The Rogue Roleplay

The night sky darkened overhead as the elf looked over the port city of Westgate. Long ruled by the forces of the Armies of the Dread God Bane the city was at peace this night only because of the patrols that marched thru its quiet streets. This was the town of the leaders of the armies of Bane, the cruelest and most malevolent of those leaders stood looking over the city now as he turned and spoke to one of his generals. "Is the force ready, General?" inquired the elf. The General nodded that indeed all was ready and prepared to move. Turning away from him and taking one more look at the city that he had ruled for so long the elf spoke again, "good, let us be under way and not tarry any longer, for tonight we march to the city of Northwind and we must be there in a days time. Do not look at me such my general, for Bane guides our steps and all things are possible through his power." With these words the force of Baneites moved towards the west.

All was clear that morning as Lancer Alundel and Lancer Guilber washed their canteens in the stream. They sat quietly talking as they prepared to be under way once again. The scouts of the Royal Black Watch are said to be the best trained in all of Faerun. But even two well trained scouts are not a force that can reckon with a god and his most powerful servant. The two men stand up and see before them a tall elven man with eyes the color of emeralds and hair the color of jet. At the elf's side hung twin long swords, and across his back was strapped a long bow the likes that these scouts had never seen. Standing at his side stood a dark elf with a bow grasped within his hands. Looking at them both he spoke in a quiet voice, "Scouts of the Watch, hear me, the armies of Bane march upon yer beloved Northwind, go tell yer lord, tell him, to prepare for my coming for his city will be the next to fall to the armies of the Dread One. You tell him that The Emperor Thylath Daelis Darkblade will have his head upon the end of my sword and that all of this puny, Royal Black Watch, will fall to me and my armies." The scouts stood and turned to flee this elfs eerie presence, for they recognized the name, for this elf had once been one of them; he had once been the commander of the most elite forces of the Royal Black Watch. For he had once commanded the Fianna, and if there was anyone to be feared it was this elf, who knew all their secrets and who had trained many a member of the Royal Black Watch, trained them in the ways of warfare and strategy. Till that fateful day a year before where he was called back to his City, the city of Westgate. Ever since that day, the area around Westgate has become a seething pull of evilness and horror as this once proud member of the Royal Black Watch slowly and methodically conquered the areas surrounding the City of Westgate and changed the regions name to the Kingdom of Bane.

As the scouts started to move away, Dread Lord Darkblade looked at the dark elf beside him and asked, "How many men does it take to deliver a message?" Drawing his bow back and taking aim, the dark elf replied, "One..."

A loud thunderous cry echoed across Lord Protector Connor Altinus McLeod's office as the scout burst into the room, panting for breath and hyper ventilating the scout attempted to speak, "M'lord, he’s, he’s back, and he’s got an army, he’s... he’s... a days ride from here... he’s... he’s back... he rides at the heads of the armies of Bane, Darkblade has retuned. M'lord..." at this the scout falls to the floor exhausted. Connor slowly rose and calmed the tired scout, “Lad where is your partner and who is back?” After hearing the complete story Mcleod grimaced. So Darkblade has fallen to the evil of the land. Then we shall indeed prepare.

The call went out immediately. Over the years the watch had fought many times indeed and their numbers and skills had grown. Murana's forge ran hot as Unari’s hammer and her own beat a tune of defiance. The people where all moved inside the castle walls and prepared for battle. Long ago Connor had seen the wisdom of making a castle that could support all of the watch and the families. Great stores of food and a pocket plane were inside the castle so that they could weather much. Runners were dispatched to the allies of the watch. The Alliance, the Loremongers, the Lords of Krynn, and The Merc Lord Balinor who had been away "merchanting."

Connor did not know why Thylath had done this thing. Indeed he was one of the most trusted members of the watch and there was very little he did not know. But he knew this Thylath’s army was new and no matter what they were and even though they had an excellent commander very little could match strength and honor. This was what the watch depended on. So they prepared, faster then anyone knew.

Even before Feneiona received her orders from Conner, she started assembling her troops, shouting out instructions. The troops, gathered their weapons, not questioning. The rare sternness in their commander’s voice, told them now of all moments, would be best not enquire but obey. In deep thought, Feneiona left, trying to find the reason for her uneasiness. A scout rushed by. Gently, Feneiona stopped her.

"Is there somethen, about, that I should be aware of?" With solemn eyes the lean scout answered, telling all that had passed. Not believing what she had heard, she repeated the dark elfs, and Thylath's name over and over again. Kendra had taken over the charge, which left Feneiona to her thoughts. In the top branches of the newly turned colored leaves, none could see her. If one looked up the sun shone brightly in their eyes. Feneiona, sat, not a muscle moving, her eye glazed over and intently staring at the East Gate. Softly, she spoke. “How could Thylath betray us like that? How could he Conner?” “We don’t know if he has yet, there is still hope. There is always hope. Thylath is a faithful member an’ I nae think he would betray us so rapidly.” Giving a comforting smile, Conner left as silently and unexpectedly as he had came. Her gaze fell upon the East Gate once more. Something was amiss.

As the horrid news trickled down to all the commanders of the Royal Black Watch, A lone, fairly new, commander of the Watches Echo company Tashia Gillette, stood and pondered to herself. "This can not be happening. If anyone knows Thylath Darkblade, it tis I. Something has happened to him, something out of his control. Some evil force has taken over his very soul. We must get to the bottom of this before it's too late!" Then suddenly before she could gather all her thoughts, the door to her barracks burst open. There stood Connor, the Lord Protector, with a very concerned and worried look in his eyes.

In the run down, dusty bar that reeked of ale and dwarven spirits, Asharon Silverleaf eyed the half-orc assassin from the dark corner of the room, waiting for the assassin to make his first and fatal last move. When all of the sudden an elf bursts through the door panting and gasping for breath saying, "Asharon, you are needed by the Lord Protector himself, Altinus." The room turned their attention from the elf to the dark corner where Asharon sat. Asharon cursed aloud as the half-orc threw a dagger at him. With quickness of a lynx, Asharon's sword deflected the projectile. Seeing that, the orc, fearfully ran out of the tavern trying to escape. Asharon cursed again as he looked at the exhausted elf on the floor. Asharon came up to the elf and gave him something to drink. The elf, after a few moments of rest, turned to Asharon and whispered, "Thylath has betrayed the Watch. Nobody knows why, but Altinus has need of you. Please come and help." With that the elf, with the help of Asharon, was taken to a temple to heal. "So Thylath has betrayed the Watch?" said Asharon as he prepared to travel to assist his commander. Making sure his trusty sword, Fangtooth, was by his side. Asharon got on his steed and proceeded to leave for the Royal Black Watch headquarters. And thinking to himself, "I'll get that bastard assassin if that's the last thing I do."

Meanwhile, amongst the thick foliage of the northern forests nature's most vigilant protector continues his search for the perfect herb aside an oak tree. Feverishly picking through an unusual looking mushroom patch the soil-clad Hempis suddenly becomes alert. The druid stills himself and tilts his head as he lies prone to the ground. A mad look crosses his face with a dire focus as if straining to hear something. Hours pass as the druid lay in the poisonous mushroom patch in what seems as a complete catatonic state.

As one would begin to think this man completely disturbed, he begins to move again inspecting the air with a sniff. A thick smell of death and warm garbage beings to permeate the air as he glances to the nearby shaded bushes as they suddenly begin to furiously rustle with life. The rustling quickly becomes thrashing as something appears to emerge in a death charge. The undergrowth bursts in a shower of twigs and leaves as a large ravenous raccoon emerges and darts to the druids face abruptly stopping. The greasy creature begins to chitter as it appears to speak to the druid. But, as the animal begins to carry on the druid interrupts. "By the Earth Mother, what have you been eating? Have you been in that old farmer's trash again? I told you to stop eating..." The raccoon snaps and bites the scolding man's nose. "Foul creature! Interrupt you while you're talking! Who do you..." The raccoon begins to chitter again, but this time the druid readies in calm as he listens intently to his furry informant. He hears something that interests him. Hempis responds. "This is grave news indeed my refuse consuming friend. I shall depart immediately." The raccoon chitters again ending with a slight hiss and quick snap. "Yes, yes! Quiet you. Just be sure to keep the place clean in my absence and....for god's sake bathe in the stream." Woe is the Grove Protector of the forest this day as all is not well to the lands to the south, the home of Northwind.

As the moon began to rise, Feneiona felt her eye's drawn towards the East Gate once more. The feeling of uneasiness returned, Feneiona drew her bow as the Gate started to become unlocked. A weary scout covered in dust entered, sighing in a relief she started to put her bow away. While the gates started to close once more a seemingly small shadow passed through. Narrowing her eyes she watched the shadow move along the garden "What the devil is that?" A door opened casting a stream of light upon the shadow. Instead of disappearing the shadow now glinted as if lit from within. That was all Feneiona needed she notched an arrow and shot towards the glint. She was rewarded by muffled curses and the appearance of a Kolbold attached to the wall by its sword hand.

Unari made the rounds, checking on the apprentice's work. Each one was busy with their assigned tasks though the hour was late. She sighed, and pulled one apprentice aside. One small task ta do afore th' sun rises, she thought. "Lad," she spoke slowly, "I'll need me own forge lit an' ready.. an' make sure me own tools are near an' neat. Me own, an' none others." He nodded as Unari gave more small instructions, and then she left the forge and headed into the Watch stronghold. "A'right, now! Where are ye ya rogue?" she called as she started climbing the stairs. "Na doubt yer locked away in some room.." she trailed off.

Finally ending her walk in front of the door to the Commander's office, she paused to listen before she walked in. She heard nothing and so walked in without bothering to knock. There on the western wall hung Connor's favorite blades."Well now lovelies, bit lonely are ye two? Na ta worry, 'Nari is here an' we'll make th' both o' ye prettier than e'er. How would ye two like that, now?" She turned her head and spotted Connor's armor in the corner, smiled, and then spoke to it like an old friend. "Ye I will deal with on th' morrow. Rest." Out she went, the blades wrapped in dark green velvet, back to the forge.

Obiwaen was not a master assassin by all means; but he was still good enough to accomplish almost impossible tasks. This is what Dread Lord Darkblade had asked him to do now. So deceiving a kobold into making a distraction for him, he quietly slipped into the city of Northwind while the guards dispatched the poor kobold that had been unfortunately shot by an arrow from the female warden friend of Darkblades. Slipping through the dark halls unseen and unheard he passed within feet of Unari McLeod as she moved to prepare the Watch's Commander's weapons. She would have been easy to strike out at and kill, but she was not his target. He had to deal with someone much worse. For if he was allowed to make it here to help defend then the battle would be virtually lost. So, he moved into the portal room and quietly waited for his prey to arrive.

Unari worked at her forge, delicately smithing and preparing Connor's weapons for the coming battle. As she was concentrating on preparing the forge for the second blade, she felt an eerie presence indie the room with her. Turning sudddenly she saw a tiny figure dressed all in black with twin blades at his side and a rapier as long as he was tall upon his back. Looking at her, he spoke, "Alas, M'lady, as much as it pains me to do thus my Master, Lord Darkblade need ye to assist him." And with those words the room suddenly went dark for Unari Mcleod.

Unari came to in the midst of a thousand men. Standing before her was the tall rugged elf known as Thylath. Glancing down at her he spoke, "So brave wife of McLeod, I see you have awaken at last. That is a good thing for I have need of yer skills to assist me in forging the Blade of Terak. For with it I shall rule the world!"

