The Crusade of Shadows

by Fyrewyzrd Cleverpyros

(Click on all images for larger view).


'Map of Ulthuan'

Chapter One: The Grim Road

The young royal page could not stop himself from peering back over his right shoulder towards the open doors that led out to the dark balcony. He was polishing an armor chest plate that was shining like a mirror, but his mind was focused upon what he could not see.

"Knickle, why do you keep doing that? Are you afraid now of the dark? We are thirty floors up in this tower my friend. I will save you from harm. Such is the life of a great Lothern warrior!" Geegee was just a royal page as well, but he was not short on imagination.

Knickle turned back his attention to his new comrade and said, "I would rather save myself Geegee, thank you. I will admit that my mind is filled with a dark loathing since that 'Shadow' arrived earlier today. Even though he is a floor above us, I still feel his presence and a feeling of great dread is upon me."

From the hall door a voice spoke, "You fear what you do not know. The Shadow that you speak of carries with him a great hope while we struggle to survive these horrid wars. My name is Gwyllion and I have brought you another new page to help you finish with the last of the armor." Ser Gwyllion Lightpick was the squire to the 'Shadow' known as 'Fyrewyzrd Cleverpyros'. He now stepped out into the candle light of the armory room. With him was a very small boy that looked to be elven as well. "Gentlemen, this is 'Butterbean' of Saphery. Show him your task so that you can finish quicker. Then get to bed. We all leave with the army tomorrow on the northern road." Gwyllion then turned and went out into the hall on other important errands.

Wide eyed both royal pages stared at each other in awe. "We get to go. Oh my, we get to go!" Geegee was now extremely excited, but a scowl came across Knickle's face.

"You realize that this will be our death Geegee? You might polish this horde of swords, but you know nothing of wielding one. A dark elf lord will use you like a braidmaid's pin cushion." He then turned his head to the small elf that stood near the table. He noticed that Butterbean was quiet and shy. "I don't think this little one will even rate that much." Both Geegee and Knickle laughed openly, but it meant nothing to Butterbean. He was focused on the task at hand. He sat down without a word and picked up a small emery cloth and began polishing in earnest on a paladial gauntlet.

Geegee noting Butterbean's quietness, then asked him, "Who is this 'Shadow' and 'Ser Gwyllion' that you travel with?"

After a while Butterbean let out a sigh and said, "Please, I'm very tired. I will tell you what I'm allowed too. I don't want my tongue cut out."

Knickle said, "Then out with it."

Butterbean never looked up but continued polishing as he began "We arrived this morning from the Old World, and it was a trip of terror and death. You two have it good here. You should stay tomorrow and polish metal. You have no idea."

"We were followed most of the way of the three week voyage through rough seas, but our vessel captain decided to turn and fight our stalker. Later he said that we had to kill them in order to have a chance of breaking the blockade outside the Lothern Straits. That was another night that I can't speak of."

"Yes, I'm a page for the 'Shadow', but he is Fyrewyzrd an old Bright wizard from Saphery of which there are many tales about him alone. His squire is Ser Gwyllion Lightpick, who is a reformed thief or so they say. We also were accompanied by a great barbarian bodyguard named Krankin Fyresbane. I'm glad he is on our side."

"We are here to garner help to transport something to Lyrianna's Repose in Crace."

Amazed, Geegee finally asked, "So what is it? A secret weapon?"

Butterbean snapped his head up quickly and said, "How did you know?"

Geegee stuttered a bit and then said, "Well, well I didn't. I just guest at it. So it is a secret weapon?"

"I've said to much already. I'll leave you to work out what it is. I will say this, you are in for the adventure of your life with these three and their friends. Fyrewyzrd was at the Council of Wisdom in Altdorf. So let him have his secrets. His power is immense and he is highly regarded by the Council."

"Ser Gwyllion is my mentor, but he is courageous and cool headed. The enemy has great fear of him, because he wields two 'Elfbone Daggers' and is deadly accurate with them."

Having dealt with many strange weapons and armor both royal pages looked up in amazement as they polished the armor. Knickle said, "Elfbones are illegal though."

"Yes, unless they are ancestral. The rumor is that these were from his murdered family, but I have no idea if that is true. The old man allows him to have them though, and no one seems interested or brave enough to take them away from him. I say let him have his oddities, and let that be another story sometime. He has been good to me."

At that exact same time a darkness seem to fill the room as the dim light from the hallway doors went black. An enormous figure filled the doorway. Geegee and Knickle both froze, as fear covered their faces. Only Butterbean seem unafraid, as he spoke with a chuckle, "Friends, meet Krankin!" The huge barbarian now slowly moved into the room and up to the great oak worktable. The boys still did not move except their heads tilted backwards more and more as the giant bodyguard moved closer to them.

"How goes it my great friend? Do you have news of our rooms as of yet ser?" Butterbean was glad to see him.

Dressed in forest green leathers and knee high green boots, the short scimitar sword protruding from his waist scabbard, the giant was a fearsome sight. In a very deep booming voice, Krankin said very slowly, "Hello 'Little Blade'. Boss says eat now. Boss says sleep next. Boss says pack cold gear. Boss says leave next. Boss says ride 'wheel wagon'. Krankin says 'Goodnight'. He then turned slowly and strode back out of the room ducking his head for the door frame.

Geegee's eyes were almost popping out of his head as he nervously laughed and said, "I thought we were dead. He was HUGE Knickle...HUGE..!!"

Knickle was almost speechless as he said, "Uh huh."

All three boys now stopped and looked at what they had completed. The last of thousands of pieces of armor were now finished. Armorers would come in the morning and lower the stacks down the stevedore chute to the waiting line of sleepy soldiers below. The next tower over was already lowering food sacks and supplies down to the waiting wagons. They would all work through the night to complete the great task.

In the pens nearby were several large oxen. They were sound asleep, although standing silently under the last waxing moon. Their toil and work would start tomorrow as they pulled the heavy ladened wagons of war.

The three pages finished cleaning up their work area, blew out the single candle, then shut and locked the double steel doors. Knickle yawn and said to Butterbean, "You can bunk with us tonight. We have a spot near the kitchens on the second floor." They then started down the spiraling stairwell that disappeared into the darkness below. Knickle stopped though at one point and leaned against the handrail and looked up to were he imagined the Shadow might be several floors above. He thought he might have seen a faint blue light, but it was fleeting and disappeared immediately. He shivered and then ran down to catch up with his friends.

The next morning Butterbean awoke to the sound of a braying ox, instead of the sound of a rooster. The roosters were still asleep. He got up slowly and headed for a warm bath. He knew it would be the last one he would get for a very long time. The other two boys were still sleeping and so he made his way quietly past them. The smell of the warm bread coming from the kitchens was so wonderful that it really did make his mouth water. He quickened his pace. Later after his bath and after putting on what he called his 'outgear', he then packed his 'cold-gear' as Krankin had instructed him. He then headed to the kitchen, which he had no problem finding in the myriad of halls and rooms of the Tower of the Shining Guard.

A small room set between the kitchens and the main dining halls. It had several small dining tables and Butterbean walked in following his nose to the wonderful baking bread. To his surprise though he found Krankin and Gwyllion already sitting there eating breakfast. Gwyllion looking at Butterbean pointed at the empty seat. As he started to sit down a grumpy looking cook came by and slid a plate of food quickly in front of him. It was full of fresh fruits, boiled eggs, bacon, buttered scones, and even a big cookie. Krankin pushed a cup of hot root-beer coffee towards him, and he sipped it gratefully. He whispered a 'thank you', even though he did not want to interrupt Gwyllion's instructions to Krankin.

"So after that we shall start. The old man said that we will be meeting key people on the way that are critical to have success with this mission. General Nivaga said that they would protect us as far as possible to Chrace, but that if they do come under full attack that we would be on our own. Fyre didn't leave all of our security up to the army though. He has a few tricks up those old wizard sleeves of his. The three pages are to ride the weapon's wagon and work on maps, reading, and prepare food and drink for our immediate party. You are to remain on the flanks of the wagon as usual and he said he will be directly in front of the wagon. I'm to circle our party when in movement and scout the side areas. The general's vanguard unit will be behind us guarding the rear and our flanks. The general will be out ahead in a traveling war wagon."

Gwyllion took a break and began eating again. Krankin never said a word, but only nodded that he understood, which was always his way. The two of them had been through so much together and was a bit of an odd couple. Underneath though was a brotherly love unbroken through several battles and two wars. They were bound together by saving each others life many times. They were also bound by the demanding wizard himself as they had been in his employ for several years. Gwyllion might be old as far as most squires go, but Fyrewyzrd would have no other, even though he kept insisting at times that Gwyllion was still a thief. It was a long on going argument between the two, but at times Gwyllion suspected that Fyre really didn't believe it.

'The Ship Kria and Capt. Jonn'

Krankin was a genius but few people knew it, because of his quiet mannerisms and slow wording in his speech. An example of this was the way in which they had ran through the dark elves' blockade in the Lothern Straits two nights earlier.

They were aboard the ship called 'Kria's Dream'. It was a very fast galleon and was owned by the infamous Shadow known as 'Captain Jonn'. He stood taller than most men, and his legend was taller yet. His long brown hair and beard mixed together, but his shining dark eyes were penetrating and knowing. He wore ancient pieces of armor but they were very heavy and sometimes glowed with a strange blue hue of light. He now watched as the others huddled on deck while the wind blew a rough breeze about them.

Krankin had held up one finger in front of Fyre and the old wizard said, "Okay, go ahead." Krankin had then dove overboard, as Fyre discussed with Jonn what Krankin was thinking. They both watched as the muscled up barbarian swam around and dove under the ship. Soon he surfaced and a dolphin was splashing and swimming around him. He petted the dolphin and then whispered to him several times. He then climbed out and back on board the ship. He pulled out a small flask full of 'bright bugs'. This he took along with some leather strings and jumped back over board again. He tied the flask to the the dolphin's back. The more the dolphin swam and shook up the flask the brighter the bright bugs glowed. Krankin was using hand signals and the dolphin stayed hidden by swimming under the ship as they went and until needed later.

They waited till it was night time, and again Krankin dove over the side with the end of the longest rope on board. Fyrewyzrd asked Captain Jonn to get as dangerously close to the enemies blockade ship as possible in the dark. The order went out to kill the lights of the ship. This was very difficult, but Jonn was a sailing master and was able to bring it close enough that Krankin now swam up to and under the enemy ship. He then tied the rope to the rudder brace below it. He swam back to the Kria, tied off the other end of the rope, and signaled the dolphin as before. The dolphin swam up to him and allowed Krankin to grasp his top dorsal fin. The two then swam back out and this time they went past the enemy ship. On board, the dark elves seen them immediately, but had no idea what the light was this far out in the ocean darkness.

It appeared from a distance to look like a ship, so they immediately began yelling and put under way chasing this possible enemy ship. They threw open half the sails but it seem they could not catch the lights as if something was slowing them down. Of course it was Jonn's mystery ship that was behind them in the dark. The dark elf captain now yelled for all sails, and a great surge pushed them forward at a great speed. The other ships nearby could now see the Kria as it moved silently behind its tow. They began trying to signal their fellow ship to stop and attack the Kria behind it, but they were unable to get their attention. The Kria's tow ship was already after one foe, not realizing they were towing the real foe behind them. By the time they had figured it out and turned, Captain Jonn gave the word to cut the line and they swiftly shot past like a slingshot and headed towards port. Not a shot was fired, and Krankin untied and removed the bright bugs sending the dolphin on his way unharmed.

When Krankin climbed back on board the crew of Kria's Dream and Captain Jonn cheered him for his brilliant idea. He never said a word, but rested and ate a cold meal as a reward. Fyrewyzrd in a rare moment came over and patted him on the shoulder and whispered a few words to him. After a while a small smile came to Krankin's face. No one even noticed his smile though and it was gone as fast as the ship was in the night.

So now this is why Gwyllion was being so detailed to the huge bodyguard at breakfast. He always wanted to make sure he had all the facts and then let the brilliant mind work away silently. Gwyllion was also very much aware that this was the first time that he had told of their plans in front of someone new. So after a bit he said to Butterbean, "Do you have any questions now 'Little Blade'?"

'A War Wagon'

Butterbean was gnawing on a scone and stopped immediately when he was asked this question. He wiped his mouth and leaned forward looking side to side, checking for possible ears listening in. He then whispered, "What is in the war wagon?"

Gwyllion whispered back to him, "Its a secret weapon. Shhhhhh!" Then he smiled and went about eating again.

They now heard 'seven bells' and knew they had to get going. They headed up the long winding stairway to get the last of Fyre's equipment and supplies. Fyrewyzrd was in a last minute meeting with the General Nivaga and others, while making any changes to their plan. Jonn had berthed his ship and joined the mission on land. He was almost as tall as Krankin and was a fierce jungle fighter. He spoke to no one though except for Fyrewyzrd, and most soldiers stayed far away from both. The 'eight bells' now rang and soldiers began to move toward the road that headed north and assembled in their own platoons within their companies' section.

Butterbean was bringing the last of their packs and supplies. He walked cautiously over to the bright yellow tent that was temporarily covering the mysterious wooden and steel war wagon that he was to store their supplies on. He poked his head inside the flaps of the large tent only to see a very plain, yet reinforced wagon. Only one ox was hitched up to it, and she was chewing her cud happily unaware of the importance of her new load. Butterbean found the notched steps and climbed up to the top. He strapped the last of their things on top and made a single sleeping mat for them. All three pages would take turns sleeping on the mat. He then climbed down as he had one last thing to take care of.

'The Church of all Gods'

He made his way back past the tower and headed to the small hill in the distance. There was the small garrison church for all gods, known as the the Last Sanctuary. He slowed his pace when he got to the door. Inside were several soldiers and fighters that were either praying on one knee as was the custom or leaving to join their ranks.

Butterbean found a small pew off to the side and he knelt in prayer. He said to his god, "My life is already given. My soul is already given. My mind is open and my heart calls for your guidance." This of course is the ritual prayer opening and then followed by his current prayer. "I now begin a crusade dear lord. I know not its outcome, but I do know it is rich in death and terror. You helped me across the great waters, and so I have already given you my life again. I will do it again and again if needed. Please help me now as I'm very scared. My mother is in Saphery all alone. My father you have taken already. Please cover my new friends with your blessings and guide the wizard even though he has a bit of a mean streak in him. Truly, may it be so."

He then rose and walked out with his head down in solemn thought. He felt a sadness come over him as his thoughts ran across the memory of his mother all alone. He then swore to himself that he must do the best he can to help win this horrible widening war. Evil can not prevail...it just can't. It had already cost him his father.

On his way back to the yellow tent he noticed they had removed it and several towns folk out of curiosity was in a crowd around it. He walked up behind them and he could hear several remarks.

"I say they should leave well enough alone. These Bright Wizards mettle with nature and elements of the earth. They will cause another rupture and tear the fabric of the magic."

"The general better be careful. He is trusting our boys with the likes of these two 'Shadows'?"

"They go to fight the dark elves, but who will defend us here?"

"I don't like the looks of this wagon. I wonder whats in it?"

Butterbean just push past them and made his way to the other two pages that had just arrived.

"Where were you this morning Butterbrain when we got into trouble?"

"I went and ate breakfast and to church. What happen?"
"We slept pass seven bells and got caught. Now we have to do 'ox apple' duty while in town." Butterbean noticed the scoops in their hands, but he had to turn his back to them to hide his obvious grin. The wagon drivers now arrived and took a few moments to inspect the hitch and rigging one last time. They climbed up the great wagon and sat on the cushioned buckboard seat that was high above the main box of the wagon.

Behind this wagon sat the 'wheel wagon'. It was pulled by four oxen, but that seem like an overabundance to Butterbean in comparison to the single oxen pulling the secret war wagon. The wagon itself was very large and flat. In the center was a large wooden wheel laying on its side with a pivot pin going through the axle of the wheel and mounted into the bed of the wagon. The wheel was slotted so that a rope could be wrapped around it. What it was for, Butterbean had no idea, but he felt it had something to do with the third wagon behind it, that had an enormous and continuous roll of rope on it that was nearly ten feet high. After it was dozens of supply wagons that carried tents, ammunitions, weapons, food, clothing, and tons of equipment that had only one purpose and that was to wage war.

As far as the eye could see in the distant hills was a long line of soldiers that were preparing their ranks in ready to march. Past that was the calvary and the beautiful Ellyrion horses. Their black shiny hides were brilliant and amazing to watch. Their muscles would shiver and ripple in the morning sun as they stammered around in anticipation of the road ahead and behind. Far to the head of the five thousand elf army column that was now nearing two miles long was the lead calvary units. There was a constant movement between the front and rear guard, as they switched positions and entered in and out of side patrols. Always looking for signs of the enemy.

Butterbean never grew tired of watching these intelligent and beautiful animals. He also enjoyed watching the soldiers pull pranks on each other from time to time in order to break the tension of this major war march. Geegee came up beside him and said, "We are on first watch together for the first eight. Knick will be on the war wagon because he is always lucky like that." He then climbed upon the 'wheel wagon' and found one corner behind the buckboard seat. Butterbean climbed up behind him and took the other side behind the driver. He would be spending several days in this spot, so he immediately began to arrange things to make it as comfortable as possible.

"Look sharp there Little Blade!" Gwyllion and Krankin came walking around the corner of the wagon. Butterbean jumped to his feet just as four wine skins came flying towards him and he caught them by reflex. "Don't worry. Its water, not wine." Butterbean stored them away. He stood up as they called attention to the ranks. The garrison tower doors were already open and several officers where standing there in anticipation of the leaders coming out. General Nivaga's own battle wagon was now pulled up by two oxen and they stopped directly in front of him. It had a small cubicle built on it that was large enough for six officers and the general. It had just enough room to move around a bias relief map in the middle on the table.

The general came out finally and was immediately followed by healers, wizards, and his captains. Amongst them was the two Shadows, Fyrewyzrd and Captain Jonn. Nearby Gwyllion and Krankin stood waiting until Fyre spotted them and waved them over. He spoke with them just as the 'nine bells' rang. Several yells occurred then, and a strong horn was blown, but it was unexpected.

The drivers of all the wagons did not hesitate when they heard this horn, and began turning their wagons in the opposite direction and began moving south. The crowd was huge, and many remarked that they were already 'lost'. The army began slowly to move though and once it had cleared the outer limits of Lothern the general gave the orders and they slowly made a very wide loop to the east and eventually headed north again. This small change in their plans threw the spies off that were watching from a far. As soon as they seen the wagons and army heading south, they turn and ran north to tell the dark elves. The rest of the day was uneventful and the army made such good time that they even went late into the evening before they halted and set their first quick camp. Fires, quick meals, no tents, and sleep under the stars was the mode for this quiet night.

'The Great Northern Road'

A gloved hand slipped over Butterbean's mouth, and he jumped being awakened in such a manner. It was very dark but he had the great elven eye sight, and he could see it was Gwyllion. He had his other index finger over his own lips trying to warn Butterbean not to make a sound. He motioned him to get up and follow him. Butterbean was still groggy with sleep, but he realized something was up. He followed Gwyllion off the northern road and into the woods to the north west. They didn't go far when the woods thinned out and they came upon the edge of the cliff that skirted the Inner Sea. They followed this until they could see lights up ahead. It looked like four or five people huddled around something.

When they got closer Butterbean started to wake up now as he realized and recognized that it was Krankin, Fyrewyzrd, Jonn, General Nivaga, and one of the healers. Laying on the ground was a young girl. She was white as ever and had succumbed to being hung with a rope. Butterbean was horrified, but he could not help but be interested. He slowly stepped forward until he stood next to Krankin in the circle of elves. The healer said, "She was long dead before we got here. There is nothing I could do."

General Nivaga shook his head, and then said, "With killings from war all around us, it seems strange that they took the time to actually tie a rope and hung her." Gwyllion reached down and slowly loosened the rope from around her neck, and threw it to one side. Krankin leaned over and picked her up like a little rag doll and threw her lifeless body over his shoulder. A sad look covered his face as he made his way back to camp. Butterbean started to follow them but at the last second he impulsively turn and ran back and grabbed the rope. Something really bothered him about this. He pushed the rope into his jacket and then turn and ran to catch up with them. Just as he got there Fyrewyzrd had stopped and was waiting for him.

"Master Butterbean, please don't run off like that. A greenskin could quietly snatch you right up in the darkness and we would have never found you. Stay close."

"Yes ser." Butterbean said as he did not want to make his master mad in any way.

Gwyllion told Krankin, "Just put her on top of the war wagon and cover her. We will know more in the morning and will try to find where she is from." They all slowly went to their mats to sleep but some never did, as sad thoughts of the young girl kept them awake.

The next morning a light rain was coming down and this did not help Butterbean's mood, as it had already turned downward over the death of the girl. At one point he climbed the wagon and lift the blanket one more time, not to be morbid, but to answer a nagging question in his mind. He then went back to the 'wheel wagon' and he pulled out the rope. He knew a lot about ropes. His father had taught him almost forty different kinds of knots and all the different kinds of hemp as well. It was this knot in the rope that seemed strange to him. He looked at it closer to be sure, and he traced with his fingers the turns and knots of the rope. Suddenly he felt a sudden warmth at his back. He turned slowly as he felt the presence, and to his surprise Fyrewyzrd was standing right behind him.

" So Little Blade, what do you make of it. Does it scare you in some ways?"

"Oh, no ser. Its the knot. Its not a hangman's knot."

"Go ahead. What else?"

"Well ser, her neck is not broke. She died from something else, but not from choking. Her eyes have no blood spots. I know because I lifted them and looked." Fyre was amazed at this boy's intellect and questioned him further.

"So what do you think it was that killed her?"

"With your permission ser, I need to look at her again."

"Go ahead, but make it quick. We don't want to upset the soldiers." So Butterbean again went back to the wagon and leaned over the body. He pulled the cover back slowly uncovering her face. He took out his pocket knife and slipped it between her lips. Once inside he turned it sideways until it unlocked her clenched jaw. He then with his hands pushed her lower jaw down opening her mouth. He sniffed a bit and then he took his knife and carefully scraped her tongue. A yellow thick substance was on it. He then closed her mouth again and covered her back up. He climbed back over to were Fyre waited patiently.

"Ser, look at this. She has been poisoned. The smell is unmistakable. Its poinsettia. The flower is always red, but the sumac is yellow in color, as you see on my knife. Her neck is red from the rope but its not purple like it should be. The knot is rare as it would allow her to hang without choking. Who ever did this wanted to watch her die in agony." Butterbean then burst out crying. Fyrewyzrd realized that this young boy had the mind of a genius, but still had the emotions of a child. He gave him a hug even though it was uncomfortable for him to do. After a few minutes, he told Butterbean to go get cleaned up as they would be leaving soon.

A scout entered the camp and spoke quickly to his captain. He then ran back out again. The captain walked over to Fyrewyzrd and said, "The girl is from the village we past a mile back. They are on their way here to get her." A few minutes later about ten towns people showed up with a small wagon and pony. Gwyllion questioned them as much as was possible while they were deep into their grief. She had been missing late that night and never came home. They cried and moan openly as they took her small body and placed it gently in the wagon. Then they slowly turned for home. Their lives changed forever as they went.

Soon the word had came down the line that they would be moving in fifteen minutes. Fyrewyzrd stopped to talk to Gwyllion and they both looked over at Butterbean. He sensed it and turned to look at them. Fyre walked over to him and said, "So what was the knot?"

Butterbean didn't hesitate and said, "It was a surgeon's knot."

The army continued to move northward and soon found themselves to the outer reaches of Butterbean's home city of Saphery. He tried to not think about the poor girl, but at night her pale white face would visit him in his dreams and the next morning he looked tired and haggard. He wondered what kind of monster could do such a thing. He sharpened his small dagger even though it was razor sharp already. Gwyllion noticed this and soon spoke of it to Fyrewyzrd. The next morning he told Butterbean, "Your service is done with us for now. We are sending you home in two days. We should be right outside Saphery." Butterbean didn't say anything, he just hung his head down. It was bitter sweet for him. Yes he was going to see his mother, but the wonderful adventure was coming to an end.

That night Butterbean again didn't sleep well. The forest had gone very quiet, and as the soldiers settled down for the night it was even more noticeable. Not long after midnight, Butterbean sat upright quickly as he had heard voices. He looked and could see three scouts had slipped into the camp quietly and were just outside of Gwyllion's tent. He could just make out the conversation.

"Captain Cantierre ordered us to notify you that someone is in the eastern forest and have been watching us for some time now. When ever we moved, they would move parallel to our advance. We have only caught a few glimpses of them at times. Once they stood about fifty feet away from us in the darkness. Just standing there silent, staring, it was unnerving to say the least. They never attacked, and when we drew closer they backed away, but never ran. We are preparing two companies to attack them in about fifteen minutes ." The scouts looked worried though and Butterbean could not tell if it was fear or anticipation of battle that made their hands shake. These scouts were courageous though and so he figured it to be the latter.

Gwyllion said, "Thank you for notifying us, but you should be extremely careful about who you are attacking. I have a suspicion as to who it is. I will meet you at the war wagon in ten minutes after I discuss this with Fyrewyzrd." The scouts nodded their heads in agreement and silently moved off as was their nature.

Butterbean jumped up and walked over to Gwyllion's small tent. Gwyllion said, "Yes Little Blade?"

"Ser, may I go with you?" Gwyllion thought about this for a moment.

Then he replied, "You may go, but I want you to memorize the trail. If this turns bad, then I want you to run back to this camp and tell everyone what you have seen.Is this understood?"

Butterbean was already getting his pack ready as he said over his shoulder, "Yes ser!" Gwyllion came out of the tent and Butterbean fell in behind him as he made his way in the dim light over to Fyrewyzrd's tent. It was a little chilly, so Butterbean stayed near the small fire, as Gwyllion poked his head into the old wizard's tent.

"Sorry to disturb you ser, but there is news of someone in the forest scouting and following us. By the description of their movements it sounds like the Shadows. Captain Cantierre has ordered an attack"

"Yes. Its them Gwyllion. Not a wing has flapped all day or night. The scouts found no squirrels or rabbits on the day's hunt. It would be fair to say they found us , better than we found them. Go now with the captain and see for yourself if its them or not." Gwyllion wasted no time and started off down the hill to the war wagon. Butterbean fell in right behind him. He noticed about thirty soldiers and six scouts preparing to leave the encampment. Suddenly though they all crouched down, pulled out their weapons in readiness, and faced towards to dark forest. A single dark figure had stepped out of the tree line and was slowly making their way towards the camp.

"A scout then yelled out, "HALT..!! CARE FOR YOUR LIFE..!! HALT..!!" The tall figure took a few more steps and then stopped. "Come forward slowly, but beware. State your name, business, and who you serve."

"I am Slandar Bianchi of the Shadowlands. I serve no one, and no one serves me. I'm looking for my friend Captain Jonn. He is suppose to be traveling with General Nivaga's army."

Captain Cantierre now stepped forward and was about ten feet away when he responded, "He is near and I will take you to him, but again I will warn you that your movement must be cautious."

The Shadow known as 'Slandar' now stepped out into the light of the fire, and the others could clearly see him for the first time. His long black braided lengths of hair had small bones and even a fox's skull had been woven into them. He wore a black leather cloak but it was opened and revealed the forest green color of clothing underneath. He wore the green knee high boots that were a symbol of the Shadows. No one else wore them as the green hide was very difficult to get. The boots were made from goblin skin. The soldiers and scouts admired these boots as he walked past them which created a few whispers as he went.

The scouts left and went back out into the forest on patrol as usual, but were uncomfortable knowing that these Shadows were moving about in the darkness. Gwyllion went back to report to Fyre. He sent Butterbean to replace Knickle on the wagon.

The captain took Slandar straight to Captain Jonn's small camp, but Jonn was crouched near the fire and ready to jump like a huge jungle cat. He relaxed his sword as he immediately recognized his old friend. "You use to be much quieter old friend. Its great to see you. Come over here by the fire and get some coffee. Tell me any news that you have"

Slandar strode up and shook hands with Jonn as they both slapped each other on the arms. "No need to be as quiet around you brother since you are much longer in the tooth now." They both broke out laughing at this, but the mood turned serious almost right away. Slandar began, "There are about thirty of us here in the forest. Another thirty await north of Saphery. Alto and the 'Steel Slice' are in Saphery waiting for Fyrewyzrd." He then reached into his jerkin and pulled out a much worn map of Ulthuan. He rolled this out on the dirt beside the fire and pointed at different points of interests on it. "We are here. Urglunt is here. We found traces of camp-fires all along the coast, but not the enemy. In the Shadowlands it is a different story. We were attacked constantly but with nothing sustained. We learned a lot about Maleketh's warriors. These Druchii are fierce and smart, and they make few mistakes if any. They fear us, but soon they will know us too well and the fear will lessen. Maybe help will come from the east."

"No brother. Do not expect help from the Old World. I just brought Fyrewyzrd from there a week ago. He had attended the Counsel of Wisdom in Altdorf. A great war is upon them there. The Chaos regime has attacked the Empire at several points, and so they think this is the big war that these seers have prophesied. The invasion by Maleketh here in the the north has brought the Blighted Isle under his complete control. He tried to march to Chrace, but he made the mistake of crossing our beloved Shadowlands as you well know."

