laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

After two weeks of intensive, hard work, they had finally bridged both chasms which broke up the compound that the Five had designed. Now for the buildings to house these men and a temple dedicated to each of their individual realms of influence, he thought as Arhus stood on a large, flat rise and gazed out across the white valley below and beyond to more majestic ranges. Taking his hand, Elminoir leaned against his shoulder.

"Beautiful, isn't it," Archantael mused as she admired the view from Yaeby's side. "Amazing to think this place even existed here without us knowing all this time."

"It's more amazing that beauty can be found in a territory that's seen as the 'Land of the Dead'," Sater added quietly.

Yaeby chuckled. "It is quiet here, other than the wind. I like it though."

"No offense," the high cleric continued as he glanced to Elminoir, "but, give me a forest and quiet stream anyday".

Arhus grinned. "Don't worry, we won't have to be here long," he glanced to his long time friend.

"It's going to take longer than a few days to build this compound," Sater reminded. "Especially with all that we have in mind."

"We've only come to get them started." Arhus could see the desperation in the aging man whose dark hair and once handsome features were faded with age and stress.

"You're more than welcome to give up if you want," his voice raised and gained the attention of the rest of the group. "I still have to find someone and settle down, have a family. I still can't believe that you've dedicated yourselves to this mess and not been allowed to have any children. What kind of sense does that make?"

"Sater," Arhus moved towards the man, upset from his years of solitude. "We lived a dream and brought freedom to..."

"I know the speech, spare me. They got what they needed and what did we get? Nothing. I watched thousands die for your dream and buried each. Watched their wives and children lament their loss. I've been given the gift of healing and what did it get me? I still can't heal anything else," his head lowered in frustration.

"Had I what I truly wanted, there would have been peace without the war," Arhus revealed. "Justice for murders and debauchery would've been satisfied and the rest of us live in peace together."

"That's because you're a dreamer," Sater's dark eyes rose. "That never would've happened and you know it. Stop kidding yourself, you took as much pleasure in watching that bastard die as I did. As did we all," he glanced beyond Arhus to the others. "We gave up everything and got nothing in return." He neared Arhus and leaned in. "Congratulations."

Arhus eyed his friend and knew his pains and wished there was something he could do. "Yes, I did. The unfortunate part about justice is that someone has to be the executioner, sometimes. He paid for his crimes as did many others," he shook his head. "I'm glad they're no longer around to keep us under heel. Sater, we've gained allies with so many and now built bridges to enjoy a world that can keep the elves from ever trying to return us to slavery. You have to take some pleasure in that knowledge."

"We should've wiped them from the map." Sater stated flatly, then walked away.

"Genocide would've made us no better than our enemy," Yaeby returned as they watched the priest head back towards their tents.

"What's gotten into him," Archantael wondered aloud.

"He's lonely," Elminoir said as she stepped up to Arhus. "Even with all the women he's slept with, he's never found one that he loved."

"Too much time around death has made him cold as well," Yaeby added. "I feel sorry for him, actually."

"He knows we're here for him, as always," Arhus turned to his wife and hugged her. He also knew that Sater had been jealous of him ever since he and Elminoir married. A fact that was never cleverly hidden.