The Dragon and his Lord

Remus had just returned from his Raven board meeting. discussing guild politics and allocating finances was an entirely different world than he was in when he started the Business. Though it was a steady paycheck with almost no danger to his personal safety. That was so long as he plaid the political game right and stayed in The Foxes favor. Talk about a man who had it all and was two steps ahead, that was the Fox. Nearly everyone in the world felt his off screen influence in some way or another but no one even knew it. He seemed untouchable. He had the brilliant plan to give no rules of conduct to his board members forcing them to play a sort of king of the hill game which kept everyone in check. Most brilliantly, it kept them from focusing on him. Except Remus had things in motion that even if they failed he'd get a fresh start out of the Foxes grasp. He tried not to think about it because even the stray though here int he Raven had a way of telling itself to others.

Meeting with his assistant about the rest of his appointments for the day, he heard an interesting piece of news, "There seems to be some lost gold dragon wondering around the country side of Geneva's mainland." "Realy?" Remus mused. The Raven knew everything. Nothing went on in any part of the world that someone in the Raven did not know about. How the Fox had things set up most agents were under constant surveillance and it was all magically stored and constantly reviewed. The Raven was everywhere and knew everything. "Well if its lost...tell Jonathan the Dragon Lord. He'll be sure to help him."

The meeting went on talking about moonsugar shipments and the status of the now destroyed Talyun slave trade. "Thats going to be an expensive loss." Remus said out loud. "Also have a meeting with the Godfather." The Godfather ran the Den. That was the section of the Raven that operated in Geneva. THe Fox kept its operating seperate from the Raven in an effort to hedge his bets and divide power further. Left the running of that organization solely to his brother who called himself the Godfather.

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Dante and managed to find his way out of his cave and through some mountains and to a large flatland. Doing his best to avoid settlements he moved west. West was as good as any other direction. He did encounter a trade caravan who told him Atlanta was tot he very far west so he kept moving that direction. Everything was so small since coming to his new body. People, even horses, buildings all seemed to be built on a different scale than he remembered his whole life. He knew his father was a FUll and powerful gold dragon and now so was he. His thoughts continued to be random and jumbled as he tried to make sense of what had happenned.

On the third day, he encountered an Elf who seemed determined to talk to him.
"Lord Dragon, I am Jonathan 'the Rock' Greyfoot. I am sure my fame and tales of my loyalty and power have reached your noble ears. I have come to serve you for I hear you maybe in distress."

Dante responded, "Oh thank you, you see I died and woke up as a Dragon. I can't figure anything out. I'm trying to get back to Atlanta."

The elf's expresion was not uncalled for, it was surprise that such a story would warrant. Dante wondered for a moment if he should have worded it better. Then he decided he did not care. He had died and come back he deserved to be a little stressed. 'The Rock' said, "So you have not always been a dragon my lord?"

He asked it with some contempt but for some unknown reason Dante felt inclined to trust him. "No, I use to be a half dragon just recently became a dragon."

"Then why don't you come with the Rock, and in my magnificence you can be instructed."

Dante got nervous, even though he trusted this man and had no reason to doubt the purity of his intentions he could not help feeling nervous. "Why do you want me to go with you?"

"So I may serve you and alld Dragon kind better." Was his quick reheared response.

"No thank you." Maybe he should have went but he felt better figuring it out on his own.

"My lord dragon. YOu can come or be taken."

"What?"

"If you have sought beyond your station and desired to be a Dragon when you were not one and mock the holy superior race then I must take you in for their judgement. It is possible that they will welcome you into their fold but that is up to them to decide."

"No thanks. I'll be on my own."

"It is not a choice. THey Rock has spoken and you two bit imposter nobody will listen. I give you a choice. Would you rather I use magic of my swords to bring you down?"

Dante spread his wings and took off into the air Whatever. His thought was cut short as lightning struck him solid in the middle of his back driving him back down to the ground. A moment later The rock was standing between his wings. Dante let loose a torent of flame and brimstone from his mouth with the intent to incenerate this man before he could do more damage.

The flame seemed to spilt and divide off into different direction as if striking an obstacle just short of the Rock. Jonathan lept forward bladed twirling and a few well placed blows ot the neck and Dante could only see black.

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The Godfather spoke first, "Master Remus thanks for meeting with me. There is problem. We have a Vampire Coven in Tradecity. They've been in Tradecity for a long time. And they pay us a good amount in both favors and money to stay a secret. Well one of your guys dug em up. It was some Showgun from the Night watch. I know the NIghtwatch operates in Geneva and thats fine because I know we own Jeric who runs the Nightwatch. Well this Greyson found them out disrupted them and has send up the information to the rest fo the nightwatch and will most likely tell Galan and the rest of the Isle. That shuts down a lot of our revenue and could comprimise our code standing with them. So what can we do to make this right? And we need to do it fast."

Remus quickly replied, "Has this Greyson already spilled the beans to the night watch? Before he has a chance to talk to Galan and the Isle about this, we must erase all evidence of his encounters with our associates. If he was in a conflict with them, have his life force returned to him. And get a Psyonist to erase the coven and the true nature of all the vampires he has encountered in relation to the Coven. The memories must be altered to have all the vampires of our Coven he has heard of or encountered to be humans rather than their undead counterparts. If he has reported this to the Night Watch, he must return to them and report that he was mistaken."

"He already sent a report to Jeric. THe problem with psionists is that showgun are too. It opens a degree of error that is risky. Maybe we can buy his silence by offering to restore his levels but I doubt it he's an idealist. He is currently unconsciess on the Isle so making him dissapear will be easy. THough that could cause problesm with Jeric who is an idealist as well. Could we just ahve the Empress tell them to leave it alone and ignore it and think that will work? If you need amunition tell em If this is the kinda problems the Knight watch will cause then we'll shut it down in Geneva and elsewhere it causes us problems. Smoke from teh Empire is very resonable. They Greyson seems to be obsessed with a member of that coven named Bella. He may have to bb transfered even if Jeric calls them off the case. What do you think?"

Sighing in exaperation,"Very well, contact the Empress. Have her order Jeric to forget the situation as we are handling it internally. If need be, threaten to pull the Knight Watch from Geneva and elsewhere as we see fit.

As for Greyson, I’ll be nice at first. If he’ll agree to leave it alone and forget any dealings with the Coven, we’ll arrange for his levels to be restored. If he is obsessed with this Bella, perhaps we can use that… send him a letter under the guise as being from a Coven member. Threaten the life of his precious Bella. If he will forget the true nature of Bella and the rest of the Coven, we will spare the life of the one who revealed the secret. Otherwise, we will seek out to destroy all those who Greyson has revealed the secret to. We will be watching…" Remus continued, " This is a sticky situation. How about we have Smoke get Jeric to agree under the Code that this won’t be a problem from him or from his Knight Watch. If they cause us trouble after that, they’ll be code breakers. What do you think? "

The godfather sighed as well. "Well that requires a certain element of trust from us to the knight watch and both Jeric and Greyson don't seem willing to play by the rules. But its the best we have. I'll deal with Smoke and the Empire. You have someone talk to Greyson. We'll stay in touch with all of this."

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Dante woke up in a large stone room. He could hear the Rocks arrogant voice, "Well


Dragon," the word was said with sarcasim dripping from each letter. "You'll be comfortable here until the council can meet and discuss you. You are lucky they are scheduled to meet at the end of this decade."

With that the cocky fool left him alone in his cell. Dante tried everything. Attacked the walls with his claws and his fire, nothign worked. After a long moment he started to pray. Before his prayer could even be uttered Abraham appeared in a torrent of black whirlind. "Just one day on your mission and you fail. Impressioned here. Was I wrong to put my trust in you?"

"No good servant of the Great Father," He tried to use his inate ability to detect lieing to further question this man but found the ability did not work. He figured it was a result of the prison.

"YOU DARE DOUBT YOUR FAITH IN ME? I saved you from the grave and have come here to save you again. Yet you question and doubt me."

Curses, of course he knew I tried to detect lie. "No my lord I just.."

"I understand you mortals are flawed and incapable of perfection. But be warned my mercy and patience are not infinite. I could easily treat you with the same hostility as you have shown me."

