NationStates Jolt Archive

"How about this. You forget this castle, this senseless destruction of our mighty Valtrox's people...and we work to defeat those that fight for the light. I can direct you to them...but you must help me as well..."

"Aww... I thought it was you looking at my eyes... not the other way around," Vira said in a half-teasing voice as she lowered her eyes to fully examine the behemoth before her.

But then he propositioned her with a most interesting and appealing idea. The castle itself wasn't very important - there were a million like it and better, nor did it truly help her that much. But here he was promising to deliver those who she sought - extremely useful as she had no idea where or who they were, only a feeling of their presence somewhere.

"I'll take your deal... but you must deliver."

Habdebza chuckled and gently pat her on the head. "That is a good girl. I have had my share of entrancing eyes before...and I know them when I see them. Just a hint- they don't work on me," he growled the last part as he straightened up and walked up to the fallen angels. "Nice job with the angels...Mindless?"

After staring one right in the eyes, Habdebza looked back at the seductress in front of him and let out a cocky laugh. "You clearly don't know me if you don't think I deliver. And I can tell you, you have started in the exact wrong place to deliver your revenge."

Habdebza smiled to himself underneath the metal and shadows that hid his face. This could prove to be an entertaining experience...

Eva looked at Loki and frowned. "Where did you come from? Where-wha-why would I hug such a dispicable, deplorable, insignificant insect like you?" she growled as she looked at Loki's hat.

"And have you ever taken that hat off?"

"Eva, be nice. Loki hasn't done anything mean to you. He speaks the truth. You were a bit...happy and loving..." Rimoru said as she walked behind Loki and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder as she crouched behind him.

"Don't worry about Eva. Her bark is worse than her bite," the ex-empress chuckled. "You have been so quiet for so long. Are you hungry, thirsty, or in need of a bath?"

"You were loopy on whatever spell is on the branch making you happy, cheerful, slightly silly and fairly hyperactive." Lúthien commented, in a sense happy that had been pushy and gotten stuck with the branch's effects rather than her.

She did think it'd be very fun to see Kalzog loopy on the magic branch and figured if Rimoru got her hands on it, she might be a bit too much to handle.

Looking up suddenly, she thought she saw something but when she looked back all she could see were a few clouds drifting along.

"What? No...it can't be...I don't even remember anything...and my head hurts! Why does my head hurt?" Eva barked, rubbing the back of her head vigorously. "We should have given it to you, Luthien...you could use the boost."

Kalzog walked in between the two and looked at each. "Come, we go now." The ogre glanced up at the sky when Luthien did so, to see what she was looking at but shrugged as he only saw what was normal. "What were you looking at?" he asked quietly, making sure of his own observations.

Habdebza chuckled and gently pat her on the head. "That is a good girl. I have had my share of entrancing eyes before...and I know them when I see them. Just a hint- they don't work on me," he growled the last part as he straightened up and walked up to the fallen angels. "Nice job with the angels...Mindless?"

After staring one right in the eyes, Habdebza looked back at the seductress in front of him and let out a cocky laugh. "You clearly don't know me if you don't think I deliver. And I can tell you, you have started in the exact wrong place to deliver your revenge."

Habdebza smiled to himself underneath the metal and shadows that hid his face. This could prove to be an entertaining experience...

"Mindful..." she replied as the giant demigod stared at her creations. The Doom Guards, no longer recognizable as angels after their transformations and hidden beneath their armor, stepped aside to allow passage into the courtyard.

"It would seem to me that I have started in the exact right place..." Vira responded quickly. Obviously she was not near her targets, but that didn't mean she was in the wrong place. Her venture here had acquired her an avenue to finding them that she otherwise would not have had. Not wrong at all...

"So... where do we begin?"

Eva looked at Loki and frowned. "Where did you come from? Where-wha-why would I hug such a dispicable, deplorable, insignificant insect like you?" she growled as she looked at Loki's hat.

"And have you ever taken that hat off?"

"Eva, be nice. Loki hasn't done anything mean to you. He speaks the truth. You were a bit...happy and loving..." Rimoru said as she walked behind Loki and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder as she crouched behind him.

"Don't worry about Eva. Her bark is worse than her bite," the ex-empress chuckled. "You have been so quiet for so long. Are you hungry, thirsty, or in need of a bath?"

Loki didn't ignore Eva's barking questions, but rather just didn't respond, choosing instead to avert his eyes to the ground. He didn't dislike the former princess, but she could be a tad mean at times.

Her mother on the other hand, Rimoru, she had constantly been nice to the young mage. From the moment Loki met the elf in her home she had been nothing but extremely hospitable and understanding. Even now, with so many other things to worry about, she still reassured Loki and asked if he needed anything.

"I-I'm fine... tha-nk you," Loki said quietly.

"You could have just asked for aid, little girl," Habdebza replied with a chilling chuckle as he walked through to the courtyard. "I am half tempted to take one or two of your bodyguards as payment for this destruction."

"Where to begin? Good Question. You see, I have a few things to deal with before we truly begin. First, I need your name. Second, I need to head all the way south of here for a potentially new ally. You may like him. From what I heard, he's cocky and enjoys placing himself on thrones of bones..."

The demi-god turned towards Teralynn and walked up very close to her. "Return to Zlatlan and complete your mission. It should be relatively easier than before..."

With a nod and another disrespecting smack on her behind, he laughed and walked towards Vira.

"A few things to note while working with me. I work alone. Don't bother me, don't get in my way. I read minds but I prefer not to let anyone know I am reading them. It gives us a bit of a game to play, wondering what I already know and do not know- for I enjoy playing the part of not knowing...even if I do. If I talk to you, you answer. Complete answers. If I make an order, you do it or get it done."

He stopped and wrapped a gauntleted hand over her head and twisted it violently so she faced him. "Don't use your pretty little eyes on my servants. I may enact my wish of cutting them out if you do."

He stopped as they reached the castle walls and looked up. "Do you have a lift?"

Rimoru smiled and nodded. "Just say something if you do," she replied warmly and stood up to help her husband up, who was in pain from his slides across the ground.

"Now is no time for a nap," Rimoru giggled as she carefully pulled Alegain up. As she did so, however, her own feet slipped and she fell on her rump.

She chuckled and shook her head as she got herself up. "That's embarrassing," she smiled as Alegain laughed. As he brought her up, he kissed her gently on the lips and they embraced warmly before they began following the angry ogre on their way closer to the city.

Suddenly, Loki would feel a jab on his arm. "Demon boy!" Glurp growled as he looked through slitted eyes, poking Loki with a stick. They were near the same size, which had surprised Glurp quite a lot, however the diminutive figure wore oversized clothing that was not traditional garb any goblin he knew wore.

"I just thought I saw something, but I guess it was only my imagination." She replied

The exclaimation of 'Demon boy' caused her to look over at Glurp. Seeing what he was doing, she commented with a faint verbal frown, "Stop that Glurp."

"Glurp protecting others...Glurp knows what demon boy hdies!"

Kalzog nodded and looked up at the trees one last time before grunting and continueing his walk down the hill.

"Good to be back?" Kalzog asked the royal family as they walked down the hill.

"It is bittersweet at best," Alegain replied quietly, still holding onto Rimoru.

"I suggest we take the back streets...it may be safer than walking by the palace. Or avoid the city all together as much as we can," Ixair said as they neared the rows of houses.

"The backstreets...full of scum, rats, and infestations..." Alegain sneered, shaking his head.

"And protection against demons and cultists..." Kalzog growled. "Back streets it is..."

Suddenly, Loki would feel a jab on his arm. "Demon boy!" Glurp growled as he looked through slitted eyes, poking Loki with a stick. They were near the same size, which had surprised Glurp quite a lot, however the diminutive figure wore oversized clothing that was not traditional garb any goblin he knew wore.

"Ow..." Loki said as he felt a pain in his arm from an apparent prodding. He turned to see the funny looking goblin standing nearly eye-to-eye with him. It was quite rare for someone to stand at the same height with him unless they were a child... but then again, Loki himself was but a child.

"I'm not a demon..." he insisted.

I don't think...

"Then what big-hat hiding, hmmm?" Glurp asked, keeping his eyes on Loki as he followed the rest of the group. "Pointy horns? Wings? What exactly is big-hat?"

"He's a child," came a quiet voice from behind. Beatrice was walking silently behind them, watching the two talk. "Well...he seems like it to me..." she whispered.She shook her head. "I'm sorry...if you are not, I mean..."

Mienna looked with some small suspicion at the oddly dressed child that had appeared, she did not remember seeing him before, but the others appeared to know him. The branches affect on people was unusual and she avoided the people going around.

She remained quiet through the whole thing, but followed after Kalzog, pondering why they had come across the stick.

She was walking near Glurp, Loki and Beatrice and overheard the talking. "He does not look like a demon to me, he is unusual, but perhaps Beatrice is right, how old are you?" She directed the question to Loki.

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Horatio had been flying for a few minutes in silence, making sure they were on the right path. He could see nothing suspicious ahead and they should just need to head straight.

He cast his eyes over to Magledash and said "Habdebza did not seem pleased to see you." He said it as a statement, but with enough of a questioning tone to imply he wanted to know if there was a reason. After a second another question came to mind. "Do you know what he was doing at the castle?"

"But what if he isn't a demon?" She asked Glurp as she still slightly glared at him for poking the other one.

"Better the scum you know than the demons you don't." Was her reply to Alegain's dismissive comments about the back streets of the city.

ooc: Theao, hurry up and make a char in CoD! People are getting Rabid! *cough cough DMG cough cough*

"Lootheeen don't know, so Glurp need to make sure demon-boy is no demon. What if demon-boy gains trust and eats Loootheen when Lootheen sleeps. Then demon-boy happy and no one else is!" Glurp replied.

Alegain glanced at Luthien, then at Rimoru. Rimoru only smiled and nodded.

"Hey, don't worry about the 'scum'. I know many of them and they will grant us safe passage. I know it!" Ixair laughed.

"And if the 'scum' are anyone like Ixair, I should be able to persuade my way out of danger..." Rimoru chuckled, winking at the elf.

"Then what big-hat hiding, hmmm?" Glurp asked, keeping his eyes on Loki as he followed the rest of the group. "Pointy horns? Wings? What exactly is big-hat?"

"He's a child," came a quiet voice from behind. Beatrice was walking silently behind them, watching the two talk. "Well...he seems like it to me..." she whispered.She shook her head. "I'm sorry...if you are not, I mean..."

Glurp seemed to be mean, but maybe he was just curious or mistrustful... it wasn't the first time the young mage had run into someone like that. Why doesn't he understand... he doesn't look like anyone either... are we so different?

"No... it's okay... I am a child... I think," Loki said calmly to the elf. She seems nice... "At least that is what grandpa told me... before he left..."

She was walking near Glurp, Loki and Beatrice and overheard the talking. "He does not look like a demon to me, he is unusual, but perhaps Beatrice is right, how old are you?" She directed the question to Loki.

"Five..." Loki said quietly as he diverted his eyes.

"Aww.." Beatrice said sadly. " Sorry to ask... but what happened to your grandpa? Where did he go?"

Beatrice felt pity for the poor creature as she too lost her family and was left to fend for herself...Just how long did this child have to be alone for?

"Aww.." Beatrice said sadly. " Sorry to ask... but what happened to your grandpa? Where did he go?"

Loki was particularly put off by the idea of eating someone, especially as he barely ate that much at all and it was usually berries or the like. But he dismissed the comment as Glurp being rude and mean again.

"I don't know," he said as he once again averted his eys upon turning to Beatrice. "He... he just... diss-appeared.... .... gone."

"In the name of Dominatistradz, this town, all it's possessions, and all its occupants will fall under control of the Great One and the Dragoon corps, such as myself. Any failure to comply will result in swift death, painful torture, slave labor, and...brainwashing," the leading invador said, almost gleefully.

William's face was full of shock as he looked around for help on those around him. "Ya can't honestly mean that...can you?"

"I am General Vohinihth. And I am a dragoon, and a Drakonan, an elite species, the only other species that have a right to remain on this planet with the dragons," the leader said. He then looked up at a few buildings and smiled. "Elves, come out of hiding, lest I show you how insignificant you are to the power of the Dragoons."

Venisar came scampering back across the town's roofs and into view of the hiding elves. "Remember that army of dragons we had to wait out until they had finished decimating that castle..." Venisar's voice trailed off and the air was silent with anticipation and fear.

And then a shockwave hit them all as the drakes came pounding through. "Oh no..." they said collectively.

The pirates seemed stupid enough to question the authority and power of the dragons, who without a doubt could crush the entire town in a matter of seconds. When they were called upon, the elves quickly appeared from the alley and stood with weapons drawn, though with no intention of fighting as there was no victory to be had.

"William... you must do as they say..." Ar'mai pleaded. "There is no hope of defeating them - save your people. Live today..."

"I-I'm sorry," Beatrice repeated sadly. She looked away, searching for a subject to change to, but coming short of any. "Perhaps we shall find him on our journey? I search for one close to me as well."

*************************************************

"Oy, Willy, don' listen to yonder elf...look at 'im...weak an' insignificant...jus' like 'em goblins. Ye can stand an' fight! We'll be with ya as well! This is our town, too, ain't it? O' course it- Wait a tic...you're a girl?" Conroy said, before turning to Ar'mai, realizaing for the first time that the head elf was indeed a woman. A grin split up his face and he shook his head. "I ne'er knew..."

"Silence, pirate. What is your wish? But I will say...your elf friend does have a point. And think...you won't lose everything by joining us...you'll still have some of your houses...And don't you worry. We'll be out very quickly. Rimoru City awaits us..."

"Just think of it. Under the full protection of Dominatistradz and creatures like me-"

"Drakonan? Ne'er 'eard of ya," Conroy spat.

"Well you better learn it, pirate. It's the last thing you'll hear, baring the possibility that you scream in pain," Vohinith growled as he pulled a strange looking sword from a sheath on his back. The sword had a long chain wrapped around the top of the hilt, around the long, ridged blade.

"I ain't goin' down without a fight, drako-boy," Conroy laughed as he pointed his pistol at Vohinihth. Suddenly, the two other officers readied their weapons, one a spear, the other, a bow. The pirates soon followed suit, aiming their weapons, ready for the signal.

"Just think, Vohinny, just three o' you right now...and several o' me boys. Ye may kill us...but ye die by me..."

Vohinihth narrowed his eyes and moved forward slightly. He snarled and his eyes flared briefly. Then, a sickly smile crossed his snout. "I'll take my chances."

"No! Wait! I will...alright...this town is yours..." William said quietly.

Vohinihth smiled and looked to William. "Excellent. You will not regret this choice."

"Sir, what of the others?" came a feminine voice from the dragoon with the bow.

Vohinihth let his eyes scan the group of pirates, then the elves in the alley. "I wish to speak with the leaders. Privately. William, find me an unoccupied room in the inn. I shall be there soon, as I expect both of you."

William looked at the general as he mounted his drake and bounded back towards his army to relay the news. The two remaining officers remained, weapons at the ready, pointed at Conroy and Ar'mai.

"Follow me, Miss Ar'mai...and Captain Conroy," William said in a defeated tone as he opened the door to the half ruined inn.

"I-I'm sorry," Beatrice repeated sadly. She looked away, searching for a subject to change to, but coming short of any. "Perhaps we shall find him on our journey? I search for one close to me as well."

"Maybe!" Loki replied optimistically as hope filled his soul. An idea entered his head, Perhaps all of these journeys I have been going on are to find Grandpa!

But just as soon as such an idea entered his head, filling him with joy, it vanished into thin air and left him again... alone. "But I doubt it..."

Vohinihth let his eyes scan the group of pirates, then the elves in the alley. "I wish to speak with the leaders. Privately. William, find me an unoccupied room in the inn. I shall be there soon, as I expect both of you."

William looked at the general as he mounted his drake and bounded back towards his army to relay the news. The two remaining officers remained, weapons at the ready, pointed at Conroy and Ar'mai.

"Follow me, Miss Ar'mai...and Captain Conroy," William said in a defeated tone as he opened the door to the half ruined inn.

Ar'mai nodded in agreement, slightly miphed at the turn of events. What could he want with me? And this rogue...

"Please M'lady-" One of the guards was about to protest going off alone without protection, but Ar'mai silenced him with a delicate finger to his lips. Her soft, silky skin and the touch of her hands filled him with such a delightful feeling that he could say no more.

"Do not worry..." she whispered reassuringly. "I will be fine. You guys just watch your backs out here..." With that she followed William, Conroy and the pair of soldiers into the inn where they would have their mysterious meeting.

Beatrice smiled at Loki as he started to perk up, but just as soon, his mood fell. "Aww...don't think that way...uh..." the dark elf struggled to remember the diminutive figure's name. The only one she knew was Loki, said by Rimoru, and Lucy, said by Eva...the trouble was, which one should she believe?

"I will help you find him...Lucy...?" Beatrice said weakly, with a reassuring smile.

*************************************************
The two officers watched as the three walked into the tavern. It wasn't there business to interrogate them unless Vohinhihth wished it so...but he only ordered them to make sure they did not flee.

William led them to a large room at the top of the tavern stairs that remained relatively untouched by the damage of the elves and pirates. He looked around himself quickly, before getting close to the two. "Lady Ar'mai...I don't think either choice is good fer us...but atleast the one you said ta choose gave us a bit o' time," he spoke urgently in a hushed whisper.

"Time fer what?" Conroy growled as he flipped his pistol in the air, catching it without so much as a glance as it fell back into his hand.

"I fear they may do their brainwashin' like they threatened. The dragons used ta be good an' all...but this dragoon stuff creeps me out. Ne'er before has their been such an army out destroyin' regular towns and nobodies," William shook his head and pulled out a dirty hankerchief from a pocket on his shirt. "What I want ya'll ta do, is ta git the children out. Atleast the children...and if possible, the women. They gotta be safe..."

"An' where to, William?" Conroy asked, listening intently, especially at the word, "women".

"Somewhere away from here. I'd say the Order...but they are extinct, or near it. Me best bet would be upwards...ta Rimoru City. 'Tis better protected an' perhaps the new leader is kind enough ta get them somewhere safe."

Then, heavy footsteps could be heard coming from the tavern doorway.

"I'll try ta keep 'em in the same room, all o' em, tonight so it'd be easier on ya. Please, do it fer us."

"What's in it fer me an' me crew?" Conroy growled, before a loud knock was heard at the door.

"May I come in?" the massive dragon warrior asked, a cocky grin on his face.

"I will help you find him...Lucy...?" Beatrice said weakly, with a reassuring smile.

"Thanks..." Loki said warmly, "but I don't even know where to begin looking."

"Oh, and it is Loki," he corrected her somewhat nervously as he played with the brim of his hat.

"Umm... I have a question," Loki said to the group as a whole as they continued to walk. "Where are we going?"

