From: "Tim & Tiffanie" <tntgray@sprintmail.com

Dakorillon had made his offer to escort the non-combatants via Gate back
to town which was wildly debated along with any other point which seemd to
come before this council. ShadowBlade had volunteered the unicorn to shapeshift
and bring everyone to town. (I don't like the thought of that one bit, my
boy. No telling when it will turn and try to eat you, forgetting all about
what it was supposed to do. No, no shapechanging conveyance.)

Solarin mentioned a gypsy camp in the forest. (I wouldn't mind going there
myself and checking out the..dancers. But, I don't feel comfortable taking
Aya and Ruvan further into the forest, when we are already so close to the
edge. She needs a real roof over her head and good hot inn food, not
itinerant gypsies pawing her.) Dak's thoughts were edged with jealousy.

Dakorillon had watched with interest as the wards went up around the
clearing, "dampening" the night noises outside, yet still leaving the
sounds crystal clear. (Strange effect) he thought. The troll added his protection
to the clearing and Dak was astounded by the solid feel that the dirt under
his feet gained. (Like flag-stone, Luck and Love this grows stranger by the
moment, but you have to expect that when dealing with mages).

Then things really began to get confusing.

:"Did some say something about traps?": Rang a mental voice that everyone
heard. With that the wards placed around the entrance of the cave shone
bright white and then a pale purple blue image of a very large wolf enters the
cave.

Dakorillon physically winced as the mind-voice ripped through him. His
knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists to stop the pleasure and the
pain that accompanied it as the voice continued.

:"Be not afraid, I am Lurker, one of the Last Watchers of this world and
many others. In this world I have some friends who I think can help you,
if you would be so inclined. One of them is a woman called Shadowdancer,
she is an ex-mercenary, with many hidden talents. The other is a man called
Jonnran Weaponsbreaker. His name implies that he can get through just about any
trap he sets his mind to. I believe that they will be a great asset to your
attack of the Citadel."

With this Lurker dispersed the aura of light surrounding him, and sat down
upon his haunches.

He was grateful when the bright light disappeared, though the pain from
having his night vision blasted by light helped to dull the mind voice.
And as his nightsight readjusted to firelight levels he was actually able to
think with a touch of humor that someone called Weaponsbreaker definitely would
not be someone he thought of as being good at traps, unless you just wanted to
bust through them and let everyone know what was going on. (Luck and Love,
what is it with all the mind speakers around here?)

Then the lovely winged lady decided she was going to leave and take one of
the knights with her. She was followed by the war fairie, they both seemed
to feel that they had been in the clearing for too long, yet from what Xenon
had told him on the way into camp, they had arrived just that morning.

Solarin exploded at that point, saying that no one should leave until
proper plans were made. (Isn't that what Xenon and the Troll have been saying?
Too many Headmen and not enough villagers) Dak shook his head. He then caught
the tail end of the conversation between Fallenangel and Jonas the knight
with the oversized sword. (Who caries a 9' sword? Why not a lance and just
get it over with? He looks quite ridiculous, and yet feels dangerously
competent. Yet he hasn't the foggiest where we are either) Dak grinned, it
made him feel better to know he wasn't the only one to get lost.

(Well, the outburst seems to have at least stopped the hasty departures,)
Dak noticed. Suddenly, his attention was grabbed by one of the elven women
volunteering to Mindspeak everyone. Dak shuddered, mindspeaking with elves
was one of the worst possible fates he could imagine. (Lovestruck idiot for
months).

Solarin suggested that the sleepers be awakened, but Dak was loathe to wake
Aya and Ruvan to such dissention. Aya would most likely go wherever he
suggested anyway, since he was the one taking care of her. His face
softened with a smile for a moment. Besides, they had just fallen asleep a
few minutes ago.

ShadowBlade looked as though she was going to rouse those in the other cave
and Dak moved a little more protectively in front of the cave that Aya was
using. Then his knees buckled and he would have gone down, if the cave
wall wasn't right there as Mindspeech tore through him again.

