₦airaland Forum

Tonight was the night that they would celebrate! Her skin prickled in excitement as a blush touched her caramel colored cheeks. All fuel d by the mere possibility of making love to Damien for the first time. Programmed words of her upbringing entered her mind. Love is a weakness to the witch of nightmares. There was one unbreakable and unspoken rule of the rebellion. Anyone of import was not allowed to fall in love. They could follow their base desires, but only as a biological duty, nothing more. Emily cursed the rule on a daily basis, and so did many others. It was a ridiculous and impossible degree to follow. You cannot forbid emotion, so those that had relationships, hid them. It became law when queen Eleanor was slain by her childhood lover. She and Cameron had fearlessly flaunted their love which many thoughts had become their doom. It was decided that as long as Scelestra was a life, the loves of any people of high rank within the rebellion was forbidden to be openly discussed. So the next best thing was a castle full of people having secret affairs. High-ranking officials never married or had children. It was too risky. However, that rule did not stop secret families and love affairs from popping up suspiciously around the keep, and after 150 years of no incidents in the keep, the decree had become quite lax. Having been one of Scelestra's victims by association Emily was better at hiding her affair than most but lately with a heart full of enthusiasm her control had been slipping. It had worked out for the best though she had become prone to singing perky little folk songs while she worked and Allabandar so enamored of her voice and appreciative of her hard work promoted her. She busied herself around her quarters getting ready for her evening. How does one prepare to be deflowered it was such a giddy thought that jumped and squealed a bit to herself as she dug into her belongings finding her best dress and ribbons. so she could be at her most beautiful. Not that she thought he would turn her away if she was in her serving frock but there was something magical about the task of turning herself into a temporary courtier. Finishing the touches on her appearance and posting a couple times in the mirror for good measure she squeaked with glee and ran out the room and off to their secret place. It took her a little over half an hour to reach the willow and by the time she did she was panting with effort. She stood up straight and took in the beauty of the world around her. High on a hill overlooking the patchwork fields and the beautiful lake was an ancient willow. Its whispering branches had grown thick over the centuries creating the perfect shield for their lovemaking. The moon was bright and full, illuminating everything with a pale luminescent glow. The stars danced across the black velvet of the night sky. Emily's skin prickled with anticipation and the feel of the evening chill. She felt a strong hand grip hers and spin her around in a graceful pirouette. She beamed at Damien enchanted by his emerald eyes and dazzling smile. He grinned happily back at her. His hand pressing in on the small of her back pushing her into him. With a flourish, he dipped her back and kissed her deeply. Her surprise melted quickly and she wound her arms around his neck and met his lips with equal enthusiasm. Damien lowered her gently to the ground and as he did his lips traced her ear then onto her neck sucking deeply causing her back to arch in pleasure. She moaned at his touch. An uncontrollable fire building in her toes and spreading out through her whole body. Damien's hands busied themselves with her bodice expertly untying each and every button. He made quick work of her bodice and sat back and admired her breasts exposed to the moonlight. Emily bent up to kiss him pressing herself into him and entwining her arms around him. He continued his ministrations on her neck his fingers gently entwined in the tumbles of her brown hair. Her body reacted pushing her mind away, seized in the bliss of hazy sensual pleasure. Her fingers caressed the seam of his pants emboldened by his reaction she tore at the drawstring letting his trousers fall. Emily pressed deeper into the kiss her hand stroking him. He shivered in pleasure and glided his fingers up her legs, circling into her inner thigh then lightly tickled her. He lay her back down on the ground never letting his fingers give up on their pleasurable quest. She softly began to gasp and pelvis began to move and pivot inviting him in and he gladly accepted. He pulled her to him and delighted in her gasp as he slid inside her. She moaned in excitement as he thrust into her biting her neck gently at first but as their lovemaking continued something strange began to happen. The gentle grip of his hands on her hips became extremely painful. She bit her lip holding back not wanting to upset him. Then she felt her insides tearing and burning. Something was wrong something was very very wrong. She pulled away from the kiss wild-eyed and gasping in pain. Her organs felt like they were being torn apart. No longer was this pleasant love making this was torture.

