<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Elora</span></span></div><br/><br/>Chaos shortly ensued once what she said to Brodin sank in. He looked at her hard and could see no hint of jest in her eyes or face.<br/><br/>"Go back to your room, get dressed quickly, then go and find Irin and stay with her in either room. Lock the door, and don't answer it unless it's me or father." With that he spun around and started to dress himself and Elora spun around and shuffled her way down to Irin's room. She didn't bother knocking and just helped herself in, closing the door and running to the side of her bed. Irin heard the entrance and rolled over, confusion written on her face. Elora didn't wait for her to question or make a comment.<br/><br/>"Irin, the orcs are about to raid us. Brodin is aware and is getting Uncle now. We are to stay here until further instructed."<br/><br/>It took a moment for Irin to register what she was just told, and as she sat up the realization was becoming more evident. Panic started to settle in, and Irin looked to the window. "How long until they are here?" she asked nervously.<br/><br/>"A quarter candlemark, most like," Elora replied as she briskly walked to the window. She gazed out and could see the black specks were very near the border of their town. She spun around. "Get up, get dressed, and hide yourself in the secret place if you wish."<br/><br/>"Bu-...But what about you? Aren't you going to come with me?" Irin asked shrilly.<br/><br/>"I'm going to stay here and watch. One of us needs to know if they breach the castle so that we may evacuate via the escape route." Elora looked at Irin for a moment, then softened her gaze. "It'll be alright Irin, one way or another. I won't let anything happen to your or me. Now please, do as I say and get yourself dressed."<br/><br/>Irin did as she was told and decided to sit on the bed with her knees to her chest, her dress dangling over them and around like a security blanket. Elora continued to watch from beside the window, wary to stand in front in case a stray arrow found its way through. She saw Brodin ride out with her Uncle and the commander, a sense of pride swelling inside of her. Elora wasn't a fighter by any means, however she did not shy away from the battle like most women would. As she looked up and scanned the horizon, the sounds of metals clashing together below, she noticed a sole rider in near distance.<span style="font-style: italic">Odd</span>, she thought as she craned her neck further to the side so that she may see the rider better. The newcomer did not look like an orc by any means, but she lost sight of him when he got closer to the edge of town. Elora scanned the crowds frantically to find him, but could not. She became very anxious, but before long the orcs were either slaughtered or retreating. She spun around and smiled to Irin, "The fighting is over," she said as she sprinted out the door, through the castle, and down the steps to where her cousin, uncle, and the commander stood. They were facing the stranger as he did a queer bow.<br/><br/>Brodin turned to Elora with a scornful brow, but didn't say anything as he turned back to the newcomer.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Dherune Shezbaernon,"</span>he said,<span style="font-style: italic">"If all is safe here now I should be taking my leave. I must return to the White Tower.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> White Tower?</span>she thought to herself, racking her brain. Where had she heard of such a place. Wasn't that where...<br/><br/>She looked around Brodin, her red braid falling over her shoulder as she got a good look at the man. Or rather,<span style="font-style: italic">elf</span>. Her eyes widened. Of course she knew they were out there, she had heard so many tales from history lessons, but Elora never actually thought she would meet an elf. They were a very secretive race and had always felt more like a legend or characters in stories rather than real, living beings. Elora tried to remember her manners and not stare so blatantly, but she honestly couldn't help it. An idea came to her.<br/><br/>"Uncle," she interjected, turning to him and stepping forward, "why don't we put together something to eat, or the very least to drink for Sir Shezbaernon," she said, daring to glance in the elf's direction. "I think it is the least we can do to allow him some comforts before his travels back home for coming to our aid."<br/><br/>Her uncle looked at her for a moment then back to the elf and gave a broad smile. "Yes, m'dear, indeed it is the least we can do. How bout it, Sir Shezbaernon? Will you be staying a while to take some comforts before heading off?"<br/><br/>((I stole your idea for titling the post with character name. I like the way it looks, and it makes it easier to follow overall :> ))