Nol saw Kali shifting and he stood, walking over to her and resting his hand on her head. It had been four days since the battle with Rorie and Nol was watching over Kali with such a protective shadow that he even felt uneasy and on edge when her parents came into the room. Of course he knew they would never harm her and he never showed his unease, but he was in full protect mode; and it was just a natural off shoot of his state of mind. From time to time he would go and assist Myth with some of the smaller repairs to Glen Durel Castle, but the damage was so severe he had called a dozen of his “friends” from the Misty Isles to come and assist. It was a little strange at first for the family to have 13 chromatic dragons moving around the premesis and making repairs to the huge chunks of missing castle and wall, but after the first few hours the dragons presence was welcomed and a real sense of true peace started to settle over the area.

Nol’s hand touched Kali’s cheek gently and she roused, smiling as she turned to look into his silver eyes, “My love.” He smiled and responded in Draconic, “Coi ui bensvelk ekess ocuir wux hasak’sia itov, wux re vorqir roquir fronin kear. (It is good to see you awake my love, you are looking stronger every day.)” She smiled and reached up, gently grasping the back of his head and pulled him down to her, their lips touched softly and he closed his eyes as her warmth filled him. Withdrawing he brushed some hair from her forehead and spoke, “Now that I know you are awake I will go seek out your father, I promised I would help set the new spires on the North tower of the castle.” She smiled and nodded, knowing that Nol was a being of his word. He had obviously stayed to make sure she awoke before he went to help her father but his body language indicated that he was pretty late for their appointment. “I will see you for dinner Nol, I think I can eat in the dining hall with the family tonight.” He winked and leapt from the window, flashing into his dragon form and disappearing around the edge of the castle.



Kali stood and walked over to the closet. She retrieved a house clothes, blood red in color and slipped it on before exiting the room. She walked into the hall and brushed her fingers along the stone walls as she walked the hallway down to the lower levels where she knew Ceridwyn had confronted Rorie. As she made her way down she could still feel the lingering traces of magic, even this many days past the event. Her hair tingled as she finally found herself in the second basement of the castle. The debris from the chunk of wall was still scattered around the whole cellar and she scanned with her eyes, knowing this was the place Rorie was finally killed. There was a large chunk of rock at the very base of the hole and she saw the charred silhouette of a figure up against the wall behind it, the remnants of her uncle. She grit her teeth and walked to the area, touching the wall, the ash from what was left of him flecked away from the wall and drifted softly to the floor. She watched it fall and lifted her foot so it could find its path all the way to the stone. With a deep breath she turned her head slightly, there was a slight pull in the magic field, as if something was calling to her. She stepped over the debris and the sensation grew stronger. Moving some of the rock aside she gasped in disbelief, the top of the Staff of Cells came into view. She smiled, and began to unbury the treasure, she had assumed the heirloom lost when Rorie had been incinerated.



Fifth stood atop the wall of Northkeep. The few remaining Solamic Knights that had escaped the chaos were scattering and he turned to look at Piramay, “Well little phoenix, it appears as though the knights don’t want to play anymore. Pity, we were so close to exterminating them from the whole region. Such is life, they live to play another day.” He grinned and walked over to the soul well, reaching out and picking it up. Piramay would be able to tell by the intense glow the device was more than charged for their purposes. Fifth looked up at her with a smile, “We have plenty of energy to do what we need to do. I suggest we rest an hour to recover ourselves a little and then we will transport to our new location.”

Piramay smiled admiring their handy work. The lands surrounding the keep were nothing but blasted and scorched earth now. Heat radiated off Piramay's body as she stood there looking out over the lands. She had expended a great deal of power and it was all the more obvious when she leaned upon the stone and it sizzled beneath her hands. "Tis a shame really.... but the ones that survive will prove to be more interesting in a future encounter."

She smiled looking over at Fifht "That which does not kill you only makes you stronger they say."

