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"...I...I think I can see that about to change soon. I'm sorry, I need to return to Thantor."

Yshania gave the fallen drow not a second thought, yet watched mutely as the hybrid strained to stand and look for Thantor. She thought she understood, but her skin bristled with the unknown...

'I...am... sorry' she offered 'I did not intend'...she stopped short, aware her words were unheard as Aqua-chan approached Thantor. The druid sighed and walked over to Gwalchmai and hugged him, much to his surprise....

As the Dark Flames reassembled, Dragon Wench quietly regarded her friends. Some, still flushed from the excitement of battle seemed anxious to continue forward. Others, aching from wounds, both new and old, visibly showed the strain and scars of combat.

She leaned against the wall, and contemplated this seemingly endless day.....and her own exhaustion. Fortunately, because she had relied nearly exclusively on her sword.....her spells were largely intact, but she longed for rest......

Making up her mind, she spoke. "I need to sleep.....I need to put this day behind me....... We have all endured many battles since dawn.....some of us have injuries.... if we wish to succead..."

Her words trailed off.... and she gazed into the murkiness that lay beyond.......

Gwalchmai volunteered to take the first watch, while most of the others found semi-comfortable places among the rocks of the cavern in which to hide themselves. This cavern was probably not the safest place to rest, since it appeared to have been some sort of focal point or meeting place for the enemy. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being remarkable naïve, but really, they had no choice. Several members of the group were so exhausted, despite Rai’ya’s blessings, he thought they might fall asleep in the midst of battle. So, they had little choice but to be wary, watchful, and as hidden as possible.

Before most had even settled themselves, Farscape was snoring loudly. Bloodstalker unceremoniously stuffed an old sock in the warrior’s mouth, and then found a peaceful rock himself. Dragon Wench and Yshania slumped together against their packs. Aqua-Chan scratched at a patch of dirt, arched her back, turned around once, and then slumped down into a tight ball, with her tail twitching near her face.

T’lainya joined Gwalchmai’s watch, providing half-elven eyes to pierce the darkness of the cavern. Nippy, ever energetic, also volunteered to take the first watch with Gwalchmai, unsubtly suggesting that Gwalchmai might be too old to stay awake so long. Gwalchmai sighed and explained the druidical concept of Timeless Body to the young Paladin, while secretly vowing to spike Nippy’s ale with a temporary aging potion at his next opportunity.

Gwalchmai summoned a spirit lizard (with very large eyes) to aid in the vigil, and then settled down to watch the two entrances to the cavern. Little did they know, but a third entrance to the cavern also existed, standing closed, locked, warded, and covered by illusion.

Yshania made herself comfortable. Adjusting a few bits in her pack so that they did not dig into her, she wrapped her cloak around herself. It was not that she was cold, it was more to disguise the fact that she was not sleeping...she dared not in this place...dared not lower her guard too much. She would sink into reverie and rest there and reassess her spell repertoire, but she would not drift off into unconsciousness. She could not allow this evil one sliver of hold over her, not again...not if it was avoidable. Casting a sidelong glance towards Dragon Wench, Yshania noted that her friend was already gone...she looked so exhausted. Admittedly it had been a long day for all of them, but it had certainly taken more of a toll on her friend and understandably so. She shifted her position and closed her eyes. Her ears keen, she sub-consciously remained aware...her sixth sense instinctively active.

Her sleepy eyes resting on Dragonwench and Yshania, Vivien sighed sadly. She hated seeing the sadness, especially as she didn't know what to do about it.

She turned over again, hearing the clinking sounds of healing potions striking and rattling around in her pack. Maybe while the cat was sleeping, if she were really, really quiet, she could slip a few more down the picky creature’s throat. It was for her own good of course; cats could be SO stubborn.

Her thoughts soon wandered on and she shivered while pulling her blanket closely around her. Maybe now would be a good time to get a bedmate. Casually surveying the scene she tried to decide who would be the best bedmate, it had to be someone warm and comfortable. She immediately dismissed Nippy because of they're friendship, though he did look handsome in the flickering firelight. Bloodstalker had that 'afraid of magic' thing, and she wanted someone who actually would hug her as opposed to the possible 'away foul creature!' she might get from Bloodstalker.

