The Evening before the nest

It was almost five in the evening when the parties returned to their makeshift camp. The ironic thing was it didn’t look too different from the M-M camps they had spent the last twelve days taking down. The large camp was erected three days ago with a strong Holy Barrier. That didn’t stop the M-Ms from pounding on it at all times of the day and throughout the night. It didn’t bother anyone since the barrier was soundproof, so the only way they knew was if they looked up to see them crawling on the barrier. One would usually apply a Holy Purification spell that was cycled through the unique barrier that turned most to white ash, an easy way to thin the younger M-Ms. Yet it was a reminder of there up coming task.

Tonight was the feast, so there were sixty or so people setting up tables and chairs while a tent was turned into a massive kitchen in the center. Throughout the three days the parties had just left in the morning to do what they wanted then returned at night. But tonight, they were going to be serenaded by at least one of the Archdukes, since they were all wandering around.

The captains and vice captains met each of the three days to go over new ideas and concrete the plan of action for tomorrow morning. They used everything they had observed and everything they had read from the Green Cleanse diaries. Four were shared with everyone… that is how Twilight Star figured out how to purify the M-Ms and left the survivors of Green Cleanse safe. Helen had helped Robbie translate them all, thus she was the expert and safe from suspicion.

“It is nice to see all the other Familiars here,” Delta commented absently curled up in Londra’s arms as Alden pulled out her chair. His gold eyes watching every direction.

“Well, they are part of everyone’s success,” Londra stated sitting, while Mara debated about leaving her wings out. Julius mumbled about the chair being just for her. Leaving her wings and horns out Julius smiled as Theda got comfortable in her lap.

“Since we helped those without any wonderful animal companions find some,” Alden projected. “True, they have put in the work, and it is nice to see so many.”

“Agreed! We need two more members then we would be unstoppable,” Anna added as the group filled up the four tables reserved for them in the center. Katie in her arms twitching her long haired, green ears that were indigo tipped in agreement. The other parties were slowly filling in the other tables, soon the overlapping conversations would fill the camp.

"Not another tall person," Julius said quickly smiling at Mara. "I love all you tall people but I would like another my size. Maybe a Guardian? Never met one."

“We don’t mind being apart,” Helen stated simply while holding Alex’s real hand as they sat. “Yet, you do have a point. When we get to fight together, we are stronger.” Alex nodded to that while looking around at all the different races coming together.

“It is nice to take on the monster quests in different teams thought,” Marrow added, capturing Ryan’s tiger striped silver and dark grey tail causing them both to smile. “I like getting to know everyone here. I can now say that they are crazy and so are we.” This caused everyone to laugh and nod in agreement.

“Hey, if I rub Zeke’s head maybe fate will be so kind to send us two crazies,” Rus joked, standing. He started to move toward him with a crooked smile on his long, brown face.

“I would rather rub your bald head,” Zeke grumbled as Calla tried not to laugh watching the two swat at each other playfully.

“I didn’t know I was at the child’s table,” Zerina joked, with a smile on her long, cinnamon face. This caused both the males to stare at her and Calla to laugh while stroking Nala. Zerina looked over at Iris and Momo with a nod while Alpha pretended to sleep on her lap.

“Never dull at the kid’s table,” Iris chuckled, reaching over to pet Nala. “Did you know that all the Archdukes and Archduchess were going to be here?” She wondered looking around at the filling tables. She smiled at Momo’s lovely wings so happy that he was comfortable leaving them out. She would have joined him if they were just with their party, but everyone else still stopped to stare at her unique combination. Besides, she was an Elemental now and didn’t need to have them on display. Of course, having Fern a behind her a table away and Fenten at the table to her left with their wings out showed how far this section of the continent had progressed. She hoped it didn't go away once the M-Ms were manageable.

“I think they are going to do some speech or something. They have Triad setting up recording items and transmitting spells,” Robbie noticed watching all the excitement. Anna reaching over to hold his buttercream hand for a moment while her other hand held Katie on her lap. He was used to her touch, but it still amazed him how easy it was.

