A rock hit Ray at his side and he immediately turned with a look, a look not of anger but one that would not give the satisfaction to the stone thrower. The guards escorting Ray tugged him further dragging him through the dirt by the chains that bound him. His face was all cut and bruised and bleeding from being dragged from the town of Gortuk in the northern province. Looking about him Ray recognized where he was. He knew he was in Makilor, and he was being dragged before the king, to be possibly executed for his actions in the northern province. The last year had been tough on the elf, first beginning with the Ogre raid on Ba-ul, followed by an attack with a group of highly trained ogres. After defeating the group fleeing north to Gortuk as if drawn and engaging with the village to protect it from the ice goblins of the clan Gagnetako. Although thinking back he had wished he never met the woman who lived up there, her being arrested by the sentinels of the local chop group sent him roaring into the keep and rescuing the woman killing nearly the entire population of the keep. Eggs came flying then hitting him in several places causing Ray to flinch. Each of the white eggs cracking and spilling all over the dirty elf, bringing forth a grumble of frustration.

"Keep moving wrench!" yelled one the guardsman leading the chained elf pulling him faster as he yelled.

All that Ray could respond with was a grunt; he was not going to fight. He had given up, he has did a terrible act regardless of what happened. Maybe it was his destiny now to die. Ray tripped up trying to walk he was all weak and fell to the ground, a large rock hit him again. Ray then again flinched in pain, and another rock hit him again on the face smacking his nose to the side. A soft flowing stream of blood emitted from his noose and began its decent to the ground. Noticing immediately that Ray had fallen, one of the guards started yelling curses and words that Ray could not understand. Either that or he could not bother to gather the energy to listen. A whip came crashing down hard on his head, groaning in pain Ray grabbed on instinct to his head to shield it. The guard then wore a face of pure anger and hatred, took out a small black club made of hard wood and began to beat Ray for his insolence. The crowd looked on and cheered as the villain Ray Goldentree fell to the ground barely breathing, a pool of blood was forming around him.

"Continue to drag him, he is to stand trial. He must be breathing." The Captain of the Guard told his soldiers.

Narrowing his eyes a silent figure watched from a nearby rooftop that was plagued with the shadows emitting from a local large object the figure looked on. The spectacle that Rolando had made to welcome the heretic Ray displeased him. Sighing when he saw Ray beat in the middle of the square his eyes narrowed.

"Toyomoti," came a call from behind him in an almost dead quiet whisper. "We must move and regroup before we are detected."

Toyomoti look around and nodded in understanding, the elf was dressed all in black and looked awkward already in the day with his gear on. He quickly dipped for his disguised and put it on, his comrade though for some strange reason he trusted. He had only know this half-breed for a few weeks but already he knew Nelak was someone to be trusted. Well he might not have approved with his appearance but hey at least he was mirland. Moving his hands in fluently motion and beginning to speak in sign language 'Take me to Panther, he awaits us.'

Nelak nodded and closed his eyes, touching each thumb and moving them in a circular motion. Not breathing or exhaling, only saying a constant chant. Soon after a small portal opened between them, the glowing indent in the air softly showed a picture of the forest north east of Makilor in it. Both of them entered soon after with the portal closing as quickly as it came behind them.

Toyomoti drew a slender long dagger with his left and peered around. Quickly look back at Nelak to make sure he didn’t try anything funny. Turning around Toyomoti almost stepped on a small wild boar. Toyomoti though was stopped short of kicking the beast that was appearing to change. The flesh was melting of the boar and reforming into a humanoid figure.

Panther blinked and looked the two, "Greetings travelers, I am the monk of the woods. Why have you come for me?" Nelak and Panther began talk with Toyomoti looking on with his fast moving hands at work.

