The construction site I''ve chosen sits on the slope of the largest volcano comprising the Isle of Matlal. There is now a terrace-like break in the volcano''s slope that overlooks the channel that faces Tass'' main island of Odhran. The dragons have created this shelf in the slope of the volcano over the last several days. Here is where I will build my new home, and the safe haven for the books.

I left my temporary rooms in Tass'' estates and crossed the channel to my island. The shore is a glistening black sand, made from the incessant crushing of the obsidian of the volcano. The volcanic glass is ground into this shimmering black sand that creates a sharp delineation between the azure water of the deep channel and the emerald green of the island''s vegetation. The uppermost reaches of the volcanoes are currently encased in permanent snow and ice. It is an image of tranquil beauty.

The terrace is being prepared for the foundation of my home. The pale salmon feldspar has been arriving steadily, and as I walk toward the site, my staff in hand, I know today begins my work to initiate the wards and foundation of my own home. What I create here today will impact this structure for as long as it stands. My grandparents had built I'' Taurn. This would be my first attempt at such a major sorcerous construction. I had read the histories of I' Taurn, and had learned as much as I could from the documentation from the original construction. My grandfather had been wonderful about writing histories of our people and accomplishments. Those writings had originally been housed in the Druid sanctuaries in Nitesong. When Legend had been slain, I had moved all of the Druidic library to I' Taurn.

The first foundation stone for my home was being moved into position, I stood ready, my staff poised to be driven into the ground as the foundation stone settles into place. The Annaran words flow mellifluously over the site, pulling the first foundation wards to the foundation stone. Sorcery shimmered around everyone there as the stone became bound to the source of my magic, and locked to the ley lines of the island. We were now bound together, the foundation stone, the island, and my sorceries.

The feldspar stone retained a soft glow from the sorcerous power with which it had been imbued as well as my blended sigil forever written into the matrix of the feldspar. I lifted the point of my staff from the ground, and my dragonette chirruped. Several dragons flew overhead, curiosity peaked, several others landed in the rocks above my site to watch. I gazed up at them with a smile and waved. Little did they know that in the next weeks, I would require their help to complete the construction. But for now, let them watch and grow interested.

Work was ongoing throughout the morning. By early afternoon, I was exhausted. I have never spent so many hours using magic at such high demand levels. Yet, the foundation was strongly tied to both Annaran sorcery and the ley lines of the island. Any disturbance to my home would trigger immediate effects.

I took some time to wander down to the water, and strolled along the interface between land and sea. My footsteps were filled in with water as I traveled along the shore. Sea birds sailed the sky overhead, and I could see small fishes darting through the crystal blue water on my left. Idyllic peace met my gaze in all directions.

A shadow crossed my path, momentarily drenching me in cool darkness, and a chill of foreboding flashed through me. Nothing soared above me, no dragon was near enough to cast such a large shadow.

Darkness.

I stopped, freezing in place.

Dark Emptiness.

The sun vanished from my sight.

Blackness that was tangible wove itself around me, and the island ceased to be beneath my feet.

In the unrelieved blackness, the whispers repeated, as though they were part of an incantation, weaving something unexpected into the matrices of a spell.

I listened, unable to do more than that in this absence of everything.

Nothing exists, nothing but the whispers and my conscience.

Everything is blackness.

Whispers, as though with each repeat of the phrase, a new stone is put in place, a new part is added, a new thread is woven into the cloth.

Blackness.

I went to the Twilight Isle despite exhaustion and spent some time talking to Rhaine. The nightmares continue, and sleep is becoming scarce. She''d asked me again if I wanted her to undo the link that I have to her memories, but I would rather not ''modify" my chemistry as she calls it if we do not have to do so. I will wait. These dreams should stop with time.

Tass arrived on the Isle, and I was thankful to see him. He''s been so busy that we have not run into one the other on his islands, and he approached Rhaine and I. Rhaine grew very tense and excused herself. "I am sorry, Alais, but... I'd better get out."

I looked at her quizzically. "Rhaine, ye ken Tass, lass."

She bowed to Tass and said, "Just enough to keep safely away."

Tass lifted a brow at Rhaine, but otherwise gave no signal of recognition. This mutual avoidance was unnecessary and I sighed at them both. "Ah''m verra sorra ye willnae stay Rhaine."

She looked at me and told me she could not stay because she''d prefer not to get fried. Now, I''ve known Tass a very long time, and I have never seen him attack someone in this kind of setting, let alone a friend of mine. He may not like my friends, but he''s never been anything but cordial if somewhat silent. Quirking a brow at her, "Fried?"

She nodded, "Fried, and eaten with some kind of hot sauce" as she grinned slightly.

I laughed, "Ah 'aff nae 'eard o' anna one eatin' vamps lately." I could no more picture Tass turning her into a crunchy bite than I could imagine him doing that to me, but she seemed genuinely convinced that the dragon would make a tasty morsel out of her right then and there. "Well, your friend might consider it. Who knows."

Tass heard her concerns and spoke up with a completely emotionless voice, "You have no worry from me there, Rhaine. I would not ruin my appetite on you." Now, from most other people, there would be sarcasm fairly dripping from such a statement, but coming from Tass in that flat, completely emotionless tone of voice, I knew there was trouble deeply rooted between these two. Just what has caused this rift, I do not know, but it''s there, and it''s deeply rooted.

I studied them both for long moments, "Wha's wrong wi' th' two o' ye?"

Tass maintained his emotionless state, "and for her, I could not say.. but I trust not the pseudo-vampire."

I simply shook my head, all of this over misunderstanding and pride. "That is sad news my friend." I told Tass. He wondered how so. "B''cause she ist mine friend Tass,"

He never blinked, "she is also the one who turned a blind eye when one of the bloodspeakers sought, and succeeded in inflicting themselves into my body, this after my return from their citadel which we both went looking for you...." Again it was that completely emotionless state that sends chills down my spine.

I know the story behind some of Rhaine''s actions. Actions that have cost her alliances and friendships in RhyDin, but they are not my secrets to tell. They are Rhaine''s, and if she will not explain herself to Tass, she will keep a dragon for an enemy, which is never a good idea.

Rhaine left, and the discussion was interrupted. With a sigh, Tass and I began our discussion about the books.

I returned to Odhran late after Tass and Rhaine had finally spoken. They have not resolved their situation into one of amicability. Dragons and Asmodeans have a lot in common. Their unyielding natures are much too similar.

I opened the balcony doors and gazed out over the water toward Matlal. The candles burned softly and scented my rooms with hints of ginger and stephanotis, and sleep beckoned. The only problem is that I know if I succumb to the lure of sleep, the nightmares will return.

At last, as the isles grew silent, I too settled in for the night, and Morpheus embraced me in that scented darkness.


I am in a large hall with a statue of what appears to be a human with a large two-handed sword. The space seems distorted and unreal... I walk in, and see a man walking towards me. He appears to be human, but his eyes glow hellfire-red, and he is translucent for my eyes. Somehow I know that it's the dracolich I have seen in my previous dreams...

"What have you done to yourself!" I scream angrily. His shoulders slump slightly, but he withstands my look full of fury. "I had to do this", his voice is deep and resolute, "I have to destroy the last remnants of human nature in me. This is what I must do, my Bishop, to become the harbinger of Dread I'm destined to be". A touch of pain fills my soul... deep searing torment... The picture becomes fuzzy.

The dream fades and shifts, a new one forming to take it''s place?.

A tall lean elf with slightly reddish skin looks at me curiously. He is wearing dark dragonscale armor, adorned with blacksteel and mithril runes, his jet-black hair flows smoothly, and his emerald eyes are clear and cold. "So, a felpur that dares to become a Knight of Asmodeus? Try. I do not know if you would become a good soldier, but with your resolution it may be possible". I bow deeply. "I shall try, milord. Whatever it takes..."

Deep in lush jungle. Demonic being with purple orbs of eyes walks together with me, and our magical shields shimmer. Two golden-skinned elves come for our heads - and I rush into the fight gladly, wielding two sabers - crimson and cold blue... Where is the black blade? And why are my hands - similar to cat paws covered with silvery fur? The fight does not look messy - everything seems to be going as planned, but soon a team of three human and celestial warriors comes in. We are trapped... and suddenly the familiar elf arrives, together with a demonacy that can only be described as horror embodied... They turn the tides of battle. The purple-eyed demon's shielding fades, he flees - but I don't, I stay in, long after my shielding fades. After the enemies either die or run, the elf nods at me. "You may become a Knight. If you practice".

I waken with a start. The candles are still burning, and once more I am in the Emerald Isle''s. No more sleep tonight. I cannot face the darkness with visions such as these. I will need to find Rhaine.

Garl and the others stood quietly regarding my calculation for the precise center of the house. They did not approve of my continuing to find the precise point, but they did not actively seek to stop me either.

The center point was marked and I turned toward them. "Garl, I would like to begin excavating here please. You may rest assured, the first level is not for the books. I would however like to have a wine cellar here. Tass would not begrudge me a basement in my home."

Garl looked skeptical, but decided that I would not lie to him, and that the books would need to be much deeper than a single level excavation. By mid morning, the dragons had completed the subterranean space, and the plagioclase was moved to begin the underground room.

Commotion in the surface work pulled me from the basement room. Garl went with me as we reached a throng of dragons and the architect's crew. As we made our way through the mass, something shifted inside me. Almost as if a living thing lived beneath my skin, symbiotic to my Eldarie self.

As I stepped into the opening around the corner stone of my home, I stopped dead in my tracks.

It could NOT be!

Daemonbane!

The great black blade lay atop the foundation stone. It's rippled ebon black pulled all light into it and reflected none. As I slowly approached it, Garl reached out to grab my arm, "don't". The dragons could feel it. The dark sorceries that had gone into the forging of Daemonbane. Unease whispered amongst them as I approached the sentient blade.

I could feel Daemonbane pulling at me, seeking me, almost imploring me to pick it up.

I reached for the hilt of the great Annaran blade, but Garl's hand held me back. I blinked at him, and my hand fell to my side. I was shaking, badly. This is the second time Daemonbane has sought me out.

"Garl - set guards, No one, and I do mean NO ONE is to touch that sword!" In mellifluous Annaran, I left Matlal in search of Tass. The Annaran spell touched Daemonbane, and it writhed upon the stone as I vanished.

I had come from Matlal to the Arena to stand as Second with Tass for his Baronial defence against the lovely Kaja, who''d challenged him earlier. Xenograg was there, along with Rhaine. When Tass arrived, I summoned Morvinyon from oblivion and waited for the Challenge to begin. Imp was there to call it, and as always, he''s a very entertaining sort of creature.

Xeno greeted me with troubling news. It seems that Legend is back, she''d paid him a visit at the Dojo. My absence from I'' Taurn has not gone unnoticed it seems. I do hope Baphe comes back soon, I''d like to get Legend banished as quickly as possible.

Tass and Teleperien joined Xeno, Rhaine and I briefly before Imp called him to his ring. I rose and excused myself to go and stand outside his ring at attention during the duel. Dimitri was there, but until the match was concluded, I needed to remain where I was as Tass'' second.

The duel did not go as I would have liked, but Kaja dueled superiorly and Tass was ever gracious. We congratulated Kaja and wished her the best of success as the newest Baroness.

Tass has changed since the last time I''ve seen him. He''s got an inner fire that has not been evident until now. He is also armored tonight, something I have not seen him do in many years. More surprising however are the three blades he''s carrying. Blood I rather expected since he is wearing armor beneath the simple cloak he now wears.

We joined Teleperien and Xenograg at a table, and I invited Dimitri to join us. Xenograg poured us all Eldarie tea, which is rich and hot, providing a soothing sensation that it appeared Teleperien needed. There is still a fair amount of mistrust and thinly veiled hostility between Rhaine and Teleperien, which is too bad, but will need to be worked out between themselves.

I spent some time speaking with Dimitri. He looks better than the last time I''d seen him, and he tells me that he''s seeing Alia Anor again. That in fact, she has helped heal some of his wounds. Alia Anor had never shown healer tendencies, but if she can ease some of Dimitri''s suffering, this is a fine thing. He offered to set up a meeting between Alia Anor and myself, but I do not think my daughter will allow such a thing. I''ve asked him to give her time and not to push too hard too fast.

Rhaine once again retreated and sought a duel when Tass approached. For some reason Rhaine fears Tass above almost everything. And tonight, the look in Tass'' eyes suggests she has good reason to fear the dragon.

Tass spoke at some length with Teleperien. It seems the dwarves in her lands are seeking their own state, and a reduction in taxes. She is troubled deeply by this, but told Tass she''d not come to the Arena to discuss them.

Xeno poured the tea, and we sat and talked for some time. And Tass worked to keep the cloak about him to cover the armor. Teleperien must have recognized it when he put his arm around her, but she didn''t say anything.