Her thoughts were pulled away from their study of Gwally's comforting looking arms by a soft thump against her back. Turning over, she realized the rabbit had followed her. With a smile she pulled the furry creature into her arms and immediately fell asleep.

Silence and complete still were her immediate sensations. Dragon Wench found herself by the shore of a lake....snowflakes fell gently.....covering conifers and water with their caress. She was seated on an ancient log.......and beneath the snow lay the promise of aromatic humus........the spicy-sweet scent of pines bathed by afternoon sunlight......the emergence of new life. Puzzled, yet at peace, she wondered where she was..... then with something of a jolt...it hit her..... She suddenly knew with certainty that the cabin she had shared with Jerren was not far away from this place. She did not think, were she to try, that she could actually reach it, yet she was intuitively conscious that its presence lay just beyond the confines of her immediate awareness.......

Breaking the soundless hush that seemed to embrace all........a lone chickadee began to chatter importantly to himself somewhere above......and for the first time in what seemed too long a while....she smiled......The bird hopped down to a branch near her head and observed her with impartial curiosity........


Stirring......she opened her eyes......wondering if her departure into the snowy dell had been a dream or something other...... She still felt the calm.....Jerren's presence.....the animated chatter of the small bird. Almost strangely she also felt an awakening tranquility...... The ache, the agony and the longing remained....but somehow they had become encapsulated within a protective layer...... and the savage pain from before had lessened...... Perhaps, she thought, this was a compromise between living through constant anguish.....and her tendency to bury hurt in a place where it could not reach her.... For a few moments longer she contemplated the shadows dancing in the flickering torchlight.....and the sleeping faces of her companions.....and then.....deep, dreamless sleep overcame her. Unresistingly she succumbed, sinking slowly beyond all conscious knowledge or desire........

During her rest, Yshania carefully began her memorisation. Taking each known spell, she worked through it's possible usefulness before discarding it or committing it to memory. She imagined the visual effect of each, the sensation of each, and the effect of each. Running through them in her minds eye she imagined casting each one again and again until it was securely held. Once she was satisfied, she turned her concentration inwards, away from conscious acknowledgement of their surroundings, yet instinctively remaining alert, before pushing her thoughts out again 'Seek the beauty'. She was back with Mael.

For three years following her escape she had lived in a void. An attempt to withdraw from the pain. In isolation she fought the demons, trying to exact reason…to make some sense…her only respite was the numbing of the herbs so thoughtfully prepared and ministered by Mael. She worked the land alongside the druid, the physical exertion her most rewarding distraction. Through the long evenings Mael held one-sided conversations…never losing his patience, never forcing response. Speaking of his life, his loves, of all things that brought him wonder. Speaking of the Mother, of her grace, of the sanctuary of her untamed gardens, the bounty of her tended earth. Of the seasons and the tides, of the cycle that was life and death. The Mother was life and death. And with a balance of care and selection, she perpetuated the circle. The earth that bore fruit and sustained life, would greet you at the end of your days.

One evening by the fire, Mael continued to hum his song as Yshania's eyes were opened to the beauty...to the gift of nature. She turned from her reverie and regarded him fondly…suddenly overwhelmed by the appreciation and the love she felt for him. She rose from her seat and crossed to kneel beside him. Mael looked up, raising an eyebrow. Yshania tried to speak to him, to thank him for his unconditional care all this time, but her voice was lost after years of silence. Maels song died as he became aware of her struggle. This child he had loved without a name, without a known past, had become suddenly animated…

‘My child!’ he whispered, placing his rough palm against her cheek. Yshania fought to speak, but her voice would not even afford her a whisper. A tear tripped down her face, and Mael gently moved his thumb to catch it...

Then he did not say as he had back then, his expression was not as joyful as it had been, her heart leapt 'you have a challenge ahead, and it is disguised by the past yet threatens your future do not be blind to it's dark promise, do not take lightly it's threat. Someone here will die, and you will be instrumental...know your...

She snapped open her eyes before he could finish his sentence, her heart was pounding a heavy tattoo in her chest. Searching the room, she found her friends sleeping, or quietly conversing. Nothing was out of place that could explain this dark dread she felt...she rose and stretched her stiffened limbs and went to join Gwalchmai and T'lainya.

