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'Map of Ulthuan'

Chapter One: The Grim Road

The young royal page could not stop himself from peering back over his right shoulder towards the open doors that led out to the dark balcony. He was polishing an armor chest plate that was shining like a mirror, but his mind was focused upon what he could not see.

"Knickle, why do you keep doing that? Are you afraid now of the dark? We are thirty floors up in this tower my friend. I will save you from harm. Such is the life of a great Lothern warrior!" Geegee was just a royal page as well, but he was not short on imagination.

Knickle turned back his attention to his new comrade and said, "I would rather save myself Geegee, thank you. I will admit that my mind is filled with a dark loathing since that 'Shadow' arrived earlier today. Even though he is a floor above us, I still feel his presence and a feeling of great dread is upon me."

From the hall door a voice spoke, "You fear what you do not know. The Shadow that you speak of carries with him a great hope while we struggle to survive these horrid wars. My name is Gwyllion and I have brought you another new page to help you finish with the last of the armor." Ser Gwyllion Lightpick was the squire to the 'Shadow' known as 'Fyrewyzrd Cleverpyros'. He now stepped out into the candle light of the armory room. With him was a very small boy that looked to be elven as well. "Gentlemen, this is 'Butterbean' of Saphery. Show him your task so that you can finish quicker. Then get to bed. We all leave with the army tomorrow on the northern road." Gwyllion then turned and went out into the hall on other important errands.

Wide eyed both royal pages stared at each other in awe. "We get to go. Oh my, we get to go!" Geegee was now extremely excited, but a scowl came across Knickle's face.

"You realize that this will be our death Geegee? You might polish this horde of swords, but you know nothing of wielding one. A dark elf lord will use you like a braidmaid's pin cushion." He then turned his head to the small elf that stood near the table. He noticed that Butterbean was quiet and shy. "I don't think this little one will even rate that much." Both Geegee and Knickle laughed openly, but it meant nothing to Butterbean. He was focused on the task at hand. He sat down without a word and picked up a small emery cloth and began polishing in earnest on a paladial gauntlet.

Geegee noting Butterbean's quietness, then asked him, "Who is this 'Shadow' and 'Ser Gwyllion' that you travel with?"

After a while Butterbean let out a sigh and said, "Please, I'm very tired. I will tell you what I'm allowed too. I don't want my tongue cut out."

Knickle said, "Then out with it."

Butterbean never looked up but continued polishing as he began "We arrived this morning from the Old World, and it was a trip of terror and death. You two have it good here. You should stay tomorrow and polish metal. You have no idea."

"We were followed most of the way of the three week voyage through rough seas, but our vessel captain decided to turn and fight our stalker. Later he said that we had to kill them in order to have a chance of breaking the blockade outside the Lothern Straits. That was another night that I can't speak of."

"Yes, I'm a page for the 'Shadow', but he is Fyrewyzrd an old Bright wizard from Saphery of which there are many tales about him alone. His squire is Ser Gwyllion Lightpick, who is a reformed thief or so they say. We also were accompanied by a great barbarian bodyguard named Krankin Fyresbane. I'm glad he is on our side."

"We are here to garner help to transport something to Lyrianna's Repose in Crace."

Amazed, Geegee finally asked, "So what is it? A secret weapon?"

Butterbean snapped his head up quickly and said, "How did you know?"

Geegee stuttered a bit and then said, "Well, well I didn't. I just guest at it. So it is a secret weapon?"

"I've said to much already. I'll leave you to work out what it is. I will say this, you are in for the adventure of your life with these three and their friends. Fyrewyzrd was at the Council of Wisdom in Altdorf. So let him have his secrets. His power is immense and he is highly regarded by the Council."

"Ser Gwyllion is my mentor, but he is courageous and cool headed. The enemy has great fear of him, because he wields two 'Elfbone Daggers' and is deadly accurate with them."

Having dealt with many strange weapons and armor both royal pages looked up in amazement as they polished the armor. Knickle said, "Elfbones are illegal though."

"Yes, unless they are ancestral. The rumor is that these were from his murdered family, but I have no idea if that is true. The old man allows him to have them though, and no one seems interested or brave enough to take them away from him. I say let him have his oddities, and let that be another story sometime. He has been good to me."

At that exact same time a darkness seem to fill the room as the dim light from the hallway doors went black. An enormous figure filled the doorway. Geegee and Knickle both froze, as fear covered their faces. Only Butterbean seem unafraid, as he spoke with a chuckle, "Friends, meet Krankin!" The huge barbarian now slowly moved into the room and up to the great oak worktable. The boys still did not move except their heads tilted backwards more and more as the giant bodyguard moved closer to them.

"How goes it my great friend? Do you have news of our rooms as of yet ser?" Butterbean was glad to see him.

Dressed in forest green leathers and knee high green boots, the short scimitar sword protruding from his waist scabbard, the giant was a fearsome sight. In a very deep booming voice, Krankin said very slowly, "Hello 'Little Blade'. Boss says eat now. Boss says sleep next. Boss says pack cold gear. Boss says leave next. Boss says ride 'wheel wagon'. Krankin says 'Goodnight'. He then turned slowly and strode back out of the room ducking his head for the door frame.

Geegee's eyes were almost popping out of his head as he nervously laughed and said, "I thought we were dead. He was HUGE Knickle...HUGE..!!"

Knickle was almost speechless as he said, "Uh huh."

All three boys now stopped and looked at what they had completed. The last of thousands of pieces of armor were now finished. Armorers would come in the morning and lower the stacks down the stevedore chute to the waiting line of sleepy soldiers below. The next tower over was already lowering food sacks and supplies down to the waiting wagons. They would all work through the night to complete the great task.

In the pens nearby were several large oxen. They were sound asleep, although standing silently under the last waxing moon. Their toil and work would start tomorrow as they pulled the heavy ladened wagons of war.

The three pages finished cleaning up their work area, blew out the single candle, then shut and locked the double steel doors. Knickle yawn and said to Butterbean, "You can bunk with us tonight. We have a spot near the kitchens on the second floor." They then started down the spiraling stairwell that disappeared into the darkness below. Knickle stopped though at one point and leaned against the handrail and looked up to were he imagined the Shadow might be several floors above. He thought he might have seen a faint blue light, but it was fleeting and disappeared immediately. He shivered and then ran down to catch up with his friends.

The next morning Butterbean awoke to the sound of a braying ox, instead of the sound of a rooster. The roosters were still asleep. He got up slowly and headed for a warm bath. He knew it would be the last one he would get for a very long time. The other two boys were still sleeping and so he made his way quietly past them. The smell of the warm bread coming from the kitchens was so wonderful that it really did make his mouth water. He quickened his pace. Later after his bath and after putting on what he called his 'outgear', he then packed his 'cold-gear' as Krankin had instructed him. He then headed to the kitchen, which he had no problem finding in the myriad of halls and rooms of the Tower of the Shining Guard.

A small room set between the kitchens and the main dining halls. It had several small dining tables and Butterbean walked in following his nose to the wonderful baking bread. To his surprise though he found Krankin and Gwyllion already sitting there eating breakfast. Gwyllion looking at Butterbean pointed at the empty seat. As he started to sit down a grumpy looking cook came by and slid a plate of food quickly in front of him. It was full of fresh fruits, boiled eggs, bacon, buttered scones, and even a big cookie. Krankin pushed a cup of hot root-beer coffee towards him, and he sipped it gratefully. He whispered a 'thank you', even though he did not want to interrupt Gwyllion's instructions to Krankin.

"So after that we shall start. The old man said that we will be meeting key people on the way that are critical to have success with this mission. General Nivaga said that they would protect us as far as possible to Chrace, but that if they do come under full attack that we would be on our own. Fyre didn't leave all of our security up to the army though. He has a few tricks up those old wizard sleeves of his. The three pages are to ride the weapon's wagon and work on maps, reading, and prepare food and drink for our immediate party. You are to remain on the flanks of the wagon as usual and he said he will be directly in front of the wagon. I'm to circle our party when in movement and scout the side areas. The general's vanguard unit will be behind us guarding the rear and our flanks. The general will be out ahead in a traveling war wagon."

Gwyllion took a break and began eating again. Krankin never said a word, but only nodded that he understood, which was always his way. The two of them had been through so much together and was a bit of an odd couple. Underneath though was a brotherly love unbroken through several battles and two wars. They were bound together by saving each others life many times. They were also bound by the demanding wizard himself as they had been in his employ for several years. Gwyllion might be old as far as most squires go, but Fyrewyzrd would have no other, even though he kept insisting at times that Gwyllion was still a thief. It was a long on going argument between the two, but at times Gwyllion suspected that Fyre really didn't believe it.

'The Ship Kria and Capt. Jonn'

Krankin was a genius but few people knew it, because of his quiet mannerisms and slow wording in his speech. An example of this was the way in which they had ran through the dark elves' blockade in the Lothern Straits two nights earlier.

They were aboard the ship called 'Kria's Dream'. It was a very fast galleon and was owned by the infamous Shadow known as 'Captain Jonn'. He stood taller than most men, and his legend was taller yet. His long brown hair and beard mixed together, but his shining dark eyes were penetrating and knowing. He wore ancient pieces of armor but they were very heavy and sometimes glowed with a strange blue hue of light. He now watched as the others huddled on deck while the wind blew a rough breeze about them.

Krankin had held up one finger in front of Fyre and the old wizard said, "Okay, go ahead." Krankin had then dove overboard, as Fyre discussed with Jonn what Krankin was thinking. They both watched as the muscled up barbarian swam around and dove under the ship. Soon he surfaced and a dolphin was splashing and swimming around him. He petted the dolphin and then whispered to him several times. He then climbed out and back on board the ship. He pulled out a small flask full of 'bright bugs'. This he took along with some leather strings and jumped back over board again. He tied the flask to the the dolphin's back. The more the dolphin swam and shook up the flask the brighter the bright bugs glowed. Krankin was using hand signals and the dolphin stayed hidden by swimming under the ship as they went and until needed later.

They waited till it was night time, and again Krankin dove over the side with the end of the longest rope on board. Fyrewyzrd asked Captain Jonn to get as dangerously close to the enemies blockade ship as possible in the dark. The order went out to kill the lights of the ship. This was very difficult, but Jonn was a sailing master and was able to bring it close enough that Krankin now swam up to and under the enemy ship. He then tied the rope to the rudder brace below it. He swam back to the Kria, tied off the other end of the rope, and signaled the dolphin as before. The dolphin swam up to him and allowed Krankin to grasp his top dorsal fin. The two then swam back out and this time they went past the enemy ship. On board, the dark elves seen them immediately, but had no idea what the light was this far out in the ocean darkness.

It appeared from a distance to look like a ship, so they immediately began yelling and put under way chasing this possible enemy ship. They threw open half the sails but it seem they could not catch the lights as if something was slowing them down. Of course it was Jonn's mystery ship that was behind them in the dark. The dark elf captain now yelled for all sails, and a great surge pushed them forward at a great speed. The other ships nearby could now see the Kria as it moved silently behind its tow. They began trying to signal their fellow ship to stop and attack the Kria behind it, but they were unable to get their attention. The Kria's tow ship was already after one foe, not realizing they were towing the real foe behind them. By the time they had figured it out and turned, Captain Jonn gave the word to cut the line and they swiftly shot past like a slingshot and headed towards port. Not a shot was fired, and Krankin untied and removed the bright bugs sending the dolphin on his way unharmed.

