony that Wish guessed opened up from the master bedroom. She crossed over the porch and opened the door to the cottage that was open. The main door led into the kitchen and to her left on a stool sat a key. Attached to this key was a piece of parchment that read her name. Wish picked it up and pocketed it, thinking that the Aleris reality office must have known she was coming.

Besides the stool, the rest of the cottage was completely devoid of furniture, something Wish would have to remedy. Not that it mattered to her in the slightest. Eventually she hoped to fill every room and empty out the void that was currently present.

Wish picked up her feet and swept through the rest of the cottage. Past the kitchen was a living room with a fireplace and to the side down a very short hallway was a washroom. Thankfully the washroom had a tub that had hot running water, a luxury that she secretly cheered over. The stairs were circular and Wish climbed them in order to get to the second floor. Up the stairs there were three bedrooms and as she predicted, the master bedroom did lead out into the balcony that hung on the second floor. The extra two bedrooms were on the other side of the hallway, opposite of the master bedroom. The place was small indeed but it was everything she needed and could have wanted.

After surveying her new home, Wish left the second floor and went back outside leaving the front door open for the time being. Since it was still light out, there was something she had wanted to do. On the porch, Wish shed her boots, untying the laces and walked back across the beach towards the water. Feet sifted through sand until they met the water. Though frigid at first (it was winter after all), she became accustomed to the feel of the water against her skin. Wish waded in past her knees, the water coming just below the hem of her skirt and let her fingertips brush across the waves as they rolled in and out. A smile graced her features; despite the cold temperature of the water, it made her feel alive to be connected with the ocean this way.

Wish circled in the water, twirling about face towards her cottage as if dancing by herself. When she did this, opening previously closed olive colored eyes, she found herself staring into face of a rather large wolf with sleek-looking, raven colored fur. Wish froze, regarding the steel gray eyes of the wolf that gazed back at her a few feet away on shore. Typically coming face to face with a wolf of this size was never a good thing. If it charged at her, she could have flown over it. Instead, the beast tilted its head as if looking at her curiously and in response, Wish uttered two words.

"Black wolf," Wish said. That is Madrin's clan. How peculiar.

And just like that at the sound of her voice, the wolf bounded back into the forest sprinting across the sand as quickly as it had showed up. It seemed that Wish would not be alone at her home after all.

Something had happened. Though Wish did not actually hear anything in The Chronicle or by word of mouth yet, she could feel a familiar sensation within her. It was of death. Somehow she knew that Tempesturo's Champion, a skeleton named Blend, had died recently. Though she did not know Blend personally, she supposed she felt his passing because he was Tempesturo's Champion and in a way they were connected as avatars of the Alerian deities, just as Aurora was connected to her siblings.

One thing was for certain, Blend's death, a barely recognizable ripple across Aleris, did not seem to be a sad one. Wish could be wrong, but there was something that told her that despite any pain that might have accompanied Blend's death, the process was ultimately complete. Complete in a sense that perhaps Blend was meant to die there and then, or perhaps... he died for a greater cause which she was not aware of. In any case, she was not a priestess of Summer or Winter and did not follow ideas of Chaos or Death. She was, however, a follower of Life and as such, she made her way to the Temple of Spring, or more accurately, the northeastern edge of the island where Aurora's home resided.

In particular, the northern edge of Aurora's island rose and lifted from the sea which allowed Wish to stand on a grassy cliff that overlooked the sea. Beneath her, waves crashed and played against the stone wall of the cliff and Wish inhaled allowing the pleasant and comforting smell of the ocean air fill her. Afterwards, Wish unfolded her hands revealing to no one a single flower with white petals that rested in the palm of her hands. A few brief seconds passed by until Wish dropped the flower down into the ocean. The flower fluttered lazily downward and once it met the water, slowly began its journey out to sea.

"Your time in Aleris shall not be forgotten, Champion of Tempesturo," Wish said closing her olive colored eyes. "May peaceful rest finally find you, Blend."

Wish remained for only a few more silent minutes and then walked away from the seaside cliff. The fae did not stop to see Aurora. Wish assumed that Aurora knew she had been here and if anything, had heard her prayer for Blend. There was nothing else to say and as it was with the position of Aurora's Paladin, there were things to be done. Especially since a small scale battle had just ended in a grove south of Eiler's capital city. So her next stop - Grand City.


Upon arriving to Grand City, she took in that it looked much better than it had before. The construction was going well and Wish guessed perhaps it was because winter was lurking on just about every continent except Heruin. Her journey took her to the soldier's quarters where she examined quite a few members of the Grand City army that had been wounded in the battle at the grove. The cause of the battle was unclear to her even though she had participated a bit outside Jade City. These facts, however, were not of any particular importance right now though. A number of soldiers she instructed to come meet her at the infirmary. Though they had seen healers, their wounds needed to be examined again and possibly re-healed due to any threats of infection. Grand City could not spare any additional soldiers dying. Then again... she did momentarily muse over the fact that finding and training new recruits might keep Madrin Kir busy.

About twenty soldiers required a check-up, some of them only needing quick flickerings of healing magic and the others needing a bit more to help larger wounds close up more easily. Nightfall was approaching over Grand City and while she was tending to the last soldier in line, a youth about 16 years old, she inquired what happened to the Almeddans.

"Oh, King Elias reported that they needed to go back to their camp at the base of the Hyperborean Mountains, so that's where they are right now," the boy answered.

"Did they receive any sort of aide after the battle?"

"Aye, I believe so, or at least that's what I read in the paper. 'Course, being how many of our own soldiers were wounded, we could only send out the less experienced healers. They did return back to Grand City a time ago, but they looked pretty unsure of themselves." The soldier then glanced down at the wound on his arm that had been touched up, the skin now adorned with a small pinkish scar. "Thank you, Miss Paladin."

