The Garden of Delusion. 89

As Jax appeared in the dark skies of the Nightmare world, he gazed up at the black sun that shined overhead and thought how strange this place of fear was. He looked down and saw the twisted forest of dead trees beneath him. This place looked so cold and odd. He was use to bright skies and green forest with many different things living and running wild. Here, he know there was nothing but nightmare things of death and horror all around. He had to be careful for it was dangerous here even for a god like him.
Far high up in the gray clouds Jax circled down to land in a clearing just outside of the forest. There was a trail that he had seen from above that twisted its way through the trees. He pulled his cloak closed against the chill and started on his way in to search for his father and the others.
The forest was dark and cold. Every tree and blade of grass was gray and dead. From out in the shadows, Jax could hear things growling and creeping around. He could see eyes watching him as he passed down the trail. His hands glowed with power ready to blast anything that charged out at him.
As he walked, Jax looked up into the trees. There on a top branch, a single crow stared down watching him as he passed. Further on in the trees he saw a second and a third crow. All sitting quiet and just watching him. Pretty soon the trees were full of silent crows. None of them moved very much, they just sat there staring after him with their yellow glowing eyes.
Without taking his eyes off the crows, Jax stopped in the center of the trail. He removed his cloak and dropped it on the ground in front of him.
"I fear no dreams." He called out into the trees. "Or nightmares!"
As if on cue, the crows all started cawing and took to the air. Like a great black cloud they flew in circles over head then came together to merge into one giant bird and dived down at Jax. Raising himself up off the ground, Jax folded his arms across his chest and let the crow attack. With it's talons open, the crow dived down and reached out tried to grab him out of the air. When it touched him, Jax sent a surge of power out into the crow. With a scream the crow burst apart into small shadows and darted down into the trees.
Satisfied, Jax dropped back down to the trail. He picked up his cloak and dusted it off and started back down the trail. He knew Extremus would be here somewhere and if he wanted to save Rimnar and Aramis, he'd have to defeat the god of nightmares.

"You will have to do better then that." Damiceis said. "He doesn't look scared at all. I don't think your nightmares are affecting him."
"My nightmares affect everyone!" Extremus yelled. "They will drive him mad just like the others!"
"If you say so." Damiceis walked to a table and sorted through fruit in a bowl. "But I think maybe there's another way to go."
"What do you mean?"
"What if we were to weaken him with." Damiceis popped a grape into his mouth. "How about jealousy. That should make him be ready for your nightmares."
"Do your worse." Extremus smiled.

With Rimnar in the lead and Aramis close at his side, the two gods made their way through the dark city. They watched every shadow, every sudden movement from high or low. From the skitters that darted out to attack, to the over sized crows that kept watch from above. Every now and then, they would come down and get a little to close and Rimnar or Aramis would blast them, scattering them all through the blackened sky.
"There's something about them I should remember." Rimnar said eyeing the monster birds. "I've seen them before but I can't remember where."
"I know what you mean father." Aramis shook his head. "This place seems familiar, like I've been here before but I can't remember. My mind is so foggy."
"As is mine." Rimnar stopped and looked up at a crow that was watching them. "Maybe they are the answer. Maybe we should follow them and see where they take us."
"It as good a course as anything I can think of. But how do we get them to move? I think they're here to watch us."
"We do this."
Rimnar reached out and sent a blast at the closest crow. It jumped from the tree and took off into the air. As it took flight, Rimnar shot it down then he blasted three more as they tried to escape. Seeing what his father had planned, Aramis took aim and started killing crows. In a great swarm, all the crows in the trees took off. They kept blasting until Aramis noticed the biggest one and pointed it out.
It had taken off heading north.arms, Rimnar
"There!" Aramis pointed. "That one."
Spreading his arms, Rimnar concentrated and lifted himself up off the ground a few feet then fell back down onto the pavement. He stood up and tried again only this time he couldn't get off the ground.
"I can't fly!" Rimnar looked at Aramis confused. "I don't understand, what's wrong with me?"
"It's not just you father. I can't fly either. What do we do?"
"We run." Rimnar took off after the crow. "Hurry! We can't let it get away!"
Off through the grim city they ran. Past skitters and strange three legged four armed man like creature that tried to grab them as they passed. Though they were weakened, they still had the power to fight. Aramis blasted to the left while Rimnar took out anything to the right. It wasn't long until they found themselves standing at a rusted gate to a dark garden full of black and gray dead plants as the crow disappeared behind a dark mausoleum.
As they entered, they looked around. It was a dismal and grim place that looked sad and depressing.
Rose bushes with dried up dead flowers growing from long thorny stems were scattered all around the garden. Thick gray grass assorted weeds grew all around the mausoleum. As they walked through the garden, Aramis heard a sound that fit right into this dreary place. Soft sobs, someone was crying.
"Father." He stopped holding out his hand. "Do you hear that?"
Rimnar looked around for the source of the sad sounds. Over on the stairs of the mausoleum with her head down in her hands, sat a young girl in a long black dress. She was crying. Now in their life, both Rimnar and Aramis had seen thousands of people crying for many different reasons. Famine, sickness, war and the lose of a loved one, but this girl was different. Her cries touched something deep inside of them. It plucked at some note of sorrow deep down inside their soul. Aramis couldn't help but go to her.
As the two gods came close to her, she looked up at them. Aramis stopped as he stared down at her sad beautiful face. She had dark beautiful tender green eyes that seemed to just draw him in with sadness. Tears streaked down to drop from her perfect face. Her lips were red as ripe cherries that glowed against her pale skin.

"Sweet lady." Aramis knelt down to talk to her. "What could bring such sadness to someone so beautiful?"
"I'm lost." She said. "And this place scares me so much. I'm not sure what I should do."
"What's your name young lady?" Rimnar asked. He sat down beside her on the stairs.
"Matia." She answered wiping her eyes.
"Do you know what this place is?" He asked.
"It's where horrors come from." She told them.
Rimnar had no doubt of that. But where on Keanna were they? Or were they even on Keanna?
"There are horrible things all around us." She cried. "Always watching and waiting for a chance to attack. I try to fight, but I'm not very strong."
"We will protect you." Aramis reached down for her hand to help her up. "Stay with us, we'll find a way to get you out."
Matia looked up into Aramis eyes. She could see he meant what he was saying and she believed him. Could this be her chance to escape this worlds of nightmares?
[Your only chance isup and  to do what I ordered.] Extremus sent to her. His words were like hot needles pressing into her mind. Matia shook her head. [Fail me and you will suffer.]
Matia pushed Extremus down and out of her mind. She had a decision to make. To follow his orders or to take a chance and help these two gods. She knew if they were to gain their freedom, they could help her be free of Extremus. But if they failed and Extremus managed to win, she would sentenced to an eternity of nightmares. The choice was easy. She knew what she knew what she had to do
"My lords." Matia stood and grabbed Aramis hand. "Come with me. There is something I have to tell you, but we must be in the mausoleum  where he can't hear us."
"Who? Rimanr asked.
"Extremus."
With that name, Rimnar knew exactly where they were. Now everything they had seen made sense. They weren't anywhere on Keanna. They were on in an alternate dimension, one created and ruled by only one god. They were in Extremus's world of delusions and nightmares and getting out would not be easy.

Like a phantom, Damiceis drifted through the dark skies over the nightmare world with nothing but hate for Jax and the other gods of Fortis on his mind. For eons the others had ignored and dismissed him thinking he was forever below them. He was sick of it and he knew this was his chance to rise above them and see them all grovel at his and Extremus's feet. All he had to do was find Jax and fill his mind with jealousy and guilt. That should be easy he thought. The god of Justice should have many things in his past to feel guilty about. He had passed judgement over millions over the years and passed out many different punishments. There had to be many mortals he would felt guilty about. Or maybe jealousy. Damiceius knew Jax never really thought he was one of his fathers favorites. Not like Alee or Aramis. or even his warrior sister Serina. Damiceius smiled, he knew he had many weapons he could use against the so called righteous god.
From high overhead he spotted Jax's red hair and cloak as he moved though the forest. Gliding down, Damiceis carefully touched down and stopped to watch Jax to see if he felt his presence. Sensing nothing, Damiceis slowly made his way over to walk beside Jax. Carefully he tuned in to listen to his thoughts. He could sense his worry for the friends he had left behind to fight the war. He hoped they were safe but he was sure this was the only way to help them. Extremus had to be stopped if there was any chance for them to win. This could be something he could use.
[There's no chance.] He whispered in Jax's ear. [You left them to fight against one of the most powerful gods alone. No magic they knew could defeat Extremus, and you just left them. You should be with them. You can't help Rimnar.]
Damiceis felt a cold streak of fear run through Jax. Fear for his friends. Sarella could be attacking right now and killing everyone he loved.
[And for what?] Damiceis asked. [For Rimnar and Aramis? For Fortis? Did they ever really care for you? Aramis was his favorite, he held him so far above you. He held them all over you. Atol, Serina, Alea, even Muerte had a higher place then you and she tried to kill him!
Jax stopped and stood there looking down at the ground clenching his fist in anger. Damiceis smiled. He had him. The jealousy and guilt was working.
[You should let Extremus have them. What have they ever done but hold you back. You're just as important as any of them. You deserve justice too. Turn and walk away. Leave them to die here, then you could be the high one! Jax, High lord of Fortis. King of the gods!!]
"THAT IS ENOUGH!"
Jax turned and reached out and grabbed Damiceis by his throat and lifted him off the ground. Caught in his vice like grip, Damiceis lost his concentration and appeared struggling to breathe.
"Did you really think I didn't know it was you?" Jax yelled in his face. "Did you really think your jealousy could effect my mind? I have stood in judgement over gods and men and you thought you could turn my heart to betray my father and my family? Guess who gets judged now!!!"
"FForgive me please! Extremus made me do it!!"
Releasing Damiceis, Jax stepped back as he dell so far above you. He held them all over you. Atol, Serina, Alea, even Muerte had a higher place then you and she tried to kill him!
Jax stopped and stood there looking down at the ground clenching his fist in anger. Damiceis smiled. He had him. The jealousy and guilt was working.
[You should let Extremus have them. What have they ever done but hold you back. You're just as important as any of them. You deserve justice too. Turn and walk away. Leave them to die here, then you could be the high one! Jax, High lord of Fortis. King of the gods!!]
"THAT IS ENOUGH!"
Jax turned and reached out and grabbed Damiceis by his throat and lifted him off the ground. Caught in his vice like grip, Damiceis lost his concentration and appeared struggling to breathe.
"Did you really think I didn't know it was you?" Jax yelled in his face. "Did you really think your jealousy could effect my mind? I have stood in judgement over gods and men and you thought you could turn my heart to betray my father and my family? Guess who gets judged now!!!"
"FForgive me please! Extremus made me do it!!"
Releasing Damiceis, Jax stepped back as he fell to the ground. Rubbing his throat, Damiceis looked up at Jax and smiled with a wicked tint in his eyes. As he got up, he reached for his cloak to wrap himself and disappear when Jax cast out and pulled it away from him leaving him standing there dressing in an ugly green toga.

"You didn't think I was going to let you just go, did you?" Jax said holding his cloak of jealousy. "What punishment would that be."
"I'm a god." He waved Jax off. "What can you really do to me?"
"You're not the first god I've stood in judgement over." Jax took the cloak and threw it on the ground. Damiceis tried to grab in but he was shocked when he touched it. He stepped back rubbing his burned fingers and looked at Jax in shock.

A GOD YOU WERE BUT NOT ANYMORE.
I TAKE FROM YOU THAT WHICH YOU WORE.
YOUR GODLY MANTLE, I TAKE FROM THEE.
FROM GOD TO MAN, I SENTENCE THEE.
TO WALK KEANNA AND LEARN OF THE EFFECT.
OF GUILT AND JEALOUSY, TO LEARN RESPECT.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Damiceis screamed as he faded away to start his sentence as a beggar in the cities of Keanna. With Damiceis gone, Jax picked up his cloak and sent it off to the small temple Damiceis used in a lower part of Fortis.
[You won't defeat me with such ease.] Extremus sent as thunder roared. [I will crush you and your father and take Fortis for my own.]
"We'll see about that Hate master." Jax called out to the dark thunder clouds over head. "I'm coming for my father and brother, and for you."
[Come on then Justice.] Lightning crashed and hit a tree off on the side of the trail. It exploded into flames. [Welcome to my Nightmares.]

