The spell cast by Rayann came flying out of the open gate and Shulamite reacted quickly, buffering the shadow sphere around her and bracing. The spell was powerful and it exploded against her shield. She grit her teeth as her body literally slid backwards several meters on impact and she pushed back, pressing magic into the sphere and stopping the spell from Rayann dead in its tracks. She looked up, flicking a lock of her hair that had come out of place back behind her ear. She saw Myth step forward and fire the signal arrow, clearly it was not meant to be an attack, but more a brazen shot of warning. Her own Elven instincts coupled with the keen accuracy of her eyes deduced immediately that the arrow would fly just inches over her scalp, and she stayed fast, the arrow zipping past and sticking in the ground behind her with a distinct thud.

The right side of her mouth curled upwards into a beautiful sneer and she whispered, “So that is your answer.” Her arms went up and she threw her head back, the portals erupted with a horde of ferocious creatures of all types. Irda, Draconian, Human and Dark Elves burst forth, smashing themselves against the defenses of Silvanost. Black and Grey robed Wizards stepped through as well, raining fire and destruction beyond the walls. Shulamite leveled her gaze and felt his presence, her uncle behind her. “Welcome to the party Uncle.”



Rorie looked over his Nieces head as he spoke, his eyes narrowed on Myth, “You have done well Shulamite. Now let us show them the true power of ambient magic.” He stepped forward and their robes touched, an intermingling of cloth forged a spark between them and hissing magic exploded in every direction. It was so strong that the ground quaked as it moved out in shockwaves, and Rayann would suddenly feel a sickening feeling. It was an after effect, not only feeling but seeing the instant spark of oneness that formed between Rorie and Shulamite, somehow, someway, Rorie and accomplished a complete mind connection with Shulamite. But there was also a tingle in Rayann’s frontal lobe, a feeling she had not felt in months, the same sensation that would occur when she connected with Rorie. Suddenly, she too could feel Shulamites mind, it was faint and distant, but it was there. Dark magic could be felt coursing through her daughter, the motion and movement of energies being pressed and twisted in order to accomplish the utmost destruction. Most importantly, she could feel that currently, and presumably as long as the two black robe wizards stayed in contact, their defenses would be completely and utterly impenetrable. Rayann knew this magic well, it was the same magic she had experienced her entire life until her mind was separated from Rories.

The pulse of magic coming off of Shulamite and Rorie intensified even more, and the two began to chant in unison, they were words the Rayann would partially recognize, intermixed with ones she would not, and then they chant shifted. Rorie continued to complete the incantation while Shulamite drew ambient magic into the collective, the sensation to any non ambient using magician would be felt for hundreds of meters, a sickening, wretching feeling of the shredded magic, Rorie’s eyes focused, there were only seconds left before he released a spell that Rayann could only imagine would take out hundreds of people in its wake.

As Rayann felt Myth within her, so did Myth feel Rayann within him. As Rayann worked as one with Myth, she settled her gaze on Kali. As the sphere appeared around Kali the staff began to glow allowing several ports to appear that would potentially allow the enemy to be transported to Silvanost, Rayann closed her eyes as Myth’s arrow was sent towards Kali.

Before the sphere was brought up around her, Rayann had found an opening in Kali’s mind that allowed her access to the girl. Shrouding herself carefully, Rayann began searching for that flaw that would allow her to eventually reach Rorie and sever the link he had with her.

What disturbed Rayann most were the twisted thoughts of revenge and hatred and the sheer rage she felt coming from the child of her and Myth. Steeling herself to not break now, Rayann clenched her jaw as she fought through the chaotic ramblings to seek that poisonous root that had taken hold.

What seemed like forever to Rayann was mere moments in the real world. She had to hand it to Rorie, he had done his homework well. But he remembered Rayann, the sister he once had. He wasn’t familiar with this Rayann. Pushing further, Rayann was beginning to think it was fruitless when she found what she was looking for. Now the most difficult and important part of the task would need to be performed.

Rayann locked onto the familiar signal of her brother and, as she stood behind Myth, her lips moved but no words could be heard. As she moved her lips in a silent spell casting, her hands clasped gently together before her that made it look as though she were praying and that wasn’t too far from the truth. As she asked the Gods for their strength, she prepared a spell she had been studying but had never cast as of yet due to the danger is could cause to the intended target. And while her target was not the mind before her, it was still a mind she linked to the one before her.

