Tav had fallen into an unconscious state and could not be roused. Astarion was preparing to leave the house, but even that had numerous risks involved. One of which was walking through the sun once more in gear that was splashed with blood.
From downstairs he heard a door opening. The cats must have sensed it as well. Rascal raced out of the room and jumped to the mezzanine railing.
'Hellooo –' A small voice hollered, 'Hello, Tav?' The voice increased in volume, 'Hellooo. Astarion?'
'Is that?' Astarion creased his brow in puzzlement, 'Arabella?' Would it really be her? He left to see for himself.
Rascal spoke down to the one standing in the front room. 'Why have you come to this house?'
'I've come to see Tav.' Arabella stood with her hands fixed on her waist, looking up at the cat.
'Arabella!' Astarion called out with urgency. 'I don't care how you got here, or why, or anything else – but tell me, you have the magic to Restore?'
'I think…' she stared up at him with a questioning look, 'that's why I'm here.'
'If that is the case, hurry up then,' Astarion waved her up.
Arabella, the child Tiefling, bounded up the two flights of stairs. 'What happened to her?' she asked as she entered the room and saw her on the bed.
'She's lost blood.' Astarion hesitated to even speak it out loud. 'Most of her blood.'
'Oh. I see it now.' Arabella stared at the lifeless Tav. She tapped her fingers on her chin contemplating Tav's plight.
'You can heal her?' He could not keep the apprehension from rising in his voice.
Arabella nodded slowly. She held her hands over Tav's body and formed arcane signs, and spoke unknown words. From her hands, a purple aura circled and sunk into Tav's body. Tav's skin regained some colour, but she continued to sleep. Arabella released her hands, and the High Magic faded.
'Is she better?' Astarion asked.
'Not completely yet. I will continue to heal her at a slow pace.' Arabella replied, looking very pleased with herself. 'The Weave is flowing through her body. Can't pour too much in at once.'
Astarion closed his eyes in pure relief. 'Arabella, I can't tell you how glad I am to see your pretty little Tiefling face.'
'Astarion,' Arabella's serious gaze that was beyond her years, turned on him. 'You must be more careful. And Tav as well. There is danger out there, and you are walking into it. You have to discover what is going on.'
'Well, that's it, isn't it?! What is going?' He replied with some sarcasm. 'Please enlighten me so I can be the wiser.'
'I don't know!' Arabella exclaimed. 'You have to work it out it yourself.'
Astarion upturned his hand. 'Then what by the devil's brought you here?'
'He told me to come here. Gave me the address. Even taught me this great new spell.' Arabella grinned from ear to ear.
'Gods, don't tell me,' Astarion threw his hands in the air. 'It was Withers, wasn't it?'
'Yep.'
'That blasted skeleton,' he quipped, 'At least he could have mentioned something helpful in all this. But no, he remains as cryptic as an enervating fossil.'
She shrugged with an impish smile. 'He did say he can help when he can help.'
'And that is just like him. Only when it suits him.' He took an exhausted breath. 'Look, I am grateful you have healed Tav. Even grateful to that bag of bones, but really…'
Still smiling, Arabella said, 'There's one thing Boneman was right on. Tav was going to die. He didn't think she should.'
Astarion's shoulders sagged. He knew it. 'Thank you for letting me know, though I am not sure I appreciate it. However Boneman and I agree on this, I don't think she should die either.'
'He really looks out for you guys.'
'He's a peculiar undead creature, who is inscrutable and, well, probably has a lot of time on his hands,' They never did work out with any shared certainly who Withers really was. Someone ancient, who had the power of life and death. Someone who wanted them to succeed. So that had been enough to satisfy their needs to know. 'I wish he was a little more forthcoming.'
'If he wants to say, he will.'
'Gods, even you.' Astarion sighed. 'Well, you can live in this house as long as you need or want. You can take any room. I'm sure there's food in the kitchen if you even need food that is.'
Arabella blinked up at him, and then laughed.
'I half believe you have transcended into some sort of celestial being…'
'That would be pretty wild.' She nodded enthusiastically.
Astarion also nodded. 'You are still young. Who knows what fantastical plans the gods have in store for the likes of us.'
She went on, 'Maybe I'll eat first, then heal Tav some more.'
Astarion stared down at Tav, who appeared to be breathing peacefully, relief easing his face.
Arabella said, 'She'll be alright if you need to do something.'
