Random had awakened from her nurturing branch only to realize she'd gone beyond a simple nap to arise in time to witness the last phase of twilight. It would be at the first phase of twilight in which she could continue her travel forth to her sister's palace. Now let's see, she thought...This is the Civil phase and I think the phase I'll head over to Kessie's is the astronomical phase. Yes, because the phase before that would be nautical..yes that's it. That's when seafarers could use their sextant and the stars to find their way. Random knew that after such a long nap, she'd be wide awake, but decidedly lost if she ventured forth on this trail that seemed so contrary. Even though, it was good to be alone to reflect, Random began to resent this moment of thought. In outworld, she had Man's histories of her own kind to go by and the truth of it came from her father. In Man's history, the dark elves were decidedly evil and killed off the "light" elves. Her father set her straight. Don't read fiction if you expect to learn anything. Dark elves are simply a race of elves with wilder ways and deeper mageries. They can read minds, shape shift, and are loyal protectors of all the realms. Some of my most beloved friends are dark elves. They are wild, they love to "party", they enjoy simple things, and the truth of it is I'd often wished to have been born of that tribe. Random looked at her father, as he seemed angry with her again. Father, I only wanted you to tell me. "Go child" go and read a GOOD book! Her memory of her own little girl face stinging hot with tears, brought new tears to her woman face. Without hesitation, her own arms wrapped tightly around her own shoulders as she drew her knees to her tummy. Her own shuddering sobbing motions caused her to fall from the branch to the ground where she opened her eyes to see familiar boots standing there silently. "Random?" Ahh daughter..as a beautiful long hand reached to stroke her head..wipe the tears I am here to help you. She looked up into the face of her father. The tears turned hotter and wetter and heavier in her eyes.. and when she tried to speak she couldn't.. for the lump in her throat. "There, there m'love come come I'm here and I do love you my child. He knelt and pulled her to him.. You are my youngest child and I've been so strict and cold with you all your life. I am so so sorry Randi. There is no excuse for my behavior. I only hope that you find forgiveness for me one day. Again, she could find no voice, but looked to see her father was wearing a starpass. She simply embraced him and continued crying. He held her silently allowing her to spend her heart's waters as he then spent his own silently, but oh so wetly down his own cheeks. Finding her voice she was able to ask.. Father? How were you able to fit a star pass? You are full Elven. It's a long story, daughter, but there is magic involved and a bit of blood and tissue from the donor of this particular pass aided me into faking it into believing I am halfling. It belonged to a dark elf who has been of great assistance to your mother and I of late. I've never seen his face, but he is no longer able to travel beyond the gate. He does not want to anymore is what he told us. How is mother? Is she staying strong through all this? I know she senses us in danger, but it isn't just her daughters ,father, who are in such danger. There's been a force of evil brought into this world. Something that is having grave effects on Kessi. She's not herself father. We have had news of what is going on here, your mother is with your Aunt Sylvy and doing well. She is always strong, you know that. Yes, I know father, it's just much of it is for our benefit, so that we won't worry. "No dear, Much of it is her Irish lineage and her stubborn will. They laughed together, something they had never done or rarely done if that. Stryxn stood and looked up the trail.. You can't really make out her palace from here and it is getting dark, but I think together we can travel at night. I'm not tired and you seem rested, let us proceed and come what may. Random agreed and on they went off in the night together. The dark elf had witnessed the reunion, and felt a bit of resentment that his own father and he had no such love between them. He'd only recently met his father and felt it had been through cruel twists of fate. His father had come into the nexus around the same time Kessi and her mother had, as well as a few others who were searching for the child that night. Though he'd never met him he'd been told of him over the years. He had been a tyrant and a drunk who would never show up for public gatherings, but his mother felt sorry for him and took him into her home and heart. They had not wed for the elders disapproved of him and sent him back to outworld, alas it had been too late for he had impregnated his mother who had taken no other mate since. The elders allowed his mother to raise the child inside the nexus for they feared further contact with his father would prove fatal to her, and they were wise in their decision, for his uncle, her brother, not much older than he, but old enough to guide him..had become the only male role model in his life, until down the road he'd met kessi and the new rule that halflings could travel the realms through the use of a starpass. His mother really didn't want him to go to outworld, but knew he would regardless of her wisdom. He had to learn his way, and as the years passed he had learned the hard way. His father had somehow gained entrance again into the nexus with the use of a starpass, but did not learn of how he was able to do so until the dark elf who had lost his starpass told him how it was possible. That is when he decided to relinquish his own pass in the same manner for the good of things. At this moment it turned his stomach to know that the man/monster who is his father, is guest of honor at Kessi's palace. The liar claims to be her father as well. The dark elf decided to make certain that he kept in high esteme with Kessi so as to keep a vigilant eye on her and his father, making certain to keep his face deep within the hood of his cloak. He kept the trail between the palace and Random contrary, so that she could not reach it without her father present. He knew the love so strong between Kessi and Stryxn may well be the key that lifts this dark curse, that surely his father brought to Kessi. She must be so confused and tortured by what she must truly