Sitting atop the hillside retreat overlooking the city of Rhydin, Connar Valdor gazed at the flickering lights below as evening fell over the land. A steady wind tossed his shoulder-length black hair about his face and tugged at the crimson cloak draped over his shoulders. On the eve of his departure to the distant home of his guide, knight, and passion, Shea GreenStone, his mind drifted over the events that had brought them together and the forces essaying to pull them apart.

In the short few months since arriving in Rhydin, he had passed through a lifetime of experiences?this city and realm with its mystical creatures, powerful, enchanting characters, and magical hold on all those setting foot upon its ancient soil. He had passed through a portal opened in his ancient world, allowing passage to this one, offering an escape from his oath-bound duties on earth, an escape he didn?t know he wanted or that he yearned for until he was here. Secluded from heaven?s gaze, he tarried, opening his mind, his heart and his soul for the first time.

And it was his heart and the struggle of a weighted soul that filled his time in Rhydin with joy and pain. From his first day at the Inn?the center of this Rhydinian universe, he had been captivated and engaged by nearly all he met. His education in Rhydin was quick and not without its more uncomfortable moments, though he now considered himself fortunate to have many he could call ?friend?.

There were also those brushes with the darker side of Rhydin. He stood up, scanning the darkened, shadowed streets and alleyways below as he thought back on those experiences, his jaw drawing taunt as the memories flooded his mind and vision. There was the dark encounter with Raevyn, that dark enchantress from Shea?s past, come to Rhydin to hunt once more. The bond between Shea and Connar more firmly cemented as they faced the shadows together, driving evil back and rising to each other?s aid.

And then was the evil encountered in the form of one called Graeven, a spirit from his world, one of the fallen?cast to earth following the war in heaven. Graeven had found in Rhydin a playland of souls and creatures, the which he could manipulate to do his dark bidding. Connar thought back on their exchange, seeing it play out in his mind once again:

::Heeled boots would click another step closer. Graeven?s steely black eyes glaring back at the prey.:: Borrowed time? That is laughable Connar. You are laughable. You come here night after night, your pious, righteous attitude perched on your shoulders. You look down your nose at the creatures here. You think you are so much better than they because of your silly out-dated notions of oaths and promises.

::Connar spoke through clenched teeth:: Are ye through yet?

::Graeven would speak, but it would sound of a chorus of voices:: You will hear us out, Connar. ::He would grin an evil grin:: Or should we say, ?Con?? For that is what you are, a con. You hide out here, far from those who would know of your past, those that would hold you to a higher standard. And for what? So you can gain the affections of stupid women, to whom you look down upon? Do ye actually think that you matter here?

::His cloak was drawn back over his shoulders, freeing his arms?this was going to end and end now:: Enough!?E-NOUGH! Ye have no idea what ye are talking about, o? fallen one. One more word out of ye and your legion and the lot of ye will pay and pay dearly?::eyes burning with rage::

::Graeven would step closer, pulling within easy striking range. He would speak low, taunting the mortal:: You think way too highly of yourself, Connar. We don?t think you have it in you. ::White, sharp fangs bared in those last words::

The ride up the jagged coastline trail was cold and empty, leaving him plenty of time to focus his thoughts on what may possibly lie ahead of him in the coming days. No matter how he tried to prepare himself, his thoughts always drifted back to her?and he did not fight them.

Several hours later he would be back in that hillside meadow. He made quick preparations, leaving much of what he carried cached in a secure place he had constructed upon first arriving in Rhydin. He would leave most of the food that Dragor had given them, along with all but the clothing on his back and the weapons at his side. He kept a few provisions tied to the horse, flasks of water, dried meat, but not much more. When all else was secured and ready, all the ties and lashings were tightened on his gauntlets, tunic, and weapons before rising into the saddle once more.

He spurred Ash toward the portal, lowering his head and closing his eyes as a blinding flash of light would surround them, the horse leaving the ground to emerge from the fog on the other side, the ground wet and muddy, the hooves pounding the ground as they landed, sending a spray of water and mud behind them.

Smaller villages dotted the countryside underneath the watchful eye of the Chateau d?Annecy, enjoying the protection provided by the proximity of its defenses. As he approached the first of these hamlets, the charred silhouettes of bodies hanging from trees and posts could be seen in every direction. As he rode toward the hamlet?s center he could hear the cries and screams of women. He drew his sword, still new from the forger?s furnace, having yet to see battle or taste blood. He had meant to show the blade to Shea so that she could see the engravings rising from the broad hand guard to the center of the blade - thin, curving, intersecting lines - any who might see it would think they resembled the wind...and they did...and so much more.

He kicked Ash into motion, driving him forward at full gallop, leaning down as they passed into a cloud of smoke.

In the center square, five women were tied to lodge pole stakes, rising up from the center of a tremendous pile of wood and kindling, which was already ablaze around all sides. Eight soldiers and a cleric stood watch as the rising flames and smoke licked at the women lashed to the poles. The first soldier turned just in time to see Connar and Ash emerging from the smoke, charging straight at him. His sword was only half drawn when the large, grey horse smashed into him, sending helmet, sword, and body in different directions. The next two soldiers met a similar fate, their bodies crushed by the charge of rider and horse.

Connar lept from the saddle, his sword arcing down and cutting through the closest soldier to him, severing bone and limb as the lifeless body dropped to the ground. Connar spun quickly dislodging his sword from the dead soldier in time to meet the advancing attack of the next soldier, their blades clashing together, ringing out into the smoke-filled air, rising in pitch to the screams of the women.

It was in these moments of battle, where life and death were held in the balance, that something welled deep within Connar, his normal passive, collected demeanor taken over by a blinding fury. It was as if he became something else entirely?a machine of flesh, trained to cut down and destroy any that stood in his way. He could sense all control leaving his conscious self, the fury within now at the helm. The soldier?s next attack was blocked away, as a flash of polished steel, now streaked in blood would drive through the soldier?s chest, cutting through cloth and chain maille. Connar pushed the man?s body off his sword with a boot to the bloodied chest as he turned to face the advancing soldiers.

He saw a blur and felt the pounding sting of an arrow strike him in the left shoulder, turning his body back. He looked up to see the soldier lowering the cross bow to load another arrow. He charged at the man, only to be met by the advance of the next soldier?and the last to draw a blade against him. The cleric and his guard now fleeing the market square. Connar?s blade glanced off the advancing soldier?s attack, as he tried to focus on the soldier who was now drawing the crossbow back, another arrow loaded. He lifted his sword over his shoulder as he moved toward the archer, muscles pulling taunt as the sword was accelerated forward, releasing the sword to sail into the air, the blade striking the soldier in the neck, sending his body limp to the ground, only a few tendons and bone keeping his head from rolling free.

He turned about as the last remaining soldier swung at him with his sword, the short blade ripping through flesh and fabric as it cut across his chest and neck?bleeding him were the chain maille vest under his tunic was open and the flesh exposed. Connar wheeled backwards, drawing his dagger from its sheath, blood and sweat dripping from his face as he narrowed his eyes at the man before him. The soldier advanced, stabbing straight for Connar with his sword, knowing that the dagger would provide no defense against the larger blade. Connar swung his arm up quickly, the blade digging into the heavy leather gauntlet strapped around his forearm, cutting it to the flesh. The wound received was a small sacrifice allowing Connar to take the man by the throat, and drive him backwards, moving the soldier off his feet. Connar?s dagger, gripped in his now bleeding arm and hand, would drive deep into the man?s midsection, driving the blade cleanly to the hilt. A quick spin to the right would draw the blade horizontally across the man?s stomach, leaving nothing to hold back spilling blood and entrails. The man would drop his sword and fall to his knees at Connar?s blood-spattered boots.

The screams of the women would snap his head back in their direction, sending him sprinting toward them, the flames from the bonfire nearly blocking them from his view. He leaped into the wall of flame and smoke, landing on top of the large pile of wood. The first woman he reached was already charred and dead. He moved to the next, cutting the rope that bound her hands and limbs, dragging her by the arm and shoving her through the flames to the safety of the ground below.

He sawed at the ropes of the next woman, as he looked at the other two still bound to the post, the one furthest away hanging limp against the post, her flesh blistering and black, the flames crawling all around her. She was gone. The last rope severed and the woman fell limp, Connar having to catch her by the arm as he moved to the last woman who was screaming at the fire and heat scorching her flesh. He held the unconscious woman under his arm as he slashed downward at the ropes binding the last, cutting through the cords as the woman strained against them, her momentum carrying her forward. Connar placed his hand into her back, pushing her toward the edge, dragging the other woman under his arm as the three of them passed through the wall of flames to land rolling onto the cold hard ground below.

