The light faded and there stood a handsome man appearing to be in his late thirties. He looked much like both elves that Cale had seen but before he could question him, the man knelt down beside Elassë and began to speak in Elvish, his hands out above her, palms down. Araya gently pulled Eric away from Elassë so this stranger could work, despite Eric fighting to stay at her side. After a minute or two of that, Elassë had stopped gasping for breath. "Cale, would you please remove the arrow, slowly." The man spoke in a soft yet commanding voice.

Cale gave a slight nod, wondering how this man knew who he was but daring not question it now. Cale stepped forward but Eric moved in the way, breaking off the head of the arrow, and slowly sliding the shaft out. As the shaft was removed from the wound, blood flowed freely, no longer blocked by something. After a moment however, the stem of blood was cut off abruptly and as the arrow passed through the other side of her lung, that too, was cut off the same as before and she began to breathe easier. She was still unconscious, though her color was returning and her breathing was visible. The arrow was finally pulled free from her flesh and very little blood now came with it, as though the track the arrow left healed as it was removed. "Will she be alright?" Eric asked quietly, his voice holding a strange amount of emotion as he looked at this new elf.

A moment of silence, long enough to cause worry before he answered, "I do believe so. Elassë has always been a person of strong will. There are other factors running in her favor but I shall not be the one to reveal them."

Araya stepped forward, breaking free of her momentary surprise, "Who ARE you? You're like her, aren't you?"

The man stood, slightly indignant, "You mean an elf, yes. And as for who I am, quite frankly, it is none of your business, however, seeing as how you are on my land, my name is Elizon. I am Elassë's father and, for all intents and purposes, king of this forest and this land. Now, if you will all please surrender your weapons, we will escort you to my city."

Cale stepped forward, "No disrespect meant, Sir Elizon, but we will be unable to comply with your request. If I am gone too long, my father will send his guards to search for me. And seeing as how you knew my name, I can only assume you know who my father is."

Elizon gave a small nod, halting the approach of the elves from the trees, at least for the moment. "Very well, Prince Cale, you may leave. However, if you so choose to leave now, then your guards will remain here under my command but, if you choose to accompany myself and my men back to my city, then we will allow you to leave within the week."

Cale turned to look at his group, seeing them nod their heads away, encouraging him to leave and so, when he returned his gaze to Elizon, gave the response, "We will stay for the time being. But I shall leave before the week ends."

"Wise choice, Prince Cale." Elizon said with a small smile, deceptively pleasant. He was hiding something but they did not quite know what it was. "Your weapons, please. My men will collect and carry your weapons and take along your horse."

"First," Cale began with his hand on the hilt of his sword, "Before we agree to anything, you must give us your word as a leader and an elf, that no harm will come to us, so long as we cooperate fully and you must guarantee us freedom within the week."

Elizon smiled once again, the smile that made one question another's motives. "Very well Prince Cale, I give you my word as a leader and an elf that you will not be harmed and you will be free to leave within one week, so long as you and your people cooperate fully with my requests." With that promise, the members of the group handed over all of their weapons, hesitantly, including small daggers meant for skinning and cutting meat. Some of the Elven guards lifted Elassë and carried her off through the trees while another picked up the wolf-like creature, shouldering and following suit.

"Follow me." The guard that spoke was rather on the short side for an elf but he looked strong and nimble, like he could move through the forest faster than any and could put up one hell of a fight. He moved quickly through the trees, darting left and right. It was difficult for the humans to follow him and impossible for them to tell which way they were going. Cale thought that perhaps he had made the right decision, in that if he were to try and navigate his own way out of here, he would be lost for sure.

"How much farther?" Araya asked, slowing slightly to catch her breath with Sam. She was unaccustomed to running long distances as an archer and being several months pregnant was surely not helping her case. Sam would have kept up just fine but he was not leaving Araya behind in the forest of elves and other such dark creatures.

The elf stopped running, clearly irritated by the lack of stamina and grace that these humans held but he waited as patiently as he could, nonetheless. "About two miles." After about five minutes of resting, the elf gave a small laugh, "And I thought humans said that they were in shape. Keep up or get lost." With that being said, the small elf began his pace as a jog at first, stepping it up to a run once he was sure they were following.

