As the princess entered, Kona had stood to greet her, as the princess sat down, so did Kona, listening intendly, she nodded and paused to let the queen address everyone. She folded her hands in her lap as she read, then forked another melon piece and brought it to her mouth, chewing it, jumping slightly as her companion entered and nuzzled her side.

Kona's eye brow raised in concern but knew it would be no use. "As you wish" she said bowing her head to the queen, she then stood and rushed off towards the door, "You know where you can and can't go, if anything happens, come straight here. I love you" she said to her companion as she kissed her forehead, allowing the tiger to lick her forehead.

Kona then returned to the table. She smiled at Aeron just now noticing the woman was there.

Essa spit her food out in disbelief at the thought of peace with the Xanan. "I refuse!" She belted! In her opinion, it was their fault that her father had died. She refused to see the the whole picture behind the war that had been developing over centuries. "If we all die for justice, then so be it! They refused to acknowledge peace while my father lived, yet are willing to consider it now that their numbers die with him?! How convienant! No! Absolutely not!" She shoved herself up from the table, slamming her fists on the table. "If you follow through with this, you lose your heir! I will not lead a people mixed with filth such as the Xanan Drow!"

Essarae's attitude had been troubled ever since the death of her father. Now it seemed as if she would rather die than uphold an order from her Queen mother. "I demand you calm yourself this instant. I will hear no such nonsense. Your father died in hopes of peace, and you will do your part in seeing that it's achieved." Imizael's tone left no room for argument. She too rose from her seat, and turned her back on the Princess, leaving the Great Hall for her personal quarters.

Essarae turned her attention to Kona Rose, "I suppose you played a hand in encouraging this brilliant idea!?" She stormed from the table as well, leaving Kona and Aeron at the table by themselves.


_____________________________

Within her personal quarters, the Queen sat at her table to scroll another letter to the Xanan Queen, Rebecca.

Please feel welcomed within my home. I will be expecting you and your personal guard anytime from now until then. Although our numbers and supplies are low, I would be honored to host a feast in celebration in you accepting my offer at Peace.
Signed,
Imizael

To her cardinal carrier she attached the letter, and let it off. Her daughter would see beyond her selfish ways, Imizael was positive. If she saw that the Xanan people too wanted peace, she would have no choice but to honor her father's last dying wish.

Kona kept silent when Essarae went crazy on her mother, and continued eating. When she turned her attention to Kona, she looked up, dropped her fork, and rose from the table, "You know me better than that!" she shouted back. As the princess took her leave, she cleaned her own plate and Kona began leaving.

She walked outside and began searching for her tiger, she let her fingers dangle as she walked along, feeling the grass go past her fingertips, stopping to smell the flowers on her way to the forest. How dare she accuse me like that! she thought to herself, feeling the red rise in her cheeks, her hands began to shake and she could sense a few snakes around, when she gets mad, she tends to reach out to other dangerous animals. She sat down in a bed of flowers to calm herself down.

The snakes slithered around her, as she calmed down, so did the snakes. "I won't be needing your help today" she whispered to the snakes, her cheeks went back to their pink self, her face smoothed out to become a face of calm, she stood, and continued looking for her companion, she could sense her around, and another presence.

She quickly ran to her companions side. When she got there, she saw another white tiger, it appeared to be male. taking a few vines from the tree, she wove it into a collar and leash and placed it around the tigers neck.

Leading both tigers back to the castle, she smiled to herself, and briskly went back to her quarters.

Tirihdil ascended the stair way to the Queens chambers, and knocked on her door before opening. He noticed three people inside, The Prince, His personal bodyguard and The Queen. They were talking about something but had stopped upon my entering. "Excuse me my lady" Tirihdil stepped inside and closed the door. "I have just done a quick walk around the wall and the castle looks secure."
Tirihdil sensed the atmosphere of the room "It is my duty to protect you my lady, and my lord. Is there something i must know here?" Normally a guard wouldn't ask questions like this, but Tirihdil often does because of his loyalty to the Queen. He must protect the royal blood of Xana as that was his oath. He''s not afraid to ask questions as long as it helps him with his job as the Queen's guard.