"You are welcome," Wish said with a nod as the soldier turned to leave. Once gone from the room in the infirmary, Wish let out a breath that fluttered a bit of her brown hair away from her face. She supposed it was time to go see the Almeddans and make sure they weren't dying of disease and famine. Though it was getting late, she imagined she wouldn't be able to sleep with the thought of those Almeddans dying on Alerian soil, even if they had brought the trouble to Aleris in the first place.

Within a half hour, Wish was one her way out of Grand City. Before leaving, she had brought extra provisions, namely dried food, blankets and other miscellaneous supplies that the Almeddans could share at their camp. Slung along the back of her horse was a dead buck that had been shot down during the day and was brought to one of the city's many butchers. The deer would provide an ample amount of meat, plenty to make a stew and use for the next few days to come. Perhaps the left over pelts and antlers would come of use as well.

By horseback from Grand City, it took just about three hours to make it to the Almeddan camp at the base of the Hyperborean Mountains. As it was late, most of the soldiers were asleep, though there were quite a few on watch that perked up and stood alert at seeing her approaching the camp. They were all crowded around and sleeping by what looked like a broken portal - The Ripping Gate. Or perhaps, they were waiting for something to come forth from the gate which she hoped not.

As she moved closed, Wish slid from her horse and saddle, her feet landing gracefully on the dew moistened grass and wings fluttering out behind her ever so slightly. With one hand, Wished grabbed the reigns of her horse and with the other, she held up her palm to let the Almeddans know she meant no harm. They appeared a bit tense.

"Ey, what are ya doing over here? Who're ya?" one of the Almeddans soldiers asked with a spear raised and pointed at her.

"Put that thing away," Wish said and even scoffed at the man a little. "You appear to be in no condition to fight." Wish let her gaze linger over the man who was clearly still injured and his wounds possibly infected from the battle at the grove. "I am Wish Star, Aurora's Paladin. I have come on behalf of Grand City - no... Eiler," Wish said correcting herself.

"So?" a different soldier asked.

"Clearly you haven't noticed the buck I'm carrying on this horse as well as this sack of provisions," Wish nodded to both items that were attached to her horse's saddle. "I've brought you all extra food, supplies and I'd like to offer my healing assistance. I'm sure most of you are quite exhausted after the battle. Even your own healers look beaten down."

"Ohhh..." the Almeddan soldier said, his response long and drawn out as if a light bulb had been turned on inside his head. "Oh! I see. Come right this way then!"

After the initial mistrust, the Almeddans warmed up to her quite well, especially since she had helped heal a number of them and get them into better shape. In fact, a few even asked her to join the Curatians, the Almeddan House of Healing. She denied of course and smiled, merely letting them know that she was Paladin to Aurora and as such, a sort of ambassador to the continent of Eiler.

As Wish sifted through their ranks, healing wounds and sickness where she could, a few of the other Almeddans had woken up and took to cutting open the buck and sorting out all the meat it would bring. Before long, there was a hearty stew bubbling in the Almeddan camp. One by one, the Almeddans started to stir, the smell of delicious venison stew seeping into their nasal cavities. It was just as well, because by the time she had finished her healing routines, the sun had started to lift up over the Eiler's horizon. A few took the gift of food and healing as a sort of celebration; a few had gathered musical instruments they brought along with them and were playing songs by the morning campfire while the others ate with grins on their face.

Wish, feeling exhausted, took a moment to pause and sit down, her back and wings against a boulder while her boots sifted through the grass. She was given a bowl of stew as well and hummed along to the music the Almeddans were playing even though she did not know any of their native songs. All in all, despite the previous fatigue, it seemed the Almeddan's spirits had been lifted. She was pleased to be able to be part of that and had even started to enjoy the company of the Almeddans.

She did have to wonder though... would she be able to keep up with the demands of being Aurora's Paladin? She certainly hoped so. After all, Wish was certain this wasn't the "big thing" that Aurora had in store for her. There was something else lurking around the corner and now all she had to do was wait for it be revealed before her.

Ironhold Prison houses the most dangerous criminals in Aleris. It's guarded by elite troops chosen for skill and ferocity to keep the villains in check. However, recently the jail has become strangely calm. Riots often broke out every few days that needed quick brutal responses to get them under control until about a month ago. It happened slowly at first but, sped up as time went on. A new religion had cropped up that kept the prisoners calm for some bizarre reason.

In the deepest part of Ironhold a hole in the dimension of Aleris pulses with a dark red light tended by dark priest of Nirdor. The portal is held open to allow their master a return point in the realm as he progresses towards his goal of conquest. The Alerian criminals took to the tenants of darkness easily, fueling the dark lords formidable power. Gethe had set up a magical barrier sealing off the lowest detention level from the outside, further camouflaging his base of operations from scrutiny.

The foolish guards were happy the prison was peaceful, so they left the criminals alone. Procedure was followed without problems, while they maintained good behavior anyhow. However, some of the guards had reported strange noises with no discernible source and getting lost in areas they had patrolled many times. It was like the walls themselves moved, it was weird but, they all chocked it up to nerves. High stress was not uncommon for people in their line of work.


After Gethe was gone for several weeks he returned to Heruin and closed the gateway behind him. He wore the skin of an eighteen year old native of the desert continent. Atisha Chanis entered Aleris mere minutes ahead of her master with a beautiful smile on her face. Soon she would be traveling with her lord to acquire a new asset for Gethe's personal safety. The amount of trust he placed in her always sent shivers thru the depths of her soul.

Gethe ordered the priest to leave the portal closed until he contacted them. The risk must be kept to a minimum. Once the cursed sun set a black fog rolled out of Ironhold prison. Inside the cloud two winged shadows that appeared human took off into the night sky.

