Setting: Roid, Valas

Its been a week in planning but the wedding between the knight Parn and Deedlit the high elf. And within the castle walls the two wait in anticipation of the coming day. Parn and Deedlit have put their abduction by Pirotess three days ago behind them, and now concentrate on happier thoughts.

Deedlit: (smiling, giggling, and hopping around) I can't believe that its finally happening Parn. After so long we are finally going to be wed.

Parn: (smiling) Yeah. I know what you mean. (he looks around the great hall where the reception after the wedding ) I wonder how the others are doing in the clearing.

Meanwhile at the site of the actual wedding ceremony, located in a clearing outside the castle, Etoh and Princess Fiona are supervising the setup of the clearing. A small alter is being erected on a raised platform and they both smile approvingly.

Etoh: (turning to Fiona) This will defiantly please Parn and Deedlit. And that alter will be fine for whichever priest who is performing the ceremony.

Princess Fiona: (smiling) So you approve?

Etoh: Yes. Of course I do. Any priest would be honored to be up there including myself.

Princess Fiona: (giggling) That’s good to hear since Parn and Deedlit have chosen a special Priest to do the ceremony for them.

Etoh: Really? Who? (she looks at him smiling and giggling) Me?

Princess Fiona: (smiling) Uh huh. They said that they would be honored if you did the ceremony. Hmm. My father would have loved to have seen this wedding. He had had a strong liking of Parn.

Etoh: (looking sympathetically to her) Yes. But, lets not dwell on that right now. King Faun would have wanted us to be celebrating this day.

Princess Fiona: (trying to smile) Yes.

Meanwhile, Pirotess and her remaining Dark elf fighter are waiting by the river. Pirotess stares at the water while the dark elf keeps a watch. A sudden breeze causes Pirotess's reflection to disappear in the ripples. She looks around.

Karla/Woodchuck: "The streams of time run by like the running river" is that not how the saying goes?

Pirotess: (looking around) Where are you?

Karla/Woodchuck: (appearing from behind a large tree) I am here. What do you have to report?

Pirotess: (looking down at the ground) I am sorry to say that we do not have them.

Karla/Woodchuck: No. I should have known that to get them together would be difficult. Very well, we shall have to alter our plan. And soon.

Unawares of Karla's plans Deedlit is traveling alone outside the castle to meet her parents who are traveling to a ttend the wedding. She stops and leans against a tree to wait. She can hear the approach of multiple horses and stands strait. From down the road a small caravan of elfin guards bearing the banners and crests of the royal family come into view. The royal couple is seated in a coach pulled by two horses. The caravan slows to a stop when they see Deedlit. The King and Queen look out to see why they stopped and step out when they see their daughter.

Queen Rashia: :(embracing her daughter) Greetings, my daughter. How are you?

Deedlit: (smiling) I am fine mother. (she looks at her father who seems uncomfortable)

King Tesan: Are you sure that this is what you want?

Deedlit: (angered) Father- (she stops short as the elf guard of ten men is scattered by a fire ball) Get down! ( she pushes her parents behind the coach)

Back at the castle Parn is standing on one of the balconies facing the forest where Deedlit had gone to meet her parents. He sees smoke coming from near the path.

Parn: (leaning over the edge worried) Deedlit. (he runs outside and nearly plows through Lelia and Slayn who are walking the grounds)

Slayn: (worried) Parn, what’s wrong?

Parn: Deedlit went to the forest to meet her parents and there is smoke coming from the direction she was headed in.

Lelia: Lets go then.

Back at the battle site only two of the original elf guard are still alive. The others have been targeted by Karla's magic or cut down by Pirotess and the other dark elf. Deedlit stands guarding her parents, rapier drawn, but Karla avoids attacking in their direction. The last two guards are engulfed in a fire ball. Karla's attention focuses to Deedlit.

Karla/Woodchuck: Now little princess come with me.

Pirotess: Why don't we just kill all three of them where they stand? That would be much easier.

