Larrisa approached the guards outside of Lady Rose's room and smiled lightly as she bowed to them "Morning gentlemen..."

They both nodded in response as she stepped up to the door knocking to see if the lady was awake yet. After several minutes she sighed pushing the door open looking around. As she thought the lady was asleep, but Larrisa frowned when she noticed the empty vial upon the night stand next to Rose's bed. Closing the door she set the platter she was carrying upon a table before walking up to her lady. Her eyes settled on the vial and she shook her head before reaching out to shake her lady awake.

"A new day arises m'lady Fairwind and you are called to rejoin the world of the living once more."

Rose groaned as she worked to turn herself over. Her head throbbed and she could not resist reaching up to her forehead grimacing. She slowly opened her eyes blinking several times to bring things into focus. She felt rested but also sore but nothing compared to the headache she had. Finally she looked at Larrisa and saw the smiling woman before dropping herself back on her bed grumbling "I swear when I see that smile sometimes I want to have you hanged Larrisa."

There was a melodic chuckle as she stood walking away from the bed. "Indeed, but who would wake you then?"

Rose managed a chuckle in response before dragging her sore form up into a sitting position while swinging her legs over the bed. Larrisa was walking over with a cup of water and reached for the vial after Rose had taken the cup. She examined it for a moment then looked at Rose with a slight frown. "Have the nightmares gotten that bad Rose?"

Rose knew Larrisa was concerned the moment she left out any formal title. With a sigh she was silent drinking from her glass parching her thirst. She nodded her head in answer of the question not speaking. Perhaps it was the towers or perhaps the stress of things, but whatever the cause the battle of Northkeep and the devil mages were haunting her sleep. They were getting bad enough that the previous night she had to take a sleeping drought in order to slumber restlessly. It was the only reason she had not been up and moving already.

Larrisa only sighed taking the vial placing it on the tray as she laid out Rose's breakfast. "I hope the meeting last night with Kellan and Trystan went well."

Rose was pulling herself out of bed and made her way to wash herself off. "It was... informative to say the least of things."

Informative was a good word for it she supposed. She had tasked Kellan with traveling to Northkeep to scout the situation there. She had recommended seeking the aid of Aeolis and Ceridwyn. It was a request that had multiple reasons behind it. They would have to travel there by horse but once they had the information they needed Ceridwyn could use her magic to return them to the keep at Heartlund. She knew the mage couldn't take Kellan there without risking detection but thought a fast return was reason enough. The second was to get the mage away from Saul for a few days while she looked into the matter of the boys father. She would also have to talk to Ceridwyn about the matter as well but it could wait for the moment.

Trystan was tasked with tightening security and ensuring that they had no more guests sneaking in under the cover of night. Before they made their move on the towers she also wanted a full accounting of every soldier in the keep and the records of their stationing verified. Between Saul and Pela Rose was feeling very unsecured in her own keep at the moment.

Rose returned to the room feeling like a new woman and even managed a smile despite her headache. Larrisa already had her gear and clothes laid out for the day and food on the table. With a smile Larrisa bowed "If there is nothing else m'lady I will take my leave to tend to my other duties" Rose nodded and Larrisa was making her way to the door before she stopped and looked back as she remembered something. "Oh.... you may want to look out the window Lady Rose. At some point last night it appears the winter storm broke." She smiled before slipping out to go watch Pela and Bad Rock.

Kali woke and squinted her eyes, the sun that was blazing through the window was so intense she was sure she was experiencing a strange dream. When she stood and looked out the window she saw that the whole land was blanketed in a thick layer of snow. She smiled and looked out across the city. Children were out playing, building snowmen and forts for snowball fights, the guards were clearing the snow off the battlements and streets to allow access to the businesses. Most people had stayed indoors the last three days to wait the blizzard out and the Solamnic Knights were wise enough to realize early that the citizens would be itching to get out and restock their supplies.

She walked over to her dressing table and looked at herself in the mirror. She inhaled deeply, remembering the bond she had made with her father she felt a ting of sadness enter her body, and she reflected on what it meant. She nodded to herself, the reality of the situation was sinking in, the towers WERE affecting her and she needed a contingency plan in place to account for all possibilities, if she had to die so that many could live, then so be it. As she looked in the mirror she inhaled deeply, and she saw the dark eyes of Shulamite looking back at her. The dragon in her heart stirred and laughed as it looked through the iron bars she had put in place. “You can only hide me away so long girl, we are what we are, there is no death in the denial of what we are.”

Kali looked hard at the black eyed girl in the mirror and whispered, “We are what we are, and what we are is not what we were raised to be but what decision we have made.”

The dark face in the mirror stared back at her and smiled in a mocking way, “The Dark Queen can only encourage a dark heart, she can’t create it. Speak your denial all you wish, but the darkness was born with you, it was not created by your upbringing.”

Kali looked back and spoke, her face sure and bold, “That notwithstanding it is the choices we make when there is no time to make them that determine what we are.”

The dragon laughed and spoke, “Then we will see what you decide.”

She furrowed her brows and felt her stomach tighten as the face faded and she was looking at herself once again. She gasped softly as she leaned forward and caught herself from falling onto the dressing table, “Lunitari, give me the strength….”




Nol was sitting by the fire in Kellan’s room. She was sleeping soundly and he watched her breathing, her beautiful face resting on the goose down pillow. He smiled as he watched over her, the delight he had found in her was beyond what he could ever have imagined. But he also had felt the struggle in her. It was understandable, and he knew that the reality of their situation was uncommon to say the least. Many of his kind had taken to living amongst humans, in fact, he was more happy now than he had ever been on the Dragon Isles.

She stirred and moved softly, a slight moan escaping her lips as she shifted. Her blanket moved off her shoulder, the loose fitting night shirt exposing the smooth skin. He smiled and looked at the way the sun light streaming through the window reflected off her skin. He nodded to himself through a quite sigh, he could only hope she shared his feelings.

An hour went by and finally she blinked slightly, the sunlight was filling the room with light. He spoke as she stirred so she would not be startled when she opened her eyes completely, “I am here Kellan, my love.”




Ceridwyn was taken aback at the amount of snow that had dropped, she turned and looked at Aeolis who stood beside her looking out the window of their room, “Never in my years have I seen this much snow in one storm, one can only wonder what it means, if anything.”

She turned and looked at Aeolis with a warm smile. The events and discussion from last evening still in her mind, not to mention what followed. She leaned her head against his shoulder and he put his arm around her shoulders. She spoke with life in her voice that he had not heard for a while, “A new day comes, and with that day I see hope.”

As dawn began to slowly break Saul, slowly opened his eyes and stood allowing the blanket to fall off his shoulders onto the floor of his cell. Kneeling he picked it up, folded it and laid the blanket upon the straw. He then stood, took the few steps over to the cell bars and knelt at the fresh basin of fresh water and the cealn towel that laid beside it. Dipping his hands into the water he washed his face, fore arms and hands fastiduously. He then dried them, stood and backed away from the cell bars.