Her eyes drifted down to the soul well as Fifth retrieved it. Her eyes fixated upon the liht that now eminated from the inside. She could feel the energy that was contained insidde and it made her shudder with delight. The first phase of the plan was nearly complete and her matriarch was none the wiser about what was going to be happening. She could not help but to smile at the very thought of the goddess' face.

Stretching her arms out she gave a slight yawn. "Mmmm.... an hour of rest would do wonders for me..."

The temperature around her was slowly begining to cool and the fires that had been enwreathing her form had finally sputtered out. Her robes swirled around as she spun on her heel. Staff in hand she descended from the battlements.

Fifth moved into the central area of the keep and activated the Orb of Protection. It was a small prototype of the one they would be creating soon to protect them as they recovered from making the alterations to the landscape in the coming days. The device was a combination of Gnomish craftsmanship, dark magic, elemental magic and necromancy. Some of the energy from the soulwell would be used to power the device so he and Piramay could sleep for about 2 months, the anticipated recovery time they would need.

The device hummed and the power pulsed outward, covering the area around the Keep in an eerie shadow and flame barrier that would repel any weapons known on Krynn. He turned and laid down on his bed, it was humble, but necessary, comfort was something he was neglecting for the time being in an attempt to toughen his body to the coming event. He laid his head down and was asleep almost instantly, his body thankful for the rest.
--
He awoke several hours later and looked around with blurred vision. The Orb was still pulsing with a soft hum and he turned to see Piramay still sleeping in the bed across the room. He sat up and walked over to her, touching her gently on the shoulder. She had cooled down and he knew it was safe to rouse her.

“Little Phoenix, we must depart soon, the moons will be at their equinox this evening and we will only have one shot at this.”

He watched as she woke and she would see in his face for the first time a slight hint of affection. It was not a love per say, but a kindred sensation of equality between them. She had after all been for all the preparation and harvesting, she was in a sense the completion of this whole process, and he allowed himself this briefest of windows into his appreciation for that.

He moved to the other side of the room, gathered the orb and the soul well as long as his other belongings and turned to look at her. As usual she looked regal in her shimmering red robes and he gave the briefest of smiles as he nodded respectfully. “I will transport us to the center of our soon to be new home.”

After she had gathered her belongings he walked over and reached a hand to her. She would know by now after their months together that the split instant their skin touched they would be almost instantly yanked through the air, leaving their stomachs behind and find themselves where he intended them to go.

Sleep came quickly to Piramay as she rested her head upon the pillow. However it was not so much the exhaustion from the casting of her spells so much as the warmth that enveloped her being. She could only describe the sensation she felt as she lay there as feeling like a baby resting in the mother's womb. So much so in fact that her power seemed to pulse in her sleep mimicking a heart beat. Her rest as always was restful and devoid of troublesome thoughts.

A voice penetrated the depths of her solitude bringing her conciousness from the deep recesses of her mind. As she roused she could feel the cool air of the unforgiven world caress her skin. A low grumble escapd her lips as she opened her eyes. The sensation of a hand releasing her shoulder caused her eyes to focus sharply but upon seeing Fifth there was an immediate calm. It was rare to see a glimpse of appreciation from the wizard and it felt odd but not unwelcome.

She said little only stretching out her limbs before straightening out her robes. She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror and wrinkled her nose slightly. A snap of her finger and a flash of flame later the grime and dirt that marred her clothing was gone. For those brief momnts she radiated an inner light that made her grin all the more devilish. Happy now with her looks she took up her pack to join Fifth.

The mere mention of teleportation made her glad she had not decided to nibble on something before they departed. Her hand reached out to Fifth's and upon contact she felt her body tugged one way and her stomach the other. She had done this many times and the effects still left her slightly nausiated but not nearly as bad as her first time. When the world came into focus once more she could only smile.

They landed softly almost instantly after takeoff, teleportation was a quick but jarring way to travel, and instinctually Fifth moved his hand to the small of Piramay’s back the instant their feet were on the ground to help steady her. “I apologize little Phoenix, I know it’s not your favorite way to travel.”

