Ambrosia Software Web Board: The Kul'Shar Legacy, Part 2: Inversions - Ambrosia Software Web Board

Troyen tried hard to focus on looking subservient, while at the same time attempting to notice everything. He must have been fairly successful in the former, since nobody gave him a second glance.

The streets were quite busy. Elves on foot and on horseback, with wagons and coaches - and everywhere, slaves. Humans, chained and obedient; carrying, loading, driving - anywhere that any manual effort was required. Nowhere could Troyen see a single sign of an elf lifting a single finger to do anything that required any effort at all.

He'd acquired a new level of respect for Moonshadow after her performance at the gate. Somehow, she'd managed to perfectly gauge the exact tone of superiority to trigger the guard's instinct for self preservation. If he hadn't known better, he'd have been convinced she was born to the role.

Since that incident, they'd walked miles of the city streets, hunting for some clue as to the whereabouts of the Stone of Mikos, while at the same time trying to remain inconspicuous. It was several hours after their passage through the gates, and as far as Troyen could tell, they still hadn't found any better clue than the one the guard had inadvertently given them - the Government district.

Much of their time had been spent mapping the outskirts of that district. It wasn't difficult; at the corner of every street that lead to the restricted area, four guards had been posted, two on each side of the road. According to the mental picture Troyen was building, it was an area five blocks to a side, for a total area twenty-five blocks square. At the very centre, towering far above any other building, stood a small castle or keep. If Troyen had to guess at the location of the crystal, that would have been it - but it was certain to be even more of a maze than the city itself. He had no ideas whatsoever how they could even get inside, let alone search it thoroughly. The task was beginning to look hopeless.

He noticed then that Moonshadow had begun to limp slightly. For the first time it occurred to him that she was completely unused to wearing such heavy footwear, and they must be playing havoc with her feet.

"Psst," he hissed quietly. Moonshadow glanced back to see what he wanted. with a small gesture of a finger he directed her to a sign on a nearby building, apparently an inn of some kind. Moonshadow glanced at it, then nodded slightly. She veered in that direction, stepping boldly in through the front doors.

To their left was a bar area, full of smoke and drunkards. Moonshadow wrinkled her sensitive nose in distaste - the smell was even worse than that awful 'coffee' stuff Brink inflicted on the unsuspecting public. Straight ahead was the front desk, with a portly elf staring expectantly in their direction. Moonshadow marched up to the man, leaving her hood in place.

"I'd like a room please - one night only."

"Certainly, mistress. That will be 25 Telarii, in advance." Moonshadow pulled out the purse that belonged to the elf they'd taken the clothes from, and sorted through the coins. Fortunately the currency was clearly marked, and Moonshadow quickly paid the man.

Troyen was preoccupied with their close call with the money, something he'd completely failed to consider, or else he might have seen the tall, slightly unsteady elf approach from the bar. Moonshadow let out a startled cry as the drunkard slipped an arm about her waist.

"Unhand me, brute!" she demanded, in a chilling tone of voice. The drunkard ignored her words completely.

"Why hide your face, woman? Let me see what you look like!" Before anyone could stop him, he quickly reached up and pulled the hood from her head. Her silver-white locks fell free, and her golden eyes blazed in anger at his impertinent actions. Troyen remembered Damar's statement about Moonshadow's appearance being different enough from the norm to raise questions, and fell into a complete panic of indecision. He knew that if they started anything, they would be extremely unlikely to escape from this deep in the city.

The offending elf gasped, releasing his grip and stepping backwards. His face showed complete shock; he fell to one knee, head bowed and arms outstretched in supplication. "Forgive me, Belethil - I didn't know!"

Moonshadow glanced at the hotelier in surprise, hoping for some clue as to how to act, but the overweight elf seemed to be as in awe of her as the other. His visage betrayed both fear and reverence.

"Forgive you?" she replied quietly, but with the chilling note of anger still present in her voice. "You're lucky I don't have you slain on the spot! Get out of my sight!" The now thoroughly terrified elf backed obsequiously out of the room, back into the tavern.

The frightened hotelier glanced down at the key in his hand, and quickly exchanged it for another. "Here milady, the best suite I have." He called to his assistant, who hurriedly approached. "I'll show you the way, milady. My assistant will take your man to the slave quarters."

Once again, Troyen felt a burst of panic. This most decidedly hadn't been in their plans, they needed time together to decide their next move; but they had no choice but to conform to local custom.

"Very well," Moonshadow replied, then turned to face Troyen. "Go with him. I will call for you in the morning when I'm ready to depart." Troyen remembered his lessons, and bobbed his head to signify compliance.

The assistant took hold of his chain, and lead him down a corridor to the back of the inn. There he was directed to enter a cage-like enclosure, largely open to the elements. There was a small roofed section toward the rear, which provided the only shelter; fortunately the inn must have been mostly empty, since only a handful of slaves were locked inside.

"Get in there, you!" Once away from Moonshadow, the assistant seemed to have regained a measure of courage; and it was apparent that whatever it was about her that had frightened them so much didn't apply to her slave at all.

Troyen edged miserably to the back of the cage, under the roof, and prepared to spend one of the most miserable nights he'd ever experienced.

-------

Moonshadow followed the hotelier up the stairs to the very top floor. The last landing was quite small, with only a single door instead of the half dozen or so rooms that made up each of the previous two floors. "This room really must be the best!" Moonshadow thought to herself.

The host unlocked the door, flung it wide and stepped back to allow Moonshadow to pass. "Here we are, milady. If there's anything you need - anything at all - don't hesitate to ring the bell."

"Thank you. That will be all." The hotelier bowed, and started back down the stairs. Moonshadow closed the door behind him, and turned to survey the room.

The entrance opened directly onto a large living room, with couches and armchairs distributed haphazardly about. In the centre stood a large, round table, with a floral arrangement in the centre. Moonshadow smiled at that, one of the first things with even a slight measure of beauty she'd seen in this mud-hole - until she realised they were dried flowers, devoid of even a trace of life.

Two doors stood open in the right-hand wall. One lead to a large bathroom area, and the other to an even larger bedroom. She daydreamed momentarily about a relaxing bath, but regretfully admitted that she didn't have time to indulge herself. She went instead to the bedroom, and allowed herself to fall gracefully backwards onto the soft, four-poster bed. Again, she reminded herself that she had no time to waste, sat up, and gently removed the heavy boots from her feet.

She grimaced as the first foot emerged from its leather prison. The delicate arch of her sole was bruised and puffy, but the ball, heel and most of her toes were a blood-stained mess. She muttered a brief incantation, and waved her hand over her injuries; as the hand passed, the wounds vanished. She repeated the process for the other foot, and then wriggled both sets of toes luxuriously, reveling in the feeling of freedom. Only then did she remember Troyen.

-------

Troyen.

Troyen looked up, startled. "Who said that?"

Troyen, it's me - Moonshadow.

"Moonshadow? Where?"

In your mind. It's a spell; don't talk, just think. I can hear your thoughts, and you don't want to draw attention to yourself.

Right!

Can you get out from where you are, to do any scouting?

Not a chance. They lock the slaves away at night.

I guess it's up to me, then.

How?

Don't worry about that, I have my methods. I think I should start with that castle, and expand outwards until I find the crystal.

I agree, but be careful!

Don't worry, they won't suspect a thing! Just get as much sleep as you can, and be ready to leave in the morning.

Moonshadow? There was no reply; Moonshadow had broken the link. Troyen bit his lip, but he knew there was nothing he could do to help. There was a screech overhead; he glanced up and saw a small white falcon circling in the dark sky.

"I envy you your freedom, little bird." He closed his eyes, knowing he wasn't going to get any sleep that night.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

[This message has been edited by Overmind (edited 05-19-2002).]

Circling high above the city, Moonshadow tried to decide on the best course of action. Eventually, she came to the conclusion that she should pinpoint the location of the guards first; Katze and Sideline would need that information to do 'their job'. For a moment, she also pondered finding out when the guards changed shifts, but that would probably take too long. Watching the city walls from above, she wondered, at first, how Katze and Sideline would get past them, until she noticed that they weren't actually guarded that well. Though the watchtowers were set at regular intervals, they were not too close, and again the stormy weather proved a blessing: not only did it keep the guards within, it also reduced their sight.
Sweeping lower, she turned towards the castle, noticing to her delight that the city streets were almost abandoned, now that night had fallen. Despite the rain, it was easy to spot the guards below, and the maze of back-alleys would prove useful to circumvent them - at least Moonshadow hoped it would. But that was the rogues' business; she was only gathering information for them.
The castle itself was better guarded. She circled the high building several times to make sure she knew where all the guards were, before proceeding to look for the Stone.
Gracefully, she swept down to land on the railing of a nearby balcony. The door to the room was closed, the curtains half drawn, but it didn't matter - Moonshadow did not want to enter, anyway. Curiously, she peered into the room, only to back away, giving a startled screech. 'So that's why they were all so very much in awe of me...' The room behind was obviously the chamber of a wealthy person, most likely a member of the ruling family. The owner himself was lying in bed, snoring peacefully, his silver-white hair shimmering softly in the half-darkness. Rustling her plumage in annoyance, Moonshadow took wing again.
***
'It's useless.' Moonshadow thought, landing on a tree in the deserted courtyard. 'It's not here...' She'd looked everywhere she could think of, peered through every window and skylight. She'd also listened to the guard's conversations, but they didn't even know what they were guarding. 'But it has to be somewhere here... where else could it be?' Settling down more comfortably, the white falcon surveyed the courtyard. Compared to the rest of the city, it was beautiful, lined by small trees and surrounded by flowerbeds. In its center, in a shallow pool with a bubbling fountain, there was the tall statue of a kneeling young man, his cupped hands reaching towards the sky. Moonshadow did not bother to read the inscription at his feet, assuming simply that he was some famous ruler.
'Ok, let's try something else... If you possessed an item that you wanted nobody to notice, where would you hide it?' She cocked her head as if adressing the kneeling man. Of course there was no reply. His stone features were turned towards the sky, his eyes looking at something only he could see. From her point of view, he seemed to be offering a gift. On impulse, Moonshadow took wing again, circling the courtyard yet again, looking down at the statue from high above.
The nearby guards exchanged startled glances as they heard the shrill, triumphant cry of a bird of prey.
***
Moonshadow collapsed on the bed in her suite, racked by a fit of near-hysterical laughter. The answer was so simple she could have berated herself for not having seen it earlier. 'In everyone's plain sight...'

------------------
Wer denken kann, ist klar im Vorteil.