Saul focused his sight upon the chipped stone opposite his cell, took a deep breath in, letting it out slowly, then took another. Bringing his open palms together at his chest, he pushed against them, slowly increasing the pressure for several minutes until his arms began to tremble slightly. He then slowly lessesned th pressure, extgending his arms at shoulder hieght. his left palm up and his rigth down. Slowly turning his head to the right, he slowly rotated his extended arms until his head was rotated far over his right shoulder and his right palm was up and his left down. Saul then reversed the movement slowly until his head was turned far over his left shoulder and his left palm was up and his right down. Saul repeated these movements for approximately ten minutes. Breathing slowly in and out with each cycle of movements.

Saul brought his palms together once more centered on his chest, then breathing slowl, he fluidly snaked his arms out one slightly ahead of the other, as he lifted one leg and turned to his right on his right foot, slowly placing his left foot down, lifting his right and turning to hia left reversing his hand movements. Saul repeated the movements over the next ten minuties slowly increasing the spped of the movements until he seemed to move in a blur. He then lept off the cell floor, bringing both knees up agaist his chest and flipped backwards, landing in a crouched postion on his feet facing the cell bars. He then spun rapidly on one foot, lept again into the air, turning a tucked cartwheel in the air and landing standing on his feet. Taking a step back then rapidly forward and waked up the cell bars, to the ceiling of his cell, took two steps, then dropped flipping onto his feet and landed standing staring at the chipped sone opposite his cell door. Brining his palms together at his chest, he bowed slightly then fluidly sat down on his heels starring at the same spot on the wall opposite his cell bars.

Pela was having the time of her life. The snow had stopped sometime in the middle of the night and she woke to the sun shining brilliantly on the bright, white blanket than engulfed the Keep. She awoke before Bad Rock and immediately saw the change in the weather. Practically dragging one her escorts out into the cold, Pela walked around the immediate area admiring the beauty of the snow and the way it sparkled as the sun. It was during this season she didn’t feel the suns heat in a way that seemed to sap her energy and she found some older kids who were enjoying the fun the snow brought. Her lilting laughter filled the air along with the squeals of the other children as she joined in several snow ball fights. Not once did she use her abilities and simply enjoyed the company and fun this opportunity brought her.

She’d never been able to play with other kids her age and when she first saw the other kids enjoying the snow, she looked upon them longingly. This sort of interaction was foreign to her yet something deep inside of her yearned for it. It wasn’t until one of the kids noticed her watching that they decided to invite her to join in. At first, they were a little leery of her for they had all seen her come to Heartlund with the large creature and knew she wasn’t like they were. After all, while all the other kids were bundled up to protect against the cold, Pela wore only the clothes she took from the dorm room the day before.

The guards that had been invited the night before were swapped out with new ones. One stayed with her while the other relieved the one still with Bad Rock. As this new guard watched his charge frolic in the snow with the other kids her age, he couldn’t help but wonder what she’d been through as he saw her struggle to understand the social rules of interaction with others. A few times she said things the other kids didn’t understand and they gave her odd looks and it wasn’t until he leaned in closer to her when she was close by and started explaining things to her that she was able to adapt and learn.

Finally the other children were either called away once their parents saw she was playing with them or they grew too cold and could no longer handle the cold. One by one the kids left, leaving Pela alone and she looked around with rosy cheeks and bright, ice blue eyes. She heard the familiar sound of Bad Rock’s foot steps as he trudged through the snow. When he came into sight, he was immediately pelted on the left shoulder with a snowball she’d formed upon hearing him grow closer.

”HA! Even like this my aim is not bad, Father! I have worked up an appetite. Come. Let us go get something to eat.”

She looked at her excorts.

”Lead on good Knights of Solamnia.”








Kellan was so tired when she returned to her room that all she could think about was getting back into that incredibly soft tunic and burrowing under the blankets and sleeping. It seemed like she’d just fallen asleep when her eyes began to flutter. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she had just rolled over when she heard a familiar, soft voice speak to her. Her eyes blinked open slowly as she saw Nol sitting there and she gave him a smile. A genuine, soft smile that reached all the way to her eyes. Her voice was hushed as she spoke.

”Have you been there all night?”

Seeing the nod he gave her as he smiled, she smiled even more and then stretched like a lazy feline and squinted at the bright light filtering into her room. That’s when she suddenly woke up fully and sat bolt right up in bed blinking as she squinted in the sunlight.

”By Paladine…..”

She looked over at Nol and it seemed as though her face lit up in a smile that rivaled that sunlight coming into her room. She threw the blankets back and swung her legs to the side of the bed then slid off the bed to pad, barefooted, over to the window. The stone floor was chilled and she let out a small yelp as she felt that chill on her feet. When she returned to her room and changed she was so tired she didn’t even bother to put the leggings on she normally wore to be so the tunic reached to the middle of her thighs leaving the rest of her legs exposed.

She peered out the window at the snow and squinted as the sun shone down on the white blanket. It was so bright it almost hurt her eyes. Finally she turned away from the window and looked over at Nol, blinking several times to let her eyes adjust to the dimmer light of her room. Seeing the look on his face, she followed his line of sight and saw her exposed legs. Quickly looking up at him again, she felt her cheeks grow warm. Gathering up as much dignity as she could she let her gaze settle on his.

”I’m sure they aren’t the first pair of legs belonging to the opposite sex you’ve seen…”

Hearing him laugh, she picked up the nearest thing she could and threw it at him. He easily missed the small pillow and laughed again. Kellan chuckled softly then her smile faded slightly.

”I’ve been given the assignment of traveling to North Keep with Aeolis and Ceridwyn to report on the Dragon Armies actions. Commander Rose wants to know if they’re a threat to us here in Heartlund yet or not.”

She saw the look on his face and walked over to where he stood near the fireplace. Looking up into his face for a moment, she leaned in closer and laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat in his chest and closed her eyes as she felt his arms circle around her.

”I know you can’t come, Nol. The weather is even colder up there than it is here. It’s strictly observation, not confrontational. And I’ll be back before you know it. Ceridwyn will bring us back here as soon as we gather the info needed.”

She didn’t want to think of being without him but she knew the cold weather was difficult for him to handle without some respite from it. And she was confident Ceridwyn would make sure they made it back as soon as they were done.






Aeolis looked out the window and squinted slightly to protect his eyes from the brightness of the snow. Snow like this was are, in fact, he’d never seen anything quite like this before. And to hear Ceri say she’d never seen it like this either brought both comfort and worry to the Elf as he stood holding Ceri close to him.

When she turned to look up at him he smiled softly and leaned in close to kiss her temple and inhale her scent once more. The night before had been a rebirth of their relationship and Aeolis felt as though he could never love anyone as much as he loved this woman next to him.

Reluctantly pulling away form her, he looked into her brown eyes then looked outside and nodded in agreement as his fingers toyed with some of her hair that fell over her shoulder.

”It is the spark that could flare the flame, mel’amin. We must make sure that flame never goes out.”

