The Seventh Sword
Session Thirty-Seven of the Notoriety of Kings Campaign

Sharday, 26 Heathaze 204 [continued]

Nicos asks Rio what it is she wants to do now. She tells him that she has not a clue. The return of Arvan, Alessandre's appearance and the prospect of Nicos leaving for the Hadradan Empire have somewhat thrown her. She is still struggling to come to terms with who she is, and what she can do with her life, but compared to what she heard last night and this morning, her problems seem small indeed. Nicos says that he intends to ride with Elias to his barony, and have a nose around. With Drasha and Alessandre about, Elias needs all the help he can get. "From what you've said, I'd have thought Elias would pick Alessandre over Drasha." Nicos shrugs. "Well, I dunno. He's gone all noble recently. I think he's turning into Minsc. And he's always had a thing for Drasha. Not quite as much as a thing as he had for Alessandre. My guess is he's completely fecked up by the whole thing."

Nicos is also having a bit of a crisis. He has just got Rio back after seven seasons of searching and now he has to go to the Hadradan Empire. Why does he? He shakes his head. When Arvan died he told himself that he wouldn't get involved in any more of these hair-brained quests. Now that Rio is back he just wants to stay here with her, let someone else take his sword and find a seventh. He doesn't care. "I'm not a hero," he says to Rio. Rio stares at him oddly. "Don't be stupid. You are a hero, Nicos. You saved me didn't you? Seven seasons and you never gave up. That's pretty heroic." Nicos blushes. Rio goes on to speak of all the good that the Chosen have done. At Castle Caled he put himself in danger to come back for her again. Nicos shrugs, "Yeah, well maybe I am a hero after all," he says.

Nicos wants to go to the Grand Conflagration and get Vina Leikey to hurry on Boudewijn's execution, but he and Rio decide to wait in the White Suite for a little while. The prospect of seeing Elias, Alessandre and Drasha together is too good and opportunity to miss. In the meantime Ravenna is waiting for Alys to arrive and continue her lessons. To pass the time she corners Lucien and asks him to send some men into the city to find Ellyboodle. With Arvan's return, she is concerned that the gnome will think she has been abandoned by the Chosen. Then Ravenna goes into the library and sees Alessandre sitting and talking to Misgon. Misgon is wearing a completely guileless expression of awe, as he looks at the bard. He used to do that with Drasha. It is as though Alessandre is trying to supplant Drasha in every possible way. Ravenna coughs irritably.

"Could you excuse us for a moment, Misgon?" the sorceress says. It is not a request, and Misgon bundles out of the room in short order. Alessandre raises an eyebrow at Ravenna's action. "Why are you doing this?" Ravenna asks quickly. "I owe you all something. I'm trying to repay a debt." – "Not about the sword, about Elias. He's got a wife now, he's happy. If you wanted him you should have done something about it when you had the chance." – "Thank you for your opinion, Ravenna," says Alessandre coldly. "But I think I know Elias well enough to be able to make that sort of decision for myself. I'm not here to cause any trouble for any body."

Ravenna snorts, and tells the bard that she hopes she is not. However, any more retorts are cut short by a discreet cough from Lucien, and the announcement that Alys has arrived in the White Suite. Ravenna is all apologies to Alys. She asks whether she got the flowers, but she did not. Lucien took the liberty to send a different gift, it turns out, and whatever it was has mollified the mentor's mood.

Alys and Ravenna sit quietly in Ravenna's rooms. Alys tells her how it has been a long time since they have spoken. She fears that Ravenna's studies may be suffering. Ravenna says not at all, and explains the new spell she has devised that allows her to heal people. "Such a thing is not possible for a sorcerer," says Alys. Ravenna smiles and explains he technique. Alys is impressed, although does her best to hide it. She draws a dagger from her belt and makes a long cut down her arm. "Heal me," she says. Ravenna grits her teeth and applies her hand to the wound, muttering a word of power. The wound instantly closes and Ravenna flops back in to the chair, her skin red and blistered where she has absorbed the hurt. "Fascinating," says Alys. "It is akin to a vampiric touch spell, but in reverse."

Ravenna smiles. She can see that Alys is impressed. "Do you want me to teach you how to cast it?" Ravenna asks, enjoying the reversal of their roles. Alys nods, "It is a very useful spell. I take it that it cannot be cast on oneself?" Ravenna replies, "No. But it could be distilled into a potion or written onto a scroll. You would take the hurt when casting the spell, not when drinking the potion. As long as you were able to rest and recover you could build up quite a stock." Ravenna then says she wants to learn dispel magic. Alys smiles. "You teach me, then I will teach you." Ravenna agrees and settles down for a day of arcane contemplation.

Elias and Drasha arrive at the White Suite. Elias is incredibly nervous, and with good reason it would seem. Alessandre bounds out the White Suite toward him and his wife and gives Elias an quick hug. Drasha regards her icily. "Alessandre," says Elias quickly. "I'd like you to meet the Lady Drasha. My wife." Alessandre looks Drasha up and down as if sizing her up. There is a slight smirk on her face, as she curtsies in an unnecessarily ostentatious fashion. "My Lady," she says. Drasha has little time for such banter. "Elias has told me of your tale. But I am curious to know more. How is it that you know what you profess to know?"

That is the closest Elias has ever seen Drasha come to being rude to someone. If Alessandre senses her hostility, the bard hides it behind a smile. "I haven't told you have I? Let's go and sit down and I will. I'll tell you anything, Elias. Anything at all." Elias shudders. Nicos closes the crack in his door and turns to Rio. Both have been listening to the exchange. "We should listen to this," he says. Rio gets up from the chair where she has been staring at the rain. "I don't think I like this Alessandre very much," she says. "She's screwed up in the head," offers Nicos as way of explanation and the two walk into the sitting room.

Ravenna is in the library fetching a book for Alys and walks over. She can take five minutes to hear this story. Alessandre sits down on the sofa extremely close to Elias, much to Drasha's annoyance. During her narrative she continually rolls her eyes at him, and makes it plainly obvious to everyone in the room that she considers Elias to be hers, and that Drasha is an unfortunate interloper. Her behaviour does little to endear the bard to Rio, who has taken a liking to Drasha, nor to Ravenna who wishes Alessandre had paid more attention to their conversation of earlier in the day. It also angers Elias. He has not even felt annoyance for Alessandre in the past, regardless of what she did, but now as she happily hammers a wedge between him and Drasha he feels little sympathy for the woman. The bard stands and begins to pace as she speaks.

"After the Old Utavran Inn, Mortimer, Nosuch and I were planning on heading to Uris. But after what happened at the inn," Alessandre blushes, "I didn't really want to run into you again, Elias. I'm sorry. So the three of us headed to Vrex Cross and did the circuit. We got a couple of jobs through the Guild as well to make ends meet. I was feeling increasingly guilty about what happened at the inn, so I decided to try and make up to you. To try and make things right between us. The trouble was I didn't know where to start, so I headed to Sorgar to speak with my Great Aunt Alamanda."

"I grew up in Sorgar with my aunt," Alessandre explains, "she's a great bard, and used to be a courtesan to the duke. What she doesn't know, isn't worth knowing. Anyway, I told Alamanda about your swords and she said that I wasn't the only person she knew who has asked about them. Years ago, she said, a man came to Sorgar seeking information about weapons that seemed to fit the description of the Blades of Virtue. He was a foreigner, and his name was Hieronymous Klazid. Alamanda discovered that Klazid was a Hadradan philosopher. I thought if I found out most about Klazid and his descendants I would be on the right track to finding something out about the swords. I went to Libras and found books written by Hieronymous Klazid. They contained old stories about the rise of an evil demon to the south and a great war against it fought by Men and elves. The swords were used in that great war. This is all sounding very familiar, right? I decided that the best way to find out more was to track down his family. That meant going to Hadras, of course."

