Ambition it is the last infirmity of noble minds. - James Barrie

It was a rare case indeed, when Isabella's queen made a request of her other then, the usual expectations as one of the Royal Court. Gazing at the elegant box given to her, sapphire eyes gleamed in the firelight. It was a powerful token her liege was offering. The container carved with intricate designs that spoke of a bygone age and hinted at the age of the treasure within. It was certain to appeal to the Mage she now sought.

The air within her chambers hung heavy with the unique and exotic scent of magic's recently spent. Isabella had crafted a Sorcerers version of a telegraph. It was for her a relatively simple spell and having the energy signature of the one she was sending to would ensure a swift delivery. Such small cantrips were non-threatening which made them quite useful for times like these. It was unlikely that it would create even a minor ripple within the wards she was certain the golden Mage would be utilizing.

Deep jeweled toned silks swirled as she strolled languidly across the elegantly appointed chambers. Isabella brushed back the heavy fall of wine colored hair as she took a moment of thought. She would know when her very politely worded request was received; such was the design of that particular magical spell. Perhaps it might be prudent of her to prepare for a swift departure as another precaution, as she knew Lord Faenall was not one that cared to wait. Her queen needed his assistance in this curious matter so it would not do for her to be late or make the noble wait and inspire his ire by doing such.

A hint of a smile touched her carmine lips. If it was anyone else Isa might be less concerned but something about that golden wizard bespoke of danger. He carried the scent of old gods about his person and while Isabella could and often did skirt the very edge of disaster because she enjoyed the exhilaration such games filled her with, she was not a total fool. One needed to pick their risks with care after all. Lord Faenall was still an unknown element and until she had a reasonable idea of what made the Elf tick she would tread with the utmost of caution. She hadn't gotten this far in her own machinations by rushing into dangers untold.

Deep inside she had the instinctive sense that he might be useful to her as well. As an ally he was certainly powerful and power she did understand and appreciate. Thus, Isabella would fulfill her promise to her Dark Queen and garner a new ally for them both. Low, throaty laughter bounced about the empty chamber as she vanished into her bower to prepare for the meeting to come. The delivery completed and an answer was soon to arrive but she already detected his curiosity. It was just as she had hoped and by the end of the night she would secure the promise. This Isabella felt confident she would be successful as she knew the prey her Queen sought was under the protection of those Lord Faenall sought to undermine. So in the end all involved would get something out of it.

From under the thick folds of the velvet cloak Isa drew forth a box. Sliding it quietly to the middle of the table her head took an almost mischievous tilt to the side. Her solemn expression however did not match her action while radiant sapphire eyes watched Audric intently. "This is but a small token of what my queen is willing to offer for your assistance in a tiny matter. You see she cannot enter your world M'lord. Those that protect it would sense her trespassing and seek her harm. Yet one she seeks hides there, far out of her reach."

"Hence the request to meet on neutral ground." He looked from Isabella to the box, then back again. Reaching out, he drew the box close, nimble fingers working the latch and easing the lid open enough to see the contents held within. It was easy enough to feel the wind of the arcane emanating from the box, and the smile held equal measures of curiosity and pleasure as he regarded the lithe form sitting across the table. The gleaned nugget of information was filed away. "Your queen must desperate."

"It is but a simple matter to flush out our prey and little more. Drive her back to this realm as the ultimate goal. Those that protect her have become complacent." Isabella paused but only for a moment before soft lips took another lazy curl. "According to what I have heard our little mouse is housed at the guild hall of Tignus and sponsored by those you also have issue with." Deftly avoiding Audric's query with an attempt of misdirection.

"Your mouse has picked a comfortable hole in which to rest." While he did lean back into the padded seat Audric's hand never left the small box. His mind was also racing, already considering the differing paths of the conversation and beyond. "Comfortable and secure, given the guild penchant for securing thier guild hall. Not to mention the aid and patronage given them by the Albaelia's. This little mouse had better be worth the trouble."

"Oh, she is M'lord, she is." Her voice dropped to almost a purr in tone as she continued to regard Audric straight on. A deviant glittering playing upon the surface of dark cobalt jeweled eyes. "It is also believed it is one of the few places she isn't in the company of a rather long eared psychotic elf. That one seems to have become lost in his cups of late." Black amusement was interwoven in Isabella's quiet reply.

She had noticed at least one taking notice of their conversation but it was of little matter to Isabella. The trap would be laid and sprung. She had given few names to who the prey was so hard to give warning.

The smile that crossed Audric's features was predatory, made more so by the long scar running along his thoat. "Ah yes. Too bad a bit of poison cannot rid the mouse of the rat, but he has effectively taken himself out of the picture, if rumor can be believed." Yes, the mind was awhirl now. "It will take the right cheese to bait any trap, as well as a diversion to keep other eyes elsewhere."

