To Deal with the Devil

"Please drink, it will keep you warm." The gypsy produced 6 steaming mugs seemingly from nowhere. "I would hate for my guests to be chilled." His comment was ironic for it dripped with ice.

Dante exploded with anger, "Tell me how you escaped Veritas." To which the gypsy laughed. A laugh that was haunting complimented by a scream from a far tower. Someone there was dieing. He said, "I'll tell you. I'll tell you when the one Tatyana called Arora is with me forever." Bella did not react she could not react.

"You are the embodiment of evil, we'll never help you."

"I may have escaped your prison but you will not escape mine. Drink?"

Dante throws the mugs down and draws his blades, "I will stop you Veritas." Then something strange happenned. Dante tried to cover his ears with his shoulders as if hiding from some unseen sound. Bella's hearing was more sensitive than his she was sure but she heard nothing. Morgan spoke up next Dante seemingly frozen, "What if we go and find her for you? Will you let us go?"

The gypsy sniffed and smiled, "If you want to go looking for her then I will allow it. Though I will demand some trade. Morgan and Bella will stay with me the rest of you could go. Please try some." The mugs suddenly reappeared on the table.


Tatyana had said this man was her creator. She wondered what game he was playing, she was part entranced and part horrified. Morgan broke in again, "If I stay, you let the rest of them go?"

Greyson burst in, "No, I don't know everything that is going on here but there has got to be another way. We're leaving we are all leaving."

"No," She said calmly, "I'm staying. Let my friends go and I'm yours." Her tone was calm and tempered. Only the slightest strain on her lip indicated she did not want to stay with him. Though her heart rate expressed genuine fear. Bella was impressed how smooth even her breathing was. What had that women seen that allowed her to be so calm when everyone else was so...not?

The gypsy with a voice that sounded like wind scraping across dried leaves, "Agreed."

"NO!!!!" Greyson reaches for Morgan but only grabs fog. With an audible pop, the group was back in Atlanta.

"Morgan?" Greyson called out. She was nowhere. "Morgan?" He called again. The whole group panned around. They were in an office with no sign of Morgan. The office held several banners of a golden dragon and a flying island. A full bookshelf and an ornate oak desk and a holy symbol of some type in a corner. No Morgan though. "I'm going back." There was an audible pop and suddenly there was no MOrgan and there was no Greyson.

---

Greyson stood staring into space. Ahead of him several hundred yards was the ruined fortress that was holding Morgan. Why was everyone so nervous? They faced him before. Why would Morgan give herself up? She can not be good. Her heart may have good intentions but it she was corrupted by the dark side. Greyson was sure of it. Yet she was a companion and he would not let fear turn him from saving someone who needed it. He took a step forward then stopped. If we could not take him together I'll just die going in there. There was bravery then there was stupidity. They needed more men. Greyson went back to Galan's office to find the extra help.

What lies beneath

Greyson ignites his blades and slams them into the earth beneath him. The rock and marble split and melted around the blade. He made a quick circular motion completely severing the ground beneath him from the surrounding floor. A quick tumble lands him to his feet and he sees a beautiful young woman with metal chains lay shredded at her feer. "Bella?" Was all he could say for his surprise. She simply nodded just as surprised it would seem.

This could not be real, people were seeing thing, so he extended his senses to detect life. There was no life in the room but him. Her pool was different not unlike Master Jeric's. Greyson offered his hand, "Lets go." She took his hand and with an audible pop they stood by there companions.
------

Vadyella could feel her heart pounding. It thumped in her chest threatening to break out of her body. Gripping her chest she scanned the room. The ghosts did not seem to notice them. At least some of them. There was a little boy in the corner who would not take his eyes off of her. His pale eyes and bloated lips added to the uneasiness of his gaze. There was a solider standing watch over the people. He had a symbol on his breast plate of a gentle hand holding a limp rose. It seemed familar and she thought it was important.

Suddenly Greyson starts cutting through the floor. He no sooner falls to the story below as a gut wrenching scream pierced the air and raced through the hollow caverns of the castle. The scream turned her attention back to the ghosts and the little boy had run off. She was glad his gaze was no longer there but she did not think it was for the best. There was a shaking to the ground, like an etire calvary was charging past her. Then they did charge. From all the oppenings to the small room they were in begin to fill then flow with ghosts. Souls of angry forgotten men women and children. Angry at what? At US! Vadellya reacted quickly placing a wall of magical energy between the group and the charging undead.

They collided against it as a charging seenchan rhino hitting the walls of Jong. That did not calm them. The opposit was accomplished. They began to scream and wail flailing around. They reached a fit like her son Gierson did when he did not receive what he wanted but with 1000 times more violence. The little boy who seemed to match Gierson's age stood calm admist the wailing and weeping spirits. Then he screamed. It was a shreak of unbriddled anger and rage. The very walls shook with the force of it. As she stepped back eyes wide and heart racing she felt for the wall behind her. SHe did not know what to do next. Thoughts ran from her mind as she tried to remember spells. She could only thank Zues the magic held.

