Parn and his friends continue on their journey to Half Crest mountain. Their steps are slower and a bit heavier as they recall the loss of their brave friend Orson.

The group comes to a stream that blocks the trail they had been taking. There is no bridge in sight, so Slayn dips his staff to test the water level.

Slayn: It is too deep to cross here. We will have to find another way to cross.

Parn: All right. (he looks up at the sky, it is late in the day) We may as well stay here then. We can continue on tomorrow.

Pirotess: (concerned) Do we have time to wait?

Deedlit: (looking to the rising moon, it is nearly full ) We have until the next full moon. We should have time. (she suddenly realizes that she never told them that they had to reach there at a certain time) How did you....?

Lelia: Deedlit?

Deedlit: Nothing. (she eyes Pirotess)

Woodchuck: Well I don't know about you guys, but I am going to take a nice swim. (he removes his shirt, belt, sword, and boots and jumps in) Ahhhhh. Hey come on in!

Etoh: Wood! Get out of there and help us set up for the night!

Woodchuck: (grumbling) You guys never let me enjoy myself. (he reluctantly comes out of the water, but within the water a set of eyes watches him) Huh? (he turns around feeling the eyes burning into his back) Hmmm. (he shrugs it off and returns to the group who are setting up the camp)

The sun has set and Parn and his friends are cooking a small meal of fish and dried meat. Pirotess stands off to the side of the rest of them, the light from the moon filters through the trees and illuminates part of her face. Lelia sits with her hand on Liara's head. Liara's eyes are red from crying, Slayn places his hand on Lelia's shoulder and gives her a comforting smile. Parn and Woodchuck are sitting together, Woodchuck is trying to cheer him up by telling him about and old friend of his that had tried to con a local farmer, unfortunately his friend hadn't known that the farmer's son-in-law was a sorcerer and hadn't taken kindly to Woodchuck's friend messing with his wife's father. Parn sits with a half smile on his face in a concession to Woodchuck's attempts. Shiris is sitting with her back to the fire, she runs her hands over the broach that Orson had worn on his tunic. The crimson jewel catches the light of the fire and light flickers off of it. Deedlit stares over the flames watching Pirotess, her hands folded under her chin trying to understand how Pirotess knew about the time limit they had to reach their destination.

Shiris: (standing and placing her hand so it covers her face) I... am going to the river to.....check one of the lines we have.

Etoh: Don't worry Shiris, I already did.

Shiris: I am just going to check it again. (she moves off before anyone can stop her)

Etoh: (looking down at the fire) She is taking it pretty hard.

Lelia: (looking from Liara to Etoh) Can we blame her? She has been with Orson for years. We can barely begin to feel the grief she must be going through.

Woodchuck: Well it is not like there is anything we could do about it.

Parn: Wood!

Woodchuck: No I mean, like, the only person who can get her through this is Shiris herself. All we can do is try to help her.

Slayn: Shiris, has always tried to keep herself strong. No matter the situation, she has always tried to appear as if she is in complete control. Now she is presented with something that for the first time in her life, she can not deal with.

Lelia stares up at Slayn for a minute. Her gaze drifts down to the ground and she goes to place her hand on Lelia's head again only to find her gone. She looks around but there is no trace of her.

Liara: Shiris? (she stops a few feet from her, tears are forming in her eyes as well at the sight of this woman she respects is such a state of grief)

Shiris: (her voice a bit shaky and drops of tears still forming at her eyes) Oh. Hey kid. (she wipes her face with her hand as she turns) What do you need?

Liara: (walking over and kneeling beside her) I thought you might need a friend.

Shiris: (trying to laugh) I'm fine. Just a bit of dust in my eyes that's all.

Liara: Shiris....

Shiris: (getting angry) I said 'I'm Fine'! (she turns back to the river and tears start to come to her eyes) (Liara puts a hand on her shoulder and Shiris turns and buries her face into Liara's shoulder and wraps her arms around her friend) Why? Why did he have to do that? W...we could have stayed and helped him. He didn't have to fight them by himself. Why did he leave? (Liara puts her arms around Shiris and begins to cry as well)

Liara: (sobbing) I know. I know. I miss him too. You and him have always watched out for me since I got here.