When Krankin climbed back on board the crew of Kria's Dream and Captain Jonn cheered him for his brilliant idea. He never said a word, but rested and ate a cold meal as a reward. Fyrewyzrd in a rare moment came over and patted him on the shoulder and whispered a few words to him. After a while a small smile came to Krankin's face. No one even noticed his smile though and it was gone as fast as the ship was in the night.

So now this is why Gwyllion was being so detailed to the huge bodyguard at breakfast. He always wanted to make sure he had all the facts and then let the brilliant mind work away silently. Gwyllion was also very much aware that this was the first time that he had told of their plans in front of someone new. So after a bit he said to Butterbean, "Do you have any questions now 'Little Blade'?"

'A War Wagon'

Butterbean was gnawing on a scone and stopped immediately when he was asked this question. He wiped his mouth and leaned forward looking side to side, checking for possible ears listening in. He then whispered, "What is in the war wagon?"

Gwyllion whispered back to him, "Its a secret weapon. Shhhhhh!" Then he smiled and went about eating again.

They now heard 'seven bells' and knew they had to get going. They headed up the long winding stairway to get the last of Fyre's equipment and supplies. Fyrewyzrd was in a last minute meeting with the General Nivaga and others, while making any changes to their plan. Jonn had berthed his ship and joined the mission on land. He was almost as tall as Krankin and was a fierce jungle fighter. He spoke to no one though except for Fyrewyzrd, and most soldiers stayed far away from both. The 'eight bells' now rang and soldiers began to move toward the road that headed north and assembled in their own platoons within their companies' section.

Butterbean was bringing the last of their packs and supplies. He walked cautiously over to the bright yellow tent that was temporarily covering the mysterious wooden and steel war wagon that he was to store their supplies on. He poked his head inside the flaps of the large tent only to see a very plain, yet reinforced wagon. Only one ox was hitched up to it, and she was chewing her cud happily unaware of the importance of her new load. Butterbean found the notched steps and climbed up to the top. He strapped the last of their things on top and made a single sleeping mat for them. All three pages would take turns sleeping on the mat. He then climbed down as he had one last thing to take care of.

'The Church of all Gods'

He made his way back past the tower and headed to the small hill in the distance. There was the small garrison church for all gods, known as the the Last Sanctuary. He slowed his pace when he got to the door. Inside were several soldiers and fighters that were either praying on one knee as was the custom or leaving to join their ranks.

Butterbean found a small pew off to the side and he knelt in prayer. He said to his god, "My life is already given. My soul is already given. My mind is open and my heart calls for your guidance." This of course is the ritual prayer opening and then followed by his current prayer. "I now begin a crusade dear lord. I know not its outcome, but I do know it is rich in death and terror. You helped me across the great waters, and so I have already given you my life again. I will do it again and again if needed. Please help me now as I'm very scared. My mother is in Saphery all alone. My father you have taken already. Please cover my new friends with your blessings and guide the wizard even though he has a bit of a mean streak in him. Truly, may it be so."

He then rose and walked out with his head down in solemn thought. He felt a sadness come over him as his thoughts ran across the memory of his mother all alone. He then swore to himself that he must do the best he can to help win this horrible widening war. Evil can not prevail...it just can't. It had already cost him his father.

On his way back to the yellow tent he noticed they had removed it and several towns folk out of curiosity was in a crowd around it. He walked up behind them and he could hear several remarks.

"I say they should leave well enough alone. These Bright Wizards mettle with nature and elements of the earth. They will cause another rupture and tear the fabric of the magic."

"The general better be careful. He is trusting our boys with the likes of these two 'Shadows'?"

"They go to fight the dark elves, but who will defend us here?"

"I don't like the looks of this wagon. I wonder whats in it?"

Butterbean just push past them and made his way to the other two pages that had just arrived.

"Where were you this morning Butterbrain when we got into trouble?"

"I went and ate breakfast and to church. What happen?"
"We slept pass seven bells and got caught. Now we have to do 'ox apple' duty while in town." Butterbean noticed the scoops in their hands, but he had to turn his back to them to hide his obvious grin. The wagon drivers now arrived and took a few moments to inspect the hitch and rigging one last time. They climbed up the great wagon and sat on the cushioned buckboard seat that was high above the main box of the wagon.

Behind this wagon sat the 'wheel wagon'. It was pulled by four oxen, but that seem like an overabundance to Butterbean in comparison to the single oxen pulling the secret war wagon. The wagon itself was very large and flat. In the center was a large wooden wheel laying on its side with a pivot pin going through the axle of the wheel and mounted into the bed of the wagon. The wheel was slotted so that a rope could be wrapped around it. What it was for, Butterbean had no idea, but he felt it had something to do with the third wagon behind it, that had an enormous and continuous roll of rope on it that was nearly ten feet high. After it was dozens of supply wagons that carried tents, ammunitions, weapons, food, clothing, and tons of equipment that had only one purpose and that was to wage war.

As far as the eye could see in the distant hills was a long line of soldiers that were preparing their ranks in ready to march. Past that was the calvary and the beautiful Ellyrion horses. Their black shiny hides were brilliant and amazing to watch. Their muscles would shiver and ripple in the morning sun as they stammered around in anticipation of the road ahead and behind. Far to the head of the five thousand elf army column that was now nearing two miles long was the lead calvary units. There was a constant movement between the front and rear guard, as they switched positions and entered in and out of side patrols. Always looking for signs of the enemy.

Butterbean never grew tired of watching these intelligent and beautiful animals. He also enjoyed watching the soldiers pull pranks on each other from time to time in order to break the tension of this major war march. Geegee came up beside him and said, "We are on first watch together for the first eight. Knick will be on the war wagon because he is always lucky like that." He then climbed upon the 'wheel wagon' and found one corner behind the buckboard seat. Butterbean climbed up behind him and took the other side behind the driver. He would be spending several days in this spot, so he immediately began to arrange things to make it as comfortable as possible.

"Look sharp there Little Blade!" Gwyllion and Krankin came walking around the corner of the wagon. Butterbean jumped to his feet just as four wine skins came flying towards him and he caught them by reflex. "Don't worry. Its water, not wine." Butterbean stored them away. He stood up as they called attention to the ranks. The garrison tower doors were already open and several officers where standing there in anticipation of the leaders coming out. General Nivaga's own battle wagon was now pulled up by two oxen and they stopped directly in front of him. It had a small cubicle built on it that was large enough for six officers and the general. It had just enough room to move around a bias relief map in the middle on the table.

The general came out finally and was immediately followed by healers, wizards, and his captains. Amongst them was the two Shadows, Fyrewyzrd and Captain Jonn. Nearby Gwyllion and Krankin stood waiting until Fyre spotted them and waved them over. He spoke with them just as the 'nine bells' rang. Several yells occurred then, and a strong horn was blown, but it was unexpected.

The drivers of all the wagons did not hesitate when they heard this horn, and began turning their wagons in the opposite direction and began moving south. The crowd was huge, and many remarked that they were already 'lost'. The army began slowly to move though and once it had cleared the outer limits of Lothern the general gave the orders and they slowly made a very wide loop to the east and eventually headed north again. This small change in their plans threw the spies off that were watching from a far. As soon as they seen the wagons and army heading south, they turn and ran north to tell the dark elves. The rest of the day was uneventful and the army made such good time that they even went late into the evening before they halted and set their first quick camp. Fires, quick meals, no tents, and sleep under the stars was the mode for this quiet night.

'The Great Northern Road'

A gloved hand slipped over Butterbean's mouth, and he jumped being awakened in such a manner. It was very dark but he had the great elven eye sight, and he could see it was Gwyllion. He had his other index finger over his own lips trying to warn Butterbean not to make a sound. He motioned him to get up and follow him. Butterbean was still groggy with sleep, but he realized something was up. He followed Gwyllion off the northern road and into the woods to the north west. They didn't go far when the woods thinned out and they came upon the edge of the cliff that skirted the Inner Sea. They followed this until they could see lights up ahead. It looked like four or five people huddled around something.

When they got closer Butterbean started to wake up now as he realized and recognized that it was Krankin, Fyrewyzrd, Jonn, General Nivaga, and one of the healers. Laying on the ground was a young girl. She was white as ever and had succumbed to being hung with a rope. Butterbean was horrified, but he could not help but be interested. He slowly stepped forward until he stood next to Krankin in the circle of elves. The healer said, "She was long dead before we got here. There is nothing I could do."

General Nivaga shook his head, and then said, "With killings from war all around us, it seems strange that they took the time to actually tie a rope and hung her." Gwyllion reached down and slowly loosened the rope from around her neck, and threw it to one side. Krankin leaned over and picked her up like a little rag doll and threw her lifeless body over his shoulder. A sad look covered his face as he made his way back to camp. Butterbean started to follow them but at the last second he impulsively turn and ran back and grabbed the rope. Something really bothered him about this. He pushed the rope into his jacket and then turn and ran to catch up with them. Just as he got there Fyrewyzrd had stopped and was waiting for him.

"Master Butterbean, please don't run off like that. A greenskin could quietly snatch you right up in the darkness and we would have never found you. Stay close."

"Yes ser." Butterbean said as he did not want to make his master mad in any way.

Gwyllion told Krankin, "Just put her on top of the war wagon and cover her. We will know more in the morning and will try to find where she is from." They all slowly went to their mats to sleep but some never did, as sad thoughts of the young girl kept them awake.

The next morning a light rain was coming down and this did not help Butterbean's mood, as it had already turned downward over the death of the girl. At one point he climbed the wagon and lift the blanket one more time, not to be morbid, but to answer a nagging question in his mind. He then went back to the 'wheel wagon' and he pulled out the rope. He knew a lot about ropes. His father had taught him almost forty different kinds of knots and all the different kinds of hemp as well. It was this knot in the rope that seemed strange to him. He looked at it closer to be sure, and he traced with his fingers the turns and knots of the rope. Suddenly he felt a sudden warmth at his back. He turned slowly as he felt the presence, and to his surprise Fyrewyzrd was standing right behind him.

" So Little Blade, what do you make of it. Does it scare you in some ways?"

"Oh, no ser. Its the knot. Its not a hangman's knot."

"Go ahead. What else?"

"Well ser, her neck is not broke. She died from something else, but not from choking. Her eyes have no blood spots. I know because I lifted them and looked." Fyre was amazed at this boy's intellect and questioned him further.

"So what do you think it was that killed her?"

"With your permission ser, I need to look at her again."

"Go ahead, but make it quick. We don't want to upset the soldiers." So Butterbean again went back to the wagon and leaned over the body. He pulled the cover back slowly uncovering her face. He took out his pocket knife and slipped it between her lips. Once inside he turned it sideways until it unlocked her clenched jaw. He then with his hands pushed her lower jaw down opening her mouth. He sniffed a bit and then he took his knife and carefully scraped her tongue. A yellow thick substance was on it. He then closed her mouth again and covered her back up. He climbed back over to were Fyre waited patiently.

