Elea sipped her broth as she watched the party slowly but surely approach. Immediately, she saw that some of them were not there. Musing over it, she figured that they went with Melisandge to mend things with her estranged family. Turning to watch Donnan and Britage for a moment, she smiled at the pair. They were boisteriously playing cards with Britage cheating, and losing, badly. What a pair they would make when Britage was cured of his curse. Idly, Elea wondered if Valaria truely knew her husband but quickly dismissed that train of thought.
She turned back to Britage, considering the man within the shape of the monster. In truth, she hardly noticed his form anymore. Remembering his gallant words before they had to flee into the forest, her thoughts wandered aimlessly, wondering what he be like once the ritual was complete. Wondering if he really meant those words. Wondering if...
Elea's thoughts were broken by party arriving. Britage and Donnan did not even seem to notice them as Donnan raked in a good haul from his companion. "They're here." She said.
Both looked up at the sound of her quiet voice. They got up, brushing themselves off to greet their people. There was quite a bit of chaos with everyone wanting to know what had happend and what was next. Once everyone settled down, Donnan told them that they had already recovered the Cup and Talisman of Al'akbar.
When Elea gingerly stood, her cloak hood fell back, revealing her change in appearance. Several of the members of the party clustered around her, asking what had happened. She was reluctant to tell them the truth about her hertiage and her inheritance. Afraid that the knowledge would put her party in danger, she verbally danced around the questions until Celeden made the snide comment, "What, don't you think we'd understand?"
"No, I don't think you -would- understand." Elea snapped back. She inwarded winced as the rest of her companions visibly winced. She softend her expression and looked to the mage, Sybl. "You would know what I speak of." then turned to Shamu, the cleric. "You might, as well." She suddenly felt very tired and looked it. "I'm sorry. It was very difficult for me but it's done now. The tomb was not dishonored and I fulfilled the things I needed to do. It's just not something I can talk about."
The rest nodded, realizing that if it was like a Wizard's Test, Elea could not speak of it, even if she wanted to. They saw the white wizard's lock in her hair and the way she moved and decided that perhaps it was better that they not know.
They all settled down for the night, getting ready for the journey home in the morning.
*
The next morning, the sun was shining bright. The group almost did not want to return to the forest but all of them wanted to get home. So, off they went. Donnan instructed all to stay on the path, no matter what. He told them about the portals that seem to be randomly about the forest and while Elea could find them, she could not tell them where it would take them. The rest agreed.
Very quickly, they realized that something or someone wanted to lure them from the path. The first lure, a field of gems was easily ignored. The second lure, less easily ignored, was a pair of locked chests. They bypassed it as well. The third lure caught them all.
A woman's scream had erupted from the left. Everyone halted. The scream came again while everyone had fought to try to remember that it was a trap. On the third scream, half the party bolted towards the sound with the rest following it up. It had been a Catch-22. Could the group ignore a woman in distress, in the Veseve forest and pass the test to continue on? There was no way to win.
Once they all got there, they saw a female elf in combat with orcs. Everyone was shocked that orcs had gotten this far into the Veseve forest. Once the orcs were dispatched, the female elf turned and only spoke to Elea, the only visible female elf in the party. When asked to help the group get out of the forest, the elfmaid was confused. It would be a 6 month ride which made no sense to the rest of the group. Elea also noted that the elf was very distainful of humans, males in particular.
She conferred with Donnan on several things, confused with the talk of the "Great Forest" and comments about her pets. Donnan politely asked a few questions and was met with harsh, contemptuous words. This did not go over with anyone. The elfmaid demanded that Donnan be punished for his attitude. Shaken and unsure of what to do, Elea stood up for Donnan, which only seemed to make things worse.
It was Golin who actually figured out what needed to be done. Elea was too softhearted to 'punish' Donnan for his behavior when he upset the female elf and Donnan was not going to be treated like a serf. It was getting to a point where Donnan was going to get himself killed, when Golin took matters in hand and cocked Donnan a good shot to the head, knocking him unconscious.
After asking more questions, Elea realized that somehow, they were not where they were supposed to be. She asked some questions and discovered that they were some 860 years in the future that was ruled solely by an Elven matriarchical dictatorship. Suddenly, she was thrust in the role of party leader. More than ever, Elea wished Melisgandge was here.