'Gwalchmai, T'lainya' she whispered, trying to banish the residual black emotion of the dream 'if you wish to take a break I am done. Thank you.' She settled beside them...

"There is little tolerance for those who sympathize." , the words echoed in Mysteria's mind as she watched Aegis slump back against the wall, all energy suddenly drained from him. He had been pushing his body for far too long, exhaustion made him look old and wasted.

"But you are different", she said softly, "You care.", she began to stretch out on the ground, then looked up once more, still marvelling that he had let down his guard. Now she could understand him so much better, his refusal to let himself be helped, the determination to push himself on no matter what.

"I know you care, we all know.", he had to stop trying to prove it or it would lead him straight to death. "Aegis, caring about others doesn't mean that you have to become oblivious of what happens to yourself.", ... your eye could have been saved..., she did not voice the thought, fearfull that it would only drive him back into his shell.

She stifled a yawn, waiting for a reaction, but none came. The ranger was breathing deeply and regularly, probably lost in the elfish state of dreaming. As the fire prince unsummoned, near darkness engulfed the cave and her last image of the elf was one of utter loneliness. I'll watch over you... she promised, until you watch over yourself again.

Upon this, she drifted off to sleep herself with Fang curled up by her side.

Surfacing from the warm, protective tendrils of sleep......swirling colour.....

With a start she found herself in a deep forest glade..... It was night.....the oft harsh glare of day replaced by silent anonymity.... the darkened cloak that played consort to silver lunar shadows. She was not alone......Jerren was seated on the ground nearby......they spoke little....simply enjoying the companionship and solace the moment offered. Seemingly far away an owl hooted.....sending shivers into the hearts and minds of the small creatures that were its prey. Even further into the distance, the solitary howl of a wolf went unanswered......into the depth of the night..... They both smiled..... each intuitively understanding the other's response to the melancholy infusing this ancient song


A cough sounded....echoing along the cavernous walls.... Abruptly her dream ended...and Dragon Wench awoke to the conflicting realities that had become her life. As she reflected upon her nocturnal sojourn......she felt a pang of sadness and loss. Above all, she realised that her profound grief stemmed not from the complete absence of her lover...but rather from the complete absence of her friend. She closed her eyes, unhappily aware that except for perhaps fleeting transcendental moments within the void, Jerren's friendship was lost to her forever. Sadly, she considered the implications of all that had passed, and she found herself wishing she could change so much of what had occurred. She didn't regret the depth of their love.....nor even the pain it had engendered.....but she ached at the fact that even their simple pleasure in one another's companionship could no longer be.

Dragon Wench sighed softy, and remembering the sense of tranquility within which she had managed to find a place, she struggled to re-enter that meditative state..............

An avian chirp greeted her.....and looking upwards she once more found the small bird observing her...... dispassionately yet with considerable interest....... She inhaled and then exhaled.....finding relief in the neutrality of her surroundings......

Bloodstalker let his eyes close, but even as his body relaxed he found that sleep eluded him. It wasn't the cold stone that served as his bed, he had often slept on such surfaces and his body had become used to it with the passing of the years. It wasn't even the past, the dark ghosts that lurked in his mind. No, this time it was something diferent, something physical weighing in on him from all sides. This place was alive, and not just with the drow and other such enemies. It was alive with the taint of the Abomination.

The magic, the unearthly power of the thing, filled the entire cavern, pressing against him as surely as the rock upon which his head rested. The power was immense, born of the the darkest magic, the greatest suffering of countless individuals. He knew that well. Hadn't his own suffering fed this creation? His doubts of earlier disappeared, and he knew that his suspicions of the connection between the chamber and this thing they were hunting was real. He knew, for he recognized a small part of the overall radiation, a small part that was himself, only dead and twisted, buried under a thousand other parts that equaled one whole.

He tried to focus on that power, to determine the direction of the source, to track it as he had tracked mages before, but it was too strong. The taint had been here to long, and had seeped into every stone in this place. All he could feel was a rythmic beating, almost as the pulsing of a heart, coming from all sides.

He gave up and considered the present situation. He had not lng been among the Dark Flames, but in that time he had glimpsed the hope of something he had long thought lost to him. He had been accepted, almost unquestioningly. Here he felt a part of something, felt among friends. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and one that he was coming to like. He wondered if that would continue once they knew.

