A/N. Ack so sorry for the few of you who are actually reading this... I've been deprived of reviews and its deeply discouraging!! I know your out there.. I KNOW YOU ARE! And glance you found me! dies of embaressment Please be gentle with your pointy pointy words!!!!

Another lazy day. 'At least Rufus will be coming home' I said quietly to myself. Memories of Hrists words crept into my mind. I tried to erase them with the thought of how much less boring it will be once he was back. I slipped off of the reading chair and walked down the hall. Lenneth was deep in a book and Silmeria was trying her best to grab her sisters attention.

"Come on!" she whined, "Lets go hunt!" Lenneth shook her head, obviously annoyed by her sisters childish display.

"Why don't you ask Hrist? Im sure she will gladly accompany you." She wore a fake smile as Silmerias face dropped at the unsavory response.

"Hristy will hurt me!" She threw her arms in the air wish protest. Lenneth dove quickly back into her book in an attempt to ignore her. With no avail. "Please!?!" She slammed her book closed and her soft eyes shined pure anger.

"Leave me alone or I'll hurt you!" she warner her younger. Silmeria frowned and trotted out of the room. I closed the door and decided to continue my way to the water mirror.

Faintly in the distance I heard a vase crash. I ran towards it to find a crouching Xehnon. "Ummm... hi?" he smiled meakly. He crawled out of his hiding place beneath a covered table.

"What in hell are you doing?" I crossed my arms.

"Hiding, what else." He looked up and down the hall.

"From who?"

"The wicked green bitch of Valhalla, who else?" a sound was heard down the hall and he dove back under the table.

"You know, I think she will notice a table in the middle of the hallway that has NEVER been there before." I lifted the fabric to face his blue eyes. He got out.

"Fine have it your way, but when she skins me its your fault!" he yelled as he ran down the hallway, making a sharp left heading to his room.

I continued my walk and took a detour through one of the gardens. The clanging of swords against armor and shields could be heard as the battle maiden Hrist sparred with many einherjar.

"Come on! You all can do better than that!" she scowled, throwing a warrior across the walkway. I laughed silently to myself as I passed the scene of vicious battle. I was a tad surprised not to find Arngrim there.

'Maybe he is too strong for her?' I mused to myself. Hrist would never spar with someone publicly that she knew she was no match for. I eventually found this boreing and sought out my mage friend.

Xehnon was lounging on a chair. Deep in thought as he stared off into the embers of a slowly dieing fire. He tossed a crumpled up paper into the flames, watching it mesmerized by the crinkling sound it made.

"Freya is still pissed." he looked up at me. I hadn't doubted it. "I swear that woman has a flaming stick up her butt!" he held a sheet of paper over the fire. The flames licking at the parchment greedily.

"What cha' burning now?" I moved in a bit closer to get a glimpse of the papers contents before the flames ate them away entirely.

"Just drabbles of incomplete thoughts." He sifted through another pile. "Old plans and journals. You know, old stuff." The fire grew in intensity as he plopped the pile upon it.

"Won't you regret this later on? Remember when you said you would never need your old staff? Ly-"

"Lylia broke it." He chuckled softly. "No I do not need these obsolete works. Nothing but shadows of my former life, replaying horrid acts of murder and betrayal." He sensed my concern and smiled up at me. "It is for the better that I dispose of them."

He seemed different. Something wasn't quite right but I couldn't put my finger on it. He just was not being his usual cocky, mischievous self that I knew oh so well. He looked so sad for an instant.

"I would like to be alone, If I may." I nodded and made my way out.

I continued my journey down the hallway, quickening the pace. Loki appeared out of a corner cutting me off.

"My lady," he bowed his head. A semi smirk adorned his facial features. "Rufus returns." My face lit up at this news. I started down the hallway in a sprint. Unfortunately a wire, left over from Xehnons "greatest prank", caught my foot sending me toppling to the floor. Loki let out a chuckle before disappearing into nothingness.

"Oh yes.. REAL mature." I sat up, rubbing my aching backside. "I actually expected better of you.. I mean a trip wire!" The present finally caught up with me as I resumed my trek towards the entrance. I stopped as the great doorway opened. Several einherjar entered. I really could care well but then, in his emerald radiance, Rufus. I ran towards him, practically slamming into him. He had to step back to keep balance.

"Good to see I'm missed!" He bent forward and pecked me on the nose. I felt tingles.

"Always."

"Welcome back.." the voice of the green death sent shivers down my spine. "How did it go?" Freya crossed her arms skeptically. She clearly did not expect much of Rufus.

"They said they would take a few days to consider," he shrugged, "They would send a messenger with final word." He slid his hand across my shoulders as he walked past Freya and down the hall. She did not like him leaving on the final word, her emotions clearly painted on her face. I gave a smirk and followed Rufus down the hall. Freya muttered something hateful but I didn't care. Everything was going to return to normal... or at least something close to it.

A/N: Ack Im seriously at the bottom of the dry well of imagination at the moment. Currently working on a story with my friend called "Inner Jewels" and thats not going to well on a count that the notebook is in my locker TT. Well If I do choose to continue this [feed back I get from this will determine its outcome I have come up with a preview...

Rufus was walking down the hall as Arngrim intercepted him. "Whats up? You look like hell! Did someone notice your new bald spot?" He motioned his hand to where Ull had done his dirty deed.

"Ah cut it you ass," He retorted after swiping his hand away.

"Want to go beat up that little punk?"

"Can't." Rufus checked around Arngrims shoulder.

"And why the bloody hell not?" The berserker crossed his arms in discontent.

"I didn't finish reviewing the new book of code. Freya is going to hunt me down." He stole another quick glance behind him.

"Tell her to fuck off, your higher ranking than her!" His stance spread, putting an exclamation on his point.

"Are you kidding!? Thats like writing my own death wish!"

"Good point..."