Taris stopped when he heard a scuffle behind him. He retraced his steps, wondering what could have made the noise and looked around the corner of the hallway. His blood nearly boiled, Kasca had pinned Aera against the wall. Taris slid into a nearby shadow and emerged on the other side of the hall just in time to see Aera put him into the floor. The assassin smiled to himself. [i]The girl’s still got some moves[/i], he thought. She picked up her dropped glove and continued on her way.

Kasca stood a little shakily and glared after the Moon Elf. He took a couple steps after her, reaching for something at his belt. Time to teach the bitch elf a lesson.

“What have we here?”

Kasca and Aera turned at the voice, to see Taris leaning against a wall, lazily rolling a small dagger over his knuckles. The Shadow Elf smiled a slow smile and looked up at Kasca. “I wonder how the Prince would feel, if he knew his best friend was forcing himself on his wife? Seems to me the good Prince Kentaro has had a bit of a temper lately, especially when he’s had a few drinks. Doesn’t seem like a good idea to me, you know?” He walked up to Kasca, “Let me give you a hand here…” The elf grabbed the man’s left arm and wrenched the arm back into its socket. “There you are, milord.”

Kasca grabbed his tunic and yanked him close, popping a few toggles on it. But the man seemed to think better of his actions, and released Taris, before storming away. Aera barely glanced at the man as he passed, keeping her eyes on Taris. The Shadow Elf waited until Kasca’s footsteps had disappeared before stepping up beside her. His red eyes stared off but he kept his smile, “Very nice takedown, Your Highness.” The smile died, “I don’t know why you stay here. This place is horrible for our kind.”

Aera’s lips thinned, “I have a duty to my husband. He’s just been…” She stopped, and the look on her face should have been warning enough. But Taris continued on.

“Why are you trying to save something that died long ago?”

Aera let out a small hiss and pushed at him, her purple eyes hot with rage. Her bare hand touched his exposed chest, and the assassin’s world exploded in pain. He stumbled back and collapsed against the wall, blinking through the pain. Slowly a burn in the shape of her hand came into focus on his chest.