Sevrina led the two men into the street in front of the inn and walked north, towards the bay. "Aiyanna mentioned some people were already here. I expect they came to the bay. And..." Sevrina paused as she looked up toward the sky where the efreeti had been. There were heavy laden rain clouds passing in front of the Chaos Gate, pouring rain down on the bay front. "I wouldn't be surprised if our heroes were involved there." she continued.

Sevrina's eyes drifted from the street to the sky as she led Blade and Kai through the city. As her eyes lifted once more, she watched the stormclouds being blown away from the gaping hole of the Chaos Gate. She tensed, at first thinking that Vesper was moving them, but then she felt the distinct feeling of a large number of spirits being summoned. Shamans.

"I have a good feeling that our friends are on the bay front," she told her companions.

* * *

They took a long march and after several turn arounds, they found an ornately made building. "Here we are." Alera said and began walking towards the door. Out of nowhere, two men faded into view. She nodded to them and spoke a word in an ancient dialect. They nodded in respect and moved. Alera waved to Aiyanna, then walked straight through the gate. It was an illusion.

Jinn stalked after the two sorcereress and stopped after they had entered the ornate building. Jinn positioned himself across from the illusionary wall, leaning against a real one with his arms folded across his chest. His focus was still at the darkened sky, the swirling mass of pure power. Gods knew what would happen in two days...

Alera approached several men, but walked by the as if she belonged to the guild. She took down several halls and found a single door at the end. She opened it quickly and flowingly, and stepping through the gateway. An old man sat at a desk, reading a tome. He was nearly ancient.

"My friend, Darrenii. It is I, Master Tai'var."Alera said rather sophisticatedly.

The old man, who seemed to not even have noticed the entrance, looked up. "Oh! My dear! What brings you back here after so long?"

"Have you looked outside lately?"

"No...why?"

"Well, there is a giant, cultivating portal floating above Raiden about to unleash monsters and magic enough to level the city. Care to help out?"

"Why of course, my dear! I'm sure I can pull something together for whatever it is."

"Wonderful. This is my friend, a sorceress in training named Aiyanna. We have friends close by."

"Very well." The man flicked his hand and a bell appeared. He rung the bell a few times and then it disappeared. Commotion could be heard outside.

"Great honour to meet you" Aiyanna bowed lightly and soon enough he was outside after calling the bell. Aiyanna herself was enjoying the illusions and such though that wasn't her area of specialty for her it was all good. Aiyanna waited patiently by Alera.

As they exited with the old man, thirteen mages of some considertable talent stood in a straight line, their own unique staves at their side and pouches on their rope of a belt. Together, they all, very formally, lifted up their staves and hit the ground with the bottom end once and declared in unison," High Sorcerer, Master!" Alera grinned at the display. The guild of the Blade Eagles were well disiplined as well as talented in their magics. The majority of the magic they practiced was offensive. But about four of them didn't look, for the most part, battle hardy compared to the others. They looked sturdy, but not warriors. Perhaps support casters or defenders. Darrenii himself was far too old to fight himself, which was why he wore one of the most decorated versions of the defensive spell casters. The old man waved a hand and they all stood attentively, watching him closely.

"My talented students. Raiden has come to danger. We have been asked our assistance to save it. In this place, no to such an event is not an answer!" He said, very motivationally.

They all repeated in unison. "Truth has been said!"

"Then we shall all join the battle for Raiden!"

"The Blade Eagles don't back down!" they called back in unison.

"Our old friend, Master Tai'var has returned to also aid in this endeavor," he declared, as if Alera was one of the highest sorcereresses ever to walk the earth or something.

"The Blade Eagles Honor Thee!" they chanted in return.

"Good men of the Blade Eagles! We shall take ourselves to a place of meeting, and we shall see our resistance fighters! We shall win the day through our skills and those of our comrads!"

"We will stand together!" They chanted back.

"Gather your things, and we shall depart for the place of meet!"

"Of course, Master!" they chanted back.

"Go now," he said, dismissing them.

They all bowed and hurried in different directions, gathering things. Alera leaned to Aiyanna and whispered, "Impressive, aren't they? I trained a few of them a few years prior to now. Darrenii was the one who led me on the path to who I am now."

Aiyanna silently nodded, "I agree, I never thought mages could be such fighters, my mentor is more peaceful then type to fight, people in nearby village whom he would heal people for free would use to say he could have been an elf for he is so kind and peaceful and loves everyone. Well most villagers do not have much knowledge about elves so they see them as some peaceful and fat higher race then mere human." Aiyanna looked around for Jinn, to ask him what he thought about this matter.

"There are many other types of magic to stand strong in the land of Lodoss, Aiyanna. Stereotypes have never helped anyone. Why look at them now?" She asked, then began to walk towards a room and opened it. Inside, a purplish darkness presided. She did not wave for Aiyanna to follow, but she did leave the door open.

Aiyanna was still awe from seeing the impressive display and followed Alera like chick to mother hen. Aiyanna hesistated at the purple darkness, "It's ..it's dark in there...a purple darkness?"

Aiyanna immediatly sent a small amount her own magick to her staff and the small globe of crystal that was floating lightly shimmered with silvery light and with some light at hand she carefully tip toed into the room but still she could not see anything, this wasn't the night sky. Hazy vision of her past came back the night when her home down burned, as sun went down. It was lit with purple, deep red and brilliant orange yellow...she tried to shove it to the back. With a voice that almost went crawling in, she called out to Alera, "Alera?"

The light summoned by Aiyanna, as they entered, seemed to get eaten up by the strange purple darkness. The door slammed shut behind her. Slowly, a visible purple globe appeared from the ceiling. The darkness seemed to fade, and Alera stood in the center of the room in front of a pedestal. The purple orb that hung from the ceiling was right above her. The room still glowed an eiry purple. "Welcome, Aiyanna, to my grand experiment," she stated clearly. "As I see, it is still alive and well. And it will take three more years before completion." Before Aiyanna could even ask, alera began to explain. "This room has become a nexus point of energy. This room is designed to gather and harvest the power, perhaps for use. It has been working so far. That is the explanation for the purple glow. At full power, this room will be filled with pure energy, a blinding white light. In three years, anyway." She walked around the room. "In times of danger or need of power, the development of these rooms in mage guilds may become reality. The magic is stored here, in this room. Standing inside can rejeuvinate you of your power if you accept its flow. Also, in here, are two magical weapons, much like my own. They charge here and become enchanted. A mace and bow lay here. I am preparing another staff to also be placed in my chamber. Soon it will become enchanted, like my own. Perhaps, in due time, I will have something special prepared for you, Aiyanna. But first, you would have to learn to help in the crafting of your weapon for the process to work. I am working on a way to be able to make them user friendly to other people as well. It hasn't been working."

Aiyanna loked around in awe, almost dumbstruck bu the scale of the experiment. "You are so different from my mentor! I never seen anything of magickal experiment at scale of this!" Aiyanna then tried to calm her self down."Well I am already ready to jump in and learn what I can though we will have to do something about the chaos generals first. We can't push our personal desires first ahead of general well fair of others....well...Alera, crafting a weapon? What do you mean by that? I am definitly not a fighter...only weapons I have are these.." Aiyanna took out a long twin dagger made of precious silver and gold in shape of two silver wings wrapped around a blue orb. Aiyanna looked at Alera showing her the twin daggers laid out on the palms of her hands.

"If they are yours to own, it may work. Those weapons there have never been used and have been created for certain people. Placing your daggers in here would make them enchanted. But the longer you wait, the more potent the magic. Its your choice. I have nothing to replace your weapons."

Aiyanna smiled at Alera, "Then just take one of them, they are twins, like a twins in human so they will never be lost. When that old sword from my family comes with my brother who holds it after the war if we are still here we shall place that sword in here too. That is my little contribution to this so grand an experiment. Ah though I must say that sword is a 500 years old heirloom but I trust you enough." Aiyanna paused, "Plus my kinetic magick will allow me to fight with what ever I can, I not versed in one particular weapon so I will use what I can not just what I learned to use.but no matter how you look I am no warrior so I do not need it like air and water."

"Then walk around the room and feel the magic. Find a place in this place that you feel is right for you. Place it there and leave it. Then come out and meet me outside," Alera commanded, leaving Aiyanna to pick the perfect place to set it down. Alera waited outside as several of the Blade Eagles awaited their own master.

Aiyanna nodded walked around after Alera left opening her magickal senses to the room soon it was flooded with many different magick swirling all together all elements to become the purple energy that seem to fill this room. Aiyanna prodded here and there and found near the center, she was sure it was the right place. She placed one of her long daggers and wrapped it up in some cloth as well and also did put it back in it's sheath. "Be good my dear one, I shall come back to you one day." Aiyanna patteed it and turned around and walked out and found Alera waiting. "Thank you for letting me a part in this grand expriment I hope we will be here to see the final result."

Aiyanna smiled and went to find Jinn, they needed more numbers, even this wasn't enough in her estimation. Just look at what happened to Roid, the Holy City, if these generals can destroy the holy shield that protected Roid...well then how much did Raiden stand a chance against Vesper? She finally saw Jinn leaning against the wall waiting. " Sorry it took so long.."

Jinn pushed himself off the wall and lowered his arms to his side. "Not a problem." He smiled warmly, casting his eyes from her to the hidden door. "So, do we have their help?"

