Mia nodded in reply and continued on to the forest. It wasn't far, merely a few miles from Roid.

Naclia walked up to the trail leading in and called to the rangers guarding the forest. Everyone in the group-probably even the humans-could sense the heavy enchantments here. An elven man appeared on the trail and looked at Naclia.

"Your party has grown," the ranger said to her with a raised eyebrow. "You can bring them all in," he said after a moments hesitation looking at the dark elves. "If you allowed them to join you, they no doubt are trust worthy."

"Thank you," she said as he raised the spiritual shield that was raised around the entrance of the forest. "Come on, we can stay at my place tonight." she motioned to her companions as she entered.

Moryssa followed her too as she tried to hide her smug face. She liked Ariakan already. But his comment made her a little nervous. "Kiran, what are we going to do? The forest can't protect itself from Narse. We've got to get out as soon as possible."

Kiran sighed, "We'll make due. Rangers are on the look out all over the forest. If Narse comes, we'll have a good warning, not to mention there are powerful shamans here."

* * *

Sevrina fought with herself for a moment, still wanting to fight, but her reasoning told her to rest. Gale hadn't come. He would likely head for the Forest like he suggested. She paced the bank, still waiting, but
finally got herself to drive into the river and swim across.

It was well into the night when she reached the Mirror Forest and her exhaustion had begun to set in. She waited in a tree outside the forest for Gale, she would stay there for a short time--if she could stay awake--and if Gale didn't come, she would attempt to enter the forest.

Gale had had a tough time getting to the forest; he was uncharacteristically, leading a group of soldiers and refugees to the forest. He looked back to see Setzer not far behind. "Don't worry, we'll get our revenge but right now, the enemy wields and controls more powerful dark magic and powers than power and magic on our side. We MUST pull back for now. My spear is only one of the many relics of ancient power... A friend on mine wields a Holy sword and is descendant of the Dragon God Kaiser. But, even then we are still lacking in power. We need to find the heroes of the legends past, if they still live. Ghim, Parn, Deedlit, Woodchuck, Slayn, Etoh, and the rest... I just hope the elves don't turn the refugees away coldly." Gale saw Sevrina up ahead by the forest's edge, he was relieved. Blood was covering his armor and spear. He looked terrible and felt that way too.

Sevrina jumped to the ground wearily and walked up to Gale. She had just barely enough strength to walk, but pushed herself forwards and leaned against him. "I'm glad your here," she said softly.

Zira watched from a distance. She had seen Sevrina come and wait by the forest, then Gale arrive with refugees. Zira didn't trust Sevrina, not since they met that morning, so she didn't go to meet them. She had heard Gale's words and knew Blaze still hadn't returned; she would keep her vigil until he did.

* * *

Naclia led them to her home, a tree house deep within the forest. She climbed up the ladder quickly and opened the door. There were only two rooms in her home, one that was all purpose and a bedroom, but there was plenty of floor space. She turned to her party. "I'm going out for ranger duty, if any of you would like to join me, I'm sure the community would appreciate it."

Talen walked over in front of Naclia. "I shall go with you for ranger duty Naclia." he said with a gentle smile. He then looked back to the group.

Naclia smiled at Talen a little playfully, "Think you can keep up with an elf?" She quickly went out the door, being certain to pet Lucied as she left.

Fou-Lu looked at the two. He must really want to protect her no matter what. he thought to himself. But of course that’s the way I am with Mia. He looked to them. "We will stay here in case anything happens." he said.

Mia leaned back against Fou-Lu and smiled as she watched Naclia and Talen leave. She then looked over at Zira who had taken a seat at the far end of the room in the shadows. Zira had always been uncomfortable around lovers, and here she was in a room with 3 couples. For Zira's comfort, she pulled away from Fou-Lu and sat by her old friend. It had to be worse for her with Kiran around.

"Are you ok?" Mia asked.

Mia smiled at Fou-Lu and sat in the cushiony chair Zira had been in. Wrapping in her cloak, she found a comfortable position and closed her eyes.

Fou-Lu smiled at Mia watching her admiring her beauty and sat back himself watching her.

* * *

Kiran knelt by her and slipped his arms beneath her, gently lifting her. He carried her to Naclia's room and set her down on a cushioned chair. Taking a blanket from the foot of the bed, he laid it over her and sat down on the floor next to her. He glanced across the room and looked at the half-elven girl sleeping in Naclia's bed. Kiran was curious about the girl Zira introduced as Alni. She was very young, he could see that, and Zira was very close to her. For a moment, he thought she could be Zira's daughter, but she probably wasn't. He smiled a little comforted by the idea, but that was just old jealousy being alleviated. I really need to get over that, he thought, then looked up at Moryssa. Smiling gently, he slipped his hand over her delicate, soft hand and watched her sleeping.

