As soon as Hangeng announced that Henry and Zhou Mi were coming, Amber appeared as if out of nowhere, and both her and Autumn looked giddy at the news. Summer and Eunhyuk stood up quickly and stared at the doorway around the scout, amused by the reaction of the girls but otherwise focused. They heard a general commotion outside as the voices of the scouts, who didn't follow Hangeng indoors, greeted the minstrels boisterously.

The elementalists waited with baited breath until they saw the doors open and the familiar, wonderful figures of Henry and Zhou Mi stepped inside with a theatrical flourish. They were very good at hiding their surprise at seeing the two as they maintained their expressions as if they were performing, focusing on the two girls who flocked towards them. Ever the gentleman, Zhou Mi bowed graciously and his were the first words, "Ladies! You look more radiant every time we see you."

If they giggled at Zhou Mi's greeting, they shrieked in delight at Henry's. "Surely you jest sir? Stunning is far more appropriate," he winked at the girls, a mischievous grin on his face.

They politely but still possessively clung to either of his arms, to both of the minstrels' amusement. "Why were you late?" Amber demanded with a pretty pout on her delicate face.

While Eunhyuk and Summer hid their smiles behind their hands, an unflappable Zhou Mi answered that question. "My dear ladies. We would have been sooner but for the bridge being out," he bowed in apology, glancing over at the two standing in the back with a curious expression before smoothing it out quickly.

"You came the back way didn't you?" Autumn asked excitedly, certain she was correct. Her question seemed to annoy Amber as the older sister had little idea as to what she was talking about.

"Yep," Henry nodded with a smile. "The way's a bit rougher and far less repaired but Lute's a surprisingly steady creature," he laughed, amused when he caught a glimpse of Sage blurring past him to go see the mare. For all that the boy didn't really like horses, he was fascinated by Lute and usually spent at least some time in doting on her and chastising the minstrels for their poor treatment of her. Either he actually liked the horse or it was a very clever excuse to get near the cart and all their gear; including any other neat things they may have been given or come across.

Myung Hee finally took the opportunity to rescue the poor guests from her daughters and stepped up, "Girls. Don't you think they've had a long trip? Why don't you let them get settled in and then we can greet them properly."

The two sisters glared at each other until Amber plastered on a smile again and released Henry's arm with a semi-bored expression. "Coming mother," she called before gliding over to Myung Hee without another backward glance, the perfect picture of practiced poise.

Autumn's eye twitched as she watched her sister depart but then offered a considerably warmer smile at the minstrels. "Forgive me," she pleaded warmly before releasing Henry's arm and curtsying to both of them politely. "Please, make yourselves at home," she gestured to the manor as a whole and watched the smiles light up their faces at the courtesy.

Despite Amber's well concealed consternation, Myung Hee seemed pleased by the reaction and smiled gently at Autumn as she glided almost as gracefully as her sister to her side. "Gentlemen," she greeted. "The guest rooms are at your disposal and Oleric will undoubtedly see to your belongings."

"Thank you, lady Myung Hee," Zhou Mi bowed deeply while Henry shadowed him quickly.

With that, the older Silverberg woman curtsied politely and shepherded her daughters back to their rooms. A glance over her shoulder showed that the minstrels and the elementalists were looking at each other with some surprise.

When the room was finally cleared except for Hangeng, who continued to look on with interest, the four finally moved to each other, wanting to say so many things all at once but nothing came out. There was an awkward moment as they came to stand in front of each other and then Henry stepped forward and grabbed Summer up in a warm embrace. She started in surprise and then grinned broadly, happy for the welcome and the comfort the minstrels brought with their presence.

Zhou Mi reached out to shake hands with a smiling Eunhyuk and then they traded off. Summer stole a hug from Mimi this time and he laughed at the exchange while his companion hugged Eunhyuk too, but lightly, seeing that he was still injured. "It looks as if trouble found you after we parted ways," Mimi observed quietly, his expression open but thoughtful.

"You could say that," Eunhyuk sighed with a glance at Summer.

"How did you guys make it across the bridge? And where are the others?" Henry asked, looking around curiously for the rest of their group.

Hangeng joined in suddenly with a broad grin, "Now that is a story worth telling." He strolled up to the four and tipped his head at the minstrels. "The Elementalists destroyed it. Quite by accident I assure you," he nodded sagely before he was set off balance by Summer when she shoved his shoulder in irritation.

"The construct destroyed the bridge. We just happened to be on it when it was destroyed," she corrected firmly, daring him to disagree.

"Wait," Henry gestured between the two. "You're Elementalists?"

"I knew there was something different about you," Mimi laughed, a mixture of amusement and chagrin that he hadn't been able to discern it sooner.

Eunhyuk shrugged and grinned in turn, "We're just two. We don't know where the others are, actually," he frowned, looking at Hangeng who flushed slightly at the attention.

