World of Warcraft®

The mind games of Cyaer Sunblaze -

I'm losing it, my sanity, slowly, ever so slowly...is this what happened to Aseria? My mind won't shut down, it keeps playing scenarios for me to keep me entertained, or to drive me mad, I'm not sure which?

For instance, does Aseria love me? Is that why she just doesn't take the rune? My mind wonders what would happen if she cut my hand off to have the rune? Would my blood pour out of me, where I would be unable to stop it? Or would my hand be gone, but nothing else occurred? It drives me crazy! She could love me...she gave me a pet name, Nutter. Maybe I made an impression on her that first time we met...or not.

I'm hungry. Not my body, but my mind, it thinks it needs food, really? What does a mind feast on...no, not the dream again....not again...

It leaves me exhausted everytime...the rush of the whole experience, is that what minds crave for nourishment...that rush? I want to rest, I need rest, DAMN IT! I DESERVE REST!!

Oh, my...sleep, I so could use some sleep. I cannot close my eyes, and this active mind of mine knows no boundaries of things to think of...

Cyaer, you need but shut down. Think of nothing...nothingness. Become unconscious...you can do it. I have faith in you.

Why do you sound like my Mia? Are you here in my mind, Mia? I love you, Mia! I LOVE YOU!!!

You hear what you want to hear, would you rather hear Kel'tira in her sultry come hither voice? Hello, Cyaer...take me, I'm yours to do with as you wish.

No, not that, Mia, I want Mia's tender soft voice...not the other, please....Mia?

Shh, Cyaer, sleep now. Close your mind, and sleep, my love. You'll awaken refreshed.

I do love you, Mia. You know that don't you?

Yes, Cyaer, I know, now sleep, Cyaer. We will talk again. I love you too.

You love me too? Ahhh...sleep...nite Mia...

Sleep, my love...

A tall, well dressed blood elf with long auburn hair was splayed out in a leather chair, his brooding gaze on the fire. It had been several weeks since he had hired someone to retrieve the woman who had called herself Calandre and he had yet to receive so much as an update. He was considering putting a bounty out on the woman who claimed that she could find his fair prize but had yet to produce her.

A soft knock came on the door of the library.

The man stirred in the chair, “What is it?”

The door opened and there was a soft footstep before one of his associates spoke, “We have word from your business associate. She has the woman in question.”

Eliran Falconsky jumped up from the chair quickly and turned towards the door. “Does she plan on bringing her here?”

“She said that it would be at the end of the week.” The location was detailed and Falconsky shook his head.

“Unacceptable,” he strode towards the door. “See that her room is prepared and call the stables. We will leave tonight. Send word to the Rose that we will collect Calandre at the border.”

“Of course, sir.”

Falconsky turned and looked at the chaise sitting empty by the fire. In his mind, he could already pictured the woman who would be reclined there, her chestnut brown hair gleaming in the firelight and her soft skin illuminated by the flames. He clenched one hand into a fist before walking down the hall, his retainer following.

There were quite a few things to be finished before her arrival and Falconsky wanted to ensure that everything was in place. Calandre had slipped away once; she was not going to do so again. He was more than eager to have her under his roof again, only this time she would understand that she was meant to stay.

He would ensure it.

Journal of Karamia Dawnstrike

My heart is breaking. My Cyaer is in trouble and I cannot find him. I can hear him in my dreams. He is so lonely and stiff...I wonder if he will be all right? It cannot be good for him to remain frozen like that. I search the countryside looking for Aseria's hide out. Where in the world did that witch go? And where is my sweetheart?

My faith is being tested I know. I must remain strong and keep searching. I fell out of my saddle last night and camped out under the stars. I could not bear to go back to SIlvermoon. There has been no word on the stone. We still wait for the Tome to be delivered to Sydric.

I fall to my knees and pray. "Light give me strength"

The Rose was looking through the bag that Scarlet had with her. The armor and daggers were already set aside, and destined for the lake. Beside her, the forsaken known as Rattling Joe stood quietly gazing out the window, his disinterest in the personal belongings of the brown haired woman in the other room could not be more apparent.

He wasn’t being paid for curiosity.