Aeron got up from the table and made his way to Essaerae's quarters. He couldn't believe what had just been suggested, but he was still debating with himself whether or not he thought the queens ambition was good or bad, but he decided to comfort Essaerae since he knew how strongly she felt about it. The castle echoed as he stepped through the hallways, along with the clanging of his armor, Essaerae could probably hear him coming from a mile away. His knuckles clacked on the door as he knocked on her door, "Hey Essa...its me" he said softly "Do you wanna talk?".

Essarae stood out on the balcony of her room, looking down into the gardens of the castle. She barely moved, as Aeron rapped on the wooden door separating her room from the rest of the castle. Although it was entirely inappropriate for the Felian Princess to be in closed quarters with her personal guard, at this point, who held any regard to the traditions anymore? Considering that her mother was making peace with the Xanan filth, Essa saw no reason to stand true to any of it.

"Come in, Aeron."

She stood with her arms crossed, not moving an inch as she invited the man in. "You remember playing down there as kids? Back when life had some kind of a normal sense to it?"

If Aeron was to look down, he would see what she saw: three children playing hide and seek, with birds and squirrels climbing and flying around, above, and on the walls of lush, green bush below. Most of what grew down there, her father had planted himself. This thought brought to her to peer towards the west of the garden, where there sat a rose bush. This particular bush, she had planted herself, with her father.

"When life was simple?" She turned around to look at Aeron, "When we used to sneak out of our rooms and run down there after bedtime?" She laughed out loud, before her eyes started to glow with insecurity and anguish. Before Aeron could reply, she hopped upon the balcony barrier, and shimmied down the vines, dropping to the ground about halfway, and landing squarely on her feet. "Keep up if you can, slacker!" She yelled up to her companion, before taking off running towards the castle gates.

Rebecca nodded her head at Tirihdil.

"Yes. We have come to discussing what our next plan of action is and what we should do after this peace treaty is carried out. Ordrin suggest we seize the opportunity, while the elves have their defenses down to end them once and for all. Prince Karst feels this treaty should be followed through since we are not likely to worry about the elves betraying their word."

"I am on the fence about this what we should do. I only want to do what the people would want but of course no matter what I decide there will be those that are against my actions. Some my want peace, while others want revenge for their fallen family and friends. So I ask you of your opinion, Tirihdil. What do you think we should do?"

Rebecca also considered telling her people about this as well. It was very important. The fate of the entire kingdom shouldn't just be decided by a few individuals. Also, it would be easy to see who would rebel depending on what choice was made if there was a ballot of votes from each person. It would save for a much bigger headache that could ensue down the rode but first Rebecca wanted to here what her royal guard had to say on the matter. His advice was always sound and Rebecca needed him now for his opinion as much as she did when her husband died.

"Their vengeance means nothing to me," spat Karst, somewhat suddenly and somewhat harshly. "My father died at the sword of their King, just as their King died at the sword of ours. Vengeance has been nullified through mutual destruction and now, as heir to the throne, my will is to continue the proceedings of peace until such a time as further action is required."

He turned towards his mother, looking to her for some support in his argument. "Is that not what you want for your son, Mother? To be King of not only our realm - but theirs too? Without violence, no less? No matter the path we choose to take, the ending destination will be the same. Surely it makes sense to travel the easiest path - while preparing for such a time when we might need to take the hardest?"

He looked to Tirihdil, then Ordrin, both valuable allies if they would submit to not only his mother's reign, but his own too. "They say that before the war, our kind could live for hundreds of years. Maybe longer. When was the last time one of ours reached a hundred? One of theirs? I know of none. Our people have been so few, the fighting so fierce, that it has been impossible to not die from a grievous wound, or poison, or deadly illness for as long as any of us can remember! I barely reached adulthood myself, so dangerous is our world.
"I could unite our two peoples and lead us into an era of prosperity that lasts an age. Our numbers with bloom back to their pre-war thousands, hundreds of thousands. We can rebuild and reinhabit the abandoned towns and cities and create a vast, powerful army with which to turn our natural need to conquer onto those who lie beyond the borders of Ufaria."

