Straydog Saga

Flea 18: The Midnight Tree Growing Anywhere

Hanariel's visions had shifted in recent days. The visions of Shandori had stopped all together since the ones that caused him to slap Iona Sagesmoke, forever marked his mind. Despite his familiarity of the scene, he felt his heart longing for new territory and pain that was not his own. He asked "why" over and over as the sight of an awkward youth came shuffling out of his favorite library. Silvermoon was quiet. The only buildings that were even open before 11:00am on a Sunday were the few early-bird eateries and libraries. He saw his former self nearly stumble on an uneven crack in the stone walkway, which would surely be fixed sometime that afternoon. The clumsy younger Hanariel managed to steady himself as a few books from the stack he carried found their way to the ground. Though he had not aged much since the time of the memory, he looked thinner, frailer than he had become since his meditations at Mydrassil. When young Hanariel reached down to pick them up, a few more fell from the top. Young Hanariel blushed a little when he realized there was another pair of hands helping him control the shifting stack. The beautiful, well manicured hands belonged to one of the young women who worked at the library. He often stole glances of the blonde-haired beauty but never had many chances to speak. She smiled with glossy lips at the titles that adored the dusty old tomes.

"Training in the ways of the light are you?" Her voice made his throat collapse. He fought against the heat that spread all over his body and thanked whatever gods would listen that the stack in his arms allowed some coverage of a certain area below his waste.

"Y-Yes. W-Well just doing some light reading, heh." He managed to squeak. The sound of his clearing throat and the sight of his trembling hands made her smile widen.

"How interesting…" She sweetly spoke. "I've always been interested in studying the light but I come from a long line of librarians, you know."

"Uh, huh…"

"I mean it's not glamorous or anything but someone needs to do it."

"Uh huh." Younger Hanariel's mind seemed broken. No thoughts or words seemed to dwell in him. It took all of his current will power not to drool at the sight of the thin beauty.

"Well I best be going, be sure to bring those back when you're done, alright?"

"Uh y-yeah…"

"I'll see you then." She devilishly smirked, planning a quick kiss on his violently red cheek before shuffling back into the building. Young Han looked like he was about to take off like a volatile goblin rocket. The present Hanariel scowled as the scene around him began to drain. Unlike the other visions he was at the helm.

"ENOUGH, I don't want to see this!" Hanariel shouted, mentally forcing the branches from his mind and body. In a matter of moments the vision was gone and he was sitting in his safe room, surrounded by warm sunlight and a placid forest that resembled Eversong. He did his best to calm the thunderous beating in his chest as a few branches still slithered at his feet. His brow furrowed as sweat dripped onto his thick blond beard. "Why did you have to show me that now, why today?" He panted as the twisting branches offered no response. He stormed from the safe room and into the winding paths in the upper bough. In his sickened state he almost bumped into a school teacher as she led her children from a trip to the lower trunk back to the nursery. He paused, brought himself fully into the present and profusely apologized. It was then a familiar small voice called from the gaggle of school children.

"Han! Han!" Inge shouted, waving her hand as if he could somehow not see her, the only human among the small class of elf, Tauren, and gnome children. The school teacher accepted the priest's apology before turning to encourage her most verbally challenged student to continue her thought.

"Hello Inge, I haven't seen you in a while." Hanariel gave a bright smile that made the little one giggle.

"What do you say to the nice man, Inge? You say…"

"H-Hello Han! How. Are. You?" The action caused a good deal of praise to burst from the elder woman's lips as Inge did a little dance in celebration. Hanariel offered to help escort the children to the nursery as a few bold-minded younglings decided the interruption would be a great opportunity to wander off. Han grasped little Inge's hand as he continued to encourage her to speak, earning him any grateful glances from the other adult. She went from expressing herself in grunts and the occasional piece of a word to telling Hanariel about her favorite color (pink), animals (cats and butterflies), and foods (candy and cake). She even managed to form a few simple but inquisitive sentences. He was more than happy to listen and tell her all about whatever she wanted to know. When the group reached the classroom, Inge's hand seemed forever glued to his own. But after some coaxing and promises to visit were given, Hanariel bid the energetic youngsters a good day and found the dreadful reaction to his vision slowly returning. He found himself taking the portal to the lower trunk several hours early in hopes that the bawdy people of the common wood might distract him long enough to let his mind forget about something he never wished to see again.

