"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."

Seri brushed her reddish brown hair back over her shoulders again. A light breeze picked up on the path the two were taking through Asylum. It was said that the Ancient Oak Tree beyond the wall past the Commons could sense the joining of two or more individuals when love was in the air. Lightning bugs flew over the wall and surrounded both Seri and Neven in a beautiful summer evening display of nights lights flashing giving the area a surreal affect.

"WWWOOOOWWW!" Neven gasped in pure wonder as the lightning bugs surrounded both himself and Seri. The Thief took in the beauty around him as he leaned closer to Seri and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Follow me. I know of a breath taking view." She led Neven up the steps along the wall itself. The view was even more incredible. The lightning bugs followed the young couple and danced around them in a display of lights. Neven could now see the Ancient Oak. It was colossal in size, and even dwarfed the guardian of Asylum if he were to stand next in his dragon form.

"UNBELIEVABLE!" Neven's eyes went wide with excitement, "That is the largest tree I have ever seen. How old is it? Do you know?"

"Some call it the Tree of Life, some say its called, Yggdrasil, the World's Tree, and those of a place called Pandora, call it the Aiwa. We've always known it be the Ancient Tree. All the fey in the Realm live there. They have one Elder that counsels them and their ties with the Sidhe are also present there too. How old it is, even the Bronze Man doesn't know. Your guess is as good as mine, Neven." Seri held out her hand and several of the lightning bugs landed on it, "Make a wish."

"Do you want me to say it aloud or do so silently?" Neven asked a little unsure about what to do next.

**********

The three men disembarked from the boat finally to what seemed forever, and headed back to Mertul's tavern. It would be full of people at this hour and all were welcome to enter and wind down with plenty hearty drinks.

After about ten minutes of walking back to the Neverending Story Tavern, they entered and were greeted once more by Mertul, "Sire, welcome back. As well as the friends of Alyson. What will it be tonight?"

Madeous laughed, "I will have my usual stein of Dragon Fire, Mertul."

Willow nodded, "I am in the mood for a High Elven wine if you have it."

"Brandy," Irzen grumbled as he shuffled through the door.

Mertul smiled, "There's a booth over to the right corner that hasn't been claimed yet."

"Thanks!" The Swordsman made his way to his seat followed by the Ranger.

Mertul came back with a tray of drinks ordered by them, "Elven wine for the ranger. Your stein of Dragon Fire, sire, and Brandy for the swordsman, eh, you can have the bottle. Everything is still paid for when Alyson gave me a single platinum coin."

"She paid in platinum?" Madeous was about to take a swig from his stein but stopped himself.

"Aye, my lord. All drinks, meals and lodging has been paid for. Enough for an entire week's worth." The dwarf woman smiled and walked back to the bar.

"You seem surprised, Madeous," Irzen took a swig of brandy straight from the bottle and ignored his tankard altogether, "Your neice is quite wealthy. She is--or was before she abdicated her post--the High Lady of Stormhaven. Before she departed that barony, she took with her a bit of their wealth. Alyson is a woman of no small financial means."

"Not really, no. Alyson has what it takes to lead people against an enemy if need be," He took a big swig, "As far as wealth goes, that's runs in the family either back on Earth or here in the Realm. At least it used to be like that with everyone..."

"What happened?" Irzen asked with a raised eyebrow, "If you don't mind my asking."

***************

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.

The Kurori elf continued towards the children who seemed couldn't find a place to hide, "I see you! Hahahaha!"

"AHHH!"

"Oh-no!"

"Eeeek!"

Three kids went scrambling in separate directions trying to avoid getting tagged by Caliaphy. One nearly ran into Serna but dodged at the last moment.

"Look out!" The Shield Maiden cried out as the girl narrowly missed her. After the dodge, Serna turned and saw Caliaphy off in the distance, "Uh! Oh! I better run for it."

With that said, the Shield Maiden took off at a full sprint.

"Hahahaha! There you are Serna! I'm coming to get you!" Caliaphy ignored the other children and gave chase.

"You'll never catch me, Calipahy! NEVER!" Serna laughed as she ran away from her friend down one street, through an alley and into another street.

"Silly shield maiden, never say never! Teeheehee!" Caliaphy was hot on her heels who knew the terrain far better than Serna did.

War Scribe watched everything transpire and muttered, "That little pest is going to get caught for sure."

Out of sight but not out ear shot, Caliaphy's sharp hearing picked up a certain chronicler whispering somewhere nearby. If she couldn't catch Serna in time, she knew exactly where to find War Scribe.

Serna ran for all she was worth up and down alleys and streets with Caliaphy right behind her. The Shield Maiden took a wrong turn and found herself at a dead end with a high wall blocking her path.

"Rats! I went right when I should have went left," Serna complained as she prepared to backtrack down the alley she came.