The last two miles took them nearly four hours, having to stop for Araya on several occasions, once even to vomit. She looked pale and shaky but caught up once she regained her composure, "I'm not sure how much farther I can go. Please say we are almost there."

Pointing up ahead, the elf stated plainly, as if it was obvious and she was just being un-observant, "The grand city is right there. Now hurry yourselves." He slowed to a saunter as he approached a gate well hidden with vines. The gates opened as he reached them, allowing him and his visitors to pass through un-hindered. "Do not stop and do not touch anything or say anything. You are not welcome here by most and if you offend, we will not protect you. Keep your eyes down and follow me." Without even waiting for confirmation of understanding, the little elf led them through a series of hollow trees, tunnels, bridges and walkways until they reached a large, elaborate and intricately designed and decorated building. Onyx and quartz were set against beautiful alabaster forming many designs and elvish runes. The building itself was awe-inspiring and the fact that it was built into the mountain itself that it rested against was simply breath-taking.

Caymen hesitated, looking around at the sheer beauty of it all. Her honey brown eyes set against her tanned, olive colored skin, awestruck at it all. A nudge by some kind of polearm quickly regained her focus and without looking behind her to see who or what it was, ran ahead to catch up to the group. Upon reaching the end of the hallway, what they found made the city itself seem dull in comparison.

The throne room was built from alabaster and granite with silver and gold inlaid in elvish runes and murals, the ceiling seeming to stretch upwards for eternity. Onyx and quartz provided more intricate details in the murals and the quartz surrounded the tall, open windows which filtered in the soft rays of the sunset. The sight they beheld was breathtaking and made the two sitting at their thrones made of marble seem dull in comparison. However, despite the beauty of the room, the two commanded their attention and respect without having said a single word. While crossing the distance between the entrance and the thrones, the elf stated, "When we reach the thrones, follow my lead and bow until you are told to rise."

Eric opened his mouth to comment but closed it again, thinking better of it. When they reached just a few feet from the throne, the elf bowed low at the waist in a dramatic show of submission. The others followed suit, bowing low at the waist as well remaining there a bit longer than was strictly necessary, those at the thrones seeming to take their time. The man clad in a white and silver tunic whom they had come to know as Elizon spoke, "Rise."

The little elf rose and began to speak, "Obere Amian Master Elizon and Mistress Kianna, I bring before you those who have trespassed on our lands, injured your daughter on multiple occasions and this one here is the son of our enemy." He pulled Cale forward, taking pleasure in hearing the gasps and whispers throughout the throne room from the other elves.

Kianna sat up a little straighter, folding her hands in her lap. "Are these accusations true, boy?" Her blue eyes held a sudden coldness as she looked upon Cale.

Cale lowered his head slightly, "Your Excellencies, I know that I have no right to speak here, nor do I expect you to believe any word that comes out of my mouth. However, I can assure you, the only time my party and I ever intentionally wounded Elassë..."

Whispers ran amongst the various elves in the room and Elizon stood up, fury written across his face, "You do not DARE speak my daughter's name. If you so much as utter ONE syllable of her name, I shall have you imprisoned immediately, do I make myself clear?"

With a sharp inhale, Cale gave a nod, "My apologies your Excellency. I did not realize it was an offense. First off I would like to give a heartfelt apology to your people as a whole for what my father has done." As Cale spoke, Elizon returned to his throne, folding his hands in his lap like Kianna, "Secondly, I wish to extend my condolences for the loss of one of your children fourteen years ago at the hands of my father. She was..."

Kianna stood this time, striking him across the face, angry tears coming to her eyes, "If you had left well enough alone, she would still be alive!" She then proceeded to hastily leave the throne room, much to the dismay of the other elves.

Unsure what had just taken place, Cale stood shocked for a moment, his hand caressing his cheek gently, the spot tender from her strike. "I...Um...About E...your daughter, the only time one of my group attacked her was the night you found us. Caymen thought that your daughter was going to attack and kill me and so she shot before to protect me. When we originally found her, she had been wounded by several arrows from one of my father's guards. We took care of her wounds and told her she was free to go but she chose to stay with us. She then led us to where you last found us."

Elizon listened to the last of the story in silence, bringing his hands up to his mouth, his elbows resting on his throne armrests. He seemed to be contemplating what his next course of action would be. Choosing his words carefully, he lowered his hands, "Caymen you say? Let this Caymen step forward."