Shiris: I have seen people I knew die. In battle, from sickness, and Orson was always there for me. He was the only person I could ever confide in. He..he used to sit with me for however long it took and I would cry just like this. Just like you are doing now. (she sits up with a smile on her face looking at Liara) He never would say anything, just the fact that he was here with me was all I needed. (she dries her eyes and places her hand on Liara's cheek brushing away the fading tears) Thank you Liara.

Liara: (her voice weak) For what?

Shiris: For giving me what Orson always gave to me. A shoulder to cry on and a friend to confide in. (Liara's smile widens)

Unseen by the two women a dark shape begins to emerge from the river behind them.

Pirotess: What do you want?

Deedlit: (staring into the steel gray eyes) I won't insult you by warming up to what want to know, how did you know that we must reach the mountain at a specified time?

Pirotess: Why should I tell you how I come to know things? After this is over I will kill you and your friends for what you did to Lord Ashrum. (she says the last part half heartily, as though it were just something she was expected to say but not mean)

Deedlit opens her mouth to retort but is cut short by a scream from the river's direction. The group jumps to their feet and looks to the direction of the river.

Lelia: That's Liara!

Parn: (running at a full sprint) Come on! (Parn, Deedlit and Woodchuck have discarded their armor in preparation for the nights rest, Deedlit's sword is still at her waist and Parn and Woodchuck grab their weapons as they dash off with Pirotess, Lelia, Slayn and Etoh at their heels)

At the river, Shiris takes a defensive stance in front of Liara. Liara is still on the ground and has managed to pull her sword but is too frightened to do anything with it. Towering above them is a giant creature. It's body seems almost out of preparation with a large head resembling that of a dragon, spikes are placed its head giving it an even more menacing appearance, its maw is lined with rows of sharp teeth, and there are bones of past victims caught in the spaces between. Its serpentine body is lined with green and purple scales that have nicks and slashes carved into them, it has known many combatants and has defeated them all. But the thing that paralyzes Liara are the eyes. Its eyes are a deep crimson, the moonlight reflecting off the water makes them dance as if they were made of flame, and they burn through Liara as though they were. Its jaw opens and it lets out a screeching sound that shakes both women to their boots and makes the ground quake below them. Liara finally gets up and holds her sword in both hands out in front of her. The creature finally lunges at them and Shiris jumps left while Liara dives right, at the last second. The rest of the group reaches the river just as the monster pulls the rest of its hulking mass out of the river. It pulls its small arms out of the water and its short legs follow as well as its spiked tail. The rest of the group emerges from the forest edge.

Deedlit: It's Leviathan!

Parn: What?

Deedlit: Leviathan is the guardian of the mountain! We must have reached the river just before it! We have to defeat this creature to pass!

Lelia: Spirits of the Heavens, grant me your power to defeat this creature! (lightning from above crashes into Lelia's staff, she wills it to strike Leviathan and it flies from her to it)

Deedlit: (screaming and running toward the water) Parn! Someone do something!

Pirotess, Deedlit, and Shiris run to the water's edge, and peer down into the deep blue water. Pirotess prepares to leap in after him but is held back by Slayn who looks at her and shakes his head. The surface of the water stills. Tears begin to swell in Deedlit's eyes.

Liara: (shaking her head and closing her eyes) No not again.

Under the water, Parn is getting his bearings, his sword in hand he tries to get to the surface. He hears something behind him and turns to see Leviathan speeding toward him. He pushes himself up and Leviathan passes under him. Parn turns as he see Leviathan turn for another strike. Parn realizes that he won't be able to dodge again, he grips his sword and concentrates on its power. The yellow flame begins to grow. Leviathan charges again. Parn puts all his strength into his strike. The blade comes down at the front of Leviathan's maw and its forward thrust causes the sword to continue its strike through the rest of Leviathan's head. The water around Parn turns red as Leviathan's body and the cleaved head sink to the river bottom. Parn's lungs burn for want of air and he pushes to reach the surface.

Parn: (trying to stay above the water) Deed! Deed, your going to drown me.

Deedlit: (not letting go) Don't you ever worry me like that again, ever! (tears of joy appear at her eyes as Parn swims to shore with her wrapped around him)

As soon as he gets to shore he is swarmed by his overjoyed friends. Pirotess begins to walk back to camp. Deedlit looks up from Parn's neck to see a smile of relief pass briefly across Pirotess's face.

