*************************
[Dark] Compendium, Chapter III
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As they walked back to the clearing, Eldarion looked to be puzzling something
out.  "Hmmm.....the tree that friend Garrison is hugging is a very old oak.
From the size and stature, I'd guess it was planted in the time of my great-
grandfather, whom I am named after."  Eldarion looks at Zeph and continues
with a smile "Our great-grandfather I should say.   Those were bleak times. 
The throne was still in the hands of House Daven then.  When our great-
grandfather married the daughter of the Highlord, Anafalas Daven, he had to
sign a writ to her father, Undentielvo, that he would never seek the throne.
When Undentielvo died, Anafalas became Highlady of Tynntangial, but after a
year on the throne, she decided she did not want to deal with the everyday
running of the kingdom, and deferred to her husband.  From the moment he began
to take over the everyday running of the kingdom, the rest of House Daven
opposed him at every turn.  But he had kept his word, for Anafalas remaind
Highlady, and Eldarion the First was the Prince Consort. It was House Daven
that nicknamed him the 'Black Prince of Daventry', for Eldarion began to look
very carefully into the dealings of the years of Daven regency before. No
one knows what he really found out, but after he brought his findings to the
LordsHold, it became apparent that the other great houses sided with House
Elessidel against House Daven, whose status and holdings diminished.  The
records of that LordsHold meeting were sealed by order of the Black Prince,
to protect the innocent members of House Daven.  Whatever it was he had
uncovered must have been pretty bad though, for to this day, House's Galadon,
Sandor and Aloriel are firm supporters of House Elessidel."

Getting back to the clearing, they sat back down on the boulders to await
Garrison and the Joreen.  Zeph was letting all this family history sink in,
and asked "But wait, If our great-grandfather signed that writ, and he lived
by his word, how is it that our house now holds the throne?  Eldarion smiled
at Zeph <She is very clever> and continued "It was by the love of Anafalas 
Daven that doomed House Daven's holding of the throne.  When their son came
of age, her house pleaded with her to ensure that he be named a Daven, thus
keeping their house in power.  But Eldamar, their son, had grown up with 
cousins and family of House Elessidel, and that was the name he wanted.  For
the love of her son and his father, Anafalas insured that Eldamar became the
first Elessidel Highlord of Tynntangial.  After Eldamar came Eventyne, our
uncle, and Tynntangial has never known such a period of peace and prosperity
as it has since the Elessidel Highlords came into power." 

Eldarion took a long drink from his canteen and passed it around.  "It was
our great-grandfather that started the reforms which turned our nation
around.  It was he who formed the royal infantry, cavalry, and navy, the 
Sanjentors, Legentors and Marlentors respectively.  Before the royal forces
were formed, each House of the LordsHold had its own army, and could use it
or not use it as they saw fit.  There was always the chance of civil war
when House Daven was in power.  But no longer.  That is House Daven's main
source of animosity against the Elessidel Highlords.  They say that the
Elessidel Highlords took too much power away from the LordHold, and integrated
that power to royal ends.  Well, that may be true, but it has worked out quite
well in the last 900 years since our great-grandfather began the reforms."

As Garrison rejoins the group, 'bush' smiles at his old friend.  "We think
that yon tree dates you somewhat, Garrison.  Some 900 years by Eldarion's
estimate.  Yet you do not look a day over eighty.  How is it you keep so
spry?"

Suddenly, the party is interrupted by the sound of hooves.  Corporal Joreen
gallups into the clearing with a full lance (14) of Legetors, as well as
three extra mounts.  The Legentors dismount, and one steps up to Eldarion
and salutes "Lance Leader Corial Daven, Sir.  The Corporal here relayed
your orders and we came as quick as we could."  Eldarion returned the salute.
"Your men are to guard that gate until relieved, Lance Leader."  He says,
pointing to the giant redwood and continues "If anything comes out of it and
attacks, you must send word immediately to Daventry, understood?"  At the
Lance Leader's nod, Eldarion turned back to his party "Well my friends, shall
we embark on the next leg of our journey?"  In answer, Zeph lets out a "Wahoo!"
and does a double back flip with a midair spin, alighting on her horse.  