A few moments of hesitation and nod from Cale brought Caymen forward, afraid but putting on a brave mask. "I am Caymen and I am sorry for..."

"Silence!" Elizon snapped, "You DO NOT speak unless I first address you, is that clear?!"

Caymen flinched, dropping her eyes to the ground, "Yes, sir." Her voice was quiet, almost child-like.

Elizon seemed to calm down and folded his hands on his lap, giving a look to Cale indicating that he was not to move, "For your transgressions against my daughter, your sentence would normally be death, HOWEVER..." He spoke this last word loudly, interrupting Cale's words of protest, "Seeing as how you were doing your duty and protecting your prince, however hated he may be amongst my kind, and the fact that my daughter will live, your sentence shall be lessened. You are to suffer the same wound you have caused on my daughter and shall be healed as she has been. You will be given that chance."

A quiet gasp came from Caymen as she raised her eyes to look at Elizon, "But I..." She looked at her friends for help but all seemed at a loss for words, other than Elizon. He seemed far too pleased with this situation.

"There IS another alternative however; you may not like that one. You CAN always choose death." Elizon gave a small, cruel smile and for a moment, his beautiful features appeared full of malice and cruelty.

"You must be mad!" Cale exclaimed, stepping forward only to be brought to his knees by the guards on either side of the thrones. He did not give up though, rising once again to his feet, "I will not allow this. It was an accident and your daughter is going to live. Who says Caymen will?"

Elizon sat upon his throne, watching the futile words of this prince and responded with, "Since you seem so eager, perhaps you would like to take her place young prince. I guarantee that any one of my men would love to shoot you without a moment of hesitation."

Cale paused for a moment, stunned into silence before stepping forward, straightening up, "and I would gladly take any of my guards' places without a second thought."

"Very well then, young prince. You shall take your friend's punishment." Elizon stated his face unreadable but they all knew he was taking great delight in his punishment of his greatest enemy's son. "Mikhael, come forward and ready your weapon."

One of the two guards stepped forward, drawing his dagger, a slight smile on his face. He had seen the wound on his precious Elassë and he fully intended this prince to live and suffer.

Cale took a deep breath to steady himself and clasped his hands behind his back, feet shoulder-width apart in the stance of a soldier at rest.

Araya moved to rush to his side but was stopped by the other guard. She looked at Cale pleadingly, "Cale, you don't have to do this! Please, sir, there must be another way!"

"Proceed." Elizon stated simply, enjoying these human reactions to their precious prince facing death.

Mikhael walked to Cale, clasping a hand on his shoulder and placed the dagger against his side, checking his aim. About to strike, his hand was stayed by the all too familiar voice of the woman he loved.

"Father! Stop this!" The voice belonged to the fair haired elf, looking much like Elassë and sounding almost just like her only a little younger. She stood in a silk gown, simple yet elegant, a fine powder blue color, embroidered with deep purples and greens.

Mikhael stopped, looking up at this new addition to the room, his eyes growing curious. Cale took that moment to turn and look, wondering who it was who spoke. Whoever it was, he was grateful not to have the dagger at his ribs, if only for the moment.

Elizon looked over at his daughter, frustration seeping into his gaze, "My dear Lakuna, you do not seem to understand the situation."

Lakuna stepped in front of Cale, "Father, Elassë has spoken to me and has explained everything. This act of violence is not necessary. Please father; do not do something that would incur his father's wrath. The last thing we need is a full scale war against our people." Her words left silence in their wake, her eyes burning as she watched her father.

Elizon knew his daughter's words were true but how could he just let such actions against his second eldest remain unpunished? He thought for a few moments before asking, "And what would you suggest I do, my dear Lakuna?"

Lakuna took a deep breath, clearing her mind then looked her father in the eyes, "If they must be punished, then perhaps three stings." Stings were what the elves referred to as lashes from a whip with barbs along the last six inches.

With a momentary thoughtful look on his face, Elizon gave a nod, "Very well but the number will be five. Mikhael, kindly retrieve the scorpion and proceed with the woman's punishment. Elijah, restrain her."