Keesha's abilities were growing stronger by the day. But no matter how powerful her shadow spells and arcane attacks became, the vicious roots seemed to keep pace. Archmage Nightgaze had grown busy in the past few days, leaving her in peace to conduct her own lessons. The thought seemed to bring an approving smile to the mage's bearded face and Keesha welcomed the lonesome concentration. At first she seemed to cull the gouging roots with little effort but as they came together in greater numbers, Keesha felt her breath begin to pound in her ears. The rumbling fog that hummed in her hearing did not slow her down too much but the occasional vicious scratch did make its way onto her person. With a constant yet growing volume, the brief flashes came with each painful strike. Weeks prior they had only been mildly annoying whispers, easily dismissed as the result of waning concentration. But as time went on the voices grew louder, with images flashing in the back of her mind. She did her best to avoid another terrible strike, her efforts to conquer the roots seeming no closer or further away than when she first started. She began to think, as she usually did when the sweat began to roll down her chest and back, about the puzzle presented by Nightgaze. Another root grazed her shoulder, with it the image of a young woman being slapped and called "worthless." She quickly moved out of the way and shook the image from her thoughts as she tried to focus on the puzzle.

"What tears apart a bright new start and pulls us to the lifeless dark?" She gasped, a large root nearly striking her in the stomach. She nimbly dodged it, and cast a fire spell far more potent than she thought would ever fly from her fingertips. "That haunts our steps with stark regrets, never missing the mark?" Another scathing twig struck the back of her calf, nearly tripping her. With it came a deep male voice that made her blood freeze. Another came and then another, stabbing her flesh like it were nothing but loose meat. As she furiously ripped the roots from her arm and hand, images of a dark rune, imbued with her own innocent blood began taking hold. "A-And from it flee, never do we, escape its senseless spark. But in the face of dim disgrace, one must find the start!" She cried as blood from the tears in her arm began to drip onto the floor. She could think of nothing else, not the images or the words as one great root bore down on her. She used every bit of strength to leap out of the way and ran to the door, slamming her first on the rune that controlled the opening and closing of the exit. The woven door began to spin into what resembled a part of the root-made wall. As the giant root slammed against the door, Keesha sank to her knees, blood and sweat dripping to the sandy floor. She clutched her shoulder, an alarming numbness growing in her hand.

"Keesha, are you alright?" A familiar voice asked. Keesha turned to see Trenton's color-drained face scanning her injuries.

"F-Fine, just." She flinched as a slight spasm went through her arm.

"I'm getting you to a healer. Up you go." Trenton asserted, leaving Keesha no time to protest. He helped her on to her feet and started heading in the direction of the portals.

"H-Haven't seen you around much."

"Lord Nightgaze…reassigned me. I just couldn't keep up with the root training. I'm sort of glad I couldn't." He remarked with a smirk. The humor was not lost on Keesha but the pain in her arm overtook any urge to smile.

"I'm starting to wonder about it myself." Keesha coughed. The pair made it to the healer's tier just in time for most of the feeling to drain from Keesha's fingers. She ignored the look of disapproval from the fair haired human priestess she half-heartedly healed the deep gashes and long scrapes. While feeling was restored to her extremity, welts remained where open wounds once bled. Keesha muttered her thanks and tossed a few silver pieces in a small donation jar and exited to find Trenton waiting for her.

"All better?"

"Somewhat…Han would have done a MUCH better job. You think for people with two hands for healing they'd be able to get it right." She sighed, trying to cover the marks with her short sleeve. Trenton shrugging and the pair started walking in the direction of the trade district.

"Yeah, they're not really very good at all but what can you do? It's the best that's available to people like us." He softly snorted. Keesha felt her smile fade a little.

"Maybe not. Like I said if Han were around he would have helped out."

"Meeeh Han this, Han that. You better be careful that Nightgaze doesn't find out you've been hanging out with him so much. People in the roots are starting to talk."

"Why is it any of their business?" Keesha scowled. She knew how Trenton and especially Lord Nightgaze felt about those of the light cloth. And months ago she would be among their most enthusiastic number. But time spent with the gentle priest coupled with the thought of being judged by those whom she barely spoke to let alone cared about made her tick in annoyance.

"I'm just saying be more slick about it. I mean I don't care who you sleep with, I just better get an invite when the two of you get bored." Trenton cackled as he narrowly missed getting punched in the head. He did not escape her claw like grasp however and could not help but laugh in pain as hard but not injuring punches struck his back and shoulder.

