At the same time that Storm and Aurora had their mission to The Order's fundraising ball, Orian and Chrome had a hard week's journey through the Underworld.
Although the march was uneventful, that only added to the length and boredom of the trip.
Since the hive's destruction, all traces of goblins had been scoured from the surrounding tunnels.
The tunnels they were following that connected Sanctuary with the Mythril Mountains was as well constructed and maintained as any highway above ground connecting two kingdoms.
Caravans transporting goods or people regularly traveled along the underway and several armed patrols ensured that the roads were kept clear of dangers.
They encountered small settlements constructed along the road connecting the 2 cities, which were considerably more fortified than above ground villages due to the dangers of the Underworld.
Their inhabitants grew fields of glowing mushrooms to sustain themselves as well as maintaining herds of Deep World Hogs to be slaughtered for meat.
The dwarves staying in these Underworld settlements were a strange lot, even to other dwarves.
They spent their entire life underground and had never even seen the sun. They knew every single tunnel around and where they led to and had an almost 6th sense for sniffing out mineral deposits.
Due to them being so used to the confined tunnels of the underworld, they had a morbid fear of wide open spaces and couldn't bare to be above ground for extended periods of time.
The guides their expedition were using were all from the Underworld inhabitants, also called 'Deep Dwarves ' by their fellows.
Their group was small, mostly just Orian, Chrome, Augustus, and a small squad of Ashenari and Dwarves.
Whatever other forces they would need were going to have to be called up from the surrounding settlements.
The Phoenixes had already promised their aid, and they had a meeting scheduled with the leaders of the Mythril Mountains Dwarven clan.
If luck was on their side, then they too would join in the fighting.
Chrome was extremely excited for the mission to come. His first proper siege and command. Orian would have been too if his mind wasn't constantly distracted by thoughts of Violetta.
Immense guilt for what he had done troubled his conscience.
After they both made their attentions and attractions known to each other, they immediately got to work, almost wrecking the classroom in the process.
Orian wasn't sure if it was the memories of his old life being seperated from his beloved for centuries, or his own frustrations and loneliness.
But when he saw Violetta, who so closely resembled his secret attraction that was now seperated from him, and in an adult body at that, his mind fooled his body into thinking she was Lavender returned to him. Someone whom he would never see again.
And his body didn't hesitate to react on it.
He knew he was using her, but he so desperately needed release that he did it without consideration.
After he returned to his senses, he felt terrible for what he had done. He knew this wasn't the individual he longed for.
Although she was far from an 'unwilling' participant, it was highly likely that she wanted what Orian was unwilling to give.
He knew nothing about her except for a name, and yet he took something highly precious from her without hesitation or consideration.
If they turn out to be incompatible, then she might hate him when he rejects her advances and casts her aside.
Something of his thoughts must have shown because his brother confronted him suddenly.
"What is going on with you!!? You've barely said a word since we left and have been distant this entire time?" Asked Chrome.
Orian didn't have time to tell his family about Violetta yet. Things came to a head too quickly and truthfully, Orian dreaded having to tell them what he had done.
His parents most certainly wouldn't approve, and although Chrome would support his brother's decision. He probably wouldn't like that Orian had used an innocent dragon to relieve his depression.
"I'm sorry, brother... I've just got a lot on my mind right now..." stated Orian.
His brother seemed to hesitate before speaking up again.
"...look... I know I didn't know Lavender or Tanwen or whatever she called herself as well as the rest of you, so I might not be the best person to tell you this...
But I do know her well enough to tell you that she wouldn't have wanted you to keep mourning her, she would have wanted you to go out, make new friends, start a family of your own eventually. " Explained Chrome.
"..."
"... what.. if I've met someone already..." stated Orian.
Chrome stared at his brother before patting him on the back.
"And here mom and dad thought me and Xenia moved too quickly!! I'm happy for you, brother ! But when do you intend to introduce us to the lady?!" Asked Chrome.
"We only just met!!" Exclaimed Orian.
"Well, who is she? Is it someone we know? What is her profession?" Asked Chrome.
"Her name is Violetta, you haven't met her yet. She's a new teacher at school and have only recently moved to the city." Explained Orian.
"Hmmm, I suspected you would go for the 'brainier' types... mom and dad will be ecstatic! We all feared that you might become a loner with no interest in starting relationships or a family of your own."
Orian gave no reply and decided to change the topic.
"Chrome...? When you and Xenia got together ...? It happened pretty quickly..?" Asked Orian.
"So I am constantly reminded, yes..." stated Chrome.
"How did you know she was the one you wanted?" Asked Orian.
"Just felt... right... I suppose... it's difficult to explain... May I ask what prompted this? Are you having doubts?" Asked Chrome.
"She looks just like an adult Lavender, Chrome... " stated Orian.
"Chrome began to get an idea what is troubling Orian.
"So you're uncertain whether you are attracted to who she resembles? Or Violetta herself?" Stated Chrome.
"More or less, yes..." stated Orian.
"Well... all I can say is to take it slow... learn more about her personality ect... there's no rush..." started Chrome.
"We already mated, Chrome!!!" Yelled Orian.
His brother was speechless.