"Dis way, Blag," the orc spoke to its leader.
     "No. I say dis vay!"  Blag emphasised his point with a swing of his
club that caught the other orc on the shoulder, knocking him to the
ground.
     "U right. Dat way."  He mumbled as he rubbed his sore shoulder.
     The orc band had been out all night, raiding the nearby farms. 
With the influx of refuges both entering and leaving Montfort, hunting
was good.
     "Twees just ova da hill."
     Blag was right for a change.  The forest haven for the day was just
over the hill.  What surprised them was the forty some warriors.  Blag
knew that was bad.  He quickly counted his troops.
     "one, to, dre, evan, ate, fordeen, ixdeen, dweny."  Blag counted. 
Unfortunatly, there were only twelve.
---ds

     The sounds of the birds singing in the trees awoke Eldarion.  He
looked around the campsite and saw that others in the group were
stirring.  He got up and walked over to the fire, following the scent of
the fresh caff the mercenary warriors had made.
     Eldarion poured himself a tin, and sat down next to the fire.  The
caff warmed him quickly.  He felt much better for having slept.  He
decided to walk down to the river and wash the grime from the last
night's adventure off.  He walked past several of Niari's warriors on
the way, nodding to them in greeting.
     At the river, he unstrapped his armour, and unstrung his leather
uniform. He tossed the leather into a near-by pool to seep, and making
sure to strap his sword to his back, dove into the river.  The water was
quite refreshing, and Eldarion felt better than he had in quite a while. =

Once he was clean, he returned to the shore, and washed off his
breastplate.  He then rinsed his leathers and put them back on, followed
by the armour.  It was as he was strapping his breastplate back on that
he heard the shouts of battle coming from the campsite.  "What
now?!...." he said aloud, as he ran back towards the camp with his sword
drawn.
---je
     The sounds of the night slowly gave way to the sounds of day, as
the dawn creatures passed messages from the night dwellers to the light
dwellers.  Then, there was a warning given by the animals in the
direction of Montfort.  Moving to the edge of the camp, Walks sniffed
the air carefully to verify the mesage.
     Looking about, he saw that the old one was awake.  "Gar-i-son.  We
must go.  Evil comes from city."
---dw
     Garrison felt out to the coming day.  He felt nothing but trusted
the words of Walks and the animals' smell of fear.
     Garrison stood in the middle of the group and spoke. 
     "Awaken.  Danger is at hand.  We must leave this place."
     The words filled the ears and minds of all (including the small
army nearby).  Everyone woke quickly. 
     "What's going on."  Zeph asked as the others started to quickly
break camp.
     "Evil approaches," was all that Garrison said as he stood at the
edge of camp with Walks-on-Two-Legs at his side, "looking" back towards
Montford.
---mwf
     Niari had awoken at the first touch of evil presence.  The feeling
was strong.  It was either a very large creature or many smaller ones. 
She looked up at the dawning sky.  Beautiful.  There was always
something symbolically defying evil in the world...
     She crawled over to Essaut, resting against a tree.  He turned as
she appraoched.  It was impossible to sneak up on the man.  His eyes
were half-open but she knew the Plainsman was wide awake.  Niari
whispered to him of her suspicions.  The warrior nodded and was about to
call his brothers to arms when Garrison warned the camp.  They both
noticed that Garrison was impressed at the speed with which the
mercenaries were ready.  Now the only question was what to do.
     Niari walked over to the main group of adventurers, who were apart
from the Plainsmen.  They were quickly breaking camp and some wore masks
of anxiety.  Therion was rather quiet.
     Niari moved to his side and then spoke to no one in particular,
"What is our position now?  Stand and fight or find refuge to plan our
attack on our own terms?  I think whatever is coming is not more than a
few miles away and is moving quickly.  We may have but twenty minutes to
prepare if we choose to stay..."
---k
     Zeph became alarmed at the activity that surrounded her.  Her
esteem sunk as she wondered if she would ever be able to elude trouble.
Snapping out of her trance of self pity, she did as the Plainsmen,
taking care not to get in their way. An impression had sunk in the
moment she had taken the time to observe them. They were a force that
was capable of almost any feat.
     The Plainspeople quickly spotted the orcs, who tried to hide in the
light brush.
---ds
     Essaut actually laughed (sardonically) when the Orcs appeared on
the hill ridge.  They simply stood there for a minute as one, possibly a
leader, counted the plainspeople and then it's own numbers.  Essaut knew
this because he saw the creature using his fingers and toes in the
process.  The warrior turned to Niari, who he knew was feeling the Orcs
in a different way than he was, and asked, "How many?"
     "Twelve," she responded.  Niari jumped quickly and assessed her
equipment. She was completely armored around her torso, thighs and
shins.  Quickly, she returned to her camp site and donned her pauldrons
and forearm guards as well as her rear leg guards.  Orcs were notorious
for attacking from the rear.  Many of the n'Sete already had their bows
nocked and ready for any attack.  If the Orcs rushed them, it would be a
very quick battle...
     Several party members were milling about, wondering if they should
attack or stand their ground.  When they saw the Plainsmen armed and
ready, they knew the Orcs would never get past the barrage of arrows.
There seemed to be a stalemate.
---k
     Vengar began to stir.  Therion instantly went to his side.  The
fighter lurched, and muttered something incoherent.
     "It's all right, Vengar," soothed the Baron.  "It's all right."
     "Mmm...mm!  Orcs!"  Vengar was thrashing now, and began groping for
his sword which Therion had thoughfully removed before the journey.
     "Leave them to us, Vengar!  There are not many!"  Therion was
struggling to keep the fighter down.  It was clear that Vengar was
intending to fight despite his condition.
     After several minutes of struggling, Therion finally had had
enough.  It was too dangerous to let this man continue to risk the
group, for the orcs appeared to think that they had not been spotted. 
His face instantly tightened and relaxed, and Vengar stopped struggling. =