“Like we weren’t nervous,” Shasha sighed, leaning against Fenton for a moment while petting Beta. His left, long, oval, cicada-shaped, transparent blue wing trimmed in bold green with indigo, white, and blue veins wrapped around her. She smiled and relaxed with light in her evergreen eyes as Beta pushed his wing away, swishing his grey tail.

Fenten’s wing released them. He held her buttercream hand in his own before stroking Beta with his other. “I like being around the others… most are nice and all, but I just want to get this all over with,” he added.

“So, Helen,” Trenton started controlling his voice while driving Fern crazy by petting Jackie who was in her lap. Jackie’s long, blue tail wrapped around his golden pecan wrist for a moment before Fern stroked her back, touching her green tipped ears. “Do you think the few evening camp purifications helped?” Fern nodded, yes but everyone glanced at Helen to hear her answer.

“I do,” Helen stated with an Elven nod, her loose platinum hair falling over her right shoulder. Alex reached up to move it back, so his view wasn’t blocked. “We will be underground. The Holy Barriers will keep the… tunnels from caving in but the M-Ms control the light. Now we have battled with them awake and without light. It was annoying but needed for everyone. It is impressive that our newest parties are so strong.”

“I agree with Sasha,” Momo started with a nervous sigh, his swallow-like, butterfly wings fluttered a few times. Enough to move his long, platinum hair, pushed behind his pointed ears and Iris’ short green hair with black highlights. “I just want to get this over with. Underground is never enjoyable. Then again, it was always like this… well not this big of a production, but all the parties gathering then waiting for a specific time.”

“Too bad we couldn’t just say now,” Zerina agreed, fluttering her deep blue eyes outlined with white, red, and silver. Her turquoise eyelashes accenting the red while Rus tried not to choke. This made her happy enough to stroke the sleeping Alpha in her lap. “Though, I need a bit of sleep. Today was… more than it should have been. Behemoths just wandering through Duke Gwain’s lands as if it was nothing. One would have been enough, but it is us, so we get three.”

“It was fun yet not,” Trinity added in her slow way causing many to agree. She purred happily sitting on Belle’s lap. “We did it though, purrrfectly,” she added.

“We certainly did,” Belle smiled, her deep blue eyes sparkling. She was almost used to showing emotion like Helen. She exchanged looks with her brother since he nodded at her. She hoped her sharp, oval, light beige face didn’t pinken. “So much jumping and dodging. Peter was great!”

“Yea, for a rabbit he certainly is a fighter,” Ryan commented her tiger ears messing up her short black hair, pushing it into her face. With a sigh she pushed a few strands away from her silver-violet Demon eyes and her dark honey, diamond face. “Nothing against Rabbit Beastmen. I have just never met any so agile yet strong.”

Peter’s long white ears twitched happily, “Than you! It wasn’t that fun though. Those things were huge. Glad we have such wonderous Feline Drakes!”

“Good job, rabbit,” Alpha said in his perfect way. “Looks like they are going to speak before food comes out. I hope it is turkey; we had chicken for lunch.”

Julius chuckled, “why didn’t that surprise me.” Theda batted him with his long-haired, yellow tail causing Mara to smile deeply so her violet undertones were more prevalent within her oval, ivory face. A smile on Julius' light tan, square face made his green eyes glisten, yet his short red hair showed he had just a bit of pink in his face because of Mara's intense stare.

“Archduke Warren, the one in charge of the central section of this continent,” Anna started as the knights began to quiet the crowd. On the simple platform only two feet above the ground stood Archduke Warren. He was a tall man that was half-Elf but didn’t show it. Anna knew because he had told them. His short, golden hair was simple but covered his normal, human shaped ears while his sky-blue eyes looked around the camp. His light tan, softly accented, oval face showed a bit of emotion but not much as he cleared his throat. This had everyone turning towards him.

