Waiting for Tori and Pandora to get the golems ready Drai effortlessly swings himself into the branches of a large maple tree. As he silently scans the tree line the fine red hairs on the back of his neck rise and he breathes deep through his nose. Something wasnt right and he forces down the tingle of panic beginning in his chest.

As he calms and centers his body, his mind races, the flaws in the plan making him edgy. Ruarc and Tomas were playing in the small clearing, their ruse at escaping Chiara and the other kids would be believable to anyone who didnt know them.

They are right where they are suppose to be... The warriors are in position on the other side of the clearing... Could the Drow be moving faster than Imp thinks? Wish was close by, her energy electric to those that could feel it but still something else makes Drai uneasy. If any one of Lilys bombs explodes too early we will lose the fae warriors...and the kids...

As Drai slips from his branch to a lower one a slight movement in the trees catches his eye. Drow! Damn it! Since when did the arrogant bastards use advance scouts.....

He slips silently from the tree and starts to move towards the boys, praying the Drow was a single scout.

Across the clearing K'thyri notices the movements of her brother. What is he up to? He is supposed to stay in the tree.... She signals to Keon who nods and she moves towards the clearing.

Drai makes his way through the overgrown brush and scrub trees when he notices the scout has gotten a glimpse of the boys and starts moving faster.

Shit, shit, shit... dont alert the rest of your foul smelling companions, not yet...gods, not yet...

Meanwhile the boys were oblivious, following a caterpillar and climbing over rocks. Suddenly Tomas senses something wrong, a stillness in the air, a silence that overcomes the small creatures, and he stands, scanning the treeline, looking for Wish or one of the warriors.

Drai is approaching fast and drawing his knife as he moves and praying that Ryan has taught Tomas enough sign language so that Drai can warn him and not alert any other Drow that might be close by.

Tomas sees Drai enter the clearing the same time he smells the Drow behind him and hears the low chuckle. He stiffens but does not turn, using his body to block Ruarc from the Drows gaze and weapons. His eyes meet Drais and Drai signals Duck! And as he pulls his arm back Tomas quickly lowers his body over Ruarcs, the heavy double bladed knife whizzes right over his head and lands with a 'thunk' in the Drows throat. A geyser of foul smelling blood and the Drow seems to fall over in slow motion, almost dead as he hits the ground, unable to make a sound to alert his troop.

Ky bursts into the clearing and before she can say anything Drai holds a finger to his mouth. “Help me move the body..” he whispers. “The others will be looking for this one...”

Drai and Ky stand a few yards away from the group. Both are trying not to raise their voices and Ky is having a hard time fighting the urge to knock her brother to the ground.

“You cannot go after her! It would be suicide...”

“I could have had the bitch.. I should have killed her and fuck the treaties... I know you are friends with Inari...” Drai's words are cut off by a hiss from his sister.

“Inari would be the first one to ignore the treaties if anything happens to the kids and you know it. She went after Morgan and she would go after Ardara. She isnt above breaking the rules if they need to be broken.. She just isnt going to make a huge issue of it, and it wouldnt matter if we were friends or not...” Ky's words fall off, certain her brother isnt really hearing her

Drai shakes his head and glares at the tree line. He starts to pace, his face red, but holding back his words, not wanting to hurt his sister, very much aware of how close she was to Inari and still not trusting in any treaties made by court fae and Drow.

Sighing, K'thyri glances towards the porch, then back to her brother, afraid he was going to take off. She knew he was the best tracker in fairy, he could find Ardara anywhere in Underdark, kill her and be back before the alarm was raised. She also knew that if Ardara was gone, another would simply take her place and after that one another. There would be no end to it.

“Drai!”

“What?!”

“Stop! Just stop. I cant think when you yell and the pacing is worse...” Ky stomps her foot, her temper rising.

On the porch Stoney and Laila exchange a grin, wondering if the two were going to come to blows.

