Alianna Norre's Story

Liza

As Liza was pondering on how to make her escape, she noted that the market place was opening up to the public slowly. She also noted a somewhat gorgeous looking elf pacing at a shop not yet opened. She half wondered what to do with her before she left town and decided to herself one thing "Well," She thought. "She's definitely worth staying a few extra days for."

As Liza stated this thought in her mind she decided to pull a random trick on the woman as she pulls off her hood and starts to walk past the elf, all the while sacrificing one of her knives as she thought this devious trick and kisses her hand before blowing an imprint of the kiss to the woman and then start running. Laughing to herself she jumps towards another alleyway and hides herself for a moment to see her reaction

The Salesman (this is someone you can use in your next post Torex ;) )

In the meantime said traveling salesman had finally arrived and started to set up shop before noticing Alianna. "Ah Miss Ali. I presume your here to buy something eh?" he asked politely "Well I've been saving something very special to show ya." he pulls up several interesting baubles, from decorative rings to simple looking knives and trinkets. But the last thing he pulled out was an intriguing looking Amulet with a Crescent moon on it.

"This beauty is what I've been meaning to show ya. An amulet depicting the sign of one of the great elven gods of old." the shopkeeper says about this item before he pauses. "You know, I've quite forgotten his name too. But it's said those who wear things under his mark is usually a sign of one of his servants. Sort of like an envoy to the gods or something. I've been meaning to sell this one for awhile. It's around thirty silver at the moment but if it's to expensive you can tempt me to lower it."

---Zaldir----

Zaldir was now on the hunt for his breakfast, searching for a stray and old deer. The thought of freshly cooked venison made the Young elf start to salivate before continuing on his hunt, pulling out a small simple ring and sacrificing it to increase his speed to search for his meal fast without him being caught by anything that might eat him. "Just hope I can hunt in peace before anyone decides to either visit or intrude." he mutters to himself.

For as far as he's concerned, this forest was his whole world. He wouldn't leave it unless the winds of calamity or fate befell him or this forest which he loved.

He looked down at his open palm. The wind blew lazily through the skies that were a beautiful pale blue color. The color reflected that of the stone that lay trembling in his hand. He could feel the power emanating from it. A deep frown pulled at his lips as he stared at the orb. Anger coursed through him, thick and boiling hot. Why... he thought to himself. It was a question that had plagued him for quite a while.

However, it didn't matter anymore. He was there now and that is what mattered. Eyeing the stone for a while longer he pondered just about everything that led him to that point. He needed those orbs. There was no exception and no one was going to get in his way. They couldn't stop him. He had no reason to answer to them either. He would get what was his and return with them, where they were needed. Where they belonged.

Tilting his hand, the orb rolled to his fingers where he scooped it up before it fell from the cliff that he was standing on, over looking the lush world below him. Lifting the ball of indestructible stone, he eyed it through the growing sunlight for a little while longer. Finally, he decided it was time. His heart settled from its excitement at gaining one of the precious orbs. He drew his hand to his chest and the orb sunk down into his skin.

The orb reacted with his body. Almost forcing him to crumple to the ground. He ground his teeth, bearing with the overwhelming energy and pain. He had to focus the energy, focus it onto what he wanted, what he needed to find. His left eye swirled from it's natural green color to a pale, glowing sky blue. Blinking once, he breathed out. Blinking twice, he breathed in. The orb settled and he stretched it's energy, searching.

There... the fire orb, he thought as the energy touched the other orb briefly, there the earthen orb again the energy touched this orb and finally the air orb. Satisfied, he shifted his search. He'd been in this world long enough to know that though he had the water orb, it didn't mean that there wasn't someone else for it as well. His manipulation of the energy made it very easy to find what he was looking for. Of course it helped that this woman had an affinity for water too.

Clearing his mind and pushing the energy down, his eye color returned to normal. He took one step off the cliff and dropped. He would head for the woman first. She was the highest threat to him.



It wasn't long after the Duke's departure that a familiar sound echoed through the audience hall. For a moment Siya's heart clenched tightly and he felt his face burn a deep red. He quickly controlled himself as he spotted Toki coming down from his perch above everyone else. Was he there the entire time!? he thought frantically. After a moment, he realized that it didn't much matter, so long as the protector was there.