He touched Dante's right claw and a scalely tatoo of a Dragaon's head appeared on the back of his claw. A Dragon torso wrapped around his massive foreamrs up to his elbow joint. Looking at his left claw he saw the same. "Remember the covenant you have made with me." Was all Abraham said and then he was gone.

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Master Windstar received a message from Smoke. Smoke was the leader of the IMperial Agency. That was the umbrella organization for all intelligence gathering for the Empress, May she live forever. Master Windstar and his hidden Knight watch reported to the Empress, May she live forever directly but was also to take direction from Smoke.

The Message:

Master Windstar,

Will of the Empress, May she live forever, regarding a Vampire Coven discovered in Tradecity. It is never to be discussed or investigated by you or any of your men. Any evidence of said encounter should be destroyed and never referenced. It is imperial will that the discovery, as far as you are concerned, never happenned. I will hold you responsible if any of the Knight Watch break this directive.

Smoke.

Jeric thought that was an odd order. However, orders were orders and he formed the Knight Watch to serve the Empress, may she live forever, he would never disobey her orders.

Ungrateful Undead III

Bella laid down inside the coffin. It seemed somehow comforting. It was not incredibly tight like she had imagined, she could moved if needed. The polished wood smelt of cedar and the wool stuffed pillow supported her head. Servants placed the lid on the coffin and enclosed her in darkness. It was in a strange way pleasant to be alone. No Paladins to dodge, no Moriana questioning her, no Tatyana to impress, no Greyson following her like a dog looking for some attention and he having no idea what to feed him. The Voltirium were looking for him now. They would do what needed to be done. Whatever that was. She did not know what they would do and tried not to think about it. What would happen is they would speak to Tatyana and she would clear her name. In the mean time Greyson would be dealt with and she would recieve new instructions from Tatyana. She smiled at the thought of speaking with her again.

She was lost in her fantasies of speaking to her lady for an hour maybe more. The coffin she was in jerked from its resting place on the Catacomb shelf and landed with a thud on the floor. Wood cracked and tore as it was ripped back with no regard for the steel nails holding it down. She was looking up at Andrew. The last time she saw him he was with Tatyana. Was she here? Bella sat up like a shot and scanned the room. Her eyes stopped on the personification of perfection.

Like the music of a thousand angles singing, "Oh my sweet Aurora. You were too young I should have known better than to lean on you. My dear sweet child." As her hand stroked Bella's cheek Bella closed hers just for a moment in an attempt to intensify the already electric contact she felt. "Oh my lady, it much pleases me to see you." Leaning forward and craddling her pure black cat in one arm Tatyana's dress revealed more of her bosom that was decent and Bella found her self wanting to look upon more of her. She spoke and the voice gave Bella the willpower to draw her eyes away and up to meet the gaze of her stunning eyes.

"Things must change now. It was unfair fo me to ask so much. But your gifts were the first real hopes of saving him and by that saving us all. We have been discovered and it is possible all this way of life is over. But it matters not my sweet child. Let the Valtirium burn it means nothing in comparision to what you are and can do. Walk in sunlight, enter the isle step into temples, all of that makes you the only real hope we have of saving Lord Darkness. Those racist paladins stormed his home when he had done no harm to anyone and attacked him. They continued to pursue him until they had killed the most powerful and best of our kind. If it takes decades or centuries exercise patients. His remains are in an urn held in a secure room on the Isle. Please me and get it. Bring it to the mountians which surround the Mei Kong valley and we will open it together and witness the salvation of our people. I love you Aurora, and I depend on you. We all do, our one great hope."

The door burst open falling off its hinges and Greyson stumbles in. He has his light swords activated and a blind fold over his eyes. BLOOD AND ASH, WILL THIS MAN NOT STOP. Tatyana's honey rich voice says calmly and with resolve to Andrew, "Kill him." She and her cat vanished. Bella looked where she was longing and hoping that she would come back that she would still be there. Spent moments trying to recreate the image of her again and again. She barely noticed Andrew draw to rapier swords and advance on the blind folded Greyson.

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Greyson had blinded his physical eyes and felt through the force what the illusion of the world would look like. He still moved to slow to block the coming strikes. However his stoneskin ward prevented any harm coming to his physical form. He whirled his blades and struck his attacker. His attacker responded by dropping his blades and grabbing his shoulders. As he lifted off the ground and smashed into the stone wall. he could hear the stone crack and what little plaster was left flake off to the floor. He could also feel the draining emptiness steal from him the very essence that was him.

He fought against the mans grip but it was by far too strong. Instead he reached through the force to the part of the force that made up his fine chain mail armor and tore the links so they come loose in the mans hands. Greyson fell to the floor and lunged reaching Bella. As he touched her he willed himself to exist somewhere else and to take her with him. The action left his back exposed but it did not matter they would be safe in Atlanta.

It did not work his pool collided against some rugged shoreline in the ocean of the force. Then he began to drain away. Like a wineskin that had been poked with a dagger, he could not stop himself from bleeding out the life force which made him him. He would not last another few moments he had to get out now. Digging deeper than he had ever down before Greyson charged the shoreline and broke through.

Landing on the ramp on the edge of the Isle of the Winds, Greyson pulled his blindfold off and lay still catching his breath. He felt empty, hollow. He had not only risked his life, which was of no consequence life and death were part of the cycle of the force and the natural end, he had risked the force that made him and though individuallity was an illusion, the destruction of that force was a threat to all he believed and to the multiverse itself.

Bella stood first and for a long moment looked down at him. She was not smiling. "Why can't you just DIE?!?!" She stepped over him and walked onto the isle.

Ungrateful Undead II

Greyson's mind raced trying to think of the best course of action. He needed to save Bella. He had no idea how much time she had or what those beings would do with her. They were also coming after him so he had an unknown level of force to contend with. He reached out to vadellya's mind. Vadellya, this is Greyson if I do not meet back with you shortly go to the church of Hades in Trade city and tell them of a large Coven of Vampires that operates out of the Great Cathederal. More to come. It was then that someone else contacted him.

Showgun I can answer your questions and resolve your concerns. We can discuss this with out violence and make things right for all sides. Please tell no one of this encounter this evening or our meeting and come to the Triumph de Solai a music theature and we can discuss this.

Greyson openned his communicator. It was a psionic object that allowed conscience thoughts to travel from one to another and another force user could pull out those thoughts and receive a message. This one was syncronized to a matching device in Master Windstar's possesion. Master, I have discovered a complex and potentially violent group of Vampires operating in Trade City. I am going tot he Triumph de Solai to meet with one of them now. They operate under the Great Cathederal. More to follow.

He ceased existing in the temple and began existing outside the theature.

He steps through the unlocked doors and down the long isle between the rows seats. Only one light in the room. A solitary candle lit on the stage. Resting on a tall stool like one would see in a tavern. Though this one was a high polished smooth black. Tavern stools did not stay smooth. Just behind the light stood a well dressed man with a commanding presence. He rested a leather violin case on a small bench and unfastened the metal snaps. THe case openned revealing the finest of red velvet lining. He spoke with a voice that seemed meant to sing rather than simply talk. "Welcome Master Showgun. The force is certainly with you tonight. My name is Victor. Welcome to the premier music theature in all Tradecity. Not a feet one could accomplish in just one life time I assure you."

"You own the theature then?" Greyson responded the example of Showgun peace and emotionless conversation.

"The records say my Grandfather openned it."

"Of Course."

"Mortals, even elves with their superior hearing, can not appreciate the level of beauty in a piece of music. Many things that sound wonderful to your flawed ears cause us to cringe with the imperfections it is riddled with. The slightest pressure of the musicians fingers on a string can cause the note to be off. A proper setting of course is also essential. As sound travels through the air it refelcts and bends. A proper theature can make an ok performance sound grand and a grand performance earth shattering. Do you play?"

"I have a small measure of talent. It helps me meditate. Though I think we should get to the matter at hand."

"Music has many powerful effect on the soul. Religions write hymns and Showgun have their chants. I have my violin." With a soft gracefull motion he pulls the bo across the srings and it makes an evil hiss.

Greyson reaches out with his sense and feels 6 other consciencenesses lurking in the shadows. "What about Bella?"