"So Extremus is behind this." Rimnar said as they entered the mausoleum. They walk to a large marble altar "And this is his Nightmare world. I should have known."
"You would have if you weren't under his nightmare blight." Matia told. "Both of you."
"And what is this blight?"
"Extremus has you under a powerful curse." She told them. "Right now your bodies are really back in Fortis under his spell dying. Your own power is burning you to death and only Extremus knows how to remove the blight and save you."
"Is there nothing we can do to fight him?" Aramis asked. "Are we to die here like some crazy sacrifice to his hate? There has to be something we can do."
"I'm sorry." Matia sat down on the edge of the altar and looked at them with remorse. Her eyes sparkled as a tear ran down her face. "The blight is sapping your strength, and weakening you. The more you fight it, the weaker you get. Soon you will be to weak to fight."
"Then we should conserve our strength." Rimnar said. "Use as little as possible."
Walking around the altar, Aramis sat down next to Matia.
"How did you get here?" He asked.
She told him of her death and how Extremus had brought her to the garden. He named her the goddess of remorse and use her like a slave to help him haunt people. But there was more she had to tell them.
"I'm not sure if you know this but, your not the only one he has trapped here. Nestor and Alea are also here fighting the nightmares."
"WHAT??" Rimnar exploded in surprise. "Where are they?"
"They're in another part of the garden." She explained. "Fighting just like you."
"Then we have to find them." Aramis said excited. The thought of help against the hate god encouraged him. "Together we can defeat Extremus and get out of here."
"You forget." Rimnar pointed out. "They are under the blight too. They will be weakened just like us, I know my brother Extremus very well. He may not be that strong on Fortis, but here, he rules supreme. We need someone who's not under his spell to fight him. But who?"
"There is someone that would help us. Someone who has always been at my side when I needed him."
"Yes." Rimnar agreed thinking of his red haired son. "I know who you mean. But will he come?"
"He's never failed me before." Aramis said with pride. "He fought death for me. I have faith in him. He will come."
"Then we should find Nestor and Alea and be ready." Rimnar turned to Matia. "Can you find them?"
"Yes." She said. "I can feel every soul trapped in the garden. Alea's fear is like a beacon. But I'm afraid. I've felt his anger before. I don't know if I can take it again."
"I promise." Aramis held out his hand. "I won't ever let him hurt you again."
Matia smiled and took his hand.
"I will be strong." She said. "For you."

The Prophesy. 88

 As the sun sank behind the western mountains of Taggitia, Talsara Darkshade opened her eyes and sat up from a long day of sleeping. Today was going to be a special day for her. She had finally managed to catch her renegade son and lock him up in his tower. Today she would have him chained, beaten and displayed in the city center as a trap to catch her main target, Aron Neveral, the seventh son of the Eventide blood line. Finally she would be done with that damned prophesy and prove that Hasmira was wrong.
As he dressed she thought about Hasmira's prophesy. She had said one and two would die and she was right. Shael and Zaior were killed in the war against the Shadowdragon along with their father. Evindal the third son fell under her spell and became a wild beast. Jake the fourth son merged with a dragon and became the master of fear. The fifth son, is Adanar the protector of his sister and as the prophesy promised, the new king of Eventide. That left Ryel and it was said that he would find his lost brother and he did. It was Ryel who discovered that Aron was the seventh Eventide son. All of Hasmira's prophesy's had come true but there was one more, and this was the one that was most important to Talsara. The prophesy said that the seventh would destroy either the light or the dark meaning Darkshade or Eventide. Talsara wanted to control Aron to make sure Darkshade survived the prediction. With Elan in her hands, she knew she could make Aron give himself over to her.
Once dressed, she sent for Llyra to meet her at Elan's tower and she left her royal apartment. On her way she stopped and ordered a last breakfast for her son. Since she had every intention of killing him anyway, she didn't want him to die hungry.
With a slave following with a try filled with a hot breakfast, Talsara made her way to Elan's tower. as she walked, she was making plans on how she could strike against Winterhaven once Eventide had fallen and was in her control.
As she came around a corner and approached Elan's tower, she saw Llyra standing alone at the stairs up into the tower. There should be two warriors there standing guard to keep Elan up there. Where were they?
"Where are the guards I stationed here?" She asked. "Did you see them?"
"There was no one here when I arrived your majesty."
Talsara looked up the stairs and saw the open door. Swinging out, she knocked the try of food out of the slaves hands and ran up the stairs in into Elan's room. From the bottom of the stairs, Llyra heard the scream.
"Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!"
Llyra smiled to herself knowing what Talsara had just found. A few seconds later, Talsara stormed her way down the stairs to Llyra.
"HE'S GONE!!!!" Her eyes were on fire with anger. "THE BASTARD IS GONE! I WANT THE PALACE SEARCHED ROOM BY ROOM, I WANT ALL OF DARKSHADE SEARCHED HOUSE BY HOUSE. THEY HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE HERE, SOMEONE IS HELPING THEM!"
"Who your majesty?" Llyra asked. "There's no one here that could get him out of the tower."
"There is one person." She said as she turned and headed back to her study. "Find Wyn. Bring him to me in chains if you have too."
"Yes your majesty." Llyra ran off. As Llyra left the study, Talsara called for her Imp Aesis. With the sound of a magical pop, Aesis appeared and bowed to his queen.
"You called my Queen?"
"Elan has escaped." She waked to her desk and sat down. "They're both out there somewhere plotting to take my throne from me. My throne, the one I killed for. They want to take it from me!!!"
"We won't let them my Queen." Aesis popped onto her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "We can make them surrender to you, then I can kill them both!"
"How?"
"The Shadowfalls" Aesis slick voice cooed. "Call them in. I have a surprise for you."

It was a beautiful night as Aron slipped out of the house and walked through the grounds of the Duskmere estate. It was very dark and dreary here with very plain looking buildings except for in the palace. He walked quietly through the Duskmere family cemetery trying to put his thoughts together. He was worried about Elan. It had been so long since the last time they were together and he missed being in his arms. He knew he was here in the palace he was scared of what his mother might do to him. Aron just didn't understand that woman. She had no heart and no idea what it mean to love anything but herself. Not her son, her husband or the land she called her own. All she cared about was getting power, as much as she could. Aron knew if someone didn't stop her soon, her forces would be at the doors of every kingdom in Taggitia. But what was he to do? Though talented, Aron was just one elf. How was he suppose to stand against Talsara and all of her forces? He knew the others would help, but still, he would need a army to stand against such odds.
As Aron stood staring into the night sky, there was a sudden flash of light to his left. It was a flash he had seen many times back when he and Elan were in the Academy. It was the appearance of Elan's fathers Imp, Argus. Aron turned to greet his small friend when he heard hid name being called.
"ARON!!"
Aron couldn't believe what he saw. Was it real? Dressed in his dirty and torn uniform, Elan Darkshade came running toward him. Aron blinked and rubbed his eyes thinking this might be one of Talsara's traps, but when he opened his eyes again, Elan was taking him in his arms and kissing him deeply.
"By the gods I've been so worried about you." Elan said holding him him close. "I thought my mother had done something horrible to you."
"Elan?" Aron pushed back and looked him deeply in his eyes. "Am I dreaming? Is this real? Are you really here?"
"Yes A'maelamin." Elan smiled. "Ta Amin."
Aron grabbed him and held on tightly as if he never planned to let go. As the two lovers reunited, Liat with Argus on his shoulder came walking out of the night behind them followed by Kel. As they parted, Aron noticed Kel and Liat behind them.
"So this is where you disappeared to." Aron reached out a shook his hand to thank him. "I will forever be in your debt."
"No, It's an honor to serve my true king." Kel bowed. "This is.."
"I know who this is." Aron nodded his greeting to the king. "King Wyn."
"No." Elan explained. "This is Wyn's body, but the spirit of my true father now inhabit it. This is Liat Caldras."
Aron looked up at Liat. He wasn't sure what to think. He had met Wyn Limeira before and thought he had heard what he had done, he still trusted him. Wyn had always treated them both with love and respect. Aron had never doubted that Wyn truly loved Elan and would protect him with his life. Now, they were telling him Wyn was dead and replaced by Elan's real fathers spirit. Strange things had come to pass in this dark place and Aron knew it wasn't over yet.
"I realized this all must seem strange to both of you." Liat said. "But Wyn gave his life to save you both. I promise I will honor him and his memory for his sacrifice. But not right now. Now we have to get moving. Talsara by now will have found out Elan is gone and she will have all of Darkshade searched for him. We have to find somewhere safe to plan our next move."
"Then we show go warn the others." Kel said as he stepped around Elan and Aron. "We should move from here. Jassin might have told Talsara everything. We should get back to the house."
With Kel and Liat in the lead, they headed back to Duskmere estate from the cemetery. As they left the dark graveyard and entered the grounds of the main house, they realized the house was surrounded by Talsara's warriors. Kel grabbed Elan and Aron and pushed them down behind a line of bushes, then hid himself behind a tree. Liat faded to a ghostly image and levitated himself up into the trees.
"What's going on?" Aron asked peeking over the shrubs.
"They found us." Kel warned them as he reached for his sword. "Get ready to fight."
"No, listen." Elan stopped him. "They're not here for us, they want Ryel and the others."
Sure enough, as they watched. Ryel, Toric, Noelle, Artin and Orek were taken out of the house at sword point. As Artin was pushed towards a caged wagon, he tried to grab for a warriors sword but didn't make it. A Darkshade warrior kicked out tripping him. Before he could get to his feet, another warrior stabbed down sending his sword skewering right through his throat. Horrified, Ryel turned and attacked the warrior. A left hook, then a spin kick sent the warrior flying back to the ground. Then before any of the others could react, another warrior jammed the hilt of his sword into the back of Ryel's head knocking him out.
Kel wanted to go to their rescue, but Elan stopped him. He knew they couldn't win against so many warriors right now but there was still time to save them. As they watched, Ryel and the others were loaded into the caged wagon and taken away.
Once all the warriors were gone, Elan, Aron and Kel went back to the house. Liat re materialized and joined them in the kitchen at the table.
"This is not good." Aron said. "Just the four of us against her whole army?"
"Five." Said a voice behind them. They turned to find Denner standing at the door holding Artin's body. "There's five of us at the moment."
"What do you mean at the moment?" Elan asked.
"I mean this has gone on far enough." Denner told them as he put Artin down. "Talsara has gone to far. I called for help."
"I agree." Elan said as he came over and looked over Artin's dead body. "I've been to many different lands on my way home and I've seen the damage she's done across Fay Shrea and the Elven lands. So many have died in her quest for power and I'm sick of it. It has to end now."
"Then let's end this." Aron took Elan's hand. "I'm not afraid anymore. If she wants me. It's time she gets what she wants. No more hiding."
"How?" Elan asked. "We can't just walk into the palace and challenge her. We woulds never make it into the courtyard. Her guards would be on us as soon as we showed our faces."
"There is a way." Liat stood up and paced the kitchen. When Talsara is at home in Ruavia castle, there's a place she disappears to for an hour every night. I followed her there but I never was able to get inside. Something always stopped my ghost form from entering. That's where we should attack."
"Can you take us there?" Kel asked.
"Yes I can."
"Then here's what we have to do." Aron gathered his friends. "Listen...."

With Elan safe and resting, Aron went out and sat in the garden to think. He had told them he wasn't afraid to face Talsara, but that was a lie. He knew he would have no chance against her. She was way beyond his power level. He might be able to hold her off for a short while but in the end, she would overwhelm him and there wasn't anything he could do about it. He had to find some way or something that that would give him a chance. But what? What could he do? There had to be a way.
As he sat there, a warm feeling spreading out from his chest pocket. He reach up and felt it then remembered the dice King Rhys had given him. Taking them out, Aron held the two warm square bones in his hand. Maybe they would have his answer. Cupping them in his hand, Aron shook them and asked his question.
"How can I defeat Talsara Darkshade?"
He rolled the dice. As they hit the ground, the dice split into six cubes and came to a stop. Aron looked down and read what they said.
D A S Y R A

Aron wasn't sure what that meant, so he rolled them again. This time they spelled out.

M O T H E R

"Dasyra?" Then he remembered, "Dasyra Eventide! Ryel's mother. My mother!"

But how could he find her?

"Just call to her." Liat said from behind him. "She will come. She has been with you since the day of her death, watching over you. Just as I watched over Elan. There are many watching you Aron. Just call her, she will come."

As Liat went back to the house, Aron looked up and the beautiful starlit sky. A strong feeling of love spread through his entire body as he thought of Dasyra Eventide. He had met her once when he was at school and had felt something when see looked at him. 

"Are you really my mother?" He asked the stars.

[Yes I am my handsome son.] Dasyra Eventide appeared as a ghostly image in front of him. There were tears in her eyes as she gazed at him.

"Then why?" He asked. "Why did you send me away."

[To protect you and Eventide.] She said. Her voice was soft and filled with love. [From the moment I heard Hasmira prophesy we knew Talsara would never stop until she killed you. we couldn't allow that to happen. Your father and I knew we might not live to see you at home with your brothers and sisters but we had to make sure you grew up safe.]