[This message has been edited by Moonshadow (edited 05-24-2002).]

Flynn woke up with a start. Charon, on watch, glanced at him curiously, but said nothing. The camp was quiet, as it had been ever since Moonshadow and Troyen had left, earlier that afternoon. Flynn had spent a good deal of time with Charon before turning in, talking about this world and the different factions that had arisen. Although there was nothing Charon could tell him about what brought about the end of the golden age, or what triggered the dark times they now lived in, Flynn had a sense that there was something deeper behind it all. Regardless, the people seemed to have grown content with their new life - and that was something he simply couldn't understand.

He'd been having a most peculiar dream, like he was flying over the elven city - he even dreamed he'd seen the Stone of Mikos, being held aloft by a large statue of an elf, in the courtyard at the centre of the central keep. It had all been so vivid, he was almost certain he could have told Katze and Sideline exactly where to go. He shook his head to clear it. It was a ridiculous notion; he'd never even set foot in the city.

He concluded he wasn't going to get any more sleep that night. He fetched a mug of coffee from the pot brewing over the small fire, and quietly wandered over to join Charon.

--------

"What's your story?"

Troyen glanced up at the sound of the deep voice, and realised its owner was addressing him. The man's voice was firm and confident, something he hadn't expected from a slave.

"What do you mean?" he questioned cautiously.

The man laughed. "Easy, kid, I didn't mean any harm; I was just curious, you don't seem to fit in here."

Troyen's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You don't seem to fit in all that well yourself; what's your story?"

The man laughed again, a smooth, easy sound. "You're right, kid, I don't. Up until a few months ago, I was living free, out west a ways. Then a damn elven hunting party caught me napping, and, well - here I am." He stuck out his hand. "The name's Torhal."

Troyen took the proffered hand and shook it. "Troyen. You don't seem too upset about being caught."

"Upset? For the first few weeks, I was wild! I kept trying to beat up my jailers and escape, but they were wise to all of that. After a while I got wise too. I make like I'm all subservient, like they expect - always doing what I'm told, that sort of thing. But I'm always watching. Eventually, they'll slip up - and I'll be out of here."

"You're taking a bit of a risk, telling me that, aren't you?"

The big man gazed at him speculatively. "No, I don't think so. There's something different about you, kid; you were no more born to this than I was."

Troyen saw no reason to deny it if it was that obvious. "You're right, I wasn't." He frowned in thought for a moment, then made a difficult decision. "Look, there are some people I know who'd like to talk to someone like you."

"Talk? Sure; but how are we supposed to meet up once we're out of here? Our 'owners' aren't likely to be co-operative, you know."

Troyen grinned broadly. "All may not be as it seems..."

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

[This message has been edited by Overmind (edited 05-24-2002).]

Lemenath wiped at the blood on his chin where Morla's spear had slashed him. He had gotten careless, but how was he to have known she was one of their best hunters? He raised his spear to block another one of her swings at him, catching her tip in the midst of his shaft. He tried something new, twisting the spear around violently, dropping Morla's tip into the ground. The elf followed up with a quick snap to the left, but she had anticipated the move and lightly leaped backward to safety. He leaped towards her, swinging wildly, a move she appearantly didn't expect. His stone tip slashed her chest across her right shoulder and she cried out in pain.

Lemenath pushed his advantage, attempting more to disable her than to kill the Shomani. His victory was short lived as she delivered a fist to his face, staggering him backwards. He crouched into a defensive position, awaiting her inevitable advance. She lunged, he dodged and smacked the shaft into the back of her head. Morla spun and Lemenath heard the whistle of air as her spear barely passed over his ear.

He retreated a few steps, trying to maintain his guard. A glance around the room confirmed Anzor was watching impassively, well out of the arena, and as of yet none of the others were present. Morla came at him again, he deflected the blow and absorbed the shock of the impact, and then shifted to block her next assault.

------------------
"Travel with an alert eye and a drawn sword."

[This message has been edited by Lemenath (edited 05-25-2002).]

Alomar paced along the top of the crenelated wall surrounding the inner courtyard, his assigned post for the evening. He wasn't exactly what you would call alert, there was no real need; someone would have to fight their way through the entire castle before reaching his position, and he would have ample warning of an attack that strong. Consequently, he didn't see the need of focusing on what he was supposed to be doing, but allowed his mind to wander wherever it willed.

His gaze was repeatedly drawn to the statue in the centre of the courtyard below. He'd never really paid it much attention before, but the pale glow from the prize it now bore in its upraised hands had a way of drawing the eyes. He stopped pacing and leaned against the inner battlements, staring at the glowing crystal.

"Folly," he said quietly, shaking his head a little.

"Quite a prize, eh, Alomar?"

Alomar looked up in distaste at the elf that was approaching. While not directly a member of the ruling house, he was closely related enough to be considered a good prospect - and his rise through the ranks better reflected the status of his birth than his talent. Alomar had always instinctively detested him, but had enough sense to try and stay on his good side - or at least remain neutral.

"I never understood its worth, Elerian," Alomar replied.

"That's always been your problem, you just don't understand politics. Having such a unique treasure raises the opinion the other ruling houses have of us, and improves our fortunes at court. And whatever is good for the family, is good for the city. You see?"

Alomar shook his head. "No, Elerian, I do not. Perhaps it is as you say, a failing of mine."

Elerian laughed, and clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't concern yourself, not everyone is born with the ability to understand such complex matters. That's why my family rules, and yours - yours does not."

Elerian seemed to delight in baiting Alomar, perhaps wishing to see just how far he could push him; but Alomar never responded to it. "As you say; you're very probably right."

Elerian looked at him uncertainly for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder once more. "Well, I'll leave you to your duties. Goodnight, Alomar."

"Goodnight." Alomar watched Elerian make swiftly for the nearest doorway, and disappear inside. "I don't blame him for wanting to get out of this," he thought, glancing up at the unnaturally menacing clouds overhead, pouring almost constant rain down upon the city. He was grateful for the rather unique cloak given to him by his grandmother; it seemed to have the virtue of repelling anything the weather could throw at it. His poor grandmother, murdered all those years ago by those renegade humans living in the woods. He could never forgive them for that.

"Perhaps these storms are an omen," he thought, staring once more at the glowing crystal. "We should never have taken it, no matter what Elerian says - Coltarin was a fool to desire it."

A bird of prey shrieked somewhere overhead; Alomar shivered, but not with cold. "A bad omen indeed..."

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

Lemenath retreated, trying to ignore the pain from the slashes on his arms and chest. Morla charged again, swinging visciously. He jumped back, hearing a thud as Morla's spear slammed into the ground. She staggered briefly with the shock of the blow, then glared at him. He retreated another few paces, and then found to his amazement he was in the crystal chamber, the inscribed lines inside were blazing painfully bright red as if shrieking a last warning. Morla readied her spear, and charged...

Lemenath brought up his weapon to take the blow on the shaft, and positioned his feet to best absorb the impact. She came, swinging down with her full force and the spears collided with a loud crack. Lemenath struggled to refrain from falling backwards and pushed back with his weight. Somewhere above him he heard a sound of something shattering followed by a rain of sparks. He backed up again, and prepared for another attack from Morla.

It didn't come. She swung her spear, and planted it shaft-downwards in the ground, leaning on it. Morla looked up at the chamber, where now Lemenath could see the lettering had shorted out and was spewing sparks and an occasional glimmer. He also found, to his shock, that the faint flicker of illumination the ancient circuitry still provided now displayed words he could read, in an old form of the common human tongue. It spoke of an ancient race that had lived long ago and the history of the temple. It seemed to be a brief history, short in length but long in message in such a way that one could take minutes to read it but hours to sort out the information. Near the end, Lemenath noted something about a darker power they had encountered, but there the words ended and the tale began again.

He heard a gasp of awe, and looked over to see Morla just as enthralled with the inscription as he was. "Now...I believe," she said, and she let the spear fall from her hand. She turned, raising her head and maintaining her dignity as an elder as she strode back into the main room. "Let the human go, it is not his fault," she demanded of the Headsman.

Anzor exploded, "We've proven his guilt, even you have shown proof! Why do you change your claim now?"

Morla replied calmly, "Because I understand now. It is not his fault. It is something else, an even greater danger among us." She dropped her voice, "And now I return to the village, for our people are in grave danger."

Lemenath reeled at her words, as it all began to make sense. The traitor had been among them all along! He recalled something he had heard somewhere, but couldn't remember, about Ranari. Desperately, he attempted to warn her. Reaching out, he found a chaotic river of emotions and thoughts swirl and churn, beckoning to him and promising him fortune while it sought to drown him. Somewhere he felt the presence of a bird, one unlike to any that would be seen in this desolate land. He tried to navigate the river of thoughts, but slipped and was momentarily helplessly dragged along the current. For a moment he felt a power, struggling to illuminate all like the sun does on a cloudy day. Then the power was gone and he found himself in control. He searched and found a faint whisper of her presense. He reached out to hold her, to try and pass along the information before it was too late. Ranari! Beware! The traitor is in the village! You must stop- His concentration was interrupted by a furious remark from Anzor. The hold he had on her mind wavered and then she slipped from his grasp as his mind reverted to the physical world.

He had missed a portion of what had passed, and now he realized the procession had finally caught up with them. Shomani stood around the far half of the temple, in a ring three-deep along the wall, watching silently. Morla had vanished. Hergat was near the front, noting the blood on the elf's clothes and understanding the situation. He gave Lemenath a glance of gratitude before the elf broke eye contact. Lemenath tried to reach out again to complete his warning, but found he couldn't. Something was blocking him. He hoped she had gotten enough and would be able to detect the malicious intent in the enemy before it was too late.

"Pick up your weapon, unless you want to die defenseless! If she will not dare to challenge you, I will!" Anzor yelled again, spear gripped tightly in hand, and that was when Lemenath realized his struggle was only just beginning...

------------------
"Travel with an alert eye and a drawn sword."

