"My pleasure, Milady." He bowed.
*****
The wolf call was close by. Lorilie lightly stepped on the soft mossy ground trying to see the wolves. She crouched on a small hill and stared at the majestic forms of three wolves. They sat in a circle with their snouts pointed to the sky, they howled harmoniously and well in tune. Lorilie was taken back in awe at the beauty of the sound. Sitting down she rested her chin on her knees and closed her eyes. She listened with ease to the wondrous melody of the musicians.
Very quietly, Brand sat next to Lorilie and placed his hand on top of hers. She jumped and opened her eyes. She didn't say anything, just sat there looking at him. Brand smiled and pointed to the wolves. The music stopped as a dark cloud passed over the moon, blocking out all light. Lorilie's eyes adjusted to the dark quickly and stood. Brand kept hold of her hand and followed her closer to the wolves. One wolf turned their direction and it's eyes bore into the two.
"Lorilie he sees us." Brand whispered.
"Be quiet. I want to get closer." She pulled him.
"Don't you think we're close enough?" he inhaled her scent.
The other two wolves saw them and ran into the trees. The third still sat there and stared at the two elves. The cloud passed over the moon and the light shone once again. The wolf sighed and began to move awkwardly. Lorilie stopped in her tracks and looked at the wolf in horror. It was changing right before her eyes. Brand gasped as a man stood where the wolf was. Lorilie's jaw hung open in shock and amazement. He was a wood elf, a tall one for that too. He started to walk towards them, his blonde hair hung to the shoulders of his thin muscular body.
"How did you do that?!" Brand said stupidly.
"I am an advanced druid, I can transform into a wolf." The elf laughed. His hazel eyes glittered in the moonlight. "What are you two doing in the middle of the woods?"
"I just came to watch the wolves." Lorilie finally closed her mouth.
"And you?" he turned to Brand.
"I ummm. followed Lorilie." The half-elf still held Lorilie's hand.
"Lorilie well met," he clasped Lorilie's other hand. "I am called Tegid Tathal."
*****
Albain entered Riley's conference room and glared. He sat himself in a large chair facing the depressing fire. Riley rubbed his chin and waited for Albain to talk. Taking a small glass, Albain poured himself some brandy. He sipped the glass while staring into the pitiful fire. Riley grunted and took some brandy for his own goblet.
"Anything new?" Riley said coldly.
"They are in Kelethin." Albain crossed to the window.
"Is Victoria going to do anything this time?" the tall human said coldly.
"How should I know?" Albain sneered.
"How long is going to take?!" Riley threw his goblet into the fire.
Albain watched the flames erupt. "These things take time."
"If she isn't dead along with her brother in the next month, I'll find them myself and dispose of them." Riley shouted.
"I was assigned this and I'll follow through! Just let it be!" Albain shouted back.
"This is your last chance Albain." Riley growled.
"Or what?" Albain laughed. "You going to kill me?"
"Yes." Riley stood as tall as he could, towering over Albain.
"I'm much more powerful then you'll ever be." The wood elf ignored Riley hovering over him.
Riley screamed as a small flame caught fire to his pants. He put it out and glared at Albain with his grotesque face. "You may be a druid, but I have my own powers too."
"Like what?" Albain sighed.
"Powers that would kill you in your sleep."
*****
Lorilie sat awake in the early morning; she sat thinking about Wintercloud and Brand. Brand was a stupid little git, but she couldn't stop thinking about his wavy blonde hair, his dazzling blue eyes, his firm frame, she could go on for hours. Wintercloud on the other hand was just as time consuming; his willing kindness, his strong grip, his... everything. Lorilie rolled over and looked out the window. She had left Tegid an hour or two ago for him to find the wolves he was studying. Lanie moved in her bed and broke Lorilie's thoughts. The door opened silently, Caleb stuck his head in.
"Your up already?" he sat on her bed.
"Couldn't sleep at all." She shrugged.