Aeron walked into Essarae's room, he listened to her talking about when they were children, it brought back fond memories, but he couldn't bare to see her like this. Before he knew it, Essa jumped over the balcony, "Hey! wait up!" he shouted out as he unstrapped his armor and put it hastily on the floor, he ran towards the balcony and swung over in one quick motion. The vines were sturdy and strong, so they had no problem holding his weight, he jumped down to the ground and dust flew up from the earth beneath his feet, he sprinted after Essa to catch up to her.

"The reason why you dont have a prince yet is probably because you're just too fast for any of them to catch up" he laughed as he brought his sprint to a fast jog when he got close enough. Lightening the mood was all he could think of doing at a time like this, to get her mind off what had just happened. "So where are we off today?" he huffed as he drew nearer to the princess.

Essaerae scoffed at Aeron's joke, as she slowed her run to a brisk walk.

"I haven't taken a Prince yet, because not a single one offered can cast even a shadow towards my Father's direction."

She stopped abruptly. "You see that?" She pointed to the west, where there appeared to be a break in the trees bordering the forest. The bottom of the trunks were black, as if they had been burned. Each tree was broken, and shoved in opposite directions, to the forest floor. It appeared as if something had burned them from the ground up, and pushed them over after the bark proved weak enough. Essa crossed the distance to the scene, and squatted down to examine it further. The smell that was left was unique, it didn't smell of just burnt wood. Something else lingered in the air.

As the Princess, with her magic completely in tune, she could recognize Xanan power upon approach. This wasn't from any Drow within Ufaria. This was different. She could sense its' power, the ancient perfection of its' delivery.

She stood again, and peered through the barrier. There was a trail, of similar form. Whatever it was, it was big.

"Gather your senses, Aeron. We're going in to investigate."

Entering the forest was a dangerous act. The land was neutral grounds between the two elven factions. It was possible that they might come across a Drow or two. Without their armor and weapons, they were defenseless. However, Essarae didn't care. Something mysterious had made its' presence known. She was determined to seek it out, and find out what it was exactly.

(Should be in Castle Xana)

Ordrin stood pensively, going through everything that was being said. Maybe he hadn't quite been clear in his statement. He could explain himself more, but let them think what they wanted. Maybe his response would clarify things enough.


Rebecca seemed indecisive. While he would not argue with what she decided, that did not mean he would follow it. Especially if it went against his thoughts. A queen had to be confident in her decisions, able to deal with problems as they came without faltering. While he would have liked to say something regarding that matter, he had promised Karst that he would cease being "disrespectful" to his mother. Karst may have been vexing at times, but Ordrin would follow him down whatever path he chose.

"Whatever is best for our people, Prince Karst. I trust in you to lead us, whether through war or through peace, however uneasy a peace it may be. What you say- and what you say, my queen- shall be my final goal until otherwise." The means to reach that goal would be his however. While Karst may feel the blood debt between the kingdoms settled, Ordrin did not think so. He would have it, no matter the cost. As long as it did not destroy Xana. Civilization brought safety, however destructive a one. Without civilization, they would be little more than animals.

Steeling his face, he cleared his throat. "There is one more thing, something that it is imperative we investigate, if what I found means anything. Something I've never seen," he spoke seriously. Unclasping a small pouch resting on his hip, he withdrew a small violet orb supported by a twisted silver pedestal. Setting it on the table, it oozed a shadowy substance that dissipated quickly. Any light passing near was snagged by the object, leaving it almost unseeable. "I have never seen something like this. While it is similar to our magic, it is far more destructive. It does not seek the balance of life with death; it seeks to consume everything. When I found it, all nearby was rotten, husks of their former selves even by the standards of our spells. Closer- and closer is a relative term, I traveled almost a mile through this- everything was simply disappearing. What was not simply a structure of shadow flickered in and out of existence. You have more knowledge of this than I, my queen. What is it?" He gazed at her intently. He would get an answer of some sort before leaving.

Kona smiled as she stroked her tigers fur, she looked at the male, he was a bit bigger, his muscles thicker, "Come here" she called to the male, who responded with a grunt and slowly moved towards the two, his eyes and ears locked on Kona, "I am Kona, Kona Rose and I will not harm you" she said soothingly in a tone that would help him trust her more.