Jonn continued, but the fierce look was in his eyes as he now spoke, "They say the Shadows are mercenaries, assassins, murderers and thieves in time of peace. Now they beg us to save them from the horrid greenskins, the dark elves, and even Chaos as well. We sacrificed half of the Shadowlands to protect Chrace, yet they blame us for Maleketh's invasion of the north. His blockade in the south east of the Great Ocean was timed so as not to engage our ships heading to Altdorf and the Old World. Why was that? He had a great chance for victory. No, he plans on a second invasion of Ulthuan by way of Lothern as he sits there in the Lothern Straits. Its just a matter of time now. So we must march north and if General Nivaga can get the army over the high mountain passes up north, we might have a fighting chance. Even so, he might return to Lothern and find all is lost. It remains to be seen, but I can tell you this, we win or lose by our own hand in our great nation of Ulthuan."

Slandar was now deep in thought as he pondered this, then he said, "Fyrewyzrd is here?"

Jonn responded and said "Yes and before you ask, he is on another secretive mission for the council. They complain about him and then they rely on him as usual. Its an on going thing with them. He has Gwyllion with him as well as Krankin, so I don't worry about him as much. So who are with you?"

Slandar said in a very low voice, I joined them last week north of Saphery. Its Mindblade, and he has Highcane, Bass, Ellestil, Blud, Gendidar, and about thirty others. Alto is in Saphery along with the 'Steel Slice'. They are surrounded by almost twenty more of the Shadows outside the city gate. Urglunt is north of there with the rest. We are to work our way north and join together with the Council's plans.

Jonn now said, "It looks as though we have a lot of work ahead. We are planning a trip into Saphery tomorrow to get supplies and to meet up with Alto. Let Fyrewyzrd and Alto have their secrets. Most of them scare me to pieces, with blowing up menhir stones, and cracking the earth, and so on. I'd rather be fishing off of the 'Kria'.

At this very moment a large thundering herd of horses and riders came breaking onto the roadway from the north. The riders were whipping their horses frantically. Everyone jumped up in alarm and grabbed their weapons. One of them at the last second swerved and ran right into their camp and yelled, "SAPHERY IS UNDER ATTACK..!!"

Corbo

Chapter Two: The Golden Crossbow

    The great greenskin Orc Corbo leaned hard against the enormous oaken doors of the Everqueen's boudoir high up in the Palace Tower of Everlorn. He was eavesdropping on the two general's inside, as they nosed around in the famous queen's closets and chests. The Orc's partner was standing guard beside the other door, but glaring at Corbo's lack of respect for the conquering generals. He hissed a whisper, "Stop or they will have us whipped you bonehead fool." Corbo only motioned for him to keep quiet with his fist as he squeezed harder against the crack of the doors where they came together.

      "I don't think it’s a good idea for us to remain in here to long General Cloud. With Maleketh coming soon we must leave it for him." General Shonthy was a very fat and bullish Orc, but he knew where the power lay. The dark elf General Cloud was born to royalty from Xavier and he looked down upon the huge Orc general as if he was trash.

     "Look Shonthy, Maleketh won't be here for another couple of days. We fought hard to win over the Everqueen's palace, and I don't think it will hurt for me to sleep in her wonderful bed for at least one night. Look at this magnificent bed. What are those tubs for, and these here flowers are growing right out of the mattresses. How can that be? High elves are treacherous, but they know how to surround themselves with the finest things." He then lifted another lid of a bedside chest and peered inside momentarily.

'The Everlorn Palace'

     General Cloud himself was dressed in the finest royal armor, even though it was mostly cosmetic. The dark purple velvet waistcoat was wrapped by a dark red cumber-bun. Even his feathered helm was majestic. He set it down on a dressing stand, and then sat down on the edge of the enormous bed. He shook his head wildly to throw his locks of blonde hair free of his sweating head.

     The orc general kept looking at the gold handles on the drawers of a small bureau, and 'petted' the dark maroon velvet drapes hung around the many windows. He had never seen such quality fabrics and the rich aroma of a high elf queen's bedroom. He then tried to pry a shiny silver knob off of a standing dressing mirror, thinking it would fit nicely on his sword hilt. As he moved about the room looking, he would every once and a while come back to the knob and try it again.

     General Cloud walked over to the balcony doors and threw them open. He walked out onto the balcony and peered over the stone railing. A great cheer went up as several of the invading army fighters ten floors below caught sight of their leader. They of course were very busy sacking the city of Everlorn of everything that looked like food or was worth money. They were tired but exerting every ounce of energy to take what they could. This after weeks of fighting all the way from the gloomy Shadowlands to the magical Everlorn kingdom. General Cloud was not worried about Maleketh his dark elf overlord, not so much as the ever growing fear of a counter attack from the high elves. The rumor was that Prince Tyrion had secretly removed the queen in the night and had hidden her before the final assault had occurred. They were the real danger now.

     He then walked back into the room and said to General Shonthy, "I'm not going to need two of your morons to guard the doors tonight. Let one stay and he can taste some of this royal food as well. There seems to be no shortage of it. Look at this table, I've never seen so much fruit."

     Outside in the hallway Corbo smiled as he lifted his ear away from the door. He pulled out slowly what is known as a knuckle knife. He fitted his fat green fingers into the round rings and then very quickly spun around. He jabbed the blade into the other Orc's thick neck. He cut the voice box and then several rapid puncture strikes he cut the main jugular vein in two. The shocked Orc guard did not have time to scream and was dead before his body went limp against the stonewall and slid to the floor. The blackish green blood ran in a small stream down the ancient stones and disappeared into the cracks.

     Corbo then dragged the dead corpse down the hallway and threw him over the side of the edge of an open window down to the river below. He then ran back and grabbed all the evidence he could and ran back again to the window and threw it out as well. He had just gotten back to his post when the door flew open and General Shonthy stuck his head out and said, "You. You stay here tonight and guard General CloudX's room. Where is your ignorant friend?" Since the general was from Xavier many of the Orcs named him CloudX so as not to mix him up with the other dark elves named 'Cloud'.

'General CloudX'

     "Uh, well uh, ser, the uh, the other guard was sick and threw up his dinner. He said he was going to go take a swim and relax some.....ser. Don't worry though, I will clean his stinking mess up, cause I'm good like that ser. The general just shook his head and ducked back inside. He didn't hear Corbo chuckle to himself as he shut the door behind him.

    The next day General CloudX called a meeting together at ten bells, of all his underlings and a few of the Orc bosses as well. He had a great contempt for the greenskins, but he had no choice but to use them in this war. That was due to their savage nature and unwillingness to capitulate even if the outcome was terminal. The Orcs of course seen it as a great opportunity for wealth, and it was starting to pay off greatly by the piles of loot that were accumulating from sacking Ulthuan cities. Taking the northern coast was difficult, but now the interior cities seemed almost easy.

     As ten bells neared, a small group of Druchii dark elf soldiers arrived and entered the palace gates. They were escorting a very tall figure dressed in a hooded black cape. They headed straight for the palace guards out front and after much swearing and bragging, they were allowed to enter as they were expected at the meeting. In fact, all those who were invited, were working their way to these gates. The meeting was going to be held in the largest hall that was rarely used for royal events such as balls and plays. The Orcs had dragged several different tables into the enormous hall and to the center of the room. It all looked quite haphazard and there were three times as many chairs as was needed.

     Ten bells came and went, as well as twenty more minutes before the general was able to yell for everyone to come to order. He turned and looked at Corbo who was wiping his mouth of something, and said, "Will you stop your gesturing and go close the doors. Pick up that bone you dropped soldier." He shook his head in disgust as he watched Corbo pick up the bone and headed over to the doors. Corbo locked the doors, but as soon as he seen the general looking the other way, he threw the bone behind some drapes nearby.

     About ten high elf captains were there, as well as two Orc chieftains, General Shonthy, and a few Orc guards. The dark stranger stood back several feet from the rest, with his black hood pulled so far down that you could not see his face. The back doors to the kitchens opened and several kitchen cooks that had been taken prisoner came walking out. Orc bosses followed them, each drug behind him a very long blacksnake whip. All were carrying large silver platters mounted with heaps of fruits and vegetables. Huge chunks of meat, cooked and un-cooked, along with several vessels of wine and beer were brought out and placed on the tables.

     As everyone dug in, general Cloud began by saying, "Quiet....quiet everyone. I'm going to start by telling you not to get too comfortable here. Its possible that Alarielle, the Everqueen of Everlorn was not captured and for that Maleketh will not be too happy with me. Our informers tell us that a great army is heading south from Lothern possibly to board ships. This would make sense because they still have not been able to break our blockade of the Straits of Saphery. I foresee that as a great sea battle coming in the future and ending any more threats from the high elves."

     "So I have decided to bypass Saphery and strike out straight south for Lothern while it is unprotected. I'm not looking forward to a battle with the Sea Queen of Saphery and all those crazy arcane wizards there. They are beginning to starve, as our blockade of their ports are doing great damage to their stockpiles and to their morale as well. Even a wizard has to eat..!!" With that a great roar of laughter as the thought of thousands of the old wizards dying from starvation entered their minds.

     "General Cloud I have a question." A huge mean looking Orc stood up and everyone turned their eyes towards him, but did not stop eating as they did so.

    "Ser Grombr, please speak your mind." The general was enjoying this meeting because he knew they were very happy with his past decisions and they were eating great food.

     "I beg your pardon ser, but what about these stories of ghosts in the forests killing our best fighters, and passing Saphery seems like such a possible mistake. Do you not have any reservations about these possible blunders?"

     When General Cloud heard the word 'Blunder' he went absolutely full rage in a second as he screamed as loud as possible, "YOU DARE TO CALL ME A BLUNDERER..!! I will have you killed for that you weak kneed imbecile...!! How dare you..!!" It took the general several minutes to regain his composure, but when he did he spun around quickly and said to Corbo, "Get me four more guards in here." Corbo responded as if he was almost bored and shuffled out of the room on his new errand.

     "As I was saying, I have NO intention of wasting my time with Saphery. SAPHERY IS FINISHED...DO YOU HEAR ME..? FINISHED..!!" He then heard for the very first time someone to the side had cleared their throat. It was almost inaudible, but he caught it just the same. He turned to his side and realized it had come from his new visitor, the dark stranger. He was still standing while everyone else was sitting and eating their meals. "Do you have something to add ser?" The quiet figure did not respond but instead just sat down and looked away.

     "I want you captains to get all our provisions in order and make ready in two days to march down the Great Northern Road. I want a full ten thousand this time, plus armored cavalry. Cut back on those scouts too, they will not be necessary. We know what's ahead. Also I want every wagon in this city to go as well. Keep three out of every four empty, as I have every plan to sack the city of Lothern and eventually Saphery as well. Make it happen, make it so."

     "Anyone else have anything to add?"

     "Ser, my name is Captain Izzus of the Blighted Isles Brigade. We have had several reports that the army that's heading south out of Lothern is lead by General Nivaga." General Cloud nearly snapped his neck as he quickly turned his attention to Captain Izzus. His eyes went wide with anger, as the name of his oldest rival was spoken. "Ser he might be heading south as reported, but many of us know him to be very ingenious when it comes to warfare. We will have to confirm those reports again."
 
   Captain Izzus continued, "Also there is talk, but unsubstantiated reports that several of the 'Shadows' are trailing his every move. No doubt they are going to ambush him possibly. Those bloody assassins are a horror to deal with. I suggest we wait till they attack him in earnest and then once that battle is over we will use the momentum and charge in, slaughtering them all." He looked around at the others, looking for allies, but none spoke so he sat down.

     General Cloud sat with his chin in his hands and finally he spoke after a very long pause, "We will send out another Druchii host of about fifty hand picked warriors. Send them tonight ahead of our main force. Give them orders to find these 'Shadows' and exterminate them once and for all. Then I want their bodies laid out, one for every mile in the middle of the Great Northern Road for all to see. I'm not waiting for them to attack General Nivaga, and besides I have a special surprise for him." The others in the room could easily see the venom and hatred in the general's eyes whenever he spoke Nivaga's name.

    " If there is no more questions then this meeting is adjourned." He then turned to face the stranger and he said, "Please stay so we might conclude our business together." The stranger only nodded his head in agreement, as all the rest filed out of the hall still sucking their teeth and swallowing the last of the wine.

     Corbo now walked in with four other large greenskined Orcs. They all stood there looking carefree and unimpressed with their surroundings. General Cloud said to them, "I want you four to find Captain Grombr. Arrest him for treason. Then kill him. No wait. Take him to the dungeon and punish him. Well...kill him if possible or punish him." He told them to leave and just as they turned he said to them, "Wait. Belay that order. I want him tortured. Then Punished. Then kill him. In that order. You got that? I want it done right away. 'Blunderer', he has some nerve...!! Make it happen, make it so."

'General Shonthy'

     After everyone had left the hall the general gave instructions to Corbo to lock the doors on the outside and let no one in while he was having this private meeting. Corbo shuffled towards the doors, but now he was mumbling under his breath, "Do this. Do that. Delf dung."

     "They say you are a shape shifter, and more importantly that you're a dead eye shot at a thousand yards. My first question though is why the name 'Evilspinner'?" The general had gotten up and moved across the room and sat down a few feet away from this mystery.

     "I'm sure you did not request me to travel all this way to inquire of my name. We are to discuss the removal of someone. Is that not so?" Evilspinner was the best of the best, and he had spent his whole life dealing with many of the wealthiest in Ulthuan. He wasted no time.

     The general was use to immediate obedience from others, but he kept his annoyance in check for now with this arrogant young man. "Yes. Forget formalities. I want him DEAD..!! I want General Nivaga of the Shining Guard dead. I will pay what ever you name as your price. Right now I own a city as you can see. What would you like? To be a mayor, a banker, what? Need a million, land, and slaves? Just name your price, but make no mistake I want Nivaga dead and complete undeniable proof that he is dead."

     Evilspinner now pulled back his hood and revealed a young man with chiseled features and coal black hair. He had a look of great wisdom, but his mannerisms were very subtle as he continued to sweep the room as though enemies had them surrounded. He missed nothing and he now said, "I want the Golden Cross Bow of Saphery."

     The general was shocked and immediately took a huge gasp of air, and said, "Now see here, I'm very serious about this. These negotiations are going to be over with quick if you think I'm a fool. Now stop joking around and tell me what you desire."

     Evil now let a smile come across his face as he said again, "The Golden Cross Bow. You heard me correctly and I'm not joking. You get me that and I will do the job. Agreed?"

     The general stood up and turned away in deep thought. Finally after a few minutes, he turned back towards Evil and said, "It would mean a special team of thieves or warriors. I'm not sure which. The Saphery castle of the Sea Queen's is like a fortress from hell. Its said to be protected by the 'Steel Slice' and I have no idea how formidable they are."

'Evilspinner of Oculus of Nex'

     Evilspinner now stood up and started for the doors as he said over his shoulder, "I didn't come here to listen to your complaints. I guess our business is over with."

     The general practically yelled out, "Now wait!  I didn't say 'no'. I will do it, but its going to have to happen quickly and with as much secrecy as possible. If you miss though I will promise you I will hunt you down and take the cross bow back along with your life as well."

     Evil now had a very wide grin on his face, "Don't make promises that you can't keep. Get me the bow and I will get you the general." General Cloud stuck out his hand to shake on it, but Evil just ignored it and turned, heading for the doors. Just as he got to the doors he pulled out a long dirk and he jammed it suddenly into the crack of the two doors. He then flipped it upwards unlocking the doors just as a horrible scream erupted from the other side. Evil reached down and turned the knob and opened the door, just as Corbo fell dead to the hall floor outside. A large cut was flowing blood from his ear and brain. The general yelled at the other Orc guard down the long hallway, "Get down here and clean this mess up now..!!"

    Elsewhere in the high Elvin city of Everlorn sat twenty of the fiercest warriors of the realm in the inn of the Fiery Eye. They were famous amongst all warriors, and their armor was a wonder to behold. Even their under garments were made from the finest silk. In fact almost everything they owned was made from silk. The front door slammed open and a mean looking Orc named Garash walked in and said, "I just seen a great fight. Four of the general's guards was trying to kill that old Orc Grombr and he was having none of it."

     They all laughed and a younger Orc named Drelaugh said, "We ought to get him. He is a good one I have heard." The others agreed but a huge black haired Orc said, "Aye, but how did he fare?      Garash just started laughing as he said, "Oh he cut each one a little at a time. He cut their heal tendons and them boys could not run away. Then he gutted them one at a time. He looked as if he was enjoying it as much as Mudgar use to." More laughter erupted as Mudgar stood up and bowed several times.

     The door opened again and in walked Evilspinner. They all nodded towards him and Nrot was the first to speak, "Well Evil, do they want you to be the new king?" Evil and all the rest howled at this and laughed wildly.

     "Oh no, but General CloudX offered me mayor and such. I doubt he will get what I asked for, but I might as tell you all now. If he does get my payment I will have to run off on a solo jaunt that might take a few weeks to complete. Mudgar will have to keep an eye on you boys for me while I'm gone." He sat down and they slid a mug of beer over to him. He drank it quite greedily and then slammed down the empty mug.

     "Deathdream, you and Dreyah, Arack, Soulweaver, and Naive need to keep an eye out for anyone trying to leave the city tonight. The general is putting together a special team to attack them Shadow killers. I don't want to see that happen because I've wanted to talk to them about the Shadowlands and our home of the Blighted Isles. We have much in common, but I won't forfeit my trust in the general for now. I can't see just yet, how the high elves lost Averlorn, but it happened and I have no doubt they will come back and take the ancestral home of the elves back at a great price if need be..

     Most of Evilspinner's tribe were mercenaries' Orcs and had been several times hired for small battles or special operations that took stealth and ingenuity. Even so, they could not be completely trusted by the dark elves because of their ties with the notorious Shadows. Open war though was a completely different story, making murder and mayhem their specialty.

     So as it grew darker outside and a full moon rose, Deathdream and the others slipped outside unnoticed. They followed along the river and when they came to the southern most bridge to the city they stopped and sat under it listening in the dark. As midnight approached they could hear the voices of several warriors approaching. The Druchii was on the march, but they were in stealth mode and moved past swiftly and silently. Soulweaver would hold up a leg for each time a Druchii passed by and Dreyah would count off how many times he did so. After the last one past Deathdream whispered to Dreyah, "How many?"

    Dreyah, "Forty-eight and a few." These giant Orcs were great at math, but strangely if it was always in counts of eight. They silently fell in behind the Druchii, but kept their distance. As soon as they had cleared the outer reaches of the city they turned east and headed into the wild forest that lay north of Saphery. Evilspinner wanted to see if the Druchii would lead them to the Shadows.

     That night while the terrified citizens of Lothern huddled inside the darkness of their homes, outside was total chaos. A party atmosphere existed as a few fires were set to houses, and drunken Druchii and Orcs roamed through the streets aimless as they went. The once beautiful city was now being consumed by hordes of drunken warriors out to have a good time. Their captains as drunk as the rest. Only a few remained keeping vigil, and a few sights were extraordinary through out the night. The general let them have their fun, but he remained restless the whole night and did not sleep. He worried that he had made the wrong decisions. At any rate he had set the future in motion and not much could be done about that now.

     This war was unlike any other he had fought in. He wondered about the bigger war in the Old World. He knew Ulthuan very well here, but overseas it would be a nightmare for a general to step foot there for the first time. He knew of the Chaos Regime and of their sworn enemy the Empire, but he only shook his head, and told himself not to think about it. It was too overwhelming, these wars within wars. Endless number of battles, and many that were back to back with no rest for the troops.

     What General Cloud worried about more than anything, was the band of the Druchii warriors that had just slipped out of the city. He told for all to hear in the meeting that they were to kill the Shadows, but in private he said to their captain, "I want the Golden Crossbow of Saphery. Get that first. Do you understand? I want the crossbow or don't even bother coming back." The captain swallowed hard, but said, "Yes ser." He then slipped out quietly into the night.

     The general decided he would seek more advice, but he had to be careful, as he trusted no one. So after a while he put on a royal robe that did not fit him, but he liked the looks of it, and then walked down the outer hall to the stairwell. He stood there for a while until eventually he heard a guard coming up to make guard the general's new bedroom.

     "Stop right there beast..!! Why were you not at my door on guard? Do you shirk your duties as much as the others? Get down below and send up another guard, then you go find me a seer. Not one of ours either. Get me a high elf seer. Get going..!!" He smiled as he could hear the Orc guard nearly tripping over his own feet as he ran back down the stairs.

     A half an hour later the general could hear his door creak open. He called out, "Yes. What is it? Come in." He turned to look and he thought at first it to be a very young girl, but as she steps out into the candle light he realizes she is the seer and is in her early twenties maybe.

     "How may I be of service to you General? She was petite' built. Her brown hair was tied back into ponytails that danced on her shoulders. She wore a thin seer's crown of banded gold and striped with small bands of white silver. Her clothing was unusual for a seer though. She wore boiled leather and wrapped gloves of leather straps. Her boots were over the knee much like a corsair would wear, and this the general noticed first.

     "Yes my dear, I need a reading and not just one of entertainment. If you don't feel up to it, then get me someone who can. I need to know the whereabouts of Prince Tyrion if possible. I need to know the outcome of my plans as you see it. Can you do this?"

     "Yes ser. I'm quite capable of a true reading. We must be seated comfortably though and wine would help as well."

      The general relaxed some as he sort of enjoyed this. "Of course, of course. Here, come sit here by the fireplace and I will pour us some red wine. Begin when you are ready though."

     "Oh, I'm ready. I just need you to come over here and sit as well." The general brought over two brass cups full of wine and sat them down in front of the seer.

     "What is your name dear?" The general was now eyeing her up and down.

     "My name General Cloud is Elipsis, and I will keep you straight on one thing right away. I'm not your friend; I'm not your personal seer. I am in fact your sworn enemy, but to do my job things must be as they are. The wine is not a romantic notion, and I caution you about being to relaxed." The general's eyebrows went up, as he realized he better be on his guard as his romantic notions faded immediately. They both gulped the wine.

     "Go ahead. You have nothing to worry about. Just get on with it." He then let out a great sigh.
   
     Elipsis lowered her head now and closed her eyes. She began to concentrate on all the aura around her, and after a while she was breathing deeper. In a close state of what could be called a trance, she began to whisper incantations under her breath. The general felt suddenly as if his head was heavier and soon his chin dropped down to his chest. Soon he was fast asleep.

     Elipsis had an ever-widening grin on her face as she stole around the room and gathered what information she could. She had of course in slight of hand, poisoned the wine. She lifted a small leather pouch from within the general's tunic that lay over on the bed. Opening it she found exactly what she was looking for. Raven bands. These are the small bands that a message can be written on, then attached to the carrier ravens trained to send messages back and forth between field commanders. She took several, but most importantly she got the top one. She then rubbed charcoal on it from her bag. The message was transferred from the last one he had sent. It clearly read, "Will attack Lothern in five days time. 10,000. 40 wagons. Meet at south Saphery forest on coast in two weeks."

    Elipsis pulled out a dagger and was going for the general's throat when the doors burst open and two Orcs came running towards her. She jumped like a cat and sprung over them in a balled up spin. She landed on her feet as light as a feather. She then took her small dagger and made a few quick slashes on the back of their fat meaty green legs. Both Orcs let out a howl as the paper cut slices began to sting. Elipsis then jumped to the floor onto her chest and slid between their legs as they turned around. Trying to figure out where she went they kept turning back and forth. Elipsis though was going out the window as soon as they had figured it out. She climbed down quickly like a spider. The two Orcs leaned out over the window and both bellowed, "We going to kill you..!!" Elipsis was laughing so hard she nearly fell. Waiting below though was a small boat. She jumped in and silently rowed away.

     Fearing the general was dead they ran out and acted as though they had never entered. Elipsis had actually done the general a personal favor as he didn't die, but instead received the best sleep that he had enjoyed in months. He woke the next day late, feeling relaxed and subdued. The two Orc guards were relieved as well. They even winked at each other because they knew she had not the time to steal anything. Elipsis was in fact, deep within the eastern forest seeking out the Shadows.
 
     Outside the 'Fiery Eye Inn', Mudgar took a break from the party inside and come out to get a breath of fresh air. He sat down and lit up his long stem pipe along with some very good Lothern smoking leaf. It was then that his keen ears heard a very distant and slight moaning. It was coming from a nearby path that led down to the river. So, he got up and slowly moved in that direction. Every few minutes or so, he would stop, and again he could again hear the low moan. He kept going and then he came upon a body lying in the weeds. It was a dead Orc guard. He took a step back and tripped on another one. He stood there for a minute and he said to himself, "Okay, he must be here somewhere."

     He looked around for some time and finally he chanced a call out and said, "Grombr. You there?" He heard a gasp of air coming from the river edge, and so he ran down to it. There, on the very edge half way into the water laid the notorious Grombr. He was bloody and wounded. A knife was sticking out of his huge muscled shoulder, and great rents were cut through his Orc armor. He had loss a lot of blood, but he was still alive. Mudgar reached down and laid his steel buckler on its face. He then drug Grombr's enormous body on top of it. Grabbing the handle he grunted and began pulling shield and Orc. Sliding it up the riverbank to the grass up above. Once on top he left him and returned to the inn to get help.

     The next day Grombr woke up and was in great pain. He looked down at all the nice green and white bandages, as the blood leaked through and he said in a very weak voice, "Mother?"

     "Oh I'm not your mother, but then I bet your mother would say the same at the sight of you. I found you at the river's edge early this morning. Were you going swimming or fishing?"

      Grombr just groaned and finally responded, "Did I get them all?"

     Mudgar said with a grin, "Oh yes ser, you did good work there. One was even missing an eye, but all four were dead. We discussed this last night and I will offer this one time to you. We are the tribe of Oculus of Nex. We freelance for hire outside these cities in the wilderness. You are welcome to join us if you like. What say you?"

    Grombr just let out a moan and passed out. Mudgar then got up and went down into the inn below and paid the barkeep for the rooms. He soon found Garash, Imrok, Ubane, and Endowulf sitting quietly holding their aching heads and drinking coffee. Endo looked up and said, "Well, did he say yes?

    Mudgar sort of looked around and without hesitation said, "Yes."

     As the day wore on and the city continued to be ravaged and plundered. The army however was beginning to get mobilized and ready to depart the very next day. The general had hoped they would be ready to leave by eight bells. It was a very busy time, as wagons were confiscated and emptied. The rest were piled high with ammunitions, provisions, and water enough for the ten thousand soldiers to live on for a month.

      The front gates of the city opened slowly and five very tired Orcs came trotting in and headed straight for the inn. Once inside Deathdream told the others, "Go on and get some rest. I'll talk to Evil and Mudgar." He then walked to the back and found both looking over a map in a small room.

     "So, I see you are still alive. Any Shadows?" Evil could hardly wait for the report.

     "Evil, they lied to you. They didn't even go into the deepest part of the eastern forest where the Shadows had been reported. They turned south and headed straight for Saphery. I told the boys that its no good for us to follow them there, as they all would surely be killed. Forty-eight of them ser, and maybe a few. All Druchii and the looks of it, they were the very best ones from eight different fighting units and a few."

      Evil sat up and smiled, but he wanted to make sure about the Shadows, so he said, "But no Shadows. This you are certain? Right?"

     Deathdream said, "I'm going to bed, but no, no Shadows." He then turned and headed up the stairs, but just as he started on the first step he stopped and said, "Funny though, I felt we were being watched the whole time." He then climbed on up to his room.

     The dark elven Druchii was known for their vicious and stealthy attacks. They began fighting on the first day that their ships had landed on the far cold northern shores of the Blighted Isles. Their campaign was a murderous one as nothing was sacred. All must die...all. Their success though was created and styled by the great Maleketh himself. It was his vengeance that brought them here, and it was his viciousness that kept them in fear of him. The Druchii slept, ate, died, and stole in his name. All feared their great dark elf captains, and they knew no end to evil and wickedness.

     So when they found themselves looking up at the battlements of the tall dark spires of Saphery, they began almost immediately to look at the impossible and to start their plans. Their chosen leader was the mastermind known as Captain Teckis, and the others followed him without question or doubt. He called for his best climber, and a very skinny young scout named Gice came forward. He instructed him to sneak down to the ocean's edge and look for handholds within the stonewalls of the towers. Gice did this and an hour later he was back. He reported he had no problem scaling the ancient stones. Teckis then told him to pack as much rope as possible, but not to stop until he reached the very highest tower. Once there he was to tie off the rope and let the rest dangle down.

     Teckis then had two more climbers Alexsei and Elgar to climb up and connect their ropes to this top one. They worked at this for several hours. Then came the command to climb the ropes until every single Druchii was standing on the enormous roof of the tallest spire. The wind was tearing at their clothes as the ocean breeze blew in from the eastern shore below. On the roof where two chimney openings, one had very black smoke coming out of it, which meant it was probably living quarters and quite possibly the Sea Queen's personal bedroom. It was the one that had no smoke coming from it that they started down one at a time.

     Half of his warriors were down the long shaft of the chimney when Teckis stiffened. First an extremely loud crack of an explosion, followed by a loud scream could be heard from below. The last two warriors were trying hard to scramble back out of the chimney. A great battle had started below. One warrior backed out of the chimney, he then jumped back and tripped over the rope. Losing his balance he then fell into the opening of the second chimney and went all the way to the bottom, landing on the small fire, putting it out. Teckis could hear his moans, but there was nothing he could do about it now.

