Elf Wars
by Patrick E.



  Darkness had swept over the city by this time and a trained assassin native to this city could easily hide in the shadows. Lord Phil was persistent however and he was also equipped with a keen night vision that was inherited from his elven ancestors.
   Lord Phil looked down the road in both directions, but no one could be seen on the streets. Very few people went out on the streets after dark, so he wasn�t surprised to not see anyone strolling down the street. A few lamps lined the street, but any man with brains at all would stray into the shadows of some dark alley.
   The slightest sound of a cloak flapping in the wind gave away the direction of the assassin though. Anyone without an extremely keen hearing would have missed the sound however. Lord Phil ran off into a dark alley just past the tavern.
   The young warrior realized his mistake as soon as he stepped into the entrance of the alley when the clicks of crossbows being fired broke the silence that covered the alley like a layer of dust. He reacted instantly however and dove behind a pile of crates stacked just to his right. Phil was rewarded with three thuds as the crossbow quarrels sank deeply into the crates he had just dived behind. Not wasting any time, Phil was up and running out from behind the crates and into a door only a few yards ahead and to the right of him.
   Lord Phil crashed through the wooden door just as three more crossbow bolts thudded into the doorframe. The room he had run into was filled full of huge wooden crates and barrels all stacked up. It must have been a warehouse for some merchant or other. With his night vision, Phil could see that it was a good size room and that he would have any easy time laying an ambush.
   The young lord only had to sit a few minutes before he was awarded with the sound of men climbing down the side of the building opposite to the one he was hiding in. Three men, all dressed in black crept into the building with swords drawn.
   Phil watched as they walked down the isle beneath the stack of crates he was lying on top of. Stupidly, Phil thought, the men split up and each took different directions. One went farther into the warehouse, another took watch at the door, and the last started toward the spot where Phil lay in wait.
   Just as one thug was passing the huge box stack Phil was on, he leaped from the top, which was only eight feet down, and landed in a crouch without making a sound.
   Lord Phil crept up behind the man in black. He nearly laughed at how he was easily tricking these men and then sneaking up behind them without even breaking a sweat.
   With one quick move Lord Phil grabbed his mouth with one hand and with the other he slit the man�s throat with a dagger. Phil let the man�s body down gently and then pulled it into a small space between the piles of crates that he was hiding on.
   In three minutes the other man lay dead and hidden in a space similar to his companion�s. No evidence showed the young noble�s passing and Phil almost felt bad about killing these men like this, but it had to be done, to save his friend. He had searched the bodies of the two, but found nothing of value except for a few silver coins that he could go without. He was actually searching for an antidote for his friend but he suspected that it was on the one watching the door.
   Lord Phil did not bother to sneak up on the last one guarding the door but instead drew his sword and walked boldly up to the man. The man did not give any warning except that he picked up his crossbow and fired.
   The shot flew at Phil�s chest with blinding speed, but it never got that far. The bolt ricocheted off of his white bladed long sword that he had brought up in an amazingly fast reaction that few could ever match. One of those who could match it though, stood before him.
   The thug in black drew his sword as well. It was a long sword made of a pure black metal that Phil was unfamiliar with. He that it kind of amusing that he, a person of good, used a pure white long sword while the evil man in front of him used a long sword that was pure black.
   When Phil approached the assassin draped in a loose black cloak, he pulled down the hood to reveal him as an elf. This was not just any elf though, but a dark elf. His hair was a thick white mane that kind of reminded Phil of snow. The dark elf�s eyes glowed a crimson color that almost looked majestic in his smooth dark face that was framed by his white silky hair. Phil had to admit he was shocked to find a dark elf in Suza, for they were a rare site anywhere. He did no that they were a chaotic race and this one was probably no different from his kin.
