-Chapter Thirty Six-

It was dark, so dark. He ran but could never find his way. The darkness rang with an evil maniacal laughter. It taunted him, surrounding him with its hatefulness. It cloaked his eyes, tangling and tripping him as he ran. There was no escape. There would never be an escape. He kept running hopelessly. He called for her… there was no answer. There would never again be an answer. She was gone and all that was left was thick blackness.

How many times he had dreamt this nightmare to have the same conclusion. He had woken, grasping for her to only find the bed empty, cold. She was gone and would never return. He walked in what felt like a never ending cycle of hopelessness.

The ranger had taken her. Taken her then abandoned her, his evil laughter ripping her heart out like his blade never could. Lana had chosen- she had abandoned Casavir for the arms of the ranger then been run through with his sharp poisoned dagger.

Lana had been his. Casavir recalled with vivid clarity the times they had laughed. He could vividly recall her naked white skin gleaming in the night as he held her, caressing her and whispering that she was his alone. He had been wrong. She had betrayed him in the end and it had cost her life.

Casavir had warned her and she only laughed. The ranger was harmless, just misunderstood. He tried to tell her of the evil lurking beneath that smirk, tried to tell her of the rabid wolf beneath the stubble. Bishop was not a cute puppy to cuddle. She refused to see, thinking he could be tamed, loved.

The paladin could hear her voice calling him, taunting him in the darkness. She called his name but he could no longer find her. His name rang out from someplace far away that he could never reach.

"Casavir, wake up! Casavir!" Lana shook him hard as he flailed in his sleep. He had tangled their covers around himself and was soaking with sweat.

Casavir bolted to a sitting position in the bed trying to collect his thoughts, panting slightly. His mind was still fuzzy from the dream. It was coming regularly with increasing lucidity. Lana was beside him, one hand raised at his abrupt waking.

"Still those nightmares?" she inquired gently. He nodded, gathering her tightly into his arms and pulling her into a tight embrace. They sat together for a long time before finally returning to sleep gently rocking with him clasped tightly to her chest and stroking his hair.

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Morning came early with a message to meet Nevalle immediately.

"The angel of glad tidings has returned," Lana groaned as she shook Casavir awake. He rolled onto his back with a low moan. "Those nightmares are getting worse."

The paladin ran his fingers roughly through his hair, nodding.

"They have been coming more regularly. Is it the same one each time?" He nodded again, stifling a yawn.

She sighed heavily. "Are you sure it's the same one? You know I won't run to Bishop." Lana laid her head onto his chest, placing her hand gently on his chest. "Casavir?"

He pushed himself up abruptly, rolling his feet over the side of the bed and quickly donning his clothes.

"Casavir? You know I wouldn't run to Bishop don't you?" She sat holding the blanket protectively over her chest, her expression almost pleading.

Turning to look at her beseeching tone, he sat back on the bed beside her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Yes my lady, I know you will not run to the ranger. But promise me one thing." She nodded grimly. "Promise you will use caution around him. He is not to be trusted, ever. Do you swear to me?" He squeezed hard, pressing his fingers deeply into her skin.

"Casavir, you're hurting me," she whimpered. The paladin looked with shock as his fingers dug into her tender flesh. He hastily withdrew his hands, leaving red marks where his fingers had been.

His cheeks burned red. "I… I am sorry Lana. It's just… those dreams seem so real. I believe you and know this is ridiculous. I want to be sure no harm comes to you. I love you."

Lana leaned forward, gently kissing him on the mouth. She whispered huskily, her lips brushing against his ear. "And I love you"

The paladin pushed himself off the bed, staring down at her with a smile. "And if you don't hurry and get dressed, Nevalle will have a long wait."

They hurriedly dressed and found Nevalle standing with Kana in the main hall. "Good, you have finally made it. Highcliff has fallen. Lord Nasher, along with myself and what is left of the troops involved were forced to retreat. Lord Nasher has been injured and is now being treated in your keep."

"Indeed your news is grim, but you are welcome here." She turned to Kana, "Have the necessary arrangements been made to feed and house the men? Make sure whatever they have need of is provided for. Their battle has been long and arduous and we may require their services sooner then anticipated.

Kana gave a curt nod. "It has been done upon their arrival."

"Thank you Kana, I know I needn't ask under your capable hands."

After a visit to Lord Nasher, Lana and Casavir made their appearances to the wounded and the other new arrivals before returning to their duties. Casavir worked through the day with Bevil training and reassessing the needs of their men. Bishop made the necessary arrangements to equip and resupply the added archers. Lana made the rounds throughout the keep when she wasn't locked in her office behind her desk.

