"Thank you." Aelus said with a grateful smile. He had been following her movements with his dark-colored eyes, and was still trying to let it sink in that she was now ten years older.

Ten years... And now their people were being attacked. "I wonder why they came..." Aelus wondered idly, outloud. His eyes were distant, his brow drawn together, making for an odd expression. Distant, frowning, and a bloodied bandage wrapped about his brow. "We used to live here after all... Why us?" Aelus was now looked at her beaseachingly, though he was still in his own thoughts.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Still not quite sure what he was babbling on about, Aelus contined. "Us... Our families... Master Jeyro... Lord Nestir Longshanks... Lady Melian..." His face twiched in saddness, remembering how all of them were probably dead by now. "All of them."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"Hmm." He said. "Me neither." His voice lowered slightly, as he weighed his words carefully. "Save for you, Fierya Longshanks." He said this slowly. "And I'm glad that of all people to survive, it was you." His words were sincere.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"You were quiet," he mused, squinting slightly, as if trying to see a seven year-old in her seventeen year-old features. "But very inquisitive." He smiled. "You were constantly asking me how stuff worked, like a watermill, or a certain potion." His eyes lit up in fond memory. "Many times I made up stories, because I didn't know, but you wouldn't stop badgering me until I gave you an answer."

He paused, and tilted his head. "You look alot like your father, you know."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Callisto dismounted as Este landed upon the bloodied earth bearing the charred remains of her home. Thalion landed near the Pegasus and Darian dismounted, bowing his head out of respect. "Mother! Father! Algren!" she called as she raced into the blackened shell, only to find their burned bodies lying in a pool of blood. "No, No!" she screamed, tears falling from her aqua eyes. All three were light elementals and skilled at their craft. She could not believe that her parents, her brother and closest friend were gone in an instant. With that she turned and fled from her home, wanting only to escape the stench of death that overshadowed a place once filled with light and love. Once outside she sank to her knees and drew in deep shaky breaths. "This can't be happening," she choked out, as she slammed her fist upon the ground. Darian slowly approached the distraught light elemental and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I am sorry,” he whispered, not knowing what else to say.

“I can not leave them as thus-to be desecrated by the beasts of the air and land” she whispered more to herself, as Darian squeezed her shoulder. They loved the earth-and within her shall they dwell. That shall be the final gift I can give them” she whispered. Slowly she rose and walked almost in a trance-like state into the remains of her house once more. As she stared at the carnage with some dismay, she knew that the only way she could free them from the rubble was through her light magic. Closing her eyes, she allowed her power to flow into her hands, and twisting the beam of light into the shape of a leverage, she slowly began to lift the rubble from on top them. Tossing the beams aside, she sank beside the still forms of her parents. "Forgive me," she whispered.

“Might I be of some assistance?” Darian asked as he came up behind her, causing her to turn sharply. “Forgive me, I did not mean to intrude” he said quickly.

“No, it’s quite alright and…I do need your help…for I do not have the strength to carry my kin.” she said softly as she lowered her gaze in embarrassment.

“Have-have you a place in mind?” Darian asked her.

Callisto nodded. “A small clearing, not far from here.” Darian nodded, and gently, almost reverently, lifted the body of her mother and followed the light elemental to a secluded spot in a hidden glade where the family had often traveled to. Gently laying her upon the grass, he went back and next brought the body of her father and then her brother, laying them down with equal care before stepping back. With that Callisto called upon her magic once more and with her beams of light created three separate holes in the earth. Then with as much care as she possibly could manage, she laid her love ones in the earth. Standing back, worry suddenly clouded her eyes as she realized that there would be no means for her to cover the grave except to find a shovel.

Would you allow me, mistress? Este asked as she came up to them, Thalion following close behind.

Callisto stepped back as her friend walked to each grave and using her hooves carefully tossed dirt over each grave. Upon completing the task, the Pegasus’s eyes suddenly glowed a florescent light and from her eyes a star of light fell at the head of each grave.

So that all will know that three special souls rest here. Este told her friend.

"Thank you, my friend." Callisto whispered as she gently embraced the creature.

She then turned to look at Darian, her eyes shining in gratitude for the stranger whom she had just met and did not even know his name.

“You have shown me great kindness and yet I do not even know your name.”

“Darian Griffith, my lady. And for any service I have rendered, it was gladly given.” he said as he extended his hand.

“Callisto Summers.” she said as she took his hand in a firm shake. “Thank you, Darian.” she said quietly

Darian smiled at her as he raised her hand to lips before releasing it. “You are welcome, Callisto.” Callisto returned the smile-had it been at any other time she would have giggled in absolute delight at his gallantry, but now her heart was still to heavy.
Turning back to gaze at her family one last time, her eyes shifted to the glade that once brought them so much joy. "This place once brought a wealth of happiness. Now it holds the souls of my kin," she whispered. "Farewell." she managed to choke out. "May you find your peace." With that she slowly turned away for the final time.

“What will you do now?” Darian asked her.

“Find the rest of my friends.” she replied. “If I have not troubled you too much already, I would be honored if you would travel with us a bit longer.” she said a bit hesitantly.

“The honor will be mine.” he said with a slight smile. “Then let us look for your companions,”

Callisto nodded. “I pray that they are alright,” she said quietly.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

"It is." He reassured her. He didn't say anything for a while, and simply sat, studying her features, trying to farmiliarize himself with the new Fierya.

"I promised your father somthing, once." He said. "That I would never let anything happen to his little girl." He wasn't smiling, and his face was solemn. "I intend to keep that promise, Fierya." He said. "I'm going to go find what attacked our home. Obviously they want someone dead." His brow furrowed in worry. "It might be you." He sighed. "or me. Or everyone that is an elemental. But, I swear on my master's grave, I will not let any ill befal you. I will keep my promise to my lord."

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Aelus didn't want to acknowledge the odd pleasure he felt in seeing her blush through the shadow. He blinked rapidly.

"I am free, Fierya, and I do make my own choices. And I choose now to hold my word to your father." He sighed. "It may have been a long while since we've really known each other, Fierya," he said, "but your father isn't the only one who wants you safe."

Aelus, remembering his role as a young teen, refused to let something happen to his charge. And, as a young adult, he refused to let anything happen to Fierya, his rediscovered friend.

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Aelus smiled, briefly wondering why they hadn't seen each other in so long. He let out a sigh as the first rays of dawn began to break the horizon. "I suppose we'd better go back. I saw several others there, and Im' nigh sure that those beasts are gone. It's only about a half mile if we - Oh." He looked back down at Fierya's broken limb. He had forgotten about that. Now what?

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Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"No." Aelus cut in, a bit too quickly. "No." He repeated, slower. "You have to come with us." He glanced toward the village. "If the healer's shop is still remotely intact, I can make a potion for you that will speed up the healing process." His face turned into an odd mix of stern and gentle. "And don't think for a moment that I'm leaving you behind. You would be wrong for assuming any such thing."

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