Setting: Forest

Characters: Parn / Deedlit / Pirotess

Night has settled over the forest. A bit to the side of the path, a fire burns with three figures sitting around it. Parn and Deedlit sit huddled together, starring across the flames at Pirotess. Pirotess, is digging a hole in the ground with a dagger point, her eyes returning their stare with her own icy glare. She throws the dagger into the ground.

Pirotess: (not breaking her glare) What are you staring at?

Deedlit: (standing) I want to know what your reason is.

Pirotess: For saving you or not killing you right now? (Deedlit looks ready to attack her)

Parn: (gently grabbing her arm) Deed, that’s enough.

Deedlit: No Parn. (she pulls her arm away) I have a right to know. Not that long ago she and Karla nearly killed both of us. Now she comes out to rescue us. I deserve to know why.

Pirotess: (standing up and going right up to Deedlit) You don't deserve anything from me. My people have been oppressed by your people for countless generations! You took from me the man I loved and the fa-- (she stops)

Deedlit: Ashrum, caused his own demise! In the pits of Marmo, on Kardis's alter, he challenged Parn for the fate of Lodoss.

Pirotess: Silence.

Deedlit: He was killed because he chose a dark path!

Pirotess: Quiet. (she puts her hands over her slender ears)

Deedlit: Given the opportunity, he would have killed Parn.

Pirotess: I said shut up! (she jumps at Deedlit, but both women are separated by Parn)

Parn: That’s enough! Both of you! Pirotess! Deedlit! (both women sit down anger clearly expressed) Pirotess, why are you here?

Pirotess: I have my reasons. They do not concern you.

Parn: You are here, with my life, and the life of the one I love, within your grasp. Your reasons concern me. We have no reason to trust you.

Pirotess studies Parn’s face. It radiates with strength and determination. Pirotess walks to the fire and picks up her dagger.

Pirotess: I give you my word. (she cuts her hand with the dagger) On my blood I swear to you, I will not betray you. (the blood seeps between her fingers and down her wrist) But when this journey is over, your lives are forfeit.

Deedlit: (snobbishly) The word of a drow. Rubbish.

Parn: Deed! (Parn looks back and forth between the two women) Lets all get some sleep.

Deedlit: None of us will get much sleep tonight. (she lays her head down on he bedding and pulls her sword close, Pirotess does the same)

Parn: It will be a long trip. (he lays his bedding next to Deedlit and puts his sword on the ground by his armor and Deedlit's armor)

Parn wraps himself in his sheets and closes his eyes. Deedlit looks at him and her eyes light up. The light only fades when her eyes close. Pirotess looks toward the couple, and then quickly turns her attention to the night sky. A shadow passes over the stars in the shape of a dragon. Pirotess ignores it and falls into a troubled sleep once again.

The lighted forest clearing

Parn / Deedlit King Tesan / Queen Rashia

Lelia / Slayn Woodchuck / Shiris

Liara / Princess Fiona Etoh / Orson

The sun shines down on the clearing, and all of the spectators are standing on both sides of a regal red carpet. At one end of the carpet is Parn, in a full dress outfit and his blue gem encrusted bracelet. Behind him on the raised alter stands Etoh, holding a book and looking down the aisle. From the back of the crowd comes a murmur, and it spreads to the rest of the crowd as Deedlit appears from the back of them. Deedlit's gown is a pale blue, that seems almost white in the bright sunlight. Her hair is done up so that it falls along the sides of her face highlighting her eyes. All the people focus on her as she makes her way to the alter. Parn takes her hand and stares deep into her eyes. She blinks once, and suddenly the image of Parn fades and she finds herself in a familiar canyon.

Ghim: Just like an elf to take forever to get where she is supposed to be.

Deedlit: (shocked) Ghim! (Ghim is sitting on the pile of rocks which were used to mark his grave, his ax is in his hand with the point on the ground, and behind him sits the flowers left by Parn and Deedlit) But you're.....

Ghim: Yes that’s right, I am. But that’s not why you are here.

Deedlit: Why am I here then?

Ghim: The other elf girl, Pirotess, you don't trust her much do you?

Deedlit: No. (she walks closer to Ghim who takes out a pipe) How can I? She has tried to kill us more times than I care to remember. Now she is here saying that she will protect us?