Lemenath? Ranari closed her eyes in concentration, blocking out everything else as she tried to re-establish the mental link with the other elf - to no avail. She did find his presence, but he was apparently too preoccupied to notice her, and she did not dare break his concentration.
With a sigh she opened her eyes and sat up. Looking around, she noticed that Kwon had not moved since she'd entered the tent a few hours ago. "Kwon?"
"Yes?"
"Whoever is the cause of our trouble, he's here." Ranari rose to her feet fluently, reaching for her weapons before she remembered they had been taken away. "I'm going to get our weapons. We'll need them. Can you try to locate whoever's responsible?"
Kwon nodded. "I have been trying to do that already, without much success. But I am willing to try again."
"Great. See you." With that, Ranari slipped out of the tent.
***
Troyen? I'm back; I found the Stone, and we'll be out of here tomorrow.
Ah, that's good to hear. I wouldn't want to spend another night in this cage. He sighed with relief.
Me neither.
One more thing... He thought, hoping the elf had not cut the connection yet.
Yes?
There's somebody who wants to join us when we leave.
What? Who? Moonshadow's mental voice, sleepy and exhausted until that moment, was suddenly alert.
One of the slaves; he's been caught some time ago. Troyen explained.
I see. How am I supposed to get him out of here? Troyen was sure he heard a hint of exasperation in her voice.
Well, I hoped -
- that I had an idea. Hang on, I'm thinking about it.
There was a long pause, so long that Troyen began to wonder whether she had fallen asleep, but eventually she spoke up again. What's the name of his 'owner'?
Wait, I'll ask him.
"What's the name of your owner?" He whispered, holding up a hand to forestall a possible question. "I'll explain later."
"Valayar." Torhal answered, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
Troyen passed the information on to Moonshadow, wondering what she needed it for.
Thanks. I'll see you in the morning. Good night.
Troyen sighed, turning to Torhal. "Please don't ask me to explain now. You'll see the use of this in the morning." At least the young man sincerely hoped he would - he himself had no clue as to what Moonshadow was planning.
***
The weapons were not exactly hard to locate. There was only one tent in the now mostly empty village that was guarded. As if that was of any use. She approached the man assigned to this duty, an elderly shomani, holding his gaze. "I need to retrieve our weapons." She told him bluntly.
The man nodded in understanding and stepped aside, allowing her to enter the tent. She quickly collected hers and Kwon's weapons, wondering for a moment how to transport them all the way through the village without being noticed. A few tsai, the haversack in which Kwon stored his shuriken, her mam'ra and short bow.
"Idiot! What do I know magic for?" She muttered under her breath, scolding herself. Then she concentrated, picturing first their tent as it had been when she'd left, then their tent, with the weapons lying, neatly piled, in a corner. It still felt like she'd carried them all the way.
Then she left the tent, waving a dismissive hand at the guard as she passed him by. "Forget."
His face went blank for a moment, then he became aware of her. "What are you doing here? Get back to your tent, girl."
Ranari shrugged, nodding. "Just curious what's going on." Smiling, she headed back for their tent.
***
The next morning, Moonshadow called for the hotel owner. The man arrived with surprising promptness, considering the early hour, but Moonshadow, never at her best first thing in the morning, had no trouble at all finding sufficient words to scold him for the delay. "How dare you keep me waiting!" She snapped. "Did I pay you for laziness?"
The man bowed apologetically. "I - I'm sorry, Lady. I d-didn't know you'd -"
"Oh, never mind that now." Moonshadow interrupted his stammering. "I hear there's a man named Valayar in this hotel."
He nodded timidly.
"Get him here. Immediately." Moonshadow turned away towards the window, pointedly ignoring the man.
A short while later, the hotel owner returned, accompanied by a man who seemed vaguely familiar. With a smile, she recognized the drunken patron who'd bothered her the previous night. How handy...
With much less of a smile, Valayar recognized her.
"Leave." The winter elf ordered, and the frightened homelier backed out of the door.
Moonshadow turned her head to look at Valayar, who was standing near the doorway, looking around nervously for an escape route.
"You're here with a slave..."
Valayar nodded.
"I demand you hand him over to me - for compensation." She said, with her chill smile.
The man nodded again, weakly, to frightened to protest. "Yes, Lady."
Moonshadow held out one white hand, and he obediently handed her the key.
***
Merely ten miutes later, both Torhal and Troyen were rudely awoken by the assistant. "Get up, you two! Hurry! The Lady wants to leave quickly!"
Torhal's eyes widened in surprise, and he glanced at Troyen, who just nodded his head to signify he'd heard the elf. Well, the lad would surely have some explaining to do - later. But this unexpected change of ownership was not the last surprise in store for Torhal that day.
When he saw just who his new 'owner' was, he almost forgot his plan to stay subservient. Almost. But Troyen had seemed so confident the previous night - he decided to wait, and see.
***
Once safely away from the elven city, Moonshadow plopped down on the grass next to road and kicked off her boots. With a contemptuous gesture, she iced them over, totally unaware of Torhal's frightened expression, watching with mild satisfaction as the leather grew brittle and began to crack, before finally falling apart.
"We were supposed to give them back, you know?" Troyen said.
"Hah! It'll do that woman good to walk a while *without* having to wear these instruments of torture! ... Oh, come now, don't just stand there gaping!" She turned towards Torhal with a smile. "Catch!" With that, she threw the keys at him. "Get those chains off, you two. I can't stand to see them any more."
"And *I* can't stand to wear them any more." Troyen remarked pointedly.
"Yeah, right. Should I?" She pointed at the chains, who were beginning to ice over.
Troyen shook his head regretfully. "No, I'm afraid not."
"Ah well..." Moonshadow leaned back, staring at the clouded sky. "Guess we'd better hurry. The weather's getting worse by the moment."
Troyen nodded. "Right."
Torhal stared at them with a bewildered expression. What had that elf done to her shoes; would she do it to him if he didn't comply? But no... Troyen had been much too impertinent by elven definitions to get away without a severe punishment, and yet she didn't seem to mind. "Indeed... all's not as it may seem." He muttered under his breath, but the elf heard him.
"You didn't really think I was one of them, did you?" She asked, cocking her head.
"Well, actually..."
"Oh. I must have ben very convincing, then." Moonshadow looked away sadly. "I'm sorry if I scared you."
"Uhm..." Torhal hesitated for a moment, at a loss for words. A member of the ruling family was actually apologizing - to a human. "It's alright." He finally managed to say. It seemed right to try to cheer her up, somehow.
"Well, that's nice and all, but I'd like to be back at the human encampment *before* the rain starts."
"Yes." Moonshadow stood up quickly. "Let's go, then."

------------------
Wer denken kann, ist klar im Vorteil.

And as promised...

A scream pierced the gloom, far off in the distance. "I just thought I felt something...but now its gone," Ranari spoke to Kwon, fully alert and searching for another sign of the presence she had detected a moment ago. She looked up to see the tent flaps open.

Halshan entered the tent carrying two spears. "Did he come in here?"

"Who?" she asked, even though she knew what he was referring to. "Nobody has been here for hours."

"Then follow me, we need to escape while we still can. Once that demon goes into a frenzy there will be no stopping him." The Shomani offered his hand to the elf, and she accepted it.

"You know our opponent?" Kwon asked, gathering the weapons on the other side of the tent.

"Indeed," Halshan grinned. Ranari realized her fatal mistake and repelled at him as hard as she could, but he grabbed her by the neck in a firm grasp, his claws digging painfully into her skin.

"Kwon! Help..." she gasped as her mind was overwhelmed by chaotic emotions and a devilish hate. She struggled to raise her mind barriers, openly searching for the evil had left her defenseless. She twisted, digging the tsai she held into his arm. He only laughed and laughed harder, despite the dark blood spilling out of his arm; Ranari found she was becoming exhausted, as if her strength was leaving her.

******

The spear swung through the air and collided with Lemenath's, which split into a shower of splinters. He stared somewhat helplessly at the shaft in his hand, the upper half completely knocked off. Lemenath discarded the stick, slipped under the charging Shomani's guard, and held onto Anzor's arm, attempting to wrest his weapon away from him. Anzor backhanded him, causing him to stagger backwards and cut his palms on the rough wood. The headsman followed, charging at the elf, and knocked him into the wall with an impact that seemed to shake the temple. Lemenath moaned in pain as stars burst in front of his eyes. He recieved another few blows to his face, but it didn't matter, he couldn't feel them anymore.

And then there was a startled cry as Anzor was lifted off of him. His eyes were gummed closed with blood, but he tried to see through them anyway. He caught a glimpse of Hergat tearing furiously away at Anzor, while the passive Shomani were leaping to action, and then the world spun dizzyingly and turned to black...

---
P.S. cache, the temple/village are now a day behind the rest of the group

------------------
"I'm a controversial figure. My friends either dislike me or hate me."

For another moment, Ranari struggled helplessly in her captor's grip, her energy being sapped away. Ar'nanda! Dhao'matha iama'bha! How? Uir a'mâo ayu'dha... Suddenly, there was silence. Peaceful, blessed silence filled her mind as she felt her strength returning slowly. Then realization hit her: she was free, lying on the ground at the back of the tent.
The ûn'arc* was staring at her, taken aback. Even Kwon, whose face usually never betrayed his emotions, appeared surprised. Now what? What had happened? Dizzily, Ranari rose to her feet, glaring back at Halshan.
***
Tana'may watched the scene with mild amusement, idly wondering what would happen next. She had no doubts about the outcome of the fight. The burst of dark-bright energy seconds before had erased them.
***
*black creature, demon

------------------
Wer denken kann, ist klar im Vorteil.

[This message has been edited by Moonshadow (edited 05-27-2002).]

"I see," Kwon said quietly, drawing Halshan's attention away from the elf. "Hiding you presence behind the darkness that constantly assaults my mind was quite clever; I must find a way to counter such a deception in future."

Brushing aside Kwon's words, Halshan once more rushed upon the frail elf. Again, they were violently thrust apart, and Ranari found herself lying on the ground again.

Halshan glared at her in frustration. "Very well, if I can't touch you, perhaps this can!" He gestured at Kwon. Kwon turned to face Ranari, and began to step slowly towards her.

Ranari quickly began to lose the calm she'd regained. "Kwon! No..." Relentlessly, the small oriental approached. He reached out a hand, grasping hold of hers and pulling her gently to her feet. Ranari smiled at her friend in relief. Side by side, they faced Halshan.

"Your attempts at control were quite impressive," the diminutive man said calmly. "But I have spent many months building up a resistance to stronger wills than yours; you will not find the barriers I have built a simple obstacle to overcome."

Halshan grinned viciously. "And you will find that is not all the power I possess!" Abruptly he rushed at them, claws outstretched to rend them apart in a single crushing blow.

Ranari and Kwon exchanged a lightning glance, and dodged nimbly aside in opposite directions. Halshan didn't hesitate, but veered after Kwon; Kwon dodged again, then unexpectedly dropped low, spinning on the ball of one foot with the other leg outstretched. The manoeuvre swept Halshan's feet out from beneath him.

"Run," Kwon said to Ranari, then followed her out of the tent. They ran a few paces, then stopped. "The Shomani must see him for what he is," Kwon said. "It may perhaps be Hergat's only chance."

