Group Post Chapter 5

Rose watched silently as Rayne made her escape. She thought about how she had been treating the younger girl lately and understood why she seemed so uncomfortable with being around her. She had had a lot on her mind recently and had nothing to take it out on and she supposed that she was just a little snippy at Rayne.1

The Dragoness closed her eyes a moment, finished with saddling the last bit of supplies on her horse and thought about a good time to speak with Rayne. She would rather do it alone, so it would either have to be when Eyrion and Marin were goofing off, or at night. She decided to let Rayne know before hand that she wanted to speak with her, but decided against following her, instead attempting to reach out to her mind.2

'...Rayne?'3

Rayne stopped dead in her tracks when she heard an echoed voice call out her name. She looked around slowly, wondering who it could be. "...Who's there?"4

'You won't be able to see who is speaking to you at the moment, as you have left me with the remainder of our campsite.'5

Rayne blinked a few times. "...Rose?6

'Yes...I am using telepathy to communicate with you. I just wanted to tell you that I would like to speak with you later on. Preferably privately. Is that OK with you? I won't bite. Really.'7

Rayne stared blankly out at the trail in front of her, wondering what Rose might want to speak with her about. She hoped that it was not about her actions of the night she had run off. "...Alright."8

'Good. You can pick a time to approach me yourself and then we can speak.'9

There was silence after and Rayne had no idea how to take what had just happened. However, she didn't concentrate on it long, but instead continued to follow the path and keep track of the unfamiliar footprints. 10

Rayne shook her head a few times to get herself to focus better. Rose was using telepathy on her? The last time that had worked was when she had been traveling with Tyke, a young boy she had known once. Memories paraded in front of her for a moment and Rayne growled at her lack of focus. She shut her eyes and shook her head once more before returning to her search.11

Of all the things to be doing, her brain was certainly going helter-skelter today. It was at this time that Rayne ran into something. A door actually. She had been so absent-minded that she hadn't even realized the prints had led her straight up to someone's house. A quaint little cottage with a white picket fence and a beautiful little herbal garden out front. She grumbled as she rubbed her head.12

She was sitting on the cobblestone walkway before a thick door with a brass handle. Needless to say, Rayne wasn't too amused by what was going on. 13

"Nice place, it's small and yet so spacious" Marin peered around the place, examining all the books and parchment that lay around. The small one roomed house was just fit for a young alchemist living alone.14

"What are all these objects?" Eyrion asked playing with what looked like a giant ball.15

"Those are all different inventions and tools needed for inventions" Vecler took a seat behind a desk covered with parchment and books.16

"Wait, shh...” Eyrion whispered. He walked to the door slowly stopping in front of it. He pressed his ear gently to the door.17

"What is it?" Vecler asked now hunched over on the table.18

"Sounds like, some one breathing, and can't you smell that. It or should I say she smells of a girl. 19

Rayne sat wondering if anyone was in the house when she heard a noise at the door. She stood up and put her ear to it to try to hear what was going on and then it opened, knocking her on the ground again.20

Eyrion was quite surprised to see Rayne sitting there, grumbling as she rubbed her poor butt after getting up. "Rayne? What are you doing?"21

Rayne looked up at him with slight annoyance. "Nursing my poor bottom after you pushed me down on the ground with that door!"22

Marin and Eyrion started to laugh and Rayne glared at them, annoyed even further.23

Eyrion put his hands up, as if for protection. "I'm sorry, Rayne. I didn't know you were so close to the door."24

Rayne continued to glare for a moment. "Yes, well...now you know." After a moment, she tried to get a look inside. "What's in there anyway?"25

Eyrion stepped aside and invited her in. "It's an old Alchemist's home. He's a nice man. Just telling us about all kinds of cool stuff." 26

Rayne scanned the place carefully and saw that the Alchemist was pouring some mead for Marin inside. She frowned as Marin slurped the brew down swiftly and dumped the empty mug onto the paper-strewn desk. "You must be the alchemist."27

Nodding quietly, he settled behind the desk once more and started to rummage through the piles of books and such things. Rayne closed the door behind her and settled down in a chair beside Eyrion--As far away from Marin as possible.28

"So, what exactly are you telling us?" Rayne studied the Alchemist as he poked his head up for a moment to study her. He seemed to be weighing what he saw for some reason as if she was some sort of metal to be cast or some such. 29

After a moment, he glanced and Eyrion and then continued rummaging through his belongings. "I was telling them about the Dragons and their time when they move when they feel a particular aura. All types will go, even halflings. It is part of a long forgotten legend."30

Eyrion nodded. "It's really interesting. I wonder if that's what brought Rose to your house, Rayne?"31

Rayne shook her head, "In the legend you speak of, all mystics shall either perish or leave this place in search of a more peaceful land. I know of it. I was raised believing it."32

She shuddered at the thought, "I was told when it was to happen too. But it hasn't yet. That's what's frightening. My tribe once owned that knowledge that you speak of, Alchemist." Rayne stared at him carefully now, strangely wary of the man, "How is it that you know of it when so few do?"33

The Alchemist looked at her, his face like stone. "I have studied Dragons and their legends for more than a decade, dear child. Tell me, why do you eye me so carefully?"34

Rayne continued to stare at him, almost letting her mouth fall from his question. She did not respond, since she didn't know what to say.35

Eyrion shook his head. "Maybe it's stress? You'll have to forgive my friend, sir. She's like this sometimes."36

"Or do you mean girlfriend?" Marin teased and laughed.37

Rayne calmly walked over to Marin as the others watched her. She picked up the half-full mug he was nursing at the moment and lifted it up above his head. Before anyone could stop, her she dumped its contents all over Marin and then dropped the empty mug on the dwarf's head.38

Marin sputtered and cursed as Rayne strolled back to her seat, "The next time you speak like that, Marin," Rayne's voice was deathly calm, "I'll do worse than dump fermented wheat on your head."39

Eyrion muffled a giggle as the Alchemist stared at them in confusion. Rayne turned back to him and smiled.40

After a while, the Alchemist and Eyrion just had a conversation while Rayne listened. She just wanted to talk with Eyrion alone. She had wanted to for a long while by then and was about ready to briskly pull Eyrion outside and take him somewhere Marin wouldn't find them so they could have a private chat.41

However, soon after Rayne was starting to get impatient, Eyrion looked out the window and realized how late it was. He had learned how the Alchemist has heard of his name as a great adventurer and such and he had even offered to help them in the journey they were currently on. Eyrion had accepted and the old man had given him many different sorts of potions and such for different uses.42