"So you are willing to aid my Queen in this endeavor" " She made no effort to mask the delight now coating her words as nimble fingers danced briefly through the crown of wine colored curls and brushing them back from her pale face. Leaning closer to Audric a moment later IUsabella continued softly. "If you are successful you will be richly rewarded M'lord. Be assured of that."

"I will look into it. There may be a possible way to lure the mouse." Audric leaned closer to Isabella, nearly nose to nose across the tabletop. "The reward will be adequate i am certain, and perhaps in the future, if I can help cage the mouse your queen may help me catch the shadow." His hand rose, fingertips trailing along the angry scar as he spoke.

Isa's gaze followed the movement of Audric's fingers, sensing the meaning behind that purposeful touch with a faint arch of a brow. Her own deft fingers moved, offering the lightest of touches to his hand. Brief that contact but it created a spark of energy that brought a low laugh from her. "My kind have many ways to capture wayward shadows. Many ways indeed M'lord. ?

Another Perspective

She had been seeking only one this evening. It had seemed strange to her that her search had actually led her to the Red Dragon Inn. There was no mistaking, however, the feel of restrained magic there. It had a taste that lingered longer than any well prepared dish, and skittered over flesh and scales. The inn that night was practically seething with it.

The one thing missing was the sight of the one for whom she was looking. You could say that it would not make sense that her daughter was in Rhy'Din, but she knew better. This place had been drawing people of many worlds to it for as long as memory had served. She also knew her daughter had gone missing quite recently. Following the trail she had been able to find had finally led her here. Still no sign of her daughter.

For the moment, she moved along the rafters of the inn. Though the perch could be a bit precarious, she leaned her head over the side. Her tongue flickered out and tasted at the air. That was when she had first noticed the couple. There was definitely a feeling of the magics coming from them, and strong it was at that.

As was usual, in this place, many things were vying for her attention all at once. The one thing she had hoped to be able to follow, her daughter, was just one more string amongst a tangle of threads now. She decided for the moment to not concern herself with it. Rather, she turned her attention toward those within the place.

She always enjoyed how people would discuss things in coded speech, believing that the code was not recognizable as such. Of course maybe this wasn't code after all, but the way that these two conversed every day. Still it was a strange thing, the speaking of queens and mice, and psychotic elves being in cups.

She had thought that perhaps, if she got a bit closer to the source, and were in her human form, she would better understand the two. To that end, she spread her wings, and took flight to land behind the bar. Though she was obviously amongst what felt like an impromptu mage convention this evening, she remained true to her practice of magic behind cover.

With the spell completely in place, she stood, carrying a drink from behind the bar to a seat near the middle of the room. It was then that the mention of a name she was vaguely familiar with was mentioned. One of the mages of this family was actually one she had been considering consulting on another problem.

However, that was for another day. Today was about queens and mice. That was when all the talk of queens and mice became a matter of shadows as well. Perhaps it was true though. In human form, their speech seemed to make a bit more sense. She knew few queens, but actually many she would think of as mice and quite a few who walked among the shadows.

Her problem at the moment was, that like most who were as familiar with magic as these two, their thoughts seldom betrayed them. It seemed that, at least on the surface, they also thought in the very terms they were speaking so she had not found a bit more out by sitting here. Mages, unlike most untrained minds, were often very hard to discern, and not ones she would willingly attempt a trip through without good cause. Instead, she simply sat there listening carefully, noting the couple's and other groups' conversations and filing each away for possible review later.

Once it seemed the conversation was drawing to a close, she did rise and make her way to the door. As soon as she had reached the bottom of the steps, she caused a mist to form up to cover her transformation back to dragon as she released the spell which held her in human form. She knew that the orbs which she had well placed for just such gathering of information would be waiting for her when she was ready to review them. If there was more to see, she would find her answers then.

Winter's Ash One week later

The last buckle on the side of the high-topped boots was fastened and Audric arose to stretch, a languid motion almost akin to a cat prostrating before the fire. Black leather faintly protested as he walked back over to the small dresser to pick up the silk shirt he had tossed onto the chair. He regarded his reflection in the mirror after donning the shirt and tying back the golden hair into a manageable ponytail, his fingertips idly running along the faint scar until a soft sound brought his attention around toward the bed.

Measured strides took him across the room where he sat down on the edge of the bed. Beside him the young woman stirred slightly, another soft moan escaping her as she rolled onto her back. She seemed unaware of the golden perusal as she lay there and Audric enjoyed the moment of study. She was a beautiful girl; one of the newer maids brought to Winter's Ash to serve, and quickly caught the eye of its lord. This afternoon he had enjoyed her fully, though it seemed his aggressive way had tired her out. A fingernail touched her cheek, trailing down through the hollow of her throat and under the swell of her right breast before moving upward again. "Know, my dear, that you have pleased your lord this day." He leaned closer as he whispered the words, the right corner of his mouth curling up in a smirk as he watched the girl smile in her half-slumber. Straightening, the wandering hand left her flesh to hover above her forehead, a nimbus of energy slowly coalescing and sliding downward.

