Evening comes around for the second day from Dawns attempts at the regeneration process and she gives word to Artanis that she will meet him and Elanee at the common hall in a while, as Artanis and Elanee sit down from another hard passing day from Rain’s loving touch Elanee thanks Artanis for his help to her she has been given over the last days.

“Hey it’s the least I can do for the loss you have been given”

“Artanis, I thought that we had agreed that it wasn’t your fault and you wouldn’t blame yourself anymore” she stared at him until he apologized for the self-inflecting worded wound, he did and they continued to enjoy the evening meal and share embarrassing and humorous stories between the two.

Dawn comes in a while later and sitting down beside them she brings to her table front a glass of blood. Taking a sip of it she gives a bashful look as she puts it down.

“Dawn I wish you’d stop that” said Artanis “You need to consume nourishment just like the rest of us and so what if it’s blood”

“I know, I know it’s just that…I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this stuff, it tastes terrible and great at the same time” Dawn replies

“You will” added Elanee and continuing their conversation with Dawn adding her voice they quiet down a bit from the restless debates going on in the rest of the commons room. Soldiers in the room group into common interest groups to discuss paths that the clan should take now that the battle is over.

Some believe that we should launch a counterattack to Colossus’s gate when found of course and some say they should relocate. Others say they should stay and just forget what has happened thus far to carry on about with their own affairs, but as they discuss louder and louder the discussions turned into windfall battles as they poured into each other interests to voice to all that their suggestion was the battle of the listed ones.

This carried on for a time and with Artanis, Dawn and Elanee trying to ignore the common tongues Elanee grew more and more irritated by the barking all around and finally stood up.

“Would you guys just shut up and listen to yourselves!” Elanee shouted to the hall “Your comrades and families blood and sweat still wet the grass field and you all want to start bickering and squabbling like their lives meant nothing, some of us do still mourn the ones lost and your insults to their names aren’t helping” she ended with a glare to the room that now held a still voice.

“But we need a new plan of action, and with the Captain not showing us the way we are all curious” a soldier states to her

“When lord Straud is ready he will give the orders you seek” Artanis spoke up

“But we need to be ready now!” states another one who has clearly been drinking ale far too long.

“Then why do you go back to Shadowell if killing and fighting is all that you thirst for, because to me, you have shown no sign of being different from that of the Drow you all have strived so hard to prove you’re not” Elanee bolts out, men jump from their seats at the horrid remark and drawing their weapons to show disobedient fear. One lunges at her bearing his weapon upon her but is stopped suddenly as Artanis’s fist as it’s buried into his face, hitting the floor hard the man feels Artanis’s dagger blade sliding slowly and light upon his throat.

“You want blood, I’ll give you blood” Artanis whispered to his ear

“Artanis don’t!” Dawn shouted and picking him up slowly Artanis tosses the man away then pulling his sword from his sheath and standing in front of Elanee,

“She has just lost the love of her life to this battle, who if you don’t recall was the soul person that is allowing you to sit here and eat and bark away as you do, if he hadn’t done what he did none of us would be alive right now, NONE OF US! So show her some respect and pride for her loss and let her be”

The speech puts into sight of all the men who quietly calm down and go about talking in shame and hurtful pride, Elanee leaves the hall with Artanis and Dawn following in pursuit.

“Elanee are you ok?” asks Dawn outside the hall

“I’m fine, I just need some air” she replies

“Don’t listen to those rallying dogs, they don’t understand like we do” Artanis says to her.

“I know Artanis and thank you for defending me” she said away from his sight

“Always will I my dear, always” he repeats to her, and turning giving them a smile she says that she’s going to go for a walk just to clear her head and wants to go alone, heeding her wish the two let her go and reseed back to the hall to have a conversation on their own.

The next day as Dawn went to attend yet another session with Lalandra on her recovery rehabilitation. Cloud and Straud were out for a brisk winter stroll talking about new formed plans. Cloud pressed the matter of pushing forth to find Colossus and end his repulsive life but his uncle had taken the thought of a revamp plan and scout around for more alternative ideas leading to the same goal. They argued to one another as to the plan to take when they were interrupted by a scout holding something in his hand and bewildered with a look of mal contemned.

