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[Dark] Compendium, Chapter IV
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The group made there way through to the city gates, at which point a company
of the Black Watch met them and escorted them through the streets of Daventry
to the palace of the Highlord.  Once inside the gates of the palace, the Watch
took charge of the groups horses, and a minister of the court led them to the
Lordholder's meeting hall for the conclave.  The Lordholder's Hall was an open
air hall in the north wing of the palace.  It was stunningly beautiful in its
design, which showed a remarkable balance of nature with the artwork of elven
architects and masons.  Each of the long walls of hall was covered in ivy, and
in front of these walls were planted the white barked oak with the blue tinted
leaves which was the symbol of the elven nation.  The tops of these oaks went
up higher than the walls themselves, and provided shade in the open air hall.

Seated at a great round table of the hall were all the Lordholder's of the
realm.  Zeph looked around and saw her two uncles, Eventyne and Eldivyne, in
close discussion.  The minister led them to their seats, which were to the
right of the Highlord of Tynntangial.  As they were seated, Zeph looked up
and saw Elana enter the room, followed by Aloura Daven Elessidel, the High-
lady of Tynntangial, who took the seat opposite her husband at the table.

"Have you been here long?"  Elana asked her cousins as she took the seat
next to Zeph.  "No, we just arrived as well...Elana, this is our friend
Garrison, whom you just quickly met the day we arrived."  Eldarion introduced
the blind old man to his sister.  Elana stood and took the old mans hand and
squeezed it warmly, looking deeply into his blind eyes.  "I welcome you as a 
friend to this house Garrison.  And I thank you for your part in bringing our
kin back to us."

As the group began smalltalk, a man entered the hall followed by his entourage

The man quickly glanced about the room, then made his way and sat next to the
Highlady of Tynntangial.  The second he took his seat, the Highlord picked up
the gavel which lay before him and hit the small metal disk it lay upon, prod-
ucing a musical peel.  The hall suddenly became quite quiet, as Eventyne
addressed the assembled lords and guests.  "I greet you all to this conclave,
and with its beginning, let it be known that all shall be bound by this day's
work, and we shall not ajourn till that work be done."  With the ritualistic
opening of the conclave concluded, he continued "Now that Lordholder Daven has
arrived, let us begin.  What lies before us is this simple question:  What is
to be done concerning the return of the Dark One?  This evil has returned to
our world, from times most ancient.  In those days, we as a people were much
more powerful, and had the friendship of the human and dwarven nations around
us.  This is no longer the case.  The dwarves are in their Mountains of the 
Mare, and only their merchants come out to deal with the outside world.  I
have sent repeated invitations to both the dwarves of the Mare, and to the
Emperor of Karantine, that they send emmisaries to this conclave, but as you
can see..." he motions about the table "they were not concerned about this
matter."

"Perhaps that is because there is nothing to be concerned about!" interrupted
the blond Lordholder Daven.  "We have no hard evidence that the Dark One is
back.  And even if he has returned to this world, we know not his intentions
nor that he is a threat.  We presume too much in making plans concerning 
'what is to be done about him'!"

Eventyne paused before speaking.  "Any belief that the Dark One means us no
harm was smashed when Captain Eldarion Elessidel brought back our missing
kinsman.  That is why I have asked him and his friends to this conclave. He
will tell you plainly, the Darkguard once again walk the land, and by their
actions, plainly do mean us harm.  Captain Elessidel, please give the
testimony of your mission to retrieve Zeph."

Eldarion stood and told of his mission to find and return with Zeph.  During
points of his telling, he would ask confirmating questions of Zeph and 
Garrison, and soon the whole tale was told.  Eldarion waited for any questions
from those assembled at the conclave.

The first to respond was Ardentielvo, Lordholder Daven.  "Well, oh namesake
of the Black Prince, you have had quite an adventure, but what proof do you
have that the beings, as evil as you say they were, were actually Darkguard?
No one in this room has actually seen the Darkguard of old.  They were legend
even before the birth of the Black Prince himself.  How is it that you, albeit
a great Captain of Legentors, knows for a fact that they were Darkguard?"

Eldarion was quite flushed, and his hands were balled into fists, yet he
remained at attention.  He spoke through hard gritted teeth "It is true that
I have never seen the Darkguard of old.  But the beings we fought reeked of
that old evil, and we have been well versed on what to look for should that
old evil ever return.  We also have Garrison, who knew of the evil of old."