(Lord and Lady help me. I'm sorry, whatever I did, I'm sorry.) He
directed his prayers to the heavens. (Maybe the wolf is right. He seems to really
know what he is talking about. Help is on the way and we ought to stay.
He seems very soothing, strong.)

He missed most of the next discussions, caught up in his own musings, but
was brought back by the blue dragon landing in the clearing. (She is
beautiful if frightening.)

(At least they seem to finally be breaking into groups that can actually
move, instead of being deadlocked. Luck and Love I'm glad I never joined
the Guard.) He nearly laughed aloud at that thought. He saw the lovely
bard tentatively approach the fire and voice her worry over her place in this
fractured group. (Fallenangel the leader of the non-combatants? When did
this happen?) Sand looked so lost, his heart dropped to his stomach and he
began to move over to comfort her, only half-listening to more of the same
discussions.

He bowed slightly in front of the bard, taking her hand into his and kissed
it gently. "Please, my lady, fear not, we will allow no harm to come to
you. I will be taking the Lady Aya and her son back to the town, whatever
dangers that caused so many to leave so hastily will no doubt be over by
now." He murmured quietly. Before he could say more Xenon spoke, calling
his name.

"Dak, get the Lady and her son as well as the ill man under her care ready
to go."

Dak nodded curtly then turned back to Sand. "My lady, if you will ready
your packs, we will depart post haste."

He then strode towards the cave with Aya and Ruvan, half-hearing,
half-feeling the winged woman. (She's afraid and angry, probably angry that
she's afraid and is lashing out. Careful, little dove, don't push Xenon or
he'll clip your wings.)

Dak entered the cave and shook Aya's shoulder gently, stroking the hair out
of her face as she turned sleepily to look at him. "Awaken, dear one, it
is time to leave. When next you sleep again, it should be in a true bed after
a hot bath." He pressed a kiss against his fingers and then against her
lips and with a smile turned, "I must get the Black ready, we will have
company on the journey, we'll be taking the injured man with us as well as
the Bard, Sand."

He strode back to the cave mouth just in time to see unicorn explode. (Luck
and Love and Lord Above what is _that_?" It unsettled his stomach as it
changed to spirit form and then back to unicorn. He vowed then and there
that his Aya was getting no where near that one.

"Thank you but, no." Dak spoke up. "Surely you'll be of more use with
Shadowblade or the assault force. I have everything under control here,
whether Xenon provides a gate or no, we have transportation. It is but a
night's ride, though I would prefer to stay here for the night and leave in
the morning light when the horse can see better. Yes, there has been much
activity here, but with the dragons fighting and the lizardmen defeated, it
is unlikely that anything else will approach this evening anyway. They
have tested us and seen that we are prepared." (How little they know), he
thought to himself.

"And so", he continued, "are little likely to test again tonight. Most
forest creatures are cowardly and only attack when they feel they have an
edge over a weaker party. And while most of us can see well in the dark,"
he nodded at the elves around, "there are many who can not. Your steeds
will be stumbling and injuring themselves in the dark, or else you must
needs carry torches, thus bringing trouble like moths to flame. Prefer a
gate? Yes I would, no matter the consequences to the fighters left here.
I have a baby to think about as well as ladies and an injured man. But the
thought that it might be twisted, does worry me. Still I trust Xenon's
skill and I must say he has never failed in his duties that I have been
acquainted with." He smiled then at Xenon, and upon meeting Xenon's eyes
Dak knew that for once his words were backed with truth and a feeling of
warmth that swept away any fears of betrayal.

He went to gather the Black, looking around for the wolf named Lurker, who
he began worrying about. (I should let him know he can come with us.)

From: "Tim & Tiffanie" <tntgray@sprintmail.com>

Zeke sat and felt happily self righteous for all of 10 minutes, quite a
record all in all, until he was bored nearly to tears. It didn't look like
the discussion was going to come to blows, demons take it, and they kept
saying the same things over and over, just letting someone new say it the
next time. There was no food on the fire, everyone having packed it away,
there was nothing to drink and the music had stopped in the cave, so he
didn't even have that to listen to.

