NationStates Jolt Archive

"What are you talking about?" Ar'mai said as she came in the door ten seconds later. "Luthien is sleeping soundly in her bed... go look."

"Now please... leave my room. I need to sleep."

"Sure...uh huh, sneaky elf. I looked in her room already, and Luthien wasn't in there," Kalzog replied through the door.

"Like you said... ogres have poor eyesight while elves do not," Ar'mai said with a grin. "You must have missed her as I saw her clearly in her bed. Besides, I have no reason to hide her... she is sleeping right there in her bed," she remarked as she pointed through the wall to where Luthien's bed would be in the other room.

"Oh, but through my travels, I have learned that elves should not be trusted. Prove it, and then I shall let you enter," he replied.

"While I wait, I'll lay down on your bed," he laughed. Just by sitting on the bed, Kalzog knew he may break it with his weight.

"Prove it? Just go ahead and look for yourself," Ar'ami said. "I am not going to wake the poor girl up so your drunken ass can have the satisfaction."

"And keep that ass away from my bed. No good can come out of sitting on my bed... it will break or it will smell."

"Too late," he joked as he put up a chair to the door and crushed it in between his hands. "How can you sleep on this thing?"

He began to laugh again. "And I'm not drunk...not yet, atleast!"

"Use one of your strange elven magics to prove that Luthien is in her room. I'm sure you have something for that."

As Ar'mai worked on coaxing Kalzog out of her room, Lorathin walked up and asked "What is going on here?"

"Kalzog is being a drunken ass..."

"Are you a drunken ass Kalzog, as Ar'mai seems to believe you are." Lorathin commented

"Nah. But Ar'mai is a whiney little tree hugger," Kalzog laughed.

Zyergi had been standing on the roof above Ar'mai's room for a while now, listening in on the conversation. Kalzog's door-busting manuver had woken him up quite suddenly and, though he was hesitent to leave Karasu's side, he decided to check up on the Ogre to see if he wasn't making too much trouble.

"So what's the matter between you two?" He asked

After hearing all the commotion, Karasu woke up to see Zyergi gone. She heard voices on the roof. Wanting to know what was going on, she flipped from her window up to the roof.

"What in the world is going on here?!" She asked. "Smashing sounds, yelling, footsteps on the roof... not your average normal night's sleep, I would say.

Oh, Ar'mai is arguing with someone... big surprise. Then she realized it was Kalzog and became concerned for the little girl. Kalzog was drunk as hell.

"Hello Azrael. It is wonderful to see you, although on the rooftop in the middle of the night would not be my choice as to where to run into you again. So, Zyergi, Azrael... what is going on? Although I believe I have a good idea."

Karasu looked at Kalzog and rolled her eyes.

"He won't get out of my room!"

Zyergi frowned as Karasu appeared. She should be getting a good night's sleep, he thought. He looked down.

"It seems to be some altercation between Kalzog and Ar'mai. I'm just eavedropping at the moment, but I think Kalzog might try to go after Luthien; He's somewhat drunk, so I don't think it's too remote a possibility."

"Kalzog, please exit Ar'mai's room. I don't think she's interested in sleeping with you." Lorathin commented,

"I would suppose that is exactly what Kalzog is doing." Karasu replied.

"Perhaps the little girl should sleep in our room... oh that is right, Ar'mai told me in no uncertain terms that Luthien does not like me...bitch..."

"I can't even get a good night's sleep for my last day on this wretched world," Steve commented, as he came around the corner to see what was going on.
"Kalzog, my new friend," Steve said with a disarming smile, as he approached the giant drunken ogre. "Have you ever had a paladin as a friend before?"

"I would suppose that is exactly what Kalzog is doing." Karasu replied.

"Perhaps the little girl should sleep in our room... oh that is right, Ar'mai told me in no uncertain terms that Luthien does not like me...bitch..."

"Don't blame me because the girl hasn't taken a liking to you yet... sometimes it takes time," Ar'mai said.

"Sleeping with me?" Kalzog growled. "I don't sleep with anyone!"

"And I never had any friends before! And I don't want any!" he growled. "I was just wonderin where Luthien is, cause I never saw her in her room..."

"Don't blame me because the girl hasn't taken a liking to you yet... sometimes it takes time," Ar'mai said.


Karasu had not known that Ar'mai had heard her. "I am not blaming you... it is the way you say things Ar'mai... as nasty as possible... at least to me. And I would appreciate you not calling me "it" anymore. You are so rude. I do not think I have ever met anyone as rude as you."

Karasu turned around and went back to her room. She had had enough of Ar'mai's crap, thinking she is somehow superior to everyone. "It" my ass. What a bitch.

"Well, if you don't want me as a friend," Steve said, as he patted the ogre on one of his massive arms, "I don't feel so bad about sobering you up."
With his innate powers, the paladin focused the faith of his god to neutralize the alcohol in the system of the massive ogre, before pulling away and making sure he was out of reach of the no-longer-drunk ogre.
"That's the problem with having a paladin around... we tend to stop the 'fun' of others when it's going to lead to problems."
Hoping the night might pass a little more quietly, Steve turned to leave.

Kalzog narrowed his eyes at the paladin. "I wasn't drunk! It takes more than eight kegs to get me drunk!" growled the ogre.

"And I wasn't making any problems!" Kalzog suddenly noticed that the whole party was awake and watching.

"Baah...don't you all have sleep to catch up on?" he growled.

Zyergi paused, observing the exchange between Karasu and Ar'mai; obviously these two had a bad past. He glanced at Kalzog, deciding that the Ogre no longer posed a threat. He was impressed that Kalzog could drink that much and still remain sober.

Zyergi quickly followed Karasu into their room and started to comfort her.

"Looks like Ar'mai is as mean to you as she is as disregardent of me. She's never approached me and started a friendly conversation; I've barely talked to her directly myself, and whenever I do, it's not a pleasent experiance."

He manuvered around her and looked her in the eye.

"So...What's happened between you two? Surely this is more than simple dislike."

"Zyergi, I honestly do not know. She was mean to me from the moment we met. Snobby, showing obvious dislike, relaying things to me in the worst possible way, turning her back on me. I barely know her! She just took an instant dislike to her. The only reason I dislike her is her superiority complex. I hate that 'I'm better than all of you.' attitude that she has." Karasu told him.

"Plain and simple, she's a raving bitch! To call me "it"!" Karasu shook her head. I do not think you know, but I am also a dragon. I am human most of the time, but can transform to a dragon at will. I am Queen of my clan as well. If she can call me 'it', I can call her 'raving bitch'. She really is snotty. Her disregard of people is part of it. She looks down on everyone as if she is so special, and I have yet to see a damned thing other than a snotty attitude and bitchiness from her." Karasu was getting angry.

"Well, I am not going to let that skank ruin this trip for me, however I wish she would just leave." Karasu sat down on the bed, obviously sick of the shit.

"Oh, I am sorry. I did not mean to complain to you about all of this." Karasu chuckled.

"As you say, she is just 'unpleasant', although I would use the words motherfucking skanky bitch, myself. You have yet to be called 'it' and have her be as mean as possible in a normal situation. That bitch has issues. I do not know why she does not take the little elf girl and go back to her elf village. The girl would be safer, and Ar'mai would be out of our hair."

Karasu laughed... "Surprising considering I have really never spoken to her either! I do not know what her problem is. I do not even know her, yet she is nasty as hell to me!" She shook her head. "Whatever... let her deal with her own neurosis... just keep it out of my life." She grinned at Zyergi.

Zyergi grinned back at her, but his eyes widened inside his goggles. A Dragon Queen! Karasu was more impressive than he first thought. Perhaps he was getting in over his head with her. He chucked as Karasu called Ar'mai a "motherfucking skanky bitch"

"To be honest, she doesn't seem too useful in battle either. While Kalzog and I were fighting an army of undead at Val'Thamas, she was preoccupied with keeping the elf girl safe. Of course, this involved staying as far away from the battle as possible while not helping at all. Before that, while Kalzog and I first met and faced a couple dozen skeletons and zombies, she spent her time summoning rain. I wouldn't mind if she helped once in a while."

He carefully observed Karasu, trying to imagine what her dragon from looked like.

"That Dragon ability must be useful. I'd love to see you in battle like that."

"Zyergi, other than the people here with me, I do not let people know that I am also a dragon. Please keep it to yourself. I am an... overly large dragon, actually. Just usual dragon functions, walking, roaring, flying... those things cause damage." Karasu said embarrassed.

"I have a question for you, however you do not have to answer it, as it is very personal.

"Why... why do you wear all those bandages?" Karasu asked. She was very intrigued by this and wondered what happened and why he did not show his face.

"If it is too personal a question, please do not answer, and I apologize."