"Ser, look at this. She has been poisoned. The smell is unmistakable. Its poinsettia. The flower is always red, but the sumac is yellow in color, as you see on my knife. Her neck is red from the rope but its not purple like it should be. The knot is rare as it would allow her to hang without choking. Who ever did this wanted to watch her die in agony." Butterbean then burst out crying. Fyrewyzrd realized that this young boy had the mind of a genius, but still had the emotions of a child. He gave him a hug even though it was uncomfortable for him to do. After a few minutes, he told Butterbean to go get cleaned up as they would be leaving soon.

A scout entered the camp and spoke quickly to his captain. He then ran back out again. The captain walked over to Fyrewyzrd and said, "The girl is from the village we past a mile back. They are on their way here to get her." A few minutes later about ten towns people showed up with a small wagon and pony. Gwyllion questioned them as much as was possible while they were deep into their grief. She had been missing late that night and never came home. They cried and moan openly as they took her small body and placed it gently in the wagon. Then they slowly turned for home. Their lives changed forever as they went.

Soon the word had came down the line that they would be moving in fifteen minutes. Fyrewyzrd stopped to talk to Gwyllion and they both looked over at Butterbean. He sensed it and turned to look at them. Fyre walked over to him and said, "So what was the knot?"

Butterbean didn't hesitate and said, "It was a surgeon's knot."

The army continued to move northward and soon found themselves to the outer reaches of Butterbean's home city of Saphery. He tried to not think about the poor girl, but at night her pale white face would visit him in his dreams and the next morning he looked tired and haggard. He wondered what kind of monster could do such a thing. He sharpened his small dagger even though it was razor sharp already. Gwyllion noticed this and soon spoke of it to Fyrewyzrd. The next morning he told Butterbean, "Your service is done with us for now. We are sending you home in two days. We should be right outside Saphery." Butterbean didn't say anything, he just hung his head down. It was bitter sweet for him. Yes he was going to see his mother, but the wonderful adventure was coming to an end.

That night Butterbean again didn't sleep well. The forest had gone very quiet, and as the soldiers settled down for the night it was even more noticeable. Not long after midnight, Butterbean sat upright quickly as he had heard voices. He looked and could see three scouts had slipped into the camp quietly and were just outside of Gwyllion's tent. He could just make out the conversation.

"Captain Cantierre ordered us to notify you that someone is in the eastern forest and have been watching us for some time now. When ever we moved, they would move parallel to our advance. We have only caught a few glimpses of them at times. Once they stood about fifty feet away from us in the darkness. Just standing there silent, staring, it was unnerving to say the least. They never attacked, and when we drew closer they backed away, but never ran. We are preparing two companies to attack them in about fifteen minutes ." The scouts looked worried though and Butterbean could not tell if it was fear or anticipation of battle that made their hands shake. These scouts were courageous though and so he figured it to be the latter.

Gwyllion said, "Thank you for notifying us, but you should be extremely careful about who you are attacking. I have a suspicion as to who it is. I will meet you at the war wagon in ten minutes after I discuss this with Fyrewyzrd." The scouts nodded their heads in agreement and silently moved off as was their nature.

Butterbean jumped up and walked over to Gwyllion's small tent. Gwyllion said, "Yes Little Blade?"

"Ser, may I go with you?" Gwyllion thought about this for a moment.

Then he replied, "You may go, but I want you to memorize the trail. If this turns bad, then I want you to run back to this camp and tell everyone what you have seen.Is this understood?"

Butterbean was already getting his pack ready as he said over his shoulder, "Yes ser!" Gwyllion came out of the tent and Butterbean fell in behind him as he made his way in the dim light over to Fyrewyzrd's tent. It was a little chilly, so Butterbean stayed near the small fire, as Gwyllion poked his head into the old wizard's tent.

"Sorry to disturb you ser, but there is news of someone in the forest scouting and following us. By the description of their movements it sounds like the Shadows. Captain Cantierre has ordered an attack"

"Yes. Its them Gwyllion. Not a wing has flapped all day or night. The scouts found no squirrels or rabbits on the day's hunt. It would be fair to say they found us , better than we found them. Go now with the captain and see for yourself if its them or not." Gwyllion wasted no time and started off down the hill to the war wagon. Butterbean fell in right behind him. He noticed about thirty soldiers and six scouts preparing to leave the encampment. Suddenly though they all crouched down, pulled out their weapons in readiness, and faced towards to dark forest. A single dark figure had stepped out of the tree line and was slowly making their way towards the camp.

"A scout then yelled out, "HALT..!! CARE FOR YOUR LIFE..!! HALT..!!" The tall figure took a few more steps and then stopped. "Come forward slowly, but beware. State your name, business, and who you serve."

"I am Slandar Bianchi of the Shadowlands. I serve no one, and no one serves me. I'm looking for my friend Captain Jonn. He is suppose to be traveling with General Nivaga's army."

Captain Cantierre now stepped forward and was about ten feet away when he responded, "He is near and I will take you to him, but again I will warn you that your movement must be cautious."

The Shadow known as 'Slandar' now stepped out into the light of the fire, and the others could clearly see him for the first time. His long black braided lengths of hair had small bones and even a fox's skull had been woven into them. He wore a black leather cloak but it was opened and revealed the forest green color of clothing underneath. He wore the green knee high boots that were a symbol of the Shadows. No one else wore them as the green hide was very difficult to get. The boots were made from goblin skin. The soldiers and scouts admired these boots as he walked past them which created a few whispers as he went.

The scouts left and went back out into the forest on patrol as usual, but were uncomfortable knowing that these Shadows were moving about in the darkness. Gwyllion went back to report to Fyre. He sent Butterbean to replace Knickle on the wagon.

The captain took Slandar straight to Captain Jonn's small camp, but Jonn was crouched near the fire and ready to jump like a huge jungle cat. He relaxed his sword as he immediately recognized his old friend. "You use to be much quieter old friend. Its great to see you. Come over here by the fire and get some coffee. Tell me any news that you have"

Slandar strode up and shook hands with Jonn as they both slapped each other on the arms. "No need to be as quiet around you brother since you are much longer in the tooth now." They both broke out laughing at this, but the mood turned serious almost right away. Slandar began, "There are about thirty of us here in the forest. Another thirty await north of Saphery. Alto and the 'Steel Slice' are in Saphery waiting for Fyrewyzrd." He then reached into his jerkin and pulled out a much worn map of Ulthuan. He rolled this out on the dirt beside the fire and pointed at different points of interests on it. "We are here. Urglunt is here. We found traces of camp-fires all along the coast, but not the enemy. In the Shadowlands it is a different story. We were attacked constantly but with nothing sustained. We learned a lot about Maleketh's warriors. These Druchii are fierce and smart, and they make few mistakes if any. They fear us, but soon they will know us too well and the fear will lessen. Maybe help will come from the east."

"No brother. Do not expect help from the Old World. I just brought Fyrewyzrd from there a week ago. He had attended the Counsel of Wisdom in Altdorf. A great war is upon them there. The Chaos regime has attacked the Empire at several points, and so they think this is the big war that these seers have prophesied. The invasion by Maleketh here in the the north has brought the Blighted Isle under his complete control. He tried to march to Chrace, but he made the mistake of crossing our beloved Shadowlands as you well know."

Jonn continued, but the fierce look was in his eyes as he now spoke, "They say the Shadows are mercenaries, assassins, murderers and thieves in time of peace. Now they beg us to save them from the horrid greenskins, the dark elves, and even Chaos as well. We sacrificed half of the Shadowlands to protect Chrace, yet they blame us for Maleketh's invasion of the north. His blockade in the south east of the Great Ocean was timed so as not to engage our ships heading to Altdorf and the Old World. Why was that? He had a great chance for victory. No, he plans on a second invasion of Ulthuan by way of Lothern as he sits there in the Lothern Straits. Its just a matter of time now. So we must march north and if General Nivaga can get the army over the high mountain passes up north, we might have a fighting chance. Even so, he might return to Lothern and find all is lost. It remains to be seen, but I can tell you this, we win or lose by our own hand in our great nation of Ulthuan."

Slandar was now deep in thought as he pondered this, then he said, "Fyrewyzrd is here?"

Jonn responded and said "Yes and before you ask, he is on another secretive mission for the council. They complain about him and then they rely on him as usual. Its an on going thing with them. He has Gwyllion with him as well as Krankin, so I don't worry about him as much. So who are with you?"

Slandar said in a very low voice, I joined them last week north of Saphery. Its Mindblade, and he has Highcane, Bass, Ellestil, Blud, Gendidar, and about thirty others. Alto is in Saphery along with the 'Steel Slice'. They are surrounded by almost twenty more of the Shadows outside the city gate. Urglunt is north of there with the rest. We are to work our way north and join together with the Council's plans.

Jonn now said, "It looks as though we have a lot of work ahead. We are planning a trip into Saphery tomorrow to get supplies and to meet up with Alto. Let Fyrewyzrd and Alto have their secrets. Most of them scare me to pieces, with blowing up menhir stones, and cracking the earth, and so on. I'd rather be fishing off of the 'Kria'.

At this very moment a large thundering herd of horses and riders came breaking onto the roadway from the north. The riders were whipping their horses frantically. Everyone jumped up in alarm and grabbed their weapons. One of them at the last second swerved and ran right into their camp and yelled, "SAPHERY IS UNDER ATTACK..!!"

Corbo

Chapter Two: The Golden Crossbow

    The great greenskin Orc Corbo leaned hard against the enormous oaken doors of the Everqueen's boudoir high up in the Palace Tower of Everlorn. He was eavesdropping on the two general's inside, as they nosed around in the famous queen's closets and chests. The Orc's partner was standing guard beside the other door, but glaring at Corbo's lack of respect for the conquering generals. He hissed a whisper, "Stop or they will have us whipped you bonehead fool." Corbo only motioned for him to keep quiet with his fist as he squeezed harder against the crack of the doors where they came together.

      "I don't think it’s a good idea for us to remain in here to long General Cloud. With Maleketh coming soon we must leave it for him." General Shonthy was a very fat and bullish Orc, but he knew where the power lay. The dark elf General Cloud was born to royalty from Xavier and he looked down upon the huge Orc general as if he was trash.

     "Look Shonthy, Maleketh won't be here for another couple of days. We fought hard to win over the Everqueen's palace, and I don't think it will hurt for me to sleep in her wonderful bed for at least one night. Look at this magnificent bed. What are those tubs for, and these here flowers are growing right out of the mattresses. How can that be? High elves are treacherous, but they know how to surround themselves with the finest things." He then lifted another lid of a bedside chest and peered inside momentarily.

'The Everlorn Palace'

     General Cloud himself was dressed in the finest royal armor, even though it was mostly cosmetic. The dark purple velvet waistcoat was wrapped by a dark red cumber-bun. Even his feathered helm was majestic. He set it down on a dressing stand, and then sat down on the edge of the enormous bed. He shook his head wildly to throw his locks of blonde hair free of his sweating head.