"I do not have a name but your Charlotte has been calling me Charlie" he said to her as he sat in front of her.

Kona smiled, "Then Charlie it will be" she said with a charming smile. "You both will be allowed out in the morning until dinner time, in which time you will have to return to have a safe place to sleep" she added.

"That sounds fair" he said back.

"You will be getting a collar and saddle" she said in a tone that made sure he understood she did not negotiate. She placed a collar of leather around his neck and rubbed his ears softly.

Upon being asked the question Rebecca peered closer into the orb.

"According to what you say, I'd believe this entity to be a consumer. It devours energy in whatever form it may be. Unfortunately, there are no texts that explain exactly what it is or what its origins are. As long as we are clear of the path it's taking we should be fi-" Rebecca's eyes went out of focus for a second but she quickly returned to normal.
"It seems we have guest. My animals have picked up to stray elves that just crossed into our territory. Despite the peace that was asked for, it seems we are having several invaders today. The orb will have to wait. Its path is predictable. The elves are not. I want them captured alive, if possible. I must know if they act independently of their queen before I decide what shall be done with them. Who knows? If they are defiant of their Elf Queen and we turn them over then surely that would earn us favor in her eyes."

"Of course making allies with the Elves would be beneficial... And they are trustworthy... However the Xanan population are still filled with hatred for the Elves. I wouldn't know what decision to make..."

Tirihdil listened in on the conversation.

"..Elves? Hmm... This is unusual for the elves to go back on their word and attack us..."

"Should i ready the archers?" Tirihdil asked the Queen

"Of course making allies with the Elves would be beneficial... And they are trustworthy... However the Xanan population are still filled with hatred for the Elves. I wouldn't know what decision to make..."

Tirihdil listened in on the conversation.

"..Elves? Hmm... This is unusual for the elves to go back on their word and attack us..."

"Should i ready the archers?" Tirihdil asked the Queen

(BTW, the Elves are in neutral territory not Drow territory. :P)

"There's only two of them, yes? Then they're likely hunters, or a small border patrol. They might even be envoys, but I won't know until I get there," he explained, standing tall and beginning to fasten up the coat he wore; fastened into the style of dragon wings winding around his form. "Myself and Ordrin will go and watch from a distance and approach them if need be."

He had no need to go personally, but when Karst was bored there was little anyone could do to detain him. "Ordrin will follow me, hidden and prepared to strike if there is danger. Guard, receive an order!" He called through the door, at which point one of the standing men of the castle watch entered the room and bowed. "Prepare my father's horse and sword, have them ready for me by gate. Have a horse for Ordrin prepared too."

He turned towards his mother and Tirihdil, lost in thought for a moment. "I imagine you're going to have Tirihdil follow me. That's fine. I don't care. As long as I'm not even aware that he and his men are present, for I do not want this simple scouting session look to be a serious patrol or attack. Nor do I want him to act unless we are beset upon by hidden enemy forces. No doubt the enemy will be cautious and hostile when we arrive in these neutral lands and I will not see them dead simply for drawing a sword or bow."

He turned, not saying another word as he left the room and made his way out towards the gate. He would continue this, unless someone stopped him.

Upon learning that a group of elves had been detected in the neutral territory and that they were to go investigating, Ordrin began smiling. A weak smile, but one nonetheless. He had hoped to rest a bit more after returning from his trip through the forest, especially when he had been carrying the consumer with him. While it seemed to not be completely active, it was nevertheless taxing to carry the artifact for any length of time. Karst barked his orders and left the room, leaving him there with Rebecca and Tirihdil.

Turning back towards them, he picked up the small purple orb, gazing into its depths before tearing his gaze away. It would do no good to have himself die. Setting it back down, he addressed Rebecca, "My Queen, if it is your desire to keep the orb for further study, I shall leave it here. If I am to retain it for the time being, send it down to the stables." Bowing shallowly, he backed out of the room. Leaping down the stairs three steps at a time, he swiftly made his way back to the room in which he resided. A fortunate thing that he had left the haversack packed as it was.

