Once more, he had taken up residence in his study. Yet, this time, he was breathing with a relaxed air. He had learned all he could from the blood-witches'' taint in him, and he had given back what was hers.

He knew she would come after him once more, this time more cunning. In truth, it was foolish to come after him a second time the same, if at all. Yet, power corrupts, and those that feed off it oft-times do not see clearly. He would be prepared.

Taking a deep breath, he again watched the play of his kin over the bay. It must be nice to have little to worry on such as they do, again. Yet his worries were just beginning.

He felt the Elder''s return and he turned his head slightly towards the door. No, he will come to me when it is time. He knew that Khirsah had much on his mind as well, and he could well guess what the primary concern was. They would talk when the time was right.

Returning his attention to the bay, he gave a slight smile. At least we are not too old to have a bit of fun, eh Brother?

It had been near a week since Khirsah had closed himself off from the rest of the household. While it held no real concerns for him, he still heard from the rest of the household, and all those that tried to do their work, which included being in Khirsah''s study.

Those that tried to enter his Elder''s study had come with reports of unbearable cold emanating from the study, and if they had touched the door, they came the next morning complaining of nightmares. While he worried not for his breatheren, it did worry what this would entail with those that worked within the manor? and in truth, his family. Fortunately, neither Spike nor Indigo had made their way towards the Elder''s study? yet.

He would have to prepare another place for the books stay. Turning to the map, he started making preparations for their new home on Matlal.

Days? Weeks? Maybe months? he knew not the time which had lapsed in the world of the mortal man. Time meant nothing in the darkness which he returned to? the Darkness that had bread all darkness? the Darkness which gave birth to all life.

The world outside still revolved, for he could feel the passage of those close to him, but none but one could touch him where he was now, and he knew that that one would not. Not until he was needed once more. Yet, what would happen once he was needed?

He could feel the changes which the books brought upon him, and yet, he was still the same. The Darkness had permeated through the barriers which he had set up on his mind, and in so doing, had melded with him? much as they had done with the Lady d''Nitesong? with Alais. It, however, did not choose to manifest its destructive power with him, though, make no doubt, that the books had revealed all their secrets to him. He and they were the same, born of the same Darkness? yet the sadness, the hatred, which was needed for the books to turn fatal, was not within him. Was he that powerful? or, perhaps, they already knew the one which would come and unleash that part of them. If that was the case? then why choose to bond with him?

Perhaps he would find out soon enough? but it was enough, now, to continue to be with the books. He, alone, would touch the books until their home was readied. He, alone, would hold their secrets until they choose another. He, alone, would be changed by them in this way. And the changes continued?

A few days ago, they had presented him with something unexpected. Jewels? Thirteen perfectly uncut lighter jewels. These ''lighter'' jewels went from white to ebon-gray. There was also a set of thirteen uncut, perfect, black jewels. He had heard of these jewels before, or rather, he had learned of them. It would seem that he was about to learn even more. The books were not done with him, and he had become their student.

The Darkness rippled slightly. The Books, his teachers, grew silent. He grew silent as well, and looked upon the books with interested, much as he always did lately. Their language had grown within him, and he listed quietly as they discussed, in their way, the meaning of the disturbance.

So the Lady d''Nitesong had given a call to the books, and it would seem that her call was short lived. Her presence on the Isle had been felt, and then was gone.

D'NaHRaOoT oAeP? (River bend...)

So, she had sought the refuge of the dead. The challenge must have not gone well for her. Oh yes, he knew of the challenge, as well as much else that still passed in the world of mortals.

aNiYNaA, QRiY OaAKHoA. AaEeLO Alais B'KHaTSeA. (Dragon, call brother. Bring Alais back.)

His thoughts were quickly intruded upon and their words formed in his mind. He frowned a moment, then nodded. "Yes, teachers." He had learned quickly not to question their reasons, for it lead only to headaches. There was a deeper purpose for what they willed than even he could understand, though he kept trying.

Turning his attention away from the mysteries of the books reasoning, he sought the younger, the stronger? he sought his brother.

The message had been delivered. The younger would go and retrieve the Lady d''Nitesong from the realm of Riverbend. Now that that had been taken care of, he, once more, turned his mind to the matter at hand. Why had they wanted her back?

