Tyrendis felt the icy breeze hit him in the face and turned over trying to fall back asleep. After a few more tosses and turns he realized that wasnt going to happen. How long had he been asleep? Not that long from the looks of it.

He lifted himself off the ground and fell into a crouch surveying the land from his high point seat. The view was beautiful if only he was there for better circumstances. Not that he could complain, it wasnt as if following around a simple ranger was difficult. Considering how inexperienced she was this was a cake walk.

He had spent the whole night watching her socialize. How she had enough time to camp in a tavern late into the night with no concern for her training was beyond Tyrendis. Seems as if his races distant relatives were more relaxed and less dedicated than his people. No surprise it should be then that they had tried to take the easy way out and join with an idiot who would lead them to their doom.

He let out a deep sigh rubbing his citrine yellow eyes wondering how he had gotten himself into this. Traipsing through the land of his enemys recruits was way below his talents. Tyrendis had learned long ago not to question his orders.

Smiling to himself he had to wonder if the sloppy drunk girl had awoken yet. If he had seen one more little boy paladin run by he was going to tear the camp apart. It was lke a never ending factory. Why the huntress thought them attractive was beyond Tyrendis. With their corrupted eyes, scrawny bodies, horrible dancing... -oh Elune dont get him started on the dancing. Anyway, none of this was his concern.

"Already losing your edge I see," he shook his head.

Talking to himself was another thing to add to the list. He leaned foreward looking over the ledge hearing a voice upon the wind. Standing up he looked down at his thickly muscled dark azure pigmented arms, slowly he could see the white hair sprouting from his skin. First one arm then the other, he smiled to himself with a hint of arrogance. He could feel his ears tuning into his surroundings and his face stretching out to take a rigid feline form, long fangs protruding from that cocky grin. His body propelled foreward and he landed on what were his hands mere moments ago. His long elegant tail moving horizontally back and forth he let out a deep low growl as his ears tuned into the voice upon the wind.

Back to work.

Adrienne woke on a smaller circular red and gold bed fit for royalty. She opened one eye first checking her surroundings then the other. How did she get here?

Oh yes, she recalled her ale binge the night before. Most of it was a blur. She sat up trying to remember what had happened. Surely she had just wondered to the cozy bed drunk as she was and went to sleep right?

Adrienne got up from the bed straightening her gear best she could. She checked her reflection in the mirror across the room fixing her hair best she could muster. Her head was pounding steadily distracting her.

She had promised her trainer she would come by today to catch up. She loved being a huntress but she sure did miss the way of the royalty. Mirrors, baths, perfumes, fine clothing, delicious dining -

"Hey Adrienne! Glad to see you finally came around. I was worried I was going to have to give you mouth to mouth."

Did she mention privacy? Privacy was an after thought these days. She turned around to see Alazar standing there, grinning. Why the hell was he so fucking happy?

"I found you passed out at the bar and thought you might appreciate a comfortable bed. Although not is good as mine..." His eyebrows rose as he talked. Folding his arms across his broad chest he continued,"Served its purpose clearly."

Great, she thought. Alazar wasnt Mr. Kindness, it was all a way to get an upper hand on her like always. She had known him for years and he hadnt changed a bit.

"Yeah, thanks," she said dryly gathering her equipment she headed for the stairs. As she closed the gap between the bed and the top of the stairs Alazar stepped in front of her. She lifted her head placing her hands on her hips. "Move?"

Catching the tone in her voice he decided to push her buttons a little. "Please?"

"Yeah, whatever, just move out of my way," she said securing her bow to her back. "I dont have all day to stand here while you try to flatter yourself."

She had known him for many years. His family was of the same royalty as hers. Unfortunately she had to see him at every social event and there was never a way to avoid him. She had no doubt tried.

"Oh, are you finally going to learn to get a little pet?" He grinned raising an eyebrow at her. "You know I learned to tame pussy long ago. You would have had first hand experience already if I had my way..." His voice drifted away as he moved closer reaching his fingers out towards her face.

So thats what this was all about, she thought.

"You know we are perfect for each other. Youre beautiful, royalty, and a skilled huntress. And me, well Im me," he smiled watching her expression as his fingers ran along her jaw line. "Just think about it, okay? I have to run an errand for the Knights but I will be back kater, maybe we could talk seriously then?"

"I guess," she said. She was really not in the mood to talk about the marrying of families and other stupid bullshit.

Adrienne eased past him clearing the stairs with ease. She turned around to see Alazar standing at the top of the stairs, clearly pleased with himself. Unbelievable.

She left building disgusted with how her day had already started. This wasnt the first confrontation and she was sure it wouldnt be the last. She seriously doubted he would feel remorse for forcing her to marry him.

She lifted her head and made her way across the square. It was probably best she started taking her training seriously. After all what were her choices? Leaving home as a huntress with legacy or... Alazar.

Alazar... She sneered.