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

Crowded to capacity, the castle that evening hosted the largest gathering of four generations from the remaining Chosen to their grandchildren. Kailee stood back and watched as Lericanin and Nyrellia danced among some of the other couples and wished the magical moment could last forever for all of them. Something changed as her golden eyes drifted to Allaster and Lina who closely swayed with the skillful playing of the quartet that Selyria had hand picked for the night's entertainment. With casual study, she noted his secret buried deep within his mind, the hero of the church knew he wouldn't be here for another. The thought hit her like a ton of blocks. Joy soon melted into sorrow at the thought of never seeing her friend again; the realization fogged her vision as tears welled.

'Remember them as they are,' her spectral guide advised. 'It is the nature of all things to be translated. Be happy that he's lived a good, long life and seen his dreams come true.'

Kailee sniffed and blinked away the watery view. 'I know.'

'This is why he wanted all of you here this time.'

She nodded as Galena, now a fifty-three year old servant of the Ring in Davos, approached. Her once long, brown hair now liberally sprinkled with grey, youthful tanned face creased with age. "Evening, Your Highness," she smiled. "When I heard the news, I couldn't believe it."

"Nor I," Kailee smiled, thankful for the diversion. "How have you been?"

"Good," Galena nodded as she sipped from the goblet and turned to eye the pirouetting group. "Busy, that's for sure. Bernard never told me everything this job entails. I thought it was primarily keeping an eye on magical abuses against the crown but, they've got me monitoring the whole kingdom."

"That's a task in itself. How do you accomplish all that?"

Galena chuckled and eyed Kailee. "Have an effective set of ears and eyes," she grinned, evading any details on how the Jura really did their job.

"Well," she placed an arm around Galena's shoulders, "I'm glad you're here. I know Selyria was overjoyed to see you too. It's been too long."

"Sure has. I was glad she finally remarried. I was afraid she would remain alone. He seems like a nice man, or elf," she chuckled. "Not sure what the correct term would be."

"Individual," Kailee added, grinning.

"That's suitable too, I guess."

As the next song began, she noticed through the crowd as Tess joined Lyvyrikka and Danaca. Most backed from the display that quickly became erotic as the dark elf and witch danced and swayed near the warrior who appeared a bit awkward with the scene around her. Understandable, Adgertesse was trained to seduce some of her targets in the past, a talent that she hadn't lost in the least. Adrenaline from the males within the room pumped and Kailee wondered if some of the older members among them might not drop from a heart attack.

"That's interesting," Galena noted as they watched.

"Tess always did dance well, I just never knew Lyvyrikka could also."

"Is that the brunette's name?"

"Yes, she joined Danaca and Katsandra some months back."

Galena nodded as Alandria joined them. "Galena, get out there and join them."

Kailee chuckled as Galena shook her head. "I don't think so."

"I've always kind of enjoyed that youthful side of Tess," Alandria began. "Makes me long for the old days. Throw caution to the wind. She's always been that way."

"Sure has," Kailee agreed as she reached around her squire's shoulders and pulled her close also. "Benefit of being an elf, I guess."

Alandria's hazel eyes turned to Kailee, "Or a vampire".

The queen glanced to her friend and smiled. "Not sure I qualify as that anymore."

"True," Alandria grinned, then looked towards the far side of the room as Kristal and her ladies emerged, newly awoken. "Oh boy, now the party's starting."

Golden eyes followed to the group of twelve gorgeous women, most of whom quickly joined the growing group of dancers and chuckled. "Definitely. They tend to liven a room also."

She enjoyed the music and the comraderie until the night drew late into the morning and soon went to bed. As she lay there in the quiet, her mind drifted back to the revelation of Allaster. A day that she hoped would be put off as long as possible for the sake of his family especially and wondered if he had told Lina or not. Most likely; she had a way of knowing his moods and no doubt had gotten it out of him one way or the other. Worry soon wearied her and she fell asleep.