Huffing and puffing the newly promoted Lancer, know as Theradorn ran up to his Lord and Master, the Lord Protector of the Royal Black Watch, Connor Altinus McLeod, breathing heavily winded from running from Unari's forge he gave a salute and spake, "M'lord, yer wife she is missing. She was working on repairing yer blades when she sent me to bring her some food and drink so that she may work through the night. When I returned with the meat and drink, I found her missing, and M'lord I found yer blades lying on the floor, thrown there with the utmost lack of care."

'Nari stood groggily while she contemplated whether or not the pounding she heard was drums or her head. When she stood, she had a good look around. Na th' best o' things, she thought. Irregardless, she stood and looked Thylath Darkblade in the eyes. "Cor, man, ye must be daft!" she laughed. "Rulin' oneself is more'n eno' work fer any. An' iffn 'tis a blade ye want any smith will do." "Rule th' world indeed.. Why have ye brought me here fer this weapon, Darkblade? An' while yer at it, tell me why I should na burn ye ta ashes where ye stand. I'd be inclined ta make it quick, fer ol' times.. tho' I'd hate ta melt th' armor with ye." She stood waiting a reply, her right hand clenched in a fist. In her anger and desire to punch Darkblade's imperious elven face, Unari rememberd this man was a brother, but barely.

Hmm that tis nae like Nari to go off like that, indeed tis strange. Theradorn conduct a search of the castle for my wife and once ye find her have the lass come and see me she canna be far. With that Connor continued his planning session totally unaware of what had transpired he was sure that no one could have just taken Unari not here in the watch keep.

Down in the dungeon Averyl finally got the kolbold to speak. "It vasen't m'ey, i seavr it. Obiwa'n pade m'ey te just crevate a distraction, fer 'em." Averyl spoke gruffly, shaking him. "Why?! What did Obiwaen need the distraction??" Before, Averyl finished talking Feneiona slipped into the shadows silently watching the exchange. Fearfully the kolbold answered "All i 'eard was somethin' bout a forge and sime lady. Tis all i know i sw'ar. 'ere, 'ere! take m'ey mon'y, just let m'ey go." Feneiona broke in before Averyl could rattle him further. "Tis true, he knows nothing. Would he offer you his money if he did?." Averyl spoke with a sense of urgency "Unari! She is the best crafter in all the land. We need te find Conner, but what shall we do with our friend here" Feneiona replied "We will bring him with us. Conner will want to know more about his wife's whereabouts" Averyl and Feneiona set off in search of the very busy Ranger.

Looking down at the woman, Dread Lord Darkblade replied to the woman's inquiry, "All know that you are the finest forger in the realm of Faerun, and you serve a dual purpose for yer immortality makes you even more valuable. For once the weapon is forged you will be sacrificed into the weapon and with that act my absolute victory here shall be complete." Turning and looking at his closest general he commanded him, "The time has come General Nakano, we have what we came here for, you may begin yer siege of Northwind." With those words the attack of Northwind began.

They came over the hill as they had many times before, Trolls, Orcs, and Kolbolds. So it begins thought Connor as he drew back Hawkwind and let fly a single golden arrow. Up it arched into the sky and then it fell to the earth in between two trolls who stared at it dumbly until it exploded ripping their legs off at the knees. “STRENGTH AND HONOR!!!!” The cry rang out as Catapults and Archers alike unleashed the Hell of death they had so often practiced. For a moment it was enough as the besiegers were surprised by the sheer ferocity of the attack but then they moved forward coming from the dark smoky streets blood in their eyes. Sheets of arrows and crossbow bolts swept thru the invaders felling them in rows like new mown wheat. The shrieks that rose from the battle field had taken on the note of agony that had risen from every battlefield since the dawn of time. Trolls were so wildly gripped by their blood frenzy that they paid no heed to their dreadful casualties some of them were even ignoring their own mortal wounds as they dragged themselves towards the walls.

"I'll na help ye, Thylath Darkblade, but ta send ye ta th' Abyss .. !" Unari spat out. With those words the men nearest to Unari burst into flames. Quickly she brought her hands together and produced a white-hot blast that shot clean through the crowd, and whatever else it hit. Not one to waste a moment, she followed the blasts length running as fast as she could.

Kure sat in wait, a top the guard wall, longbow in hand, a fresh pack of magically blessed arrows safely secured to her back. She thought about all the battles she had been in during her life, all the battles she had seen. Not a one of them were like this though, this was much bigger a battle than she had ever fought. They were coming now, she could see them, she watched as single arrow ripped apart the legs of the poor foes near to it. That was the signal to attack, she pulled back on the string and let loose the first arrow she already had ready. It struck her target, a lumbering troll, in the arm. The troll payed no attention and kept coming, Kure reloaded and launched another at the same troll, this time striking it's chest, again it did not stop. Three more arrows let loose, one missed, one in the chest, one between the eyes, which slowed it down, but it still came. The sixth arrow struck the creature’s eye, this time it fell. Kure decided that a little magic may be more effective, though her arrows were quite strong, so were these trolls. So holding her hands to the sky she chanted a few magical words and concentrated on the magic within her as a field of electricity lit up around her. Bringing her hands down upon her target, she unleashed a stream of magically lightning upon a troll, it fell, and the lightning reflected to another troll, it fell. The stream continued until three more enemies fell and ten more were injured.

As Unari ran through the hoard of Baneites she realized that she did not seem to be moving at all. Looking over her left shoulder she saw Thylath standing there with a sly grin and next to him was the Dark elf. Looking down she noticed she was hovering mere inches off the ground, levitated. Thylath looked at her and with a smirk said, "You do not understand immortal. You will do this task for me for you have no choice." And then he snapped his fingers and an electrical charge swept through her body and all went black.

Hempis' weathered face shines a solemn grin from beneath his worn woolen shroud as he looks skyward. "Ah, at long last Northwind." A muffled chitter and rustling sound answers from the druid's back satchel as the large animal relieves his weight burden and jumps to the ground. "Fah! I didn't ask you to come and it is not as if you did the walking, Vermin." The large racoon responds by swinging at the druid's calf, missing as the leg is lifted from harm's way. "Hah! That will teach you to sleep the whole way." Hempis continues towards the north gates of Northwind castle alongside his furry cohort's side. The journey has been long and taken it's toll as nightfall sets but all is well as the end approaches...except for one last matter. "Halt, sir. You may not pass", a chainmail-clad guard announces as the druid attempts to step through the gate. "Halt!? Who are you telling to halt? Pfft. If you insist on identification speak to Connor. And quickly, I am weary and fresh out of...nevermind." The guard shakes his head and points to the ground directly behind Hempis, "It is not that at all, sir. I am aware who you are. It is just the small matter of the animal." The raccoon responds to being pointed with a short hiss and a chitter to his master. "What of the "animal"? What is this matter over? New rules against animals in town? Hell shall be to pay! And you shall refer to him as Rodney lest you face his fury", the druid replies. "It is not that sir...rather we were ordered to specifically not allow him inside again. Regarding your last visit the Lord was rather displeased with where your friend chooses to "do his business" and the matter of him being involved with the Lord's missing cats", the guard begins to trail off in a mutter as if attempting to disengage from the argument. "So be it. He says you have no proof it was his droppings but as such he agrees to wait here. Let me pass", Hempis replies. The guard opens the gate permitting passage and hastily secures it behind the druid. As he begins to return to his post aside the gate the guard stops suddenly sniffing the air. Looking down the guard mutters, "Spawn of the Abyss you will not get by so easily!" The guard reaches down grabbing the tail of Rodney as the overweight creature attempts to scurry under the door but all to no avail...the raccoon eludes any form of grip with his slick coat of fur. The journey has ended with nightfall, but this day's events were just beginning.

Ranger and warrior, Lord and Husband, once again the tides of war brewed about the lands. Connor walked towards his room to get his armor The leather he liked better but this was time for chain indeed. Hawkwing his old friend was as usual in his hand. As of late he had taken to using it a bit as a staff. Chuckling, he remembered Hempis earlier comment about acting his age. If Hempis only knew his true age he would indeed be amazed. But the Rangers thoughts were interrupted by a small thing really a strange smell close to him, something he could not quite place but he knew did not belong. Connor noticed that something was out of sorts indeed.

Kianne intercepted Connor on his way to his quarters, having heard the news as she returned to Northwind after a solo journey. All through the halls she couldn't help shake her head, wondering if she could believe what the others were saying. Thylath? Truly? Were they really going to be fighting one of their own--or at least who had once been one of their own--again? There was always the chance of outside influence, but Ki wouldn't be able to read his darkness level without being in the same room with him, and even then it may not mean anything. Some could fill their bodies with the power of Dark magic and yet still remain sane. Most, though, simply fell to the sheer barbarity of their power, sliding into evil without realizing the pieces of their minds that were lost. And still others chose their evil with all full awareness of their actions. Ki shook her head and turned a corner to see the Ranger in front of her. "Connor," she spoke without thinking. "It can't possibly be true what I'm hearing..." But he raised a hand, gesturing her into silence, and she realized something was amiss. "What is it?" All around her the habitance of the keep worked at a frenzy, apparently trying to keep there hand busy that the fear of facing one of there own might not over take their reason. The scout would have had to pass Avy’s room on the way to Lord Connors and she had heard his heavy foot falls and his crashing threw the door into Connors room. Thus she had heard the tale as it was told.

Avy was amused. Perhaps it was the long years among the backstabing drow, or the two faced and evil Undead Lords that she had gained a rather sadistic sense of humor. Or perhaps it was that Avy herself had often used this very tactic against the dark lords, joining the opposing side long enough to learn their secrets. What interested her more is what Thylath hoped to gain by the attack on Northwind. Northwind wasn't exactly the pinical of any trade routs or a source of some rare resource. It was a modest community with the RBW keep being one of it's few highlights. The keep itself might be barely salvageable after a lost siege. Avy wondered slowly through the keep to the war room, giving an order here and there to anyone that looked too idal. Seating herself at the table with a glass of elvin wine she pulled up the schematics for the lay out of the RBW keep.

While climbing down from the tree, Feneiona, ordered two guards to lock up and question the Kolbold in the dungeon. Hempis pasted the scene with a smirk. "You have it out for Kolbod’s, do you not, Feneiona?" Climbing down from the tree she nodded "Aye, they are filthy lil'buggers. I assume you know all the events of late." "Unfortunately, what do you make of it?" Me? I nae know yet, I am just follow orders for now." "Since when do you follow orders? Hempis asked with a grin. They walked side by side, bantering on, both relived to escape the days ordeal for a bit.

Well all I can say is this, I do nae know why ye are all flocking to me when we should be girding for war and battle. For some Reason unbeknownst to me our Loremaster has seen fit to wage war against us with some sort of army that we do nae know about. Kianne lets see Averyl and find what she is thinking. With that Connor and Kianne move into the room where Averyl is plotting maps and the like.Bah Lass why would ye be a drinking at this time? Are ye nae planning Averyl?

The Trolls formed a huge wall moving forwards as arrow after arrow sped into them. It was time Connor knew as he turned towards Feneiona and gave her the signal. He began then looking for the wee mages that were so prevalent in the watch he would need them next. Wood cracked as Connor Heard Feneiona preparing and then he let fly one silver arrow higher and higher up into the sky it exploded bathing the battlefield in silver light and marking the correct apex of flight for Feneiona’s artillery.

