Trials and trust.

[Nikkii O'seth]

After reurning from the elvish lands Nikkii had returned to the O'seth house with Naldany and all of her grandchildren. Zinthel bid his goodbyes for now and took the rest of his army with him leaving Nikkii and blexanu with their guard to attend to their bussiness. Naldany was taken from the wagon and led down into the church, Nikkii woke both Tailu and Zealott and guided them down from the wagon.

"Grandmother why are we here? Daddy said....." Nikkii covered the girl's mouth and shushed her.

"Your father was doing very evil things and was sending you out to die....It was a good thing I found my little angels." Nikkii hugged both of the girls to help silence them.

"What about mommy..... she got hurt and daddy was helping her get better." Tailu said hugging Nikkii back.

So that Lycanthrope could have been Darlena and not Phelan after all. Nikkii thought to herself for a second. "Your mothers ran away with those elves..... but don't worry I'll get them back."

"Grandmother...." Aramis walked up behind. "Andrea needs a place to stay, could she live here with us? She lost everything....."

Nikkii sighed and looked the boy in the eyes, then looked at the girl unloading stuff along with Blexanu.

"I guess she may.... but, why are you going out of your way for a lesser girl? I could get you a more suitable girl..... one that would bare strong children, that are more worthy of the O'seth name." Nikkii tried to convince Aramis.

"I'm not thinking about that stuff grandmother...... I just wanna make sure she is taken care of." Aramis said

Both Zealott and Tailu gave evil looks at Aramis and he returned the look to them. Naldany was shakled to the wall and left alone in the barely lit room, soon Blexanu and another dark elf came into view one carrying a whip.


Darlena answer the door her eyes puffy from crying and lack of sleep. "What is it Phelan.... are we going to get them?"

[Phelan]

"Yeah we are, but we are going to wipe the house from Neriak at the same time." Phelan said through clenched teeth.

"You got a plan?" She said as she opened the door for him to come in.

"Well I was hoping we could convince more than just us and a few elves, no offense Elindar."

"None taken. We will definately need more than what we have here, not too mention we wouldn't want to leave this place empty, Orcs would retake it in a matter of days if not hours." Elindar said his voice ringing with that musical tone it always did.

"Glad we are in agreement. I need your ties to hopefully find us allies umongst your allies. The halflings are sure to want revenge on Neriak, plus how many others? So I was thnking...." Phelan began and the afternoon soon turned into night and fires began popping up in the small community.

[Dantherian]

It had been two long years since Dantherian had been back to Telethin and he was feeling very weary in his saddle now that he was close. Darkness was falling and the stars were becoming visable and Dantherian smiled as a cool breeze hit his face, it felt like a welcome home from the ground itself. In the distance he saw campfires popping up and some buildings with candle light seeping out of them.

There weren't any buildings out this far when I left. This was orc territory. Have they truly expanded this far? Dantherian thought.

He knew that even though he was close he was still a ways away from either of the elven cities. He decided to go investigate and with any luck he would find a warm meal and perhaps an offer of a bed.

[Nikkii O'seth]

"Yes the halflings would be nice to have on our side going into Neriak but...." Elindar paused and gazed over to Darlena.

"The moment they see me they will not help us. I killed alot of them in the past and still to this day I can't stomach the sight of those little people. While you guys are doing that I'm going to Freeport, maybe there is an old friend that can lean us a hand." Darlena picked up a cloak and her sword, before kissing Elindar on his cheek and leaving.

"She's not going to Freeport.... But I can do little to stop her. The one thing that could give us an edge is by exploiting the grred of the humans that practice the dark arts. They are allowed within Neriak up to certain points within the city." Elindar said.

[Phelan]

"I like that idea, I hope that we can forge some new alliances out of this. If we can make this community a place where more than just our people can live in peace then we will have made a place for Dark Elves to be brought into the cusp of good with the rest of the races. Gaien had elven friends who were spread out across the lands last I knew, I'm sure they have made many friends. Perhaps if we can make contact with a few of them we could bring a strong contingent that would garuantee our sucess against Nikkii. Which would leave Keyra and Loveless still to deal with, but that threat is far more managable than that of Nikkii." Phelan said with intensity in his eyes.

