*Yet another chapter. This time I hope to introduce some of the characters a little better. Anyway, Caleb's journey continues.*

Caleb suddenly woke as a piercing gale rocked the hideout. As he got up, he noticed his two guests were still asleep. Quickly, he got dressed, and hurried outside to see what the commotion was. He soon found himself in front of a blizzard, snowflakes dotting his pale skin. He, along with his company, won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Sitting on a nearby chair, he waited for his companions to wake, albeit impatiently. The first to do so was Usara. Moaning slightly, she clasped her head as it throbbed and wondered what the hell she was going to do face now.

"Glad to see you're awake, my love." Caleb purred.

Usara shot him a menacing glare. "I am NOT you're love, you sick bastard. I would rather be damned than suffer such a fate."

"Angry, aren't we?" Caleb spoke, hints of amusement in his voice. His face then softened. "Actually, that is not what I want to talk to you about. First, we need to get to know each other a little better. I feel as if we got off on the wrong foot."

Usara's eyes widened in horror as she took in what Caleb said. "You don't mean…" she whispered in shock.

Before she could continue, Caleb immediately cut her off. "That is not what I meant Usara. Get your mind out of the gutter and listen to what I have to say. What I want to know is this: How is it that you are a mage?"

Usara's shock-stricken face melted into one of sadness. She pulled her legs up to her chest and stared solemnly at a wall. Caleb could tell he struck a nerve, but this was his intention from the very beginning.

"I don't want to talk about it." She whispered.

"Fine." Caleb sighed, "If you tell me your story, I will tell you mine. But beware; it is not for the faint of heart."

Usara's eyed drifted in surprise to her captor. What is he plotting? She thought.

"Well…" she began, "Alright. It's a dark tale, Caleb. You see, I was once part of the Uther family, a rather renowned one at that. It consists of a long line of Hunters, Druids and Priestesses. We were also known for our strict stance against the arcane arts. I originally wanted to be a Priestess of Elune, serving the goddess with all my might. And so, one day, while an elderly wizard was visiting Darnassus, he gave me one of his books. Said it was his gift for me being so beautiful…" here, she blushed.

"Interesting." Caleb lied.

"…But…" a tear fell down her face, "The day that wizard gave me that infernal book was the day my world started to fall apart. My father, the esteemed druid Dorn Razorick Uther, found out about this ordeal and was furious. He knew my passion for the arcane outmatched his anger, so he took pity on me. He hid my terrible secret from the rest of my family for months…" here, another tear fell down her face.

"Please, go on." Caleb gently ushered.

"Alright…" she paused to collect herself, "I then thought naively that all was well, and that my secret would remain hidden. However, my father slowly became consumed by something at first I didn't recognize, but soon became apparent to me. It was fear." She paused again.

"Fear is a heavy burden to bear…" Caleb mused.

"Indeed." Usara replied, "The fear eventually drove my father mad. He would yell violently at me at times, threatening banishment unless I abandoned my cause. I told him I refused. He then told me that I would regret my words. He then vanished without saying so much as another word. And now I come to that fateful day…" she paused once more. Caleb could tell she was on the verge of spilling a torrent of tears.

"Please." Caleb clasped her hand gently, much to Usara's surprise, "I must know the rest of the story."

"Very well…" she sobbed, "One day, a banquet was made in honor of my family, as well as some of their friends. All was well, until I arrived. Suddenly all eyes were upon me, but they were not the eyes I expected. Some were filled hatred, others with pity and some with fear. I had no idea what was going on until my father made his announcement. He told everyone our secret. As the uproar started, my father calmed them and asked me what I had to say for myself. I then told him that the Uther family was petty and pathetic, and that his rule was weak. Gasps then erupted from the audience, but eventually died down. He grew tired of my insolence and told me that if I wanted to remain in the Uther family, I must vow to forever serve him…" tears were now flowing down her cheeks.

"Please…" Caleb whispered. He didn't know how, but he felt sadness. She was the first person to invoke this feeling ever since…

"Yes…" she managed to continue, "I boldly told him that I serve no one. With his staff in hand, he told me that I left him no choice. The audience dispersed as our fight began. Needless to say, I was no match for him, but I fought anyways. With a quick incantation, he teleported both of us to the trunk surrounding or land, Teldrassil, as he dangled me over the edge. He then told me that it did not have to end this way, and that this path was of my own choosing. I give him one last smile before he released me. I fell to the sea and, after about a day of floating around, I was picked up by a traveling guild. I decided to join and after that, I've been everywhere. The arcane was all that was left to me…" she finally burst into a sob that was muffled by the pillow.

Caleb slowly lifted himself up and walked over to the bed were Usara was weeping. Removing the pillow, he grasped her, pulling the night elf into an embrace and patting her back. The sobbing suddenly stopped as she was caught off guard by Caleb's act of compassion. Caleb was even more stunned by what he was doing. He didn't know what was happening, but what little remained of his humanity surfaced. Perhaps there was more humanity left in him than he could know. He truly didn't know.

"Caleb…" Usara whispered, shuddering slightly.

"I promise I won't leave you." Caleb spoke gently. Just what the HELL is happening to me? Caleb thought furiously.

Without another word, Usara motioned to face him. Moments later, as they stared into each others glowing eyes, Usara planted a kiss on Caleb. He melted as she did this. This wasn't like the last time. This was genuine. Their kissing continued for a little while before Caleb decided to give the night elf a little tongue action. She was surprised by this and melted even further into their act of passion. Caleb's revenge didn't matter at this moment. Arthas didn't matter at this moment. Right now, he was just a man with a woman in his arms.

"Well, this is a nice surprise." Both Caleb and Usara were caught by surprise as they turned to face Arthas. "Don't mind me." Arthas spoke again, "I heard everything. And you have my sympathy, little night elf." He shot her a cocky grin.

"U-uh…Thank you." She stammered.

"Glad to see you were paying attention." Caleb spoke calmly, "We should first get something to eat and then…We'll have a talk."

"Hey." Usara grabbed Caleb's hand. A small smile spread across her face."You still have to tell me your story."

"I promise I will, Usara." Caleb responded placing a small kiss on her forehead.

Hm mm, Caleb thought as the three of them moved towards their respective tasks, looks like things aren't going to be so bad after all.

*There you have it. Reviews are appreciated. The story will progress more the next chapter.*