Greyson appeared next to her with a audible pop which echoed and announced his presence. Morgan said to him, "We have company about 3 dozen ghosts unhappy about us being here." She must have case true seeing as well. Should not surprise Vadyella Morgan was always very resourceful and quick. Though she was not as powerful or polished a mage as Vadyella she was much often faster and more capable of the quick high pressure decisions. Perhaps that came from years in the gladiator ring. Vadyella shook her head, this was no time to mentally compare mage techniques.

"Lets get out of here we'll regroup." Unwilling to take her eyes off the charging crowd now beating themselves against the invisible wall of magic, with the exception of the boy who just stood there calm as day. Those pale eyes looking at her, maybe past her. It was the scariest of all. She had no doubt the others would try to shred them limb from limb in their crazied fit upset that their rest was disturbed, this little boy would plan her death. How could a young soul loose all its innocence even in death. Those eyes were not innocent. Someone touched her arm, "We have to go." Dante's voice broke what she could only compare to a trance. "Grab hands were teleporting out of here."

Familar with the routine, the group linked hands, and there was someone new in the group a women of almost unnatural attractiveness. "Who is...? " Greyson cut her off, "She was captive here I saved her she's coming with us." Vadyella nodded and finished her spell.

Nothing happenned.

"We're trapped my magic can't penetrate the castle."

"Then lets run we can teleport from the forest." Dante said ordering the retreat.
They all made a dash for the crumbled archway that was once the great door to what must have been a grand castle. Inches from freedom they flew back as large metal doors slammed shut the dull thud of metal announcing they were trapped. "Those doors weren't there when we came in." Dante stated the obvious.

Greyson wasted no time driving his light swords into the door. Closing his eyes he smoothly cut through the door. Vadyella looked back over her shoulder. All the ghosts were gone except the boy. "They've left they might be coming around." She called out just as man sized hole fell from the large door. Snow and chilling winds rushed in through the hole. These mountains don't have snow.

"Through-- EVERYONE OUT!!" Dante ordered. The group obeyed no one eager to remain. "Now, Vadyella, Isle." Vadeylla ignored the blizzard around her and began to cast. Just before she finished Dante slipped on something. His fall jostled the object buried in the snow and caused it to overturn. There lieing in the snow was Dante. Dante jumped up and looked down at the frozen ice block that was him. "Ummm, iahsk,, ahjkf" Words did not come. Instead of words there was wind. The gust of wind scattered teh dusty flakes of snow then there was silence.

No more than a few feet from each of them, frozen copies of themselves lay now uncovered from the snow. Vadyella saw herself, blue lips cracked eyes shrivelled black fingers and realized what was going to happen. She could not get them out of here, they were going to die and be frozen. It was mesmorizing and devestating to see ones own mortality before them.

frozen

How would Geirson fend for himself in the world?

death

Did Tassadar have teh chance to see his own death before it happened? Did he know what it would look like?

She thanked Zues, as a moment later she was inside a building unable to see her dead refelction.

------

Morgan looked out the window, "We are secure for now. But magic doesn't seem to be the controlling force here. I don't know how long we'll hold against those skeletons, somethign is backing them. This is no normal haunted castle."
Morgan cursed under her breath for the necessity of explaining such things. lady mogath was suppose to be her superior in the ways of magic but she could not think fast enough on her feet. That was the difference between class room training and real world experience.

Morgan tried to teleport them out. Her brain strained against multiple levels of defense that tried to hold them. Like squeezing free of her old masters grip, freedom seemed just beyond her maximum reach. He mind confused and exhausted she stumbled. The pounding on teh door did not help. She was trapped again, prisoner. She would not be captive not again. NEVER AGAIN!! She threw a fireball at the door and kept throwing them and souless skeletons tried to crawl in. Come you damned, come get the Bloodwitch.

The skeletons were all dust and ash. Then Morgan saw something worse. A small unassuming man was bent over prodding the fire. treadbare cloak covering his dirty body and cowl covering his face. She swallowed hard trying to keep her heart and her screams down in her chest.

----

Dante witnessed the wraith of the militant mage and tried desperately to think. Alan was not powerful enough to do all of this. Maybe working with someone.

Dante's knuckles were white and began to ache from holding his swords so tight. He loosened his grip. If those Skeletons got past Morgan's ranged attack he would have to fight them by hand and give the mages enough time to figure a way out of here.