" I am pretty sure we do, but I believe they will follow Alera with respect." Aiyanna smiled back, despite, grim thoughts going through her mind right now. Battle for the freedom Lodoss was rather turning for worse or better. But she trusted Alera's decisions, after all she had more experience she must know more then her right?

"So shall we get going? You still need to rest." Jinn dug shis hands into his pant-pockets. "Let me take the two of you back to the inn so you can. After all it's your job to keep us alive in two days."

Aiyanna smiled softly once again and nodded, " It's not just us, but everyone who is willing to fight. I can only help only so much, after all I am only twenty and not enough experience. You too Jinn, should rest..ah and if yo wish to be in the attacking party, please go ahead.. I do not wish to stop you." Aiyanna asked as she looked at him then at Alera to see if she was following , then back at Jinn.

"Don't worry." Jinn smiled. "I am resting, and really there's no where I need to be. Might as well be useful..." After running out of things to say Jinn returned to leaning back against the wall, casting his eyes from the door to the sky.

Alera marched ahead of the blade eagles by far. She realized she was extremely lucky. If her mentor hadnt been the leader of this team, she would have lost the chance to get magical support at all. If it was anyone else, they would never accept anyone.

Alera arrived beside Aiyanna. "The Blade Eagles are on their way. They won't be much longer."

Aiyanna nodded, "But is there anybody else we could also ask? Or will with others arriving be enough magick to keep people alive and defeat Vesper?" Aiyanna was rather curious, because still , she refused to believe in totally what Cray said last night. Then looked up at the chaos gate and tried to block out the noise of the complain in her mind. She wanted to get back to the inn where she have bloacked out the flow of chaos energy. She needed rest both in mind and body. She thought she heard quiet clinking of boots coming nearer. Must be the blade eagles.

"Let's get going." Jinn stepped away from the wall and streches his shoulders. "If there is anyone left willing we can recruit I'm sure they'll see what the guild is doing..."

* * *

Granite was very familiar with the routes of Raiden, since she had made deliveries almost all over town. As for the Temple of Marfa, she went their at least once a week to pay tribute to the Goddess of Creation.

She lead her two companions straight to the temple, taking the shortest routes possible. Granite turned to Nipa during the walk. "Hey, do you want to stop at the Temple of Cha Za? Sevrina never asked anyone to go there. I bet their luck altering spells will help us."

"That would be great!" He eagerly replied. "If Cha Za is with us, then the luck of the gods and their good fortune would be with us as well." He then looked kind of sheepish, "Um, you do know where that is, right?"

Granite giggled and ruffled Nipa's hair. "Of course I do! But we're going to Marfa first."

Granite then led the two to a clean and prosperous looking square. Across from them sat the simple, and yet beautiful temple to Marfa. The temple was crowded though. Many people were seeking refugee or absolution. Granite led Dralock and Nipa through the crowds to the first priestess she saw.

The middle-aged priestess Granite went to looked haggard and tired, but she still managed a gentle smile for everyone. "Granite, child, what may I do for you?" she asked.

"Priestess Deasa, we need your help."

Nipa nodded heartily. "Yes please, I've no doubt that you've seen this thing in the sky... I've seen the... the..." he stopped to think of a way to say it and finally decided, "one that created it." His mind raced with things to say, and he did not want to make himself look foolish as even though the priestess looked tired, she was no doubt a great deal stronger than he was in magic and in knowing what was going on.

Deasa knelt down to put herself on the same level as the dwarves and grassrunner. "You have?" she asked the grassrunner. "What sort of help do you need? If it is possible, myself and my sisters will provide it. What are your friend's names, Granite?" Deasa looked at
the two males for introductions.

"Dralock and Nipa," Granite introduced them quickly, pointing to both. "We need healers and the protection of your holy powers,"she said. "In two days, Raiden is going to become a battle ground."

"Our friends may be strong but we are not strong enough in numbers to protect the whole city... I would that this did not need to happen, or that it could be moved elsewhere, but that does not seem possible." Nipa added almost sadly.

Deasa looked to the smaller people with a look of deadly concern. Putting one hand on Granite's shoulder and the other on Nipa's, she
did her best to assure them. "We will help to all our ability, you can count on that. Marfa will shelter us. Is there any thing else you have to tell us?"

Granite nodded. "Thank you Priestess Deasa," she said to the woman. "Our friends are at Dabagon Inn, near the fore section of town on the main street. We were sent to call upon the aid of all magic users in the city. Some of us went to the temples, a few others went to the Mage's Guild. We're looking for all the help we can get! I think Sevrina--I guess she's our leader-- is going to try and keep the battle as contained as possible in that are of town. If a few of your priestess can come with us, we'll see if they can find a place to fit in an help."

Deasa thought on that suggestion for a moment. "Myself and a few of my sisters will accompany you and speak to this…Sevrina," she replied. "Wait here."

Deasa rose and turned to go. She disappeared behind a door, leaving the three to wait.

Nipa watched her go and he smiled before turning to Granite. "I guess they will be coming with us to visit the Cha Za Temple as well?"

Granite sat down on a nearby bench. "I suppose they will," she replied to Nipa. With a sigh, she leaned back and stared at the cieling. She had been optimistic so far, but dark thoughts were looming in the back of her mind. What if they failed? What if she lost the rest of her family? What if she died as well, without the chance to live out her dreams or have a family? And if the rest died...who would protect Lodoss?

Deasa swept out of the door she had passed through, followed by five priestesses and one priest of various decent and age. All were grim faced with the task at hand.

Deasa still managed to give Granite and her companions a warm smile. I would like you to meet my Sisters and Brother.

"This is Ialin," she said and placed her hand on the shoulder of a young woman. Ialin had olive-toned skin and wore her hair cut very short, like a boy's. Ialin gave the dwarves a small bow.

Deasa moved on and placed her hand on the shoulder of the next woman, a tall and willowy blonde woman. "This is Thalia," she said and the younger priestess curtsied.

Next was a slender, girlish looking boy with dark brown hair and eyes. "This is Luc. He's young, but has great faith," Deasa explained and moved on to a tall and exotic looking woman. She looked to be desert bred with curly, jet black hair, dark skin and dark eyes. "This is N'shara," Deasa introduced and moved on to the final woman. She was older than all the others and a little plump. Her hair was grey with age, but her dark eyes glittered with energy. "And this, is Cyrla."

Deasa turned to the three again. "We will accompany you to your...base, and aid you in any ways we can."

"I am glad to meet all of you," Nipa said bowing towards them. "We are not headed back to meet the others just yet, I believe that Granite was going to take us to one other temple first." IF we have Marfa and Cha Za with us then we have the the blessings of the earth and the luck of the gods." He grinned stupidly but he was supremely happy that they were getting this much help.

Granite was smiling brightly. "Come on, let's go!" she said and led the priests and Dralock and Nipa out of the temple. She knew the way to the Temple of Cha Za just as well.

* * *

Thorn, or Dravin, had pushed the hood on top of his head and the collar back so it was covering much of his face. Not that it gave any real protection, but it may prevent anyone from Moss from recognizing him. To go to a dark temple, that would be very bad indeed. The only dark deity he felt might not offer them as human sacrifice was Baylos, but only until they thought that they didn't follow the preisthoods law to the letter. Well, he had no interest in such things. His god was Myrii and Cha Za. Where valor failed him he hoped luck would take over. Looking over the area, he picked one. Well, at least one good thing about the dark preists, bloody sacrifices tended to be hard to hide. Not to mention the whole preists of Falis being so honorable, their temple was very large indeed.

Approaching the doors, he breathed in, and entered. He decided to for go the commen talk for now, best not to offend someone you were going to ask for help. "Pardon me... But, could you find time to listen to one who seeks assistance?"

A young priest turned to the new arrivals. "We always have time to listen to those in need," he replied. "What do you have to say?"

He didn't push back his hood, or lower the collar of his mantle. He still had to play off the part of the mercenary. He simply stepped foward and gave a slight bow. "The assistance is not for me, sirs. Its for Raiden."

The young preist raised a brow, a bit taken back by a person dressed as a mercenary talking about saving some place. And one who was speaking in a courtly manner. "hmm, and what is this assistance."

"I ask you to help fight that large gate in the sky. My employers are currently looking for mages, and preists of Falis, Marfa, Myrii, and several of the other gods fit the bill, correct?"

"I see. Please wait here why I consult the high preist. We shall give you an answer soon." With that, the young preist exited the room and entered one of the backrooms, leaving Thorn to wonder what the answer would be.

Thorn had begun to lean impatiently against a wall, he resisted the urge to scratch his ear, but looked over at Belgin, who had started up a conversation with another of the preists. A woman half his age. Making good sport of her from what Thorn, or Dravin, could see. Well, whatever the mans sexual desires, the older knight had far more experiance. He thought of the crude words, belgin knew how to keep it in his pants. Hopefully, anyway. There was a breif opening of doors as an older preistess exited the backroom with the young preist whom Thorn had been taking with. "So, you are the 'mercenaries' who want our help?"