Linkarinatious sat back in his chair in the Screaming ogre inn. The place was lively today; the slender elf looked about even more. Of coarse it was, he thought to himself. The heretic of the church was being brought in today. Linkarinatious was adorn head to foot in grayish armor, a crest surrounded by leaves was on his flowing red cape. He hated being a hire hand; felt there was no loyalty in it. The doors to the inn swung open and there stood an elf dressed in white robes with armor overtop them.

"Link you useless bastard!" Screamed the angry elf, " I commanded you to be at the temple several hours ago! Why are you still here, is this what I pay you to do sit in this shrine of Nixil and taint yourself with alcohol!"

The bartender looked towards the elf with a frustrated face "Good cleric I would appreciate you not call me bar that, 'tis not good for business. Please you and your friend leave before I call upon chop and make a complaint."

A scowl formed across the face of Liete and he nodded, turning his white robes around he turned his head back "Move boy, I have no wish to be in this place" and with that he was out the door.

Link sighed out loud and apologized to the bartender for the trouble. Grabbing his bag and things he began out the door onto the Market Street. It was bustling with people and every now and then they would run past him. Link began walking towards the temple in the castle for he knew Liete would not let him waste the rest of the day. How arrogant he though that boy was, and rude to. The square was full of people all circled around the guards who were publicly beating the heretic. Link rubbed his chin and decided to take a peek, and moved through the crowd on the outskirts of the circle. Link turned his head to look behind him and then smacked into a cloaked figure knocking him back a bit. Quickly grabbing himself and steadying himself up he quickly went to help the cloaked figure he knocked down. "My apologies sir, I am a fool."

The cloaked figure looked up somewhat and stared into the eyes of the other elf, only part of his face was showing through the brownish cloak. "It is no problem mercenary," the mercenary looked hard and long at Link. The smelly brown cloak looked as if it belonged to a beggar once, "I am called Crono, we will meet again and when that day comes I hope you choose the right side." Crono then turned around and walked away from Link leaving him baffled.

Crono turned to make sure the elf had taken another interest then in following him. Moving down the Center Street passing by the many buildings. Crono looked to his right and took a step back at the sheer size of the Church of Phaet. Extending higher then most of the buildings in the area and looking to times more beautiful then them. Crono quickly turned back on his task at hand. Walking down the walled road and heading past the South Gate. Although keeping in my to avoid the gatekeepers and other guards in the areas and heading the warehouse district.

Walking up to the third warehouse in the second row and looking around for anybody that could be watching. Crono then turned to the warehouse, the brown warehouse was dull and old, boards seems to be just there. Looking up at a strange symbol Crono uttered two little words, rjahna Tikneor, and with that the symbol began to glow. The doors slowly began to open emitting darkness and a small light inside. Quickly walking in before the doors began closing darkness engulfed him.

"You have arrived back again Crono, please tell me he is here?" came a voice from the darkness.

"Yes, Telria, there are many guards. Can we do this?" Questioned Crono.

"We must it has to be done." Crono moved into the light and stood near Telria, her smooth elven face was beautifully chiseled to perfection. Her flowing red robes dipped low to the ground. The armor adorning her had the symbol of Ba-ul on it. "Sir Goldentree hasn’t been mine yet, so he cannot die yet."

Laughing somewhat Crono smiled a little smile he had, "Where is clay?"

"Right here" speaking on queue and standing up looking at Crono nodding. "I was meditating," the 6 foot giant was massively built adorning strange armors found across the lands. His half-breed face though was one not many women would go for. His hands moved faster then Crono can register and he was not about to ask if he was qualified enough to help.

"So now all we do is wait, wait for darkness" came Telria breaking the silence. All three nodded in coherence.