Voice: You want to kill them.

Pirotess: What?

Voice: You want them dead for what they did to you.

Pirotess: Who are you? You are the same one who came to me before, the first time!

Voice: Look, now is the time to do it. (Pirotess looks to the two sleeping forms, she gasps when she sees Ashrum standing over them, he holds a knife by the blade and points the handle toward her, his body is silhouetted by a red light in contrast to the white light that had done the same thing in her other dreams after the first)

Pirotess: Ashrum?

Voice: Do it. You know you want to. No one will stop you. Do it. (Pirotess takes the knife) Kill them. (Pirotess takes the knife and raises it over her head, with her other hand she removes the blankets covering Deedlit) Kill them, what stops you? (Pirotess raises the knife higher, ad prepares to strike, than a look of realization comes to her face and she drops the knife and clutches her stomach)

Pirotess: I can't. The other one.... (she drops to her knees sobbing with both arms around her stomach)

Voice: Ohh but you will. Soon you will. Even the other one can't hold you for long. (the voice trails off with a sinister laugh, Pirotess jerks awake in her bed) Ahh. (her breathing is shallow, her heart is racing, and her body sparkles as the rising sun illuminates the sweat from her body, she places her hand on her stomach and then looks to Parn and Deedlit asleep in their bedding)

Pirotess: Ahh. (her breathing is shallow, her heart is racing, and her body sparkles as the rising sun illuminates the sweat on her body, she places her hand on her stomach and then looks to Parn and Deedlit asleep in their bedding) (mentally) 'What do these dreams mean?'

Arbin's mindscape

Arbin once again stands in the black void of his dreams. Above him a spark of red light casts its glow down, Arbin is basking in this light. The light flashes and then disappears.

Arbin: (lust in his voice) Bring it back. Please bring it back.

Voice: You have one more chance to claim what is yours. (an image of Parn's sword materializes before his eyes, it emanates with the same light that had flooded the space before) The elves are heading to the mountain. Stop them, and it is yours. This is your last chance.

Arbin's eyes open in a cave where he and his remaining soldiers had made camp after their loss at Aridan. His eyes flash with the light that had been coming from the image of the sword. One of his guards comes to him and stands at attention.

Arbin: Get the men together. We are going on one last hunt.

Shallow Area of the River

&After traveling a bit upstream Parn and his friends find a shallow to cross over the river. Pirotess jumps from rock to rock and is soon on the other side. Deedlit and the rest are taking their time and are helping each other across. Pirotess sits in the sunlight, and lets it shine full on her face. She looks up at the tree leaves that seem to glitter with gold. Etoh crosses over first and goes to Pirotess.

Etoh: Pirotess? (he puts a hand on her shoulder and she turns with a confused grin on her face)

Pirotess: Hello sir. (her voice seems only that of a small child) It is such a lovely day isn't it?

Etoh: What? Pirotess are you all right?

Pirotess: I am fine. (she giggles) I like this place.

Etoh: Slayn! Slayn, something is wrong with Pirotess! (he looks at her and follows her line of vision to the golden tree leaves)

The rest of the group begins to go to Pirotess and Etoh. As they reach them, Etoh begins to display the same childish smile that Pirotess has.

Parn: Etoh? What's wrong with you?

Etoh: I am fine Parn. (he laughs and sits on the ground with Pirotess)

Parn: Slayn? What is wrong with them?

Deedlit: Its another obstacle before the mountain. The forest takes those with magic and reduces them to children. Its a guard against elves. We have to get past it as fast as possible, or all of us will be reduced to the state of children. We...we...(Deedlit's gaze falls on the sparkling leaves and is soon swept with the same condition as the others two)

Parn: Slayn, Lelia, you two can't enter the forest without being affected. We don't know what else is in there and two more children won't help. Head back the way we came as fast as you can, get Gram. We will need him to get us back to Valas.

Slayn: Very well, lets hurry.(Slayn grabs Lelia's hand and the two run back across the river to the waiting dragon at the edge of Raidon)

Parn: Shiris get Pirotess, Woodchuck help Etoh. (as Parn directs his friends, he helps Deedlit off the ground and she leans against him) We don't have any natural magic so we shouldn't be affected.

Shiris: We got them lets go. Which way?