Ash leapt into motion as his flanks were spurred by Connar?s leather boots, the reins snapping at the mane, pressing the animal to move harder and faster toward the darkening east skyline. Less than a kilometer away lay a small keep and adjoining cathedral, this is where the cleric and more soldiers were to be found?and the families of the women as well?if any of them yet lived. Connar wasn?t certain if the women would see their families soon in this life or the next, but those were the only words of comfort he could offer them.

By now, the keep and those within were preparing for his eventual arrival or word from one of their soldiers that the foreigner had been felled. As the dirt road wound its way up the small foothill leading out of the village, Connar slipped from the horse?s saddle, slapping Ash?s flank to keep him running up the incline toward the keep. Long, quick strides carried him into the trees lining the road, as he planned to circle the keep and come in from the less guarded rear of the property?.at least he hoped he would find fewer guards there. The brush and thicket pulled at his clothing as he moved quickly up the hillside, now able to see the keep, four guards posted on the low-lying wall. The keep was ancient, built while the Roman empire was just a dream. Most of its crumbling walls were made of rounded stone, stacked and mortared together. One of the earliest lords of the land had it built as a summer hunting home. By castle standards, it was very modest?the wall and single tower the only things resembling what one would call a castle. The small cathedral next to the keep was newer, only several hundred years old, the thick, colored-glass windows and heavy wooden doors now closed and shuttered.

Connar crouched down as his horse crossed in front of the keep, the gallop slowed to a trot, most likely by the smell of hay coming from the stables. A guard stepped out from behind the wall, taking a cautious look back down the road from whence the horse had arrived, and, seeing no one following, he took the horse by the dangling reins. Ash resisted at first, but the guard gave the reins a hard pull, and the animal was turned about. The two more guards came out, leading the horse through the gate inside the keep, inspecting the animal, its left side streaked heavy in blood. Connar looked down at his left shoulder, arm and hand, soaked crimson red. A steady flex of that hand would signal that all seemed in working order.

As darkness slowly moved over the hillside, torches were lit all around the exterior of the keep. Connar moved quickly through the trees and brush, circling around the back wall of the small cathedral, where dark, long shadows covered the grounds. He scaled the stone wall, dropping to the other side. Sword drawn, he crept to the darkened archway, his hand slowly reaching for the iron handle. Just as his fingers touched the cold metal, the door opened, the torch in the surprised guard?s hand hitting the stone floor, his limp body following seconds later. Connar crept inside the cathedral, his back pressed to the wall as he moved down the long hallway, creeping toward the lit room ahead. He peered carefully around the corner, looking at the interior of the chapel. A few dimly lit lanterns hung along the columns, but the room was empty. He crossed the chapel, hunched down as he moved past the pews and prayer alters. He knew there would be a passageway from the cathedral into the keep. All he had to do was find it before he was discovered.

Connar turned the corner, braced and prepared for the large door to open and the ensuing onslaught. Just as the clamor on the other side of the door neared, he felt a pull at his shoulder, turning about to see the cleric standing behind him, his cheeks streaked with tears. He pointed to the corner, ?Over there, hurry.? Connar paused briefly, looking at the man, then moved to the darkened corner, pressing back into the shadows as the door burst open, a battalion of soldiers pouring through it.

The cleric raised his voice, pointing down the corridor, issuing commands, ?He went that way! Get after him before he escapes out the back. Now!? Without hesitation the soldiers ran down the corridor, away from Connar and the cleric. When the last soldier had vanished in the distance, Connar stepped from the shadows, the cleric approaching him. ?You must get out of here, now. It won?t take long for the soldiers to return. I won?t be able to help you then.? Connar looked at the man, seeking reason in his gaze. ?Please,? the cleric pleaded, ?Just go?get to Annecy.? He was pushing Connar toward the small window, ?Go. I will take care of the people here.?

Connar opened the window, sheathing his weapon before passing both legs over the sill and slipping his body through, dropping the short distance to the ground. He stayed close to the building, peering ahead through the darkness. As he neared the small courtyard between the keep and the church, he could see his horse standing outside the stables, nervously pawing the ground. He wished now that he had had Shea teach him how to call his for horse by whistling, as she could with her mare, Violet.

Soldiers were positioned on the wall, their backs to the courtyard, and a few more moving between buildings. The cleric?s ruse had caused quite a stir, drawing most of the attention to searching for the intruder. Connar knelt down, picking up a small stone, switching hands with his sword to hold the stone in his right hand. He bounced the stone in his palm and fingers, assessing weight and distance, then hurled it in the direction of his horse, striking the animal squarely in the hindquarter. Ash jumped as it was hit by the stone, sending him racing through the courtyard, hooves drumming loudly on the cobblestone, turning as he came to the wall, continuing the circuit until he was running straight past Connar. As the animal neared, he dashed from the shadows, running along side and grabbing hold of the saddle, pulling himself up in stride onto the animal?s back. He pulled at the reins, turning the animal about to face courtyard, several guards now filing out to its center.

He considered his options quickly, the gate leading to the road outside was closed. He could arrive there quicker than any of the guards on foot, but getting it unlocked and open would be another matter entirely. He reared the horse around, looking back to the lower sections of the crumbling stone wall around the cathedral, if Ash couldn?t clear it, then they?d have to take their chances breaking through it. The cries of alarm from the guards and the burst of air of an arrow sailing past his head set them in motion, spurring the horse into a full gallop, head-on towards the wall. At the precise moment, Connar worked the reins, the horse arching up into the air, powerful hind legs pushing them upwards into the wall, the front hooves striking the top, the stones crumbling under the weight as rider and horse climbed up and over. They emerged from the brush and thicket onto the gravel road, turning east toward Annecy. Arrows sailed all about them as they galloped past the keep, to the cries and shouts of the guards.

The morning sun would try to piece the cold morning fog and haze, but give up trying, its light faint and gray over the land. Connar had already scaled the lower perimeter wall while darkness covered the tall stone structure. He scurried along the top, setting his hand down often to keep his balance as his footing would slip over the loose stones.

With an hundred meters to go until he would reach the juncture between inner and outer wall, the first arrow sailed past his head, coming from within the castle, that arrow sending cries of alarm from both camps. He tore off his cloak, turning the inside to face the castle, waving it like a banner to display the crest of Annecy he had drawn in black soot during the night. A volley of arrows came in his direction from both the ground and from above, striking the stone wall at his feet and cutting through his cloak as it was waved over his head and across his body. The bite of an arrow would cut past his leg, dropping him to one knee, his cloak dropped, falling behind the wall. Orders could be heard shouted from above and below, stopping the attack from the castle, intensifying the assault from below.

He rose to his feet again, pushing along the top of the wall toward the castle and the safety of the inner wall. Connar would be nearly knocked off his feet as a large boulder launched from the catapult below would violently shake wall, loose stones tumbling free to ground. The sounds of straining ropes and wood brought him moving again as another catapult was loaded and fired. He sprinted as fast as he could on the rolling surface under his feet, but not fast enough. The large boulder struck the wall, stone and mortar crumbling from the impact, bringing Connar and the wall down. He fell 20 meters or more pounded by falling rock and stone, landing hard on the rough ground below, the wall caving in on top of him, crushing him under the weight as everything went black.

He cried out with the energy he could muster, ?Nooo?ye can?t take me?I will not go!? He shook his head, blinking back the light, rolling to his side and struggling to his feet. He stumbled forward, surrounded on all sides by the clash of swords. He could hear voices in the distance calling his name. He wiped the blood from his eyes, straining ahead as the battle all around him pressed on, the army from Annecy crushing the foes before them. Connar could see his horse up ahead, weaving its gray head through the mass of bodies pressing around, stepping on those bodies that under hoofed feet. Connar fell to the ground once again, rising back to his knees as he tried to stand. He felt arms helping him up, thinking them to be the angels, he lashed out, ?Let me be!?

