Cerellean ((Open to Blaze))

[valrae]

The old elf's eyes fluttered, and he looked up. It felt like he'd been dreaming...

The tang of salt and musty, old water filled his nose. The toes of his bare feet curled on the rough wood of the dock on which he rested. The gentle murmur of slowly lapping water met his ears, and further out across the waters he could make out the light of a ship as it approached from the distance, winking. A few yards away a young elf sat crosslegged with his back against a pylon, hands on his knees. He spared a glance for the old man, and a respectful nod, then went back to looking out to sea.

Slowly, where he was and who he was came back to him. And along with it the ache in his heart, welling up like a bitter, cold spring. There was something he had to do, but couldn't. He turned back to the young elf nearby. He seemed to be some sort of warrior or adventurer...

"Young man... Can you help me? My love, Anaya, is trapped in spirit amongst the ruins of Ameth'aran. I wish her freed, but I can't bring myself to do it... Please, will you find her, and lay her to rest?"

Cerellean dropped to a calloused knee, lowering his head in supplication. There was little he had, but he would give all of it to see Anaya's spirit freed.

Rook lifted his head, smiling sadly at his mate's father. He spoke softly.

"Of course. I just need a minute to rest, and then I'll do as you ask. I know the way already, and I need no reward." Experience had taught the Rogue what he needed to say.

Cerellean bowed lower, exhaling a breath of relief and gratitude. "Thank you... Thank you."

Rook lowered his own head in respect to the man his son was named for. "It's nothing, my friend. Rest easy."

Cerellean sat back down, a weary smile on his face. Something in the young elf's words reassured him. He turned his eyes back to the sea. Soon Anaya would be free.. He would have to live on without her, but she would find rest, at least.

Rook watched as the life and light faded out of Cerellean's eyes and he gazed blankly at the water once more.. In perhaps another ten minutes he would look up, turn, and ask him again to save his love. The cycle was as fruitless as it was endless. Anaya's spirit had been released countless times, but always it returned, shackled by grief and longing.

The rogue looked out across the waters, focusing on the arriving boat, wondering if Blaze was on it. He'd written her, asking her to meet him here, with their child. It'd been some time since the birth, and he hoped it would be safe for her to travel with him.

The thought of her arrival sent a quiver through him, a mix of anticipation and excitement. And perhaps fear. ...Aye, that too. Having never seen the child didn't make it any less real, but somehow he knew that once he saw it, once he held it, things would change. And he'd have to change with them.

...But that was fine. Few things in his life felt as sure and certain as this did. He relaxed back against the pylon, stretching his dark, tattooed arms. He closed his eyes and listened to the waters, waiting to become a new person.

[blaze]

The babe was sulky again, making his sour face and waving his little fists in the air in as much a threatening gesture as a newborn could muster. Blaze had begun to contemplate watching his nails, because if he kept his hands in fists all the time she didn't want them digging into his tender palms. She had no idea where the spite came from, but that he was, with two arms and legs. She wondered if all babies were as unagreeable as he was. Fussing at all hours of the night, she didn't realize how long a night actually was until she had been kept up all of it, and then crying during the day leaving her and the guild mates scurrying to find a way to keep him content.

She cradled him to her chest, which was still very round and much more supple then she was used to, her breasts filled with his nourishment. Oddly for much of the trip he had been quiet, but upon perhap sensing the end of the trip his face had twisted into a sour pout and the tears were ready. He wanted to stay sailing all day, he was his fathers son. The thought made her laugh. Feeling offended the baby screamed even louder causing some crew hands to cast her a wary look and the large ghostly tiger laying across some crates. Mushal used to the noise, so once he looked up he just relaxed again. When the boat finally docked she wasted no time departing and Mushal gave the boat an arrogant flick of his tail.

Walking down the dock her stomach was dancing with butterflies. Rook had expressed excitement at the news of the babies birth but she was worried she would not please her mate. The baby was big, almost ten pounds now she was sure, and very healthy, but he was so loud. The only time he seemed to know to be quiet was when she took him with her into the wilds and left him in a secure area hidden away like animals do with their young when they go out to hunt. If she ever had real doubt, Mushal would stay by him. The big tiger was no longer alive as in real sense of the word, thanks to Loque'nahak giving him a second chance. But in flesh or not she was happy to have him by her side.