Teleperien noted Tass''s inner fire, and the talk soon changed to one of war. The Queen excused herself and returned to Eldicor, while Tass'' attention shifted to Xenograg. Their mutual salutes were those of experienced warriors acknowledging one another and then Xeno departed with the Queen.

Tass''s words in parting were very soft, and I am not certain even Xenograg heard them. "May grace go with you, General, for I cannot see it will for me."

I studied Tass long moments. He was deeply worried over the tear, and what he expects to come to pass. "Tass, you''ve brought out two blades I did not expect to see."

He lifted a brow. "Two?"

I nodded at the twin scimitars. "Blood I did half expect."

He softly said, "things are worse than I had hoped. The tear has been located."

I could feel color flee from my face, "where?"

His smile was tight, "the one place which you cannot go on the Isle."

I pondered that, he''d not told me anywhere was off limits, "You have not told me any place was off limits Tass."

"No, but the place itself is a place which you cannot reach." The fire in his eyes was one of determination and clarity of purpose.

"Where Tass?"

"The summit of The Pearl" he told me. I now understand why he says I cannot go there. When we''d come back from Riverbend, we''d stepped through the place he''d left his home from, and that was with his sorcery and my own that I survived the biting cold and desolation of that mountaintop.

I reminded him that he''d taken me there, and that I had survived, but he told me he would not risk me.

I studied him long moments. "I have things to prepare Tass, and the tear does affect me as well you know."

He nodded, "Alais, the chamber must be finished, and quickly," he lifted a finger to keep me from speaking, "and with this change, the House will not be sufficient protection."

Warily, "What else is required?"

He sighed, "Less Annaran influence I fear?" his voice trailing off.

I was shocked. "This is not the way it was supposed to be Tass. The books are Annaran, and must be held by Annaran sorcery."

He shook his head, "No, it wasn''t, but would you have the Annaran protection fail to prevent those who are Annaran?"

I pondered his words, he worries that the Annaran dead may come through that tear, and that Annaran sorcery would be needed to control them. That would mean Daemonbane coming back into play, and neither of us desires that.

"No, I would not, but the ties between my sorcery and the Isle''s is woven already Tass."

He nodded again, "but the chamber is not made, and thus, is not tied to you."

His meaning became clearer. If the chamber were protected by Annaran sorcery, it would be easier for the Annaran dead to reach the books, and loose the destructive powers of those books upon the world again. I summoned my staff from oblivion and silently regarded the old dragon. "The chamber will be ready." And with that promise to my old friend, I departed the arena to return to Matlal.

I'd left Tass to return to Matlal. I'd vowed to him that the chamber would be ready, and ready it will be.

I spent the rest of that evening on Matlal. As the sun rose over the water, glittering blue mirrored a cloudless sky overhead.

Beneath my feet, deep within the rock of the island was the first chamber. It was lined with bronze basalt, and is approximately 10' in diameter. It lay isolated within the heart of the volcano. A small void within the mountain that no one would be able to detect.

I am exhausted. This would have been easier with the dragons, but there was no time, and I could not afford to argue with Garl.

I gazed across the channel toward the Momus Estates. Tass would not be pleased, but the first storage location was completed.

With a soft whisper of Annaran, I went to retrieve the two books that I hold. I walked the empty corridors of Tass' home making my way to my temporary rooms to retrieve the books. I did not meet any one, not even household staff. This is most unusual.

Reaching my rooms, I retrieved the books and returned to Matlal.

The dragons were hard at work with the construction, and I did not expect anyone to question my presence amongst them. I was mistaken. Garl walked toward me as I headed for the center of the construction.

"Hello Garl, what can I do for you?" I asked as he approached.

He looked at me hard, then at the books. "Things have changed here, I can feel it. And those must be the reason."

I looked at the books and back at him. "Yes, these are 2 of the 3 reasons for all of this. Things have changed Garl, and I need temporary storage for these."

He looked out over the water, then toward The Pearl. He stood there in silence. Finally turning his glittering gaze on me. "Ward it well, but understand, this is not the final resting place for those." With that, he turned and left me.

I uttered the spell to take me to the heart of the chamber. Leaving the books on a stand in the center of the void, I warded them with everything I know, and then departed the chamber. It's location to be my secret.

I'd gone home to I' Taurn for a brief time. The house was dark and empty, nearly devoid of life once more. As I roamed through the House, taking the silent disembodied state I use in Riverbend, there is a sadness within me that even that state cannot overcome. This grand structure was created by my grandparents, lived in by my own parents, and been my home for 28 centuries. And now, it is silent. My children do not inhabit my home, and the structure built by my forebearers is lonely. I can feel it in the stones, in the wood, in the very ground upon which it sits.

Lonely. Empty. Hollow.

I too feel those things. I have left behind the man who claims to love me to deal with a threat that I am partially to blame for existing. The dragons are wonderful company, but that is not enough.

My world is devoid of joy and laughter. In it's place is naught but sorrow and pain. Things I did not feel so starkly in Riverbend. A place I feel a kinship with, where the sharp bitterness did not intrude with such clarity. A place Tass tells me I do not belong, and yet, it is there that I must go once more to find out what is changing, what is causing this power build up that rocks the very foundations of my Annaran sorcery.

There is hollowness to what I do now. To bind the books safely away, and yet, that binding is itself in jeopardy by this tear between the worlds that is widening. A tear that exists only because Tass sought to bring me back to the realm of living creatures. It is our friendship and my desire to find solitude that have wrought this looming disaster. And now Tass believes that the chamber for the books cannot contain Annaran influence because those who will come through the tear will do so from Annara itself.

This troubles me greatly because it is the Annaran sorcery to which I am most keenly tied. My best tools for safeguarding the books, and to know when they are disturbed. To use the sorcery of only the dragons will restrict my abilities to monitor and maintain the books.

And now, Tass has lost all contact with his brother. The Third book and Khirsah have vanished from Tass' reach. Gone, and history is changing according to Tass.

All of this because I came back.

From I' Taurn I gathered some rare spell components, things I will need to make my attempt to touch the Primordial Darkness. It touched me the last time. This time, I will seek it. And then, I will go to Riverbend. I am the only one who can, and therefore, I must if we are to know for certain what is brewing within the realm of the dead.

Rain is falling and the castle is lit with candles and torches, chasing off the afternoon gloom. Teleperien is alone in her study enjoying a cup of tea. In front of her is scattered several missives and documents. That morning more talks with the small party from Ravenswing went better than Tele had hoped. When Borin solidly backed Tele the dwarves lessened in their stance. Dwarves drove hard bargains yet it looked a little more hopeful than a week ago.

However she had a time keeping her mind on the problems of the realm. Her attention wanders to the dueling arena a few nights back. She frowns to herself. Tass. She saw the armor under his simple cloak. She was not fooled for one minute by his attire. Tass is going to battle. She saw in him the fire of battle, the fire of his soul. It burned brightly and she knew it would not be quenched until he fulfilled his task. For a reason she could not fathom her heart was troubled by this. She felt the heaviness again.

Through the talk of others she had learned he had sought the aid of Rhaine.

"Why would he seek her help?" She says to herself. "Indeed she is skilled in many things, but what skill does she have that Tass does not have? What would she lend in battle?"

Tele sighs and takes another sip of the tea and stands and with tea cup in hand goes to the window as is her habit when her thoughts trouble her. The rain patters softly against the pane, making it difficult to see past the drops.

"Tass must know what he is about." Tele mutters shaking her head. Suddenly a vision comes to her? as real as the rain falling outside. The tea cup falls from her hands and shatters on the slate floor. She cannot move or cry out.

A field heavily laden with the aftermath of battle; broken spears, scattered shields and swords lay with bodies strewn about. That is not what alarmed Tele, but there on the battlefield lay Tasslehofl Momus.. his body still, his pale face staring up to the heavens.

Queen Teleperien had come to the Arena with a distracted and worried demeanor. She had come looking for a means to contact Tass, that it was urgent she find him. However, Tass has his islands well warded, and now with the tear, he's tightened that security even more. Travel to the Emerald Isle's is tightly guarded.

Rhaine and I spoke for some time with the Queen, to find out that she's had a vision. A vision of Tass's death on a battlefield.

This is a warning that I take very seriously. The visions of my own kind are not to be ignored, and I offered to take the message for Tass back to Matlal with me that night, and have one of the dragons find Tass to deliver it.

Teleperien was upset by what she'd seen, Tass and she have been friends for a long time. Her vision of him laying cold and dead on a battlefield had sent her searching to try to change his mind about the "how's" of his activities. She'd seen his armor, known he was headed for battle, and now she knows that if he does this the way he'd planned, he would die.

And yes, dragons can and do die.

I left with the missive immediately and headed right for Matlal. I would entrust this message for Tass to Garl. Garl would be able to find Tass no matter where he was, and deliver it.

I returned to the Islands in absolute darkness. It was the night of the new moon, and no silver light shone on the islands, yet when my feet touched the land, I could feel a vibration in the ley lines unlike anything I'd ever felt before. Power. LOTS of power was being used somewhere on my Island.

Find Garl.

Teleperien is now weary of these dwarves. She has tried every method she could think of to help resolve the problems that lay between them, yet they insist on a state of their own. So.. if they want a state.. they can have it. But not in Eldicor. She dresses carefully for what in her mind will be their last meeting. She is done with diplomacy, tact and politeness.

With a determined face she strides down the hallway with Tom the hobbit jogging to keep up.

"L..lady.. are you sure you want to do this?" He stammers. Tele doesn''t answer. She sweeps into the Great Hall instead of her study, where she has been holding most of their meetings. This is intentional.

"All rise!" The footman calls out. Chairs and stools scrap the floor as the surprised dwarves leap to their feet. Tele doesn''t look at them but takes her seat on the throne. It is not an ornate article but it is elegant. Oak, the armrests are inlaid with pearl and alabaster. Across the top are elvish runes in mithril. Borin comes from the side door and stands at her elbow.

"Please sit." Tele says calmly. Her placid face belied her resolve. Again the dwarves outline their demands. Tele listens and says;

"Again, I offer less taxation, I have allowed as much self rule as possible. Yet you still wish for a state."

"Yes Lady." The spokesman who was named Olaun rumbled.

Tele nods and says in a clear calm voice; "I say to you Olaun, you can have your state, but not within the borders of this realm. You and your people may take what you need, leave this land and never return. I have not dictated to you how to run your affairs nor has this realm taxed you beyond that other areas are taxed. It seems greater for your share of the wealth is greater. You have grown covetous and complacent and forgot at what price your peace was bought."

"Who will mine it for you? Who will be the smithies?" Olaun asks, to Tele he seems both alarmed and angered.

"Do you think I have not considered this? Yes, it will take time to re-establish the workings of the mines, but it has been done before. You cannot have both your own state and my protection. To place a break within the life force of this land is not acceptable. This is my final offer."

Without further fanfare she stood and left the room with Tom jogging once more in her wake. She stops and asks him to write what she has told the dwarves and she was headed for RhyDin town on an important matter. She was going to find Tass.. and have a talk with that dragon.
Of course Alais could be trusted to deliver the missive but she didn''t think Tass would regard it as serious, and something inside drove her as well. She couldn''t say what or why but she knew that if her instincts drove her in this manner, they were not to be ignored.

She arrives in town in early afternoon. All that day proved to be fruitless in her search. She learned from her inquiries Tass was in the Isles. She remembers that some time ago Tass invited her to the Isles but would he honor that request now?

It was fully dark now and she wondered if she would find Tass in the dueling arenas. Opening the door to the Red Dragon Inn she is greeted with the familiar blue tobacco smoke, clink of mugs and talk of the patrons. Tele passes through the room and opens the door to the stairs. She stands atop of the landing looking about the room. She sees that Xenograg, Alais, Sylus and Dimitri were there already. She walks down the stairs and joins Alais for Sylus and Xeno had gone to duel.

It was then she learned of Tasslehofl; he was found near death on the Isles near an unknown shrine by a dragon named Garl. And worse, no one knew how this came about. Listening to Alais.. Tele feels a rising sense of dread. But how Alais described the manner they found Tass did not match what she saw in her vision, however, she felt it in heart she must see Tass as soon as may be. After a long discussion with Alais, Tele felt Alais''s hesitation to get Tele onto Emerald Isle. She didn''t understand this reluctance. If Tele could find a way to reverse Tass''s condition, why not allow her the chance? If it fails, it would be upon her, not Alais. After the tiring debate Tele returned to the castle and did not retire to her apartments. She went directly to the lab in the library tower.

His steps were paced carefully around the ground that had been prepared for the new chamber which would soon find its home here in the old forest. His eyes traced each inch of the rune, which he had previously drawn upon the land, looking for any hint of a flaw, but found none. Then, as he finished, he turned and watched as the portal opened? timing was everything.

It was obvious, even for one who was not as informed as he, to see the caution which surrounded the pseudo-vampire as she stepped from the portal. They had, after all, had their? disagreements.