"May I come in?" the massive dragon warrior asked, a cocky grin on his face.

"But William... the dragons said their destination was Rimoru City - if we flee there, it will be out of the cooking pot and into the fire with us all," Ar'mai whispered so that her words couldn't have escaped the room. "We must go somewhere remote... small and out of the way where the dragons will have no reason to go."

Without lending more time to discuss further plans, the massive dragon warrior entered the room with cocky and rhetorical question. "Only after you have wiped your feet."

Outside, the elves were milling about, but were at guard with their weapons drawn should anything happen. Some were trying to listen with their keen ears to the conversation inside the inn, but most were concentrated on not letting the pirates or dragons make a subversive move.

"I don't know where to begin looking for my lost one...but everyone has to start somewhere, Loki," Beatrice replied, using the right name this time. "I'm sorry."

"We are going to the Arena so we can teleport to Mebbiwik and...blah blah blah get our home back," Rimoru chuckled. She pointed to a large, circular building near the massive Library. "That building is where we are headed."

************************************************

"Ah, but the blood of battle blesses this building with luck against her enemies," Vohinihth replied with a chuckle to the elf's comment. "William, leave us. Thank you..."
The human slowly nodded to the dragon creature and gave one last desperate look at Conroy and Ar'mai before walking down the stairs.

"So, who, may I inquire, are you two, what are you doing here...and what is so significant about your lives?" the drakonan asked as he got strode to the bed and placed his helmet on it before unbuckling the guantlets on his large hands.

"I'm surprised ye don't know o' me, Vohinihiny. I be Capt'n Conroy, feared pirate o' the Lustrian Sea. I am here cause it be me town an' I needed ta drown out me sorrows at the local tavern. An' like I said...I am a powerful pirate...an' I lived fer quite a while..."

***

"Hey, elf, why dontcha start huggin' yer trees ta help ya outta this!" one of the pirates taunted at the elves. They all soon began to jeer and taunt at their former enemies, looking for a fight.

The dragoon officers however, seemed uncomfortable and looked at each other, trying to figure out what to do. If a fight broke out, should they stop them or let them fight?

Mienna paid attention to the conversation about what was going to happen, she only had a vague idea herself. "How is this Mebbiwik going to help? He must be powerful if you intend to get his help against the demons and Horatio." She paused for a moment as she realized something, Horatio was not at the palace, she felt his presence moving away from them rapidly.

Rimoru and Alegain let out a laugh, Eva giving a little chuckle of her own.

"Mebbiwik is not much of a fighter...but he is an inventor. He built many a weapon within the palace that will spring up by my will. Unfortunately...when I had my magic, it never crossed me to raise them...I was too busy...saving myself, I guess...But Mebbiwik has a control that should make them move. The palace will be a mess, but atleast we won't have to deal with demons anymore," Rimoru smiled.

"Some demons," Kalzog corrected, his mind drifting to his old master...

In a certain Arena....

Cantrell walked out of the Arena door. He had just won another bout. People were going crazy for another fight. But this would be his last battle. He and Cobiesel ran a huge risk in coming to the Arena. But it was worth it. They needed money. They both entered into fights, but soon only Cantrell was fighting because the people loved his bizarre style.

Now he was going to collect his money. He found Cobiesel. "Come on, let's go get or payment." They found the fight manager and collected their rewards. They had made a lot of gold from what they had bet.

Now they stood outside. "Let's stick around. Maybe Thayil and Ament came here, so let's see if we can get some information." Cobiesel said.

"So, who, may I inquire, are you two, what are you doing here...and what is so significant about your lives?" the drakonan asked as he got strode to the bed and placed his helmet on it before unbuckling the guantlets on his large hands.

***

The dragoon officers however, seemed uncomfortable and looked at each other, trying to figure out what to do. If a fight broke out, should they stop them or let them fight?

"And I," Ar'mai said, picking up after the pirate finished his crude introduction, "am Ar'mai... but a traveler of this world - the reason why I stopped off in this town."

She remained shrouded by her magnificent yet plain white cloak, covering head to toe so that her face was covered in darkness.

"Significance though..." the elf trailed off as she peered into his eyes. "Why do you wish to know that? To see whether we are worth killing or letting live? Because I could spin you all sorts of fantastic tales and lies... What would you like to hear?"

***

"Say another word!" one of the royal guard dared the pirates as the whole elven line raised their weapons at the pirates. The Guards had arrows notched and pointing directly at the heads of the drunken fools, only awaiting the sign to let loose a barrage, dropping them all to their graves.

Clearly the dragoon guards were nervous, as so should the pirates have been, but they were still under the influence of one of the most powerful and pervasive chemicals - alcohol. They were liable to say another word before the guard even finished his sentence, but that wouldn't stop the elves from slaying them all.

Vohinihth snorted at the pirate's modest introduction as he unbuckled his sword sheath and set it on the bed along with his other possessions.

"A traveler of the world? Sounds...fascinating," the dragoon said obvious interest- much to the annoyance of the pirate captain. "So then you must know this area well, right?"

"Oh? Lies and truth? Well...tell me what you want to write in the history books about your deaths...if you are worthy to write in them," the drakonan replied cooly.

***********************************************

"Aye, we shall say another word! An' that word be-"

"Silence, fools," came the femenine voice of the bow wielding officer. She stepped off her drake and walked in between the elves and the pirates "Unless you all want to die." She pointed upwards as dark shapes hovered about- the dragons had taken flight again and appeared to be looking for some place nearby to land.

"A traveler knows no area well..." Ar'mai responded to his comment about knowing the area. In truth, she knew quite a bit about it - more than your average foreigner, having spent so long in Lustria, but there was no point of revealing it.

She looked at the dusty wooden floor, though her eyes were not perceptible. "I would wish the history books to write nothing more than that I walked the world... ate with dwarves, learned with elves, fought with men, and flew with dragons..."

***

Venisar nodded and the elves slowly lowered their bows and returned the arrows to their quills. However, nothing would stop them from laying their hands on the hilts of their swords - just in case. Trouble brews when the winds are at their calmest...

"Flew with dragons?" Vohinihth asked, his curiousity peaked as he placed his heavy hands on the desk and leaned forward towards Ar'mai. "How old are you, then, to fly with the illusive dragon..."

The dragoon's eyes turned a darker shade as his demeaner seemed to intensify to that of passive anger. "And what happened to this dragon after you flew with it?"

*************************************************

"Elf lover...git outta the way an' we won't hurt ya...much..." the outspoken pirate laughed at the female officer.

The officer lowered her bow and held it with one hand as her other began to pull off her helmet.

Underneath was a beautiful dark face, white hair, dark eyes- a dark elf. "I love my kin nearly as much as I love my masters. Drunks, much less, pirates, I despise. Watch yourselves," she growled before replacing her helmet and returning to her offensive position.`

"So do you think Mr. Mebbiwik's control will still be in the palace or on him?" The young girl asked, "And if it's on him, will he still be in the palace somewhere and if it's not, what if the demons have found it?"

"Luthy, those are very good questions! Azzy taught you well," Rimoru giggled. "But, Mebbiwik has it on him. We trust him enough to use it when needed. But he went on vacation about a month ago so he shouldn't be in the palace. And only my family knows where his vacation home is."

"It's a nice little cottage for us smaller people. Not so much for you tall men," Rimoru gigled.

"Oh great...a gnome gets all the girls..." Ixair mumbled. He also knew Mebbiwik. The elf almost had the gnome assassinate Rimoru before but could not do it since Kalzog, Lorathin, and a few others were with her.

"Then why are we going near the palace if he isn't at the palace?" She enquired as it didn't seem to make a great deal of sense.

"Does that mean that uncle Kal won't fit?"

"No no no, Luthy," Rimoru giggled. "We are going to the Iskan Arena. That is where my mass teleportation device resides. Since I am powerless, that is the only place to get to Mebbiwik's speedily."

"And Kalzog probably will have to remain outside," Rimoru chuckled as she tried to imagine the massive ogre fitting through the tiny cottage doors.

"Flew with dragons?" Vohinihth asked, his curiousity peaked as he placed his heavy hands on the desk and leaned forward towards Ar'mai. "How old are you, then, to fly with the illusive dragon..."

The dragoon's eyes turned a darker shade as his demeaner seemed to intensify to that of passive anger. "And what happened to this dragon after you flew with it?"

*************************************************

"Elf lover...git outta the way an' we won't hurt ya...much..." the outspoken pirate laughed at the female officer.

The officer lowered her bow and held it with one hand as her other began to pull off her helmet.

Underneath was a beautiful dark face, white hair, dark eyes- a dark elf. "I love my kin nearly as much as I love my masters. Drunks, much less, pirates, I despise. Watch yourselves," she growled before replacing her helmet and returning to her offensive position.`

Obviously her comment had worked as planned, sparking Vohinihth's interest - at the very least it bought more time.

"Old enough," she replied with a displeasing smile on her face, "but a lady does not reveal her age... much less to a stranger."

"What happened to it?" she repeated. It died as we cut off its head... "I would imagine that it flew forth and carried on its life."

*************************************************

Venisar watched the scene unfold as the officer removed her helmet, revealing a dark elf beneath it. Most intriguing... He had no choice but to investigate the matter.

He casually walked towards the officer after she had replaced the helmet. "Calm now," he whispered, "what would make you serve such masters? You heard them... they said only Dragons and Dragoons will be spared... no elves."

"A stranger? Well...we are all here to become friends," Vohinihth replied softly leaning in closely to Ar'mai. "Surely you can tell you friends your age, right?"

"So...yer gonna kill us then, dragon-boy? Why should we be friends?" Conroy asked, giving a look of annoyance.

"Well...being friends with me can spare your life..." the dragoon general replied cooly, moving his snout in front of Conroy. "A good trade it seems..."


***********************************************

When the elf had the nerve to confront her in public, the dark elf practically snapped. She smacked him across the face with her gauntleted hand and growled something draconic.

"I am a dragoon, you imbecile," she snarled as she pointed to the Dragoon insignia on her gauntlet. "Now get back over there and stay quiet."

The woman, however felt somewhat bad for having to smack a racial brother, perhaps good looking as well. But alas, she was on duty.

"Well...being friends with me can spare your life..." the dragoon general replied cooly, moving his snout in front of Conroy. "A good trade it seems..."

***********************************************

"I am a dragoon, you imbecile," she snarled as she pointed to the Dragoon insignia on her gauntlet. "Now get back over there and stay quiet."

"Let's cut the nonsense small talk," Ar'mai interrupted, trying to get to the heart of the matter. "You are obviously a smart man general. What do you seek to gain by trading us our lives?" It would seem that anything at this point was better than death, but then helping the corrupted dragons was almost as bad.

Oddly, it seemed that Ar'mai was standing side-to-side with the pirate captain, more than literally. They were in the same boat, thinking the same things. Perhaps it is cognitive assonance... For surely she would never be caught on the same side of the fence as a rogue such as Conroy.


***********************************************

Venisar winced at the pain of rough metal against his face. He put a delicate hand to his face as he spit red saliva to the ground.

"So that is what the translation of dragoon is..." he said aloud, not trying to hide his comment, "Traitor."

"For one thing, by killing you both, it seems I rid myself of two possible rogue groups when the dragon nations take over. However, you both seem like smart...folks," Vohinihth smiled wickedly at Ar'mai. "So, perhaps you would enjoy to live by becoming dragoons yourselves? I'm sure I can find the right jobs for both of you."

"But, of course, there is the way of aiding us dragoons. A little bit of information about the nearby area, where you are from, defenses of areas nearby...landmarks of notice. We are invading so naturally, we would greatly appreciate more understanding of the general area."

"An' if we don't do either, we die then?" Conroy growled.

"Yes...yes you do," Vohinihth smiled. "And don't think that you are that important...we could always send scouts ahead of us. It served us well in the past when we actually had something to fight rather than a rag tag group of pirates and a pathetic force of elves, no offense."

***********************************************

"Traitor?" growled the woman as she knocked a bow in her arrow and aimed it at Venisar.

"Nienna, don't!" barked the other officer.

Nienna held her position, her bow bending viciously as she applied more power to her shot. "I am no traitor. I don't go around killing those that have protected us since the beginning. The elves have the option to join as well and uphold the belief of respecting all creatures, rather than the dark path they have taken, killing dragons instead..."

"But, of course, there is the way of aiding us dragoons. A little bit of information about the nearby area, where you are from, defenses of areas nearby...landmarks of notice. We are invading so naturally, we would greatly appreciate more understanding of the general area."

***********************************************

Nienna held her position, her bow bending viciously as she applied more power to her shot. "I am no traitor. I don't go around killing those that have protected us since the beginning. The elves have the option to join as well and uphold the belief of respecting all creatures, rather than the dark path they have taken, killing dragons instead..."

"I will never become a dragoon!" Ar'mai protested vehemently.

She took a moment to calm down before responding rationally. "However, in exchange for all of our lives and safe passage... I will give you information about the surrounding area..."

"There is a mysterious and dark woods a day's journey to the west..."

***********************************************

"I hold no scorn for you..." Venisar said as he turned his back on the lady officers.

He turned his head and glanced over his shoulder whispering to them, "Only pity..."

"Now now, elf woman," Vohinihth chuckled, straighting up and pacing around behind the desk. Each heavy footfall resulted in a creak of the floorboards below him, as though any minute they'd break through sending the dragoon down a level. "Dragoons are noble, honorable, and quite the best at everything. Not to mention a close affinity with dragons. Surely an elf like you respects dragons...a certain Relthor comes to mind. He enjoyed elven company all the time."

"Mysterious and Dark woods to the west? What can one expect there?

***********************************************

"Save your pity, elf," Nienna growled back as she returned the arrow to her quiver and walked back to her mount.

"If that one makes another move, I want to kill him personally."

"Against the general's orders?"

"General Vohinihth won't mind the loss of one useless soul..."

"Now now, elf woman," Vohinihth chuckled, straighting up and pacing around behind the desk. Each heavy footfall resulted in a creak of the floorboards below him, as though any minute they'd break through sending the dragoon down a level. "Dragoons are noble, honorable, and quite the best at everything. Not to mention a close affinity with dragons. Surely an elf like you respects dragons...a certain Relthor comes to mind. He enjoyed elven company all the time."

"Mysterious and Dark woods to the west? What can one expect there?

***********************************************

"Save your pity, elf," Nienna growled back as she returned the arrow to her quiver and walked back to her mount.

"If that one makes another move, I want to kill him personally."

"Against the general's orders?"

"General Vohinihth won't mind the loss of one useless soul..."

"There is no honor or nobility of spirit in trampling the world beneath the feet of your armies," she spat. The Gods shall not let this injustice occur...

At the name of Relthor, Ar'mai turned away before moving to a small wooden seat. She had not seen him in years - so wise, so compassionate - if the only the world was filled with more Relthors.

She snapped back to the matter at hand without allowing herself to dwell on the kind dragon to long. She emphasized every word, allowing them to roll off her tongue very slowly, "Mysterious and dark things..."

***********************************************

After listening to their bitter comments, Venisar made one last remark before returning to the other elves. "All the more reason I pity you..."

"There is no honor or nobility in stamping out the dragon race as sport!" Vohinihth roared, making even the half-drunk pirate captain shudder.

"So you knew of Relthor, then?" the dragoon growled as Ar'mai strode back quietly, taking a seat. "If you are old enough to know of dragons past, then perhaps you would remember how passive they were...even when their very lives were falling apart before them."

At the subject of the forest, Vohinihth curled his lips over his large, pointed teeth.

"Well, I could get that much information out of a five year old." With that, the dragoon general spun around and looked out the window, his hands holding each other behind his back as he contemplated what to do with the two.

"Hanging after torture then. Or eternal punishment," the dragoon growled, his mood taking a turn for the worse.

"Oi, I didn't do anythin'," Conroy growled.

"Just like your partner. You are both useless- hence your executions."

"Now 'old on a minute. What if I were to tell you 'bout a possible plot goin' 'round these parts tonight...in exchange fer me freedom...and perhaps some loot from the town?"

The dragoon turned his head slightly and blinked. "I am listening..."

***********************************************

"Rejected!" one of the pirates laughed at the slapped elf.

"What's the matter, elfy-boy? Can't even get any lovin' from those o' yer own race?"

Nienna mounted her drake again, but made no effort to stop the pirates taunts and jeers at the elf that had confronted her.

"Hanging after torture then. Or eternal punishment," the dragoon growled, his mood taking a turn for the worse.

"Oi, I didn't do anythin'," Conroy growled.

"Just like your partner. You are both useless- hence your executions."

"Now 'old on a minute. What if I were to tell you 'bout a possible plot goin' 'round these parts tonight...in exchange fer me freedom...and perhaps some loot from the town?"

The dragoon turned his head slightly and blinked. "I am listening..."

***********************************************

"Rejected!" one of the pirates laughed at the slapped elf.

"What's the matter, elfy-boy? Can't even get any lovin' from those o' yer own race?"

"I wouldn't dare think of harming an innocent dragon," Ar'mai protested violently. "You should not take your aggression and anger out on the innocent of the world. Hunt down those who have harmed your brethren... join with their enemies and begin a crusade. But to wipe out everyone... it's pure madness."

However, the dragoon became very tempered, and Ar'mai saw she was getting nowhere. He then ordered their deaths and Conroy immediately cracked, about to spill the escape plan William had asked them to undertake with the women and children. The princess had to act fast, thinking on her feet to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Fine," she interrupted both the General and Captain. "I will tell you there is a great power about the dark forest. A tomb lays inside of unknown potential. I could feel it calling to me when I crossed its path..."

***********************************************

"I said not another word..." Venisar snapped at the pirates. He was generally a calm and collected person, not one to take much offense, but these were odd circumstances. As he walked back to his elven party, he raised his right arm and the elves lifted their bows again and notched arrows...

"No, Ar'mai. We give our enemies the chance to join us and redeem themselves. What do you have to hide for not joining us on this "Crusade" if you stand for what we fight for?"

Conroy and Vohinihth turned to Ar'mai at her sudden outburst about a certain tomb.

The dragoon lord narrowed his eyes and snorted. "I don't need any magical trinkets or powerful new magics. I already answer directly to a god."

However, the dragon-creature's curiosity had once again been sparked. "Alright then, Ar'mai. You will lead me and a few of my men to this 'powerful tomb'. Then afterwards, you will be executed...unless this tomb is something worth keeping you alive for..."

***********************************************

"'Ey, we ain't doin' anythin', elfy boy! We only makin' sure ye know the truth!" the pirates laughed as they raised their own pistols and rifles.

"Besides, we all believe an ogre woman may be able ta enjoy yer ugly face!" Again, the pirates roared with laughter.

Nienna tensed up slightly and looked to her fellow officer who only nodded in return. She looked up to the sky, watching the dragons swerve and curl in the sky. They wouldn't mind breaking up a fight...