Eventyne held up his hand, interrupting Eldarion.  "The facts on what the
captain faced has been confirmed by Melanthius and the council of mages at 
Mount Kalador, and we will continue on the basis that it is a fact.  I wish
for the advise of this conclave, and from its guests.  The evil has returned
and we must debate on our courses of action."

The Highlord waited for a response.

___________________________

At the first signs of the plantlife acting out of the ordinary, Eldarion
had flipped over the meeting table and landed on the other side with his
black sword in one hand and a transparent blue dagger in the other (The
meeting table being round without a center, like a doughnut).  He stood
there in readiness, looking for trouble from any direction.  Elana placed
one hand on Zeph's shoulder, and was moving the other through the air,
which began to trail blue sparkles.

Six members of the Black Watch had surrounded Eventyne, with their halberds
pointed outward.  Four surrounded the seated Aloura Daven-Elessidel as well,
forcibly pushing the outraged Lordholder Daven out of the way.

Soon the sunlight in the hall had been cut off entirely by the growing oaks,
and it appeared as if dusk had fallen over the hall.

Suddenly a voice called out over the assemblage.  A voice that let Eldarion
relax his steeled readiness.

<'bush'> - "We heard through the grape-vine, that 
there was to be a meeting today here.  It looks as though the vine was 
right.  If a lowly tree-hugger can find this out, surly the Dark One's 
minions can.  But there is no need to worry about that now.  These vines 
turn back in on themselves.  Please, continue this discussion, and don't 
worry anymore about the Dark One's pets listening in.  All we have to worry 
about now, are traitors in our midst."

Eldarion sheathed his weapons and called out "Gods 'bush', but you scared the
hell out of us!  If you would kindly come down and join us, I can assure you
that the wards and spells placed upon the palace will stop any and all evil
attacks, though I now see they do nothing to disuade dangerous spells and 
such cast by forces for good!"  He said with a smirk towards the court mages,
whose responsibility it was to seal the palace from magical attacks.

Melanthius stuttered "N..n.not fair, Captain Elessidel!  We never expected
magic from such a quarter, and most especially not nature magic of such
strength!  Why if I did not know better, I would have thought..." He trails
off turning his gaze to a smirking Garrison.

At Eldarion's signal, the Black Watch stood down, and moved back to their
normal positions around the table.  Soon a green hued figure scurried down
one of the oaks, and was met at the bottom by Eldarion, Garrison, Zeph and
Elana.  "Well met, my friend" said a smiling Eldarion as he clasped 'bush's
shoulder.  After 'bush' was greeted by each of his friends in kind, Eldarion
led him before Eventyne Elessidel.  "Highlord, our apology for the disturb-
ances, and our priviledge to introduce the final member of the group
which helped me in returning Zeph.  This is friend 'bush'.

Eventyne smiled at the nervous looking halfling (if that was indeed what he
was).  "I welcome you to Daventry, and thank you for your part in the return
of my niece.  I would speak with you further, but as you know, there are grave
happenings afoot, and we must return to conclave.  Perhaps when this is all
over, you could return as my guest and tell us your tales.  For now, I invite
you to take a seat with your friends and join us in conclave."

One of the Black Watch brought a chair for 'bush', and the friends sat down
together.  After everything had settled back down, Eldarion stood again and
addressed the conclave.  "I think our answers lay in the scroll which my
cousin so deftly brought with her, taken from an evil lord accross the 
portal.  Garrison and the court mages have studied this scroll, and I feel
that it is important we hear their findings.  I know that the scroll was 
important enough to send many darkguard and other higher minions of the Dark
One against us.  If it is important to him, it is important to us!  Garrison?"

Garrison stood up and turned his blind eyes toward the conclave.  There were
many friendly faces here, he thought.  But some were not so friendly.  How 
much of what he knew should he reveal?

__________________________

g>	The Conclave went silent, they held the key but could find the 
g>lock to open.  So close, yet so far away.   Eventyne was the First to 
g>break the silence...

"How can this list of names help us, Garrison?  A list of names seems
harmless enough, but the Dark One seems to have extended great effort
to acquire this scroll."

Melanthias interjects "Your majesty, if this scroll contains a list of
truenames, the holder of this scroll would hold great power over those
listed therein.  Unfortunately, there was no corellated list as to what
names these beings might be currently using.  None of the names were
familiar to myself or other members of the college.  We do know that a
great number of the truenames are elvish in nature.  I ....."

Melanthias freezes in mid-speech as a new connection suddenly occurs to
him.  He thinks for a moment, then glances over to Garrison, who looks
to be listening intently.

Eventyne clears his throat, "Please continue master Melanthias."