      Another loud blood curdling scream could be heard, but oddly this one was different. It sounded to Teckis like the sound a wild animal makes when calling to others. Suddenly he heard a raspy voice calling from the second chimney. The warrior was saying something but it sounded like 'there is no hope', and Teckis was beginning to believe there was no hope as well. The hope of getting in and out undetected was the only chance of success. They were trapped in the chimney and the chance of retrieving the famous Golden Crossbow seemed hopeless too. He braced himself now, and waited for the inevitable.

Chapter Three: The Steel Slice

Saphery Towers

     Sans Sennie and Sans Matty were two young chamber maids working hard scrubbing on the marble clad bathing pool. That was just one of many domestic labors for the household of Lady Cervone, the Sea Queen of Saphery.  They always whispered to each other, not out of secrecy so much, as out of respect for the queen. It was late and they both were very tired, as they finished the last of the chores.

     "Tell me Sennie, I could not help notice that as we always past one of the Brights in the halls, that you always look at the floor until they pass. Are you afraid of them?"

     "Matty, do you really think I'm afraid of our wizards? That's just silly."

     Matty was tall and thin built, but she was always worried, and wondered. She had been a refugee of Chrace, when the palace of Saphery had taken her in. She knew what it was like when power was mislaid, and it added to her sense of paranoia. "Well they wield a lot of power in Ulthuan and elsewhere in the world."

     Sennie smiled at this as she said, "Oh Matty, the Brights guide power, but the power they possess is some sort of twisted magic I guess. They don't rule anything and carry no titles."

     "Well Sennie, that still does not answer my question, now does it?" Matty was determined, and she really did want to know.

     Sennie stopped scrubbing and sat up. She looked around, and then said, "If I tell you, you have to promise you will not tell the others. I mean it Matty."

     Matty smiled, "I promise, but what's with all the drama?"

     Sennie moved closer to Matty and lowered her voice even more, "Because, something happened earlier this year. I was polishing those sconces in the library halls of the Arcane Tower. I never like going there. Say what you will about the Brights, but that place always made me feel dreadful inside. It's hard to explain. Still, I do my duty, and I don't complain."

     "I noticed that the one Shadow that they call Fyrewyzrd, was standing out on the balcony, staring as in a daze out across the ocean. So I thought to myself, it must be nice to stand around all day like that, while the rest of us work like dogs around them. It was a few minutes later and he came back into the hall, and as he headed towards the library, he passed by me very closely. I turned and looked up at him, and I don't know why. He reached out though and for just a second his finger touched my forehead, and I suddenly felt faint. I thought I was going to collapse. He went on his way though and entered into his precious library."

     "I felt very ill, and so I didn't continue my chores, and instead headed down to the kitchens. I found Sans Gabriella and ask to me excused, as I didn't feel well. She looked at me and said that I was as white as a lion, and that I better go lie down and rest. To which I did straight away. I didn't fall asleep though, yet I began to dream if you could call it that."  Sennie let out a sigh, and looked down at her folded hands, as she felt a reminder of the dream again.

      "Well don't stop now you ninny, tell me more." Matty had stopped her scrubbing, and was totally enthralled with Sennie's tale.

     Sennie began again, but now a strange look came across her face as if she was in distress some how. "So in this dream, I could see the past. At least I perceived it was the past some how. There were hundreds of people running all over, desperate, screaming. The look of terror was in their eyes. They ran into the sea, and others ran into the forests, all to get away from a great dark horde. It was that horde that all power was pulsing from. I could see a great host of Orcs, and they were foul, enormous, and hideous to look upon. Behind them hiding but prodding them on were hundreds of Goblins. They yelled and screamed it was horrible. Then I noticed further away, but skulking and circling were several dark elves on their black stallions. The feeling of dread then deepened upon my mind. I was terrified and yet I had to look closer, and I could see they were murdering and slashing everyone and everything in their path. They chopped at the men and women, but even when they came near the children they killed them too. Dogs, and cattle, it was unbelievable.  The screams, the screams were in my mind Matty. I was so afraid." Sennie began to cry as she went on with her story.
   
" Then a ship pulled in quickly from the north and ran aground. Several warriors jumped out and they immediately came under attack from the greenskins. The warriors fought bravely, but they were sorely outnumbered. They continued to fall back towards the forest. They fought and killed many of the Orcs, and some of the Goblins as well."

     " I now see the ship is on fire, and its just total chaos, as they begin to destroy everything. The Goblins then set the woods on fire, and they circled a band of people who had surrendered. Yet the Orcs only screamed their war cries and jumped into the middle of these poor unfortunate people and began to kill them straight away. A young boy came running towards me, mistaking me for his mother as the blood flowed down into his eyes. He called out to me, "Save me Mother, save me..!!" Yet he fell dead at my feet with a black dart sticking out of his back."

     "I began to cry and beg the lords to stop these vile creatures from their slaughter of so many innocent victims. No one could hear me though, it was as if I were a ghost. I heard horns blowing and I see maybe fifty of the Bright wizards in a group moving towards the great host. They seem to be trying to draw the invaders from the people. It worked too! The Orcs bellowed and yelled, as they turn to meet this new challenge. They charged the Brights and the Goblins did too. It was a terrible battle as the wizards shot hundreds of lightning bolts out and into the Orcs. A few of them, their heads exploded and it was horrible to see."

     "The greenskins went into a fury, and they tore into the wizards. They began killing them, because now all the dark elves finally rode in close and stunned the wizards with bolts of magic. The air smelt of burned flesh and hair. The screams of the greenskins out blasted even the cries of the dying wizards. It went on for an hour or so. Several of the people got away in the woods, but the Brights paid a terrible toll, as all but only a couple survived and were taken prisoner."

     "I finally came out of it some what Matty, but I knew then that this Shadow had implanted that scene into my mind so that I would know." She looked over at Matty as she said this, and she could see that her face had gone all white and she was trembling as well.

     Matty whispered hoarsely, "Do not tell me any more sister, I've heard enough."

     "Oh no, you will hear it all. The few that were left were dragged off to dungeons, where unspeakable terrors feasted on them. Their names were like black blots on my mind, yet I could see them laughing and torturing hundreds of prisoners, a few of which were the few remaining Bright wizards. The torture is crazy, its like nothing you could ever imagine. They screamed Matty, they suffered.....how they suffered, and then they died." Sennie was now sobbing loudly.

     A male voice then said from behind them, "Is their a problem ladies ..?" Both of the chambermaids screamed out, and jumped in fear. They quickly turned and settled down when they saw it was the Shadow healer named Alto.

     "Very sorry ser to have disturbed you." Matty's hands were over her mouth and her eyes wide with terror. Sennie continued to sob openly as her shoulders trembled.

     "Ahh...I perceive you were talking about the invasion of my homeland, I see now". He reached out and put a healing hand on each of their shoulders and they immediately calmed down. "Those were bad times for all of us. As you can see many suffered greatly."

     Sennie was able to now regain her composure. The terrible thoughts had now passed on. The color started to reappear to her pale cheeks. She straightened her skirts and bowed to Alto as she said, "It was quite horrible ser, but it did keep me wondering as to where and when this occurred?"

      Alto responded, "Oh that my dear was last year as Maleketh and his Druchii invaded the Shadowlands after taking the Blighted Isles.  They used the greenskins to take the blunt of it. Now get on with your work and don't worry yourself about it the rest of this day. I am looking for Lady Cervone, have you seen her?"

     Matty said, "Yes ser, she would be in her studies now on the upper floor." Alto bowed to them, and pulled his white robes around tighter as he headed towards the great spiraling stairway that dominated the center of the palace halls on every floor.

Alto - The Shadows Healer

     Alto soon reached the top floor and looking down an enormous and long hallway he could see a guard standing near a lighted candle, and so he made his way there. The guard was watching him closely as he approached. Alto said, "Hail ser. I would like a meeting with the queen, if she has the time."

     The guard said, "Yes ser, please wait here." He then walked over to the double doors of her sleeping chambers and stepped inside. He was only in there for a moment and he came back out and said, "Please follow me ser, she is in her studies." As they started off down the hall, Alto looked back over his shoulder, and wondered who the guard talked to. It obviously wasn't her majesty. He let the matter pass though as they reached her studies.

     Again the guard asked Alto to wait outside, he then opened the door slightly and said, "Ser Alto is here to see her majesty, should I ask him to come in?"
 
   A low whispered voice said, "Yes, it is okay." Alto though did not recognize it as the queen's voice. He now stepped forward cautiously, and into the room. The queen was sitting on a great divan reading a book so large that she had it sitting next to her and she was bent over reading it totally entranced.  Alto however was very surprised to see so many of her maids were in the room at the same time. It was odd, and they were also dressed in all black robes with black veils as if they were in morning.

     Alto waited patiently but was about to clear his throat, when Lady Cervone spoke. "Thank you for waiting my good healer, and how is our Lord Alto tonight? Alto bowed down and took to one knee, as was the custom. He then rose up slowly.

     "I'm doing quite well your highness. I wanted to remind you that the Lothern army should be drawing near within a few days of here. Its also possible that Fyrewyzrd and Captain Jonn of the Kria will be here soon."

   "Do you think the secret weapon is still secret?" She now lifted her head away from the huge book and looked up at Alto with her beautiful dark gray eyes.

     "Oh yes your majesty. I am most sure it is."

     "I see, and do you still think this planned crusade of the Shadows is the answer to this invasion?"
 
   "Well, I have my hopes as do all Shadows who have lost their homeland, but we are surrounded by thousands of others who find themselves in the same predicament. It grows worse every day. Another great hope is General Nivaga's great southern army as it might be the determining factor. He has put his faith into his siege engines to take back Chrace in the north."
 
    As Alto spoke there was something that seem to bother him, but he just could not put his finger on it. He did notice that the queen seemed to have increased her staff, as there were several handmaids about, and always the queen's personal maid Auriwen.

     "Yes, well I have great hopes as well, although I would much rather return back to the sea. The only thing that does not permit it, are the people of my realm. They are hard working and yet they need protection in these terrible times. We must win not only this war Alto, because then we must turn our attention to the ever-widening war of the Old World. The Empire may not exist if we take to long. Chaos is attacking them on all fronts. They grow bolder now that they know Maleketh has invaded our Ulthuan." She then stood up and said to the closest maid, "Please order us some wine and we will take it in the out cove."

     So Alto reached out and offered his arm and escorted Lady Cervone to the other area of her studies. They sat down on a plump divan, as the maids were right behind them lighting candles. One of them started to light the fireplace, but Lady Cervone said, "Leave that, and please leave us now as I must speak of things too personal for anyone else to hear. Thank you."

      Another maid brought in the wine bottle and two goblets on a silver tray and sat it down on the small table nearby. As she did so, Alto could smell her perfume and it was a wonderful jasmine under those black veils. As the maid started to move off Alto noticed one last thing. She had on bright red leather shoes or boots. He couldn't tell because he could only see the toes. He cocked his head at this, as that would be odd dress for a handmaiden.

      He turned his head back towards the queen and she was smiling at him as she said, "My, my Lord Alto. You seem to like my new chamber maid." Alto immediately blushed and stammered a bit, "Uh...yes, well....er....no." Lady Cervone chuckled, but then her face grew serious.

     "Ser Alto, I have one more thing to ask of you. I know with this great crusade and plans to take back what the enemy has stolen. The Shadows are scattered, yet they are coming together and just in time. I try to think what my late husband would have done in my place. It is he that should be here talking to you instead of me, but fate has ended that dream."

     Alto said, "My queen, you only to ask of me anything. You and the king brought many of us Shadows here, when others turned their backs on us. Ask me and I will do my best."

      "Well I was wondering if you could go and get..."  Lady Cervone never finished her question because her and Alto were slammed in to by several flying bodies from behind them...!!

     Alto found him self pinned to the floor with his breath knocked out of him. The divan was knocked over and the queen lay on the other side, her foot just a few feet away from him. His face was being shoved into the stone but at last he was able to turn it to one side to see his attackers. Druchii..!! He was shocked. Where did they come from? Two were sitting on top of him holding him down. Another was on top of Lady Cervone and she too was pinned down on her stomach. The Druchii warrior that was on top of her now pulled out a deadly ivory handled ceremonial dirk. He then placed it under the queen's neck and began to slit her throat.

    Alto could see this, and so there was only one thing that he could do. He began the incantations to heal her. As the Druchii continued to cut her throat the cut would seal up immediately even though she had loss some blood. He would cut again, and again Alto called upon his healing powers. Suddenly a scream erupted from behind them, and it sounded like a wild animal was loose in the room.

     One of the queen's handmaids had just so happen to look into the reading cove. When she seen the Druchii pouring out of the huge fireplace she screamed as loud as she could. Only it was not a scream of fear but a call for help. She then jumped back away from the door, and she threw off her black robes and veil. Who emerged was a famous female warrior of a group known as the 'Steel Slice'. Her name was Sans Tristin and she was adorned in bloody red colored leathers and boots. Her flaming red hair looked as if it was on fire. She carried a large red single-handed sword and she pulled from her back a small shield with a bloody red cross on the front.
 
   She now jumped through the doorway and was met immediately by two Druchii swordsmen. The battle began in earnest as she ducked a swinging blow from one and then immediately jumped as high as she could to clear a sharp sword blow beneath her feet. She then blocked another sword swing with her shield, and yet took a crushing blow against her sword from the other warrior. She then did the unexpected she kicked out her legs and landed flat on her back. As she did so she thrust upwards and her sword entered the Druchii's lower belly under his steel chained hauberk. As he died falling to his knees, Tris could hear a gagging sound coming from the queen. This put her into a total frenzy.
 
     She rolled and spun to her feet just as another slicing blow came from her left. She jumped a bit to the side and deflected the blow with her sword, but as the Druchii's huge swing continued in its motion she followed behind it with a sword thrust up under his arm pit. She didn't pull back as many swordsmen do. Instead she pushed her body hard up against him and twisted the sword driving it in past his rib cage and into his heart. She now seesawed the blade up and down cutting the heart nearly in two. He fell and she put her boot on his chest to pull her deadly bloody sword out.

Sans Pebbz - Steel Slice

     She then felt the ever-familiar hand of another member of the 'Steel Slice'. Sans Pebbz although everyone called her Pebblez as a nickname had thrown off her black costume as well. She joined the fray just in time as three more Druchii attacked the doorway, which had become a sort of line in the sand. In fact Tris was more determined than ever to fight her way, if possible, to the queen who was now covered by two warriors. Pebbz and Tris dove into the three Druchii and it was very close work for them as blade met blade, edge to edge. A constant rhythm of a whacking sound occurred as Tris's small buckler took blow after blow.

    Tris's style was awesome as she jumped and spinned, cutting and swinging. It looked almost like a dance, where as Pebbz stood in one spot and ducked and weave her small muscular body. Her sword moves, no one could match as the double katanas moved rapidly in and out in a pumping stabbing motion. It made a sound as if she was puncturing a bag of potatoes.

      Pebbz then saw a sight that made her dismay. More Druchii where piling out of the fireplace..!! She screamed out the wild cry that they were famous for. In the next room though, behind them, the other members of the Steel Slice were already there and stripping out of the black clothing and veils.

      In the front was the notorious Sans Selkie, and she bulled her way into the room looking for murder. She shoved a Druchii scout over and he fell, then rolled away jumping to his feet. He only had enough time to try and fight off a horrendous barrage of sword attacks by Selkie. She screamed in his face, and it completely stunned him for just a second. That was long enough for Selkie to drive her thin steel sword deep into his neck while her chain mail gauntlet deflected his blade. He died wondering in his mind, "Who in blazing hell is this?"

      Behind her was Selyne known as a 'quickler'. A quickler used dirks and knives. Selyne carried as many as fifty on her from the four big bone dirks down to the little but deadly difes. Difes were small knives cooked in poison, and she was now throwing them across the room beyond the ever-building fight at the doorway. The grunts and groans, the yells, and cries of pain, of metal clanging against metal, and of warriors dying made this room a horrible hell to be in.

     Alto was fighting hard to try and get at least one of the Druchii off of him so he could raise his arm and get his sword or maybe his knife even, but they had him pinned hard. It was all he could do to stay up with the terrible wounds of the queen. Her attacker was becoming furious and more violent as the wounds kept healing up. Finally he said, "She be more wee-kid thun thee dee-vil heemself." Blood was everywhere, but the queen was still alive.

     Now as more Druchii entered the room, they pushed hard against the backs of their fellow attackers. They physically pushed the battle into the other room, but this did not deter the Steel Slice, instead they did what they do best and adapt. Selyne ran back and jumped up on the back of a stone lion statue that was in the middle of a small inner pool. From the back of the lion she was up so high that now she became even more deadly, as the difes came flying down and into the Druchii bunch.

    Tristin had finally broken her sword and with both hands was using her shield like a chopping action from over her head and down onto her attacker. The edges of the buckler was breaking noses and splitting lips wide open. Seeing this Pebblez kept leaning closer to Tris and she would reach over and stab Tris's attacker in the neck cutting his jugular. The Druchii were great warriors, but they had never seen such quickness, and viciousness. They were not use to a rapid fire stabbing and slashing like they were taking. The fight now had gone on for nearly twenty minutes non-stop. In fact to stop was instant death, and so they fought on. The Druchii did not know what it was to lose. They did not know how to pull back or to retreat strategically. So even as they remained dumbfounded they continued to fight. The Slice was now clearly butchering them, and yet the Druchii never backed down.

     The Steel Slice had been famous for years, but many feared them because above all else they were their own fighting unit within the Shadows. They were highly regarded by their brothers, and they knew no boundaries when it came to battle. Their fathers and brothers had been Shadows as well, and their training was exotic and unusual. Their mothers were famous in history for their strange warrior traits of blade fighting. It wasn't until the dark elves invaded Ulthuan, that they gelled into their present fighting force. Sworn to the gods to revenge the deaths of their families who died in the Battle of the Shadowlands. The bloody red crosses adorned their shields and banners, were the symbols of their prophesied return to power.

Captain Teckis

     As the battle raged below, up on the roof the Druchii 's Captain Teckis was thinking how bad the logistics were on this fight. He was always thinking ahead and now he realized they might very well be trapped. His warriors were yelling up the fireplace chute about the horrible battle below. Then one of them said, "Sheesh mate, they be gurls. Geet down there and fight..!" Teckis said, "What? Then he heard again the poor dying warrior who had accidentally fell down the other fireplace shaft. He was moaning something terribly now, but Teckis tried to put it out of his mind, because he could not help him. In fact he had already lost twenty-one of his finest fighters in the hell fight below. That was it. He had had enough.

    Teckis yelled down the shaft, and some how amongst all the screams and the din of battle, they heard him yell, "RETREAT..!!" Their first thought though was, 'How?' Little by little they climbed back up the rope, until there was ten on the roof, but there still was twelve in the room below. Teckis was pulling warriors out of the shaft now, and they were covered in soot and blood. Many were wounded severely.

    It was then that one of his scouts said, 'Captain, someone is down the other shaft,"

    Teckis said, "Yes, I know soldier. He is beyond our help now. He probably has a broken back."

    The scout said, "Oh no ser. He is asking for us to throw down a rope."

     Teckis shook his head as he realized that he had been saying 'Throw down a rope!", and not, "There is no hope." Only now there was no rope left except the one down the other chute and the remaining twelve warriors would need it, if they got the chance to win out in the battle and to escape. So he ran over and yelled down, "Just stay put, we will get you out as soon as we can."

     Mean while the bloody battle continued on the upper floor of the Sea Tower and in the rooms of the Sea Queen's studies. In fact the Steel Slice was just now starting to push back into the outer cove. Five more of the Steel Slice had joined their sisters and jumped into the middle of the surging walls of bodies. The dead and dying were laying everywhere. Blood was pooling on the stones as Druchii and the Steel Slice defenders fell one by one. It was the worst battle ever for the Druchii, and they were not ready for their exceptional losses. The Steel Slice were fighting like wild tigers, and it seemed to come so natural to them. Even so they had lost three of their finest female warriors.

     Tristin and Selyne had attacked the four Druchii struggling with Alto and the queen. Only six Druchii remained alive and they were fighting for their lives. They knew that the order for retreat had been given but this Steel Slice was like a nightmare. They could not turn their backs on them to run back to the fireplace. Even if they did, they still would have to try and climb out with their enemy hacking at their heels.

      So, they just stood back to back, fighting a losing battle, as one after the other fell. The last two now, at the final moment, turn and ran for the rope. When the first one made it, the second one panicked and jumped over him. His foot kicked his fellow warrior in the face and he fell backwards. Selkie fell on to him with her full weight and he sunk to the floor as she drove her sword into his chest plate clean up to the hilt. He fell over on his side and died. The other warrior now was fighting to climb the rope, but he could not climb it faster than Pebblez. She had nimbly jumped on the rope, and then caught up to him half way up inside the shaft. She took her free hand and stabbed him several times in his legs. He still continued to climb, so she pulled out her knives and cut his ankle tendons. That was too much and so he fell, taking her with him as he went brushing by her. She reached out and grabbed his hair, curled up into a ball just as they hit the stone floor below, with him underneath her. It knocked the breath out of Pebbz, but she was alive and thankful. Selkie stabbed the Druchii several times, and then he finally died with nearly fifteen stab wounds.

     Tris had gone over to Alto who was bent over and working hard on trying to save the brave queen's life.  Alto looked down and noticed the red-toed boots next to him. He raised his head and said, "She has lost a lot of blood. I don't know if I can save her or not." Tris looked the queen over very quickly and then turned back to the others who were still looking up the fireplace.

     Tris said, "Come on there still has to be some on the roof." So the four of them turn and ran out of the room.

     On the roof though Teckis had ordered the rope pulled up and thrown down the other chimney. Down at the bottom was the dark elf scout who had fell. Everyone called him Taats, but his real name was Allanae. He was like a living good luck charm, and his luck had fell upon him, as he had fell down the shaft. By hitting the flue vents on the way down it had broken his fall and he had landed in the pile of ashes and limbs on fire. It had knocked the breath out of him. He had rolled out onto the floor in a very large room. He looked around and for the first time in his life he was speechless. He had fell inside of the palatial vault, and was surrounded by thousands of pounds of silver and gold, from figurines to finger rings, from goblets to goblin statues. Every piece made of either silver or precious gold.

     He finally regained his breath but his breathing was labored and his voice raspy. He yells back up the shaft and calls for a rope, but no answer came. He finally gave up and started looking around closer, and it was then that he seen it. In one corner in a special large glass bureau was the famous Golden Cross Bow of Saphery..!! He had found by pure luck the very thing they had been after. He picks up a small statue of a goblin and looks at it and chuckles. He says, "Finally one of you buggers are going to do some work." He then threw it as hard as he could and it shattered the bureau glass. He then reached in and carefully removed the heavy golden crossbow. He put it in a bag that was lying nearby, and then tied it to his backpack.

     He went back to yelling for a rope and after a great while the end of a rope came flying down. He now had enough strength to pull himself back up. Once he got to the top, Captain Teckis was there, waiting for him. Teckis then yelled at him, "You are grinning, but there is nothing to grin about as they have killed nearly thirty five of our men." It was then that Teckis knew there must be something more behind Taat's grin. "What?"

     Taats reached around behind him and pulled out the large bag and opened it. Teckis gasped as he laid eyes on the golden weapon. He immediately spun around and said, "Okay now, lets get out of here. Down the outer ropes." So all of them, even though they were extremely tired, made it down the ropes. It was going to be a long trip back to Averlorn and extremely dangerous. Teckis could not stop chuckling to himself about the lucky Taats though, "There is no hope."

     Near the bottom of the ropes the five Druchii warriors were watching for signs of the enemy. They now heard a commotion coming from around the outer corner of the palace walls, as they stayed hunched down in the edge of the woods. Just as they hear these noises and know that the Saphery Guard are coming, they look up and realize that their fellow attackers are coming back down the two ropes. So they see they have no choice but to try and delay the guard from attacking the Druchii coming down the ropes. They jump up and come running out of the tree line and head straight for the corner wall. As they make the turn they now see the enemy and they are very relieved, as its only four females running towards them. They ready their swords for this quick kill.

     Of course it is the Steel Slice, and they are in a full all out run towards these five Druchii. The two sides collide in a crash of noise and war cries. The swords clash as Selyne's knives hit their targets one after the other. A Druchii drops his sword and grasp his neck where a small dife is sticking out of his jugular. He isn't bleeding that much, but still he drops like a stone and is dead before his body hits the ground. The poison is just that quick and deadly.

     It is Tris and Pebblez again as they spin their swords in a whirl wind of movement, and the blade edges cut deep into flesh, bone, and muscle.

      Selkie though staggers backwards as she has received a nearly fatal blow. Her attacker stays on her though to finish her off, but she still has enough sense to fall to the side and roll away from the killing blow. She grabs at her wound and rolls up on to her knees and shoves her sword up one last time. Doing so she runs the blade through the Druchii's wrist that holds his sword. He immediately drops the sword and grabs his wrist. This gave Selkie just enough time to stand up and then jump onto him in hand-to-hand combat. She jabbed him in the eye with her thumb and he howled loudly as the pain went deep. She then twisted behind him and shot her arm around his neck and locked it in a chokehold. He could not get her off of him and he started to loose consciousness. Selkie squeezed him even tighter as she too started to become faint from her terrible wound to her stomach. He finally lost consciousness, and her death grip put him over the edge and he died, just as she past out.

     As this drama played out, the other ten Druchii had reached the bottom of the ropes. They were unaware of the small battle that was taking place right around the corner of the palace walls. They looked about, but wasted no time and ran into the woods. Their mission was to get this cross bow back to General CloudX. Teckis was wondering where the other five were. Did they chase the enemy into the woods or were they overwhelmed. He didn't have time to waste and so he ordered them onwards. They began running north through the woods but at a very slow pace.

     The Steel Slice had finally killed the last of the five Druchii. They stopped and dropped down to the ground, as their exhaustion was complete. They had killed nearly thirty-five warriors, but it was now coming to their realization that they might have lost Selkie as she lay near her dead enemy. They crawled over to her, and held her head. Tris looked up to the palace gates and seen paladin coming towards them. She yelled out, 'Get the healers.' So a demand for the healers to come to the front gate went out. The paladin carried Selkie back inside the gates and laid her down next to a small fountain where they gave her water and comfort. The healers came and right away they began their mysterious art.

     Another battle was ongoing and Alto didn't know if he was going to win this one or not. The Lady Cervone was just barely clinging to life. Alto prayed, and then he would put another charge in to her of the healing magic. She was very pale, and her breathing was extremely shallow. The whole palace was awake after the warning bells were rung of the surprise attack. Every floor of the palace was being searched, and the queen's real bodyguards were standing in the hallway, their anger apparent. Two weeks earlier they had been ordered by the queen to reside on the floor below and that a specially assigned group was protecting her. It looked like to them that the plan by the Shadows may have failed.

    A few other healers stood by, and finally Alto relinquished his patient over to them as he was ready to collapse from the constant out pouring of energy. They moved her to her sleeping chambers and began a vigil on her right away. Several paladin and Bright wizards came and prayed for her in the following days after the attack. Alto went back to the Arcane Tower where he was a guest and collapsed in his chambers from exhaustion.

     The members of the Slice were also hovered around Selkie as her wounds were being attended too, but she clung to life as well. Tris finally left and went to find Alto. They told her he was in his chambers resting after his ordeal. Tris wasted no time though and didn't even bother knocking. She just went on in to the famous healer's chambers. He was past out still wrapped up in the white robes of his profession. Tris now came to him, and she leaned over and closely whispered into his ear, "You have one more to save. Save her and I grant you one service of your choosing." Tris figured Alto would have several enemies and would offer to be his bodyguard in order to save Selkie's life. It was all she had to barter with. Alto slowly rose up in his exhaustion and never said a word. He then stumbled and made his way to the door. Tris almost felt guilty seeing him in this state, but she had to save Selkie and this was the only person she knew that could do it.
 
   Like a zombie Alto made his way as Tris showed him where Selkie laid. Several were standing around her and others were on the ground leaning over her and praying. Alto yelled at them, "Out of my way..!!" They immediately jumped away from her, and Alto fell to his knees beside her. Then he said, "It will be a black rune healing for you sister Selkie." He then took out a small knife and he cut Selkie's forehead just above her brow in the shape of a small cross, and it began to bleed.

      Alto leaned closer and he felt dizzy. He started to struggle with his balance. He pulled out the small black rune stone and laid it on the bloody cut cross. He spoke several incantations and then he forced out one long blast of seething healing energy. Selkie's body jumped and bucked, but she never regained consciousness. Everything went black for Alto, and he cease to worry, as he collapsed over Selkie's body.

Shadows Warning

     Teckis and his Druchii warriors were continuing their ordeal. They found themselves deep into the enemies' forest. They had no water or provisions as Teckis really never thought they would even get this far. It was only luck that they found the cross bow, and it was Taats they all had to thank for that.  Even so they were still alive and the mission was progressing. After a solid day of running to try and out distance the enemy, did they finally take a break that next night and rested.

    After three days march two of the Druchii succumbed to their wounds and the others buried them. They were now becoming dangerously close to dehydration. Still they moved on during the night and slept during the day hidden under brush. On the fifth day just when Teckis figured they should now turn west and head towards Averlorn that they seen a sight that put them back on their guard. Up ahead in the forest between two enormous rocks were two bodies hanging by their necks. They clearly had been dead a very long time, and the crows were no longer even working them over. The forest here felt unhealthy, as if some hideous beast was hiding in the shadows and was just waiting to devour them. They slowly and cautiously moved on and now headed west. Teckis begged his men to double their efforts on the watch behind them, but they were beyond that call of duty. It was going to be a race for their life, and they struggled greatly to see the gates of Averlorn.
 