Ghim: Hmp. (he taps some tobacco into the pipe) Sounds to me like you got a problem. What do you plan on doing?

Deedlit: I don't know. (she puts her hand on her chest and looks away)

Ghim: Hmmm. (he lights the pipe and gives it a few puffs) We don't have much time left here. Now listen, that elf girl must have some pretty good reasons for not killing you two. Why not leave it at that.

Deedlit: (looking at Ghim with surprise) That doesn't sound like you Ghim.

Ghim: (shrugging) Maybe not. But things look different from this side (he begins to fade) you can see inside people a bit better. (he fades completely)

Deedlit: (jerked back into reality) Ghim! (Parn wakes up with a start)

Parn: What is it Deed? (Deedlit just stares at him)

Parn looks over to where Pirotess was sleeping. Pirotess is gone.

Pirotess: (angry) You.

Arbin: (once again taking on his gentlemanly attitude) Now that is no way to address some one you are just being introduced to. Now then, where are your friends, Pirotess right?

Pirotess remains defiantly silent, more to deny Arbin the satisfaction of breaking her then for the protection of Parn and Deedlit. Arbin gets an annoyed look on his face.

Arbin: (annoyance in his voice) I should warn you, my patience is running thin since your meddling. It would not be wise to anger me. I do have you in a quite... dispairing position. Only a fool would attempt to escape.

Pirotess: Then call me a fool. (she turns and dives into the water, Arbin is shocked)

Arbin: (furious) Get her! (his soldiers dive into the water after her)

Beneath the deep waters, Pirotess swims at her top speed away from the shore. Behind her, coming up fast are Arbin's guards. One catches up to her and grabs her leg. Pirotess pulls back her foot and shoots out the other, the motion knocks the guard back but the rest have gained significant ground. Pirotess feels her lungs begin to burn, desperate for air, she heads for the surface. As her head brakes the water's surface, she immediately exerts all her muscles to get to shore. A hand grabs her leg and another her dress. Soon her whole body is restrained by them and she feels herself being dragged to shore. As her captors reach an area shallow enough to stand in Pirotess sees Arbin. His face bears a wide, menacing grin, and his eyes relish in the victory he has won over her. Arbin's face is suddenly wrecked with surprise as a small leather pouch flies past his head. The pouch lands in front of Pirotess and her captors. Arbin turns and sees Deedlit perched in a tree.

Deedlit: (raising her hand and closing her eyes) Friend Undine, spirit of water, lend us your power.

Arbin turns back to the lake, just in time to see a huge spout of water appear before his men. The water takes the shape of a woman and immerses the guards into her body. Pirotess is flung into the air. Her face displays fear and a hint of despair as the rocky shore races toward her. Just before she impacts Parn leaps out and catches her. He lands on the shore and sets Pirotess on her feet. Without so much as a thank you, she dashes for her sword. Arbin soon finds himself surrounded by the trio.

Parn: Give up! Your outnumbered.

Deedlit: Not to mention out-skilled. (she flashes a confident smile)

Arbin: (putting his hand so it divides his face) This isn't over. Radrie, spirit of the earth, grant me passage through your kingdom. (to the surprise of the trio, the ground begins to quake and open up, Arbin dives into a shallow cave that forms and is gone just as quickly)

Pirotess: We have to get him.

Deedlit: (holding out her arm to stop her) No. He is gone.

Pirotess: (flashing a look of contempt at Deedlit) Don't presume to command me ,princess, I am not one of your blind subjects. I thought we made that clear. I shall do as I please, I am with you only by my own decision and may leave just as quick.

Deedlit: Go then. You were never wanted here.

Pirotess: (jerking her head to the side and sticking her nose in the air) Hmph. Unfortunately it is to my own benefit that I stay with you, for now.

Deedlit: Why you...

Parn: (getting between them once again) Deed, Pirotess, enough. Deedlit, we have to keep going, remember why we are here.

Deedlit: (calming) You're right. Lets go.

The trio sets off once again. Parn and Deedlit sit back atop their white horse, Pirotess on her white spotted black one. After almost a days ride, they arrive into a vast cavern that represents the only path into Raidon.

Parn: Wooow. (he stops the horse before it can enter) What is this?

Pirotess: This is the only way to Raidon, we must pass through here before night fall.

Deedlit: And why is that?

