The town of Oberroth was a small hamlet a few miles south of the Elven capitol. The population was only about forty villagers. Mostly elves and maybe a half-elf here or there. The atmosphere was a relaxed one year round. One could almost always find the villagers working on their town. The only real economic factor in the town was it's wine. Which was widely sought throughout Tallrassa. Almost every shop in the town sold it. Even the blacksmith.

It was late in the evening by the time Darren and Tal'gor arrived in the hamlet. Few words were spoken between the two. They building they were heading towards was the second largest in the town behind the local adventures guild office.

After they entered the building Tal'gor showed him the living room and bade him to sit.

"I will return momentarily. We have much to discuss, and I would not want any unwanted ears breaching our privacy. I'll have the servants start dinner while I place wards around the house." (Tal'gor)

"Thank you for your hospitality. Had you not shown up when you did I am unsure what the outcome would have been." (Darren)

"I'm sure your patron wouldn't have let anything happen." (Tal'gor)

Darren's eyes widend in surprise, and his body tensed.

"How did you know about her?" (Darren)

"Calm yourself friend. I had heard about your mark before I even showed up. Quite frankly I didn't even believe that part of the report until that idiotic guard was shattered. Lycan hasn't bestowed her mark in over 400 years. So why choose you? However I'm getting ahead of myself. That conversation will have to wait." (Tal'gor)

Tal'gor then left the room leaving Darren alone with Lycan.

"Seeing as we have some time wanna go ahead and explain this to me." (Darren)

He pointed to where the mark on his chest.

"Ahh that mark symbolizes our contract. He seems to have misinterpreted that as a blessing. A blessing would simply mean I favored you. However our contract is a little more complex than that. I believe we covered the fact that it allows you access to my mana pool. However it also provides other benefits."

Darren raised an eyebrow.

"Such as?" (Darren)

"Certain animals will see you as one of their own and refrain from attacking you. Others, such as wolves, will go out of their way to protect you. Women will see you as taken. I can use my mana to interact with the world and help you if I feel the need. And a few others that I'll keep as a surprise." (Lycan)

Darren had a very annoyed look on his face.

"I'm sorry what?" (Darren)

"What?" (Lycan)

A smile played on her face.

"Repeat that middle part." (Darren)

"Wolves will go out of their way to protect you?" (Lycan)

"After that." (Darren)

His annoyance had turned into a visible scowl.

"I can use my mana to help you?" (Lycan)

"Okay now I know you're messing with me." (Darren)

"Actually the part about women was true." (Lycan)

He gave her a very leveled look. He breathed in and out for a few seconds before procedeing.

"And why, is that?" (Darren)

"Ahh I believe I should have clarified this earlier. The only contracts that bind souls are......."(Lycan)

"Are what?" (Darren)

"Those of matrimonial nature." (Lycan)

Darren face changed colors. From pale to red and back to pale.

"So are you saying we're...." (Darren)

"Married? Technically yes. Now do you want the good news or the bad news?"

"I'm sorry one would think I would have been entitled to those before we the contract." (Darren)

"The good news is I've never had a mate before." (Lycan)

Darren simply sighed in defeat. Seeing as she had no physical body some issues can be left as is. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Darren thought to himself.

"And the bad news?"(Darren)

"On second thought lets not discuss that right now. How good are you at controlling your anger." (Lycan)

"Fairly good considering I haven't broken anything yet." (Darren)

Lycan simply nodded. She opened her mouth to say something, however Tal'gor choose that moment to return.

"I apologize for the wait. Dinner will be ready soon. Before that I do have one thing I wish to discuss with you."

Tal'gor reached into his pocket and pulled out two items and placed them on the coffee table. One was a ballpoint pen. The other was a bullet the pistol that Darren forgot he still had.

"Please tell me truthfully what is this marvelous device." (Tal'gor)

The prince held the pen as if it was some holy relic.

"That would be a ball point pen." (Darren)

"How does it work. I must admit I've used it quite a bit. At first it seemed to have an unending amount of ink. However it just randomly stopped working." (Tal'gor)

Instead of answering Darren held out his hand. Tal'gor slowly placed the pen in his hands. Darren then unscrewed the top of the plastic pen.

"Ehh, it just needs some more ink. If you provide me the resources I'm sure i can make you some. They are very simple devices." (Darren)

"Incredible, so there is no magic involved at all?" (Tal'gor)

"Nope." (Darren)

"And then what about this object?" (Tal'gor)

The prince picked up the bullet. Darren picked it up.

"Well this one would be more fun to show you." (Darren)