Madrin's voyage home was peaceful and full of quiet thoughts. Nedira had been training with the healers of Grand city while he was away. The Blackwolf clan had few capable of the mystic healing arts. The tribal healers vast knowledge of herbs was undeniable but, only so much could be done with medicine alone. He was glad his daughter had a calling apart from warfare. She seemed happier about it than he expected. Madrin supposed that given how many people she had lost, having the power to save lives was a precious gift. He hoped Nedira could avoid killing for many years yet.

While polishing his sword on the ship deck during a full moon he noticed glowing white letters where the blade met the hilt. The language was completely unknown to Madrin but, when his hand touched the script he saw a vision. A lone black furred wolf gazing at a dark sky full of countless stars. Madrin understood immediately, and conversed mentally with the blade. "You're more than what you seem just like the stars in the sky. It seems you no longer remember anything but your purpose as a weapon for anti-magic combat. I'll not forget, because a weapon is the extension of its wielders heart."


Several days after Madrin returned to Eiler he was filling out paperwork in his tent late into the night, when unexpected guest came calling. Nedira slept soundly on her bedroll setup on the opposite side of the tent from his desk. The young pair appeared to be distraught.

The older blue eyed man ran his fingers thru his black hair and spoke. "Lord Commander Kir thank Tempesturo that you've returned, my sister and I have urgent news."

"What seems to be the trouble, so late at night." Madrin knew his clan wouldn't have let them into his tent unless the matter was very important. The smile that showed on the male teenagers face was so sinister that it gave Madrin pause. Then he realized he didn't see the youths violet eyed sister. Euphoria suddenly exploded thru his being causing him to go rigid with his two-handed sword half drawn.

"Now boy, is that anyway to greet your father after he's waited so long to control you again. There is no one to interrupt our reunion this time. My dear Atisha is quite talented isn't she. I can sense all that lovely rage within you drowned by endless pleasure. I wonder who you're thinking of in that aroused mind of yours. No matter, you will not see her again, I do hope you kill her someday, that would just make my revenge sweeter." Gethe walked closer and summoned a black blade from the darkness within him to his open palm. "You will now experience your greatest fear my child. I always enjoy breaking the strong ones the most." The demons empty human hand touched his helpless victim and bound Madrin's memories within the abyss of the warrior's soul. "I can't have that bitch Aurora interfering with my control. The thing about gods is belief is essential to influence. So if you don't remember her she can't help you from afar anymore."

Atisha licked her full lips and cut away Madrin's bed clothes while her master altered his mind. Next came the demonic two-handed sword. She found that the tribal fighters arms and legs were covered in many exquisitely painful looking scars. Atisha roughly kissed the claw marks on the left side of his face. She admitted this man was handsome, and wondered if her demon prince would let her play with him more later. "Enjoy my toy, and embrace the blissful night."

Reaver was placed in Madrin's right hand. Suddenly, black hide armor encased the Lord Commander of Eiler completely, like a second skin. The only visible part of his former self was cold ice blue eyes. "Yes my boy, you are now what you were born to be a slave commander of Nirdor. I will enjoy watching you lose control as rivers of blood fly from innocents and former allies alike." Throaty laughter quietly filled the tent as three human forms melded into the darkness.

Nedira Kir was having a vivid nightmare that wouldn't let her go. A piercing howl penetrated her dreams with a primal note of sadness. She awoke from the fear engulfing her rest in a cold sweat. The candle was about to sputter out, hours of willful resistance had finally paid off for the young girl. "Father where are you?" Only silence answered her heart wrenching plea. Madrin's weapons were scattered about. She found the torn clothes of her dad and clutched them like a shield. Just then the candle finally went out and tears began to flow. Nedira shivered from something far colder than the winter winds.

Elias' trip back to Eiler went without any distractions or complications. He arrived back to Grand City perhaps a week or two before Madrin Kir and then it was business as usual. Despite his absence, with the instructions he left, Grand City was still doing well upon his return. Though there was a lot of work left on the horizon, Elias was happy to see that perhaps about 85 percent of the merchant and housing districts had been finished. The castle itself, which was a much more complicated stone structure, was only about 65 percent finished, but it was well on its way. With the new construction, the castle and the city was having its defenses fortified more heavily than before, something Verial Akilara had started that Elias was going to finish. Though Grand City would eventually return to its former beauty and glory, it would also acquire a sense of strength and security that it was lacking before.

In addition to Eiler's capital city, the other towns seemed to be doing well. The city of Joi had finished construction. Houses and markets were now artfully built alongside canals and the morale in the city as a result was boosted. The people actually adored the new environment a dangerous tidal wave brought them in the past. They enjoyed the thought of taking small boats from one location to the next. Truthfully, Elias couldn't wait to see it first hand and visit the resurrected city of Joi.

Then there was Jade City. Throughout the entire trauma, the city had received little to no ill effects, something Elias was thankful for. The previous Magister had been killed after the tidal wave and the war, but Jade City moved on without the man's rule and it was, sad to say, for the better. Currently the city was under Elias' watch, but in time the city would need its own Magister again. That man Elias had met at the Winter Masquerade Ball - Syvern - had appeared to be interested in the position, but he was not quite sure if the mysterious man could be trusted. At least, the Almeddans that had previously sought to take over and command the rainforest city had retreated back to their camp at the base of the Hyperborean Mountains. It was one less thing to worry about.

As far as the other continents, obviously things were under control in Arthuran and there was no troublesome word from Heruin either. Elias hadn't heard a sound from Lady Layla Victoire in quite some time which was always a good thing. Perhaps upon her return to Elved the ruler of Bariston realized just how much her own city needed her instead of trying to weasel her way into affairs not under her own jurisdiction. Elias heard she remained busy day after day and he hoped it would stay that way. He prayed for Bariston to grow strong once more under the hand or a leader that was entirely devoted to it.