Soon after, Eyrion, Marin and Rayne left and headed back down the path. Rayne eyed Marin, annoyed and getting impatient. "Marin, why don't you fo up ahead and make sure that Rose is alright? I left her at the campsite all by herself."43

Marin looked back at her and grinned, but before he said anything, she shot him a glare that sent him off running ahead without another word. Now was her chance to speak with Eyrion, finally.44

"Eyrion," sighed Rayne as she kicked at the rocks on the narrow pathway, "You know what they're starting to think, right? I mean, Rose and Vannolyn...and you and I..."45

Eyrion nodded quietly for a moment. Rayne knotted her hands behind her back as she glanced at him. He wasn't smiling for some odd reason, "You know what they'll be thinking about you and I from now on."46

Again, the elf nodded. Rayne rolled her eyes, he obviously wasn't going to speak, "Anyway," Rayne tossed her hair back over her shoulder before continuing, "What could they possibly be thinking? After all, you and I have been good friends for so long...a great long time, ever since I left the tribe, actually...gosh, that's a long time. We've never even thought of such nonsense and it's almost like they're pushing us towards each other now. You have noticed it, haven't you, Eyrion?" 47

Eyrion just nodded, he didn't know what to say. "Ok. At least speak to me" Rayne demanded.48

"What do you want me to speak?" Eyrion finally spoke in a deep tone.49

"Anything" Rayne quickly snapped. "You have hardly spoken at all, actually i don't think you have said anything" She ended.50

"I can speak many things, love, hope, kindness, take your pick" Eyrion looked up at her.51

"Talk about us" Rayne raised her voice.52

"We are good friends, and for now that is all we can be. Emotions will not help us in this war. It will only hurt us more; Rose and Vannolyn will find this out, soon maybe. Plus if we, well you know what, I won't be able to time read any more." Eyrion slowly explained looking into her eyes. Rayne turned red and smiled.53

"Yes i know we do that, you lose your time reading" She laughed at him.54

They turned and continued up the path feeling more comfortable getting that talk out of their way. Marin and Rose stood together on the edge of the mountain road waiting for Eyrion and Rayne. 55

Rose was leaning against a tree, waiting silently, paying no attention to Marin rambling on about nonsense. When she saw the two walking up to them, she pushed herself off of the tree and walked over to them. "What took so long? If everybody starts wandering off and taking all day to return, we'll never get anywhere in this journey."56

Rayne didn't say anything, always a little intimidated by the Dragoness. She had no idea how she would gain the courage to approach her when the time was 'right'.57

Eyrion smiled. "Sorry. Just met an old Alchemist and he gave us some supplies and told us about his research and stuff."58

Rose's expression was like stone. "You would trust someone right after you meet them? No offense, but that is pretty naive, not to mention stupid."59

Eyrion's face dropped and Marin chuckled.60

Rose looked at Marin after hearing his little laugh. "And getting drunk all the time doesn't help the group either, you bumbling lazy ass. You should help out more instead of gallivanting off or sleeping all day after getting yourself loaded. You're not much helping at all, if any."61

Marin raised an eyebrow. Rose seemed quite irritated as of late and no one seemed to understand why. The Dragoness seemed to hold many secrets. 62

Rayne gulped down her retort. The last thing she needed to do is direct an attack at her. Rose could probably tear her limb from limb, after all. Taking a deep breath for courage, Rayne hurried off to help Eliane and Liara with the packing. They would be traveling by night, evidently.63

Vannolyn would have very little problem with that, but most of the team didn't see too well at night...and there would be no torches. Of course, that made a great deal of sense what with the fact that they were starting to get into marshy territory where vines and moss hung all over the place and were all quite apt to catch fire at the least amount of hesitation.64

Liara chuckled as she turned to look at Rayne. The young lass looked scared half to death. She also looked quite a great deal flustered. "Something the matter?"65

Rayne smiled at the Wolfic for a moment before stroking the large beast on the muzzle. She cooed affectionately at Liara for a moment like one would a pet dog and sighed, "There is a great deal wrong, actually. I think that Eyrion is....interested in me."66

The wolfish laughing yip was muffled so as not to draw anyone's attention, but Rayne glanced about to make for certain no one had heard. Even Eliane, who was close by, didn't seem to notice. "I know, I know, never gone there, never will. I mean, seriously, Liara! What if he is? How do a turn down a most wonderful friend like him without hurting his feelings?" 67

Liara smiled. "And why would you turn him down? He is a good friend who would treat you with respect and kindness. Why not go for that?"68

Rayne's eyes widened and she was somewhat speechless. "But..."69

Liara raised a wolfish eyebrow. "But what?"70

Rayne pondered on it a moment. She had never thought about being with anyone before. Especially not her closest friend, who seemed to be growing quite fond of her,. "...I don't know if I feel that way for him."71

Liara nodded. "But you don't know if you don't either?" 72

Rayne screwed up her face in a most odd way of thought. "I don't can't even imagine kissing him...how could I even ponder anything more than that? I mean...doesn't love require things like..." Rayne made a slightly disgusted face, "Kissing??"73

Liara shook her fur out; her dear friend was definitely in for quite a battle of thought and heart. "Perhaps time will tell. What does he say about it?"74

Rayne shrugged and leaned up against Liara for a moment in silent reverie. "...He knows he can't do any thing huge..." Rayne cleared her throat as her face started turning red, "but...anyway..." Rayne forced a change of subject, much to Liara's enjoyment, "It's not actually Eyrion that's pushing the bud, so to speak..." 75

Liara started to laugh quietly again. "Let me guess...Marin?"76

Rayne's face darkened with just the thought of the drunken old fool. "You could say that, but hopefully he'll lay off now."77

Liara looked a little surprised. "Him? What did you do? Cut out his tongue?" Her laughter started once more.78

Rayne looked at her quite seriously. "If only I could." 79

Liara's laugh cooled suddenly, "Now Rayne, you know very well you won't do something like that!"80

Rayne growled under her breath. Liara smiled calmly at her friend, obviously, the lass wasn't completely civilized as everyone believed, thank gracious, "If I only could..."81

"Come now," smiled Liara as she nuzzled Rayne on the cheek, "Everything is packed and ready. You and I must take the rear tonight for so few of us have good eye sight."82

"Yes," answered Rayne half-heartedly, "You, me and Vannolyn...I think Rose may too."83

"If she does," smile Liara with a quick yipping laugh, "She'll be up with Vannolyn anyway."84