"Evil lurks in places you would never imagine and tries to charm its way into your life."--Anonymous

Emily was overwrought with excitement. She had just had the most amazing news, a promotion. Allabandar saw fit that she be made made his personal servant to the keep. A smile breached her lips. He was a gentle soul, she admired his kindness to those of all position. He never seemed to see the uniform only the person within. He was the one who saved her and brought her to the keep. There was something special about the way he treated her. There was always a softness to his eyes. Emily believed it was because he had saved her so many years ago. The excitement of the new position rushed through her body. Fueled by exuberance, she flew through the halls in an attempt to find Damien. He was so different from Allabandar. Despite their flourishing romance, in the eyes of the public, he treated her with deference. She knows that he was not ashamed of their love, it was that romantic relationships were forbidden. Love was dangerous; love led to death. Emily knew that to be true. He was still as always an unfailing gentleman. Though each time she ran to him he acted as if he did not even know her name or understand her act of affection. Emily knew the rules, Love was dangerous and forbidden, but his act for the good of their relationship still tore at her core. She let a smile part her lips at the memory of their evenings together. Her fears would evaporate, as they ran together to the weeping willow on the hill. Their silhouettes are hidden under cover of the stars as the day faded into twilight. It was in the haze of the moons light that Damien was hers again. Even during the day, He would send gifts and beautiful words to tide her through the work of the day. Today was no different. On her nightstand was an incredible bouquet of flowers, one that could have only come from the throne room, and with them a note that melted her soul through her eyes.

My darling Emily. When I first saw you.
I fell hard; I fell deep, I fell complete, I fell into blissful ease.
Your laughter like the giggling of a spring stream and I knew.
Your love my sweetest rose is like the summer breeze.
Let us escape to a land of fairies and twilight.
Follow me to the willow tree rising high above the fields of green.
Meet me so I can revel in your voice. So like that of a songbird in flight . Away from prying eyes and courtly decree.
I will meet you when the moon is shining brightly in the evening sky.
Though it still is nothing next to the sparkle of your eye.
Where I can taste the sweet paradise of your lips.
In the magic world where our souls can sip.
The sweet juice lovers dreams.
Ever Yours,
D.
Emily squealed and danced around her room. She bit her lip in anticipation as a delicious warmth spread through her core, and resonated between her legs. His treasured words melted her soul and every piece of her melted with it. Though he was not admittedly a talented poet, his verbal skills paled in comparison to his intent. Those warm and indelicate words were all she needed to assuage the pain of today's rejection.

Am sorry for the late update, the network here is bad and glo also is not helping the situation at all.

.


"Beware the manipulators claiming that they love you.
Satan was an angel once. ANd hell can look an awful lot like
paradise" --Erin Van Vuren



