Adriena and Aanparon continue their journey, switching their destination from the country manor of Lady Otasura to the city of HonShar itself.

After several uneventful days of traveling, avoiding Orc patrols, the two see on the horizon the walls of HonShar.

Adriena sits down against a tree and looks at Aan, "Ok, there's the city. Mind telling me what this is all about? Something's up," she reasons. "There shouldn't be Orc patrols this close to the city, unless things have gone very poorly for Honshar. Certainly the Orc army hasn't struck yet? There simply isn't any way for a large force to travel faster than we could. We are probably still a day or two ahead of them. Of course," she smacks her head, "The Orcs would have pressed the front to draw Honshar's attention out to the battlefields and away from the true attack through the old mines. That must be it. But I still don't understand why you wanted to come straight to the city instead of the meeting place where Lady Otusura would be looking for us. I think it's about time you clued me in. What kind of scheme have you concocted?" Adriena crosses her arms and waits for Aan's answer...

Aan replies, "We are headed straight to the Lady's mansion. The dead man we left behind said the raid had already happened and Honshar was lost. How they got here so quick is beyond me, but the city is lost. I'm not sure if the Lady is dead, but he said she'd been defeated. I'm not going looking for her.

Aan continues, "Instead, we are going to her home. We'll tear the place apart if we have to, but we MUST find her spell book. I'm not staying like this one minute longer than I have to. When we find the spell book, you will cast whatever it takes to change me back. I know the spell is probably beyond your current abilities, but I know enough about magic to know there's still some small chance you can cast it successfully. I'm willing to take that chance.

Aan concludes, "If it works on me, then you can try it on yourself as well. If it doesn't work, well with any luck it will kill me instead. If that's what it takes to get me out of this body, so be it."

Adriena replies, "Oh. Well. Why didn't you just say so?" She heaves a heavy sigh and begins looking for a dark, soft place to lay down and sleep. She finds an area where some trees have grown close together and gathers some leaves for bedding. She continues talking while she works, "I don't know how sound your plans are, but they're worth a try. As you say, the least that can happen to us is we'll get killed. It *is* better than the alternative at this point." Adriena settles in for the night. She sleeps with her dagger drawn.

Adriena stirs slowly in her nest as the sun's rays begin to brighten the night sky in the East. After a long, healthy stretch she takes out a small bit of foraged food and eats a meager breakfast. Then, once she remembers that the nightmare she was having is actually just memories from the past several days, she gets up and walks over to Aan, "Come on, Aan. Let's get this over with. It's gone on far too long already." Adriena follows Aan's lead as they head back towards the city.

Turning towards the walled city, the two continue their journey. By midday they are close enough to make out that the flag of HonShar still flies from the battlements.

Aan tells Adriena, "Who knows? Maybe the old man was delirious. Still, we need to be careful." Aan continues on toward the city. He keeps an eye out for any sign of archers.

Adriena tries her best to hide her nervousness. She says nothing and follows Aan as best she can. She keeps her eyes open for patrols and guards, human and orc alike.

Still moving towards the city, the two are more cautious, paying more attention to the trees and brush around them. Walking, Aan pauses for a brief second thinking, "Hmm, something is not right." Just as the thought registers in Aan's mind the world drops away from beneath him and both orcs fall hitting soft earth almost immediately.

Quickly rolling to his feet, ignoring the bruises, Aan sees that he and Adriena are now in the bottom of a crude pit. The cover had given away with the combined weight of the two orcs.

Adriena is a bit slower to get to her feet, the air clearly knocked out of her as she hit the pit's bottom. Looking up, she estimates that it is roughly 10-15 feet to the top of the pit.

The two hear voices, in common, from above them, "Ned, we got two; go get the Lady. Harn, take a half squad and see if they had any friends that are still about."

Aan immediately says loud enough to be heard above, "If you're referring to Lady Otasura, tell her to hurry, it's important. Tell her Aanparon you've captured Aanparon. That will spark her interest, I assure you." After his little speech Aan checks to make sure Adriena is ok, then tries to make himself comfortable, sitting criss-cross applesauce on the floor of the pit.