But then, they already knew. The revelation hit him like a stroke of lightning. . Of course they knew, not all of it, but they did have an idea. He recalled the way he was passed over in earlier enchantment, when the party was Blessed or some other spell. They understood he had an aversion, but not only did they accept that, they had never openly spoken of it. They allowed him his space, to come to terms with whatever he struggled with.

And then he realized something else. They would help in any way they could. He thought back to Nippy's words when he had buckled cming out of the portal. He had promised to help him, without even knowing what that help might entail. And he believed him. He believed they all would.

Suddenly he felt quite foolish for his initial distrust in coming to this group. This was as close to what he had thought lost to him as he may ever get. he had wondered before what it might feel like to have a family, to lead a normal life with the normal emotions formed between people. He still was not certain how close he could ever get to another person, wasn't sure what level of intimacy would be out of his reach. He was unconvinced that feelings deeper than friendship would ever be within his reach. The scars ran to deep, and besides, he knew he was bound to journey back to the Chamber, and knew as well that it was likely to be his last journey anywhere. Could he, even if the scars left him able, form any stronger attachments knowing where his road was leading?

He had no answers. He had never considered the future at all. He had lived his life as if the path had been laid out before him with no say in the outcome. Now he wondered. He still knew he would go back to the Chamber, but now he had to ask himself, what if he didn't die there with the mages? What if he survived? The question brought a whole new set of unsettling and confusing considerations. He knew one thing, whatever the final outcome, whatever his fate, for the moment, in this dark hellish place, Bloodstalker was as close to peace as he had ever truly been. He was among friends.

Everyone else had drifted to sleep, except for the two Dark Flames on watch. Aegis just sat back, leaning against the cold rock that made up the wall of their camp. He gave his cloak a slight tug, creating a bit more slack in the fabric. As he grabbed hold of it, he really looked at it for the first time in several days. The once dark green travelling cloak was now marred with grey soot, and the some of the dges had frayed from the intense heat of the dragon breath. Also, a few holes were present in the fine material, places where a drow blade or arrow had found their way through. He sighed. The cloak was one of the last thing remaining of his life with Saran. He continued to just look out into the darkness, content with himself, to an extent, to remain that way. It wasn't until he heard a deep yawn to the side of him, and saw Fang stretch his back out, and patter off that he even moved. He only glanced, and watched as the wolf walked off for whatever reason it had, then turned back to the darkness. As he sat, the silence of the caves was broken by the quiet sound of teeth chattering. Again, he glanced over to his side, and saw Mysteria. She had curled herself up into the fetal position, her arms wrapped tightly around herself for warmth. It seemed, to Aegis, that Fang had been what was keeping her warm.

She must'nt be used to sleeping in these conditions, he thought to himself. So much courage, and bravery, yet she seemed so innocent. There was something about her that didn't seem to fit with the Dark Flames. The rest were battle hardend warriors, yet she seemed young in comparison, almost as if she followed some band of heroes into battle one day, and never went home. He found himself grinning slightly at the thought, and was almsot forced to stifle some chuckling. He then casually galnced at his battered cloak, He knew that his elven frame wouldn't do well, sleeping with a chill, and waking numb, so he couldn't sacrifice the warmth the blanket would provide him, but at the same time, he knew that Mysteria would need the warmth as well, or be numb for the arduous task that would greet them the next day. He came to one clear solution.

He shuffled himself down the wall, until he was right next the sleep woman. He gently lifted her, being sure not to wake her, and leaned her body against his chest, then wrapped the cloak around the both of them. Almost instantly, Mysteria had stopped shivering, and her teeth were no longer chatting. Aegis then glanced around the room, wondering where exactly Fang had gone off to. When he finally spotted the wolf, about forty paces away, and sleeping soundly, and gave himself a small smirk. Then, with a small yawn, he closed his own eyes, feeling he could trust the watchful eyes of the Dark Flames.

She sat, watching him for a long periods. Much of the time she didn't really see him. He was a simply a mandala, a visual mantra that she could focus on while she worked out her own feelings… her own sense of things.