He was asleep now.  Very deeply.  Therion hoped that he was not so weak
as to succomb to the poison while in slumber, but it seemed the only
course of action available.
---m
     Walks-On-Two-Legs also spotted the orcs.  Now these were opponents
he knew how to deal with.  He growled and the fur rose on the back of
his neck.  "Old One, shall I strike?"
     Somehow Garrison knew that if he let the giant weasel loose, that
many orcs would lose their throats this morning....
---dw
     "Hold one moment."  Garrison said as he knelt down and placed his
hands on the ground.
     He =F4felt=F6 out to the orcs, through the earth.  What he felt
bothered him greatly.  The blood.  The death.  The pain.  The
destruction.  Many people died at the hands of these beings.  He could
even feel that they still carried parts of there victims with them yet,
for food.
     Garrison picked up his hands from the ground and tears came to his
eyes.  "I cannot let these vile creatures escape to destroy again." 
With that he signaled Walks-On-Two-Legs.
     As Walks-On-Two-Legs scurried off to end the orc menace, Garrison
raised his hands up in the air.  The almost seemed to glow.  He then
thrust them into the earth.
     "Dey not com.  Dey not ce us," Blag spoke.  Blag knew his little
band could easily destroy the forty some plainsmen.  (Even if he knew he
couldn't, he wouldn't admit it.)
     "Dey travel on.  Ce?  Dey brake up kamp."  Blag used this ecxuse
not to attack since they had a long night and he was tired (and lazy).
     "We wate er til dey leeve."
     Unfortunatly, they didn't have a chance to wait that long.  As
Garrison's hands entered the earth, the ground around the orcs suddenly
busrt up from under them, scattering them in all directions.  A moment
later, Walks-On-Two-Legs dove into the chaos.  He had faught these two-
legged smelly ones before.  He knew that thier necks were soft.
---mwf
     In an effort to achieve a bird=C6s eye view of the mystery that
stirred the camp, Zeph climbed a nearby tree and perched herself upon
its most elevated branch.  There, several yards away, behind a small
crest, a small band of filthy orcs had gathered.  Crouched clumsily in a
horde of ugliness, they muttered amongst themselves all the while
assuming they had not been detected.  They were stupid beasts. Surely
the actions of those at the campsite would ring some kind of alarm. 
Perhaps they thought the Plainsmen were simply preparing to leave.
     Suddenly the ground erupted beneath the spies and all hell fell
upon them in the form of a giant weasel.  Out of nowhere came Walks,
claws tearing into soft fat flesh.  Within seconds he was covered with
blood and gore.  The pigs squealed in panic.  Amongst the chaos, some of
the fools turned onto one another, hacking and gouging out bacon with
the tips of their spears and swords.  Others simply dropped their
weapons and fled in all directions.  Zeph watched, a smirk on her face
as a panicked orc ran head long into her cousin, Eldarion.  He drew his
weapon and forced it through the orc before it had a chance to scream. 
Turning her attentions away, she watched as one by one the fleeing orcs
were picked off.  All that remained was one.  He cowered beneath his
shield.  Zeph then noticed an outraged Garrison march towards the lone
survivor.  She trembled in her perch.  She had never seen such anger
encompass her venerable friend before.
     "Who are you!" demanded Garrison.
     The turtled creature peered from his shade. "B..B-Blag..."
---ds
     To say that Garrison was angered was like saying Dragon fire was
warm.  There had been too many innocents killed.  Too much blood wasted. =

Too many lives ruined.  And before, Garrison was one of the causes.
     Garrison held his arm out and slowly made a fist.  The air around
Blag began to squeze in on him.  Garrison's arm began to strain and
shake as he raised it up.  Blag was slowly lifted a foot off the ground,
suspended by some an invisible force that was slowly crushing the life
out of him.
     "This has gone on too long.  You shall cause no more harm."
     Zeph looked at Garrison, fear in her eyes.  She had never seen her
calm and wise friend so angry.  Meekly she called out his name. 
"Garrison..."
     Garrison heard the child's voice and something inside of him
snapped.  Both Garrison and Blag fell to the ground.  Blag was still
breathing.  Garrison lay in a ball, shuddering.  It took a moment as
Zeph slowly approached.  He was crying.
     "I'm no better than he.  I was going to murder him in cold blood. 
What have I become?" he whispered to himself as Zeph put her arm around
him and whispered softly into his ear.  "It's alright.  Everything is
alright."
---mwf
     As hard as she tried to comfort her old friend, he remained rather
catatonic.  Soon 'bush' and Walks, who was painted in blood and gore,
were at their side.  They wept for Garrison.
     Silence enveloped as the Plainsmen simply surrounded the scene and
gawked unknowingly.  Nearby, Blag shuddered and writhed in pain. 
Popping her head up, Zeph looked around and noticed the surrounding
group staring at the spectacle.  Fury became contagious.  The tears
evaporated and she barked as if a general, "What are you all staring
at!"  Then pointing a contemptuous finger at Blag she said, "Will
someone take this piece of trash away for questioning?"
---ds
     A few Plainsmen raised eyebrows at Zeph's outburst.  Essaut moved
to Niari's side and asked, "What do we do with the Orc?"
     Niari turned and noticed that several of the Plainsmen had indeed
come up over the ridge to gaze upon the carnage inflicted by Walks and
Garrison.  She made a quick hand gesture to them to find the stragglers. =