Rolando was sitting in his study in the Church of Phaet looking at a glowing ball of light. It spoke softly to him and entranced him with its tone. Kill Raymond Krecino Goldentree; avenge us, came from the ball into his mind. Use the followers of Phaet as bait, he must pay. Ray Goldentree must die. The softball of light dissipated and the orb dropped to the ground. Thoughts of revenged flowed through the mind of the lord of the blade. A knock at the door snapped him out of his trance. "Yes, come in"

The door slowly opened and a soft breeze flooded the room. At the door stood a grungy half giant, covered from head to foot with scratches and wearing dented armor from numerous battles. His long silk black hair curled and mess up, parted in ways the normal person would not dream possible. A smile can across Rolando's face, "Fellow lord Alexander I humbly welcome you to my room." The half-giant smiled and came in giving him a greeting of mutual respect and friendship.

"It has been awhile friend Rolando, I am sorry to hear the heretic did such things to your keep and soldiers. It is good Phaet was there to help you survive and bring him to justice. How are you in this sad time that has happened to our fellow comrades?"

"Surviving, The heretic Raymond Goldentree shall pay." A look of surprise flashed on the face of Alexander, bringing the attention of Rolando. "He has gone to the side of the dark, he is tainted. There is no forgiveness for him he will be slaughtered, and thank god"

Alexander just stood there digesting the information he was given. It was a big secrecy on who the heretic was but he never thought it would be Ray Goldentree. He was curious, more then curious he friend acting stranger then normal, and Ray was in the castle prison waiting what was certain execution. He knew he would have to check on this and possibly see Ray. Alexander turned his head up to Rolando who was already in a deep telling of a story. Alexander stayed not to be rude, but things would have to be done. And done soon.

Panther was of to the side picking up some of his belongings, the human was of average height and would have been considered attractive if he wasn’t what he was. Toyomoti as usually kept an eye on everyone his dread like hair dangling as he moved from person to person watching them. This made Nelak uneasy, he hated not being trusted. He wished that Toyomoti would trust him more. After all he had been trying to earn some bit of trust. Nelak gave a short sigh, mighty mage he was not, but why did Toyomoti bring him in on this plan. And why did he bring in the druid also, if not little crazy, how could he be trusted. A grin flashed across the face of Toyomoti. Snapping his fingers and grabbing the attention of Nelak.

Quickly signing with his fingers, 'You are confused"

"Yes I am" replied Nelak uneasy.

'You are wondering if we can trust this druid' signed the silent elf.

"Of coarse I am, how do we know if it's all safe?"

Another grinned crossed the face of Toyomoti, 'You are young you do not know of this Ray we are going to save, the druid is his friend. I am.. I am his Equal.' His face came into one of seriousness. 'Do not question my decisions, this is a correct thing to do.'

Nelak nodded and agreed, "Very Well"

Panther immediately rose and look towards Toyomoti, "I have interesting news, we must change our plans Hideyoshi. There are others interested in Raymond also."

Toyomoti nodded and just rubbed his chin letting the dreads fall to cover his thinking. Strange news indeed this was, but not really unexpected on the other hand.

The night embraced the city; stars sparkled in the night. A small rift opened atop on of the walls and out stepped Toyomoti Hideyoshi. Quietly creeping alone the walks towards the castle, avoiding each guard and Chop member posted on watch. A big grin came over him again as he reminded himself how good he was.

Slowly and surely he crept to the nearby window and peer through it. The large throne room was bigger then any room Toyomoti had seen many guards and people were flooded in it. King Ran De Lucian and his wife, who he didn’t remember the name of or really cared, sat in the back of the room atop large thrones. Before was Ray chained cuffed and pinned in a kneeling state by guardsman? Every now and then one would kick him digging for a response. A grunt came of anger from the stalking elf. All he could see was a paladin next to Ran that looked like the one that was up north when Toyomoti helped Ray out. Things were odd here, when he was stalking the keep going to pillage it he saw that man talking to a globe. Thoughts and many seconds of pondering then came, he recalled the voice and it isn't one of any priest of goodly being. The sense of trouble came over him, he look over at the King and Queen, Ran was only shaking his head and not looking happy to make the order to execute Ray. After several minutes of talking, Ray was hauled away being booed on the way out. All there was left to do was wait for the first move.