Back in the house Tara suddenly sits up and slips off Rainas lap. She heads outside as Raina and Alise exchange a puzzled look and follow her. Tara heads to the edge of the porch and watches as Ky and Drai try hard to control their voices. She takes Ryans hand and leads him down the stairs to where the red headed siblings were arguing. The children went unnoticed until Tara tugs gently on Drais leather vest.
Drai looks down and sees two pairs of very large worried eyes looking up at him, one brown and one violet and Ryan starts to gesture furiously.

“Slow down, little man, slow down...” and Drai stops pacing to kneel on the ground in front of Ryan.

Ky watches as Drais anger seems to melt away and he pulls the boy close.

“No, I am not angry with you, never will be..” Drai then holds the boy at arm lengths and tips his chin. He gently wipes at the tears. “We are fighting because my sister thinks she is a better tracker than me.”

Ky's head snaps up, “I am better than you...”

“She couldnt track a giant Osakis that shat itself through a meadow...” Drai pointedly ignores his sister.

“What?!” Ky's face goes red again.

Drai grins, “Besides, everyone knows boys make much better trackers than girls..”

“You insufferable baboon..!” Ky clenches her fists and has to turn away in order to contain the almost uncontrollable urge to knock her brother upside the head.

The children giggle, and Drai waves a large pointed ear at Tara which she gently grabs. The little girl leans close and whispers, “You cant leave, Ryan needs you.”

Drai nods, unable to speak or give voice to the feelings he had for the little boy.

As Tara lets go of the heavily pierced ear she adds, “His mommy does too...”

Drai leans against the rail of the cabin and watches the children, busy with trying to catch the shadowcat. He smiles to himself remembering escorting Chiara and her son to the meeting. It was just a short trip from her house in the woods in fairy to the gate Keon had opened so Chiara could attend. Drai had grinned from ear to ear when Chiara mounted his horse behind him and wrapped her arms tight around his waist. Then he hoisted Ryan up in front of him where the little boy was squirming in excitement. His hands moved so rapidly that Drai missed much of what he was asking, being new to Ryans signing. Chiara laughed and translated all the questions and answers, mostly about the horse and how long would the trip take.



But now Drai watches as Chiara exits the cabin, her expression serious and eyes huge with worry for her son and the other children, especially little Ruarc.



Drai goes to her wanting to reassure her, to hold her close, but afraid as to how she would react to the gesture. Instead he stands in front of her, drowning in her hazel gold eyes. He speaks softly, for her ears alone, “I swear by everything I am, that no harm will come to you or your son....”



Chiaras eyes go dark before she lowers them, afraid that Drai would see her confusion, Why would he make such an offer?



Just as Drai lifts a hand, intending to tip her chin up, a loud pop announces the presence of the shadowcat. Drai looks down at the cat sitting between him and Chiara and swore the large feline was grinning at him.



Chiara steps back as Tomas and Ryan come racing to capture the cat, who with another loud pop, disappears again. With the squeals of the children as they try to chase a cat they cant see, the moment is gone and Drai smiles sadly as Chiara turns in the direction the children have raced off to, laughing at their antics.

On the other side of the large deck, Raina nudges Ky and nods in Drais direction.

“I think your brother has it bad for the teacher...”

Ky 
smiles. “Yeah, he seems to... but all he is going to end up with is a broken heart. She isnt Wyldfae...”

“No, she isnt. But she isnt a Court fae either. And you said he wasnt a full blood...”

Ky shrugs, “Three fourths, thats close enough...”

“Well, it seems that one fourth part is keeping him civilized enough to be of interest to her... I swear she was blushing...”

Ky watched her brother who was watching Chiara. Hmmmm, she mused... maybe little brother is growing up in more ways than one....

Drai pushed his long dark hair away from his face, his hair had grown and darkened over the winter and his shoulders were broad and muscular. Any woman would find him handsome.

“I dont know Raina... he always has that whipped puppy look on his face whenever she is around but I dont think Drai has ever had a real relationship, its just not his nature.. Or I didnt think it was anyway....”

Her words trailed off as she watched Ryan approach Drai and give his shirt a tug to get his attention. Drai looked down a puzzled look on his face, unable to decipher all of Ryans signing.