'But will you be alright?' He wanted to go out in search of the address. But not at the cost of Tav or Arabella's safety. Even so, there was nothing more he could do for her right then, but let her sleep and rest.
'You need to find things out right?'
'I do.' He pressed his lips tight. 'Anything would be helpful.'
'I'll be fine.' Arabella motioned his concern away. 'I have these cats after all. They're awesome. I'll keep healing Tav when her body is ready.'
He had forgotten the cats were in the room, watching, listening. Selune was curled up next to Tav, purring, 'Love mistress, love mistress, love mistress…'
Jergal sat on the end of the bed watching over Tav.
Rascal sat on the desk cleaning himself. 'We have saved Mistress. Payment will be required—'
'Is that right?' Astarion couldn't begrudge him some reward.
Rascal continued, 'We will have unlimited special treats—'
Jergal interrupted, 'No, it must be tummy scratches, for a month of tendays--'
Astarion shook his head at the creatures. 'Tav being alive to feed you and talk to you again seems reward enough. But, I'm sure she will probably lavish some attention on you.' To Arabella he said, 'When it is near dark I'll head off. There's a place I have to visit.'
~><~
Night had fallen and Astarion had left Tav in Arabella's hands, to head towards the lower city. The apartment building was across a street from the waterfront. On a third balcony, it was the first apartment along among three. The room was dark, and on pushing on the door he discovered it wasn't locked, nor was it even closed properly.
Strangely enough he was able to enter. Which meant no one was living there anymore. No light inside and no sign of life. It was a bare room with minimal furniture. As he observed the space, the bed was broken in two, with scattered bedding, and the wardrobe door was splintered. Amidst the wreckage there were old blood stains, maybe at least four days old, and nothing substantial to leave a trail. There was something else, an odour in the air – the smell of vampire.
'Well, well,' Astarion commented aloud, 'Someone was having a party in here.' The blood he did not recognize, although the whiff of vampire he felt he might know. He opened the broken wardrobe in case something worthy was inside. Nothing but raggedy clothes. 'There's nothing – except a vampire was here, but whoever it was, has not lived here in a few days.'
After looking around the room, and feeling disappointed at turning up nothing, he noticed a floor board poking up under the cracked bed. He pushed the bed away, and on his knees, he yanked up more of the wood plank. Wrapped in rags was a slender book. No title, and opening it he looked at the handwriting within.
The diary was describing an escape from the Crimson Palace -- who would be involved and how it would take place. He read on with amazement.
--- it has taken much time and thinking to create this scheme of mine. Years, months, days, writing letters to my servants. Sneaking them through Dufay. Preparing the iron chest for the Wine Distributor.
--- Dufay and Jermone working together, who would have thought I could make that happen. They do it just for me. The poor trapped child – so delightful.
--- it's imperative it take place in the light of day. As most will be at rest. They won't be able to follow up once I'm outside.
--- timing must be perfect. I will be sequestered in the chest. Dufay and the other servant will carry me to the service area. The chest will be transported by Jermone and I will be away to my beloved home, Almandine. All of this will occur under the hate-filled yet trusting gaze of Cazador.
--- today is the day. I escape this foul den of poison and that cursed profane ritual. Then to start true research for a cure to this despicable hunger.
Astarion sat in incredulous silence. There were other notes detailing a daring escape from Cazador's place, in particular the attic. He recalled seeing some other notebooks when they went through the attic. He now assumed they were written by the same person. Amanita Szarr. He didn't know she had ended up in the attic. He and the spawn knew someone was up there, but they all referred to that person as the 'vermin' in the roof. He knew jars of blood were taken up there at times, so it seemed obvious it was another spawn. All those years he had no desire or care to even inquire after that one in the attic. To him it was just another one of them being abused, tortured, and living in torment.
But why were her notes here? He picked up something that had dropped from the book. A pendant with a silver carved owlbear. He rolled it in his hand intrigued. The escape stunned him – how had this girl escaped Cazador's thrall, and how did she inspire that sycophant Dufay to aid her? Dufay was always under the control of Cazador…. But then again… even Dufay tried to fool Cazador with a 'fake' death that seemed to backfire in the end. Astarion suddenly wondered if Cazador knew all along what Dufay was planning, and made him take the real poison.
So in fact, Cazador quite possibly has a relative left in this world. Perhaps the one who took this journal wanted to know where Amanita had gone?
