Chapter One

"I've been asked to go to Elyne for a few days." Tayend stated bravely. He's going to kill me. We've only being living here for a few years and now I have to go to Elyne for a few months. Will he come with me? Dannyl gaped at the older man, not quite knowing what to say. Will the Guild allow me to go with him? Is he going to ask me to go with him?

"Okay." Dannyl replied slowly, hoping to evoke more of a response out of the scholar. Tayend glanced up at the younger magician and took a deep breath.

"You can come with me." The rest of the sentence "if the guild allows it" hung in the air like a shroud. Dannyl had stepped down as Ambassador and now worked as a Historian for the Guild. He had taken a house outside of the Guild with Tayend in the hope that they could keep their relationship private. The Guild knew about their relationship but as long as they were to keep their relationship out of people's view the Guild turned a blind eye to it all. Will they allow it? The younger magician thought. They should.

"I'll ask." Dannyl replied in the hope that it didn't sound like a promise. The older man walked up to the magician and kissed him gently on the lips.

"I'm sure they will allow it." He said trying to sound hopeful. The taller man sat down on the sofa and looked at Tayend sadness tainting his eyes. He's so hopeful and I don't want to disappoint him.

"When do you have to go?" Dannyl asked sadly.

"In a few days and you will be allowed to go. Trust me." Tayend said as confidently as possible but not feeling the confidence he was trying to place into his lover. The magician sighed and stared down at the floor. Tayend felt his heart tear in two at his boyfriend's despair. He knelt down on the floor in front of him and gently stroked Dannyl's cheek. The younger man didn't look up but continued to stare at the floor feeling totally despondent. The scholar moved his hand down towards the magicians chin and used his forefinger to tilt his head upwards.

"It will be alright, I promise." Dannyl nodded slowly and pulled Tayend into his chest.

"I'll go up to the Guild tomorrow." The magician stated hopelessness blatant in the tone of his voice. They will allow you to come with me sweetheart. Tayend thought.

"Dannyl?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."