"Want to take a walk?" he offered her a breakfast roll.
"Why not?" she got up and threw her cloak on.
Wintercloud watched Caleb and Lorilie leave. He smiled for a time, but stopped himself. Lorilie was much younger then he was, plus Caleb would never hear of it. Wintercloud groaned and wished the night had lasted longer, and also that Marcus didn't interrupt. He got up and stretched his arms over his head. Brand woke and yawned loudly. His blonde hair was all messed up and his eyelids sagged. Dark circles under his eyes stood out more since his face was so pale.
*****
"There she is." Victoria pointed for Vinx to see. "That's the elf I have to follow."
He grinned. "Can we kill her and that other elf?"
"Not her. Albain wont let me, but he did say her brother was going to have to be out of the picture." She flung the silver hair out of her face. Vinx crept to a closer tree where Lorilie and Caleb were walking. Victoria stepped behind him and flashed a dagger to him. He laughed quietly and pushed the blade down. He raised his hands and in a solemn chant he began.
*****
Caleb looked to the side. His forehead narrowed and he pulled Lorilie behind a tree. "Quietly start running."
"What? Why?" Lorilie looked around the tree.
"Someone is casting a harmful spell at us." He pushed her to run.
"How do you know?" Lorilie said while running lightly through the trees.
"I felt it. I'm thankful I casted a magic resistant spell on myself this morning."
"Why did you do that?" she eyed her brother suspiciously.
"I just had a funny feeling telling me so." The quickened their pace.
*****
Vinx walked to the path and stared after the elves. They were already out of range and getting further away. He wasn't about to go chase after them. Victoria glared at Vinx and clicked her tongue. "We should have just thrown a couple daggers at him." She smacked his head.
"It wasn't my fault." He smacked back.
"That stupid elf had some sort of shield on." Victoria rubbed her head.
"I know that." Vinx rolled his eyes.
*****
"Where did Lorilie and Caleb go?" Brand rubbed his eyes while getting dressed and folding the blankets he used.
"Why do you want to know?" Wintercloud snapped.
"What's with you? It was just a question." Brand brushed his hair.
"Why are you always asking everything about Lorilie?" the human barked.
"I am not. Why are you?" Brand snarled.
"Stop it both of you." Lanie came out of her room.
"You two really need to grow up." Kayla followed Lanie.
"What are they doing this time?" Lorilie and Caleb hung their cloaks on the wall as they walked through the door.
"Arguing about you, what's new?" Lanie laughed.
Lorilie laughed too, "Me? That's hilarious." She walked into a different room with Lanie and Kayla.
*****
Caleb and Wintercloud walked into the tavern bar and seated themselves on the balcony. The bartender came and took their orders. The two started conversation while scouting around at the other tables. One wood elf had his head bent over a pile of papers, he as scrawling very fast on a scroll. He looked up and itched his face; there was an ink spot on his nose, he then took a swing of whatever he was drinking. His attention focused on Caleb who was staring at him. The elf nodded his head and took another swing.
Caleb got up and walked over to the elf. "What are you writing?" Caleb smiled friendly.
"Just notes on wolves that I studied." The elf pushed his long blonde hair back.
"I'm Caleb Liltreehuggr." Caleb extended his hand.
"And I'm Tegid Tathal. Are you related to a Lorilie by any chance?" Tegid put his quill down carefully.
"She's my sister... what did she do?" Caleb seated himself.
"Nothing." Tegid laughed. "I met her last night with some half-elf named Brand." He folded his papers and placed them neatly in a small bag.
"She was with Brand last night?" Wintercloud joined them.
"If I recall his name right, yes." Tegid shook Wintercloud's hand.