"I''m honored to see you, m''lord Tasslehofl Momus."

"Thank you, Rhaine, for agreeing to come to the Islands." It was business tonight, and as such, he would be civil. There was no need to bring emotions into play this evening? they would rage soon enough. Turning, he once more cast his gaze upon the marked ground. "I need your help with this, Rhaine. As I am sure you are aware, a rune of this... magnitude? is powerful almost to its max. But it is the ''almost'' that I need your help with."

Her words were still emotionless, but yet, there was an edge to the tone. "As an energy donor? To make this ''almost'' turn into nothing?"

He turned once more, and chose to face her squarely. His eyes were a cold and unrevealing as the stone. "If it is energy which you muse use in order to altar the rune''s structure to make it ''it''s max,'' then yes."

"Energy? No, but would the structure retain it''s stability when it is at the maximum?"

"It would."

"As you wish?" And with that, she turned to face the rune, and began to whisper in a long forgotten language. As she began the incantation, a grin creased her lips, one of bitter resolution.

He stood back, and watched her a moment, then he, too, turned to the Rune and began an incantation of his own. He would see that this structure was protected from all, but it did need to be able to be breached? when the time was right.

Time passed, as it always does, and soon Rhaine was finished, as was he. The key has been set, and the Rune itself has grown less frail, if one can say such to a rune of this type.

"More alterations? that would destabilize it. It is maxed." Her words were almost weak. The play of power had taken a bit out of her, as it did to him as well. "I would not wish to have my physical body here if it does lose it''s stability."

His head turned to look at her, and the fire still burned deep within the purple eyes. "There is no need to worry of that, on either account. The one who is connected to this rune is well guarded."

For the first time since she arrived, the psudo-vampire cracked a faint smile. "I would never say anything is well guarded, but who is a neck-bitter to question the words of a Dragon?"

Oddly enough, this brought a small, and even warm, smile to his lips. "Rhaine, the one whose'' blood infuses this Rune can only be reached one way? They are safe and well guarded.

"Thank you, Rhaine." It was a simple gesture, but one which she would never truly understand the implications of. She had risked much, and in so doing, had shown great trust. It would not be forgotten.

He turned then, and lifted a hand, and pulled the portal open. Her time on the Islands had come and gone, and it was time for her to leave. There were other matters which needed to be tended to, and they did not require others to be present.

"You are welcome, though there is nothing to thank me for. Keep safe." And with those final words, she stepped back through the portal.

"You as well?"

The wards around Tass' world are strengthening. Travel between the Emerald Isle's and the outside world is becoming more difficult despite my ties through the wards of my house to the sorceries of the Islands. If this continues, I will have to choose..... Matlal and the Dragon realms, or RhyDin.

There is no real choice. The books, 2 of them, are in Matlal. I can never leave them, and until either Tass is healed, or Khirsah returns, I must remain here.

Garl and I walked toward the shrine. He didn't seem to know any more about the shrine than I did, and he didn't seem overly happy that I was returning to the shrine either.

Tass had been found here, and I walked slowly around the perimeter of the structure. The outer ward, the one the walls passed through is a dragon's blood rune. But, the blood used for this rune was not from a living dragon. This blood was not the blood of life, this was dead blood, and I shivered. What could Tass have been doing with such? Why construct such a rune of binding? What did he seek to hold within?

The structure was completely closed. There was no obvious door or entry. No windows, no way to see within'.

I slowly reached out to touch the exterior wall, and heard Garl's quickly indrawn breath, but the structure held no violent protections, it was cool to the touch. The blood in the rune had been altered as well. There was more than one source of magic used to create this rune. A dead dragon's blood, which has been subtlely altered forms the strength of this rune.

I sat down in the shade and studied the structure. Garl sat with me for a time, silent and noncommunicative. He would venture no information, nor opinions on this thing. With a sigh, I rose, there were things I needed to do to attempt to touch the Primordial Darkness, and the sooner I do that, the better.

He felt her as she, this time, reached for him. His brow creased with concern. She should not be doing this. It was worse than death for her? it was total eradication.

The Third had been correct. He should not have reached out to her. But things had changed. He had mastered the Darkness that had created him. He had learned all that the book taught him. He had grown in his own power. Yet, there was still one vital part of the puzzle which was missing, thus, the reasoning to do what he did.

Yet, here she was, reach back to him. No. It was not right, and he would not see her destroyed. Whatever the cause for her to try, it could wait. Plans were still in motion that needed to bare fruit first. The Younger would take care of her and her matters.

Turning his mind to her, he pulled the darkness once more to him, removing it from her reach. He would not see her left to Nothing? yet.

The Blackness of Primordial Darkness is a tangible darkness. It is something that I can feel, taste, smell, even hear, but there is no sight here, not for me. Memories of that first experience came flooding back as the great shadow passed overhead, and the darkness began to embrace my call. Wrapping me into it's encirclement, enfolding me in that unique sensation.

The Blackness came, and in that blackness I felt something familiar, a flicker but for a moment, and then the Blackness receded. Pulling away almost with reluctance, the gentle unfolding of the welcoming Blackness, but there was a sentience in that Dark that retreated from my reach, stealing the Darkness back from my summons. A directed intelligence was pulling the Darkness away from my call, forcing it to recede and refuse my admission.

Khirsah yet remained in the Primordial Darkness, and he was not willing to return, despite my need to find him, despite the Third's need, despite the need of his kind. Part of me was relieved to know Khirsah yet survived, and part of me rages that he will not come for his brother's need. An inner voice called for Khirsah, almost a pleading for him to hear me, but I cannot know if he did. Could an Eldarie plea reach him in that place? Would it even matter if he did hear me? Would anything matter to Khirsah in that place of origination?

I fell to my knees in the black sand. My hands clasped around the white rouwan wood staff tightly as it sank deeply into the sand, and a thin line of deep crimson blood ran down the white wood from where I'd drawn blood for my binding circle. My head bowed in fatique and defeat. Khirsah and the Darkness had rejected me. I had been left within the circle I'd wrought, in absolute exhaustion and failure. I was alone in the gloaming, with only the sound of the water caressing the sand.

The candles sputtered in the near twilight, and a gust of cold wind blew them out entirely. Cold wrapped itself around my body as I remained knelt in the warm black sand, the warded circle softly glimmered pale green in the gathering gloom. The faintest thread of a new moon rose above the horizon, and I remained kneeling in the sand, my head bowed low as that silver promise of renewal rose into the night sky.

Matlal does not yet feel like Home. It is mine, it remains under construction. It contains my sorceries to ward it, and yet, it feels as though I am but a guest. The dragons are unerringly polite, and even a bit protective. The surroundings are pleasant, the construction is everything I can hope for. This feeling will fade with time.

Time. How much do we have? The power I feel in the Annaran sources grows, and I do not know why this should be happening. Tass has told me that the tear originates in Riverbend, and opens atop The Pearl. I cannot go to the top of that mountain alone. Few here can, even among the dragons, but I can go to Riverbend. One last trip before the Isles'' wards close even to me, for I feel it in the Isle''s themselves, as Tass slips deeper into this malady, the Isles, which are of his making, are sealing themselves away, to remain separate and isolated until either Tass recovers, or Khirsah returns.

The tanzanite gate rune in my library had been completed, and I stood considering the wisdom, or folly, of going alone, but what choice is there really? I cannot ask Garl to come along, and I cannot seek out Teleperien, she is of the light. We need to know what is going on in Riverbend, and that world of the dead is no place for the living. But, I would not go unprepared. What ever is widening the tear, and causing the power changes is not likely to be friendly, and as I prepared, I heard the books. From deep within their sealed chamber, they spoke to me.

"L''khol b''riyah yeysh sheym, shenatan hal hayam, v''natan lah motah."

I paused, "each of us has a name, given to us by the sea, and given by our death." ''Our death.'' I am returning to a place of death. A place where the dead reside in the oblivion Morrin had sent them. I answered them quietly, "Keyn y''hi ratzon" (May it be so.)

At last I believe I am ready, and as I turn around, Garl steps from the brightly lit morning into the cool interior of the entry hall. "You appear to be traveling. Do you not feel the closing of the wards?"

I nodded, "Yes Garl, I feel it, and this is probably my last trip that I will be able to make before they seal against me completely, but we need to know what is happening in Riverbend. I will return quickly. I do understand the risk of traveling right now."

I gave the great dragon a quick hug, and then stepped onto the tanzanite rune and whispered the Annaran words that would take me to the Keep of Annara, into the mausoleum where Morrin now rests. I glanced at Garl as I faded, and his look was one of worry.

The gate rune has always taken me on a direct path to Riverbend, but this morning the path was unexpectedly blocked by what appears to be a landslide that is too tall to climb over, and too large to go around, and yet, I must reach Riverbend. Time is of the essence.

Abruptly the landscape shifts around me, and I have taken a wrong turn. In Hell, it is never a good idea to take a detour. I found myself in serious trouble as my legs were knocked from beneath me. In a brief moment before blackness covered everything, I looked up into the cat like eyes of Shakira!

I came to with a start. Shakira! She was supposed to be banished or dead. I blinked several times in this distorted and shifting world before I could focus once more on the gaze of the daemoness.

"Shakira, what a surprise." I moved with a groan, and discovered that I was shackled to the walls of a cell. The daemoness smiled one of her worst smiles at me, one that said I was in serious trouble.

The pain had been excruciating, and as I moved, opening my eyes, I found myself not chained to a cell wall, but collapsed along the path to Riverbend. But the pain remained.

I frowned, stretched gingerly, realizing that all of my magical items were now with me, and they had not been when I was being held by Shakira.... or had I actually seen Shakira? The Demoness would never release me with these.... a dream?

More like a nightmare! "It wasn't real!" Realization hit me hard, and I had to wipe tears of relief from my eyes before I could continue on. Time was short, and there was so much to do!

I rose, dusting off the bits of stone that clung to my robes, but every movement screamed pain along my back. Something was dreadfully amiss, but there was no mistaking the solidity of my staff in my hands, and the flow of Annaran sorcery through it. As I moved in the direction of Riverbend, I heard the sound of laughter, the same mocking laughter I'd heard in my 'dream' if that is what it was....I shivered, even in the heat, a cold finger of dread moved down my spine.

The Keep loomed before me in the darkness. The 'Others' moved at my approach, and I could feel an unease among them. The sooner I could get to the mausoleum and leave behind my body, the sooner they would settle and I would learn what was going on here.

I moved in silence across the courtyard of the great stone castle, and into the old chapel. Even here the trappings of Annaran gods and goddesses remained intact. I slipped through the door on the right and into the Annaran mausoleum. It was cold. I stood studying the room that was so familiar to me, and there, near Morrin's sarcophagus was the tear. The place Tass and I had stepped through when he'd come for me.

I walked toward the tear, it was larger than it had been. I could see the top of The Pearl, where unearthly cold awaited any who walked through it. I reached out lightly to touch the tear, and felt the flash of cold even more severe than what was here in Riverbend's shadows.

Turning, I surveyed the room once more, I was alone, but there were traces of trespass by someone other than Tass and myself. Scorch marks on the stone, a drag mark here or there. Someone has been in my sanctuary since I'd left it all those weeks ago.

I pushed aside the stone that covered the place where one day I too would rest, thinking to leave my body safely within before I began my search for answers. A subtle sound perked my elven hearing, and I decided to leave my body in Morrin's tomb instead.... it was a last minute change that should help protect my body from whomever was within my Keep.

Morrin rested silently, and I left my corporeal form beside him, and moved through the matrix of stone above us after warding both Morrin's and my stone sarcophagi. Then, I moved out of the mausoleum in search of whomever was trespassing here in Riverbend!

I remained within the stone effigy, my thoughts drifting as I pondered what was happening.

Khirsah. The Elder was so desperately needed right now. Had he heard me? I know he'd felt me, but had he heard my plea for him to return?

Well, it would not matter if I returned with no more information than I have now. Tass had already known the dead were planning to come through the tear, and all I have new is the name of the leader... Rael.

The familiar sensation of numbed senses was welcome. It made me realize how much I had missed the solitude of Riverbend. Silence broken only by murmurs of the dead. Peace.

Time ceased to have meaning. It was so peaceful here in the mausoleum with Morrin. Silence.

The murmurs told many things, and I have no doubt that as I learn of this would be general for the massing of power and a planned invasion through the tear Tass had created between Riverbend and The Pearl, he is learning of my presence. After all, how normal is it for a live elf to come and go from a place like Riverbend in Annara? No, I do not underestimate this Rael.

The 'Others' were more active than was usual. As though all this talk of war and 'freedom' had energized them in a realm where I found my senses dulled, and where emotion did not run as deeply as it does in the world of the living.

The power flare in Annara remained here. Magic had been enhanced around the tear. The dark taint of necromancy was richer, more textured and layered than before, and as I touched it, I felt the influences of another.