Elindar stared at him for a long time and finally smiled and shook his head.

"When I first met you, I knew that you were different amongst your people, but never until this moment did I realize how much. You are a dreamer in spite of being a warrior and you are an artist even though you don't know it. I will see if I can contact some of Gaien's friends and perhaps Gaien himself. He would be a great asset to us." Elindar said.

"Thank you." Phelan said amazed at what Elindar just said.

"Good bye Phelan, I will see you in just a few short days. Don't let your grief and anger consume you, we will get them back." Elindar left with those words still hanging in the air.

Phelan made his way to his cabin and sprawled out on the bed. He tried to sleep but Naldany's face filled his thoughts and he grit his teeth knowing what torture Nikkii had in store for her.

[Dantherian]

Dantherian heard the familar calls of the elven scouts go up throughout the forest. You would have to be an elf to know that is what it was and you would have to have spent a great deal of time with the scouts also. Lucky for Dantherian he had. He drew within sight of the opening to the small village before he was challenged by a guard. Dantherian couldn't make out the mans face since he was back lit in the opening.

"Who are you and what is your buisness here?" The guard said and a second one stepped out into the opening as well.

"Well, this is odd indeed, I though that an Elf was welcome anywhere in these parts. My name is Dantherian, defender of Telethin and slayer of Orcs, I have been traveling for the past two years and am on my way home and thought that perhaps there would be a place for me to rest my head for a few hours before continuing on."

"Wait here a moment." The guard said.

Dantherian was truly puzzled, never before had he been so scrutinized upon entering a city.

A few moments later the guard returned with someone else. Dantherian quickly recongnized the elf as he walked up.

"Elindar, I did not mean to cause a panick and rouse you from your home." Dantherian said.

"Actually I was just leaving, I'm sorry I don't recognize you in the dark, please step inside." Elindar said.

Dantherian stepped into the village and he pulled off his helmet which was cracked and tarnished.

"Dantherian, we had supected the worse had happend to you, you haven't been back in two years."

"I know, it was a long journey that ended with me finding myself." Dantherian replied.

"Well, let me be the first to welcome you back. Things here may shock you, just to warn you, a small house of Dark elves have turned their backs on Neriak and forged an alliance with us here. They are friends I assure." Elindar said seeing the look in Dantherian's eyes.

"Well if I hadn't heard from you, I wouldn't have believed it." Dantherian said.

"You are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. Phelan Seladria is in charge here at the moment, you can talk to him if you need anything. I have pressing business I must attend to, I'm sure we will see each other again soon." Elindar said and trudged off into the darkness.

[Nikkii O'seth]

The sound of a whip cracking and muffed cries filled the lower levels of the church. Blood dripped onto the floor from Naldany's exposed back.

"Renounce that surname Naldany and this will stop." Blexanu said coiling his whip.

"No... I am Seladria now, and will always be from now o..." A sudden strike of that whip cut her off. Tears continued to fall from her cheeks as she was hit again and again.

"Naldany please, say you are an O'seth.... remove that wedding band from your finger and I will not have to do this.

"Blexanu, you almost sound sympathetic. She has a very stong will and I want that broken. " Nikkii's voice came from behind. "Then she will tell me everything I want to know and will even help me kill Phelan."

Nikkii walked up behind Naldany who has passed out from the pain and hung from her shackles.

"Poor child.." Nikkii lifted her head to make sure she wasn't faking and loosened her shackles.

"Lay her on the bed, and send someone to treat those cuts... Can't have them becomming infected. And have some food brought in for her."

Blexanu placed Naldany on her stomach and dried her face.

"It's will be done my'lady" He said as he left to get a cleric.


Darlena hurried into Seriak trying not to draw much attention to herself as she sought out the coachman. Most of the Gaurd was J'narus but a few Gal'Saris officers oversaw the fort. In her mind she knew she needed to get help for her family but her heart wanted to go right into Neriak and confront the entire O'seth gaurd. She signed the ledger and took the horse heading east to the human city.

