Shulamite was able to get up after lunch. Her head still had a massive goose egg on it and the headache lingered but she was as determined as ever to prove to her uncle she was worthy of his charge. She was in the lab working on reagents when Rorie came in. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and spoke as he placed a loving kiss on the back of her head.

“How are you feeling Shul?”

She turned and beamed at her uncle, “I am feeling better, still in pain but recovering.” He smiled and nodded, “Good, I am glad to hear it.” He turned and walked to his side of the lab and began to prepare some ingredients for a new mixture he was working on. Shulamite watched him and swallowed hard before she spoke, “Uncle?” Rorie turned and looked at her with his deep, sparkling blue eyes. “Tell me again about my mother.”

Rorie looked at her and smiled, but there was sadness in his face. My sister, your mother, was a wonderful woman, powerful and precise with her magic. She and I were able to connect, much like I have been teaching you. We could think and move as one, a harmonious dance on the battlefield which was an unstoppable force. We were on an adventure, something to do with a Solamnic Knight, he was trying to regain his honor or a foolish quest along those lines. Back in those days we would take on any foolish quest simply for the sake of adventure. We made our way with him, out of Gryphonledge and up the coast. We entered Witchwood and encountered a band of Magi bent on destroying him, apparently he was not a Solamnic Knight but an outcast who had committed a great evil. Rayann was one of the hunters, her and Myth’Alas the Silvanesti Elf who once served the Dark Queen. Immediately they demanded his release into their custody.

Obviously, we refused, not for any loyalty to the man but if the White Robes wanted him so badly, we knew there must be some great power within him, and we decided to find out what it was before letting a potential treasure slip through our fingers. Myth’Alas attacked first, and your Mother flung a barrage of Arcanic Missiles that practically took out the forest behind him. Being an Elf he was fast, too fast, and he managed to penetrate her attack. As one mind I was able to teleport her out of the strike of his blade, and he landed on solid ground, but there was no target. The teleportation was unfortunately also the undoing of your mother, she was outside our protective sphere, and Rayann caught her off guard with a blast of searing light. I died that moment, with your mother.”

He turned and looked at Shulamite. “It was the severing of our minds that killed me that day too. We were one, and without her I was disjointed and alone. You were only six months at the time, we had you tucked away so we could run this mission, hoping to be back in a week. Unfortunately our fate is not always ours to decide. Your Father abandoned you before you were born, thanks to the natural prejudices of the Elves, and so I decided that I would not allow my niece to grow up alone in a dangerous world.”

Shulamite walked across the room and hugged Rorie. He gently stroked her honey blond hair. The power within her was incredible, It soaked through her and surrounded everything she touched. He inhaled deeply and spoke. “Remember the legend of your Mother Shulamite, you will need to draw on the emotion of those memories when you and I confront Rayann, for confrontation is inevitable. Surly Rayann is more than she appears, and she is not to be underestimated. There are some who even rumor that she is mad, somehow managing to maintain her hold of the White Robes simply though her mental manipulation of the other Wizards around her. Her mind magic is powerful, too powerful for a white robe. She even communicated primarily through missive, which lets you know, she enjoys playing with people’s minds.”

Myth was concerned to see Rayann in such a state. He got the strangest sense that it somehow involved their daughter Kali. Myth steeled his nerves as Rayann took his hand in hers knowing she was about to show him what was plaguing her mind. The elven prince was not expecting that he saw.

As he watched her take on her disguise to infiltrate Aeolis' room he grew slightly aggitated but only for a moment. While he did not approve she had managed to do something with relative ease that would have taken himself atleeast a small amount of time to plan. HIs attention was drawn to thing like she had been and he flowed with teh seen watching from her eyes. That battle was quick but Rayann's intent was clear. Myth could only close his eyes when he heard the scream.

As the scene faded away Myth took in a breath. The fear that she held in herself about what he thought was clear as day to him. As his mind analyzed things Myth cursed himself because he felt like a heartless monster. The woman Rayann was fighting was there daughter and Myth found it hard to be upset. With a sigh he lifted a hand to Rayann's chin using the cloth of his sleeve to dab away the tears. He spoke calmly and carefully.

