Alynia had clenched her small hands into tight fists, her body was incredibly tense. Her eyes had finally squeezed shut bracing herself for what she thought was going to happen. Just as she felt him line up wih her tight hole, her mind became frantic but her body remained rigid. Alynia was silent except for her quiet wimpers of fear.

Suddenly Alynia feel a weight fall foward on her. "No!" she had cried out thinking that he was thrusting foward but Alynia quickly realized that wasn't the case as the guard's limp body fell off of her thudding onto the floor. For an instance, Alynia was in a state of shock. She gasped and turned around pulling her ripped dress down to cover her now exposed behind. Thankfully the rip wasn't as large as she thought it was. A modest blush was prominent as she looked at Oberron, as any maiden should after such events occur.

She kept her head ducked down, knees squeezed together as Oberron cleaned up the scene. "Thank you." she said quietly after a moment of silence. "I don't believe that I will ever be able to repay you." she muttered quietly. It was the second time today she had almost lost her virginity, for all she cared any kind of sexual activity threatened her chastity. Alynia didn't know if her luck would remain next time she ran into a guard. She looked at Oberron with a weary smile.

"You can and ultimately will, call it a hunch," he announced as the rag vanished from existence after the blood was cleaned up. He smiled back at her. "Though I would say that you're probably no longer in the mood to explore."

He lead her back through the dungeons, the other guard was still fast asleep. "Of course in a few days when Sable sees the state that your dress is in it won't be too hard for her to figure things out. Of course, she can only kill you once and may not even care that one of her minions is no longer, he was easily replaced after all and had no special ability or talent that would be all tooo difficult to replace."

Oberron lead her back through the castle, again going ahead and checking things out first before escorting her about rooms or through them as the case may be until at last they returned to the tower. He magically produced the key and locked them into the tower again. He went to the window gazing out at the darkness, took a deep breath and clasped his hands behind his back.

"There is someone out there in the forest, see the light of the fire? The things there now don't use fire ... a human I would guess or maybe even bandits. No, not bandits, they would not risk the wrath of the forest, even Sable's men stay clear during the night. I wonder ..."

Alynia was thankful that Oberron understood that she wished to go back to her dreary, but relatively safe tower. She felt a sense of relief as she stepped into the room she had rather disliked earlier today. Hearing the click of the lock allowed her to let out a breath of air. She certainly believed that she had enough adventure for one day.

She walked over to where Oberron stood and glanced over his head into the dark night. Indeed there was a dot of flickering orange creating a trail of smoke that was easily seen against the backdrop of the black sky. Alynia tapped a finger on her chin daring to hope it was infact the hunter who had saved her earier in the day.

"I believe I might know who that is." Alynia remarked with tired smile. "A friend." She stated briefly not wanting to say too much in fear that she was completly wrong. The small camp fire gave her her a glimmer of optimism. If it was the hunter then he would be heading toward the castle, maybe even succeed in rescuing his sister, Kim, as well as herself. Alynia suddenly realized that during her stay in the dungeons she had failed to search for Arn's sister. Cursing herself or her forgetfulness she decided there was nothing more she could do. She didn't know whether she was willing to risk another detour of the dungeons after what had happened today. She shuddered at the memory, self consciously pulling down her dress a bit further.

"It is late. Maybe it is best for us to part ways for tonight and regain our energy." She spoke softly still watching the flame in a distance. "You have been too kind to me." She said turning her head to Oberron giving him a smile filled with gratitude.

"I'm afraid recovering may be easier for you though a lot more difficult for me as it is tougher to replinish magical energies. But a friend ... he ... or she would be hard pressed when coming here. If they are making camp then they may get here tomorrow night, maybe the night after which will be just in the nick of time though what they can do against Sable and her forces is yet to be decided. Hopefully they survive the night, that forest can be cruel.

He bestowed a smile upon her as he turned to face her. "Then I shall take my leave of you until tomorrow then." He pointed at a section of the wall as he walked towards it. Standing on his tippy toes he depressed a stone into the wall which unlocked a section of the wall that he could push aside. She may never have realized that their was a hidden door there. Beyond were two rooms, one that was a simple bathroom/washroom and the other a bedroom with a single bed in it.

"Good night, Alyina. Will you join me for breakfast tomorrow?"

He awaited her answer, took her hand, bowed as he kissed the back of it then vanished in the same fashion in which he had arrived here.