Eight plainsmen rushed of in separate directions with bloodlust in their
eyes.  Then, she motioned to Essaut and they both took the shivering
Blag away.
     As they were leaving the scene, the Kioshu warrior could not resist
her training.  She hesitated on the crest of the ridge and pulled some
energy from the earth, the oldest and deepest of forces.  She sent the
currents through the ground towards Garrison, who's body suddenly
relaxed a little.  His face, damp with his own tears, became less pain-
ridden.  He looked up at Zeph, who still cried for him, and took her
hand...
     Niari smiled and continued down the hill.  Garrison would never
know why a sudden sense of calm had washed through his body, or why he
had suddenly felt like he had slept for a week.  Perhaps this new
serenity would help him to deal with the conflict that obviously wracked
his conscience.  Niari offered a silent prayer to Neigyen of the Hunt
and hoped that the man would find his peace.
     They took Blag down to the river and bound him to a tree.  This
sort of thing was both Niari's strong point and the thing she hated
most.  The Orc still quivered from Garrison's power and had trouble
focusing on his captors.  A quick slap in the face from Essaut brought
him around.
     "Orc!  You are going to die," sneered Essaut, not a man fond of the
Orcish race.  Blag's response was simply to stare back at Essaut in
confusion.  Niari, loathing the touch of this beast, took the creature
by the shoulders and fixed her silvery eyes upon his reddish ones.
     "I think you should start talking, Orc."  Her voice was low and
soft.  Blag simply began to babble incoherently.  Another slap was
necessary to shut him up.  Essaut drew his obsidian blade.  The black
sword both reflected the light coming off the water and directly from
the blazing sun positioned high overhead.  The flashing brilliance
dazzled the Orc, blinding him temporarily.  All he heard was Niari's
voice melding with the moving water.  "Tell everything you know, Orc."
     "Me was born at very young age..." Blag began, entranced by the
sound of her voice and the light of the ebon blade, to which he got
another slap.
     "About the Evil one!" shouted Essaut, who was loosing patience. 
Blag then got the idea and began to talk in earnest, in between short
spurts of begging for his life and snorting at the disgustingly clean
smell of his human captors.
---k
     Blag started to babble about some orc named named Dargum. 
Apperently he was a cleric of thier tribe.  The Plainsmen soon realized
that he had no idea who the Dark One was.  His raiding party of orcs was
just caught at the wrong place at the wrong time.
---mwf
     Once Blag had told everything he knew, he was killed quickly and
buried deep.  Niari and Essaut returned to camp to report to Therion and
the others what they had discovered...
---k
     As the plainspeople interrogated the surviving Orc, Walks-On-Two-
Legs slipped silently through the trees to the waterside.  Moving a
little ways downstream, the giant weasel removed his backpack and amulet
and concealed them in the vegatation.
     Slipping into the cool, refreshing water, he let the river cleanse
his fur of the stinking orc blood.  For a while, he merely lay in the
water, enjoying the caress of Mother Sun and Sister River.  Then, his
stomach rumbled and he swam along the river, catching fish and eating
them.  He was careful to take neither more than he needed, nor more than
the river's population could stand.
     Finally, he emerged from the water.  After shaking the water from
his fur, he retrieved his backpack and amulet.  Returning to camp, he
looked about.  "We go now?"
---dw
     As Blag had been questioned, Therion had entered the orc's mind and
searched about.  In truth, the creature didn't know much.  There were
the usual brutalities, of course, but nothing of any great
interest...until he came upon a hidden part of the orc's mind.
     Now a curious thing about orcs is that they generally don't know
how to be ashamed...whatever they do, they're perfectly satisfied with. 
No internal reflection, or faculty of conscience at all.  This orc,
however, was hiding something that it considered too nasty to think
about.  Grimacing to himself, Therion sought answers, and came across a
sickening truth.  He withdrew, shaken by what he had seen; it seemed the
war with the Church was more than a matter of life and death.  It was a
battle for the soul itself...
     Noticing Zeph, Therion motioned her over, and asked quietly, "Did
you ever notice Soros or any of his friends reading books with an
unusual, smooth leather covering?  Perhaps with the word 'Morte' or
'Necromancy' in the titles?  And, did you ever hear him say anything
about elves in particular?"
---d
     She took the time to consider his question carefully.  With a spark
of light, Zeph declared, "Yes, yes...While you were away, Soros had
caught me meddling and threw me into a cell."  Her face scrunched,
recalling the unpleasantries of the past.  "Fortunately I found my way
out and into a dark and strange room. As a matter of fact it is there
that I found the scroll we still hold to this day."  That said she
looked at Garrison, the guardian of said parchment then continued with
her story.  "Anyways, before I got myself away I stumbled through the
dark and in fact came across several books that were strewed across a
desk that match your description.  Unfortunately I could not read for
the dark."  Truth be known, the girl's mis-spent youth did not afford
her many scholastic talents.  "As for elves," she continued to say, "I
have only heard  Soros speak of the race in disrepute."  As a matter of
fact, Soros was quite a racist when it came to any breed outside of his
own kind.  He had made it a point to persecute Zeph at every opportunity
once Therion had left the manor in his care.  Her mixed blood made him
all the more haughty.
     Again her mind drifted back to the days she worked as a chamber
maid in the house of the very Baron she now stood before.  Shame
enveloped her being.  Initially she had joined Therion's staff to
plunder his home whilst he slept, but lost the desire under the
influence of his kindness and charm.  A slight blush washed across her
soft face.
---ds
     At Elana's questioning look, Therion replied, "I only thought I had
feared the worst.  I was wrong...this is not a battle for mere power,
land, and money.  That orc...Blag...has been out hunting.  The Church of
the Redeemer is engaged in dark necromancy, if his memories are to be
believed...they suck the life force from their enslaved peoples.  The
worshippers are like cattle, to be slaughtered to satisfy the appetites
of the masters."
---d
     A chill came over Zeph. Wicked.
---ds
     Therion paused, and added, "Yet worse, I fear Soros may be involved
as well...and seeking one with elven blood to sacrifice to his ambition. =

I know nothing of that vile art;  Eldarion, have you any lore that would
suggest why Soros would need an elf, specifically?"
     He added, "If it is possible, I would see my people freed of this
scourge, for as a dog cannot forget the killing of sheep, once a people
has tasted the fruits of Necromancy, it can take generations to erase
the stain.  We must move, and soon, lest the souls of our people become
forfeit to unspeakable appetites....
---d
    "Yes," agreed Zeph in thought. Her feet were getting rather itchy
and an excellent cure was to hit the road.
---ds
     The giant weasel was visibily anxious as he waited for his
companions to prepare to move on.  He listened as the elves Therion and
Eldarion discuss the evil ones.  Though his mastery of speaking their
language was weak despite his amulet, his understanding was nearly
flawless - he only had difficult with some of it's alien concepts.  Like
this word 'Necromancy' - from context he thought they referred to the
drawing of life from the living to perform dark magic, but how was that
possible?  All life belonged to the cycle.  Creatures borrowed life
energy from the cycle while they walked and returned it when they died. 
What would happen to the cycle if that energy did not return?
     If only the Warden would speak with him.  Since he would not, Walks
moved to Garrison's side.  "Eyeless One, I do not understand this Nec-
ro-man-cy?"
---dw
     Garrison felt better after his emotional outpour.  That is until
Walks-on-Two-Legs asked about the greatest perversion of nature
possible....Necromancy.
     A bitter taste came to the old mans mouth as he spoke. "Of course
you wouldn't understand.  You are still innocent to many of mans evils." =

He paused before continuing.  "It is a perversion of the circle of life. =

It takes the energy that has left the dead, to return to the earth and
forces it back into the corpes."
---mwf
     "That is wrong," was the only reply the giant weasel could make.
---dw
     Garrison could feel the shock and confusion coming from Walks.  "It
is good that you haven't encountered it before.  Hopefully, you will
never have to feel that atrocity."
---mwf
     Walks was confused about how anyone could do such a thing, but
understood Garrison's explanation.  He was also begining to understand
why he was sent to aid these men.  He was unique amoung his animal
brothers in that he could understand and in that understanding better
fight the threat.
     Walks-On-Two-Legs walked away from Garrison in silence.  He moved
slowly, but walked in the direction the group seemed indicate they were
to head.  He had much to think about.
---dw
        The plainsmen watched all around the copse of trees.  Zeph kept
her eyes on Therion.  Eldarion looked as though he needed sleep. 
Flanner looked as though he had no conception of what had just happened. =