Soon she was in view of her father, and her heart got tight seeing him as he was, as it always did. As her leather boots scuffed along the wooden planks of the dock she mused at how much she had changed. From being the wild creature that skirted along the forests edge to visit him to what she was now. It was the Cheshire Cats and Rook to thank for that. Now she was a mother, and a devoted mate. She squared her jaw when she saw Rook and then she smiled big. She had missed him so much, and her body ached to be near his again to feel the curve of his neck under her lips to trace her...The baby squawked and made her look down with a chuckle. Mother first, mate second.

"Now you meet you father, and grandfather, little cub." she said in Darnassian as she always spoke when not around her guild.

Mushal sat down on his haunches a good couple yards back before she got to Rook. He had learned his place since his fall and knew to respect the elf now. Even if he was still a little unhappy about it. He would kill the elf, he told himself, if he ever hurt his mistress. Those thoughts kept him content enough. Blaze stepped up almost shy to her father, and pulled the cloth down off the baby's head. The big poof of his blue hair shone in the light and the sun kiss his dark purple skin. Cerellean senior looked up as Blaze got closer, no recognition for his daughter, but just that it was someone else to help him save Anaya. When his mouth opened to ask, his voice fell away seeing the baby and he just stared quietly.

"This your grandson, father," Blaze said with the utmost gentle respect. "He named Cerellean too."

Blaze turned the baby around who had settled down into a few random agitated fussy noises so the old elf could see him, and so Rook could see too. The baby stared at the old man with brightly silver glowing eyes as if transfixed a moment then he shifted and began to cry again not liking his back to his mother. Cerellean senior blinked out of his trance and asked of his daughter as he had asked Rook not too long ago. Blaze too knew what to say and soon the old elf was kneeling quietly staring mutely out to sea. She sighed and turned to face Rook trying to ignore the baby's squirming. It was like trying to hold onto a giant slug.

"Rook, this your cub." The baby squeezed big tears from his eyes and began to cry again shaking his fists. Blaze looked helpless and offered the baby to his father, hoping the male would accept him.

[valrae]

He took the child in his arms, -his son, HIS son, his mind trilled- and held it gently, looking it over. The poor thing was squalling, but even with it's face screwed up and with tears running across his purple cheeks, he could pick out bits of himself in his face, and of Blaze too. He couldn't stop himself from smiling, in spite of the noise. He looked up to Blaze, an odd expression on his face.

"My love... We appear to have made a small elf." He said half in wonder, and half in wry amusement. He cradled the child to his chest, delicately stroking it's fine fair. "He's noisy... But I think I love him." He smiled brilliantly at Blaze, carefully rising to his feet. He touched his cheek to hers, reveling in her closeness. "I've missed you... Gods..." He sighed, feeling relaxed and at peace for the first time in weeks. "So glad to know you're safe, and well. You and Cerrelean both."

He gazed down at his son. "He is beautiful, isn't he?" He laughed as the babe squinted back at him and resumed squalling. "And a complete bastard, just like his father. I can tell already. You know between the two of us, we'll be lucky if he doesn't eat his playmates." He smiled.

[blaze]

Blaze held her breath as he took the baby, expression on her face between being excited and tying not to cry in fear. This was the big moment, the male would smell the baby and if all went well he would accept it and- His words broke her from primal thoughts, from years watching different packs and different males with their offspring. She had seen some males reject the babies and kill them. She got pale but his words began to make her feel better.

"My love... We appear to have made a small elf." He said half in wonder, and half in wry amusement. He cradled the child to his chest, delicately stroking it's fine fair. "He's noisy... But I think I love him." He smiled brilliantly at Blaze, carefully rising to his feet. He touched his cheek to hers, reveling in her closeness. "I've missed you... Gods..." He sighed, feeling relaxed and at peace for the first time in weeks. "So glad to know you're safe, and well. You and Cerrelean both."

He accepted the cub! Her heart was full of joy and when he touched his cheek to hers she whimpered and licked at his jaw submissively.

He gazed down at his son. "He is beautiful, isn't he?" He laughed as the babe squinted back at him and resumed squalling. "And a complete bastard, just like his father. I can tell already. You know between the two of us, we'll be lucky if he doesn't eat his playmates." He smiled.