“Good Evening to all watching, or morning if you are watching the recording,” Archduke Warren smiled. “This is the first time in my lifetime that we have used Lacramas and partial soul crystals this way. I know my live audience is ready to eat but the kitchen staff just started, so I have some time. First, my thanks to you all. That includes the six going into the nest then hive: Twilight Dawn, Horns, Darkest Knight, Purgatory, Templar Platoon 2 and Platoon 3. I would also like to thank the Adventuring Parties that have helped to create these new ways of communicating; Triad, Malcome, Twisting Vines, Orchid Blossom, and Dark Brother. While I am at it Rolling Flames, Pentagon, Horizon, and Chefs have been a big help with several specialized craftsmen. All the workers at Cob’s Cobler and Three C’s are the reason that we have the clothing and shoes needed so a nod to them… I think that is about all I am going to name. I would like to take a moment and go back through history with you. Not hundreds of years but twenty-five,” he paused taking a steading breath.

“Most know what the stages of Retaliation are… and that once you enter one there is no going back, perhaps if you are well behaved a bit less, but never going back. The first is rumored to have started more than a thousand years ago, while the second started three hundred and twenty years ago. Our Elven friends tell us this is fact. Unfortunately, we don’t have any Elves that have lived for over five hundred years, so we keep the first as a rumor, yet that too is a sign of retaliation when long lived races die in a few hundred years.”

He paused so Londra joked to Alden, “You only have three hundred years left.”

“No, I have one hundred fifty because after this curse is gone, I am sharing my life force with you,” Alden answered, letting them all hear because he was proud that she was his human.

“That is sweet brother,” Belle added, while holding Peter’s hand with a slight smile on her sharp, oval, light beige face. “Peter and I already made the agreement.”

Peter chuckled through their link while his rabbit ears moved enough to mess up his short, white hair. “She makes it sound so bland, but it was quite emotional and enjoyable all at the same time. Once we are physically intimate then the shared time spell will be finalized. Not quite ready for that after all we went through before but…”

“I am glad, but still your brother so please don’t tell me when it is finalized,” Alden sighed.

“Oh, you will know, she will be more radiant than she is now,” Alex added, causing everyone in the party to smile and add chuckles to their shared conversation. The best part was the look on Alden’s face, one of confusion since he wasn’t sure how he felt about it all.

“That makes me happy in so many ways,” Londra responded, motioning to look ahead.

“Okay, back to twenty-five years ago,” Archduke Warren paused again, taking an emotional breath. “That is when our three black mist clouds turned into Green Goblin camps. Yes, I understand that we try not to use that label but that was what was used in the past. I agree that Manifestations of Malice describe them better and will use the term M-M from here. At first nobody cared since they were contained with Holy Barriers and at that time there were many who could produce them. Just let them stay in their homes while we take care of the random tainted creatures, nothing to worry about. Many wondered why this was worse than the clouds… we were so arrogant and ignorant without any real reason to change.”

This caused the other Archdukes and Archduchesses in the audience to agree. It was the first time that the parties realized that they were mixed within the tables with a few members of their knights with them. Archduke Warren continued, “I was the same, won’t say I wasn’t. It didn’t seem like a problem until people started to disappear three years in. Those in charge of creating the barriers never checked in. Villages didn’t send their goods out. When a few voiced concerns it wasn’t looked into. Eighteen years, eleven months, and fourteen days ago I was traveling with my wife, two sons with their new wives, and my daughter with her fiancé. It was a normal route around the base of the twin mountains. Nothing out of the ordinary until a scream erupted. At that time, we didn’t travel with many, just six others because we all knew how to fight the tainted creatures. Instantly a grotesque creature was before the carriages. It was the middle of the day and so unexpected… he was three and a half feet tall with wrinkled dark orange skin, a round face, long, pointed, wrinkly ears, eyes that were an eerie yellow just like its canine teeth, and long, sharp nails from its four fingered hands. A leather cloth was all that covered the male parts. There was no hair on its head and no nipples. This was my first encounter of a M-M… one I will never forget. With a single scream from him we couldn’t move, trapped in crippling fear. I watched as he took my wife back to his group… there were only thirty. We were all avid fighters, yet we couldn’t move. I fought to get to her only to see my daughter being taken…” he stopped, tears streaming down his light tan, softly accented, oval face as he tried to blink the emotions away. He couldn’t speak.