Drai knelt down, “I'm sorry little man, I'm not understanding all of what you are trying to tell me...”

Ryan starts over and Gracie watches quietly. When Ryan is done and Drai is no closer to understanding Gracie turns to him, curls bouncing and in perfect Elfish explains what Ryan wants.

“He wants you to be his partner in the Viking game the others are playing...” and Gracie points to the clearing where Tannr was hoisting Tomas to his shoulders and Tori had Chloe. The object was for the adults to somehow hang onto squirming children while they tried to rip one another off their perch on the adults shoulders. The game usually involved a pile of bodies on the ground with everyone laughing hysterically.

Tara and Mera dash up the deck stairs, Tara claiming Raina as partner and Mera, Ky. Drai grins and hefts Ryan to his shoulders. “Are you ready? We cant let the girls win..”

Gracie sighs, but doesnt want to join in. She tended to shy away from the other childrens rough housing. Chiara noticed and held out a hand to the little girl. “Lets find a good safe spot to watch from....This game looks too rough for me...” Gracie is all smiles at the attention of someone else that doesnt want to play the rowdy game.

Star watches from the window as Erik lifts Ru and joins the others. She has to bite her tongue, worried that Ru is too young for such games with the bigger kids. Ob lifts Teri and soon the game is on....


Much later that night, Alise tucks her children in their beds. Her and Stoney had spoken to them of the prophecy and that many believed Ruarc was destined to fulfill it. Alise was not surprised that they had surmised much of it from the mental connection that the family had and then of course, shared it with the other children. Tomas said that Ryan knew of it, not so much from what his mother talked about but from what he overheard when held by the Drow. Stoney had stressed the importance of all the children to watch out for one another especially the younger ones.

Rowan had left for home after she was positive that Gunnaar was fine and just needed to rest. She had passed Patti on her way out and sighed to herself. His healing was going to take longer if he didnt get the rest he needed and the women from the tavern seemed set on keeping the big man awake.

Keon had been called away from the gathering to attend to some business with the Riders, so Tannr and Tori had stayed after the meeting to help Star and Eric clean up and settle the kids. Tannr carried Ru to his bed and the little boy was fast asleep in his uncles arms before he could walk from one room to the next.

Drai watches the merc leave, a scowl on his face, wanting to throttle the larger man and not really knowing why. Ky throws a leg over her brothers. “Better think before you act. We are guests here and you dont want Chiara to think we are wild savages do you?” Her teasing tone just irritates Drai all the more and he roughly pushes her leg off of his. “We are savages as far as the other fae are concerned....and most of the humans too...” “Well you dont have to go out of your way to prove it.” Ky leans close and lowers her voice. “I doubt if he said anything that important or personal to her. She's been alone a long time the way it sounds, she probably blushes at a casual compliment.”

Drai takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I dont know why I feel protective of her and her son. You're right, its pointless, she will never look twice at me, but I cant help the way I feel.” “She might if you'd get a haircut and clean up and stop acting like a randy throushke..” she says, referring to a creature from the Unformed Plane, infamous for its licentious behavior... It's said that a throushke deprived of a mate of its own species will attempt to mate with any other creature of a similar size; and lacking any other option, will then attempt to mate with itself. Thanks to an unusually flexible spine - and both male and female sex organs - it almost succeeds nine times out of ten.

Instead of teasing back as Ky expected, Drai is silent, thoughtful. He watches Chiara with the other women, then stands suddenly, pulling Ky up with him. “Lets go talk to Tannr and see what he has planned for the Drow.”

Drai joins the group at the campfire, taking a break after a long night of guard duty. He accepts a cup of coffee and grins at the strong aroma. Taking a seat next to K'thyri he greets the others and playfully tugs one of Ky's long ears. She in turn slugs his arm and he narrowly saves his coffee from spilling all over.

“Dont make me set this down...”

“You couldnt catch me anyways...”

“I could... and blindfolded at that...”

“Blindfolded my ass...”

“Not your ass... your eyes Ky... your eyes...”

Ky starts to laugh until her keen sense of hearing picks up the sound of horses. “Company...” She reaches for her sword but Inari lays a hand across the Wyldfaes.

