The next day the rain was still coming down and Garrett did not want people venturing out of the protection of the ward. One of the soldiers came to me with a message from Garrett to attend a strategy meeting. I followed him to the room that Garrett was using as his command post. I saw that included in the meeting was the three Preist Rune, Warden, and Atlas, the two spell casters Ignis and Aletheia, and Archer and Merrin. As I took a seat and Garrett began “I have called this meeting so we can discuss how we can resolve this problem before it can spread. We cannot wait here for them to send reinforcements.” He said “We likely can’t solve this with force. Judging by the extent of the corruption and the presence of whatever these creatures are. Can magic provide any solutions?” I noted the others looking around and Ignis said “We could try to destroy the forest outright, but no one here can summon that kind of power. I doubt fire will be of much use as I cannot guarantee it will spread.” I saw the other nodding as Ignis spoke after he finished. Merrin spoke “I have studied many uses and types of magic. The kinds of magic we would need to resolve this issue would border on the arcane.” Garrett stirred as he heard this “So there is no hope that we can solve this with magic. What do you think priests or you Seth.” The priest looked at each other and said there was nothing that could be done. “We could try using a magical array using runes.” I said. “I have never heard of using runes in a magical array” Rune said. “It is possible I have done it before, if we can set up a series of runic arrays in the proper pattern, we can use it amplify whatever power we decide to use. I would recommend not using destructive magic”. “Why not?” asked Garrett “It would be best to destroy the forest and all the corruption with it”. “No” I said “It would be best if we could purify the forest and everything around it. That way we could ensure we get all the corruption. The corruption might survive the destructive magic”. I laid out my plan for the array and were the individual parts should be set up. After several hours of talking, we left the room to return to our own rooms. As I approached my suite that I shared with the others I heard movement and muffled grunts on the other room. I burst into the room and was shocked with what I saw. Rowan and Sky were being restrained by two of the hunters and Jay was being held against the wall by Asher. “Glad to see you Seth,” said Asher “You have been spending a lot of time with these three. I can see why this one is quite pretty”. “Let him go and leave Asher.” I told him my voice low with rage. “No, Seth I don’t think I will you have been avoiding me for too long, and I am getting tired of your rejections. You are mine.” Asher said with a sneer “I think that since you seem to like this one so much, I might claim him too”. He pushed against Jay, and I heard him groan. My anger grew as I saw Asher hurting him. I felt power building in me as Asher continued. “I might even take those elves when they are older you can all be mine.” Asher let out a laugh at his plan. My anger broke then, and I lashed out with my power. With lashing force, I grab the other hunters with power, and they flew out of the door and the door slammed shut. Asher was thrown and pinned against a wall. “I am not and never will be yours Asher” I told him “I have been and have a claim on another.” I raised my tunic and showed him the claim mark. I saw Asher face go slack and a look of deep pain came on his face. The look passed quickly and was replaced by a look of rage. “Who” he asked, “It is him”. He looked at Jay with a look of livid rage. “You do not need to know who” I said, “You will leave me and them alone from no on”. “You are still mine it is only a matter of time” he said in his rage. “Goodbye Asher forever” I told him. I drew on the power and the door opened and he was thrown out of the room. After Asher was gone, I went up to Jay and took out the rings. I put one on him and let him put the other on me and we kissed again sealing our claim on each other.

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