"So I could die at her hands here?"

[No.] She said. [So you could meet and love Elan. so you could free him and Darkshade from the curse that is his mother. So you could bring peace to Eventide.]

"But I can't beat her. She's to strong for me."

[Have faith my sweet Aron. You are not alone.]

As pain flared all through his body, Ryel woke up screaming. He opened his eyes to find Zaos Shadowfall standing in front of him holding a small razor sharp knife while Amra Calaudra watched. Ryel's eyes quickly darted left and right unsure where he was but sure he was in deep trouble. He was in a round chamber chained to a wall. Toric, Noelle and Orek were chained right beside him. Neither Aron or Elan were there thank Rimnar. This was obviously one of Talsara's torture towers, there were different types of torture instruments on tables and racks all around the room. It looked like they were in for a very painful stay.
"Ahh." Zaos smiled. "I see my favorite forest elf is awake. I guess its time we have some fun. You thought you were rid of me didn't you."
"Yeah well." Ryel looked up at Zaos. "I guess I was wrong."
"You sure were." Zaos putted his cheek. "We're going to become real good friends before this is over."
"Fat chance of that happening." Ryel snickered as he tugged at his chains. "So what do you want?"
"Me? Nothing." He walked to the table and picked up a sharpening stone and started sharpening the knife in his hand. "But Queen Talsara has a few questions she wants answered. Well one mainly. Where is Elan and Aron?"
"Ha ha ha!" Ryel laughed. "You think pain will make me betray my brother, you really aren't very smart are you."
"I don't really care whether you tell me or not." Zaos shrugged. "I'm going to slice you into little pieces either way. But I have to at least try and get some information, Talsara will expect that."
"Well I don't know where they are so you might as well get on with it."
"As you wish."  Zaos stepped up close to Ryel and put the knife to his face. "This is going to hurt,"
He sliced a cut from his hairline down to his chin. Ryel gritted his teeth holding back his scream not wanting to give Zaos the pleasure of seeing his pain. as the blood started to flow, Zaos sliced the other side.
Pain ripped through Ryel's face as Zaos cut into him. In his mind he screamed out sending his mental vibrations out to those around him. Toric and the others felt every cut Zaos carved into Ryel but there was nothing any of them could do to stop his pain.
With a smile on his face, Zaos ripped away Ryel's tunic and started on his chest. When he was done, deep slices had been carved in vertical and horizontal lines all over Ryel's naked body. Though tears ran down from his eyes, he never, not once uttered a cry out loud. Frustrated, Zaos put down his knife then turned to Toric.
"Your next." He said. "And it will be a lot worst you can be sure."
"You should kill one of them, Zaos." Amra said casually. "For what they did to us."
"They will die soon enough." He smiled wiping the knife on Toric's tunic. "You can be sure of that. But first, I want them to know what it means to anger a Shadow elf."
"You can torture us if you want Zaos Shadowfall." Toric said. "You could even kill us, but I promise you one thing. Our deaths won't be the end. They will come for you, maybe not today, but I swear you both will die screaming."
Amra walked up to Toric and smacked his face then spit at him. She grabbed a knife from the table and raised it to strike.
"We shall see who dies screaming."
Just then a door opened and a dark elf entered. He looked around then went to Zaos.
"Queen Talsara wants to see you."
"We'll be there in a minute." Zaos told him.
"She wants to see you now!" The elf demanded. "Do not keep her waiting."
"Fine." Zaos took the knife from Amra and put it back on the table. "Come my lady, the queen awaits."

It was a cool evening as Talsara sat and watched from the balcony her warriors do practice battles in the courtyard. She had ordered on this night, winner take the prize and the loser dies. Her warriors eager to kill, accepted the terms without question. There was blood in the air and the bodies of the losers lay all around either dead or dying. As General Rhone called for the next challenge, Prince Zaos and Lady Amra were led out onto the balcony for their audience with the queen. Adjusting his
cloak, Prince Zaos walked out to stand in front of Talsara blocking her line of sight. Moving just her eyes she looked up at Zaos with a icy stare. Quickly he realized his mistake and stepped aside and bowed to her.
"Well." She said still watching the battle. "You have something to tell me."
"First I wish to thank you for releasing us from that prison they put us in."
Talsara waved off their foolish gratitude. If they didn't produce results, she planned to send them right back then smash the gem.
"Your task was to find my son and the Eventide." She said calmly. "Have you found them?"
"Not yet." He answered. "But I've just begun the questioning. Give me the rest of the night and I will have your answer."
"Do you see these warriors down there?" She looked up into Zaos's eyes. "Each one of them is ready to give his life at my command. As a matter of fact, every elf in Darkshade lives only at my whim. They will all die if I so command it. Watch this."
Talsara stood and walked to the railing of her balcony to address the hundreds of warriors before her. In a loud clear voice she called out to them.
"Who is your Queen?"
"TALSARA DARKSHADE IS OUR QUEEN!" Came their answer ringing out from each warrior.
"Your queen wants your lives." She pointed to a group of twenty warriors. "Will you die for me?"
"YES MY QUEEN!"
The twenty warriors without any hesitation pulled a dagger from their belts and plunged them into their hearts. Like cards they all fell over dead. Talsara turned back to Prince Zaos.
"If you do not find Elan by tomorrow at this time, you will do the same and then I will march on Shadowfall and kill every single elf in your land. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes your majesty." Zaos bowed. "I understand and I will not fail you."
"Let's hope tomorrow I'll be marching on Eventide and not Shadowfall." She sat back down to finishing watched the bloody battles. "You may go now."

It was cold as Talsara walked up the stairway into the temple of Darkshade's patron dark god. She was dressed in her furred cloak to keep warm and and on her shoulder sat the hideous Imp Aesis. Following behind her came Prince Zaos, Lady Amra, General Rhone and two of his warriors each carrying a torch to light there way. As she walked, Talsara whispered a quiet spell that sent a spark to the torches that lined the wall. One by one they burst to life illuminating the chamber. The chamber had been built in the usually Dark elf style of architecture with hard lines and swirls that decorated the room.
Ahead of them, General Rhone saw the statue of Talsara's god. He sat very tall on his throne and handsome and hideous at the same time built out of obsidian. His eyes had a cold look of horror to them and the sneer on his face dared you to disobey his commands. In front of the statue sat a huge man sized altar covered in dried blood with dried bones scattered all around it. Whoever this god was, he was obviously feed by Talsara and her priestess very often and from the bones, the General knew just what they feed him.
As they all made it to the altar, Talsara ordered them to make a circle around the altar. With Talsara in the center, they all spread out hand in hand as she started to chant.
"Why are we here?" Amra asked Zaos quietly. "We have better things to do."
"We do as the queen command." He whispered.
"And if she wants us on that altar?"
Zaos squeezed her hand to assure her that wouldn't happen, he hoped.
As Talsara's chant grew louder, she pointed to one of the two warriors and ordered him onto the altar. The warriors eyes grew wade as he realized what she wanted. He hesitated for a second and looked at the General who eyed him with his hand on his sword. Then he walked to the altar and climbed on and laid down. A knife appeared in the queens hand as she shouted to the statue. The torches dimmed and the chamber grew even colder as they all felt the presence of the dark god. Talsara's chant rang out as she raised the knife above the chest of the warrior ready to plunge it down through his heart. The warrior closed his eyes and said a short prayer to Jax for mercy.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a bolt of energy streaked out and blasted the knife from Talsara's hand. She jumped back clutching her hand.
"WHO DARES TO ATTACK ME!!"
"I dare!"
Talsara turned to the door and there standing at the entrance was Aron, Elan, Liat, Kel, Denner and Argus.
"Well well well." Talsara smiled and stepped out in front of the altar. "If it isn't my bastard son and his trader father. And you brought me a gift, the last Eventide. How can I ever thank you."
"I have no gifts for you mother." Elan stood tall with his friends. "What I have is hope for our people.  Hope for a better future then the one they could have under your tyrannical rule."
"Tyrannical?" She laughed. "You're calling me a tyrant? Your own dear sweet loving mother?"
"Loving?" Aron shouted. "What would you know about loving anything? You treat your mate like a slave, your son like an embarrassment and you had your own parents killed in your lust for power. Do you even know what love is?"
"I may not know much about love." Talsara raised her hand as she gathered magic. "But I can show you what hate can do. Attend your queen and kill them all!!"
As Talsara's bolt shot out, Aron pushed Elan aside and quickly formed a shield to intercept her blast. The bolt hit Aron's shield and was deflected off to hit a wall of the temple. With fast reflexes, Aron sent his own blast out at her which she waved off with one hand.
"You leave Elan alone Witch. Your fight is with me!"
"Very well saura'er." Her hands glowed with power. "The others will deal with him. You are mine to destroy, but I think a little help is in order."
Turning back to the altar, Talsara jabbed her hands down through the chest of the warrior on the altar piercing his heart.

GRIFFINS , MANTICORES, HYDRAS AND SUCH.
I CALL TO THY WITH JUST A TOUCH.
A MONSTER I WILL MAKE OF THY,
A MONSTER THAT WILL FIGHT FOR ME.

As the warrior sat up, pain flared through his entire body. He felt like his skin was was on fire and his bones were breaking. He rolled off the altar onto the floor screaming as his body began to change. His voice became a pained gravely roar as chest and lungs expanded. His back cracked as it grew in size and a tail with a barbed stinger. He grew fur and paws with sharp enormous claws. His body swelled to more than triple in size. Where once there was a man, now a monstrous manticore reared up and roared out a challenge.
"Attack!" She ordered.
Jumping over the altar. the manticore charged in for the attack. When Denner saw the great beast charge, he ran forward shifting his form as he ran. In seconds he went from man to the form of a Red Dragon and dived in at the huge manticore. With a great roar, Denner sent a stream of fire at the beast burning the fur on its mane. Resisting the heat, the manticore charged at Denner and tried to grab him. Its claws raked at the scales on Denners chest and its stinger swung around and stabbed at him, moving his head, he blocked the stinger and bite into the beast shoulder. It screamed in pain and bucked and threw him off.

As Elan squared off against Lady Amra, she looked at him in a wicked way as they both gathered their magic for the fight.
"Where are they?" Elan asked.
"Where are who?" She gave him an innocent look. "You mean your friends? I'll tell you since you'll never live to see them again. They're in the east tower, what use to be your room. It seemed like the perfect place to torture them."
"If any of them are hurt." Elan took a step towards her.
"You'll what? Kill me?" Her hands glowed red. She was ready to fight. "You can try little prince, but I don't think you have it in you. So let's see what you can do."
Raising her hands over her head, Amra made two red glowing circles of power and sent them at Elan. Like arrows they shot through the air coming straight at him. Elan took a fighting stances and sent a wave of force out to disrupt her spell. As the wave hit, it sent them right back at her. With a wave of her hand, Amra dispatched the circles and sent a bolt of energy at him. Quickly Elan ducked as the bolt blasted a hole in the wall behind him.
"You're fast." She said as they circled. Amra's fingers flexed as she reviewed her deadly spells in her mind. "But are you skilled enough to fight me."
"I am a Darkshade." Elan stood tall as he spoke. "I may not be as cruel as my mother, but I have what it takes to beat you."
"Then kill me young prince." Amra started weaving her death spell. "Or I promise you, this will be your last night in Darkshade."

When the fighting started, Zaos Shadowfall looked down to find King Wyn Limeira walking towards him. He smiled and slid his two blades from their scabbards ready for what he expected to be an easy win for him.
"So the king of Darkshade finally finds courage." Zaos saluted him by touching his blade to his forehead. "But the question is, does courage really suit you?"
"You know nothing about the courage of Wyn Limeira." Liat said. "And even less about me. So if you don't mind, let's just get this over with."
"I know more about you then you think King Wyn." Zaos raised his sword and readied himself to fight. "You're no swordsmen. You're nothing but backstabbing coward, An assassin, This should be easy."
"Like I said." Wyn smiled. "You don't know me at all."
As Zaos came in for a strike, Liat stood completely still, then with lightning speed his sword was in his hand. Liat swept up with his sword knocking Zaos's blade aside then sent two quick punches at his nose. For a second, Zaos saw stars. He staggered back in shock with blood running down his face and looked up at Wyn.
"Not going to be as easy as you thought, huh?" Liat smiled. "And you can call me by my real name."
"What's that?" Zaos asked.
"I am Captain Liat Caldas of Queen Caline's Red Skulls." Liat nodded. "And you should leave Darkshade now!"