believe is abandonment by her family. He loved all the McGuire women he'd come to know over the years, each for their strengths, their imaginations, their own magical ways... but there was one of them he loved over the others. Now he must keep himself a secret, he mustn't reveal his past and now, a tear hotly rolls down his face lingering at the corner of his mouth.. as he is resigned to a new role in life. One where he doesn't get the girl, one where he is a silent hero residing in shadows and whispers. Randi.. look! Stryxn pointed toward a sabled horizon where just above the treeline stood a lone minaret, the tallest of the others. We are getting closer father. Do you remember when she made this? Not clearly, love, there was too much sadness then, we were being forced to leave her and she was merely a baby. It broke my heart, and I fear made it cold for welcoming you into the world. I'm so sorry for that Randi. Father, don't be sorry, you were a good father, you taught me well,and you made me strong. Not many children can boast of that. You did show love for me in your way. Let's put regrets behind us and begin anew. Stryxn proudly took his daughter's hand and quickened her pace with his long and graceful strides. She'd forgotten what walks with him were like. you just simply had to keep pace or he'd be dragging you along. He could not help it. His tall stature and long legs made him quick of pace. Even with her own long legs she had trouble keeping up. She loved the challenge of it though and did her best. This time..her best was good enough and she smiled from the inside out. The dark elf followed them un-detected and prided himself in his stealth. He'd been so close to Random he could touch her..and once he did. He took that chance, stole it to himself as possibly the last he'd know the soft warmth of her beautiful body. He took a deep breath on the night air and closed his eyes ..and thought..oh to smell her scent... or would that be his only indulgence. The second tallest of the minarets had peeped up over the treeline now,as Random and her father became more anxious, both deep in thought of what would come and how they should approach. Neither of them knew of the palace guest and what new dangers this may pose to them. Their only concern was how best to gain entrance enough to save Kessi from some unknown, unseen evil. Both of them being high idealists had hoped love to be strong enough a magic in their arena. The dark elf's head had begun to ache for he'd been constantly picking up on both their thoughts instead of focussing only on one. He knew enough to know that they both were thinking pretty much the same thing,and his heart went out to them as his hand went to his head to ease the aching. He stopped on the trail to collect himself, this he'd done out of necessity, but he soon became to regret it as his charges had gone from his field of vision. He eased his own worry by reminding himself that he did after all, know of their destination. What was she like father, I mean as a baby? Well Randi, she was very much like you were, and she could talk when I met her. She thought I was Oberon from her story books of faeries. She also thought your mother was Titania, Oberon's bride. She was so precious a child. We had a bond, that went beyond bloodlines. It seemed we were soul destined to be father and daughter. Not that you and I were not. I believe we are also soul destined to be in each others lives. The thing is your sister had this charm that was so strong and so magical. Most Oaken souls possess this gift, but she had it in concentrated form. She was a funny looking little thing in her tiny red coat when I first met her. She offered me a food.. Captain's wafers as I now know them to be. They were in about a million crumbles, but she taught me how to eat them. They were so good. Random smiled as she knew those to be her father's favorite snack..and now she knew why. He never ate them whole..he'd always crush them in the pack. Random listened contentedly as her father chattered on about Kessi as a child and she came to understand that bond. Her father was an old softy after all. She chuckled to herself as she gazed at him with new eyes. Dad, (he hated to be called Dad), I love you. He never stiffened as he was want to do..at the word Dad..he only smiled and squeezed her hand a little tighter.. I love you too Randi. I love you too, and I'm proud of you. The final row of minarets had now been rising over the tree line as their hearts raced and their minds whirled. Stryxn stopped dead in his tracks as Random surprisedly jerked to a stop beside him. What father? We're close child.. too close to go further without a plan of action. Let us put out thoughts together on this. Surely there will be guards and I'm surprised they had not detected us by now. Let us have food and make plans Random it is only wise to be prepared. Random looked for her pack, but it had been left behind at the cavern she sighed.. I've nothing father, did you bring anything? Did I bring anything.. do you think your mother would allow me to come empty handed? He reached in and removed one bundle wrapped with a red ribbon..this is for later, your mother instructed me to give this to you later. He removed another bundle a little larger.. also for later dear..this bundle was wrapped with a lavendar ribbon. Ahh here we go.. and he chuckled.. at the plastic ware.. umm the wonders of the modern world. I've brought yet another of man's creations into the nexus. Hope it won't corrupt it further. Random chuckled as she opened the containers and dished out portions of the prepared meal to her father and herself. Mom and her casseroles ummm I've missed these. Random I love your mother, but if I weren't starving I'd skip her food. At home I have to fake it all the time. Oh Dad! I think her stroganoff is good. Not her tuna noodle though..yuck..what's with that? Dinner conversation turned a little weird as Random remembered seeing a television set and hearing a game playing in the background at the cavern. Dad.. I don't think Mom's Tupperware is going to do too much harm here. *He just nodded with a mouth full of food he didn't speak. It was against his graceful ways. Random always remembered her father to be a very poised and well mannered male elf. When he swallowed he asked her please for the umpteenth time not to call him Dad, but father. She looked at the sincerety in his eyes and promised it would be father from now on in.