"Serna had a little spat with Caliaphy over the affections of you, ranger. I suggest you hear what the shield maiden has to say before things get out of hand when Caliaphy returns." The bronze man told him.

"Affections?! For me?! Surely you jest!" The Ranger gave the Cleric a quizzical look.

"Why do you think Serna got upset with Alyson regarding you? The shield maiden has had feelings, or as humans say, 'she has a crush on you.' And no I am not joking. In fact Serna is on her way with Alyson to tell you exactly how she feels about you. " The bronze man gestured to the stairs, "Perhaps its best that we meet them half way."

"Agreed," Prince Willow replied, "But when we meet them, can Serna and I have the room alone? There are things which must be said betwixt us that are not for the prying eyes or ears of friends. Understood?"

"As you wish, Prince Willow." The bronze man lead him down to the lower level of the palace to one of the smaller rooms that catered to visitors here in the city.

Willow entered the room and stood stock still as he patiently waited for both Alyson and Serna to arrive.

*********

The elementalist stepped up out of the bath, dried herself off and got dressed, "I'll just wait here until you're finished. Then I will escort you up to see Willow and you can tell him exactly how you feel and what he means to you."

"Good!" Serna finished bathing and began to dry herself off, "I guess its time that he knows how I really feel about him--before that mean, nasty fairy puts her moves on my man!"

Alyson sighed quietly to herself, "Whenever you're ready, Serna."

"Okay, I'm ready," Serna wrapped herself up in a bathrobe and left her clothes behind in the bath. Placing her shield upon her arm, the Shield Maiden boldly declared, "Lead me to him."

"Kurori don't like to loose, or admit when they are bested. You're lucky she did it here and not back in Asylum." Alyson opened the door of the baths for Serna, "Lazheros is bringing Willow half way to meet with us."

"Kurori don't like to lose, huh?" Serna replied with a determined voice, "Well, Calipahy better get used to it because all I do is win! I have no problem meeting them halfway, Alyson, as long as I can have a one-on-one conversation with Willow and express my feelings to him. I think I'm going to be fine."

The elementalist lead Serna up to the small room where Lazheros was waiting with the ranger, "Good luck, Serna."

"Thanks, Alyson," Serna smiled before she entered the room where Willow awaited her.

Lazheros nodded quietly to Willow and stepped out into the hallway with Alyson while they talked.

Prince Willow walked to the doors and closed them behind Serna after she entered the room.

*******

"I will be surprised if Serna has the courage to say what's on her mind, Lazheros." Alyson said quietly.

Lazheros rubbed his chin, "We shall see."