Aly rode in silence for most of the next day mostly because
sharing her dark not so distant past and turning into a giant
bloodthirsty tiger had drained her of any useful source of
energy. It felt like she had run an emotional marathon and
now she was riding a physical one. Her legs pulsed with
strain and frequently cramped during the ride. As they
slowed their gallop to a fast walk and the sun beat down on
her she felt her eyes were softly failing at their task of
staying open. Every once in a while she would feel her head
slingshot down to her chest in a fit of temporary
narcolepsy. Even Sadie was exhausted and silent. Every
ounce of her concentration was focused on merely
coordinating the four hooves beneath her and keeping her
rider on board.
Despite the obvious exhaustion of his companions,
Baellnar was relentless in pushing them forward. They had
spent most of the day at a full gallop. The trio had covered
more distance in a couple hours than they had in a full day
of their two-week journey. Even normally talkative Aagi was
silent for this part of the journey. It was not until the sun
had started to fade into orange and twilight hues that he
barked at Baellnar in protest.
"oi you pointy eared self-servicer you are gonna ride us our
mounts ta death!" He growled ferociously at their silver-
haired leader. Baellnar pointedly ignored and continued to
push forward. Finally, by some unseen natural queue, he
was satisfied with the level of the suns descent over the
trees. Without a word, he guided their lackluster group
about a mile off the road deep into the forest around them.
Their mounts stumbled clumsily over the roots and
bramble barely able to stand.
They stopped in a clearing each of them as if on autopilot
began to set up camp. When they were finished with their
respective tasks they gathered around the firelight. Aly
quickly gave way to her exhaustion. Her supper had been
placed in her lap for mere moments but she immediately
fell unconscious right into her plate. She did not care that it
was food it was warm and soft just like a pillow. In the haze
of her unconscious, she felt strong hands gently lift her
from her space and carry her to her bedroll.
Aagi grumbled over his portion glaring at Baellnar who was
gently wiping the food from Aly's face having tucked her
away in her bedroll. "What's your problem?" Aagi snapped
at Baellnar's hunched form. Annoyed Baellnar looked up at
his friend and patiently waited for an explanation for his
outburst while simultaneously suggesting for him to
whisper.
Needing no more incentive to speak his mind he let out a
massive tirade which he carried out in a sharp whisper. "Oi
you slack-jawed, son of a bastard knife ear, you could get
us killed pushing us like ya were. The poor lass fell over
into 'er food! ... 'er food Baellnar! What for Gaia's sake is so
important you could get the whole lot of us killed before we
even start on this godforsaken venture?" Aagi was fuming
even his ears had turned a brilliant shade of scarlet.
"Not only that ya treated the lass like she was a leper or
summtin da 'ole damn day! Da poor thing probably thinks
yur are afraid o' 'er or. . . 'ate her after that 'ole tiger
fiasco." Huffing and puffing finally letting his emotions out
Aagi angrily poked at the fire sending a shower of sparks to
emphasize his feelings on the matter.
Baellnar held an unfocused gaze facing the fire and stayed
that way for a long time before answering. "Is that what you
think Aagi?" He eyed his friend cooly almost in a non-verbal
scoff. "You think I hate her, or fear her? No. I care more
deeply about her than you could know." Baellnar looked
wistfully into the moonlight.
"I was I tasked with watching her through the crystal for
one hundred and fifty years. I watched as she slumbered
for over one hundred and twenty years." His words were
poignant and heavy. "I watched as she grew up with her
host family. I watched as they cherished her and loved her.
I watched as she laughed and she played. I watched as she
grew, and at sixteen I watched as she began showing signs
of magic.
Did you know it was that magic that helped Paul find her?"
He turned back to Aagi his eyes whirling in agony. "I
watched as he snapped his finger and the driver of the
tanker truck died. I watched as the truck collapsed and
burst into flames. I watched as her host family's car flipped
three times off the road. I watched as her 'father' crawled
from the burning vehicle only to be shot by Paul. I watched
as he slithered his way into her life. I watched as he
chipped away at her self-esteem. I watched as his gang of
friends attempted to assault her." He a grin of pride seeped
onto his lips. He waited for Aagi to absorb the whirlwind of
emotions that accompanied Baellnar's words.
"It was in that moment that she also turned into a raging
beast. Tearing the men apart. That is why Paul gave her a
necklace that froze her powers and her in time. That is why
they were in a protection spell that sealed them from the
outside world. No one could come save her because no
one could see her." He sighed and shook his head trying to
wipe the memory from his mind.
"oi what is dat necklace den?" Aagi whispered gently having
no idea of what he had been seeing. He had known
Baellnar had been tasked as her guardian but he had no
idea what pain he had gone through being on the wrong
side of the portal. Unable to stop the pain and suffering
their ward had endured.
"That necklace is the pendant of souls. The one and the
only thing that can keep the powers of an earth child at
bay. There is no way Scelestra does not know what she can
do." It was his turn to furiously poke at the fire almost
stabbing almost as if to pick a fight with the flames. As if
stabbing the fire would somehow stab the witch that
pursued them. He threw his fire stick away in fury and
plunked down on a boulder nearby. All of this was done
with a careful eye on Aly as she slept. Finally done with his
silent tantrum he leveled his gaze on Aagi.
"You think Paul was the only one of the claimed who is
following us?" Aagi's eyes bulged and he said nothing
sudden comprehension scrawled across his features. "Aagi
there are hundreds of them on our trail. I catch the
vibrations of their approach on the wind. We are dead if we
do not push forward our only hope is reaching the veil in
time."
"the veil? uh . . . oi though we were goin' ta see the other 'er
ya know Aly's destiny and all." Aagi whispered suddenly
alarmed. "wouldn' she be safer wid 'er?"
Baellnar shook his head. "We would never reach her in
time. Besides Aly's new . . . abilities have me questioning
everything. I do not think she is who we were told she is.
She is infinitesimally rarer than that. Allabandar is hiding
something from us." Aagi maintained his slack-jawed
silence absorbing Baellnar's words. Baellnar's eyes gazed
fondly at Aly's sleeping form. She started to moan and
thrash in the throws of a nightmare. Small screams
emanated from her slumbering lips.
Baellnar pulled out his lute and began to softly strum a
lullaby. As he touched the cords his lute began to glow and
then small strands of light stretched lazily from the strings.
They danced around in the air and as he sang they found
their way to Aly. The wrapped around her like a blanket and
her body began to illuminate with the glow of the music.
She sighed heavily easing into a much deeper and more
peaceful sleep. The song continued for several minutes but
as it ended the glow faded into her bedroll and laced
around her from fading away completely as he strummed
the last note... He gazed fondly at her as her breath
softened and a sleepy smile spread across her face.
Satisfied with his work he put his lute away and looked back
at Aagi. "Only a child of mother Gaia can take the form of a
forest creature. To my knowledge and yours, Ella was the
last. If what I believe is true Aagi she is the last and final
heir to natures' throne."
Aagi simply whispered how?
Baellnar took one last long meaningful look at Aly. "I do not
know, but if we do not get her to the veil in time then we
will never know."