The three approached the castle wall slowly and as quiet as they could. Right directly in front of them was a guard and it didn’t look like he was going to move. Telria look over to clay and each nodded at each other. Clay rolled to the side and disappeared in the darkness, and Telria got up despite the protection from Crono. She moved towards the guard as if lost, swaying her body in an attempt to catch the attention of the guard. Immediately when Telria came into the light of the torch the guard turned and began to stare.

"Oh deary I seem to have lost myself, your little ol city is way bigger then my little village. Dear sir" said looking towards the guard. "Can you help a little lady with her dilemma."

A large smile crossed the face of the guard as he dropped his weapons and began a quick pace towards Telria. "Now deary, it's late and you are quite a peace of el…." Without saying another word the guard fell into a lifeless body on the ground. Behind him stood Clay with his hand outstretched into the air. He turned and began to move towards the castle, Telria close behind then Crono getting up from a bush he was hiding behind. Crono could shake the feeling though that the bush was watching him.

"Move it wrench I have to get to my room" squealed Liete in Link's general direction. Muttering in annoyance Link unwillingly agreed. They were walking down one of the many corridors in the Castle of Makilor. The polished marble and stone textures bugged Link. He hated being in such fancy places, was never the life he wished to be involved with. The large corridor splits of just ahead towards the outer wall.

Link was grumbling at the ground walking, when a gasp from Liete brought his head up and staring into the eyes of three intruders. Everyone darted for their weapons then and Liete dashed behind Link cursing and yelling orders at him. Growling in frustration Link brought his sword hilt up and connected into the face of Liete. Some blood splattered about and a groan emitted from Liete who gracefully feel backwards onto the floor. After Link knocked out the annoying priest he turned to the three intruders in a stance ready for battle. "Why are you intruding!" demanded the annoyed mercenary.

"Move aside male, or you will regret standing in our way." Replied an annoyed Telria while motioning to her friends. "We have an elf to save, now be off with you."

Crono had a different approach to him; he tossed a small pouch of coins towards Link. "Do as you wish leave or stay, but my offer is to join me to right a wrong." Link looked back at Liete for a second then back at Crono. "Look do you want to be a slave to his type for the rest of your life?"

Link looked deep into Crono's eyes and then grinned a bit, "Hell No!"

Toyomoti was just a step ahead of the group sneak and hiding in each shadow he say. Occasionally taking out a guard to make it easier for the other group to get through. Things still seemed out of the ordinary and he crept down the hall. Suddenly stopping he turned around to a door and stared at it. Something grabbed at him beckoned him to follow. A bead of sweat dripped down his face and he knew he could sit there long so he brought himself together. Quietly moving toward the door he looked through the keyhole. There he says that paladin from the northernlands and small crystal ball of some sort was floating in front of him. He wasn’t sure or not if that was a goblin's face in the picture. A sharp point pricked at his back making Toyomoti turn his head just slightly.

"You are coming with me stand up," said a guard in a confident deep tone while holding a spear to the back of Toyomoti. Toyomoti while he head turned assessed his victim. Bad taste in armor and was a little over weight., clean but not very physically built. An easy kill for sure, a grin flashed before his face.

Motioning with his fingers 'You're Dead'

A look of confusion came across the face of the guard, "Is that some sort of spell?" Before the guard could react Toyomoti took his right hand pushed the blade away spun at the guards side, and while spinning unsheathed a hidden blade in his clothes and slashing the guard dead across the neck. Continuing the spin he brought a long dagger from somewhere on his body and violently lodged the dagger deep in the back of the guard. Sheathing his blades as fast as he could draw then he grabbed the head of his victim and violently twisted snapping the bloody neck. Stepping back a foot and leaning back he caught the dead corpse and began dragging it towards a closet not too far of. A sound of footsteps came around the corner and Toyomoti extended at the man sending a dagger flying into the forehead of the unsuspecting guard dropping him like a rock. Grinning Toyomoti stuffed the first corpse in the closest and quickly dragging the second to keep him company.