He turned to see the face of the young cleric, his arm under his, helping Connar to his feet. Connar draped his arm limply over the cleric?s shoulder as the pair moved slowly toward Ash. Just then, one of Anncey?s soldiers came forward, grabbing the cleric, pulling him away, leaving Connar to fall to his knees again. He looked up, as the soldier prepared to slit the cleric?s neck, vengeance in his voice, ?This is for my wife and child,? as the blade was brought to the cleric?s neck. Connar rose up, grabbing the soldier by the arm, staying the blade. ?Ye mustn?t hurt him?this man is an ally now. We need him. Ye need him.? The guard didn?t want to believe what he was hearing, but he relented, helping the cleric get Connar to his horse.

The cleric looked at Connar as they pushed him onto the horse?s back, ?Ye mustn?t go.? Connar held the reins as best he could turning Ash about as he looked back to the cleric as he pleaded with him to stay. ?I am dying?I must go now or all will be lost.? He gave the reins a snap, setting Ash in motion. The cleric looked on, thinking Connar was talking about the conflict at hand at the risk of being lost, but Connar was thinking of something else.

The horse galloped ahead, thundering down the road, taking them back the way they had traveled days earlier. Connar held fast, drifting in and out of consciousness as the horse pressed on. As darkness fell, they entered the familiar fogbank against the silhouette of the forest. As they neared the portal, Connar leaned down, slumped over the horse?s neck, holding to the reins, issuing one last command to the horse, his weakened voice speaking to the animal, ?Go find Violet, Ash?go find V?? A flash of light shone all around and then blackness.

Morning would find them together again...Shea had prepared breakfast, proofing she was more capable in the kitchen than her spoiled upbringing might have led some to believe. They had savored good-morning embraces...touches and sensations that would fluster them both.

As Shea moved to the washroom to draw a bath, Connar rose from the bed to finish dressing. A simple blue shirt was pulled over his head and tucked into his pants. His heavy tunic was then put on, a belt wrapped around his waist, followed by his boots.

He hefted the newly-acquired broadsword, looking at the hilt. He had made a few modifications, creating a taper in the middle, shifting the balance of the blade so that he could weild it with one hand if the need arose. His fingers wrapped around the hilt, drawing the sword partway out of its scabbard, the polished blade shimmering in the light. He wondered how long it would be before blood would stain the honed and sharpened steel.

He walked over to the washroom, leaning his back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest, as the sounds of bathing could be heard coming from within. He looked to the bed, the remants of breakfast still sitting there...the tray that had carried the food in, set down without hands...her glass of juice that hovered before her lips...moved without a touch of her fingers by powers and energies he did not understand...those same fingers that could send chills down his back, bring a tingle to his every muscle...was that magic, too...was he under a spell? He didn't really care to know one way or the other...at least that is what he told himself. Her powers, her healing touch, her mystic ways testified at every use just how far apart their two worlds were from each other and how diffent they were...similar in spirit...yet born to master different talents.

Connar leaned toward the door to the washroom, raising his voice so Shea could hear him. "I'm taking Ash for a ride..." He knew that Shea planned on working some of the fat off of her horse today as well...though his ride had a purpose...he was going up the coastline, to the meadow to fetch those things he had hid...he was feeling full strength again, the weather was fair...cold, but fair.

"I'll catch up with you at the Red Dragon if I tarry..." He knew very well that it would be late when he returned, but he'd rather not have her worrying about his absence, she had enough problems brewing at her home to occupy her mind. They passed words through the door before exchanging well-wishes for each other.

The broadsword was strapped in place over his back, his cloak draped over his shoulders as he moved to the door, slipping out into the hallway, checking to make sure the door had locked behind him before heading out of the inn and to the stables.

He had an apple for V and Ash, letting them eat while he put the saddle on his horse, securing the straps, slipping the bit and bridle over the animal's head. Somehow, Ash could sense by the way the saddle was placed on his back and the straps tightened that this was not going to be a jaunt in the park today. Ash nuzzled his head against Shea's horse as Connar mounted onto the saddle, the horses exchanging their own kind of parting wishes. Connar tugged at the reins and bringing Ash about. A nudge from his boots set the horse in motion, galloping up the road leading out of town, setting their course for the coastline.

Morning crept slowly over the horizon, casting its faint, but steady light over the landscape. After another uneventful look back over his shoulder, Connar decided that he?d had enough of the cat and mouse game, if, in fact, that was what was being played. He gave Ash a hard kick from his heels, snapping the reins, sending horse and rider veering off into the trees at full gallop, the animal having to leap fallen trees and maneuver quickly through the thickening trees. Connar pressed the animal on, ducking to avoid being knocked off the saddle by low-hanging tree limbs, their zig-zagging charge through the trees designed to reveal any who might be following behind, stealth no longer an option if he, she, or they meant to keep up with the intended prey.

Connar gripped tightly to the reins as Ash burst out of the brush and thickets, landing with pounding hooves onto the soft, long grass of the small meadow?the meadow where he had cached his effects?and where the portal leading to his world would be found. He rode around the perimeter of the meadow, scanning the treeline, watching for any signs of movement, sounds, the scattering of birds?but there was nothing.

He slid out of the saddle, releasing Ash to rest and graze as Connar walked to the angled rock, jutting out of the ground, the recent rains having melted most of the snow that once covered the meadow. He knelt down, brushing away dirt and leaves until his fingers found the edges of the large, flat stone?the lid for the large, hollow coffer underneath. The stone was pried away, and the contents moved into his pack?a few personal items and the clothing he had taken to GreenStone. He tucked the small leather pouch holding his ancient scroll into his tunic for safe keeping.

After filling the pack, he set it to the ground by Ash?s feet, as Connar?s eyes moved to look at the portal. Two large trees with massive trunks towering just a few meters apart, their limbs and branches twisted together as they rose into the canopy above, creating a natural archway. The bark of the trees was thick, heavy, and unnatural looking upon close inspection. Few take the time to look at one tree when faced with a forest of trees bidding for attention. A mirror image of these trees existed in his world. He had found the portal quite by accident and he had no idea how or why they provided passage from realm to realm. And he did not doubt that there were similar portals to be found, for Rhydin was populated by earth-bound souls from a myriad of places and times, some ancient, such as himself, others coming to Rhydin from a more modern era.

::Jade hues were wide, with wonder and fear. Adaron perched on her shoulder and V nearly reared back.:; Steady? Steady. :;She patted V?s side, as she dismounted. Adaron left her shoulder to perch on V?s head. Shea looked to those Two large trees with massive trunks towering just a few feet apart, their limbs and branches warped together as they rose into the canopy above, creating a natural archway. The bark of the trees was thick, heavy, and unnatural looking upon closer inspection. As Shea took one step closer to those trees. How many must have passed by this place and never noticed this place. Even in the darkness that hung over the forest those elven eyes could see this place.. It pulsed with a magic like quality. Jade hues looked in to the mirror like image of the world beyond, a portal? Another one.::

:: Boots sat uneasy upon the ground, darkness had been spread there, any mage with half her wits could have known that. Even Violette could feel it. V huffed and trotted. Shea cast a glance back to her mare:: Dina, Estolada sinome. :;she pointed away and V trotted away to stand a few feet back. The last thing Shea wanted was V to get sucked in to some unknown place.::

Where could this go? :; she had noted the darkness about the soil that her boots stood upon now she noted those hove prints?Her gloved hand touched the ground as she knelt down. The tracks were cold, what ever or who ever went in went in hours ago. Jade hues looked to the portal she knew now.. She understood. This was the very portal Connar had traveled from: the one back to his earth realm. But something was off, she could sense it. He was gone again, she didn?t even have to question that. She could feel it. She looked to the portal, and damned it in elvish. She could not pass through, but every inch of her wanted to.:: Seldarine on ro lle vara. :: Her hand rose to grace that medallion. The last time he left he came back near death. What if this time he didn?t come back at all. A tear crashed to the ground. And Shea rose in a spin of dark green cloak. ::

::Then she spun back around looking at the portal, her feet willed to move, but she stayed still::

Shea! Wait ! :: A male voice floated to her, she knew that voice::

:The night had drifted quickly ,. Shea nd Hinn sat there all night talking sharing tales. News from Crendia.. News of the death toll. When the sun rose to warm those waves Hinn rose to his feet. Casting a gentle gaze over Shea who sat at the waters edge. Dark blue hair caught high in the morning wind. She looked weary, after the days he was sure she?d had of late::

I do not sleep well when he is gone.. and if I dare to try, my nightmares easily stir me.

Ahh yes, I understand that.:: His nightmares often woke him, blood often stained his dreams.. And Bella.. Who he lost. He understood her longing.. More than Shea knew..:: I hope that he returns soon. I am glad all is all right. Thank you for everything. Sorry I showed up late.