The second guard moved quickly, grabbing her hands and tying them at the wrists. Cale barely had time to react before Caymen was being shackled to the floor of the throne room. "What are you doing to her?" Cale asked, moving forward, only to be blocked by a new guard.

"Keep them back." Elizon ordered and the guards responded by stepping between, and blocking, the group from Caymen.

Mikhael returned moments later with what appeared to be a long whip in his hand. "Elijah, if you will." As he spoke, Mikhael unfurled the whip and from behind the guards, Cale could see that the end of the whip was barbed.

Cale charged the guards but they held him firm, "Let me take the punishment instead! I have already volunteered! Please!" He hated seeing a friend and loyal bodyguard put in this situation, knowing that it was once again, his fault.

While he spoke, Elijah cut open the back of her shirt, revealing the smooth olive skin of her back. She closed her eyes, hanging her head, her dark hair falling in front of her face to cover the tears that would soon fall. Elijah stepped back, allowing room for Mikhael to deliver the blows.

Elizon adjusted in his throne, waving one hand to a guard as an order to silence the prince while ignoring his pleas. "Continue Mikhael."

Mikhael drew back his arm, bringing down the whip in an arc, the steel tips connecting with her flesh and when the whip was pulled away, so was her flesh. A scream was pulled from her lips as her back arched away from the whip, trying to get away but her bonds held her tight. Four more strikes and she collapsed, weeping in the fetal position as the whip was cleaned and looped back up. Mikhael was not like the other elves. His hair was chestnut brown and eyes the color of dark honey. His skin had the look of dusty stones and he had been charged with enacting disciplinary actions. Mikhael returned to stand beside the throne, watching the pitiful excuse for a woman bleeding and crying on the floor before them.

Cale rushed past the guards when they allowed him to and dropped to his knees beside Caymen, Eric following suit and kneeling beside her, examining her wounds. He noted they were not fatal but they would need some care. Cale saw what Eric was thinking and removed his shirt, tearing it into good sized bandages and handing them to Eric who took the bandages with a nod, reaching into his bag for the bottle of mead he never finished. Leaning forward, Eric whispered, "Caymen, love, this is going to hurt. A lot, but it is necessary." After Cale took her hand, Eric uncorked the bottle and began to pour; not stopping even when Caymen's screams begged him to, until the wound was clean. Cale could hear Araya sob, her face buried in Sam's chest, helping Eric sit Caymen up. He took the cloth and as gently as he could, wrapped her wounds and only received slight whimpers from the now mostly unconscious Caymen.

Lakuna watched the tender care that these two gave their friend and the pain it caused them just to see her suffering the way she was. She knew, however, that if she were to offer her assistance, her father would not see this punishment as just. It was not that Elizon was a cruel man, or at least he didn't used to be but after losing so many children and people to the humans, he had a particular cruelty toward them. She had prevented him from doing anything to start a full scale war, which she knew the elves would lose but that had not stopped him from killing and torturing any of the king's men who dared enter his forest. Lakuna's father had changed the day her older sister had died at the hands of the king. She had not known her but knew the stories of how kind, giving and vibrant her sibling had been and how cheerful and happy and even nice, her father was. However, on the day her sister died, she had heard how her father became spiteful, angry and dark, even allowing the Drow amongst them a position of power. His people had changed with him, fearing the humans, hating them, looking forward to making them suffer and inflating their own, already large egos, making them think they were "superior" to humans.

Eric looked up at Cale, a dark look on his face while he held his friend, worried about hurting her, "You still think they are better than us Cale? You still think they are beautiful?" His voice held traces of spite but Cale knew that it was more fear than hatred.

"Perhaps not as I once did but they have a right to be as angry and cruel to us as they are. With what my father and his men have put them through, it surprises me that we are still alive." Cale stated quietly, anger mixing with pity for these creatures who felt as if they needed to hurt humans to survive.

Eric gave a harsh laugh, "Of course you do." He lifted Caymen up as gently as he could, pushing past the guards and without even a moment's hesitation, walked out the doors of the throne room, standing tall and proud.

Elizon had stood, about to say something when Lakuna put out her hands, pleading, "Father, please, leave them be. They have suffered enough in punishment. There is no need to be cruel."

Looking down at her, a soft smile came to his face, "Lakuna, my dear child. You care too much for such an old man. Take them and show them where they may rest and eat. I shall keep my word to the prince."