Melanthias looks quite troubled as he continues where he'd left off.
"I...I..think that further study of this scroll may bring more answers,
your majesty.  Perhaps if the college could take it back for a time, we
could frind the answers to who is named upon it."

As Garrison was about to object, Eldarion once again addressed the conclave.
"There is no time for further study, master Melanthias.  Soon the Dark One
will send his forces against us.  He and his minions fear Tynntangial for we
have the knowledge of his evil nature, and that is what endangers us.  He
will come for us first, and once we have been swept away, he will take the 
rest of the world!"

"What concern have we for the rest of the world!"  interrupted Lordholder
Daven.  "In all things, Tynntangial must come first!  I still do not
concede the fact that the Dark One is back and threatens us.  If he IS back,
and he DOES come for Tynntangial, THAT is when we need send our valiant
forces against him.  To do something before that could be interpreted as
an act of aggression, and invite the Dark One to attack!"

Eventyne held up his hand.  "I see some wisdom in your words, Lordholder
Daven.  I will have the royal army fully mustered and prepared to move, but
I will, as you have advised, keep them within our borders.  We will be ready
for any attack on our homeland."  Eventyne pauses to think.  "We are losing
most of the scouts which are being sent to the north.  We need to have more
information on the Dark One's power and what is arrayed against us.  Perhaps
a small scouting party consisting of members of greater power than our scouts
possess can do what a large force could not.  Captain Elessidel, I wish for
you to form such a party.  Garrison, I feel that your knowledge of the Dark
One is great, and think you would be of great assistance to this party, but
your blindness is of concern.  I leave it to you, whether you would go or 
not."

Melanthias looks as if he is sitting on an anthill "Your Majesty, if Garrison
does go with this scouting party, than I must insist that the scroll which 
he possesses be entrusted to Mount Kalador for safekeeping.  Then we could
study the scroll at greater length, and find the answers to those names!"

"My, he looks rather anxious"  Zeph says to Elana.  Garrison leans over to
Eldarion.  "Eldarion, I cannot tell you why here, but it is of utmost import
that the scroll comes with us!"  Eldarion looks at his old friend and nods.
He stands and once again addresses the conclave.  "Highlord, I feel that the
scroll needs come with us.  It has been under my protection since finding
Zeph, and the knowledge on the scroll could well prove important during our
mission.  The need for further study is valid, but I assure all here that
Garrison is quite capable in that respect."  Eldarion contnues as if the
matter is closed.  "As for the party, I would indeed like to keep it small.
Garrison and I, as well as friend 'bush', Corp...I mean Lanceleader Joreen
Sandor, and......Zeph."

At the mention of Zeph's name, Eventyne leaned forward with a start.  "Why
in the name of the Gods, would you need Zeph on this mission?  She has just
recently been returned to us.  I would think you would want her safe here,
not out where she is endangered."

Eldarion searches for the words. "Zeph has been a part of this from the 
start, Highlord.  I do not think it an accident that she, a scion of the
Elessidels, was the one to find the scroll and be instrumental in bringing
it here.  I feel that it is Zeph's destiny to see this through to the end.
Besides...she has many talents which can help us in our mission."  Eldarion,
seemingly at a loss as to what else to say, whispers down to Elana, 'bush', 
Zeph, and Garrison - "Help me out here!"

_____________________

Eventyne is momentarily silent as he considers the words of Eldarion and
'bush'.  After several moments of thought, he finally looks up at Eldarion.
"Eldarion, I have considered the words both you and 'bush' have given, but
I am sorry to say that I have decided against them.  Zeph will stay here in
Daventry with her family."

The silence in the Lordholder's hall is broken by a distraut Zeph, "What!
Nooooo! Highl..er..Uncle Eventyne, I beg you.  Let me go. I can take care
of myself, and Eldarion will be with me.  I want to go! I must go!"  Tears
begin to stream down Zeph's face.  She looks around at the shocked faces
on the Lordholders around the table.

The Highlord smiles at Zeph "You are indeed my brother's child dear Zeph.
Only he has ever spoken to me as you have.  I am sorry. My decision stands.
Elana!" he looks at Eldarion's sister "I leave it to you to take charge of
Zeph, and show her her heritage and the ways of our people.  Captain, you
and your party will leave at once to begin your mission."

Melanthias stands and addresses the Highlord "Your majesty, I ask that my
apprentice, Mendonel, be allowed to accompany this party, to represent the
interests of Mount Kalador."

