The Storm and Blue Skies

Marz sat in the main room of his house, a mug of ale in one hand and a piece of parchment in the other. The room was grand in size with an enormous marble fireplace standing at the far end. Paintings that his mother had collected over the years lined the walls and a large red carpet almost spanned the rooms' entirety. Sitting across from him in a similar red leather armchair was his uncle Orin. It was rare that the general paid a call upon his nephew so for Marz this was a special occasion.

Orin was of massive build and dark red, almost the color of blood. There were some who claimed that he had once been a lighter color but that many years of battle had stained him red with the blood of his enemies. Whether this was true or not Marz couldn't say for he had never asked and his uncle had never disputed it. He wore a plain black vest with ornate silver buttons and a black kilt. An enormous broad sword leaned against the chair where it could be easily reached by his left hand if necessary.

The general had not said much of anything at all since arriving save to ask Marz how he was and thank him for the ale. They sat in silence, Marz waiting politely for his uncle to speak, and Orin biding his time. While still waiting Marz's gaze shifted to the parchment in his hand. Drawn upon it was a ring. A plain silver band drawn once ten times its size and three other times to scale. A ring he intended to make for Mara, hopefully with another to follow. His gaze shifted to his uncle. But first he would need the generals' aid.

Orin drank the last of his ale and set his mug upon the table between himself and his nephew before looking Marz squarely on.

"I understand you went to Taladas during your leave?"

"Yes sir"

"Might I ask why?" Marz smiled.

"Because I'm in love uncle. She's everything I've ever wanted and ever so much more. When I hold her, when I kiss her, even when I look at her my heart soars. I know I would happily die protecting her. I want to marry her," he had not meant for all of that to come out at once but now that it had he waited for his uncles reaction.

Orin regarded his nephew contemplatively, taking in the look of his face and his eyes. Seeing only the deepest sincerity he smiled slightly and nodded.

"If she means that much to you nephew then of course you have my blessing" Marz suppressed a sigh and returned his uncles smile.

"Thank you uncle. But with that aside there is also another issue I wish to discus with you"

"Name it"

"I want to leave the army" a flash of lighting split the sky and thunder rattled the windows as the generals smile faded.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me uncle" Orin nodded.

"Yes I heard but I don't believe it. You have a promising future and you're up for promotion. You cant just through all of that away. You can be married and still be in the army"

"I know that uncle but let me ask you something. Of all the men that join the army how many reach retirement age?" Orin hesitated, at first not sure what relation this question had to the subject.

"Not very many but that's better then none. Look at me for example"

"I am uncle and you have been very lucky. My father was not. I don't want to put Mara through the same pain my mother suffered. I don't want her to get a knock on the door and learn that I'm dead. I want to be able to come home every night to her loving embrace and her smile. I want to live my life with her and our children. The army can't give me that it can only take it away. So by the time our first child is born I want to be free of the army. Will you help me uncle?" the general sat silent for a long space of time, taking in all that Marz had said. Eventually he nodded.

"Very well I will see what I can do. It may take a while though since nothing like this has been done before, I hope you realize that" Marz nodded.

"I do and thank you again uncle" Orin smiled slightly and nodded. Frantic knocking at the door shattered the pleasant silence that had settled in the room. Marz looked to the water clock before rising slowly to his feet.

"Who could that be at this hour?"

"I don't know but you had best be prepared" while saying this Orin rose to his feet, his hand finding the hilt of his sword and lifting it slightly. Marz nodded and fetched up his war scythe from where it leaned against the wall near the fireplace. The black Minotaur walked to the door slowly.

"Who is it?" his right hand wrapped around the handle while the other lifted his scythe to the ready.

"Marz? It's Mara. Please let me in"

"Mara?" Marz lowered his scythe and opened the door. Mara stood on the front step, soaked through by the driving rain, her horse tethered to a near by tree.

"Mara what are you?"

"Marz please don't be angry with me" she rushed in and through her arms around him, tears joining the rain upon her cheeks. Marz sighed and wrapped his free arm around her.

"I'm not angry Mara I'm just…surprised. What could have moved you to travel all the way here in such weather?"

"The thought of never seeing you again because of Kalas"

"Ah so then he doesn't yet know that your gone?"

"No"

"He's going to come looking for you. You know that?"

"Yes I know and I don't care" she looked up at him and smiled. "I'll stay with you no matter what he says. I love you" Marz returned her smile.

"I love you too"

"E-hem!" Marz laughed lightly and turned to face his uncle, who had by now set his sword back where it had been standing.