Drasha is shocked at this. Travel and trade to the Hadradan Empire is forbidden by Norandon law, and such a trip should not be taken likely. For Alessandre to even attempt such a think for the benefit of Elias speaks of a very deep affection. She suddenly becomes very uncomfortable in the bard's presence. "Obviously I couldn't go to the Odyssian Church or the Guild," Alessandre continues, "I needed other avenues. I eventually found a man called Dysan. He was a member of a group called The Order of the Dragon." Elias starts, unconsciously fingering the ring he has been wearing for the past three months. Alessandre smiles at him. "They are apparently so pseudo-religious cult who worship the sun and dragons, and consider all the moon gods to be scum. When it comes to religion, they think that the Hadradans had the right idea. And so they maintain links with sympathisers in the Hadradan Empire. They promised to get me, and Mortimer and Nosuch onto a boat."

"So where are Nosuch and Mortimer now?" asks Ravenna. Alessandre grimaces and genuine sadness can be seen on her face. "I'm coming to that," she says. "The allies that the Order of the Dragon has in Hadras are considered terrorists by the Hadradan authorities. The Hadradans had infiltrated the Order of the Dragon with a view to breaking it apart from within. All hell broke loose, on the streets of Sorgar about Midsummer. These Hadradans turned up – all trimmed beards and purple dragons and attacked the Order of the Dragon. Nosuch and Mortimer were captured, I tried to escape but the bastards shot he in the leg." Ravenna nods. The vision she had of Alessandre in danger dated from the 30th Midsummer. "The three us, and many of the Order of the Dragon were arrested by the Hadradans for deportation to the Empire. The Hadradans had two ships to make the crossing, but survivors of the Order of the Dragon unleashed a counter strike and sank one of the vessels anchored off Sorgar. Only one ship left, and it wasn't big enough to take everyone. It took half of the members of the Order as well as Mortimer and Nosuch – I haven't seen them since."

Alessandre breaks for a drink. The fate of Nosuch and Mortimer obviously upsets her. Moreso because they would not have been in Sorgar were it not for her. "A Hadradan vessel called in Sorgar a week or so later. No one in the port knew where the ship had come from, but the Hadradan captain knew. This is the part where Vítaeous was smiling on me. On board the ship was an Hadradan merchant, called Hadala Klazid. He was looking for gifts for his daughter's wedding. Can you imagine coming all that way to buy a present? His ship was going to be commandeered by the military to head back to Hadras with the prisoners. Hadala was a good man. He spoke to me, and when I found out his family connections I asked him about your swords. He was very excited. Hieronymous Klazid was his grandfather, and he has made it his life's work to expand upon the man's studies. He told me a little about the swords – like the fact there are seven of them, and then he arranged for me to escape. He asked me to get you together and to bring you to his estate in Hadras. There he would reveal all he knew to you. He knows where the seventh sword is. He said so, and I trust the man."

Alessandre's recommendation is good enough for Nicos. Alessandre finishes her tale with how she fled Sorgar more than three weeks ago and headed to Uris to find Elias. She travelled on foot, by wagon and by horse, but she tried to stay off the main roads because she feared the Hadradans were pursuing her. She was almost captured twice. "All I could think about was getting to Elias. Is that a good an explanation for you, my lady?"

"Well, Raza's not going to believe a word of it!" says Nicos. "But I do." Alessandre says that it is the truth. She wants to leave for Sorgar as soon as possible. That's the best place in Norandor to get a ship for Hadras. "We must first go to Umbria," says Drasha. "You have to see your people, Elias."

Alessandre stands and walks casually toward Elias, her swaying hips appreciated by every man in the room. She bends down, laying a hand on Elias's chest. "Can we have a word. In private?" she smiles. Elias looks around like a trapped squirrel. Ravenna gives Alessandre a harsh look that she ignores. "Anything you want to say you can say here." Alessandre shakes her head. "Oh, you don't want me to say this here, trust me." Elias stands and looks in Drasha's cold eyes. "I will be back in one minute. In one minute Drasha." Drasha gives Elias no sign she has even heard him, but her eyes follow Elias as he follows a smug Alessandre from the room.

The bard leads the way into Elias's reception room. She closes the door behind Elias and walks into the middle on the room. Elias has never felt so nervous. He can feel the sweat trickling down his back. Alessandre spins on her heel to meet his gaze, her hands on her hips and her head raised defiantly. Gods she is beautiful, Elias thinks, and then tries extremely hard to unthink it.

"Why the hell are you married?" Alessandre begins. Her voice has an odd quiver to it that Elias hasn't heard before. Elias pauses briefly before beginning a recitation of story behind the letter, Baron Leston and the Rite of Horann. "I know how you wound up married. I want to know why you're still married. Even if you felt you had to go through with the rite you didn't have to accept all the spoils. So why?" Elias closes his mouth and looks at the carpet. In Alessandre's presence he seldom finds the words he wants to say. Alessandre finds them for him. "Do you love her?" the bard demands petulantly. Elias looks up. By her stance, her demeanour and her expression Alessandre is utterly convinced that she knows what his answer will be. "What?" he asks, playing for time. "Do you love her?" Alessandre repeats, a small smile forming on her face. A smile wiped instantly away by Elias's reply. "I'm beginning to."

Alessandre's mouth falls open, and she instinctively grasps at a high-backed chair for support. Even Elias can tell she was not expecting that. Looking at her, he can see her eyes begin to mist and something snaps inside. "Alessandre," he says moving forward to comfort her, "not a day has gone by……" But the bard is shaking her head vigorously. "No," she says weakly, trying to hide her distress. "Don't say it. Go. Go to your wife." Seeing Alessandre this upset does little for Elias. He is gripped with the desire to hold her and comfort her. As he takes a step nearer Alessandre waves him to stop, unable to speak. "Go," she says, and Elias can hear the tears in her voice. When he closes the door to his room he hears the first sob.

Elias walks silently back into the sitting room. Nicos, Ravenna and Rio turn to him, but it is Drasha he looks at. "That is settled," he says wearily. "We need to go to Umbria. We leave tomorrow morning." – "And I'm coming with you, buddy," says Nicos." Elias smiles. He is then going to Ashardon, he says. Drasha puts her hand on Elias's shoulder. He is shaking.

Raza, Arvan and Brack are quickly admitted to see King Yaddagon. Following the exertions of the previous day, he is not a well man. He sits at his desk staring at the rain when the group enter. His bed is unmade, and it looks as though he has not risen long. Alberdark is not present, although Aylisha sits close by to the king. Arvan steps back and Brack and Raza move to Yaddagon, both using their magical swords on his frail body. The transformation is uncanny as the king regains his powerful mind and stands swiftly. Arvan weathers the king's exclamations of joy at his return, and answers the questions of the monarch with short replies. Everything here in Uris is a distraction to the real dangers from the south.

"We are leaving," Raza explains to the king and tells him of Alessandre's arrival, and the presence of a seventh sword. "Yes, yes. I thought you would be away after the ceremony. Narramac came to be this morning, you know. We talked as if it were old times. He didn't tell me much about anything, but that was like old times too. He said something strange. He said that I would outlive him. I thought at the time he was just trying to cheer me up, but now I am not so sure. What danger does he go into, Raza?"

Raza says that he does not know. But he tells the king that they must go to Hadras, and that a boat must be provided. The king nods. "From Sorgar. That would be the best place. I will have a communication sent to Duke Devries. He will have his count supply you with a vessel for your journey, have no fear." Raza also speaks of the provisions made for the Chosen after Yaddagon's death. As the conversation continues Arvan finds his mind wandering. It wanders so far that he does not even notice Aylisha's approach until she takes on of his hands in both of hers.

"And how are you, Arvan?" she asks. But the question has nothing to do with his physical well-being or his mental health, but something all together more spiritual. As he looks at Aylisha, Arvan can imagine that she can see into his soul. "I am as well as can be expected," he says. "Yes," says Aylisha, "perhaps you are for one so long in that terrible place. And yet, I sense something in you that was not there before Arvan. You carry your duty like a curse." Arvan mutters something about how it was the only way he could survive in the Great Dark.