It was odd, stepping out of time. There was, on the one hand, this incredible urgency to join her friends…as if she needed to be somewhere before it was too late…. because they needed her… because any fate was better than to fail, yet again. On the other hand, however, everything was displaced, frozen… silent. There was nowhere to be and nothing to do… except sit with yourself, endlessly unraveling choices and decisions in the pervasive air of melancholy that seem to infuse this place. Jerrenn had not said a word to her since he returned. He simply sat unmoving before the fire like a mound of slag jettisoned from a forge… depleted, leadened, and lifeless. Having dedicated herself to military life at a young age, her relationships tended to be either quick and intense or… well, quick. The slow, torrid epic that she had watch unfold for Jerrenn and Dragon Wench was both fascinating and disquieting to her. To put oneself at such great risk, no matter what the rewards could be, seemed foolish and naïve. Until she remember her men… Though warned, she had grown very close to them… knew their dreams, their hopes just as well as she knew their skills and their weaknesses. It just seemed to happen on its own. It didn't really feel like a choice at all, though she knew that it was. A series of tiny little choices, a string of "yeses" that had forged bonds of camaraderie and friendship. She knew she would have given her life to save even one of them, just as she knew that Jerren would have given his life rather than subject Dragon Wench to the anguished landscape the two of them now wandered. And then, without warning, it started again: the images of their defiled bodies, their hollow undead eyes accusing her, racing against her pain into the Shadow Master's liar, overwhelmed, the orcs coming and coming, her screams as she begged them to let her die…

Sweating and shaken, she roused herself. Endless time may be of benefit to the gods but it was an unhealthy thing for humans she decided. Too much of a good thing… Needing something to do, she wandered over to the fire to boil some water, wondering to herself if the same could be said for intimacy. It was only then that she realized that Jerrenn had left, once again.
********************************************

He reached the cabin only to find it empty. Saddened, he turned to leave when he happened to catch sight of her through one of the windows, sitting out in the wintry landscape. He started out the door to join her but thought better of it, deciding it was best to give her some space. Instead, he busied himself in the small kitchen making a small snack for the two of them when she returned, along with a hot spiced beverage.
*******************************************

"I understand you were looking for me," said Thantor with a bit more heartiness than he felt. Aqua-chan looked up quickly, obviously being startled back from some deep inner place. She saw that he had brought over a blanket to share with her. "You are too kind," she murmured, not really sure -- now that he was here -- what she wanted to say to him. Mistaking her discomfort for the battle-weariness, he placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "Let me see what I can do to help fix you up. Ok?" Knowing that the healing would give her some time to think, she nodded in agreement.

Thantor wrapped the blanket around her, making her feel slightly more comfortable physically. Mentally, she was nothing but a nervous wreck.

What can I say, she thought to herself. How can I word this out so that I can get my point across without causing a panic?

Than quietly sat down next to Aqua-chan. Vivien, who, had a small rabbit tucked snugly in her arms stirred slightly. However, she turned over on her side and returned to a gentle sleep.

"I didn't want to bother you before," Aqua-chan whispered, aware that Vivien might wake up at any time, "You seemed a little...preoccupied."

Thantor looked slightly dazed for a second, but his attention returned quickly with a snap. Despite his memories of a time since past, reality was here and now, and this was a matter that seemed important.

Aqua-chan sighed deeply, and as before, she realized that the air down in these tunnels was dry and deathly stale. "Thantor, the last time we met I had just begun to find my place in the world."

"The Druid Groves," he said to show that he remembered the time.

She nodded. "Right. Well, since then, I've grown away from the Grove. I didn't feel comfortable there... It didn't seem right. I know it sounds odd, coming from me of all people, but... They just didn't accept me.
So, I left the Groves and moved on. I wandered from land to land, jumped from party to party, have seen things that my ancestors always shielded away from others of my kind.
My last place was the woods in the far south. I found another Grove that I had never heard of... They killed all unnatural beasts in thier woods. They came after me, as well. I fought them with all I had, and brought many of them down. Soon, the fighting stopped, and before I knew what was happening, I was brought inside of the heart of the Grove."

Thantor shifted onto his other side, wondering how this had any effect on Aqua-chan's current problem.

Aqua-chan continued. "I was introduced to the leader of the Grove. She told me how I was a very powerful creature and that I may be able to help them, despite my heritage.
I was sent here, but not on my own will entirely. Coming here was a Test of sorts. A Test of acceptance from this Grove, to see if I was capable of keeping the Balance of nature."

