There was a flash and Seama teleported into the lighthouse. She was in hysterics which was very unusual for a Kurori elf. On the second floor, the Bronze Man had been remembering a pleasant that was rudely interrupted by Seama's rant downstairs. He immediately left his chambers to see what the fuss was about.

"NO! I WON'T LET ALYSON LEAVE AGAIN! I WON'T!"

"SEAMA!" The Bronze Man stood at the base of the spiral stairs with his arms crossed. He clearly noticed that the fairy was upset from the news from Alyson's elemental friend. "Calm yourself!"

"I-I-I won't...won't," Seama stopped flying around in circles in the main chamber of the lighthouse. "She cannot leave! You'll be sad!"

"Perhaps she will, perhaps not but that is not for you decide, nor is it mine. The choice is hers and hers alone." Lazheros remained where he was. He knew that Seama could be very possessive sometimes, and with her current mood, she would try to prevent the elementalist from leaving.

"No, no, no. She must stay. She must!"

"Seama," he commanded in a calm voice, "return to the Ancient Tree. It has been too long since you last saw the Elder there. Now go."

Seama tried to argue with him more. She lost. She could not deny the will of the guardian and obeyed. She vanished from the lighthouse and appeared within the Ancient Tree outside of Asylum.

**********

Alyson woke up and stretched. Her skin was dry from swimming in the lagoon and had forgotten how the salt water bothered her. She remembered where the bath house was and got up and left the room. Walking across the hallway, she asked one of the servants for a hot bath. She was told it might be a few minutes for the tub to fill.

The Bronze Man had come back up and saw Alyson awake standing outside the bathing room. "Alysiane? Are you not still tired?"

"A little," she told him leaning against the doorway. "I forgot how the salt water dries my skin out."

Lazheros approached her casually and felt her skin, "Hmmm, I suppose it is."

She looked at him in soft candle light of the hall, "I appreciate you looking out for me. Defending my honor and such. I did almost wake earlier and almost came down to give the swordsman a long over due drink in the bay. And as much I try to get sound sleep, I couldn't but over hear the tantrum of Seama downstairs. Has she really gotten that bad?"

The Bronze Man didn't say anything as he ran his fingers through her hair. ~ She's afraid of the truth. When the Elder of the Ancient Tree speaks with her, she may return to the city. And when your done with your bath, I have a gift for you. ~

The servant came out of the bath house, "My lady, its ready for you."

"Thank you." Alyson didn't feel like correcting the chamber maid about titles now. The hot bath was the only thing on her mind. She walked in, disrobed and slid into the hot bath. It felt so good on her skin.

Ten minutes later, she reemerged and clean wrapped in a large towel. Both of the chamber maids left her alone as Lazheros entered holding a robe. "This is for you, Alysiane."

It was a metallic robe made of bronze scales. Elegant and form fitting. It felt like silk when touched and weightless. Alyson was amazed by the craftsmanship of a such a robe. She looked up at him, her eyes met his.

"You love to swim but ocean is not kind to your body. And so I had this commissioned for you by the Arch Mage, who is a master of Enchantment. It will allow you to swim unhindered, and breathe underwater."

The elementalist slowly stood up with the new robe and walked behind into the changing area. She wasn't yet comfortable in his presence to change in front of him. She pulled the dress up and over her head. It felt almost alive when it hugged her body. The bodice laced up in the back and front. The front part was easy and yet she realized that he had this made intentionally like this. Her attempts to lace up the back were met with difficulty and finally came out and asked for help.

The Bronze Man breathed deeply taking the view of the elementalist. He waited a long time to see her wearing it, and was blown away by how well it fit her form. Without uttering a word, he laced up the back of the bodice. ~ So beautiful...~ He slowly wrapped his arms around her as she leaned into him. ~ This is nice. ~

Alyson turned around whispering, "May I stay with you tonight?"

The Bronze Man led the elementalist out of the bath house, across the hall and to his chambers. They went in and the door shut for the evening.