Sighing heavily, Rayne pulled herself astride Liara, "Well, it looks like everyone got ready whilst I was daydreaming again."85

"Don't chide you too much, Rayne," reminded Liara as she started after the short line of pack animals, "That's what friends are for." 86

Rose heard Liara's remark, wondering why everyone had to make such a big deal about her and Vannolyn. Maybe she did feel love for him, but she was not going to let it get out of hand or in the way of the journey. She wasn't so careless that she would do that. She could take care of herself after all. She didn't need Vannolyn by her side every second.87

She decided to let it go. She was having enough trouble as it was with her...She couldn't pay attention to what they decided to say about her. At least not everything. She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed...She held her breath, shutting her eyes tightly...She didn't know if Rayne was right about what she had said about her father, but she did know one thing...Even if he was after another, he still seemed to want to use her. 88

Vannolyn started her out of her thoughts with a tap on the shoulder, "Come on, Rose," he said as Rose turned to look at him, "It's time to head out. We have a lot of ground to cover, after all and now that it's night, we shan't have to worry about the fiery demons that come about during the day through this area..."89

Rose nodded quietly as she started to drift back into thought. She needed to get herself centered again. She needed to reaffirm her grasp on everything, but most of all, she needed to understand why her father was still after her and what he was planning on doing.90

Her thoughts, however, were not to be, for Marin's drunken song soon shattered her concentration and she walked on, listening to the idiotic dwarf as he retold some old exaggerated tale from the past. 91

Rose sighed in irritation, wanting nothing more than to rip out the idiot's tongue. She was seriously considering that threat and Vannolyn noticed her irritability. She knew it and she did not wish to speak of why she felt so violent and angry...She knew why, but no one else knew. It was because her father was stirring her blood up.92

It was to the point where she could barely stand it and her skin felt so incredibly hot. She could barely concentrate and her mind was all fogged up. The voices from that evil side were getting stronger and it was getting harder to fight them off. It got so bad all of a sudden that she suddenly had to stop in mid pace. 93

The sudden halt startled everyone behind her and there was a sound of crashing equipment and a few muffled curses...none of which were issuing from female voices.94

Vannolyn disappeared off to the side, leaving Rose to struggle through on her own. He hurried back through the brush to find Rayne was all ready scrambling about picking up the mess of the startled pack animal, "What happened?" Rayne's hushed voice soothes some of the roughed edges about Vannolyn.95

Stress seemed a big part of adventuring with this lot as of late. "Rose stopped."96

Rayne rolled her eyes as she stuffed the last peg into the saddle bag, "Are we going to be doing this all night long?! Get Rose on top of a horse, Vannolyn. We can't wait for her or else we won't make it through the pass before day break, you know that."97

The dark elf nodded as he hurried up the line to where Rose was still locked in a mental battle. Rayne seemed strangely terse for some reason, but it was not any of his business and that was that. 98

Rose opened her eyes to hear Rayne's complaining, growling in annoyance to her lack of understanding, and rather loudly than usual. "A horse will not be needed, thank you. It wouldn't do any good anyway."99

Rayne rolled her eyes. "Well, we have to do something to keep moving."100

Rose turned around, her eyes glowing in the dark as she stared at Rayne. "I apologies for slowing everyone down, but I believe you are unaware of how dangerous it is for me to keep moving when I'm fighting for control over my own mind. Moving makes me lose concentration. If you wish for everyone around me to be torn limb from limb, then by all means, keep pushing me, because if you do so, he WILL take over and I will be able to do nothing to stop it." 101

Rayne ducked lower on Liara's back and the Wolfic growled softly. Not enough that Rose could hear it, but enough to let Rayne know she was still there. "Enough," soothed Vannolyn as he returned to the front of the line, "It is dark, and it is very late, everyone will be quite testy for the next few days because of this, but this is the safest time to cross this pass so we must hurry as quickly as we can."102

Rose turned wordlessly and strode off in front of Vannolyn. Everything about the dragoness spoke boiling anger and distain. Rayne hid deeper into the thick fur of her soft wolfic-friend. "I don't think I should have said that so loudly." Rayne bit her lower lip and peered between Liara's ears up ahead. "Do you think she'll be all right going off ahead of us like that?"103

"I don't know," huffed Liara as she tested another paw hold in the mushy slime.104

Tucking her feet up under herself, Rayne stretched her wings and began to preen them as she thought about what was going on at the front of the line. It's not like she could actually see what was going on with all the marshy waste in the way, but she had seen Rose's eyes, and heard her stalking off. All else, she'd have to guess.105

"Do you think that maybe Vannolyn will be angry at me for what I said?" Rayne whispered to Liara as she plucked an old feather from her wing.106

"That is up to your dark elvin friend," reminded Liara as she growled at a paw covered in marshy muck, "It is only my business to see to it you make it from here to there without landing in this...filth." 107

Vannolyn could see there was growing tension between his love and his old friend. But it was not fully caused by just one. There was more there than he understood so he would have to settle for being the mediator. The last thing they needed at this point was friends fighting.108

The night was growing to an end and dawn would break soon enough. They had to make it through the crossing soon. He could hear Marin singing his drunken old song as usual, but it didn't seem to bother him anymore. The old drunken dwarf had started to grow on him, he was quite amusing. Though Rose would say otherwise ... but it seemed many things were bothering her of late.109

Vannolyn tried to gently probe Rose's mind, trying to get a glimpse of what haunted her so. But all he saw was storming emotions and raging images. There was a battle being waged within ... she was fighting with all her might.110

But now it seemed that battle had seeped outward. He saw the frightening, glowing eyes ... oh yes, he had seen them. They were somewhat unsettling, but he would help he fight it if he could; and protect the others as well. He would help his love through this trying time in anyway he could.111

Again, he caught a glimpse of those unsettling, glowing eyes. It gave the Dark Elf chills. He looked away, and moved forward once more. 112

Rose continued moving, even though her mind was in danger. She knew that if he took over her body, that they would be in more danger than what any fire demons could bring them. She did not want that to happen. She did not want to kill anyone, even though a few of them could annoy her to the point of insanity.113

She had not meant to lash out at Rayne like that either and she somewhat regretted it, though she could barely feel it with her blood boiling the way it was. Images of herself mangling the poor girl's body swept through her mind because of the evil in her blood and it was all she could do not to scream and then just let go just to shut the damn things up.114

Rose's skin was getting hotter by the minute and sweat covered her body as she continued to move. She knew Vannolyn was watching her closely and she hoped that she would not lash out at him. That was the last thing she wanted to do. Rose sighed and closed her eyes a moment, barely tripping over stray roots on the ground.115