“What is this thing?” the Rose pulled out a strange stone. It was smallish, round in shape and had several runes etched on the surface. She ran her hand across the surface, inadvertently activating the rune. “Rattling Joe, have you seen anything like this?”

Rattling Joe turned his gaze from the blood elf walking up to the small house and glanced over one boney shoulder at the Rose and shrugged. “No. Someone is coming to the door. I will see to it.”

“Whatever,” the Rose set the stone down on the table with a thunk and turned back to the bag. “What is this? A journal? Hmmm… didn’t think you to be the scribe type… just some ugly brown haired mouse.” She quickly scanned through the book, flipping through the pages and paying little heed to what was written there. “No matter, it can go in the lake with the rest of this stuff.”

The sound of rattling met her ears and she knew that Rattling Joe—who got his name because his bones rattled audibly when he moved—was on his way back up.

“Well?” she asked as he walked in the room.

“We move out tonight. He wants her now.”

“Now? She isn’t in any state to be delivered! He will know that we drugged her!” The Rose did not like the idea of crossing Falconsky. If he thought that they had hurt his precious cargo in any way—and in some ways they had—he would be upset.

Rattling Joe shrugged, not caring what destruction might rain down upon his temporary employer’s head. After all, he wasn’t the one answering to the weapon’s trafficker. “Not to mention that her wrists are also chewed up a bit. Perhaps that is best we keep her out? We can travel quicker without her fighting us. Just tell him that she wasn’t convinced that she needed to return and let him handle how to break her.”

The Rose had to concede that he had a point. “Very well,” she started shoving the items back in the bag. “Dose her again to see that she isn’t any trouble. After we deliver her, you can come back to the Undercity and then dump her things in the lake. We will,” the Rose’s hand brushed against the stone, turning it off as she stuffed it in the bag, “leave within the hour.”

The Dark Knight travles to Orgrimmar to speak with the bartender that he suspected of selling poison to some one, He then heard everything...he heard his beloved being taken to some man? He heard a Name, Rattlecage Joe, and Some woman speaking...it didn't sound Like Auxilia, so It must not have been her, "I will find her and bring her back! Even if I have to sell my soul to sageras!!" He yelled at Kel'tira and Alenthis and Tislina In the bar, They offered their help, Altho he acctepted it, He forewarned them to stay out of his way, For when it was time to kill the ones that took Auxilia from him, He was going to peel their skin from their bones and paint the walls with their blood, He was not going to stop at anything that would prevent him from getting her back, As he went to Brightwater lake with Tislina, they found her bag, Her journal, her guild stone some clothes, and a dagger, Solorins face Cringed with hatred as he thought what they were doing to her...not able to think about it much longer, he left with tislina to the Undercity, their he would wait for Rattlecage Joe, As he didn't mean to go threw her personal buisness, he had to look for clues to help him, he read threw her journal...looked at some of the early pages about her coming into the Fellowship and her early training, He came across something interesting, Some one called "The Rose"...He remembered her having to leave a few weeks ago...and he couldn't know why...He must find this rose...and Interrogate her.

The mind games of Cyaer Sunblaze, while frozen in time from the Rune of Greed -

Oh, I feel a little groggy, but somewhat rested. What happened while I "slept"? Was Mia still here? Or have I finally lost it completely?

No, Cyaer, I am still here. And it has been quiet while you rested. Do you feel better now?

Yeah, I do. You have been on watch? And I feel kinda better.

Good, can you tell me what you see when you look out into this room we are in?

What do you mean? I see stuff. Lots of dusty, musty stuff.

Cyaer, where is all that marvelous training you have had? What do you see? Think.

Well, the carpet is kind of worn, but it's expensive, the threads are still in good condition...and it's sort of thick, good padding, I think. I can see portraits on the wall, most likely family portraits, not willy nilly pictures. Good ones here too, the oils still look fresh, is that the proper word? It's hard to make out the names because they are so small...gre...grey? I can't read it.

You are doing so well, Cyaer, I am so proud of you. Can you see any more?

Um...the curtains covering the windows are heavy, they block out the sun, which is good, it keeps the stuff from fading...kind of rich looking too...not silk, too heavy...but good material.

Well done, my love, you have done very well. Remember to observe as much as you can. The smallest thing could be important for you or the Fellowship.