Karla/Woodchuck: No. The Elf King and Queen are to be spared. The princess is all I desire.

King Tesan: (Angry) You shall not take my daughter! (he moves in front of his wife and daughter in defense)

Karla/Woodchuck: Merely because I let you live does not mean that you are able to be dealt with (the circlet on his/her forehead glows slightly)

King Tesan: Ahh! (he is tossed away by Karla's magic)

Queen Rashia: No! (she goes to him)

Deedlit: (looking angrily at Karla and her group) Why?! Why are you doing this to us?

Karla/Woodchuck: Everything do I do to protect Lodoss from destruction.

Deedlit: (looking worried) Parn.

Pirotess: (smugly) Not this time princess. No last minute rescues from your lover boy and his friends. This time you're ours.

Karla raises his/her hand and the circlet begins to glow. Deedlit prepares for a magic attack. From Karla's hand comes and invisible force beam that tears up the ground in front of Deedlit. Deedlit is thrown back against a tree. Karla laughs, Pirotess smiles and her parents look on helplessly. Karla prepares another magick assault. But before she can deliver a blast comes from beside him/her.

Karla/Woodchuck: (looking to the side and deflecting the blast) Who dares?

From the forest comes Parn wielding his Holy Sword, Slayn and Lelia are standing behind him. Slayn is holding out his staff.

Karla/Woodchuck: (smiling) Ahh, so the come the knight and sorcerer. But who is that behind them? (she focuses behind Slayn) So. You brought my old host with you.

Lelia: (she is very frightened) Karla.

Parn: (angry) What do you want here!

Karla/Woodchuck: With your arrival I have all that I desire. (she signals Pirotess and the other dark elf to attack)

Parn engages the male elf ad begins to clash swords with him. Pirotess stands before Slayn and Lelia, smiling.

Pirotess: A sorcerer and a priestess of Marfa how quaint. Ahah! (she charges the couple)

Slayn begins to raise his staff to work his magick, when he hears something behind him.

Lelia: (enacting a spell) Spirits of the heavens, send your power to me and use me to act against this evil. (from the sky a thunderbolt comes down and strikes her staff. Lelia's eyes glow white and she sends the gathered energy at Karla and Pirotess)

Karla/Woodchuck: (holding up his/her hand) How interesting. (the blast is met with a shield of magick) You have improved. (Lelia can not believe that spell failed) Allow me to show you how it is done (his/her hand comes up and the circlet glows, his/her fingers flash with lightning and fires it at Lelia)

Slayn: Lelia! (he attempts to surround her with a magick shield but Karla's magick is too strong and Lelia is hit but the spell was weakened by the shield)

Karla/Woodchuck: (becoming annoyed) Enough of this. I have other matters that require my attention. (she/he looks at Parn and begins to chant a spell)

Slayn: (recognizing the incantation) Parn! Watch out! That spell will drain you of your life essence!

Parn: (finishing off his opponent with a diagonal slash. his back is to Karla) What?

Pirotess stands behind Karla and smiles. Slayn and Lelia look on and Deedlit and her parents are positioned with Parn between them and Karla)

Pirotess: (mentally) With his life force my life will be able to rival even the high elves.

Parn: (concerned) If I move then the spell will hit them (looks to Deedlit and the King and Queen) Damn.

Karla finishes the incantation and the spell releases itself at Parn in the form of a crescent beam. Parn holds up the Holy sword for defense. Parn suddenly notices a shadow passing over him. He looks up and sees Deedlit jump in front of him.

Deedlit: (landing in front of Parn) Noooo!

Parn: Deedlit!

The beam hits Deedlit and Parn catches her as she falls. King Tesan, Queen Rashia, Slayn, and Lelia watch. Karla and Pirotess merely stand as they were.

Parn: (crying) Deed. No, Deedlit!

Deedlit: (barely able to talk) P..P..Parn?

Parn: Deed.

Deedlit: I..I love you.

Karla/Woodchuck: Come Pirotess we are finished here. The spell will work its way in time.

