Images began to form in her subconscious mind, and floated to the surface......the pending war with Ghrial came first....

Work had plagued her all day... with Ghrial's coming, the plans and studies had been endless..... and night fell like a midnight cover across the Sidhe lands.... black, moonless, nothingness.... The chill that had blanketed Nitesong with the advance of Ghrial's forces had prompted the Heiress tae lay a fire, how ever, even the normally cheery crackle of the flames did little tae liten her spirit.

At last, relaxing alone before the fire, her head drooping from weariness, a sudden *snap* of the comforting psychic connection with Uly brought her bolt upright.

The now familiar portal opens, the charred figure of the eagle drops to the ground before her.

(w) Ozy..... ?

She listened to what the once golden bird bespoke to her, Alais' silvery eyes filled with shimmering tears as she very quietly whispered, ?Uly? Pain wracking the whispered name as she unconsciously touched the now bare finger where the moonsilver ring had once been worn. She had given it to Ulysses before he had left, as a reminder that he had something to come back to.

As she stared into the fire, listening to Ozy, her thoughts drifted outward.... where was he? When was he? His recorded voice rang of loneliness..... Goddess......

Ozy's voice replaces that of' Uly's, she regarded the' strange creation.... unlike any she had ever encountered... before Uly.... there was so much from Uly's world that frightened her.... something he'd called *technology*... and at first, Ozy had been one of those things... but now... now Ozy was all that she had o' Uly... and mayhap the' Exotic's wouldst indeed search out and attempt tae destroy that only remaining link. She could not let that happen.

?Ozy..... 'ere ye mayst indeed rest an' repair howeffer best ye mayst. I cannae be ascertes 'ow best tae 'elp ye... fer I dinnae understand ye.... howeffer, th' Exotics shall nae haff ye... nae as long as I mayst stand in their way.?

?Ye belief 'e'll survive Ozy? Yer talk o' giffin' 'im back th' *raw data*? I did not understand exactly what that meant And hope was evident in her voice as she regards the eagle.

?I fear Ozy, I dae nae know yer powers... though 't matters nae... I'd offer ye sanctuary were ye completely powerless. Bu? ye must needs knen Ozy... war is aboot tae descend 'pon Nitesong, an' mayhap ye'll be nae safe 'ere either.?

She quietly regards the messenger, and the cold loneliness of being without Uly. Goddess, she'd come to be comforted by that link....and now it was cold.... and very lonely without it.

?Ozy? Where was Uly whence ye left 'im??

The eagle hesitates...clearly considering his words carefully before they reach out to your mind::

>For your hospitality, I thank you. I will heal quickly. As for the rest...<

Again he pauses, were he human I would assume great turmoil within

>Ulysses will not survive. Not as we have known him. Outwardly, the manifestation will not be greatly changed, but inwardly...I can only restore to him what my memory contains. These are recordings of our history, our lives together. I can return to him every event and thought I've ever recorded, but he will not feel them ever again. He will know you by your face and past actions, but he will not know you or any other who has been removed from his reality, including myself<

The golden creature stops abruptly...its eyes blinking rapidly, its wings twitching, uncomfortable with its own words.

>I left him as we were returning from a hop. His path took him back to the Harmony system, while mine was to flee here. That reality was the one the Exotics have sought--the one they've been building toward. On that world Ulysses has not claimed the life of one sun but the life of a thousand. He is the destroyer of galaxies, and he is fiercely loyal to the Exotics.<

He pauses, seemingly observing your reaction before continuing.

>There, the original experiment did not deviate. As the young Uly warped the doomsday weapon through the corona of the Harmony sun to the heart of our enemy's sun his ship and nervous system did not melt away. Ulysses, weapon and ship became one being of energy as our Ulysses would do over eleven years later without the weapon. Now it is part of him. Where our Uly fought the destruction of innocent life and cursed himself as a murderer, this new Ulysses may accept it as a natural law of the universe. He knew this as the portal opened to bring us back...that is when he recorded his final message.<

Again, Ozymandias pauses...but the mindlink strengthens, conveying the resolution within his thoughts.

>Uly has been used and misused many times, Lady Alais. He has always held misguided loyalties to those who would do him harm. It is in his nature to trust, trust more and then to forgive and still trust. The properties of the moonsilver ring you bestowed upon him will draw him back to Rhydin, for thus far it has been immune to the overlays. He must not leave here. I have the power to loop any portal he might attempt to use, always bringing him back to the starting point. I have the power to put a great deal of our Uly's history back in his mind. But I have not the power to win him back, for I am an android--and as such I lack the credibility of being human. He may attack us, go mad, kill himself...I know not. I am deeply troubled, for in the end Ulysses may never come to know himself again. But he must not go back.<

Once more the golden one pauses.

>As to my powers, I believe you would call one of my prowess a spy. I am perhaps the most sophisticated recorder to ever exist and I travel at will and almost undetected anywhere within a given reality--and with some difficulty to alternate realities. I can allow you to see, hear, smell and touch through my senses, and I promise you they extend far beyond the range of human ability. These small abilities I gladly offer in exchange for your aid.<

The images blur momentarily.

His eyes were active from the moment we materialized, following the sweep of my arm across the landscape. A slight narrowing of his eyes his only reaction to my claim we are home.

His gaze turns behind us and lingers on the Devastated Lands until my voice pulls him back from dark thoughts of his own. A sardonic smile on his lips as we went to share a sunset.

He nods and mm-hmms and uh-huhs in all of the appropriate places--but clearly he was absorbing every sight, every sensation, and his eyes glitter of distant fires as he looks up into the far reaching branches of the massive tree.

He nearly stumbles, halting an involuntary step toward the high mountains, looking back, hoping I hadn?t noticed his attraction toward the towering peaks, I raised my eyes to his then.

My silvery gaze, his name on my lips, my words all impacting this stranger, ...he stood lacking an easy response.

I flushed at his gaze and my own words, and darted into the Rouwan, and he waited until I was well into my tree before kneeling briefly upon the ground, placing his palms flat to the soft earth. A golden aura rose up through his ring bearing hand, traversing across and down through the right, into the earth. His quiet whisper barely heard, ?so alive.?

He rose quickly, deftly ascending into the white draperies of Rouwan leaves, following the faint sound of my movement, and he found me on the farthest branch. He gently took my hand, and watched the Druid's mountain as the unknown star sinks behind it while the last rays of light fall into shadow, he struggled to keep past and present separate.

In a halting whisper he attempted to put voice to his thoughts. ?Alais, I do not know how to be part of this.? His arm arcs across vista. ?Your home. I have touched the earth and I hear the voice from that grand mountain. They are full of life itself, while I am the very hand of that parcel you call the Devastated Lands. You have asked me if I would snuff out your sun, but I have not answered--for there is a point when one star becomes the same as another, a time when the poignancy of a fine wine is lost in the intoxication of the cask. How can I share this land you call home, knowing the line between sharing and taking is all too fine??

He stood silent a moment, listening, before reaching up to my face, to turn my eyes from the shadows. ?A billion billion living creatures course through my soul. I am as full of life as this land, but it is stolen life. Would you risk watching me desecrate all for the mere company of this cosmic thief?? His words were pleading, almost irrational.

He paused, grief and concern strong in his countenance--disconcertingly identical to the Ulysses I've known. Then very quietly he whispered, ?I will stay. I will stay as long as you'll have me.? He raised his hand and surveyed the moonsilver ring. ?This land calls me, and it is more than these energies you've woven about me?.

?You should know you've saved countless lives.? There was a cold fire glowing in his palms. ?I do not believe I am a Loyal Commander anymore.? A bemused expression crosses his face. ?I wonder what then??

He was still holding my hand, he turned me easily in his arms--my back to the gentle rhythm of his breath--enfolding me as we watch the shadows play below the dimming glow of sunlight.

We had remained thusly for long moments before sleep had come, and as dawn approached Nitesong... I lay awake... silvery eyes fixed on a point clearly not inside my Rouwan. Using the telepathic link to Ozy,

<< Ozy?.... wilst th' Exotics come seekin' Uly?>>

I stood staring from my workplace high in th' Rouwan, my mind linked with Ozy who was confirming her worst fears.

>Ozy, if th' Exotics utilize nae a likeness o' ye.... 'ow shall we know whence 't arrives? An' more importantly still... 'ow shall we know 'ow tae deal wi' 't?<

>Ozy.... I fear this Uly< my thoughts trailing off slowly.... having been pondering what so troubled me of late.

Ozy did not respond.

> jus' 'ow powerful ist this incarnation Ozy? I mean... yer comment 'boot th' damage caused betwixt this Uly an' a replica..... <

I did not give a full explanation as to why I fear Uly.. hoping the android would overlook the errant thought::

Somehow I had to keep the Exotics from finding him and pulling him back to the awful destruction they were engaged in... somehow there had to be a way to bring back the man I?d known and cared for.

I rose from my pallet... there were affairs of the land to be dealt with.... the chill morning air sent shivers down my spine as I dressed for the day::

?Mornin' meetin' wi' Xenograg...? soft sigh:: ?Ah shall haff an 'orrible 'eadache by day's end.... strategies.... tactics.... plans.... 't is nae right an' proper... nae 'atall! I am nae warrior!? Pain flashed thru my thoughts...?indeed... Ah am nae leader either.....?..

Later that day, I came down from my solitude, still wrapped in my thoughts.... the voice of Uly startles me from my reverie.

? aye luv..... Ah dinnae thrive 'pon th' burden's o' leadership. Ah was neffer intended tae be a leader..... 't was fer mine mother, Alaisia that this mantle was fer. I haff nae 'ad th' trainin', nor th' breedin' tae be such a leader as Nitesong now requires.

I dropped onto a chaise, a soft groan of pure pleasure escaped me as his warm, strong hands ease the knots from muscles that have spent the day studying the maps and logistics of the military leader, Xenograg. ?Luv..... ye haff a gift in those 'ands o' yers...?.

I listened to the timbre of his voice.... stress had no option but to flee.

?Ah Uly... th' darkness that comes effer nearer tae Nitesong be a power like as nae tae snuff oot what little remains o' mine 'ome. Ghrial seeks dominion o'er mine people... an' mine servitude tae 'is foul gods as a Priestess. Th' Lich-lord o' Thuria alsae seeks th' death o' th' Wise Woman, Tegwen. Should 'e succeed in takin' Nitesong, there is a possibility that 'e could move ontae Xenograg's 'ome world, an' mayhap intae Barsi. Nitesong is a key that cannae fall.... A shiver ran up my spine at the thought, I always hated to discuss the Lich.

?Uly, Mayhap ye haff come tae Nitesong tae late tae heal luv.... an' now I haff one request tae make o' ye luv. My gaze meeting his own in the flickering firelite. ?Promise me that should Ghrial come near tae succeedin' in claimin' me fer one o' 'is necromantic priestess'... ye'll nae stop Xeno, nor Devon from daein' that which they haff promised me they wouldst dae fer mineself??

Ozy's image flowed into Shakira's.

Ozy?s answers broke through the images of the self recrimination, >If the Exotics create a duplicate similar to myself and choose to send it here, only the signature of a flux portal opening will warn us. I will detect this. However, it would be Ulysses who would have to pinpoint the energy trail after such a creature departed the rift. I am increasingly aware that his mastery of various forms of energy far exceed my own.<

The android exercises one of his all too familiar pauses that I was growing accustomed to experiencing.

>Should Ulysses battle an overlay double in this land, on this planet or for that matter in this solar system they would surely drain the local star. Our current Ulysses now contains the overlay of what I surmise to be the most powerful incarnation--balanced against the weakest, our original Ulysses. A combination of overlays lying between those two extremes should equal him in raw power. Drawing from equal reserves, the logical move would be to drain the immediate sources of energy--for example: the nearest star and all gravimetric forces maintaining the balance of the planetary system. Secondary sources would surely include all lower life forms in the system. Tertiary sources being...the higher life forms.<

I sensed the android realized his language was riddled with foreign terms, but he lacked the ability to express the concepts in "human" terms.

>Since we might safely assume our Ulysses would not drain this system, his options would be to flee or execute a suicide attack--blasting himself and his opponent into the dimensional flux. However, I predict this scenario will not come to pass. I have sensed our current Ulysses is growing in power and I am coming to a nearer understanding of his essence.<

The eagle shifted uneasily, mentally and physically.

>I have attempted to explain that he is an amalgamate. Within his being are the three things placed by the Exotics. One, the original human being Ulysses Graham--the son of the Harmony System's greatest general and an engineered consort paired with him by the Exotics. Two, an artificially intelligent nerve-wire starship bonded with Ulysses in the delivery of the doomsday device. Three, the device itself which was warped through the corona of the Harmony System's star into the heart of the Zolarian star. This is mitigated somewhat by the overlay effect with our original Ulysses--the failed experiment--but the multiple overlays were apparently performed to adjust for this. He has the abilities of a human, the abilities of an AI computer system and the abilities of a weapon capable of channeling the energies of an entire star system including billions of life forms on the inhabited planets. Thus the powers of generating starfire blades, healing wounds, inducing pleasure and operating on multiple sensory levels--these are an inkling of what he must be capable of. It would seem only the discipline of his Exotic training and the humanity of Ulysses Graham restrain him from ascending to what many would characterize as godhood.<

He sensed my apprehension during the conversation, but Ozymandias presses on.

>In my own way, I fear him as well. He is nurturing his power even here--channeling the life-force of this land, experimenting with techniques of focusing energies without damaging the source of the energies. Thus, if a double should arrive--and he has had time to prepare--I believe our current Ulysses may tap the life-force of this world to defeat an opposer without even alerting anyone of this world save those attuned to the flow of such forces. In addition to this, he already channels the energies of the dozens of stars, the forces of the dozens of planetary systems and the life flow of hundreds of billions of living creatures--all drained to cold, dead, inert matter in the name of the Exotics. I have yet to pinpoint how he channels the energies, but with further examination I am certain I can deduce his exact nature.<

I then sensed a strange weariness in the eagle's thoughts as he fell silent once more.
_________________

The image changed again, shifting to a return home to the Sidhe via the portal she'd seen used so many times, but it was a sensation she had not expected. Indeed, even Uly's periodic silences, marked by this trip had added to the unusual effects.

As they arrived at the Rouwan, my thoughts were as scattered as the fallen leaves autumn usually brought although this season, Ghrial's winter still covered the land... there had been no spring nor summer... and so autumn was but a continuation of the bitter cold that presaged his advance.

?Uly? On th' morrow, Ah must needs send a missive tae Xenograg. I wouldst be appreciative should ye read 't b'fore I dae send Arrriahh wi' 't. My silver eyes plainly showing that I was worried how he'd take the missive as I offered the rolled parchment to him.

General Xenograg,
This missive ist twofold in nature. Firstly, that I haff taken tae 'eart a man most dear tae me. He ist th' one ye know as Novus Rex. Tae me 'e ist Uly. I shall 'ope that ye shall accept Uly as part o' th' Sidhe, for as mine consort, 'e ist verra important in th' pendin' darkness o' Ghrial. Howeffer, yer appointment as mine delegate tae th' Council o' Elders, in th' event o' mine demise still stands. Only a Sorcerer born mayst fill in as mine replacement an' voice there. Uly hath powers o' 'is own.... but 't remains that 'e ist nae a Sorcerer himself.
I remind ye Xenograg o' yer promise tae nae let Ghrial succeed in 'is quest tae enslave mine mortal soul. Uly hath been appraised o' this promise, an' I haff requested that 'e *understand* should such an event occur. Should ye deem mine life forfeit tae ensure Ghrial's failure in that regard, Uly will nae seek retribution wi' ye.
Secondly, in th' presence o' Ulysses is a golden eagle. Ozymandias may prove most useful as a source of intelligence tae be gathered from th' sky. I know ye haff th' ability tae fly from yer Ostego Cloak, howeffer, mayhap Ozy could aid wi' less obvious results? Whom wouldst suspect an eagle soarin' in th' sky?