He looked around and smiled knowing they were dead center of the triangle that would be formed when the three towers were formed. He turned and looked at Piramay with a devilish smile. “Little Phoenix, look to the South, there,” He pointed towards a small rise in the landscape, “That is the location of your future tower, the Tower of Conflagration. Over there,” He pointed to the northeast, “That is where the Tower of Dim will be, and over there…,“ He pointed to a location that was due northwest, “…that will be the Tower of Shadowflame.”

He turned back and looked at Piramay, his silver, mirror eyes had never reflected death to her like they did to almost every other being that ever gazed into them, what she saw was the landscape from above, three towers in a perfect, unilateral triangle, power pulsing between them in a tangle of red and black. He formed a smile that was sincere and warm, a smile that he reserved only for her, “Soon Little Phoenix, you will be a goddess of fire!” His face twisted into something much more sinister, a look of forceful domination, “And then we shall rule this planet!”

He walked to a small stone that sat in the grass and knelt down beside it. To the undiscerning eye, this stone would seem like any other in the area, but Piramay would see that this stone was just slightly different, enough to be insignificant, and at the same time quintessential. The top had been lovingly masoned smooth and an indentation added that allowed the Soul Well to sit securely on top of it. Fifth placed the metallic device that pulsed with the energy of hundreds of souls and released the four corners, they folded outward and snapped into small indentations in the rock that secured it fast. He stood and turned to look at Piramay, “Place your staff in the grooved stone there.”

One looking she would see that directly across from each other on opposite sides of the Soul Well Stone were two slabs of limestone that had been placed flat against the ground and bored with an anchor hole that would allow her staff to be set within and hold it vertical. Fifth walked and placed his staff in the slot across from the stone she was standing at and then moved to stand on the third corner of what was about to be a perfect square around the Soul Well. He smiled and motioned to the spot across from him, marked on the ground be a small piece of stone. As she took up position he looked down at the Soul Well and watched the pulsing of the light within. Looking back up at Piramay he spoke softly, “Do you remember the incantation I taught you? Not to place any pressure on you but if we get it wrong we will be instantly dissolved by the soul energy.” He smiled, it was obvious he trusted her, but wanted her to know the facts, “Are you ready then?”

The battle with Rorie had taken its toll on the whole family. Kali especially. The girl had seriously over taxed her body in an effort to protect her infant brother and bring an end to her uncles rein of terror. Rayann had looked in on her on several occasions only to find Nol sitting near by. The look in the dragons humanoid eyes looked almost predatory at times and Rayann grew concerned thinking he may just see her as a threat a few times but Myth assured her it was merely his protective nature over the girl that made him look that way. Rayann was satisfied with that explanation and she began to be more at ease in the dragons presence when near Kali.

When the other dragons arrived and began to help restore Glen Durel Rayann found their presence a bit overwhelming at first but after a few days she began to look forward to their glimmering shapes and steadfast work as they helped repair the damage Rorie and she had done to the castle. She felt guilty knowing the damage she caused was the greatest and it pained her to see her ancestral home all but obliterated. Several times she had walked through the ruined parts of the castle and felt tears sting her eyes.

She refused to look at what remained of where Rorie had perished. While she knew it was the only way to rid her and her family of his threat, she found it painful to think her twin was gone. For good this time. There was an emptiness within her now that refused to fill and she wondered if it ever would. Even as she tended to Shaeraer and found solace in his tiny presence, feeling the love for her growing more and more each day, just as it did with Kali, she felt that emptiness.

Rayann was making her way to the second basement with Shaeraer in her arms when she came across Kali uncovering the Staff of Cells. She knew the staff was there for a few days but refused to break down and recover it. When she saw Kali digging through debris to get to it, Rayann felt a knot in her throat. Swallowing hard to force it down, she looked away for a moment, regained her composure and looked back to what Kali was doing again. Her voice slipped softly into her daughters mind.

