Aryun was sitting at the table again with the rest of the Heroes, and she watched the interplay between them all almost wistfully. She noticed that Erdric was sullen, quite and withdrawn, but he would still chat politely with everyone who talked to him.

Erdric, for his part really didn't want to be there, but rather wanted to hold himself up in his chamber not caring what others thought. He was tired, exhausted and in a slightly annoyed mood. It didn't help his disposition that his aunt was being a total rude woman to the Lady Aryun.

It wouldn't have been the first time she insulted someone, and he highly doubted it would be the last.

Lucria was a bitch, a complete and total bitch. She had treated Erdric with kindness until she found out that he was her sister's son. Then the proverbial hell arose. She tried to rule and lord over him, and Erdric made it quite known that she would never succeed in controlling him. He wouldn't let her.

Erdric glowered slightly as Lucria ruffled her wings, shooting venomous glares at Aryun, and speaking snidely to Raygnar about her, her heritage and basically how much she was a whore. His mood was already sullied, and this was just putting on the top so he could simmer. He sighed, not really paying attention to what was being said.

Lucria was grating on his nerves, and it always seemed that she was there where he didn't want her. Always hot on his heels. He growled lightly, his eyes narrowing at her form as he heard her chatting to Raygnar about Meikisama.

Meikisama. The whore.

He shuddered thinking of the tall, dark haired beauty, and he was grateful that she wasn't here. That would have just been the worst scenario.

Aryun was doing her best to ignore Lucria's sarcastic remarks about her parentage; instead just concentrating on finishing what little food she had taken onto her plate. She watched the interaction between Lucria and Raygnar, as well as the growing irritation on Erdric's handsome face.

She sighed to herself. This wasn't going to go well, nor, she believed, would it end well tonight.

Nara was trying to keep Erdric talking, but he had falling into taught silence. Mara and Brey were speaking about how impressed they were with Aryun, and Taloun was speaking to Xristis and Alena about various things that could be done. None save Nara and Aryun noticed the rising tension within Erdric.

They weren't surprised when he finally snapped.

"ENOUGH!"

Erdric surged to his feet, slamming his hands upon the table making everyone jump in shock. His voice was rough, commanding and had a violent undercurrent held within. He turned his glare at his aunt and Raygnar.

"Lucria, stop this nonsense bashing of the Lady Aryun. It serves no purpose other than making you look like the fool you are!" He turned the gaze to Raygnar. "And you, you have no right to insult her either. I will not tolerate your stupid antics and beliefs. Either of you!"

Erdric's hostile gaze was returned like for like from Lucria. Raygnar turned his face away, not wanting to confront the lord.

"Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot speak of, Erdric?"

Erdric's fists clenched, and he hung his head. "I will only ask you once. Lucria, leave here now. I am Lord here, as decreed by Master Dragon, Tashi'niti. If you have a problem with the way I run things around here, take it up with him for only he can remove me from the position. It is mine by right of blood."

"You are my sister's child, therefore I should be the one in power, Erdric. That's the way things work."

"No, that is not, Lucria," Erdric sneered unpleasantly. "You want me married off to Meikisama, as you want control of the reigns. It will not happen! Get your head out of the hole you dug, dear Aunt, and realize that only Master Dragon can appoint those, that I am the Chosen and you are not. It is my fate that I be where I am, otherwise I would gladly turn it over to someone better suited to the task, and that, undoubtedly, is not you."

Lucria glared at him, and threw her face up in a perfect imitation of haughtiness. "Erdric, one day you will rue saying such things. I only tolerate you because you are my sister's child. I resent you because she died after you were born. I resent you and hate you for taking away my sister."

Everyone watched as Erdric's hands turned white, his arms, body, and breath trembling, so no one noticed the silent departure of Raygnar. 'I may be a brute to him,' he thought as he slipped out into the hallway, 'but at least I'm smarter than she is. I do have some scrap of honor, and I do not want Lucria to draw me into this kettle of fish. This is her fight, not mine.'

Erdric lifted his head, pure anger written upon his face. "Lucria, I ask you one last time. Leave."

Lucria folded her wings back, and her lips pressed into a thin line. "No."

Like lightning Erdric was beside her, his hand around her throat. An unforgiving, imposing figure he made as his slender tightened upon her neck and gave her shake. "Lucria, you try what little patience I have, and you have openly defied me. I will not tolerate you, nor your obsessive behavior, Lucria." He gave her another shake. "Understand this: stay low, aunt or else you will find yourself loosing your situation here in Zenthia." He dropped his hand from her throat, and flung out his hand, pointing to the door. "Now, I highly suggest you leave, Lucria, before I forget that you are tied by blood to me."

Lucria's eyes were wide, her hands wrapped around her own throat in shock.

Clam, gentle, pushover Erdric wasn't that at all. He did have a spine.

Her eye's narrowed before she stood, staring at him before she quickly hauled her hand back and smacked him.

Erdric's face was turned, his eyes tightly closed. He turned his face back to her, and before she could even move, he returned the smack, sending her sprawling onto the floor with a sickening snap. He tilted his face, looking down his nose at her undignified position.

"I warned you, when I arrived, never to touch, or hit me. Now you see that I do not make idle threats. I don't want to see you, Lucria, for a long while."

They all watched as Lucria struggled to get to her feet, but she was hindered by one of her wings hanging at an odd angle. She swayed noticeably before she turned, walking haltingly away. She paused before the door, turning her bruised face towards the company. "Trust me, I will not come around you again, Lord Erdric." She spat on the floor of the dinning area before walking through the doors, closing them with a loud crash.