For Rose it was one of many times in her life, but as a Rosenite it wasn’t surprising. She was raising with having no shame for the matter, though she was more reserved than most. It became clear it how visually upset she was at even getting caught by Bryony. She held the white dress to her and the elder Oracle looked amused. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You are always so uptight,” Bryony shrugged a bit. “When you get to be my age, you just let it all go.” Bryony shined rays of wisdom but also hinting she had a wild side. A wild side not even the sands of time had conquered. Rose was bright red across her pale skin as she tried to argue with the elder Rosenite. “Relax Rose, no one is upset with you. I’ve done my own tainting of the lake.”

Bryony let out a laugh towards Valnar. “Indeed, most of the spirits that linger in this place were at the peak of their lives. They want to live through us and well Rose offered them an opportunity. Only prudes would think it was actually tainting the lake water. Most of the spirits are trapped here so yes they do enjoy a good show from time to time.”

Rose took her time getting dressed in the clothing her mother had given her. It was an off shoulder plain white dress, the color of her court. It was hardly noble looking but it wasn’t entirely bad either. Pulling up her white hair she tied it up using a ribbon near by. 

Bryony tilted her head for a moment and looked at the book. “You’ve had that for a long time Rose, are you ready to throw that part of your life away? You were a priestess for Judge since you were fifteen. Throwing away a decade of work is tough for someone as young as you.” There was a warning there somewhere but Rose looked focused on it.

“What good would it do to linger Bryony? Darkness is down that path. As oracles we have a sacred duty to life and what good would I be if I just decided to stay in the past instead of the past, present, and future?”

The elder Rosenite seemed pleased by this response. “To answer your question Valnar, we’re going to the vault inside of the vault. It’s the safest place in all of Canelux.”

“Not entirely true, the conclave would be the safest. No mortal can ever reach there.”

“And yet you did not ask your aunt to harbor the book…” Bryony looked at the young one for a moment. 

“It’s not the godslayer its a book, we can keep it here. I would rather not make a bargain with my aunt least I make her mad.” Rose crossed her arms and she sighed as she picked up the book. “And gods know if I make her mad she will get me pregnant. That’s the last thing Valnar needs.” Rose chuckled softly as they began to move up another set of stairs. It was into a backroom, the stones were etched with various pictures. It was a simple set of double doors with gemstones encrusted into it. 

“The vault holds our most precious items.” Bryony instructed, “It’s guarded by people who know your moves before you know them. It is a win win.”

Opening the door was like opening a Dragon’s Hoard. Piles and piles of gems, coins of silver and gold, and large piles of lapis lazuli. “Lapis Lazuli is something we will always trade for. If you want business with us, we enjoy the colors of it.” Rose instructed even more, “It’s a power magic conduit for the area, not only that but we like pretty things.” She moved through the piles of gold and silver. “Where would we put a book in here?” The vault was rather huge and on the one side was things obviously traded by other monarchs in Canelux.

“There has a to be a book pedestal in here some where.” Bryony lifted blankets off some of the items as they searched. “Valnar can you help us find a book shelf or something in here?”

Valnar again felt relieved at Bryony's reaction to his jesting, Rose's family was proving to be the greatest group of people that he'd met since leaving his adoptive parents. As Bryony and Rose discussed the book and what to do with it Valnar put replaced his clothing, it had only been a simple set of durable brown trousers and a creme tunic. Valnar had seen no need in bringing his leather armor and so had left it at Toya's hoping he would have a chance to pick it back up before they left Sularia.

As Valnar finished dressing the elder oracle turned to him and revealed where they were headed, "A vault within a vault sounds reasonably safe for a book, even one as dangerous as this." Valnar reasoned, "It certainly sounds like the right place for it." he nodded at Rose trusting her judgement seeing as she was tied to the tome. Valnar laughed at Rose's mention of being made pregnant, "Truly maybe not something that would be desirable right now," he smiled conspiratorially at Bryony, "but maybe something that we could discuss a few hundred years hence. We certainly must buy a house first." Valnar turned for a moment, distracted by the beauty of the architecture, Sularia may have been the most beautiful place he'd seen it certainly wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility to consider settling down here, if Rose was willing.

The doors swung open at Bryony's touch and, to Valnar, revealed what appeared to be the wealth of all the kingdoms of Canelux and Parvpora combined. Every solid surface seemed to be spilling forth in golden waterfalls of coins and precious stones and metals, the second color most visible was the enchanting blue of the lapis lazuli. Stunned Valnar could only mutter, "I'll keep that in mind if I ever find a piece." Valnar turned about the room noticing that there were also intricate workings of stone and wood nestled within the golden coins, large standards of kingdoms long forgotten, blankets, almost every beautiful thing that could be made by the races of the world could be found here.