As Captain Straud reared closer to the hand of the scout he saw it was a lock of hair,

“That’s my brother’s hair” cried Cloud in shock “Where did you find this Scout?”

“Down at the beach front sir” he replied to them both and holding a note as well he explained that it was attached to the lock. Straud ripped the letter to read it for himself and crunching it in his tightened grip he grew angry and looked to Cloud

“What is it uncle, what did it say?” asked Cloud

“A trade, the fool wants to trade” Straud responded grumbling to him

“Who Colossus, he wants to trade for what?”

“The stone” Straud said

“The stone, uncle no way don’t do it, besides what would he have that would be of value to us”

“I don’t know Cloud” Straud answered staring at the lock of hair still in the grasp of the scout, “I don’t know, but there’s only one way to be sure, the note says to meet him at the beach front by mid-day today for a trade of value, and be there we shall” ended Straud walking with the scout and Cloud back to the enclave in heavy thought.

The sun reaches in heightened point and waiting at the shore line as instructed was Straud, Cloud and a handful of men lined to a defensive standing position. Not having to wait long the simmering power of Colossus were shown to the group as he appeared to their eyes carrying something hidden to them, arriving to his right was Logan draped in a heavy black clock for his sun immunity was now gone.

“Lord Straud I have to say this is a pleasure in itself”

“Now what the hell is this on about a trade for the damn stone, of course the answer will be no!” said Straud to Colossus

“I’d figure that’s what you’d say so as any good player of a game of strategy would do, always be one step ahead of the rest”

“Why don’t you just come and take it from us” sparked Cloud

“The thought had crossed my mind but I unlike most idiotic mages learn from my mistakes after the first failing round. I have noticed that your medallion isn’t glowing this time maybe this time it’ll be fair and I’ll bloody the sea with you and take it for myself” Colossus ends but doesn’t move nor draws his blade this time, but watches Cloud unleash his.

“Easy Cloud, just take it down a notch” waved Straud for Cloud to back down

“I see that you’ve brought your bodyguard with you, how wise” Straud says taking a worded assault at Logan who just sits calm and doesn’t say a word. “You say that you hold in your grip an item of equal value, I couldn’t possibly know of such an artifact that would hold value to what you have taken from us”

“Easy, this!” as Colossus lifts with his one hand in the air the unconscious body of a whole Rain Blackblade for all to see, and with the moments passed Straud and Cloud drop their jaws.

“Rain” Straud says in half disbelief

“Brother!” Cloud shouted

“How is this possible, he was disintegrated by the dragon flames” Straud asked

“Or so you thought, but resent transactions have given me the opportunity to repair him to full health for a worthy trade, so do we have a trade or not” Colossus snorted to them.

“A moment Colossus, to consider your offer” said Straud

“How do we even know its Rain” asked Cloud in a huddle back away from Colossus.

“Rain’s mother’s blade, hand it to me; the blade was only meant for him and if it’s not it’ll glow a pale blue color to indicate an imposter” explains Straud and taking the blade he asked to have it placed to his hands which allows the blade to view to all eyes no glow.

“It’s him uncle, it’s my brother”

“Yes, Cloud it’s truly him” Straud replies taking the blade back “Cloud, give me the stone”

“Uncle no”

“Now Cloud”

“Uncle his army is dead, he has no threat that he can back up this time, why now is he negotiating”

“Your brother’s life hangs on this trade would you risk that on such a claim Cloud”

“No, but he would uncle” Cloud says pointing to Rain “Uncle call his bluff”

And thinking while looking at Rains body Straud’s mind goes blank with any thoughts but one “The stone Cloud”

“Uncle Trust me please don’t do this”

“Cloud If you don’t honor my family ties as your uncle for trust then honor my rank as Captain, I order you to give me the stone” and going limp with no words to combat back Cloud looks to his hand holding the red and black swirling jewel; closing his eyes with a shame to his face Cloud hands it to his Uncle.