Pirotess: Very well. (She and Karla vanish unseen by the small party which has gathered around Deedlit)

Deedlit: So cold. Parn?

Parn: Yes Deed?

Deedlit: (tears forming at her eyes) We..we were so close.

Parn: (tears at his eyes) Slayn can't you do anything?

Slayn: (bowing his head) I don't think so but I can try.

Lelia: As will I.

Slayn and Lelia stand over Deedlit and their staffs glow with healing energy. Deedlit continues to fade. Queen Rashia looks at her daughter and her face changes as she comes to decision.

Queen Rashia: (looking to Parn) We have to get her to the forest.

Parn: What?

Queen Rashia: Time moves slower in the Fairy’s Realm she will have more time. (Parn nods)

Gathering the horses that had remained in the area from the elfin guard Parn and his group head towards the forest. Slayn, Lelia, and Queen Rashia sit in the royal coach with Deedlit. Parn and King Tesan ride atop the horses pulling it. Parn keeps turning to look at the coach. Soon the forest entrance appears in front of them. Queen Rashia steps out of the coach and stands in front.

Queen Rashia: (placing her hands together) Lord of the Forest, Master of Plants open the sealed door of the metropolis and guide us safely inside. Lord of the Forest, Master of Plants open the sealed door of the metropolis and guide us safely inside.

The forest entrance begins to glow yellow and a gateway is opened.

King Tesan: (looking to the group) We can only take one of you with us.

Parn: Why?

Queen Rashia: Since time moves slower there after a certain amount of time a human would begin to age rapidly. We can use our powers as high elves to protect one person from the forests effects.

Parn: Slayn you go.

Slayn: Parn? If you are going to be facing Karla you will need me. I should go with you.

Parn: (shaking his head) No. Deedlit needs you to help treat her. You will do more good there then here. Lelia will come with us.

Lelia: (shocked) Me? But Parn my powers are no where near strong enough to battle Karla.

Parn: (his voice becoming sterner) Look we don't have time for an argument. Slayn you are the most capable to take care of Deed. Everyone else will head to Moss to ask Wort where Karla is.

Slayn: (giving up) Very well. (he goes to Lelia) You be careful, Parn I expect you to watch over Lelia. Swear to me please.

Parn: I do.

Lelia: Oh Slayn. (she embraces him)

Parn and Lelia watch the royal family and Slayn enter the forest. They then detach the two horses from the c arriage and ride toward Roid. They arrive at the gate just as the sun is setting.

Etoh: (coming out of the castle) Parn! Lelia! Where have you been? We have been looking everywhere for you. (he looks behind them) Where is Slayn and Deedlit?

Parn: (walking past Etoh) Where are the others? We have to hurry. (he walks into the castle and Etoh looks to Lelia )

Etoh: What's going on? (Lelia sighs)

Setting
War council room

Characters:
Parn / Princess Fiona
Kashue/ Orson
Lelia / Shiris
Liara / Etoh

Later they are all settled in King Faun's war council room. The whole group is there as Parn explains the situation.

Etoh: So Karla's back.

Princess Fiona: I remember her well. She attempted to abduct me to force my father to fight the Marmo.

Kashue: Yes. She is quite powerful. How do you plan to beat her? Much less find her?

Parn: (looking up) Wort.

Liara: (shocked) The great sage Wort? One of the original six heroes?

Voice: So you've heard of me young lady. I am honored.

Parn: Wort! Where are you.

Wort: I am in my home in Moss where I always reside. I have sensed Karla and know of her intentions. And since my time on this plane grows short I am sending my mind to you.

Shiris: (impressed)Wow that’s handy.

Princess Fiona: Shiris!

Shiris: What? (Princess Fiona puts her finger to her lips)

Wort: Parn, while I do not know the cure for Karla's spell I am willing to bet that Karla does. You must....cough..... destroy Karla.

Parn: (worried) Wort! Wort, are you all right?

Wort: (weakly) Yes. My time grows short. Parn Karla has...cough ....kaff... returned to her house on Lake Stillness. Confront her there.