He had spent too long away and was eager to get back to Tav. He thought it might be beneficial to collect the other notebooks from the attic, but that would have to wait till tomorrow. Then, when Tav was better, she would love to read the notebooks for herself.
~><~
Astarion returned home to a quiet house. Arabella met him as he came to the first floor. Her gaze took him in, from feet to head, and she rubbed her hands together.
'How is she?' Astarion asked, tiredly.
'She's doing better, but sleeping still.' She pointed at him. 'You, -- need a wash. There's the bath in there, and it has everything you need. You could do with it.'
'Is that so?' He dreaded to think about all the muck he had been collecting on himself all day. 'But the truth is, you are right.'
'I can go and magic some water in it and heat it up even. You can go in water right?'
He nodded, he couldn't even think to be sarcastic. 'I might be a vampire, but I can still be concerned with cleanliness.' Why was he having this conversation with this extraordinary Tiefling child. 'It's running water – nevermind. I admit, a hot water wash would be delightful.' He bowed his head. 'Thank you, my dear.'
A short time after, Astarion was taking off his gear. He hung his armour on the screen. It was covered in the day's activities, and he would have to wash it later. He sunk into the hot lavender oiled water. After some time scrubbing his skin, he relaxed his muscles and mind.
Once done, he got out and dried himself. He realized with exasperation he couldn't walk around naked as he usually would do after a bath. He threw on a robe that was left for him. That Arabella thinks of everything, he thought dryly.
What he really wanted to do was lay down with Tav and talk. Talk about everything – her near death. How close he was to losing her. Her memory-dream – and his. The reasons she was taken. How that vampires words "more will come –" were taunting him. 'Gods,' he muttered.
He went upstairs. The bedroom was dim, except for a sliver of moonlight through the curtain. One side of the bed, the drapes were hooked up, and Tav was asleep under the covers. Colour was in her face and her skin was clean. He wasn't aware of the time. Usually he would be out – but tonight he wanted to be with her. As well, the hunger had been dealt with earlier.
De-robing, he slid into bed beside her warm body. He gazed down on her sleeping face. Beautiful even in the night's hue. He ran his fingers down her cheek.
She opened her eyes, and kissed his hand. He brought his arm over her and pulled her closer. She snuggled into his shoulder and he held her secure against his body. He whispered, 'Let's not get that close to death ever again, my sweet?'
Tav let free a contented and relieved sigh against his skin. 'Agreed…'
~><~
It was near midday when Tav was well enough to get up. She was alone in bed and his side was cold. The events of the day before rushed back into her mind, like a pain she was reliving. The horrible memory of the vampire biting her – she had struggled against him, but still came out powerless. Then the frightening sensation of him draining her of her blood, and she grew weaker and weaker, till an empty sensation took over. She became nauseous at the recollection, and then the dreadful thought he was going to turn her into his vampire spawn. That realization was worse than actually dying. That Astarion was actually there with her, she couldn't comprehend at the time. Now she knew it was a miracle she had even survived the ordeal. Never did she want to experience that trauma again.
She dressed and went downstairs looking for anyone who might be home. The kitchen was empty, but she found a plate of food which she gobbled up. She wasn't even sure where to look for Arabella – was she even still here in the house? She was a child touched by High Magic, she went where the Weave took her.
Eventually Selune entered the kitchen. Tav picked her up for some cuddles. 'My beautiful kitty!' Tav told her.
'Mistress,' Selune purred her happiness, and pushed her face into hers.
'Where is everyone?'
'The horned child is in the basement. Master is upstairs. Jergal is probably upstairs. Rascal is…' Selune paused, 'probably patrolling the streets. Welart could be with him.'
'Wait, who?' Tav said,
'He is the cat that sometimes stays with us,' Selune explained, 'We told him to not show himself too much. We didn't know how you would treat him, or master.'
Tav sighed, 'perhaps that's for the best right now. So Master is upstairs… must have missed that.'
'Master did go out but has returned.'
'And the babies?' Tav put her down.
'I think…' Selune cocked her head towards the front of the house. 'Playing in the big room, playing on the curtains, clawing the chairs…'
Tav frowned. 'Oh dear,' She narrowed her lips with the idea she would have to be stern with the kittens. 'But first, I need to talk to Arabella.'
She went down to the basement. She went some way before she came to Arabella. Initially she didn't even notice her – it was all the chemical devices and burners, and alchemy filters, bottles of every size, full and empty. There was every sort of ingredient laying on shelves or in baskets. It wasn't just one potion filter, but three around the room.
