Everything for the trip back to Kelvar was in place as Sylus checked the cinch and gig on his roan. Leaving the bit out of Stepper's mouth, he went and got a sack of fresh grain to keep the unruly animal busy. His tanned leather saddlebags were strung over the railing of a nearby stall, with several of the pockets bulging profoundly with the things he would need to get home. Checking over the items he noticed that a certain vial was missing. Cursing under his breath, Sylus searched the other pockets hoping that he merely misplaced the item. Finding nothing he searched the lining of his supply packs. Still he found nothing.

He was in his rooms, going through a few drawers when the sound of a pounding hammer came to his ever sharp ears. Sticking his head out into the hallway the sound was a bit louder and seemed to be coming from the floor below. Dashing back to his room he grabbed his scimitars and moved cautiously down the steps. As he came to a blind corner, Sylus knelt and slid his right blade straight out. Tilting the weapon, he could see down the hall, no one was in sight. WIth a slight sigh he rose and moved around the corner.

The slight rush of wind was all the warning he had. In the next instant a searing pain flared in his side. Glancing down, he saw his life blood seep from a clean perforation. Though the wound was not mortal it would prove an annoyance if not treated immediately. He felt a second rush of wind, but this time he was prepared for it. Diving off tot he side he heard the blade sing through the air where his head had just been. Coming to his feet he looked around, keeping his breathing slow. It was then that he heard the footsteps, soft but still audible, scraping gently over the flagstones of the hallway. He felt a third rush of wind and knew what it was immediately.

The rush was not his assailent but a form of his aura that preceded his movements. Sylus had all the advantage he would need for now. Knowing that the invisible assasin would expect him to roll away once more he did what would be least expected. He stood his ground. Knowing that his opponent would have his blade wide, to catch him in a roll, Sylus braced himself and leveled his right scimitar straight ahead of him at gut level. The force of impact was enough to jar his teeth as he felt the hilt of his blade slam into his open wound.

There came a strangled gasp as an invisible weight pushied down on his blade. Shoving forcefuly, Sylus removed the body from his blade, and stepped back muttering words to reveal his attacker. As the invisible killer faded into sight Sylus was taken aback at the face in front of him. With infinite care he lowered the young woman's body to the floor. Her name was Ilyena. She had been a love of Sylus' and had gotten close to wearing his ring on her finger as well as his name. Troubled times, duty, obligation, and betrayal had driven them appart with bitter regret.

Coughing up blood she looked into Sylus amber eyes and touched the side of his face. The look and touch were too intimate for words and left him speechless as she confessed with her dying breath why she had come to try and kill him.

" You broke my heart all of those years ago....." Her voice was a soft rasp as a crimson tide stained the corner of her rosebud lips. " But I found solace in the arms of another and my place. Varad fears you..Sy....as does his master. Try as he might, killing you seems beyond his power. Out of love for him, I had to try and finish the task, but it ...::Her eyes began to unfocus as she clung to his arm::...it seems your skills have grown tenfold......he.....fears...you......Antala.... ::With her final strength she leaned up in a kiss that conveyed all of the pain she had endured over the years that had separated them.

Sylus knelt there for several moments, tears blurring his eyes, before he got to his feet with what felt like the weight of the world on his shoulders. Carrying her body outside he burried her beside a lillac bush. The only thing to mark her grave was the dirk she had used to try and take his life.

This attack only strengthened his resolve to return home and figure out what in the Nine Hells was going on. Hand pressing firmly to the wound at his side he went back into Kurgen Keep. When he walked through the entry way the sound of hammering came again.

Entering the Outback I spotted Dimitri immediately and made my way over to him. Sliding up to the bar I started talking with him aboutcertain aspects of the journey. Telling him what he would need to know in order to make it there with ease. I did not want him to have too many suprises when we arrived in Kelvar.

