Envy came from dreaming slowly, opening his eyes and stretching. He'd slept well, peacefully, had a bizarre dream about finding a horse large enough to carry him. He's always wanted to learn to ride horses. He supposed he have to wait for an elephant to show up.
Suddenly his eyes grew wide and he shot up in bed with a shout, his voice carrying. Half dressed and hair a mess he jogged down the halls into the room where Taris was staying. There was no sign of the assassin. Envy growled again and dashed back out into the training room. Still no Shadow Elf. Last room he could possibly be in, the bath chamber. Envy slammed his fist on the stone wall in frustration upon finding it empty.
“Taris!” He shouted loudly, making his way back to the training room. Hadhen was there, sitting on the edge of the upper ring, whetting his daggers. He gave the Kartaian a questioning look. Envy snarled at him. “Where is the assassin?”
Hadhen's brows shot up. “Haven't seen him all morning, boss. Must have done his shadow wal-” Envy's growl cut him off again. 
“TARIS! You bloody assassin, get in here.”
Hadhen put down his things down and stood, looking uncomfortable. Envy rarely lost his temper. “Envy... whats going on?” he asked cautiously. 
The large elf ran his hands through his sleep-messed hair. “I slept well.” he growled, a bit more softly. Hadhen's brows shot up again and he was clearly speechless to this. Envy shook his head, dropping his hands. “TARIS!”

“Envy?”
The Kartaiain spun around and nearly sighed in relief. The Shadow Elf stood at the edge of the large dome room, covered in blood and who knows what, looking nearly as confused as the blond thief beside Envy. “What's going on?” He asked, coming forward.
“He says he slept well...” Hadhen offered in an odd tone. Had the Kartaian lost it?
Envy's fists clenched. “I did.” His red eyes flashed darkly as he met the assassin's gaze. “I slept well, Taris.”

Taris looked like he was about to shrug or congratulate the large elf. 
Angry, Envy shot at him, his hand clapping down on the blood covered shoulder, grasping forcefully. “Think about it, Shadow Elf.” He snarled. “I have been hearing her screaming in my dreams. Hearing her pain. Tonight, nothing.”

Taris' eyes grew wide for a hair of a second before the assassin worked to control his expression, though the elf could see the mixture of fear and anger on his features. Envy could feel the muscles shift under his hand. 

“Its been over a week, Taris. They've had her for over a week. We're leaving now.” He turned his head to look at the hour glass at the far end. It was still early in the morning. Flip it for his people, it was shortly after they'd have gone to sleep. It would be quiet. “Are they ready?” Envy asked, his angry face close to the black one before him. 
Hadhen frowned to the side. “Of course we're ready, Envy! We've been trai-” Envy's large hand shot up to silence him. 
“Taris?” He growled. 

The assassin ground his teeth. “They're ready.”

Envy shot Hadhen a look and released the assassin. “”My chamber, ten minutes. Get ready.” His red eyes glared at Taris. "You, clean yourself up."
Envy turned and ran down toward the women's chamber to prepare Paget and Cainne for their return, asking to have the children be kept in the training room and the eastern tunnels. He demanded first aid equipment be brought to his chamber, curtains thrown up to keep them from view, along with a few other things he was sure would come in handy upon their return. The women nodded, pale faced, and the elf left.

In his chamber, he picked up the jagged black bottle that held the thick potion and a bowl and a blade and set it on his table to wait for the other three.

Taris shadow walked to his hidden safehouse before Envy finished turning away. It made so much sense, the feeling of unease he had. He’d gotten used to Envy’s night terrors over the past week, enough that their disappearance troubled his sleep. His eyes weren’t at their best, but they had healed enough. He was going to make them pay.

He cast off his soiled clothing and pulled open a drawer. He pulled out his armor from his home, armor he hadn’t worn since Layne was killed. The close fitting clothes brought back memories as he pulled them on, both good and bad. Despite that he smiled at the familiar feel and strapped on the armor plates over his legs, torso, and arms. He brought his arm up and flexed, watching the hidden foot long blade slide out over the back of his wrist and hand. His daggers slid into their sheathes at his back.

The assassin shadowed back to the tunnels, his matte armor seeming to absorb light around him. he found Envy and the other two waiting for him. But not the last one, Ruli. “Where’s the other one Envy? If he’s not here I’m not waiting anymore.”

Russel and Hadhen arrived first, both clad in the light armor Envy had taught them to make. A strange leather creation that he'd worked and tricked into being completely silent while giving them at least a decent amount of protection. He was dressed in his old Kartaian armor, black leather that was savagely cut and sew together. With a nod at them, they waited in silence for Taris to join them. It wasn't long before he did, gliding in, in his strange armor and death in his eyes. 

Envy pressed his lips together. “He never sent word back. And I agree. We're not waiting.” He said curtly, reaching for the black bottle and a small knife. “Hands.” he said irritably. Russel and Hadhen obediently held out their hands, palms up. Envy glared at the Shadow Elf. “I need your blood, assassin.” He took Taris' hand first, making a small slit on the outside of his wrist and squeezed the assassin's arm over the bowl between them, catching the blood. He wiped off the knife and continued with the other two before he got to himself. After, he wiped his bleeding arm against his side and tossed the blade, reaching for the black bottle of potion. Slowly, he poured it into the bowl with their blood and it hissed and steamed. 
When the bottle was drained, he held the bowl up to his lips and took a drink, shuddering against the taste. “Drink it.” He said as he passed the bowl to Hadhen. “And try not to vomit.” Hadhen drank and passed it to Taris.

Taris pulled his mask down and drank, hardly grimacing at all and passed it to Russel. Once he’d drank his swallow Taris reached deep into the nearest shadow and pulled hard, his muscles bunching in his back and arms. He grunted with the effort before it gave way and he spread his arms wide, forming a large gateway to the Shadow Realm. He grabbed Russel and Hadhen by their armors and gestured Envy ahead “Move your ass thief.”

The Kartaian took the lead quickly with his long legs, but Taris kept up easily, nearly dragging the other two behind him. “This way,” Envy told him, and Taris could feel the potion almost pulling him along. It was a long way off, he could tell, from the several minuted they traveled through the Shadow Realm. Envy glanced back, “We’re almost to the barriers. Then we’ll be there. You got a plan, assassin?”

The shadow elf nodded, “Simple, you point me in the direction you think Aera’s in. I kill everything in the way, you three kill any that catch up behind us. We grab her, you four get out immediately.”
“What about you?” asked Hadhen.
“Boy, it’s better if you don’t know the details. Just say that I’m going to ensure you aren’t followed, before I leave too.” They felt a slight pressure as they passed through the barriers Envy had warned them of, the two Taris held shuddered slightly but were okay. At the speed they were moving Taris barely registered the slight shimmer as Envy passed another barrier ahead of them before he and the other two struck it.