"Its a funny thing. You coming to save here, when if not for you she would not need saving. In fact, if you would have left well enough alone and not followed her to Trade City then you both could have survived. Now I asked you not to tell anyone about our meeting."

"I did not tell anyone, so I have broken no agreement."

"Well I did not tell you that a dozen vampires would not rip you into a hundred pieces. So then I guess we can pass the evening both of us with our honor intact."

The musical carryings of his voice effortlessly flowed into a powerfull epiclly sad piece of violin music. He tried to ceaseexisting and will himself else where but the music was so entrancing and provoked such powerful images in his mind he could not fully concentrate.

(note: the images in the video are not important to the story.)

He had to do this the old fashioned way-run. He made it under the balcony before three of them leaped down from above. Kicked the door open in his stride to see one waiting for him. She already had a goblet of red liquid spilling over her lips. His momentum threw him directly into her arms. They tumbled to the ground and with a gaze of longing she met his eyes. He cold skin touched his and he grew dizzy. He could feel part of him dieing. Something dead inside of him something that was him. HIs pool was growing smaller. She was absorbing his life force, it was not painful really. It was actually more...empty.

He reached through to manipulate the force and throw her off of him but his mind was so cloaded he could barely manage any serenity. It was enough to that with a hip toss and roll he broke her grip. Dizzy and confused he tried to run. Bumping into the door frame he spun around and was tackeled by a flying devil and pinned to the ground. Fangs pierced his neck and his pool shrank. Pain sheered his senses for a moment. He struggled in panic but was now pinned down by several of the foul creatures. He had to teleport it was his only hope. With every second he was less himself and just less anything.

The violin still rang in his ears and the images of fallen angles and crying totruted souls was both gruesome and beautiful. He had to push past it. Closing his eyes and laying perfectly still he became the world around him. It felt good for a moment to stop and listen to the music every note intoxicating his ears and imagination. There was no more wonderful or horrible way to go and he decided to let it happen. NO. He called for a deep deep center the smallest spec that the force of the multiverse had concieved as him constantly flowing with the force. He was a cave of perfect ice. Silence stillness, serenity. He went to will his existence to the Catacombs and find Bella before they killed her.

It failed. He popped back to reality and the pain of being eaten reminded him where he was. Ice cave. Bleeding angles. NO focus His pool was still and he stopped existing and started again.

He was on the ramp way tot he Isle. Nothing else was clear except his blood was staining ground. He stood up but between being dizzy fromthe loss of blood and the lose of his life force,when he tried to stand he fell. He was only vaguely aware of someone coming up to him. THe bleeding stopped he could feel that. Then he willed himself to Vadellya.

"I have to save her." He whispered, "Stoneskin. Give me stone skin."
Vadellya responded, "Of course. What's goingon?"
It was too dangerous to both Bella and Vadellya and anyone else to tell them everything. He most likely would not be coming back but if he drug others along there would be no way to stop them. But if he did not go Bella was dead for sure that he knew.
"Just do it."

She did. Greyson willed himself to the Cathederal. Bella

Ungrateful Undead

Greyson thought chosing to trail Moriana instead of Bella was a mistake. He had arrived in Trade City about 12 hours behind her. If she had done anything it must have been before he caught up with her. Strangely enough she had spent the past day and a half just sitting around in the Great Cathederal.

She had moved around with in it and under it but had not left. The building was impressive in its size in comparison to the other buildings crowded around it. There were some nicer estates so a block or two to the west. The Cathederal held large stained glass windows some as much as five stories high.

He had done most of his spying from outside the cathederal. Reaching through his mind to hers the slightest of all contacts just to tell where she was. He had practived patients as his masters had taught him. He was simply waiting for some answers. Galan was sure these two would lead them back to Tatyana.

Greyson decided that he would just probe her mind to see what she knew about Tatyana and see if this was all a waste of time or not.

He stepped into the Cathederal past the holy water. He did not sprinkle himself as other patrons. He did not need the blessings of the gods. They were powerful beings sure but no being should be worshiped they were all just manifestations of the force. He sat on a hard oak pew in the very back of the Cathederal with several rows of columns and pillars between him and Moriana who was lighting candles at the altar. He closed his eyes and smoothed his pool. Merged it with hers and began searching through her memories. Her mind was filled with impressions of Tatyana Greyson viewed one of them.

She was standing on a balcony with the moon behind her. The light of the moon as it refelcted off her bone porcelian skin caused it to sort of glow. The light her pale skin emitted drew the eyes to her skin- smooth and perfect. There must have been some wind during this event because her hair caught softly and swayed like the finest Mei Kong silk. The hair faded from black to red effortlessly the shadows seeming to intentionally compliment the volume and gloss of her hair and the perfectly symetrical shape of her face. That face with those eyes could easily ensnare someone. Greyson understood why there would be so much strong impact on the mind from this woman. She was stunning to every detail. He kept pooring deeper and deeper of the image of those inviting eyes and flawless skin. He examined it closer and closer. No matter the detail of his review, it was perfect, not a blemish or a fold or wrinkle.

His concentration was broken as his physical ears heard a scream from with in the Cathederal. He unfortunetly lost the image of divine beauty as the shadow laden church filled his view.

Moriana was the one who had screamed. She was being lifted by a priest and she was shaking. Blood fell from both of her ears. Greyson realized what had happenned. The image was so intoxicating inviting it drew him in to the mind so deep he had hurt her physical mind.

He needed to focus his attention elsewhere. He decided it was time to look for Bella, Moriana was not going anywhere for a while. He calmed his pool and searched the ocean. To his surprise Bella was near his physical body. She was below him in the Cathederal. He merged the pools leaking to input from Bella's 5 senses to his body so he could she what she say and hear what she heard.

He sees 3 cloaked men speaking to her. They are dressed like monks here at the Cathederal.

"The Voltirium will see you now. Lord Tyros take her in." Openning a large think old oak door, they stepped into a room lit by a pale blue light. A large stone table in the middle and around it several individuals that Greyson could not make out their faces.
The way Bella's view changed she must be kneeling. One of them spoke, "Auroa. You have violated laws of the coven and risked exposing the coven to both Paladin and Showgun. Taking undue risk and not addressing the fact that you were discovered place all of us at risk. Moriana servant to Velvet informs us of your tretchery and is her to speak against you."

Moriana's voice fills Bella's ears, "I feel it maybe too late Elders. My mind was recently attacked. The Showgun has followed me or her. We are all in danger."
Bella looks to her left and sees MOriana kneeling and a man in a blue coat simply tear her head from her shoulders. Blood covers the stone and through the link Greyson can feel the hunger cripple Bella's senses. Greyson hears through Bella's ears Bella blurt out. "I have done nothing but execute Tatyana's will. She sent me to spy on the Paladins and gain their trust. I work for her."

"Dare not speak Black Velvets name. You are young and sloppy fledgling. You will be prisoner here until we can determine the truth of your words and reach our decision. More important is the Showgun. He maybe close. Search the Cathederal and find him. Lord Tyros do not stop until he's brought before us helpless."

Greyson broke the bound and did a mass contact to be able to identify the pools of all the beings present. He focused on his physical form and made for the door. As soon as he was out of public view he stopped existing there and manifested his existence at the Showgun temple.

Called home

Bella was relieved to be out of the Paladins' eyes for now but her nervousness of the Paladins was replaced by her annoyance at Morianna's questioning her judgement. Largely because she did not trust her judgement either.

"May lady, it is not my place to question you but I was sent to guide you. Why are we still here? What do you want to accomplish? Being so open here in Atlanta of all places is suicide and risks exposing everything. Also there is the matter of the Shogun who knows enough about you to offer you his blood while we waited in that quarantine. Yet you do nothing about him. I think we should leave here. We are in over our heads. We should tell the volturum that a showgun spy suspects the truth and get their direction if you are lost."

"You are right," Bella responded cooly, "it is not your place to question me." Bella kept a flat expression but wondered how long that bluff of confidence would hold up. She decided it would not last long. She pulled a piece of parchament towards her and started scribbling out a short letter. "You should leave. Take this to Velvet and wait for me in the City I will come for you shortly." She finished the letter briefly describing her progress and her concerns over how much Greyson knew--very breifly.

"Why not come with me my lady? Why send me away?" There was suspision in her voice.