Parn suddenly realizes that he doesn't know which way to go. He checks the sky and looks at the sun, almost blocked out by the coming of dark ominous clouds. He points to the north.

Parn: Let's go that way.

The three of them take their friends by the arm and lead them through the forest with Liara standing near the rear with Shiris. The end of the forest comes into view and they emerge to the site of northern shore of Lodoss and Half Crest only a few hours away. As they exit the forest edge Deedlit, Pirotess and Etoh begin to regain themselves.

Pirotess: (pushing Shiris away from her) Get away from me. What happened?

Shiris: (disgusted) Well besides the fact that just a few moments ago, you were acting nicer then you ever have. Maybe we should have left you in that forest. (Pirotess casts a cold look at her)

Parn: How many more of these barriers are there, Deed?

Deedlit: One.

Pirotess: The most dangerous one. (Deedlit gives her a suspicious glance)

Liara: We aren't getting any closer just standing here. Lets go. (she takes the lead of the party and Etoh follows close behind, very surprised)

Shiris: (smiling) That's the way girl! Spoken like a mercenary. (she trails along humming as she catches up)

Woodchuck: (heaving his shoulders) Feh. I'll never understand those two women. One second they seem like small girls, the next they get all tough. I tell you. (he reluctantly follows)

Parn waits for Deedlit but she waves him along signaling that she wants to speak with Pirotess and would be there in a moment. Parn reluctantly heads off leaving the two elf women standing at the edge of the forest.

Pirotess: I assume you want to continue badgering me with your questions. Go ahead, just don't expect me to pay attention.

Deedlit: No. I came to say thank you.

Pirotess: (she is totally shocked) Thank me? For what?

Deedlit: When Parn was knocked into the river with the leviathan, you were ready to jump in after him.

Pirotess: But I didn't, so why do you want to thank me?

Deedlit: (shrugging as she turns to follow the other four) Sometimes the intent is worth more than the deed.

Deedlit walks off after the others leaving Pirotess in a bewildered state. Unable to come to a feasible conclusion she jolts after the rest of them. After a few hours, they stand at the base of Half Crest Mountain. The western face bears the split emblem that is its namesake. There is a path leading up the mountain side, on each side of the path's beginning, there are two statues. One of the statues is a lion, poised on its hind legs as if in battle with some unseen foe. The second statue is of a unicorn, its horn is crafted of silver, and at its feet is a young colt with a horn of like make. The surrounding area is mostly flat land with dense foliage about four feet high, but no trees.

Woodchuck: (looking to the silver horns) Hey now. This here might net us a bundle of money if we can get it out.

Parn: (mad) Wood!

Woodchuck: Hey I was only saying that....

Woodchuck is interrupted as Deedlit and Pirotess walk past him to the statues and bow their heads. The rest of the group looks on in confusion. Parn moves to Deedlit.

Parn: Deedlit, what are you doing.

Deedlit: (looking up at Parn) I am paying my respect to the spirits of Lodoss. If we are to enter the shrine, we have to let them know our intent. (Parn looks at her as she returns to her silent prayer, she glances out the corner of her eye and sees Parn bow his head as well)

Arbin: How touching, the shrine of the spirits. (he steps out onto the path from behind a boulder on the side) Don't worry about the guardians protecting your children, because after I am done with you you'll be joining them in the spirit realm. (he whistles to his men and they appear from out of the surrounding foliage)

Parn and his friends draw their weapons. Of Arbin's original force of about sixty elves that had raided the town of Aridan, only twelve remain. Parn's group huddles and Liara moves to Shiris. Shiris's face is twisted in rage, one hand grasps the hilt of her drawn sword the other clutches the gem embroided on her mantle. Pirotess and Deedlit take an identical stance, but are too concentrated on the situation to realize it. Parn and Woodchuck grip their swords in front of them.

Arbin: No quarter asked, (he slowly draws his sword) and none given. Attack!

The twelve remaining elfin raiders begin to charge. Parn's group stands ready.

Liara: Deedlit! Use your magic! (Deedlit looks up confused) The powder! Get it wet! Hurry!

Deedlit nods in understanding and brings out her pouch of water she uses to call Undine. She hurls the pouch into the direction of the red powder.