  On the sixth day, Teckis was following behind Taats, when he heard something behind them. He turned and to his shock his last warrior had a strange look on his face as he fell forward dead, a green arrow sticking out of his back. Teckis looked but could not see his other warriors as they had been picked off one by one silently as they went. He then turn and ran. He grabbed Taats and whispered hoarsely to him, "Run, you must run for all you are worth, we are the only ones left. The others are dead. Run Allanae....run..!!"

     So it was that the only two Druchii left made it to the gates of Averlorn. Covered in blood and delirious they collapsed at the feet of the Orc guards and both lost all consciousness. The one Orc guard was grinning as he said, "Halt! Who goes there?" The other guard chuckled as well. They called up to their commander to come look at these new stragglers not recognizing them as Captain Teckis and Allanae.

      The commander came and he noticed a huge bag strapped to the back of one of the unlucky blokes before him. He took out his knife and cut it free. When he looked inside he was shocked. He said, "Quickly, grab them and get them to the infirmary right away..!! Do you hear me? Right away..!! Its Captain Teckis..!! He then took the bag straight away and hid it. The general was a long ways south down that Great Northern Road, maybe as far as the great city of Saphery.

Chapter Four: Cold Soup

The Great Northern Road

Butterbean jumped to his feet. He looked around for Gwyllion, just as Fyrewyzrd, Captain Jonn, and Slandar started climbing on to the three beautiful black Ellyrion Elven steeds. As they rode by Butterbean, Fyre stopped and motioned for him to step closer. He leaned over in the saddle and spoke only loud enough for Butterbean to hear.

"Listen to me Little Blade. You are to stay with the 'weapon' wagon. Do not stray far. Gwyllion has some business to tend to, but he will come for you. We ride now in hopes to defend Saphery, although me thinks it to late. Continue your map making, they are well done and very useful. I will see you in Saphery soon."

Before Butterbean could ask any questions, Fyrewyzrd spun his horse quickly around, and took off in a dusty cloud to join the other Shadows. He muttered to himself, but curiously walked over to the enormous secret wagon. "What is this thing?" He thought in his own mind. He sighed and climbed up on top.

He looked over the side and he spotted Knickle and Geegee climbing up. When they get to the top both sit down without a word spoken, but staring intently at Butterbean, they waited for him to respond.

"What? You two are not getting me in trouble. You got that? Don't ask..!!"
Grinning Geegee says, "So, whats going on?"
Knickle now leans over with his face just inches from Butterbean's face, and he raises his eye brows, as if to say, "Well?"
"There is nothing to tell you old women, who are in need of more ammunition for your rumors." Butterbean was getting very annoyed with the two pages.

Finally Geegee says, "Fine little brother, keep your secrets and become one of the Shadows. I shall not care if they split your skull open, I will look away as if in deep thought of more wondrous things." Butterbean just shook his head.

Knickle whispers to Butterbean, "You keep a cool head 'Little Blade', we know in time all will be told." Knickle then leaned back with a new look of respect for the little eleven year old. To not speak of secrets meant a lot to him, and it just now occurred to him that Butterbean seemed above that somehow. He turned and looked at Geegee and said, "Enough, he might have good reason, so stop prying." Geegee snapped his head around and looked at Knickle with a surprised look on his face.

The whole camp though was in an uproar as fires were trampled, and men ran for their tasks, and to get under way. An army this large took a while to start moving, but once it did, it was like a machine and nonstop. Horses neighed, and oxen bellowed, as the wagon's wheels began to creak and groan under their enormous loads. Soon the order was given and they split off the Northern road to the east. This would bring them just south of the walls of Saphery. They might meet the enemy here at last.

The Shadows however were driving their mounts very hard up the Great Northern Road. They cut through the forest finally to the east well off the road in order to cut time off. Just as they made this right turn into the forest, Slandar's keen eye spots a 'dire'. These 'dires' are dogs that are bred to run full out carrying messages. They are sleek black curs of the Dark Elves, and rare to see one. This one was running down the road at a full and constant speed, with only a small collar around her neck. Only an arrow might catch one, but there was no time for that now.

It would be dawn soon, and so the Shadows rode as hard as they could in the darkness, with only the slight moon to show them the way. They passed a small village, and then passed a small farm as well.

An old farmer was just getting up as the Shadows passed in the forest a mile from his farm. He never heard them though, and his only thought was getting his morning chores done. His daughter and the two grandchildren would be up later as the morning sun rose. He was worried about the effect this war would have on his farm and family, but he worried about those late at night. He soon marched to the outer barn that stood further back than the other farm buildings. He began milking his two cows, just as he heard the gate creak behind him. It was his grandson, and even though he was still bleary eyed from sleep, he slowly made his way to the hay fork and shovel.

As the first cock crowed, and the sun's first rays hit the tree tops near by, his granddaughter joined them as well. She was feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs. Later they all would work in the garden, and pull radishes and potatoes from the warm earth. The sun continued to rise and by noon time, they knew that the matriarch of the farm would have soup ready for lunch.

The grandfather looked over at his granddaughter and said, "Go check child and see why the dinner bell has not rung." She was glad to drop the last of her row of radishes in the bucket. With a smile she went to see her mother, and maybe get a chance to ring the bell herself.

After thirty minutes had past, the old farmer stopped and raised up. He now said to his grandson, "Ye need to go see what is holding up our lunch, and be quick about it." The young boy jumped up out of the garden and ran as fast as he could. He ran to the small two story farmhouse and found his sister sitting quietly at the table. In front of her was an empty bowl.

"Well? Is the soup ready? Where is mother?"
The little girl only stared ahead and didn't speak. Something was on her mind and she started to cry. Her brother walked passed her bewildered at her crying and lack of response. He went to the fireplace and found no fire, but the large soup kettle was full of cold soup. He now stepped back as he sensed something was very wrong. He called out meekly, "Mother?" He went to the stairs and looked up to the hallway above. Again he called out but louder this time, "MOTHER..?" There was no answer, so he started slowly and cautiously up the stairs.

The old farmer was just now getting up from his aching knees when he heard the boy's cry. He moved as fast as his old body would allow. He could now hear both children crying as he burst open the front door. He said, "What goes on here children?

The little girl said, "Cold soup Grandpapa." Her brother however was sitting at the bottom of the stairs crying hard but unable to speak. So he just pointed with his finger upstairs. His grandfather began to climb the stairs very slowly. A sense of horrible dread came over him at that very moment. The rooms were still shuddered from the night dew, and so he found himself staring into the darkness of the rooms before him. He spoke with doubt, "Daughter why are you so quiet? The soup is cold, and we need our lunch please..?" He then walked into her bedroom and made his way to the window and pushed open one of the shudders to let light into the room.

He turned, and to his horror he finds his daughter hanging with a rope from the rafter beam above. He was terrified, and he tried to get her down, but as soon as he felt her dangling cold legs he knew she had been dead for at least a couple of hours. He immediately began to say, "Nooooooo, please, nooooo..!!"

He then cut her down and laid her body on the bed. Even though she was covered in blood, he found no other marks on her, and no sign of a struggle. He looked for a note, but none was found. Was this suicide or murder? He was dumb founded. He went back and examined her more closely. Strangely enough, the blood had been coming from her ears. He then went down stairs and gathered up the children, some food, and went out to the barn. He hitched a small pony to a wagon, and then headed for the constable in Saphery. He tried to keep the children calm, but he had to let them cry, and cry they did. The little girl in a daze just kept saying in a whisper, "Cold soup."

The South Saphery Gates

In Saphery, the palace guards had now spread out and surrounded the tower of the dying queen. They doubled the watch, and they stood with a glare and anger in their heart. It was directed at the Shadows, but at least she still clung to life by a thread. They were not allowed into her suite just yet, as the Shadow healer Alto had gave strict orders. They had no choice but to obey, as that was her last instructions to them some two weeks earlier.

In the Tower of the Hospice, the Steel Slice kept a quiet vigil for their fallen comrade. Selkie too clung to life, as her sisters paced the hallways outside. Alto had traveled quietly back and forth between his two charges, and he prayed as he went. Suddenly another peel of the warning bell rang out, and everyone stiffened. Another attack? Tris snatched up her sword and stood in front of Selkie's bier in a fighting stance. Woe to who ever should breach this door she thought. She gripped the blade much harder as her determination rose in her mind and heart.

Outside the door stood Pebbz and Selyne, and they too took a battle stance. Pebbz with her natural rocking and swaying as she prepared for an attack. Selyne leaning forward gritting her teeth, as she slowly spun the two swords in a lazy figure eight opposite of each other. They were ready this time, but a call from the guards below perked their ears. Three riders approaching the gate.

The Shadows had arrived in a hurry, and the guards nearly attacked them first and was going to ask questions later. Jonn halted them though with a raised hand, and he called out to them, "Stay thy hand, we mean no harm..!!"

The guards stopped their attack and one of them queried, "What is your business here, or prepare to be ran though..!!"
Slandar called out, "We are the warriors of the Shadowlands, and we are responding to the news that Saphery was under an attack. Are we but to late to help?"

The guard ordered the others to lower their weapons but he had no kind words, as he said to them, "Enter Shadows, but you will not find warmth here. We did turn an attack by the Druchii, but it alas has been made at great cost. More to you now, and maybe more to us later. The Lord Alto has asked us to direct you to the Hospice Tower." So then the guards reluctantly stepped aside, but the Shadows could feel the glares at their back as they passed. This was nothing new to them though, as they found friends and foes on every path of their life since the Sundering.

Fyrewyzrd led them cautiously towards the tower. As they passed the citizens, there was a growing resentment like none they had ever felt before. When they got to the tower, again the guards taunted and questioned them. The guards were finally satisfied, and the Shadows were finally let through, and they entered the famous tower of healing.

Alto though was in the Tower of the Sea and was leaning over the beautiful Queen of Saphery as she lay pale and in a coma. He whispered his payers, but they were mixed with a concoction of conjured healing spells. At times he would rage and yell, but the Steel Slice outside her doors did not enter. They knew that this great healer was the queen's only chance.

They silently prayed at times for all they had lost, and all who now remained in the grip of deaths final sorcerer. He felt like the queen might have just passed a critical stage. She slowly opened a single eye. The slit so small, that only a trained eye could have caught it. Alto laid both his hands now on her forehead, as he knew her mind was fighting its way out of the halls of death.

Alto could hear what sounded like a hiss coming from her, and so he leaned very close with his ear to her mouth. It was then he heard her speak, "Find my son." She then went immediately back to sleep, and the coma was replaced by Alto's powerful healing spells.

Alto rose up, and he went to the door. He was exhausted, but a slight spirit had risen in his heart. A glimmer of life, yes, but still it was a good sign in a dark time. He gave instructions to the other healers and he began to make his way from the royal tower back over to the Tower of The Hospice to attend to Selkie.

As Alto arrived there, he could see just ahead of him that Jonn, Slandar, and Fyre had arrived. He made his way up the winding tower stairs. The first time in a long time his heart soared for a bit. He met with his fellow Shadows in the hallway outside of Selkie's chamber. They all sat down in an alcove and spoke in hush voices. Trading information and updating each other on the troublesome turn of events.

Soon the wild red figure of the warrior Tristin came striding forward, and without so much as an hello she stepped past the others and stood straight in front of Alto, with her feet spread apart and her red gloved hands on her hips. The scowl on her face caused the others to hold their welcome. Alto lowered his head and let out a sigh. He knew.

He stood up and without a word from anyone headed again to see Selkie. Tris right behind him on his steps. He looked over his shoulder at Tris and was able to force a slight smile, but she only glared at him to keep moving. Alto let out another slight sigh, and entered Selkie's suite again.

Outside her room Fyre, Jonn, and Slandar where able to discuss with Sans Selyne and Sans Pebbz, of the attack. Pebbz however seemed distracted, and Jonn seeing this said, "My dear Pebblez, you seem far away as the Old World in thought. What are you thinking my dear?"

Pebbz was two foot shorter than Capt, Jonn, and so she looked straight up at him as she said, "The ravens came in this morning, but only two of the flock lived long enough to make it here. That is a grave sign. The two were exhausted and stressed. By noon the one died, and the other huddled in the corner of the cage.

They bore the message that a great host is moving and the rest was encrypted. Maybe you can look at it and tell more. Also at noon another message came, but this was on a great egret. As soon as I seen her, I knew she had traveled the Great Ocean. We have no such birds here. Again a very lengthy message that no one here can decipher." She then put both ringlet messages in Jonn's palm.

After a great while of studying the messages, Jonn sat quietly by a fireplace as the evening drew near. Fyre sat down by him and said, "Well, I have gave you more than enough time, and you don't seem amused. Tell me the bad news and then lets go get Alto and some supper.

Jonn was deep in thought, and so he turned toward Fyre after a great while and said, "One of Maleketh's armies is near. They are unclear if he is planning to attack Saphery or Lothern, or even both. The fate of Ulthuan awaits his attacks. They place him on the Northern Road, but where Fyre?"

"The other message is Old World runes and speech. Its coded backwards. Its a third letter cipher, and it says Sethriel the Seer of Altdorf is coming. His revelations will drive the Brights insane. Even so, he brings of word or news of great war of the Chaos horrors. The Bright wizards will have no choice but to listen to him."

Thinking on this and to what it meant to all involved, Fyrewyzrd said, "Well brother then we shall have to have a Sacramentus in the Hidden Citadel for him. We will invite the Brights of course, and the queen's advisers. We will send out messages to Ellestil who is south of Chrace, and to Mindblade and Urglunt in the far northern Saphery forest."

"They will have time to travel and also can bring us news of this Druchii army that is on the march. We are so scattered Jonn. I feel we are about to face our extinction, if we do not move quickly enough. General Nivaga is in Saphery's southern forest, but at our doorstep. I feel the enemy must not know this or we would have seen some sign."

"Well Slandar did see a dire running top speed on the Great Northern Road and he was heading south. So the dark elves are starting to show their feelers, but where are they? Only two ravens from the flock? Time is running short." The look on Jonn's face was grave, as the realization that this might be a critical meeting with the Seer. They would begin the preparations the very next morning. They found Alto and coaxed him away from his charges. Even a healer must eat. Jonn stated, "Hopefully a good meal would lighten one's heavy heart."

Slandar the Shadow

It was almost early morning when Gwyllion entered the camp. The army had moved out and he was watching as the last of the calvary moved ahead but constantly checking their flanks for any sign of the enemy. He noticed immediately the huge barbarian standing guard by the fire and the one lone wagon.

On top he could see only one small head moving around, obviously the other pages were asleep and had set their guard for the night. So he stepped out of the thick brush and into the light of the dwindling fire. Krankin, not saying a word frowned at the sight of his friend. Gwyllion was covered in blood.

"Wake them and lets hitch the oxen. We need to get to Saphery." Krankin silently went about his task, but he did walk over and hand Gwyllion a wet rag and pointed at his own face in different spots. Gwyllion looked down and seen all the blood, so he quickly washed as much off of himself as possible, before the boys could see him.

By sun up they were on the road to Saphery. All three boys were asleep. as Krankin and Gwyllion drove the ox onward and hopefully before the enemy should catch them. By noon they were coming upon the first of the armies rear guard, and they past them silently by. They continued on this north east path until it was evening. A farm loomed ahead, but Gwyllion whipped the ox away from it and more to the north. As the sun went down they passed the old farmer who was now on his way back from Saphery. He received the help he needed, and was followed by a constable and a coroner.

Gwyllion reached the forward headquarters of General Nivaga, but of course the general had gone on into Saphery with his captains. The one captain who remained took charge of the secret wagon. All five were very tired now, and they slowly made their way to the Saphery gates. Gwyllion was quiet, and Krankin, well he was quiet too. Only Butterbean was walking with a bit of a snap in his step. He was happy to be home and looked forward to seeing his old friends, and poor mother.

It was Selyne that spotted them as they had left the guards at the gates and were heading up the hill to the towers. She waved at them, and Gwyllion waved back. She said as she got near them, "We have been looking for you. Follow me if you will, and I will show you to your quarters for tonight." Too tired to talk they followed her in silence.

The next morning the captain of the guard came by to ask of General Nivaga if he and his captains would join them for the day beginning with breakfast. There was much to be discussed and determined. News traded, plans made, weapons adjusted. The word had spread quickly that General Shonty's dreadful Druchii army was on the march now. Spies were sent out, and ravens, and horsemen.

In fact quite a flurry of actively was going on, so much that a large war brig had entered the Saphery harbor almost undetected with its mast shot out from heavy cannon fire. It listed to its port side and groaned as if it was in a great pain. It had somehow survived the blockade two miles out, and several sailors were heavily wounded. High above them in the Arcane Tower stood Fyrewyzrd. He was alone on the balcony. His mind was troubled greatly, and his heart was heavy with sadness and pain, until he noticed the great ship.

The Seers Ship

Fyrewyzrd had came from the Old World the same as Alto, and Jonn and several of the other Shadows. They had been to Ulthuan when in younger days and had settled in the area now known as the Shadowlands. Fyre had spent most of his time traveling back and forth to the Old World and the libraries of the Bright wizards. In fact that was how he met the other Shadows was in the deep arcane libraries of the Arcane Tower. The Shadows were not just fierce warriors, but truly sought the knowledge that it would take to wrestle their homeland back away from Maleketh and the Dark Elves. He recognized this ship as one of the Empire's finest naval war ships, and his spirits began to lift.

Fyre now walked back inside and started down the long spiraling staircase to greet the new arrivals that were making their way to the tower at that very moment. He met Sethriel the Seer at the front doors of the tower. Behind Sethriel was a long line of nearly three hundred mysterious warriors. They were dressed in long black leather coats that even covered their heavy battle toughened black boots.

Attached to their waist though were swords and enormous books that were covered in dried blood. All looked mean spirited though, and they scowled and chanted strange prayers out loud to no one in particular. Fyrewyzrd recognized them as the warrior priest of Sigmar.

They both smiled and bowed to each other. Fyre escorted Sethriel and all the warrior priests to the atrium. While the Sapherians showed the priests to a special sanctum inside for religious visitors, Fyre and Sethriel sat quietly and talked.
Fyrewyzrd spoke with curiosity, "What brings a seer from Altdorf here. Especially across the Great Sea and through a dangerous blockade?"

Sethriel looked extremely exhausted, but he spoke with great passion. "I was in the far reaches of Praag when I received a calling by the gods. If I had not heard of such calling I would have thought I was losing my mind. Apparently when the sons and daughters of Ulthuan sent their navy to the aid of the Empire, they spoke their minds of worrying about how exposed Ulthuan would be to attacks by Maleketh. The council was trying to consider what to do, when I came to them with this new vision. I see many things that I don't yet understand, and yet in time it all becomes crystal clear. Such is the bane of a seer."

Fyrewyzrd had a new hope now, and so he informed Sethriel of Lothern, Saphery, and Chrace's attempt to pull together a theater of war plan by all who remained. Sethriel listened quietly, as Fyrewyzrd explained in detail what had been agreed upon so far. He then said, "So it was then that I and my Shadow brothers are calling for a Sacramentus for you. Preparations are being made as we speak, and it will take place tomorrow in the 'Citadel of the Holy', where all shall reveal what our best plans are to date. I hope you will find it an opportunity to speak of your mission as well, if that is possible."

Sethriel now stood and bowed as he replied, "Why yes Ser Fyre, I believe I will. Until tomorrow. Send word for me and I shall accompany you to this great Sacramentus."

It was early the next morning when Butterbean awoke from a wonderful dream. He felt as though it could have been real, but it took place in the future. He laughed as he pictured himself as a great warrior in all sorts of poorly fitting armor. With his sword belt falling to the ground and his helm salutation shield falling shut and temporarily blinding him as he stumbled about. He could only laugh out loud which woke the other boys in the barracks.

Yawning, Geegee spoke, "So are things so good that you should laugh all the time?"

"Oh, don't be so down today Geegee. Its going to be a great day I feel. There is so much promise here in Saphery. The Shadows are uniting at last, and a great hope is starting to rise for all of us." Butterbean was already preparing a basin of water, and preparing himself for the day as he spoke.

Then speaking from his head buried in his pillow a muffled Knickle inquires, "So tell me Butterbean, why you spend so much time with Gwyllion , Krankin, and the Shadow himself? Don't you like us?"

Butterbean stopped cleaning and pruning and answered sincerely, "Why yes Knickle, I do like you two very much, but I'm in a sort of training for something. I have no idea for what, but they have been showing me how to fight with swords, how to focus on words of power, and how to be decisive, and planning ahead. I think they like me very much, and maybe I'm like a son to them somehow. The old wizard though can't be read like a book, and I always feel a sense of dread near him. Even so he has shown me a lot."

Geegee then asked, "So that explains the meaning of the name, 'Little Blade', I suppose?"
Butterbean laughed and said, "Ah no, its because of this." He then reached in his ruck sack and pulled out a blue steel sword, only it was odd shaped.

Both the other pages now quickly sat up in their beds and stared at the strange sword or was it a knife? Knickle immediately said, "That doesn't look like a normal sword. What is it?"

Butterbean chuckled and said, "Its a giant's letter opener." Then all three boys burst out in laughter, as they passed it back and forth admiring the fancy scroll work and the dull edge finish. A letter opener to a giant but a mighty training sword for a small elf boy.

Their fun was interrupted though as a squire stepped into the barracks and said openly, "Is anyone here named 'Butterboy'..?"
"Tis probably I ser, but the name is Butterbean."
"Then you are to follow me to the south gate to meet Ser Gwyllion." Butterbean winked at the other two boys, grabbed his bag and shot out of the barracks to follow the young squire ahead.

Geegee exclaimed, "He is only going to get himself into deep trouble with that silly sticker, but I do really like the little chap." Knickle nodded his head in agreement.

As Butterbean neared the south gate there was quite a crowd of people standing together in a huge circle around a wagon. All of them were straining to see over each other's shoulders. Butterbean sort of stooped over and pressed in between the Sapherian crowd until he could see it was a small buckboard and pony. Standing and talking was the old farmer, the constable, the area coroner, Krankin, and Gwyllion. He listened in as best he could with all the hushed voices of the people around him.

"Why, tis a horrible thing..!"
"She looked frightened out of her mind."
"Who could do such a ghastly thing, and those poor children."
"Aye, I bet it to be a witch or a worlock's curse that got her."

So finally Butterbean made one last push and he sort of popped out into the circle of officials. The constable immediately barked, "Now see here young one, ye get yourself back behind the others there."

Butterbean started to comply, when Gwyllion said, "Nay ser, I have asked him to be here. He is my page, and I need of him."
The constable said, "Aye Ser Gwyllion as you wish, but this is no sight for a young boy's eyes. May he nor any other have to witness such savagery again."

Gwyllion then motioned for Butterbean to stand beside him and Krankin. He looked up at Krankin and could see the gentle giant was deep in thought, as he scoured the crowd and looked at each and every face.

Soon the constable began yelling at the crowd to stand back and they made their way to the area morgue. Once there and deep inside of its bright halls and rooms, they removed the lifeless body of the dead mother from the wagon and set her to rest upon a stone slab. All the others shuffled into the a room and shut the doors to prying eyes.

Gwyllion leaned over and spoke in a very quiet voice to Butterbean, "I bring you here with a heavy heart Little Blade, but Fyrewyzrd bade me to ask for your thoughts about this poor lady and her demise. How it is that you would know anything about it has escaped me."

Butterbean though knew exactly why the old man had asked for him. His own curiosity was now taking over and instead of answering Gwyllion he moved closer to the body. It was covered in a white shroud, and it covered her head as well. He slowly reached out and pulled the sheet back away from her head and exposing her from the shoulders up. Everyone in the room gasped, and Butterbean got a knot in his stomach. Still a new curiosity drove him onward. This new 'feeling' about the dead made him twist and turn in his thoughts. The horror of it scared him, yet the mystery behind it excited him.

So he leaned over close to her, and his face was only a foot away from her face. Her eyes looked blankly towards the ceilings, but the distress of her frozen facial features was a look of pure horror. Butterbean then requested a candle and a small spoon. He looked closely at her ear and said aloud, "She has had a rod driven into her ear and removed." He then went to the other side of the slab and inspected her opposite ear and after a bit of inspecting with the spoon and the light of the candle he said, "The rod went all the way through piecing the brain and pushing out some of the matter into this ear as well." The others gasp in horror.

Butterbean then looked at her neck as to where the rope had left its destructive marks. He then took a step back and looked around the room and asked, "Do we have the device that was around her neck?"

The constable stepped forward with a regular hemp rope used around farms on a normal basis and handed it to Butterbean. He looked at it closely, and again he traced with his small fingers its knots, twists, and turns. "I must speak with my master first about this." So while the others shook their head in confusion, Butterbean, Gwyllion, and Krankin made their way out of the room. When they reached the outer courtyard, Butterbean became sick and ran to the bushes.

Soon they made their way to the Arcane Tower and asked for Fyrewyzrd. He met them in the lower lobby and all four sat down in a quiet outer cove. Butterbean began right away, "Lord Fyrewyzrd, they showed me the farm lady who was killed by hanging."
Fyrewyzrd leaned forward, "Go ahead Little Blade. Its okay."

"Well ser, you were right to have called upon me. She had the same marks on her neck as the village girl murdered outside of Lothern. Only she was not poisoned. They hung this lady same as before, and then they drove some sort of a steel rod through her ears and brain, killing her. By the looks of her body she might have thrashed and kicked a lot until she expired ser.
Fyrewyzrd said, "And the hanging rope?"
Butterbean said only one thing, "Yes ser, a second type of surgeon's knot."

Sethriel the Seer of Altdorf

Everything had been prepared for the Sacramentus. This was a rare Ulthuan traditional ceremony. It is usually carried out secretly even though a large amount of invitations are sent to officials, army officer's, fighting groups, priests and religious orders. The first order of business is the listing of great deeds, then followed by any knighting by the ruling bodies. These are done by the kings and or queens of the realm.

After that comes the Consensus or the consensus of thought. All are given a chance to speak their mind, but only for a few minutes each. Usually a few guest speakers will talk upon a particular subject, but again for only a short period of time. This is followed by a prophetic visionary such as a seer.

Their is much prayer that goes on, while the ceremony continues. If one feels the need for prayer they then get up from the pillowed pews, and move to the outer areas around the citadel's many courtyards. So there is a constant movement of people. Once outside of the main area of the ceremony they usually will discuss amongst themselves all areas of thought, a sort of social gesture to show praise or discontent if needed.

Even though it begins at the peel of the 'late eight' bells, it concludes with the visionary who begins exactly at midnight. When they are concluded so is the Sacramentus. Then the next morning the final plans are made.

At 'late seven' bells, Butterbean was ready. He was given a mysterious package to carry with him by Fyrewyzrd. He left his friendly page brothers, and joined with Gwyllion and Krankin outside the tower. They would walk slowly the one mile to the citadel that sat high upon a rock walled hill within Saphery. It was surrounded by beautiful gardens, but inside of each was many white headstones to the graves of warriors, priests, and famous dignitaries from the past.

Even though it was dark out now, and the stars were twinkling, the lanterns were lit for this special occasion within all the courtyards and gardens. The night already felt special and mysterious to everyone who attended.

Citadel of the Holy

As they now could see the glimmering and magical lights of the Citadel of the Holy, Butterbean began to weep. Seeing this Gwyllion stooped over with his arm on Butterbean's shoulder and asked, "What bothers ye Little Blade?"

"When do I get to see my mother?" Butterbean had been so busy as most boys were at his age, that when he was able to slow down and reflect, it was then that it had occurred to him that he had not the chance to see his poor mum. Now his guilt was starting to pound away at him.

"Ahh, do not fret. You shall see her soon. I promise you." Even Gwyllion wiped away a tear that ran down his face, and he looked away. Krankin just moved a step closer to them without a word.

When they arrived, already the first speaker was beginning in the opening part of the great ceremony. Hundreds of dignitaries stood shoulder to shoulder with warrior captains, generals, and the priests. At the head of the citadel's main room was a great marble dias with ten great steps leading up to two podium and a altar of a bluish burning fire sitting between the two. Two streams of selected warriors were assembling and starting to walk down the center aisles. Their great armor was slightly clanking as they carried their plumed helm under their arms and a book known as the 'Tome of Knowledge' in their other gauntleted hand.

When they reached the dias each line of them split to the right and to the left. They then laid their great tomes down on the step before them. The speaker now called out, "I now present to you Captain Sinor of the Royal Sapherian Guard."
From the side, in an outer cove most of the speakers now sat until it was their turn. It was a quiet and reflective moment for many, as this war weighed heavily on their minds. Captain Sinor now stood and in his finest military uniform he strode to the the podium. He spoke forcefully and the crowd went silent.

"Before you are the greatest of our warrior guards. They have fought the enemy several times at the outer gates, at the port, and in the northern forest. Although many great deeds are done outside our walls, it is these soldiers that have endured from day to day. It is their families that have endured their losses and yet gain their continued freedom from their great deeds. I offer them up for knighthood under the charter of the Sapherian Army of Order. Only the Queen shall knight them as is our way. It is here that I am greatly torn. So they shall stand ready for knighthood until her day to come forth and proclaim it so."

