Holier Than Thou

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded slowly. "I don't like this part," she whispered to him. "I know it hurts you. I hate hurting you. I wish you could stay..." She stepped forward slowly and slipped her arms around his waist, pressing in against him, as if a hug would protect him from what she was about to do. "Tell me if you're ready."

[Soran Nightblade]

"Psh. It is not so bad," he argued. He'd been thinking of asking her to face the other way, but her warm embrace was too wonderful to reject. His arms found their way around her shoulders. "It is worth it." He tucked his head down to place a feather-light kiss on her forehead. "In case there's no opportunity next time," he explained. His arms lowered back to his sides. "Go ahead."

[Emora Deen]

"There will be a next time." Tenele felt her eyes burn. "I am sorry," she whispered to him, placing a kiss on his chest where his heart would be. "Sagra ne ero."

[Soran Nightblade]

The words pulled him in half, like he knew they would. He shuddered and dropped to his knees despite her arms around him. He felt her come down willingly next to him, her embrace still there while he drew in a last sharp breath. Then his form scattered in a shower of sparks, and Tenele was alone again in her room.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele lay where Knight had left her, curled on her side. She felt her throat knot, felt like a terrible person for tearing him apart. She reached up and wiped the quiet tears from her eyes before collecting herself enough to stand. She went about putting the wine away, and the glasses for the maids to take.

She knew it wouldn't be long before Vlad or Atul came wondering what had happened.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad was the first one to reach the room. He teleported in, looking uncharacteristically sweaty. "Are you safe?" he asked, rushing to her side and noticing her escalated heartbeat immediately. His garnet eyes searched hers.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded, her throat too tight to speak. She slipped her arms around his waist and drew herself to him, holding tight. She exhaled deeply and inhaled to calm herself before speaking. "I'm fine," she told him. "I was talking to Knight, that's all. It is hard to watch him go... Its hard to be the reason he feels so much pain."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad reinforced her embrace with his own. He ran his fingers through her hair while she talked. He didn't know much about what Knight was like, but from what Tenele had described to him, he could sort of imagine. "What did you need to talk to him about? Atul and I were both in a meeting together that had already gone on far longer than necessary, so fortunately people weren't too alarmed that we "checked out" together. Checking back in as a sweaty, out of breath mess, however, did turn some heads. Truth be told, it was rather hilarious. Atul, on the other hand,"-

On cue, the door swung open and Atul rushed in. "What happened?" he gasped, jogging to Tenele's side.

[Emora Deen]

"Nothing," Tenele assured him, nodding. "Everything is fine. I just wanted to speak with Knight. If we are going to face Verin I wanted to tell him what we were up to... and run something by him." Tenele proceeded to tell the two of them the plan she'd hatched while enjoying the garden.

She took her seat slowly, waiting for the two of them to respond to her idea. "It would mean possibly getting taken to Verin's realm if things go bad. If he doesn't show up himself. Even still, if they take me there I can call Knight as soon as I'm in Verin's presence. The problem being that Verin has more power there."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's face was set in a steady, unreadable frown while she spoke.

Atul showed more blatant dismay. "It's too dangerous. I don't like the idea of you luring him without us there."

"He'll sense us if we're there," Vlad said quietly. He didn't look happy, but his expression was set as he looked at Atul. "She's right. He'll respond if she provokes him, and we can't fight a war in one go. We need him front and center."

"I can't believe you're agreeing to this," Atul protested. "He really could take her to his realm, where we can't reach him."

"He will certainly do it," Vlad affirmed. "If not immediately, then certainly once he encounters Knight." His gaze found Tenele's, concern and trust mingling in his eyes. "Ideally, barring an emergency, you must not call on us until you're there." He could have laughed at how ridiculous the word "emergency" sounded in the context of this situation.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele swallowed. "Knight said he could reach me anywhere. I believe if I'm in Verin's realm and I call him, he can reach me there too. If not, I'm sure you have some priests left that know the rights to opening a portal into his realm. If worst comes to worst... I'll just have to wait a little longer than intended." Tenele's green eyes flashed to them. "We don't have a choice. Vlad is right... as much as I hate to think about it, we need to confront him. We can't live in fear of him anymore. I'm scared, you can imagine how terrified I am, but if we are going to do this then we should do it right."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad afforded her an approving look, while Atul seemed uneasy. "I will at least have some of my strongest guards with you. A few seconds could make a difference, if necessary. And don't be a hero, Tenele. If you're still in this realm, and you need help, I want you to call us."

Vlad scoffed. Atul turned an annoyed look on him. "What is so funny?"

"She'll be a hero, if she wants to be, whether you make her promise or not," Vlad said, his tone saying he didn't approve but he certainly understood. "Just as you will."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele chuckled softly. "I think this might be the first time in history that you don't have to worry about me being a hero," Tenele told them, relaxing back in the chair. "In Verin's realm I can't be very heroic. I won't get any stronger or braver than I already am. At most I'll get a few useless punches in, but in reality I'll just be easier for him to touch." Her look soured and grew haunted by that admittance. "The moment I'm in his reach, I swear I'll call you. I won't be able to afford a moment more."

[Soran Nightblade]

"Good," Vlad said, approving of the fear in her voice. One look in those eyes, and he knew she would take this seriously. "When?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele cleared her throat. "I think the advisers said that they want me to do the blessing in three days. That's three days we can, eh, plan I suppose? I am not sure how much planning can be done for this sort of thing. I could call Knight later and go over the details with him, if you like. But, other than that... I suppose all we really can do is wait."