Thorn held his hand from latching on his ear, it was very clear by the tone this preistess was an anarchist, and despite religion, she made her venom show toward a possible lord. Thorn nodded his head at Belgin. As long as she didn't hear him speak, she couldn't hear his broken commen speech. Belgin began with his rough way of speaking. Knight maybe, but luckily, a commener. "Thats right. Falis would be supportin' the side that does not want to destroy Raiden, right?"

The woman nodded slightly, only begrudgedly taking her eyes off of Thorn, or Dravin. "Yes, that is the case. But how are we to be sure that you aren't the ones supporting this gate in the sky?"

"Well, nothing we can do to prove that. Just come on the signal, I guess." Belgin looked over at Thorn, then spoke. "Right boss?"

Thorn nodded, a slight, arrogant nod of his head. Then he turned to the preistess, and cocked his head slightly to the side. "Very well. We shall watch for this sign then. And what should we look for."

Thorn had an answer for this, luckily, and he pushed off the wall before answering. "For all blazes to break loose."



* * *

Edwin was following Mephistoph and looked at Orion and bowed his head walking up to him "You are Orion right I am trying to put names with the faces. I am guessing that Daermon and Mephistoph are the ones leading us to the temple of Myrii if I am wrong please tell me," as he tried to break the silence.

He looked over to Mephistoph and shooked his head something about that guy gave him the creeps but he would not let it get to him, all these people where fighting to save Lodoss and they where all important in some way or another.

"Uh...you're going to have to lead for the most part," Daermon whispered to Mephistoph, "I don't know this part of Raiden very much, and what I do know, I can recognize better in the dark." To ease the tension between the group, Daermon began singing.

"There once was an old man named Jim,
who happened to be quite slim."

"Come on, Orion, Mephistoph, Edwin, sing with me," Daermon said as he began singing again.

"As Jim was..."

Laughing Edwin nodded to Daermon "Alright but I normaly don't sing much anymore" he followed after Daermon and Mephistoph taking a deep breath as he does getting ready to sing.

"As Jim was walking he meet a cat,
a very nice black one but that was very fat"

Edwin has a good voice but he knew he was a terrible at ryhming one reason he never because a bard.

Orion couldn't ryhme very well, but on top of that he hadn't sang in a long time. He sighed and decided to try.

"Then Jim saw a shack, all tall and black."

Orion almost blushed but held it in. That was horrible and he couldn't help but laugh at himself a little.

Mephistoph led the other three men through the city, his chains clinking almost musically. He didn't pray much, but he had spent nearly his entire life in and around Raiden. After 409 years, one could learn every street, building and back alley in the city. He knew exactly where the temple was.

As he led the three, he occasionally glanced back to give them a warm smile. And admire them, Edwin was somewhat plain compared to the other two, but still attractive enough. Daermon was even more handsome, but both were outshone by the beautiful Orion. The elf just seemed to glow. With a smile, Mephistoph turned his eyes away and continued walking, all the while imagining things that no doubt, the other two would NOT want to know.

He heard Daermon break into song, then the other two uncertainly make up words. He debated joining in for a moment, then popped in his own lyrics.

"Jim went to the shack.
He took the cat in the shack
All tall and black..."

Mephistoph stopped singing, almost thankful the temple was near. "Come on, it's just down this street," he turned down a street to his left and the temple came into view.

Edwin shuddered a few times when Mephistoph would look at him it was gave him the creeps and was glad to see the temple of Myrii "Finally I thought it would take us forever to get here." Walking up to the temple Edwin open the door and looked around trying to see if there where any priest around so they could find the priest in charge.

Mephistoph's gaze disturbed Orion, though he wasn't sure why. He walked to the doors and stood by Edwin, his shining blue eyes scanning the temple. Something about Mephistoph troubled him but he was no one to judge anyone. "I'm just happy we got here at all." he said softly "Alone, I would be lost by now."

Edwin bowed dropping to on knee infront of the priest of Myrii, he held a great respect for the priest of Myrii and raised his head to look at the priest "We have come asking for the help of the priests of Myrii. You know of the events that have been rocking Lodoss and of the Chaos gate that looms over head. The group I have join as sent people to the other temples of the gods of light and to the mage guild to ask for their help as well. Unless we all work together we will not survive what happens in two or three days when the chaos gate is used to destory this city...."

The priest looked over the four men. An unlikely group. Half-Dark elf and a light elf. Very few things could bring them together in Raiden. "So a defense for the city is being prepared? Would I be right in calling you heroes?" the priest asked with a small smile.

Orion remained standing inhis normal posture, not out of disrespect but habit. He smiled as the priest referd to them as heros and thought to himself that they were merly doing what was right. "Refer to as as what ever you wish." he bowed lightly and his blue eyes looked up at the priest respectfully "but the cause is the same. will you lend your assistance in the defense of Raiden?"

"The title of Hero is one that others give to people, we might be heros but at the moment the defense of the city is more important then being called heros" Edwin looked at the priest and bowed his head "And yes a defense fo the city is being prepared it should work with we all work together"

The priest nodded, looking very pleased. "You are very humble and care only for the welfare of others," the priest told him. "We will aide you. I will send ten of my brothers and sisters to fight alongside you. Wait here."

The priest turned away from them and disappeared behind a door along the hall. The four warriors were left to wait for about fifteen minutes before the priest returned with 10 other priests of Myrii. Most were men, but there were a few women as well.

"These are the warrior priests who will fight alongside you and represent Myrii," he said and began to introduce them one by one from the end of the line that was spread across the hall.

The first was a tall human man named Estius with short cropped blonde hair and green eyes. He was slender and toned, obviously with a slender build that was filled out as well as possible. He was one of the younger ones, probably about 21.

The next was a human woman named Cadila. She was muscular for a woman and wore billowing trousers instead of a skirt. Her brown hair was only shoulder length and looked as if she hardly put any effort into arranging it. She had tanned skin and honey brown eyes.

Third was a another human man, Haelin, who was short and built. He had black hair and beedy black eyes and couldn't really be called attractive. Especially with a scar that puckered his face from the temple to jawline.

Beside him was a young dwarf named Glosin with an eager face. His hair and beard were auburn and his eyes were a sparkling blue.

After Glosin was a half-elven man who stood just a little taller than Haelin. His hair was sandy blonde and his eyes were golden. From his human side, he had well-tanned skin and sparse facial hair which barely managed to give him a little pale fuzz under his chin and for side burns. His name was Turan.

Then came Adali, a human woman with striking violet eyes and raven black hair. Her skin was as pale as porcelain and she was probably the most beautiful of the bunch. She was slender and of average height with a bold and beautiful face.

Beside her was pale red head with blue eyes and freckles named Erelind. They seemed to be friends, the reason for standing so close to each other.

The next was a man in his earlier thirties who looked nondescript with brown hair and eyes and an unspectacular face. His name was Talahm. He stood close with a broad shouldered man who carried an axe named Khazzuz who looked like he came out of the deserts of Flaim. He had a shaved head, save for a black topknot on the back of his head. He did wear a bristly beard though, barely revealing his anxious grin. Last in line was a man with a bold chin and five o'clock shadow. His hair was dark blonde and held back in a long ponytail. His name was Dantcobs.

"These are your warriors," the High priest said and turned to his fellows. "Fight with honor and bless them all with the might of Myrii," he said and passed through the line, disappearing through one of the doors down the hall.

Cadila stepped forward. "Well then, shall we go?" she asked in a surprisingly feminine voice.

Mephistoph's gaze passed over the priests, sometimes an appraising smile touched his lips, other times his face remained blank. Obviously, he was judging their looks. He nodded and smiled warmly when Cadila spoke. "Yes, let's go," he replied and turned to leave.

Edwin smiled and bowed to the priest "Thank you and Myrii for your aid in the up coming battle" he turned and smiled looking at the priest and priestest joining them bowed to them. "An honor to fight alone side of you in the up coming days." Smiling Edwin was glad to meet them all and they they where fighting with them "Follow us and we will got to the inn where we are using as a headquarters."

"By the way I am Edwin, I thought it would be polite to introduce myself before we get to far ahead" Edwin nodded as he turned to lean the group back to the inn, as he was surpised that Cadila had such a feminine voice, he first thought it was one of the other girls but he was glad he didn't mention anything not wanting to hurt anyone feelings or get his nose broken.

"Sorry." Orion relized he had not introduced himself and bowed lightly, "I am Orion." he looked at them in gratitude and turned silently to follow Edwin to the inn agian. He looked at Mephistoph nervously btu quickly looked away.

Cadila looked over the four men who were seeking their aide, as did her companions. She seemed to take leadership, but Dantcobs would be her second in command. He stepped forward beside her. "Edwin and Orion," he said, then looked over at the other two. "Who might you be?"

Mephistoph bowed to the priests. "I am Mephistoph," he said, then straightened. He could feel the eyes of his companion's on him, and they were starting to feel uncomfortable around him. He looked back at Orion with almost a hurt look in his eyes. Still...he might yet come around...

Daermon bowed to the priests as well, "I am Daermon" he said. Daermon then turned to leave, disgusted by the way Mephistoph had been looking at him and the others.

Mephistoph adverted his eyes to floor and bit his lip. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get involved with these people. But Raiden needed all the help it could get, and he had strength to offer. But maybe...maybe he should just do it on his own. Maybe find some of the Raiden elves and offer them his shamanism to help. Mephistoph turned after Daermon and solemnly followed them out.