After a few duels I felt pretty good, broke even which wasn't all that bad. Even though dueling was probably not a smart choice given my wound...I needed something to keep my mind off of unpleasant memories. It was after my last duel when Alais came into the room. I winced slightly as I slipped out of the ring. I tried to cover it up but she saw my hand move to my side. As I sat down with her she asked what was wrong...

" It's nothing...you've got enough on your mind...don't worry about me" I covered another wince and managed to restrain my hand from slipping to my ribs again. She quirked a brow and slipped her arm around my waist " Yer ah terrible liar, m'dear" With another overt look sle pressed her hand against my side, eliciting a sharp gasp from me. I couldn't hide the chagrin on my face. "It is nothing...I'm serious...." I tried to allay her worry but it was to no avail.

"Ye've neffer made me angry afore nae Sy......donnae make me so now, with you leaving...prithee...tell me whatst haff happened to ye?" With a exasperated look I related the attack on my life by Ilyena.

" SHe left me no choice...." I said quitely as I let my gaze fall to the floor. I waited for her to shy away from me, call me monster. Tell me I'm heartless and a hundred other things. She merely leaned against me, letting her hand slide through my hair and told me she understood. This was another show of why I love Lais so much...she does not judge me and only reprimands me when I am truly out of line. We spent the rest of the night talking about my trip and when she should expect correspondance from me on my arrival in Kelvar and of our progress towards my homeland.

Dimitri came over to me at one point and told me he would await me at the Keep. Walking towards the door he whistled loudly and waited a few moments. Soon there came a loud crash from outside as Dimitri's wyvern landed and took him to Kurgen Keep.

I got in one last duel before I bit Alais fairwell and left the Outback.

( At the Keep)

I arrived in time to see Dimitri placing the supply packs on his wyverns' back. Stepper knickered warily as I rode up to Dimitri. Though the big roan's eyes were impossibly wide, his training kept him planted where he was. With a plaintive look at me the horse shook it's head and pawed a little at the ground in protest.

"Stop that!" I admonished the animal digging my knees into his side a bit.
Slipping out of my saddle I walked over to Dimitri, adjusting my sword belt. "You ready to depart?"With a nod he said yes and we road out of the courtyard after I put the wards of the Keep back in place. We road until it was too dark to ride safely and made camp.

Gathering a few logs of dead wood I found nearby we made a meager fire and turned in for the night.

As he rode the Wyvern through the night skies from the Outback. He could only think of where he was going. As he saw the keep ahead he leaned forward and pushed his fingers into two nerve points in the wyverns neck. Dimitri guided the wyvern towards the ground. It's legs finally hit the ground as they did Dimitri jumped down.

After a hour or two he heard Sylus coming. He looked at the horse he was riding stop. "Damn horse afraid of wyverns. Tel'Ranaemyn easy" He patted the leg of the wyvern as it stared at the horse. He heard Sylus yell "Stop that!"

When Sylus approached he asked "You ready to depart?" Dimitri just nooded and replied yes. Dimitri summoned stone stairs to climb onto the back of the wyvern. With that he pushed his fingers into the nerve points and he was in the sky again heading for Kevar.

The next several days were uneventful as Sylus pushed them at a hard pace towards his homeland. The only time they ever took a break seemed to be when Stepper needed one, and those were few and far. After about eight days of travel Dimitri and Sylus came to a roadside inn. There were only a few leagues left in their journey but Sylus felt a night spent inside of a respecatble in with warm beds was a much needed treat.

Dimitri sent his wyvern away as Sylus walked around the back of the inn leading Stepper by the reins.

"Evening, neighbor.." Sy greeted the stable boy who greeted him. As the lad took the reins from his hand, Stepper gave Sylus a mischevious look. He knew right away what the horse was going to do and stopped the boy. "Careful lad...he has a meanstreak and might bite you" Tossing the boy a few coins, Sylus walked back around the front of the inn and joined Dimitri.

By Sylus' estimation there were still three more full days of hard riding. "We'd best rest while we can. There are only a few more days left of riding until we make it to Kelvar"He told Dimitri over the din of the inn's barroom.