All noise was blocked out as Rayann concentrated. All she heard was her heartbeat, Myth’s heartbeat and Kali’s heartbeat. All three hearts were beating in perfect synchronization. And while she couldn’t hear any distinct difference in them, she knew exactly whose heartbeat was whose.

When she felt Rorie in her own mind as well as Kali’s, Rayann knew he was there, in the flesh now, and the time to do what she must do had come. As she felt that sickening feeling in her stomach telling her they were about to cast a spell so powerful it would annihilate everything in their path, Rayann reached out to the flow of magic around her and drew more into her than she had ever done.

With the aid of Myth’s mind linked to her own, Rayann did something she had never done before. Blinking out of sight of where she stood, Rayann suddenly blinked to stand only a foot before Rorie and Kali. Using Myth’s speed, Rayann reached forward and with all the strength she could muster, she placed one hand on Kali’s shoulder and the other on Rorie’s shoulder as she spoke one, empathic word releasing her spell, pushing both of them in opposite directions.

~SEMOVEO~

A bright eruption of a blue and red engulfed all three mages as the spell was cast on both Kali and Rorie. The strength Rayann had in her actions was not the strength she normally had. Her strength was much stronger than she was possible of containing. The word she spoke was a powerful severing spell intent on severing the link Rorie and Kali had with each other.

Rorie could feel the build up, magic was swirling around he and his niece of such intensity he could barely contain the sapping of strength against his body. He was merely half a second from releasing the single most powerful spell that would have ever been released on Krynn by a mortal, when a flash of light engulfed his brain. He saw black, then red, and then felt the crashing pain of impact as he hit the ground. Instinctually he hissed a spell, creating an extremely powerful barrier around himself, and then almost instantly a second spell that turned his skin as hard as dragon scales. He knew what was most likely coming, and as he shoke the daze from his mind he reached out mentally to find Shulamite. The searing pain hit him like a shot as the mind connection severed, and he wailed in anger and physical pain, gripping the sides of his head.

He wobbled to his feet and turned, looking at Myth, knowing that the Elf sword slinger would surly be following. Suddenly a barrage of shadow bolts and arcane missiles erupted as Rorie cast in all directions before him, seemingly simultaneously, he, like his sister, was capable of casting so fast it would dazzle the eye.
--

Shulamite was concentrating, she felt the pull of magic and as she interlaced the ambient magic around her uncle and herself, she knew the damage and destruction that was about to be laid onto the city of Silvanost would be epic. Her eyes were shut, she needed every ounce of her concentration while she wove the magic together, ambient and arcane. The only awareness she had was the electricity moving between herself and her uncle, the movement of two, working as one. They had done it so many times, they had practiced relentlessly, and this was now the magnum opus. The presence of Rayann was so sudden she didn’t even have time to break her concentration. The White Robed wizards hand hit her and the explosion that occurred was witnessed by every single being in the area, a dazzling array of darkness, red and white light, exploding into the atmosphere above the three wizards.

Shulamite felt the sensation of impact from her head to her toes, and her shoulder separated from the connection with her uncle. She soared through the air, landing with a stunning impact, the Staff of Winds coming loose from her grip. She rolled over and her head banged against a rock, splitting her skin open and she began to bleed steadily into her honey blond hair. The sticky liquid was warm and gelled quickly into her hair as it cooled. She moaned and felt the same dizziness she had experienced when the canopy over her bed had crashed down on her.

She reached forward and grabbed the Staff of Winds, bringing it to her chest and hissing magical words, more out of instinct than clear thought. The staff head glowed intensely and an arc of light engulfed her, encasing Shulamite like a mummy, protecting her from outside attack. She rolled over and attempted to get up on all fours, her knees weak as the pain in her head throbbed against her skull. She reached up and touched the back of her head, the blood made her hair feel nappy and dirty. She cursed under her breath and looked up, Rorie was on the ground, several dozens meters away holding the sides of his head and screaming as if his mind was being attacked, but Rayann was also laid out, blasted back as well. Shulamite was not sure of what Rayann had just done, but as she attempted to stand again, she had it on her mind to finish off the white robe once and for all.

By virtue of his heritage alone Myth could feel the draw of power being collected by Rorie and Kali. Whatever the two were casting it was gonig to be devastating. Myth was about to move when he felt the connection with Rayann strengthen and for a brief moment he felt the unified beating of hearts. It was one of the strangest things he had ever felt and it gave him a moment of pause before the sensation of Rayann's magic gathering brought his mind back to reality. He felt a draw from his being and then suddenly He saw Rayann before the two black robes reaching out to them. Myth flung up his hand as the magic erupted shielding his eyes from the light.