"Question me not mortal only do as you are told. My business is between Tatyana and I alone." Even saying her name brought such fondness to Bella. She felt towards Tatyana more affection than she felt for her late mother, and more urning that she could have felt for any lover. If she let it the thoughts and intoxication of her scent could consume her. Some times Bella just closed her eyes and tried to imagine Tatyana, constantly recreating that first night in her mind.

With a delay she responded to Bella, "Yes, it will be done my lady."

A day passed. Bella spent her time in the libary. She was reading about vampires. She desperately wanted to know everything there was to know about her kind. What was she, what made her different? So engrossed was she in the Ballad of Darkness she did not notice the man in the long blue coat sit across the table and laid a dried black rose in the spine of the book. Looking up she saw a man of unnatural attractiveness and pale skin. He spoke softly, "Auroa you have been called to stand before the Voltirium. I am lord Tyros and have been instructed to escort you there."

Bella sits up for a moment and looks around the libary. No one is around. No one except 6 mortals dressed in black leather armor and carrying silver swords casually standing around. Well, they were standing as casual as a man wearing armor and carrying a sword into a libary can stand. The surprise of the moment passed and Bella responds, "Of course, we shoudl leave at once. "

Drakus Triumphant

The ships burned. The whole fortress burned. The fire was just the first. When it had run its course the would take the time to undermine every rock of the foundation, leave them nothing to come back to. Drakus would leave the dirty slavers with nothing. For too many generations of both Man and Dwarf Talyun Emperors had enslaved his people. Used them as fodder for his wars, slaves for his mines. Some of the once mighty clans had completely forgotten who they were and even fought the liberation army as it crushed slaver settlement after settlement.

The Dwarves were no longer lose warring clans. Under the banner of Truehammer and the leadership of the Bear of Truehammer, they had fought back. Against the united MIght of the Dwarves the slavers fell before them. It was only a matter of a few short weeks and they where now running back to their Island home with their tails between their legs.

The shouting and cheering of Dwarves filled the air. They were both cheeribg Drakus and themselves in victory. The victory had not come with out sacrifice. This last strong hold held very srong. Well enough defended most of the slavers escaped on their boats, the fortress took 2 days and many lives to fall. Drakus raised his axes in the air and called, "HAIL THE VICTORIOUS DEAD!" All the united clans and all their warriors present joined in granting the highest respect to those who died with the highest honor. "HAIL!!!!"

With Talyun defeated and the Clans united, it was time to journey to Atlanta and meet with the Council. He had been summonned over a week ago and had even needed to petition a time before them to present the Dwarven clans as part of the of the Great Geneva to serve the light. Though first their was mourning and celebrating to do. For a dwarf those often meant the same thing -- ALE.

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Many memories confronted Drakus as he stepped through the magnificent halls of the Genevan Palace. It seemed like a life ago when he acted as Tassadar's body guard. That boy may have been young and naive but with the possible exception of Nathan he had never known a greater man. He put all the thoughts of the past behind him and focussed on the now as he stood before both Raquel and Atrayu.

Lord Raquel spoke first, "I have been told the Dwarven people are stronger than ever. My eyes and ears tell me the Talyun slave trade has ran dry. I could not be more happy for your people. And I am sure your people could not be more happy with you."

"You speak kindly my Lord. Now that our petty differances have been put aside nothing can stand before us. We are a strong and proud people."

"As well you should be. It is the greatness of your people I wish to speak to you about. We are forming an international council. A neutral ground were peoples and nations can resolve trade dispute and territory disagreements with out resorting to war. A place where the world can unite under the banner of forwarding the purposes of the light and we can act united against the shadow as we did in the two fronts war. A war that may have been lost with out you and your brave warriors. Since we want it to be as free from one nation control as possible we want to build a new city, a new meeting place in the wilds over the east side of the World's Ending Mountains. The best craftsman in the world should build it. And your clans are not just the best warriors but also the best craftsmen. What will it cost for you to build us this grand city?"

"My Lord I am honored at your words. We would but as one thing. To be allowed to give our united and joint strength to Geneva. Would you accept us as part of your great nation?"

Atrayu simply nods and Lord Raquel's face lights up seemign to swell with joy, "BRAVO! Of course our Dwarven brothers are welcomed to the great Geneva nation. I would however have one condition before I consent fully. The great Bear of Truehammer should sit with us on this council as a joint leader. This system was designed for several people to take part in council. with Jerico retiring, Tassadar passing, and Lord Atrayu focussed solely on protecting the seals I need another man I can trust. As you have demonstrated just profound leadership of the dwarven people and use to live and serve at court you are an ideal choice."

Drakus must have been visibly stunned and the short pause before his resposne drew on. He was being asked to be one of the most powerful men in the world. He was more dazed than he had been after his best chucking of Dwarven Spirits.

"What I offer you is no life of privillage. But it is already yours. To serve eachother and in that we are made free. Enron has also petitioned to join Geneva with Jonathan as a council member. that is under discussion here. But the invitation to you is with out reservation."

Drakus nodded, "I must discuss with this with the Elders. I will let you know promptly."

The other side

Suddenly the whole room was full for a grey empty mist. The very room itself lost all of its color as blackness tried to swallow what small light was in the room. Vadellya looked a million miles a way. This was Veritas the mist gave it away. He called out, "YOu can't get me Veritas I will stop you." He reaches for his swords and finds they are not there. He spins around seeming to float in the air. He stops the spinning suspended in mid air because he saw a small man stepping towards him.

He grew as he walked towards him then stopped. From the descriptions he had heard among the priests he recognized the Angel of Death- Malekite. He spoke, "Its time. Mortality ends even for heroes."

It could not end He had a future, a future he was afraid of, a future that haunted his every thought. He needed to live that future. He could not fail now. "I will never go with you."

"Are you going to resit me? Morality ends, and much more powerful men then you have resisted and failed. Though if you swore to serve me and sacrificed your will completely to me then I will let you live again as my puppet."

A female voice stepped into the conversation, "He's not from your world Malekite, he's from Cyrodil and thats my world."

She was beutiful but frightening. He tried to swim away through the air but she was there. As she reached out her hand was blocked by a dark silver long blade. "I was talking to him. His death is not final."

She responded by and explosion of lightning. And the two entered combat neither hurting the other but both enthralled and even intoxicated by the dance. LIke two people so full of hate and rage and now where to release it but at each other. Danted considered running, but he thought he would wait. Wait until one was on the cusp of defeat and jump in and kill both of them. That is what a hero would do.

The fight raged for what must have been hours or days but there was no way for him to tell the time. Then, exhausted they both left. Dante was alone. They left so quickly he could not act.

He decided to move on he had to find something. Surely there was something here, wherever here was, he could use. He would succeed because he would not give up. General Galan had taught him that.

He continued to swim until he saw the hilt of a sword. It was there just floating in the mist. He grabbed it and held it for a moment and drew it close to him. Then as if his had were water, the sword passed right through and stopped about 4 feet below him. It floated up on its own and soared away from him. He followed passionately.

He stopped as two bright lights approached then he saw the holy symbol of his God Zues. Instead of welcoming him it caused him great fear. ALl he wanted to do was leave. He swam, and swam, moving faster adn faster flailing and thrashing desperate. It stung his eyes and made him feel sick in a stomache he otherwise could not sense.

He ran for what must have been a day. He stopped in the same grey hazy nowhere he started. Realizing he could not save himself he prayed, "My Dear Zues, I have failed you. I have wanted nothing but to serve you. I have failed and failed. Give me your grace and bring me back to life as a full Gold Dragon and I will make you Lord of the multiverse."

Almost to his surprise there was a response. "Katar."

He turned around and saw a man with stunning features and waved hair. Eyes cracked with blackness and a pupil that has eaten its iris. A medallion hung from his neck of a boats wheel with 12 handles. "I am a messenger of the Great Father and have come to give offer you a covenant. The Isle has fallen to corruption, a man named the Fox runs a criminal ring in its shadow and pulls the puppet strings of the council. Lord Atrayu, all be it ignorantly, has lost the sight of what the Isle is suppose to mean through his rigid dogmatic view of his mission. And General Galan possess an artifact that must be returned. Dark times that corrupt even the saviors of man kind. I will restore you to life as a full Gold Dragon so you may be my worker in the mortal realm for these purposes. So I offer you the following covenant. You must never speak to anyone mortal or otherwise of this covenant or myself. You must do all I ask with out question or fail, so long as those conditions are met not only will I let you live but will grant you the honors and positions and powers of a Paladin to execute my will."