"What?" he asked. "We tried to found them…"

"Hang on a minute," Mimi urged as he patted his person, searching for something to write on. "Oh, never mind," he waved after a moment when he remembered he'd left everything in the cart. "This sounds like quite a tale. Please," he gestured towards the lounge area and ushered the others to take a seat.

Hangeng jogged to the back corner where the kitchen was and yelled something inside. He got a negative response at first but when he mentioned Henry and Zhou Mi, the response was considerably more civil. Quite pleased with himself, he sauntered back to the group and threw himself down on a chair, lounging comfortably with his legs thrown over the arm as he settled in to listen.

The other four were much amused by his antics. At Henry and Zhou Mi's prompting, Summer and Eunhyuk were convinced to spin their tale again. Oh, of course they had related events to Summer's family but they had glossed over a great deal that had actually happened. For the sake of the minstrels, story tellers who might do them justice, they started at the beginning and told of how they had been given their power. Their journey down the mountain was still a blur in their mind but between the two of them, they were able to recall plenty enough to make a whole picture, including the avalanche, the snow wolves and the rest of their journey to civilization.

They told of Moorhall's generosity and subsequent destruction; of the first construct they faced and the first patrol they killed. The story progressed and paused when they reached Fairwinter as food had arrived by then. Zhou Mi begged a break as they were quite famished from their journey but they all nibbled on food while the elementalists were able to collect their thoughts to resume their telling. When the edge of their hunger had been sated, the minstrels leaned forward again, intensely attentive and they could see that Henry's fingers were tapping out the beginnings of a song as he played with what he had so far.

Summer and Eunhyuk continued down the path, past Mount Balaron and the horrible construct they had faced there. They faltered in their telling when they had to pick up the pieces from that battle when Siwon had been paralyzed and Eleanara gravely wounded, but were able to continue after only some trouble. The Farwell crossroads was another difficult place to speak of, considering the reactions of the people there, and their desperate attempt to flee. From there, it was easy enough to fill in the blanks from before they found the minstrels stuck in the road.

By general consensus, they glossed over their journey together and only when they had gotten to the part where they had faced the Angmer River did they have to pause again. If the rest of the journey had been hard to remember, that part was still terrifying, and having relived the entirety of their journey again, it was that much more real this time. The construct had been incredibly powerful, if only because it had the strength of the river behind it, and simply surviving had been a sufficiently difficult task once it had been unwoven, as Summer described it.

The minstrels were respectfully quiet as they told their tale and even Hangeng was rapt, transfixed by the story as it unfolded. Their final comment of the irritating farmer who had found them broke the tension over the group and made them all laugh, if a bit forced. The scout let out an appreciative whistle as he eyed the elementalists with new respect. "No wonder you is so mad at your father," he nodded, his expression serious.

"Oh?" Zhou Mi asked quietly, his interest piqued. Henry leaned closer to hear the answer too.

"He won't help us," Eunhyuk answered for her, knowing the answer was probably getting tiresome for her.

Annoyingly, Henry laughed, "Well what's he supposed to do?" He flushed, abashed when she glared at him.

Her gaze softened almost immediately though as she sighed, "I don't know."

"And you said the patrol has your friends?" Zhou Mi asked again for clarification.

"Maybe," Hangeng responded. "We did not saw them but the patrol was definitely looking."

The taller minstrel looked thoughtful for a moment. "And what is it you intend to do, lady Summer?" he asked the young woman specifically, his eyes intense.

Her response was immediate, "Go to the capitol. If they are captured, we intend to free them. One way or the other, we are going to beat Enrhyll," she told him fiercely, anger in her voice.

Despite her words, Zhou Mi's expression remained unchanged. In fact, he seemed deep in thought and Henry leaned around in front of him before waving a hand in front of his face. "Hello?" he asked curiously.

The taller minstrel blinked rapidly and then laughed. "My apologies. I was just thinking."

"What about?" Eunhyuk asked curiously, his head tilted to one side.

"Likely about how late it is," the tired voice of Sang Kyu broke in smoothly as he approached the group calmly, his arms loose at his sides and his expression neutral.

"Master Sang Kyu," Zhou Mi stood up abruptly and bowed, nudging Henry to follow suit.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Zhou Mi. Henry," he nodded his head politely, a genuine smile on his face, if a bit reserved. His eyes swept over the other three quickly and he laughed under his breath once. "Hangeng. I am surprised to find you indoors." It was unusual for the scout to remain in the company of the house for long. He spent most of his time with the other scouts in the lodgings for the help located next to the manor.

"The company is unexpectedly good," he stood up and inclined his head towards Sang Kyu, sending an admiring glance at the elementalists.

