[A Cold Winter] We Have A Plan

Kane eyed the horizon quietly, it had been a long couple of weeks for them all, Ascondia had complained of one thing or another and Alvin was slowly becoming less patient with Kanes temperament toward the Queen.

It was as Kane pushed up from the cold snow he caught the blade against the back of his neck, instinct took him for a blade only to have it snatched away

.

“Easy now fella” A cold tone caught him “We don’t wanna be killing ya”

As Kane turned the whole group were pinned with blades to their throats, Ascondia was ranting about been the Queen with Alvin reminding them assault of the Queen was punishable by death.

“Now just why is our great Queen out so far from her nice protected throne?” The captor crowed in reply

“Because occasionally we have more important things to worry about” Kane snapped in reply “Now how about you release us and we all go our own way and forget this whole thing happened, before it gets real ugly real fast”

“We’re the ones armed good sir, and you all will hand over your coins then we’ll be on our way” The leader or at least Kane figured he was the leader as the other four had their attention on him, the fourth held a bow to the group of Alvin, Ascondia and Aishani.

“Five on Four my love what do you figure their odds to be?” Kane tossed the remark to Aishania a playful glare in his eye

Aishani flicked her golden eye to Kane from her position beside him, a smirk forming upon her plush lips, while from her hand pressed against his but in the contact there was the sense of something solid being placed within his palm. By feel, it was clear that this was a throwing knife that was strapped upon her thigh but removed in enough time before being caught off guard by the bandits. "Depends..." She purred.

That is when he felt the static build in the air, a sign of Aishani preparing to possess the ability drawn on her by the webbed markings, blink. Her hand lifted in a lightening fast strike to the assailant that held her pinned by her throat, blinking to stand before him and utilize his own weapon to plunge into his gullet. Then before the others could react, the static increased when she appeared to the man keeping Ascondia pinned to slit his throat while the other was shot in the leg with a throwing knife. Turning to step forward in another issued blink, but something appeared from the forest. In a flash the archer was skewered, with a bloody choke. Now, Shadow have arrived at the perfect time.

"Keep the gimp, alive." She said while blinking to fall to her knees before Shadow, caressing those dangerous legs with her mitted hand and crooning to the arachnid that was the size of a large dog. The front legs lofted and lightly tapped at her shoulder.

As the blade reached his hand Kane took a step forward then ducked under the leader ending behind him his hands snapping to the front and back of his head and one sharp turn the resounding snap of the bones in his neck sent him to the ground.

The others barely had time to react as the emerald flash of flame saw him behind Alvins captor burying the short knife into his spine not fatal but crippling. The arrival of shadow saw three dead and two injured but for the moment alive, Kane simply spun the blade in his hand beore retrieving his blade.

“The problem with raiders is they always think they have the upper hand” Quietly he wiped the blade on one of the fallen before turning to face the others “So I’m going to assume this wasn’t random, no one in their right mind attacks the Queen”

“No milord, Regal said we could do it” Groaned the one Kane had dropped moments before “said you’d be good for coin, also said you weren’t exactly yourself of late, he said you were weak”

“Said you were no threat” Piped the second of their captives.

“Had this attack been a week earlier I’m fairly sure they’d still be dead, my point is why would you attack” Kane now crouched before the one he had injured his blade pressed to his cheek “Just for the money?”

“Yes milord, Regal said it would be easy, said you wouldn’t hurt civilians” Kane laughed coldly “You threatened the Queen, we already established the punishment for that, and as for us we are little busy with something so this is time I don’t need to waste”

Aishani straightened from her arachnid companion, while the blade spider moved at her side to lift those front legs in the direction of Ascondia and Alvin, almost as though deciphering the threat those two possessed. She glanced to Shadow then placed a hand upon the lifted leg, as though a silent communication was relaying between the two and reluctantly the pulpits stilled. "Shadow speaks of another. Who else did you happen to bring with you...?" She growled softly, walking through the snow, the white blanket crunching beneath her feet to grasp the hair within her slender fingers to yank back and force his eyes to peer deeply within her own.

“N … n … no one” He croaked under Kanes blade, the weight had nicked the flesh of his cheek sending a trail of blood down his cheek “I swear to you mailady”

Aishani narrowed her gaze to the man, nearing him with a tilt of her head while leaning closer to him and gliding her tongue against his cheek to lick the trail of blood and whisper beside his ear. "I don't like liars..." She growled, yanking his head back then releasing her tangled fingers from his hair, straightening. She then narrowed her gaze to the surrounding area outwards from their current position, while a flash of blades flew through the air, aimed for Ascondia. Such things happened in a matter of seconds, leaving Aishani to reach with a step forward and disappearing only to stand before the Queen with a smirk, grabbing her and then the static of a powerful pull caused them to disappear and appear near Kane in the next moment as throwing knives were lodged into the snow.

Snow fell from a tree, surprisingly high up, as a figure wrapped in leather crouched like a perfectly poised panther, ready to strike. Her hair was darker then night, while her skin resembled the snow but was kissed with a subtle red to the tip of her nose. Lips a deep red while her eye's held an intents black hue. 

At her hip was a long sword, sheathed. A cloak wrapped her shoulders, hood down, while nestled between the beauteous full bosom was a necklace with a red ruby, incrusted in silver and that is when Kane would recognize the sigil of Rexialis House. Such was a well-known house to deal in all illegal trades, including the flesh, thieves and mostly the best assassin's but after the Dragon Wars, seemingly dropped off the face of the realm. But, now, he was face to face with one.

Kane didn’t hesitate as he kicked his captive back into the snow, rising straight to the full 7 foot frame that suddenly looked far more dangerous than he had in some time, his eyes darkened as he watched the newcomer.

“We have enough problems to deal, they just keep coming today” His eyes stayed on the newcomer as Alvin moved to put himself between Aishani and Ascondia “I have the Queen covered Lady Aishani, I fear Lord Kane may need you”

“You know me so I’ll leave you to do your introduction, though a family reputation for murder mayhem, slave trading and more leaves little guess work”

The female remained calm, while balancing herself perfectly on the limb without so much as a hand for balance. Aishani rounded from behind Alvin to stand at Kane's side, with Shadow at her side protectively. This female simply tilted her head to the side while the smirk grew to a wolfish grin now. Now, in a thought the Rexialis House, it was run by the Billote's since a marriage bound the two houses together to give birth to a ruthless group that was primarily all family in the higher ranks.

She remained at a height, to gain an overall perspective of the group below her. Those dark eyes flashed as though assessing the situation. Extending her arm back while retrieving the hand with a flash of blades upon the fingers, like a fan with a flick of her wrist, she sent the knives through the air as the female turned to rush further away utilizing branches as her leverage. She meant to escape.

Aishani was already in pursuit, feet crushing in the snow, then silent in a leap up that landed her on the branch that the female previously had occupied, flashing from one branch to another. Even with the ability to blink, while Aishani was gaining on the female, she still was faster. Shadow gave chase from the ground level and was exceedingly faster than both fading into the distance, when Kane would arrive, he would find a flash of weapons and a web was being created to trap the female.

Kane eyed the female a light nod to Aishani before closing in on the woman his eyes had grown cold and his patience all but worn thin his blade snapped the tree above her head carving a chunk from the tree with ease.

“Let’s try this again, you know who I am, I already figure your from Evermore, so my guess would be Dragons Keep, which means you’re working for my father, which means you’re not leaving this forest alive” Kane shrugged calmly “I’m tired of fighting with his support troops trying to slow me down, because he knows I will kill just about anyone to get to my daughter, so anything you wish to impart on me I suggest you do so now before I allow my lover to pluck you apart piece by piece, or Shadow”

Kane eyed Shadow for a moment “Take your pick” his voice was unnaturally clam and any emotion was drowned in the wave of frustration that now boiled just below the surface of his patience.

