Aleris:

Mira hated it when Madrin went off on his own like some foolish 'hero'. She could not express enough how much his disregard for his own life galled her. He knew what handing over all his weapons to a lover, meant in the Blackwolf clan. Alerians would refer to it as a marriage proposal by their standards. She felt like slapping him so hard that his future children would feel the sting. Everyone in the tribe learned to fight at the age of seven so sense indicated their martial nature would extend to more personal things. Before he told her to take his weapons to the king, she was speechless because it wasn't romantic in the least.

Mira wouldn't lie to herself she knew her heart fluttered briefly in that moment. She had dreamed of that moment since they were fourteen. When he left the clan roughly five years ago she had feared he had died in this foreign land playing a damned savior. So many years without even a word was a dark time for her. However, in the depths of her heart she dared to hope. Mira knew they had been apart a long time but, that ray of light had never fully dimmed. Their last conversation had resulted in them deciding to just be friends. Madrin was so dense that she doubted he ever realized she decided it herself, so that he didn't feel trapped in Angeasor. Even then freedom was very important to him.

She slept clutching his sword wrapped in a bundle of white cloth, under the covers. The knives and note were kept in the chest that held her personal items at the foot of the bed. Mira rose with the sun as was Madrin's habit, the idiot was causing her trouble without even being present. She dressed quickly so that she could hide the note from prying eyes. Her breakfast was barley soup in the small dining area that the Grand city soldiers used. She wanted meat by the abyss but, the hot liquid did go a long way with minimal use of supplies. Autumn was here for certain, the Alerians felt the cold more than her Blackwolves since they grew up in the mountains. However, they showed an indomitable spirit that she couldn't help admiring.

The walk to King Elias' quarters was short. Mira carried Madrin's sword in the white bundle she had slept with, the note tucked inside. The guards on the door asked her what business she had with the king. "An urgent report, hurry up now it's too early for long winded speeches."

The soldiers stood straighter as her commanding tone hit them. "Of course Captain Blackwolf." The older woman on the door knocked and announced Mira.

Almedda:

The fire mercifully took few extra lives thanks to a quick response by local authorities. Madrin was glad the building was gone but, those little imps were an unexpected surprise. He made a mental note to ask after their functions. The sergeant had an unexpected amount of local currency in his money pouch. The source was obvious but, he wasn't above using ill gotten gains to support his mission. There was easily enough Almeddan gold to fund his entire stay in the realm.

Madrin found an inn frequently used by the local soldiers when they wanted to have a few ales after work. He bought alcohol for many of them while nursing his own. The payment the traveling merchant Karros(Madrin) asked for was cheap for them, glory stories. He spent five days there taking advantage of their loose tongues to learn much. The strategy to conquer Aleris was simple and brilliant. Once he sifted thru the fictional tales, he learned they chained gods to fuel their magic as well. They used the power to protect their major cities from the waste outside. Madrin knew it was only a matter of time before they tried to capture an Alerian deity. They have been going thru this cycle for thousands of years thanks to the actions of a fallen king known only as Xezvimhi, to the soldiers that mentioned him. Madrin recognized the name but, couldn't quite place it.

During his stay in Almedda he let his dark brown beard grow in, as a simple method of altering his appearance. Also, Madrin purchased a midnight black cloth patch to cover his left eye and further distort his image. When he returned to Aleris only close friends would recognize him. With the information he had gathered, his plan was to return to his realm. At least until he was jumped by black clothed figures while wandering Veyja at night. He never saw the blow to the back of his head coming.

Elias paused and laced his hands behind his back as he looked out the window in his study scanning the ruined city before him. Previously he had been pacing, waiting for something, and that something suddenly appeared in a concealed gust of wind and flickering flames. Elias turned, watching as the flames floating in mid-air swirled in an oval shape as if a portal. From that "gate" stepped the God of Summer, Tempesturo. With his body mostly engulfed in flames, Tempesturo went to the chair by Elias' desk, pulled it out and sat down. In a matter of seconds, this chair was consumed by fire and almost instantly turned to ash, leaving Tempesturo to fall on his butt on the floor surrounded by a pile of soot.

"Whoa!" he said looking up at Elias with a crooked grin. "Hey, you need to get some fire-proof furniture in here!"

A questioning brow lifted on Elias' face. "I do not. You know perfectly well you could have avoided destroying that chair," Elias said pointing to the mess around Tempesturo.

The God of Summer stood, brushing the ash off his clothing and then levitated a few inches off the ground, eventually sitting in the air and crossing his legs as if in thought. "Details, details," Tempesturo said waving one of his hands nonchalantly. "Speaking of details, what are we going to do about these Almeddans?"

"Well, the Almeddans... to put it lightly, they believe I'm stupid."

"Of course. You're only a strapping young lad and Aleris is such a big and overwhelming place," Tempesturo said with an air of wistfulness.

Elias let out a sound that was mostly a mocking snort. "I'm aware they are trying to invade. Jasker Ellins is not as sly as he would like to believe. If the Almeddans attempt anything, they will be sorry. I have my feet rooted firmly into Aleris' more than they could ever imagine."

"So, you have plans then?"

"Indeed I do," Elias said. "Now, what's going on with your Champion?"

"Oh, Blend? You need not worry about him. I am not too concerned about his mingling with the Almeddans. Blend is drawn to Chaos and as such I think he would turn against the Almeddans when they do not expect it. At least, that is my expectation. I do not believe he would set out to destroy Aleris since you know... it's my crib and all that. After all, I imagine he's not stupid, although skeletons do lack brains. I'm sure he's aware that as my Avatar I can see through him so-to-speak if I so choose," Tempesturo said his face almost contemplative. "There is one thing that bothers me."

"You? Bothered?"

Tempesturo laughed just a bit. "Heh, in their conquest, the Almeddans have the notion they are able to kill gods from their past experiences. I think this will be part of their attack plan, besides seeping into our cities."

"Does that worry you? We could position soldiers around the temples."

"Hardly, but if you feel it may be necessary..."

"Didn't you end up in a sword not too long ago?"

"Hey now, that's different. Terra Vale was a very pretty woman. These Almeddans are a bunch of ugly bastards, especially that porker Tarc."