Dusk fell with Lana in her office with Kana and Nevalle. There was a light rap on the door. A young page fearfully opened the door after Lana called him in. He stepped hastily to her desk and thrust out a small, ribbon bond scroll. Lana looked at him curiously, "Who is this from?"

The squire's cheeks flushed, "I was instructed to deliver this to you but to say nothing more mistress." She cocked an eyebrow, shrugging as she pushed the ribbon from around the scroll. The squire made a hasty bow and hurried from the room.

There was only one line on the small parchment, "Return to your quarters as soon as you receive this."

Nevalle looked at the confused look on her face. "What is it Lana?"

"I don't know but I think if our business is concluded for now, we can call it a night." The other two agreed and left the office.

Lana hurried to her quarters with uncertainty. She entered to find the gown Casavir had given her laid out across their bed with another ribbon bound parchment. Her curiosity piqued, she quickly unrolled the second scroll.

Again, only one line was written, "Please don your gown and make haste to the battlements."

She stood looking around curiously. Shrugging, she changed into the dress. She unbound her hair and gave it a quick but thorough brushing before carelessly chucking the brush onto the dressing table. Lana ran a hand hastily across some errant strands of hair before making her way quickly past the surprised guards.

Arriving atop the battlements, she saw the Casavir's outline against the night sky. The paladin was dressed in a light blue tunic over black leather breeches, his golden sword at his hip. Casavir stood with a lit brazier behind him, casting his face into shadow. Leaning over the brick wall, one hand tucked under his chin he studied the fields below. Hearing the rustle of her fabric, he straightened turning to her with a broad smile.

"You came quicker than I hoped."

She nodded, walking to stand before him. "What are you up to my paladin?"

"I had planned this to be under different circumstances but… things have changed." His face was solemn. Her expression turned to one of concern.

"Lana, I am not sure you are aware of protocol but in order for a knight of the realm to marry, they must have the permission of the king." He looked to her as she tilted her head to one side, confusion lining her face.

He cleared his throat. "I have acquired the necessary permission for your marriage." Casavir shook his head, sighing. "This is not coming out the way I planned."

She stepped closer, touching him gently on the arm, giving him the encouragement to proceed. Concern now mingled with confusion on her countenance.

"Lana, I wanted this night to be special. The opportunity to speak with Lord Nasher came sooner then I had originally planned but… Lana, I give you my sword, my loyalty and my heart. I have given all I have except this one final thing, my life. I ask you to bind yourself to me before the gods and all mankind as my wife."

Lana leaned forward and he could see tears glistening in her eyes. She spoke low, her voice thick with emotion. "There is nothing in this world or the next that would bring me more joy. Yes Casavir, unequivocally yes." He grabbed her around the waist, pulling her off her feet and kissing her hard on the mouth.

Casavir held her tightly against him, crushing her against him before slowly lowering her back to her feet. One hand moved her hair from her neck as he bent to nuzzle at the tender skin at the base of her neck. Lana sighed in pleasure for a brief moment but whispered in his ear, "Casavir, the guards are watching. This…"

He cut her words short with a lingering kiss on her mouth, holding her as near as two bodies can. "Let them see. I want the whole world to know that you are mine. I would shout it to the gods, over the rooftops," Casavir said, releasing her to step back enough to look at her as he spoke.

"Lana, time is fleeting. As loath as I am to mention this…"

She nodded, a sadness flickering momentarily in her eyes.

"No, this is only to be a night of joy for us. It is just… If we are to be united, we must act faster then I would've liked. There is no time for the usual festivities and planning."

The rogue smiled almost demurely. "That is one good thing then. I do not think I could endure one more thing to plan or prepare for." She flashed him a large, mischievous grin. "Casavir, let's do it tonight. It will be just us, no pomp but just… It will be only for us and the gods. No one else. We will tell everyone in the morning and…"

She broke off, looking at him askance. An equally large smile crossed Casavir's mouth as the idea caught hold.

"Are you sure? You will not be sad to not have all of our companions and the Keep to celebrate our union?"

"No, I just want to be with you. There is no one I would rather be with, this is our time alone. Let us have what little time we can for just us. As you have said, time is fleeting and I do not want to waste another moment of it without you as my companion in all things."

She stepped forward to embrace him, tucking her head under his chin. He kissed the top of her forehead tenderly, wrapping his arms around her torso.

After several minutes, the paladin whispered into her ear, "So, do you think it's too late to wake Ivarr? I'm would like to begin the wedding night festivities, I hear they are really something." She snorted a very unladylike sound into his tunic.