   The dark elf just smiled as Lord Phil approached with all his muscles tensed, ready to make a move if need be. Both warriors had their blades down though and neither looked as if they were about to make the first move, almost as if each was afraid of the abilities of the other. Dark elves were renowned warriors and were feared by all, Lord Phil was easily seen by anyone as a great warrior and the dark elf saw that clearly.
   Then all at once, as if they read each other�s minds, they ran at each other in wild fury, each trying to gain the quick upper hand. The fight was like a beautiful dance as both of the men, human and elf, were graceful and quick. Sparks shot from the spots where the blades connected with the force of both man�s all. The swords moved so fast and sure that it was almost as if they were extensions of their bodies.
   Soon enough the first hit was made when one of Phil�s quick thrusts made a cut across the dark elf�s arm, luckily not his sword arm. It was not deep, but just a minor cut that was more annoying than painful. That small injury did not slow either of them down though, if anything the momentum of the fight picked up.
   Lord Phil quickly started to drive the dark elf�s blade down low with a series of quick maneuvers. When the elf�s blade was about knee level, Phil tried a desperate maneuver. He quickly spun off to the side while at the same time he smacked the dark elf�s blade down and to the opposite side he was spinning. He stopped his rotation to stand behind his opponent who wasn�t expecting the move and was still looking the other way. Phil quickly slashed the dark elf�s hamstrings and crippled the smaller elf.
   The dark elf cried out in pain and fell to the ground. Phil pulled brought his blade back and stuck it to the elf�s throat.
   The dark elf smiled at Phil before twisting a silver ring that he wore on his right hand.
   Before he could do anything though, the elf was shrouded in a black mist and simply disappeared. In the place of where the dark elf once was, now lay a small, dark glass container with a note attached.
   With hope that this was the antidote that he was searching for, Lord Phil picked up the note and quickly read it. It said: I respect your battle skill and am sorry for what I did to your friend, but you must know that I was hired to attack you by that fop of a noble that your friend threw out the window. No hard feelings right? Here is the antidote for the poison that was on my dagger. We will meet again. At the bottom it was signed in the loopy writing of elven.
   Lord Phil smiled and slipped the antidote into his pocket. After catching his breath he ran back to the Waning Moon tavern where he had left his friend.
   When Phil ran through the door way he immediately felt a wave of relief. All the tables and chairs had been put back in there places, few people were still sitting and drinking, and best of all the bartender smiled and waved him to a door that he suspected went into the kitchen. He followed the man back into the kitchen and was glad to see that they had put Weber on a bed, which he was too tall for, and Rachael was standing over him wiping his head with a damp towel. Weber was unconscious.
   Rachael smiled at Lord Phil when he came in and took the antidote from him when he held it out for her. He was then ushered out of the empty kitchen by the barkeep that simply said that she can handle it and that Weber will be okay.
   Phil did not have to wait long before Rachael came out to tell the barkeep and Phil that everything was going to be okay. She took the seat next to him at the bar, where he was sipping on a mug of ale.
   �That must have been the right antidote. He started to look better only seconds after drinking the potion,� Rachael told him in a cheerful tone.
   �Yes, that is good to hear,� Phil replied in a flat tone.
   �You seem distracted, what happened out there?� Rachael asked with interest.
   Phil looked at her and then smiled. He told her everything that had just transpired in the last ten minutes. Told her all about the ambush they had set up for him, how he hid in the warehouse and then killed the two thugs. He then went on to describe the dark elf and the battle they had fought. Phil did leave out the part with the note and just said that he had this feeling that it was right. Sweat still beaded the young warrior�s forehead.
   �Sounds as if you have had a rough night,� Rachael said still in cheerful tones.
   �Yes, I have. I just hope that Weber heals quickly so that we can get back to the Golden Maiden.�
   �Well, if you want I can call a carriage to come and get you,� the beautiful mage offered trying to be helpful.
   �Yes, that would be nice. We have already had quite a day.�
   Rachael left out the door in search of a nearby carriage. Phil was tired and just a bit confused at what had happened so fast today.