Chaos had broken out in the temple. All around the combatants had squared off. General Rhone fought Kel Orama in one corner while Argus and Aesis zipped around blasting at each other. Elan and Amra stood apart casting spell after spell at each waiting to find a weakness and gain an advantage while above their heads, the two beast ripped and tore at each other.
At the altar, Talsara laughed and taunted Aron as they battled. Her spells against his. She was surprised at his strength and endurance, but very confident at the outcome. Though he was an Eventide, there was no way he had the power to defeat her. In her mind she was the most powerful in the land and the closest thing there was to being a goddess. No petty elf could possibly defeat her.
What she didn't know was that Aron and Elan didn't fight alone. There were many others standing at their side lending them their strength and their support. And as the sun began to rise, fatigue started to show its face.

"You grow tire young Aron." Talsara said as she blasted away at his shields. "How much longer can you hold out? Five minutes, ten minute, half an hour? Give up now and I will give you and your friends a peaceful death. There will be no pain I promise."
"No!" Aron on his knees poured more of his strength into his shield. "I have to hold out. I can't stop now. Too many depend on us."
"If you mean the Eventides." Talsara laughed."Don't worry yourself about them. I promise to kill every last Eventide in the land, first you then all your brothers and sisters!!"
"NO!" Aron shouted. "NO NO NO!!!!!"
With that, Aron started to glow as his power suddenly increased. In his head he heard the voice of Dasyra and Hasmira at the same time.
[Aron, the prophesy. Don't forget the prophesy.]
"1 and 2 will die." He said as pushed out with increased strength. "3 will be wild and 4 will rule fear!"
Talsara gritted her teeth as Aron's strength started to overwhelm her. She frowned at his power and doubled her effort.
"5 will be king and 6 will find 7!" Aron climbed to his feet, his eyes blazing with power. Suddenly Dasyra and Hasmira appeared behind him and put their hand on his shoulder adding their power to his. When they touched him, confidence filled his soul and his hate melted away.
"7 will be the destruction of light or dark. Of Tide or Shade. Fear the Seventh. Fear the seventh son of Eventide!!"
As he finished reciting the prophesy, a burst of raging power streaked out and took hold of Talsara. She screamed as the power started to burn through her. It lifted her up off the ground and sucked every ounce of power from her body then she started to burn. Her screams rang out through all of Darkshade as Talsara Darkshade died.
With Talsara dead, her manticore burst into a shower of dark sparks that rained down around Denner. Aesis screamed and flew headlong into the burning pyre that was his queen. General Rhone and the others stopped battling. Zaos ran to Amra,

"She's dead!" He said. "Talsara is dead!!"
"What do we do now?" Amra asked.
"We keep fighting." The General shouted. "Darkshade never surrenders!"
"I am Darkshade now." Elan stepped forward. "And as my right as the next in line, I order you to surrender."
"NO!' Rhone shouted. "The queen despised you. Darkshade will never follow you, and no man will ever rule here. Not you or your Eventide mate. When we're done here, I plan to take our warriors and move on Eventide and the rest of Taggitia!"
"Over my dead body." Elan shouted.
"And mine!" Came a voice from behind them. Everyone turned to find Adanar Eventide, Tof Tyr, Rage and Jandar standing at the entrance to the temple dressed in full battle armor. "This war is over once and for all. Darkshade is no more!"
"No!" General Rhone charged Elan with his sword raised to cut him down. Aron stepped in front of him and sent a blast of energy at the Dark elf that incinerated him on the spot.
"It's over." He said taking Elan's hand. "And I never want to never want to step foot in this place again."
"You won't have too." Elan hugged Aron tight. "I promise, you won't have too. Let's go get Ryel and the others and get out of here. Jandar and Adanar can figure out what to do with Darkshade. I don't want it."

  

Tension. 87

As the morning sun rose over the mountains, Norton Arriva the old grounds keeper of the academy stepped out of his cabin and yawned. He stretched and scratched himself as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. It was going to be another slow day for Norton and he hated that. With the academy gone, there was not much for him to do. Tend the stables and feed the livestock. Collect the eggs from the chicken coop and harvest what he could from the fields. He had filled the store house for the coming winter so anything he gathered for the next few weeks was to be sold at the market. But why did he even other he thought. There was no one there now except himself to feed. Why hadn't he just moved on after the school had been destroyed. It would be easier then sitting here praying they were safe and would find a way home again.
With breakfast in mind, Norton left his cabin and headed down the road to the gate and went in. Looking to the left as he passed through the gate he saw the damage to the Academy's front doors and thought he would get on the repairs after he finished milking the cows. Headmaster Insa would want this fixed right away before it could get any worse. Grabbing his buckets, Norton opened the door to the stables and stepped in and looked at the cows then stopped. Something wasn't right. He looked around the stables. The horses were there, that wasn't it. The cows were there eating from the trough. All his tools were where he had left them. He would need the hammer later to fix
 the front door on the Academy. Then it hit him and he turned and ran back and through open the stale door. There it was. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, but there it was still there. The Academy was back! Sitting right were it belonged shining in the morning sun like it had never moved an inch
Excited he ran to the door and pushed it open and went in. It was a mess in there. The floors needed scrubbing from mud tracked all through the halls. There was trash piled in places and it seemed someone had been sleeping in the front hallways. There were blankets and furs scattered all over the hall. Norton smiled. This was the first time he could remember that he knew he'd be happy to clean it up.
As he stood there smiling, a door opened from the offices and Macan came walking out reading something. He looked up and saw Norton and waved a good morning, then went on down the hall to the transport stones and went down to his infirmary on the lower floor. Just then the first morning bell rang warning the cadets that the first mornings classes were about to start. Doors opened and students filled the halls going from dorm rooms to breakfast and then on to the days classes. As Norton stood there smiling, Shayn and Professor Den came out of the Dining hall and saw him standing there. She had to look twice she was so surprised to see the grounds keeper.
"Norton?" Professor Den called unsure if it could really be him. "Is that you?"
"Aye lady." He smiled as he took her hand. "Your home. It's good to see you again, I had almost given hope that any of you still lived."
"Home?" Shayn looked at them, then up at the window to see a clear blue sky. "Could it be true? We're home?"
"Yes." Norton grinned overjoyed. "You're in Winterhaven, home safe."
[Ono, Cutter, We're home!] He sent to the dragons in the compound. [Azeal, Tanis! Get up to the gates! Bring everyone, we're home!!]
Suddenly cheering could be heard coming from every classroom, every dorm and all through the school. Doors flew open and cadets and teachers came running from all across the school to the main hallway to meet Shayn, Professor Den and Norton. Questions were shouted from everywhere in disbelief.
"Is it true. Are we really back home?"
"Calm down everyone!" Ono who had just come to join Shayn, with Azeal and Tanis and Cutter and Blink following right behind them. "Give us a minute to check it out.  Azeal, you and Tanis please go take a flight around. This could be some trick of Daru's."
"I don't think that's possible." Cutter said. "But maybe another lord could be responsible. Better to be safe than sorry."
"We'll be right back." Azeal and Tanis hurried to the front door and took off into the morning sky.
Norton looked at them oddly. He had told them where they were. He didn't understand why they didn't believe him. Cutter could feel Norton's anguish from their doubt. He put a hand to his shoulder and smiled.
"It's not that we don't trust your word." Cutter explained. "You have to understand. Pentanthin, where we just came from, was ruled by a race of very powerful lords with many different abilities. It took fighting a war to get us home and we just want to be sure this isn't just another trick of some new mind lord looking for revenge or to take over Pentanthin. We can't afford to be wrong, all the children s lives depend on it."
Looking around, Norton saw how anxious the kids were to get out of there and get home. There were a few small ones cry for their parents, and a few older that looked on the verge of tears. He understood what Cutter had said to him and why they needed proof. He just had to wait a little while and he knew the two Vampires would confirm what he had told the as the truth.
Meanwhile it would be a good idea for him to tell Shayn and Ono everything that had happened while they were away. Norton walked over to Shayn and took him aside.
"Soon, the two Vampires you sent out will return and confirm what I've been telling you. It might be best if I give you a warning of what has been happening since you've been away."
At that moment, something buzzed in Shayn's mind. It was Azeal excitedly calling out to him. It was Azeal and by the vibrations coming out of his mind, he was very excited.
[Shayn! Its true!] He sent. [We really are back in Winterhaven!! I can go home!!]
[Calm down Azeal. Hurry back, there are things we need to know before we go off running for home.]
[No!] Azeal said. [Tanis and I are going home now. We're not waiting anymore. We'll contact you once we get back into Vasagi.]
[No!] Shayn sent. [You have no idea what's been going on since we've been away! Come back here!!]
But it was to late. Azeal and Tanis were gone and for some reason, Shayn couldn't make contact anymore. This wasn't good. They could be flying into real trouble, but right now there wasn't much he could do. Right now he had to open the doors and let the cadets go home to their families. And he and Ono and the other Dragons had to check in with whoever was still in charge of the city and get back home to New Keanna to let Rage and Jandar know they were back.
As Shayn and Ono walked quietly through the cadets towards the front door, a cheer went up through the crowd. Yaru and Maru came up from one of the lower floors with Luke and Tored, all the noise and excitement had reached the lower floors and the Petanthians wanted to know what was going on. As Ono opened the doors for the cadets, Maru asked Cutter what had happened.
"It seems our time on Pentanthin has come to an end."
"What do you mean?" Yaru asked as he slithered over to them.
"Look up." Cutter pointed to the windows and the clear blue of the skies. "We're no longer on Pentanthin. This is Keanna. We're home."
A look of utter fear and confusion appeared on Yaru's face. He wasn't sure what that meant for him, Maru and the other Savonti warriors in the academy. They were now the aliens in the strange foreign land. Where would they go? Would they have to go into hiding or be hunted down?
"Relax my friends." Cutter smiled that look of confident smile of his. "We realize how far you are from home, but you are among friends. If not for you, we would have are been captured by Daru or one of the other lords."?
"Yes." Shayn said as he joined them. "You helped keep all the cadets and the Gabor's safe, and we won't forget that. We owe you a great debt for what you did for our strange group."
"No." Maru stopped him. "We owe you. If not for you, the warring would still be going on. No human would be safe and my brother and I would be dead."
"As would we." Tored nodded in agreement. "Lord Lesu would have found me and my brother and sisters. That would not have been good. But what do we do now? Where will we live?"
"That will be up to you." Shayn said. "You all have choices. If you want, we'll find a way to get you back to Pentanthin, if that's what you want. Or, you can stay here with us. Tored, you and your family will be welcomed as wards of New Keanna. You will go to school here and live in our city."
"And us?" Maru asked. "What about me and my warriors?"
"You also are welcome to be a part of New Keanna. Or we could find you land of your own, there's still a lot of Keanna we haven't seen yet. But you have to promise never to hunt a Human for food ever again. You'll have to swear a binding oath on that."
With a look at Yaru, Maru had his answer. "We accept your generous offer and will swear on our honor to never hurt or hunt anyone without dragon consent."
"That will be enough for now." Shayn walked them to the front door and showed them the city of Winterhaven. "Welcome my friends to Keanna."

As the sun rose, Jax stood at the window of Jandar and Rages library office and stared out at the sleeping city. Nothing moved, not even a soft breeze whispered its way down the handsome cities streets. He wished he could see the children playing, or the shops of the city busy with the days sales one more time before he left. Or any of the other Dragons except Rage and Jandar, They  would try and stop him or want to go with him, and that, he could not allow. They would be needed here to help keep order on Keanna. As the god of justice, Jax knew the Dragons role in the future would be very important even though people would no longer need gods. He would do all he could to see that future come true.
Turning from the window, Jax went to the desk and sat down. He took a piece of paper from the case in the corner and picked up a pen and started to write. When he was done, he folded the sheet ran his finger along the edge to seal it with his godly touch. Once the letter was sealed, he placed it in the center of the desk and went back and opened the window. He looked up as the sun broke out from behind a bank of clouds and felt its warmth cover his face. Sunlight shined down on New Keanna giving it a beautiful image, one Jax would never forget. An image that filled him with hope.
"Take care of them Brother." He called out to Alee the sun god. "For one day, they will save us all."
With that, Jax spread his arms and disappeared from New Keanna.
From the clouds a face appeared smiling down on New Keanna. A handsome face with golden blond locks.
[Good luck little brother. The sun will always be there for you when you need it.]

