Watching Family Leave

Ann sat back watching them from the porch as they departed. The tears streaming down her face. As she sat there watching the loves of her life leave, she was stricken with so much grief that she wanted to call out to them to wait for her. She almost couldn't bear the thought of them leaving her behind, even though it was the right thing to do. She had a responsibility to her father and the rest of the family. Since she was the eldest child, she knew she had to make sure they were safe and secure before she could be reunited with Dex and the girls. So, with her heart breaking she had to watch them go on down the road to start over without her, knowing that they might never see each other again, but still hoping and praying that the would be together someday.

Released from the hospice

After losing his first baronial challenge Dexter struggled with his feelings driving himself to mental collapse. The stress of the team money promotions and letting the title slip away after leading Baron Ford 3-0 he was taken to the RhyDin hospice. He spent nearly three weeks there not even knowing what or where he was at? Finally he was released.

Covered in warm clothes, the man is almost indistinguisable. At his side are three young children, their mother still gone with her family. Much has happened he thinks as he makes his way through RhyDin. Recently released from the hospice due to his amnesia, he found his children Tatyana, Micheele and Saiara scared, cold and hungry. Once a prosperous businessman, he had made much in Team Money, he now was destitute, all of his savings gone to pay the hospice workers.

Upon the invitation of a friend they travel to stay at his house, en route they post a message at the arena.

Reformed Bookie seeks employment and care for his children all applicants please forward resumes, experience to Dex Montoy via courier, post or note at I'Taurn located at the home of Alais and Uly

They quickly continue on, Dex eager to get his kids warm and fed.

The Oppression back in Krondor

Under the oppresors hands the citizens were decimated, demoralized and discouraged. Anns family were kept in constant turmoil, despite missing her children Ann dealt with stress after stress, first her mothers illness, and later her mothers death, followed shortly by the birth of her sisters child. News of her husbands ills in Rhydin were later softened by hearing of Uly and Alais generosity at extending there home to dexter and the children. Unfortunately much of Krondor was a constant source of unhappiness. After a while the common folk determined to rise up against the oppresors began to rebel, the grass roots of underground warfare went well, harrying every step of the oppressors. In the end it turned sour, the oppresors giving up on harnessing the fruits of the lands felt if they couldnt have it... No One would.

The Barony


After enjoying some successes in dueling Dexter was ready for the next attempt at a Baron's Ring. This time successful he now held the 8th ring of DoS. But with it he felt many things and recorded them in his personal journal.

After missing the duels yet again due to family obligations he walks in the arena contemplating his recent successes. He enjoyed the perks of the barony but was now realizing the weight of his call. What roles would fate have him play, when would the roles be played and where. He had said little when disclosing his alignment. He wanted to have a chance to learn from Ford, to be honorable yet stand up for what he believed in. He regretted in some ways challenging Ford now, one who he had developed great respect for, but was glad it was Ford because of the lessons he learned in the duel, after the duel and even on the eve of his retirement.

He felt the weight of considering the better good nagging against the personal views. Since leaving Krondor he had not changed ... he always had felt for the wisdom of the ages ... the big picture he would always say. Now as he had achieved some small degree of skill in the arena, the outback and on the isle he had been approached by a few to instruct them. He felt like he was not worthy and told them such but they did not understand, they only saw his ranks, his titles and assumed that made him a skilled teacher. He had been convinced by a close friend that he should teach... it was a destiny of his? regardless of what they would learn he would teach them to the best of his ability. He instituted the Krondorian Philosophy, he hesitated at making it public, he had informed some of the skilled duelers of the arena that he would quote their wisdom knowing that he had not all the words of wisdom. He feared that some would feel he was copying E, and others that would say he was trying for grandeur. Yet the school was not for his own glory but an attempt to try and help others at their request. He had not sought the students, he would not turn those in need away but he had referred some to others seeing...once again ... the big picture ... of what was best.

He walked over to the couch and put his head in his hands fearful of much.

He remembered a saying he once had heard...

"Above all to thine own self be true"

It was coming clear now as to his destiny. His friends words came to him at this crucial time

"there is no courage without fear"

Finally in the quiet of the night he knew what he must do .... it was a new beginning .. he was terrified.