Pirotess: (riding forward a bit) That is why. (she points up to the top of the cavern)

Parn and Deedlit raise their heads to view what Pirotess is pointing at.

Deedlit: (placing her hand over her mouth and turning) By Falis! Who could have done that?

Above them is an iron cage that hangs ominously over head. Inside the cage are the rotting remains of a person. The head looks as though the poor soul had smashed it against the bars till it imbedded itself in his skull. His cloths have been rotted away, as well as his skin, revealing pieces of bone and sinew beneath. Parn turns his head from the site.

Pirotess: At night, any travelers that come through here are subject to such a fate.

Parn: How horrible.

Pirotess: We must go now.

The three of them head off at full gallop through the cavern, on the sides, occasionally appears the remains of unlucky travelers. Deedlit looks up to see the sun. Her eyes reflect a hint of fear as she sees the sun begin to descend, but that fear is soon replaced by determination and courage. Pirotess watches the sun set, and a similar transaction takes place as she watches the canyon immerse in darkness. As the transformation is finished Pirotess slows her horse, Parn and Deedlit pull up next to her.

Deedlit: (confused) Why did you stop, we have to get out of here.

Pirotess: (drawing her sword) It's too late. Get ready.

From the canyon walls comes a yell that would freeze the bones of the bravest warriors. It is followed by the sound of dozens of feet and the clanks of shoddy armor, rushing towards them. And soon, they are surrounded by Raidon's independent goblin border guards. The goblins watch the trio with their burning eyes. Unintelligible speech goes back and forth between them. Finally a cry goes up from the back of the force and the front goblins charge to attack.

Parn: Deedlit! (he draws his sword and feels Deedlit do the same) Hah! (he strikes at one, slashing through its armor)

A vicious battle begins, the horses don't last long and the trio is soon fighting the hoard face to face. The goblins are out skilled, but they begin to close due to sheer numbers.

Deedlit: (striking down one of the attackers) Parn we can't hold out here! We have to-- AHH! (Deedlit's screams as one of the goblins pounces on her and smashes her head)

Parn: (crying out) Deedlit! (the goblin stands over her and smirks at Parn) NOOOOO!

A sudden flash of light, blinds the goblins and sends them back. Pirotess looks at Parn and sees his face reflect pure rage, and the sword shines brilliantly. The goblin standing over Deedlit holds its eyes and steps back away from her. Parn leaps forward, he swipes with sword and a florescent beam of yellow energy jolts forward and strikes the goblin. It lets out a scream as its body is incinerated by the mystic energy. The scream stops when the goblins body is completely turned to ash. All that remains of it is a small pool of purple blood. Parn pants, the sword had acquired that power from Parn directly. As he catches his breath Pirotess stares at him in surprise, then back to the goblins. The goblins are even more surprised then she is. They begin murmuring in their own language, some pointing at Parn. The cry of battle once again, Pirotess and Parn prepare to fight, Deedlit is stirring. From over head a large fireball engulfs part of the goblin forces, Parn jumps onto Deedlit to protect her from harm. The goblins are thrown into upheaval as another blast incinerates their forces. The few survivors run and disappear into the cavern walls. Parn looks up as a large blue dragon descends from the sky. On the dragon sit Slayn, Lelia, and Etoh.

Slayn: Hey Parn! Get on!

Parn: Ahh Slayn! (he helps Deedlit up and goes to the dragon) What's this?

Lelia: This is Gram. My mother's temple dragon. Get on.

Parn: Here. (he helps Deedlit get up) Hold on. (he shifts his hand away from Slayn who was going to help him up) Pirotess, come on!

Etoh, Lelia, and Slayn adjust their view to see where Parn is calling to and set eyes on Pirotess. A few minutes later they are airborne and the group sits in silence. Slayn, Lelia, and Etoh keep looking back at Pirotess untrustingly. Parn is holding Deedlit, who has fallen asleep after Etoh's treatment to the gash on her head. He keeps looking toward the end of the canyon. As they arrive, Deedlit wakes.

Parn: Deed.

Deedlit: (smiling) Parn. (she sits up and gasps as she realizes where she is) What?

Etoh: (turning to her) Its all right. We picked you up from the canyon, you had a nasty wound.

Deedlit: Where did this dragon come from?

Lelia: Gram has been in the service of the priestesses of Marfa, for centuries. We took him to find you two.