Bad Rock woke with a start and turned to look at the bed roll beside him, it was empty. He looked around the room and the guard that stood by the door nodded at him and spoke, “Your uhh… the young girl, she is out in the snow.” Bad Rock narrowed his eyes slightly but seeing that there was only one soldier there he nodded and stood, throwing the thin blanket aside and lumbering over to the table.

He looked and saw that the dirty dishes from last night’s meal were cleared and he could only smile gruffly. He walked over to his belongings and reached down, picking up the massive sword he wore on his hip. Strapping it on with the thick, wide leather belt he turned to the guard, “How long ago did she leave?”

The man looked up at him and responded, “I would say two hours ago, she was desperate to see the snow.” Bad Rock nodded and grabbed his staff, walking past the man and pushing the door open. The sun was bright and he shielded his eyes slightly as he looked around. He saw her tracks in the snow and followed them towards the town square where he saw her playing with a few other children. She was smiling wider than he had ever seen and as the play slowly died down he watched as she turned and looked at the city. He began to walk towards her and she spun, whipping the snow ball that burst on his shoulder. He shoke his head with a gruff smile and didn’t miss the lilt of happiness in her voice. Nodding gently he patted her softly on the shoulder and spoke, “I agree daughter, some food would do us well.”

As they made their way back to the Keep he watched her running and taking in everything, he could not help but feel a slight sadness, he was witnessing the first indications of her experiencing a whole new part of this world and like any parent he was feeling the pain that someday she would leave him and build a whole life for herself. Occasionally she would turn and giggle at him and he always smiled back, but in his heart he was feeling genuine sadness.




Nol smiled and watched Kellan as she moved about the room. As he gazed at her slender and muscular legs he could not help but stare. As she made comment and blushed he too laughed and felt a slight warmness to his cheeks. “True enough I have on rare occasion been able to marvel at the shape of a woman’s legs, but never have they been as shapely or strong as yours.”

As she finished getting ready and came to rest her head on his chest he held her. She spoke of her assignment and he nodded. “I suppose the work of a Lady Knight is never done, alas there is little that can be done to stop it.”

He rubbed his fingers through her hair and spoke again, “I won’t be able to accompany you the whole way, but I will always be near.”

“I find it strange that Lady Rose is sending one of the Wizard’s to accompany you as well, especially on the cusp of the invasion. It seems a strange decision to me unless she anticipates things are going to get rough.” He furrowed his brow as he brought his hand to the side of her head and pulled it in tightly to his chest. She would actually feel the protective instinct he was developing for her, “I don’t like what I am hearing, a simple scouting mission does not require a Wizard.”




Ceridwyn and Aeolis made their way to the mess hall. They had a fine breakfast and then went to the War Room. Kali was already there pouring over maps and discussing strategies of the assault with higher ranking members of the Solamic Knights. Trystan was at her side and when the Elves approached he looked up and smiled. Kali also turned and put her maps down to greet them, “Good morrow you too! Absolutely brilliant sunshine out this morning wouldn’t you agree?” They could see the excitement in Kalis face, it made sense, her whole upbringing was based on preparing for battle, and she was in her element right now. The planning was beginning to bear fruit and the hour was fast approaching when they would ride out to face the towers. She turned back and started talking to another Knight as Trystan turned to Aeolis and Ceri, “Lady Rose has ordered Kellan to North Keep to scout the Draconian movement in the area. Apparently there is a large portion of her army moving about and picking the ruins clean. She is concerned because the place was razed to the ground and her fear is that there is something amiss. She has tasked me with rebuffing our fortifications here and delivering the request that the two of you accompany her on her mission. I assume Aeolis is being asked because you two worked so well together on the last mission, Miss Ceridwyn, I believe you are being asked to go so you can bring them back quicker once the scouting is done with.

Ceridwyn furrowed her brows slightly and turned to Aeolis. She was not comfortable with being given this sort of request, something was off. They had for all practical purposes been given an order, and though she was not entirely opposed to it she wished her council had been sought beforehand. There was more to this request than just being a mode of transportation to return to Heartlund and she turned to look back at Trystan, “We will accompany her.”

Aeolis would have caught the look on her face as she turned to look back at Trystan. Trystan responded with a smile and spoke, “Excellent, I will see to it that your horses are prepared for tomorrow. Ceridwyn shoke her head and spoke, “No Trystan, we don’t have time for a trip on horseback. It’s a minimum three day ride to North Keep in good weather, with this snow we could be looking at double that, one way. Unless Lady Rose intends for us to be gone three or four weeks we will need to get there faster.

She turned and looked at Aeolis, then back at Trystan. Kali and Rayann can send us there so that I don’t spend any energy, from there we can do what has been requested and I can bring us back. That minimizes our time away from the Keep and allows us to travel with everything we will need with no horses.

She could see the look on Trystan’s face, he was a true soldier and the fact Ceridwyn was mildly superseding Roses order was putting doubt in him. She reached and touched his shoulder, his eyes snapped and met with hers, “Trust me Trystan, it is better this way, we save three horses the trip so they are available for the assault Kali is planning and we get the job done in a few days instead of a few weeks. I will speak to your Commander and give her all the details.

The door opened to the War Room and Bad Rock and Pela entered. Kali nodded to Pela respectfully and spoke, “Pela, it is good to see you. We have a lot to do today, I am going to teach you the spell we will be placing on the armies weapons to combat the Elementals, but first we are going to the warding around the tower, by the grace of the gods we have been given a gift that puts the advantage in our favor!”

After a couple hours in the War Room Kali, Pela, Bad Rock and Trystan, along with several dozen Knights and City Guard set out on the road to the East. As they made their way up the road Pela and Bad Rock would notice that the road was already heavily tromped down and the snow was flattened out. As they came over the rise Bad Rock and Pela got their first clear view of the towers since their arrival. Bad Rock turned and looked at Pela who was on horseback as he walked beside her. His face showed the gravity of his thoughts and he spoke, “Never in my days have I seen evil such as that.”

Turning back the fire and shadow that engulfed the towers seemed more a living thing than simple magic. The most interesting part of it all was the triangular shape around the towers where no snow had fallen. The warding had created a perfect triangle in the landscape. Kali spoke, “As you can see, the warding kept out the snow, which gives us an exact location of its existence, and therefore, the advantage of knowing exactly where it is.”

She pointed for Bad Rock and Pela, “As you can see we have a hundred or so soldiers marking the outer edge of the warding with large poles so we can have an exact location of the perimeter, this will make our casting the anti-magic spells to get through it much easier because it takes out all the guess work. Unfortunately with Rose ordering Ceridwyn out to North Keep we will have to wait to make our assault as she is pivotal in the plan to penetrate the barrier, but there is still much training and casting to be done in preparation, so it shouldn’t affect the plan too much.”

As they road Bad Rock spoke, “Are those the elementals?” Kali looked and responded, “Yes, you can see them moving around the base of the third tower there. Pela, the spell I am going to teach you will be affective when placed on the soldiers weapons and also as an offensive spell against them.”