Garrison told Walks-on-Two-Legs the horrors of necromancy.  No one saw
the tall (for a halfling), green halfling come into the camp.  'bush'
had heard of necromancy from a teacher long ago.  They waited till
Garrison finished explaining it to Walks.  "Old One, we are back, and
would like to talk, when there is time.  But, what is this about
necromancy?  Do the horrors of the Dark One never end?"
---jen
     "No, my friend.  The horrors never end."  Garrison says in a very
somber voice.
     "I feel a heavy wieght on your hearts.  I would be gald to help
lift some of it from you.  Let us talk as we travel under the refreshing
sunlight."  Garrison says as he lightly places his hand on 'bush's'
shoulder.  "Perhaps you can help lighten my load also."
---mwf
     "Walk with us, a ways from the others."  'bush' began to wander
towards a sapling that sat apart from the other trees on a small rise. 
"When we first walked in the forest of Tynntangail, we entirly forgot
about
everything else.  Eldarion, you, Zeph, the evils of Soros, even the Dark
On vanished to give way to the trees.  The tres wee magnificent!  Never
have such trees existed elsewhere.  Their grace, their strength, their
variety!  Indeed, the variety was probally the most amazing of all
things about them.  We felt as though we could have walked amoung them
forever, and we did walk for many days through that forest.  We passed
through forests of sycamores, elms, birchs, maples, we could go on list
them for a hundred years.  But especially the oaks.  Types of oaks even
we had never seen before! 
     "As we journeyed north, we began to notice other things about this
forest.  The tempature varied litle.  In thruth, we were amazed at how
little the weather changed, and how tinely the rain was.  As in most old
forests, the under-growth was sparse.  Most of it was in decay, though
we never saw a tree in decay, or even fallen at all.  The animals were
unique, too.  At first they lived as normal birds and mammals, but
farther out, everything lived on the ground, birds included.  We wanted
to talk to some of the elven rangers about this, but they were obviously
scouting, so we passed them by invisibly.
     "Eventually the trees grew less grand.  We blamed this on the
influence of the Dark One.  The undergrowth didn't change, so I assumed
that his evil had marred only the trees,  the pride of the forest.  The
air blew chill one morning.  This change threw us off balance, wondering
what it meant.  And we tripped.
     "Immediatly we asked the tree, a white oak, why it had not alerted
me.  But it wouldn't speak to us!  It could if it wanted to, we know
that now, it simply wouldn't!  Slowly we realized that none of the trees
had spoken to us, only the under-growth had.  We grew very angry.  Then,
suddenly, a cold, hard rain began.  We suspected that the trees were at
fault, but we were wrong.
     "The elf we spoke to in the rain was old, looked older than even
you Old One.  He said that he had started this forest after the fall of
the Dark One, one thousand years ago.  A few strengthened seeds he said,
and then mantnence.  The seeds grew quickly, and the section where we
stood was the fifteenth generation.  He said there was nothing to fear,
nothing to worry about.  The coming war would decimate the forest, and
the cycle would start again.
     "We knew that the druid hadn't lied, and his words reminded us of
our purpose.  We began the long  run back to the capital.
     "As we ran we saw the trees for what they were, tyranical masters
in an order that Sharionas had never intended.  The trees controlled the
weather, the animals, the other plants, even the soil.  They spoke to no
one, for they were the masters of their world.  And it was all the fault
of the druid who had tried to control nature, instead of simply guiding. =

He upset the balance.  To our thinking, as bad or worse than necromancy.
     "It was a lesson Old One, and one we dailed to learn.  When we took
those shambling mounds, we tried to control  nature, and we failed, as
do all.  Much life was lost because of it, plant life of one of the
highest orders.  We failed Nature, and yet  Sharionas did not strike us
down.  For this reason alone we will continue in the quest."
---jen
     Garrison paused while listening to 'bush's' story.  He was
disturbed by what the Warden had to say.  Garrison remembered when the
forest he spoke of was just grassland.  He had helped start the magical
growth of the forest.  However, it wasn't the twisting of nature that
'bush' had descibed.  Back then it was a guiding of nature.  Apparently,
Garrison's lesson have been forgot by those who now tend the forest.
     As 'bush'  finished, Garrison spoke.  "Most things that men try to
control have unexpected side-effects.  When one of your predecessors and
I started that forest, things were diffrent.  Time hanges many things."
     =F4I know of how you gain your power. You could not have the mounds
come to life if they or Sharionas didn't wish to.  They saw the need. 
It was the need to serve a higher good, even at the expense of thier own
lives, that gave the creatures thier life.  You are not to blame.  The
cost may seem steep, but look at what is to be gained...and lost if we
fail.  Take heart in the fact that you are a friend of the plants and a
follower of Sharionas.  Do what you know is right and you will not
falter."
---mwf
     'bush' sighed.  "We know you are right Old One.  We are not
perfect, but it has been shown to us that Sharionas keeps tract of the
actions of those who follow Nature, and use it in The Name.  It's just
so hard to know what is right all of the time!  But we know what is
definitly wrong.  We suppose all that can be done is fight that which
tries to counter Nature."
---jen

     As Garrison, Niari, Zeph and the others dealt handily with the Orcs
(Therion came close to regretting he had never learned some of the
flashier magic), he let his mind travel to Chadwick.  What he saw both
saddened and repulsed him, the mental aura of the place having taken on
a sickly glow of hate and fear.  He cautiously probed the minds of a few
of the folk, and soon realized that Soros had left with numerous troops
for the innocent town of St. Varalan=C6s.  Traveling there with the speed=

of thought, he witnessed the atrocities committed by Soros and his
troops, along with Gurlith's triumphant entrance.
     Breaking his silence, Therion related the situation to Niari and
the others, and added, "I'm not sure what chance we have against such
odds...yet, Soros has left few troops in Chadwick itself.  I wonder if
we should simply avoid him, while taking back the city itself....with a
short time, I believe I could rally the people away from Soros the foul. =