Deedlit: Friend Undine, spirit of water, lend us your power. (Deedlit casts a smile as the pouch draws to it's target)

With a thud the pouch falls to the ground without releasing its contents. Deedlit stares in shock, unable to fathom why her spirit guardian did not heed her calling. Dread flashes across her face as she looks to the mountain cave. The spirits couldn't help her here. This was their home, she was denied the privilege of their protection. Unlike the leviathan and the forest, this was not so much an obstacle defending the cave as a test to see if she was worthy enough to have her powers pass to her children. Her head turns as she hears a sound that causes fear and anger to swell in her body.....Arbin's heartless laughter.

Arbin: (trying to contain his hysterical laughter) So princess! It appears you have no more tricks to play. (he looks at the group with victory plastered visibly across his face) And now the sword, and it's power will be mine at last, just as he promised me in my dreams. HA HA HA HA! (a clap of thunder resounds as Pirotess's face twists in shock)

Pirotess: These dreams! Do they offer you something if you do them a service?

Arbin: (smugly) What concern is it of yours?

Pirotess: Tell me!

Arbin: Why not? Yes the dreams told me that the power of the sword would be mine for killing these two. (he points to Parn and Deedlit) And you.

Pirotess: The voice came from a light, a white light or a red?

Arbin: A light yes, but red not white. (he has calmed down and is intrigued by the conversation) How did you come to know of this?

Pirotess: I have had similar ones.

Arbin: Really? (he closes his eyes and shakes his head) I would be intrigued by hearing these dreams, however, I have my own mission to accomplish. Kill them. (he feels a drop of rain on his face) Hmm?

The rain picks up in intensity and droplets begin to fall upon the red powder on the ground. Wisps of red smoke begin to lift from the patches of red powder. Arbin and his remaining troops stare in confusion, Liara smiles. Within a few moments the smoke erupts fully masking Parn's group from sight. The guards look around in confusion. Two of guards find each other and are struck down by Woodchuck and Shiris who had found them. A similar fate befalls the remaining guard who's vision is blocked by the smoke and, due to the splashing of the rain and the thunder claps, are unable to hear the footsteps of Parn's friends as they sneak up behind them. The final one falls by Parn's sword as the smoke begins to dissipate and blow away. Arbin stands in astonishment at seeing his men slain. Parn stands a few feet away staring at him. The look on Parn's face tells Arbin that this is the final battle and one will not walk away. His face tightens and he draws his own sword.

Pirotess: (holing out her arm as Parn's friends go to help Parn) No this is his fight. He has to win on his own. (the others begrudgingly stop and nod, Deedlit stares through the rain at Parn as he stands ready to attack)

A strong wind blows, billowing out Parn's traveling cloak. The rain has matted his hair to his forehead and he pushes it out of his eyes. Arbin's hair is blowing wildly in the wind, and a flash of lightning behind him shadows his face for a moment. With the following thunderclap, Arbin and Parn attack one another. Their swords meet in mid strike and they push each other off. They charge again and Arbin slashes through Parn's cloak.

Deedlit: Parn! (her face shows her fear, Woodchuck, Shiris, and Pirotess keep stern faced as they watch the fight, Liara is still tending to the unconscious Etoh)

Parn glares at the coy look that Arbin gives him. Parn charges once again with a thrust that Arbin sidesteps. Parn turns and blocks the over head slash made by Arbin. Parn's feet sink into the muddy ground as Arbin pushes his weight against the sword. Parn's sword begins to fall back under the stronger man's pressure. Arbin smiles. Parn looks at the smile. Arbin's lips begin to spread showing his teeth. Parn looks at the teeth and pictures the jaws of a wild beast barring down on him. With a scream, Parn begins to fight back. He breaks the lockup and jumps back. Arbin's smile doesn’t fade as he looks up to Parn in his fighting stance. Parn stares at Arbin's smile, he becomes angry. He recalls the feeling of having Arbin bare his fangs at him, he becomes angrier. He recalls that it was Arbin's troops that, at his command, had killed Orson, his anger grows. He recalls that but a few moments ago, Arbin had ordered his other friends killed, Woodchuck, Liara, Etoh, Pirotess, Shiris, ...Deedlit, his anger explodes. The yellow flame of his sword grows and crackles with energy. Arbin stands still and stares at the sword's light.

Arbin: (eyes wide) The light.