Eldarion laughs and says "Ready yourselves, for Daventry awaits.  Corporal
Joreen, I would like for you to accompany us to Daventry.  I think the
Highlord would like to hear of your service to Tynntangial, and reward that
service justly."  Joreen blushes somewhat, and looks a little nervous, but
says "As you command, my Captain." and moves her mount to join the group.
Zeph smiles at her and says "Whatever the Highlord rewards you with is well
deserved!"  Suddenly, from out of the trees, Dardt zooms down and flies around
Eldarion twice, growls something at him, and lands on Zeph's shoulder.  "Hi
Dardt!" Zeph yells as she pets the cooing pocket dragon.  'bush' smiles at
Eldarion "looks like Dardt better prefers cute young females to ride on!" 
Eldarion laughs and clasps 'bush's shoulder, "Come, let us be off, the High-
lord is expecting us!"

As the Legentors make camp about the portal, the party gallops down the road
toward Daventry.

___________________________________

As the party rode to Daventry, Zeph reopened the discussion on her parents.
"Eldarion, can you tell me more about my parents, and how I came to be known
to you?"  Eldarion's face darkened somewhat as he continued to relate his
family's history.  "Well, your father was a prince of this realm, Zeph.  The
same as my father Eldivyne.  You see, Eldamar, our grandfather had three sons
and two daughters.  First came Eventyne, our current Highlord.  Then there 
was Eldivyne, my father, who became Lordholder Elessidel.  Then came the two
girls, Ellanar and Seliena.  Finally, your father, Seleseri was the youngest."

"As your father was the youngest, he did not have the many responsibilities of
court that Eventyne and Eldivyne had.  So he spent alot of his time on grand
adventures and such."   Eldarion looks wistfully ahead "How well I remember
the nights by the fire, out in these very woods, that your father would
spend the entire evening telling Elana and I tales of other lands.  Looking
back, I think it is because of your father that I am in the Legentors, instead
of being back at court learning to become the next Lordholder Elessidel. I've
always known that both Elana and I had more in common with your father than
with our own."  Eldarion slows his mount as they begin to come out of the 
forest and begin to see small elven farms on the outskirts of Daventry.

As they pass the farms, elven farmers look up from their work and stare at
the strange sight of a Legentor captain and corporal leading a party consisting 
of a very red headed elven girl, a blind old human, the four of which on 
horseback, and a small, green halfling looking creature walking beside them,
that continually stares at the now thinning trees.

Eldarion calls a halt as they come upon a marble bridge which spans a large
chasm.  On the other side of the bridge can be seen Daventry in all its
splendor.  The city holds buildings in every color of the rainbow.  In the 
center, the castle of the highlord looms above, made entirely of a white
marble, capped in golden spires.  The scene is completely breathtaking for
both Zeph and 'bush'.  "Well, here we are!  Accross the Southstar bridge lies
Daventry proper.  Where this path forks to the right lies Mount Kaladan, the
Mage's College."  Garrison reacts at the mention of Mount Kaladan.  "Eldarion,
there is much I can do at the college to prepare us for our battle with the
Dark One.  There is much to be researched, and I may find some friends of old
there."  Eldarion is surprised at what Garrison is saying.  "Are you saying
that you've attended our mage's college, Garrison?"  Garrison looked quite
amused.  "No, not really attended, but I taught there for a time many years
ago."   Eldarion looked incredulous "You are indeed full of surprises, my
friend.  Well there is much for Zeph and I to do at court, so we can meet you
at Mount Kaladan in a couple of days if you'd like?"  Garrison thinks for a 
moment, "Yes, I think two days should allow me enough time for my research.
Be sure to bring that scroll with you once your court mages are done with it."

"Actually, they are all awaiting the scroll on Mount Kaladan, my friend.  Why
don't you take the scroll now, and get a head start on your research."  Zeph
passes the scroll to Garrison.  "Very well, I shall see you all in a couple of
days.  I think I'll walk to Mount Kaladan though."  He says, dismounting the 
horse.  Making his goodbyes, Garrison slowly makes his way down the path
toward Mount Kaladan.  Soon Garrison seemed to waver in the mists which sur-
round the mage's college, and then he disappeared.