Aylisha nods slowly, and then she says, "But you are not in the Great Dark any more Arvan, you have escaped that hell. As a druid you must understand the need for balance. Such obsession is not wise, Arvan, it can lead to disaster." Arvan accepts that, but says that such obsession is needed if they are to destroy The Enemy. "And what of pity, compassion and friendship? In your battle, you may find that they are the weapons The Enemy least expects. You must embrace them."

Eventually, Raza finishes talking to the king and the group move to leave. Raza takes Aylisha to one side. He wants to know her opinion. "Is that the real Arvan?" he asks. "The answer is both yes and no," says Aylisha. "Is he the half-orc who took the sword with you and became Chosen of Narramac? Yes. Is he the same person? No, he has changed more than any of you. Can you trust him? You must decide that."

In the meantime, Nicos has arrived at the Grand Conflagration with Rio and has demanded to see Vina Leikey. He mentions rebuilding Scaldarnus and that he believes he has a backer (Elias) to get him started. He also wants to know about Boudewijn's execution, and when it will be. "If it's a matter of finding an executioner, I'd happily step in." Vina smiles at him coldly. "Boudewijn will be dealt with," she says. "Do not worry about that. The Firewalker has taken a personal interest in his case. He will not escape justice. Were I you, I would spend your time rehabilitating your bombastic girl-friend." Nicos wants to say something about second chances, but the way Vina's third eye is burning ominously stops him in his stride. Nicos asks whether someone would be capable of casting a Watchfire spell for him, and whether he can use some of the facilities of the temple. He has a magical item he would like to create. Vina says that as long as he makes the proper contribution to the church he may use what facilities he wishes.

At the White Suite, Ravenna has completed her session with Alys and the pair have swapped spells. Alys has healed a cut on Ravenna's arm to see if it works. "We must talk Ravenna," says Alys dryly. "I spoke to you months ago about your loyalties and your allies. I fear I must talk to you again for your own good. The king will very soon be dead. When he dies Galahyde will become king, there is nothing you can do to stop that, even with all your power. If you make the wrong alliance now, you could find yourself branded a traitor and killed." – "You think I should support Galahyde?" – "Yes! Ralyon Artusi will never be king, you should distance yourself from him and from Yaddagon." – "Ralyon is just a project, I want to see how far he can go."

"Such projects are dangerous. I am saying this for your own good, Ravenna. I have never taught a sorcerer with your talent, or your potential. You have it in you to be truly great, I do not want to see it wasted!" – "Is that a threat?" – "It is a fact." Alys puts her hand on Ravenna's cheek affectionately. "In the months you have been under my tutelage you have advanced in leaps and bounds. There is very little more that I can teach you. When Galahyde becomes king, he will bring with him Mínaris. Mínaris, Ravenna! The greatest sorcerer ever to draw breath. His command of the arcane makes Narramac's power look insignificant. Think what you could achieve as his pupil!"

Ravenna is thinking. So much magical power. Alys is dangling a very tempting carrot under her nose. "Surely Mínaris learned all this power himself. I don't want to sound arrogant, but if he can do it, so can I – without his help." Alys laughs at Ravenna's high opinion of herself. "Maybe you could Ravenna. Maybe you could. But how much more powerful would you be with Mínaris as your teacher? You may even outstrip him in power. Imagine that!" Ravenna is imagining. It is not hard for her. "I just don't want your gift wasted," says Alys. Ravenna thanks Alys for her concern, and that she will think on what she said. "Decide soon, Ravenna. Yaddagon will not live forever, and when he dies it will be too late to change sides."

Brack, Arvan and Raza return to the White Suite where Elias retells Alessandre's story from earlier in the day. Alessandre has not come out of Elias's bedroom since then. From what Nicos has said, it is now clear to all of them that Narramac has gone, perhaps for good. This is an annoyance for Raza who wanted Narramac to teleport back to his monastery so he can look in the library there and speak to Zookie. He decides to go and see Gaston instead. Drasha also leaves. If they are to travel to Umbria tomorrow, she has preparations to make. She hopes the rain stops before then.

Nicos returns and speaks to Elias about money for Scaldarnus and for the scrying mirror he wants to make. It was originally intended to find Rio, but now he can use it to find Maynard. Elias is uncertain about, but agrees to finance it as long as Nicos makes him something to protect him from the heat in foreign climes. Nicos agrees readily. He is also toying with the idea of making a cloak from which he can pull endless pints of ale, although he thinks it would be too difficult.

Ravenna gives Lucien 2500 crowns and the list of Jhasik's creditors. While she is away from Uris she wants him to pay off as many as he can, and use her monthly stipend to meet any further expenses. He agrees happily. He reports that there is still no news as to the whereabouts of Ellyboodle, although his men are still looking. Elias needs Ravenna's help. He wants a ring made for Drasha. His encounter with Alessandre today has convinced him that he would rather be with Drasha than the bard. Ravenna and Elias go to see Jhasik. Elias gives Jhasik 600 crowns of his own money and describes a ring wrought in silver with the design of an owl, with sapphires for eyes. The work must be completed within two weeks. Jhasik says that it will be done, and he accepts no payment for his work, he all ready owes Elias so much for helping repay his debt to Fenton Pryde. On the inside of the ring is to be carved the following message: "I promise that I will always be true to you – Elias." Once Jhasik is sure of the punctuation, he agrees to take the job.

Meanwhile, sitting on a wall in on a poor quarter of town and looking at the rising flood water, Ellyboodle bemoans her lot. Even the sight of a cart being swept away by the rising tide doesn't stir her. She has never felt so abandoned or so lost. "Hello there," says a kindly voice. "You shouldn't be sitting out in his rain, you will catch you death." Ellyboodle looks up into the face of a old man, who smiles at her benignly. "There's a tavern not far from here," says the man. "I can get you some hot broth inside you, and a fire to warm yourself."

"Okay," says Elly. The man picks up Ellyboodle and carries her over the flood water. In the inn she sits at a table with the old man and a woman young enough to be his grand-daughter. "This is Neeva," says the old man. "I'm Ellyboodle," says Ellyboodle. "What a pleasant name." – "It's my favourite," says the gnome tucking into her hot stew. Elly tells the pair how she has been abandoned and how she is bored with Uris. "You could come with us if you like, Ellyboodle," says the old man. "We're travellers, Neeva and I. We've stayed in Uris too long as well. Would you like to come with us. I can show you the fjords of Vikallia or the paradise of Belsinor's Girdle? Would you like to go there?" Elly says that she would like to go there very much. She always enjoyed going places with Narramac, but now he's left her. "We wouldn't leave you," says the old man. "We stick together."

Elly is aware that there is something odd about the man. How can he take her to Vikallia or Belsinor's Girdle – he must be a wizard too. And the girl with him smiles, but says nothing. All very strange. In the end however, Ellyboodle's curiosity and lack of any ties any more get the better of her. "I'll come," she says. "I'd love to come." – "That is good," says the old man, "We were planning on leaving today." – "One thing though," says Elly, "You haven't told me your name." The man smiles, "Haven't I? How remiss of me. My name is Aldric. Aldric Kurst."

Brack, who has spent many days training Shredder, has come to the conclusion there must be more to life than this. He remembers Blaine and Esker and the world of Kûhazan that he has left behind him. He writes a letter in the dwarvish script to be sent to the dwarf hold. He wishes to learn the craft of the Makers, to be able to create magical arms and armour of power. He should have a reply by the time he returns from Hadras, and then perhaps he can get his life back on track. He has a long road yet to tread with the rest of the Chosen, but he must think to the future. Abrinthor is almost certainly king by now, and he wants to one day return to Kûhazan and not be an outcaste.

In Gaston's study, Raza is not having a great deal of success. The wizard will not even attempt to scry Kelton and Rembrandt. "It is too dangerous," he says. He does agree to a scrying of Zookie. The mists on Gaston's magic mirror clear and Raza sees Zookie travelling an Hadradan road. The gnome must be coming from the monastery to Uris to see him. "Can you teleport him here?" Raza asks. Gaston says that he cannot do such a thing. It is too dangerous. "You ask too much, Raza." Raza thanks Gaston for his help, for all his help and returns to the White Suite to find Arvan. Aylisha's words are still in his mind.