The Exodus

Sadly though, the darkest hour was not in the betrayal.. nor the invasion ... not even the oppression matched what happened next. Systematically, devilishly, the evil wizards went through the land. They cursed the land before them, any who came near were taken and killed. Soon word spread and every living creature fled for its life as the troops burned the land to charred ruins, every part of Krondor was taken to the edge of destruction and then mercilessly pushed over the brink into ruin. No time for tears... No time for revenge. There was nothing. The invaders left a land scorched and burned as if the battle was with nature and nature lost. The clouds of ash and tar billowed up and even the highlands were aware. The one part of Krondor left from final waste, not because the oppressor wouldn?t have left it except for the fact that no food was left in the land to sustain their evil armies. And thus they left in a raging fire to the east. Krondor destroyed. Only a few hamlets up in the highlands left.

"Well girls... it looks as though you'll be staying at the cottage with Brian and myself. Topaz has asked your parents.... and I'm sure they'll say 'tis alright." Khrysta smiles warmly at the children before her, Dex's young ladies, and young Brian. "Come along then."

She helps the girls mount *Nameless * and *Emperor*, her two horses, and sets Brian behind one of the girls. Swinging the youngest of Dex's daughters up to her back to play *horsey* for her, and taking the reins for both of the real horses in hand, Khrys begins the long walk home.... smiling as she listens to the happy chatter of all the things the children will do during the girls stay with them.

After they stepped through the portal of winds from the Beacon of Truth they traveled a half days journey from the manor at Atrebla. The kids safely with Khrysta and matters of state taken care of. No longer third in command of the Guardians of Truth and no longer serving as a Baron of DoS Dexter was free to work on his developing talents as Arch-mage of DoM during this journey to the highlands. He silently wondered what he, Jyke and his beloved Ann were heading to. They stopped momentarily at the narrow gorge at the eastern pass into Atrebla before working through the ridges towards the Highlands, home of Ann's parents.

"So, Ann dear, are ye ready for this mountain path?" He looks to her then to Jyke observing his reaction.

He paused to read the effect this might have before he said more. "Not a soul remains alive there."

Dex seemed to stumble forward as the weight of the news bore down on him. He sat down at the bottom of the stairs, beside Tiny who had her arm around his shoulder. Sher took a step back, a nearly inaudible 'no' whispering from her mouth.

"This message comes from Atrebla. From your wife's parents." the strange bearer of these ill tidings proceeded, though he could plainly see Dex's face had gone white and he had become utterly unable to speak. "I am deeply saddened to be the one to relate this terrible news to you." Then he stood and looked away, a grim and solemn look on his face. It was long moments before Dex tried to speak.

"Ho.. How... What.. ", but his stammering quickly trailed off again into another long silence.

Lady Sher looked accusingly at the stranger, not wanting to believe. "How did this happen?" she interrogated. "How did you find out?"

He looked on her kindly, understanding their grief to some extent. "Invaders, M'lady. Slash and burn, it seemed. I saw the village with my own eyes and traveled thence to Atrebla, where I was greeted by individuals wanting to pass this information to Dex. I came in exchange for training."

"Oh, my goodness," she exclaimed. "Not the whole place!" Dex looked up, a thin shard of hope in his eye as he waited the other's answer.

"I'm afraid so. 'Tis not much in difference now from the badlands."

"They already had the land, why must they have destroyed it?" Dex asked no-one in particular. Wrath tinged the edges of his voice.

The messenger looked at Dex, then his eyes found the floor, knowing it had as much answer as he.

Dex rose and left them where they stood, running up the stairs and out of the Arena. From beyond the doors, they soon heard a rending cry as he vented his rage to the skies. Then he came back the way he had gone, pretending almost as if nothing had happened.

"I'm fine," he said as Tiny expressed her worry. Then he turned to address the newcomer. "So what do we owe you for this service of passing the news? And what might be your name?"

"My name is Jyke Dekian." he answered without hesitation. "I have come for training, though I couldn't possibly ask for recompense considering the circumstance."

Dex nodded. "If training was a promise to you, then that is one we shall keep. Although I must say I am glad to see you are not one to expect profit from this tale of bad news."

Introductions went around, and arrangements were made. Then Dex turned toward the bar, leaving them to lay their plans. "I need a drink," he mumbled, making his way toward the lime juice pitcher.

As laid to paper by the hand of the Scribe,
Dundale



Before Ann could respond a huge thundering was heard down the mountainside. The deafening roar speaking of danger nearby. The landslide up ahead from the loose mud from the rain in the mountains causing the trail to be buried under tons of rock. Carefully walking ahead Dex and Jyke scouted out the area returning in a brief half hour.

<Dex> Its as we feared Ann, Impassable. I will return to RhyDIn using the newest transport spell to sek manpower or guidance from the other Mages on how to remove the rocks.

<Ann> Hurry, This is a bad omen i fear for my parent?s safety.