(Therion couldn't resist giving Soros a title...though it probably
wasn't the one he had aspired to!)
---d
     Niari nodded.  "From what you've told us, I think it would be best
to avoid Soros.  He awaits us at Valaran's.  Fine.  He knows it may take
as many as three days for us to reach them.  If we can get around him
without him knowing, his plan will be thrown off completely.  Even if he
gets anxious when we don't appear, we'll already be on the near side of
Chadwick and beat him to the gates.  Then, he will have to come to us as
an invader and an outlaw.  I trust that Lord Therion can convince his
people of the evils being committed while he was away."  She glanced at
Therion who nodded slowly before continuing.  "I estimate the entire
journey to take about a week." 
     She smiled, hoping that Lorendil had caught the hint.  She would go
through another portal if she had to but couldn't vouch for her survival
over such a great distance.  She definitely would need time to recover
considering what the last small jump had done to her.
---k
     Lorendil seemed distracted.  In fact, he was deeply troubled.  All
the talk about necromancy was hitting a little too close to home.  Fear
gripped his heart, but he showed no outward sign of it.  His mind was
racing.  It could be said that he was an expert on the subject, but not
from study.  And while he desperately wanted to help these people defeat
the Dark One and his minions, just how much about the undead should he
reveal without...?  Banish the thought!
     He blinked twice and noticed Niari smiling at him.  Behind the
smile, deep within her penetrating eyes, she seemed to be asking, "Is
anything wrong?"  Was this genuine concern on her part?
     Lorendil shook his head to clear the cobwebs and return to the
present.  It had been a distressing past few days!  In answer, he said,
"Of course I can have us to Chadwick in an instant.  But I must warn
you...Each time I use my magic, I fear that we will be detected.  This
is why I have not played a major role thus far.  I do not wish to draw
any unnecessary attention from the D...from Proctor John to us until the
time is right.  So I leave this to you:  I can easily do as you wish and
open a portal to Chadwick.  But is doing so worth the risk that it might
bring recognition of you to some very powerful enemies?"  Lorendil
looked heavily at each of the gathered party members around him, adding
weight that this was not a decision to be made lightly or without
forethought.
---m
     As Therion's eye had seen, the city and people he loved and ruled
had changed.  Changed as did many of the cities within King Duart's
domain.  Life's pleasant course had somehow taken an askewed path.  The
stars no longer seamed to shine with an inspiring lustre.  The blue hues
of a warm summer sky were now lost behind bloated grey-black blemishes. 
Crops and flowers withered under a dull ceiling.  Lifeless foliage lay
sparse at best, depicting a premature autumn.  Furthermore, Soros and
his like did not serve to remedy the new disease that now seemed to
plague the land.  Rather, they augmented it.
     His vision foretold him that the church had touched his home as it
did Montfort.  Soros's legacy would not be the only problem to face upon
his return.  That is, if he ever made it home...
---ds
     Zeph looked anxiously at the others. There was still the matter of
Vengar's illness.  But with the Orc raiding party destroyed, Garrison's
strength returned and Walks's apparent motivation to move on, she saw no
other alternative.  After all, they were hunted people and they had a
mission to accomplish.
     Admiring Therion from afar (she was happy to see him alive and
well, even though he hardly knew she existed - to say she carried a
small torch for the Baron would be to say Mount St. Helen=C6s was a
hiccup) she waited for the adults to discuss plans and contemplate
action.
---ds

     Eldarion returned to camp and found everything well in hand.  He
found his companions speaking together in a circle, and soon joined
them.  "It would seem I missed something here."  He said, gesturing at
the bodies of the slain orcs.
     "We were discussing our next moves"  Therion said to him.
     "Actually, I was thinking about that last night.  I was considering
sending Dardt back to Tynntangial with a note requesting some assistance
from the royal army, but now I think it would be better if I went
personally.  Elana says that Commander Acton of the First Heavy
Legentors is awaiting her return at one of our gates in the forest south
of Daventry.  I am going back to request his help.  I think we've
reached a point in time when the elven army should do something to help
a friend," he said, nodding to Therion.
     "It will take me a couple of days to reach the site of the gate on
this side of the ocean.  Unless someone knows a way I can get back
quicker..."
---je

     Breen Acton walked away from the portal he had stared into so many
times over the past week.  It was through that very portal that the Lady
Elana Elessidel had passed, seeking her brother Eldarion.  He did not
know if the daughter of the Lordholder Elessidel was successful or not. 
He did know that he was tired of having his regiment tied up to this
spot on her orders.  The last of the darkling creatures had been slain
around the same time she had left, and still the First Heavies stood
guard here.
     He had already received replacements for the soldiers he had lost
in that battle, and now he was back to full strength.  The griffons of
the regiment were also beginning to act antsy.  With preparations of war
underway in the north, he was sure his regiment could be put to better
use elsewhere.
     He watched as his regiment went through their morning drills.  He
would give it two more days.  If he did not hear from the Lady by then,
he would return to Daventry with the bulk of the regiment and report her
missing.  This was already feared, and a lance of Sanjentor scouts had
already been sent through to find out what they could.  None had
returned as yet.
     Two days, then he would return the First Heavies to Daventry.  He
would leave a company behind to watch the gate, but the rest of the
regiment would soon see action.
---je