Valnar began digging through the piles of gold and silver at Bryony's request for help only unearthing the occasional chest, already filled to the brim, or cabinet. Valnar's search took him around the room discovering new and glorious treasures that he had never imagined, great wizards' staffs, armor and weapons laid with emerald and topaz and masterfully enchanted. Valnar had never seen the wealth of a handful of coins nevertheless this great collection of beautiful and glorious treasures. Perhaps one day he may claim something as his own.

Valnar carefully pushed aside a few Parvporan rugs and unearthed a simple wooden pedestal designed for books, "I believe I've found what we're looking for!" Valnar called. Valnar righted the pedestal after he had removed it from beneath the rugs and dusted himself off as he waited for Bryony and Rose to arrive. Valnar was glad to see this finished, especially after such a devastating and disappointing setback they had experienced before arriving at Sularia.

Bryony nodded at Valnar’s words and thought on this. “This place is protected not only by oracles but the queens and within the queens is the Goddess Angela. Angela is Rose’s aunt and certainly a good ally for us to have. She protects us when we cannot protect ourselves.”

Rose smirked, “Yeah, like that ever happens. We’re completely capable of protecting ourselves.” Except Rose knew it wasn’t completely true. “We’re always on our guard. The one time we let it down, Adeluna invaded. This is before the current queen took the throne. We’re a powerful ally but we got… peaceful. People died during the invasion along with the last King and Queen, this was before the five court system was established.”

Bryony nodded. “Kyoto and Serenity Rose were Rose’s grandparents and parents to the current four queens outside of Kirika who took over her mother’s position. Arri has had a lot of heartbreak but we try our best to mend where we can.”

Rose got bright red towards Valnar’s words. “It doesn’t have to be a hundred years, my mother certainly doesn’t have that type of patience.” It showed she thought about settling down a lot of the time. “Mother is all about the grandchildren, she drives herself nuts over the two that she does have.”

Bryony smiled, “Four, the four she has. You need to go see Keira when you are done.” Rose stopped and stared at Bryony. “I’m not even lying, the fact your mother didn’t say anything shows her mind was in another place.”

“Did she already have them?” Rose caught up with Bryony. “A seventeen year old beat me to motherhood. I am a terrible Rosenite.” Rose groaned a bit before laughing.

“She is about six months pregnant now. I wouldn’t be too worried, the boy who got her pregnant is quite… special. I don’t know how else to describe Torn.” Rose tilted her head before they set out to find the spot for the book.

Rose seemed discouraged by the lack of a spot but when Valnar found one she came running over excited. “Oh thank goodness I thought we were going to have to have one made.” And that could have taken a bit. Bryony made her way over and nodded looked it over. 

“I think I brought this one home back when I first started my travel.” She knocked on the wood and looked it over. “This is thousand year old mahogany.” She chuckled a bit. “It might have been me. I remember when I first took a look at Laeto and almost panicked at the size of it. Beautiful place but dangerous.” Rose chuckled and put the book down on it. 

“That’s it? No enchantment to hide it?” Rose tilted her head.

“No, it should be fine. Willow might want to look at it later… She does decide what happens in this room.” Bryony kicked some gold out of her way. “We Arriese don’t really value gold and silver, we use it for construction but people always trade it to us. We in turn trade it for gemstones, which we use as our currency, from the treasury.  This is only one treasury, we have little potholes filled everywhere in the catacombs beneath the city. Though they are heavily guarded with spells and enchantments.” She put her hands on her hips and sighed. “You two might not know it but it’s night time out.. I would suggest heading over to a tavern and stay clear of your mother. You know how much she likes her booze in the evening.” The elder Rosenite left them.

Rose stood there and looked up at Valnar. “Did you mean it? About settling down?”

After Bryony had left Rose asked Valnar if he'd been serious about settling down, Valnar took her hand interlocking his fingers with hers and looked her in the eyes, admiring the shifting blue and said, "Absolutely, nothing would make me happier then to spend all the years of my life with you Rose. Everything we've been through has shown me that even if I didn't know it until a few moments ago in the lake." Valnar smiled, everything he'd said was true, walking through the streets of Sularia Valnar could see them living there happily surrounded by Rose's family and living their life. He did have to admit though that he hadn't thought of children of his own would come for several more years, he was still extremely young for a Drow, but he was up for whatever challenge that Rose was willing to experience. Besides with how close all the Rosenites were it sounded like they made the perfect mothers, Valnar didn't think they'd have much to worry about that way.