"Sorry uncle. Mara this is my uncle General Orin" Mara bowed slightly.

"Its an honor to meet you General"

"The honor my lady is mine" Orin stepped forward, took hold of her hand and pressed it to his lips. "I can see now why my nephew is so taken with you" Mara laughed.

"Nonsense I must look horrible. My change of cloths is probably soaked too"

"Never matter Ronda will find you something I'm sure" while saying this Marz walked to the bell pull and rang twice. A hazel colored female in a dark dress appeared at the door and bowed.

"You sent for me Master Marz?"

"Yes Ronda take Mara and find her some dry cloths. Have her own set out to dry"

"Yes sir" Ronda took hold of Mara's hand and led her away.

"Well then I suppose I had best be on my way" while saying this Orin took up his broad sword and strapped it to his waist.

"I couldn't do that to you uncle. Not in this storm"

"A little rain never hurt anyone. Besides that I wouldn't want to get in the way of you and Mara. I'm sure you have a great deal to talk about. I'll be fine nephew don't you worry" the general smiled as he walked to the door to fetch his cloak. "And if this Kalas comes around here causing trouble you know how to contact me. Fare well" he held out his hand, which Marz took firmly.

"Fare well uncle and my thanks again for everything" Orin smiled again and nodded before turning and walking out into the driving rain. Marz returned to his chair to wait for Mara, folding the parchment he had placed upon the table and tucking it away inside his tunic. He had finished the last of his ale by the time Ronda returned with Mara, now dressed in a white blouse and pants.

"Forgive me Master Marz, it was all I could find to fit her"

"No need to ask forgiveness Ronda. If Mara doesn't mind then neither do I. Is there anything wrong with the cloths Mara?" Mara smiled and shook her head.

"Not at all their just fine"

"You see Ronda? I have no reason to scold you. Could you take the mugs back to the kitchen and bring us some tea please?" Ronda bowed.

"Yes sir" Ronda picked up the mugs and hurried off to do as she had been told. Marz smiled and looked Mara up and down, marveling at how the fires light made her honey color shimmer golden, before offering his hand to her.

"Come here" he said. Mara blushed and took hold of his hand. He drew her close and she sat down on his lap. He wrapped both of his arms around her waist and held her close to him, resting his chin upon her shoulder.

"They're going to be worried about you when they realize you're gone"

"Khurn maybe but not Kalas"

"Don't be so sure about that. I saw the look on his face when you yelled at him. He does care about you Mara"

"But not enough to let me make my own choices. He doesn't seem to realize that its my life not his. Perhaps now he will finally understand that" Marz nodded and hugged her. A few minuets later Ronda returned with a teapot, a creamer, a sugar bowl and two cups set upon a tray. She placed the tray on the table and looked to Marz.

"Will there be anything else sir?"

"No Ronda this is fine, thank you. Matter of fact why don't you call it an early night? We should be able to tend to our selves for the remainder of the evening" Ronda smiled and bowed.

"As you wish, good night sir, malady"

"Good night Ronda"

"Night" the maid smiled at Mara before departing. Marz let go of Mara so she could lean forward and pour the tea.

"Was your uncle just here on a visit or was it military business?"

"A little of both actually. He came by to ask me why I had gone to Taladas on my leave and I needed to ask if he would aid me in my wish to leave the army"

"What did he say?" she put cream in both cups and two spoons of sugar in hers. Marz stopped her as she moved to his cup.

"No sugar in mine my dear, and he said that he would help me anyway he could but that it would take time. Since no one has ever left the army except by one of three ways. In a box, shamefully under the lash, or honorably, which usually requires loss of limb or sight" while saying this he retrieved his cup and placed it upon the arm of the chair.

"And what did you say to him when he asked you about Taladas?" Marz smiled, wrapped his free arm around her waist again, leaned close to her and whispered.

"I told him that I'm in love. That you're everything I ever wanted. I could never bare being apart from you Mara. If you hadn't come tonight I would have gone to Taladas and swept you away" Mara felt her self blush.

"You wouldn't have had to go to Taladas to do that. When I'm with you my feet never touch the ground" she smiled and kissed him. He returned her kiss, holding her close, loving her heat, her softness, everything. When their lips parted they sat silently, the tea forgotten. A few moments passed and their lips met again, only briefly, Mara leaned away to whisper in his ear.

"I want you" Marz's breath caught in his throat. He leaned back to look at her, thinking she might be jesting. Seeing only sincerity in her eyes he shook his head slowly.