'And for the record it means, You're Dead' motioned the silent killer, and with that disappearing into the shadows.

Ray felt soar as he tried to move about shackled to the walls, he could feel blood flowing down his body. He stared up at the ceiling; it was his time to go. His crimes are inexcusable, he remember the tone of Ran's face as he made the judgment. He recalled the look on his face; it was either pity or good riddance. Memories flooded his mind as he sat there, alone in the dark. Many faces and pictures came to him, many he did not wish to see. Thinking that burying his problems was the only solution. Now they come, they come and haunt. A click echoed throughout the room bringing Ray out from his trance and his full attention to the door. Dust from atop the ledge above the cell door trickled down as more force was put into the cell door. The door moved an itch and small bits of rock fell from atop and landed softly on the ground floor. Again the door shifted and the green eyes of Ray Goldentree narrowed on them, morning he assumed had arrived and he wasn’t going to show no fear. He was ready to die, finally with one final budge the door swung open shadows filled the doorway. "I am ready to die, I am not afraid." Was the only thing that broke through the silence in the room.

"Now sugar, why would I want to do such a thing to a cutie?" echoed a voice from the shadows that drew a questioned look on the chained elf. The body of the voice then walked through into the soft torchlight. "Hey good looking" commented Telria as she moved towards Ray.

Ray moved his head back and stared at her "Why have you come…" but before he could finish she move her finger to his mouth to silence him. Three more figures came from the shadows 2 of which Ray recognized but the third he had never seen before.

"So this is the heretic everyone's talking about, I though he would be much bigger." Link pondered these words in his head. "I am Link, it’s a pleasure to meet you." Ray signed and nodded as his response. A grunt came from the chained elf and both Clay and Crono rushed over to help Telria who was chanting softly over him healing the wounds that plagued the battered elf's body. Ray started to move better and with all the chains of him he felt even more energetic as Telria healed him. For the first time in days he stood up right and proper, a grin flashed across his face and Crono tossed him a long sword incase they would need an extra hand. A light appeared at the cell door and the guard began screaming words of halt. Before he could even dash down the stairs to the group he stopped short. A gurgling noise that made skin crawl echoed through the halls, as the body fell to the ground Toyomoti fell to the side of it and yanked the torch out of the dead guards hand and rolled back into a standing position. The three men who came to rescue went into battle mode, Clay going into a tiger like stance while both Crono and link drew long slender blades. Clay snarled at Toyomoti as if an old flame had been reborn between the two of them. Toyomoti simply tossed Clay a grinned and turned to the ex paladin.

'We need to go now Goldentree, we need to get to the courtyard. Now, guards no you've escaped'

"Very well Toyomoti, lets move we need to get out to the court he has a trip out of the castle for us." Commanded Ray in a leadership type tone that made all in the room nod and head for the door. Before the elf left the room he turned around and stared into it. Whisper quietly to himself, "This is not the time." He turned and began to run after the rest of the group.

The half giant moved down the hall looking over a parchment that her elven messenger had delivered to her. She was dressed from head to foot in white armor. A long flowing white cape with a white swirl lay on the back of it. She was on patrol duty in the castle for the night. She vowed in her head that she would be the most powerful paladin in the organization of CHoP. Then command all around her to do her bidding. Everyone would bow to her, everyone would fear. She stood stop her tracks as she looked up to a group of intruders, one that of the heretic Ray. A low growl emitted through the area and Ray stepped forward sword in his belt and with his arms outstretched to block any movement from the group. "By the colors and insignia of your armor I take it you’re a fresh recruit, I would advise you step aside young lady." Ray stroked his chin while he talked, "I care not to see a….hmmm ….interesting looking paladin die right now."