Sang Kyu shook his head slightly, as if amused. "It saves me the trouble of having to find you." Hangeng looked mildly alarmed at the statement and the Silverberg waved at him in a dismissive gesture. "I only wished to speak with you. Zhou Mi. Henry. You as well. Would you join me in the study please?" he waved his hand towards the room in the back corner.

Confused by the request but not so impolite as to refuse, Zhou Mi accepted for both him and Henry. "Of course."

"Sure," Henry shrugged, grinning when his response earned a giggle from Summer.

"Soon-Bok," Sang Kyu addressed the young woman who had ghosted in after him and stationed herself along the wall, quiet and unobtrusive. She stepped forward when her name was called and bowed respectfully. "Bring some tea to the study, please," he prompted.

"Of course, Master Sang Kyu," she responded immediately before retrieving the picked over tray from the table the five had set it on and headed for the kitchen.

Sang Kyu waited for her to head out before he focused on the others again. "Summer. Shouldn't you be calling it a night?"

"I'm fine, father," she assured him promptly.

A ghost of concern slid across his features before he took a small breath and opted not to comment. "Gentlemen," he directed his attention instead, waiting for the minstrels and the scout to precede him into the study. They shrugged uncertainly at Summer and Eunhyuk but followed along, intensely curious what he wanted to discuss with them.

The remaining two, miffed at being left out and disregarded as something inconsequential, watched the four disappear into the study. Shortly after, Soon-Bok disappeared inside as well and then reappeared, taking a place directly beside the door as she regarded the pair evenly. Irritably, Summer grumbled under her breath and stalked off to the guest rooms, too tired to argue. Eunhyuk paused and watched the young woman at the door for a moment more, wondering just what they were saying inside the room. Sang Kyu had seemed a bit different when he had addressed them this time. Oh, nothing warm or welcoming, but he hadn't been quite as distant as before. The wind elementalist sighed and shrugged before he waved at Soon-Bok and followed after Summer.

In the morning, the manor had a different feel to it. It wasn't as if anything had changed overtly but rather that with the coming of the minstrels, there had been a noticeable shift, but even so, there was something else that was a bit off. Eunhyuk and Summer ate breakfast with their own company, surprised when none of the rest of the family showed up and more so that Zhou Mi and Henry were absent as well. They found out why when, in their explorations, they made their way to the recreation room where the sound of vocals and music could be heard drifting through the closed doors.

As they approached the doors, they heard the singing stop and Mimi's patient voice could be heard, coaching steadily, "Now, lady Amber. You need to relax more. The sound is supposed to come from here, not your nose," he chided gently.

"I am not singing through my nose," she denied adamantly as Summer and Eunhyuk shrugged and pushed the door open to look inside.

In the recreation room, the floor space had been completely cleared so that there was plenty of room for dancing lessons. Henry was still playing his violin, a measured pace that Autumn and Sage were currently dancing to. In the corner nearest the garden hallways door, Kangin was watching the younger brother with amusement, but he tapped along to the sound of the beat, a casual observer. Mimi was standing in front of Amber who had managed a very annoyed glare at the minstrel as he tried to tell her she wasn't singing perfectly as she knew she was.

With patience that was wearing thin, as it always did with Amber, Mimi waved her glare away and changed subjects. "Perhaps we should come back to this. If you would be so good as to partner with Sage for the waltz, my lady," he gestured at the younger pair who was coming to a stop as Henry wound down the song, right on cue.

Amber's gaze deadpanned as she looked at her younger brother. "I'm not dancing with him. He cannot lead and he always steps on my feet," she stated bluntly, to Sage's embarrassment. "I will dance with Henry," she decided instead, already heading for the violinist and disregarding Mimi as a viable partner altogether, seeing that he had spent the morning correcting her.

She hadn't quite made it to the flustered minstrel before Autumn stepped in front of her, politely blocking her path and sweeping her hand towards Sage. "Henry is playing the melody and you know very well that Sage is getting better, Amber," Autumn spoke pointedly, her own annoyance at her sister's spoiled behavior beginning to show through her mask.

The perfectly done up and prettily dressed Amber looked at her more practically dressed sister and reiterated, "I'm dancing with Henry." Perturbed, she reached out to push her sister aside with one haughty hand.

Autumn's eye twitched as both minstrels moved to step in, but were a hair too slow as, in a completely unladylike display, Amber's arm was grabbed and she was abruptly hauled over her sister's hip and unceremoniously dumped on the floor. She shrieked in dismay and then lay, stunned, on the floor looking up at the faces of Henry and Zhou Mi as they hurried to worry over her. Silence filled the room for one brief moment before Kangin burst into a fit of hearty laughter, to Amber's embarrassment, and even Summer and Eunhyuk had a hard time keeping the smiles from their faces. That had been a good toss.