>From accross the Southstar bridge comes the sounds of horses galloping, as 
members of the Black Watch ride accross.  In the midst of the Watch rides
a most beautiful elven woman.  The riders halt their mounts as they come up
to the party.   "Welcome home, my brother!" says the smiling elven woman.
She had almost blue-black hair, shocked with golden tresses.  Her amber eyes
studied each member of the party in turn.  "Well met, Elana" says a smiling
Eldarion, who rides up to give his sister a firm embrace.  "Elana, this is our
cousin, Zeph" He says, leading their mounts next to Zeph's.  "Of course it is,
dear brother.  Zeph and I have already met."  Elana's amber eyes seem to bore
into Zeph's soul, but her smile showed true freindship.  Zeph took a sharp
breath, and thought "The dream...."  Elana nodded and continued "You are
most welcome, my cousin. As are you, friend 'bush'" She says, turning to the 
staring 'bush'.  'bush' looks quite embarassed at Elana's attention. "Umm,
E..Eldarion. We were wondering.  Just as Garrison wished to visit the mage's
college, so too would we like to meet with the trees of your land.  Do you
think...."  Eldarion laughs good naturedly and says "Of course 'bush'!  Why
don't you spend the next couple of days in the forest.  We can all meet at
Mount Kaladan in two days and see what Garrison has come up with.  I'll be
sure to mention to the royal forrester that she has nature's ambassador in
her woods."  With that, 'bush' who had been appearing quite nervous and
jittery, beemed a big smile.  "Yes, that would be wonderful.  Some of these
trees are quite old you know!"  'bush' made his farewells and soon disappeared
into the woods surrounding Daventry.  

"Interesting little fellow" says Elana, arching her brow.  "Well, shall we?"
she says, pointing accross the bridge.  "Our uncle Eventyne wishes to see
his newly found niece."  As they rode accross the bridge, Zeph gulped at 
Elana's last statement, thinking that now it was her turn to be nervous.  

__________________________

z>	"Are you ready to meet the rest of your kin?" Eldarion whispers in 
z>her ear. 
z>	"Yes...yes I am."

Elana clicks her tongue at her brother.  "Not yet she isn't!"  Turning to
Zeph she continues - "First we'll get these travelling leathers off of you
and dress you for court.  I think I still have some very nice gowns from
when I was you age...hmmmmm...yes, something green which will show off your
hair"

Eldarion interrupts "Gowns?  Elana, the Highlord is waiting to see us. Now!"

Elana waves her hand at her brother "Uncle Eventyne can wait whilst Zeph has
had a bath and is dressed properly.  You can do with a bath and change of
clothes yourself, you know!"  With that she leads Zeph off down the hall
and up a flight of stairs, leaving Eldarion alone in the hallway shaking his
head.

At the top of the stairs, Zeph is led into a room with a huge marble tub.
Zeph could tell that the tub was already filled with hot water by the steam
coming off the surface of the water.  In addition, millions of little bubbles
were coming from the bottom of the tub. "Here you are Zeph, you go ahead and
soak in here while I find you a gown.  If you want more hot water, just turn
this valve.  You can also change the rate of the bubbles by turning this
other valve."  As Elana goes out the door, Zeph begins to take off the clothes
so recently purchased from Sera.  A smile crept to Zeph's face as she thought
of the barmaid at the Dragon's Inn.  Soon she had fully disrobed and eased her
way into the hot bubbly water.  As she soaked her thoughts went over the events
of the last couple of days since meeting Sera at the inn.

_________________________

Eldarion turned away as soon as Elana and Zeph left his sight.  "What did she 
mean I could use a bath too!"  As he thought about it, he remembered that he
had not really bathed since going over to find Zeph. "Hmmm, maybe she's right.
A bath might be really nice.  As he walked down the hall to the wing where he
usually slept (when at the castle), he almost bumped into a young elf lad with
blond hair.  "Cousin Eldarion!  I heard you had returned.  What fortune!  How
went your quest?"  Eldarion smiled at the elven lad and tussled his hair.

"Eslan, you seem to have grown since I last saw you.  I will tell you all
about my journey, but for now, I must hurry and get cleaned up.  Your father
wishes to see me."

"What of your mission?  Have you found our lost cousin?"

"Aye lad, her name is Zeph, and I will introduce you shortly.  Now be off so
I can get cleaned up before your father sends the Watch for me."  

Eslan smiles and continues down the hall.  Eldarion comes to his room, and
opens the door to freshen himself.   