“Give it up for Duke Lukair, true king of all things Sad and Boring!”

Well... maybe... the young King sighed as he glanced over to his highly energetic protector, "Toki..." he said softly, a slight chiding if it ever was one really. Siya couldn't really get mad at the boy. He was too... cute.

“Forgive my lateness, King Siya. I would have been sooner, but my night ran long. Did you want me to frighten the Duke with a little water?”

To this Siya couldn't help the small grin that spread across his lips as he rested there, his fingers closing into a fist to hold up his head as he leaned on the arm rest of his throne. With a slight roll of his eyes he let out a soft sigh, "No, don't do that. I would never hear the end of it," he whispered back.

"Stop being so nosy, it's still early morning and yet your so excited. Baka." This voice belonged to his other protector, Akihiko. The two always seemed to be bickering about something and sometimes Siya really wondered if they even liked one another.

"My king, I hope you slept well."

"Yes, I slept well, thank you Aki," he answered his voice soft. He slowly returned his attention to the hall before him, looking between the next group of nobles that were about to get his attention. He only listened partially though as he was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. The Dutchess' voice was soft as she spoke to him, laying out how one of the other Dukes that neighbored her lands was trying to get her daughter to marry his son. Apparently she didn't want this and was now appealing to their King because the Duke wasn't listening to her.

Siya listened as best he could. However, his body was starting to heat up unnaturally. As the fire King, heat normally didn't bother him. But this heat was coming from within and it was starting to become unbearable. The orb, which he'd never felt before, was doing something and he could feel it clearly, sitting inside his chest. The feeling alone was uncomfortable and made him want to squirm. The young King tried his best to combat the growing intensity and the unpleasant feeling. However, it didn't seem like it was going to stop and soon it felt as if his own fire was going to cook him. The words of the woman before him fell short as he felt a painful pulse of energy erupt from the orb in the center of his chest. Siya barely caught the gasp before it could alert the entire room.

Raising his hand, he cut off her next words suddenly. She looked shocked as Siya had never done this before. He straightened in his throne and put on a huge effort not to show his pain, "I'm sorry, my Lady. But I'm not feeling very well. Perhaps we can continue this another time?"

Slowly she nodded her head. With a bow to him, she turned and left the room. With a wave of his hand, he ordered the others out of the room as well. Siya wasn't sure how much longer he could keep the growing pain from being present on his features. As it was, he was breathing heavily. The room almost could not empty soon enough. He ground his teeth as the last of the advisers left and the double doors finally closed.

His hand pulled up to his chest, curling tightly over the area where the orb was. Closing his eyes tightly, he tried to steady himself. A soft moan escaped his lips as he leaned forward, head bowed and his hair slipping over one shoulder. The young King started to shake a bit. The energy from the orb was engulfing him, the fire was raging now and he felt as if it were going to burn him alive. Another pulse, and he fell off the throne with a sharp cry.

".... stop....make it stop," his voice slipped from his soft cries as he lay there and he soon succumbed to a relieving darkness. His thoughts before hand were choatic... What happened? Did something happen to another orb? Why is it reacting in this way?



Kanan moved down the hallway swiftly. He was doing his rounds as per usual. Protecting his King also meant protecting the strong hold in which his King lived. It was also a morning ritual for the young protector who didn't talk much. He took his duties very seriously and would not be told otherwise. The white haired youth moved swiftly, barely making a sound. His power projected from his body naturally, allowing him to feel where everyone was in general and more importantly who was there.

Kanan turned down a hall and was presented the small single door to the back of the King's throne room. He'd only been in attendance a few times. He disliked it, there were too many cruel intentions that he could feel from the other nobles and it was usually all he could do not to cut them down where they stood. With a shake of his head, he turned away, briefly feeling that his King was definitely inside and busy with one such noble.

As of yet, he hadn't spotted Riley, the other air protector. He was sure she was outside somewhere. She seemed to enjoy the outdoors far more than being inside the castle. Kanan had to admit that he too liked the outdoors far better. The wind was what he enjoyed the most. It made it easier to read feelings and others presences. He tapped the hilt of his sword as he finished his rounds, entering the enormous hall from a different side door than he'd ended up at earlier. He only entered because he could feel that the noble was gone. However, his King was also gone from the room.