Raza wants to know more about this Grexam and about the Great Dark. Arvan shrugs and tells Raza what comes to his mind. "At the centre of the Great Dark is a vast prison called the Aegis. It is in this that The Enemy is imprisoned. He was trapped there by the alliance of elves and men a thousand years ago with all his most powerful of followers. Around the Great Dark a magical wall called the Enceinte was built to keep all the darkness in. Eventually, the forces of light built seven gates in the wall, called the Seven Gates of Perdition. Anyone who was evil or allied to The Enemy was sent through the gates. They were enchanted so that anyone could enter, but no one could leave. No prisoner, or even the descendants of prisoners, can leave the Great Dark. Only those who enter willingly or by accident have a chance of leaving, and even they cannot cross back through the Gates of Perdition. Only the most powerful magic can allow such a person to escape. Grexam had such power and he used it to help me. I do not know why."

Thoughts form in Raza's mind. What if this Grexam was one of Karatath's servants? What if he freed Arvan and that in freeing Arvan he created a means through which he could free himself? This bears further investigation at Eurikas. "The Aegis is weakening," Arvan continues. "No one knows why. Some say that Karatath's greatest servants are all ready free and they have escaped the Dark. But you will find some one in that place who will say anything." Arvan's words seem to confirm Raza's theory. Thanking the druid he hurries through the darkening day to Eurikas.

Once at the Scrivener's temple, Raza rushes to see Kybos who is utterly underwhelmed to see him. He has information for the monk regarding Castle Dolanz. The castle is built upon the spot where a battle was fought between the militias of two noble houses. In the early spring of 122 LE, Noryan Posst, Count of Hessex, died leaving no heir. Of all the contenders to replace him, Olran Tivner and Jacobi Larrence were the most worthy successors. The king, Paxas I, didn't want to have to decide who would be the new count and so he told them to sort it out amongst themselves. The battle was short and bloody. The victor (Tivner) had a castle built on the battle site to commemorate his great victory. Some naysayers said that the castle would be cursed. Over the last 82 years such a prediction has been proved to be rubbish. Kybos has no information on Aylisha's special powers and is not likely to be able to find any, due to Raza's vague requests.

The monk smiles and says that he has something else for Kybos to look into. He describes the creature Grexam and wants to know what race this being could be of. He says that it is a powerful spell caster. He also wants to know if it possible Arvan could have been used as a key to open a gateway out of the Great Dark. However, Raza's reluctance to give Kybos any context or to reveal any specifics succeed in truly annoying the man. His job done, Raza returns to the White Suite to sleep. Tomorrow he is heading to Umbria with Elias.

Morday, 27 Heathaze 204

The plan of their journey is set. Elias, Drasha, Rio and the rest of the Chosen ride for Oldheart in Umbria this morning. Elias plans to spend five days in Umbria dealing with matters of state before he, Ravenna and Brack head to Ashardon. At this point Nicos, Rio, Raza and Arvan will return to Uris. Nicos to work on his many magical devices, and Raza to continue his research on the library. It is just more than ten days from Oldheart to Ashardon via Vrex Cross (the same route they took back in Brightday). Staying three days with Dralcarnus means Elias, Ravenna and Brack should return to Oldheart on the seventh of Kindlesmoke. At this time, Nicos will have returned to Umbria with the ring forged by Jhasik and Elias will be able to give it to her. The plan seems fraught with dangers, particularly as Elias is relying on Nicos to be in the right place at the right time.

Alessandre has chosen not to come to Umbria, and Elias is grateful for that mercy. He is sorry that she is upset, but he has a new life with Drasha now and that is all there is to it. Nicos, conversely, is grateful that Rio is coming with him. Soon the riders are together and set out along the Hadradan road into Umbria. This is the first day since the ceremony of the sword that it has stopped raining. The Uri has burst its banks and much of the centre of Uris is underwater. Large portions of the circle slums have been washed away by the flood. Drasha is not looking forward to seeing what has happened in Umbria. Oldheart itself sits on a low lying island.

Oldheart is a day's ride from Uris, and the group pushes their horses hard to make it before dark. During the journey Drasha and Rio fall back and talk for a very long time. "What are they talking about?" Nicos asks Elias in a worried voice. They are both worried when they discover that Elias has told Drasha about all their adventures, and Nicos has done the same to Rio. "You didn't tell Drasha about Baron Dolanz and the carriage did you?" Nicos asks. Elias says "Of course I did." Nicos despairs.

As the light begins to fade a soggy band of eight travellers gallop toward the island of Oldheart. Elias gasps at the site of his new seat. The island is packed with buildings of stone and wood. The Agisotic temple stands impressively by the coast, but the most impressive structure is the grand manor on a hill in the centre of the island. The Uri is extremely high and dangerous. It passes just six inches beneath the main bridge to the island and is flowing faster than a horse can run. As the group crosses the bridge they see many members of the militia and the local inhabitants building defences against the flood, although many turn and look toward the Chosen. They all recognise the Lady Drasha. Without pausing, they gallop on up to the manor.

Nicos whistles as he sees the enormous mansion and grounds. "Can I be your heir?" he asks. "Then when you die I can be Baron Funk." They stop the horses and dismount. Servants rush out to take bags and cloaks. Elias cannot help looking up at the towers and high windows of his new home. Drasha smiles at him affectionately. An old servant with her white hair tied in a tight bun walks quickly from the house. "My lord, Baron," she says to Elias, dropping to a deep curtsy. "Hello Nana," says Drasha, but she gets no further. The woman stands and spits in Drasha's face. "Whore!" she declares, and gathering her bag walks off down the path. Elias moves to say something, but Drasha pushes his arm away. "Leave it," she says and hurries inside the building, fighting back the tears.

As Elias follows Drasha into the building and his shown his quarters, Brack is taken around to the back of the building where the kennels are. Baron Leston owned hundreds of wolfhounds in life and here they all are. He deposits Shredder with one of Elias's servants and heads back into town with Arvan. They will work to help the townspeople defend against the flood, and find themselves working the best part of the night.

In their quarters, Drasha tells Elias not to worry about what happened outside. The servants will probably accept him much more readily that they will her. "Joseph was greatly respected. I'm seen as the person who killed him, not you." Elias is filled with regret. He brought this upon Drasha. Drasha informs him that the squires from the various regions have arrived and that he must speak to them tomorrow.

"Now," says Drasha, becoming all business-like. "Remember what I have said, Elias. The five squires see to the governing of Umbria in each of their provinces. Each one is based in a large market town, although none of these towns is a third of the size of Oldheart. Who are the squires?"

Elias furrows his brow and begins to recite the list from memory. "Squire Tiny of Axham, Squire Julian of Gathmoor, Squire Harris of Barton, Squire Driskal of Weybridge and Squire Snolk of Ferring." Drasha smiles. "Very good Elias. The squires are your servants. They may govern parts of this barony but they are not titled, and not recognised by the Crown. They answer to you, and they owe their position to you. This does not been that they will do anything you say. Julian and Harris put the needs of the their own province ahead of the good of the barony as a whole. Tiny and Driskal have a wider view, but you will find it more difficult to deal with them as they were very close friends of Joseph. Snolk is the real threat. He will pretend to be your closest friend, but the man is a snake and only out for what he can get."

Elias nods, he will try to remember all these things but it is difficult. Right now, he is more concerned about Drasha. She dismisses his concerns and tell him to good a good night's sleep. Elias leaves the room and heads back to his own chamber. The master bedroom of Oldheart Manor is enormous, but it seems barely larger than the man standing in the doorway with a large helmet tucked under his arm. The man bows quickly and efficiently to Elias.

"My lord baron," says the man. "If you would permit me. I am Captain Rufus Unction of your guard. We have been keeping things ticking over here. I was wondering if you had any special instructions?" Elias can tell that the reason Unction has come here is to size-up Elias. Elias says that he is aware that Unction knows the barony much better than he does at present, and that Elias is counting on Unction to help him be as good a baron as Joseph Leston was. The only thing Elias can think of is the floods. "As many guards as can be spared are all ready helping with the defences." Elias smiles. "When can you give me a full report on the state of the barony?" Unction looks a little surprised, and says that he can have one ready by tomorrow. Elias agrees to meet him in the afternoon after speaking with the squires. Unction leaves happy and impressed with his new baron. Elias is quite pleased with that little speech, perhaps he will use it again tomorrow on the squires.