After a moment, she felt Vannolyn prod her mind, but she didn't care. All that mattered was keeping her demons at bay and she could just barely do it when she had to concentrate on walking and fighting at the same time. She wondered vaguely what Vannolyn saw during his little visit. It was actually just a little comforting to feel him there. She hoped that this would not change how he felt for her. Even the thought of that sent a blur to her eyes and she shook it away. She could not risk concentrating on that for a second.116

When she had thought of the dark elf, her demons started teasing her with her teasing him...hacking his limbs away slowly and she couldn't take that image. She moved quickly out of everyone's way and leaned against a tree.117

Vannolyn looked back and so did everyone else. He walked over to her and touched her shoulder again, but quickly had to withdraw. Her skin was burning at an increasing heat. "...Rose?"118

Rose had her eyes shut tightly. "...Go on. Just go without me...Please. Just go. I can't take this...I don't know if I'm going to win...I don't know. You have to get as far away from me as possible. I don't want to kill anybody...Lashing out is different, though it was not my intention, but I do not want to tear anyone apart...Just go, Vannolyn. Please, just take everyone out before you have more to worry about than just fire demons."119

Vannolyn stared at her, knowing full well that she was serious. "...Rose, I am not going to leave without you. I cannot leave you here alone."120

Rose shrank down and sat, holding herself tightly. "Don't you understand? If he takes over my body, he is going to make me kill everyone here and he's going to make me enjoy it...Then, when he finally lets me go, I will have the guilt on my hands forever and I will not allow him to kill people I care about. Maybe I don't know some all that well and maybe they do annoy me to death, but that does not mean that I want to kill them...Especially not you. Please go..."121

Vannolyn closed his eyes. "I do understand, but I cannot leave you here like this and I will not. I will help you through this. Please, trust me? If only just once?"122

Rose looked up into his eyes and he looked into his, though he could see that it pained him to. It was probably the glowing. She could see it in his eyes. The determination to help her, even if he had to sacrifice himself.123

Vannolyn to the rest of the group. "It will be dawn soon. If you are quick, you will be able to make it out and it should be enough light to see by now. Just follow the path. We are almost there. You'll have to go alone."124

Rayne looked at him in shock. "Are you sure that's wise?...You heard what she said..."125

Vannolyn looked at Rayne. "I know, but I will not abandon her. She's had a few do so in the past and I will not be one of them."126

Rayne fell silent. Once Vannolyn made a decision, he stuck with it till he either accomplished what he was doing or died trying. She sighed and prayed that he would come back alive with Rose at his side. Eyrion led the group down the path without a word and Vannolyn turned back to Rose.127

She had not said a thing the whole time he had been speaking with the others. "Rose..." he closed his eyes. “Let me help you."128

Vannolyn slowly entered his love's mind, seeing a raging battle between demons and awful images. He saw one of Rose ripping Marin's tongue out and one of her tearing Rayne apart. Both very grotesque sights, though things he was quite used to from the years he had traveled. The other image he saw shocked him quite a bit and he guess that this was why she retreated into herself. It was of her slowly torturing him...Tearing him apart limb by limb and that disturbed him quite a bit. He knew that these weren't Rose's true feelings...just the evil making her wan to turn on everyone around her. Whoever she thought of, it seemed.129

Vannolyn continued to walk, trying to find his beloved before it was too late to help her. He had to do it quickly. Dawn would arise on them soon and he wanted to take care of this as soon as possible so they could escape without coming across the monsters and their festival.130

In the swirling storm that occupied Rose's thoughts, Vannolyn fought against the shifting tides, slowly combing the mass for what he sought. Images began to grow darker, more hideous as he pulled himself farther and farther. There were images of Liara diced into small pieces and Eliane cooked like some sort of roast pig with fins. The only thing that disturbed him, however, was the slight sense of delirious ecstasy in doing these things.131

Just when Vannolyn was certain they'd never make it out in time, warmth came over him. Rose. He quickly focused every ounce of thought and will on that one thing as the images began to rage about him just as much as they did about Rose. Sounds and laughter rang in his ears and even smell and touch became so real to him, for a lesser ranger, it would have completely destroyed him.132

Everything began to get hazy...almost as if sleep was covering the whole world in a strange mist. Vannolyn wandered aimlessly for a moment as he slowly returned to the marshy swamp where Rose and he sat...slightly disoriented. The dragoness sat against a dried out trunk and stared at him in vague confusion. There was no time for dawdling, and yet they sat and stared at each other as the first rays of sunlight filtered down through the foggy marshland.133

Rose looked down the path that they had taken with everyone else and then back and Vannolyn, "Is there still time enough to get there?"134

The dark elf glanced up at the sky and then back down to the trail in quick calculations, "I don't know, but we had better well try to!"135

With that, he helped Rose to her feet and they raced down the trail after the others. The creatures of the marshland were not to be toyed with by even a dangerous dragoness if they could manage escaping it.136

Vannolyn saw the clearing just ahead as the final rays beckoned the sun up. They would not make it. Rose and Vannolyn sprinted as swiftly as they could down the slowly sinking causeway, "Rose! Vannolyn!" Elaine’s startled cry alerted the others who turned to look.137

Liara was the fastest to act. The large Wolfic charged down the sinking trail and picked them up. It was a great act of kindness for such a large beast to be sure, but it was not enough. The causeway slipped into the marshy waters and the others watched in a quiet stupor as wolfic, dragoness and ranger sank into the filth. 138

Meanwhile, a young woman with purple hair tipped with blue sat in her mother's backyard admiring the flowers, while feeding her two newborns. She was quite content in that moment, cooing at her children lovingly. However, she felt a sharp psychic wave go off within her mind and knew instantly that something was not right.139

She looked towards the house and used telepathy to contact her mother. 'Mother...I need to go and take care of something...Will you watch the children for me, please?'140

A woman walked out of the house and into the garden. "What's wrong, Meridia?"141

Meridia looked down at her precious children. "Rose...There is something wrong with Rose. I'm afraid it might be her blood. I have to go and check on her...I know I shouldn't interfere...but she is in great danger, as are those who may be around her, so I have to."142

Her mother nodded. "...Well, be careful now, won't you? You know how he is."143

Meridia smiled vaguely. "He will understand."144

"And your father will disapprove of this greatly," she said.145

Meridia looked at her mother a moment. "I know...but I won't risk it...I promised her that I would help her and it seems that she has forgotten about her exercises...so, I need to at least help her gain more control again and then I'll come back home. I won't interfere with anyone else or their battles."146