She nodded in agreement at Oberron's next words. Assuming that the fire was made by Arm, surely there would be a way to atleast help Arn rescue his sister. Alynia was thinking that if he had set on this journey wih a set purpose there is a chance that he came prepared with weapons or defenses against the witch.

Alynia stared in amazement as the wall shifted aside to reveal a much more comfotrable living space. She laughed shaking her head, "Your benevolence really knows no limits." she sighed for Alynia knew she would have never found those rooms on her own. "I would be most delighted to join you for breakfast." she said as he kissed the back of her hand in a very gentlemanly way. "Good night." she bidded as he disappeared.

As soon as he was gone, Alynia stepped into the washroom. Though there was a rustic bathtub, Alynia simply felt too tired to bathe. She instead splashed some water from the sink onto her face and used her fingers to comb through her hair. She noticed that there wasnt a mirror to examine whether or not she was actually presentable; nevertheless one she felt clean enough she walked into the adjoined bedroom. Alynia decided to take off her dress thinking that if she wore it to bed she might accidently rip the seams while sleeping. As Alynia folded her dress neatly she realized that there wasn't a mirror in the bathroom because there was a full length mirror standing off to the side of the bed. She placed down her dress gently on the ground and walked foward to see her reflection. Alynia really wasn't all that dirty, infact standing in the mirror half nude, Alynia thought she looked quite... nice. She headed toward her bed, pulled the covers over her head, and promptly fell asleep.

She didn't know how long she had been sleeping, but from where she had been laying she could see the single window from the empty room of the tower. Judging from the light and the morning chill, it was early in the day. Alynia glanced around her room. Other than the mirror and her bed the rest of the room was empty. Alynia sat up and hugged the sheets close to her body covering her bare chest. Though Alynia had slept relatively well she realized she felt kind of stiff. The mattress she had been sleeping on was rather worn out, she didn't want to know how, but she was sure that it was much more comfortable than the floor or anything they provided in the dungeons. Alynia's eyes scanned the room wondering what she should do.

The night slipped past bringing up the fact that their was now two nights left, the second of course being the night of the ritual. While she peered out into the other room she saw Oberron mysteriously appear. In his arms he held a long rectangular box though his eyes were closed as he wandered slowly through the room.

"Hello," he called until getting her attention. Once done, eyes still closed he presented her with the box telling her once again that Sable would neglect her care, in fact she never would have been told about the rooms either but rather left to discover them on her own or not, it didn't seem to matter either way.

Oberron waited until she had opened the box which contained another dress. He had to guess about her size but he still could alter it through the meager magic he had if it were too big or small. He waited patiently in the otherwise empty room as she dressed and refreshed herself though when she did join him he was standing at the window looking out at his former kingdom. He turned around as he heard the secret door slide open, smiled and had her turn about so he could see the dress completely, pointed a finger at her where swirls of sparkling light flew towards her, around her, altering the material so that it fit better.

"Better. Now, what would you like? I'm rather limited in options but the kitchens produce a wide variety of things so today's menu is rather extensive, probably unlike what you are use to having course wise anyway in the bounty here."

He snapped his fingers materializing the chairs and table again. On it were two glasses of orange juice though he asked if she would like something else between milk, cranberry juice or apple juice.

Alynia smiled as he fixed the dress which was more or less the same as the dress she was wearing yesterday, except this color. Her new dress was tinted with the lightest shade of sky blue.

"This is fine." she said sitting down and taking a sip of the sweet orange nectar. She ruminated over what she would like for breakfast while dreamily staring out the window. Alynia had been prepared to eat anything Oberron provided her and was pleasantly surprised with her wide range of options, but being the polite girl she was she simply stated "I'll have what ever you're having... No really" she added once he gave her an incredulous glance, but a moment later he snapped his finger and utensils along with plates appeared.

Suddenly Alynia asked a question that had been with her for sometime. "Why are you being so kind to me?" she wondered casually. She thought it was odd that she was being treated so luxuriously compared to the other girls.

The smell of cooked bacon hit there nostrils and plates of eggs and hash browns lined their plates. He nearly said something to her as she gazed out the window but refrained speaking when she poised her question.