He jumped back as suddenly another man was in the secure hut. The fireplace lit warming the chill from all present. He recognized the man prodding the fire. There was no greater evil short of the Dark One himself. Reality itself bent to this man's twisted will, if you could call him a man. It was the crisis this man brought about in TradeCity that brought Dante and his companions together merely weeks ago when they had all thought he was defeated forever. "Veritas" The name hung in the air like the chill of a winter day that brought with it only death.

On a Haunted Hill

Dante's blood boiled. His daze was broken by the pain in his lower lip, he must have been biting it. General Galan had just told them the last reported location of Alan. If it was possible to catch Alan by surprise that would change everything. Suddenly he would not be guessing and hoping from one foot to the other he could strike and end this on his terms. General Galan continued, "Lucian and I must stay behind. We have matters to deal with here. Captain take your team including Morgan and Lady Mogath, if she'll go, and investigate. Its on the wall of the world. This has the exact location." Dante took the parchment from General Galan's hand with a ferious snatch. "Yes sir."

A quick trip to the Isle to talk to Vadellya and back to gather Morgan and Greyson and a quick casting of Vadellya's magic and they all stood on the mountain side looking up at a crumbling ruin of a castle. In fact, Dante found it hard to picture where the castle ended and the moutnain began. He thought if someone was not paying any attention they may pass by barely noticing a castle was even here. Trees and shrubs grew over space where must have been walls and battlements.


It was all uneasy. Dante wasn't sure why his instincts told him there was trouble but he extended his dragon sense. He looked for life any sign of someones breathing of scent. nothing. Only the smell of death. "It appears empty, lets stick together and find any clues of where Alan maybe. Stay sharp he could be anywhere." Dante shook off the stange haunting feeling in his gut, sure Alan had bested him before but he could not afford to get nervous. Now he was the aggressor.

----

Morgan did not like this place. Something about it seemed familar. She did not know how. She certainly had never been here before. No one had for a very long time, at least by the look of it. No one but rats anyway she thought as she kicked a rock at a resting rat up ahead in the path. It scurried off less startled but seeming more annoyed. Morgan gripped her hand tight bracing for some unseen impact. The stones all around her were worn down, crumbled. Looking down to the rock she kicked she saw a smooth surface. Below the dust rested hidden marble. She tried to take in every detail so she could remember why this was...someone ran past her.

Morgan spun around but saw nothing. Was that a child? What is a child doing here? It could not have been. She was letting her feelings get the best of her. No kid, no one, not even footprints. But she knew what she saw. Then there was a voice so soft she realized it had been speaking since they arrived but she had not heard it. Raspy and short only he elf ears allowed her to hear, "Tell your friends to leave." She called out, "THERE IS SOMETHING HERE."

-------

"Colla morpht si my tolle" Vadellya cast as fast as she could to reveal the truth behind any illusion. Not only did the scene surprise her but there were people. Not real people, they must be ghosts of some type."

-------

Greyson took Morgan's call with alarm and focused his essence to be more acute and atuned. To hear more to see more and feel more. Every spec of dust was now distinguishable. Every changing gradation of the rocks where the sun and rain had reached compared to the stones below which had been more sheltered. And he hears something break. It was directly beneath him in a lower level about 15 feet below his right boot. Something metalic breaking against stone then the sound of shredding metal. Something alive was hear and it was trying to escape.

Reporting in

The following is a written report submitted by Master Jeric Windstar to the Empress of the Crystal Empire:

To Empress Anastaia Silvermoon

From:Jeric Windstar, Director Knight Watch

Subject: Report and Emergency Request


Empress,

I have been working with the Isle of the Winds since the time of Genie Rebellion. Though I did not participate in that situation, I did join with the Council and entered into the fight with the Dark One and his Forsaken. This situation took me to Sigil, where myself and the Council of Geneva fought and killed many Forsaken and defeated the small part of the Dark One that was still free. Shortly after this, we all engaged the remanent of the Doomguard Army sent to the Prime to cause chaos for the Dark One. This victory left a very Unitied feeling and many with greater faith in the armies of the Light.

Since that time I have been helping the Isle set up an Organization, which main purpose will be to provide a place for all nations to come together to discuss any and all issues between them in a nuetral environment. The goal will be to limit the choas that we have seen caused by war and those with Evil intent, as well as attempt to create a more unitied world working together to save our people. I hope this Organization will have your support in its creation.