Her mother nodded. "Alright, my dear. Just be careful."147

Meridia nodded and passed her babies to her mother. "Take good care of them for me," she said and then kissed her little twin children's foreheads. "I'll be back soon, my little ones."148

After that, Meridia took a few steps back, grabbing her blue cloak as she did so. She closed her eyes and concentrated on Rose's aura, then looked for more life close by, which was only a few feet away. After locating a desired location, Meridia disappeared into this air.149

She reappeared within a group of people. two women and two men. One was as elf, one a dwarf, and the others...she wasn't quite sure of but one of them looked somewhat like a harpy. They did not seem to notice her appearance and so she walked up to the one who looked like a harpy. "Excuse me."150

Rayne and the others turned in bewilderment and stared at the unknown woman.151

Meridia cleared her throat. "I apologies for interrupting...but I need to know if you know a Dragoness named Rose."152

Rayne looked at her blankly for a moment, panic welling up inside of her. "She's drowning along with two of our friends!"153

Meridia's shock was evident and she pushed to the front with a small, "Excuse me, sorry."154

After she made it to the front she concentrated on the bog a moment. "Tell me briefly what both of your friends look like please. Hurry."155

Rayne told her about Liara and Vannolyn, though not mentioning their names and when Meridia with satisfied with Rayne's description, she closed her eyes and picture the three in her head. She pictured them rising up out of the bog, mucky with filth, raising her arms as she did so.156

The others were shocked to see the three friends rising out of the bog and onto their patch of dry land. They could not believe that anyone, even with strong telekinesis, could manage to do such a thing and yet the strange woman had done it.157

The three dropped to the ground, gasping from the thick gritty filth. "Who," gagged Vannolyn as he forced himself to his knees, "Are...you?"158

"It's Meridia," answered Rose as she combed filth out of her hair between gasping breaths.159

Liara snorted and looked at the woman for a moment before shaking the much out of her coarse fur. Muck went everywhere, covering everyone in a new layer of thick decomposing grime. "Yuck!" shrieked Eliane as she tried to wipe herself clean.160

"At least," sighed Vannolyn as he finally managed to stand up, "I know of a place where we can clean up." He wiped the slime way from his eyes again and bowed to the strange woman, "Thank you, we are most fortunate that you chanced to come our way today."161

Meridia shook her head. "I come from far, far away. The only reason I came was because I felt a warning in my mind that my Rose was in danger of losing all control. When I came here, through teleportation, this young woman told me that you were all trapped within the muck and I had to take very drastic measurements to get you out. With telekinesis. You are very welcome, though." She motioned to Rayne when she had mentioned her.162

She walked past him over to Rose and helped her up off the ground. "Are you alright? The beckoning of blood was quite strong. How did you ever break free?"163

Rose stared deep ino her eyes, feeling so much comfort from doing so. "It was only with Vannolyn's help that I was able to gain control again..."164

Meridia glanced over at the Dark Elf and smiled. "Thank you kindly for helping her gain herself back. Do you mind if we speak a little later?"165

Vannolyn was a little surprised to see that Meridia seemed to know who he was, but then again, he had felt Rose's psychic energy seeking out the woman's mind so he guessed that maybe she had shared much with her. He truly did believe now that this woman was a demigoddess. There was no other explanation as to how she could use telekinesis in such a powerful way. "Of course. Any friend of Rose's is a friend of mine."166

Meridia bowed to him. "That is very kind of you. Thank you for allowing me to have a small part of your time."167

Vannolyn found himself smiling. This woman was very polite. "The pleasures is mine...but for now, let us take refuge at the place I was going to take everyone so that we may be able to clean up."168

Meridia nodded. "That would be a good idea."169

Meridia walked over to Rose and took her hands into her own. "We're going to have to start the exercises again, you know. You've neglected them."170

Rose shook her head. "I know...I never meant for that to happen." Her eyes started to blur and she hugged her friend. "I've missed you so much!"171

Meridia hugged Rose tightly. "Oh, dearest Rose, I have missed you too. I long for your return home so that you can finally get to see the babies."172

Rose smiled. "I can't wait to see them. They will be almost as beautiful as you, I'm sure." She winked.173

Meridia laughed lightly. "Oh, you!"174

Vannolyn raised an eyebrow and Rose looked up at him, smiling. "Inside joke."175

Vannolyn nodded. "I see...Well, shall we get going?"176

Rose nodded and walked beside both Vannolyn and Meridia all along the way. 177

Rayne and the rest followed a fair distance behind the odd trio. Rose to the right, Meridia to the left and Vannolyn in the middle. There was enough laughter and chatter from them, that even Marin's constant drunken babble seemed somewhat muted.178

Liara grumbled as she prowled behind everyone else. She was soaked to the skin and her coat was extraordinarily thick: as was the bane of every young Wolfic. "Cheer up, Liara," cooed Rayne giving her beloved friend a hug, "We will be clean in no time and I'll even help you get rid of that grime!"179

"Doesn't mean it's comfortable right now," answered Liara a little tersely. Rayne grinned. Her friend was not enjoying the thick muck, no doubt. Else her dear friend would not be so hot-tempered.180

Eyrion and Marin were chatting quietly with Eliane ahead of Rayne and Liara. Rayne sighed quietly as she let Liara go ahead of her. "Perhaps I really ought to level with Rose," she thought aloud when everyone was a good distance before her.181

A loud splash from ahead shook her out of her thoughts. Rayne looked up to see that Rose and Meridia had tossed Vannolyn into the water ahead of them and their hysterical laughter only seemed to heighten the scene. Liara glanced back at Rayne for only a moment before charging past everyone and leaping, muzzle first into the deep waters.182

Tidal waves slammed into everyone as shrieks and yells echoed through the land. Everyone was drenched to the bone, even Rose and Meridia. 183

Rose and Meridia were in hysterical giggles even though they were drenched.184

When Vannolyn resurfaced, he could not believe how incredibly happy Rose seemed to be. It made him smile. Meridia seemed to be such a wonderful influence on her. He slinked out of the water quietly as they were jsut chattering like two teenage girls talking about boys.185

Meridia took a breath. "Oh my...If I was my old self, I would have had everyone here killed by how much I am laughing."186

Rose smiled and gave her friend a hug. "It's good thing you aren't. I'm so glad to have you here, but shouldn't you be with your children?"187

Meridia shook her head. "I made a promise, my dearest Rose and I intent to keep it, just as you intend to keep yours."188

