Elanee and Namor come with another Captain of Silverspire and a group of men behind them, seeing only the debris of the buildings as well as Artanis on top of it calling for Rain and Tristan while digging. A feeling a lost hope falls to the pit of her stomach hearing the cries to Rain’s name and Elanee sprints to the wreckage, climbing up by Artanis she drills her hands into the mess and snow blowing pieces of wood and metal behind her like a dog digging a hole she joins in to the search, Elanee looks behind and orders the men to look for their Captain, digging profusely for minutes on end Artanis come across a stoned arm, recognizing the arm band as one Tristan wore Artanis called out his find and extra guards help him uncover Tristan’s body.

“He’s got the stone skin spell upon him” says Straud helping Artanis with the last piece as a show of forgiveness and trust, dragging Tristan out of the pile and away from the debris Artanis looks to where he was to see Rain in one piece but unconscious who was buried beneath him.

“Over here” shouted Artanis picking up Rain’s body carrying him out, noticing that his amulet was now glowing as Dawn’s did at the time of her vampire change; Elanee runs to his side hurting her ankle in the process. Artanis places him gently down on the ground and looks him over, sliding to his side Elanee listens to his chest hearing no breathing, checking his pulse Elanee feels nothing and panics rushes to her face, she puts her mouth to his and starts trying to give him breath pushing on his chest after each puff of air. Artanis watches as does Straud and both look upon Elanee with no understanding.

“What are you doing?” questioned Artanis

“Elder elves taught me this healing technique years ago on their passing through our city after a similar incident left a victim breathless” she hastily huffed wasting no time looking to any around her. She repeats the process three times every time begging him to breath and come back to them, on the third time tears came to her eyes when she thought it was too late for him, Rain gasped to the smoky air having life sparked in his eyes as Rain opened up wide, leaning back with relief Elanee closed her own eyes thanking the elves in silence for their knowledge. They cleaned his face and limbs from the severe cuts by the collapse, Tristan was ok just knockout and unconscious from lack of air but awoke fine and confused on how he awoke at all. Cynn explained to him that Rain caste the spell on him and using him as a shield for the rubble saved himself as well, but regrettably informed him that the other men with them died from the cave in.

In the next two days to follow the clean-up and burying the dead were the top priorities of the city as well as Cynn and Straud taking the ashes of Maylor to the ceremony held at the enclave in honor of Maylor. Artanis was told to remain back from the rest going to the city to aid them while he came clean about his hidden blood ties to the tower and the book he was given by his father. Cynn also comes clean about her involvement unknown to the Drow clan in the first killing of Colossus and that was another reason that for so long the Clan had been in his cross hairs for retribution. The city was cleaned up well and fast and everyone was planning to move ahead and on with what had transpired until the knock came to her door.

“Namor” Elanee says answering the maple striking call

“Hi Elanee” he replies to her

“You all set to sail off?” she asks

“Yep about two more days and we hit the open waters to go home” he replies

“Well it has been a most precious experience, I wish I could see you home again” Elanee says to ease the mood

“Well, that’s why I have come to see you Elanee, I would like you to come back with me as my wife” and getting to one knee in front of her he holds out to her hand a ring that easy would be worth more than the boat they would travel on.

“Namor” she gasps to him and as he is about to slip the ring to her finger she stops him, “I know we have grown close in our time together but…I’m just not ready to leave behind all of this, the children at the orphanage, all my friends”

“Rain” Namor says rudely getting up

“Yes Rain too, he is one of my friends Namor and I know you hate him for what happened but he has saved your life after such a terrible event as well, that should count for something” she pleads to him

“It doesn’t, nothing but my love for you matters and I would hate for the mere lives of a handful of companions to come between that of the whole city of Silverspire”

And turning her sorrowful face into a serious frown she looks to him sternly “You would lay the lives of this city for the men they need on an answer to your wedding proposal…you selfish bastard how could you throw such a threat upon me”

“Because my love for you is so strong that I will do anything to have you for myself Elanee”

“I am a woman not a piece of meat Namor you can’t lay claim to my soul you’re no better than Colossus himself”

“How dare you match me to that beast! I’m nothing like him”