"You have already broken your word. You harmed one of my people." Cale stood, turning to face the elf, his chest bare and Caymen's blood on his hands and arms. He hated the man before him but he tried to remain calm, knowing he was not nearly out of danger.

Elizon turned his gaze on Cale taking a step forward and raising his voice, "I promised, and I quote, "you will not be harmed and you will be free to leave within one week, so long as you and your people cooperate fully with my requests". So do not DARE to question my honesty. I have not broken my word, despite the temptation and the near mistake. You will not be harmed and will be free to leave. What your friend received was just punishment for her crimes and less that what any other of your people or your father's men would have received. Now get out of my throne room before I do decide to break my word."

Before Cale could recover from his shock, Lakuna gripped his elbow, leading him toward the exit, the other three following behind. "I humbly apologize for my father's actions. He has become spiteful to your kind over the years, since my sister was killed by a human; things have just gotten worse from there."

Cale shook his head, clearing his thoughts, "You should not have to apologize for anyone else's actions, though I do understand feeling the need to. I myself have apologized for my father's actions on multiple occasions."

"Come; let us find your friend before he gets himself in trouble." Lakuna said with a small smile, moving along quickly through the city and finding Eric with ease, "Sir, please, come with me and we will find her a safe place to rest as she recovers."

Eric wheeled around, looking disheveled and slightly mad, a relatively wild look in his eyes, "Maybe I should kill you! Or take you hostage to get to the "king"."

"Eric, calm yourself, now." Cale said, fearing for his friend's safety with such words in the city of elves where all was heard and seen.

Eric spit at Cale's feet, "You are just as bad as these pointy-eared freaks Cale. You sympathize with them even after seeing what they did to one of your most loyal friends and bodyguards."

Titus stepped forward, "Eric, enough. If you wish to hit Cale, fine, do so but only after we have ensured Caymen's safety. If you continue, the archers in the trees will surely kill you and her and possibly the rest of us in mere moments."

Eric momentarily halted his tirade, looking around and calming, at least visibly, knowing Titus was right, as always. "Believe me, I will. I quit your service Cale and do not consider me a friend any longer." Looking over at Lakuna who stood by nervously, he said, "You said something about a safe place for her to rest?"

"Yes sir," Lakuna nodded, motioning for them to follow, "Just through here. And please, do not let my father's actions break up such a friendship."

"It wasn't your father's actions. It was HIS." Eric nodded over at Cale who remained silent, an aching pain in his heart from possibly losing a lifelong friend.

As Cale followed Lakuna, he began thinking about his life with Eric. Eric's mother had been one of the servants in the castle and good friends with Cale's mother. His father had been one of the king's personal guards and when Eric was conceived, Cale's father was furious and had his mother not been overjoyed, surely would have killed at least Eric's father. Cale's mother was two months along and loved the idea of another pregnant woman for company. They talked often, becoming as close as sisters and when their children were born, they were raised together as if they were brothers. They remained friends for six years before Cale's mother, the beautiful and fair queen Helena, died of an unknown disease. He understood Lakuna's words as his own father had changed upon losing his mother. Eric and Cale remained distant friends but it was rough after Cale's father had both of Eric's parents exiled and their child raised by another servant until he was thirteen and old enough to be trained as a guard.

Lakuna led them for a few minutes, bringing them into a building similar to a gazebo with columns of alabaster supporting a roof of granite and marble. It was away from the main city itself, accessible by a path of stones, the path ending at a set of three stairs leading into the building. The building was very dull compared to the rest of the city and they noticed the spaces between the columns, a series of low walls circled the building and some sort of cloth was draped over the openings preventing them from seeing inside. The door held a set of beads which Lakuna held aside for them to enter. Upon entering, they noticed the inside of the building was dark but when Lakuna pulled back the cloth, tying it at the sides, it let in plenty of light. The floor, though made of marble, held paint splatters and was chipped and cracked in some places. The columns held painted canvases and the ceiling was covered in paintings, obscuring the fine architecture. A four poster bed sat in the middle of the room, fine, transparent cloth draping down, the sheets appearing to be silk. A few chairs sat around the room, one in front of a desk, two on either side of a large bookshelf and one, more a sofa chair than an actual chair, sat against a window, A table with many different paints sat next to an easel fitted with a canvas and a half painted picture of a lake Cale all to easily recognized. Instead of a scene of death, however, the lake was serene and shone with the setting sun. A second doorway sat opposite the first and appeared to be a balcony, looking over what, the group did not know. "You may lay her there." Lakuna said, gesturing to the bed, "This is my room. You will be safe here."