Together, they awaited the demon's next move.


------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

Feeling defeated, the demon let out a long tortured cry and remained silent, unmoving on the ground. Ranari waited a moment, then turned and headed towards the Temple, taking advantage of this lapse. A deep feeling of unease began slowly to take root in Kwon as he watched from a distance, wondering what trick this foul beast was up to now. The unease grew inside Kwon, until finally he realized it was telling him to run. For a reason he didn't quite understand, he fled. Outside the tent he saw most of what could be salvaged from the village was, the remaining Shomani were now some distance away carrying the bundles of their homes or goods. Nobody was left in the broken destruction that remained behind, and the tent with the demon now seemed a forboding object on a barren landscape.

Kwon turned, inwardly surprised that he had travelled further than he thought in such a short time. The tent was only a small bump behind him among a scorched symbol in the earth and debris from the destruction it had caused. The Ronin frowned, the symbol seemed to have changed. Earlier it was like a five-pronged star, reaching outwards, but now it seemed to close inwards upon its center, and it appeared to have shifted placing the demon at its new source.

Another cry arouse from the tent, this one too painful, but loud, as it echoed back from the ridge of to the right. This cry sounded like the death throes of a man...or a Shomani. He watched in horror as a red light lit up the sky, and then the place seemed to explode outward in a rapidly expanding ring, leaving behind an inferno of destruction. Kwon steadied himself, for the ground was shaking violently as the shockwave from the blast continued. He leapt to the ground, laying himself flat as it passed over, but he still felt the force of the blow and a scorching heat. He shut his eyes, trying to maintain control...

...when he opened them he found he was lying half buried in a layer of blackened sand. He spit the sand out of his mouth, but the gritty taste lingered. He found to his amazement that it was midday. Kwon attempted to rise, but found a sharp pain in his left side. He shifted to inspect it, and found he had a gaping wound stretching from his arm to his hip. It was now covered in a mixture of blood, sand, and shards from his ripped shirt. He sighed, focusing, trying to let the pain out so he could seek help.

------------------
"I'm a controversial figure. My friends either dislike me or hate me."

[This message has been edited by Avatara (edited 05-27-2002).]

Kwon blinked his eyes weakly. there was something wrong with his vision, everything was blurred and indistinct. Try as he might, he couldn't bring anything into focus.

A dark form interposed itself between him and the hot desert sun. A deep, evil laugh resonated from somewhere above him, but he couldn't make out who or what it was.

"Now you see the folly of your resistance, little man. I will leave you to die in the pain of your wounds - and the anguish of your failure to save your friends! Now that I am free of that form of flesh and no longer have to conceal my true power, I will destroy them all!" The demon laughed maliciously, then moved away in the direction of the temple.

"No.. no..." Kwon murmured, hoarsely. His mouth was dehydrated from the loss of blood; he knew that was a bad sign. He felt completely helpless, a sensation he hadn't felt since before he joined the Ronin. A wave of agony swept over him, but he no longer had the strength to scream.

He was dying. Moment by moment, more of his blood drained away into the moisture deprived sands of the desert. He knew he should do something to staunch the flow, but he was finding it difficult to care anymore. A strange calmness suffused his mind, as he accepted his inevitable passing.

Away from the elements of Cythera that gave the Ronin their powers, he was helpless; even their swift healing ability failed him, here. His only regret was that he was leaving his friends, old and new, behind; they would have to face an incredible danger without him.

Don't give up, Kwon!

"Leandra?" Kwon's mouth formed her name, but no sound issued from his lips.

Fight, Kwon!

"Wolmark..."

We need you, old friend!

"Flynn!"

Deep within his consciousness, a seed of stubbornness took root. Almost subconsciously, he dropped into a meditative state. Once more, he saw what he'd called dried up riverbeds of energy, the life-giving arteries of the land, now dry and barren. The small pinpricks of life-energy were too weak to fill them on their own.

A black cloud blotted out the sun; the storm now filled most of the sky. Heavy drops of rain began to fall on him, mingling with the blood that still flowed from the gaping wound in his side. There was a bright flash and the ground jolted as a Lightning bolt struck close by; the thunderclap overhead was deafening, but Kwon barely noticed it.

There was a flicker in the energy-riverbeds. A faint violet glow appeared, faded somewhat, but a small amount remained. Kwon desperately desired to tap into the power, to heal, to help; but he didn't know how. His eyes closed, and he fell into the blackness of unconsciousness.

The violet power began to flow, forging new channels, seeking the quickest path to its destination. Behind it, the earth was once more lifeless and empty.

Kwon's wound rapidly began to close.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

Alomar gazed up at the faint glow in the clouds that indicated the location of the sun. The storms hadn't lessened with the coming of daylight. On the contrary; if anything, they'd grown worse. The darkness was still thick enough that in places, they'd been forced to leave the street lamps burning.

The rain was thick, heavy and constant. The once carefully groomed, though unpaved, streets were like severed arteries, bleeding mud into every doorway and alley; even the Great Way, superlatively paved with square-cut marble flagstones leading up to the main gate of the central keep, appeared no better than a muddy track worn in the ground.

"Ah, Alomar. I'm glad I caught you before you turned in."

Alomar turned in the direction of the voice.

"My lord Coltarin," he said, bowing his head. "What may I do for you."

Coltarin was a tall, even for an elf. His hair was long, although carefully groomed, and a distinctive silver-white in colour. It was a characteristic of the ruling houses, one of the things that set them apart from the lesser beings that populated the world.

He was accompanied by a sombre-seeming elf, still tall, although shorter than Coltarin, whose long blond hair was tied back in the braid of some almost forgotten warrior sect. His left eye was permanently closed, with a vertical scar running through it from forehead to cheekbone. He was known only as Sarg, and Alomar had never heard him speak.

The retinue was rounded out by Elerian, holding an umbrella over Coltarin's head in an effort to keep him dry.

"Alomar, a delegation will be arriving tomorrow," Coltarin continued. "It's important to make a good impression. I need you to be on your best behaviour; no grumbling about the crystal, or the weather." Alomar glanced suspiciously at Elerian, but the latter returned his gaze with one of wide-eyed innocence. Coltarin chuckled. "The three of you are my closest advisers; I'll expect you to be well presented when our guests arrive." He turned to gaze proudly out at the crystal. "The prestige of our prize will aid us greatly in securing what we need, Alomar. Never forget that."

"As you say, my lord."

"I had the strangest dream, last night," Coltarin murmured. "A beautiful woman, with long, silver hair and glowing eyes appeared on my balcony." Elerian smirked, knowingly. Coltarin turned to stare at Alomar; Alomar was surprised to see that he was greatly troubled. "But those eyes," he continued, "they burned - burned with incredible anger. Then she vanished, with a shriek like a hunting falcon. What does it mean, Alomar? What have I done that could drive one of our own to such depths of hate?"

Alomar glanced at the crystal, but wisely, said nothing.

"It was just a dream, my lord," Elerian inserted into the silence. "It means nothing."

Coltarin sighed. "You're probably right, Elerian. Come, let's get inside, where it's warm. Alomar?"

"If you don't mind, my lord, I'll wait a while longer; my duty is not yet complete."

Coltarin shrugged. "As you wish. Report to me, once you've breakfasted."

Alomar bowed once more. "As you command."

He watched the small retinue depart through the nearby exit, then once again leaned on the parapet to stare at the crystal. Only then did he recall the cry of the bird of prey he himself had heard, in the dark of the night.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

[This message has been edited by Overmind (edited 06-01-2002).]

*** OoC ***
Nothing much here, just moving things along.
*** BiC ***

Moonshadow led her two companions quickly along the road. Before long they were making their way through the outskirts of the forest, into a small clearing. Moonshadow stopped in the centre, hands on hips, staring about impatiently.

Torhal leaned towards Troyen, and whispered in his ear. "Is she lost?" Troyen held up a hand to silence him. Something moved. Torhal gasped in surprise, as dim figures seemed to melt from behind trees into the clearing. He sighed in relief when he realised they were all human - except for one strange woman, who had blue skin; but at least she wasn't an elf.

Flynn stepped towards Moonshadow, obviously pleased to see her, but she completely ignored him, walking instead over to join Leandra. Flynn blinked, then turned his attention to Troyen and their new companion.

"Flynn, this is Torhal," Troyen said, hesitantly. Flynn said nothing, just cocked an eyebrow at him. "He was a slave in the city, but he wasn't always one; Moonshadow arranged to 'liberate' him."

Flynn smiled, and Troyen breathed a sigh of relief. "You did good," Flynn complimented him, resting a hand on the boy's shoulder before turning to Torhal and shaking his hand. "Welcome to freedom."

Torhal smiled broadly. "Thanks. I just hope I don't get caught again."

"There's some people here that can help with that," Flynn responded, and introduced him to Charon and Damar.

A few minutes later, the entire group was seated in a rough circle, waiting for Moonshadow and Troyen to report on their mission.

"I found it," Moonshadow said, without preamble.

"Where?" Katze demanded, her voice betraying her growing excitement, as the time approached for her and Sideline to play their part.

"In the centre of the city there's a castle, or keep. At the centre of that, there's an open garden. In the garden is a large statue; the hand of the statue is holding the crystal."

"Sounds straightforward enough," Sideline said, rising to his feet. "I suppose we'd better wait for nightfall, though. I'm going to get some rest, since I obviously won't get much chance for it tonight."

---------

Troyen waited until Flynn was alone, leaning against a tree and staring out at the city, before approaching him diffidently. "Something on your mind?" Flynn asked, as he drew close.

"Yes. Wouldn't it be a good idea to have Torhal try talking to that slave?"

Flynn's eyes lit up with interest. "You're right; it's definitely worth a try."

Together, they collected Torhal and headed off through the trees to where the elf and her slave were still being held captive - although they now had their clothes back. Once more, they took Terrel off some distance away, where his mistress couldn't overhear.

Torhal crouched down on the ground next to the terrified slave. He glanced up at Flynn, gesturing at the blindfold. Flynn nodded his agreement, and Torhal gently pulled it up and off Terrel's head. Terrel blinked in the sunlight; his eyes had been covered for more than half a day.

Quietly, Torhal began to tell of his life before his capture. He didn't conceal anything, but told of both the good and bad things of his past life. Then he told of how things changed, after his capture. Terrel listened with rapt attention. Behind him, Flynn smiled softly; the ex-slave was a very good story teller.