     The orc general kept looking at the gold handles on the drawers of a small bureau, and 'petted' the dark maroon velvet drapes hung around the many windows. He had never seen such quality fabrics and the rich aroma of a high elf queen's bedroom. He then tried to pry a shiny silver knob off of a standing dressing mirror, thinking it would fit nicely on his sword hilt. As he moved about the room looking, he would every once and a while come back to the knob and try it again.

     General Cloud walked over to the balcony doors and threw them open. He walked out onto the balcony and peered over the stone railing. A great cheer went up as several of the invading army fighters ten floors below caught sight of their leader. They of course were very busy sacking the city of Everlorn of everything that looked like food or was worth money. They were tired but exerting every ounce of energy to take what they could. This after weeks of fighting all the way from the gloomy Shadowlands to the magical Everlorn kingdom. General Cloud was not worried about Maleketh his dark elf overlord, not so much as the ever growing fear of a counter attack from the high elves. The rumor was that Prince Tyrion had secretly removed the queen in the night and had hidden her before the final assault had occurred. They were the real danger now.

     He then walked back into the room and said to General Shonthy, "I'm not going to need two of your morons to guard the doors tonight. Let one stay and he can taste some of this royal food as well. There seems to be no shortage of it. Look at this table, I've never seen so much fruit."

     Outside in the hallway Corbo smiled as he lifted his ear away from the door. He pulled out slowly what is known as a knuckle knife. He fitted his fat green fingers into the round rings and then very quickly spun around. He jabbed the blade into the other Orc's thick neck. He cut the voice box and then several rapid puncture strikes he cut the main jugular vein in two. The shocked Orc guard did not have time to scream and was dead before his body went limp against the stonewall and slid to the floor. The blackish green blood ran in a small stream down the ancient stones and disappeared into the cracks.

     Corbo then dragged the dead corpse down the hallway and threw him over the side of the edge of an open window down to the river below. He then ran back and grabbed all the evidence he could and ran back again to the window and threw it out as well. He had just gotten back to his post when the door flew open and General Shonthy stuck his head out and said, "You. You stay here tonight and guard General CloudX's room. Where is your ignorant friend?" Since the general was from Xavier many of the Orcs named him CloudX so as not to mix him up with the other dark elves named 'Cloud'.

'General CloudX'

     "Uh, well uh, ser, the uh, the other guard was sick and threw up his dinner. He said he was going to go take a swim and relax some.....ser. Don't worry though, I will clean his stinking mess up, cause I'm good like that ser. The general just shook his head and ducked back inside. He didn't hear Corbo chuckle to himself as he shut the door behind him.

    The next day General CloudX called a meeting together at ten bells, of all his underlings and a few of the Orc bosses as well. He had a great contempt for the greenskins, but he had no choice but to use them in this war. That was due to their savage nature and unwillingness to capitulate even if the outcome was terminal. The Orcs of course seen it as a great opportunity for wealth, and it was starting to pay off greatly by the piles of loot that were accumulating from sacking Ulthuan cities. Taking the northern coast was difficult, but now the interior cities seemed almost easy.

     As ten bells neared, a small group of Druchii dark elf soldiers arrived and entered the palace gates. They were escorting a very tall figure dressed in a hooded black cape. They headed straight for the palace guards out front and after much swearing and bragging, they were allowed to enter as they were expected at the meeting. In fact, all those who were invited, were working their way to these gates. The meeting was going to be held in the largest hall that was rarely used for royal events such as balls and plays. The Orcs had dragged several different tables into the enormous hall and to the center of the room. It all looked quite haphazard and there were three times as many chairs as was needed.

     Ten bells came and went, as well as twenty more minutes before the general was able to yell for everyone to come to order. He turned and looked at Corbo who was wiping his mouth of something, and said, "Will you stop your gesturing and go close the doors. Pick up that bone you dropped soldier." He shook his head in disgust as he watched Corbo pick up the bone and headed over to the doors. Corbo locked the doors, but as soon as he seen the general looking the other way, he threw the bone behind some drapes nearby.

     About ten high elf captains were there, as well as two Orc chieftains, General Shonthy, and a few Orc guards. The dark stranger stood back several feet from the rest, with his black hood pulled so far down that you could not see his face. The back doors to the kitchens opened and several kitchen cooks that had been taken prisoner came walking out. Orc bosses followed them, each drug behind him a very long blacksnake whip. All were carrying large silver platters mounted with heaps of fruits and vegetables. Huge chunks of meat, cooked and un-cooked, along with several vessels of wine and beer were brought out and placed on the tables.

     As everyone dug in, general Cloud began by saying, "Quiet....quiet everyone. I'm going to start by telling you not to get too comfortable here. Its possible that Alarielle, the Everqueen of Everlorn was not captured and for that Maleketh will not be too happy with me. Our informers tell us that a great army is heading south from Lothern possibly to board ships. This would make sense because they still have not been able to break our blockade of the Straits of Saphery. I foresee that as a great sea battle coming in the future and ending any more threats from the high elves."

     "So I have decided to bypass Saphery and strike out straight south for Lothern while it is unprotected. I'm not looking forward to a battle with the Sea Queen of Saphery and all those crazy arcane wizards there. They are beginning to starve, as our blockade of their ports are doing great damage to their stockpiles and to their morale as well. Even a wizard has to eat..!!" With that a great roar of laughter as the thought of thousands of the old wizards dying from starvation entered their minds.

     "General Cloud I have a question." A huge mean looking Orc stood up and everyone turned their eyes towards him, but did not stop eating as they did so.

    "Ser Grombr, please speak your mind." The general was enjoying this meeting because he knew they were very happy with his past decisions and they were eating great food.

     "I beg your pardon ser, but what about these stories of ghosts in the forests killing our best fighters, and passing Saphery seems like such a possible mistake. Do you not have any reservations about these possible blunders?"

     When General Cloud heard the word 'Blunder' he went absolutely full rage in a second as he screamed as loud as possible, "YOU DARE TO CALL ME A BLUNDERER..!! I will have you killed for that you weak kneed imbecile...!! How dare you..!!" It took the general several minutes to regain his composure, but when he did he spun around quickly and said to Corbo, "Get me four more guards in here." Corbo responded as if he was almost bored and shuffled out of the room on his new errand.

     "As I was saying, I have NO intention of wasting my time with Saphery. SAPHERY IS FINISHED...DO YOU HEAR ME..? FINISHED..!!" He then heard for the very first time someone to the side had cleared their throat. It was almost inaudible, but he caught it just the same. He turned to his side and realized it had come from his new visitor, the dark stranger. He was still standing while everyone else was sitting and eating their meals. "Do you have something to add ser?" The quiet figure did not respond but instead just sat down and looked away.

     "I want you captains to get all our provisions in order and make ready in two days to march down the Great Northern Road. I want a full ten thousand this time, plus armored cavalry. Cut back on those scouts too, they will not be necessary. We know what's ahead. Also I want every wagon in this city to go as well. Keep three out of every four empty, as I have every plan to sack the city of Lothern and eventually Saphery as well. Make it happen, make it so."

     "Anyone else have anything to add?"

     "Ser, my name is Captain Izzus of the Blighted Isles Brigade. We have had several reports that the army that's heading south out of Lothern is lead by General Nivaga." General Cloud nearly snapped his neck as he quickly turned his attention to Captain Izzus. His eyes went wide with anger, as the name of his oldest rival was spoken. "Ser he might be heading south as reported, but many of us know him to be very ingenious when it comes to warfare. We will have to confirm those reports again."
 
   Captain Izzus continued, "Also there is talk, but unsubstantiated reports that several of the 'Shadows' are trailing his every move. No doubt they are going to ambush him possibly. Those bloody assassins are a horror to deal with. I suggest we wait till they attack him in earnest and then once that battle is over we will use the momentum and charge in, slaughtering them all." He looked around at the others, looking for allies, but none spoke so he sat down.

     General Cloud sat with his chin in his hands and finally he spoke after a very long pause, "We will send out another Druchii host of about fifty hand picked warriors. Send them tonight ahead of our main force. Give them orders to find these 'Shadows' and exterminate them once and for all. Then I want their bodies laid out, one for every mile in the middle of the Great Northern Road for all to see. I'm not waiting for them to attack General Nivaga, and besides I have a special surprise for him." The others in the room could easily see the venom and hatred in the general's eyes whenever he spoke Nivaga's name.

    " If there is no more questions then this meeting is adjourned." He then turned to face the stranger and he said, "Please stay so we might conclude our business together." The stranger only nodded his head in agreement, as all the rest filed out of the hall still sucking their teeth and swallowing the last of the wine.

     Corbo now walked in with four other large greenskined Orcs. They all stood there looking carefree and unimpressed with their surroundings. General Cloud said to them, "I want you four to find Captain Grombr. Arrest him for treason. Then kill him. No wait. Take him to the dungeon and punish him. Well...kill him if possible or punish him." He told them to leave and just as they turned he said to them, "Wait. Belay that order. I want him tortured. Then Punished. Then kill him. In that order. You got that? I want it done right away. 'Blunderer', he has some nerve...!! Make it happen, make it so."

'General Shonthy'

     After everyone had left the hall the general gave instructions to Corbo to lock the doors on the outside and let no one in while he was having this private meeting. Corbo shuffled towards the doors, but now he was mumbling under his breath, "Do this. Do that. Delf dung."

     "They say you are a shape shifter, and more importantly that you're a dead eye shot at a thousand yards. My first question though is why the name 'Evilspinner'?" The general had gotten up and moved across the room and sat down a few feet away from this mystery.

     "I'm sure you did not request me to travel all this way to inquire of my name. We are to discuss the removal of someone. Is that not so?" Evilspinner was the best of the best, and he had spent his whole life dealing with many of the wealthiest in Ulthuan. He wasted no time.

     The general was use to immediate obedience from others, but he kept his annoyance in check for now with this arrogant young man. "Yes. Forget formalities. I want him DEAD..!! I want General Nivaga of the Shining Guard dead. I will pay what ever you name as your price. Right now I own a city as you can see. What would you like? To be a mayor, a banker, what? Need a million, land, and slaves? Just name your price, but make no mistake I want Nivaga dead and complete undeniable proof that he is dead."

     Evilspinner now pulled back his hood and revealed a young man with chiseled features and coal black hair. He had a look of great wisdom, but his mannerisms were very subtle as he continued to sweep the room as though enemies had them surrounded. He missed nothing and he now said, "I want the Golden Cross Bow of Saphery."

     The general was shocked and immediately took a huge gasp of air, and said, "Now see here, I'm very serious about this. These negotiations are going to be over with quick if you think I'm a fool. Now stop joking around and tell me what you desire."

     Evil now let a smile come across his face as he said again, "The Golden Cross Bow. You heard me correctly and I'm not joking. You get me that and I will do the job. Agreed?"

     The general stood up and turned away in deep thought. Finally after a few minutes, he turned back towards Evil and said, "It would mean a special team of thieves or warriors. I'm not sure which. The Saphery castle of the Sea Queen's is like a fortress from hell. Its said to be protected by the 'Steel Slice' and I have no idea how formidable they are."

'Evilspinner of Oculus of Nex'

     Evilspinner now stood up and started for the doors as he said over his shoulder, "I didn't come here to listen to your complaints. I guess our business is over with."