Shielding tightly he mindspoke Zora, :: Can I come in now? I'm tired.::

::Are you insane? What do you think is going to happen if you change right
here?::

::I didn't mean right here,:: (Yeesh, Zora, I'm not stupid), ::I meant, go
into one of the caves and change, there's so many people that have shown up
throughout the day, everyone will think they just missed you. Please?::

::And do you not think they will wonder where you have gone? Adept Xenon
will assuredly. He's a strong one, that one. Too strong to fool. The
golden elf is lifebonded and so is useless and the white-haired elf is
firmly under Xenon's thumb. But the knight, the one with the demon sword,
now there is one who could be an ally. His mind wanders often, but he does
not seem to be happy with that nosy Angel any more than we are. Yes, that I
think could occupy your thoughts. Get close to him, cultivate him.:: Zora
advised.

::What about the demon in the injured man?:: Zeke asked.

::No, he's bound to his duties already. Unless you'd like to join him in
cohabiting the body?::

::No, no, that's okay.:: Zeke replied. He then began making his way around
the edges of the camp. (These are nasty wards and the earth wards give me
the creeps. Addlewrack's Toenails, why did they have to put these up? No
way I could sneak out now.) He finally made it over to where the Angel and
Knight were arguing. He didn't like the look of how things were going. Nor
did he want to draw the Angel's attention again. Even with his soul-stone
hid, she could be trouble.

His head jerked around as Xenon spoke his name, emphasizing it with mind
call. "Zeke, please come over here if you would."

(No! I would not! I don't like him.) He thought as he tried to sidle to put
the knight between him and Xenon. But the insistence in the mindvoice left
him no doubt what would happen if he disobeyed. Then others started arguing
again, he hoped it would take Xenon's mind off of them. (If I got rid of the
injured man, I could shift to look like him and they could take me back
instead) he thought hopefully. (No, the wards and too many people,
Implings!)

::Go to the Adept, now Zeke:: Zora demanded. He was tempted to refuse, to
make her come out and deal with things, she couldn't control their body as
long as she was inside. He didn't bat an eye when the Unicorn turned into a
spirit, he had seen many things much worse, and stranger still. (It is
pretty though,) he thought inanely.

Finally, he decided to take a stand. He folded his arms over his chest,
braced his legs shoulder width apart and refused to move. (Let them deal
with that!)

From: "Angie" <heraldtg@mbox3.singnet.com.sg>

:>"Thank you but, no." Dak spoke up. "Surely you'll be of more use with
:>Shadowblade or the assault force. I have everything under control here,
:>whether Xenon provides a gate or no, we have transportation. It is but a
:>night's ride, though I would prefer to stay here for the night and leave in
:>the morning light when the horse can see better. Yes, there has been much
:>activity here, but with the dragons fighting and the lizardmen defeated, it
:>is unlikely that anything else will approach this evening anyway. They
:have
:>tested us and seen that we are prepared."

Ynys tossed her mane and whickered. (Elf-child. Nice. I wonder if he knows that
I am already with the non-combatants. Within the walls, I would be useless. In
the Battle for Derioth, my only role was as transport. Besides, communication
between Shadowblade and me would be... strained, to say the least.)

She shook her head and stared at the elf. (No, I don't think I should mindspeak
to him. He looked like he was in pain when Lurker was mindspeaking the group. I
suppose he will get the point when I follow the group out of this clearing.)

----

'Blade turned her head away when she felt Ynys trying to meet her eyes. (That...
why did she not tell me? How... She...) She muttered a curse under her breath.
(It's not so much that she was on the enemy's side during that Battle long ago.
But she did not _tell_ me. Why did she not tell me?)

When Dakorillion spoke of the group being prepared, she almost laughed. The
retaliation against the lizard men and the dragon was headed by Raven, Solarin,
and Erelan. Raven was most certainly on her own way to the Citadel, her way to
suicide; Solarin and Erelan were both on the warrior's list. They were _not_
going to be on their way with the non-combatants. (So maybe Dak is able to
fight. But what use would he be protecting such a huge group of non-combatants,
alone? Then again, _she_ will be there...)