Sunday, 28 Heathaze 204

In the morning Arvan and Brack continue to fight the flood. They seem to be winning. The waters are receding somewhat and it looks as though Oldheart will be saved. They are lauded as heroes. The Chosen of Narramac helping to fight a flood and save common folk? Who'd have thought it? The celebrations bring some unwelcome attention. A Watcher from the nearby temple appears. "Are you the one they call Arvan," he asks as the druid places some more sandbags in place. Arvan turns as sees the priest. Standing next to him is a scruffy-looking man in battered leather armour. He has a certain presence however, there is something extremely dangerous about him. His eyes bore into Arvan's skull, then he turns to the priest and shakes his head. "Sorry to have bothered you," says the Watcher, and the pair walk away. Arvan was not in the Great Dark for so long that he forgot everything he knew of Urova. That must have been a Hound of Mortis, checking whether he had been raised from the dead. A wave of anger flows over the druid. The world is on a knife-edge and they waste their power on such trivialities! He is about to pursue them when Raza appears. The monk needs to talk with Arvan on matters metaphysical Arvan despairs.

Drasha is not present when Elias enters the carefully-upholstered comfort of his study. The five squires Harris, Julian, Tiny, Driskal and Snolk are all ready present, sitting in high-backed chairs around a small coffee table. Elias apologises if he has kept them waiting and sits himself. Before Elias can say anything else, Driskal speaks: "Baron Elias, Tiny and I have spoken at length on this subject and with our companions present here today. I have been asked to speak to you on this matter. We would all wish you to know that we hold no animosity toward you regarding the demise of the previous baron. Joseph Leston was an extremely honourable man who died as he lived. The blame rests with his traitorous wife, and not with you. We are all ready to work with you for the good of the barony."

Elias is immediately vexed by Driskal's words. "I would not hear my wife spoken of in such terms, squire," he says. "The entire matter was a misunderstanding, Drasha was no more to blame than I. If you want to work with me for the good of the barony you must each accept that as unequivocal fact." – "Of course we accept it," says Squire Snolk. He smiles winningly at Elias. Elias tries to ignore him. "Umbria is not my only concern," he continues. "I also have land in Tibrai, not far from the Thundercrown Mountains. Those of you who won't help me here, will have an opportunity to help me there."

That shuts them up. The afternoon continues in hard discussion. Elias is willing to relinquish significant funds for flood repairs across the barony. However, he is harsh on Julian and Harris's blinkered attitude and says that he expects all his squires to help Umbria through this difficult transition. This gets him Tiny and Driskal's respect. As the meeting comes to a close, Elias drops his final bombshell. "You all know who I am beyond the barony of Umbria, and the responsibilities that I have." Snolk points out that none of the squires wish to step on Narramac's toes. "I am therefore going to be gone from Umbria for extended periods. During these periods I will be leaving the Lady Drasha in charge of the running of the barony."

This causes a wave of condemnation from the squires. Elias waits patiently until they stop shouting. "This will happen," he says in unequivocal terms. "Drasha has my complete trust." Then Elias does something rather canny. He turns to Tiny and Driskal and asks them to decide (between themselves) which one will remain in Oldheart and act as Drasha's advises. "She will need your wisdom," he says, "but understand that she is in charge."

Elias leaves the meeting completely exhausted. He tells Drasha everything that happened and she says that he has done well. Drasha's praise pleases Elias more than it really should. There is certainly a great deal of affection building between Elias and his wife. Considering the ring Jhasik is currently forging, this is probably a good thing.

Vítday, 29 Heathaze 204

Elias embarks upon a lightning tour of his barony. He Drasha and the squires leave Oldheart at dawn and begin a three day odyssey. Elias is keen to see all the main towns. Nicos accompanies Elias, happy to mooch on his friends hospitality. The group reaches Axham by lunchtime, and by the evening are in Gathmoor. The towns seem pretty much the same on the surface, but it soon becomes clear that their temperaments are very different. Elias learns that the people of Gathmoor have a traditional rivalry for the people of Ferring based on a longstanding vilification. Life is never easy.

The rest of the Chosen of Narramac remain in Oldheart during this time. Ravenna continues her strange metaphysical practices waiting for the journey to Ashardon where she hope to learn more about everything. She has borrowed the crystal library from Elias and is trying to master it. However, without speaking Auld Dwarvish she can only examine texts for as long as a comprehend languages spell lasts, and even then she doesn't know how to work the library, so it is frustrating.

Raza takes this opportunity to tell Arvan his first theory of everything. The way that Raza sees it, the prison that is holding Karatath is starting to weaken (Arvan said so). What if there was a connection between the moon gods and Karatath? What if the moon gods were Karatath? That would explain why Malificents who are moon priests are still granted magical spells. It would also mean it wouldn't only be the Malificents who worshipped Karatath directly that gave him power, but also all the moon priests who were worshipping him without even knowing. All this could give him the power to break free of his prison.

Alternatively, Raza says, Karatath may have been inadvertently released by the Hadradans when they sent forces south of Belsinor's Girdle. From what Arvan has said, Karatath prison is in the south. Raza believes that the elves also live in the south, but that is another story. Arvan is not sure. The weakening of the wards on Karatath's prison happened during the lifetime of many people he met in the Great Dark. The moon gods were summoned 204 years ago, the Hadradans first breached the girdle long before that. It doesn't track. Raza nods. But the answer must be there somewhere! He will continue to ruminate.

Terday, 30 Heathaze 204

Elias and his entourage leaves Gathmoor and heads west, arriving in Barton late in the afternoon. There he allows Squire Harris to show him around the largest town in Umbria outside Oldheart. They remain there for the rest of the evening. In the evening, Nicos half fills the magical mortar taken from Boudewijn with meaty, full-moon enhanced fireballs.

Zephday, 31 Heathaze 204

Elias and company arrive in Weybridge early in the morning and send most of the day there. This annoys Squire Snolk as it means the trip to his own town of Ferring is missed out as the company must ride back to Oldheart. Snolk tries not to let it show however. He has been trying to ingratiate himself into Elias for the entire journey, although Elias is having very little of it. The party return to Oldheart several hours after moonrise. Before retiring, Nicos completes his charging of the magical mortar. He now has ten enhanced fireballs to call upon whenever he wishes.

Caladay, 32 Heathaze 204

The Chosen of Narramac ride at dawn. Elias, Ravenna and Brack to the west and Ashardon; Nicos, Rio, Raza and Arvan to the east and Uris. Elias bids farewell to Drasha. She says hat she will work with Squire Driskal in rebuilding the land devastated by the floods. Elias reminds Nicos that he has to meet them back here on the 7th of Kindlesmoke with the ring. "Don't worry, Elias, I'll make sure he remembers," says Rio.

The group arrives back in Uris late in the evening. Raza goes to see the king directly. He is extremely weak and has taken to his bed. Raza tells Aylisha that he will return in the morning, and every morning until they sail for Hadras and he will use his sword upon the king. At the White Suite Alessandre is pleased to see Nicos and the others. She wants to hear all about Umbria. Nicos says what he can, but he senses that every word upsets the bard a little. He excuses himself. He must rise early the following morning if he is to be at the Grand Conflagration to begin work on his magical scrying mirror.

Sharday, 33 Heathaze 204

As Elias, Ravenna and Brack continue their journey to Vrex Cross, Nicos goes to the Grand Conflagration. He takes his raw material of silver and fire opals down into one of the darkest rooms and starts work upon the magical scrying device he had always intended to use to find Rio. She's been found, but he still wants his mirror. It will be fantastic he knows. He only regrets leaving Rio alone in the White Suite with only Alessandre for company. Both women are moping around with a faces as long as a fiddles. Still, Nicos relies on Lucien to look after them.