Elias held back a laugh, but he did smile. After a few seconds, his expression did turn serious once more, if one could be serious with the God of Summer in their company. "What are they going to do with Sharay?"

"Valorius and Blend have made an attempt to separate her being out into raw essences. Only now the Almeddans are interested since they know Blend has Sharay. They want to use her."

"What does Elysia have to say about this?"

"She said..." Here Tempesturo paused, sucked in a deep breath and tried to mimic his voice to sound like Elysia's, being as serious as possible. "'Let your Champion deal with it, Tempesturo. I wash my hands of this foolishness. I have already tried to dispose of this goddess twice! Suck it!' I swear, did you ever notice her breasts get bigger when she's angry?"

Elias blinked a few times at Tempesturo's question. "I think you might have added a few of your own words in there. And I wouldn't know about a thing like that... Elysia's assets that is. I never thought staring as a goddess' chest was a wise thing to do."

"I can attest to that," Tempesturo said. Just then, the God of Summer looked towards the door and nodded his head. "You have company, so I'm going to get out of here. Hey, good luck and all that."

"Thanks, you too," Elias said as the God of Summer disappeared once more in a fiery flash.

As Mira Blackwolf would enter with one of the royal guards after Elias' invitation, the two both paused, their eyes curious and inquisitive over the pile of ash in the middle of his study. There was no sign Tempesturo had been there save for the air in Elias' room that was a bit warmer than usual. Eventually, both were able to bow although they were mostly likely wondering if their King was a pyromancer.

"My King, would you like me to... get you a new chair?" the royal guardsman asked clearly an air of confusion in his voice.

"Yes, please. I did not favor the last one," Elias said letting the soldier believe Elias had torched it himself. The royal guard swallowed thickly, but eventually left leaving Mira and Elias. Once alone, Elias rounded the desk facing Mira Blackwolf.

"Ah, Mira, Madrin's trusted soldier and friend," Elias said. "What news do you bring me?"

Mira handed Elias the parchment sealed in green wax which bore Madrin's initials. Elias unfolded the letter and turned from Mira Blackwolf as he read its contents. Madrin leaving to infiltrate Almedda was not something that Elias had expected. It seemed the Lord Commander of Eiler had gone alone and Elias only wished he had taken at least one other person along. Nevertheless, Elias put his hope into Madrin and prayed for his safe and soon return, as Grand City could not be without their Commander for too long.

Elias threw the parchment into the fireplace in his study and then turned back to Mira Blackwolf, offering the distressed woman a comforting smile. Elias wasn't one to pry, but he had a feeling that Madrin meant more to Mira than the warrior was aware of. In her eyes, Elias could see both worry and annoyance.

"Do not fret, Mira. I'm sure Madrin will recover from his... illness soon enough. In the mean time, while he is resting, I'm assuming as you are his most trusted friend, that you can cover his position?"

Within Aleris:

The C'udiskan insect fluttered above the Almeddan encampment, glittering black eyes fixated on the Ripping Gate. Mai'ka had finally formulated a plan, a method to defeat these Almeddans once and for all. And the gate was the key. If he could destroy the gate and steal the Ripping Stone that was its key element, the Almeddans would be trapped here. Then he could assist the Alerians in slaughtering them. How he looked forwards to hearing their screams.

Night had settled on the camp, and Mai'ka began spiraling downwards, heading rapidly for the Gate. The archway stood fifteen feet tall, and at it's pinnacle the red Ripping Stone which bound this world to Almedda was working its sorcery. Of course, it was protected by wards, but Mai'ka had spent a long time studying the construction. Landing on the peak of the Ripping Gate, the insect wrapped himself in shadows even as his claws began frantically scratching at the various emblems on the stone.

There wasn't much time. Two Evincan guards stood sentinel at the gate, only feet below him. If they looked up even the shadows would fail to hide Mai'ka's considerable bulk, then the alarm would be raised and Mai'ka would be slaughtered. Silently he worked, his ten small arms scratching and tearing at the enchantments. After several frightening moments, the creature was pleased with his work. The wards appeared to be disabled. Now, for the stone itself.

Struggling against the embedded stone that was the size and hue of a glistening red heart, Mai'ka let out a victory cry as the Ripping Gate beneath him crashed shut with a loud tearing noise that gave the gates their names. Spreading his wings, the insect took to the air, even as surprised mages began launching bursts of energy into the heavens to chase him. Fluttering evasively, the insect clicked out a proud dialogue to himself, the Ripping Stone clutched in his largest right hand.

"To leave their gate so unguarded! What were they thinking?!" the insect God of Shadows said to himself in his alien tongue as he reached a safe distance from the mages below. "I fouled their plans so easily!"

Mai'ka never saw the Accersan summon that circled the sky above him, a massive scaled bird with bloodshot eyes and a hooked beak. When that bird slammed into Mai'ka from above with all the force of a meteor, he felt it, that's for damned sure. Then he felt nothing at all.

--

"Look, I've said it already," Blend explained to Jasker, from within the Command Tent. "I'm not giving you Sharay. I'm especially not letting you split her up into bite-sized pieces so you can swallow her energy without choking."

"Blend," Jasker said, his eyes filled with obvious rage. "You are aware you're still an Almeddan? You follow our laws. You adhere to our rules. And you do what we say. I don't want to arrest you, and I want even less to return you to Almedda where you will be executed for being undead. Now, give us Sharay. We need her."

"When I'm in Aleris, I'm an Alerian and I follow Aleris laws." Blend crossed his skeletal arms stubbornly.

Jasker opened his mouth to respond when a loud commotion came from outside. The distinct sound of the Ripping Gate tearing itself shut reverberated through the camp. Leaping up, the commander charged outside just in time to see Mai'ka's fateful plummet from the heavens, a bird latched to the large insect's back. The bird let out a vicious cry as it neared the earth, letting go of its prize at the last moment before veering back towards the heavens to circle above.

Mai'ka himself landed with a sickening crunch, the insect's exoskeleton rupturing. Grey blood poured out from the ruined entity.

"Splat," Blend muttered with a chuckle. Then he looked over to Jasker, who had watched the whole scene with obvious surprise. The commander was recovering and began barking out orders while the Almeddans rummaged through the gruesome remain of the insect.