[Phelan]

Phelan had just drifted off into sleep when his door creaked open. And a timid voice spoke..

"M'lord, there is someone who would like to talk to you."

"And the fact that I was asleep in my own house didn't make you hesitate to wake me?" Phelan snapped at the messanger.

"of...of...course it did m'lord, but he says he wishes to help in our cause." The voice spoke, Phelan finally sat up to see a boy of maybe 12 standing trembling in his doorway.

Phelan sighed as he stood.

"What is your name boy?" Phelan asked.

"Timm'on. m'lord."

"very well Timm'on, bring him in after I lite the candle for the room." Phelan said chiding himself for yelling at the boy.

"yes, m'lord."

Phelan walked about for a minute, before smoothing his hair and pulling on a shirt. Phelan knew that he wouldn't be able to amass the sizable army that he wanted to, there wasn't the time, how long did Naldany have, hours, days, weeks? He wasn't sure, but he knew Nikkii wouldn't stop untill she got what she wanted. Why did Elindar leave me here, to dwell on my thoughts? He thought as he lit the candle on the table.

[Nikkii O'seth]

Darlena rode hard into the night not even caring about the hunters of Marr camps that where so numerous in the Neriak forest. She was making good time nearing the neutral hodstock village where she had hoped to get a bit of rest after she passed the green rift. She wasn't unnoticed as she traveled the halflings had scouts of their own that was trying to infiltrate the green rift to rescue comrades of their own. Suddenly a rock zipped passed Darlena's head followed by one that stuck her in the back knocking her from her horse.

"You demons spawn elf..... we shall avenge our comrades that have been slain by your kind in that hellish pit." A halfling voice rang from the shadows.

Darlena growled and eyes flashed. "I don't have time to deal with you simpletons...... I'll kill you in the mood I'm in right now."

Another rock zipped by her, and then she knew she was dealing with rouges. Smirking she scribed her shadows spell and moved in.

"You fools I can't see you and you can't see me but I can smell you." Darlena said.

Silence fell for a few minutes and then violence broke out with blood splashing on the ground and three halflings dead.

"Idiots..... you made me do that." Darlena covered her head again with the hood of her cloak and started to return to her horse, when the sounds of clapping hands made her turn around.

"Well hello Darlena...... You traitor to your race. I see the rumors of your death are far from true." A Dark elf woman said watching Darlena.

"Lazorachi..... Lazorachi Gal'Saris... Still upset that I'm the better fighter than you?" Darlena said as she continued to get onto her horse.

"No.... the fact you have a bounty on your head for bedding with the enemy, and turning your back on Neriak." Lazorachi said.

[Phelan]

Phelan wondered who this man was as the door opened. There before him stood an elf with long dark hair and stunning green eyes, his skin was a golden brown, but the thing Phelan noticed above all else, his eyes looked old. Phelan knew that this man was no fool, that he had wisdom and that set Phelan at ease as he walked in the door.

"Phelan Seladria at your service." Phelan said extending his hand to the elf.

"And Dantherian of Telethin at yours." Dantherian said shaking Phelan's hand.

"I have been told that you wish to help our cause, what exactly do you wish to do?" Phelan asked as he offered the man a chair.

"Well, I know Elindar, there aren't many who don't know him in our city. He told me that you were forging a friendship between our peoples and I think that is just absolutely wonderfull. I see that there are repairs going on and dead being burned on funeral pyres, what has happened?" Dantherian asked.

"It's a long story, but I will sum it up quickly for the sake of your sanity." Phelan said with a forced chuckle. No merriment would come to him while his family was missing. "The house that we broke away from in Neriak wasn't happy at all and since the head of that house was my wife's mother it was all the worse. She came here with an army and attacked hoping to kill me and steal my family. Obviously she failed on the first count, but unfortunately she suceeded in the second. I'm in the process of getting an army of my own together to get them back and remove the O'Seths for good. They are the biggest perpatraitors of violence against all other races." Phelan said, his hands quivered in rage at the thought of Nikkii.

