The Princess and the Blade

[Emora Deen]

Lelana placed the stone in Ren's waiting hand. "When you want to communicate with them, hold it in your palm and speak. The person holding the stone will hear your voice in their head, and if they speak in turn, you will hear their voice in your head. It will only work if you are holding the stone. If you are not holding the stone and they speak to you, it will flash, to let you know someone is trying to communicate." Lelana tapped Ren on the nose, like he were a pet. "Let's hope they've found that book, aye? Now, go on. Before I decide to have you as a second desert."

[Soran Nightblade]

Ren stared at her helplessly. It was very difficult to move away when a Yurivis flirted so fiercely. But the weight of the stone in his hands anchored his sanity. To think that in a matter of moments, he could hear Laurius's voice through this object. He swallowed hard and managed to say "Yes, Yurivis," before wavering back up to his full height. "I will ask her... about dinner," he said. He bowed deeply, then excused himself.

The door had barely latched behind him before he was running back toward Tenara's quarters. He tried not to draw attention, but he had very long legs and even an easy jog made him unnaturally quick in the wide hallways. It was worth it, because being self-conscious helped him resist talking to the stone straight away. He had promised the princess they would do it together. With the memory of how hurt she'd looked when he left her, he couldn't wait to see her reaction to the stone.

He was at her door a minute later. "Princess," he called while knocking. "Princess, I have it!"

[Emora Deen]

Tenara stood from where she was sitting on the balcony and breezed through the curtains, back to her chamber door. She wasn't certain she'd heard Ren right, and feared getting her hopes up. She pulled the door open, ignoring the arched brows of her guards as she grabbed Ren's hand and pulled him in, shutting the door behind him.

She grabbed his hands and held them. "She gave it to you? She really did?" Tenara's bewildered gaze drifted up from his hands to his eyes. She searched his face a moment and said, smiling, "You first."

[Soran Nightblade]

"She did!" Ren smiled back at her and squeezed the stone between their clasped hands, and if Vlad had been in the room he'd have surely made some remark about lovestruck teenage girls. "Do you want to call them together?"

["Who?"], a bleary voice that only vaguely resembled Thvoros's tapped into both of their heads.

[Emora Deen]

Tenara's breath stilled in her chest. She had wanted so much to hear his voice, to speak to him and see him. She couldn't see him now, but she could hear him, and it almost brought tears to her eyes.

The last time she'd seen Havitharon, he'd been standing in the snow with her father before disappear, and before that, she'd been immersed in her magic, trying to quell his drug-induced rut while Ren conjured a portal. Everything else between was a blur.

Havi? Its me... For some reason she felt silly, and added, just in case she didn't sound like herself, Tenara... and, and Ren!

[Soran Nightblade]

Havitharon's thoughts churned sluggishly to life. He turned his head to look over his shoulder. He was on the ground, and only vaguely remembered what happened earlier. No one was there with him. Was he hallucinating again. [Tenara? I keep on dreaming you up,] he murmured, scoffing at himself. This was probably a dream too, but he was too pleased by her voice to want to wake up. [Are you eating chocolate?]

[Emora Deen]

Tenara gave Ren a confused look, and then laughed. [Not at this moment... I wish I could share some with you.] It felt odd to be uncertain what to say. She'd spent days and nights lying in bed, dreaming of what to say, and now she couldn't think of words. [I hope the dreams you've had are good... I miss you. Are you safe? Is Lauirus okay?]

[Soran Nightblade]

[Laurius says you two are eating chocolate and taking hot baths,] Havi half-smiled, and woke up just enough to realize this felt more focused than his other dreams. [Tenara... hold on... is this real?] His pulse began to jump as he noticed the stone in his hand. It was warm from squeezing it in his sleep. He wrestled himself up into a seated position. [I thought I was asleep. Laurius must have put the stone in my hand...]

[Where is he? Can you get him?] Artisuren's tense voice chimed in abruptly.

Havi smiled and scrubbed a hand over his face. [Hello, Artisuren.]

[Why isn't he there?] Ren demanded.

[I think I liked you better when you were scared of me. Alright, give me a second,] the alien murmured, and tried to make his muscles do their jobs and lift him. [Laurius?] he called, trying to be loud enough to rouse his travel partner but not draw the attention of the orphan in the next room.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele looked at Ren, a little horrified. "Do you think he thinks we are taking hot baths together?" she asked, forgetting Havitharon could hear no matter what.

Laurius's eyes snapped open. He thought he'd heard his name being called, but in the fog of sleep it seemed like he was dreaming. Then, he heard it again. Havitharon. Havitharon needed help.

Laurius was on his feet, stumbling into the next room like he was drunk. "Havitharon? Are you awake?" He rubbed his eyes, blinking them clear. "Are you sick again?"