The royal host has encamped in the vicinity of the dark forest; not too close, out of range of barbs. Teleperien's sharp elvish ears hears the rustle of undergrowth, sounding much like children kicking autumn leaves about. Obviously the creatures did not sleep.

Most troop units were actively setting up their own camps, watch fires were being lit. Teleperien instructs to have a table set up, maps spread out. She looks about for her advisors. Torches were lit about the table to illuminate the map, Erwyn and Amanda flanks the queen to listen carefully. Soon, Gwindor, Alladon, Miles, Murelle and Toby huddle about the makeshift table. Xenograg now joins them, careful to keep a respectful distance from Teleperien. She notices but does not remark on this.

"What can you advise" Invade the forest tonight or wait til the morning dawn?" Tele asks firstly. She has her own thoughts on this, but keeps them to herself for the time being. Gwindor is first to answer.

"Lady, at the morning dawn just before the light."

"Xenograg?" Tele turns her gaze toward him, trying to read his face. "I agree with the high captain, Majesty. I suspect we will be at a relative disadvantage in the forest at night. I want to send scouts into the forest tonight to determine our assault vectors." Tele nods, not so much in agreement but understanding of his counsel.

"How many?"

"I recommend at least three teams. Five is optimal. The danger is provoking an overlarge response, of course. I suggest Elven guard." "Don't rule out the dwarves." Borin interjects. "And rangers."

"Scouts would be advantageous, Lady." Alladon chimes in. "We have small maps drawn that were copied after our mapping adventure." He glances at Murelle, avoiding the name GreyMantle. "We can trace where they seem to coming from."

"Excellent idea, Alladon," agrees Teleperien. "Xenograg, I leave you to organizing the scouts. I do agree with Borin; we need to use all units, not just Elven. Even the hobbits."

"Hobbits?" Tele overhears Miles whispering to Murelle. She turns to him with a smile.

"Hobbits are excellent for scouting. They move silently and know how to hide quickly. Their courage sometimes surpasses other races."

"Forgive me," Xenograg admits, "but I had not considered the hobbits before. Of course, they shall be included."

Tele then looks to Gwindor. "Are you in agreement?"

"Aye, Lady." His face was less mask-like, as if he was letting down his own boundaries. Gwindor gives a respectful nod to Xenograg. "I would agree that we should attack in the early morn. A strong guard here is advisable. Those who joined us, you call them 'Spacers.' I believe they will help with the guard."

Murelle now shifts from foot to foot, looking a bit impatient, remaining close to Toby and she is listening intently.

"I agree with both Xenograg and Gwindor," Alladon injects. "We do not have ability to see in the dark. Early morning invasion will be best."

"The invasion will start before dawn." Teleperien says decisively. Xenograg nods.

"The full host will certainly draw a heavy response in the morning. Gwindor, what do you think of having Ranger groups in front and behind, as well as both wings?"

"Your Excellency, I do think the elves should be front ranks, mainly for their ability with bows. The Rangers are gifted with sword play, coming up behind to take what escapes the arrow."

"Don't forget the dwarves." Borin says gesturing to the 50 some dwarves from Ravenswing. "They can swing an ax without trouble."

Xenograg nods again before responding. "We should have prearranged troop units that can be moved out in whatever direction the enemy comes from. The dwarves would make an excellent such group."

"Very good. Borin would you lead your men in this manner?" she asks. Borin answers by a slight bow. Xenograg continues.

"My Rellugai will be in three teams; headed by myself, Amaltea, and Amanda. My purpose for them is primarily couriers. Wherever you see one of my three battle standards, that sector will shortly be in combat." Alladon and Gwindor nod in agreement.

"I like to know when something is coming at me," Alladon adds. Xenograg looks to Gwindor.

"I request that Amaltea, Amanda, and I be given some authority to summon the reserve groups I just mentioned. There may not be time to consult with the high command." Xenograg points out. Tele looks around at those crowded around the table. "If you are in agreement...."

"Excellency, I will help you as I can." Gwindor now faces Xenograg fully for the first time. Tele's mouth flitted into a smile.

