“You bring her here... and expect to find shelter within these hollowed walls,” Grim growled with a scowl. It was bad enough to have Rowan’s plaything back amongst them, but now he allied himself with a drow half-breed! Mykal suppressed the grin that threatened to appear of his face, knowing it would only aggravate the situation further. Grim’s demeanor was still no warmer than his moniker, and his jealousy over Rowan’s choice of him over his own advances had not lessened any over the intervening years. “She’s an escaped slave who fled Maerimydra when it burned,” Rowan argued, knowing Myst’s presence was not the real issue, “and he serves Mielikki... an ally of Shaundakul. Plus isn’t it our sacred duty to provide shelter to travelers of good heart... especial when they stand to fight beside us!?!” “You will not lecture me about what our duty is!” Grim roared in response, his frustration made worse by the fact that he knew she was right. It was their sacred duty to render aid to travelers who did not pose a threat to the security of the temple, and the other Knights nodded in agreement that they had indeed turned the tide of battle and save the patrol. But that didn’t make his presence any more palatable. “Fine,” Grim relented with an aggravated sigh. “They may stay the night... but they leave at dawn.” Turning his back on them he stormed off toward his own chamber, irritated by the knowledge that Rowan would welcome Mykal into her bed, even if he already had the exotically alluring half-drow to share his, while she rebuffed his interest in no uncertain terms. Like all of the Knights of the Shadow Sword, he had been captivated by her beauty, charm and indomitable spirit from the moment she arrived at Shaundakul’s Throne just a few years past, but, although she had been known to entertain others amongst their number, she had steadfastly refused his advances. Then Mykal had appeared a couple of years ago; a lone rogue adventurer who had come to find wealth and glory amongst the ruins for no greater purpose than his own benefit. He had stumbled upon Rowan while on patrol and intervened on her behalf, much as he had today apparently, and been welcomed by the Knights’ commander at that time. She had also welcomed him... into her bed! Despite being graced with the affections he himself had been denied, the rogue had refused to join their ranks and left the temple after just a few weeks, during which he had done little but loot the rotting remains of the once great city; seeming to believe he had some right to anything he could find of value due to his elven heritage. In the solitude of his chamber, he dropped heavily into the chair behind his desk and growled in frustration as he looked over the reports and schedules scattered upon it. When he had arrived at the temple he was a young, idealistic warrior, sure in his devotion to Shaundakul and burgeoning brotherhood of Knights; eager to prove his mettle against the monster infested ruins. But now he found himself growing soft, mired in the administration and minutia of command, rather than leading his comrades in the field. The very same fate that had befallen his predecessor, which he had sworn he would avoid. It was little wonder Rowan spurned his affections. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Additional Credits: * Michael 3 from DAZ3D * Honor Bound by Anna Benjamin from DAZ3D * M3 Fantasy Warrior by Xurge3D from DAZ3D * M3 Hooded Cloak by Daz Originals from DAZ3D * Michael 3 Millennium Beard by Daz Originals from DAZ3D * Mystic Hallow by LaurieS from DAZ3D * V3 Hooded Cloak One by Daz Originals from DAZ3D * RDNA Bladez 1 by Traveler from RuntimeDNA