I should return to Matlal. This is news that should be known. Perhaps Rhaine's knowledge of the Hells will include this Rael. If he is leading the dead and undead through as their leader, he is not likely to be an obscure figure.

Riverbend - sanctuary, solitude, peace. It represents my legacy from Morrin. It represents safe haven - I would like to linger, and yet, there are duties in Matlal and RhyDin I need to attend to assure completion.

Reluctantly, I moved away from the river, returning to the mausoleum and the confines of returning to my body along with my committment to Tass and my return to Matlal. Part of me still longs to leave my corporeal form with that stone sarcophagus - but now is not the time.

I studied Morrin's remains for long moments, remembering so many events from our time as student and master. How I wish he were here.

I closed and sealed the sarcophagus again, pausing to study the cold stone effigy. It does not do justice to the man. It is a tragic understatement to the granduer that was Morrin in life. It is however a stark reminder that in death, as we pass through this existence, we only leave behind our works and influences on those who remain after us. Nothing more.

As Garl walked through the structure, he paused near the rooms that were being occupied, well, were occupied when the sorceress was in the Isles, and as he stood there, the scented candles that seemed to be always lit flickered, wavered, and went out.

He turned on his heel and made haste to return to the main island. Tass was healing, and this was news he should have.

Dreams, for most they are things of pleasant nature. Something to be paid no mind to for they are not real. For most, they pose no threat. Most are happily oblivious to the true nature of dreams, and the danger they pose to some who walk amongst us.

Sorcerers, Dreamwalkers, Realm runners, just to name a few, are different. Dreams are as real for us as the common day is to the majority of people around you. Dreams that can be more oft times unpleasant than pleasant, and do not come without significant risk.

For me, dreams are more likely to happen in times of stress or acute exhaustion. Perhaps I've spent too many years suppressing dreams, but when they do occur, they are not the pleasant tales told by mothers to their small children. My dreams are filled with dark images from Annaran history. Visions of battle, blood, and demons, and now dragons. But the one that will unfailingly bring me bolt upright is the dreaming memory of the day Morrin died.

It usually begins with being swallowed by blackness. Sometimes it''s the simple darkness of night, sometimes it is insidiously more.

Blackness.
............Tangible darkness............
...............................................Not the same...........................

Battles too numerous to count.

.........Blood staining the soil in ghastly shades of red and brown.

Kings for 43 generations.

................Old magic.
..................................Dark power.
........................................................Evil growing.


Through it all, there is one constant - a great black blade at the side of one man. The salvation, and the destruction of the Annaran people. A blessing, tied to a horrible curse.

It was there when the first Annaran King formed a cohesive culture out of chaos. Fate was sealed with the first hand to wrap around it's rough black hilt. It conferred power in exchange for blood.

It remained thus for nearly 2000 years. Daemonbane building and strengthening Annara; but corrupting and rotting the Annaran civilization simultaneously.

Wars untold flashed in frightening clarity. Each one led by a crowned King, wielding the rippled black blade. Each King one day ultimately coming to the same dark end at the call of Daemonbane. Each King dying alone, in madness and worse.

The images shifting incessantly, bringing into focus a great stone keep built at the curve of a river. Tall curtain walls surrounded a square tower, and around the inner side of the curtain wall, near a bend in a broad river stood a black smith shop, and within a Dwarf muttering and cursing.

A tall, elven woman stood there, with a warrior at her side, and the pieces of a broken blade lay upon the table. "It be missing a shard, see here?" The Dwarf was indicating a missing section of the blade. "You'll have to find it, or I can't re-forge it."

At that moment, a large man dressed from hat to boot in black, rode up to the entry of the smithy, dismounting swiftly from a great black destrier, that pranced and snorted as the mage dismounted. Hadrian's ears were flat against his head as he was so close to other people. While the rider's back was turned toward them, the image of the Annaran blade rippled along the man's back, rustling the heavy black cloak. Here was Morrin. Arch Mage, and unmistakably King of Annara.

The mage and the Eldarie sorceress had met for the first time. His grey eyes met her silver gaze, and in that moment was forged a century of partnership. Oh, it was not of the romantic sort. The two were a perfect fit in terms of sorcery. They were absolute compliments, and in that instant, Morrin had recognized that while he never took students, he would take this elf as his pupil. Something he had never done in all his years.

They worked together for a century. The culmination of that partnership was unthinkable.

Decades passed, but always Arch Mage and Sorceress worked together, building, growing, learning until one day, the old mage stood in his laboratory, showing an elven woman the intricacies of the spell. It would be his last, and most powerful spell, and it must be done with absolute precision.

Before them lay 3 books on tome stands.

The first one was bound in fine leather, the texture was ultra smooth, with very fine grain that did not resemble any animal but one, (human). It was dyed in a rich tan. The leather he told her was the flesh of the previous King, who the current King had slain. This book embodied all of the spells the Arch Mage knew for death and destruction of people.

The second book was bound in a pale stone, with the bold black sigil of Morrin. This book embodies famine, plague, and the destruction of environment. The abilities to take "scorched earth" policies to new levels were recorded within its pages.

The third book is innocuous enough in appearance, small black leather binding with gold sigil. The leather is without any gloss, and seems to absorb light, but is otherwise unremarkable. But, the three spells in this book are the most terrible of all.

It is the third book that lays open between the two mages.

Strapped to the back of the old mage was Daemonbane. It never left Morrin. Ever.

The mages went over and over the final spell. Perfecting every nuance. Every syllable. Every aspect of spell casting was synchronous art between them.

Practice had come to an end. The two mages left the tower together with one purpose: the complete destruction of the Annaran people.

There would be only one living soul who could claim Annaran ties when this day ended.

Two mages stood upon isolated hills, with a city between them. The day dawned clouded and sullen. Icy rain threatened to coat everything in glistening cocoons, but the mages stood ready. One dressed in black, from hat to boot heels, the other in shimmering silver and blue.

They were too far apart to hear one another, but they'd rehearsed this plan thousands of times. Today would be no rehearsal. Today was the Day of Reckoning for the Annaran people, even though only their King, and one sorceress knew it.

At the appointed time, they began.

Book One was enacted by the pair. Human death in all its forms began inside the city walls. People began dying by the hundreds of every malady known to Morrin. Some deaths were mercifully swift. Some were not. Then the spell began to work on those Annaran's not within the city walls. It took most of the morning to destroy the humanity within the city's walls, as well as those not currently in residence.

Book Two was enacted next. The complete destruction of the land, the animals, the plants, the air, the water, all of it was laid to ruin. It was all forever stricken of ability to support any form of life. Not an insect remained. Nothing moved.

Book Three was the last to be enacted. It was the one the elven mage struggled to perform. Elves revere life. Beauty. Yet this book would see the casting of what had once been a living people and land into the 6th level of Hell. Forever would an entire civilization and place be consigned to dwell in the place reserved for Heretics.

She wept as the final words were spoken, and the mage upon the hill across from her faded from sight. They were gone. All of them. Every trace of Annara had been erased from this plane. Every person of Annaran ancestry destroyed. Every bit of Annaran possessions removed.

Gone. Completely and irrevocably gone.

She left her hill as the winter sun crept toward the horizon to stand one last time where her beloved mentor had stood. Nothing remained. No shred of the man she'd come to respect above all others. Nothing.

She left that place where Annara had once been, returning to her home in RhyDin, but as she entered the Great Room, she was faced with something she'd never expected.... Daemonbane hung from the fireplace, just above the mantle piece, where her own family's coat of arms had been. Below the blade, laid in a neat pile upon the hearth stone were the 3 books. Four items had survived their effort to forever remove all of Annara from this realm.

Now, Daemonbane hung there as her heritage, her history, and one day, her demise.

Images shifted, parted, moved in disjointed ways, never settling long on one memory or thought.

An elven woman walked through a stone mausoleum, pausing to gently run her finger tips over the alabaster effigy of a man. A King.

Whispers could be heard, but not the source of them seen.

She walked slowly out of the mausoleum, toward the wide river, and the ruins of what appears to be a smithy.

Tears slip down her cheeks.

These images repeat, many years this elf moves between the world of the living, and this place.

Many years she's spent in solitude with the alabaster effigy for her only company.

It is solace and peace. It is her retreat from the living. It is where she goes to find numbing relief from the sharp pain of living.

Brilliant solar flare erupts and the world changes.

Three books lay upon a table in a world with twin suns. A woman''s hand caresses the bold black sigils of the books as an owl shaped automaton named Ozymandias floats nearby. As her hand passes over each sigil, they shift and change form, a blending of sigils, and the new one is a dark metallic charcoal in color, softened by the elven influence on the Annaran boldness, but the elven sigil is lost forever. It has been incorporated into the Annaran realm, no longer distinguishable as uniquely Eldarie.

Only two of the books have undergone this alteration. The third, a small black leather book remains uniquely Morrin''s.

Deep sadness pervades departure from this twin sun world, a sorrow that goes deeper than even her loss of Morrin, but the images for this sorrow remain locked away. Untouchable.

A stone walled library, three books, long shadows cast from a flickering fire as a green cloaked dragon takes possession of the books and departs.

Lost!

Pain. Sharp, biting pain. Iron tipped whip biting into pale flesh. Black haired demoness wielding the whip, words that make no sense?. "I want to hear you scream and I won't stop until you do," Shakira says through gritted teeth as she continues the punishment. The elf continues to deny that small pleasure to the demoness. Each lash cuts through elven skin, leaving bloody welts. Alais knows her strength is fading, she is weaker from the loss of blood. How many has it been? Ten? Twenty? She's lost count. Again the pain, and again, and again. Finally the pain becomes unbearable, there's nothing she can do but scream and the elven woman feels hot tears roll down her cheeks.

Shakira walks near her, a hand grabs her hair and pulls her head back. "That's a good girl," she croons. She takes the whip and licks the blood off the leather. "That will be it for today. I suggest you rest." As if this had been a command, darkness envelopes the elf into a dreamless sleep.

Lost!

The dragon has taken the unaltered book. Only two return to the Annaran''s hand when summoned. The third remains lost. Gone with the dragon, back to the beginning. Back to the Primordial Dark!

I've been touched by that Primordial Darkness. I have no doubt it was Khirsah who touched me that day on the sand, yet when I sought to find him, bring him back to help Tass.... I was rejected. Still, the darkness lays claim to the third book, and the dragon. What changes will be wrought?

Dreams or the paths of destruction and loss.

I'd agreed to meet Xeno at the dojo in the morning to speak to him in private about what was happening in the Emeral Isle's and my seeing Shakira, but as the darkness curled out of the mirror, wrapping around me like a lover, I knew I would not make that meeting.

Khirsah held tightly to my hand as nothingness wrapped us up and swallowed us. The sensation was unsettling, and for a moment I thought to fight it, but the pull was inescapable. Cold, akin to the chill of Annara was in Khirsah's touch. At my query, he turned cold eyes on me, and with a voice soft, yet chill, "was it not you who sought me? You were brought here to understand what is going on with my younger brother. He is brave, but often times, his heart gets in the way of his knowledge. This is the case this time. He has sought to protect you, and in so doing, he's laid waste to his body."

Khirsah maintained a completely detatched air as he continued, he'd always been the more aloof and distant of the brothers. He told me he would be there when Tass manifested himself to reclaim his body from the bloodmage. Shahai would not claim what did not belong to her, but he informed me that was not my worry.

"This does...." his voice faded away to be replaced by the view of my foundation stone, and the great Annaran blade that rested there, prohibiting the completion of my new home, only now, Tass stood there, Tass whole and healthy, marking a blazing path around the blade, and as I watched in mute horror, Tass reached for the sword at his side, and simultaneously reached for Daemonbane!

"NO!" One word ripped from my throat in that horrifying moment of clarity. Tass had known what Daemonbane would do to him. He KNEW! He knew and yet he'd done so anyway. The only thing keeping Tass alive right now was the great dragon's origins. Had he been any other sort of creature, Daemonbane would have killed him as well. This is why Tass' symptoms seemed so
familiar, and yet not. This is why nothing worked in trying to break the curse.

I tried to pull free of Khirsah, but he clung to me with an unshakable grip, and as I looked into Khirsah's cold eyes, I wondered if the Elder would blame me for what was happening to Tass.

My words were elven soft, "th' new structure 'pon Mat'lal, 't ist where Daemonbane doth r'side, neh?"

The man before me was Khirsah, and yet not. As we stood there in that dark nothingness, I learned a new meaning for despair.

"We didst haff need o' ye Khirsah, 't ist why Ah didst seek ye - bu' 't was ye th' first time 'pon th' black sand. Why? Why didst ye touch me enou' tae tell me wither ye'd gone?"

Memory Awakens.

The place where he is bound is silent.

Empty save for one conscience.

WRONG!

The feel of a tear in the world.

Silence.

No power. No sound. No souls.

WRONG!

Darkness wavers and ripples.

Darkness wearing the crown of a King walks the land of the forsaken dead.