The smell of the expelled magic filled the air and all had gone silent. Myth quickly looked around noting that the eruption itself had bewildered many of the gray robed wizards and Myth could quickly accounted for Rayann, Kali, and Rorie. His eyes focused solely on the male wizard and Myth began to move. Already he could see Rorie and Kali rousing. His first instinct was to help Rayann but his eyes remained on Rorie as the wizard grasped his head screaming in pain before he started to fling magic wildly. Knowing the power that Rorie wielded this was not something that could continue for long, his path was clear.

Bringing Blue Moon up before him Myth charged in Rorie's direction. Behind him he could here the thunk of arrows as the elves began to take advantage of the break in the situation. Black bolts of power were flying in every direction and as Myth drew nearer to the source the runes on his blade glowed. Myth swung at a bolt in a swinging motion as it careened towards him. There was a brilliant blue light as the blade struck the bolt. A dark current of energy now ran along the blades length. Myth saw a gray robe off to his left preparing a spell and with a flick of the blade the cascading energy on Blue Moon erupted towards the gray robe. Myth ignored what happened as he burst into his full speed.

The distance would be covered in moments and as Myth drew nearer to the flailing mage he muttered a word touching the black pearl ring. The air within a ten foot radius of Myth shimmered for a moment and Myth began to slow slightly. One of Myth's specialties when he was the chief assassin was with magic casters. It was long thought his speed was the key because he could move and engage faster than a wizard could cast. While effective it was the ten foot magical dead-zone around Myth that gave him his true advantage. Blinding speed, superior combat skills and the ability to negate a wizard's power, all the trappings of a mage killer. With sword at the ready Myth slowed within five feet of Rorie with a slow and deliberate walk. Emerald eyes blazed with an inner fire as he looked upon the former white robe. He would have pitied the man once but not now, not for what he had done.

Rayann felt a searing pain in her head as the severance spell worked on both Rorie and Kali. The spell knocked her back and like Kali, her head hit hard on the ground, but not a rock. Still, she was dazed enough to feel a strange humming in her head and wonder what was going on. Everything was muffled. Rorie’s screams and the sounds of the battle around her. The only thing she COULD hear with certainty were the three heartbeats she heard prior to her spell casting.

As Rorie cast his chaotic dark bolts in all directions, Rayann felt the magic current around her swirling like a tempest in a storm. There was no set flow of the current, all she knew was that it was flowing, and rapidly. Rolling over to push herself up, Rayann wasn’t aware of the danger she was in from Rorie or Kali.

As she became aware of her surroundings, Rayann saw the utter chaos that once was a peaceful and quiet Elven city. War, as she suddenly realized, was uglier than any thing she had ever seen before and as she watched the way the magic in Krynn was being used in a perverted and disgusting way, she felt her heart constrict within her chest.

It became crystal clear to her now, as she sat in the middle of an epic battle and watched the world around her transformed into a place she didn’t recognize. She was a child of the Gods, given as a gift to this land by mortal beings. She was sent to save Krynn from being destroyed by those who wanted nothing more than to boast of their conquests and achieve greater material things. But Krynn was more than just material things.

The very essence of Krynn was a living breathing thing and as this living, breathing thing was being torn asunder by unnatural magic wielders and the want to conquer, Rayann began to feel as though her very soul was being torn from her being. She knew now what Krynn itself felt like. She watched as magic spell from a white mage was sent flying toward a black or gray mage. Both sides were dead set to kill the other. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Slowly staggering to her feet, Rayann looked around her and saw that she literally stood in the middle of this fight, between Myth’alas, Rorie and Kali. Tears fell down her cheeks as she lifted her face to the heavens and held her hand up over her head as she spoke to the Gods above who seemed to have stopped listening.

”I know now what you’ve been trying to teach me all along. Forgive me for being blind to the ways of man. It’s not one side or the other that will maintain the balance. It’s the ones who stand in the middle, as I stand in the middle of my love, my daughter and my brother who are all at odds with each other who will bring balance back to the world. I beseech thee, Solinari, Nuitari, Lunitari, give me the strength to do your work in this world and end this battle and I give you my word I will follow the path you have given me to follow for it is the only way or world, the world you created. The world you brought me and my twin, Rorie, into can truly be saved. The world you allowed a Prince of the First People to meet me and find he was not who he thought he was. The world you blessed us with a beautiful daughter as symbol of the love we have for each other and this world. I, as your true daughter of mortal blood, pledge my oath to you.”

