Elaine's eyes gleamed up at Larissa's amidst the darkness of the bedchamber. "I love you too, Risa," she sighed, pressing a small kiss to Larissa's lips. She arranged herself contentedly in her lover's arms as she slowly nodded off.<br/><br/>An echo of fondness seemed to ripple out from the spirit of the ancient Ruxvan as she watched the tender exchange.<br/><br/><em>You are the Lady of Castle Rend,</em>Larissa I replied.<em>Or... you could be at least. To truly claim dominion over Rend, you must prove yourself strong enough to defend it. That is the nature of the pact, for the Lord and the Land are one.</em>This last piece had a ring of formality to it, like an oft-recited lesson.<em>Just as the people serve you in exchange for your protection, so too does the Land. It will grant you its power, and in exchange, you shall be its warden. When the Land suffers, you shall feel its suffering. And as you tend to the Land's ills, it shall bend itself to your will. For the Lord and the Land are one.</em>