Queen Teleperien and one guard enter the main room of Nom's Tower. Shifting a book from one hand to the other, she turns to face her escort.

"You do not have to follow," she says.

"Lady," he replies, "my Captain says you are to have a guard if you leave Eldicor." Teleperien sighs with exasperation. This is a battle not worth fighting—today. Instead, she approaches the ornate full-body mirror standing prominently in the back of the room. Taking a small triangular token of gold from her pocket and touches it to the mirror's frame. The mirrored glass's perfect reflection quickly shimmers away to show a room beyond. Putting the golden key away, Teleperien casually steps through the mirror. The guard is surprised but does not hesitate to follow his monarch.

They step out of another full-body mirror into a circular room. The guard looks back to see his reflection staring back at him from the wall-hanging mirror. He next notices the magic circle inscribed upon the floor. The circle is almost as wide as the room. Just by passing through the mirror, both the Queen and the guard have stepped into the circle. There are no ill effects at the moment. Teleperien looks over her shoulder.

"Follow," she says and moves to an alcove on the opposite side of the room that is a stairway landing. The stair is dark, steep, and narrow. Teleperien stops at the top landing which has no apparent exit. She knows how to operate the hidden door which swings inward. They step through into the middle of a narrow hallway. To their left, the hallway ends in a door.

"Never open that door," Teleperien says in warning. The guard nods in obedience if not understanding. Teleperien turns right and walks towards a well lit room. Now free of the narrow passage, the guard steps forward to visually inspect the area. The room is obviously a training hall; the walls are mostly weapon racks and the only furniture are simple benches. A middle-aged human woman is mopping the hardwood floor is the only other person present. The woman looks up, surprised but not startled. Teleperien steps forward and speaks to her.

"Good evening. I am here to see His Excellency." The woman quickly bows her head and replies with proper respect.

"Welcome, Lady. I will have His Excellency summoned."

"I thank you."

"Please forgive, but I do not recognize you."

"I am Teleperien, Queen of Eldicor." The woman blinks and bows again, lower.

"Forgive me, Majesty."

"It is of small matter. Do not concern yourself." The worker lays her mop aside and quickly walks through the door to Teleperien's right. She returns less than a minute later, and holds the door open.

"The summons has been sent, Lady. Would you like to wait in here?"

"Yes, please." Teleperien and her escort step into Xenograg's study. The servant follows and moves circuitously over to the fireplace. She works its low embers back to a warming burn. The study is as Teleperien remembers: the single high-backed chair for Xenograg, a sofa for his guests, a coffee table inbetween, a dry bar, and bookshelves along all remaining wall space. Teleperien sits on the sofa while her guard stands inconspicuously between the two doors. Teleperien changes her mind and stands to peruse the bookshelves.

Teleperien's guard head turns at a sign of movement in the dojo. Xenograg enters the room a moment later. Seeing the guard, he nods a greeting before looking to his true guest.

"Tel?" Teleperien turns to him.

"Good evening. I hope I did not interrupt you." She returns to the sofa; protocol is forgotten for the moment.

"No, you did not," Xenograg says. "Would you care for something to drink?"

"Yes, tea if you have it." Xenograg looks to the middle-aged woman who bows her head. She kneels and begins to prepare a kettle.

"It may be a few minutes," he says as he sits in his chair. "What brings you out so late?"

"I apologize for such a late hour, but I think this is of importance," she begins, stirring Xenograg's interest. "Earlier today, a book was found in the study." She hands him the book. Its embossed script glints with the light of the fire as he looks it over.

"It is an account of the death of Sir Llewyss GreyMantle." Xenograg looks up from the book at that pronouncement.

"Indeed" Written by whom?"

"My senechal, gathering information and testimony to the event. I have not turned my mind to that terrible day for some time."

"It has been what, eight years?"

"Seven. Still, a long time to have this return to me." Teleperien pauses a moment. "I think it was placed there for me to find by some unknown guide. The matter of the forest has yet to be addressed."

"There are no coincidences," says Xenograg as he skims the pages, able to read some of the Eldari" script.

"No, there are not. As long as it still stands, more hurt will come. Who knows how may have been trapped and killed?" Teleperien now falls silent. Xenograg takes another minute flipping the book. He closes it and looks to Teleperien.

"You are decided then?"

"I am. I came to hear your counsel, my old friend."

"Do you want me to read this in detail?"

"I wish you would. Such things are outside my experience. You have fought long against enemies; I hope to glean what we can."