* * *

Granite led her companions into the Temple of Cha Za. It was smaller than the temple of Marfa, but they had seen a good deal of traffic since the Chaos Gate opened. People were praying to Cha Za for luck to survive, for luck in finding work elsewhere in Lodoss. Luck for heroes to come and battle the evil.

Granite led Dralock and Nipa down the main hallway, straight to the heart of the temple. The six Marfa priests trailed them. Granite was looking every which way to catch the sight of any clerics.

Nipa grinned from ear to ear as he beheld the temple. It was not the size that mattered, as in here he felt as though fortune was smiling on him.

A diminutive woman saw the entourage pass through the hall. One female dwarf leading a male, a grassrunner and six priests of Marfa. The first three would not be unexpected, but it was certainly a surprise to see other clerics in the Temple. There was of course no agression, just curiosity. She stepped out from behind a pillar in front of Granite.

"Hello my child, I am priestess Elza," she said. Elza was about five-foot in height and slender. Her long blonde hair hair was pulled back in a loose pontail with a small, but elaborate bun on the back of her head. Her eyes were blue and skin pale, and she wore several peices of gold jewelry. Cha Za priests often wore more jewelry than others, given that Cha Za provided those who served him with wealth.

Granite didn't have to strain much to meet Elza's eyes. "I am Granite Stone," she introduced herself. She would let the men do their own introductions. "We are in search of priests of the Gods of Light to help save Raiden!"

"And," Nipa added happily, "To save Raiden we need the fortune of Cha Za and the luck he bestows on his followers." Bowing at the woman he continued to grin. "Cha Za has given me the good fortune of being in this fine city and meeting many wondrous people. But to keep the city we will continue to need his favor."

Dralock bowed as low as he could to Elza. "I am Dralock Holderhek," he introduced himself.

Elza clasped her hands in front of her. "I am certain my brothers and sisters would be more than willing to help!" she assured Nipa and Granite. She looked back at the priests of Marfa gathered behind them. "And have you enlisted the aide of Marfa as well?"

Deasa took a step forward. "That they have," she said. "And we would be honored to fight alongside our brothers and sisters of Light. All the powers of the Gods will be needed in this battle."

Elza nodded firmly to Deasa, then looked down at Granite with a small smile. "So what sort of aide are you looking for?"

Granite put her hands up with a shrug. "What ever help you can give, we would be greatful for!" She exactly what they could do, they knew luck altering spells. But there weren't healers. At least the priests of Marfa, Falis and Myrii could do that. "Like he said, we need Cha Za's luck!"

Nipa whole-heartily agreed, "Yes, with his good fortune we shall all come out of this!"

Elza beamed, her faith giving her peace. "Of course. We could enchant weapons of your warriors and protect them with Cha Za's good fortune," Elza explained. "I will find some of my fellows who would be willing to help you." Elza bobbed a quick bow and turned down the hall. She traveled at a fast walk to a chamber just off the hall.

After she left Nipa just looked around in awe... to him this was a huge building, though not quite as huge as the one they just left, but still huge! All around were many niceties and things that the other did not have and it was clear to him that Cha Za had definitely blessed this place with his good fortune. "This is amazing..." he spoke out loud as he looked around.

Granite relaxed her stance and looked around the temple. It wasn't anything new to her, she came her every so often to pray as well. But it was still nicely decorated. To a dwarf's taste. To a human the decorations may have been a little gaudy. Granite appreciated decorations of gold and silver and gems.

It took twenty minutes for the priests of the temple to gather and decide who would go. Elza was one of those who would aide them. The sound of a gilded door opening announced she was returning. And she was flanked by four other priests, one male and three female.

"Granite, the five of us have decided to come with you," Elza said, then stepped back.

The priest at the left end of the line took a step forward and a bow. He was a man in his late twenties with long black hair and green eyes. "I am Aceir," he introduced himself and stepped back.

The woman beside him stepped forward, an elven woman with deeply tanned skin. Her hair was white and eyes orange, but she wasn't dark enough for a dark elf, nor light enough for a light elf. She must have been both. "I am Isorith," she said and curtsied.

Next, was a brown haired woman with bright blue eyes. "I am Yukiri," she said and curstied. And finally, a tall, beautiful woman with coppery skin, raven black hair and emerald green eyes. Her name was Sairina.

"WOW!" Nipa breathed out unaware he had said anything as he looked at them. Shaking his head he looked over them again. He was surprised about two things.... one just about everyone in this town was much taller than him forcing him to strain his neck to look up at them. The second was the one Isorith, she looked to be a mix of both the light and dark elven, something he truly had wondered about.

Granite looked at the priests in surprise and awe, like the other, her eyes rested on Isorith for a moment, puzzling on what sort of elf she was. She was kinda pretty...but still a scrawny and bald elf to Granite's dwarven taste.

"It's wonderful to meet you all," she said. "But we should really hurry back! Follow me!"

Granite turned and proudly pranced to the door of the temple. Dralock fell in behind her, as did the priests.

Nipa hurriedly followed them after getting one last look at all the elves. 'Elves! What a wonderful race, and so diverse as well!' He thought happily. 'There are the light elves, or high elves as some call then, then the common elves, but they are anything but common, and the dark elves... though I do not see what is so dark about them other than their skin tones.' Nipa continued his musings as he fell into step around Granite, happy that there were some that were at least somewhat close to his height. He had never thought much of it before, but being in a land of such tall people he wondered if they would forget he was here, or worse, step on him...



* * *

Three rode outside the Raiden borders in hopes of enlisting the help of the priests of Rhada, or at least some support. Zatch, a scholar and alumni to the academy was silent most of the trip, for him this was a last ditch effort for a cure to the Shadow hemhorage that was killing him, as well as a plea for assistance in the upcoming battle. The young man was still reluctant to tell anyone for whatever reason, maybe he just didnt want pity, or maybe part of him was still in denile.

To his side were Kitsa and Terin, two people he had met less than two days ago but were now his allies in the raging war ahead. "I think you'll like the academy." he stated, breaking the long silence. "It houses the largest collection of books and documents outside of Alan. And the priests are some of the wisest people you'll ever meet."

Kitsa rode with Terin, clinging to him for dear life it seemed. She had never riden a horse in her life. After awhile though, she came to realize it wasn't that easy to fall off. She looked over at Zatch. "I am glad I finally have the chance to go with you," she said with a smile. "Things just kept interfering, didn't they?"

Terin, glad that Kitsa was clinging to him, began to think about his sister and what she was up to. "Naclia, where are you?" Terin said to himself.

Kitsa heard Terin's whisper and propped her head on his shoulder. "Your sister does still rest on your mind?" she asked. "She will be here soon. So Aiyanna's vision has shown us."

On the outskirts of Raiden there exists a building of learning. For centuries this institute has taught thousands of scholars, some of whom became some of the most influental people in Lodoss. The building itself was the size of a 90 room mansion, much larger than Kar manor. With stained glass windows and external support columns on all sides, giving it the illusion of having walls of glass. The brick was scarred by both time and attack from the recent wars, but the headmaster of fifty years dared not have them repaired. This institute was not only an architectual marvel, but a living monument of history.

At the arch of the enterance is an ancient stone tablet, decipherable only to those who know old Kastuulian:

In knowledge there is understanding. In understanding there is peace. In peace there is prosperity.

Zatch read the tablet out loud in it's intended tongue and then repeated it in the common language. He then turned to Kitsa and Terin. "Weapons are forbidden in this place." he said as he unsheathed his sword and left it with the gaurd. "You're welcome inside but you'll have to disarm yourselves first."

With that the scholar entered the academy and was greeted by many former classmates along the way to the headmaster's chambers. They asked where he had been and what he had seen, some of them were happy to see him while others reluctantly payed off the wager that Zatch would have died in the outside world.

"Master Zulas?" He said as he walked in a room easily the size of most houses. Every inch of every wall was covered by overstuffed bookshelves, some of them smaller than the palm of your hand, while others exceeded the length, width, and girth of a casket. In the middle of the room was a large oak table which was buckling under the weight of even more books, several dozen in fact. In the entire school this was Zatch's favorite room, as it held some of the rarest and most sought out documents in existence, and he would use whatever excuse he could think of to spend time there.

Kitsa left her rapier with Zatch's sword and followed him in. She followed him, staring awestuck at all the books. She had never seen more than 5 in one place. She figured Zatch must be very intellegent if he studied here. As she stared at the shelves and tables stacked with tomes, her eyes brightened to pale gold.

"So, war is coming, and now here you are..." Said the Headmaster.

"War's already here." Replied Zatch "In fact, Raiden and likely this institute will be destroyed in less than three days without intervention. We need your help."

"You know I can't do that, Rhada and his followers are strict pacifists. To send any of my students into battle.... We're not warriors Crassus."

Zatch cast his eyes downward with dissapointment, he knew the likelyhood of volunteers was minimal, but still he didn't like having togo back empty handed. It was then that he got an idea. "Maybe they don't have to be warriors... We have muscle, but we don't have a lot of thinkers. All I'm asking is a few students to come with me and be problem solvers from away from the battle. They won't have to shed or spill a drop of blood.

Zulas closed his eyes and digested Zatch's words. For several minutes he stayed like this until a grin spread accross his face as he broke the silence. "Do you remember the brothers? Those five students who argued about existentialism and cosmology amongst themselves."