She had to laugh alittle she know Rook was right but she hope that the baby would grow up more like his father then her, the civilized world still confuse her sometimes. Calm wash over her and suddenly she find it was very quiet. Looking down she find that Cerrelean Jr. stopped crying and was looking up at them both one hand lightly grabbing at each of their shirts before he chewed his lips and settle into some content sleep. She felt her heart melt and realize maybe all this time he was sensing her unsureness and stress and that was way he keep acting fussy. Blaze smiled at her mate and brushed her lips over his slipping arm about his waist. "Love."

[valrae]

"Love," he agreed softly, feeling the warmth of his mate and son against the cold ocean breeze. He was happier than he could remember being in some time... Perhaps since he had been a child himself. He smiled, knowing the moment would never last. Soon his baby boy would need to be burped, or fed, or would be screeching in the middle of the day when he was trying to sleep, and all of the horrible things that came along with starting a life.

But this moment shared by the three of them was perfect, and he strove to remember all of it, the first of all the equally wonderful things that came along with starting a life. So he would have it the next time he was far away, alone, cold, hunted or hunter. So he could have it in his heart.

It was a long time before he moved.

"I have a present." He said softly, looking up at last. He reached behind him and pulled the Figurine out from the hardened leather pouch it rested in, when it wasn't hidden. The thing had changed since the last time Blaze had seen it. It was rougher, now more like pumice here before it has seemed like marble. The gems that had been in it were now empty sockets, and gray flakes of stone fell away from it as he held it.

He squeezed the thing in his hand, the muscles in his wrist and arm standing out for a moment before it crumbled and cracked in half with a dull pop. He tossed the two halves of the thing casually into the sea, and wiped his hand on the leg of his pants.

"Done with." He said, in a voice thick with relief. "I'm unbound. ...And no longer a fugitive.. Though I'll still have to watch where I go."

[blaze]

Blaze purred in her throat. All her worries were gone. When Rook moved she looked to see what he meant by present. Maybe a baby present she wondered. But when she saw the figurine looking so worn and old she blinked, glancing at him for to be sure it was still the same thing. Everything had gone well then. Very well. When he squeezed his hand on it and made it pop the baby jumped a little and looked around then settled against his father chest closing his eyes again.

Blaze watched the pieces fall into the water and smiled. It was a present for the baby too.

"Done with." He said, in a voice thick with relief. "I'm unbound. ...And no longer a fugitive.. Though I'll still have to watch where I go."

"You new male now, Rook. Not same Kaldorei from past." She touched his cheek then smiled, "You change. But, you still bound to something. For as many moons as pass in the sky for all time." She nodded to the baby and grinned a little bit, "And me."

[rook]

He smiled, very happy with the thought, and hugged Blaze just a little tighter, his tongue flicking out to give her a tiny lick on the cheek.

"Very fortunate that I love you so damned much then, isn't it?" He smiled again -his cheeks were hurting, he realized, but he had no intention of stopping- " Oh... and I almost forgot..." He dipped a hand into another of his pouches and came out with a palm-sized square of red cloth. He flattened it against his chest, revealing the skull design of the Cheshire Cats in the center. "Temporary, I haven't gotten my actual tabard sized yet. But it's official." He grinned. "I've been busy."

[blaze]

"Very fortunate that I love you so damned much then, isn't it?"

She smirked and gripped his rear tightly with a low growl. She had miss his playful nature while she had been in bed with swollen ankles and other pains. Had missed a lot more then just his playful nature she realized more and more the longer she stood by him.

" Oh... and I almost forgot..."

She peered at him and was interested in what else he might have. When he pull out the skull design she gasped loudly and looked very happy. "Rook!! You make it into family!! I hear you going to meeting but then I be not feel well. Happy to see you get in!!" She throw her arms around him careful not to crush little baby who was being thankfully quiet right now, and kissed Rook deeply. They would finally be a full pack. "I have big big room, we share now!!"

[rook]

He couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm, and he planted a big kiss on her forehead. "I can't wait." He beamed at her, though gradually a line of worry worked it's way across his face. "...But before we do that... There's one other thing I have to do. Since we're... Since we're close to Moonglade." He ran his hands over her strong shoulders. "My family is there. If the little one is going to carry their name, then... Then they should know."

He looked to his mate and child and nodded. "It's past time they knew about a lot of things." He smiled, a little grimly, and with more confidence than he felt. "I didn't leave under the best circumstances... I think you may have pieced that together.. But If I'm starting anew, I have to do this. For Cerellean, and myself."