Karasu had not known that Ar'mai had heard her. "I am not blaming you... it is the way you say things Ar'mai... as nasty as possible... at least to me. And I would appreciate you not calling me "it" anymore. You are so rude. I do not think I have ever met anyone as rude as you."

Karasu turned around and went back to her room. She had had enough of Ar'mai's crap, thinking she is somehow superior to everyone. "It" my ass. What a bitch.

ooc: lol, I don't see where she called you "it"

Ar'mai was quite confused about Karasu's erratic behavior. "She called me a bitch so I told her - in a very pleasant and non-hostile tone - that it wasn't my fault that Luthien didn't like her. Then she starts ranting about me calling her 'it'... what the hell is that about? I never called her 'it'. Does anyone else remember it?"

Zyergi paused, then smiled.

"No need to apologize, Karasu. You should have asked beforehand if you are so curious." He sighed and started to explain his position.

"I'm a wanted man, Karasu-Especially where I come from. If anyone recognized me, I'd have assassians all over me in seconds. I thought this disquise up a while ago; as far as most people are concerned, I'm just an unfortunate burn victim." He took a moment to re-ajust his goggles.

"They serve a practical purpose as well; the bandages can be used at weapons when the time calls for it, but most importantly they are power dampeners. Wearing them decreases my magical and physical abilities. The...people who are after me easily recognize the signal my magic produces, and I really don't want my powers to be a beacon to my location."

Zyergi grinned and looked at his bandages.

"I'm much stronger than you might think. Without these on, I'd probably be close to Kalzog as far as streanth was concerned, and at least three times as fast." He touched his goggles again. "My goggles are a different story...A different power as well. It would take a long time to explain. You'll see what I can do when the time comes."

"Interesting... So you have a lot of powers, huh." Karasu was wondering what he looked like under the bandages.

"May I ask what you are wanted for? Or should I say, what you stole?" Karasu chuckled.

"For once, It's something that belongs to me. We're both royalty, Karasu. I'm a prince, or at least I was, many years ago; My kingdom is far to the east. My father was killed in a coup by his a man named Alarian-once a adventurer, as well as my father's best knight. The bastard murdered my family before taking the throne; I was very young, and away at the time, training with a skilled wizard in the arts of magic. This mage kept me away from my fallen kingdom and rasied me himself as a kind of foster father. Eventually, I left him and joined the Rouge's Guild.

Alarain started sending assassians after me soon after I got into the Rouge's Guild. I got tired of killing them after a few years and decided to go underground. I've been on the run ever since, although it's much harder for Alarain's men to find me."

He scratched his head thoughtfully.

"Mabey after this Lich situation blows over, I'll deal with Alarain. He's been left to his own devices for far too long now."

"I would be most happy to help you, Zyergi. After all, I am, among other things, a trained, skilled assassin." Karasu smiled at Zyergi.

"I am sorry about your family." She told him sadly. "I wish I had words for situations like this, but there really are not any." She looked at him sympathetically.

"Baah...don't you all have sleep to catch up on?" he growled.

"I do! That is why I am telling you to get out of my room so that I can go back to sleep without any disturbances...!" Ar'mai said, becoming quite frustrated.

Zyergi shrugged.

"No need for apologizes. I hardly remember my family. The only relic I have of my line is this sword; It was my fathers."

He unsheathed the sword, gazing at it's shining blade. He went silent for a few seconds before turning his eyes to Karasu

"Alarian's a dangerous man. I wouldn't want to put you into harm's way...but I'm not sure how many Dragon Queens Alarian has fought either. You would be a great help in any attempt to take back my kingdom."

"I am an expert assassin and shinobi, well versed in the weapons and the martial arts. My style is strange, but effective." Karasu smiled.

"Is... Could I see your face quickly, or would it be dangerous for you... could they track you I mean?" Karasu asked. She was very curious as to what he looked like.

"I am also curious about the glasses." She added.

The Lich Mavis and his minions had spent the last few nights resting at the Guild House of the feared Shadow Knives Guild. These were the most feared assassins inside the Grand Shadow Empire. The Lich had offered his services to these assassins in exchange for a place to rest. The targets were weak and easy to kill and the extra money helped.


The Elf Queen Mora Delona was still being held in Mavis's dark power inside his private chamber. The dark bubble that held her was seeping energy and holding her in place. Mora had been trying not to cry and keep her head. This lich was powerful and seemed fairly intelligent. She finally managed to gather enough strength from her god to send a message into the wind hoping to find help…

~"Please help me, I am trapped in the very heart of the dark empire of the undead. I desperately need assistance. I am Queen Mora… "~ Mora could not completely finish with her spell's message thanks to Mavis suddenly noticing the divine power of her god interfering with his holding spell. The evil Lich quickly teleported to the room and quickly punished the poor Elven Queen by hitting her with a chain lighting spell…

The lightning energy shot out into Mora's body racking her in electric agony and pain….

Mavis then laughed as Queen Mora screamed into the spell giving the message a short scream as it went towards the four winds…

The Lich Mavis sighed and said in a haughty voice, "You are a fool my dear Elf even if you manage to attract some poor fool's attention with that spell. I will just kill them and add them to my undead forces. I do hope you are ready to pay for your foolishness."

Mora whimpered as the dark crackling energy sprang forth from Mavis's outstretched fingers and headed directly towards Mora causing her to scream another ghastly deathly scream…

In the middle of the night, Ar'mai shot up in bed with a warm sweat covering her body. She had received a message in a dream; a message from the elven queen of Val'Thamas. "She is still alive..."

A couple of hours later, the sun began to rise, so the elf headed down to the gathering area and sat, waiting for the others to arrive. She needed to share the message with the group...

"Good morning Princess," Kalzog rumbled quietly, a wide grin on his face. "Sleep well?"

Steve woke early in the morning, strapped on his armour, gathered his belongings, and went downstairs. After a great yawn, he ordered some breakfast, and slapped a golden coin down on the bar to pay for the room, meal, and to leave a tip.
Not that he was ever expecting to come back to this world... and even if he did, he didn't expect it to be run by the living any longer.
Now THAT would be a grand adventure... an entire planet of undead... he'd have to check back in a couple years... and bring Alfred with him.
And who knew? Maybe Gabe and the Chick would be up for such a massive adventure as well. Not that there would be anyone to save...
Well, it would be fun, nonetheless.
As his meal came, he smiled to the waitress and dug in.

Lorathin with Lúthien on his shoulders came downstairs after a good nights rest and took a seat at a table to order breakfast.

Zyergi sighed.

"I'm sorry, Karasu. It might be extremely dangerous, and I don't want to take any chances; Alarian's men are always seaching for my signal." His voice became sour. "Now that I think of it, he might have already sent assassians to Val'Thamas; I removed my hand bandages while fighting. I hope they didn't pick up my trail.

Zyergi paused, then flinched; he thought he had heard something. A horrifying scream seemed to echo through his mind. He looked around and blinked a few times; the sound vanished. Perhaps just the wind?

"Come on, Karasu. Let's get some sleep.
------------------------------------------------------
The Next Morning...

Zyergi woke before Karasu did; he quickly made his way downstairs. Besides a few members of the party, only a couple patrons were awake this early in the morning. Those that were were luckily too hung over to remember the incident from the previous night.

"Good morning Princess," Kalzog rumbled quietly, a wide grin on his face. "Sleep well?"

"No..." Ar'mai admitted as Kalzog came down the stairs.

A few of the other people began joining her at the table, though she had been there at least an hour before anyone else. Seeing Steve, Lorathin, Kalzog, and Zyergi awake, Ar'mai decided that it was as good a time as any to reveal what she had heard during her awful sleep.

"Guys... when I was sleeping... I heard a message: a message of pain, but also a message of hope." She paused as the others were clearly all listening now. "It was a bit jumbled and hard to understand... but I was able to make most of it out. It was from Queen Mora, the leader of Val'Thamas... she is alive and needs help."

"Too bad for her," Kalzog yawned as he reclined himself. "I may just head home..."

"If you head home, I'll be unable to pay you the cows I owe you." Lorathin commented to the ogre.

"Do you know where she is?" He asked Ar'mai.

Steve was listening to the conversation from his own table, his back turned to the group.

So what if some elf queen had survived? With Ar'mai around, he wasn't sure he could handle anymore elven aristocratic snobbery.

Besides, he'd already made up his mind...

"I'm of like mind, Kalzog," he voiced, turning away from his plate of eggs and toast. "I'm leaving for my home today."

"And somehow I get the feeling you'll hunt me down again, Azrael," Kalzog grinned. "Besides, perhaps I should pay Lustria a little visit again...the inhabitants have been buzzing with news last time I checked...months ago..."

"And where you think you're gonna go, Paladin?"

Zyergi frowned. He didn't really care too much if Steve left; He was helpful in battle, of course, but didn't seem all that smart. He would be dissapointed if Kalzog departed, though. He was just beginning to like the big Ogre.