Blue flames ignited where they touched it and the assassin flung the thieves back instantly to hang in the solid Void. The flame encompassed him, trying to devour him in its fury. Taris punched forward at the barrier and the blade in his bracer shot through into it. There was another flash, this time echoed by his armor and the fire dissolved into his body armor. The barrier was suddenly visible in darkness of the Shadow Realm, like a giant pane of glass with cracks running from his blade.

There was a cracking noise and the barrier burst with a roar for ten feet around his fist. Taris grimaced behind his mask and grabbed the other two thieves pulled them behind him once more. Envy had hesitated after passing through and Taris growled at him, “Move it.”

The thief just turned and ran on, until he found the shadow he was looking for. “Here,” he called and the four burst out into dark tunnels. Taris eyes scanned the one they were in, immediately spotting the tall figures moving towards them. A movement and two small knives flew out and the figures rag-dolled. “Which way Envy?”

Envy took a breath, his red eyes watching his kin fall, his thoughts unsurprisingly apathetic. They deserved it. He glanced around, glad to see they'd come out where he thought they would. “This way.” He pointed and Taris took off, leading the small group of invaders. “Kill quick.” he hissed at the assassin and the boys behind him, hoping it was pointless to tell them. Kartaians could communicate quickly, and the last thing they needed was the whole mass of them coming after them. They wouldn't stand a chance, then. 

They ran, catching and swiftly killing three more Kartaians, one who nearly managed to sink a blade into Russel before Hadhen jumped in and buried his dagger his skull. “Tss.” Envy hissed, and the all stopped. Panting, he thought for a minute. He pointed to Taris and held up two fingers and motioned around the corner. Taris vanished and a few seconds later the other three heard two bodies drop and they ran forward. Taris stood over his newest kills, glaring daggers at Envy, who pointed to the door the two Kartaians had been guarding. 

They stepped inside. There was something odd about the room, the air felt like it was quivering. Felt thick and … almost living. “She's got to be here.” Envy whispered softly, and immediately, Taris moved to search, but Envy shot a hand out and grabbed the assassin's shoulders and, when Taris looked like he wanted to slice Envy open, held a finger to his ear. Something was moving.
Toward the back end of the room, hard to make out, at least for the two human thieves, was an eight foot tall, thickly built giant. “Enlor`Lei?” It chuckled in its deep voice, the air in the room seemed to absorb its sound.
Envy bristled. “Drugan.” 
The monster stood mother naked before them, his dark red eyes on the rogue Kartaian, a horrid grin on his face. “We weren't expecting you so soon.” His eyes shifted to the Shadow Elf. “That makes you Taris.” Envy sensed Taris tense, almost radiating fury. He glanced at his ally, hoping the assassin would heed his warning about keeping a level head. “She screamed for you, you know. We put an end to that.” He stepped back and leaned to nudge something with his foot. A blanket shifted and a limp, pale foot emerged. Drugan glanced at the group at the other end of the chamber, a vicious smile on his face. He leered at Taris. “Have you had her, yet?” His hand fell and he scratched at his groin. “She's so … delicious. Quite stubborn. And she tastes so sweet. So memorable. Like... lemons.”

“....Taris....” Envy said cautiously, feeling the pure hatred coming from the elf beside him. He put a hand on the elf's back and pushed him gently. “We'll get to her.” he told him as he urged the assassin toward Drugan.

Taris stepped forward at Envy’s urging, angry but calm. Nobody noticed the muscles bunching through his body, and he launched into a portal of darkness. He came out behind Drugan less than a heartbeat later, kicking him into a corner. The three thieves wasted no time rushing over to Taris. The assassin was shaking in rage, his eyes glowing in the darkness, “Get her out of here Envy, I’ll make sure nobody can follow.” He tossed a pendant to the rogue Kartaian and cut open a portal for them, “Take this and I’ll find you. Just get as far out of the caves as you can and find a carriage or horses. Head straight back home and do not stop until I find you.”

Drugan pulled himself upright in the corner and Taris turned to face him. “Go,” he told them over his shoulder. “You,” he said to Drugan, “arm and armor yourself. I’ll not get any pleasure killing an undefended elf.”
The giant laughed, “They’re not getting her out that easy. And if you wish it that way, so be it.”

He held his arms out and the shadows swirled around him, fading away into jagged bone armor. A long, wicked looking blade appeared in his hand. Taris’ eyes widened slightly at this show of control of the shadows. Drugan noticed and laughed harder, “Come assassin, if you entertain me I may let you live to watch me violate her delicious body every night. And I know Vier’na has been looking for a new toy as well.”

The shadow elf burst at him, daggers flashing into his hands. He pushed the giant back with the speed and ferocity of his strikes. He scored a small cut on his opponent’s leg and Drugan roared, kicking him in the stomach. The tall elf reached down and brought his finger up, covered in blood and charred skin, “What is that?”

Taris struggled to his feet, his armor taking half the blow. “Sun’s Dew, my Uncle was an alchemist. Taught me a few things before I crossed the Great Barrier. I thought it might come in handy today,” he explained between gasps. The taller elf grimaced and set lower in his stance, a sword appearing in his main hand. “I’m officially impressed,” he said, the grimace turning to a smile, “I will enjoy breaking you like your dear lover there.”

They dashed at each other, their blades turned to blurs. The assassin had the speed, but the Kartaian had both strength and reach, and Taris soon found himself overmatched. He barely deflected most of the strikes sent at him, and suffered several cuts to only a few of his own. There was a flurry of blows from the giant and the shadow elf flew past the thieves across the floor, bleeding from a dozen wounds. Russel moved to help him and Taris just shoved him back with a growl, “Help her.”

Drugan smiled a predator’s smile, a sadist’s smile. “She held out for so long you know. She surprised all of us, kept crying that ‘Taris will save me’ and drivel like that. It was so very sweet to finally see the fire die from her eyes. It made me so hard, I think I nearly ripped her.”

Envy shouted a warning to Taris, but it was too late. The shadow elf let out a scream of rage that became a wolf’s howl. His skin shimmered, and the black burst from him and his blades into a cloud of shadow, leaving his skin momentarily it’s true dark red-ash color. The shadows swirled around him, and reattached to him, forming incorporeal wings behind him for a moment. A shadow of a wolf’s head settled over his, and there was another howl that echoed through the entire cave system, jarring the nerves of everyone in them. His eyes flashed, and became pools of obsidian.

When he spoke, it was the voice of a true demon, “You and your kin will die in this place, Drugan.”