"Rayann... do not worry about how I feel or how angry I may get. I am upset you went to investigate Aeolis' room on your own but at the same time you did it with an ease I could not have."

He sighed cursing himself once more "Do not fret over whether you hurt Kali. I felt the intent of your magic. Any damage you may have caused would have been superficial at best.""

He kept his eyes steady with Rayann's "I take no comfort in what I am about to say Rayann, but it has to be said. We can not fret over what harm may come to Kali. We will do what we can to minimalize when we can but your brother has tainted her mind against us. The gods themselves only know what lies your brother has filled our child's head with. Rorie will use the fact she is our blood against us Rayann. He knows we will be hesitant to engage her head on for fear of harming her."

Myth himself did not like the words he spoke but he knew what was at stake and he had to be the stone that Rayann could cling to in the harsh storm. "We have to do what we must without hesitation or it is going to cost us our daughter and our lives. Again I am not happy about what I say but I have travelled the roads of this world for to long and I have had to accept the harshest of realities. I hope you do not think me a lesser person for it."

He leaned up and kissed her forhead before pressing his own to hers falling silent. He was feeling particularly uncaring and heartless for hsi words but he knew they both needed to heaar them.

She looked out across the landscape. In the distance the fires of the Draconian armies burned sending soot and ash into the air. Her sharp Elven features flickered as the twilight sent eerie shadows across her face and she watched as the smoke gently ascended into the sky. How many times had she seen that sight, the smoke of burning villages as she and her uncle laid waste to those in opposition to the Queen’s will. If only her Queen could enter the world herself, how much simpler would it make things. She took in a deep breath and lifted her hands to her forehead, touching the knot left by the canopy of her bed as it crashed down onto her skull. She winced slightly as her finger brushed the wound.

Over an hour went by, she simply watched. Her dragon eyes brought the details in the distance into sharp focus, as if they were only a few feet away. She watched, breathing calmly, focusing, and feeling the magic of this world as it flowed. She looked up and smirked as she saw the almost invisible dark moon of Nuitari, what a fool to let his own mother steal magic away from him, some “master of the dark magic” he turned out to be. She lifted her hand and stared at her palm, whispering words of magic. Shadowy tendrils embraced her lily white skin and swirled like snakes wrapping themselves around a victim to squeeze the life out of whatever unfortunate thing managed to find itself captured in the powerful coils. She blinked and her lids followed the distinct texture of her reptilian eyes, she was still getting used to them, after all these years. She felt like that shadow serpent on her hand, coiled, about to seek out her victim, to wrap herself around her, to slowly squeeze the life from her and watch as the last breathes left nothing but hollow, dead lavender eyes.

“Rayann…,” she whispered the name, the murderer of her mother, the victim waiting to be snuffed out. “Rayann….,” the name caught behind her teeth as she clenched her jaw, the rage inside her building as she pounded the inside of her skull with all the thoughts about how the woman would die. “Rayann…,” the darkness that she would inject into her mother’s murderer, the pain she would inflict as she tore the woman apart with dark, ambient magic. “Rayann…” The name flew forth from her lips, she screamed it across the mountainside, the walls of this stronghold could not contain her voice, “RAYANN!!!!!”

Her head throbbed with pain, she used it to remind herself of the lost childhood she was a victim to! She used the discomfort as a reminder that she wouldn’t even be in this position if the woman who attacked her hadn’t also killed her mother! She felt her heart beating in the wound, faster and faster as she took quick, unsettled breathes.

She grabbed the duplicate quarterstaff and flung it across the room, it shattered a mirror that hung on her wall, the shards exploding out in all directions. She walked up and starred into the broken reflection of herself, the flame in her eyes as she found comfort in the thousands of ways she wished Rayann to die.

She stepped back to the window as she clasped her outer cloak, it was as inky black as her robes. The sweet smell of reagents penetrated her nostrils and she inhaled deeply, walking to the stand beside her bed that held the Staff of Winds. She grasped it firmly and the power within filled her, she had made connection with the staff, its magic was hers now and she embraced it lovingly. She walked to the door and into the hall making her way down the long hallway to the massive entryway of her Uncle’s castle. He was standing, waiting for her, his shadowy black robes seemed almost infinitely deep, as if one could walk right into them and fall out of existence.