"FIRE" Feneiona shouted out the command for the mages. The entire region Connor laid out for them exploded in a bright light. Trolls and kolbold's all enemy's in that region fell to the ground feeling not but the slightest pin prick of pain. That explosion from the mages took out 550 enemy's from Feneiona's count. "Perhaps there tis hope that te'will win this battle yet" Feneiona said to no one "I just thank the gods that we have had so many new recruits this month. Now we must only pray that the enemy has not done an equal amount of recruiting"

Looking very stressed Averyl stopped and looked around. "Are you looking for me, friend? Our mages did quite some damage to the enemy not long ago. I do fear of hidden forces the enemy may have and how Unari is doing. Do we have anyone scouting enemy land?" "Aye, Feneiona and they come back with some very disturbing news. Where is Connor, this is information for his ears alone." she mumbled "though I doubt it can be kept solely to his ears for long." she started to walk away but stopped and said "Do not ask me how I have received this news either"

Enid's merry humming abruptly stopped as she surveyed the damage that marauding raccoons had wreaked upon her prized lettuces. "Och, ye filty beasts! If I ever catch ye in me beds again, I'll singe those ringed tails of yours to...." The lurikeen gasped. Her fingers flew to a silver amulet suspended on a fine twisted chain about her neck. The talisman tingled in her grasp as a voice breezed through her consciousness. "Connor?" Enid whispered. "Aye, little one." The ranger's voice sounded strained. He told Enid of Thylath's betrayal and the attack of the army, of Unari's disappearance and the need for all of the Watch to gather once again. "Of course I'll help," the lurikeen replied. "I just need to get some things together." Enid quickly muttered a spell of warding over her garden and leaned her shovel against the wall. She trotted into her cottage and withdrew a bundle from under her bed. Carefully unwrapping an old staff, she cursed the war that ripped her away from the tranquility she had so carefully cultivated. She threw some foodstuff and other sundry items into a pack and grasped the staff in her hand. Enid gave a lopsided grin as she looked down at her dirt stained hose and tunic. There was no time to change, but no matter. Fine robes usually also made fine targets. Taking a dusty bottle of fine sand from a kitchen shelf, she precisely drew an odd symbol on the floor. Again, she held the amulet lightly in her fingers. The tingling grew stronger until it suffused her whole being. Drawing a deep breath, she stepped into the centre of the symbol. The room she was in shimmered, faded, and with an abrupt lurch, Enid found herself staring at the incoming elbow of Connor as he drew his great bow.

Arrow flew as the Rangers and Elves on the battlement let fly again and again. The strike from the artillery and mages had blunted the first wave assault. But it was not enough to just blunt them it had to be broken. Sheets fired faster then any normal person could flew thru the air as the enemy tried to regroup. Connor felt the presence behind him as he snapped off another arrow, He snapped the clasp on Hawkwing and it became a hard staff in his hand as he whirled about his staff cutting thru clear air. The presence was smaller then a normal human he thought as he over-balanced and fell upon the wee spy. He held the Kolbald down about to pummel it and then he saw the face, “Er Enid... Good to see ye lass.”

The air whooshed out of Enid's lungs as Connor's full weight landed on her stomach. Not able to breathe or even move, she stared with wide eyes at the fist that hovered just millimeters from her face when the ranger finally recognized who she was. An arrow whistled by Connor's shoulder as he picked up the tiny, gasping mage and carried her to safety behind an overturned cart. "Gwion's brow!" Enid choked. "Bloody hell, Connor!" She wriggled out of the ranger's grasp and kicked him, hard, in the shin. Enid was furious. "I told you I'd be here right away. You knew I would use you as my portal anchor when you called! What did you think I was, a kobold?" Connor's shoulders shook from silent laughter. He raised a hand as a small, booted foot threatened another assault on his ankle. "Enid", he chuckled. "Ye're still just as cranky as I remember ye." Another barrage of arrows bought a frown to his face. "We need to move." Enid quickly cast a shield barrier over the two of them. The bellow of the enemy's war cry rent the air. Enid gripped her staff tightly as Connor restrung hawkwing and knocked another arrow.

Averyl came rushing towards Connor and Enid. Unable to stop she ran right into both of them and knocked them over just as Connor released an arrow. “Lord...Connor, I have very important news....about...Unari...Thylath...the war,” she took a deep breath and than fainted.

“Important News,” Connor looked to Enid over his shoulder as he launched another arrow into a oncoming troll. “Enid can you wake the lass up?” As he heard the wee mage starting to work on the lass he felt his left shin burn...and he smiled. Enid was back and so was some of the old spirit into RBW. He even felt good as the smile crossed his lips. Some of the closest RBWs looked at him and they too smiled. Yes perhaps they were in a battle one with dire circumstances indeed, but the smiles felt good. At least for the watch as the incredulous trolls looked upon the Watchers who were laughing and chuckling as they flew into battle. All of them knowing this simple fact, whatever the outcome, they were home.

"Ah, the ol'ranger sure knows how to cheer his crew up in a time of trouble" Feneiona mussed. "Always has" She remember the battles of old when Thylath fought beside her. "Those days are gone, all I have to deal with is today" She said with scorn, she quickly cast a healing spell on Averly and turned back to kill a kolbold scaling the wall. "I DID IT!!! Connor I have gotten Averly to awake" Enid said with excitement. "Very good lass" Connor chuckled and looked towards Feneiona who had resumed fighting. "Averly, lass. What is the news?" Averly looked Connor right in the eye "Lord Commander, horrible news. Thylath and the dark elf are planning a siege. They have uncountable forces at their command. We nae know where they have come from. I overheard Thylath saying that he is going to use Unari to create a weapon that will pay a great price to make and destroy. He is going to circle our keep and..." "Go on lass" Connor said. "And that is when Thylath found us. We lost five scouts."

Well lass very well done indeed, now duck. Averyl’s next words were lost in the flurry of Activity as the Ranger spun forward. An arrow of the purest silver streaked towards Feneiona and the feathers gently brushed her cheak as the barbed arrow sped into the eye of the Troll behind her, eliminating its life and the axe that was falling on the young warden. The battle was in full force now as the trolls surged thru the broken keep doors... Watch guards fought and fell screaming out either curses or prayers to their gods as their lives simply wasted on the battlefield victims of a mad grab for power. As more trolls rushed in Connor sped forward and snapped Hawkwing from its bow configuration to its battle staff. The Ranger twirled and spun parrying and dodging, a blinding whirl of speed and death, all the time his voice rose above the din of the battle. STRENGTH AND HONOR!!! It flitted across the wind and then rose and fell. Men rallied and began the fight in earnest and still the Ranger smiled as he had not yet understood the significance of the words uttered to him.

Feneiona, cut an advancing Kolbolds throat, when she heard a voice. The voice that sounded like Thylaths and the dark elf’s voice alternating. It was strangely soothing. "Enid? do ye hear that voice?" "Voice? what are you talken about Feneiona? Pull your sword back out and fight!!" Enid looked at Feneiona like she was a lunatic and continued to fight. Feneiona, started to pull her sword out than put it back. She walked through her once beautiful home that was now filled with dirt, blood and death. She walked as though no one saw her. "Connor." Feneiona said as she tapped him on the shoulder."What is it lass?" "This fight is hopeless you know that. We canna win it from here.""I know that but we canna give up!""I am not suggesting we do, I am suggesting we hide" She said with a smile. "Hide lass? I know this place inside and out, and there is no hiding place. Lass, what has gotten into ye? Maybe you should take a rest, has the battle gotten to ye?" "No Connor, trust me. Please, just follow me." Feneiona and Connor went into the kitchen and opened up the pantry door. "Lass?" Trust me Connor. Help me pull this Shelf against the wall down." A great dust cloud filled the air as a the self fell. When the dust cleared they found a tunnel. “Lass, do we know where this leads?” “No Connor, I just sorta, found it. Don’t ask me how, because I don’t really know.” “Well, it just feels like a set up or a trap to me.” “It very well might be, but we don’t have much of a choice to we? More enemies are filling the keep as we speak. We have to get the word out to every Royal Black Watch still alive. We will cover the tunnel up with the shelf again and it will be better to meet the enemy out there then in here don’t you think? At least we will all be together.”

The flail came in hard and fast, smashing into Cayn's ribcage. "Ok, so maybe 3 trolls is too many to handle on me own" she thought. She stumbled over the two dead trolls at her feet and turned toward her final attacker. Steeling herself against the blow that would surely remove her head, a million thoughts swept through her mind. When she had heard the call "Strength and Honor" from her Lord Protector, she had run full force into the midst of the three trolls as they were the first to come through the busted keep doors. Cayn had not been with The Royal Black Watch long, but she had come to greatly care for and respect all of its members and would fight to the death to protect them and their families. Seconds had past and feeling her head still attached, Cayn glanced up at the troll looming over her. The troll was perfectly still and his eyes had glazed over. Sensing the opportunity, she plunged her magical blade into the stunned troll's gut. An explosion shook the trolls body has her blade did its work and the troll collapsed at her feet. With a grateful nod to the wee mage standing up on the walls behind her, she fell back. A mixture of blood and sweat plastered her red hair to her face, her legs barely able to support her weight she stumbled to an awaiting druid. As she collapsed on hard dirt ground at his feet, he went to work. Immediately she felt her strength return and her wounds heal. In a matter of seconds she felt ready to return to the fight. The Druid cautioned her to stay to let the magic finish its work. As she rested, she glanced up at the wee mage that had saved her life. She was standing next to a couple of senior officers as well as the Lord Protector himself. The lines of worry on their faces were obvious even at this distance. Cayn had heard the rumors about Thylath Darkblade and it was her opinion that he definitely needed to be dealt with. Cayn understood the mixed emotions of the Watch and upon seeing the lines of worry on her commanders faces she began to realize that "dealing with" Thylath may not be so simple. As she rose to join the battle a mixture of great fear and excitement boiled in her stomach.

Enid's mind worked madly as she saw Feneiona walking off with Connor. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, voices in Fen's head and Thylath leading an assault on the Watch. More trolls and kobolds swarmed about the ramparts. Magic was good, but Enid had other tricks up her sleeve. She reached into her pack and pulled out a bag of spores from the medicinal garden knot she had planted. Gathering up a crude bow from one of the fallen enemy, she tied the bag onto an arrow, knocked the bow and set the projectile flying. As it cleared the keep walls, the bag exploded, sending a fine shower of spores over the advancing army. Thrice more the tiny lurikeen sent small packets over the walls. She bit her lip and hoped that troll and kobold physiology wasn't so different from hers that the spores wouldn't do their job. A scream sounded from the army below, followed by a clash of steel on steel. The scream turned into screams and the sound of battle rose. Shielding herself, she made her way over to the high keep walls and looked down. The enemy's swords flashed and arrows fell like rain. The front ranks of the army were in utter disarray. Trolls were killing trolls, kobold archers sent their deadly barrage into their own ranks. Cries of fear, rage and confusion shrieked from the advancing hordes as evil turned on itself. The hallucinogenic spores did their work. Enid moved back to safety. Seeing that Cayn was fit to move, she motioned her to follow. With the stealth she had gained from years of filching goods from the alchemical study in Tir na Nog, she stole after Connor and Feneiona.