"My knowledge and experience are at your service, of course." The middle-aged woman now comes forward with a serving tray. Setting it on the coffee table, she pours tea for two. Teleperien thanks the other woman as she takes up her cup.

"Thank you, Narim," Xenograg says as he reaches for his cup. "You can return to your regular duties." The woman bows he head and returns to the dojo hall, closing the door behind her. Teleperien closes her eyes as she sips the tea. She sighs.

"I needed this." Xenograg lifts his cup towards Teleperien before sipping.

"To your health," he toasts. Teleperien opens her eyes and tries to smile but fails.

"Thank you." Xenograg notices her discomfort in mid-sip

"The pain is still there even after seven years?" he asks once his mouth is empty. She only nods and sips again.

"Nae, the pain is gone. I miss him dearly, however."

"I did not know him, but I saw how large a hole he left amongst your entire household."

"He was well liked and devoted to my service. He was very loyal." The conversation pauses as they enjoy the tea together. "I would like to ride and see this forest myself," Teleperien says when her cup is empty. Then a knock comes on the closed outer door.

"Come," says Xenograg. The door opens to admit a young human man carrying a scabbarded sword in his left hand.

"Master, I...oh, forgive me. I did not realize you had company." Teleperien cannot help but smile at what the young man must think of the scene he has stumbled upon.

"Yes, an unplanned meeting." Xenograg turns to Teleperien. "Tel, this is Grimblade. Grimblade, this is Eldar Queen Teleperien of Eldicor." Grimblade's mouth falls open for a moment, but he quickly recovers and bows at the waist.

"Your...Majesty," he says tentatively, hoping he used a sufficient honorific. Teleperien smiles to assuage his fears.

"It is good to meet you," she says. Xenograg looks to Grimblade.

"Did you want anything, Grimblade?"

"No, Master. I heard you were here again and thought you might want me."

"No, nothing more this evening. Good night."

"Good night, Master." Grimblade bows again to Teleperien. "An honor, Majesty." He then backs out the door, closing it.

"So that is Grimblade," Teleperien says. "I have heard you speak of him."

"Yes, another student."

"It grows late, but I thought this of importance."

"Having found the book, you feel this should not wait any longer." Teleperien nods in agreement.

"Would you accompany me to the forest? Perhaps two day hence?"

"Certainly. I will have this read before then." Teleperien nods again and stands. Xenograg stands as well.

"I will leave you to your reading. You are right, I couldn't rest."

"Trust your feelings. I will see you in two days."

"Thank you," she says before looking to her escort. Having stood silent and almost immobile throughout the entire conversation, the guard moves to open the door back to the dojo.

"Until then, take care," says Xenograg.

"I know my way out," she replies with a smile. Xenograg smiles back as he follows anyway.

"I am leaving the same way."

"To see Amanda?" Teleperien asks. Amanda sleeps in Sawrey Castle in Eldicor.

"Already done. I am headed to Barsi and bed." The three return to the dark hallway and its secret door down to the circular room—Xenograg's sorcerous sanctum. The magic mirror transports Teleperien and her escort back to Nom's Tower. Xenograg then resets it for his own destination.

At breakfast, Teleperien is quieter than usual, lost in her thoughts while she studied the worn map that showed the path to the Dark Forest. Her travels throughout the realm were always to the towns and villages. She knew of the Forest, of course, but she had not turned her mind to its dark shadows. She rose as she rolled up the map and stashed it back in its place above the simple but elegant desk. Instead of her grey and white gown, she is clad in an earth-toned tunic and breeches and boots to her knees. Her long hair is caught up in a simple knot so it would not hinder her movements. Going to the stables, she is greeted with morning calls and bows. The eldest stable hand led the queen's own mare, Loss". She hears a murmur of voices and turns. With great delight she sees not only Xenograg but Wyheree as they approach the stables. Xenograg bows at the waist.

"Your Majesty," he says.

Wyheree sweeps into a curtsy. "Your Majesty."

"Welcome, good friends!" Teleperien answers with a happy smile. "I am glad you could join me!" Xenograg gestures to Wyheree.

"Wyheree had just come to the Dojo when your missive arrived, so I invited her along."

Teleperien's grey eyes twinkle with humor. "I am glad you did. I hope you have a stern spirit."

"I do, indeed, as a matter of fact," Wyheree replies with a merry smile. "This is like the grand adventures of my youth."

Teleperien turns to the stable hand, the lad is nervously moving one foot to another, bobbing with the movements. "Please bring Xenograg's beast and one for our guest." The stable hand assesses Wyheree's statue then disappears in the stable.