“Could have fooled me” Elanee spouted back

He grips her hand and forcefully places the ring to her finger base and whispers to her “I entrust you will make the right decision, we both know that you would give up your life to see this city saved once more, I’m calling that bluff” and letting her go he walks to the archway and stops “Say no to my proposal, the men won’t come, say a breath to this to anyone else and the men won’t come, I do love you Elanee and I’m sorry to do this to you but I won’t pass up an opportunity for a wife like you, and for the rest of my life I promise to become the husband you have always wanted” and he leaves her, she runs to her bed crying at the sudden change of events that happened so fast, she looks at the ring and taking it off she throws it across the room. Like a haunting call from lingering ghost she then goes back the ring and picks it up. Holding it tightly in her hand she thinks to herself and the burden that lies down upon her.

Time passes a couple hours by as she then gathers herself back together and accepting what she had to do she went down to the courtyard where Cynn and Straud had come to arrange a meeting with the King to discuss further action. Cloud and Rain were in on the meeting as well as Tristan and Namor, Elanee comes to see Alisianna, Dawn and Artanis who were waiting outside of the meeting due to prior engagements. Alisianna was the first to sight the ring attached on Elanee’s finger and rushed over to find out all about it, Elanee explains to all of them of Namor’s proposing to her and her accepting it but informs them she has to leave with him on the allotted time, all were happy and saddened to hear the news and bear hugs to her in congratulations, and recall the time with Elanee while they wait for the meeting to come to an end. When the council members come out Artanis, Dawn and Alisianna help Elanee announce the engagement to the rest, and Tristan turns a deep cold stare to Namor. Walking up to him stiffly he shakes his hand with no emotion wishing him good luck and includes a half-baked smile with the approach, the rest also pass around thanks and support to the couple and after the talk Elanee comes up to Straud alone.

“Elanee, something wrong” Straud asks seeing a different look upon her face

“No I just had a question about the defense of the stones” Elanee inquired

Straud goes into how they will leave the other stones to the enclave, but Colossus probably knows that the stones will be there anyway, thinking he will bring an army to get them this time Straud is confident about a sure good fight he will have due to the massive men that will be supporting their cause. Smiling about it to herself she says that’s good to here and walks away not letting him see the tears coming to her watery eyes. She knew he was there but couldn’t find him anywhere for a time,

“Where is Rain?” Elanee asked to Cloud who was taking a drink of some water for his dry throat.

“I don’t know he was here a moment ago…you haven’t told him yet have you” he asked followed by her shaking head, he thinks for a moment and guides her to the study room for he normally goes there to think and be alone. Opening the door slowly to the study chamber did she see him, with a single lit candle was he sitting in his chair buried in a book to fake his real thoughts on his mind. Rain had seen the ring to her finger but couldn’t bear to seal a smile to her face in congratulations; he never thought she was so naive to the simple show of his actions.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere” she said entering, he could smell her perfume he knew Namor had bought her for some useless occasion, like a victory over strapping on his shoes or finishing a big meal.

“Well you found me, now did you seek me out to once again announce you are engaged to that pompous brat, cause I did hear about it already plus I can see the reflection of the diamond off the dingy grey stone wall…pretty impressive when it can do that in this room” Rain said with her going silent,

“What are you reading?” she asked and looking up at the wall away from her Rain shakes his head, “I have no idea” closing the book turning his chair by magic to face her, “Answer me this much…do you love him? Because the Elanee I knew for the short time I have wouldn’t fall victim so easily to this act, she would’ve needed more proof of spirit”

“Maybe he has and your own hate won’t see it” she weakly defended

“You didn’t answer my question…do you love him.” Rain said again, she looked to the ring and changed her face that Rain could without training see her do,

“Yes, I do love him. He has flaws yes but so do you”

“I have never diminished that fact; I have some of the worst ones known” Rain said bowing his head to stare at the floor, “I just thought that you and I had…”

“What?” Elanee asked with a small shot of hope running to her face,

“Had gotten through those issues to be better friends…I thought you trusted me Elanee I thought you would’ve heeded my warnings about him”

“He is a major player in this army raising Rain and with me being the chief bargaining chip I…I did what needed to be done”

“What do you mean by that…Elanee is this a payment for the army” Rain said sternly rising to his feet.

