18th of Uktar, 1372

�All to myself. It�s all I wanted, just all to myself.� Hyrkul thought. �The Master is away, and I have so little time to think to myself. I would not have thought it possible to hide from the Master behind the pain�the eternal pain my brother has inflicted on me. The burns the scars�they pain me ever so much still! How ironic they would serve as a shield to the Master�s thoughts.�

Hyrkul carefully approached the doorway into his Master�s chambers. The door guardian pulsed with Psionic waves, its crystalline tentacles at rest against the frame of the door itself. Hyrkul drew his conscious thoughts behind the pain of his scars in his mind and walked through the doorway. The guardian sensed nothing of the creature passing beneath and so did not stop Hyrkul.

Hyrkul reawakened his senses inside the room. A circular chamber cut from solid crystal, Hyrkul gasped at the intense Psi-energy the room focused from the crystals around him..

�The Master has a weakness! He is strongest only in the center of his lair!� Hyrkul chuckled. �Well I am in the center of his lair now. It�s time for me to shine!� Hyrkul noticed the pallid dampness cling to the surface of the crystals in the room. Hyrkul chuckled. �Even the flooding affects the Master. Soon he shall have to listen to me about the flooding of the lower levels.� Hyrkul walked to the center of the chamber where a great nodule of rose colored quartz swept down to point at a slab of husky onyx, like a tornado frozen in quartz. Hyrkul lay down on the cold rigid bed beneath the funnel shaped nodule of rose quartz and positioned himself directly beneath the funnel.

Hyrkul�s mind immediately swept away into a painful light that burned with an intense clarity. Hyrkul�s mind struggled like a sparrow in the mental windstorm that was the power that surged through his mind. Hyrkul�s mind filled and emptied and expanded and filled and emptied then filled again to spill over, then emptied again. Hyrkul thrashed against the slab of onyx, unable to scream out. Hyrkul�s mind emptied of all but his burning revenge. Soon the creature that was Hyrkul was but an empty vessel made of revenge.

A voice scratched against the darkness in the room. �And now my willing sacrifice. I shall pour the power into you as water to a bowl, so that you may serve me and serve the burning revenge deep in your heart.� A shadow detached itself from the other shadows and drifted closer to Hyrkul. A taloned hand reached and scratched Hyrkul�s chest which oozed blood. The talon dipped a finger into the blood and raised it into an incantation drawn in the air. A stir of air and tiny tendrils of darkness swept into the earth beneath Hyrkul. �I am awakening your vast army, my sacrifice. Rise and sweep the upstart mortal from the Stonelands.� Hyrkul rose from the slab, his head oddly misshapen and distorted, and a feral light dimly glowing from behind his eyes.

�Of course, Master.� Hyrkul�s voice growled. �All that was, shall be again.�

Somewhere deep in the bowels of the Stonelands a great host of undead clawed towards the surface. Hyrkul threw his head back and laughed maniacally.

Same Date

Alusair huddled deep in her cloak, her breath clouding in front of her face. The chill damp air penetrated the cloak easily causing Alusair to shiver. Clouds hung low over Suzail, threatening a torrent of rain. Alusair leaned in as close to the corner of the wall and castle as she could, willing herself to meld with the shadows. A stray dog barked in the city below. At this hour only bakers and drunks were awake.

�And restless Regents.� Alusair thought to herself. �It has been too long since I have heard from Jander, the man is incorrigible! I hope no harm has befallen him. Been a ten-day since I have heard from the unit of Purple Dragons I sent to the Dragon Coast to find him, damn them! When I was out in the field I��

�You worried your father and did what you fancied anyway. Same as your sister when she was in love, if you remember!� A voice interrupted Alusair�s thoughts. A figure materialized out of the shadows close to Alusair. Caladnei�s eyes sparkled in the faint torchlight.