[A/N] Thank you for reading. Please remember to
comment/share! I love your feedback and it
encourages me to keep this story alive

Baellnar's glowing eyes softened to their more appealing glistening sapphire. His soothing velvet voice sunk into her soul. "How long have you been able to shapeshift Aly?" Alyenna felt utter shock course through her veins and confusion run rampant through her mind. She looked up at him and just stared. He eyebrow raised she waited for an explanation. "Last night Aly I thought I was running to your rescue. It was the wind who whispered to me." His eyes softened at the thought, "When the wind whispered what was going on I panicked afraid we would lose you. When I got to the river, I arrived just in time to see you transform into an enormous tiger. One much larger than usually resides anywhere in Tendaara or even your world. Your eyes were glowing in multiple colors, and the snarl you let out was not that of a normal tiger." He said trying to be as gentle as possible using with his magnetic voice to keep her calm as he relayed this information. He asked again. "how long have you been able to shapeshift?" Alyenna stuttered an unintelligible response. There was a memory of another time, but she was not sure if it was a memory or a dream. "Since last night." She declared with false confidence slipping back into humor as her natural defense, "pretty good for a first timer!" She winced at the expression on Baellnar's face. Aagi chuckled and slapped her hard on the back. "AH! dat's muh girl!" He turned to Baellnar and pointedly said. "Oi think were dun 'ere." Baellnar's gaze softened and looked at Aly for a long moment. He sighed and said, "Well we better be off, or else a dead man may catch up to us." "Wait," Aly said a little louder than she meant to " I did not kill him last night, did I?" Baellnar turned from her and grabbed their bags. Once he hoisted the bag over his shoulder, he started for the door. "No, you did not. But if Aagi or I ever see him again, he will be."