     The general practically yelled out, "Now wait!  I didn't say 'no'. I will do it, but its going to have to happen quickly and with as much secrecy as possible. If you miss though I will promise you I will hunt you down and take the cross bow back along with your life as well."

     Evil now had a very wide grin on his face, "Don't make promises that you can't keep. Get me the bow and I will get you the general." General Cloud stuck out his hand to shake on it, but Evil just ignored it and turned, heading for the doors. Just as he got to the doors he pulled out a long dirk and he jammed it suddenly into the crack of the two doors. He then flipped it upwards unlocking the doors just as a horrible scream erupted from the other side. Evil reached down and turned the knob and opened the door, just as Corbo fell dead to the hall floor outside. A large cut was flowing blood from his ear and brain. The general yelled at the other Orc guard down the long hallway, "Get down here and clean this mess up now..!!"

    Elsewhere in the high Elvin city of Everlorn sat twenty of the fiercest warriors of the realm in the inn of the Fiery Eye. They were famous amongst all warriors, and their armor was a wonder to behold. Even their under garments were made from the finest silk. In fact almost everything they owned was made from silk. The front door slammed open and a mean looking Orc named Garash walked in and said, "I just seen a great fight. Four of the general's guards was trying to kill that old Orc Grombr and he was having none of it."

     They all laughed and a younger Orc named Drelaugh said, "We ought to get him. He is a good one I have heard." The others agreed but a huge black haired Orc said, "Aye, but how did he fare?      Garash just started laughing as he said, "Oh he cut each one a little at a time. He cut their heal tendons and them boys could not run away. Then he gutted them one at a time. He looked as if he was enjoying it as much as Mudgar use to." More laughter erupted as Mudgar stood up and bowed several times.

     The door opened again and in walked Evilspinner. They all nodded towards him and Nrot was the first to speak, "Well Evil, do they want you to be the new king?" Evil and all the rest howled at this and laughed wildly.

     "Oh no, but General CloudX offered me mayor and such. I doubt he will get what I asked for, but I might as tell you all now. If he does get my payment I will have to run off on a solo jaunt that might take a few weeks to complete. Mudgar will have to keep an eye on you boys for me while I'm gone." He sat down and they slid a mug of beer over to him. He drank it quite greedily and then slammed down the empty mug.

     "Deathdream, you and Dreyah, Arack, Soulweaver, and Naive need to keep an eye out for anyone trying to leave the city tonight. The general is putting together a special team to attack them Shadow killers. I don't want to see that happen because I've wanted to talk to them about the Shadowlands and our home of the Blighted Isles. We have much in common, but I won't forfeit my trust in the general for now. I can't see just yet, how the high elves lost Averlorn, but it happened and I have no doubt they will come back and take the ancestral home of the elves back at a great price if need be..

     Most of Evilspinner's tribe were mercenaries' Orcs and had been several times hired for small battles or special operations that took stealth and ingenuity. Even so, they could not be completely trusted by the dark elves because of their ties with the notorious Shadows. Open war though was a completely different story, making murder and mayhem their specialty.

     So as it grew darker outside and a full moon rose, Deathdream and the others slipped outside unnoticed. They followed along the river and when they came to the southern most bridge to the city they stopped and sat under it listening in the dark. As midnight approached they could hear the voices of several warriors approaching. The Druchii was on the march, but they were in stealth mode and moved past swiftly and silently. Soulweaver would hold up a leg for each time a Druchii passed by and Dreyah would count off how many times he did so. After the last one past Deathdream whispered to Dreyah, "How many?"

    Dreyah, "Forty-eight and a few." These giant Orcs were great at math, but strangely if it was always in counts of eight. They silently fell in behind the Druchii, but kept their distance. As soon as they had cleared the outer reaches of the city they turned east and headed into the wild forest that lay north of Saphery. Evilspinner wanted to see if the Druchii would lead them to the Shadows.

     That night while the terrified citizens of Lothern huddled inside the darkness of their homes, outside was total chaos. A party atmosphere existed as a few fires were set to houses, and drunken Druchii and Orcs roamed through the streets aimless as they went. The once beautiful city was now being consumed by hordes of drunken warriors out to have a good time. Their captains as drunk as the rest. Only a few remained keeping vigil, and a few sights were extraordinary through out the night. The general let them have their fun, but he remained restless the whole night and did not sleep. He worried that he had made the wrong decisions. At any rate he had set the future in motion and not much could be done about that now.

     This war was unlike any other he had fought in. He wondered about the bigger war in the Old World. He knew Ulthuan very well here, but overseas it would be a nightmare for a general to step foot there for the first time. He knew of the Chaos Regime and of their sworn enemy the Empire, but he only shook his head, and told himself not to think about it. It was too overwhelming, these wars within wars. Endless number of battles, and many that were back to back with no rest for the troops.

     What General Cloud worried about more than anything, was the band of the Druchii warriors that had just slipped out of the city. He told for all to hear in the meeting that they were to kill the Shadows, but in private he said to their captain, "I want the Golden Crossbow of Saphery. Get that first. Do you understand? I want the crossbow or don't even bother coming back." The captain swallowed hard, but said, "Yes ser." He then slipped out quietly into the night.

     The general decided he would seek more advice, but he had to be careful, as he trusted no one. So after a while he put on a royal robe that did not fit him, but he liked the looks of it, and then walked down the outer hall to the stairwell. He stood there for a while until eventually he heard a guard coming up to make guard the general's new bedroom.

     "Stop right there beast..!! Why were you not at my door on guard? Do you shirk your duties as much as the others? Get down below and send up another guard, then you go find me a seer. Not one of ours either. Get me a high elf seer. Get going..!!" He smiled as he could hear the Orc guard nearly tripping over his own feet as he ran back down the stairs.

     A half an hour later the general could hear his door creak open. He called out, "Yes. What is it? Come in." He turned to look and he thought at first it to be a very young girl, but as she steps out into the candle light he realizes she is the seer and is in her early twenties maybe.

     "How may I be of service to you General? She was petite' built. Her brown hair was tied back into ponytails that danced on her shoulders. She wore a thin seer's crown of banded gold and striped with small bands of white silver. Her clothing was unusual for a seer though. She wore boiled leather and wrapped gloves of leather straps. Her boots were over the knee much like a corsair would wear, and this the general noticed first.

     "Yes my dear, I need a reading and not just one of entertainment. If you don't feel up to it, then get me someone who can. I need to know the whereabouts of Prince Tyrion if possible. I need to know the outcome of my plans as you see it. Can you do this?"

     "Yes ser. I'm quite capable of a true reading. We must be seated comfortably though and wine would help as well."

      The general relaxed some as he sort of enjoyed this. "Of course, of course. Here, come sit here by the fireplace and I will pour us some red wine. Begin when you are ready though."

     "Oh, I'm ready. I just need you to come over here and sit as well." The general brought over two brass cups full of wine and sat them down in front of the seer.

     "What is your name dear?" The general was now eyeing her up and down.

     "My name General Cloud is Elipsis, and I will keep you straight on one thing right away. I'm not your friend; I'm not your personal seer. I am in fact your sworn enemy, but to do my job things must be as they are. The wine is not a romantic notion, and I caution you about being to relaxed." The general's eyebrows went up, as he realized he better be on his guard as his romantic notions faded immediately. They both gulped the wine.

     "Go ahead. You have nothing to worry about. Just get on with it." He then let out a great sigh.
   
     Elipsis lowered her head now and closed her eyes. She began to concentrate on all the aura around her, and after a while she was breathing deeper. In a close state of what could be called a trance, she began to whisper incantations under her breath. The general felt suddenly as if his head was heavier and soon his chin dropped down to his chest. Soon he was fast asleep.

     Elipsis had an ever-widening grin on her face as she stole around the room and gathered what information she could. She had of course in slight of hand, poisoned the wine. She lifted a small leather pouch from within the general's tunic that lay over on the bed. Opening it she found exactly what she was looking for. Raven bands. These are the small bands that a message can be written on, then attached to the carrier ravens trained to send messages back and forth between field commanders. She took several, but most importantly she got the top one. She then rubbed charcoal on it from her bag. The message was transferred from the last one he had sent. It clearly read, "Will attack Lothern in five days time. 10,000. 40 wagons. Meet at south Saphery forest on coast in two weeks."

    Elipsis pulled out a dagger and was going for the general's throat when the doors burst open and two Orcs came running towards her. She jumped like a cat and sprung over them in a balled up spin. She landed on her feet as light as a feather. She then took her small dagger and made a few quick slashes on the back of their fat meaty green legs. Both Orcs let out a howl as the paper cut slices began to sting. Elipsis then jumped to the floor onto her chest and slid between their legs as they turned around. Trying to figure out where she went they kept turning back and forth. Elipsis though was going out the window as soon as they had figured it out. She climbed down quickly like a spider. The two Orcs leaned out over the window and both bellowed, "We going to kill you..!!" Elipsis was laughing so hard she nearly fell. Waiting below though was a small boat. She jumped in and silently rowed away.

     Fearing the general was dead they ran out and acted as though they had never entered. Elipsis had actually done the general a personal favor as he didn't die, but instead received the best sleep that he had enjoyed in months. He woke the next day late, feeling relaxed and subdued. The two Orc guards were relieved as well. They even winked at each other because they knew she had not the time to steal anything. Elipsis was in fact, deep within the eastern forest seeking out the Shadows.
 
     Outside the 'Fiery Eye Inn', Mudgar took a break from the party inside and come out to get a breath of fresh air. He sat down and lit up his long stem pipe along with some very good Lothern smoking leaf. It was then that his keen ears heard a very distant and slight moaning. It was coming from a nearby path that led down to the river. So, he got up and slowly moved in that direction. Every few minutes or so, he would stop, and again he could again hear the low moan. He kept going and then he came upon a body lying in the weeds. It was a dead Orc guard. He took a step back and tripped on another one. He stood there for a minute and he said to himself, "Okay, he must be here somewhere."

     He looked around for some time and finally he chanced a call out and said, "Grombr. You there?" He heard a gasp of air coming from the river edge, and so he ran down to it. There, on the very edge half way into the water laid the notorious Grombr. He was bloody and wounded. A knife was sticking out of his huge muscled shoulder, and great rents were cut through his Orc armor. He had loss a lot of blood, but he was still alive. Mudgar reached down and laid his steel buckler on its face. He then drug Grombr's enormous body on top of it. Grabbing the handle he grunted and began pulling shield and Orc. Sliding it up the riverbank to the grass up above. Once on top he left him and returned to the inn to get help.

     The next day Grombr woke up and was in great pain. He looked down at all the nice green and white bandages, as the blood leaked through and he said in a very weak voice, "Mother?"

     "Oh I'm not your mother, but then I bet your mother would say the same at the sight of you. I found you at the river's edge early this morning. Were you going swimming or fishing?"

      Grombr just groaned and finally responded, "Did I get them all?"

     Mudgar said with a grin, "Oh yes ser, you did good work there. One was even missing an eye, but all four were dead. We discussed this last night and I will offer this one time to you. We are the tribe of Oculus of Nex. We freelance for hire outside these cities in the wilderness. You are welcome to join us if you like. What say you?"