Zyergi glanced at Ar'mai. Was that scream a part of the message from the Elf Queen that somehow got reflected to him?

"Not only where is she, but who is holding her? It's most likely that Lich Mavis; we know what he's capable of."

"As I said, back to my world," Steve said, as he turned back to his plate for a bite of food. "Back to a place that makes sense. The customs of this world clash far too much with my beliefs. Taking innocent children into battle.. it's unheard of. The first time I could understand, for we found her on her way. But to jeopardize her life further, and our own if we're not all fully commited to the battle, is foolhardy. I won't throw myself in harm's way for ideals so backwards to my own."

"I can guarantee that no harm will come to her, nor will I be distracted." Lorathin replied a hint of something not readily identifiable in his voice, "In point of fact, I will be far, far more effective."

"As effective as you were getting lost on your way into the temple?" Steve asked sarcastically. "No, I have made up my mind. This is one adventure I will have to sit out."

"Ever thought I was doing something else, since you seemed to have things well in hand." Lorathin commented, "But if you are a paladin to the god of cowerdice, then I guess we can say good-bye and don't let the door hit you on the way out."

"Well in hand or not, I've never traveled with companions who do not stand side-by-side, and are there for each other in case they are needed," Steve said, standing and stalking towards the door. "And if you think insulting my god will inspire teamwork and love for this godsforsaken world, you are sadly mistaken."

With that, he was gone, returned to his pegasus, and on his way to the hidden well that had brought him to the world.

Zyergi watched as Steve stormed out of the Inn.

"That was certianly dissapointing. I expected more from him, too."

"How dare he call himself a paladin," Ar'mai commented as Steve was walking outside the door. "All of the paladins I knew - men, skizzarish, elven, and others - upheld their pledges to defend the weak and oppressed..."

"Not turn their back on them..."

"I'd have to agree, even dark paladins are honourable to an extent." Lorathin commented, "It could be he's scared, or just not a paladin as he claims."

Once inside the cavernous network, and standing before the Well of the Worlds, Steve paused. He'd been so certain, and now what... doubt?
He looked back into Peggy's big brown eyes and frowned. "This is why I wasn't born into being a paladin," Steve said to her, and she nuzzled her nose into his face. "The whole blindly self-sacrificing thing has never been my cup of tea."
Peggy whinied in agreement.
"I mean, if it happened, it happened. I certainly don't fear death. Come back from it a couple times... as have you!"
Nervously, the pegasus fidgeted. She didn't like where this conversation was going.
"But, really... I cannot face that threat alone. I learned that well enough in the ruins of the elven city. But... no, my decision was right the first time. In any world so backwards to have a code of honour where they could consider throwing a child into harm's way, when there are safer routes... I'd never be able to live with myself."
Peggy nuzzled him again.
Steve looked back to the half buried entrance to the room, which he had dug his way out of in the first place. He felt the calling of a grand adventure, and the slaying of an undead menace... but there were times to pick your fights. And in this situation, he could pick better circumstances. Even if they were not distracted by the little girl, he would be, and he could not afford to hang back when the battle became fierce. If any ally fell, he would blame himself completely for being torn.
Better to go now, and leave them to their fate.
"Thraxis, if I'm wrong in my judgement, watch over them..."
Without further ado, he leapt into the well, with Peggy following close behind.

Karasu awoke and made her way downstairs seeing just about everyone awake already.

"Good morning everyone." She smiled. "I apologize for my tardiness. What have I missed?" She asked, as she sat down next to Zyergi. He was the one she felt most comfortable with.

"'Tis a shame to see him go...he was quite a fighter..." grumbled Kalzog. He heard Karasu walk gracefully to a chair next to Zyergi.

"Ah, looks like sleeping beauty has come to join us," chuckled the ogre. "You missed a nightmare that Ar'mai had, as well as the Paladin leaving us."

"Steve left? Why?" Karasu asked. "And what of this nightmare, Ar'mai?" She asked her, looking concerned about both issues.

"He did not want to see the child go into battle with us," Kalzog replied as he walked to the barkeep, ordering the largest meal they had. A whole pig.

"And how did you two sleep?" he asked Zyergi and Karasu.

"I see. I guess I can understand not wanting a child to go into battle." Karasu commented.

"Well, other than a disturbance in the middle of the night, I slept OK." Karasu raised an eyebrow at Kalzog.

"What is this nightmare Kalzog mentioned?"

"Wait a tic...you...and Zyergi...together in a room?" Kalzog asked, returning Karasu's raised eyebrow.

"One child ain't enough, Karasu?" he chuckled.

"This nightmare was, as Ar'mai said it, 'a message' from the queen of Val-whatever elves name their cities. More like a cry for help if you ask me. Then a scream. I say it's a nightmare and we should all return to our homes."

Karasu rolled her eyes at Kalzog's comment.

"I do not know, but I will continue this hunt for Lich Mavis if the rest of you will." Karasu told them. "Dream or no dream. It could be real."

"Bah! That's what I say. When I'm done, I'm getting out of here as well. I'm not going to be chasing after the dreams of others. Besides, I could be wreaking havoc in the already chaotic Lustrian clans," Kalzog replied with a wicked smile.

Karasu just shook her head. "I assume the rest of you are going to continue on?" She looked at them and then at Kalzog.

"Kalzog, you are very strong, and we could use your help greatly. Will you not reconsider?" She asked the ogre.

"Wait a tic...you...and Zyergi...together in a room?" Kalzog asked, returning Karasu's raised eyebrow.

"One child ain't enough, Karasu?" he chuckled.

Zyergi chuckled.

"Don't worry, Kalzog, we slept at opposite ends of the room. That aside...I'm suprised you're thinking of leaving so soon. Just think of how many more things we could kill together!"

He put his hands on his hips.

"Or are you just not up to the challange of Lich-Hunting? Don't worry; if you're scared, I won't tell anyone."

If that didn't catch Kalzog's attention, he didn't know what would.

"What are you getting at?" growled Kalzog, his eyes narrowing. " You had better not be calling me a coward..."

The ogre got up from his chair and cracked his knuckles. "I'm scared of nothing, bug man...nothing..."

Zyergi stood up as well, cracking his neck and putting his hand casually on the hilt of his sword.

"Then why give up the fight so early? Surely Mavis will be a tough opponent; he did destroy Val'Thamas by himself. I would think you would jump at any chance to fight him. Why give up the chase so early, then?"

Zyergi paused. He was putting Kalzog's repution on the line now; he hoped things wouldn't get ugly.

Kalzog thought about this for several moments.

"I could destroy that elven city any day, bug man. It is no great accomplishment..." Kalzog replied, however he was beginning to agree with Zyergi...to destroy the lich himself...that was his dream, wasn't it? To be the last man standing...

"Come on, Kalzog. It's not like to you shy away from fighting someone who could be-dare I say it-stronger than you. Besides, he's a serious threat to this world. I have no doubt that you could have taken out Val'Thamas by yourself, but Mavis seems to do it on a regular basis."

Zyergi desperetely hoped that he could convince Kalzog to stay. Though he would never admit it, he was somewhat attached to the Ogre.

"What? No blasted undead will ever be stronger than me!" shouted the Ogre, smashing his fist into the table, breaking it into several pieces. "Let's go-Right now!"

Kalzog stomped towards the door, turned back and grabbed what was left of his pig, and continued out the door.

"What? No blasted undead will ever be stronger than me!" shouted the Ogre, smashing his fist into the table, breaking it into several pieces. "Let's go-Right now!"

Kalzog stomped towards the door, turned back and grabbed what was left of his pig, and continued out the door.

Zyergi watched as Kalzog angily ran out of the Inn; perhaps the Ogre wasn't as stubborn as he thought. He made a mental note to remember about the Ogre's temper.

"Well, that got him going. I suppose we should pack up and get on the road again."

Zyergi tossed a coin to the bartender to pay for the destroyed table, glanced at Karasu, and headed out the door.

Zyergi caught Karasu's eye just prior to them leaving. She was grinning like mad. What simple use of reverse psychology to get Kalzog going.

She almost started laughing, but forced herself not to. Karasu grinned at Zyergi. "Good job... did not think it would be that simple." She had a shit-eating grin on her face and was happy no one else could see it.

Karasu was glad Kalzog was coming along, however.

"Well let's go..." Ar'mai said as she stood up from the table. "The long we wait..." She did not finish the sentence, leaving it up to the others' imaginations to fill in what gruesome fate might come of the elven queen if they delay.

As she stepped out of the inn's door, the beautiful winged horse, Gael'kadar, dove from the sky and settled in front of her... ready for a chase.

"What happened in this dream? Who is in peril?" Karasu asked, concerned.