'Blade fumed over the unicorn's little secret. (I guess I shouldn't be angry
with her,) she thought after a moment of thought. (It's so long ago, and, maybe
she felt I didn't have to know. After all, it's history, is it not?) She looked
up and saw Ynys. The unicorn was having a problem communicating without her
translation. (History... so many of my kin _died_ in that page of history.)
Another voice within her spoke up. (But it was not her fault, is it? No use
blaming all the deaths on her. You've been the cause of more deaths than she is,
and you know that.) Her conscience? Was that what the humans called it? Ugh, of
all times to manifest.
(All right. So she can't be blamed... but, she didn't _tell_ me.)

(Like you told her that you were an assassin when you first met?)

(Umm...)

(Admit it. She has as much right to her secrets as you do. You're wrong in
blaming her. Now go in there, shake hands, and start translating.)

(Oh... fine. Just _stop_ appearing, okay? I don't need a conscience speaking to
me in the middle of nowhere. Now, _go away_.)

She felt that little voice disappear. (You know, 'Blade, they have an herb out
there to treat people with multiple personalities...) She shook her mental
head.. (Back to translating.)

"Hmm, Dak, I think Ynys is trying to tell you that since she is already
travelling with the non-combatants, it'll be no problem for her to transport
them. Besides, she finds it hard to maneuver within stone walls. I think she's
claustrophobic. Something to do with seeing the sky above her." She smiled at
Ynys to show "no hard feelings", and shrugged. "Besides, she's perfectly
harmless. Herbivore, she does not eat humans, elves, or other beings."

She walked over to the unicorn and smoothed out her mane. :No hard feelings,
Ynys.:
:I thought I insulted you back there...: The unicorn turned around to look at
the elf.

:You did. But you know me, thick skin, thick skull... I recover easily enough.:
She grinned back at the unicorn. :Besides, with that light show you gave, there
has to be a "payment" of some sort...: She winked at the unicorn and turned back
to the gathered people. (Oh well... back to the drawing board.)

From: Adrienne <ametz@u.arizona.edu>

Aliaya awoke to the gentle touch on her shoulder. She turned to look at
whomever had awaken her, as her eyes cleared, Dak spoke, "Awaken, dear one,
it is time to leave. When next you sleep again, it should be in a true bed
after a hot bath." He pressed a kiss against his fingers and then against her
lips and with a smile turned, "I must get the Black ready, we will have
company on the journey, we'll be taking the injured man with us as well as
the Bard, Sand."

(That's nice,) Aya thought. (It is always nice to travel with a bard. We
always used to have that one old man travel with us. He played so
beautifully.) She drifted a bit back towards sleep, but then Dak's words
sunk in. (Oh, we're leaving.) Aya had no idea why they would leave what
seemed to a perfectly good spot, nor why only a few were going and not
everybody.

She sat up, careful to not disturb Ruvan. He slept peacefully, long
overdue for a nap. She knew she would regret disturbing him, so she let
him be for the moment. She sat quietly, regaining her composure. She felt
quite a bit better, even though her nap had been so short. To her
surprise, she was not particularly tired, nor feeling strained. (I guess I
expected rumaging through someone's mind again to tire me out more than it
did. I doubt I'll need that bed real soon, and a bath would be a waste of
perfectly good water right now,) she thought, still clean from Xenon's
little trick.

Dutifully, she began to get her and Dak's stuff that was in the cave
together. She strapped Vahlender around her waist, its solid feel a
reassuring weight, and the return of its humming presence in her mind was
comforting, familiar in such an unfamiliar situation. Ruvan still slept.
She picked him up, he stirred a bit, but fell back to sleep. Holding her
baby, tight against her, she left the cave with the packs piled at the
mouth, and walked towards Dak and the large gathered group. (I didn't
realize there were this many people.) But she also realized many had come
since she had first payed attention to the group at large.

Her attention caught on the dragon. (She definately was not here when I got
here. I wonder what a dragon is doing on this side of the world.) Before
she could speculate, Dak's voice rang out.