Babi growled again drew her blade and charge immediately towards Ray, each step fueled by rage and power and she approached all Ray did was duck and spin to the side. Taking his left hand and catching the back of her wrist and lifting into the air, moving quicker then the stunned paladin could react brought the other hand behind the neck of Babi. Putting weight into his hand behind the paladins neck and forcing her to bend over. The momentum though of the speed and force of the paladin's charge kept the two moving in a circle.

"Let me go heretic I am going to drag you back to your cell in a bloody pulp!" screamed Babi in rage.

Ray could only grinned and continued to spin with the momentum now in his favor. "Little girl, you will hurt yourself playing with swords." The grip around Babi's sword hand tightened forcing her to let the sword drop to the ground with a loud clang. "Now," letting Babi let out another growl. "Let me just say this one thing before we depart your company, Respect your elders." And with those words the spinning came to a halt with both of Ray's arms moving in different directions launching and spinning her into the air. The momentum had built up so much that Babi was flung up into the air and her head launched through a wooden door knocking her out cold. Ray motioned for everyone to move out, and they all continued to run down the hall.

'Arrogant Wrench' fumbled Toyomoti's hand as he ran.

The crystal air in the courtyard smelt fresh and cool, the air breezed past them and brought back many memories of her to Ray from the north. A sadden hard smile came to him there, his hair breezing in the air and his point ears stick out. Lush green plants surrounded the area, the kings private stash he knew. They were in the middle of the castle and guards were probably surrounding them as they stood there. How was Toyomoti panning to get them out? The sly elf was about trustworthy as a two-dollar prostitute. But trust and loyalty were two different things in this world, and Loyalty was a strong trait in the elf.

The air thinned out before them and a small rift began to form, tearing throughout the air almost unnaturally. Most of the group was startled as an oval shape door appeared. Toyomoti moved up to the portal and turned to the rest, 'Ok ladies and Gentlemen our ticket home is here all in the portal.'

Telria nodded, "yes thank you, ok lets all get in the portal." Telria first entered the portal her body disappearing into the purple colored oval and out of the area. Followed by Clay who walked past Toyomoti growling, then Crono who kept an eye on Toyomoti as he entered the portal. Link taped Ray on the shoulder grabbing his attention.

"Sorry, about my earlier comments Goldentree." Link was trying to be one of those nice guys, Ray could tell. He saw many in his lifetime like him, perhaps this one was different. The sound of guard calls brought his attention, and he knew he would have to debate that later. The rest of the group up in the castle quickly dove into the portal. The paladins of Phaet rushed in only to see the portal vaporize and disappear. Rolando stood there and growled.

"I WILL GET YOU HERETIC IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!" was all that echoed through the air from the voice of Rolando. Silently watching from the distance was Alexander; something was amiss to him.

The day lingered brighter then it had earlier in the courtyard of Makilor Castle. The Grassy plains were a direct opposite of the atmosphere towards him in the city to the south. The rock he sat upon lifted him into the air, making him one of the highest points in the entire area. Hundred of thousands of strains of grass a foot high stood in the ground, in its upright position. An army of loyal subjects of natures never was ending never stopping. Much like the Chop army moving him as he sat there pondering. Each wearing long white cloaks with a strange swirl on the back. White cloaks approaching fast, they're idealistic lives about to crush his. He was not afraid after all, he looked a dragon in his eyes and uttered curses at it, what could this army do to him. The sun was making its way into he air; the shiny armor the followers of Phaet wore glistened in the light. There were close, so close that Rolando was in shouting distance, his army in front of him.

"Heretic, give it up, you have no where to turn you will be killed here or back at Makilor Castle, there is no running from us give up!" Yelled Rolando from behind his line. Ray only pierced into his eyes with his very own; he stared hard and deadly. Gently not unlocking his gaze from him, Ray slowly got to his feet. The sun was reaching higher into the air, and so went into the air was Ray's hand. Reaching as high as he could he kept it their, every paladin there only stood there and watched. Many feared it was the power of Nixil emerging from within the elf. Slowly closing his eyes he began to concentrate, sweat dripped down his forehead and then down his cheek. Slowly bringing his fingers together all watched, ready to either rush the elf or flee in terror. Ray snapped his fingers; the snap echoing thought the stretch of land around them. Instantly a purple smoke emitted from the fingers of the elf, spreading throughout the area.