The Fellowship? Do you think they're looking for me? Do you think so, really?

Yes, they are very concerned about you. How do you think I feel right now? Our wedding is getting closer and closer, and I have no groom. I pray the Light is keeping you safe, Cyaer.

Really? I sure miss you, Mia. Is your faith in the Light strong now? Have you...

Cyaer? Cyaer? Where are you? CYAER!!

The mind games of Cyaer Sunblaze, while frozen in time from the Rune of Greed -

The dream or vision comsumed his all. He could not have stopped it if he had wanted to, and he did not want to...it was an epiphany of all his desires, hungers, and urges rolled into one.

The image was forever changed in his mind and in his heart, there was no other for him but his beautiful Karamia. They would experience this on their honeymoon, and the love they shared would become new and changed from that day forth.

There were no more desires for anyone else, no regrets, or feelings for anyone else...Karamia filled his senses, his mind and his heart...there was no room for anyone else ever again. He breathed Karamia, he saw only Karamia, he heard only her sweet voice, and most of all, he wanted only Karamia. Karamia, you are my world.

And if he could have, he would have been smiling.

Journal of Karamia Dawnstrike

My mind plays tricks on me. I can almost hear him, his voice in my mind. He is so devoted to me. I can feel his love for me overshadows all the trouble we have had. My heart throbs with longing. I have seen in my dreams what he sees.

It seems familiar somehow. Perhaps the richness of the carpets and wall hangings. I seem to be drawn towards him. I slogged through the Silverpine Forest and I can feel he is closer. Worgens everywhere! I kill them every other enemy. The creatures here are being manipulated by the Forsaken. The Horde puts up with Sylvanus because of her brilliant tactics.

Soon the Forsaken will over run Gilnaes and claim it. Even now the ruins of the villages are ripe for someone to claim in the name of the Horde. Gilnaes...the woods and rivers and swamp...the mountains and roads of cobbled stone. I can feel I am getting closer...Cyaer...I am coming to you...I can feel your love shining to me as a beacon.

The mind games of Cyaer Sunblaze, while frozen in time from the Rune of Greed -

Mia? Can you smell it? I think I smell...salt? Could we be near the ocean or a sea? I just think I can smell it or feel it, do you know what I mean?

Mhm...

Mia? What is it? What are you doing? Oh, can I see it again, can I live through it again? I like this, I like this a lot!

I do too, Cyaer, let us make it come true, shall we? You and I? Together?

Yes, Mia, I would like that...for both of us.

The dream was played over and over again, little did he know that it was implanting on his brain, to forever be etched in his memory, it erased another memory, and only this one stood out in his mind.

Cyaer's Mia smiled, 'very good, Cyaer, very good, my love'...

Kreindis lay on his back infront of two Arakkoan (If thats even a word) honor guard's corpses. He looked down to the large cut oozing blood across his body that was gained by the Arakkoa leader Ri'zaak. That same Arakkoa stood above him, about to deliver a killing blow to Kreindis. One thought raced through Kreindis' mind, "Where is Xalandir?! Didn't my love Tislina tell him to protect me?" As the thought finished and Ri'zaak raised his weapon, an arrow flew into the Arakkoa's neck, killing it instantly. Duknai Stonebow ran to Kreindis and threw him over his shoulder. "Do not worry my friend. You will be good again soon." Duknai took him to the camp that his small team had constructed and laid him down. A shaman walked over, and began to cast healing spells without a word. After a few minutes of this, the shaman growled in frustration. "Damnit, this isn't working!" Duknai turned to the shaman. "Dont give up yet. Cast your best healing spell, and if that isn't enough, then lets give up." Kreindis knew what they meant by give up. They meant give him a metcy killing. The shaman cast his spell, and it did not work. Duknai sighed, "Lets go get the weapon." The shaman nodded, and the two walked off to get the weapon of his death. Kreindis looked around, one thought running through his mind. "No! I will not die here!" He cast Lay on Hands on himself, grabbed his bag containing his journal and three flowers he had found that he planned to give to Tislina if he returned, and ran into the forest. Duknai and the shaman returned with a dagger in hand, to find him gone. Duknai looked around, searching for even a trace of the Paladin. Once he found nothing in the camp, he turned to the shaman. "Get a search team together. We need to find him. If you dont find him by nightfall, come back." The shaman simply nodded and quickly got a team together. Once they leave, he sits in a chair at a table with Kreindis's guildstone on it, and awaits their return.