With a frown on his lips, he glanced around the empty hall. With a slight huff, he moved swiftly and went to the large double doors. Pushing one opened he found himself almost face to face with his King as the man had looked to be coming back into the hall. Quickly back stepping, Kanan dropped down onto one knee and bowed his head to his King, "Sire." was the only word he offered.

Liza

She halfway stifled a laugh when She saw the woman turn red. It's not often that a female elf would blush from her magic. "Ah well, if I see her again we'll see about getting to know each other as friends first." she said to herself as she headed for the nearest tavern for a quick Drink or two.

Before Liza did however she did notice the salesman that the woman was waiting for was muttering to himself. She decided to eavesdrop.

"Finally," the salesman muttered to himself, "it took me awhile but now that amulet is well on its way to it's proper owner. Probably for the best that it does. That Zaldir has been in those woods long enough."

Liza shrugged to herself and continued on her way to the tavern, almost half wondering what the salesman was talking about.

------Zaldir------

He stopped right in the meadow and spotted a suitable looking Stag and smiled with a hungering intent. He was about to make a grab for his bow when suddenly two things occurred. First, one of his best friends, one would say his only friend in this whole lifetime so far had come bounding in and almost knocking him over. Second, a certain bird who was good at imitating speech decided to mess with the elf. "Go Away!" it shouted and laughed in a caw as the deer ran off.

Poor Zaldir lost his breakfast. Giving Alianna a slightly annoyed glance he felt like yelling at her for causing him to lose his meal. But the words never came out. He only sighed in resignation. "Alright Alianna you win." he stated, "Thank you for the birthday wishes, though it's not that much of a big deal. Maybe if I make it to my first century it'll be different."

Then he started to try and look for the present she said she brought. "What exactly, did you bring me?" he asked curiously as a red bird lands on him chirping out his own curiosity.

-----Zaldir------

Zaldir watched as his friend pulled something from her pocket and extended her hand to his arms reach. He slowly anticipated for a small ring or something for later sacrifices. She opened her hand suddenly and down plopped an amulet. His eyes widened at the fine craftsmanship of the amulet. It was of elvish design, ancient elvish, more rare then any ancient sword. No one could expect to find a forgemaster of high caliber to make such an amulet as this.

But what almost shocked him, was the Amulet's Sign. "Corellon the Creator!!" his thoughts cried. "My Patron by Birth, protector of my race. I am glad to see his symbol after so long; it has been too long. 77 years since he delivered me from the disaster. My clan's destruction." he touched the silver covering on his left ear and his mind wandered to remember the screams. The death and wanton destruction caused by dark forces he never found as of yet.

His small reverie ended by realizing the teaching his mother always told him as a child. "If you see your Patron God's Symbol; Rejoice or Despair. For Whoever your patron is, be it the lesser or greater ones, they are calling for your service and power. You my Son, was sworn to become more then an ordinary elf by our greatest Lord." he recited silently in his head. "You are to become his greatest warrior."

But he knew well what it meant and in his heart, he was afraid. It meant in order to do whatever comes by accepting this gift, he will, no he MUST soon leave what he called his home. "It's beautiful Alianna." he stated as he takes the amulet and puts it around his neck, the amulet's moon gleaming in acceptance of him.

His soft smile then turned to once more curiosity as he looked at his friend. "Where did you get this?" he asked, "Also,what exactly, did you plan as far as celebrating?"

Liza

Liza was in the Local tavern observing the noisy activity of the more noisy patrons. She smirks silently and hoped for some more opportunities to meet up with the female elf she teased in open public. What fun she'd have in messing with her yet again. Yet for now she'll wait in quiet contemplation of her next move.

After a few more intense moments of pain, the weight began to lift from her, her muscles relaxed, and her body began to unclench itself. The feeling that had come on so suddenly, so strongly, was beginning to fade away, just as it had come....

"Perhaps you should help her, mutt"

So, Hebi had returned....whatever was happening with her orb had dulled her senses, she had not sensed his arrival....and Lyeros was doing nothing to help her.