Emerald green eyes snapped open as the aura caressed the girl's forehead, tendrils first slipping into the corners of her eyes and then invading her sinuses and ears. There was a pulsing to the energy's flow, with each time a darker purple wave flowed upward into Audric's hand her back arched, mouth open in a silent scream. Fingernails clawed at the silk coverlet, ripping a gash in one instance as she doubled over, her willowy frame shaking as though in a windstorm. Audric's golden eyes rolled back as he savored the life she held, ripping it year by year from the helpless girl.

Finally the body could stand no more, falling to the bed with a dulled thump, blood dribbling from the corners of her mouth and eyes. Audric slowly let out a breath, a smile playing along his angular features as he rolled his shoulders and stood. "Now, to business." He spoke to no one in particular as he walked to the door of the apartment and pulled it open, surprising the man on the other side whose hand was raised to knock on the heavy wood. "I heard you when you knocked five minutes ago Gorm. What is it?"

"My apologies for disturbing your afternoon, your grace, but Lord Tristian awaits your pleasure in the study." The major-domo of the keep did not seem at all disturbed by Audric's tone but simply stepped to the side as the magus stepped out into the hallway.

"Very good. See to it that we are not to be disturbed. And inform the lady Rowena that both her brothers will be joining her for her afternoon ride." Audric started to turn and walk down the hall, but pulled up short to look back to Gorm. "Oh, and have the trash taken out." The magus nodded toward the open doorway as he spoke, and Gorm looked into the room with a nod of acknowledgment.

"Yes, your grace." As Audric swept down the hallway toward the stairs, the major-domo turned and snapped his fingers to summon the two guards at the opposing end of the hallway. He showed no emotion as he watched the men-at-arms haul out the body, dragging it by the arms toward the back stairway. Tristian's hounds would be eating well this night.

***

Tristian turned from his silent vigil near the window of the study as Audric entered, moving over without preamble to hold out a folded piece of parchment. "This arrived by messenger earlier." Audric took the letter from his brother but waited until after sitting down behind his desk before breaking the wax seal. He scanned the missive quickly, then looked over to Tristian. His brother still stood by the window, arms folded over his massive chest as he watched his older brother.

"Lord Merrol has graciously written to inform me that preparations are now underway for one of the colligio masters and four of his best students to the ruins of Jhol B"rjan at the end of the month." Audric paused for a bare second, and then continued as Tristian snorted in amusement. "Our good Merrol also writes that Count Veltaine has been most pleased with the idea of the guild conducting research within his demesne and hopes it may be the foundation of future profitable adventures."

"Veltaine is a simpering fool." Tristian turned and spat into the fireplace with a rasp of disgust before moving to stand in front of Audric's desk. "He'd agree to anything that will add to his coffers."

"This is why I recommended those particular ruins in the first place." Audric set the letter onto his desk, then leaned back in the large chair, fingertips pressing together as he regarded his brother. "Veltaine has not done well recently in his business ventures, and is looking for any way to not sell off parts of his holdings. Should the guild actually discover something of worth in the ruins he would be able to demand coin for passage and protection." His thumbs lightly tapped together as he spoke, a cheshire grin slowly forming as Tristian nodded. "And when this small expedition by the guild meets such an unfortunate accident, he will take the brunt of the anger for not keeping his holdings safe for travelers."

"Making things even harder for him." Tristian finished with another snort. "The ruins are remote, and it will not be hard to move through the Strait unseen. My boys and I will be in and out before any realize."

"No!" Audric snapped, sitting up and looking hard at Tristian. "No, dear brother, I do not want you leading this raid."

The warrior's hands slammed onto the desk as he leaned down with a soft snarl. "Why not"! What game are you playing at?"

"What do you think will be the first thing that the Collegio will do when they hear of the deaths of one of their instructors and a full member of the Mages Guild?" Audric waited a few seconds, continuing when Tristian did not speak. "They will ask one of the temples to perform the ritual of spiritual recall. And the dead, Tristian, can and do speak from the beyond." His words seemed to mollify his brother, who slowly straightened as he continued. "No, I want you nowhere near this raid, and have your men remove any badges or signs of allegiance."

"It will be done." Tristian's words rumbled softly as he folded his arms again. "But what if they perform such a ritual on one of our own men?" Audric's smile returned at the question, and his hand moved to a small stack of rolled parchments, picking up the top scroll.

"They will find that they are in the service of the Faenalls of Winter's Ash. Though, the lord of that land has recently recorded with his neighbors the Lords Torvien, Veltaine, and Sycarrus that a group of his household troops have gone renegade, stealing off with a sum of goods and coin and heading for the Straits of Angor." He started chuckling softly, a counterpoint to the boisterous laughter of Tristian. "Afterward, any survivors will be quietly disposed of." Tristian nodded his approval, still laughing as he moved toward the small bar set in one corner of the study. Audric rose to his feet and moved around the desk to join his brother, and each lifted the glass Tristian filled in a toast.