     Lorendil had known that the time would come where he would have to
throw caution to the wind and join the battle against the Dark One
openly.  From what Eldarion was saying, it was appearing that that time
had come.  With the mention of military reinforcements (and powerful
ones at that), Lorendil was less concerned that the fight against the
Dark One would be lost before the forces of Good had a chance to rally
to the cause.  Besides, it was entirely possible that the battle would
be lost if he withheld critical aid at a critical time.
     He sighed heavily, and then began to speak.  "My friends.  While we
have known each other for but a few days, the events of those days would
fill the lifetimes of many people.  In that time, I have come to know
you well, and you all seem to me to be of good character.  It is because
of this, and because of the impending crisis that the Dark One presents
to us all, that I must tell you something of myself."
     While Therion and Niari listend on, Eldarion, Elana, Zeph,
Garrison, Flanner, and Walks all stared at the man in surprise.  It was
the first time he had mentioned the Dark One, and he did so with an air
of knowledge in his voice.
     "I am more than the noble mage who stands before you.  My ability
with the magica arcana is great."  Gesturing to the blind old man,
Lorendil continued, saying, "You might say that friend Garrison and I
are cut from the same cloth, but there is much more than that. 
My...magic..." and everyone noticed that Lorendil had trouble saying
that particular word, "has allowed me to defeat the effects of time.  I
have not aged in, well, centuries."  There were gasps from all.  "I have
a vested interest in seeing that the Dark One does not succeed in his
attempts to conquer Ifreann.  You see, I helped defeat him the last
time."
---m
     "So that was you?"  Garrison says to himself, more than to anyone
else.  "No wonder you felt so familiar."
---mwf
     The truth was out.  Well, part of it, anyway.  But the surprise and
shock on everyone's faces clearly indicated that it was enough for one
night.  The rest would have to come later.
     When the sudden impact of his revelation had subsided, Lorendil
continued.  "So then, in answer to your query to a faster way to the
portal back to Tynntangial, I suggest that I offer you my services. 
Following such, shall we prepare for a quick trip to the Barony of
Chadwick?"  Lorendil cast a smile towards Therion.
---m
     Eldarion followed his gaze and nodded.  "Indeed!  Time is of the
essence.  I am ready whenever you are."  Eldarion assumed Lorendil was
speaking of using the same portal ability which had brought them here.
---je
     Afterwards, Lorendil stepped aside to Niari.  He said quietly to
her, "I am truly sorry that my magic has such ill effects on you.  Is
there any way that I can lessen the impact?"  She could tell that
Lorendil felt much worse about the impact than his words led on to, and
also that there was a deeper sadness that he had not referenced while
addressing the group.  The pleasant smile on the man's face was belying
a deeper wound.
---m
     Niari could feel the wrongness in Lorendil.  This was a man in
pain.  She did not know why and she would not ask.  The information he
had just revealed must have warmed his memory to some long-past images
of his battle with the Dark One.  Though she was still suffering from
the effects of the portal, he looked much worse off than she...
     "My Lord Lorendil, perhaps we could help each other.  May I speak
privately with you?"  She gestured for him to walk with her towards the
river, all the while thinking how much his story made sense.  She had
felt the power in him when they had first locked eyes in the Dragon's
Inn.  Now she knew could fit a large piece into that puzzle.
---k
     "Of course, my lady," was Lorendil's reply.  He was grateful for a
chance to spend some time with Niari.  For whatever strange reason that
he could not fathom, her presence put him at ease.  They slowly strolled
towards the river side.
---m
     "My Lord, I will be brief.  I truly believe that you have never had
contact with one of the Elite of Kioshu, as am I.  We have deep ties to
the earth and each step over it connects us like a spider to her web.  I
was loathe to travel in your portal and my fears were brought to light
by the happening.  I do not think I would survive the long "jump" to
Chadwick. I believe it would physically tear me apart"  She hesitated,
seeing the concern in Lorendil's eyes.  Of course, it would not do to
kill the help that he had hired for Baron Therion.
---k
     Lorendil politely said nothing, contemplating the words she had
spoken.  He was thinking of possibilities that may allow Niari to move
quickly while not losing contact with the earth-force that she seemed to
draw upon.  He would need more information about this "Kioshu" power of
hers.
---m
     "I know of no way to change this, as it is all so new to me." 
There was a look of extreme uncomfort on her warrior features.  She was
obviously not used to being put in such a position of helplessness.
---k
     Lorendil was uneased by this.  He did not like seeing Niari in an
uncomfortable position.  If there was anything he could do to change it,
he promised himself that he would.
---m
     "If you can find a way to portal me safely, I can, perhaps, help
you defeat the Dark One...if you have the ability.  I will try to show
you the path of the Elite.  I can make no promises but I do believe that
the Dark One would be unpleasantly surprised if it worked."
     She stopped.  From where they were, they could see the river bank. 
The water sparkled like a rush of diamonds.  Niari gazed at Lorendil
through thick, black lashes and awaited his answer...
---k
     "Indeed."  Lorendil was still in thought.  He then turned to face
the warrior.  Again he was transfixed by her eyes.  They seemed to
sparkle like the light on the river.  There was something about the
picture before the man, the way the light from the setting sun was
dancing upon the waters of the river, the way Niari's eyes seemed to
hold him in their grasp.  For a moment, he was reminded of a much
happier time in his life.  A time that he shared with his beloved
Elorolin.  A time before the Dark One. 
     Snapping from his momentary trance, Lorendil found his voice and
said, "Niari.  I know not, as you correctly stated, of your Kioshu
powers, nor how they interact with the forces of nature and the forces
of magic.  I do not intend, nor have I ever, to deprive you of whatever
power base you need.  In fact, I have every intention of finding an
acceptable alternative to the mode of transport that I used to bring you
here, if at all possible.
     "To this end, I have been speculating about one possibility.  You
seem to need to maintain some sort of contact with the ground itself, is
this correct?  Perhaps rather than transporting you through the realms
of magic, I could set up a means by which you could pass through the
realm of the earth itself, never losing contact with it during the
travel.  The one negative side-effect that I can see (without further
insight into, shall I say, Kioshu magic) would be that it would be my
magic, the kind that is so disagreeable with you, that would be guiding
you there.  Are there any possibilities that you have thought of?"
---m
     The mage's eyes surveyed the figure of Niari, deep in thought; her
face tight; her jaw clenched; her slender, strong fingers protruded from
the carpal sheath to rest upon the layered metal of her armor-protected
hip.  He realized he had never seen her wear anything but cold armor. 
So distant and always the loyal soldier.  He had only seen her smile
once or twice.  She had a beautiful smile.  Did she even know she was
beautiful?  Her eyes were such an unusual silver-grey.  The contrast
with her dark hair and tanned skin was so striking.  She always wore her
hair pulled back but often stray strands would work their way free of
the leather thong.  She must be so different when her hair was down. 
Lorendil slowly let out a breath that he had been unconsciously holding
for several seconds...
---k
     The scene brought back some memories of Elorolin that Lorendil had
not remembered in centuries.  It was similar, too similar, to the
frequent outings that he and his beloved would take...before the Dark
One, that is.  Lorendil vowed that he would not let the Dark One take
Niari as he had Elorolin so many many years ago.
---m
     Niari raised her eyes from their resting place on the riverbed and
looked at her companion. "I think there might be a way," she said
slowly.  She turned and stared out over the river that danced by them,
it's currents pulling the tiny rapids over rocks and sand.  Her hand
moved out over the water and through the air like a bird.
     "If you could transport me without moving me..." she sighed, trying
to make the words fit her thoughts.  "I must admit I know little of your
Magic."  Her hands now rested by her sides.  She seemed so out of her
element.  "I must stay in contact with not just the earth but the place. =