Connor knew they could nae hold the keep.. There were just too many even for the skilled warriors of the watch. So it was simple try to fight their way to freedom or take a chance on Feneiona’s strange tunnel. The lass was a friend of Thylaths but indeed she had never given reason for any doubt afore. So the Ranger sent word to all the Commanders to pull back at dusk.. ‘twas indeed a stroke of good fortune that luck would have Enid concoct something just at that time that had thrown the trolls and kolbalds into confusion. Connor stood with the members just before they departed as he spoke to Feneiona bring them safely to Drum Cain where we will meet and rally. I will meet you there… He nodded to the Rangers with him as Kearmac and Alveerad and Weeun faded into the twilight.. He and Evelum would work to the east as well giving the trolls something to chase. As the rest of the Watch faded into the blackness and made for home. He watched as Feneiona and the new warrior lass Cayn faded into the tunnel.. He knew that by now Moordoom and perhaps Hempis would be rallying the Watch and the Alliance but first they had to make it to the safety of the walls of Drum Cain. As he left passing tracelessly thru the night he saw the body of a young watch warrior barely 20 summers… His eyes vacant destroyed by the betrayal of one man. Connor would be back indeed with all the watch and they would both avenge this wrong and then attend to the bodies of the lads and lasses that lay here. A tear shed from the Ranger as he passed over the ground so red with the blood of the youth of the watch. Then to work he went harassing and skirting the huge army buying time. Hawkwing would sing a arrow perhaps two but never more and they would disappear into the night. Buying precious time indeed.

The tunnel seemed endless and there was something else, something in the air. Cayn had sensed it when she had first glanced at the entrance. She had followed the mage, Enid, up to the opening of the tunnel where Connor and Feneiona stood. Feneiona said they were to flee into the tunnel and hopefully make it to Drum Cain. Cayn could see an unsettledness in the eyes of her Lord Protector. The thought of his Royal Black Watch fleeing surely was disturbing to him, but there was something else.. another concern. A similar concern was mirrored in Enid’s eyes, but Feneiona seemed confident and assured that this was the path to take. Trusting in the commander’s judgment, they made their preparations. No one seemed to know how long or how far the tunnels went, but there was no time. Dusk was here and there were no options. Now it was very cold. Some that were traveling were wounded and were becoming ill. The healing resources were stretched thin. Cayn was watching the back along with a few others. All of the sudden, a strong gust of hot, dry wind assailed their faces. The screams and shouts of the Watch could be heard then silence, complete silence, as the fear in Cayn’s stomach boiled over. Cayn ran to the front of the line as the lit tunnel flickered. She moved to stand next to Feneiona they continued their trek, trying to talk to ease the nerves.

Feneiona led the Watch deep into the tunnel. The tunnel was already lit, as if they were being expected. "The tunnel looks like it was made by the ancient dwarves themselves, before The Great Seperation, of the Races." Enid said in Awe. When Cayn came rushing towards the pair. Feneiona perked her head. "Aye I heard it too, friend. We canna continue. We need to rest afore we can go into a battle. We will wait here, afore we go out into the light. Just be ready." "Feneiona?" said Enid. "What is it Enid?" "Feneiona. I nae think this tunnel leads us anywhere near to Cain."

A voice spoke from the darkness, "Aye, ye are right fair lass, it leads nowhere but to yer death!" With these words a score of arrows shot out from the darkness. As the arrows flew out at them the voice continued, "So young warden ye have found the way which we were going to take the keep. It has taken us many nights to get the tunnel to this point without yer blind sentries noticing the sounds of the digging. But alas, even yer guards are no match for my diggers." Straining her head she swore she recognized the voice and then she realized, she did! It was the voice of Darkblade, Thylath Darkblade, the Dread Lord of the armies of Bane. As this knowledge came to her mind, Feniona realized that the rest of the Watch was lying around her feet, arrows protruding from their bodies. Looking back up aghast at the Dreadlord she feels the arrow enter her body that he had just released from his bow; and all went black.

Time and eternity became one as the hours passed unnoticed by the members of the watch. The sleeping poison applied to the arrows had done its job well. As each member of the Royal Black Watch starts to awaken inside a massively large cell, holding each member of the Royal Black Watch that had survived the assault on Northwind.

As Cayn came to her instincts instantly brought her mind wide awake and ready for battle. She laid still with her eyes still closed as to not attract attention. She used her other senses to evaluate her surroundings and determine her course of action. It was chill in this place the stone floor damp. There were others with her how many she couldn’t tell. They seemed to be still unconscious judging by their steady, deep, breathing. She remembered arrows, a voice, was there a battle; no, everything went blank. She reached for her side where the third arrow had struck her only bruising poison arrows, she thought. She smiled inside, it had taken 3 poison arrows to take her down, strong poison too from the feel of it. She at least had some satisfaction in that thought. Opening her eyes she began to notice the sleeping bodies around. Seeing Enid near she nudged her but Feneiona was nowhere in sight.

Enid felt as though her head would explode. As Cayn nudged her into consciousness, she slowly opened her eyes and sat - and promptly threw up. The sleeping anesthetic must have been a particularly nasty concoction. She reached into her belt pouch and broke off a small piece of a dried tablet. The willow and ginger extracts quickly cleared her head and her nausea and allowed her to think. Why wasn't she dead? She touched the rip the arrow had made in her tunic. Underneath, the flesh, though bruised was whole. Sleeping potions, arrows, wounds magically healed...what was Thylath playing at? All around her, the Watch slumbered in drugged sleep, except Cayn who now also sat up and surveyed the cell. Enid stood and walked the perimeter of their confines. The cell was, indeed, massive, designed to hold large numbers of captives. "Hmm," Enid mumbled as she grasped the bars enclosing them. "Large numbers of large people could well be held in here." She thought of being teased about her tiny size by some of the Watch and smirked. Carefully, she put her head through the bars, then her shoulders. Cayn's eyes went wide. Enid stepped back through and grabbed her pack. She looked about and cursed. Thylath had taken her staff. No matter. She would get it back somehow. "Cayn, I'm going for a look about. Hopefully I can find out where we are and what's going on." With a determined look in her eyes, Enid pushed the pack through the bars and followed. Reaching again into her belt pouch, Enid took out a small vial of chameleon root powder and opened it. She put her finger into her mouth, then into the powder. "Gah, I hate the taste o' this stuff." She put her powder coated finger into her mouth and pulled a face. Ripples of colour flooded her body, then turned the same gray hue as the stone she stood against. Stripping down, she put the clothes into her pack, then stuffed it into a dark corner. As she made her careful way down the hall, she could hear the other Watch members painfully waking up.

Feneiona woke up in a complete daze. She could not make out a solid object in her blurred vision. Her head rang as if the very gods were trying to get her attention. The ringing in her ears prevented a healing spell from leaving her mouth. Feneiona felt around her, trying to get her bearings. Not two feet on either side of her were walls, her back was already against the third wall and the bars were within an arms length of the warden, she could not stand. Through the ringing Feneiona heard a voice in the far distance she could barly make out. "Lass wake up , tis no time te be sleepen'. Where be Connor, has Thylath taken' over thee keep? FENEIONA! ye have had worse bruises and scrapes than that." Unari said from the cell across the hall from her. "Shut up you" Thylath cast a spell and Unari had no choice but to stop talking. "I am nae even strong enough te do ye harm, Thylath. Even in me full strength, a cell as this would nae be needed te hold me, fool" With that Feneiona mustered up the last of her strength and tried to cast a spell over Thylath, foolish she knew, but her anger over ran her common sense. "I am the fool, that didn’t even tickle" Thylath sneered. Feneiona than spat on Thylath. "You will pay for that young warden.”

Time turned into eternity once again as Feneiona returned to the darkness that was her world. Thylath continued to stare at the warden while talking to himself. "Nay, I do not think I shall have ye healed yet. I will let you suffer a while longer." he started to walk away, when he stopped. "You have more power than you know Feneiona, I only have to tap into it and you and Unari will no longer be needed."

Cayn watched Enid slip her tiny body through the bars and vanish. Watch members were waking up around her in a state of confusion, but all were well trained and seasoned warriors so they were quick to come the their senses and evaluate their surroundings. Cayn moved deeper into their cell, making sure all were accounted for as best she could. As she wandered through the cell, she felt a large hand hand on her shoulder. Still on edge, she spun around ready to defend herself as best she could. She found herself looking straight into the chest of a very large warrior. Looking up, she sighed in relief, for it was a very dear and close friend, Raged. Raged had been a part of The Royal Black Watch long before Cayn. They had met after Cayn joined and became fast friends. "Oh, thank god its only you" Cayn whispered. "Its good to see you up and about, Cayn. It seems the poison had worse effects on others." Raged responded. Cayn noticed Raged favoring his right side, "You are hurt badly?" "No, no.. I’m fine.. took 12 arrows before I fell. Its a wonder I woke up." Cayn smiled to herself, knowing Raged's habit of exaggeration, she believed the actual number to be closer to 6 or 7. But still, her concern for her friend grew. A sharp clang against the outside bars of the cell rang out, startling everyone. "Who could that be?" Cayn whispered "Feneiona, Enid?"

The ringing grew once more in the warden’s ears as she woke to the dark and gloomy dungeon that had been her home for the past five days. Her condition had worsened from the lack of food, but Unari had kept her hopes up. Thylath came each day trying to persuade the women into joining his side, ensuring them that it would be much less painful, since he was going to us them to his own devices wither they liked it or not. Thylath came to the warden with an unusual gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. "You do know, Fen, m'dear. That all your comrades are dead? I have no use for them; there is no hope for you. You have nothing left to live for. Why will you not join me?" Unari, gasped in surprise. "Why ye.." She went into a string of swearing "...you lie you foul-mouthed demon!" she said as the fire grew within her once more.

"Tut, tut, Unari, you know that your magic can not penetrate the magic that binds you where you are. Do you remember what happened last time you tried to escape? Now Feneiona, you will join me now? Won’t you my dear?" "I am not your dear, leave me alone traitor!" Feneiona screamed as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill down her face."Alright, i will do as you wish, but do not expect it to be like that for long." He left and whispered and gave something to the guard. Feneiona, burst into tears the moment Thylath was gone from sight. She breathed in trying to stop the flow she feared would never stop. "You know Unari, this is the first time that I have cried for a very long time and it is all me fault, Unari. This whole mess, I led them out of our keep. It would have been better for us to die in a battle with honour than by an ambush that I led them into. How will I be able to forgive myself?" Unari started to try and comfort the warden when she saw with disbelief the guard fall to the ground unconscious. A small voice spoke that Feneiona and Unari recognized in an instant. "ENID!" they screamed with joy.

It had been 2 days past the time that the rest of the watch should have arrived at the Keep Drum Cain. Connor Stalked about with the Rangers and the Nightshades of the Watch.. They had harassed the army that Thylath had brought forth long enough for the rest of the alliance to dispatch them, but it had not been without cost. Many had met their ends and even now the druids labored hard over some. Obviously something had indeed went wrong but it would be a day or more before there were enough men in fighting trim where the watch could go and seek their missing comrades. Even now Connor heard the telltale sound of bow strings flinging death thru the air. Thylath was out there somewhere, he did not know exactly where but he had Unari and quite possibly the others as well. It was indeed strange that he had heard nothing even from the wee Enid. Once again he dispatched Shadowsinger and Dolkfar to the West and Unseen to the North to find what he could not find. Rangers could move well indeed in the woods but the Nightshades had both their stealth skills and a bit more. He brooded as he waited, itching to do something anything but all he could do was wait till he knew where. That was the hard part.