"Mara…I…we cant"

"Why not?"

"Please understand. I love you with all my heart and soul but it's too soon. I don't want to and then for you to…I don't want you to regret"

"I wont, please Marz. My heart is yours don't you want the rest of me?" he smiled at her.

"You're the only woman I have ever wanted so badly before. My entire being aches for you"

"Then take me. I'm yours Marz" she kissed him again and he held her tightly. He didn't know what to do. What if she were to become pregnant? He didn't want it to seem as if he were proposing to her out of obligation. So then there was only one thing to do.

"Mara, I have something I want to show you" he reached inside his tunic, pulled out the parchment and handed it to her. "Open it" she did so and looked upon the drawings for a few moments before looking up at him.

"What is it?"

"Your engagement ring" her eyes grew wide and they wandered back to the parchment. "I know this is sudden and that we haven't known each other for that long but I love you Mara. I know that I shall never love anyone else as much as you. I want to spend my life with you. I had planed to have the real thing to give to you before asking this but here we are. Will you have me?" she was silent for a while before throwing her arms around his neck.

"I will" Marz felt a small tear form in the corner of his eye as he wrapped his arms tightly around the woman he loved. They sat like this for a long space of time, enjoying this closeness. Marz moved his hands down Mara's back and over her hind end to take hold of her legs from beneath. He smiled at her.

"Don't let go" he stood up, chuckling lightly when she gasped. When she hooked her legs around him he walked with her to the stairs that led to the second floor. Upon reaching his room Marz set her down upon the bed, unhooking her arms from around his neck and holding them above her head with one hand while the other unfastened the buttons of the blouse. He smiled at her as he rested his hand upon her stomach and moved it slowly up to caress her chest.

"Pay back for what you did to me a day and a half after our first meeting. Remember?" she smiled and nodded, stifling a moan as his hand moved from one breast to the other. His hand slid down to remove her pants. He marveled at her for a time before removing his own cloths. He touched and kissed the entirety of her body before giving her what she had asked for. As their bodies joined, as one Marz knew that he had never known or ever would know any greater happiness.

Outside, as dawn approached, the storm ceased its raging and began to die down.

* * *

Khurn was the first to wake as the first light of dawn filtered into the room he shared with his older brother through the only window in the wall between their beds. The white Minotaur sat up and looked over at his still sleeping dark mahogany brother. He had not expected Kalas to sleep so well after what had happened yesterday. That had been the first time Mara had ever raised her voice or said a work against him and it had been a long time in coming. Khurn could understand his brothers desire to protect Mara because he felt it too but she wasn't a child anymore she was a woman who could take care of her self, who had her own life to live, and decisions of her own to make in regards to it. But try telling that to Kalas, thought Khurn as he sighed and stood up to get dressed.

Walking out into the hall the lack of noise coming from the kitchen did not alarm him as it normally might have. Mara was no doubt still a sleep. And why shouldn't she be after such a trying day. He would let her sleep he decided, after all he knew how to cook for himself.

After building up the cooking fire he filled the kettle with water and set it over the flame to boil. This done he got a bowl, spoon, and gathered together the ingredients for a batch of pancakes, double sized to ensure that there would be extras. The whistling sound of the boiling kettle roused Kalas from his sleep and brought him lumbering into the kitchen.

"Morning little brother"

"Morning Kalas, coffee?" Kalas nodded.

"Thanks" he watched as Khurn poured hot water into a cup and added two teaspoons of ground coffee. This was the only time of day that the two drank coffee at any other time it was tea. Khurn set the cup down in front of Kalas before returning to the pancake batter. Kalas took a drink of his coffee before setting his gaze upon the door of his sisters' room.

"Still asleep?"

"Far as I can tell" while saying this Khurn set a large frying pan down upon the grate over the cooking fire, so that it would be well heated by the time the batter was ready.

"You mean you didn't go in to check?"

" No, it's her room Kalas. She does have some right to privacy in this house doesn't she?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Khurn sighed.

"Nothing Kalas I just mean that it's rude to just walk into some ones room with out them knowing it. Especially when it's your own sister. Whom I might add is probably not in a very good mood on account of yesterday. But you do what you like Kalas" in the silence that followed Khurn sat and poured the first of the pancake batter into the frying pan. Kalas took another drink of his coffee before nodding.

"You've made your point Khurn. I'll wait till breakfast is done to wake her" That wasn't my point at all, thought Khurn as he flipped the pancakes. He shrugged, figuring half way was better then nothing.