~I was wondering when you would find it.~

Kali turned, slightly startled as Rayann spoke to her. Smiling with a slight flush in her cheeks she turned back and removed the Staff of Cells from the rubble. She held it in her hands lovingly and then turned to her mother with a glint of excitement in her eyes, “I was so sad thinking that it might have been lost in the battle. Papa’s staff deserves a better fate than that.” She walked over to Rayann and her eyes went from her mother’s to Shaeraer’s, “He is so small, but already so strong.” She brushed the top of her brother’s head and looked back at Rayann before turning her gaze to the silhouette on the wall. It was obvious the blast hit him while he was looking up, Rorie probably never even knew Ceri was there when the spell impacted him.

She inhaled deeply and then spoke without breaking her view of the ash, “It is sad that Rorie had to go to the lengths he did. I would have liked to have an uncle that was loving and cared for the family, the kind of uncle I think he would have been if he hadn’t made the switch to the Dark Queen’s service. The decades under his tutelage seem like little more than a dream now, a nightmare that is finally over and the real me can wake up and pursue what is true.”

Rayann would feel the deep sadness within Kali, there was still a connection to the man that had raised her, despite the fact that Kali had let go of him, like Rayann, he would always somehow, someway be a part of her. She turned and looked at Rayann again, her eyes slightly puffy and welled up, “I’m sorry mother, I don’t mean to linger on the past, but I also don’t want to forget certain things, the lessons of my decisions. Though I am created a new, I don’t want to forget lest I fall down that dark path again.”

She gripped the staff so tightly her knuckles began to turn white and Rayann would feel the conflict within her. It would probably be a hundred years before Shulamite would truly be dead, but Rayann would also feel that though the memories of her dark past lingered, Kali was winning the battle in her own mind. Suddenly Kali snapped to reality, the lingering on deep thoughts broken with a startled move. She turned and looked at her mother, her cheeks going red with embarrassment, “I’m sorry mom…” She smiled warmly and leaned forward, pressing her warm cheek into Rayann’s as she hugged her, “I will take Papa’s staff back to the tower where it belongs, and then I think I will go lay down again, my head is feeling a little dizzy.”

There wasn't a detail about the area around them that did not go unnoticed as Piramay looked about. She was greatful for the steadying hand of Fifth when they arrived at their destination. "While I may not prefer to travel in that manner often I can not deny the usefulness. Travelling here even by mount would have cost us precious time."

Even before hse was made aware of the place the Soul Well would sit she had noted the spots where their staves would rest during the casting. From there she focused on where they would stand and as she expected the Well would sit in the dead center. She was well aware of the preperation that had been required simply to place the objects . A thin smiles spread across her lips as the Soul Well was put into place.

Reaching at Piramay put the ahsen staff into the slot testing it for a firm fit. She knew well that it would but habit more than anything made her reasonably cautious about such things. She slipped away from the staff taking up her place opposite of Fifth. Her eyes locked on the Mirrored orbs of her compatriot. The vision of the furture made her spine tingle with excitement.

Clearing her throat she nodded her head. Had anyone else asked her of the spell she would have flayed them alive but Fifth was being reasonably cautious as she expected. "I am well aware of what is at stake Fifth. Trust that I made the memorization of the incantation a part of my daily rituals. My life is at no more risk than your own..." Her mystical power began to build and gather around her signaling her readiness.

Rayann could feel her daughters inner turmoil and emotions knowing she had come to grips with what she had been in the past yet strived to be something different now and for the future. As Kali touched Shaer’s head Rayann smiled loving at her daughter and reached out a hand to touch Kali’s cheek.

~We must never forget the past Kali. It’s how we learn for the future. One day at a time, my daughter. One day at a time. We’ll get through this just as we always have. It’s what helps make us better in the long run.~

As Kali glanced at the silhouette of Rorie Rayann kept her sight trained on her daughter. Perhaps one day she’d be able to look upon the place her brother last stood but not now. Not today. When Kalil looked back at her with puffy eyes, Rayann felt that lump creep into her throat once more and she swallowed hard to rid herself of it finding it nearly impossible.