“Its fine. I am expecting this group...”

Four riders approach, Chiara, her son and two of Titanias guards.

Drais mouth drops, “Who is that?”

“Chiara... and her son, Ryan. Gods Drai, stop drooling. She's a teacher or soon to be...” Ky laughs at her brothers reaction.

“She's too beautiful to be a teacher. We never had teachers that looked like that...”

“How would you know? You never stuck around for any class.”

Drai watched as Chiara halted her horse nearby. She smiled at Inari and looked over those gathered around the fire, relief in her face at recognizing at least some of the faces. When her eyes met Drai's the interest she saw in his made her blush and lower her own dark eyes.

Drai is speechless for a full minute, mesmerized by long dark hair and even darker eyes. Suddenly he stands and strolls over to the riders.

“What the hell... I swear if he makes an ass out of himself I am gonna beat him senseless....” Ky says quietly as she watches helplessly, unable to do anything without drawing more attention to the situation.

Drai, on his way to bring K'thyri her supper, watches as the Viking leaves the medical tent and heads towards the canteen. He goes to see Ky who is still fuming.

“Calm down. What did he say to you to make you so mad?”

Ky glares, still angry by the encounter. “He doesnt believe me. I hate being called a liar. I am not lying.”

Drai nods and smiles. He knows Ky well and knows she will calm down shortly. “I know. But it is hard to believe. Would you believe it were the tables turned?”

Shrugging her shoulders as she watches her brother set up a tray for her food, her stomach starts to growl, making her smile. “That smells good. I dont know if I would believe it. But as soon as my leg is better I am going to knock him on his know-it-all little ass.”

Drai laughs and enjoys the time with his sister. “I would pay to see that sister.” But I am glad I wont be on that trip to the human realm. I hope they both make it there without killing each other...

The fighting had gone on all day and part of the evening. It had been a desperate and intense battle, the forces determined to take Morgan and her protectors. There were few losses on the warriors side, but more than a few injuries. As they straggled back to camp they began to compare notes, figuring out how many of the creatures on the Plane had died and how many were left of Morgans forces.

Inari all but falls in front of one of the fires. She feels so cold she thinks she will never be warm. She watches as the men return, hoping to see Torin and his men. They had started out fighting side by side but were separated at some point. Please Goddess, not again, I think it would kill me...

Gareth returns, dropping next to Inari. The sentries were busy seeing to the horses and providing drinking water for the men. Gareth hands her his cup and she drinks deeply. When he takes the cup back he notices her watching all the returning men. He leans close and quietly says, “He is alive, just talking strategy with Keon.” At her surprised look he adds, “I am not blind milady, although I dont think anyone else realizes.”

Inari looks down at her hands, unable to respond to Gareth. She couldnt lie to her friend and she couldnt really put words to her feelings. Afraid that even trying would somehow damage the fragile bond forming between them.

When she looks up again she sees Torin arrive, in deep conversation with Keon, the Riders close behind them. Inari lets out a sigh of relief. Everyone was accounted for except Ky. Where could she have got to? She was always the first one to run into battle and the last to leave but she should be back by now.

Inari stands and looks around. There was no way she could have slipped by her, K'thyri was exuberant and she didnt do anything quietly or passively.

Torin notices her worried glances and asks whats wrong.

When Inari replies 'Ky', one of the soldiers, a younger man starts to laugh. “I wouldnt worry about the wyldfae. They probably switched sides halfway through the battle...”

Before the man could get another word out or before anyone could stop her, Inari has the man by the throat and slams him on the ground. “You will not speak of my friend in that manner, you swine. She is a warrior and her loyalty is past question. Yours is not. I will rip your tongue out myself and drag you before the Queen for court martial if I hear another remark from your mouth.”

Eyes wide, first with pain and then with the realization of who he had offended, the man goes to his knees and apologizes profusely. Inari walks away, fighting an overwhelming desire to kick the soldier in the face.