"Ah." She replied as if she remembered rightly, it was part of the events leading to the 'Gate War'.

"Ah, but that's no good."

"Why not?" Alegain asked. Already they seemed to be getting close to the dirty, dank, look of the Backstreets. Beggers lay scattered around, broken glass was everywhere. Definately not the safest place- especially with a frightened dark elf, a powerless Empress, a just-transformed human, a very young elf, and a coward- all women, with just one seriously injured elf and a giant ogre to protect them all...And Ixair, who seemed to be smiling as they approached the streets.

"Because Kalzog makes things better, or at least more interesting." She replied with a smile as she looked up at her uncle.

"Well, that is true as well," Rimoru chuckled, glancing at the ogre.

Kalzog turned his head ever so slightly, and if one looked hard enough amongt the mass of tattoos and scars, perhaps one may notice the tiny smile on his face. "Fighting always makes things interesting," he chuckled.

"And you like to fight and eat uncle Kal." She added with a chuckle of her own.

"But of course...that's what lets me live," the ogre smiled turning around completely, so he was walking backwards.

"Atleast, that's how I lived until someone came along..." he replied, before scooping up the little elven girl. "Now it's eat, fight, and get annoyed non-stop."

Despite his gruff tone and words, he gave the girl a little smile and wink. I could get used to this guardian stuff... he thought to himself as he turned around again, the girl still in his arms.

"I remember when Ogres used to steal women all the time, usually to eat them. But the tastiest was always the little elven girls."

"So that's why Luthien is always feeding you?" Ixair asked with a chuckle.

"I love you too uncle Kal." She thougth as she gave him a kiss on the cheek and smile. She knew he loved her as well, at least to an extent, but would feel uncomfortable trying to express himself that wa.

"You're just silly Ixair." Lúthien replied as she looked over at the other elf.

Underneath Kalzog's tattoos, Luthien may have noticed a slight blush, but Kalzog showed his affection by simply squeezing her a little tighter.

If ony could get that close to the ogre, it was Luthien. The true motives of the ogre are unknown, to suddenly take such affection from the tiny elf- an elf of all beings, which he had previously told people how much he despised them- and perhaps give a bit of his own. But then again, Kalzog was a puzzling creature.

"As long as I am funny silly rather than not-funny silly," Ixair replied back.

After some time of searching, Cantrell and Cobiesel had found nothing. Cobiesel sat down on the ground. She was frustrated beyond belief. "Damn it all. I really thought we would have found something this time. I mean, they HAD to have come by this way!"

"Apparently not. Either they did not come this way or they did and someone is hiding information." Cantrell said.

Cobiesel looked at him puzzled. "Why would they hide information?"

"Who knows? We were arrested by the group of knights a little while ago. And when I was tortured. Plus I just beat every fighter the arena had. So naturaly, people will be suspicious."

Cobiesel put her head in her hands. She wasn't crying, just tired and frustrated. Cantrell looked at her. "Are you okay? Do you want to go?"

"I'm fine. I just want to rest for a bit." Cobiesel said and remained were she was. Cantrell merely nodded and stood by her.

"You're both." She replied with a giggle as she wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her again as she'd thought she'd seen Kalzog blush, but he didn't blush, so she thought she'd imagined it.

Mienna frowned at the conditions in the back streets, they were not particularly appealing. Mienna raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but smile at the ogre's behaviour. "You are a strange one Kalzog." She had avoided ogres frequentely, they were known for not being too picky on what they ate and a bird would do as well as anything else. Though she had helped Horatio defeat some when ogres had passed through the forests he had learnt in long ago. She looked down and sighed quietly at the memory, things were differant now.

However, the dragon-creature's curiosity had once again been sparked. "Alright then, Ar'mai. You will lead me and a few of my men to this 'powerful tomb'. Then afterwards, you will be executed...unless this tomb is something worth keeping you alive for..."

"You serve no god..." Ar'mai rebuked, "As no God would accept your pathetic soul."

She was about to protest leading them to the forest, but an idea came to her. None new the woods so well as the elves, and once inside their cozy habitat, the dragoons would be hard pressed to maintain them in their custody. Perhaps they could even persuade the forest to attack the Dragons.

"Fine... let's go."

"Well, I don't know what to say," Ixair replied to Luthien with a smile.

"Then keep your mouth shut for once," Kalzog replied, walking over a sleeping begger.

To Mienna he gave a toothy grin. "I've heard that many times before. And If I were to explain my past...one would probably say my past is the same way..."

As they entered the slums, even the atmosphere took on a darker tint. Smog churned from smoke stacks of metalworking factories, small groups of people seemed to gather on corners bearing weapons and grinning at the women lustfully.

"This doesn't feel safe..." Rimoru whispered as she clung tighter to Alegain, giving him a bit of a wince.

"Here, wear this," Ixair said as he gave Rimoru his hat, revealing his long blond hair and pointed ears. "Try to disguise you."

Rimoru smiled at Ixair and nodded.

The Elf prince smiled back and spun around as he heard someone sigh- Mienna.

"What's the matter?" he asked quietly, slowing down to walk side by side with he.

"You serve no god..." Ar'mai rebuked, "As no God would accept your pathetic soul."

"Fine... let's go."

Vohinihth roared , smashing the table aside as he wrapped his massive hand around Ar'mai's thin neck. He began to squeeze roughly, just enough to let her speak- barely. He lifted her so she was eye level to himself.

"I serve Dominatistradz, the only god worth serving. The others are traitors and backstabbers, serving only themselves. Read your history- the Gate Wars? All of them wouldn't have claimed the lives they had if they never banished Valtrox. And where were the god's own forces to aid their 'Devoted Followers'?. The only ones I saw were Valtrox's himself.

He let the elf drop to the floor and walked back to the bed, reaching for his sword.

"My aren't you a speedy little devil," the dragoon growled as he placed his gauntlets on. "But alright then...I can play your little game of impatience..."

Meinna smiled back at the Ogre. "Perhaps you would share your past with us some day?"

She cast a disaproving glare over the smog and pollution, the foul smells and smoke had frequently casued problems for birds. She also kept an eye on the people they passed, one hand hovering near the rapier, ready for if she needed it. "Do you know any of these people Ixiar?"

She was surprised that Ixiar had heard the sigh and responded slowly. "Memories... things will never be the same and i find it a somewhat daunting prospect."

ooc: LoL Ixair asked, not Alegain ;)

"I doubt it, but you can always hope," the ogre chuckled.

"Nay, none of them," Ixair replied as he kept a watchful eye on them. The Backstreets seemed darker than he remembered them to be.

"Memories...they can be hurtful...but surely you have good ones too? The wind rustling against your feathers, the first day you learned to fly...the day you met me," Ixair smiled.

OOC: Ah, wasn't sure, changed now

Meinna shivered involutarily, the idea they may be surrounded on all sides by enemies, or at least people that may be unfriendly to their cause was not comfortable.

At Ixiar's comment she couldn't help but laugh, though she tried to keep it quiet so as not to attrct too much attention. "Many of my memories are good, but Horatio rescued me from death soon after i was born, the only surviver of my family... and now, he is the enemy..."

Lúthien watched the surroundings from her ogre sized perch before she realized that Eva had been fairly silent and looked around for the princess.

"Oh...I'm sorry," Ixair replied to Mienna quietly, glancing at a beggar walking around, eyeing the group suspiciously. "I lost my family as well..." he added almost as an afterthought, before shaking his head.

"I'm sure Horatio still has good in him. I am confident we will be able to turn him back...just look at Kalzog. It seems he has a soft spot too...you've been with him for a while and you're probably the closest thing he has or had."

Eva was lagging behind, her eyes wide in fear as she spun around, making sure no one was following them.

As she was walking backwards, her heel caught onto something and she fell on her back. "I-I'm sorry," she whimpered as the man she fell on grumbled something angrily. He was a large skizzarish with a long scar running along his left eye. "Watch where yer goin' wretch," he growled as he began to get up. Eva crabwalked away from him as he reached for a small dagger near his bed.

Suddeny, Eva jumped as she felt a hand fall on her shoulder. She looked up and noticed Beatrice next to her.

"Come on, let's go. This place scares me a lot," she whispered.

Eva nodded in agreement and quickly stood up and followed Beatrice back to their group.

Mienna examined Ixiar. "I am sorry for you." She said truthfully. "Perhaps, but i am not so sure, i can still feel him. He is not the same man, he has become consumed by anger and wishes for revenge." She trailed off, she had peiced together his history, but Horatio had kept closed mouthed about it, he had clearly been bitter about it. He had not however acted on it, if he had the chance now though...

"Don't worry about it, Mienna. I have gotten past it. Although I don't know Horatio as much as you do, I have known fearfully staunch people grow soft. Inzikai, cult leader who initiated the Gate War of our time grew soft on...Ar'mai. There is also the rumor that Rothargot, Valtrox's second in command before he died, loved a little girl and took great care of her until his demise.

Rimoru, upon hearing Rothargot's name, turned her head to listen in and nodded slowly. "Rothargot was a darling...He was such a gentleman to me."

"Rothargot was a dunce. He let his guard down," Kalzog chimed in as he stopped and looked to see where the Arena was.

Lúthien mentally chuckled as she compared the story about Rothargot and mystery little girl, and Kalzog and her. She didn't think Kalzog was a dunce, even if he did care for her.

"Who is this 'Ar'mai'? sounds like you knew her." Mienna asked curiosely, then listening to the others couldn't help but smile and said. "Rothargot loved a little girl, Kalzog has a soft spot for little Luthien. If only there were more little girls around, there wouldn't be any evil left in the world."

"Well...Ar'mai and I got close for a short time..." Ixair said quietly. When Mienna commented about more little girls in the world, Ixair let out a laugh. "What can I say? It's true..."

"I don't have a soft spot for Luthien. It's just she blackmails me with food," Kalzog replied angrily. But how could he hide it? He did have a rather large soft spot for Luthien- however he was determined not to die because of it. That seems to be how Rothargot died- falling in love with Marlene( in a fatherly sense). Kalzog, however, glanced down at Luthien to make sure she wasn't hurt by his comment. He winked at her and gave her a brief smile just in case.

She gave the ogre a faint scowl and poked him, hoping to find a 'soft spot' or a ticklish spot she could use. She was almost perfectly certain he wasn't serious thought.

"Do you feel a soft spot, Luthien?" Kalzog asked with a confident smile. Ogres had no soft spots, especially one who's been to the underworld and back, fought demons, gods, and demi-gods, and ate people and children for the fun of it.

"I can't feel one." She replied before stretching up a bit and whispering in his ear, "But I know that you have one hidden behind all your muscles and tattoes."

"Oh really?" Kalog rumbled quietly, a gentle grin on his face. "Well perhaps someone has been whittling away at me all these years then...as long as only a few people can get in." He whispered at Luthien and squeezed her lovingly for a few seconds.


"However, I bet I can find a rather soft spot for you, Luthy," Kalzog chuckled as he began to carefully poke Luthien along the sides and neck for ticklish spots.

Lúthien smiled up at her adopted ogre uncle. When he began tickling her, she began giggling as she was quite ticklish much of the time.

"My aren't you a speedy little devil," the dragoon growled as he placed his gauntlets on. "But alright then...I can play your little game of impatience..."

Vohinihth had finished putting on both of his gauntlets, before he prodded Ar'mai down the stairs, knowing her elven balance would keep her from falling.

"An' what about me?" Conroy growled from atop the stairs.

"You have the pleasure of remaining in a nice warm prison cell...with all your cronies..." He smiled mischieviously at Ar'mai. "And hers."

"Ye can't be serious..." was all Conroy said, his mouth wide open in shock.

Vohinihth didn't answer as he walked outside, keeping one hand on Ar'mai's slender shoulder. "Nienna, get me a drake and bindings. A few of us are going to go to a certain forest to explore possibilities. The rest of these creatures can be herded into jail cells."

The dark elf commander nodded within her helmet and rode back to retrieve what her officer commanded.

"Wish to say any last words to your comrades before we go, Ar'mai?"

Kalzog chuckled as he let go and nearly tripped when he realized he was about to step on a sleeping beggar.

"Rimoru, you need to take better care of your people," Kalzog said as he turned around to see if the beggar was still sleeping or not.

Rimoru scowled at the ogre. "Every nation, every city has places like this. Luthy, where is your daddy?" she asked, changing the subject rather quickly.

"Wish to say any last words to your comrades before we go, Ar'mai?"

The look on Ar'mai's face could not be confused with anything but an indignant one. She didn't respond to the dragoon's question, but merely turned to her traveling party.

Speaking in a high elven tongue, Ar'mai communicated to her companions, "Don't worry... we are heading to the dark tomb that we passed a couple days back. Tell them nothing. I will be fine. After we escape, head for the north. I will send out a scout to find you..."

Before they could protest, which every last one of them was about to do, Ar'mai turned to her captor and readied herself for the journey.

Nienna came back, bringing several drake riders, along with a good many bindings for their new prisoners.

"Compensation, Ar'mai. You abandon me or I am not seen in a week, they all die."

"Sir, one of the dragons offered to give you a ride, if you will alow it."

Vohinihth looked upwards to notice that one dragon had already disappeared from the sky. It had found a rather large farming field nearby to settle in.

"Alright. It should make this trip quicker. The shackles, please." Nienna tossed a pair of bindings to Vohinihth, who caught it and gently took both of Ar'mai's hands in his own. He may have been terrible strict, but he was no monster...atleast not all the time. He carefully placed the shackles on Ar'mai and made sure they were tight enough for her hands to not squeeze through before pulling her towards the dragon.

"Kreliostradz, this is Ar'mai. She will guide us to the 'Mysterious Forest'."

The dragon looked back at Ar'mai and nodded slowly. "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Ar'mai," the dragon rumbled deeply, no sarcasm in it's voice. He lowered his wings for Ar'mai to hop on while Vohinihth climbed atop his body using his legs as footholds.

"Ar'mai says she has ridden on dragons before. Feel free to do as many flying menuevers as you feel," Vohinihth said with a bit of a chuckle as he sat behind the elf and tied her to the saddle. "Remember, Ar'mai. A week- if we are not seen within that time, your friends are dead," the dragoon whispered in her ear, before Kreliostradz took to the air. Soon, four drakes followed behind, dragoons on those as they followed the large dragon.

"You tell us where to go, Ar'mai."

"I'm not sure." She replied once she'd ceased giggling. "I've thought I've felt him once or twice but I'm not sure."

What she hadn't told Kalzog was that the thing in the sky she'd thought she'd seen, she had thought it was connected to Lorathin as it felt similar but different to his presence.

"You tell us where to go, Ar'mai."

Ar'mai had decided to ignore all of their comments and musings as they began their flight. The comment about riding on dragons before was clearly meant to upset her by having their current mount perform outrageous maneuvers, but she would not play into his games. Instead, she vowed to stay deathly quiet besides giving the directions to Kreliostradz.

"Head due southwest…" Ar'mai commented. “You should know the place well… it is just beyond the fortress you sacked.”

*****************************

The elves, though clearly not happy about the predicament, did as their mistress said and did not fight. They prepared to be bound by the dragoons and most likely have their weapons taken away, but all the while they began planning an escape in their minds.

"I do miss him..." Rimoru sighed quietly.

"I don't, nor do I care much for this rotting place..." Alegain replied brusquely as he eyed the slowly approaching Arena. "Perhaps we should have taken a carriage to it."

*************************************************

"Southwest, then," Kreliostradz repeated, barralrolling until he reached a southwest direction.

"Ahh, so you watched our marvelous first battle? It was glorious...but I have not seen such a forest. Sure, we witnessed a dieing forest, but we tried not to pass through it. Who knows what sort of elves live in there in wait..." Vohinihth chuckled. "But elves aren't so much of a threat to us. It's a shame the elven nations haven't join up with the dragons yet. We seemed to coexist quite well in the past."

**********************************************

The dragoons did bind the elves, Nienna walking up to Venisar and hastily binding him, making sure the binds were extra tight.

"Don't gnaw off your hands to get out of these, barbarian," Nienna hissed, before backing off.

The Pirates, however pushed at the dragoons however didn't shoot surprisingly. The alcohol must have been wearing off as they groggily submitted their weapons and barely got their shackles on- much to their disadvantage as the dragoons were quite a bit stronger. Conroy seemed the toughest to take down as the egotistical pirate fought and punched the teeth out of a human dragoon before he was tackled by another.

"Take them to the dungeons. They will share the cells as many as possible to one. Make sure the cells are mixed as well. If one were to kill the other, let it be," Nienna said to the other dragoons as they began to carry away

"A carriage might be nice, but I have you to carry me which is better." She replied with a grin.

"When was the last time you saw daddy before recently?" Lúthien asked

Kalzog chuckled. "When I was very young, I decided that if I couldn't be a warrior, I can be a transport service."

"Last time I saw Azzy..." Rimoru repeated, pursing her lips and looking up at the sky. "Probably at the end of the Gate War...when I was pregnant with my darling princess."

"Mother!" Eva hissed as her face began to turn pink.

"Oh what trouble I had with you...and whenever I'd cast a spell you'd seem to suck up even more of my energy!"

"Mother, please!"

"It was humiliating for me...I'd almost always need help getting up...I had gotten so big I felt like I was going to explode," Rimoru laughed, motioning Eva to get closer, and when she did so, gave her a big hug.

"Uncle Kal's Transport Buisness, we get you there for a low-cost fare." She said with a giggle.

"So a long while ago." She said as she wondered how, if at all, Lorathin was different between then and now. She also smiled as Rimoru teased Eva.

Kalzog laughed too with Luthien's comment, as well as Ixair, Rimoru and her family, and surprisingly the loudest of all, Beatrice.

"I'm sorry, Kalzog, but I think people will be too scared to take it," Beatrice giggled, covering her mouth to stiffle it. Kalzog chuckled again.

"That's probably true...unless I eat my competition," Kalzog grinned, getting more giggles.

"Aye, Azzy was fun...very charming...yet...not quite a good lover, I mean you know...well," Rimoru hesitated trying to explain her attempts to get him to bed with her at night. "He was odd."

"That's daddy, odd as they come." She replied with a giggle, and while she wanted to ask what Rimoru meant, she couldn't think of how to do it.

"Southwest, then," Kreliostradz repeated, barralrolling until he reached a southwest direction.

**********************************************

The dragoons did bind the elves, Nienna walking up to Venisar and hastily binding him, making sure the binds were extra tight.

"Take them to the dungeons. They will share the cells as many as possible to one. Make sure the cells are mixed as well. If one were to kill the other, let it be," Nienna said to the other dragoons as they began to carry away

Ar'mai continued to ignore her captor, trying to convince her off who knows what. But the scene did remind her of a time years past. A time when she had been the captive of the evil Inzikai. Much like they were now, they were flying on his mount and landed in a forest.