'What the hells?' Tav exclaimed. 'Did you set this up?'
Arabella stood beside a shelf of numerous potions of varying sizes and colours. 'Probably half of it.' She grinned proudly. 'Actually there was already a set up here, I added to it.'
'I didn't know…' Tav was still taking it all in, going around looking at all the plant extracts.
'I'm really into alchemy now.' She poured a purple liquid from the beaker tube that was on a boiler. 'I'm doing a lot of experiments to see what I can make.'
'I see. I've done a little myself over the years.' Tav nodded at her. 'Maybe not this elaborate.'
Arabella approached her with a surgery knife and a clear bottle. 'Actually can I have some of your blood?'
'Ahh…' Tav hesitated with concern. 'Why do you need that?'
'I'm working on a particular recipe,' Arabella replied, 'I took some last night and I need to take some every day. Just a little… it won't hurt.'
Tav resigned herself to the request and offered her outstretched arm. 'Fine, take it.' This wasn't the first time someone had asked for her blood, as she remembered that strange Drow Alchemist.
'Great. I'll be making some stuff for your journey.'
Tav remembered they were going to travel to Waterdeep. 'Of course…. Arabella, I'm more than grateful that you saved me and helped Astarion.'
'I know. Remember you saved me once too.' She looked away in thought. 'Actually, you saved me a couple of times.'
'Hmm, I guess that is true, but---'
'So we are kinda even then…' She smiled. 'Guess it's your turn next.'
'That is not how we should define this friendship,' Tav retorted, 'Can we stop doing things were someone might die?'
Arabella's brow furrowed and her gaze was severe. 'I've got some news for you. I feel life might get a lot more dangerous.'
'Ah, hells.' Tav threw her head back in the air. 'Just don't tell Astarion that.'
'He'll probably figure that out himself.'
'Something is really going on, right?' She had suspected something since the night at Wild Tempest, but being taken she could definitely say there was trouble ahead. Plus nearly being killed by a vampire was not something she thought she would have to endure.
'You'll figure it out,' Arabella's voice was serious. 'You usually do.'
'Any tips?'
'Hmm,' Arabella puckered her lips. 'Not yet.'
Tav felt burdened with the awful news. 'Alright. Now, you know you are welcome to stay. But Alfira will also stay here when we go. That way you won't be alone or feel you have to look after the cats. You will be fine with that?'
'Ooh,' Arabella brightened. 'As long as she won't try to make me do things, or tell me what to do. I want to come and go as I like.'
Tav nodded her agreement with that. 'I'll tell her.'
'Good, as sometimes I'm not sure where I will go.'
'Fair enough.'
Tav left her to her potions and went in search of Astarion. Apparently he was upstairs. Perhaps the balcony. She found him outside sitting on the mattress. Around him were books from the palace. He was engrossed in his reading until he noticed her.
'Hello beautiful.' Astarion affectionately watched her approach. 'Have you recovered from that gruesome experience?' He patted the mattress beside him.
'Hello handsome.' She sat down by him. 'It's the worst thing I think I've ever gone through.'
He cupped her face in his hands, stressing his words. 'And I never want you to go through that again.'
'It was terrifying, I felt so helpless. I truly thought I was dying, but even that… would have been better than what I thought would happen – that I would become his spawn, and never see you again.' She breathed deeply in an attempt to calm her emotions. 'That you were able to save me was an act of the Gods.'
'It was a very attentive and clever cat. An ancient skeleton, and Tiefling child. And I did the rest.' He placed his hand on her neck, bringing her close for a kiss. For some moments they enjoyed the close intimacy. He broke away and said under his breath, 'Now, after hearing you speak on it, I dislike bringing this up, but do you remember anything about who those men were?'
She tilted her head, her mind replaying the experience. Apart from the vampire draining her, being taken to the sewer was absent from her mind. However, she remembered them talking while she was being bitten. 'They were going to leave the city, but I'm not sure I heard a place name… a wizard was mentioned…' Abruptly, she turned her eyes on him, 'and you, they knew your name. They were using me… as bait.'
His expression became somber. 'I gathered that myself. Would they really be that stupid to kill you?'
'Did they say anything to you?' Tav asked.