He looked at each book in turn. Yes, they were still books, yet, they were more, in a way. The two which she had touched and melded with her own sorceries were of lighter hue, and they were the ones which were adamant about retrieving her. Could it be that they needed her? But what of the third? the one which held it''s own council.

AeNaKHNaN OKHaMSeNO A_KHRiNoA AaYK B''MoRoH (I hold another as master)

The word once more tore through his thoughts. His eyes came up and he found him looking deep into the blood dark pages of the third book.

His hand reached out tentatively to the pages, and he found himself drawn deep into the words. He had never felt such compulsion towards anything, yet, here he was unable to turn away from that which lay open before him.

As his fingers touched the page, he found himself lost. Even the Darkness which they had secluded themselves within went black.

The whisper that reverberated the darkness was one which he had never heard before. It was a sound that oozed the destruction and death of a world. It was a voice that called to the book that was left with him.

He listened as best he could, but could not understand what was being said. It was not that he could not understand the words spoken? it was merely that they words were erased from his thoughts as soon as they were heard.

The voice lasted but a moment, long enough for him to know that it had been there, but not long enough to make him confused as to why he couldn''t catch the words spoken.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time had come and gone once more. He had once again lost himself into the studying which the third book constantly requested of him. Then pain. An image suddenly flared to life within his mind? I''Taurn. Yet that image was changing? growing darker. There appeared before him, and around the image, a darker barrier than what had previously been placed there by the Lady d''Nitesong.

Comprehension dawned on him as he watched the image. I''Taurn was in need of something darker to protect its boundaries. This was to be his first test with the powers which the book had been teaching him.

Turning his mind to it, he focused solely upon the I''Taurn residence, and called forth the power that was held within the black gems.

Tass and I traveled from the Isle''s to RhyDin, separately, but we both arrived at Twilight Isle about the same time. I''d felt the pull on the threads of Annaran sorcery earlier that day, and it worried me, but as Tass stood near the portal, he was lost in his own reverie, and thus I simply stood beside him, waiting.

He had not moved, his weight fully upon his staff as he seemed to listen, his gaze focused on something not upon the Twilight Isle. Abruptly, he spoke to me, barely a whisper, but there none the less, "do you feel that?"

I closed my eyes, focusing my attention on the subtle underlayers of sorcery. There were ripples that coursed through the underlayer I was paying attention to, echoes of the power surge I''d felt earlier, but nothing more. "Ah''d wondered ''f ye felt ''t Tass."

His voice barely audible, "what do you feel?"

"''t ist a pull at th'' sorceries o'' Annara, a ripple ''n the fabric tha'' oonla Ah shouldst be able tae feel 're manipulate Tass."

He shook his head, "no, that is past already?"

I gave him a sharp glance, he was feeling something different, something that clearly troubled him. "This is something more, something?.. tearing."

I refocused, seeking the tearing that he referenced, but could not feel it, and I looked at Tass for long moments, willing it to reveal itself to me, but he shook his head and blinked, "it is gone now."

I''m growing more and more worried, "Tass, we mus'' needs find Khirsah ''n th'' books, soomethin'' ist verra, verra wrong."

His face grew dark, and a frown etched itself into his features, "yes, there is." He reached into a fold in his robes, and pulled the corner away to reveal two of the three books.

I gasped audibly. "Ye haff ''em ''ere?" I could not believe he''d transported the books with him, but only two of them were there.

His voice remained very soft, "I did not bring them." He closed the flap once more, leaving the books in the inner pocket dimension.

I was on the verge of panic. The books had arrived on Tass'' person, unbidden by him, here, in a public place. He then pulled a black vellum scroll from his sleeves and handed it to me. "This is for you."

Tentatively I reached for the scroll, half afraid of what it said, and yet very curious. I read the scroll, "You have called, and we now answer." I dropped the scroll as though burned. With wide silver eyes I studied Tass. He lifted a finger and the black scroll floated into his hands, he already knew what that parchment read. He slid the scroll away safely.

"Tass, wha'' ist gaein'' on wi'' these?" I believe I know, but I do not want to believe that there is sentience to these books.

His voice remained very, very soft, "that I do not know, it would seem there is a great deal which I do not know lately, and that bothers me."

If Tass was in the dark about events recently, things were much more troublesome than I thought they were, and I believe things are dangerously out of control at the moment. I looked at Tass again, "Ah didst see but two Tass?. An'' th'' third?"

He nooded, "still with the Elder, I presume."