"I'm fine, Aan. Thank you." Adriena brushes herself off and looks up to see if she can see any of the men. Feeling a kink in her neck, she stops looking up and sits next to Aan. "This is weird. I feel like we're going round and round and there's no stopping it. Well, let's hope they don't try anything mean before Lady Otasura gets to see us."

A several figures appear at the rim of the pit, blocking the sun and casting shadows, Aanparon is able to make out that most of them carry crossbows. The same voice as heard before talks again, "So you speak common do you? Lady Otasura is dead thanks to the likes of you! As if you didn't know that you filthy orcs!!"

Talking to the figures around him the man says, "That one looks like a spellcaster. Turn her into a porcupine if she tries anything." The speaking figure then disappears from the rim's edge though the crossbow carrying figures remain.

Aan sits very still being careful not to make any sudden movements that might cause the crossbowmen to react.

Adriena sits in numbed silence.

After a few moments an additional shadow appears at the pit's edge and a female's voice speaks down at the two trapped orcs, "What do you know of Otasura and where are the rest of your filthy orc friends?"

Adriena rises from the dirt and gathers what little dignity she has left, "The Lady Otasura sent us, along with several others, into the Orc city to try and recover the Ca'ega and possible rescue Lord Pumphry-dinkle. She transformed us into orcs to aid us in our task. If her man-servant is still alive he can probably identify us. We are Adriena and Aanparon. All of that aside, we have urgent news that the orcs are going to attack through the old mines and Lord Whos-its is leading them! They still have the Ca'ega and they believe they have wrestled to be under their control. Now, if you please, I dearly wish to return to my rightful body!" Adriena's voice cracks at the end as her stress overcomes her slightly.

Aan sighs. "Hello, milady. My name is Aanparon. I am not an orc, but a human in an unfortunate disguise. This is Adriena, a lady in bearing if not in appearance at the moment. Lady Otasura sent us on a mission. We are alone, no one is with us. I don't think any of our companions on this expedition will be coming back."

Aan pauses and rubs his neck. "This explanation is going to take a long time, would it be alright if we got out of this pit. This conversation is putting a small strain on my neck. I assure you we are no threat to you. In fact, I will leave my weapons down here, if it pleases you. Never cared for the lousy orc workmanship anyway."

There is silence for a few seconds and then laughter, "Now that is a great story." After some more laughter the Lady says, "Haul them up, strip them of weapons, and shakle them. We will take them to Lord Stirling. He can deal with them."

A rope is quickly lowered that has a loop at the end, "Slip the loop on, hook it under your arms," the original male voice says. It doesn't take long before the two orcs are pulled up to the surface. Immediately after reaching the top of the pit they are searched, stripped of weapons and bound. One crossbow-carrying individual says directly to Adriena, "Iffen I thinks you are gonna cast a spell, I shoots ya"

In short order the two are placed into saddles and under escort are transported back to the walls of HonShar. The only female, obviously the Lady, rides at the front of the party seemingly unafraid that two orcs, who somehow had gotten within several bowshots of HonShar, ride behind her.

None of the guards talk, though Adriena recognizes their uniform, placing them as the Hunters. That would mean that the Lady had to be Lady A'Mea. Adriena doesn't know much about the Hunters, other than who commands them and that they are a small elite special military unit.

Once the party nears the wall, the large gates open and the party enters. Without breaking stride the party moves directly to the Guard's headquarters. Without much fanfare the two are delivered to Lord Stirling's outer chambers as Lady A'Mea enters Lord Stirlings inner office. About fifteen minutes later the doors open again and the two are escorted in, still under heavy guard.

Lord Stirling looks up from his desk, Lady A'Mea standing in one corner and several crossbowmen and swordsmen positioned throughout the room.

Adriena sits as straight as her weary body can manage and looks at Lord Stirling solumnly. She says nothing, waiting for the man to break the ice since she believes anything she says will be seen as a lie.

