-Chapter Thirty One-
They all stumbled slightly as firm ground slammed under their feet. Everyone grunted as they caught themselves.
"Ugh, remind me not to do that again!" Shandra groaned.
"Well, we could wait for you to ride here, but I for one have better things to do. This is so much faster and efficient," Sand replied snidely.
The area around them was dusty and arid looking. There was only a sparse amount of vegetation and that was mostly weeds and grasses. They were in a small ditch looking out over three arches with braziers under each.
"Hmm, seems kind of barren to be called a 'haven.' Doesn't look so friendly does it?" Shandra murmured.
Bishop snorted. "Maybe he's heard one too many of your stories? I'd hide too. That or bore an arrow through my skull, either are better alternatives."
Shandra opened her mouth for a retort but Lana intervened. "We don't have time for this. Let's move in and get on with it."
They fought their way through several shadow mastiffs before heading to the main courtyard of the haven. A large construct stood guarding the entrance. It informed them they must complete three trials in order to gain entry.
"But I thought being the blood of Jerro would be enough," Shandra whined.
"Nothing is ever easy. Whining won't help make it any easier," Lana retorted.
Shandra harrumphed but followed Lana as she ran towards the first of the braziers they had passed.
The first two trials were straight forward. After battling numerous shadows, fire elementals and the ghost of a shaman, there was only one trial left. The Path of Determination stood before them. It was a small bubbling pond of acid with a geyser of spring water at the end. The guardian had informed them that a small vial must be filled from the geyser.
"Looks like one for me," Lana groaned. "You all stay here, I think I can make it through since I'm not weighed down with armor," she said nodding at Shandra and Casavir.
"That's acid Lana. Don't try anything fancy, please use caution. This is not the place for heroics. I know you can do this, I am here should you have need of me. I hope you don't this time," Casavir said stepping before Lana.
She smiled slightly before her smile once again clouded over darkly. "Agreed Casavir. Don't run in if I should fall. Just leave me, I'm… it's not worth it."
"Let me be the judge of that. Now go," he said with a forced smile.
Lana unstrapped her rucksack and swords, setting them neatly on ground. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath before leaping forward. Lana leapt like a dancer, touching the ground lightly before bounding to the next spot. Casavir could see her face grimace as she touched and knew the ground was eating at her feet. Lana finally jumped to the safe dirt embankment around the geyser. She knelt and cautiously dipped the small vial into the water then quickly corking it. She stood and tucked the small vial into her bandolier for safe keeping, squared her shoulders again while surveying the ground below and taking another deep breath, plunged forward.
Casavir was sure she would make it with only minimal damage to her feet until she nearly reached the end of the field. As she stepped near a small bubbling puddle, it erupted. Sickly green and sticky fluid clung to her exposed skin. The acid had splashed across the whole side of her body instantly eating her flesh and blackening it. She screamed in agony and surprise stopping where she stood. Casavir jumped forward, but Bishop caught his arm.
"No, you'll sink right in. You can't move through this fast enough. You heard what she said," the ranger barked at him.
Lana stood on the small spot of solid earth, shaking in pain. Casavir could see tears streaming down her face in effort to force herself to move forward.
"NO! Stay where you are!" she screamed. Casavir could hear the pain in her voice, but knew she was right.
Casavir ground his teeth together as he fought to remain at the edge of the field. Lana pursed her lips and took three more bounding leaps, each landing painfully uncertain and wobbly. She jumped the last puddle of acid standing for an instant in front of Casavir before collapsing. He barely managed to catch her as she fell headlong.
Casavir laid Lana gently down, her head resting in his lap as he knelt on the ground. He snatched his rucksack from his back and dropped his tower shield with a clang. The paladin closed his eyes, blocking out the world around him as he focused all of his thoughts and energies inward. Images of Lana flashed through his thoughts as he centered them to the healing he must do. Casavir placed his hands palms down hovering slightly over Lana's angry boiling skin.
Tyr, I come before thee as a humble servant. I pray to thee that thou might grant this healing I ask of thee. This woman is in great need of thee; please aid her this day as she seeks to bring forth justice and righteousness.
Casavir paused briefly. I have need of this woman. Please lend her thy strength. I love her and do not want to be without her. Please allow these wounds to be healed so she may return to me again if it is thy will.