::Shea turned and rose to her feet:: Lle Creoso, mellonamin, think nothing of it. All things were dealt with..

::He smiled looking towards Violette who rested in a patch of tall green grass, that hawk Adaron as Shea had called him rested in the tree above V?s head:; fine companions you have there. Will you be alright out here?

Aye :: jade hues shifted to look toward that portal:: I have V and Adaron to keep me company. And plenty of food, water and weaponry should anything happen

:;He smiled softly:: I will head back to Crendia then, see what I can do..

:;the wind blew in hard from the sea, suddenly a letter appeared upon the winds. Shea reached out to it, it floated in to her finger tips::

Word from Home?

Aye :: she pulled the letter open and began to read silently at first::

::He gazed to her, figuring it was private::

:;Shea read it again this time out loud::

Dearest Sister,

I thank you for the name ideas: and your very welcome for the supplies. But I write now to tell you what news I have heard from Crendia. None.

::Shea looked to Hinn:: looks like you?re the word from Crendia so far ::she read on::


It taxes on me as well. But we have heard nothing from Darius or Lady Fey. My heart tells me she is in hiding.

::He nodded at that statement:: she went missing.. Right before I left the city. No one knows where she is.

::Shea looked to him pausing for a moment before continuing::

But there is something you must know. The counsel contacted me : they have reported strange things in the Mith Woods, near the portal, they all sense it and so can I a darkness coming from Crendia . A few strange beings have been seen passing through, nothing too boldly, and nothing of great measure as of yet. But something is going on.

::a finger tucked those wild locks behind her elven ears:: looks like that wolf and ye were not the first things to pass through.. That portal ::She sighed and continued on, she already knew what was coming she had felt it for days now..::


Spring is coming quickly, as if pushed on by some outside force? the ice melts, the snow in the Valley is gone. Can ye feel it? The flowers are ready to bloom ? spring has come early before.. But never like this.. Perhaps it is being pushed on.. I know not by what.

I think even I can feel it :: Hinn looked out towards the sea::

::Shea nodded:: you would have to be very blind, with no senses not to feel it.. Even here in Rhydin I sense it :: she continued::

Everyone is uneasy? Kulbin paces daily. Mila has not stopped training. There has been one word I have heard from Crendia? from Master Zorin : he sends warning.. Things there seem to be at high haste.. Men die daily as Darius sends them out. Darkness has taken over. I do not tell you this to tax you more? but you may have to return sooner than you wished.. I know.. You can not bare to think of that now?but we may have no choice.


As I said before, Darius is crazed, by now he?s sent out more men.. And Spring has already come to Crendia, months early.. Perhaps.. The power that wielded that is wielding it in your realm. It is not a dark power that wields it.. It is uneasy power though. I suspect that Kulbin and my sister can feel it even in GreenStone , great uneasiness

::Shea nodded and continued::


We are at war again, not here.. But if we wait too much loner the darkness may spread. I wait to hear word from you. Send it soon.

My best..

Salice

::She sighed and slowly sat down in to the sands, eyes cast at that other portal:: I can not go now.. I can not go till I know.. :; a long pause::

Let me.. I?ll go. Maybe if I? I?ll head back to the portal see if I can find Zorin, see if he?ll aide me. See what I can do. I may have left his service but I still have a few things I might be able to do. If I can find Zorin.. Then when your ready you could head back.. ::he looked to the other portal:: you still want to go in there after him don?t you?

With every inch of my body and soul.. I will wait a bit longer.. I can not leave here not knowing if he will die there? and if he returns, I must be ready to heal him again, if he is wounded?

Shea.. Can I ask ye something?

Aye Hinn

What if ye wait and he doesn?t come back? What if days pass and he still does not come what then?

I?ll have to leave and hope.. I just.. :;she dared not think of the thing she dreamed to think of..:: I don?t want to leave and have him come back as he did the last time and have no one to help him?

I understand..:; long ago he had waited, and waited too long, he was too late to save Bella.. His beloved. Yes time would have broken their love, she would have died long before him, but she was taken by war, by the blade which was how Bella lived. Much like Shea. He smiled dimly , looking to the sun as it rose in to the sky filling the sky with the soft peach and yellow glow.:; I am going to head out.. ::he smiled to her:: stay safe.. We shall see each other soon I am sure

Be well Hinn. I shall.

::He smiled and slipped away, back in to those woods, slowly at first then gaining speed, as he ran. He hoped with all his heart that whom ever she waited for would return.. He knew if he did not that Shea would not fight as well as she normally would. He knew that feeling, love. The deepest love. He had felt it long ago, his love had been dead for so long now. Her spirit passed on. He would live many more long years with out her.. He ran quickly, through the forest, back over the plains as the sun rose higher. ::

::Jade hues cast towards V and Adaron then back towards that portal.. Those twin trees. She rose to her feet and crossed towards it, placing one hand upon one of those great trees. Jade hues looked in, but she saw only a reflection the world behind her, like a mirror. Then she heard something, people coming. She moved quickly back to Violette?s side, Adaron was gone. Shea sunk down low taking V by the reins and leading her in to the trees. She watched with keen eyes as city guard patrolled the sandy shore. They took note of the camp sight, but they didn?t seem off put by it, they walked right past the other portal not even noting it? Shea took a deep breath.::

:;Once they were gone she led V back to that place she had been before and stepped again closer to that portal :: Connar?:;she sighed, she couldn?t go in there, and she couldn?t leave this place either. Duty called to her? but her heart wanted to stay there. All she could see was him fighting for his life again and coming back near death with out any aide? what if he didn?t come back at all? Shea pushed that thought from her mind as she stood there. Her hand inched closer, as if she could push it through the portal but she pulled it back as a spark flared::

No magic in that world save for this portal? I could do him no good there?::a sigh. She moved to find a place to sit. Once she found that smooth place to sit in the small tufts of grass. V joined her, grazing away. Jade hues never shifted away from that portal.:: I?ll wait.. I can not go with out seeing him.. At least once last time..:: her fingers touched that medallion::

The air inside the small tavern was musky and heavy, a sharp contrast to the cold outside. A fire burned in the hearth, a few bodies huddling near its warmth. A small group of men lined the bar, farmers, a few soldiers ? talking amongst themselves, and a few other road-weary travelers. More patrons were seated at tables that fanned out from the front door. Nearly every head turned to look at the tavern?s latest arrival, stopping all conversation, causing the room to become unsettling quiet. Connar made eye contact with no one as he moved toward the back of the room, sitting down at a table, his back to the wall.

After a few moments, hushed conversation picked up once again in the tavern, quick glances over shoulders to look at the stranger, then back to huddled talking. The tavern keeper eventually stopped at Connar?s table, his face sullen, dark circles under his eyes, the face of a man who kept long hours behind the bar. ?What?ll it be?? his inquiry short and gruff.

Connar looked up at the man, ?Meat and ale?whatever is at the ready.? The tavern keeper nodded with a grunt, wiping his hands across the loosely-strung apron. He disappeared behind the counter, heads at the bar turning back to avoid appearing to stare in Connar?s direction.

In short order, the keeper returned, sliding a plate of meat, boiled potatoes and a dry crust of bread to the table, followed by a heavy mug of ale. Utencils were then set next to the plate and the keeper wiped his hands. Connar looked at him, nodding his approval. ?I?ll need lodging for the night, if ye have any available space.?

?Aye,? the inn keeper said as he looked at Connar, probably assessing his ability to pay, ?I?ll have ye a key at the counter when ye are ready.? And with that, he walked away.

Connar turned his attention to the meal before him, breaking off a piece of bread and taking a drink of ale. He busied himself with eating, not appearing to be paying attention to anything else in the room, but he was. He noted the guards in a heated, though quiet, discussion, one guard taking one long look in Connar?s direction before heading out of the tavern. Others, he could tell, were pressing the tavern keeper about his newest customer. The keeper sharing what he had learned, which was nothing.

As the night wore on the tavern slowly emptied, some patrons heading off to rooms, others heading to their homes - the tavern keeper having to wake a few patrons to get them to leave. The guards were the last leave, speaking under hushed breaths to the tavern keeper before heading out.

The room was quiet once again, Connar?s meal long-since finished, the last of his third mug of ale drained. Connar left a few coins on the table, paying for the meal as he moved toward the counter, an iron room key waiting there for him. He picked up the key, a wordless nod to the tavern keeper before walking down the short hallway, lining up the number on his key with the appropriate door.