“Niece, are you ready?”

She looked at her uncles sparkling blue eyes, such a contradiction to the dark magic he could wield. She nodded her head once and spoke gently, “I am ready Uncle.” He smiled softly and reached up, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Worry not, we are one. Heed my training, remember what we have practiced, and we shall defeat Rayann and Myth’Alas easily.”

She looked up at him, her dragon eyes scanning his face as she spoke, “Let us go, and avenge your sister, my mother.”

It was all Rayann could do to hold Myth’s gaze but she knew she had to. As Myth spoke to her, Rayann was able to feel the emotions within him and knew he didn’t like saying he words any more than she liked hearing them. It brought comfort to her knowing he wasn’t angry at her for engaging with Kali although he was agitated at her for taking matters into her own hands at first.

Rayann knew Myth was right though. Rorie had chosen their daughter to use against them on purpose. He knew neither of them would use deadly force against her. Or so he was banking on it. But Myth made a specific point to remind Rayann that no matter what, they HAD to save themselves and the people of Krynn in the end. If their daughter had to be sacrificed, they would cross that bridge when they got to it. But deep in the pit of her stomach, Rayann knew that while it would shatter her heart, she would continue on with the task she’d been given before she was born by the Gods. And right now, their daughter was the biggest threat to Krynn.

As Rayann felt Myth’s lips press against her forehead then find her own, she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned that kiss letting him feel just how much love she held within her for him. These moments like this were going to be precious and few from now on and she would relish every moment she could with him like this. Her voice slipped into his mind then and her voice was a quiet whisper.

~No greater person lives in all of Krynn. Mel’amin. As we have since we started out, we’ll face this challenge together and what ever may come from it, we will accept it and do what we must to insure life continues. I love you, Myth. With all my heart and soul.~

Shulamite and Rorie stood on the cliff side. Shulamites eyes looked over the vast army of Draconians, Warriors, Mercenaries and Wizards. They were at attention, 4,000 strong, looking up at the two dark figures on the rocky ledge overlooking their position. Rorie spoke, his voice was calm and though he spoke at a normal volume, magically the assembled army heard him.

“Today my brothers and sisters, we will deliver a great prize to our Queen. She will reward those of us who survive beyond or imagination. You all know the plan, and we will not settle for anything other than complete victory!”

The crowd roared, swords banged on shields, two handed weapons banged on chest armor and all at once 4,000 voices strong shouted “FOR THE QUEEN!”

The wizards moved to the front of the formation and began to cast their spells, opening portals to Silvanost.

Rorie looked at Shulamite and the shadows cast by his hood made him look ominous. He spoke to her, his voice was full of command, “Go forth my niece, I will follow on the mind link when it is time, be careful, and I love you.” She smiled and then her face twisted into a sneer, “Then let it begin.”

She vanished into a wisp of grey smoke.
--
The cobblestone road leading to the main gate of Silvanost was of obvious Elven architecture. It was ornate and over complicated, but in a way that exuded pure elegance and fine craftsmanship. From their posts, the handful of gate guards stood at ease, watching the forest. A quarter of a kilometer away a thin line of grey smoke appeared and shimmered slightly, right in the middle of the road. Four of the gate guards noticed the movement right away and turned to the gate captain. He ordered them forward to investigate and noted the disturbance in his log book.

The four soldiers of Silvanost brought their halberds low and advanced, their weapons trained on the thin slit of smoke that spiraled and swirled in the middle of the road. They stopped about ten meters away and watched with curiosity, the movements were mesmerizing, like a dance of hypnotic beauty. The corporal turned to the other three and spoke, “Eidali.” The three moved as ordered without hesitation. Then in the middle of the wisp appeared an orange dot, about the size of a glass marble, it shimmered and shined, growing in intensity. The Elves shielded their eyes as the tiny ball glowed so brightly it was like staring into the sun, and then an explosion rocked the forest, the report could be heard for kilometers, shredding the trees for a hundred meters in every direction. The four elves were instantly incinerated and the cobblestone road disintegrated into dust. The smoke slowly cleared and the silhouette of a single robed figure appeared; her head down. The alarms at the main gate instantly blared and guards scrambled to their positions, bows at the ready.