"Who are you?" Was all Dante could think to say.

"I am Abraham, angel of the Great Father."

"Yes I covenant. Give me the power to save the world and it will be done."

"It is done."

------------

Dante woke up numb and fuzzy.

To make things right

Serith Silverwing bowed before Lord Raquel Al-Shatel his shoulders weighed with shame. He returned expecting to be a hero and found out again, he was impulsive and it cost unforseen lives. "My Lord." A nearly inaudable clearing of the throat silenced Serith.

"Master Silverwing, no tactical decisions made in real time are perfect. The more power we have the greater our mistakes can hurt people. The smaller our margin of error becomes. Now there was no way you could have known the consquence. But we must understand there are always consequences. For every decesion, good and bad or right and wrong, there are results, good and bad. What are the results of your actions?"

"Captain Dante is dead."

"Correct, what else?"

Serith paused for a moment. "Alan and Lord Haws are dead."

"Correct unable to give physical attack to the cause of the light. That is also a consequence you must live with." Sertih exhaled, despite the tradgedy he had caused there was still victory. "Their deaths may or may not inspire those of like minds to rally to the cause." His heart sank again. Lord Raquel spoke with wisdom that could only come from decades of making the impossible decisions. Why he had petitioned to work under him. This was another consequence being taught by the master.

"Both good and bad."

"Yes and a lot in between. And both the good and the bad you'll have to live with. One of which is you will be removed from General Galan's team and assigned back to mine."

"I have much to learn from you."

"Well you will learn a lot guarding my mops. I'd hate for the Dark one to get my mop." He smiled and even laughed and brushed the hair from his face.

---------------

It was hour 7 of his shift. He could barely move in the closet with all the brooms and mops. He was not suppose to move though, that would take away from the time he need to review the consequences of his actions.

The door openned and Serith began his memorized speach, "This is my mop, there are other's like it but this one is mine..." He stopped as the office raised his hand and said, "Save it broom man, Lord Raquel wanted to inform you that General Galan captured the escaped Mogath imposter. She has been sentanced to life in the Genevan prison. The real Lady Mogath is to make a speech this afternoon."

The door shut and Serith was in Darkness again. He smiled.

------------

Vadellya smoothed her dress and straightenned her cape. She and Raquel had gone over the speech and reheared it, she was still nervous. This was very important. With the first real public threat to Genevan sovernity in its history it had to be handled perfectly. She often under estimated or under played her importance in the political scene because she did not understand it, nor enjoy it. But this had to be done. The entire Great Square was full. Military, shop keepers, diplomats from other nations, mages from the school, farmers, sailors and everyone else in the world it seemed. Clearing her throat she stepped up and ran her fingers over the parchment. It was not time for nervous ticks it was time for the dignity of a Princess.

"I am Vadellya Mogath. Widow of the late and great Keeper of the Seals Tassadar Mogath, Son of the RIder of the Winds and Founder of the Isle of the Winds- Logar Mogath. There has been no greater honor nor heavier responsibilty in my life than to carry a name I am not worthy of. The name Mogath is synonomys with Light and Truth, equal to virtue and strength. It invokes powerful hope filling and heart lifting emotions. Images of Cloud soaring through the air fighting the winged demon Fraza, pictures of the combatting Horseman, the hammer which broke the Black Raven and Trevor in the Raven wars. The name and movement that has brought hope and life to countless people and peoples across the world.

I have that name. It is the only name I have ever been able to claim. I was forsaken by my brith family and left on the steps of the mage school. Taught and raised the best I could I never lived in a world with out the Isle. I traveled to Jong Guo and saw the Seanchan forces obliterate those people and the hard ship and pain that resulted. I realized then that there is not always a lot to believe in in this world. But you can believe in the Isle. It is more than these temples and banners, more so then flying islands and famous names. Burn them all to ash and the Isle lives on. It is immortal because the Light is eternal. The light will shine against the shadow and protect the faithful from the hordes of darkness for as long as the shadows creep towards us, and longer.

Good will always prevail. I believe in the Mogath name because it means the Isle, and I believe in the Isle because it stands for the LIGHT. We must not be distracted and fooled by anyone or anything that seeks to use those names or ideals for anything less than what they are--Truth and Justice. Even if that person be me.

Many of you have been impacted by the influence of such movements as The Order of Light and the Mogath Rebellion. The Vadellya Mogath whose actions you know of what not me. I was campaigning in the Dark Wood in an effort to push forward the cause of the Isle and live up to the name that has been given me. It was an imposter who sought to corrupt and tarnish that great name and the greatness of what we have all built here together.

I for one will not let that happen. The ruling of the Isle belongs to the Keeper of the Seals and the Keeper alone. Regardless of the last name or nation he hails from. The gods as champions of Light call and ordain the Keeper, we as mortals must have faith in that.

The ruling of Geneva is left to a council whose affairs and sucession is selected by that body. To prevent any further danger to Geneva I withdraw now and forever any right or position I would have on that council. Lord Raquel Al-Shatel and Lord Atryu are the remaining members of that council founded by Lord Logar Mogath and deserve my and your loyalty and gratitude.

There is no amount of service or tribute we can give to repay them for what they have done for us. We and the world sleep safe because they lead the fight against those who would destroy us. I thank Lord Logar for that, I thank my love Lord Tassadar for that, I thank Lord Raquel, and Lord Atrayu and all of you who fight with them by any means you can. An most of all I thank the Light and it is the Light which we must all serve.

May the Light save you!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Mogath Rebellion

Galan openned the door to his empty office. Nothing was left except the curtains and the old desk, and the desk was empty. "Vahn," waiting another moment, "Vahn." But there was no response. He had dismissed Bella and Morianna followed her. Needed to let her go long enough that she went back to this Tatyana. Everyone else was there though including Blade. Or whatever he calls himself now. "Captain find Vahn for me. He should be right here."

"Yes sir." came the response from Dante. Galan wondered how long he would be focussed before another master plan to bring down Alan came to the surface. Perhaps it was good because it kept the threat on all of their minds.

--------

"Sir, I thought you had already left." The sentry on duty responded to Dante's question.

"Where is Vahn?"

"Left with you sir. Two days ago or so I thought."

"Me, I've been in the Darkwood."

"Yes and when General Galan fell you returned and took command. Was the Army of the South recalled to the Capital for the Rebellion?"

"REBELLION? What Rebellion?"

"Lady Mogath, burned an armory and declared her intention to claim Geneva as her own. Asserting her right to succession."

Dante blinked. Politics was beyond him. Best to let General Galan figure this out.

----------

Galan was looking out his window as Vadellya and Greyson sat talking. He thought they would have had enough sitting in a room talking after being locked down in quariatin for a couple of days but they stayed. Then the door flew open with so much passion and dramatic effect it could only be Dante. "Captain" he said turning around.

He say Dante and a young solider who stood wide eyed staring at Vadellya. "This man has somethign to tell you sir."

Galan doing his best to act Generalish widenned his shoulders and said, "Very well son, report."

The man just blinked and rested his hand on his hilt. "Solider." Galan said firmly.

"My apologies sir its just that I heard you were dead and the standing order to arrest Lady Mogath on site."

"What order?"

"IN response to he insurrection my lord. Declaring herself the rightful ruler of Geneva in the MOgath name and calling all loyal to the Mogath name to rally to her banner. She dissapeared, have you captured her my lord?"

"No. We've just returned."

The expression on the young man's face was telling an epic story. He started with startled surprise moving to anxious nervousness, rested on a solider's steel resolve then a long sigh of realization and relief. "I too am loyal to the Mogath name."

"Be Loyal to the light and nothing else." Turning to Morgan, "Find Vahn and bring him here, scry and bring him back."

--------------

Vahn moved to the tree line from the shore. His clothes were dry now and he had expected someone to find him but as of yet no sign of a ship close enough to signal. Two days ago they left Atlanta under the command of the traitor Captian Dante. Claiming Galan was killed in the Dark Wood. Killed by who? Dante? Anger boiled in his blood. But he could not do anything about this foul trechary on a beach.