---------

The constant storms brought almost total darkness, long before nightfall; Sideline and Katze decided to take the risk, and started off early. Flynn watched them disappear into the black, laden with light packs, containing ropes and whatever else they thought might be useful.

A flash of lightning across the sky drew his attention upward. Despite the hostile conditions, he felt almost at peace; they'd almost achieved their objective. He had the utmost faith in the abilities of Sideline and Katze, and was confident that the Stone of Mikos would be in their possession before sunrise.

Torhal had made quite an impression on Terrel. Nothing had yet been said, they'd decided to let him think on it for a while; but Flynn couldn't begin to imagine how someone could turn down the opportunity they were presenting to him. He was sure it was just a matter of time.

Yet, in spite of how everything was going, something in the back of his mind kept him from feeling at peace. An image of Moonshadow turning her back on him passed fleetingly through his mind. He could admit to himself that that was part of the problem; yet he could sense that there was something else, clamouring for his attention. Try as he might, he couldn't call it to mind.

"Maybe after a good night's sleep," he muttered. He returned to his sleeping spot from the previous night, lay down and closed his eyes. Within moments, he was sound asleep.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

Hergat threw the first Shomani guard unfortunate enough to grab him backward into the surging crowd. He didn't care anymore, his main objective lay in front of him. Anzor, his calm demeanor vanished into a stance radiating fury, stood several meters distant, keeping his attention focused on his opponent. Anzor had taken several nasty wounds as well, some from the crumpled elf and some from his new threat.

Hergat quickly moved over to his friend and withdrew the concealed belt knife. Hard as it was, he pushed Lemenath's rapidly failing condition out of his mind; he couldn't afford the distraction right now. Turning to the cautiously advancing Shomani, he made a show of threatening them with his knife, while backing toward the wall, closing the angle between Anzor and the others. Having them all within his field of vision, he lunged.

Anzor caught the wrist with the knife, and attempted to twist the knife out of his hand. Hergat was ready for him and cut his heel across the elder's legs, bringing him to the floor. Anzor lashed out with the claws on his foot, dropping the assassin with an uncontrolled cry of pain. Anzor drove his attack, once again trying to disarm his opponent. The two struggled for a brief moment, each trying to gain control of the situation.

Hergat looked up, and almost lost his concentration. He could see Ranari in the back, taking in the scene. A frantic gesture in the direction of Lemenath was all he could offer before he was forced to roll away from the stab Anzor made at him. Hergat continued his roll back onto his stomach and flipped up to a standing position using his knees. He couldn't see Ranari, he assumed she was tending to the elf, so he continued attacking Anzor, bringing a knee into his gut and sending the knife spinning away. The diversion was all he could offer, buying time.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Lemenath stirred, his body protesting against even the slightest movement. He ignored the pain and tried to wipe away the substance over his eyes. His hand came away sticky, as if some type of sealant had spilled on him. His mouth was dry, and what little fluid was inside tasted bitter. He felt a hesitant touch on his arm, knew who it was without seeing. He moved his other hand over and weakly clasped hers, his head pounding.

"You're alive!" She sighed in relief, and he felt her arms wrap around him, cradling him. He felt liquid on his face, reached up to brush it, and realized she was crying. Is it really that bad? He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, found to his surprise she was injured too.

"You're hurt," he smiled, inwardly grimacing at the pain that flared when he tried to speak, more or less breathe.

------------------
"Travel with an alert eye and a drawn sword."

"Oh, it's nothing serious." Ranari replied, releasing him. Sensing somebody approach from behind, she half-turned, waving her hand at the Shomani. He froze almost instantly, causing several of his companions to gasp in mingled surprise and fear. The winter elf took took a grim delight in seeing their expressions freeze on their faces. They probably didn't even have a word for ice. Ah well, this would teach them not to hurt people she cared for.
Having made certain nobody would disturb her, she turned back to Lemenath. Again, she found herself wishing she'd learned more about healing, but there was no help for it now. She'd have to make do with what little she knew, and hope it was sufficient. Impatiently, she brushed away the tears that were threatening to blur her vision and set to work.
***
Staring at the forest canopy above, Katze knew she'd be happy to leave this place behind. She was soaked to the skin, for the constant storms had long since managed to penetrate the layers of vegetation, and she longed for the safety of a city: walls around you and a roof overhead. Katze had grown heartily sick of this forest, this weather, these people and their quarrels - this whole world. She'd never thought she would be homesick one day, but she was.
"All the more reason to get this over with quickly." She muttered beneath her breath, shifting her gaze back to the elven city that lay in front of them. Speaking more loudly, she added: "Are you ready?"
Sideline nodded, looking at the city's walls intently. The tricky part, they had determined, lay in getting there without being seen. The distance between city and forest had been cleared by the elves for a reason.
Luckily, Moonshadow had done much of the scouting necessary to find the right place to enter. All the two thieves were waiting for was the right time. The stormy weather was aiding them in their cause, not only obscuring them from sight but also effectively keeping the elven guards within their towers, venturing out only occasionally.
They waited, patiently, for another such patrol to pass, and made their move swiftly -very swiftly indeed - when it had. Fot though Moonshadow was not able to turn them invisible, she was more than able to enhance their speed for a short period of time.
"Good luck," she whispered after them, then turned around and headed back to the clearing where the rest of the group was waiting.
***
Luckily, the walls were considerably easy to scale - for skilled thieves. Once inside the city, the two quickly disappeared into the maze of back alleys. Though it would not be easy to find their way, it was safer than using the streets.

------------------
Wer denken kann, ist klar im Vorteil.

Alomar paced out onto the parapet overlooking the inner courtyard, raising a resentful eye to the black, starless sky above. The moon must have been shining quite brightly, since it was visible as a faint, ghostly glow though the blanket of clouds and the heavy ran that issued steadily from them. It was just enough light for Alomar to see where he was walking, but apparently not enough for the other guards; Alomar heard a clatter and a muffled thud, as one of them presumably tripped over his own feet.

It bespoke much of conditions at the castle that, although he wasn't actually on duty, Alomar preferred to brave the cold rain than remain in the company of Coltarin and his other advisors. "That cursed Elerian," he thought, "things just haven't been the same since he arrived. What twisted scheme will he convince Coltarin to buy into next?"

In the shadows at one corner of the parapet, he assumed what was almost becoming a habitual position: leaning on the cold stone, staring out over the courtyard. Not long ago he would have found pleasure in walking about the garden, but things were different now. Once more, he focused on the faint glow coming from the hand of the tall statue.

Something moved.

Alomar blinked. He couldn't see anything now, the shadows had closed in on the spot once again. He almost shrugged it off, but he recalled something his grandmother had once taught him, as a boy: in the dark, don't look directly at what you want to see. Pushing aside his saddening memories of the kindly old woman, he followed her advice.

Nothing.

Wait! What was that?

Alomar resisted the urge to stare at what he thought he saw, and concentrated on interpreting the shadow in the corner of his eye.

Yes! There it was again! Someone was stealthily climbing the statue.

Alomar stifled an instinctive urge to cry out, as the luminescence of the crystal was suddenly smothered. The shadowy figure began to descend towards the ground.

Carefully gauging the direction the thief was taking across the courtyard, Alomar swiftly and silently ran towards that spot on the parapet - being very careful to stay out of sight. Keeping below the level of the wall, he peered carefully around a corner; the still form of a guard lay a short distance away. His chest rose and fell regularly, so he was at least alive.

Alomar peered into the darkness further along. Sure enough, a figure dressed in black was crouching, watching the end of a quivering rope. Someone was obviously scaling back up the wall.

Alomar slowly drew his sword, and using the utmost skill he possessed, tip-toed around the corner.

---------

Katze pulled herself up the last few feet and peeped over the lip of the wall. "Sideline, give me a -"

Sideline was standing half facing her, with an apologetic look on his face - and a sword to his throat. Katze followed the line of the sword back to the hand that held it; along the arm, to the shoulder, and finally, the face. An elf.

She uttered a most unladylike expletive.

"Don't try anything," the elf warned. "I can slit his throat in an instant." Katze nodded; there was no denying that he had them cold. "Join us," the elf continued. Katze finished climbing over the wall.

"So," the elf resumed, "you have dared to violate our city, our castle, and steal a precious object from its very heart. Humans have never before shown such boldness; I wonder where you are from? You're certainly not part of that rabble in the forest." He sighed, and his eyes took on a sad cast before he continued. "No matter."

Katze was halfway through her subtle countdown, at the end of which she and Sideline would have acted simultaneously, when the elf suddenly lowered his sword.

"Go, quickly!" he ordered. "Coltarin will not be pleased when he finds what you have done."

The two rogues exchanged a quick glance, wondering briefly if this was some kind of trap. regardless, they had little choice; they'd have to take whatever came next in stride. They turned and ran off along the parapet.

---------

Alomar continued to stare at the place they'd disappeared, long after they'd gone. It would have been impossible, even for those that knew him best, to divine the thoughts that were passing behind those sad eyes. The sound of the guard behind him beginning to stir brought him abruptly to his senses.

"I'd best not be seen," he thought. "There'll be hell to pay, when word reaches Coltarin." He hurried off into the dark of the night.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

"How could this happen!?" Coltarin raged. "My best guards, in the middle of my own castle, in the middle of an entire city! And still thieves manage to break in and steal one of my most prized possessions!"

"We will find them, my lord," Elerian said, nervously.

"You'd better," Coltarin growled. "If the stone isn't back before the delegation arrives, there'll be hell to pay!"

Alomar tried to remain inconspicuous, alongside the other advisors. Elerian was wringing his hands nervously, and the other guards were fidgeting, on edge. One guard, who'd barely regained his senses after being knocked unconscious, was standing between two others. He was terrified out of his mind.

"This is completely unacceptable," Coltarin continued. "Why do I pay you people, if you're not up to the job? Give me your sword." Alomar started in surprise; that last had been addressed to him. Reluctantly, he drew his sword and handed it, pommel first, to his lord.

Coltarin gave the sword an experimental swirl. "This is a good blade, Alomar."

"It was my father's."

Coltarin turned to the quaking guard. "You have failed in your duties; failed me! I will not permit that."

With a sudden violent sweep, he whipped the sword up and across the guards throat. He watched impassively as the elf fell to his knees, hands pressed against his throat, choking to death on his own blood.

When the body was still, Coltarin wiped the sword clean on the dead elf's tunic, and casually tossed it back to Alomar. "Alomar, Sarg, search the city. I don't care how you do it, but I want that crystal found!" He turned on his heel and strode back inside, his retinue hard on his trail.