* * *

Naclia lead Talen through the branches of the trees around her home, taking the most sturdy for Talen's sake. She stopped for a moment and glanced back at him, waiting for him to get closer and when he did, she climbed higher into a tree towards the canopy. She found a comfortable position and looked at the fiery sunset. "Hurry up Talen," she called down to him, her eyes locked on the beautiful sunset. "It wont last much longer."

Talen looked up at Naclia and climbed the tree slowly pulling himself up from branch to branch till he got up by Naclia and sat down close by her. He then looked out to the sunset. "Wow its beautiful." he said then looking over to Naclia admiring her as the sun reflected off her brown hair and flickered in her eyes. His eyes locked onto her for some time smiling as he admired her beauty.

Naclia looked over at him and smiled, then moved over to him carefully, laying her head against his shoulder.

Naclia looked up at Talen as he touched her and her eyes locked with his. She reached up and stroked her hand across his cheek, smiling slightly, then leaned forward and kissed him gently.

* * *

Zira found her way to the edge of the forest and climbed up a tall tree where she could see the ruins of Roid. If he did come here, he would come from Roid. She glanced to the sunset, untouched by the beauty, then returned her attention to the smoldering ruins miles away.

* * *

Sakura walked out of the cabin, looking for a nearby shrine. Although it probably was dedicated to Marfa or some woodland god, she would pay her respects immediately. The forest gave her a strange soothing feeling. She admired the beauty of the people, their homes, their world. If only all of Lodoss were so beautiful. But it's filled with evil. I wish that the gods of light would just smite it and be done.

* * *

As the gates of chaos hovered over Roid a black shroud figure entered the city, he could smell the death on the air. He looked around him and smiled secretly. Soon after entering he made his way to the ruined palace and called out. "He who has taken the city of Roid. I come seeking the dark elf named Ariakan and I seek to enlist your aid in destroying him. Do you wish to deal with me or do you wish me to leave?"

Cray slowly looked down on the strange through his mask from the rooftop. :Who are you?" he asked int he old language.

The figure replied in the old language. "The dark hunter, that is what you may call me."

Cray quickly absorbed the answer and replied again. :I serve no one. Stay out of my way I shall stay out of yours.... However I have not recognized this Ariakan...:

"He was last seen engaging forces here, alone, then he vanished from the city proper. If you have not seen him then I have come to the wrong place." Ralathan replied to the person as he thought for a second.

Note: Some posts have been lost between these points.

* * *

As Ariakan slept, he seemed very restless, about an hour into his sleep he awoke abruptly and looked around at the others in the room before he went and sat down in a chair where he could see outside. "Why does he persist hunting me for crimes against an army that has been crushed..."

Mia, a notoriously light sleeper, jumped to her feet when she heard Ariakan's voice. She glanced over at him, then Fou-Lu, looking a little embarrassed since she had instinctively drawn her daggers. She sheathed her weapons and fell back in the chair, "Are you ok?" she asked Ariakan. "Sorry 'bout that. I'm used to being on edge..."

"The dreams have returned again, it's been years since I have felt his presence and now he has returned. I have the time to tell you about it all now." He replied as he looked to her with his eyes showing signs of fear in them.

Ariakan sighed before he started. "It was about eleven months before the end of the last war. I was second in command of a dark elf unit for the Marmo forces attack a region I cannot recall now. I had plans to leave the army for some time now and I was being blocked from leaving the field by the unit. It ended up with me killing them all with a rather large fireball and then heading to safer territory. A day or so I started having similar dreams for about a week and then they stopped after I reached the village I chose to settle in. Ralathan was the one who trained me and he told me that if I ever used my powers against Marmo he would hunt me down and kill me, he may be brutal and sadistic but he is after me now, with every intention of keeping his word. I know when he is close by as he always enters my dreams and twists them to his own ways."

Mia sat and absorbed what he told her. "It seems that if you're to be traveling with us, we may all have to face him," she smiled slightly at him to assure him that she was willing to help. "So you think he's near? No doubt the destruction in Roid got his attention."

* * *

Moryssa's eyes fluttered open at the yell. "What's going on? Yawn, do we have to fight again already?" She asked Kiran groggily, her eyes mere slits. She noticed his hand on hers and smiled a little. He's such a sweet man. Although I've got to feel like a baby to him, the age difference and all. But he doesn't seem to mind my company, and I certainly don't mind his.

Kiran looked up at her and smiled. "I'm sure it's nothing. It sounds like that guy just had a bad dream." He slumped against the wall and closed his eyes for a moment.