"She does not belong in your world"

The Architect floated forward and stood behind Adryenn who had turned fully to face him. "What are you doing in here?"

"The least I could have done is give Kale some food." She exclaimed "I would not have him starve"

"Leave us" The Architect put his hand on her shoulder. She hesitated.

"I promise I won't harm him"

Adryenn looked back at Kale who nodded and with that she meandered round the Architect and left.

"I take it you already know my child's identity. As I said she no longer belongs to that world"

"Nor does she belong to yours" Kale spat. "You had no right to take her!"

"My methods may have seemed cruel by your standards but I am not here to debate your laws"

"My death then…you have decided?" Kale said stoically.

"No, I have a proposition for you." The Architect waved his hand and the cell door opened. "You are a knight Ser Kale, trained to protect your charges, defend even if it means your life. Tell me? Would you protect Adryenn if given the choice?"

Kale did not have to think about it.

"I would….I would die for her."

"Well then…I give you this choice! You may stay here with Adryenn if you wish, train, learn, study…Or…I will return you to the surface but you alone…what is it to be?" He beckoned Kale out of the cell.

Kale hobbled forward and came to stand opposite The Architect.

"I will stay with her…I believe this is the Maker's will."

"Very well!" With that The Architect raised his hand once more at Kale's eye level and a brilliant light engulfed him, healing his wounds.

Kale inspected himself…he felt better.

"Come!" Without another word Kale walked with the Architect back down the passage.

—-

Adryenn walked down the stone staircase in the main chamber towards her room.

"You have been with the human"!

She turned, Wrayth was leaning on one of the pillars near the bottom of the staircase with that usual distorted smirk on his face. His red eyes direct and penetrating straight into hers.

Adryenn's hand clutched her dagger handle, ready to draw.

"You dare touch me again…"

"I won't…not yet…I can wait Raven! You see, I have this wonderful gift of patience. I know The Architect plans on using the human and not destroying him. Why should it concern me." He pushed himself off the pillar and walked to the bottom of the stairs where Adryenn stood a few steps above.

"Patience for what?...your kind have no feeling…no soul…you are hollow…devoid of everything." Adryenn remained guarded

"Previously perhaps…but I know what I want. I am not interested in conquering Raven nor destroying the humans, dwarves, elves. They may have their pathetic lineal existence, kill each other over land, wealth and continue their pointless lives…I only dream of eternity…with you."

Adryenn stepped back further up the staircase. Her ears deceived her surely? This is what Wrayth wanted? A future with her…disgusting…it made her want to wretch…as if she would even consider it.

"You are blinded by fantasy and…I don't even know what!...to I think I would even consider it…YOU DISGUST ME!"

Wrayth chuckled.

"As if you had a choice…you belong to me Raven and only me. This is your future and your existence. Whether you come willingly or are dragged screaming. When the time comes I WILL SAVOUR IT."

He laughed a sadistic laugh which bore into her very soul. In a flash he disappeared in a cloud of magic.

Adryenn collapsed on the stairs. Tears falling…she wretched several times.

"Oh no…no…what am I going to do?...I said I had accepted my fate…but this…"

"RENN!"

Kale came pelting down the stairs. He knelt to her level.

"Kale"

"Are you hurt? You are crying." He put his hand on her cheek.

"I am…I…" Renn tried hard to form her words but did not know what to say. She looked up into Kale's eyes and the thought came to her. "You are here?...You are free…" she was caught somewhere between a laugh and smile."I am glad!" Pushing her fear down she rose to her feet with Kale's help.

They both descended the stairs and came to stand opposite each other. Kale knelt to one knee and looked up, taking in the beauty of this woman.

"Lady Cousland, by my honor I swear to protect you. I will be your sword, your shield…your knight."

"Kale what are you?..."

"Ser Kale has chosen to stay, my child." The Architect came out of the shadows by the stone fireplace. The fire lit his features, dancing off his gray skin."He will act as your protector when I cannot."

Renn looked back and forth between the two, until coming back to Kale who was still knelt in front of her.

"Kale, have you taken leave of your senses? Why stay here…surely…" She turned back to The Architect. "You…you would sentence him here? A fate worse than death."

"Renn, I chose to stay…The Architect offered me to return to the surface but I refused."

She slowly paced back to join Kale as he stood. She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity.

"Forget your senses…you have lost your mind!...I am glad your life was spared but I meant what I said before…you do not belong here…if the dark does not kill you…drive you mad…then Wrayth surely will."

"And that my child is why he should stay!" The Architect floated closer.

"You cannot think Kale is any match for him? He is strong…ruthless…even I was overpowered…even with my new found abilities, so you call them."

"Not all strength is measured by taking up arms, Adryenn, some is by wit and cunning, strategic." The Architect gestured to both of them. "Together you can find your power…and it will grow."

"Come…let us show Ser Kale around the citadel" With that Renn sighed and both followed the Architect back up the stairs and into the many tunnels of the complex.

Weeks passed, Kale and Adryenn, like she before, spent their time training, reading, even laughing which was rare in this place. She even introduced him to her horse, Argo, who had grown fond of the young knight.

Wrayth had not been seen since that encounter in the main chamber but Renn still feared and felt she was constantly looking over her shoulder. His words resounded in her head no matter how she tried to forget them.

"I have the gift of patience…"

Why not just get it over with, why wait?! Wrayth had already revealed what he wanted and could take her anytime. She had told Kale of this encounter. He had spouted the usual fool-hardy response about "I will kill him before I let such a thing happen" and other such ill-advised notions. He had not felt Wrayth's power…the darkspawn emissary was an ever growing threat…one that should never be underestimated.

—-

Hey Friends! Seem to be on a roll with this story now.! As you have probably seen I started writing it years ago but am determined to get this finished. I know it won't be great but please like, follow and review! Thank you all for reading.