Each step I take is a new introduction and my body automatically adjusts
to each new encounter.  If you could fold space, perhaps make the leap
into many very short leaps...like walking very fast?  Does this make any
sense?"
---k
     Lorendil said quietly, clearly his mind being deep in thought, "Ah,
yes!  Of course!"
---m
     Lorendil seemed to be getting the idea so she continued, "It may
take longer than an actual portal would but it may have the same effect
and I could be still in contact with the natural world.  Do you think
it's possible?"  Her face held hope.  She would risk her own life if
necessary to follow her employer and fight the Dark One.
--k
     "I believe that I understand what you face.  You are in synchrony
with the very place on which you stand.  The sudden teleportation to
another, different, place, disrupts that synchrony, and during this
period of disruption, you feel ill.  The greater the distance, the
greater the disruption, and the longer it takes to regain that
synchrony.  Is this correct?"
---m
     Niari nodded, "I am in synchony, as you say, with the place itself. =

The land, the water, the people, the plants, the air..."  she spread her
arms wide, "I am aware of everything around me.  The portal took me from
a place my body knew, and instantly changed my environment with no
warning!  It is like asking a fish to suddenly breathe air!"  She
sighed.  Her silver eyes darkened to slate grey in trepidation.  Did he
know a way?
---k
     Lorendil raised his index finger to his mouth in a gesture of
thought.  Finally, "There are certain rythms in the power of the
earth...rythms that you, as a Kioshu, are apparently highly sensitive
to.  Perhaps even you draw some power from it?  I have heard of some
mages who draw from this source as well (the great Druidicus Magus comes
to mind), but most draw from the Magica Arcana (it being generally
easier to learn and to command than the former).
     "The problem with the portal was that I had not made any effort to
insure that the earth rythms at the destination were the same as those
at the point of origin.  I think that if the sites are chosen carefully,
then the rythms can be...aligned, with the effect of minimizing if not
elimintating any distortions that you would feel.  Such sites will be
hard to find, and it may be a round-about path to get to our final
destination, but I think it will be well worth the effort."
---m
     "But my Lord Lorendil," Niari interrupted.  "It is more than just
the rhythms!  It is the place and it's ever-changing Present".  The
warrior bent down and edged close to the river.  She put her hand in the
water and looked up at her companion.  There was an odd look on his
face.
     "Do you see the current, my Lord?" she asked.  Tiny swirls and
eddies twisted through the water and over rocks on it's way.  Water had
formed a shelf at her hand and was angrily pushing around her fingers
like a child running for home.
     "This is what I feel moving through me at all times."  She picked
her hand out of the river and selected a stone which was small and
almost flat.  With a flick of her wrist, she cast the rock towards a
deep area.  The missile jumped five times along the surface before it
disappeared into the blue water.
     "I will survive if you keep me in contact with the places I travel
through, my lord."  Niari's grey eyes rested on Lorendil's face. 
Comprehension dawned there...
---k
     "Of course!  Now I see it!  It was so obvious!"  Lorendil's
realization of what Niari's situation was had caused his voice to climb
in pitch.  Regaining his natural timbre, he added, "It is not the
misalignment of the rythms of power that cause you discomfort.  No, it
is the discontinuity of moving from one place to another!  If that
movement can be made gradual and continual, albeit at a very fast pace,
rather than instantaneously, then you feel that your body will react in
a less negative way, is that correct?"
---m
     Lorendil wanted to be sure that Niari would be able to come with
the himself and the others.  He believed that this was because he had
charged himself with her protection.  But there were more personal
reasons than that at play.
     "Allow me to converse with Garrison.  I think between the two of us
we should be able to devise a method that should work!"
---m
     Niari nodded and stood.  The look of concern on Lorendil's face was
genuine.  She was pleased to have a commander that cared for her safety
as well as for her abilities as a warrior.  She had been lucky to
attract his attention that day in the Dragon's Inn...
---k