"So a field trip?" Xenograg asks. Teleperien looks at her friend with a little confusion.

"We travel to the Dark Forest, not a field." The stable hand arrives with Xenograg's gelding as well one for Wyheree. Both properly saddled and tack in place. Teleperien continues. "As I wrote to Xenograg," Teleperien speaks to Wyheree. "We ride to the forest where Llewyss GreyMantle was slain." She strokes her horse's white neck while Xenograg and Wyheree double check the tack.

"That is all I know," adds Xenograg. "Wyheree, not even that much. She is handy in a fight. I can vouch for that." He smiles in Wyheree's direction. As they were speaking Wyheree's white-and-silver gown shimmers and swirls, reforming itself to more appropriate white blouse and breeches with white and silver riding roots. Teleperien's eyebrows rise in surprise.

"That's a trick I would learn, Wyheree," Teleperien says as she swings up onto her mount with ease. No riding gear save reins and a light bit. Wyheree blushes as she swings onto her saddle. Xenograg adjusts his sword, horse bow, the bow and arrows in a case. With a little more effort he mounts with a grunt then smirks.

"Such torture to inflict upon an old man."

"We will ride softly so not to jar your old bones," Teleperien returns his smirk. "If it is not too taxing." Their friendship allowed for gentle teasing as well as well-timed comments. They nudged their horses toward the gate, a voice calls out.

"Open the gate! The Queen approaches!" Two guards open the gate, bowing low as the three pass into the busy Sawery street. Xenograg looks at Teleperien.

"With your permission."

"Of course," she replies. Humor has left her as she knew she was going to face an evil she had little if any experience. Xenograg lightly sets his gold spurs to the horse to lead the way across the bailey and out the gate. Wyheree follows behind Teleperien. The usual group of townspeople gather as they ride out of Sawrey and call out well wishes. As they left the town's gate it closes with a click. Though it is her first instinct to turn and retreat to the safety of her castle, Teleperien steels her face and draws upon the Eldar's grace and strength. Softly she sings.

"Snow-white! Snow white! O Lady clear! O Queen beyond the Western Seas! O Light to us that wander here Amid the world of woven trees!

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth! Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath! Snow white! Snow-white! We sing to thee! In a far land beyond the Sea."*

Wind from the west blows warm and moist, heralding the end of winter and the budding of early spring growth. Light green mists hang over the distant mountains like a sheer curtain. Xenograg is surely enjoying the change of seasons as Xenodar is still in winter's grip. Shaking from her reverie, Teleperien asks.

"Are you ready? We will ride swiftly but not as a race."

"I am ready, your Majesty," answers Wyheree first. Xenograg reigns in to let Teleperien take the lead.

"Set our pace," he says. Teleperien leans forward to speaks softly to Loss".

"Noro lim, Loss"." This sets them off in a quick but comfortable gallop. As the wind blows about her, Teleperien's cloak flaps to reveal her own sword: the ancient blade, Illuvator.

For a while, they ride in silence—all mulling over what they will face; upon what kind of evil that has lurked in Eldicor for so many eons. Sorrow now pricks at the Queen's heart as she remembers that horrible day when Llewyss fell to its curse. She asks. "Xenograg, have you visited this area?"

He answers with a smirk and levity. "No, I am old enough to not go looking for trouble." Teleperien looks at her friend with a smile and small chuckle.

"Of course not." She says. Xenograg has not looked at her despite having a conversation. He is focused upon his second duty today: being the Queen's bodyguard. This land still had its share of ill-meaning invaders. Most are caught and show back to the border, but there are some who elude the diligent elven archers who patrol borders of the small realm.

Finally, they approach the Dark Forest. Over the trees hangs a shroud of dark unmoving fog, foul and forboding. Teleperien nods toward the fell scene before them. She looks at Wyheree. "As you can see, this is an evil place. We did not know of it until recently. It was hidden in shadow until...my Rangers found it." Wyheree's eyes flash silver in the light as she looks around.

"How long ago was it revealed?" Wyheree asks.

"Ten years," Teleperien replies. "We have kept from it, not wishing to stir the evil."

"A wise decision for it feels...most oppressive. Not merely dark."

"My Rangers were out on a mapping survey of this area. It drew them...and took the life of their captain, Llewyss GreyMantle. He left his beloved Murelle and a daughter."

"I only met Lady Murelle at the funeral," adds Xenograg. "I barely knew the Captain. I was still new to Eldicor then."

They draw closer to the shroud and they slow to a walk. With an inward shudder Teleperien softly announces.

"The Dark Forest."