I am effer indebted tae ye,

Lady Alais 'd Nitesong Sidhe
Alais wathu-Darelir
Heiress of Nitesong

I quietly regarded him, and the play of emotions across his features.

Uly unrolled the parchment, sensing my apprehension, he attempted to maintain a passive expression as he read the message bound for Xenograg.

At several points he nodded, at others his eyes narrowed--furrowing his brow.

?You do me great honor, Alais. I shall respect your wishes regarding Xenograg and Devon. Within me is the warrior born and bred, and I would be lying should I claim not to understand. If they must end your presence in this world, I shall endeavor to guide your lifeforce back to Ceridwen in the other. As to Ozymandias, his sensory and stealth capabilities across the energy spectrum are formidable--though I've disabled his ability to leave this continuum. I do not consider him trustworthy regarding my own well being, but clearly see he would profit nothing by betraying you. He is in your debt and will honor that--regardless of his actions toward me. Remember though, he acted against my will for what you believe to be my own good. Do not be surprised if he should one day choose the same for you.?

He tightly re-rolled the scroll and handed it back to me, he pondered the moonsilver ring on his finger and what his mother thought as his father prepared for what would be his last flight to the stars.

I sensed that Uly found the climb quite enjoyable?as he exhibited a clear wonder at the beauties inherent in unkept nature.

At the granite outcrop, he tossed his shirt aside, oblivious to the unnatural chill upon the land, and settled on the blanket with me--basking in the light of the sun, looking over the land.

My question brought a slight frown to his face. ?Alais, luv, I have considered my lifeforce at length. I know there are powers which could bar me from manifesting in this world. Can I age? Can I sicken? Can I run out of life?? He shook his head. ?I don't know. I doubt it. Should I cease to exist here, it would grieve me beyond measure--for I believe I stand at the threshhold of immortality, and an eternity without Rhydin--without you--would be...difficult.?

He leaned back on his elbows, looked out across the panorama as I continued to speak. He nodded occasionally with a tacticians approval over the defensive position held there. He smiled when I cited the name Telemachus--recalling old literature, and an inscrutable expression plays upon his face as I spoke of birthrates.

There is sorrow in his countenance, hearing a question he had suspected would come, and his voice was pained, but even and sure, ?I may not have the power to dispossess your body, should that time come; but Ghrial shall never control more than a lifeless husk in this world, for I will keep your spirit for Ceridwen in the other. If he seeks you there, I promise he will not survive to speak the tale--for his unnatural essence will be blasted to nothing by the exceedingly natural energies of a billion lives.?

A wicked smile plays upon his lips, ?It is tempting to give him a taste now, but perhaps the less he knows of me the better.?

He then laid upon his back under the rays of the sun, pulling me close to him--warm in the cool mountain air.

My eyes studied him as he told the tale of the snocats... though it pained me to know the odds were against their survival in the wild... however, the wisdom in your father's words was beyond dissent.

There was a soft blush creeping up my throat as his warm hand closed around my own, his words full of promise and future enticing me to believe in tomorrows to come, tomorrows that lack the horror of Ghrial..... and bear the promise of happiness.

?Uly..... what sort o' thin's haff ye learned from yer *hops*... 't ist beyond me tae understand what good such revisitations haff provided ye... short o' pain, sufferin' an' loss. Th' 'istory ye shared wi' Ozy... an' all that 'e was able tae giff back tae ye..... th' places ye haff been an' people ye haff known.... all art lost now.... simple memory wi'oot th' emotions.....? shaking my head....? ruein' th' lost o' sae much.?

?Ozy doth tell me luv that yer reality 'ere ist less than 1% o' what ye are.... be that th' actuality o' thins?? I was shivering as the sun slowly began its descent toward the harbor, long afternoon shadows begin to creep across the mountain slopes.

I gazed up at him, ?glad I am luv tae haff stolen their prize..... an' I dae look forward tae 'elpin' ye make th' best o' yer time...mayhap we shouldst return tae Nitesong??

The image fades to one where Ulysses is lifting an eyebrow at my words. ?Well placing a blade would not be the problem, luv. Physically getting to you and having the chance is more of my concern. I suspect Ghrial and I are polar opposites in terms of life energies. There are ways of cloaking energy patterns, but the forces used in the cloaking itself would almost surely forewarn him. In open confrontation I am certain I could do great harm to the Lich and his armies, but in terms of stealth I would be nigh useless against him once he is even marginally aware of what I am.?

He gave me a gentle smile. ?I'd say the truth o' thins is we are likely to have a long and happy life together.?

He then concluded the story of father and the snocats, sensing my unspoken question. ?The three cubs did fine. Within a year they were back on their own. Father and I had wonderful times with them during that year, hunting in the snows. We were surprised they still had an interest in us through the spring and summer, but once winter came 'round again they took to the woods as though they'd always been there. The odds are only one of three survived that second winter, but those are the rightful odds--none would have survived without their mother if we hadn't taken them in.?

Then he gave me an understanding smile, ?Alais, the hops are nothing to me now. The Exotics of your original Ulysses continuum devised the Odyssey Project and ignited the spark--I am the bonfire. As to revisiting a horrid episode each hop was a relearning. Discovering an alternate path where something happened differently during and after the Cataclysm. Those continuums are collapsed now, overlayed with that of your original Ulysses. For me, there is the one defining experience, now a composite of all those overlayed upon it. This is not a matter of recounting the destruction of Zolaria, it is a matter of altering the outcome. In my combined reality--the one I would rift to should I leave Rhydin--I have destroyed Zolaria and dozens more like it.? His words spring from a grim visage, eyes following my fingers down to my hand, hearing my words.

?The Exotics are not my family, 'lais. My mother relinquished all claim to her nest upon accepting the alterations. My father...disappeared under questionable circumstances... they say it was suicide. I was an only child. If I indeed have a family, it is the amalgamate of all the Ulysses transformed by taking the life of a star system--they are my brothers. Of course? he took my hand softly in his moonsilver ringed grip. ?who knows what possibilities the future holds? It will take them time to rebuild, to find me. Ozymandias and I have conferred on this, and I promise you I will be ready for them. You've stolen their prize toy, my love. The Exotics would not hesitate to erase you and all of Rhydin if it suits their projections, but it is no longer in their grasp. I am not a true Exotic, but I am more than their equal--and I shall make the best of the time I am given.?

The images shift to one of a missive, sent from Xenograg to Alais wathu-Darelir, 24th Overlord of DoS, greetings.

The most important defense of the title is always the first. An Overlord immediately dethroned is often seen as not having been worthy of it. I do not wish to see this thought of you.
You need to be dueling as much as possible to stay in shape. Practice duels counts as much as official ones so utilize the former. Dojo Darelir is always open for use by you and any friends you wish to bring.
Concentrate on honing your mental edge. Practice the belief that all your maneuvers will be successful. Shrug off mistakes and keep looking to the next round. Pretend that you made the correct move the previous round and act like you are following up success rather than failure.
Be yourself. Use what works for you. Twice I lost the Overlordship because I changed my style to what I thought would work against a specific opponent. I went too far and lost sight of what it was that made me successful in the first place.
I again offer my services as scout of the opposition. Once you know the identity of your first challenger, send me as much information about him/her as you can. I will add it to what I already have and seek out weaknesses.
Hail, Overlord! Long may you reign! Take care, my friend.

Sincerely,
Xenograg kathu-Darelir.

:: Below the signature is the mark of the Darelir signet ring, confirming the letter's authenticity. ::

Uly struggled within himself, the invitation to the springs is an agonizing choice, ?Aye, love, I think I would care to join you there.?

We walked but his mind was racing through issues still to come, the silence was most comfortable.

He sensed the soothing waters working their effect me and tossed his clothing aside.

The starlight from above, the warm vapors rising from the water relax his apprehensions as he sat at the water's edge, dangling his much abused shins in the comforting warmth--the golden glow dimming as his few wounds of the evening healed.

He answered my question with little consideration, clearly comfortable with his answer. ?Only in the way all things live. She walked among the flowers shortly after my father's...disappearance. Not from despair, but from having completed her destiny in this world. I was already training and excelling as a nerve-wire pilot like my father--she had shared all that was necessary and knew her time was complete. Mother returned to Chultys for the last walk, and has ever since remained here? as he tapped his finger to his temple, ?and here? as he tapped a finger over his left breast.

?She loved my father. The alterations didn't induce that; she truly loved him. She understood when he...left. In a way, so did I. They chose to have a child, knowing the circumstances and having some idea of what the child would be. I think she knew me better than any other possibly could.?

He paused briefly, assembling his thoughts as gently as possible.

?This day has moved so quickly, Alais. The mountainside, the challenge...touching you...and now here. All of the years I watched my parents grow together seem compressed for us into a few all too short days. I know from my memories how simple and right it would be to make love with you. I can only guess at how wonderful.?

He was breathing deeply, tilting hishead back eyes closed, jaw clenched--a shudder ran through his body as he released his breath and gazed back at me, amethyst eyes smoldering in the soft light.

?When we kissed tonight I felt lost, Alais. More than anything I wanted to melt into you forever--and the universe be damned.? He shuddered again. ?I want you 'lais. But my mind has caught up with me, and the love in my heart drives me to speak rather than act. On the one hand we have the chance to wait--to take stock of our circumstances and choose the depth of intimacy; on the other hand we have the chance to love--to encompass one another come what may. I am afraid to choose, Alais. Earlier I was ready to let my body choose for me--now I find my self searching for some compromise, and confusion reigns within.?

He paused, knowing he had at last let his heart out of his mouth.
?I will not let myself decide these things. I would prefer you did not decide these things. I want this to be ours--completely ours--whether we are dear friends, lovers, lifemates or some combination thereof--for we have begun to find peace together and I desperately do not want to lose it.?

He sat at the edge of the water, completely vulnerable, searching my eyes and wondering.

The image fades of that first union to moments of discussion, as though these memories are trying to teach me something.

?You have a way of asking such difficult questions, 'lais. The nerve-wire is a way of...talking to the ship. Feeds are implanted at critical points on the body of the pilot; the wires connect to these. Once connected, the ship is powered up through a step by step process of technology and biology. The pilot achieves a state of deep meditation, freeing thought from bodily reactions. The pilot's thoughts become the ship's reactions--star spanning reactions. The ships are a lesser form of Ozymandias' technology--they feed the pilot information upon request, unlike the eagle who can prioritize and organize the data according to his own judgment. However, the opening of the senses is stunning, to suddenly know a moon, a planet or a star so intimately. To feel your body merged with a craft blazing across planetary systems like a hawk across the sky. And for the most highly skilled, the rush of the sundive before an inter-system warp--when the fabric of space and time themselves bow to the pilot's will. The warp touches on the flux--though only along the lines of one continuum--and many pilots find such euphoria there they don't come back. It was a great joy of my young manhood, even in war--and in spite of my own father's disappearance into the flux. But there are so many other things I wish to speak of.d?

He was smiling as he slipped into the water with me. ?Aye, time tae explore.? His gemstone eyes shining in the starlight. ?But I do nae believe I shall simply follow my destiny ever again.?

Time passed quickly wrapped in each other's gaze, caught in the soothing dance of the shining springs, then quietly he asked me ?can ye conjure a blanket for us here, 'lais?? gliding his palm across the edge of the pool, and as the pallet shimmered into being, he rolled out from the waters onto the bank, pulling me gently up with him. ?it's been a trying day, love. will you rest with me here a while??

He held me in the crook of his arm, my head resting on his bare chest, his fingers softly touching the outline of my face as I drifedt into peaceful slumber.

The image shifts, to Riverbend, where Xenograg and I had gone seeking help from Moonglum. It was where my fate would intersect for all time with Morrin.

We coalesced from shimmering silver mists... Alais and Xeno arrive outside the curtain walls of Riverbend. As Alais regards the curtain walls of the Archmage's keep, a dark shadow crosses her features as the violating glamour replays the scene Morrin had left with her

(sw) death......... darkness.............choking smoke............such complete destruction......... an' yet, in th' midst o' 't all.......... a single, perfect, blood red rose.

Giffing herself a mental shake, turning tae look up at Xenograg. ?Shall we? Glum shouldst be wi'in somewhere.... an' I dae nae sense Morrin's presence 'ere this day.?

The High Priestess paced the confines of her office.

?Consort! Of all the foolish things to do!? She was shaking her head, sorting out the feelings from the reality of the situation.

?Well, done is done. How to minimize the damage?? thoughts, options and possibilities echoing thru her mind. ?If human, accidents happen. That's been done before.?

?Trezor!? she called one of the messengers.


?Yes Your Grace??

?Go into the city. Summon the stranger there known as Ulysses Graham here. NOW! Make certain he understands this is not open for discussion. Bring him straight here. Do not tarry. Use whatever methods necessary.

With a dismissal wave of her hand, the messenger hurried out to find the one the High Priestess sought.

I had just left the High Priestess, my thoughts in turmoil from the scathing comments by the woman who's council and friendship had been with me for almost as long as I could remember.

I walked out toward the Devastated Lands, I cloaked myself in a spell of invisibility, not wishing to be disturbed by anyone. Thoughts weighing heavily in my mind, even though in my heart I knew I'd done the right thing for myself.

?Goddess.... haff I done such an' 'orrible thin? Haff I weakened mine 'ome an' put these people at risk by mine choice in Uly??

I paused at the border, and came upon a plant I'd never seen before.... the buds were sable, the blooms silvery.... quite unlike anything I'd ever seen. Were these in fact the plants Uly had told her about when he spoke of the seeding of the border? A soft smile curved my lips, most likely they were indeed.

I continued along the border, wondering if an Heir had ever stepped down for lack of ability. Several had turned over their reigns to sons or daughters after many successful years, and others had been killed defending the Sidhe in aeons gone by. For all my well meaning intentions, it seemed nothing was working out well. After ages of peace, I had Ghrial to contend with, after forming a partnership with Xeno, Shakira was now loose again because I needed the shard the daemoness stole from us, forcing Xeno to undo the spells keeping Shakira in check, with Shakira loose... Athlstan had been wounded and his wife slain, his baby a captive of the daemoness, Glum and Morrin were at risk because it would be up to them to reforge Morvinyon, and now, when I'd taken to lifemate a soul whom captured my heart and mind like no other, I'd caused a rift between Legend, mayhap her people, and myself. I'd dragged Uly from his own world, into my own.... and what a mess my world was.

Standing staring into the barren landscape, tears slipping unheeded down my cheeks, the desolation of the scene before me the perfect foile for my heart. Turning the starfyre band upon her finger, I stood there pondering the ramifications of my actions.::
_________________

The image of Uly in Legend?s office showed him seemingly impervious to the piercing aqua eyes, he maintained his respectful stance.

?Your messenger found me on the mountainside. His urgency was not in his heart.?
Uly remained at the kneel, but head unbowed, ?I have patiently awaited this meeting; I have not the time for the pointless questioning of messengers.?

He was impassive as the Priestess spoke. Only the final sentence brings a split-second scowl and a spark of fire to his open palms. He was straining to keep the accent now threaded into his life from my speech, he begin his retort in measured tones.

?Your Grace, you are vague--less than convincing. You question my knowledge but do not educate. What leads you to believe I would reconsider in ignorance is beyond my reckoning. You know less than nothing of me, for if you knew nothing then you would have no erroneous prejudices. I know little of you save this meeting and I assume less. So I will educate you, for I sense there are many questions you cannot divine and will not deign to ask; I will allow your facade of pride to remain in tact.?

His voice turned eerie, cold, separate, echoing from means yet unjustified.