Eventually Elias did hear that Lord Commander Kir returned from his trip to Arthuran. They did not meet just yet. Elias allowed the man a few days of rest to get back on his feet and check things out on his own time. After a week or two at sea, a man usually needed to find his footing again. However, the time had come where Elias needed a report of the army's current condition and if any supplies were needed as far as armor and weaponry went. In the morning, Elias sent out Captain Cyrus Rose to fetch Madrin Kir. Perhaps they could discuss current affairs over breakfast.


For the life of him, Captain Cyrus Rose couldn't imagine why Madrin decided to continue staying in his tent outside in the castle courtyard. There had been a newly constructed room in the castle for the Lord Commander of Eiler. Cyrus guessed that it was probably because the warrior once from Arthuran preferred to stay close to his clan - The Blackwolf Tribe. When Cyrus finally reached Madrin Kir's tent in the early hours or the morning, it was not the voice of the Lord Commander he heard, but a young woman sobbing from within the canvas structure. Cyrus lifted the flap of the tent's entrance and ducked inside.

On the floor was Nedira Kir with her legs folded beneath her. Before her was Madrin Kir's weapons that he usually used and the remains of a Grand City soldier's uniform that had been torn to shreds. For a brief second, her head was buried in the palms of her hands but when she heard Cyrus enter, she gazed up at him with red-rimmed eyes. There was, Cyrus noted, the look of fear and confusion in her youthful eyes. Cyrus knelt down next to her and placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Lady Kir, do tell me, what has happened here?"

Considerable time had passed since Terra Vale launched her assault on the Grand City, and in that time things had changed. The fall had become winter, and this winter was in the process of thawing out as time marched inexorably forwards.

Few had a better appreciation for the passage of time than the Dead Seed. From hundreds of cannibalistic Aliscowri, all that remained was three meek figures: a young man, his twin sister, and a black-skinned child. Like the sorcerers before them, these Dead Seed had been conceived through a process of rape and murder, and they carried in their frail bodies the angry essences of three warring spirits - their mother and her victim, with their own life force serving as the mediator between the two. It was this that gave them their deadly power, and it was also this which rushed their lives forwards at a breakneck pace.

They were growing. Years were stolen from their bodies in the course of only months, and like Delorah before them, the two Dead Seed knew they were doomed to die soon. There was no way they would make it through the year. It was with this shadow of death hovering over them that the Dead Seed rushed through life, eager to complete their dreams and desires before the specter of old age finally caught them.

The child with the two Dead Seed was a different matter entirely. To date, she was the only 'second generation' Dead Seed. That is to say, her mother was also a Dead Seed, and within that poor kid warred five vicious spirits: the spirit of Delorah's mother, then Delorah herself, and the spirits of the two men that had been raped and slaughtered to continue the process. The last and final spirit was hers alone, the spirit that came into existence when she was conceived only to be forcefully shoved aside by the presence of others.

Like the other Dead Seed, this child grew quickly - in fact, her rate of growth was directly proportional to the amount of souls that burdened her small body. She was growing twice as quick as the two who raised her, and was doomed to die twice as quickly.

Comparing them to normal humans was like comparing a small camp fire to a blazing inferno. Their spirits consumed life at an incredible rate, ravenously destroying their hosts in the process. Like any fire, the lives that burned the brightest also ended the quickest. The legacy of the Aliscowri was in this beautifully sad conflict between brilliance and longevity. Brilliance was plainly winning.

Through these trying issues, the Dead Seed always had a guiding light - their parents. But who were their parents, really? Technically, the spirits they carried were their flesh and blood parents, but it wasn't these who they viewed as their guides. Ever since Sharay had loved them, the Dead Seed had informally adopted the goddess as their mother. And ever since Gethe had demonstrated his cunning by training them, the Dead Seed had adopted him as their father.

What a better fitting set of parents? Death, chaos, blood and glory all combined into two glorious entities. The Dead Seed virtually worshiped Sharay and Gethe, and it was this worship that led them through the world, searching for those who could guide them into their parent's loving embrace.

"Father?" the black-skinned child asked, golden eyes lifting towards the sky.

The male Dead Seed jumped, his eyes wide. He appeared to be in his early twenties, with bulging muscles struggling at the seams of his clothing, and had at his hip an intricately carved leg bone which he could toss with unerring accuracy. "Did she just.. talk?!"

"She did," his twin sister confirmed. Like her brother, she appeared to be just past twenty years of age. The simple dress she wore was stained and dirtied by blood, and her green eyes had a hollow look to them as she studied the young girl.

"She's never spoken before," the young man exclaimed, grinning. "What does it mean?"

"Maybe it means we won't have to walk on screaming faces anymore." The woman glanced fearfully at the pebbled pathway under her feet.

"Maybe it means Gethe is here!"

She lifted her green eyes from the floor and looked at her brother. "Maybe it means.."

"Father!" The child ran into the dawn, laughing giddily. Her skin and hair, the colors of the void, blended into the shadows, and if it wasn't for the sound of her childish giggling the others wouldn't have been able to follow.

"Dela, get back here!" the man hollered as the three Dead Seed ran into the fading night.

Gethe had felt them close, the last of the dead seed since they had accepted the dark lord into their chaotic hearts. With that a new awareness of them opened like the unfolding of a book. He now knew the source of their unnatural power. It seems they like him, contained multiple souls within their fragile human shells. However, the difference between the number of spirits was massive.

He wondered briefly if he should teach them how to drain souls. This would allow them to stop their rapid aging like the demons of the abyss. Gethe shot down the idea immediately as he reminded himself never to show his whole hand. His hesitation made him question if he was growing as soft as Sharay. This sparked a thought, was the dark queen dead or would she try to interrupt his plans. He was sure the children could clear it up. The time he spent building a power base in Aleris left little room for musings of that nature.