There was a thud and the crack of a tree branch that sounded like thunder in the otherwise silent skeleton of a forest, followed by a grunt. Then steps in the snow, as though, someone was fighting in the distance. The sound of fist meeting body was heard, while this was short lived and Aishani came back with a trickle of blood from her nose. Her plush lips were twisted in a triumphant smirk, Shadow was behind her, as the struggling female was wrapped in a netlike web and being pulled.

The female growled and cried out while attempting to chew and pull the webbing apart, Aishani then stopped at Kane's side, clearing her throat. "Now, let's try this again. Kane, my love, after you." The female within had a swollen eye and a split lip, not nearly as beautiful as before while her black eyes flashed dangerous, similar to a cornered animal. Aishani ran a finger to her bloodied nose, while licking the digit clean.

Ascondia had now caught up her eyes flashing dangerously as she closed in on the newcomer. As she rounded on her Kane caught her wrist.

“Get off me Kane” She barked angrily.

“Stay put!” Kanes voice was cold and sharp enough to make Ascondia throw him a glare

“I am the fucking Queen and she will answer to me!” Ascondia snarled back

“You’re the Queen, with one guard and a really pissed off demon, a giant Spider and a drow, you might want to think where the threat is actually coming from” And with that he nodded to Alvin who pulled Ascondia to the side

“Tempers are a little frayed as you can imagine, so if you’d care to tell us what we want, maybe I’ll forgo slitting your throat”

The female in the webbed netting simply sat and glared at all of them, those dark eyes like chips of obsidian. "I'm sorry, I seem to have been running away, when you were shouting at me. I missed everything you asked...my name. It is Virra Billote. You are Kane...you must be the daughter that psycho bitch, Z'ress, is after and will stop at nothing to get." A smirk spread upon her split and bleeding lip, spitting the blood into the snow and staining it red. "I followed that ... spider. I didn't know an Elcarus had the potential to summon and control such a creature."

Aishani grew bored while crouching in the snow, her attention diverted to Shadow, a smirk on her lips. Then she stood, while nearing Kane. "My love, Aerian is alive. Not doing well...but, alive."

“And we’re still a day or so out even without rest” Kane sighed softly before looking to Virra “You are correct the spider is not my trick, as you said we cannot do such things, Aishani on the other hand” Kane smiled softly “Let me put it this way you are of House Rexialis which pretty much makes you a wanted criminal across the entire realm, I will make it go away, for you, providing you help me get my daughter and brother out of my fathers hands”

Kane quickly drew a map into the snow “We can’t go in the main doors their mages would tear us apart before we got close, there is however an old cellar that collapsed right before my grandfather died, which leads into the old detention cells and then into the newer ones, we can get in and out quietly, providing we know what’s waiting for us and what condition Aerian and Hades are in”

"You mean that red head and guy...that kinda looks like you? Wow. You really are Ceremon's son, he made the same deal with my father. The terms were to protect the house in a long term sense...Hey, wait! You can't go near the castle..." She stopped mid-sentence, then fell silent, poking holes with her finger in the snow beneath her.

Aishani flicked her gaze up from the map that was being drawn to the girl, narrowing her eyes upon Virra. "My love...I'm going to knock her out..." She growled, it was clear the venture and having to tolerate the Queen, without intimacy, was definitely winding her up to be dangerous, her patience wearing thin.

"What good would that do you?" Virra spat. "Besides, you don't know what is awaiting you, should you arrive. That entrance you spoke of is not really hidden anymore. After all, if I know about it and Shadow does...then." She shrugged passively, tentatively touching her lip. "You really think, it would matter? No protection could keep me safe from my father or the House. As you said, I'm a wanted criminal, better off dead then by his hand."

“And I’m Kane Elcarus, she’s the Queen we can actually make YOU’RE crimes disappear” Kane was careful to ensure she understood this was to her and her alone “You can take residence In Dentarius there isn’t a place that’s safer, well except the mansion but … still we will proect you as if you are our own, and you might want to be aware Ceremon has an army of lunatics with no real power between them, he collects them like pets” Kane stood striding back and forth with though for a moment “So yes the redhead and guy that sort of appears like me, not the crazy one you understand the one they have locked up, time is running out, I need to get to Aerian, I need to know what we’re walking into, please I need your help”

Kane could feel the frustration fighting with the fear of losing his only chance to pull his daughter out in one piece “I failed her once before I’ll be damned if that happens again, you have my word you will be protected with all the power of House Elcarus and Dentarius itself” again he made sure she understood this was for her and her alone.

There was silence from Virra while her dark eyes looked over Kane and then Ascondia skeptically. When Kane stood, Aishani placed a hand of comfort and support upon his bicep with the curl of her nails into the thick coat that he wore, her delicious aroma slithering in his sense, crisp as the fallen snow around them to further such stability from her.

"Fine. I'll help..." Virra whispered, as though her voice trembled. "Just let me out of this...web...net...thingy..."

Kane spun on his heel rounding on her “I’ll trust you, I expect you to do the same” With that he ran his hand over Aishanis shoulder gently “Let her out” as he turned  to face Ascondia and Alvin his voice dropped “We’ll set up camp here tonight, it’s late, she’ll need time to rest”

He sheathed his weapon at his hip and turned to face Virra “And you will tell us all we need to get them out, that’s our deal, once they are out and safe so are you” Alvin was very quickly busy with erecting the tents against the dark backdrop of the forest, Ascondia as ever was complaining a Queen shouldn’t have to erect her own tent much less sleep rough each night as they had for some time now.

Virra's eyes flashed to Aishani when Kane gave his lover the go ahead to release her. Aishani briefly nodded to Kane, moving over and releasing the tether fasten to the webbed netting by whispering a few words and it melted away, she then turned to move and assist Alvin in lifting the tents up. 

But, suddenly, Ascondia was cut short of her complaining while a snowball was thrown in her direction, Aishani leaned down packing another, tossing it up and down in a threat, her plush lips formed into a coy smirk. "I think...you can pitch in. I'll help teach you how to pitch your OWN tent." She tossed the snowball aside and moved to assist Ascondia in rising. "But I am NOT going to do it for you when you have two able hands. We are all in this together, quit...your bitching."

Virra was rolling over laughing in the snow now, to the sight of Ascondia. "I like her. I take that back, you are nothing like that psycho bitch, Z'ress." But, at the venomous glare cast by Aishani, she scrambled to rise and moved over to the map. She considered it for a moment in silence, then settled down and beginning to add on more cells and drew frowny faces even a penis and a pussy, snickering but then smothered it out. "I'll explain everything once things are settled."

Kane reached into his back pack pulling out a length of rope eying Virra for a moment “Do I need to waste my time tying you up, or will you behave while we go get dinner?” It was a statement rather than an actual choice an inclination of trust.

Quietly he rose to his feet collecting his bow as he threw a glance to Aishani and Ascondia who had at least stopped complaining and was busy erecting her tent, Alvin had already begun preparing the fire. He waited until he felt Aishani at his side as they ducked out into the forest in search of their next meal.

Virra rolled a shoulder passively to Kane's words that left neither trust or lack thereof. Her dark eyes were startlingly beautiful against her porcelain skin, a lazy one-side smirk formed upon her lips, leaving him to believe this female was always up to no good. In a way, reminding him of Aerian. But, she extended her arms forward with her wrists next to the other. "Got it, Kane. Might be best...for now, if not for you but for me."

