[@Lady Nex]

Thortan smiled wistfully as darkness played around Liz, he knew she was lost in memory, and his shadowed forms mind wondered back to when he had learned she was coming to court.

[i]"I am bringing in a new court member soon. A Lycian assassin, she has made quite a name for herself. Seems she can use shadow magic." The queen said to Thortan right after a tense war council meeting. It seemed the humans had began attacking the other races, jealous of their inability to use magic and trying to find a way to gain some for themselves.

"My lady, are you sure you should bring one them into the court, they weren't exactly a contributing force in the war with Lumina's, why bring one in now??" He said walking down a corridor.

"This is a threat as dangerous as her, they are slaughter ex allies. They will not stop with us, they will eventually raze the Lycians forests to the ground." She said matter of fact.

"Yes, but still they are a highly secretive bunch, how ever did you convince one, let alone an assassin to join the court??"

"I offered her training in the shadowed magic, she will become my hidden blade. Just as you are my most trusted advisor, and my shield, as a queen I need more than one weapon." Thortan had stopped in front of the kitchen and mused over the Queen's words.

"I suppose if things escalate, she would be useful. But I won't take her for walks!!" He said jokingly.

"Now you know better than anyone else that they are not dogs Thortan Masters. This woman is coming a long way to learn under me, you will be on your best behavior, do I make myself clear?? Her people are not tolerant of their own leaving their kingdom, she could be excommunicated from her people, never able to return. So be nice!!"

"Is the warrior queen demanding I be on my best behavior?? My, my, I dare say." A young gaurd came running around the corner and bee lined straight for them.

"My lady, a woman is here, with a note she claims is from you, that you are to teach her." He said through his breaths.

"The queen smiled at Thortan, well looks like she is here. Shall we greet our student??" She walked off down the corridor as the dark elf looked on flabergasted.

Wait I am teaching her too??" He said chasing after the queen. They made it to the greeters all and the young woman stood out against the others. She was dressed in traditional Lycian clothing, and her piercing eyes made her stand out amongst the others, who gave her a wide berth. She wore a stoic look that seemed permanently etched into her face. The moment Thortan saw her, he knew she would be a sour lot. He deciedes if he must deal with her, than others would be his main mission to make this woman laugh once. He and the queen walked up to introduce themselves.[/i]

Back to the present moment Thortan looked down to Liz. They had become comrades over the years, and she was an amazing student. He even thought of her as a friend now, though he never was able to get the laugh he wanted.

"You know, Liz, we have known each other a long time now. The day we met, you were so serious and almost petrified rigid, that I thought you took life way to serious. I know you never could understand the Queen's and my lesson on the importance of relaxing. I know your guard is always up, but I swear to you as I did after the second day we met that I would get you to laugh. You will learn to relax one day, my friend. And I think after the events of today, we should try, what say you pup??" He said looking down on the woman.