**********************************************

Venisar did nothing to stop the corrupted dragoon elf. However, at hearing that they would be mixed with the pirates in the dungeon cells, it became painfully obvious that they would have to escape together, for if they did escape, the pirates would have the same advantage and there was no point of not utilizing their abilities.

Bael'ther, on the other hand, the great giant of the elven warriors, was quite miffed about being tied up and didn't make it easy, thrashing about even after he was bound securely.

Kalzog laughed too with Luthien's comment, as well as Ixair, Rimoru and her family, and surprisingly the loudest of all, Beatrice.

I don't get it... Loki thought to himself as he paused and looked at the others. Why are they laughing?

He cast his eyes over to Magledash and said "Habdebza did not seem pleased to see you." He said it as a statement, but with enough of a questioning tone to imply he wanted to know if there was a reason. After a second another question came to mind. "Do you know what he was doing at the castle?"

"Habdebza is rarely pleased to see anyone..." Magledesh replied with an annoyed tone. "Especially those who have trained with his rival in the past."

The demon looked up at Horatio and shook his head. "I haven't a clue but the stench of death was everywhere. I do not know if that was his doing or not but-"

A roar broke the demon in mid-sentence as the sound of heavy wings flapping broke through the clouds. A small red dragon was making it's way to them.

"Get outta the way!" the demon growled as he dived as the dragon opened it's mouth, red fire appearing in it's throat.

Horatio was slower to react than Magledesh and his mount was significantly less cooperative. Seeing a dragon the gryphon tried to throw Horatio and shoot off without having to varry his burden.

Horatio's repeated kicks managed to get the beast moving, unfortunately towards the dragon, but he hoped to pass over it or under it before it could shoot its flame. The whole time trying to get the mount under control again before he could even think of casting any spells.

"Where to begin? Good Question. You see, I have a few things to deal with before we truly begin. First, I need your name. Second, I need to head all the way south of here for a potentially new ally. You may like him. From what I heard, he's cocky and enjoys placing himself on thrones of bones..."

He stopped as they reached the castle walls and looked up. "Do you have a lift?"

"Sounds like we won't get along very well..." Vira responded after Habdebza had finished, though not making it clear as to who she was referring - Habdebza or this potentially new ally.

She didn't respond to the demon's orders, just taking them in mind so as not to cross the powerful beast. Eventually though, something would have to be done...

"No," she replied after a moment of thinking quietly to herself. "I don't have a ride." As she spoke, the DoomGuards that the demi-god threatened to take faded into obscurity until another time, safe from his power and threats.

"Well then. I'm sure one of your body type is quite comfortable like this," Habdebza laughed as he pounced on Vira, wrapping his cloak around her. For a second, she would feel the cold metal of the demi-god's armor pressing against her skin.

Then suddenly, she would feel as though she were falling. No where to go, no where to run. Her vision would be pitch black- however her greatest fears will appear suddenly in front of her, or behind her, and disappear just as suddenly. Vertigo would hit her and disorientation at its most extreme.

Then after what would seem an eternity, it would stop...

"Welcome to the Tomb of Sorrow! A tomb of a brother trapped for all eternity!" Habdebza cackled as he opened his cloak to reveal the expanse of rot, disease, decomposition, and the massive structure of a tomb in the distance. Yet amongst it all, the sight of humanoids shuffling about could be seen through the thick green fog.

Then suddenly, she would feel as though she were falling. No where to go, no where to run. Her vision would be pitch black- however her greatest fears will appear suddenly in front of her, or behind her, and disappear just as suddenly. Vertigo would hit her and disorientation at its most extreme.

Then after what would seem an eternity, it would stop...

"Welcome to the Tomb of Sorrow! A tomb of a brother trapped for all eternity!"

The Dark Mistress new not what to expect as the demon god wrapped his cloak around her and she felt the chill of cold metal against her bare skin. Everything went black and Vira became disoriented, as if she was falling in an endless space... where time did not exist. However, no fears appeared in front of her.

Finally, it was over. "How about a warning next time..." she said bitterly as she stepped out of the shadows of the cloak and regained her balance.

"Why are we here?" she asked, but attempted to answer her own question before the demon did. "Presumably, based on your earlier statements, you hope to free this 'brother' and swear him to your allegiance. But them you said he was trapped for all eternity, meaning he can never be freed... thus you have spoken wrong." If Habdebza was going to act superior with his powers, she would certainly return the favor in mental skill.

"Not really, my little fiend," Habdebza chuckled, patting the woman on the head. "I did not specify to whom this character will be imprisoned by," The demi-god suddenly gripped a lock of her hair and pulled. "So don't get smart with me," he snarled as he began to drag her along for a few steps before letting go.

Each step seemed to ignite feelings of desire- a desire to open the sealed doors that kept the terror within. As the pathway was walked- a pathway seeming to be made of bones- the lurching figures neared, revealing themselves to be zombies, some newer than others, or skeletons. Even ghosts made their way nearby- however none crossed the walkway. They all seemed to watch intently and silently as the adventurers neared the massive glowing doors.

Greetings beautiful adventurer...perhaps you can lend a fellow a hand, a voice entered Vira's head. Yes...the gate...you must open it to reveal the wonders inside....

Habdebza, however, felt something very different.

Ah...demi-god...I can feel your strength, your rage...your anger...many attributes I have myself. Free me, Demi-god and I shall grant you a favor...any that you wish me to do.

Habdebza shrugged it away and finally halted in front of the stone doors. He gently placed one gauntlet on the inscriptions and chuckled. "Never said anything about keeping demons out..." he muttered as he backed away. "I suggest you back off," he waved to Vira before pushing his cloak apart, revealing a large metallic body, seeming to be covered in plate armor and thousands of little trinkets. An assortment of blades hung down the demi-god's shoulder to his hip while a patch of goldish skin was just barely visible above his shoulder. His face, however remained hidden beneath his cloak's hood,

The demi-god raised both hands, the gauntlet's gems glowing feverishly as the air began to distort between the doorways and Habdebza. The inscriptions on the doorway burned even brighter, energy seeming to surge around them and even a few reaching out to Habdebza. If the demi-god felt pain, he did not show it.

A low rumble met their ears as the doors slowly began to slide apart. Each second they opened, the energy surged more frequently at the demi-god.

Habdebza emitted a low growl as the skies above them darkened immensely, a large funnel cloud forming some ways away. Lightning cracked nearby, following by a loud bang of thunder.

Finally, as if an invisible chain broke off, the doors swung all the way open. Immediately the pair were blasted by the deathly, stale air. Within the black pit was the sounds of silence.

"Shall we begin?" Habdebza grinned as he peered through. A torth would do wonders...

Greetings beautiful adventurer...perhaps you can lend a fellow a hand, a voice entered Vira's head. Yes...the gate...you must open it to reveal the wonders inside....

A low rumble met their ears as the doors slowly began to slide apart. Each second they opened, the energy surged more frequently at the demi-god.

Finally, as if an invisible chain broke off, the doors swung all the way open. Immediately the pair were blasted by the deathly, stale air. Within the black pit was the sounds of silence.

"Shall we begin?" Habdebza grinned as he peered through. A torth would do wonders...

Again you cross words demonlord, mixing past and future tenses to contradict yourself. You are not as clever as you think... Vira thought, not caring if the demi-god was listening to her thoughts at the moment. However, her own thoughts were soon interrupted by a strange voice inside her head - one which she had never heard before and yet somehow was speaking directly into her mind. Open the gate?

Vira's wonders did not have to wait long as Habdebza soon called upon great power and shattered the chain holding the tomb closed. "It smells sweet as death..." the Dark Mistress commented as she breathed in the stale and dank air of the crypt.

"After you..."

What powerful being lives in the depths, so chained to eternal damnation that it takes a demigod to free him?

"Wise and humble," Sebastian reassured her as they trotted along. "But please... don't call me Sir Knight... Sebastian will do fine. There is no need for titles and honors during times such as these... for these are the times that try men's souls. These are the times that test the fortitude of our character, the passion of our honor, and the power of our strength."

"Believe me... there is no shame in evacuating. There is honor in saving one's countrymen and there is wisdom in knowing when one is beat," Sebastian continued as he looked into the distance. "To die for what one loves is honorable, but there is also honor in saving others and living to fight again."

They rode for a minute or two in silence as they both mulled over his words. "I say you leave it up to everyone for it is their lives too that is on the line. If they so wish to leave this land, then that is the best course of action... but if they want to die fighting for their home... then that too is the best decision. Either way, no honor shall be lost."

"You are wise Sir-...Sebastion. My husband would have enjoyed your company..." Ikara said mournfully. "Then I shall ask the general about it immediately after I ask the citizens for their aide. Or perhaps...we should ask the General right now and spare the citizens? We will need scouts...many scouts to find out our best path to Iskan and-"

Ikara sighed. "I'm sorry, Sebastion...If I find a plan I like...I begin planning on it, even if it doesn't come into fruitation. And if it doesn't...then I only get more depressed, filled with empty hopes."

She gave a brief smile to Sebastion and looked up ahead at the massive city. It was a city that had seen better years. It was once filled with people milling about, giving out gossip or buying and selling or just happily moving about. Now, there were beggars on the streets, amputees, dead bodies occasionally on the side of ruined roads. Houses and buildings were crumbling and rubble littered the roads.

"Welcome to our capital city, Sebastion..."

"You are wise Sir-...Sebastion. My husband would have enjoyed your company..." Ikara said mournfully. "Then I shall ask the general about it immediately after I ask the citizens for their aide. Or perhaps...we should ask the General right now and spare the citizens? We will need scouts...many scouts to find out our best path to Iskan and-"

Ikara sighed. "I'm sorry, Sebastion...If I find a plan I like...I begin planning on it, even if it doesn't come into fruitation. And if it doesn't...then I only get more depressed, filled with empty hopes."

"Welcome to our capital city, Sebastion..."

Sebastian thought it best to let the comment about her husband go as it seemed to still be a sensitive topic and one that brought her sadness. I wonder how long ago it was... It can't be easy losing one's loved one and also be tasked with leading a defensive war at the same time.

"No, no... it was quite alright. It is obvious that the General values your opinions and judgment, and so shall I," Sebastian said as she began doubting herself and getting slightly down on herself.

Upon seeing the capital city, Sebastian was a little disheartened at the poor state of things and the toll the war had taken on its people. No doubt it was once a grand city that people flocked too, but now it was a dismal place.

"I think your right," the knight said upon examining the city. "Maybe we should see the General first. We might as well get his approval so we can call a meeting of the city too..." Not to mention that tearing these people away from what little they had left seemed cruel.

"Aunty Rimmy?" Lúthien suddenly asked, "What did you mean about daddy?"

As she asked, she shifted slightly to get just that little bit more comfortable in Kalzog's arm.

Ikara nodded silently to Sebastion, turning her horse back to the General's tent. There seemed to be several officers already over there, no doubt asking for more supplies to take from their dwindling resources. She didn't blame them. Just a week ago, the uncivilized forces had launched a giant assault on the Southern gate, nearly toppling the giant walls with their crudely designed siege engines.

"Tell me of your land, Sebastion...please...I mean, if you don't mind, of course," Ikara asked quietly. She wanted to leave this land- the land she once called her home. A land where peace ruled, tranquility was as common as the morning sun. She wanted to leave it, if only temporarily, just enough time for her to remember the better days.

*************************************************
Rimoru flushed slightly and shook her head. "Your daddy was not quite the..." Rimoru blushed again, feeling eyes fall upon her. "You're daddy was very stubborn in some of his beliefs, which is not bad at all. All in all, I do miss him."

Alegain remained passive during this talk about Lorathin. He didn't care either way if Lorathin joined them or not as last time.

"Wait..." Ixair said suddenly, pointing up ahead. There were several unusually tall figures in dark blue robes talking to a guard in a rough version of the common tongue. At it's hip, four swords glinted in the light that shone on them. "Habdebza's minions...We shouldn't fight them...not here. Not now. It'll tell the demons where we are or that we are in the area and still quite alive." The elf's eyes fell on Rimoru when he said "alive".

"Here...this alley should take us to a relatively close position," Ixair said as he walked up to a wall. It was a somewhat narrow fit, wide enough to fit Alegain and the men, but not nearly wide enough to fit the ogre.

Kalzog just looked at the alley and narrowed his eyes. He knew they shouldn't go barging through...especially not in the vicinity of the palace. It could result in the end of them all. Especially if the demi-god showed up there as well.

"Alright...how long is it?" Alegain asked reluctantly.

"I would say a bit away- but it leads you right up to the Arena. It's the route I take whenever your henchmen-errr guards find me and try to take me out..."

"Well...I guess that is the safest route then..." Rimoru said quietly.

Kalzog gently squeezed the elf cuddled up in his arms. "Luthy, be safe, alright?" he whispered, before setting her down on the floor. "I guess that means I have to find other means of getting to the palace?"

"I'm afraid so, ogre," Ixair replied with a hint of sadness.

"Then I best be heading off in a different direction..." Kalzog replied as he turned around and began plodding in the opposite direction. Whether the demons could see them or not, Ixair couldn't tell, however if they were- they may not mistake the ogre for anything else.

"Alright, let's go...always take the paths on the right and talk to no one you see," Ixair said as he began to lead the way through the winding, dark alley.

"Tell me of your land, Sebastion...please...I mean, if you don't mind, of course," Ikara asked quietly. She wanted to leave this land- the land she once called her home. A land where peace ruled, tranquility was as common as the morning sun. She wanted to leave it, if only temporarily, just enough time for her to remember the better days.

"Not at all, if that is what you please," Sebastian said as they turned their mounts and headed for the General.

"My land is... quiet," the knight said thoughtfully. "Nothing like what I have experienced here, though perhaps in the past it was similar to my home. There are no wars, no factions, no divisions. There are no grand cities, massive armies, or marauding tribes. There are many small farming towns, but only one or two larger including Castlegate - the capital and the home to his liege. The forests are calm; grass grows green; birds' chirps fill the air. It's quiet..."

They walked along in silence for a moment as Sebastian hesitated on his next words, but eventually they came. "Perhaps you would like to see it one day... I mean when this is all settled down and peace has returned."

Lúthien listened to Rimoru, her story interesting but not really explaining much. The spotting of the minions caused her to tense slightly as the plan was being discussed. With the plan to split up being decided, she twisted slightly to give Kalzog a hug at much the same time he did the same.

"I will be uncle Kal, and you be safe too." She then prepared to follow Ixair into the alleyway.

Loki, though not quite sure who Habdebza or his minions were, was quite sure that he didn't want to meet up with them. The others appeared to be frightened of them and nervous that they were near. Kalzog, the giant ogre who Loki had met prior to this most recent adventure, was parting ways leaving Loki with nobody else that he remotely knew.

They turned down a narrow alley and Loki followed around near the middle of the pack.

Mienna quickly turned away from the demons, there was something about them that she could feel, something unnatural, but it was faint.

She watched Kalzog walk away regretfully, the ogre was a good fighter and without him the were more vulnerable. She followed the others into the dark alley, listening to what Ixiar was saying. Ixiar and Rimoru were enemies? Why were they working together now?

She was tense and kept looking forward, behind and above to make sure they wern't being followed.

Cobiesel finally stood up. She stretched a bit. "Come on Cantrell. There's nothing more for us here." Cantrell nodded and began to go towards the main road. Then he stopped. He saw guards in stange armor. "Cobiesel, those guards. They don't look like a good thing. They are blocking the road. Perhaps we should stay here for a bit, until we can think away out." Cobiesel saw the guards. "You're right. Lets go back and try to look normal." Cabtrell smirked and followed Cobiesel back to the entrance of the Arena.

The alley was strewn with the refuse of ages, and smelled of rotting filth. Dark shapes moved in the shadows as rats scurried along the ground. The sound of footsteps echoed between the high walls and gave the illusion of walking through a cavern. As they left the main road and delved deeper into the underworld, the alley widened to a crossroads of sorts in the middle of which sat several men around a fire they had built from discarded paper.

As the group approached, one of the men turned and looked at them approaching, his face cast into darkness as he turned away from the fire. Turning back, he grunted to his companions and all of them stood and formed a line blocking the way.

As the group attempted to pass by them, the big one who had sighted them first pushed the tall elf Ixair back and then smiled showing he was missing many teeth. In a voice that rasped from years of harsh smoke and carried the scent of strong drink to the travellers the man said, "You can't be passing here without paying the toll."

Another of the men, much smaller than the one who appeareed their leader laughed and in a voice akin to a mouses piped up, "Yeah, not with out the toll."

The leader then surveyed the travellers more closely, and sighting Rimoru his face broke into a hideous grin. "And today, the fare is more than just your gold." He grabbed her heavily by the wrist, and drew her back as the other men drew large knives and blocked the way.

One of the highwaymen, who looked to be missing an eye, pointed his blade at the others as they started to respond. Suddenly, he grabbed Luthien, and held her with his blade to her neck. "Any false moves, and the girl will never see another year."

The mousey one who had spoken before ordered them to empty their pockets and remove their garments that they might sell, adding, "If you follow as we say, you will leave with your lives."

Rimoru yelped as she was suddenly pulled away from the others. "Do you know who I am?" she growled as she struggled against her much stronger captors.

"Get away from her!" Alegain and Ixair both yelled at the same time, glancing at each other, before drawing their own weapons. Then suddenly, the tables turned again, resulting in Luthien being held with a knife to her neck.

"Get off them!" Eva growled, wondering if now was a good time to put what she learned from the ogre to use.

"No! Leave her alone! Take me if you want," Rimoru squeeled.

Glurp hopped and screeched, somewhat reminiscent of an ape, his eyes wide as he wanted to help Luthien, but was afraid for her safety and his. After all, he was only but a lowly goblin.

"How much do you want?" Beatrice piped in quietly, trying to get closert Luthien without being noticed, stopping only when she spoke or saw them look at her. She did blend in fairly well to the darkenss thanks to her dark skin and eyes.

Loki was unsure of what to do when the men confronted the group. The young mage was nervous and frightened, not wanting to fight or get hurt. He looked to the others for guidance...

Mienna had kept a hand on her rapier since they entered the passage and had tried to hear other footsteps over their own. Eventually certain of their not being followed she had relaxed and quickly regretted it as a group barred their way.

She moved into a space that gave her room to move and fight if it was necessary and listened to them. She did not have anything valuable, the clothes she had been given were or decent quality having come from the palace, but she assumed were not of great quality. She didn't have any money so to speak. The most valuable possesion would be the rapier and she would not give that up without a fight. "What if we have nothing valuable to give?"

She kept one hand near her rapier and could feel the faint pulse of life from the rats hiding nearby, she felt as if she could almost touch it. The activity had caused them to scurry away, but they watched, ready to pounce on a potential meal and she wondered if there was a way she could use them.