From his dark throne in his obsidian palace, Extremus watched his mirror as the Orcs of Laxa and Metuis marched out of Ardia on their way to Vasagi, Tir Na, Winterhaven and Aspara Bough. He was pleased with what Sarella had done with the magic he had given her. She had betrayed that fool Tayor and stripped him of his place at the head of his army. To Extremus, Tayor was nothing now, not even worth watching. But the Banshee Sarella had promise. He could take her a long way before destroying her.
As Extremus watched, Sarella's Orcs moved on another Human settlement. They cut off any escape and moved in. Like insects they swarmed the walls and took down the gate. As they entered the city and the slaughter began, Extremus burst into a laughter, enjoying every nightmarish stab or slice the Orcs made.
"I see your enjoying this." Damiceis said from the door. His thin frame wrapped in his cloak of jealousy made his way in to stand next to Extremus's throne. Damiceis was small for a god. Thin and bony, with pale skin. He had dark hair and brown eyes with a crooked nose from frowning all the time.
Damiceis was not like most of the other gods of Fortis. He role was not a lite one. Like Extremus, he represented one of the more baser emotions. He was the god of jealousy and guilt and he had a lot of hate in his heart.
"Of course I am." The ancient looking humpbacked god laughed. "Their fear is delicious, the pain, exquisite. You should enjoy it too."
"I care nothing about these mortal." Damiceis waved them off as if to dismiss them. "You can kill them all for all I care."
"Oh no!" Extremus turned to the skinny small pale god. "I won't kill them, not yet. First I scare them so bad they lose all sane thought. Then they are mine forever."
"And Rimnar and Aramis?" Damiceis asked. "Whats about them?"
"Good question." Extremus snapped his fingers and an image of the two gods fighting monsters side by side appeared in the air. "They still fight my nightmare creatures. The fear hasn't reached their hearts yet, but it will soon. And I owe it all to you. Without you, I could never have reached two such powerful gods."
"Haramf." Damiceis huffed impatiently. This was all moving way to slow for him. By this time, he had expected Rimnar and Aramis broken, sniveling wrecked of the powerful gods they had once been. He wanted his revenge for being denigrated to such a low status in his godhood. Once Rimnar and Aramis was put down, he would move on to his next target, Salia, Alee, Alea and the dark gods Angela and Nestor. They were the only ones that stood in his way in taking his place as the new god of life and sitting on the high throne of Fortis. They everyone would bow before his radiance. He could rule and reassign everyone else to the lower ranks of godliness.
"This is taking to long." Damiceis frowned up at Extremus. "Send more of the fear creatures against them. They have to break now before they can find a way here to your palace."
"Relax." Extremus sat bat on his throne. "They will never find a way here or out of Delirium. This is my world and I am in control here. No one gets in or out without my knowledge. I have someone waiting that will guide them to their doom. Everything is going as I planned."

As they watched, Rimnar and Aramis fought off a small crowd of demon like monsters and ducked into the alleys of a nightmare ghost village. Exhausted, Rimnar grabbed Aramis and pulled him around a corner and pushed him down then peek out and watched the horrors run by.
Releasing the breath he was holding, Rimnar looked around hoping to maybe recognize something about their surroundings.
They were surrounded by two story mortar buildings all gray and ghastly. Some were much taller, some how elongated out of proportion like strange mirror images. Strange withering vines crawled all along the ground and the buildings that grabbed anything it could and pulled it in and wrapped it in cocoon like pods . The sky was gray and lightning flashed every few seconds casting everything in a weird glow. From where they hid, Rimnar could see gnarled trees in the distance with huge blackbirds flying all around them. The ground was paved with slimy cobblestones. It was very hard keeping from slipping and falling. The sky was gray with dark grayish cotton clouds and a weird black throbbing sun overhead. No matter how hard Rimnar tried, nothing around him looked familiar.
"Father." Aramis called as he stood up and looked around. "Where are we? I don't recognize this place."
"Neither do I." Rimnar held up his hand to summon magic and probe the buildings around them. A dim spark formed they fizzed out. He looked at his hands in shock. His magic had never failed him before and he, in his had traveled to many different worlds and planes of existence. This horrible place was like no where he had ever been before. Stranger then even Nestor's Underworld. "Can you walk?"
"Yes." Aramis rubbed his leg then leaned on it. "I'll have to if I want to get out of here. Which way should we go?"
Rimnar looked left, then right. It all looked the same, dark and gloomy. In this place there was no difference between north and south, but something inside him said just keep moving forward. "We follow this lane straight out and see where it goes."
Nodding, Aramis followed Rimnar up the lane keeping his eyes open for any more of the strange things that roamed the streets of the dark city. As they walked, all kinds of sounds assailed them from all sides. There were screams as if someone was being torn to shreds and cries of pain. There were howls from things neither of them could imagine and reams of mad laughter. From the corner of his eye, Aramis thought he saw something move in the shadow of a building across from them. Without even thinking he summoned a bolt of magic and sent it at the shadow. In a flash of light, something scurried out of the corner. It was grey and the size of a small dog, but it wasn't a dog. It had four segmented legs and the exoskeleton of an insect with twin barbed stingers. In the front there were two claws that looked razor sharp. It had no neck but a head with four needle sharp things to pull its prey to its saliva dripping mouth. First there was one, then as Aramis looked closer, another creeped out of the shadows. Then another and another until the alley was filled with them.
"Father!" Aramis grabbed his arm. "Look!!"
As Rimnar turned, one of the gray scorpion things with its snapping claws scampered over to the alley they were hiding, its feelers waving as it searched the area.
"What is that?"
"I don't know." Aramis said. "It looks like a scorpion but much bugger then anything I created."
"Wait." Rimnar held out his hand holding Aramis back. "If you didn't create this species, then who did? Where are we?"
"I don't know Father. I've been to many worlds and foster many different types of life, but I've never seen anything like this. None of the animal or plant life is familiar."
"Then let nothing touch you." Rimnar told him. "Don't trust anything here."
As Aramis agreed, the scorpion thing started in down the alley towards them. Rimnar took a step back trying to stay as far away from the thing as he could. When it got within ten feet of them it stop, its feelers started twitching wildly. Aramis could tell it had senses their presence. Suddenly it became agitated, it started to shake and scream a loud piercing shriek that alerted the others to their presence.
Like hungry piranha after a wounded deer in the river, the Skitters attacked. Beams of heat shot from their stingers with deadly accuracy. Rimnar formed a magic shield as Aramis returned fire. The searing blast fell like rain as the Skitters scampered on. With Rimnar holding his shield in front of them, Aramis picked his targets and picked them off one by one. But for every one he killed, two more would take their place in the horde coming at them. In a great mass the Skitters filled the street in front of them. No matter how many Aramis blew away, he knew he couldn't stop them all. Sooner or later they would be crawling all over his fathers shield and he didn't know how long he could keep them off of them. They only had one chance. They would have to make a run for it.
"We can't stay here Father." Aramis blasted three Skitters that dived down from the roofs. "We have to go!"
With a wave of his have, Rimnar expanded the shield into a wall and slammed it at the Skitters. Like ants being hit by a wave of water the Skitters were pushed back down the alley. Then Aramis sent a final blast at the last stragglers and they took off running from the alley.
The hellish city they were in was all twisted. Roads went up into the air like a mirror image of some convoluted town of madness. There were stairs and doors into buildings everywhere. Neither Aramis nor Rimnar knew where to go or what to do, but they ran on fighting and blasting anything that attacked or got in their way. There had to be a way out of there or some way to figure out where they were. There just had to find it if the ever wanted to get back to Fortis.

High in a dark rain clouds dressed in her gown of misery, Matia goddess of remorse and regrets slowly descended down to Extremus's Garden of Delusion. Her heart was filled with sadness and grief over her life of depression, sorrow and pain. The pain and sorrow that stemmed from her life of agony. She hated it here alone with her mad husband and she wished he had let her die and move on in peace. But that was not the way of the god of hate. He always took what he wanted and unfortunately for her, she was one of his prize possessions. She thought back to how her life of nightmare started It all had started long ago in a land far away.
Long ago in a land called Asmea, a beautiful young girl named Matia sat crying outside of an old dark temple. Her heart was broken in the name of love. You see she had been promised to a handsome young warrior who had been held as a hero in Asmea. He had courted her for years, taken her heart and her virginity and promised her father he would marry her. But on the day they were to wed, she learned he had taken everything her father had promised with her hand, the land, her mothers chest of precious jewelry, and sold it and run off with another girl leaving them almost homeless and poor.
For weeks she lay in her bed and cried, having nightmares of the warrior coming in the night and laughing at her only to wake up alone in her bed, her pillow drenched in tears. The dreams were driving her down with depression and sorrow into madness. Then one morning she felt sick. She couldn't hold anything down. Not the bread or the soothing soup her mother had made for her. It wasn't until a few weeks later that that she realized what was wrong. She was pregnant. She was going to have a baby. That was the last straw. Her mind couldn't bare the thought of giving birth to the warriors child and living with what she called her shame.
That night Matia silently said good bye to her sleeping parents and left their little house. She made her way through the forest to the cliffs where the dark temple sat. As she lay crying on the steps of the temple, Matia said a prayer to the unknown god who's shrine she sat outside of. She prayed for forgiveness for her sins and for the god to get revenge for the wrongs that the warrior had done to her. Then she leaped and threw herself off the cliff to die on the rocks in the surf below.
When Matia opened her eyes, she was in a dark garden. Everything around her was black, white, gray and cold. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself as she stood up to look around. There were dead trees, gray grass and old withered flowers growing all over the garden. Up, perched in the barren trees and diving down from above, skeletal ghostly crows screeched at each other as they pecked and fought over dried seeds scattered around the garden. Matia wasn't sure where she was. The last thing she remembered was going over the side of the cliff.
"This must be the Underworld." She said. She reached out and picked a withered rose from the bush at her side. As she lifted it up to smell its scent, it crumbled to dust in her hand and blew away. A tear rolled down her cheek as she watched the petals blow away of a soft wind.
"How sad this place is." She thought. Matia picked up the hem of her dress and moved on through the garden. It wasn't long before she found herself standing in front of another dark temple that reminded her of the one on the cliffs near her home. She stood at the entrance to the temple and looked up at a statue of a dark handsome man sitting on a marble throne. She wondered who the mysterious temple belonged to. What God called this place his? Where was she? She sat down on the stairs and placing her head low and started to cry.
Suddenly she heard something from behind her. The sound of shuffling footsteps. As Matia looked up, she realized the statue was gone and a shadow was coming out of the doors of the temple. Matia stood up and stepped back as a man that resembled the statue came walked of of the shadows.
He was a a rather short man, handsome dressed in regal dark robes of gray and black that shimmered like stars in the night skies. He had dark moody eyes and a look on his face as if he were in some kind of pain. When he walked, he took slow measured careful steps like there might be something wrong with his legs.
As Matia withdrew to the bottom of the stairs, the dark man took his place on the throne and smiled down at her.
"Welcome to my garden Matia."
"Who are you?" She asked. "Where am I?"
"This my dear is my Garden of Delusions." He raise his hand and one of the skeletal crows came down to perch on it. He brought it down and stroked its bony back. "This is where I create all my Nightmare pets. I am Extremus, lord of this world of Nightmares and madness."
"Why am I here?" She asked. "I don't understand, I should be dead, but I'm here in this awful place."
"You are much to beautiful for death. I have something better planned for you."
Suddenly Matia was scared. This god was mad and she had no idea what he had planned for her. She turned and ran off into the garden to get away from him.
"You can run all you want my sweet Matia." He shouted from his throne. "You have an eternity to get use to your new position as my wife and the new goddess of remorse and regrets!"
It had taken years but finally Matia grew to accept her life with Extremus. She took no pleasure in the nightmare world but she did try her best to help soothe and comfort those she found with the most remorse and regrets.
Now Extremus had sent her to find and guide Rimnar and the others on there way to madness. She hated it but she had no choice. If she didn't do as she was told, the world would suffer nightmares and madness on an unbelievable level. These are lessons Matia had learned long ago. When she had denied Extremus's initial proposal, he had turned on her parents and drove them so crazy, they tore each other to pieces. She couldn't bear to let that happen to anyone else, so she would follow his orders. for now.
But if she ever found a way to rid herself of his terrible hold on her, she would take it.