"I see." Dantherian said quietly and then he spoke in a sorrowfull tone. "I know the pain that you are going through, I also know that no words can console your heart and neither should they. No one should have to go through this and that is why I want to help you. I will go with you into the black heart of the city and carve out a piece of it for you and in the process we will get your family back."

Phelan looked into the elfs eyes and saw compassion and concern. Just for a brief moment he had peace and then it was gone.

"Thank you. I have a spare room if you wish to stay here or we have empty cabins, I can show you to one if you would like." Phelan said.

"The spare room will be sufficient, thank you." Dantherian said and followed Phelan to the room.

[Dantherian]

Dantherian lay in the bed that Phelan had offered him, a candle burning near him bathed the room in a warm light. Dantherian thought back to his first impression of the Dark Elf that had welcomed him into his home. Phelan's eyes had stood out not because of their odd yellow color, but because they look like they belonged on someone a few lifetimes older. There was much pain and sorrow, but also great joy and love in them. Dantherian understood why he was trusted by Elindar, this Phelan was frank and honest, kind and welcoming.

Dantherian glanced over to his armor sitting on near by chair, one too small for an adult, and remembered the pains of his past and the joy too. This Phelan, wasn't much different from himself and that made Dantherian a bit nervous. Phelan was after all, still a Tier'Dal, but no matter how he tried to justify that in his head, he knew he couldn't place this man in the same group as those barbarians.

Dantherian reflected in his journal for an hour or so before blowing out the candle and falling asleep.

[Nikkii O'seth]

Nikkii made her way back up to her chambers her thoughts of twisting the girls in her favor and breaking Naldany's spirit. Her handmaidens followed her into the courtyard where the guards made the preparations for any intruders.

"I expect Zinthel to send word of when he plans to visit the church, notify me of when he plans to do so and I need word sent to the counsil of what was done in the elven lands and of the U'dedne presence their as well." Nikkii ordered.

"Madam Denouncer..... we are having a slight problem with Zealott she is casting spells against her caretakers and demanding to see her father still." A handmaiden said.

Nikkii nodded and headed to the childrens chambers. A few moments later Nikkii entered Zealott's room and had to quickly move to the side to avoid a blast from the small girl. Nikkii casted a bolt of energy knocking the girl down.

"Your father abandoned you..... he hated you and your brother." Nikkii said as she picked up the girl and threw her on to her bed. "He is gone now but I will protect you if you allow me.... now go to bed."

Nikkii left the room slamming the door behind her leaving Zealott alone in the dark room crying and confused.

[Phelan]

Phelan didn't actually sleep that night. He spent the night staring at the ceiling praying for his family. A light rain fell that night filling the air with it's scent. The smell was so much more intense than it normally was, Phelan still wasn't used to the changes to his body. Sometimes when he was bordering on the edge of sleep he could hear the beast inside howling and snarling. Phelan knew that he had much to learn if he ever wanted to have a normal life with his family. He wished that Darlena had waited until she taught him some of the basics to leave, but the matter at hand was more pressing.

Phelan really hadn't taken much time to think about what he had become. It didn't seem that foriegn to him, he had been around Darlena so much it just seemed normal. He was aware that his mind had changed, he was more rash than normal and easier to anger. Sometimes he would get easily confused, but he knew this would pass when he learned how to live with this.

Phelan woke early in the morning, the sun had not yet crowned the horizon, there he stood on the porch awaiting word from his friends. His lips moved in a softly spoken prayer to Tunare again.

Phelan could smell the elf and hear his light padding before the elf was actually near him.

"A Dark Elf that prays to Tunare? Never have I heard of such a thing." Dantherian spoke.

"I'm sure that there is much that you have never heard of. I wasn't raised amongst my people, I was actually raised by an elf believe it or not." Phelan said not taking his eyes off of the distant spot he was staring.

"An elf? A truly extrodinary tale you have my friend. I know this is neither the place nor the time for such tales, perhaps when times are more joyous you will share your story with me and I mine with you. So when do we leave?" Dantherian said sensing the tension in Phelan.

"As soon as Elindar and Darlena return we will ride if we must, but I am hoping that there will be someone who can just teleport us there. Nikkii has the house well warded against such things, but not the courtyard." Phelan said, the beast howled in his mind.