Rose smiled and hugged her extra tight. "That really means so much to me. I've missed you ao much...Sometimes I've wondered if I could continue to go on without your reassurance."189

Meridia squeezed her friend. "Oh, dearest...I love you like a sister, a best friend and even a daughter. I am always here for you."190

After the sweet moment, Vannolyn swiftly knocked them both into the water, chuckling lightly as they shreiked. 191

The two splashed around for a few seconds before finding a footing on the bottom of the pool. "You!?!" Meridia gasped, seeming shocked that he would do such a thing, not knowing her and all. Her hair hung in her face, and her cloak had somehow gotten turned around, so that it hung in front of her, instead of in back. Vannolyn just grinned at them, almost laughing, which was a big thing for a Dark Elf.192

Vannolyn felt pleased with himself as he stood on the bank, watching the surprised faces of the two girls. But then, their faces started turning upwards, smiling, as if they had just learned some great secret. What was going on? Slowly, a wolfish head surfaced behind Rose and Meridia with that very same grin. Uh-oh, he thought.193

Suddenly, he found himself surrounded with wet fur and muck, and then he was airborn. He let out a surprised scream, sounding embarasingly like a little girl, as he found he was plunging down toward the very center of the lake. "Cannonball!" He heard Marin bellow from the shore, and then he smacked the water, and found himself decending into a cold watery world.194

Rayne and Eliane saw Vannolyn surface far out in the middle of the lake, and even from where they stood, they could hear his sputtering, laughing and shouted threats. Chuckling to themselves, they walked slowly into the water, and started scrubbing off the grime. Liara dove back into the water to rid herself of the offencive smell and feel of dirt, horrible dirt, in her lovely fur and beloved tail. 195

Meridia and Rose sat together on the shore bank and watched as Vannolyn swam back. They were clean now because of the splashing and dunking. Meridia had taken of her cloak as well to let it dry on the ground after ringing it out. It was then that Meridia turned to Rose. "So, what has been happening with you, Rose?"196

Rose looked over at her for a moment and then rested her chin on her knees. "A lot, that you can be sure of."197

"Like what?" her best friend asked.198

Rose closed her eyes a moment. "Father, Demons, siblings, lashing out, anger, losing control...love."199

Meridia was interested by the last one the most and smiled. "Love?"200

Rose did not respond for a moment. "It is a rather complicated situation...I'm not sure if it is wise and I don't know if it will work. We both have our own lives to live and have our own goals. I have a promise to keep and he has...a destiny of sorts, I guess."201

Meridia rested her hand on Rose's. "But nothing can get in the way of the heart. You know that."202

Rose shook her head. "Plenty can...I don't know if he'll ever think of me the same way after he entered my mind and saw...those horrible images of himself and everyone else getting hacked to pieces." Rose buried her face into her arms and shut her eyes tightly.203

Meridia took the girl into her arms and held her. "Love isn't that simple, dearest. It can be very tedious and I have a feeling that he is not so easily swayed from how he feels, if it's who I'm thinking of."204

Rose looked up at her. "You should know. You know me so well, so you should have already guessed by now."205

Meridia smiled and watched as Vannolyn waded to shore. "Yes. It's the man coming right for us."206

Rose turned and watched as Vannolyn came up to sit beside them. He looked into her eyes as he sat. "Is everything alright, Rose?"207

Rose looked down at the ground a moment. "...Better than last night I guess you could say."208

Vannolyn shook his head. "There is something bothering you. I can see it."209

Meridia smiled a little. "It's OK, really. Rose just always has so much on her mind, much like myself. Insecurities about certain things are hard to be rid of."210

Vannolyn looked at her a moment, wondering if that was some sort of clue. "Insecurities are often nothing to worry about."211

Meridia nodded. "I know. I've had much experience and have learned time and time again that what I worry about is often nothing, but sometimes a girl can't help it...Especially when it comes to the affairs of the heart."212

Rose looked up at her. 'Why are you giving him hints?'213

Meridia looked out into the water, watching the others splash around in the water. 'Somebody has to.' Then she turned to Vannolyn again. "I will have to speak with everyone and explain a few things, I think. It might help them better understand everything because Rose isn't so good with explanations, you see."214

Vannolyn nodded. "I'm sure it can be arranged."215

Meridia turned back to the water. "After all of the fun is over." She then turned to Rose. "We should get your exercises started, dearest."216

Vannolyn looked at them, curious about these exercises.217

Rose nodded. "I know. I just wish I could concentrate better..."218

Meridia helped the Dragoness to her feet. "That's what I'm here to help you with." 219

Vannolyn looked on as he watched the demigoddess work with Rose in their intense psychic exercises. It was mystifying in a certain sense. Yet seemed amazing as well.220

So this was the friend ... the one to whom Rose had made an oath to fulfill in her return. It was an honor to meet a high being of such upheld respect. It was something awesome, and extraordinary, and ... something he was not quite yet ready for.221

Vannolyn's thought mulled over and over in his mind at what he would say to the demigoddess, how she would react, and if she would deem him worthy for Rose. The thoughts kept racing about, but still he worked to keep his senses sharp. Vannolyn then laid out his assortment of six different daggers, and faced the nearest tree. Maybe a little dagger-throwing would help him clear his thoughts. Still he remained nervous, waiting all the while for the talk that Meridia had requested of him. 222

Meridia looked at Vannolyn briefly. She could feel his nervousness, though she didn't exactly know why he would be so nervous around her. Maybe it was the fact that she was probably more powerful than anyone in the group. She did not want people to treat her carefully because of that. She would rather be treated normally.223

While thinking about that, she helped Rose lay her demons into another sleep, though she did not know how long it would last this time since they were so close to the source of their power. Soon, they were slumbering again and Rose was drained and needed rest. Meridia held her up, using her mind to help Rose keep focus.224

"Vannolyn," Meridia called out.225

Vannolyn turned and saw how she held Rose. The Dragoness seemed to be barely conscious. He walked over briskly, abandoning his daggers, worried about his love. "Is she alright?"226

Meridia smiled. "Oh, it's OK. She's fine. The Demons are at bay again, but she will get dehydrated if she sleeps now. Could you be a dear and go get her some water please? She'll need to rest after she drinks and then I would like to speak with everyone concerning her. Especially you."227

Vannolyn nodded and took out his empty canteen and went to fill it up. When he came back with a full canteen of water, he held it to Rose's lips and Meridia instructed and she drank a little before Meridia let her sleep.228

