The Staff as I? Taurn had told me that a large silver dragon had come through the gatehouse, and then disappeared after Rab. I wanted to chuckle, but did not think the elven staff would appreciate my sense of humor. Apparently Garl had felt a need to seek out the carpenter I had retained to help build my home, and I can only imagine Rab?s reaction to being chased through the streets by a very large, if not friendly dragon. Rab had fairly blanched when he was told he would be working closely with an entire island of dragon kind.

The gate house was restored and I found a few minutes to go to Twilight Isle for an evening before returning to Matlal. I am most curious to know if Garl got what he wanted from Rab, and how soon we will need the man?s skills in the project.

When I arrived, I found Tass floating on a chaise, and initially appeared to be snoozing, but he heard my nearly silent approach and cracked open one eye. I chuckled as his floating recliner went rocking from his reaction. He gave me a jaunty wave and inquired whether or not I had come to participate in the tournament, which I had not, he seemed disheartened by that, and when I asked him why I should, he surprised me, ?cause it?d be fun to watch you dance.? Which, he followed with a wink that spelled mischief. When I told him I was not much of a dancer, he lifted a brow, ?I beg to differ. I?ve seen you dance, and have danced with you.?

Thankfully Topaz arrived about then as I told him that he was entirely too charming. He and Topaz began to speak about Isle business and I found an empty seat and prepared to get comfortable to watch. I had hoped to speak with Tass about Island affairs, but it appeared he would be busy tonight, and I had naught else to do but enjoy the balmy Island weather and watch the tournament.

Shortly after Topaz?s arrival, I was happily surprised to see Illusia and Solace arrive. I had not seen Max?s daughters in a very long time, and it seemed that Illusia was chaperoning Solace tonight. Where her twin sister was however was anyone?s guess. Solace was growing into a lovely woman, and I knew Max would be gnawing the walls for the suitors he was having to turn away.

Solace seemed uncomfortable with the growing number of people arriving on the island, and she found a place where she could get comfortable and have her own seclusion amidst the crowd. I conjured a glass of Liquid Fire and surreptitiously watched the young woman. Illusia seemed satisfied that Solace was settled before she turned her attention on Tass who was trying to convince her to join in the tournament.

Soerl, the minstrel arrived and was soon followed by Rena, and the crowd continued to grow. I glanced at Tass, who had been busy seeking kisses from every female who arrived, ?Ye shouldst be verra 'appa nae Tass.? He turned and looked at me, wondering what it was he should be so happy about. ?Ye've a plethora o' lasses tae steal yer kisses froom.?

He grinned and stole another kiss from me before floating off to obtain more feminine attentions. I had tried to wave him off, I could not imagine what The Elder would say about such a thing, but then, The Elder had yet to touch me at all outside of when I had reached for him in Primordial Darkness. I gave Tass a wry smile and asked him what his elder brother would say. He grinned, ?good job?? I shook my head. I very much doubted it. The Elder was not given to bouts of emotion that would allow him to see such playfulness as good or bad.

Dimitri arrived and was greeted by several. It was good to see him again, and thriving. He has been through some very hard times, but tonight he appeared happy enough, if a little aloof. He found himself a spot near the trees after speaking with Illusia.

Solace leaned closer to me then, ?he says he?ll see you in your dreams.?

I lifted my eyes to hers, ?indeed??

She nodded, ?Said something about you, wrinkles and old too.?

I gave her a soft chuckle, ?Yer sire mus? haff lost 'is sight 'f 'e's sayin' such thin's. Ah'll save 'im a special dream thence lass.
But she was definitely in contact with her sire if she knew Max?s favorite teasing phrase for me.

She paused a moment, as though listening to her own thoughts, ?that?s a dangerous promise.?

I took a sip of the amber liquid before asking her for whom such a thing would be dangerous. She leaned close again ?the dream worlds are his domain.? Her voice was only a thread of sound that no one beyond us would hear.