The figure looked up; from under the hood the Elves could see the flare of fire in the slit pupils, deep shadows masking the rest of her pale face. “IT’S THE WIZARD WHO KILLED NIM’SUL!” Shulamites lips curled into a sneer and she brought the Staff of Winds up in front of her as a hail of arrows was loosed from 2 dozen of the gate guards. The staff flashed a brilliant white light and a tremendous blast of wind exploded from where she stood, sending standing debris towards the gate, obscuring the vision of the guards as well as sending their own arrows back on them. Several of the Elves howled as razor sharp arrows pierced their leather armor and they fell from the wall. She hissed the spidery words of magic and drew in power, releasing a massive fireball that split into three halfway to the gate. The impact was like a meteorite and wood splinters exploded in all directions, taking massive chunks from the gate and setting the rest ablaze. The guards scrambled to get water buckets, and Shulamite shifted her weight into a leaned back, balanced position. The Staff of Winds was tucked under her arm as she brought her arms and hands beside her, palm to palm about 6 centimeters apart. She began hissing the words of magic and an incredible draw of magic started moving towards her, the space between her palms filled with inky black shadow that crackled with purple flashes of electricity and she focused her thoughts to cast her spell.

After Ceridwyn left, Aeolis stood in the center of his quarters brooding. His anger had no match right now and he was down right pissed Ceridwyn dared to enter his quarters the way she did and snoop around. He’d make sure that white robed bitch paid for what she did, one way or the other.

His thoughts of revenge were interrupted when he heard the explosions near the gates followed by the sounds of screams and more explosions. Running from his quarters he began barking orders at the guards who were off duty.

”Do not just stand there in disbelief! Gather your armor and weapons and defend the city! It’s what you swore to do!”

As Aeolis went to get his own weapons he was suddenly struck with a searing pain in his head that caused him to stumble and fall in his room. Clutching his head, he tried to fight off the pain but found the more he tried to fight it, the worse it got.

”By the Gods…..AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!”

His thoughts of gathering up his weapons and joining his fellow guards slipped from his mind and all he could think of then was finding Ceridwyn and thrashing her within an inch of her life before he slid his knife into her heart and stopping her heartbeat forever.

Slowly pushing himself to his feet, he found his knife and headed for the door. When he reached the doorway to the barracks, he looked tot the direction of the gates and thought he should be going that way instead. Another pain racked his head and he cried out again. No….Ceridwyn was the reason this was happening., If she’d left his staff alone, this wouldn’t be happening.

Pushing his way through the throng of people and soldiers, his eyes, now dark with shadows, searched for the face of the white robed bitch Ceridwyn. He needed to find her and kill her. Find her and kill her. Find her and kill her. Find her and kill her.

Myth could only smile and stood reluctant to leve Rayann's embrace. Reaching into behind his person he drew forth the wooden box laying it on the table with a smile. "A gift for you... I hope you like it."

Myth set about to making tea for the two of them to spend their remaining time before the dinner in peace and silence. Darkness had began to settle and Myth roused himself from his seat to begin putting on his gear and armor. While he did not think going fully armored and armed to his father's would be well recieved given the events of the last couple days. He reminded hiimself it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Myth's thoughts were lost as he examined each piece before pputting it in place or securing straps. Other than the guantlets themselves the armor was a gift he had earned over the years from his sword master during service to the queen. However it bore no markings of the queen. Because of the need to mingle every so often and remain unseen it had been forged without many of the trademarks of a dark servant. The guantlets had been the one exception because Myth already possessed a pair that he insisted on using.

The detonation of a fireball roused Myth from his thoughts his brow furrowed. Within moments the call of an attack was beeing spread. This was far sooner than he had anticipated. Clearly some sort of agenda had been jump started and Myth cursed as he reached for a bandelier of daggers and locked his retractable wrist blade. A deep sense of forboding hit his stomach as he emerged into the main area of his home

"I think our family reunion is at hand my love."

There was a serious look of determination and concern etched into Myth's face as he produced two rings from his pocket and slipped one on each hand. On one hand was his family signet and the other a black pearl cradled in a mythril setting.