"It was my impression that this party represented the interests of all of
Tynntangial, Master Melanthias.  But, very well.  Captain, include Mendonel
on your rolls.   This conclave is adjourned until we hear back from this
mission."  with that, Eventyne stands and leaves the hall, followed by the
members of the Black Watch.

Eldarion stands and places a hand on Zeph's shoulder. "Well, that definately 
did not go as planned.  I'm truely sorry Zeph, I still think it was your 
destiny to accompany us, but..."  Eldarion squeezes Zeph's shoulder and goes
off to have some words with Elana.

Zeph is both angry and sad at the same time.  She doesn't notice the elf who
has come to stand before her until he gently reaches out to caress her cheek.
"My dear Zeph, I am so very sorry at how rudely you were used by the Highlord"
says the very righly dressed elf.  "Allow me to introduce myself.  I am 
Ardentielvo Daven, Lordholder of House Daven.  As the blood of the Daven's
flows in your veins, so too am I family, and wish to welcome you to your
new home..."

___________________________

Elana led Zeph back up the stairs to her room.  "Zeph, I must run some 
errands for Eldarion before he leaves.  If you don't mind waiting here
for me, we can go shopping in the marketplace later today"  she drops
her voice to a whisper "so long as there is no repeat of what happened
the last time we were there."  She smiles at Zeph and turns to walk back
down the hall.  Stopping, she turns back "Don't worry Zeph, everything
will work out for the best."  Zeph returns her caring smile, and Elana
continues down the hall and down the stairs.

Elana had much to think about.  The conversation between the siblings
after the Conclave bordered on treason against their own uncle!  Eldarion
had asked Elana to continue to seek permission from the Highlord to go
on this mission.  Eldarion had been so adamant about Zeph's destiny in
seeing this through that he finally convinced Elana to seek another
audience with their uncle.  "You must convince him of the need for Zeph
to finish this business.  Trust my instincts in this, Elana.  If she does
not go, she will be missing something inside her for the rest of her life!"
Elana was more concerned now than ever, for after her discussion with her
brother, she could not find Zeph, and only after asking 'bush', found her
too near the talons of Lordholder Daven!

Elana stopped walking at the thought of the Lordholder of House Daven.
"Perhaps this is not a good time to leave Zeph alone in the palace" she
thought to herself.  Quickly she turned around and made her way back 
accross the palace grounds to the wing where she and Zeph had rooms.

Passing the Black Watch on guard in the hallway, she came upon Zeph's door
and knocked.  There was no answer, and after a few moments Elana opened the
door to find the bed still made and no evidence that Zeph had ever been 
there.  In alarm, Elana went directly to the guard in the hallway.  After
questioning the guard about Zeph, she was told that the Lady Zeph had decided
to take a walk in the royal garden.  Elana, skirt in hands, ran down to the
gardens to find that Zeph was not there.  She was gone...

_______________________________

Eldarion stomped into the antechamber of the Lordholders Hall.  "Damn, damn,
damn, DAMN!"  He said, slamming his fist into an oak table.  Following him 
into the antechamber were Garrison and 'bush'.  "Why can't the Highlord re-
member that we are not lofty Daven's who need protection.  We are Elessidels!
Our House has always sought high adventure, even before we come of age.  Zeph
is well past that, yet he feels she must be protected!"

Garrison puts a hand on Eldarion's shoulder, which has an immediate calming
effect on the Legentor.  "You must remember that Zeph did not grow up with
the knowledge and fortitude that other children of your House do.  You and
I both know that the Elessidel blood burned hot in her, thus she was able
to take care of herself, even in adverse conditions.  Your uncle, however,
knows not what Zeph is capable of, and having his lost brother's daughter so 
recently returned, seeks to shield and protect her from all, until Zeph comes
into her own where it comes to being a member of House Elessidel." 

Eldarion looked up into his friends face.  "Perhaps you are right, Garrison."

"I am..."  Garrison smiles at the Legentor "...but we still don't have to 
like it."

There is a knock on the door, which 'bush' opens, and Joreen Sandor walks
into the room followed by an elf wearing the robes of an acolyte of Mount
Kalador.  "Greeting Captain, I was told to escort this mage to you, and
to place myself under your command thereafter.  My orders."  Joreen hands
Eldarion a scroll which he opens and quickly reads.  "Well, Lanceleader
Joreen, congratulations are in order!"  Turning to Garrison and 'bush', he
continues "Our brave Corporal here has been rewarded by Eventyne for her
help in getting us here.  She is now a Lanceleader, an officer of Legentors.

