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[Arcana]

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Arcana recalled to Yew and landed calf-deep in swamp muck. Her brow furrowed in annoyance, and she slogged her way to firmer ground, resolving to find a mage to remark that rune. The smell wasn’t quite as bad as she remembered from the early days of the Decay, when she’d helped halt the spreading plague. But nor was it particularly pleasant. “What would Arlin want with this place?” she wondered to herself. “Well, it is his home. Yew seems to inspire a lot of loyalty in its people.”

She found Arlin in front of the Abbey with a contingent of his troops, also standing with Sunwolf and Lilyith Noir. Lilyith and Arlin at least appeared to be on speaking terms. However, judging from the stony, obstinate expressions Arlin and Sunwolf both wore, it appeared that the bad blood between the half-ogre and his former commander was as bitter as ever. A small group of onlookers was also gathered, and Arcana discretely took a place nearby.

While the conversation between Arlin and Lilyith could hardly be called cordial, they were speaking to a purpose. While she apparently cared little for his presence in Yew, Lilyith did in fact acknowledge it. Arlin still had several less than complimentary things to say about the Yew Town Council, but he did say he’d consider sending a representative to meet with them in the future. Lilyith departed, and after a brief meeting with Jago, Lord of the Akalabeth, Arcana found herself alone with Arlin in his office.

She shoved some papers aside and sat on his desk, still somewhat amazed that Arlin even had an office, let alone one full of paperwork that he’d written. She smiled at him affectionately. He forced a smile for her sake, but it hardly touched his eyes before his face resumed its brooding expression. She gently grazed his cheek with her fingertips, which drew an honest smile from his eyes at least.

They spoke for a time about Sunwolf and Yew. Arcana went outside and spoke for a time with Sunwolf about Yew and Arlin. Somewhat encouraged, she went back to Arlin’s office, soon joined by Sunwolf.

Neither man was one to mince words at the best of times (Huma Dragonbane had nothing on them!), and despite her efforts at mediation, the “conversation” deteriorated almost immediately. She’d been well aware that they disliked each other intensely, but she was taken aback by the degree to which the long-simmering hatred now boiled over. Sunwolf abruptly walked out.

Arcana exchanged a helpless shrug and a sad smile with Arlin that spoke volumes between the two. She kissed the top of his head. “Go. Attend to your men. That’s what matters,” she said softly.

She followed Arlin outside the Abbey and retreated to the edge of the forest. She leaned against a handy tree, lost in though, hoping that she would not come to face the unpleasant decision of being asked to choose between an old friend and her lover.

Some of the earlier onlookers came to ask her what had passed between Arlin and Sunwolf, but she held her peace. It was not for her to say. Sunwolf was talking with an old comrade a short way down the road, and Arcana again tried to reason with him. She wasn’t exactly sure what she’d accomplished, if anything, but they parted on cordial terms.

Arcana herself departed after hearing one too many disdainful remarks about Arlin’s half-ogre blood from Montross. Her firm check on her temper was growing tenuous at best.

Frustrated, angry, and low in spirits, she broke her usual habit and rode to the Army of the Frontier’s fortress rather than her estate at Riverrun. The bedroom was cold and empty without Arlin’s presence, so she lit a fire to warm the room. She crawled into the large bed and drifted off to a troubled sleep, waiting for her half-ogre to come home.

[Arlin]

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Perched atop an abandoned seaside cottage, Arlin stared out across the endless sea that streached before him. His enomous scimitar was laid out neatly beside him, notched and worn from many battles against many enemies. He gripped the handle and lifted it with ease, holding it straight out in front of him, looking down the thick blade.

"The Black Dogs Legacy" read the inscription near the hilt. Arlin sighed and lowered the blade, looking skyward. He had an army loyal to him, he had ambition, he had power. What was stopping him from simply marching through Yew, arresting or killing anyone he wanted, and washing his hands of the whole mess?

He flopped backwards on the thatched roof, and threw his arms up as though in surrender. His eyes widened in realization as a small, distinguishable jingle drew his attention. He watched out of the corner of his eyes as an amber necklace slowly slid down the roof. As though in slow motion, he leapt towards the necklace, trying desperately to grab it before it slipped beneath the waves of the endless ocean.

His hand closed over it just as it was about to fall over the edge of nothingness. A sigh of relief escaped his lips, as he hugged the necklace tight to his heart. It had always been his most prized possession, and ever since the day Arcana had given it back to him, he had ceased to wear it. It was a represenation of the past, of what he had once been, of what he had always wished to be again.

Realization flashed across his eyes as he looked down at the necklace. He picked it up and gazed into the clear amber, seeing his own reflection in it.

Arcana. That was why he had changed. Without her...he wouldn't be where he was, thats for sure. She stuck by his side, and even now, through everything that he had been put through the past few days, just the thought of her brought a smile to his face. He loved her more then anything he knew. He wished she hadnt been dragged into this mess, but he was glad she was there to comfort him.

Arlin watched as the sun peaked on the horizon. He had lost all track of time. He leapt off the cottage and booked through the densely packed woods. He ran straight past two soldiers, not even bothering to salute them. They just looked at each other and returned to thier poker game.

Arlin brust though the door, having stripped off his armor before noticing that Arcana was in the bed. He blinked, a bit confused as to why she had broken her habit. Arlins heart lifted however, as the world and all its problems seemed a world away now. He slipped under the covers and wrapped his strong arms around the woman he so adored. She stirred a bit, and Arlin leaned over her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

A smile played across the lady-knights slim lips as he slid in beside her. He fell asleep, still holding her in his arms as he drifted off to a peaceful slumber.
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As the fire fades to night, remember always the ember that started it all.