Suddenly Morgan was right next to him. "Galan wants you." About time. He thought. Then they both were in General Galan's office.

-------------

Vadellya and Dante were both floored as Vahn looked at both of them with hatred and recited the story of what had occurred since they left. Vadellya was so taken aback she missed most of the details but the general plot seemed to be the following. They all left for the Dark Wood and two days later Captain Dante came back reporting General Galan and the others were claimed by the Wood. He ordered what was left of the command to pack up and head to the Southern rim. They packed and left on a couple of large transport ships. The next day Vadellya killed a couple of dozen guards and burned down a block of Atlanta announcing publicly her desire to claim the throne of Geneva as Queen. Vahn discovered a stow away abour the transport, the dead Skylar Haws turned Death Knight as fallen Paladins tend to do. The battle resulted in the burning and sinking of the ship and, as far as Vahn could tell, the death of all his companions. He looked like a coiled snake ready to spring and kill Dante and her in one massive swing. He was not know for his self control and poise.

She was relieved to hear General Galan's comments, "Well there is obviously something amiss wrong here. Because they were both with me running through the Dark Wood for the past several days. Vahn you and Greyson will come with me to speak to Lord Raquel and get this sorted out. Someone is impersonating us with horrible consequences. For the time being Vadellya and Dante you should stay here. Serith and Morgan make sure they don't leave and that no one take them. Do not leave this room undersand?"

Vadellya saw Dante nod and felt herself do the same. As soon as Galan left she started to worry about Gerzon. He was stil visiting Elaine in Andreal but this sort of thing had the potential to destroy what relationship she had managed to build with him.

-------------

General Galan's party had been let in to see Raquel failrly quickly as far as waiting to see Heads of state go. Greyson guessed that was the privilage of being a dead General with crucial information concerning the ongoing rebellion, as Galan so powerfully put it to the man guarding the door. As they were let in Greyson overheard on of the assistances say something about Enron, the elven kingdom to the south and Drakus, that sounded like a Dwarven name.

As Galan and Vahn gave the full report Lord Raquel absorbed it. "Ok, General if you are sure of the accussed innocence that means we have someone else out there. IN the Wake of the Order of Light movement which lived and died on the Mogath name the longer this goes on the more dangerous it becomes for all of us and what we stand for." Taking a pause, "Find and arrest the people responsible. Alive, we do not need martyrs to this cause. And here take this." He put his signature on a document one of his assistance gave him and brushed the hair from his eyes, "If you need, with your army in disrepair, this order gives you 1000 of General Eric's troops. He's currently in Sparta dealing with some esculating threats from the Goblin tribes. Though I can't keep the border strong and let us be devoured form the inside."

Greyson was impressed he must have already had the letter written. A Shogun level insight.

-------------------

Serith sat going over and over the events in his head. Some imposter, maybe doplegangers? No they could not mimic such high level magic. Unless they had support from some powerful mage. It was an exremely powerful mage that they gave Veritas too and now he had escaped. Though if it was such a powerful mage he may not need to rely on doplegangers for such complicated plots.. He began to pace. He knew Lord Raquels schedule. He knew if Galan was even able to speak to him today it would take a little while to get all the right wheels moving. Up against the level of enemy, time was crucial. He felt they should strike before the enemy could gather more force. Calm, slow, smooth. Raquel had taught him that. Its important to move fast thats why we move slow. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. We need to know more..

"Vadellya your crystal ball." She produced it from her bag of holding and Serith took it. He scyed for Vadellya's clone and only saw Vadellya. The same for Dante. Then he had a idea. He scryed for Lord Skylar Haws the Death Knight.

There they were, Lord Haws, Vadellya, Dante, and Alan. They were on the shore of a lake which reflection showed them--Blade and Morgan guarding Vadellya and Dante. Then the scry was blocked. "Tell them we found their location and I moved in. They caught me looking and I have to act."

Then he vanished.

He was in South Geneva, had never been there before himself but seen the maps enough to know he was above Lake Arillies. With no hesitation, he began a flurry of disentigration spells targetted at all four of them. They had a resistance he was sure but he cast haste and then began to throw the spell down from his sword allowing him to send four beams where he would normally just send one.

Vadellya the copy sent up several spells Serith ignored caught by his resistance. He had to act quickly. The Death Knight did the same sending up symbols of death and other cursed corruptions of the healing arts he use to preform. He was the first to fail and die. The ray connected and devoured the Death Knight on impact.

Alan just laughed. He had done nothign the whole time just laughed. "GO AHEAD KILL EM ALL KILL US ALL." Serith heard his face carry on the wind. He did not have time to think about or pick apart his enemies stradegy, Serith had decided to strike and had to carry through he drew deep with in himself and rained death down on them. The Copy of Dante was the next to fall. Trying to block with his blades only made his destruction more sweet.

Alan feel to the ground rolling pounding his chest. Some phsycos only want to see the world burn. He thought as he concentrated all his fire on Alan. End this. With his defenesed down and vulnerable Alan fell quickly. The Copy of Vadellya teleported away seeing Seriths firm conviction. She must not be willing to die for his schemes.

Not a bad day.He thought, Rebellion ended, Mastermind found and destroyed. Haws was killed in Dragon, Alan's hometown, would have raised as a Death Knight there. Alan had recently obtained the right arms of both Vadellya and Dante. It all made sense and now it was over.

------------------

Morgan looked wided eyes at where Blade use to be. "Well . . ." SHe folded her arms. She was conflicted wanting to mix it up and shred some flesh, but she had ot babysit the two babies spaz boy and distracta girl. And on the otherside, she had done enough of other people's dirty work. She was perfectly content to sit and do nothing for a day.

Dante dissapeared.

Vadellya screamed. Morgan did not feel any magic be exercised, Vadellya did not cast. It looked like he just disentegrated.

Out of the Dark

"Everyone look straight ahead. Pay no attention to the wood. Veritas will disturb and scare you into submission. Don't believe anything just get out of here."
Vadellya heard Galan call out the order and tried to look forward. The howling of wolves in the distance caught her attention as she turned sharply with out thinking. Then she stopped stunned. The image of yourself hanging does things to a person. Vadellya only shook as Greyson grabbed under her arm and snapped her out of it.

------------------

As they ran the sounds of wolves chased them.
Morgan's feelings went from elated to concerned and the sounds of the wolves meant the devouring of that dumb whore to chasing them. Her magically summoned invisible mount outpaced the wolves. Though, they were on the other side of the tree line and could not cross onto the path. There was one creature she could not out pace. It ran on two legs. A strong broud human like body devoid of any fat. COvered in thick course timber wolf hair. Hands with elongated fingers each sporting clawed finger tips that extended 3 or so inches beyond the end of the finger. The head was not really man or wolf it looked like a bat. A beutiful bat. Large webbed ears adorned either side of his striking almost entrancing features in his face. When she saw its eyes she then knew exactly what it was. It was not a trick,it was not an illusion, it was not a creation of the vistani. Those eyes she had seen looking back at her in the mirror her entire life. He had her eyes.

After a few miles the creature seems to bore of the hunt, long after all the wolves had given up. He stops crouches throws his head back and lets loose a terrifying sound. Resembling a cross between a manical scream and a blood thirsty dire wolf howl. It floated into throaty laughter and back to the howl several times as they continued their flight like pace. MOrgan saw everyone shutter at the sound. But no one could have been more worried then her.

-----------------

To speed up their travel Serith took Silver Dragon form, as large as he could with the constraints of the small path. Greyson, Dante, Vadellya all jumped on. Serith moved at a quick pace building momentum as he rode. Too many unknowns. There was a time where he would have improvised his way through a whole encounter. This whole things was much to choatic for his mindset now. Seeing how Khan with some planning unravelled he and all his companions, being locked up in Sigil prison adn realizing that he was guilty of much more then the crimes he was convicted of but of constant impulsive behavior that cost many lives. Then when he understood that what the Dark One and his minions wanted was Choas, he decided he had to bring order to the world and that started with himself. He needed time to think this through and a plan with set steps.

A small little boys ball dashed across the path catching Serith's attention but not causing him to slow. He felt it give under his feet but not want to believe it. He had trambled a little boy who chased the ball across the path. He ignored it, simply veritas playing games. He could not ignore the wet mush under his claw at every stride.