<Dex> Jyke, Please watch over and guard my wife with your life. I need to be assured she is safe.

Muttering a brief chant under his breathe he disappears from the high mountain trail.

"Be careful," he whispers as he watches the brave warrior set out before him on the path to their fate.

His jaw flexes, gazing ponderously to the gorge, his knuckles white from the grip on his staff. He knows that it's going to be dangerous... in the 200 years of life of this existence, he had been put into danger more times than he could remember, so it is not death that he fears. Rather, he fears leaving behind all that he has to live for now. He has friends now... a family... a warmth which he had never felt before, save the few times his old
master patted him on his juvenile head by the fireside in that old cottage in the wood. He lets out a small, almost inaudible sigh as he thinks about where he would be if it weren't for the fate and happenstance that brought him here: wandering through the woods, lonely and confused.

All this in a split second of thought... with a shake to bring him back to reality, he cordially moves closer to Ann, watching protectively over the area, taking the words, "guard my wife with your life," to their utmost effect. :: returning early the next morning Dex arrives to
see them cleaning camp and enjoying breakfast.

"Good morning! How did you sleep last night?" Walking up to Ann to give her a big hug.

The air seemed to take on a lighter weight and a diminutive blanche of light ignited. The spark developed into a shimmer leaving the caress of tingle against the flesh. Topaz appeared. Along with her came the rendition of marvel. Softly, she murmured, "What?.."

Dex's frustration vanished immediately and he bellowed out a delirious chuckle. "It worked!"

Contaminated by his happy demeanor, the rest of them could not help but harness a beam. They released jovial laughter, then greeted Topaz. She returned the merry salutations. Her grin slid toward Dex. She put a quill away in her skirt pocket. "Practicing?"

Before Dex could answer her, the air hummed with a second doze of energy. A second shimmer and a spark gathered.

"Oh...oh." Dex said, his eyes widening. The wind lifted and swirled about them. Dying down, it dropped Joby, the wizard into presence. He fell to the ground. All eyes upon him blinked in unison.

"Ooops , two for the price of one I suppose." Dex humored. "I need more practice obviously."

"Aye, it looks like it." said Tiny.

Everyone tittered a response through either a chuckle or a smile, except Joby whose wide-open eyes were unfocused and his pupils dilated. He was just a tad dumbfounded. He stood up and dusted himself off. "Well I wonder what I am doing here?.."

Jyke cocked his head like the curiosity beset in a parrot's action when someone is sounding out words for the bird to repeat. He was fascinated with the current events of the moment.

At last, Dex rendered an explanation, shifting his eye sight back and forth between Tiny and Joby. "We are trying to determine what to do about this landslide that impedes our journey." Both Tiny and the wizard followed Dex?s glance toward the rubble. Dex?s eyes shifted. He could not help but notice the deep blue glow that emanated from Jyke?s hands. "I had intended on just a mind link with Tiny but it seems I summoned you completely." He said, silently keeping a vigil on the new developing emanation.

"Have you already figured out how far this goes?" questioned Tiny.

"Far enough to block us from getting to Ann's parents." Dex glanced at his wife. She rubbed her arms as if chilled. It was amazing how she had managed to keep herself together in such a time of distress. Ann cleared her throat and directioned her comment to Topaz. "We know why we haven't heard anything from the highlands. This passage has made communication impossible."

Tiny compassioned a nod. "I am sorry, Ann. You must be very worried. I will try to do all I can to help." She turned to Dex. " I must be back by night fall. Any hopes of getting this out of the way with conventional means?"

Jyke spoke up out of his own thoughts. "I scouted through the night looking for passage, or an easier way through but found none."

"Tiny, I approached some work crews in RhyDin but the rebuilding of Questrion has them all contracted out right now." said Dex.

"A terrible war there." added Tiny. Quietly, she wondered if levitation could be utilized. She wondered if she could make them all fly.

"Joby, Do you have any thoughts on how to get past this blockade?" Dex turned to face the wizard. Dex blinked. Joby?s whole body was a vivid bright blue, the same color as he had seen gathering around Jyke?s hands. "Are you allright, Joby?" he whispered.

If Tiny and Ann noticed the blue color they gave no indication of it. Their attention was given to Jyke who rolled his shoulders. Obviously, he was working out the tension he felt there. He closed his eyes, flexed his neck down and continued his exercise. "I think you all should know... as I was scouting, I saw a slight glow from beyond the rocks. I know not what it was, or is, but it was scintillating and quite bright."

"What kind of glow, Jyke?" , asked Tiny, staring at the top of his head. .