Paling, he was presuming? He didn't know??? "why? Dae ye ken?"

He shook his head negatively.

"We mus'' needs seek ''im Tass. They haff changed since Ah ''anded ''em tae th'' Elder." The changes trouble me more than I can express. The darkness of these books has affected everything they''ve ever come into contact with, and now it would seem they have not only influenced the Elder dragon, but he has influenced them.

Tass'' voice grew soft and dark, "he is where you cannot reach him."

Mirroring his quietness, "where Tass, where ist ''e?"

"The beginning?." His voice trailing off into nothingness.

I did not understand, "th'' beginnin?"

He nodded, "the beginning, the first, he is the first, but before him, there was nothing."

A shiver of dread rippled down my spine as I frowned at him. " ''ow dae we ge'' ''im back ''ere?"

Tass held his own counsel a moment, seeming to weigh his options. "we wait".

I closed my eyes, lowering my head and taking a deep, steadying breath. Time was not in our favor right now, and where ever Khirsah was, it was in a primordial blackness that gave rise to the power that was in these books. "th'' shelter mus'' be built, quickla. Ah''ll be needin'' some o'' yer kin Tass tae ge'' this done quickla."

Tass nodded again, then looked at me with a cold hardness I had not seen from him in ages, "the chamber will be sealed away from the house" and then he was gone, vanishing into cold flames.

I could not even argue with him over that, despite my wishes to house the chamber under the house and use the house as additional protection and warding. I muttered, "dragons."

The time had finally approached. There was nothing left which the Teacher could provide to him. He had studied the book, and even beyond the book for what could have been eons. Time meant nothing where he was. In truth, there was nothing that meant anything here.

Changes had come with his human appearance. He refused to change his dragon''s form, as it was the first of its kind, and would be honoured as such. But the human form, it became more honed to his dragon side. The dark hair had turned golden, as his scales were. The dark tan vanished to a pale white. All blemishes were replaced with perfectly smooth skin.

The jewels, too, had been transformed. The entire collection of the lesser jewels, as well as two of the ebon-black, had been forged into the sword which he now carried? a sword that simply sucked life away. It, too, was a vessel for stored energy. He would not be left vulnerable for a very long while. The remaining eleven ebon-black jewels had been set and worn simply around his person? two set in a single earring which hung from his ear, another five in a broach that lay hidden beneath his clothes about his neck, one in his belt''s buckle, and one adorned his finger. The last two had remained unchanged, and were well hidden.


He had felt the Younger grow weak, and had even felt that his body was no longer his own. This matter did not concern him, as the Younger still was there, and in control. He would always be in control. But the presence of other older dragons disturbed him. They should not have left their posts. And this younger? she was unwise to pursue matters, especially after the issues of the dragon burning half of RhyDin, in her dragon form. She would need to be taught. Then there was the matter of those who breached the barrier through the dream-scape. This matter was quickly resolved, and *all* ways into the Isle''s had been closed. All but his?

He reached out and lifted the book from the space that it floated upon. It no longer had words for him, for it now knew less. The teacher had poured it''s complete knowledge into him, and he had refined it and combined it with that which he already possessed.

Turning, he lifted a hand and brought forth a darkness even darker than that of the Primordial.

It was time.

He watched from behind the mirror. He knew she would come. Her estates on the Isles were, for the moment, closed to her, as the barriers were closed.

It was only a matter of time.

The time had come.

She stepped infront of the mirror, and her look spoke volumes. One of shock... one of fear.

So she had come to seek him before. Then she shall see what death is like.

He reached out, and the darkness enveloped her. Almost with a lover's touch, he pulled her into the mirror, and away from the worlds she knew.

Alais is late.

Xenograg had run into Alais in the Arena the previous night. Their friendship is one that survives the time and distance each person frequently puts between the other. They sat and talked, but there was more than could be covered in one evening -- or in public. Xenograg offered to go to I'Taurn the next day, but Alais begged off due to guests there. They agreed to meet at Dojo Darelir in midmorning.

It is now noon, and Alais has yet to arrive. Xenograg waits patiently. Most likely, her houseguests have caused a change in plan. Such things happen.

I stood beside the altered Khirsah in that place of beginning. This image of Tass taking hold of Daemonbane has shaken me deeply, for death awaits my old friend. None have ever survived. None.