Ceridwyn was moving through the halls of the barracks and had just made it outside when the explosion erupted from the forest. Her eyes went wide as she saw the canopy of trees disappear and reveal open sky. The alarm blared and she ran towards the gate, up the outer stairs and to the top of the wall. She shivered as she saw the dark figure and she knew immediately who it was. The head of the guard yelled that it was Shulamite and she watched in horror as the blast of wind caused the arrows loosed by the guard to be used against them. The blast of air was so intense it knocked her off the wall and she cast feather fall, gently floating to the ground, landing nimbly on her feet. She spun and was about to yell to the guards when three more explosions hit the wall and sent wooden debris in all directions like daggers. She cast a protective sphere of light around herself and a wooden shard about the size of her forearm exploded into splinters as it hit the shield about where her chest was.

She gasped and turned, heading towards the taller, secondary inner wall, the original defensive perimeter of Silvanost. It was modified to be taller so that it could look over the main wall but was only half the thickness. She ascended the inner stairs and looked out across the spance between the wall and Shulamite. The Black Wizard was reared back and concentrating. Ceridwyn could feel the pull of magic gathering in towards Shulamite, but there was no tapping of the ambient magic yet. “By the gods,” she whispered, if this was simply the power of her magic before using the ambient, she was going to be able to raze all of Silvanost to the ground once she got going. Ceridwyn hissed the words of magic and cast in Shulamites direction. The spell placed a massive arc of light in front of her, a shield of sorts that would absorb or deflect whatever it was that Shulamite was about to try and do. In the chaos she never noticed Aeolis who was on the ground behind her, just outside the barracks, her white robes sticking out like a sore thumb against the natural colors of the wall and the forest behind her.

Rayann began to feel herself calm and find her center once more. When Myth presented her with the gift, she opened the wooden box and looked at the rose. Its delicacy caught her attention right away and she gently picked the rose up from where it laid. Cradling it in her hand, she gasped softly as the rose bud actually bloomed as it lay on her palm.

~It’s beautiful, Myth. Thank you.~

Walking to the mirror, she placed the rose hair pin in her hair and saw the way it seemed to sparkle with life. Smiling, she turned her smile to Myth once more and nodded.

~I would be honored to wear it tonight~

Removing the pin from her hair she set it back in the wooden box and once more was amazed when she saw the bloom return to a bud. Closing the lid to the box, she set it on the night stand beside their bed then helped Myth prepare the tea. It was just what she needed and it helped calm her even more.

As Myth prepared for the meeting with his family, Rayann did as well. After a much needed bath and donning more formal attire under her robes, she was once more absorbing herself in her spell book when the sensation struck her so suddenly, she lifted her head from her book and looked towards the door.

The instant the thin, grey line of smoke appeared on the cobblestone road leading to Silvanost appeared, Rayann was very much aware it was there. Gasping sharply as she felt the disturbance in the magical flow around her, she knew something was about to happen. All too soon she felt the ground shake as the rumblings of an explosion rocked the ground. Even the trees that held the homes of the Silvanesti were not immune to the rocking.

The sounds of war suddenly filled the air along with the sounds of panic and chaos. Feet could be heard scrambling as they ran either towards or away from the destruction that was now raining down on them. As Myth appeared in the main room with her, Rayann looked over at him as he said the words each of them dreaded to hear.

~I fear you are right. What ever happens, we will have each other. Don’t forget that.~

With a wide circle of her hands, Rayann opened a portal for them to step through that would take them to the heart of the fray. When they stepped through, they were instantly transported to the gates. Glancing at Myth, Rayann knew this was going to be an all out fight. This day, many would die. Rayann just prayed they could somehow keep the number of Silvanesti on the low side but something told her not to hold her breath.

Seeing the gates in ruin and the many casualties that had already been taken, she knew this was no petty conflict. That was going to be all out war and the land of the Silvanesti was the unfortunate host of this war. As Rayann looked out and saw Kali preparing another spell and felt the draw of magic towards her, she quickly whispered a prayer to the Gods for their wisdom and strength to do what she had to do. As the flow of the magic around her began to flow through her, Rayann slowly drew her hands before her. Before her spell could be completed, she saw the arc of light and kknew one of the other mages was helping protect the city which would give Rayann the opportunity to make a defensive move and hopefully disrupt Kali's spell casting. Not to mention try to find a way into the girls mind to thwart Raroie's mind link he had established with her.