"You could always.... remove the orb from her. She is a vampire, removing it wouldn't kill her. At least it shouldn't, being immortal and all. A little more pain wouldn't be all that bad if it eased her suffering right now, would it?"

One protector dumbfounded, the other, so ready to toss her away and be finished, one sworn to her, the other inherited with the orb.....both worthless in their sworn duties..... her thoughts like acid as her body had taken to resting in her chair....what to do with them......

Isabella needed a moment to regain her poise, and just as much when a few of her servants had arrived in her doorway bringing news from the air kingdom for a meeting of great urgency. It had to be about the orbs.....I must not have been the only one effected so violently.......

The Queen stood, more to see if she was able than for anything else, and as her feet found their ground she saw Lyeros moving to help her stand....and met him with her sharpened fingernails. Her eyes held hatred as she glared at him, and he seemed to cower under her gaze.....his dumbfounded stillness could not be tolerated, weather her enemy had been seen or not, he needed to act, he was the only one she could count on to act, and he stood still, quaking in his boots with his tail between his legs. He had been lucky the venom in her nailpolish had worn off, and she had yet to reapply it, or he would be on his way out of this world.

When Isabella realized this, her anger had only grown, and she wanted to test the orb out after what had happened. Her hands were in the air and her fingers moved like the snakes she possessed, the vines that had held the flowers to her walls were now snaking towards her. She looked into Lyeros eyes as she drew the vines closer to him, with a twist of her hands, the vines were around Lyeros's wrists, pulling him into the air so he dangled before her. Her voice held the toxins that her nails had lacked as she spoke to her old companion....

"I do not tolerate such weakness in my protector, you had been faithful to me in your years of service.....but still, you stood dormant when I needed you......." Isabella trailed her fingernails across Lyeros's bare chest as she circled him "You were always the one I could count on.....but now, you falter....have my traitors tainted your mind? Has your interrogations wavered your loyalty?........" Isabella took his face in her hand, his arms strained against their vine shackles, causing them to grow even tighter against his skin "I thought werewolves were among the most loyal, the most devoted........its too bad, my dear Lyeros.......I had such hopes for you....."

With that, she had had enough. "You are sentenced to the dungeons, where you will live out your days until I feel the need to call upon you again. You will live as those you have imprisoned, and your place by my side will be given to another who will not falter when I need them to be strong, you will see them performing your old duties, you will hear of their triumphs and know the same could have been offered to you, but now, it will never be."

Isabella turned her back to Lyeros as she looked at her now solitary protector.

"Welcome home Hebi....You smell of the Water Kingdom. It would please me to hear of your travels as we make our way to the Arcadian Palace....in the mean time, Tox and Vein are ready for venom extraction, and my supply is low, and I trust yours is as well. We leave for the Air Kingdom in the evening.....We also need to find a replacement protector, unless you feel you could handle the responsibility....and do not even think of running off again until one has been found.....you are just as easy to dispose of as Lyeros.......but that would put me in a much more.....unpleasant mood."

The Earth Queen glanced over to the servants, who were remarkably still there, cowering behind Hebi, the sight almost made her laugh. "Silly girls.....do you really think Hebi would protect you from me? You two can take Lyeros to his new chambers now." Isabella moved from where she was standing back to her chair, pulled out a file, and began to sharpen her nails as she waited.....once Lyeros was removed from her chambers, she would pack for the journey. In all reality, she still needed to rest a while, and with everyone busy around her, she could allow herself the time.




Alianna was happy to see her friend's appreciation of the token she had given him, his long silence both confirming that she had made the correct decision of the gift and making her worry that maybe she stirred up something that she should have left alone. When he spoke she had almost jumped.

"It's beautiful Alianna."

Ali smiled as she watched him put it on, it looked like it was made for him to wear, and it should have been there all along.

"Where did you get this? Also,what exactly, did you plan as far as celebrating?"

Her smile turned devilish as she responded, she had been planning this occasion for a long time, no matter how silly it was, but in her eyes, they were long overdue for some fun, and Zal needed to get out of the forest every now and again, even if he went kicking and screaming!