I glanced at Khirsah. His demeanor one of unyielding granite that I could not fathom. "The shrine, that is what is locked away behind the dragon's blood wards." It was a statement rather than a question as realization dawned on me.

Home. We needed to return home, with Tass and Khirsah. "Khirsah, we need to go home. You would not come before - please tell me you will come now. We need you. Tass needs you."

Khirsah brought forth images of Matlal that made my blood run cold. The entire island was over-run by the armies we'd seen when Sai Jon and I had both been in Riverbend. They had come through, and now, the once beautiful emerald green of my new home was being laid to waste by hordes of dead and daemon kind. Rael had corrupted not only the islands, but he'd gained some of the dragons of my home for his guards, and now, the structure I'd put such careful planning into before building was being guarded and defiled by dracoliches created from the very dragons who'd been helping me build on Matlal.

Khirsah bade me go heal Sai Jon, who apparently had drawn the taint of Daemonbane from Tass, and who now suffered the effects of the Annaran curse because according to Khirsah, we would need the Guardian for the battle we were facing. My focus however remained riveted on the image of the dragon turned dracolich guarding the despoiled remains of my home. Denial of what I saw roiled in my stomach. Garl would never willingly join Rael. NEVER!

The images faded away and the blackness turned into the normal darkness of night. I looked at Khirsah, "th' wards tae th' Emerald Isles 're closed Khirsah, Ah've need o' yer 'elp tae r'turn tae 'em."

He'd never answered my questions. The always enigmatic Khirsah kept his own counsel despite my elven curiosity.

He stood there quietly as she bombarded him with the questions that he knew were boiling at the top. There were many more questions that she held in check. He still found it perplexing that she still had not understood that she had the answer to most of these questions herself. But, if she was to ask them?

"Lady d''Nitesong, you, among all those around you, should know that I know and understand what has, and is, happening to the Younger. There is nothing that has happened that I do not know about when it concerns him. It would?" he stopped suddenly, and blinked. Then he chuckled softly. "...actually, it is the same for the Second."

He stood there a moment, quietly, musing over this new information. It was information that was very useful, considering the Younger''s influence with their sister. After a few minutes, he turned once again to Alais.

"The book? Oh, yes, the Third. You seek to finally embrace your inheritance?" He looked her over, weighting each feature of her. Then, he finally shook his head. "No, you do not seek to do that. You are still haunted by the past." He watched her face shift to one of anger, and her mouth opened to protest, but he lifted a finger to forestall her. "You are not ready because you have not accepted your past. You have been giving a charge, and a test, if you will. You must embrace your past to succeed in the test. That is all I can tell you. When the book feels you are ready, it will come to you."

He knew she would not like, nor probably accept this answer, but was the answer that she needed, and the only answer which he could give. She would just have to understand. His hand came to rest upon the sword that adorned his him, and his gaze caught hers, and the slits of his eyes narrowed, drawing her into them.

"I will not be coming with you to the Isle''s. The Younger is now back. You have no need to use me to open the wards."

He broke his gaze from her, and turned to look out the portal at those before them. "Your time grows short here, and you are needed elsewhere."

He turned then, and started to walk off into the darkness.

Khirsah''s words replayed in my thoughts as I found myself walking the sand on Twilight Isle. Memories flooded my thoughts as I paused in the shadows of the tree line. Shadows that fall not only on my body and the ground, but they seem to reach right into my very soul. Darkness and shadows. I know now how Morrin suffered. I understand better the shadows I''d seen in his eyes, for were I to look into a mirror, I am certain I would find those shadows in my own eyes.

Sylus approached me on nearly silent feet as I studied the red line in my hand.

"Alais?"

Slowly, as though it were difficult to drag my attention away from the scar that would forever remain, I looked at him, simply saying, "it has begun".

He stepped closer, it was as though his wolven half were on intense alert, "Tell me what you have seen."

What have I seen? How do you put words to such things as I have seen standing in that darkness beside the oldest dragon? Closing my eyes brought the images into crystal clarity, and I related to him what I''d seen ? "The Isles are over run with them, turning the green to utter ruination. They do hold my home, some of the dragons have been turned into dracoliches, so many others are dead." My voice lowered in pain, "Khirsah. Khirsah has remained in the darkness." I stopped. Pain radiated through my essence.

Sy''s words were distant as he said, "this fight is beyond my skills Lais. I do not know how I can aid you, but I will do what I can."