"Ow- Ow, take a joke!" He laughed as she finally relented. "Damn, defensive much?" Trenton asked, noting a slight blush on the warlock's face.

"So are you headed back down then?" Keesha asked, hoping to murder the subject completely and move on. Trenton nodded, citing that there were far too many judging eyes in the crowd that time of day. Keesha saw him to the portals but decided to stay in her favored spot. She started walking to one of the decks for a snack, occasionally rubbing her still sore arm. But a small smile formed as thoughts of her meeting later that evening. She was used to doing the wrong thing, to sneaking around for less savory reasons. But the thought of childishly breaking rules of little consequence made a part of her heart leap she didn't know still beat. The hours seemed to pass like a growing glacier. Each painful minute did not seem to erode her excitement. But when the time came, well after many had found comfort in their rooms for the evening, the pair met for their daring holiday.

"Is that you under all that blue, Han?" She smiled at the deep blue cloak that covered his form. He pulled back his deep-ocean colored hood with a smile.

"Well being a glowing beacon all the time isn't very good for this sort of thing. You look a little tired, are you alright?" He asked, noting the welts on her arm and slight bags under her eyes.

"I'm alright, let's get going. Roots first? Nightgaze should be in his chambers by now." She whispered. Hanariel nodded with a small smile and spark of excitement in his arcane-blue eyes. But a flash of worry overtook the glee as the elf assessed her attire.

"We should stop by your chambers before heading to the branches. It's cold up there, twice as cold as on the decks; you'll want your cloak."

"Nah, I'll be fine. It's been hot as hell all day." Keesha spoke and motioned for Han to follow. Her assessment of the weather was not mere bravado as many of the residents, even those who dwelled in the upper branches found themselves dressing a little lighter that day and well into the evening. The pair passed the portals to the roots, favoring a less direct route. The deeper they went, the darker their surroundings became. Keesha found the entrance that she and Trenton first took upon their arrival and a cool smile came to her face. She peeked her head in and squinted as if looking for something.

"Hey Han, your eyes are brighter than mine, can you see the switch?" Keesha whispered. Though the glasses-wearing elf could not see as well in normal circumstances, his arcane-glowing eyes did give him a slight advantage in darker places. He could see what looked like the opening to a wide tunnel. Leaves and small buds adorned its woven walls.

"I don't see…" Han's eyes went wide as he felt something strike his back. Loosing his balance he fell forward and slid on the wet root. He let out a shout as he went flying, face first, down the twisting slide of a tunnel. Keesha gave an amused cackle before leaping in herself. Han did his best to quiet himself but the wind at his face and the twisting turns turned the terror in his mind into delight. He knew they were supposed to be discrete but Hanariel found he could not control the energetic shouts that came from within. Some of the buds that lined the walls burst open into crystal –lights that hummed with arcane energy. But a jolt of fright wracked Hanariel as he felt his body leave the solid root, air cradling his spinning form for a few terrible moments before he reached the opposite end of the slide, landing on his rear feet first. When Keesha reached the gap she planted her feet on the end of the root and propelled herself into a somersault before landing just a few spaces behind him. Realizing that the end of the slide, which led to the main guard room full of alert water elementals, was approaching fast Keesha straightened up to shout.

"Han hard left, LEAN LEFT!" She shouted. Han, arm raised and smiling, complied. He rolled off of the main root to find himself being caught by flexible wooden arms. Each one slowly lowered him down to the next before gently dropping him onto a large pile of white and blue sand. His heart was racing as he struggled to slow his breathing. He looked beside him to find Keesha being deposited into the same sand pile. The dim blue light revealed her devious smile.

"Got'cha!" She giggled. Han looked away for a moment before turning back to her to reply.

"C-Can we do that again?" He quietly panted earning him a soft laugh and the shaking of Keesha's head.

"Maybe later, come on."

"Give me a moment."

"Come ooooon." Keesha playfully sighed and stood, offering the priest her hand. She grasped his single hand with both of hers and pretended to strain backwards to lift him to his feet. She helped Hanariel brush the wet sand from the back of his cloak and led him into a secluded hallway. "There isn't much to see just yet but people don't really go this way too often…lets see." Keesha stopped for a moment when they reached a fork in the hallways. She tapped her finger to her lip a moment before focusing her vision on the far right tunnel. "I think it's this way." She mused. It only took her a few moments to realize the winding hallway chosen was one the lead anywhere she had been before. While she did have extensive knowledge of the root system from her days and nights wandering the main halls, her memory of the lesser traveled paths was thin at best. The lights grew dimmer, the hall narrower and wet. Han twitched as annoying little drops of water tapped his hooded face.