�Do you always snoop in my thought Caladnei?� Alusair asked sharply. Caladnei smirked and shrugged. �Only when you project them when I am trying to sleep, my friend.� She leaned against the stone in the shadows next to Alusair. Alusair face softened in the dark and allowed a smile to heighten her tone. �Well, my playful snoop, now that you are awake I need your assistance. I have disturbing reports from the Stonelands. Multiple reports of strange weather patterns and actual precipitation�.well no�.actually reports of heavy downpours in the once arid badlands. The Baron seems at ease and is confident of his ability to handle these bizarre events, and I have it on good confidence that his progress is radical and unorthodoxly exceptional. This trade and potential treatise with the�um Orcs is out of the ordinary and troubling for me, but I will await the outcome patiently. I also have disquieting reports near the borders of the Marsh, it seems a portal, recently discovered there, has been used recently. Would you look at these reports yourself and tell me I am not losing my mind? That is unless you have the Baron-Mage hidden in your bed back in your chambers?"

Caladnei snorted. �Oh no, my Steel headed Regent, Daekyn is furthest from my mind these days. I only have eyes for you and our sweetly chubby King, little Azoun. I am over my infantile crush on the dashing Baron.�

Alusair drew a mocking growl into her voice. �Do not break the little King�s heart sweet Caladnei, you promise your love and undying devotion and I will hold you to it with the tip of my blade if I have to.� Alusair allowed a small chuckle to escape into the night. �Well come inside, the night whispers no secrets to me tonight. I will have something warm brought from the kitchens.�

�As you wish my lady.� Caladnei said. �But I break no promises to our King. Particularly if they deal with the heart!� Caladnei giggled softly as she followed the Regent inside.

20th of Uktar

Atlantean waited patiently in his office, studying the roaring fire in the granite hearth, in front of him. The rain beat against the single hazy pane of glass across from the fireplace. The pane shook with the fury of the rain and wind of the storm that buffeted Firehaven for the last week, and showed no sign of letting up. Atlantean shivered despite the heat of the fire. A small grimace adorned his face, out of place amidst the dried mud that adorned his face and clothes. No longer as young as he once was his fingers ached with his efforts today.

Atlantean flexed his fingers, feeling the tendons creak. A day full of shoveling and shoring perimeter walls had taken its toll on him. Atlantean rolled his shoulders back and sighed.

�I don�t hurt this much after swinging an axe all day in a dungeon filled with goblins.� Atlantean said to the fire. �Then again, I like that much better than trying to dig muddy ditches in the driving rain.� Atlantean stared at the fire, but it made no answer. Atlantean sighed. �Where are you Firehand? I didn�t notice you in the mud and rain these last few days.� A soft but firm knock sounded at Atlantean�s door.

�Come!� Atlantean called. Sergeant Stoan came in and removed his sodden cloak and hung it on the oak rack next to the door. A gust of wind blew a cold sheet of rain into the room. Stoan leaned against the door and closed the door. Stoan cleared his throat and saluted Atlantean as he turned to face Stoan.

�Sir?�

�Yes, what is it Sergeant?�

�A new report from the south wall, sir. We�ve lost the eastern section to the water. It just washed the whole section away, sir.� Stoan moved closer to the fire. Atlantean watched the steam rise from Stoan�s clothes.

�I�m being rude Sergeant. Would you care for some hot tea?� Atlantean waved a hand towards the sideboard. A small ceramic teapot steamed next to a small pile of cups. �I�m sorry I don�t have any sugar or honey, with the weather and all.�

Stoan raised a hand and shook his head. �No thanks, sir. I am needed at the gate; there is work to be done. Besides the report I also came to ask a question.� Stoan paused.

�Go ahead, Sergeant.�

�Have you seen the Baron? He doesn�t appear to be in his office or quarters, and has not been seen around Firehaven for these past few days.�

�He is on a diplomatic mission to Flamekiss and isn�t expected back at any certain time.� Atlantean lied. �I am in charge while he is away, is your question something I can address?� Stoan shuffled his feet nervously and looked at the floor; he seemed ready to answer when another knock sounded at the door. Atlantean walked over and opened the door which growled with wind and rain. Captain Dauntinghorn stood on the step. Atlantean motioned him in and offered seats to the both of them.