My eyes held hers for a long moment, ?Aye lass, Ah dae ken tha', well dae Ah ken. Bu' dreams haff a way o' bein' nae wha' ye'd expect.?

She leaned back then, there were mixed emotions flickering in her features, ?Like I said, he?s happy where he is.?

So, it would seem that Max has retreated into the realm of dreams. The place where he controls the power. I gave Solace a bit of a smile, ??t doth nae change th? fact tha? Ah dae miss ?im. An? yer daein? a goo? job o? stayin? oot o? mischief taenigh? lass.?

She leaned forward to whisper once more, ?When you wake up from a night mare, you should thank him.?

Her words brought back images of the war we had just fought. The horror and blood were instantly very real again as I looked at Solace solemnly, ?Ad had wish ?e?d been there tae wake me.? I would not expound, but from that nightmare, I would have given much to have Max wake me.

Solace was uncertain what I meant, and I meant to keep it that way.

I gave myself a mental shake and glanced at Tass before focusing once more on Solace, ?prithee, dae forgiff ?n auld elf.?

Solace glanced at me, ?I don?t know what to think of him sometimes.?

I misunderstood whom she was referring to, and assumed it was Tass, although he was certainly no elf, but she shook her head and stood up. ?Perhaps we?ll talk again soon. But, don?t hold me to that.? And so I bade her fair travels as she departed the Isle. She was too much like her father in many ways. Perhaps that is why I felt a pang of longing for the old trouble maker. Thus I finished my Liquid fire and rose, intending to ask Tass for his time before departing the Island. There were things about the project on Matlal that I wished to discuss with him, and I suppose a part of me hoped he would tell me of the Elder, whom I have not seen in many weeks now.

As I rose, Artemus hugged himself after leaving his ring, ?I can just feel the love on the Isle, and it warms me right down to the heart I can?t find.?

I could not help myself in that moment. Sylus? brother was a cynical, mean soul, and I muttered softly enough that only Artemus should hear it, ?finalla? d?scovered tha? ye haff ye???

His eyes drifted my direction, ?stick around and perhaps I?ll chip some ice off of it for your drink.? His grin was playful, but I know the devil, and there is nothing I would have from him. Nothing.

I continued on toward Tass, ?Ah dinnae wish anna thin? froom ye.?

As I leaned closer to Tass, I asked him for his time when he had it to give, and unwrapped a second candy cane for Drakhan. Tass offered to speak now, but as I looked about the island, I did not wish to discuss it with Artemus present. Tass nodded and I gave Drakhan a final scritch for the evening before kissing Tass? cheek and leaving for I? Taurn.

My dreams were untouched that night by Max. But they were not untouched by a pale figure with black gems.

Matlal had been progressing slowly. The methods employed by the invaders had rendered much of the island incapable of sustaining any form of life at all. The efforts I have used to gain ground against the poisons used by Malchor and his minions has taken a great deal of energy. I have returned to RhyDin because Ozymandias has informed me that I have a visitor. Rab has come with questions. But tonight I have come to Twilight Isle in the hope of regaining some of the magic I have expended upon the island I now call my home.

I coalesced just inside the portal of the magic island, and was greeted by the old Druid, but I felt Tass? presence instantly. He stood at the edge of the tree line watching me as I moved across the white sand. The difference between the life I feel on Twilight Isle is as different as the color of her sand. Matlal?s sand is fine grained obsidian rather than this white sugar sand, and the island is as dead as Twilight Isle is alive right now.

I felt a harder, colder aura rolling off of Tass. Something I had never expected to feel from the old friend I had respected for many years. His empathy and compassion that had always set him apart from Khirsah was missing. Replacing it was sharper and threaded with a darkness I had only known in the Elder. It was the utter darkness of where they had been created. It was Primordial Darkness.

I paused, slowing my advance toward him then, and was instantly greeted by a newer friend, but a friend none the less. Rhaine. My gaze slid once more over Tass in assessment before focusing on Rhaine, who had no love for the dragons of my association. ?G?e?en lass? and while I did not turn my back on Tass, I would not lead her toward him any further. Something was wrong, but now was not the time to seek discussions with The Younger.