The demons new slave Madrin Kir had fallen into the motions of every other human within his influence, obey until death. The warrior made short bloody work of the Almeddan scouts that sought the dead seed. He felt the mage youths approaching in the darkness without a care for stealth. "Children, I'm disappointed. Why did you let the weaklings get so close to you? I thought I taught you better than that." The demon shook his head as the adult seeming dead seed came into view. "Oh, has it already been that long. I often lose track of the aging process mortals go thru. I guess I shouldn't call you children anymore." He smiled showing brilliant white teeth. They hadn't become pointed fangs yet, that was an unavoidable side effect of wearing one form too long. His true nature eventually warps the human shell he wears if enough time passes.

The two lighter skinned dead seed looked at the Heruin native he wore with a voice they didn't expect confused. However, the dark skinned one smiled at him as if greeting an old ally. "I see you two think appearance matters, let me show you reality." With a wave of his hand his body changed into the pale skinned Gerthluo the children saw before. To further prove his point he went thru a dozen different beings he had worn before. All his victims weren't human but, all cut a deal with the demon of darkness. He changed back to the eighteen year old human fisherman he met them as this time, and spoke again. "This is only flesh, I'm far beyond it." The trio seemed shocked but the second generation dead seed recovered the quickest. "Now, how would you three like to no longer worry about aging. This is within my power all I need is your souls, small price isn't it." This was truly the best way to deal with them. That way if they died for any reason he would lose nothing but, their physical bodies.

Atisha smiled beautifully as she remembered striking her deal, she had never felt such pleasure in her life. The pact linked the woman to her beloved master forever. As a male demon he would never be able to wear her shape but, she would find the bliss of darkness with her death. Also, Gethe's abyssal knight had shown her his killing ability. Desire filled her mind as the hot blood splattered her tanned skin. The man had been too quick and taken her kill. However, she didn't mind if it was her lords order. It only meant she needed to release her sadistic lust on someone, preferably an enemy. Were these creatures friend or foe?

((Taken from chat logs))

Dela
Dela ran through darkness. It was all she knew, all she would ever know. Her eyes saw things no mortal should witness, but mortal she was, and painfully so. She was growing so quickly she could feel her bones creaking beneath her skin. Her hunger was ever-present, the ache of her hollow stomache a constant companion. Though she seemed only eight years old, Dela knew she wasn't. She was younger. She was older. She was only months old, and she was generations. It was confusing, but she didn't mind. She didn't even mind that she'd left the other Dead Seed behind, the twins who'd taken care of her. What she did mind was the possibility that Gethe was nearby, that her father would show his face to her for the first time. Darkness danced around her, the darkness she'd know all her life.

Behind Dela came the other Dead Seed, who followed the child simply through noise - her figure blended too well into the dawn's shadows. They stumbled into Gethe, their eyes wide with shock. It was then that Gethe announced his presence ((forum post)), changing shape before their eyes before ultimately offering them immortality at the cost of their souls. Souls? Dela thought to herself. She had enough souls to go around. The burden of them was amazing, and she felt their screams even as she beamed towards the demonic vision of her father. 

"You can have them all," she promised, ignoring the echoes of agony pulsing through her mind. Behind her, the twin Dead Seed were immobile and mute, uncertain how to proceed with Gethe so close.

Gethe
The dark one spoke to the one called Dela. "Excellent little one clearly you know a good deal when hear it." Gethe summoned a serrated dagger to his hand and gave it to Atisha Chanis so that the girl child would not lose blood during the ritual. Madrin his little puppet procedded to stare with those piercing ice blue eyes at the two undecided dead seed. Threat was obvious in the man's gaze. Atisha proceded to slice open Dela's palm and commenced drawing a circle of abyssal runes around the young black skinned girl. "Dont move or you may disturb the delicate symbols Dela. You will find the void is full of infinite joys."

Dela
Dela ignored the two Dead Seed that had cared for her, even as they retreated in obvious fear. Whatever Gethe had offered, the other Dead Seed were hesitant to accept, for they cast one last glance at Dela before retreating. Dela felt a pang of remorse as she heard them leave, but her attention remained on Gethe and his companion. The young child, fearless but alone, stared up at Gethe with cautious golden eyes, apparently able to ignore the pain of the symbols being drawn into her palm by Atisha. She had experienced worse. She was always experiencing worse.


Gethe
The muscular boy and his sister were fast but the rage of the abyssal knight Madrin gave power to his muscles. The demon hide armor he wore made his stamina near limitless. The boy was the slow one, though strong it mattered little. The lad brought up his carved bone to defend as Madrin overtook him. The foolish dead seed had no training only muscle, so his pitiful defense collapsed. The massive sword cut the boy into two bloody chunks of meat as the kid's weapon bone exploded from the impact. Where was the girl the trees made it hard to pin her down. He reached for a throwing knife to slay her when he caught sight of her but, found he hand none. With that he lost her master would not be pleased.

Dela
Dela watched in horror as Madrin slaughtered one of the two Dead Seed which had raised her. The brother, armed with nothing more than Delorah's leg bone, stood little chance against the impressive might of the converted Madrin Kir. Whatever had happened to Madrin had changed him dramatically, and there was no trace of the purity which had defined the soldier before. It's not like Dela would know the difference - she'd never met the man, and to the best of her knowledge, he was only a henchman of Gethe's. The frightening young child studied Atisha as she carved into the girl's hand, marking her with a brand Dela somehow knew she would regret. She was already regretting her agreement. The death of the young man who had raised her left her seething with rage.

Gethe
Gethe noticed the hesitation of Dela if she stopped now she might escape the barrier wasn't in place yet. "Don't worry so Dela if they had refused that's one thing but, they ran like cowards. That is a weakness that can not be ignored. I promise you my child if your sister returns she will have the chance to make her decision clear." To tell the truth in part always made lies more believable.