"I have a gryphon ready to take me there. You should come too. They'll want to meet you... And the child, of course."

[blaze]

When she see the line of worry on his forehead she whimper and nuzzled at him, caressing his face and trying to look into his eyes. She listen to his words and she nod quickly her eyes lighting up with thought of meeting his family finally. She know this mean much to him and that she must now support her mate in his new choices and thing he have to do. Blaze grunted and nodded her head with a snap of her fingers. Mushal stand and approach ready for to listen to his Mistress.

"I follow." she say with much confidence. She reach down and grab his bag for him since he already have the baby. She then turn to her father and bow deeply to him. It was time to go now and she would follow her mate anywhere.

[rook]

Moonglade was as motionless and quiet as a still pond, the peace that surrounded the place practically a physical weight, a veil that parted around them as they passed.

It had been years since he had passed this way, and the grove of the druids was vast, but he found himself finding the right paths without thinking, walking a step ahead of his mate, his golden eyes panning the deep blue mists that enfolded the trees.

His nose twitched at the smell of home, brought so quickly and forcefully from his memory to the forefront of his mind it was felt almost as a shiver.

His feet led the two of them away from the small settlements and wide earthen paths to what was little more tan an animal path, obscured in places by bushes and low brush as they climbed the gently sloping side of the valley.

The overgrown trail widened suddenly into a small dirt clearing and there it was, the jumble of rocks and crude wooden arch that marked the entrance to his family's barrow den. The huge boulder that roofed the entrance was marked thickly with a charcoal image of a bird in flight.

The dark-furred bear that sat in the entrance with it's head on it's paws opened one glowing golden eye and then another, gazing out at the two elves who now stood on the threshhold of his domain.

Rook swallowed hard and went down on one knee, his head lowered. His right hand trembled slightly where it rested on the ground.

The bear rose ponderously to its feet, its eyes never leaving the Rogue. It ambled closer, the soft thump of it's heavy pawn on the soft dirt of the clearing the only sound. It stopped a yard away from the rogue, and snuffled at him with it's nose. It bumped him with it once or twice as it smelled him, tracing along his ponytail and the arcing tattoos on his arms. The bear paused, seeming to consider what it had found, then sat upon it's hindquarters.

"Sybrian." The bear's voice rumbled deeply, felt in the air and earth. "My Son."

"Kalastarian." Rook's voice was strained, and quiet. "Father."

The bear blinked slowly at this and huffed, stirring the hair on Rook's head. "Why have you come here? Who is this you have brought?" The bear's large head turned to regard Blaze and the infant in her arms.

From the darkness of the den a kal'dorei woman emerged silently, lithe and lanky, with a handful of feathers woven into her hair. She halted in the mouth of the cave, looking out sternly with gold-tinted eyes.

Rook swallowed again, not looking up. "May we speak as elves, father?"

The bear shook his shaggy head from side to side, snorting. But then it's form began to change, twisting as it seemed to collapse in on itself, long dark hair receding and withdrawing, until what sat in the dirt before the rogue was an aged elf, one with long moss-green hair down to the backs of his knees, and a circlet of carved oak upon his brow. Bare to the waist, his powerful chest was adorned with old scars and the mark of Cenarion. He rose to his feet, larger than even his son.

"As you will." Kalastarian Blackwing's voice was no less deep in his elf-form, and there was little warmth in his glowing eyes. "Stand, Sybrian, and tell me why you have come."

[blaze]

Blaze was made speachless seeing the large druid bear. She not meet Rook's father before so for a first meet this was a memorable sight. She not able to kneel like Rook did, because of the baby in her arms, but she did bow her head in respect to the elf keeping her eyes averted out of habit. She meant no challenge. The baby cooed and waved his fists around oblivious to what was going on, more interested in a lock of Blaze hair that was dangling over her shoulder.

"Kalastarian." Rook's voice was strained, and quiet. "Father."

The bear blinked slowly at this and huffed, stirring the hair on Rook's head. "Why have you come here? Who is this you have brought?" The bear's large head turned to regard Blaze and the infant in her arms.

Blaze swallow and bowed her head with more respect knowing the elders eyes were on her now. She hug the baby close protectively. She not see the woman come out of the den, but she did hear her. She just not look up.