It took sometime before Aishani moved to his side, her golden eye flashing upwards to him with a nod. When they ducked into the forest, Shadow came with them, an extra hand in capturing a meal.

Kane edged along his foot setps barely registering, impressively quiet for a man of his size, he ducked between a growth or bush and high rising rocks out into an isolated cove of sorts.

The moment she followed him through he rounded on her his lips capturing hers hungrily for a few moments before he dropped back. “I wanted to thank you, I wouldn’t have gotten this far without you, or Shadow, and I’m pretty sure our dear Queen would have long since lost her head” he rolled his shoulder slowly with a smile.

“I know all this isn’t helping things, for either of us in a lot of ways, but we’re almost at our destination, I am finally feeling far better all thanks to you” He smiled softly as he crept toward the edge of the lake, the water crystal clear and ice cold as it vanished over the edge and down into the waiting rivers below “We will hit Evermore soon, the terrain is terrible and weather worse, I don’t know what’s to come and that bothers me”

Shadow passed them, while leaping from tree to tree, skittering soundlessly on the snow. Aishani was as though a ghost at his back, following him down and between a growth. Yet, the instant he turned, Aishani's eyes widened briefly in surprise to the press of his lips against hers. That succulent warmth sung clear into his core, stirring with the recovered sweep of her own plush surface, giving into the moment with such thirst it was insatiable. As he stood back, her eyes were closed and then lids lifted slowly, looking up to him with that golden hue humming softly in the dying light.

A smirk formed upon the luscious surface of her lips, tilting her head walking with him to peer over the edge, then back to him. She lifted a hand, covered in the mitt, her eyes fixed to him while her aroma was slithering into his senses. "That is where you are wrong. While, yes, the circumstances prevent us of...certain pleasures. This is helping us grow, Kane. We are here in this frigid hell, joining for the same cause and goal ultimately. No one ever sees eye to eye, but, the strength is growing. There is one thing, I do know. You will have me at your side to face the unknown, together we will overcome our obstacles. You are not facing any of this alone. So long as I breathe, you never will." She glanced over her shoulder sharply, then up to a tree. Across the lake, was a female doe attempting to gather bark from the trees due to the lush grass being settled beneath the snow for the winter.

Kane crouched beside her “I don’t doubt you Aishani, never have from the moment we met, my problem is I don’t know Ascondias end game and our new house guest could be walking us right into our parents hands” 

He drew the bow slowly his eyes stayed on the doe before the arrow took flight absolute and clean dropping the doe with practiced accuracy, he smiled softly as he drew back slowly, and he kissed her cheek as they walked toward the fallen animal.

“So what do you think of our guest can we trust her? She reminds me too much of Aerian and in a lot of ways that bothers, but she may be our only hope of getting Aerian and Hades out alive”

Aishani remained silent as Kane took aim and shot down the doe, glancing to him when he pressed his lips against her icy cheek and stood. Shadow was already moving to the deer, weaving a web into a net very much the same to which caught Virra, when finished, she assisted Kane on placing the body of the doe into the net. "Anyone's end game is a potential threat. But, right now, we are on fixed on getting Aerian out, Hades as well. Let us focus on this, but, be prepared. As for our...guest, I am not entirely too sure what to think. But, it does not hurt to be at the ready. She does remind me of Aerian, amusingly so. In fact, that could help our cause, especially since she has seen her and knows the exactly location."

“Yet she has yet to confirm if Aerian is still alive, or what state she was in before she followed Shadow to us” Kane sighed softly his eyes now focused on the doe “It bothers me that I don’t even know if my daughter is still alive”

As they finished wraping the doe Kane sat just for a moment allowing the pain of the situation to take hold before one deep breath pushed it all back to the back of his mind “Well time to get us all fed, we should find you something to eat as well, I know you’re not so keen on meat as the rest of our party” A soft smile that he had tried not to forget such a detail.

Aishani placed a hand upon his bicep, her display of comfort and strength. "Kane, you know she is still alive, as well as Hades. Do not give in so easily. Yes, I understand that we don't have proof, but, in my heart I know they are both alive. It would not suit Z'ress's purpose to have them dead. Perhaps, after everyone has full stomachs conversation would come easier. Not to mention, I can have a snowball ready any moment for Ascondia, believe it or not, that felt good." Her plush lips formed into a wicked smirk, but as he made the mention of her diet, Aishani chuckled. "I made sure to pack extra dried fruit, my love. I will be fine, plus it is difficult to maintain my diet in the winter, I know that."

Kane chuckled at the snowball comment “That was fun to watch” before he nodded “Another piece to the already rather large puzzle at hand it would seem, though I’m now certain Ceremon is responsible for a large piece things to come” Kane shrugged as they began the task of taking the doe to camp.

They walked back in silence as Kanes mind attempted to fit things together, as well as quell the urges that now sat just below the surface the need for her overwhelming but their task would for the moment prevent those actions. As they entered camp Ascondia had finally finished with her tent and Alvin had built a makeshift spit over the fire, he looked to where he had left Virra who seemingly was still present in camp.

Shadow skittered ahead of them in the direction of the camp now, while her presence was spoken like a scream beside him in the sensual scent that her frigid skin drifted to his senses. The thing with Aishani, was that neither needed to speak to fill empty space, each took time to savour the presence of the other. A deeper connection between them growing on this venture.

Aishani moved over to inspect the tent that was pitched by Ascondia and congratulated her on a job well done, while returning to Kane's side to assist him on cleaning the deer to cook for the others. While she preferred vegetables and fruit, it was clear she was a hunter and knew how to prepare the animal with her daggers.

Virra sat apart from the others, her dark eyes drinking everything in and watching. As her body remained relaxed, even casual in the binds fixed to her wrists, almost nonchalant about the situation.

Kane cut through the pelt with practised ease handing of the cut as it extended beyond his reach, it wasn’t long before the meat over the fire and the scent of meat wafting through the camp. Kane made one slow circle to check the perimeter before settling back by the fire.

As the meat cooked Kane offered a plate to Virra “You look like you haven’t eaten well in a while, you probably should” it was at this point Ascondia burst into another rant on why he was treating the prisoner so well and barely paying attention to the Queen, Kane simply allowed her the moment then continued with his offering.

“You don’t even care” Ascondia spat angrily

“Ascondia, you need to calm down, and realise that not everything you say is the law, and out here, even less so” Kane replied darkly “We need her, and for that she needs to remain alive, I said we would protect and I assure you that is what I intend to do, remember Dentarius does not answer to the crown”

Aishani settled by the fire boiling down snow to make a mushroom and vegetable stew to go with the deer, since she decided to instead focus on spicing the food while her and Alvin discussed the type of spices that she brought with her. She chuckled but when Ascondia burst out in her spoiled rant, Aishani turned her a bored expression to her. Beginning to hand out bowls with the stew now that the meat was ready.

Virra looked to Kane then to Ascondia. "You're nothing but a spoiled brat, I don't see a Queen right now." She said calmly, but, there was a little impishness in her tone that was relayed by the lazy one sided smirk. Patting her lap for the food. "That red head, Aerian, I think you called her...she is alive you know?" Virra said lifting some meat to nibble on. "That other one too...the one you call Hades. Poor shape last time I saw them. Apparently, Z'ress decided there would be a benefit to stripping them of their clothing."

“Hareavor torture tactics” Kane fell silent he didn’t need further pieces of the puzzle to that line Kane placed his bowl down and made his way to the outskirts his mind now turning far faster than he could handle.

Virra looked to him when he stood, her dark eyes flashing, though, she returned to eating from her plate.