The paladin's hands glowed casting a warm yellow light over Lana's blackened skin. Shandra gasped as the wounds began to shrink under Casavir's hands until there was nothing but pink, healthy skin where the wounds had been. Casavir opened his eyes to see her restored skin, falling back onto one arm as his energy drained from him. The world spun sickeningly as he fought to regain his balance.
Sand and Bishop jumped forward to brace the paladin's shoulders. They helped him into a sitting position while Shandra shifted Lana's still unconscious form to her own lap. Shandra knelt beside Lana and gently stroked errant strands of hair from the rogue's face.
"Lana? You need to wake up honey," Shandra gently crooned while caressing Lana's face. Lana did not stir and Casavir was certain he could not see her breathing.
Casavir sat taking deep gulps of air. He had given her more of his life force than he had realized. Her wounds had been graver than he had first thought and the effort of this laying on of hands had been considerable.
They waited for what seemed an eternity, watching Lana and allowing Casavir to regain his strength.
"Is she alright? Is she breathing?" Casavir inquired faintly. He still could not see the rise of fall of her chest and feared the worst.
Shandra nodded, her face full of concern. "She is breathing Casavir. You've done all you could. It is in the hands of the gods now."
They waited several more minutes waiting and watching. Casavir stroked Lana's hair and face while murmuring softly to her. Unchecked tears slowly coursed down his grime streaked face.
"Please don't leave me. I need you. Come back to me, I'm waiting for you Lana. Come home." As he watched, her eyes began to flicker behind her closed eyelids. She inhaled deeply as her eyes flew open.
Shandra gasped grabbing Sand in a tight embrace. The wizard grunted in shock but smiled as Lana struggled to sit up.
She stared at Casavir before looking down at her skin then taking in the tear tracks on his face. "Did you do that?" she said indicating where the wounds had healed. Casavir nodded.
"And it about knocked him flat too. That acid really tore into you," Shandra piped in.
"Is that true Casavir?" Lana looked searchingly into Casavir's eyes.
"It is my lady. I have told you I would always be with you. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you. It's time you start believing me."
Lana smiled gently while reaching out to stroke his cheek. "I know Casavir. You did too much…but thank you." She leaned forward kissing him softly on the mouth. When she broke the kiss Casavir could see her eyes were full of sadness. She looked away quickly as if trying to hide from him. Lana stood with Shandra's assistance as Casavir regained his feet with a steadying hand from Sand.
Lana looked around as she slowly strapped her blades and rucksack back on. "I guess we should finish this up. No time like the present," she said with a deep sigh of resignation.
The guardian moved aside at their approach and they entered the large doors to Jerro Haven. As soon as Shandra stepped through the doors, she shimmered and disappeared in a flash of blue light.
"That can't be good," Bishop grunted.
"Let's hurry. We must search and find her and the wizard. Hopefully he means her no malice. It is a slim hope, but it's all we have. We better move fast," Lana responded grimly.
Lana and the three men made haste through room after room, dealing with the various demons in each area. The demons were all encased within summoning circles but each held the power to use the portal behind them. Each portal was linked to the adventurer's ultimate goal and hopefully Shandra.
They defeated a small wave of erinyes before entering the room containing the second demon. As they entered the room, a scantily clad erinyes stood locked in a summoning circle. She smiled seductively at the three men, looking each man over.
"Your presence here is an itch I may scratch, paladin. But I am certain you know what that feels like, crawling inside you, difficult to keep in check," she closed her eyes, licking her lips. "Or have you already scratched that itch? Hmmm," she leered at Casavir.
Lana stepped angrily forward before Casavir could reply. "Leave my companions alone, demon. Deal with me or no one at all."
"Do not put yourself in danger for me - if she strikes at us, I will stand beside you, not behind you," Casavir replied to Lana. Lana looked briefly at Casavir with a nod.
Bishop snorted. "I've known my share of banshees, but at least they weren't stupid enough to get trapped inside a summoning circle like you."
The erinyes turned her attentions upon Bishop with a glare. "Trapped... in circles... such curious words. Are they taken from a memory, ranger? A memory that carries the scent of blood with it? "
Bishop paused for a brief moment, pondering what the demon had said. He looked angry as realization struck him. "Well, now - if you're going to go cryptic on us, maybe we should just put you in a tomb right now."