"Finish your preparations, dear brother. And I will be returning to RhyDin soon to meet with our partner. I think she and her mistress will enjoy the little mousetrap we have put together, even if the little mouse does not."

Take, take your time. Smell the roses, but steal the vines. Don't wait for the hands of time To second guess and change your mind. And shine. Here's your moment to shine. Shine.

Daughtry - There And Back Again

"Ah, you got one too I see." Kazsax Zecisro stated as he strolled over and claimed a chair at her table. In his long fingers the self-same envelope dangled and she glowered at it, before her look landed on the dark haired class mate.

Kaz was some prince in a far off place. Yeadia was the name, but it was a land that Tasha wasn't ever likely to go due to its reputation. He also said that in the Collegio titles didn't generally matter. Though with some of the other students it had some significance, but luckily the young Trueblood was one few seemed unwilling to antagonize. She believed that was due to her first day in the place and the wall she had blown apart with one fireball. Of course her reputation hadn't improved any. She had the knowledge and the talent to perform the various classes and spells quite well and had even managed to achieve an impressive level of skill. Her one constant and persistent issue was her inability to control the power that welled up inside her so easily. "Yes I did. I am trying to figure out why Merrol is seeking to punish me."

"No telling there Tasha but it may just be a draw of the lottery and we and two other unfortunates are the winners. " Laughing he offered a pat to the shoulder before tossing the missive down to rest beside hers. "It might make for a pleasant change of pace."

"Oh sure, wallowing around in dirt and dust always cheers me up." Her tone carried a wealth of sarcasm and exasperation. "I have done it before and will likely do it again but that's when I go relic hunting and get to keep the treasures I find." Tasha's nose crinkled again. Shifting in her seat she carefully placed a page marker in the heavy book she had been reading previous.

Kaz laughed even more, his gangly frame rising from the chair with a light pat to her head this time. "If we find anything we have to turn it into the instructor. That is one of the rules we all will need to follow, but consider it a good form of field study. Could be worse, we could have been sent off to Kahadras."

That name made Tasha shudder faintly while her fingers moved to toy again with the heavy card paper of the missive. She had read plenty about those notorious ruins and had no intentions of visiting it. . . ever.

This excursion also had little relevance for Tasha either. It was being couched as some kind of educational outing but the young Trueblood doubted there would be much to learn from some long abandoned stones. Of course Kaz was likely right, it would make for a change of scenery. It had been several months since she had ventured out so maybe it wasn't going to be a total wash out bore. Then again, Tasha didn't generally have the best of luck in such things either. "This venture sounds much tamer then Kahadras would be so you do have a point there Kaz."

Ah well, she might as well hope for the best but expect the worst, just to be on the safe side. "I need to do some shopping I think. I have nothing useful for camping here with me because I hadn't actually planned on needing it."

"Oh don't worry Tasha, the Colligio will provide all you need except for your clothing. You might want to find something other than the robes too. Plenty of secluded towns can be suspicious of our kind. Just don't wear those strange blue trousers. That may get you more stares then dress robes." Kaz suggested helpfully with a broad grin on his face.

"Are you suggesting that my jeans are strange?" Tasha sat up straighter, one small hand pushing the ever present drift of moon white hair from her elfin face. Heaving a sigh she rose and shook out her red and purple robe with a glance towards her fellow mage in his sky blue.

"MacKatier" is said to be a good place to find some decent traveling outfits. Many of the ladies here seem fond of the place.? Kaz gave another grin before he moved off with a jaunty whistling fading away as he passed.

MacKatier's eh' She had seen the place but never looked inside. Would seem now was as a good as any to take a gander. Tasha headed for her rooms to collect her money purse and was soon venturing off towards Downtown Tignus.

Just look back on, How far we've come. We've made it somehow, Look where we are now. All we've done, Our battles won. We've made it somehow, Look where we are now. And the best is yet to come. 'Cause our story isn't done.

Hoobastank - Look Where We Are

It was a pretty location, Tasha thought as she looked around the clearing. Off only a few yards away the shimmering of diamonds on the water of a small lake played havoc with her vision before she turned about to look at the jumble of lichen covered stone. There were several with even a few arches remaining.

Glancing over at her companions, she noticed that Kaz was writing in his book while Whilford checked his reference manual. Valira was picking flowers, or was she clearing them away from some of the stones" It was hard to be sure since it might be one in the same Tasha believed.

"It is believed that the Ama Ederoi had a settlement near here. Perhaps some time just after the Time of Memory. No one knows the exact date and any attempts to mage read this location has met with little success. If there was anything left here it has long since been found but there is still much to be learned." Whilford peered into the heavy volume bound in leather that he carried. His voice was the typical monotone that one had when reading from a book.