"What happened in this dream? Who is in peril?" Karasu asked, concerned.

"As Kalzog said," Ar'mai called while heading out of the door. "The queen of Val'Thalmas."

"Oh, I am sorry, I did not hear that. I was too preoccupied with other things to do with Kalzog." Karasu said quietly. "I hope the poor woman is not in pain." Karasu said.

This is exactly the situation in which she turned into the Black and Gold Dragon... to stop others from being hurt. As tough as she seemed at times on the outside, Karasu was an empath at heart, and had a strong sense of justice.

"Is everyone... flying somehow?" She asked when she saw some of the animals that were taking to the air.

"Flying is for wimps," growled Kalzog as he stood on his floating platform. "You miss more action in the sky...The ground offers many more opportunities for a fight."

"No need to apologize... we all tend to block Kalzog out once in a while," Ar'mai said with a faint smile before it disappeared from her face, remembering the pain she had felt from the queen's cry for help. "Yes... I think she is in pain."

"I certainly am. Lorathin will probably do his wing thing. Not sure about Zyergi... and Kalzog will most likely hop on his dirt platform..."

"I hope we're not all flying." Zyergi paused to admire Ar'mai's winged horse. "I don't have any air transportation myself. Hights make me dizzy, anyways."

"Well, I am sure Kalzog wouldn't mind giving you a ride on his... uh... thing," Ar'mai commented as she mounted the winged horse and petted its nape.

Karasu did not want to transform. "I... I do not know how to go. Are some of you going on foot?"

"I'll walk with you if you want me to," Said Zyergi. "We'll have to walk pretty quickly to keep up with everyone else, though. Hope you have good stamina."

"I like to call it a platform, elf. Now ride away on your cow with wings!" growled Kalzog as he floated around Zyergi and Karasu.

"Aww what a bunch of cute lovebirds...you know life is much better when you have no one to love," he chuckled as he floated around them.

"I could probably give you guys a ride...just no...love stuff or else I'll toss you into the nearest tree!"

"Kalzog, you are so obnoxious!" Karasu shook her head at the ogre.

"Well, Zyergi, I can transform, but it will cause some damage here. We would have to wait until Kalzog is a ways ahead of us so I do not blow him into a tree or something. Good thing I have VTOL!" She grinned.

"So, do you want a ride... a warning... in order to not disturb the other flyers, we have to fly much higher. The view is beautiful as well. And we will arrive before everyone else. I hope you know the directions, because I do not. It seems the most efficient way to get where we are going, although I must admit it embarrasses me, Zyergi... I am truly a leviathon as a dragon..."

She paused. "So, do you want to fly high? I think you will like it... as long as you do not tease me about my size."

"Shut it, Kalzog. I'm suprised you even know what the word love means."

Zyergi looked carefully at Karasu. He did certianly want to see her dragon form, and it would be the fastest mode of transporation as opposed to walking. The hight issue still came into play.

"Well...It would be much more efficent. I think I'll accept your offer. I won't tease you, of course...I know the way well enough as well. Just try not to go too high, please."

"I barely know the word, bug man...I know it well enough to notice when someone show love for another, however..." Kalzog grinned mischieviously.

"OK then Zyergi." Karasu said. "Everyone get a good distance ahead of us... we will... uh... catch up." She yelled to them all.

"I will need some distance... I will walk out a bit. Stay right there and when I change, you will be next to me. Ummm... so you know... I am several stories tall and weight tons... perhaps the largest dragon around."

Karasu ran out a good ways and in a puff of rainbow dust, the majestic Black and Gold Dragon appeared. Karasu was right next to Zyergi right now, but he nearly looked like an ant.

"The fastest way up is to climb up my face to get to my back. I know it is a long walk. I appologize for that." Karasu said as she waited for Zyergi to climb up.

Ignoring Kalzog, Zyergi leapt up onto Karasu's nose.

"Interesting...And very beautiful as well. I've never been on top of a dragon before, nor very high in the air. These should prove to be very interesting experiences."

Zyergi started to walk up to Karasu's back, admiring her incredibly beautiful gold and black scales. He had always had a certian respect for dragons, but he had never considered the race to be this breathtakingly fluid and beautiful.

Kalzog couldn't help himself. "Karasu...you've really let yourself go!" he laughed, nearly falling over on his platform.

Ar'mai was long gone into the sky when Karasu changed into a dragon.

"Kalzog, you are about to be blown forward when I ascend. Get moving ahead!"

Karasu flapped her huge wings. Trees were flattened and strong wind eminated from her in all directions. She went straight up, then angled flying high into the sky.

"Hold on Zyergi, we are going a ways up. Now, tell me where to go from here?", she asked, as she passed Ar'mai and the others in an instant. The large wings made for great speed.

Kalzog was roaring with laughter as he was blown into a nearby tree trunk, the tree cracking and falling over.

"I am to funny," he chuckled as his platform floated next to him.

Zyergi slipped and was almost blown off Karasu's back as they shot into the sky. She was much quicker than he expected.

"Mavis is probably headed to the Shadow Empire; I'm not sure which route he took, but the empire is directly south of us. Just keep heading in that direction; We should probably stop at the boarder and regroup with the others. I've heard the Empire's boarder security is pretty tough to deal with."

Lorathin and the elven child had taken to the sky earlier than Karasu, and as she swept by he called out, "Mind if we hitch a ride?"

Karasu dipped down carefully... more of a free fall, so as not to send any downbursts at the two.

She lowered herself directly under them and rose. "Hold on everyone! And tell me where to land well in advance." She informed them.

"Now landing is different. I do not land in my dragon form or it causes something akin to an earthquake. Prior to hitting the ground I change back to my human form. So all of you will have to be ready to hit the ground on your feet, or roll or something." Karasu went back to her previous elevation.

Lorathin landed on Karasu's back, with the elf clutching his shoulders before he transfered her so she was sitting safely in front of him. "Thanks Karasu."
"Thanks dragonlady."

"You are most welcome." Karasu replied.

About an hour or so later, Ar'mai's winged horse dove from the skies and landed gracefully on the ground. "We are here... the border," she commented quietly into the wind.

Zyergi clutched tightly onto Karasu's back.

"Time to land, my dear. Let's hope nobody gets hurt during the landing."

He tensed up, preparing to jump...

"Get ready... we will free fall for a while. When I say 'now', jump. One question: Why do we not fly over the border at a great height over the clouds? Surely we would not be detected." Karasu said.

She tried to make her descent slow. Not too many were used to her usual descent, which was pretty much a dive bomb. As they reached lower altitudes, Karasu began shadowing large areas. She got as low as she could... so far there was not a lot of damage from the wind, save for a tree or two down, due to where they were landing.

Karasu yelled, "Now!" She gave them two seconds before in a puff of crystaline rainbow dust, she landed as Karasu, the human.

It looked like everyone landed all right.

"Did you all land OK?" She yelled running toward them.

The landing caught Zyergi by suprise; he lost balance during the freefall, sliding down Karasu's back and just barely grabbing the end of her tail to prevent himself from falling straight to the ground. Suddenly, the tail dissapeared at Karasu transformed back into a human; Zyergi shot forward into a tree. He punched through it and kept going for several dozen feet before finally catching a tree branch by his feet and latching on.

"That....was an experiance!" Zyergi was out of breath and a little dazed, but unhurt. He looked at Karasu.

"You'd be suprised, Karasu. I hear the Empire has more some more complicated-and magical-defenses than just guard posts and checkpoints. I don't think simply flying high will evade everything our enemy has."

Just before Karasu changed form, Lorathin took off, so that there was no risk to either before landing gently, the girl cradled in his arms. "Do you do that every time you land?" He asked

"Lorathin, I must change before I hit the ground. Think about it... several tons smashing into the ground? It is like an earthquake. Just walking shakes the ground and can destroy structures. When I roar, it knocks people and just about anything around me over." Karasu sighed.

"Zyergi, are you OK?" She saw him land hard. "I am sorry, it is the only way I can land. Trust me, any other way is more difficult." Karasu informed him.

"Just none of you call me fat!" She grinned.

"Now what?"

Kalzog watched the fleeting figures up in the sky. "Fliers...what can you do?"

As soon as they disappeared into the sky, Kalzog knelt on one foot on his platform, and immediately moved forwards at incredible speeds. Although not nearly as fast as Karasu, he was pretty fast. "Now which way do I go?" he laughed as he sped off towards the dragon.

"I'm fine," said Zyergi, brushing himself off. "You're landing caught me by suprise, that's all."

He squinted at the boarder. It would be a good idea to be unseen while going acrossm, lest the Shadow Empire-or Mavis-notice them. Unfortunately, Zyergi didn't know the full extent of the empire's security. Perhaps if he could turn everyone invisable...but that would probably take more energy than he had.