"I had been talking with the local merchants for a while now, telling them to keep a look out for anything interesting, anything elvish, and it was pure luck that one was able to find something as rare as that necklace, besides, it looks like it was made just for you! I had passed over quite a lot, but it looks like it was the right choice! And I'm not gonna ruin the surprise for today or your first century! You will just have to wait and see!! But I am taking you out of this forest!! Since I seemed to have scared off your breakfast, why don't we go to the tavern, grab a bite of pre-made stuff!"

Of course she had more she wanted to find in town than just some food.....the strange woman from earlier had her mind reeling and she wanted to know why.....Ali was hoping to find her again....

-----Zaldir-----

"I was afraid of that." Zaldir said in a bit of a pained expression in his voice, "I'd normally say no whenever you ask me to come out of the forest, but seeing as you got plans for my birthday, I'll make an exception. Just this once." He dusted his pants to insure that his attire was not in the least dirty. Even though the necklace Alia gave him with Corellon's symbol shocked him, he didn't want to burden her with what he felt.

But that didn't stop him from thinking from within his heart of hearts what might, or might will, happen in the near future. Even the thought that if he leaves with Alianna now, the winds of fate will not permit him to return now that he has the amulet. However, he pushed all his innermost thoughts aside as he walked down a path that led to the settlement, turning to his friend as he walked.

"Well let's get moving before I change my mind," he stated before turning his calm face into a smirk, "Or are you going to forcefully drag me now that I've indicated that?" It had happened a few times before, when he was incredibly moody and didn't want to move one bit from the forest. It was halfway embarrassing.

Liza

Liza sighed as the anonymous employer for her previous hit paid her before leaving her at the table she was at. She was silently watching every patron come and go on their daily rotations and routines. She decided that she was beginning to feel halfway bored. If something intriguing didn't happen soon, she was going to leave the Tavern and search for more fun elsewhere in this whole settlement.

"Maybe I can mess with that female elf more if I ever see her again." she thought as a small impish grin formed on her features before swapping back to her usual demeanor of assassin for hire. A little fun in between jobs never hurt anyone. At least usually...

He moved slowly through the small town that he'd ended up in. Following the flow of energy that he'd focused on finding those that he needed to find, he'd come to a place that bordered the deep forests just on the edge of what he'd come to learn as the Earthen Kingdom's domain. Being around long enough gave him the ability to discern information from idle conversations that he passed by. With that, the young man knew where he was. Pulling his cloak up tighter, he adjusted the hood to hide his mismatched eye color.

In his chest, he could feel the water orb thrumming with power as he neared his destination. It hadn't taken him long to control that power during his travel across the land. Three days was all it took to get him to where he felt the 'vessel' for the water orb. She was a dangerous woman whether she realized it or not. Making his way through the small throng of people, he stood outside of a tavern looking building for a brief moment before entering.

He took a quick look around the bar area and the tables. His hood shadowed his face so when he set eyes upon the beautiful face of the elvish woman and her companion, he was sure she hadn't noticed him. Covering his presence was easy enough as well. Moving to the side he examined the taverns occupants even more before deciding on his plan of action. They didn't seem to be a village of well trained warriors, and even if they were... well, they would have a very hard time dealing with him. Past anger and hatred began to fill his chest as he stood there, staring at the vessel.

Finally, he reached up and pushed back his hood as he took a few steps forward. His destination was very clear as he crossed the room. It wasn't until he was three steps away from her that he shed his cloak completely and allowed his presence to be felt. He let his anger pour from him as he stepped up to the table. Adding pressure to his already heavy aura he was sure he'd overwhelm her easily. Ignoring her companion completely, he snatched her arm and dragged her from the chair she was seated upon.

Calling upon the orb that was inside his body, he lifted up his fingers to hover just over her face. Water swirled around his finger tips, his mismatched gaze of green and bright blue were narrowed as he watched her with a deep frown settled on his lips. He would drown her in her own power.

Three Days Later

---

Pulling the reigns of his steed, Siya eyed the place of their arranged meeting. It was rare for the Air King to call them all together, which told Siya that something had happened to his orb. Most likely it was the same thing that had happened to him, which meant it had also happened to the Water King and Earth Queen. He shuddered briefly at the thought of Lady Isabella. She was a very beautiful woman, exquisite even. However, she had certain... tendencies, that made the young Fire King more than just nervous around her.