All around them trees were being revealed, and a group that rescued Ray the few hours before stood there. Each ready for battle, each seen more then their fair share of battle.

Panther issued the order and the trees dived into battle, and the clang of steel on bark rang first as the battle began. His flesh then melted into that of a giant gorilla and rushed into battle. Crono, Link, and Clay ran behind them while Telria was casting her magical abilities from behind the line. Toyomoti was guarding bother Telria and Nelak who joined Telria's side in throwing magical projections and incantations.

Ray though looked past the army of paladins and right at Rolando, he got of the rock and landed with a thump. Dirt floated a few inches of the ground from the force and he knelt down to pick the scimitar of the ground and let it rest lightly in his right hand he moved through the masses. Every paladin that would come up to him he would push aside to the ground and keep moving. Rolando saw this and drew forth a sparkling white blade. Rolando growled and started moving to intercept the charging elf quicker.

The sound of metal clashing echoed loudly, both Rolando and Ray had their blades together growling at each other. Ray jump back and then dove forward with an over head slash, Rolando dodge it and put his blade out to parry but Ray moved faster and reversed the direction of his swing. During his landing of his jump Ray went straight for the ground and grabbed the ground and spun trying to sweep out the legs of Rolando. Rolando a skilled fight jumped into the air and came spinning into a kick towards the face of Ray. Crunching his body the elf rolled on the ground until the leg passed overtop positioning all his weight into his upper body and then pushing of his arms into a standing position with the blade in hand. Rolando coming out of his spinning kick in the air went to the ground and rolled away from the elf, the skilled paladin then while rolling on the ground picked up some dirt and when he came out of the roll tossed it into the eyes of the elf. Ray growled in frustration and with the distraction the paladin charged the elf and bashed into his chest with his shoulder lifting the elf of the ground and spinning him back down when the charge had finished.

Ray took the hit and absorbed the shock of hitting the ground and done a tumbling move and got back on his feet and advanced quickly on Rolando, reacting the paladin came forward with a slash. Putting all his power in the parry Ray knocked Rolando of balance. The force of the blow knocked the elf down with Rolando and as they fell simultaneously to the ground they stared into each other's eyes and grinned. Just as they went to hit the ground both opponent put there hands out to stop their fall and change directions. Rolando caught the ground and went into a round house sweep on a vertical position with Ray pushing up far of the ground and coming in with an overhand chop with the sword hilt into the back of the paladin. Landing first on the ground the elf then launched his foot of the ground slamming Rolando in the gut with a hard kick. Breathless all Rolando could do was roll away on the ground by gravity's hand. Blood flowing down the face from the nose of the beaten paladin he looked deep in the eyes of Ray. Peering hard Ray looked deep and hard then turned away and began to walk the battle that happened around them had stopped when the two started there engagement of combat and just watched as Ray walked away.

"You are beaten, I shall not kill another paladin in my life, consider yourself lucky," shouted out Ray as he walked away.

Lightning began to form and a bolt shot down in front of Ray stopping him in his tracks. Then another flash and a bolt hit by Rolando's beat up body. A small figure stood were the bolt hit, and a soft cackle filled the area. Ray turned around immediately to see the face, the face of Kikoria one of the ice goblin mages he fought of. Gripping the scimitar in his hand tightly he moved closer to the goblin.

"Halt, Goldentree," and with those words he brought his hand up and shot a bolt of lightning that sent the elf reeling through the air and then to the ground. "Why have you failed me Rolando! Why is the elf still breathing, I ordered you to kill him!" demanded Kikoria towards Rolando who then threw a small red vial his way.