    Grombr just let out a moan and passed out. Mudgar then got up and went down into the inn below and paid the barkeep for the rooms. He soon found Garash, Imrok, Ubane, and Endowulf sitting quietly holding their aching heads and drinking coffee. Endo looked up and said, "Well, did he say yes?

    Mudgar sort of looked around and without hesitation said, "Yes."

     As the day wore on and the city continued to be ravaged and plundered. The army however was beginning to get mobilized and ready to depart the very next day. The general had hoped they would be ready to leave by eight bells. It was a very busy time, as wagons were confiscated and emptied. The rest were piled high with ammunitions, provisions, and water enough for the ten thousand soldiers to live on for a month.

      The front gates of the city opened slowly and five very tired Orcs came trotting in and headed straight for the inn. Once inside Deathdream told the others, "Go on and get some rest. I'll talk to Evil and Mudgar." He then walked to the back and found both looking over a map in a small room.

     "So, I see you are still alive. Any Shadows?" Evil could hardly wait for the report.

     "Evil, they lied to you. They didn't even go into the deepest part of the eastern forest where the Shadows had been reported. They turned south and headed straight for Saphery. I told the boys that its no good for us to follow them there, as they all would surely be killed. Forty-eight of them ser, and maybe a few. All Druchii and the looks of it, they were the very best ones from eight different fighting units and a few."

      Evil sat up and smiled, but he wanted to make sure about the Shadows, so he said, "But no Shadows. This you are certain? Right?"

     Deathdream said, "I'm going to bed, but no, no Shadows." He then turned and headed up the stairs, but just as he started on the first step he stopped and said, "Funny though, I felt we were being watched the whole time." He then climbed on up to his room.

     The dark elven Druchii was known for their vicious and stealthy attacks. They began fighting on the first day that their ships had landed on the far cold northern shores of the Blighted Isles. Their campaign was a murderous one as nothing was sacred. All must die...all. Their success though was created and styled by the great Maleketh himself. It was his vengeance that brought them here, and it was his viciousness that kept them in fear of him. The Druchii slept, ate, died, and stole in his name. All feared their great dark elf captains, and they knew no end to evil and wickedness.

     So when they found themselves looking up at the battlements of the tall dark spires of Saphery, they began almost immediately to look at the impossible and to start their plans. Their chosen leader was the mastermind known as Captain Teckis, and the others followed him without question or doubt. He called for his best climber, and a very skinny young scout named Gice came forward. He instructed him to sneak down to the ocean's edge and look for handholds within the stonewalls of the towers. Gice did this and an hour later he was back. He reported he had no problem scaling the ancient stones. Teckis then told him to pack as much rope as possible, but not to stop until he reached the very highest tower. Once there he was to tie off the rope and let the rest dangle down.

     Teckis then had two more climbers Alexsei and Elgar to climb up and connect their ropes to this top one. They worked at this for several hours. Then came the command to climb the ropes until every single Druchii was standing on the enormous roof of the tallest spire. The wind was tearing at their clothes as the ocean breeze blew in from the eastern shore below. On the roof where two chimney openings, one had very black smoke coming out of it, which meant it was probably living quarters and quite possibly the Sea Queen's personal bedroom. It was the one that had no smoke coming from it that they started down one at a time.

     Half of his warriors were down the long shaft of the chimney when Teckis stiffened. First an extremely loud crack of an explosion, followed by a loud scream could be heard from below. The last two warriors were trying hard to scramble back out of the chimney. A great battle had started below. One warrior backed out of the chimney, he then jumped back and tripped over the rope. Losing his balance he then fell into the opening of the second chimney and went all the way to the bottom, landing on the small fire, putting it out. Teckis could hear his moans, but there was nothing he could do about it now.

      Another loud blood curdling scream could be heard, but oddly this one was different. It sounded to Teckis like the sound a wild animal makes when calling to others. Suddenly he heard a raspy voice calling from the second chimney. The warrior was saying something but it sounded like 'there is no hope', and Teckis was beginning to believe there was no hope as well. The hope of getting in and out undetected was the only chance of success. They were trapped in the chimney and the chance of retrieving the famous Golden Crossbow seemed hopeless too. He braced himself now, and waited for the inevitable.

Chapter Three: The Steel Slice

Saphery Towers

     Sans Sennie and Sans Matty were two young chamber maids working hard scrubbing on the marble clad bathing pool. That was just one of many domestic labors for the household of Lady Cervone, the Sea Queen of Saphery.  They always whispered to each other, not out of secrecy so much, as out of respect for the queen. It was late and they both were very tired, as they finished the last of the chores.

     "Tell me Sennie, I could not help notice that as we always past one of the Brights in the halls, that you always look at the floor until they pass. Are you afraid of them?"

     "Matty, do you really think I'm afraid of our wizards? That's just silly."

     Matty was tall and thin built, but she was always worried, and wondered. She had been a refugee of Chrace, when the palace of Saphery had taken her in. She knew what it was like when power was mislaid, and it added to her sense of paranoia. "Well they wield a lot of power in Ulthuan and elsewhere in the world."

     Sennie smiled at this as she said, "Oh Matty, the Brights guide power, but the power they possess is some sort of twisted magic I guess. They don't rule anything and carry no titles."

     "Well Sennie, that still does not answer my question, now does it?" Matty was determined, and she really did want to know.

     Sennie stopped scrubbing and sat up. She looked around, and then said, "If I tell you, you have to promise you will not tell the others. I mean it Matty."

     Matty smiled, "I promise, but what's with all the drama?"

     Sennie moved closer to Matty and lowered her voice even more, "Because, something happened earlier this year. I was polishing those sconces in the library halls of the Arcane Tower. I never like going there. Say what you will about the Brights, but that place always made me feel dreadful inside. It's hard to explain. Still, I do my duty, and I don't complain."

     "I noticed that the one Shadow that they call Fyrewyzrd, was standing out on the balcony, staring as in a daze out across the ocean. So I thought to myself, it must be nice to stand around all day like that, while the rest of us work like dogs around them. It was a few minutes later and he came back into the hall, and as he headed towards the library, he passed by me very closely. I turned and looked up at him, and I don't know why. He reached out though and for just a second his finger touched my forehead, and I suddenly felt faint. I thought I was going to collapse. He went on his way though and entered into his precious library."

     "I felt very ill, and so I didn't continue my chores, and instead headed down to the kitchens. I found Sans Gabriella and ask to me excused, as I didn't feel well. She looked at me and said that I was as white as a lion, and that I better go lie down and rest. To which I did straight away. I didn't fall asleep though, yet I began to dream if you could call it that."  Sennie let out a sigh, and looked down at her folded hands, as she felt a reminder of the dream again.

      "Well don't stop now you ninny, tell me more." Matty had stopped her scrubbing, and was totally enthralled with Sennie's tale.

     Sennie began again, but now a strange look came across her face as if she was in distress some how. "So in this dream, I could see the past. At least I perceived it was the past some how. There were hundreds of people running all over, desperate, screaming. The look of terror was in their eyes. They ran into the sea, and others ran into the forests, all to get away from a great dark horde. It was that horde that all power was pulsing from. I could see a great host of Orcs, and they were foul, enormous, and hideous to look upon. Behind them hiding but prodding them on were hundreds of Goblins. They yelled and screamed it was horrible. Then I noticed further away, but skulking and circling were several dark elves on their black stallions. The feeling of dread then deepened upon my mind. I was terrified and yet I had to look closer, and I could see they were murdering and slashing everyone and everything in their path. They chopped at the men and women, but even when they came near the children they killed them too. Dogs, and cattle, it was unbelievable.  The screams, the screams were in my mind Matty. I was so afraid." Sennie began to cry as she went on with her story.
   
" Then a ship pulled in quickly from the north and ran aground. Several warriors jumped out and they immediately came under attack from the greenskins. The warriors fought bravely, but they were sorely outnumbered. They continued to fall back towards the forest. They fought and killed many of the Orcs, and some of the Goblins as well."

     " I now see the ship is on fire, and its just total chaos, as they begin to destroy everything. The Goblins then set the woods on fire, and they circled a band of people who had surrendered. Yet the Orcs only screamed their war cries and jumped into the middle of these poor unfortunate people and began to kill them straight away. A young boy came running towards me, mistaking me for his mother as the blood flowed down into his eyes. He called out to me, "Save me Mother, save me..!!" Yet he fell dead at my feet with a black dart sticking out of his back."

     "I began to cry and beg the lords to stop these vile creatures from their slaughter of so many innocent victims. No one could hear me though, it was as if I were a ghost. I heard horns blowing and I see maybe fifty of the Bright wizards in a group moving towards the great host. They seem to be trying to draw the invaders from the people. It worked too! The Orcs bellowed and yelled, as they turn to meet this new challenge. They charged the Brights and the Goblins did too. It was a terrible battle as the wizards shot hundreds of lightning bolts out and into the Orcs. A few of them, their heads exploded and it was horrible to see."

     "The greenskins went into a fury, and they tore into the wizards. They began killing them, because now all the dark elves finally rode in close and stunned the wizards with bolts of magic. The air smelt of burned flesh and hair. The screams of the greenskins out blasted even the cries of the dying wizards. It went on for an hour or so. Several of the people got away in the woods, but the Brights paid a terrible toll, as all but only a couple survived and were taken prisoner."

     "I finally came out of it some what Matty, but I knew then that this Shadow had implanted that scene into my mind so that I would know." She looked over at Matty as she said this, and she could see that her face had gone all white and she was trembling as well.

     Matty whispered hoarsely, "Do not tell me any more sister, I've heard enough."

     "Oh no, you will hear it all. The few that were left were dragged off to dungeons, where unspeakable terrors feasted on them. Their names were like black blots on my mind, yet I could see them laughing and torturing hundreds of prisoners, a few of which were the few remaining Bright wizards. The torture is crazy, its like nothing you could ever imagine. They screamed Matty, they suffered.....how they suffered, and then they died." Sennie was now sobbing loudly.

     A male voice then said from behind them, "Is their a problem ladies ..?" Both of the chambermaids screamed out, and jumped in fear. They quickly turned and settled down when they saw it was the Shadow healer named Alto.

     "Very sorry ser to have disturbed you." Matty's hands were over her mouth and her eyes wide with terror. Sennie continued to sob openly as her shoulders trembled.

     "Ahh...I perceive you were talking about the invasion of my homeland, I see now". He reached out and put a healing hand on each of their shoulders and they immediately calmed down. "Those were bad times for all of us. As you can see many suffered greatly."

     Sennie was able to now regain her composure. The terrible thoughts had now passed on. The color started to reappear to her pale cheeks. She straightened her skirts and bowed to Alto as she said, "It was quite horrible ser, but it did keep me wondering as to where and when this occurred?"

      Alto responded, "Oh that my dear was last year as Maleketh and his Druchii invaded the Shadowlands after taking the Blighted Isles.  They used the greenskins to take the blunt of it. Now get on with your work and don't worry yourself about it the rest of this day. I am looking for Lady Cervone, have you seen her?"