"Get that Ripping Stone! Tarc, go check on the Ripping Gate and fix any wards this bastard ruined. I want the gate opened within the hour. And how the hell did a C'udiskan get in Aleris, anyways?!"

"Sir!" A Venefican approached Jasker and saluted. "This wasn't an average C'udisk. This was Mai'ka, their God of Shadows. A stealthy deity, from the time of the Panthos Wars. An admittedly weak god, but.. It explains how he got through the gate. If it wasn't for the Accersan wards on the gate, he might have managed to trap us here."

"Is there any energy left of him for us to harness?"

The Venefican shrugged. "I doubt it. But I'll see what we can do." The Venefican headed back to the corpse and began speaking to the other assorted mages and summoners.

Jasker looked to Blend. "We've still got to finish our discussion. You stay put." The commander strode off towards the Ripping Gate.

"Fat chance," Blend stated as soon as the commander was out of earshot, before he headed the opposite direction. He wasn't taking commands from anyone. Besides, he felt oddly possessive about the little soul-snare containing Sharay, and he didn't want to see her destroyed. Not yet anyways.

--

The Almeddans peacekeepers were still approaching Joi and the Grand City. Meanwhile, in Jade City, the Almeddans were starting to 'rebuild'.. But the road was getting a little rocky.

"What the hell is this?!" demanded the acting Magistrate of Jade City, a wizened old man with wandering brown eyes. A scene was happening in the town square as the Almeddans accosted several citizens of the city. Tensions were rising as the Almeddan soldiers glowered towards the Aleris soldiers, hands on the hilts of their swords.

"These people are criminals," explained one Evincan, pointing to the cowering four citizens. "The woman was caught binding souls to bodies. She's a necromancer. This second 'man' here is the abomination. Furthermore, these other two are her accomplices. They will be taken to Almedda and tried for their crimes."

"No, sir!" pleaded the woman, her wide eyes beseeching as she stared at the Magistrate. "I was doing no such thing! I am a healer. I was mending his wounds."

"Giving flesh to the dead man, is what she was doing," pointed out another soldier. "In Almedda, we have a special name for criminals like these."

A third Evincan spat to punctuate his distaste. "Fucking Corpirians."

The Magistrate scowled at them. "These are Aleris citizens. They will be prosecuted as such, and here in Aleris. Thank you for your assistance but you're no longer needed here. Return to your work. The eastern wall needs reinforcing, remember?" Grumbling, the Evincans relinquished their prizes to the town guard. As they sauntered away, they spoke in conspiratorial voices to each-other.

"I think Pigfur over here should stick that ol' wretch in the neck while he's asleepin'. Then we can get rid o' these Corpse-fuckers once'n'frall."

"Me? Why me? I'd foul it up. Nah. You should do it, Fib."

"Hey, it was Japshoots idea!"

"Okay, hey, quiet down. I'll do it. But don't tell no one about this, or you'll be the next ones to have a smilin' neck.."



--

Within Almedda:

Deverance and his Accersan companion approached the Evincan High Lord of Helmseed, Elan Daethrus. In spite of his title, Elan Daethrus was plainly of Accersan heritage, with black hair and brown eyes, his skin a lighter shade of coffee. His scarred face studied the men as they approached.

"Lord Daethrus," Deverance bowed his head.

"The Collector of Artifacts! A pleasant surprise to see you, Deverance. I thought you were busy working on the Birvuo problem." The Evincan's cold eyes turned to the Accersan. "And you must be Brod Fallarbor. Your progress with the U'thos sprites has earned you a fair reputation."

"Indeed, and my fair share of burns as well," the Accersan joked.

"So, why is it you've come to speak with me?"

"There are some unnerving rumors, and a couple more unnerving facts, which require your attention. The Corpirians are inside Veyja. That's not too surprising, all things considered they are probably in every city of Almedda, but there's a bigger problem. They are becoming very active. Yesterday, we found a hundred undead bodies at the source of the fire. Worse still, black-cloaks have been seen on the streets!"

"Does this have anything to do with the purported return of the Spider Birvuo?"

Deverance shrugged. "I don't think so. The events seem unconnected. But there's another problem worth mentioning. Those evil sprites were able to tell us that an outsider started the fire. An Alerian, most likely."

"Any luck finding this intruder?"

"Not yet. Yet if he keeps starting fires, it's inevitable. In the meantime, my lord, can I suggest you post me as a guard on the gate? As you well know, I have certain artifacts in my possession which should .. help me from being deceived. Whatever intelligence this man is gathering can only hurt our cause in Aleris."

"Hmm. I'd rather have you continue to search for this Spider. The guards.."

"I know, my lord, but you have to admit the gate's guards are sorely incapable. The only other option is to close the gate."

"Hrmph. It was closed already, earlier this day. Apparently, a C'udisk got his claws on the Ripping Stone. It's all right now," the Evincan High Lord gestured towards the open gate, "as you can see. I would rather not close it again."

"Indeed. Is my request granted, then?"

"Very well, Deverance. Good luck."

"If an Alerian walks within one mile of me, I'll know it," Deverance exaggerated with a wink. Then he set off towards the gate, motioning his Accersan friend to accompany him.

Aleris:

"As I can Elias, you will have my support until Madrin's feeling better. This bundle is for you." Once the king opened the bundle he looked confused. "Sorry, I guess he never told you of the practice. When a Blackwolf warrior goes on a mission where they believe recovery of their body may be an issue. The fighter gives their primary weapon to their commanding officer, in this case you, as a promise of a sort. Either they succeed in their task or die in the process. Our weapons have many meanings to us, so never take them without permission, unless you want to risk death that is. Ultimately the individual warriors decide how to interpret the loss of their weapons." While she spoke her sapphire orbs constantly went back to Madrin's sword with longing. "If nothing else, it will serve as a grave marker." Mira's voice cracked with emotion on the last sentence of her explanation. She regained her composure almost immediately, hating the display of weakness.

Once Elias responded to her words she politely excused herself from him claiming she had duties to attend to. This was true however, memories of her many years with Madrin kept finding cracks in her resolve. She rounded a corner away from the king's door and leaned against the cold stone wall and gathered herself together for several minutes. The area was empty of all life except her. She whispered an oath to Elysia. "Lady of death hear my words, if my love doesn't return alive grant me the strength to find his killer and claim righteous vengeance." Mira felt calm now as an icy wind blew thru the hall from the large opening in the stones several paces away.

