[center][h1] [color=0072bc]Elyra[/color], [color=f7941d]Jamie[/color] and [color=0054a6]Darius[/color] [/h1][/center]


Darius could almost literally feel the tension behind him as he kept his distance from the rest of group. He had agreed to.....be more sentimental with Jamie, and that was a personally more of an emotional leap for him than ever before. So right now he felt as if keeping his distance from everyone elses drama was a better move than getting involved. When he turned his head slightly he felt a slight pang in his head, a headache. 

Jamie somehow managed to get William into one of the carts, and she stood a moment, catching her breath, she frowend at the headache, glancing about to see if she could see everyone. Noting Elyra's absence and Salems, she frowned again. Where were they?  Had something happened? Bandits? Glancing to William, she decided he'd be safe enough, and began to walk the way they'd come, hoping to see any sign of something. 

Elyra awoke after a few minutes and sat up. Her head was killing her and she saw Salem lying near her. She could see him breathing easily enough so she wasn't too worried about that. She got to her feet and felt a little badly that she ran off. If truth be told she wouldn't have left James alone with that woman had she not been so shocked herself. There had to be a reason that her identity was hidden from him until right that moment. She also knew in her heart that there was every chance that his old feelings for Athelia would resurface. She wiped her face and hoped that no one would see how terrible she looked in the firelight. She headed towards the campfire and sat down keeping her face out of the light as much as possible.

Darius looked back, within eye distance of the campfire but not within normal conversation distance, and saw no one was focused on him, Paying attention to him. He sat down and pulled out his small leather journal, and a small purple light was emitted from the words appearing on the paper. Darius focused, and traced his finger along the words forming. Darius was suprised by what he read, but not entirley. He knew that something like this would happen, just not this soon. 

Jamie saw Elyra coming back, and let out a relieved breath, glad her friend was okay, although she seemed to be a little out of sorts. Jamie wondered a moment what had happened, and hesitated, wondering if she should join her friend at the fire. Glancing about, she tried to figure out what would have sent Elyra running away, then coming back looking like she was. Concern for her had Jamie going over, and sitting beside her, waiting to see if Elyra would speak. 

Elyra saw Jamie come and sit near her. She knew her friend was trying to be supportive and she tried not to push her away. Unsure of how to say it she started with what she knew. Elyra looked at her shoes and glanced up at Jamie and spoke low so the others across the fire wouldn't hear her.[color=0072bc] "Years ago James had fallen in love with a girl, Athelia. There were obstacles since she was a mage and all. I'm at a loss for the details at the moment but supposedly they were in love."[/color] At this point she wiped her eyes. 

She continued, [color=0072bc]"There was trouble and to make a long story shorter she was caught and killed right in front of him. James lost his mind, he went on killing sprees and got himself into all sorts of trouble with the citadel, he even attacked them at some point. His being an instructor was given to him as a last resort so that they wouldn't have to kill him."[/color] Elyra's tears glistened in the firelight as she continued. 

[color=0072bc]"It turns out that the girl he lost his mind over is here. She is Elise. The instant he saw her face...."[/color] She coughed and grabbed a drink of water. [color=0072bc]"I have to let him figure this out. How can I possibly compete with her? I did notice that he wasn't exactly thrilled to see her though. Shocked.....but ...I don't know. Jamie? Is it supposed to hurt this badly when your heart gets shattered?"[/color]

Jamie listened as Elyra spoke, wanting to give her a hug, but not wanting to interrupt or do anything that might make her stop talking. There was an Elise? Just how many people had joined their group? She brought her mind back on track, trying to sort the information through. When Elyra had finished, Jamie gave her a tight hug, [color=f7941d]"The citadel wouldn't kill a mage unless they had to, well, that makes them sound better then they are but that's not the case. Whatever they've done to her...She won't be the same person. I don't know what happened."[/color] 

[color=f7941d]Maybe letting him figure it out by himself is just the wrong way to do it. I don't know"[/color] Jamie gave a soft sigh, wanting to be able to make things better for Elyra, but not knowing how to do so. [color=f7941d]"Yes, its meant to, otherwise how do you know it was worth it? But, did he say he was going back to her? has he done anything? I don't imagine you stuck around to talk, the way that headache came, you ran away. He's probably confused, anyone would be when someone you thought dead appears again. Take a few moments to compose yourself and then go talk with him"[/color]

Elyra hugged Jamie and dried her eyes and blew her nose. She was hoping that her return would not look too badly. She knew James must have been stunned as much as she had been, more so even. She went back to find them in the same place. Elyra was praying that Jamie was right and that the woman was not the same girl inside. She went back to the clearing where Elise had run into them. She was not hiding but both Elise and James didn't even seem to notice her standing there until she slipped her hand back into his.

Collaboration with [@dabombjk][@caits]

[@shadow daedalus][@Kyrisse]