Kalzog zoomed in closer, slowing to a halt. The others were still a short distance away, but they seemed relatively unhurt. Kalzog floated closer to them and smiled.

"Have a nice trip?" he called out to them, relaxing on his platform.

"Did you all land OK?" She yelled running toward them.

"Just fine..." Ar'mai called as she removed her arm from blocking her eyes from the wind Karasu had created.

"Well... what's our plan now?"

"I know nothing of this area, so I have no clue. I am good at stealth, but that does not guarantee I could get over, or everyone else." Karasu said.

"Perhaps some sort of diversion..."

"What kind of diversion would you need?" Kalzog asked with a wicked grin.

"I do not know? Bombs?" Karasu laughed. "I am at a loss actually, as I do not know what they have for border security."

"I can get over. There's no security that I havn't pierced yet...the abilaty to effectively cease to exist helps with that quite a bit. The only problem is that I don't know how to get everyone else over."

Zyergi paused and thought hard.

"Mabey I can scout to find out exactly how good the security is."

"Or maybe we just walk in, and kill anything that comes in our way?" Kalzog growled as he sat down on his floating platform.

"What if what comes our way are landmines when we step on them? I do not think we can kill them Kalzog." Karasu chuckled.

"You and your kill anything in your way." Lorathin said with a shake of his head.

"Kal, please don't kill things that don't try to kill you." Lúthien added

Kalzog's eyes were glowing slightly until he heard Luthien speak. He turned his face towards the little elven child and nodded.

"If that is your wish, Luthien," Kalzog said quietly. "I suppose bug-man's plan is best so far..."

"Thank you." She replied with a happy smile.

Kalzog returned her smile. "So, did you like riding on the dragon?" he asked her.

"Yes, it was almost as fun as riding daddy." She replied with a giggle.

"What if what comes our way are landmines when we step on them? I do not think we can kill them Kalzog." Karasu chuckled.

"How did we just get here, roll through dirt?" Ar'mai asked sarcastically. "We just fly in..."

"I don't think sneaking in will be an option... just because you can't see any security, doesn't mean it can't see you."

"Ar'mai? Do you have the capacity to speak in a polite tone? You are the rudest person I have met in my life. Zyergi and I discussed flying over, and there may well be barriers to that as well. It is not as if no one thought of it." Karasu rolled her eyes. "Perhaps you can learn to speak like a normal being some day. That will give you something to aim for. You do not know it all." Karasu was sick of Ar'mai's bitchy attitude... for no reason whatsoever. And it was not just Karasu... others had said the same.

"You are the one who made a stupid 'smart aleck' comment about landmines. I was simply pointing out that there was no reason for us to walk..." Ar'mai rebuked. "Besides, if they possess a power so great that they can actually lock the borders of their land... we one, don't have a chance of getting in, and two, even if we could get in, we wouldn't stand a chance against them."

"That being said... I say we try the simplest, straightforward method that Kalzog suggested. Continue on past the border, and whatever attacks us, attacks us."

"Smart aleck? I was joking, you are being a bitch. There is a difference. You are always rude." Karasu responded.

"No comment," Kalzog said. "I've learned that the fury of a woman should not be interfered with."

"Look! We are chasing down an insane, incredibly powerful lich who has just destroyed an entire city and murdered countless thousands. On top of that, we are venturing into unknown lands of a hostile people to try to stop him from wreaking further havoc and doing some unspeakable act on the queen of the people he just slain..." Ar'mai burst out. "Now, perhaps you will understand why I am not in the mood for your stupid little jokes and would rather concentrate on the journey. Making needless comments about landmines is not helping us at all. So unless you are going to say something that will aid in our endeavor... you might want to keep your mouth shut."

"Both of you knock it off." Lorathin commented, "Or at least keep it civil. I do not want you fighting in front of Lúthien."

"Look! We are chasing down an insane, incredibly powerful lich who has just destroyed an entire city and murdered countless thousands. On top of that, we are venturing into unknown lands of a hostile people to try to stop him from wreaking further havoc and doing some unspeakable act on the queen of the people he just slain..." Ar'mai burst out. "Now, perhaps you will understand why I am not in the mood for your stupid little jokes and would rather concentrate on the journey. Making needless comments about landmines is not helping us at all. So unless you are going to say something that will aid in our endeavor... you might want to keep your mouth shut."

"I know what will aid us in our endeavor... you leave or keep your bitch mouth shut. You do nothing for morale around here other than bring it down. So you... Why do you not shut up or go home!" Karasu said. "Releasing a bit of tension by joking is far better for morale than bitching and snide remarks no one needs to hear. I do not want to hear another word out of you."

"As far as I am concerned, you don't need to be here," Ar'mai replied. "You were the one who asked to join us."

"I asked if you needed the help. If not, I will leave now. Good luck with your lich everyone. Very nice meeting you Zyergi. Nice seeing the rest of you again." Karasu turned around and walked the way they came. She did not feel like flying yet, and she knew she might attract attention from the other side.

If I have to put up with her, and I am not needed, I will go home.

"No, I believe you asked if you could join us as you were bored at the moment," Ar'mai said. "Now if you are so dishonorable that you would deny the request of the helpless... be my guest and leave."

["As far as I am concerned, you don't need to be here," Ar'mai replied. "You were the one who asked to join us."]

"You said I did not need to be here. If you do not need me, I am not being dishonorable, nor denying the helpless. So perhaps it was me that asked. You just said I was unneeded, so just quit talking in circles. In fact, quit talking at all." Karasu said. She likely could not make it on any trip with Ar'mai's shit attitude all the time anyway.

"Well, what are you waiting for? If you want to be a coward and run... go ahead."

"I am not waiting for anything. As you can see, my back is to you and I am walking the other way. You tell me I am unneeded then try to call me a coward. No. I do not want to travel with someone as disgusting as you, and again, as you said, YOU DO NOT NEED ME HERE." Karasu said, and continued walking.

"So begone already and quit your damn yapping. The rest of us have work to do..."

"Karasu, please stay. Don't talk to each other if you have to, but please stay." Lorathin replied, annoyed that they were going at each other again.

"Ahh women...what can you do," Kalzog said quietly as he jumped off his platform.

"That bitch always has to start something. As I was told, I am unneeded. And as you can see, I am leaving you useless piece of garbage." Karasu replied continuing her walk.

"Alright guys," Ar'mai said as she adressed the others present, "Let us be off on our chase..."

"No!"

Zyergi caught up with Karasu and stood in her way.

"Karasu...Please don't go. I beg of you! These...fools," He said, glancing at Ar'mai and the others, "Clearly have never had any dealing with the Shadow Empire. You...You would be very useful in our jorney." He looked almost pleadingly at her, then turned back to the others.

"Ar'mai, don't you understant? This land isn't called the Shadow Empire for nothing-it is indeed an empire. I doubt even a group like us could chase a lich in his own home for very long. You'd have huge armies bearing down on you as soon as you were noticed crossed the boarder."

Karasu looked into Zyergi's eyes. She just could not refuse him. She was so upset over Ar'mai's needless nastiness, she just wanted to fall in his arms and cry.

"Ar'mai says I will be of no use. Is this true? If I can help I will go, however, I have been told in no uncertain terms that my presence is unnecessary." She told Zyergi.

"Yes... I do understand what this land is. I have been here before; I have been inside the main city before. I traveled with this lich we are after before... okay?" Ar'mai retorted. "And I did not say she would be useless, I said she doesn't need to be here because she is being a total insensitive and idiotic bitch."

"Landmines..."

"You said yourself that you are a trained assassian and stealthy; the dragon transformation is a huge bonus as well. I...We all could have use for a fighter like you." Zyergi moved closer to her and started to wisper in her ear. "Please...don't go. After this, I'll need your help with that bastard who killed my father after all this."

He looked back at Ar'mai.

"You say you've travled with this lich before. I assume you were welcomed into the empire with open arms, or you were under his protection. Or, perhaps I have grossly underestimated the Empire's security. How would you be able to travel into the capital as fugitives?"

"You are the rude fucking bitch! Listen to yourself. And you are an idiot as well. Flying may not work, you know. It may... If we walk, what the hell makes you think there will be no landmines, you stupid mindless moron!? You are sharp as a marble, you know that?" Karasu yelled back.

"If you cut her tongue out I may consider it." Karasu snickered at Zyergi. "But listen to that shit trash talk! There is no need for it. She thinks she knows it all. She does not!"

"You said yourself that you are a trained assassian and stealthy; the dragon transformation is a huge bonus as well. I...We all could have use for a fighter like you." Zyergi moved closer to her and started to wisper in her ear. "Please...don't go. After this, I'll need your help with that bastard who killed my father after all this."