Envy and the others went straight for Aera. He went to his knees and carefully pulled the blanket away, hissing at what he saw. “God...” Hadhen muttered behind him, sounding nauseous.
Every part of her was beaten and bruised. Cuts and welts were all over her, some old, some new. She lay, still and naked, her arms held above her head by chains cuffed at her wrist, her hands wrapped in blood soaked fabric. And her lifeless eyes stared into nothing. Envy bent and inspected her, trying to keep his own heart calm. So still was she that he couldn't tell if she was breathing, even when he put his ear to her chest. But, very faintly, he could hear the incredibly slow heartbeat.
“She's barely alive.” The elf whispered to the two standing beside him. “Hadhen, look around for anything to clothe her in. Russel, you're my lockpick. Get at the chains on her wrists.” As they moved to obey, Envy cupped her face in his hands, pressing his forehead to hers. “Wake up, baby girl. Come back to me. Follow my voice.”
Russel grunted. “The one wrist is broken pretty bad.” Envy glanced up and saw that he was right, her left wrist was swollen and red against the cuff.
“Get her free.” he demanded. He glanced up to watch the fight between Taris and Drugan, glaring death at his kinsman. 
There was a click and Russel sighed. “The one against the wall is all I can get, I can't see enough for the other two on her arms.” 
With a nod, Envy lowered her arms to lay them across her stomach. He lifted her carefully in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder. But when he tried to walk through the shadow Taris had opened, he was stopped, Aera growing heavy and forcing him still. A ward. He lay her back down. How? She had nothing on her. He glanced over her skin, looking for anything. Then his eyes landed on a small symbol, etched into the skin of her inner thigh in black ink. He growled and pulled out a knife.
Then, listening to Drugan and Taris, he shot his head up. “Taris!” He shouted. But the assassin ignored him or didn't hear him. He flew into a gruesome transformation and both the boys went to their knees, covering their ears as the howl ripped through the chamber. Envy covered Aera's ears with his hands and ducked his head between his arms, his heart racing. 

Admittedly shaken by the new form of Taris, Envy bent to work on Aera. “I'm sorry....” he mumbled remorsefully as he pressed the sharp tip of the blade against her skin, cutting out the tattoo. It pained him immensely to see that she didn't flinch, didn't move, made no sign that she even felt it. The blood trickled slowly from her, her heartbeat was so slow.

Taris glared behind the wolf shadow mask. His opponent even looked momentarily shaken, but recovered quickly. “A true Wolf of the Void. I thought that was a myth, but I suppose I also thought Shadow Elves a myth too.” Taris only continued to glare, and held the now silver blades to his sides.

Drugan lunged forward, his sword aimed at the shadow elf’s heart. The tip of the blade sunk into the armor and pierced the skin beneath. Shadow burst from the wound immediately, stopping the blade instantly and flinging the blade away and out of his hand. “Pick it up,” the smaller elf said. The Kartaian retreated and retrieved it, and Taris began his attack.

Drugan still had the reach, but now the power had shifted. Worse, the shadow elf fought with no regard for defense, taking every slash and cut in favor of his own attacks. The assassin was bleeding from several small wounds in a few minutes, but showed no sign of them affecting him. Indeed he was only getting faster, and the Sun’s Dew on his blade was burning the Kartaian in several places.

Drugan landed a kick in Taris’ stomach, knocking them both back from each other. The giant’s red eyes were narrowed and he was breathing heavily. “What are you?” he asked. The wolf’s head grinned to match the assassin’s. “I am the Lady’s Blade,” he responded simply. The shadows swirled around the two of them, and stepped back into it.
He flashed out past the giant, slashing his leg and vanishing into the shadow again. Another pass made another slash, and again and again. He kept at it till the Kartaian sagged to the floor and his blades fell from fingers unable to grip any longer. Taris stepped over him, pulling a flask from a pouch at his waist. He opened the stopper and gentle light came from the opening. He sneered down at the quivering, smoking hulk on the floor, “Burn you bastard.” He poured the contents over Drugan, who screamed in earsplitting agony writhing on the floor. In his pain he threw his head back and Taris poured some into his mouth. The scream became a gurgle and the room filled with the smell of cooking meat.

Taris grimaced, but the wolf snapped hungrily, and he turned to look around the room. There was no sign of the others. Wolf-Taris slipped into the shadows with a howl, the sound filling every cave once again. It was time to hunt….

Cradling the small, limp form of Aera, Envy ran, the other two in tow, through the shadow. He could feel it, ahead, the shadow into his chamber in the tunnels. He ushered the two to move as they clung to his armor. When suddenly he felt a shift and, in a blink, they were out of the shadows, standing in another large chamber, the dark black rock walls of the cavern absorbing sound. Envy frowned, confused. “What?” he muttered. With Aera in his arms, he wasn't sure how to open the shadows again, so that wasn't an option. But, if he remembered right, up the incline on the other side of the cavern was the exit, into the daylight. But … Taris... He couldn't go out in the daylight. 
Shaking his head, he barked at the others to start running. The Shadow Elf could find them, and all he had to do was open the shadow again and they'd be back out of the sunlight. He didn't make it five paces and he shouted and fell to his knees, Aera crashing to the floor as he went down. “Envy!” The boys shouted, spinning around. Still cradling her head, Envy turned and pulled the small blade from his calf, glaring at Vier'na, who stood some few feet behind him, a venomous glare in her dark red eyes. 
“You came earlier than I thought you would, brother.” She said icily. “Did you enjoy the show?”
Envy snarled at his sister in response, trying to pull himself to his feet. He left Aera staring absently up at his feet, unable to defend himself while holding her. Hadhen stepped forward and covered her with a blanket. The female Kartaian leered. “Do you like our work?” She glared down at the lifeless form of Aera. “She really did put up a good fight. You should be proud.”
Before Envy could launch at her, there was a strange sound and Taris appeared. Or, mostly Taris, The Wolf's head still flickered over his face, his exposed black skin rippling. He appeared just behind Vier'na and quickly shot out an arm, his hidden blade catching her in the back. She gasped and collapsed. Uncertain about his control, Envy moved between the assassin and Aera. Taris stopped and waited, glaring, as he slowly reigned the Wolf. 
“Is she....” He asked weakly, his eyes on the pale woman.
“She's holding on. But we need to get her-” Envy paused and turned, noticing Vier'na get back to her feet. He bared his teeth. Taris, bleeding from multiple wounds and still fighting for control, didn't look like he was up for taking down this stubborn bitch. Envy moved, putting himself between Aera and his bloodkin, glaring back at the face that glared at him. Taris made a noise.