They came to a stop at a large encampment that had been established about 100 meters from the warding boundary. Several high ranking Knights were coordinating the movements of the soldiers who were cutting and setting hundreds of four to five meter poles with flags on top of them to mark the outer edge of the warding. Kali and Trystan dismounted and Bad Rock reached up and helped Pela off her horse. Kali turned to Bad Rock and Pela, “We thought it would be a really good idea to get you two out here so you could get a firsthand look at things, we didn’t ask you to come all the way to Heartlund just to listen to us, we want your input, your ideas… does what we are planning and asking of you make sense?”

Kellan felt that protectiveness surround her like a warm cocoon and she never wanted to leave it. But life called and her duties she took an oath to fulfill tugged at her conscience and as much as she wanted to stay wrapped in Nol’s embrace, she finally sighed softly and reluctantly let go of her tight embrace of him and looked up into his handsome face letting her eyes search his.

”I know, Nol. I know. Hopefully, things will go smoothly and the need Ceridwyn will supply will be strictly for transportation purposes. But Commander Rose has knowledge of North Keep I don’t so I’m sure that whatever her reason for wanting Ceridwyn to go has to do with what she saw and experienced there. It’s troubling enough to have seen the devastation first hand but to receive word an army of the enemy is rummaging through the ruins is disturbing to say the least.”

She turned and walked away from him, disappearing behind her dressing screen. As she changed into more appropriate clothing for her duty day, she talked to him.

”Perhaps I should have remained quiet about what you told me but then I‘d feel as though I were being deceitful to my superiors. Call it a gut feeling I had when you told me the news but obviously the army is looking for something they think is in the ashes of North Keep. Whatever it is they are searching for needs to be discovered so we can either prepare for them to come looking here or dismiss it as nothing more than simple looting.”

When she reemerged from behind the dressing screen, she was wearing a royal blue tunic, cinched at the waist by a wide, brown belt and dark brown leggings tucked into her boots. Walking over to her dressing table, she pulled a brush through her hair then pulled the hair back from her face and picked up the hairpin he had given her and secured her hair in place. The rest of her hair fell free to her shoulders but the front of it was pulled away from her face.

Turning to look over at him she could still see the concern in his face and she sighed as she walked over and strapped her sword strap to her hip. Checking the fit of the blade in the scabbard to make sure it still moved freely, she walked over to where he still stood watching her and reached up, letting her hand rest on his incredibly warm cheek.

”I promise I will be very careful. Just promise me you’ll be equally as careful. I don’t know what you do in your dragon world but I know it can’t be as safe and easy as you make it sound. Just remember, there’s someone who….”

She paused for a moment as her eyes searched his yet again. When she spoke this time, her voice was hushed and full of emotion.

”Someone who loves you, Nol, and wants to be able to know more about you to understand how it is you were able to so easily get into my heart.”










Aeolis furrowed his brows when he heard of Lady Rose’s order. He didn’t like the sounds of it and he glanced at Ceri sharing an equal look of concern and suspicion. Like Ceri he knew the trip by horseback was out of the question. While he liked the idea of letting Kali and Rayann port them to the area to save time, it was the porting back Aeolis didn’t like. That sort of spell casting took energy. Energy Ceri didn’t have in reserve. Especially if she was going to be needed to help in the attack against the towers. He could see the hesitation on Trystan’s face and Aeolis crossed his arms in front of him.

”She is right, Sir Trystan. Time is of the essence here and we do not have the time to waste tromping through the waist deep snow in places to make it to North Keep and back. Those of us attune to the magical force on Krynn can feel the unsettling in the towers growing stronger. It is merely a matter of time before those two devils awaken and then we will all be in jeopardy of losing our lives. It is better to let us do this our way and ask Lady Rose for her forgiveness when we return.”









Pela joined the others in the War Room, climbing upon Bad Rocks shoulder so she could get a better view of the whole map. When Kali greeted her, the girl gave a smile and nodded in greeting as well. It was clear her demeanor from the day bef0re had changed drastically. Rather it was Bad Rock’s talk or the weather or perhaps a combination of both, no one would truly know but whatever it was that changed her had others appreciation.

”I am anxious to learn a new spell. Especially one of this nature. I have never done anything quite like what you are describing to me.”

As the time passed int eh War Room, Pela did her best to stay focused and not lose interest. A couple of times she began to drift away but something would draw her back in before she drifted too far. Finally, when they left the war room to go check out the towers up close, Pela got her first lesson on riding horseback.

There was a little bit of learning at the beginning, such as what to do and what not to do with the reins and her legs, but after that short lesson, she was good to go. By they time they were headed East to look at the towers up close, the horse was moving along in line with the others without protest or nervousness.

When they topped the ridge and the towers came into clear view, Pela pulled the horse up and sat staring at the structures with a look of awe and concern. When Bad Rock looked over at her and made the statement he’d never seen anything this evil before, Pela looked back at the towers and swallowed hard. Her voice was barely audible as she spoke

”They look like they are pierced the very ground itself much like a spear pierces flesh.”

Pela’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the shadows and flame caressing the towers they belonged to . It was like watching fingers caress a lover or like watching soft locks of hair move in the soft breeze. Like Kali, she noticed how the snow never fell in the area the wardings protected around the towers. She saw the soldiers putting the markings in the ground to show the outer most wall of the warding perimeter.

She saw the Elementals walking around the base of the third tower, Pela narrowed her gaze at them. She didn’t like them already. They lumbered around like giant rock looking men but Pela had a feeling they weren’t as clumsy as one would think them to be. Much like Bad Rock.

As Kali explained she would be teaching Pela the spell needed to help the Knights against the Elementals, Pela watched the Knights as they moved around the perimeter setting the markers as Bad Rock helped her off the horse she rode. She knelt down as she studied the Elementals closely then nodded to Kali’s question.

”It makes sense, yes. We need to make sure that when we begin, we do not stop until we cannot go any longer or the tower falls. And given the wardings we can see in place, there will be many more we cannot see that will be even m ore deadly. I can feel the energy pulsating like a heartbeat. Anything that takes on a life is much more difficult to kill than that with no soul.”

She stood up and looked at Kali then looked at Bad Rock before turning to look at the towers again.

”They are children of their masters. I fear what it will be like when the mages within awaken and see their children being attacked.”

She turned and looked at Kali again.

”Let us hope we are able to terminate the child before the parent awakens and makes us suffer their wrath.”







When Kellan reported to the Warm Room, everyone had gone but Aeolis and Ceridwyn. When she entered the room she saw the two elves conversing quietly. When she walked in she saw the look of concern on their faces that didn’t go away when they saw her. Furrowing her brows, she looked at both Ceridwyn and Aeolis.

”This isn’t going to be just a simple observation task, is it?”

Aeolis furrowed his brows as well and shook his head.

”I do not know, Lady Kellan. If that were the true case, why then send Ceridwyn with us? I think the potential for trouble is what is prompting Ceridwyn coming with us.”

Kellan nodded.

”I heard something similar earlier. I give you both my word, I’ll do everything in my abilities to keep it from getting to anything more than observing.”

Aeolis nodded.