Aan's patience is wearing thin. He's not being belligerent, but he's not about to wait for Stirling to get things started. "Okay, milord and lady, we are here. How much of our impossible story do you know, and how much do you need me to repeat again? I do not wish to seem impertinent, but I tire of this body and I cannot do anything about it on my own."

Lord Stirling replies simply, "Repeat your entire story."

Aan tells Stirling the entire story, only covering the bits he feels he needs to cover to protect Adriena (like not mentioning Adriena and Ganth insisted on helping the human slaves when Aan argued strongly to leave them to their lot, but was outvoted).

Aan won't cover his own errors in the expedition, like trying to return only to drag Kira in as well, or backing off when he knew roughly where the Caega was but didn't think he could get in and out safely.

Aan finishes with, "...and that's when the guards so cleverly caught two armed orcs too exhausted to be observant and making no effort to disguise their approach who still nearly reached the doorstep of the city." Then Aan looks for a chair and falls into one, if available. "I'm thirsty, could I have a drink of water?"

Lord General Stirling listens stoicly to your stories with an impassive, stony expression on his face. The Honsharian troops in the room finger their weapons eagerly, open hostility in their expressions. The two hear more voices in the hallway.

After finishing your explanation, Lord Stiring sits quiet for a moment brooding. With a smooth, economic motion he waves a hand and all weapons in the room, which were not previously directed pointed at the two orcs, are trained on the two adventurers.

"So, orcs," he says, "you say you know Otasura? I was a student of hers at the War College. Did you know that she is dead? Massive burns inflicted by some fiendish spell castby one of your evil priests. No? You did not know this? How convenient. Nevertheles, against my better judgement, I will give you one chance. What proof can you offer? Convince me that you do not lie. You have one minute."

Adriena looks at Aan, hoping his wits can save them. She feels the last bit of strength slowly drain from her legs as she realizes this may very well be the end of her life.

Aan looks around the room at all the threatening faces with weapons at the ready. Then he starts laughing. "You must think I'm a really dangerous man. Or perhaps you think this lovely lady here, who couldn't kill a mosquito if it bit her twice, is the threat.

"At least, she used to be lovely, and would be again if you'd help us at all. You think I made all this up? What kind of idiot orc would make up the story I just told you, walk in here completely defenseless and just hand over his life? I don't think an orc has the creativity to invent the story I just told you. I'm not sure I have the creativity to invent something that far-fetched, and I've read quite a bit. And even if one could make all that up, what would be the point? Though I admit it would serve well as a distraction, since you seem to think you need two battalions to deal with two defenseless orcs. It's a wonder the city didn't fall already."

Aan shakes his head in disgust. "I have no proof to offer you, you're men stripped me of everything I had. Check the pack I was carrying, in it is a brooch given me by Lady Otasura. She used it to keep track of our movements, and she was supposed to use it to find us and teleport us home when this was all done. I'm only sorry I can't tell her in person.

"Or you could ask the old thief that worked as a servant for the lady, if he's still around. He'll remember us, though he may not be willing to admit it since he didn't seem to care for us much. Still, he seemed the type to be honest when honesty was warranted.

General Stirling nods his head to one of the guards and the guard quickly leaves the room. Silence fills the room for a few moments before the soldier returns with another man. The man is dressed in simple robes and holds Aanparon's broach in his hand. Moving over to Lord Stirling, the man chants a few words and examines the broach. He turns the broach over in his hands and then stops, addressing the seated General he says, "M'Lord, the orc broach bears the mark of the Twofold House."

The General nods and says, "Call for D'Japh and make these two comfortable."

Before Aanparon and Adriena can blink, they are swept out of the room into a nice waiting chamber. They are brought food and drink and are allowed to rest.

Adriena can scarcely believe her ears when the general commmands his men to see to their comfort. 'Surely this is trick,' she thinks, but as time passes and they wait for something else to happen she gradually finds herself lowering her guard for the first time in days, maybe weeks, "Oh, Aan! Thank the gods we remembered the broach. I sure hope there is someone here that can help us change back. But wouldn't it be our luck to find that all of the skilled mages have been killed in battle?" Adriena waits nervously.