After seeing the king Raza heads to Eurikas to see how Kybos is doing and to lay even more tasks before the poor man. Kybos has a little information in his search to identify Grexam. There are several non-human races who answer the description Raza gave, including lizardfolk, sligs, pterrans, troglodytes and kobolds (although it would have to be a pretty large kobold, going by Arvan's description). All those races have the capacity to produce spell casters, although only kobolds are known for it – they produce a disproportionate number of powerful sorcerers for their race. Also, from the description Arvan gave, there could be a touch of the undead about this creature, as well as being reptilian.

Kybos has more. Raza hypothesised whether it were possible to use a person as a component in a spell. It is theoretically possible, according to several tomes and wizards Kybos has talked to. There are unverifiable reports of certain evil cults using sorcerers as living batteries to power magical devices. However, using Arvan as a doorway to escape a prison is another matter entirely. The Scriveners find nothing conclusive to support this theory.

As to information on dimensional travelling itself, there are apparently many ways to travel beyond the world (although what can be found out there is open to debate). Some spells can take you directly to another plane (Teleport Without Error and Plane Shift to name but two). Most spells accomplish this feat by taking you to a plane in which you can travel very quickly, reappearing almost instantly in another plane. The Astral Plane, Ethereal Plane and Shadow Plane are these types of planes, and can be used for travel. Other planes (such as Dream) may be able to be used for the same purpose.

Raza seems pleased. "Very good, Kybos. Now I want to know this: what are the goals of the moon gods and how does this correspond with the goals of the eighteen churches?" Kybos's mouth falls open. "I need the answer before the sixth and I will be returning every day until I get it!"

Sunday, 35 Heathaze 204

Raza continues his work at the library as Nicos continues to slave away on his magical device. He is taking a break from his work around lunch time when he is visited by Alessandre. His heart goes out to her. She seems so low. "What's up, kid?" he asks. "It's stupid," says Alessandre. "I'm stupid. I've never been like this before." – "Elias, huh?" asks Nicos and bard nods.

"I was stupid to think I could just walk back into his life after all this time and he'd be just waiting for me." Nicos smiles. "He was waiting for you. Right up until about three days before you got here." As soon as the Nicos says the words he realises that he has said the wrong thing. He quickly tries to change the subject. "Some people think that you shouldn't be the one to hold the seventh sword." – "Ravenna?" – "Yeah, but she doesn't know anything. I think it should definitely be you." Alessandre smiles. "Of all of you, I think I have the most in common with you, Nicos." The cleric admits that this may be the case, but now she should clear off and let him get on with making his mirror. "Shouldn't the opals be evenly spaced around the mirror?" – "Oh, give me a break. It's my first one!"

Zephday, 38 Heathaze 204

Elias, Ravenna and Brack pass through Vrex Cross. When they were last here they saw Minsc and a large band of paladins that were about to head onto the moor to hunt Furnice. However, this time they stop in the city of Duke Vrexax but briefly before heading off along the Neverton Road. A day and a half will see them to the point where they must turn off onto the barrowmoors. Elias hopes that Brack can remember the way to Ashardon, because he certainly can't.

Caladay, 39 Heathaze 204

Late in the evening, Nicos completes his mirror of scrying. A plain silver hand mirror, on command it allows one to scry a scene as a crystal ball. Of course, there's no sound, and no colour but red, and the target has to be within a hundred feet of a fire, but these are small prices to pay. He has succeeded, all this planning on the ship south from Kerikal, have finally come to fruition. He heads back to the White Suite to tell Rio the good news.

On his way up through the Grand Conflagration, he hears some incredibly disturbing news. News bad enough to chill even his Calafax-heated blood. Boudewijn Berdgardt has been released! He heads to Leikey's office, bursting into a private meeting, and demands an explanation. Vina is extremely angry, but holds her temper long enough to deal with Nicos. "Berdgardt has been summoned to the Firewalker. Tarrashar will rehabilitate him. I thought that you of all people would appreciate that. Or would you one rule for one and one rule for another?" Nicos storms out of the temple and onto the streets. Then he thinks that Boudewijn may go after Rio again and runs as fast as he can to the palace.

Rio is asleep when he gets there. He is so relieved that he wakes her up and hugs her tightly. He quickly explains that Boudewijn has been released. He says that everything Belerus Rothsman said is coming true. Tarrashar is a bastard and Boudewijn is a bastard servant of a bastard. He is scared that Boudewijn is coming after Rio. "That's not going to happen," she says. "I won't let it." Nicos pulls out his mirror. "Show me that bastard Boudewijn!" he cries. A red screen appears where the glass of the mirror should reside and shows Boudewijn and several horsemen riding along an Hadradan road. "At least he's not in the city."

Sharday, 40 Heathaze 204

Nicos finally calms down after fretting about Boudewijn's release. Rio has persuaded him to concentrate on his inventing and leave her to worry about Boudewijn. It seems a strange reversal of roles, but Nicos throws himself back into his studies. Elias has paid him to create an amulet that protects him from heat. It is a curious device that Nicos should have no trouble in creating.

Elias, Brack and Ravenna leave the Neverton road and walk out over the Barrowmoors. Without the dragon hunting the area it may be an even more dangerous place as all the lesser predators are tempted from their hiding places. Brack finds tracks of gnolls and something that may be a dire bear, but they are untroubled by the creatures of the wild, except for the howling of the wolves that keeps them awake.

Nicos completes his broach of protection from heat. He tried to sculpt it so that it appeared as flames, but it seems to have come out as a large gold and red splat. However, it is his first attempt at a splat, and he is justifiably proud of it. The important thing is that it works.

Morday, 41 Heathaze 204

As darkness falls over the Barrowmoors, Elias senses something strange on the wind. He can almost hear his name being called. "Elias! Elias!" he looks around. Neither Ravenna nor Brack have heard the call. It seems to be coming from over the rise, from the darkness. He dismounts his horse and begins to walk toward the sound. "Elias!" calls Ravenna. "Where are you going?"

Elias does not reply. He can only follow the sound over the rough ground. Ravenna and Brack look at one another and spur their horses after him. There appears to be an invisible line that neither horse will cross. Brack manages to stay in control of his horse as it backs away and begins to run in circles. Ravenna's steed rears up on its hind legs in fright and she lands heavily on the ground. Looking out in the darkness Brack can see what is causing the trouble. They have been here before.

A large barrow mound rises up from the moorland. The same barrow which once took Elias, Nicos, Raza and Arvan. The dwarf sees the damage to the wall of the mound where he tried to dig his way in. Elias is walking straight toward it. As he approaches, the door swings silently open, and a cold gust of wind falls across Elias's body. "Stop him Brack!" yells Ravenna, as she tries to rise. The dwarf leaves the horse and runs across the moor as fast as he can, bringing Elias down in a heavy tackle twenty yards from the door. "I can hear them, Brack," says Elias. "They're calling to me." Brack can't hear anything, and tries to dwarfhandle Elias away from the area. But Elias is strong and will not move.

Ravenna casts detect magic and surveys the scene. There is a thin ribbon of green energy, invisible to normal vision, that connects Elias with the open barrow. She rushes over and blasts Elias with a dispel magic enchantment. It takes five castings to sever the link. "Thank you," Elias shivers as they drag him away. He could hear the wights inside calling to him. He could sense their need for him to enter. To become one of them. "It must be because you were once one of them," says Ravenna. Elias nods. He has never been more grateful that neither Brack nor Ravenna entered the mound all those months ago. If he had journeyed to Ashardon with Nicos and Raza they may all have been lost in that barrow. And this time there would be no Andel to help them. Brack retrieves the horses and the three head on. Tomorrow they should reach Ashardon.

Sunday, 42 Heathaze 204

Brack's navigation fails briefly, and it is late in the day before the weary travellers reach even the end of the jaggeed chasm that crosses the barrowmoors. Brack says that they will have to camp in the open for one more night before descending to see Dralcarnus. Elias and Ravenna have no choice to agree, but they saw a real gnoll earlier in the day and, although it was scared away, there are bound to be more in the area.