"What are you doing?!" Camberon was yelling at Tislina. Again.

"Hitting the practice dummy?' Her irritation was steadily rising.

"What do you mean? Your supposed to be practicing parries."

Tislina stopped her swinging and turned to look at him. "You need a real opponent to practice parries."

He smirked. "Well maybe if you werent so bad with a sword, you could practice with a real opponent."

She stared at him in shock for a second before she replied in a deadly calm voice. "Well perhaps if you were a better teacher, I could actually learn some swordsmanship."

Now it was his turn to look shocked. "I'm the best mentor here as far as swords go." She laughed.

"Are you joking? All you do is yell at me and tell me what to do. You don''t actually teach me anything." by this time several of the Rangers practicing with thier bows had gathered around them to watch the exchange.

"Im the best out here, you cant actually learn anything." She growled in reply.

"Your not even a real mentor! I could have gotten a real teacher, but NO! I got stuck with a hot-head warrior!"

He reached out and slapped her across the face.

Camberon knew he shouldnt have done it. He had, yet again, let his temper het the best of him. The minute he did it, he wished he hadnt. But he did. And now he waited. Waited for her to turn around with tears in her eyes. Waited for her to quit the class. Waited for her to yell at him how much she hated him. But what came next he didn't expect. He didn't expect her to turn around with fire in her eyes. He didn't expect her not to say a word. And he definatley did not expect to have a fiery fist collide with the side of his face. He fell onto the stones, hard. Both from the force of the punch and the shock of it all. he reached up and touched his cheek. It was hot and very painful. His jaw seemed to throb as well. He looked up and saw her standing over him. And now he saw the tears in her eyes. And yet she still did not yell. She simply turned on her heel on quickly strode away. He groaned softly as he walked to the infirmary. The nurses there informed him that the burn was very severe, and that his jaw had in fact been knocked out of place. The good news was that he would only have to stay in the infirmary for a few days. They set his jaw and applied a salve to the burn and yet he still felt horrible. Not physically either. He kept replaying the scene in his mind and he kept thinking, "I shouldn't have hit her, I shouldn't have hit her, I shouldn't...."

For once in his life he considered apologizing.

Ash sighed, flatening out the wrinkles that appeared on her new robe. She had a thick padded leather chest piece over her shoulder to give her some more protection when it came to battle, and once she was done fiddling with her robe, she slipped it over her head and pulled a book from a certain shelf to reveal a secret room. Stairs lead down a dark corridor, which Aseria began to decend, the bookshelf slowly closeing behind her.

When all was dark, she snapped her fingers to conjure a small blue glowing fire ball that floated around her head, slowly decending the stair case. Her mind was running with a few thoughts, most of them how to get the rune of Cy with out running the risk of killing a member of the Fellowship to soon. The Witch told her that it would be silly to kill the Fellowship members while there was still Vira to be delt with, and she had agreed. While she was thinking about cutting Cy's hand off, she was met with a door finally appearing out of the shadows and in the eriee blue light.

Reaching to touch the door nob, she twisted it to open it and entered the room. Stacked high were books, a lot of them mostly about Gilneus. The Witch decided that she would take residence here, where there was a view of the ocean through one window, and a dark place where she could study and look over acient texts and tombs. It was the large window where she found the Witch, knees up to her chest and arms around them, as if hugging them, her shimmering jade green gaze looking at the grey, cloudy sky "We will have visitors" she said, rather bluntly besides the look of what seemed to be peace on her face.

"Visitors?" Ash asked, quirking a brow while she cleared a spot for her to sit down and cross her legs. The Witch nodded "Aye....I sense....a Paladin....she is connected with the Nutter you brought....the bed toy" Ash blinked a once...twice..three times before answering "Mia? Here? How? I thought they wouldn't know that we would be here". Krystala let out a soft chuckle and turned her sweet, innocent looking face towards the Pyromancer "Love can be a strange thing...Ash....that Nutters love for that bed toy is strong. The only way to break love is if you break the person....and with the state the Nutter is, he doesn't seem to be breaking anytime soon."