Alone, Alomar stared at the sword in his hand. It was an honourable blade, once; but no longer. he dropped it carelessly on the ground, and pulled the late guard's sword from its scabbard. It wasn't as good a blade; but it would have to do.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

The rain fell slowly, an unfamilliar substance in the desert, but a soothing one nonetheless. Ranari helped a battered Lemenath hobble away from the temple, not caring about their destination, just struggling to get away. She had washed away most of the blood, and what she didn't get the rain was taking care of. They both were soaked in the gentle downpour, but the cool water was a relief from the heat earlier.

Both elves had multiple cuts, bruises, and scratches, the more noticable ones were on him. He had several deep gashes that would take some time to mend, and a heavy limp that favored his left leg, a limp that the shifting sands did nothing to help.

Hergat watched the two solemnly, this wasn't something he had wanted. He took a breath, and forced himself to step loudly so they would have advance warning.

"Anzor is dead," he said without preamble. Ranari turned a questioning glance toward him, and he continued. "It had to be done, he was in a bloodrage at the end, madly going at everyone. Not many people are taking this very well, there has been too many changes for them, too fast. They have no leader, and no home." He paused, taking a breath. "Morla remembers an old ground they might be able to live in. It hasn't been used in many years, but the caves should provide some shelter from the harsh sandstorms. Is he going to be all right?"

Ranari looked at Lemenath, and for a brief instant Hergat saw the pain she was feeling deep in her eyes. "He'll be fine, he just needs some medical aid." Lemenath nodded at Hergat weakly and motioned for Ranari to help him sit.

"I...I guess I'll go...help the Shomani then." Hergat stuttered nervously, he still wasn't used to this. He turned, leaving the two alone.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~

"You shouldn't have done that." Ranari said finally.

"Hmm?" he rested his head in a pile of the damp sand, no longer caring if he was dirty or wet.

"Fighting Anzor. That was stupid, he was stronger than you, and you knew it. Not to mention that you still haven't fully recovered yet."

"I did what I had to do, just like you did what you had to do."

"Its a miracle that you are still alive, don't ever do that to me again!"

"I...had to..." Lemenath stuttered trying to gather his thoughts, but stopped short when he saw the deep hurt in her eyes. She turned away hastily, probably to hide tears she had rarely felt. He kept quiet for a moment, then put an arm around her, and drew her near.


------------------
"Travel with an alert eye and a drawn sword."

Katze turned another corner, Sideline following close behind. She stopped, leaned against the wall, catching her breath.
"What do we do now?" she asked.
Sideline shrugged, looking about as clueless as she felt. Sure, they'd known the elves wouldn't just let them go (with one puzzling, unexpected exception), but where the hell had all those guards sprung from? Whoever ruled this city, they were definately paranoid. Well, at least the rogues had managed to shake off their pursuers for the time being.
"They have the advantage." Katze remarked. "They know this city, we don't."
"And we're lost." Sideline added. Katze winced. He was not blaming her, about everyone would have gotten lost in this labyrinth of back alleys, but the thought made her uncomfortable nonetheless. "We need to find out which direction we're headed."
"Right." Katze nodded, looking up. The wall was made of bricks, and offered sufficient foothold for even an unskilled climber. "I'll go check." She offered.
At least she needn't be worried about guards spotting her. The house had four floors, about the same height as most in this district, and nobody in their right minds would climb it in this kind of weather. Even if they did look up, they wouldn't see her because her clothes - her whole appearance, in fact - blended in perfectly with the darkness of this stormy night.
She climbed the wall as swiftly as she could, taking care not to lose her grip on the wet stones. To her surprise and relief, the roof was flat, reminding her of the houses in Cademia, where she would just - of course! "She really could've mentioned this..." The black-haired woman muttered under her breath, then turned back. "Sideline!" She called softly, not sure he'd hear her but not daring to raise her voice any more.
"Hush, I'm here." Came the whispered reply, directly below her. Katze stared in surprise, but forebode to ask questions. Instead, she backed away from the brink, and instinctively assumed a crouching position. She could hear now, somewhat muffled by the constant rain, the voices of elves, arguing among themselves.
Holding her breath, she listened.
"You lost them, you incompetent idiots!" A male voice accused.
"I tell you, I saw them!" Another male replied defensively. "They must've come this way."
"And I tell you you're imagining things! This alley contains nothing but dead ends." Said a female.
"Well, they can't be far, then. Get moving, or your heads will be next..." The speaker obviously possesed the authority to make good that threat, for the guards hurriedly assured their superioir that they were doing their best. He didn't seem impressed.
Katze and Sideline waited quietly until the guards had left.
"You heard them - they'll be coming back soon enough when they fin out we're not there."
"Yes." Sideline nodded gravely, getting up. "We should hurry."
"Right." Katze nodded, heading for the opposite edge of the roof. "This way."
"Hey, where are you -" Sideline began but stopped short suddenly. He almost grinned. "To think we bothered with back alleys..." He shook his head. Every single house he could see from his vantage point was flat-roofed.
"It's dangerous in this weather, but it's just as dangerous down there." Katze peered over the edge, looking for guards. "Plus, these alleys are really narrow. We should be able to make it quite far this way." Seeing nobody near, she smiled contentedly. "Let's go."
***
Ranari stiffened, trying to hold on to her (rightful) anger, but somehow, it suddenly didn't seem to matter all that much. After all, he was alive, so why keep complaining? She relaxed slowly, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. Within moments, she was fast alseep.
***
Of course, things weren't quite as easy as they had looked, but all in all, Katze and Sideline managed quite well. They had to dodge a few patrols on the way, and once, Sideline slipped on the wet stones and almost fell head first into the alley below, but Katze caught hold of him just in time.
Only when they arrived at the last row of houses did they stop to survey the situation. As far as either of them could tell, they were not enywhere near their provisional entrance, but that was just as well. The guards had probably discovered it by now, anyway - and it might keep them busy and distract their attention.
Katze and Sideline would have to manage without it.
As they had feared, the guards on the walls were much more active now, keeping keen watch on the streets.
"What do we do now?" Katze asked, for the second time that day.
This time, though, Sideline had the answer. "We only need to get close enough to the walls, and the guards won't see us then." He said thoughtfully, scanning the street. "We'll only have to wait for somebody to pass, and... acquire... their clothing."
"And then we have to hope that the guards don't have bows or crossbows with which to shoot us while we run for cover."
"A risk of the trade." Sideline said, shrugging. There was nothing they could do about it, anyway.
***
Moonshadow paced the small clearing restlessly. Try as she might, she could not sleep. She wished she had gone with Katze and Sideline, if only to escape from the tense atmosphere. Everyone was waiting, hoping for the rogues' save return, and on top of that, she just couldn't take Flynn's hurt look anymore. It didn't help any to know he had brought this upon himself - how could he ever have said something said nonsensitive? Men! When it came down to it, they were all the same - thoughtless, arrogant, not caring about - hang on, what's that?
The elf stopped, looking around cautiously, tilting her head, listening attentively. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye, somebody quickly sliding back into the shadows - quickly, but not quick enough.
Charon! Had the wretch followed her from their 'camp'? No matter, she would not be spied on.
"You can as well come out, I know where you are."
Nonchalantly, as if she's been expecting just that, the woman steped out of hiding. "Just testing." She said. "I came out here to watch for your two companions."
"Yeah, right." Moonshadow replied sarcastically. "Look, I know you don't turst me, or maybe you just don't like me, it doesn't matter. Just leave me alone, ok?"
Charon managed to look startled quite successfully, but she never got a chance to reply accordingly. At the exact moment she would have opened he mouth, a pain-filled scream pierced the air.
"That's Katze!" Moonshadow exclaimed worriedly, already running for the forest's border. Charon followed directly behind.
When they arrived there, they saw what each had been fearing. Despite the rain, the elves on the city walls had taken up their weapons and were firing arrows at the two rogues. One had apparently hit its mark.
On top of that, a large force armed for melee combat had just left the city.
"We can never hold off that many foes!" Charon called out in horror.
"Yes, we can." Moonshadow said coldly.
Charon turned to stare at her. The chill voice sent shivers down her spine.
Moonshadow raised her arms in a commanding gesture. Then, to the human's utter surprise, the elf began to sing. Charon had a sudden, vivid vision of the lightning coming down to hit her enemies.
"Strike." The winter elf commanded, pointing her delicate fingers at the ground.

------------------
Wer denken kann, ist klar im Vorteil.

Alomar flinched, ducking back behind the gate, as the ground seemed to explode in front of him. He peered out from shelter, amazed; the very elements themselves seemed to be conspiring against them.

He had elected to search the northern precincts of the city, while Sarg went south. News quickly reached him that the thieves had been sighted in the south-eastern quarter. He found that disappointing; he'd hoped they would be better than that.

Realising that he had to keep up appearances, he made for the gate at the fastest speed he judged his troop could handle. He had arrived at a fast run, at the head of a line of nearly exhausted elves; they'd been hard pressed to keep up with his pace.

On the soggy ground beyond the gate, Alomar could make out the dead and dying forms of a good dozen soldiers. More were pressing back in through the gate, in abject terror at what they'd just survived. Alomar didn't try to force any of them back out to face the enemy, he knew it would be wasted effort. Part of the wall had fallen, blackened and blasted to rubble. It seemed even the archers hadn't been spared the sky's wrath.

Alomar felt a slight pang of regret, as his keen vision picked out Sarg climbing to his feet, on the extreme edge of the field of carnage. The mute elf didn't look back at the city, but stood stock still, staring out over the field towards the forest. Even Alomar's sight failed to detect what it was that so riveted Sarg's attention.

-------

Moonshadow blinked repeatedly, feeling a little unsteady on her feet. As the ringing faded from her ears, she detected the sound of running feet approaching. With a gasp, Charon lurched to her feet, readying her bow, and gazing dizzily ahead.

"Don't worry," Moonshadow said, "it's just Flynn." Charon focused on her quizzically. "You don't think he'd let you stray too far away, do you?" Charon flinched at the bitter undertone in Moonshadow's voice, but apparently couldn't think of anything to say.

"Are you all right?" Flynn queried anxiously as he pounded up behind them.

Moonshadow nodded absently in Flynn's direction - then her mind suddenly cleared. "Katze!" She rushed forward, desperately seeking her wounded friend.

"Over here!" Moonshadow veered toward the voice, and saw Sideline crouched over a still form and waving vigorously in her direction.