Then to Capt. Sinor's surprise the speaker came back to the other podium and announced. 'We do have another speaker here in this regards. May I introduce to you the Shadow known as Yain of the Shadowlands. Many whispers erupted as this was highly unusual and not a very good start to the opening ceremonies. Even so a dark cloaked figure stepped out of the alcove and smoothly stepped up to the podium.

He pulled back his hood and Yain spoke with his heavy accent. "I know you are surprised, as much as I was surprised just a few minutes ago to announce a most important change that has occurred. As you all know your great queen lies still at deaths door. Her son had left for the Old World many months ago with the our promise of help to Altdorf in their great war. Alas though, take heart, as I present to you the young lord of Saphery, Prince Trinion, the future King of Saphery.

A great applause exploded and many began shouting and a great excitement grew. From the alcove now stepped Fyrewyzrd, but only a few paces. He stopped and looked back as he held out his hand to the young prince. Out stepped Butterbean, only he was transformed into the much loved Prince of Saphery. He wore the royal armor of the prince of the besieged city and realm. The congregation had been standing and cheering as the applause was deafening, but when Fyre escorted Prince Trinion up to the podium everyone fell to their knees and prayed openly.

It was several minutes before the prince spoke, as he waited for the waves of prayers to end. He did however smile and nod to different faces in the crowd, some with total surprise upon their faces, such as General Nivaga and many of his captains that had spent time with the prince on their road from Lothern. Then finally a hush came over the congregation, even though many were crying openly. Maybe all hope was not lost.

Prince Trinion began, "I want to thank several people who have been looking after my safety while I have been gone., the list is very long. So I will just mention key people for now. First would be my new found friends." At hearing this Fyre began to grin widely as the small prince said, "Ser Gwyllion Lightpick Averlorn, and Ser Krankin Fyresbane from the Mountains of Caledor." To Fyrewyzrd's surprise, his old squire and bodyguard now stepped out of the alcove. Gwyllion bowed, and Krankin for the first time had a huge grin on his face.

Gwyllion turned to go back to the alcove. He stopped though and looked over his shoulder and was surprised to find Krankin still stood out on the diaz as the crowd cheered him on. Krankin even found new encouragement and bent over into a great flourish of a bow. He took off his helm and waved it in the air, and began to kiss his palm and then blow the kisses towards young female warriors in the congregation.

Gwyllion was shocked and ran back out and grabbed Krankin by the scabbard belt and tried to pull him off the diaz. Krankin of course hardly budged until he noticed his friend was trying so hard to now push him off to the alcove. The crowd when hysterical with laughter, and so Krankin took his last bow and strode off dragging his angry friend after him.

The young prince was laughing so hard he could hardly speak. So Fyre leaned over and said, "The great warriors await you young master. Don't forget you are at the helm now sort of speak." The words came back to Prince Trinion, and the gravity of the moment came back to his heart. He looked down at the wonderful array below him of the guards who sweated in their great armor, and so he raised his arms for the first command to his realm, which was to be quiet. When all order was resumed, the prince now spoke in earnest.

"My heart goes to the one I love the most my mother who can not be here. So I will try to show her honor by knighting the following Guards of the Shining Tower." He then read off from a scroll Captain Sinor, and when he did the popular captain took to one knee. He then read off all the names one by one and with a bit of help from Fyrewyzrd of the tougher ones. Each in turn knelt beside Sinor until all were called.

The prince then read from the scroll, "Now ye blessed warrior guards bow your heads and ready thy mind, and ready thy heart, and ready thy might. For the power of the Sea Queen of Saphery I do hereby name ye Knights of the Shining Guard." He then walked over to the center altar and slowly pulled out a long thin sword that was highly adorned and produced a flaming blue aura that jumped and moved as a red flame would do.

He carried it over and climbed down the huge steps of the diaz until he reached the guards who were praying like mad with their heads bowed. He started at one end and lightly tapped each and every one on both left and right shoulders, the he said, "Rise ye Knight of the Realm."

It was several hours later when many had spoken in their turn. The time was drawing near when the final part of the Sacramentus would take place. The last speaker was the Mayor of Saphery Proper to which he kept it very short which was unusual. "So it is that I say we prepare for an even greater siege upon our great city and realm from the Druchii." When he finished everyone went extremely quiet. Only the murmuring of the visiting warrior priests could be heard, but no one dare say anything to them.

The lamps were now lowered as the midnight hour grew near. An inner excitement reached all as the gravity of their plight became more clear. That this was the moment, this was the time in their life when a purpose was drawn from the confusion of war, and the might of many would be pooled together in a great return of war from the good of the Ulthuan nation. A response to the attacks and invasions of Maleketh and his Druchii armies. The speaker said in a loud voice, "Our next speaker is Captain Jonn of the ship Kria, and last of the naval threat against the Black Arks."

A great whisper went up as the much feared Captain Jonn of the Shadows walked slowly out to the nearest podium. Then a huge gasp went up as Jonn held up a severed head of a huge dog. He held it high so that all could see it, then he tossed it aside into a basket. It was immediately whisked away, as the crowd remain shocked and appalled.

Then Jonn spoke, "I am no fancy speaker mine you. I don't have to be. I show you the proof of our fate and how closely it draws near. My good friend Ser Gwyllion killed the 'Dire' you have just seen only a day's ride from here on the Great Northern Road. Why would a Dire being running from the north down toward the south? That is the great question that I think someone else here shall reveal the light upon the answer to us all. I present to you from the Old World, Sethriel the Seer of the Council of Wisdom."

Before Sethriel could take the ceremonial stage, several shouts went up and they came primarily from the Bright wizards from the Saphery Tower of the Arcane. They shouted "THIS IS BLASHEMY..!!" Also, several shouted, "TIS BE HERESY..!!" Captain Jonn only glared at them and he shoved the huge stone podium to one side and strode forward to meet the crowd. Several took a few steps back and the shouts died away.

Jonn called out and finally said, "I shall just call it out openly, and I will call it out truthfully. Yes, the Brights despise all that is not arcane, and all that is not magical. Yet their arcanic power could not protect your queen. She being the only one of power to accept the Shadows as a true force to yet win back Ulthuan while our best and bravest are off dying in the Old World. I hear the snide and the underhanded remarks of many in my everyday life, how the Shadows caused this and allowed that."

"I only have the proof of my brothers and sisters that all shout revenge for the destruction of our homeland. We battle everyone. If you be against us, we will battle you as well." Then in a fit of rage he yelled just above their heads, "We are sworn to avenge the death of the our own friends, of our own families and our beloved Shadowland. You either stand with us or you all stand against it. I won't say it again..!! OUR CRUSADE IS JUST..!!"

Many including the bravest, shook their head in agreement, a few though strode out, throwing their hands in the air. Jonn only turned and angrily climbed back up the great stairs and then Fyrewyzrd walked out to the crooked podium. He raised his hands to quiet the crowd. He then said, "Let us now pull together in wisdom. Let us use our knowledge, experience, and faith to ready our final plan. It will be the most important plan of attack to insure our existence. I call finally with honor as I too am a Bright Wizard of the Tower. The great Seer himself. Sethriel please come to the podium."

The great hall now came to total silence and you could hear a tome drop or maybe a pin. Sethriel strode out calmly to not the podium, but to the altar of the magical blue flames that jumped and licked the sides of the marble base. The Bright wizards cocked their heads a bit. What is he going to do?

Sethriel spoke as he always did in the Old World's ancient flowing style, "It was on mid-summer's solstice that the dark word found its way to my mind. It pressed me hard against the wall and I endured its waves of power, as I knew it to be the truth. It breached my mind with such force that I have changed my itinerary and took the long lonely trip to the Council of Wisdom. As many had gave witness to a blue aura that surrounded me, I felt none the less compelled not to enter the hospice, but to report my thoughts. to the council."

As he spoke he began to motion his hands and little by the little the blue flames seem to rise up. After a bit they enveloped his hands, yet he did not cry out in pain, instead he continued.

"I bring you the request of nations of thousands of beings, from the dwarven armies of Barak Varr, of the great Kadin Valley, to the Empire's most courageous of leaders who fight and die everyday the massive hordes of the Chaos mutant armies. It is they that matter, not I. I am called to be the messenger. So if you will please allow me."

Sethriel leaned forward and put his face into his hands as he began to enter a self induced trance, as was common for high cast seers. Everyone gasp as the arcane blue flames now rose and covered him completely. After a while he began to repeat their message in exact detail and in the exact words of the different members of the council as they spoke, yet Sethriel's lips never moved. "I be Lord Canario of the Sigmar church and I request the east shore Brights to rise up in force and dissolve the black living cult of Maleketh's sorcerers. They speed to break the menhir of the Chracian nation as is foretold of the royal seer."

The Order of Sigmar's followers was of course the warrior priests that populated the Old World. They were in a constant battle with the forces of Chaos. Sethriel was their royal seer, and it was a great risk to send him to Ulthuan only to deliver a message, even if it to be such a powerful one. However, the Bright wizards of Saphery have never believed in the words of a seer, because they lacked the arcane power that the wizards reveled in. Their suspicions were that the seers were only trying to influence the powers of the land by their own desires, and that the trance was not proven.

As the different voices spoke and sort of floated from Sethriel in small clouds of mist, they surrounded him. Truly a strange sight to an unknowing eye. Fyre though sat very still and listened intently.

The next voice was Malandrial. It was a very deep voice and it carried a cadence with it similar to a song. "I am the chosen of the Reikland realm. I request the lead and the helm. I come to fight our cousin's battle. Their shields will chatter and their swords will rattle." Fyrewyzrd was amused with this as it was arrogance to think a representative of Reikland should not only offer their sword, but to also ask for the a position of leadership. It was possible though that this was a great warrior leader, and so his words would have to be considered.

A long silence occurred and Fyrewyzrd started to rise thinking that the seer was finished. Only Sethriel lifted his arm and motioned for Fyre to sit back down. Fyrewyzrd could now feel another wave of words to come floating out again.

A strange voice now spoke, and it carried with it a great unseen power unlike any had heard in Ulthuan. The slow cadence made it very clear of the malice that it held against Maleketh as the words seem to spit fire from hell its self. "Nay...nay. I call ye to thy own death. Do not run. I call ye to your own death. It is time for all to melt into a force of good against evil. Do you not hear me Ulthuan? Yessssss, ram your armies together, your navies, your warrior sects, carry my banter, or not. Do you not hear my call? It is for you and yours. Die for your children, and circle the menhir. Hold the power to your land Ulthuan. Do you not hear me? Heed the wisdom of the Brights, heed the wisdom of your leaders. It makes no difference if they are dead or alive."

Then a loud hissing erupted around Sethriel, and he began to shudder in fear for his life. The voice was full of so much malice and hate that the blue flame had steadily grown into a torrent and was lashing out wildly from Sethriel as he continued to hold his face within his now shaking hands.

The voice spoke one last time and the power of the words went through everyone who could hear it and beyond. "I damn the forces of the Druchii, of the Greenskins, of the Chaotica armies and their minions. I damn the lives of the darken elves and the butcher sorcerer Maleketh. I am Sigmar and I shall be in the mind and heart of all as the killing shall begin of orc, goblin, mutant, and dark elf. The northern army draws near to the eastern port cities of the Shining Guard. The north is burnt but remains for the Shadows to fight back and return, the southern city of Lothern lies another invasion. Die running away, or die saving thy land. Can you guess which has a chance to save your precious Ulthuan?"

Then a very loud pop occurred and everyone grabbed their ears, and a great many had headaches for days to come. The blue flame had extinguished themselves just as Sethriel collapsed to the floor. Alto came running out and bent over him. He had been standing in the alcove listening to his friends, but he now put his hands over Sethriel's head and called upon his healing powers. Krankin picked Sethriel up and carried him to a back room away from all the commotion out front. A smile came to Alto just as he stepped behind the turned altar as if to give a speech of his own, but others grabbed him and rushed him off to help Sethriel recover.

The power of Sigmar's voice had raised the very basic emotions of all who had attended. It jolted them, and suddenly they were as zealots who had stumbled on a new solid cause. Several began to dance around as if in a trance, others were talking in foreign tongues that they themselves did not understand. Warrior's pulled out knives, dirks, and swords.

They held them against their own throats, and said oaths on the spot, die for Ulthuan fighting or go to death now in shame. Female warriors were swaying as they do in battle, which is strange and delightful, but they were swearing oaths to Sigmar. Some where even swearing and cursing like drunken sailors would. They began to yell obscenities in the air to Maleketh, and to unseen and unknown enemies as well. This went on for several hours, but before dawn all was finally quiet on the hill and in the Citadel of the Holy. The Crusade of the Shadows had finally begun.

The Bright Wizards

Chapter Five: Sapherian Frenzy

The day after the Sacramentus, would turn out to be the most extraordinary day in Saphery's long and ancient history. Before the sun rose over the Great Northern Road that lay to the west of Saphery, a dark gray fog began rolling in from the Great Ocean on the eastern shore. It slowly creeped its way into the the port and into the enormous city, and as it did so, it brought with it a magical essence. As it reached the major towers, it seem to rise just enough to engulf them. It caught no one by surprise though, as all of Saphery was strangely awake. Only two people were asleep at this time out of thousands, Lady Cervone the Sea Queen of Saphery, and her young son Prince Trinion, his undercover name of Butterbean now a distant dream.

Outside of the Tower of the Sea, the Sapherians were beginning to experience strange occurrences and a sort of strange feeling with-in their minds. Though occurrences began subtle, like the mysterious fog itself, they soon began to escalate. Everyone was awake, and very much aware that some sort of historical event was about to happen. It was as if their inner mind was temporarily taking control over their conscious mind. They began to cave into these suggestive thoughts and feelings. The sky to them was full of clouds, and it was dark even by mid morning. The fog was thick and swirled around anything and everything.

Mean while, on the sixth top floor of the Hall of Mayors, the present day mayor came bursting out of his chambers. He wildly threw open the double doors wide, and so hard that they both crashed and banged loudly. He ran to edge of the inner marble balcony and leaned over the railing. He then screamed at the top of his voice, "GET IT STARTED..!! START NOW YE DEVILS..!! NOW..!! NOW..!!". He then grasped the sides of his temples with clenched fist, his face bright red from stress, as he let out a scream like an animal, "AAAAHHHHHHEEEEEEE..!!" He then turned around and ran back into his studies and started throwing papers and books on the floor, as if he was in search of something.

Mean while, seamstresses came out of their homes all over Saphery and began to run to the fabric mill. It of course was not open for business as it was only 'six bells'. They all met at the huge front oaken door, and they began a sort of pushing against the door with their small framed bodies. It was very strange to see, as one after the other leaned their shoulders against the door, and in some cases against each other and slowly pushed. It was as if they were struggling and striving to do something. They were chanting, and some were praying quietly, while others began to scream obscenities. It was just like at the Sacramentus that had ended only a few hours earlier in the night. Then one of them began to bang on the door with her fist, and she yelled, "Let us in..!! Let us in..!!" Then the others began to join her and they chanted and screamed as loud as they could, so that they might be let in.

Mean while, the butcher ran out of his modest home, and even though he to be very overweight, he still ran as fast as he could to his shop. Huffing and puffing, he didn't waste time using the keys to get in, instead he picked up a very large rock and heaved it through the large pane glass display window in front. It of course shattered it into a thousand pieces. He climbed over the sill and even accidently cut his hand on the edge of the jagged glass. He never stopped though to even look at it, but continued to run back to the holding room that had the enormous sides of beef and meat hanging. He then took a bucket and began filling it with blood from all the different pieces of meat and carcasses. He was frantic, and nearly out of breath.

After a solid hour of squeezing and squishing as much blood out of them, he then ran out to the front and past customers who were outside begging and whining for red bloody meat. He never listened to them though, as he continued on his own strange mission. He ran down the street with the pail of blood and he also headed for the mill. As he got there, several people had finally pushed the great oak door in and collapsed it. Inside, the seamstresses were crying and sewing as fast as they could. They were making things, and they seemed to do it even with their eyes closed at times. They continued the high pitched whining, crying, and chanting. Distant screams could be heard from the city, and a general chaos began to build.

The butcher moaned and moaned, as he paced back and forth, as if waiting for a baby to be born. Finally he screamed at the top of his lungs, "MY LORD I CAN'T WAIT NO LONGER." He than ran over to the closest seamstress, who was bent over her needles sewing as fast as she could. He stuck out to her the pail of fresh red blood and yelled at her, "Here, here, take it." He sat it down and ran right back out again to his shop.

The little seamstress started crying and looked over at another and said loudly, "Its here. Its here" The others knew without asking what she meant and immediately ran over and grabbed the blood. They separated it quickly and began to paint enormous red symbols on the newly made white fabric banners and flags.

Mean while, outside a frenzy of activity was going on, and every where one looked they would witness strange activity by their fellow Sapherians. Hundreds of children had run to the south gate and were pleading and begging the guards to let them out, but the guards never stopped them. Instead they threw off their armor and grabbed their helms. They joined the children and ran to the berry fields near by. They were picking only red cherries, red rasp berries, and anything with red juices. They were going as fast as they could pick, and all were crying uncontrollably as they went. None understanding why they were driven to do something with out much thought to it.

By noon the whole city was in a fervor pitch of wild running, screaming, praying, cursing, and all with out reason. Or was it?

Prince Trinion was in a wonderful sweet dream of love and caring people all around him. He said in his dream, "Oh my, yes. Yes, I love you all. Mother?" But unseen hands reached out to him and he suddenly came awake. He realized immediately he was having a great dream and wanted to return to it. Instead he found himself looking at Fyrewyzrd sitting on the edge of his bed prodding his shoulder and saying, "Please wake Little Blade. Your new life begins today." Fyre looked closely and was quite pleased to see a bright twinkling light in Prince Trinion's eyes. He thought to himself, 'It worked..!!'

He slowly sat up and began to rub his eyes, and he noticed it was still not daylight. He also noticed a strange sound coming from far below. He even asked Fyre, "Lord Fyrewyzrd, what is that sound?" Fyre turned to him as he stood up and said, "The Brights have tried to open the menhir stone. It is having a major impact on the whole city, even the army at your gates sire have joined in. In fact it is having an effect on me as well. So if you will forgive me, I will leave you to attend to my own tasks. I will be back at seven bells to retrieve you, and we will go meet your mother at last." He then turned and moved quickly out of the room.

Pebbz without knocking ran into Gwyllion's small room, and found him reading franticly from a pile of huge books and tomes. She immediately said, "Gwyllion, you must come quick..!! Its Krankin..!!" Gwyllion as soon as he heard Krankin's name he seemed to snap out of his hurried reading.

He jumped up and grabbed his daggers. He said, "What is wrong with him?"

Pebbz was sweating, as she was in such a rush as she replied, "Quickly follow me. He has rushed the Arcane Tower and forced the doors open. He made it all the way to the floor of the 'hidden' room, and was trying to force it open as the Brights finally discovered him. They have not harmed him, but he won't stop pushing to get in. Its a mess."

The two of them rushed out and ran to the Arcane Tower. As they went people where racing from one place to another, running, hobbling, or briskly walking as fast as they could go. Their faces contorted with stress and a look of total bewilderment, as this strange frenzy continued without pause. The fog was thicker than ever and at times it even seem to pulsate as it swirled about. The constant shouting and screaming went on all day.

As Pebbz and Gwyllion reached the tower and they finally were getting near the top of the stairs that reached the 'hidden' room floor, they could see Krankin through the flurry of the red clothed bodies of the famous Bright wizards. They were yelling and screaming at each other, as Krankin was bent over pushing with all his might against nearly fifteen wizards. They were either the young and healthy, or the ancient and feeble. He would gain nearly a foot or two, and then with great effort they would force him back with another flurry of curses, away from the door.

Gwyllion turned to Pebbz and said, "I don't have time for this. Hurry and give me your red scarf." When she hesitated, Gwyllion frantically screamed at her, "I SAID GIVE ME YOUR BLASTED SCARF....NOW..!!" She then tore it off and handed it to Gwyllion. He quickly prepared it in his hand, then he turn and ran towards Krankin. The wizards seen Gwyllion join Krankin, and they nearly lost hope as they screamed, "Oh MY GOD NOOOOOOO..!!" Which was really strange as they have no god in their arcane world. To their surprise though they witnessed as Gwyllion took one large leap and landed high upon Krankin's shoulders and he immediately wrapped the scarf around Krankin's eyes and blinded him in a red veil of fabric.

He immediately stopped struggling, and it gave the wizards one last push of combined strength. They then shoved him back down the long mysterious hall. Gwyllion had reached around under Krankin's neck and kept firmly gripping his Adams apple, which finally calmed the enormous giant barbarian. Gwyllion still had to hang on for all his own strength, as Krankin stumbled around like a wild animal finally coming under control. His blind frenzy at last coming to an end. He then said just as plain as anyone, "Ser Gwyllion, may I enquire upon the reasoning for you to have perched yourself upon my anatomy?" Gwyllion fell off him immediately, and in a state of shock, as he had never heard or seen the giant talk this way, as long as he had ever known him.

"Well Krankin, I have other things to take care of. Put your hand on my shoulder, but leave the scarf on over your eyes. Follow me out of here." Krankin did this without question. He seemed to become as gentle as a kitten, as Pebbz grasp his wrist to reassure him. They made their way slowly through the odd halls and strange stairwells that few had ever seen before. As they went they could see the destruction that Krankin had done on his way inside of the Arcane Tower.

Pebbz frowning looked up at Krankin and said, "Kranky, what in blazes where you trying to do?" A huge grin came to Krankin, as he became more and more like his old self.

He simply said, "Menhir called for me to come get it." Gwyllion and Pebbz both snapped their heads and looked at each other in amazement, their eyes wide with wonder. They all now knew where the secret menhir stone had been hidden all these hundreds of years. It also explained why the wizards were so adamant about keeping the huge barbarian out of the room. The maniacal and crazy Bright wizards had control of the great and magical menhir stone..!!

Prince Trinion dressed in his finest maroon and gold brocaded waist coat, made his way down to meet Fyrewyzrd, but he was completely bewildered by the ongoing actions of the palace servants and guards. When he rounded a corner and found a hand maid and a guard both on their knees and praying loudly in a foreign tongue, he jumped back against the wall and listened to them. He watched from around the corner, as they gyrated with their hands to the heavens and seem at times to even curse.

He then ran around the corner and said to them, "Please stop this and go about your tasks please." They both immediately jumped up and bowed as they said to him, "Yes your majesty, yes.!!" The guard then tried to run so fast that he slipped and fell down. His armor crashing and clanking as he rolled over. He jumped right back up again and sped around the corner to his post, running as fast as he could go.

The maid on the other hand had also began running at the same time, and when the guard fell over, she did not hesitate to jump as high as she could and went right over him. She yelled as she ran down the hall, and it sounded like "Bless me Sigmar." Prince Trinion then heard her distant scream, as she had made her way to a lower floor. Wide eyed, he continued to the enormous spiral staircase that dominated the middle of the tower. He looked over the side first and could see many servants and guards either running or praying below. He walked calmly though until he found Fyrewyzrd and the seer Sethriel standing in the lobby waiting for him.

"Young master, I know you are going to ask about all that you see before us, but I must tell you when we get outside it will be much worse on our way to the Tower of the Sea. All will be explained in due time, but for now we must go and visit your mother." So the three of them made their way out of the palace, with Fyre and Sethriel on each side of the future king.

It was no time at all when Fyrewyzrd spotted an unusual sight above. A moving and swirling black cloud of birds of all kinds where heading over Saphery to the north west. They were screeching, and calling wildly. Hawks, and wrens flying right by each other, but none attacked the other. The prince looked up and gasp, but Fyre only patted him on the shoulder to keep him moving. As they neared one of the inner gates, nearly five hundred cats and dogs had made their way to this gate, and they were pushing hard against it, yet they did not fight each other. They were striving to get out of Saphery for some unknown reason. The cats could have easily bounded over the structured walls, but they were so intent to just press hard against the gates instead. Something was driving them onward, but they were acting out of instinct, and hardly conscious of the reason why.

At last they came to the Tower of the Sea, but no guards were at its base, and this greatly disturbed Fyrewyzrd. Instead he found Geegee and Knickle trying to tear down a huge royal red banner from a pole. "Here now, why do you boys labor so?" They did not stop to respond, but only looked over their shoulders helplessly, as if to plead for help.

Finally Geegee screamed out, "Hurry Knickle...hurry..!! They both now started to yank and rip the long banner from its brass rods high above. Soon it all came flying down and landed on top of them. They quickly rolled it up, and the two of them, with one on each end , began to struggle to take it down the road. Knickle was crying, and Geegee was cursing wildly as they went.

Fyre, Sethriel, and the prince began to climb the tower steps and more servants ran by them. Their faces were flush, and they whispered prayers as they went. Almost all of it was unintelligent-able, but very clear in pronunciation. When they reached the top floors and made their way to the queen's rooms, they began to pass several of the 'Steel Slice' as it was still their charge to protect the fallen queen. Everyone of them stood like cats waiting for a prey. Yet no enemy was about for miles. The cursing here was now tenfold and terrible, as the warrior women of the Shadows blasted unseen foes with a litany of swearing and threats. They completely ignored each other, and even Fyrewyzrd and Sethriel as well, when they passed by. Every once and a while one of them would run out into the hall and seem to fight an unseen ghost, waiving her swords, or jumping like over a hot fire. Then return and take up her same defensive position again in a swaying motion ready to strike.

From the queen's room they heard, "You must rise. You must. I bid you to rise my queen. The enemy awaits your victory. Rise now I say. Please, please.....PLEASE..!! RISE..!!" So when they went in, to their shock they found Alto had actually levitated the sleeping queen four feet into the air. She floated there asleep, and completely unaware of Alto's pleading and begging. He had been affected by the grey fog, as it had climbed the tower and entered her window. Alto though was on the floor beside her bed on his knees bent over in prayer. With his back to her, he was completely unaware that she was floating above her bed. Fyre and Sethriel immediately ran over and grasp her. As soon as they touched her, it seem to break the healers spell, and she fell into their arms. They gently laid her back down into her bed.

Fyre then said to Alto, "My brother? My brother relax some what, and give your prayers a break." He then placed his hand upon Alto's shoulder, and it finally snapped Alto out of his fervor-ed trance. He blinked his eyes a few times, and then slowly got up off his knees, and dusted off his flowing white robes. He began talking though as if he was completely unaware of what he had been doing, as he said, "Ahh, you got here just in time as I was going to check on her highness." He then got up off his knees and turned to face her. He put his hand upon her brow and felt for her temperature. He said without looking up, "Oh she is doing much better now, let me try to wake her." He laid both hands on her forehead and whispered, "Wake now my queen, your son is here to see you."

With that, she awoke completely for the first time since she had been attacked. When her eyes opened, her head was turned to one side and the first person she could see was Prince Trinion. Her eyes began to well up with tears, and a slight smile came to her face as she realized he was still alive and safe. Prince Trinion then drew close to her, and bent over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. They pulled up a chair for him and he was able to sit by her, and to hold her pale hand in his own. The prince began to whisper to her, and so the others left them alone and went out of the room.

The pale and beautiful Lady Cervone then whispered hoarsely, "I love you my son. Tell me what you have been doing?"

He then told her of the secret trip to Altdorf with Captain Jonn, Fyrewyzrd, and several others. He described his terror at witnessing the fighting of huge orcs, and seeing his first sights of a real live goblin. He then told of the the all day meetings of the Great Council. He left out the part where he fell to sleep a couple of times, as the old wise men spoke slowly in their foreign tongues. He also told her of a great gathering fear of an enemy that they call the Chaos horde.

The 'Chosen'

He spoke of a horrible warrior breed known only as 'The Chosen'. He told her of the mean looking warrior priests that used their enormous bibles as weapons. He told how they wore bloody red symbols of crosses on their banners and shields in the name of Sigmar, their religious leader. Finally he spoke of their trip back and the many things that brought him to this very moment. Her eyes were wide open in amazement.

As a mother first though, she asked him, "But what of you my son? How are you, and tell me of your studies?"

He told her of how Gwyllion had been teaching him how to fight using knives and swords, while Krankin had shown him how to use his body to throw down the enemy, as well as hand strikes, and ingenious ways to combat the enemy in close quarters. Then he got very quiet and whispered to her, "Lord Fyrewyzrd has been teaching me the secret ways of our Bright wizards, Mother. I now control the strength of my voice into a weapon, and words of power to wield spells for attack and protection. I don't have it perfected yet, because sometimes it gives me a great headache, but I can do great damage."

He then pointed at a candle across the room and it immediately began to float. He brought it across the room in the air untouched. It hovered there, and then a huge ball of flame erupted from it and moved a few feet this way and that. He then motioned with his finger and it went back to where it had been sitting and resumed its natural life as a candle once again.

Fyrewyzrd, Alto, and Sethriel had gone out into the hall and made their way slowly to the sea side balcony that was one of Alto's favorite places. They sat and talked about all things concerning the war. Alto asked though what was going on here in Saphery, and that he felt a bit anxious to do something. He just wasn't sure what it was.

Sethriel explained. "I knew upon my arrival that the Bright wizards would reject my prophetic visions. They wanted to flex their muscle I suppose, and they opened the secret vault to the menhir stone. I can only figure that they must of had a plan to make it generate a power of some sort." When he said this he turned to Fyre, as he knew he possessed the secret ways of the Brights, being Fyre was a Bright as well. Fyrewyzrd though stayed true to his Bright beliefs and did not give up the secretive ways and procedures that he was sworn to protect.