Aseria spat in disgust on the ground "I'll go find her, I'll tear her stomach open and hang her on the nearest tree by her intestines!" The Witch raised her hand "You will certainly not, again, we still have competition....Vira...stay focused and calm yourself. Now as for the Rune, which I know is the reason why you are here, has one way to counter it.....a counter I do not have". The Pyromancer blinked, as if shocked "You don't? Then how on EARTH! Do we get the Rune?"

The Witch shrugged "Cut off his hand, I'll make him a new one out of shadows...." she said, turning back to look out the window "Cut it off, I'll be there with a magic container to carry the rune and regrow him a new hand....make sure it's painless so we can tend to the bleeding quickly". Nodding, Ash got up, walking back towards the door and leaving the Witch to stare out the window. Silently, she whispered to herself "But of course....Vira is also on her way here, isn't she?.....No matter....she and what ever army she brings will die, there and then"

---------------------------------------

Ash had entered the room that held Cy, one of her thin conjured blades held frimly in her hand, blue azure runes pulsing with arcane energy "Hello, Nutter" she said as she entered the room "I hope you're feeling comfortable, I'm here to chop off that hand of yours for the Rune.....hope you don't mind" she stuck the tip of the blade into the carpet, watching the rogue for a few moments "I also here your bed toy is on her way....she must be really stupid if she plans to leave this place alive....in the mean time, I will alow you to reslish the few moments of having a hand before I cut it off....so enjoy them while you can"

Kreindis sat at his tiny camp he had constructed in the early hours of morning, watching the sun rise to return light to the world. He removed his journal from his bag, along with his quill. He begins to write. Yesterday was crazy... I almost died. Twice. First an Arakkoa leader made a slice across my entire body with a polearm, and would have finished me if Duknai hadn't come along. Then, the second was when our squads healer couldn't heal me, so Duknai and him tried to give me a mercy killing. I got away with nothing but my bandages, black cloth pants, and my bag containing this journal and three flowers I had found that I wanted to give to Tislina. If I can even make it back to her... The squad has probably done something, I know they searched for me, but I think that they think I'm dead. Maybe they'll use my guildstone, if they know how, to tell the Fellowship I'm dead... I hope if they do that, Tislina isn't there to hear... it would break her heart to hear that I'm dead... [i]Kreindis yawns, and leans back on his bag, closing the journal and storing it back in the bag. He falls back into an uneasy sleep, as the sun rises infront of him. Back at the squads camp, the search team for Kreindis was just returning. "Well?" asked Duknai, "Find anything?" The search team shook their heads, "If he even got far, he's dead anyway. He has nothing but a bag, bandages and pants!" said the same shaman that had tried to heal Kreindis. Duknai sighed, and glanced at Kreindis's Guildstone. "Should we tell his Fellowship friends? I heard they were the last people he cared for. And his love in the Fellowship needs to know, too." The shaman nodded, "If thats all true, then yes." Duknai grabbed the guildstone, and remembers how Kreindis activated it. He clears his throat and taps it twice, turning it on. He begins to speak into it, "Members of the Rising Sun Fellowship, there is something you all need to hear. The one named Kreindis Blazestride... is dead. If you want details, I'll be traveling to Silvermoon City today. Find me there if you want to." He taps the stone again, turning it off. He hated doing things like telling peoples loved ones that a friend has died on the battlefield.

Aseria. She looked intent, like she had a plan. This should be good. What is she saying?

No, not Mia, not my Karamia! I won't let you, NO! MIA!!! NOOO!!!!

Open! Open, damn you, open! I don't want you, I don't deserve you....OPEN! Ohmigod, please, open! OPEN!

(Barely perceptable, his fingers opened, the Rune of Greed, balancing on his fingertips.)

Oh, beloved, try again, you are so close, try again, Cyaer. Try, Cyaer!

Open, open, open! Let it go! Let it go! Let it go! LET IT GO! DROP IT! DROP IT! So tired, Mia, so tired, I can't...

Cyaer, you must do it, my darling, drop that rune...NOW!

(His fingers trembled, and the rune began to slide from his grasp, dropping to the floor, and resting in front of his right foot.)