Behind Envy, Aera's head rolled and, almost mechanically, she sat up, slowly and awkwardly, with her hands bound before her, and stood, unstable and naked, but oddly controlled. “Aera?” Russel asked, and Envy turned. Aera's purple eyes were almost black as she focused on Vier'na and she inhaled, taking a few steps toward the Kartaian woman. Taris made to stop her, but Envy held up his hand.
Viern'a grinned. “Our little project comes up to fight back, huh?”
The look in Aera's face made Envy step back. He'd known Aera for years, seen the look when she got when she was after killing someone, most recently against Taris, but this.... this was different. She moved forward, every movement different than normal, and Vier'na drew her blade and held it out calmly. Aera stopped when her face was a few inches from the point. Vier'na looked the Raielwen up and down. Her hands were covered, she was chained, and her wrist was swollen in her break. There wasn't a danger here. Aera stood, staring like poison, waiting. Vier'na pressed the blade forward and set it in the hallow of her neck. “Down.” she commanded. 
But the moment Aera felt the pressure of the blade, her hands shot up, grasping the blade and yanking it up, the point slicing up her throat. Her hands squeezed and, with a look that frightened Envy more than the new wound on her neck, Aera growled. The blade seemed to quiver in both of their hands, Aera's hands beginning to bleed. Vier'na screamed as the whole blade grew white hot and sparked. In a flash, the Kartaian went down, parts of her blue flesh steaming.

Envy gaped, petrified. Aera had killed, without direct contact. Through the cloth on her hands and through a blade. They'd done it. They'd broken her. She was now what they'd wanted her to be. He took another step back as she turned to glare at him, absolutely no recognition in her eyes. All she saw was a Kartaian. All she wanted was to kill it.
She started to walk toward Envy and, as much as he didn't want to, he backed away in fear. Taris moved in between them. “Aera!”
Her venom black eyes lowered to him and, after a second, something flashed across her face. Her expression grew soft and her eyes lightened slightly. Then she closed her eyes, grabbed her head and, gasping in pain, before her body relaxed again and she collapsed, Taris shooting forward to catch her.

Taris pulled Aera’s limp form against him, slowly lowering to the ground. He could feel how weak her heart was, and gently held her against him. The shadow elf took the manacles around her wrists into his hand and concentrated. The metal glowed and cracked before crumbling into powder. By the Lady, she was in bad shape. The assassin reached deep, calling as much magic as he could muster. There was a pulse, and he sent a wave of healing magic through her.

Hadhen approached cautiously, watching her broken wrist set and the blood stop flowing from her wounds. “Will she be better, now?” he asked the elf. Taris shook his head, “Not entirely, I only had enough power to stop the bleeding, I can’t help her any more.” He coughed and hacked spitting ash on the ground beside him, continuing weakly, “That tapped out the last of my magic. If I use anything else, my soul will ignite, and burn my body with it.”

He lifted her form in his arms, and Envy stepped up to steady him. Taris gave a thankful nod, and looked pointedly towards the exit, “Let’s get going, Envy, I killed a couple dozen, maybe a little more, but they’ll be coming soon.” Hadhen wrapped the blanket around him and Aera, and the small group began moving.

Out of the caves the late morning sun glared fierce, and Taris gave a grunt of discomfort. He set into a smooth jog, conserving as much energy as he could despite wanting to move quickly. His wounds were still bleeding, and he was sure Drugan’s kick had cracked a rib. Still he set the pace, Envy keeping up with his long legs, the human thieves working not to fall behind. Envy jogged up next to Taris, “I could get us at least part of the way back home, through the Shadow Realm. But with her mind like it is… I think it would be safer for the children if we took her one of my safe-houses or yours.”

The assassin nodded, “I agree, it would be better to keep her somewhere else.” He coughed, “And we need to talk later about what she did to your sister. But I can’t enter the shadows right now. Where is the nearest town?”
“I can open the portal Tar…”
“NO!” Taris nearly shouted, if he’d had the strength to spare. He breathed in, and began in a gentler tone, “It’s nothing to do with opening the portal, Envy. The Shadow Realm is the Wolf’s domain, he’s strongest there. And right now, that means he’d be stronger than me. I wouldn’t survive it. My body would, but only the Wolf would occupy it. Where is the nearest town?”

Envy continued in silence for a moment before answering, “About 5 hours at this pace, about a third of the way back home. Town called Morliss, why?”

“I have a house there that we can use until we get a carriage or I can use the shadows again,” the smaller elf said weakly. He was wheezing only slightly, but the larger elf cast a sidelong glance at him anyway. But somehow he managed to keep on for most of the way to the town. They were passing through a stand of trees when he finally slowed and sagged against a tree. Envy called a halt and the group found a patch of shade to get out of the sun. Aera’s breathing was still shallow, but steady, and she slept against Taris’ chest. Envy left to find a nearby stream and came back with a full waterskin. He passed to Taris first, “We’ll rest here for an hour, before moving on.”

The rest nodded, grateful, and the assassin stroked Aera’s hair and leaned his head against a tree trunk. It seemed too short before he stood again, shaking his head when Envy and the others offered to carry the Moon Elf for a while. They made their way to the town a bit slower, the thieves managing to distract the guards at the gate long enough for the assassin to slip in unseen with Aera. Taris led them to a large house just inside the outer edge of town. “Where’s the key?” asked Russel.

“No key,” Taris replied. Instead he reached an arm into the shadows and pulled out a stone. As he did a phantasmal wolf’s head appeared and snapped its jaws on his arm, making him wince. The assassin leaned against the wall and handed the stone to Envy. “This will get you past the traps,” he said weakly, “shadow walk inside, unlock the doors.”

The Kartaian nodded and vanished into the shadow. A moment later the door opened and Taris hurried inside, barely placing Aera on a couch before collapsing unconscious.

Envy stared, glancing at the two elves before him. With a sigh, he waved at Taris. “Help me with him.” He told the two behind him. “Don't touch her.” 
He limped over to the Shadow Elf and bent, hooking his hands under his shoulders while the other two each grabbed a foot. They lifted the unconscious elf and carried him off, laying him on the first empty bed they could find. He mumbled to Russel about finding another room for Aera, and he hurried off, muttering about large houses being mazes. Envy went back to stare at Aera, wondering what to do with her. Taris had fixed her most major physical hazards. Her wrist didn't look broken, but it was still a bit swollen and red. Both of her wrists were, the manacles had rubbed the skin raw as she struggled. A good portion of her skin was still black and blue with bruising. But she wasn't bleeding. Apprehensive, he bent and put his fingers to her neck feeling her pulse. It was still slow, but not as much as before. 
“Theres a big one up the stairs.” Russel told him, jogging into the room. “Probably the master. Its bigger than the kitchen in the tunnels.” 
Envy nodded. “One more thing for me, please. I doubt there will be much, but look for womens clothing. A dress, a ...gown. Anything.” Russel frowned and nodded before leaving again. Envy continued to stare down at Aera. To be honest, that look she'd given him, that look of pure hatred... it had frightened him. It wasn't Aera, he tried to tell himself. That was … someone else. Something else.