It took fifteen minuets for the pancakes to be finished. Khurn set them on the table before fetching the plates, cutlery, butter and syrup.

"All right Kalas go wake her up" the elder Minotaur nodded and drank the last of his coffee before going to his sisters door and knocking.

"Mara? It's Kalas, time to get up. Breakfast is ready" silence, "Mara? I'll understand if your still angry but please lets sit down and talk about this" more silence. "All right Mara, I'm coming in" slowly he turned the doorknob and entered the room. Finding it empty Kalas ran back into the kitchen.

"Mara's gone!"

"Gone? What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said she's gone. She must have left through the window during the night. Damn it I should have known there was something up when I was talking to her. Damn it" he slammed his fist into the wall.

"Kalas calm down. She's probably in town with friends or something. Where else would she go?"

"To Him. Don't you understand Khurn? She's gone to Mithas to be with him. What do I have to do to…" Kalas stopped himself a determined light entering his eyes. "No I know exactly what I have to do. We'll march on that bastards front door and get her back"

"That's nonsense, brother talk sense. You would launch a war over a privet matter? Do you really think the forces of Mithas will just sit back and let us invade their land? There is no need to go to such extremes. This is no one else's business but our own. We will go ourselves to Mithas, figure something out" Kalas looked steadily upon his younger brother and a faint smile played upon Khurn's lips. "Please brother for once just listen to me" Kalas sighed.

"Fine, we'll do it your way Khurn"

"Good, now lets eat and then we'll pack up" Kalas nodded and settled back into his seat, vowing silently to himself that he would tear Marz apart when he saw him.

* * *

Marz woke to find Mara still fast asleep next to him; his left arm was wrapped around her protectively. He smiled and kissed the back of her neck. Feeling her shiver slightly he chuckled and moved his kisses along the length of her neck to her shoulder and back up to the base of her neck where he licked an nibbled till she lifted a hand to caress the back of his neck.

"Good morning"

"Morning" he mumbled huskily, turning Mara toward him gently so that he could kiss her. She returned his kiss lovingly and his lips moved from her lips to her neck and down to her chest.

"Should we go downstairs for breakfast?" this she barely managed between low moans of pleasure.

"You are my breakfast" he smiled up at her before moving his lips from her chest down her stomach. He stopped just before reaching the most intimate part of her and smiled up at her again. "Ah Mara my love, if you only knew what I want to do. But I suppose we must save some things for our wedding night" he chuckled and kissed the place where he had stopped before sitting up and retrieving his cloths, Mara did the same.

Once they were both dressed they walked down stairs to the main room arm in arm. Marz rang for Ronda and ordered bacon and eggs for both himself and Mara. When they had finished eating they sat together silently. Mara leaned back as Marz's arms embraced her tightly. She felt complete and blessedly happy. She was truly his now and he was hers, nothing would ever or could ever change that, nothing.

"There'll be no waiting with this my love, we have to tell them" Mara nodded.

"I know"

"It'll be alright my love. I'll keep my temper, it wont be like the last time"

"Its not your temper I'm worried about, its Kalas's. If he were to hurt you"

"He won't. I was holding back the last time. You just ask Darius the next time you see him. If I had seriously wanted to hurt him I would have done it, Kalas would have never gotten past my defense. But I knew how angry you would have been with me if I had so I deliberately made a careless move and he beat me. I just didn't figure on being knocked off my feet. Your brother is a strong man" a small smile crossed her lips as she nodded.

"Yes, he is" the two fell silent again. After the passing of an hour Mara stood up saying that her own cloths were surly dry by now so she would go upstairs and change. Marz smiled, nodded, and watched her walk out of the room. Fifteen minuets later a series of loud, heavy knocks sounded upon the door. Marz sighed.

"Three guesses who that is" the black Minotaur stood up and went to the door. As expected on the other side stood Kalas and Khurn. The younger of the two smiled pleasantly as he could manage after a long and most likely uncomfortable ride on account of his older brother.

"Morning Marz, been a while hasn't it?"

"If you consider barely twenty four hours a long time yes it's been a long time"

"Don't get smart Marz, you know what we're here for. Just tell us where Mara is and we'll be on our way" interrupted Kalas coldly making Khurn sigh in barely suppressed exasperation.

"Come in, she's just upstairs changing"

"What! Marz you bastard if you"

"If I what? Kissed her? Touched her? I don't know what your parents told you Kalas but when two people love each other that's usually what happens" Kalas's eyes smoldered with rage. Before he could advance toward Marz, Khurn intervened, taking hold of his brothers' arm.