Enid stepped back from the fallen guard. The dim aura from the mind jolt she gave him winked out as she bent to search for the keys to the cell she hoped he possessed. Rifling through the guard's pockets she found, nothing. "Goblin spit! No keys?" She turned her attention to his hands, looking for rings, found none, then snapped her fingers. Reaching a hand under his mail shirt, her fist closed about a crystal hanging from a leather cord. One quick yank and the blue crystal lay in her palm. She turned to go when Unari and Feneiona screamed her name. Enid's heart almost stopped. She had been so intent on the guard, she had not seen them. "Ssshhhhhh!!", Enid hissed. "Are you out of your minds? That's loud enough to wake the dead!" Enid frantically looked over her shoulder half expecting another barrage of poison arrows. The two women went quickly silent and Enid's heart went out to them. They had been through a lot, she could see that. Not wasting precious time, Enid looked for a way to unlock the cell. In the wall, about head height for her was an indentation. She mumbled a cantrip to detect any traps and found none. Biting her tongue, Enid fitted the crystal into it and hoped for the best. "Fen, Unari," she whispered, "see if you can open the door." The prison door opened slowly as Unari and Feneiona made their way out. Although Feneiona looked as though she was as weak as a kitten, once out of the cell, Enid saw her hands curl into fists. She bent and removed the short sword and scabbard that was about the fallen guard's waist and claimed them as her own. "I'll nae be caught so easily this time," Feneiona promised as she drew the sword and stood ready. Unari's eyes glowed like fanned coals. She didn't need to say a word. Enid was glad she was not a kobold at that moment. "The others are this way," Enid motioned. "Where are ye, lass?" Unari asked. "We can hear ye but canna see anything." "Aye, since when have you learned an invisibility spell?" Feneiona questioned. Enid smirked as she realized that the chameleon root powder was still changing her skin. "Follow my voice, then go straight ahead. The others are in a cell not far from here." Enid scampered ahead as Feneiona and Unari followed. The cell the other Watch members were in opened the same way as the other. Hanging the crystal about her neck, Enid recovered her pack and quickly dressed as the others made hasty plans for an escape. Even though their situation was dire, Enid couldn't help but grin wickedly as she rejoined the Watch. The thought that these giant warriors were set free by a naked lurikeen prowling the halls crinkled the corners of her eyes with mirth.

Running up to the front, Cayn and Raged's hearts leaped as they saw Feneiona, Enid, and Unari. Enid seemed to be in good sprits as always. Feneiona and Unari where obviously physically and emotionally drained, but their eyes showed a fire within that could only be extinguished with the spilling of blood. With the commanders present order was immediately achieved. These were seasoned warriors that would no longer be contained. The Watch started filing out of their prison silently, one by one. Raged stayed behind to bring up the rear and assist the wounded. Cayn moved quickly to where Enid and Feneiona stood. "Do we have a way to contact the others?" she whispered to them, raising her eyebrows at Enid. Enid nodded at Cayn. Standing a few paces away from the group, she drew out her amulet and concentrated. "Connor", she said quietly, "do ye hear me? Connor?" The brooch on Connor's shoulder tingled slightly as the lurikeen attempted to contact him. Through the turmoil about him, the ranger was suddenly aware of its presence. "Enid, what has happened? Where are ye? I've been waiting for two days and each hour grows darker. Has anything gone wrong?" Connor urgently asked. "Two days! Och, I don't believe it. Aye, things have gone wrong and much more than ye think. The path Feneiona took was a trap. Thylath took us hostage - he was not kind to Unari and Feneiona from the look of it. The rest of us are as well as can be expected. I'm trying to place where we are, but I'm afraid I was knocked out when Thylath ambushed and trapped us. I could try to portal to ye, but that son of a far derrig has me staff. We're trying to get our bearings and get out of this hole. If ye have any ideas, I'd be grateful for them." Enid paused as she waited for the ranger to respond.

Feneiona, gratefully walked out of her cell and hugged the wee Enid. "Feneiona, I nay thought you could see me" Taken back by the Warden's unusual affection. "Nay I can't. I am very grateful for your appearance and your help. I am very happy, for you live." Feneiona's eyes started to swell with tears. "The rest of the Watch... are they alive?" "Do not worry, young one. They live indeed, follow me down here and I will lead you to them." Feneiona almost fainted with relief or with pain, she could not tell. "Thank the gods" Once Feneiona saw the Watch in their prison she ran up to them and started sobbing with happiness. "You are alive, I am sorry for what I led you into my friends. Please forgive me"

Cayn, walked over to Enid to whisper something to the lass. Raged stayed with Feneiona, as she had started using him to stay standing. "Raged," she whispered, "he will pay, my word is my bond and he will see the end at my sword." Feneiona's eyes glowed with fiery rage. "Feneiona, with your anger, do not make a wrong move, we will follow your orders, but please, make your decision when you are thinking clearly." Raged gently sat the warden on the floor. "Sound advice, Raged. I failed the Watch once. I will not make the mistake again. I shall never forgive myself and for the memory is forever burned into my mind. Yes, fear not. I will not fail again." Before Raged could respond, Feneiona stood up with the strength only anger could provide. "Watch! Gather round, I have a plan for the likes of Thylath. Back into the dreaded cell, Enid, make the lock unusable. When Thylath comes to see us once more, we shall ambush him. We will burst out of the cell and not let him cast a spell upon us. You will hide Unari and I. He will not expect our power....If we can get a healing spell out of me mouth" Feneiona muttered under her breath. " she spoke out loud "That is, if the other officers and you approve of this plan..." she trailed off and fell to the floor, hand on sword.

Enid, I can hear ye lass indeed. So ye are a prisioner? Do you know where? Any hint Any idea will help me. As Connor spoke he signaled the other Rangers and Shades with his hands. They all began to gather their items, each looking to ensure that he left nothing behind. Enid look at the sun tell me where it is from your position anything about the smells, maybe something that a guard is wearing? Then he remembered something, long ago, Enid ask Unari if she still has her ring the one we were married under? As the last of the watch prepared to move, he saw Whysper of the Loremongers come about, “Moving are ye, ye drunken sot?” “Aye lass the lads and lasses of the watch are in need...”Whysper nodded and simply disappeared, somewhat startling Connor but he paid it nae that much mind. After all they cound nae follow them. He awaited Enid's Answer.

Enid pursed her lips in thought. She glanced at Unari and motioned her over. "Unari, Connor was askin if you still have his ring. I'm really hopin he's just not bein mushy because he misses you," Enid told her. Unari looked surprised. "Aye, it's always with me. Why does he ask?" Enid shrugged but whispered back to Connor, "She does." As she spoke to the ranger, Enid pondered the lock on the cell. Stooping down, she found a rock about the size of the indentation and jammed it in. Looking out, Raged saw Enid's small hand pounding against the rock. He walked over to Enid, picked her up and moved her aside, then with a gauntleted fist, smashed the stone into the lock. He grinned at the lurikeen, then returned to Feneiona's side. Someone had cast a healing spell on the warden and Raged helped her back to her feet. Enid stuck out her tongue at him. "Och, I almost had it, you know," she peeved. "Yes, I could see that, but I thought we might want to put Fen's plan into action today instead of next month," the giant firbolg replied.

"She has the ring?" Connor's hopes rose. "Aye, I said she does. Trust a ranger to get romantic at an inopportune time." Enid's nose twitched. There was an odd smell in the air that had passed unnoticed before. "And there's something else. The air does have a smell to it. Almost like," Enid paused to think. As someone who spent her time in the fresh air in her garden she had a hard time placing the scent. Then she remembered. Walking by the blacksmith's shop at home it always smelled like - "It smells of hot metal." The lurikeen froze, then the sound of approaching feet sent her quickly back to the others.

Sitting back in the large chair, her feet on the table Kendra shook her head as Thylath entered the chambers, "So ye think ye have this all figured out aye Thy? Ye know for this to work you need to have Connor in one of dem dank little cells down there as well...." Thylath tossed his sword on the table as he sat heavily in the chair across from Kendra, "What do you mean Kendra...I have Unari, Connor will fall in line dunna worry on that." Kendra just shook her head, "You are a fool Thylath...Unari's capture will nay control Connor's action, he will do what he thinks is right, regardless of the cost...BUT...If'in ye want that fancy sword made and ye want the spirit of Unari to bind it and ye want the Watch t'fall..ye need t'get Connor. Use that ol ranger ta bend the will of that ill tempered smith ye'r holdin..." With that Kendra stood walking to the door, the guard did not move, he looked at Thylath, then Kendra, then back to Thylath. Kendra doubled her fist striking the guard square in the jaw "get the 'ell outa my way ya big ox!" Thylath burst into laughter and waved his hand signaling the guard to move "I will see ye soon Kendra"

Standing to his feet as Kendra was about to leave the room Thylath spoke, "It is alright Kendra, yer friends have already found a way to escape their jail cell. Soon they will grow bawsy enough to move deeper into the dungeon and then the real fun will begin. As of this moment Enid is speaking to Connor and Connor is forming a plan to rescue them all. You see I did not strip them of their gear when I imprisoned them nor did I beat them to the point were there spells would be removed from memory, because they are of little consequence. Regardless of their actions my plan will succeed. There is no hope for them except that they do not find the true cell. Thylath Darkblade, HA!, what a name. Well the position he held was prestigious enough that it would strike some fear into the hearts of the Watch. Alas, I wander, mayhap I have said too much already.

The cell were the real Thylath Darkblade was held was dim and dark, chained to the wall and beaten often for information that he would not give up, he silently hoped that one day they would forget he was here and not use the Ilithid to suck his memories from him. Then maybe just maybe he could find the strength to call upon his god and free himself from this dank and dirty cell.

The members of the Watch in cell 1435 were waiting anxiously to see what the noise coming down the hall way was. After a couple minutes a shout arose and the muffled sounds of someone having tripped over something and cried in alarm rang down the corridor. The sound of steel being drawn was heard and then bells rang throughout the dungeon. Five armed dwarfs entered the cell each carrying a short sword in there hand with a mighty two handed axe across their back. Entering the room they see the members of the Watch standing and huddling in the cell. The shortest dwarf pulled a necklace out of his vest and pointed it at the door. The sound of crunching then nothing preceded, the dwarf looking bewildered walked foreword and put his eye to the keyhole of the lock to try to figure out what was going on.

Enid what ever ye do lass nae loose that ring. We are coming, more then ye can imagine. With that Connor now knew what he had to do and perhaps even what the others were planning, Rangers by trade were a strange lot indeed. And Connor had been a Ranger for a long long time. The very forest moved as the wind settled the leaves that they disturbed.. But they all followed his trail. As Connor was a good ranger indeed and a very special one for a human. But his powers as great as they were and with the lads and lasses of the watch would nae be enough. That is why some of them followed, Whysper, Embers, and the others, Rangers all that shared a different bond, so different but alike.

By the feel of the Ring and the direction it was pulling Connor knew that he was close indeed no more then 3 to 4 days at the most. He motioned to Dokalfar and Shadowsinger. Ye lads know that there is likely to be a keep or a fortress so I will need ye lads to get us inside it once I find the place we need to be. They nodded and moved off. Connor could have pushed his men harder made them move more quickly but he wanted them fresh for when they faced Thylath’s armies, indeed very fresh. So the began the trek hoping against hope that Enid and the others would be ok and that the one Ranger led by his heart would find Unari before it was too late.

Perhaps it was pure luck, perhaps it was fear. Maybe Thylath let them do what they did, or maybe God was shining down on them that moment. But the dwarf, that held the necklace to the cell door, opened the door and gave a toothless grin. Moments pasted as each member of the RBW stood wondering what was going on. When suddenly there was a yell from behind the dwarfs. The spun around ax's drawn. Feneiona called out a battle cry, pulled her sword and ran forward. Nothing was there. Yet, the dwarfs were stilling getting hit."STOP!" Feneiona cried, "Who ever you be, friend or foe. Your fight tis not with them. These Dwarfs helped us, and have not but the good of intentions, I can see it in their eyes," with that, Connor and his fellow rangers and shades appeared.