The bar was practically filled to capacity as they moved to a back corner and took posession of a vacant booth. A serving girl sauntered up to them almost as soon as they sat down. She was dressed in normal bar wench attire. Her white shirt had several beer spatters on one sleeve as well as a few bits of dried blood on her apron. The front of her shirt was undone enough to show an ample bossom but still be in good taste. She was extremely friendly, with her hands and looks, as she went about asking them what they'd like to have that night. When she came back with their drinks, and Sylus handed her coins to pay for it , she saddle up close to him almost whorishly. ]"If I can be of any further assistance M'lords just ask for Camilla." With a look filled with promise she leaned in close and spoke into Sy's ear. " I live to please....." Her voice was husky and seductive.

Sylus chuckled at the girls' forwardness and held up his ringed finger. "Sorry love...but I'm taken." She just smiled more and pressed against him firmly. "She'd never know..."Her breath was hot against his neck and ear. Putting his hand on her shoulder he pushed her away gently. "But I would..." Sylus told her in a voice filled with iron.

Throughout the rest of the night the serving wench seemed to find a million different reasons to visit their booth. She no longer had her sights set on Sylus, so she started working her best game to appeal to Dimitri's sensual appetite. Sy watch all of this with a smile on his face. Leaving Dimitri alone for a little while, he went and found the inn keeper and reserved a pair of rooms. When he came back to the booth, the harlet was sitting next to Dimitri and whispering in his ear. At the look on the elf's face Sy laughed and handed him the key to his room.

The pair rose early and left with the rising sun. As Sylus went to get Stepper from the stables he looked at Dimitri "Are you sure you don't want to tell that bar maid from last good-bye?" He did his best not to smirk. The most part of that day was as uneventful as the previous ones. Cresting a hill top a lush green filed was spread out before them, with several goatherds grazing idly. In the distance, a small village could be seen.Wendh Ruune..... Sylus was home......

Not wanting to be recognized, Sy pulled his hood up over his face and gestured for Dimitri to slow his pace. "The village may not take kindly to seeing a wyvern...." He cautioned his friend. His face hidden in the recess of the hood, the pair moved through the village casually. With their movements' slowed down to a casualy canter, the village had sufficient time to put thier children into safe places and prepare a few meager weapons if needed. The square loomed ahead, the feeling in the air dripped with tention. From the looks they were given, it was not a good time to be a travelar in this particular area.

They were almost at the edge of the village when a commanding voice sounded from behind them. "Halt!!" the voice had the firmness and strength of youth. Sylus turned in his saddle and regarded the lad who approached. He was a little bit bigger in build than Sy was. His chestnut colored hair was wet and matted from working in the fields. Where there should have been a hoe or rake in his hands now sat a long handled axe. "You..."He gestured to Sy with his axe "Remove your hood...show me your face...." Sylus turned Stepper around and looked more clinically at the lad. "I am but a mere travelar passing through your village....surely my face is of no interest to any here?"

Sylus had recognized the youth's face the minute he saw him. The youth standing before him was Fulgar Maddle. Sy remembered how gangly and unflinchingly just and truthful the boy had been before Sylus left all those years ago. It seemed the lad had done some growing up.

"What our interests are, is none of your concern....Now would you be so kind as to lower your hood...and bring your face into the light..."With an exasperated sigh, he did so. The face that was revealed was not Sylus' face. As he had raised his hands to pull his hood down he had chanted a simple encantation to change his face. What everyone saw was a man in his mid-thirties with slightly graying hair. "Are you satisfied?" He asked Fulgar. The lad grudgingly nodded and told them to go,

Sylus and Dimitri made camp early that night and rose early the niext morning. In matter of hours the city of Kelvar loomed before them...

Early next morning the second night that Dimitri didnt get any sleep. Sylus said "Lets go we have a short travel today." As Dimitri stood up he mounted Tel'Ranaemyn and began to rise. Sylus got on Stepper and rode forward at a gallop. Dimitri just followed, after a one or two hours there it was Kelvar there destination. "Hope it isn't as bad as that village." they pressed on, the trip was over.