Hairs in the back of Dex's neck stiffened. He did not like the uncanny feeling developing in the pit of his stomach. He still held the Tome in his hand as if testing its weight. Actually he was ransacking his thought for ideas to overcome the arduous path he saw ahead. Joby seemed to abandon them as his mind went racing with thoughts. He stared off, exuding a distant far away look, then coursed in with the same tone, "This place is full of some kind of magic, probably why a simple mind-link turned into a double transport spell."

"Jyke.." Dex gently elbowed him at the same time as he called out his name; his eyes fixedly on Joby. Jyke lifted his head from the flexing. Dex pointed to Joby and the women turned their gaze in Joby's direction. "That blue?" asked Dex. Jyke glanced upon Joby but apparently did not think so much of the blue color forming. "Nay... a reddish. Almost like the light of a fire as it rustles in the wind, but there was something mystical and eerie about it. And besides, I heard nothing but the wind." He answered.

"Watch, I will cast a simple candle spell." Joby announced.

They all watched cautiously. The wizard lifted his arms. His fingers moved with calculated thought. A section of mountain exploded into a fiery conflagration. They all blinked, then shielded their eyes from the intensity.

"Quite the disturbance in the mana." Dex said, reopening his eyes.

"Hmmm, definitely more than one candle." Tiny said.

"I suppose using nether ray would be ill advised here." Dex mused.

Tiny and Ann grinned at Dex, detecting a small bit of the humorous note.

"Very ill advised." Tiny said. She shifted weight to her other foot.

"This will make the problem far more challenging with forces of mana in flux." Dex said more seriously, as he concentrated on the brightness ahead.

"And magically displacing a rock, will most likely cause another land slide." Tiny contributed.

Nestled in the mountains appeared a portal like appearance. Dex caught the flash of its appearance from the corner of his eyes.

"There must be another way. We just have to find it." Topaz whispered. And just as soon as the words were said, she ducked as more flashing showered into an almost blinding white. The portal came into full profile.

"Look!" shouted Dex.

"I wonder where that will take us?" exclaimed Tiny.

Jyke and Ann were frozen in their step. Jyke attempted to move his feet, but no matter how hard he tried he simply could not budge a movement. Something held them bound.

"This is really not good." Said Dex, who was only beginning to feel the same effects..

"Is it to Atrebla or to Krondor?", questioned Tiny, still gazing at the portal.

"Topaz, this portal, does not have the same flux as the others." continued Dex, leveling his sight over toward the portal.

"I think you are right." She sighed.

"Something is pulling at me hard." Said Joby. He pivoted his feet into the ground digging in to restrain against the pull.

Jyke struggled to remain in place, but the pull was magnetic and strong. Protectively, he grasped Ann's shoulders, trying to keep her braced.

"Should I send a mage bolt at it and we run?" asked Dex.

"That would be disaster, I think.?" said Joby.

"Try something less powerful." added Tiny. "A mage-bolt might blow us home in bits and pieces."

Dex thought. An idea whirled.

"Foul fog?yes" He then shook his head. "but we would stink."

"Sounds good to me." Tiny flipped up her fingers and held her nose.

"But it might disrupt the flux." said Dex.

Jyke grabbed Ann with both hands. He was forced to let go of his staff which flew toward the portal.

"Better that then in pieces." said Tiny, her voice becoming more rushed.

"Tiny, you cast as well" , said Dex.

She nodded and concentrated on the spell. They both raised their arms and began to cast. A greenish cloud started building from their hands. Suddenly it whisked out in a thick-like stream appearance and hovered toward the portal. Topaz?s slightly smaller cloud caught up with Dex?s and became mingled.

Jyke watched in disappointment as his beloved staff flew into through the green cloud. Then, the cloud solidified.

"Ack." Said Dex, dismay lining his voice. "It?s solid now."

"At least we can move?". Tiny grabbed up some things and ran toward Ann and Jyke.

"Okay, tea, coffee, or ?." Jo looked toward Dex. "?Lime juice?"

"This is very strange." Dex nodded to Jo indicating lime juice and turned to Tiny. "You were further away then Joby was. Could the proximity to the phenomenon be a factor?" He turned back to Joby. "What do you think Joby?"

"I see now! I was transported four days from the past." Joby reveled up as if hit suddenly hit. He pulled up a chair and sat across from Dex.

"Right." answered Dex, "That was very weird, a mental summons. Two? and from different time frames no less. That portal was a temporal rift...entering it would cause you to go four days into the past."