While the minstrels helped the red faced young woman to her feet, Autumn glanced over at Kangin who did at least manage a proud smile in her direction, before she pat Sage on the head in a big sister gesture. He couldn't help but smile in return until Amber loudly fumed and stomped her foot, "I'm telling mother about this!" Abruptly, she shook off the still concerned hands of Henry and Zhou Mi and stormed out of the front door, brushing past Summer and Eunhyuk with angry eyes.

"Well that certainly didn't go as expected," Henry shrugged, looking around at the remaining persons.

"No, it certainly did not," Zhou Mi agreed as he hastily brushed his shirt off and then focused his attention on Autumn, trying very hard to hide his amused smile. "Now then. Since your sister has had a change of heart for the morning, shall we continue with the foxtrot?" he asked, reaching for the young woman's hand with a polite bow.

Finally in control of her own flush, Autumn smiled and curtsied, taking Mimi's hand while Henry picked his violin back up and repositioned it to start playing again. As the pair started to dance, Kangin moved over to the uncertain duo at the front, a grin still on his face. "Don't worry," he waved dismissively. "They always have some sort of fight when the boys are here, though I will say this is the first time it's gotten physical," he laughed, a degree of admiration in his eyes.

"I'm guessing you taught her that throw," Summer stated slyly, smiling harder when he ducked his head but didn't deny it.

"She comes in and practices with Sage some days, when she's tired of the lessons her mother teaches her," he shrugged.

"Indeed," Eunhyuk chuckled, watching the willowy young woman float around the floor, effortlessly lead by the considerably taller Zhou Mi. "Do they really stay to teach lessons?"

Kangin looked over at the elementalist and nodded. "Aye. Normally anyway. Though from what I've heard, their visit is going to be much shorter this time. If I'm right, and news from Oleric rarely isn't, they're supposed to head out tomorrow for the capitol," he explained, mistaking the surprise on their faces for dismay at them leaving.

"Why?" the pair asked in tandem, exchanging nervous glances.

The training master shrugged. "No idea, but Sang Kyu supposedly requested they do so in all haste. I don't know any of the details though," he admitted, scratching his head. It was an unusual enough request, but then again, so was the relayed request from earlier this morning. Why would the minstrels need sais and travel gear?

Their questions were pushed to the back however, when Myung Hee arrived to watch over the proceedings, a still annoyed though much subdued Amber in tow. With the elder Silverberg's presence, the lessons became more focused but everyone in the room, save Myung Hee, was roped into dance lessons for the duration of the morning. Both elementalists were amused at the outcome and Amber was further perturbed to be led by the powerful but blunt Kangin. Mi Cha was dragged in as a partner for Sage while Eunhyuk danced with Summer. For the neutralizer, dancing in a dress was an entirely different experience, but one she found she enjoyed when the fabric brushed against her skin and flared out elegantly when she turned or twirled. She could hardly stop smiling and for most, her happiness was contagious.

Despite the unexpected beginning to their morning and the questions they had over Kangin's revelations, the duo had a surprisingly good time. Myung Hee called a halt to their lessons about an hour or so before the afternoon meal to give them all time to wash up and get ready. Summer's siblings disappeared very quickly, with Amber still sulking and both Autumn and Sage fairly energized from the lessons. Kangin bowed out next, pleading he had work to do in the training hall, and Myung Hee and Mi Cha returned through the front door on their way out, leaving the elementalists with the minstrels.

As they were packing up, Eunhyuk approached and asked, "So what was it Sang Kyu wanted to speak with you about last night?"

"Huh?" Mimi started, briefly surprised by the blunt question. "Oh. He wanted to organize travel plans," he answered openly. "Normally, we stay here for a couple weeks or so, but he requested we move on as soon as possible this time. Something about an urgent delivery that needed to be made to the capitol." Visually, he seemed completely ignorant of what Sang Kyu had been requesting but there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and Henry wasn't quite as good at keeping a neutral expression as his lips curled up in a smile he tried very hard to keep from being obvious.

"Hangeng is supposed to be escorting us too," Henry nodded enthusiastically. "We heard about this nasty group of bandits that were subdued on the other side of the river. You never know if they have friends this far out though," he shrugged but the twinkle was in his eyes too.

"Uh huh," Summer murmured, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she looked between them skeptically. "Mimi, what's this about?" she asked directly, spearing him with her gaze.

He laughed lightly and shook his head before standing up and setting his instrument case on the table top. "Lady Summer. Why don't you just ask him?" he prompted with a grin. With that, he bowed politely and reached out to nudge Henry who had yet to pick his violin case off the floor.

The younger man did so hurriedly and then was the first out the door, eager for a wash and food. If nothing else, the Silverbergs were not stingy with their meals or their treatment of guests that were in their favor. A perturbed Summer and amused Eunhyuk watched the minstrels disappear out the door before they regarded each other again. "It can't be," Summer started, shaking her head in obvious disbelief.