�Tea Captain?� Atlantean gestured.

�Yes, please.� Aeryn nodded at Stoan. �Sergeant.�

�Captain.� Stoan replied hovering over the chair.

�Sit down both of you please; since you are both here I want to speak with you.� Atlantean dragged a chair closer to the fire. Stoan finally dropped into the seat and Aeryn accepted the teacup from Atlantean.

�The weather is an issue we must contend with.� Stoan interrupted with a loud snort. �Supplies are running low and we must soon make an action plan to resolve this problem. The last two patrols haven�t reported in yet and I have pulled all available hands inside the walls to help with the attrition of the fortifications.� Atlantean grimaced. �That damn fool druid unleashed this hell storm and I haven�t seen him since it started.�

As if in answer the windows rattles with another crack of thunder.

�No, human. We cannot help you with this.� Growled the deep resonating voice of Chief Wayland Well-Kirk, of Firekiss. �We expose too much if we enter into a war, even allied with the likes of you.� He shook his head emphatically. �No. We cannot.�

Daekyn Firehand stood regally, his clothes untouched by the rain; his hair fell over his upturned collar, dark curls that hid the white sateen collar. Daekyn�s vivid eyes shone brightly in the flashes of the lightning of the storm outside the stone palace in Flamekiss.

�Somewhere out there, men are dying for the continued protection of ALL life in the Stonelands, Chief Well-Kirk.� Daekyn allowed a space for a peal of thunder to pass into the sound of hissing rain. �Protecting you and yours as well, Chief Well-Kirk.�

The chief shifted in his stone throne, looking uncomfortable. �Do you not know what we have sacrificed to become what we are now?�

�I am sure that many sacrifices were�� Daekyn began.

�Enough, human! You will listen to me.� The chief�s growled voice dropped in volume. �I was a pup when we found this valley. My grandfather was a beast and had led the clan across the Stonelands away from the Cormyrean patrols that were searching for vengeance against my clan. The atrocities we committed, from the impulses of our blood. We were nothing more than our names implied. Beastly, bloodthirsty, evil. We came across this rift in the stony valleys and were drawn in by a flashing light. The Temple at the end of the Valley. From there we were drawn into the embrace of Kossuth, and our blood purified by his divine fire. We are not the warmongering beasts we once were. You must understand this.�

�I do, Chief. Out of any of the humans you might have contact with, I am the only one who understands. Soon we will need you, or soon you will wish you had us to help you. Sooner or later you and yours will be drawn into war.� Daekyn looks carefully at the chief. �However, I overextend my welcome. Please consider my words chief Well-Kirk. They may be the very last you here from us.� Daekyn finished the somatic component under his cloak and teleported Daekyn appeared in the crook of a dead end chasm. The rain did not penetrate this small enclosure, but the mist of the fallen rain hung in the air. Clearly surprised at not being in his office, Daekyn looked around and saw Curren smiling up at him.

�Sorry, my baron. I had to anchor you to this spot so we can talk. We have a problem.� Daekyn raised an eyebrow. �Oh?�

�The druid, Rhaebben. I think he has lost control of his little weather experiment.�

�Really Curren?� Daekyn said sarcastically. �I couldn�t tell, with all the storms and driving winds and floods and nonstop rain. What possible problem could there be?�

Curren smiled sheepishly. �My apologies my baron. I meant that he may not be able to solve the problem himself, and none of the Druidic Order will help him. I am afraid the help he needs is from you.�

�Sure, sure. Wizard, noble, statesman, ambassador, salesperson, warrior, cleric and now druid. I am more than I seem huh Curren?�

�Cleric, my baron?�

�A long story. Anyway, where is this pet druid of ours?�

�Behind you, on the face of the cliff above. Wrapped in his magic, and there for the last 23 hours or so.� Curren indicated a spot out of sight.