After some consultation with Sybl, Elea decided that they should go to Misthaven to seek out an oracle for help. The female elf immediately agreed, assuming that Sybl was a cleric of some sort. On the flight in, Elea also discovered that Elven males were an extreme rarity and was asked if some of the guards could make use of her 'breeder.' Elea spoke quietly with Celeden, who was more than happy to go make babies for the good of the Elven people.
Once in Misthaven, all the men were locked up in "kennels," basic inn rooms. Elea had Shamu watch over Donnan who was still unconscious, while she and Sybl visited the Oracles.
After an enlightening talk with the Oracles, who knew of Elea, Ta-Mar's Kin and the Great Donnan, they immediately agreed that the party needed to be sent home. It was very important that they do so. Elea gave them as much information as possible and they had her gather up her companions and all their gear. She made sure that nothing from the future made it home. As a last request, she asked the Oracles when they send the party home - to make sure it was a place outside of the Veseve forest. The Oracles agreed. They set up the ritual and then, a bright, white light...
*
The entire party found themselves, somewhere. Donnan, the only one who could tell where they were, was awake but dopey. Elea was still worried about his condition. They were there, camping for three days, figuring out that they must be in the Wolf Nomads, a very, very long way from home.
On the third day, Donnan seemed to come back to himself. He remembered Golin hitting him but not much more than that. When explained where they had been, he agreed that it was best that he had been unconscious. He pulled out his maps, confirmed that they were in the Wolf Nomads and chartered a way home. He figured that it would take the group about eight months to do it.
Ratan-Albion spoke up. "I have a way to get us home a lot quicker."
*
Everyone looked up at Ratan's statement. "How can you get home quicker?" Donnan asked. It was the question that was on everyone's mind.
Ratan looked at his white horse and asked, "Should I?"
The horse actually nodded. Elea looked at the horse closer. There was something special about it, she already knew. Both she and Donnan had seen that the horse's hooves did not touch the ground when racing. Now, she wondered what other things would be revealed. She was sure that an interesting story was about to emerge.
"My horse will take us." Ratan said, with a shrug. He just smiled to the chorus of disbelief and jests of the rest of his companions. "Show them." He murmurred to the white horse.
Suddenly, the horse was no longer there. It took a few minutes for Elea to realize what she was looking at was a large blue dragon. Vaguely, she knew that all of their horses had taken off in a panic and as had some of her companions. She stared in disbelief at the dragon. It was so... so huge.
Then she was aware of Donnan standing in front of her, swords drawn, bumping her in the chest with her elbow. "Run." He murmurred. He bumped her harder when she did not move. "Run!" She stepped back a step.
"And what do you think you will be doing while she is running, little human?" The dragon asked curiously.
Donnan gave the dragon a charming smile. "Why, I expect I will be soiling myself as you eat me."
The dragon laughed loud. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would have already."
It took a little bit of doing but the party finally got the story that, Sparky, the blue dragon, liked the form of a white horse and lived in the Tower with Bretonius. Sparky and Ratan-Albion had hit it off well, in an unusual friendship and thus, Sparky had offered to be Ratan's mount. Now he was offering to fly everyone home. To shorten an eight month trip to about ten hours of flying.
After a bit of talking to Be'ornhelm via the Tower, Elea ensured that all of their mounts would be at the tower when they got there. Then she listened to the dragon talk to Ratan. He was saying that his passengers needed to be asleep for the ride. The dragon simply tossed a sleep spell to knock out most of the group, except for Ratan, Celeden and Elea.
Sparky shrugged at those awake and told them all not to get sick. The rest were tied to his back and then with several beats of his great wings, they were air bound! Elea held on for dear life, exhilirated beyond words. In her mind, she tried to figure out how to write the song of 'Sparky, the blue dragon.'
Ten hours later, the dragon landed in the grounds proper of the Tower, woke everyone up and shift back to the horse form. They met up with Be'ornhelm and Elea gave him the artifacts. He suggested that they all go and get some rest, with Donnan, Britage and Elea meeting up with him in an hour or so to perform the ritual to return Britage to his rightful form.
The group agreed, all going seperate ways into the familiar tower that they all were calling home.
*
Ballarius was waiting for Elea in her room. She was startled to see him. "Hello Ballarius."
"Greetings Elea. How are you?"
She smiled. "We got them, the Cup and Talisman... And I got Thunder." She carefully uncovered the staff to show him.. "We will be performing the ritual on Britage in an hour or so."
"Well done." Ballarius paced. He was clearly distracted, not even looking at the staff she held. "Well done, indeed."
Elea stopped. So, it was not just a social visit. "What's wrong?"