"Oh, that is right. I did promise you on that. I did not promise to listen to a vile, rude, snotty, bitch, however." Karasu looked at him. "If you can make her keep her fat, stupid mouth shut, I will go. Or I will kill her, and do not think I cannot or will not. She is nasty for no reason. I do not kill the innocent, but with her I will make an exception. Aside from that, someone who drags down morale is hardly considered innocent in my book." Karasu shook her head.

"Just make her shut up."

"Ladies, Ladies, Please watch our mouthes in front of the...men and children," Kalzog said as he watched Karasu and Ar'mai and now Zyergi have at it.

Karasu burst out laughing at Kalzog's words... "Yes, we would not want the men to hear any foul language." She grinned. Kalzog, as brazen and odd as he was, never failed to make her laugh and pull her out of a bad mood.

She could not even continue her ranting after Kalzog's comment. Karasu was laughing too hard.

Kalzog grinned slightly as he atleast made Karasu laugh. "Now, let's do this the civil way...Ironic as it is that I have to be the one saying this," he rumbled.

"Let's weigh out the pros and cons of everyone's plan."

"Quite ironic," Karasu grinned. "I did not have a plan... only had the thought that land mines are not impossible. They are a simple border controler for anyone on foot."

"Go ahead and try to kill me..." Ar'mai dared as she began glowing white.

"Quite ironic," Karasu grinned. "I did not have a plan... only had the thought that land mines are not impossible. They are a simple border controler for anyone on foot."

"That is pretty much my point," Ar'mai said, not believing how stupid Karasu could be. "Precisely why none of us are walking. Why the hell would we walk? It would be slower and stupid..."

"Ar'mai, are you any bit an ogre?" Kalzog asked her as he stepped in between Karasu and the elf.

"Yea, we don't want to disturb the men and the kid." Zyergi had to stifle a chuckle. "Wait...I'm not a lady..."

He watched as Ar'mai started to glow threatenenly, and prepared a shield spell in case anything was thrown at Karasu.

"Ar'mai, how do you propose we get over the boarder? Walking and tunnling are clearly out the question, and I have no idea what type of air and magical defenses the Empire has. Fighting the entire shadow nation could get tiresome and dangerous after a while."

"Hmm... I don't know..." she said sarcastically. "We can't go under the border... we can't walk across it... we can't go around it," she then raised her voice slightly, stating the obvious for what felt like that hundreth time, "So why don't we go OVER!"

"Fly... And if they send anything at us... so be it. We will fight."

"Think of what we might be facing! Skeletons riding Wyverns, catapults, Bastilla, airships, magical barriers, mages on dragonback...the list is endless. The empire could have any of these at their disposal, and more. Besides, we have to land some time or another; you think you could face the Lich after fighting an entire array of air defenses? If we land and stop to rest, the empire will have thousands of soilders on us in seconds."

"Yea, we don't want to disturb the men and the kid." Zyergi had to stifle a chuckle. "Wait...I'm not a lady..."

He watched as Ar'mai started to glow threatenenly, and prepared a shield spell in case anything was thrown at Karasu.

"Ar'mai, how do you propose we get over the boarder? Walking and tunnling are clearly out the question, and I have no idea what type of air and magical defenses the Empire has. Fighting the entire shadow nation could get tiresome and dangerous after a while."

"Exactly! We can also get nailed in the air, yet you suggested we walk right over the border, Ar'mai." Moron "And you scare me about as much as ... nothing. Glow your ass off... I do not care. Anything you throw will be sent right back at you, wench."

With the elven child sleeping, Lorathin decided to suggest something. "Why don't we simply go throught by way of the ethereal plane."

"Apparently you guys don't understand. They already know we are coming... one way or another, they are going to attack us. Now, the easiest way to avoid the greatest number of forces, is to take to the air and go as far as possible," Ar'mai explained.

"And you are quite ignorant," she said to Karasu who had thought that the white glow was her preparing for an attack when any idiot knew that it was either a holy protector of some sort or a devine presence. And on top of that, Karasu had seen Ar'mai in action before and would have noticed that she never used any direct offensive spells (not knowing any).

"Apparently you guys don't understand. They already know we are coming... one way or another, they are going to attack us. Now, the easiest way to avoid the greatest number of forces, is to take to the air and go as far as possible," Ar'mai explained.

"And you are quite ignorant," she said to Karasu who had thought that the white glow was her preparing for an attack when any idiot knew that it was either a holy protector of some sort or a devine presence. And on top of that, Karasu had seen Ar'mai in action before and would have noticed that she never used any direct offensive spells (not knowing any).

"No, I am not ignorant, moron. I just really do not care what your stupid glow was for. I am sure it was no devine presence if it was around you. A bitch goddess, no doubt." Karasu retorted. Karasu never cared enough to even watch what sort of attacks or defenses she used, as she seemed mostly useless and annoying.

"I'll tell you what... my first suggestion was to fly as high as possible over the border. I will go if we split into groups and I do not have to listen to that idiot's drivel at all." Karasu suggested.

"After all of this crap you decide to agree with me..."

"No, that was my suggestion to Zyergi while we were flying here, and he pointed out the pitfalls of flying over without knowing a little about their air defenses." Karasu retorted. "Which makes sense... and did I not tell you to stop talking to me? I will no longer respond to any of your inane, ignorant comments. So shut it... or talk as much as you want... I will not be listening. It would be a waste of my time."

She was not going to talk to someone that idiotic and that bitchy for any reason. Had that elf done anything in battle? Not really. Other than watch. I am surprised she did not go with Inzi. They both have the same aesthetic quality and IQ.

"What an ignorant hypocrite," Ar'mai muttered to herself as she mounted her winged horse and took off into the sky. Rising ever higher, before disappearing into the clouds, she crossed into the Empire...

"Hold the phone." Zyergi looked over at Lorathin, watching Ar'mai take off out of the corner of his eye. "The ethereal plane, eh? I know the term before, but I've never taken to time to try and travel through it. Sounds easier than going straight through the boarder. Tell me a little more about this idea of yours."

"Easy, we'd be invisible, insubstantial, can move in any direction, walk through walls, but we'd only be able to see or hear sixty feet, couldn't effect the prime material plane, but conceivable effect from it, if someone knew we were there and knew the right spells." He replied

"Why Ar'mai? Because I came up with the idea first? Ask Zyergi... we were discussing it on the flight over." Karasu stated. "I thought I told you to stop talking!" Karasu stated calmly. "Oh right, and I decided to stop responding to a moronic nitwit who thinks she knows everything."

She turned to the others after Ar'mai left.

"Zyergi, I will be willing to help you with your other endeavor, however, I do not believe I can tollerate Ar'mai any longer. I am sorry. I will get you over the border if you all decide to fly, but then I will either work on my own, or leave. As Ar'mai is so sure I am unneeded, she can pick up any slack I would have left, which is none, according to her."

Karasu turned to Zyergi. "I will keep my promise to help you in your other endeavor. And I will miss you actually. I enjoyed sitting up talking with you last night." Karasu smiled.

"I think you can understand that no one need put themselves through hell to try to stop hell." Karasu told him.

"Do you want me to fly you over?" Karasu asked sadly. She wanted to go, but not under these conditions.

"If you are going through another plane, I can leave now. Is this your plan?" Karasu asked. "Or do you need me to get over?" She looked at the group, then quietly said to Zyergi, "Please find me after this, and I will help with your other problem. I promise."

Karasu smiled at him. "I am sorry, but I refuse to put up with ridiculous abuse at this point. I just cannot. My anger will be out of control."

Then she thought of a song she knew from a while back and sang it in her mind:

Fuck no!
Everyday!
No chance!
No way!
My life!
My say!
Fuck no!
No way!

It sort of made Karasu decide that one person is irrelavent and she would go ahead with her plans.

"Guys... sorry to see-saw, but I changed my mind." Karasu said with a huge grin. "I will come along. I know I will be able to help, so I will come along." Karasu was still smiling.

Zyergi's eyes widened as Karasu announced her decision.

"Thank you, Karasu. No matter what Ar'mai says...You are needed. Trust me."

He shot a look over a Lorathin.

"Teach me how to cross into the ethereal plane."

He was excited; this could be a Thief's wet dream. To be not only unseen, but non-existant! He could steal anything he wanted to...And infiltrate anything he wanted to.

"Teach me too Lorathin!" Karasu exclaimed excitedly.

This would be a new and great experience. Karasu mused.

It was as if she was reading Zyergi's mind... "Just think of all the things you could steal like this!" Karasu chuckled and grinned at him.

"We don't have the time, but later. Also it requires fairly extensive ability and power to do so." Lorathin replied, "Also just a bit of warning if you want to go throught the border in the ethereal plane, you'd better make sure you aren't interposed with something solid when the spell ends. So do you want me to take you through the border that way?"

"You do not mean our clothes and weapons?!" Karasu asked.