Joreen blushed slightly as Garrison and 'bush' also congratulated the elven
officer.  Eldarion then turned his attention to the robed mage.  "You must
be Mendonel?"  He said, holding out his hand.

The robed elf glanced briefly at his hand, but made no move to shake it.
"Yes, I am Mendonel, protege' to Melanthias.  I have been sent to protect
your party from magical harm, Captain.  Though why the college has sent an
Acolyte of my standings on such a mission is beyond me."  

Eldarion raised an eyebrow and gave a bemused look to Garrison and 'bush',
wondering what Mendonel could possibly protect the powers in this room from.

Eldarion moved back to his seat at the table and sat down.  "Very well, we
were told to leave as soon as possible.  Is there anything we will need for
this journey to the north?"

________________________________

Eldarion led the way down to the stables.  There awaited horses and field
packs full of rations and gear.  Eldarion took one of the horses and teth-
ered the mount to the one used by Lanceleader Joreen Sandor.  "Garrison, I
have your horse right here.  Joreen, I entrust you with the job which Zeph 
did so well on our journey out here - you will lead Garrison's mount." 

Eldarion looked around.  "Teammaster, we will not be needing this mount.
Friend 'bush' here prefers to travel on foot."  The keeper of the horses
shrugged and drew one of the horses away.  Eldarion personally checked to
insure everyones field packs were secured to their mounts, then checked
to see all the bridling was secure.  It appeared to all he was attempting
to draw their departure out.  Finally, after checking everything possible,
He mounted his horse and moved abreast of Garrison and 'bush'.

"I thought Elana and Zeph would have been here to see us off"  He said,
looking over his shoulder one last time. "...but I guess something came
up."  He let out a shrill whistle and Dardt came spiralling down and 
alighted upon his shoulder.  "Well, if everyone is ready?"  He turned
to look at the party, and everyone nodded except for Mendonel, who
merely yawned and brushed some imaginary dust from his sleeve.  

Eldarion nodded to the Black Watch on duty, and the gate was raised.  The
party rode out of the palace and through the streets of Daventry.  Once,
Eldarion thought he saw his sister hurrying through the streets towards
the market, but then she was swallowed up by the mass of people on the 
streets, and he could not be sure.  I was well into the afternoon by the
time they came to the bridge accross the Silverfoam river.

"We should reach the portal by dusk."  Eldarion called out to the party.

He gave Dardt some whispered commands, and the pocket dragon took off in
the direction of the forest where the portal lay.

____________________________


Elana had been trailing Zeph from the moment she spotted the young half-
elven girl eating lunch beneath a tree.  She was about to confront her
younger cousin, when Zeph suddenly stood up and continued walking through
the marketplace.  Elana ducked between two buildings as Zeph walked by,
and spell-changed her form to that of a human merchant.  She readied some
spells to whisk Zeph immediately to her should the need arise, and began to
trail her cousin (a skill taught to her by her brother).  Her curiosity 
concerning Zeph's movements in the marketplace where quite peaked.

As Zeph rounded a corner, she had bumped into a dwarven merchant.  The
very same merchant whom Zeph had stolen a bracelet from the day before.

Elana immediately moved forward to listen to their conversation.  Should
Zeph be endangered, Elana would whisk her to her side and deal with the
dwarf then.  She hears Zeph tell the dwarf of her need to follow her
friends, and then the dwarf offering his assistance.  The two walk off 
after locking the dwarf's shop.

Elana continued to trail the two until they came upon what looked to be 
the dwarf's home.  She ducked in an alley, and waving her arms, became
invisible.  She then ran up right behind the two as the dwarf was unlock-
ing his door.  Elana darts in behind the two as the dwarf leads Elana into
his study.  Invisible, Elana listens as the dwarf reaffirms his offer to 
assist Zeph, to the point of accompanying her to the portal.  Zeph seemed
not to like this idea at first, but gave in at the mention of a horse to
hasten them there.  Once the dwarf packed, the two made their way to the 
stable at the side of the house.  Elana moved ahead of them and waited by 
the stable door.

"Didja feel that breeze just blew by us.  Strange." said Flanner, stroking 
his beard.

As the two left the house and approached the stable, the air at the door
of the stable began to crackle and there in front of them appeared Elana,
hands balled into fists on hips, glowing unnaturally.
 
"Zephillia Elessidel!  What do you think you are doing?!?"  As the air
crackled about Elana, Zeph could tell by her cousins face that Elana was
none too pleased with her.   