Cayn waited patiently for orders as Enid magically talked to Connor with the ring. She could feel the strain of this ordeal in every muscle of her body, but the urge to get her friends and the people she considered family to safety was far greater. She walked over to Raged as he too waited for the word to move. "Are ye hopeful? Do you think we can get out of here?" Cayn whispered. She did not want others to hear. She knew Raged would give his honest opinion and fearing that might be negative, she didn’t want the Watch to hear and lose hope. "I honestly know not. I feel that if any group could make it out of this alive it would be the Watch, but I fear we may lose many in the attempt." His eyes filled with sadness as he looked at Cayn. For the thought of losing any of the Watch pained him deeply, and that sadness also contained a small amount of fear, a fear of losing one he had grown to care for deeply. A loud noise broke into their thoughts. Dwarves, dwarves were approaching their cell. Raged and Cayn were instantly ready for battle. All of the sudden Feneiona's voice rang out and Connor appeared. Their Lord had arrived. Now there was truly hope that all may make it out of here alive.

The Dwarves had indeed broken thru the walls. Where Connor had friends in the woods to abound Balinor had managed to find some friends that would tunnel for gold. As he walked into the room and spied his allies and friends he felt a quick moment of relief. Indeed there had been some time that he had thought he would never see Unari again. Quickly he scooped her into his arms and kissed her in relief and then the watchers with him gave each member of the prison camp a small bag of equipment for each lad or lass. The old bags of holding had indeed helped here. Then Connor began the movement to go have a discussion with a old Loremaster.

Chuckling to herself, "Friends....I have no friends, hell I never claimed to. I could care less what you do to any of that lot all I care for is that I get what I need out of the deal, then I'll be gone." The form in front of Kendra who called himself Thylath studied her for a moment then smiled and turned to walk to a large chest across the room, Kendra could feel her stomach turning at the words she spoke but she had to find out all she could. She did not dare try to communicate with Connor or Enid until she was away from him for he may intercept her message. Thylath removed a small satchel from the chest and tossed it at Kendra "This may serve yer needs for a short time" Kendra opened the satchel to find her mothers chain and pendant, she could feel the blood run from her face as she glared at Thylath. "Oh, I neglected to mention, I took the liberty of inviting yer mother to stay here and sample my hospitality. I wanted to be sure that you would do as was needed and not be tempted to stab me in the back." Kendra started to move toward the impersonator when she felt a sudden blow then everything went dark.

Enid shouldered her pack and frowned. Connor was here, the Watch was here and the dwarves seemed to be allies, but the noise of the crumbling rock wall was sure to be noticed by any that had ears. Given the fact that they were caught so easily before, she fully expected another attack to happen quickly if any alarms were called. She cast a defensive shield about the Watch and sighed heavily. She closed her eyes and thought about her home and wished she was there. So much war, so much killing and treachery and hate. As Connor rallied the forces to find Thylath, Enid found herself gritting her teeth. She missed her staff. She very tentatively flicked out a mental tendril hoping to feel the magical item she had put so many years of knowledge into. Carefully, carefully she searched, leaving not even the slightest ripple in the aural fields about her. Suddenly she felt it. There was another searching energy out there. Enid stopped. If it was Thylath, she would be caught. There would be a battle that would take place in a dimension that the Royal Black Watch would not even know about. Without the extra power of her staff, Enid would lose that battle and her mind would be seized. Thylath would take her consciousness and the Watch would be destroyed from within and no one would understand how. She waited. The energy was so close. Enid started to slowly withdraw when she felt a wave of pain almost overcome her. Such pain, such longing, it was on the edge of despair. Even if it was the mind of the tyrant Thylath, she could not ignore such a plea for help. Bracing herself, she let her mind touch the other who called in such desperation. As she flooded the other energy with warmth and her mind meshed with the caller her body went rigid with shock. "Enid? Enid? I cannot believe it. Is the Watch here?" In his cell, Thylath's body twitched, then relaxed as his mind connected with the lurikeen's. "The impostor that has taken my name has grown so powerful. He has almost beaten me. You must leave. He is waiting for you. He is waiting for you all." "Thylath," in a breath, Enid slowly whispered the name.

Connor felt the word before he herd it, Thylath? Where Enid does he know we are here and how many are with him. The diminutive mage had indeed proven herself many times in the last few weeks and the Ranger Lord had no trouble believing both her thoughts and her information. He did not know how but he quickly formed the watchers into a defensive position, and awaited the coming assault. After all he had come to end this one way or the other.

Feneiona shyly came out from the crowed of Watchers. "Watch. I think it t'would be best if we leave. Leave this foul place. Never come back, let us leave our trials here. Start a new. I know I have failed you but..." The warden continued to talk to the Watchers, raising their moral, while Enid crept over to Connor. "The Feneiona I know would nay talk like that. In the time I have known her. She has never run from a fight, she would never just let things be. Who do you believe she is? And how do you think we should go about this?" Enid whispered. "Aye, ye are right Enid. The young warden is full of spirit, and would never run from a fight such as this." Connor hissed back. "Hold on I'll, sort this out." He said while getting irritated from lack of sleep. With that Connor ran over and tackled the warden to the floor. She fought back with a brutal uncontrolled hatred, a hatred the warden would never show her friends. The rest of the members looked in confusion as the Ranger pinned the Warden to the floor. "I nay know who you are but you if'en you want to live a moment longer you will tell me what you want with us." Connor said while looking right into the Warden’s eyes. The warden’s face twisted into a face not many could bear to look at, but the Ranger held his position. Both the ranger and Warden locked eyes, not knowing what to do next. The forgotten dwarves walked over and in a thick accent broke the tension. "Sar, 'this 'en trik't 'ere. shouda help ye in yer quest. Though we be enemy in the field, we both have a c'mmon g'al. We've musta take down Thylath. This here in l'dy se'm to be 'portant te ye. Fix 'er up nice un gud with ‘this ‘en trik’t. Then i show ya somethin speical. Indeed, Connor looked at the Dwarf and back to Enid and the other watchers, still holding onto the lass firmly. Well I have no knowledge of finger waggling mage things, Enid, Gameboy, Zelg? What are ye thoughts? Can this thing fix Feneiona? Should we try it.? Connor waited for the reply holding the lass in a firm grip doing his best not to harm her just in case it was really Feneiona. Feneiona struggled beneath the rangers grip, and if not for a second, her eyes looked like her own. Although nothing was said, Connor understood that the young warden was soon going to be beyond help if something was not done soon. He whispered to the warden, words that could have made all the difference in the world if she had not already been taken back by whatever possessed her. He then yelled out to the watch. "Do not give up hope my friend."

Making her way through the tunnels with blade in hand, the blood still flowing from where she was struck by the guard in the impersonators chambers, slowly she came upon them. Hearing Connor's voice she rounded the corner cautiously. Her job was clear to her and she had to follow her orders. Taking a deep breath she slowly came upon the group from behind.

Enid's hand stretched toward the pendant the dwarf extended to the ranger. "Och, if ye please, I'll be looking at that first before it graces Feneiona's neck." The dwarf hesitated. Enid peered at him archly, then nimbly plucked the trinket from his thick fingers. Before the dwarf could protest, Connor nodded at him, then waited for the lurikeen to voice her opinion. To an unstudied eye, it appeared to be merely an old coin suspended on a chain; to the mage it was somewhat more. She felt no harm to the thing, that was certain. After flipping it from back to front, and studying the markings, the lurikeen slipped it over her own head. Instantly, her connection to Thylath was broken. It was as if the world had suddenly gone silent for her. The magic-blocking shield was incredibly effective. Enid immediately removed the pendant, and deftly slipped it over the pinned warden's head. Feneiona's body relaxed. With eyes closed, she sighed, "Thank the gods. He's gone." "Connor, 'tis safe to let her up now," Enid remarked. "The pendant is an absolute shield from magic. It prevents one from using, or being used by it. Unfortunately, we must now expect the worst. Thylath the impostor has been cast from Feneiona, but Thylath of the Watch is still in a cell, and I dare not try to reach him at the moment. I would be quite neatly caught and Thylath..." Enid shivered as she thought of the pain she felt when her mind connected with the captive. "And, I still need me staff. I think I felt it calling when I found Thylath. It's nearby, I'm sure of it." Reaching into her pack, Enid rummaged about until she found a tiny, red pouch. "Och, bein' a gardener has been a rather enlightening experience. 'Tis amazing what properties plants posess." A curious vine was brought out. "Now, don't be alarmed, this looks stranger than it really is." The lurikeen held the vine in her tiny hand. She concentrated as it started to curl about her wrist and grow. Soon, it had climbed up her arm, then about her neck and head. Quickly, it twined the rest of her body until all that remained of the small creature was a tangle of writhing ivy. The bundle of green spoke. "Connor, I must find the staff. I don't want to chance anyone being caught with me and I don't believe anyone else knows how to control Snakevine." The mass crawled over to, then up, the cave wall until it was suspended over the ranger's head. "If ye need me, I'll find ye, but I must find me staff. There is too much knowledge and time, too much of ME in it to leave sitting in this hole for anyone to find." With that, the tangle of vines crawled out of sight.

Feneiona waved the ranger off of her very annoyed, but he wanted to be sure that this of course was the real warden. "Get off me, ye noodle of a ranger!!" Feneiona said with a cracked voice...What still nay believe 'tis me? Look into my eyes...go on..." she said, her voice softening. The ranger looked into her eyes; looking deep he saw the long painful, months the young warden spent trapped inside of her own mind, trying to fight the imposter. "Lass, I am sorry" he turned to the warden, but she had already gotten up and started to walk to the rest of the Watch apologizing for the bad advice and commands she had given. The Dawves looked dumbfounded as they saw Enid walk away, but the leader did not seem to care. "Ranger, s'r. You wanna te see whats i hav te show ye now?" Connor nodded slowly, the dwarves started to lead the group, but stopped when Kendra showed up in the middle of the hall.

Connor moved forward wondering where Enid was off to looking like an elvish salad but no matter. The Ranger now had a clear plan of what was to happen first they would continue to check all the cells left and then they would be off to stop Thylath and his minions. The dwarvish sappers would be very good for this tasking as they indeed knew how to take down a keep or a wall but the true question was how to get out when this was done. His mind wondered as he was planning and then he herd a whispered summons from behind him as the Shadowblades spoke to him of a approaching Watcher. He moved to the back of the unit to meet Kendra Longcoat someone that had not come with them here. Connor spoke softly Blademaster Longcoat, “Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet,” and he awaited the response, blades in each hand.

Kendra looked into the ranger’s eyes, her hands on the hilts of her swords and softly spoke one word "Bellum". Drawing her blades from their sheaths and turning just as a patrol of Troll's rushed into the chambers. The trolls rushed past Kendra and toward the rest of the Watch, how easy it would have been for the blademaster to walk away and let whatever happened happen, and it did not go unnoticed by Connor that the Troll made no attempt to harm Kendra. Kendra watched as the Dwarfs and the Watch fought the hoard of Troll and feeling as though a dagger was plunged into her chest, shall she fight and help the only friends she had ever known, or walk away and if the imposter had her mother trust that he would not harm her. Turning on her heels back toward the battle she rushed into the fray blades swinging a sense of dread filling her.