Araya looked around, scanning the many different paintings with fascination, "These are very good. Did you paint them all?"

"Yes, much to my father's dismay. He said I should not cover such beautiful architecture with such things as these." Lakuna said quietly, a small smile of fondness on her face. She walked over to Caymen once Eric had laid her gently on the bed, face down. She examined the still bleeding wounds and moved to provide at least a small heal but Eric grabbed her wrist.

"She doesn't need YOUR help, elf." Eric spat, his eyes holding hatred for Lakuna.

Lakuna gave another small smile, this one different than the fondness for her paintings, "Very well. If she does not need my help, then you may take her out of my room. And perhaps out of my protections."

Eric began to say something, hesitated and changed his mind, saying instead, "Fine, heal her. But that had better be all you do. I will be watching." He let go of her wrist, stepping only half a step back and watching them both very carefully.

Lakuna once again reached out her hands, palms down over the wounds and began speaking in Elvish. As the wounds began closing, enough to stop the bleeding, she removed her hands and before Eric could speak, she looked at him, saying, "If I were to heal her any further, my father would know and would not consider her punishment settled. You may all wander around this area but I would not recommend heading too far away from my room."

"Thank you." Cale said, walked up to Eric who turned and began to walk away until Cale grabbed his wrist and turned him around, "Eric, stop. Please. We have been friends since we were babies and I would hate to lose that friendship now. I need to tell you something."

"I want to hear nothing you have to say Cale, now let me go. We are no longer friends." Eric stated plainly, trying to pull his wrist free.

"How about this...you listen to what I have to say and regardless of what you feel at the end, I will let you go and not bother you any further." Cale bargained, hoping that his friend would hear him out.

Eric sighed, relaxing for the moment, "Fine, but make it quick. I want to get this over with as quick as possible."

"Thank you. This is something you may have heard rumor of and I'm sure at least have been curious about, at least parts of it for awhile. A year before you began training to be a guard, I met a girl about our age and her and I became wonderful friends. My father found us one day because I missed a lesson with one of my trainers and when he tried to take me back to the castle, the girl attacked him, trying to help free me. My father pushed her back and she..." Cale hesitated a moment, having never told this story to anyone else. He took a deep breath, regaining his composure before continuing, "She fell and hit her head. The little girl...she was their daughter. She was an elf and because she was friends with me...because she tried to help me, she got killed. That is why I do not hate the elves as much as you do; because my father killed their daughter, because of me. I am sorry Eric, and I am greatly angered for what they did to Caymen but I cannot hate them for what they have done because of my father."

While Lakuna listened, she closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to spill over. She had never heard the actual story of how her sister had died; only rumors and even those were scarce after her father had banned them. Hearing it from someone who was there and who felt such remorse for what happened and to blame for himself made her emotions reach the breaking point. She turned away enough to hide the tears forming in her eyes before looking back to the two of them once she regained emotional control.

Eric took in what Cale was telling him and after, pulled his wrist away, unsure of what to say. Instead, he walked over to the balcony which he found hung over the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. He had no idea until then just how close they were to the sea. A cool breeze blew up from the ocean and ruffled his sandy blonde, short cropped hair slightly. His green eyes looked out over the expanse of water, then at his surroundings. To the left the cliffs met the forest and continued on as far as he could see and when he looked to his right, he saw the side of part of the mountain. Eric let his eyes trail up the mountain and about thirty feet away stood another balcony and what he saw made his breath catch in his throat for a moment. Elassë stood on the balcony, looking out over the ocean, her hands resting on the railing. She had bathed and her hair was brushed and pinned back. She now wore a dark green gown, of which details he could not make out from this distance but it was unmistakably her.

Lakuna walked out to stand beside Eric, her curious gaze following his and seeing her eldest sister, asked, "You care for Elassë, do you not?"