As they reached Kelvar Dimitri landed Tel'Ranaemyn and began to follow Sylus. When they reached the muddy streets of Kelvar Tel'Ranaemyn's feet sunk deep into the muddy streets. Dimitri looked around and saw all of the peoeple. "What the hell happened here." He whispered to himself, As they walked farther into the city a boy shied away from him.

Dimitri kept quiet as they reached the Tower of Divine Justice. Dimitri looked at the tall tower. but just continued to follow Sylus trying to keep the wyvern from sinking into the mud.

The greetings from there on out were more cordial as word of Sylus' return spread throughout the Tower. Paiges and servants scurried all over the building informing the various leaders and department heads.

As they made their way to the council chamber, the gaurds they passed shied away from Sylus and looked quizzically at Dimitri. They were trying to figure out the reason the elf was with him. Since he strode beside Sylus without fear, the took the logical conclusion that he too was a deadly assassin like Sylus. and a skilled one at that to show now signs of caring.

Upon entering, the council chamber was filled. There on a raised dais, sat the seven law makers of Kelvar.....the Council of Seven Stars was officially in session.....

Command to return firmly in hand, Sylus bade Dimitri to take a seat as he strode towards a lighted circle before the seven men and women. A servant approached Sylus, cringing visiably away from him. Sy dropped the scroll into the lad's hands and looked at those before him. A door off to the side opened and a tall, gaunt man of middle-age came into the room. The robe about his was black wth silver trim, a pendant around his neck pulsed with magic power. Varad Rovensheaf had joined the party.

Rovensheaf's face was calm and composed as he regarded the assassin. Stepping forward into the lighted circle, Sylus looked at Varad.
"As I was bidden to return, so I have come." He gave the customary response and knelt before the council.

"So you were commanded...so you have returned, our faithful servant" came the reply from a silver haired elven femail off to Sylus' right, who was seated on the last chair at the council' table. IN his mind Sylus knew that most of teh members on the council were on Varad's payroll, but this new one had him at a loss. Per edict..the only way for a member to be replaced was for him or her to die. Knowing it to be impossible, Sylus hoped that this new member was not in Varad's pocket.

The deliberations began almost immediately, with Sylus' fate and honour on the line, to decide in he should retain his mantle or not. Varad's minions questioned Sylus without mercy, trying to get him to slip up and fall into their hands.

This was one of the day's when Sy was at the top of his game. Meeting their questions and challenges with flawless ease until the new member rose to her feet and looked at those gathered. "My fellow council members..the hour draws late and the decision before us is a tough choice to make." Her voice had a musical lilt that made her beauty all the more exotic. The agreement among the members was varied but a quick vote went in favor of the elven maid and the council adjourned for now.

Dimitri and Sylus were shown to their rooms with were down the hall from the meeting chamber. "Now we wait..." Sylus said upon entering the room. Tossing his saddlebags down at the foot of the bed Sylus lounged on the sofa and decided to take a bit of a knap.

In the morning Dimitri was pacing back and forth in his room. Third night without sleep. He went out of his room and walked to the door of Sylus's room and knocked. The door opened slowly, Dimitri drew a dagger and walked in he saw bits of blood around the trashed room. He ran back into his room and opened started to search in one of his bags and took out a crumpled up paper and wrote "Alais Something happened to Sylus, going to see happened". after he finished writing, he looked at the ground and a golem appeared. Dimitri handed the paper to it. As he closed it's eyes and the golem sunk into the ground and the a small mound raced towards Rhydin. "She will get it by mornin'.

At that he pulled he got dressed quickly pulling a bow and a quiver full of arrows on his back. He put his nodachi blade at his side, he walked from his room and down some stairs. He was looking for someone anyone, everywhere he went it was empty. He came to a room with two guards, he walked up behind them and asked "Do you know what happened to my companion Sylus?" the guards both turned around and looked at Dimitri. As they did Dimitri drew a dagger and sliced one's throat and pushed the live one into a wall. Putting the dagger against his throat. "Answers now! What happened to Sylus Addair Kurgen. Dimitri pushed the blade against his throat.