“Now to business Lord Straud, give me the stone”

“First my son, give him to me”

“Forget it! Captain…at the same time then in the air”

“Very well” agreed Straud and on the count of three, they both tossed the items into the air, Colossus caught his and turning his back to them he disappeared right away. Straud threw his blade in the direction of Logan who also smoked away before the blade could hit him. And landing hard to the compacted sand was Rain limp but as told by Colossus unharmed and unscathed. Grabbing his blade and then Rain, Straud kissed his forehead welcoming Rain back to his arms and the group returned to the enclave moving straight to the temple grounds.

Cloud gives back to his brother the part of the necklace that he gave to him and as they reach the inner sanctum of the temple to where Lalandra laid, Dawn stopped what she was doing, running to her brother’s presence tears of joy flooded her face as she called his name running to him. He was still knocked out but she gripped her long lost brother’s body tight with a joy that could not be explained. Cloud went to retrieve both Alisianna and Artanis to tell of the their latest find, the two came bolting also to his side for a proof to their own eyes but when Artanis saw him he fell to his knees and prayed to the great creator above for the deliverance of an error in vow. As Rain came to under a comforted guard from his family he was confused to see their faces until the exchange was explained to him, he told them that he knew very little about what went on for the week he was away in the tower for he was not awake for most of the time, he told of the swaying offer given to him by Colossus and of the espionage duty of his once loved friend Eve who actually was the evil beast Sephinroth. Cloud with a smile said that he would go to find Elanee to bring her to him but he requested that he find her during the next day, Cloud smiled in agreeance to his request and throughout the night let him rest until first light when Rain went on his own two feet to rekindle his love’s broken heart.

The next day brought about a warm winter day, as some snow was starting to melt from the heat, Elanee was assisting the horse master in the enclave with training new colts to be ridden when she was asked to bring more water for the horse trough by the leading stable master.

Grabbing a bucket for the water she went down to the river to fetch it, and struggling a little from the weight of the pail and having heavy thoughts run to her mind about her love, she walked with her head down and bumped into an elderly man on the return trip, the bucket spilt about half the water out before she got it back to her hands and bringing herself to one knee she looked to the cloaked man.

“I’m sorry elder, that’s was my fault” Elanee said going to pick herself back up

“That’s quiet alright my child no harm done, here why don’t I help you with that” the man’s voice crackly came out as he reached his hand for the bucket.

“Oh sir that’s really alright, I could use the exercise and I don’t want you…to” she stopped in mid-sentence when the hand gripping the pail handle revealed a ring she had known to be on the finger of only one man.

She moved closer to him and pulling his hood back revealed to her eyes Rain’s face, gasping in shock Rain stood up and Elanee screamed walking backwards.

“Stop, please stop haunting me” Elanee cried out to him and she ran into a nearby cabin, Rain followed her in and there she stood staring at the doorway as he came closer.

“Stay back! Just leave me alone, why won’t you just leave me alone you’re dead” Elanee screamed at him

“It’s me Elanee, Rain” he threw his hands in front of him “I’m back; I’ve come back to you”

“No! No that’s impossible you’re not real, I’m dreaming this up just go away” Elanee said and she bolted to the back of the room, Rain pursued her quickly catching up to her and grabbing her arm to stop her

“Get away from me!” She screamed at him and he brought her close to him hugging her tight, she started to cry and looking at his face she said

“Is this real” Rain looked to her and taking one hand he removed the circlet from his forehead “See for yourself”

She then closed her eyes to read into his mind unrevealing all the memories she also shared with him and going limp in his arms,

“Rain it’s you it’s really you” she cried into his arms flowing tears from her face to his cloak, “Yes baby, it’s me…it’s me” he replied holding her tight hugging and rocking her back and forth in his arms as she continued to cry.

“You died and left me all alone” she whimpered to him and peeling away for a moment she slaps him across the face, “That’s for pulling that stunt during the battle and breaking your promise to me” she scorns to his face and then hugs him again. “How did you escape; where have you been all this time” and sitting her down on an old barrel Rain began the tale again that he explained to the rest.

“That son of a bitch took a pop shot at me” Logan said emerging back in the tower from his smoky retreat to hear the loud echoing laughter of Colossus, get louder and louder as he looked to his hand holding the last and final stone, he threw his arms to the air and yelled out loud “AT! LAAAAST!”