She smiled but it was frigid, "There is nothing cryptic in my words - and nothing hidden that is not written on your features and in your mind. How long has it been since you defended a woman as you have now? Shown a kindness? Or has life been servitude, always trapped in one circle within another, ever narrowing? Have you spoken the secret you keep locked tightly or will you let it strangle you like an ever tightening collar? Do you follow to be allowed a sniff, only to be snubbed time and again?"
He stiffened at her words as he tried to wrap his mouth around a protest. "I hold no secrets. You want to play guessing games? Then guess what I'm going to do to you next," the ranger retorted hotly.
The demoness chuckled. "Then you have spoken to the woman you call leader, revealed yourself to her? I think not." Bishop began to draw his blade to attack but Lana put forth a restraining hand.
Lana jutted out her chin and said haughtily, "Enough of this banter; I need your help gaining entry to the laboratory."
The erinyes smiled coyly. "Oh, you do, do you? I'm sure we could arrange a mutually beneficial agreement. In fact, I already have something in mind."
"Why am I not surprised?" Lana muttered under her breath.
Lana and the demon woman struck a bargain and the four hastened to carry out the arrangements.
After completing the erinyes' bidding they returned to her chamber.
"You have supplied the information I requested, so I will fulfill my end of the agreement. I will help you gain entry into the laboratory."
Casavir stepped forward and whispered into Lana's ear. "I don't like this. She will betray us any chance she gets."
Lana grimaced slightly. "I know, but we have no choice. We'll have to be careful – thank you for the warning."
He placed a hand gently on her shoulder, "I stand with you. Whatever treachery she may plan, you will not face it alone."
They rushed onwards, facing two more demons before finally gaining access to the inner chamber.
Lana and the three men entered the portal and after quickly taking in their surroundings, Lana stepped forward. A loud, piercing wail ripped through the air when she put her foot down on the stone floor.
"Well if you wanted to announce our arrival, at least you could have let me call the butler for some sandwiches first dear girl," Sand commented arrogantly.
As the last words dripped out of his mouth, a large menacing warlock stepped out from another portal.
Lana's eyes went wide in shock. "YOU!" she shouted as she recognized him from their encounter in the moonstone mask. He was the one they assumed to be the King of Shadows and here he stood. His face glowed eerily with bright blue tattoos etched over his face and bald head; he had broad shoulders and a ruddy goatee. His face was locked in an angry glower.
"You have entered unbidden. It was a mistake, and it will be your last," the man barked, his voice was an angry rumble and had the sound of gravel being shaken in a bucket.
He stopped looking quizzically at Lana for the briefest of moments before smiling. His smile was not pleasant; it was full of malice and hatred. "And I see you brought a present. I have been searching for that shard and here all I had to do was allow it to waltz in. I will be more than happy to relieve you of that."
"Save your threats. I've been waiting too long for this and I don't plan to wait any longer," Lana snarled. She raised her blades and launched an attack.
The warlock unsheathed a flaming blade and countered her swords easily as he pushed her away with a malicious grin. His sword arced, leaving a line of red through the air against her blue and red flames as he tried to swing at her head. She locked her blades in an 'X', barring his frontal assault. Lana held his blade between hers, pushing against the glaring warlock and pinning him.
She sneered and with a grunt of effort, shoved him backwards. He stumbled, quickly righting himself as she lunged. Lana blocked his blade with one her swords and used the other to pierce his unprotected side. His eyes went wide in shock as she released her blade free from his torso. Lana's face was a snarl of anger mingled with effort as she pushed her advantage.
The warlock grabbed his side with his free hand grimacing in pain as blood bloomed across his robes. With two thwaps like a meat tenderizer into a chunk of beef, two arrows lodged themselves deeply into the spellcaster's sword arm. With a scream of pain, he looked in shock as Bishop stood with bow still raised, another arrow nocked and ready.
Lana took the moment of surprise lunging again, knocking the warlock to the ground. He grimaced in pain, still trying to hold his side while shielding himself with his upraised sword.
"That's it? Get up!" Lana raged.
"This is not over. You think you have won? This haven is the source of my power." He grunted in pain as he lurched to his feet.
"You are stronger then I anticipated but I will bear this indignity no more. All that are in my sanctuary are fuel to my power!" The warlock raised his arms and a fierce glow of blue light flared around him.
"I can control the air you breathe, summon fire from the very walls! You think you and your companions can stop me!" he growled. Flames shot from the walls, singeing Bishop and Sand, knocking them to the ground in surprise. They groaned returning to their feet cautiously. The fire had blasted them but the burns had not been significant.