Almedda:

Madrin stirred and attempted to take account of his situation. He felt the cold steel of heavy chains binding his arms and legs. His body hung twenty inches above the stone floor that had the unmistakable darkness of dried blood all over it. The strain on his extended arms told him all his body weight was on them. He heard the whining sound of sharpening blades a few feet away. Madrin's bare skin was completely exposed to the low temperatures of the room.

"Don't bother feigning unconsciousness, I saw you flinch worm, raise your head." A wicked knife with serrated edges came up under his chin. The man lifted Madrin's head with a jerk to his hair. "Now, now little man it's rude not to meet someone's eyes when they speak to you." Ice blue orbs met hazel ones framed by a face that looked perhaps twenty years old. "Karros was it, do I look stupid to you!" The man punctuated his words by coaxing several drops of blood from a small puncture in Madrin's neck. "You're no merchant despite what you claim. House Corporis knows you destroyed one of our best recruiters, your very naughty."

Time became distorted as the unknown man displayed his aptitude for torture. "Now that we know each other better how about you tell me who you are."

Madrin was hanging on to consciousness as he responded weakly. "The best time your mother ever had bastard." He laughed cruelly after speaking.

The man drove his wicked knife into Madrin's upper thigh causing a gasp of pain to escape his lips. "That wasn't very nice Karros, should I cut out your tongue and feed it to you."

The blood from over thirty shallow cuts dripped slowly to the floor adding fresh color to it. Madrin tapped into his rage to give his voice power. "You should really do something about that temper of yours boy." As the young man attempted to drive another one of those knives into his shoulder their eyes met.

Madrin entered the open mind in less than a breath. So much blood and pain, had come from the hands of this bastard. His will was quite fragile compared to the minds he had seen before control was easy. The man pulled his keys off his belt and unlocked the chains in a few minutes. "One last thing." With a quick motion Madrin pulled the sharp knife from his thigh and planted it in the torturers right eye angled to pierce his brain. He wasn't a healer but between watching Wish and Elizabeth he knew how to wrap a wound until he could get real help.

When he exited the chamber he found ten prisoners, three men and seven women clothed in rags. Their ages ranged from fifteen to late twenties. A fifteen year old girl was still conscious and babbling. "Please no more pain, I told you all I know about my uncle." She was in the worst shape of the lot covered in fresh bruises, cuts, and burning with a fever.

A nineteen year old man spoke up. "I'm an acolyte of House Curatio if you'll just unlock us, I know were the fucker keeps his healing herbs."

"Of course, I thought the rest of you were out cold." Madrin unlocked everyone starting with the healer. While the man worked Madrin found what must have been their clothes because, his personal ones were there as well. All of the garments were high quality covering all the great houses except Corporis. It seems he may be in one of the worst places a foreign spy could be. Regardless, these people needed help so he did what he could.

The young man introduced himself as Silas Harros as he gave Madrin's wounds proper attention. He gave his name as Mar the Evincan. There was several quality uniforms for the military house that no one had claimed as clothes were given out to their owners. "Wonderful Mar, it's a pleasure. However, could you please put your clothes on there are young women present." Madrin suddenly noticed all the blushing stares directed his way, as they took in his naked body.

He stuttered out a few words to cover his folly. "Of course." Modesty was difficult to remember after being tortured for an extended period of time.

After the three bandits on the road there had been little delay and the group of orphans and the arraki found themselves within the city of Jade. Many merchants, even in the trying times, were quick to give the little children small gifts and sometimes sweets which brought smiles to their faces. It wasn't long before Soul discovered one of the cities orphanages, his plan all along.

"How many are there?" a young olive-skinned woman asked looking past the arraki with a lean. Her brown hair was pulled tight into a bun with loose strands showing her active life style. She wore a plain grey wool dress but Soul couldn't help but notice her figure underneath, immortal he may be he still enjoyed carnal delights.

"Twenty or so, Zafiro wishes to stay with me." He glanced at the boy who was busy handing out the last of their food to the other orphans. "Can you take them? Grand City is ravaged and I figured another city would be a good place for them for the time."

"That was nice of you, and yes we should be able to take them." She walked from behind the counter and toward the children, ushering them around her. Soul waved as they walked by.

"I'll be visiting to see you all soon." He smiled, some of the children waving back, others looking away, still fearful of him from what they saw on the road. He shrugged and looked at Zafiro, "Ready?"

The green-eyed boy nodded and Soul strode toward the door, intent on exploring this as of yet on seen city. Some of the braver merchants tried to force their wares toward him while others avoided his crimson eyed gaze. Zafiro walked with his pack next to him, the boys eyes wandering over all the shops and huts. It was only moments before they come upon a commotion in the town square.

Soul listened intently to the words and said them to Zafiro. In a mere moment it was over and these men from Almedda were walking away. The four people of interest were being escorted away by Jade guards and Soul being ever curious decided to follow the three men. He strolled lazily behind them, more than twenty feet acting like he was interested in something on a rack.

Want to kill the Magistrate? He mused over this when Zafiro broke into his thoughts, "Why did you eat them?"

Soul blinked twice and turned to look down at the boy, "Who?"

"Those men who attacked us on the road, I came back after the other children were safe and watched you through the trees. You were eating them, is that what you eat, people?" Firo finished, not seemingly afraid of the arraki.

"I will eat almost anything." The arraki replied honestly, "I am not human so to me the idea of eating a man is not as appalling as it would be to another person." The arraki shrugged, "If you mean to ask if I will eat you, probably not. I don't make a habit of eating people only when the opportunity strikes."

He continued his stroll, Zafiro following quietly, "Why are we following them?"

Soul smiled at the boys intelligence, "Because knowledge is power, I want to know who they are, what Almedda is and why they were here." He eyed some plain brown cloaks on an outside rack, he picked one out about his size and then one small enough for Zaifro. He shrugged off the leather jacket and handed it to the merchant he checked the coat for tears and quality before nodding.

