Three hours later, Lilaurael and Ilerael were talking to the four angelic warriors. They were very concerned over the Horadric artifact, but they were even more worried about Imperius being seen.
"We should take that artifact before it's used," Ilerael muttered. "What a headache!"
"As much as I want Imperius to scare off those that would cause ill will, the last thing we need is our home becoming a viewpoint!" Lilaurael mumbled. As they tried to figure out what to do, Anaurael found herself sitting down outside the cottage and thinking over what she learned. The Horadrim stories revealed in full actually filled her with a sense of excitement. The sun was finally getting low in the sky to display its vivid colors of pink and red. Even some of the clouds were tinged with it. She stood up to get a better view before it faded beyond the horizon. At the feel of someone finally appearing behind her, she smiled and let herself lean back into the massive, armored frame. Imperius set his large hands on her shoulders, as he watched the sunset.
"It's pretty," she smiled.
"At times," he agreed.
"You are here early, though," she frowned.
"It was needed. There is a plot to attempt to expose me."
"What?!" she gasped and looked up at him. He said nothing, but he continued to watch the sunset. Frowning, she diverted her gaze back to it, as well.
"A villager has Horadric ancestry. The one that harmed you today intends to make use of a relic. Darius found out all of this. I came here early to ensure that this impertinent youth will come up with nothing. I wanted to appear now to let you know that I am well."
"Couldn't you be invisible to those that are not to know of you?"
"To do that would be an act of being a coward. I am no such thing," he growled and squeezed her shoulders gently. "I should remove you from this place."
"And my parents? I wouldn't want them to stay here without me."
"They made their choice."
"How would I live in Heaven?"
"I would assist in various ways."
"I would still miss my parents. They would miss me, too."
"We shall see how the future unfolds."
"That we will," she nodded slightly. She knew most of the moody angel's moods now. She always questioned his actions just enough. Being blunt and to the point worked best. She let several minutes crawl by silently. "Do you know when this fool will try to appear?"
"I do not care to find out," he mused. That had her smile softly. He appreciated that he was able to be a bit of himself with her. "There are already plans to thwart him. We will do what we must."
"All things take time."
"True."
"Have you fought in that place you call Pandemonium?"
"No. There has been no need to."
"You should fight. It is in your nature."
"Yours, too."
"Are you suggesting I fight with you?"
"No. You do not have proper fighting gear yet. In time, when you learn more, I may have you fight at my side. You have been learning well."
"I have excellent teachers."
"I know. I shall see if I can find others that would be willing to teach you."
"I would like that," she smiled again. She gave a small squeak when he suddenly lifted her in his arms to cradle her. He had been aching to do just this lately. To simply feel her weight in his arms. After another few minutes went by, she asked, "What is on your mind?"
"Too much," he admitted. "Far too much these days."
"Did you want to tell me your thoughts?"
"All in due time. I may not be here later."
"I understand. I do admit that I will miss you."
"I know," he said gently. He carefully set her down, squeezed her shoulders again, and vanished away. She seemed to hang her head and hug herself from the lack of warmth she got now. With him, she felt as though she was basked in the morning sun. She was never cold. When he left, she felt as though the chill of winter slapped at her again. Even though the weather was warm, she always felt cold without him. She looked over at the sound of footsteps and saw Willis wincing from how noisy he was. Now she knew how to vent her newfound anger. As a mortal, she could do small white lies. As much as it shamed her to resort to such a thing, it had to be done.
"Hi..." he said with a small smile. He didn't have the artifact on him. He was only going to scout where to hide. It didn't help that the small cottage was based on a hillside. He also didn't expect her to be outside the cottage. And, it was because of the hillside, he thought that the light from Imperius was the last of the sun's rays over the horizon. Imperius planned his entrance and exit perfectly.
"Your plans were discovered. Because of you, I am not to be visited anymore," she said with a frown of intense hurt. "Our friendship is now dissolved."
"What?!" he gaped.
"Because of you, the only one that gave me joy in my life decided it was too risky to be here!" she snapped at him. "He's leaving his guards, though. He said I deserved that much. He still wants to come back for me, but the visits are no longer going to happen. Thanks for nothing."
She left him standing there and let herself burst into tears. She ran back into her cottage and slammed the door. Her parents were quickly alarmed at what happened. Her father was able to coax her to sit down. In the end, he found her crying with tears of laughter! "What happened?!"
"Willis...!" she gasped and managed to tell them everything in short bursts. The angelic warriors were thoroughly amused by the act she just pulled.
"We will find the artifact. I will follow the youth now," Darius said and managed to leave the cottage. Her mother was quite amused by everything, though.