Grinning wickedly, the men looked Mienna up and down before one said, "There is much of value that you could give." He began to advance on her, unfazed by the sword she held in her hands.

The leader laughed as Rimoru submitted to spare Luthien and began to strip her of her clothes.

By the fire though, a strange ripple formed in the air, that neither the leader nor his minions could see from their vantage points. A familiar head suddenly poked itself from the hole in space, and seemed to float in mid air. Quietly, Harlin began to moan.

Turning away from the travelers, one of the highwaymen noticed the "apparition" and paled. Screaming, he alerted his companions who turned, one shouting, "Beware, it is a Djinni!"

Like leaves before the wind, the men scattered down various alleys, bewaring the retribution of the evil spirit who calmly stepped out of nothing and nodded to the rest of his companions. Harlin smiled, looking after the fleeing bandits, "Certainly were superstitious folk."

He walked over and helped Rimoru to her feet. "My friends, you are lucky I was meeting a contact in the area and heard the commotion. These alleys are like a different world, perhaps when you reascend your throne Rimoru, you will take care of the crime that ferments in these dark passages."

The bandit had made a few mistakes in choosing to use Lúthien as a hostage instead of one of a few others. She might have been an ideal hostage except for the fact that she knew how to defend herself. As she thought of the most appropriate spell, she heard a moaning, like someone who'd read a few too many horror novels.

As the men scattered in the face of the 'evil spirit', she looked at it and wondered how they turned him into a genie. She could partially understand him as a djinni, but considering he didn't look anything like one, she thought it was a stretch.

"Thank you for the rescue, and you do not look at all like a djinni." She commented as she brushed herself off. "Are you alright aunty?" Lúthien added as she looked at her god-mother's state of disarrey.

"Get off me, you street rat!" Rimoru growled as she tried to push the stronger man away. "Do you have any inkling to who I am?!" But she knew it was hopeless. A rarity for her to curse her own good looks...

Just as she felt no one could do something for her without getting the little elf girl killed, a somewhat familiar voice began to moan and wail, scaring off the bandits. She turned to see who it was and smiled as she recognized Harlin.

"About time you popped up..." Rimoru chuckled as she was helped to her feet. As she stood up, she leaned heavily against Harlin, as she leaned in closer. "Thank you," she whispered with an alluring grin.

"I am fine, Luthy. And you?" Rimoru asked as she pulled away from Harlin and hugged the little elf. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

"I'm fine aunty. They didn't hurt me." She replied as she returned the hug. "It's too bad uncle Kal wasn't here, but then it might have been a bit messier."

He raised an eyebrow at Rimoru before commenting, "Better that it ended peacefully. They'll not return here for quite some time I imagine," Harlin smiled at the others as he dusted off his hands. "We must proceed with caution from here on. My contact tells me that the demons are roaming free in this area, and their numbers continue to grow. I fear Mebiwik may be in dire straits if we do not reach him soon."

Rimoru chuckled and shook her head. "I'm afraid to know how this alley would look if Kalzog did show up..." She did, worry too. Kalzog was not one to be clean about his work- which would probably not be good for a little girl to see.

"Demons running free? And no one notices?" Alegain growled angrily.

"They blend in somewhat, I suppose...or no one wants to ask. This whole city is in a whirlpool of mystery..." Ixair replied as he sheathed his sword.

"Let's go...if the demons are searching for us, we don't want to be caught here- especially if they heard the shouts. And if Mebbiwik is in trouble...we better save him."

"Agreed," Rimoru and Alegain replied almost simultaneously.

"It would be messy." She agreed as she could imagine what Kalzog would have done to the bandits who'd accosted them.

"If Mr. Mebbiwik needs help, we'll have to go try and rescue him."

Mienna relaxed as the bandits fled, she had been surprised when the head had appeared, but she vaguely recognised it. She could not remember his name, but the other recognised him and treated him as a friend.

She turned toward him and gave a small bow of her head. "I am Mienna, thank you for your assistance." Then hearing the news of more demons in the streets and she pailed slightly, though it was not really visable in the darkness. "Cautiously or not, we should move quickly."

Cantrell looked around and saw an alley way entrance. It didn't look to guarded. There were probably bandits or other unsavory types, but it was better than armored warriros. "Cobiesel, come on. We can go through the alley." Both put on cloaks, and lifted the hoods to avoid being seen as a woman and a chained man. The two continued on and entered the alley.

Cantrell and Cobiesel continued through the alleyway. There weren't many people, just a few beggars along the side of the road. And yet, Cobiesel was somewhat jumpy, for fear if the armored warriors came back this way. They turned, and both stopped dead. They were amazed to see Ixair, Rimoru, a few they did not know, and the rest of the group they had travelled with. Cantrell took of his hood. "Well, look here. Amazed to see all of you here." Cobiesel did the smae with her hood and smiled. "How are all of you? Any luck in accomplishing your goals?"

Loki hadn't reacted when the men forced themselves on the group, save for a slight back step, and nor did he make a move when a bodiless head appeared in midair.

After recognizing whom the head belonged to, the young mage was relieved to see the mean men scamper away. "Are we almost there...?" Loki asked very quietly, not liking their current location or the city as a whole. The quicker they left it, the better.

As the little creature piped in a few words, Beatrice slowly walked out of the shadows and gently took the child's hand, much as Luthien had done to her when they had first met. "Come. I think we are close," she said quietly, pointing to the massive building ahead of her.

"Aye, we are," Rimoru affirmed with a smile as she continued to hold Luthien's hand. "And we should go. Anyone know how much longer this alleyway is?"

"Not much longer," Ixair replied with a small smile before he turned to look at two new figures, cloaked in shadow. His hand went to the hilt of his blade and he narrowed his eyes. He stepped in front of the nearest person- Mienna, and held a defensive position. Then, suddenly, he was met by the faces of Cantrell and the beautiful Cobiesal.

"By Elune, how have you guys been? Our luck is so-so. This walk is much darker than I remember it. Any luck finding your friends?" Ixair laughed as he walked up to them, winking to Cobiesal and holding out his hand to shake with Cantrell.

Cobiesel rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Good to see you again, Ixair." Cantrell shock his hand. "We've had little luck ourselves. Well sort of. Cantrell just... succeded... in the arena." She didn't want to say win, or else some bandits might hear it and attack. "But we still haven't found our friends. We were just about to find a place to go, but I think we can rejoin your adventuring group here. Anything is better than wandering aimlessly."

She turned toward him and gave a small bow of her head. "I am Mienna, thank you for your assistance." Then hearing the news of more demons in the streets and she pailed slightly, though it was not really visable in the darkness. "Cautiously or not, we should move quickly."

Harlin returned the bow, "I am Harlin, of the Jiltakin, pleased to meet you."

As Cantrel and Cobiesel approached, Harlin eyed them warily. His last meeting with Cantrell had left him with an impression of a loose temper. He nodded a greeting to the new arrivals before turning to the short cloaked figure. "Hello there little one, I am Harlin. Who might you be?"

Cantrell noticed Harlin looking at him funny. He nodded to him, which Cantrell returned. He tried to remember what he might have done to him to warrant this. The he remembered. He was telling Ixair to back off from Cobiesel, and then when Harlin made a slight threat, Cantrell returned it. He knew he had a temper, but they both probably took things to far. But Cantrell still did not trust Harlin to much. He had been around people of his type, and he would keep an eye on him. For know, he continued to talk to the others.

"Ha ha, 'tis always a pleasure to see you, Cobiesal," Ixair grinned. "Oh? The Arena? You guys wouldn't mind walking with us, would you? We are about to embark to somewhere quite dangerous and your help would greatly be appreciated. Atleast we think it's dangerous..."

As soon as everyone was reaquainted with each other, they continued to walk on, out of the alleyway and stealthily into the streets, where the lamps burned, illuminating the streets in a small diameter around the lamp post.

Avoiding the posts and their flood of light, the group made their way to the base of the large structure that was the Arena. Although no where near as grand as the Imperium Arena, the Iskani Arena had it's own personal touch. Along the outside wall, humanoid statues were stuck in a heroic pose, slaying monsters, demons, and the ilk. At the very top of the circular walls of the Arena, there were angels, alternating male and female, with spears, swords, nets, pikes, and any other weapon that was produced at the time. Yet at the highest peak of the walls, was a beautiful statue of Rimoru, four in total, marking the entrances to the building. Each statue, Rimoru wore some sort of reveaing clothing and was created in an alluring pose, as if beckoning the visitors in.

"Now how do we get in? The doors are locked..." Ixair grunted as he pulled at the large wooden doors.

"If I had my magic..." Rimoru said quietly. "Where's the ogre?"

"Aunty, if uncle Kal broke down the door, wouldn't it make a lot of noise and tell the demons someone is here?" She asked as she looked at the fairly impressive arena with its statues.

"Maybe Harlin or Ixair could pick the lock on it so we could sneak in."

"Aye, good idea, Luthy," Rimoru chuckled, ruffling the little elf's head. "Can you, boys?" she replied in a rather sweet voice to Harlin and Ixair.

Ixair frowned and turned towards the door. "I'm afraid I'm not so good at lockpicking," he chuckled and looked at Harlin. "How bout you, old man?" He gave a short laugh again at the name, considering Harlin had been getting up in years...so he said.

Glurp pushed his way past, his tongue hanging out and his eyes narrowed in concentration. "Let Glurp through...Glurp is professional!"

Ixair sighed and with a shake of his head, let the goblin get to work.

Glurp pulled out a long piece of metal and bent the tip. Mumbling all the while, the goblin placed his ear on the lock and began pushing, twisting, and moving his hand until he heard a click. His eyes perked up and he smiled as he pulled his hand out. "Glurp told you-" His makeshift pick fell apart in his hand and the goblin frowned. "Glurp never buying from thief again..."

"Glurp never bought it," Ixair replied with a smile.

Lúthien smiled at Rimoru's compliment as she looked over at the two most rogueish, and thus thief-like, people in the group.

"But is the door open now?" She asked as it seemed the door was probably unlocked, just with Glurp now owning a broken lock pick.

Rimoru sighed and slowly pulled away from Luthien as she walked past the squabbling thieves and tugged at the door. Nothing.

"Well...alright...let me think then. Somewhere in my memories, I remember a certain entrance I could get through at emergencies...I suppose this qualifies as one..." Rimoru said before tapping her lips with her delicate fingers. If one looked closely, she looked much paler than she had only hours ago. Instead of her regal steps, they were no longer so confident, nor did she seem to let her hips sway as she did so.

She slowly walked up to a nearby statue and studied the hero's face. It's finer features had eroded long ago from the vicious sandstorms that occasionally blast through the city. Her thin fingers gently reached up and felt along the hero's face before she let out a sigh.

"I don't remember if it was this one or not..." she said with a dejected tone. Her eyes look up sorrowfully at the others and she shrugged. "I guess that orb took more than I expected..."

Alegain however was reading the many runes inscibed in an arc above it above the statue. It seemed to be written in a very very ancient dialect that he barely remembered himself. Yet just noticing its familiarity made him slightly amazed.

"What the faithless want and the faithful live for..." Alegain whispered.

"What?" Rimoru asked with a raised eyebrow. Whatever he said seemed to sound a bit familiar.

"What the faithless want and the faithful live for. That's what it says above the statue..."

"A riddle! That's right!" Rimoru smiled and looked up at the words. "Well...let me try to remember that now..."

"How did you know that?" Ixair asked with his own eyebrow raised. Alegain only shrugged but continued to scratch his chin in thought.

Harlin gazed up at the runes, their meaning given to him by Alegain. He thought about the riddle as he lightly tugged on his beard.

"What do the faithless want? A meaning, answers, an afterlife?"

Horatio was slower to react than Magledesh and his mount was significantly less cooperative. Seeing a dragon the gryphon tried to throw Horatio and shoot off without having to varry his burden.

Horatio's repeated kicks managed to get the beast moving, unfortunately towards the dragon, but he hoped to pass over it or under it before it could shoot its flame. The whole time trying to get the mount under control again before he could even think of casting any spells.

The dragon's burst of flames parted clouds and stained the blue sky as the magnificent creature slowed it's flight and tried to reorient itself by choosing a target. There was the choice of the demi-god, who seemed to be forming some sort of spell around itself, and the druid with the wild griffon...It was not much of a choice really...

The dragon clawed at the griffon as it zoomed past him, and turned itself to follow close behind, snapping wildly at the griffon and its rider.

"Not at all, if that is what you please," Sebastian said as they turned their mounts and headed for the General.

"My land is... quiet," the knight said thoughtfully. "Nothing like what I have experienced here, though perhaps in the past it was similar to my home. There are no wars, no factions, no divisions. There are no grand cities, massive armies, or marauding tribes. There are many small farming towns, but only one or two larger including Castlegate - the capital and the home to his liege. The forests are calm; grass grows green; birds' chirps fill the air. It's quiet..."

They walked along in silence for a moment as Sebastian hesitated on his next words, but eventually they came. "Perhaps you would like to see it one day... I mean when this is all settled down and peace has returned."

Ikara smiled weakly under her helmet as she turned her head to look at Sebastion. "I would be honored, Sebastion. It reminds me so much of our home in the past. We had the calm forest, the beautiful meadows, a bountiful of life and happiness. And the best ruler one could ask for. You would like him, Sir knight."

"We called him the Patriarch and he treated all his citizens as his children and all outsiders like friends. He would have taken you with open arms and treated you to a grand feast. ...But since he disappeared...things haven't been the same...as you probably noticed..."

"I would love to visit your homeland, Sebastion..." she said quietly. "I think it would remind me of better times..."

"Aunty, do you remember what the answer is?" She asked as she thought about the riddle, but found herself coming up blank.

Rimoru frowned and shook her head. "I-I can't remember for the life of me..." she looked up at Alegain who continued to stroke his chin in thought. "Worship?"

The statue remained silent and unmoving as the stone it was meant to be.

"Anyone have any ideas? Faithful and faithless...Hmm..."

"Simple, Rimmy...love," a rich baritone spoke out. A man about five foot eleven inches walked out from a nearby statue. The statue twisted inward, revealing a long winding corridor. Torches lit as if on cue, revealing walls that had seen better days. Moss encroached upon the walls that had once been painted with gold. Beautiful masks hauntingly beckoned them forth as they showed emotions of fear, anger, joy, and sadness.

"Artimius..." Rimoru whispered, a broad smile forming on her face.

Alegain frowned. He knew of the arch-mage on their monthly visits to the colleges...and the fact that he visited a few times more than most other attendants...usually when Rimoru was in her study, alone... Him and Alegain would converse a short while before Artimius would walk away, saying he needed to converse with Rimoru about important College matters...alone. However Alegain had a hunch that was not the only thing going on during those talk sessions...

Artimius was of average height for a man, with handsome features. He was skinny, jet black hair combed back, and a grin that seemed to make girls wild. Not to mention his skill at spell casting at such a young age was incredible.

He walked up to Rimoru and they gave each other a hug, one that Artimius seemed to enjoy greatly, squeezing the ex-empress a bit too close. Alegain shifted on his feet and cleared his throat.

"I was so worried you two had perished. I am...sorry about what happened..." he looked back at Rimoru who remained leaning against his chest. "I tried to enter the palace, but the crowd was not moving in. They did not know what to expect from something that can defeat you, Rimmy..."

"So I prayed and hoped you would be safe...and I guess my prayers were answered..."

Rimoru smiled and gave the man one more hug before backing away. "This, my friends, is Artimius."

The man bowed low, his broad smile visible under the night sky. "I am pleased to meet anyone whom my master calls a friend."

Lúthien looked at Artimius and took an almost instant dislike to him. "How do you know Aunty?" She asked, slightly suspiciously.

"Oh, and who might this darling be?" Artimius smiled and brought his hand out in front of her to shake. "Aunty?" He turned to Rimoru with a somewhat confused expression.

"She is Luthien. I am her godmother. Isn't she beautiful?" Rimoru smiled as she walked closer to her fuming husband.

"Aye, you are quite the darling," Artimius said warmly as he looked into Luthien's eyes.

Mienna had not commented on the riddle, in her mind her suggestions had seem childish and she did want to appear silly. She examined the new person, he had a handsome face, but his manner towards Rimoru showed him to behave similarly to a dog, there only to serve his mistress. She looked down on him with slight contempt and wondered whether to trust him. Regardless, she bowed her head and said: "I am Mienna. Pleased to meet you."

"Ah, my face is graced by another beautiful woman. Mienna, it's a great pleasure to meet you," the man smiled as he bowed low for her and opened up his palm to shake her hand.

Rimoru slightly frowned at his comment as well, but did not say anything.

Mienna blushed slightly, but took his hand and shook it lightly, but quickly before moving back and letting someone else shake his hand if they wished. She moved closer to Rimour and asked quietly. "Will he be coming with us?" She was wary of anyone who claimed to have gone near the palace, demons were roaming the streets and anyone could have been convinced to help them.

Instead of a mere shake, he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed gently, glancing up to look her in the eyes before she left.

Ixair glared at him from the shadows, crossing his arms at his chest.

That left two more older woman to introduce or reacqaint himself with.

"And who are you, my dark skinned darling?" Artimius asked Beatrice.

The shy elf blushed deeply and crossed her arms in front of her chest and swayed a bit. "I-I-I'm Beatrice..." she said quietly, not making eye contact.

"Beatrice, it's a pleasure to meet you as well," he replied, his eyes scanning her revealing outfit. I wonder where she is from to dress like that? Beautiful women all over...

Ixair shifted uncomfortably this time, most likely because of this new competition.

"Did you forget about me so soon, Arty?" came a voice from behind the arch-mage.

"Eva...how could I forget you?" he laughed as he turned around and picked up the princess, wrapping her in a tight squeeze.

"Agh! Arty, I am not four anymore!" she giggled as he spun around with her in his arms.

"My beautiful little princess...I missed seeing your pretty face in the morning when i would visit...or when you guys visited the college," he laughed. He examined her face more closely in the light, noticing an aweful lot of blemishes on her face. Much less than before, but was still a strange sight on her normally fair skin.

"I missed you too, Arty," Eva said quietly.

Rimoru smiled at Mienna and chuckled. "I certainly hope so, Mienna. He is...a powerful asset. We're going to need him to help power up the teleporter," smiled. "Isn't he the most handsome thing you've ever seen?"

Alegain grumbled something behind the ex-empress and she chuckled. "Other than my Ally."

Cantrell and Cobiesel looked at the archmage. Cantrell spoke up. "Greetings. I am Cantrell."

"And I am Cobiesel. Pleased to meet you."

She returned the looked a few degrees cooler than his own. It was one of those rare situations when a person took an instant dislike to another.

"I wonder where uncle Kal has gotten to." Lúthien commented to Rimoru.

