Rose Mann was walking along the street alone when a voice as deep as the oceans spoke up behind her. Turning with a grin, she found herself facing Kashat, the chief of the Trolls that lived in Dragon's Reach. They'd known each other for ten years, having met when he was meeting with the Elven King, Alathar, and Rose had been attending the Royal Academy of Magick in Poro. "By the Gods, it's good to see you again, girl." He rumbled. "Everyone here is just too civilized. There's just not enough of us barbarians." "Sarah and Robert are here as well, Kashat. The time for battle swiftly comes." "Good!" The Troll said anxiously. "My men and women are ready to go. We wish to finaly get our chance to make ammends for siding with Anathraxa in the Dragon War." "Speaking of making amends." Rose said with a smile. "Where is your pale shadow? We have something to discuss. About how he kept me waiting at the Lake Tavern in Poro on my last day at the Academy." Swiftly, Rose threw her arm back. She grinned as her elbow connected solidly with a set of ribs. "Damn!" A man's voice said breathlessly. "I'm sorry about that! The King called me away on business to my fathers court. I didn't have time to say goodbye." "I know." She said as she turned about. "King Alathar told me." "Then why did you try to break my ribs?" He asked with a smile. "Because you know I hate it when you try to sneak up on me, Vilia." "I forgot that the people of Edding have senses that are just as strong as an Elf's, otherwise I would have stood a little farther away." Rose snatched Vilia by his shirt and pulled him to her. "But I like having you close." She then kissed him passionately. When she'd finished, she lay her head on his shoulder and sighed. "By the Gods, I've missed you my love. This has been a long time apart." "It was only two years." Vilia muttered. "You forget, you are half Elf, half Vampyr. Two years is nothing to you." "Don't think that I did not feel the pain of our separation, because I did. Just ask our big friend here." "Rose, my girl." Kashat smiled as he glanced at the man. "He has done nothing but whine about missing you. I'm glad you're here. Maybe now he'll shut up!" "What news of your brother the King?" Vilia asked nervously. "Has he given you an answer?" "I have finally convinced him that the stories about Vampyrs are all false. That your people are just long lived, nocturnal Humans." Rose smiled up at him before continuing. "It was getting him to overlook your Elven ancestry that was difficult." "What does he have against the Elves?" Vilia asked, confused. "My brother's heart was broken by an Elf lass when he was younger. He doesn't want to see me get hurt as well. But he does have misgivings about the difference in our life spans." "Well, he has nothing to fear then," Vilia told Rose softly. "For I shall forsake my long life to live as a Human." "But why?" Rose asked in shock. "Because I could not face having you for just a short time, and then having to endure millenia without you. No, I will gladly give up my immortality for you." "He's such a poet, isn't he Rose?" Kashat said with a smile. But the smile disappeared when the Troll realized his mistake. Vilia pulled away from Rose and spun her about. Closing his eyes, he began to sing. "I am leaving." Kashat said grimacing. "He sounds like a cat being skinned alive." With a shake of his head, he was on his way. "Do I sound like a cat being skinned alive?" Vilia asked in mock horror. "Very much so." Rose whispered in his ear. "But you keep on singing if it brings you joy."