Soon, there was a presence beside him, he didn't need to look in order for him to know it was Aishani. A hand was placed within his, while without a word, she lead him from the group to find a rock to settle upon and offered him a bowl. "My love, you have to eat. You will do none of us any good, that does include your daughter, if you don't eat." The rock was large enough for the two of them to sit, Aishani settled first and when Kane did, she wrapped her arms around him and folded her legs to keep him near but allowing hi enough space to eat.

He ate slowly, the wave of emotion that flooded from would be enough for her to feel, anger mixed with fear at simply knowing he was too late to prevent the attack on Aerian. As he finished he simply stared into the empty bowl “I don’t know if she will come back from this, I knew what was coming and I’m still too late”

His words were more a thought spoken aloud though for only the two of them to hear, Aishanis presence had for the moment settled him or at least given him a measure of control blocking the darker emotions from taking root “We need to leave at first light, we cannot hold off any longer that, I would go now, but I still need to rest as best I can”

He lay his head against hers as he tried to make sense of things.

Aishani remained silent, allowing him to know that she was present as he ate. Listening to him, but as his head leaned in to her, she lifted her chin to allow a roost over his crown, and her fingers wove through his hair. "Give your daughter some benefit of the doubt, Kane. She is a fighter and strong, takes after her father. You have bounced back from so much tragedy, granted, it left scars and scars remain long after. But, with time, such marks are forgotten and fade." She fell silent for a moment, perhaps, contemplating her own words due to the webbed scars that marred her back. "Yes, you are right. You need rest, as do we all. I would not cloud your mind with making sense of things. But, I do know one thing, Ceremon will go to any extent to get what he wants and so will Z'ress...a dangerous affair. Do not think so deeply inward, my love. You know, exactly what Ceremon wants...don't you?"

“Your mother wants you and my father wants me, seems we are about to deliver them just that, I just plan to snatch it way just as fast” He felt his resolve finally settle in his hands taking hers as he led her to their tent, just before they reached the camp he stopped “We can’t put our newcomer with Ascondia, nor with Alvin it seems tonight we have a house guest”

Aishani cleaned off the bowl in the snow and then looked to him while removing her legs and arms, her heat lingering upon him and appeared to feed his resolve. She curled her hand within his, looking up to him with her golden hue while the other milky ghost of her eye was fixed to him. She stopped after he did, then looked to Virra sitting away from Ascondia and Alvin. "Hm. Well, then we have a guest. I'll set up another bedroll for her in the tent." Aishani lifted her hand to curl around the nape of his neck, drawing his lips down to press against her own. While it was a briefest of kisses, this held a passion that stole the very breath away from him, but, she walked away with her hips playing beautifully against the jeans and heavy coat. Moving to dip within their arranged tent.

[New Alliances] A Few Answers To Even More Questions

Kane turned the flash of his blade as a shower of sparks erupted, Hades lunged forward to be caught in shoulder with a stiff elbow, Hades struck back just as quickly hitting Kane square in the chest with the palm of his hand sending Kane to the ground in a fit of breathless attempted coughing.

“Getting slow old man” Hades chuckled softly extending his hand, only for Kane to yank him to the ground shifting his weight to end up behind with his blade across Hades’ throat

“And you’re getting soft” Kane replied as he let the blade the drop

“Impressive, I taught you one too many tricks it seems” Hades replied now finding his feet and sheathing his weapon, mirrored by Kane.

“You taught me not to trust anyone including family, had I remained that way I’d be as whacked out as Hareavor” Kane shrugged softly before his mind reeled at her scent, it sunk into him so quickly as he turned and grinned

“You appear unharmed, that has to be a good thing” Hades remarked “Our dear Aerian is just full of surprises, I trust I can speak freely?”

Kane nodded in reply “You can, she is as much a part of this as any of us”

“Speaking of our dear cloned failure, he is out hunting, I’m fairly sure it’s on Ceremons orders and I’m fairly sure his werewolf side kick won’t be far behind him, both with intent to maim any females remotely attached to you, he also has orders to take Aerian, it’s a dangerous game but ultimately whatever happens Kane you’re the final goal” Hades voice dropped his words now cut with an air of force

“It amazes me you’re almost always aware of Ceremons orders, if he touches my daughter it will be the last think he ever gets to do, the fields around the Mansion have been strengthened there is no way in without us knowing” Kane replied calmly as Aishani reached his side his arm wrapped around her waist drawing her against him his lips find hers for a moment

“Get a room, but Kane we cannot guarantee there is no way in, Ceremon built this house never forget that” Hades replied

“Trust me, I haven’t, I also have a lead we are going to follow up on, so I would be grateful if you ensure my guards are aware of the impending attempts on our lives” Kane replied

“Yes milord” Hades mocked playfully with a curt bow he slipped away

“Ever the joker, still it’s good he’s here, one more blade in the hands of an Elcarus on our own grounds” Kane smiled softly

Aishani hesitated at the door, inclining a brow with a small smirk coiling upon her lush lips, instead of entering, she calmly folded her arms over her chest with a lean of her shoulder to the frame. Her golden eyes watching the two brothers in a sparring match of not only physical combat but tongue as well. When the two men were finished, she straightened to move into the room at Kane's side, tilting her head when Hades spoke while Kane's arm was wrapped around her waist. She wriggled her fingers to the disappearance of Hades.

She was silent for a long time while lingering in her thoughts, fingertips kneading into his side and chest with a rest of her cheek against him, then lifting her gaze to Kane. "Clone...brother? Werewolf?"

Kane scratched his head awkwardly as the realisation of how complex things were becoming dawned on him. Finally he kissed her forehead with a smiled and led the way through the Mansion and down into the cold of the cellar, they wound through beer caskets and empty barrels, boxes and all manner of things that were upon roof to floor shelves, finally they reached an open area that was simply dark, Kane reached over the wall before several sconces came to life cast in a dull amber light into the dreary empty space.

He walked the wall tapping several times until the sound of grating stone could be heard and the wall slid down into the ground, beyond was a burnt out lab, some of the equipment still intact though long covered in dirt and spider webs.

“This was my father’s lab, here he would find the key to creating life itself, well no he figured that out the normal way but, they made their way through standing by a table, leather straps and all manor or damaged instruments and empty glass bottle. “Here he found a way to create life from life, Hades is not brother by blood, or more accurately he wasn’t. Hades was born human, from their realm, abducted at 7 years old and then modified by our DNA, me, Haunted and Krystal. It worked too, our genetics overwrote his and Hades was essentially born, and raised with us as our brother. Unfortunately there was a darkness in him, one we attribute to human nature once they have power they will inevitably wield it, by the time Hades maturity he was essentially mad and eventually turned on us all.  He destroyed this place and we believed all of Ceremons research”

They moved through to the burn remains of books and papers and a desk as Kane ran his hand over it “Ceremon wanted to control our power, not as a father but for his own end, that’s what set Hades off the deep end, and the reason He and I were at war for so long, thankfully trapping him in a mountain cavern for a hundred years or so finally tempered into looking at the realm as it really is, something to be protected, we are the fine line for many but Elcarus is the last line of defence, if I ever had doubt about Hades before they were put to rest during the Dragon Wars, he got most of the townsfolk out, and helped bring down a Dragon, granted it was on top of my house but still he is Elcarus by blood now”

Kane sat on the edge of my desk “That’s a whole lot of history that has little to do with our current plight but, Hareavor is a second attempt at perfecting what he failed with Hades, and without us to temper the human darkness, Hare …. He is a whole different breed of darkness, for as cruel and cold as Ceremon is and can be, he does know where the line is, he brought his armies to the Dragon War for no other reason than to protect the Everlands, Hare simply sat by waiting for us to die, the only act he perpetrated during that war was the torture and rape of the Dragon Warlocks daughters, sent her home in a dozen pieces” Kane shifted awkwardly “There is not an ounce of remorse in that creature, and werewolves are as they sound half man half wolf, same thing that would have taken me had Aerian and yourself not been on the field that day. Very strong, single minded and hard to stop, thankfully none too bright except for Trila, he has grown with Hareavor and as such is fiercely loyal and almost a part of him”

His eyes now settled on Aishani “They do not care for family, nor loyalty, Hareavor only tolerates Ceremon because Ceremon is key to understanding his own power, or Ceremon is the only man Hare has loyalty to I couldn’t say for sure, but he does have a dangerous affliction for rape and torture no matter race or gender”

Aishani met his gaze with her singular golden hue after the press of his lips to her forehead, an understanding to her patience and intelligence washing over him. She remained by his side in silence, her presence always slithering into his senses and fending off the mouldy moisture from the cellar. She looked to the sconces that came to life and illuminated the area in dull eerie light.