At the next booth he snatched a couple dyes right under the nose of the woman selling them. He tracked the group of three, before turning into an alleyway. He placed the two cloaks on the ground and began to paint them with the brown and red dyes. One blade on his gauntlet was used to cut small holes and fray the seams. The brown and red splotches looked like stains and in a matter of moments the brand new cloaks looked a decade older.

"What are you doing?" The boy asked, standing just to the side watching intently.

"I may be big, but one of my brothers taught me how to be as invisible as possible, to hide in plain sight. Beggars are everywhere and rarely do people pay attention to them." He pulled on his cloak, smiling as it slid on much like his old one. Zafiro followed suit, having to remove his pack in order to do it.

Soul placed the extra dye into the pack and left it there on the ground, swinging back out into the street he had lost track of the three Almeddans, but he knew they were heading for the eastern wall and that is where Zafiro and him would find themselves. Soul in good conscious couldn't allow the three attempt to kill anyone. He wanted to delve into what made those sapphires in Zafiros palms work but that would have to wait.

Aleris:

Dawn was approaching, and with it came severe weather. Clouds whipped through the sky, churning over the Hyberborean Mountains as they headed west, carrying rain. The wind whispered a melancholy song as she poured through the trees. They sighed in yearning, their branches reaching for the rapidly diminishing stars, but the wind jealously buried them beneath clouds. Perhaps depressed, the trees whipped their countless arms violently as they groaned and creaked for their loss.

Blend, the skeleton that worshiped a chaotic god arguably saner than himself, wandered away from the Almeddan campsite unsure where he was headed. In spite of the Almeddan threat, he was unworried. The ambitions of his people were too transparent. Their invasion simply would never work. And if it did, so what? They would integrate themselves as only another aspect of the Alerian culture. Certainly they were better overlords than the previous kings that Alerion helped overthrow.. so the risk was minimal at best.

Their interests in deities was a cause for worry. Blend himself, being closely tied to Tempesturo, was under severe scrutiny every time he approached the Almeddans. But it went deeper than that, didn't it? How easy it was to forget his dark history... There was, and always would be, a deep loathing for Blend in Almeddan hearts. He was Xezvimhi. He destroyed their realm - thousands of years ago. But was it thousands of years here, in Aleris.. or there, in Almedda? And what did time matter, anyways?

Time, he thought to himself, is as damned chaotic as these beetles.

What beetles? Why, there were beetles everywhere! Black and red, smaller than a thumbnail, they scurried through the dirt in a thousand directions, fleeing the Almeddan camp. He danced delicately around the swarm, watching as they wove north. He shrugged and followed the insect colony.

Blend had a feeling Mai'ka wasn't finished.

--

A day of intense labor was enough to turn Japshoot into a walking zombie. He'd spent the whole day working, and half the night drinking, and when he saw the slightest touch of red on the horizon he was certain his opportunity for murder had passed. The Magistrate of Jade City would live one more day. What was one day? There was always tomorrow!

Then again, if he didn't do it first, someone else would beat him to the punch. He'd lose bragging rights, not to mention his chance at becoming the Magistrate himself! A far fetched dream, sure, but he'd dreamed worse.

That settled it. Drawing up his cloak, the Evincan headed into the early dawn.

"I don't have any change," he growled towards a beggar as he passed, his green eyes narrowing.

Despite the grungy beggars, the city was beautiful. Nestled in a rainforest, the sounds of life were nearly intoxicating. Jade architecture was an elegant mix of the barbaric and the exotic, and each building professed its proud independence in bold colors and severe angles. Japshoot would've loved it, if not for the swarms of angry monsters the locals called mosquitoes which flooded the city each sunset and sunrise. Slapping his neck, Japshoot let out an angry curse at the vengeful god who created such a pest. Then he ducked into the arched gateway that led to the Magistrate's manor.

Checking for his knife, he stealthily crept across the lawn. The monkeys howled out a warning.

Madrin was going to have a limp for awhile unless someone heals him more thoroughly. Silas had a skilled hand in herb lore and non magical cures but, apparently he hadn't reached the level necessary to learn the mystic healing arts. The small group reached the surface and discovered they were in the warehouse district of Veyja. They had all been kidnapped from the streets while about at night. The young woman in the worst condition was the most recent arrival. The bastard was very thorough they all feared they would never see the sun again. The Corporin was going to turn them into undead servants sometime soon, at least until Madrin showed up. The nobles thanked Mar the Evincan for his efforts promising rewards from their families.

"You honor me but, I need to get back to work." Madrin gave a deep bow suited to the gap in their apparent stations. "My lords and ladies your thanks is more than I deserve. I just happened to get taken by the same twisted individual. I recommend you report to High Lord Daethrus as soon as your able." The group smiled at the low born soldier with enthusiasm. Madrin had unintentionally let his knowledge of formality give them a glimpse of more than he intended. The gentry was slowly connecting the dots. Madrin excused himself and waved goodbye before he had to answer any more questions.

When he was out of sight he vanished into the crowded streets and made his way to the ripping gate. He noticed as he watched the portal from the shadows of a nearby building that they had a knew guard. The mage wore so much jewelry that he was a like pillar of greed. Also, he had an older partner wearing summoner's colors. There must be a point to all that metal he just wished he had some way of reading magic. Madrin took advantage of the noon shift change to sneak past the pair while they questioned some of the new guards. Whatever magic they used, had no chance of being tried on him.

He bore an empty sheet of paper with sealing wax closing it. He only showed enough of the fake note to pass, as it had no formal imprint just the wax. Once he passed thru the dimensional hole, Madrin encountered two guards who were ready to go to bed once their replacements arrived. They saw the message and had no desire to check every detail of it. He felt Aurora's mark return when he entered Aleris once more. The question was how much time had passed since he left. He wondered if the sleepy guards would even remember a messenger came so late at night. Madrin headed for the castle when his vision became blurry and each step was like a thousand. He passed out in a heap within sight of the castle's walls. In his rush he had been unconsciously drawing on his energy reserves to return to Aleris. However, intense torture and massive blood loss finally caught up to him.

Wandering the snow fields of Arthuran had taught her one thing: to be stronger - not just for herself, but for others. This thought, and the news she had heard of Eiler's destruction, coaxed the fae out of self-proclaimed exile and back into the world. She had left the city when it was just starting to rebuild from aftermath of the tidal wave and Terra Vale's war, only she assumed now that it hadn't ever gotten off the ground. A second war had claimed the lives of thousands and to her utter horror, Deanna DiCorvino's name was on the list of people who had started the catastrophe.