“Envy?”
The Kartaian turned around to find an antsy looking Hadhen. He raised his eyebrows. “Are we safe?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Are they safe?”
The tunnels. Envy sighed. “They'll be hunting us. Everyone else should be fine.” Though it gave him a reminder. Carefully, he picked up Aera, her arms hanging limply over her sides, and took her to find whatever bedroom Russel had found. He lay her down, covering her in the thick blankets, still wondering about her hands. Her ability couldn't be contained anymore. Keeping her hands wrapped in those filthy bandages would do no good. He bent to unwrap them as Russel came in, shrugging. “I got nothing for a woman, but he's got these shirts.” 
Envy shook his head. She wouldn't un-clench her right hand. “A dress would have been better. We need to be able to keep an eye on her.” He was still afraid to touch her. “Actually, bring me the shirt. Might be of use.” The elf cautiously folded her left hand over her clenched right hand and wrapped the shirt around them, knotting it tight enough to hold her, but gently enough not to hurt her. With her hands restrained, Envy crouched over her, working on his inspection. 

After an hour, Envy went to his young men and pulled out a blade, shrugging, holding out a paper with an odd mark on it. Automatically, they both held out their hands, and Envy pricked their thumbs, squeezing the blood on a piece of paper. He pricked Taris' thumb and Aera's heel, as her hands were bound, and smeared the paper. Then he pricked himself and tore the paper into four piece, handing them to the boys. “Four corners.” he ordered, and they ran off to put up the wards. 
The Kartaian sighed. That should keep them protected, next to whatever else protected this place.

Another hour later he sat, sighing tiredly, next to Taris, rubbing his face. Leaning against the headboard, his eyes scanned the room. Assassins made a nice living. There was no doubt about that. Envy's red eyes landed on the black skinned elf. Not worth it.
Hadhen walked in, holding in his hands a jar, tilted so he could read the label. “I found this.” he informed Envy. “Its the stuff he had me get from his safe-house in Pareigh.” 
Envy took another glance at the unconcious elf beside him. “Do you want to undress him?”
Hadhen's eyes got wide. “Not particularly.”
Envy grunted with a shrug. “Get Russel.”
After much effort with the odd armor, Envy and the thieves had Taris down to the minimum. Envy sprinkled the powder on what wounds he could see. He told one of the boys to go sleep, the other to go keep watch in the master bedroom. Then he sat back down beside the elf, folding his legs and lighting a cigarette. Time to wait for the assassin to wake.

Taris slashed again through the blackness pressing around him, another wolf dissolving into nothing. Laughing rang around him, coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. The assassin growled and sent a burst of power around him, shoving the swirling shadows back some. The laughing increased in intensity.
“Enough games, Wolf, come out!” he shouted.

The laughing subsided, “Ah Taris. It pains me still that you were the one to contain me and live. You’re too soft, especially for an assassin. You fight me over a woman? If you would just accept me, not only would we be more powerful than any being in millennia, you’d be personal consort to the Lady herself… What woman could be more worthy of your devotion than her?”

Taris growled again and his blades shimmered in his hands. The Wolf’s laugh rang again. “Fine then,” the voice said, “have it your way mortal.” The shadows swirled and crushed over Taris, sucking away his breath and throwing him against solid chucks of the Void.
He screamed.

The assassin bolted straight upright in the bed, nearly falling out of it a moment later as he noticed Envy next to him. “Why do you do that? Fucking creepy…” he muttered. Another movement and he noticed the pull of medicine on his skin, “You know, this stuff works best with water.”

Envy shrugged, “You were passed out pretty hard, a bath would have drowned you. That and none of us wanted to get you nude.” The Kartaian took a draw on his cigarette and looked directly at Taris, “You were thrashing pretty bad there, just before you woke. Bad dreams?”

The assassin shook his head, “If only they were dreams. The Wolf is loose now, and I’m struggling to maintain control of myself.”
“You mentioned this ‘Wolf’ before. What is he?”
“A spirit. Power. Great power, in fact, and the worst part is I like it. It feels amazing to have complete control of the shadows.” He shuddered, “But to accept him fully would mean to lose myself. I can still hear him howling in the darkness…” Taris stopped a moment, “But I’m holding him back for now. How is she, Envy?”

The taller elf blew out some smoke, “She’s stable. At least physically. That last burst of magic you gave her probably saved her life, and your healing potions and powders are working well.”
“There’s a ‘but’ coming isn’t there?”
Envy nodded, “Mentally, I don’t know. The tortures… I don’t know what they did to break her, but her power has been unlocked, for lack of a better word. She doesn’t need to touch directly for her power to work now, and the way she looked at me was disturbing. It was like she didn’t even recognize me, like she was a different person.”

Taris was worried at the look on Envy’s face. If anything, the Kartaian was even more worried than before they rescued Aera. “I should go be with her, keep watch.” He got up and pulled on a robe, heading for the master bedroom.

Envy was unsurprised, and followed him out, “You sure about this? I don’t know that she’ll make a distinction between friend and foe anymore.”

Taris only shrugged and opened the bedroom door, “We’ll see I guess, but she recognized me before. I can only hope I can get through to her.” He went and sat on the bed next to her, sending Hadhen to get some sleep. “You go too, Envy, maybe it’s best that she doesn’t see another Kartaian for a while. Get some rest, and I’ll see about sending Russel or Hadhen to hire a carriage to take us back to the tunnels, or at least one of my closer safe houses.”

Aera ran. 
Far ahead of her, she could only see the golden color of dry grass under a blue sky. In the far distance were green hills, but no matter how fast she moved her feet, they came no closer. Her bare feet pounded against the grass and she heaved, taking deep breathes as she ran, her arms pumping, the warm sun burning her skin.
She paused, then, and slowed to a stop, looking down at her hands with a confused look on her face. Her skin was brown. Had she been in the sun that long? She put her hands down and looked at her feet. They were still the same porcelain white they'd always been. She lifted her hands again to find that they, too, were back to their normal pale pigment. 
Puzzled, she dropped her hands and her eyes fell on the dark blue-grey figure of a Kartaian, his jagged blade raised and poised in her direction, ready to strike. She raised her hands, unsure of what she was doing, only moving on instinct.
“Aera!” She whirled around to see a pale Raielwen standing, bow aimed at her, his silver eyes stern. “Duck!” He yelled. 
She fell to her knees, her hands covering her head as the arrow flew overhead. She followed it with her eyes and saw that it struck the heart of a pale woman, her ears wide, like Taris', her soft pale hair trailing her head as she slunk to the ground. Mortified, Aera turned with a questioning look to find the holder of the bow was a short Kartaian with a maimed ear. “Envy?”
He shouted at her and pointed, but it didn't make sense to her ears. Her brain muddled it and she shrugged, confused, lifting her hand to her ear. Her arms were brown again. 
She heard the crack of a whip and she tossed her head back and screamed as pain ripped across her back.