*****
Lorilie spun around like a stupid wind-up doll for Lanie. Lanie was ecstatic that she had finished Lorilie's dress. Brand laughed under his breath on how ridiculous her face looked, but he also loved the sight of it. Kel had to leave the room since he was laughing so hard. Lorilie glared at the griffin and Brand before continuing her spinning. Kayla pleaded Lanie to make her a dress like Lorilie's before they left again. Lorilie was insisted by everyone to wear the dress for the remainder of the day. She put on a fake smile and went to the balcony. Longing for her pants and blouse, she took a seat on the railing.
"You look beautiful." Brand walked in front of her.
"This is so humiliating." Lorilie covered her face.
"Well yeah, you do look funny too...in a way." He laughed.
"Your so rude!" Lorilie hit his arm. "You just said I looked beautiful."
"Why am I not surprised to find you two together?" Wintercloud stood in the doorway.
"Like my dress Wintercloud?" Lorilie jumped down and ran to him.
"Yes it's stunning." He gave a half smile. "Can we talk alone?"
"Sure."
Brand watched Wintercloud take Lorilie by the arm and lead her to a room. The door closed and Brand clenched his fists into tight balls. Caleb came out to the balcony with another wood elf. Brand took a double take before recognizing it was Tegid. The two took a seat on either side of him and turned. They were smiling and it frightened Brand to look straight at them. He swallowed hard and forced a smile.
"So Brand what were you doing with Lorilie last night." Caleb eyed him.
"Ummm....following..." Brand stuttered.
"Tell the truth Brand and state why." Caleb crossed his arms.
"I was with her because she could have been harmed by herself." Brand tried to keep the fear out of his voice.
"Don't do it again. I think Slith told you about what I did to the last guy who was stocking Lorilie, didn't he?" Caleb smiled.
Brand's eyes widened. "Your not going to hurt me, are you?" his voice quavered.
*****
Albain shut the door after the dark elf that delivered the message. He crossed to his desk and broke the wax seal open. Unfolding it, he scanned the paper to see whom it was from. Only one of his spies was following Lorilie, it was Victoria. The letter had gotten to him with great speed. It only took a day or two to get to his hands. Albain read the letter thoroughly before tossing it into the fire. It seemed that Victoria had found a co-worker and he was going to be in control of all the spell casting. Albain hated sending dangerous villains after his daughter, but he had to, he had to give reports, he had to know what she was doing.
A loud knock on the door interrupted Albain's concentration. Without any word of consent the door opened and in came a tall, graying human. He closed the door and looked around at the dimly lit room. Folding his arms on his chest he smirked at Albain. "This is a very depressing room. I would think you would want more light to do all your reading and writing." The man sat across from Albain.
"Have you come here to insult my way of living or do you have any news of importance?" Albain glared.
"No news, I just thought I would stop by and have a nice chat with my best friend." The human smiled.
"Well, he's not here." Albain poured a glass of elven wine for himself.
"Albain you've been my best friend since childhood. Ever since you started following Lielay you've changed."
"People change Aubrey Breskin. You've changed too." He drained his cup and took another.
"But you've changed for the worse Albain Tinderblade. At least I didn't kill my loved ones." Aubrey spat.
"Leave my chambers now!" Albain threw his wine in Aubrey's face. Aubrey glared and while wiping his face clean he left. Albain was shaking when he finally sat back down again. How dare Aubrey come to his private quarters to insult him. Albain steamed with anger. Pulling out a fresh scroll, Albain began to write furiously. He threw down the quill and opened the window closest to him. A strong gust of wind swept through and scattered all the papers on his desk around the room. Albain didn't care; he would pick them up later.
"Aubrey you hypocrite, you killed a very close loved one too, what would your brother say? Wait Nevermind you killed him by being a coward." Albain kept mumbling on.
*****
Lorilie sat on the bed and waited for Wintercloud to say something. He had to drag her to a room where there would be no distractions, but why? What was so important? She ran her fingers through her hair and watched him pace back and forth.
"Lorilie I need to know how you feel." He stopped in front of her.
"Feel? Feel about what?" she was confused.
"I need to know you feelings about me." He pulled her up and took her in his arms.