“No! of course not Rain I love him, he has a soft side he doesn’t show many people, he is constantly berated by politics and in that fact can trust no one to get close to his heart but reaching that point have I seen the good in him” she states with words not even convincing herself,

“Well it hasn’t convinced me, none of this has” Rain waved his hands meaning about the marriage “And I don’t think it has with you either, but I won’t sit here watching you fall, you walk this path alone. I stop here” Rain ended giving her an embrace of congratulations.

“I...um I want you to come to my wedding” she forced out from her lips

“Elanee…” Rain said with a head gesture showing his known answer

“Please Rain!” she pleaded

“You know I won’t” he said straight on to her eyes

“You hate him that much…or is it me you hate now” putting her hands to her chest,

“I could never hate you Elanee, he has evidence on him in plain sight that you are choosing to ignore; things that show his true colors in life”

“Rain Enough! I won’t stand here why you wordy assault my betrothed”

“Say what you will you’re the head marshal of investigation in this city” Rain says getting right close to her face “Why don’t you investigate!!!” Rain ended soft and hard with him leaving the chamber. Elanee watched him go unable to say anything that would help or halt his movements, she went to the chair still warmed from his heated blood and sat in it while another run of tears floated down her cheeks.

Walking in solitude down to the shore line and along the beach sand did Straud reminisce old times about the contribution’s the Arbiter had made, he had saved Straud’s life countless of times and remembering the moments spent in his home drinking wine and sharing memories brought deep emotion to his face, seeing a flicker of shine up above Straud noticed Cynn’s bright brilliant gown shifting in the wind. She had always moved so graceful and her mere balance was enough to cape his heart to a deep trance. moving up to Cynn who was down on the wall walk looking out to the ocean side Straud slowly brings about his hands rubbing her shoulders to relax her tense posture she had in the meeting.

“I kept looking in that empty seat thinking he would just be late” Cynn said staring to cry and turning her around Straud lets her weep in his arms “We failed him Straud, we did…Colossus; he got what he came for and…”

“Hey shhhh, we haven’t failed Maylor yet, Colossus will be put down for this I swear to you he won’t see glory come to his vision” comforted Straud to her with his words

“For four hundred and fifty seven years he has been by my side as our father and healer; and suddenly he’s gone and it only seems like I’ve known him for an instant” Cynn wept out finally surfacing her bottled up grief.

“Life is funny that way, no matter how long you’re together when death comes, it’s never enough…or fair” Straud says to her flowing hair that held a rose scent to it “But we can honor him in continuing his mission and ours which is one in the same and we will not fail him Cynn I promise” Straud says solidly bringing Cynn’s eyes to meet his own they spark a resilient moment that can’t be held back and they merge to a kiss for the first time. Pulling away as fast they went together Cynn steps back and covers her mouth,

“I’m so sorry to discrete the memory and loyalty of Crysonia like that Captain please forgive me”

“You have done nothing wrong Cynn, she has been gone for a while and though I love her, there is still life left in me to love again. She is watching me now and would be disappointed in me for letting blind love that stares me in the face go unnoticed and unanswered, she would not want me to go on living alone”; hearing the words Cynn moves to him slow, sliding her hand to his cheek side she kisses his lips and with a gentle rest of his hands to her waist Straud returns the hidden affection.

Gazing upon a new batch of highly crafted weapons made by their own clan forger Cloud is torn from his metal appraising to the sight of Rain walking through the enclave going to his study. Quick jogging over Cloud sees no reason to hide what must be asked, “You ok about this Rain, about Elanee and her marriage I mean”

“Well there’s nothing I can really do, Namor I guess is what she really wants”

“Do you still have feelings for her even after Eve?” Cloud asked keeping pace

“I had them before and during, yet even now I do, they were just different from those for Eve but they are still there”

“When my first relationship fell through I took it hard but I moved on and I know you will too you just got to realize that…” and stopping in mid-sentence to watch some attractive Drow priestess their same age walk by, Rain and Cloud wave watching the girls wave back giggling to each other like a bunch of school girls. And finishing with an eye gesture to the girls he smiled to Rain.