Glancing over his shoulder he eyed Akihiko briefly, a bit of a frown on his lips that he'd lost his other protector. Left with only one made him slightly nervous as well, but he knew that Akihiko was very capable. He trusted the shorter youth with his life. Siya also knew that should anything happen, he wasn't entirely useless as well. He knew how to fight well enough to hold his own. After a moment he realized he was staring at the boy and blushed before quickly regaining himself. Offering a smile he turned back to the Arcadian Palace and pushed the horse through the gates of the tall wall that surrounded the palace.

"I hope we're not too late," he said softly as he noted that the sky was growing darker by the second. His journey was a bit longer much like the Water King's would be. He was farther away from the air kingdom after all. Most likely he would have been the last one to reach the meeting place though he'd made as much haste as possible. He would have gone faster, but for the sake of his horse, he did not push the beast to it's breaking point.

As he reached the double doors of the palace he met someone that he remembered vaguely. The man was tall with pale white hair and an eyepatch over one eye. The metal of the patch flashed against the fires that burned just outside the doorway as he shifted his body and looked up directly at the Fire King. Kanan Siya remembered the air protectors name as he dismounted and walked up to the taller man. Also, if he remembered correctly, Kanan didn't speak very much. The Fire King wasn't too sure what he thought about that aspect of this protector.

"Kanan, it's been a long time," he offered with a smile and a short bow, "This is Akihiko, my protector."

Kanan lifted an eyebrow as he regarded the other,"Where is your second?"

The young man's deep voice was rich and being so close to him made Siya's chest tremble slightly. He had such a cold voice sometimes it was startling to hear it, "He... left."

For a moment, Siya thought that Kanan would continue the questions, but thankfully the protector did not. Instead he only nodded once and turned to the double doors to let them in. He'd obviously been waiting for Siya and his protector to join them at the Arcadian Palace. They followed Kanan through the hall and approached a single door that led into a large room. Kanan paused a moment and knocked onto the door before opening it slowly. He bowed as he entered, his body moving to the side to allow Siya and Akihiko inside.

"Sire, the Fire King,"Kanan offered solemnly.

Siya stepped into the large circular room and gave a deep bow to the occupants of the room. He swept his gaze around the table noting the Lady Isabella with her protector Hebi. Xerxes sat at his usual spot at the head of the table as it was his palace they were in. Behind him there was Riley and soon to follow Kanan was by his side as well. Siya felt a lump in his throat. Only one of us has our required number... I wonder what happened to Isabella's protector Lyeros... Siya only wondered briefly on this as he wasn't too sure he wanted to know exactly what had happened.

"My Lord, my Lady," he said as he took his place at the table. It had been a rather long few days and he hoped that they would be meeting quickly before turning in for the night, "My apologies on my arriving at this late hour," he took a breath almost continuing with his original thoughts before he noted that something was off. He glanced around the table. Siya knew that he should have been the last one to arrive due to his having to be the longest journey across the continent, "Where is the Water King?"




Hebi watched the display of his Lady punishing Lyros for his display of... incompetence. The Snake felt his lips pulling up into a wicked smile as he watched, not moving to help and having no intention of doing so either. Perhaps his words had thrown the mutt off kilter and he wasn't recovering very well? Whatever it was, he didn't stand a chance against their Queen's beautiful weaving of her power. It was almost too much to watch. It excited him far too much. Hebi bit his lower lip to keep himself from showing too much of his enjoyment.

However, his enjoyment was cut all too quickly as she turned her attention on him, sending a shiver of ice down his spine, "Welcome home Hebi....You smell of the Water Kingdom. It would please me to hear of your travels as we make our way to the Arcadian Palace....in the mean time, Tox and Vein are ready for venom extraction, and my supply is low, and I trust yours is as well. We leave for the Air Kingdom in the evening.....We also need to find a replacement protector, unless you feel you could handle the responsibility....and do not even think of running off again until one has been found.....you are just as easy to dispose of as Lyeros.......but that would put me in a much more.....unpleasant mood."