”I know you will, Lady Kellan. I pray everything goes smoothly as well.”

Kellan listened as Ceridwyn and Aeolis told her of the change of plans regarding the way they were going to reach North Keep. Kellan didn't like this mode of transportation but she had to agree it was necessary due to the time constraints. But like Aeolis, she was concerned the energy it would take away from Ceridwyn. They couldn't afford to be without her in that way. But there really wasn't any other way to get back.

Myth's mind slowly became of the waking world. Emerald eyes blinked as he took in a breath drawing in the sweet scent of his beloved. He had fallen into slumber laying upon Rayann's stomach. He was not sure when or who had fallen asleep first. The had been talking and after some time both had fallen into silence simply enjoying each others presence. There was still an ache in his heart from his talk with Kali the night before. He knew Rayann was no fool and was aware that he had pledged to take on the dreadful task Kalie had asked. He hated himself greatly for doing so but his duty was to his family and he and Kali both knew who the first targets would be if she went rogue. With a sigh he closed his eyes and breathed before lifting himself up.

He was a bit sore from his position of sleep but when he looked at Rayann's slumbering form he could only smile. He wasn't feeling overly motivated to leave her side this day. He looked around the room and took note that there was actually enough room for him to do his daily motions. He slipped out of the bed and slipped on his loose trousers at the least leaving himself barefoot and bare chested. The air was cool and for the first time Myth noticed he did not hear the howling winds of the storm. Stepping over to the window he looked upon the snow covered ground and smiled.

Pulling himself away from the window Myth moved items out of his way quietly. It took a few minutes but was worth the effort of not waking Rayann. Happy with his space Myth sat himself upon the cool floor closing his eyes. He slowed his breathing letting his mind clear itself of his waking world worries. A short time later Myth lifted himself from the floor and began moving through his exercise motions.

Bad Rock watched Pela with pride, her discernment was far beyond her years and as she made her observations and contributed to the conversation he almost forgot how young she was. Kali was over talking to one of the Knights and then returned to Bad Rock and Pela, “OK you two, let’s take a look nearer the wardings.”

Before she moved she looked at Pela and reached out her hand, hissing words of magic. The spell erupted from her hand like a sphere of light and surrounded the young Ice Sorceress. The sensation was slightly tingling and then disappeared rapidly. Pela stepped back and furrowed her brows but Kali spoke gently, “Easy Pela, it is merely a personal warding to keep the towers from affecting you, the pulse of their power is low right now because of the energy drained from the snow that beat against the warding, if for some reason it should flare the spell will protect you.”

She smiled and looked at Bad Rock, he nodded a thanks and the three of them set off towards the soldiers working around the warding. As they got closer and could look into the crater of the towers the scene that came before them was disturbing to say the least. The very ground seemed scared, as if natural itself had been violated and abused, then discarded to the gutter. Thick scars of shadow and flame etched into the very rock and mud hissed and bubbled in response to the unnatural magic that created them. The ground itself seemed to protest their steps and they walked up with a meter of where the snowline ended. Kali picked up a small bit of snow and packed it into a snowball, she looked to see if Pela and Bad Rock were watching and then tossed it towards the towers. The instant the snowball was against the warding a snapping sound could be heard and the snowball evaporated into steam. A flash of heat could be felt and Kali turned to look at them.

“We have discovered that the warding reacts to the nature of what comes into contact with it. If you are afraid, it plays on those fears, if you are brave, it swallows you, if you are hesitant, it scrambles your mind, if you are magical, it attacks your mind, and if you are made of ice,” she turned and looked at Pela,” it burns.” She walked along the snowline, her feet making deep marks as she went along. They came to a small rise where they could see full into the cauldron of the towers and she spoke again, “As you can see, there are limited pathways into the base, we are mapping them out so that we can route the fastest and most efficient path to the third tower.” She turned and looked at Bad Rock, “I wanted you to see them in case you have any ideas you can contribute.”

Bad Rock looked at the cauldron and was struck with awe. Never had he seen such devastation and effective destruction. As they made their way to the top of the rise after Kali’s demonstration of the warding he instinctively got closer to Pela as he pointed and spoke, “That there… what is that?”

Kali looked at the purple crystals that were scattered around the area and she shoke her head, “We don’t know… unfortunately we might never know until we are successfully in the warding.”

She turned and looked at Pela and Bad Rock, the look on their faces said it all, “I know, I feel the same way you look. Unfortunately there are many rogue issues out there that we will be dealing with once we are inside, but that one is the strangest so far.”

They continued to walk for a couple hours, Kali pointed out all that they knew and Pela and Bad Rock both made commentary on what they saw. When they got back to the encampment Trystan was waiting with new maps and drawings as well as their horses. He nodded and spoke, “Well I am sure that tour gave you both plenty to think about, let’s get back to the War Room so we can see what the other encampments have discovered.”




Nol smiled softly as the words came from Kellan’s lips. He reached up and brushed her hair back from her forehead and placed a kiss between her eyes, “I love you too Kellan, may Paladine watch you by day and Solinari by night.” With that he reluctantly faded from view, his eyes lingering on hers as he did.




Ceriwyn and Aeolis were discussing the situation with Kellan. She too was a Knight and Ceridwyn could see the concern on her face regarding questioning the Commanders orders. She spoke softly as she looked at Kellan, “Fear not the reprise of your Commander, I will tell her this was my idea, as it truly was, and since I am not a Knight but a volunteer in this army she will listen to me. Not to mention if she argues I will just remind her that I am older than her and she needs to respect her elders.” She winked and continued, “Now if you two will excuse me, I need to find Kali and Rayann so I can discuss the plan. I suggest we leave in the morning so we can get a good night’s rest and that gives us the rest of today to get our supplies in order.

Rayann couldn’t remember falling asleep, but at some point she and Myth had fallen asleep. When she finally began waking form her slumber, she felt the absence of her husband’s body but she could still feel his presence very close. Her lavender eyes fluttered open and she watched Myth move through his routine of physical exercise and felt that flutter in her stomach and the way her heart beat a little faster as she watched him.

Rayann’s mind drifted back to when she and Myth first struck out on their own after leaving Rorie. She was such a naïve, young woman in the world around her. Myth knew this too and while he could have taken her away at any time after she separated herself from her brother, he kept up with the charade and she wondered now if it wasn’t for selfish reasons considering how things turned out between them.

As she watched her husband move the muscles in his body and she saw them bulge and relax over and over, she remembered the first time she’d seen him do this sort of ritual. He was still clothed but even then she could see there wasn’t an ounce of fat on his body. And the first time she’d seen him shirtless she felt her heart drop to her knees then jump back to her chest and start beating erratically.

Much like now.

She remained very quiet and still as he went through the motions and as he was finishing up, she knew he was aware of her eyes watching him. As he took a final, deep breath making the end of his ritual, he turned to glance over his shoulder at her and gave her half a grin. She couldn’t help but feel the corners of her mouth turn up into a smile.

”What else am I suppose to do when you put yourself on display for me? I am a warm blooded woman who is very much in love with you. Blame yourself for being so handsome that I want nothing more than to lock you away with me.”