Eric started, turning to face Lakuna with the look of one having been caught watching a woman changing. "I...Wh...I don't..." He spluttered, trying to form a complete sentence of denial in his mind but unable to with the scrutinizing gaze Lakuna held.

Lakuna smiled, placing a hand on his, "You are not the only one, but you seem the one to hold her interest the most. She has asked about you."

"She has?" Eric asked before he could think about it, looking back up at Elassë. He quickly shook his head, looking back at Lakuna as she moved her hand. "I mean...What's your point?"

"I can bring her to you if you wish. But I do also wish that you reconcile with your friend. He is distraught and hurting at the thought of losing one so precious to him." Lakuna said softly, looking into Eric's deep green eyes, her blue ones seeming to see into his very soul.

Eric looked away, "I don't hate him...I just...I don't know." He had a flat look on his face as he put his head in his hands and his elbows on the balcony railing.

"You feel as if he has betrayed you and your friends, but you understand why he has done what he has." Lakuna answered his confusion with ease, her ability to read people and understand things making her a great ambassador, even at the young age of ten, though most assumed she was much older.

Eric straightened up, looking at Lakuna, "Yes, that is exactly what I feel! I mean, how can he just turn his back on us but at the same time, you and Elassë don't seem so bad so maybe he is justified...but still!" Eric let out a frustrated growl, beginning to pace until he happened to look up and see Elassë looking down at him. He stopped in his tracks and stared back for a moment before turning on his heels and hurrying past Lakuna into the building. "Cale!"

Cale turned just in time to get hit square on the jaw by Eric then pulled into a hug. Through the pain, he managed to ask, "What's going on?"

Eric released Cale before saying, "I hate you so much right now but you are still my brother. And you deserved that hit." He then turned to face Lakuna, a small smile on his face. "Now Lakuna, my dear, will you kindly fetch your sister for me?" Eric asked, his old demeanor returning. When she nodded and left the room, he looked around, confused at the look of surprise on everyone's face, "What's with the looks?"

"It's because they think you're an asshole and now you're all nice and cheery." The voice of Caymen cut through the silence, strange sounding with her face resting against a pillow.

"Caymen!" Araya exclaimed running to her side, "You're alright!"

Caymen gave a laugh before saying, "Ow...no. I am FAR from alright but at least I'm alive, right?"

Titus gave a nod of his head, a smile breaching the solemn look on his face, "I expect you to be up and ready for duty before the end of the day." He, of course, was joking and got another pained laugh from Caymen.

"Titus, piss off." Caymen said, amusement evident in her words, mingling with the pain. "Doc, how long before I am fit for duty?"

Eric stepped forward, peeling back a bandage slightly, "Probably not for a couple of weeks, unless we get more healing in here. Those wounds are deep but they should heal without complications." Despite being trained as such, Eric had never much been interested in being a guard. During what free time he had, he would train with the medics of the kingdom, learning everything he could about the art of healing. When dispatched on the battlefield, he worked more efficiently as a medic than a soldier but he knew how to fight and despite being a mere five foot six, was strong enough to match most of the other soldiers in hand to hand combat. His size gave him speed but theirs gave them strength. They almost always tied and always teased Eric about his height but when it came to healing, they were ever grateful. He worked well with his fellow soldiers, despite them teasing him and he earned his life time and time again.

"Eric, Cale, quit being jerks, kiss, make up and move on." Caymen joked, giving an airy laugh, keeping from moving too much.

Cale gave a glance at Caymen before looking over to Eric and taking a step back, his hands out in front of him making the sign of a cross. "Don't even THINK about it Eric. I mean it."

Eric walked toward Cale, holding out his arms signaling he wanted to hug Cale, "Come on love. You heard her. Kiss and make up." He made the kissing gesture a couple of times as he walked forward, pursuing Cale around the room. "Just one kiss, big boy. That's all I want." He gave Cale a wink but stopped walking a moment later when Cale, Araya and even Titus began laughing. "Alright, I give...what's so funny?"

"Look behind you!" Cale managed through laughter, pointing behind him, his other hand on his knee as he doubled over in laughter.

Eric turned to see what Cale was pointing at and his face drained of color. Lakuna and Elassë stood in the doorway, quite confused and slightly amused. "This is...I...Uh...I can explain?" He gave a hopeful smile, wondering just how much of that they saw and heard.