A short time ago one of the Knight Watch, Shogun Knight Grayson Pierce, joined a Team lead by General Galan a Paladin to Tyre to act as my eyes and ears. I assigned him to them due to the fact that this group of adventurers, for lack of a better term, seem to always be on the frontline in the battles that come to our world. They do not appear to be the cause of, but rather the first to learn of, and/or take action against these situations. My decision proved a good one because Knight Pierce found that one of the group was an intelligent Golem from the future sent back in time to protect a Gold Half-Dragon named Ko'tar of clan Skyrim, also known as Dante. The now Captain Dante seems to have an important role in the future, specifically in the war with Apocolypse and his Golems. Shortly after joining the team, the Golem, named "X",sacrificed himself to save Captain Dante and was destroyed by a man named Alan that has a vendetta with Captain Dante. Peirce was able to obtain the Artifitial Soul of the golem and get it to me. I then proceeded to study it, and determined that a new body was needed or it would cease to function in a matter of days.

Once I obtained information from Lord Raquel about the golems, specifically the Transforming Golems that came back in time to kill a mage known as Blade, I begain a search within the Force to find life similar to that of the being known as "X". I did find 3 such beings located in a Mage's Tower, however they were able to close themselves off from the Force when they detected my presence. I went to investigate and found the Tower. I attempted to enter with stealth but when that failed I simply asked to meet with the Mage and proceeded to asked him about the golems. He was very interested in my visits to Ravenloft and everytime I asked about the golems he would not answer directly, but he would imply that he was working on them. Finally I decided to leave and he attacked me, I believe it was because he wanted to know more about what I knew of Ravenloft, and possible to stop me from reporting on the Intelliegent Transforming Golems. While I did managed to escape, the power he was able to use and the speed of which he called it, was impressive. I returned to the Isle to let them know what I had found.

At this point I was informed that the Isle does not have the resourses at this point to deal with the Golem Crisis and Lord Raquel asked me to continue to handle the situation. To that end, I am in need of assistance. This Mage is working with Transforming Golems from the future to research Intelligent Golems, which, if the golems succeed, will end in the creation of the future where mortal beings are nearly destroyed by a war with Itelligent Golems lead by Apocalypse. He has a great deal of magical power, experience and resourses, and while obsessed with Ravenloft, he is capable, intelligent and is able to organize and plan quickly. He protects his Tower with a large magical barriar, as well as blocking teleportation through the Force and I believe magical means. He also uses an unknown number of Golems statues to attack intruders, during my escape there were 10 to 20 of these Golem Warriors. The only other Living person in the tower is that I know of, is what I believe to be, a Half Drow women that serves him and at protects him. She did not seem a threat but with magic one can be and do more than what you normally could. These are just the defenses I have witnessed, and as it is said, "anything is possible with magic", there may be much more to his defenses.

It has been 2 hours since my escape from the tower, to the time I am writing this. I request an emergency deployment, as soon as possible, of any forces you allow to take this Tower, capture the Mage and destroy the Transforming Golems, as well as to obtain any and all research about Intelligent Golems located within for destruction. I have one future Golem named Optimus Prime that is working to try and stop the Apocolypse future from happening, He is willing to fight with me in this battle. I also believe Mages with a high understanding of Magic and trained professional Soldiers to handle whatever physical forces he has prepared to protect his Tower will be needed. However I trust in your Wisdom and whatever assistance I do recieve I will be grateful. Time is critical because he may be able to move if he has another tower or location he can continue his work.

Thank you for your time Empress

Jeric Windstar

Director Knight Watch

The enemy within

Lucian say with his fingers tapping the table. The trap, as it was, had been set and Lucian had to believe that right woudl prevail. He took a quick sideways glance to his left to see Greyson dressed in disguise so much so Lucian barely recognized him. Tapping his fingers on the table he noticed that his right knee was bouncing. He looked back over his right shoulder to at an ackward angle attempting to verify General Galan was in position without looking directly at him. Good he's there. Lucian felt for his mace and confident that it was secure he shifted his eyes back to the door. Not only did he have to worry about Captain Haws who was coming he also had that warrant out for his arrest. His heart skipped as Captain Haws strode into the tavern followed by 6 of his followers.





Lucian quickly catalogged who was with him. He first noticed another Paladin female dressed in the standard armor, luckily she did not have a grandmaster mark on the blade like Captain Haws. There was a mage dressed in the robes from Mordin's school of magic and a priest to Apollo with two knots on his golden belt. The other three were not soliders or priests but they had swords and Lucian knew Captain haws would not have brought them if they could not fight. If this goes bad we might be in a little trouble.





In a matter of seconds the group had surrounded Lucian and were sitting at the table with him. Captain Haws spoke, "Well, you say you were mistaken. I agree. Even if you are sincere you must be aware it will be a long rode to redeem for your lack of vision."



Lucian's cover nearly ripped off of him as he said biting back the venom, "I support and fight for the light. Regardless of who the enemy is, even if that enemy comes from with in, even if I am part of that threat myself."



Captain Haws stood realizing the fallacy of Lucian's intention, "Willing or not you are coming with me. You are an enemy of the state Lord Lucian."