   It seemed as if everything was going great until they came to the Waning Moon tavern and Phil met one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. He wondered how it was possible that someone could make enemies with some powerful noble families and a dark elf all in the same day. The sighting of the dark elf was also something bothered him; he had thought that they were only legends, but here one was this very night. Phil now wondered if they were going to have to leave town or risk running into more assassins. He just didn�t know what to do, and think, he was supposed to be some great lord that was head of a noble family even.
   Phil took a large gulp of his ale. It burned all the way down and left a bitter taste in his mouth. He looked down at the ale as if it had just deceived him before draining the rest of it.
   �What happened?� a weak voice asked him from the kitchen door.
   Phil looked over to see Weber leaning against the doorframe, looking better, but still a bit pale. �Come over here and have a drink and I will tell you everything that happened.�
   The young lord went on to tell Weber everything that had happened that evening from the time that he left the building till the time he got back, once Weber had taken a seat of course. He told in a great detail with lots of emotion. Weber applauded when he was finished, but still had a frown at his friend�s encounter.
   �Next time how about you share the fun with your brave and strong companion,� Lord Weber said with a weak smile.
   �Next time don�t get injured before it all starts,� Phil replied with a small grin.
   �It wasn�t on purpose,� the large lord pointed out.
   Just then Rachael came in through the door, �A carriage is waiting outside for you two. It is already paid for, so don�t worry about the cost.�
   �Lets get going then, I need some sleep,� Weber said as he climbed to his feet and walked to the door with a look of exhaustion.
   Phil just shook his head and followed him out the door.
   �I can�t believe you saw a dark elf, and fought it no less,� Lord Weber said after they were safely riding back to the Golden Maiden in the carriage that Rachael had got them.
   �It wasn�t fun I can tell you that,� Phil told his friend with a look of disgust as he remembered his encounter with the dark elf earlier that day.
   The carriage sped up dramatically then as the team of horses pulling it went into a run down the near deserted streets. Screaming from the front of the carriage could be heard as the halfling driver was thrown from his seat and into the street. Someone was capturing the carriage.
   Phil quickly drew his sword and Weber just looked at his war hammer weakly before lying back in his seat. Phil went for the door but it was locked, and probably by magic because no amount of force would even budge the door. He even tried to break the glass door, but to no avail.
   Suddenly a burst of flames covered the carriage and its windows. Phil jumped at the sudden brightness and heat that surrounded them. The young lord was afraid and who had just attacked the carriage that had been captured by someone else. The carriage came to a sudden halt and the door flew open and the flames leaked in.
   Standing at the door was none other than Rachael Odura. She quickly grabbed Phil and pulled out of the burning carriage with a strength that contradicted her small frame. After Phil was out she reached back in and helped Weber out.
   Lord Phil was at a loss at what had just happened. At one moment he was riding safely in a carriage back to his in and in the next it was being captured by someone, and then Rachael was there to save him or her from a burning carriage. He wanted to know who was out to get them, but he already had a hunch as to whom it could be.
   �What is going on here,� Lord Phil asked as he helped Weber to his feet.
   Rachael turned from where she was watching the burning carriage, �The carriage you were in had been captured by a mage of some skill and an assassin. These two worked for powerful underground groups known as the Black Blood. I had started to watch you two ever sense you told me about your run in with the dark elf. A good thing I had to.� She turned back to the burning carriage that was now horseless for some reason.
   �Well I thank you for your heroic efforts and I am glad for your assistance. Where did the horses go?�
   �I released them just after I blasted the two driving the carriage with a fan of flames,� the mage replied.
   �Oh, I see. So that�s why it�s burning,� Phil said as if it was the first time he had even noticed that the carriage was on fire.
   �Well I would like to stay and chat, but I must be getting me friend back to the Golden Maiden,� the young lord said looking at his large barbarian friend who looked as if he was sleeping on his feet.
