Night after night, this endless cycle of all pervading trepidation loomed over Barovia like a vengeful demon. Ireena Kolyana had all but given up hope and where happiness came; dismay followed. This life had already cost the daughter of the Burgomaster so much; the love of her life and of her beautiful twin daughters. The flames of her humble soul flickered like a candle, however, torrential winds threatened to snuff out that gentle spark at any moment. The adoration and emotional support of her father was the foundation that provided the footing needed to trudge on through the bleak abyss that was her life. Kolyan Indirovich found the golden-haired girl at the edge of the forest and took her in without a second thought. A waterfall of blonde hair that put thread itself to shame framed that angelic face as she shook those beautiful and haunting memories aside.<br/><br/>A mossy green gown clung to the demure and supple upper body of the regal looking woman before flaring out to a pool of fabric around slender hidden feet. Around a seductive, salacious collarbone that resembled a butterflies' wings - graceful and curved, Ireena hung a string of leather gifted to her by Sir Leo DeGrey, himself. Often slender fingers can be seen fiddling with the pure silver heart-shaped pendant when in deep thought. Tempered amber eyes gazed upon the soft surface of the bed as the men spoke in the background.<br/><br/>"It is that time again." Ireena whispered as she took a moment to stare at the men as they finished their sullen conversations about defense, macabre subjects and the final plans should the worst happen. Ornate and stunning pieces of furniture adorned the noble and yet simple ornate room where she was to rest her head.<br/><br/>It too was a degree of effort to not feel sick to know that even a single person's life was lost protecting her own life, even if it was on her own father's orders. Now there were only two. How could her mind not wonder just which one would inevitably be next? Inwardly, Ireena scolded herself and tossed a sweet and lax smile to Elrick and Andrei. "Stay safe." The sign of the cross was made by touching a hand sequentially to her forehead, lower chest, and both shoulders in a silent prayer for the remaining guards who diligently and valiantly faced death at their very doorstep. A slight nod acknowledged Sir Elrick's word with a humble smile and heavy sigh.<br/><br/>"There is no end in sight, is there?" Ireena asked this rhetorical question wistfully as she gazed off into the distance. The howls from hell that came from beyond the walls broke the serenity and safety of the room. The sounds of their nights contrasted against the pure and silvery sound of Lady Kolyana's natural voice. "It is early in the night Elrick, please do not insist that I sleep soundly, if at all. No matter the number of guards, I will still worry." The frustration could not have been more barefaced even if she groaned as loudly as she wanted to. "I've every mind to leave these suffocating walls and drag my imbecilic brother home. He is probably hugging on a bottle of cheap wine and curled up in a corner in a drunken stupor at the<i> Vine</i>. " Despite such harsh words, there was a moment to think. Hell... there was more than enough time to think considering there was not much else to do other than hope to see another day while feeling as defenseless as a newborn lamb.<br/><br/>"Speak the truth..." Ireena turned away, her eyes showed a side to her normal stoic strength she had not shown in years. A quiet vulnerability that seemed almost forgotten after all these years, she rested her seemingly frail form against the wall as she hugged her self as her voice quivered. "Am I selfish? Selfish for wanting my brother and father at my side in such a dangerous moment? Do not think me vainglorious since there is absolutely nothing glorious about it all." A crude, short laugh and a half a smile broke the shell of a perverted visage of madness or was it more of a more composed nature, "But I see no place more dangerous than at my side. For this very reason, be it true, I can not blame them at all. It was the only reason I agreed to send Esperanza and Katya away from Barovia."