"Cantrell? 'Tis a pleasure. I believe I saw you in the Arena a few times...good show," Artimius replied to Cantrell, bowing his head low. Then he turned to Cobiesal and smiled. "And you are the Arena Blossom, now aren't you? My, it hurts me to see such a beautiful face down in the pits. But as long as you enjoy it."

Rimoru gently wrapped her arms around Luthien and swayed gently. "I don't know, Luthy. You want to go find him?" she asked quietly.

Ixair, meanwhile, decided not to introduce himself to this new man. He was, after all, still an enemy of the state.

"So I have fans now? Interesting." Cantrell smiled. The archmage was an interesting character, and Cantrell thought he was a good guy.

Cobiesel laughed. "Arena Blossum? Is that what they are calling me? Well, Cantrell did most of the winning. However we did not find what we were looking for." Cobiesel thought that the man, despite his womaning ways, was nice. She thought the same as Ixair, but she like dto mess with him. Plus, he was more irratating, and less powerful, than the mage. She saw him out of the corner of her eye, lurking around.

"He should be here by now, or very shortly." She replied as she returned the partial hug.

Rimoru frowned a bit, wondering where exactly the ogre had gone. She gently pushed some hair out of her elvish ear as she listened intently for some sort of noise that would signify the ogre. Although her ears were nothing compared to that of a true elf, she still gained some of the benefits of it.

She could hear something, a few grunts and groans...then a screech from somewhere near the alleyway they came out of.

"Do you think he's over there?" Rimoru asked quietly as she remembered one of the only times she'd seen the ogre look scared was in the face of Habdebza...perhaps the demi-god's minions caught up to him. But what would she be able to do?

***

Atrimius chuckled, looking at Cantrell through his dark brown eyes. "You are quite an amazing fighter, I'll give you that. But there is always teamwork involved."

"As for what you're looking for, perhaps I can help?"

Lúthien cocked her head to listen to whatever noises Rimoru was also hearing, with her more acute ears. "It might be." She replied as she didn't think it sounded like Kalzog but wasn't sure.

Rimoru held Luthien even closer before a massive shape walked out of an alleyway, two bright red eyes glowing wickedly in the darkness. The sound of a groan and then bones cracking made the Empress wince. "I think that's him..." she whispered, wrapping her arms around Luthien even tighter.

The monstrous figure slowly walked closer to the couple, avoiding the lights as it did so.

"It does look like him." She replied as she studied the being and found it looked about the right size for Kalzog.

The large figure stopped before Rimoru and Luthien and crouched to get more their size. "It's not safe here anymore," he said quietly. Some blood was visible on his hands and chest covering some of his tattoos. "Some highway men ran out of the alley and into me. Their screams alerted some demons before I can silence them."

Rimoru gave Luthien another squeeze and kissed her motherly on the forehead. "Alright, I'll push them all along. Clean yourself off, ogre. I'm pretty sure Luthy doesn't want slime all over her," she chuckled, letting her go and walking back to the Arena entrance.

Kalzog smiled at Luthien, saying "Did you miss me, Luthy? Did you get hurt?"

Lúthien let out a vocally soft, but physically loud, 'Yay' at seeing Kalzog, thought a slight ewwww followed at his messy state.

"Yes, I missed you a lot uncle Kal. I'm fine thought."

"We're looking for our frineds." Cantrell replied to the archmage. Cobiesel added some details. "We were split up a long time ago. We've been searching for them, and we're not sure they are even alive, but we keep trying. Their names are Ament and Thayil."

"I would love to visit your homeland, Sebastion..." she said quietly. "I think it would remind me of better times..."

"Well then, it's settled," Sebastian said happily. "After everything is done here, one way or another, you are cordially invited to my humble homeland." However, she would find no feast, banquet, or grand reception waiting for her there, for Sebastian's life was one of secrecy and silence. His order was long thought extinct if even beyond mythical. His home was hidden in the forests. His life was one of unknown servitude to the greater good. However, there were his companions and they would no doubt treat her well.

"That's good, Luthy," Kalzog chuckled as he tried to wipe off the mess on him. "You don't happen to have towels do you?"

******

Artimius stroked his chin and shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know who you are talking about. I do have a Thayil as a student of a pupil of mine...but I don't think your friend can be that young. I do wish you the best of-"

Suddenly, Rimoru gently pushed him aside with a giggle and faced the others. "It's time to go," she said quietly, her face becoming more serious. "The demons know we are here. The highwaymen's screams caught their attention, I don't know how much more time we have..."

Suddenly, as if on cue, an arrow pinged off the nearby stone.

"Let's go!" Alegain shouted as he pulled at Rimoru and Eva.

Eva turned back and noticed dark red eyes glowing in the shadows from all the streets leading towards the Arena. The lights even seemed to dim as they got closer. "Mother! You must lead the way!"

Rimoru nodded and began to jog down the winding road. I'm not one for jogging...and that horrid sick feeling is coming to me again... It was true, she could almost taste the blood that she coughed out when having her strange attacks. I sincerely hope Mebbiwik can help me with this...

***********************************************

Habdebza slowly ascended only to stop suddenly. He raised one gauntleted hand and a small blue orb shot forth, radiating a small area around it, revealing long stone steps that seemed to wind down into an abyss. One fall could spell the doom of many.

"Clever, Rimoru..." he muttered before continuing the winding walk, skipping over a few loose steps that fell apart when touched by even the faintest step.

It had been atleast a half an hour before they finally reached the ground, the stench of death almost overwhelming any normal senses...not to mention the smell of burned corpses. Indeed, the ground seemed to have been glassed, shadows permanently plastered on the floor and the ruined buildings that he orb illuminated.

Buildings...that is odd for an underground tomb... Habdebza thought to himself as he raised his right hand again. The orb shot upwards and suddenly exploded in a brilliant flash of blue light, revealing an enormous underground city. Where a road was still intact, one could not help but notice the neatly paved stone, the mosaics that dotted the walkways, there were even a few buildings that remained intact. As far as the unenhanced eye could see, there was a tavern, several houses, and an armory. There was no strategic positioning so Habdebza only hypothosized it was merely luck for those buildings to survive.

But one's luck ran out quite quickly it seemed. Decayed and dead bodies lay strewn about, littering the street by the hundreds. Soldiers with banners that showed Rimoru's family crest and that of a more skeletal version of her crest along with the words "Mlethrandir Spwathon"- "Freedom from Oppression."

"Don't get lost," Habdebza said to Vira as he looked over the rooftops of the destroyed buildings. There, in what seemed to be the center, surrounded by enormous ebony walls, stood Athral's last stronghold. The stronghold itself seemed relatively undamaged. The walls, however, had been blown apart it seemed as huge chunks were missing or caved inwards.

This apocolyptic war to keep Rimoru's brother entombed, the war that had claimed hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, would be in vain.

Habdebza gave a quiet chuckle as he navigated the labyrinth of the streets.

"No towels I'm afraid, but I do have a jug of water you could use if you wanted." She replied as she tried to think of any other methods to get Kalzog clean.

At the commotion with the appearence of the demons, she looked at Rimoru for guidance and found that her god-mother didn't look well. She hoped it was just stress.

The dragon's burst of flames parted clouds and stained the blue sky as the magnificent creature slowed it's flight and tried to reorient itself by choosing a target. There was the choice of the demi-god, who seemed to be forming some sort of spell around itself, and the druid with the wild griffon...It was not much of a choice really...

The dragon clawed at the griffon as it zoomed past him, and turned itself to follow close behind, snapping wildly at the griffon and its rider.

The griffon bucked wildly, managing to avoid the claws and trying to throw Horatio, but he held on and struggled to draw his Scimitar, hoping to knock some sense into the creature.

The scimitar was at a difficult angle to draw from, but he persevered and managed, almost throwing it with the force. He conked the griffon hard with the flat of the blade and it responded instantly by going limp and falling straight down, blood trickling from the blow. Horatio cursed as he disentangled himself from the now falling bird. He was whipped around while freefalling and had an incredible view of the dragons mouth biting the air he had just been in. His cloak whipping round in the wind almost instantly turned him over again though.

It wasn't lost on him as he watched the ground gradually approaching that it appeared he had inadvertantly traded one means of dieing for another. He tried to breathe against the oncoming wind and failed, eventually managing to turn himself over he gasped and when he was able to muttered a spell. He seemed to land flat at an angle on air, the force of his sudden stop winded and disoriented him momentarily, but he struggled up and began staggering away from the dragon, moving up the slope upon which he landed.

If anybody else tried to walk on the air he was on they wouldn't be able to, it worked for him only. His misfortune was possibly the only thing that had kept the dragon from having caught him already, but he would have to start fighting in a moment, after he caught his breath and thought up a suitable spell. Feel free to join in whenever you're ready demon, i'd like to see a show of your boasted strength.

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

Mienna nodded a greeting to Kalzog and quickly followed after Rimoru as she arrows started to fly, she kept her head down, but frequently glanced back at the approaching sets of red eyes. "Hurry, lets go." She shouted to the others, beckoning forwards, she set off at a run rather than a jog, but slowed to stay just behind Rimoru.

"No thank you, Luthy," Kalzog replied as he turned in time to see an arrow fly passed and smack into the wall behind them. "Let's go," he grumbled as he gently pushed Luthien towards the secret passage.

"Everyone through! Hurry up now!" Artimius said as he summoned a blue shield to cover a good length in front of him. Arrows were deflected harmlessly as it remained up, keeping most of them from getting too close. He turned around to push Cobiesal gently towards the doorway along with Cantrell, but after the push, he noticed the massive lumbering ogre. His cheeks turned a bit pale as he launched a bolt of lightning arcing at Kalzog.

"You imbecile, I am on your side!" the ogre roared as he covered his face with his arms, the lightning appearing to harmlessly surge through his tattoos. "Get in now!"

Crude...I will introduce myself to him later I suppose. Now is not such a good time for idle chatter, Artimius thought as he nodded and dashed for the doorway after the last remaining ones walked in, being careful not to walk over the little waddling one in the oversized clothing. I suppose I have yet to introduce myself to more than half the group, he thought with a mental chuckle.

Kalzog brought up the rear, barely fitting inside the cavern with his mighty bulk before he searched around cursing aloud as he slammed his palms together, resulting in a loud boom that sent a small dust devil with a hasty wind towards the demons, catching arrows and flinging it back at them. Artimius wrapped his hands on a nearby lever and pulled it hard, eventually making the rusted metal budge and the statue move to cover the entrance, trapping them all in a dank, dark, dungeon with only the light of lengthy distanced torches to guide them.

Artimius summoned a small ball of fire to get in front of the group, a move mimicked by Alegain, who sneered at the man.

"Oh Artimius...you are so handy," Rimoru laughed as she wrapped her arm around Alegain, but turned her face to look at the wizard in back.

"Only with talent, my lady," the mage replied with a cocky smile. "But may I imply the fact that those ghastly creatures may attempt to open the doors themselves by force if necessary? In any case, the faster the better."

"Right," Ixair replied as followed close behind Mienna and Beatrice, his eyes lowering every now and then to watch their lower halfs as they ran.

***********************************************

The dragon plummeted towards Horatio before he kicked off the unconscious griffon, making the dragon come to a crossroads of decisions. Satisfy it's bestial hunger...or satisfy its sense of duty to Dominatistradz?

It made its decision quickly, however as Horatio stopped in midair and began to run up a slope, catching the dragon completely by surprise as it tried to slow its fall, eventually finding itself falling past Horatio. With a roar, it steadied itself again and gulped the falling griffon in one hasty bite before once again reorienting itself to make its way towards the druid.

Suddenly, Megledesh fluttered by and grabbed Horatio hastily by the shoulders. "Stupid mortal, what happened to your mount? We can't take on a dragon by ourselves..." he growled as he continued to soar away from the approaching dragon.

Lúthien went as Kalzog directed into the secret passage. With the two other mages lighting up the passage, she was about to add her light as well when the concept of persuit came up.

She crouched down for a second to scritch a few lines in the floor. She was setting up a trap spell. Once triggered those very nearby, like say a demon that had triggered the trap, would be overcome with the giggles and find it would last hours if not more.

**************************

Meanwhile in another part of the land, Lorathin landed at the border of what was considered dragon territory and headed further in. He made no effort to conceal himself, and was wearing somewhat bright clothes. One might think he wanted to get noticed.

"What's that?" Kalzog asked Luthien as she lagged behind the line, pausing before her, making sure she wouldn't fall behind.

Artimius smiled and gently traced the line with his own mind, discovering what it was and what it did. "Clever girl. She is yours ogre?"

Kalzog chuckled and shook his head. "Ogres don't raise children of other races. You should know that, mage," Kalzog rumbled. "But in a sense, I am a caretaker."

"Well then, Luthien, you are very fortunate to have such as a caretaker."
***********************************************

The land of the dragons was surrounded by forests, lots of forests, full of creatures and beasts that would frighten most travelors. Most numerous appeared to be the tribal gnoll clans that worked in a somewhat civilized state, going to war only when honor was obstructed. However one thing they made sure about was not to cross their dragon neighbors.

However, the dragons were allowed to pass freely in their region as they pleased without obstructing the gnolls. And that's how it was kept. Dominatistradz enjoyed the treaty, knowing that the gnolls provided a good distraction for potential invaders and good trade partners for metals, lumber, and the such.

When this newcomer, boldly clad in strange and colorful garments intruded on this territory, the gnolls were the first to react.

Immediately, they set to work, a small scout party following close behind, before surrounding him within an hour of his intrusion.

"What you business?" one of the gnolls barked, being about three fourths the size of Lorathin, however not looking intimidated by any means.

"It's a trap incase they try and break down the door to chase us." She replied with a grin at Kalzog as she caught up to her place in line.

"I know. Uncle Kal is a very good caretaker, except when he needs taking care of." She commented slightly cheekily. Kalzog was afterall not good in the kitchen and that was were some of his favourite foods came from.

***********************************************

"My buisness? If you feel you must know, it is further along and not with you." Lorathin commented in a voice so soft, the gnoll would have to strain to hear. "You may let me pass or not, but the cost might be more than you can pay."

As he spoke a faint wind caught at the hem of his somewhat gaudy cape, a new part of his garment that obscured his shoulders and back as his shirt had not.

"Then let Sunpaw Gnoll clan warn you...dragons not well...dragons warring and angry. Mighty dragon-god tired of world and...and death of those close to him. Gnolls lucky to be away from his anger..." the gnoll scout replied, his ears perking up to hear the man clearer.

"You come for violent business or no? If you no need gnolls, we no bother...but if you violent, we may need to stop you."

"No, the dragons are not well." He commented with a faint smile that, if one were to stare at it for any length of time, would become sinister, "You have no need to fear. I mean no violence against you, here and now."

"If you wish to send me on my way, then directed me to the nearest lair of a dragon."

The gnoll certainly did look into Lorathin's eyes but looked down shortly after. "What kind dragon you look for? Dominatistradz heads dragons...but he all the way in big mountain," the gnoll pointed to the massive peak that jutted into the clouds to an unknown point. "And big dragon no like outsiders..."

"One near and large. A big dragon as you put it." He replied. "I don't have the time to visit Dominatistradz at the moment."

"Biggest dragon north...in charge of lumber slaves. Overseer. Big, strong, purple dragon. Find him north east of area," the gnoll replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Took your time. The griffon proved unreliable and i was forced to give it an apparently fatal headache." Horatio said as he let himself be lifted up, he had regained enough breath for the moment. Looking back over his shoulder he saw the dragon still giving chase. "Do you think you could speed it up a little? Much of my magic is useless this far from nature, i can only do so much with the wind around me. Do you think you can outrun it?" He might have a spell or two to slow the dragon down if necessary or perhaps make themselves move faster, it was a spell he had been tought once which had seemed near useless at the time, he could change them both into cloudlike vapor, they would not be invisable, but they would not be recognisable either. They would bable to move, though not particularly quickly, but combined with a bit of magical wind they could travel at a much faster rate than flying alone. However it would take about 30 seconds for the change to occur after he cast the spell. They would not be able to communicate however and he at least would have to land before reverting back to normal.

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

Mienna followed the others down the passage, straining to see what was ahead in the ill-lighted gloom. "Where does this lead?" She asked.

The arrow wizzed past Cantrell's head. He turned around and ran, and Cobiesel followed. The two kept up with the group. Cantrell skirked. He was back with this group, and already things were trying to kill him. He was nervous though, hoping this wasn't a group of people who had once tortured him.

"Thank you, and have a pleasent day." He replied as he headed off in the indicated direction. The dragon might not like unexpected visitors, but it was getting one.

"Silence welp. I cannot handle a dragon...not now atleast," Magledesh shouted as he zoomed up and then suddenly changed course, zig-zagging his way trying to outmenuever the dragon, which should work considering his smaller form. His mind was racing for a solution to this problem...he had one several hours ago when Habdebza first warned them about dragons...but now he had completely forgotten. "Any ideas, druid?"

**************************************************
"Directly to my Arena box," Rimoru said as she swerved to avoid another curve.

Unfortunately for Kalzog, the route seemed to be getting smaller and the large ogre was having his trouble just squeezing through.

"Looks like I need to take a detour," the ogre growled as he noticed the change in size of the corridor.

"Not for killing it." Horatio responded. "But i can make us outrun it, just keep us out of its reach for another minute or so and then try to follow me as best you can, we will be travelling a lot faster and will want to land before we change back. This may be uncomfortable, but shouldn't hurt." He didn't wait for the demons response, just started casting.

First he muttered a spell summoning strong winds around them, blowing them away from the dragon, but as close to the course they were taking before it attacked as he could manage. Then he began muttering the spell to make them become cloudlike and formless, they would gradually turn into vapor, the only potential risk was if the demons wings happened to change before most of the rest of him. When he had finished the spell he started to feel parts of himself changing into the air, but he was aware of the parts and they moved with his body. "Just keep ahead of him for 20 to 30 more seconds." when the majority of their bodies had already changed then the wind would already start affecting them.

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

Mienna nodded, though she was wondering how that would get them any closer to their goal.

Noticing the ogres discomfort she thought back to a spell she had seen Horatio do to shrink a large bear that had once attacked him. But the way he had done it would not come to her.

"Cowardly..." growled Megledesh, but the druid had already begun to work on his spell. With a grumble in his demonic language, he continued to struggle, keeping ahead of the ever approaching dragon, already the heat was closing on in them and he swerved to avoid another large bout of flame from the beast.

Then the most peculiar feeling, a sensation of intense tingling and then numbness occured in his feet. The demon looked back and his eyes went wide. "What are you doing, infernal dungbat?!" he screamed as he proceeded to disinitigrate, his mind beginning to form last minute plans to kill the druid.

***********************************************

Rimoru stopped suddenly, looking at the arched doorway that was barely tall enough to fit Alegain.

"Kalzog...I believe we must split again," she said quietly, her hand moving to a torch and pushing down on it. Another, larger doorway opened up where growls and snarls emitted from the darkness.