'Oh, my sweet,' Smiling, he tapped her nose with his finger, 'They did not have a lot to say while I stabbed them in the heart. Nor was I in the mood for conversation. And there was no chance they would speak to me after I caused their demise.'
She sighed in dismal resignation. 'Do you think I should go back and Speak with their corpses?'
'Actually, it's an idea… but It might be too dangerous to go back to the carnage,' his lips creased in thought, 'their people might be looking for them, and instead find us. There's also no guarantee they would speak to you.'
'Maybe…'
'The one at the Wild Tempest must have also been with that group.' He glanced away with some concern on his face.
'So that was more than just me!' Tav said with vexation.
'My apologies Darling, for not telling you, I did not wish to worry you,' He said contritely, 'Although, I dropped my guard and you were hurt in the end.'
'But why you?' she asked, as if somehow she should know the answer.
'Interesting isn't it?' He remarked, 'A single vampire non-descript spawn. Whoever they are could make more.'
Tav rubbed her temples in focused thought. 'There's more to it…. But I can't think…' She feared there was some underlying issue she couldn't discern. It was unsettling.
'Let's not fret over that right now. Soon we will leave, and it seems the perfect time for it.' After a moment, he said in a gruff whisper, 'regarding another matter… do you recall what you said about the tree?'
'Yes,' she touched his face gently, 'Do you know the memory?'
'It's faded and unclear. I try to hold onto it –' his hand clenched into a fist, '—but – I know that I have seen it.'
Tav kept her hand on his cheek. 'That you did see it, means you are still capable of experiencing it. Perhaps it's a matter of time before you can see more.'
'How do you know it's not just a dream?' His tone carried such hope despite his question.
'Because I know we are looking at the same tree, the same grove.' Her hand moved to cup his chin. 'I have seen other things as well, and you are there. But this recent one was so pure, and you were right there. I had to make sure you knew that… incase…' At that time, she wasn't sure she was going to make it, and she needed him to know.
'How long have you been experiencing Reverie?' His eyes eagerly delved into hers.
'Since I was young.' She went on, 'Despite me being a half elf. My father is full elf, and my mother a half elf. My father said it could be possible for me to experience my past lives. When I was young I dreamed of beautiful wondrous places. My father said it was the birthplace of elves. Then I dreamed of this amazing city in the forest. There was always this mysterious good-looking elf with the silver-white hair, and he was connected with me in ways I didn't fully understand as a child. Later I started dreaming of Baldur's Gate. This elf was there too.' She paused with a smile. 'Although, the Baldur's Gate ones, I think they were dreams only, not living memories. Although, I'm not entirely sure…'
'You have said before that was your inspiration for coming here.' He shook his head at her. 'Why someone like you would come to this crooked debauched city, is beyond my understanding. Of all the places. There are probably a dozen better cities.'
'Probably.' A smug chuckle escaped her lips. 'I had to meet you somehow.'
He grinned with satisfaction. 'I am impressed you would go so far, leaving family and homeland behind, because of a dream… of me.'
'You were in my Reverie.' She kissed him on the lips. 'So… I had to find this elf from my memory…'
'I can't believe that all this time, since meeting—you never said anything until now. You never cease to amaze me.' His face revealed his awe and he continued being astounded. 'Since we met I'm trying my utmost to seduce you, when in fact you knew me and had potentially fallen for me literally years ago.' His sultry voice became more tantalizing. 'Really, my love, who is the true beguiler?'
Tav blushed and mumbled, 'I…know… how could I just start saying weird things like that … and other things were more important … with tadpoles in our brains… and then worrying about becoming squids… and insane cultists, then ---'
'Discovering I was a vampire?' His eyes conveyed melancholy.
'It was a shock…' She responded, 'and I didn't know what to think. You were nothing like what I expected.' Her voice lowered to a whisper, 'You were actually an undead. It was sad. But aside from everything, I enjoyed just being around you, and that was enough for me.'
'You are so young.' He ran his hand through her hair to ease her. 'To be confronted by someone like me. How can you understand the length of years of conditioning – centuries of me groveling at the feet of a vile vampire, carrying out his foul deeds, being punished for not obeying, or not performing for him the exact way he desired.' The bitterness in his voice was palpable. 'That meant to control and manipulate others to get what I needed for him.'
'I probably don't understand fully,' Tav said softly, 'But I want to.'
'Truly, you are too generous,' he continued, 'When I was faced with freedom, it was difficult to even know how to think, let alone how to behave. I hadn't thought for myself for centuries.' He admitted sheepishly, 'I might have been manipulating things at times.'