Picking up the bag, he retrieved the hand-crossbow and the accompanying bolts from the drawer in his nightstand. While the forest would limit the effectiveness of such a weapon, it was usually beneficial to carry some sort of ranged weapon in case of emergencies. Stopping in the act of leaving the room, he laughed. What were they doing? A prince, his bodyguard, and the Queen's bodyguard going to investigate a simple incursion into neutral territory. So easily they could die and none would be the wiser until the bodies were found. If they were found.

With that, he proceeded to the stables where Karst was waiting for him. Bowing as a greeting, he moved immediately to the matter, "I presume you will not be turned from the matter. In that case, I shall do my best to preserve your health my prince. How would you like me to follow, behind, ahead, or to the side? Each presents their own risk and options. Myself, I think it is best if I scout the path so as the find any dangers." Waiting for Kart's response, Ordrin attached the haversack and crossbow to the saddle before mounting. Time for another adventure.

"What has happened here?" Aeron asked curiously as he bent down and picked up some ash, rubbing it between his fingers, "What would someone plan to achieve by doing this?" he continued. With every step Aeron's boots got darker and darker from the ash, and every step closer felt more and more dangerous. "Essa, do you really think its a good idea to be this close to the drow" he worried, "If they sense our presence they could ambush us, and if they captured the only heir to the Felian throne....". Convincing the princess to turn back would be an impossible task, Aeron knew that, but the last thing he wanted was for her to be in danger.

Essa stood a few twenty feet in front of Aeron, "Not someone, something." She corrected.

She could sense that the creature that made this mess did indeed have a soul, but not one of the elven nature, such as herself and Aeron, or any Drow for that matter.

"They want peace, don't they? What good would it serve for them to attack at this point?"

Reaching out, she plucked a small twig that barely stay connected to it's branch. It was mangled in three different parts, "What kind of animal do you know of that would take a bite out of bark, but not chew it to bits?" This question she asked out loud, not directed to Aeron at all, but more to herself. She considered herself well educated in the ways of her own world, but at this point, she wouldn't have minded having Kona Rose around. As crazy as the woman seemed, she did have a way with the animals.

Further on up, she could see more traces of burnt wood. One branch in particular drew her attention. It was still connected to the tree, completely in tact. It appeared to have some kind of green substance forming on the outside of the charred wood. Something within the atmosphere was reacting to whatever it was that made the burn. When Essa grazed the wood with her hand, the green substance glowed, and grew thicker. It was a reaction to the healing magic within the forest. As much as it hurt her to do it, she snapped the twig from it's tree. Tearing from her shirt sleeve a wide piece of cloth, she wrapped the twig up tightly.

"Aeron, take this to my mother. Immediately. Bring Kona Rose back with you, and meet me at the top of Mount Urt. Bring your full armor, and my own if you can transport it." She shoved the wrapped wood into his arms, "That's an order!" She exclaimed.

Essa turned, and continued to climb the upgrade to the bottom of Mount Urt. She could feel the excitement of discovery knocking.
The only knowledge she had of magical fire within the Felian realm, or passed it, was that of a Dragon. They hadn't been seen since the birth of the Xanan Prince Karst. Rumors spread that one had tried to eat him as a babe, poisoning him with their breath of fire, as the Xanan King made it his living will to exterminate the species. What if he had failed? What if the animals had just taken refuge at the top of the mountain, where not many Elf or Drow dared to venture?

Essa herself had never really had a reason to climb the mountain, until now.

"Don't worry my lady i will go with him and make sure things go smoothly" Tirihdil said as he left the Queen's quarters.

Tirihdil reported to the stables after gathering a small amount of supplies for himself. The prince and Ordrin were also at the stables getting ready to head out. "My Lord" Tirihdil bowed slightly as he walked in respect for the Prince. Tirihdil's respect for the royal family was in high regard as he was brought up to be that way by his father who had died alongside the king. "Count me in on your scouting mission, i'm good in a fight and in the shadows" He continued to sattle up the horse "I think your mother would prefer it if i came and don't worry. I'm not bringing anyone else, so lets just get this thing scouted and come back." He jumped onto the horse "The faster we come back t
he less your mother will be worried" Tirihdil added.