"The creature pen? This should be fun," Kalzog growled as he practically crawled to the much more open area.

"Yeah...this won't lead you inside the pens mind you, but you'll go to the area of the cages. This is where we smuggled in the rare, illegal game animals..." Rimoru added with a chuckle.

"Alright..." he sighed as he glanced at Luthien. "You know the drill," he said quietly with the slightest smile. He, of course, meant to be safe and remain safe.

With that, he descended into the dark debths of the tunnel.

Alegain looked down and frowned. "He will be safe, right?"

"He should be. He's Kalzog...the indestructable ogre," Rimoru chuckled. "All the creatures are always penned up. He will, however, have to travel the longest, since he is going down rather than going up."

Alegain raised an eyebrow, but didn't question any farther as Rimoru continued to hurry up the their corridor, finally coming to a dead end. Rimoru searched the torches, pushing and pulling every one to no avail. Nothing budged.

With a sigh, she found a small rock to sit on and think about it. "This is frustrating," she grumbled, resting her chin on her hands and looking up at the others. "I don't need to make quick escapes often..."

Just then, her perch sunk into the ground, Rimoru falling off and landing on her behind as she stared at the opening wall and into her plush, lavish chambers, fit to room a party of at least twelve, with it's plush furniture, expensive rugs and lavish tapestries, not to mention a fine assortment of wines and royal alcohols and the best view of the arena.

Rimoru got herself up and walked to the entrance of her chambers, opening it, and revealing the spacious arena. "Down there, I need anyone capable of spellcasting to take hold of one of these orbs. I should have enough energy in my to concentrate our magic to bring us safely to a destination without merging us into one strange life form..."

Alegain's eyes went wide at this. When him and Rimoru were married, he did not believe they would become one in such a way...

Just then, something snarled and barked out a command, resulting in a loud thump near one of the Arena doors. The demons were trying to break in...

"We have to hurry!" Rimoru said in a hurried whisper.

Suddenly, there was a crash as a nearby door burst open, three demonhounds prowling out, their jaws dripping with poison as their beady red eyes glared at the group.

"Not again..." Rimoru whispered, her mind immediately settling on her weak feeling- it had not gotten any better. Ixair readied his sword as Artimius frowned at the creatures.

"They certainly look ugly..." he muttered before they charged at full speed towards the party.

***********************************************

As Lorathin hit the edge of the Gnoll territories, he would find himself in a relatively contrasting place. A desolate wasteland- geysers of fire, red, barran dust that blew this way and that. Hot, molten lava ran in rivers into enormous lakes that bubbled and hissed.

But closer to the edge of the forest, thousands of people- of all races- chopped ferociously at the trees and stacking up the lumber in neat piles behind them. The people themselves were dressed in rags and shackles and were very dirty, as if denied access to a bathing house.

Yet for every ten of these slaves, another man was behind them, whipping and barking commands at the workers, keeping them from their torturous pace.

Yet behind all of this, looking over them from a rather large fort, was a man dressed entirely of a shiney, black cloak. His hair was a navy blue and his skin was a dark purple. Not to mention he was look like a cross between the Drakonan and a night elf, with long, sharp teeth, long pointed ears, and a surprisingly smooth complexion. However the creature was muscular and tall, a intimidating looking creature.

"You too uncle Kal." She replied as she gave him a hug, getting slightly sticky in the process.

"Merging?" The little girl asked dubiously as that didn't sound pleasent.

***********************************************

Lorathin smiled slightly as he pegged the man as the humanoid form of the dragon and began walking toward the fortress. The first enforcer that decided to try and stop him would find himself regretting it.

He was not pleased with the cowardly remark, but when Magladesh seemed to panic he smiled and said. "Scared are you? You'll be fine, as long as you follow me, i'll look cloudlike. Theres no time to expl..." His voice stopped abruptly as his head turned to vapour, he could feel his body, though it was distant and the best word he could think of to describe the feeling was fluffy, but he could not directly control it, the solid parts of his body went limp and continued to slowly turn to vapour.

Cantrell spun around and saw three ugly demonhounds. He uncoiled his chains and prepared for an enemy to attack him. Cobiesel on the other hand ran over to Rimoru and grabbed the nearest orb. "Alright, I'm ready. Tell me when."

"Ew..." Eva groaned when Luthien repeated "merging".

"It's when a multi-person teleportation spell brings all the teleportees into one form, usually an abomindable mess...rarely a useful form," Eva continued smartly, using it to her advantage to show off her own knowledge to her booksmart friend or cousin- in a way. "Although, depending what kind of person you are...it can be very beneficial..."

"Watch out, Cantrell, they have slick bodies and poisonous saliva. Don't let them take too many bites from your metallic arms," Ixair warned as another crash brought forth three more demon hounds from the other side. He looked behind him, noticing Beatrice's wide eyes looking about- the desperate look she gave when she wanted to do something...but was too afraid to do it. Their eyes met and she let out a quiet whimper.

"Beatrice, stay with Rimoru, we'll try to hold them off for as long as we can," Ixair said to her, getting slightly closer. Then, without warning, he suddenly felt the beautiful dark elf wrap her arms around him in a tight hug.

"Be safe Ixair..." she whispered to the blushing elf. She looked up at him, her own cheeks darkening, before rushing off towards Rimoru and taking hold of one of Luthien's hands.

Ixair stood bewildered for a minute, before another hand clamped on his shoulder.

"You, elf, snap to it," Artimius growled as he walked passed by the elf and towards the other group. Ixair frowned and narrowed his eyes to the mage's back before returning to the demons approaching.

With a cough and a hack, one of the demons sent a large glob of it's acidic mucus at Cantrell, while another one charged at him. The remaining one charged at Ixair, it's teeth glistening and gnashing as it neared.

Glurp ran to the side, next to Luthien, his eyes bewildered. "Glurp think Glurp should personally protect girls," he said as he panted, trying to keep up with their rapid pace.

Artimius stopped at the staircase and pointed downwards for the women to go.

"I'll keep these three off you, my ladies and my lord," he said, giving a slight bow to the whole lot before pushing up his robe's sleeves and giving the demons a dashing smile as if to taunt them.

"Come on...I've handled creatures far more powerful than you..."

That's when they charged...

Rimoru heard the discharge of powerful spells and the yelps and screams from above but kept it out of her mind as best she could before Cobiesal wrapped her hands on one of the orbs.

"Kalzog...we need Kalzog," Beatrice said quietly, searching for the guardian ogre, her eyes staying still when they met the banging doors where the demons were trying to get through. Bodista...Bodista...where are you? she began to think, trying to call upon her guardian like last time to help save them. She hoped that this time, he would come...

"I am never scared, just uncomfortable with the feeling of- Where'd you go you infernal good for nothing piece of-" Soon, Megledesh's head dematerialized.

He felt strange, for lack of a better word. He felt...not at all how he wanted to feel and nothing comfortable. When and if he rematerialized, he'd make sure to put the druid in a lot of pain...

*************************************************

Sure enough, a nearby guard stopped in front of Lorathin, armor covered from head to toe, and raised an arm. "Halt, you may not pass unless on official business," he said loudly and clear in basic tongue.

Mienna had hesitated between drawing her sword and heading for one of the orbs. She seemed to have some magical talent, but was not entirely sure how to use it.
The choice was postponed when Artimius almost ordered them to move down the stairs.

"Surely Artimius would be needed here with these orbs? He is possibly the most powerful caster among us. Except perhaps Alegain." Mienna said as she drew her rapier and took position at the bottom of the stairs, ready for if any somehow made it past the others. She was not sure what she could do to slow them down and fervantly agreed with Beatrice, it would be useful to have Kalzog around.

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

Horatio had entirely turned to cloud and he felt the magic wind forcing him forwards in the direction it blew, he let its movement carry him, occasionally making smalling movements. He had no eyes to see directly, but was somehow aware of the world around him and was quite sure they were outpacing the dragon, he also had some awareness of Magledesh not far away. After 10 minutes roughly the wind spell would dissapate and they would be left floating in the air subject to natural winds, he intended to float down to the ground where he dispell the spell on himself and wait to see if Magledash would appear. The spell would last hours if necessary, but only he could dispell it before it expired. Though he was tempted to leave the demon floating as a cloud for a while.

Cantrell rose up a wall of bone that shielded him from the acid spray. However, the acid caused the wall to disappear. That allowed the other hound to slam into him. He grabbed it and managed to brace himself, and struggled to pin it to the ground. He was about to finish it off when he heard the second one approaching. "I could use some help." he said as he threw the pinned hound at the other, hoping to give him some time.

"Artimius will join us soon," Rimoru said as she reached for the orb, the coldness of it sending a chill up her spine and sending her through a coughing fit. She waved away Alegain when he tried to help her and pointed to the orb instead. "We wait," she coughed.

Eva looked up as a burned corpse of one of the demon hounds broke through the railings and onto the arena floor. She smiled and looked towards Mienna. "Artimius will dispatch of those foul beasties soon enough. He'll be down here in a snap," she said quietly as another yelp was emitted from above.

*****

"I'm a bit in trouble myself..." Ixair growled as he hacked at one of the hounds paws at it tried to knock the him down. "Dang beasts are very slick...." As if on cue, he kicked out at the beast's lower jaw- a bold move, however his foot slipped away, causing him to stumbled around and twist his ankle. His face winced in pain but he continued to fight as best he could. Pulling one of the pistols from his belt, he carefully aimed and shot at the incoming hound, effectively shooting it in the leg, halting the beast momentarily as the other two clashed together in a heap.

"Is Kalzog out there yet?" Ixair asked, beginning to think that was why they were still waiting. He mentally cursed the ogre, however he knew that without the ogre, they may not have gotten as far as they have.

The hounds once again began charging at Ixair and Cantrell, one for each while the wounded one limped towards Ixair, growling and yelping as it seemed ready to belch out another blast of the deadly mucus.

Cantrell could fight easier now that there was only one, but he didn't want Ixair to die, so he raised his hand and a skeletal warrior erupted out of the ground. In it's hand was a large lance. It attacked one of the hounds leaving Ixair to face the weak one and Cantrell his own. Cantrell grabbed it's legs with his chain and pulled it out. Then he started to choke the life out of it by coiling the chain around it's waist continually, until the hound either stoped breathing or it snapped in two.

Lúthien nodded as she was use to spells that didn't have a possiblitiy of merging as a possible side-effect. Bea's affection to Ixair was somewhat surprising and meant that Ixair was going to be getting the Talk, as soon as they were safe of course, thought it would differ from the parent-offspring version.

"Hopefully he's as good as he seems to think he is." She commented as she still didn't trust Artimius.

*************************************************

"Then step aside." Lorathin replied as he motioned for the guard to move, "Unless you want your master angry at you of course."

"Thanks for the assist," Ixair said with a smile as the skeleton kept the one hound off of himself fairly well while limiting the movement of his own foot.

However the hound in Cantrell's coils twisted itself to spit at him while the lame one had already shot a burst of spit at Cantrell to save its comrade.

***

Eva frowned at Luthien and shook her head. "He's more reliable than your daddy," she retorted hotly in defense of a crush.

***********************************************

"Official business then? State your name and your business. We know master's schedule and we assure you, this time is free for him," the guard replied calmly but with a definate edge to his voice.

"But is he as good as he thinks he is." She replied as Lorathin tended to have a bit of a poor time sense, often resulting in him being late to things.

***********************************************

"Of course his time is free. Afterall, you can't well schedule the unexpected." Lorathin replied, "If you wish to acertain that I am not threat, you can search me, thought you shall be coming up short if your master finds you doing so."

"He's better," Eva said with a smile as another beast let out a yelp and a blood curtling scream.

*************************************************

The guard frowned but kept his place in front of the man with the brightly colored robes. "Because the unexpected never get a meeting unless you are of higher importance, such as an Ageless Dragon," he replied, resisting the temptation to note that no Ageless would wear such a strangely, out-of-place, gaudy uniform.

"We'll see." Lúthien commented, "But he does seem decent."

*************************************************

"And you presume that you know what I am?" Lorathin commented coolly. "There are many who'd take your head for simply obstructing thier way, much less assuming thier nature."

"Compared to mother, he's decent. I have yet to see one better," Eva replied hotly.

Although not facing them, Alegain frowned heavily. His own daughter loved the hotshot archmage more than she loved her own father. He would have had artimius killed if Rimoru did not like him as much as she would most likely stop him from doing so...

His anger grew as he continued to think about it, before he turned around and snapped at his daughter. "Shut up about him," he snarled, recieving a raised eyebrow from Rimoru and a jump from Eva.

Eva looked to her mother for comfort and got it indeed. Rimoru gently wrapped her daughter in a hug and frowned at her husband. "He's only trying to help us," she said to her fuming husband in a low voice.

"I-He-..." Alegain began before emitting a growl and looking up at the fights.

Suddenly, one of the arena doors burst open, giving the demons the path into the arena and to their goals.

"Where in the blazing fires of Valtrox is Kalzog?" the emperor roared.

***********************************************

The guard looked puzzled at Lorathin but kept his cool. "You are no Ageless. State your name and purpose to see the master," he said calmly.

"But you haven't see daddy get serious." Lúthien thought, but asked, "So he's the best male mage you've seen in action?"

***********************************************

"I have many names, thought for now you may announce me as Lorathin." He replied, "But as to my purpose with your master, that is not your concern save to the effect that I do not seek his life."

Eva looked at Luthien with contempt as she believed it was Luthien's fault that got her in trouble with her father.

"He's one of the best I've seen in a while," Rimoru replied in stead, still holding her daughter close. As the doors smashed open, she held onto Eva tighter as she made sure the demons were no where near the staircases. She too began to wish Kalzog would hurry.
************************************************

"We do not trust your words. Turn back now," the guard growled, upon finding out the man's name and having no recollection of an important figure belonging to it.

"I hope uncle Kal hasn't gotten tied up somewhere." She commented as she missed the look from Eva.

************************************************

"Unfortunately that isn't going to be happening. Now you have three options, announce me and let your boss sort things out, let me talk to him and let him sort things out, or stay in my way and let me sort things out." He commented with a trace of bloodlust in his voice at the final prospect.

"How about you turn around and let me sort it out, resulting in you leaving and minding your own business," the guard replied, without flinching. "Master is not to be disturbed unless you have something necessary to tell him by order of the Ageless."

"And it is necessary, but not for the ears of a guard." Lorathin commented with a hint of a smirk. "I wouldn't be a very good messenger afterall if I told my message to all and sundry or left sufficiant clues that its contents could be guessed at."

"Then you shan't tell it at all. Goodbye," The guard replied hastily before backing up to his former post.

"I'm afraid that isn't an option. Now you can either let me pass in peace, or be slain in my passing." Lorathin commented as he began walking forward.

"Be gone, wrong-doer, lest I be forced to kill you," the guard said as his hand went to the hilt of his blade, although his voice was still as emotionless as ever.

"You will find that a task quite beyond your means." Lorathin commented as his eyes changed from red and black respectively to a cool slate grey. Bringing his eyes to meet the guard, the instant they met he'd feel as if he was freezing but not shivering, drowning without water as his body slowly became the same colour as Lorathin's new eyes. It wasn't permenant but the guard would likely remember the horror for the rest of his life.

The guard stiffened a bit and began to shiver and gasp, yet his hand pulled out his sword and he slashed wildly at Lorathin. Meanwhile, nearby guards noticed their companion in a state of distress. Some came to his aid with swords and shields, while others began firing arrows at Lorathin, their impeccable aim having yet to hit friend.

"Be careful you don't trip, wouldn't want to break anything." He commented as he took a step away from the sword. As the guards began advancing on him, he raised his voice sufficiant so it could be only described as booming, he called out, "Unless you want to go shopping for a new set of guards, I would suggest you order them to stand down."

"Then may I suggest you begin to think about how you wish to be buried," came a voice from behind Lorathin. Amongst a toxic purple cloud which the guards kept well clear of.

"State your business quickly, I've already got little patience for an insolent scab," the humanoid form growled, crossing his robed arms.

"I came to talk with you. I'm sure Lord Dom would be interested in knowing how you and your guards treat messengers." Lorathin commented without even bothering to turn. Unless he'd seriously misread the scryings he'd been able to coax from the reluctant tools of divination, even a hint that he was a messenger for Dominatistradz would make the dragon much more pleasent than his present hostility.

The dragon narrowed its eyes and walked a bit closer. "My lord seeks not the words from filthy creatures as yourself- only the words of his own."

"None-the-less, you have my attention so speak hastily before I slice out your tongue so I no longer can hear your whiney voice."

"Seek words from me, no. Use me to deliver his words, yes." Lorathin commented, "But as I was trying to explain to your minion, who'll be alright in a couple hours or so, this is a slightly delicate matter and thus private matter. Somewhere less public would be a great deal better."

The dragon sighed and rolled his eyes, or atleast made the motion to do so. "Alright then. To my study. You may feel a bit sick..." he grumbled as he suddenly leapt at Lorathin, the purplish haze invading his nostrils and making him black out for what seemed like ages.

Yet it was only a few seconds as next thing he knew, he was in a dimly lit room, with a fire in the fireplace, books aligned along the walls, a beautifully crafted rug on the floor and a small spartan table with matching chairs. Above the fireplace sat several sickly weapons that no doubt could cause quite a torturous amount of pain.

A rather dirty looking woman, dressed in a relatively cleaner, and slightly revealing suit and black collar with red inscriptions gasped in surprised as Lorathin suddenly appeared, along with her master. If she wasn't so dirty and pitiful looking, she may have been considered quite beautiful. Her brunette hair hung down to her nicely proportioned hips, her brown eyes large and round, her lips thick and tender, her skin pale and very smooth. She looked as though she may have once been a nobles daughter in some country or nation.

The dragon looked towards her and raised his hand. "Go, fetch us some tea and be quick about it," he barked. Immediately, the woman nodded and ran off to do as he pleased.

The dragon gave a brief smile and motioned towards the chair at the table. "I do hope you enjoy tea. This is a very exclusive one that I recieved as a gift for my service to our lord Dominatistradz. It is a fruit tea, yet it invigorates both mind and body. Few mortals have ever tried such."

"So, what is it you wish to speak about?" he asked as the servant brought back a plain looking tea set and gently set it on the table, pouring out tea for the both of them. The purple dragon lord smiled and gently stroked the woman's bruised arm who shivered in return, giving Lorathin a pleading look when her master didn't look.

"While I do not partake often, it is excellent on occasion." Lorathin replied as he took the chair indicated. "I take it you've been having your servants, or slaves, burn the ground after they finish chopping the trees down?" He'd been refering to dragonsbane, one of the few, and most potent, lethal poisons to dragon-kind.

"Well first of all, I do need to know your name. While I'm pretty sure you are the intended recipent, it doesn't hurt to make sure. Especially when it might cost me my head."