     When Lorendil went off to speak to Niari, Eldarion went to Elana's
side.  "I will bring back help.  Watch over our cousin, and see that she
comes to no harm."  Elana nodded, and hugged her brother farewell.  She
then left to speak with Zeph, leaving Eldarion alone with Joreen. 
"I...ahh...shall soon return, Lanceleader.  I shall...well..."  Eldarion
seemed at a loss for words.
     It was now or never, Joreen said to herself.  She walked right up
to Eldarion and placed her arms around his shoulders.  She kissed him
deeply.  At first surprised, Eldarion quickly succumbed and returned the
kiss wholeheartedly.  When finally they broke, he smiled at her and
said.  "Joreen, how long...."  Joreen placed her finger on his lips,
quieting him, saying "...Since I first set eyes upon you.  Back when I
first entered the Legentors, just a trooper, and you were a Lanceleader,
addressing my regiment on behalf of the Highlord.  I never dreamed my
love for you would be reciprocated!  You've made me...very happy,
Eldarion."
     Eldarion smiled and a blush came to his face at the smattering of
applause coming from Zeph and Elana.  He placed his hand and caressed
Joreen's face.  "You've made me very happy as well, Joreen.  There is
much I would tell you here and now, had we the time."  Joreen nodded and
clasped his hand in her own.  She saw Lorendil waiting quietly behind
Eldarion.  "I understand, but you are right, it is time for you to go. 
When you get back..."
---je
     Lorendil and Niari walked back to the camp.  There seemed to be
quite a commotion going on.  Joreen and Eldarion were in each other's
arms and, to their obvious embarrasment, several of their companions
were applauding the action.  Niari's eyebrows lifted  and she cast a
sidewards glance at Lorendil, who appeared to be amused by the situation
but as surprised as she.  The pair of elves kissed once and broke the
embrace.  Their happiness filled Niari's senses.  The pure joy eminating
from both of them was palpable.  The Kioshu woman felt a strangness from
Lorendil.  His energy had soured somewhat.  He must be feeling some
negative emotion.  She looked at him again.  He must have noticed her
attention because the tinge of sourness faded and his face became a
mask...
---k
     Seeing the embrace of Joreen and Eldarion was one more event that
amplified the loss that Lorendil had suffered at the hands of the Dark
One a millenia ago.  There was little that would stir a rage in the man,
but thoughts of how that evil entity corrupted his loved one and
eventually led to her death always triggered a torrent of anger. 
Lorendil's mental discipline quickly kept the rising emotion in check,
but Niari had already noticed that he was troubled.
     Niari.  Lorendil could not help but notice the similarities between
her and his lost Elorolin.  They were beyond startling.  Her appearance,
her demeanor, her mannerisms...all bore a striking resemblence to his
love.  It was too late for Lorendil to do anything for Elorolin now,
much too late.  But maybe there was something that he could do for
Niari.
     From his first lessons in the art of magic, Lorendil had been
fascinated by wards.  They were, in fact, the very first spells that he
had learned to cast.  In the years, he had attained quite a level of
proficiency, very much unlike his youth.  It was this proficiency that
Lorendil chose to use to protect Niari from the machinations of the Dark
One, should he try to manipulate the woman as he had Elorolin.  Noting
the Kioshu power that was so adverse to normal magicks, Lorendil devised
a ward that would maintain a distance from the woman, yet still retain
its protection over her.  Once the details of the spell were finalized,
he made ready to cast it.
     Having been a mage for over a thousand years, Lorendil had achieved
a certain level that allowed him to escape the more common trappings of
spellcraft.  He needed no special materials or components to make his
castings take effect.  He also had passed the need for runes or
incantations of any kind.  Lorendil
had achieved the ultimate in spellcraft, the pinnacle of the art: 
spellcasting by mere thought.  Niari, nor anyone else, ever noticed
Lorendil cast the ward that was charged with Niari's protection.  And,
with the careful preparations he had taken (the discussion with Niari
about her Kioshu powers was already paying dividends!), his magic would
not interfere with her brand of "magic".  Once cast, he carefully
observed her face, looking for any sign that she had noticed the ward
now hovering a short distance away, keeping a wary vigil on the woman,
ready to strike should the conditions of the ward be fulfilled.  Seeing
none, Lorendil was satisfied that his cautious preparations had
succeeded in their intent.
---m
     Therion was talking with Garrison.  Niari and Lorendil moved to
speak with them about their ideas and were surprised to hear talk of
travelling overland.  They were quickly brought up to date on the plans
to travel Northwest to Chadwick by horse while simultaneously Lorendil
would go with Eldarion to the Elven city.
---k
     Eldarion walked over to where Lorendil was standing.  "Are we
ready?" he asked.
     "Not quite.  Alas, one of the limitations to my teleporting is that
I must know the location to which I teleport!  But, if this portal to
your homeland of Tynntangial is as you say it is, then I should be able
to find it if given a general description of its location.  Tell me
again where it is?"
     Eldarion described the overland route he had intended to take to
the portal.
     "Very good.  Now, if I may have a moment of quiet."  Lorendil
closed his eyes.  He imagined viewing the group as if hovering above
them.  Slowly, his vision turned in the direction that Eldarion had
indicated.  The ground beneath began to swiftly disappear behind him as
his mind's eye swiftly whisked across the land.  He could see small
towns, sprawling cities, vast forests, tall mountains, all passed by as
he mentally sailed towards the spot to which Eldarion had directed him.
     Within but a few minutes, he had arrived.  Then, gradually, he
began to shift the spectrum that he was viewing.  Slowly it slid from
the normal vision that humans and elves and the like were accostumed to,
and into a magical vision that was restricted to only the more powerful
of the art.  As the spectrum shifted, the detail of the mundane world
began to wash away as if an ink painting in a rainstorm.  What was left
was a dark and featureless view, with one exception.  Roughly a quarter
of a mile distant there was a brightly shining disk, almost blinding in
the slightly purplish cast that it emitted.  Lorendil moved towards the
disk.  The signature seemed to indicate a portal, but he would have to
inspect it closer to be sure.
     When he was but a few feet disk, Lorendil stopped.  This was most
definitely a portal of some kind.  Looking closely at the ring of magic
that surrounded the perimeter of the disk like a hoop of pure energy,
Lorendil satisfied himself that the portal was stable.  With the
portal's destination the only thing left to verify, he entered.
     Lorendil soon found himself in a strange, surreal environment, but
without the hinderance of a physical body on this voyage, the journey
was soon concluded.  On the other side, he could see a utopian vision of
a wooded countryside that stretched as far as the eye could see.  In the
distance, he could make out a blue line that weaved its way through the
forest.  The shade of the water was one of the purest blues that
Lorendil has ever witnessed, and he wished at that moment that he could
cast off on a boat and explore her waters, where ever they might take
him!  On the horizon rose majestic peaks that seemed to reach for the
sky!
     Suddenly, two elves ran up to the portal, one seemingly leading the
other.  The one in front was saying something to the other.  Both were
clad in clearly military uniforms...uniforms that were oddly similar to
Eldarion's and Joreen's.
     "Sir, you asked that we report any activities with the portal. 
Well, just a few moments ago it began to swirl, as if someone was coming
through.  But no one did.  And, as if that was not strange enough, the
swirling lasted only a fraction of the time as when Lady Elana Elessidel
last went through."
     The other elf, clearly older than the first and appearing to hold
some kind of command rank, closely inspected the portal.  It took
several minutes before he finally said something.
     "And you are sure that no one exited the portal?"
     "Quite sure, sir."
     "There were sentries while you came for me?"
     "Of course, sir."
     Lorendil noticed that several griffons were beginning to come into
the area, alighting on nearby trees.  They bore riders.
     "Alright then.  Put the regiment on alert.  Double the guard on the
portal.  If Lady Elessidel is returning, then there is no harm.  But I
will take no chances!"
     The two elves began to hurry back from whence they had come, and
there was a flurry of activity as they departed.  More elves were
beginning to take positions in nearby trees, both mounted and unmounted. =

Some were training bows on the area, and others seemed to be preparing
for spellplay.
     At the mention of Elana's name, Lorendil had assured himself that
this was, in fact, the portal that Eldarion was referring to, and that
its destination had not been changed in the interim.  Reversing his
footsteps (mindsteps?), he retraced the route that had brought him here
and returned to the place where Eldarion and the others were waiting.
     He opened his eyes.  The entire trip had lasted only a few minutes. =

Lorendil looked to Eldarion and said, "I am ready.  You will be glad to
know that the portal is still there, and that it still leads back to
Tynntangial.  Shall we be off?"
---m
     Eldarion smiled and kissed Joreen one last time.  He then walked
over to Lorendil, and said "I am ready my friend.  So, you say you were
around back during the reign of my great-grandfather, eh?  Were you
battling the Dark One at Tynntangial's side or..."
---je
     Lorendil lifted a staying hand.  He said but one word, "Please,"
and Eldarion could see that there were memories that the man had yet to
come to terms with, memories that had recently been surfaced by the
resurfacing of the Dark One.
     A small, gray ring appeared about a yard off the ground and about
ten feet from Lorendil and Eldarion.  Lorendil then made a motion as if
drawing aside curtains, and the ring expanded to a diameter of about
five feet.  Through the ring could be seen a different scene, a
different forest, than the one they were standing in.  Roughly fifty
feet beyond Lorendil's gray ring was the portal that Eldarion was
seeking.
     "I believe, sir, that that this should do the trick?" said the
mage, and he beckoned the elf to enter.
---m