Connor watched the indecision tear at the blademistress as she turned from him. He did not know what had happened to her or how she had gotten here but there was something wrong. Then the trolls hit the Watches ranks usually this would have been a short battle but many of the watchers had been imprisoned for a few days. Cayn took a hit to her left side and blood trailed down the lasses body, Enid ever quick tried to get some distance but the quarters were tight and the battle was joined. Connor twisted into the sword dance that the elves had taught him long ago and he prayed that Melikki’s grace would fall on them all as he fought. Green icor trailed down his blades as he cut into the trolls time after time, Zanadew’s huge sword hit one troll square on but the odds were very even indeed. There were many trolls however, and the Rangers eyes never left Kendra’s back as she made a decision he would too whichever way it went. Connor would not let more of the watch pass from this land.

Kendra's blades hit hard and swift and she felt her heart break as the first one fell. Cayn looked at Kendra, a puzzled look upon her face as the troll dropped to the ground in front of her. Kendra quickly turned and started on the troll that had backed Feneiona to the wall. Pushing all thoughts from her mind other than the battle at hand Kendra moved from one troll to the next. As the last troll fell Kendra turned to find Connor’s blade at the base of her throat, a look of anger she had never seen before in the ranger’s eyes. Slowly Kendra dropped her blades to the floor and raised her chin as the rest of the Watch gathered behind Connor.

"Connor, Sir. All trolls lay dead, we nay left one alive." Feneiona reported but then turned to Kendra, "Blademaster, I nay know what peril has led you to do what ye have done. But perhaps you have forgotten that you can turn to the watch for anything. We will help ye through all and if not the Watch will...Know myself will be your aid." Connor drew back his swords "Kendra, what say you to this? Will you help us?" The air went think with the silence as he waited for her reply. Kendra's mouth opened to answer but was cut off when an ear piercing scream rang through the once silent halls.

The Watch turned to the entryway and started to rush to the hall when Kendra grabbed Connor's arm, "There is something you should know, the one who lead the Watch here, he is not Thylath, the real Thylath is held somewhere in this maze of corridors and cells, exactly where I know not but if we do not find him soon...." her voice trailed off as thoughts went to her mother and she touched the pendent that now hung around her neck." We must find him sir before his impersonater gets the information from him he is searching for."

“Indeed lass, there have been many strange things as of late. But now some of this makes sense.” Connor turned to Feneiona lass ye are a Warden and more so one of Thylath’s closest friends. Find him before we loose him forever. Take five of the watch with you and fail not lass. Kendra come with me. Now we shall find this impersonator and finish his reign in this land, and end his life.” With this Connor once more turned purposefully towards the stairs having Kendra show the way to the uppermost areas. Perhaps the impersonator would still believe that they did not know he was not who he appeared to be, Connor would do his very best to ensure it. So that Feneiona would have enough time to find the real Thylath after all both their lives could depend on that simple thing. It was a warm day indeed.

Feneiona yelled out to Cayn, Raged, Khaosmusic, Mentaelf and Relayer. Connor gave the Warden a shout "Lass, good luck to ye. Lead well, I shall see you once again on the outside." With that Feneiona motioned to her small band to follow. After spending many a week in battle and many days in the dungeon, they all knew the importance of secrecy and quickly slipped into the shadows. "Where are we going?" Mentaelf asked in a whisper. "Down my friend, forever we must go down into the depths of the darkness..." Feneiona said glumly. "...for that is where we shall find Thylath...and save him from the torment...that could easily befall us all." They had learned the technique of knowing what each was going to say so that an enemy would not be able to pin point their location in the dark. Feneiona stopped beside a window. "What is a window doing down here..." Feneiona wondered out loud. "Does it matter..." "We should be grateful..." They all tried to memorize where that precious escape was and moved towards another ear piercing scream that haunted their dreams for years to come.

Hot Steam wafted from the blood red snow as the Band moved forward. There were many there Rangers, Fighters of all types and this was the time. He could hardly lift his arms anymore, so many trolls he had dispatched this day but he pressed on with all the power he could muster throwing himself against the greatest evil that he had ever known.

Blood ran from a dozen wounds on Connor Mcleod and on Moordoom, who fought valiantly, if a bit less effectively beside him. As a group of four trolls came towards him Connor looked to his right a silent plea for Kendra but she was not there. Connor plowed into the trolls shouldering one onto a pike that was sticking out of another’s cold dead fingers he took a stinging hit from the second trolls sword, pushing away the pain the ranger rolled his arm around the blade of the others weapon driving his second sword deeply into the soft crease of the trolls chain armor. The troll fell and with it any hope of breaking the line of the Watch that pushed forward. Kendra appeared for a moment an arrow sticking out of her left side. Blood streamed down the lasses armor but she still fought on, as did Zolton Ironfist proving his name time and time again with crushing blows. And Gameboy’s blasts were timed to stretch out as the blunted waves that would have otherwise broken the lines. Connor’s blades sang as they pressed further and further in the keep. Dokalfar had went on ahead to plot the way and in this the ranger knew one thing only, it was over on this day, he stepped over the body of a fallen watcher. Knowing that later he would see the death of his people up close and personal, then a loud clanking sound came to his left, Andrella’s blood soaked armor appeared. And the moved forward to paint the snow again.

Steadily the six companions walked until they could walk no more, this they found convenient for their minds could take no more either. The screams were louder then they were ever before, when suddenly they stopped. Although the floor was anything but quiet, the clattering claws of rats, the dripping of a liquid to thick to be water, the chuckling of what could only be the cruel intentions of the guard. This this, all seemed petrifyingly quiet without the constant screaming of an almost broken warden. "What are we going to do?" inquired Mentaelf, in repressed terrified whisper. "We shall do what we must. I do not believe there is more then one guard here. We shall take him down no matter what the cost and get Thylath out. Understood? WE will go back to the window to meet Connor outside. Nobody else shall be left down here." Feneiona said this with the stubbornness the watch learned not to question. The stubbornness that earned their respect and put fear into their bellies whenever she spoke with it, for they all knew, her orders could mean life or death. "If there is only one guard there, why are you so solemn? We will rescue him and all will be well." Khaos asked this foolish question for apparently he did not know Feneiona as well as he thought. Feneiona cocked her head, looking much like a dog who's name had just been called. "Why? two reasons my friend. First, don’t be so foolish. You should never. EVER. think you have won the battle. For that will bring about your loss. Expect to lose and then fight so hard you can't. The second reason, that guard is not just a guard. Do you think the dark elf would go to all the trouble he has just to have Thylath taken away again. There are magical barriers, that guard is no mere guard but a wizard of a higher class." Feneiona's voice almost rose to that of an angry whisper, but not quite. Time had lost all meaning to the group down in the depths where the sun never showed and the air was so think you could hardly breathe. All the tortured souls, all the Watchers, they stood there waiting for a plan of action.

As Enid's vine covered body slithered silently across the stone ceiling, she felt the mental tug of her staff pulling her toward it. "Och, just a little farther, my dears", she whispered. Her hand caressed the writhing snakevine that held her suspended over the cavern floor. It was good to know, this lore of living things. Without it, the snakevine that carried her would just as soon have smothered and devoured her as would the namesake it was derived from. Enid remembered the witch that had taught her so many of the natural world skills she relied on. Remembered her giggling madly as Enid's first encounter with the vine left the lurikeen screaming in panicked indignance as it half dragged her underground.

"Respect," the witch had cackled. "You showed the vine no respect and it gave you what you deserved, little gnat." Enid smiled at the memory. She would visit the garden hag if she ever returned to her home. Enid turned a corner and stopped abruptly. The staff was right in front of her, as was the trap that surrounded it. The barest shimmer of a spell hung about it. What to do? She knew Thylath the impostor was cunning, but what kind of guard spell was this? She concentrated and probed the aura. An image of decay and death flooded her senses. She recoiled. This was not good. Gently, she removed one of the vine's leaves and mumbled a regrowth spell to sprout another in its place. She blew the leaf through the magical barrier and bit her lip in chagrin. The leaf instantly withered and crumbled as it passed through the field. No need for guards here. Anything that touched that aura would wither and die like the leaf. Enid hung and puzzled for what seemed an eternity. Finally, she reached in her belt pouch and withdrew a tiny package of spores. The old witch loved anything to do with spore plants. "So many uses, my wee dear," she had confided to Enid. The lurikeen tipped a tiny amount into her hand and blew them again toward her shielded staff. As the spores flew, she quickly rattled off a spell and hoped her plan would work. In midair, the spores turned to hundreds of tiny mushrooms that shriveled as they flew through the deadly shield. They rained down around the staff, tumbling off and gathering underneath it. Enid crossed her fingers. For a moment, there was nothing, then suddenly a bright orange carpet formed within the magical enclosure. The multiplier mushrooms were...multiplying. First a hundred, then a thousand, then thousands. As their numbers swelled, the staff was lifted from the ground and pushed ahead of the fungal tide. The mushrooms quite literally crowded it from its magical prison. As the staff was not alive, it emerged unscathed. Enid directed a snakevine tendril downward to curl around it and pull it up to the tiny mage. The staffed hummed quietly in Enid's hands, its magic again bonding with the lurikeen. Enid grinned widely, then made her way, still covered in vines back to where she left the Watch. She spared a quick look over her shoulder at the growing pile of mushrooms and spores and shrugged. No doubt, Thylath would not appreciate a fungus farm in his dungeon.

After many twists and turns in the stone halls, Enid at last heard the sounds of battle. They were just ahead. As the battle cries subsided, Enid heard familiar voices ahead. She urged the vines about her forward. Connor and the Watch were there, but the battle they had just finished had taken its toll. "Criminy!" she gasped. Connor's sword slashed upwards, but a darting vine instantly slithered about his arm to deflect the blow.

As the last troll fell in front of her, Kendra went to her knees. Exhaustion and loss of blood from the arrow in her side taking their toll on her, Zolton came up behind her, reaching down and pulling her to her feet "no time for that now, we still have lots of ground to cover." Nodding Kendra stood as Conner approached her "Ye wanna get this thing outa my side here sir?" Connor called the druid over and grasped the shaft of the arrow. "ye ready lass?" he asked and Kendra nodded. Swiftly Connor tore the arrow free from her side as the druid cast a spell closing the wound and dulling the pain.

As Connor examined the arrow shaft Kendra asked "One of your's?" "Nay lass, if it were one of mine ye'd not be breathin." Connor answered with a smile and wink as he tossed down the shaft. Looking around at the many fallen Watch laying in the snow Connor called to the ones still standing "Our work is na done here!" As more arrows began to streak past the warriors they turned toward the fortress and charged their doors.

Feneiona mentally reminded herself to thank Enid, she knew that only Enid would have sent the Spores to help her save Thylath. The group could feel the tenseness growing, the thickness of the air. They prepared to finally take the Warden out of the prison in which he had so long suffered. She motioned for the others to stay there. If she was discovered she didn’t want the others to be captured too. She slipped in expecting to find a guard, and he was there waiting. Waiting, but he was covered in spores, unable to move with the look of utter surprise on his face. Feneiona mentally reminded herself to thank Enid a hundred times over. Feneiona called the rest of the group in. Nobody would hear them now; they were safe, well as safe as they could be in the keep.

