"It is beautiful tonight," Neven wrapped his arm around Seri's waist, "Just like you!"

She blushed, "Thanks. Neven, have you ever thought about maybe staying here? At least for awhile? I really like you. We all do. But mostly me, would you at least consider and think about it." Seri stammered a bit in her words, "I understand if you can't stay here. Friends come first..."

Neven smiled as she blushed, "I confess that I never thought about staying here. I'm glad you like me. I like you too, Seri, and I will make you this promise. I will think about it and consider it. Okay?"

Neven gave Seria a soft kiss on her lips.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and fully embraced him under the starlight night.

"This is nice," Neven commented when he broke the kiss, "And so are you."

Seri smiled warmly at Neven, "Yes...yes it is. Ummm, so continue with the tour or would you like to go somewhere more secluded?"

"Continue with the tour," Neven sighed, "I want to see the whole of this city and more importantly," Neven squeezed Seri's hand comfortingly, "I want to see it with you."

***********

Lazheros wasn't intimidated in the least by the aggressive nature of the Lord Irzen. He had seen plenty of individuals through his long life just like him.

"And we are leaving, good eventide, my lords," Willow finally dragged Irzen out of the lighthouse and did his best to steadily push the Drow down the path towards the boat.

The knight kept his distance from the swordsman's volatile nature. Drow were noted for their quickness and speed which on more than one occasion dropped an enemy so fast that it gave their enemies pause before engaging them.

The Bronze Man walked to the threshold of the lighthouse, and watched the ranger 'assist' the swordsman back down towards the dock. *Wux sveargith, korth?* He waited until all three were back on the boat before walking back into the lighthouse. The door closed behind him for the night.

Lazheros did not consider himself to be self-righteous as the swordsman proclaimed. Perhaps if he was a gold dragon instead of bronze that would of been more accurate.

Madeous shook his head at the swordsman in disbelief, "I won't ask. I don't want to know what your issue is with Lazheros. All that matters is that the peace is kept here in Asylum."

"My issue with that dragon is that I do not like being tested like I'm some tardy child at school!" Irzen snapped back at Madeous, "I am a mercenary captain and a lord of a noble house! When I walk into your home either greet me at the door or slam it in my face, don't treat me like a child because it amuses you! Treat me like a guest or an unwanted visitor."

"Fair enough." Madeous nodded.

He then turned to the ranger, "My apologies and thanks, Willow. I now understand why you did what you did and I won't bring up the issue no more, you have my word."

"There is no need for an apology and you are most welcome, Madeous," The Ranger replied calmly, "And we can talk about my situation at any time of your leisure. I really do not mind. Soon we shall be away from Asylum and then it will not matter whether or not my people know that I am here or that I was here. My coming and going will be as if I were a leaf upon the wind."

"What I should do is return home to Naermon Nithren, rebuild my Shadow Riders, rally a few other Drow city-states to my cause, return here with a Drow legion at my back and burn this place to the ground!" Irzen half-grumbled under his breath, "Now THAT would be a fitting test for that test master of a dragon!"

The platinum knight raised an eye brow, "Was there anything else, you wanted to get out, Lord Irzen? Or was that it?"

"No! That's not it!" Irzen snapped as he turned towards Madeous, "I need a drink! And a good night's sleep."

"I'm headed back to Neverending Story tavern. There's plenty of drinks to be had, fine company, and room to rest." Madeous said quietly.

"I'll join you," Irzen grumbled, "Any inn in this town is as good as any other, I guess."

"I will come with you as well," Willow added, "At the very least, it will give me an opportunity for me to tell you my story, if you wish to hear it."

***********

"Oh no! Silly drowling. I said that the person who was IT could not use any MAGIC! I did not say that we couldn't use magic. Besides, from your current disposition, you would of eventually cheated because you hate to lose. Sorry, you don't like the rules of the game! Even Alyson didn't use any magic, and yeah she lost some of the matches but she had fun!" Caliaphy cheered the drowling for effort. "However, you did make an attempt not to cheat, so...I guess. Fair is fair. Not everyone made it to the safe spot, and I would be glad to be it this time. It's only fair."

"Wow! That was easy," The Drowling admitted with a surprised look on her face, "I thought I was going to spend half the day arguing with you. You know what, you're pretty cool, you little wretch!"

A bunch of the children gasped in shocked but most laughed. The kurori elf smirked, "The Commons will be the area for the next round. No going outside the limits, and no hiding in the buildings as before. So, War Scribe, are you up for another run of Hide and Seek?"

"Sure, why not!" The Drowling smiled, "It was fun! Different without any death or killing involved, but fun. I like this game. I like this game a lot."

"YEAAA!" All the children cheered in unison. Caliaphy waved the shield maiden over, "This way to the Commons, Serna!"

"Okay!" Serna followed Caliaphy as War Scribe began to look for a place to hide.

"Serna, that means you need to hide too. I am the one who's it. Counting now, 1, 2, 3," The Kurori elf covered her eyes so Serna could go and hide.

Serna and War Scribe ran off to hide in opposite directions while Caliaphy counted.

The Commons was mostly a large park area with plenty of trees to hide behind or in depending on one's level of expertise. Down the center was a single row of houses and at the head of them was, Madame Mabel's Washer women's place. The name said it all with the smell of clean linens hanging from clothes lines from the upper stories. A series of bushes and shrubs lined either side of the row of buildings on both sides making ideal places to hide.

"4,5,6,7,8," Caliaphy counted out loud giving plenty of time for Serna and War Scribe to hide.

Serna ran behind a tree to hide while War Scribe hid behind a series of bushes opposite from Serna's hiding place.

"9,10,11,12,13,14," Caliaphy continued the count loud and clear for all to hear, "15,16,17,18,19,20! READY OR NOT HERE I COME!!"

The kurori elf scanned the area for movement. Nothing close to her but in the distance, she spotted some of the children scurrying about and headed off in that direction. She didn't even notice War Scribe, or Serna hiding nearby as she passed them.

Both of them saw Caliaphy stroll past them and blew a sigh of relief.