The last she remembered, Deanna was supposed to have been dead, not wrecking havoc throughout the lands. Wish saw Deanna's cold and lifeless body herself, but Wish was also not past believing that people could be resurrected. She was proof of that. In any case, she wasn't going to put time aside to hunt Deanna down (who had apparently escaped from Grand City's ruined prison) and demand answers. Once more, people needed to be healed and she had some faith that she could lend a hand in the reconstruction of Aleris, even if it was a small hand.

Upon docking at Hinewai Harbor and leaving the ship Wish journeyed on from Arthuran, one of the first things she set out to do was to rent a horse from the Grand Stables. Though it was raining and the weather miserable, she had intended to ride the animal along the coast where she could eventually take a small boat out to sea and visit an island nestled in the curve of Eiler where she had bought some land parcels. This place was where she would eventually make her home. Before setting out to help heal as many as she possibly could, Wish wanted to check on the condition of the land she had bought. After all, the tidal wave could have left those parcels under water.

Her plans, however, had been suddenly put to the side. As she passed the ruined walls of the castle, Wish was shocked to see the body of Madrin Kir lying in a heap face down on the rain filled streets of Eiler. Wish dismounted from her horse, her boots landing gracefully on the street and knelt down next to Madrin. He was wearing a green uniform that Wish did not recognize (the emblem on it was foreign and not of Aleris) and had quite the full beard, as if he had been away from Grand City for a time. She lifted his head out of the dirty water so he wouldn't drown and saw that he was unconscious. Wish looked around, a scowl marring her face wondering why anyone hadn't seen fit to help the Lord Commander of Eiler?

Unfortunately, considering his situation, Wish had no time to wave her hands and flail in anger. Instead, she looped her arms underneath Madrin's and began to pick him up. Wish was grateful that Madrin wasn't wearing any armor, but that still didn't mean his muscles didn't add a considerable amount of weight. Wish wasn't sure how she had done it and she imagined it looked hilarious to see a 5'2 fairy hoisting up one of Eiler's toughest warriors, but she had done it. She had heaved Madrin over the saddle of her horse where he slept like an unconscious sack of potatoes.

"Oh, Madrin, you heavy bastard. What happened to you?" Wish said looking him over briefly as she led the horse into the castle courtyard.

As soon as Wish entered the castle's courtyard, she paused taking in the sight of all the tents that had been set up. With so many homes being destroyed, people had been moved into tents as a temporary solution for somewhere to say. The number of tents overwhelmed Wish though and she found herself fretting over where she would ever find where Madrin was staying. These thoughts were fleeting though when Wish caught sight of the Blackwolf banner fluttering in the wind and rain. Wish knew this banner from having travelled with Madrin and so she led her horse in that direction.

On her way, she was stopped by a group of about three Almeddans who surrounded her, Madrin and the horse. Wish didn't know who these men were, but she was certain they were not part of the Grand City army as their uniform was clearly different. One of them gestured with nod to Madrin.

"We'll take him from here," the man said.

"You will do no such thing," Wish said. "The Lord Commander of Eiler is under my care and will remain as such until I see fit."

"Listen, Miss," the man said. "We know you're not part of the army. As Grand City is under the protection of Almedda, we see to the proper care of all its wounded citizens, especially the Lord Commander."

Wish didn't know what it was, but she did not trust this man. Whether his intentions seemed noble, there was some other hidden agenda in his eyes. When he stepped forward to grab Madrin, Wish reached for the rapier attached to her hip and quicker than expected, she slashed it outwards leaving the man with a cut below his neck that now bled through his clothing. It was not deep, but it had him and his men startled and stepping back a few feet.

"Next time you try that, I will aim my blade higher and cut your neck open. Do you understand?"

Really, it was an empty threat as Wish didn't believe she was capable of killing anyone unless her life depended on it. Nevertheless, this warning was one that allowed her to pass by the three Almeddans. Although Wish worried over her actions (what if they ran back to report to their commanding officer?), she led her horse past the men with her rapier armed and appearing as guarded as ever, an occasional glance thrown over her shoulder.

About ten feet outside of the Blackwolf encampment, Wish caught sight of Nedira Kir running towards her through the rain, her legs as sturdy as ever. For a split second, Nedira looked excited to meet Wish again but at seeing her adopted father slung across the saddle of Wish's horse, she stopped dead in her tracks, the little girl's mouth hung open. After a few minutes, Nedira was shaken from her trance and went to meet Wish.

"Wish! I um... hello. What... happened?" Nedira said trying to hold back any tears so other fellow Blackwolf clan members would not see her crying.

"Everything will be alright, Nedira. I'm going to help Madrin, but I need you to gather me things. Okay?" Wish said. "Think you can do what I ask?"

"Yeah, of course!"

"Okay, get me as many bandages and rags as you can find and a basin of hot water. If you can't find the hot water, I'll make do, but it would be preferred. Also, point me in the direction to Madrin's tent, please."

Nedira gestured towards Madrin's tent and then ran off like the fast little sprite that she was to get whatever it was that Wish needed. Wish noticed people looking at her in awe and wondering with hushed whispers as she moved through the rain with Madrin and her horse. However, having been seen speaking with Nedira, it was automatically assumed she knew Madrin and therefore was not a threat. Once outside Madrin's tent, Wish lifted the entrance flap and then began to drag Madrin over, laying his unconscious body down onto his cot.

Wish had a few moments now to glance over Madrin. The man had markings from where chains had once bound his arms and legs, undoubtedly the work of torture. As Wish removed Madrin's boots and cut away his shirt using a dagger, she spotted quite a few slash marks across his torso from some sort of dagger. Wish noticed bleeding upon one of Madrin's upper thighs, but did not get a chance to look over this wound right away. Nedira Kir had come back in and had brought with her plenty of bandages and cloths. Thankfully, she had also been able to fetch some hot water. Wish took all of this and began to set these things around her, turning her gaze upwards to look at a worried Nedira Kir.

"I promise, Nedira, I'll make Madrin better," Wish said with a soft smile. "Please, tell the other Blackwolf members, if you can, that Madrin will be fine. Until I come out of this tent though, I'm going to need some concentration."