"Are you sure she will be alright?" Vannolyn asked as he watched Rose sleep.229

Meridia looked at him from the other side of Rose. "I assure you that she will be fine...for now at least. I am worried about leaving her again, but I can't stay here. I would be interfering even more by doing so and I would not be able to help anyone, but Rose. This is your journey, not mine...I also have two one month old babies to care for. It has only been a few hours and already I long to hold them again."230

Vannolyn nodded. "You look so young though and already have children?"231

Meridia smiled. "Where I come from, Dark Fairies, which is part of my heritage, have children rather young. I could have married at age fourteen."232

Vannolyn nodded again, a little surprised. "I see...so, when you leave...What will happen to Rose?"233

Meridia bit her lips a moment and hen looked deep into Vannolyn's eyes. "Rose needs to do those exercises and it seems that she needs someone to motivate her...Vannolyn, would you be willing to learn how to do it with her? It doesn't matter if you can't do it well. I just think Rose would be able to concentrate on it more, especially by helping you help her, if she had you to do it with her. Are you willing to try?"234

Vannolyn wondered if he could take such strong energies, but nodded anyway. "I would do anything to help her."235

Meridia smiled. "Good. That makes me feel more at ease. Thank you...You might also want to reassure her somehow that your feelings for her have not changed. She is so afraid to love again after all that has happened to her. She needs to know that you will stand by her no matter what happens and sometimes it is so hard for one to believe such a thing. Especially someone with such a violent, dramatic past."236

Vannolyn looked down at Rose, remembering all too well the images he had seen, but he knew that he still loved her. He wished she would trust in that more, but he could understand. Slowly, Vannolyn nodded. "I will try my best to get her to trust in me."237

Meridia shook her head. "She already trusts you. She needs to know that your opinion of her has not changed, therefore knowing that you still love her as much as you had before."238

Vannolyn was quite surprised to hear that. There was much about Rose he did not understand, but he wished to. "How much has she been keeping from me?"239

Meridia looked down at her sleeping friend. "Vannolyn, dear, understand that she is not ready to fully let go and give her heart to you yet. It is halfway there...She may not even realize how much she trusts you yet. Give her time."240

Vannolyn closed his eyes. "I have to remember that."241

Meridia looked up at him. "May I ask you a question?"242

Vannolyn looked into her dual colored eyes. "Of course."243

Meridia looked out as everyone was just about ready to get out of the water. "Why are you so nervous around me?"244

Vannolyn had not expected that question. He did not even realize that she could sense his tenseness.245

Meridia answered his unasked question. "I can feel emotions all around me. They are not easily hidden from psychic energy as powerful as mine. I apologize for intruding, but I do not like for people to treat me any differently from a normal person because that is all I truly am. I have my faults, just as any one of you do."246

Vannolyn nodded. "I apologize...I just...Rose has told me about you and her promise to you and she told me about you being a demigoddess...It is a great honor to meet someone who holds so much respect and who is so high in the eyes of Rose herself. I just wish to be seen as worthy of Rose's love."247

Meridia looked at him, her brows raised and she laughed a little. "Worthy? What ever gave you the idea that I make Rose's decisions for her? I would never make her choices for her. I don't deem people worthy of Rose. She chooses who is worthy of knowing her true self and especially who is worthy of her heart. I don't control her to any extent at all; I am just here for her when she needs me."248

Vannolyn felt a weight lift off his shoulders somewhat as he continued to listen to Meridia speak.249

"Anyway, you should already know you are worthy by Rose even considering having a relationship with you. You've almost won her heart and that should tell you that you are worthy. Very few people have had the honor...Two at the most through her entire life. You do not need my permission to love her and she does not need permission to love you. Her choices are just that, hers. Don't ever think you need to prove anything to me because I already know that you are someone she needs in her life. She is just having a hard time figuring out if you are the right choice for her because of a few things. Mostly this oath you hold from a legend she mentioned to me."250

Vannolyn nodded. "I see...Well, I think that makes me feel a little more comfortable. Thank you."251

Meridia smiled and nodded. "Now, shall we get started on the exercises while waiting for the others to be ready for a conversation?"252

Vannolyn nodded.253

"OK. We'll take it slowly since you are new at this." Meridia said.254

Rayne scrubbed the last of the muck out of Liara's mane, "Is that better?" she called from her slippery perch on her friend's back.255

Liara growled happily as the last irritation slipped away, "Much better."256

Rayne slipped easily into the waters and started for shore. "It's so nice having a moment to cool down, isn't it?" sighed Rayne. The Wolfic smiled as they paddled towards the shore. Rayne glanced about for the rest of her clothing. "Where did my stuff go?"257

Strewn about the shore were tunics, pants, capes, and all sorts of clothing, but Rayne couldn't even see her spear. "Of all the rotten luck," grumbled Rayne as she pulled herself onto the shore. "It's a good thing I still have my tunic and leggings on."258

The wolfic didn't speak as she pulled herself out of the waters and shook out her mane. Water splattered all over the place and Rayne shrieked in surprise as water pummeled her. "Liara!" laughed Rayne between fits of giggles and gasping for air.259

She was rewarded with a puppy-like grin on the Wolvic’s face before the large creature turned about and leapt right back into the waters. This time, the water did not cascade about, but remained quite peaceful in comparison.260

Rayne sat on the bank, soaking wet. She rung out her hair and whatever pieces of her tunic that she could as she watched Liara pull first Eyrion and then Marin underwater. Eliane, slick as she was in water, practically danced about the others and sent splashes at whoever got too close to her. It was just so lovely...so peaceful at the moment.261

She stood up and looked about her. A large pile of clothes just sat, unattended on the shoreline. Sighing to herself, Rayne wondered why she was doing this as she picked up the clothing around her and started to hang it up to dry. She scrubbed a few of the mucky ones, but soon every piece had been cleaned and hung drying in the air. It was so nice having so much mossy vines to hang them from.262

"You must be not mind being the simple maid for those hooligans." Rayne turned in surprise at those words...263

Meridia shook her head. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean it like that. I wasn't trying to insult anyone at all and I'm sorry if I startled you."264

Rayne stayed silent for a moment, staring into the woman's eyes. "...It's OK...and sometimes I do mind, but they will never change. It's more of the foolish dwarf than anyone...”265

Meridia smiled. "I see. Some people here are annoyed by him. Especially Rose...Speaking of her, do you mind if we have a little talk?"266

"I suppose it's all right," mused Rayne as she settled down on top of a warm boulder.267