*****
The wolf call was close by. Lorilie lightly stepped on the soft mossy ground trying to see the wolves. She crouched on a small hill and stared at the majestic forms of three wolves. They sat in a circle with their snouts pointed to the sky, they howled harmoniously and well in tune. Lorilie was taken back in awe at the beauty of the sound. Sitting down she rested her chin on her knees and closed her eyes. She listened with ease to the wondrous melody of the musicians.
Very quietly, Brand sat next to Lorilie and placed his hand on top of hers. She jumped and opened her eyes. She didn't say anything, just sat there looking at him. Brand smiled and pointed to the wolves. The music stopped as a dark cloud passed over the moon, blocking out all light. Lorilie's eyes adjusted to the dark quickly and stood. Brand kept hold of her hand and followed her closer to the wolves. One wolf turned their direction and it's eyes bore into the two.
"Lorilie he sees us." Brand whispered.
"Be quiet. I want to get closer." She pulled him.
"Don't you think we're close enough?" he inhaled her scent.
The other two wolves saw them and ran into the trees. The third still sat there and stared at the two elves. The cloud passed over the moon and the light shone once again. The wolf sighed and began to move awkwardly. Lorilie stopped in her tracks and looked at the wolf in horror. It was changing right before her eyes. Brand gasped as a man stood where the wolf was. Lorilie's jaw hung open in shock and amazement. He was a wood elf, a tall one for that too. He started to walk towards them, his blonde hair hung to the shoulders of his thin muscular body.
"How did you do that?!" Brand said stupidly.
"I am an advanced druid, I can transform into a wolf." The elf laughed. His hazel eyes glittered in the moonlight. "What are you two doing in the middle of the woods?"
"I just came to watch the wolves." Lorilie finally closed her mouth.
"And you?" he turned to Brand.
"I ummm. followed Lorilie." The half-elf still held Lorilie's hand.
"Lorilie well met," he clasped Lorilie's other hand. "I am called Tegid Tathal."
*****
Albain entered Riley's conference room and glared. He sat himself in a large chair facing the depressing fire. Riley rubbed his chin and waited for Albain to talk. Taking a small glass, Albain poured himself some brandy. He sipped the glass while staring into the pitiful fire. Riley grunted and took some brandy for his own goblet.
"Anything new?" Riley said coldly.
"They are in Kelethin." Albain crossed to the window.
"Is Victoria going to do anything this time?" the tall human said coldly.
"How should I know?" Albain sneered.
"How long is going to take?!" Riley threw his goblet into the fire.
Albain watched the flames erupt. "These things take time."
"If she isn't dead along with her brother in the next month, I'll find them myself and dispose of them." Riley shouted.
"I was assigned this and I'll follow through! Just let it be!" Albain shouted back.
"This is your last chance Albain." Riley growled.
"Or what?" Albain laughed. "You going to kill me?"
"Yes." Riley stood as tall as he could, towering over Albain.
"I'm much more powerful then you'll ever be." The wood elf ignored Riley hovering over him.
Riley screamed as a small flame caught fire to his pants. He put it out and glared at Albain with his grotesque face. "You may be a druid, but I have my own powers too."
"Like what?" Albain sighed.
"Powers that would kill you in your sleep."
*****
Lorilie sat awake in the early morning; she sat thinking about Wintercloud and Brand. Brand was a stupid little git, but she couldn't stop thinking about his wavy blonde hair, his dazzling blue eyes, his firm frame, she could go on for hours. Wintercloud on the other hand was just as time consuming; his willing kindness, his strong grip, his... everything. Lorilie rolled over and looked out the window. She had left Tegid an hour or two ago for him to find the wolves he was studying. Lanie moved in her bed and broke Lorilie's thoughts. The door opened silently, Caleb stuck his head in.
"Your up already?" he sat on her bed.
"Couldn't sleep at all." She shrugged.