She remained seated in the sand, and so I moved toward her. Her smile was infectious, ?Good evening Alais, how?s that life at the dragon isles??

I returned her smile, ?The restoration is progressing. I am waiting for Rab to deliver the timbers,? but before I could finish my thought, my attention was dragged involuntarily back to Tass, the darkness in him is more prevalent than even it had been when last I had seen Khirsah, and that troubling thought interrupted my discourse with Rhaine. I joined her in the sand, hoping she had not noticed my sudden lapse.

She looked at me with something in her eyes that I had not seen nor thought to see in her, and that was an unusually human like joy. Something has made Rhaine approachable and almost humanly warm. ?Have not seen you for half an eternity,? she told me as I settled beside her in the warm sand.

Tass simply watched, that in itself was very odd, but it was the fact that he kept his eyes on me the entire time I sat with Rhaine. He never said a word, nor projected a thought that I could discern.

I worked to focus on Rhaine, ?You have an aura of happiness about you that I have never seen before lass.? I had seen her ring, but chose not to say anything at this moment. It did not appear to be an artifact, and she was not known for wearing jewelry simply for the pleasure of wearing it.

She smiled again, ?I?d start babbling unnecessary information shards if I wasn?t so curious to know about how things are for you.?

I quirked a sable brow hearing her. Clearly something was changed, and in that moment I knew what it was. She looked up to smile at Artemus. A smile that spoke volumes, and that non-vocal communication between my friend and Sylus?s brother turned my insides cold. I tried to cover that feeling quickly. It was not for me to judge, ?You are welcome to babble lass, it is news of a firend and not babble at all, and I see you are wearing a new bit of jewelry as well.? Inside I was hoping it was not an engagement ring, and yet, it looked very much like just that article of jewelry.

Rhaine laughed, ?been busy til dizzy, receiving orders, and following them.?

I gave her a questioning look, ?following orders and not giving them?? I was used to Rhaine being in charge, not on the receiving end of orders.

Unfortunately she had picked up on the chill that swept through me at Artemus? arrival. ?What happened?? She glanced again at Artemus then back at me, ?well, one has to be good at following orders before giving them, and I have to give tons of them too.?

I wrapped both hands around the crystal snifter as she looked lovingly at the ring on her finger and then she blushed! ?It?s not an artifact.?

I had known it was not, but the blush in her cheeks told me something ?Yes, you are most likely right.? I replied to her comment about orders, and as I was just about to respond to the ring not being an artifact, there came a soft tear in the winds that I knew well. Khirsah stepped from the tear, his silk clothing whispering softly as the breeze from where he had come slithered across the sand. ?Not an artifact? That has the look of a human engagement ring lass, have you found someone?? I suspected that someone was Artemus, but Khirsah?s arrival had split my focus. I glanced at Tass and then at Khirsah.

Rhaine shrugged slightly, ?Or someone has found me. Why is Art?s presence so disagreeable to you my friend??

She wanted me to be comfortable around Artemus, but I never would be. Not after what he had said about Sylus to me. ?Artemus and I have nothing to say to one the other lass.? No point in dragging up old history while she is happy with him.

Artemus joined us but kept to Rhaine?s off side from me. His hand moved to hold Rhaine?s and his thumb rubbed lightly over her knuckles as he spoke, ?she has not liked me since I chose to speak my mind on my brother. I do not blame her, I was rather much an ass that night.?

Khirsah?s eyes met mine, and I asked him if he had been to Matlal of late. He remained essentially unmoving, and said ?I have otherwise been? occupied.?

?It is a pity m?lord, though you?ve had your reasons no doubt.? I meant my words, and I had missed him, but I know that the dragons who are helping with the rebuilding of Matlal harbor no such sentiments. Garl believes Khirsah left us all to die. Garl was there when I tried to reach Khirsah and tell him of the impending invasion. He knows Khirsah rejected me and sent me back to the Island and did not follow me there.