Screaming, she flung herself forward, suddenly finding it hard to move her hands. She gasped, her body sore and stiff, her movement hindered. “Envy!” She shrieked. Her eyes darted around as she realized she wasn't sure where she was. She was on a bed, and beside her was some black skinned elf. Her scream had startled him, and he looked uncertain about whether he'd like to grab her to quiet her or leap out of her reach. Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him. He seemed to shiver and shimmer in from of her eyes, dark swirls of shadow leaping about him. She paused, snarling at him. “What the hell are you?” Something.... something about his eyes....
Her head turned when she heard approaching footsteps, and she glared at the Kartaian who stilled in the doorway. With difficulty, she pulled her legs up to her chest and pushed herself back against the headboard of the bed with a growl, her bound hands in front of her. Her vision went fuzzy. “Ezra!” She shouted, looking around. The Kartaian pulled a face, suddenly looking serious. He glanced over to the black thing beside her and pointed in her direction. With a slight hesitation, it reached out and grabbed her arms and she cried out as her head was riddled in pain.

It died away and suddenly, her vision wasn't fuzzy anymore. Her breath came fast as she realized whose red-purple eyes she was staring into, her lip quivering. “Taris!” she cried and ceased her resistance against his grip. Her head fell back and she looked over her cheeks at Envy as her limbs went heavy with grief. “Envy! I'm so sorry...” she whimpered, tears falling, her breathing broken. “So, so sorry.” Her vision was going fuzzy again, her tears still flowing, and she tensed in Taris' hands again, pulling away from him, her hands extended toward Envy. “The blue skies darken the earth and make the straw grow.” Her breath quivered. “I'm sorry.”

“Hold onto her.” Envy demanded, stepping towards her, his expression one of perplexity. 
“What was that nonsense about the skies?” Taris asked. “What does that mean?”
Envy frowned, his hands quickly working to untie the shirt that bound her hands. He pulled the cloth away and, no longer worrying about her hands, dug his fingers against them to pull them apart. She cried and pulled her hands away from him, Taris' grasp holding her still. “Coming from her, it doesn't make any sense.” He told the Shadow Elf, pulling her clasped hand apart with his sturdy hands. It had been something Ruli had always said to him. Coming from Aera it made no sense. 

In the palm of her bloody hand was a clump of wheat colored hair. 

He grimaced, taking the strands from her shaking hand. “That's how they did it.” he whispered. “Ruli had a good amount of skill in mind manipulation. He'd been inside her head once before, and their …. connection... she wouldn't intentionally harm him.” He took Aera's head in his hands and looked into her unfocused eyes. She was looking around, still dazed and confused. “They used him to break her.” 

Aera whimpered and struggled against the two of them, her head falling backward as she cried. “I'm so sorry...” She looked down at her hand, Ruli's blood dried on her skin. Her dark gaze went to Taris, her eyes swimming in and out of focus as she came in and out of recognition. Her eyelids flickered and her head fell back as she dipped back into unconsciousness. “...I'm sorry...”

Taris clutched Aera’s limp body gently against him, stroking her hair until her trembling calmed, all but ignoring the Kartaian for that time. The assassin said nothing for a time after her breathing slowed, before he finally lifted her fully and placed her back in the bed. Envy gave him a questioning look, but Taris merely shook his head, going into the bathing room. Minutes later he returned with a bucket and towel and began cleaning the dried blood from her body, muttering, “Get this stuff off of her…”

Envy looked at him for a moment, before nodding and heading downstairs to check on the humans, as well to gather his own thoughts and allow the Shadow Elf to sort out his own. After some minutes had passed he made his way back upstairs, sure that Taris had questions after that outburst. However, the look on the assassin’s face when he returned was enough to give Envy pause.

“He tore her apart….” Taris said flatly.
The thief went rigid, immediately knowing what he meant, “How did you discover that?” His voice had a small edge.

The assassin didn’t even glare at his insinuation, “Recovered a small bit of my magic, wanted to know the extent of her wounds. Spell doesn’t take much. I doubt that she’ll want to be touched like that for a while, if ever. Envy, they’re monsters…” His voice trailed off and he looked back at Aera. Envy noticed that he’d found a robe for her and looked between the two, noting that Taris touched the light, hand-shaped scar on his own chest almost fondly. “So he’s dead then, your mind-reader? That’s what broke her?” He waited for Envy to nod, before asking, “Who’s Ezra?”

Envy sighed and opened his mouth to answer when the room suddenly chilled around them. Taris’ eyes widened and he sprung to his feet, throwing knives in hand. From the washroom came a chuckle, and a silk-clad Shadow Elf with lavender-grey skin stepped into the room. “Put those away Curse-Brother, you and I both know in your state you can’t win against me.”

“Esverin…” Taris growled.

The other laughed aloud at that, “Ah it has been a long time indeed, Mirn’zelnen, have you forgotten? He accepted me, fully, and all the power that I bring.”

The assassin’s eyes narrowed, “Abarach.” The knives came up and ready to be thrown at the slightest provocation. Envy watched cautiously at the two Shadow Elves stared at each other. The silk-clad elf gave another chuckle, even that flowed like a caress from his mouth, “Ah Brother, didn’t I teach you this lesson before? Love is a noose, Mirn’zelnen, and there are those that will use it to hang you. I’d thought you learned that well after I killed your wife all those years ago.” Esverin, Abarach, paused and cocked his head.

Taris groaned and fell to a knee. “Get out of my head,” he growled through clenched teeth.

Abarach shrugged and shifted his gaze to the unconscious Raielwen. “The Wolf is loose I see. He’s howling in your mind even now, and the Void nearly trembles at his call. He is waiting for the trauma of your failure, do you know? He is gathering his strength until you do. But her… ah Taris, she is trapped deep in her own memories. In her pain. And still she calls for you.” A smirk, “See what happens when I plant the image of her burning you to death in there?”
Aera cried out in her sleep and Taris immediately burst out in a sweat and launched his knives. They flew wide and the assassin lurched to his feet, “Stop!”

“As you wish Brother,” and Aera calmed once more. “You’ll have your work cut out for you bringing her back out here. But I know your ability to manipulate minds is limited, being a Shadow Lord as you are.”
“What do you want?” Envy asked.
Abarach turned his gaze to the Kartaian for the first time, “Nothing, but a little entertainment. I wish to see how this turns out, for now. My Brother has proved himself more resourceful than one would believe at first glance in the past. But my time grows short, and I must leave you now. Take care Mirn’zelnen.”

A swirl of shadow and he was gone. Envy turned back to Taris, “More bad news? Your brother?”

“Curse-Brother, another like me, with a spirit inside him. However, he gave in, long ago to the temptation. Now he’s Abarach, the Lady’s Mind. The other half to Her Blade, the Wolf inside me.” Taris sat on the bed, shaking just a little. “It also means they’ve found me… what’s left of the Shadow Wolves.”