"Are you sure this is the way?"

"It is, I think." She trailed off for a moment, nearly tripping over a hidden root. The action seemed to send a shock though the tangled hall, causing closed buds to burst open, flooding the narrow space with light. Keesha and Han felt themselves freeze, as two figures in the blinding hallway appeared just a few steps ahead of them.

"What the hell?" One voice hissed as he desperately clawed in the blinding light. He seemed to be reaching for something, striking spots on the woven wall.

"I've got it." A woman's voice sighed as her long, red-painted fingers gently pushed in a small, flower-shaped button. The lights dimmed to normal levels as the four struggled to adjust to the sharp changes. Keesha felt her tension drop at the sight of the dark haired teen standing before them.

"Trenton? What the hell are you doing here?" Keesha hissed with a quiet tone. The other woman, a human with jet back hair, dove white skin, and crimson lips, looked to the young man who's mind seemed to by flying as fast as the flash of light that assaulted them. Trenton's look of shock quickly turned to one of mock annoyance.

"What am I doing here? Trying to get laid, that's what. Go get yer own hide-y hole!" He spoke through a forced grin as he felt a pale hand caress his shoulder. Keesha knew the young woman, a human mage of noble blood named Roxanne. Despite her sinister appearance, she never seemed to have an ill word for Keesha or many at all. Hanariel felt a slight heat in his cheeks but could not help but smile for his fellow male.

"Whatever. I'm trying to find the water room. How do we get there from here?"

"Go BACK the way you came, through the eastern hall, up through the east stair, and it will be on the left. And for the Titan's sake stay the hell out of the main hall. There is an assembly there tonight." Trenton informed as the second pale hand reached for his hip. "Get going, will ya?" Keesha gave a reluctant nod of thanks before turning to lead Hanariel in the direction of the water room. When they were out of earshot, Roxanne gave a small laugh.

"That was some quick thinking. I'd hate to see you apply that fast brain in lessons, you might actually achieve something for once." Roxanne shook her head as Trenton turned to face her.

"My mother's mate did well in instructing me to watch over them. Imagine if they'd gone any deeper…"

"I'd prefer not to. Lord Nightgaze would have both our heads. But they should be out of trouble I'd think. You don't have to stalk them the rest of the night do you?"

"Apparently I must. But I might be persuaded to stick around a while if my quick thoughts impressed you so much." He bargained with a glint in his eye seemed far brighter than the illuminated hall. With a seductive smile she slowly moved her hand from his shoulder and pushed the flower shaped button. The lights slowly dimmed and with a slight effort from her magical fingers the gentle blue color that bathed them turned a deep, siren red. The last thing Trenton saw before the lights faded completely was a pair of soft crimson lips leaning in to his own.

Meanwhile Keesha and Han, through a few set backs and turn arounds, finally found themselves at the entrance of the water room. It looked like any other woven door, trickling with a constant stream of water and the occasional lichen forming on its wooden skin.

"There may be other people in here but when I come this late, I'm usually the only one there." She informed as she slowly touched the door control rune. Slowly the door began to unravel, revealing a dimly lit foyer. As Hanariel entered, he felt his heart leap. His mouth slightly opened in awe of the vast open space. The water room, held together by strong magic, was like a deep-sea aquarium without walls or boundaries. A sandy floor with a few colorful pillows was the only defining point in the infinite watery abyss. As Hanariel walked deeper into the magical room, he saw a school of colorful but unknown fish float by like deep-see clouds. Their electric skin illuminated the nightscape, revealing a host of kelp and other deep dwelling structures.

"Keesha, this is amazing!"

"I thought you'd like it. You're surrounded by the sea but its one of the few places down here that doesn't drip on you." She smirked. "I guess you could say it's my 'safe room.'" The smirk she wore faded slightly but no frown dared replace it. She watched as Hanariel moved to the very barrier that separated him from a watery deluge. He touched his single hand on the smooth surface to find no glass keeping the elements at bay. The surface was cool and wet. He could see small ripples forming around his fingers and in his inherent craving for arcane magic, found the magical room strangely dry.