Ardia Divided. 86

After leaving Eventide, Zark tried as best he could to explain the history of Ardia and its Orc population. Long ago in ancient times Ardia was a land ruled by hundreds of clans and tribes of Human and Orc. It was a place of perpetual war where one was always either planning a raid or building defenses against the next raid. In the olden days Humans had cities and towns while the Orcs lived and fought each other deep in the forest. One day while picking berries outside of her city walls, a young maiden was attacked. She was raped and killed and the only evidence found nearby was an old rusted Orc sword. This wasn't the first incident. In a few other villages and towns girls remains had been found. The people were outrage and swore to put an end to the Orc menace deep in their forest. Posses were formed and warriors went out to raid and kill any Orc they could find. what they didn't know was that the Orcs didn't have anything to do with the murders. They had been to busy fighting each other to think about the Humans. A band of rouge bandits had been the actual guilty party but that didn't matter, the damage had been done. Now the Orcs had a reason to hate the Humans and the war was on.
In their reckless attacks, the Humans thought the Orcs to be low in numbers. They thought they were a cowardly race that would rather run than fight. They were wrong on both counts. The Orc population out number the Humans ten to one and Orcs lived to fight.
For the first time in Orc history they banned together and raided the Human towns and cities. They killed and slaughtered and drove the Humans out of Ardia and took over the cities then went back to their tribal feuding.
For centuries the feuding went on. When it started there were over a hundred tribes and after hundreds of years and wars, the tribes dwindled down to a hand full with four major tribes coming out to rule the majority of Ardia. These four tribes ruled the four existing large cities in Ardia. In Laxa in the north, near the river Gatz where the falls ran red during the war, ruled the Bloodfalls clan. They were tall Orcs that wore a splash of red across their face during battle. They were strong, savage and unforgiving to their enemies. There was a story told of long ago when a Bloodfalls princess had been capture and given to the son of the chief of another clan. When rescue came for her, they found her in bed in the arms of the warrior. In anger her father slew every warrior of that clan leaving the warrior, his chief and his daughter for last. As punishment the chief of the Bloodfalls sent the warrior and his chief into a pit and made them battle to the death. As they fought, he tied his daughter to a post and set her on fire. Her screams were the last thing the warrior heard before he died. Laxa was ruled by the cantankerous Drega and his two conniving sons Hamar and Gulak. They ruled the land with fear and suspicion.
A days journey west and you come to the mountains and volcano's of Klymark. Klymark was a dark place full of strange creatures and dark magic. Most Orc mages either came out of Klymark or from the hidden caves of east Metius. The city in the dark smoky mountains was called Ihana and it was ruled but the blood thirsty and cruel Edus Udail, high priest to their unknown dark god and chief of the Klymars.
In the east on the plains of Folpah sat the city of Metius and the Blackbane clan. A dirty place full of thieves and warriors It was the second strongest of all the cities. Ruled by Oggha who always kept his eye on the south for treachery from the Orc pirate queen of Karnevil.
To the south by the ocean was the city of Karnevil. Karnevil was a city on the shore of the Shyr and ruled by Umog the Dark, a notorious clan of pirates and raiders. Umog was the only female clan leader among the four major clans leaders. She was sly and ruthless, but the most honorable of them all. Her ships went out and raided all along the coast of Taggitia and all the islands up and down the coast. Some she had even sent out across the seas to come back loaded with loot sacked lands far away.
At Umog's side sat her consort for the year. A heavy set tall Orc, very handsome with a long scar that spread across his cheek. His name was Kuda. Kuda was a bold Orc who took many chances trying to impress Umog and gain her favor. He had command of his own ships and was highly successful. His only bane had been Umog's three sons who she would always hold in higher esteem then him. After all, he was just a lover. There was no blood between them and he was not the father of any of her five children. His place as her consort would one day end while her sons would always be hers. And that was why Kuda would do whatever he could to destroy them. He had already had success. Unknown to Umog, Kuda had been the one to organize the sink her youngest son Farod's ship the Lustful Raider. It had been Kuda who hacked off Farod's head and send his ship down into the deep. It had also been Kuda who put a name to Farod's murderer. He had blamed Umog's oldest son. He had pointed his finger at Zark as his brothers killer. With no way to prove his innocence, Zark had fled Karnevil and wandered Ardia being hunted by his own people until he had made his way to the Human lands where he met Gorak and joined his band of raiders. And now he was going home to face his mother and get his revenge on both Gorak and Kuda. His first step would be to find his brother Kellam and prove his innocence to him.

It was dark when Zark and Craven rode through the plains of Folpah. Rychs and Nayr ran as if they galloped on air. Hardy a blade of grass was disturbed by their passing. They could see the lights and the smoke rising from Metius. Zark directed Nayr to head in a southerly direction once they were pass the city.
[Aren't you worried we'll be spotted by Metius guards or sentries on the look out?] Craven asked in mind speak.
[No one will see us until we want them too.] Rychs answered. [We are very good hiding ourselves.]
[It is how our people have survived over the years.] Nayr sent. [Do not worry. We will get you through Ardia safely.]
[What then?] Zark asked.
[We will stay near. You may need us again.]
From the Plains of Folpah they turned south and entered the forest that split Metius and Karnevil. It took most of the night but soon they found themselves coming upon a small Orc village called Gygax. It was a very rowdy place with Orcs fighting and wrestling in the streets. There was a double line of buildings with a few streets that branched off from the main lane. Zark and Craven climbed down from the unicorns back and gathered the things they needed. Gygax wasn't a big village, there were a few taverns, a blacksmith shop and a number of shops that sold and bargained different supplies for the ships and Orc crews. There were no schools or healers in Gygax. Each family schooled its young in battle tactics and warfare and choose someone with the talent to train as a healer.
From the dark edge of the forest, Zark and Craven made there way down into the village. It was a wild place with fighting going on everywhere they looked. Orcs wrestled and drank great flagons of ale from the taverns that lined the street. As they walked, a lone Orc approached with a mace in and and swung it at Zark. With a grunt and a nod, Zark countered with his club and swung his heavy fist straight up with a blow to the Orcs chin. Knocking him off his feet, the Orc went sailing to fall on his back.
"Grew ta!" Zark spat as they walked on.
[What was that?] Craven asked.
"Just a welcome to Gygax."  He pointed up the street. "We go this way."
With his eyes open and a spell ready, Craven followed the big Orc. The passed the blacksmith shop where the Orc smithy argued over the price of a set of armor he had made. Grabbing a sword from his side, the smithy bashed his client in the head then took his purse and tossed  him and the armor into the mud in front of his shop.
[Interesting way to do business.] Craven said.
From there they moved on. This was the first time Craven had ever seen Orc society. He was amazed at its brutality and savagery. As they passed another tavern, Craven looked in and was started at what he saw. He took a step towards the tavern and Zark grabbed him just as someone from inside slammed the door shut.
"What the blazes do you think you are doing?" Zark snarled. "Do you want to die here?"
[Did you see that?]
"No," Zark said. "What?"
[There were men in there.]
"Impossible." He looked at the dark tavern. "There are no men here. Not for centuries."
[I saw men in there.] Craven sent. [Strange men dressed in  gray. I know what I saw.]
Zark looked down at Craven. He had sworn long ago to be his protector and they had become almost like brothers. He would give his life for Craven, so if Craven said he saw men in Gygax, then he had to believe him.
"What would men be doing here in Gygax?" He asked. "Could they be here with Gorak?"
[It's possible. Sarella has many different races under her power. Unless there's someone  else here collaborating with Human's. Who runs this village? Can he be trusted?"
"My brother Kellem has the biggest ship in Gygas port." Zark said. "He is master of this village."
[Then we should be looking for him. Do you know where he will be?]
"Either on his ship, the Red Hammer or up on the hill there." Zark pointed out a great manor on a ridge that overlooked the bay."That is his home. But we should check the Hammer first. It will be in his private bay."
[Lead on.]

In the lower decks of the Red Hammer, Kellem woke up in his cabin in chains. He sat up and wiped the blood that ran from the open cut in his forehead away. Looking out of the porthole and saw the sun had gone down. How long had he been here he wondered and which one of those rotten bastards had dared attack him on his own ship? Was it Naguk his first mate or that rat Snog. He never trusted him. He has the eyes of a rat.
With his arms and legs bound, there wasn't much Kellem could do except roll off the cot and lay on the floor. But that just might be enough to get him out of his chains if he could get to the dagger he kept hidden in his desk.
Laying back down, Kellem rolled over until he fell on the deck. Then he inched his way over ti the desk, got on his knees and managed to open the top draw and empty it on the floor. On the bottom of the draw he had hidden a dagger. Thank Rimnar they hadn't chained his hands behind his back.  Reaching over, he took the dagger and carefully put the needle like point into the locking mechanism.
After a few fumbled attempts he heard a click and his cuffs fell open. Once his hands were free, it only took a matter of second to get the leg irons off. Now he was free. All he needed was weapon and he could take his ship back.
Rubbing his wrist to restored the circulation, Kellem stood up and looked around his cabin. In a chest in the wall of his closest he always his private weapons. Skull Crusher, the sword his mother had given him when she gave him command of the Red Hammer, and the mace he had made during his Nuawynni, the Orc rite of manhood. Kellem opened the closet and pushed the spring that opened his hidden caches.
To his surprise, his sword was gone. So were the knives he kept in there, but the mace was still there. He took it out and shut the closet. When he was sixteen, he had killed his first bear with the mace. It would have to do. Now to get out of the cabin, and get control of his ship back.
Moving to the hatch, Kellem listened for any sign of a guard outside the door. He heard a scuffle going on out there. Noises like someone was fighting. Then hew heard footsteps that led to his cabin door. They were coming for him. Well they were going to find the lord of this ship ready to do battle for his place on the Red Hammer.
Kellem moved behind the door and raised the mace ready to smash the skull of whoever came through the door. He listened as a key was fit into the door and heard the lock click. The door opened and a gray mottled skinned Orc stepped into the room. Kellem slammed the mace door and cracked open the Orcs skull. Quickly he kicked the Orc over and knew he was dead. He searched its body but found no weapons then turned to hurry out the door and ran into another Orc coming in. He fell back ready to attack again.
"Easy brother!" Zark grabbed his arm. "I am not your enemy!"
"Zark? What are you doing here?"
"Getting you free before they can kill the Captain of the Red Hammer."  Zark looked down at the dead Orc. "Do you know what that is?"
Kellem looked closely at the corpse on the flood. He looked familiar, he had seen him somewhere before.
"I know him." He said as he recognized him. "Duross? But that is not possible. He died two years ago in a raid on my ship. How can he be here now?  I saw him buried in a mass grave."
"There is trouble in Taggitia brother, and it comes to Ardia. Come with me, there's a war to be fought."
"And why should I trust you?" He asked frowning at Zark. "You killed Farod. I should turn you over to mother for punishment."
"If you really think I killed Farod." Zark took his sword from its place on his back, and offered it to Kellem. "Kill me, take your vengeance, but I swear to you that it was not me. Our brother was betrayed by someone close, but it was not me."
"Then who?" Kellem asked.
"I suspect it was by the same person that put you in chains." Zark looked around knowing they could be discovered at any moment. "I will tell you, but we have to leave here now before we are caught. Will you follow me?"
"I will follow." Kellem said. "For now."
With a nod, Zark turned and led Kellem back through the ship. The climbed up to the upper decks where the found Xonoth waiting with two dead Orcs.
[We should hurry.] He sent. [Someone may have heard the fighting. We are not alone here.]
Quietly they made their way to the gang plank and started down. As they reached the docks, three of the gray skinned Orcs came running towards them. Zark and Kellem grabbed their weapons and stepped in front of Xonoth ready for the attack.
[We do not have time for this.]
Xonoth pushed his way passed them and reached out with the magic and grabbed them. Like dolls he lifted them and slammed them together, then sent the sailing through the air out to fall into the ocean.
[Now we must go.] He said. [We need a safe place for the night to plan. Can we go to the house on the hill?]
"No." Kellem shook his head. "He who is behind my down fall would have already taken my house, but I think I know where we can go. Follow me."
With cloaks Zark and from a shop they had passed, they made their way through the streets of Gygax. They passed only a few as they traveled, and were attacked twice, but that was average for any place in Ardia. From the docks they headed out to the small houses and huts where the populace lived. Craven was surprised to find that Orcs lived in houses. He always thought they lived in caves and small camps.
[We are not quite the savages you thought we were,] Zark sent privately to him. [We did once live like that, but that was long ago. We build and invent things too. War is not the only thing we live for.]
[My apologies my friend.] Craven sent. [My ignorance shames me.]
[You will learn many things here if you keep your eyes open without judgement.]
[I will try.] Craven promised him.
With Kellem in the lead, the turned down a street and went through a small garden to the back of a house where he knocked at a door. As they waited, a slot in the door opened and the dark eyes of an Orc stared out.
"Naguk." Kellem whispered. "Open up, its your Captain."
The slot closed and they heard the sound of locks snapping open. The door opened and a shocked Naguk waved them in.
"By Olfin's horns!" He said surprised to see Kellem. "I thought you were dead."
"Not yet." Kellem strode in and grabbed a stein of grog from the table and drank it down in one swallow. "They had me ready to go down to the dark deep but I am not dead yet. It will take a lot more to kill me."
"That is good to hear." Naguk smacked him on the back. "When Kuda took the ship, I thought they would kill you right off."
"Kuda?" Kellem wiped his mouth and put down the stein. "What does he have to do with this?"
"It was Kuda who invaded your ship and put you in chains." Zark told him. "It was Kuda that killed Farod and sank his ship. He wanted to blame me to get me out of the way to gain favor with Umog. With Farod then me out of the way, you would be the only one that stood in his way in getting control of Karnevil."
"But what about Umog?" He asked. "She  would still be in control even if we were dead."
"She would be next Brother."
"But why?" Kellem scratched his chin. "Surely others would see what he was up to and stop him. What about Umog's other captain's?"
"You know the Orc way, Kellem." Zark said. "They will not care who rules Karnevil. They all want the chance at Umog's place. They will wait to see who has the stronger position, than stand behind whoever survives, and make they're own move."
As Kellem thought, he knew Zark was right. But there was still something missing.
"Kuda does not have the power to beat Umog." He said. "He's fool with ambitions greater then he could ever reach. He is not smart enough to rule in Karnevil."
"No." Zark said. "But Gorak Ra' Enar is. And he is not alone. There is a war going on in Taggitia Brother, and Ardia is about to be dragged in. If we don't help stop it, Orcs will be the slaves and foot soldiers for a dark banshee who seeks to rule us all. I will not be anyone's slave, and I do not think you will like it either."
"Magic?" Kellem threw the stein across the room against the wall. "That bastard Gorak has something to do with this? How am I to fight that?"
"Calm yourself Brother. He is not the only mage in Taggitia. We have magic on our side as well and we fight with honor. I will not allow Gorak or anyone else turn Taggitia into place where fear and nightmares rule out lives. Those days are long behind us and we all not be going back."
Kellem looked into Zark's eyes and could see how determined and serious he was. He knew Zark had no special love for magic, and how hard he had fought his mother's enemies in the past. Umog hadn't been the perfect mother, but she had taught her sons a deep sense of honor, which for an Orc wasn't easy. She had trained them to take over one day in hopes of turning Karnevil and Ardia into a serious hub of commerce. After Gorak and Kuda took over Karnevil, they would destroy everything they had worked for years to accomplish. He couldn't let that happen. Farod had to be avenged.
"If you help me get my ship back." Kellem said. "You will have my sword and my crew at your side."
"Good." Zark reached out and gripped his brothers wrist in a vigorous shake. "Then let's go get the Hammer back. We have a war to win."