Rayann knew she would have to confront her daughter sooner or later, but right now she had to give the Silvanesti people the chance to seek shelter from this sudden and violent attack upon their home. Quickly casting another spell, Rayann sent a bolt of sheer energy towards Kali in an effort to distract her and find a way into the childs mind.

Aeolis zeroed in on Ceridwyn like a Minotaur zeroing in on a red cape. All around him death and destruction erupted but all he could do was stay the course he knew he had to stay. The white robe mage was doing her best to fend off shrapnel and block any more danger from reaching the city but Aeolis knew she wouldn’t be a match for the woman child on the other side of the gate.

With a maddening grin about his face, Aeolis moved up closer to Ceridwyn and was well within striking range when he pulled his knife back to plunge it deep into the back of the mage. But that’s when he stopped. There was a struggle happening in his mind and his heart. And it clearly showed on his anguished face.

What had Ceridwyn done to him that he wanted to kill her so badly? She violated the rules! But she did so out of concern for her people. People who sneer at you behind your back and think you a fool. She doesn’t deserve death. YES SHE DOES! ALL DESERVE DEATH!

Aeolis felt the searing pain in his head once more and he screamed as the pain grew maddening. He clutched his head as he held tight to the large knife in his hand and as he looked at Ceridwyn again, he saw red. She was the cause of the pain! She must die for the pain! No…she is innocent. No one is innocent! Kill or be killed! It’s the way of war!

Aeolis pulled his hand from his head and looked at the knife he held in his hand then looked to Ceridwyn as she tried to defend the city. Shouldn’t he be trying to defend the city as well? NO! The city will be no more! You will be sent to a magnificent castle when all is said and done! Where you will have loyal subjects to rule. More loyal than these pathetic creatures.

Aeolis screamed as the pain ripped through his mind again and he couldn’t take it any longer. Unable to stop himself, he lunged for Ceridwyn, the large knife raised high to penetrate deep into her body.

”DIE NOW!”

Ceridwyn turned sharply as she heard the scream, and took in a breath as she saw Aeolis lunge at her. She moved to the side but she was no nimble warrior, the blade caught her in the gut and she shrieked as the pain gripped her. Her pristine white robes drenched instantly with the crimson signature of her wound and she hissed words of magic, trying to concentrate, but it was no use. She was weak and the pain was too much.

Several guardsman witnessed the attack and grabbed Aeolis, yanking him off Ceridwyn, one of the confronted him, “Sir, what are you doing?!” The knife ran the Elf through, Aeolis face twisted in rage as her locked eyes with Ceridwyn once again as he pulled sharply on the blade, removing it from the dead guards chest. He lifted the knife above his head, no technique, just two hands clasped white knuckled on the blade and preparing to end Ceridwyn’s life. Three more guards tackled him and the blade went flying. He stood, fighting the men bare knuckled, practically taking one of their heads off with a stiff haymaker of a punch that sent the Elf to the ground, his jaw twisted and broken.

Ceri grit her teeth and made it to her knees, she exhaled sharply and drew in a breath, putting the pain out of her head. She released sparkling sand into the air and hissed the words of magic, Aeolis collapsed under the effects of the sleep spell, and Ceridwyn collapsed under the strain of her wound. She looked up at one of the guards and whispered, “Bind him…” just as the blackness of unconsciousness took her.

Shulamite felt the magic in front of her and stopped her cast. Opening her eyes she sneered and waved her hand, an arc of shadow erupted and slammed into the spell before her, disintegrating it effortlessly.

She tucked the staff back under her arm and spoke the words of magic once again, her hands erupted in shadow and she thrust them forward, releasing a hissing sphere of shadow and purple electricity that erupted against the seam of the gate doors, exploding both of them off their hinges and killing several dozen Elves standing behind them. She readjusted and brought the Staff of Winds up in front of her, she whispered “Oshirak” and spoke into the top of her staff, it magnified her voice and all within the city could hear her.

