Payments Due

[Taiylor Wallace]

"We can use Marcellus against him. Miranos may have disowned him, but if we make a deal with Marcellus and have him fight for us, Miranos will find out and become reckless in his rage. He'll already be angry enough as he thinks we'll be snubbing him by sending more than just humans into battle. Overall, you just leave the insults to my father. He knows Miranos' tender spots."

[Rose Swan]

Rogal's plan made sense. She grinned at the idea of letting Brammond insult Miranos. Then again, they were practically enemies. But smiling was a bad move, as the wind created by the running of the drake made her lips hurt. She hoped they'd get home before the blizzard started, but if the drake froze up or something from the still dropping temperature, they'd all be stuck in the forest, and chances were they would die. Already she was numb from the wind and lack of cloak, but if Rogal tried to drape it on her, she'd refuse it. "What deal do we give Marcellus for all this? Just letting him go free? The other races would kill him.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"We can assure him safe passage off the continent, to a place where no one will know him. A fresh start." Rogal reached around her and pulled the drake's reins so he stopped. "Drakes are good in cold, but not this cold at this speed... We'll have to stop for the night." He didn't seem worried, though. He slid off the drake's back and pulled out one of his energy crystals. He began speaking a spell quietly, and suddenly, a patch of snowy ground at the foot of a tree near them began to shift and a deep rumbling could be heard. It lasted only seconds, and a man-sized opening appeared at the foot of the tree. "I hope you don't mind it." Rogal looked to her. He also gathered a large pile of brush for the drake. The drake, once Amelia was off, began flinging snow onto the brush before crawling underneath and settling comfortably. It'd keep him insulated and warm. Rogal stepped down into the opening, and when Amelia would follow, she'd find a perfectly-carved cavern with an actual bed and a few home comforts, all summoned up by Rogal's magic. The cavern was stone, not dirt like they'd seen above, and completely clean. The ceiling was veined with the above tree's roots in beautiful spiraling patterns, and the floor was smooth but swirling with dark and light stone.

[Rose Swan]

Amelia followed Rogal into the cavern, and looked in awe at the magic the witch had done. It was a lovely little shelter that would work perfectly for the night. "It's wonderful, Rogal!" she said as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "How are we going to let those at the castle know we aren't missing though? It's too late and cold to go out and bring a message, and if we were to do that we may as well just go home. Won't they be worried about us?" The last thing they needed was the idea planted in Miranos' head that the new Queen had frozen to death in a blizzard. She'd be the laughingstock of the continent if that rumor were to float around.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"My father knows where we are. He always knows. If he were worried, he'd check the moonsphere." Rogal joined her at her side and kissed her. This would be their first night alone together.

[Rose Swan]

Amelia smiled and nodded before kissing him gently as well. She was tired from a very long day, but this was nice and quiet. She enjoyed the peace that this little blizzard shelter gave them both. She leaned onto his chest after pulling away, sighing comfortably. "It's been a good day." she said quietly as she nestled herself comfortably into his arms. "And I have to thank you for that. You've done a lot for me the past few days. Thanks a lot." she added. Amelia sounded content despite a long road ahead of her.

[Taiylor Wallace]

"No need to thank me, it's a pleasure." He laid back with her and sighed contentedly, closing his eyes. She became aware of a feeling of something losing power, falling dormant. She'd never noticed it before, but she could feel Rogal's power, and she could sense when it rose and fell.

[Rose Swan]

The loss of power made her drowsier, and she drew the warm blankets over them before blowing out the candle on the table next to the bed. Amelia curled into him now, using his chest above his beating heart as a pillow. Her own eyes closed, and it was moments later that she fell asleep herself.

She dreamed of her father again, only this time it wasn't a near death experience, but a memory instead. It was one of he last good ones she had before her mother and father fell ill. Father had brough her ou on a drake and it was just a ride in the woods. He'd tease her gently, and she'd laugh and tease back. It was a wonderful time they had, but she woke up right afterward to daylight creeping through the opening into the cavern. She could feel the hilly temperature on her face, and it made her snuggle in more. The last thing Amelia wanted was to get out of bed.

[Taiylor Wallace]

But as she curled in, she realized her pillow was an actual pillow, not her husband's chest. Rogal was nowhere to be found, but since becoming aware of his powerful presence, she could feel him nearby. He slid down into the cavern, brushing his hair back and shaking snow from his cloak. He looked to her with a smile. "Morning, love." He stepped over to lean down and kiss her cheek. "It's just a slow flurry outside now, but the snow's deep. We'd better get going soon."

[Rose Swan]

With a sigh, she sat up and brought the covers around her shoulders. Amelia hated blizzards. They made everything more difficult. "Alright. Is the drake okay? Will it be able to get through the snow alright?" she asked, running her fingers through her hair in an attempt to neaten it somewhat. She rose, reluctant to release the covers, but went over to Rogal and stood on tiptoe to kiss him lightly. "And good morning to you as well." she added with a playful smile.