I...I...I feel funny....(fade to black)

[i]Ash grinned as she watched the rune drop to the floor. Although it was a lot more painless to have to cut off his hand, she still had to worry about the fact that, if she touched it, she will become the same damn thing as Cy; A golden statue. Deciding it's not worth taking the risk, she mentally told Krystala that Cy had dropped the rune, and she appeared from the shadows near by with a strange looking stone box "Good....so I guess that saves us having to clean the carpets from the blood" she said, Ash being surprised the Witch had a sense of humor.

Shrugging, the Pyromancer turned her attention to the box "So what's that?". Krystala turned her gaze to the box "A little something I had to carry such magical items such as the Rune in case there is a chance that the Rune still likes turning people into gold" she says, placing the box on the ground and opening it. Using her shadow magic, she controlled the Shadows to pick up the rune and lower it into the box. Closing the box, the Witch picked it up and looked towards were Cy lay "We will lock him in the room with Shadow magic...deal with his bed toy....and then we...'prepare'..."

Aseria raised a brow "Prepare for what exactly?" Krystala grinned "Things will get a lot more interesting in this Manor....let's just say we might be moving out soon" she chuckled as the two left the room, the door shutting behind them and the shadows slithering across the door to create a seal.

As the witch and the Pyromancer closed the door, and the shadows sealed the door, the rune's magic released Cyaer from the terrible frozen in time state that he had been in for several days. And his body slumped heavily to the floor, his mind unconscious and dark.

Cyaer? Wake up, honey, please wake up. Cyaer?

Triana

Some people think me flighty, others simply a common w|hore. I am neither. Well, maybe once I was, Light knows I used to flit from man to man to find my own amusement, but those days are behind me.

I used to keep a journal, I really did. I swear! I just... lost it... or... fell behind. Anyways! Why I'm writing today!

Loki!

Old Gods, I love that man.

He asked me to marry him, and... I said yes. All things considered.

Okay! Dear journal? Nah, not right.

I promise this will only be for happy things, 'kay?

Progress Report-to the Banshee Queen [b]

My Lady,
You chose well when you chose the Fellowship. They are an honorable people and have accepted me into their ranks. They are not without flaws that the Blood Elven race normally posess. But for the most part, they are an excellent group of people. Most of their members have been tollerant of me even though I am an outsider and I believe it should be noted that they have almot accepted me as one of their own. Dare I say, I've perhaps become friends with some of them.
As far as progress goes, the Fellowship has several noteworthy enemies. A warlock by the name Viragona and a crazed witch they call Ash. Their leader tells me that Viragona has necromantic powers. I have no doubt that you keep excellent records on Necromantic achievements and noteworthy users. Any records you can find about her would be most helpful. As far as this "Ash" goes she seems to be insane. She's kidnapped one of our members and has taken him to an unknown location south of the Undercity. If your scouts find anything, I would appreciate it if you could send word my way.
On a side note their is a Forsaken traitor amongst you. He goes by the name Rattlecage Joe. We have intel that he should be returning to the Undercity soon. I'd suggest having the guards arrest him on sight and hold him for one of our members to come collect him.
My Lady, this group is growing quite powerful. Their members are headstrong, moral, and growing stronger by the day. I would humbly request a steady flow of gold from the Undercity, as well as some extra troops if you can spare them.
Sincerely, Alenthis Sunstrider

Night always seemed darker in the territory held by the Forsaken. The sky hung heavier in the sky and the stars didn’t shine as brightly. The ground seeped fog that curled upwards and laced itself around the limbs of the living and the ambient sounds of nocturnal animals was noticeably missing. The wind still blew; its caress rattling the dry foliage, making the unnerving sound of tiny clattering bones.

The woman with the brown hair was still tied up. She had made the trip with a knife at her throat, seated in front of a rusty looking forsaken who turned out to be an excellent horseman. The blonde blood elf rode on a hawkstrider, and looked suitably nervous for their meeting with whomever had ordered the purchase.

As they moved forward towards the border of the Silverpine Forest and the Arathi Highlands, a horse drawn carriage came into view. Outside the carriage five men stood, all of whom were armed. One had a wolf at his side. One spoke as they came into view.

