Naveen

"Maleen, Rina could you both come back?" I called as I smiled softly at Dorian. "You have to ask her...I can't make the choice for you....but I want the three of us together..."

Rina:

I let Maleen out first and followed behind her. She was subdued but her face lit up with hope when she saw Dorian looking back at us.

"Ask her." I said, my wings giving a little flutter.

Maleen:

I looked to Wren and my eyes widened in shock. She had shown herself as an angel to him. I was more than a little nervous about that. "Wren wants me to stay with the two of you and protect you. Is this what you want?" Dorian asked me but I was still staring at Wren. She had said that to him? I felt a tinge of something I couldn't identify, but it was uncomfortable. She wanted Dorian to stay with us? I cared for Dorian, I really did, but I cared for Wren more...

I smiled up at her. "Its your choice.". I promised her as I got up to take her hand, still glowing faintly.

Maleen:

I squeezed her hand when she took it. Somehow she was even more beautiful than usual, radiant. "Okay," I said softly. "I don't want Dorian to leave." It was completely true, I didn't want him to leave, but I didn't know if I always wanted him with us.

I beamed at her and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. My wings gave a happy little flutter before I turned to Rina. "Everything is better now."

Rina:

I looked at the three of them. The only one who truly seemed happy was Wren. Maleen looked confused, Dorian still just looked shell shocked. “Even so, he should stay here tonight, just in case…” I told her.

"Okay." I smiled at her before rushing over to a pile of papers and bringing them over to everyone.

Maleen:

I sat down close to Dorian but not on the same cushion as I had done before. It was heard not to feel warm toward Wren when she was so bright like this, but my heart seemed to beat painfully and I didn’t know why.

I gave them each their letters, and each letter was filled with words of thanks and what I enjoyed most about them. Maleen's was the biggest, taking up two full sheets. I retreated to stand nervously, hoping my writing wasn't horrible.

Rina:

It was very sweet and simple. I was touched that she had thought to write one for me. I looked up to the other two to see if they had the same letter. Dorian was tracing the rough letters with his little finger. Maleen had tears brimming her eyes. Not the same then. “Thank you honey, this it very sweet.” I told her softly.

I beamed and bounced a little, wings giving tiny little flutters of joy. "I'm gonna go redress okay?" I told her before skipping towards my room.

~skip a few days~

Rina:

I read the message over a dozen times. It was a daunting mission. I had fought monsters before, but never ones with equal or superior intellect. Vampires were renowned for their knowledge of secrets. If there was important information, the vampires were sure to know it. They thrived on scandal and gossip. Brian needed information on the prince. Information that no amount of spying had recovered for him, and I was the one he chose and trusted to retrieve that information from the vampires.

I knew I couldn’t back out of it, it was a chance to do something major to support the cause. And I had been getting bored with being in the elves home with no purpose. Still, it was a dangerous game that had to be played just right or I would be paying for secrets with my life.

I sought Talon out to tell him the news that I had to leave as soon as possible. Not only had Brian given me the assignment, but he had requested that the soldiers here join him at a new camp. The elves would soon have their home back free of humans.

Talon:

I swung my blade at Callen, panting softly as the both of us continued our spar. I had lost my shirt long ago, sweat staining my skin as I stepped forward and aimed another blow towards his stomach, the thin wooded weapon flicking out in a flash.

Rina:

I found him in the courtyard and stood off to the side not wanting to interrupt but making it clear that I was waiting for him. I tried not to admire him too much, it lead to confusing and unwelcome feelings, like desire and longing.

I twisted and slid my blade under his making him release it lest he break a finger. Even with strengthened wooden weapons, our strength could break both wood and bone alike. I brought my blade up in a vicious blow, or it would have been if I didn't pull it so it just rested on his chest. We stood there panting before both of us laughed good naturedly. "Good fight Callan." I told him with a grin.

"Still can't beat you, but damn am I trying." He shook his head then waved a hand towards Rina. "Go on, you have a visitor." He knelt to pick up his blade while I turned to regard Rina.

I was panting slightly but I didn't let that bother me as I moved over to stand before her, "What can I do for you Rina?"

Rina:

I handed him a message from Brian, giving his gratitude for hosting us and requesting that I be escorted out immediately and that the rest of our party leave soon after. “In return for taking me down through the mountains he has a… gift for you, to meet us when we reach the bottom safely.” I said in a formal tone. I clasped my hands over my letter in front of me, swishing my green dress slightly.

I read over the message before nodding. "Alright, we can get you down the mountain in just a little bit. I just need to wash up before I and another bring you down." I told her, lifting my eyes up to watch her swishing dress.

Rina:

My eyes widened in surprise. “We can leave now, within the next hour?” I asked. I expected that immediately meant first thing in the morning. “I’ll gather a few things then, and meet you back here.” My eyes glanced involuntarily down at his bare torso and I forced the image of him bathing out of my mind.

"We could. Perhaps longer if I can't get a second in a swift enough time. But for sure within two hours." I stated after a moments thought. "But I will meet you here regardless. Is there anything you need or want before I go?"

Rina:

I looked back to his face with a soft blush. “Uh, no. I will meet you back here. I need to tell the girls what’s going on as well…”

I raised an eyebrow at her blush. "Alright, I'll be in my chambers prepping if you need anything before we leave. If not I will meet you back here soon."

Rina:

I went to my room to collect the things I would need for the trip. I left behind the nonessentials for the girls to bring later. Of the few things I packed, most were weapons. My swallows fluttered around me chirping in excitement. I hadn’t been taking them with me since we got here because there was no danger, but now there would be plenty need for them, Aero especially.

I set out to find the girls, heading to the library first. I found them with Dorian at their usual table, reading and helping Wren when she needed it. I explained that I was going to be leaving but I would see them in a week or so. I didn’t mention the vampires, that would make them worry needlessly.

Wren:

I got up and hugged Rina. "Good luck, see you soon okay?" I was back to wearing thicker guy clothing. Hiding my wings and who I was, it had been my choice to do so. And I had gone further by wearing pants and boots instead of just a thick tunic.

Talon:

I dressed in my armor, and gathered my weapons. Sliding each into their own sheaths. I paused as I stared at my old weapons. Savion's weapons. I tore my gaze away from them and walked a few paces away before cursing and walking back. I grabbed them both, sliding them into the double sheath and strapping it to my back, under the greatsword. From there I grabbed my pack and left, grabbing Callan on the way. I had spoken to him before heading to my room so he was ready to help me escort Rina down the mountain and to come back while I did what needed to be done with Brian.

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