The Summoned
The Light Plane: LePaige's Castle.
  Seeker's eyes opened, and he sighed. The aged wizard climbed to his feet slowly, his eyes taking in the room. He had much that he had to do today....
  The Seeker had made the formerly shabby room that he'd been placed in during the battle into his own, in relatively short order as well. He took it all in slowly, seemingly memorizing everything's location, mentally going over the contents of each of his tomes that he had carried with him. Then, he left the room without looking back. He would not, he knew, be returning.

  Leo Eastman spoke to General Milhoff cautiously, waiting for the more experienced man to give his opinion of the plans.
  "I like it." the General finally related, nodding over the crude drawing that they had been plotting at for the past few hours. "We'll need Rachel's input though... I'm not sure at what range she can summon something. If it's large enough, however, we'll most likely manage to pull this off."
  A knock on the door interrupted them. "Yes?" Leo was fast to open the door, bracing himself for the news that Norax was attacking. They might have to implement the plan faster than he'd hoped. It was quite possible that their plan wouldn't work at all, in the face of a full onslaught. Timing was important.
  Leo was taken aback for a moment as Seeker walked through the opened door, looking around until he spotted Leo.
  "There's no attack, Sir Eastman. I apologize for startling you." the aged wizard began, a slight smile on his face. "Though I have come to warn you - there will be. Tomorrow, probably before sunset."
  Leo seemed momentarily confused. "You... saw this?"
  Seeker just nodded. "Yes.... I have been attempting a divination for the last few days. Norax's armies have indeed been disorganized since the last battle, but that will not hold. The warlord is under pressure to establish a foothold within our plane."
  General Milhoff scowled. "Pressure from who?"
  Seeker turned to face the general. "I am sorry, General, in my haste to find Leo, I neglected to speak to you as well."
  Milhoff waved away the apology. "Don't worry about it. Now, what do you know about this battle? Who's pressuring Norax to move?"
  "Norax's generals, mostly. None have sufficient courage to directly do so, of course, but the pressure is still there. There is another force as well - the Tomb sword."
  Silence greeted this assertion for a moment, until Leo spoke up. "Norax's sword? What's it have to do with the battle?"
  Seeker shook his head. "I am uncertain what role it plays, but I do know that it has some sort of power over Norax." the wizard shook his head sadly. "My teacher Luther was with Norax when our current enemy succumbed to its power. The sword still drives him, but I do not know to what extent."
  Milhoff nodded. "I thank you for the advance warning. Seeker, I was hoping I could have your help. We were planning an offensive, but I suppose we'll be changing our plans somewhat. Nevertheless, your ability could be very useful in battle. If you are willing, we could greatly use your help."
  Seeker shook his head. "I will be attempting to protect us using counterspells for the duration of the next battle. Paul will likely be able to aid you, however."
  Something in the tone of the old man's voice unnerved Leo, but before the leader could query him, Seeker had left the room.
  Milhoff looked back toward the plan. "This is going to need some work."

  "Seeker! Yes, please, come in!" Rachel opened the door to her visitor and escorted him in. "I haven't seen you in the past few days, is everything all right?"
  Seeker smiled. "You flatter me with your attention, Rachel. I have just come from the planning room, where I told Leo what I am going to tell you now...." The old man's smile vanished as his tone became serious. "Norax will attack us tomorrow, and it will be a difficult battle for all of us. I have come to tell you in person, and to help you prepare if you should need assistance."
  Rachel's face seemed to fall. She, like everyone else in the keep, had almost managed to forget that there was an army massing outside, ready to kill them all. The silence that had persisted for days was coming to an end, and Seeker disliked being the one to tell everyone. Still, it was better that they not be caught unaware. The upcoming battle was going to be far too costly as it was.
  "Seeker?" Elayna's voice echoed from somewhere else in the room. "Did I hear you right?" the child came into view, looking up at the wizened man. "There's going to be another battle?"
  "Yes, little one. It will be rather destructive as well. I know how much you wish to help, but it is imperative that you not attempt to take part in this battle. You will be safe within the castle, though it may not seem that way."
  "What's going to happen?" Elayna asked quietly, not liking the sound of Seeker's voice. "How bad is this going to be?"
  "People will be hurt, little one. Even those within the castle - you will be needed to heal them, as well as everyone else in the infirmary."
  "I'll be able to help?" the child looked up at this.
  "Yes, you will. But do so within the walls of the castle. The battlefield will not be a pleasant place."
  Elayna nodded. Something in Seeker's tone told her that this was very serious indeed.

  "Paul...." Seeker spoke to his apprentice quietly, not wanting to shock the young man out of his concentration.
  Paul's eyes opened slowly. "Oh, Seeker. My apologies, I didn't hear you come in." The apprentice clamored to his feet.
  "Do not worry about it, Paul. I have come to speak to you about tomorrow."
  "The attack...." Paul said. "There's going to be an attack tomorrow. I... I saw it, I think. It wasn't clear to me."
  Seeker smiled at his student. "Yes, there will be an attack tomorrow. Your studies are progressing well. But that is not the reason I have come to you."
  "It's not?" Paul seemed confused. "How, then, can I help you?"
  Seeker paused momentarily. He'd prepared for this day since before he had even known Paul, before he had an apprentice. Paul had proven himself able to withstand the lure of the Higher Path, and his skills had grown accordingly. He was ready.
  It was time.
  "Paul, you will be known as The Guardian." Seeker said simply.
  Paul's eyes widened. "The... the Naming? My apprenticeship... is over?"
  "It ends tomorrow." Seeker said quietly. "By that time, you will be known as The Guardian, and you will be a full Planeskeeper"   Paul was speechless, and seemed as though he was going to remain that way for a while.
  "I will be going now. Prepare for tomorrow's battle. It will be hard on all of us, but perhaps hardest on you of all." With that, Seeker left the room.
  Paul's head reeled. The Naming! The Planeskeeper custom that streched back to the original Planeskeeper himself, the tradition of naming a finished apprentice according to his future role, had just been performed. He was... truly a Planeskeeper!
  He would take Seeker's advice, and try to rest for the next day's battle, but he truly didn't think he'd be able to sleep.
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