Richter opened his eyes. Anny was already up, preparing tea as she usually does.

"My my that smells good." he said as he entered in the room that was supposed to be a kitchen, she was just pouring the tea in two cups and smiled as he approached to kiss her.

"Someone is up early, not." she said with a smile on her lips, he adored that smile of hers. She knew just to make the taste of the tea right. He sat on the table scratching his head, staring at her eyes and her smile, always staring at her with faint smile of his own.

"Rough night, I was....hah... well I forgot the name, of the village, or, I think I never even asked. It matters little, what matters is that the people are safe now." he took a sip from the tea.

"What was it this time?" she asked as she sat next to him, drinking from her own cup.

"Some bloody idiot thought he can temper with forces he does not understands. Ye see, under that village there are ancient ruins of a city long forgotten in time, problem is, there are ways to enter the old caverns of the ruins, places where common folk should not be. One such commoner ventured down there, found a tome he should have not touched and brought it in the village. Literarily, Hell broke loose when he started reading the incantations written in that damn book, had to perform exorcism on half village, purge the graveyard from zombies and kill the prime fiend that was released." he explained.

"I believe you dealt with the book?" she asked, taking a sip from her tea.

"Destroyed the book, sealed the ruins, no commoner will ever find them." he nodded.

"Oh, Spirit brought you a letter this morning." she said as she handed him the letter that the owl has brought. Richter took the letter, his eyes widened when he saw the seal mark, it's been a long time since he saw it last time. Carefully he opened it and started reading, finishing with a sigh. Anny looked at him, a bit worried she was, "What is it", she asked.

"Do you remember, the stories I told you about a land that I used to live at for a very long time?" he started explaining, "The land ruled by that celestial queen? Queen Arilu. It seems the land of Penwyth once again is besieged, and they need my help..." he paused for a moment and smirked, "I wander, is my tower still standing, and in what condition", he smiled again.

"You better pack and leave, it sounds important to you." she touched his hand, "Aye, it is."

Latter that afternoon he prepared for the journey. He kissed Anny before he used one of the portal stones to open a passage that took him right where he wanted, in the back yard of Castle Penwyth, a back door he knew well, he used it so many times in the past. He smiled.

From one little bag hanging on his belt he took another stone and brought it close to his mouth, "My love", he said to the stone, "I have arrived before the castle, as I intended, I'll try to sneak in now, as I used to."

"Very well, I am glad you arrived safe", Anny's voice replied from the stone as her face appeared on the circle that was engraved on it's surface. "Please be careful, I don't want someone to bring your corpse at my door. Good luck and remember the charms, I'll work from here magic that will protect you too", he smiled, her magic was always strong, he would admit, far stronger than his, "I love you", he said to her, "I love you too", she replied before the link was closed.

He knew exactly where to go, where to pass, unnoticed and unseen, at least unseen by the servants. From a distance he could see that eventually his tower saw still standing. Trough stairs and corridors he managed to get to the door of his own room, his old room, at the highest tower. Small room it was, a bed, desk and a chair, one chest, and only one window, that was all he ever needed. He took the key, he still had it in his possession and opened the door. Dust overwhelmed him, he immediately opened the window, to clear the air and wave off the dust.

"Dear Light, I need to do some serious cleaning..."

Arilu sat at the edge of a shimmering lake, sunlight filtering through the leaves, making beautiful patterns upon the forest floor. The lake was large, and a deep blue hue that seemed to sparkle a bit unnaturally even in places that didn't sit in the suns rays. This particular lake was the Lake Of The Enchantress, and resided in the Flower Forest. There lived The Enchantress, an ancient and magical being, as well as Llyrth, a white dragon of immense power who lived in the Great Tree that stood in the center of the lake. That tree was the largest of the four kingdoms, some saying it reached into the very heavens above where the celestial star beings lived and ruled. Arilu dangled her bare feet in the cool water, her face set in a grim mask of concentration. Her eyes were closed, and her raven black hair hung loosely down her back, pooling onto the ground behind her. Her pale white skin seemed far too fair against that dark mass of hair, but upon closer inspection many battle scars could be seen upon her body from years of protecting these lands and its people. She had a beautiful dragon tattoo upon her left shoulder and shoulder blade, and a long scar that ran from her left eyebrow down to her cheek. Heaving a sigh, she opened her eyes, and emerald green orbs rimmed with sapphire blue stared into the distance at nothing in particular. The dragon Llyrth dropped from somewhere up above in the Great Tree and stared at her intently before speaking in a soft, yet firm male voice.