In a dark palace in the eastern part of Ardia, a robed Orc sat high on the throne drinking gak from a cup craved from the skull of the long dead human king that once ruled the city of Laxa. Below him on their knees in chains and surrounded by strange ghoulish human warriors waited Drega chief of the Bloodfalls and his two sons. Gulak lay prone, knocked out from his capture while Drega and Hamar snarled and snapped trying to get free and and at Gorak Ra' Enar on the throne. Gorak laughed and tossed bits of meat at them as they struggled. Beside Gorak stood Kuda the Orc traitor who had made the fall of Laxa possible.
"Struggle all you want." Gorak said licking his fingers. "I will do you no good. Even if you got you could get free and pass my guards, I would blast you where you stand before you could reach me. You have lost and Laxa is mine now. Bur do not worry, I have something in mind for you, your sons and all of your warriors. You will be my personal guards once your is more complaint to my needs."
"We will never follow the likes of a jackal like you!" Drega spit at him. "We would rather die first."
"You will die." Gorak got up from the throne and walked down to Drega. He lifted his chin to look deeply into his eyes. "But I will be the one to determine when and how."
Drega pulled back away from Gorak and spit at him, sending a gob of phlegm flying at Gorak. Like a missile it flew straight into Gorak's eye. He stepped back wiping it away then charged in and hit Drega with a back hand slap knocking him across the floor. Drega climbed back up on his knees with blood running from his slit lip.
"How dare you!!" Gorak screamed. He grabbed Drega by the front of his tunic and tried to pull him up to face him, but the Orc was to heavy for the weak mage. Frustrated, he kicked him in his chest knocking him back. Drega laughed as he looked up at the steaming Gorak.
"What are you going to do dog?" He laughed. "Without Kuda and your human dead things, you are nothing but a disgraced worm! You have no power here in Laxa or anywhere in Ardia. Your own family and clan will kill you if you take one step back in Metius. Me and my warriors spit in your eye!"
Fuming, Gorak took a step toward the laughing Drega then stopped.
"I do not need your respect or acceptance." He snarled. "Laxa is mine and in a moment, so will you and all your warriors. Behold!"
From inside his robe, Gorak reached in and pulled something out. He stepped up to Drega and reached toward his face.
"Get away from me dog!!" Drega struggled to pull away from Gorak's touch. "Do not touch me!!"
Opening his hand, Gorak revealed the black crystal like stone. He grabbed the front of Drega's tunic hand forced the stone to his forehead. Drega screamed as the power of the stone flowed deep into his mind destroying his will and overpowering mind. His eyes turned a deep shade of red as his body began to shake. Then Gorak started his spell.

ONE BY ONE FROM FATHER TO SON.
FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE TO EVERYONE.
YOUR WILL IS MINE FROM BODY TO SOUL.
THE SPELL I CAST WILL TAKE ITS TOLL.
SO HEAR ME NOW WHILE I TAKE CONTROL.
YOUR WILL IS MINE TO REACH MY GOAL.

In a flash of magic, bands of energy streaked out from Goraks hand to touch every single Orc in Laxa. All activity stopped at once in every tavern, home and shop. Every Orc fell under the spell and became a red eyed slave of Gorak. Kuda stared amazed at the power of the spell he had just seen cast right before his eyes. Drega and Hamar who had just moments ago struggled and fought against their bonds were now motionless and staring up at Gorak looking completely mindless.
"What now Drega?"  Gorak laughed. "Nothing more to say?"
"No my lord." Drega bowed his head. "I am yours to command."
"Is that so?"  Gorak smiled and walked back to Kuda. He reached over and took his sword from it's place on his belt and turned back to Drega who still knelt there on his knees.
"Get up."
Obeying the command, Drega got up to stand in front of Gorak.
"Take this." He held out the sword. "Kill your son Gulak."
Without hesitation, Drega took the sword and turned to Gulak who lay still on the floor before Drega's throne. As Gorak and Kuda watched, he raised the sword over his head, then plunged it down into Gulak's back. Without a single sound Gulak laid there and died. Pulling the sword free, Drega turned to Gorak and laid it at his feet and bowed to his master. Gorak looked up at Kuda with an evil grin on his face.
"And now." He said. "Laxa is mine."
As Gorak through back his head and laughed, a sudden crack of thunder rang out through the throne room and rocked the castle to the foundation. Gorak and Kuda looked up, every torch in the room flickered down to a low glow, then blazed up sending its light out to blind everyone for a minute. Gorak stepped back rubbing his eyes as the sound of howling wind came out of no where. When the spots cleared from Gorak's eyes, he looked up to find Sarella hovering there high up in the rafters of the throne room. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed as she slower drifted down to land in front of him. Gorak bowed his head to acknowledge her presence then waved Kuda and all other Orcs in the room away. As they left and the throne room door close, Gorak spoke.
"All goes well here Sarella." He didn't even look up at her. "Laxa is mine, Ihana will fall tomorrow."
"And what of Klymark and Karnevil?" She asked as she sailed closer to his throne. "I will need the magic of the Fiery brotherhood and the navy of Karnevil if I want to bring all of Taggitia under my rule."
"Be patient." Gorak smiled. "I have it all under control. It will all be mine in a matter of days."
"I care nothing about what is yours!" Sarella said as her feet touched down on the floor. "And you will watch your tongue when you speak to me Orc, or I will dine on that sorry excuse you call your soul."
"My apologies Lady Sarella." Gorak bowed keeping his head low and his eyes on the ground in front of him. "My excitement got the best of me. It will not happen again."
"That you can count on." With glowing eyes she walked up to the throne and sat down and made herself comfortable. "Now, Winterhaven is lost to me and I want it back. Vasagi is abandoned and surrounded by my forces but the magic of the city resists me. I want a way in."
"There is but one way we can get into the vampire city." Gorak told her. "We will need one of the royal family. Valkar or one of his sons are the only ones the gates will open for."
"Hmmmmm." Sarella clasped her fingers, joining her hands and leaned forward in thought. "Would they have to be alive or would the gates open for a dead body?"
"I do not know." The thought had not occurred to Gorak. It might work, but how would they get Valkar back in their hands. "It is possible."
"I have Prafa ready to march on Winterhaven and the Dragon city." She said. "My dead soldiers from Kyan wait near Vasagi for the word to attack, they are not enough to overwhelm Winterhaven, New Keanna and Tir Na. You promised me the Orcs, are they ready?"
"I have Laxa." Gorak assured her. "But it will take a few more days to conquer Karnevil, Ihana and Klymark."
"Not if I kill them all and take them into my service."
"If you kill them my lady." Gorak stood at the bottom of the throne. "You put them in the hands of the Goddess Angela who might deny us their service. There is a better way."
Gorak held up the red gem he had sent to Prafa and to Valkar. Sarella looked down at it and smiled.
"I can have this in the hands of Umog, Oggha and Edus Udail by tomorrow night. Then all of Ardia will be in your hands and you will have all the power you need."
With a sweet smile on her lips, Sarella stood and rose into the howling winds.
"Make it so. I will be back in two nights." Her voice became a howling scream as she flew up and out the window. [You will be ready.]
"I will be ready."  Gorak watched as Sarella left and the winds died down. "And we will see who's soul gets burned."