The warlock raised his arms and brought forth a monstrous wind. The gale encircled them all, blinding in its ferocity. Lana and her companions could do nothing but cover their faces from the fierce winds as it whipped at their clothing and hair.
"This is the end for you! You are nothing!" He howled.
As quickly as the wind had been raised, it ceased. The spellcaster stood in the center of the room, a look of surprise etched across his glowing features. He staggered and grunted, "Uh, wha..?" The warlock grabbed at his chest, seeming to be in pain. He stumbled, backing away from Lana and bolting through the open portal.
"Now that was unexpected," Sand commented sardonically.
Bishop grunted, "I'll say."
Lana looked at them to assess the damage. "Everyone alright? Good, we must follow him quickly through that portal."
"Why did I know she would say that? I hate when I'm right," Sand groaned as they all ran toward the shimmering portal.
Lana jumped though, Casavir following close on her heels with Sand and Bishop only seconds behind. They landed at the main entrance to find Shandra collapsed on the ground at the spellcaster's feet. His back was to them but he did not turn at their entry.
He was staring hopelessly at her as he fell to one knee. "Granddaughter? How can that be? I have no…"
"What did you do?" Lana whispered, hurt choking her words.
"I say we kill him for what he did to her," Bishop snarled. Lana looked at him and nodded agreement.
Sand looked at the kneeling man, his eyes wide. "This is Ammon Jerro? He's not the King of Shadows, but…"
Casavir cautiously knelt beside Shandra's lifeless body as he felt for a pulse.
Lana looked down at Casavir. "Here," she said unstrapping her rucksack quickly and kneeling to rummage through its contents. She withdrew a scroll. Lana began the incantation watching Shandra hopefully once she finished. Shandra remained unmoving and not breathing on the cold stone floor.
"But that was a scroll of resurrection and nothing happened. Casavir, do something," Lana looked hopelessly.
She shoved Ammon's shoulder roughly. "If you had just waited, we would have explained everything. Stand and face me or die where you sit Jerro!"
The warlock stood but put his hands spread palms up in a sign of surrender. "I deserve to die. She was just a girl, and my family. Stay your weapons though least this tragedy leads to another." He leaned over to place a hand on Casavir's shoulder.
"It will do no good. She is gone beyond anything you can do," Ammon said grimly to the paladin.
The warlock stared intently at Lana. "But where I have done one great wrong, maybe I can make again what should be right. Maybe I can rectify this in some small way and save us all."
"Bring the girl's body," he said quietly to Casavir. The paladin nodded and once he stood with Shandra's limp form in his arms, Ammon raised his arms. In a flash of blue light, they all vanished reappearing in the courtyard of Crossroads Keep.
Guards rushed at them but Lana stepped forward quickly. The guards halted with confusion on their faces. Lana issued orders and other Greycloaks ran forward to take Shandra's body from Casavir. The men transported her to the church to make burial preparations.
Lana looked at Bishop and Sand. "Thank you both. Go have a well earned rest if you wish and be sure to address those singes."
Sand nodded and Casavir heard him muttering, "I'm never going to get the smell out of my hair."
"In my office NOW" Lana barked at Ammon and indicated Casavir to follow.
Once the three were in her office with orders to not be disturbed, Lana threw her backpack roughly on her desk then pulled three chairs close.
"I think you better explain yourself. We have been hunting you for nearly two years, thinking you were the King of Shadows and now…"
Jerro looked at her with emotions fighting across his face. "I, the King of Shadows? The irony is almost amusing." He sighed in exasperation.
"I have been fighting the King of Shadows for more years then you can imagine. It is my sword that you carry now, a piece of my sword you have lodged within you."
Casavir and Lana inhaled in surprise.
Ammon continued in his deep gravely voice. "The shards you seek were the ones I now seek again. The rituals we both have performed were to allow me to once again reforge the sword I lost so long ago. And now you fool of a girl have almost caused me to lose all I have sought."
Lana sat up straight. "I have almost caused you to lose that sword? How do you see that? I have carried this shard in my chest since I was a babe knowing nothing. I have pieced together information as slowly as I have acquired each piece of this accursed blade. If you sought it, you have odd ways of going about it- killing those along the way. I have not taken great efforts to conceal myself as YOU have!"
Ammon nodded, his face full of emotions struggling against her words. "You are right. There has been much hidden. I did what I thought was best and many have been harmed along the way."