“I can finally complete my mission again on this reached evil corrupted realm, and now there is no one to stop me” he finishes with another sinister laugh, “but first retribution” he interrupts himself as he snaps his fingers “and if everything goes as planned and if the spell bound correctly, that miserable little Drow Rain will wish he had never been born” Colossus devilishly chuckles as he leads a group of Zealots to his library with Logan in tow.

As nightfall rolls to the enclave, Rain had gone for a walk to clear his busy head and perhaps recall any information that took place when he was at the tower. Elanee who wanted to spend every waking moment with her love knew this to be true and the best way for him to think, so she let him go off alone.

She began to get her bed ready for the night when a thought passed through her mind and she stopped. She got undressed and into her nightgown and went to Rain’s room for they still shared the same cabin. A rake of flame appeared in the infants room where the young Kityana was asleep in her crib, as Sephinroth approached the sleeping baby she felt a world of relief for when she had made a stop to the town of Parle to find the temple in ashes she felt the worst had come to pass. Watching her sleep for a short time Sephinroth just smiled at her presence, a cold steel blade touched Sephinroth’s left shoulder skin from behind.

Turning around the blade was pushed through her skin in the front and wedged deep into her shoulder blade, trying not to make a sound for not to wake the child Sephinroth looks to her attacker, and standing in front of her was Elanee. She held a stone cold look of anger to her as she forcefully pulled the blade from her shoulder and backing up Sephinroth fell to the ground softly holding the wound. Elanee backed up and put the blade to Sephinroth’s chin lifting it to aim Sephinroth’s eyes at her.

“I knew you’d come for her eventually, Sephinroth!” Elanee whispered

“How…how do you know of me?”

“Through Rain’s mind scan he let me do yesterday when he got back, but I got to admit I had always had my doubts about you”

“Elanee please I did not come here for your child”

“That’s good for this child will be raised on my vision of love, righteousness and strong will”

“Say what you will Elanee and raise her as you wish but they become as they want and this child of yours I feel will have the heart of a dragon”

“Don’t you mean your child Sephinroth” as a look of shock raked to Sephinroth’s face, “Oh yes I knew the child is yours and believe me the chance of you having her back or next to nothing if not less than that, you are an evil bitch that can’t sink any lower then you already have. As I told you once before” Elanee continued to whisper but putting the cold induced blade to her neck cutting it a bit “You hurt Rain in any way and I will reap retribution”

“How did you know I would show up here” Sephinroth asked

“Easy, you’re a mother and worrying for her safety shows that your maternal instincts are strong”

“Not as strong as you friend it seems, you know Kate”

“Talk ill of her again and this conversation will be over, and I’m sure from Rain’s emotional memories he would be happy to see you fall right here”

“It is because of his return that I have come to you tonight, Rain is not as he seems, and he is cursed”

“Cursed and why should I even believe you traitor”

“Because like you I love him too and only wish for the best of his life” and listening to her plea Elanee sees the sincerity in her face and lets her speak

“What curse?” she asks and Sephinroth goes into detail about the plan Colossus had played upon him for the trade. “So how do I stop it?”

“I interrupted the spells continuous effect with a failsafe by restoring the host to full health, but the cost is very extreme due to the nature of the curse’s damaging capability”

“What is it?”

“A single kiss from your lips and yours alone”

“A KISS! Forget it, you bimbo you know what happened to me better than anyone if that were to happen”

“And I’m truly sorry for the event but the curse needed such an event to restore the host and any infected to cleansing” Elanee backed up slowly and looked at Sephinroth with a baffled look

“You’re lying, this is a trick and I don’t believe you”

“Believe what you want but the truth will come to your eyes sooner or later and when it does I truly hope you have the strength to do what you know is in your heart to be right” and finishing the speech Sephinroth went to her child kissed it’s head with a smile and disappeared in a flash of fire.

“That bitch is lying I know she is” said Elanee putting away the weapon at Rain’s bed end but thinking of what she said a lonely look of terror crept into her mind.

A short time later Rain returned to the cabin, not having any more luck of solving his lost memory problem but decided to get some sleep, he went by the child’s crib and kissed her on the cheek careful not to wake her, and then to his room chamber.