"I'll have you accompany me into town from now on," Lilaurael said. "Even your father, too. We will continue to act as though you are truly hurt by this betrayal of trust. We will not let Willis near you. Ilerael, you should speak with Harvey."
"I'll be the concerned father and do that now," Ilerael said with a small growl to work himself into the mood. "Izarius, please remain here to guard my daughter. You, too, Mithus. Azarius, feel free to accompany me. This whole ordeal is going to be confronted now."
"As you will," Azarius nodded. Ilerael grabbed his two-handed sword. Now that it was nightfall, the weapon would not glow. Those that did catch the eerie light that came from the angelic weapon only thought it was their eyes playing tricks on them. After they left, both mother and daughter started to gossip and make supper as though nothing was wrong. In the village, Ilerael went on a hunting streak.
He slammed open the door to Harvey's shop. That caught the man by surprise. "Harvey. I want your son. I want his skin peeled off his body and hanging on my wall as a trophy!"
"What did Willis do?!" the man asked with complete concern.
"He sought to spy on my daughter," he growled. There were several customers in the small shop, and they quickly made excuses to leave. An angry father on a tirade was not an easy spectacle to watch. Especially with the massive sword he wielded in an expert way. "I don't know why. I don't want to know why. But she is in tears right now! It's a disgusting and rude practice to do! Because of the blasphemy that he did, she wants nothing to do with him ever again!"
"I will speak with my son," Harvey said with his own stern nod. "I'll keep him busy for the next year. Even more. You have my word."
"Please do. Because, if I catch him around my daughter or home again, I will not hesitate to run him through!" Ilerael spat. Over-protective fathers were always something to tread lightly around. At the threat and issue laid out, he snarled to himself and left the shop. Harvey now thought to himself, sighed, and went to the back of his store where his son was hiding. He didn't want to lose Ilerael's trust. They were good friends, and to let this come between them would be a complete waste. It was best to see to the issue and do what needed to be done.
"Explain yourself," Harvey said.
"I just...wanted to see her..." Willis frowned.
"I told you she was engaged. She's betrothed. You knew this, too. If it's not gonna be him, it's gonna be the guy that Ana's to be with that gets you! Leave her alone!" Harvey growled. "I'll box your ears, if you don't listen! Your mama doesn't wanna see her son get killed for stupidity!"
"Yes, Father," Willis winced. After his father left in his own small rage, Willis looked for the artifact. Darius had already confiscated it. He also had a plan. He went to find Xavian.
The youth was in his room and preparing for the night. At the sudden sight of the spectacles dropping on the bed, he paused with amazement. Then he felt the urge to put them on. When he did, the sight of Darius had his jaw dropped with astonished disbelief.
"The relic is now yours again. Do not let it out of your sight. Yes, this town is blessed by angels. I am proof. Willis tried to corrupt your artifact. He tried to use it for ill intentions. Heed my warning," Darius said in his deep, echoed tone. "He will do more harm than good. If he asks for them, you can lie. You can become enraged that he lost them. You will know the truth."
"You have my vow! I will do all that you say!" Xavian swallowed. Darius nodded and vanished back to the cottage. Xavian could scarcely believe that an angel had visited him. That I saw one with my own eyes. Taking off the spectacles, he gazed at them and placed them back with the other ancient relics from his great-grandfather. Then he took out the old diary that was entrusted to his care. His want to know of the old Horadrim tales were finally sparked after so long. With a deep sigh, he opened the old leather-bound cover and started to read.
As much as Imperius should be grateful that the threat was avoided, he was far more impressed with how Anaurael handled the situation. She turned it into her own form of a tactical advantage. He was free to see her as often as he liked now. The Horadric artifacts would be jealously guarded over, too. They may even be reclaimed, if the time came. Such things would not do to have them fall into careless hands. When the time came, he would ensure that such a safety measure was done.
Much to Anaurael's delight, he did return later in the evening. He knew she missed him. She was lying awake in her bed, and her mind was filled with worry for him. When she saw a soft, golden glow emanate from outside her window, she was up and out of the bed swiftly. He was a touch surprised at her small gasp of delight on seeing him. When she practically leapt onto him, he was able to gather her up to hug her to him. She knew he would want an explanation for her actions, and she managed to whisper, "I was...so afraid...that you wouldn't come..."
"When the threat was removed, it changed my mind," he said.
"I can't sleep without you now," she admitted. "I know. It shouldn't be."
"That's why I'm here now," he said. He felt her sigh with a form of intense relief. Within minutes, she was sleeping deeply in his embrace. She was weightless in his arms, so cradling her was no problem. As he glanced down at her, he found himself at a form of peace. As long as his mark on her forehead was glowing for him, that was all that mattered. She is safe with me. He held her and let the night pass by, as he watched the stars twinkle in vast expanse of the night sky.