?I carry millennium-old bloodlines. I am the amalgamate of one random Ulysses Graham and one-hundred thirty-four others picked by a council of millions to create me as I stand before you now. Therefore, I say to you, my breeding spans one-hundred thirty-five thousand years; what of Tuatha de Dannan? I will not belittle Alais' heritage in ignorance; do not be so bold in your deriding mine unless you intend to end them--and I doubt much that you can. Further know, I am the one culminate Ulysses Graham. In all of existence I am unique. You ask me how few carry Tuatha de Dannan and I tell you how deeply I understand.?

He did not pause to gauge her response, his mind moving elsewhere as the voice echoes on.

?I will tell you what I know of responsibility, Priestess. My kingdom lies in another world. My subjects are the severed energies from half a thousand star systems. Since this may be meaningless to you, I shall put it in terms understandable--though perhaps overwhelming. The lifeforce of six-thousand billion mortals are a fraction of what rests in my command. You speak of damage and danger, and I wonder if you truly understand what those words can mean. Look deep in my eyes and you'll find those definitions written in the blood of innocents. ?

The voice suddenly sparks with life, ?Believe me when I tell you, my existence without love endangers this world far more than the bond 'tween the Heiress an' I.? A warmth pervades his words now, borne of the passion in his eyes.

?Legendazona, I do nae lay claim here. I haff giffen m'self irrevocably. I'm sworn tae remain as long as Alais will haff me, an afore ye go persuadin' her tae let go, look to yer oon motives. Remember th' previous Heiress o' Nitesong an' bear in mind ye'd all but driffen th' life from this one afore she accepted me o' her own free will.?

?If ye dae harm t' her, if ye force her tae choose an' she chooses me, ye'll haff lost th' both o' us. If ye force her an' she chooses tradition, ye'll loose me an' what's left o' her heart. So afore ye answer wi' theatrics an' power or selfish requests, ye must ask yerself if ye are prepared fer such loss. Will ye teach me th' ways o' Nitesong??

Uly returned the Druidess' regard with an easy and comfortable manner, carefully evalutating each word before uttering it.

?No, Your Grace, strictly speaking we are not all unique. You, for instance are not entirely unique. I can explain this at length if you wish, but am confident I am among a handful of beings in all existence who may lay claim to being unique, for few consciously exist across mulitple continuums. While you exist in four dimensions: height, width, depth and time; I exist in five, adding probability and combining one-hundred thirty-five separate events within it into my own being. As well, none of my probable counterparts in all the multiverse are currently attuned to the Flux--if they were, I would know. Therefore, I, the amalgamate, am a truly unique instance of Ulysses.?

?As to purity, my father's pedigree arose from a thousand year breeding program, while my mother's was created. Thousands of years of science established what my mother would be, not thousands of years of semi-random breeding. Her material was designed to perfectly augment my fathers. My father's house has never been defeated. The name of Graham is revered on Mairee, and I assure you from personal knowledge Mairee is a far more difficult world than Rhydin.?

?As to deities, the blessing directly placed upon Alais does not seem to avail Nitesong a great deal. I doubt I can discourage you on this matter, but I have spoken to the people upon the streets. Many believe the Sidhe's future is all but sealed. I do not believe that--not because of Tuatha de Dannan's blessing from Ceridwen, but because I see individuals such as yourself and Alais who will fight to the very end for the Sidhe. For myself, I have yet to reveal to you what I am. I have not taken you into the Flux. Perhaps, in time, we will agree to do this. On Rhydin I am a portal, a manifestation of my existence in the Flux. In the world on the other side, I am the primary deity--and you would do well to understand the extent of my power there. I say this not as a threat, but as an offer of aid. If I meant to do battle upon Nitesong, I would not assail you--I would seek out Ceridwen.?

He watched, still with an easy comfort, knowing this may be blasphemy to the priestess.

?Ah, you misunderstand the nature of my amalgamation. The being of Ulysses does not branch significantly until the Cataclysm--the first taking of a star system's life. My heritage and upbringing are the same across all one-hundred thirty-five continuums within me. You have mistakenly assumed they were divergent, and I apologize for allowing that. The Exotics have been far too precise to have chosen probabilities altering the foundation of their prize. My power was born of pedigree. My lineage allowed me to survive the Cataclysm and become many things, the Starkiller among them. However, it is the temper of my will and spirit which are the ultimate source of the disciplines I command.?

?My dear High Priestess, if you think Alais will ever mate with Caythe, you are sadly mistaken. I had believed you cared for her, but now begin to see your intent toward her differs little from the Exotics' toward myself. You would do her no harm, but her true well being is of secondary concern. Even if I left here tonight, begging her to bear children by Caythe, she would not do so; and I must tell you the little knowledge you have of genetics is frankly quite inferior to my own. The breeding pool is far too limited. I have discussed this with Alais--for it has crossed our minds--and begun educating her on such matters. The genetic path of Tuatha de Dannan is a dead end without an exterior influence. Your own persistence in pursuing it can only bring harm to the bloodline. I have conceived three possible ways to revive the chosen of Ceridwen and one is out of the question. This leaves two paths open. The path you seek is simply not one of them. Fortunately, the two paths are not mutually exclusive and neither involves harming Alais.?

?Regarding Alaisia, I have little to say. A facet of me knew Valmion, and like so many he started at one point and ended somewhere else. If the Sidhe expatriated their son it is Nitesong's loss, for I know the both of them could produce naught but children with the potential to be among the noblest anywhere. You have laid tragedy upon tragedy, loss upon loss. It would seem to an outsider as myself you learned little from the history of Telemachus II.?

?I cannae fathom how ye can lay the traits o' your own order at the feet o' mine birth worlds. The house o' Graham an' the world o' Mairee would recognize Alais for what she is: beautiful, smart, strong an' gifted by nature. I believe the Exotics haff already chosen her tae play in their plans for myself. In fact, I suspect they haff chosen ye tae mold me as well. I cannae effer seem tae keep up with them. Dae nae mistake a technological society as evaluatin' life accordin' tae scientific knowledge, for we haff found the two haff little tae dae with oon another.?

?I dae respect the insights ye haff giffen me. I would nae dream o' labelin' ye a monster. Howeffer, ye are misguided, an' that is acertes. All Caythe can giff ye is lower birth rates. Produce as many offspring as ye like, an' the fact o' the limited breeding pool will produce naught but sterility an' increasin' deformity. If ye had remained a pure people, with more o' the Tuatha de Dannan remainin' in the true bloodline, then ye'd haff a chance t'day. As 'tis, ye haff none. Twelve is nae a tenth o' the number ye need tae recover in these circumstances, for 'tis the sorcerer's traits ye be needin' tae preserve. Whateffer promise Ceridwen gave tae ye, 'twas cast aside generations agone. Ye are too late, Legendazona, an' the sooner ye face it the better.?

?I haff begun tae understand your problems much better this past week, an' tae perceive why in all the mulitverse I would end up here. Why this moonsilver ring would persist in callin' me back. Why the Exotics an' Ceridwen would seem tae conspire in creatin' this destiny. I haff endeavored ev'ry wakin' hour tae unravel the purpose o' mine bein' in this land, an your information has been o' the utmost value tae me. I am insignificant in the light o' your greater obstacles, High Priestess, an' mine relationship tae Alais shall remain unchanged as long as she will haff me.?

Uly listened carefully to everything Legendazona said to him, regaining his own birth accent before continuing.

?You have presented many questions, many excellent points and not a few personal insults, Your Grace. However, we are making amazing progress and I'll not dwell on injury you have not intended.?

?First, I must inform you quaintness has no meaning to me. I have absorbed half a thousand star systems, including six-hundred and eighty-eight inhabited worlds. Many were, as you say, quaint. They are inextricably part of my consciousness now, thus I cannot truly grasp a cultural application of these terms. Alais, Nitesong and Rhydin are what they are--I have yet to encounter a rating to gauge them against the backdrop of the infiniverse and have no desire to create such a scale. Speaking of scale, Legendazona, a century is hardly appropriate for this conversation. Perhaps you should ask if I will tire of Alais' affections in an aeon--and I will say to you no.?

?Second, you seem eager to develop an argumental model based on technology in opposition to nature. To an extent, I agree with this model. However, I am a living meld of science and nature, action and philosophy. On Chultys the only unnatural artifacts are the twenty-eight gates to Jacynth. Look at this table, these chairs, your papers and the hundred other examples in this room. These are the private offices of the High Priestess Druid Legendazona, and they house more technology than all the Exotics' homeworld. Facets within me walked for ten years on that world, passing months in the absence of all unnatural things. Further, the single most violent event on Chultys is birth, for all are herbivores or photosynths--and therefore none have had need to develop a means to kill. How many means of destruction wait outside these chambers at your guards' belts? That world produced my mother, the perfect augment to my warrior father. Maireen spirit and Exotic spiritualism coexist in me. I understand your arguments are narrow to bolster their strength --such tactics do win in untutored debate-- but to end such attacks I tell you I have walked for days without pause in debate among minds farther reaching than yours and mine. Though I have tried to explain, you know not what I am. Do not label me; you insult yourself. Ask those I have healed on Rhydin. Ask those I have blocked from the doorway to death with my own humanity. Ask them of my mother's design when a healer was required. Ire shall not control my words in this, for such would only defile my mother's last walk among the flowers.?

?Howeffer, mine father be another matter entire. Aye, Mairee is violence incarnate. The skies an waters dae churn the planet like a cauldron. In galaxies I've nae seen anythin' like Her. An' in all mine probabilities She pummels the Maireens just th' same. But I'll tell ye, mine father's power ne'er sprang from desire o' destruction but from unwaiverin' restraint. If ye dae nae understand that then ye best speak nothing o' warlords for nothing ye know. Penchant for sech, ye dae pierce mine heart through. My people di' nae make Mairee; She made them. When y'ar tempered by violence an' destruction the end o' such be yer souls' oon true desire.?

?Life is nae aboot power. I haff stole enough life tae know better than ye. Life is nae effen aboot survival, as ye an your sacred Tuatha de Danaan bloodline would haff me believe. Bein' true tae life, all the sacred life in the infinity o' existence, that be the heart o' the matter. There be other times an' places easier tae attainin' many o' mine desires, but there be nae mistake--tae remain true is tae remain here. I will nae question ye'r FAITH, for half o' mine own actions are out o' the same. E'en the Exotics act on FAITH. I did nae ask Alais tae put this moonsilver ring in mine hand. I did nae ask its magic tae pull me back here in the middle o' the night tae lay in the sands o' the arena, feelin' the love an' blood spilled from mine own heart there years agone. An' again it did grasp me across the reach o' five dimensions allowin' Alais an' Ozymandias tae trap me an' flood my mind with what I 'ad once been in this world. I haff been giffen nae choice but tae take it on FAITH that I dae belong here, and if I am nae welcome I must put tae ye: not welcome by who, when Ceridwen's own grace did bring me here??

Genuine fire smoldered behind his eyes. ?I?ll not play the hypocrite, Legendazona. Facets o' mine own self haff severed life with cold dispassion on a scale sae grand I doubt ye can begin tae comprehend it. But when ye speak o' Arlingond an' Alais like lapdogs tae be kicked an' bred at a whim for the greater good I am sae enraged I could snuff the candle o' your star an' revel in ye'r shock it could all be sae insignificant. Mine love an' respect o' life, all life, stays mine fury--for I am far from the one tae be judgin' annae.?

?Your Grace, I dae nae believe I am here tae save Nitesong. I dae nae know if annae can, save perhaps Ceridwen Herself. Mannae options are at mine fingers, aye, but nae other Ulysses tae be here for Alais. As long as she will haff me I shall remain. Tae leave her or tae lose her...I dae nae know where such sorrow could go. Love is the expression o' life, an' I am life. Sae I haff giffen mineself an' cannae retake.? Sudden realization widened his eyes. ?Dear Goddess, ye haff nae sensed it, haff ye? Oh Legendazona, I am truly sorrae. I haff wasted sae much o' ye'r time. An Exotic giffs part o' theirself tae their lifemate fore'er. I cannae unbind mineself from Alais--'tis nae longer a matter o' changing my mind. When she severes that part o' mine thread, only then can I part from her--when she has killed the part o' mine thread which is hers. I haff giffen mine love wholely an' unreservedly tae her, but part o' mine verrae lifethread as well. Ye haff argued the impossible sae valiantly; I am sae truly verrae sorrae.?

?Afore goin' tae the Council, I would place mine offering afore ye. I dae nae know how ye will receive it, nor what 't may dae tae me if ye accept. I cannae be Tuatha de Dannan, but I dae please ye'r Heiress an' mayhap Ceridwen as well. Howeffer, I can assimilate manae traits o' the true blood intae mineself with the aid o' your sorcerers an' carry an essence o' the Goddess herself with the aid o' your Druids. I seek nae for myself in this matter, but for mine lifemate, the Sidhe an' the children o' both. If ye an' the Council reject mine offer, I ask only ye ne'er speak o' it tae Alais--for I doubt she'd allow me tae risk it e'en if 'twere the Sidhe's oonly 'ope.?

Images faded and refocused into the office level of the Rouwan, which offered little warmth as the unnatural chill from Ghrial insinuated itself everywhere. Lighting a small brazier near her desk, Alais set to work digging out the information Xenograg had requested regarding any information pertaining to Liches in Sidhe histories and lore. The most accurate data would come from the chronicles of the War of Devastation, for there the Sidhe had actually fought a Lich that had been in service to the Archmage Eisilmoru. As to the lore, how much of that would be meaningful was anyone's guess.::

Taking a parchment of unusual ivory fibers, I summoned an ink that appeared to writhe and glow within the crystal container. It was less of a liquid than a vapor, and would require intense concentration to bend it to her needs, since Under-earth materials were difficult to manage. However, this message could not be accidentally dropped into the wrong hands, and her most trusted messenger Arrriahh had not returned yet. Sorcery would have to protect this missive, and Acacia would need to deliver it.::

M'lord Kensai,

I haff researched th' 'istories o' Liches in regard tae mine 'omeland. Th' followin' ist an excerpt from th' chronicles o' th' War wherein mine forefathers didst battle jus' such a creature. It seems that ye are most correct in assumin' nae normal weapon shall dae damage tae 'im. Effen enchanted weapons are nae likely tae dae much damage. Th' most likely means o' daein' 'arm tae 'im ist wi' sorcery, thou' due tae 'is age an' th' time 'e's 'ad tae hone 'is skills, we are likely tae see spells we haff neffer 'eard o' b'fore. This ist th' Lich's formiddable power. Th' sorceries at 'is disposal that we may only guess at. 't ist possible tae slow 'im down wi' our sorceries, an' possible tae distract 'im... thou' in all probability, we shall nae be able tae defeat 'im once an' fer all. Th' dangers o' such tactics be our own deaths if we dae misjudge Ghrial, ::shudders:: or worse. 't was such a sacrifice paid by Telemachus tae destroy foreffer th' Lich wi' Eisilmoru. That Lich made th' mistake o' keepin' 'is essence in a predictable location, which was thence brought tae th' Heir, whom didst thence destroy 'imself an' Orleon in sorcerous combat. I dae nae feel we haff time tae seek Ghrial's essence, thou' mayhap we may slow 'im down wi' our sorceries.

I dae lament that yer words th' other eve indicate that we shall nae haff Briel's abilities wi' us, thou' I dae understand. She hath been kind enou' tae offer me a means o' seein' in utter darkness, which ist an ability Ghrial doth haff that we dae nae. I thin' that whence we face Ghrial, th' link o' our sorceries is most likely th' strongest means available tae us, an' that alone, we are simply too weak tae face such a sorcerer. I await yer thoughts on 'ow tae proceed. I thin' that yer experience in tactics an' strategy suggest ye shouldst lead in th' initial meetin' wi' Ghrial, an' that mine abilities in defensive spells take a lead as we consider th' protection o' ourselves after we haff engaged th' Lich.

