[center][h1] [color=0072bc]Elyra[/color] and [color=9e0b0f]James[/color] [/h1][/center]

James smiled at Elyra's comment about slinging rocks into Darius's head and tried to picture the assassin's reaction before his smile fell away a little. He managed to pick himself up before she noticed it, and decided to respond to her last comment. [color=darkred]"I'm glad it came out alright. Neither me or Aelar are particularly good cooks."[/color] He began to bite at his own piece, his plate already in his hand as he was pulled away before she had begun to speak.

Elyra smiled and looked at him as he ate. Her expression became a little somber. [color=0072bc]"I know the basics of what happened kinda sorta. What was her name? What happened?"[/color] Elyra didn't like the idea of making him rehash what happened because it obviously hurt him but at the same time the more he spoke about it the better it helped him heal. Still, it made her feel insecure talking about how much he loved a now dead woman. She couldn't compete with a ghost and it would always win.

James couldn't stop the slow exhale he felt as he thought back to the time he had rebelled. [color=darkred]"It was what? 4 years ago? This isn't something you'll like hearing..."[/color] he paused, waiting for a confirmation of some kind.

Elyra nodded, [color=0072bc]"I know, but I should know anyway, please tell me."[/color]

He waited for a moment before he sighed to himself as he closed his eyes. [color=darkred]"Athelia. Her name was Athelia Westward. I hadn't been a Holy Paladin for long at the time, and I was deployed to a village suspected to be harbouring a mage. That intel was... off. Turns out, it was a trap. One thing lead to the next and before I knew it, I was disarmed and at the mercy of a very irate mage."[/color] He stopped and looked up. [color=darkred]"I thought i was dead, until that mage's daughter convinced him to spare my life, that I could change. I guess it worked. We got closer, and I tried to keep it a secret for as long as I could. But life wouldn't have it. A year later, she and her family were exposed by Empire spies. By the time I got back to her village, everyone was dead and I had to bury everything I had come to love."[/color] Small tears ran down his cheeks, not that he even noticed. His eyes burned with a long dulled rage and sadness until they passed over the elven nurse and an underlying fear eclipsed it.

[color=darkred]"I managed to keep myself together for another year or so. But then orders came through to wipe out a village of farmers suspected to be mage sympathizers. They weren't even a threat, they simply didn't agree with the Empire's treatment of mages, yet I was sent as part of a full platoon. I couldn't do it. It reminded me of what happened too much. So I murdered my CO, stole his anti-magic sword and ran. I ran, and I fought the Empire as a mage sympathiser. It wasn't until about 9 months ago that I was finally caught. The only reason I'm not dead is because of my service record. So they forced me to train more of their magic-hating drones, to get better at killing a people that don't deserve it." He looked at Elyra with every emotion burning through his eyes. "That's why I don't deserve you. If you become my lover, they'll just use you as a leash to control me. You don't deserve to be used like that."[/color]

Elyra listened intently to every word he said. [color=0072bc]"First off, I agree with everything you did. I think I may have done worse in your situation."[/color] She took his hands in hers and she stood up in front of him and put his arms on her hips and walked into his arms. [color=0072bc]"Second, the emperor is a hateful man and I think he deserves what he dishes out. Thirdly, it might not be physical yet but I already am in my heart and no one is going to control me or you. We are strongest together and we both deserve to be happy. Don't be afraid. We'll be fine. Ok?"[/color] Elyra kissed him softly.

James couldn't say anything, he didn't trust his own voice. He simply returned the soft kiss, and when they broke it, he gripped her in a tight but tender hug, his neck bent to press his face into her shoulder despite the difference in height. A sound slipped from him he hadn't made in over 4 years. A single, broken sob. He stayed like this until he could regain his composure, taking what seemed to be an eternity but was probably less than a few minutes, and he looked straight into her eyes. [color=9e0b0f]"I guess we'll have to be, For each other's sakes."[/color] He softly kissed her again before he looked back in the direction of the camp. [color=9e0b0f]"We should head back. The group is going to be moving soon."[/color] His arms slipped from around her and took her hand with soft grip.

