Tae'loren's kiss was more than welcome. Elariel was pleased when he roused from his meditation, his attention was flattering and warming in all of the right ways. She leaned into his touch and let out a sigh of release, the tenderness of the moment erasing the horror of the day.<br/><br/>But it was over as quickly as it had begun, and Elariel was left breathless and blinking as he pulled back from her. The expression on his face set alarm bells off in her mind, and she had to stop herself from showing that. Her eyebrows itched to crease but she took a deep breath and gave him the benefit of the doubt. His words about her despising him were also enough to cause her some grief.<br/><br/>And then she understood. She felt the magic pulsing the moment he held out his hand for hers. When the stone fell into her palm she knew what it was for. Her first concern was that he could be communicating with one of their enemies. Her relief when the recepient was Aeo'leth was palpable. However, the relief was soon overwhelmed by the content of the communication. If her colleagues intended to share the information he would eliminate them? Surely he knew that was ridiculous. Even if his and Aeo'leth's skill would outstrip that of Neras and Roe'nor he would not think that the others would stand idly by. Perhaps he didn't think that though, perhaps he knew that the others would fight for their colleagues lives (whether they were misguided fools or not), and that he and his brother in arms would lose their own lives in the attempt. Is that truly what this information was worth to them. Elariel looked up into his eyes, silent for far too many moments as her racing mind tried and failed to come up with something adequate to say.<br/><br/>With a heavy sigh she took his hand in hers and pushed the stone back into it. She had met plenty of beings like he; old, wise, powerful, but also set on their course with a dangerous level of singlemindedness. He had probably been hunting down evils such as those since before she was even thought about. That realisation stunned her, she often had a way of forgetting the gaping chasm of years between her and her kin. Though as she looked at him her mind settled. She could sense the essence of him, the goodness radiating from his core. It may be rugged and determined, but he was graceful beyond measure and she had a feeling that his grace was more than a physical trait.<br/><br/>"You would<i>dispatch</i>Neras and Roe'nor for making an unwise decision?" Elariel asked, finally allowing her eyebrows to crease as she spoke. "You have rescued dozens of people from the depths of the Dark Temple, only to kill two who have not reached such levels? I saw you yesterday, you didn't kill the turned guards. You gave them the benefit of the doubt, the chance to live again in hopes of a better choice in the future."<br/><br/>Elariel relaxed onto her knees and reached out for his hand.<br/><br/>"Killing those two would do you no good. You know you wouldn't survive if you did. And then what would those people in the Black Temple do without you?" Elariel shook her head slowly. "I know Roe'nor and Neras. They are stubborn and pig-headed, but the fact that they have not yet given their answer shows a level of hope. I can't tell you that they will listen to my recommendation, but I can tell you that killing them would serve no constructive purpose." She also knew that she would be torn if he attacked her colleagues. She couldn't attack him, yet she could not stand by and allow him to attack them. The thought alone made her heart wrench.<br/><br/>"We are reconvening in the morning. Aidyn, Teirn and Solarius would rather keep our findings a secret than share, even it if means looking like we failed. I have no intention of letting the Guild know about it. Hopefully Roe'nor and Neras won't let their pride get the better of them." She gently pushed Tae'loren's hand back towards him, the one holding the communication stone. Even if she took it from him she had no doubt he would find another way to achieve his goal if he really wanted to. "Whilst I cannot abide the thought of others using the Fel power for further evil, I can also not stand idly by if there is a way to eradicate it. I must tell you that I know of people that I trust, with my life and that of the entire population of Silvermoon, to use the information to find a way to end the Betrayer's depravity. . I can help them. I think you could too."<br/><br/>Elariel raised her chin, her tone becoming firmer as she spoke. She would not hide her intentions from Tae'loren. She might not tell her colleagues that she would take the information to her contacts within the Kirin Tor regardless of their opinion, but she had to tell Tae'loren. She felt better after saying her piece, and she hoped that Tae'loren would listen to her. She settled into a meditative position and gave him a soft smile.<br/><br/>"Imagine the world without such foul fel corruption," Elariel sighed, "What would you do without the purpose and burden of hunting the Betrayer?" She asked, her palms resting on her knees.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>