Inari starts to pace as a horse and rider race towards her. Several people have to move quickly to get out of the riders way. It could only be a wyldfae, riding like that, but Inari knows it isnt Ky's horse. With a skidding of hooves and a cloud of dust, the horse comes to a stop next to Inari. A wyldfae leaps off the horses saddleless back and Inari finds herself in a bear hug from an old friend.

“Inari! Ky said you were, so I had to take a break and see for myself. How are you?”

“Drai, its good to see you.” Inari returns the hug.

“You look happy... hmmm... and I know it isnt just because of me, not that I havent tried.”

Inari swats at him, the teasing had been a constant thing between them. He tried to flirt, she said no, he would launch into a tirade about his shortcomings, mainly not being civilized enough for a queens emissary and his impressions of a courtly gentleman would leave her laughing until her sides ached.

Drai was K'thyri's older brother, one of a large clan of siblings. So large Inari didnt know how many sibs she actually had, if Ky even knew herself. Drai was handsome, dark red hair framed laughing brown eyes and his muscular body was always attracting some ladies attention. He was charming according to wyldfae standards, but could be insufferably rude by anyone elses standards. His attitude really wasnt any different from most of his kind. They lived life to the fullest, taking enjoyment in whatever they were doing at the time. Never particularly worried about what anyone else thought of their behavior either. As a whole, the wyldfae reminded Inari of a group of naughty teenaged boys. Daring one another to do some stunt and then laughing and comparing injuries with one another after it all went wrong.

“Ky asked me to deliver a message if I got here first....” Drai looks around at the men, Riders, Nighthawks, Wyldfae, a few with no visible allegiance. His eyes roam and land on Keon.

“The one there, with the blue streak in his hair.”

Keon looks up, wondering what message a wyldfae could have for him.

Drai approaches, doesnt introduce himself, since he feels no need to do so for a simple message. “My sister asked me to tell you that you forgot something on the Plane and she is bringing it to you shortly.”

Only partially successful at stifling her laughter at the expressions on some of the mens faces, Inari tries to find out more from Drai.

“What could she have possibly found of Keons on the Plane? Is she joking around again?”

Drai assumes a look of pretended horror at her suggestion. “Joking? K'thyri? Ky would never make a joke about this. Seriously, you will have to wait and see. She'll be back soon...”

Keon went back to his discussion with Torin, who gave Inari a grin. He understood the wyldfae, having fought besides Drai many times in the past. Although most of them preferred to fight farther south, the realms troops were scattered thin at that point, so there were less restrictions allowing the wyldfae to fight when they wanted.

Coming into camp amidst much commotion and hollering is K'thyri. Inari wonders why she is riding so slow, she never does anything slow, always seeming to be in fast motion, especially out here in the wilds. As she gets closer, Inari can see that she is dragging something behind her horse.

Ky pulls up next to Inari and Drai. “Did you tell them?”

“No, sister. I only told the rider what you asked me to.”

Ky slips off her horse, “Good. I love surprises. Wont they be surprised brother? What fun this has been...”

Playfully grabbing Ky's arm Inari asks, “What is it... or is it a who? Quit teasing Ky, and tell us what you have bundled up in there.”

Suddenly the bundle rears up and starts trying to get out of the wrappings it is in. Screams of rage are coming from the bundle and as it makes contact with the horse, it starts to beat on the horses side.

This infuriates Ky, and her face turns almost as red as her hair. She picks up a large fat stick and strikes at the bundle in time with her words, “Do. Not. Hit. My. Horse.”

When she turns and sees the Riders and the Nighthawks staring, she says, “What? He is a good horse.”

She drops the stick and unties the now silent bundle from her horse. Ky had tied a leather strap around her horse to hold the bundle since she had no saddle to tie it to. She drags the bundle to Keon, gives it a kick so that it settles at his feet and hands him the rope that binds the bundle securely.

“You forgot this. And I found it trying to sneak out the back door, so to speak. Drai wanted to kill it immediately and I will if you wont. But I think you will....”

A stunned Keon uses his knife to slit open the fabric and ropes. Ky laughs gleefully as Morgans red hair, covered in mud and blood, tumbles out.