________________________________

w>Walks peers oddly at the gathered company and sniffs the air before
w>answering Eldarion.  "Strange thing to ask.  Animals have more 
w>bus-i-ness in forest than men.  Forest is our home."  He sniffs the
w>air again.  "But here I am to meet you."

Eldarion begins to get angry at the loss of time.  "It just so happens that
this particular forest was home to the elves before mankind knew how to
make a fire.  Perhaps I did not make myself clear,  you say you are here to
meet us, but what is your business with us?"

----------------

Mendonel had the spell for a fireball ready to go.  If only that stupid
Elessidel would get out of the way, he would deal with this proud animal
quickly and effectively.  It was too bad he still needed the legentor
captain to get the group through the portal.  Otherwise, he could just 
send the fireball straight through him taking them both out.  He had to
concentrate to keep the power he had called forth in check.  If the
legentor did not get out of the way soon, he would have to release his
spell somewhere else, before the power overcame him.

-----------------

With a sudden burst through the bushes, a third Legentor appears.  He
staggers into the clearing, and it is quite evident that he is severely
wounded.  "I...I thought I heard horses t..this way!  C..Captain!  The
p..p.portal........a.attacked....h..h..horrors of the evil one."  Eldarion
goes to the Legentors side as he falls to his knees.  Blood streams down 
in rivulets from a gash on his forehead.  "The entire lance was slain...
Those h..horrors are loose in T..T.Tynntangial.  We were able to slay
b..but one!" 

Eldarion turns to the party.  "Garrison, Mendonel, is there anything you
can do to help him live?"  

Mendonel clears his throat.  "No, Captain, tis quite evident tis a mortal
wound." 

Eldarion looks to Garrison as the old man dismounts his horse.  "Perhaps,
Mendonel, but there is always a chance."  Garrison moves forward to see
what he can do for the fallen elf.

Eldarion quickly moves to his mount and pulls out a small blank scroll. As
he writes on the scroll, he calls out to 'bush'.  "'bush', I am sending to
Daventry for the First Heavy Legentors, the griffon riders.  Could you 
attempt to locate these servants of the Dark One and have the forest slow
them down until the First can deal with them?"  Eldarion completes his
message and ties the scroll to Dardt's leg.  He whispers to the pocket
dragon, and Dardt takes off in the direction of Daventry.  Moving back to
Garrison, he kneels next to the old man.  "Garrison, time is of the essense,
and we are losing it.  How is he?" 

With a loud noise, Mendonel sends a fireball screaming into the tops of some
nearby trees.  'bush' winces in pain as the flames consume the treetops.  

"I saw one of the Dark One's minions up there.  A darkguard I think.  I
have destroyed it!"  Mendonel said assuredly as everyone stared at him.

The fallen Legentor shakes his head slightly to Garrison, and whispers to
him.  "N..no Darkguard....they were g..giant s..spiderss.......with wings!"

______________________________


Eldarion moves about the clearing, studying the signs of the struggle.
"There were three of them.  Three of these spider creatures."  He says,
motioning to the corpse of the slain evil spawn.  "Two are now out in 
the forest, doing their evil in Tynntangial."  Eldarion looks to be
struggling with something as he thinks about what to do.  "We should
hurry on through the portal and let the First Heavy Lejentors deal with
the creatures.  A whole regiment of griffon riders should be able to do
what this lance of light cavalry could not.  Let us go through the gate
now."

As he dismounts, he is confronted by Joreen. "Captain, what about the
bodies of our comrades.  Surely we should do something for them!  It
was bad enough leaving that wounded trooper behind, but we must do
something for our fallen!"

Eldarion grasps Joreen at both of her shoulders, and speaks both quietly
and purposefully.  "There is nothing I want more than to right the wrongs
I see here, Lanceleader.  But we have our orders from the conclave, and
we must get through the portal and be about our mission as soon as we
possibly can.  When the First Heavies get here, they will see to our 
dead, but for now, our comrades must lay where they have fallen!"

Joreen blinks a couple of times at hearing Eldarions words, then nods
her head.  Eldarion removes the field pack from his mount and pulls the
straps over his shoulders.  "We leave the horses here.  The portal has
been tuned for our departure to take us to the northernmost exit portal,
which should place us very near where the Dark One's forces are forming."

Joreen places her pack on her back, then takes the horses and slaps their
flanks.  The legentor mounts head back in the direction of Daventry.  

As Eldarion stands before the portal, he pauses and holds up his hand.
"Something is wrong here.  I've never known the portals have this tinge 
of red.  They are always a swirling blue.  What..."