Dropping to her knees, Rayann bowed her head and leaned forward, stretching her hands out and pressing her forehead to the ground beneath her. Her voice was barely audible as she whispered in an emotionally filled voice.

”I beg you…..let us show our daughter what love she missed from her true parents and I know she will see the world as it really is and want to help right the wrong when the veil of deceit is lifted.”

Shulamite stood, her eyes fixed on Rayann. She turned her head as her eyes caught movement. She saw Myth, or more appropriately the blur of Myth moving across the space between the wall and Rorie in a millisecond. She could feel the anti-magic energy burst forth from him and she knew it was going to be a disaster for her uncle if she didn’t intervene…

She turned her head again, watching Rayann, but she couldn’t move, she didn’t move, she simply stood, in awe, she could hear Rayann’s thoughts, Myth’s thoughts, there were prayers, and there were thoughts of revenge, prayers and revenge to bring justice for the theft of their… daughter. The world seemed be moving in slow motion. Shulamite turned again and looked at Rayann, prostrate on the ground; she listened to the prayer to restore their… was it really true? Was this her mother? Was this her father? But how…, no, Rorie had told her, she believed…her mother was dead, her father a son of a bitch elf that couldn’t get over the petty prejudices of his ancestry, the wound in her head throbbed as she tried to think, she could feel the blood still flowing into her honey blond hair.

Her mind was full of clouds; there was nothing but a foggy haze obscuring everything she knew. The truth, was not a truth, the realities she knew were falsehoods, tales spun and believed by the ignorant, believed by… her. She turned and looked at Rorie, she sent him a missive, but he did not hear. She wanted to ask him, she wanted to hear that this was all a horrific trick of a mad wizard parading herself around as a white robed mage, a lunatic who was selfishly advancing herself through the ranks of sorcery … She shifted her gaze, Myth was moving ever closer, there was blood lust in his eyes, and she could hear his thoughts… “How dare you steal my daughter you piece of shit!” She turned, Rayann was still in prayer, pleading her allegiance to the moon gods, asking them to beseech her and give her the strength to restore balance, …. balance…, restore true magic, the purpose of her and her… twin. She turned and looked at Rorie, how on Krynn had she not seen it, how the hell had she not seen the faces, how they matched, the casting was identical, he was nothing more than the broken relic of a plan, a mad man that had done…. Something, she didn’t understand how, or what, but she knew this was the truth, she could, feel it.

Shulamite was torn in the maelstrom, she felt her world being shredded and she needed time, space, the quiet to think. She watched, Myth’s cold calculating stare, the stare of fate, death was imminent for Rorie, it was merely a matter of the cut, a cut that was beginning even as she watched, the thrust of the blade was in motion, the movement of certain death strung by the fierce arc of blue runes, tracing their path like a Marionette to the exposed neck of a helpless wizard on his back, and then suddenly, Rorie vanished. Her hand outstretched, she watched over her fingertips as Myth’s blade sunk into the soft soil, her teleport evil spell had put Rorie right in the throne room of Tahkisis, he would face his Queen, he would explain things to her in her court, he would see a fate worse than any death that Myth could bring him. She looked at Myth as he turned his eyes to her, he would see it in her eyes, the revelation of the truth.

She turned to Rayann, her eyes fixed on the pristine white robes, the prayer was concluding in her mind, Shulamite could hear every word. Her gaze went from the robes to her…. Mother’s face…. she fixed her gaze on Rayann’s lavender eyes. Shulamites face was like stone as Rayann looked up, eye to eye with her daughter. Shulamite hissed the spidery words of magic, the portals closed, the army of the Queen of Chaos went into panic and began to scatter, pursued by the Elves of Sylvanesti. Turning and looking at Myth, she inhaled deeply and then turned, walking towards the darkness of the forest, she couldn’t, there was no honor in this, no victory, just clouded confusion and too many questions. If what she felt was true, there was no forgiveness, her anger seethed within her, she clenched her teeth and it felt like her teeth would shatter under the strain… what in the Abyss had she done.