“Wow those twins developed early” Cloud added gawking

“Girls in the Mavadio Family usually do” Rain surfaced staring for a second until shaking his head “What was it you were saying Cloud”

“That there are plenty of options out there Rain, however different, they are all unique” and smiling when he finished he taps Rain roughly on the shoulder and goes off jogging.

Two days pass bringing the dawn of the ship’s voyage homeward for Namor, Tristan and Elanee. Cloud, Rain and the rest of the group all wait by the dockside as they come out for their final goodbyes. Rain hasn’t spoken to her since he was told about her marriage outside of the meeting and holding his head high and feelings deep inside he smiles as she come to each one of them hugging saying farewells. Leaving Rain till last she approaches slow bearing an untamable surge in her stomach, Rain shakes Tristan’s hand hoping that he’ll see him again and gestures to Namor on a safe trip hiding hope to never see him again, and then finally Elanee.

“Well, this is it” Elanee says to start

“You take care of yourself ok” says Rain hugging her and holding him tight in return she begins to water up in her eyes, promising herself this wouldn’t happen she breaks from the hug and receiving a kiss to the cheek bone from his lips, she walks down to the boat glancing back to see his face one last time, waving a farewell to the rest she boards the ship.

The ship launches and sets sail letting Rain watch the aft drift away smaller and smaller, he looks up to see the sun setting quickly and smiling at the calm skies they will be sailing in Rain slowly walks away.

Perched on the dock side at the aft of the ship Elanee leans up against the boat ledge hearing the crashing waves being slit by the ships carving point bow. Looking to the calm waters she sees dolphins swimming alongside of the ship, being amused by the sounds they make she tries to hear the song they are singing to one another as time slowly passes by.

Tristan goes top side and sees Elanee one last time, “You have an iron will to do such a brave task for your people Elanee, I want you to know that I will visit your home every day to see that this sacrifice will not go unnoticed or ill remembered to him”

“Thank you but I’m sure that I will be fine Captain, he is a good man and I’m certain good will come from this union”

“One last question Elanee” Tristan tries to get out when he is intruded and given some documents of parchment by a sail mate, saying that they need to be destroyed by order of Namor for they are old orders “Do you love him” he asks Elanee while he rereads the documents,

“I have to, I’m sure that he will grow on me when I give him the chance to…is everything alright” Elanee ended her words seeing a growing look of distress upon Tristan’s face, grabbing Elanee by the arm he says excited and angrily to her

“Everything is not and if I’m right you won’t have to show him that chance ever” Tristan says to her asking her to follow him immediately to Namor’s boat chambers, she does and Tristan demands that his door be open, losing patience for the wait Tristan breaks the door latch on it to see Namor signing some papers,

“The servant was getting there Captain, what is the meaning on this” Namor asked

“This!” bolts Tristan slamming down the documents hard to the table in front of him, looking quickly at the title Namor grew uncomfortable about knowing what it pretends to “Now Captain just calm down and let me explain, with everything that was happening I didn’t want another burden to be put on you so I just kept it a secret for peace mind on you” Namor escaped politely.

“With news of this importance you should have come out on the battlefield yourself and told me” heated Tristan

“Calm down Tristan please, what news” asked and negotiated Elanee

“That as of three months ago, half the decision for the men coming to this city was now mine, but you knew that me knowing this would lose your influence to the city and for that you kept you mouth shut!”

“Captain you must understand that an undertaking of this responsibility should be given in time and on something that doesn’t weigh so much thought on your mind”

“You mean just until you milk the city for all it is capable of giving you!”

“One more outburst like that and I’ll have you arrested, Captain”

“Tell me something Ambassador, when you proposed to Elanee did she says yes or did the threat you said you would use had to be implemented”

“I warned you what would happen if you said anything Tristan…”

“To hell with your threats you don’t have the power now Namor, and you needed my signature on this documents to make this binding real, you were going to wait until we were on home soil to do it weren’t you? So that once again you were holding all the cards rather than telling the truth for once in you snakiest little life”

“That’s it Captain, Guards!” Namor called from his chambers

“And while we are on the topic of truth Elanee has he been honest to you, about his life…about his other wives!” Tristan barks out, Tristan’s word flooded to Elanee’s ears and her blood started to boil like water. Hearing the guards coming to the chamber Elanee grew angry from the uninsured comment and turning around she kicked the door shut putting the blocking board across it, keeping the guards out.