"Arilu my darling, if you stare any harder into the distance you may start a fire. Breathe. Fate will bring those destined to help you overcome the plights of this land all in good time. No sense in brooding over that which you cannot change at this point and time. Concentrate on the things you can change, and the people you can help at this point and time." Llyrth laid his head down upon the ground at the base of the tree, his massive body following suit.

Arilu's eyes moved to look at the dragon, a frown forming on her delicate face, her hands clenching the grass she sat upon. "Llyrth, I wish it was that simple. Alas, I have an entire country to worry about, along with three others, and I cannot be everywhere at once. Our borders are kept relatively safe by the wards set long ago by my companions and I, but supplies coming from the other countries has come to an abrupt halt because they do not have the same luxuries as my people, and they are attacked everyday by a new threat. Our neighbors to the north of Trisolan can't and won't offer aid, because they themselves are still rebuilding even after all of these long years. So Narmingad is not a viable option." She gave a low snort. "It's not an option even the other kingdoms would recognize, they still will not even recognize Narmingad as a kingdom, and just lay the burden to me because of its past..." She closed her eyes briefly, a rogue tear slipping down her cheek. "I don't even have my old companions here anymore. I feel so alone. Not powerless...just...alone."

Llyrth's eyes showed sadness as he looked at her. "I am sorry my child, but these are not burdens you will forever carry, and they are not burdens that will forever cause you despair. Things will look up, and you will not be alone for long, of that I am positive. So get Cinniu'int and your wolf children, and go home to your family and be happy for a while, even if it is brief."

Arilu looked slightly confused for a moment as she looked at the dragon. "Did I not tell you? Shandal and Nalandris are in the Celestial Kingdom where it is safe, along with Nephas to keep on eye on them."

Llyrth seemed to smirk before he started disappearing up the Great Tree once more. "Ahh, well maybe you forgot to mention that or maybe you didn't. I couldn't say. Goodbye for now Chosen One, may the Great Tree bless you and your thoughts." Then he was gone from site, not making a sound as he went.

Arilu stared up at the tree in amazement. "How in the world does he do that without making a sound every time?" Shaking her head, Arilu stood reluctantly and looked around for Cinniu'int, her bond mate and steed. The gigantic black stallion came from in between the trees and stepped gracefully towards his friend and companion. Arilu smiled lovingly, laying her hand gently upon his great neck. "Let's go home, I think Llyrth is right. I've done enough brooding today." She swung onto his back with ease, and they started back to Penwyth Castle. "Where is Tantra and Jasper?"

Cinniu'int shook his head gently and gave a snort. "Headed back to the castle already. They didn't say a word. Just up and left."

Arilu sighed softly. "Maybe my brooding got to them. I have been a bear recently. Let's hurry and get home, I should see if that's why, and if so, apologize to them." Cinniu'int snorted in response and they headed home at a quick pace.

Richter coughed, the dust was everywhere and cleaning it was not an easy task at all. He didn't had his armor or weapons, they were besides his bed, as they always were in a matter of fact. The sheet, the cover, he pillow, he managed to clean them decently, not perfectly, far from perfectly, that will require visit to the closest river and some soap for sure. For now this will do, he slept in far worse conditions, mud, sand, dry rock, so this was just fine for him. After he was done with his bed he started cleaning his desk and chair. It was simple, wave the dust of them on the floor and clean the floor after with a broomstick, which he did eventually.

He set on his chair and looked outside the window, once the cleaning was done after hour or maybe two. He looked at the lake in the far distance, and the massive, huge, gigantic tree, "Is that old dragon still living there?" he though to him self, a sound of hunger from his stomach interrupted his thoughts, oh he was hungry alright. He thought for a moment, "Is it time finally to pronounce my presence? Or should I keep my self secret a little bit more. Arilu, I am sure, has her hands full of work, organizing defense, rallying the armies, all the stuff a leader, a queen in a matter of fact should do for her kingdom", he though, "And what am I doing? Thinking of food."

He scratched his head and looked again outside the window, the sun was setting, time for dinner he though. As he stood up from the chair he only took his strait longsword, leaving the curved one besides his armor, he didn't needed the rest, who would dare to attack the castle, maybe the most fortified place on this world, and if they do, all those guards, he'll only need one weapon to help them, he thought, "Thinking way too high of your self Ricky, one day it will be your undoing", he smacked his own head and headed down towards the kitchen.

