No reply came from Nakaida, who was ghostly pale. Her thoughts swirled into one dizzying maelstrom, their confusion not reducing the amount of exhaustion she felt.

She turned as if to respond - and abruptly fainted where she stood. Even the Goddess' Keepers were human, and as such had human limits. Nakaida's had been sorely tested.

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Taken by surprise, Orindil swiftly moved to catch her before she hit the ground. Though warm in his arms, he ran a hand over her brow and found it unhealthily cold. He unclasped his cloak, spread it on the ground, and set her down.

Straightening, he shaded his eyes against the sunset's glare and gazed at the crumbling citadel. "We should make camp here," he suggested, glancing at Khienro and Aeryn. His look became concerned as it rested upon Naidele, who looked none too energetic either. "When the pandemonium dies, we can see what supplies remain within the fortress."

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Khienro nodded, glancing at Naidele when Orindil did.

"Do you think any of Okandar's minions lived?"

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

Deciding to wait for nightfall, Orindil sat down on the bluff. He gestured at his bow and flashed an icy grin. "If they did, they'd soon wish they'd died with the rest of their filthy kind."

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Khienro matched Orindil's grin with a smirk of his own. Picking up his 'barrowed' sword, he looked at it, now scowling.

"I wish Okandar had better smiths. I mean, this thing looks like some sharpened shard of scrap metal! Works like one too..." He tossed it down to the ground, and sat down beside it. "What I would give for my old sword..."

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

Nightfall came with alacrity, as if hastened by the demise of Okandar and his minions. Some fled the fortress, but by the time the moon hung luminescent in the velvety black sky it was quiet, devoid of any light or movement that could be seen from without.

Nakaida lay still and limp, and the moon on her face seemed to give it an unearthly pale quality. The wind rustled leaves in the trees nearby and she stirred and moaned, face creased in pain.

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Moonlight bleached Nakaida's white-hued hair silver as Orindil gently stroked it back from her pallid face. Humming a well-known ballad, he tucked the folds of his cloak closer around her shoulders. How beautiful she seemed then, how frangible and delicate, like the first white blossum of spring. The comparison contrasted starkly to the raw power he'd seen her exhibit only hours before, in retaliation to Okandar's evil.

With a last glance in her direction, he stood and massaged the exhaustion from his aching temples. The day had jaded him both mentally and physically, as it'd jaded them all. He slung his bow over his back and went over to Aeryn. "The fortress?" he prompted, then looked over to Khienro. "Will you stand watch over the Keepers?"

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(Sorry guys, I've been really busy these past few days. I just started my second semester of school and I have a few really hard classes. I have been bogged down with homework the whole weekend )

Naidele collapsed beside Nakaida. She was in a little better shape than her sister, but not by much. Her face was deathly pale, and her hands shook.

At least it was all over. She couldn't believe how it had all happened so fast. If not for the aid of the Goddess she knew all would have been lost. She offered up a silent prayer of thanks as she tried to calm down. She told herself that everything would be alright now.

She was wearied from the battle and from the flight from the fortress, but she knew she would be alright soon.

She looked up when Orindil stood and asked Aeryn to guard her and Nakaida while he and Khienro went back to the fortress. She looked up to Khienro, hoping that he would return safely and soon. She managed a smile. She was extremely thankful that he had not been hurt.

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I'm back!

[shall I edit and change it to Khienro who stays behind to guard?]

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((I suppose it's whatever you and SG want to do....))

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I'm back!

[SG or Tur, tell me if you have a problem. I figured to let Khienro and Naidele have some *cough* time...]

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(( That change would be fine, LDM. Lets see...))

Khienro shook his head, sadly.

"Unfortunatly, I think that I would never be able to find it. And in that inferno, who knows how warped beyond reconition or repair it is. I'll just do with this one until I can get my hands on a more... Civilized one." Throughout his sentence, Khienro's tone held the image of a small child who just lost a favorite toy. Without tears, that is.

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

((I will stay behind to gaurd! ))

Aeryn nodded and took a seat by the Keepers to keep an eye on them.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

((Ok, thanks, Tur!))

Khienro looked around, surveying the darkening area. The trees swayed in the wind, hissing melodicly. Sighing heavily, he leant back agaist a tree trunk, gratefull for the peacfulness of the night. Though he wasnt tired. Getting up, his arms emedietly encircled his torso. It had gotten much colder than he would suppose for this reigon. Walking over toward Naidele and Nakaida, he sat down silently beside Naidele. He felt such need to protect her.... Yet, he felt that she would think him a small hinderence, her having such great power. He looked her over, smudged with dirt here and there... Several small scratches... He then gently tucked away a strand of hair that clung to her cheek.

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen

Naidele had been dozing slightly, just drifting in and out of wakefulness. She was so exhausted from the fight. She had never imagined how hard it would be.

Then she felt something gently touch her cheek and pull back some hair. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she found herself looking up into Khienro's eyes.

She smiled at him. There was so much she wanted to say, but she didn't really know how. She had never had to deal with the feelings she was feeling then before.

Hesitatingly and with a little nervousness, she reached out and traced her fingers down his cheek softly. "I'm so glad you're alright," she murmured quietly.

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I'm back!

Khienro held his breath as she opened her eyes. He honestly didn't know that she was awake. But... He was oddly glad that she was. Smiling softly, he slowly and gently brought his hand up to hers, and squoze it slightly,

"And I'm very glad you are alive." He then suddenly remebered his burns. He really hoped she hadn't noticed...

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You may (or may not) know me elsewhere as Elfpen