[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Arlyth walked his steed right to the edge of the cliff, and looked at the horizon, and felt the whispering breeze caress his cheek. He sighed, and his own eyes were distant. "Perhaps... you should know of my hatred for the 'Kreen. You say she lost everything... yet I lost a brother to them. My... you were not the only one to have a twin, dear cousin. Unlike you; I have to live every day with the loss... the grief... you have no idea. Or perhaps you do..." he mused thoughtfully, "Imagine... your brother, Alaerth was taken from you, before your very eyes, and you were helpless, powerless to stop the ones who did it... to see his life blood spilling out in front of you; a fountain of red... that, dear cousin, is why I hate the Thri-Kreen so much." the young elf turned and looked away. "The genasi iritates me with his attitude; this is no game. We ride out to face demons, and almost certain death, and he acts as it is a stroll in the park. You know we are walking directly into darkness... and yet, you surround us with allies, who are made from the stuff!" his eyes flashed angrilly, "A void genasi! A being from a vacuum! A Thri-Kreen!" then he sighed, "The genasi... I can tolerate... I... the Thri-Kreen. Just keep it away from me. Please?" he begged, "I feel.. such hate, and rage when I gaze upon it... it... it frightens me, Alae. I want to slay it, I want to rend it's flesh, as their kin broke my brothers... I..." he blinked back tears, and look at the horizon. "I mourn for my brother every day... I wear black for a reason, cousin..."

"I... perhaps I have not been behaving, but I have been continually mocked. Don't tell me to live with it; I have enough trouble controlling my emotions around the Thri-Kreen... there is a darkness within me, Alae. The taint... that is within my father; only... his is no taint, his is pure... you know why Alliene calls him the 'Golden One'? It is because, he can assume the form of a golden humanoid dragon, but I... within me, is grief. Constant grief, hate, rage and fury. I may assume a similar form to my father, but Alae, dear cousin," Arlyth's voice was soft, mournful and on the verge of tears, "But when I assume that form... it reflects what is within my heart; I become shadow. A draconic humanoid winged shadow... I am split in two... my soul torn in two. A piece of me has been ripped out, and I feel no peace. When I rest, to meditate, I dream... I feel only darkness, the void. A starless night... I... I am alone." he broke off with a wail. "I feel constant pain!" he whispered, "And nothing else, when I sleep... Alae, you cannot know what it feels like." he whispered. "Perhaps I should leave... I respect Alaerth, and I would obey him, as I will obey you, but... I cannot take much more of this. Let me go, Alae... I am too dangerous to be around... I love you dearly, cousin, but I cannot continue being taunted." the elf had slipped off his horse, and was on his knees near the edge of the cliff. Tears ran freely down his face, as he released the pain from his heart, in what seemed like an age.