Our trip intae Riverbend may take a few days, an' I suggest that ye go on ahead tae meet wi' Grandmother an' Amaltea. I shall stay b'hind an' await Glum's attempt at th' reforgin'. There ist nae reason fer ye tae stay an' wait. Wi' Morvinyon either reforged, or nae, I shall meet ye at what effer location Grandmother hath decided 'pon. Simply let me know at yer convenience. Dinnae worry fer me in Riverbend. I know mine initial reaction tae returnin' there was..... unusual. Morrin ist away, an' I am confident Glum shall nae let 'arm come tae me whilst wi'in th' walls o' Morrin's keep. Mayhap I am simply gettin' jumpy m'friend. Whilst Morrin didst nae 'urt me, th' memories, for such I believe them tae be, haff etched themselves deeply intae mine thoughts. Morrin ist one I must needs avoid Xeno...... for I dae fear that one an' 'is dark past. Th' power that ripples thru th' ley lines in 'is presence ist enou' tae set mine teeth on edge. I cannae best 'im in sorceries, an' as 'e 'as such an effect 'pon me, 't ist best I dae avoid that one acertes.::wry smile at the words written there..... ::

I dae close this missive tae ye Xeno, 'opin' ye haff discovered more regardin' th' Lich than I haff been able tae provide ye. Dinnae worry 'boot Riverbend, I shall be joinin' ye as soon as Glum makes 'is attempt at th' reforgin'. Dae ye see Arrriahh..... she hath been missin'.... hence I send this wi' Acacia, prithee send word regardin' mine eagle shouldst ye see 'er, or 'ear o' 'er.... Harpies bein' rare... most folk shall remember seein' such as she.

I am in yer debt,

Lady Alais 'd Nitesong Sidhe
Heiress of Nitesong
Alais wathu-Darelir
Warlord of DoS

Uttering the spell learned those years ago from th' Moriquendi, the vaporous ink flares brite amethyst before sending the entire page into blackest shadows. The words there completely obscured as though the dark world of the Drow had consumed the entire page.

Sealing the ink once more... then sending it back to it's hidden storage place, Alais called to the grey wolf. Acacia's loping gait brought her quickly to the Rouwan, and with a brief description, the she wolf accepted the parchment, and loped toward the Dojo in RhyDin.

The world of Nitesong fades, replaced by my first trip to Mairee.

The trip to Mairee had been unexpected, though thoroughly delightful. It was not what I had expected, though to be honest, I was not certain exactly what I HAD been expecting.

Since the return, Uly and Ozy had spent much time together. I had been shocked to discover Ozy's new plumage, though with all the changes in Uly, somehow it seemed fitting. The explanations from Uly and Ozy had been extremely confusing, and the language of Uly's homeworld was coming slowly for me. The prophesy and prediction was something I well understood, but the *genetic manipulation* parts were still hazy and not well understood.

Watching as Uly and Ozy practice with the chaotic sources used by a sorcerer's spells proved an exercise in difficulties as Uly and Ozy were too used to the ordered energies of his world. Cantrips came reasonably easy, and elementary conjuration seemed to be coming well..... though the runic spells were proving unexpectedly difficult.

?Uly... 't ist critical that ye dae nae alter th' cadence nor th' inflection o' th' words. Th' rune must be inscribed precisely. Nae portion may be longer, nor shorter, nor misplaced in relation tae th' other elements o' th' rune. Wi'oot effery part in precise alignment an' each syllable properly pronounced... ye cannae successfully cast. 't ist why a sorcerer MUST needs master concentration... 't ist why a sorcerer doth nae go intae battle wi'oot heavy protection by armed fighters tae protect th' mage fer castin'. Interuption o' th' spell shall result in miscastin' at best.... annihalation at worst.?

Watching as Ozy gains command of the runes an' syllables first, the mind link between the 3 of us blurring individual thoughts and patterns as the spells are studied and practiced. As the practice continues, I am beginning to consider that the continued use of the blended energies of yours may be affecting my staff, unused to, and not made for the more powerful energies that you use. There is nothing overt that causes me this concern, though the blue crystal should really be green to accommodate the sources you command.

Ozy's solicitous nature since discovering his withholding information brings a soft smile to my lips. >Ozy, well dae I know ye haff always done what ye haff deemed appropriate, thou' I dae confess bein' a wee bit 'urt that ye elected nae tae tell me. We shall go on, an' I dae nae begrudge ye yer own thoughts an' actions.... fer are ye nae true life now??

As the practice and studies continue, our time spent in practice and refinement of the spells, a nagging worry gnaws at my subconsciousness. Excusing myself from one of our practice sessions, I take my staff and depart... the words of the spell you notice are subtly different.... not the normal translocation spell you have been practicing... and a search for my essence reveals nothing tangable.... as though I have left no sensory trails at all.

I listened to Uly?s explanation about the Graham Fortress, a sense of excitement suffuses the loneliness I have felt when you are absent. Knowing that I can look up into the nite sky, and at least see where you are makes the separation more bearable.

Upon arrival, Ozy performs as a perfect host, introducing me to the fortress, and at last I get a look from the aerie like windows from the cliffs overlooking the beach we had spent an evening upon not so very long ago.

Uly?s admonition not to remove the ring is met with a wide eyed silver stare. ?There ist nae annathin' that couldst induce me tae dae sae by mine own volition luv.... fer this tae be removed, 't shall haff tae be done by force.?

I stood on a balcony, and got my first up close look at a Starship. As Ozy had informed me that we were to have a visitor, I am none-the-less a bit surprised at my first look at the Exotic that departs from the Starship. Inviting Chys inside, we seem to hit it off companionably. Her curiosity almost matched my own in hers. Chys was unflaggingly patient with my lack of experience with her world. And as the day wears on, I had grown to like the female Exotic.

Her explanation of the *unbinding* still puzzles me. ?Chys, ye haff said th' ancient ritual.... what ist th' difference betwixt th' ancient an' th' modern? Dae ye know th' reason fer th' selection o' th' ancient version??

I had explained to Chys that Ozy an' I plan to do some experiments with my sorceries using the energy matrix of Mai-rhee. I also told her about the experience using Ozy's augmented sensory capabilities, and confide that I am a bit frightened of trying that again, as the unexpected trip to the negative plane is not a trip I cared to make again.

?We shall work slowly from 'ere.... cantrips, spells wi' inert an' inanimate objects fer now.... Uly hath warned me that I cannae tame th' energies o' Mai-rhee, an' sae great care must needs be invoked as we dae widen our understandin' o' this matrix.?

Chys' offer to help came as a surprise. ?Ye work wi' sorceries?? I was clearly puzzled, as I had thought Uly's world did not work with sorcery.

We agreed to begin studies in the morning. I chuckled softly as Ozy seemed a bit reticent, though mayhap it was just my own fears coloring his reply.

>Ozy? Dae ye recommend th' augmented sensory link fer these cantrip practices, or dae ye thin' 't wiser tae stay separate? There be pros fer both ways.... wi' yer link, ye'll perceive dangerous conditions b'fore I shall... thou' unlinked, I haff a better grasp o' what th' spell *aught* tae be daein' an' 'ow 't aught tae be feelin' thru th' staff.... thou' wi' this unfamiliar matrix..... 't ist 'ard tae say.<

Perched high upon the rock formations overlooking the beach, the first storm brought with it more lightening and reverberating thunder than I had ever dreamed imaginable from a natural storm. As I sat watching the multi-forked lightening strikes in awe... Ozy and Chys seemed amused at my enchantment by all the raw energies being rained down upon the landscape.

?Oh Ozy.... such power.... all wasted. Unleashed against a land and leaving only the most enduring behind.?

An inspection earlier of the rock outcroppings had confirmed that the towering cliffs were indeed only the igneous basalts and olivines.... not even the granites had survived... the plagioclase and oligoclases being too soft to survive long in the kind of onslaught that even now pummeled the ground around them.

Chys' inspection of Ozy was puzzling at first, until she explained that she was apparently Ozy's mother.

?Prithee Chys.... doth nae th' loss o' such knowledge an' memories via th' overlays bother ye? Tae suddenly discover such news?? I was clearly pondering what it would be like to have produced offspring, only to lose any such knowledge thru the manipulation of events.

?Chys, I dae nae dwell 'pon formalities... Alais ist jus' fine. Effen Uly doth nae refer tae me as Mrs. Graham, thou' if 't would please 'im, of a certes I wouldst adopt th' formality. We didst nae wed in th' common term ... 't was a Lifematin'... th' bonds may nae be broken as in th' means o' wedlock.? I glanced down at the starfyre band. ?We are bound tae one another far more deeply than that.?

Her explanation of the process made sense, and the term of endearment one of pleasant surprise. ?Chys..... 'ow dangerous ist this ritual? Knowin' Uly an' 'is mother as ye dae.... mayst ye suspect an' ootcome??

She gave me a soft smile. ?Indeed... th' moonsilver ring was a thing done an' giffen b'fore mine olde Uly didst depart fer 'is last mission... an' that didst bring this current Uly back tae me. I 'ad wondered 'ow ye'd take th' introduction o' th' moonsilver band. I too desire tae learn more aboot ye an' yer people Chys... an' I wouldst be most honoured tae haff ye join Ozy an' I in studies o' th' energy matrices 'ere. We haff already 'ad some small experiences wi' Ozy's augmentin' o' mine sensory capabilities.... an' I dae confess some concern o'er workin' that way again.... thou' 't ist th' only way tae learn... an' I haff a great desire tae dae jus' that.?

As the thunder echoed off the rocks, I grew more comfortable with Chys, and planning began for the first experiments on Mairee using the Maireean energies.

Chys was tilting her head slightly to one side. ?Then sorcerers are predominantly concerned with harnessing power? Power they perceive to be wasted? We do not perceive entropy as undirected energies. We believe all space-time-probability events have purpose, and that we should take great care in altering purposes.?

I was shaking my head. ?Nay, nae precisely Chys.... ?t ist more that a sorcerers power is called upon from th? matrices o? th? natural energies aboot us.... an? such displays as I haff seen ?ere bespeak o? massive amounts o? energies... an? th? thought o? bein? able tae tap such a vast resource ist enou? tae make anna sorcerer most desirous o? tastin? th? power that rushes thru yer mind an? body whence directin? th? energies. ?t ist an emotional an? physiological ?igh..... an? tae th? sorceress in me, th? energies I see as ?wasted? is th? envy I dae feel watchin? such.? I pulled up short at her comment about altering purposes, but keeping silent for now.

She listens quietly, ever smiling. ?It is not the requests you might make which concern me the most, dear, but the questions you may ask. An Exotic learns from the nest which answers to seek and which to leave unsought. You radiate courage, and I am not questioning your ability to survive emotional duress, but I encourage you to consider carefully what you truly wish to know--particularly in regards to the future. However, I will share my knowledge of Ulysses' life and family with you...and the future I see, if you wish.?

?I wouldst verra much enjoy ?earin? what ye wouldst tell me ?boot Uly?s family an? life. I dae sometimes wonder what Uly doth see in me, mine understandin? o? ?is world ist woefully inadequate. As fer th? future, ist th? Exotic?s viewin? o? th? future anna different from th? Priest sect?s lookin? intae th? future? Some o? them see verra well future events an? ?appenin?s. Prithee, ?ow ist our method differ from yer own? While I dae nae haff strong divination skills, I would indeed be most curious tae ?ear what ye wouldst willin?ly share wi? me ?boot th? future. An?, what ye haff in mind fer Uly... therein lies mine concern Chys. Wilst ye be leavin? Uly tae live ?is life.... or wilst ye be callin? ?im back intae service.?

?Respectfully examining the moonsilver staff, her eyes were bright. ?How was this created? As you have said, it assists you in manipulating energies, but I do not fully understand how the device works. I see no inherent mechanisms--at least none I recognize--but I sense its influence and attunement. How does it enhance control and direction? Is it primarily the crystal? What do the markings mean?? The questions came quickly and urgently, as Chys became increasingly excited.

Soft chuckle as Chys took a keen interest in the? staff. ??t ist th? final project a sorcerer completes b?fore leavin? a mentor.... th? creation o? th? staff. ?t ist th? culmination o? all that ye haff learned from yer studies, howeffer, ?t ist jus? th? beginnin? o? that tool?s life. Th? staff must haff th? ability tae adapt as a sorcerer?s skills grow. ?t was created o?er manna weeks time Chys. Hours ?pon hours o? careful research an? castin? went intae th? ensorcelry o? that object ye now ?old. Th? *mechanism* ye seek are th? runes. Each rune is th? spell a sorcerer hath captured an? stored wi?in th? staff. A sort o? segment o? th? staff devoted tae that precise spell. Tae activate th? spells there, a sorcerer must summon th? appropriate energies thru th? crystal.... th? crystal reflects th? sorce o? a sorcerer?s energies... hence whence I use th? staff... th? energies are coloured blue in mine ?omeland. Whence Uly didst utilize th? staff.... th? energies were green. Control an? direction are molded by th? sorcerer?s will. Th? staff ist simply a tool for callin? th? energies, an? ?oldin? spells fer quick release. Some o? th? spells wouldst be useless in practicality, as they simply take too long tae cast from scratch... hence, a sorcerer may store them wi?in a repository lackin? only th? trigger words. Summon th? energies, and trigger th? spell ist much more efficient.?

>Lady Alais, I am somewhat surprised you would ask me if I am sure. As Ulysses explained, in all the overlayed probabilities there is consistency up to the Cataclysm. In every one of them she is the theoretician who made it possible. I am the anomaly, since I departed to Rhydin rather than be eliminated by the 132nd overlay. Only on the account of my own existence does my pre-Cataclysm history diverge from theirs.<

>I didst mean nae insult Ozy.... ?t ist simply ?ard tae believe she ist capable o? such actions.<

Chys releases a faint sigh, but her smile exuded patience. ?Alais, I am a scientist--a philosopher. This is the Exotic way. We make plans, explore possibilities, but we do not make the decision to implement. These paths you ask of were charted years ago and chosen very carefully to insure the security of Harmony. An Exotic would not make such choices, for as I have said, we are not very good decision makers. All things do come to pass in space-time-probability, and thus it is difficult to choose to change anything--very difficult. But not for Maireens, particularly not for the greatest general in their history. Ulysses' father would have better explanations for you than I, for all of these things were his decision--as commander of the fleet.?

I was clearly puzzled by Chys? explanation. ?Ye haff made these thin?s possible tae th? Mai-rheean?s... ye know what th? probabilities were fer such uses... I dae nae understand th? rationale Chys... truly I dae nae. Why assist anna wi? doomsday weaponry, obliteration o? whole systems, an? continue tae revisit such thin?s? Security I dae understand... verra well... I haff fought fer mine ?omeland, an? continue tae dae jus that... thou? neffer could I haff pondered th? thin?s Uly hath told me haff ?appened in ?is world. An? I mean nae disrespect... fer I dae like ye verra much, howeffer, th? way I dae understand th? situation, ?t ist th? Exotics whom haff been responsible fer these thin?s that haff come tae pass.? ::I glanced up at Ozy, and wondered if I had gone too far in my opinions.

The days passed quickly in the company of Ozy and Chys. Ozy's knowledge of Mairee being leaned rather heavily upon by myself.

>Ozy? Wouldst 't be possible tae spend th' day walkin? I would like th' opportunity tae see if 't ist possible tae locate th' ley lines near Fortress Graham<

We walked slowly across Graham lands, my senses seeking the equivalent of the ley lines of Nitesong and RhyDin. Here and there, strong undercurrents pull at my senses, though the Maireean energies are vastly different from NItesong's.