"They're brought onto the ethereal plane with you, so they aren't material anymore, so they don't pose a problem." Lorathin replied

"I see. I know nothing about the ethereal plane, Lorathin." Karasu responded, wanting to learn as much as she could. She was still chuckling to herself guessing what was going through Zyergi's mind.

"Keep that cowardly practice to yourself," Kalzog growled at Lorathin, clearly annoyed by it.

"And If I see any one of my possessions stolen, I'll tear off your head and spit down your throat. And don't even think about escaping to the ethereal plane either..." he continued, this time glaring at Zyergi.

"It's not cowardly, just efficiant. Nor could I take someone who didn't want to come." Lorathin replied, "So how do you propose to get across?"

"Cowardly...you can't kill thousands while in there...You guys can go. I'll take my chances and cross on this," Kalzog said as he patted his platform.

"Lorathin?" Karasu asked when Kalzog was out of earshot. "What is that thing Kalzog rides? I have never seen anything like it."

"I'd guess a variation on the basic move earth spell." Lorathin replied, "So do you want to take the ethereal jaunt or travel another way?"

"Ethereal sounds safest. Would you all agree on that?" Karasu asked the others.

Ar'mai was busy soaring across the border and into the dead lands as the others remained on the ground talking.

"Don't worry, Kalzog. I've got enough gold and jewels at the moment; I don't need anything from you." He hoped Kalzog wouldn't get killed trying to cross, but knowing him, he'd be fine. He turned back to Lorathin.

"I'm going Ethereal." He made a mental note to have Lorathin or someone else teach him the secrets of the plane when he had more time.

"Alright." Lorathin replied, reaching up to trace a design on Zyergi and Karasu's foreheads. Casting the spell, all three faded out of sight, becoming both invisible and inmaterial, at least to the material plane, but not to each other. The material world became grey and ephemeral, and there was a fairly sharp cut off of sight at about sixty feet.

"Shall we be off after the others then?" He asked, picking up Lúthien who'd awoken with a start.

"I suppose so. I do not know where it is we are headed to, so someone else will have to navigate." Karasu replied.

"Woa, weird...So this is what it's like to be completely non-existant." Zyergi waved his hands at Kalzog. No reaction; they were truly invisable. He started walking towards the boarder.

"Hey, Lorathin, there's not anything dangerous floating around the Ethereal plane, is there? I'm really not in the mood to be gutted by some phantom or weird demon or something."

"Most of what can gut you here, not counting some magicks and they typically fall under wardings, you can gut right back. But generally it's unlikely we'll find anything dangerous." He replied as he began walking at a fourty-five degree angle to the ground.

Karasu followed up the 45 degree angle. "I like this. I would definitely like to learn this sometime when we all have time." She smiled. "I will just follow your lead Lorathin!"

After they'd reached about fifteen feet above the ground, he leveled off and began walking parallel to the ground. "You can actually walk straight up, either by walking at a ninty degree angle to the ground or by doing it by stepping up and down, and I'll be willing to teach you, if you have the ability to learn it. It's a risky spell if you don't know what you're doing."

He reached into a pocket and pulled out a bit of licorice root and a knife. "Now if you want to keep up with the others, come get a piece."

"Licorice root... ewww... but if it is necessary." Karasu grabbed a piece and popped it into her mouth chewing with a disgusted look on her face. "mmm... yum!" She joked.

"Dispicable...cowardly..." growled Kalzog as he watched them disappear. He calmly walked to his platform and sat down on it.

"Come to think of it...where are we going?" he chuckled to himself.

"You weren't suppose to eat it, just hold it. It doesn't work if it's in your stomach." Lorathin commented with a grin as he cut her off another peice. Tossing one to Zyergi, he cast the spell. They'd feel like they were on a mega-sugar/caffine rush. "Try and keep up." He said as he could now run fast enought so they'd be able to keep up, roughtly, with Kalzog.

"Well you could have told me before I ate that disgusting thing!" Karasu grabbed the new piece of licorice root. "You talk too slow!"

She began running according to Lorathin's instructions.

"You just eat to fast." He replied running with her, Lúthien riding on his back with a 'wheeeeeee'.

Despite what Ar'mai said, despite what Luthien said, Karasu thought she was the cutest most precious thing ever. She smiled listening to her giggling.

Ar'mai continued flying, deep into the territory now. As she looked below, she could see Kalzog's floating platform in the distance behind her...

"How long and how far will we be going?" Karasu asked Lorathin.

To be honest she was having as much fun as Luthien. She had to force herself not to giggle.

"Depends how far Ar'mai chooses to go before landing, or if we encounter something in which it'd be easier to exit this plane and avoid than deal with." He replied

"Lorathin, I have to tell you this is a lot of fun!" Karasu giggled like a little girl... maybe even more than Luthien. She tried not to, but couldn't resist. "You must teach this to me some time! I will reward you for your time. This is so wonderful!"

Karasu turned to Zyergi. "How do you like it Zyergi? Are you enjoying it as much as I am? It is like flying without as much effort!" She said, a big grin on her face.

Zyergi intrigued her. Karasu definitely planned to help him with his problem after this lich problem was over. Even though he was a thief, he seemed to have some honor. He was just different and Karasu enjoyed his company.

"There are easier ways to do the same thing on the material plane." Lorathin commented, "So unless you enjoy running throught the occasional tree..."

He noticed she was giggling and mentally chuckled. Lúthien and Karasu were so very much alike at times.

"Through the tree, or into the tree... that is the question." Karasu asked Lorathin.

"I guess it is." He replied as he ran through an oak tree.

"Well through is no problem. It is into I was concerned about Lorathin." She responded. "Please some time take the time to teach me. If it is difficult it will have to be a while as I promised a friend to help him with some thing after this lich business." She smiled at Zyergi.

"However, after that, if you have the time, I will try to make it worth your while. Gold is no object. Should you request something else, hopefully I can fulfill that type of payment for you." Karasu responded.

"I will, provided you have the ability to learn of course." Lorathin replied, "And I'm not that crass."

"Thank you Lorathin. I appreciate it. I will put everything I have into it!" Karasu exclaimed, still giggling and having fun on the ride.

"That's good." He replied with a smile.

Zyergi glanced at Karasu. Perhaps he would take the time to learn this ability after this Lich deal; it would be useful in facing his other foes. He was glad he had Karasu on his side.

"This is a very...Interesting mode of transportion. Useful as hell, too." He almost jumped over an approaching boulder before he realized that he could now go through it; he did, appearing on the other side a few seconds later. "Cool..."

Kalzog continued to curse under his breath as he looked upwards, seeing the white horse in the sky. Then, his eyes fell to a nearby caravan of traders and merchants. The ogre let out a small chuckle as he changed course.

"Not only useful, Zyergi... fun!" Karasu giggled as much as Luthien. She turned to look at Zyergi. "It is somuch easier to learn when something is fun... like my shinobi style... it was like being in a circus. Well, except the stealth training, and when I did not meet my family's expectations, I found myself with a pail of mud on my head and my brothers laughing at me while I hung from the window I was trying to enter with no sound."

She missed them. Her whole family was dead. Murdered by a bomb.

Suddenly, Karasu's expression changed to one of sadness.

"What's wrong Karasu?" Lorathin asked as he noticed her expression.

"It... it is an awful story. I will tell you when we have more time." Karasu replied. "Thank you for asking Lorathin." She smiled at him.

"Alright." He replied as he ran throught an oblivious bear.

Quiet a while later, under the shroud of darkness, Ar'mai landed without a sound a mile or so outside the main stronghold of the undead empire. It was from there that they would have to mount their strategic strike as it was certain their security would be to tight - material or ethereal - for anyone to just waltz on it.

Gael'kadar leapt back up into the sky and disappeared as the elf blended into the darkness. Soon, she expected, Kalzog and the others would appear...

As they caught up with where Ar'mai was, Lorathin looked at the other two, "Please make sure you aren't interposed on anything."

Kalzog had reached the caravan, noticing several humans amongst the undead. The ogre smiled as he cracked his knuckles, ready to maul this group of travelers, before Luthien's little voice crept into his conscious. She had previously asked him to not kill anyone who wasn't trying to kill Kalzog.

"Blast..." Kalzog muttered as he now had the full attention of the caravan. Thinking up something quick, Kalzog smiled at them. "Know any place nearby to eat?"

Suddenly, the caravan guards had begun to attack him, swinging their swords at his hard skin.

"That's my cue," he chuckled as he began to smash apart the soldiers.

"I am ready." Karasu replied, slightly disappointed that the experience was over.

Karasu was wondering what she was in for.

Zyergi frowned as Karasu's face fell. It seems someone else has a bad past...He would have to discuss it with her sometime later. Zyergi wondered what had happened to Karasu that could be so terrible.

Zyergi turned to Lorathin.