"I am here to help you, my Lord," says Xenograg. "Thank you. Forgive me for stating an obvious point, but the army must not stop moving in the forest." Tele nods vigorously.

"I do agree. We must keep moving; they will not stop, neither should we." (to be continued)

Miles listened with great attention as the battle plan was drawn up. His mind he saw everything play out. It was a good plan.

He looked up as Teleperion spoke to him. He gave a small bow. "Ma'am, most of my Marines will come help clean out the forest as we go in. They have been shooting any of the creatures that have come to leave the forest."

He took a slow breath. "Sgt Cole and her team, know as the misfits will be with you and your protection detail."He held up a hand to stop any from commenting.

"While i beleave the Queen is protected. Mure knows that a fully armed, tactical assault Marine is nothing you want to go up against. Hell, even unarmed they are dangerous, and deadly. They will help protect you till there last breath."

He saw her nod at the acceptance. He turned to Mure.

"Mure, we leave when you are ready but give me five minutes something i have to do. Also, go and see Sgt Cole she has some tech for you. grenades, and some stuff.

Miles stepped back, stood at attention and saluted the Queen, it was in that moment, that the man known as Master SGt Miles Grimm, left, and for the man that all fear came to his face. Reaper, his face cold and hard, his eyes showed nothing but death in them.

He turned around, marched to his troops. As he walked past one of them yelled out. "Marines, Stand at attention for the Reaper's Prayer!"

Miles "Reaper" Grimm, walked out calmly to the field. His voice would carry to all those around him.

Lo there do I see my father.

He checked the clip in his weapons.

Lo there do I see my mother and my sisters and my brothers.

Fastened his tactical vest, and checked his gear

Lo there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning.

His voice got louder.

Lo, they do call to me, they bid me take my place among them, in the Halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live...forever.

Behind him the Marines who had stood at attention the who time, in one voice. "OHH RAAH"

Reaper turned around and moved next to Mure. "Ma'am, Marines ready and at your command." He popped off a quick salute.

Once back at her camp, Murelle picked up her pack. Setting it down on a nearby pallet she drags over a light that had been set up by one of the Marines. Upon opening it she second look the inventory she made sure she had what she would need. Water, energy bars, a tri-corder, as well as other items that would prove necessary. She was about to seek out the Sergeant Lisa Cole when a booming baritone called;

"Lady GreyMantle!"

Murelle knew the voice of course, it was Borin. He is decked out in his own combat gear, leather, mail, and heavy boots. His grey beard braided, leather straps keeping the braids in place.

"I have something for you Murelle." He now lowers his voice, using a familiar rather than formal name. and draws her away from her task at hand. He held a small, cloth covered item. "Take it. I would feel easier if I knew you wore this."

Curious, Murelle took the package and unwrapped it. Upon the cloth was a shirt of mail.

"T"was mine when I was a lad. M' own father had it made for me. Tis mithril."

"Borin, this is so kind, but I couldn't take something like this." Murelle says deeply moved by this act of generosity. "It's a costly gift."

"I never wear it?" He grins patting his wide girth. "Please take it."

"Well, alright. Let me try it on. I hope it will fit under my tunic."

Murelle ducks into her tent, stripping off the tunic, she pulls the mail shirt over her head. It fit perfectly, and was surprisingly light. She pulled her leather tunic back on; all that was seen on the mail was from elbow down. She pulls the owl talisman over her tunic. Going back out, she smiles at Borin.

"I will wear it for you dear friend." Murelle leans over and gives the dwarf a kiss on the cheek. He mumbles something about getting back to the other dwarves and hurries off. She smiles after him. "Uh....Lady GreyMantle?" It was not a voice Murelle recognized; she turns to see a marine. She held a few items in her hand.

"Aw, call me Murelle. I'm just a misplaced spacer. They only call me Lady here for protocol."

"Here, I was told to give these to you."

"What's your name?" Murelle asks as she steps over to the pallet where her pack lay. "Sergeant Lisa Cole, but call me Lisa."

Lisa lays out on the pallet what items were to be given. A couple grenades, an extra blaster, and an item Murelle didn't recognize.