     Matty said, "Yes ser, she would be in her studies now on the upper floor." Alto bowed to them, and pulled his white robes around tighter as he headed towards the great spiraling stairway that dominated the center of the palace halls on every floor.

Alto - The Shadows Healer

     Alto soon reached the top floor and looking down an enormous and long hallway he could see a guard standing near a lighted candle, and so he made his way there. The guard was watching him closely as he approached. Alto said, "Hail ser. I would like a meeting with the queen, if she has the time."

     The guard said, "Yes ser, please wait here." He then walked over to the double doors of her sleeping chambers and stepped inside. He was only in there for a moment and he came back out and said, "Please follow me ser, she is in her studies." As they started off down the hall, Alto looked back over his shoulder, and wondered who the guard talked to. It obviously wasn't her majesty. He let the matter pass though as they reached her studies.

     Again the guard asked Alto to wait outside, he then opened the door slightly and said, "Ser Alto is here to see her majesty, should I ask him to come in?"
 
   A low whispered voice said, "Yes, it is okay." Alto though did not recognize it as the queen's voice. He now stepped forward cautiously, and into the room. The queen was sitting on a great divan reading a book so large that she had it sitting next to her and she was bent over reading it totally entranced.  Alto however was very surprised to see so many of her maids were in the room at the same time. It was odd, and they were also dressed in all black robes with black veils as if they were in morning.

     Alto waited patiently but was about to clear his throat, when Lady Cervone spoke. "Thank you for waiting my good healer, and how is our Lord Alto tonight? Alto bowed down and took to one knee, as was the custom. He then rose up slowly.

     "I'm doing quite well your highness. I wanted to remind you that the Lothern army should be drawing near within a few days of here. Its also possible that Fyrewyzrd and Captain Jonn of the Kria will be here soon."

   "Do you think the secret weapon is still secret?" She now lifted her head away from the huge book and looked up at Alto with her beautiful dark gray eyes.

     "Oh yes your majesty. I am most sure it is."

     "I see, and do you still think this planned crusade of the Shadows is the answer to this invasion?"
 
   "Well, I have my hopes as do all Shadows who have lost their homeland, but we are surrounded by thousands of others who find themselves in the same predicament. It grows worse every day. Another great hope is General Nivaga's great southern army as it might be the determining factor. He has put his faith into his siege engines to take back Chrace in the north."
 
    As Alto spoke there was something that seem to bother him, but he just could not put his finger on it. He did notice that the queen seemed to have increased her staff, as there were several handmaids about, and always the queen's personal maid Auriwen.

     "Yes, well I have great hopes as well, although I would much rather return back to the sea. The only thing that does not permit it, are the people of my realm. They are hard working and yet they need protection in these terrible times. We must win not only this war Alto, because then we must turn our attention to the ever-widening war of the Old World. The Empire may not exist if we take to long. Chaos is attacking them on all fronts. They grow bolder now that they know Maleketh has invaded our Ulthuan." She then stood up and said to the closest maid, "Please order us some wine and we will take it in the out cove."

     So Alto reached out and offered his arm and escorted Lady Cervone to the other area of her studies. They sat down on a plump divan, as the maids were right behind them lighting candles. One of them started to light the fireplace, but Lady Cervone said, "Leave that, and please leave us now as I must speak of things too personal for anyone else to hear. Thank you."

      Another maid brought in the wine bottle and two goblets on a silver tray and sat it down on the small table nearby. As she did so, Alto could smell her perfume and it was a wonderful jasmine under those black veils. As the maid started to move off Alto noticed one last thing. She had on bright red leather shoes or boots. He couldn't tell because he could only see the toes. He cocked his head at this, as that would be odd dress for a handmaiden.

      He turned his head back towards the queen and she was smiling at him as she said, "My, my Lord Alto. You seem to like my new chamber maid." Alto immediately blushed and stammered a bit, "Uh...yes, well....er....no." Lady Cervone chuckled, but then her face grew serious.

     "Ser Alto, I have one more thing to ask of you. I know with this great crusade and plans to take back what the enemy has stolen. The Shadows are scattered, yet they are coming together and just in time. I try to think what my late husband would have done in my place. It is he that should be here talking to you instead of me, but fate has ended that dream."

     Alto said, "My queen, you only to ask of me anything. You and the king brought many of us Shadows here, when others turned their backs on us. Ask me and I will do my best."

      "Well I was wondering if you could go and get..."  Lady Cervone never finished her question because her and Alto were slammed in to by several flying bodies from behind them...!!

     Alto found him self pinned to the floor with his breath knocked out of him. The divan was knocked over and the queen lay on the other side, her foot just a few feet away from him. His face was being shoved into the stone but at last he was able to turn it to one side to see his attackers. Druchii..!! He was shocked. Where did they come from? Two were sitting on top of him holding him down. Another was on top of Lady Cervone and she too was pinned down on her stomach. The Druchii warrior that was on top of her now pulled out a deadly ivory handled ceremonial dirk. He then placed it under the queen's neck and began to slit her throat.

    Alto could see this, and so there was only one thing that he could do. He began the incantations to heal her. As the Druchii continued to cut her throat the cut would seal up immediately even though she had loss some blood. He would cut again, and again Alto called upon his healing powers. Suddenly a scream erupted from behind them, and it sounded like a wild animal was loose in the room.

     One of the queen's handmaids had just so happen to look into the reading cove. When she seen the Druchii pouring out of the huge fireplace she screamed as loud as she could. Only it was not a scream of fear but a call for help. She then jumped back away from the door, and she threw off her black robes and veil. Who emerged was a famous female warrior of a group known as the 'Steel Slice'. Her name was Sans Tristin and she was adorned in bloody red colored leathers and boots. Her flaming red hair looked as if it was on fire. She carried a large red single-handed sword and she pulled from her back a small shield with a bloody red cross on the front.
 
   She now jumped through the doorway and was met immediately by two Druchii swordsmen. The battle began in earnest as she ducked a swinging blow from one and then immediately jumped as high as she could to clear a sharp sword blow beneath her feet. She then blocked another sword swing with her shield, and yet took a crushing blow against her sword from the other warrior. She then did the unexpected she kicked out her legs and landed flat on her back. As she did so she thrust upwards and her sword entered the Druchii's lower belly under his steel chained hauberk. As he died falling to his knees, Tris could hear a gagging sound coming from the queen. This put her into a total frenzy.
 
     She rolled and spun to her feet just as another slicing blow came from her left. She jumped a bit to the side and deflected the blow with her sword, but as the Druchii's huge swing continued in its motion she followed behind it with a sword thrust up under his arm pit. She didn't pull back as many swordsmen do. Instead she pushed her body hard up against him and twisted the sword driving it in past his rib cage and into his heart. She now seesawed the blade up and down cutting the heart nearly in two. He fell and she put her boot on his chest to pull her deadly bloody sword out.

Sans Pebbz - Steel Slice

     She then felt the ever-familiar hand of another member of the 'Steel Slice'. Sans Pebbz although everyone called her Pebblez as a nickname had thrown off her black costume as well. She joined the fray just in time as three more Druchii attacked the doorway, which had become a sort of line in the sand. In fact Tris was more determined than ever to fight her way, if possible, to the queen who was now covered by two warriors. Pebbz and Tris dove into the three Druchii and it was very close work for them as blade met blade, edge to edge. A constant rhythm of a whacking sound occurred as Tris's small buckler took blow after blow.

    Tris's style was awesome as she jumped and spinned, cutting and swinging. It looked almost like a dance, where as Pebbz stood in one spot and ducked and weave her small muscular body. Her sword moves, no one could match as the double katanas moved rapidly in and out in a pumping stabbing motion. It made a sound as if she was puncturing a bag of potatoes.

      Pebbz then saw a sight that made her dismay. More Druchii where piling out of the fireplace..!! She screamed out the wild cry that they were famous for. In the next room though, behind them, the other members of the Steel Slice were already there and stripping out of the black clothing and veils.

      In the front was the notorious Sans Selkie, and she bulled her way into the room looking for murder. She shoved a Druchii scout over and he fell, then rolled away jumping to his feet. He only had enough time to try and fight off a horrendous barrage of sword attacks by Selkie. She screamed in his face, and it completely stunned him for just a second. That was long enough for Selkie to drive her thin steel sword deep into his neck while her chain mail gauntlet deflected his blade. He died wondering in his mind, "Who in blazing hell is this?"

      Behind her was Selyne known as a 'quickler'. A quickler used dirks and knives. Selyne carried as many as fifty on her from the four big bone dirks down to the little but deadly difes. Difes were small knives cooked in poison, and she was now throwing them across the room beyond the ever-building fight at the doorway. The grunts and groans, the yells, and cries of pain, of metal clanging against metal, and of warriors dying made this room a horrible hell to be in.

     Alto was fighting hard to try and get at least one of the Druchii off of him so he could raise his arm and get his sword or maybe his knife even, but they had him pinned hard. It was all he could do to stay up with the terrible wounds of the queen. Her attacker was becoming furious and more violent as the wounds kept healing up. Finally he said, "She be more wee-kid thun thee dee-vil heemself." Blood was everywhere, but the queen was still alive.

     Now as more Druchii entered the room, they pushed hard against the backs of their fellow attackers. They physically pushed the battle into the other room, but this did not deter the Steel Slice, instead they did what they do best and adapt. Selyne ran back and jumped up on the back of a stone lion statue that was in the middle of a small inner pool. From the back of the lion she was up so high that now she became even more deadly, as the difes came flying down and into the Druchii bunch.

    Tristin had finally broken her sword and with both hands was using her shield like a chopping action from over her head and down onto her attacker. The edges of the buckler was breaking noses and splitting lips wide open. Seeing this Pebblez kept leaning closer to Tris and she would reach over and stab Tris's attacker in the neck cutting his jugular. The Druchii were great warriors, but they had never seen such quickness, and viciousness. They were not use to a rapid fire stabbing and slashing like they were taking. The fight now had gone on for nearly twenty minutes non-stop. In fact to stop was instant death, and so they fought on. The Druchii did not know what it was to lose. They did not know how to pull back or to retreat strategically. So even as they remained dumbfounded they continued to fight. The Slice was now clearly butchering them, and yet the Druchii never backed down.

     The Steel Slice had been famous for years, but many feared them because above all else they were their own fighting unit within the Shadows. They were highly regarded by their brothers, and they knew no boundaries when it came to battle. Their fathers and brothers had been Shadows as well, and their training was exotic and unusual. Their mothers were famous in history for their strange warrior traits of blade fighting. It wasn't until the dark elves invaded Ulthuan, that they gelled into their present fighting force. Sworn to the gods to revenge the deaths of their families who died in the Battle of the Shadowlands. The bloody red crosses adorned their shields and banners, were the symbols of their prophesied return to power.

Captain Teckis

     As the battle raged below, up on the roof the Druchii 's Captain Teckis was thinking how bad the logistics were on this fight. He was always thinking ahead and now he realized they might very well be trapped. His warriors were yelling up the fireplace chute about the horrible battle below. Then one of them said, "Sheesh mate, they be gurls. Geet down there and fight..!" Teckis said, "What? Then he heard again the poor dying warrior who had accidentally fell down the other fireplace shaft. He was moaning something terribly now, but Teckis tried to put it out of his mind, because he could not help him. In fact he had already lost twenty-one of his finest fighters in the hell fight below. That was it. He had had enough.