 

Quietly, she stood aside, until the grating sound erupted in a shatter of the silence. Advancing in the silence that followed with the wall falling into the ground to reveal the interior of a burnt lab. She moved to various equipment, inspecting with her eyes narrowed. At the instant he spoke, she turned her attention to Kane. "You make it seem as though he had no right to turn and burn this lab, I am sure it harbours hate and anger in him." She picked up a book when she moved to stand near to Kane, blowing on the binding with a brush of her fingertips, then set it down to walk away. "You keep speaking of darkness...like it is a plague, everyone has the darkness in them, Kane. We ALL have it. Granted. It appears differently in others." She allowed for his words to enter more, looking to his lean. "He is waiting for the right time. Hare. If he is as cruel, heartless of a beast as you say and has his werewolf companion...he is waiting for the moment to strike Ceremon down and with my...well Z'ress in the picture, this could be...bad..."

“I’ve had time to deal with Hades darkness, it was our genetics that amplified the human desire for complete power, he … well has a wicked grasp with fire, I know we all have a darkness it’s a defence system, merely meant his was out of control for a time. As for Hare, well that’s a whole different field, I wouldn’t even call it darkness with him, just pure unfiltered evil” Kane shrugged softly “He already knows his attack point we can be sure of that, we have to wait until he tries, a concept I am not so comfortable with”

He finally slid off the desk and down into the dirt shoving aside several crisp books before reaching into the floor another click and another panel exposed down into a darker much colder place “I hate this place” he murmured softly before climbing down, the air sickened with stench of death and decay, Kane flicked his wrist and a shower of flames burst forth settling alight anything it could touch, the room was round and of solid stone, the walls covered in chains and skeletal corpses. “I have been in here twice since we found out about this place, once to let anyone go who was still alive and now” His voice was edged with an uncertainty “One of these has our answers, what they are I will know when I find her”

"Of course," Aishani nodded, though, lounged against the desk now with her fingers curled at the rim and legs extended out with a link at her ankles. She watched him again in silence, considering him while straightening and tilting her head to the presence of the now open panel. She placed a hand upon his shoulder to offer him a show of silent support and strength, while the death lingered with decay, it was her scent that masked the smell to be as though through a veil. She looked around the round room, then tested the chains briefly, while being respectful of the skeletons. "She?"

“Yes, she was Ascondias sister, and the first to be taken by Ceremon. The Exaltias are perhaps the only family we know of that predate ours. They are also the most powerful, even diluted down the ability to open transdimensional portals wouldn’t be beyond their capabilities, Ascondia can open them easy enough but I’m sure it wasn’t her based on the location alone” Kane cocked his head slightly as he circled the room “We were going to bring her up to lay her to rest but our hands were tied by my former wife and she ordered the crypt sealed and not to be disturbed, evidently I just breached that rule” Kane slowed as he knelt beside a corpse his hand ran through the dirt for a moment before his eyes closed “I had a theory that we were the last to be born of his blood, and after Arianna disappeared without traced, to be found in this hell hole afterward, I am fairly sure that he did indeed father another child and somehow that line is responsible for not one but two vortices been opened, the first bringing the dragons and the second, well that brought you”

“To open them the line has to be pure which is why with enough preparation and rest I can open them, Ceremon, Ascondia, Sarantha, Aerian are about the others capable or so we thought” Kane sighed softly he bowed slightly to the corpse before walking back to Aishani 

“It seems we have a piece of the puzzle, now we should let the dead rest”

Aishani remained silent at the entry of the room, simply content to watch. She silently allowed for his words to seep in, moistening her lips. She lifted a hand to lightly rub at the back of her neck, appearing to be mildly confused. "So...wait, if, I understand correctly. The ones that I know of in that list are Ceremon and Ascondia and Aerian. Who is Sarantha? Also, what piece of the puzzle are you speaking of? I appear to be even more confused than we started, Kane. Trust, me, I am struggling to understand, I am not from this realm and it is much different than my own." She skimmed her eyes over the round room, resting on the skeletons, but then tipped her head and spoke in a soft language, it was her native tongue and dripped as luscious as silk, but it was unneeded to be spoke in common to understand that she was paying her own personal respects. Then stepped back to leave the room with Kane.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, which granted is mostly just me rambling in thought” Kane smiled softly as he ran his hand back over the panel to seal it shut. He stood now resting back on the desk “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to drop so much information on you, but it serves the greater picture if so much information isn’t in just one person’s hands. So the remains down there are mostly early experiments of Ceremons, as he tried to find a way to duplicate his children’s powers in the hands of just one vessel as he liked to call them” Kane shifted awkwardly “But one is Arianna who was taken by Ceremon and I suspected had a child, at some point I’m assuming he lost they child and they vanished into the wind, this has never been confirmed and despite my observations below is still guess work.”

Kane paused a moment to allow her to digest the information “So that been the information we haves means we can reasonably guess that, our half-sister or a descendant of that sister is responsible for opening the vortex, because we can safely eliminate everyone else we know is capable of doing it. Or at least I’m fairly sure we can”

“Sarantha is the realms only true White Mage, her family are responsible for the balance of the very realm itself, and when I say family I mean just her, the Ravensfields have watched over the health of the Everlands for some time and they are created by the realm or at least that’s how we believe it works. Hard to say their history is closely guarded” 

Kane shrugged softly “But it’s her duty to protect not harm, so we can take her out of the equation as well” Kane looked to her “Any of this making sense?”

"So essentially, it could be any of those that you have named that opened the vortex, or this possible half-sibling which we really have no concrete proof that exists in the first place." 

She folded her arms behind her back, drinking in the interior of this burnt lab. "Though, there is a possibility that Hare and his little dog will be after us due to that and another called Alastair. We need to be on our toes, but, more than that we have to find answers."

“Grimloshi? What does he have to do with this?” Kane looked almost perplexed “The last I heard of him he was in a dungeon beneath the castle after he attempted to rape Ascondia, though I’m perplexed as to why she didn’t cut his heart out but nevertheless, I suspect Hare wants us for your mother, or they want to pull you away from me to lower my defences” 

Kane shrugged softly in thought before looking to her as he slipped off the desk his eyes settled on her, her scent now once more settling him “We’re a threat together it would seem, you and I seem to be at the centre of something neither of us wanted to be”

Aishani considered him, while, lifting a shoulder in a shrug. "I'm simply ensuring that you have all agents covered, Kane. I have not heard pleasant things about Alastair, doesn't surprise me, since Aerian is the one that brought it up to me. In fact, he was the one that put out the bounty on me." She turned to face him with her golden eyes, a smirk forming slowly on her luscious lips. "Yes, perhaps, though, I absolutely love something in MY centre. We are a formidable force, that is for sure, so we need to stick together to strengthen that, but, with Aerian and Hades, it will be even more of a danger."