*****

"What are you doing here?!" An angry female voice shook the castle. A beautiful woman who was the embodiment of a goddess of the night stared angrily at Paul, "and without my prize!" You better have a great explanation for this. Paul cowered in the corner of the throne room and considered that running from a rampaging tiger might have been the less problematic of his options this evening. "My darling my sweetest love, my angel of darkness, my mistress of the night, my . . ." He crooned anxiously. "Desist your lies!" She cut him off angrily mid-sentence fire forming in her hand. "Explain why you are somewhere that she is not." "She . . . shifted." He said softly afraid for the first time in history for his life. Paul had never seen the queen he loved so infuriated. Scelestra's pupils slit like a snake then purred at Paul coaxing him to come closer to her with a pointy scarlet manicured finger. Fearfully obeying He crawled over to her and clung to lavish black velvet gown. "Tell me why she shifted Paul I thought we took care of this problem with her." She purred in a way very similar to an angry lioness waiting in tall grass to pounce on her prey. "We did but." He paused, with a shudder under the power of her vehement glare. "But what Paul?" She demanded, her voice caused small pieces of rock to tremble to the floor. "Well," He paused his hands shook as he stuffed them in his pockets, "she,' he stuttered through the sentence urged to continue only by the fire that brewed in Scelestra's palm, "destroyed it." "She did what?" The house shook as she spoke. His answer was a meek, "yes." Scelestra bent down to him using her dagger-like nails to point his face directly at her and cooed "how exactly did she 'destroy it' Paul?" Clutching her gown in his sweaty palms, he told her about garbage disposal incident, and she threw him to the ground and started pacing. "Do you know what you have done? That was an enchanted necklace. Do you know what it took to make that necklace! I had to get 1,000 innocent souls for that spell. Not only that do you know what it took to get that to the Earthen realm! That necklace was the one form of control we had over her. It tracked her and held her powers at bay. It made her mortal! You let that heinous little brat shove it down the garbage disposal!" with eyes alight with swirling red fire she threw her hand up in the air without even looking at Paul. His body launched across the enormous throne room and slammed into a stone pillar. His head slammed hard into the pillar and made a small crunching noise. He fell limp to the ground below. Blood pooled out beneath his body and in her rage, she threw him again to the other side of the room to the feet of a silent guard. Without a word, the guard dragged Paul's nearly lifeless body out of the room. Scelestra then busied herself going through spell books and gathering supplies. "This will take weeks to create. . ." She said to no one in particular. Then Looking into a basin by her throne filled with a thick red liquid that held an image of the trio riding away from town. "That little bitch is going to pay."