It was dark in Karnevil as Kuda on the back of his jet black Warg rode down from the east out of the hills. Behind him rode two Bloodfalls warriors sent there as his aids on this mission. He stopped to look down on the port city in the light of the moon. Everything looked quiet and peaceful, well as peaceful as an average Orc dwelling could be. Torch light blared from the high towers and all the tavern, shops and homes behind the high walls that protected the city on three sides. He could hear fighting but it was the normal sound expected from any Orc stronghold. He looked down to the bay and noticed the pier was full of ships. Umog's fleet was in for restocking. That was just what Gorak had expected.
Red eyed, Kuda smiled looking at the city then  patted the saddle bag at his side that held the gift he was to deliver to Umog of Karnevil. He looked back at his men and ordered them on.
On the gates to Karnevil, a bored guard looked out from his station and saw rider coming down the path to the city gates. Grumbling he picked up the horn at his side and blew to announce the arrival of strangers to the gate.
In his small office, Mauka put down his clay cup and pushed back his dinner plate annoyed at the disturbance. He step out of the office to see three Warg riders riding down to the gate. Mauka walked down to the gate to wait and see who had come to ruin his dinner.
As Kuda stopped at the gate he called out to a guard who stepped out and looked down at him.
"We are close." He said. "Go away, the gate will open one hour after dawn, then you can come in and fight for a place at the market."
"I am not a merchant." Kuda called out. "It is I, Kuda and I come with a message from Drega of the Bloodfalls for Umog. It is an urgent matter, open the gates."
Kuda could hear talking coming from the top of the gates, then someone shouted an question.
"Umog's consort Kuda?"
"I am Kuda." Kuda climbed off his Warg and handed the reins to one if his aid. "And I am very impatient."
As Kuda waited, a door opened and Mauka stepped out with his sword in his hand. He walked across the ramp to see if it really was the chiefs currant mate waiting to be allowed in. As Mauka made his way closer he recognized the Orc and relaxed re sheathing his sword.
"Mok'ra Kuda." Mauka nodded in salute. "May you die with honor."
"I would see Umog right away." Kuda pushed pass Mauka ignoring his greeting. "See to my Warg and my aids. Have them fed and rested then have them sent to meet me at the palace."
Mauka stared at Kuda's back as he walked away wanting to sink his sword in his honor less heart. Then he turned to the red eyed aids and waved them in. As then passed, Mauka saw the red in their eyes and a shiver ran up his spin. Kuda had red eyes to he remembered. Something was not right about these three.
From the gate it took Kuda about and hour to travel on foot to Karnevil palace. Seven solid, round towers are both a defensive and decorational aspect of the old Human built castle and are connected by huge, solid walls made of stone. Tall narrow windows are scattered and placed strategically across the walls in an asymmetric pattern, along with huge gaps for archers and artillery.
A huge gate with tall metal doors, a draw bridge surrounded the castle. As Kuda made his way across the draw bridge he saw that even at this early hour, the castle was bustling with activity. Guard stations were being changed, servants and other high ranking members of  Karnevil were on their way to work or to try and get an audience with Umog.
With his head high, Kuda pushed his way through the crowd boldly trying to get to the entrance and get in. At the castle door, he saw one if Umog's highest ranking lieutenants sorting through her days appointments deciding what was urgent and who could wait. When he saw Kuda barging his way to the front, the lieutenant whispered something to warrior at his side who looked at Kuda then hurried away.
"Mok'ra Kuda." He looked and snarled at him. "You are suppose to be on the Reppelin coast, gathering Lohar beans and raiding the shipping lanes. What brings you home again?"
I have a urgent message and a gift from the Bloodfalls for Umog." He said. "I must see her right away."
"Bloodfalls?" He looked at Kuda with suspicion. "What could Drega want now?"
"I do not know. The packet and message is sealed."
"And how is it that you managed to find the Blooodfalls?" The Orc asked. "Reppelin is no where near Laxa."
"I do not answer to you Gromit." Kuda stepped forward until he was nose to nose with the lieutenant challenging him. "I am first prime of Karnevil. First warrior second to none and consort to Umog. I will not be questioned by a mere lieutenant, no matter how high, or who's ear he has. Now stand aside and let me pass."
Gromit looked deep in Kuda's eyes, then stepped aside. In a huff, Kuda made his way into the castle and headed straight for Umogs private apartments in the center tower. As he climbed the stairs, he fumbled in his pouch for the box with gem Gorak had given him to present to Umog. Once her was sure it was still there, he reach the first floor of Umog's quarters, Kuda stopped. There was two warriors standing guard at the door into her rooms. This was strange. There was never guards there before. But being her consort, Kuda expected they would let him pass without any resistance.
Pushing out his chest to puff himself up, Kuda continued on up to the two guards.
"Step aside." Kuda roared as he tried to push pass the guards. Like two great golums, the two guards stepped together and blocked his way. Kuda grabbed at a guard and tried to force him out of the way. With quick reflexes, the guard folded his arms in front of him and pushed Kuda back, he fall back to the edge of the stairway.
"By orders of Umog." He said. "No way passes."
Angry, Kuda climbed to his feet to confront the guards."Do you know who I am? I am Kuda, first warrior and consort to Umog. Not get out of my way of suffer my wrath!!"
"We care not who you are." The warrior said with his hand on his sword hilt. "If you wish to see Umog, you will wait with the others down in the great hall. If you take one more step toward the door, you will die."
 Kuda reached for his sword meaning to fight his way in, then stopped as the door opened and two more warriors stepped out on to the landing. Growling he turned and stormed off back down the stairs and headed for Umog's great hall.
Gorak's plan had been for Kuda to take the gift to Umog and give it to her in private. Then he could either kill her and take control of Karnevil, or they could use her to be a puppet under Gorak's control. But now he would have to present the gem in her great hall let its magic take her in front of everyone there.
From Umogs tower, Kuda went down to the great hall. There he found he would have to wait to be called in for an audience. That infuriated him.  As Umogs consort and the first warrior of Karnevil, he should be the first one admitted. These people could wait. He was more important then any of them including Umog. As he waited and watched others called, Kuda paced the chamber furiously. A servant came in and offered him, something to drink. Annoyed, he smacked the chalice from from the serving girls hands. Just as Kuda raised his hand to strike the girl, the hall doors opened and his name was called out.
Feeling the small box in his side pouch, Kuda went into the great hall. As Kuda boldly walked into the hall, he looked around at the splendor or the once elegant and beauty of Karnevils great hall. Great old shields and ancient weaponry decorated the dirty walls of the old castle. From high on the walls, old drapes and ripped torn hung draped all around the room. Placed evenly apart around the hall, suits of old rusted armor stood as if Human warriors still protected the long dead king.
To Kuda's left and right there were tables littered with what he knew must have been the remains of some huge from a recent gathering. Bones of horses and oxen were scattered everywhere, with slop smeared and something that smelled foul dripping on the floor. Ahead of him sitting high on her throne, Umog sat and watched as he approached. Beside her stood her court mage dressed in his dirty black robes Nagga T'ruk. On the other side where he usually stood, was the tall one eyed Orc Zong in dark pants with the red sash. He was bare chested with the sword and skill symbol of Karnevil painted on his chest and at his side was his second, the weaselly dolt Bekep. was not a got thing. Kuda started to growl deep in his gut the second he saw them. Zong being at Umogs side was not a good thing. They had been rivals for years. Some even whispered how Farod had really been the son of Zong and not her mate Yargol, but none would dare to say it out loud or in the presence of Umog or Yargol.
But now, Yargol was dead and Zong was here at her side where Kuda should be. None of that matter Kuda thought for both Umog and Yargol would soon be under Gorak's control and he would kill them both when they were no longer of any use to him.
As Kuda reach the end of the aisle and stood before Umog and the others, Zong stepped down to face Kuda.Things in Karnevil was about to change

As Kuda made his way down to the throne, his ship the Black Flag came in and docked at the harbor. Slowly one by one, red eyed Orcs came up on deck and headed down into town. No one had any reason to stop or question any of the silent Orcs as they made their way through town to the gate and to the other key places in Karnevil. Quietly they all found a place and mixed in with the waking Orc city. Once in place, all they had to do was wait until the appointed time and the signal.

"Mok'ra Kuda." Zong took his left fist and stuck his right hip then trust it out in salute. Kuda ignored his salute with returning the gesture. Zong knew this was disrespectful, but he let it pass. "You are early, what brings you back to Karnevil?"
"While at sea, I met an emissary from the Bloodfalls." Kuda turned from Zong and spoke directly to Umog. "Drega would parlay with you Umog. He sends a gift with hopes you will accept and meet him and talk over something he said will be a benefit to both the Bloodfalls  and Karnevil."
"And what is it Drega thinks he can give me that I might want?" Umog asked as she sipped from a glass of Bloodwine. "My navy bring me anything I might wish for. What could the Bloodfalls have that interest me?"
"This." Kuda took out the fist sized package and held it out in front of him. It was a small box wrapped in paper, a plain thing but for some reason it drew the eyes of everyone in the room to it. It was either the mystery of what was in the box, or perhaps it had some kind of magic. Either way, both Umog and Zong couldn't take their eyes off it. Umog stood up from her throne and took a step out towards Kuda, her eyes blazed with curiosity.
"What is it?" She asked as she reached out for it. As Kuda spoke, she snapped back to herself and pulled her hand back.
"It is a gift." Kuda smiled. "A special gift made only for you Umog. A gift from Drega, it is very special, there are only a few in the world. One was given to Valkar Zlenka, king of the Vampires and one was presented to Queen Dasyra of Eventide. They were made for the royalty of Taggitia, and this one was made for you."
Kuda watched as stars sparkled in Umogs eyes. She wanted whatever he had in that box, she wanted it bad.
"Give it to me!" She ordered. Kuda knew the gems magic had reached her. He had her just where Gorak wanted her. Kuda glanced to his left and saw that the hour candle had burned down to the seventh hour of the morning. It was time, his warriors should be in place by now.
Kuda stepped forward, bowed and held the box out for Umog to take. With hungry eyes, Umog reached out and took the box from Kuda's hand. He stood up and smiled and evil smile of anticipation. With the box in her hand, Umog reached for the string to untie it and open the package. As she pulled the string and the wrappings fell away, a door opened behind the throne and Zark, Kellem and Xonoth rushed out.
"Mother do not open that!!" Zark charged in and slapped the box from her hands. "You have been betrayed."
"What is the meaning of this?" Umog screamed. "How dare you barge in here and interrupt me!!"
"This is a trap!" Zark pulled his sword and moved toward Kuda. "That gift is not from Drega of the Bloodfalls. It came from Gorak Ra' Enar, and if you touch what is inside, you will be under his control and Karnevil will be his."
Umog stepped back recoiling away from the box on the floor. She looked up at Kuda then at her son, Zark.
"Is this true?" She asked stepping down to Kuda. "You are in league with that black hearted bastard? Answer me and do not lie."
"Never Umog." kuda tried to look wounded by the accusation. "My sword is yours always. Have I not fought for years to defend you? Am I not your ever faithful first prime? He lies in order to smear the honor of my name."
"There is no honor in you Kuda." Zark spat at him. "You have lied and killed to get to where you are next to my mother. But this time your lies betray you."
"Bah!!" He waved his hand in Zarks face to dismiss his accusation. "You are jealous of my place beside the chief of Karnevil. You and that dog Zong would do anything to bring me down, but I am first prime and you can accuse me of anything you want, but you can prove nothing."
"But that is where you are wrong." Zark smiled. "We can prove all that I say and more."
"How?" Umog asked. She waved two guards from the door ti come over and watch both Zark and Kuda."Though you are my sons, I will not believe you without proof. Kuda has served with honor, but I will see your proof if you have any."
"I accept the challenge." Zark re sheathed his sword and bowed to his mother and her court. "Five years ago Farod was killed and the Nabora was sank. I was accused of treason and banished from Ardia for the crime which I did not commit, though I do know did it."
Zark turned and pointed to Kuda. "There is Farods killer, he stands right before us and I can prove it."
"How?" Zong asked. "How can you prove it?"
[With Magic.] Xonoth stepped out from beside Zark and Kellem. [I know a spell that will reveal the truth.]
"Who are you?" Umog asked. "And why should we trust a spell of your casting? An unknown mage from who knows where."
[Because I will not be the one doing the casting. I will give the spell to your mage and he will know of its truth and accuracy. Will that suffice?]
Umog waved Naga T'ruk over to her and whispered in his ear. He listened then whispered back an answer to her.
"This will be acceptable."  She agreed. "How much time will you need?"
Xonoth started to answer when Kuda grabbed him and pulled his knife and held it to his throat pulling him back towards the room exit.
"Get back all of or he dies! I will not have my loyalty questioned or will I be the subject of any mad spells!!"
"I think you will." Umog smiled. "Bring him to me."
From behind Kuda, arms reached out and grabbed him forcing the knife from his grasp. Surprised, Kuda fought the warriors holding him but it was no use. Three warriors held him and dragged him back in front of Umog and threw him on the floor.
"What spell am I to use?" Nagga asked.
Xonoth whispered something in his ear and made a few hand gestures. Nagga nodded and smiled then turned to Umog.
"I am ready."
"Work your magic then."

NOW IS THEN AND THEN IS NOW.
WHAT HAPPENED THEN LET US SEE NOW.
YOUR MIND IS FOR US TO READ.
YOUR EVIL TASK, YOUR EVIL DEED.

As Kuda's struggling became weaker and weaker, Xonoth's spell took control of his memories and projected them in flashes of light on the ceiling of the throne room. As Umog and the others watched, an ocean appeared on the ceiling. Suddenly they were on a ship, Kuda's ship the Black Dagger. It was dark but from the images, Zark guessed they must be seeing through Kuda's eyes.
As they watched, Kuda ordered to douse the lamps, be quiet and get armed for the attack, then he looked out on the horizon at the ship they were chasing after. It was a large ship, a galleon painted black so it could hide in the night. Zark recognized the ship immediately. It was three masted, with wide square rigging, multi deck with at least eight catapults built on the top deck. It was the Nabora, Farod's ship, they all recognized it.
As Umog watched, she gripped the arms of her throne tightly staring angrily at you images. Quietly Kuda's ship sailed on until it caught up with the Nabora. Then with a signal, he sent his warriors over the rail to attack. As the first of Farod's crew died, Umog leaped from her throne, rushed down to Kuda and and struck him in the face disrupting the images on the ceiling.
"I will see no more!!" Umog shook with rage. "Zark was right. He tried to tell me long ago not to trust you, of your treachery, but I was blind. I would not listen. I should have trusted him, my oldest son. But instead, I let my lustful needs over rule my honor. Not anymore!! Get him on his feet."
Guards grabed Kuda ny his arms and lifted him up. He struggled to get free, but the guards held him tightly. He had been caught and he knew it. But he did have one more chance. He might still win Karnevil for his master Gorak.
"You think you have me?" He snarled. "You are wrong! By now my warriors will have spread out all over Karnevil and attacked the gates, the harbor and your warriors barrack. They should be attacking the palace right now as we speak. Free me and I will make sure Gorak spares your life. You might even be allowed to be my consort Umog. Free me and you may still live."
"Your warriors." Zark said as he stepped in front of Kuda. "Are dead!! They failed in the attempt to take over Karnevil and the priest of Klymark have been warned against Gorak's gift. Gorak has lost and we will be marching against him soon. Taggitia will not fall. We will fight and we will win."
"Nooooooo!!!!"
"Take him away." Umog ordered. "I will deal with him later."
As Kuda was dragged away, Zark picked up the box and handed it to Xonoth.
"What is in there?" Umog asked.
"Had you opened it a touched the gem." He said. "You would have been instantly put under Gorak's spell. You would have turned Karnevil over to him without a fight. This gem almost destroyed Valkar and it did killed the queen of the Eventides."
"You have my thanks Zark." Umog did something she hadn't done in years. She hugged her son. "You saved Karnevil. How will we ever repay you."
"By helping us to defeat Gorak and the Banshee Sarella." He told her. "This is not over. They have to be stopped or all of Taggitia will suffer."
"You will have the help of Karnevil." She promised. "So swears Umog, Chief of Karnevil."