About an hour later a woman enters the room accompanied by the old servant that the two instantly recognize. Following the two are a handful of manservants who are carrying two chests. The woman bears resemblence to Lady Otasura. She quickly speaks, "I am D'Japh of the Twofold House. Otasura was my mother, it would seem that the Twofold House still has business to attend to." Adriena recognizes in D'Japh's hands the wand that Lady Otasura used on them originally to turn them into Orcs.

D'Japh says, "This will only take a few moments." Shortly after the two are back in their old forms and able to retrieve their clothing and personal belongings from their chest.

D'Japh taps his chin in thought and says, "What are we to do with you now? Rewards are definately in order. What do you think?" she asks the two former orcs.

Adriena does not answer immediately, choosing instead to relish the feeling of her old clothes on her real body. After a long moment she turns to D'Japh and says, "There is hardly time that now. The reason we are here is to warn you of the Orc attack. They plan to come up through the old mines and Lord Whos-its is leading them! They believe they have been able to bend Lady Otasura' device to their will, at least enough to make it function to some extent. You need to warn the general... then we can discuss rewards."

Aan listens to Adriena tell D'Japh about the 'pending' invasion, shakes his head and lowers his eyes and says nothing.

D'Japh frowns and says, "Why didn't you tell General Stirling about this? Damn!" with a totally different expression on her face D'Japh turns to the old retainer and says, "They do not leave this room," before clapping her hands together and disappearing with a small 'popping' sound.

The old man looks down on the two with a distainful eye and says, "Any more secrets you wish to share?"

Adriena rolls her eyes to the ceiling, "Oh, please! We tried to warn that general but do you really think he was going to listen to a couple of orcs? I think not! That's why we had to get back to our real selves - so those block-heads would listen! Now drop your condesending attitude and treat us with a little respect. We've risked a lot to do your Lady's bidding and we've suffered a great deal at the hands of the orcs. As you can see, there are several of our party missing, but those are the lucky ones..."

Adriena falls quiet as she remembers Malis, the cleric, and the horrors she suffered, and Ganthanor whom she was falling in love with. Tentatively, she pulls back the hem of her shirt sleeve and looks at the back of her hands. The ugly brands gleam back at her.

Aan looks up in surprise. "You mean it hasn't happened yet? You'd better remind them the orcs still have the Ca'ega, and they think they know how to use it. I have no idea if it's true or if the orc was just trying to sound powerful to Hairpin. If they haven't invaded through the mines yet, then how did Lady Otasura die?"

The old retainer replies, "The orcs sent a warring band to try the defenses of HonShar. They were met about three days out from the city walls. The Lady," the man's voice gets tight and he speaks softer and more slowly, "She destroyed three-fourths of the orc army before she fell pray to a host of orc and priest spells."

The old man falls silent and doesn't seem to pay any further attention to the two. Half an hour passes before the Lady D'Japh returns through the door, "Well, that is taken care of.. Now.. What are we to do with you two?"

Aan speaks up immediately. "Your mother, may she rest, promised to help Adriena learn more about the arcane arts. Her spellbook was taken from her. Basically, she has to start from scratch. I don't wish to sound bold, but she has more than earned the help she was promised."

Taken aback somewhat by Aan's display of chivalry. Speechless, she struggles to find something to say. Finally, she blurts out, "Yes, but shepromised us all something in return. Of course.. there's only the two of us, now." She falls quiet as she tries to force any images of Ganthanor, as he truely looks, from her mind.

To keep her mind occupied, Adriena turns the subject towards Aan's reward. "What was promised to you, Aan? Wasn't there some sort of trouble you were trying to get away from? Maybe there is something Lady D'japh can help with?"

Aan smiles softly. "No, Garth was the one looking for the pardon. Seems shortly before we left he was 'visiting' someone, and was seen leaving. I haven't done much 'visiting' lately." The smile fades from Aan's face, to be replaced by his more common cynical look. "And I don't think there is much anyone around here can do to solve my problem. I just need to disappear for a couple more years. Five would do it."