�Of course. Curren I will need you to establish a link between him and I. Can you handle that?�

�Of course, my baron.� Curren closed his eyes. Daekyn felt the stirring of the contact at the edge of his mind. Soon he felt a connection with the druid�s mind. A tumultuous and forceful mind, deep in concentration.

Baron Firehand? What�how? Ah, Curren. I am a little busy right now Baron, perhaps you could call back later.

Later is not an option druid. I need to know if you have lost control of the weather pattern here?

Well�.Yes, but allow me to explain Baron. It is not my doing�or undoing. There are some malevolent forces at work here. A deep, foul anti-life presence is playing havoc with my control. A force that is slowly winning. A power rising deep within the earth. I am afraid it will ascend all too soon.

Ah, I see druid. The lich we were warned about. Well an oversight I see we must soon take care of�

Baron, you do not understand. His power is awesome and beyond reproach. I cannot fathom its depth. You could not possibly be able to persevere.

Speak not so hastily my dear druid. I have a few tricks up my sleeve yet.

Baron! Feel that? His powers buffet against my own. I am a sand bar against a monsoon tide. I cannot hold out much longer, but if I do not the weather in this region will forever be altered for the worse. The sun may never the reach this land again! You must halt his rise!

Hmmm. You are correct Master Rhaebben. I must stop the lich. Sooner than later.

Daekyn shook his head and broke contact. Curren sat there rubbing his temples.

�Curren, Are you all right?�

�Just a lot of interference, no worries, I�ll be ready in a second.� Curren stood up and shook his head. He looked up and out into the pouring rain, his eyes glazed over and his brows knitted in concentration. Curren swayed slightly as if fighting an invisible current. Daekyn started to reach for Curren, but stopped as Curren opened his eyes.

�Ok, my baron. I am ready. Where are we going?�

�Firehaven.� Daekyn paused and smiled. �Home.�

�Follow� commanded the voice within Hyrkul�s mind. �See the light? Lead my army against the humans.� Hyrkul looked ahead of him and managed to see the jagged rip in the ground dimly lit by distant flashes of lightning.

�Destroy them, my vassal.� Echoed the voice in Hyrkul�s mind. �Use what I have given you wisely.�

Hyrkul surged forward, in the dark, towards the jagged rip that led to the surface. A host of shadows swelled out of the darkness behind him.

�Where�s your head at?� Asked sergeant Stone. His words sputtered in the downpour. The soaked and muddied soldier Stone was yelling at hung his head in shame. The soldier stood in front of a mound of dirt and stone he had shoveled in to a breach in the stonewall surrounding Firehaven.

�Sorry, sergeant. Trying to fortify the wall�with anything.� The soldier responded. �The rain washed out this section��

�I am well aware of the situation, soldier.� Snapped Stone. �However, what you didn�t know, because you did not communicate up the chain of command, is that a wagon of stone is being pulled through the mud to shore up this breach. Now you will have to dig this all out again.�

�Yes, sir. Right away sir.� The soldier wearily snapped a salute and turned to start digging again. Stone looked up and out of the wall. The bruised and swollen skies diminished the late afternoon light to a murky twilight in the driving rain. Flickering lightning flashes illuminate the horizon periodically. Stone stood there for a few minutes, overcome with a feeling of trepidation. A rolling flash of white gashed the darkness and Stone felt his heart leap into his throat. Stretch out in a line covering the observable horizon was an army of dark writhing shapes. They filled the plains beyond the stonewall. Stone remained frozen until the darkness pushed back at the momentary blaze.

�You, soldier. Get to the gate and get the captain to rouse the company.�

�Company sir?� the soldier hesitated. �You mean the whole company sir?�

�Every man, soldier, and hurry man!� Stone started backing away from the wall. �Tell him to meet me at the Baron�s keep. Now, on the double.� The soldier started running at the sound of Stone�s raised voice, training taking over his curiosity.

Stone felt a sudden chill encircle his body. Stone turned and very unbecomingly ran back into the camp towards the Baron�s keep.