---------

NIght fell as they ran. It was too early for the sun to set but Greyson had realized long ago that the laws of normal no longer applied. Once they could no longer see, which according to normal he had no problem seeing in the dark, he would always remember the sounds.


-----------

Galan led them on. His horse laborred and he knew that it would give out any minute but he pushed on. They passed the Set temple several miles back so they were getting closer. Galan was exhausted and he was not even the one that was running. He could tell the way his horse was starting to miss steps that it was done. Even if they stopped to rest the horse would not be the same. He reached down and saw blood coming from the horses nose. He laid his hands on his stead and prayed to Tyr that the horse be granted strength.

They road on the Horse lifted by divine power far beyond one would expect any animal to go. He looked over and saw that even Blade was tired. Several times Galan and called on divine grace to heal the horse and several times it had. They had travelled so long and so far he felt he had exhausted the grace Tyre granted him. He knew it was coming, as the horse stumbled and fell to the ground he tumbled to the side just short of the tree line. Taking only but a moment to look back at his horse he started to run. "GO GO, don't stop we're almost there."

In fact, they could see it. The bright pillar of light which indicated the path openned into the plains between the wood and the fortress. His horse had fell just a few hundred yards short of victory. THe light was blocked by something or somethings. A troop of soliders, carrying the Imperial markings.

He raised his hand to them and they to him. They all halted for a moment as Galan told them through laborred breaths what he knew. "Captain Falconhand staid behind. I believe she has fallen. It is Veritas we need to regroup and develop a plan of attack. Anyone who goes in there is dead or worse. We should fall back."

With out saying a word the soliders looked at him and the skin rotted off their flesh.

"Ghouls." He called out and they sprang to combat. He could not tell if theses were pure creations of the vistani or if perhaps this was a patrol sent to find and assist them which had fallen to his corruption or the corruption of the wood. He hoped it was the first.

Simple ghouls were no match for the raw might of the party and as quickly and the threat was identified it had been eliminated. Moving a little more than 200 yards brought them all past the tree line. Galan took a moment to catch his breath.

----------


Dante slid off of Serith's back and landed firmly on the ground. Rather unimpressive he thought in comparision to what he expected. He noticed Bella was shaking. She must have been pretty shaken by something. His concern for her was shifted by the sound of a small girl crying. He looked over to see the small girl clad in a white dress on her knees huddled over crying. Her dress covered in blood he wanted to help her. "Stop" Morgan called out and Dante froze in his tracks. "She's a trick. Veritas is trying to lure us on we should move."

A little boy came and stood beside her. A little gypsy boy and it appeared that he was trying ot comfort her, "Its ok, they are nice people." It was the little boy Serith ran over on the way out. He was even holding that little ball. "I bet they'll even play with us." Turning to Dante, "Play with me." He rolled the ball to Dante's feet. Dante went to kick it back at the child with anger, "I won't play your game." He connected but the ball did not fly forward as he expected. There was something on his foot. He looked down and saw he had managed to lodge his foot into a rotting skull.
His rotting skull. THe image sent shivers all through his body. Shivers that turned to violent shaking. vomitting. Dante's hearts threatenned to beat out of his chest all he could do was swallow to try and keep in inside of him. He barely noticed he had fallen ot the ground. So horrified he was begging for death to make the feeling stop.

----------------

Morgan turned to Bella and says, "All creations of your creature to caputre us move."
At that moment Bella felt anger boil up at Morgan for revealing her to Veritas but that was quickly removed by fear. The little boy and little girl turned to mist and in a moment the mist turned to him.

"Oh my sweet Bella. I should have recognized you. What sort of Father Am I. You intrigue me, the way I intrigue my kind. Though I do not wish to destroy you only perfect you. Come with me. I will find what about you granted an independent existence, and what about your flawed creation led to perfection."

Greyson, Dante, and MOriana all rushed Veritas in an attempt to protect Bella. Moriana's crossbow bolt strikes dead center of the chest. Earning the response of a cold laugh. Veritas grabs the bolt and pulls it from his hearless chest with ease. following the bolt came hordes of maggot and puss coated with worms and slime.

Bella could literally see the fear wash over everyone who was staring at him. Almost like it was a tangale flood of emotion he emitted. Galan and Morgan were the only ones to shield their eyes and the only ones not curled up on the ground crying for fear.

He stepped closer but Morgan stepped between Bella and he. Bella now trembled like a frightenned girl. Morgan spoke maybe hoping to redeem herself for her foolish naming of Bella. "We should all be about our tasks. We've left your wood and we all have things to do."

TO Bella's shock and amazement veritas stops and examines her carefully. "He has your eyes."

"I Know I saw him."

"And you do not wish to view and meet the creation of your womb? Even I have empathy for my creations." Pointing to Bella made her shiver if she had blood it would run cold. "Very well. I will raise him as my own." A wall of misty fog rolls from the plains into th wood and Veritas is gone.

-----------

After 2 painfully boreing days of quarinteen to ensure no one had the zombie infection Vadellya teleported them back to what she now considered the center of light in the universe-- Geneva.

In the Dark

"Scrying is patchy at best. What little our mages have been able to view we'll share with you. 2 days ago we dispatched several scouts to recon the condition of the Darkwood. They knew they may not be coming back but for hope of determining what the condition of the woods interior was we sent them in. Hoping to aid their chance of survival we equipped them with wands of fire but the effect the woods had on its magic seemed to make them unreliable."

Captain Falconhand gave her briefing cooly and with composure. She was an experienced commander. They all say gathered around a large crystal ball structure in the Border Fort. This was the most southern Imperial outpost. No more than a hundred yards from where they now sat was the Darkwood, an ancient forest of vast size and populated by a large variety of monsters and other creatures. Despite the Crystal Empires might, they had not been able to colonize the wood. Mostly because they saw no value in doing so. While it was in the empire on the map, they exercised no real control.

She continued, "Everyone must stay on the path. There are worn paths through the wood which things seem to behave relatively normal. Crossing the path into the forest itself causes one to be randomly teleported to a location within the wood. We can expect several types of encounters once inside. The wood is native home to monsterous creatures such as giant spiders, scorpions, orcs and the like. The wood also has portals to many lower planes. Demons and undead are reported plentiful too. Also keep in mind there is likely to be a significant population of Imperial citizens. One of our duties here is to keep fugitives and others from escaping into the wood. We do not always succeed. Many outlawed dark religious movements and treason meaning fugitives have escaped into the Wood through the centuries. There is really no way to tell the full extend of whatever society they have built with in it. While our current lead theory to the cause of the zombie outbreak and attempted invasion is this Veritas, we must stay open to all possibilities. Our orders to determine the source of them and destroy if possible come from the Empress, may she live forever, and should be carried out as such. Any questions?"

"What can you tell us more about the behavior of magic?" Blade asked. Though Galan believed he went by Serith now. Released from the Mercykiller prison a sworn MercyKiller himself. In Khan's last notes to Galan about his plan to destroy Filtch it mentioned that Blade would no longer be a concern. He had to trust that to be truth even if he was here with them. He was serving as one of Lord Raquel's personal attendants and was assigned to help since he was the mage who cast the trapping spell on Veritas last time.

She responded, "That it is unpredictable. Sometimes it casts perfect other times it will form the wrong spell or an undesired results. Many times it will not work at all. The whole thing seems to be, to one degree or another, a wild magic zone." Serith gave a serene expression and nod. "With no other questions let me show you what little scrying we had returned from out scouts.

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Day 1

All fifteen of us still accounted for. Nothing exciting to report. The Genevan's seen a very curious. Not at all what I heard or thought it would be. Their General is a pious Paladin and so is his guard. Beyond that they seem a rough collection of whatever they could find at the time. They must not highly value nobelity because they seem to have sent 2 princesses. One a mage and one named Bella who appears to be totally worthless. Though she has a hand servant who at least carries weapons if no armor. Galan's chief officer Captain Dante is impulsive and rash. His mage Morgan is crude and abrasive. I believe she even did not wish immortality when invoking the Empresses name once. Serith is one of Lord Raquel's personel guards and carries blades of a blade singer. While it would appear many of them have skill their is no polish. No uniformity no cohesion. Though I am glad to have it. We make camp in a small opening in the path, splitting the watch amongst us and the Genevans.