Hebi ran his tongue over his teeth as he regarded her for a moment. How much he would tell her and how much he would not. Even the Lady Isabella couldn't get everything out of him. He knew how to word things so that questions stopped prying and his answers seemed to be good enough for many things. That and he was very good at going around questions and giving answers that were just as vague and nothing more. His gaze flicked over to Lyros who was hung still by her vines. Hebi's gaze flashed a bit as he watched the man. Behind him, he felt two of the girls cowering and nearly laughed out loud.

"She's right you know. I would have much more fun watching you two wither at her feet than to help you in anyway," the Snake offered as he stepped back and put his arms around both girls, essentially shoving them forward. The woman squealed in terror as his sudden movement, but quickly subdued themselves as they were ordered to take the werewolf to his newest accommodations. Tilting his head off to the side, he eyed Isabella for a moment.

"My Lady," he said with a bow that might have been considered mocking, "Yes, I was in the Water Kingdom, how perceptive of you. Just as always," he grinned, "As for your replacement, well I'm sure we could find someone far more suiting for you. I have no plans of leaving for the moment. I've nothing to entertain me at the moment, aside from this meeting. Now that sounds far more interesting."

Three Days Later

---

They had arrived in a timely manner, just as Isabella would always have things. The woman was punctual to the letter. Never was she late for anything. They were the first ones to be there, aside from the Air King who greeted them. At least, his protector greeted them. Hebi had to refrain from picking on the quiet youth. The one eye'd air protector was a mysterious man all on his own and did more than just perk the Snake's interests. He wanted to see what the boy looked like when angry, upset or something else other than that stony look on his face.

However, the Snake kept to himself this time. With Lady Isabella so close, he would be tempting his own fate should he do anything to stir things up too soon. So they waited, and waited. Hebi thought he was going to go insane at the long drawn out silence and having nothing more to talk about than catching up with the other King. Finally, the Fire King showed. He was late, but given his travel time Hebi assumed it would have been normal. Lord Siya offered his apologies and then took his seat. It wasn't until that the youth offered up the obvious question.

Hebi smiled as the young King asked about the whereabouts of the Water King. Thinking for a moment, the earthen protector figured now was as good a time as any. His lips parted into a wicked smile as he gazed at the Fire King's orange eyes. Crossing his arms he tilted his head off to the side, his thick black hair sliding to one side.

"The Water King is dead, my Lord Siya."

Three Days Later

---

Kanan had met the Earth Queen and then the Fire King at the front doors of the palace and led them both into the inner workings of the structure to the meeting room that Xerxes had settled into. Taking his place on Xerxes' left with Riley to his right, he watched the others as they settled in. A peculiar thing about this setting was the missing protectors. Both the Earth Queen and Fire King were missing one of their protectors. His gaze narrowed. Flashing a quick glance over to Riley he wondered what she thought about this whole ordeal. Kanan certainly didn't like the implications.

Then the entire scene went cold. Siya had asked where the Water King was and Hebi's cold smile seemed to turn everything to ice. His voice penetrated the room, announcing the death of the Water King. Kanan's heart jumped to his throat. His mind whirled around the information before settling on one solid conclusion. All of this done within a span of a mere two seconds. Kanan unsheathed his heavy sword and was suddenly across the room with a burst of wind to move him faster.

He halted with his blade right under Hebi's chin who only looked down at him from the length of the huge weapon. Blue sparkles surrounded Kanan's frame as he sacrificed more, preparing for a fight with the other protector. How Hebi had known about the man's death, -if there was even a death-, could only mean one thing to Kanan.

Hebi is hiding something he thought to himself as his pale blue gaze narrowed, "How do you know," he asked coolly. His blade thrummed slightly as air began to gather around it. Kanan was preparing his wind blades. Depending on the answer, he would either back off or he would cut the man down where he stood. He didn't care if it was a protector. If the Snake was a threat to any of them, Kanan was going to do everything in his power to eliminate him right there.

"Because," Hebi started slowly, his lips curled in their wicked smile still, "I was there."

Kanan's breathing slowed, his heartbeat dropping down to an unnatural rate. He went immediately into killing mode as he prepared his blades.