"What kind of magic is this?"

"Elemental is my best guess. I never really bothered to ask, I just enjoy the view when there is one. I guess it'd be easier with those eyes of yours." She informed, taking a seat on one of the throw pillows, hugging one to her chest. Her human vision only saw the dark depths of the night-bathed sea, but Hanariel's eyes captured a plethora of strange creatures floating about their business.

"It's a good thing you didn't show me this sooner, I'd never get anything done." He said with a slight laugh.

"Well I'm glad you like it. Now that I know the back way I can probably sneak you in again."

"N-No, you shouldn't. If we get caught your teacher will be very angry I'm sure." Han cast a concerned gaze to Keesha but all her perception could capture was a slight childish disappointment behind Han's words. She closed her eyes and shook her head with a wide smile.

"It's ok I'd rather be in here with…someone to talk to instead of lessons anyway." Keesha choked on the words that nearly stumbled from her lips. She felt a wave of relief as Han's eyes once again became transfixed on the teeming ocean, the adult reduced to child-like awe hoping to catch a glimpse of his favorite sea dweller: a whale shark. The heat had returned to her cheeks and she was certain they were growing flushed. A crowd of thoughts flooded her mind but none escaped into the cool air between them. Her deft mind managed to flee to another subject. "You like the ocean?"

"Love it. My elder brother and I used to go fishing all the time back home. We'd catch sunfish in the morning and eat it for supper. My mother made the best seasoned sunfish you ever tasted…" He spoke, enthusiasm slowly receding like a low tide. He could feel his memories creeping up on him. Times filled with warm sunny days running to the shore, his brothers always managing to beat him to the best fishing spots. He cringed, an action not gone unnoticed by a pair of warm brown eyes.

"I miss my mom's homemade whole grain bread myself. I haven't been able to eat it since…" Keesha fell silent. The loss shared between them seemed to crash into her. She always did her best to forget the things that always seemed to drag her down but the thought stayed, as did the images of the day she stopped being just another small town girl.

"Since?" Han turned for a moment, nearly doing a double take. Keesha seemed to stare, eyes wide and full of forming tears at something unseen. "Keesha, what's wrong?" Han's voice seemed distant in her ears. All she could hear were the screams, the desperate pleas before the sound of crushing skulls and gurgling throats. She felt a hand on her root- scrapped shoulder and shrieked, the image of one of Arthas' Elvin allies slowly fading back to the present. A sort of current seemed to burrow through her as the image of Han standing beside her with a strange look of shock and worry came into view. His eyes seemed to twitch as his mouth hung a little agape. She placed her trembling hand on his. The action broke the strange connection, snapping them both fully into the present. Hanariel gasped.

"Stratholme…" He spoke, seemingly out of breath. The blue-bannered streets and cobblestone pathways he had seen a few times in his youth were unmistakable. Keesha felt her heart drop.

"W-What?"

"What were you thinking about just now?" He asked, causing Keesha to cringe and look away. Han sat beside her and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Please tell me." He soothingly asked, doing his best to quiet his racing heart.

"You saw something didn't you?"

"I did, when I…" Han slightly shifted when he realized his hand was still resting on her shoulder. He quickly removed it and demurely placed it in his lap. "When I touched your shoulder, it was almost like my visions in the safe room but I didn't feel anything connect with me."

"W-What did you see?" Keesha looked to him, visibly shaken with her arms crossed.

"A very dark day." He shuttered as a small realization dawned on him. Keesha would have been alive then, a young woman at most. She ate simple meals of soups and breads in her human upbringing. She hadn't eaten whole grain bread since her mother's passing. "You were there, weren't you?"

"…yes."

"I'm so sorry."

"I survived didn't I?" She coldly spoke. All the warm friendly energy that surrounded the warlock seemed to evaporate. "What I don't get is how you were able to see that. Didn't know the branches went this deep." She gave him a sharp glare, mistrust rising up within. But not even the sternest look could persevere in his angelic, mournful gaze. She gave a heavy sigh and looked to the floor, Han unable to do much else but the same.

"I don't know either. Lately I've been able to interact more with the branches, drive them away if they get too intrusive but you know I'd never invade your privacy so brazenly. I-I'm sorry." He sighed. He could feel his form begin to tremble. His strange abilities and profound insecurities seemed to be crumbling the foundation of their friendship. He looked to her with pleading eyes for understanding, desperation and remorse as plain as the beard on his face. But something in him managed to overtake all of the fear that long dwelled in him long enough for Hanariel to utter "I wouldn't do anything to screw this up." He instantly wished to erase the sound as Keesha's vision slowly turned to rest on him. He looked away, no words coming to mind.