He did however respond with, "It may have not worked as they intended. Instead they opened it just as the Sacramentus was nearing its end. I seen them leave early in disgust, and so the prince and I followed them, but I'm afraid they might have went to far. It seems the magic of the stone has reacted upon the people of Saphery, just as they were in the middle of their ceremonial frenzy. It has caused them to become crazed with religious zeal."

"I have seen this before in the Old World, but not at this level of intensity. It shall pass as the day wears on I'm sure, but it is very nerve racking with the wailing, crying, and mountains of prayers. It is having a great effect I believe on our crusade to fight the enemy and wrestle back our lands from them. I can only watch it occur with hope, but even my fellow Shadows have been affected as well. In fact I too, have been showered with a roaring desire to strike out against Maleketh, and more so than I ever had, since this all began."

After he said this, Alto raised his eye brows, and looked over at Fyre and said, "Hmm, what did you do? I know you. You have done something. What was it?" Fyre only shook his head 'no', and looked away. He then stood up and was peering out towards the port.

"Look, the fog is clearing as we speak." One could now start to see the edges of the shore line and the ships that sat in the harbor. Then Fyrewyzrd said, "That is odd my great seer friend. Your ship is rocking from side to side?" Alto and Sethriel both now stood to see what was happening, and sure enough the beautiful warship was slowly listing to the port side, and then back once again to the starboard side. The ship was sitting very low in the water, and so it had was fully ladened with cargo or so one would have thought.

Sethriel then asked, "Would you please accompany me to my ship? I need to check on its cargo, and also I have a great present to give to the Shadows." They agreed, and quickly made their way out of the tower and down to the harbor. As they neared the moored ship, they could hear an enormous groaning coming from inside the ships cargo hold, deep within its bowels. They walked up the gangplank and met Captain Yain of the ship.

"Tis a good thing to see ye Lord Sethriel, as those monsters down there won't stop trying to turn the ship over and sink her. So I yells down to them, "What be ye problem down there mates? The mean one yells up to me, 'We want out to do the lords work! Set us free now or we turn this ship on her side.' Now as you know Lord Sethriel that I'm partial to your mission, but I can't be having them wreck me. Now can I? And that thar mean one, he is a beast from hell itself."

Sethriel, Fyre, and Alto followed Capt. Yain to the grated opening over the cargo hold, and they all peered in. A great roar exploded from below, as all these beings yelled obscenities at the Shadows above. Alto was the first to say, "Oh my..!! They are the cursed 'Chosen'. Why would you bring them here, they are our sworn enemies? With this Sethriel had a mysterious smile on his face.

" I assure you they are harmless to your cause. In fact the warrior priest have worked on their minds the whole trip here. These Chosen have in fact switched sides, and no longer care to fight against the Empire. They are to join General Nivaga's army, but as a special attachment. They fight like crazy, but I'm afraid this magical experience that we are witnessing today has had a great new effect on them. Look..!!"

In the hold were a couple of barrels of red paint, that were sent along with thousands of pieces of Empirical armor. These Chosen had opened one of the barrels and had taken brushes and painted huge red crosses on all their armament and shields. In fact every piece now was covered in a bloody red cross design of Sigmar. The Shadows were amazed and even excited by this addition of Old World fighters, who now stood silent and watched above waiting to see if they would be released.

Battlebones

Sethriel yelled down to them, "Are you but ready to fight for good against evil? Do you swear fealty for Ulthuan to take back from Maleketh what is rightfully theirs?"

A resounding "Harooww..!!" exploded from below, which in their language meant 'yes'. So Sethriel asked Captain Yain to release them. Captain Yain was still very cautious, and so he ordered his men to man the small cannons just in case it was a trick. Then they unlocked the holds and threw down the rope ladders. What emerged was shocking to see, and gave everyone quite a scare. Nearly a hundred Chosen warriors began to climb out and now stood upon the deck of the ship.

They were enormous in size and nearly three feet taller than the tallest elves. They wore black and silver armor, but now they had added the wild blood crosses to them as well. They did not speak, but only glared around at their surroundings. None removed their helms and so it was impossible to see their faces. Their eyes though gleemed with a piercing red light. The crew tightened their grips upon the hammers of their weapons, and the fuses were very close to being lit on the small swivel cannons. A single Chosen who was a foot shorter than the others, but twice as mean, stepped forward in a menacing way and got right in the middle of Sethriel's face and said, "Lord Seeeeth-Ray-Elle, we neeeedz our waaay-ponz."

Sethriel said to the Captain Yain, "Release their weapons as well, they have sworn their simple fealty to us." The captain was reluctant, but they soon began to pull the enormous weapons from the ammo hold. These strange axes, hammers, and swords were enormous and heavy. Even a full grown man or elf could hardly lift one by themselves, let alone wield one in battle.

Fyrewyzrd watched these hulking and sweating warriors, until he finally said, "So what is the gift that you bring the Shadows my good friend?" Sethriel laughed though and motioned for the mean Chosen warrior to step forward.

"This my good friends is 'Battlebones' of the Wulfsiege Forest. A Champion of Tzeentch, he has sworn his aliegeance to any who swears not to torture him like his previous master, To this we came to an agreement. Although this new red cross look is befitting to him, he still is a tremendous warrior in the open field battle." As he was being introduced, Battlebones pulled off his massive helm, and bowed down to Fyrewyzrd in front of him. His blonde shaved misshapen-ed head, was covered in sweat.

Fyre stepped to one side and said, "Oh, ...not me here Chosen one. We shall take you too General Nivaga, your new master." Only Battlebones then lifted up the huge sword and pointed it straight at Fyrewyzrd's face and said to him, "Paxs", which means 'you'.

Sethriel was almost laughing amongst the danger here, but he said to Fyre, "I'm sorry, but this is your new gift from the Great Council. Maybe your friends can guide him for you." So it was, from that time onward that Battlebones joined Fyrewyzrds employment. He followed the old man around as if he was a huge oversize puppy. The only thing that seem to make his mind wander away was when he would think of Tzeentch his old master and the brutality of those old days long ago.

As Battlebones now stood breathing hard, and as the afternoon sun beat down on him, a steam was actually rising off his hot ebony armor. This heavy thick armor, they never removed in public or on the field of battle. He also now had acquired a new habit of tracing his gauntleted finger around the enormous red cross on his shield, over and over again.

The other Chosen warriors filed out and began their way to the southern gate of Saphery to meet their new commander General Nivaga. They made a long winding queue of black figures as a few of the ships crew and Sethriel led them onward. Even the hurried citizens of Saphery under this ongoing spell, stopped in their tracks for just a moment as if shocked by the size and numbers of these Chosen warriors. Fyrewyzrd and Alto returned back to the palace and went up to check on the queen's status. It was now late in the day, and the strangeness of the frenzy was beginning to die down.

In the beautiful gardens and center courtyards of Saphery was where most of the citizens met every day to discuss politics or the weather. Today was different, as the fog had slowly retreated and left standing in the center were huge piles of clothing, banners, flags, armor, and coverings for horses.

Crusader Tents

Even huge canvas tents were stacked along with supplies and wagons with the now familiar red crosses on their sides. The red paint, blood, and red berry juice had stained everyone, and everywhere was the bright red crosses. Children walked like zombies up and down the streets with berry stains on the face, feet, and hands. Their mothers not concerned one bit as to where they were. In fact the mothers too had been in the kitchens cooking and baking food for the armies of war. When you did see one running for more flour from the flour mill, she would be covered in the white powder as she ran cursing or praying as she went.

The steel mill had been running full production this day. The ovens were heated to maximum and the anvils where being hammered loudly on swords and weapons of steel and rare metals. These were not taken to the army, but brought to the Citadel of the Holy to be blessed by the warrior priests. They seem to mill around the citadel, as if they were moths to a single candle at night. They would bless the weapons over and over, passing them back and forth between each other. It was almost like a ceremony with out structure, but each piece was handled gently and blessed many times over.

By nightfall everyone had finally settled down, and in shear exhaustion laid down and slept. They never bothered to wash or to straightened anything up. Their minds were stressed beyond the normal, and many suffered great headaches. No one ate, and several were sick to their stomach, as the overpowering magic had racked their body the whole day. Fyrewyzrd and Alto had returned to the queen and she had slept most of the day. She now began to look rested, and for once Alto was positive that she was recovering after all. It seem the best medicine was seeing her son after months of being away. She had whispered to Alto that she needed to speak one last thing to Prince Trinion before he left and went to bed.

Once that they were alone, she said to him, "My son, the seer has foretold of three vows that you either have taken, or will take in the future. One was of the mind, one was of the heart, and the third was hidden from me. Do you know of these vows he spoke of?"

Prince Trinion moved close to her bedside, and with this new strange light in his eyes, he said, "I was in Lothern and a feeling came over me, as I thought of you and all of our people. So I went to the church of All Gods and prayed. Yes, I took a vow then and there to do all I could to help win and end this war. I would say that was the vow of my mind, so he did speak true."

"What of the vow of the heart though my good son?"

"I believe that to be of what I wanted to say to you now, but it seems strange to just say it out loud. Why is that mother?" The look on his face was serious, and this was an important moment he felt somehow. His mother smiled at him.

She then said, "I have to ask you to be your father, to be your mother, to be a prince, to be a king. Its not fair to ask so much of a little boy, but these days of war is hard upon the land and most terrible upon the people. After I ask all of these things of you, how can I ask you to be the savior of Ulthuan as well?"

Prince Trinion now leaned in close to her and only inches from her face. His eyes were beautiful with a bright burning light in them. He said very firmly, "I know I have the body of just a boy, but I also have the mind of my father, and the heart of my mother. I have seen death now Mother, and I have seen great cruelty as well. So my vow is to go with this crusade of Shadows with the Lothern army, and strike at the Maleketh Druchii until they leave our lands in peace." He began to grimace, and to grit his teeth as the emotion started to heave and push over on him. A great anger came to his face, and he said, "I will avenge father and you, and I will avenge our people and our land. I want to kill them all, and its a horrible feeling, but I have unleashed it. I have seen the menhir stone mother...!!"

Lady Cervone now struggled to sit up, and a look of great concerned covered her face as she frowned and grimaced as well. "You did? Why son? It is too dangerous, you should never have looked upon it. Only the great Bright wizards who don't know yet of all of the stones powers never look at it directly. Why?'

The prince sat back, and with a knowing look on his face said, "Lord Fyrewyzrd knew. He knew and never told his peers. The stone does one thing. It enhances your own abilities with magic and increases your power of your thoughts and emotions. If you are strong, it makes you extremely strong. If you are afraid, it makes you terrified. If you are having a spiritual uplifting then it will drive you to your heaven itself. They exposed the stone mother, after you had warned them not too. Now our city is running amuck to try and fight the enemy with every thought bent to killing everyone of them. This crusade of the Shadows has now grown in force and in strength of mind and spirit. There is no turning back. I love you mother more than anything else in this world, but my vow is true. I will fight this war of wars..!!"

And so the second vow came about as was foretold. Even so, the third vow remained a mystery to all, even to Prince Trinion himself.

The next morning brought great hope, and a feeling was in the air of a stable and thoughtful approach to the problems of city life, and to the war itself. Several meetings took place, and even though hearts were now much lighter in nature, there still remained this solid resolve to go to war and fight against evil and wrong doing. There was now a determination in every person's eye to see this through to the end.

The Saphery Guard

Outside the massive western gate of Saphery lay all the dogs and cats. They were sleeping and yawning waiting to be let back in so they could eat and hurry to get their naps. The strange thing about them was their fur was covered in dried blood, and they were very exhausted. The cats licked their paws as they had pieces of flesh, and blood in them. A strange look was in their eye, but as the day wore on they returned to normal. Here and there, birds began to return along with the insects. Bees now floated back to the flowers, and hummingbirds visited their old haunts as well.

A several carpenters and tradesmen traveled their way around the city, and made estimates of all the damage. No one gossiped about the strange day, as they were afraid it might return if a word was spoken about it. They did however call it 'Crusade Day' from that time forward, and everyone had their stories to tell late at night to the children. Every year when the same day came around, many would get very nervous and so it became a holiday to take off from work and to stay very alert.

However the outside of the southern gate of Saphery now sat the Lothern army, and their ranks had now swelled to eight thousand. They even took on a new look as much better armor from the old world arrived. It was much finer, and seemed almost ladened with magic, or at least a glimmering look about it. The red crosses were now predominant, as was the dark red look of the wagons and clothing. The banners were striking, as they waved in the flowing wind. The bright red crosses snapped and flapped loudly. Even the cavalry' horses were sporting a new light armored covering, that was an ivory white with small red crosses or red royal plums upon the flanks of the large black horses.

The Shadows Crest

At noon time all the Shadows were able to meet together, after a year apart and separated. They had traveled from the far northern shores under siege by the Druchii, and from the eastern ocean shores. They came out of the northern forest, and from the inner sea to the west as well. They had congregated on the northern tree lines of Saphery, unwilling to venture around the city. They had attended the Sacrementus in the Citadel of the Holy, but were disguised. So Fyrewyzrd asked the queen for her permission to order the paladin guards to return to protect her. This she did reluctantly, because she had made great friends with the Steel Slice. The Steel Slice though were now free to visit their bothers and sisters of the Shadows.

A large circle of some one hundred tents that were three and four deep, encompassed a large bonfire. The fire was fed constantly as it was cooking boar meat, and venison. Singing could be heard, and a rejoicing as to seeing old faces, and old memories returned. The Shadows wasted no time, but began meetings and making plans for this first northern march upon the enemy. When they seen Captain Jonn and Ellestil making their way towards the bonfire they took out their knives and traditionally tapped upon their cups. This brought out laughter and a great feeling of comraderie, as the two famous Shadows stood at the center.

Ellestil began first and said for all to hear, "I'm afraid we have tarried too long here. Yes it was much needed, and the enthusiasm is strange, but much welcomed. We have probably gave the advantage to the enemy, but then again we take the high road in knowing 'we' are the just cause for this war. Our lands were destroyed, and we have been exiled and driven from forest to mountain only to survive by our own warring mentality. Now we find ourself united at last, and a just cause pushes us onward even against great odds." Ellestil's voice now strengthened and he continued a more powerful pace and cadence.

"So ready you now, for this great crusade, for we will punish them, and kill them, and remove them from what is ours. It is true that we are distrusted, and in some parts even hated and blamed openly for the Maleketh's invasions. I DON'T CARE..!!" he yelled. He then roared, "We fight this war with the full might of the Shadows. Be it the Druchii or any who stand against us...!!" Then everyone erupted into a battle roar, and all the birds took off from the trees, and small critters scampered away to hide in their little holes and nests. They beat wildly on their shields with their swords and axes. Then they toasted each other and drank more ale and beer. This went on for several minutes, until Captain Jonn took a step forward. When he did the others went quiet.

"I'm not here to make a speech, but to tell you of orders." This of course was not unexpected, as it was always Jonn's style, and everyone listened intently. "We are to join as the forward guard to General Nivaga's army beginning the day after tomorrow, when they are ready to march. I want two scouting parties to start out in the morning and in the afternoon. The army will carry our extra provisions, but we must be able to move quickly and to be as lightly armored as possible. We do have a few new fighters with us, and you all might have heard about the several Chosens that have gone to join with General Nivaga to the south."

" I want to tell you all, that you know our biggest obstacle will be the northern mountains. We will not skirt them. Why? Because the enemy expects us to do just that. So its going to be the road of hell for all of us. Our destination in the end of course, will be the Shadowlands and the Blighted Isles, but we have a few objectives before that and they have to remain a secret for now. In time you all will know. Tomorrow take two wagons with our provisions and winter wear to the army. They will provide drivers. Ready your weapons, armor, clothing, and food tomorrow. Now...lets eat..!!" Another huge roar of laughter and applause went up as they feasted as much as they could. For some...it was their last supper.

The Warrior Priests

Chapter Six: Treacherous Moon

"He is crazy as hell ser, we can't get anything out of him." The two Druchii scouts held up the exhausted warrior by their arms under his. He could not stand and his head was thrown back, as he stared up at the moon with a maniacal and wild look in his eyes. He was delirious, and spoke in short sentences that sounded like gibberish. His armor gone, and his clothing was shredded by some beast, yet he had made it back to General CloudX's marching army alive. He was a bloody mess, with several open wounds to his face, head, and back. At least twenty bite wounds were on his legs, as the blood ran down into his boots.

General Cloudx and General Shonthy's armies had stopped from their hard march from Everlorn. They set up camp half way between Lothern and Saphery on the Great Northern Road. Some ten thousand soldiers of which three thousand were dark elven calvary. A four thousand orc battle brigade, followed by three thousand foot soldiers.

"Slap him." The general was getting angry as it was way past his bed time, and he needed sleep badly. One scout immediately slapped the warrior across the face, but it had no effect on him. The general stepped forward out of anger and pulled a bone dirk and held it to the warrior's throat, and said, "Talk or die!" Finally the warrior seemed to understand, and he held his head up and looked at the general face to face. The general pressed the knife blade against the neck muscle and it began to cut into his skin.

Once he started talking, they could not shut him up. The other officers now crowded around closer to hear what he was saying. This was important as he was the only member to return from a fifty man scouting party deep in the south Saphery forest He began by saying, "No survivors. No survivors. I didn't survive. Can you kill them? Kill them all. I killed four, but then two of them bit me, so I ran. Its no good. They are faster. I dove off the cliff. Ten dogs jumped off too. A cat was clawing my back, but I drowned him. I got to shore and threw rocks. They attacked again. I drowned three muts. I ran. The birds killed most. Germond was killed by hawks, and stung to death." He now broke down and began crying. The general's face turned a crimson red as his anger exploded. He sliced the warrior's neck clean open and severed the jugular. He died in a crumbled bloody heap when the other two released him in their horror. They both stepped back away from the murderous general.

"Traitors always run. Get together six companies, and get back in there. Find these animals and kill them. If they come back with the same stupid story then I want them all killed. I will not....I WILL NOT STAND FOR COWARDICE..!!" He spun around and ran towards the closest captain nearby and pointed the knife at his eye ball and only a fraction away and said, "Fail and I will make all of you pay for it, starting with this one here."

The captain didn't flinch though, instead with a steady coolness and a smile said, "I know how to kill general's too." The general stepped back in amazement and began to laugh. He knew all of his subordinates were natural killers, and had made their way up the ranks by being ruthless. He threw the knife down, and bent over with laughter.

"Yes, yes...I believe you." Then the general laughed some more. Finally he grew serious again, and regained his composure. His whole army was on the slow march to Lothern, and as he had suspected found no opposition until this strange report. He looked at a runner and said "In the morning run to General Shonthy's headquarters, and tell him to get captains Carderade and Maxell here for lunch. I have a new plan."

The general and his advisors, had assumed the enemy was hiding in fear, or simply lost in the wilderness. They speculated that they might be south of Saphery, but once they stopped going south on the Great Northern Road, they found nothing but small villages and farms. They of course robbed, beat, and killed the citizens, taking livestock and all food. They did not burn the homes though, as they figured someday they would come back and take possession of them. They had burned and destroyed everything in the Shadowlands, and they regretted it, as it all had become worthless to them.

War Meeting

At noon a small brigade of orcs came nosily through the woods, and they cut down small trees and bushes as they went, leaving a wide path of destroyed forest. It was fun for them as it kept them from grumbling about always marching. Even so, an orc can march for days without stopping. They pride themselves in their long marches and how much damage they can do at the same time. They had stolen so many things that were actually worthless to them. They were not use to the Ulthuan clothing and didn't know the difference between male and female attire. It was common to see a huge orc wearing a pillaged ladies' fur coat tied around their waist thinking it was a Ulthuan warrior's armor. Some had smeared red rouge on their lips, not knowing it was to be put on their cheeks instead.

So when they stepped into the center of General CloudX's camp, many of the Druchii warriors broke out into laughter. This enraged the orcs and they rushed around with weapons drawn, this only made the Druchii laugh even harder. The orc captain though barked out orders, "HEAL...HEAL. Steady thares az ye goooez mates. Stand to. STAND TO I SAYZ..!! HEAL..!!" The hulking and hard breathing orcs snorted and bellowed that sounded like gorillas in the Old World. They stopped just short of attacking, but the Druchii had jumped up with weapons drawn just in case. A couple even taunted the orcs with a slight wave of the hand, as if to say 'come on'.

The Druchii captain though stepped forward ignoring the orc weapons, and greeted the orc captain. "Well your a bit late as usual. Where is the general?"

"Ahh...hez coming. Thatz heem thar." So just as he said this, General Shonthy came striding into the camp, not really paying attention to the close battle that had almost occurred. Instead he was fascinated with a small hand mirror he had found on a farmer's bedroom dresser. He was holding it different ways and admiring his face, which was brutally ugly even for an orc's taste. He then grinned at it, and his long corner fangs gleamed as he turned his head from side to side in admiration. The Druchii captain cleared his throat, and the general looked up. He immediately hid the mirror in his vest, as someone might try and steal if from him.

He growled, "Lets get this stink over with. Where is Cloud at?"

The captain bade Shonthy to follow him and they made their way to an enormous war wagon that stood further back from the others and surrounded by huge tents. They stepped past the guards outside and into the enormous cabin built above the wagon. It was two stories tall and was pulled by six oxen, but General Cloudx lived in the small top floor. On the bottom was the war room, and it was covered with maps on the table and conquered weapons on the wall. In the center though was a large open space as if a picture belonged there.

After all the captains of both armies and the two generals were seated, several trays of beverage and soup were brought in. The orcs spat the soup out on the floor and snorted. They did drink the ale and beer as if they were parched. A couple asked for venison, and soon a few trays of raw venison was served as well. The Druchii never touched it though as it was not cooked and a bit too bloody for their tastes. The orcs however gobbled it right up, and belched loudly. This had put them in a better mood, and made a few of them rather cocky. When the meeting began with the Druchii captain of the guard standing to speak, he was rudely interrupted immediately by an orc captain.

The orc motioned towards the empty space on the wall and said, "Stolen?"

General CloudX now spoke firmly, "Not stolen, but reserved for something. Gentlemen...that is if I can call you gentlemen?"

General Shonthy said, "Ahh no worriez matey. Theyz no understanz dee word anywayz."

General CloudX smiled at this and began, "I'm going to stop our march towards Lothern, and instead attack Saphery to the north east. We are running out of supplies and food, besides I wish to look upon the ocean as I'm a bit homesick for our own shores in the Old World. We have a bit of pay-back to do as well. Two weeks a go we lost nearly a whole company to something called a 'metal slicer'. So I want to destroy that, what ever it is. Maybe dismantle it somehow or sink it out in the harbor. I wonder how big it is?" The general's spy reports were not very accurate, and he pictured some huge machine that his men were thrown in and killed as it chopped them up.

He continued, "Clearly something has happened to our scouting party, and I mean to get to the bottom of that as well. The Sapherians killed forty-nine of my men two days ago, by some new form of rabid beast and fowl. I don't put anything past their sick and corrupt wizards in that vile tower of theirs. Now let me say this. Do not take these Bright wizards as some old foolish men in a tower. They wield a weapon of magic far more powerful than our blades and cunning. We shall march straight to the western gate and knock it down. Then it will be not straight to the palace, but surround the wizard's tower first. We will simply siege on them and starve them out. DO NOT ATTACK THEM..!! Do I make myself clear? Do not attack them, as they can lay waste to us all."

"Also once we have the tower under control we will make for the palace, but again do not kill the queen. I want her for myself. I have no queen, and they say she is a widower now. I don't think thats to much to ask. She will probably be almost glad to see me, and get some excitement back into her life."

"General Shonthy could your army leave tomorrow morning at eight bells, and attack the southern gate. Then take control of the garrisons there and the port?"

General Shonthy though had been head nodding with very droopy eyes until he was almost asleep. Hearing his name he came quickly awoke and said, "Joowels".

General Cloudx said, "What was that?"

Shonthy covered himself quickly and said, "Uh yezzz, we will attackz evereething you sayz. No problemz. We done herez?"

Frowning General Cloudx said, "Yes, yes. Go now, just remember...attack the south gate, then the garrison, then the port. Got that?"

General Shonthy snorted back, "No neez to repeez zee self. We gotz zit." The orcs then all got up and left the cabin and headed back to their encampment.

Actually General Cloudx just wanted to get them out of the war room, as a sort of stench seem to have build up and many of his captains were holding their noses and rolling their eyes at the grotesque smell of the horrid orcs. The general had the windows opened to clear the air.

He now said, "I did not want them to go through the farms heading to the west gate, as they would have ate all the great cattle that is bred and grown predominant in that region. Let them pillage the ships, and that way they will be emptied out and ready for our use, without us having to do the extra labor. Okay, if no one has any questions lets get out of here. Have everyone ready to go at eight bells in the morning."

The Golden Crossbow of Saphery

Just as they all stood up two riders came galloping into the camp. They climbed down off of the heavy breathing Ellyrion horses. They marched up to the war wagon and spoke briefly to the guards, who let them through.

"General Cloudx we have brought you a message and some cargo from Captain Suesrep in Everlorn." The one rider laid an envelope on the table, as the other laid a large and heavy canvas bag on the table next to it. The Druchii captains eagerly opened both, as General Cloudx eyes went wide with surprise and exclaimed, "Oh my goddesses, he did it..!! Captain Teckis stole the Golden Crossbow of Saphery..!! As he said this the beautiful gold and ivory crossbow was drawn out of its protective canvas sheath. It seem to almost glow as the sun's rays hit it and reflected around the room like several small mirrors. The look of amazement went around the room of officers, as this was truly one of the most prized and legendary weapons of Ulthuan.

The general ordered it to be mounted on the open space on the wall, and it seemed to fit perfectly, as if he had planned it to be there all this time. The huge smile on his face turned to a grin as his thought process now concluded....General Nivaga is going to die..!! He turned and said to the scribe still sitting at the table recording the meeting, "Send out a covey to Everlorn with this message, 'Begin operation 'Weaver'. Have acquired payment. Begin operation 'Sweeper'. Then I want two dires sent to Lothern to inform our stealth troops to retreat north east to Saphery."

To the north in Everlorn the standing army was growing restless as was their nature when bored with city life. They were a warring army and this was the last remnant of General Cloudx's army. They craved action, and so they had begun to torture Everlorn citizens, and to destroy property for no apparent reason other than to enjoy the horror that they could see on people's faces. The citizens where in a constant state of terror.

So when the first of several messenger ravens arrived the word spread quickly. The captains immediately began rejoicing. Operation Sweeper promised a chance to for them to return to their homes in the Old World at last. It would be simple. Scour the foothills south of the Chrace mountain range. Climb the treacherous pass to the north and then scout Chrace for a future attack. Once Chrace was taken then they could capture the ships, and finally return back to their homeland as promised.

The sergeant of the guard now opened the small attached message from one of the larger ravens. He then got out his rune book of commands and matched the strange symbols until he had the message complete. He thought this one strange though, but had learned to never questioned the meaning behind the words. So he now turned to his corporal and said, "I have to go into town and deliver a message. You take over here scoundrel, and I will be back in the late evening."

He then strode out and headed for the Inn of the Fiery Eye to see a commander there. He was also going to do some celebrating of his own. Hearing the rumors of them all leaving Everlorn for good put him in a great mood. Looking ahead he could see the strange sign above the inn, of a wild looking eyeball wreathed in flames. It seem to follow him no matter where he walked, like some paintings do. He stepped inside and a dagger slammed into the wooden door casing just inches from his neck. He instinctively jumped and attempted to pull his sword only a bright green gloved hand came around from behind and held a small scimitar to his throat. He stopped moving immediately so as not to get cut. He could feel the edge of the cold blade against the skin of his neck and the hand never wavered or shook.

He sort of studdered and stammered but eventually it came out, "Uh...uh...I'm here to see your commander Darkrage. I have a message for him."

"Get your silly armor off first, then those crazy clothes of yours as well." The voice came from a small room behind him, but every person in the inn looked extremely menacing. In fact every person in the inn belonged to the notorious gang of assassins known as Oculus of Nex. It then occurred to the sergeant that he might have made a major mistake and that his life was in great danger. He began to slowly remove his armor, one piece at a time. He hesitated when he got down to his clothes, but another knife now pressed from behind and against his back where his kidney would be.He hurried and began taking off his clothes. He was sweating profusely now, and his nervous reactions were almost embarrassing to him. He dropped a couple of knives on the floor as they accidently spilled out of their hidden sheaths. He instinctively bent over to pick them up when he heard a, "Uh...uh...uh...no touchy or no fingers." Several voices now laughed at this.

In fact all of the Oonies as they were nicknamed, where making great sport of this dark elf Druchii. They continue to laugh and cat called at him. He was extremely embarrassed as he said, "I mean you no harm." This caused another roar of laughter. Then from the balcony of the sleeping rooms above a voice called down, "Now now boys. We need to treat our friend here with respect, after all he is a member of the great Druchii bumblers." Evilspinner then laughed heartily as did all the others.

Evilspinner now walked down the stairway and up to the shivering and shaking sergeant. "So, you have a message for me?" The sergeant never said a word, but handed Evil a small note. It said simply, 'Begin operation Weaver. Have acquired payment.' A smile immediately appeared on Evilspinner's face. He leaned over and said, "Now now, he has brought us great news. Let him up, and he will join us all to party." The sergeant though was only trying to think of a way out of there.

He said in a shaky voice, "Oh, no. No party for me ser. I need to return to my post."