“How long before they come?”

Taris thought for a moment, “Don’t know, I think Abarach wants his game, so not until Aera is saved or los… until she is saved.” He paused for a moment a sudden thought crossing his mind, “Hey Envy, what if he’s right? And I need to get inside her head to get her out? How big is the risk, do you think?”

Envy heaved a heavy sigh, his eyes on the assassin. "I don't know yet." He admitted before lifting his eyes to the Shadow Elf. "It may be more complicated than I originally thought, Taris." He came forward and stood tall over Aera, his expression showing some of his concern. "I can't say for sure. Not yet. But I can." He glanced back up at Taris. "I can manipulate minds pretty well. I don't like to, but I can. I taught Ru..." he stopped. "If they did what I think they did... with the two of them... it may make her more difficult to ... save."

He lifted the heels of his hands to his eyes and groaned. "Chances are, they used him to break her, he had to get into her mind. To do their bidding, to save his life, to try to help her, I don't know for which reason. But if she killed him while he was in there, chances are..... he still is." He lowered his hands again and stared down at the pale face in the bed. She looked so peaceful.

The Kartaian stared down at her, his mind racing, trying to figure out how to best explain it. "Ruli will respond well to me, if I manage to find him inside her head. At least he should. I see no reason why he wouldn't. Aera, on the other hand.... there's a chance my presence would do more harm than good." He sighed again. "Its hard to say. But the longer his essence stays in her head, the less chance we have of getting her back to who she was before."

Envy stood over her and stared for a long moment, letting Taris filter what he'd said, while his own mind raced through what options he had. "Hold her hands..." He said suddenly, bending down. Taris raised an eyebrow and hesitated, Envy's previous words making him pause. The Kartaian grabbed his hands and pulled them above Aera's head, lifting her arms to make Taris grasp them. "Hold onto her, this is the best chance we have at the moment." He put his knee beside her hip on the mattress and cupped her face in his hands as he pressed his forehead to hers. His dark lips moved as he mouthed silent words.

Aera strained and pulled against Taris arms, her body tensing and twisting. Envy gracefully adjusted and swung his leg over her, sitting on her to keep her still. A noise that resembled a growl came from her throat and her eyes snapped open to glare at the elf above her. She hissed and writhed.
"Envy!" Taris snapped, but the Kartaian ignored him, flexing to put more weight on Aera. She let out a scream that died down as her body relaxed, her eyes closing again. Her body went limp again, though after a few uncertain seconds she planted her feet and bucked her hips and, with strength that wasn't her own, tossing Envy off of her. He fell from the bed and knocked his head against the bedside table, spilling the water Taris had brought earlier. The elf swore and rubbed his head while Aera glared down at him. Wordlessly she glared at Taris and kicked at him until he released her. Envy knelt on the floor beside the bed as Hadhen and Russel came running into the doorway, attracted by the noise. 

Aera's nostrils flared in her anger as she looked around, her eyes narrow. Envy held up both his hands and made an odd symbol with his fingers. Aera paused and leered at him, her eyes on his hands. Then she made another with her own hands. Envy made a face. Ruli was speaking to him through Aera. 

Taris sat beside Aera, his face blank, though he was obviously a bit confused, as Envy and Ruli signed to one another. It was slow going, and every few minutes Aera would flutter her eyes and start to panic and hyperventilate until Envy grasped at her again and held her until Ruli took over again.
"When I first found Ruli..." Envy started to explain as he signed. "He couldn't speak a single word. So we started communicating with our hands.... It seems he's forgotten a lot of it." He went quiet, his face growing serious. "I'm asking about Aera, where she was, if he knew what happened..." Aera moved her fingers, hesitantly from time to time, as Rulitus' essence in her head spoke back. "He says he can smell flowers. And moss. And there's a woman..." He blinked and signed faster. "I don't know where that is... Ruli, what... who is she?"

Without warning, Aera screamed and flung her arm out, knocking Envy in the face. He swore and leaned back, his hand over his nose. "Grab her!" he shouted, and Taris' hands shot out with impressive speed to grasp at her wrists. She writhed and kicked, calling for Ezra again as she pulled against Taris' grip. Tears leaked from her eyes and she gasped as Envy threw his hand against her face, holding her forehead. Immediately, she went limp again, whatever he'd done acting fast. 

He exhaled, holding his bleeding, broken nose. Gritting his teeth, her pressed his fingers to his skin and pressed, clicking his nose back to its original position. "She's always been good at that..." he grumbled, blowing the blood from his nose before picking up the wet cloth Taris had been using earlier. "I won't try that again." He sighed. Probably shouldn't have done that this time..... He squared his jaw and thought. "Aera is hiding. Terrified." he told Taris, sitting at the foot of the bed to gaze at Aera. "Even he was afraid, so her fear... its alarming. He said he could feel where she was. Could smell flowers. Moss. Stone. Butterflies. And something about a woman, holding water, and feeding the tr-" he paused. "I know what he's talking about. Its a statue, in the forest where she grew up. Theres a marble statue of Our Mother. She told me once she used to hide her treasures beneath it." He glanced over at Envy, still holding his throbbing nose. "If you need to get into her head to find her, that'd be where she is."

Taris nodded absently at Envy’s words, his hand going to a stone on the headboard. A twist and it came off and he held it out to the Kartaian. But before Envy could take it there came a flash from the stone and a wave of heat, before the stone cracked and turned to dust. The assassin looked the thief in the eye, “You know I’m not from anywhere near these lands, that my people live on the other side of the Barrier. Magic works differently there, these stones… they can hold magic and store it to be used later either to create spells or just recharge the user, like I just did.”

Envy nodded, “I assume this means you have a plan?” He pinched a bit of the dust between his fingers and looked closer. It seemed the stone had been a ruby before. “What happened to the gem?”

“Gems and other Spellstones all have an innate bit of magic within them to begin with, which allows them to be shaped and used. When I absorbed the magic back from the stone I took even that little bit, and the ruby was destroyed,” Taris explained. He tossed the dust into a bin and wiped his hands, “But you’re right, I do have a plan. It’s a long shot, but I think it’s the only way.” Taris paused and grabbed another gem from a bag on the nightstand, absorbing the power from it as well. “Tell your boys to put on some servants’ uniforms and go hire a carriage in the market, money’s everywhere around here. We’re going back to Pareigh, I’ve got the Spellstones I need back there.”

It was definitely a risk, one the Shadow Elf was more than willing to make for Aera. Still, it unnerved him, the past week had been beyond taxing, and if he’d had any other choice Taris would sleep for a week to recover.

But there wasn’t another choice.

He gathered several more gems from around the room, draining each as he went.