Lucian tried to fight down the panic but not seeing Galan he reached for his mace. "Captain Haws, by authority of Raquel Al-Shatel both you and Lucian are summonned to meet with him, will you come." Galan's voice cut the tension and somehow added to it anew. Captain Haws looked to General Galan and then back to Lucian, "What did you do solider?"

Galan says again, "Captain will you come."


"I am here attempting to arrest a dangerous criminal, General do you intend to interfere?" There was an uneasy tension between the two and the rest of the Tavern know began to take notice.


"Lucian is coming with us. I imagine it is about this matter he wishes to speak with you both."


Captain Haws moved quickly, more mentally that physically. "Place your weapon of the table Lord Lucian. You do not deserve to carry such an a holy object. We will escort you with out being in bonds so as to save your dignity so long as there is no trouble." Looking to the female paladin he continues, "Sariah stay here gaurd the mace. We'll return shortly and if I do not you have your orders." She salutes and nods.


Walking out, escorted by General Galan, Captain Haws, two strong men, and the priest to Apollo, Lucian noticed Galan give a quick glance to Greyson and then to Lucian's mace. Lucian hoped Greyson noticed it as well. If the Order of Light got that Mace Lucian would never see it again.


------


Greyson had received his silent orders from Galan and meant to carry them out. No sooner had the escort left than Sariah ordered the mage to secure the mace. He had taken a small bag and openned it as if expecting the whole massive two handed mace to fit into a bag slightly larger than a watermelon. Making no physical movements Greyson's mind grabbed onto the mace and held it in place. The mage responds in amazement, "Soemthing must be holding it." Sariah snaps back, "Lock this whole place down no one gets out." Raising her voice she leaps to the top of the table, "I have now envoked Paladin Law. This Tavern and everyone in it are under my command. There is a dark traitor her and we will find him. Better to show yourself." She scans the room, then scans it again. She nods to the mage.


The mage places his hand on the mace and it flies to the other end of the room colliding into an invisble wall just short of the window. Greyson had hoped to send it outside and catch General Galan's attention. The third man, who must be somekind of fighter, picked up the mace and strated for the door. "Whatever dark force is here I will destroy it." Sariah called out sword drawn pacing the middle of the room. The fighter was at the doorway and the pushed open the door. Greyson propelled himself with sheer will and force leaping across the length of the tavern. Throwing a ball of compressed air into the chest of the fighter Greyson pulled the mace to him with his mind. The man and the mace propelled in opposit directions with violence of force.


Sariah leaps herself from teh floor to a table smilling the drinks and crushing the dinner of some unlucky patron, then back to the floor and sword drawn inches from Greyson. The mage casts something and Greyson's feet seem to stuble and fall from under him. By the mercy of the force he fell through the door out onto the street. Not more than a second later, Sariah and her two cronies rush out of the tavern door. Greyson had used the mere second of time he had to conceal himself in the shadow of the neighboring alley. He heard Sariah bark her orders, "Find him and find the mace. He has defied paladin law and must be an agent of darkness. Subdue him if you can kill if necessary. I will advise Captain Haws this is a trap." She sprinted faster than anyone he had ever seen run down the street towards the Atlanta Palace. Greyson decided he had best follow it was going to come to blows and he could help Galan and Lucian. Stretching out his mind he ceased existing where he was and manifested his lifeforce on the roof tops across the street where he could observe Sariah running like a loose mare.


--------


General Galan watched the men marching ahead of him waiting for the moment it stopped. He was not overly concerned. Capatain Haws had brought enough strength to subdue Lucian if needed he had not accounted for Galan. If it came to combat the biggest concern would be not killing the enemy. It was strange for him to think of them as the enemy. The saying had always been if you can't trust a paladin from the Isle who can you trust? That was a more powerful question than ever and made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. He hoped, though not with true faith, that they would suceed and arrive easily to Lord Raquel who would clean all of this up with out incident. He even dared to believe it as they hailed the guards of the inner palace and the gates were open. Yet in a moment all that hope shattered.


"Captain Haws, its a trap, its a trap. Its all a lie." IT was a female voice approaching rapidly from behind. General Galan spun around to see Sariah running up to them faster than most horses he had seen in calvary charges. Suddenly she was before Galan and with he full breath still, "Captain Haws were were attacked and sabotaged in the tavern. You've been set up."


Captain Haws stood in the doory way facing the palace. Slowly his head swivelled and he looked over his left shoulder. Taking a deep breath he turned around methodically. "So Lord Lucian you set me up. Your betrayal and treason runs deeper than even I thought possible. I will deal with you personally. We are done here general." He stepped out of the gate and back into the street.


"Halt, come with me to Lord Raquel. This is a direct order and one I will enforce."


"Come men secure the prisoner."