Day 2

Spiders and laid traps for us through the night. If it were not for the crude and obnoxious mage we may have suffered a casualty. Though they act too quickly and without polished thought they are resourceful. Coming across a fork in the road today, Bella started talking about intuition and instinct. Crazy enough the Genevan's all responded to her with respect and she started guessing the way to go. Most likely for the best since that takes us to the Moonwell. give us a chance to resupply water. It also brough us to an overgrown and long abandoned temple to set. Camp as been set up and we will take the first half of the night as a watch still no zombies.

Day 3

I was wrong to trust the Genevians. Rather by intention or neglect they have ruined us. Captain Dante's watch was more concerned with exploring the temple than keeping watch. I lost one of my men to a demon inside the temple and 3 more to zombies that came upon us during the night. We finally repelled the attack to have Dante emerge from the temple having released a sealed Vorta demon demanding to know something about someone known as Alan. Luckily, the shogun that travels with them destroyed the sacred vase and sent the Demon back to hell. Dante seemed genuinely disappointed. I hope they all burn when I exercise the contingency.
We torched the camp site and moved on. Rather than travel through the night, we set up camp just short of the Moonwell. It is just I Jacob and Thomas now. Divided the watch to 3 shifts, each of us taking one. I don't trust those Genevan vagabonds.

Day4

General Galan does show traits of a good leader. One that you would expect form the Isle. He reproved the lack of duty sharply but kept everyone focused on the mission. He keeps talking about what will we do when we find veritas. Well Due to the Empress's, may she live forever, instructions no one can know. Though I may regret killed Galan and Greyson the rest of the worthless bunch the world will be better without. I do believe we saw Veritas today. To the west of the path there was a gypsy camp. 3 people that waved at us and invited us to share their fire. Since the camp was with in the woods and outside the path we could not get to them. I could have ended it all then. No matter what you are you want survive the ultimate in Imperial magic research- spirit bomb.

A strange occurrence at the well made me believe we can finish this tonight. A large pack of well over 200 wolves approached the clearing that well was in while not entering the path. One of the mages conjured a rabbit and sent it in while Captain Dante attempted to communicate. The rabbit left the path and wondered into the wood. Captain Dante said one the wolves called the summoner had granted them power and strength. And identified the summoner as one of the men in the gypsy camp. When they left I ordered my men through. Galan felt it suicide and said he would go back now that it was confirmed we were dealing with Veritas it was best to prepare. He invited me to go with him. If I knew only what he knew i would have done the same.

Day 5

They got it from me. Thomas and Jacob torn and devoured before my eyes. I only wanted to get close enough to ensure victory. The creature who took it was no human nor was he wolf. Not a werewolf either. With the face of a bat he commanded the wolves. I have barely escaped and know this is the end. I pray to Andrea that I may find the Spirit Bomb and activate it. Burn this whole Olympus forsaken place down. If I fail, I can only hope General Galan will succeed.

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Morgan smiled as she heard the screams in the distance. Those arrogance Imperials got what they deserved. And the Empress, may she drink my vomit, can mourn them if she wishes. They tried teleporting out but it failed. Though once Captain hand up her butt left the General thought they should leave as well. They could see them from the path for a little ways but the forest grew thick where it was not before and all Morgan could do to know where there were was to judge the distance from the source of the screaming.

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Reply from the Empress

Jeric open the letter which came with the Imperial seal. He hoped it was in response to his report about the golemns. It was his duty to keep the Empress, may she live forever, informed on the happenings of the world. He had done so and requested her backing for a measure of military might.

The letter read:

Master Windstar, It is good to hear on your resent successes in the battle against the Shadow, in these troubled times more then anything, the Shadow can not be allowed any ground. The current work that you have been doing on the Isle is very impressive. I have hoped many times to bring the different nations of the world together in the hopes of forwarding the Light. I do sense many hardships and difficulties in the coming months as you continue on this particular project. As always the Crystal Empire is a land of hope and of peace, and will join with other nations to fulfill this dream of peace and unity.If the information that you have received from Knight Pierce is true then this is very disturbing news. The use of Chronomancy by any being is very dangerous and can have very direr results. Changes to the time line can have unforeseen consequences and cannot be allowed. Any information on Ko'tar of Clan Skyrim will need to be included in your next report. It be necessary for you to contact the Council of Wyrms directly about this information, assassins and a bodyguard traveling through the Time Stream to attack one of their own is information that needs to be given to them.

As far as this mage is concerned, I require more information such as his name and the location of his tower. Any relevant information can help in revealing what it is that we are exactly facing. I feel as though I do not need to tell you this Master Windstar nonetheless, be weary of this mage. Your connection to Ravenloft could be enough for this mage to attack you again soon. The dark energies of the Demi-Plane of Dread are used by many dark mages to power unholy abominations. The most powerful and knowledgeable of Artificer either come from or have been taught in Ravenloft. It is possible that he wishes to use you to power one of his creations. As for the female Drow, do not underestimate her. The Drow are never to be trusted and they are all very dangerous. Use caution when dealing with her and kill her as quickly as possible.

As of the creature X it is my advice to speak to High Master Crystalridge about saving his life. She is one of the foremost mages on golems, and is the best Artificer that I know of. I will send along with this letter two items; first a container that creates a small stasis field. That should be able to allow you more time to recreate a suitable body. Any information of the recreation of this golem should be also forwarded to the Mage’s Core for proper documentation. Secondly a Hammer of Disenchantment, it is a small crystal hammer that holds the strongest dispelling magic short of Deity.

Beyond these items, there is little more direct assistance that I can give to you at this time, other then information. The Empire, much like the Isle is still recovering from earlier battles with the Shadow. If direct threats to the Empire or any of her holdings become apparent then at that time forces can be gathered and deployed for your use through Executive Order #419. Use this as a measure of last resort, I will not allow any of my subjects to die needlessly or to have an international incident occur due to an itchy trigger finger.

I have placed great trust in you judgment Master Windstar, do not make me regret this. And may the force be with you.

By the hand of her Imperial Majesty, the Sovereign of the Seven Kingdoms,

Anastasia Silvermoon

Like a sheep to a shepard

Edward was doing very well for himself. His girlfriend met all his financial needs and gave a good cover. He had aquired partnership in nearly 2 dozen shops. Pretty steady stream of income and with with Great Coven interested in secrecy only he had a network of people keeping him hidden. Being a day walker and being connected to Darkness made him very valuable to the Coven. Tatyana had even said so. Oh Tatyana. Just to think of her was intoxicating they way feigh wine was when he was mortal. Fires burned in him like when he had met Morgan the first time. But that was in a life long past in more than one way.

Yet despite his longing for Tatyana, or maybe because of it, he refused to visit her again. He constantly dreamt of her hand on his skin again that seemed to cool and warm all at once. The perfect porcelian skin. How she was pleasing to every detail. How she looked, and how she smelt, and how she tasted. Oh how she tasted. He was so lost in thoughts of her that he barely noticed the man he was suppose to be talking to as they walked through town. He owned a shipping company that carried an assortment of goods manufactured in TradeCity to elsewhere in the world. Not cheap animal skins or raw wool like the others he had taken over but these were finished products. Dresses, furniture, glass statues, Ceramic bowls and everything else a person could need adn not need. Though the partnership could make Edward a lot of money, he was not concerned- the man's will was already surrendered.

As they stood halfway across one of the large bridges that spanned the large river which divided the city, Edward stopped and looked towards Tatyana's estate and debated if a visit would really be that dangerous.

The bridge exploded. He did not know what happenned to his companion nor did he care. He could not fall into the moving water or he would be frozen still. He turned to mist.

The moment he did that he felt himself ensnared by a whirlwind and spun. Struggle as he may he could not fight the force of the whirlwind and was pushed into the flowing river. He reformed attempting to use his teleport ring. He tried to activate it but it seemed as if something had deactivated it. He saw the holy symbol of Hades as he felt a carefully measured blade slide through his skin, muscle and bones. He knew he was lost. But who? Why? Edward had many enemies and a past he could not out run, even running through both sides of death and rebirth.