“He lost his wife,” Archduke Dristen continued, causing all to turn towards him just behind the table that Londra was sitting at. “He lost his future son-in-law, his daughter was mentally destroyed and later took her own life, while his daughters-in-law lost their unborn children and suffered from blood poisoning. All were wounded in one way or another and battled with their terror. Of the six with him, five were killed. The single survivor with them suffered from blood poisoning and claw poisoning like Warren and his sons. What you don’t know is that Warren is the cousin of the King and they were raised like brothers. This was the first time King Augustan realized that the M-Ms were a problem. Every healer, herbalist, apothecary was called to treat them, but nothing worked completely. They could move around one moment then pass out from pain the next. It limited his ability to tour and thus started a downward spiral.”

“It wasn’t easy to watch,” Archduchess Karren continued, now the focus was to the back. She didn’t stand; she didn’t need to be the focus but knew that Warren couldn’t talk right now. “It was when we started to search and found that villages and towns had been wiped off our map replaced with M-M camps. Our touring had been limited by the king, for what reason I couldn’t say. But what we found was horrible. Our Holy Barrier makers were killed and the few that could perform the task… well they were too afraid to go without an army with them. This was when the Templars Platoons started. Trapping them for a while was all we could do. Any that fought them ended up dead or wounded with no hope of healing.”

“It wasn’t until… a year later that we happened on the ointments and potions we needed to purify and heal the poisons,” Archduke Harold continued. Happy that many had stopped turning. He didn’t like the limelight. “We purchased what we needed and started to send out requests for help. It wasn’t until fifteen years ago that they were answered, ten years after the M-M had appeared. An Adventuring Party called Green Cleanse was contracted to help. It was amazing, they were taking down a camp a week. Many tried to watch but the spells they were doing, the clothing that they were wearing… none of it seemed doable. As if it came from their home continent. We knew that M-Ms were born of negative emotions, so we played up the fall of the camps. We tried to give hope to everyone. After five years the camps were practically gone. Even though they could reappear, they didn’t have the negative energy to sustain and many of the Templars guarding the trade routes knew all kinds of Holy magic that turned the weak M-Ms to white ash.”

“That wonderous party got us to a place where we didn’t have to fear them… there were only five to ten camps in each region,” Archduchess Elizabeth started. “They were keeping them even, just like we had the black mist. Until… a horrible accident killed them that many say was planned by an enemy of our continent. We now had no way to fight them since none of us were… brave enough to train with them. They were all we needed… now they were gone. We downplayed it… plenty that know high level Holy magic. We would look for another group to fight the M-Ms. Then ten years ago Hero Brandon was found. The title doesn’t appear on just anyone. There was a bit of hope again… but he didn’t know how to fight them either. All he could do was the same the Templars were doing… but the camps didn’t start to grow in numbers until the Challenges started. That was five years ago, since we were keeping the fear down and everyone had food with a safe place to live until the Challenges. Whomever Bishop Hood was… well he plunged us into darkness. I fear it will take years to calm…”

“He was a brilliant manipulator, finding a way to enslave Hero Brandon which added to the negative energy,” Archduke Warren picked back up the story, even if it wasn’t completely true. “Somehow, he hid many of the camps from us… letting them grow. Distracting us from seeing what he was doing. Even King Augustan believed he was helping get rid of them not multiply them. The first Challenge was set up here at the adventurer’s guilds in Daliah’s Haven, High Tides, and Clifton. This created a triangle in the northeastern section of our continent… central, northern, and eastern towns all emitting waves of negative. How was it hidden for so long? Easy, potions and spells were used on Archduke Dristen to keep him away. Hood tried to twist him as they did his son, Eldwin, but found it impossible. So, he kept Gwain and Fredrica poisoned so the father in him stayed near them. The reports from the son he trusted were always positive.”