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:23 pm Post subject: Matlal

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The buildings would be pale salmon plagioclase, but the architectural style is completely different from I? Taurn. There are 4 round towers at the outer corners of the building, and windows in great abundance, although they are not mullioned. The arches and curves of the roof line are intended to provide a flowing architecture that fits in with the rolling landscape of the islands. The roof material will be patina copper to provide the verdigris green atop the pale salmon stones.

Now, with the destruction of the island, the wood will need to be imported from RhyDin. Where I had hoped to use mahogany for its rich textures and colors, I may have to make use of more varied species of tree. Perhaps Rab will be able to help me locate the lumber required to create the doors and window sills and inner trims.

The floor is stone, and as the entry doors swing open the pale salmon stone has an inlay of black tanzanite in the form of a dragon in flight, surrounded by a large Celtic knot. The image runs from wall to wall of the entry foyer. Each room has a different image inlaid into the pale salmon stone.

To the right of the entry are the official public offices and rooms. There Garl will have a place to address the administrative needs, and there will be other rooms for public use.

To the left of the foyer is where I shall reside. I have made the plans a mirror image of the original as I do not wish to face the same views and the same setting as before. There would be too much pain associated with rebuilding in the identical plans.

My side of the structure encompasses two circular towers and a narrow slice of the 3 story main structure. The personal apartments are located in the tower that faces the ocean, with a view of Odhran in the distance, and the remaining section is for setting up a governing body upon the isle. A place to record histories, to have a library and archive, and a gathering hall.

At the center of the house is a room that will be set deeply into the heart of the Isle where the books will be locked away. This room is deep within the core of the island, down 200 stairs into the rock, and surrounded at the surface by the warding of the house. It is designed to be a protection against all magical influences, and a place of great security.

The book room is lined with bronze basalt stone, and I had planned to make arrangements with Tass to assure that not only my wards will protect the room from visitors, but now that the books are gone, the room will serve a different purpose.

The four towers will rise 5 stories in height, with the main house rising 3 stories in height. The great hall will be open the full 3 stories, with 16? doors of carved mahogany decorated with mithril. I plan to bring my Sidhe heritage to the Island to share with the Dragons. Dragons love luxury and beautiful things. I think their love of beauty is partly what has given them a reputation for hoarding treasure. Since I will be living among them, I must provide them with an administration complex that will be pleasing to look upon, whether from the ground or air.

The architect has agreed to use elven stone carvers for the structure, as that is the only way to achieve the open, airy look and feel that I desire from this complex. While it will be made of salmon stone, it must have the look and feel of the Sidhe. Timing for this project exceeds my anticipation, but I will not compromise for the sake of expediency.

The healing of Matlal progressed. Each day saw more green begin to sprout and grow. The dragons were taking to the construction with enthusiasm, as if having something constructive to do was appreciated, and helped diminish the pain the war had inflicted. It was a time of renewal for everyone except me.

I have thrown myself into the rebuilding completely and without reservation. The magic of the Eldar combined with the magic of the island was bringing about great changes in astonishingly short amounts of time, but there is a price to be paid for such growth, and with each passing day I felt the drain upon myself. Each day my ability to shape the energy to my bidding weakened.

Garl had initially watched my work and provided support, but of recent days, he too has grown withdrawn, acting unlike the Garl I have known these last months. And today he did not come at all.

I know that I need a rest, but I cannot take that rest here, not while the dragons continue to work.

Khirsah has been absent since my return to Matlal. He had come twice while I was travelling back and forth, but not at all since my residence has been re-established upon the island. I would not be missed, and so with the next phase of building begun, I made a decision that would give me the rest I need.

Twilight Isle was busy with a tournament, and Lord Momus was engaged in the rings. I sat and watched for some time, but decided perhaps departure now would be better than waiting to speak to him directly. He would not follow. He did not belong in the world of the dead and damned. The last time had resulted in the tear, and the war, and while Tass may be the emotional one of the brothers, he was not going to make the same mistake.

I left a parchment with the Arch Mage, Topaz for Tass, telling him where I had gone. And then, fading from the Isle, I travelled the road of the dead home to Riverbend.

Riverbend whispered with the voices of those returned against their will. It was subdued, and my presence there sent them fleeing from my path. Twice I had sent them here, and there was no doubt of my right to be in Riverbend. Nor was there doubt of their fealty to me.

My footsteps carried me to the mausoleum entry. I paused long moments before descending the stone stairs.

Rest. I needed to rest.

Morrin's sarcophagus glowed softly from light hitting the highly polished alabaster effigy. His features almost life like in their rendering. My fingertips reached out to stroke the cheek lightly. How I missed him.

I shimmered a moment in the mausoleum light before sliding into the stone matrix to rest.

Alais was restless after Morrin?s unexpected visit. She knew that returning to Riverbend was no longer optional. She had to go. She roamed the streets of Rhydin tonight, too restless to remain at I? Taurn. Then a signature sensation rippled around her and she coalesced before the doors of Tea?s N Tomes. Her argentine gaze studied the front of the building before making her way inside, she was not after the baked goods, but hoping her instincts were right.

There came a slash in the room accompanied by the soft sound of tearing fabric from whence The Elder stepped.

Alais made her way into the upper level where she?d heard the familiar tear of an arrival, ?M?lord Khirsah,? She inclined her head in greeting, she had hoped to find him before she went to Riverbend. ??t ist a fione pleasure tae see thee.? Indeed, she was pleased to see the Elder, though she didn?t expect him to reflect the sentiment.

Khirsah?s head inclined as he watched her approach where he now stood, ?Lady d? Nitesong.?

Alais peered around the deserted shop, ?Ah?d ?oped ye?d come tae Matlal whilst Ah ?ad ?n auld friend there. Ah dinnae thin? ye ken Xenograg, dae ye?? Somehow she had hoped that Khirsah would come while Xenograg and his daughter had been there, but for the time Xeno had come, there had not been a visit from The Elder.

Khirsah crossed his arms, his hands coming to rest inside the sleeves of his robes before him, ?I believe we have had the pleasure of a meeting once, but it would be through the Younger that I know more of him beyond that greeting, and how was his visit?? I presume all conducted themselves in a proper manner?? He was referring to the dragons of the isle, and in fact, he knew that they did.

Alais mirrored his movement, sliding both hands into her sleeves, ?Ah mus? r?turn tae Rifferbend m?lord.? She knew Khirsah knew well enough that the dragons had been nothing but polite to Xenograg and Amanda. She also saw no point in keeping her most pressing news from The Elder. Somehow he already knew unless she missed her guess.

A fine brow rose fractionally and she moved closer to him, ?Ah ?ad a visitor, oone tha? shouldst nae haff been able tae leave.? Would he recognize her visitor as Morrin?

The Elder?s words were very softly spoken, ?And what did your Master reveal to you??

Alais gave a startled blink at his question. He knew, but how? ??ow didst ye ken tha? ?t was ?e?? She could not dispute that Morrin had once indeed been her master, and she wouldn?t care to at any rate. She had the deepest respect for her mentor, no matter how things had turned out.

His featured returned to their usual neutrality of expression, ?Of the previous two statements, one who listens would hear the answer.?

Alais gave him a quicksilver smile, ?Yer one o? few whom doth listen thence. Lord Morrin didst say tha? Ah mus? needs r?turn fer soomethin? left b?hind.? It had been a cryptic meeting with Morrin?s image, but she had no doubt it had been Morrin. There had been no deception on that point.

The Elder?s brow rose almost imperceptibly, but it was enough for Alais to take note of.

?Froom wha? ?e didst say, ?t mayst haff aught tae dae wi? th? failure o? trees tae grow. Ah mus? gae.? She knew she would go, she knew if there was a clue left behind in Riverbend, she had to go.

Khirsah?s gaze held hers, ?because he summoned you?? There was no accusation nor denigration, it was a question purely and simply.

Alais shook her head slightly, ?Nay, b?cause ?f th? answer doth lie ?n Rifferbend, Ah mus? needs gae.? It wasn?t that Morrin had commanded her return, he had given her information and left it to her conscience what to do with that information. Morrin had seldom ?commanded? her in their association. Only once to be quite honest. She looked up at The Elder again.

?And if it does not?? Khirsah pressed.

??e alsae couldst tell tha? Ah?ve taken Daemonbane ?s mine oon, an? soomethin? ?lse.? Her silvery gaze studied Khirsah, questions about Primordial Darkness pleading to be let loose, but she kept her questions tightly reigned as Khirsah simply watched her in silence. ?Ah dinnae ken ?ow ?e didst ken.? She curled her fingers over the scar inside the sleeves of her robes. The scar would always be there, and she wouldn?t change that if she could.

?Was it not his?? Khirsah prompted then.

Alais nodded, ?Once, manna years ago.?

He lifted a brow once more at her, waiting for her to find the answer to her question in that simple statement.

??t ist nae tha? Ah?ve taken Daemonbane tha? didst s?prise me.? That Morrin had felt that particular darkness was no surprise, that he knew she?d picked up the blade and made it her own despite years of not touching it were truly no surprise. It was that Morrin sensed her link, fleeting though it had been to Khirsah?s place. Khirsah?s darkness. She walked toward one of the windows overlooking the street below them.

Khirsah?s lip twitched as he lifted a brow slightly, ?The question remains the same.?

Alais turned her quicksilver gaze once more onto The Elder, ??e didst ken tha? Ah?ve touched a darkness nae meant tae be touched?. ?ow couldst ?e ken tha? m?lord? Ah?ve sensed nae change bu? one.? She?d searched for any kind of marker or hint of her brush with that darkness, but the only thing that remained was the scar that she shared with the Elder. How could Morrin have sensed it?

Khirsah?s expression remained neutral, ?were you not his, once??

Alais peered at him a long moment. ?Aye, bu? ?e hath been bound tae Rifferbend. Have ye come tae Matlal tae see th? progress?? She was distinctly changing the subject. Once she had ?belonged? to Morrin when she had studied with him, she had been his student and prot?g?,

?And though I am not upon the Isles, or near the Younger, I should not know what is happening, especially of something of that import?? He remained unmoving as he spoke. It was something she had come to expect from him. Absolutely nothing superfluous in terms of words, or movement.

?Ye mayst ken th? changes, bu? ?t wouldst be a verra great joy tae see ye amidst th? greenin?? Alais knew how Garl and some of the others felt about Khirsah, but she was entrusted with the island, and she would enjoy having the Elder come now and then.

Khirsah was never easily derailed, and he proved that now, ?Which you strive to return in full, thus bringing us back to the matter which you wish to jump from.?

Alais looked out the window at the moonlight, then back at Khirsah, ?Aye, ?t ist mine goal tae r?turn th? isle tae ?t?s former beauty. Mayhap ?t wouldst simpla take yer presence m?lord.? She had no doubt that either Tass or Khirsah were capable of fixing what ailed the island.

Khirsah gave a slight twitch again of his lips, ?And would you wish another war?? Or would your appointed guardian??

?Ah?d nae wish another war, bu? Garl wilst accept yer presence?. Wi? oot thee ?n Tass, there wouldst be nae isles fer them.? She knew Garl would be very unhappy to tolerate the Elder?s presence once more on Matlal, but he was no fool, and without Tass and Khirsah, there would be no haven for them.

?This is true, but I would not wish undue stress upon the lady.? Khirsah knew how the dragons felt, no matter what Alais said on the subject.

Alais peered at him a moment, ?Mayhap th? stress ist from yer absence?? She knew in her case it certainly was.

Khirsah lifted a brow then, ?And would you have me accompany you to see your Master?? A single corner of his lips quirked upward in a slight curve.

That did surprise her and she turned slightly to study him, ?An? ?f Ah said aye, wha? wouldst ye say tae tha??

?Your Master would find himself facing the one whom he has lost his pupil to, and perhaps the answer to a question he has asked but has found no answer for.?

Alais? breath stilled in her lungs, had she traded Morrin for Khirsah? ?Ah dae thin? ?e already kens tha? m?lord. Th? fact tha? ?e didst sense a darkness tha? was nae o? Daemonbane?s makin?.? She was not ready to analyze the implications.

Khirsah gave a slight nod, ?And what of you? Would you care to see one such as I within that realm once more??

Alais canted her head at Khirsah, ?Aye m?lord, since Ah cannae gae wi? ye intae yer darkness.? She very much wanted to see Khirsah in the dark realms. He was born of the ultimate darkness, how would he change in Riverbend?s darkness?

He studied her as though he were actually considering joining her, ?Even after the matter from the last??

Alais paused, the last time she?d gained the scar that she shared with him, but what could happen in Riverbend? ?Prithee, wha? dae ye see ?appenin???

?My sight does not extend to the definite of the future.?

?Thence prithee, wilst ye coome?? She held her breath, a chance to return to Riverbend with the Elder was not likely to come again.

?And when have you planned this trip?? He was not saying yes, but he was also not declining, not yet.