Suddenly, Eldarion is interrupted as Dardt dives down from the sky and
lands on his shoulder.  The pocket dragon growls and squeaks at Eldarion,
and Eldarion turns to the party.  "The First Heavies are on their way,
but Dardt has spotted the Dark Spawn in the forest heading this way.  They
are but a few moments away, moving in fast.  We must go through, but I 
tell you, there is something different about the portal!"

Mendonel spoke up.  "It seems there is little choice, Captain.  We either
stay here and test our mettle against the spawn, or we go through.  I for
one, would have no difficulty defeating such creatures, but I cannot say
for sure I could protect the rest of you during the battle."

Eldarion shakes his head at Mendonel's apparent bravado.  He draws his
sword and takes a deep breath.  He steps into the portal with a flash of
red light, followed by the rest of the party, with Joreen bringing up the
rear.    

_____________________________


Stepping out of the other side of the gate, it was immediately apparent
that the party did not end up where they thought they would.  

Eldarion looked around, trying to get some kind of bearing as to where
they could be.  All around was a deep blackness with swirling mists of
grey.  Though it appeared he could reach out and touch the blackness, it
always seemed just out of reach.  Looking down to his feet, he was quite
surprised to see that where the 'ground' he stood upon should be, there
was in fact nothing.  It looked as if he stood in thin air, with the 
blackness once again just out of reach of his feet.  It was not like he 
was floating, for he did feel something solid underneath.  Every few 
moments, a flash of what appeared to be lightning seemed to cross from 
one point to another, but always behind the blackness.  No thunder followed
this lightning, but a sound as if glass were shattering would echo 
throughout the dark.

"Where in the name of the dragon-demon Xeen are we?"  Eldarion said to his 
friends as they all peered into the blackness.

As if in response, there were suddenly red points of light coming from the 
blackness.   As the lights came closer, it soon became apparent that the
lights were eyes filled with hatred and the power of darkness. 


___________________________

g>	They started to charge towards the group.  As the beasts ran, 
g>other figures appeared over the ridges.  Darkgaurd.

g>	Mendonal  took several steps in front of the party before he 
g>turned back upon them.  His face contorted into an evil grin.  "You 
g>cannot prevail against the Dark One's will.  I have traped you and that 
g>foolish old man isn't here to save you this time.  Goodbye foolish 
g>slugs."  He said as he threw his head back in an evil laugh that echoed 
g>across the land.

Eldarion cursed at Mendonel, which invited the attention of the elf-mage.
"You are too kind, Elessidel.  I too have something to offer you."  With
a flourish, Mendonel points to the ridge occupied by the twenty or so
Darkguard.  The Darkguard part to allow one of their number to come forth.
This Darkguard was obviously much more powerful than his brethren.  He was
covered from head to toe in a black, enameled armour.  The black knight
reached down and drew his sword from its scabbard.  The sword, black with
marbled silver, was very familiar to Eldarion.

It was also familiar to 'bush' - "Eldarion!  He has your sword!"  

Eldarion looked down to the sword in his own hands, and true enough, the
black knight also possessed one of the thirteen cursed swords of Xeen.

One of the curses placed on these thirteen swords compels the bearers to
seek each other out.  Once two bearers meet, they duel, and the winner's
sword claims the 'soul' of the vanquished, as well as all the souls in
the vanquished's sword, leaving a molten slag of a sword in its place.

Eldarion had only once before fought such a duel, winning after fighting
for nearly four hours.  The memories of the battle were not pleasant, nor
what happened afterwards, as his sword claimed its winnings.  He did not 
look forward to meeting any other bearers.  But here was one now, and a
Darkguard to boot.

Eldarion stepped forward as the black knight started walking his way.  He
pulled forth his blue glassteel dagger from his boot, and with weapons in
both hands, awaited the Darkguard Knight.
  
___________________________


Eldarion exhausted his meager arsenal of spells in the first few moments
of the battle, as he sent forcebolt after forcebolt into the oncoming dark
wolves.  It was as he thought, none of the wolves came his way, nor did any
of the other Darkguard.  This would be a duel between the dark knight and
himself.  He turned to his friends, who were already starting to engage in
battle, and yelled out over the din "No matter what, do not try to assist
me in any way in this duel!  If you try to help me, I am forfeit!"  After
seeing 'bush' nod, he whispered to Dardt, who flew to 'bush'.  He then
turned back to the approaching knight.  Seeing one of the many dark wolves
head towards his friends, Eldarion sent the last of his forcebolt spells 
deep into the flank of the wolf, whose lifeless body thudded to the ground.