''Lais'', he''d called me that since the night of the meteor shower, and I focused now on that variant of my name, pulling my thoughts back from the dark pain sitting at the edge of thought. "The sheer numbers Sy ? Sai Jon and I did see them in Riverbend, but here they''re destroying everything." I paused. My next words were too horrible to contemplate, and yet I have been ever since Khirsah had come for me. "I may have to take up Daemonbane, it may be the only way."

Sylus took that news better than I expected, but perhaps he does not reckon the import of that action as clearly as I do.

He asked me if there was any other way, another choice, but his words and tone to not convey the true horror of such an action on my part. "I do not know, but it may come to that," was all I could tell him.

He frowned, "They are far more evil now, than when they were alive. Though Daemonbane will influence them, they will kill any who are not of their numbers who try to claim it." He has a good grasp of the Annarans, better than he may realize, and yet the Annaran''s are only a portion of the horde now destroying Matlal.

I kept my gaze focused on a distant point, "some may be foolish enough to try to claim it, but it is behind wards they cannot breach. Rael has laid claim to Garl, and the dead are everywhere. Garl. Sylus could have no way of knowing how special that dragon was to me. I would find a way to avenge what Rael has done to my friend, with the Valar as my witness, I shall.

Sy waited patiently as my thoughts formed, "is there any way to slay them? Or is that not your desire?" he queried me.

Uncurling my fingers, and studying the long red line once more, "there are many ways to slay them, but I''d rather send them back."

He slowly took my scarred hand in his, "and should they break free again? Remember Alais, you are the last of the Annaran rulers. You take up Daemonbane, the game changes completely."

My gaze slowly focused on his hand, startled to find it wrapped around my own. "I know, but they''ve already died once, and been banished. The tear was opened by Tass, by accident. We must sent them back and seal the tear."

He brought his other hand up, holding mine between both of his, "it will take a lot of power Alais, maybe more than you have. It took two of you to banish them the first time. There is only one of you this time."

"I know, and that is why I do believe it may take accepting Daemonbane to accomplish it."

He reached up and lifted my chin, forcing me to look into his amber eyes, "no matter what you decide, I will stand by it. I may not like it, but I will stand by it."

Silence enveloped us for long seconds, "we may not survive this, you do realize that?" That thought did not seem to trouble him.

Slowly pulling my hand free, I wrapped both around the staff, "Khirsah will not come Sylus. He is needed."

Sy frowned slightly, "He is still in the Darkness?"

I nodded once, "yes, he did take me there, to show me several things, but something is bothering him. He will not tell me what it is, but I think the Third has done something to him and that he cannot return right now." I did not tell him how much the oldest dragon''s human form has changed, nor about the mysterious black gems that radiate power that he now wears. They seem unimportant to Khirsah''s failure to leave the darkness.

Sylus mused regarding Khirsah''s actions as I told him that Khirsah believes I have the answers I do not yet see. That I must embrace my past.

Sy frowned, "then perhaps you need to delve into your mind, search your memories. Just because you are not aware of it does not mean it is not there in your subconscious." He abruptly noticed the stain etched into the Rouwanwood staff, "how did you receive the injury on your hand?"

Opening my hand, I glanced again at the angry line, "The first time I did seek to find Khirsah in the Primordial Darkness, the containment ward was a blood ward, but?." My voice trailed off ? Khirsah had rejected me, and that still stung.

Sy wasn''t going to let it go just yet, "but???"

"I did touch the darkness, but Khirsah would not permit me to enter. The sorceries were for nothing and still he would not come." He could not know the anguish, nor how many hours I''d knelt in the black sand before Garl had come for me.

His frown deepened, "So you received that injury from touching the boundaries?"

"No, the cut I did inflict upon myself to create the ward, to contain the power, but the power it took to form such a ward will leave a scar even upon elves." My thoughts drifted again, "I have a need to heal Sai Jon. We do not know where Tass is, and while Khirsah tells me that Sai Jon did draw the curse from Tass, he now suffers the effects of Daemonbane''s curse." I have to pray he does not inquire how Tass had become afflicted with that particular curse, because I should have recognized what Tass was capable of doing, and stopped him. This should never have befallen my old friend.

But, now it was time to return to I'' Taurn and see what I can do for Sai Jon before we make our return to Matlal and face what awaits us there.