Sitting with Chys later that day, I ask her about the specifics of the energies here on Mairee. ?Chys, durin' mine walk taeday wi' Ozy, we didst find sefferal undercurrents that seem tae fit th' ley line signatures I am more used tae.... though fer sae much energies as I haff seen loosed 'pon Mai-rhee, I am verra surprised that I was nae able tae locate more than these few currents. Dae nae th' energies o' Mai-rhee travel wi'in ley lines??

We chatted about the ley lines, darkness began to fall, and without thinking twice, I conjured several globes of Faerie Fyre to brighten the room.

>Alais? The automation of the Fortress would have compensated< Ozy's voice reminded me just as Chys' curious gaze met my own.

>Sorra Ozy... mayhap 't ist simply reflex, an' mayhap 't ist jus' that I dae miss 'ome<

Chys? smile was briefly enigmatic. ?Alais, Uly has undergone the Unbinding. All that was as he perceived himself and perceived others to perceive himself is now among the Exotics. I assure you, I know all that I need to have faith in you. My cycle draws short and the questions remain many. His sight extends farther than any others save my own, but sight is not enough. He is old for an Exotic, and yet relatively young for a man. Even for having the reliving of thirteen years one-hundred thirty-five times at his disposal, he has lived not one whit beyond the thirtieth year. He must learn and believe truths not of thought, but of life. You are both young in spirit, and you will learn so many of them together.?

Ozymandias was particularly silent during the experiments. His periods of preoccupation growing in length.

>Pardon? I'm sorry, can you retransmit? I was thinking.< became his increasingly frequent response.

>During our experiments I will monitor for the signatures observed in my prior data. These facilities enhance my predictive time by several milliseconds--more than enough safety margin to activate the dampeners. It may even be beneficial to purposefully repeat the phenomena to allow the baffles to collect the precise frequencies and amplitudes for detailed analysis. In any case, the instrumentation here will be of great benefit to our maintaining control.<

Chys' laugh was merry. ?Control may be your very problem. You might try succumbing to the will of the energies. Follow the compulsion to change with the flow--see what happens. Ozymandias' senses can open doors to you if you let them. By trying to control what you see, perhaps you are missing something--perhaps the matrices are trying to tell you something.? She shrugged and smiled. ?I am not a sorceress.?

>I am fine, Lady Alais. The automatonic system brought you first to the infirmary. After satisfying my concern for your health, I had you transported here--for the sake of comfort. You seem to be experiencing a hormonal imbalance, though I find no dysfunction internally. This could be attributed to our experiments with the Harmony matrix. We could do a complete scan of all hormone regulating and producing elements of your body, but it would be a bit extreme, I think, for an upset digestive system--which is why I did not pursue it last night.? He assumed a curious posture. ?Chysandra seems to have disregarded the whole episode, which also seems extreme. Her advice was to simply put you to bed--curious behavior from a scientist.<

After returning to the Fortress from the walk, finding Chys in the testing facilities. ?Mairee and Chultys have a stronger binding to the Harmony star. You will not frequent channels near the Maireen surface save the vertices intermittently extending across Harmony space to the sun and sister planet. This system matrix has been of great assistance in our development of interstellar travel...and warfare. All systems have some interaction between celestial bodies, but we have yet to find another approaching the level of Harmony. Thus came the theory that Harmony is a manufactured system, rather than a naturally cosmological one. The degree of balance between Mairee's unfettered power and Chultys' reserved constraint is difficult to credit to celestial evolution. Yet, stranger things do happen in the infiniverse.? Her smile was a veritable glow and her body language is excited as she speaks on a subject she obviously loves.

Later I conjured the soothing glow and spoke of home.

?You'll return to Rhydin and Nitesong soon enough, my dear. I must return to Jacynth as well. Ulysses has need of my skills before I rest.? Her laughter was easy and reassuring--though the word rest seems to carry connotation far deeper than mere sleep, and it has become almost impossible to imagine her ever sleeping.

The Foreign Quarter faded.

Chys graciously accepted the offer of tea, and endeavored to imbibe a small portion. ?I'm sorry, dear, but as we near the end of our cycle our consumption rates drop dramatically.? The ever-present smile was bright. ?With my current metabolic rate, things just go right through me.? She giggled.

Her smile widens, the gaze clearly appraising. ?I will speak to you of the Myth, Alais. I do this, because I have faith that you do believe. Though you were near to giving up on much you hold dear, the life you have with Ulysses is strong--and the child your body has chosen to bear will be strong as well.? She laughed softly. ?So seldom does the body obey the mind. Because the child will inherit so much from mother and father, I give to you something of our heritage. True, there are volumes discussing these matters, and Ulysses is a living embodiment of what we are--but I want you to have this from me.? Her hand was gentle over mine.

?Some do not believe the Myth of Harmony. Though the evidence of creation abounds, they are blind. One of the manifestations of creation came to this place long ago. Where there was nothing, there became a warm yellow star. From the star sprang two worlds--halves of the whole. On this star and these worlds sprang the matrix, manifesting the two sides one to each world. From the matrix came the lifeforms--including the two races, halves of the whole. In the lifeforms this Creator invested itself, setting their course of discovery with the desire to understand itself. Since our beginning, the essence of that Creator has pulsed through the matrix of Harmony--with the natural yearn to be whole again.? Without pause she continued. ?Minerva and Mentes knew this well, as do I, for we are from lines leading back to the beginning, when that Creator divested itself of oneness into us. They are the names of Ulysses' parents, my nestling and her lifemate, and I will not speak them again.?

I wondered at the destruction wrought by the Cataclysm and Ulysses the Starkiller. I cringed, rightfully so, at the thought of the Vortex. I delighted in the purity of the Flux. But I knew, these things had a purpose. ?All things have purpose, and we are not always privileged to understand these things within our cycle. The Odyssey Project culminates our purpose. The Creator will be remanifested from us--to draw on what has been learned from this dichotomous state. Do you not wonder that Maireen and Exotic could co-exist? For me, it answers the question that people so different can live in Harmony. We are saddened that so many systems are now devoid, but this was meant to be--Ulysses' targets were drawn to us and selected for the latent energy matrices within them. They are part of that Creator whose final manifestation was Harmony.? She spoke quickly, in the perpetual motion I accepted as her manner.

?The Maireens, the Exotics, the Harmony stars, the starkilled systems and the Ulysses across space-time-probability are about to change. The cycle is nearly ended. The ancient Ritual of Unbinding prepared the final arc of the circle. The Flux and Vortex will pour their energies into oneness--and the Creator will emerge. Jacynth must remain, for it was formed and placed from matter outside of Harmony and the targeted systems--a gift from a benevolent race in our star-seeking infancy. The Creator, Ulysses, you've seen glimpses of that which is within him--how he and the one of the Vortex bind and connect us all. It has reached out to touch a handful--you, Celebriel, the Death Knight--these things were meant to be. The overlays, Ozymandias' transformation--and yes, Ozy shall remain, for he is of xenogenesis as well--Ulysses' development, all have been stepping stones to the Ascension of Harmony. We are living our myth.?

?But the child? her smile emanated pure love, ?is part-born of Harmony. The Creator's essence is within it, and I have known it since your first night on the sands of this island. It has chosen to once more invest--for when all is joined in Ulysses, the new one shall remain to investigate the mysteries of life.? Her hand gently squeezed mine. ?Teach the child well, Alais, I know you will. We never hoped to leave a legacy in this realm. All the philosopher Exotics and leader Maireens have believed the Ascension of Harmony was our end in this space-time-probability--that Ulysses would depart back to wherever it came from with whatever it had learned--but now, I am so happy.? A tear crossed her golden skin. ?I and my nestlings live on in you, love. You carry the extension of my race, my cycle. I will be with you always. And Ulysses will remain at your side, to nurture the new one until your cycle's end--then He will be with you always? her fingers lightly touched against my temple and then over my heart and then upon the starfyre brand. ?and the child will be strong...doubly chosen by the legacy of mother and father.?

I gave a soft smile to Chys. ?Pray forgiff mine lack o' understandin' yer needs at this time, thou' I haff need o' th' 'erbs in th' tea tae keep mine stomach settled these past sefferal days, an' I dae trust ye'll nae mind if I dae continue tae sip th' tea whilst we talk??

I listened as Chys talks about the Myth, somewhat surprised when she spoke the names of those gone before.

?Chys? What shall become o' Mai-rhee an' Chultys once th' cycle ist complete? Ye say Jacynth shall remain....... dae ye mean Mai-rhee an' Chultys shall nae longer remain??

Sadness crossed my face listening to Chys as she spoke of living on thru the child so recently conceived. ?Chys--ye seem sae certes that Uly shall stay, effen after th' Ascention.... an' that our child shall be special beyond Uly an' I... an' yet, 'ow dae I teach 'boot what shall soon be lost.... if I dae interpret correctly what ye haff been sayin' tae me??

I was intently studying the Exotic before me, trying to understand what this completion of the arc forebodes.

?Chys, ye commented earlier that ye 'ad questions fer me.... prithee, dae ye inquire them o' me b'fore ye must needs depart fer Chultys? I shall miss yer company.... an' effen more I dae suspect whence I dae return 'ome.?

It was late on the evening of the winter solstice when the cleric Athlstan found Pomona sitting by her watchfire. Although he bore none of the items he had so carefully chosen for the journey to Redwin, he stooped and spoke urgently of the need to leave immediately.

"Sister-mine... the journey is upon us. We must leave at once. Are ye ready?"

Her reply was short..

"Aye."

"Our destination has changed. We go but the short way to the dojo of Xenograg. He has found glimmer of Kestri... and bids us come swiftly that we might recover her. For such travel as he has in mind, I know not what provision needs be made."

Quickly she set about the business of extinguishing the fire and gathering her belongings. Her eyes betrayed the misgivings she felt at the sudden change.

Athlstan gave a quick grim grin. "I heard thy prayers as I approached... I am grateful for thy skills... they may be sorely needed."

After scattering the remains of the fire's ashes, the two set off through the night.

Outside House Darelir, they were checked briefly but thoroughly by the watchful guard and then admitted into the dojo of Xenograg.

I awakening well past my normal time, the sun more than half way toward it's zenith, I caught sight of Uly standing on the balcony overlooking the fountain, the distinct impression of a warrior deep in thought permeated his stance.

I climbed gingerly from the bed, and approached him from behind, wrapping my arms around him and rested my head against the solidity of his back and shoulders. He seemed to be expecting me as his voice, low and measured, reaches my still half asleep brain.

?Aye love.... th' nite was long..?.. a shiver rippled through me at the memories of the dream that he knew all about.

As he talked about his studies and the thinking he has done, the haze of sleep vanishes.

Another shiver ripples through my body, at last, the answer to a question I am not sure I wanted confirmed. The implications of what he would be having become completely overwhelming. My gaze lifted to his face, I cannot fathom whether he wished a reply or not... and in truth... I know not how to answer him if he did.

?Uly? my voice was soft and vaguely uncertain, ?I haff loved an' adored ye knowin' ye were nae 'uman. I haff known ye were nae man fer a long time... I cannae say love 'ow much ye mean tae me, fer mine 'eart wouldst break shouldst ye leave me. I must needs confess howeffer, that I know nae how tae please such as ye an' what ye're becomin'. I am mortal... an' I shall make mistakes aplenty. Can ye live wi' such as me? Mine failin's an' shortcomin's??

My tremulous smile greeted his as he commented about the child of our creation, and it's health are confirmed to me. ?th' solar solstice.... a most fortuitous day indeed. Dae ye haff a name in mind love? I haff one if 't ist a female sorceress... thou' I haff nae idea fer other's... th' Godparents be most excited... an' shall most likely spoil our child b'yond redemption as there be nae grandparents.?

stepping up onto my toes, I placed a soft kiss against his lips. ?Love... we haff one th' oother nae... let us enjoy this time we dae share... fer in time soon enou'... my circle 'ere shall end... I'd haff th' joys an' comfort of our love if ye'll share such wi' me.?

His words of reassurance echod in my thoughts, and I wondered why I had been so blessed... and yet, I am frightened. ?To know what you will become is intimidating. To know that I love an essence as powerful as the Goddess I have revered and lived in awe of my whole life... is it possible for me to be a good Lifemate to such? Goddess knows, I hope it is possible.

Images shift to Ulysses,

All morning he had walked about the dwelling in the near-black purple plasmesh armor of a Loyal Commander. His demeanor so much sterner than the norm; I was clearly surprised at the glinting curves of the high tech battlesuit.

?I'm sorrae tae nah haff warned ye, love. 'tis mine uniform when passin' through Jacynth as Harmony Commander these days.? I infered that the manner he had adopted was that which he exercised there as well.

Breakfast was early and fortifying...though difficult as usual for me in my condition. 'briel had followed him down from upstairs, troubled looks fleeting across her features--bringing curious expressions from Xyclone and I as to what words he may have had with her.

?We're off then.? As soon as breakfast was cleared and equipment gathered, we disappeared in a burst of amethyst light.

The rooms was stark. Metal alloys formed all sides of the cubicle and there was no furniture. ?I haff chosen tae bring us directly here...'tis a taskin' 'pon mine energies, but sae much faster than travelin' through th' gate 'pon th' Isle o' Tuatha de Draig.? Uly told us.

An imperceptible door opened on the farthest wall, and a tall battle-scarred warrior in plasmesh armor stepped through. ?Harmony damn you, Ulysses, where the Zol have you been you half-witted half-breed?! With that she-cow floozy of yours again?? His hard gaze took in the three of us accompanying him. ?And I suppose she's one of these two wenches? What the Zol do you think you're up to?! You said one male for the trip to Chultys--do you think I need this crap??

Uly?s reaction was a wry smile. ?Aenaeus, this is Xyclone--th' one for th' Ritual. These are mine sister by Binding, Celebriel, and mine lifemate by Binding, Alais. Gentleman, ladies, this is mine second--Aenaeus. His bite is worse than his bark.? Aenaeus began to speak again; Uly cut him off. ?That will be enough, Aenaeus. Take us tae Aggie.? He muttered, but obeyed.

The corridors of Jacynth gleamed with functionality. Not a space seemed to be wasted. Upon questions from each of us, Uly answered amiably while Aenaeus contributed the occasional derisive grunt. ?Jacynth is a tech moon, giffen tae th' Exotics about th' time they developed interstellar travel. Th' race which contributed th' foundation for this industrial complex is reclusive and never revealed their reasons. Over five thousand starships service th' moon, and work is currently in progress tae further core 't and install artificial gravity and mass inducers. Ultimately I hope tae move th' entire unit through a Flux rift tae geosynchronous orbit o'er Rhydin. Aenaeus is Maireen, from th' sister planet tae Chultys. Jacynth orbits Chultys. Aggamemnon, whom ye will meet in a moment, is an Exotic--th' natives o' Chultys. Mine father was Maireen an' mine mother Exotic. I'm th' oonly crossbreed, sae Aeneaus delights in giffen me a verae hard time.?

We arrived in a room full of equipment. Hairless beings of ruddy-gold complexion move about like agitated children, reading monitors and adjusting settings like a perpetual motion machine. ?These, are Exotics.? All of them offer polite smiles and curious gazes, but continue about the tasks at hand. ?And that is Aggie.? One Exotic moves quickly across the room, all smiles and twinkling eyes. ?Ah, Ulysses, I am so glad you have arrived at last. Word was sent ahead immediately upon your arrival, and three pods will be ready within an hour's time.?

?Good work, Aggie. This is Xyclone, th' primary subject. Celebriel an' Alais will assist us tae some degree. 'briel was Kindred an' can help us understand Xyclone more fully durin' th' Ritual. Alais is Sidhe and can help us more fully understand 'briel.? He cast an enigmatic smile aside to me. ?Would ye care tae dae th' honors, Aggie??