Myth could only stare daggers at Rorie as he approached. A small smirk on his face as he watched the magic in the wizard's hands fizzle. He had seen it happen many times and it always brought a smile to his lips, but not this time. He looked upon a man deserving of what was to come. He could not fault Rorie for his choice to enact revenge upon his sister, but the lengths he had gone through. Myth could forgive a man for many sins but to steal ones own niece to twist and pervert her against her parents. Myth was unsure if there was even a fitting place in the underworld for Rorie.

Conflict surfaced in his eyes as he held his sword. Was this man worthy of redemption as he himself had been. Could he turn himself around and serve the greater good. With a heavy heart Myth stood as judge and executioner. He knew that the death of Rorie would be a great blow to Rayann but the wizard had committed to much evil. Myth reminded himself that now more than ever was the time of resolve. His sword came out touching lightly upon Rorie's neck before he drew the blade up.

Rayann's prayer to the god's echoed in his mind and he steeled his resolve and tightened the grip on his blade his eyes closing. "Mel'Amin forgive my actions" he whispered

His eyes snapped open and his blade came down. Rorie vanished as his blade was about to sever the wizard's neck. Dirt flew and Myth looked up in the direction of his daughter. What he saw he did not expect to see, clarity only truth could bring. He lifted his sword as Kali closed the portals and slid it into it's sheath. HE could see the confusion in her movements and knew what she must be thinking. He could only watch as she turned to disappear into the forest.

HE looked to Rayann "Go after her Rayann... I need to deal with the city's defenses."

Rayann could feel he wanted to go but the needs of the people came before his needs as a father. He began to bellow orders to the men turning his attention to mopping up the mess Rorie had made of his home.

Rayann squeezed her eyes shut tight when she heard Myth’s words for her to forgive him. She had lost her brother when he turned to the Dark Queen and made their daughter a puppet for his own revenge. Any hope she had of restoring any sort of amicable relationship with him had crumbled the instant she discovered his betrayal.

Slowly Rayan rose to her knees and looked up at Kali. There was something different about the way she looked at her. Gone was the sheer hatred, the chaotic rage. All Rayann could see now was disbelief. But there was something Rayann could FEEL different about Kali. There was…..a sense of…..clarity.

Glancing around her, Rayann saw that things were starting to turn in favor of the Elves. As the portals were closed, thanks to Kali, the armies of the Dark Queen were cut off from their fellow soldiers and knew they would soon be outnumbered.

Her eyes then traveled to Myth as he stood, seething at the fact his blade was denied the opportunity to kill the man who had caused his own flesh and blood to turn against him by twisting her with hate. Their daughter now knew the truth and the moment Kali realized it, they could feel it in their very souls.

As Rayann watched the daughter that was her and Myth’s turn and walk away, she heard Myth’s words. Without hesitation, Rayann stood and took a step towards their daughter and stopped. Her voice was a soft caress in Kali’s mind as she reached out with an emotionally filled missive.

~Don’t go. Please….stay with us.~

When Kali stopped to look at Rayann she would see the woman standing there with her arms at her side, palms facing outward. But it was the look in her eyes that would speak the most volume and once more, Rayann felt the three heartbeats so clearly within her. The same heartbeats Myth and now Kali could feel as well.

Those of a family united after a great rift had been sealed.

Shualmite stopped when she heard Rayann speak into her mind. Her eyes squeezed shut as she forced the tears back into the ducts. She stood a long moment before turning to face Rayann. Her face was still like stone, almost as if she had just witnessed a horrific accident and was still in complete disbelief. She could now physically feel the thickness of the fog in her brain, it was palpable and she took in a deep breath as the veil of lies hung, looming over her thoughts. Her uncle, all these years, he had been manipulating her by use of a spell to shield her from her own mind.

She looked at Rayann and shoke her head very gently, her chin dropping, the proud face downcast in a stare of regret. Her voice came through shakes, “Rayann… I… I’m sorry, there is nothing for me here. I can’t stay.”

She looked up, her dragon slit eyes looking directly at Rayann’s. “I cannot enter the city of Silvanost, the Elves would destroy me, and rightfully so. I cannot enter into your arms, or …. fathers, and rightfully so, what I have done is beyond injustice, it is at best a travesty. I need time to think, I need to clear my head.”

She inhaled deeply again and was about to turn and leave, then it hit her, she had nowhere TO go. Her whole life had been lived in the comforts of Rorie’s castle. She had servants of her own, good food, a lab, training facilities, a study, endless book of magic she could study, and now, she had her spellbook, the robes on her back, and a staff that technically belonged to someone she murdered. These thoughts passed and she turned to leave, speaking in missive to Rayann.