“Your main gate is shattered, your walls will not hold back the horde, surrender now or you will all die, I will give no second chance, there will be no negotiations.”

The voice went silent and all the Elves around the impact area were recovering and attempting to readjust. One mage had brought down their wall, one mage had caused all this, what else was possibly coming their way?

Shulamite stood alone ever still, a solitary figure of darkness. A shadowy sphere emerged, surrounding her to thwart any attempts of attack. She brought the staff up as dozens of portals began to appear around the entire city speaking into it once again, “You have one minute to decide!”

Aeolis shrieked as he knew what spell Ceridwyn was about to cast on him. But it was too late. As he lunged for her yet again to kill her with his bare hands, he fell flat on his face in the peaceful slumber of the spell. It didn’t take the guards long to quickly bind him and haul him off. Tossing him into one of the empty cells, they closed the door and left to try and defend the city as best they could.

As Ceridwyn’s blood stained not only her robes but the ground beneath her, a pair of gentle hands picked her up and carried her slight form away from the terrible battle that was happening all around her. It was almost as if Ceridwyn and her unknown rescuer were oblivious to all the others that ran about to try and fight the enemy attacking their fair city.

Things grew very quiet for Ceridwyn and she felt a sense of peace and warmth. When she tried to open her eyes, a soft, feminine voice whispered to her. It sounded very much like Tanjee’s but Tanjee had never, ever called Ceridwyn Ceri.

”Shhhhhhhhhh….you need your strength to heal, Ceri. You are safe here. Let the magic heal you and when the time comes for you to awaken again, you will. Until then…there is nothing but sleep my sister in magic.”

There was only one who had called Ceridwyn that but…that was impossible. Tanjee’s mother, Marileldë, was dead. Wasn’t she?

Ceridwyn felt the warmth of a gentle spirit and attempted to open her eyes, but it was as if something was gluing them shut. She tried to speak, but she barely croaked and then the voice filled her. She felt the warmth of the light and the pain was manageable now. The sound of that voice, the calling of her name, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but, it couldn’t be… it couldn’t… She barely had time to make another attempt at speaking when she felt unconsciousness taking her again, this time however it was a warm feeling of peace and safety, the kind of thing a child might feel right before falling asleep in a parents arms.

Myth stepped through the portal and into the chaos. His eyes were scanning the battlefield taking in everything. This battle was going to cause a lot of damage if it went on for to long. Tightening one of the straps on his guantlet Myth saw the spell cast upon the wall and knew before looking Rayann was starting to cast her own magic in kind.

His eyes were cast in the direction of Kali but he was ever mindful of everything around him. As Rayann let the spell fly Myth stepped forward past Rayann drawing the Blue Moon. The runes gleamed with a pale blue hue and Myth stood silent and still as a statue a couple paces ahead of Rayann and just to her right so as not to block her view.

The feint cry of a females voice sounded from the walls where the other mage had been. Myth did not glance he simply closed his eyes for a moment before settling his gaze towards his daughter's direction once more. He took in a deep breathe and exhaled waiting patient as a stone. Almost instinctively he knew that Rorie was not yet there but had the ability to be at a moments notice. His mind linked with Rayann's a slight smile graced his lips before fading.

The main gates shattered and Myth began to walk towards the smoking remains. He heard the voice of the woman that was his daughter. His heart ached but his resolve held firm. Eyes were upon Myth as he walked to the gates. He spoke in a boomning voice barking orders to get the wounded moving and that all should fall back to the secondary line. There was no time to sit and weep. People scrambled and moved trying their best to do as ordered. Soldiers moved to form up on Myth but he waved his hand ordering them to the walls.

The terms were given and Myth drew the bow from his back. He requested a signal arrow from a soldier and when it was given Myth notched it in place. He gaze was steady and his aim was true. He let loose the arrow uttering hte word to light it for all to see. Myth knew the arrow would never reach but the signal was clear and it was aimed at his daughter's head (well a hair above it... damn elven accuracey).

The bow was cast aside and Myth stood like a sentinel waiting with blade drawn.