So be it.

Taris smiled grimly, “I’m too stubborn to fail. Just hold on, Aera.”

On Envy's command, the tired boys went to work, fitting themselves in attire. Both were too spent to be amused by the appearance of one another in the uniform. The atmosphere too grim.
Taris and Envy carefully dressed Aera. Thanks to Taris and his magic, nearly all of the bruises on her skin were gone, nearly all over her wounds sealed and faded. But to Envy, as he held her and moved her so she could be gowned, she looked like nothing more than a ragdoll. She hung limp and breathed slowly, making no noise and putting up no fight. It made his chest hurt. He didn't like seeing her like this. His fire-filled Treasure.

When they were ready, they wrapped her in a blanket and, with Taris carrying her, got her downstairs. Envy stood by the door, looking for the boys on their return with the carriage. Aera opened her eyes, though she didn't seem to be awake, or even aware. But she stared at Taris above her, fixated on him, her eyelids low.

"They're back." Envy said, turning to glance for a moment at the two elves. "Do you think it's safe to take her out?" He asked. In all honesty, he was unsure. He didn't think that his kin would come after them so soon, but if they really wanted revenge, the time would be now, while they were weak and separated from their resources.

Taris pulled his eyes away from Aera’s to look at Envy, “It should be. I made sure to leave enough of myself behind to keep them busy for days. Weeks if they’re incompetent. But just in case, I have a few more special surprises in here.” He set Aera partially on a couch and held up a leather bag, its contents clanking together dully. “We’ll be ready for them, Envy.”

He slipped the bag into his belt and lifted the pale elf in his arms once more, gesturing to the Kartaian to open the door. As the two walked to the waiting carriage Taris gave a grim chuckle, “To be honest, Envy, it will be strange to play the mage again. I’ve only used my Shadowmancer skills for nearly 20 years, and then mostly just to augment my physical abilities. It will be fun to practice my other magic again.”

With help from the two humans they got their precious bundle inside the enclosed cabin, Envy next, and finally the assassin. Russel hopped into the driver’s seat and grabbed the reins while Hadhen took the watchman’s seat up top. Taris nodded to Envy, who knocked on the wall of the carriage, calling, “Let’s go Russel, full speed back home.”
The thief rocked slightly as the coach lurched forward and looked back at the other elf, “This is going to be a very stressful ride, whether we run into trouble or not, Assassin.”

The Shadow Elf only nodded, “You aren’t wrong, Thief.” He grabbed a pair of blue diamonds from the pouch on his belt, rubbed his thumb once over each and released them to float above his head. Taris’ ears twitched and eyes closed as the gems began to glow softly, tendrils of icy fog undulating from them. A film of frost lined the corners of the windows, without chilling the rest of the cabin.

Envy eyed the frost, “Assassin?”

“Defensive wards,” Taris replied without opening his eyes, “They’re safe to us and your boyos out there, but should be enough to give anyone else a really bad day.”

Envy nodded, approving of the idea. Due to his size, he felt cramped in the carriage, and turned slightly to try to stretch out, his long legs across the floor. "I'll take first watch." He said in Taris' direction, though his eyes were glancing past the carriage curtain out onto the silent street. He squinted, the setting sun still bright to his sensitive eyes. "You rest. Keep her warm."

As the Shadow Elf nestled himself into a comfortable position, Aera wrapped in his arms, her eyes closed once more, Envy considered the past events. The heir to the city was slain. No child. By rights, it should go to the next male heir. But, as it seems, Taris had taken care of a good many of them. So Risa would be the next logical heir. However, as she is a woman, the throne would technically belong to her husband. Pomp and glamour would say she held the crown, but the people would know they're now under a foreign thumb. 
No child. 

His ruby eyes went to Aera as she slept soundly, wrapped in Taris' protective arms. He knew Kentaro had tried to sire an heir off her for at least the first few years. Before the thrill of his new toy lost its appeal. But what about recently? Taris certainly shook things up. No doubt Kentaro would have gotten jealous. 
And he knew Aera and Taris had enjoyed one another. Her tantrum in the tunnels had given that away. 
As much as he disliked thinking about Aera having so many partners in the time she had, it was undeniable. Rape, by majority. But it was still a fact. 

As the evening became night, the elf stared, thinking hard, as the world passed by. It was after midnight, just past the halfway point of their journey, so the giant elf nudged Taris with his foot, wincing as the leg Vier'na had stabbed had grown sore. "Wake up." He grunted. With the allotted space available, he stretched, his gaze on the other elf. "I need to ask," His voice was low, his eyes went over Aera to make sure hers were still shut. "Drugan had one goal in mind in taking her. He had a week to try." He sighed, hesitating. "Did he ... I mean, is she?" He couldn't even bring himself to say it.

Taris opened an eye at being nudged, coming partially out of his meditation and turning his face towards the thief. Something about Envy’s voice warned him something was severely bothering the large elf. At his question, however, both eyes snapped open. For a moment Taris only stared at the other male, before his eyes closed again. The assassin opened them again and looked blankly at Aera’s sleeping form, “She… no Envy. When I checked her for wounds, for what he did to her, the magic reacts to that. She isn’t Envy, you have my word.”

He closed his eyes again and left it at that. Some things were just better left unsaid.

Just as he tried to sink back into his meditation, he felt his wards tremble. Surrounding the carriage were long, nearly invisible threads of ice held by the magic in the gems.
One of them had just snapped.

Then another, and another.

“Envy, trouble!” was all he said, quickly but gently laying Aera on the seat and opening the carriage door as Hadhen gave a warning shout. He flipped up top, next to the human thief, who was pulling a small dart from his arm. Already he was swaying from the poison. “Damn, here drink this,” the assassin told the young man, handing him a small vial and lowering him into the coach with the other elves.

Standing on the roof of the carriage, ice spiraled around his forearms. “Envy!” Taris shouted, “Get ready, the Assassin’s Guild is paying us a visit. Hadhen’s been poisoned, make sure none of them get inside.”

His eyes easily picked them out of the darkness, behind and to the sides of the carriage, magic lending haste to their feet. There were eight of them, plus the leader that landed neatly in front of the elf. “Greetings, Guild-sister,” Taris said calmly, the guild symbol glowing on the back of his hand, “These people are working with me and under my protection, so why don’t you tell me what you’re doing here.”

The other assassin lowered her hood, “Ah, the infamous Shadow Elf. I am Miral. And we have been contracted to ensure the Princess dies.”

Black mist suddenly burst from Taris’ lavender-flecked eyes and tongues of blue flame twined with the ice tendrils around his arms. His voice went deadly cold, “That isn’t going to happen. Leave.”

Miral took an involuntary step back, but managed to keep any fear from showing, even giving an arrogant grin. “Angry? That's fine, the contract is for you, too.”