"Occasionally...occasionally," the dragon replied as he waved away the servant who never took her eyes away from the mage in front of her master, the same pleading look in her eyes until she was out of the door.

"Us dragons are not without new technologies. It is so strange to see what has been developed by creatures so puny, insignificant, and fragile as your kind. Steam-powered monstrosities, gears, automatons...the technology of the weak, technology for those who know they are to weak to survive alone."

The demon shrugged and took the seat across from Lorathin, picking up his small cup and taking a sip of the tea.

"Oh, but your body would look so much better without that wretched bag of gelotonous phlegm that sits atop your shoulders. But, I doubt you shall relay your so called dire information unless I speak my own name. I am Brenthalostradz. At one time, I was known as Brent, when I would remain with those I have enslaved. To you, I am either, for- truly- I do not care for your company yet," the dragon replied, his eyes seemingly unclear, as though he were looking at something far off. "Shall you state your own name and then your information or shall you always remain the Insufferable cretin?"

"Ah good, then you are who I expected you to be." Lorathin commented even thought he was, in essence, pulling a seat of the pants. "Well, first some personal buisness, if you don't mind?"

"Oh, and you can call me Mageria. It's the name Lord Dom commissioned me under." He commented, "Any interest in selling that slave girl?"

"That girl? Oh my word, dear messenger, she is no slave..." Brent replied with a sinister chuckle. "She is a servant, no slave. She recieves decent quarters and is fed well and taken care of."

"However, if you so wish for one of your own, I have a whole harlem of them," the dragon replied with dark grin and hushed tone.

Brent's eyes narrowed and he took another sip of tea. "Lord Dominatistradz? How should I believe you are his servant?"

"I'll pass for now." He replied as he took a slight sip of the tea. "I'm not his servant. I'm just a hireling. Anyway, he said he had some buisness with you and requested you attend him as soon as viable."

"Thought if you have no other objections, I would like to speak with that girl for a second."

"Oh? And what did he wish to speak with me with? And why might you wish to go speak with my servant?" Brent asked with a bitter tone of voice.

"When I asked what it concerned, he told me that the last messenger that had pressed for information was now decorating the lining of some beast's lower intestine. I got the point he was trying to make." Lorathin replied

"It is nice to speak with a human occasionally, especially one that doesn't dislike your dress or bearing."

The dragon frowned and put his tea down as his eyes once again seemed to drift off to a distant place.

"I doubt it..." he growled, his lips curling slightly as his eyes met Lorathin's. "He would have sent his Drakonan if it was important. They are much better specimans than a mere human..."

"And if no one likes your clothing or bearing, change it," the dragon replied taking another sip of his tea.

Cantrell cursed and dropped to the ground, barely dodging the acid. He couldn't keep fightning like this. He wrapped the chain around one hound's mouth and kept it shut, and slammed it into the second one.

"And what makes you think I am a mere human?" Lorathin asked in the dragon's tongue, a language rarely taught and almost never mastered outside of the dragon races.

"That might work for others, not for me."

"For one, your draconic isn't as good as you think. For another, you seem so persistant to make me believe that you are someone unique but I fail to see what makes such a low-life piece of dung such as yourself much more than...a piece of dung," Brent chuckled and sniffed in his draconic tongue. "However I comment you in your efforts. Draconic is not an easy language..."

"No, I simply seek to convince you that I am a messenger from Lord Dominatistradz." Lorathin replied as he realized slightly belatedly that he'd gotten quite rusty in draconic since he'd last spoken it.

ooc: Woo, you're still on! lol

Brent yawned loudly, waving his hand to Lorathin. "But alright, since I am in a generous mood, I shall send in the girl. You, however, shall not be so rough on her, alright? And by the lord Dominatistradz himself...don't use the table," the dragon chuckled.

"Brieltha, come out here. My friend wants a playmate to 'talk' to," the dragon slave-driver said as he stood up and stretched, walked to the incoming woman and wrapped his arms around her waist, letting his sharp teeth scratch her skin before he kissed every so gently. The woman closed her eyes as tears escaped onto her cheeks.

Brent opened his eyes again and let them fall to Lorathin. "Thirty minutes at most. Enjoy yourselves," he chuckled before kissing her again and walking out the door.

The woman just stood there silently, her eyes averted to the floor as silent tears dripped off her cheeks.

"Rest assured, we won't." He replied with a grin. As Brieltha entered and was 'romanced' by the dragon. "Rest assured, I will."

Once Brent had departed, he muttered a few words before touching each of the walls, the floor and after getting up on a chair, the ceiling. He was getting the room silenced and warded in case Brent decided to get his kicks from being a peeping tom.

"Your name is Brieltha?"

"Yes," Brieltha whispered, her eyes remaining at her feet.

*************************************************

"Blast! They're coming from below! Cantrell, get down the stairs and protect the girls!" Ixair shouted as he rammed his sword into the closest hound and kicked it away before it could shake it's poisonous lubrication on him.

"And are you feet so interesting, when earlier you kept your gaze upon me as much as you could?" He asked, gently but teasingly.

Brieltha slowly raised her tear stricken face at Lorathin and stiffled a sob. "Please, do what you want with me. I am but a slave...just...don't get master mad at me," she replied quietly.

"Then please tell me what you know of Brent as well as who you were." He replied as he'd simply wished to talk with her as he had told the dragon. It wasn't his fault if Brent didn't believe him.

Brieltha cocked her head slightly to the side and shifted on her feet a moment. "I...well..." she looked a bit surprised but shrugged it away as she looked at the floor again.

"Brent is...large..." she began, choosing her words carefully and glancing up at the door. "And powerful...and strong...a-and he is noble."

"And I am o-only a...a servant girl," her lips quivered and she began to cry quietly, not able to contain herself any longer.

Walking over, he took a seat beside her and offered her an arm to cry on.

"That may be who you are, but is it who you were?" He asked, "And what other activities happen in this compound? Oh, and unlike Brent seems likely to be in the habit of doing, I don't punish those who speak the truth. On the other hand lies have a way of bothering me."

The girl looked at Lorathin and then back at the floor and sat down at his feet, not taking his arm. "No...I was never a servant...I had servants. I-I was a nobles daughter," she sobbed. "I'm sorry...but you must...must understand. Going from one who g-gets served to one who s-serves...is..." she sobbed not finishing her sentence. "I was supposed to be married...a f-few m-months f-from now..."

Brieltha took a minute to recompose herself and cleared her throat. "Slave labour...torture...expirements...those a-are the main...activities..."

"O-oh...oh my..." she whispered her face suddenly filling with dread. "P-please don't t-tel master I am t-telling you this..."

"Thank you, it helps me out quite a bit." Lorathin replied as he'd been debating on what to do. "I have no reason to. Truth be told, he irritates me slightly."

"If you don't mind, could you tell me if there have been any dragons coming or going as well as any plans or affairs he might have been talking about around you?" Lorathin was partially banking on the fact that in all but a very few situations, slave-masters and lords viewed slaves and servants as little more furniture, devoid of ears, tongue or brains.

"T-thank you," the woman replied, reassured that the man wasn't going to tattle on her. Or so he said.

"Master r-rarely reveals his...plans..." she said quietly. "O-one time- I got a...beating...for this one- h-h-he was speaking to one of...one of the Ageless...I d-don't know who...t-they s-spoke of the hybrids...and of...technilogical advances...t-t-thanks to Rimoru..." Her eyes watered and she looked up at Lorathin. "Lady R-r-rimoru hasn't abandoned us...has she?"

He filed away the information and wondered if his friends, family and aquaintences were heading toward a trap with the gnome. "Last time I saw here, she was seeking a method to regain her throne so she could drive out the invaders."

The woman looked up at Lorathin and cocked her head. "Reclaim her throne? B-b-but how? W-who...dethroned her?" she asked, a look of amazed curiosity in her face.

"Someone problematic, and if this dragon is the exception rather than the rule, I'd be happy to let them handle it as Lord Dom has some experiance in the subject matter." He commented, "How many of you are treated like Brent seemed to be treating you?"

The woman composed herself and cocked her head. "Can you not tell me...what f-faction the new ruler b-b-belongs to?" she asked pleadingly, taking hold of Lorathin's arm and tugging gently, curiosity abound in her face. "Oh please, sir, p-please tell me...If the dragons do not enjoy his company...then I must embrace him as a savior and hope beyond hopes that this knight in shining armor will come...come to save me!"

She looked back to the floor and backed away a bit. "There are thirteen of us. I-i-in the h-harem. I guess we shouldn't be...complaining. We are probably the best t-treated amongst this whole...complex."

"Trust me on this, just about anyone is preferable to the guys who are trying to take over from Rimmy. How many are there in total?" Lorathin asked as he slightly chuckled at the concept of anyone imagining Valtrox or his minions as knights in shining armour.

"If you really wish to know, does the name Valtrox mean anything to you?"

Immediately the woman's eyes lit up. "Oh my glorious Valtrox...oh...so great this news that it brings light to my eyes...oh...I feel that I must clean up! Oh, by Valtrox..." the woman gave off a giggle and got up off the floor. "When our lord Valtrox rises from the gate, Dominatistradz will not be so lucky this time! He'll perish along with the rest of the dragons...oh this is such a glorious day!"

The girl smiled, showing off a radiant beauty unseen before even through the dirt and bruises on her skin.

"How many servants in total or slaves? There are no less than a thousand slaves and no more than thirteen servants," the girl replied as she looked up at the massive portrait of Brent and spat in the fire. "I can't wait until master burns by the fury of Valtrox..."

"Great, you're a cultist. Why me?" Lorathin said exasperated. "Sorry to bust your bubble princess but 'Trox won't be rising, of course neither will the dragons be gaining dominion but that's a different matter."

The woman raised an eyebrow and sat down again at Lorathin's feet. "I'm sorry...you are no cultist are you?" she said sadly. "I don't see why we are so hated...I mean...Inzikai was no Patriarch...but he helped our people strive in a world of hatred...he helped us become who we were. And Valtrox...he was imprisoned because he sought knowledge."

Her eyes once again had the mournful look to them as she stared up at him. "I'm sorry..."

She was silent for a few minutes before she looked up once again. "Who is going to stop the dragons?"

"A cultist I am not." He replied, "And last time I saw him he was leading an army of demons in preparation to take over the world. I've never really cared why Valtrox was imprisoned, but his goals on release are not anything pleasent for anyone, except maybe his followers."

"As to who'll be part of stopping both the cult and dragons, you're looking at one of them."

Mienna turned as she heard the Arena doors open and ran over to the others, her rapier already drawn and put herself in front of them. "Alegain, if you want to prove you're skills, now would be a good time." She had overheard the argument, but if demons were coming through she wanted attention to be focused on them. "The rest of you - unless you plan on joining in - should take cover."

She moved slightyl away from the others and towards the doors, giving her room to move and fell into a battle ready pose, waiting for the first one to charge.

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After a few minutes of idle floating Horatio found a suitable clearing to land in, it appeared quite isolated and empty. He gradully let himself spiral down towards in and 'landed', letting his body gradually reform. After the 30 seconds were up he stretched a little to reaquaint himself with his muscles, pausing to examine how his physical changes were developing, his wings had grown and would soon be reaching a suitable size, he gave them a few practice flaps, and felt their strength, he doubted they were powerful enough yet. His skin has hardened, turning almost scalely, but remaining smooth and whole. He checked his possesions, making sure he had lost none in his fall. Then settled down to wait for Magladesh to appear.

"I suppose those that are most ignorant to our culture tends to distrust us...but I guess I am in no position to say that, am I," Brieltha said, her expression one of sadness. "And it was not so much an army of demons...but an army of angels. In the past, other gods had used their creations against each other. Valtrox saw an oppurtune moment and took it."

"But how will you stop the dragons? Not to be offensive...but you are only a strange...man to me...but looks are not everything, I suppose," The woman wondered a bit before shaking her head. "And I suppose us Valtroxian's were spiraling to destruction since Inzikai died...however we did seem to take Rimoru's throne. That's always a good sign- for me atleast..."

***********************************************

Alegain glared at Mienna, his red eyes nearly glowing with anger. "Just get out of my war," he growled as he pushed her quite harshly out of the way and descended the stairs.

"Alley?" Rimoru asked as she let go of Eva and looked down as Alegain walked towards the incoming demon horde. She turned towards Mienna with a questioning look on her face, then back towards Alegain.

The mage rolled up his sleeves as he walked forward, smoke seeming to eminate from his body.

"He is not supposed to be out there...he can barely cast ten fireballs..." Rimoru gasped, looking up for the other men to help her, but she found none. It looked that all of them were busy...

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Magladesh followed the druid as best he could in the uncomfortable, fluffy void and slowly materialized almost a minute after Horatio did. As soon as his head formed, he snarled at the druid.

"Don't ever do that again. You're lucky I am not about to rip your head off your shoulders," he shouted angrily.

"Then you must have a warped definition of angels or they had some very good illusionary spell on them. I was at the final battle of the Gate War afterall." He commented as he took a sip of cold tea. "Next time you pray to Valtrox or whatever you do it might be useful, but is unlikely, to remind him that wars of the gods are suppose to avoid the mortal plane."

"I'm much more than I appear, and you might have taken it but it won't last. Hab's going to be flattened as well as the new bitch who's assumed Inzikai's post. While I doubt it'll make a difference, I'd advise you to turn away from Valtrox."

Horatio smiled at the comment and shrugged. "Well, then i made the right choice. You said yourself we could not defeat the dragon at this time. So i doubt i would be alive if i hadn't" He glanced around and pointed the direction they should continue in. "I'm pretty sure we go that way, i doubt we passed it as we flew, we should be significantly closer though."

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Mienna had been in a ready position, but hadn't expected to be pushed sideways from behind. She stumbled but kept her balance. Frowning at Alegain's back and then at Rimoru's comment. "I'll do what i can to help him, get started with whatever this magic is, we may need a quick way out." She didn't mean to sound commanding but that is the way it appeared. There was a buzz in the back of her mind and it was fraying her nerves slightly. She turned and followed Alegain down the stairs.

"No...no, you are just thinking of stereotypical angels. What you think is good is bad for others...and what I think is good may be bad for you, which does seem to be the case," Brieltha replied shaking her head. "And the world is the median in which Valtrox can get to the god's plane of existance...please sir, do not argue with me. You understand little of this whole predicament and have gone into the whole lie and propoganda effect..."

"Here I sit, thinking someone has come to save me, to give me hope, only to dash my dreams and tell me how horrible my people and my god are and then threatening them both. You are worse than Brent even," the woman said, standing up. "If I was no servant, no piece of pleasure for the crazed creature, I would strike your cheek with my right hand at the disrespect you have shown me and my people."

"Kill a god, not what I'm talking about. Kick the assorted asses of those who've threatened my friends, of course. I don't really care about your people, just those who are in charge and interfere in the lives of those around me." Lorathin commented as he stood to face her.

"I haven't said I wouldn't help you leave, just that your beliefs and politics sicken me, as does do the dragon's goals. If you wish to strike me, then go ahead. I am not going to stop you nor bring it to the attention of Brent."

ooc: lol sorry for the wait, Kitab, I got people over
"At that time could have meant that minute," Magladesh growled, his hands clenching and unclenching as he began to walk towards the direction Horatio pointed to. "Hurry up...I don't want to be here all day..."

Up ahead, the roars of a dragon searching furiously for its pray could be heard...

*************************************************

Rimoru nodded and walked to the orb and glanced around herself with a hint of sadness. "Alright, mages, we can build the power up for this spell because I need a lot of it...just concentrate all your energy into this little orb and keep doing it until I say stop. I just hope it doesn't take too long for our friends to come up here...or else we'll be getting a bit of mana burn in return for waiting..."

***

Alegain looked back at Mienna and sneered. "Get up there. I don't need anyone's help," he snarled as he let loose a fireball into a maw that began to advance, sending it back a few steps. "I am perfectly able to handle them all!"

"Rimoru? Your friend? I'm sorry sir but Rimoru is too...self-centered and greedy. I've heard rumors that she purposely wrangles men in her web of deception just to make their wives an emotional wreck."

She frowned and scratched her head. "You mentioned a Hab, earlier. Might you be talking about the other one? The...well...the...manipulator?"

But at the subject of slapping him brought itself up, she raised her hand and made to backhand him hard, but stopped herself.

"It feels so...odd..." she said quietly.

"Yes, she was selfish but she has been improving. If someone seeks to improve themselves than thier past actions, while burdening them, can be looked at in a new light." Lorathin commented before holding up a hand to forestall her rebuttle that if he felt that way then what about Valtrox, "And if your god showed that he didn't want to destroy those who resisted him and convert by sword, I'd be willing to give him a second chance as well."

"I mean Habdebza the demon. If he's also called the Manipulator, then yes." He replied before looking her in the eyes, "That someone would permit you to strike them when they hold all the cards so to speak?"

Horatio glanced up the noise. "They don't give up do they? None the less, we are on the ground now, i have a wider array of magics at my disposal should the need arise and perhaps then you will be capable." He realised he might be pushing his luck a little and fell silent, walking alongside the demon, using what cover was available. To a glance from above, his green natural armor may camoflage him somewhat, but the demon was another matter.

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Mienna flinched at Alegains snarl, but remained where she stood watching him and the demons, she was ready to aid him should the need arise and would try to do it in a way that would not injure his obvious pride if possible. "Your capabilities are not in doubt... but any man would struggle against a horde of demons alone."

Loki had remained silent as they made their way through the maze of corridors. However, when the lady Rimoru asked them to help her husband, the young mage obliged.

A moment after Mienna descended the stairs, Loki waddled down until he reached the two figures. Without speaking a word, he began preparing to defend himself...

Cantrell nodded, and then transfered power of the skeleton warrior to Ixair. "Ixair, the skeleton will do what you tell it!" Cantrell ran down to where the others were. "Ladies. Continue working on those orbs. We may have some company though."

"I tire of your dilusions, sir. You live under a rock, a cloistered world and have never experienced what life in the Valtroxian Sect would be, coming to your own conclusions because you fought against us in the Gate War. I am sorry for your losses you may have attained but we are not without our own," Brieltha said as she walked away towards the table and began to clean up the teacups.

"Like I said before, I was hoping for someone to come and rescue me. All I get is someone deathly afraid to look at a different view and too staunch to believe elsewise. To me, sir, you are worse than the dragons and the cult combined. Atleast we have reason to hate."

***********************************************

"Your magic is pathetic, just like you," Magledesh growled, suddenly wrapping his hand around Horatio's neck and lifting him to eye level. "And get in front of me, whelp. I don't know where we go..."

**********************************************

"Oh shut your infernal mouth, wench," Alegain snarled. "You're the one that put me down here in the first place."

He turned at the little childish thing stumbling down the stairs and growled a curse under his breath. "Now the babies are deciding to come down and aid us. Get up there!" he shouted.