"Screw WHAT up exactly?" Keesha said, heart pounding in her ears. Despite the constant energetic thudding, she managed to keep her expression annoyed and accusatory.

"Uh, I mean-"

"What DO you mean?"

"I-I mean, us. Our friendship, it means a lot to me..." Han trailed off as Keesha began to giggle. At once, the web of tension that bound them seemed to be dismantled as Keesha pointed one finger out to poke Han's tomato-red cheek.

"Got you again." She smirked. But unlike the previous time, some retaliation came. With a devious smile, Han moved to unleash the most devastating wave or tickles his hand could muster. He lacked the strength to both pin her down and tickle the warlock but Keesha made no real attempt to escape. Only when his fingers grew tired did Han relent. Keesha grasped his hand with both of hers and moved it away as she attempted to catch her breath. A slight glance at his appendage made her eyes go wide.

"H-Han, your hand!" She gasped, quickly sitting up. She pulled his hand up for a moment so both could see the strange, golden rune that seemed to permeate to the bone. "Do you see that?"

"I-I do!" He marveled, seemingly as surprised to see the mark as she was. Before both their eyes, the golden eye pattern seemed to grow bolder as intricate patterns began to form down his hand and onto both sides of his forearm. Keesha pulled the long blue sleeve down to reveal more of the golden pattern forming.

"Does it hurt?" Keesha asked, the concern in her eyes causing a small but confident smile to appear on Han's face.

"I didn't even notice it until now. You're familiar with runes, what do you think it is?" Han asked, causing Keesha to focus on the patterns that seemed to stop at his elbow. She removed her glove and touched the surface of the glowing marks. Though their magical nature was evident, Keesha felt no power in them. There was no light or dark properties, no hint of arcane or fel interference.

"I've never seen anything like this. You said you saw my memory when you touched me, that's what probably triggered it. I'd say lay off the branches for a while." Keesha suggested, pulling Han's sleeve back down and into place.

"Speaking of…d-do you still want to visit the branches tonight? We don't have to take the whole tour but, there is something I'd like to show you. T-To make up for this."

"A-Alright, if you're sure you're ok." Han nodded and stood, offering his strangely marked hand to the warlock. The pair left the water room, continuing to forsake the main halls until they reached the portals to the upper trunk. Keesha peeked out into the main hall and when it appeared that no one was in sight they made their daring dash to the upper trunk. A short walk and another set of portals later they were in the upper bough. Unlike the roots, everything was crisp and illuminated. Light seemed to dimly resonate off the white-barked branches that were the walls. They walked as quickly and as quietly down the hall, towards the portals to the Pinnacle Bow. As the turned at a slight bend in the winding hall, Han stopped cold, sending Keesha crashing into his back. He shoved her back as gently as he could and placed his hand over her mouth. From around the corner Lady Whitedeer, rolling her eyes under her mask at the pair, walked past. Keesha and Han froze, holding their breath. But to their relief the steward of the tree didn't seem to notice their presence and even seemed to hasten her steps down the wide hallway. When at last she could no longer be seen Han removed his hand from Keesha's lips.

"That was close."

"How in the hell did she not see us?"

"Must be the mask, come on." Han implored. When they entered the portals to the highest point of the tree, Keesha felt all warmth escape her form. Despite the heavy heat that surrounded the roots and lower trunk the air in the high branches was icy. She felt a shiver run through her as a warm swath of blue fabric graced her shoulder.

"I told you it'd be cold." Han mock-scolded as he moved to undo the clasp on his cloak. Keesha stopped the action.

"I'm fine, Northrend was colder than this!" Keesha found herself shouting over the howling wind. Though it whipped through the branches, the sturdy limbs swayed very little.

"That it was." Han smiled and pointed to the sky. Keesha felt her mind go blank. Her eyes strained to take in the majesty that sparkled above her. She felt nothing but awe as she carefully moved further up the curved branches. The leaves seemed thinner where they stood, allowing them to view the spectacle unhindered. Far above the tree was an aurora made of arcane chaos. All colors graced the sky with their magical dance, allowing only the brightest stars to shine through the shroud. In its silent majesty, the sky beyond Mydrassil's reach seemed unaware of their wonder.