He sighed. "There's something I must show you. If I don't, I know Be'ornhelm will." He was reluctant to show her what she needed to know. "And I'd rather you found out from me."
She nodded, knowing she probably would not like hearing or seeing whatever it was. Ballarius came close to her, bidding her to sit. Once she did, he placed a hand on her head and closed his eyes. An image blossomed in her mind.
... Both moons had just set beneath the Eastern mountain range, but the late summer weather was still on the North kingdom and the night air still had the feel of warmth to it. The night sky was filled with stars of differring illuminations of white with sparkles of red blue and yellow. The country side around the tower was filled with the sounds of summer life. Frogs by the small lake, along with insects, night birds and other small animals, played their night music in a strange but yet majestically orchestrated harmony.
Although while he was there on the balcony, Ballarius could see, smell and hear all these things, he still felt detached from it all. Separated and apart with the weight of knowledge and far sight that pressed heavily on his mind. Everyone had left for the Veseve forest and there was just himself, Be'ornhelm and his sister, Valaria, who had been in her room for the past two days. She had not come out at all. She chose to have her meals brought to her room and there she remaind these past two days. Be'ornhelm had said she was all right according to the tower who attended to all the needs of the guests that resided with in its walls.
Emptying his couplet of port wine, Ballarius was about to leave for his room when a feminine voice coming from behind him said, "My, isn't it a lovely evening."
Ballarius knew who it was by the sound of her voice, even if Valaria was the only woman in the tower at this time. "Yes, it is nice out tonight. Quite a summer feeling for this late in the year." Ballarius replied. "I trust you are feeling better, Valaria."
"Oh? Yes, I was indisposed there for a little while, but I'm feeling much better now."
"Indisposed?" Ballarius commented with a questioning tone.
Valaria rolling her beautiful amber eyes back, "If you must know, I have had trouble keeping my food down these past few days."
"Why didn't you ask the tower for one of the many remedies it has?"
Shaking her head, Valaria replied, " Because, dear brother, for this particular problem the tower does not have a remedy."
Again, Ballarius gave her a questioning look.
Placing both hands on the balcony rail wall, Valaria looked down into the dark courtyard below, shaking her head again, she continued, "You men are all alike. You have no concern for anything else but you own personal comforts and pleasures. I've had these past few days what is called morning sickness, my dear brother. I am pregnant, and I'm going to bear Donnans' twin sons in the late spring."
A look of understanding then dread showed on Ballarius' face, "This is not going to go well with Elea." Ballarius said half to himself.
Valaria turned to face her older brother with a look of rage that Ballarius had seldom seen on his lovely little sister's face. "I inform you that I'm going to make you an uncle in the late spring, that for the past two days I've thrown up everything I've tried to eat and the first thing out of your mouth is how my pregnancy might affect that... that... woman?! I'm the wife of Donnan, not her! I'm the one who will bear his children, not her! Yet, all I hear is 'poor little Elea this' and 'poor little Elea that.' That witch! She could have had Donnan all to herself, but she missed her chance and she'll not get another. There was a time there that I feared that she and I would both become pregnant by him, but that didn't happen. He is MY husband, and you, my dear brother, had better keep that... half-breed slut of yours away from him... or I will!"
Valaria then whirled, turning to walk away, when Ballarius reached out and took her by the arm and jerked her back around to face him. The look of cold fury on his face, caused Valaria to pause and consider that she may have gone to far, said to much. But as she sees a picture of Elea and Donnon together in her mind's eye, she changes to a sullen determined expression.
Ballarius' voice is low and intense. "Because of your condition and the obvious physical problems you are under going due to it, I will try to forget what you have said 'dear sister.' However, you will not harm Elea, emotionally or physically, in any way. Is that clear?" He paused, his quiet rage apparent. "Yes, you and Donnan are husband and wife. Yes, you've seen to it that you will bear his children. And because of that my relationship with Elea must now and forever be that of a friend, advisor and protector. Nothing more. Also, 'dear sister,' unlike you, I have not taken advantage of my foresight and pre-knowledge to manipulate Elea, like you did Donnan. Since your husband and League Lord is not here and I am your older brother, I order you to stay in the tower until either the children are born or you husband finally discovers that it is not prudent to have a wife and a former lover under the same roof."
He then released Valaria. She immediately fled to the balcony entry way and stopped, turning to face her brother. "Just remember this! It will be -my- sons who will rule the next great Empire! Not hers!" With tears in her eyes, she turned and ran into the tower hall past Be'ornhelm, as though he was not there.