"I am sorry my liege he was much tougher then I thought," quaffing the vial and regaining some strength he had lost in the fight he stood next to Kikoria. It all was clear to Ray now as he regained his balance, Rolando was tainted.

"Ray, where is that beautiful girl you so love. That pitiful human from the town Gortuk? An evil grin flashed over the face of the ice goblin. Is fingers snapped and a pillar of smoke appear and then from the smoke appear Delria. She turned back from Rolando and then back from Kikoria.

"RAYYY!!" she yelled as she saw Ray and tried to run to her, her escape was cut of with Rolando grabbing her hair and tugging her back to the duo. Shrieks of pain and fear came from the beaten women. She tried to get away but every time she tried a slap would connect to her head.

"Let her go! I will do anything just let her go!" pleaded Ray.

"hmm let me thing….it is a tempting offer Elf," another evil grinned flashed the twisted face of the ice mage. "Kill her!" with those words both Ray and Rolando began to move, Rolando being the quicker slashed his sword diagonal and then straight across into the back of the innocent women, her face went blank. Her scream was said to have been heard as far south as Makilor City and as far west as Zykania. The scream made the blood of all the rest quiver and shake. As Ray got closer a tear formed in one eye and he dove to catch the women as she was about to hit the ground. The elf and the women laid there staring into each other's eyes, Ray could feel the breathes get tighter and farther apart and he embraced her. Tears were dripping down the cheek of the sadden elf. The breaths came even slower, and as ray tilted his head her hand brought his head back up.

"Ray….Goldentree….I do…not blame you…..I ….Love…..y……o…….u….." Her head tilted to the side and the arm flung lifelessly to the side. A sniff was the last of that and he slowly closed her eyes gently and laid her to the ground. His back was turned to the duo but he knew he knew they were watching he slowly grabbed for his sword and used the other hand to grab the blade. His grip was so tight that blood started to trickle down atop the fallen women, he love he would give his soul.

Immediately spinning around catching both the fiends of guard he came up and started swinging hard and fast. One slash came across the chest of Rolando, another across his arm another down his leg. Stumbling back a few more steps absorbing several more slashes. A finger fell to the ground and then the final stash across the neck. Blood was flowing about the area, but Rolando still stood wavering and drifting into a sleeping state. Ray jumped closer in his face stuck out his hand and yelled; a white light echoed throughout the area and engulfed the tainted paladin. The smell of burnt flesh rang in about the place, and the only scream that could be heard was the scream of vengeance from Ray guided by only Phaet himself.

The little ice goblin stepped back at the sight, he took a few more steps, fear had caught up to him. Well maybe more then fear, redemption. His escape was cut of short as he stepped back into the back of Toyomoti how had his arms cross on his chest holding a long thing dagger inset with a small stone. "you… squealed the goblin," Toyomoti could only laugh at how the goblin recognized him he hated goblins almost as much as ignorance. The dagger was swung and dug deep into the throat of the goblin tearing at it, all he had to do to finish the kill was pull the dagger out. He didn’t of coarse thinking the goblin needed to suffer somewhat at let him fall to the ground shaking and in pure pain. Toyomoti focus his attention on Ray who they both looked at each other, there was no sign of rivalry there. Quickly diving in his pocket he withdrew a small envelope and tossed it to Ray.

'Read it when you feel in your heart you can," not even waiting for a reply he motioned for Nelak and both disappeared in the heat of the sun.

Ray looked out over the horizon Telria put her hand on his shoulders and he noticed him not flinch this time but accept it. She knew the elf had lost much in his life, and she saw him just stare at the letter she said not a word. Conceal from the rest of the people was a small tear, gently moving down his cheek. Once we were together, flowed through his head.

"Hey were is my pouch of gold!" yelled a paladin from behind,

"And mine!" yelled another

"That bloody thief has robbed me again!" clay began yelling and cursing and everyone else was searching for their purses. A weak grin came across Ray then; his coins were still there.

The wind that night carried something more then the breeze, it was the simple words…I Love You.