Evilspinner said, "Oh no, you are now our guest here. Right boys?" They all came forward and dragged him over to their tables and sat him down in an empty chair and slapped him hard on the back. Several announced to him that he was now their new found friend and to have a drink on them. In fact, have several drinks on them. They started a card game and used his clothes and armor to bet with. He sat shivering with a slight phony smile, but he was terrified as he now got a closer look at them. The scars from years of warfare, and many deeply disfigured and scarred faces, chests, and arms were all around him. He swallowed hard, as the heated whiskey burned something horrible all the way down his throat. No longer than he could get one cup of it down, they would laughingly push another one upon him. After a while though he began to calm down, and even became a bit drunk from so much whiskey.

In the back room though, Evilspinner, Darkrage, Mudgar, and a few other officers sat around a card and rune table. Darkrage said, "So what does it mean Evil?"

Evil looked around at all of them and said, "I want to buy a ship. A warship. Even though I don't know nothing about them, but I figure we need one to get around better. It takes a heap amount of gold for that, so I have accepted a 'knock off' from General 'To Proud' Cloud."

Mudgar then asked, "So who is the 'knock off' then?

Evil got this strange smile on his face, and everyone there recognized it right away. In fact you never really wanted to see that smile if Evilspinner was your foe. He said slowly, "Oh its General Nivaga."

The other officers all looked totally surprised and even shocked. How do you assassinate one of the top generals of the Ulthuan army? They were stunned. Finally Ungoliath spoke up and said, "So is this a ruse or a joke Evil?"

Evil just laid his head back and laughed heartily. "No. No this is the real thing. My plan is to make my way in as close as possible and to offer my services as an weapons dealer to his captains. If I can get within five hundred feet of him I will have a chance."

Dreadnought laughed as he said, "Yeah sure, five hundred feet. That takes a special weapon that we don't possess. Come on Evil, don't pull our legs."

Evil responded, "Oh I have to go and pick up this special weapon, and then go do the deed. When I get payment it will be used to buy us a ship. How do you all feel about that?" They were all grinning and then it erupted into a great laughter. They knew that if anyone could pull this off it would be Evil. He was as good a shot as any of them, but he also knew strategy and tactics that were almost magical in nature. This ship was as good as their own already. 'A way home', they thought.

Evilspinner then said, "So I'm going to leave this to you Mudgar and Darkrage to run the tribe while I'm gone. It should take me about two weeks maybe, or even less. You all are to head south east into the northern Saphery forest. Search out the 'Shadows' there, and tell them we will be needing to buy a ship if they know where to get one, we will reward them handsomely."

Garash then said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa...!! One does not just walk into the Shadows and start asking favors. They will kill us on site as they know we helped the Druchii invade the Blighted Isles. True it was not their beloved Shadowlands, but they hate us none the less."

Evil said, "Aye Dread, but I have tried to make peace with them, and make them understand we were under contract and kept none of those lands for ourself. I just think we would do better to have them as allies rather than enemies. In fact we both have a lot in common. Everyone hates us..!!" Then the room exploded with laughter all over again.

So it was that their plans were made, and they broke up their meeting and headed out into the inn. Once outside the laughter, music, singing and drinking was reaching a fevered pace. They looked, and the sergeant was now standing on a table top. He was dancing and jumping around wildly and laughing. He was so drunk that he stumbled and fell in their arms. They let him crumble to the ground and Conondor said, "Well, we need to put him to bed...in the town square."

So Diplomatic, Darksky, Nakiat, Hurg, and Grombr went upstairs and carried down a bed and carried it out the door as the inn keeper kept squawking how much it would cost. Bnecraka, Naive, Warugi, and Sanvar then took the past-out sergeant and carried him out and tucked him into his new soft bed. It was placed just directly under the town's notice board in the center square. It was a nice warm night out, so they didn't bother to leave any bed clothes for the sergeant as well. When they got back to the inn they were crying from laughing so hard.

The Druchii Scouts

Some five hundred miles south of them a three hundred dark elven force moved quietly through the southern Saphery forest. There were many scouts and they had brought along a few of their special trackers. One of these trackers had a short meeting with General Shonthy just before he had left. The others noticed that he kept looking at all the trees, as if he was inspecting them for something. As they were getting closer to the out reaches of southern Saphery, but still within the forest, they could hear a buzzing noise. They moved closer to it.

Finally one of the forward scouts came running back, and they thought he was going to report on what he saw, but instead he ran past them as fast as he could sprint. A look of terror was on his face, and that was the last they seen of him. They were practically crawling as they grew near a large beaten down clearing with-in the forest. The shock and the horror now seized them as the scene was of total carnage. It was the remnants of the fifty man company that had never returned except for the one lone scout that the general had killed. Huge flies swarmed around, but no where could they see one intact body. All were just huge piles of carcasses, and chunks of elven meat slung in the trees and under bushes. The dark maroon blood was turning almost black now, and the stench filled the air. They inspected the remnants closely, and could see that they had been chewed on by hundreds of cats and dogs. Dead birds were laying here and there, as well as a few dogs and cats. The flesh looked as though it had been stung by thousands of bees and wasps. The dark elves now heaved in the bushes. They quickly pushed on, and seemed almost in a daze.

Just as the sun began to rise in the early morning they came upon the area of encampment of General Nivaga's army, which was finally gone. The trackers read the signs of the wagon wheels and horse tracks. They were staying low, but the one tracker went on further north. Further than the rest. He had spotted a tree up ahead and went to inspect it. As soon as he got there, he memorized the markings on the tree. It was a sign, and so he pulled out his knife and carved another sign underneath it in response, as he was instructed to do by Shonthy. He never said a word to the others and left immediately to go back to report to Shonthy. It was clear he had been on a special mission.

They had now finished and turned back in the late afternoon and headed towards the Druchii army again. Going along, a tracker stopped and circled many times a spot in the road, then he would wander off and back into the forest. A few minutes later he returned again.

By the next evening they had gone full circle and was back entering the Druchii encampment. The trackers reported immediately as well as the captains. It was true that all forty-nine soldiers had been killed by a marauding band of wild dogs and cats, and that they had headed back to Saphery after the attack. They also reported several of the victims had died from bees stings and insect poisons. Many though were just chewed up into small pieces. It looked as though the animals had gone through some kind of frenzy. They also reported that one of the two dires that had been sent the week before had been killed by an arrow.

Then the one tracker waited till all the others had left. He slowly made his way upto General Shonthy's orc tent. With out saying a word, he took a stick and drew the symbol on the dirt floor in front of General Shonthy.

After a few minutes, General Shonthy asked, "On a tree....right?" The tracker just shook his head yes. "Did you carve the horn?" Again the tracker nodded yes, and then disappeared out of the tent.

The Chaos Ships

Elipsis was angry and hungry. She had left Everlorn in a hurry with the information that the Druchii was going to attack Lothern. Only she could not find any of the Shadows. It was as if they had just disappeared in to thin air. She had tiptoed through their abandoned camps and caves. She found where they had slept, bathed, and ate. She knew what they had killed for food, and how many of them at any given time, but she could not tell where they were now. Her information would be worthless and she might not make a copper out of it. She now stood on the farthest eastern bluff overlooking the shore below. It would have been extremely dark about now, except the moon shown brightly and reflected off the ever rolling waves of the ocean. She was about to turn and head back when something caught her eye.

It was off in the very far distance, but just enough for the moon light to shine on something moving. With the great elven eyesight she watched intently. Soon a cold chill began to run up her spine as she realized what she was looking at. What at first seem to be a moving black sail, then turned out to be several. As they drew closer she counted twenty-one Chaos warships arriving from the Old World..!!

Chapter Seven: Jewel Thief

Exhaustion overtook Elipsis, and for once she let her defenses down, and fell asleep at the edge of the thick jungle forest. She was in an enormous banyan tree that sat upon a high cliff overlooking the beach below. She was not worried of being discovered, but her aching body needed rest, and she could not keep her eyes open, as her head nodded several times. It was some time just past midnight she finally gave in and fell fast to sleep. Her mind was filled with thoughts of wonderful food, and a warm fire beside a very soft bed, something that she had not experienced in nearly five years of living in the Ulthuan forest all alone.

She began to dream of a field of blue flowers, and a music floated softly through the elven aire. The sweet smell of honeysuckle mixed with the thoughts of her mothers' quiet voice, reassured her that she was safe. She began to look for her mother as she ran through the field, as the stars above winked at her. She could hear her mother now softly weeping, and this stirred her heart and it drove her to run faster. It was then that she heard rough foreign voices that were course and grotesque. The gruff laughter immediately woke her up and she nearly fell out of the tree. She grasp a small limb very quickly and just saved herself from falling down and landing right on top of a small dark elf campfire.

The hair rose upon her neck, and her senses multiplied rapidly, as she then took the stance of a panther high up in the tree. Below, three Druchii soldiers sat around the small fire, and spoke in low hush gruff voices. There was something else though that she could hear, as her great elven hearing picked up a very distant and faint crying. It was coming from the enormous warships that were rocking back and forth at the edge of the beach. She could see now that the whole beach was covered with thousands of tents, hundreds of camp fires were burning drift wood, and their light showed her every detail of this invading force of the Druchii.

She listened intently for nearly an hour, and finally she could not take it any more, and decided to investigate the weeping because it sounded like that of a small child but she could not be sure unless she could get closer. If it hadn't of been for the dream of her long lost mother, she probably would have just ignored it and disappeared into the safety of the forest. Instead she very slowly creep-ed down the side of the tree opposite of the campfire. As she neared the bottom, she moved ever so slowly and she did not make a sound. At one point she stopped and froze as one of the soldiers came over to the edge of the cliff to look for any signals from below. He even looked in her direction at some ten feet away and yet did not see her, as her forest clothing was one with the tree, and her tanned face was turned and hidden by her rich black hair.

After a few minutes he was satisfied that there was no signal and rejoined his fellow troops and sat down at the fire. Elipsis used his own movements to mask hers, and she soon crept away and headed for a path that went down to the beach nearby. No moon was out, but there was just a very dim light coming from the millions of stars. As she neared the beach though she had to backtrack and circle as a patrol was coming straight up the same path. She then decided to go further south down the beach, and once to the edge she wadded out into the warm salty surf. The water felt wonderful as it washed away a week of filth and sweat as she went.
She went out far enough to catch the northern current as it lazily pushed her further north. Another current tried to pull her out to sea, but she started to swim in earnest in towards the hulking purple and black ships. She now kept slowly swimming north past the ships and was about to run out of them when she again heard the crying, but just for a fleeting moment between the crashing of the small surf against the hulls of the ships. She then came upon the black giant chain of the outward anchor. It came out of the water and pointed towards the bow of a ship that sat lower in the water than the others. The links of the chain were each almost four feet long, and moved up and down slowly with the rythme of the ocean surf. Elipsis climbed on tap of it and balanced herself with her arms outstretched. Like a tightrope walker she made her way slowly up the huge chain.

When she neared the ship she was almost some twenty feet in the air, and so she now squat down and climbed through the opening port that the chain had came out of. A stench immediately fouled the air about her and she wrinkled up her nose in disgust. Inside she had slipped down onto the wooden floor and stayed hidden while her eyes adjusted to the light even though it was distant and dim. After a while she began to explore, and move about the area very cautiously. She could see why the ship was so low in the water. Packed inside were the great 'hell cannons' from the Old World. They were enormous, and some had three barrels and were very intricate but extremely deadly.

She made her way forward towards the only lantern that was in the far distance. She was almost there when she heard men's voices coming and so she quickly ran all the way to the stern and hid behind some cargo. They were slowly making their way towards her as they talked in their foreign voices. She could see it was two ships officers making their rounds. She backed up and nearly fell through another opening to the bilge below. She caught the rope by sheer luck and caught herself just in time. The two officers stopped talking and had halted in their tracks. Had she been discovered? She dared not move and held on to the rope ladder with all her strength. Soon they turned and began talking again, as they probably figured it was just vermin creeping about.

Elipsis though finally let herself on down the rope and now stood in about a foot of stinking bilge water. She was about to climb back up, when it was then that she heard whispering coming from below somewhere in the bottom of the ship. She now froze and didn't move as her ears were at high alert for any sound. She could make out what she thought was breathing, and so she moved slowly towards the sound, even though it was in the pitch black. Elipsis' own heart was now pounding, as she found a sort of path between piled boxed and barrels of cargo. It was all roped together and so she had to climb over the ropes in the darkness. As she went something scurried past her leg, but she did not flinch. There were rats down here, but she was no where afraid of them as much as she was of the enemy.

She rounded a corner and could now see some light that had found its way from the floor above. She made her way towards it. She then rounded a corner and immediately froze in her tracks. Sitting only two feet away from her was a guard. Luckily though he was sound asleep, and so she watched him closely, as he breathed in and out very heavily. She was about to slip past him, when she heard it. A sweet little girls voice began to cry, and she could hear her voice say, "Mommie, help me....help me." It was so pitiful and small, that Elipsis' heart swelled, and she herself felt a surge of old thoughts that traveled back in time. She had fought animals, and men, she had killed plenty when she needed to survive, but most of all she had only herself, and had gave up of ever finding her mother years ago. Even so, this primal instinct now drove her to take a risk in order to maybe answer to a far and distant voice coming from the darkness ahead.

Elipsis could just make out what looked to be a brig. It was small and the bars were only where the door should be. It looked like a small room maybe, but she had to make her way over to the front of it to see in. As she got there the crying immediately stopped, and she heard a slight gasp come from the small prisoner. Elipsis stopped and did not move as she peered hard into the small room. She could hear the child's breathing become quicker and she knew they were scared. She then reached up and felt around the bars, and found an old but enormous lock on the door. The key had to be on the guard, so she made her way slowly back over to him.

She was going to search him, but her anger started to rise, and the thought of them holding a child prisoner started to shape her decision of what to do. She pulled out her jagged hunting knife, and gripped it with both hands. She then stood up right next to the sleeping guard and reached over past him until the knife was only an inch from his neck. She slightly rocked herself in a sort of rythme, and on a forward movement she put all of her weight in a cutting slash into his thick neck. He bucked immediately and a deep guttural sound came from him as he tried to scream but only fell forward as his body reacted to the excruciating pain. The blood shot out all over as he slumped forward into the chair and died. Elipsis took her foot and pushed him backwards into the chair. He was a bloody mess, and so she did not waste time, but started looking for the key. She seen that he had on boat boots, and so she reached inside and felt around. In the second boot was the key.

She now made her way over to the cell door, and fitted the key into the lock. She heard a small voice whisper, "Please don't let him kill me." It was a small plea to no one, and yet it was full of terror. Elipsis unlocked the lock, and pulled open the door. To her surprise the prisoner screamed at the top of her lungs. Elipsis dove in and threw her bloody hand over the small child's mouth and lifted her up. The child was now kicking violently, as they assumed this killer was going to do them in next. Elipsis now put her mouth right next to their ear and said, "Quiet child, I'm going to get you out of here. Its okay..I'm here to help." She then felt the body go limp, and she hugged them tighter. She tried making her way back though the nasty water towards where she had came down. It was difficult with the light so far away.

It was then that she heard a horn was blown from deep within the ship. Her deed had been discovered. She was now running as best she could even though the small child was just skin and bones from starvation. As Elipsis jumped onto the rope ladder she looked down and realized it was a little girl with rare looking long white hair. She scrambled up the ladder and was really struggling not to lose her little package as she went. Just as she made it to the cargo hold and was moving in and out of the cannons towards the anchor opening, she heard soldiers running up ahead. She got to the port and pushed the little girl out of it onto the anchor chain. Just as Elipsis climbed out, behind her someone yelled, "There they be..!! In the anchor port..!!"

Elipsis immediately changed her plan, and she threw the girl off of the chain into the surf below. Then she herself dove off into the blue black surf. Elipsis tried to figure that the little girl would drop only so far under the water and so she immediately began grasping around her once she hit the water and slowed to a stop just five feet under its surface. Then a little hand grasped Elipsis by her hair. So Elipsis reached up and put her hand over the child's hand and squeezed it hard onto her own hair. She then swam to the surface. As soon as she did this, she put the girl behind her and pulled her arms around Elipsis' neck. She then took a small leather strap and quickly tied the girls wrists, so that she had no choice but to be pulled along.

Elipsis could now hear shouts coming from the upper decks, as the alarm was raised. It was a risk of drowning but Elipsis now swam straight out to sea, as she knew that would be the only place they would not look for them. She did catch the northern running current again, and soon they were long away from the ships. Her hope was that the enemy would go south and look along the beach for them and so she swam as hard as she could north. It was a long and hard fight, as the currents pushed the two of them about. A wave would crash in over them as they neared the northern beach, and would would pound both of them to rocks and coral below. After nearly an hour of trying to escape they made it to the beach. Both were cut and bleeding, they had several bruises, and both were at the very limit of their exhaustion. They laid on the beach like two dead fish, and lost consciousness.

The noon day sun was burning their skin, but it was a small crab that bit Elipsis, and this brought her to life again. She slowly raised her head up, and looked around. The little girl was a mess of rags and sand, and all curled up into a little ball. Elipsis crawled over to her, and removed the leather strap that was still tied to her wrists. How she had survived was a total mystery to Elipsis. She rolled the little girl over and listen to her chest. Her heart was till beating, and so she now had hope that they might just make it. After a few minutes Elipsis gritted her teeth and pushed herself up onto her knees. Every movement was a struggle, as she had no energy left, and it was her only will to survive that now drove her onward. Soon she picked the girl up and began walking up the beach, but further inland as she went.

They soon reached the first tree line and Elipsis again got out the leather strap and tied the little girls wrists again. She then slung her over her back, and the little girl just dangled as she was still unconscious. Several huge bruises had appeared on her face, arms, and legs. The small cuts and wounds had at least scabbed over and just one continued to bleed. Elipsis climbed an enormous oak tree just inside the tree line of the approaching forest. Once high up in the canopy she let the girl slide off of her and immediately undid the strap again. She then tied her ankle to a small limb as a safety precaution in case she fell. Elipsis then pulled out her water flask and poured a little water into the girls mouth. After a bit she sort of sputtered and choked. Then her eyes opened for the first time, and she looked around in fear.

Elipsis said to her, "Now don't be afraid. Don't move just yet, as we are high up in a tree. Okay?" The little girl just stared at her in total awe. She was alive, and this beautiful woman of the forest had just saved her life.

After a long time had past and the evening drew near, Elipsis said, "We have got to get some food, and so I'm going to leave you alone up here while I go try. Don't move around, and don't take the strap off of your ankle. What ever you do don't look down." The girls eyes filled up with tears, but she did not say a word. She had been alone a lot, and so she would have to trust that Elipsis would come back.

Elipsis was gone for almost two hours, and finally she returned with some berries, and some wild roots. She cut them up in to tiny pieces and put them in the girls hand and said, "Eat these and also suck on them when ever you can. Drink as much water as you like, I found a stream near here. As soon as you are well enough we need to keep moving as they will be looking for us this way too."

That night, high up in the oak tree they both settled down to sleep. The little girl spoke for the first time, "My name is Victania Lyrianna, what is yours?"

Elipsis was almost half asleep when she said, "Elipsis. Hmm...so your family is named after the repose in Chrace."

Her eyelids were so heavy, and just as she was falling to sleep she thought she heard the little girl say, "No, it was named after my family."

Elipsis woke up immediately and sat up. She squinted and looked over at the small girl that was curled up in the fork of the tree. Her rags hanging off of her, as well as her bandages. Elipsis now had a huge smile on her face, as she realized she probably had stolen the Druchii's prized possession.

Evilspinner had double checked his backpacks and supplies enough for a two week excursion. He waited until it was five bells in the early morning, and then made his way out of Avelorn's eastern gate. He walked at a steady pace. As he got to the last guard post, the guard just waved him through, and so he did not stop. His mission was now to find General Cloud's army, and to get the Golden Cross Bow of Saphery, which was worth a small realm at the very least. His mission of course was to assassinate General Nivaga of the Ulthuan Army of High Elves. This he did not mind at all, killing had been his business for so long that it had become second nature to him. In fact he was as professional of a killer as much as a surgeon was in the medical field. Only he took lives, and surgeons saved them.

He followed the Great Northern Road as it made its way south towards Saphery and even further down to Lothern in the far south. One way or another he would have to come across the army, or at least one of its scouting parties. During the day he skirted the great road, and late in the evening he walked down its very center. He rested only during the day, as it would make him less of a target.

On the fourth day he was just north west of Saphery's outer reaches when he came across a small stream. It trickled its way under a large tunnel that went under the the great road. He looked at this as a possible shelter for the night, and so slowly crept his way into its darkness. He found a log had made its way almost half way through the tunnel until it had become wedged from a torrent of rain several weeks before.. It made a perfect place to nap, as he could keep an eye or an ear out for either end of the long tunnel. A nice breeze also past through, and it made for a pleasant night.

Around three in the morning though he woke up to a thick choking smoke that had entered the tunnel. He immediately jumped up and pulled his sword. It was coming from the east end of the tunnel, so choking he ran towards the west end. Just as he ran out of the tunnel a huge net was dropped on him from above. He immediately became entangled in it, but he pulled out his knife and quickly started cutting. The end of a pole arm came punching through and hit him squarely in the back of the head and knocked him unconscious.

He came to, and he was tied up like a hog tied to a spit. Two rough looking soldiers where carrying the pole with him hanging from his tied wrist and ankles below it. He tried to talk and found he was gagged as well. He started to making a groaning and humming like protest, but the soldiers just ignored him. It was still dark out, and eventually he could see lights coming from somewhere in the Northern Sapherian forest. His head though was pulsing with an enormous headache as the wound was open and bleeding on the crown of his head.

One soldier whistled very loudly as they approached, then another whistle came in response, the coast was clear. They then entered into an opening in the thick woods, and a campfire revealed about ten Druchii soldiers around it sleeping with two on guard. They immediately dropped the pole and Evil hit the ground with a solid thud . He continued to try and protest, but it only came out as a mumbling noise. The captain was awake and he said right away, "One ..not two? Who in blazes is this?" The Druchii were part of a hunting party that was looking for a jewel thief.

The soldier that had whistled said, "Sir. We found him sleeping in one of the road tunnels, and he looks like the type who would have done it. Also we took this off of him." He then took Evil's back pack and dumped it on the ground. Out fell all sorts of weapons and ammunition. A small cross bow, three daggers, many bags of bolts, and small shafted arrows. Plus a kitana, and another wide blade hunting knife, some poisonous potion vials, and a strange looking white bag that seem to glow all on its own. The captain leaned over and looked at these very closely, and after a while he stood up.

"Untie him, let him go." The captain was now frowning, as if he was sure of one thing, but not of another. "Get those gags off of him too." This they did with out question, even though both of the soldiers were now frowning. They had went through so much to build the fire, to smoke him out. Then to catch Evil, and then all the labor to get him here. They were not happy.

When the gags came off, Evil said very cool like, "I'm going to kill both of you." He showed no emotion, as he said this, and both soldiers sort of stood back as if he was going to try it right then and there. The captain stepped forward though and put the tip of his sword pointed right at Evil's jugular vein.

He then said, "Now now, lets not have any of that. What is your name and why were you hiding or spying under the road for?"

Evil did not answer right away as he began to rub his injured scalp, and said finally after a while. "I shall need a cloth to stop this bleeding. My name is Evilspinner, and I'm from Azazel. Obviously I wasn't spying, but trying to get some much needed sleep. That last thing I need is to choke to death from smoke."

The captain could almost tell immediately that this was not just a rambling bum, but Evil looked dangerous, and he also felt that he really had a mind to kill his two troops. Even so, he pressed him for more information, and so he asked, "So what is the nature of your business and why are you traveling this particular road?"

Evil of course was already for this, so he said "I'm trying to sell weapons, and of course you need an army to sell them too. So I was looking for General Cloud as he had ask me to meet up with him and negotiate a contract. I'm trying to find General CloudX."

For the captain this sounded truthful, as it would also make sense for a weapons dealer trying to take advantage of this invasion and war. So after a bit of thinking he said to Evil, "I will set you free to go on your way, but I to am looking for Cloud. When I find him, I shall ask if what you say is true, and if not you will be placed on our list. Trust me...its not a list you want to be on. one last question though, did you happen to see a huge warrior running with a little girl near here?" Evil only shook his head no in response.

The captain turned to one of his sergeants and said, "Let him sleep here the rest of the night and then him go free." Evil stood up, and both men shook each others hand, and then Evil went over to his belongings and started picking all of his weapons up. He then moved over to the fire, and laid out and fell asleep.

The next morning when the soldiers started to get up and get ready for breakfast they noticed that Evil had already left. That was fine with them, as he made them all extremely nervous. The sergeant began yelling at the soldiers to get up and moving, but he was having problems with a couple of them. In fact it was the two that had captured Evil. After a bit he walked over to them and said, "You best be jumping up or find my boot on you." Both of them sat up slowly, and they immediately became very sick, and crawled over to the bushes.

The sergeant said to them, "Ahh, you boys ate some bad berries on the trail, didn't you?" The bushes though were quiet, and so he walked around and found both elves were fast asleep again. He bent over one and said, "Come on back to the fire." Then he rolled him over and a sort of green fluid seeped out of the corner of his mouth. He was in fact dead. The sergeant in alarm jumped up and ran to the other soldier, and of course he was dead too. He turned and yelled at the others, "I told you all to be careful what you eat in this strange land. They are both dead from their foolishness."

Somewhere deep in the forest, Evil was trotting along on an ancient deer path, when he spotted a huge spider web. He then pulled out a small bag of powder and poured a little in the palm of his hand and held it near the center of the web. A huge spider came running to the center, and just as he did, Evil blew gently on the dust. The spider fell and landed at Evil's feet as if it had been knocked out. He then picked it up and lightly squeeze it until a small amount of green poison oozed out. He caught it in a small vial and corked it. It was just enough to replace what he had just used. He then kissed the spider and gently hung him back on the spider web until he came back to life and started running around again.

For another three days Evil continued to travel south, but now he stayed away from the main road, and made his way through the thick forest. On the third day though he had just finished climbing over some rocks when he seen far down below in a valley that was strewn with rocks and rock slides a single Druchii riding on a horse. He decided to follow him, and see if maybe he would lead Evil to General Cloud's army. Evil picked up speed and moved as fast as he could without disturbing the rock slides. He followed the lone soldier for one whole day and night, until it finally paid off. The soldier left the road, and turned west. After about a mile, Evil noticed several hundreds of wagon tacks cut deep into the dust of the road. Over one more crest and there below him was the the two armies of General CloudX and General Shonthy's arrayed below him. They were heading straight east, towards Saphery.

Since the army moved so slowly, Evil found a stream and cleaned himself up. He also straightened up his packs and sharpened his blades. He then found a cave in the enormous boulders, and slept with ease the first time in a while. The next morning he walked right up to the rear guard who were not even watching behind them. They were quite surprised though to see a stranger just walk past them as if they were not afraid. In fact Evilspinner was not afraid at all. He was about to get paid for a contract, so he quite happy.

After two hours of passing horsemen, and wagons Evil drew closer to the general's dark purple wagon. It was unmistakably his, with all the gold trimmings and the double floors inside. The oxen pulled it with very little labor on flat ground, but when the slightest incline came, out came the whips and you could hear the oxen bray as they struggled. Finally a guard seen Evil coming and he spun his horse around and ran back to intercept him. He yelled at Evil to stop. He questioned him, and then realized this was the assassin that the general had kept asking for the past couple of weeks. So he told Evil to follow at a distance, and then he rode up to the generals wagon and called out to him. His valet called out, "What seems to be the problem?"

The horseman only yelled out, "He is here..!!", and immediately the valet knew who he was talking about.

He disappeared inside of the wagon, and then a few minutes later the general stuck his head out of the window opening above, and yelled down, "If its really him, tell him to come on up."

The horse soldier spun his charger around and went back to Evil and let him know. When Evilspinner climbed upon the first step of the wagon he found a hand was sticking out towards him, and so he grabbed it and they pulled him inside. The valet told him to have a seat. As Evil sat down slowly, he immediately seen the magnificent golden crossbow on the wall. It gleamed brighter than anything else in the room, as the sun trickled in and out of the trees and in through the small windows. Soon the general came down the small ladder, and took his seat at the end of the enormous table.

He said to Evil, "Well I have been waiting for this day to come for a very long time, longer than many will even know. I won't waste your time sir." He then stood up and turned around behind him and removed the crossbow off of the wall. He then walked the full length of the table and handed it over to Evil. As he did this he said, "I had our weapon-smith look it over carefully, and there is a slight problem with it. Its ancient of course and it does a have a long and colorful history. Its most famous of tales is that the king of Saphery used it to shoot Maleketh's gryphon in the eye as it past over his castle. Maleketh was trying to intimidate the king, which was foolish. Even so we believe it put a crack into the gold chamber where the cocking device is located. We test fired about ten shafts, but it made a slight creaking noise. The accuracy though was perfect. In fact it was accurate up to three hundred feet and drove the shaft four inches into a tree at fifty yards. There is however only four shafts that fit it, and one of them is broken."

"At any rate it is no longer a concern of mine. You have your payment sir, and so I consider our contract has now began in earnest."