~’I don’t know when, or how, but perhaps we will meet again, when I am worthy’~

~ You’re more worthy than you know…. Kali please~

Rayann knew what Kali was realizing. Knew she literally had no place to go. Knew she was a child alone. And knew she was in morbid danger now.

~You can’t be alone right now. Not literally. You’re in too much danger. Your talents as a wizard are incredible, to say the least, but if you try to go out there alone, you will be hunted mercilessly. We can protect you. We can help you. We can teach you. We will find a way.~

Rayann blinked and now stood in front of the girl a few feet away.

~I’m not asking you to pretend as though nothing happened. But I am asking you to please not walk away. You will need all the help you can get right now. You’re just beginning to realize the truth and the shock of it all is almost too much to bear. I promise we will not smother you. But you can’t be alone. It’s too dangerous. And we just found you…..~

The thought Rayann would possibly lose their daughter again was so overwhelmingly sorrowful that even her missive couldn’t be completed. She stood, not even daring to breath, hoping beyond all hope that somehow, someway, their daughter would agree to stay.

Shulamite stopped to listen as Rayann spoke to her mind. ‘Kali’… that must be her real name, her birth name, not the name she had always known. Sadness filled her heart she closed her eyes and breathed in, filling her lungs as if it would push the haze from her thoughts. How on Krynn could they protect her? There was no way she could go into Silvanost, the Elves would pounce on her, and with justifiable reasons. She took long, drawn breathes, trying to find the answer, she felt dizzy with emotion and thought.

Rayann blinked in front of her. Shulamite took an alarmed half a step back and immediately broke eye contact. She was suddenly self conscious about her dragon eyes. What was once a feature of pride for her was now a cause for great shame and loathing. As she stared at the ground, she could feel something strange in her chest, the thud of a heartbeat, but not her own… it was… she looked up at Rayann, her eyes scanning the woman’s face, tracing the white curls that came from under her robe hood down to her chest. Then she felt another heartbeat, presumably her father’s. She couldn’t help but feel deep emotion, sensations that were getting stronger by the second as the haze in her mind cleared, the effects of the spell slowly receding. Shaking her head she looked back up into Rayann’s eyes, the dragon slit pupils narrowing to a razor think line. She spoke; her voice was weak and shaky.

“Rayann, I can’t go into the Elven city. I killed the greatest Elf wizard to walk Krynn, I stole his staff, I am responsible for the destruction of their greatest structure, and I blew down the main gates in a matter of seconds…” Rayann could see where this was going, though she was aware of Shulamites new clairvoyance, the Silvanesti would attack her on sight, they wouldn’t listen to reason, they would lash out and destroy her. “I am not pretending nothing happened, something did happen, something by my very hand. Yes, I am scared, I am frightened to death…” The look on her face was clear, she was a frightened woman, with nothing left.

She looked up and touched her temple with her left hand, she whispered again to Rayann, “Could you please do me a favor, could you speak to me with your voice, not your mind? Things up here are just…. Well they aren’t clear at the moment.”

Rayann watched the daughter she and Myth had brought into the world and it was still so strange to think this child was a product of their union and had yet to be born yet here she stood before her mother. Rayann looked down at herself and wondered now if any of this would be replayed in time. Without realizing what she was doing, Rayann placed her hands protectively over her lower abdomen as though she could somehow protect a child.

Slowly Rayann lifted her eyes back to her daughters and saw the way she was looking at her mother. The spell Rorie had kept her mind shrouded in was finally clearing away enough that Kali was seeing clearly for the first time. Rayann also knew she couldn’t bring her daughter into the Elven city for fear of the retribution that would surely come down on her like a crushing weight.

When Kali asked her to use her voice to speak to her, Rayann swallowed hard and nodded. Swallowing a few more times again, she finally felt as though she could speak verbally and did so with a quietness to her voice.

”There is a place we can go that will be safe for you. And for me. A place your father…..Myth’alas will have access to as well. A place where your healing can begin. A place where you can learn about who you are. Who you REALLY are. A place where I can also learn more about who I really am. It will be a journey we will travel through together. Privacy will be yours until you seek me out. Or call for your father. I give you my word.”

Shulamite looked back towards the city gate, it was still smoldering and there was still conflicts erupting as the forces of the Queen battled despite their certain death. She watched as her father directed the battle, reasserting his position as the true Prince of Silvanesti and General of her armies.