"What is it?" Murelle asks picking it up, a small triangle box with a screen. "It's the latest in minor wound care. Say if you get hit in the leg or arm, what this baby does is quickly closes the wound without danger of contamination."

"Thank you! And thank you for your help."

"All in the day of a Marine." Lisa salutes then moves away. Murelle stuffs these items into her pack, zipping it closed. Slinging the pack and plasma rifle over her shoulders she goes in search of Miles and Toby. Finding them....she heaves a sigh.

"Ready to go??

A full moon had now risen above the forest, casting everything in shades of grey. For as large a company that was encamped, very little noise was heard, as if they dared to raise any trouble. Teleperien used this time to move from unit to unit to make sure all was well or they were at least settled.

She spotted Murelle, Miles and Toby getting ready to leave. They were bending over a mapping device, their faces glow in its light. Tele approaches them, and Murelle looks up.

"Your Majesty, we are deciding where to enter the forest. Close enough to the energy field so not to get to far away from the battle, but not getting as much attention. I hope the battle distracts our "friend" long enough for me to get close to it."

"That waits to be seen." Tele answers.

"True. Since we really have no idea of what it really is or it's reach of it's mind control."

Tele watches as Murelle looks up toward the forest. "This isn't going to be easy. I hope we don't loose too many in this battle."

"We have to clean the forest out Lady Murelle." Tele said softly. "This creature has already claimed many lives by it's own admission. I cannot allow it to remain. It is my responsibility to protect those I am charged with, the lives of those who live in Eldicor."

Murelle only nods in response. Tele laid her slender hand on the small woman's shoulder. It glowed for a moment as she sent her own personal blessing on her.

Without another word, Murelle, Miles, Toby and his android set off. Tele notices they don't look back.

Toby said nothing at all as the small group set off. Just slightly behind him, Max floated along in similar silence, his dim red eye-sensor rotating endlessly to sweep all around them. Active scans of any kind would be unwise, even if the enemy had no technology; nature has a knack for duplicating technology in her own time. And it was altogether possible that the energetic radiation of active scanning could be discerned by the enemy. So for now, Max simply 'watched', for motion, for infrared, and with a myriad of other passive senses.

Toby was not so dutiful. As they marched on, he was wrapped in a sort of shadow of his own, deep in a conversation with his own thoughts.

At last. No more pointless talk, no more waiting. The enemy awaits.

We are not going to seek out the battle. The others are the distraction, the battle is the distraction. She's seeking out the entity, and I am trying to keep her hidden. You know that.

So you go on. But battle is coming, if you want it or not. I can smell it on the wind. It will be glorious.

We have a mission. Don't even think about trying to act out, just to get what you want. You answer to me, now. You just remember that.

Hmf. After that, the darker voice made no further answer.

Toby's thoughts turned back to the homestead far away, to the cabin in the woods. To his little girls, probably tucked away and asleep by now. They would be off in the innocent dreams of youth, leaving the uncertain and unhappy present behind for a while. He thought about his Tabitha, lost and dreaming in her own little world. If anything could have made him turn back, even now, it was these thoughts. Again, unbidden, that other, soft grey voice whispered in his head.

How can I leave them like this" She's half-gone to them, and now I'm off to something I may not return from. What kind of father leaves his children alone"

I didn't leave them alone. Todd and Selene are staying there, and Sissy and Helix promised they'd visit too. The girls love them.

They are all good people, yes. But they aren't you. The girls have many friends and companions, but only one father. And they do not understand 'honor' and 'duty' and other such nonsense. They don't care what you feel you must do, or what noble sacrifice you make. They just know Daddy...isn't....here.

The darker voice cut in, now. This thing is strong, this creature. Who says it won't one day darken your own woods, and threaten them' Better to destroy it now, remove it from the world.

You would make any excuse to be unleashed. Don't pretend you did this for the children.

There was no answer from the darker voice, but he could almost hear a growl.

No. I didn't go for my children. But there are children here, who won't ever see their parents again, because of this thing. And there will be children one day, who may suffer the same loss because of it. I can do something for them."

For them' Or for the child you once were? No one ever came for him.

All the more reason to do it now, then. Someone has to.

For that, the grey voice also had no answer.