Evilspinner was listening to the general but he was fascinated with this crossbow and he immediately began to study it, just like he would any weapon he had ever used. After a bit he sat it down, and said to the general, "After this day, I no longer want to ever see you again. Our business is finished here and I will be a wanted man through out all of Ulthuan. I will try to find Nivaga, and I will need a small wagon , a horse, and some of your weapons. I will make sure you get them back, as I will have no need of them after a while."

"General Cloud was now grinning as he said, "Our scouts are reporting that his army is somewhere south of Saphery. You should be able to maybe find him there." When Evil heard him say this, he cocked his head a bit, and the general noticed it. So he said, "Don't worry we have a spy that is following his every move and we have a code already set up."

Evilspinner really did not trust their intelligence as they had been way off before. He still had no choice but to head towards Saphery's southern forest. The general agreed to loan the horse and wagon as they would just steal if from some poor farmer. The weapons he didn't like to give up, but at this point he was willing to do anything to rid his jealousy of General Nivaga.

The next morning when Evilspinner woke up, a black small wagon and a tired looking old horse was brought to him, and in the back was two small cases of swords and daggers, and one large one of axes. He climbed on and rode out immediately. He now would travel openly, and he would hope that the Ulthuan high elves would find him first. He traveled for one day and half the night until he could see the lights way up ahead of the Saphery Tower gates. The most famous being the western gates. They were enormous and magical as well. Even late at night they glowed in a sort of blue aura. As soon as Evil seen them he turned and went south on another road. He followed this for quite a while, then he started to turn towards the eastern coast, when he came across an old miser who was walking along with a cane. Evil nodded to him and said, "Old man, have you seen the great army?"

The old man stopped and smiled, half his teeth were missing, but he was able to spit out, "Aye lad, tis a biggin too."

Evil forced a smile and said, "Is it near here grandpa?"

The old man just chuckled and said, "Nay...they been gone from here three days now and heading north to blast those stinking Druchii out of Ulthuan for good. If you hurry you can join them son, and maybe kill a bunch of them buggers for me." Evil thanked him, and immediately turned the wagon around and began to whip the horse. Soon he was passing the front of Saphery again but also heading towards the Great Northern Road. He didn't care if the dark elves were going to be too late. He wasn't about to travel all that way back just to tell General Cloud they were going to miss the Army of Order. He was on his own mission, and its end result would only insure that himself and his tribe could finally get back home to the Old World. He reached under the buckboard seat and felt it reassuringly in its protective canvas cover. He was thinking, 'A cross bow for a ship.' Someone would want that he was sure.

North of Saphery on the very shores of the eastern sea board was a small fishing village that was known for their great sea bass, and every year they would have a festival. People would come from all around and enjoy the big fish cookout. Sadly though it had not been held since the invasion, but there was still many ships that sailed in and out of its small harbor as they unloaded their fish, lobsters, and crabs. The village was small, but it did have besides the fisheries, a small city hall, a medical clinic, and a small church. The minister in fact also was a fisherman as well. He had a lot to discuss every Sunday morning, as sailors had their many vices to deal with.

On this very Sunday, the preacher had been reading about the great Sacrementus that had been held in Saphery, and he had so badly wanted to go, but could only imagine what it might have been like. So he decided to try and describe it to the few of his flock. In the very pinnacle of his sermon he pointed up to his rafters in the church and started to say, "It was up on high that the words came down upon them." But he was only able to get out a couple of words, when it looked as though he was having a stroke. His arm still was outstretched and he was still pointing at the rafters, but all that came out was, "But....but.....but....!!" Soon the congregation began to wonder what was wrong with him, and one of the ladies in the front turned and looked up in the rafters. She let out a piercing shreak of a scream and fell back and fainted in between the pews.

Now the others jumped up and ran to her aid, but some just stood dumb struck as they looked up and seen the hanging body of the mayor. He was dead, and a rope was around his neck. His arms were outstretched and tied to a cross beam. He was still in what used to be his white robes, but now they were covered in deep dark red. Everyone ran outside, and the women still kept crying as they were extremely upset. The fishermen still just stood there with very grim looks on their faces. Finally the preacher came outside and tried to comfort them the best he could. He told a couple of them to try and catch the army that had passed through the day before through the forest on thir way north to the mountains. That was the only authority around here except for in Saphery and that was a couple of days ride. Two young boys jumped on their father's horses and tore off as fast as they could go. After a day had gone by and it was now Monday afternoon, the boys returned. They never found the army, and even though they were on their tracks they were just too far off.

In the mean time though they had taken the body down and buried the mayor who was very young, but still single. He had no family, but everyone there treated him like he was their own. As they prepared his body for burial, they noticed that he had a lot of blood coming from his nose. Of course they had never seen anything like it and eventually would have to report it to Saphery very soon. Who would want to murder such a nice young man, they were all horrified.

Chapter Eight: Steep Plans

A strange bird was flying high above the foothills of the Annulii Mountains that stretched out east and west as far as the eye could see. It was hungry and instead of flying in a straight line as fast as it could go, it began to flounder. It circled high above and then decided to swoop down to find possibly a hare for a meal. Just as the enormous bird spied out its prey, a feathered shaft suddenly struck it in the belly. Immediately it began to fall and tumble, and by the time it hit the ground the arrow had done its deed and the bird hit the earth dead.

A few moments later a hunter and his young son came walking up to the bird. They were quite stunned to find that it was a huge vulture. It stank of rotting flesh, but attached to one of its legs was a messenger pouch. The hunter opened it and found several messages in a foreign language. He stuffed them in his own back pack, and they headed for the open road. These looked to be very important and he knew right where to take them.

The next day General Nivaga paced nervously back and forth inside his war wagon. His army of five thousand was lying hidden with in the last northern most tree line of the Northern Saphery Forest. He was trying to work out how he was going to get his army up and over the cruel Annulii Mountains that now loomed ahead towards the north. He would walk over and look at the one strange wagon that all their hopes depended on for this great climb. The dwarves of Barak Varr had swore that it would work, and he had no choice but to trust them and their engineering genius. Its huge wheel that laid on its side, was so wide that they had hit trees and rocks with it, and it had slowed their travel progress. Soon though it would be put to good use.

Just as he was contemplating this, a soldier ran up to him and said, "Sir, a hunter has arrived with news." General Nivaga turned and headed to the center of their wagon camp where several officers surrounded the hunter and his son. A captain was looking at papers that the hunter had handed him. He looked up, and all the color in his face drained to white.

"Sir, its Maleketh. They have landed ten thousand at the eastern shore, and are scouting the northern shore line...!!" When he said this a gasp went out amongst all the officers and several of the soldiers. The look on General Nivaga's face was stern and he began to frown. When handed the small messages at first he didn't even look at them, but walked up to each officer and stared at them eye to eye. It was as if he was telling them to be an officer first for their country. He did not need to say one word. They felt it, and it made them gain courage, even with the knowledge that almost eight thousand of General CloudX's Druchii and General Shonthy's Greenskins where approaching them from the south, and now another new army of ten thousand was either to the east of them or even worse, they might be north of them. This could be a catastrophe in the making, but it only made General Nivaga more determined than ever.

He slowly turned and looked up at the snow covered Annulii's. They might be their only hope now. He turned and walked back to his wagon, going very slow, as he read the communique. It was from the commander of the Druchii army that had just landed. He read the words over and over again looking for a hidden meaning or hint of information that might give his smaller forces an edge.

To: General CloudX
Will rendezvous on full moon and low tide. 19 devices sending south, 2 north. Replenishing supplies. Resting troops. Request special to report immediately
upon arrival. Will achieve point D in three days. Point A in six days. Will
equalize supplies at point E.
Adm. Egar Morditts Krad

He deduced that the 'devices' were ships that was easy enough, and Dark Elf ships were known to hold approximately five hundred troops, so it confirmed what he feared the most...to be outnumbered. South could mean a major attack on Saphery or even further south to Lothern. What the points were he could not possibly know, but the one that worried him the most was point 'E'. For now though he would have to do all he could to move his army up into the mountains in order to survive. The next morning he called all his officers together and gave them their new orders. Climb the Annulii's, and just hope the mountains will protect them from an onslaught.

Soon they started up the foothills with the 'wheel wagon' pulled by six of their strongest oxen. It was followed by another wagon that was ladened with all the rope and pulled by two more oxen. That night they reached the first peak, and worked through the night securing the great wheel to the enormous boulders that were at the top. The rope was threaded around the wheel and one ox was harnessed to it and started back down the mountain in the early morning hours. Once at the bottom the soldiers attached the rope to the first heavily ladened wagon full of weapons and pulled by six oxen. A flash fire was lit and then put out giving the troops at the top of the mountain the signal to send down the other six oxen that was harnessed to the opposite end of the rope. This is how they pulled all the supplies and cannons up into the mountains using the enormous pulley devised by the dwarves of the Old World.

It took a whole day of extremely heavy work to get all the wagons, cannons, and supplies to the top of the mountain. The soldiers were exhausted, but they knew that their enemies were now drawing closer, and the possibility of a great battle was at hand. They pushed hard and struggled, but they felt much more confident now that the great wheel had worked as planned. They spread out around the mountain and positioned the cannons in an array that would cover the whole forest and foothills below. On the northern side of the mountain they pitched their tents and coraled the oxen. General Nivaga sent out scouts in all four directions, but the northern scouts he send extra troops, as the terrain would get worse.

Two Sapherian guards sat on one of the highest north west walls that circled much of Saphery. They sat back to back facing two different directions as they talked to each other. "Oh I believe the Brights will reject any new offer, but eventually they have to give in and let others see it."
The other guard replied, "You know what I think?"

"No, but I'm sure you will tell me anyways." Then he chuckled. Oddly the other guard did not reply after a long silence. "I'm sorry, go ahead. Tell me." Then more silence, and so he turned around and to his shock watched as his friend now lay sprawled out on the ground grasping with both hands around his neck where a black arrow shaft now stuck out of his throat by several inches. A look of horror was on the struggling guard's face and he died. Immediately the other guard reached to grab the clapper and ring the warning bell of attack when he too was hit twice by two more arrows and fell dead.

If he had lived he would have seen a whole army appear below out of the forest. A full all out attack was upon Saphery, a city with no standing army. The Saphery gate guards were great fighters and their position as paladins had been awarded to them from past heroism with in the realm. Many were widely known for great feats of knighthood and a fitting design to protect the great city of Saphery. They put up a ferocious fight even though they had been surprised by the early morning attack. Soon a few bells did ring out in alarm, but were soon silenced as well. Even so the screams now began as the gate guards were finally overwhelmed by huge numbers of General CloudX's army coming in from the main west gates and the horrid black orcs of General Shonthy's from the south.

As soon as General Shonthy realized there was no army to defeat, he began to scream at his black orcs, "Kill dem all, burn it all, take it all..!!"

When the dark elves heard this they reported it immediately to General CloudX , and he screamed in anger, "Those ignorant fools...!!" He quickly sent runners to General Shonthy to not touch the palace and its inhabitants.

Some of the orcs had penetrated the palace gates, but Druchii warriors yelled at them and threatened to kill them if they did not come back out. Finally a black orc war boss came running up and yelled at the orcs, "Come...gold..!!" They all tore off running after him to get their share. Now that the orcs were gone, the Druchii slowly made their way into the first opening courtyards and also through the gardens that surrounded the beautiful blue towers of the Saphery queen's palace. They moved with speed and stealth until they came to the palace doors which they of course found securely locked.

A great hissing noise could be heard, and the warriors standing at the doors looked up just as hundreds of gallons of burning hot oil poured all over them. It was a horrifying death as they screamed in agony as their skin melted while they died where they stood. Some where injured just from the splash alone and ran to find relief. Another wave of Druchii came up to the doors though and they had what is called a live ram. The creature was called a Rhinox and was bred from rhinos and oxen and elephants, and they were enormous in size. Two of them hit the palace doors even as more oil hit them from above. The doors exploded in a rain of wood and splinters as the two creatures died immediately as the oil overwhelmed them. Their deep bellows were drowned by the din of the battle as it roared onward all through the city.

Saphery fell with in an hour, even though the palace guards fought with much bravery and fierceness. The halls now outside the boudoir of the queen was drenched in blood and bodies, yet no Druchii had entered yet. They stopped as ordered by the general and awaited his arrival. Soon both generals came up the grand stairway and were in a heated debate over who gets what for the spoils of war. Finally General CloudX pulled a dagger and held it to General Shonthy's throat, and screamed at him, "Enough..!! This palace is mine and the city is yours..!!"

Shonthy just grinned and said, "Finally." He turned and practically ran back down the stairs as happy as a little boy with a new toy. Under his breath though he whispered, "Delf dung", but a huge grin appeared on his huge jowl. The city was his, and they were going to pay for his aggravation. Moments later was when the great fires started with in the streets of the city. The black orcs now knew they could do what ever they liked, and no elf was safe. They roamed in gangs and set fires after they stole what ever they could find. They piled everything up in huge mounds in the middle of the streets, while screams of murder and pain could be heard from the high elves. Some they tortured out of meanness, others they toyed with and threatened. Some where just out right killed in front of their families.

While cries of Saphery's death were ringing in the air and rose high to the queen's tower, she absorbed it as she stood at her balcony and awaited the final deaths of her guards outside her door. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small key and attached it to a special dove, and released him to the the open morning sky. She looked down and could see her people being dragged out into the streets and murdered as they were only citizens with no weapons or ill will to no one. Her anger coated her decision, just as the door was broke open and Druchii warriors drove into her rooms. She stood there as the General CloudX stepped forward to address her. He said, "Well my lady we meet at last and I would like to...", but before he could finish she leaned her frail body over the balcony and went head first to her death.

The general was shook up and immediately ran to the balcony and looked over as he cursed several times. Finally he said to one of his commanders who stood near by, "Prepare to leave the city, we are going to be in trouble now."

"I don't understand sir, why are we in trouble? The city is ours."

General CloudX shook his head as if he was in disbelief, but he said, "The queen was going to be my bargaining chip with the Bright Wizards. Even as we speak I know they are destroying the foolish black orcs. I can't believe Shonthy is so stupid to let them burn the city. BURN THE CITY....!! FOOLS..!! The Brights live on fire..!!

The commander immediately began barking out orders to runners who continue to run in and out of the palace to the field commanders that was all over the city. Evacuate the city..!!

It was true though, as the black orcs tortured and killed they came to the towers of the arcane wizards known as the Brights. There were no gates here, none were needed. The power inside was now heaving, and breathing as if it was a live. The Brights were in a frenzy of horror and they stood in clumps on every floor of their tower and began to bend the power of the menhir stone into their thoughts and minds. Anger and overwhelming power was now to be unleashed, and it gave them the ability to take the existing flames of the city and wield it as a weapon of destruction.

A curious thing began to happen as the small buildings that were on fire began to pulse. Then the flames started shooting out into the streets and engulfing the black orcs as they hovered over the great piles of gold and wealth of their greed. The fire grew, and it would join together into great walls of flame that went running up the streets. The orcs screamed with pain as many were burned alive as they ran. Others tried to hide, but the flames searched them out and once they were found, burned alive. The stench of burned flesh rolled through the city, and many were sickened by it and left the great city in order to breath. The last of the Druchii had left the palace towers, just as the flames reached its outer borders. Small tornadoes of fire now circled around and through the city killing any enemy as they could.

Most of the Sapherians that did survive left by running out the southern gate, or on small ships out of the port to escape. The once beautiful city was now in flames and the only towers untouched were the Brights' Tower of the Arcane and the palace. Other towers were burned black, even the Tower of the Hospice, but inside another war was being waged. The Shadows healer Alto was in a death struggle of healing burnt victims as his new found mate continued to fight off the few orcs that had made it to the top floors. Sans Tristin of the Steel Slice continued to stab and jump relentlessly as she fought just outside the doorway of the last ward. She spoke constantly in a stream of elvish words as in a hopeful plea for someone...anyone to help them.

Alto's once white robes were now covered in a mire of blood and black soot. He chanted, he cursed, and he laid his hands upon open wounds, and burned flesh. He swore at times, and vowed revenge, but continued to heal all he could. It was then that he heard Tristin's cry of anguish as two orcs were trying to over power her, it was then that one of them stabbed her through her hauberk and leathers. Bleeding out terribly fast, she used the last of her strength to kill both of them in a swirling frenzy of blades and screams. The sudden burst of energy shocked and overwhelmed them and they both took a step back. That was their undoing, because Tristin used the opportunity to fatally stab one then the other, until they both died at her feet. She then had nothing left and fell against the wall, slumped down, and collapsed into a heap.

Somehow Alto knew this, or felt this as he had developed a love for the wild red headed warrior. He swore again, and he began to call for black magics and twisted arcanes that should never be used by a healer, but Alto had been schooled in the black as well as the white arts. From across the room a mist began to glow, and Alto's words of incantation rolled off of his lips while he continued to heal the dying. This mist seem to glow now and to pulsate, but it was causing the patients great distress, while many heaved up their stomachs. A charge of blue and white magic came sparking through the room and hit the mist causing it to swirl and grow. It started to menacingly come towards Alto, but he yelled at it, and it seem to be confused and hovered. Alto then cursed at it and directed it towards Tristin just as her last breath left her lips.

A great gasp left her just then as she died, but now she became encased inside of the black arcane mist. Alto had known it was wrong to dredge it from the gates of hell itself, to selfishly save the woman of his heart. If he had let her die, then something inside of him would have died as well, such is the way of love. She continued to breath somehow, and yet she was dead.

Deep in the northern Sapherian forest the Shadows had revisited their secretive refugee camp that had been their home now for almost a year after the destruction of their homeland known as the Shadowlands. They had put out the call weeks before to assemble, and now that the battle for all of Ulthuan was at hand, they took this time to enjoy each others long awaited reunion. Everyone was there except for Alto and Tris, who should have arrived that day from Saphery. It was noticeable and all the Shadows kept walking by his old tree tent, just to check.

In the morning was plans to begin a northern march to vanguard Nivaga's army. So they used this time to enjoy each other's company, and to make plans for the future. With them was the seer Sethriel, and also the strange Chosen warrior from the old world known as Battlebones. He now sat near the pen of horses and kept an eye on them as if he was afraid they would run off or attack someone. Every once in a while he would pull out his blade and point it menacingly at one of the horses that seem to be staring at him the wrong way. Soon a warrior named Concuzzion walked up to him and said, "No need to worry my strange friend, they will not harm you or us." Battlebones just groaned a little from deep within side of his darkened helm.

Prince Trinion was walking alone through the Shadows camp, and he moved slowly from camp fire to camp fire. He had rid himself of his ceremonial armor and had instead replaced it with armor from a small dwarf that had been modified to fit him, and yet gave him a lot of protection. He loved the Shadows as they had become like a replacement for his own family, He always played a small game of saying under his breath all of their names, and trying not to forget a single one. So it was now that he was most happy to see them all together again. Even though the war laid heavily on their hearts, they still treated this as one last merry party before the inevitable.

As he circled the biggest fire he whispered a chant:

Captain Jonn of the meanest ship,
Krankin left it in its slip;
Gwyllion wields the Elfbones,
Slandar a forest ghost with no home.

Mindblades a killer with a bad back,
Concuzzion bangs their heads with a hard crack;
Villainous dies to gain the edge,
Moongit stands every night on his ledge.

What of Sofa, Stoney, Yain and Elle?
Killing the enemy, sending them to hell;
Kaviti, Purepain, and Zebor in the mist,
Sharpening blades, tightening their fists.

Now I see Blud, Kahz, and Sandman,
All three have become night time assassins;
Who now walks the forest free?
Sinor, Sneaks, and Dy-an-nii.

Standing guard at the camp's edge,
Their true mission still hidden,
The notorious Steel Slice of lady killers,
Tristin, Tika, Vallesa, and Riven;

The prince suddenly stopped his chant as he realized Tristin and the healer Alto were still missing. He looked around, as if he thought they might appear, then he thought of his mother just at that very same moment. A frown came across Prince Trinion's small face as he now knew something was not right, and a horrible feeling washed over him. At this same moment, a lone rider came into the camp and dismounted quickly. The prince watched him as he ran quickly to Captain Jonn's camp site close by. So he moved closer to find out what was the news.

"Let me see it son," Jonn was in a good mood, but it did not last long as he read the small wadded up message.

'Vanguard reports Druchii host ten miles and closing to Shadows encampment. 2 regiments with light and heavy artillery, and one division of calvary.'

Captain Jonn standing by the fire looked down at Slandar and said, "Well my friend, the time is now. Draw your great horn and call the last of our brothers and sisters to attention. We are going to have to move quickly to survive." Slandar stood and drew his horn, as he did so several Shadows caught this out of the corner of their eye. He blew a tremendous blast, but most of the Shadows had already jumped to their feet and was pulling blades. Three loud reports from the horn, and now they started to gather close together near Captain Jonn.

"I'm afraid our party is over. Maleketh's force is but ten miles and closing onto our location. Get ready to move in fifteen minutes. Leave nothing behind, destroy all food and weapons that you can't carry. We head for the Annulii Mountains as our only chance to escape. Winter packs only. We will head north west towards the caves and try to draw them further away from Nivaga's army that is going north east."

At this time Dyanii quickly came up to Fyrewyzrd and said, "Your boy is trying to kill one of our horses." He then pointed off towards the coral where all of their horses were being stabled. Fyre, Gwyllion, and Krankin hurried to see what was wrong. When they got to the stables at first all they could make out was a cloud of dust amongst much grunting and groaning. A terrible fight was going on, and so they rushed in to break it up. They found Battlebones was on the ground with his enormous arms wrapped around a horse's neck and trying to choke him. The horse's eyes were wide with terror as it kicked and rolled fighting to get away from the crazy warrior. As soon as they were separated the horse took off and jumped the fence never to be seen again.

Gwyllion sharply said, "What be wrong with you Chosen? These horses are from the Ellyrion herds, and are the greatest steeds to be found anywhere. Why do you fight them..?"

The great Chosen slowly got up to his feet, but continued to stare in the direction of where the horse ran off to. He was covered in dirt and dust, his hand was bleeding from a bite. After a bit he finally spoke for the first time, "Me think he going to kill me in my sleep. I rid you of him. No gold needed." Fyre just rolled his eyes and walked off. Krankin however strode up to Battlebones and got into his face until they were nose to nose.

"No touch another horse."

"Tell horse stay out of nightmares."

They both continued to glare at each other until Battlebones finally backed down and went to prepare his battle pack. Gwyllion tugged at Krankin until he turned and followed him back to their camp site. "Come on and lets get going. We will have more than enough fighting to do soon."

It was not long until all the Shadows had began to move out in the early morning mist. A hundred souls moved silently through the dark forest, and the great woods was very silent as well. Their minds were now bent upon the task ahead, and they never looked at the great odds that were stacked against them. When they left the safety of the forest behind, and began the long hard journey up into the foothills and eventually into the mountains, they did not talk much. Their determination was now to survive, and then to eventually attack the enemy when they were ready.

Prince Trinion too was bent over toiling with a heavy pack but he also was agonizing over something that just kept bothering him from the night before. Finally he moved closer to Gwyllion as they climbed rocks and moved around huge boulders. Gwyllion looked down at the expression on the prince's face and said, "Aye, what troubles you sire?"

The prince said immediately, "I feel something has happened to my mother or possibly ser Alto. I'm just not sure. I can't seem to shake it though."

Gwyllion reached over and patted the prince on the shoulder and said, "Yes, you are not the only one. I'm afraid something has happened too, but I'm no seer. We must push on though, and hope for the best." Hearing this the prince grit his teeth and steeled his resolve to continue up into the great mountains. Something lay up there as well he knew, but he would worry about that until it came.

After a very hard day and night of climbing the rough mountains, the Shadows drew near to the famous Dragonscale Caverns. They set the night guard and many collapsed from shear exhaustion from the twenty four hour nonstop climb. Sometime around five bells the next morning a distant scream could be heard from the abyss below their encampment. The outer perimeter guards had shot their first Druchii scout from General CloudX's advancing army.

Elipsis had scouted the rough landscape near the tree that held the sleeping body of the little princess Victania Lyrianna. When she was positive that they were safe she took the time to search for berries and a couple of tubers. She still had jerky left in her pouch, and enough grains of corn to last them a couple of days. She decided to head west and skirt in and out of the Northern Saphery Forest that was at the base of the Annulii Mountain range. She thought the further inland she went the harder it would be for the Druchii sailors to find them. She climbed the tree and woke up the princess and ask her to eat, then to get ready to move again. feeling stronger now, the little girl ate greedily and drank her fill.

They left the tree and an hour later they started on their journey again. Elipsis knew of only one way to get to Lyrianna's Repose to receive her reward, and that was to go over the mountains. So once further west and when she knew they were no longer followed she turned north and started up into the foothills. As they did this Victania said, "Oh I know where we are now. I know a path that will get us through to home."

Elipsis was shocked, and so stopped in her tracks. She turned and looked back at the small girl and said, "You do..? Really?"

"Yes, it is a secret but holy place of course, and it was where my coronation was held a year ago by my grandparents. I also use to play there with my parents before they were lost to the war." She said this with an ever growing distress in her voice, and Elipsis caught it immediately. As the girl began to weep, Elipsis could only glance at her, and felt helpless to console the young girl. Her steel hard demeanor had left Elipsis a social cripple, and shied away from people most of her life. No man seemed right for her, and her love of the forest sealed her fate as a lone wolf.

Night time was growing on their path upward and by the eery light of a huge moon they found the small winding path that Victania spoke of. Elipsis found a small nook and the two crawled into it and fell asleep immediately. At about three in the morning a small hand slipped over Elipsis' mouth and she immediately set up. Victania put her index finger on her mouth and Elipsis realized that someone was near and to be very quiet. She slowly pulled her hunting knife out and creeped extremely slow until she could see around the closest boulder. An enormous axe slammed into the rock and made a loud clang just above her helm. Elipsis rolled to one side just as another axe slammed into the granite underneath her just missing her chest. She continued to roll away and was now rolling downward. Two huge black silhouetted figures grunted as they tried to kill her amongst the moon lit rocks and boulders.

Elipsis jumped now and ran as fast as she could around each boulder and bush she could find. Jumping like a cat and running like a deer she evaded her two pursuers. She continued drawing them further away from the princess who was now trying to hide under a small rock crevice. Then Elipsis turned and surprised the first attacker and struck him in the neck cutting his huge jugular vein. He grabbed his neck, and the look of disbelief died on his face as he died as well. They were Chosen warriors brought from the Old World to fight in Maleketh's war, and both were heavily armored. The high mountain atmosphere made it extremely hard for them to exert themselves in battle.

The second one dove on top of Elipsis and she wiggled free. She rolled and flipped backwards landing on his back. She flipped his helm forward exposing his ears. Then she wrapped one arm around his head to hold it in place and quickly drove the thin stiletto blade into his ear, penetrating his brain. He fell forward as he died, and this threw Elipsis forward and she slammed into a rock knocking her unconscious.

When she came to, she found she was back in the small nook, and her head was pounding from pain, but cuddled in Victania's small lap. She raised up on one elbow and said, "How long have I been out?"

"About an hour. There are others around though, and its as if they are searching for us." The princess was slowly stroking Elipsis' forehead with a small cloth.

"Yes, we need to get going. Does this path lead to any thing?"

"Yes, it goes to a small pool at the base of a waterfall. Behind the falls is a small cave but I'm sworn to hide from you how to enter past that. Very sorry."

So the two of them were bent over and slowly made their way up the winding ancient path that at times even disappeared, but then later reappeared again. Elipsis with her great elven eyesight could see her foes moving clumsily around below as if searching for them. They continued to distance themselves and by morning was way up the mountain and near its summit. It was then that the path went around a huge boulder and into a narrow gap in the rocks. Once through then Elipsis found themselves standing at the edge of a cold mountain pool and a noisy waterfall. They made their way around the edge until they passed behind the waterfall. Victania was now pointing at a small dark opening towards the back of the rocks behind the falls. As they drew closer Elipsis could now see the small cave opening.

The small girl got down on her knees and crawled through the hole, and Elipsis followed right behind her. Inside it was dark but warm. there was signs of a small cooking fire and many small animal bones laid around. Above them was a small hole that came out near the stream above. So Elipsis made a fire and the smoke traveled up and out of the cave. It then mixed with the mist rising from the waterfall and hid its existence. They both worked on making the first warm meal that either had ate in several weeks. For the first time Elipsis noticed the princess smiled slightly. Afterwards they both laid down to get some much needed sleep. However after Elipsis was sound asleep, Victania opened her eyes and waited till she was sure Elipsis was asleep.

She then crawled over to the corner and slowly began sweeping the dirt floor until a small trap door appeared. She lifted the ancient wooden door and dropped one leg down inside. She then suddenly stomped a small wooden lever. Then she pulled out her leg and shut the door. She covered it again with the dirt, but as she was doing this she could hear water pouring in below. As time went on it became louder, and the roaring woke Elipsis up, and she said, "What is going on here? What is that noise?" Then suddenly an enormous boulder at the back of the cave began to rise. It grumbled and groan, but slowly it rose about four feet and stopped. Victania said, "Come on quickly as it will start to lower soon on its own."

So Elipsis and Victania grabbed their few possessions and kicked out the fire. They bent over and went into the opening under the enormous stone. Just as they got through they could hear water pouring again but in a different area this time and the stone started back down. Soon it was right back in place and the two of them sat alone in the dark. They were now inside of the royal families' highest guarded secret, the under mountain paths that connects all the caverns of the Annulii mountains together with the palace of Lyrianna's Repose..!!

Coming soon...Chapter Nine..!!