~There’s nothing to apologize for, Kali. We can’t take away what’s been done. And in the end, it was Rorie’s decision to do what he did. He could have walked away from ever taking that path. But I didn’t help either. Looking back, I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t severed our link. But then again, how would that explain the vision in the portrait we all saw? Sometimes fate is a fickle mistress and sometimes there’s nothing we can do to stop her. As much as we’d like to.~

Noticing the way Kali’s knuckles grew white as she gripped the staff, Rayann knew in time her daughter would find the strength to bury the memory of Shulamite once and for all. Until then, Rayann would pray for her daughter and do all she could to help her as she lived the new life she now loved. With another loving smile, Rayann nodded to Kali.

~That’s a good place for it, Kali. I’ll check on you in a little while to see if there’s anything you need. In the meantime, Shaer and I are going for a walk. I want to enjoy the warm sunshine as much as I can right now. I love you, daughter.~

He smiled as she responded with a slight brashness and condescension in her voice, he expected nothing less from her, in fact it was one of his favorite attributes that she possessed. Nodding gently he then turned and looked towards the skies, the red and white moons were visible above, the Night of the Eye was beginning and High Sanction was upon them. This was a unique occurrence that didn’t happen often but when it did the heightened magic on the planet was felt by all wizards simultaneously. It was this heightened magic that was the lynch pin in Fifth’s plan. He looked at Piramay and closed his eyes, and together they began the extremely complex incantation. As the magic began to swell and move around them the hillside filled with a violent wind that whipped their robes. The staves began to glow and a thin beam of red and black matter began to erupt from them, connecting all four points of the square.

Their voices rose to the twilight and the soul well opened as the four corners of the square intersected and created a focused beam on the center. As the pedals of the dark flower on top of the well opened the dying screams of the victims echoed across the valley as a few were released and their energy was drawn into the spell. A hole in the sky began to open and Fifth began to feel the quiver of very ancient magic moving through him. His voice entered Piramay’s mind, “Yes Phoenix! Yes!”

The sky tore open and the energy of their magic rose to meet the twisting nether that came through. The alignment of the moons became a blur and all the air moved with the shock wave of colliding energy. The exact point of the sky fracture sent three lines to the predestined points and formed an energy field so intense the plants and animals within were instantly killed and blackened by the heat and shadow, Piramay and Fifth protected by remnants of the souls swirling around them. A darkness began to pulse outwards, twisted with flame and destroying the divine magic all around, consuming it like fuel that made a bonfire blaze. Each beat of this heart of energy grew the scar that was spreading rapidly across the landscape, focusing on the three points on the ground.

There was a deep rumble from within the dirt and all of Krynn shuddered, just a brief second. The effect was so rapid most would have passed it off as imagination, but the magi of the planet would instantly feel the vortex of magic being perverted and twisted to some unknown end. Fifth and Piramay’s skin began to glow, hers white hot like the inner fires of a furnace, his a sickening twist of purple and green. The soul well rattled on the stone and the claws held fast as the souls now came out with an explosive force and whirled across the landscape. The very air was distorted to reveal the faces of the victims that were slaughtered and burned for the sake of their life force, their faces horrific in silent screams that whirled and lifted into the sky. The land exploded upwards like a volcano, twisted with living shadow and spewed sulpher and magma into the sky. Fifth grit his teeth as the magic flowed between himself and Piramay, the staves buffering the power to not overwhelm their physical bodies. Fifth held his position, pressing his feet into the earth and upon finishing the incantation hissed his final words of magic. The darkness within him exploded outwards, colliding with the flames of his partner and twisting into a vortex that went above to the apex of the triangular pyramid and dispersed the energy to the three points on the ground. Three massive holes opened in the earth and spires, twisted and writhing like living creatures emerged from the ground, growing up 300 meters into the sky. The tops pulsed and sent shockwaves of electrified energy back and forth to one another and then to the hole in the sky. The moons dimmed slightly as the magical energy was sucked from them and the distortion of pure ambient magic radiated from the entire area like a plague slowly spreading across the land.

