Cielina and Devona take out the people that want Arin.

(Earlier that night.)

As you were helping Arin get prepared, you had no idea that Cielina and Devona had ventured off into one of the outer towers of the castle. Their fellow Amazons and Frost Knights had told others that they were trying to bury the hatchet. What they did not know, was that both warrior women were working on a certain plan, speaking in quiet voices.

"This has better be good, Devona." Cielina told her. "The deadline draws near."

"A good number of my people do not trust the people of Elilethiel," Devona replied, "nor do they trust Gaelica. My people are uncertain of what could come out of a marriage between our beloved King Bryce, and Princess Fiona. Yes, they have their strengths that could be beneficial to Itheria, but what if enough of Bryce's plan for rescuing Arinyagimli and Fiona go wrong, and those two maidens end up dead?"

"Are you telling me you want those two dead, Devona?" Cielina asked her.

"Aye, I do." Devona replied. "Me and my people share little or no love for Gaelica, for what they did to The Goldfields, west of here. Most of them are still feeling the physical and mental scars of their last raid, in which the parents of Duchess Irene Rabinne were killed. It will take another generation or two of peace between Itheria and Gaelica, before they can be trusted. As for Elilethiel, I can understand their reasons for asking for human help, but they are clinging to ancient traditions that are long dead. It is only a matter of time before they decide to abandon their forest, and make their migration to their distant refuge. The time of the Elves in these lands are over, Cielina. Let the Demons burn their forest, for all I care. Eventually, it will be humankind taking over Elilethiel. It may as well begin now."

"I find Surface Elvenfolk to be good people, Devona," Cielina told her, "most of them, anyway. How would the destruction of Elilethiel be beneficial to Itheria?"

"A way around The Great Wilderness to the north." Devona replied. "Although it is barely used by humankind, there are trade roads that cross the Elven forest. Those trade roads are the key for expanding Itherian influence, bypassing The Great Wilderness, and into lands further north."

"Yet you would have to drive off the Demons, before you can use those trade roads." Cielina told her. "What about Fiona's abductors? Do you know something that I do not know?"

"According to reports from my fellow Frost Knights in The Goldfields," Devona replied, "they're a group of mercenaries that were orphaned as little children by the last raid from Gaelica. They've posted a ransom for every gold from the king's coffers, and every gold from the coffers of every tribal leader in Gaelica, as reparations for the families that lost loved ones in the last Gaelic raid."

"I find that extravagant, don't you think?" Cielina told her. "No king would sacrifice all the gold in the world for the sake of one maiden. Do you know where they may be holding Fiona captive?"

"In an abandoned tower on the Northwestern tip of The Goldfields." Devona replied. "However, I have not informed King Bryce about this, not until the issue over Arin is resolved."

"You do realize that trying to ambush the Dark Elves on the cliffs will not be an easy one." Cielina told her. "If the reports from Bryce's lead spy, Akina, is correct, they have a good number of archers on top of those cliffs."

"Yet they are not expecting an attack from behind." Devona told her. "They will be fixed on Arin, and that will allow us to sneak in with our forces. If we find a suitable covert spot, we can make it look like the Dark Elves killed Arin, not us. We can do the same afterwards, with Fiona."

"Neither the Elves of Elilethiel," Cielina replied to her, "nor the Gaelic people will like it. I would rather have them freed, and let them complete their campaign for the throne. If Fiona dies, then the Gaelic people may try to invade Itheria."

"Let them try sacking a reinforced, fortified land this time." Devona told her. "Please think of my people, please think of your...siblings. Having Arin and Fiona eliminated will help us all. Besides, it is not like Arin will be missed by her family, being a runt of such a vast family. If the Demons' invasion does not kill Elilethiel, then their eventual migration will. Please think about that. Will you help me, Cielina, or no?"

(Now.)

"M'lord?" One of the disguised Elven maidens ride over to you. "Your two human warrior maidens are trying to direct the Dark Elves' crossbows at someone, and they appear to be aiming at Arin!"

"Take out the Dark Elves, if you must." You tell her. "Just make sure Cielina and Devona are fulfilling their job."

"As you wish, m'lord." The maiden tells you, just catching the remaining Dark Elven soldiers aiming at you. "Look out!"

You feel her throw herself at you, knocking you off your horse, taking at least one of the bolts that would otherwise pierce you. You work yourself back to your feet, just enough to grab your longsword and shield, and engage the incoming Dark Elven soldiers that follow the matriarch's command. The other soldiers join in, forming a defensive line, while the women on the cliffs begin to rain arrows on them. The other few Elven maidens grab their concealed bows and quiver of arrows, their ability to aim and fire quickly with precision is seen in how quickly they take out the Dark Elves in front of Cielina and Devona. Devona herself grabs the Dark Elven crossbow from the Dark Elf that is now falling down the cliff, and takes aim at Arin. Just as she thought she has a good shot, an arrow knocks the crossbow out of her hand. A stunned Devona looks up at Cielina, who shakes her head at her, then refocuses, and begin to rain arrows down at the remaining Dark Elves.

By now, the succubus, Zrixsya is scrambling to take flight, trying to take Arin with one arm, and the matriarch with the other. Cielina, all too familiar with encounter succubi, tosses her bow to one of the other Amazons, draws out her dagger, and waits for the right time to leap onto the succubus, much to Devona's dismay. In the meantime, your defensive line begins to push back the remaining Dark Elves, who are now being cut down pretty quickly. The hissing sounds of the succubus makes you look up, barely seeing Cielina on top of her.

"Bring her down, and then make her drop Arin!" You call out to Cielina.

"Alright, succubus, we're going for a ride." Cielina speaks to Zrixsya.

You don't know how she manages it, but to you, there's no doubt about the strength and endurance of the Amazon woman. You call for the men to duck, as the succubus is steered downward. A hissing sound can be heard, as Cielina drives her dagger into the succubus' shoulder, forcing her to drop Arin. Arin's momentum makes her roll on the ground, coming to a stop about 10 meters further down. The next time you see Cielina and Zrixsya, is when she drives her dagger into the other shoulder, forcing her to drop the matriarch pretty violently. Then you barely see them make a crash landing onto the ground, coming to a stop at the edge of the cliffs. More torches are lit, as you rush over to where Arin is at. She is obviously hurt from how she landed, as she is clutching at her side, groaning in pain. Others check on the Elf maiden that put her life on the line to save yours. A bolt did pierce the Elf woman's chest, but not at a point that would prove fatal, if left untended.

"M'lord?" Arin speaks faintly to you. "Is it over?"

"Aye, Arin." You tell her. "It is over."

That's when you hear a battle roar from Cielina, as she takes her flamberge, and drive the blade deep into the succubus' heart. Then you hear the sounds of incoming horses, and light crystals that signal Vessa's arrival, along with your elite troops, The King's Own. Vessa hops down, and rushes to check on Arin, then you.

"She'll live, m'lord." Vessa tells you. "Once we tend to her broken bones, she should be able to sleep peacefully with you."

As you help get Arin onto a horse, you hear the sound of metal cracking bone. You look to see what just happened, seeing Devona go through the Dark Elven matriarch's inventory, pulling out a scroll, a handful of trinkets, and a strange-looking whip. That's when you then see her battle axe dug deep into the matriarch's head.