"Oh," is all Adriena can say. She looks at Lady D'Japh with hesitation. She's still not quite sure where they stand with these new people. Cautiously, she brooches another subject, "Um.. excuse me for adding more wood to the fire, Lady D'Japh, but the others - the ones whom your mother sent us out with - well, some of them are likely to be alive still. The last I know of them they were being held in what is called 'the pit'. They were pressed into service to be in the forefront of the invasion. Might there be even a slight chance that you can save them, too? Is there some magic that can be performed that can show you where they are?"

D'Japh frowns and then replies, "If they are going to spearhead the invasion they are as good as dead. I have never seen them before and do not have the link that my mother did with their brooches. I am sorry but there is nothing I can do for them," turning to Aanparon she asks, "What about you? What would you like for a reward?"

The now familiar feelings of sadness and despair sink into Adriena's heart once again. She finds a chair and sits with head in hand only half listening to the Lady's questioning.

Aan looks Lady D'Japh in the eye. "I've hardly earned a reward. However, if I'm allowed to make a request I would ask for four things. First, I would like a horse and riding gear. Nothing spectacular, just something to help me keep moving. Second, I would like 10 gold pieces. That should be enough to get me through the next month or so. Third, I request anonymity. I'd like to ride out of here in the dead of night, and I don't want anyone to know where I'm going."

Aan pauses, lowers his gaze and looks at Adriena. Then he looks back at the Lady. "But if I can have nothing else, I wish you to care for Adriena. This has been harder on her then on anyone else who went on the mission, even though the others are all dead or gone over. We all went through hell, but unlike the others, she still has to live with the memory. My most fervent wish is that she be able to go on about her life, and that she be happy."

The young mage looks up at Aan with shocked eyes and no small amount of admiration. This is certainly a side of him she has not seen before, or at least noticed so plainly. She wipes the silent tears from her eyes and sets her chin proudly. 'He's right. Sure, I made some mistakes, we all did, but when everyone else wanted to quit I drove them on. We knew we might die before we even left Honshar, so what am I crying about? It was silly of me to let my heart get caught up in love. Most inappropriate for the circumstances," she chides herself.

Adriena's eyes begin to clear and an old sparkle returns. To Aan she says, "Thank-you, Aanparon. You are very sweet. It will be sad to see you go, but you must have your reasons. I won't try to stop you, but, please, say that you'll come back and see me some day? If only to see that you wishes are being fulfilled?" She crosses the room and gives Aan a long warm hug then steps back and looks towards Lady D'Japh to see what she has to say.

Aan hugs Adriena awkwardly. It's clear he's not very practiced at it. After she steps back, Aan looks at her and says, "Me? Come back to Honshar? Don't hold your breath."

Seeing Adriena's reaction Aan instantly regrets his choice of words. "I'm sorry, that sounded wrong. I don't expect to be back because there is a price on my head. But it has an expiration date somewhere around four years from now, so who knows. Maybe I'll be able to come back in four years."

Aan shrugs. "At one time I was to be trained in the mystical arts. Perhaps that could still be done. Study well, and perhaps I'll return to be your pupil one day."

Though looking a little sad, Adriena gives Aan a warm smile, "That sounds like a fine idea, Aan. If there is ever a time when you need help, magical or otherwise, you'll know where to find me."

D'Japh opens her mouth to speak when a small green bubble appears next to her ear. She falls silent as she listens to something that neither Adriena or Aanparon can hear. Nodding her head a few times, D'Japh turns her head slightly and the bubble moves in front of her mouth. The two adventurers can see D'Japh's mouth moving but can not hear the words, after about a minute the bubble winks out of sight as quickly as it had came.

"Well, it seems that my attention is being called elsewhere," turning to Adriena, "You, be at the War College tomorrow at noon sharp. You will be shown to the archives where you will be allowed to build a new spellbook."

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