Connar stopped and slid out of the saddle as mid-day approached, giving his horse an opportunity to graze and drink from the pools of water dotting the roadside. They saw few travelers on the road that day, those they did pass kept theirs heads lowered, not looking at Connar as they continued on their way. Perhaps the killings had started, bringing any stranger under immediate suspicion.

As the day wore to early evening, Connar slowed Ash to a canter as its hooves met the rounded cobblestone street leading in to the next small village. There were only a few souls moving about, odd for this time of day, there was still enough light to warrant more activity than he was seeing. He turned Ash down one of the narrow streets, as he looked back over his shoulder, the feeling of being watched making his skin crawl.

The wimperings of a small child turned his head about quickly, pulling back on the reins, bringing his horse to a stop. There in the middle of the narrow street stood a small girl, her blonde hair hanging limply at her shoulders, her pale face was smudged with dirt, as was her simple clothing. Connar slid from the saddle, speaking softly to the child as he approached, setting one knee to the ground as he looked at her, ?Doucement, enfant?everything will be allright.?

The small girl looked like Vanya, her eyes large and round, wet from recent tears, her fingers coming up to touch her trembling lips, ?Maman?.maman,? she cried softly for her mother. Connar scooped her up in his arms, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

?We?ll find your mother, child, don?t cry,? he said as he patted the child?s back, turning to look down the street, searching out any who might be nearby or who might know the child. At that moment, figures, many of them emerged from the shadows, bows drawn full back, swords at the ready.

?Don?t make another move,? orders given as Connar and the girl were slowly circled about by more than a dozen guards and soldiers. ?If ye make any move, we will not hesitate to fire upon you.? The child was trembling in his arms.

Connar did not move, his gaze fixed on the soldier issuing orders. The circle tightened, moving ever closer to him. He could see his horse being led away and then felt hands on his back and shoulders as his weapons were removed. The small girl was pried from his arms amid her crying protests. A guard set her toppling to the ground, as she looked up at Connar, crying again for her mother. Connar raised his eyes to the guard, about to ask for the safe return of the child to her mother when a sharp blow to the back of his head would send him into blackness.

A few hushed whispers amongst the villagers were the only sounds to be heard. The air was crisp and cold. Connar?s tunic was gone, his shirt hung open, untucked, left to flutter in the cold winter wind. Two guards were standing on either side of the prisoner awaiting the arrival of their commander. The wait wouldn?t be long.

Through the main castle doors stepped a large man, dressed in chainmaille and royal tunic. His beard neatly trimmed, his hair graying at the sides. Heavy silver gauntlets were worn on his forearms, his hands covered by gloves. He walked straightway to Connar, standing before him, easily three or four inches taller than his prisoner. His gloved hand grabbing Connar by the chin, ?So this is the upstart??

The man turned to look at those gathered, his blue eyes scanning every inch of the courtyard, his audience gathered and ready to hear him speak. He turned to stand before Connar, his hands clasped behind his back.

?I am Lord Renceaux, the magistrate of this land. I was summoned to this festering hole on account of a religious uprising, in which ye seem to have participated.? The magistrate paced as he spoke, making sure all could hear him clearly.

?I am not a religious man and as far as I am concerned God has long since forsaken your sorry souls and this pitiful excuse for a kingdom. But I will not lose another soldier to this insipient squabbling,? his voice and tone growing more agitated as he spoke. ?I come back here to find my soldiers being beaten down and hewn under by?by?by what? Peasants? Mere villagers? Religious zealots??

He turned to stand before Connar, his finger poking him in the chest, ?And ye come from out of nowhere to carry out your evil deeds and designs, taking no thought for the law or order I?ve tried so hard to establish and maintain.? He glared at Connar, standing just inches from his face, ?What say ye??

Connar?s hazel eyes met the magistrate?s glare, swallowing hard against the chain binding his throat, ?Judge me by my actions, ye shall find no evil in them.?

The magistrate turned on his heels, mocking his words, ?By your actions? By your actions?is that how we are to judge ye? Very well then.? He gave a nod of his head and the wall of guards parted, letting three guards step forward. Two of them had their arms in slings, their faces battered and bruised, the third was equally bruised and could only walk with the help of a crutch fashioned from a tree limb. The guards were followed by the red-robed priest and the young cleric. The cleric did not look at Connar, instead keeping his eyes to the ground,

The magistrate took Connar by the hair, turning his head to look at the injured guards. ?This is your handiwork, or so I am told. There are a handful more in the infirmary, and my cemetery is dotted by the fresh graves of many more of my soldiers.? He pulled at Connar?s head, looking to the three soldiers, ?Is this the man?? The three nodded offering up an ?aye? in unison.

The magistrate motioned for the priest to come forward, pulling hard at Connar?s hair, still in his grasp. ?And this man, this priest of god, has an even more interesting story to tell. He claims that ye were being executed for your treasonous actions, that ye had not one, but three arrows and countless other wounds that would have left any man dead.? He looked at the priest, ?Is this so??

The priest drew up next to the magistrate, his tone pious and haughty, ?Everyone saw it, my Lord, this man was bleeding and nigh on death?s door. The people even put his sword in the ground in the cemetery as a memorial?ha?no one could have survived.?

The magistrate released Connar as he paced about the small courtyard, as if weighing the testimonies given. He nodded his head, as if hearing council given from an unseen source. He rubbed his beard, stopping once again in front of Connar. ?Well, let?s have a look at those wounds, shall we??

In one swift move, the magistrate tore open Connar?s shirt, pulling it off his arms and shoulders. There was an audible gasp from the on-lookers as the flesh on display bore no signs of any such arrows or wounds received from a blade. Whispers followed as the priest stepped back, crossing himself and kissing the crucifix hanging about his neck, his voice ringing out, ?Ye see?he is the devil?no flesh can heal that quickly!?

The crowd drew more restless, small stones began raining down from the wall, some finding their intended target chained to the wall. The voices of the villagers crying out, ?He is possessed of the devil! Stone him!?

The magistrate raised his hand, ordering the crowd to cease, ?That is enough!? As he walked around the circle of soldiers, the magistrate took an arrow from one of the archers, holding the sharp, broad head tip for inspection. He held the arrow in front of him as he walked back to the prisoner, holding the tip at Connar?s eyes. ?How is it that ye bear no wounds or injuries??

Connar looked at the magistrate, not saying a word or offering an explanation. How could he explain how he was made whole? Magic from the healing touch of the elven woman he loved back in another realm? That would certainly make him out to be not only in partnership with the devil, but a madman as well. He held his silence, keeping his gaze fixed on the man before him.

?No explanation? No words in your own defense?? The magistrate rotated the arrow between his fingers, turning the bladed tip back and forth as he spoke. ?I would think this would leave a mark, wouldn?t you? Let?s find out.? Without hesitation, the magistrate drove the tip of the arrow into Connar?s chest, burying it deep and then twisting and pulling it free. Connar?s jaw tightened, as he fought against the urge to cry out.

Again, the magistrate stabbed his prisoner several more times, pulling out the arrow, now covered in blood and flesh, nodding his approval with each new wound created, the blood-thirsty crowd roaring their approval. ?Aye, I would say these arrows do leave a nasty wound.? The arrow was cast to the ground and the magistrate drew a dagger from its sheath, holding it to Connar?s throat.

?Ye still have nothing to say? It makes no difference to me,? the magistrate motioned to the people gathered all around as he spoke to the prisoner. ?I want this people to see that ye are not heaven sent nor a demon from hell, but that ye bleed and die like any other man.? The dagger was drawn across Connar?s chest, cutting deep into muscle and tissue.

He grabbed Connar by the hair again, yanking his head, craning his eyes up, holding the bloody dagger high in the air for all to see. ?There is nothing special about this man, nothing! Ye shall witness on the morrow that he bleeds and dies like any other.? He turned to look at Connar, wiping the side of the bloody dagger across his cheek, lowering his voice as he growled, ?Ye will die, slowly, and all shall see your body hacked to pieces and burned.?

The magistrate pushed Connar?s head back against the wall, as he stepped back, lifting a piece of Connar?s torn shirt to clean the blade of the dagger before resheathing it. Orders were given to the guards before the magistrate left the courtyard, entering the small castle once again. The villagers began to file out, many choosing to walk past the prisoner, spitting on him and issuing vile curses upon his ears, accusing him of being the devil. His whole world was upside down. The very people he had struggled to serve for so long now reviled him and cursed him.