With some what of an uncomfortable tone Be'ornhelm murmurred, "Your pardon, Lord Ballarius, but I have finally found the information you were looking for."
Turning around and looking out at the now cooler, empty, darker land, Ballarius asked, "Yes, Be'ornhelm, what have you discovered?" ...
It took a moment for Elea to come out of the scene as it faded away. Tears of pain stung her eyes. She quickly blinked them away. Why did he show her this? To show her how much Valaria hated her? That was something she had not needed to see. It ripped at her heart. How could she be partners to Donnan when Valaria felt this way? "Why? Why did you show me this?" She brushed at the tears.
"Because, you need to let Donnan know that he is a father." Ballarius looked sad.
"Why me? That's Valaria's duty as his wife." She frowned, going over the scene in her mind. "And why can't you be more to me than a friend or advisor?"
He looked at her gently. "You will have a daughter, Elea. Donnan will have sons. Your children, together, will unite and rule the great empire that is to come."
She shook her head, not understanding.
He answered her confusion. "Valaria is my sister."
Elea's eyes widened. "What if Donnan and I had...?"
"Then, your daughter, the one that you and Donnan would have had, would have had a suitible mate found." Ballarius looked out the window. "There were two main paths that history could have followed. One where you and Donnan were together and produced an heir. One where your children would be together to produce an heir."
It was too much for her. Destiny. That was all it was. They were just pawns in a greater game. But, Valaria had cheated. She had manipulated Donnan. Manipulated events. "She lied to him. She used him. Manipulated him." She threw the accusation at Ballarius, who confirmed it with his silence. "Donnan is married under false pretenses. By the Gods..." Elea knew that Donnan would be very upset. But now, Donnan was a father. Should she tell him? Should she hide it? "If I tell Donnan, Valaria will hate me even more."
Ballarius put a hand on her shoulder. "I promise, she will not harm you. I will see to it."
"Why? Why does she hate me?" Elea was confused, angry, feeling guilt and shame. She could not sort out her feelings.
"Because, Valaria is young and she's afraid of you. Afraid that you will still take Donnan from her." He shook his head.
"But she's -married- to him now. Doesn't that mean anything?" Elea could not believe her ears.
"Yes, it does. She knows it now, but she cannot change the past and I doubt she would change it, given the choice."
Elea paced. Should she tell him? She was angry because Valaria hated her and had manipulated Donnan. She was afraid of what would happen if she told him - and if she did not tell him. Shamed because part of her wanted Donnan to end his marriage with Valaria and feeling guilty because of the twin sons on the way. What was she to do?
Ballarius watched Elea, so sad that this had to happend to her. There were days he hated his duty. He wanted nothing more than to shield the young elfmaid from the world but he could not. She had a much more important role to come.
*
The hour had passed and Ballarius, Be'ornhelm, Britage and Elea waited in Be'ornhelm's magic room. Elea did not even look up when Donnan and Valaria entered. She clenched her fists and then forced herself to relax. This was Britage's time. He was clearly nervous. Donnan joked with him, poking fun at him as they waited for Be'ornhelm and Ballarius to finish setting up the ritual.
Be'ornhelm directed Britage to the chair in the center and placed the Talisman of Al'akbar about his neck. Elea could hear the words murmured but did not understand them. The air grew heavy in the room. Finally, Be'ornhelm handed Britage the Cup of Al'akbar. "Drink." He commanded and stepped back.
With a look of uncertainty seldom seen on his face, Britage obeyed. Be'ornhelm and Britage raised their voices in a magical encantation. The room grew dark and the area around Britage grew bright. So bright that you could only see the shadow of him in the center of the light. The chanting grew louder.
Elea risked a look to Valaria and Donnan. If she could have, she would have clawed the woman's eyes out. Elea felt sick to her stomach watching Valaria cuddle up to Donnan. 'Liar.' She thought. 'You manipulating bitch. I swear -'
A scream erupted from the brightness, tearing her from her thoughts. Elea saw the shadow of Britage twist and shift into impossible positions. She had to hold herself back from moving to his side. They watched as Britage's shadow was literally ripped apart and put back together again. Everyone held their breath as the light faded and they looked upon the man, Britage.
He was still tall, 6'5" with blue eyes but his hair was now a cornsilk blond, wild about a ruggedly handsome face. Britage looked around, panting. "Is it done?" He was sweating and looked as weak as a kitten.