When he turned around to look at her fully, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she lifted up the blankets with a teasing grin.

”Sure I cannot tempt you into letting me do just that with you?”


I was a little while later when Myth and Rayann finally emerged from their room. Rayann looped her hand in Myth’s offered elbow and they walked down the hallway with their escorts in tow. Her red, velvet robes swished softly as she walked and her fingers caressed Myth’s arm under his sleeve. It was an unusual occurrence for them to be late to anything, but today, they were. And while others would find that upsetting, Rayann didn’t really care right now. If the others were upset then they’d have to deal with it as best they could.

They’d just turned the corner to head to the War Room when she saw Ceri and Aeolis walking towards her and Lady Kellan walking in the opposite direction. Rayann glanced up at Myth as she saw the look on Ceri and Aeolis’ faces. When they got closer, Rayann reached out and hugged her friend tightly.

”Something troubles you….both of you. Mind letting me know what that is?”






Aeolis saw Myth and Rayann heading their direction. Once they were close enough and Rayann hugged Ceri, Aeolis bowed slightly to Myth then reached out and grasped his forearm. The Elf looked over at Ceri then looked at Myth, furrowing his brow.

”It appears as though I am to head out on a mission again with Lady Kellan to North Keep. Only this time, Ceri is to join us. The good Commander wishes us to do an observation of Draconian soldiers scavenging the ruins of North Keep and report back to her our findings. To say the least, it is not something we are looking forward to.”






Pela wasn’t expecting Kali to do anything so when the protective spell was cast and she felt the tingling in her body, Pela immediately went on the defensive and was preparing to lash out with her own when Kali explained what happened. She glanced at Bad Rock then back to Kali.

”I appreciate your concern and assistance but I do ask that you inform me prior to doing such things. At least that way I will not be preparing a spell that would skewer you with an ice pike.”

Everything Kali told them was sucked up like a dry sponge sucks up water in Pela’s mind. The wardings were intelligent, for the lack of a better word, and to know they could adapt to whatever the threat was didn’t set well with the young woman. How did one defeat something that didn’t appear to have weaknesses? It seemed a little one sided if you asked her.

Pela chewed on her bottom lip as they walked all around the towers and got familiar with the perimeter. When Bad Rock Pointed out the purple crystals after they walked back to the top of the rise, Pela furrowed her brow and knelt down to one knee. They were quite pretty, to say the least, and seemed to gleam every now and then. She glanced up at Kali and Bad Rock and shook her head.

”Whatever they are, they cannot be good. They are scattered about almost like….seeds…..as though they are looking to take hold into fertile soil and grow.”

When they got back to the encampment and met up with Trystan, Pela mounted the horse she’d ridden to the camp and waited for the others to be ready. She was deep in thought since the up close and personal tour of the towers. This wasn’t going to be easy. Not by a long shot and she was fooling herself if she thought it would be. She glanced over at Bad Rock and knew he would see the concern in her icy gaze.







Kellan slipped out of the Keep and headed for the kitchen. She instructed the cook to make a bag for provisions for a few days for three making sure to put some fruit, nuts and berries in there for the Elves. Preparing a tray of hot food for the prisoner, she walked out again. When she left there, she stopped by the supply building and left a list of things to be gathered by some of the Squires. Leaving them to their duty, she walked to the stockade. As the guards unlocked the newly repaired door to the cells, she walked down the steps and down the hall of cells. Her boots thudded softly as she walked.

When she got to Saul’s cell she saw he was up and had folded his blanket neatly. With a nod, the guard opened the cell and when he went to get the tray from her, Kellan shook her head letting him know she’d handle it herself. When she stepped into the cell, the guard started to protest and she quickly cut him off.

”I can take care of myself, though I thank you for your concern. Now, leave us so I can talk to the man in peace.”

The guard got ready to close the cell and lock her in with Saul when she shook her head again.

”That won’t be necessary.”

“But…ma’am….you can……”

His words were once more cut short.

”It’s not like he can run far. Not with waist deep snow in some places.”

The guard hesitated but did as ordered all the same. When he got to the top of the stairs, Kellan heard the door open then close and lock behind the guard. Looking at Saul, she smiled and handed him the tray.

”Saul, I believe I’ve found a way you just might be of help to us. I believe I saw the components of a looking glass in your possessions, did I not? How would you like to go on a trip to North Keep with me?”

She knew she would have to convince Rose to let this happen, but the mans skills couldn’t be overlooked not could the fact he had some interesting items in his possession that could be very useful for her mission.

Saul heard the cell block door open and the distictive foot falls of a guard and Lady Kellean approach. He slowly stood and stepped back away from the cell door. He smiled faintly as she told the guard that she would handle the delivery of his breakfast tray and stepped into his cell. Saul, once again brought the open palms of his hands to his chest and bowed his head. Rising it and accepting the offered tray. "I thank you for your kindness" he said queity. As she told the guard to leave them and instructed the gaurd to leave the cell door open, a faint smile crossed Saul face then faded as quickly.

"Yes I have a spyglass amongst my pocessions in my backpack." he said, as he heard the cell block door close and lock. Lady Kellian then said that she might know of a way that he could assist her by traveling to North Keep. "Of course I would be honored to accompany you, if you think I can be of some assistance. And I must add that the guards have been efficient but not unduly harsh. Although these accomadations have not been Particularly uncomfortable, they have been rather confining. I do find the lack of fresh air and freedom of movement beyond these few square meaters troueling." he said quietly.

His expression changed slightly as an eyebow rose slightly "You realize this may be prove to be a vary hazardous expidition, do you not? There may be additional agents of the Dark Queen still about. In addition to being time consuming with the amount of snow that has and is falling." {Saul would have no idea that the storm had indeed stopped as there were no windows in his cell or the cell block}

Turning, stepping back towards the rear of his cell and kneeling to set the breakfast tray down, Saul, stood and turned back around to face Lady Kellan. "I do not doubt your courage Lady Kellan, but my mind does wonder. What do you seek in North Keep? All there lay in ruin and the lands there are but a wasteland now. Only the dead, or those that walk in the cursed shadowy world of the undead reside there now." Saul asked as he looked steadily into Kellan's eyes. "

There was something about his quiet nature Kellan liked. And the fact he didn’t try to out right attack her when they were left alone said a lot about the young man. She smiled as she watched him take the tray then sit down on the straw and start to eat the breakfast she’d gathered for him.

”Well, to be honest, we’re going to be heading into the heart of the Dark Queens agents.”

She saw the look on his face and explained further.

”Apparently the Draconian scouts you came across were members of a much larger force to the north of here. A dark army is searching the ruins of North Keep and I’ve been tasked with traveling there with Aeolis and Ceridwyn to find out what they’re doing since there’s nothing left there.

Again ashe saw the look on his face and furrowed her brows.

”Look….what ever your issue is with Ceridwyn has to be set aside for now. There’s a much bigger problem we all have to deal with. When all of this is behind us, you can take up your issue with her then but right now, I need you with me on this. If you can’t control yourself around the Elfess then I have no choice but to leave you here and I’d much rather you go with me. I have an idea your tools and skills will come in good use.”