Turning back Shulamite locked her eyes to her mothers. She nodded her head in agreement, but the look on her face was obvious, she had no other options. She was not showing hesitation in a way that spoke of her doing something against her will, but there was obvious uncertainty and fear associated with her non-verbal commitment to go with Rayann. She gripped her staff tightly and turned back, looking at the massive gate which lay strewn across the ground. Her spell had obliterated the once magnificent structure, what had taken months to construct was gone in seconds. She could still feel the magic around her, she was surprised at this. For all practical purposes she had just severed her relationship with Tahkisis, yet her magic remained, she could still feel the flow of arcane and ambient magic all around her. Looking up into the sky, the white moon and the red moon shimmered as twilight was fading. The two moons were so close to one another in the sky, the glow coming off each intermingled and created a magnificent pink hue which scattered itself across the ground. It was the first time she really appreciated what she was seeing, the first time she understood what she was, a wizard.

She reached up and grasped the clasp that kept her cloak tight around her neckline. Yanking it from the cloth she held it in her hand, palm up, between herself and Rayann. The clasp was a deep onyx stone, inlayed with the crescent shape of Tahkisis. It was a symbol of her loyalty to the Queen of Chaos. Holding it up between them, Shulamite hissed the spidery words of magic and Rayann would feel the natural magic of Krynn swirl around them as Shulamite wove her spell. The stone shimmered in her hand, bathed in the light of the moons, and began to crack. Suddenly it split and burst open, the crescent within shivered and melted away, then the stone with it, running through Kali’s hands like sand. She looked up at her mother, her eyes glistening as the moon light intensified.

“I am free of her grasp, I am Kali.”

Rayann wanted to rush and embrace her daughter but she knew right now wasn’t the time for that. If she were to approach Kali like that right now, it could be more detrimental than therapeutic. As she saw the resignation in Kali’s eyes, she felt her heart constrict in her chest. Rayann couldn’t even begin to explain how she was able to understand exactly how Kali felt without Kali feeling as though her privacy were being invaded.

As the clasp melted and slid through Kali’s fingers, Rayann actually let out a small whimper of relief. Glancing around at the destruction surrounding them, her eyes found Myth’s as he became the leader his people needed him to be right now.

She felt her heart skip a beat as she knew she would have to tell him she and Kali would have to leave here. But Rayann also knew Myth would understand and even insist on making sure Kali was safe. There was just one thing she had to do before she could leave from here. Looking over at Kali, she nodded slightly.

”That you are, Kali.”

Slowly, hesitantly, Rayann approached Kali and stood a mere foot in front of her now.

”I have to tell…..your father….where we are headed and give him the means to reach us. Remain here, under the cloak of invisibility and I shall return in mere moments.”

With a nod of reassurance, Rayann glanced back at Myth, turned to face Kali again then blinked away to where Myth stood. Kali could see Rayann talking to him and saw the way he glanced in her direction but saw his daughter was not visible. As his look turned concerned, Rayann laid her hand gently on his forearm and reassured him Kali was indeed there and safe. With a heart felt embrace, Rayann and Myth parted and Rayann disappeared once more. It was only a few seconds later when she reappeared where she left Kali and spoke.

”It’s done. And now….we must go, Kali.”

Rayann stepped to the side of Kali and whispered the spidery words of magic and swung her hand in a wide circle. A portal opened up and Rayann looked at Kali then reached over to gently take her hand. There was a sensation when their hands touched that was like a link that had been broken was suddenly restored. Rayann turned to look over at Myth as he watched his beloved and his daughter. There was an unspoken message that passed between them then Rayann took a deep breath and stepped through the portal guiding Kali through it as well.

When they arrived on the other side, Kali was standing in the middle of a large room furnished modestly. It was dark, still and the pink hue of the moons lit the room in an ethereal light. Rayann whispered a word and the candles erupted to bathe the room in a warm, amber glow. Rayann let go of Kali’s hand and walked to the large window and looked beyond. Everything still looked the same it did the day she left.

Turning back to look at Kali, she gestured for her to follow. Leading Kali through the home, Rayann led her past a large foyer and up a set of stairs twice as wide as they were tall that curled along the wall of the large foyer. As they moved through the large home, the candles and torches lit their way and Kali could see they were in a castle. Past the first landing and group of rooms, up to the second landing and group of rooms. There Rayann walked down the corridor and stopped before a door. Opening it slowly, she glanced around as the candles flickered to life then stepped inside.