?Ah?ve made nae plalns, Ah?d ?oped tae speak wi? thee first.? She hadn?t held a lot of hope that their paths would cross, and yet somehow, Khirsah had appeared before she had to go.

?And what had you planned to find out by speaking with me?? He never evoked emotion of any kind, and none now.

Alais gave him a quicksilver elven smile, ?Wha? Ah haff always found from speakin? wi? thee.?

?More questions,? he simply stated.

Alais shook her head, she always found so much more from speaking with The Elder than just questions. ?Aye, more questions ?n more?.? She let it go at that, simply more, it was what she found in talking to Khirsah.

A sable brow rose once more in question to her words.

?Ah?ve always found more thence jus? questions a?ter speakin? wi? thee, sometimes answers, an? always a bit o? peace.? She wasn?t sure how to put in into words what she got from their talks.

?I find it that the more questions there are, there comes less peace.? He told her then.

Soft elven laughter riffled through the balcony, ?Aye, bu? sometimes emotions make th? harsh lines blur an? soften.?

?A harsh like, hmm?? He simply watched her then.

?Soometimes m?lord, aye, emotions soften thins enou? tae see tha? Ah?ve missed yer company, an? Matlal ist yers, nae mine oon. Prithee m?lord, dae consider coomin? wi? me??

?Matlal is yours, and I believe it is time that I escort you to it.?

Alais gave him a smile, it was the first time he had agreed to come to Matlal in many months. She reached for his hand with the one bearing the scar that bound them.

Gemethyst sat in her chair with a wreath of smoke rising up around her silver head as she listened idly to the conversation between Khirsah and Alais, or more directly, tried to listen. It was a bit of work to untwist the thick accent and untangle the lilt from the pattern of the words. But in point of fact, she was enjoying it, for it was a puzzle, which was something she always enjoyed. She was also comparing the sound of the name ?Garl? with what she had heard Tasha say of the auburn haired lady?s companion, who was known to Tara. Hmm.

Khirsah spoke softly, ?And you feel that I can offer him that help and support??

Alais nodded as she toyed with the warm snifter, ??nless yer plannin? tae coome wi? me, thence ?t mus? needs be Th? Younger.?

His brow ticked upward ever so slightly. ?Did I not say I would? I do not see the point in setting myself in two places, as The Younger does.?

Alais canted her head slightly, her hip length silver hair shifting with the movement, ?Aye m?lord, Ah dae.? She knew Garl would not welcome help from The Elder at the moment, but somewhere there had to be a beginning. She pondered a long moment, recalling their last conversation, ?Ye didst nae giff sooch a firm r?ply m?lord, bu? ye didst wonder ?ow Morrin wouldst take yer presence ?n tha? realm.? She could not recall a solid agreement, but perhaps she had missed his meaning.

?I cannot say I wonder, for I well can see his reaction to it.? Khirsah?s observation was very matter of fact as he studied her.

Alais gave him a quicksilver smile despite the ominous shadow foretold by his words, ?Thence Ah shall be ?appa tae take thee tae Rifferbend m?lord.? She had to wonder though who would take whom. Khirsah?s power dwarfed her own. Then she had to ask, ?Ye ken th? r?sponse?? She set down her snifter to study him. If he knew what Morrin?s response would be, would he tell her and confirm her own suspicions? His initial reaction was a simple lift of a brow at her. He would not make it that simple. Khirsah never did.

Gem?s thoughts were hidden, but she found it much better to focus and eavesdrop on the couple there than to dwell in the pit of her own thoughts and fears. Paranoia was beginning to eat at her own knowledge, and thus she remained fastened onto their conversation like a limpet to a rock, despite the fact that she had no understanding of the topic they now discussed.

Alais gave the amber liquid a gentle swirl, ?Ah didst giff a verra great deal o? though? tae yer observation m?lord Khirsah, an? wha? ye didst say aboot Morrin nae longer bein? mine teacher.? She had in fact spent many hours considering the implications of Khirsah?s words when he had said that Morrin was her former teacher, and how would Morrin take the presence of his replacement. Morrin would recognize Khirsah for what he was, and that could complicate things considerably, but she believed that she needed Khirsah if she was to be successful.

?Oh?? Khirsah simply watched the Elf from where he sat.

?Mayhap Ah?m nae longer ?is student, ye mayst haff th? ri? o? ?t, bu? th? oother part hath preyed ?pon mine thoughts.? This was a huge understatement. The idea that she had traded one mentor for another, and this one being the entity before her had huge potential consequences.

Khirsah continued to regard her, listening, waiting for what she thought.

Delicate elven fingers toyed with the snifter a moment as Alais sat in that silence to formulate her thoughts and her question, ?Haff ye trula taken ?is place?? Was Khirsah now her mentor? She shivered at that notion and all that it might mean, yet if he said no, she knew disappointment would follow.

?As?? Again The Elder simply waited.

??aff ye takn? Morrin?s place ?s mine mentor?? Her argent eyes locked on his pale features, but despite summoning her courage to hold his eyes with such a question, she was almost afraid to hear the answer, if indeed he would give her one.

?And what precisely would it be that I would be teaching?? Khirsah gave no outward sign of perceiving her discomfort, but he knew well enough what she felt.

Alais then did something she had never done. She reached for his hidden hands, drawing the scarred one out, opening his fingers to trace the mark there before looking once again into his eyes, ?Mentorin? m?lord.? She had reached beyond where she should, and he?d not only saved her, but taught her a great deal about that darkness where only he and Tass could reside.

If he was startled, he did not show it. He gave a slight cant of his head, though the mirrored hand withdrew and settled into hers, though it was less than warm. It was the kind of chill she knew and understood. ?Mentoring, then. The question however stays the same.?

Alais laid her smaller hand over his briefly, mating the scars, then she looked up once more at Khirsah, ?Limits mayhap?? She had gone so far beyond her limits when she?d reached into that place so many months ago.

Gem gave an affectionate smile as Tara came in with the Dread Laptop. ?Evening Tara, and you will keep that quiet, aye my ?abbil??

Tara, who had reached her throne pressed a button and a snack tray-like thing popped out from the side of it. She placed the laptop down on it and smirked at Gem, ?You should get earplugs! Its not my fault yer hearin is like more perfect than mine!? She was annoyed that her hobby was being threatened here, and she then turned to Kairee and nodded before heading for the icebox, tossing a finger up at Gem, ?An? dun you touch that, ya hear! What?. What am I saying? Of course you hear me! Jus? keep ?way from it!? she amended. Tara grumbled as she hipchecked the icebox and dug around in it, looking for her private stash of O Positive, her muttering could easily be heard in the Common room, ?always gotta be hatin? my games? Tara, don?t do that, you?ll make a hole in the wall an? Panther will get mad?. Tara, the floors?ll get dirty, you know Panther?s rule?. Tara, yer Legends of Zod game is too loud, my ears are all sensitive, can you perhaps mute it?? And the grumbling continued as she searched for the missing blood. Tara popped up from behind the icebox and thrust her tongue out at Gem, she had heard Gem?s comment, ?I know the rules! I been comin? here long ?nough where not only do I know ?em, but I wrote a few of muh own, and I can translate them into twenty eight languages!? She muttered, ?Where in the hell is my O Pos?! Who touched it! I?ll knock yer block off!?

Gem gave Tara a head tip and then a smile, she figured Tara must be having a hangover from the Dreamwine from the night before, or, she was just in a cranky mood, one or the other. Gem beamed a genuine smile of goodwill over to the un-lifed lass and just sat there contemplating what to drink next.

Tara was indeed very cranky, the reason for which we might never discover because now, aside from whatever had crawled up her arse and died, someone had taken the liberty of moving her O Pos to another location. This does not a happy Tara make. She slammed the icebox closed in frustration and looked out over the commons, her violet eyes becoming stormy as she considered who to blame for this until she spied her BFF and O.C, those being Sami and Skid. A pale hand darted out to take a bottle of any-old-something and she?s heading back to the throne, all sorts of grumpy. Tara nodded to both Sami and Skid and muttered under her breath, ?Hope whoever took muh O Pos contracts the pox an? I alone have the cure, so I can hold it over their head an? watch ?em diiiiiie?.? She gave a growl, hissed, and flopped into the throne.

Alais slid her half empty snifter out of the way before placing warmer hands around Khirsahs chill one, ?Ah?m lookin? forward tae r?turnin? tae Rifferbend m?lord, tae show ye wha? hath colored this Elf sae.? She wanted Khirsah to know where the dark taint she carried came from, and how inextricably bound to it she had become. She continued much more softly, ?There ist sae much more thence was ?n th? books aloone.? The ties to that place were never part of the books. Though even she did not know all that the books had gifted Khirsah with during the time he had been cloistered with them.

Khirsah?s lip twitched again, ?And the gems?? The most prominent of them had become a part of the simple blade that always adorned his hip.

Her silver gaze slid to the largest of the 13 black stones, ?Th? stones ?re d?rived froom th? books, ?re they nae?? She knew they had come from the books to him.

?Gifted, yes.? Khirsah modified her wording slightly.

?Thence dae ye thin? tha? they dae c?ntain more inf?rmation thence th? books themselves?? She lifted her eyes from the black stone to his in question. Then she whispered with a softness that only an Elf can manage, ?thence we shall find oot soon enou?, neh?? By going together to Riverbend, they would discover how much of that world the books had shared with Khirsah.

Khirsah?s gaze held hers, ?And how your former Mentor will react to them.?

Alais? expression was one of startlement, she had not considered the presence of the stones and Morrin?s reaction. ?e willnae be pleased.? Not being pleased was an understatement. Her eyes focused on something very, very far away then, but her warmer hands still covered Khirsah?s own as she looked into mists and veils.

Khirsah?s voice was soft, soft enough not to break her sight, but only enough to register with her, ?And now you begin to see part of what I already know in my accompanying you, and the reception I?ll receive.?

Alais slowly looked in the direction where Khirsah sat, but her focus remained very distant as she stared into the mists, ?Morrin wilst ken th? source o? tha? gem,? she said, but Khirsah already knew the Arch Mage would recognize them for what they were, and from where they?d come.

?And his reaction?? Khirsah prompted softly.

Alais shook her head, ?Ah cannae see ?t. Th? books were ?ntrusted tae me, an? they li? Daemonbane didst r?sist th? sendin? o? all thin?s Annaran intae ?ell.? While she could not see the reaction, she knew Morrin would not take this knowledge well at all. They never had understood what held the great blade and the books here when all else went according to plan. ?Neither Morrin nor Ah dae ken th? reason tha? these thin?s didst nae gae.? She told Khirsah.

Meanwhile, Tara lifted the bottle of whatever she?d grabbed while the music from the LoZ game came out of the laptop full blast, rattling even the internal speakers of the box. She knew it would ruffle Gem?s feathers but the good thing was that there was a patch update about a week or so back, so the theme music of bloodcurdling screams has been replaced by the sounds of swords clanging and a woman screaming, ?Please don?t eat my children!?

Gem flinched as her hands covered her ears, ?Tara!?? Her cry was actually quite piteous.

Skid looked at Veighn, and then the screen, ?Eat it! Eat it!? Because Sami could never make that decision on her own as he egged her on to get the mini Tara to eat the apple and not store it. Then he looked at Veighn, ?Wait! She has to eat the apple first! Who KNOWS what could happen if she doesn?t!?

?I don?t believe ye,? Veighn told Tara as he peered around the side of the ?notebook? to gaze at the covered screen. ?Nonsense, move ye hand, I want to see this talking book.?

Veighn?s wife, Tara?s sister arrived, and Tara practically screamed, ?Please come get your man, he is embarrassing me!?

The Black Mage looked up at Skid, a look that told anyone who saw it that Veighn was possibly weighing the man?s sanity on a very precise scale, ?Tara can?t eat apples, she?ll vomit.?

?WTG Sami!? As Tara noted that her health boost was accomplished after Sami had the mini Tara eat the apple, and the character could be heard gulping down the apple in a sound effect.

The scale was about to be obviously tipped toward the ?in? end by Skiddly, ?Not *this* Tara. The little Tara on the screen!?

Veighn looked up to see Cie as she was greeted by her ?evil step sister?. ?The shrew has acquired a talking book,? Veighn told his wife.

Khirsah and Alais remained locked in their own discussion, the events across the room seemed not to intrude upon their conversation. Khirsah lifted a shoulder ever so slightly, ?There shall be little to worry on.?

Alais blinked abruptly and focused once more on Khirsah, ?Yer gift o? sight ist stronger thence m?oon, prithee, wha? dae ye see??

?A Lady who is worried over more than she needs to be,? Khirsah said softly, ?What will happen will happen.? He knew she meant the future, but it was not in his nature to prognosticate.

Alais glanced as Khirsah?s cold hand, then gave him a deprecating smile, ?Ye dinnae fear annathin?, dae thee?? She simply could not imagine that anything this world had to offer would ruffle The Elder, and in a way, she had to respect his unwavering solidity.