She rubbed the back of her neck with her gloved hand.

”Think you can behave yourself long enough to help me do this? We’ll be there and back in about three days. I know, it’s a short period of time but when you have wizards who know how to magically travel distances it makes it much easier. Can’t say the experience is pleasant and you’ll most likely want to throw up when you get to where you’re going but it beats trudging through waist deep snow for a week and then some. And the snow has now stopped outside but it’s left the whole area blanketed in deeper snow than I’ve ever seen in my life. So…eat up and I’ll go talk to my Commander and try to get her blessing on all of this.l”

Leaving the young man behind, she walked out of the cell and closed the door behind her, Giving him one last look and a warm smile, she walked back up the corridor and steps then banged on the cell block door. When she heard the guard on the other side ask who it was she gave her name and the door was opened.

Once she left the stockade, she made a bee line straight for Lady Rose’s office. Once there she knocked on the door and was greeted by Larissa’s kind smile. Kellan smiled in return and nodded respectfully to the young woman.

”Hello Larissa. Is Lady Rose available? I need to discuss something of urgency with her.”

Larissa showed Kellan in and Kelan saluted before she stood before Rose’s desk. The Commander was reading through some reports and it was a few moments before she set them aside and looked up at Kellan. Kellan could see the hint of dark circles surrounding Rose’s eyes. Kellan got those same circles around her eyes when she couldn’t sleep very well.

”Begging your pardon ma’am but I’d like to discuss taking the prisoner, Saul, on the expedition with the Elves and myself.”

Seeing the quirked brow Rose gave her, Kellan quickly went on to explain the change of plans Ceridwyn had suggested and Kellan agreed to after some explanation as well as her reasoning for taking the young man locked up in the cell as well as the fact she would like to leave on the morrow since time was of the essence.

”Clearly he has skills that would be well used in this situation and I think it would give him the chance to prove his worth to us as well. But of course I defer to what ever decision you make.”

Rose had spent her morning finalizing the transitions of command and was thankful to be done with matters so she could focus on more important matters. She was going over an intelligence report that Larrisa had just dropped off when Kellan arrived. It was all details on things around the keep and assessments on what kind of clean up was needed. She took a deep breath and set the paperwork aside and focused on Kellan. She simply quirked her eyebrow as Kellan laid things out. She sighed lightly and stood up from her desk so she could stretch her legs.

"I'll be honest Kellan I'm not keen on the idea of sending the boy out on this assignment, especially with Ceridwyn."

Rose scratched her chin lightly as she contemplated the matter and stopped staring out the window. "If you believe he can be of use then I will allow it. If he wishes to prove his worth then so be it. His assistance with this task shall be his repentance for sneaking into the keep."

She turned and looked to Kellan and sighed "Upon his return I will talk to him of his family's dishonor. I can not absolve a knight of crimes long past but maybe we can do something for those who have suffered for anothers failings."

Rose walked around the desk grabbing a parchment and her quill jotting down something before reaching for her signet of office. She folded up the parchment and placed her seal upon it before handing the item to Kellan. "That is your writ of guardianship of the boy. Provided he agrees to accompany you on this task that will release him to your custody officially." Rose managed a tired smile "Come I'll talk to the boy myself and let him decide, and I REALLY need to get out of this damn office before it drives me nuts" She winked at Kellan as she waited for the lady knight by the door. Larrisa had snuck out at some point without making a sound.

Rose walked at an even pace with Kellan as the moved through the halls of the keep making their way to the prison. Rose kept the conversation quite casual not wishing to talk much of business. She was away from her office and wanted to clear her mind a bit. A good story and some friendly humor put Rose in a much better mood by the time they made there way to their destination. With a nod to the guards they descended the stairs and Rose heard the door lock as they descended. Rose left her own body guards at the end of the steps and walked the hall to Saul's cell.



Myth looked upon his wife and saw the look in her violet eyes as he looked over his shoulder at her. His half grin broadened to a full smile as he turned fully while she commented upon his looks and veiled desires. Letting forth a light chuckle he winked with a twinkle in his emerald eye. "What more temptation does a man need than the sweet words of the woman he loves."

When they emerged from their room finally Myth was dressed rather casually choosing not to be trussed up in the usual manner. It was odd or many to see him in a basic pair of trousers, shirt, and vest. He could feel the light caress of Rayann's hand as they walked through the halls.

His mind was calm but as they left the sanctity of their room it began to wander on him. It was a new day and with it a multitude of things for him to think of. In times like these he found it difficult to keep his mind in order and at peace, but with Rayann at his side he managed. She brought him a sense of peace e at times that no amount of meditation could calm his strategic mind. It was these times of peace that he was grateful for his choice to not forsake her to the dark one.

His mind was lost upon the night n the caves when the truth came out when they came upon Aeolis and Ceridwyn. The news the two of them had brought his mind to focus and Myth frowned slightly. "The dark forces presence at Northkeep is an odd occurrence indeed. There is prudence in finding out their purpose however." He could see the disapproving look on Aeolis's face deepen and Myth quirked his own brow.

"I am certain Rose took into consideration the fact that this would weaken Cali's ability to aid in the assault on the tower friend. She clearly thought it is a cost worth paying to assure us that they are not looking to march on Heartlund. We could ill afford to be caught unaware if they marched on us while we assaulted the tower or after for that matter." He saw that look again and Myth took a confident tone looking at his two friends "I would have made a similar decision if I were in her shows."

With a sigh Myth looked at them both and then his wife as the gears in his head wound. Myth took a moment to look around before he spoke again. "I'm not sure if it would do us any good but I'll see if I can contact Nol. He may have more information about the armies movements that we could find useful. I haven't seen or heard from him since we left the glen but I think we'll be able to manage something." Myth winked at his wife. The silver had been notably absent since the incident at Glen Durel and honestly Myth could not blame him. However this would give him a chance to settle things between himself and Nol. Rayann knew things that night at the glen bothered him and he had yet to be able to even talk to Nol about it.

Saul, having finished his breakfast, cleaned his bowl, laid the bowl upon the tray and the tray down next to his cell door, had washed his hands and arms again and was sittnlg quietly on his heels starring once again at the chipped stone opposate his cell door. He heard the the key turn in the cellblock door, it open and foots steps decend the stone steps. The sound of the door closing and locking, then the distinguishing foot falls of Lady Kellan boots, preceeded by anothers booted footfalls. These somewhat more confident and athoratative approached. When they stopped, Saul slowly rose to his feet in one fluid motion. Bowing in his usual manner, with the palms of his hands held together at his chest. Saul raised his head as he dropped his hands, open palms out to his side.