"Don't worry, Katze," she soothed, crouching down beside the wounded rogue. "I'll have you fixed up in no time." She nodded once to Sideline; with a violent heave, he tore the arrow from Katze's abdomen. Katze shrieked in agony, but was quickly silenced; she'd lost consciousness. Moonshadow pressed a hand on the injury, and her eyes briefly shone silver. Sideline picked up the limp, but healed woman, and began to carry her back to the trees. Moonshadow stood up to follow.

A shiver passed through her body. It wasn't as if it was something she'd never experienced before, but with the warmth of the worlds she'd been finding herself in, it wasn't exactly a common occurrance.

Somehow, this was different; it felt as though an icy spear was being thrust through her very soul. She glanced back over her shoulder, toward the city. On the edge of the patch of scorched earth, she spied a lone elf standing. His single eye was boring into her; never in her life had she felt such tangible hatred pouring from one being to another.

-------

Flynn reached Sideline just as Katze began to wake up.

"Put me down," she protested, "I can walk!"

Sideline complied, but Katze was still clearly unsteady. She made the rest of the distance to the forest, where the others were waiting, supported between the two men. Moonshadow caught up with them just as they passed the tree line.

As Sideline helped Katze over to lean against a tree, Flynn glanced around the gathered people, making a quick count; everyone was present, including the two newly freed slaves.

"Did you get it?" Flynn asked of the rogues. Sideline nodded.

"OK, great; what now?" Damar asked plaintively.

Flynn ignored him for the moment. "Moonshadow, have you got enough power for a portal?" She nodded. "Good. I'd suggest you, Leandra, Katze, the ex-slaves and anyone else that wants to, take the crystal and leave for the human village."

Moonshadow folded her arms stubbornly. "And just what will the rest of you be doing?"

"Fighting for our lives, probably."

"Then I suggest we all leave through the portal!" A few heads nodded in agreement.

"If there's a quick way out of danger, then I say we take it," Damar inserted, oblivious to the suddenly tense atmosphere.

"Think about it," Flynn responded. "Those elves saw Katze and Sideline, if not Charon. They're not going to stay scared forever, and where do you think they're going to go hunting for a group of human thieves?"

Damar turned white. "Oh," he said, weakly.

Flynn nodded, as he saw that the dissenters were beginning to see what he was getting at. "If a few of us head back to the settlement, they can give the villagers warning about what's about to come down on them. They'll have more time to ready whatever defences they have. In the meantime, the rest of us will do whatever we can to slow the elves down."

"I'm staying!" Katze protested.

"Be sensible," Sideline scolded. "True, you'll probably be back to your old self before long, but we'd have to be looking after you until then. It might get someone killed." Katze nodded guiltily.

Moonshadow was still frowning. She marched right up to Flynn, and stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him from a distance of six inches. "All right, I'll open the portal. But," She continued, waving a finger under his nose, "if you think you're getting rid of me that easy, you've got another think coming. I'm staying!"

Flynn blinked, taken aback by her vehemence. "OK, I'm not going to argue."

Moonshadow took a deep breath, as if to continue her tirade, but suddenly realised there was nothing to complain about. Instead, she walked silently over to an open space, and opened a portal.

-------

Alomar leaned patiently against the gate, waiting for Sarg to make his way back to the city.

"We'd best report back to Coltarin," he said, as the mute, one-eyed elf walked by, brushing dust and soot from his clothes. Sarg just nodded once. "You know where they're going, of course," Alomar continued, falling into step beside his companion. Sarg nodded again. "We'll need most of the army, this time." Once more, Sarg nodded.

Tiring of the one-sided conversation, Alomar also fell into silence. "So, at last we'll take the fight to them," he thought to himself. "Grandmother, soon you will be avenged."

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

After openening the portal, Moonshadow turned back to her companions. "Well, what do we -" She stopped, looked down at her hands and arms, looking puzzled and frightened. For a moment, she could have sworn she was wounded and exhausted, and in desperate need of somebody who'd help her. It was a terrifying sensation, but not at all unfamiliar. Something was going terribly wrong at the village.
"Moonshadow!" Flynn's worried voice interrupted her thoughts. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?
"Yes... no... I..." Moonshadow blinked. "What happened?"
"You suddenly... fell." Flynn replied.
"I - Ranari!" Moonshadow struggled to rise to her feet.
"Ranari? What about her?"
"I changed my mind. I'm going." Moonshadow said, ignoring Leandra's question.
"Where?" Charon asked.
"Temple." She answered, wondering whatever Ranari was doing there. With a quick gesture she opened another portal, was about to step through when somebody stopped her.
"Since you're going there, you can as well take this along." Katze handed her a small leather pouch. "The Stone." She explained, noticing Moonshadow's puzzled look.
"Yeah, right. I'll take care of it." The elf replied distractedly, then took a step forward.
Wherever the portal had brought her, it was not the temple, though she could have seen it in the distance had she'd bothered to. But right now her sister was more important. Looking around, she quickly spotted her and Lemenath not far away, and involuntarily gasped. What had happened here? She walked over quickly, shaking her head.
Surprisingly, her sister seemed to be fast asleep. Lemenath wasn't, though - he was unconcious. She kneeled down beside him, quickly examining his injuries. Somebody - probably Ranari - had done a fair job fixing the major ones, but they didn't seem to be the core of the problem.
She put one hand on his forehead, concentrating on getting a more detailed image of his condition. He was suffering badly from blood loss (she'd already assumed as much), but even worse from some internal injuries. Whatever had the fool man gotten himself into?
Moonshadow sighed, then began the incantation that would restore his health, realizing that this would yet get to be an exhausting day. It was not hard to heal superficial wounds, and even the reconstruction of bones and tenons could be managed rather easily. Not at all like repairing organs...
After that task was finished, she turned to take care of Ranari's injuries, thinking that she was straining her powers rather much that day.
When she'd healed her sister, she sat back on her heels, wondering what to do next. She didn't want to wake either of her sleeping patients, but she needed to get some answers. Sighing, she reached out to touch Ranari's shoulder, gently shaking the elven girl to wake her.
Eventually, Ranari opened her eyes sleepily, blinking up at her sister in confusion. Then suddenly she sat up, looking around quickly. "Lemenath!" She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him. "He's just asleep, right? He'll be all right, won't he? " She asked worriedly.
Moonshadow sat down, eyeing her sister quizically. "Of course he'll be all right. He's healed, see? No cuts, no bruises, nothing... he'll just take a while to recover from the loss of blood."
"I'm just worried... he'll really be -"
"You doubt my healing skill?" Moonshadow asked.
"Well, no, I -"
"Fine, then you can tell me what happened here." Even as she spoke, she realized she had not chosen the most elegant way to get to the point, but she really needed answers.
Ranari stared at her for a moment. "Well, there was this fight, you see, and -"
"What fight?" Her sister interrupted, frowning.
"Well, Lemenath was fighting Anzor, and he got hurt real bad - and then there was the demon, he destroyed the whole village, and Anzor's dead now, too, and -"
"Uh, would you care to start at the beginning?"
------------------
Wer denken kann, ist klar im Vorteil.

[This message has been edited by Moonshadow (edited 07-31-2002).]

Flynn surveyed the small band of people that had volunteered - in some cases, quite insistantly - to stay behind as a rearguard. Besides himself, there was Charon and Damar, Wolmark, Leandra, Troyen, Sideline, Mia - and Torhal. The ex-slave, like Leandra, had refused to leave as suggested with Talm, Salmaris, Katze and Terrel.

"In a way, you're all fighting for freedom," he'd explained. "Considering what you've done for me already, I just want to do my bit."

Flynn had nodded his understanding. "What sort of weapons can you handle?"

"I'm not much good with a bow, but I can fair swing a sword, if you can find me one." Flynn loaned him the Sword of Truth. Unlike the Ruby Fang, its power didn't derive from the Cytheran elements. Most of the abilities of the sword would be of little use, except one - the virtue of always striking true. In Torhal's inexperienced hands, it might be his one chance to effective in the battles to come.

Leandra had likewise refused to leave them.

"What happens if someone gets badly hurt? Wolmark hasn't got the skill to heal any serious damage."

Again, Flynn had to bow to her decision; her argument made sense. He'd turned to the young Shomani. "What about you, Mia? Do you want a weapon?"

"No", the feline girl replied in her sibilant voice. "I have my teeth and claws. That will be more than enough for any Elf that crosses my path, tonight."

Once the portal to the village had closed behind the four that departed, the remainder had all looked to Flynn for direction. He was momentarily abashed, but quickly took it in stride; he had no idea why people tended to look to him for leadership, but he'd long ago learned to deal with it.

"What I suggest is this. We let the elven forces pass us by, then strike from the rear."

"But that means we'll only get one strike at them," Damar protested.

"Not at all, silly," Leandra scolded him, failing to realise that he didn't have the benefit of understanding Flynn's thought processes, like many of the others there did. "Once we've struck once, we leave - through a portal, to a new position ahead of the enemy."

"Right," Flynn agreed. "Then we do it all over again. Objections?" There were none. "Fine. Leandra, try to conserve your energy for healing - we're liable to need all too much of that, I'm afraid. Wolmark, you'll likewise need to conserve your energy for teleporting. I'm afraid that puts rather a lot onto the shoulders of the rest of us, but it can't be helped. Remember, our objective is to slow them down, not defeat them. If you feel you're being pressed too hard, call the retreat - Wolmark will have a portal waiting at a prearranged spot."

After that, Charon and Damar had lead them all to a place that any elven force was bound to pass on their way to the village. In spite of the odds, their morale was astoundingly high.

-------

In the fields outside the elven city, the slaves and their masters began to notice a dull rumbling, like thunder. They'd heard a great deal of thunder lately, and their senses told them this was somehow diffferent; constant.

The thunder increased, until it became a noticeable vibration in the ground. Suddenly, in a burst of glistening chrome and polished steel, the thunder rode out of the city gates.

A thousand, eleven hundred, even more; elves on horseback, armed, armoured, and arrayed in full panoply of war. The elves watching cheered at their splendour, caring not where the war party was going. The humans knew better than to raise their eyes from the mud. At the head rode the two warlords, Alomar and Sarg. Between them, rode Coltarin himself.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

[This message has been edited by Overmind (edited 08-15-2002).]

The column of elvish riders rode the trail at a stately speed, forced to ride no more than two abreast by the closeness of the trees on either side. The column stretched on for what seemed like miles; a thousand or more riders, two abreast, doesn't make for a quick passing. They rode proudly; they were the masters of their domain, who would dare to oppose them?

One of the last two riders suddenly gave out a strangled cry, and toppled from his horse. The elf next to him just had time to turn around, when something knocked him to the ground. He lay there unmoving.