“I am grateful for your counsel my love, it makes thinking so much easier with you here, at least puzzle thinking” He grinned softly “And as long as we are on Elcarus ground, the advantage remains ours” Kane smiled softly “Now I think it’s time we got out of this place, I never was too comfortable in areas where my fathers soul have been” He slid from the desk and made his way to the door, as they step through the wall slid back into place.

They made their way back through the cellar but through another route that brought them out behind the Mansion into the open grounds and the rain that now hammered down, Kane merely looked up and groaned “Come on” he muttered darkly “Well the weather is beyond unfortunately”

Aishani winked to Kane and then chuckled, while her succulent aroma caressed him and added a sense of clarity beyond that of the residual soul of Ceremon. She curled her fingers within his while they left behind the haunting lab and cellar, now standing behind the mansion. An impish grin formed on her face to his dismal reaction to the pounding rain, but, she gathered his hand and pulled on it, spinning in the rain as it pelted her face and soaked her tunic, leather beading with the water, but, through the transparency of her tunic the dark flesh with the dark buds was seen.

"Don't be so smug. Enjoy it! It's beautiful. It annoys, gives life, causes floods and even makes for slippery sex."

“Now that we can both agree on” He smiled stepping to her his hands catching her hips firmly halting her movement, his eyes met hers as he moved to catch her lips, long deep and lingering his hands drawing her tight against him, his body crackled with a deep desire only brought out in her presence.

Aishani tilted her chin a slight to compensate for the height difference, then instead, leapt up to wrap her legs around his waist with a link of the ankles at his back. Her lips moulding against his, while the caress of the rain trickled upon their faces and hair, lifting her scent even more to his senses. The kiss moulded to each other, deepening the affection while her hand cupped at his cheeks, she parted after a drag of her teeth to his lip with an articulate plop. A smirk on her lips while the rain glistened on the surface and she brushed some hair from his features. "So, now, where to?"

“I still owe you some new clothes” He smiled softly “So a visit to our seamstress seems to be in order, she should have what we need ready by now” his hands slipped up her back as he returned to the kiss “But seeing how your already wet perhaps I should help with that?” his voice carried a tease that was as full of intent as the act of his hands running back along her spine.

"Excellent." She said but dove deeply into the kiss again, her fingers weaving into his wet hair and becoming tangled in the passion that her lips spoke eagerly against his. Her scent was even more smouldering to his senses as her taste was just as divine in the crispness of the rain. But she unwound from him in a slide down his body, to land on her knees. "I bet this is a first..." Aishani whispered, struggling to find the way to open his pants then fingers landing on the zipper. She tugged it down and slipped her hand within, while, the rain continued to pour upon her and threaten his uncovered beast, but, then the heat of her lips enveloped him. Tongue pinned initially, then roaming in praise to stimulate the thing flesh wrapping, forcing him as deeply as possible and effectively in her throat. But, she didn't stop and continued to feast on him, her golden eye humming softly in the dim light, while her lips were stretched to accommodate the girth.

His body tensed as she took control of his raging erection, a low growl as she swallowed him down, each time his member disappeared down her throat he would moan deeply, the speed at which she carried out the act built his need extremely quickly, his hands wrapped into her hair as he allowed her to continue against him.

The air was cool as the rain came down in near sheets quickly soaking through their clothes his hand tensed blocking her from finishing him to quickly as he sunk into the dirt in front of her kissing her hungrily before they collapsed into the cold damp earth, his hands fumbled at her waist to ease her leggings down just enough to allow his hand to find her heated core his fingers dipping deep into her.

Aishani gasped when his fleshy morsel was removed abruptly from the heat of her mouth, looking to him through lust lidded eyes, but the response of her lips fell upon his own when the kiss was inducted. Now, her heat absent from his tool, it was replaced with the stroking by the palm of her hand. 

 

Her other hand assisted Kane in the open of her leggings, in that instant that they collapsed and a stillness froze her lips in a tilt of her head back in a growl to the announcement of his digit sunk into her heated core and embraced by the molten silk folds of her passage. Her lips returned to his with an articulate smack, slick muscle not hesitating to breech his lips, a hand curling into the threads of his own hair, before yanking back and biting at that soft spot that connected his neck and shoulder, lapping at the surface. Her scent overwhelming as the crispness of the rain appeared to infuse such even more with such clarity it was amazing.

His mind was awash with the deep seated need for her, her scent and the scent of fresh rain only served to heighten the whole mix as he sunk deep into the kiss, caressing her tongue against hers. His hand now flicked against her clit before slipping deep into her slowly slipping back from her heated centre before plunging back into her.

His free hand slipped from her hair and down over her breast caressing the nipple through the now soaked fabric. As he slowly broke the kiss he looked into her eyes his breathing hoarse and broken.

Her slick muscle twirled and pranced against his on the dance floor of their passion, still stroking with her hand and alternating between the pressure and angle. A gasp and growl fed into the kiss when his digit departed from the molten heat of her core to flick over her secret button and then to return, upon reflex her body angled to press into him with a roll of her hips with her dark buds pert in arousal. She then pulled down her leggings to her shins, pushing him to his back while, lifting herself up to place his exposed member to her hot passage.

Lowering herself with a drop, causing him to be surrounded by the heat of her body, throbbing against his in the incredibly tight embrace that guided him to breech past the sanctum to her gates, ankles still linked by the fabric as she rolled her hips and pressed downward with her abdomen to cause a stir within her womb then it went deeper and pressed into the very back of her sanctum, causing her to tilt her head back with a howl of pleasure.

Feeling his length entering her, the wave of heat rolled off her as a low moan slipped from his lips, his back arced pushing him deeper up against her, and slowly his hips rolled grinding himself against her pelvic bone.

The rain wasn’t even notable to them now heat from their bodies meshed to form a bubble that suspended them in each other. The heat of her surrounding him only served to heighten the moment as his hands now raked down the wet fabric of her shirt urging her against him harder.

Aishani tilted her head back while giving praise to this moment, the rain cruelly pounding upon her face and body, though, worked her hips in a clockwise and counter clockwise gyration and looked down to him with her hands pressed against her tunic. Her palms cradled her bosom with index and thumb rolling and pinching the notable buds, then that was enough and she pulled down the neckline to expose the glorious ashen mounds now splattering with water, beading and rolling down with the very bridge of her nips. In that very moment, his hands raked down her back to the urge. She gave in while her sounds were nearing grunts to screams, literally bouncing violently upon him with each stride pushing into her core to claim her very womb, to fill her. Then he felt the throbbing of her flower beginning to come alive, then he felt the pressure that threatened to force him out, but, then he felt the rush of heat and she stiffened with an arch back and quivered, the silken folds milking him and pleading. She collapsed down now, pressed against his, her lips lusting upon his flesh, then to his lips with a passionate kiss, spilling with such emotion that it was smothering him with her presence and scent that was amazing. 

As he felt himself erupt filling her hard with his seed his whole body shuddered, as she collapsed toward him his hands caught her hair dragging her into that violent kiss, eager and hungry all in the same sense. His eyes closed just a little before he broke from the kiss.

With intent he turned her body hitting the now soaked ground with a splash as she displaced the water beneath his hand had rid her of the now soaked legs dumping them beside in that moment he was upon on her driving himself back into her, her scent and the rain had kept him alive his hands locked her arms over her head as he now took to a more violent force each thrust sent the sound of wet flesh colliding with wet flesh echoing around them. His rhythm was both forceful and aggressive with express desire of filling her a second time, the force with which he buried himself inside her would leave them stinging in the moment before their naked flesh collided again.