Mith Woods: Near Silver Waters: The great temple of the high Elven Counsel

::Though my body lie there upon that slap of wood and marble. I was some where else in my mind. I walked somewhere I knew, it was the valley of Dae. I stood before that great scared tree. Sitting under it were Aiden and Connar, conversing.. It made me smile to see them so. I saw Salice and Devron chasing a young girl. And Vanya running freely, Audrey chasing after her. My loved ones, happy. Connar rose and walked to me, holding out his hand. My mind was swept back to that night at the fest were we danced together. The feeling of his arms about me. His kiss, the lingering taste of his lips on mine. The way he made me smitten and flustered all at once. The way he looked in to my eyes, the feeling of his hands on my bare skin. That last morning at the inn, breakfast in bed, that linger touch upon my back as I soothed those muscles in his back. The way he flustered near me, at my touch. The night at the Red Dragon sitting by the fireside, falling asleep in his arms . The morning , the soft press of his lips to mine.. A kiss goodbye.::

::A kiss?goodbye? ::

In Dreams Before Closed Eyes

::I walked an unknown landscape, though my body lie still. The world around me was greatly changed. One moment I had been on the battle field, I should be dead. The thought crossed my mind.:: ? Where am I?? I spoke but my mouth did not move, my sister, Mila and the ladies of the high counsel did not hear me.::

?What unknown landscape is this?? ::My feet were bare upon soils I did not seem to recognize. I could feel the wind on my skin. I walked steadily, down the pathway, in to the coming light. The light was fire light. Before my eyes I saw the palace in Crendia, the village was burning, darkness had descended. I had failed.::

:: I had been lied to, Darius had lied. And now even though the village was free from death of villagers ,Crendia was lost. I saw men, some armored some not, fight together as one. Falling as one for one cause. Darius had wished this upon him self, and now the place once great and shining bright like a beacon, was dark. My eyes scanned the place. Willows temple had fallen, broken in to nothing but rubble. The goddess her self I knew had been the one to save we seven. The light I had felt was hers not the light of heaven. But I was not alive was I?::

::I walked closer, and saw that the great temple of Darin was also in flames, I knew then that he had not been the one to cure Lord Blahl. That indeed the darkness, the man named Tancred and his associate pawns Raevyn, Aurina and Kadri had been the ones to cure him. It had been them who set him out to Rhydin to find me and kill me. I saw no sign of the paladin. Hordes of orcs and goblin like daemons raced pass me, as if I was nothing but a shadow. They pulled a large cage behind them within- Darius, and Lord Blahl. Both beaten and bloody and they eyes dim as ever I had seem them. It had finally hit them both, or at least Darius, he had been a pawn. I saw no sign of that great sword that struck me. I walked the field of battle, where the men who had died behind us still lie, dead, charred.::

::The woods known as fear were dying, the darkness finally taking over it fully, the creatures within became dead , the trees. Then I saw that great once good temple, now evil rise from the ashes that flew in to the high wind. I heard laughter, deep and great as that cage which held Blahl and Darius was pulled beside the great evil temple. Out stepped three figure I knew very well. Raevyn, Aurina and Kadri. All seemed ten times darker than when ever I had known them. They stood in great blackness, then the dead trees parted and a man. Even to my eyes he did not look alive, nor like any man I had ever known. He stepped out, his head cloaked and hidden in darkness, his hands clasp before him .His hands were bound in bandages. I dared not step any closer to see why.::

:;He paced before the caged men, their hands were bound, their eyes where then covered by magic , their mouths then gagged . I watched on in horror that I could not turn away. I stepped a bit closer. Then I felt something under my feet, blood. I knelt to the soil under foot, and pressed my bare fingers to the blood, there was a deep wound in the soil. This was my blood on my fingers, that wound was from that great blade that had struck me.:;

?Oh Gods? I am dead.. And in Hell.? :;I rubbed my own blood between my fingers. I looked up over toward where Tancred paced before the two men:: Let them speak, let them see :: I heard his voice, so dark and foreboding that it sent chills through my spine. ::

::The two men?s gags were undone, the cloths over their eyes lifted.::

Speak :;Tancred ordered them::

:;Darius sat silent, I knew then it had to have sunk in if not before. That he had been a pawn, a play thing of evil::

My lord Tancred ::Blahl spoke, it hurt me to the very core to hear his voice. The man I had known the man I had once loved, was no longer there, he had sold his soul to the devil. For something made of metal. Something he used to kill me. History was repeating it self. Was I to become a goddess as Willow did when Darin used the blade on her? Or was I condemned to see this hell, to see Crendia burn and fall? ::

Darius my old friend :Tancred spoke:: what say you to being my ally?

I would rather die?than be your pawn any longer. :;Darius took a long breath, not even glancing up::

Very well , Raevyn ::Tancred gaze turned to his lovely pet:: Kill him

:;She smiled:; yes my lord :: She opened the cage and pulled Darius out:: May I?? ::her eyes cast to Tancred::

:;he smirked:: yes my love?

::She smirked and shifted forms before Darius taking on the form of a woman I did not know::

Bella? ::Darius breathed:: No?.

::I looked on I did not understand what was happening::

You, bitch, you deceived me !

:;I had never heard Darius speak in such a way::

That?s right Darius dear, you already sold your soul to me :;Raevyn breathed:: Now I have had you, and I will have you again..:: She smirked and dragged Darius back in to the woods::

:;I heard screams, Darius?s screams along with the deep laughter of Raevyn.::

::She soon came out licking blood off her fingers:: mm that was pleasurable ::She smiled to Tancred::

Very good my pet ::His eyes cast to Blahl:: will you serve me?

Yes my lord.. ::He bowed his head::

Good, we must open the portals and find her?We must recover the great blade first.. :;He spoke of me? I knew it in my bones, I then wondered what had happened to that great sword. Then suddenly I felt something pulling me back away from the scene. There was another flash of light? then nothing. just blackness.::

The morning was cold and gray, a faint drizzle starting to mist the air as the area slowly filled with muted light. The courtyard soon filled with more guards and the bustle of activity of the new day. After a short time, four guards moved toward Connar, lifting him by his arms from the ground, dragging his feet across the courtyard, ?Time for a little trip,? one of the guards laughed as the prisoner was lifted and dumped into the back of an open wagon pulled by a team of four horses. Six guards joined him in the back of the wagon as two others took their position up front, one snapping the reins, jerking the wagon into motion.

Connar remained on his side, every bump of the wagon wheels bouncing his shoulder against the hard wood under him. All he could see were the boots of the soldiers, as they sat on the outer edges of the wagon?s side walls. They traveled what seemed a long distance before the wagon jerked to a halt, and he was pulled out. He raised his head, looking at the market square, already lined with soldiers and villagers. He was jeered and taunted as he was taken to a large, raised wooden platform in the center of the marketplace. He could see the magistrate standing proudly, looking at the gathered crowd approvingly.

Connar was positioned between two tall poles at the back of the platform, the chains binding his wrists and arms loosened as the swords of four guards were pointed at his neck and back. A meter of chain hung from each of his wrists. Rope was attached to the ends of each chain then stretched over the poles, pulling his arms straight out above his shoulders, lifting him off the ground, his toes barely able to touch the wood under them. Connar groaned as his body was stretched, his muscles and bones at the point of tearing, all to the cheers of the large crowd now gathered.

The magistrate paraded around the platform, stopping before Connar to inspect the wounds he had inflicted the previous day, blood staining his chest red. ?It appears that ye were not made whole over night. What a shame. Does it require some chant or incantation for ye to be healed?? His tone was mocking, intended to rile up the audience. Connar gave him no reply, his gaze looking past the magistrate. With a nod of his head, the ropes were pulled tighter, Connar?s jaw clenched shut as he fought the urge to cry out in pain. ?Oh, ye are going to make this quite enjoyable,? the magistrate sneered as he walked to the front of the platform, looking down at the crowd.

He motioned to the guards off in the distance, behind the crowd, silent orders issued. In a moment, the crowd was parted as Connar?s horse was led in, his gray coat soiled and muddy, someone having scrawled the words ?devil?s beast? along his side. Six guards were stationed around the horse, their swords drawn, awaiting the magistrate?s order. It was given with a wordless nod.