-----Zaldir and Liza-----

Zaldir felt halfway embarrassed from the whole being dragged to town ordeal, but he tried to keep a pleasant face. He would have to confess to Alianna exactly what the amulet meant and why he was planning to not return to the forest later after celebrating, and possibly leave the settlement to go out into the world. Provided he stocks up on sacrifices to help fuel his magic for his means of travel by running. He was then pulled into an Tavern by Ali to get something to eat.

"Slow down Ali! You don't have to be forceful!" He said in slight amusement. He then saw her turn a rose red blush on her face and looked in the direction she was looking.

Liza, who still kept her cloak over her body, was also watching the two. "Well well," she thought, "this is indeed promising, the elf lady is here, and I think she pulled an anti social friend with her!" She had heard of this particular antisocial elf during her time in this settlement. They were mostly rumors, some claimed this young Elven male was once a Lord's child, a naive young child who's way of life, along with his entire family, was destroyed. He has since lived in the woods beyond this settlement, alone, no family, and apparently no friends, with the entire forest to call his domain. He wandered and seemingly ruled it like a King, with various species of birds as his subjects.

But of course, those were all simply rumors. One was definitely proven untrue. The female was his friend. "Maybe I'd mess with both elves to make it more, fun for the female. Hehehe" she grinned under her hood.

Zaldir simply watched Alia order for food. Deep down he knew he had to adapt to ordering food rather then hunting. Although maybe in travels he would still hunt. He sighs, shaking his head smiling before his face turned serious. "Alianna, I love the amulet you gave me. To me it's a sign from my patron god."

His face turned into one of regret, "I'm planning on l-"

He never got to finish this sentence. When admitting that he was planning on leaving his forest, then eventually the settlement, was cut off by a stranger he never saw before on the settlement, nor in his woods. This stranger grabbed Alia with one hand and prepared magic with the other. But something was off. He saw no sacrifices being made, what is this man? Then he saw the look in his eyes and saw this wasn't a kidnapping attempt at all. The look in those eyes were all too familiar to Zaldir, The Last of the Kestals.

His mind flashes back to a time of a Young Ten year old elf boy, witnessing a mass attack unlike any other, he recalls seeing the eyes of the man, or whatever it was leading the massacre and saw the look of his eyes as well, the look was ingrained inside his memory. And he was seeing it again right there in front of him, threatening Alia;

They were the eyes of a Killer. Liza saw this too, and she saw the Female Elf summon an ice whip to try and fend off this insane man. She couldn't risk using her own Magic, the air slices inside this building might cause more harm then good. So she'll have to rely on her own assassin training to aid in any way she could. She pulled off her cloak.

Underneath the cloak, she revealed her stunning, flawless figure. Dressed in her purple exotic working attire that seemed to accent said figure, her katana at her right side sheathed as she drew out a dagger and threw it toward the Man's leg, hoping he'll have a pain to cause him to throw his concentration off. However, her biggest surprise came from the Rumored forest dweller.

Zaldir had closed his eyes in slight horror of seeing that look, or so those who haven't fled had thought. But Zaldir's mind at that moment had undergone a transformation, largely due to the fact Alia was now facing danger. When he opened his eyes, they were not those pitiful yet, magnificent emeralds.

They were now red. Not a rose red, which would look as sweet, but a ruby red. Which seemed to flare like a fire of blood.

"You had DARED attack my friend without stating a cause only for the joy of killing!" He shouted angrily as he leapt at the man and gave him a full forced kick to his chest, hoping to send him flying. "In the name of The Creator I shall kill you...." He said incredibly cold as if he had killed people before.

If the Man indeed was sent flying Liza jumps to Alia's side and stretched her hand to her. "Come on! We're getting out of this place, and this settlement! Cause I don't think this guy will stay down for long. Hey! Forest Dweller-Sama!" She shouted to the angered Zaldir, "We gotta get outta here now! This settlement might be wrecked otherwise!!"

Zaldir only nodded in his anger and sacrificed Several items, but not Corellon's amulet, he needed that. "Alia, go with the woman, I'll catch up with you when I can." He stated in his angered state.

Liza would start leading Alia out of the bar, and then if agreed, this settlement. "This Place becoming too dangerous eh?" She stated sarcastically with a smile.