In Uris, Raza continues to see to the king in the morning and spend the rest of the time in Eurikas, finding more and more obscure things for Kybos to research. He has penned a letter to Abbot Magen back at the monastery saying how he cheated in the Trial of Temptation, and how he wishes to retake the trial next time he comes to the monastery. It is a terrible admission for him. Plus, the entire matter has got him thinking. Sanjay didn't cheat, he passed the test and he got to have sex. Raza cheated, passed the test but didn't get to have sex. What's the point in being a celibate monk if you don't know what it is that you're missing? As he has to take the trial again any way, maybe he should get some practice of failing in first.

Vítday, 43 Heathaze 204

Finally, a few hours after dawn, the trio reach the spot that marks the entrance to Ashardon. Leaving their horses on the surface, Brack, Ravenna and Elias descend the broken stairs deep into the earth. There across the field of rubble is the ridiculously large temple of Ashardon. Unchanged in thousands of seasons, nothing is different since they were last here. They walk carefully over the twisting and treacherous rubble to stand in the entrance tower, open to the sky above. Elias never ceases to marvel about how this entire, vast structure looked as though it was carved from a single gigantic block of black marble. Taking the passageway to the left they head into the temple, searching for Dralcarnus.

They pass through antechambers where statues of elves in red-veined marble seem to watch them intently. Through the chamber of the spheres where Dralcarnus plays his delightful music to himself, and into the final chamber. The gigantic desk is in the corner, piled high with books, and in the centre of the room is a huge stone tomb. Brack and Elias wrestle the top off to reveal Dralcarnus wrapped up in a large blue blanket. As soon as the light touches him, Dralcarnus's yellow eyes flick open. He lunges and grabs Elias by the throat dragging him high into the air.

"Who disturbs me?" Dralcarnus demands with a voice that deafens all those near-by. The half-dragon, half-troll uncurls himself to his full height. "Oh, it's you!" he says. "You've come back! And so soon!" Elias looks at the others. Time moves more slowly for someone who is sixteen thousand seasons of age.

Dralcarnus's face contorts into a hideous tooth-filled sneer which might be the closest he ever gets to a smile. He remains as morose and as easily distracted as ever, but there is no denying that he is very pleased to see the party. They speak of Drasha and of the death of Jot. Dralcarnus is still upset about that, and says that he has taken steps to improve security. When Ravenna points out that they just walked in, the guardian curses himself for forgetting to shut the door.

It's not all bad news, however. The Heart of Llysallian is back where it belongs – in the statue of Dralcarnus's mother. Dralcarnus says that it took him a very long time to rebuild all the elements of Llysallian's jigsaw-like structure, but then he's got quite a bit of time on his hands. Dralcarnus is pleased to hear that Elias and Drasha is married. He doesn't think that Drasha is either scaly or rubbery enough to make a good wife, but obviously humans see things differently.

Elias, Ravenna and Brack have many questions for Dralcarnus. He is very old, he knows many things and (unlike Narramac) he's actually willing to share that information with them. However, on some matters Dralcarnus is too old to be much help. Elias asks the giant to look at his sword and see if he recognises it. After a minute's pondering Dralcarnus says, "Hmmmm. It looks awfully modern."

"What is the Great Pact?" Elias asks hopefully. "Ah," says Dralcarnus, "Yes. The Great Pact. Very important that, before my time you understand, but everyone knows the story." When it becomes obvious that none of them know the story, Dralcarnus shrugs and begins the tale. He punctuates this narrative with many cries to Io at the injustice of this imprisonment. These are meticulously excised:

"Io created the universe and populated it with his people. But the dragons didn't get on and started warring with one another. When dragons go to war the very fabric of reality is in danger of being torn apart. The dragon wars lasted for millennia. Thousand died, and millions of the lesser races who were beginning to slowly spread. Io, in his wisdom, saw that this had to stop, so he searched for a world that would suit his purposes. He found this place and reshaped it into the perfect environment for his children: mountains, deserts, swamps, mountains, jungles, seas…… The world was changed and it became Iourn – Io's world. Then Io opened the gates between dimensions and sent out a call. From all over the multiverse dragons came to answer the summons. A million of them filled this world."

"Then Io came before them and told them that their war would not spread throughout the cosmos. He said that they should settle it here, peacefully. Then he left. The war continued on this world, fracturing continents and generally causing trouble for everyone. So Io came back and said that a convocation should be formed, so a peace could be made." – "A council of wyrms?" Elias asks. Dralcarnus shrugs, "Well you could call it that, I suppose. No-one ever did. Anyway, the dragons couldn't agree, and Io got progressively more cross. He promised to sent down an enemy that would destroy all the dragons if they didn't sort it out. That's where the elves come in."

"Now this was a long, long time ago. The elves were a young race then. The greatest of the elves was Corellon Larethian. He was making a name for himself, blinding orc gods and generally looking after his people. If he was a Man, then he would be considered a god, but elves don't really do in for gods in the same way that your race do. They're a bit like dragons in that respect. Anyway, Corellon came to Io and said that he wanted to help. He offered to send his people to Iourn to intercede and broker a peace. And that's what happened."

"Dragon-kind was saved from itself by the elves. On the day Io opened the doorways between worlds and allowed his dragons to return to the rest of the cosmos, the Great Pact was formed, so grateful were the dragons. The Great Pact said that the elves and the dragons would always be allies. That no elf would ever harm a dragon and no dragon would ever harm an elf. The elves that helped in the peacemaking – the elves of Iourn, that is. A nice story, don't you think?"

Elias nods. Narramac all ready told them the important part, but Dralcarnus has filled in much of the background that they would never otherwise have known. "How long ago was all this?" asks Ravenna. Dralcarnus shrugs. He is not sure. Long before his time, long before the Custodians of Concordance were even conceived. Hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of years. He's not very good at telling the time.

Meanwhile in Uris, Nicos is considering Rio's words. A hero? He has done some terrible things in the past. Not terrible compared to what Rio has done, but he is still haunted by that guard he slew at Osroth Manor back in Brightday. Nicos sits at the desk in his room and pens a letter to Constable Trench to be passed onto the family on the man he killed. "I am sorry for your loss," he writes, and encloses fifty crowns.

Terday, 44 Heathaze 204

For breakfast, the Chosen eat their own rations and drink large beakers of healing potion. There's not much fresh water at Ashardon, so Dralcarnus can only offer them this. He has barrels of the stuff, as making it has become something of a hobby over the years. He has tried to perfect flavours. The trouble is that after sixteen thousand seasons he has rather exhausted all the regular flavours. Brack isn't too pleased with his spider and mushroom healing punch. However, Dralcarnus says that they can take as much of it away with them as they can carry.

"What do you know of Shallambor, Dralcarnus?" Elias asks. Dralcarnus smiles. "This I know," he says. "Shallambor is a many things. There are dozens of elven cities called Shallambor – at least there were last time I was on the surface. But Shallambor is more than that. Shallambor is perfection, it is a state of being. The elves belief that each person must seek his own unique shallambor in life. I never found mine. Maybe not everyone has one. I don't know."

Elias also asks about Cyryth Allavorean. Dralcarnus has heard the name, but he cannot quite place where he has heard it. He shrugs. "Would you like to see the lower levels?" he asks. The group say that they would. Dralcarnus explains that the lower levels are extensive and very dangerous. Not dangerous for him, just dangerous for them. He bids them to follow him, and takes them down a set of wide and dilapidated stairs into darkness. The trio draw their swords to shed some light and are amazed by what they see.

They are descended in a huge forest of fungi. Toadstool as large as coffee-tables little the floor, and strange, grey, tree-like fungi rise to the roof, thirty feet above. The fungi surround the remains of many rooms and antechambers that used to be down here. Toppled interior walls have left rubble on the floor that has since been colonised. A huge millipede with dangerous-looking tentacles waving from its mouth scurries over to investigate them. It takes one look at Dralcarnus and scurries away. "Carrion crawlers," says Dralcarnus. "Very dangerous. And quite tasty." A plethora of life lives here, and the scene is quite spectacular. Some breeds of fungus give of a strange yellow/green light that illuminates an area around them. The trio are enjoying their field-trip into the bowels of Ashardon.