"What kind of Test are you talking about? If this Grove knew that the Abomination was here, then they would know that there was no possible way for you to take out it and all of it's minions."

"That's not what was expected of me, Thantor. I was told to take out as many of the servants of the Abomination out as I saw fit to keep Balance. Not to fight them all entirely. But, this is not all I wished to tell you. There is more that I must speak of."

Thantor looked around uncomfortably. Undoubtedly, Aqua-chan was talking about the Shadow Druids. They were about the only Druids who would destroy vast numbers of unnatural creatures just because they happened to be in the same wood.

"Another command I was given was to make positive that the creature is not destoryed. If that is what the Dark Flames have come here for, I don't know how I will handle this situation. If I kill the Abomination, the Shadow Druids will kill me if I am found. If I protect the Abomination from the Dark Flames, then you all may have no choice but to attack me. I fear that this encounter between the two of us... might be my last."

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

On the other side of the cavern, the echoing voices of Thantor and Aqua-chan reached the ears of those who were half-asleep and those who were awake.
Fang heard it. As did the current watchers, and even the tiny little Miniature Space Mouse that hid in the corners heard, and when he did, she scuttered quickly over to Gwally and squirmed into the Druid's backpack hastily.

"Well, that is rather dramatic," said Thantor, not unkindly. "I am of the opinion that it is not a coincidence that we have met, and I certainly would not want this to be our last meeting. Why don't we consider this further and see if we can shed some light on it?" Aqua-chan nodded in agreement, a tiny spark of hope radiating in her eyes.

"So," began Thantor, "despite the fact that the Shadow Druids attacked you and probably would attack any of your kind, despite the fact that you have known them only briefly, and despite the fact that the Abomination poses a grave threat to the integrity of Faerun, you have decide to agree to their agenda? And further, how can you be sure they are not just using you -- that any part of what they are saying is truth?"

It was Aqua-chan's turn to shift uncomfortably, but she did not answer.

"You mentioned a test. But are you absolutely sure as to the parameters of the test? It is not uncommon in such situations to present a candidate with a moral dilemma to see how they will react, not necessarily intending that the course of action offered be cared out. However, if what you say is true, how can you agree to protect the life of a being so destructive and in league with such evil?"

"I have been told to maintane balance," she snapped defencively, and slightly more louder than she had intended. She quieted her tone. "So, you are telling me that protecting good is not a crime in the eyes of those who are evil? If you invert this situation, you'd see that either way, nothing I decide to do is, as you would phrase it, 'right'. "

"Perhaps," Thantor crossed his arms to show that he knew that he had to prove his point, "but, you are not evil."

Her glance met his, but this time, it was a bit more strong and cold than it had been before. She held that stare with him for a few short seconds, then she spoker her own opinion. "It has been a long time. Yet, you seem so sure that I haven't changed in the slightest. I may not be the same person that you met so many seasons ago, Thantor."

"There is not enough time for any person in the world to convert from a good heart to a black one. Yet, there is plenty of time to corrupt ones senses of right and wrong. You are not evil, Aqua-chan. You will never truly be evil, no matter how much you think that 'fate' and 'future' have to do with it. Think on this before you rest tonight. But either way, the decision is ultimately yours. Though, I can see that one choice my have a bit more hope for you than the other. Now, I bid you a good night, Aqua-chan." With that, he stood and left the hybrid to decide what path she was to take. They were drawing nearer to the Abomination, and her time to pick her future was running short.

Mysteria was soon in deep sleep, her body claiming its due with such force that she did not even worry about what dangers could lurk in the shadows. Lying on the cold ground, the coldness began to seep through her clothes as Fang decided to find a more comfortable spot.

She was trudging through deep snow which muffled all sound and forced her to push hard to make progress. Somehow, she was worried about the track she left behind, as if she were fleeing something ... sombody? She didn't know, where was Fang? Who was Fang? Disoriented, she stopped to look around, her gaze sweeping over the cliff towering to her right, dwarfing her in it's massive shadow. Searchingly, she tried to pierce the forest ahead, but dark shadows lay under the pine trees, hiding everything from sight. What if it was hidden in there? ... It? She shook her head to clear her thoughts, but still she was riddled.