?Of course, Ulysses. The three of you will be placed in pods before being passed through the gate to Chultys. The pods are fully organic and will isolate you from disturbing the equilibrium of the planet. By allowing you to be physically in place on Chultys and in a state of sensory deprivation, we will be able to attune you to the planet much more effectively. This is experimental, of course, but the work is important for our future use of the bio-technology in the coming year. Are we pursuing with the other experiment as well, Ulysses??

?Aye, we are, Aggie. 'briel here gave me th' idea some time ago.? Explaining to the three of us. ?We'll be takin' Harmony out o' th' normal flow o' space-time-probability, not unlike th' manner in which some o' ye Kindred seem tae be able tae move. While we'll pass seven days on th' surface, oonly three will haff passed on Rhydin. 'tis a bit o' matrix manipulation I'm interested in seein'.?

Brief introductions are given to several of the Maireen and Exotic staff and an explanation of the gate technology which will deposit us on the planet below. Then the process of sealing the three of us within the pods. ?Dae nah worry yeselves, I'll be personally accompanyin' ye. Now, if ye would all just remove clothin' an' artificial items an' step intae th' pods, we'll get started.? The pods look very much like large bananas...which is a source of amusement to all. ?Alais an' 'briel, ye need nah remove th' rings--they are...organic sae tae speak.?

With the three of you secured, Uly and a crew of Maireens move the four of us through the gate to Chultys.

Images fade to night,

about my business in the dark hours before dawn, the ebon band upon my finger glowed blood red. A crimson surge echoes across the ley lines of space-time-probability. An amethyst burst jagged with golden light erupts through the sorcerous channels engulfing the blood tide of vengeance. In an instant the alien energies vanish. The ring remains, now white as bone. The binding remains as well--yet Uly has changed.

The images blur into Nitesong, and Legend looked up suddenly as a young woman appeared at the crest of the hill unexpectedly.... this was hugely unexpected... the HIgh Priestess' morning walks had always been uninterrupted..... everyone knew that... and yet..... the young woman continued toward the ivory robed Druidess.

Her movements suggested that she had been seeking the High Priestess for some time... and as she came ever nearer...a sense of foreboding crept into Legend's thoughts.

?Pray tell me young lady... what brings you out this far from Nitesong?? the shadows of the High Priestess' hood kept her face in shadows.... but keen aqua eyes studied the stranger before her.

Listening to Chrisiant?s brief words... and glancing down at the missive she dropped onto her hands.... Legend offered her her thanks... and turned to walk deeper into the forest. The seal was one she had seen only once before... but she recognized it instantly.

She mutters, ?and what do you want with me now Mr. Graham?? the muttered words did not hide her impatience with the troublesome man.

She read the announcement.... the High Priestess nearly uttered an oath profane, biting back the ascerbic thought quickly. Crumpling the parchment, tossing it into the air and disintegrating it with a quick flash of fire she expressed her ire.

She was speaking to no one in particular, ?So... you mislead me Mr. Graham... you told me you were taking precautions against this... and now you announce to me that which we least had need of right now.... King Oberon's messenger can never know this.? The High Priestess considered what herbs would be needed... and continued into the woods in seach of them.

Some hours later... with most of the herbs collected... Legend paused beneath a great hickory tree... gazing up at the sky above her.... wondering if she could really do this thing. ?Goddess... we desperately need the gift of an Heir... but is this child the Heir we need??

No answer was forthcoming... and the afternoon sun crept lower into the sky.

Legend?s image reformed, she stood against the hickory tree for a long time. Oblivious to the young woman who had trailed her since delivering the missive with it's news of the child.

Already collected were the Atter's Cap, mistle berries, and blood root. She had a plentiful supply of Foxglove for the digitalis in her store of herbs under the mountain. The only thing still lacking for the special tea was fresh willow bark. A large willow appropriate for her needs sat alongside the stream leading down to the harbor.

Rousing herself from idleness, she set off toward the willow. Passing several Ovates along the way, Legend kept her head bowed, as though in deep contemplation, knowing the Ovates would not intrude upon her solitude that way.

Stopping at the willow, drawing forth from her robes a sharp knife, sheathed in tan leather. The blade recurved slightly at the tip, and was only about 10 centimeters in length. It was ideally suited to the collection of herbs and such. Uttering a prayer of thanks to the willow before removing several slender strips of the precious bark, Legend completed her collection just as the sun began to drop into the horizon over the harbor.

Beginning the long walk back to the caves, Legend's heart weighed heavily upon her. A birth announcement should be met with great joy and celebrations, not with the creation of an abortifacient to be stealthily administered to an unwitting woman, undoubtedly enjoying this creation she deemed a gift. Alais would most likely never understand why this thing needed to be done...why such a child could never see the light of day. This had to be done for the defense of the Sidhe.

?Calleach's Bones! Why couldn't she have listened to me? Goddess..... this all should have been avoided!?

Legend's words echoed off the rocks around her as she gave voice to her frustrations as her head and her heart warred over the action she now prepared to carry out.

?If only it had been Caythe's...... this would have been joyous news indeed.?

Chultys closed over the images from Riverbend of the rose bush in the nightmare.

Of the four who enter as Aggamemnon starts the procedure, one Exotic slides an additional bed from the wall, upon which the female Maireen is laid. She wears an apparatus on her head as do I. The second Maireen, a huge male, stands at her side gently gripping her strong looking hand in his own ample grasp. The Exotic moves to begin operating on the Maireen.

Within moments, Aggie has removed the twins and they are supported in a gravimetric device--floating--while the umbilical cord is diverted to a second device suspended from a rail in the ceiling. All are transported across the room to the third Exotic as the twin forms from the Maireen female are transported to Alais.

You see, Celebriel, Alais' body must continue to nurture two growing forms inside the womb, else she will not be ready when it is time to replace Ulysses' and Alais' children to their rightful host. Ulysses has assured me you will speak none of this to Alais--you must understand this is imperative for the safety of the children.

The Maireen progeny are implanted in Alais' womb while the Maireen female's womb is closed. Another bed is drawn from the wall and the third Exotic relaxes upon it. ?You are ready, Chysandra??

She smiles brightly. ?You know I am, Aggamemnon. Ulysses and Alais are both precious to me--and the children.? Her eyes twinkle with what must be joy. ?It is a fitting way to close my long and happy cycle.?

There is no apparatus on Chysandra's head and she is fully conscious, yet displays no sign of pain while Aggie implants the twins in her womb.

?At last, it is done. For now, they are safe. Celebriel, can you help me with Alais?? guiding her up from the bed and toward the doorway...the Maireen male steps close to you and speaks in an oddly gentle voice for such a goliath. ?You are called Celebriel. It is a pretty name. I am Ajax. My children are carried in this one's womb. Please do whatever you can to protect them. You look like a healer. I hope you can save them if the bad things happen.? He returns to the bed of the Maireen female, lifting her easily and exiting the room.

Aggie's gaze follows the Maireen pair. ?They are a brave and generous race, the Maireens--the heart of Harmony.?

Alais was arranged on a soft couch and Aggie stays to answer any questions before departing to other duties.

In Nitesong, full darkness had fallen when Legend arrived back at the caverns. Silently returning to her rooms, she laid the herbs carefully on the table, covering them from sight before summoning Trezor.

?Trezor, I have need of several stalks of foxglove. Please ask the Ovate for fresh foxglove immediately.?

Trezor's curiosity at this request showed plainly, ?Your Grace, are you ill??

?No Trezor, I am not. There is someone else who requires the treatment of Foxglove to ease a great suffering down the road, as the Goddess calls, but the calling will not be gentle.?

Nodding slightly, but still troubled, Trezor returned with the requested plants. ?Do you require any assistance, Your Grace??

?No Trezor, that will be all, thank you.?

Frowning at this, the High Priestess had not done her own potions or elixirs in a very long time. This was highly irregular.

Legend warded her offices soundly against intrusion. No planar entities would gain access without warning. Then, calling a sphere of silence, she sets to work distilling the herbs she had painstakingly collected.

1st shredding the Atter's Cap into a bronze bowl, securing a lid over it, placing it close enough to a brazier to begin to steep the fungus, but not warm enough to cook them. The fluids of the fungus being driven out of the flesh slowly, as the low heat broke down the easily bruised and damaged mushroom. While still near to the low heat, she removes the solids of the fungus, leaving a liquid residue in the bowl. This is allowed to steep until reduced to half of its original volume. Then pouring the warm fluid into a small glass vial, and securing a wax seal over the vial, the first ingredient is stored in a darkened cabinet, away from the light.

Next came the foxglove; chopping the stalks into small pieces, flowers, seed pods, and leaves, before dropping them into a silver pot of boiling water. Securing a cover over this mixture, and allowed it to boil until the foxglove is soft and easily disintegrating. Removing the mixture from the flames, she strained out the largest pieces before pouring the fluid into a glass sphere; adding to this the pieces of willow bark and a small amount of acid. This mixture is placed once again on the fire. The fluid kept in equilibrium reflux for the next hour, before allowing the final distillation to proceed. The collected clear fluid from the second elution Legend pours into another glass vial, and seals with wax.

Last, the mistle berries; drying the berries on a flat piece of ceramic over the blue flames of the fire until they are brittle and ready to pulverize in a mortar. Then thoroughly grinding them while still warm into a fine powder, with seeds, skin, and flesh. The powder is then carefully transferred into a 3rd vial, and also sealed.

So, the ingredients were prepared. Now to prepare the Caverns for the arrival of Mr. Graham. Undoubtedly Ulysses would react strongly once Alais lost the child. The most regrettable thing about this tea was that Alais would know, albeit too late, that she had been poisoned. Mr. Graham would undoubtedly attempt a retaliation if Alais survived the ordeal.

The next hours were spent in prayer, and casting preparation. She couldn't cast yet, undoubtedly the dweomer would be detected.

Finally, sitting down at her desk, she penned 2 missives

Mr. Graham,
Pray forgive my slowness in response to your missive, delivered by the young woman. The news you sent to me was most unexpected. While I had held great hopes for Alais to grace the Sidhe with a child, this was sooner than I had thought likely. I imagine you are pleased with this news. Perhaps now you will send Alais back to the Sidhe so that she may again tend to the needs of her people?

High Priestess Legendazona



The second missive

Lady Alais, Heiress of Nitesong
I did receive Mr. Graham's missive advising me that you are currently with child. Considering this unexpected event and it's timing, I do suspect you are currently experiencing an affliction commonly known as morning sickness. When you return to the Sidhe, if you would come to the Caverns, I have a mixture nearly prepared that would put an end to such unpleasant mornings.
I look forward to seeing you upon your return.

High Priestess Legendazona

Sealing both missives, and sending them with the eagle owl off to I' Taurn in RhyDin.

Uly then stole a moment aside with Celebriel, the disconcertingly young and vital Ulysses speaks urgently.

?'briel, you have seen the extremity I have gone to in protecting my children. I will do no less for you and Alais. Be wary of Her Grace, my sight of her intent is evil. Please, do not engage the Druidess--Alais will not fight her and she is powerful, very powerful. I would not lose either of you to her desperation. Ajax and Atalanta have willingly put their children at risk--do what you can. If the worst comes to pass, I promise you Nitesong will never forget my wrath. Concentrate on the ring at your finger, and all the strength I can muster will come to your aid.?

The trip to Nitesong, Celebriel gazed about her in unalloyed delight. How green and sweet this land was, and how stark the change from the Devastated Lands. Yet, her heart faltered. Something was subtly *not right.* She knew not what. she only knew it was so. Perhaps, she thought, the stillness, the fact that no newcomers had come here in so long. Nightsong had become accustomed to its incestuous embrace. Locked in its changelessness, it desired nothing else.

Absently she touched the pale braid that swung behind her, brushing her knees. "Silver Crowned" she'd been named. For the moon that'd swung like a disc of light in the sky at her birth. But like the moon, she'd changed. And like the moon she would bring change. Nightsong would either bend to some change, or she'd expend her strength in fighting this silly death.

Uly and Alais were enrapt by one another. That was all to the good. Such love came but once in ten-thousand lifetimes. If she ever saw it again, she would count herself fortunate to have been a witness. But whether or not she would function as a good Heiress? She didn't know. She did know that even gifts are bought and paid for. She owed Alais and Uly. She owed the people of Nightsong. And she owed those who had fought to get her this far. Time to pay. Time to serve.

She stepped out along the path, to meet Alais. She would fight to open Nightsong. The Sidhe in their shining realms no longer breathed and pulsed with the heat of mortality. They'd become as stiff and shining as their legends. And she herself, perhaps more mortal than the rest. Bearing her scars. She laughed to herself suddenly. She dared to claim Caythe? It was inconceivable.

Then, her chin lifted. And why not? She was as Sidhe as he. No matter the reason. If it were for Nightsong, she'd propose marriage to King Oberon himself, and damn the consequences. She grinned, in savage self-mockery. No doubt the Druid Priestess would faint if she knew Celebriel's thoughts.

But that brought the thoughts of Legend to mind. What had she planned that Uly had seen? And apparently whatever it was so involved Celebriel herself that she could not 'see' it in her dreams. She shuddered, and touched the ring on her finger. Suddenly the wrath of Ulysses seemed a fearsome thing indeed. He would tear apart the fabric of Nightsong like a paper toy. How could she prevent it? She was startled to see where her feet had taken her. And more startled to see Alais herself. Whatever happened, and whatever the reason, she had best pay better attention next time.

Images faded to the ravine ensorcelled by the High Priestess. She spun about and returned to the caverns, thereupon taking her staff and going to the Goddess' altar for a
last prayer.

alone in the chapel, the bluish lite of the ever burning light from the Goddess the only source of illumination.

?Goddess Ceridwen.... long have I sought your guidance on this issue with Lady Alais and her Lifemate, not of our world. Your silence has been agonized over and over again. I was charged with the protection of the Sidhe....and throughout my life, I have endeavored to fulfill that promise to both Nitesong and to yourself. What I have done this day I believe I have done for the best for Nitesong. I pray you judge my spirit accordingly when this day is over.

She made her obeisance to the altar of her Goddess....Legend departed the chapel to return to the overlook... waiting.... as were the remains of the Druids... everyone poised, alert to all movements...each one wondering just how much Ulysses knew... and how fearsome his attempted retribution.

The sickening feeling of disorientation from the tea. The first symptoms beginning within half an hour of the ingestion of the hot liquid....vision derangement first, progressing thru mild dilerium. As the toxin wends it's way thru Alais' bloodstream... her heartbeat weakens....the Atter's Cap toxins taking effect first. As the other toxins begin to take effect, the digitalin's insidious work augments the mushroom's action on the heart... causing further slowing and irregular pulse. The salicyn thins the blood further....and the body temperature begins to fall, as the poisons prepare for the convulsions to destroy the half breed child. The mistle berries being the primary cause of abortion and heart failure.

Thru the early stages .... Legend speaks quietly to Alais... the High Priestess' words sinking into Alais' brain...."poisoned"... "for the good of the Sidhe"..... "mean no harm to you"::

Pain knifes thru her body as convulsions begin, and then blackness, cold and dark and alone.

Summoning those remaining within the Sacred Mountain to the Great Cavern, Legend addresses them all at one time, and notes that the numbers are small.... most of the remaining Druids out dealing with Ghrial.

Beginning without preamble...knowing there will be complete acceptance of her actions.

?I am about to ward off our home. We will be denying entrance to the mountain to our Heiress' Lifemate, Mr. Graham. Lady Alais is here, under our care and protection. It is in the best interests of Nitesong that we succeed in holding off Mr. Graham and any compatriots he may bring with him until late tomorrow. Her protection from Mr. Graham is of vital importance to us all. It shall be necessary that each one of you be on alert to forestall any attempt by Mr. Graham to enter this place. There has been seen above Nitesong a star ship, which I presume to be Mr. Graham. Use any means necessary to keep him from arriving here. I should let you know that I do suspect Mr. Graham to be capable of violence upon your own persons in this matter. Do not hesitate to use appropriate, or like levels of force to defend our Sidhe.