Elyra stopped him from going back just yet.[color=0072bc] "I should tell you something. The assassin and I are not going to get along and when we finish this thing I'm likely to have a serious confrontation with him. One that may get me killed."[/color]

The ex-templar immediately narrowed his eyes towards the camp, where Darius should've been, before he looked back at Elyra with hardened eyes. [color=9e0b0f]"That isn't going to happen. I don't care what I have to do, but I am not going to lose you.That snake will suffer before I'll let him."[/color] His expression softened again, if only slightly.[color=9e0b0f] "Besides, the Blackwall family crest is a dragon. And dragons don't lose to snakes."[/color]

He stopped for a second to give her a quick, small smirk before a curious but worried expression settled on his face.[color=9e0b0f] "Why do you think there'll be a confrontation?"[/color]

Elyra was very serious when she said, [color=0072bc]"Because five years ago my brother and his best friend were in the city and his friend apparently had a hit on him. I don't know why. My brother was very loyal and would not leave his friend and he killed him for no reason. I happened to show up just as my brother fell. I locked eyes with the assassin and did everything to find out who he is and I have. I told him not half an hour ago that I knew what he did." [/color]She looked down at her hands and said. [color=0072bc]"I'll keep him alive until this mission is over and we are freed from these murderous bombs but after that....I'll find a way to kill him...maybe it's just me but isn't my plotting to kill someone worse than you doing it spontaneously?"[/color] She smirked. [color=0072bc]"Maybe I don't deserve to have you?"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Don't. Don't even start. Your hands are clean, even if you wish to dirty them. My crime is done, and I can't change that, but I swear to whatever power I need to that yours doesn't come to that. Are you really sure that you can kill him? Because the blood of another person is heavy. Heavier than I would ever want you to carry. I'll put him down myself if I can spare you from that."[/color]

She looked up at him questioningly. [color=0072bc]"You think I should let it go? Shouldn't he have to pay? I must admit I do not like the amount of energy that I've spent letting it eat at me. Does it weigh enough that he suffers from his kills or is he so cold he can't feel them any longer? Please tell me what I should do?"[/color]

James's eyes swam with sadness and fear at the prospect of her with blood on her hands. [color=9e0b0f]"I know that this is important for you to have closure, even revenge. I won't stop you from seeing him die. But I'll be the one to do it. Your hands are ones that should save lives, not take them, and mine are stained enough that this empty man's blood will make little difference."[/color] He stepped closer and pulled her into another hug as he bent his neck to whisper in her ear. [color=9e0b0f]"But that doesn't mean I won't accept you either way. Even if it's too hard for you to let go, even if you have to do it yourself, I'll still be there by your side. Even if this blood is too heavy for you, I will never stop supporting you. But at least let me try to save you first."[/color]

Elyra put her hand softly on his cheek and said, [color=0072bc]"I would have let the authorities do it but they had no proof and they couldn't catch him. Besides he is getting paid by the emperor to do this mission so I have little faith that he would punish him. I think that it is possible that now that I'm happier my need for revenge may not be as strong as it was. I don't want that put on you either. It's not your problem. I would rather let him go than to see you tormented or punished for it."[/color]

Elyra took his hand in hers and let him lead her back to the camp.

As the pair stepped back into the camp, James dropped her hand with a quick kiss before he went over and began to pack up the last of his gear into his bag. He strapped his twin swords onto his hips and quickly strapped his gauntlet onto his left arm, flexing the mechanism to let a bolt of lightning dance down into his palm. Lastly pulling the rest of his armour, he looped the red fabric of his scarf back around his shoulders before he looked over to Elyra for a second, smiling at the sight.

Elyra smiled. She looked at James and wondered how such a wonderfully sweet person ever ended up in her life. All she knew was that she was grateful that he did. While she was cleaning up the dishes and getting them repacked afterwards she was wondering what was in store for them as far as accomodations once they got to the capital for the mages' training and how long they would be there? She stole a glance at James and blushed at her own thoughts.

She sighed and looked over at Jamie and shook her head. The poor girl was likely to get killed by her own love interest.
[@caits][@dabombjk]