Pela had been traveling with Bad Rock since the disaster at Glen Durel. When Bad Rock explained to her that Rorie was using his power the Dark Queen had given to him as personal revenge against his sister and the child she gave birth to, Pela felt a small twinge of guilt at the fact she’d been a part of something like that. Knowing if it hadn’t been for the giant creature taking her in, she would have died or become food for some animal. Or even Bad Rock himself. Bad Rock told her Rorie was most likely dead now and for some reason Pela felt a pang of regret knowing she wouldn’t be able to see the handsome face of the robed mage again. She was somehow hoping things would work out to where she and Rorie would get to know each other. But, as she’d learned at an early age, want in one hand and mess in the other and see which one fills up first.

They had been able to keep a low profile since the events of that day and so far, the Dark Queen hadn’t been able to catch up to them but Bad Rock told Pela it was just a matter of time before she did. Fortunately, bad Rock had made many connections in his years of working as a mercenary and they found places to stay the few nights since the confrontation.

She was sitting, eating with Bad Rock at a small tavern a few evenings after the confrontation when she felt the ground rumble slightly beneath her as they sat eating. Bad Rock didn’t seem to notice but Pela found the sensation strange. Especially considering the fact Bad Rock was seated next to her and unmoving. What followed next mad Pela drop the utensil in her hand look over at Bad Rock with wide eyes. She felt a pull of magic from around her and felt her mouth grow slack. The next instant she felt a wave a nausea wash over her that was subtle at first then gradually grew worse.

Her ivory complexion took on an even paler look as she drew her forearms across her abdomen and began to press inwardly trying to stop the sensation from growing to no avail. Finally she looked over at him as tears began to well up in her eyes.

”Father……what is happening? Why do I feel so ill?”

That’s when she noticed he too was not doing so great. What ever was happening was causing them to feel very, very bad and as Pela looked around the tavern, she noticed several other patrons reacting the same way.

Something terrible was happening to Krynn and from the looks of it, no magic user was immuned.

Kali was just letting go of the embrace between her and her mother when she felt a slight rumble under her feet and immediately clutched her stomach and felt ill. She saw that Rayann also went pale and was showing signs of feeling the same sensation, “Mother….”

She dropped the staff and leaned into Rayann, together they were able to hold up the other, but the dizzy sensation that was followed by the worst nausea she had ever experienced was too much and together they eased down to the floor and onto their knees. Kali turned her head and leaned into the rubble pile, vomiting into a crevice and spitting. Shaking her head she coughed and spoke, “What in the abyss is going on?” She looked up at the heavens, the white and red moons were hovering close to one another and shining brightly, this was the evening of High Sanction and though she and Rayann had decided a couple days ago to skip the celebrations at the Chamber of the Wizard’s Council they had still planned to sit on the roof of the tower and bath in the glow of the magic that would be bathing Krynn. “Mom, look!”

She pointed up and suddenly felt that dream like state again, where she knew what she was witnessing was very real, yet it seemed like she was viewing it through a foggy dream. The two visible moons began to dim significantly, and she could feel her sensation to magic weaken. Like all divine casters, Kali and Rayann were susceptible to the waxing and weigning of the moons, though it didn’t tend to affect them like most thanks to their special gift she felt for the first time in her life as if her magical potency had just been weakened. “How are the moons dimming? This isn’t possible! Is it? Could it be Rorie?” She turned to look at Rayann, her scarlet lips looking much rosier against her newly paled skin.