"Calm down Kalas. What ever happened, happened, there's nothing to be done about it now. Mara's fine and will be down in a few minuets. So lets sit down and wait for her, all right? Is that alright with you Marz?" Marz nodded and stood aside for the two to enter, indicating the empty chairs near the fireplace. He waited for the two to be seated before taking his own chair.

"This is a fine house Marz. How long have you lived here?" asked Khurn in an attempt to make light conversation. An attempt for which Marz was grateful.

"All my life Khurn. This was my family's home. When my mother died it passed to me. All these paintings are hers"

"What is your family name?"

"Stoneshield"

"That's a fine name"

"Thank you" Mara arrived then, dressed in the white dress she had thrown hastily into her pack the night before. Upon seeing her brothers she went immediately to Marz's side.

"Morning Mara, we were worried about you," said Khurn, again attempting a smile. Kalas rose to his feet and held out a hand to his sister.

"Come on Mara, we're leaving"

"You and Khurn can leave Kalas I'm staying right here"

"Mara I am not going to repeat my self. Your coming with us and that's all there is to it" Kalas strode forward and Marz rose to meet him

"That's not all there is to it. She said she's not going and you have no right to force her"

"I have every right I'm her brother"

"That may be so but" Mara placed a hand upon Marz's shoulder and stepped around him to face Kalas head on.

"Yes Kalas you are my brother and I love you but my life is not yours. Why can you not understand that? My heart is my own and I will give it to whom I please. I love Marz and what's more I'm going to marry him"

"What?"

"You heard me"

"By Kiri Jolith I cant believe this! Mara you"

"Kalas! Enough already!" all eyes turned to Khurn as he stood up and went to his brothers' side. "She's trying to tell you that she isn't a little girl anymore. She's a woman now and can make her own decisions with out our help. It's her life Kalas. If she loves Marz you know damn well that nothing we say or do is going to change that. She's already run a way from home, is that not proof enough to you? I can see for myself that Marz is a good man. Why cant you?" Kalas stood in silent shock. He could barely believe his ears. First Mara and now Khurn, his family was falling apart and the man who had caused it was now to be his sisters' husband. The elder Minotaur shook his head and sighed.

"Fine do what you want Mara. I don't care anymore" he turned and walked for the door.

"Kalas, wait!" called Mara but he didn't stop. He walked out slamming the door behind him.

"I'm sorry for this, truly I am" said Marz, placing an arm around Mara's shoulder. Khurn sighed and shook his head.

"Don't worry about it, I'll talk to him. Do you really love this man Mara?" he turned to his sister who smiled and nodded.

"With all my heart"

"Then that's all that matters. I'll help Kalas understand I promise" he smiled at her before turning to Marz.

"I stuck my neck out a mile for you Marz so you had better be grateful. And you had better treat my sister right or else I'll assist Kalas in kicking your ass, understood?" Khurn smiled and Marz returned it.

"I understand"

"I'll be on my way then. Mara please at least consider coming home just for a few hours or so. We have a lot to talk about the three of us. Will you do that?" Mara nodded.

"I will Khurn, good bye"

"Bye" the white Minotaur bowed slightly to Marz before leaving. After a few moments had passed Mara looked up at her husband to be.

"What do you think I should do?"

"I think you should go. Its as Khurn said you three have a lot to talk about. I'll be fine here, besides I still have to make your ring" he embraced her. "Everything will be all right you'll see" Mara smiled and returned his embrace before stepping gently from his arms.

"I had best go and start packing then. I'll be back in a few minuets" Marz smiled at her and watched her depart before walking over to lean against the fireplace.

"Mara my love I hope beyond all hope that you manage to sway your brother at least a little. Or else our wedding wont be the happy occasion it is meant to be"

* * *

They reached the dock and noon and waited for the ferry to pull in, having given Kalas and Khurn enough time to dock at Taladas and get home, or at least as far as The Farmers Way. Above the sun was shining brightly and the sky was crystal blue. Banishing all sign of the dark storm clouds that had pervaded the night. They parted wordlessly, sharing a kiss before Mara walked up the gangway to the ferry. She stood at the stern and waved until Marz was out of sight. Only now did she think it might have been wiser to wait till the following day to return home but if she had done that she would have forgotten what she meant to say to them. Besides that this couldn't wait not anymore. The blade had reached its target but now it had to be driven home and the best way to do that was while the wound was still fresh. Hopefully Kalas would be less hurt this way. She doubted it.