"Nothing's impossible," Eunhyuk grinned as he reached out to clap her on the shoulder with his good hand. His right limb was still incredibly sore and tender, but he could function quite well otherwise. The quality rest and good food were doing wonders for the rest of his body and walking had become something considerably more enjoyable since he'd been treated here. He wasn't sure he was ready to quite throw everything behind what he thought was going on just yet, but there was enough proof to give him hope. "Come on," he encouraged, nudging her shoulder gently. "Let's go get cleaned up and see what lunch brings," he winked with a broad grin.


The sounds and smells of the city were overwhelming for the already tense elementalists being led to the palace. All manner of voices reached their ears. Some were quiet and hushed as to who they were, was speculated upon. Others were loud and raucous, the normal voices of day to day life with the occasional angry or indignant voice rising above the general din. There were too many smells to pick out any one but it was generally unpleasant, the smell of food mixing with the scent of countless bodies crammed too close in cramped quarters; the odor of refuse and other things unfamiliar to them.

While the horses had slowed down due to necessity as not everyone was apparently so good at getting out of their way, it did not make Kyuhyun or Eleanara feel any better. At last, the general din of noise finally started to die down as the feeling of being surrounded on all sides slowly eased up, replaced by more open space that pressed in upon them in a different way.

Kwan's voice over Eleanara's shoulder surprised her as they pulled up. "Let Lord Enrhyll know that I have returned," he stated firmly, his voice surprisingly steady despite his partial success and loss of most of his men. "Tae Hyun," he stated once they heard feet retreating on a stone surface.

"Sir!" he answered immediately.

"Time for them to walk," the Captain explained as he shifted abruptly, offsetting Eleanara as his presence was swiftly removed.

Reflexively, she clenched tightly to the horse with her legs and leaned forward, trying to center herself. Hands grabbed her around the waist and she clung tighter, her legs aching. She didn't want to get off the horse now… She didn't want to face Enrhyll like this… "No!" she denied vehemently as she felt herself easily dragged from the back of the tall creature and set carefully on the ground. One hand wrapped firmly around her slender arm to hold her in place as she pulled away.

"Get your hands off me!" Kyuhyun snarled angrily, resisting the two pairs of hands that reached up to retrieve him. Roughly, he was hauled off the horse and he groaned in pain as they lost their hold on him, causing him to hit the ground. "Assholes," he coughed, grimacing when he felt a booted toe dig into his ribs. Blindly, he kicked out at whoever was there and was instead rewarded with the sound of metal clanging against metal two different times.

"Fools!" Kwan glowered at the two men after he hit them soundly in the head with his gauntleted hand, startling them through their helmets. Under his baleful glare, Tae Hyun and He-Sung hefted the young man to his feet, remaining close beside him with a hand on either arm tightly.

"You don't have to hold so tight," Kyuhyun stated through clenched teeth, kicking at the person to his right and hurting his toe on the metal shin guards.

Fully irritated now, Kwan growled under his breath and shoved Eleanara at Tae Hyun, making him release his current charge to catch her awkwardly, before grabbing Kyuhyun himself. He grabbed one arm and then the back of the young man's neck with the other. "Just be still," he commanded gruffly, nodding to himself when Kyuhyun finally subsided, shoulders tense from the pain in his neck. The captain took a moment to glance at the equally tense Eleanara and then nodded at Tae Hyun, "Let's go."

He set a brisk pace as he guided his charge up the stone stairs that led into the palace, keeping a firm hold and hauling Kyuhyun back to his feet when the young man caught his foot on the stairs more than once. As annoying as it was, he couldn't be sure whether the action was intentional or incidental so he refrained from saying anything. A glance back showed that Eleanara seemed to be having as much difficulty as her companion so it was likely just being blindfolded that was causing such trouble.

The guards at the top of the stairs pulled open the doors for the four, bowing respectfully as Kwan passed by, their halberds solidly planted on the stone floor. Once they were inside, the doors were closed behind them loudly, the sound resonating through the open hallway that led to the rest of the palace. Huge pillars positioned on either side of the red carpet that spread the entire length of the room, rose up from the floor and held up the vaulted ceiling at least twenty feet above them.

It was a familiar enough sight for Kwan though it rarely wrought as much nervousness in him as this occasion did. He longed to be able to step through any of the numerous side doors that led to other parts of the palace as opposed to the one straight ahead that led to Enrhyll's throne room. The heavy doors were closed, as they usually were of late, and hid whatever mood he might be in.

Guards stationed at intervals down the path watched them with subtle interest and looked after them once they had gone by, curious to finally see the elementalists they had heard about. As the doorways grew closer, Kwan looked at the guards on either side and nodded slightly. "We have arrived," he announced quietly for their benefit. "I suggest you behave in Lord Enrhyll's presence," he suggested tersely.