Bad Rock felt the sensation in his gut and looked at the food at first, curious as to what that damn fool of a bar keep had fed him. He had specifically asked for raw horse meat! He was just about to get up and demand his money back when Pela paled and doubled over. He turned and looked as a couple other people in the tavern began to experience similar sensations and he shoke his head. Grabbing his large backpack and slinging it over his shoulder he tucked the massive staff into the pocket he had crafted for it so it road alongside his back pack and gently picked up Pela. Cradling her in his arms he left the Tavern and walked into the streets, looking around as people were pointing up and whispering. The moons were dimming before his very eyes and he clenched his eyes closed as a second wave of the sick feeling hit him like a wave. He leaned forward and held Pela tight, speaking softly into her ear, “I know not Pela, but we will find out what is happening.”



Ceridwyn was talking to several members of the red order as the merriment of High Sanction was beginning. This was the one time every few years that the wizards of all orders got together and put any difference of opinion aside to celebrate the mystery of their magic. This party in particular brought together the three Councils and some other dignitaries to enjoy good wine, good food, and good company. She felt the slight rumble in the ground and reached to touch a table in an attempt to steady herself when she felt the sickness hit her. Furrowing her brow and looking around quickly she saw the other magi in the room reacting similarly and she immediately spoke to the gathered, “Friends, we must…,” The light from the moons began to dim and all the Wizards looked at each other curiously, and then instinctually began to respond.

Ceridwyn immediately went to her chambers and grabbed her staff as well as her travel bag. In an instant she teleported to Silvanost and began looking for Aeolis.

Aeolis was sitting back in his quarters having a rare evening alone back in his home land when he felt the ground rumble as he took a sip of tea. Since he’d been in Ceri’s company he had taken a liking to the tea she liked and he found himself enjoying it when she wasn’t around. Knowing she was enjoying her time at the High Sanction he found himself wondering if she was having a good time or wishing she was elsewhere right now. He smiled. Knowing Ceri she was fluttering like a butterfly from one thing to another.

But the rumble concerned him and he furrowed his brow as he pulled the cup away from his lips. The next instant he felt the pull of magic and his brow furrowed even more. He set his cup down then stood up and walked outside. As soon as he hit the air he felt a sickening feeling and he knew something terrible was amiss. Something positively evil.

He began to walk through the Elven city and as he walked through the city he noticed the moons dim. Casting his gaze skyward he couldn’t help but gasp and stand still as he saw what was taking place. He was still standing in his stunned silence when he felt Ceri’s presence close by. Blinking he tore himself out of his surprise and started walking in the way he felt her.

He saw her petite frame trying to weave through the throng of Elven citizens and he began pushing his way through them towards her. He reached her in a mater of seconds and instantly his hands reached out to draw her close to him in a protective gesture.

Are you alright, Ceri? What ever this is, it cannot be good. And I have a feeling it is going to get worse.”



Pela felt another wave of nausea hit her as Bad Rock cradeled her in his arms. She groaned as she fought back the urge to expel what was on her stomach. Finally she was unable to hold back and she forced herself to lean forward and vomit away from Bad Rock so she didn’t get any on him. Coughing as she finished up, she leaned heavily back against the big creature and shivered. She had never gotten sick to her stomach and it left her weak and drained above and over what the effect of what was happening around them was doing.

”This can’t be good, father. I can feel it deep inside me.”



Rayann felt the strange sickening sensation wash over her at the dame time Kali did. Like Kali she felt like she was going to get sick but she was able to prevent herself from doing it. Poor Kali though was not so fortunate. As they sank to the floor Rayann f ound it was all she could do to hold Shaeraer in her arms and not drop him. Even the usually quiet, happy baby began to stir and grow irritable, crying as the sickening feeling affected him.

As Kali pointed out the dimming of the moons, Rayann felt a fear she had never felt before. Her pale face grew even paler as she witnessed the strange things that were taking place all over Krynn. When Kali asked if I could be Rorie, Rayann shook her head weakly.

”N-no. I don’t think Rorie could even do this. Who ever or what ever is causing this is more powerful than the Gods. And if they are more powerful than the Gods…then how are we going to fight them? And win?”