?What is there to fear?? He was almost curious.

Alais gave a wry laugh, ?There?re manna thin?s tae fear, ?r ?t least giff ?n ?ealtha r?spect tae.? She could think of many things to be feared, and she knew there were many who feared the one she sat even now with. Fear was an individual thing it seemed.

?Respecting one thing is not the same as fearing it.? He said quite simply.

Alais nodded, ?Verra true, though m?lord, ye dinnae seem tae haff such thoughts tae plague ye.? She knew then that he had never met his match, and never tasted fear. ?Ah?d li? tae gae wi? th? mornin? light ?f yer reada?? She changed the subject, focusing now on the impending journey.

Khirsah studied her a moment, ?Whatever happens happens. My worrying over it will not change it.?

Alais nodded, ?Aye, bu? ?t doth nae stop most from worry?n annaway.? Herself included, she would get little rest this night as Morrin lay heavily upon her thoughts.

Khirsah?s insight was uncanny as he added, ?And as a result, often times find themselves feeling lousy from it.?

Alais canted her head again, ?Prithee m?lord, ?ow dae ye feel righ? nae??

?Solid? was all he said in reply.

Alais had of course meant his emotions, which if he had any, he had never let her see. She gently prodded his hand with her own, and flashed him a smile, ?Aye, ye dae feel solid taenigh?.?

He gave a faint twitch of his lips, ?And you??

Alais slid her hand beneath his, ?Solid enou? fer th?nonce.? Then she gave a soft whisper of Annaran and began to fade into a silvery mist right beneath his touch. ?Bu? tha? ist mutable ye ken.?

Then Khirsah did something surprising, he applied a very slight pressure from his hand, and the mist found itself weighted down, unable to continue to fade and slip away. Not that she was seeking escape, but it was not something she had experienced. She gave him a quicksilver smile as he held the mist in place with the lightest of pressure, she whispered the Annaran spell again and coalesced once more to become solid beneath his hand. She spoke very softly, ??t ist yer compana m?lord tha? Ah?ve need o?, nae sae much a mentor.? She watched him closely, ?Ah?ve a d?sire fer yer compana, an? th? Isle hath need o? ?t.? She locked her silver gaze with his.

Near the fireplace, Alais gave a soft Elven laugh to Khirsah, ?There?re manna kinds o? need m?lord. Ah?d li? tae d?part fer Rifferbend wi? th? dawn m?lord, art thou reada tae gae sae soon?? She didn?t know how much preparation he had to accomplish before they left. She hoped they would not be delayed long.

Khirsha?s brow lifted once more, ?Have I things to pack??

Alais smiled at him, ??t was anna work ye?d ?ad ?n progress m?lord tha? Ah was worra?d aboot.? Her smile widened, ?Ye?ve nae need o? thin?s tae pack tae gae tae Rifferbend, nor dae Ah.? Where they were going, they only needed their magic.

?What I touch upon does not require my presence, and if it does?.? He gave a slight enough shrug that one would not see it if they were not paying attention.

But Alais was paying attention, and she glanced down at his hand and back up into his eyes with a hint of mirth, ?Wha? yer touchin? ?t th? moment doth r?quire yer presence.? His cold hand remained resting atop her own and she gave him a quicksilver smile.

Khirsah remained unmoving, ?And am I not here??

?Aye, ye are.? She gave him a mellifluous laugh as she realized he missed her underlying meaning. ?Th? Younger didst seem a wee bit s?prised tha? ye didst visit Matlal th? oother eventide.? She was still puzzling about why Tass was surprised that Khirsah had seen her home to the Isle. She set the snifter on the table near his hand, warmth radiating from the amber liquid through the glass. ?Khirsah? ?ow dae th? dragons o? th? Isle ken whence yer there?? She could never tell when Khirsah came, but somehow, the dragons all knew.

Khirsah studied her, ?Much as your former Mentor knows of that which you?ve touched.?

?Thence prithee, why mayst Ah nae sense ?t whence ye come?? She intently studied his face for the moment. Clearly he knew how to find her, but the reverse was not true, and she wanted to be like the dragons on the Island, and to feel The Elder?s presence.

Khirsah then asked her, ?Can you tell when the Younger comes??

Alais thought about that, ?Most o? th? time, bu? ?e doth nae come ?n stealth.? Tass was always upfront about his presence, but Khirsah seemed wrapped in stealth. Perhaps her ties to the magic of the Isle was not sufficient for her to know when he arrived.

Gem?s new friend had finally departed, and she was able once more to refocus on Alais and Khirsah.

Alais watched the waves of heat as they rippled off the snifter in the center of the table before she turned Khirsah?s hand palm up once more near the warmth from the glass, and she traced the length of each finger despite its coolness, ?t wilst be colder ?n Rifferbend.?

Khirsah watched her, ?I believe I shall be able to handle it.?

Alais knew that he could, that was never in question, but she?d come to enjoy the warmth of Matlal. ?Didst Tass tell ye o? our journey there?? She wondered if Khirsah and Tass had ever talked about the events that led to the tear, and the invasion of the Isle. Then she made a very quiet observation, ?th? realms o? th? dead ?r nae place fer th? livin?.?

Khirsah?s brow lifted noticeably at that.

?An? yet, Morrin didst come ?ere tae this realm,? Azjah continued musing. ??t shouldst nae haff been possible.? Morrin had been bound by their combined magic. It was his binding that kept Riverbend in the 6th level of the 9 Hells.

Gem was listening to two conversations.

Khirsah?s voice was soft, ?There is much that should not be possible that is so here.?

Alais touched her fingertips to his, ?Ye dinnae ken though m?lord?. Morrin was bound, inextricabla tae Rifferbend. Used ?imself tae anchor ?t ?n th? ?ells. ?f ?e was nae longer bound? thence wi? th? righ? magics?. Rifferbend couldst ?scape ?ell.? The idea that Riverbend would once more return to the world of the living was something she did not want to contemplate. She slid her silver gaze up to Khirsah?s, ?An? there?re sorceries ?n ?ell wi? enou? power tae ?scape. Morrin mus? needs be bound fer all time m?lord. ?t ist wha? doth keep Rifferbend where ?t ist.??

?Perhaps there is an ulterior reason for his request of your visit.? Khirsah was looking at other reasons than the one Morrin had given when he?d come to RhyDin to speak to Alais.

She nodded, ?Ah?ve c?nsidered that?. She had wondered if it was a means to trap her there as the anchor and allow Morrin his freedom once more.

?And is this part of your request of mine presence?? Khirsah was beginning to understand that she had need of him, and things were beginning to fall into place.

??e was mine mentor m?lord. ?f Ah mus? needs r?bind ?im, Ah most likela cannae dae ?t alone.? What she did not say was that if Morrin did not help her, it would pit her against her mentor and provide an unwilling mage as her very formidable opponent. Khirsah gave a slight nod. She continued, even though she knew Khirsah had access to the spells they had used for the binding, ?th? spells dae r?quire two, an? Morrin mayst nae gae willin?la this time?. But Ah mayst mistake ?is reason fer th? visit.? She paused and studied Khirsah a moment before adding, ?Ah cannae ask Tass, ?e hath c?mittments o? ?is oon.? Tass had his own life and a bride to be that was destroying his own island.

Khirsah remained unmoving, ?And if I would have declined the invitation??

Alais regarded him levelly, ?Ah wouldst haff gone tae Rifferbend alone.? And she would have done just that. She could not take the living there. She needed one who could travel the roads of the dead and the damned and not be trapped there. She would have faced her Mentor if need be.

?I see,? was all he said.

?Ah cannae take th? livin? tae Rifferbend m?lord,? surely he understood that. ??t mus? be someone Ah trust tha? mayst gae b?tween worlds.? And indeed, she had to trust the entity that she would take into that dark place. Khirsah still did not back out, and she finished the last bit of her Liquid Fire before glancing back at Khirsah, ?Ah mus? needs gae m?lord.?

He nodded and rose, ?Then let us go so that you may gather that which is needed.?

She rose slowly and began to summon her staff from Oblivion with the Annaran, but Khirsah removed them both from the confines of the Inn and returned them both once more to the safety of Matlal.

Alais had not slept much, the spells they would need had played through her mind most of the night, and she wondered if Morrin would resist, or if his warning has been genuinely motivated. As morning drew closer, she rose and waited for Khirsah. They would learn Morrin?s intent soon enough.

Khirsah stepped through the door. He had not left the night before, for the mere practicality.

?G'mornin' tae thee milord.? Alais gave him a smile, 're thee reada tae visit 'ell? It was asked lightly, but she knew the gravity of their path that morning, and she had no doubt that Khirsah knew it as well.

?That, in truth, would depend on who's.? He said without a trace of humor in his expression.

She summoned her staff from Oblivion as she looked up at him, noting the plain blade and it's black gem. ?Mayhap this oone ist mine oon.? She knew that one day, her soul would likely be consigned here as well for her part in Riverbend?s exile. But she would repeat her actions without hesitation. Annara had to be exiled.

?Then a guide would be prudent, no?? He glanced at the staff, giving a slight quirk of his brow. ?I take it your blade will be staying behind.?

?Aye, Ah'll be yer guide fer this one...? She glanced at him, somewhat surprised at his query. ?We shall ken shortla whether or nae Daemonbane ist coomin'.? She very much doubted that the great black blade would miss a chance to go to Riverbend, but since it had rejected being forced there, perhaps it would decline this trip just in case. She had no doubt that Daemonbane knew Khirsah for what he was.

He lifted a hand, that brow lifting in question as he invited her to lead onward.

Alais spoke a series of Annaran that opened before them a path into the nether world. It was dark and silent, it held a chill of death, and as she stepped through the shimmering opening, the great black blade appeared. Daemonbane it seemed was coming along.

Khirsah folded his hands into his sleeves, stepping around behind her. There was a slight twitch to his lips as he watched the blade appear, and the touch of the cold came. Warmth, but that was for another world.

The portal closed behind them, leaving them both in a dead place, cold and forlorn. ?Rifferbend ist 'n th' sixth level.? She lit the staff and proceeded toward a destination they could not yet see, but one she knew well. Her own body responded to the cold realm of death.... warmth fled the elf's body as the realm of the dead wrapped around her. ?Ah dinnae ken 'f Morrin ist gaein' tae r'sist 'r 'elp.? Still she hoped Morrin was as resolute as he had been the day he had consigned them all into hell, but there was no way of knowing.

His steps were as methodical as ever as Khirsah continued behind her. There were more direct ways, but one sometimes needed the time to prepare ones self. This was such a time. ?If he does??

She glanced up at him, ?'f 'e doth r'sist, thence Ah dae ask thee tae aid me wi' th' bindin' spell.? Alone she wasn?t sure she could over power Morrin, but together with Khirsah, she knew the outcome was secured.

?Then I take it that you are ready to cast it,? he asked without any inflection at all.

Alais paused in the dark cold. ?Aye, Ah'd nae be r'turnin' 'f Ah were nae.? She knew Khirsah had more direct routes into this place, but he had let her take the lead, and this was her path into hell. That he gave her the freedom to choose had been important to her. "'f Rifferbend ist nae bound 'ere, thence 't mayst r'turn... an' th' Morrin Ah didst ken wouldst nae wish tha.? What remained unsaid was what changes had been wrought on the Morrin she once knew.

There again was that twitch of his lips. Her meaning of his words were not his own, but when was that ever? ?I think you need not worry.?

Alais made her way ever onward in a place where time and distance have no meaning. ?Ah'm nae worra'd m'lord, bu' Ah wouldst be verra sad 'f Morrin didst figh' me.? She slid a silver gaze up at him as they moved through the bleakness. ?Ye've nae reservations aboot condemin' a verra great mage once more tae bein' such 'n anchor?? She had not asked him this question before, she had simply assumed that if he had agreed to come along, that he knew the potential existed that he might need to help her do the unthinkable.

?None.? It was a simple, even word. Oh, how they speak volumes.

She lifted a brow at him, then offered her hand, ?We are verra close, th' gates 're near.?

Khirsah took a moment, curious at the gesture she made. Then his hand withdrew, and cold though it was, his fingers still felt colder within hers in this desolate place. She had taken on the unnatural chill of death here, but Khirsah was colder still. Would she notice?

Alais noted the colder feel of his hand as they came around the bend to face the great curtain wall of Riverbend. She did not have time now to ask him about it, and so she simply continued toward the portcullis. The grey stone towered above them in the darkness, and the portcullis was closed when they arrived. ?Ye'll need tae be 'n contact wi' me tae pass th' portal intae Rifferbend.? Alais alone could come and go freely, and she did not think that even Khirsah could walk through the wards with impunity.

With her words there was a twitch of his lips again, but he continued with her, not resisting her impulse to be his guide in this place.

?All worlds hold to the same concepts.? Khirsah said quite simply.