Dela
Dela studied Gethe cautiously. Dangerous visions danced around them, visions that could drive mortals insane. The ground began screaming as arms lifted from the dirt, their fingers caked in blood and grime. Bloodshot eyes pierced through the soil, staring up at Gethe as mouths filled with gravel choked out their angry accusations. All this failed to affect the demon, but Dela started crying as she stumbled about, her feet crushing into the howling faces of the damned. Of course, it was all illusion. It was no wonder the twins who raised her had struggled so long for sanity. And it was no wonder they fled. Even a Dead Seed has their limits. Tear filled eyes stared up at Gethe. 

"Take them." Take her souls.

Gethe
Gethe gave a flourishing bow and smiled like the con artist he was. "As you wish dear Dela." The ritual was now beyond the point of escape. Upon completion the girl passed out into a dreamless sleep. Madrin picked her up gently as a if he felt sorry for her. "What in the light do you think your doing Madrin? I gave you no such order."

Madrin
"I'm sorry my lord, I don't know what came over me." He dropped the child like the stone she was. Then his wavering eyes returned to the cold pits they were before. "What shall we do then master we can't drag her along it will leave an obvious trail."

Dela
Unconcious, Dela dreamed of beautiful things. She dreamed of rivers turning into waterfalls that fell for hundreds of miles, though she'd seen no such thing in her life. She dreamed of sitting in sunlit meadows. She dreamed of innocence and happiness. Meanwhile, her body was dragged by a demon and his enslaved son as the Dead Seed child became further condemned to a life of evil and violence. It was, after all, her legacy. Her dreams proclaimed otherwise.

Gethe
"You right of course, Atisha grab her and use your power of pleasure to keep her comatose we have more to do before returning." The girl obliged and they trio plus one plodded on.

Dela
Dela struggled for conciousness, but the dreams were so peaceful. Perhaps it was because of whatever Atisha was doing to her, but Dela felt pleasure and peace as she'd never imagined before. But those dreams were fake, and a part of her essence screamed out in abject denial. This is a lie! that voice screamed, awakening withen her a deep understanding. Yes. She was dreaming. This is only a dream. Golden eyes snapped open and Dela looked up at Atisha. "W..what's happening?" She felt so dizzy.

Gethe
The young red hand spy known as Atisha Chanis was unable to hide her shock when the young dead seed woke so quickly. This had never happened to her before she was a little scared to now something could resist her. Truly these child mages were beyond her understanding. Times like this were when she sought her masters touch. Memories of her fearful time on the streets of her hometown bubbled up despite her atempt to silence them. She was so terrified she stopped in mid stride and fell to her knees. The screamed words came from the frightened child within. "Master Gethe please send them away again."

The cursed human had no call to reveal her weakness to Dela it did not inspire strength. Madrin was sent to collect Atisha after Gethe silenced her mind to unconciousness. "Dela, come along, Madrin will make sure you keep up." The demon of darkness awaited an answer from the dead seed.

Dela
Dela looked up to Gethe, her eyes confused. "Where are we going?" She asked, her voice feeble. For the time being, she saw nothing out of the ordinary - no apparitions or demons jeering at her from the shadows - and the dizziness from being unconscious was wearing off.

Gethe
"To Jade my dear I have been called by the darkness of several hearts that feel dissatisfied with their lot in life. You shall have several new allies soon." Outwardly he smiled at the girl kindly. While inward he cursed playing nice with the little girl. He was patient all things fell to him in the end, no matter how much time passed.

Dela
"Jade?" The word was a new one for her, but shrugging, the child headed after Gethe. Darkness followed her, spreading out in a dense aura that Dela was entirely used to. Such an aura permeated everything she did. The shadows raced along, chasing after the demon and his newest child. How did she feel about Gethe? She had a feeling of elation and incredible respect, mingled with an overwhelming fear. These emotions were at odds, and it was the best she could do to hide them under her seemingly calm exterior. 

"Father.. Do you know where Mother is?" She was, of course, speaking of Sharay, Goddess of Death and Chaos. The woman who visited her when she dreamed.

(Chat logs from 02.18.13.)

Wish
After eating the venison stew and healing the Almeddans in their camp by the Hyperborean Mountains, suffice to say Wish was exhausted and the journey back to her island seemed that much longer. She pushed herself away from the boulder she was previously sitting against and stretched her body and wings out. As she went to fetch her horse, Wish bid farewell to the Almeddans who strangely seemed a bit disappointed in her leaving. She only smiled and told them not to cause any more trouble because she didn't feel like healing them anytime in the future, if that were possible. Instead of mounting her horse, she walked alongside of it with the reigns in one hand, the dew on the grass making an attempt to soak through her boots. Away from the warm Almeddan campfire now, Wish realized just how cold the temperature had grown in the early winter morning and she hugged her jacket closer to her. She was out of the Almeddan's sight and about a half hour into her journey when she felt something. Sickness. Nausea. It washed over her in a wave and she stopped to lean against her horse for a moment. As quick as the feeling came though, it was gone. "What was that?" she asked herself, her voice a whisper.