The room was rather large and had an elaborate bedroom set made of natural oak. The bed was large but not oversized. The linens were feminine but not overly so. A wardrobe sat to one side of the room, a dresser on the other. A full length mirror to the side of the wardrobe. A vanity sat in the corner near the privacy screen that concealed a huge tub behind it. Two fireplaces adorned the outside walls. One near the bed the other near the tub. When Kali gave a puzzled look, Rayann gave a small smile.

”It used to be my room before I left. It’s yours now. I will take my mother and father’s bedroom on the floor below.”

Rayann could still see the confused look on Kali’s face and realized the girl had no clue where they were.

”Forgive me, Kali. This is Glen Durel. It’s the home I grew up in. It’s the home my mother and father built. My father, Lachlan, was an Archmage. He had the Tower of Kells. Although I’ve never ventured in there since his death. And I’m not sure I can now. But I will need to soon in order to insure our safety. But that will be tomorrow. Tonight, rest here. If you need me, you only need to say my name. Verbally or not. We’ll find a more suitable room for you tomorrow if you wish. This is the only one of the few rooms I know of that’s ready for occupancy”

Rayann stood back and let Kali look around the room on her own not wanting to interfere. It was strange being back here without Rorie but of all the places Rayann knew to go, away from everything, this was the safest. And when she put the wards in place it would be even safer still.

Kali did as Rayann requested, and waited where she was for Rayann’s return. The battle was all but over, a few small skirmishes were being fought when a minion of the Queen was uncovered from hiding here and there, but the enemy had been successfully routed and the Silvanesti Elves were cheering their victory. She could not help but loathe the idea that they had nothing to do with it; she and she alone prevented the destruction of Silvanost. Though they would probably never know it, or even accept it, had it not been for her closing the portals, this city would be in ruins by now; only the tip of the spear had made it through the portals before she closed them.


She watched as Rayann and Myth talked, the look on Myth’s face was slightly disconcerting, however she knew he had much on his mind, after all, this was his home. When Rayann blinked back, Kali looked over at Rayann, their eyes locking. She didn’t smile, but she did feel a sort of peace in her spirit that had never been there, and though she wasn’t sure why, when Rayann opened the portal she knew there was no harm in following her through it. When Rayann grabbed her hand, she looked down, feeling the strange sensation of connection. Her curiosity got the best of her and she squeezed, almost feeling if that would heighten the awareness of it, and though it didn’t she still felt a new dawn rising. Rayann lead and Kali followed with very little hesitation.


They stepped through into a warm looking room, finely crafted from beautiful stones. She looked around inquisitively, quietly taking in everything all at once. As Rayann lead her up the stairs the pain began to grip her. Her mind was aching, it was nothing like she had ever felt before, but she let it pass as they continued up the stairs, showing no sign of her discomfort to Rayann. As they walked into the room and Kali looked at Rayann, puzzled, Rayann instantly understood and explained what this place was. She nodded a grim look on her face, exhaustion mixed with confusion and fear.


“It is a fine room, thank you.” Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper and laced with sadness. Her left eye twitched slightly as the sharp pain entered her head again. She could feel Rayann behind her, and she looked around the room, beginning to get dizzy. She swayed slightly to the left and then collapsed, falling to the floor, grasping at her head. She moaned in agony as the pain in her head pounded like a dwarf was using his hammer to bang his way out of her skull. Then the darkest voice Rayann would ever hear broke the air, it was smooth as silk and laced with malice.


“You dare break from me girl!! After All I have done for you!” Shadowy serpents surrounded Kali as she thrashed on the floor. The horrific scene playing out right in front of Rayann, and though it looked like magic, there was no feeling of magic what so ever. “I gave you power! I gave you strength! I gave you the sight of my children and this is how you repay me? Betrayal!! Then you send back your uncle and think this will be vindication for your disloyalty and unfaithfulness to me!”


Kali’s eyes welled with tears, she was in so much pain the only sound she could produce was the tiniest of whimpers as she gripped her head. “You will always remember me girl! I can get to you whenever I wish!”

In an instant, the pain stopped, Kali was breathing heavily and her heart was beating so hard she thought it would explode right out of her chest. The room went quiet and the shadow serpents disappeared. She sobbed uncontrollably as she lay on the cold floor of Rayann’s childhood room. How could she be foolish enough to begin to think there would be no consequence for her deeds against the Queen?