"Oh no master, not them!" Said Zatch wide eyed, instantly knowing who the old man was refering to. "If you place any value at all on the whole of the universe you'll send anyone but them!"

Kitsa listened quietly and chewed on her lip. She didn't know anything about how things worked. So she just waited for Zatch and Zulas to continue.

"You'll find the brothers in the mess hall, give them this letter and they'll go with you." said Zulas as he scribbled a note on a small piece of parchment. "Good luck to you boy."

With that Zatch took the note and headed out the door, gesturing for Kitsa and Terin to follow. As he led them through the massive institute he began to explain who the brothers were and why he knew it was going to be a long ride back to Raiden. "The brothers...Well they aren't really brothers, they were war orphens who were taken in by Zulas and raised in the academy. Each one has shown remarkable intellect in all aspects of academics, philosophy, physics, mathematics, linguistics, you name it and at least one of them is an expert on it. They're the brightest in the academy and maybe the brightest in Lodoss. There's just one problem..."

The three entered the mess hall which was almost completly empty save for five young men at a large round table not far from the enterance. They deffinatly weren't blood brothers since each one looked different. A short and chubby one banged his fist on the table and began rambeling in a loud voice.

"Have you been eating strange mushrooms again? There's absolutely no way that Thule's theory of duress survival could have anything to do with the White effect in our study."
"Sure it could." chimed in the small and thin one. "If you just apply my Gateos theory-"
"Oh here we go with the Gateos theory again! Y'know just because you keep saying that the adrenal gland can be stimulated with particles found in certain magic based events it doesn't make it true!"

"They bicker.....A lot" said Zatch under his breath.

"No but the fact that it's true makes it true!"
"Hey is that Crassus?" said the largest brother, the other four stopped talking and looked in their direction.
"So it is."
"How about that."
"Hah, y'see? He's alive, you owe me lunch."
"Are we sure it's him?"
"How do you mean?"
"We could be looking at a spacial distortion event that happens to look just like Crassus."
"Or maybe it's someone who resembles him, and since Falco asked us if it was him it triggered a psycho symatic image in our minds that makes us think it's him."
"What if it's both? What if we're witnessing the the creation of a pocket universe in our humble school? Maybe our rational minds can't comprehend seeing a universe from the outside so it simply gives us the illusion of our old class chum to protect our fragile psyches from instantly snapping."
"What if it's a talking sweet potato? I mean if you consider-"

"Guys it's really me!" Shouted Zatch having his fill of the pointless covnersation, he then turned his head to Kitsa and Terin. "We're in for a long day."

Kitsa stared with wide golden eyes, expressing her curiosity, at the "brothers". She stepped into the room to stand beside Zatch. She frowned a little, at the thought being stuck here while they bickered even more, but she would at least get the chance to meet more people.

Terin was looming behind Kitsa and Zatch, bringing little attention to himself. He was just a man in a cloak, and he still had the hood pulled up to hide his mutilated ears.

"So what brings you here Crassus?"
"Where were you?"
"Did you see any exotic fauna out there? You didn't bring samples by any chance did you?"
"Who's your pretty friend? She looks like she's from the Djana En region."
"Not a chance, the gold flecks in her eyes clearly indicate a more tropical origin."
"Normally I'd agree, but the tattoos on her arms seem to be inspired by a gothic Azarn motif."
"Maybe she was in Azarn when she got them."
"Maybe. But what about the cartalige deviation in her ears? What ethnicity could that indicate?"
"That's not a regional trait you idiot, she's obviously part elf."
"Yeah, but just barely enough for a an aestetic trait. I'd say somewhere between three and five eights."

Zatch sighed at the debate unable to get a word in edgwise. "This is nothing, their debates sometimes last for days. We sometimes make bets on how long it takes them to run out of steam."

"It could be less, sometimes elven traits tend to stay dominant for many generations."
"Only one way to find out." the young man then turned to Kitsa "Excuse me madam, but could we trouble you for a blood sample?"

Kitsa blushed and looked at the floor. It felt very odd to be looked at as a specimen of sorts. She didn't have a chance to explain anything until one of the men asked for her blood. She stared at him wide-eyed and feeling threatened. Her eyes darkened in shade with that, then lightened again.

"You could just ask me what I am," said Kitsa. "My father did be a half-elf from Lodoss, his mother an elf of the Glassy Woods, he told me. My own mother was of Azarn, where I have lived most of my life."

"Oh....Well there we go." Said the man who requested the blood sample, he seemed dissapointed that his answer had come in such a simple form.
"Feh, 'only one way to find out'." said one of the other brothers in a mocking tone.

In frustration Zatch placed two fingers in his mouth and created a shrill whistle to which the bothers stopped arguing and looked at him. "Let's try this again. My travel companions are Kitsa and Terin, like me they've become involved in the war and wish to oppose it's orchestrators. And these are the five brothers of Rhada as they've been named by the other students. Their names are Falco, Marcus, Quintus, Orelius, Lucius." Zatch then handed Falco the letter from Zulas.

"This is a joke right?" said Falco as he looked to Zatch. "Zulas wants us to join the war."
"The war? THE war? As in outside with the nasty weapons of destruction?"
"And plauges?"
"And undead?"
"And unsanitary conditions?"

"Guys, it's not that bad out there." said Zatch in what he tried for a reassuring tone. "Yes it can be rough but do you really want to spend your whole lives in here?"

"YES!" they all said in unison.

I guess this was to be expected. he mused to himself. I studied here for only four years, they've been here most of their lives.

"Crassus we're sages, not warriors. In the recorded history of Lodoss men and women eight hundred times tougher than we are have been slain in battle. We wouldn't stand a chance!"
"Why do you think every one was so surprised to see you alive?"

Zatch reeled from the last comment. "I'm not asking you to get yourselves killed, but the truth is we need all the help we can get. Roid, Mirror Forest, and Blade have all been leveled. Raiden is one of the last great cities left, and if it's taken out then it's a safe bet that this academy will go with it. This may very well be the greatest war since the fall of Kastuul, but this time there are no armies, no united nations to carry out the battle. Our only defence is a handful of people with their own reasons for not wanting the world to end. We have some good fighters and powerful magic users, but we need wits, we need thinkers."

"Give us a moment to think about it?"

Zatch nodded and the brothers huddled in a corner, bouncing back and forth reasons why they should go and why they should toss out Zatch and lock the door. It was after one of them said something about 'field study' they broke and faced Zatch."

"We have conditions."

"Go on" replied Zatch.

"One, We are not to engage in any form of physical combat. Two, We have first pick in samples of any and all specimens encountered. And three, There are to be no unkind words of our gangly and/or frail appearance. Doth thou agree?"

"No one wants to make fun of you. And trust me when I say that NO one expects you to guys to use a sword." Said Zatch.

"Then it's settled."
"We have consensus."
"We ride at dawn!"

* * *

A few hours ago...

Confusion. Familiar scent. Violence. Shouting. The vixen in the cage began to yip and hiss wildly. The smell of blood and the cage tumbled roughly to the ground. The cage was lifted and jostled back and forth with the rapid footfalls of escape. Friendly scent. Fingers appeared and undid the latch. Friendly face and gentle fingers caressed the vixen's soft coat and found their way to the collar...

The grey world melted into color. One body melted into another. Shaking. Just like waking up. From one dream into another... "Herrick, where am I?"

The young woman lay sprawled out in the dust, her eyes squinting in what little light came down through the overcast and evil sky. Her head was spinning with nightmares. Naked, she pressed her palms into the street and raised herself onto her haunches. A stout man dressed in wool and leather stood before her. Her vision focused and she recognized her father's retainer. "Herrick!" She lept up and embraced him warmly. Her arms were still trembling.

"Lady, I wouldn't fail you or your father," he told her as he peeled her body away from his. "Lady," he continued, "We should not dally. I have clothes for you and travel arrangments." He handed over a folded bundle of simple commoner's clothing tied with a belt and dagger.

Quickly sliding into the tunic and leggings, she begged, "Herrick, where are we? What's happened?" She knew something truly awful was happening when her eyes gazed upwards and saw a hole torn in the sky itself. It pulsed and threatened to spit out vile things beyond imagining. The tale came curtly and was finished to her satisfaction by the time her belt was tied and she slid her feet into a pair of soft mocassians.

They spent some time creeping through the streets of Raiden, investigating options for safe passage but the chaos made it impossible to be certain of anything. Hopelessness was weighing heavily and they feared they may have to pass the night in the city. Investigating one more lead, they turned down an alley and the Lady Gettie's flesh prickled.

"Herrick!" she screamed and pulled his arm but too late. A knife danced across his throat and a geyser of red poured up. He fell to his knees with a gurgle and toppled over.

An elf in a black tunic stepped from the shadows, hissing, "Bitch. Bitch vixen slut fox. I almost had a king's ransom for you." Her nostrils twitched and flared. His scent was over everything she could remember since she was taken. With a hiss of steel against leather, the elf drew his sword from the sheath and stood, just for a moment over her, gloating and savoring the moment of power. He raised his arm and then the sky above exploded into a blaze. A pillar of flame reached up and rained down across the streets. The elf looked up with his green eyes and Gettie took the moment to grab his other hand and viciously bury her teeth into his pale flesh. He shrieked, dropped his sword and jumped back, cradling his arm and shrieking horrible things at her. The tang of blood laced her mouth and they eyed each other. The air grew thick and a torrential rain broke over the city. "Bitch slut vixen," he spat out, "You're not worth my trouble anymore," and ran off through the muddy streets, knowing that dangerous magics were near and closing.