General galan looked at the priest and said, "This is my order release Lord Lucian come with me." They do not respond they simply look to Lord Haws. It was suddenly very apparent to General Galan what had happenned. They believed in him and what he meant. They did not believe in him as a representative of the Isle, this movement was independent of the Isle beneath it and through it like some lyconthropic curse resting just beneath the surface of a good man. Galan drew his sword slowly and with a stone face now speaking clearly to an enemy, to the wolf with in the man, "Stand down or be stood down."


Captain Haws draws his Grandmaster marked Holy Avenger and retorts, "General Galan you are an example of every corruption facing us today. You flirt with the shadow and associate with those who would destroy us. You push the law and bend it to your own goals. You are the parasite that must be removed. If this contest must come now then so be it. Right will triumph regardless of the odds. The light will succeed because it must succeed and I will succeed because I fight for the light."


"The Light will win the day. You fight against the Isle and against the light."


The two Paladins are propelled into Combat. Galan swings at the Captain's blade hoping to disarm. Captain Haws moves to counter and block. Galan's massive two handed sword nearly leaps from his hands and he slides back in the dirt several inches, as does Lord Haws. Haws capitalizes and goes for a quick killing blow. Galan's response is a simple sweeping parry and again the two swords and men are seemingly catapulted away from eachother. Galan and Captain Haws look at their blades and realize their holy swords have refused to fight eachother. Sariah had no such reservations as her blade finds her mark on Galan's back and again and again.


The fighter grabs Lucian by the elbow to which Lucian responds by charging the man into the wall. His grib is lost but his sword cuts Lucian's leg deeply. The priest beings to pray.

----


Greyson from his hightenned vantage point, sees Lucian in trouble with out his weapon. Closing his eyes he feels for Lucian's ripples in the pool and moves the mace to it through the waves of his mind. Opening his eyes, he saw Lucian pulverize the fighter in the chest knocking him to the ground.


Galan was not so lucky. Preoccupied with Haws he could not engage Sariah how landed blow after blow to the General. Greyson had never seen anyone take so much punishement and remaining standing. Perhaps the gods had indeed made him powerful. Greyson marvelled as despite the Paladins' willingness to engage eachother their swords refused seeming to hit invisible barriers and repell backwards. Haws perhaps hoping to end the Stalemate and put Galan down for good openned his defenses and let Galan strike. Greyson could tell by the force of the blow and the blood which instantly saturated teh ground that Captain Haws regretted the decision but it did allow him to land 3 powerful blows of his own and caused Galan to fall to one knee blood pouring from his armor lift water through a fishing net.


Guards began to race from the inner palace to aid in the conflict. Seeing two paladins fight the guards were confused enough to give Captain Haws a moment to act. Sariah screamed, "Run my lord the order needs you I will hold them here." To which the wounded Haws responded in a rapid sprint.


He can't escape. Greyson ceased to exist then manifested himself in front of Haws engaging in combat instantly. The wounded Paladin was merly annoyed with Greyson's actions trying to side step him. Greyson responded by striking with his light sword the left knee of Captain Haws slowing him down. Greyson felt the impact as he hit the ground. Sariah was on top of him tackeled him adn driving her sword into HIs shoulder. Greyson used his mind to propell her sword straight up in the air her grip on it so tight she went with it. Guards swarmmed past them in pursuit of Haws. She released her sword and struck greyson with her fist in a martial arts strike. Gresyson responded witha flury of light sword strikes leaving her in a daze.


Haws even heavily wounded was outpacing the guards and just turned around a corner. Greyson afraid they would lose him popped in and out again infront of Haws.


--------


Galan had administered the grace of Tyre to himself and healed some of his wounds. He saw Lord Raquel standing at the gate of the palace guards racing before him to catch Sariah and Haws. "They are too strong my Lord they will not be enough." To which with a smile the Hunter of the Horsemen responded, "These are my personal guard they'll be fine." Galan was amazed at how easily his Lord always assumed victory no fear not even the fear of defeat ever entered his mind.


Sariah spun cut deeply by the blades of the showgun. As guards past her he picked her blade up from the ground and sliced one in the neck dropping him instantly to the ground. Her loyalty was admirable. A clear and painful expression of what the type of dedication the Isle required and inspired could do if turned in the wrong direction. The guards attempted to subdue her but she refused. Spinning she sliced the chest plate and chest of another. With her wounds as deep as they were she did not last long when they started returning blows. One strike then another Galan watched paralyzed by the fear and astonishment of what was happening. Paladins were killing paladins. Every sword that pierced her skin caused holy concecrated blood to hit the ground and not by the hands of some dark lord or zombie or goblin horde but by her own. She fell to the ground and so did Galan's heart. Blood raced from her body along the ground and the guards raced from her trampling over her blood. There were no words.