“The only reason our Challenge in the northwestern part of our continents ended was by accident,” Archduchess Karren stated. “He was using the same tactics on us as well. Yet, even finding out about the Challenges and ending them didn’t stop the negativity. The poison was within the survivors, as was the fear that they would be imprisoned again. Getting a few to trust us enough to have healers try to figure out the poisons used on them… well. The Challenge in Archduke Dristen’s lands may have lasted for four years and five months but so did ours. We lost so many in such a short time… we didn’t even know how to heal them until Dristen gave us a hint. He had the most talented Apothecaries and Healers… lucky jerk… but shared once he knew.”

“She is right,” Archduchess Elizabeth agreed. “We have the southeastern section of our continent. Ours was only for two years and three months before a mistake brought it to light. We lost eighty percent of our Adventurers and thus the means to hunt and purify animals. The M-Ms love to destroy farms… our people were starving and the few that could hunt were shattered and weak. Yes, ours ended early but continued until Darcy and Deven shared what they learned….”

“Actually,” Archduke Dristen started, “it was a brave group that helped get two very sick people to meet me. I had been there every year but never seen what I felt. My Knights and I could feel the negative energy all around but couldn’t place where it was coming. We seen the M-M camps but then they were blotted out by the sun disappeared from our sight. As if we never saw them in the first place. But like all the previous years, nothing was out of the ordinary… at least that was what the reports showed. We were only taken where we could be manipulated. Londra and Fenten were the two that broke through. Then it all snowballed after that. To think finding four old diaries in a thrift shop would bring us here. Thank goodness Robbie loves to read diaries and Helen can translate so many languages!”

“Thank goodness Fern came up with that idea,” Iris projected to the party. “It keeps us safe and stopped the questions.”

“She is brilliant,” Trenton agreed causing Fern to blush a bit.

“I agree with that,” Archduke Warren nodded. “We share this to show our mistakes and to show just how brave you all are. You are doing what nobody who lived here could do. Not only that, most of you weren’t born here but brought here by slavers… most illegal, which King Augustan is addressing. It can’t be easy being a king and thinking those counseling you are trustworthy when they are far from it. But I digress, in a short month we have found ways to protect some of our farms, ranches, artisans, and our traders. The number of people starving has gone down drastically while hope is on the rise, but we are far from done. We now have at least one Adventuring Party in each region purifying camps. Now those brave individuals are banding together to take on a nest, which is six camps in one with most of them being underground in tunnels. Yes, brave seems like a weak word to describe our parties.” He ended with a nod then began to applaud those sitting before him while the other Archdukes and Archduchess’ did the same. The parties sat there, a bit nervously, but most waved to the floating crystal recording while gently smiling. “Londra, you want to go over the timeline for tomorrow?” He asked, motioning her up to stand beside him. As if she had a choice.