"Want to take a walk?" he offered her a breakfast roll.
"Why not?" she got up and threw her cloak on.
Wintercloud watched Caleb and Lorilie leave. He smiled for a time, but stopped himself. Lorilie was much younger then he was, plus Caleb would never hear of it. Wintercloud groaned and wished the night had lasted longer, and also that Marcus didn't interrupt. He got up and stretched his arms over his head. Brand woke and yawned loudly. His blonde hair was all messed up and his eyelids sagged. Dark circles under his eyes stood out more since his face was so pale.
*****
"There she is." Victoria pointed for Vinx to see. "That's the elf I have to follow."
He grinned. "Can we kill her and that other elf?"
"Not her. Albain wont let me, but he did say her brother was going to have to be out of the picture." She flung the silver hair out of her face. Vinx crept to a closer tree where Lorilie and Caleb were walking. Victoria stepped behind him and flashed a dagger to him. He laughed quietly and pushed the blade down. He raised his hands and in a solemn chant he began.
*****
Caleb looked to the side. His forehead narrowed and he pulled Lorilie behind a tree. "Quietly start running."
"What? Why?" Lorilie looked around the tree.
"Someone is casting a harmful spell at us." He pushed her to run.
"How do you know?" Lorilie said while running lightly through the trees.
"I felt it. I'm thankful I casted a magic resistant spell on myself this morning."
"Why did you do that?" she eyed her brother suspiciously.
"I just had a funny feeling telling me so." The quickened their pace.
*****
Vinx walked to the path and stared after the elves. They were already out of range and getting further away. He wasn't about to go chase after them. Victoria glared at Vinx and clicked her tongue. "We should have just thrown a couple daggers at him." She smacked his head.
"It wasn't my fault." He smacked back.
"That stupid elf had some sort of shield on." Victoria rubbed her head.
"I know that." Vinx rolled his eyes.
*****
"Where did Lorilie and Caleb go?" Brand rubbed his eyes while getting dressed and folding the blankets he used.
"Why do you want to know?" Wintercloud snapped.
"What's with you? It was just a question." Brand brushed his hair.
"Why are you always asking everything about Lorilie?" the human barked.
"I am not. Why are you?" Brand snarled.
"Stop it both of you." Lanie came out of her room.
"You two really need to grow up." Kayla followed Lanie.
"What are they doing this time?" Lorilie and Caleb hung their cloaks on the wall as they walked through the door.
"Arguing about you, what's new?" Lanie laughed.
Lorilie laughed too, "Me? That's hilarious." She walked into a different room with Lanie and Kayla.
*****
Caleb and Wintercloud walked into the tavern bar and seated themselves on the balcony. The bartender came and took their orders. The two started conversation while scouting around at the other tables. One wood elf had his head bent over a pile of papers, he as scrawling very fast on a scroll. He looked up and itched his face; there was an ink spot on his nose, he then took a swing of whatever he was drinking. His attention focused on Caleb who was staring at him. The elf nodded his head and took another swing.
Caleb got up and walked over to the elf. "What are you writing?" Caleb smiled friendly.
"Just notes on wolves that I studied." The elf pushed his long blonde hair back.
"I'm Caleb Liltreehuggr." Caleb extended his hand.
"And I'm Tegid Tathal. Are you related to a Lorilie by any chance?" Tegid put his quill down carefully.
"She's my sister... what did she do?" Caleb seated himself.
"Nothing." Tegid laughed. "I met her last night with some half-elf named Brand." He folded his papers and placed them neatly in a small bag.
"She was with Brand last night?" Wintercloud joined them.
"If I recall his name right, yes." Tegid shook Wintercloud's hand.