Etoh: Why did you leave with out telling us? We could have helped, with whatever it is your trying to do.

Deedlit: It was our journey. There was no reason for you to come with us.

Slayn: Just where were you headed. (he casts a glance at Pirotess who is staring at the flowing ground below) And (he lowers his voice) what are you doing with her?

Parn: She saved our lives, she says she has her own reasons for going with us.

Deedlit: As to where we are headed. It can wait until later.

Slayn: Very well.

Lelia: (pointing downward) There is where I left the others. Near that town. Gram set us down there. (Gram slowly descends at her command)

The group gets off of Gram and Liara pats him on the snout. Gram walks into the shadow of a high cliff and rests his head on his massive claws, as a dog would while waiting for its master to return. The group sees a fire burning in the nearby forest. The begin to walk to it. As they get closer, Parn spies Woodchuck and Shiris standing watch, while Liara and Orson sleep. As the group exits the brush Woodchuck and Shiris smile. The smile is replaced by a look of shock when Pirotess enters behind them.

Shiris: (in her own tactful way) What is she doing here!?

Parn: (holding up his arms in defense) It's all right. For now at least, she is with us.

Woodchuck: You have got to be kidding me! Have you forgotten what she has tried to do to us?

Slayn: Calm down Wood. If Parn and Deedlit, vouch for her, we can trust her for now.

Woodchuck: (crossing his arms in disgust) Fine, whatever. (under his breath) Talk about sleeping with the enemy.

Etoh: Look, it's late and we are all tired. Lets try to get some rest.

Later that night. Pirotess is struggling against her bedding. Her mind troubled by her dreams. Her eyes open, but she is no longer in the forest. She tries to move but her arms are pinned by an invisible force. She looks around, the surrounding walls seem to be rising around her, no the floor is falling. She glances at robed figures that surround her. She looks up and standing over her is the priest Wagnard. The alter stops and the robed figures place themselves at the top of the surrounding pillars. As they descend, a cold grip comes over her as her life is drained.

Pirotess: (closing her eyes tight) (mentally) 'No, it wasn't me. This wasn't me.'

Deedlit is laying next to Parn. Her face is twisted as though she were in pain. She tries to open her eyes and look around, but as she turns her head she is stuck and her body is slammed back to the ground. Strong hands grab her and hold her down. she feels her back exposed and suddenly a loud crack is heard, pain shoots through her entire body. Again and again the whip comes down on her. But she doesn't scream, she won't give them the satisfaction. The whipping stops and she looks up to see her tormentors. High elves. Around her, more dark elves stare, their cloths are ragged.

High elf: Good, know your place drow.

Deedlit and Pirotess awake. Deedlit immediately grasps Parn and pulls him close, jarring him awake. Pirotess lays back down after a quick look at them. Parn takes Deedlit into his arms and holds her close, Deedlit cries into his chest and Parn does worlds for her by just being there for her. Tears comes to Pirotess's eyes, as they close again to a dreamless sleep.

Shiris: (stepping up to Liara) Something bothering you kid?

Liara: (looking at Pirotess and back to Shiris) I'm just trying to figure out what she is doing here. From what all of you said I figured nothing would get her to do something like this.

Shiris: Well to be honest with you. I am not sure either. But everyone has a reason for what they do. (she looks at Pirotess) But don't turn your back on her.

Deedlit and Lelia are at in the front part of the group.

Lelia: Deedlit, where are we going.

Deedlit: (turning to her friend) Half Crest Mountain.

Lelia: (stopping in shock) Half Crest Mountain? Why there?

Deedlit: (turning back to the path) There is something Parn and I must do, before our wedding.

Lelia: Why didn't you tell us before? Why run off worrying us all the way you did?

Deedlit doesn't answer. She lowers her eyes to the path before her, and walks on. Lelia, begrudgingly accepts this, and continues to walk in silence.

Woodchuck: (motioning to Parn and Slayn) We should becoming up to a town soon. Another hour or so should put us into site of it. If its still around.

Parn: (confused) Still around?

Woodchuck: Towns don't always last for a long time here. Raiders, bad soil, at that sort of thing. People move around alot, sometimes abandoning whole villages leaving them completely empty.

Parn: Very well, lets hurry.

Parn and Deedlit's journey has taken a new turn. Old allies return. New allies travel with them. But what of this new ally? Can she be trusted? Only time will tell.