Londra sighed, mumbling, “everyone already knows.” Yet she went up to join him with a forced smile. She looked out to see all the different kinds of items recording her and wanted to scream but that wouldn’t look good. “As we have discussed,” she started stiffening her spine and pushing her shoulders back. “The open area in the northern side of our tent village is for morning workouts. Tomorrow will be no different, if you wish to join, we start at six thirty sharp. Breakfast will be here, starting at seven fifteen and going until eight thanks to our supporters who are staying until we are done with the hive. We meet just outside the barrier at eight forty-five to apply the skin spells and double check each other. They should be applied to last for three hours. None of us have taken that long… but just in case. Then the six barrier specialist will fly up and make ready, using the sun to hide them. Luckily, they all have wings. Once in position, the parties will flow into the nest using stealth spells or items. Do not engage and avoid all M-Ms. Twilight Star will be the first in since we are doing the sixth floor. Blackest Knight will follow, then Purgatory, Platoon 3, Platoon 2, and the top is for Horns. Remember, only communicate through telepathy. Keeping our presence hidden is a priority. Once on your floor squeeze the beacon device letting the barrier team know your party is in position. Once all have signaled the six will weave together a large Holy Barrier to keep the M-Ms from escaping. Once done they will join their parties and form a stronger barrier above and below to make sure the M-Ms stay on their level and the tunnel doesn’t collapse. Once everyone is finished the beacon will be activated again and that means you may begin. Map out your strategy, taking out the females first, then begin. Thanks to the little orbs on our necklaces containing our mind talismans, we will be able to use telepathy. Communicate with your teams and be ready for anything. We have done a few night battles but none of us have been in the tunnels and layers underground. According to the diaries the barriers will keep the floors from caving in but that doesn’t mean the M-Ms won’t try to use land spikes and other earth-based magic. Once done save one tainted item, contain it, while your party purifies the items, earth, and air completely. Then wash and signal that your floor is clear. Once all are clear we will do a countdown, sending a burst of purifying magic through the floor again and purifying the last item. Then the barriers will be taken down, and everyone escapes. Make sure you leave enough energy to teleport out. The ground will close in quickly. Then we celebrate, rest and plan for the hive. Can we eat now?” she asked Archduke Warren, who nodded with a smile.

She returned to her table and food was instantly before them all. The tension faded as everyone began to eat and make normal conversation. They all stayed, helping to pick up their own tables and chatting with the other parties for an hour before returning to their tents. Many of the other parties did the same not anticipating sleep but wanting to relax as much as possible. Each tent housed the small groups of the parties.

“It amazes me that they took our tent and created this,” Alex mumbled looking around. “There may not be a lot of fighters on this continent, but the alchemy and artistry are amazing. We have two full bathrooms… okay, I am nervous.”

Helen laughed, rubbing his shoulders and helping to remove his right arm for bed. “We have done this dozens of times with parties far less experienced than we have now. Besides, they are all fresh from night attacks. We have this. Besides, our party will be waiting to make sure all are out before we get out. Nobody gets left behind.”

“She is right, relax,” Julius said, trying to sound upbeat causing Mara to chuckle. “Fine, that wasn’t convincing, but I did mean it. Let’s just use Alden’s happy dreamscape and relax.”

“It is a wonderful way to end the day,” Alden added through their link. “Delta and Trinty are staying with my sister until morning. Such a cute little couple.”

“They truly are,” Londra smiled. “The best thing is he doesn’t forget about me like the other ingrates. They all have their special human now and only let me pet them on a whim. The ladies come to me for more pets than they do. After all we have been through…”

“Awe, poor Lotus, missing her snuggles,” Alden joked. “Close your eyes and I will give you some snuggles,” he said to just her.

“I do like this spell,” Mara smiled, not knowing what the two of them were talking about but Londra’s round face was a lovely shade of pink. “In case I haven’t said it, thank you. We do carve out time to spend with each other but having fifteen minutes before we sleep makes it easier to rest. Plus, the scenery is lovely.”

“You are welcome,” Alden responded with a slight ear wiggle. “I like it too. Which is why I am going to turn in soon.”

“I don’t think anybody will argue that,” Alex smiled. “I don’t mind being with Trenton’s group, but I do miss fighting beside my lovely Helen. She makes the cutest faces while battling.”

This caused Helen’s light beige face to pinken while her left ear wiggled. “I have a feeling another couple will fall into our party after this is over. That way we will have time to see if they really fit. I was amazed at how the six of us blended with the party, as if this was where we were meant to be. Don’t get me wrong, I loved our comrades and miss them, but this is different… I don’t want to leave. It is more... we are true friends and family.”

“That makes me happy,” Londra said hugging her and Mara while the guys just nodded at each other. “Now, let’s sleep after a few minutes of couple time.” They released each other heading towards their single beds. The lights faded as they all closed their eyes.

When Londra opened them again, she was on the small, colorful, plush, grassy hill sitting beside Alden. “This is a remarkable spell.”