Valnar embraced Rose and kissed her momentarily, Valnar had wanted to someday claim one of the treasures within one of the Arriese vaults but he had found the greatest treasure that the world could offer him and she was here between his arms. Valnar tugged on Rose's hand, "Come on Rose, let's find us a nice place to stay tonight." As they exited the vaults and returned again to the surface Valnar was still stunned by the beauty of the night. The light from the guards' torches and lanterns hanging on doors shone brightly against the gold and silver of the street almost creating the illusion that the city was glowing of it's own power. Valnar admittedly wandered longer than they needed, mostly so he could see more of the city, before finally settling on The Drunken Rose tavern. The sign above the door sported a mug (presumably full of alcohol) with a rose growing out of it.

Valnar led the way inside and flagged the innkeep, a thin officious looking man, down over the general din of the common room. After purchasing a room and requesting their drinks and dinner delivered, Valnar made their way upstairs to the room. It was cozy, similar to the room they had first shared together back at the Winking Mermaid but more things were made out of gold here than in Adeluna.

Valnar removed his shirt and turned toward Rose, taking her in his arms he said "Would you like to get more comfortable Rose? We're still slightly damp from the fun in the lake."

Rose gently rubbed her thumbs across his knuckles. “That would make me happy as well.” She admitted it easily now that they were together. “I don’t know how I feel about children at this moment but it would come down to how my mother feels about the whole thing. I know she has her hands full with Keira at the moment… and I know Astrid and Remedy get her riled up easily enough as it is.” She mused, she had always put others in front of her.

She rubbed her forehead against his softly after their kiss. She was a tad disappointed when he pulled away but chuckled at his words. “It is getting late isn’t it?” She knew from Bryony’s words that darkness was already settling in. She wandered the streets with him, not saying a word as they passed many fine establishments, she knew he was just sight seeing at that point. Arri was so bright even during the night.

Off in the distance pyrotechnics hit the skies, filling them with bright colors. “Must be a celebration of some sort.” Rose said gently. “I wonder what.” It wasn’t her place to snoop as she held his hand. “Maybe a son was born.” It was well worth the money on pyrotechnics for something like that.

Soon they found the Drunken Rose and she settled a bit. Once up in their room her eyes met his and she smiled. “I would love to get more comfortable. There’s not Bryony to interrupt this time.” Rose took her dress off and chuckled softly as she flopped onto the bed and stared up at Valnar. “When do you think our drinks and food will be here?”

Valnar smiled as he fell into bed next to her and held her close, he just loved the feel of her skin. "I think Bryony is the greatest but I must admit that when she first spoke I don't think I had hated another person as much as I did her in that moment. Glad that we are alone and away from such…distractions" Valnar buried his face in her hair and took a deep breath, "Gods she's amazing" Valnar thought.

As Valnar opened his mouth to reply to Rose's question about dinner there was a tentative knock at the door. Valnar winked at Rose, "I think it's here." he stood after having kissed Rose's forehead and cracked the door so that Rose wouldn't have to move to cover herself. There was a young boy there with a wooden platter on which rested two plates of salt pork with potatoes all covered in dark gravy and two mugs spilling rivulets of foamy ale down the sides. The boy himself appeared to be nearly 13 or 14 years wavy dark brown hair and eyes full of fear and trepidation, possibly the innkeeps own boy. Valnar smiled at him, "Thank you for such timely delivery, here's some crescents." Valnar handed the boy 5 silver pieces while also taking the platter, he didn't begrudge the boy his fear though at that age almost everything could be terrifying. Valnar remembered being that age and almost always being terrified at new or different carriages or caravans of traders coming through town on their way to Adeluna City, he was sure he had looked just as this boy did now curious awe tempered by fear. At the sight of the silver though the boy brightened noticeably, "Thank ye sir!" and he ran off.

Valnar placed the platter down chuckling to himself, he would never get used to how people reacted to his Drowish features and heritage but it was amazing how much children didn't care about race. A halfling, Rosenite, dwarf and elf adult may visit the same tavern everyday at the same time and might not say a word to each other but their children would play together in the dusty streets without a single care for what anyone thought, parents included. The analogy may be a little stretched, all those races were friendly and considered goodly races, but it worked in Valnar's mind.

Valnar turned to Rose and, with a dramatic flourish, bowed low with one hand extended, "Dinner is served madam, shall we eat or engage in other entertainments?" Valnar smiled brightly.