The guard just stammered "He was arrested f-for tr-treason. L-last night." Thanks for the help Dimitri sliced his throat. He then dragged the bodies to a corner just to try conceal them. He moved through a door then continued to move along. As he moved from room to room he began to see more and more people. As he saw a group of guards and moved a bit closer. As he did he heard "When is the execution set?" one of the gaurds says another one answerd "Tomorrow at noon. They are going to chop off his puny little head" The guard laughed. Dimitri passed them by to find another informant.

As he ran through the halls he looked into ever door. As he did he saw a lone guard. Dimitri walked up to the guard and asked in a demanding tone "Where is Sylus! Show me where! He put an already bloody dagger to the guards neck. The guard nodded quietly and began to walk down a corridor. He then turned and walked down stairs. Dimitri held the dagger to the back of the Guards the neck.

As they walked down the stairs they came to the brig. It was empty for except one cell. Sylus was in it Dimitri slid the dagger into the Guards neck and walked over to Sylus and said. "Sylus they plan to Execute you tomorrow I have a plan to get you out of here. As he told Sylus the plan he listened.

Dimitri knew the plan, what he had to do. He walked around aimlessly waiting for the execution. As people started to head outside Dimitri knew it was time. He followed the crowd but was the last one to the doors. He didnt go out yet, he heard the jeers and comment thrown at Sylus. "Alright Dimitri don't screw up" He walked outside keeping close to the wall and away from the now growing crowd. He then heard the elven women voice. But he didnt look at her but kept his gaze on the headsmen. He pulled his bow from his back and pulled an arrow from the quiver. Dimitri then heard her say that Sylus had one last request. His gaze went to Sylus as he said "I would like to name my successor......I have found a man who can do the title as much honor as I have done...." Sylus's gaze then met Dimitri's

Immedietly Dimitri readied his bow. He aimed as the Headsman's axe reached the top of its arc. Dimitri let the arrow fly true, the arrow smpacted right in the mans head. His body seemed to take forever to fall. Dimitri rushed forward letting a second arrow fly at a guard that looked at him. Dimitri ran faster as the guards around the platform started to react. Dimitri looked at the ground where three guards stood. As soon as the three drew their swords a hole appeared underneth them. Each one fell and were sealed forever.

Dimitri let three more arrows fly making three more guards drop dead. He put the bow on his back and unsheathed his nodachi blade. As a guard rushed at him with his blade raised above his head. Dimitri sliced low and at the gut, the blade easily sliced the armor and killed the man. Dimitri looked at two more guards they to were swallowed by the earth.

He continued to race forward slicing and slashing at anything that came close. He stamped his foot on the ground as a boulder popped up, he kicked it crushing five guards. He ducked as a blade flew above his head. He brought the nodachi and sliced and mans legs off completly. As he reached the platform he could hear Varad Yelling "Kill him! Kill them both!" But that didnt stop Dimitri from getting to Sylus. As he reached him as saw the chains, He brought the nodachi blade in a high arc and smashed it against the chains breaking one. "Hurry up!" Sylus yelled. As Dimitri broke the last chain he handed Sylus two daggers. "this is all I have!"

Dimitri whistled into the air, more and more guards started to climb onto the platform. Sylus and Dimitri held their ground hacking and slashing at the assault.

The adrenaline rush that comes with a frenzied fight and flight had Sylus moving at super-human physical levels. SLowly gaining ground he pressed the four guards in front of him hard with the two daggers Dimiti had given him. Stunned disbelief filled the face of the man on his immediate left as Sy spun past his defense and raked the dagger's edge across his neck in a back handed swipe whil the right parried away a straighforward thrust from the man to his right. As the felled guard dropped, Sylus grabbed the front of his uniform and threw him into an incoming replacement. The confusion created by their combined tumble into a group of soldiers nearby gave Sy the break he needed to finish the other two men before him.