Opening the door he saw Elanee sparred along one side of his bedside, she was sitting provocatively on her right side staring at him with one hand holding her head up with her elbow and the other draped across and along her cured figure. Rain stared for a moment at her gown which was a dark blue color and had an open v neck shaping which exposed much of her breasts to him, wedged between her cleavage was still the necklace that he gave her from the dance. Her hair seemed to be done up with pins and put into a couple of buns.

“Elanee I think you’re in the wrong room, yours is across the hall”

“Mine was cold so I thought that I’d stay here for the night” she said running her hand up and down her body

“Elanee, you know we can’t…you know” Rains gestured to her hoping she could fill in the blanks

“Have sex!” she stated to him and growing a little red in the face with embarrassment from the called out term he quickly nodded “I know, but I just want to be with you tonight, please” she asked and getting undressed out of his robe but making sure his pants stayed on he crawled into bed and she snuggled up to his side. She rolled his one arm around her shoulder placing her head beside his and his arm was moved to latch across her top torso and his hand landed on her right breast.

“What are you doing Elanee?”

“Getting comfortable, and as close as I can to you, for I’m not allowed anything else” she grumbled to him

“Is that still bothering you?”

“Still…always will it bother me Rain, I love you and want to show it to you”

“I know you do and hey I’ll be honest I was tempted just for a moment right now to take you here and now”

“Really” she replied smirking to him seductively

“But we have to stay strong willed, for the worlds sake” Rain smiled to her

“I know, it’s just so hard sometimes” Elanee finished and not telling him about her little encounter earlier she and Rain fell asleep with each having on their minds worry and doubt.

Getting up late the next day Rain rolled to his side for a first new light look at his love to see an empty area in his bedroll, he looked to his pillow she laid on to notice a freshly cut rose placed where she laid. Getting up and dressed Rain then left the cabin and to the front gate guard post where his brother was on shift taking an early morning watch.

“Cloud” Rain addressed to his brother

“Hey sleeping beauty your finally up I see”

“Yeah, it’s weird I never sleep in that late usually” replied Rain

“Where you headed to?” Cloud asked

“Do you know where Elanee is, I need to asked her something”

“Yea actually not too long ago, she went to the stables again today I think, she slept in too, why?”

“Nothing big I don’t think she just left this rose on my bedroll this morning and I wanted to know what it meant”

“Probably a thank you gift for a good night, you two sleep together or something” Cloud said joking as he tightened a gate rope support.

“Actually…”

“What!” Cloud burst and snapped the rope he was holding in half.

“Oh calm down we didn’t you know…sleep together, she just wanted to be close to me…you know I don’t understand why she’d do that” Rain said scratching his head.

“Do what” Cloud asked back

“Why she would aggravate the intense emotion between us when she knows what will result?” Snickering to Rain Cloud tapped his brother’s shoulder,

“Take a walk with me brother” Cloud replied as he and Rain took a small tour around the post border “Rain look, she’s trying to cope with what has been dealt to you two as well as she can”

“With what?” Rain bewilderedly asked

“Not being able to love you the way she wants too, it’s hard for her to deal with” Cloud continued on “Be there for her and help her through it”

“How, I don’t get it” Rain inquired

“Rain, women get a different outlook on a relationship then men do, to them it hits more deeply and personal in whatever happens from giving her flowers to giving her a child”

“So what do I need to do” Rain asked

“First show her that this problem with separation is affecting you as well, it helps if they know they don’t suffer on neutral ground by themselves, she has already lost you once don’t let it happen to her again”

“I won’t, of that I can promise you” Rain replied

“How do you know of this…all of these things about women” Rain asked in wonderment

“Trial and error Rain for I didn’t have failing relationships for nothing” Cloud smiled “Look I’ve got to be getting back to shift work but I’m off mid-day, I’ll see you later ok”

“Sounds good” replies Rain “Oh and Cloud thanks” and nodding his head he smiles and looks to the sky breathing a deep breath of air

“So this is what it feels like huh” Cloud said as he left

“What does?” Rain questioned stopping

“When you know more about something than other people, feels good I have to admit” and laughing Rain shakes his head “Don’t let it fill you up for its sure not to happen between us too often”

“It’s good to have you back brother” Cloud smiles again as he walks off and Rain goes to find Elanee.