Parn: Yes. Thank you Wort.

Wort: One more thing Parn......Cough....take both the Demon Sword and Holy Sword with you. You will need them. (Wort's voice fades)

Parn: Wort! Wort! He's gone. (he bows his head)

Orson: We had better get moving to Karla's house. Deedlit doesn't have much time. (everyone nods)

Setting:
Wort's house.

Wort lies in his bed exhausted from his mental conversation with Parn and his friends. A strong wind blows in the room though the windows are all closed. He looks to his bedside and from behind the curtain comes Karla.

Karla/Woodchuck: (looking at Wort) So dear Wort, time has finally caught up with you.

Wort: Karla, what do you want here?

Karla/Woodchuck: (smiling) "We once fought side by side. Certainly, you don't mind me seeing through an old friends destiny?"

Wort: (smiling) No I....cough cough.... suppose not. Karla, grant a dying man his last requests.

Karla/Woodchuck: (looking down at him) What would you have of me?

Wort: The book on the table, give it to the sorcerers Slayn and Lelia. And...cough...cough... give Parn the counter spell for the elf girl.

Karla/Woodchuck: I will see that the book will be given to the sorcerers, but the death of the elf girl is vital to the survival of Lodoss.

Wort: (smiling) I guessed as much. Goodbye my old friend. (Wort's eyes close for the final time)

Karla/Woodchuck: "None may escape time's grasp." Goodbye Wort. (Karla disappears and the large book on the table is gone)

In the Forest of No Return, Slayn is caring for Deedlit, The King and Queen are close by protecting Slayn from the Realm’s aging effects.

King Tesan: Is there any change in her wizard?

Slayn: (sadly) No your Majesty, unfortunately she is still unchanged.

Queen Rashia: Keep trying Master Slayn.

Slayn: (reassuringly) Don't worry, I am sure that Parn is doing everything that he can to help Deedlit.

King Tesan: Like that makes me feel more relaxed.

Slayn: Parn is a quite able young man and I know for a fact that he would do anything for this young woman here.

King Tesan: That is another thing that I don't understand, you are obviously older and more experienced than he is. Yet you let him command you around. Why?

Slayn: You don't know Parn as I do. I have seen Parn grow from a young boy to a worthy knight. I have come to trust him with not only my life, but with the life a woman I care for deeply.

King Tesan: (quieting) Then I guess that can trust him as well with the life of my daughter.

Slayn: (quizitivly) Let me ask you this sir. If he would risk his life to protect his friends and allies, imagine what he would be willing to lose for the women he loves.

Parn and his friends are preparing to leave for The Lake of Stillness and Karla. Parn is standing at a horse preparing a light load, on his back beneath his cloak are the Holy and Demon Sword cases. Parn hears movement behind him and he turns to face Liara.

Parn: (surprised) Liara? Why aren't you preparing for the trip? We leave at first light.

Liara: (seriously) Parn, why do you have to do this? Karla might kill you.

Parn: (confused) Why am I doing this? I am doing this because-

Liara: (angrily) Because of some elf girl? Parn is she really worth risking your life?

Parn: (looking to Liara) No she isn't. She is worth alot more than just my life.

Liara: (tearing) Parn, I care for you so much. If something happened to you, I...I...I

Parn: (staring right at Liara) Liara, I care for you as much as I care for all my friends. But what I feel for Deedlit defies explanation. If she were to die, I would have nothing to live for. (he looks away) Hurry up and get ready, then get some rest we have a long trip ahead of us tomorrow.

Liara runs off crying. Parn watches her go and then turns back to his horse. The next morning Parn and his friends are ready to go. Orson and Parn lead the party and the rest follow behind.

Each one of these six travelers has different reasons for following this path. One takes this path as the road to that will save a loved one's life. Four travel to aid two of their friends and one follows this path to face the past. But only Time will tell the fate of these six adventurers. And will they complete their mission in time to save Deedlit?

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