Rook swallowed again, not looking up. "May we speak as elves, father?"

Taking a small peek at the elf when he turned back to his original form Blaze couldn't help but stare a moment. He was a very impressive looking male, his age making him more so. Cerellean chirped making her look down again. She know this time was important and she was not able to make mistakes.

"As you will." Kalastarian Blackwing's voice was no less deep in his elf-form, and there was little warmth in his glowing eyes. "Stand, Sybrian, and tell me why you have come."

She hold her breath and wait to hear Rook speak.

[valrae]

"Father, this is Eburi'nei Whiteclaw, my mate. And my son, Cerellean." He raised his head at last, looking into this father's eyes. "I want the child to bear the name of my family."

Kalastarian regarded his son with half-closed eyes. He turned his head, casting a lingering gaze over Blaze and Cerellean. His lower lip pulled up slightly.

"You ask this of me, knowing you come here as an outcast?"

Rook's jaw tightened. "I've been forgiven by the Temple, and by the Enclave... My old deeds have been undone by the new." He stopped and shook his head, correcting his words. "Not undone. But I fought hard to make things right. I've done everything I could."

Kalastarian's lidded eyes turned back to him. "You've been forgiven by the Temple, aye. And the Enclave in Darnassus. Aye. And you've sought to wash away the blood on your hands with more blood. Aye." His glowing, golden orbs looked on coldly.

"But I speak not for Temple, or Enclave, or for those you wronged. I speak for our family. For your brother, your cousins. Your mother and myself. Those whom you abandoned to pursue childish whims." Kalastarian's nose wrinkled as he bared his teeth. "Those who stood by you as you willfully drove your life onto the rocks. It is them I speak for. And it is them from whom you are outcast."

Rook's mouth fell open. "But... How could you-"

His father's voice overrode his own. "No. I've done nothing. You cast yourself out. And now you come asking to have back what you threw away." He shook his head. "My answer is no. You have grown away from us. I no longer know you." Kalastarian turned away, the weight of sadness pressing his brows down. "Leave this place."

The rogue's throat tightened. It was the same thing, over and over. He'd swallowed his pride again and again until it burned in his throat. Not a drop of it he didn't deserve, he knew. But it stung all the same. He knew his father. Knew him very well. He knew what the old elf wanted, and what he had to do. If he had the strength to do it.

"No." Sybrian put as much force as he could muster behind the word, shifting his body square to. The female elf in the doorway of the barrow closed her eyes and winced.

Kalastarian turned back to him and fixed him with an impassive stare. "No?" He rumbled. "...You challenge me?"

Sybrian nodded. "For a seat at your fire, and for the right to bear your name."

The Druid's nostril twitched. "I accept." He lowered his head and walked to the other end of the clearing.

Sybrian blinked. "You have no conditions? ...Not going to banish me forever if I lose? ...Not going to bar me the use of my blades?"

"No conditions." Kalastarian turned to face him, sadness still in his eyes. "If you lose, you'll be dead."

He stretched his arms, cords of muscle contracting, joints popping.

"Keep all your toys, Sybrian. You'll need them."

[blaze]

It not fair! Not fair! The words were jumbled in Blaze's mind between and mixed all the feral snarls and growls of her protest. The male was being unfair. Rook had done so much and worked so hard.

Kalastarian turned away, the weight of sadness pressing his brows down. "Leave this place."

The baby started to cry and Blaze let him. She let baby cry to voice his own small protest against what was happening. Or maybe it was just stray pollen that tickled him the wrong way. it not matter, what matter is that he was not forgotten in all this. Blaze stood tall, rigid with her eyes flashing. She look to the woman in the mouth of the barrow and gave her pleading look. She see by the womans posture that she was a good submissive mate to Kalastarian, but this her son!

"No." Sybrian put as much force as he could muster behind the word, shifting his body square to. The female elf in the doorway of the barrow closed her eyes and winced.

Kalastarian turned back to him and fixed him with an impassive stare. "No?" He rumbled. "...You challenge me?"

Sybrian nodded. "For a seat at your fire, and for the right to bear your name."

The Druid's nostril twitched. "I accept." He lowered his head and walked to the other end of the clearing.

Sybrian blinked. "You have no conditions? ...Not going to banish me forever if I lose? ...Not going to bar me the use of my blades?"