"Aye, my friend. You are human again." Donnan reached out and clasped forearms with the man."
Britage was clearly weary. "Good, because that really hurt." He smiled. "We have a promise to fulfill, you and I."
Donnan nodded. "To drink until we cannot drink anymore."
Britage looked around. "DRINKS for everyone!!" He cried. "Elea, will you do me the honor...?" Britage turned to her but Elea was gone. He looked at Donnan. "Where is she?"
Donnan frowned. "I don't know. I'll find her."
Valaria touched her husband's arm. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, no dear. Go with Britage. We'll be there shortly." Donnan smiled, patting her hand.
Valaria's beautiful face was marred by her frown. "Are you sure, dear?"
"Yes, Valaria. I am." He shooed her to Britage. "And save me a seat and a drink."
Donnan smiled after the happy group. Then he muttered. "OK Elea, where have you gone this time?" He cracked his knuckles. Britage wanted her there at his side to drink, and by the Gods, he was going to make sure it happened.
*
Elea had slipped away to her favorite stone garden. It had been Bretonius' favorite garden, too. She knew that everyone was going to drink themselves stupid in celebration of Britage's return to normal, but she knew she should not be drinking right now. Drinking lowered the inhibitions and removed all etiquette from the brain. Elea could just see herself saying something like, "So, how does it feel to be manipulated into falling in love with someone, so that you marry them?" to Donnan. Or saying, "Nice work, Valaria. I couldn't have manipulated Donnan into marrying me, any better."
She was angry and confused and felt guilty for some reason. She wanted to tell Donnan but he might think she was lying. Then she would lose him forever. "No. I can't do that." She shook her head.
"Can't do what?"
The familiar male voice made her nearly jump out of her skin. As Elea whirled about, she saw Donnan standing there, in the twilight shadows. In her pacing and thoughts, she had not even heard his approach. "Nothing. Why aren't you with Britage, drinking?"
He came forward. "He wants you there, Elea."
Shaking her head, she sighed. "I don't want to drink tonight." Elea moved herself so a small statue was between her and Donnan.
Donnan frowned, noticing the movement. "Why not? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. Just go and drink with your friends." The force gaety grated on her ears.
"They are your friends too, Elea. And Britage really wants to see you. This is his night. You should think of him." Donnan was trying to be nice, patient with the tempermental bard but he was not going to leave without her.
"I'll celebrate with him another time. Now, just go. OK?" Elea's voice snapped a bit, making her inwardly wince.
That was it. Donnan scowled at her. "Just go? I've dealt with you and your moods before, this is different. What the hell is wrong with you?!" He was at his patience's end with her. Elea looked at him and he saw something in her eyes break.
For a moment, Elea could not speak. 'What's wrong with me?!' She felt all the anger and guilt and shame and sadness come bubbling up. There was no way she could stop it. No way she wanted to stop it. "What's wrong with me?!" She demanded. "What's wrong with me? I'll tell you what's wrong. Your -wife- hates me. Hates me with a passion, calling me a 'witch' and a 'half-breed slut!'" Ignoring the surprised look on his face, she slowly advanced on him. "And, she manipulated things and events so that you would fall in love with her. So you would marry her and not me! And oh, by the way, you're a father now. Twin sons to be born in the spring. She manipulated that, too."
Donnan had never seen Elea so upset and out of control. She was yelling at him as she had never done before. He could not help but back away as she advanced upon him, yelling. It unnerved him and the things she said made his heart want to stop.
"Destiny works in paths. Valaria knew of the two paths that Destiny could take and she manipulated things so that you and I would not be together! Did you know she made sure she got pregnant as soon as she did because she was afraid that I might be pregnant and you would turn from her to me?" Elea's anger flared and then died to guilt and helplessness.
Donnan just let her continue as everything that she had kept bottled up came rushing forward. No wonder she had been so hard to deal with lately. In any case, he did not think he could stop the rush of emotion from her, even if he tried.
"And I've had to deal with this attitude from her from the first day. I've been as good as I could be. I wanted you happy. That's all that's important to me. I even helped you get the ring. And dammit, through it all, you were too dense to see that I'm still in love with you - as I was on the day we met!" Elea's tirade stopped suddenly and her eyes got wide. She had not meant to say that last part and she dearly wished she could take those words back as she stared at Donnan's disbelieving, shocked face. She turned and walked a few feet away, tears streaming down her face.