It was long before he growled his mouth coming down against her breast in a rough bite against the tender flesh his back tense as again he erupted inside her filling her once more.

A growl parted her lips to the inflation of his fleshy tube that pressed against her folds throbbing with life due to the stimulation her body was indulging in. She fell into the intensity of the kiss, the carnal hunger raging within both lovers, it was like a wave of desire that crashed against both of them. 

 

The sound that broke the embrace left Aishani gasping for air, suckling on his lower lip, but the lock was shattered when in the soaked ground she was turned with a grunt of surprise to the control that he forced upon her. But, a smirk formed on her lips while, Aishani appeared to be even more aroused due to this turn of events. When her arms lifted to work upon his back beneath the cloak, she was found in the manacles of his hands, writhing beneath him with each clap of their flesh upon flesh intense. The water was tranquil in the rhythm, while the song of their bodies was splashing, slippery. The forcefulness that he thrust upon her increased a violet to her cheeks and the volume of her voice new no boundaries between every scream that was cut short by the abuse at her hips, eyes rolling into the back of her skull with mouth hung open. A hiss slithered past her lips to the ferocious bite upon her bosom, while his whisper of release rose in the instant the explosion occurred Kane caught her own rushing forth to greet his. In the press of his mouth upon her bosom, now, he began to taste her in all the rush of her fiery blood, as a few droplets trickled upon his pallet to such a luscious crimson essence.

He lay against her for that moment before slowly easing back to his knees a wicked smile on his face as he looked to their now soaked clothes in a pile in the ground. “Well now this is going to be fun” His eyes caught hers with a sparkle “How are we to get indoors and get dressed without the entire house knowing we are currently half naked?”

Somehow during the entire intimate moment, her clothing was removed and now she lay upon the soaked ground, glistening like a goddess amongst the falling rain. She propped herself up, as the spider web markings, upon her under sternum and just above her naval, glistened in the light almost as though winking to him. A smirk forming slowly upon her lush lips. "That does pose a problem. I thought we were going to see this seamstress? Unfortunately, I have no clean clothing with me..." But, she adjusted to stand, looking around and gathering her wet clothing in her arms then lifting Kane's cloak to drape over his shoulders. "I have an idea. Carry me. So long as I am in physical contact with you, I can force a blink to move the both of us."

“Well wont be the first time I’ve arrived at Elsa’s naked and soaked from the rain” He looked to her “A long story I promise to share someday” With that he scooped her into his arms standing, he dragged their clothes into a pile at his feet and with a smile nodded “The shop is on the inner edge of town, south of the market, she has a block up on me dropping in so let’s hope your’s lets us through, blinking may prove most useful for us soon enough”

He held her tight to him, feeling the world around them disappear in the instant they reappeared the sweet scent of various herbs filled both their senses and the scream of a young woman.

“My dear god Lord Elcarus, what in the twelve are you doing!” The woman was all with dark blonde curls, as she now stood with her hands at her hips, the glare was all but show as she now caught sight of Aishani as she unfurled from Kanes arms “Well now has my Lord found himself a lady?”

[New Alliances] The Female Element

As they entered the main hall the mansion was busy with the daily goings of merchants and traders as they passed through toward town, some would nod dutiful to Kane as he passed bow, a gentle bow to Aishani. The maids quickly swept through keeping things in order. 

Kane directed Aishani to the table as they sat they were soon joined by Hades and Aerian, for the moment they ate in silence, there were things to discuss of course but for the moment they could wait.

Aishani walked beside Kane while acknowledging those that provided as much to her in kind, she complimented Kane on the organization of the maids that floated around dealing with the individuals on placement.

Now settled at the dining table, she set herself near to Kane while remaining on her own side. She greeted Hades with a tip of her chin and a wink to Aerian, though, as food was provided, she methodically made a plate of various different fruits and sweet bun. But, Kane would discover that she did not touch the eggs or meat. When the silence lingered too long amidst the dine, Aishani's golden eye fixed on Kane then swept to the plates of the others. She dabbed at her mouth with the napkin, folding it with a set to the side, indicated that she was finished and ready to begin the discussion. A hand was upon Kane's knee beneath the table with her fingertips coyly and stealthily running against his hidden package.

Aerian threw Aishani a knowing smile before folding her hands on the table, her eyes remained on Aishani as she spoke.

“The portal was indeed opened from our side, a multiversal vortex that links anywhere it finds the fabric of reality thin enough. As far as I’ve been able to determine and this is by no means the whole truth, the Dragus are trying to find allies”

As the words came Kane visibly tensed at the group involved, his body becoming rigid.

“She’s right, as far as we can tell they are trying to find allies with magi power, enough” Hades didn’t get chance before Kane cut him off

“To bring back the Dragons, they are taking another run at the realm, do we know who is at the head?” Kane voice was cut with nerves far darker than he had been known to use before. “So Aishani and Ceremon?”

“Not part of the plan, so far as we can tell, at least we’re sure Aishani isn’t, but Ceremon and well, you can never be too sure, we’re still looking into it” Hades replied before draining his wine glass “If there’s a link we’ll find it, but I will gladly admit that I was wrong and you my dear brother were correct in your decision to protect her, she is innocent in all this chaos”

Aerian smiled as she eyed Aishani, before dismissing herself from the table “I would like a word alone Aishani, should you find the time” and with that she strode off down the hall toward her room.

Hades shrugged softly “She’s an odd one, but she did express he admiration of your combat skills, so it seems you will be stuck with us for the foreseeable future, of course I don’t doubt you’d be fine protecting yourself, I just suspect my brother wouldn’t be able to focus on protecting us, if you’re not by his side”

Aishani listened in silence, her investigative fingers to Kane's hidden gift lifted to only rest upon his thigh. To the tension that caused his body to grow rigid, she incited a soft pressure of strength. Her golden eye flashed to Hades, then to Aerian when the female requested conference alone.

"Regardless..." Her rolling purr parted her lips, while lifting her hand from Kane's thigh, leaving her presence in a haunt even beneath the denim. "I am not familiar with Ceremon, though, if he is cunning and strong, by a technical term. Z'ress goes after those stronger, then cuts them down at their weakest. She is after me because, I am weak in her eyes due to our society. The Drow have been pushed back as of recent due to their slave trade watchers of Faerun have been pushing back and rest assured that Z'ress is attempting new outlets for the Drow to have a place to call their own. So this is a double edged sword at play. A game of tag. But, her motivation would be myself, to any extent necessary, everything else is trivial."

She then glanced to Kane, then to Hades. "We all have our strengths, though, I do believe, he gives himself even less credit then you do. As I have understood, the Elysium are the protectors of the realm, that being said, if I was present or not, still such remains and would occur. I am no more innocent then the next, but, in this, I am merely trying to survive. Even the strongest know when to fight solo and when to seek assistance." Aishani rose leaning over to press her lips against Kane's. "I had many many years of training and lessons of survival. Excuse me, then. It seems your daughter wishes a word, I will leave you two to discuss. On my account, keep it civil, hmm?"

Aishani caressed Kane's cheek in the passing and patted Hades on the shoulder, leaving to search out Aerian in her room. Knocking on the door, waiting patiently.

Aerian slid open the door just a little before stepping back to allow Aishani in, her room was far more Spartan, only essentials and storage. The window was concealed with a thick curtains allowing only small amounts of light, the rest carried by the single lantern on a dresser by the bed. 

“I was unsure you’d come, considering …. Well I have already apologised enough, please forgive the cloak and dagger act, there is nothing untoward in all this, I just wanted to have you to myself” Her words came muddled the child in her lost behind the attempt at adulthood, while she was in the realms years older in terms of development she was indeed still quite young.