Khirsah?s lips gave a small twist of derision that would make most people flinch, but I knew the man, and knew I was in no danger from him as he asked, ?a pity? Were I to make myself known upon the isle once more, I fear you would lose a contingent of helpers, your chief among them. Perhaps that would be a pity.?

?Time does heal most wounds milord, and Garl just needs to understand why you did leave us to the invaders.? Indeed, even I needed to know why. He?d told me that his presence would not have made any difference, and yet I cannot help but think it would have made some impact on what happened to us all. Tass had finished his match and stood away from both Khirsah and I, but he knew the Elder was here, and his eyes seemed a bit more narrowed as he regarded us both.

I summoned a crystal snifter of Liquid Fire and offered it to Khirsah. He had never accepted anything in terms of food or beverage from me in the past, but I would not assume and I offered it to him.

Khirsah?s smirk never left his lips, ?time in whose eyes?? He never even glanced at the offered glass, merely giving a nearly imperceptible shake of his head.

?Time has a very different meaning for you and your people, but Garl is wise.? I knew it would take a lot to convince Garl that Lord Khirsah had not abandoned us to our fate, and I caught a small blush as Wyheree over heard part of our conversation.

Khirsah?s smirk remained unchanging, but he let his eyes flicker through the amassed souls on the Isle. I have never seen him here, and as he glanced around us, it struck me that he was very much out of his element here. I followed his eyes and found Tass still leaning against a tree. He had not come over to join us, and I find that curious. Instead I found Tass? eyes locked on me in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.

I lifted the refused drink to my lips as I spoke very softly to Khirsah, ?will you enlighten me Khirsah? ? My eyes never leaving Tass as I spoke.

Khirsah?s voice was equally soft, ?that would depend on what you need enlightenment upon.?

I glanced at Wyheree, who seemed intent upon the matches, ?I?d very much like to know why Tass feels more like thee. What?s happening to him??

Khirsah?s eyes held mine a moment, ?to us.?

?I don?t fee the same thing in thee.? I was so focused on asking my question that I nearly missed his softly spoken correction. I stopped short as his words registered.

He gave a slight quirk of his brow as Wyheree glanced again at me, as though she too had heard my question. Khirsah then spoke quietly, ?continue your observation.?

My voice dropped into elven softness as I answered Khirsah, ?darkness, cold? they?re the things I?ve felt from thee.? I knew he would not take offense to my observations, and as his eyes held mine, I continued, ?Aloof and detached, but Tass was the one with feelings and humor. But that?s being buried in something that does feel cold and detached.?

Khirsah regarded me a moment, ?do not confuse detachment with hurt.?

I glanced at Tass in his ring and back, ?it is not hurt that is in that aura?. But certainly pain is there.?

Khirsah remained unmoving, ?that which you see is caused from that hurt. What is would not have happened if not for it.?

I frowned at that. ?Why Khirsah? Why does he surround himself with this darkness when it is not in the nature of the man I know? From whence is he drawing upon it??

Khirsah?s answer was not reassuring, ?that, even I do not know.? When I asked him if he had any ideas, he answered cryptically, ?A return of the dream that woke them.?

?That may be impossible,? I whispered. How could the dream be returned? I dissipated the crystal snifter and folded both hands into the sleeves of my robes as I considered what I had learned tonight about the Dreamer.

I turned once more toward Khirsah, and he regarded me a moment before standing. I stood as he prepared to depart, ?Prithee milord, how dangerous is the Dreamer??

His brow lifted at that, ?consider what you are asking to what you know of where we come from? then compare it to what you know of us.?

I did not even try to suppress the shudder at his words. The implications are too awful to consider.

Then I found Khirsah?s hand wrapped around my own before he gave a formal bow over my hand, kissing it gently, and then he was no more, simply vanishing. I blinked in utter shock and stared at the spot where he had just been standing. Then with a soft whisper of Annaran, I dissipated into a shimmering column of silver and returned to my new home in Matlal.