'And despite your charlatan ways, I fell for you.' She gave a demure laugh. 'Even though a lot of the time I never knew if you were telling me the truth.'
He looked at her, his gaze fierce. 'My love, you did know that I cared for you.'
'It was probably the one thing I knew to be true…'
'I do confess at the beginning I was overly charming, and probably came on too strong, but in my defense, I was extremely attracted to you. Although I wasn't honest about that, and I told you some untruths…but only to protect myself…' His voice became husky, and he said, 'the first time I saw you standing in the sun, I was captivated by your beauty, I only wanted to be by your side.'
Tav laughed. 'I saw you and thought, is it really him, that one from my dreams? Then I thought, he's trying to kill me. Needless to say, I was confused.'
'I would never have gone that far.' He said faintly, 'I wanted to be near you, and then I was charming you, saying everything that might turn you towards me – and to think, you had thoughts towards me all along –'
'You enjoyed it, don't pretend you didn't it,' She held onto his hand that was caressing her face.
'I still enjoy it.'
'Ah, but I'm now wiser to your machinations---'
'Who are you trying to fool?' his voice dropped to a sexy low, and his hand snaked down to her breast, and caressed her. 'Your heart is racing at my voice. I sense your heavenly parts pulsing at my touch.' He kissed her while fondling her nipple under her bodice.
She moaned in his mouth. 'I might be wiser, but I'm not stronger.' Not wanting to draw away at all, she had to say under her breath. 'Don't start anything you can't finish.' With a child in the house she thought they should at least try to be discreet, if that were possible.
'We will start and finish this later.' He chuckled sensually. Even his laugh was seductive. Breaking away he said, 'You are the one who wins, for you will always have me. Now that we have established we have known each other over lifetimes, what does it mean for this one, I wonder?'
'I'm not certain yet. But I do know whatever is happening we will face it together.'
'About that,' Astarion started, 'I'm going back to the palace to dig around a little further. I think I should go alone—'
Tav shook her head. 'No. Those men wanted you. It could be too risky for you to go back in there—'
'You really are sweet, being worried about me,' He gave her a small smile. 'I need to explore the attic again in more depth, and it will be easier for me to move around on my own.'
She took a resigned sigh.
'As well, I need to sort out the future of the palace. I have sent a letter to his sycophant on the council, and I had hoped that was enough. I may have to meet with some of his contacts…' His brow creased in consideration, 'and persuade them that Cazador is still alive, and it's in their best interests to not enter the palace at this time.'
'You think it will work?'
'You have to question that?' He rolled his neck, and clicked his tongue. 'I have my ways. If it comes down to actual intimidation then so be it. It's best for everyone that no one enters that foul place. For a time at least.'
'And while you're off charming the upper class, I shall just be here…' She ended with a grumble.
He held her hand and gave a squeeze. 'Yes exactly right. You shall be here, staying safe, until I return. No need for that look.' His hand spread across the books. 'You have plenty of reading material, especially that hellish Infernal book you said you were going to try to read.'
She eyed the book he was referring too. The book titled in Infernal Ritual of Sacrifice 'You're right. I wanted to decipher it…'
'We also need to prepare for leaving the city,' He stated. 'Fortunately we can make better use of the day light hours since the armour is quite effective.'
'Minthara really was right about it after all.' Tav gave a short laugh, but then remarked, 'Guess we will be owing her for that, but in no way am I going to complain. Maybe I'll even give her a kiss.'
'A kiss is not going to be enough. Although I would like to see her receive that kiss. However, let us avoid the Underdark for as long as we can, hmm?'
'We don't need the Underdark for trouble to find us,' She admonished, 'You know, if you don't return I shall come looking for you. You can take that as a warning.'
'You are so delightful when you show your feisty side.' He chuckled at her.
'You might be joking,' she pointed at him, 'but I do mean it.'
'I'm not joking, and I do mean it,' He kissed her, 'I'll be back, later.'
~><~
[Author NOTES: D&D Reference and background knowledge. Elves are reborn and will continue this until the end and they find rest in Arvander. The Land of the God Corellan Larethian, the creator of the Elves. Elves have the ability to go into a 'trance' , the more technical name is Reverie. In this state they can relive memories from their past lives, and even back to their place of birth in Arvander. In this story I will be refering to this stage frequently ]