He saw Greyson suddenly appear before Haws. As quickly has he had appeared Captain Haws struck him 3 powerful blows the last one driving between his shoulder and his neck deep into his check cavity. The showgun began to shake as his body enterred shock. His light swords dropped and so did he. Lying shaking on the ground the showgun had paid the sacrifice required for justice.


It had given the guards the time they needed. They now surrounded Capatain Haws who by now could barely stand. General Galan knelt beside Greyson and administered to him the best he could. Praying for tyres grace to find him the showgun healed it was a miracle. A miracle that Galan had grown unamazed by. It was well with in Tyres power to do somethign so small. Galan flanked Lord Raquel as he approaced Captain Haws. Lord Raquel spoke with an effort of calmness, "Captain Haws It seems at the very least you are guilty of insubbordination, armed assault, Assault of a superior, conspiracy and murder. THat is without the charges of the murder of Lord Tristan."


Haws spoke with conviction and purpose, "I did what had to be done. Sloth and vanity and comprimise has made us what we meant to destroy. Lord Logar Mogath would never have permitted such a weak Isle to exist. Dragon needs to be destroyed you all know it and I was the only one willing to do what was necessary. I did it to save us, I did it to save the world and if you are too blind to see that the world is doomed."


Lord Raquel takes a deep breath and if General Galan did not know better he may think Lord Raquel finally had a task that stretched his capacity. "In light of your confession and with the authority I hold I strip you of all rank title and authority and find you guilty of all charges your fate to be in the determined by thouse you have offended."


"I do not need your blessing our authority, I answer to my god and my god alone."


Lord Raquel simply touches his forhead. The visual impact of that touch made Galan shutter. It was as if glory and greatness washed of him as fresh paint runs off a canvas if water finds it before it dries. A hollow shell remained in shock and blankly stared into heaven. Galan had heard of Paladins being stripped of their station but had never seen it. Fate worse than death. Galan found himself praying for Haws hoping he found redemption and he could avoid the fate of a Death Knight. "We work for the Gods Skylar, did you not realize that?"


The guards easily take the stunned former captain into custody.


------


Out of the street and in a private room of the Palace Lord Raquel addressed them. "Well now of course you are cleared of all charges Lucian. And I am very proud of you all, for facing the enemy no matter how hard the truth was."


Galan responded with resolution, "People died today that did not need to die. We are killing eachother."


"And I fear it may not be over. A movement like this could not exist if there were not some truth to what they are saying. A greater threat we have never faced. We risk making him a maurter."


Greyson spoke up holding out a small piece of parchement. "I probed his mind my lord. I have here the names of his top followers. There were many more my mind was flooded with them and I'm afraid in my weakenned state I did not get them all I was overwhelmed. IF we wait a couple of days for me to recover we can know what he knows about this order. At least then we know who we are fighting. He did not even know everything sir. Though he was the founder and leader we worked with some shadowy people here in Atlanta to get his goals accomplished that he did not knwo the identity of. Could he not see he had become what he was opposing?"


Raquel takes the list in his hand and before he reads it says, "Its a matter of justification. The Ends justify the means. You face something so evil and so wrong you have to do what it takes to stop it. Starts small cheating the rules and ignoring common conscience. Before you know it you become the law unto yourself. You are the only right. Like forcefully entering someones unwilling mind to extract private secrets and information. I'm sure you felt the ends justified the means."


Greyson just stood silent as Lord Raquel held the list over a candle watching it burn. "The greatest war with the shadow has always rested with in the hearts of mortals. We now fight that war here. Pursueing them with the sword will do nothing to resolve the conflict only divide the Isle and destroy us all. True repentance and redemption can only be achieved when the person wills it. So we will wait for them to come to us. Their leader has lost their paladinhoop a clear unmistakable sign of where I and the gods stand. Given time to consider what that means I have faith in teh goodness of those committed to him and they will see the error of their ways."

With the strength by which he spoke they could do nothing but agree. And Greyson thought, I should be more careful of whose mind I enter. Or at least who I tell about it. There was nothing wrong with what he was doing.

----------

The next day the world again converged upon Atlanta. General Galan watched from the balcony of the great square as what appearred to be an entire Legion of Dragon's troops flooded the square. On the other side of the square at the main enterance to the palace stood 30 men and flew 10 skyriders. In their center stood the reasons for all their nervousness--Skylar Haws. He was chained around his ankles and his wrists, his knees, waist and shoulders. The chain was just short enough to cause Haws to bend slightly. Though this was not the same downtrodden and defeated man from yesterday evenings episode. This man was a commander a man of resolute purpose. Though the chain necessitated he not stand at full height he bent his legs instead of his back allowing his shoulders to remain back and broad. His face cast and his eyes driven by some undeclared purpose, he stood like a statue of stone. "Even the great Logar Mogath will judge my actions righteous and justice will find all of you. Do what you will with me. Good will not tolerate your shadow forever."