>"And so", he continued, "are little likely to test again tonight. Most
>forest creatures are cowardly and only attack when they feel they have an
>edge over a weaker party. And while most of us can see well in the dark,"
>he nodded at the elves around, "there are many who can not. Your steeds
>will be stumbling and injuring themselves in the dark, or else you must
>needs carry torches, thus bringing trouble like moths to flame. Prefer a
>gate? Yes I would, no matter the consequences to the fighters left here.
>I have a baby to think about as well as ladies and an injured man. But the
>thought that it might be twisted, does worry me. Still I trust Xenon's
>skill and I must say he has never failed in his duties that I have been
>acquainted with." He smiled then at Xenon, and upon meeting Xenon's eyes
>Dak knew that for once his words were backed with truth and a feeling of
>warmth that swept away any fears of betrayal.

Dak's worries for Ruvan warmed Aya's heart, but his other words confused
her. (A gate?) Aya looked around. (Where's a gate? Xenon's putting up a
gate? He looks pretty idle for doing that kind of work.) Aya kept silent,
having obviously come into the middle of a very serious counsel. She was
never allowed to speak at the counsels of her father's that she had
attended, and she felt it best to observe that same custom here.

Aya started to approach Dak again, but he moved off towards the Black, so
she stayed where she was, still out of the counsel circle, trying to watch
the goings-ons intently. Unfortunately, she had forgotten to high-sheild
again upon awaking, and all the mind-speaking and self-thoughts were
buzzing away in her head. She slowly started to sheild them out, but one
tinged with much anger and betrayal knawed at her. (Listening to personal
thoughts is rude,) she admonished herself, and snapped the last sheild up
in place. Yet, she watched the woman who had helped her with Darro. The
elf calmed herself. No one else probably noticed. Then she approached Dak.

>"Hmm, Dak, I think Ynys is trying to tell you that since she is already
>travelling with the non-combatants, it'll be no problem for her to transport
>them. Besides, she finds it hard to maneuver within stone walls. I think she's
>claustrophobic. Something to do with seeing the sky above her." She smiled at
>Ynys to show "no hard feelings", and shrugged. "Besides, she's perfectly
>harmless. Herbivore, she does not eat humans, elves, or other beings."

(Why would Dak think that a unicorn would eat people? What a silly boy!)
Aya smiled slightly. (Well, we'll see where Ruvan and I fit into all this
mess.) She waited for someone to acknowledge her presence and tell her
where to go.

From: troll@netcomuk.co.uk

Muranog rose again. The troll's stony black face was inscrutable, but his eyes
blazed brightly like twin purple flames.

"We have enough enemies outside this clearing. We do NOT need to fight
with each other also," the troll began with a pointed glance at Xenon. "If not
for our wards, I am sure Adept Savar would be convulsed with laughter at the
discord among our number."

Sable snorted in agreement.

"If it is truly Solarin's wish, I am ready to assume leadership of the assault force,
though with my limited knowledge of the terrain of this place I shall depend very
much on Solarin's assistance. I would welcome Atalaya, Erelan and any other
who would accompany the assault force - Etain, perhaps? in addition to Solarin.
Indeed, friend Erelan could be of use to both the assault and infiltration groups,
if she is willing: she could transport some of the infiltrators, as she has suggested,
and then return to join the assault force."

Muranog bowed to Erelan and looked questioningly at the young dragon before
continuing.

"Friend Fallenangel, if it is a matter of honour that the sword Jonas Avar carries
remains with you, then of course I retract my offer to watch over him and it. It
seems unfortunate to me that the combat groups are thus robbed of a fighter, but
if that is your will as a representative of your God, so must it be. Unless of course
he has some other weapon? in which case perhaps you could simply take the sword
and not also the knight?"

Muranog looked to Fallenangel questioningly before continuing again.