   �I can get you there very quickly,� she said.
   �I would much appreciate it,� Phil said.
   The beautiful mage in white quickly cast a spell that involved her making circular motions with her hands. Phil all of the sudden felt light as a feather, almost as if his body was weightless.
   �I cast a spell of flight on you two,� Rachael explained.
   �So what do we do, flap our arms,� Weber suggested.
   �You could do that, but it wouldn�t help,� she replied. �Just think about flying and you will.�
   Lord Phil closed his eyes and thought of himself soaring over the city with the cool night breeze flowing through his hair and the ground moving quickly beneath him. When he opened his eyes he noticed that he was doing just that. Weber was in flight next to him with the same look of aw and excitement that he was having. It was a wonderful feeling.
   Soon both the young lords were safe in their beds at the Golden Maiden, fast asleep.

   The next day the two young lords slept till noon and when they woke up they ate a quick lunch and went out to see the rest of the town. They explored the street of coin and spent most of the afternoon looking at the exotic wares that they had never seen in their entire lives. Many hawkers tried to get their attention and get them to buy fancy clothes or useless magical items. One man even tried to get them to believe that he had a crystal ball that contained the essence of a celestial being that would come to them at any time and all they had to do was call its name. Another man nearly got Weber to buy a golden war hammer that would shock his foes with but a touch. When it started to get late they found their way back to the Golden Maiden and ate a nice supper before heading back to their room to sleep.
   But not everyone was sleeping.
   A dark figure in all black quickly and quietly scaled the wall of the Golden Maiden just below the window of two young lords who were new to the city. This man worked for the Black Blood and he was hired to exterminate these two men. The two had been quite a nuisance for being it being only their first day here and after taking out one of their employers and then defeating the leader of the group who was a dark elf, which was not an easy thing to accomplish. As far as he was concerned these were just the first in a long line of opposition. He was an able assassin and had killed many people who were high in the social class and quite powerful. He had no doubt that these two would also fall before him.
   When he made it to the balcony that led into the two lords� room he through down a rope and tied it to the handrail. Another man came up the rope and landed down lightly next to his partner.
   These two men were not friends and only worked together because they were told to. The promise of gold was something both of them would gladly take if all it meant that they had to cooperate for a short time together.
   The first shadowy figure quickly picked the lock on the balcony door and slipped in with his partner following close behind.
   Inside the room the assassins� unsuspecting quarry knew what they were up to despite the two men�s careful approach. Phil was wide-awake but carefully kept his eyes closed and breathing shallow and rhythmic. The white bladed sword that Phil kept had an alarm that would warn him of danger if he were asleep by giving him a dream of what the danger was. He was not sure what he was going to do when the two men came to kill him, but a plan was quickly forming in his mind.
   The two men moved to either side of Lord Phil�s bed and ignored Weber completely. Each carried a short sword and was about to plunge them into his snoozing body. Lord Phil was also inconspicuously drawing a dagger out from under his pillow.
   At the same time all four of the men in the room moved to attack. Both of the assassins thrust their blades into Phil�s sleeping form. Lord Phil quickly rolled to the side and both blades narrowly missed their mark and instead sank into the bed. He continued rolling off the bed to land on all fours at the feet of the first assassin. Lord Weber on the other hand was not in any danger and was able to draw out his large war hammer. He then took the hammer and caved in the closest assassin�s skull so that he dropped to the floor without ever suspecting that his life was even endanger. That left one assassin and two anger noble warriors.
   Stinging pain shot up Phil�s knees when he hit the hard wooden floor. The assassin looked down in surprise at the noble�s quick movement and the fact that his companion lay dead on the bed in front of him with his head caved in. Weber then reached across the bed with one of his strong arms and lifted the assassin off the ground by his throat. He then looked into the smaller man�s eyes that now held not the look of confidents but fear. The large noble was not happy and so he carried the man over to the edge of the balcony and tossed him off. The assassin flailed his arms and legs in the air until he made a sickening crack when he hit the hard ground below.