"No conditions." Kalastarian turned to face him, sadness still in his eyes. "If you lose, you'll be dead."

He stretched his arms, cords of muscle contracting, joints popping.

"Keep all your toys, Sybrian. You'll need them."

Blaze was in shock she snarled suddenly and lept forward her teeth bared and eyes looking for the male druids for challenge. "I fight! You!" she points at him with a finger stepping closer, "You fight me!"

[rook]

Both males turned on Blaze in surprise.

"Love, no..." Rook began, aghast.

Kalastarian laughed. "I see you're well matched, Sybrian. She's just as impudent as you." His mouth curled. He stepped closer, looking Blaze over from head to toe, his notstrils flaring to catch her scent. At length he nodded, but kept whatever he felt locked away behind his face.

"Very well, if you wish. We'll fight after I finish with my son. ...Or I'll take both of you at once, if your fight is his." Kalastarian's gaze dropped to his grandson. "But I will not have that child caught underfoot." His eyes snapped back to Blaze. "Lay him aside or put him in my mate's care."

The woman in the cave stepped out, moving soundlessly along the edge of the clearing to Blaze's side. She looked at Cerellean with wise and calm eyes before bowing her head in respect. " My name is Aalenie. I am Sybrian's mother. You child will come to no harm with me, I swear it on the stars."

[blaze]

As druid looked her over from head to toe she stand rigid and her jaw tight. Cerellean hiccuped and stopped crying suddenly interested in this new close person reaching a little hand out to touch him. Blaze narrowed her eyes a little bit her own nostrils flaring to catch this males scent. She smelled like herself and the sea salt from having been on boat for a long journey across the oceans. From nearby Mushal growled lowly at the druid as he got close to Blaze and the baby but all Blaze had to do was flick her finger and he went quiet but still paced behind her.

"Very well, if you wish. We'll fight after I finish with my son. ...Or I'll take both of you at once, if your fight is his." Kalastarian's gaze dropped to his grandson. "But I will not have that child caught underfoot." His eyes snapped back to Blaze. "Lay him aside or put him in my mate's care."

The woman in the cave stepped out, moving soundlessly along the edge of the clearing to Blaze's side. She looked at Cerellean with wise and calm eyes before bowing her head in respect. " My name is Aalenie. I am Sybrian's mother. You child will come to no harm with me, I swear it on the stars."

Blaze look at the woman and felt at ease with her. Cerellean burst out with a squeal and another hiccup that might have been a laugh waving his arms around wildly. Blaze nod and handed him carefully over to Rook's mother with a respectful bowing of her eyes and a soft chuff. She bent to nuzzle her baby whispering in his ear before she stood rigid again and faced Kalastarian with a square look of challenge. She took a chance, knowing it not really her place to over step her mate but she did not want to watch him fall. She dropped her head but her eyes did not move, and her lips peel back from her teeth as a snarl play there. Again Mushal was alert and looking anxiously at Blaze for the word to attack, but it did not come. Blaze move slow and walk to stand between Rook and his father, dropping into a battle ready crouch. She would protect her mate above all costs.

[rook]

Sybrian looked on in shock as Blaze stepped in front of him, for the moment too surprised to speak or do anything. This he had not expected, though knowing her perhaps he should have known better. In his heart he felt a bright spark of affection bloom. The fierce thing. But despite he knew this was his fight. And he had to prove to her he could take care of himself.

Rook reached out and laid a hand on Blaze's shoulder, pulling her back. "No, love. This one is mine. Let me do this for our son."

He looked to Kalastarian, who stood unmoving. The blankness of his face meant he was thinking, planning his opening moves. An attack was all but inevitable. The elf was now moved by a cold logic that went below even that of a snake's.

Be strong, be swift, be clever. And fear nothing. Those were his father's words, and Rook knew the Druid lived up to each. He'd tried to build his son in his own image as well; the marks of the elf's many lessons were still on his skin after all these years. This was one more lesson, perhaps. Probably the last, one way or another. He believed his father's words. If he lost here, now, he would lose all. The alternative had been to walk away, but of course that had never been an option.

Kalastarian's eyes narrowed. His lips parted and rose over this teeth, the beginnings of a low snarl burbling from out of his throat. Seconds left now, probably less. What the elf wanted was reassurance. His son had turned his back on the bond of his family. Now he wanted it reforged. He would first teach how much that bond was worth. Because anything that was worth anything, was worth fighting for. For Kalastarian that bond was worth his life. Or his son's life. He would teach the lesson. Be strong, be swift, be clever. And fear nothing. But he did fear. He feared his son would die with his claws in his heart.