Delicate and pale fingers danced lightly over the surface of a marble surface. It looked almost like a table but she leaned in to read the words etched deep within the veined and pitted ivory stone. "Thys si"ia mia rhythis por tha"ria." Tasha's head tilted and she drew a small note book from her pocket and started to write. "Master Whilford, what does this say?"

"I do not know Lady Oberon. Our scholors were never able to crack the code of the Ancient Ami Ederoi, but we hope their descendants might be able to assist." He responded while peering over the edge of his book at her.

"Well, I think this says "From the sky we did fall." Sensitive fingers continued to crawl lightly over the carved ruts within the marble. "Um, it's familiar but not familiar."

"Please Lady Oberon, you can not possibly read that. If our best scholars are unable to do so, it is certainly unlikely that a young elf like you could." This time there was no mistaking the scoffing incredulity in the Master Mage's tone and Tasha turned to glare at him.

"If I am not mistaken Master Whilford, this language is a blending of a form of Elven and Celestial. Of course you wouldn't know that but I have more than a passing familiarity with the Ama Ederoi and know their bloodlines so it makes sense to me." Her words were taking on a clipped edge. Tasha did not like to be talked down to and especially when she was right. "This part here says, "Na mmair hin shis an'tia a ona.?" She then pointed to the next set of lines. "This says next "Tel' agar ri' lye nostale erin imya coiasira." Loosely translated it means, "To our childen we offer a gift. The blood of our kind through time remains."

"Which means what exactly Lady Oberon?" That condescending tone was still thick as Whilford approached and looked down at the ancient stone.

"I don't know what it means actually, but one thing is certain, there is still power here." She was buzzing with the surging of energies. The location had been selected in the typical manner of her own kind. The former settlement had been built here with a reason, for it sat right dead center of a major ley line.

Nestro, leaned back against one of the archway supports, he seemed to be considering the words and then with an arching of a brow and a lifting of a single finger. "It mentioned blood of their kind. Perhaps we might bleed the little elf and see what happens?"

"WHAT?" Tasha snapped while spinning about to glower at the dark mage with her lavender eyes starting to spark with temper.

"it was just a thought. However a few drops might do the trick. What little we know about that ancient race, they were pacifists for the most part." It was obvious he was trying not to laugh as Kaz and Valira joined them.

Clutching a bouquet of wild flowers the other girl moved over to look at the etching in the marble and then smiled radiantly. "We might try it. I shall heal you after so it will not hurt for long."

Kaz at least didn't look to keen on the idea. "I don't know, blood magic isn't exactly light. Then again, Tasha is right, I can feel the pulling of something but if you asked me what, I couldn't say. However I shall offer my own blood for a test."

Tasha froze while the others continued to discuss the options and started outward towards the water. Hovering nearby was the glowing form of a ghostly shade. The look of it was of the ancients that once wandered the holy site. Something in the face reminded her of Indigo but maybe it was the song it was singing that gave that impression. Drawing in a breath she was about to take a step towards it when a sudden sharp pain burned from her hand.

Looking down she saw her own blood falling in ruby droplets upon the scared marble. Blinking a few times she used her other hand to steady herself as the usual dizziness accompanied the sight of her own vita. "What the hell is wrong with you people?" She gasped, pulling her hand close, cradling it in a protective fashion.

None paid her any mind as they seemed frozen. Unmoving as it were but she was simply too upset to realize. She had been psyched out. The ghostly banshee and then her own classmates had all conspired against her and now she was bleeding. . . BLEEDING! Taking a deep breath she sought to fight off that need to faint dead away. That weakness of hers had eased up some but not totally after all.

"I can't believe you just cut me like that! Are you mad?" She shouted again, spinning to see Nistro with the blade in hand. Her arm reared back in the posture of a slug but she stopped, realizing that he actually was locked in position. "What the hell?"

The air was completely still. Just a few feet away hovering over Valira's flower bunch a colorful butterfly dangled, caught in mid flap of the brilliant wings. "Okay, this is freaking creepifying." Tasha muttered and instantly looked about.

She was the only thing moving and it was a very unsettling feeling but before she could even start to think of a way to fix this, the ground under her feet started to shake and sway wildly. "Oh great!" she thought," Now I am going to die in an earthquake. Go figure my blood caused this."

The marble table, such as it was suddenly split apart with the heavy pieces falling to either side leaving a radiant glow rising from a stone box that had been its base. Tasha could only stare once the ground stopped trembling under her feet. Now it was all about choices. She could run for it or she could have a peek. The rational side told her to beat feet, but the curious inquisitive side demanded she have a look at whatever was glowing. After a few minutes of arguing with herself, her curious side won and she inched forward. Leaning very gingerly she gazed down but all she could see was light which was bright enough to hurt her eyes. Watering as they were she simply reached out blindly and then gasped as something slammed hard into the palm of her wounded hand. "Owww!"