“I am a bit of a genius when it comes to dream magic,” Alden stated proudly as she leaned against him. “I believe it has helped us all.”

“I don’t believe, I know,” Londra stated forcefully holding his hand. He always kept it away at first, a game she won quickly tonight. “I love hearing your voice with my ears instead of in my mind. It is a bit different… this way is more real. So much better than the spell that projects it!” she chuckled.

He picked up their linked hands kissing the top of hers. “Mara was right, this is how we all sleep better at night and can face the horrors of the M-Ms the next day.”

“I don’t think I have asked this, but can you tell where everyone is… I mean we all hear Calla’s musical laugh and even though I love her, I am jealous since it is so perfect…”

“Yes, but I don’t spy. Their happiness and our happiness keeps this spell full and able to be used every time we sleep whether it be in the evening or day. Since your mind is spinning, I will enlighten you to my mastery. I took the section that I visited daily to… relax and vent. I even tossed spells around then fixed the land with an apology. Pretty sure it understood.”

“That is such an Elven thing to say,” Londra chuckled.

“Do you want to hear or not?” he joked.

“Please, enlighten me oh dream weaver.”

“Exactly, now I placed the spell on everyone, and the land decided where everyone should be placed. Now, I have done much to this hill, thus I think that is why we are here. It wanted to feel kindness instead of me tearing apart in anger.”

She sighed, enjoying his warmth. It didn’t feel like a spell but as if he was right beside her sitting in the grass. She could feel the blades, taste the moisture in the air, smell the flowers, and hear the bees working the rainbow blossoms. It was a bit different each time but mostly the same, as if it was on a loop. But she didn’t care. Here he could hold her without feeling uncomfortable. He assured her it wasn’t the curse but his Elven upbringing. The only thing the curse prevented him from doing was kissing her. But here, he could kiss the back of her hand or the top of her head without any repercussion. They had talked about her past and what he remembered of his past and all the strange things they had seen in this new world. But tonight, she didn’t want to talk, just feel his warmth.

“Did you remember your recording to your mother?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“I did,” she smiled. “The last recording was from all of them. It was nice. I do wish we could speak… through the Lacrama but I don’t want to put them in harm’s way. It sounds like there might be a battle there soon. Eighty percent aren’t happy, and a resistance movement has started. They have even found two Purifiers, don’t know what that means but they sounded happy about it. Do you know?”

“A true Purifier is one that can kill without spreading negative energy,” he answered. “Your Justice Blade is similar, but a Purifier is just… well their personality is sunshine and rainbows. A bit over the top, I met one when I was young… save five. He was passing through and helped thin down the black mist. It was hard not to smile in his presence yet at the same time I wanted to ask what reality he lived in. Like a happier version of an exhausted Anna, that kind of overabundance of positivity.”

“Wow,” Londra mumbled trying to picture it. “Wait, I think I have met one of them. It was from afar, but when I was placing the antidote to the powder she told me how kind I was and that she would share my love with everyone since she was protected… or something like that. I just stood there blinking because she was dazzling. I think she lived two villages over. This wasn’t what I wanted to talk about,” she sighed.

“I understand, but just holding you is too much sometimes,” Alden admitted. “Elves are reserved until they find the one, then they are a bit… overzealous with private affection. When it is quiet I think about all the places I want to touch you and imagine your reaction. So, conversation helps when you are so close.”

“That is why you always start the conversations that will eat up the time, like today,” she yawned. “Though I did enjoy the conversations about the topography of this continent. To think there is a lake in between the twin peak mountains that the king lives on. Up there so high as if he is above us all. No wonder he is so full of himself, and I haven’t even met him.”

“Do you want to?” Alden wondered, yawning himself. It wouldn’t be long now.

“No, I just want to keep moving forward with our goals and as a family,” she said leaning back into the push, cool grass. She didn’t let go of his hand, but she knew sleep was coming. At least she found out something about him she didn’t know.