Lana's face turned stormy. "Harmed! That's the best you can offer after slaughtering citizens in Blacklake and now your own granddaughter. And thanks to you, it took me over twice as long to find the information I sought in Blacklake!" Her fists clenched making her knuckles white over the arms of the chair.
"Because of that blasted sword, I have given my life! Because of that god forsaken blade, I have had my family taken away only to be given small pieces of an unending puzzle. Now if you have more information, you had damn well start talking!" Lana seethed.
Ammon looked down at his entwined fingers, "I was the one who years ago fought the King of Shadows. The blade was stolen from the gith by me and broken in battle. The details are not important, just that the King of Shadows is back and we must work together to reforge that blade."
Lana stood and dug through her rucksack. She withdrew a flat leather pouch and gently tossed it into Jerro's lap. "Then I think this is yours. You can have it back; I want no part of it."
Ammon carefully undid the bundle onto Lana's desktop. There were several smaller bundles individually wrapped in cloth. As he undid each, a silvery shard revealed itself in his hands along with a sword hilt. He laid each one gently onto the surface staring at them almost lovingly. The warlock moved one hand in a sweeping gesture, his hand hovering above the shards.
"No, the blade is no longer mine to wield. It seems to have chosen a new owner. I was wrong." He turned and stared in Lana's eyes. "This is yours now. It is your blade and your responsibility. I am sorry."
"Sorry for what? Sorry you did all this in search of a blade you no longer want? Sorry you killed innocents for it? Sorry for destroying my life and giving me a death sentence?"
Casavir knelt forward, placing one hand on her knee. "Lana, this blade is our chance to fight against the one evil that threatens us all. You have been given the opportunity to serve as few have been asked before. I know you will be worthy of this duty, I will stand by you as long as you have need of me. There is no one better then you, of this I know."
She looked searchingly into his eyes. "But I don't want it. I never asked for th…"
"No hero ever does. That is what makes you great, your heart is true and your motives pure," Casavir said quietly as he sat back into his chair.
She looked away sadly. Ammon stood and put a hand gently on Lana's shoulder. "I think if I have your permission I will go and help with the burial preparations. There will be time to talk more of this blade later." Lana nodded her dismissal but remained seated.
After the warlock had quietly shut the door behind him, Casavir stood and locked the door. He turned his chair so it directly faced Lana and sat leaning forward intently. "I think it is time we had that talk before something else can interrupt us."
She looked fearfully at him before looking down into her lap.
"I don't know what you think you saw, but it was nothing Lana. Katriona means nothing to me; you should know that by now." He gently placed a hand on Lana's knee.
"I know Casavir, it was foolish of me. I came in and saw her bent over you and… I'm sorry Casavir. I just knew I have not been paying you attention, we have been neglecting each other for too long and…" she dropped off leaving the sentence unfinished. She looked up searching his face.
"That is true and I am as guilty as you. I should have spoken to you sooner, not let things get carried away. But my lady, where were you that night? You owe me an explanation."
She sat starring into his eyes before turning her gaze once more to her clenched hands. "I do, but Casavir you may hate me when I'm done. I'm so sorry." A huge splash of a tear hit her arm and rolled down her skin.
That day, Bishop bound unannounced into my office. He had my bow in hand and said, "Let's get out of here, we need to hunt something or I'll go mad and so will you." He looked so eager, like a small boy. I smiled, it sounded so liberating and spontaneous so I agreed. I left word with the guards I was leaving but exited through an underground tunnel. There is one Bishop found, we've not told anyone. Anyway… We hunted throughout the afternoon and had some success. It had been too long since I'd been out like that, it felt so wonderful. Bishop brought down a large buck after we had been out a few hours and it was turning dark so we thought we should return. Bishop suggested we go in through the front gates. He thought is would be fun to show off his kill, have the guards take it to the kitchens for him and have a couple of drinks at the pub. The day had been so pleasant I admit I hated to end it I so I agreed.
We arrived in the pub. I went in first, laughing at something Bishop had said and then… I turned the corner and saw you there. I didn't know what to do, all thought went out of my head. I clutched Bishop's arm I remember but… I ran blindly to our room. I knew what I saw wasn't right but I couldn't think straight. I needed to clear my head and decided to lock myself in the bath. A warm soak would help me put things in order so I could see things properly.