She knew she wasn't safe where she was but doubted anywhere in the city would be safer. Giving Herrick one last embrace, she pulled his purse from his belt and stole off into the rain hoping for good fortune and a blessing from Rada.

* * *

"Whoop! Whoop! Woo-Hoo! Haahaahaa!"
"You insolent, wretched, barbaric, uncivilized...!"

Berry dashed through the streets, springing off crates, walls and overturned carts not unlike a ferret or a certain actor known in a far away land for his well choreographed chase scenes. She was hotly pursued by Willow, gliding, no less gracefully but certianly less flamboyantly, down the cobblestone streets and muddy alleyways. The rain had ceased but Berry's taunting hoots and laughter still rang out. What little was left of the crushed tomato had dried into a fine crust running down Willow's neck. The soiling of her cloak and the disgraceful affront of crushing a ripe fruit into her face had been all but washed away but blow to her pride was more resistant to the rains.

Berry had ached for this. To move freely, to run and dance and leap and tumble and... play. Everything had been so dour since... her mind blacked and shifted gears. The memories of the horrid room and the slab with the chains settled like leaves to rot in the deepest crevice of the deepest canyon of her mind. Thought is bad. Thinking makes people stupid. Just know and act and let it all go afterwards. She felt her legs coil and spring and her fingers wrap around an awning, swinging herself up onto a low hanging eave. Flipping herself upright, she raced across the roof drinking in the rain washed air.

Willow burned in a way she couldn't have ever before fathomed. "Inconsiderate," she hissed, "childish, disgusting...," she spun on her heel as Berry vanished before her and followed suit, clutching the overhang and throwing her long body onto the eave. Standing, she glared at saw the turned and crouched figure of her half-sister. Long legs carried her lithely across the roof, her bootheels sinking slightly into the damp thatch. Willow came right up behind and raised her hand to slap the back of her untamed sister's head but a wet chill extinguished her hot rage. Berry sat crouched on the edge of the roof, totally unaware and gazing transfixedly skyward at the black menace that was sucking away any hope of a carefree and pleasent life. The sight of the hole from that vantage point drained Willow just as it had drained Berry and she found her legs go weak and folded onto the roof, sitting next to her sister. The poisonous sky, the gaping wound in the clouds had made them feel very small and helpless.

Alera Tai'var marched by them, the masterful mage she was. Her fancy stave and silverish cloak always seemed to attract attention as well as her elven blond like hair. Behind her was a very militaristic group of mages of one of Raiden's mage guilds. The Blade Eagles were known for their offensive magics. Some were even feared. Alera watched them play, happy to see some small hope of happiness stood in the city. She just hoped that the Chaos Gate could be stopped before it unleashes its devestation, so happiness could flourish in Raiden. But Alera marched by, she couldn't stop. She didn't have time to stop.

Thorn, or Dravin, had left the temple of Falis as soon as he was able to. He had then separated and was now off on his own. Not a pleasent feeling. It was as if a knife was hovering just behind him, just waiting for him to be off his guard before it struck. He spotted Alera and what looked like a guard of sorts. Interesting guard, seemingly little weapons and from what he saw little armor. He didn't approach them, but simply brushed passed them. For the time being he didn't want to seem polite, buit a vulger mercenary. He casted them a brief, apoligetic look before moving on, and by two half elves. He stopped and looked at them. He wasn't used to looking at half elves, in fact, he was the only one he knew. These were different though. Common elf. While he was a quarter dark and common, which gave him a tan complexion, these two were full commen. One seemed familiar, or rather, the woman's manner did. He stared at the woman was a somewhat sidelong glance, he would figuire out where he had seen that manner of movement and the aura.

Aiyanna grinned from Lord Gias's very hard attempt at being...well a mercenary. But that grin faded away as she struggled inside trying to shut up the voices that powered a lot of her magick. She frowned and followed behind the Blade eagles, somehow in awe that mages or sorcerers can be made to be a deadly fighter. Oh well she thought, she will never be a good fighter...maybe if her mentor taught her. But then this was her mentor she was talking about, a human who should have been an elf, a high elf, seclude himself away in the Forest of No Return.

She mused as she fell into rythem of the steps with the Blade eagles, soon they should be at the inn and there she can rest. But she frowned, yes it was nice to able to get back to inn, but that creature called Cray was still at the basement. She frowned again, with her lips pouting from disappoinment that he did not disappear over night.

Jinn, being rather bored with the display caught Aiyanna's expressions. A snicker escaped him. "Care to give me three guesses why you're pouting on the way back to a safe building?" Before she could reply he attempted and failed to stifle the smile. "Cray right?"

Aiyanna sighed, "Yes very much right, but he has a big stake int he battle ahead, he makes me uneasy, I want to be far away from that creature as possible, though I heard he is a true human elementalist born in Lodoss in last 2000 years. I want to go back fast though despite that creature is in teh same building, voices in my minds been almsot screaming about the amount of chaos energy around us. Come, I will tell Alera that we will go ahead, since blade eagles will do well to protect their master." Aiyanna turned and shouted across, "Alera, we will be returning to the inn before you if you do not mind."

Then she turned to Jinn, and poked him in the cheek, "No, smiling about me being tortured by presence Cray in a same building as me. I hate him and it doesn't matter he will be a major factor to winning the battle." Aiyanna turned around then started to almost go faster then she has been in last hour or so.



* * *

Cecil called to the stable hand, to bring out their horses. Then he and Parn set a blindfolded Spark, upon his horse. Neese sat behind him, her small arms around his waist. Cecil then mounted his horse and moved it next to Piper's pony. Deedlit and Parn took the lead with their horses moving ahead of Cecil and Piper. Magdalyn rode behind the group on her "Old Gray", the mildest horse in the The Duke's stables.

Cecil turned towards Zira. "I think it best that we all head towards the center of the City, perhaps to encounter any others that might join us in overcoming this City's peril." He said indicating the gate high above.

Zira climbed into Thunder's saddle and Blaze set himself right behind her in the saddle. She shook her head as Cecil suggested moving toward the city center. "I still have a guide to help us find some of our companions," as she explained, a little fairy appeared from within Zira's golden hair. "Now you can show us," she told the fairy. The little glowing form happily zipped off her shoulder and ahead of the group to lead the way.

Shadow quickly jumped on the first horse that wasn't already being ridden, which happened to be the horse of the the half-elf that ran off earlier. Besides, she might want to keep the horse should she return. Riding after the others, Shadow looked back to make sure Aluen was following, but of course, the little blue Ice Mephit was sitting on the rump of the horse.

Kiran's eyes shifted from Moryssa's hunched form on her white mare to the vampire following them. These people must be insane! Kiran thought. His eyes drifted back to Moryssa. As soon as her affliction was cured, they would be out of this. Maybe, if she would have it, they could go to her home, Blue Dragon Island. And maybe, he could marry her. A small smile touched Kiran's lips and faded.

Sevrina's ears picked up the sounds of hoof beats up ahead on the street. A large number of horses. Chances were, that most likely was her quarry. She led Blade and Kai around a corner, from where the horses were coming, and saw a large group of familiar faces, and some not so familiar.

Leading the group was a blonde haired sorceror in white and Zira, who was sharing her horse with Blaze. Her eyes passed over them, noting everyone. Kiran, Toan and Moryssa. A black haired half-elf with a fire elemental. A blindfolded young man with fine clothes and blue hair who could only be Duke Spark, and a petite lavender haired priestess of Marfa who was undoubtedly Duchess Neese. There was an elderly tattooed woman and young boy. A handsome dark elven man and a half-elf knight. Ariakan was there riding with an elven priestess of Marfa whom Sevrina didn't know. A priestess of Myrii and a man who stayed close to her as if he were her protector. A smirk grew on Sevrina's lips as she noticed one man at the end, elven in appearance, but radiated unlife. What he was doing with them, she had no idea, but she never thought she'd see that face again.

Sevrina stopped in the middle of the square, hands on her hips and with Blade and Kai flanking her. She still wore her smirk from seeing Taringail. "We've been looking for you," Sevrina said. Zira's fairy set to find her paused, turned toward Zira, shrugged and zipped off. "And it seems as if you were looking for us as well."

Zira's head jerked up as she heard the melodic and sultry voice of Sevrina. She turned to look at the other dark elf woman, tall and lithe with such beautiful and delicate features that would make even Pirotess or Moryssa jealous. Zira wasn't very trusting of Sevrina, the woman seemed like a ghost during their battle against Cray in the Mirror Forest. She was nowhere to be found through most of it. But there still was some respect their. She recalled before the second battle at the Forest, Sevrina had taken her and Moryssa aside to hone their skills. Perhaps there was some good to her. Still, she hardly knew the woman. "So I see they found you," Zira replied with an edge of frost to her voice. "Or did you escape on your own?" Sevrina had been captured by Cray while they were recooperating in Kanon nearly two months past. Blade had followed on his own, but Kai had gone to Marmo to look for his brother. She wondered if Gale had ever found her.