At his announcement, both froze and despite the hand on the back of his neck, Kyuhyun pushed back against being moved forward. Eleanara did the same and pushed her heels firmly into the ground, desperate to avert this meeting. She kicked out at Tae Hyun, much as Kyuhyun had done earlier, and met with the same result. Despite either of their attempts otherwise, she was half-carried and half-pushed while Kyuhyun was dragged by the physically stronger Kwan.

The sound of doors opening alerted them to a change and they tensed again as they were led into the throne room. Both expected to be attacked any second and Kyuhyun cringed in preparation while Eleanara was prepared to throw her barrier up in an instant if need be. Absolute silence surrounded them, save the sound of their muffled steps as they walked upon carpet. Both were forced to kneel, a kick to the back of their knees sending them roughly to the floor, almost landing them on their faces when they couldn't catch themselves. A hand caught their shoulders before that could happen and when they finally came to a stop, Kwan's voice sounded out, "My Lord Enrhyll. I have returned with the Fire Elementalist Kyuhyun and the Light Elementalist Eleanara." Abruptly, he knelt to the floor as well, his fist over his heart in respect. He heard Tae Hyun follow suit immediately.

For the first time, the pair heard the sound of Enrhyll's voice and they started in surprise. "Kwan. Is that any way to treat my guests?" The tone was chiding and almost playful, but there was this harshness under it that belied his first smooth words.

"Forgive me, my lord," Kwan responded immediately, his gaze still down. "They have been more resistant than I had anticipated." Personally, he felt he was not given enough warning in regards to what they were capable of, but it was no use saying any such thing to Enrhyll. That was a sure fire way to get himself demoted, if not killed outright, as was still a possibility.

Enrhyll stood up smoothly and approached the four, observing the dirty and bound captives before him with some distaste. That was no way for them to have been brought to him. "They are here now. Release them at once," he commanded haughtily, glancing at Hana to be sure she was still at his side. She had ghosted over to follow, just behind him, and was staring at the two with focused attention.

Kwan looked up at Enrhyll to confirm the command and when the expression was completely serious, he nodded and stood up, gesturing for Tae Hyun to do the same. The blindfolds were removed first and then the ropes that bound their hands were severed quickly.

Blinking in the light as their eyes blurred with tears, Kyuhyun and Eleanara automatically fell forward on their hands when their wrists were unbound, pain flaring to life as the blood finally surged back into them. Their aching eyes were focused on the man in front of them, though. Enrhyll was not what either of them expected. They had built him up to be a monster in their heads but this man…this person in front of them that smiled at them benevolently, was one of the most beautiful and striking persons they had ever seen.

Dark eyes and darker hair stood out first with a perfect complexion of pale skin and clothes that complemented him effortlessly. He was tall and lithe with a body that was in exceptional condition judging by the way the clothes fit him, flawlessly sized and trimmed to his measurements exactly. "Welcome to my palace," he gestured openly, his voice warm and persuasive.

It was a warmth that did not extend to his eyes and both Kyuhyun and Eleanara picked up on it, deeply unsettled. The pair exchanged nervous glances and then nodded at each other ever so slightly. None of the others were here and he was acting as if he really did mean them no harm, but that couldn't be right... They were confused by his lack of action but they were also decidedly angry. Here, directly in front of them, was the man they had been sent to kill…the one who had nearly killed them several times already. It wasn't hard for them to decide what they had to do.

Immediately, the elementalists surged to their feet, trying to buy themselves space and time from their captors behind them as they attacked. Kyuhyun commanded the fire to answer his will and as he directed it, a billowing wall of flame erupted directly in front of him and spiraled hungrily towards Enrhyll and the young woman beside him.

Hana reacted immediately and stepped in front of a stunned Enrhyll. Angrily, she reached for the power that was building before her and gripped it firmly, stalling the flames where they were and slowly, she was able to shrink it down to size, siphoning off the volatile power of the angry firestorm. Anger washed over her as they attacked her Lord Enrhyll after he had been so gracious as to grant them an audience and greet them properly. Abruptly, the fire she was neutralizing blinked out of existence. Directly behind it though, came a different elemental attack and one she was not prepared for.

Eleanara did not have much of anything to attack with. Her dagger had long since disappeared into the river and her array of abilities were meant to defend and heal, but that did not stop her from feeling the need to do something just now. She didn't have anything in mind but she focused her will on assisting Kyuhyun and funneled her power towards hurting Enrhyll. Her nameless desire quickly took form in front of her and she felt a pull on her power as a brilliant glowing bird reared up and shot forward. It wasn't much larger than a small dog, but it streaked through the place that Kyuhyun's flames had been a second before, darting directly for Enrhyll.