“Elanee what are you…”

“You’re married!!!” Elanee snapped halting his words

“I am not, he’s lying” Namor desperately said in defense

“If I am Namor then you won’t mind a little test”

“What test” worriedly mouth Namor with a slight shudder of fear

“Let Elanee read your mind, she can tell if you’re lying, it was her job before this remember” spouted off Tristan,

“Very well” said Namor agreeing at first, Elanee skinned up her sleeve moving closer, Namor backed into his chamber chair and as her hand almost touched his skin Namor collapsed on his rubber backed will “Forget it, there are other secrets in here that I can’t afford to let go…yes Elanee I’m married” he confesses and her heart sinks from disloyalty. Tristan opens the door telling his men to stand down and looking to Namor he agrees, Tristan orders the boat to be turned around and Elanee taken back.

“Not so fast Captain, this boat is still under my control and at my command only will it change its course…and change it will not!” Namor gloated watching Elanee bolt for the upper level. Elanee runs up to the top deck and to the rear of the ship, looking to her home and lowering her head a feeling of guilt comes over her.

“What have I done…I didn’t even tell him” Elanee sobbed

“Swim back Elanee!” Tristan says to her following in her wake to the stern.

“What! Swim? I couldn’t possibly make it this distance, it’s over Tristan” she says defeated

“Maybe you just need some help, Anubis!” Tristan shouts having his cat come upon the call, with Elanee looking puzzled. Tristan orders Anubis to aid in the swim to bring Elanee home, he says to her that the men they need will come and soon he gives his word. Hugging him tight she takes to the side of the ship and jumps into the water splashing a wave upon impact. In follows Anubis and hanging onto him Elanee looks up to Tristan who says he’ll be back to get his cat; smiling up to him she nods and starts her swim back to homeland.

Breath stroking for some time Elanee grows tired and hitches a ride on Anubis clinging to his coat by wrapping her arms around his thick muscled neck. Cloud, helping the docking crew clean up the ropes and ties from Namor’s ship hears a shout from a sailor from the dock extension port. Running over to where he was Cloud sees Anubis trying desperately to get secure above the dock wood but slips constantly from his claws being wet and moist. Cloud grips tightly on the paws pulling him up over the top, and looking to him with scared wonder. Anubis turns around and shaking the water from his fur goes to the dock ledge and lowers his neck, strengthening his paws pulls Elanee up and over to the dockside. Coughing up water from her lungs Elanee is helped to her feet by Cloud who asked what has happened to the ship.

“It’s fine Cloud, but I am not; I need to find Rain” she said to him with dripping wet hair in her face “I couldn’t leave without him knowing how I feel about him” and smiling a big grin Cloud helps her to dry land and requesting a horse from a footman he climbs aboard with her behind riding off quickly to find what is left of Rain’s love.

Artanis throughout the night goes looking for Rain finding him in a most unusual spot; the tavern which the children first embarked to when they met the city has Rain perched to a chair firing back drinks thinking what he has done wrong to deserve this. Artanis joins up with him and standing by the table where Rain sat he asks to join him, Rain says nothing; just pushes back another ale down his throat and with his foot pushed out a seat for Artanis to sit on.

“You ok Rain” asks Artanis and going into a spiel about how he doesn’t understand women and how they work, he carries a self-pity act throughout some hours of the night. “Rain, trust me you’ll find someone (Looks up at the doorway)…or maybe someone will find you” Artanis says mono talking toward the door.

“Ah! Maybe this was all for the best, I’ll be focused again with work and she gets to be with the prince that she deserves” said Rain with his drunken back turned to the door slamming back another drink of ale.