Aurora
The Goddess of Spring's bare feet tread lightly upon dew kissed grass that would soon frost over in the coming hours. Aurora's aura was a vibrant green glow that illuminated her figure as she approached Wish, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere. It was unusual for the Goddess to leave her sacred earthen Temple, but the rare opportunities she did, it was oftentimes due to tragedy. Now was one of those moments. With a heavy heart and despair etched on her face, the copper skinned deity made her way over to Wish, her beloved daughter. "Little Goddess," Aurora's voice was barely above a whisper as she stood before her Priestess, calling her by the nickname that usually brought a smile to Aurora's lips. As it was, her tone was as grave as her features and the Goddess placed her hands upon Wish's shoulders. As a mother, she couldn't help running a critical eye over her daughter and noted her tired appearance and knew it was because Wish, thoughtful, caring and loving Wish, had busied herself recently with tending to the Almeddans. Now was not the time to admonish the child, for Aurora considered the group invaders to Aleris, and therefore a threat to the people. "Priestess," Aurora began again, her voice catching with each word spoken. "My son. My Madrin. Something horrible has befallen him, Wish." Pain and tears flooded in Aurora's deep green eyes. "He is lost to me Wish. I felt it in my temple. Like a babe ripped from its mother's breast, Madrin has been torn from me Wish and I do not know why." Aurora closed her eyes briefly, her hands trembling in rage and fear. "He lives, this much I know, but I cannot sense him. Something dark clouds him from my visions. Tell me daughter, do you know what has happened? Can you sense him?" Aurora gazed upon Wish, hoping that despite her inabilities to determine what happened with Madrin, perhaps Wish had some insight.

Wish
It was the vibrant green glow that drew Wish's forehead away from the side of her horse. Suddenly, she was not alone. The Goddess of Spring, Aurora, was by Wish's side, her emerald aura a stark contrast in the early morning light as the sun started to lift above the horizon. However, Aurora's tone of voice and her appearance, both usually so jovial and full of life, were now dismal and full of despair. This... was not good. Aurora steadied herself by placing her hands on Wish's shoulders and looked over her Paladin. Her next words were grave and Wish brought a hand to her own lips, her head tilted towards the ground. "No... he didn't..." Wish's initial thought was that Madrin had been killed, but Aurora soon confirmed this was not the case. Still, she swallowed thickly and a heavy frown graced her features. Something dark had consumed the Lord Commander of Eiler and that very something was holding back Aurora from reaching out to him. Perhaps this was the sensation that Wish felt only moments ago. Wish's hand dropped from her mouth and back to her side. "I... I felt something not too long ago. It must have been the same as you, Aurora." Wish looked up at the sky as if some answer would fall from it for her, but really she was searching her memories. After a few seconds, she gazed back into Aurora's eyes. "The Black Flame - Nidor's God of Darkness. The first time I travelled with Madrin to Arthuran, several assassins attempted to kill us on the ship. They were from the cult of Gerthluo. Somehow... Madrin is connected to them. Perhaps they came back for him." Wish bit her lower lip, attempting to not draw blood, though her worry was evident.

Aurora
Aurora shook her head, her chestnut hair flowing around her bare shoulders. The Goddess allowed her hands to slip from Wish to fall at her side, and she began to pace, the dark green folds of her gown trailing behind her. "I do not know this 'Black Flame'," Aurora muttered darkly. "What I do know is that rifts to other worlds continue to open to allow beings into our world and each time this happens...there is death." Aurora paused in mid-pace, lifting her head heavenward. "I dread to say this, Wish, but I fear you might be correct in your assumption. One moment Madrin burned brightly in my heart, and the next," Aurora held out her hand palm up, heart stricken. "My son's flame flickered but did not die. It diminished, cloaked in the blackest of shadows." Silvery tears trailed down Aurora's cheeks as she faced Wish. "I cannot fight this dark power over Madrin's soul, Wish. I cannot force Madrin to return to light, to me. His free will prevents that, and even if I could, I would not." Aurora's hand clenched into a fist. "But I cannot believe that Madrin Kir would turn against everything he believed in to serve this evil power. That is not who he is. Something, someone rather, has corrupted him." Vibrant tear filled emerald orbs met the olive gaze of Wish. "I need your help, Little Goddess."

Wish
Wish released the hold on her lip, her eyes following Aurora as the goddess paced back and forth to digest the news of The Black Flame. "No, you wouldn't," Wish said softly. "He does not speak of his past often..." Now more than ever, Wish wrapped her jacket about her tightly feeling an unearthly chill present in her bones. It appeared that Aleris, no matter how much it tried, could not be freed from the evils that constantly threatened to consume it. And now it had taken her good friend and Aurora's "son" Madrin. Wish's olive colored eyes bore no tears to speak of unlike Aurora, but sadness blossomed in her heart - sadness and a hidden anger for whoever had done such a thing. "I agree with you," Wish finally said. "If Madrin could stop himself from turning to darkness, I am positive he would. It is something much stronger that's controlling him." When Aurora asked for Wish's help, she held her breath for a moment wondering what it was that she could possibly do to assist in this situation. If Madrin was capture by The Black Flame - the Cult of Gethulo - Wish was but a tiny speck of light in this void of darkness and her hand in it all really made zero difference. Still, she found her lips moving and her voice coming from behind them. "What can I do, Aurora?"

Aurora
The Goddess let out a long drawn out sigh and raked her hand through her hair. "That is the problem, Wish. I don't know the answer to that." She regarded the fae for a moment before responding. "Whatever has taken control of him most likely is not simply content with abusing Madrin only. It will want him to suffer, which means hurting those close to him." A pointed look was given to Wish. "He has a daughter, Nedira is it? You tended to her, befriended the child did you not? And let us not forget his clansmen, the Blackwolf tribe. He will, if his soul is corrupted, turn against them against his own will." A grim line slashed across Aurora's lips. "Do not forget that Madrin Kir is also the Lord Commander. He has access directly to the King." Aurora swore softly under her breath, words that were not fit to pass a lady's lips much less the Mother Goddess. "Madrin is a puppet with this evil deity pulling the strings, no doubt hoping hands will be forced to take Madrin out." Aurora shook her head sadly. "This cannot happen, Wish. I cannot give up hope on Madrin. Not now. Not after all he has been through. Something, someone must be strong enough, powerful enough to destroy this evil that has overcome Madrin to free him." Frustrated, the Goddess threw up her hands. "I don't know what to do, Wish. I am so distraught by all of this, I cannot think straight, not to mention that Spring will be upon us soon and my duties must remain to the realm." Her shoulders sagged visibly. "As my Paladin, if you have any sage advice to give, any words of wisdom now would be the time." Aurora smiled faintly to Wish. "No pressure though, right?"