After being in there for who knows how long, I decided I could hide no longer and decided I should seek you out. I was kneeling to release the drain when someone draped a soft towel around me, encircling me with their arms. They were warm and strong, masculine. Warm breath teased my neck, nibbling gently at my ears like only you can. I knew I should be angry, but I had missed you so. I tilted my neck, exposing the skin for you. You know that is my weakness. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment.
Those strong arms turned me, capturing my lips in a kiss. It was full of passion and I answered it. But something felt different, something was wrong. I couldn't clear my mind fast enough, was lost in the moment.
Lana stopped and looked at Casavir. "Casavir, it was Bishop. I didn't know it was him. I swear to you, I thought it was you the whole time. I would never allow… Never!" She sobbed.
Lana cried quietly as Casavir sat seething. He withdrew his hand from her knee and sat back in his chair.
She looked up, "I know you must hate me. I knew you would find me weak for not seeing the truth. You had warned me and I ignored you. I pushed him away, even slapped his face. He smiled at me and said 'You liked it, you know you want me,' and left me standing there. I was so ashamed. I dressed as quickly as I could and ran. I couldn't go to you, I was too mortified. I grabbed my gear and slept the night outside in the woods. We had seen a place earlier in the day that offered some safety and seclusion so I went there. I'm sorry, so sorry Casavir." She took a shuddering breath and continued to cry softly.
Casavir looked at her, his lover- the woman he had given his loyalty and heart to. Now she confessed to being in the arms of the man he loathed. The ranger had seen her naked skin, held her in his arms. She admitted to allowing the ranger to embrace her, kiss her.
She pushed me away instead of trusting me, held me at bay. Now she asks forgiveness. Can it be simple as that to forgive her?
Casavir's mind raged against the images of Bishop with her, her naked flesh encircled by the ranger's arms, his lips crushed against hers.
He sat up straight in his chair as the idea hit him like a bolt of lighting. Casavir let out an involuntary chuckle. Lana gave him a look that suggested she believed him to have lost his senses.
"It seems we both had a busy evening. If we had only talked, this was nothing but a huge misunderstanding. While I admit if Bishop were here, I would enjoy nothing more then to string him up by his… Well anyway, it is done. I cannot be angry with you, why would I be for having the same thing happen as myself? I am not a hypocrite although others would say I am many equally foul things."
Lana still stared at him as if he had taken leave of his sensibilities. "Lana, you have done nothing wrong. It was a mistake and one which you punished yourself more ruthlessly then you deserve. You are right that I have warned you about him. You turn a blind eye to the ranger but that does not mean you asked for this to happen anymore then I asked Katriona. I imagine, knowing him and his lust for you…"
She looked curiously at Casavir. "You cannot be as blind as to not know the ranger lusts after you my lady? You really have turned a blind eye to him haven't you?" the paladin said gently.
"No, I just thought… I just thought he needed someone to understand him. He's a good man if given a chance. I thought we were friends. I've told him I was not interested in him like that long ago, he knows of my feelings for you."
"Yes, my guess is he saw an opportunity and took a chance hoping to catch you in a moment of weakness. He nearly did. I'd bet he was surprised when you slapped him. I do not think too many women have turned him away. It might come back to haunt you Lana."
"How so? Do you think Bishop would betray me?"
"I know not. There is not much in the way the ranger thinks that I understand. My guess would have been as soon as he could not have you, he would have left. Maybe he sees you as a challenge although I have been wrong about him before. He stays and leads the archers in training when I thought he would flee or at least not give any aid. Bishop has dutifully served the keep since we arrived and since I have known him, served you asking nothing in return. Maybe you are right about him in some ways, but use caution."
Casavir sighed, "It appears that for all the battles we have seen, we are both quite naive about many things. It is an error I do not intend to repeat."
Lana sat back in her chair nervously. "So this is over? All is forgiven?"
Casavir chuckled deeply. "I should like to put this behind us as I imagine you would. I think we have learned much. It would seem the best way to move onward is to take better care of one another."
Lana stood a shy smile on her mouth. She stepped forward and lowered herself onto his lap. "I think that sounds like a fine idea. I believe the next thing is to make up. I've heard this is the best part of a fight. I intend to find out." Lana encircled his neck with her arms, kissing him slowly on the lips.
Casavir broke their kiss with a smile. "I agree wholeheartedly my lady. It is a good thing I locked the door."