___________________________

Zeph was engrossed in the events of the last few days when she heard a
knock at the door.  She opened her eyes to see Elana slip in carrying
a gown of shimmering green.  "I hope you don't mind one of my hand-
me-downs Zeph."

Zeph stammered "N..No, not one bit.  Gods Elana, that's the most beautiful
thing I've ever seen!"

Elana smiled at her cousins praise of the gown. "Let's get that hair washed
and dried, then you can try on the gown.

Elana and Zeph continue to wash and dress.

________________________

Eldarion felt quite refreshed.  He had just finished a cold shower.
<Nothing like it to keep a soldier on his toes!> he thought as he
laced up a clean pair of pants.  In minutes he was dressed in a fresh
uniform, and donned his freshly burnished chain mail shirt.  Strapping
on his sword and field belt, he hurried out the door and made his way
toward Elana's chambers.

<They had better be ready...we're late enough as it is> he thought as
he raced up the stairs.  In his hurry, Eldarion forgot to knock on
Elana's bathroom, and walked right in on a nude Zeph drying her hair 
with a towel.  "Gaaaa..." he said, as he twisted around, slipped in
a puddle of water, and landed on his back.

"He certainly does hurt himself alot, doesn't he?"  a towel wrapped Zeph
remarks to Elana.  "You have no idea, cousin."  Turning to Eldarion, Elana
continues, much more loudly "ELDARION!  What in the name of X'een were you
thinking of!  Get out at once!  Wait out in the hall!"  With that, Elana 
began pelting her brother with wet towels.

Eldarion said "Gaaa!" once again and slipped and slid out of the bathroom.
Removing the wet towel which had landed on his head, he sighed "I hate
palace life...", and began pacing up and down the hallway.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door reopened as Elana came out
sporting a stern look for her brother.  A moment later she was followed
by Zeph wearing the green gown.  She was quite beautiful, and Elana was
right, the green gown contrasted her hair perfectly.

"Now, we are ready to see uncle!"  said Elana, as she took Zephs hand
and led both her and Eldarion down the stairs toward the throne room.

_____________________________


Before Zeph was the most majestic sight she had ever seen.  She did not
think that she could even dream of such splendor.  The throne room was huge!
The ceiling was four stories up, and banners and tapestries hung from the
carved rafters.  Stained glass windows filtered the bright sunlight and
displayed colourful patterns on the floor.  The floor and walls were of the
same white marble with golden veins running throughout.  The throne room was
filled with people, dressed in beautiful garments of shimmering silk.  

Zeph felt she was in a church...no a church isn't this grand.  A cathedral!
Between each of the windows were elves standing at attention with halbards.
Each wore a black mantle with a silver keep (rook) in outline.  The Black
Watch, or Highlord's bodyguard.

Everyone in the room was looking at her!

She slowly felt her feet begin to back away, when she felt the reassuring
squeeze by Elana's hand.  Eldarion smiled at Zeph, trying to reassure her,
then turned and led the way towards the throne of the Highlord.  Elana gave
Zeph's hand another squeeze and a slight tug.  Reluctantly, Zeph let herself
be led towards the throne.  As she came nearer the throne, she became quite
fascinated by her slippers, and kept her eyes glued to them. 

Eldarion had halted before the throne and saluted the Highlord.  "Highlord,
I report that my mission was a success.  It is my pleasure to present to
you, your niece, Zephillia Elessidel!"

Elana halted next to her brother, and Zeph forced herself to look up.  There
on the throne sat her uncle, the Highlord of Tynntangial.  He was a handsome
man, with silver hair, like Eldarion's.  But unlike her cousin, the Highlord's
eyes were a deep sea-blue.  Eventyne stood from his throne, and came down the
steps and took both Zeph's hands in his.  "Zephillia,  This is a greatest of 
pleasures for me.  It was long ago that your father Seleseri left this land.  
I have missed him dearly.  The great joy of your coming is stained somewhat
by the news of his loss to me."  Eventyne's eyes showed pain, which quickly 
went away.  Eventyne once again smiled at his niece.  "You must be hungry.
I do believe it is near time to sup.  You shall sit next to me in the banquet
hall, my dear.  I wish to hear all about your life and your journey back to
your homeland.  Elana, I would that you sat next to Zeph.  Captain!"  He 
looked past Zeph to Eldarion, "I would have you sit at my left."  Eventyne
led Zeph down a few more steps. Addressing the assembled people in the 
throne room, he announced "Let it be known by my herald's, Zephillia Elessidel,
daughter of my brother Seleseri, is returned to us this day!"  With these
words the assembled crowd begins to cheer and applaud.  Eventyne then led
Zeph back the way she had come, followed by Eldarion and Elana.