He smiled at her, looked at her for a moment then spoke. "I cannot say, rules and all. It's pretty much complicated and I can ruin things if I mention them but I'm sure you'll figure them out in time, what time Sable has deemed fit to give you of course doesn't have to be written in stone. Granted, she'll set it there but not I. But that's about the best hint I can give you. Think on things and you'll work it out, at least the simple stuff. Then I can explain a few things too.

"But to keep things simle you remind me a lot of Titiana. And of course having some company to ease even a few days is a lot better than being by myself and seeing my kingdom degenerate slowly." He paused, flicked his gaze out the window then looked back.

"You shouldn't dwell on the huntsman either." He waved a hand in front of him dismissively. "How does he know? Magic I bet, is he reading my mind? No, hardly and I lost that power some time ago. Merely the fact that we saw the camp fire last night, no sane person would dwell in or near the woods and he did come albeit late for his other sister to claim the body, Now he must be regretting the past and does not wish to suffer it twice so once again he braves the dark wood to save his sister. Most of this information I have gathered from his sister, Julie in the dungeons and the fact that I saw him when he burst in here, he being late an in anguish Sable spared him only because living was more painful for him than dying. She does the same with me knowing that to see my forest waste away pains me to no end.

"You have to remember his goals though. He wishes to save his sister, not kill Sable. His sister is in the dungeon you are here in the tower so if he does make it here he will go there and not here. Even if Julie does convince him to take the other prisoners with him again you are in the wrong place and whether as a group or by yourself Sable will not stay your execution since she is incapable of halting the planets and might as well get something rather than nothing out of it. No, I'm afraid that you are better off devising your own plan if you wish to live.

"Now you can try hiding near the dungeons but there is no guarentee he will come and keep in mind you are of greater value than the others, I wouldn't be surprised if Sable didn't bind you in someway with an arcane mark and can easily call you back, as easily as I can steal food for instance. Even at the height of my power I could not transport living things showing you just how much power Sable possess. I don't mean to dash your hopes, I just want the best of you and the more options you have the better off you will be."

Alynia tilted her head innocently at Oberron’s complicated explanation, and decided to just accept the idea that she reminded him of his late wife. She laughed as she was rightfully accused of thinking of the hunter. Honestly she had been musing over the idea most of the night, she had already thought of most of the things he had mentioned. Alynia chewed thoughtfully on a hash brown and swallowed before speaking.

“I might as well factor out the huntsman from my nonexistent escape plan.” She explained with a sigh. Alynia paused for a moment. “Now I didn’t consider the idea I was being magically bound. Its rather difficult trying to evade an all powerful witch, isn’t it?” She mused nonchalantly sampling the bacon. Despite the way she sounded, her eyes fell a bit downcast. “I’m glad you’re looking out for my well being, but a little bit of optimism wouldn’t hurt.” She accused lightheartedly.

One might think it was odd that Alynia was acting so calm in the present time-pressed situation, but Alynia had enough time to collect her thoughts. She had already decided it would do no good to sit and weep at her misfortune.

“See, I’ve selfishly decided that the main concern with this ritual, from what I know, is that it requires me to sacrifice my life.” She really was just voicing her thoughts at this point. “Of course this is of no concern to Sable… and I don’t believe you’re allowed to explain the ritual to me in enough detail to chances of getting away during the actually ceremony.” Alynia sighed.

She knew was not going to give up until the very end, but Alynia knew her options were dwindling.

"Trust me, I would if I could but I can't. I know, i know stupid rules but I didn't make them. I can help to a point in focusing your mind and making you understand things, that's within the rules. Ok, let us see. You have no choice but to confront Sable. If she's bound you or magically marked you she could call you back or send her minions after you and you'd only counter this by ensuring she couldn't do this."

He chewed on some bacon thoughtfully as he considered a few things.

"Sable's ritual will kill you, she's only seeking perpetual youth and for the compnent she needs to drain your life essence, technically all the essences she has gathered but all the other girls only have a fraction of the power you possess do to their dalliances in the past, hence why you alone have been singled out.

"I am here because there is something I cannot tell you, something I cannot do myself but can offer up the right hints and hope you figure this out on your own with enough time to spare.

"Now the ritual isn't always fatal, it depends on what the caster is trying to do of course since Sable has no concern for your well being and is only out for herself she will kill you in the process. I know of some of these rituals but lack the power to do anything about it."

He pondered for another moment, considered and made up his mind about a course of action in case it looked bleak. Of course how effective would it be was anyone's guess but he couldn't simply let her die, now could he?