"What's that?" asks Ravenna. She is pointing to a strange stone ring that is set into the wall. It looks like a portal of some kind. There were perhaps markings of some kind around its edge once but these have been worn off long ago by the passage of time. "I looks like a portal of some kind. Like the one upstairs that leads into the Maw of Io." Dralcarnus nods. "Yes, it does look like it," he concedes, "but it isn't. You step through and you don't go anywhere apart from into the rock face. I know. It hurts."

Ravenna walks up to the ring and begins to run her hands over it. Dralcarnus follows her and calmly plucks a giant spider out of the air that was about to land on the sorceress's head. After ten minutes Ravenna scowls and walks backward from the ring, checking the floor. "There should be some device to activate it." But there is nothing. Dralcarnus says that it is as he said. If did something once before it has long since broken down.

In Uris, Nicos and Rio head across the city to Scaldarnus. Nicos intends to use the rest of his time here before leaving for Umbria, seeing what he can salvage from the wreck. He knows that building work cannot start until he returns from Hadras but at least he can stop others looting what is left.

Zephday, 45 Heathaze 204

In their last full day with Dralcarnus, the trio continue to quiz him about the past. It is during one of these discussions that Dralcarnus catches sight of the sight on Elias's finger. He grabs it and hoists Elias up by it. "No!" he yells. "You must not do this. You must not wear the symbol of Io, you must not worship Io! It is dangerous. You see around you? You see what happened to me? Oh, Io! Why have you forsaken me?" Dralcarnus storms off in a huff and it takes a while to placate him.

In Uris, Raza has developed a new theory of what is going on that he shares with Arvan. What if the moon gods were actually dragons? They are the children of Io. Raza has asked the Scriveners what they can find out about other dragon gods and there are several others besides Io. One of those gods, Chronepsis, sounds very much like a version of Mortis. Can they be one in the same? Raza thinks this theory is substantiated by what the elves told him about what will happen if he talks to the moon gods. Immortals will be slain (elves and dragons) and the Old Order destroyed (the great pact).The elves don't think Karatath is a threat, remember? Arvan isn't sure what Raza has been smoking, but he wishes he wouldn't.

Elias goes to the room of preparation and says a quiet prayer to Io against Dralcarnus's wishes. Then he goes to find the guardian. Dralcarnus is quick to forgive, but still tries to elicit a promise from Elias that he will stop worshipping Io. Look what happened to the Custodians of Concordance when they tried it. Elias says that his religion is not about worshipping aspects of Io, but the entire god individually. Dralcarnus is not impressed.

Caladay, 46 Heathaze 204

It is time to leave Ashardon and say goodbye to Dralcarnus. Dralcarnus is sorry to see them go. He reaffirms the fact that he is their ally and that no matter what life throws at them they will always have a haven at Ashardon. Just as they turn to go, Dralcarnus remembers where he has heard the name Cyryth Allavorean. It is the name of an elven town. That doesn't tell Elias much, but it is more than he knew before. The trio depart Ashardon for the long journey back to Umbria.

Sharday, 47 Heathaze 204

Elias, Brack and Ravenna cross back across the barrowmoors, this time avoiding any unfortunately barrow mounds. In Uris Raza's paranoia reaches new levels as decides to investigate Lucien. Where did the servant disappear to for those few days, what about his lapse in character when he opened a letter addressed to someone else? He suspects that Lucien is a spy, but a spy for whom?

Raza discovers that Lucien is fifty seasons old. He keeps immaculate quarters two floors below the White Suites. Raza searches these quarters thoroughly but finds nothing. When Lucien was in his late teens he served in the personal staff of Narramac before the wizard's disappearance. Since then, he has remained at the palace and served King Yaddagon. He went directly from the king's personal service to the staff of the Chosen of Narramac. This actually gave the Chosen much kudos in certain circles. Lucien has a justifiable reputation as the most predictable and dependable man in Uris. If watches had been invented, one could set the time by him. His first loyalty is always to his master, but he is known to be a loyal supporter of the current king. Raza can find no evidence of him being a spy of any sort, he just appears to be someone who has been in his work for such a long time that he knows a great number of people. Everyone seems to like Lucien, and Raza's insinuations that he is anything other than the most trustworthy of men get the monk some extremely funny looks.

Morday, 48 Heathaze 204

Brack, Elias and Ravenna leave the barrowmoors and return to the Neverton Road, which they take south to Vrex Cross. After Raza visits the king, and uses his blade upon him, he asks Yaddagon again whether proper provisions have been made for the Chosen after he is dead. Yaddagon says that the matter is in hand. He doesn't know the particulars himself (this is probably a good thing). He has entrusted the matter to someone else. He says that the someone is not Alberdark, but will not reveal who it is to Raza.

Vítday, 1 Kindlesmoke 204

Ravenna, Elias and Brack arrive in Vrex Cross. They turn from here back in the direction of the capital. They are less than a week from Umbria and Elias is hoping that everything has gone smoothly in his absence. He fears that Nicos will forget about the ring and he won't be able to embarrass himself in front of Drasha.

The fire cleric in question has removed a variety of holy trappings, bric-a-brac and junk from Scaldarnus to the White Suite. Rio and Alessandre have helped him in this endeavour. Nicos notices that Alessandre and Rio really don't seem to get on. Rio seems to have become fast friends with Drasha and she obviously sees Alessandre as a threat to her friend. Alessandre doesn't seem to notice. She still seems a little maudlin.

Terday, 2 Kindlesmoke 204

Raza finally gets answers from Kybos regarding the relationship between the eighteen churches and the moon gods, and whether the churches work to the same ends. This enquiry has gone deep into the theology of the moon faiths, and Kybos has reams of information for the monk. The upshot of it is a little disappointing, however.

According to Kybos, the sixteen true churches (everyone apart from the Bombastics and the Church of the Unbeating Heart) hold themselves true to the Covenant. The Covenant stated that the worship of the Moon Gods was one faith. It encourages pantheon worship, and the acceptance that each god (and therefore each church) has a part to play in the great scheme of things. Just as all things are made up of a fine balance of earth, air, fire, water, positive and negative energy, so are all six gods essential for the well being of the world. Raza looks at the summaries for the individual roles of each church. The churches of earth, air, fire, water, life and the Watchers were the first churches to be formed after the coming of the gods. The others came later, embodying more aspects of the deities. The common goal of all the churches are to promote the worship of the moon gods. All the faiths are the enemies of dragons and elves (if they were proved to exist) which goes a little way to verify what Raza's torturer from the Dreamheart said.

As far as the Scriveners can tell Raza, the goals of the gods are reflected by the goals of the churches. The churches want what the gods want and vice-versa. How true this is, is open to debate, but there are no hard facts to say that churches are going against the gods. The Scriveners point to the worshippers of Mortis as a good example. The Watchers say that Mortis wants all undead destroyed; the Unbeating Heart says that Mortis wants as many undead created as possible. They can't both be right, can they? Although this gives Raza some serious food for thought, he cannot draw any firm conclusions from it. He decides to seek out Arvan and talk to him.

Sharday, 5 Kindlesmoke 204

Raza tracks down Arvan. He has been looking for the druid for several days, it is almost as though he was avoiding Raza. Raza says that he remembers Quenqurial saying that the moon gods were child gods. What if they are the children of Io? Arvan says that this sounds a lot like Raza's last theory. Raza says what if the moon gods were created to destroy the elves and the dragons. Arvan says "What?" Raza explores this further. Is there a link between the dragons and the moon gods? Sorcerers have their powers because they have draconic blood. Raza is a godspeaker. If Raza was also a sorcerer then that would prove a link between the dragons and moon gods. Arvan shakes his head wearily. Raza's theories are now smacking of desperation. Raza says that he must discover a way to see whether he is a sorcerer. But who can help him do this? Not the druid, as Arvan has loped discreetly away.

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