"Han this is…"

"Lady Whitedeer took me here the night we arrived. She thought it may be a nice place for nightly meditation if the wind decides to be calm or if the safe room proved too claustrophobic but I never really made use of it." Han saw the mood in Keesha shift again. No tears came to her eyes but the sorrow emanating from her was palpable. He lowered his voice and took a step closer to her. "Are you alright?"

"I am…I just wished I could have seen this before things went bad. Back when I was young and fresh and magic was something for rich folk to play with. I don't know I'm just having one of those nights I guess." She sighed and looked to her companion with a small smile. She was still a little shaken from what happened in the water room but something seemed to warm within her despite the icy wind whipping against her bare shoulders. Han shook his head and moved to drape some of the warm cloak over her form, careful to ensure his hand didn't rest any place Keesha would find objectionable and possibly curse-worthy. To his relief she moved to further cover herself in the flowing fabric, but the feeling was short-lived when she drew closer to him to do so. He did his best not to fall off the branch as blood rushed to his face itself and cleared his throat.

"F-For what it's worth, I find nothing about you old and rotten. You're far too pretty to say that about yourself." He near squeaked. Hanariel cursed himself in every language he could think of for his inability to sound like anything other than a pubescent boy when faced with such situations. His thoughts momentarily carried him to that horrible vision he's seen that morning. He did his best to shove the nightmare aside and focus on the woman beside him who gave him a soft expression he'd never seen from her before. It seemed a gentle combination of hope and disbelief.

"You think I'm 'pretty'?" she asked, seeming to expect some kind of punch line. He could see it, clear as day in her features. The wind seemed to hush, as if anticipating the answer. Hanariel felt his cheeks cool and his back straighten, if only just a little. He knew his next words could be damaging, they could cost him someone he truly valued. But he decided then that fear would not rule him any longer, the vision of his youthful folly lay vanquished in his mind.

"Keesha, men like me don't get to speak to woman half as beautiful as you. Why do you think I could barely look at you let along carry on a decent conversation when we first met?"

"Err—because I'm a warlock and holy people despise people like me?"

"No, it was because you hardly wore anything and you well—look the way you do. Look, I'm a priest, and an elf, yes but I'm a MALE first you know? And as Trenton so aptly put it, I'm not exactly what women look for in a mate. Why do you think I was so happy when this thing grew in." Han pointed to the beard that Keesha often liked to tug. "I thought, at most, I could only seek friendship with you because I didn't think you'd have any interest in me, that I wasn't worth your time or attention. Many women in my life have taught me that lesson. I even had one girl pretend to date me just so she could get close to my older brother. And for a long time I thought, yeah Han, don't bother. But the more time I spend with you the less I feel that way. I don't care about your race or your calling Keesha, but one thing you will not do is say such negative things about yourself again, not in front of me anyway. I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean this to turn into an ambush…" Han stumbled, his confidence loosing steam. He felt Keesha turn a little to face him, her long back hair brushing against his chest. She seemed to be chewing on the words, mind trying to interoperate the words be they palatable or sour. When she finally decided to swallow the meaning their eyes met.

"You really mean all that, don't you?"

"I do."

"It took a lot of guts to say all that."

"Trust me, I nearly soiled my dress." The two cracked up laughing, Keesha leaning forward to rest her forehead on his collarbone. Her arms moved, soft hands resting on his shoulder blades. She could hear what she thought was a heart beating in his chest, though the sound could be mistaken for a heard of stampeding horses. He had expressed himself haphazardly but honestly in her ears. If he was willing to travel outside the safety of friendship and risk the comfort it offered, she would at the very least meet him half way. She leaned up, slowly, and in a tender motion the pair felt lightning shoot through them through a long and gentle kiss. Keesha nearly smirked through the kiss as the normally timid priest moved to deepen it, an action she only encouraged with her traveling hands. When both needed air the wondrous sensation came to an end thought their faces still remained close.

"I need to try this bravery thing more often." Han laughed as the wind seemed to grow fiercely cold around them. As Han reached to brush some loose hair from Keesha's face the glowing runes seemed to spike in brightness. Keesha reached to comfort any pain caused by the strange runes but once again, Hanariel insisted he did not feel it. The only thing he could feel in the strange scene was the warmth within and the beating heart of the human woman he loved.