It took her a few seconds of blinking to clear her vision enough to see she now held a rather elegant staff. Made of an ancient metal, it bore the tarnish of years unused. A large crescent moon engraved in stylized lines and a large glowing stone embedded but that wasn't all. There was a large star in at the top, surrounded by two three moons, a artistic impression of the very world they were in. She couldn't help but spend a few minutes admiring the obvious worksmanship of the relic. The slow dawning realization that it was soaking up the blood finally registered and she attempted to drop it, but it appeared to be a rather tenacious item for she was unable to disengage it from her limb. "Oh noooo...Leggo! Leggo!" She had seen such things before and had no intentions of being eaten by it.

There was a few moments of panic as she sought to break free by standing on it, then jumping while being bent double and finally she fell on her derri're and just stared at it. She was doomed! Her stupid curiosity had done her in! Wait a second here, her hand wasn't hurting anymore! She peered at her palm around the smooth metal shaft and saw it was now healed. "Um...what the??"

"Listen Ana. Listen to the singing." Her guardian, Kasprean demanded as he struggled to take form. "I can't remain here long. The energy here pulls at me in dreadful ways, but listen child. Hear the words." Translucent and fading in and out it was more than a little apparent he was in some unknown battle of his own.

From the wind she caught the sound again, doing as she was bidden and strained to hear the words. Struggling back to her feet, she actually used the staff to support herself as the sound wrapped around her. The melody a haunting symphony of the tales of old and within the poignant music visions assailed her thoughts.

Burning into her mind the memory of another time and with it the beauty and joy they carried then. They had called it a gift and indeed it was she was flooded with knowledge of many for it had indeed once been a place for the gathering of others and they had also stored all that they were within the staff she now held. More so it was the glowing red gem that was affixed within the design. How long she stood there, enfolded within the glowing light of energy she couldn't say, but when it started to dissipate, she realized she had a new task to complete. Tasha had to deliver what she had found to the Ama Ederoi. It was theirs by right and at the very last before the rays of light faded she promised she would do just that.

Once the promise was given, the air around her exploded with sound as the world unfrozen leaving her feeling more than a little disoriented. Luckily she was now able to release the staff, well sort of. After some excitement at her find, Master Whilford quickly determined that Tasha was the only one it would allow to touch it, for it repelled all other hands. This obviously did not please him, but she didn't actually care.

Tasha had to wonder as they headed towards the camp a short distance away if she should have told him earlier that she was prone to such weirdness. Then again, fate or something else had sent her so hardly her fault.

I'm killing them all I put my soul on the line I purify sins That I committed in life I'll follow them all And I'll be bringing them down Within Temptation " Murder

Sitting by the fire, Tasha barely had time to react as she saw the elder mage go down. The shaft of the arrow that had pierced his throat was still vibrating as he hit the ground. So fast did it happen his eyes were already vacant with that death stare and his spirit breaking free of the bonds of his physical self. Silvery violet eyes widened in both horror and shock and for a few precious moments she struggled to breath. Blood! Too much of it! Gods! She so hated the stuff!

Beside her, Kaz was already shouting commands to the others even as he reached a hand out and yanked Tasha out of the way of another array of flying arrows. "Snap out of it, Tash!", he commanded, giving her a little shake and then flung out a spell. The air quickly exploding with the sound of screams as the magics hit with a burning touch.

Clutching the staff in her hand, she shot a look around, trying to locate the others. The smoke was making vision impossible. It seemed to be growing and billowing forth. Rubbing with one small hand at her watering eyes, she ducked just in time as one of the attackers moved in and attempted to make a grab for her. Her instinctive reaction was to then send him flying backwards to slam violently into a nearby tree with a sickening crunch. The body smoldered as it slid to the ground moments later. The staff was starting to glow a strange array of colors but she barely registered it before dashing off toward Kaz. "What the frell is going on!?? She shouted before unleashing another fireball in the direction of their assailants.

I won't suffer, be broken, Get tired, or wasted Surrender to nothing, I'll give up what I Started and stopped this From end to beginning A new day is calling, And I am finally Fight! 30 Seconds to Mars - Attack

The sight of Nistro's dismembered hand forced Tasha to lose her concentration for a moment and caused her spell casting to falter. Her piquant face paled at the sight of the spraying blood only to increase to a gag upon his body falling limp to the ground. She shuddered. Kaz's loud shouting came to her from a distance as the buzzing in her ears grew to a roar of sound. Fighting back the blackness, she sent another barrage of magic missiles at the steadily advancing attackers whose numbers she was still unable to determine. "Kaz!" KAZ"! Where are you?" She shouted while bringing up her other hand and a wave of flame shot from dainty fingers.