Turning abruptly, she headed to the look out point on the mountain, and began the stronger wards around the Mountain, wards that would be picked up by any looking at the jagged mountain... and undoubtedly showing strongly on the sensors of the starship that passed overhead.

The gathering at I? Taurn fades into view: The guards expect you when you arrive at the gates of 'I Taurn, "M'lord Ulysses await you within, lord Xyclone." The gates open and Xy was escorted to the main doors of the house. Within the entry hall Uly greets Xy, near-black purple battle armor glinting in the low lights.

"We depart soon, my friend. Karturis and Rastin are in the next room. Lucas' ship will be landing soon with the hologram of the inner passages. Are you ready for another trip to Jacynth?"

With a harsh laugh, "Aye, Uly, Jacynth be an interestin' place to me. And I'm eager to join the battle."

Uly nodded grimly, "The corridors of the Druids' mountain will run with blood and stink with the carnage of dead and burning flesh today. I'm pleased with the courage of my friends, so willing to join me in the charnal flood of war."

As Karturis and Rastin joined them, the landing of Lucas' ship was heard outside. After a brief exchange with the pilot, I turn back to the three of you. "We are away. Follow me into the bunker."

As planned, no ships approach the moutains. From space, far overhead, the dreadnoughts gather their readouts on the Druids' stronghold. Calculations are made, energy matrices assessed. Broadcast ties between the twenty city-sized ships and the artificial intelligence banks directed by Ozymandias on Jacynth are established. Ozy knows the signatures of Sidhe sorcery and has taken massive readings of the whole of Nitesong, including the Druids' mountain when no reason to suspect surveillance was present. Prior data and new data are compared, descrepancies are noted. Danger zones are marked and sent the heads up displays (HUDs) in every craft and suit of powered armor. Every unit has their assignment. Every Maireen silently recites the standing orders--these soldiers among the most dangerous in the infiniverse. The briefings have been thorough, the expected casualty rates of thirty to fifty percent are known--but the Maireen learns from birth to put fear aside. They sense their humble place instinctively from the beginning. We live; we love; we die.

Cruisers and destroyers silently deploy from the carriers, taking up positions in nearspace--ready to rain megatons of force on the planet below if need be. The first landing of destroyer transports spirals downward with their escorts as the dreadnoughts overhead initiate the suppressive fields over the Devastated Lands. Seventy-five hundred troops focus their minds--thinking of nothing but the battle to be joined. The securing of the Sidhe, and the lockdown. All of the operation hinges on this. Below, the starfighters flash through the Sidhe skies, dropping any who show the most infinitesimal sign of resistance. Few of the Sidhe know if this is death or something else, but the effect is just the same--those who begin to move stop and do not start again.

The golden streaks of two hundred additional starfighters ring Nitesong. Dozens flash near Ghrial's forces, vigilant eyes ready to speak the words to bring mass drivers and atomic fire on them in a fraction of a second.

In the boat to the Carrier, Uly spoke briefly, "Ajax, you know your children are in danger. I swear we will save them if we can. You and Atalanta volunteered--remember that. All of you--I want Legendazona alive. I will not threaten you, just please do this--that is all I ask. Karturis, you are my guide through the underpassages. I know where Alais is--we are bound, I sense it. Xyclone and Max, you are sensitive and resistant to the magiks we face. I can see them somewhat and resist them as well. The three of us must keep our eyes open. Legendazona will have her back to the wall; she will be deadly. Our saving grace is I doubt her goddess backs her in this deed. We are following an assault force of seventy-five hundred heavily armored troops plus three thousand support troops. I don't expect the five of us to have to face anything except Legend herself and perhaps Trezor. Please, if you can help it, don't kill Trezor. I like him despite all of this. Max, if you can, draw Legend's fire along with me--we are the most resilient."

Arrival on the carrier complete, we await the return of the destroyers as Maireen troops flood the Sidhe below--7500 strong. Special forces and intelligence battalions lead the way. Indirect fire sets up, ready to strike the mountain. Starfighters continue overhead. The communications companies establish relays and backup relays. The heavy assault headquarters company takes up residence, dug in within sight of the mountain itself. The fighting is brief--the Sidhe suppressed. Ghrial's forces unmoving. We begin our drop with the second stage, one and a half hours into the operation.

Karturis looked about nervously as the thrumming of the flagship dreadnought's engines began to pulse through the fabric of the craft. "By Gar, the beasty is comin' to life!"

"You're not far off from the truth, Karturis. Just think of it as the forge firing up. There's fusion fire in this beasty's belly, though," Uly cannot suppress a smile at Karturis? mild distress. Xyclone and Max don't react much differently to the pulse of the sublight drives.

"Sir, the fleet is ready to launch," Achilles voice comes through the speakers. "Take her out, admiral. Operation Mountain Sunder is in your hands for now. I'll be going down with my companions in the first landing. Make sure a boat is ready to fly us to a carrier as soon as the initial suppressive strikes are in progress."

"Aye-aye, commander."

The massive starship drifts away from the techmoon Jacynth, joining the formation of nineteen other dreadnoughts and thirty carriers--loaded with the additional four-hundred and fifty ships for the fleet.

Onscreen before us, space is lost in a massive golden rift through which the fleet slowly drifts, maintaining distances and degrees throughout the maneuver. Suddenly Rhydin looms before us.

"There she is, gentlemen; and on her, our target--Nitesong."

From below, the early morning sky of Nitesong becomes day, as fifty ships fill the space overhead--blotting the stars, basking in the golden glow of the Flux rift larger than the island of Nitesong itself.

One-hundred streaks of fire drop to the planet--the air/space fighters delivering the initial suppressive strikes to the Sidhe.

Images of the battle fade.

The battle is finished. The shadow burns of six-thousand three-hundred and seventy-eight Maireens now paint the rock of the Druids' mountain inside and out where they fell. The corridors are stained red-black with the vast mutilations worked by sorcery, masonry and weaponry. Alais, Trezor, Karturis, Max and Lucas were now recuperating. Debts were owed.

The ravine was black and radiated the slightest glimmer off the fused rock where the destoyer was self-destructed--too damaged by the Druidess' hull-crushing spell to be withdrawn. The peak of the Druids' mountain appears as though a giant had leaned down and nibbled at its face where the cruiser's pulse particle cannons had begun to penetrate the Priestess' most powerful ward. Portions of the mountain sag under its own weight, massive sections within now atomic dust from the blistering swaths of troop-portable PPC fire and the explosive force of gauss rifle projectiles.

On Jacynth, negotiations are made. Nitesong is expected to capitulate nearspace from fifteen-thousand kilometers out to the Commander of Harmony as reparation for the High Priestess' damages to Harmony citizens. The commanders agree to the terms when news that Atalanta and Ajax's unborn twins will live is confirmed. In return, the Loyal Commander dispatches a message to the Sidhe that Harmony will not intervene in Nitesong affairs.

In Nitesong Legendazona tends to Trezor and buries her dead. Of the six-score who defended the mountain, only these two have survived--both wounded. The Council is convened and Legendazona makes her explanations and proposals regarding concessions, blessings, the Heiress and the fate of the Sidhe.

As I was on Jacynth, below me, standing before the convened Council.....

?The attack came sooner than expected. From the Mountain Outlook, the sky was littered with landing craft the likes of which I had never see, or even imagined before. A great thundering crash reverberated off the slopes of our mountain as something of massive energies slammed into the defenses around the mountain. The shock wave nearly dropping me to my knees as the ward gave way under the onslaught. And then they came. Thousands of them, swarming across Sidhe lands like the agitated swarming of a fire ant hill. Their goal was my mountain.?

?I spoke the summoning words for an army, the rocks around the ravine rose at my bidding, several thousand rock soldiers becoming a formidable barrier between the ground assault troops from Mairee and the Druid's on the mountain. The battle was short, the rock army vaporized under the fire of the gauss rifles and relentless progress of the Maireeans. From the sky above, Destroyers and starfighter strikes aided in the destruction of my resistance to their presence. Finally, they made the ravine, the black-purple horde began to cross the narrow access to the mountain proper. As the advancing heavy assault troops fill the narrow rock ridge, the rock beneath them crumbled to sand, loosing an avalanche of sand and debris, burying many who had ventured onto the light bridge built by the Special Forces engineers. From my vantage point, I watched as Karturis and Xyclone lept the ravine, and as Ulysses' commander called in a ship to fill in the ravine gap with a ship. Once more, the swarming invaders started across the hull of the ship, I had to get rid of that ship. In concert with several other Druid's, we created a crushing sphere around the hull, but that took time... time that permitted more troops access to our side of the mountain.

The awareness of sorceries focused my attention on one standing across the ravine... a Dragon in human form!

Goddess.... he would be the most difficult.... and one day I will know what caused him to aid the Off Worlder! My concern over the Dragon was one more nagging worry in the unexpectedly ferocious attack. Suddenly, the gale force winds buffeted the mountainside. The Dragon summoning them with his great power. Even though we have great strength with the natural elements, we were unable to counter his spell. Before retreating into the caverns, away from the unnatural storm, I called down the scree above, to crush the approaching troops and seal the entrance of the Great Cavern behind tons of rubble and rock.

Slipping inside as the opening was sealed off, the dust slowly settling around us, we all retreated to the far side of the Great Cavern. I knew this would not stop Ulysses, but it gained a few moments to prepare. As his resources vaporized the rock, we released a Firey Rock spell... the whole cavern igniting into magical fire, not consuming the rock, but claiming the lives of the first troops into the cavern. Then the Dragon, first trying natural means to extinguish the flames, and then dispelling them. At that point began the slaughter of the defenders. Calling retreat into the warren of passages that have been the home to Nitesong's Druid's for millennia.

Starfyre suddenly battered against my personal wards, as the sound of Ulysses' voice reached thru the dust and darkness. "Legendazona, I am coming for you". I wanted to laugh, a bitter laughter, I had expected him to come for me.... I had not expected him to invade Alais' homeland.

Druids, Bards, Ovates alike screaming in agony, or simply dropping under the superior weaponry of the invaders littered the caverns. Pausing a moment, spinning around in time to see Ulysses provide protective escort to Ajax, Karturis & Xyclone, as he dropped them, I cast a *Flesh to Air* spell their way in an effort to halt the most relentless of the persuers... I watched in frustration as Ulysses interposed himself between my spell and his followers. The spell hit him fully and he faded from sight.

Suddenly, the rock began to crumble around us... the Giant in Ulysses' company using some means of disruption energies on the solid stone. Hastily whispered spells solidified the rock enough to escape in the darkness. Above us, the whole mountain shuddered and echoed with the assault by Lucas.

Circling around, seeking to gain presence behind my enemies, I could hear the giant gaining ground, calling for Ulysses.... I paused in the dark chamber, waiting for the moment to cast a circle of blindness... it caught the unsuspecting giant fully. Racing into a larger room, I knew a larger group still followed. I prepared a Cloud Kill, hoping to loose it on them as they stepped into the clearing in full persuit. Suddenly, the whole room was lit by amethyst light, blazing in radiance, it shocked me so badly that the spell was released between my pursuers and myself. This gave me some time to flee, but did not damage the horde. Then it hit me... tearing into my flesh like a white hot dagger. The spear lodging into my leg, sending me tumbling to the ground as the spell resistant Dragon-man walked right thru the poisonous cloud.

In an agony of pain, I called a rock wall between myself and the too close contingent. Leaning hard against the walls, forcing the Dwarven spear through my leg, blinding pain ripping thru all my senses. Without warning, the rock wall began to crack and then crumble as Ulysses destroyed the integrity of the barrier. I was suddenly faced with the man I had been expecting. His face a study in cold detachment as he used my title.... "Your Grace".

Staring up at him thru a haze of pain, knowing my only salvation would be to use his strength as protection.... I cast a CHARM spell on him without any warning.

The spell hit him fully and unexpectedly as the others piled through into the room. My wards crumbled, all of my resources spent, I collapsed as my protector put himself between me and the others.

Then SHE came. Summoned by what power I will never know. HER presence was unmistakable..... The Morrighan! Her cold eyes dispassionately assessed me. She knew my actions. "If revenge you seek Morrighan, my life is yours to take." I told her. I conceded all to that Goddess of Death and Revenge. I knew she could not personally take my life, but I felt my life to be forfeit at that point. Then came words more chilling than the prospect of death itself... "but yuir soul, this day, is mine". I understood her claim. "So be it. I do not regret my actions this day. If I have succeeded, it is all worthwhile."

The Giant stumbled into the room, still blinded by the spell, and escorted by the Maireean troops, but much of what he said I missed, for the presence of the Goddess riveted me to her until Ajax tried to attack me. Tripping in an effort to escape him, the others were wrestling him to the ground.

Celebriel's pleading voice drew me back, her request to release Ulysses an easy enough thing to do now that the immediate threat from my captors would have made my death a murder rather than a battle casualty. And consequently, I knew sooner or later I would need to release Ulysses. It made good sense to do it soon. No point in postponing the inevitable.

Release Alais' wards Briel? No. That I could not do. At that point, an Exotic entered the room with full escort, and I was confronted with the news that the children Alais carries are not even her own... a switch had been accomplished... and now my actions would most likely claim not only Alais' life, but the lives of 2 purebred Maireean children. Not even the half-breed that brought this whole sordid affair to occur!

The expression on Ulysses face as these facts came to light was unlike anything I had ever seen. His repeated his demands to drop the wards around Alais culminating in a threat to destroy the mountain and all who remained within. Calling his bluff as he threatened to destroy all, Celebriel sought The Morrighan's aid to undo my wards. The Morrighan could do it... but there would be a price. Would Briel pay that price? I made an attempt to get past my captors to Alais' resting place, my hobbled dart from the group was cut short as Ulysses' form knocked me to the ground as once again thunder from above rocked the mountain to it's roots. Then the wards fell... The Morrighan undid the last vestige of my attempt to save the Sidhe. Karturis' Dwarven curses raining quietly in my ears as his garrote encircled my throat. I begged Ulysses to let me go to Alais. His refusal to permit me to go to Alais was more painful than he will ever know. Indeed, to have been forced to recite the recipe, and provide the antidotes without being able to administer them will haunt me until the day The Morrighan claims my soul.

I watched as Ulysses knelt beside the inert form of Alais... the love so evident in his countenance... Goddess what have I done? Then they took her away, and I could not follow. Ulysses then demanded my surrender. "Surrender to what?" I asked. We argued. He claimed to remove Alais as our Heiress. The hopelessness of the situation, coupled with the realization that all this day's bloodshed rests upon my soul has become a burden I know not how to carry. I offered him my life. Gave him my own dagger with which to take my life; he refused. Of the 121 Druids to face the Maireean's, only Trezor and I remain.

Throughout the night I walked the Sacred Mountain... through the blood stained corridors of my home. Even the shadow burns of the 6,378 Maireean's remained to remind me of the wasted lives. I had lost. My efforts to keep the prophesies failed. Our Heiress removed from us by the Off-Worlder, it is my failure to defend the Sidhe that has brought us to his terms.

Ulysses' terms for peace are these:

1) All Nitesong nearspace from 15,000 km out belongs to the citizens of Harmony as reparation. For which Harmony does not intervene in Sidhe affairs.

2) Celebriel is to be tested for fitness as the next Heiress, and offered to Caythe as such.

I have seen and suffered first hand the might and fury of the world from which Mr. Graham comes. We have little choice. I recommend that we accept these terms, and turn them to our advantage. With such forces as these in our nearspace, few will be tempted to risk attacking us, for fear of incurring the wrath of those in our skies.

The Council vote was 11 for the terms, 1 in opposition.

And so, we rebuild.

I kneel beside Alais' as she awakes in our own bed at I' Taurn. Aggamemnon's web of monitors still connect to her skin at various points, but the deathly paleness of poison and fatigue is at last gone.