Connar watched as six blades cut deep into Ash?s sides, flanks and neck, causing it to wail and snort, the soldiers holding the reins having to strain against the horse?s urge to bolt. The animal was stabbed repeatedly until its legs weakened and it dropped to the ground, blood coating the ground. Two soldiers hacked at the horse?s neck until it was severed from the body. His legs were cut and removed. The horse had been quartered, the magistrate?s way of demonstrating what would soon happen to Connar.

Connar ! ::My voice rung through my vision, toward that mirror in which I had seen all those terrible things::

He will die at dawn in his world.:: Willow stepped before me::

No! :;I shouted:: I can?t lose him, Willow please..: ;I sunk to my knees:: Please :;tears ran down my cheeks, it was then I could feel the burn at my side, I lowered my hand across that light colored long soft shirt, the bottom edges now stained with blood:: Please! ::I begged her:;

::She smiled to me:; He feels as though he had betrayed those he cared for, ::The mirror flashed again and I saw Ash being killed, I turned my gaze:: No.. ash? ::more tears fell to the ground:: Willow.. Please.. Please.. You must do something?

::She smiled to me softly, the mirror image changed again I saw Aiden, standing just out side the pass:: Aiden! ::I called out as if he could hear me:: Aiden?:: I could see the blood on his face, the pain in his eyes:: Where is he going?

He heads to Rhydin, to find Connar for ye, Adaron told him that if ye came to death that love alone would save you, your family and friends have made a camp outside where you now lay. ::She pressed her hands together and parted them, the scene around me changed to that of the Mith Woods I saw the elder counsel, I saw a small camp set up and all my family and many friends there:: They come ebacuse they love you, your son rides to Rhydin because he loves you, but Connar dies at dawn.

NO! :;I cried:: Aiden.. Go to Aiden for me, tell him not to go to Rhydin tell him to go to the coast?

No magic can go through the portal

Aiden bears no magic as I do?

:;Willow smiled:: what good would that do?

I can not let Connar die?

::she looked to me:: for then you will die?
Yes? why else would I live.. I love my family, my friends.. But. But?::She pressed her fingers to my lips:: are you sure?

Yes? ::I muttered::

Very well ::She disappeared and the scene around me went dark::

Connar bowed his head, closing his eyes, knowing the pain would be but a brief moment. He prayed for those gathered, that somehow his death might serve some higher purpose. He expected the first blows to come at any moment, but his eyes were opened as screams came from the crowd, followed by cries of alarm from the soldiers. The magistrate?s hand had been struck by an arrow as another soldier fell to the ground, an arrow running through his neck.

At that moment, a large, black shadow passed over the market place, a huge bat-like creature soared overhead. Its large, leather-like wings pounding the air with each beat, pushing the beast through the gray sky. The sight was literally as a winged demon, fangs on display, with huge arms and claws, its skin drawn tight over its gigantic muscled frame. The creature dove low over the crowd, causing villagers and soldiers to run screaming in every direction. A call to arms was given, and the ropes pulling at Connar?s arms were released. He dropped quickly, falling on the platform, his arms lying limp at his sides.

The magistrate snapped the arrow from his hand and began barking orders from the platform when the beast dove down, striking him across the back, knocking the magistrate from the platform. The huge, muscled creature beat its wings, driving it high into the air again, circling the platform, as arrows from the ground sailed harmlessly past it. The beastly sight was not as foreign to Willow and Aiden?s eyes, with their familiarity to flying dragons and foul beasts, but they were just as surprised as the others.

Connar managed to sit up, his numb hands working against the chains binding his feet. The marketplace was filled with pandemonium, terror-stricken villagers running in every direction, fleeing for their lives, guards and soldiers trying to get organized, orders being yelled in all directions. He had no idea where the arrows had come from that had struck the magistrate and guard, but he wasn?t going to wait to find out.

The chains loosed from his feet, Connar stood up slowly, his wrists still shackled, the length of chain and rope hanging from his arms. He looked up just as the bat-creature swooped over him, lifting Connar off the ground, crushing his ribs in its powerful grip. The beast rose into the air, hovering over the marketplace, its mighty wings thundering the air. Connar strained at the claws digging into his sides, unable to loosen the creature?s grip in his weakened state.

The beast growled lowly at the victim in its grasp, the voice and tone instantly recognizable, ?Death would be far too easy an escape for you, Connar. I want you to suffer. I want you to have to live in this personal hell I am creating for you.?

Graeven, in his vampire-beast form, held Connar over the crowd, all eyes now upon them. The magistrate was surrounded by his guards, the sight of this beast from hell unimaginable by all concerned. The beast?s voice bellowed over the crowd below, ?How dare you touch one of my children!? Graeven was putting on a show of his own, the sole intent to taint Connar with the demon brush, further ingraining hatred and fear in the people. Nothing of this nature had been seen before, and word of the beast and Connar would travel as over the land as a fast spreading fire.

Aiden did not dare loose an arrow at the beast, for fear that if the creature was struck, he would drop Connar to his death. He and Willow watched, waiting for the right opportunity to act to present itself.

The vampire-beast would continue the performance unabated, blood dripping from Connar?s open wounds upon the crowd below. As the archers took aim and the first arrows were loosed, Graeven pushed higher into the air, circling over the marketplace, Connar firmly in his clawed-grip.

The huge wings moved effortlessly against the resistance of the air, dangling its prey over the awestruck crowd. As he hung under the bat?s body, he gripped the chain dangling from the shackle around his wrist. He started a swinging motion, drawing the heavy chain forward and back, catching Graeven?s attention just as Connar arced the chain upward, ripping it through the air, wrapping it around Graeven?s neck. Connar caught hold of the other end, twisting the chain, his muscles straining hard against it, closing it around the beast?s neck, the iron links crushing against the vampire?s throat, as they began to fall toward the scattering crowd below.

Graeven was caught off guard, thinking the fight had all but been taken out of the prey. The creature beat its wings furiously, driving them back into the air, away from the village and out over the expanding forest floor below He released Connar as his claws moved to pull against the chain binding his throat. Connar hung underneath, swinging freely, holding the chain firmly in his fists.

Willow and Aiden watched with the others as Connar grappled with the creature high above them in the air. If anything, the villagers would know that the creature was a mortal enemy of Connar, not a hell-spawned companion, as Graeven would have them believe.

The soldiers were scrambling about, trying to regain control on the ground below when Willow and Aiden were seen, holding the notched arrows and bows, making them the obvious source of the attack on the magistrate. Their clothing and appearance was markedly different from all others, making them easy to spot. Orders were called out, as a large assembled group of soldiers advanced toward the pair, swords and spears bearing down on them.

Willow quickly took Aiden?s arm as they scurried to make their escape, darting down one alley way and then the next. ?We?ve bought him some time,? Willow said as they ran down the alley, ?We can?t do any more for Connar now, we risk losing even more if we are caught.?

Aiden?s military training bid him to stay and face the pursuing soldiers, but he knew that Willow spoke the truth. The goddess looked at him as the footsteps of soldiers could be heard approaching. The soldiers would round the corner to a flash of great light, blinding their eyes. When the light subsided, the alleyway as empty, the soldiers, speechless.

As they neared a road, moving through the trees, the vampire creature was tied up in the chains and rope that once bound Connar. He drug the unconscious beast across the ground, Connar?s breath visible in the cold morning air, his upper body naked, bearing deep cuts and wounds from his head to his waist. His muscles had long since given up the act of shivering to warm his body. Connar let loose of the ropes in his hands, stopping to rest at the road?s edge, sitting on the ground, catching his breath.

The sounds of creaking wagon wheels and the cadence of hooves turned his eyes westward. Moving leisurely towards Connar was a horse-drawn wagon, an old farmer in a broad-rimmed hat holding the reins. As the aged man spotted Connar at the edge of the road, he pulled at the reins, slowing to a stop as the reached the half-clothed traveler sitting in the road. The farmer could see that Connar bore the signs of more than just travel fatigue. He stepped off the wagon?s buck board, walking slowly over to inspect Connar.

?Do ye need some help, lad?? the farmer asked as he bent at the waist to look at the dark-haired mess of a man before him. He had removed his dark gray cloak to place it around Connar?s bare shoulders.

Connar pressed his palm to the ground, pushing himself up to stand before the old man, trying to clear his throat to speak, ?hor?hor?? the words straining to come out, ??horse?? finally getting it out. He gripped the cloak tightly, closing out the cold.