Kiran's lips curled into a sneer as he saw Sevrina. He was not at all fond of her, after all, she had ran him through. That woman was not to be trusted, especially in his eyes. But the two men with her seemed good enough. This time she seemed to be on their side; still not a good enough reason to trust her.

Cecil interrupted then, to ask Zira. "Lady, are these people we should enlist to try to destroy the Chaos Gate above?" He wondered why he seemed to detect an under-current of tension between these groups.

Hearing a familiar voice, Shadow looked to see if it was the dark elf he thought it was,"Ohhhhh," Shadow said to himself when he saw Sevrina, "This is turning out to be a very interesting day. I never thought I'd see her again." Shadow, putting his hood down and hoping Sevrina hadn't seen him yet, joined the others at the front of the group. "Good after-noon m'lady," Shadow said to Sevrina without showing his face, "How are you today?"

Aluen, hearing shadow say something, turned to see who he was talking to, realized that the group had met up with Sevrina and two blonde human men. "Oh shit," Aluen said when Shadow began to ride up to Sevrina, "We're in for it now."

Sevrina just chuckled and shook her head at Zira. She would have to explain what happened with Cray later, at the inn. Sevrina was rather surprised to see Taringail ride up to the front, she didn't expect him to come straight to her. "Good afternoon Taringail," she said, her voice was sultry. What in the name of Falis was he doing with these people?

Zira chewed the inside of her cheek as Sevrina brushed her off. Something must have happened that she didn't want to talk about. She heard Cecil speak, and looked over at the sorceror. "We can trust them enough," she replied.

Zira turned her eyes back to Sevrina as she greeted Shadow. She raised a brow at them, surprised they knew each other. However, she wasn't surprised Sevrina knew him by a different name.

Kiran stayed back from the meeting. He didn't want to be involved with Sevrina anymore than was neccessary. His hands gripped the reins tightly, making the leather creak. With a sigh, he put his hand to his temple. There was just too much going on, he needed to relax before he snapped at the wrong person.

Shadow took his hood off with a smile, "How have you been Sevrina?" he asked, a little frustrated that she had revealed his true name to everyone here.

Aluen flew to Taringail's shoulder, "Hello Sevrina," she said, "Fancy meeting you here."

Sevrina smirked, "Just fine Taringail," she replied. "It's time to get down to business however," she said and turned her eyes up to the adventurers on horseback. "We have two days to gather and prepare for a battle with another Chaos General, Vesper," Sevrina announced clearly. "Myself and a few others have gathered at an inn near the foregate, and we have a number of new recruits. Follow me." Sevrina didn't give the chance for anyone to speak before she turned to lead them down the road she had come.

Straight into fire, Zira thought as she listened to Sevrina. With a sigh of disappointment, she clucked to Thunder and tapped his sides with her heels. The grey gelding stepped forward and followed Sevrina, Kai and Blade at a walk. As she rode, she passed a quick glance around the group for Willow and Berry. "Damnit," she muttered. "Where did those girls run off to?"

"Maybe we should send someone to find them," Blaze suggested. Zira nodded, craning her neck to look down streets and on rooftops. Blaze looked behind them and motioned for Azoth and Altaris to ride up to him. "Could you guys go look for Lady Berry and Lady Willow?" he asked. The two knights agreed and rode off down the street in the direction the two half-elf half-sisters had gone.

Kiran urged his horse onward, leading Moryssa's as well. He, Toan and Moryssa were now at the end of the group, as far from that psycho dark elf woman as possible. {Why couldn't she have just been murdered by Cray or something?} Kiran grumbled to Moryssa in their native tongue.

As the young page rode silently though the streets of Raiden He was hard pressed to contain his sense of wonder. This great city was far larger then Salbad, and there were new things to be seen everywhere! He reapeatedly shook or brushed his straw-like blond bangs from in front of his eyes, and tossed his head around see more.

He had seen many dark elves on Marmo, but rarely did they ride with all humans, elves, and at least one high elf, that he knew of! And such strange animals, pets, sprites, and familiars, all here too! The somber tone and posture of most of the adults around him, and the strange dark hole in the sky above only added to the boys excitment of his surroundings, somehow.

He smiled to himself as he smoothed the owls feathers with his fingers. The stench of the cargo hold aboard ship was not something he would soon forget, but he was very glad that he had not had to sweep out any stables here.

Piper could not help but wonder what would happen next.

* * *

Downcast from the sight, Willow and Berry silently climbed down from the rooftop and meandered back to rejoin the group by the fountian only to discover they had already left. "Blast," mumbled Berry and thrust her hands into her belt, "Why does everyone keep running off and getting lost? Can't they just keep in one spot?"

Willow cast a sidelong glance at Berry but knew better than to say anything. "Um, Berry," Willow called out as her sister began to wander down one particular street, "Are you sure it's wise to leave? They may be looking for us, or we might get lost, or..."

She was cut off as Berry replied, "Nu-Uh. They went this was." "How are you so certain?"

"Tracks," she replied curtly and sauntered down the street waiting for Willow to catch up.

* * *

Puzzle watched as the knights rode off as per Zira's request. He looked up at her, "I'm going to look for them. I'll have a better chance of finding them than anyone else." He noted Zira's suspicious expression as if to ask, 'you're certain you can find those two?' and called back to her, "Maybe not both but I can find Willow and Berry shouldn't be far behind." The half elf and his little elemental turned down the street and were gone before she could protest.

* * *

Cautiously slipping between buildings, Gettie made her way through the streets considering her options and trying to make plans. The city looked nigh deserted, or al least locked down. Few people were walking the streets, even during mid-day. She couldn't blame them, she thought, what with the sky as it was. She was eager, herself, to make haste from the city as soon as possible. Her ears pricked and noted a commotion East of her. The smell of horses and the clink of armor carried down the empty blocks. While hopeful, she decided to avoid the horsemounted forces for the time being. At least until she learned what was going on.

* * *

"Hm, more people."
"What do you mean?"
"More people. C'mon, pay attention."
Willow slumped in frustration. It was hopeless to get Berry to explain anything she said or did and it was wearing on Willow's patience. "How many more people?" Willow ventured.

"Dunno, a handful membee. Some on horses, some not. They met up and the groups trotted together. They should be just a little ways away." Willow breathed in and sighed. So, she thought, That's the trick to asking her things. Be specific and sometimes she'll volunteer information. Willow also caught the recent smell of horses. Berry was right. They would be very near.

* * *

Craning his head, panning the cityscape as best as he could, Puzzle searched for his sisters. "Blast it all," he murmured to his new aquaintence burning above his shoulder, "For as long as I care to remember, it seems that my time has been spent looking for either or both of those two." The fire elemental cocked it's vaguely reptilian head, only partially grasping his point, being a native to a firey realm, afterall, it was uniquely aware that it was the process of doing things that made life rather than the end result. It all ends in ashes anyways, but the differences are in how they became ashes.

They turned the corner and clumsily bumped into a young human woman. About to apologize for to collision, Puzzle and the dragonettte were set off guard by the panicked scream of the woman who flashed him the most hate filled look he had ever recieved before she ran off down the street. Flustered, Puzzle looked to the dragonette and asked, "What the blazes was that all about?" The creature fluttered in the air and gave the impression of a shrug.

* * *

Bolting down the streets, panting and panicked, Gettie forced herself to calm down. She pressed her back against a wall and wished she could just be back home. She had been clumsy, not paying attention, and turned a corner and near about ran into someone. Normally it wouldn't have been anything of note but he looked just like that bastard of a black hearted elf who'd killed Herrick earlier today. Her mind managed to relax. It wasn't him, she knew that now. Different clothes, different mannerisms. He didn't even have a glimmer of recognition. Plus, her rational mind reminded her, he looked more like a half elf. The murderer was definitly a full common elf. Besides, what was that thing he had by his shoulder? She'd heard stories about Raiden being the center of freedom and diversity for Lodoss but was this regular strangeness or new strangness for this city? She couldn't tell.

* * *

"Did you hear that?"
"What?"
"Berry, I heard a scream."
"So?"
"Ohhhh!" breathed an exasperated Willow as she stomped off in a huff towards the scream. With a shrug, Berry followed.

A couple blocks away, they found a human woman with her back pressed against a wall, furiativly glancing around. Willow glided up to the human, "Dear, are you well? Do you need help?"

Gettie eyed the tall half elven woman and felt her heart tremble for a brief moment. In her mind, she cynically wondered if this was some cruel joke or possibly a pointy-eared family reunion was happening in the city. She composed herself and stood from the wall. The half-elf before her was poised and proper. That held promise but she knew better to take a promise from nobility at face value. A second half-elf came into view, again looking similar to the first two, but markedly less poised and proper.

"Begging your pardon," Gettie said with a brief curtsy.

Willow smiled brightly, absolutly tickled to find someone with manners after all this time. Willow curstied in return following the ritual, "Lady Willow, daughter of Lady Istabelle of the Moss Duchy of Griff, if it pleases you."

Gettie returned it with a deeper curtsy and spoke properly, "Lady Gettie Mara, First daughter of the Manor of Duvia of the Kingdom of Alania, for your pleasure, Lady Willow."

Berry looked on and suffered a vague case of an upset stomach from witnessing such a spectacle of gross formality.