The banquet was glorious, with all manner of food and drink.  At the banquet,
Zeph met her aunt, wife of Eventyne, Aloura Daven-Elessidel.  She also had
the pleasure of meeting yet another cousin, Eslan, who sat next to Eldarion.
Aloura was charming, and Eslan, who was a bit younger than Zeph, constantly 
smiled her way during the meal.  Over the meal, Eldarion related the events 
of his quest, and the friends he had met along the way.  Zeph interjected her
parts, of how she had acquired the scroll, and how she had met up with her
new found cousin.  Eventyne listented to all of this, and asked questions
when necessary.  Finally, at the end of the meal, he announced that, given
the fact that the court mages and Garrison were researching the scroll, He
would convene a conclave of the Lords of the great houses in two days, to
discuss what paths they must next seek.  With that, the meal broke up, and
Eventyne excused himself from Zeph's company.  After the meal, Zeph was
introduced to the other Lordholder's present:  Gavron, Lordholder Galadon.
Turiel, Lordholder Aloriel, and lastly, Eldevyne, Lordholder Elessidel, and
her uncle.  Eldevyne was quite pleased in meeting Zeph, and invited her to
come to the home of the House Elessidel after she had rested.  He then had
some whispered words with his children, and turned and strode out the banquet
room.

Eldarion and Elana led Zeph out of the banquet room.  "I noticed that Lord-
holder Daven still does not frequent the court."  Eldarion said to Elana.

"Not unless there is official business.  Rest assured, Ardentielvo Daven will
be here for conclave."  She continued in a whisper "To be as much a thorn in
the side of this family as possible."

Zeph was led to her room, at which point Elana and Eldarion excused themselves
and for the first time in days, Zeph was alone.  She changed into the cotton
nightclothes which had been layed out for her, and went to the door of her 
room.  Opening it, she was surprised to see a member of the Black Watch outside
her room, next to the door.  She bowed to Zeph "May I help you, my lady?" Zeph
was quite surprised, and stammered out "n...No thank you" and closed the door.

Things were really quite different here.

The next day, Zeph was awakened by a servant, who laid out a fresh gown for
her.  After she had washed and dressed, she was met at the door by Eldarion,
Eslan and Elana.  "Well, we've decided to take it easy and rest today.  The
conclave isn't until tommorrow.  We'll go and see how Garrison is making out
tommorrow morning.  I've left word with the forrester for 'bush' to meet us
at Mount Kaladan then as well."  Eldarion smiled at Zeph, and they all walked
down the hall, with Eslan striding right next to Zeph.  Elana turned towards
Zeph "The day is yours, cousin.  What would you like to do?"

_________________________


z>        Zeph's facial expression crumpled in concentration, which made
z>her young cousin, Eslan to giggle."Can we go to the market?" She finally
z>blurted, remembering how wondrous the people and the cobble stone streets
z>had looked the previous day.
z>        Then Eslan added, "Can we dear Elana, can we please go?"
z>        The two girls looked up at their older cousin with pleading eyes,
z>hands clasped as if in prayer and begging, "please...please..."

Eldarion was quite amused by this wish to shop.  "I don't know, Elana.  We
really shouldn't take the heir designate to the marketplace.  I mean, we'd
have to arrange it with the Watch, who would want to canvas the area first,
and then..."  

"No no no no!" Elana interupted.  "If we tell anyone, it just becomes a big
circus and then no one will have any fun.  We tell no one, and we sneak out
like this..."  Elana waved her hands around, and suddenly, before Zeph stood
three elven strangers.  Elana had turned into a matronly blond, Eslan - an 
elven soldier, and Eldarion an old woman.  "Hey...!" Eldarion said with a
look of distate on his/her wrinkled elven face as he/she looked down at his
new form.

Zeph giggled at Eldarion, then looked down at herself and saw that she too
was dressed as an elven soldier.  "This is really neat Elana!"