Picking up her trail again, she smiled as the first flakes began to fall from the gray clouds above, they would cover her trail ... though she was still unsure why it bothered her so much. Soon though, the flakes fell thicker and thicker, hiding the forest from sight and turning the cliff into a thick, grey shape. An ice wind caught her cloak, blowing through her clothes, chilling her to the bone. The blizzard raged as she fought to keep going, not knowing where to, just knowing that she must not give up, her teeth degan to clatter and her limbs began to turn numb ...

Aegis shuffled himself down the wall, until he was right next to the sleeping woman. He gently lifted her, being sure not to wake her, and leaned her body against his chest, then wrapped the cloak around the both of them. Almost instantly, Mysteria stopped shivering, and her teeth were no longer chattering.

Suddenly, a bright light pierced the storm, shining warm and welcoming. Embracing it, Mysteria let it's warmth flood her body as the storm died and her mind was spirited away to gentler dreams.

Shifting in her sleep, never waking, she snuggled closer to Aegis, their bodies warming each other.

The warmth of the two bodies together brought memories flooding back into the Rangers mind. He was still conscious, unable to sleep, and had felt every move Mysteria made. He was exhausted, and his body just wished to quit, but he couldn't find the the strength to allow him to. Images of his former lover bombarded his mind. Her lilthe form, her long, flowing hair, her almond green eyes. This was the first time in several weeks he thought about her, and for the first time since leaving his home, and Sarn behind, he felt a pang of hurt in his heart. He knew that what he had done would more than likely cause him to never be accepted back at home, and it was unlikely he would be accepted for long at any other elven city. He had, in a sense, become an outcast of his people.

He hadn't been among the Dark Flames for long though, but, for some reason, he felt comfartable in their presence. They not only tolerated everyone, but welcomed almost everyone into their presence. It was something that was truly lacking in the world, and matched the rangers' ideals as well.

He rested his head back against the rock, feeling the cool hardness behind him. It was almost pleasant. The day of fighting now behind them had drained him, both physically and mentally, almong with the many wounds had received. Yet, laying down in the presence of these people, this woman, seemed to make them as if they were distant memories. There was just something pleasant about these people, something that seemed right.

*****

"They are at rest. Now is your chance to prove your loyalty to me..."

The voice rang inside Seir's mind, echoing throughout every inch of his head. It was a powerful, dominating voice, one that invaded his mind.

"I have many minions still to assist you in your task, as well as my own favour."

Seir nodded to the voice, but said nothing. His jaw was locked in place, a grim look of devotion marring the tanned skin. The man continued to walk forward, his pace slowing though.

"I will send three of my minions to assist. Be wary of them, but trust them. They will help you greatly."

Again, Seir nodded, then stopped his pace, and waited in place. the Shadow Master had bidden him, and thus he obeyed. Soon, though, he would be locked in vicious mortal combat with the Dark Flames.

Jerren smiled but did not reply. He placed the steaming mugs on the small wooden table and simply walked over to her and hugged her tightly. "I've missed you," he said softly. Arm around her waist, he guided her over to the table, where he had laid out a small assortment of meats, vegetables, breads, and cheeses. Much like Dark Poet used to do… once upon a time, he mused thoughtfully. Sitting down next to her, she felt him sigh deeply. "I appreciate your apology, Drina," he said quietly. "I'm no stranger to pain and anger… and in your place I probably would have done the same." He gave her a sidelong glance. "I probably wouldn't have apologized though… real men don't do that sort of thing." She elbowed him lightly in the ribs and he grunted, grabbed his side in mock pain… but both of them were smiling. He reached over and took her hand. "We're good… well, as good as anyone could be being having a relationship with the creature from the black lagoon."

"As to how I created this place… That's not an easy thing to explain." He took a slow sip of his cider. "If life is like a moving tapestry of light and matter, then the void would be the ultimate backdrop: unchanging, empty, and unmoving. Being in communion with the forces of the void highlights the dreamlike nature of this level of reality. This can be harness and directed, making "reality" more malleable. Magic works in a similar way, except that the Weave is actually an energetic network that is kept in place by divine power. The void would be druidic in comparison because it is more a force of nature. Does that make sense?"