Rhaine took that rather at face value, and I canted my head at Tarl, ?My dear, mayhap enjoyable, but your training methods are not for me.? I gave him a quicksilver smile. Tarl?s history was dealing in pleasure slaves, and Tarl?s world owned women and made them groveling, weak souls for whom I have always felt sorry, although, Tarl?s training created some fabulous bedmates for men in many places.

Tarl smiled at Rhaine, ?always a pleasure meeting someone who can bring such joy simply by their appearance.?

I gave a soft chuckle. Tarl was always smooth. ?She?ll be immune to you Tarl luv.?

Rhaine glanced at Tarl, ?So I guess your every visit to the Arena is a pleasure, for this sport hardly attracted women without at least above average appearance.?

Rhaine would be amazed by Tarl?s home world indeed. He winked at me as he answered my quip regarding his methods, ?well, maybe you just haven?t given them enough of a chance.? Then he turned once more to Rhaine, ?: I do admit that the arena does seem to attract more than its fair share of devastatingly beautiful women, but that really only raises the level of expectations doesn't it??

I quirked a sable brow then, ?But few of them are white silk luv.? Tarl had traded in white and red silk long ago, but there were precious few who could be even considered white silk here in RhyDin.

Tarl laughed merrily, ?that is an understatement! Then again, I only rarely find interest in a white silk.?

That surprised me, perhaps Tarl was mellowing with age? ?You?ve favored Red then?? I motioned to the sofa and surrounding chairs before inviting him to sit with us for a bit.

Tarl shocked me completely then, ?in general, given a choice, I'll take red over white. But, I do enjoy the adventure that comes with ... spending time with those that are as free as myself.?

I gave him a truly stunned look. ?indeed?? That Tarl could make the shift to free women from his former life was truly amazing.

He took a seat with Rhaine and me. ?So you?ve returned to RhyDin Tarl, have you seen the new additions? Our Rhaine here is associated with one of the new temples in town.?

Rhaine clarified my statement, ?new to RhyDin, but not new to other places.?

Tarl shook his head, ?I have not really been able to look around that much, but I saw a map hanging outside and it's easy to see the city has grown significantly since I was last regularly frequenting here. I've been mostly involved in the madness tournament and not had time for too much else.?

Rhaine settled into mostly listening as I asked Tarl how he had been, and he smiled, ?I?m in the finals.?

I gave a soft whisper of Annaran and a crystal snifter formed in my hand as I told Tarl I was pleased to hear that he had gone so far in the Madness Tournament. I asked Rhaine if she would like something to drink, but she declined. I smiled, ?Och, Lass, you?re spoiled by that very fine beverage you did serve to me in your place.?

Tarl was telling us that he and Gnort were supposed to have their match sometime this night to determine who the winner would be, and then he smiled, ?I wouldn?t say no to a paga.?

Rhaine produced a bottle of the Mrrshan Blue as she smiled, ?I?m always spoilt rotten.?

I chuckled at Tarl, ?Do you know how long it?s been since I?ve tried to summon paga?? I was not certain it would be up to snuff as I had not even attempted paga in years. I focused on the table before melodic Annaran words riffled in the quiet room and a glass formed with what appeared to be a decent paga, but only Tarl could assess that. I nodded at the glass, ?if you?re not afraid of my being rusty Tarl, it is yours.?

He chuckled, ?I am sure it could not possibly be worse than some of the brews I have had.?

I laughed, ?I cannot compare with what you get at home, but I do hope it is at least palatable.

Rhaine brought forth a soap bubble thin glass and she poured some of the vivid blue wine into it, and I was prompted to inquire into how her experiment was going in creating more of the rare liquid. She gave me one of her enigmatic smiles, ?this is the result of these experiments, and I can?t say it differs much from the original. It should be identical in two years.?

