Arn stood quiet, the aura of the bright Eilis abating him with radiation of raw Aether magic.  Though his face was calm, worry filled the master mage wondering what such manifestation of power was doing to such a delicate vessel.  Another part of him however basked in the wonder that was such demonstration of power.  

Mages tended to train hard to control such raw energies.  The slight distortion in the space around them the culmination of their efforts to minimize the effects of their magic on those around them.  Too much exposure was actually harmful to normal humans.  Another reason for the minimal field was power conservation.  Just as fighters strive for economy of movement, so do mages strive for a tight coating.  Yet here stood a being who was practically radiating Aether at alarming rates.  Even the poor wyrm, a magical creature, was distressed. 

[color=ed145b]“I seem to recall you choking me out, you presumptuous little matchstick.  But you speak true when you mention the frailty of this body…”[/color]

Arn’s voice was calm but firm.  [color=0054a6]“Aye, I did.  Then just as now, Eilis’s safety was my motivation.  I was not sure if your manifestation had been something triggered by the attack of the dark haired witch or if it was some sort of possession by the same. My aim was never to harm or be presumptuous.” [/color]

He watched the being study the blood dripping from the striations made by the wild magics. It was hard to detect if there was compassion, disdain or understanding.  If nothing else, it at least acknowledge that what the master mage said was true.  The wounds looked painful and Arn wondered IF the burning Eilis returned to slumber if his protégé would be riddled with pain. A concerned look softly crossed his face. 

[color=ed145b]“She is rather weak…”[/color]

At this statement, the master mage narrowed his eyes.  His voice was still matter of fact but in his heart, there was a different emotion.  [color=0054a6]“She is stronger than you think.[/color]”  He wanted to tell this being how this small framed girl had managed to kill her tormentor, had somehow made it to the border of the Viem empire with little to no help.  Had offered her body to pay passage in a smuggler ship, had saved the passangers of said ship, and bravest of all, had asked him to end her life to keep the figure that now burned in front of him from being used against people she owed no allegiance to. 

While Arn agreed with the detached statement of the being, he did not see Eilis as just a body.  It was quite revealing and alluring that it would hold the same beliefs as the master mage.  Before his awakening and connection to the lovely girl, he had a similar clinical outlook.  Perhaps this was his way to deal with the many young lives of young Shooting Star mages who were extinguished in the execution of their duties.  Perhaps this was his way of dealing with the death of his mother.  Perhaps this was his way to not feel like a butcher as he himself took many lives.  Now, thanks to the blonde haired lass, he saw each life as not a flame that would eventually extinguish, but as a light that held back the darkness of death.  Or like one of the many stars that hung in the heavens. 

[color=ed145b]“You wish to help her?”[/color]

The master mage nodded immediately.  There was no consideration no delay and no uncertainty.  He would do anything to help Eilis.  His own eyes fixed firmly into hers.  Despite the glazed over look that her beautiful blue eyes.  Arn endured the sudden pain with a slight twinge of his left eye but otherwise did not react. At least not outwardly.  

Inwardly however, he felt the strange energy much too cold compared to the warm flow that usually came from the connection with his protégé.  However, despite the difference in the feeling, there was no rejection.  Almost as if the connection was not only possible but familiar.  It was almost as if he was meant to connect with it.

Could the connection he shared with Eilis have occurred only because he was supposed to connect with this being?  Was his connection to Eilis only a byproduct?  Why was he not repulsed by the different energy?  Perhaps it was this sad realization that made his heart hurt.  The pain in his wrist the only thing keeping him from retreating into his mind and chase the answers to those questions. 

[color=ed145b]“She trust you a great deal I can sense it in her.”[/color]

The voice was loud and clear inside his mind.  It was almost painful how clear and close it was.  It was as if Arn himself was the one speaking.  The world around him faded and he found himself in the spiritual side of the Aether.  Normally it took meditaion and control to enter such state but the connection to bright Eilis had effortlessly achieved the same effect.  The shadowy flame that appeared before him did not elicit any fear from Arn.  Instead, it begged his curiosity and attention. 

The Master Mage listened intently.  Catching every word and analyzing it.  Try as he might, other than the masculine shape of the figure, Arn could not distinguish any other feature.  Even the voice was distorted even if it was now clearer.  When the shape showed him the entranced Eilis Arn almost ran to her but his mind objected against it.  No the key to her freedom lay in understanding and dealing with the shadow man. 

Arn did not like how he spoke of Eilis.  The grin earned a scowl.  The scowl then turned to a slight grimaced of pain as his wrist endured the pain of being held by such radiation of magic from the shadow man that branded him with the mark.  The master mage looked curiously at it.  It seemed oddly familiar as if he had seen it somewhere a long long time ago. 

[color=ed145b]“It should have been you… You would have been a far better choice for the bindings.” [/color]

The comment made Arn snap his eyes back to the shadowy figure’s face.  Neither knew how accurate that statement had been.  Something about it resonated in the master mage’s mind.   He calmly addressed the shadow.  

[color=0054a6]“If transfering your to me  was the only way to save Eilis. I would gladly do it. Even now, I would bear the marks. I would be your vessel if I could to free her of this fate.” [/color] He lifted his brand to have a better look. [color=0054a6] “I will call upon you.  Of that have no doubt. However, for now, I ask that you recede.  As it stands, Eilis has endured your presence far too long.” [/color] 

He turned towards the sleeping form of the young lass.  He took a few steps and then could not help but stop and turn around.  This time his face was confused and questioning.  [color=0054a6]“Who are you?”[/color] His question was loaded with a yearning to know.