"Here Tash!" He emerged from the mists of smoke with breath heaving as if he had been running a race. He had shed his robes at some point. Now clad in a simple white tunic and serviceable leather breeches, it apparently made movement easier as he spun about and a another volley of spinning arcane shards flew in an arc towards the incoming assailants. "They just keep coming!"

"Who are the. . .?" In a split second her words were cut off as her friend launched himself in front of her, taking a crossbow bolt meant for her. The projectile impacted through his shoulder, exploding bone and muscle and spraying her in a gory shower. The sight made her gasp but before she could even react, his now dead weight slammed into her and sent them both toppling backwards. The impact caused her head to slam back against cobbled rock hard enough that she saw stars for a few seconds. Precious time slipped by as she blinked to clear her vision, only to feel the edges of panic swelling again.

Blood, so much blood! Her mind screamed and sought to shut off, but she battled through it to a point. Magic and Tasha was an uncertain sort of affair. She had gotten better using it over the years. In her present state, the panic won out and the wild energies she channeled were unleashed, spreading over the surroundings. It manifested first as a twitch of an arm or a leg, but with ungainly movement her dead attackers started to rise.

It was an unsteady sort of effort. Those soulless bodies moved without minds to guide them. That activity caught their former compatriots off guard and caused shouts of dismay and shock from the living to echo about the dense trees around the camp site in response. As the raiders turned to deal with their risen comrades Tasha took advantage of those confused moments and pushed Kaz off her. His heavy form rolled back, making her whimper at the sight of the gash that marred his head. He looked dead to her terrified gaze.

Scrambling to her feet, Tasha felt the energy surging inside and, without even thinking, the words fell from her lips. Around her the temperature of the air dropped by several degrees and slowly her hands rose. From her fingertips bands of black, blue and purple shot forth, catching the first two in their path and instantly ripping their souls from their bodies. Before she could follow with more, the world around her went black and just like a light switch, she shut down and dropped to the ground in a heap, the staff clattering against the ruins a foot away.

"The hurt inside is fading This shit's gone way too far All this time I've been waiting Oh, I cannot grieve anymore For what?s inside awaking I'm not, I'm not a whore You've taken everything and Oh I cannot give anymore..." Korn " Here to Stay

"I've come for the young silver-haired elf." The rider sat ramrod straight in the saddle, one hand on the reigns and the other holding a small hand weapon the likes of which Sybil had not personally seen before. The leather the stranger wore was as black as his expression, his eyes holding a dead luster that sent a shiver down the spines of the ones nearest said elf.

"Have you now?" Sybil couldn't help but smile at the brashness of this newcomer. The idiotic and misplaced libido of Bertrand aside, she was flush with victory. Even with her losses, she held the upper hand for there was no evidence of anyone with the lone rider.

"Yes." Just the single word in reply, the level tone akin to a splash of cold water upon that inner jubilant mood. Sybil's eyes narrowed as she shook her head.

"And why would you think I would just hand her over" In case you haven't noticed I've got the superior numbers, and you're just one man?"

A thunder crack broke the late night and Sybil's words, and her manpower was diminished by one as the man to her left fell with a creak of metal and a sound thud to the earth. The remaining part of the helmet that held the remnants of his head smoked from a large hole, the wisps being blown clear by the small breeze that flowed in and out of the ruins. The rider slid from the saddle, holstering the hand weapon.

"You will, because she means that much to me." Down on the ground he seemed less impressive, his height looking to be barely taller than Sybil herself. "And your "man' there is the lucky one. He got it quick. The rest of you?" The stranger eyed the rest of Sybil's group with the same emotionless stare. "Not so much."

Sybil shook her head, any elation now quite evaporated. "You're a fool." She looked over toward Bertrand, pointing toward the intruder as she did so. "Kill him!"

"I was hoping you'd say that." A savage smirk accompanied the words, though he continued calmly toward the wall where Tasha lay.

At Sybil's command, Bertrand and his cronies grabbed for their weapons and started forward, the second in command hanging back to let his compatriots charge in first. The three mercenaries remaining with Sybil also started forward, but two were stalled by her extended arms, leaving only one to rush ahead.

As the first assailant reached him, the stranger exploded into movement, steel glinting in the last rays of the evening sun as his blades seemed to appear in his hand. He spun low, his sword arcing around to slap edge-first into the back of the closest knee, staggering his opponent. Continuing the spin, his knife slammed into the man's groin and cut upward, laying out his intestines with the wet slapping sound of bloody flesh hitting the earth.

Straightening, he sent the knife flying, the heavy blade burying itself into the throat of the man running in from Sybil's position. As his latest victim fell, the stranger danced to the side, almost escaping a blow that would have torn his shoulder half away.

Blood stained the black leather from where the point sliced through the heavy material but the injury just drew a ragged growl from him. Sparks flew as the stranger parried the blows coming in from either side, ducking and weaving to keep himself from getting caught between them and Bertrand, who was trying to maneuver behind the stranger.