Whistling loudly he called for Stepper, the large war horse came to his call immediately, and moved in position to get into the saddle. Legs kickin out like a horse being tamed, Stepper was doing as much damage to the enemy ranks as Sylus and Dimitri if not more. Galloping up to the platform the horse gave Sy an admonishing look and pointedly kicked a passing soldier in the side of his knee. Leaping from the platform onto Stepper' back, Sylus snapped the reins and put the horse into a hard run towards the east gate of the square as Dimitri yelled:: "Sylus!! Get the hell out of here!!!" and he yelled in response "Gone babe.." and indeed he was as Stepper reared into the air and charged into ta throng of soldiers with Sylus slashing with the daggers and getting out of the square.

The shops and carts of the city passed by him in a blurr as he raced in the direction of Kelvar's easter gate where security would be lax. Stepper had just rounded a sharp turn when an explosion sent Sylus from the saddle into the window of the tanner's shop. Shaking the dizziness away he oriented himself and moved out of the shop cautiously. A high whistling came to his ears and he had just enough time to roll out of the way as a large ball of flame struck into the side of the shop. "Why couldn't you just die peacefully!?!?!" Varad's voice drifted over the sound of the smoldering rubble that had been the tanner's shop. Looking around in all directions Sylus kept his ears honed in hopes of get a sniff at the mage' location. "Oh..you know me...always was one to disappoint." He let a note of amusement filter into his voice hoping to make Varad give himself away.

Varad's answer came in the form of a large black ball arching at Sylus from his left. Rolling out of the way, a small tendril of black smoke touch Sy's clothes and burned a hole into the material. "Note to self......avoid big black thing by three feet...." He muttered under his breath. He knew that he had to find Varad and soon or else he would be surrounded by guards. Sprinting in the direction the ball had come from, Sylus found Varad kneeling with another spell flowing from his lips. Switching the daggers to both hands he grabbed small rock and threw it at Varad. Just before the rock struck, it shattered s if crushed in a vice and the mage looked up at him with a sinister smile. "You didn't think it would be tat easy did you?" his tone was dark and forboding as he released his newest spell and sent a wall of liquid fire coursing towards Sylus. Letting the dagger's drop, Sylus called upon his recent training with the Archmage Mur and met the wall of fire with a wall of ice and water of his own. "I should say the same to you.." The look on Sylus' face could have made the devil flinch as he strode towards Varad confidently. " Where did you...?!?!" The look on Varad Rovensheaf' face made Sylus deepen his wicked smile. "I met a very interesting Archmage in my travels....and became his student...." He was face to face with Varad now as he made a blade composed of pure spirit form in his hand. A spell like the one around Varad protected from physical weapons and objects...but not ones made of aether....

Striking in hard and fast he cast the spiritual weapon into Varad's heart, feeling the defensive spell move around the weapon, it's original task useless.. With the blade all of the way in Sylus changed the weapon into the physical element of metal and stepped back..Varad's own spell finishing the deed.

Eyes wide in horror and disbelief, Varad Rovensheaf, the ruler of Kelvar fell to his knees as his chest exploded outward in a wave of blood and flesh with the spell shattering the metal blade within his heart.

Wiping thick gobblets of blood and gore from his face, Sylus reached town and took the medallion that hung from the dead man's neck as well as a piece of his clothing. The piece that bore his insignia on it.

Standing back up, searing pain ripped through him as an arrow head suddenly protruded from his left shoulder. "AGHHHH!!!! " Sylus slumped forward in pain not even bothering to kill the archer he just fled and whistled at the top of his lungs. Stepper came out of nowhere wiht a slight limp from his foreleg and Sylus clambered into the saddle and rode hard out of the city.

He had done what he came to do and got rid of an old enemy in the process.....It was time for Sylus to make plans to have a bit of a vacation...