"We're home, love. Aggie's here with me to watch over you. The children are well, once more safe in your womb. Are you hungry?" I place the arch of the bedtable across her legs, helping her sit up and propping a pillow behind her. The myriad questions of confusion dance behind her silvery eyes, but the ravenous hunger of two days' sleep takes precedence in her thoughts. For the first time in days, I feel the wave of relief wash over me--and acknowledge the terrible fears and anger which can at last be completely relinquished. I lean forward with a soft kiss and a whisper impassioned with the emotions held bound for days, "I love you."

Uly nodded slowly to my question, "Yes, the High Priestess was wounded physically and emotionally, but her life was never in so much danger as your own." Pain was evident in his expression as he continue, "For what she has done, I have forgiven her, 'lais. I did not speak for you--only for myself. Legend does not believe you will ever forgive her."

Taking a slow, deep breath, "The procedure on Jacynth removed our children from your womb, Alais. Chysandra carried them for you in the interim. The twins Legendazona poisoned within your body were volunteered by two Maireen Commanders--Ajax and Atalanta--so that your body could continue developing with the intent of being ready to receive our children again when this time of crisis was past." Shaking his head sadly, "But the time of crisis is not past--though this threat is quelled for now, I doubt it is over--and now there are those in Harmony who would stop the Ascension as well as the forces outside of Harmony. We face a difficult five months, my love."

He lifted my hand to his lips, placing soft loving kisses at the tip of each finger, "Our togetherness has claimed a heavy toll thus far, Alais--but I want you to know I would do all again ten-fold, for you are the world to me, pregnant or no."

Legend walked the demolished remains of what had been our home. The sacred mountain had been shattered into crumbling debris in places where the star ships had used fire power unlike anything she had ever seen. Even the powerful sorceries of the Dragon Folk was naught compared with this devastation.::

The death of every Bard, Ovate, and Druid, that had been inside the mountain at the time of the attack weighed at her very soul like a shroud. We never had a chance. They never had a chance... and that was her fault.... her fault for so seriously underestimating the Off Worlder. Such a mistake she would not make again. Just as the face of our sacred mountain had forever been changed, so had my understanding of my adversary been forever changed and deepened.

Disposition of the remains of her companions, students, and friends took precedence. Hours after she had been left alone amid the ruins of the mountain... the prayers were all said, then the pyres lit as their bodies were consecrated unto the Goddess.

Returning to Trezor to discover him awake at last, ?Trezor, do you feel up to talking? There is much I must say to you before it is too late.? Helping him get comfortable before continuing. ?Trezor, this attack was my fault. I brought this upon us by believing in the prophesies and teachings of the Goddess. I stood for what the Sidhe used to, but now they turn their backs upon. It seems the Sorcerers have no wish to continue as we had. I will be rebuilding our home here with some modifications. And I must warn you that to stay within this mountain will be to hold fast to the tenets of our Goddess, whether the Sorcerers agree or not. Nitesong will fall into the decadence and decline prophesied by not remaining pure.... but we will remain true to the Goddess. I will not tolerate deviation inside this mountain from teachings by any. If you stay, you must know what I will do, for you will make a fine High Priest. If you go, you go with my blessings... for what I rebuild here will not be for everyone.

::the time at I' Taurn grew idyllic .... days of quiet within the sanctity of the house, and nites without the horrible nitemare.... and always waking to find my Lifemate there.... like a guardian keeping the ensanguined nitemare at bay. Aggie's measure for stopping REM sleep seemed to work, thought I knew that that was a temporary solution. Sooner or later, I would have to sleep the normal sleep of my kind.

sunlite streamed thru the mullioned windows as Uly's fingers gently touched my face..... with a soft smile, blinking slumber from my eyes as I listen to his words. Legend having been a subject we had not discussed much about. My sense of hurt and betrayal had run deeply.

?Dae ye sae desire tae haff 'er blessin' 'pon our bondin'... an' ye require that she doth come 'ere.... aye Uly.... though right now, I cannae return tae th' Sidhe.? a faint shadow crossing my face as the thought of returning to my homeland skitters thru my thoughts..... home..... where betrayal, poisoning, and destruction had so recently reared their ugly heads.... in a land so ravaged in the past that it was never going to recover again.... ?Uly.... 't 'urts tae much tae think o' goin' 'ome....? pain cut thru the words like a hunters knife.

She had grieved until her throat was raw..until the sun had risen, and grown warm on her skin. Kneeling there before the altar as if she could ask, implore Cerridwen to bring him back.

Nothing would bring him back. Legend had sent her new 'friend' out and now Ulysses was gone. The realization made her blink. Legend had succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. Only who would kill Legend now? Briel?

The thought held infinite attraction. Her lips skinned back from her teeth in a wolfish smile. Once the Tuatha de Danaan had given blow for blow, hurt for hurt, in their battle with the Formorians, and the Fir Bolg. Caythe and Oberon may have grown comfortable with peace, but she had not. She rose from her place and made a sketchy gesture of respect before heading back to the place she called her own.

Once she'd bathed, she fastened her belt, and adjusted the hang of her blade. No Morvinyon--part of her doubted she would ever see that blade, much less claim it and be Heiress after today. Smoothing the dark tunic and trews, she brushed her hair up and braided it. Fianna braids. Nothing for an enemy's fingers to cling to.

There were wood elf guards at the entrance to the Sacred Mountain now. She brushed past them without a word, and indeed, they made no move to stop her. She was Legend's student. Even though weapons were forbidden here, if she were wearing a blade, it must be because the High Priestess had asked it of her. She made her way down the corridors, rage and grief amalgamating, fusing and cooling transforming into something new. Something that left her icily cold seeing each thing with unnatural clarity.

Legendazona herself, was in her office. This was near midday, and the Druid High Priestess had a full day. Her hooded head did not rise as Briel entered and closed the door. Legend knew her footsteps.

However, Briel did not pause at the door, nor did she take her usual seat by the desk. Instead she walked around to the chair, and with one lithe movement snatched the pen from Legend's hand.

"Ulysses is dead." Her words sounded flat and cold, even to her own ears. "Your friend and his ship are gone, and Ulysses is dead. What have you done, mamaith?"

Her sword was forgotten. She would not harm someone sworn to the Mother's service. She could not. No more than she could forget what she had seen and felt and *known* in her dream.

"I go to I'Taurn to be with Alais. I do not know when I will return. I would not go to I'Taurn, mamaith." Her smile was an ungentle thing. "I could not answer for your safety."

The images faded to black, and then opened to Uly and I arrived in the safety of I' Taurn once more by courtesy of my sorcery. He had dueled well at the tourney--not well enough, obviously--but pleased with the level of performance. The...confrontation...with Gerix had left him exhausted. I seemed the only comfort left from his darkening view of creation. The thing most certain, that he was not here to sway the balance of good and evil, cast aside once more. Another boundary crossed, further risk of his being. And what would happen if he ceased? He wondered if that is where the creator had gone--but he knew this question springs from despondency, not logic.

Uly?s thoughts?.

How well Darius understood, and how frightening that was on the eve of the true beginning. Bound to the Death Knight, bound to Celebriel, twice bound to Alais and now the haphazard bond with Mimi--undeniably conscious decisions to support the preciousness of life in the face of self-destruction. And power--opening the fail-safes within, one by one--unreality, chaos, Daemonbane...the mountain and its consequences. Alais is asleep, and it is time for me to go. I've told her I depart for Harmony in these early morning hours--and our respect for each other's duties holds firm.

I'm too weak to shift across the continuums under my own power...even the gates in the bunker and Nathair are not enough in this condition. Through the portal below, I depart the space reserved for my...offices...into the somewhere, sometime, somehow of my native existence.

The recuperative time is infinite, collapsing possibilities into a singular existence for the struggle at hand...stepping into the alloy passages of Jacynth, the claxons ringing with the alarm of the battle joined.

Free of flesh, an amethyst existence crossing space-time-probability everywhere all at once, I'm among the ships I learned to pilot as a young man--a stepping stone to death and rebirth. The planetary void seems choked with red and golden lines of fire in infinitely complex webs filling the space between the Harmony system bodies.

There can be no extinction of this fleet. The crimson star escorting them is no mere messenger to be dispatched and pursued. It is war incarnate, prepared to engage my every defense. Dreadnoughts and cruisers trade fire among the darts of fighters and destroyers--I don't even know what fleet this is that Harmony attempts to repel, only that this glowing red of the war god is upon them and I've arrived perhaps too weak and too late.

Fate plays its hand, and with the brevity of fire in space--Aenaeus is gone. The moment of chaos all that the enemy requires. Perhaps it is fatigue. Perhaps mental and emotional distraction. Perhaps the subtle desire to cease. The Harmony fleet does not register the formation--and though I have seen the web of mauler-fire along the paths of existence, it is too late. Variables converge and in a bath of stellar energies the amethyst is overwhelmed and gone.

In the early morning, those longest and strongest bonds are quiet. As though the lifethreads intertwining there had lost the willful existence behind them.

The dream shifts to the night Alais sought Morrin for a teacher, the threads of power pulled taut with the tension of the passing of a familiar presence, and trepidation trepidation coursed thru her blood... in the ley lines tension was tearing at her senses... the echoes of things come and gone reverberating across them.

Tendrils of magick essence -- latent thoughts, stray realities -- at once hidden in darkness and relegated to the shadows swirled around her, and she suppressed a shiver. Very quietly she whispered, ?m'lord Morrin... g'eve? The memories and visions of his sharing stealing thru the tendrils of magick and stray realities to wrap around her very soul.

He paused, as if stilled in the very shadows of cool that follow in the wings of his woolen cloak. His voice whispered between us, ?M'lady Alais, g'eve ta ya.?

I found myself stepping from the shadows into the moonlite. ?'t ist pleasant tae see ye m'lord.?

He tilts his head slightly, his mithril hair cast about his face as silvery spider silk. ?An' you, m'lady.?

I noted the eldritch features in the nearly full moonlite... forcing down the near panic his presence wreaks in her whenever he is near.

His voice was quiet silk in the darkness, ?An' 'ow've ya been, lady?? He pauses and resettles his black woolen cloak about his shoulders.

My eyes reflected in his, the silver silver eyes nearly glowing like moonlite itself. ?I haff been verra well m'lord... an' ye?? I found myself wondering if he?d thought any more on the blade Glum works on.

He shrugged, a gesture that was barely perceptible in the dim light. ?Well enou', m'lady -- tis a mos' pleasin' night, no??

I glanced about the deserted street, ?aye?'t ist alsae pleasin' tae run intae ye m'lord.?

He raised an eyebrow slightly as I glanced about. ?An' ya about wi' no company m'lady? Tis ? ? he paused as he was about to say proper -- catching an old courtly impulse for a moment.

I stepped back slightly. ?I haff seldom companionship whence I seek tae think m'lord... an' thought tae be wi' mine oon thoughts... effen though 't ist nae seemly.?

He nodded slightly. ?Tis nae always safe abou' these streets, lady.? His eyes shadowed with the flickering lights of the nearby windows. ?Ah'd nae wish ya tae come tae 'arm.? He understood my desires to be alone with my own thoughts.

My gaze flickers around us. ?aye... though 'ere I dae feel most whom wouldst dae 'arm... an' neffer walk wi'oot shields ? But I suddenly realized he might take offense to such an admission.

He waved a hand. ?Dinnae rely too much on magicks, fair Alais.?

I stood there with silver eyes regarding the dark mage. ?I shall nae... thou' .... ? and I quickly bit back the thought.

He listened to me stop my thought, his eyes brushing hers. ?Oh, m'lady??

?yer correct o' course m'lord,? I amended. I knew my sorceries were useless against some.

He nodded. ?Magic causes a hunger -- an' tis nae a pillar upon which tae rely.? He pulled his eyes from mine.

I shivered slightly...unsure if it is his words...or the chill of the nite air. ?dae ye feel such an' 'unger?? And then very quietly I added, ?I dae?.

He narrowed his eyes slightly as he glances into the night. ?Hunger, m'lady? Aye -- Ah feel manna passions knotted in me -- an' 'unger tis bu' one. An' wha' di' ya 'unger fer, lady??

My silver eyes study the moon a moment. ?'unger doth nae dae justice tae th' feelin's 'ere...? I pointed to my heart. Then added even more softly, ?'unger... oh... aye.?

His eyes meet mine, wolfish in the silvery glow of the moonlight. ?Consumption? An' fer wha' di ya 'unger, Lady Alais?? He repeats his question with in a cool voice.

I turned my gaze onto the mage. ?more... an' I cannae name 't.?

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opens them, his cool, distant eyes drifting back to her -- curious now. ?An' Ah'll nae press ya tae name it, lady.?

I studied him with an intensity almost palpable.

?Fer naming our 'ungers oft gi' those passions power.?

I stepped closer to th' Arch Mage. ? ye ken verra well m' meanin' then??

He sucked a breath through his clenched teeth. ?Aye. Ah di'.?

Then I gently touched his arm. ?teach me tae answer this hunger M'lord... I beg ye.?

His aura burns about her fingers -- hot and chilled as ice. ?Ah cannae -- Ah cannae -- .? His grey eldritch eyes lock onto hers as her touch sends a tingle up his arm. ?Fer tha 'unger can consume ya -- Lady twill consume ya.?

I was startled by the hot and icy sensation... but realized immediately it's sorcerous cause.... silver eyes meeting grey eldritch. ?I shall be consumed by th' 'unger ...an' that must be far worse than th' alternative.?

He shook shakes his head, his hair as molten mithril about his shoulders. ?Time'll sate 'unger -- but tae feed it, tae feed it is tae be consumed.?

I found myself stepping still closer... fighting the instinct to flee. ?m'lord.... time hath nae sated this 'unger... nor shall 't....ye cannae believe such.?

He stepped back from my touch, the shadows stirring about them as if brushed about by a broom in cobwebs. ?Aye, Ah can believe.? The weapon slung over his shoulder stirs for the first time.

There was intense longing in my eyes.

?If ya gi' in tae tha 'unger tha desire, tha pain grows, lady -- i' dinnae subside.? The muscles in his jaw tightened.

I quickly dropped my hand as the blade stirred. My silver eyes suddenly called back to the mages own. ?I cannae stop this 'unger Morrin.? Then suddenly shocked at calling him by his name.... stepping back a bit. ?forgiff.?

His voice was quiet whisper of sound, ?Tch... tis nae a thin' tae fergive, m'lady. Bu' Ah cannae pass on such thin's.? He lowered his eyes.

I could feel the faint blush. ?m'lord.... I cannae longer fight th' need, th' 'unger....? I turned slightly away.... casting my face into shadows.

He turned a pointed question to me, ?An' where will ya go tae fill this 'unger??

I stood frozen in place a moment, then slowly turned to him. ?where mayst I go? If ye willnae teach me th' pain an' th' joy o' yer experience... I must needs search still further.?

His voice barely audible. ?There is nae joy... only darkness an' further consumption. Dinnae go there, lady, dinnae go.?

?there ist th' joy o' learnin'.... o' answerin' th' hunger?..

He shook his head. ?Learnin' yer doom tis nae joy. I' tis a curse -- a cruel hoax, lady.?

?an' this incessant 'unger... which doth devour me from th' inside is nae a curse?? turning to study the moon again.. my features in profile.

He turned his eyes from the sight of me as if avoiding a familiar vision -- dream -- or reality. ?Ah'd fight tha 'unger, lady -- if tha was all Ah'd experienced, rather than face other 'orrors.?

I was fighting for control of my emotions that I had let slip so freely.

?'Orrors o' me own makin'.? He whispered.

I could not look at him...as silvery tears glistening in my eyes, the moonlite shattering into a sparkle of lite.

I heard the slightest word, ?come to Riverbend.?