That was it. No protests or fighting. The guard handed him over to Dragon authorities to serve trial and judgement for the murder of their diplomat. Considering how Dragon hated Geneva the only futuer Galan could see for him was death. As soon as the prisoner was secure the Dragon envoy teleported away back behind the walls of their city state no doubt.

The war is over. Galan had heard the blockade of Tradecity was disbaneded and all other Dragon forces were pulled back. After Lord Raquel's diplomatic magic no further concessions beyond handing over Haws were required. Another victory it would seem. NO enemy could conquer or defeat the Isle. Not one from without anyway.

Truth more dangerous than fiction

Galan openned the alert he had just recieved. It was an offical decree from the Isle and judging by the wax seal it was extremely recent. The wax seal broke and Galan gasp as he read the alert. Lucian? The alert was an arrest warrant for Lucian being guily of killing a foreign diplomat. He was labelled dangerous and deranged and agents of the Isle had authorization to use all necessary force even lethal force if needed. The envoking of Paladin Law is authorized.

This was strange, because General Galan was incharge of the investigation. He had issued no order, nor had any evidence or leads at all. Not until receiving this alert anyway. Now he knew if he could find who issued the warrant he would find who killed Tristan. It was not that he did not wish it was him for Tristan certainly did deserve to die by Galan's own hand. It seemed, however, that the worst fear was about to be realized. There was a traitor on the Isle. Someone high enough to organize and execute the killing and with the influence to frame and issue a warrant for another Paladin. General Galan gave himself only a moment to think the impossible - a Paladin of significant rank had committed treason.

He realized as he was lost in thought the page had dismissed himself. They become very good at being invisible and executing their job with out any type of grandstanding. He summonned another and dictated a message for Lord Raquel Al-Shatel.
---

Lucian weighed his options. He could not wait here forever. He could not run and tell Raquel he would be attacked or arrested for something on the way there. Vadellya was not around to get her help. He was stuck. The only person he thought he maybe able to convince Galan of what was going on. It was dangerous but he could teleport to Galan's office. He had to depend on Faith and grace. Grace that even though he had not been perfect, the Great Father would protect him. He teleported.

-----

Galan was waiting to hear back on who had issued the order. He tried to use the time well examing a map of South Geneva. The Genevan army was divided into 3 major parts, the Army of the NOrth, which covered the main land north of TradeCity. The army of Atlanta which were all teh ground forces on teh Islands themselves. Then the army of the South which covered the mainland south of Tradecity. This was the army he had command over. According to goals, it should have over 20,000 men but currently had a little over 200 most on leave after the destruction by the Doomguard. He started to draw out a phased deployment plan that filled the border fortresses and garrisons in the city states in his jurisdiction to do the most good the quickest. His attention was pulled behind himas a vase shattered against the floor.

"Galan, I need your help, you have to believe me."

Galan's hand rested on his hilt from instinct. Then he smiled. With his smile, he saw Lucian exhale relief. Galan said, "I know it was not you. Do you know who would have issued the order for your arrest. They must be behind it all." Grief entered his voice, "I fear we have turned against ourselves."

Lucian will take on an even more serious tone than his normal if that were possible. Galan thought it amazing how everything with him was always epic level important, but this certainly was. "I fear you are correct. Not too long ago I joined a holy order. The Order of Light. They said it was founded to restore the Isle to its core values and fulfill its true mission. I believed it and I believed in them. So much so I took actions that were unbecoming a Paladin of honor. I realize that now. The line I feel they have crossed is the murder of Tristan. Yesterday night Captain Skylar Haws, the leader and founder of this order, spoke to me about how we had to make sure that Dragon and Geneva went to war so we could destroy Dragon from the face of the planet. I confronted him and he would have attacked me had I stayed long enough."

"Well it seems we have the answers, at least enough to where I can clear your name. I already requested an audience with Lord Raquel. Put on this cloak and pull up the cowl, we speak to him in the Palace in Atlanta at once."

----

Raquel ran his fingers through his hair has he absorbed the story. Worse than he dared to believe, the Isle had fractured. Motived by overzealous compulsions to fulfill what we all hoped, they had become what they hoped to fight. Instead of practiving compasion and noble example, blind intolerance was turning the Isle into what they were suppose to be fighting against. "I will of course remove the warrant for you Lucian. And issue an new one for Captain Haws. What you have told me is at least enough to bring him before me for questioning."

General Galan spoke after letting Raquel finish, "If you would lord hold on making that public. Lucian send a message to captain Haws that you have seen the error of your ways and you wish to discuss it with him but you are afraid to do so on the Isle because of the arrest order."