"Yes, Miss Wish," Nedira said nodding fervently, although there was a clear look of longing in her eyes that said she wanted to say by Madrin's side. Nevertheless, the girl was soon leaving the tent, most likely off to tell Madrin's closest friends what had happened.

As soon as Nedira was out of sight, Wish closed the entrance flap to Madrin's tent. Turning back to the sleeping warrior, Wish took in a deep breath and braced herself. If she was going to see that wound on Madrin's thigh, those pants he wore would need to come off. As a healer, she was not too modest about seeing other people in the nude, but this was Madrin. Somehow, she managed to gather her resolve, undo the buttons and fastenings on Madrin's breeches and strip him down to nothing. The whole prepping herself deal did little to hide the warm blush that surfaced on her cheeks from catching a glimpse of Madrin in all his... manliness.

Thank the gods Nedira wasn't watching and had left.

After Wish snapped out of it, she gathered one of Madrin's pillows and covered his nether regions in such a manner that she could see the wound on his upper thigh. Once Wish was done inspecting the wound, she noticed that some one had tried to heal Madrin but the healer did not notice the blade that had been stabbed into Madrin's flesh was poisoned. It was a slow working poison, but it was definitely trying to travel through the Commander's blood stream.

With this in mind, Wish quickly began to work on Madrin. She cleaned out his wounds with the hot water, washing him the best she could. As soon as this was finished, she took some herbs out of a pouch of hers and began to create a solvent that would draw out and neutralize the poison from Madrin's blood stream. Her only hope was that as Wish was washing, applying medicine and eventually healing Madrin, that he would not wake up in a start and catch himself wearing nothing but a pillow.

Within Almedda:

Deverance sighed. "This is a waste of time. It's been two days, and we still haven't caught him."

Brod Fallarbor, the Accersan summoner, was sleeping on his feet. His eyes snapped open and he tossed Deverance a confused glance. "I'm sorry, what'd you say?"

"I said this is a waste of time." Deverance nudged Brod. "Are you awake?"

"Honestly," Brod admitted with a yawn, "I'm not sure."

"You have an uncanny ability to sleep and stand at the same time. I'm jealous."

"I've been told I can sleep walk too. They found me in a closet once, dressed in my aunt's clothes."

"Must have been a wicked dream."

"I'm sure."

"Well. I give up. This invader can stay in Almedda for all I care. With any luck, the Corpirians finished him for us." Deverance scowled at his friend. "Brod!"

The Accersan's eyes snapped open again. "Huh? You said something?"

"Go home, Brod. I'm calling it quits. You need to get some sleep, and I need to get some action before I die of boredom."

Smiling sleepily, Brod saluted Deverance. "Good luck, sir. I'm going to just sleep walk home. If you find me in a closet.. well.. just don't tell anyone else what I'm wearing, will ya?" With that, the sleepy Accersan headed off away from the gate. Deverance rose from his chair, dusted off his blue robes and headed in a different direction. He had business to return to. As he left the gate he directed two Evincans to guard it. Useless warriors, they couldn't guard the gate if their lives depended on it, but it was better than nothing. Besides, guarding the gate was hardly more exciting than watching grass grow. Deverance didn't envy the soldiers.

Heading into Veyja, Deverance went to find the Venefican House located on the extreme eastern side of Veyja. This powerful House, where all wizards and witches were trained in the fine arts of sorcery, towered above the city five stories tall and covered in polished blue marble. The pillars of the building were massive stone bears, their muscles bulging as they held the ceiling up, and Deverance grinned towards one struggling statue as it shifted for a more comfortable grip, its stone eyes following the mage as he passed.

"Deverance!" A Venefican woman approached the mage as he entered, bowing with a flourish. "Where have you been? Come, we have some new information."

The wizard followed the woman through Venefico's winding halls. The whole interior was designed to confuse and baffle, a labyrinth of marble and stone that could leave even a compass disoriented. Deverance had been here hundreds of times, and knew exactly where he was and where they were going as they wove through the building.

They finally came to the room Deverance himself had furnished. Named the Room of the Five, the space had been taken up by hundreds of artifacts and notes, all of them pertaining to the five Birvuo races - Tiger, Bear, Eagle, Wolf, and Spider - the same emblems which flew on Almedda's banners, ignoring the banished Spider. Relics and journals once owned by the Birvuo, maps of their locations, complex details about the ritual of their birth.. such debris cluttered the space with profusion.

In the room were two other mages. Their eyes lifted from the project they were working on at the table, and the first mage smiled broadly at the sight of Deverance. "While you were gone, we found something interesting. The Spider Birvuo isn't in Almedda any longer."

Deverance's eyes widened and he strode up to the table with urgency. "And you didn't tell me sooner?"

"Well, if you told us where you were.."

"I was sitting at the gate, preventing the Alerian invader from leaving."

"Ohh. And here we thought you went to Helmseed."

"Why Helmseed?"

The mage shrugged. "That was the last place the Spider was at. But it seems she's... well, she's in Aleris now."

"How do you know?"

The mage pointed towards a paper on the table. "A confession from a Corpirian. He asked for our patience and forgiveness concerning his undead status, in exchange for this precious information."

"Corpirians and lying go hand in hand."

"Well. He had proof. You see, the Spider Birvuo has a massive family. She's got so many children, it makes my Aunt Martha look like a celibate nun. Well, the Corpirian had once such child. A Spider Birvuo/insect hybrid."

"Insect hybrid?"

"We... think.. that she's been breeding with C'udisk."

"I've heard of stranger things. Let me see this C'udiskan hybrid."

The mage shuffled away, returning finally with a mason jar. Holes had been popped in the lid to let air inside, and within scuttled a small black beetle with red markings. Glistening black eyes peered up at Deverance as he took the jar.

"It can't escape from here?"

The insect began clicking out an angry response, the words beyond human comprehension. Unseen runes sparked to life on the edge of the jar and a hollow voice began to speak, translating the C'udisk language into something Deverance could understand. "Your time is at an end. Almedda is doomed. The Spider waits no more!" The chattering, scratching noise that issued from the insect was promptly translated into cruel laughter. "You wretched mortal, one day I will pick your bones from my teeth!"