That was high praise coming from Rhaine, and then she produced a second glass, ?test it if you like.?

I nodded at the offer, ?Yes, I?d like that very much.? Then I set down the crystal snifter of Liquid Fire and accepted the very thin glass and its blue nectar.

I spared another glance into Tarl?s ring before saying, ?I don?t think such hope is wise, do you?? The changes in Tass were worrying enough, but Khirsah?s ominous words that he too was changing was the icing on a dangerous cake, and na?ve hope was the last thing anyone needed.

Rhaine is too pragmatic to place false hope, and she confirmed that with her next words, ?Alais, even without these two, hell is breaking loose around here. Vanion alone is bad enough.? I simply nodded my agreement.

Anubis pressed open the ancient doors to the Arena and announced that he was seeking peer duels. Apparently he is preparing to seek another challenge, and my eyes slid over the golden skinned man. He moved deeper into the Arena before stating again, more loudly, ?I?ll try this again, I want a peer duel.? It was then that he felt my gaze on him, ?Are you game??

I nodded, and he rudely told me to ?inform the blue abomination.? I simply let his rudeness slide, it would do me no good to try to teach him manners, he was well beyond hope there. Rhaine wished me luck and I rose when Imp called us to the ring.

His coppyery palms fell toward the gilt hilts of his daggers as he entered the ring. I had summoned Morvinyon, but for dueling Anubis, would have preferred having Daemonbane in my hands. I fleetingly wondered what effect that black blade would have on the evil that resided within Anubis.

Anubis slipped between the ropes and the razor sharp edges of his daggers gleamed with an illusion of malice as he set himself up for our match. I in turn leveled Morvinyon as we began our steel dance.

Midway through the match, Anubis sought distraction of my focus and casually pointed toward Kaja and Harris in the next ring with one of his serrated daggers, ?If you wish to take a second to look, heavy breasts will soon lewdly sway in that ring. And Kaja will probably move too.? I could hear Kaja snicker, but I did not take my eyes off the Egyptian.

He realized his tactic was not going to work and he relented before darting at me once more.

I did lose my focus though when Imp announced that Tarl had defeated Cletus, and left myself open for one of the Egyptian?s attacks. Tarl left his ring and moved closer to watch Anubis and I.

Anubis grew impatient, demanding that I ?give in? as he had something outside of the rings to deal with, but I was not willing to concede since I was leading at the moment, and I certainly did not wish to lose to him. He grunted as our blades collided once more, ?Quit making me finish this. It?s common knowledge that I am better than you, so you gain nothing.?

His taunting would not work on me. I quirked a brow at his arrogance, ?If you are so much better, perhaps you?ll finish sooner?? I sidestepped his aggressive thrust for the advantage and the win. While I did nod to him, I was not foolish enough to turn my back on him as I exited the ring.

Tarl?s voice reached me, ?nicely done Alais!?

I thanked Tarl and congratulated him on his win as I sent the falchion into oblivion. Tarl smiled, ?that?s about all I have time for, I have to be taking off.? I bade him a fond farewell before settling once more onto my sofa, picking up the blue wine and taking a thoughtful sip of it.

The night then took a downward turn as a dark soul from my past arrived for the first time in many months, and I heard a hiss too close to my ear, ?miss me??

I spun around to face the blood speaker?s leader as a silver dagger slipped from my sleeve into my hand, ?I cannot say that I have.?

A bloody tendril snaked out from his sleeve, and slid over my shoulder and neck, ?but how I?ve missed you. And, our unfinished business has been eating me alive.?

I held my ground, but cold settled into the pit of my stomach before I hissed at him, ?get off me, we have no unfinished business.?

He gave me a sickening grin, ?Perhaps you should meet me in the ring, you might feel safer there.?

My gaze narrowed dangerously at him, but I could not suppress my shudder as I tried to pull away from the bloody tendril before whispering the Annaran spell that allowed me to dissipate into the shimmering silver column, leaving the tendril where I had once stood.