In the bustling streets, of a city he didn't know the name of, Reilis stood in a darkened corner next to a building, staring intently at a blank wall. There were plenty of onlookers watching the creature, whispering curiosities of what he could be doing. He ignored the muttering and chatter of any passerby. Reilis' long ears twitched as he grew in frustration. His paw tapped the ground impatiently as he waited. He finally broke his silence and startled a few of the people watching.

"SEROS! Seriously. Are you ever going to come out of your shadowy place? It's getting really boring out here and we're drawing a crowd." The pale yellow foxling crinkled his nose as he plopped on the ground. If he was going to have to wait on his friend, he was going to be comfy, despite everyone watching their every move.

"I can't! There's too many of them." The shadows spoke from every direction, further frightening the onlookers. They couldn't tell where the source was coming from. Reilis, however, did not move. He grit his teeth and thrust his hands towards the wall. "Seros, if I could pull you out of there, I would do it in a heartbeat. Now, come on! We're not going to get anywhere if crowds scare you. Besides, there's only..." He paused, turned around, and counted the villagers who stood there, nearly quivering. "A dozen of them. Most of them ran or moved on a while ago. Now get your shadowy ass out of that wall so we can leave! You're making me scare people!"

"Really? I think they're nervous because you're yelling at a wall." The shadow retorted.
"SEROS."
"Fine! Fine. Alright, you win." A dark face appeared in the wall, causing a few people to faint, as a body crawled out from the shadowy slate. It was a second foxling. He was dark as the night and the complete opposite of his angered friend. A scream went from among the villagers, causing the two of them to stand on edge. "THIEVES!" Cried the woman who screamed, attracting attention to the scene as she pointed to them both. The multiple beats of hooves hammered the pavement soon after as three guards made their way towards the source.

"We should leave." Seros stammered as he took a step back from the noise.
"You think?!" Reilis answered as his long legs took him on a heavy sprint through a mass of people. Seros took after him without a second thought.

"Why did you have to hide in the shadows anyway?! You know that attracts attention!" Reilis panted. "We REALLY need to strengthen your bravery! Honestly! What would you do if you couldn't find a shadow to hide in?!" The pale yellow foxling turned his head back for a second to give a scolding face full of disappointment.

"I know! I know, okay?! I just-" Seros stopped mid-sentence as an older gentleman with a pushcart wheeled out a mere few feet in front of them. "Watch out!"

It was too late. Reilis' leg caught the side of the cart at full speed, sending him spiraling over it and landing hard on the path a few feet behind. Laying there in a daze, he groaned as the wind tried catching up with him. Seros turned face and saw the guards drawing closer. They didn't have time for this! He leaped over the, now turned over, cart and grabbed his comrade, covering him with his body as he quickly glanced for shadows that would fit them both. It was a long stretch, but he located one a few dozen yards away. He held tightly onto his winded companion and bolted as fast as his thin legs could carry them.

The guards shouted something and an arrow shot forth, nearly hitting them in the line of fire. Seros made sure Reilis' head was covered and dove for the shadow, headfirst, forcing them to both disappear from view. The guards stopped where the foxlings disappeared, dumbfounded at what happened. The leader of the three sent his followers in opposite directions. He was dead set on catching those suspicious creatures, though they would never be found.

After several minutes of traveling through the darkness, Seros burst out from a shadow covered spot of earth. They were well beyond the city limits now, and certainly shouldn't have been followed. There was another city they couldn't go back to because of people portraying the skittish character as a thief. He set Reilis on the ground and fell back next to his friend.

"Why didn't you think of that the first time?" Reilis wheezed, not bothering to sit up any time soon.
"Honestly? I didn't think it would work. I've never taken anyone into shadow with me before."
That made Reilis twitch. "You mean...you ran me skull-first into a wall with you...and you didn't even know if it would work?!"
Seros looked at him nervously. "Pretty much. But it worked! And we're out of there now! I don't think I could do it with a bunch of people, though. I mean, I spent enough energy trying to pull just you through. Other people aren't meant to swim through shadows."

The two of them just laid there, catching their breath for a while and enjoying the breeze brought by fresh air. Reilis' ears perked. He heard something. It was a voice. A lovely, womanly voice. He swiveled his head towards his friend. "Seros. Did you hear that?"
The black foxling was already sitting up, ears on end. "I did." He reviewed what the words had said and turned his turquoise eyes towards his golden comrade. "Should we follow it?"
Reilis nodded gently. "You bet." He tried pushing himself up, but only made a few inches before falling back to the ground. "But...a little later."