Scowling at the jar, Deverance asked the mages another question. "Why do small creatures I can easily kill always feel like they can mock me?"

The female mage let out a giggle. "Because, it's too easy?"

Sighing, Deverance turned to leave. "Keep up the good work. I'm taking this little bastard with me. We're going to Aleris. It seems like that's where all the action is."

"Why is it, humans are always so eager to walk to their graves?!" the jar containing the bug demanded, followed by another cruel laugh.

--

Aleris:

The morning sun was buried beneath thick, roiling clouds. Wind whipped across the heavens, and the sky heaved about in response, condensation gathering in anticipation of the rainfall to come.

The armored skeleton Blend had been following these beetles for hours. Scurrying about, they wove through the grasslands, heading towards the Grand City. Blend was surprised to notice that spiders had joined the procession, arachnids of every shape and species. Daddy-long legs, with their spindly arms and thin bodies, jostled over swaming wolf spiders, eying the lesser spiders with eight hungry eyes. Jumping spiders charged through the stream, impatiently leaping to and fro as they outraced their more venomous relatives. Yet Blend saw no violence among these varying species as they joined into a steady stream that flowed north.

His growing curiosity was finally satiated as he entered a clearing buried in a small patch of trees several miles south of the Grand City. For it was here the insects gathered, swarming in the thousands around the sensual form of a woman.

"The Tiger Birvuo," the woman spoke, her black eyes lifting from the ground where the army of insects had gathered. Her voice was rich and silky, a deep timbre that was instantly seductive. Her figure had curves in all the right places, and Blend felt his eyes wandering to those suggestive mounds repeatedly before returning to her alluring face. Black hair framed her pale visage, and eyes the color of the abyss examined Blend as he approached. "It's been so long."

"What.. is this?" Blend motioned to the insects.

"This? Ohh, this is my family." The woman smiled, and for a moment Blend wanted nothing more than to see that glorious smile remain. But it vanished as quickly as it formed. "These are my children."

"You sure have odd offspring."

The woman let out a chilling laugh. "Yes, odd. The C'udisk are strange, indeed. Did you know, after the female gives birth to the eggs, the males carry them in a sac on their chest? It's nearly a reversal of roles, but it makes sense. The women C'udisk are frail, and the eggs won't hatch for a year besides, leaving the obvious role of protection to lie in the warrior caste. Mai'ka was a most fitting host for my children.. our children."

Blend studied the insects, before his skull turned to study the woman once more. "Who are you?"

"You don't recognize me?" She laughed again. "Your very sister, and you don't recognize me?! Well, I can't say I blame you. To be quite honest, you look nothing like you used to. I seem to recall you having skin."

"My sister?"

She nodded slowly. "I am Meristali, the Spider Birvuo. You and I, we're family!"

"Ahh. That makes me staring at your breasts all the more creepy, doesn't it?"

"Yes."

Blend sighed. "A man can't catch a break around here."

"I'm afraid it gets worse, dear brother."

Before Blend could respond, the woman unleashed a howling cry, veering into her true form. Four spindly arms ripped from her back as her skin hardened, turning black and glossy. Her eyes split, then split again, shifting into eight hungry orbs that all locked on Blend with predatory determination. Even as the woman changed her form, the insects around the clearing began swarming over Blend, covering him with silk.

It was impressively quick, the speed that the Spider Birvuo plucked Blend up and began wrapping him in thread. Struggling against the impossibly strong bindings, Blend let out a vicious laugh.

"You can't capture me!" he mocked before he vanished into Chaos, leaving the Spider Birvuo empty handed.

--

[ Show content ] ((Fingers is, in short, the other half of Blend's soul. See: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=1054)) [ Hide content ]

"Sorry, Blend, I don't think so. We've got plans for you."

Fingers was standing over Blend from within Chaos as Tempesturo's Champion appeared, a jagged rock clutched in his right fist. It was obvious Fingers had been waiting for him. Before Blend could move to defend himself, the sailor slammed the rock into Blend's head and he faded into oblivion, his body returning to Aleris and the hungry arms of the waiting Spider.

--

"Jasker, sir!" An Evincan strode into the Command Tent, located near the Ripping Gate. Thunder shook the tent as the sky above threatened a violent downpour. The soldier seemed unperturbed as he handed over a stack of papers. "The reports, as requested."

"Hmm, thank you," Jasker waved the soldier away as he rummaged through the papers. His green eyes lifted from the sheets as he glanced towards the other commanders in the room. "Good news. Almeddans are secured in every major city of Eiler. We have three hundred men in the Grand City, two hundred in Jade, two hundred in Joi. As we speak, there is another hundred men headed towards Aurora's Temple. That leaves us with two to three hundred, defending this gate."

"Wonderful," Isktor chided in. The Accersan commander had a crooked grin as he spoke. "The time is fast approaching, then."

"Yes." Jasker was silent as he studied another paper. "However, this is unnerving. The public opinion of Almedda is rather .. poor. It seems our men disrupting local authorities is not going as smoothly as we expected. We have to increase our propaganda. The Alerians must be made to understand, without a doubt, that our laws will protect them more. It's obvious necromancy is not outlawed here. The King Aleris himself was once nothing more than a flesh-puppet. For all we know, he's a lich. These are the points the public needs to understand. Almedda will outlaw necromancy, we will banish demons and monsters and we will establish true security. When we are in control, there will be no cannibals roaming the countryside."

"Actually.. Speaking of cannibals.."

"Hmm?"

Isktor grinned. "We found three Aliscowri. One of them, an infant, has most peculiar.. properties. Her skin is black. Her eyes have functional nictitating membranes, and are yellow. Furthermore, she seems to possess uncanny knowledge for an infant."

"Interesting.. See what else you can learn. In the meantime, let's return our attention to these unpopular Alerian sentiments." Jasker turned to an Evincan commander. "I want scouts to relay the propaganda to our agents in the various cities. I want Almeddans to integrate themselves, to blend into the culture, in fact to appear as locals do. It is not until we make friends that we can overthrow our enemies. We should have men drinking in bars, sharing the ideals of peace and protection... not starting fights."

"Sir," the Evincan nodded, rising from the table. "As you say."

"And could someone find that damned skeleton, Blend?!"