* * *

Shining brightly, the fire elemental fluttered back down towards Puzzle, hissing and sputtering in its own curious way but unquestioningly suggesting they head down a certain alley. Puzzle nodded and enjoyed the privelege of having an accomplice with the gift of flight. "This," he complimented the little beast, "It truely a lovely thing." Turning down, he spied Berry and Willow and that human which he had so seemed to frighten. Cautiously, he called to them.

* * *

The three half elves and a human woman walked down the street in search of their entourage. "I apologize for reacting so poorly," Gettie explained to Puzzle, "You just so looked like the elf who murdered my father's retainer." Three sets of pointed ears pricked to attention. "I'm grateful for your kindness," she continued, Indeed, I am happy that you three have nothing to do with that blackheart. You are a grace to your family. It is a pity one so cruel could appear so closely similar to such as yourselves."

The half-elven glittering green eyes shot back and forth between each other with urgency and possibility. The distinct clip-clop of hooves against the cobbles signaled the appearence of a pair of horse mounted knights. Altaris and Azoth had finally managed to corral the delinquent siblings and catch yet one more tag-along for the show.

"So there you all are," Altaris said with a half-smile as his eyes passed over the four siblings. And a new young woman. Altaris, true to his knightly nature, bowed down in the saddle, as sweeping as possible, to the new woman. "'Tis a pleasure to meet you my lady, I am Sir Altaris Arkanis, Heavenly Knight."

Azoth made the same gestures. It was likely very odd for Gettie to see a dark elf as a knight. "I am Azoth, a Knight of Marmo. But we must hurry on. We apparently have very little time to chat. Battle is brewing. My lady, if you have no where else to go, you may accompany us for your safety."

Gettie shifted from one foot to the other and looked imploringly at the knights. Her opinion of Raiden was changing but only such that it became even more of what she thought it was. Heavenly knights and dark elves, as knights themselves no less, being sent to fetch her recently departed companions. What was she getting into?

She smiled meekly and curtsied demurely to the knights once their attention focused on her. She eyed the horses with caution. She had, as a rule, a poor rapport with such creatures. They seemed wary of her. "Sir Knights, thank you. If it pleases, I will gladly follow you to safety."

Both knights stared in confusion at the three half-elves. Altaris nearly protested their leaving, but Azoth shook his head, silencing his friend. "Just let them go," The dark elf said. "They will do what they must. We can't protect everyone."

Azoth then turned his attention to Gettie. His horse seemed a little uneasy around her, but he was easily calmed. Now that he thought of it, there was a strange aura about her, something magical. For some reason, he thought of a fox when he looked at her.

He edged his horse over to her, then reached out his hand to help her onto his warhorse's back. The stallion seemed wary, but if Azoth assured him everything was well, he trusted the elf. Azoth had no saddle, and only a loose rope halter on his horse for a bridle. "I'll take you, milady."

She flinched away slightly at his extended hand and politly declined. "Begging your pardon, I would rather not," she glanced at the wary horse, "Impose upon you. Please, lead on," another shared gaze between the horse and her, "I insist." She resolutly stood firm and waited for the knight to lead the way.

"Then ride with me, milady," Altaris said, extending his hand to help her into the saddle. His horse danced anxiously to the side and Altaris had to jerk upwards to control his own mount.

Azoth just shook his head. "Let her be Altaris," he said, then turned his own horse back to the street. "Just follow us," he said. Reluctantly, Altaris abandoned trying to get Gettie to ride and rode alongside Azoth. They kept their horses at a fast walk to catch up with their companions, though both knights kept an eye on Gettie to make sure she could catch up.

Azoth glanced down at her as they rode. "Milady, you have yet to give us your name," Azoth said with a small half smile. "Might we have the honor...?"

Their insistance that she ride with them was, thankfully, quietly dropped and together they trotted along fro a few moments in silence. The handsome dark elf knight inquired, "Milady, you have yet to give us your name. Might we have the honor...?"

Without missing a step, she gave a slight curtsy and spoke, "Lady Gettie Mara, Brave Sir Azoth," and kept eye contact for a fraction longer than would be considered simply courteous and might possibly be considered flirtatous. She bobbed in a similar fashion towards Altaris, also pointedly catching his gaze and offering a faint smile, "And you as well, Brave Sir Altaris." Her inner twitch was calm. Perhaps they were trustworthy? She could smell the oil from their armor and the blood that had seeped in and stained the leather bindings. Strong? Powerful? The odor of their perspiration lingered. Where they in a fight recently? Gettie kept these thoughts silent and walked down the streets, flushed with the knowledge that two knights, of exceptional *ahem* quality, were escorting her.

Azoth picked up on her long gaze at him, and smiled just a little to himself. Altaris, as usual, was oblivious, he just smiled back to her. The two knights followed the road their party had taken until they found the mounted group stopped.

"What's going on?" Altaris murmured and rode ahead. A few curious eyes turned to them when they came without any of the three siblings but an unfamiliar young woman. The two knights rode up to the front of the group to where Zira and Blaze were.

"We found them," Azoth said, shifting uncomfordably on his stallion's back. He really didn't want to be the one telling Zira he let them go. "And...they kind of....went their own way." Azoth winced, as if expecting Zira to slap him. Surely, her glare and that twitch of her ear said she was thinking about it. "But, this is Gettie Mara," He said quickly. "She was with them and decided to come with us."

Zira nearly growled in frustration. She was afraid for those three, but Blaze assured her they would do fine on their own. Zira cued Thunder to continue and they followed Blade and Sevrina to where ever they were leading.

She very nearly stuck her chin up at the knight for introducing her as simply "Gettie Mara" but, instead, she managed to hold her tongue and her attitude. "Perhaps," she thought, "Perhaps now is neither the time nor place for honorifics and titles." Or, maybe, that she shouldn't expect such things from a dark elf, knight or not. She had never seen more than a hand full of elves before throughout her life, much less any dark elves but now, standing before the assembled group, she was in the company of several of each. Regardless, she gave a short, polite curtsy towards the dark elf to whom she was being announced.

Apparently the elopment of the three half-elves from earlier was expected to cause some consternation, as did some of the current members of those assembled before her. The sounds, and smell, of retching caught her attention and spied the source as from one of the other dark elves, having been shouldered and carried towards a nearby inn.

Sevrina marched back down the street that would take her to Dabagon Inn, leading an entourage of a variety of people. Humans, elves of both races, dragon-kin, knights and heroes, mercenaries, a sorceror, and one vampire. It was late in the afternoon, and she hoped that the others had completed the missions she gave them. Autumn had come, so darkness came earlier as well.

Sevrina grimaced as her stomach churned again. Why was she still plagued by this illness? If they had the time, she would see a doctor. But then, there were hopefully priests at the inn that could heal her. Sevrina's pace slowed and she clenched her teeth, willing the sickness away. She couldn't let these people see any weakness. They continued on for a few more feet until Sevrina staggered, then dashed into an alley. Unfortunately for her pride, the sounds of her retching echoed through the alley and that bloody chaos gate seemed to make the sound carry even further! So much for those blueberry pancakes....

Zira halted Thunder as she saw Sevrina run aside. "What in the name of..." Zira was intruppted by the sound of vomiting and jerked upright in the saddle from her suprise. Blaze looked over her shoulder in the direction of the alley, equally as surprised. "She's sick?" Zira murmured.

Shadow jumped off his horse and ran into the alley after Sevrina, realizing that she, being an elf, was sick. "Sevrina, are you all right," Shadow asked as he walked up to her and put his hand on her back. "I can heal you," Shadow said, "You should know that."

Kiran stood in the stirrups to see what was holding them up, then heard the echoing sounds of someone vomiting. As he peered over the heads of those ahead of him, he noticed Sevrina was no longer leading them and her companions were dashing to a nearby alley where the retching was coming from. He settled back into his saddle and glanced to Moryssa and Toan. {She's sick,} he said icily. At least Moryssa would probably know who he was talking about.

"I don't think healing will do much." Blade made his way to Sevrina in a slow walk. He placed his warm hand on her shoulder. "Bed." He commanded softly and quickly hooked his free arm under her legs, lifting her up by her shoulders and legs, holding her against his chest. "You should know better Sevrina." He chuckled and began carrying her towards the inn.

Toan simply nodded, a bit absentmindedly. Sevrina was sick, that was bad. Wait! Sevrina was insane! He couldn't really wish for anyones death, but he preferred to keep as far away from that woman as possible. He found himself holding the hilt of his sword and removed his hand. What he was really thinking about was Berry. Where had she gone to? Despite his sister's hatred toward Berry, he only grew more fonder of her every day.

That's odd... Mused Kai as he watched Sevrina being taken off after getting sick in an ally. Just yesterday she saw a mountain of corpses without so much as a flinch. And now for reason at all... With his back leaning against a wall and his arms folded the knight commented as Sevrina passed him. "I guess even you can't be invincible all the time."

Sevrina drew her gloved arm across her mouth, then spit once. "I'll live," she replied hoarsely to Taringail. "Maybe..." she was interrupted as Blade picked her up. "Blade!" she protested and flung her arm around his shoulders. Ah hell with it, they already know I'm sick, she thought as the swordsman carried her. Blade was always comforting. As she passed Kai she turned up her chin at him for his remark, knowing he was right.