*****
Lorilie spun around like a stupid wind-up doll for Lanie. Lanie was ecstatic that she had finished Lorilie's dress. Brand laughed under his breath on how ridiculous her face looked, but he also loved the sight of it. Kel had to leave the room since he was laughing so hard. Lorilie glared at the griffin and Brand before continuing her spinning. Kayla pleaded Lanie to make her a dress like Lorilie's before they left again. Lorilie was insisted by everyone to wear the dress for the remainder of the day. She put on a fake smile and went to the balcony. Longing for her pants and blouse, she took a seat on the railing.
"You look beautiful." Brand walked in front of her.
"This is so humiliating." Lorilie covered her face.
"Well yeah, you do look funny too...in a way." He laughed.
"Your so rude!" Lorilie hit his arm. "You just said I looked beautiful."
"Why am I not surprised to find you two together?" Wintercloud stood in the doorway.
"Like my dress Wintercloud?" Lorilie jumped down and ran to him.
"Yes it's stunning." He gave a half smile. "Can we talk alone?"
"Sure."
Brand watched Wintercloud take Lorilie by the arm and lead her to a room. The door closed and Brand clenched his fists into tight balls. Caleb came out to the balcony with another wood elf. Brand took a double take before recognizing it was Tegid. The two took a seat on either side of him and turned. They were smiling and it frightened Brand to look straight at them. He swallowed hard and forced a smile.
"So Brand what were you doing with Lorilie last night." Caleb eyed him.
"Ummm....following..." Brand stuttered.
"Tell the truth Brand and state why." Caleb crossed his arms.
"I was with her because she could have been harmed by herself." Brand tried to keep the fear out of his voice.
"Don't do it again. I think Slith told you about what I did to the last guy who was stocking Lorilie, didn't he?" Caleb smiled.
Brand's eyes widened. "Your not going to hurt me, are you?" his voice quavered.
*****
Albain shut the door after the dark elf that delivered the message. He crossed to his desk and broke the wax seal open. Unfolding it, he scanned the paper to see whom it was from. Only one of his spies was following Lorilie, it was Victoria. The letter had gotten to him with great speed. It only took a day or two to get to his hands. Albain read the letter thoroughly before tossing it into the fire. It seemed that Victoria had found a co-worker and he was going to be in control of all the spell casting. Albain hated sending dangerous villains after his daughter, but he had to, he had to give reports, he had to know what she was doing.
A loud knock on the door interrupted Albain's concentration. Without any word of consent the door opened and in came a tall, graying human. He closed the door and looked around at the dimly lit room. Folding his arms on his chest he smirked at Albain. "This is a very depressing room. I would think you would want more light to do all your reading and writing." The man sat across from Albain.
"Have you come here to insult my way of living or do you have any news of importance?" Albain glared.
"No news, I just thought I would stop by and have a nice chat with my best friend." The human smiled.
"Well, he's not here." Albain poured a glass of elven wine for himself.
"Albain you've been my best friend since childhood. Ever since you started following Lielay you've changed."
"People change Aubrey Breskin. You've changed too." He drained his cup and took another.
"But you've changed for the worse Albain Tinderblade. At least I didn't kill my loved ones." Aubrey spat.
"Leave my chambers now!" Albain threw his wine in Aubrey's face. Aubrey glared and while wiping his face clean he left. Albain was shaking when he finally sat back down again. How dare Aubrey come to his private quarters to insult him. Albain steamed with anger. Pulling out a fresh scroll, Albain began to write furiously. He threw down the quill and opened the window closest to him. A strong gust of wind swept through and scattered all the papers on his desk around the room. Albain didn't care; he would pick them up later.
"Aubrey you hypocrite, you killed a very close loved one too, what would your brother say? Wait Nevermind you killed him by being a coward." Albain kept mumbling on.
*****
Lorilie sat on the bed and waited for Wintercloud to say something. He had to drag her to a room where there would be no distractions, but why? What was so important? She ran her fingers through her hair and watched him pace back and forth.
"Lorilie I need to know how you feel." He stopped in front of her.
"Feel? Feel about what?" she was confused.
"I need to know you feelings about me." He pulled her up and took her in his arms.