Both Enrhyll and Hana were surprised by the formation of a light construct and it was only the timely appearance of a barrier that held it at bay initially, as it clawed and beat at him ineffectively. Furious now, Hana grabbed at the threads holding the creature together and tore it apart even as it savagely attacked the invisible shield between it and its target. Unraveled, it dissipated into golden dust with a final defiant shriek.

No longer surprised, Enrhyll's face had darkened considerably and a deep rage could be seen burning in his eyes. "How dare you!" he snarled savagely, deeply upset and offended that they would dare to attack his magnificent person. Enrhyll stepped forward and roughly pushed Hana aside as she was in his way, setting her off balance. Her loss of focus was the only thing that saved the elementalists just then as Eleanara dashed in front of Kyuhyun and threw up a barrier that deflected the multi-element attack that furiously pelted the shield.

Eleanara groaned at the force of the assault, flinching away from various elements that licked around them as she felt the heat of fire, the combined cold of wind and water as well as the sharp edge of shadow pressing against her. Almost immediately, she felt her strength beginning to crumble under his onslaught until Kyuhyun stepped up beside her, sliding his left arm around her shoulder for support and using his right arm to launch another stream of flame against Enrhyll's attack.

The heat billowed up in front of them as the power clashed, intense and angry. Enryhll poured more into his strike while Hana recovered enough to reach out at the power that was contesting him. Eleanara felt the barrier being neutralized almost instantly and Kyuhyun was not far behind in his realization. Desperately, he pulled her closer to him and threw them both to the side as their powers failed and the out of control amalgamation of elements hissed through the space they had been. They felt the concentrated attack nip at their heels, sharp and biting, before it engulfed an unprepared Tae Hyun and obliterated him almost instantaneously, his scream lost in the elements.

Mildly disoriented, the two tried to react to defend themselves but they felt the neutralizer's influence immediately, pressing against them and their attempt to call upon their power. They froze when a still livid Enrhyll snarled, "How dare you attack me!" and were bowled over by a powerful gust of wind that tore them apart and sent them sprawling over the carpeted floor.

A savage expression on her face, Hana stalked towards the pair, a dagger in her hand. Kwan, thoroughly unnerved by the display of power he had just witnessed and uncertain of his own security, rushed to subdue the first elementalist he could. Eleanara had been tossed closest to him and was even now struggling to pick herself up off the floor. He walked over and picked her up easily, hauling her to her feet by the back of her shirt and keeping a tight hold on her when she tried to escape, her hasty assault on his person deflected by the armor he wore and hurting her more for her attempts.

By the time Hana reached him, Kyuhyun was standing on his feet, a bit shaky but otherwise aware. He might not have been able to use his power, since he could feel her neutralizing his flames almost like a heavy blanket pressing down on him, but that didn't mean he was helpless. As angry as her, he growled and lunged towards the neutralizer, grabbing the knife hand awkwardly, and then planted his foot in her stomach with a powerful kick.

Hana cried in pain and surprise as she was tossed back by the force of his attack, landing just in front of Enrhyll who was closing the distance between them, his expression still clouded but no longer livid. "Be still!" he commanded, abruptly engulfing Kyuhyun's lower body in stone from the palace floor as it tore through the carpet effortlessly.

Kyuhyun screamed in pain and alarm, the sensation of being encased in stone a terrifying experience and he was only glad that it stopped where it did and failed to move any higher. Frantically, he pushed at the solid structure, glancing around in a state of near panic until Kwan approached him from behind and hit him in the back of the head with the hilt of his dagger. The fire elementalist jerked and then slumped forward, the rest of his body held in place by the stone.

"Stop it!" Eleanara shouted as she pried at Kwan's hand ineffectively. All of his person was armored except for his head so she reached up and scraped her fingers across his face, drawing blood and catching him off guard enough to make him let go. Swiftly, she placed herself in front of the unconscious Kyuhyun as she looked between Enrhyll and Hana, the latter of which had murder in her eyes.

At her attempted defense, Enrhyll finally smiled again, an expression of harsh amusement. With a careless flick of his hand, a tendril of mist was carried on the breeze he created and circled Eleanara effortlessly. He was further amused when he saw the recognition in her eyes just before they rolled to the back of her head and she crumpled to the ground in front of her companion. Disgusted and annoyed, Enrhyll stood motionless, debating what to do now.

His first meeting had not gone at all as he had thought it would and he wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel about it now. Certainly, they couldn't have meant to hurt him? He, who was obviously so perfect and powerful. Wait… Yes. That must have been it. He smiled as he recalled an instance when he was younger; his bastard sister taken in a small cat, a kitten really, but the stupid thing had attacked her when she tried to help it. When she had insisted upon protecting it further, he had called her stupid too, at which point she'd reasoned it was only frightened since she was so much bigger and stronger than it.