Another rider glanced back to see what the commotion was about. His face went ashen with shock at the sight of the bodies - and the arrows that protruded from their backs. Two figures - a man and a woman - stepped into the trail, several hundred yards back, and began to run in the opposite direction. The elf let out a bellow of rage, whirled his horse about, and started after them. The pursuit was quickly joined by half a dozen other riders, swords out, intent on just one thing: shedding human blood.

The riders burst through the trees into a clearing. Confronting them were not just two humans with bows, but also four others with swords - and one Shomani. A Blond man pointed a crystalline blade in their direction, and the power of the heavens rained down upon them.

-------

Flynn stood frowning down at the bodies. Besides the trio that had taken the full force of his three swift bolts of lightning, two more had been taken by Charon and Damar's arrows. The sixth - and unluckiest - had fallen to Mia, who was now leaning against a tree at the edge of the small clearing, cleaning the blood off her claws.

Flynn glanced up as he heard Troyen approaching. "This was too easy," he said, before the younger man could say anything. "I'd have expected much more of a fight from them."

"Well," Troyen replied thoughtfully, "the numbers were pretty even, but that lightning sword of yours is a pretty hard weapon to counter. I think we could probably have won out against twice their number, without breaking too much of a sweat."

Flynn's expression grew concerned. "Don't rely on my sword too much; it's only got a few shots left, and then it's little different to the one Sideline carries - just a little sharper." He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "No, this is going to get a lot harder before we're done."

They turned at the sound of Wolmark calling out from behind them. "The portal's open; let's get moving!"

One by one, the small band of guerrilla fighters stepped through the radiant disc, bound for their next point of ambush.

-------

Moonshadow listened patiently while Ranari explained the events of the last few days, occasionally prompting her when she strayed from the important facts.

"So Kwon faced down the demon with you?" she asked, when Ranari was done. Ranari nodded. "And where is he now?"

Ranari's eyes widened slightly at the sharp edge in her elder sister's tone of voice. "I - I don't know. He was behind me when I left for the temple... I thought..."

"No, you didn't think! He could be lying out there somewhere, hurt - but all you could think about was getting back to him! You acted completely irresponsibly!"

Ranari looked at Moonshadow in complete shock, speechless. Moonshadow took a slow breath to calm herself. "Look, when are you going to realise that he's just not worthy of you?"

That was the final straw; Ranari's temper snapped. "Oh, you're a fine one to talk, you and that - that human!" She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, but by then it was too late.

If Moonshadow's complection hadn't already been so pale, the colour would have visibly drained from her cheeks at Ranari's vicious barb. Her eyes closed, as if trying to shut out the words. "That - that's over. He... doesn't want me."

Ranari half raised a hand in apology. "I - I'm sorry, I didn't mean -"

She was talking to air. Sorrowfully, she watched Moonshadow disappearing over a distant dune.

-------

Lemenath viewed the entire scene through half-closed eyes, not wanting to interfere.

He was afraid.

Afraid that Moonshadow was right; he wasn't worthy. Afraid of letting Ranari too close. Afraid of his past, of revealing the painful truth about himself. Afraid that the things he'd done might yet reach into his future, and strangle any chance at finding happiness. Afraid that Ranari might be repulsed by who he really was.

Most of all, he was afraid of losing her.

She would have to know everything; he would have to tell her. But not yet. Soon; but it wasn't time, yet.

-------

Moonshadow sped lightly across the shifting sands towards the Shomani village. Her eyes were blurred with unshed tears; but unlike her sister, she knew how to put her own feelings aside when it was important.

In the distance, she saw a dark figure walking towards her. From the way it moved, she knew it had to be Kwon. She ran up to him, and uncharacteristically hugged him close.

"I'm glad I found you!" she exclaimed. Kwon's eybrows raised in surprise, but Moonshadow didn't notice; she also failed to notice the odd, almost electrical play of scarlet energy, deep within his eyes. "Are you all right? are you hurt?"

"I am well, friend Moonshadow," he replied in his usual, gentle voice. "But I sense that you are not..."

Moonshadow simply lowered her head to his shoulder, and sobbed silently.

For once in his life, Kwon couldn't think of a single thing to say.

------------------
I will classify my lieutenants in three categories: untrusted, trusted, and completely trusted. Promotion to the third category will be awarded posthumously.

[This message has been edited by Overmind (edited 08-15-2002).]

Niamh sighed, looking out of the window of her cabin far above the ground. So far, there had been no news concerning the small group which had left to find the Stone of Mikos. While she knew that some things just took time, the old elf couldn't help the feeling that something had gone wrong.
To calm her wandering mind, she concentrated on the familiar sounds of her environment... the twitter of birds and rustle of branches, somewhat muffled by the ever-pouring rain - and far down below, human voices, raised in a flurry of excitement. Mere moments later, Niamh could hear rapid footfalls, somebody running up the stairs to her room.
"Niamh! Niamh! Some of the strangers have returned!"
***
Katze looked around in momentary confusion, wondering what the heck the fuss was about - until she remembered these people knew nothing about magic, had probably never even seen it before their arrival. Considering that, their appearance in the middle of the encampment must have looked pretty spectacular.
She half-turned, looking back at Talm and Salmaris and behind them Terrel, a peculiar mix of fear and curiosity on his face as he gazed around. He'd probably never seen that many humans in one place.
Katze quickly spotted a familiar face among the group of humans surrounding them. "Hey, Eisha! Where's your leader?"
"Our leader?" The girl looked at her in confusion. "Well, there's the council... why do y-"
"I need to talk to them, quickly." Katze interrupted, not particularly wanting to explain the situation in public for fear the humans might panic.
"And what is it you need to talk about so urgently?" Came a quiet voice from behind.
Katze turned. Behind her stood an old elf, wearing the clothing of the foresters. The rogue remembered having seen her before. "I'd rather talk to the council in person." She replied.
"Very well. Some of you, inform the council members to come to the meeting room." Niamh said, looking at Eisha and her friends. "This way." She added, beckoning the four strangers to follow her, leading them up the central staircase. They crossed several rope bridges before coming to a halt in front of a thick, wooden door. "This is where the council meets." She explained as she pushed the door open. "Sit down, please," she added politely, pointing at a few chairs. "The council members will be here soon." The elf herself sat down opposite from them, regarding them attentively but not saying another word. Katze marvelled at her ability to keep her curiosity in check.
While waiting for the council to arrive, Katze wondered what to tell them. In the end, she decided she didn't have time to relate the full story. The immediate news would have to do. They were all that mattered right now, anyway.
Before long, the council was assembled. Katze got up, took a look at all the men and women around. "The good news first." She began. "We have the Stone. In fact, it's probably already at the temple." She hesitated.
"And the bad news?" Niamh prompted.
Katze got the uncanny feeling the elf had an idea of what would be coming next. She drew a deep breath. "The elves are on their way here."
The council members exchanged glances. "We can deal with a patrol of elves if need be." One of them finally said. "We've done so before."
"No patrol." Katze's voice was very, very quiet.
Niamh turned suddenly pale.
"Their entire army, by the looks of it," the rogue corrected the elder.
"You brought the entire elven army down on us??" The elf demanded, staring at Katze and her companions furiously. Terrel squealed in fear, and went into hiding behind the tall, dark-haired woman. The elf's frail body literally shook with rage as she advanced on them. "Do you even have an idea, any idea at all, of what you have done? You said you were going to get the Stone without trouble, and instead, you endanger all these people here? They're not fighters! They don't stand a chance against the elven army!!"
One of the women approached the elf, took hold of her arm. "Niamh!" She pleaded, obviously shaken by the elf's outburst. "Calm down... please. We have the guardians... we know the forest, the elves don't. Maybe it's not as bad as you think... it's been long since you've last seen their army. Maybe things changed. Please, Niamh." Listening to these words, Katze wondered just who the woman was trying to convince. Niamh - or herself?
"How many of them are there?" One of the men asked, turning towards Katze.
The rogue noticed the spark of hope in his eyes, and hated herself for having squelch it. 1200 elven riders, probably even more - these people truly didn't stand a chance... or did they? They could at least do as much damage as possible. Katze hesitated, thinking things over. The elves had horses - no good trying to fight them on the ground. But they were also heavily armed and armored - up to now, Katze had thought of this as another of their advantages.
"Well... how many?" The man repeated, interrupting her train of thought.
Katze became suddenly and uncomfortably aware that all eyes were on her. She drew another deep breath. "1200 riders, maybe more." She said, watching the color drain from their faces. "All heavily armed and armored."
"Then Niamh is right, and we-"
"Yes, maybe. But we can at least make them feel sorry they attacked." Katze interrupted, rising a hand to forestall questions. "Our other companions have stayed behind to ambush the elves and decimate their numbers as best they can. That doesn't mean we'll get around fighting them, but we can make them fight on our conditions. We all know that we have no chance fighting them on the ground... they'd likely trample us to death. But their heavy armor will hamper them in the trees, and I noticed those rope bridges are not the safest place for swordplay." She paused, searching her memory for what little she knew about war tactics. "Are there any skilled archers among you?" She asked after a while.
Another of the men nodded. "Of course. Our people are mainly archers."
"So, if we can trap at least part of them in the trees somehow..." Niamh's voice was thoughtful, her face composed, and Katze once again marvelled at her self-control. Then it occurred to her that the humans were looking up to Niamh for guidance... she couldn't let them know she was scared if she wanted to maintain their morale.
"...we can keep them busy for a while." Salmaris concluded.
"Maybe we can put traps on the rope bridges." Katze suggested. "Or we could damage the ropes so that they'll tear apart if too much weight is put on them." Was it her imagination, or could she see that very satisfying vision of the enemy elves falling to their deaths reflected on the others' faces?
"Mialu*, Reanne*, " Niamh turned towards the women next to her. "I need you to inform the people... tell them we are expecting a massive elven attack. Everyone who is willing - and able - to help in the defense shall report to Dorcin*." She nodded at one of the younger council members. "All those who are unable to help will pack up their most necessary possessions, and leave for one of the other settlements. Pick some of the younger people to help you with your task, if necessary. As for the rest of you... we will need more of a plan than what we have so far."
As the two women and the man left the room, the remaining humans and Niamh sat down to work out a more detailed plan to fend off the elven attackers.

*names courtesy of Katerei

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Ich weiß wohl, ich bin nur ein Träumer, der vielleicht eines Morgens erwacht. Doch ich spotte dem Tag und ich folge dem Stern und ich lass mich entführen in die Nacht...
- Silk & Lute

[This message has been edited by Moonshadow (edited 08-15-2002).]