Ceridwyn grabbed Aeolis as he reached her and took her in his arms. She had sworn that she would not get attached to another, not in that way, but during these times it was certainly nice to have arms to run in to. She pressed her cheek against his chest and looked skyward, her heart sinking as she witnessed the dim moons above. "By the gods Aeolis, what on Krynn could cause such a thing? We beat back the Dark Queen's armies and the champions of ambient magic are dead or gone." He would know she was referring to Rorie, she had told him the story of his demise, and Shulamite, who was now the woman she was originally born to be.

"I have a very, VERY bad feeling Aeolis. You and I need to travel, tonight, and find the source of this. Every Wizard on Krynn will be disabled and lose their power if this continues. I don't know if that is the purpose or something darker but I too feel the evil that is behind this." He had not told her as such but she could feel it coming from him. She was not able to sense emotion like Rayann and Myth, but she had spent so many weeks with Aeolis alone that they had managed to really get to know one another. "We might need to solicit the aid of the Knights of Solamnia again, I say we start in that direction and see where things take us."

She looked up at him. She was so small and fragile looking, he would be able to see the dramatic concern in her eyes. It wasn't fear, he had never seen her even show an ounce of fear, this was pure concentration on the implications behind this madness, and what it meant for all of them if the moons were about to be snuffed out.





Kali was starting to feel a little better after vomiting up her whole dinner. She crinkled her nose at the taste in her mouth and could feel Rayann slipping with Shaeraer, "Give him to me mother, I can carry him. Get the staff, we must find Nol and Father." She stood on shaky legs but Rayann would be able to see she was more stable now and she extended a hand to help Rayann to her feet. Taking a deep breath she walked to the stairs, her mother following closely behind. "Lunitari help us mother, if she can..."





He nodded as he effortlessly carried Pela, responding to her question, "I agree daughter, I have lived many hundreds of years on Krynn and never in my days have I experienced anything like this. We have each other, and that is what we need to hold on to for the moment."

It was such a juxtaposition, his massive sad, his facial features that made him appear to be nothing more than a meat shield of muscle, and then profound wisdom come from him. It was in fact what typically gave him the advantage in battle. He walked hurriedly with her and made his way swiftly across the countryside, never once did it feel as if his arms would waver. The sensation of nausea was finally leveling off after about an hour and he felt his stomach going back to normal. He stopped on top of a hill and looked out across the glens. They were not far from Soul's Wound and he knew they could find shelter in the mountains to the East of that cast plain. He put Pela down gently so they could both sit and catch their breath. The full moons were still dull but they seemed to be regaining a small amount of their glow. He looked up and spoke, "We will head to the hills east of Soul's Wound in Nightlund. There is a major contingency of Solamic Knights in that area. We can keep a soft eye on them and see what they do, their movement or deployment might give us some clues and lead us to the source of all this.

Myth was taking a moments rest staring down at the plans for the rebuilt walls. Glen Durel was an impressive place but the damage dealt had given Myth a chance to improve upon things in the defensive aspect. He did promise not to make any obvious or sweeping changes. Thus far that had proven to be far easier than he had thought possible. Still there was a great deal left to do but with the aid of Nol's friends things would be done quickly.

As Myth reached for his tea he could felt the castle floor shaking beneath his feet. His brow furrowed slightly. Then a wave of nausea swept over him. It was only mildly discomforting and then he heard the sounds of tools dropping and looked to the dragons who had been working in their human guises. Many shared a look of discomfort but others looked tot he sky in horror. Myth followed there gaze and stared upon the moons as their inner light dimmed.

Myth knew this was the eve of high sanction and as such the moon's should have been a dazzling spectacle. What he saw defied all logic in his mind. Then a brief thought slipped to his mind and his concern grew. What effect had this occurance had upon his family. Myth grabbed his beloved blade off the table and made his way into the keep to find his family and to prepare to travel. He would have to return to Silvanost sooner than he had planned.