It was not uncommon for him to be gone for extended periods of time. He had other worlds, other homes to maintain. Rhydin had just been his favorite for so long. Normally when he was gone for extended periods of time he had kept in contact with the girls at the Towers and Inn. Weeks had gone by and no such contact had been made. No effort at any form of communication.

Weeks turned to months before a simple handwritten note arrived at the Tower, sitting on an end table near one of his favorite chairs in the Hall.

It was simple, it was staggered and scratched ? as if it was forced to be written against the hand?s will. No other writings, nothing to determine its origin or how it had gotten there or if anyone was still in the Tower. The bed still remained neatly made, the desk undisturbed.

But it was his writing.

Upon it was written:

I live

nori stepped into the back office of the Inn. She didn't notice it at first, but she tripped a sensor. The large video display behind his desk came alive, however she only saw a shadow of the figure.

But she knew it was him and knelt before a word was even spoken.

"nori, I have need of your services, my dear. Both you and lani - my most loyal pets. Return here within 24 local hours."

With that, the recording went blank.

The assignment was completed and the girls returned at the appointed time. Both had on a self-satisfied look of accomplishment. Perhaps not for themselves, but for the ease of which they completed their assignement.

They did not report back to the Inn, they returned to the tower. lani and nori entered the sanctum of his private office with reverence. Both dropped to their knees at the entrance to the office and lowered their eyes. They would show their complete loyalty - whether he was presant or not.

After a moment, both stood stepping through the office doorway, lani moving gracefully towards the desk of her Lord. She pressed a predetermined code - she had memorized the instructions and destroyed the paper it was written on.

The screen came alive with a shadowed form. lani did not turn to look to know that it was he who had saved her. She moved around to the other side of the desk and knelt with nori, both lowering their eyes once more.

"Master, we have accomplished that which you have given us." lani said, her reverence and grace of her form honoring him.

"Excellent, my pet. I had no doubt you two would perform perfectly." The form responded. "Plans are in motion, my pets. When the time is ready, you will know what to do." The monitor went blank. Only a dim light illuminated the room now.

nori took a small velvet bag from behind her and opened it. lani stood and faced the girl still kneeling. Gently, with that same reverence that she offered to the empty room she took the silver cylinder that had adorned her master's lower back. She took it with both hands and walked around the desk setting it gently in the center. The silver felt cool against her hand, a fond memberance came to her causing her to smirk darkly.

As she completed her task, she walked back to where nori knelt and returned to a kneeling position. Both lowered their heads for a moment before standing and walking out, closing the door securely behind them.

lani walked into the inn and made a line towards nori. In her hand was a slightly bloodied note that the messenger was not so willing to release when he found out who it was for. The girl was ever so convincing in making sure he let it go. The two had already retrieved the first item their master had sent them after. The second item would be as difficult as the first to gather but none the less critical to bringing everything together.

The handwritten note this time was rigid. It was forced ? as if he was being taken away, and writing at the last minute.