*** Thank you for reading! Please do not forget to comment***

It was years after he had stripped me of my friends, my family, and my confidence that he started to hit me. It was rare at first, but as time wore on the incidents, it became more and more frequent. She tore her eyes away from them, and the 'gifts' he purchased after became fewer and farther between. One time he even let his friends have a go at me as their punching bag. They were heavily intoxicated and knocked me around the room." As she told her story, she could see hatred rising in the hearts of both of her friends. At one point. Aagi's eyes were fighting between showing absolute fury and compassion. He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly not saying a word. Baellnar slowly got up from his corner of the room. He walked closer to her leaning on a wall nearby listening intently. His sapphire eyes were glowing with anger. His fury caused the curtains in the room to whip and tear in the torrential wind. Small knick-knacks in the room that crashed to the ground. The wind continued to tear the room apart until the fire from the hearth was caught up in its fury. "Relax!" Aagi roared, and with his words, fire in the room was extinguished with a powerful gust of air. Alyenna unable to stop the words of her story as they had taken on a life of her own continued. It was like a dam had broken, and she had no choice but to let the words flow no matter the destruction they caused. So she looked away from her friends and continued. She did her best to try to minimize the pain in her voice and reassure her friends. After all, that life was behind her now. "It was just that one night though." She said forcing a smile. "I do not remember what happened after they started hitting me and grabbing at my clothes. I blacked out from fear. I woke up the next day with only a couple bruises and the house was a wreck. There was broken glass, torn apart furniture. I think I even remember what could have been claw and scorch marks. Paul said it was just part of the fight. It was after that night that Paul gave me a necklace he insisted I wear it. He announced I needed to show so how much I appreciated his 'love and care '. I was not even allowed to take it off to sleep. The pendant always felt like ice." Baellnar cut her off abruptly. "Aly, can you describe the pendant? Do not leave anything out." She looked at the ethereal elf with his hair whipping about in the wind of their closed off room. His sapphire eyes were still glowing the anger. He was terrifying to behold. He almost looked demonic. A vision that made her scramble for a description and stumbles over her words. "It was some sort of stone." She paused and closed her eyes in an attempt to picture the pendant, "I think it was jade" She paused again, "no it was more of a smooth multitoned crystal, embedded in a beautiful silver casing that resembled a great tree. It's roots wrapped around the stone in the center lovingly. There were also markings on the back and two elaborate runes. Paul said the runes meant 'beautiful soul' in Gaelic. He claimed it was expensive and that I should appreciate how much he had spent on such a special gift, that I had to treasure it always. He never failed to remind me how much the pendant was whenever I got out of line. Paul told me many times about the fight that night. That he no longer had friends because he had to protect me. That they tried to take advantage of me and he fought to preserve my precious dignity." Saying this made her shiver with disgust as she remembered his overt fascination with her dignity last night, taking a deep breath she continued." That he protected me from them and in his efforts to defend me he had torn the house apart. On the last day I spent in that prison, while he was sleeping off a bottle of bourbon, I threw it the dishwasher disposal and turned it on destroying it. The sound woke him up. That was why he had been angry with me, and that was when I had finally had enough." her story ended with a poignant silence. She stared wistfully out the window. Avoiding all eye contact with her friends.

MidasTouche01:
Nice work man, please let the updates be more frequent and longer...

thanks

She was quiet for a while trying to remember. Finally she said almost in a whisper. "I," Alyenna hesitated, "do not know," She felt her face scrunch up with the effort of the thought. Her heart raced as her mind raced over her memories in rapid succession. Paul never kept a calendar, never gave her a phone, and after a while, she stopped asking for the date or even the year. Her concentration kept her eyes on the floorboards, "Aly," he soothed, "Please it is important." She continued to stare at the floor. "I forgot about even the concept of time. When I was trapped, the simple things no longer mattered. My life was about surviving until I could figure out how to escape." "Alyenna how long?" She felt the air in the room push her chin up from the floor. She obliged and looked at Baellnar. Tears threatened to explode onto her cheeks, "I don't know!" Paul never kept a calendar, never let her go out, never really gave her a means of keeping track of time, and he did not celebrate birthdays. They did not have TV or cellphones. He claimed it was for 'financial reasons.' All of the days, the weeks, even the potential years with Paul blended together in one horrible blur of tyranny and abuse. Alyenna was overwhelmed by the concept of not even knowing her age, and having her tormentor follow her to this unknown land. Her resolve failed her, she pulled her knees tight to her chest and wept as she rocked back and forth. Aagi jumped onto the bed next to her and rested an arm around Aly's trembling shoulders. He glared up at Baellnar. "Enough, She can answer the rest when she's ready." Then his words disappeared in a slew of grumbling and spitting in dwarven. A language which Alyenna had limited understanding of, and given who she was learning it from all she understood was 'obnoxious prick' and something else that involved lewd acts with farm animals. It took several minutes, but she gathered her emotions up in a tidy bundle and put them back in the lockbox where they belonged. She gulped in her last wave of tears and looked at Baellnar with a wordless plea in her eyes for the Inquisition to stop for today. Frustrated he turned away from her and continued on his previous task of packing. It was Aagi's turn to ask for information. He was much gentler in his task of coaxing it out of her. He started with pleasant things like her parents. He inquired about her first memory of her family and how long she was with them. The questions filled Alyenna with pleasant memories. Then, he slowly worked on getting her to talk about Paul. Aly could not look at her friends as she told her story which included Paul's confession about their murder. She talked about how gentle and kind Paul was at first showering her with gifts and affection. How he would spend real quality time with her. He encouraged her to keep up with her favorite hobbies like reading, puzzles, and he would even go running with her. Then slowly these precious times they spent together grew cold. Aly shakily relayed the rest of the story. " He started with small insults first. Nothing major. He would poke at how my hair looked, or if I had put on a little weight, or correct my posture telling me I looked like a hunchback and that no man wants a hunchback. He slowly stole my confidence from me piece by piece. Towards the end he had me convinced of his world. A world in which 'No one will love you Aly.' 'No one will care for you as much as I do.' 'I am the only one who will understand you.'" Even the mental escape of a morning jog took a nasty turn. He would never let me run alone. Then instead of joining me and laughing with me as he raced he would follow me in a van taunting me, but it all happened so gradually I did not know to stop it, and when I did I was too weak to fight back until I finally snapped the day you 'kidnapped me.'

"Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they are never weakness."-- Brene Brown

What a weird dream, Aly thought as sleep slipped away from her. She slowly opened her eyes which revealed a scene that was almost as confusing as the dream itself. Her two companions were standing in the corner of the room. Their faces were hunched close together, and surreptitious whispers escaped their mouths. Their tone was anxious, and their eyes filled with fear. She allowed the blissful well rested feeling hold her close for a little bit longer before she dove into the serious nature of whatever situation they were discussing. That was the best night of sleep she had had in a while. Alyenna sat up and stretched, extending her fingers and toes to their furthest possible point, and enjoyed the lavish feeling of the movement. She crossed her legs and waited patiently for the two men to realize she was awake. During the several minutes, it took for them to break their very private conversation, she pondered how and when she had gotten into bed. She did not remember coming back last night all she remembered was—. Her thought was cut off by a gruff voice. "Oi lassie yur awake!"Aagi announced to the room abruptly halting his conversation with Baellnar. Baellnar looked at her thoughtfully for a minute then turned away and began packing their things. His back remained to her almost as if he was refusing to make eye contact. "Indeed." She stretched out the word eyeing them both with ardent suspicion. When neither of them reacted to her non-verbal question, she shrugged and started to get out of bed. She froze when she took a gander at what she was wearing. It was her clothes, but it was not what she was wearing yesterday. The concern that had been growing inside her caused by their whispered conversation suddenly spread through her body in wild alarm. Images from her incredibly lucid 'dream' rapidly started playing in her mind. In a strangled tone she looked at her comrades and with pleading eyes and a rattled tone she asked her friends "what ... what happened last night?" "Turns out lassie we've, um been teaching ya ta use da wrong type o' weaponry." He said impishly. Baellnar ignored Aagi's remark and changed the course of their conversation down a darker path. "Aly tell us about Paul." She stared from one companion to another for a very long time. Finally sighing in acceptance, she said"It wasn't a dream then? ... He's here isn't he?" "No Aly it was not a dream. We need to know who he is." Baellnar spoke with unusual vehemence for his gentle voice. Defensively Aly loudly replied. "Well, he's an asshole what more is there?" Deeply uncomfortable with him bringing up such an insipid part of her life. Reminding her that the most nefarious man she ever had met, who she had happily accepted was in another world in another dimension could be right outside her door. "Aly we need to know the whole story how do you know Paul." His icy stare sent shivers through her body. "He's my Uncle." Then remembering Paul's words from the night before "well at least I thought he was my Uncle. Besides you told me you were watching me what more do you need to know." "We had limited access to viewing you and him. Your home with him was shielded, with the help of Scelestra's magic, from our view. The only time we could see you was when you ventured outside. How long were you in his care?" Baellnar's question pushed deep into a world she did not want to remember, and the nature of his tone unnerved her.

To those that banned me, thank you!! Guess what? I am better than before and I'll tell you to watch out