She crossed her legs and leaned over them to watch the strange creature more closely. She was an amazingly beautiful and polite character, Rayne was certain of that. Strangely enough, Meridia seemed the complete opposite of Rose...well, at least, to Rayne. "So you and Rose have known each other for a very long time, right?" queried Rayne as she shifted restlessly on her perch.268

Meridia didn't speak. "I mean, it's not that I really need to know or anything...but I'm quite curious, really. Rose is so...." Rayne wove her hand in the air as if to magically call upon some word she couldn't quite remember, "So...gosh, what's that words...um...reserved!" Rayne snapped her fingers at the last word.269

Rayne paused to look at Meridia again. Still, the demigoddess didn't speak, but merely sat and stared at Rayne for a long time. "Um...." Rayne shifted again. Naive a she was, Rayne began to feel a little disconcerted by Meridia's silence.270

Meridia closed her eyes and smiled. You may ask me anything you like during this, Rayne. I do understand that you might feel intimidated by my friend and to tell the truth...Rose isn't really all that different from me."271

Rayne looked at her, quite shocked. How had she known what she was thinking?272

Meridia crossed her legs. "I'm sorry...You don't keep your thoughts completely hidden or to yourself and so I picked up on it. Also, the reason why I was silent was because I wanted to see how you would react to my mentioning of her and talking about her. I also wanted to see what your opinion of her was. If you have any questions about her, please feel free to ask."273

Rayne nodded. "...Alright. What did you want to tell me about her?"274

Meridia smiled. "I suppose I could start off with what I was saying. "Rose...she doesn't trust everyone here enough to show her true self. Basically, she has a wall up. She is also in a very fragile mental state, which causes her to get defensive or offensive whenever you approach her or say something that she overhears...I know everything that has been going on and I just wanted to explain it to you so you would be able to understand better."275

Rayne was a little surprised to hear that, but she supposed that what Vannolyn had said while they were in the water was true. Perhaps being a demigoddess made this woman be able to hear, feel and do things that most normal people wouldn't be able to.276

"I also feel your discomfort with me...and I apologize for that. It is not my intention to make you feel discomfort. I just want to help ease the tension between you and Rose and everyone else when it comes to her for that matter. I wanted to do this as soon as possible because I need to leave soon." Meridia leaned back and stared into the younger woman's eyes277

Rayne puzzled over this for a moment before looking at Meridia closely once more, "Do you think that perhaps Rose and I will ever be the greatest of friends like you and Rose?"278

Meridia's face went blank with surprise. Even as a demigoddess, this child was confusing to her. Her sporadic thoughts were almost unnoticeable. "Well.."279

"I don't mean that I'd replace your anything," interrupted Rayne as she slid onto her stomach on the boulder, "but simply that I feel that Rose and I will be great friends someday, but I don't know if that's true or not. I always get these strange feelings...and everything."280

Meridia nodded quietly, Rayne definitely wasn't out of steam when it came to talking, "It's really weird, actually. That's how I met Eyrion way back when, you see. I mean...I'd love to be comfortable around Rose and I know that she burst once or twice in a few...I would too if I had all that pent-up rage and demonism inside. The thing about it is..." Rayne shifted with a little embarrassment and looked away, still she continued, "it's just that I would love to be comfortable with her and everything, but I'm just a girl, really. In my tribe, I'd still be a kid...I don't understand everything, but I know so much for some reason...it's just getting more and more confusing the longer I live..."281

Rayne shrugged and flopped onto her back to stare up at the sky, "I'm older than Rose, I know that, but she's just so...different, I don't know how to get to her really..."282

Meridia nodded. "Oh yes, I understand what you mean. Rose is...very difficult to get to. She doesn't trust so easily and it is basically because of the kind of life she has lived. She really doesn't mean to lash out at you at all, it's just that she is cruel with words by nature and she is also quite secretive. The past hurts her and she doesn't like to look back on it. She is also ashamed of her Demon heritage."283

Rayne nodded, quite interested in what Meridia had to say.284

"The truth is, she can be very reserved. She opens up to me more than anyone else she has ever known. We have been friends since childhood...As for your question about the future, it could happen. I can't see the future as Rose can, but we seem to have some things in common as well." Meridia took another breath and looked up into the darkening sky.285

Rayne sat in anticipation for her next words.286

After a moment, Meridia began again. "I know for a fact that Rose adores me and in time maybe, if she can manage to start trusting and warming up to you, you will be wonderful friends. Rose is a very different person inside. You've seen how she is around me, right? That is her true self. That is her from the inside. I brought it out, but she will retreat back inside her barriers after I leave..."287

Rayne frowned, "Then don't leave."288

Meridia smiled at Rayne for a moment, “I have two babies at home, not yet old enough to stay on their own. I couldn't leave them their and travel with you. Not now, at least."289

Rayne nodded. She knew all too well about family matters such as that. "I used to have a family..." She shrugged herself out of her depressing thoughts and back to Meridia again, "What did you mean by we seem to have some things in common? You mean Rose and you?"290

Meridia shook her head. "I mean you and I. You care for your friends, cook for them, invite them into your home and care for them as if they were your family and I do the same. I am quite motherly to Rose if you hadn't quite noticed...It is in my nature." Meridia stopped for a moment, closing her eyes.291

"Of course, I can't watch her all the time. I have a family of my own. Also, this is not my journey, so I shouldn't intrude. I was not meant to be here to interfere because I am far too powerful and I think me helping would make it far too easy...I also left under quick circumstances and my mate is probably wondering about me, if I'm safe, where I am..." Meridia turned to Rayne. "Is there anymore questions you wish to ask of me? Anything more I can clear up for you?"292

Rayne thought for a moment as she simply stared at Meridia for a long while. "What's it like?"293

Meridia looked at the young miss blankly, "What's it like being a mother...and a friend...I mean...what it is like meaning so much to so many people?"294

Rayne shifted back to sitting on the boulder and looked back out at her friends still playing in the water, "I'm sorry," sighed Rayne as she shrugged her thoughts away again, "I'm being boyishly nosy, aren't I?"295

Standing up to stretch, Rayne sighed for a moment before glancing at the sun. So, they had stayed all day here after all. So much for traveling today. The last rays of the sun finally fled from their camp and Rayne turned her thoughts to making a fire and cooking dinner for everyone.296

Her wings slowly appeared as the reddening haze turned darker, but Rayne didn't pay any attention to them as she scanned about for a likely place to set up her "kitchen." She glanced once more at Meridia, "Will you be joining us for dinner? I would be quite happy to cook something up for you. Well, provided you aren't like Rose...I haven't quite figured out how to cook for her..."297