[blaze]

Rook reached out and laid a hand on Blaze's shoulder, pulling her back. "No, love. This one is mine. Let me do this for our son."

Blaze was ready to attack the elder druid and anyone else that got in her way to protect her mate and father of her son. BUt she was a good female and at Rook's words her rigid stance slowly relaxed. Her look to elder druid though was still one of challenge, and promise. She nuzzle Rook's hand and relented falling back to stand just behind him in her place. She was scared now. Anger still there but fear start to take over that. She look at Rook one more time with a fierce love then moved to stand with the woman in the mouth of the burrow. She not reach for her son, instead keep crouched low, one arm draped over Mushal's neck. She know the fight would start soon. She not holding Mushal back, she hoping the tiger hold her back.

[rook]

Rook had just enough time to smile at Blaze one last time, before Kalastarian's hands snapped together with a clap as loud as thunder. The Rogue had a tenth of a hearbeat to roll out of the way as the spear of light shot downwards from heaven to split the ground where he had stood.

Rook rolled to his feet with his weapons out, raising them just in time to stop his father's claws, the talons scraping harshly along his blades as he forced the swipe off to the side. The druid was now a snarling, dark furred cat, it's yellow eyes narrowed in fury. Rook's boot shot out to catch the beast in it's head and the cat yowled and broke off to put some distance between the two. The Rogue pressed forward with his brief advantage, aiming a thrust that the cat slithered under, sidestepping with it's belly to the ground and lashing out at the Rogue's leg, forcing his back in turn.

Rook skipped backwards and suddenly, in a cloud of smoke and feathers, a huge black bird was upon him, it's powerful wings slapping at his face as it's claws sank through his leather armor and into his arm and shoulder. They yellow-eyed bird screeched and quorked, adding to the sound of the rogue's yelp of pain and anger. Rook seized the bird by it's feet and tore it free, hurling it at the ground. But the druid spread his wings and took flight again in mid-air, wobbling and missing the dirt by inches. It cawed shrilly and rose into the air, wings beating.

Panting and ignoring the deep pain that was already spreading it's roots through his arms, the rogue snatched his crossbow from where it was kept against the outside of his thigh. The collapsible arms unfolded with an oily click. He ripped back the string and seated a bolt with the same motion, holding his breath with his mouth set in a silent snarl, aiming, trying not to think about what he was doing, because if he did he knew he'd never be able to squeeze the lever...

The weapon made it's familiar Chk-whunnngg and the bolt hissed skyward, flying true and punching through the Druid where wing met body. The bird screeched in pain and tumbled in the air, shedding feathers as it fell, it's shape twisting in midair back to that of an elf. The falling Druid's eyes locked on his son's and this time when his hands came together the rogue wasn't fast enough. The Moonfire lanced down and caught him in the top of the chest, knocking the wind from him and driving him off his feet, stunned, with a smouldering circle burned into his armor. Both males fell into the dirt at the same time.

Rook coughed and shook his head, rolling instinctively and easily to his feet, though he winced as the move put stress on his gouged shoulder. Blood from his wound trickled down his arm and ran in tiny streams around the fingers that clutched his blade. He coughed again, his breath rattling in his chest.

"...Still standing." He blinked, shaking his head again, clearing it. "Still standing, you rotten old bastard." He laughed, only a little shakily.

Kalastarian's form twisted, grew and sprouted fur, until he stood again as a bear. He gripped the protruding shaft of the bolt between his teeth and tore it from his shoulder, spat it to the ground and snapped it under one of his enormous paws.

[blaze]

Blaze watch all this with expression of horror and anger on her face. Her hand gripped tightly in Mushal's fur making him shift and growl softly. He know his mistress was feeling and he know he have to keep her safe no matter what. When she smell Rook's blood she jump up run ahead a snarl on her lips but Mushal stand in her way and block her path. So she looked on helpless, a sad whimper on her lips as she see her mate being attacked by his father. But she know it had to be this way, deep down she knew. With a sigh she sunk to her knees and lean against Mushal for support her eyes intent on Rook.

Stay strong! Stay strong!