Yes. That must be what happened here. They were obviously undernourished and in need of care, much as the kitten had been, so it really made perfect sense that his overwhelming power had frightened them. They had lashed out at him in fear because they didn't know what else to do. All he had to do was take care of them and they would be his! Idly, he wondered if they would end up following him around as the kitten had done for her…

Abruptly, he pulled himself back to the moment at present and waved the stone structure holding the young man up. He fell forward the rest of the way, landing on top of Eleanara. Kyuhyun, wasn't it? Hmm… That one he would need to have watched. Until he overcame his fear of the god Enrhyll, Hana would need to stay near him so that he did not accidentally harm himself or others. As for the woman, Eleanara… He doubted she would be as difficult to rein in. The softer element of light tended to be easier to control so he assumed she would be much the same. And her display had given him a thought.

The larger constructs took a great deal of his power to form and set him back in his ability to call upon the elements again, but the small one she had created seemed equally useful, just in a smaller area. It stood to reason that when the others arrived, they would have a similar reaction as these two had. He could understand that. It would be simpler if he could just have them brought here as he originally intended but his patrols seemed abysmal at achieving that desire. His expression darkened briefly and then cleared almost immediately. So he would have to do something else instead.

Gleefully, he rubbed his hands together, a reaction that confused both Hana and Kwan. He glared at them until their expressions returned to neutral and then waved at the guards at the front door who had mercifully escaped his wrath. "Take them to the guest rooms," he commanded in an offhand manner, already bored by the results of today. He would have to wait for them to wake again. As he watched the guards carefully picking up the unconscious bodies, he couldn't help but sneer at their present state.

When he saw them again, they would actually be presentable. That would do quite nicely. "Hana," he added. "You will attend that one," he explained in a patronizing tone when he gestured to Kyuhyun specifically.

"But, my lord!" Hana started to object.

"Don't question me!" he snapped back darkly, a fierce frown on his face at her intrusion.

She flinched and froze where she was. Hana bowed her head subserviently and murmured, "Yes, my lord." She finally became aware that she was still clenching the dagger in her hand, the hilt digging into her palm, and she forced herself to sheathe it at her hip again. Her hand lingered on the handle longer than it needed to but her mind was already on other thoughts.

Ungrateful dogs… They did not deserve his attention or a second chance to redeem themselves. She could see quite clearly they did not love Enrhyll as she did. In their faces she had seen fear, of course, for he was a god to be feared, but there had also been anger and hate, but no love. Sullenly, she followed the two guards who had come from the hallway and who were now carrying the fire elementalist's body. The light elementalist was being carried by only one other, her pitifully small body cradled in his arms. No. They did not deserve his attention.

Enrhyll watched them depart while the Captain remained as he should. "Kwan."

"Yes, my lord?" the Captain asked, kneeling in front of him quickly.

"You will attend Kyuhyun as well." His directive was met with surprise but it was not argued. Good. Perhaps he would keep Kwan around just that much longer. "Now go away," he waved imperiously, turning towards his elaborate throne on the raised dais.

Kwan stood up and hesitantly touched his cheek where the young woman had scratched him. And he had been fortunate in that, unlike Tae Hyun. "Yes, my lord," he finally murmured with a bow before he removed himself hastily.

As he sat down, Enrhyll ran his hands over the soft, but well-worn arms and mused quietly to himself. His guards could not do what he asked, but his constructs… They never tired, never needed sleep and would know what to look for. Intently, he focused on wind and as he had done for the larger versions, he weaved a serpentine form into existence before him. The wind construct was wispy, almost see through, but when he reached out to touch the elongated dragon, the form was solid enough to feel.

Pleased, he reached for shadow and crafted a lupine creature that melded easily with the shadows in the room, seamlessly jumping in and out of the dark pools. He even crafted a light construct, though the shape he chose was far more imposing in the form of a winged dragon with a horned head and more proportional but still slender body, a cousin to the wind construct. The final one he made was an earth construct, based more on the reptilian crocodile that could swim through rock and stone as easily as the original could through water.

He felt their power drifting around him, completely under his control and ready for his command. For the rest of the day, he spun more constructs, burning through his power until he actually found his limit; a fact that did not set well with him. Just as quickly as he started, he stopped, hoarding the rest of his ability greedily. With just a touch of paranoia, he eyed his guards, but when they reacted no differently, other than to be mesmerized by the constructs dancing in his hall, he relaxed.

With a final command, he gave his creations the information he knew about the elementalists and sent them out into the night. Earth and shadow disappeared into their mediums while the guards hurried to open the doors for the wind and light constructs before they could burst through. They were all his size or larger and Enrhyll imagined that enough of them would be able to subdue any of the elementalists and bring them here. When his power was restored, he would make more tomorrow and then he would tend to his guests. A slow smile spread across his face as he steepled his hands in front of him and leaned back into his throne, invincible in his domain.