Wish
When Aurora simply stated she did not know what Wish could do, the fae's mouth hung open slightly in surprise. Perhaps it was not good to assume the Goddess of Spring knew what to do all time. Time and time again, the deities of Aleris had often shown themselves to be as lost as the people who lived in the realm. Wish did not blame any of them for this; it made them seem somewhat more human in that respect. Still, when Aurora did not know what to do, Wish lost a bit of hope herself. Her gaze fell to her feet as she spoke and only at the mention of Nedira's name did Wish lift her head, a bit of fear now in her eyes. What Aurora said was true. Nedira was in danger, as well as King Elias and the rest of the Blackwolf tribe. Wish's mouth set in a hard, determined line and she let out a breath to speak. "Do not give up on Madrin, Lady of Spring. He can be brought back from the shadows that took him," Wish said. In Aurora's defenseless and confused state, Wish nodded as if to confirm she did have some sort of sage plan, which was of course, a stupid plan indeed. Even though she appeared confident, her stomach felt empty and she was, unfortunately, afraid. Like a lamb to the slaughter, she spoke once more. "I shall find him. I do not know that I am strong enough, but I will find Madrin Kir and somehow bring him back to us." No pressure indeed.

Aurora
Aurora arched a dark brow at Wish. "Sweet child, your help I did ask, of course, but do you think me heartless and most foolish to have to venture off to find Madrin alone?" Aurora laughed a little. "No, no. That would be suicide for you, and I would not think to lose another child. No, sweets, as amazing as you are, and you are," she smiled gently to Wish, "you are not invincible. Not hardly. No my Little Goddess, you will need assistance on your journey." Aurora grimaced then and muttered, "It kills me to even consider this but...," Aurora let out a breath and rolled her eyes in disgust. "I will call upon... her." Aurora shuddered just thinking about asking the Goddess of Chaos and Death for another favor, but what choice did she have? The very idea of doing so, not to mention asking her Paladin to team up with one such as the Dark Goddess made her sick to her stomach. "I called upon Sharay once before to aid my sister Elysia. Though I loathe the very idea in doing so again, Sharay might be strong enough to tackle this 'Black Flame.'" Aurora eyed Wish carefullly. "Your thoughts, Little Goddess?"

Wish
She had resigned herself to go off to face Madrin Kir and the people who had enslaved him by herself. She was, although fearful for her life, ready to meet certain dangers and possible death. If it meant saving her friend and Eiler's Lord Commander, she could make that sacrifice. She was not, however, ready to hear Aurora offer to call on Sharay for assistance. Wish could not help herself from gawking, even when Aurora finally chuckled almost amusedly. Eventually Aurora realized how foolish this idea sounded as her small, short smile turned to a grimace. Not once, but twice would the Goddess of Spring call upon Sharay for her help. Wish wanted to protest, to say she would rather go alone than go with the one woman who had set out to enslave the entirety of Aleris while in Deanna DiCorvino's body, but instead she muttered no objections. "I... if you believe this to be our only option, then I trust you, Aurora. I will go with the aide of Sharay." Hopefully at seeing the lustful, dark powers that bound Madrin Kir, Sharay would not go ape shit crazy, turn on Wish and drink her blood.

Aurora
Aurora grew serious then as she found herself once more standing before Wish. "Wish, know that I would not willingly put you in harm's way, but child, I cannot think of any other options." Her lips parted for her sigh to escape. "Tempesturo's Champion is no longer, and my sister nor Galenous have one to call their own presently. There are a few that I could try to call upon, but presently..." Aurora waved a hand, not bothering to finish her sentence. "There is no one else, Little Goddess but you...and that horrible hag." Aurora made a face then. "There is still the matter of locating Sharay and asking her, as well as convincing her to assist you. Naturally she will want a favor from me," Aurora scowled. "She wouldn't be Sharay if she did something out of the goodness of her black heart, now would she?" The Goddess leaned forward and brushed her fingertips across Wish's brow. "Nothing is confirmed yet Wish. Let me play my role first, and if all is successful, then...well, then..." Aurora bent and placed a soft kiss upon the crown of Wish's head before straightening, her lips twisting into a smirk. "Then you my dear, get to go on a fun-filled adventure with a psychotic Goddess in search of a now corrupted and powerful Lord Commander to subdue." Aurora's green eyes twinkled as she clapped her hands together. "I did tell you Fate has big plans in store for you, my girl, did I not? At least your life cannot be considered dull."

Wish
From behind Wish, her horse neighed uneasily and Wish reached back with a hand to stroke the animal across its neck. Perhaps it knew the trouble of the situation between Wish and the Goddess of Spring. If Aurora was aware there was no one else strong enough to accompany her on this mission besides Sharay, then Wish had to put her faith in that. A sigh was uttered and Wish nodded to Aurora. "Forgive me, Aurora, but I will only be able to wait so long while you contact Sharay. I believe you would agree with me when I say that saving Madrin - and the many others at risk - cannot be delayed." Anxiousness had set in for Wish; after all, Aleris was in danger once more. Wish had already heard of Deanna's exploits in killing hundreds in Aleris while under the influence of Sharay. The last thing Wish wanted was Gethulo controlling Madrin Kir and orchestrating another path of death and destruction. "I will rest a bit in town and then get supplies. Before nightfall, I'm going to leave the city and if Sharay is not by my side... then so be it." Wish gave Aurora a nod and then smiled softly. "Aye, My Lady, you did say such a thing. I just did not imagine it to be... this."