The break in the deadly dance came when one of the men tripped over the legs of Kaz as he stepped forward, stumbling past his quarry to barrel into his compatriot on the opposite side. Taking advantage of this misstep, the stranger twisted around and sliced his blade along the hamstrings of the one who had tripped, sending him down with a howl of pain. A howl that choked off as a boot slammed into his jaw a second after.

A veritable blur, the stranger stepped to the side and lashed out past the parry of the assailant to his right and laid the flesh of his forearm open to the bone. The sword clattered to the ground as the hand holding it lost all strength, leaving the body open for a jab that neatly skewered through the ribs and into the heart.

Bertrand hopped around the form of his fallen man, only to come face-to-muzzle with the hand weapon the stranger had used earlier. He blinked, eyes nearly crossing as he looked at the barrel and the grim visage beyond. Another sword hit the ground, and he raised both hands up in surrender. "I thought you said It would be slow for us?" He inwardly winced the second the words passed his lips, and the stranger shrugged.

"Thanks for reminding me." The angle of the weapon dropped, and Bertrand's world erupted into a red veil of pain. Bertrand wailed as he grabbed his groin, blood spurting through his fingers as he collapsed. The stranger came about in a half-crouch prepared to defend himself, but Sybil and the last two were nowhere to be found. He made a soft growling sound in his throat and turned to move over and kneel beside Tasha, who was just starting to stir. She blinked once, her bleary eyes trying to focus on the face above her.

"Luse" Issat you?" She was mumbling and Lusiphur slowly eased her up into a sitting position against the ruin she had lain beside.

"Yeah kiddo. It's me."

I hate to see you fall down I'll pick you up off of the ground I've watched the weight of your world come down And now It's your chance to move on Change the way you've lived for so long You find the strength you've had inside all along Cause life starts now You've done all the things that could kill you somehow And you're so far down But you will survive it somehow because life starts now

Three Days Grace- Life Starts Now. "C"mon, Tash. We've gotta go." Lusiphur gently helped the woozy Trueblood to her feet, an arm resting across her shoulders for support. Tasha groaned softly as her weight settled against him, but only moved a couple of steps before stumbling to an abrupt stop.

"Wait! My new staff!" She gasped suddenly then looked quickly to the side to try to spot the staff, but only made herself dizzier. Lusiphur shook his head as he tried to steer her toward the horse but Tasha shrugged out of his hold, forcing Lusiphur to catch her shoulders before she sagged back down. "Oooh?" Muttering softly Lusiphur spotted the staff laying in the weeds at the base of the wall, though when he tried to pick it up he found himself unable to grab the gleaming wood, his fingers refusing to close around it. Tasha crouched and took it in a trembling hand, using both staff and Lusiphur to hold herself steady when she straightened.

Lusiphur gingerly guided Tasha to where his horse had settled during the fight and helped her up into the saddle. She slumped forward, cradling her staff and still feeling dizzy from the knock on the head she had suffered moments earlier, but her silver-violet eyes cut toward the assassin as he prepared to swing up behind her. "Where's Kaz?"

"Who?" Lusiphur stared up at her in bafflement, and Tasha pointed back toward the ruined wall.

"Kaz. He's right there. We've got to take him with us." The long-eared elf shook his head with a soft growl, cutting a quick glance to the pile of bodies there.

"Tasha, we don't have time for this. We've got a long way to ride." He tried to soften his voice, but couldn't quite lose the edge in his tone. "And Tash"he didn't make it." Tasha gaped for a second, than reached down to weakly push at his shoulder.

"He's not dead! I'd know if he was!" Tears shimmered in her limpid violet eyes as she tugged on the unforgiving black leather, barely rocking Lusiphur where he stood. "I mean"he's mostly dead, but he hasn't fled to the beyond yet. We have to help him! He saved me and all so we gotta take him with us!" Lusiphur sighed, shaking his head in exasperation.

"Dammit Tash, we don't have time!" He pointed to the pile of bodies again as he spoke, almost yelling now. "For all we know, there's more coming this way right now, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let a dead man slow us down! We have to get to Tignus as quick as we can." He was about to again try to swing up into the saddle and Tasha was opening her mouth to again argue when the head of her staff flared brightly with a luminous halo that writhed with a life all its own. Bands of force shot out to a spot near the two and their mount, coalescing into a glowing oval of liquid energy. Hovering on the edge of vision on the surface was an image of the portal room in Roecyn.

Lusiphur stared at the portal for several seconds, looked back at Tasha and her staff which she clutched tightly to her chest, then back to the portal again. "Huh.? He finally grunted, feeling Tasha tug at his shoulder again. Taking the reins in hand he guided the horse to the crumbled wall where he hoisted the unconscious Kaz to lay in front of Tasha, grunting under the effort of moving the man's dead weight. Tasha rested an arm over Kaz's back to steady him as Lusiphur led them to the portal, the three slipping through the shimmering surface like a stone through water.