//beware....it is long

*Alone in the crafting tower, Ariana sits in her favorite chair upstairs in the sitting area of her and Radia’s living quarters facing the fire. She pulls out a book and begins doodling various names. After getting up to toss several pages into the fire, she sits back and stares into the fire. She begins speaking aloud…as if to someone, but there is no one there to be seen.*

My thoughts are just running around inside my head. It is too much for me to try and sort out in there. Recent bits of news have really…well, changed most everything. So much I wish to do and need to know. I find I cannot, at least, not for now…not alone.

*leans back and chuckles* It seems like only yesterday I was sitting at the back of the crowd as Shia performed the ceremony at Maal and Regan’s wedding. *smiles thinking* I wore a dress for the first time since leaving the home place. Shia made me. At least it wasn’t like those frilly ones like Mother required. *makes a face* I spent most of that day watching poor Regan as she destroyed the tailor shop searching for before and after dresses for her wedding. *snickers* Glad I don’t have that worry. Though she was quite lovely in her black and red gown. I saw Vino at the wedding…*in a surprised tone* without his hood…I think it is only the second time ever I have seen that. *laughs* The reception at the Comfortable Saddle was very nice.

*sighs* Wow…what a night that was. Those rooms were so beautiful…it reminded me of home. *sighs deeply and smiles wide* Mmmmmm …..I will never forget the sheer ecstasy I felt after the party with Shia and Morgrim...never. *giggles placing a hand on her stomach* I have never been tickled or laughed so hard in all my life. Laughed my lungs clean empty, in fact. *coughs a bit remembering* Not that I am complaining or anything. I love her touch. Shia can do with me as she wills. I’d do anything for her…there’s only a few that can make that claim. We spent weeks in that room. Leaving for little to nothing. Screams of painful pleasure and wild howls of blissful ecstasy, sounds that could pierce the very soul came from Morgrim’s chambers. Patrons of the Saddle were talking of a wolf being held on the top floor. Guess maybe I shouldn’t’ve learned their mating calls too. *chuckles then closes her eyes* I can remember *breathes in deeply* their smells….their voices….bites......mmmmm *eyes still closed she smiles enjoying, savoring the memory*

That was back in July…*shivers a tad* how these extended winter months in the mountain foothills make me miss those long, hot days of summer. *gets up to put another log on the fire and decides to go about making dinner and continues her "conversation"* Alas, since then, the days truly have become troubled. So many things cause me to stay here in the tower. Though my mind does wish me to go and find the answers I seek, my heart finds solace here within these walls….with Radia. I’d do anything for that elf, anything she asked…I’d kill for her. *Smiles caressing a knife she chose to cut meat and vegetables for skewering* Besides, others are seeking my answers...if not my resolution now as I speak. I can rest for now.

Radia tells me the elves have been called home by a wise priestess, Alltata Ellen. She wished to talk with me about it, so confused she was. Said she couldn’t ignore the call, but didn’t want to leave me. *giggles and smiles* She seemed so insistent that I tell her what to do…. I had no idea Radia felt so strongly towards me until that day. *sighs and stops cutting a moment* Or that she, and her blood, tasted soooo good. *licks her lips smiling and continues cutting the veggies* I do not want her to leave, I would be so lonely here without her. I have told her more about me…before Tana…more than anyone else. From the first time we met I was totally comfortable...like never before. I am happy she chooses to stay here in the crafting tower with me….and at least there are wolves here to hide the howls. *snickers*

Only….*reaches for a bunch of carrots* I fear for her safety…especially after she told me of her attack. She says it was Cutss, a wonderful man I wish you could have met…another I’d do anything for. She says he is…in Ba’al’s body…said Danuthal told her…*tears well in her eyes* how Salara took Cutss…. *the rage boils within her* how this has changed him somehow. I know I cannot allow Ba’al to harm Radia. If it is Cutss, as I know him, then there’s a chance he may listen to a friend….if he has lost himself completely in this transformation…I am not sure. *remembers parts of her conversation with Radia*

Radia Davincia: *she looks at your wrist closer with both eyes..* What’s this mark on your wrist I see?
Ariana GRoD: *you see the 'C' carved on her inner wrist and can tell the scar was intentionally marred for visibility* A reminder of those who've left us....this war has no boundaries
Radia Davincia: What does it mean specifically? *she looks very closely at your wrist…*
Ariana GRoD: My clothes are permanently stained....Another reminder...like this is [a reminder] for Cutsss
Radia Davincia: ….. Cuts is alive Ariana... he attacked me in Tanamerah.... He isn't dead like everyone thought.... and here’s the awful thing.... Salara has done something awful to him…….transferred his soul from his old body.. to that of her present husband.. Ba'al Scarlet.

*Echoing in her mind* Cuts is alive...alive... he attacked me in Tanamerah...attacked me....