"Very well, is there anything you require of me until then?" Dantherian asked.

"No, but thank you." Phelan said.

Dantherian bowed slightly and wandered off into the woods. Phelan was suprised at this elf's ability to accept this alliance so readily. Perhaps there is hope that this will work. Phelan thought.

[Nikkii O'seth]

"If you need a portal then head over to the soldiers cabins of the U'dedne house." A young dark elf cleric said. She seemed a bit frustrated as she frowned looking about the community, her robes was that of the church academy of clerics but had the U'dedne crest sown on it.

"Are you Phelan Seladria? I an Harun'ana U'dedne..... I was so ordered to see to the healing needs of you and the other members of the community for the time. " She saw a few of the elfs and gave them a mean look of hostility. "I hope that doesn't mean them too.... here are my papers confirming this assignment." Harun handed Phelan a sealed parchment not knowing that she was under his direct orders.


Back at the Rift.

"So you intend to fight me?" Darlena asked?


"Oh no no... in fact I have an offer for you to consider." Lazorachi put away her dagger and smiled.

" What would that be... Other than some insanely stupid job. I no longer kill for money." Darlena said.

" Nothing like that we both can benefit from this.... I here that house that had spang up near the elvish lands need help to fend off attackers." Lazorachi said comming closer.

"Your too late to offer protection if thats what your gonna propose...We just suffered an attack and my child was stolen, now if you have nothing further move." Darlena started to move until she woman blocked her path.

"Now you should show alot more respect to the first house of Neriak.... I can help you get your child back if it is alive if....."

"If what?" Darlena replied.

"If you make me like you are...... I want that savage power I herd so much about. If you do that I will use my own personal force to assist you in reclaiming your child." Lazorachi extended her hand to shake.

" Ok.... I'll do it only after I get her back, that way you won't double cross me like you are so well known for. " Darlena dismounted her horse and shook the womans hand.

"Please come with me .... Night has fallen and travel any further south and those human patrols will surely get you." Lazorachi motioned for Darlena to head down into the stronghold, and Darlena hesitated for a moment then followed.

[Phelan]

"Well Harun'ana U'dedne, hasn't anyone ever told you that it is rude to eaves drop?" Phelan said with snarl as he took the parchment from her hand. "As you well can see, I am fine, there are no wounds upon me oh and yes your orders do include the elves and if I hear you mistreated them at all you will be sorry believe me." Phelan said with his cold yellow eyes fixed upon her.

"Very well, but I don't have to like." She said visibly shaken.

"Now get to it and report to me at the end of the day." Phelan said gruffly and then walked past her toward the funeral pyres that had been burning bodies since the day before and continously through the night into the morning.

People stared at him as he walked through the street, everyone had heard the rumors that he was a Lycan, but no one knew for sure. Everyone was wondering what was about to happen and when they would leave. Phelan had no answers for them at the moment. As he had expected he found Olantar and some of the men disposing of the dead. Phelan sighed and was thankfull that Olantar was entirely capable at making sure things got done, Phelan had forgot to set a relief schedule, but Olantar had taken care of it.

"M'lord is it time?" Olantar said as Phelan walked up.

"Not yet my friend, but it seems that Furess has honored her word, those who are here still are willing if not eager to do their tasks." Phelan said.

"Yes, that suprised me also. Hopefully she will uphold the agreement in it's entirety so that we may slip in and out without extra confrontations."

"I hope so as well my friend. Have everyone take a break as soon as this is finished." Phelan said gesturing to the few corpses still laying in the pile. "Have them take the rest of the day off and to be with any of their family's that are still alive."

"As you wish m'lord. What about you? Do you wish to be alone?"

"I have no one here except you and the strange elf that came in late last night. If you would like to spend the day at my place planning the assult with me you are more than welcome." Phelan said.

"Don't you want sometime to grieve?" Olantar said quietly.

"No. I want to get them back and hang Nikkii's corpse above the fish pond." Phelan said and walked off with no destination in mind as he wandered about the camp.