Eldarion, ever the soldier, manuevered to his left, where he occupied a
slight rise in the ground.  He had to mentally take himself out of the
ensueing battle around him.  If he thought of his friends, he would lose
this duel, and the powers of darkness would claim his sword and the powers
it possessed.  

The dark knight continued marching forward until he stood just below the
Legentor Captain.   He brought up his cursed sword in a mock salute, then
started coming up the rise, swinging his sword.  Eldarion met each swing 
with one of his own, feeling his bones in his arm jar each time the black
blade struck his own.

"You are good, Elessidel!" said the dark knight as he thrust at Eldarion's
head - "But I have already claimed the power of three of the swords of 
Xeen as mine own, and soon I shall be adding yours.  You will spend eternity
in my blade, with the arch-demon of your own sword to keep you company."

Eldarion said nothing, but was busy analyzing the strengths and weaknesses
of this knight.  The knight was quite strong.  But this strength and the
black enameled armour he wore caused him a loss in dexterity.  Eldarion
soon came up with a strategy for this duel.  He would let the knight come
on, attack after attack, until the knight began to wear down.  Then he would
look for an opening.

-------------

Mendonel was truely enjoying this.  How he hated the elves of Tynntangial!
And now he would be able to watch one of the royal family die at the hands
of the minion of the Dark One.  

Mendonel was in truth, a drow, or dark elf.  His people had come to the
elven nation during a time of great famine, and was accepted as brothers.
Mendonel's mother thought it so important that he 'fit in', that she used
both spells and chemicals to lighten his gray skin, and change his hair 
from white to a very pale blond.  Mendonel looked almost albino after his 
mother was through, but he certainly did not look drow.  After spending most
of his life learning in the mage's college of Mount Kalador, he paid her a 
visit one night, and cut out her heart for her betrayal of his heritage.

Mendonel continued to watch as wolf after wolf attacked the three struggling
companions.  He then turned back to the duel, which he was really enjoying,
and decided he would lend the dark knight a hand in eliminating the Elessidel.

He raised his hand, and sent a bolt of lightning into the back of the strug-
gling Eldarion, sending him into the ground smoking.  Instead of the gratitude
he was expecting, the dark knight turned towards him and screamed.

--------------

Eldarion looked up from where he lay as the knight screamed "Nooooooooooooo!"

Eldarion smiled as he picked himself up, patting down his smoking cloak. His
sword had saved him from Mendonel's trecherous lightning bolt attack.  "It
would seem one of the covenants was broken, my friend.  Were you not advised
not to seek a duel in a pitched battle such as this?  Too much opportunity
for what just happened to occur."  As Eldarion spoke, both his sword and the
sword of the dark knight began to vibrate.  Suddenly, with an inhuman wail,
a kind of wispy smoke began to pour from the dark knights sword, into the
sword belonging to Eldarion.  The dark knight fell to his knees, screaming
as well.  Soon, the sword possessed by the black knight began to melt to the
ground, as the last of the wispy smoke left it.  The black knight just knelt
there, looking at Eldarion, with a melted slag all tht remained of his sword
of Xeen.  Suddenly, of its own volition, Eldarion's sword leaped from his
hand and thrust through the enameled plate covering the dark knight's chest.

The dark knight screamed his last as the sword drank his 'soul' or life 
force.  With a crash, the knight fell backwards, and Eldarion's sword lept
from the body into the Legentor's hand.  His sword was now the claimant of 
five of the thirteen swords of Xeen, if the dark knight had spoken true.

Eldarion moved to the lifeless body of the dark knight, and kneeling next
to it, lifted the black morian from the helmet.  He immediately wished that
he had not done this.  There, staring back at him with lifeless eyes, was
the face of his long lost uncle, Seleseri.  Brother to Eventyne and his 
own father Eldivyne.  But more importantly, the long thought dead father of
Zeph!  All those times they had spent together hunting and storytelling,
fighting mock duels <Oh Gods!>.  He had slain his own uncle.  What would he
tell Zeph?  Tears streamed down the Legentor's face.

The sounds of battle soon brought Eldarion out of his tearful remembrances,
and the Legentor carefully lowered the morian back over his uncle's face.
Eldarion stood with a blood rage, facing the now approaching Darkgauard. 

"I will claim you all!"  Eldarion screamed out, spitting out the challenge.

The Legentor Captain took his place on the rise, waiting the coming Dark-
guard.  The sword in his hands now glowed green as Eldarion allowed his blood
rage to take over, and thus also letting the cursed sword have its way.  It
was feeding time, and hell was with him.