*her hands shake with rage as she slices the carrots…she cuts herself and drops the knife to the floor* Shadows of hell curse and take you Salara Scarlet. *She places the food aside, sucks the blood from her finger…forcing it to continue to flow, and returns to her chair…more of their conversation echoes from within*

Ariana GRoD: Ba'al has attacked you ….. You are not safe here...anywhere
Radia Davincia: *looks around the room again at all corners of it.. suddenly realizing something..* Your Right.. Cuts could be anywhere... watching.. waiting.
Ariana GRoD: *shakes head* No, Ba'al could be. And I am no more afraid of him than I am Cutsss
Radia Davincia: Oh.. yes.. you're right. Ba'al…I'm not afraid of Ba'al either.
Ariana GRoD: *wipes her eyes again and chuckles a bit shouting* Hear that - I am not afraid of YOU!!!!!!!!!

*echoes* Salara has done something awful to him

*She picks up her quill, cuts it to a clean point, then uses her blood as ink to write on the pages again. Anger filling her voice, she continues.* All this time…I thought Salara tried to save him…and she is the murderer. I swore to find his murderer…

Radia Davincia: *she takes your wrist in her hands.. and holds it firmly*
Ariana GRoD: *looks at you a bit suspiciously*
Radia Davincia: *sets a firm look upon her eye* …… the first thing we can do.. is remove this reminder upon your wrist.
Ariana GRoD: *blinks several times* NO! *yanks wrist back*
Radia Davincia: No? Why not? *holds your wrist firmly so you can't yank it back*
Ariana GRoD: *blinks not sure exactly herself and more so not sure how to answer*
Radia Davincia: Your inspiration has become twisted into something … Oh.. I can't even describe it..….the Cuts we knew no longer exists…. Do you trust me?
Ariana GRoD: *she closes her eyes hard squishing the tears from them trying to pull her wrist back* That's not a fair question....I do trust you, but you cannot take him away from me too.....

and thanks to my dearest Radia – I have. *writes another line*

Radia Davincia: Then tell me... what do you wish to do? What does your heart tell you?
Ariana GRoD: To kill them
Radia Davincia: You wish to kill all of the Scarlets??

I do hate to think that Morgrim knew about Salara’s experiment…that does not please me. But then again…it was Shia he, as well as I, seemed to prefer and it’s not like it ever came up in conversation. *smirks*

Ariana GRoD: If it means all of them...I guess so…but just those two will do fine...and after the wedding, I would hope that Morgrim would not be included, but....*shrugs* Casualities...this war has no boundaries.... And they seem to keep creeping closer to me

Won’t Morgrim be surprised about you, little one? *laughs and blinks as her anger subsides*

*Writes a third line and puts down her quill. She drips three drops of blood over the lines and lights protective incense given to her by the healer in Num For. She folds the paper in thirds, holds it over the incense smoke a moment, then places it into the fire. She watches it burn while bandaging her finger* So shall this hold on me burn. I am not afraid of you…any of you…but you shall not harm that which I hold dear.

Radia Davincia: Please don't say that they are creeping closer to you…Do you realize how powerful both of them are? The two of them are far more powerful than you or I .
*she releases your wrist from her hand*
Ariana GRoD: Yes - I realize…but I am not afraid….to be alone - would be suicide
If he [Cutss] has been....lost....then they both shall die....Salara shall if I can help it regardless.

*She returns to the meal she was preparing* Radia says our blood experiment could prolong your development as well as my life, your movements tell me otherwise. Though I do wish we had known before we began…and I am concerned about the affects on you of her blood and the spells she casts…I am ultrasensitive it seems when I drink her blood. I feel every spark of energy those spells have…all the way through me to the bones. *shakes a bit* So exhilarating it is. We hope the combination of her blood and these spells will slow, nearly cease my aging. That way we can be together forever. I don’t think her father quite knew what his tower of friendship amongst human- and elf- kind would truly bring to life here.

Radia Davincia: *Radia takes a deep breath before speaking* I want to spend the rest of my life with you Ariana.... together...Forever….

*sighs, chuckling a bit* I have already begun the wheel turning, little one. Soon I shall have the knowledge I seek, if vengeance is not served as well. I am sorry you may never know your auntie. With luck *slight hope in her voice*…you shall meet your father.

*Mysterious Friend* : Aye, I will help...
Ariana GRoD: And since we are talking about vicious lies being spread about the [Red] Hand....maybe if the Hand got word *smiles impishly*
*Mysterious Friend* : *smiles* what if
Ariana GRoD: Well...who knows what the Hand is capable of *grinz*
*Mysterious Friend* : they can be powerful if one is not careful
Ariana GRoD: So I can imagine...*smiles* So we have an accord? You will help me...
*Mysterious Friend* : *nods* I will help … and let you know …
Ariana GRoD: Oh...feel free to do as you see fit when you get the answers...I trust your judgment....Salara must die for her betrayal
*Mysterious Friend* : *nods* so must others
Ariana GRoD: And I fear Ba'al must too....Cutss is already dead to me... .*grinz devilishly* I just want Cutss' murderer DEAD. And the murderess' creation …
*Mysterious Friend* : Oh they will get theirs… don’t worry ….
Ariana GRoD: …. Lop off their heads....I do not want Morgrim or any of the family bringing them back
*Mysterious Friend* : *smiles* If there is any thing left of them… I sure will
Ariana GRoD: Make sure of it....they CANNOT be brought back …

Soon the snows will melt and spring shall be here in the foothills…and if the temple healer is right, so shall you. *smiles and rubs her stomach and cooks the meal she prepared.*