"Now we can go to the marketplace, and not worry about the Watch, or being
mobbed by the populace."  Elana led the way out of the palace (dragging a
reluctant Eldarion along) and they soon found themselves in the marketplace.

The marketplace of Daventry sold just about any goods the mind could imagine 
from magic rings to exotic clothing to foods from other lands, the  marketplace 
had it all.  Everywhere Zeph looked there were people from all the free races.  
There were grey elves, high elves, wood elves, humans, halflings, and the
occasional dwarf.  All selling wares both magical and mundane.

Elana pulled Zeph closer to her to be heard over the din of the marketplace.
"Twas at this very marketplace that your mother and her troupe performed
many years ago.  Twas here she met your father." she said with a wistful
smile.

This brought a tear to Zeph's eye, and the marketplace took on a whole new
meaning for her.  Here was where it all began.  She closed her eyes to try
to envision what it must have been like back then.  Her mother, performing 
with her maternal grandfather in the market square.  Her father, attempting
to save her from the 'mad human'. Zeph smiled at the sights within her mind's
eye.

Eldarion stayed very close to Eslan, who kept him busy moving from toy stall
to toy stall.  It was quite a sight to see the elven soldier running from
shop to shop, chased by a surprisingly agile old woman. 

Elana laughed along with Zeph at the sight.  "We'd better rescue my brother,
or we will never hear the end of it.  Let's go get something to eat."

The rest of the day was spent much the same way, with Elana making many pur-
chases, and helping Zeph with the latest of Daventry's fashions.  The shop
keeper's began to have curious looks on their faces as purchase after purchase
was given to the 'old woman' to carry.  Zeph excused herself when they came
upon a large shop that sold weapons of all sorts and went in.  Elana took
her turn with Eslan and sat on a bench outside.  Eldarion dumped the armload
of packages onto the bench and followed Zeph.

Eldarion found Zeph at a counter which displayed throwing weapons of all kinds.
She was handling a flat, three-pointed wedge the size of a saucer, made of
quartz.  "That's a Thri-Krreen throwing wedge."  Eldarion said as he walked up.
"The Thri-Krreen are a race of giant mantis like creatures that live in the
deserts to the southwest.  They are very accurate and can do much damage with
these wedges.  If they miss their target, the wedge returns to them.  If the 
target somehow blocks the wedge, as with a shield, the wedge somehow flies 
around to hit from another angle.  I've had to block the same wedge four times
from one throw before the wedge finally lost momentum and fell to the ground. 
I've practised with them and become pretty accurate, but I can't make them come
back to me or do that multiple hit thing." 

The shopkeeper looked quite incredulous as the old woman spoke of fighting
Thri-Kreen.

Zeph tested the weight and worked the motion of flinging one.  "I think I'll
take it." she said to the shopkeeper.  She paid the shopkeeper, and walked
out with Eldarion.  "I think I can learn to use this.  I'm pretty handy with
throwing weapons."  

Eldarion remembered her thrown dagger at the portal, "I'd say you were a 
master of such things.  Maybe you'll be able to make the wedge do those
fancy tricks."

The group continued shopping until the sun showed to be near setting.  The
poor old woman carried the huge pile of purchases as the group made their
way back to the palace.  By the time they reached the main gate of the palace,
Elana had done her trick again, and they were back to being themselves.

_________________________


g>	"Garrison!"  Zeph yells as she slides off her horse, gathers up 
g>her dress and runs up the stairs to embrace the old man.
g>
g>	"What have we here?"  Garrison asks as he returns the embrace.  
g>"When I left you, you were little more a pauper.  Now they hve you 
g>dressed like a princess."  He adds with a smile.
g>
g>	"Well met, old friend."  Eldarion says as he grasps Garrison's 
g>forearm.  Garrison pulls the warrior closer and embraces him.  Eldarion 
g>tenses at first then relaxes.  "So, have you seen 'bush' yet?"
g>
g>	"No. Not yet. But he will come."  Garrison replies.  "I have a 
g>great amount of news to tell you when we all get together and when we get 
g>somewhere more private.  I fear none of it is good."

Eldarion looks out through the mist at the forest below Mount Kalador. "I
hope 'bush' gets here soon."  He turns toward Garrison.  "The Highlord has
called a Lordholder's Conclave for this evening after dinner.  All of the
Lordholders will be there, and we were invited as well.  We will be discussing
what is to be done about the evil in the north.  Though they are still far off,
our scouts have been reporting massings of all sorts of evil beings, and with
the attack on us at the portal, t'would appear the Dark One is ready to reach
his claws down towards the fertile south."