Donnan came up behind her, reached out a hand to her but did not touch her. He let it drop. "Elea..." His voice was gentle. "Why didn't you tell me? I asked you... if you were OK with this. I asked."
Her voice was muffled. "I tried to tell you, once. I couldn't get the words out.... and you were so happy with ... -her-."
"Elea, I'm sorry. I do love you. I do." Donnan was at a loss, feeling for his best friend.
She turned to him, tears glistening, raw pain in her eyes. "I love you, too, Donnan. But it doesn't matter now, does it? You're married. And you will be a father in the spring. The father of the heirs to the new Empire. And our children will unite this new Empire. That is the path Destiny has taken." She feel so helpless, out of control of her own life.
Donnan shook his head. "You've got to explain this better, Elea. I don't understand. How do you know this?"
Elea slowly recounted the vision Ballarius had given her. Then, she recounted the subsequent conversation she had with the Time Warden. She left nothing out, voice devoid of emotion. She was so tired. Watching Donnan's face, she saw him go cold on the words of Valaria, "Just remember this! It will be -my- sons who will rule the next great Empire! Not hers!" He had clenched his fists and muttered, "An empire builder." And then let Elea continue.
When she was done, he took a few minutes to compose himself. "I need to comfirm this with Be'ornhelm." Then he paused. "Elea, you're still my partner, aren't you? I need to know."
Elea nodded. "Yes. Yes, I am." She would be his partner until he threw her out of his life. She knew it. She just wondered if he knew it, too.
Donnan stepped a few feet away and spoke to the Tower. Be'ornhelm appeared almost immediately. Elea listened to the conversation from her spot. Donnan had forgot that she had very good hearing. Be'ornhelm confirmed all that she had said but she was surprised that he also defended Valaria a bit, explaining that she did what any other young woman would have done if she had the same knowledge and had been in love.
Elea scowled. 'Not all of us would have manipulated Donnan the way she did.' She thought viciously. Elea was glad that Donnan was still her friend and was angry at Valaria, but she knew that as angry as he was, it would not last. Donnan was finally going to have the family he had always wanted.
Be'ornhelm and Donnan's conversation broke up and Donnan returned to her side. "Be'ornhelm is going to escort you to the main hall. Drink, relax, have a good time - make Britage smile for me, OK? I have something I need to do." As much as it was a request, Donnan was making it an order, too.
All Elea could do was nod as Be'ornhelm came close and offered his arm. "Little Mistress?"
She hugged Donnan tightly, as if she never wanted to let him go. Then, she took a breath and composed herself, accepting Be'ornhelm's arm.
*
The main hall was loud with the celebration and a small cry of happiness rose as Elea made her appearance on Be'ornhelm's arm. Britage motioned them to his side, thrusting mugs into both of their hands.
Elea smiled gently. "Congratulations, Britage."
"Where've you been?" His words were slurring a little. "I've been waiting for you."
"I had something I needed to do but I'm here now." She tapped mugs with Be'ornhelm and Britage, then proceeded to down the entire mug of hard cider to many hoots and howls. She wiped her mouth, looking around. She immediately noticed that Valaria was not there and guessed where she was. Another drink was thrust into her hand and gulped it down without tasting it.
Finally, Elea just let it go. She had said what she needed to say. It was time to just let it all go. Drinking, she annouced that she had a new song, a drinking song about "Sparky, the Blue Dragon, who lived by the sea...." [To the tune of "Puff, the Magic Dragon."] The crowd loved it, picking up the words easily.
The party was in full swing when a blond stranger entered and sat next to Ratan-Albion. Britage cried out "SPARKY! Have a drink!"
The stranger almost pouted. "See, I told you they'd figure it out." He said to Ratan.
Ratan laughed. "Oh, well." He handed Sparky, the human, a mug of something.
Sparky grinned and toasted Britage, then downed his mug.
Sometime later, Donnan and Valaria returned. The was obvious that Valaria had been crying but the two of them seemed to have come to some sort of accord. As expected. She watched as the two began to drink in earnst. For some reason, Elea did not feel the pain and anger that she so recently had felt about Valaria. Then she noticed that Ballarius had taken Be'ornhelm's place at her side. She handed him a drink as another round of "Sparky, the Blue Dragon." warbled about the room.
The party ran on, late into the night when many songs and stories, swaping of lies, swaping of truths and, of course, many, many altering choruses of "Sparky, the Blue Dragon."
Continue on to: 14. Anchors