"Consider things carefully with all you've experienced here so far. You know, I may have a question for you to consider this night too and while it's not a hint per sae and genuine it is still up to you to consider. You may not wish to under take it given circumstances and all."

"No really, I owe you quite a bit." Alynia responded before sipping her orange juice, though a bit confused. What question could he possibly need to ask her? "I'd be willing to help with anything you ask for at this point." she said sincerely finishing her meal sitting back and placing her hands in her lap. "As long as its within reason."she quickly added.

"It's the fatality that really bothers me about this ritual." she explained. "As long as I survive I'm really not too bothered by it all." Alynia sighed. "I know it's selfish... But I guess I'm more desperate to survive than one would think." 

She turned her head to glance out the window at the black forest. "I'm sorry. It's not my place to speak." she looked at Oberron, "Ive been treated so well for the small time I've been here, after you've been here for so long." 

"Different species. It took me ages to reach this point until I was deemed to be no longer a threat. In fact Sable had me use my former knowledge to assist her with rituals from time to time. Drawing up diagrams and what not.

"She still checks that summoning circles are done correctly and so forth from time to time as I learned once the hard way when she took particular delight in the matter deliberately messing up a summoning circle ... big mistake there I haven't tried it since. Now it taxes me to do the most mundane thing and I have only a rare few magicks left at this point anyway."

He smiled as she thanked him, as he listened to her words. He let a smile hang on his lips for a moment then nodded slowly at her words as a crow landed on the window sill.

He said something in his native dialect and the avian took off. He looked out the window once more at the dark forest, grinned faintly then glanced back at her. He supposed that would still be keeping her in the dark about things though he pondered if that could be construed as telling her too. He decided that it wasn't, a big hint yes but it was one that left her to think about matters. It was genuine too especially since they both would benefit from it.

"It's not much now and I can't take you there but would you care for my kingdom, we, half of it anyway? It has been centuries since there has been a Titiana and it would seem that your are running short on time to fulfill that fantasy that young girls entertain about being princess'. Of course you would be a queen, not a princess, at least for the next day or so until Sable has her way."

Alynia watched the crow fly away wondering what Oberron had told it. She listened to his words carefully and paused thinking deeply about what he had just requested, eyebrows knitted with confusion.

"Queen?" she exclaimed. "For such a brief time too?" Surely he did not mean what she thought he meant, and this seemed to be true as far as she could understand. "I dont understand how it would help." she paused. "I know of no magic. Nor how to watch over a kingdom." Alynia muttered.

"But if you'll still have me. I'm hardly in a position to disagree." Alynia responded quietly looking down timidly at her knees. "If thats what you mean..." she continued hoping that she had understood him correctly.

Alynia was silent, blushing innocently at his proposal unsure of what more to say. She glanced shyly up at Oberron wondering what he was truly trying to tell her.

He noted the flash of confusion that stole over her features, he smiled in response to put her at ease. "Yes, it is as I say." Then he paused, thinking about the differences between their species. "Ah, you are use to the iconic proposals of men getting down on their knees and presenting rings. We fey aren't as formal and as such of marriages can be dissolved or renewed with the passing of each season.

"Knowing of the kingdom, managing it and so forth is not necessary. That can be learned as you go. But our ceremonies are simple ones though in days past there would be much frolicking and dancing but the ceremony is as simple as," he snapped his fingers and a broom appeared in his hand which he laid down on the stone floor, "as jumping over this broom."

“No, it’s fine.” She said quietly, she never really thought about the idea of getting married or proposed to in any way. Alynia had always assumed that her protective father would just set up an arranged marriage.

After a moment of heart thumping silence, Alynia was positive that she had to agree. Oberron was indeed a king who had helped her countless amounts of times. She was confident that he was a good man. “I am honored.” She said hastily bowing her head sincerely. “That you’re willing to take me even though I have such a short time left to live. If Sable has her way, I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to watch over your kingdom.”

Alynia considered asking him for some time to ponder over it, but from what she understood it was more casual for the people of the fey. Besides, it was not like she had much time to think about it anyway. She turned to the broom with interest, intrigued by such a custom. She looked back up at Oberron. Alynia trusted him, and if this was going to help the situation in anyway possible she decided it best to go along with what ever he wanted.

“Would you like to do it… now?” she wondered blinking still rather shocked that this was happening to her.