"How exactly do we exit the Ethereal Plane? I expect that we won't be able to enter the City like this; there are bound to be heavy Ethereal defences around it, and we'll probably be noticed as soon as we become material again."

He glances around at his two companions.

"We had better get ready for a fight!"

"You just need to make sure you aren't interposed on anything." Lorathin replied, "Everything else is my department."

Kalzog laughed as he enjoyed the spoils of his battle. It would have been something Zyergi would enjoy. There was a chest of money, many sellable objects, and, what Kalzog enjoyed most of all, some food!

The giant ogre enjoyed feasting on the few humans that were there, however they tasted slightly stale...which he assumed was from hanging around undead all the time. But, kind of for a desert, he enjoyed the meats and poultry the merchants had in their wagons.

"Ahh...Too bad the others had to take the cowardly way...they would have enjoyed such a feast..." Kalzog chuckled to himself. He burped loudly before searching for any sign of the others.

"OK, Lorathin... Everything is in your hands. I have to tell you," Karasu giggled a bit, "this was a lot of fun! I am looking forward to learning it!" She grinned.

Karasu looked at Zyergi. "Zyergi, you probably should refrain from stealing from people while we are here. Are you capable of that?" She grinned at him.

Lorathin looked Karasu and Zyergi over, making sure that both were not interposed on anything. He shuddered slightly as he remembered the last time he saw someone interpose with something, at least something of any size. "Alrigth, time to go back to the normal world." As he finished, the greyness and vision limits vanished, each falling to the ground, proportional to the distance they'd been from the earth.

With Karasu's balance, she landed deftly on her feet. "And now what is the plan? Does anybody have one?" She asked.

"Find the others." Lorathin suggested

"Good start... my guess is Kalzog will be easiest to find." Karasu chuckled.

"Can you track him?" He asked

"Well, I was just thinking he will probably make a huge ruckus on his way in and we will know where he is." Karasu replied. "You know he is not the discreet type." She laughed.

"I actually thought we would eventually hear yelling and such." Karasu grinned.

"Tracking him takes time... especially not knowing where to start from." Karasu said. "I would transform, and I could see him easily then, but this whole city could see me, of course." She sighed.

Why am I such a behemoth?

"I guess we wait then." He commented, taking a seat where Lúthien sat down beside him and began looking around.

Karasu looked at Zyergi. "Zyergi, you probably should refrain from stealing from people while we are here. Are you capable of that?" She grinned at him.

"Probably not," admitted Zyergi as the group popped back into regular existance. "There's bound to be too many treasures in that city to make me keep my hands in my pockets."

He looked around, wondering where the rest of the party could be.

Karasu shook her head at Zyergi. "Tell you what... if you refrain from calling unnecessary attention to yourself, I'll give you a ton of gold when we get back. Believe it. I have it. You have my word, as you have my word on the other undertaking." She smiled. "Just try anyway!" Karasu chuckled.

"Unnecessary attention?! I like to think I'm a bit sneaky about it!" Zyergi laughed and held up his hand. "Okay, Okay. I solemnly swear...Not to steal anything in the City." He silently crossed his fingers behind his back.

"You had better make good on that "Ton of Gold" promise. I expect exactly one metric ton of pure gold."

Zyergi tried hard to keep a straight face, just barely managing it.

Karasu burst out laughing. "You cannot do it, can you?!" She looked at Zyergi and smirked.

"We could make this a bet you know. Do not steal anything and I will give you more gold than anything you could steal in this city. You know how we dragons are with our treasures." Karasu grinned and winked at him.

"Is it a deal?"

The laughter died from Zyergis face and he suddenly got serious as he considered Karasu's offer. He had fogetten she was a dragon, and forgotton about the legendary wealth of dragons. Perhaps restraining himself might pay off for once.

"Deal!" He stuck out his hand. "I'll do my best not to let my hands stray into the pocket of some unsuspecting citygoer."

"Now that you know I am loaded with gold, you are going to ask me to marry you are you not?" Karasu burst out laughing as she shook his hand.

"What do you do with all your stolen items anyway?" She asked. "It does not look as if you spend it on your wardrobe." Karasu grinned teasingly at him.

"The majority of it is spend on bribes. It's amazing what a city official or guard will let you do for a bit of gold and some shiny rocks. It's especially useful for assassinations." He paused as he considered the proposition of Marriage with Karasu; he wondered what life would be like with her.

"The rest of it is safely tucked away in a secret bank of mine; That should pay for the mercenaries I'm planning to use in order to take back my castle. It should do nicely to fill up the kingdom's treasury as well."

He took a few seconds to examine his clothing.

"Hey, I like to think that I'm a little bit stylish! I usually prefer durabilaty over attractiveness, anyways."

Karasu looked at Zyergi seriously. "We will get your kingdom back. I know it."

"Don't be too sure of yourself, my friend. Taking back what is mine will be harder than you might anticipate. However...with our resources and skills, I belive we might have a decent shot at success."

Zyergi pasued. Perhaps it would be a good idea to hire Kalzog or Lorathin-mabey even Steve, if he could find him-to help in the attempt grab his kingdom.

"It certainly could not hurt to hire them out. One question... Do we pay Kalzog in food?" Karasu snickered.

"I know it will not be easy, Zyergi. I am trying to be encouraging. Even if it is a fairy tale, I like to think the good guys prevail." Then she smirked at Zyergi... "The good guys and the theives, I mean." She chuckled and grinned at him.

"Sorry, Karasu...I know you were just trying encouraging." Zyergi spoke quitely, smiling. Perhaps when Karasu met his nemisis she would fully understand just how difficult this task might be. Still, mabey her Naivite was a good thing. Optimism was a trait that Zyergi did not fully possess.

"I wonder where Ar'mai is," Zyergi said, changing the subject.

Kalzog yawned loudly as he set fire to the wagon, along with the bodies. The smoke rose up high as the ogre slowly plodded to his platform. Perhaps I'll let the others know where I am...or just lead other undead to me, he thought wickedly as he examined his burns along his arm.

"Zyergi, I can imagine the reality of the situation. After all, I am a trained assassin and have dealt with some unbelievable situations. I am not stupid. I am trying to get you to smile is all." Karasu replied.

She frowned when he wondered where Ar'mai was. Karasu just did not want to hear the name or look at her.

The darkness was her ally. She had been standing there, silently, listening to their lighthearted discussion. When Zyergi finally asked where she was, Ar'mai's voice answered, "Behind you..." before she materialized seemingly out of thin air.

"Now that Ar'Mai has been located, does anyone have a plan yet. I do not know my way around this area." Karasu stated. "I am sure Kalzog will show up shortly, in his usual, discreet manner." She added.

Ar'mai smiled gently at Karasu's comment - she had heard screams and shouts of "Ogre!" not far off in the distance... but they had all been silenced.

"Hi Ar'mai, how was your flight?" Lorathin asked while Lúthien picked a few flowers.

"Oddly, it was quiet..." she said with a foreboding sound in her voice.

Karasu began to hear what was obviously Kalzog. She smacked her hand to her forehead. "Leave it to Kalzog to be discreet." She said sarcastically.

"I just knew it." Karasu rolled her eyes. "However, were any of us expecting anything else?" She sighed and shook her head with a slight smirk on her face.

Kalzog was laughing and shouting loudly as he trudged up the hill where he saw the others, a zombie clinging to his leg, a human guard in his hand. Ahh...can't get much better than this...

The big ogre laughed as he crunched the man in his hand together and casually tossed him onto the ground, while pulling the zombie off his leg.

Actually...he tried to pull it off, but only succeeded in taking off it's head. With a grumbled, Kalzog stopped and slowly peeled off the zombie, appendage by appendage until there was nothing left.

"Greetings, everyone," the ogre replied with a broad smile as he put his hands on his hips.

Normally Kalzog's behavior would disgust her, but at the moment she did not care one way or another how he acted...

Lúthien looked at Kalzog, "You're all red and sticky." She commented

"Perhaps Kalzog should have a bath?" Karasu suggested somewhat teasingly.

"If not, we ought to formulate some sort of plan. As I said, I am completely unfamiliar with this territory and do not know my way around. Someone who knows this area would do well to explain it to those who do not, and perhaps have an idea or two." Karasu said.

"While I've never been to the capital, I've been here to country before, and it wasn't that dangerous, more weird than anything. Politeness is key." Lorathin commented

"All that walking through the bushes, little elf. You get berries all over you and it's so hard to get off," Kalzog replied with a smile.

"As for a bath...as long as it ain't no ocean..."

She gave the ogre a sideways look before giving him a flower, then giving all the others a flower as well.

Kalzog laughed quietly as he took the flower and looked at it, before smiling warmly at Luthien.

"Why thank you, kind elf. What did I do to earn such a lovely gift?" he asked as he put the flower in his pouch.