Lifting the pocket dragon out on his arm, Eldarion issues some whispered
commands and Dardt takes off and soars down to the forest below.  "Dardt
shall try to find friend 'bush', in case the royal forresters could not."

As the group waited for their friend, a storm was brewing towards the north
of Tynntangial.  A cold wind had picked up, blowing the storm southward, and
rain began to fall.  Lightning forked from the grey skies, followed by the
crash of thunder.  Eldarion walks to his horse and pulls a Legentor cloak,
matching the one he wore, out of his saddlebag, and drapes it around Zeph's
shoulders.

"Things are indeed wrong with the world when storms come from the north instead
of the eastern Sea of Tears."  Eldarion says, bringing up the hood of his own
cloak as the first drops of rain began to reach Mount Kalador.

___________________________


As the group began to walk down from Mount Kalador, a voice called down from
the giant doorway of the college of mages.  "Hold, my friends!"  Eldarion 
quickly turned to see that the giant doors had opened without a sound, and
three cloaked masters of the college where hurrying down to catch up with
them.  "Garrison, old friend, were you going to leave again without saying
farewell?"  asked the Headmaster of the college.  Looking at Eldarion, he
continues "Garrison comes and goes as he pleases.  Though we may not see him
for hundreds of years, he has never been one to outstay his welcome.  And how
do you fare, Prince Eldarion?"

"I am quite well, Master Melanthius.  But I am no prince, as well you know. If
you wish to address me by a title, Captain suits me best."  The ancient elven
highmaster of Mount Kalador had been calling him a 'prince' since Eldarion's
short attendence of the college.  Eldarion despised being called by that title,
and at every meeting with the highmaster, had made that abundantly clear. His
resistance of the title seemed to please the highmaster, who continued to use
it to this day.

"You seem to be on your way in a hurry.  We go to the Lordholder's conclave,
and I surmised that you also were headed there.  Would you mind if we walked
the same path as you, my prince?"

Eldarion's face darkened somewhat, "Not at all Melanthius, but why do you walk
there at all?  Don't you usually use a portal or teleport or something?"

The ancient elven face looked deeply into Eldarion's eyes.  "We decided that
it would be a shame not to take a walk on such a pleasant day as this." 

Eldarion looked from Melanthius to the rolling storm clouds overhead and the
cold drizzle falling from them.  "Yes, it is such a lovely day for a walk"
he said shaking his head.

Melanthius had turned away from Eldarion and appeared to be studying Zeph.
"Hmmm...by my soul, t'would appear to be another scion of the Black Prince
himself.  And what would your name be, my dear?"

Zeph was quite unnerved by the ancient elven face.  Those eyes.  Those deep
penetrating eyes.  "Uhm...m.my name is Z..Zeph"  She finally managed to
blurt out.  The ancient highmaster of the college smiled at Zeph's discomfort.
"No need to fear me child.  There are much more dangerous things out in the
world right now.  Besides..." he said glancing at Eldarion, "I thought you
Elessidel's were a fearless lot?"

Eldarion had had enough of this, and said so - "Zeph has just recently been
brought back into the family.  Do not doubt her courage, Melanthius, for I
have seen it at work myself, and its edge is keen.  You say you wish to walk
with us to conclave, so be it.  But the mind games end now!"

Melanthius looked like he was going to reply in kind, but instead simply
nodded and said "As you wish, my prince."  He then moved around the horse
until he walked next to Garrison, and they began a whispered discussion.

Zeph moved next to Eldarion.  "Gods, he is really creepy. What do you suppose
he and Garrison are whispering about?"

Eldarion turned to look at the two mages in discussion.  "Their kind always
seem to have some secret agendas, my cousin.  Never trust a mage unless tis
absolutely necessary.  Garrison and Elana excluded of course."  He said out
loud, but wondered inwardly at how 'chummy' Garrison seemed to be with
Melanthius.  Oh, Melanthis was a force for good, there was no denying that,
but he did keep hidden agendas, and there had been times in the past when 
people...friends, had needlessly suffered or even died because of them.  He
didn't think he could ever forgive the headmaster such pains.

_______________________