The black cloak rippled around Morrin, as though touched by an unseen power. "You wear power easily Lord Tavadon, but how did you gain your knowledge of my world? Annara has been gone a long time." Every trace had been wiped from the world of living things, with the exception of the books, and Daemonbane.

?I was unaware that it existed before I.? There was nothing before The Elder, would Morrin challenge that?

Alais stepped between the two, she could feel Morrin's drawing of power, "Morrin, Ah didst giff th' books intae Khirsah's keepin', 'e doth ken th' 'istory o' Rifferbend, an' yer people."

Morrin studied Khirsah long moments, as though weighing him. "Where are the books now?"

Khirsah continued to stand as he had since they had stopped. The answer was not for him to give, so none came from him.

Morrin's eyes traveled to the sword at his hip and back to Khirsah's face. "You are mage?" The black gems were powerful, and held a signature that Morrin recognized, even without actually touching the gem.

:Mage? I would not say as such.? But no further explanation was forthcoming.

Alais took a deep breath, "Morrin, Lord Khirsah hath coome 't mine r'quest, tae see tha' Rifferbend ist once more bound 'ere where ye didst d'sire 't be locked. We mus' nae waste time." She wanted Morrin's attention on her and not on Khirsah, but Morrin was stubbornly refusing to yield. ?Lord Tavadon, the gem is from my world.? It was said quite simply, but Alais could feel a seething fury beneath the calm exterior.

Alais reached for Morrin then, ?Milord, 'ow dae we r'pair th' wards tae keep yer people 'ere??

Khirsah continued as he did.. quietly.

?May I see the blade you carry?? Morrin's eyes were locked on the black gem, and a growing need to touch it.

?It is not for your world,? Khirsah declined.

?The magic of that gem is of my world.? Morrin stood his ground as Alais once more stepped between them.

?Was,? Khirsah amended.

?Was?? The cloak billowed slightly behind him at that as he wrapped himself in power.

Alais reached for Morrin's arm, "Th' books didst nae coome wi' thee 'ere.... they are nae longer froom yer realm m'friend." She sought to sooth Morrin. The last thing she wanted was an altercation over what could not be changed.

And still, he just stood there. He was there at Alais' request, after all... not to exert his place in this world.

Alais tried again, ?Morrin, prithee, 'ow dae we rebind Rifferbend?"

He drew his eyes slowly away from the black gem, but gave Khirsah a hard look. "You and I need to go inside Alais, we must plan how to do it so that it cannot be undone again. Perhaps your friend here would like a tour of my home?" Somehow, he needed to separate Alais and this one.

?I do not require one, but thank you.? Khirsah supplied.

?You do not know what we must do, I am certain we would bore you.? Morrin moved then toward the doors then, as though all was decided, ?I will send you a guide.?

Alais glanced at Khirsah, "Ah dinnae thin' we shouldst be parted 'ntil th' risk ist passed m'lord Morrin."

Khirsah turned his gaze to Alais, a brow lifting, ?I am here at her request, but I see that my presence makes you uncomfortable.?

Morrin fairly glowered at Khirsah, ?Your presence is irrelevant Lord Tavadon. It is Alais I require to mend the spells that bind Annara here before it is too late. If you are no mage, then you need not suffer the technical discussions we must have. I sought only to make your time here as pleasant as may be.?

The rabble approached Khirsah, ?Let us pass or die where you stand stranger!? The mob leader walked boldly up to Khirsah bearing a club and whip, one in each hand as he squared off with the man between them and the mages below.

Khirsah eyed the man who approached, the weapons he carried, then his gaze passed over those who stood behind him, ?You don?t have the power to do what you threaten, but I?m not here to stop you.?

He made to shove past this stranger and the crowd pushed closer to stream through the door.

Khirsah, of course, didn?t move, and even the shove seemed to slide off around him, rather, he turned and watched as the mob worked their way toward the door.

When the door refused to open, the leader swung around on Khirsah, ?Open it gate keeper, you interfere where you should not.?

A fine brow lifted as he simply looked at the man.

Below, Morrin buried a smile of satisfaction as Alais ignored the growing bindings as she was now the anchor, it was nearly finished, and Morrin could taste freedom.

Khirsah?s hand shifted within his robes, a fine thread of power siphoned through the scar that bound her to him. He knew what was planned, and had of course, allowed the closure of the door, but one could not block what one did not understand.

Daemonbane hissed with anticipation.

The mob leader brandished the club menacingly, ?Then get away from the door that we can batter it down.? He didn?t believe that Khirsah wasn?t here to help the mages below.

Alais felt the thread of power through her tie to Khirsah, she?d felt the change in the spell, and chosen her moment carefully. She?d asked Khirsah to come this time because she suspected that Morrin desired his release, and it appeared that he was about to make his bid for freedom.

Khirsah shook his head as he eyed the club, ?I doubt that will do much.? His hand shifted inside the fold of his sleeve, turning to open with the palm up, and letting the chill of the Primordial thicken into her scar.

The mob leader stepped up into Khirsah?s face, ?Move, now?, he raised the club prepared to strike as several others moved in behind him. One burly fellow, a blacksmith from his looks grabbed for Khirsah?s arm, they all wanted a piece of this stranger.

His gaze leveled on the leader, and immediately his eyes bled to Ebon Black as a single stone thrummed, sending power rippling in and around him, permeating all around.

?I knew it!? shrieked the mob leader, ?Another mage! You?re with them!? He swung hard, aiming for Khirsah?s head as the blacksmith glommed onto Khirsah?s arm, intent upon holding the mage for the beating they intended.

Daemonbane?s glee was complete! The sword had turned each generation of Annaran mages against the older one, ever destroying those who would wield it, even briefly. Now the cycle continued. The more powerful needed to prevail, and the mage that was currently bound to Daemonbane just proved herself the more cunning, the more resourceful. The black blade purred at her back as first shock, and then outrage crossed Morrin?s features.

The spell bound Morrin not only to Riverbend, she?d tied his physical essence to the sepulchral stone of his mausoleum. The solid form of her mentor and teacher began to fade as he was drawn into the essence of the stone. Alais watched Morrin fade with tears falling from her eyes.

The mob wailed around Khirsah. It was too late, too late to stop the mages as the dark magic surrounded them and bound them to the land once more.

Alais let go of the ley lines, but she didn?t sever her connection to Khirsah.

Khirsah calmly watched those around him, a brow lifting in curiosity as the mentor was drawn into the stone.

Alais began to make her way back toward the door that Morrin had closed and sealed behind them, pausing at the barrier before she rested first her palm against the door, and then her forehead. She closed her eyes and searched for the equanimity she needed to face the people on the other side of that door.

He moved finally, coming to stand directly in front of the door which she was behind. There, he once more took his simple stance, his hands having never left their place from within his sleeves.

Alais softly whispered the counterspell that would open the door. Annaran words drifting in the air, so counter to the reality of this place. The beauty of the language belying the ugliness of what they?d become. She slowly pushed against the door, and it groaned on ancient hinges. She stepped out of the darkness and into the twilight that was Riverbend to find Khirsah standing there. ??t ist done, fer th? nonce. Thank ye.? It was simple words for a not so simple deed he?d enabled her to accomplish.

Daemonbane whispered.

Khirsah?s head turned slightly, enough that a fine brow could be seen raised as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

Alais knew Khirsah needed no description of what had happened, and she turned to push the door closed once more, though why she did so she could no more explain than she could explain the mixture of emotions in her heart now. ?t ist time tae gae Khirsah? there ist nae reason tae stay taenigh?.? The truth of it was that she wanted to return to Matlal, to hear the surf against the sand, and remove the slick feeling of the necromancy she?d worked a second time, but nothing would remove the memory of what she?d just done to Morrin.

?Perhaps.? His gaze shifted to those still there before him. ?What was it that these people did to warrant this existence??

Alia Anor?s brilliant aqua eyes glanced toward the Liberator, but her affable expression went cold and hard when she saw the elf seated with him. She had planned to talk to him, try again to draw him into the Temple, but with Alais sitting there, she would have to leave that effort for Seraphina tonight. She refocused on Vincent, who clenched his fist as he tried to keep his temper in check, ?Paint would be trapped in a cell for three years with the only contact with the outside world being seen through the eyes of that which the temple created to replace me,? he told her with rising rancor.

Alia Anor shook her head negatively as she faced Vincent, ?You suffer for the lack of brotherhood and sisters in the Temple Brother Vincent, please, come back with me that we may alleviate your suffering.? Her expression was beatific, ?You left us and have been torn from the bosom of those who truly value you.?

Vincent glowered, ?What you value is the twisted reflection of one who has sworn to decimate this realm. I?ll have no part in that, except for her downfall. In case you need it spelled out any clearer, I will not be coming back, ever.?

Alia Anor moved to stand next to Vincent, reaching for his arm, ?What has troubled you so deeply Brother?? Her tone was soothing and laced with elven allure, meant to disarm and relax him to get him off guard.

Vinny jerked his arm away quickly, shaking his head, You don?t have any clue about what goes on behind the scenes, do you??

Alia Anor gave him a hurt look, ?Of course I do. I?ve lived in the Temple, I?ve done the Temple?s work for ages now, and that is how I know you are badly missed. The children in the orphanage miss you Brother.? When he jerked away, she frowned, ?You fear my touch??

Vincent shook his head at her naivety, ?No, I mean what goes on between Brother Zed, Lily, the wraith posing as me, and word from the White Lady.? He looked down at his hand, then back at her, ?I fear being corrupted again. It was agonizing to see what was done in my name through the Temple. Things I?ll not soon forget.?

Alais shook her head slightly at Xenograg as she reached for her crystal snifter as Wyheree slipped from her ring and returned to her seat nearby.

Seraphina tried again, ?A mug of tea instead, Liberator? It would be relaxing.?

Xenograg gave her a hard look, ?No Seraphina, now I wish to have a private conversation with Alais.? He made a ?shooing? gesture to the priestess of the temple. Alais slowly set down her snifter once more as she glanced between Xenograg and Seraphina.

Seraphina indicated Vincent and Alia Anor, ?Join us. Alais too.? Her invitation meant to bring both of them into close contact with the three from the Temple.

Xenograg shook his head, ?You are a fool to think that a good idea Seraphina.? He watched Alia Anor fleetingly, then looked back at Seraphina, ?Are you oblivious to the danger here, right now??

Simultaneously Alais shook her head, ?Ah dinnae thin? tha? ist wise.? The last thing anyone needed was a confrontation between Alia Anor and Alais, which was certain to occur even if they had been inclined to socialize with Seraphina and Vincent.

Alia Anor glared at Alais with a fleeting look of pure hatred before turning her focus once more onto Vincent. ?The White Lady does only good.? Alia Anor folded both hands once more into the sleeves of her robes, ?I?ll not do anything untoward, Brother Vincent, but if you would come back, speak with the White Lady?.? She let her words trail off.

?She protects us all, Liberator,? Seraphina informed Xenograg before she stepped back and returned to Vincent and Alia Anor. She was on Vincent?s other side from Alia Anor, ?Brother Vincent, you must trust us that you are not well. Sister Alia Anor and I have never caused you any harm. You can trust us.?

?We seek only what is best for you, Brother,? Alia Anor added soothingly.

Alais? silver eyes locked onto Xenograg, her voice a soft whisper for his ears only, ?Danger forsooth, she hath been workin? wi? ?er magics.? Alais felt the manipulation of the ley lines, and around Alia Anor, that was unusual. Xenograg?s eyes widened slightly as he glanced toward the Templars.

Vincent had reached his limit of patience; he stepped forward face to face as his hand reached out and grabbed Alia Anor by the throat, lifting her up off the ground enough so that her feet barely touched the floor, ?I?d appreciate it if you stopped trying to convince me to come back!? His words were a hiss of contained rage, ?If I come back, it will be to destroy everything there.?

Alia Anor wrapped both hands around Vincent?s wrist as he grabbed her, then she raked sharp nails along his forearm, her nails were tipped with venomous drops that began to burn his skin, ?Let go of me Brother?. This only proves you are unwell.? There was no fear in her eyes, only steely determination.

Vincent?s violent move had Xenograg planning tactics as things seemed to be escalating toward violence. Alais rose from her seat seeing Vincent grab her daughter like that and she reached for her staff. He lightly touched the weirding bond he and Alais shared.

Seraphina extended her arms toward Vincent, laying a gentle, disarming touch to her Brother?s temple, ?Brother Vincent, do not harm her.?

Vinny gritted his teeth as Alia Anor?s nails dug in and dropped her back to the ground. ?This proves my point. Hidden beneath the veil of kindliness lies a serpent?s venom.?

?We must defend ourselves Brother, but you seek to attack those who care most about you.? Alia Anor took a step back, folding her hands once more into the sleeves of her robes.

Vincent stepped away from Seraphina and her touch, ?Care about me? Right!? He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind, ?Don?t, just?. Don?t.?