“State your business!”

“I have the package for your employer. If he will show himself, I will hand her over,” the Rose replied.

The woman with the brown hair bristled at the thought of being called a package.

One of the men rapped on the carriage door before opening it. Out stepped an elegant looking man, his long auburn hair managing to gleam in what little moonlight there was. He was a strikingly handsome man, he also wore a very dangerous expression—a curious mix of disapproval and ownership.

“I see you kept your end of the bargain. Any reason why she needs a blade at her throat?” he spoke quietly, his voice carrying easily through the darkness.

The woman with the brown hair felt her knees go weak. Eliran Falconsky commissioned this? Why her? She couldn’t quite wrap her brain about it but one bright note was that if Tirastrian was still at the manor, he would help her get out.

“I needed to convince her to come,” the Rose said, malice hinting her tone. “She put up quite a fight.”

“Really,” it was a statement, not a question. Falconsky sounded as if he didn’t quite believe the words of the blonde woman. “Calandre, come here my dear.”

It was an order, not a request. The woman with the brown hair gave the wolf a surreptitious glance. She would not be able to outrun it when she had all her faculties working let alone now, where she was still fighting off the effects of the serums she had been given. Slowly she walked forward, schooling her expression to somewhere between disbelief and wariness.

She went through her instructions on Falconsky, given all those weeks ago. He liked to be in charge, she needed to be submissive. She would go along with this game until she and Tirastrian could speak and formulate a way out of this.

‘I’m, sorry, Sol,’ she thought as she came to a halt beside Falconsky and looked at the ground, ‘but if you are ever going to see me again, I need to do what I must to get through this.’

There was one amusing thing, she thought as the business was concluded and final payment arrangements were made. She’d get through this by pretending that Eliran was Solorin. It would certainly irk the powerful weapons trafficker to know that with every kiss, every touch, she was imaging herself with another man.

As the Rose turned to leave, the woman with the brown hair caught her attention. The dark look in the younger woman’s eye caused a shutter to run down the blonde woman’s spine. Of course, if she played her card right, she wouldn’t have to hunt the Rose down. She’d have Eliran take care of the matter for her. That might be right up his alley.

Soon she was bundled in the carriage, sandwiched between Eliran and another man. Across from them sat two more men. Riding shotgun was the teamster and the hunter with his wolf. She gave a small sigh and leaned back against the seat. While she waited for the inevitable questions, she thought about her answers and she peered through the darkness at her injured wrists.

Eliran remained quiet for a good thirty minutes before asking, “Why did you leave?”

“I went downstairs to get new wineglasses after you feel asleep,” she said, not looking at him. Across from her, she could see one of the men nod. “Then there was the fight and someone tried to grab me. I ran outside and hid. But, you had fallen asleep and well… I didn’t think that you were that interested in me so to spare you the trouble, I left.”

Not quite the truth, but it was close enough that he would probably buy it.

“But I did go through a lot of trouble for you,” he replied in an even tone that was laced with displeasure.

“I’m sorry,” she spoke in a quiet voice, biting her lower lip to keep her tone meek.

Eliran saw the gesture through the weak light filtering in through the carriage and patted her hand. He was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath. “It seems there was some miscommunication and… what is wrong?”

“My wrists are raw from where they bound me,” she clasped her hands in front of her.

“Why did they have to bind you?” his voice became suspiciously calm. “Didn’t you want to see me again?”

“They drugged me, knocked me out, told me that someone bought me but didn’t tell me who,” she said with a trace of venom in her tone. “All they had to do was tell me that you were looking for me and I would have come back.”

Again, another lie tied in with the truth.

“I see,” this time, his tone was lighter, more contemplative. She hoped that that was a good sign. “I will deal with the Rose later, for now, let us get you home and in your bed,” he reached out and placed a finger under her chin, tilting her head towards him. “No more miscommunication: you will stay with me.”

“Yes…”

“Yes, you will what?”

“Yes, I will stay with you, Eliran.”

His low, throaty chuckle filled the carriage.

This would take some planning and some careful maneuvering, she knew. The real danger was that if she was left in this situation long enough, she ran the risk of acquiring Stockholm syndrome. She would have to ensure that it didn’t get that far.