The farmer looked at him, raising an eyebrow and scratching his head under his hat. ?Did ye lose your horse, lad? Is that what ye are trying to say??

Connar shook his head at the farmer as he walked back to where he had left Graeven and dragged the body from the bushes to the side of the wagon. The farmer had started following Connar, but stopped as he saw the creature?s body emerge from out of the brush, and he gasped, ?Mon dieu??

With all the strength he could muster, Connar reached under the beast, lifting it partway into the wagon bed and then pushing the remainder of the creature in. As he leaned his back against the wagon, the creature stirred, alarming the farmer. Connar turned and pounded his fist into the beast?s jaw, sending it back into the blackness, just as he had done several times while dragging Graeven through the forest.

The old man was in shock and awe as he could not believe what lie right before his eyes, in the back of his wagon. What manner of creature was this? It was something out of the darkest of nightmares. And how was it that this man could treat it as casually as a mis-behaving yard dog? The farmer would have time enough to ponder those questions during his walk home. Connar had stepped up into the driver?s seat, snapping the reins and turning the horse and wagon back to the west. The farmer just watched as the wagon and rider left, not offering a word of protest, watching them until the disappeared over the horizon.

When he landed on the other side entering the foreign realm, Graeven was straining to free himself from the chains and ropes binding his body. Connar turned back to face the portal, the necks of the bottles alive with fire as he hurled one at each of the tree trunks making up the portal. Hot flames burst as the wine bottles crashed against the trees, sending fire in every direction.

Connar wheeled around to face Graeven who was shaking off the last of the rope and chains binding him. Its huge wings flexed out against the black sky as it neared Connar. Neither the beast nor the man were in any condition to fight. The creature could also sense the nearing presence of others coming to Connar?s aid. Graeven lifted unsteadily into the air, its voice bellowing down to him, ?This is not over mortal. You will not have a moment?s peace, nor a single moment?s rest from this day forward!?

The beast howled, taking its flight into the blackness above. Connar fell to one knee, having to set one hand to the ground to steady himself, his voice low, solemn, ?So be it,? his only response to Graeven?s threatenings.

The trees behind Connar were fully consumed in flames, the archway and the portal all but destroyed. He tried to stand, taking a few steps before falling face down, more from fatigue than his injuries, the ground cold against his skin. His chest heaved as deep breaths were taken, his eyes closing as he tried to gather himself, his thoughts running rampant. He did not know if he could undue what was done in his world, all might very well be lost, but he would find another way back there, but only after finishing what was started with Graeven. Connar would do all in his power to set things right, both in his world and here, in this realm.

I can not say?I must return to seek it out. You :: she panted him firmly down:: Stay here ::They had flashed back to the Mith Woods. Willow smiled:: all are assembled with in, you can do nothing more. Its up to me and the powers that be now :: she vanished::

:;Those were her departing words to Aiden, before she vanished and went looking again for Connar::

::Soon enough she would find him, that blinding flash of light would appear before him:; nicely done :; her emerald gaze shifted to that portal now in flames, her dark brown locks shimemred in the light:: That?s two portals in less than a few days.. ::She knelt next to him:: I am sorry we were not of more help back there.. But it seems we bought you some time ::She placed her hand on his shoulder:: This may not work as well as Shea?s does :: a heaven like glow passed over him healing only a few of the deepest wounds, just enough.:: She heals with love, I heal for purpose. You do not know me.. :;She smiled softly:: But I am an ally. My name is Willow, and you did well against that creature. :;Another smile:: He will do as he vows, tis the vampyr way . But that right now is not why I am here?:;Her voice got a bit more distant:: You are deeply wounded, I know this.. But Shea.. :::She turned her gaze away:: she is dying?

He could see the concern on her face and read the seriousness of her words in her eyes. "I will do what I can to help, just tell me what I must do??

:;She gazed to him and whistled, a white horse trotted to her:; This is Aeglos :; she mutterd the elven name:: Snow Thorn Aiden?s horse.. ::She patted the white steeds nose, and gazed to Connar:; When ye left to your earth, Shea left for Crendia.. She was mortally wounded, by the very blade that killed me way back in the day. Yes she does have a family of healers, and many tending to her now at the high counsel chambers in the Mith Woods, back in her home land. But she stays between life and death.. Stuck, like a cork in a bottle..

::She smiled running her hand down the nose of Aiden?s horse:: I can not tell you what to do Connar?::she smiled to him:: If ye want to see her, then take Aeglos and go toward her homelands, the horse knows his way. If not, then do what ye must in Rhydin or even bound on Earth. :She shrugged:: I can not tell ye what to do.. It is not my place. I can tell ye what happened to her, and why she is now so close to death, but Aiden could also tell you. Or Shay , Kulbin, Mila , Hinn or Zorin could tell you. They were all there when it happened. All I know is that she begs to be heard in her mind, and only I can hear her.. Be it my goddess nature or the fact I reign outside the physical realm..: :she let loose those long brown lockes:: It is up to you Connar not I.. Her time to die is not now, but that matters little. .There are some of the best healers in all these realms there in those woods now . But perhaps it Is fate for her to die.. But she was the one that begged me to help you.. She pleaded with me. So I went. She has seen what has happened in your realm, I showed her. It is a test of love, of will.. ::she ran her hands back along Aeglos?s reins:: You alone can choose.. Not I

You do, that is where your wrong, You have much to contribute. She?s been close to death before yes, saved by Dae, by my self, by the gods of her realm.. And by you as well.

She does need you, and the hose knows the way.

:;She smiled softly:; go with the graces of the Goddess

As they left the cemetary knoll, morning was not far off. Rather than risk missing the trail or simply falling off the horse, Connar decided it would be in the best interest of all concerned if they stopped for a few hours rest. He made a quick camp just inside the forest's edge, piling up some leaves to lie on, letting Thorn go where ever he pleased. Connar was sound asleep as soon as his head rested on the leaf bed, a wet cold horse's nose would nudge him awake several hours later. The sun was high in the sky as Connar rubbed his eyes, pushing Thorn's nose from his face, squinting at the noon-day sun.

He took a moment to gather a few wild mushroom, eating some and offering one to Thorn, the horse refusing the offering with a snort.

Once back in the saddle, they moved through thick forest once again, until the finally emerged, hours later, on the trail leading to the mountain pass. Thorn, as the goddess, Willow, had promised, would know the way back to its home. Connar had ridden there just weeks earlier with Shea as guide, but he was far too distracted to have payed close enough attention to the trail nor the direction they were headed. Any who had the favorable opportunity to see Shea could understand Connar's state of distraction.

Thorn performed as promised, following the trail as they traveled the steep switchbacks at the foot of the mountains. Connar conserved as much energy as possible, letting the horse do most the work. The ordeal back in his world still fresh on his mind and body, the physical wounds paling in comparison to the mental and spiritual toll. The events of the past few days had changed him, or, rather, had reawakened in him his true purpose and meaning. There was a clarity to his thoughts that he had not had in a long, long time.

Nightfall was approaching when they arrived at the large cave, one of the few places Connar remembered. He drew the horse to a stop and slipped from the saddle. He knew the pass was not far off, perhaps closer than he could recall, but the horse needed rest. He did not want to return the animal to Aiden completely thread-bare and tuckered out. Connar also needed rest, as he laid down in the shelter of the cave, tucking the gray cloak around and under his body. He would awake long before dawn, stirred by his dreams, and an anxiousness to get to Shea as quickly as possible.

As they retook the trail, Thorn seemed invigorated by its nearness to home, perhaps sensing the journey was nearing its completion. The pass, sometimes blocked by snow, was clear, it seemed almost spring-like already as they made their gradual descent down the mountain, seeing the lush meadows, streams and fields of Shea's homelands.

Off in the distance, Connar spotted a thin line of smoke rising into the sky from a camp fire coming from a small field. The size of the fire small, indicting that the numbers of those camped around it must also be few. There were many creatures that called this land home, so Connar would approach this camp with wary caution.

Thorn had ideas all his own. As the trail crossed a tiny stream, the small field came into view, and it was all Connar could do to keep the horse from running toward it at full gallop. His voice was still raspy and coarse, not able to issue loud, barking commands to the anxious and excited animal, he had to pull hard at the reins so as not to appear completely out of control as they neared the small encampment.

(the story continues in the Marketplace forum in a GreenStone Tale; Ramblings of an Elvish Knight)