“It seems while a huge part of me is truly grateful Dad has found someone so unique, who matches him so well, it seems you …. Oh god” Aerian sighed sinking onto her bed falling back to lay looking to the canopy of the dark wood bed.

Aishani entered the room, her golden eye skimming the interior briefly to drink in the furnishings and taste. But glanced to Aerian as the woman moved to settle on the bed, tilting her head a slight, causing the dreads to shift on her shoulders to drape upon her bosom and down her back. "I have no reason not to come, when you request it of me, Aerian. Everyone can be selfish at times. It is only natural." She inclined a brow to the woman's actions and moved to settle on the foot corner of the bed, always observant.

Since Aerian was of Kane's blood, there was a part of her that spoke to Aerian in the faint scent of her mouth-watering aroma, while it was diluted but still present in the essence of Aishani's being. "I'm pleased to see that you feel grateful for your father. It seems...?"

“Yes, of course, I want both of my parents happy, but my mother is a more complex issue to figure so I avoid it, but Dad has been to hell, back and beyond he deserves some happiness” Slowly she sat turning to face Aishani drawing her knees to her chest.

“The problem isn’t with him, or even you really” Aerians mind reeled faster than her mouth could process, the scent of Aishani was indeed lingering in the back of her senses, less than her father as Aerian only had a small trace of Vampire within her “It’s good seeing him happy, when he has a reason to fight he is the man I remember, the one who’s stories are sung by bards in taverns, the hero of the realm. It’s been a long while since he has been that man, I think loosing Uncle Krys and Haunted hurt him worse than he will ever let us know. We will need that strength” 

She looked to the door quietly as she chewed her lip in thought, her mind still process the infinite amount of information that seemed to be laid out before her “Something big is coming, that much I’m sure of, you and Dad are seemingly the focus of it, that much we know. The problem is me” She looked for the door to Aishani then down to her knees “Not in the war but … no wonder folk say I shouldn’t talk a lot”

Aishani sat and listened to Aerian, her golden eye fixed on her while it was focused, attentive to the woman's words. Though when she finished speaking, Aishani rose to sit closer to Aerian folded into herself on the bed and placed a hand upon her knee. "Aerian, everyone has been to hell and back, it is different for all of us. No situation is ever felt the same from one person to the next. You must face the fact, there is a chance that he may never be the man that you once knew. Challenges. Choices and life events that are beyond our control change an individual. But, you desire the best of your father and his strength. It is his strength in himself that needs to be steady, only he can do that with support of family and friends. Oh, I agree with you on speaking of something is coming, my...well Z'ress, is capable of much in her cruel and calculative mind...combined with what I witnessed here in the hall of Ceremon, the combined forces will be difficult. But, I will not let things fall to the best of my abilities."

Aishani tilted her head then considered something. "Aerian, what is the reason you wished to speak with me? It is the two of us and I respect your own talents on the field...quite the marksmen, or women in this case."

“You came from Elvera right? It is no accident I ended up with the contract to collect and return you, not that I had any intent of returning you to my mother. I took the contract from the original hunter, he was a jackass anyways, and has never been too good with returning female bounties in a fit state to stand trial or such” Aerian kept her eyes down as she let her words come “

“I saw you, in the tavern of Elvera, I was going to follow and see where you ended up, but you had to run before I got a chance” Aerian looked up “But you ended up in my home anyway, the problem is you found my father and now my head is all messed up and I’m trying to put it to the back of mind and help with this but it’s hard to ignore something like that right?”

She turned to face Aerian, running her pink tongue across those plush berry stained lips. "Have you told your father or Uncle about the contract by Grimloshi, especially about talking to the skeletons at the bottom of the gorge? That goes for the two of us, being caught off guard." Aishani sat on the edge of Aerian's bed, placing a hand on hers. "I'm not sure that I understand, but, if I am guessing, you are struggling with the fact that you are attracted to me?"

“Uncle Hades knows, Alastair picked the wrong day to think an Elcarus girl would be an easy target, I planned to simply take the contract and send him on his way. He had other ideas and Uncle H … well he isn’t known for wasting time with threats.” Aerian shrugged softly “It’s probably for the best women will be better off all around with him gone, I doubt my father would lose sleep over it either”

She looked to her hand turning it as she laced her fingers through Aishani “As for your question, then yes that would be the simple explanation”

"Alastair, appears to think with his dick then his brain and uses force to make his intention know. There are many in this world, even my own of Faerun. Your Uncle is a wise man to utilize such." Aishani lowered her gaze to Aerian's fingers woven together within her own, inciting a simple squeeze. "I appreciate the flatter to capture a dashing and beautiful woman's attention. I have no means to lead you on, I know you have lost and in that lost are walking aimlessly through your life, looking to fill the void in the hole of your heart. I have seen it time and time again. But, I want you to understand, as much as I wish to remain forever, I cannot guarantee such given the situation and the dangers life given to us. I have finally understood what it means to love, thanks to your father. But, that also extends to you, Aerian. You are a part of him, as much as he is a part of you. Hades...well, I don't know him as I do you. You are young, beautiful and incredibly strong, even resilient. As I love Kane, I love you as well." Aishani caressed Aerian's cheek. "I know, this may not be that which, you desire to hear. I am here for you, Aerian. I don't pass judgment. If I am lucky, I may be around for a long time yet."

Aerian sat silent her eyes on their entwined fingers as the words floated through her head slowly. Each one processed with interest before she finally drew a deep breath “I know, you’re with my father, and in time I can come to terms with that fact, he always did have a way of finding the really good ones. I don’t expect of you Aishani except of course you don’t hurt my father, he … I don’t think he’d survive another loss, he is the strongest person I have ever known” She chewed her lip once more before drawing Aishanis hand to her cheek just for a moment “But I thought you should know if I act awkward or weird it’s not because I’m a temperamental teenager or bitter and angry like every in Dentarius would have you believe, but because …. Well because I really like you both as my father’s partner or lover or anything that may come but as yourself too”

Aishani watched Aerian with that golden eye, tilting her head a slight to the gesture that caused her hand to be lifted in a rest against Aerian's cheek, thumb caressing the cheekbone. She smiled to her, it was gentle and caring. "Aerian, I see much of your father in you. I will tell him, that which I will tell you. You are strong, I saw it the moment, I met you. Each has a strength in different things and ideals. Loss happens...it is a part of life, we either, rise and overcome or fall down a dark path of resentment and hatred. I saw a woman, that was struggling to overcome something, accept yourself for whom you are. I will be around, if you need to talk or need me to just calm you down. I will do what it is I can. You are not alone, always remember that. Your father loves you and wishes to be there for you, but, he has a hard time finding that path to you without fighting those vines that protect. You should let him in, might be surprised." Aishani lowered her hand still in Aerian's and leaned forward, pressing her plush lips against her cheek, leaning back with a squeeze on her hand and rising. "I better get out there, before your Uncle does something...or even your father to irritate the other."

“You should have been around when they were trying to kill each other, those were real fun times” Aerian quipped softly “He loves you, I can see it in everything about him, so when you guys get married I’m not calling you Mom” Aerian diverted her eyes quickly as she stretched her legs “it’d just be weird”

And with that she slid off the opposite side of the bed stretching her arms over her head slowly before turning, the confused young child now seemingly gone to be replaced with Aerian Elcarus, the one everybody believed was cold and uncaring.

Aishani chuckled to the returned antics of Aerian, but, now, she had insight to the young woman and accepted her for all that she was. She lifted her hand to open the door and to return to the dining hall, when nearing Kane would clearly catch that succulent scent that he was denied in her time away with Aerian.