:Probably not a good idea, mindmate,: Sable privately mindspoke the troll.
:See the way Avar reacts at the suggestion of parting him from the weapon?:

:True, perhaps you're right,: Muranog silently agreed. :Unfortunate. If that dragon
Nirathei comes back, we could use a blade of such obvious power. It still defies my
scans, and I cannot deep-probe it without him becoming aware.:

:There are other ways to fight dragons,: Sable retorted. :To do so from the ground
is foolish for most, other than an Adept such as yourself.:

:Yet we have few who can fight from the air,: Muranog replied, and then stopped
as an idea struck him. :Wait a moment. Can you reach the Clans from here?:

:Probably,: the war sheep silently snorted, :once I am outside these wards. It took you
long enough to come to that idea, mindmate.:

:Go outside the clearing then,: the troll directed, ignoring the mental rebuke. :Call
the Clans and let them know all we know about this 'Nirathei'. We have helped them
before, perhaps they can be of help to us.:

The mental exchange took place in just over ten seconds, so there was no long gap
before Muranog again spoke aloud to the group.

"Of the creatures of Adept Savar that we have faced thus far, it seems clear that
this dragon Nirathei is the most dangerous. It would seem to me that the best way
to combat such as he is with others of his own kind. Sable and I are friends to the
dragon clans of the Trollhome Mountains. Sable goes now to attempt to make contact
with them: perhaps they can assist us against Nirathei, and perhaps even against his
master Adept Savar. Certainly any assistance we can gain would be useful, no?"

As Muranog spoke, the huge black war sheep slowly trotted out of the clearing and
beyond the extent of Xenon's and Muranog's wards. Once outside the wards, she
dropped into trance and sent her powerful mind, longer-ranged than that of any troll,
outward, northward, seeking minds she had contacted in the past.

=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#

Many miles to the north, high in the sky, dragons circled lazily, beating powerful
wings as they rode the air currents above their mountain home.

Stormwing circled above the largest of Storm Clan's lairs and reflected once again
on how good it was to be alive and to be a dragon. Truly the children of Blirix were
blessed, rulers of the winds and masters of the elements. Around, above and below
her, her siblings and cousins of Storm Clan flew and played and mock-fought, a fine
display of glossy midnight blue and paler sky blue and shining silver scales and wings,
while the elder dragons of the Clan sunned themselves on the ledges outside the lairs.
>From her high vantage point, Stormwing could see the sun glinting off scales of red
and gold as the younger dragons of neighbouring Flame Clan cavorted in the air over
to the west. To the east she could just make out the white dragons of Frost Clan at play,
and she was sure that the dragons of the other three Clans were doing the same beyond
the limits of her vision.

Even as Stormwing circled above the peaks of the western Trollhome Mountains, she
felt a presence brush against her mind.

:Who?: she thought instantly, then recognised the touch. :Sable?:

The blue dragon folded her wings and landed on a nearby ledge as she listened to
the war sheep's words in her head, lounging peacefully on the smooth rocky ledge,
until the essence of what Sable was saying jolted her into alertness again. Her luminous
golden eyes snapped wide open as she took in what the war sheep was saying.

"Nirathei?"

Only when she saw the shocked and surprised looks of the other dragons, a moment
later, did Stormwing realise that in her surprise and anger she had spoken /that name/
aloud as well as mind-to-mind.

:Nirathei?: She repeated in mindspeech. :That renegade /dared/ show his face again?:

She listened as Sable explained what had transpired in the forest to the south. When
the war sheep finished, the blue dragon's response was short and simple.

:I come, Sable. Tell Clanbrother Muranog. I come.:

Stormwing launched herself into the air. Even as she did so, she broadcast a mindmessage
to every adult of Storm Clan.

:Nirathei has shown himself again. I go to aid our troll friends in confronting him.
Tell the other Clans to watch for him, if he escapes me again.:

Without waiting for a response, the blue dragon beat her wings and propelled herself
southward, racing on the winds to answer Sable's call.

=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#

Sable returned to the clearing, and immediately mindspoke Muranog.
The troll nodded, smiling, and turned to the others gathered in the clearing.

"Sable was successful in contacting our dragon allies. One of them is on her way.
It appears that this Nirathei is known to them of old, and Stormwing comes to aid us
in any further confrontations with him."

The troll looked around the clearing, his gaze resting on each person in turn.

"There are still some who have not yet declared which of our groups they will
join. I would urge those to do so now. Then the infiltration group may get under
way, aided if she will by friend Erelan."