"You got Joby to come there after l was already there." Tiny lifted her cup to her lips. "l don't even want to know what might have happened, had we stayed there any longer." She shuddered as she took a sip. Dex glanced to his wife, then back to Tiny.

" Shhsss. Tiny, dont worry Ann" He whispered.

Tiny shifted her eyes toward Ann and gave him an apologetic nod.

"Your staff should be around here Dex." said Joby.

"My staff? Oh I think it was Jyke?s that got grabbed."

Afraid to go back to the place without adequate preparation Ann, Dex and the girls stayed at home concerned but trying to move on with there lives. The incident with Topaz took Dex away from home during her absence and even distanced Dex further from his family. After her return Dex realized where his priorities must lie and began to spend more time away from Rhydin and at home in Atrebla.

Runs through the forest seemed to alleviate his stresses and he was starting to regain a sense of self. Perhaps that was why the last few tournaments had gone so well for him. No longer over-dueling he came rested. A strong showing in the previous Archmage tournament where he went to the final match, and at DQ the semi finals seemed to bring Dex satisfaction he was doing the right thing. Then just last night he found himself winning the Opal tournament in the Outback. It was only 4 of them and he wanted there to be no question as to his right to hold the Opal so he asked Tarl to challenge him. This time Tarl as the second place holder in the tournament was hot and took both matches handidly. Smiling to himself Dex realized he now was likely the first person to actually hold title in all three venues, with a small snicker he set a second record last night as the shortest title holder in all of the rings. He held the Opal less than one hour, something likely to never be beaten. Even with all that Dex sensed things, for a time, were right in his universe.

Sitting in his manor alone one night Dex looked out the window, he had not being feeling well but things were coming around. He smiled thinking of Khrysta's wedding and the mountain scene he had his daughter do for them. He chuckled realizing that he told them an artisan had done it and noone knew the difference. Micheele was a creative genious, he looked at he works she had done for him. Truly amazed at one so youngs talent. He thought about how he could help her realize her potential and knew he had not the skill. Who could teach her with trying to exploit the girl.

Perhaps Keirin or Devarrah could take her under the watchful eyes. Both could be trusted.

A Surprise

She had forgotten his birthday. Again. Ann had let her into his office and assured her, he'd still be surprised even if it came a few days late. Topaz looked around. She had been only once or twice. They usually met everywhere else but here. The office looked clean, and if it were not for the latest paper neatly folder atop his desk, and a to-do-list with today's date neatly marked at the top of the desk, one might have thought he just did not work in his office at all. Ann had told her he stopped by his office every night after he was done with his rounds.

She placed what she hoped was the perfect gift on his desk and propped a birthday card against the box. The shop had been hard to find. It was not even marked by a sign and she had gone past it three times before she thought of knocking at its door to ask for Nilmer. He had assured her this book was just what she was looking for. It sure looked impressive enough bound in midnight blue velvety leather and kept in a prettily carved wooden box with silver enforced corners and hinges. To be honest, she had decided on it for it's looks rather then the value Nilmer promised of the words within. If it would help Dex having an easier time of it working with the spells of the other book, all the better.

Seeing Dex rise late in the night she lies quietly wondering where he could be off to. Ann waits until he exits the room and quickly dons her cloak and follows him outside and down the path towards the portal. She slides through the shadows and enters the portal just a moment after him to see what business he could possible have at this hour at the Beacon.

Having spoken with Topaz they came up with a plan to check on Jo, they would need help from Querylon and Devarrah.

((Authors note-the rescue attempt for Jo continues in the thread A Cooks Ramblings))

It was late that night as Dex determined to push this new spell to the limit. Already aware that his techniques had undergone serious repercussions. Slowly, methodically, chanting in the grove where he practiced the arcane arts he concentrated and underwent a temporal shift. It ripped seams in the crackling air as he focused on the blue crystal staff. Then it became quiet. There was separation, his body left in a protective shell encased by the blue aura, his spirit travelled through the ether. He was, in this state, pure mana.

After having traveled through space without the encumberances of his physical being Dex made his way first to the arena, then to the outback, finally to twilight isle. Testing his presence with others he was unsure if he was truly spirit. He closed the spell with his appropriate ending and returned to the places he visited. He thought his body was there but quickly it was apparent that he was of the same form.

Not Good.

He returned home and slipped into bed where fortunately Ann was sleeping and hopefully by morning he would be normal.

Morning came.

No comments. No questions. It appeared that things were normal indeed. Or were they? Much had happened since those early experiments and Dex must have scrambled his mind with testing the new spell that he developed because certain incidents had faded from memory. He struggled to recall them and then shrugged it off.