They couldn’t see Thylath, for a wooden wall stood in their way. The door was thick, but easily opened with the help of a blast from Mentaelf. As Feneiona pulled the door open a horrible odor wafted to their noses. The smell of sweat, blood, fear, and so much more, she could barely bear it and time and time again wondered how Thylath lived in it for so long. "Thy? Can you hear me? Its me Fene...You know? Fen?" She whispered so softly as if her voice would be the final thing to kill him. He merely replied with a grunt, barely conscious, it was surprising he could manage that. His shirt had long since fallen off from the whip that left scars on his torso. Crusted blood ran down his face and all over his body. He had other injuries inflicted on his body by magical means that Feneiona could barely describe without gagging. "But your a fighter aren’t you Thy? You always were...we'll get you out of here. Don't worry." Feneiona quickly cast a healing spell, enough to let him live. The rest would have to wait until they were safe. The chance of discovery from a simple spell was too great a risk. "Khaos get in here. gently...ever so gently" a tear fell for her fallen friend, "lift him up. we head for the window. We leave this place now."

“It begins now,” snarled Connor Mcleod as he led the charge. Over the battlements went Obiwaen with the lads and lasses that would take the fortress from within. The doors buckled under the assault of the Watch. From the battlement above the battle raged, but we all know that justice is that one thing that you should always find. As the trolls fell to the blades, and the Watch took looses of its own, it soon became prevalent that it was a matter of time before the inner court was breached. But this would be the battle to end it all.

Kendra Longcoat had had a long day. She winced as her side still sore took another hit; and then there was a Ranger close, his blades glowing with eldritch fire they slipped in and out and seemingly danced as if they were possessed. A troll fell, his body streaming ichor, and then a silver arrow passed so close to Connor's ear he could feel the brush of the fletching and another troll hit the ground acid running from its ruined eye socket. Kianne moved again already nocking another arrow. They pushed forward, the Call going up, "STRENGTH....”

Towards the window each person ran. They no longer cared about the amount of noise they made, they only cared about the freedom they could just about taste. It was a small window, but that didn’t matter. Mentaelf sent out a blue cloud. It emitted from him slowly but it was evident something was going to happen. The mist crept over to the window, latched on and suddenly exploded sending bits of rock flying everywhere. Twice more he did this before it was big enough for them to get through. Feneiona pulled herself up to the land feeling death in the air. She knew someone was behind her hidden in a tree, she no longer cared if she was found. If she went back it meant their doom, if she kept going maybe there was a chance. She pulled each person up and laid Thylath on the grass. "Come out!" she screamed in the loudest voice she could muster. Out of the trees came mages, trolls, kolbolds and the stealther she could only sense. But out from them all walked an elf. He held his head high with the pride of knowing the end was near. And that he had won. "You have not won yet, elf" She spat it out in a curse. "We will survive, and you will be trampled like the scum you are. Show your face dark elf. Betrayer of the Watch! Let me see your face." All she wanted to do was break down into tears, let them flow out of sheer frustration and desperation. Her faith was diminishing, she could take no more. For the sake of her companions she resigned to stay strong and all of a sudden an inner strength weld up inside of her telling her it was almost over.

Out stepped the dark elf, his black robe engulfing him. He looked as if not a man but a shadow, a hood covered his face. His voice was little more then a whisper but held great evil within it. "Coward, do what she said. Let us see you," Mentaelf said with conviction he didn’t feel. "You shall see me. I shall be the last thing you see before you die. I will be in your dreams forever to come if you don't. Be assured you won’t have to worry about that...." On the elf hissed assured of his victory. Then a glimmer of hope shone into the darkness. It was a risk but their only hope to survive against the group of enemies the six faced. The timing would have to be perfect and all would have to be light on their feet. Connor was near; she could hear his battle cry. Feneiona motioned for the other to be ready for a fight. With that she ran through the crowd of enemies praying they would not kill her, she called out for help, and for the hope they needed.

Blood running from the many wounds upon her body Kendra pushed on, the feeling in her arms and legs long gone as she continued swinging her blades slicing at the troll in front of her suddenly she heard his voice booming in her head so loud she almost screamed, "You knew the consequences of betraying me Blademaster... look above you." The voice fading from her mind in evil laughter as Kendra dropped the troll that stood before her, looking above her she screamed as she saw her mother hanging from one of the battlements, Kendra turned to run to her mother and stopped, frozen in place as the trolls blade ran her through; dropping her blades to the ground, blood trickling from her lips, she turned her head to look over her shoulder seeing Connor and Zolton racing in her direction, the troll viciously twisted the swords that held Kendra up as darkness overtook her.

She rushed through the enemy army as if the very wind carried her. Her heart stopped from fright and her thought of nothing but what she had to do. Her hands were cold and clammy but ready for battle as if she were in a training ring teaching youngin's. But those days were far behind. Although she was running past trolls and kolbolds, it took them a while to react. She took them by surprise. Who would be stupid enough to run straight into an army? The young warden was. They reacted as soon as her call went out. Zanadew was the only one that heard. She was almost out, almost to the forest, when a troll grabbed her by the neck. "Eh, for a celt this one aient toi bad, as scrawny as she is" the troll muttered. "Let uh keep 'er then" another chimed in. "Too much fight in her" he then proceeded to kick her in the back, "Aye, bring her down she can just breath. Then we will have our fun." A voice interrupted them, "No, you shall not harm her further, put her in my tent. I want to talk to her first, then you may have your, "fun" as you put it," the dark elf’s voice seemed to come from all around them. "Get out..." She managed to cry out just before they gagged her.

"And that’s an order" Mentaelf finished grimily. "Okay troops, you heard her. Lets move," Khaos took charge. Seemingly unmoved by the wardens fate, "We cant just leave her there!" Khaos replied sternly, "Yes, we have to, a whole army against us? We wouldn’t stand a chance." With that they silently slipped away to the rest of the Royal Black Watch, while the rest were busy with getting the struggling, Feneiona, into the tent.

Connor was running faster then he had moved in many an age racing against the very wind itself. Out came Hawkwing as two trolls rushed towards the Ranger. The arrow sprang from the bow, it shattered the skull of the first troll the Ranger’s last gift to a dying friend. Faster still he raced, snapping the staff into place and twirling arcing for more purchase in the bloody battlefield. He could hear Kendra's rasping breathing as he came closer. Zolton’s blades moved with a will of their own covering the Ranger as he moved, his huge shoulders belying a grace that even a cat would envy.

The troll withdrew its sword and Kendra dropped to both knees fresh blood running freely down her chest to drip upon the very earth. The troll spun hate in its eyes looking for the next victim. There it met a crazed highlander with a staff that seemed as hard as granite. Spinning the two locked into mortal combat both of them knowing that only one would walk away from this one. Deftly Connor parried and spun each time his staff landed he took a bit more from the huge hulking beast. Then with a speed that no mortal man should possess he snapped his staff back into a bow and drew and fired an arrow, acid tipped it spat into the trolls face the very skin melting from his skull.

But the troll was fast too; again his sword dove into the body of a Watcher although this time he did not see the pain of death, the loss of body, he just noticed a pause as the highlander pulled himself off the blade and then began walking towards the stilling form of a very old friend.

Zolton had formed the watch into a protective shell and was seeking a healer, but there were none. Hempis was nae close, Feneiona was missing, and Thylath had gone rogue. Then Connor bent down, “Lassie I am so sorry for bringing ye here.” He saw the wound and knew that without a druid or a warden the lass was lost indeed. For there was nae even a cleric about, their eyes met.

Looking up at her commander Kendra smiled "Dontcha be blamin yerself now Connor, I choose this life...I choose my fate, and I die with honor," looking up seeing her mothers body still hanging from the battlement then looking around her to the circle of Watchers, "I die with my family."

Kendra's hand felt around on the ground next to her, her pack just out of her reach Zolton reached down and handed the pack to her. Kendra took out three parchments, one addressed to Zolton, another to Connor, the third simply said "to my sister."

Kendra looked up at Connor smiling, "I know ye will take care of that third message for me sir? Ye have no time left sir, find him quickly and bring an end to him. The third floor is where you will see…" Squeezing the rangers hand Kendra closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling one last time. Connor turned, gently laying the still body of one of the best friends he had ever had down. He then stood, a few watchers remained as the battle had finally been won. There was but one last thing to do. That last floor is where the lad that caused all this is, and now lads and lasses for all those we have lost today.

He stepped forward, Zolton right beside him, slow deliberate steps. The bloodied remains of the Watch walked forward behind him; each finishing a body where it still moved and silencing the calls of the enemy dead. The druids and clerics of the Watch were spent, and fresh blood coated many of the Watch as they continued the ascent but they had lost many during the last few months. When arrows ran out they plucked the used ones from the bodies of the dead. Up they went now a single purpose in mind, then the final door broke, and there was Thylath and his last few warriors.

Inside the tent was dark and dreary, only one torch was lit and it was slowly dieing. I felt like that one torch, dieing, alone without any hope to be lit once again. The elf approached me slowly with steps clearly meant to terrify the victim. It worked. He spoke his voice as cold as brick in the depths of winter. "So Feneiona, I have finally got you into my tent. If under better circumstances..." He stroked my chin. The dark one had took on the form of my dear friend Thylath once more. He raised his sword about to kill me when suddenly he stopped in mid-swing. A call. out in the distance...yes! I could hear it too! My friends had not abandoned me, should I have thought otherwise? "STRENGTH AND HONOR" this was a call of 'this is ending now. no matter who comes out alive.' The evil Thylath walked outside, the watch already gathering in front of the tent about to charge. "You fools, have you learnt nothing?" with that, the evil one sent a score of Watchers flying backwards. The last thing I saw was Connor and him in the final show down. Someone sent a troll flying through the side of the tent knocking me out of my chair and rendering me unconscious.

Connor's blades met his and their eyes met, he saw thru to the color within the eyes of the creature that he was fighting, he stared into a limitless hall built of grandiose nothingness. Like the depths of a sea, here and there currents moved in it, like liquid winds and faint glimmerings like drowned stars. And there in that limitless void a man met a monster and there also deep down and far away inside it he found both his answers. His blade leapt coldly thru the creature and then those eyes in which he had found the question and the answer suddenly registered terror as smoke rose from the body and his blade did its best work. The scream from the monster was ungodly as it disintegrated into nothingness.

When I awoke I was surrounded by my friends. "Ahh fen, I knew ye would make it. That troll did ye some more damage, but nothing you can’t recover from I’m sure. We're out of healers, but don’t worry…" A few other motioned as if to speak words of encouragement when Connor approached slowly. I got up and saluted wobbling a little bit then sitting down. "Reporting for duty, ranger," He helped me back up, "Can ye do a bit of a rescue effort lass?" "Didn’t I just finish one?" I looked at him curiously. "Aye, and ye were successful nay? Anyways this shall nay be as rough" He chuckled and I nodded.

I walked away giving out orders to get me some food. The last time a decent meal touched my lips was far to long ago. I...we had gone through much. I would never forget the horrors and the battle that just happened, nor would I let others forget. After my final mission and after the new Watch Keep was built I would become a teller of tales. No bard by any sorts. But what had happened to us, would live on for generations. Not just as a myth or folklore. It would be vivid to my children and the future Watchers. I will lay down my arms, at least until they are needed once more and then I shall live again.

Time turned for 3 days as they waited there healing and preparing. Feniona headed up the rescue efforts and Connor left with a small detachment, as the remnants of the Watch moved out. On a cold morning Connor woke and saw the tabards of some of his men. As was wont with those that fought for ideals and sometimes for money they had decided to depart the watch. Leaving behind both friends and allies but no longer fighting for those same ideals. Perhaps it was for the best, after all the way of the Watch was a hard road indeed. 12 days after the battle a small contingent of Watchers rode into a town to deliver a message and to bring closure to a Watcher’s life. A few days later they left with a new watch tabard among them and a family that had once again seen a new sister. But that is another story.