“Isn’t that choice up to me” said a voice Rain knew as well as his mother’s that makes him go stiff, he must be imagining and turning slowly Rain catches a view at the door side he never had thought he would see again. Elanee dripping wet from head to toe, her silk dress was torn from swimming such a distance and beside her was Anubis who laid down the moment she stopped, on her feet was the boots he had made for her, and still around her neck was the quickly fashioned necklace he forged.

“El-Elanee...What-

“Am I doing here? I couldn’t do it…I couldn’t marry Namor without first you knowing how I feel”

“Feel…about what…who” Rain said confused but holding open hope

“I love you Rain” she replies as Cloud appears at the doorway smiling and Artanis puts together that he must have brought her here when she arrived by the docks.

“You…you love me?” Rain replied shocked

“Look I knew you should’ve known before now but with Namor having control on if the men got here, I didn’t want to mess anything up…but now I …I just don’t care” Elanee stated

“When did this start?” Rain asks

“After the dance at the Shadowell ball, when you kissed me, I’ve been looking at you differently, so the question is do you feel the same?” Elanee impatiently waits and taking another swig of his ale Rain slowly puts down the glass turning his back to her and taking a breath he turns around lightly taking grip of her face putting a kiss to her lips, “Yes I do love you” he says pulling away for a second and kissing again Elanee is suddenly hit with a most distressing feeling.

Flame sparks and swirls momentarily crawling across her eyes and an unbelievable intense feeling of chaotic anger roars through her body, she pulls away with a sudden look of terror realizing that the curse on her was real, the one she read from Artanis’ book.

“No…not you, Namor or the king of this land but not you…NOT YOU!” she cried out backing from the tavern into the street, Rain gave the only look at hand; complete confusion.

“Elanee what’s wrong what’s the matter...Elanee!” Rain finishes as she bolts passed Cloud and into the street.

“I have to go” Elanee echoes running from the tavern

“Artanis keep Rain here, I’ll get Elanee” said Cloud running after her and following into the street crying out her name at her heels. He follows her to a dead end that she went down, Cloud witnesses Elanee acting as if possessed, tossing about her arms looking lost and confused beyond any rational thought. Turning around she sees him, dripping wet from the rain coming down hard Cloud’s armor makes tinkling sounds. Elanee what’s going on!” he asks her

“It said that this would happen but I didn’t listen, I didn’t want to, Cloud I love him” Elanee shouted above the pouring rain.

“It is what, what are you talking about” Cloud inquired quickly

“I’m cursed Cloud, there is a demon of some sort in me and if I show my love to him it will be unleashed upon this world” and running up to Cloud she grabs his sword hilt attempting to pull it from his sheath, stopping her hand he shakes his head, “It won’t end this way Elanee”

“It has to Cloud, please kill me, I can’t let this evil win” and breaking her hold from the hilt Cloud covers her wet face in his arms; she cries holding them tight,

“Elanee listen to me this won’t happen to you I give you my word, we will find a way to beat this curse on you, my brother and your love will help. Elanee he loves you and has for a long time, don’t give up on him now, he needs you tonight as much as you need him if even just for a comfort embrace but take it Elanee please” continuing to cry in his arms she babbles that life isn’t fare, saying that she has been raised in a good home and done nothing to deserve such punishment.

“This hasn’t happened to you because you’re evil Elanee, if anything it’s because you are strong, and stronger then this evil itself, but give us time to combat it Elanee, trust us please” she calms down at the sight of seeing Rain and Artanis running to their location, and breaking away from Cloud he gently pushes her toward Rain, she hugs him and apologizes for her actions and saying it wasn’t necessary Rain holds her tight like his favorite toy but hears the voice warning of his brother

“Don’t act on anything with her Rain, she has something to tell you, to tell us all” Cloud says pushing back his blade from being partly released. Rain nods as he throws his cape over Elanee to shield her from the rain and looking at his face did Elanee smile at it, she grips his hand tightly looks again to Cloud who nods with a smile and upon taking it do the three take Elanee personally back to the enclave.

Saying a final good bye to the city and relinquishing their duties from it the King says that they will be welcome anytime giving one last shot at halting their sudden decision. Cloud said the upcoming encounter’s that they now face could put the city and its people in mortal danger by them just being in it, the battle must be fought away from such loss and risk.