He picked him up by the shirt and casually pitched him to the floor, smiling as Klaeb landed awkwardly. "Get up Klaeb, I want to beat you some more, for having the nerve to lay a hand on my woman."

Klaeb stirred and pushed himself to his elbows, then stood up shakily, ready to fall down, but turned around to face Gollus. "She's a woman, but she's no lady. You two make the perfect pair."

"Insolent fool." Further enraged, he charged him and hammered him with a bl;ow across the face, catching him as he fell. Then, holding him up with one hand, he slapped him repeatedly with the other. Quick violent slaps. "Hah! I'll slap you bloody and battered Klaeb, your mother won't recognize you when I am done with you."

Lost in his anger and loathing of Klaeb, he didn't notice when Melaidin roused herself and flung herself at him. "Stop it before you kill him my love." She brought down her arm hard on his hand, jarring Klaeb loose from Gollus' grip. She flung her arm out and slowed his tumble to the floor so his head did not crash to the floor...again. Safely on the floor, she slapped the device on him and turned her attentions back to Gollus.

But Gollus was furious and he wasn't about to take anything from her then. "How could you do tha to me? He was in no danger Melaidin. I was merely slapping him!"

"I know you, you did more than just that, and this fool is so pathetically weak, that I could kill him easily, and I am no warrior. You have to think with your head love, it is not always brawn that wins a fight. Please love, i don't want you to suffer at Shaeg's hands. I love you, and I don't want to lose you because of a puny fool like Klaeb."

Gollus' fury faded slowly, as her anger gave way to a welcoming smile. "Melaidin, I...I love you too my dear."

She smiled. "But you wish I would not make you feel dumb? I know, I'm sorry, but I did not have the time to let you figure it out anymore."

Gollus gritted his teeth, but breathed in deeply, instead of saying anything. "Woman, you try my patience." It started as an angry reply, but softened. "Thank you love."

"You're welcome love."