Looking first at Lady Kellen then at the lady Knight beside her, he said quietly "Commander, if I am not mistaken, I pray your presence is not an ominous one. I would not enjoy a journey the great unknown regions to meet my ancestors after such a fine breakfast and pleasant conversation with your honorable companion. "

Ceridwyn looked up at Aeolis as he addressed Myth and Rayann, she spoke, “I appreciate your concern Aeolis, but if I lived my life worried about expending energy when I casted there is much that would have never been done, your exorcism for one.” When he looked at her she smiled and patted his arm, “I know my limits, and I know you want to protect me and watch over me but also know that I have been casting spells for hundreds of years and I can manage. The spell to get us back will be taxing and require rest afterwards, but it’s nothing I can’t survive. The silver moon is nearly full which helps.”


She turned and looked at Rayann and smiled knowing she would understand that when the moons were full it required less physical energy to cast. She inhaled deeply and spoke again, “Though it does concern me that we are being ordered like the soldiery of the Keep I do also recognize that we are more than simple guests, when we agreed to assist them we de facto fell under their command. Kali’s plan for an assault won’t be ready for at least five to six more days, so we can do this and be back in time for me to rest up for that. I just wish I was going to be around to enchant the soldiers weapons,” She turned and looked at Rayann, “It will just be three wizards doing that I suppose.”


When Myth mentioned Nol Ceridwyn turned and looked at him with a coy smile. She whispered into his mind so the other’s couldn’t hear, ~ “Just because you haven’t seen him doesn’t mean he hasn’t been around my Prince. Dragon’s do not fall to the sway of men and elves, they march to their own drum, I think if you poke around a little you will find him right under your very Princely nose.” ~

Ceridwyn turned and looked at Rayann, “So my dearest friend, if I could bother you again for transportation to North Keep it would assist greatly.” She reached over and locked elbows with Rayann and pulled her aside. She spoke quietly, “Between us help Kali keep on task. As long as she is busy making plans and seeing to the assault on the towers her mind doesn’t have opportunity to fall under the influence of the towers. Check the warding around her occasionally to make sure it is holding and if you need me send a missive over the winds. Commander Rose wants me at North Keep but Kali’s well being is still my priority.”




Bad Rock was in the War Room, set off to the side with Trystan and Pela looking over some of the maps and drawings they just just gathered at the forward encampment. Kali walked up and looked over their shoulders. Pela looked up at her and Kali spoke, “Might I have a word with you please Pela?”

Pela looked at Kali, her very young face then turned to Bad Rock who nodded with a gruff smile and she stood walking over to a quiet corner with Kali. Kali looked at her and spoke, her voice and her face were sincere but serious, “Pela, if things are going to progress then you need to start trusting me. That business at the towers when I cast the protective spell on you… I can’t nor do I have time to explain every single small detail to you about the actions I am taking. If you want to be involved and have me lead us in this assault then you need to extend a measure of trust in my direction. To follow up your lack of trust with a threat of violence against me is not only immature it is destructive to the cause. I realize that you might only see yourself as a hired canon in this scenario but I want you to know that I personally made the argument to have you and your father brought here to assist us. There is much talent in you, talent that could give you the opportunity to be a High Sorcerer, a true wizard of the robes if you desired, but it starts with understanding that my intentions are not to harm you but to assist you and give you the tools you need to get the job done. If we don’t work together then all hope is lost.”

She sighed and motioned for Pela to sit and she sat down also. Reaching across she grabbed the young girls hands and held them, locking her eyes into Pela’s own, “I vow that I will not harm you, no matter what I am doing I will not intentionally cause you or your Father harm, do you understand that? I didn’t make the case to get you here and have one of my dear friends and a Knight travel for days to track you down just to bring you injury. I am about to teach you some very wonderful techniques in magic, some ways to enhance your casting as well as show you the method to attach magic to an object so we can enchant the soldiers weapons, but before I do that I HAVE to know you trust me… so do you trust me?”

Aeolis frowned when Ceridwyn admonished him. When would she learn he understood her limits and abilities and caring about her was just normal for him? But it wasn’t just her physical well being he was concerned with when he made those statements. She was a key part of the assault on the towers and for her to be pulled away at such a critical time didn’t set well with him. He just didn’t have a good feeling about this. That, he vowed, he would discuss with her later.

He tucked that away in the back of his mind to return to it when the moment was appropriate. He looked back to Myth then and nodded in agreement with the Princes idea of trying to contact Nol if possible.

’I would say he would have knowledge of it, yes. And knowing Nol, he is not as far away as he may wish us to think. He is devoted to your family. Not to mention he seemed rather…taken with Lady Kellan. Especially considering the trouble he stirred up by whisking her away at the Glen. I do not think he would have done such a thing on a whim.”








Rayann nodded to Ceri and gave her the best smile she could. She was worried for her friends safety, even though she knew Ceri was quite formidable when need be, the fact her friend would be in the thick of things still brought concern to her heart.

”I would be glad to offer my talents for getting you there, Ceri. That’s a given without even thinking of asking. I’ll be sure to keep Kali focused on the assault. At least without an idle mind she won’t be susceptible to the towers influence. Just promise me you’ll be careful while you’re there. If it’s an army they won’t be looking to ask questions first then handle your intrusion on their actions. But I’m sure Lady Rose has quite the valid reason for sending you with Aeolis and Lady Kellan. She wouldn’t make such decisions without thinking it through fully.”








Pela listened to Kali talk. Her face remained impassive but inside she was seething. When Kali reached for and took Pela’s hand in her own, Pela looked down then looked back at Kali quirking a fine brow. When Kali was done talking, Pela slowly removed her hands from Kali’s and spoke softly, clasping her hands together and interlacing the fingers as her hands rested in her lap.

”I trust Father. He tells me we are here to aid you and these people fight an evil he has never witnessed before. I am not so inexperienced that I do not understand the gravity of the situation. I will do what you need me to do, whatever that may be, but when this is done, I will be leaving here with Father.”

She saw the look Kali was giving her and before Kali could say anything, she spoke again.

”I have no desire to be a High anything. I do what I have to do to earn a living and keep Father and I happy. And I am quite happy being what I am now. I look forward to learning whatever you can teach me, but make no mistake, I am here because of the heavy purse your mother offered us. Once our job here is complete and we have collected the payment offered, we will leave here and Gods willing, we will not see each other again. I know you are powerful, of that I am not ignorant, but I have never been around someone as imposing as you. It seems as though you are trying to force your will upon me for something I wish not to have or be. I ask you to please inform me when you are going to do something to me directly as I have never had anyone do such a thing to me before. My reaction is natural for me, Kali and that will not change. It cannot. It would be the difference between life and death for me if it did. It is necessary for the work I do. I believe you understand what I mean by that considering your past. Father told me you used to be part of the Dark Queen’s wizards. I was there once and I saw how cut throat her….subjects are. You either kill or you will be killed.”

“Like it or not, I am a mercenary and it is the only thing I know or desire to do. That may change one day, but right now, it is what I am best at doing and therefore I shall continue. But I know you are a woman of your word and I will trust you in so far that you will not harm Father and I while we are here assisting you.”

Pela’s ice blue eyes never wavered once from Kali’s steady gaze. She knew Kali would most likely not take her response well but it was the truth and she knew Kali could find no fault in that.