    Teckis yelled down the shaft, and some how amongst all the screams and the din of battle, they heard him yell, "RETREAT..!!" Their first thought though was, 'How?' Little by little they climbed back up the rope, until there was ten on the roof, but there still was twelve in the room below. Teckis was pulling warriors out of the shaft now, and they were covered in soot and blood. Many were wounded severely.

    It was then that one of his scouts said, 'Captain, someone is down the other shaft,"

    Teckis said, "Yes, I know soldier. He is beyond our help now. He probably has a broken back."

    The scout said, "Oh no ser. He is asking for us to throw down a rope."

     Teckis shook his head as he realized that he had been saying 'Throw down a rope!", and not, "There is no hope." Only now there was no rope left except the one down the other chute and the remaining twelve warriors would need it, if they got the chance to win out in the battle and to escape. So he ran over and yelled down, "Just stay put, we will get you out as soon as we can."

     Mean while the bloody battle continued on the upper floor of the Sea Tower and in the rooms of the Sea Queen's studies. In fact the Steel Slice was just now starting to push back into the outer cove. Five more of the Steel Slice had joined their sisters and jumped into the middle of the surging walls of bodies. The dead and dying were laying everywhere. Blood was pooling on the stones as Druchii and the Steel Slice defenders fell one by one. It was the worst battle ever for the Druchii, and they were not ready for their exceptional losses. The Steel Slice were fighting like wild tigers, and it seemed to come so natural to them. Even so they had lost three of their finest female warriors.

     Tristin and Selyne had attacked the four Druchii struggling with Alto and the queen. Only six Druchii remained alive and they were fighting for their lives. They knew that the order for retreat had been given but this Steel Slice was like a nightmare. They could not turn their backs on them to run back to the fireplace. Even if they did, they still would have to try and climb out with their enemy hacking at their heels.

      So, they just stood back to back, fighting a losing battle, as one after the other fell. The last two now, at the final moment, turn and ran for the rope. When the first one made it, the second one panicked and jumped over him. His foot kicked his fellow warrior in the face and he fell backwards. Selkie fell on to him with her full weight and he sunk to the floor as she drove her sword into his chest plate clean up to the hilt. He fell over on his side and died. The other warrior now was fighting to climb the rope, but he could not climb it faster than Pebblez. She had nimbly jumped on the rope, and then caught up to him half way up inside the shaft. She took her free hand and stabbed him several times in his legs. He still continued to climb, so she pulled out her knives and cut his ankle tendons. That was too much and so he fell, taking her with him as he went brushing by her. She reached out and grabbed his hair, curled up into a ball just as they hit the stone floor below, with him underneath her. It knocked the breath out of Pebbz, but she was alive and thankful. Selkie stabbed the Druchii several times, and then he finally died with nearly fifteen stab wounds.

     Tris had gone over to Alto who was bent over and working hard on trying to save the brave queen's life.  Alto looked down and noticed the red-toed boots next to him. He raised his head and said, "She has lost a lot of blood. I don't know if I can save her or not." Tris looked the queen over very quickly and then turned back to the others who were still looking up the fireplace.

     Tris said, "Come on there still has to be some on the roof." So the four of them turn and ran out of the room.

     On the roof though Teckis had ordered the rope pulled up and thrown down the other chimney. Down at the bottom was the dark elf scout who had fell. Everyone called him Taats, but his real name was Allanae. He was like a living good luck charm, and his luck had fell upon him, as he had fell down the shaft. By hitting the flue vents on the way down it had broken his fall and he had landed in the pile of ashes and limbs on fire. It had knocked the breath out of him. He had rolled out onto the floor in a very large room. He looked around and for the first time in his life he was speechless. He had fell inside of the palatial vault, and was surrounded by thousands of pounds of silver and gold, from figurines to finger rings, from goblets to goblin statues. Every piece made of either silver or precious gold.

     He finally regained his breath but his breathing was labored and his voice raspy. He yells back up the shaft and calls for a rope, but no answer came. He finally gave up and started looking around closer, and it was then that he seen it. In one corner in a special large glass bureau was the famous Golden Cross Bow of Saphery..!! He had found by pure luck the very thing they had been after. He picks up a small statue of a goblin and looks at it and chuckles. He says, "Finally one of you buggers are going to do some work." He then threw it as hard as he could and it shattered the bureau glass. He then reached in and carefully removed the heavy golden crossbow. He put it in a bag that was lying nearby, and then tied it to his backpack.

     He went back to yelling for a rope and after a great while the end of a rope came flying down. He now had enough strength to pull himself back up. Once he got to the top, Captain Teckis was there, waiting for him. Teckis then yelled at him, "You are grinning, but there is nothing to grin about as they have killed nearly thirty five of our men." It was then that Teckis knew there must be something more behind Taat's grin. "What?"

     Taats reached around behind him and pulled out the large bag and opened it. Teckis gasped as he laid eyes on the golden weapon. He immediately spun around and said, "Okay now, lets get out of here. Down the outer ropes." So all of them, even though they were extremely tired, made it down the ropes. It was going to be a long trip back to Averlorn and extremely dangerous. Teckis could not stop chuckling to himself about the lucky Taats though, "There is no hope."

     Near the bottom of the ropes the five Druchii warriors were watching for signs of the enemy. They now heard a commotion coming from around the outer corner of the palace walls, as they stayed hunched down in the edge of the woods. Just as they hear these noises and know that the Saphery Guard are coming, they look up and realize that their fellow attackers are coming back down the two ropes. So they see they have no choice but to try and delay the guard from attacking the Druchii coming down the ropes. They jump up and come running out of the tree line and head straight for the corner wall. As they make the turn they now see the enemy and they are very relieved, as its only four females running towards them. They ready their swords for this quick kill.

     Of course it is the Steel Slice, and they are in a full all out run towards these five Druchii. The two sides collide in a crash of noise and war cries. The swords clash as Selyne's knives hit their targets one after the other. A Druchii drops his sword and grasp his neck where a small dife is sticking out of his jugular. He isn't bleeding that much, but still he drops like a stone and is dead before his body hits the ground. The poison is just that quick and deadly.

     It is Tris and Pebblez again as they spin their swords in a whirl wind of movement, and the blade edges cut deep into flesh, bone, and muscle.

      Selkie though staggers backwards as she has received a nearly fatal blow. Her attacker stays on her though to finish her off, but she still has enough sense to fall to the side and roll away from the killing blow. She grabs at her wound and rolls up on to her knees and shoves her sword up one last time. Doing so she runs the blade through the Druchii's wrist that holds his sword. He immediately drops the sword and grabs his wrist. This gave Selkie just enough time to stand up and then jump onto him in hand-to-hand combat. She jabbed him in the eye with her thumb and he howled loudly as the pain went deep. She then twisted behind him and shot her arm around his neck and locked it in a chokehold. He could not get her off of him and he started to loose consciousness. Selkie squeezed him even tighter as she too started to become faint from her terrible wound to her stomach. He finally lost consciousness, and her death grip put him over the edge and he died, just as she past out.

     As this drama played out, the other ten Druchii had reached the bottom of the ropes. They were unaware of the small battle that was taking place right around the corner of the palace walls. They looked about, but wasted no time and ran into the woods. Their mission was to get this cross bow back to General CloudX. Teckis was wondering where the other five were. Did they chase the enemy into the woods or were they overwhelmed. He didn't have time to waste and so he ordered them onwards. They began running north through the woods but at a very slow pace.

     The Steel Slice had finally killed the last of the five Druchii. They stopped and dropped down to the ground, as their exhaustion was complete. They had killed nearly thirty-five warriors, but it was now coming to their realization that they might have lost Selkie as she lay near her dead enemy. They crawled over to her, and held her head. Tris looked up to the palace gates and seen paladin coming towards them. She yelled out, 'Get the healers.' So a demand for the healers to come to the front gate went out. The paladin carried Selkie back inside the gates and laid her down next to a small fountain where they gave her water and comfort. The healers came and right away they began their mysterious art.

     Another battle was ongoing and Alto didn't know if he was going to win this one or not. The Lady Cervone was just barely clinging to life. Alto prayed, and then he would put another charge in to her of the healing magic. She was very pale, and her breathing was extremely shallow. The whole palace was awake after the warning bells were rung of the surprise attack. Every floor of the palace was being searched, and the queen's real bodyguards were standing in the hallway, their anger apparent. Two weeks earlier they had been ordered by the queen to reside on the floor below and that a specially assigned group was protecting her. It looked like to them that the plan by the Shadows may have failed.

    A few other healers stood by, and finally Alto relinquished his patient over to them as he was ready to collapse from the constant out pouring of energy. They moved her to her sleeping chambers and began a vigil on her right away. Several paladin and Bright wizards came and prayed for her in the following days after the attack. Alto went back to the Arcane Tower where he was a guest and collapsed in his chambers from exhaustion.

     The members of the Slice were also hovered around Selkie as her wounds were being attended too, but she clung to life as well. Tris finally left and went to find Alto. They told her he was in his chambers resting after his ordeal. Tris wasted no time though and didn't even bother knocking. She just went on in to the famous healer's chambers. He was past out still wrapped up in the white robes of his profession. Tris now came to him, and she leaned over and closely whispered into his ear, "You have one more to save. Save her and I grant you one service of your choosing." Tris figured Alto would have several enemies and would offer to be his bodyguard in order to save Selkie's life. It was all she had to barter with. Alto slowly rose up in his exhaustion and never said a word. He then stumbled and made his way to the door. Tris almost felt guilty seeing him in this state, but she had to save Selkie and this was the only person she knew that could do it.
 
   Like a zombie Alto made his way as Tris showed him where Selkie laid. Several were standing around her and others were on the ground leaning over her and praying. Alto yelled at them, "Out of my way..!!" They immediately jumped away from her, and Alto fell to his knees beside her. Then he said, "It will be a black rune healing for you sister Selkie." He then took out a small knife and he cut Selkie's forehead just above her brow in the shape of a small cross, and it began to bleed.

      Alto leaned closer and he felt dizzy. He started to struggle with his balance. He pulled out the small black rune stone and laid it on the bloody cut cross. He spoke several incantations and then he forced out one long blast of seething healing energy. Selkie's body jumped and bucked, but she never regained consciousness. Everything went black for Alto, and he cease to worry, as he collapsed over Selkie's body.

Shadows Warning

     Teckis and his Druchii warriors were continuing their ordeal. They found themselves deep into the enemies' forest. They had no water or provisions as Teckis really never thought they would even get this far. It was only luck that they found the cross bow, and it was Taats they all had to thank for that.  Even so they were still alive and the mission was progressing. After a solid day of running to try and out distance the enemy, did they finally take a break that next night and rested.

    After three days march two of the Druchii succumbed to their wounds and the others buried them. They were now becoming dangerously close to dehydration. Still they moved on during the night and slept during the day hidden under brush. On the fifth day just when Teckis figured they should now turn west and head towards Averlorn that they seen a sight that