   �Well now I am getting just down right tired of this,� Phil said in irritation as he picked himself up off the ground.
   �This is just pathetic,� Weber said with a cold laugh from the balcony.
   Phil moved over to where his friend stood and looked down at the assassin he had thrown off the balcony. The man was trying to crawl away, but it seems that he had broken his leg and wasn�t getting anywhere fast. Watching the man trying desperately to get away made the young lord sick. He did not enjoy watching people suffer and was disappointed to see his friend so amused with the man�s pain.
   �Just finish him off,� Lord Phil said turning away from the sight of the man.
   �Alright,� Weber replied hafting his hammer for a throw. He tossed the hammer with deadly accuracy and the hammer slammed into the back of the man�s skull. The man would never move again.
   �How many more attacks are going to come from them before they quit,� Lord Phil asked his companion when Weber returned from the window.
   �They will not. Not until the leader, the one who wants you two dead, is removed from his position in the Black Blood,� said a disembodied voice.
   �Who�s there?� Weber called in a deep booming voice.
   Rachael appeared out of the wall as if it were nothing then and smiled at both men, especially at Weber because he slept in the nude.
   �I know I�m irresistible, but you have to have your limits on spending time with me,� Phil said in a teasing tone.
   Rachael smiled, �Actually I put an alarm on your room so that I would be warned if anyone of the Black Blood or was working for them entered.�
   �Oh, and why didn�t you do anything when the two men were about to turn Phil into a pin cushion,� Weber asked in an angry voice.
   �Well actually I did,� Rachael said walking up to Phil and putting an arm around his waste. She slipped a dagger out of the sleeve of her white robe and stabbed at his chest, but it just bounced off harmlessly. �I put a protection spell on you that make your body invulnerable to their attacks,� the mage said to dismiss the looks of confusion on both men�s faces.
   �You have my thanks for considering my safety, not once, but twice, tonight,� the young swordsman said with a bow to the beautiful young mage.
   �Well I don�t know about you two but I need my beauty rest and would like it if I could get some sleep,� Weber said slipping into his bed and beneath the covers to hide his exposed body.
   �Yes, we do need to get some sleep, we have had a rough day today,� Phil said to the woman still holding on to him.
   �What were you talking about when you said that we had to kill someone in the Black Blood?� Weber asked the white robed mage.
   �Well you should ask my master, for he knows much more about that than I do,� Rachael said.
   �We will make sure to do that first thing in the morning,� Phil assured her.
   �I should be going backing to the arch wizard�s tower before he gets angry as well,� Rachael said giving Phil a passionate kiss on the lips. �Goodnight you two.�
   �Sweet dreams beautiful angel,� Lord Phil called after her. He was surprised at the kiss he received from her and could tell she was nervous about doing it herself because of the shakiness in her form when he held her.
   Weber was already snoring in the bed next to Phil�s when the blond haired mage left. With a yawn the dark blue haired lord followed his friend�s example and was sleeping peacefully in his own bed despite the recent events and the body he had to push off his bed so that he could sleep.

   The next morning was clear and sunny with a cool spring breezed coming in through the open doorway to the balcony. The two lords of Twinrivers had much to do the next day on finding information about the recent events with the Black Blood network. They planned on heading over to the magic university to talk with the arch wizard of Suza to see if he knows anything about the underground organizations.
   The two lords started their day with a well-balanced breakfast that was complete with ale, beef stew, and bread. Weber and Phil held a long conversation with the golden haired waitress who�s name they found out to be Karen Craulnober. The breakfast was good and the nice talk with their new friend in Suza was refreshing from all the threats and talk of business that they have had in the city so far. Phil and Weber enjoyed the small talk with another person from a small town and not the huge monstrosity of Suza.
   When they finished the meal they left the Golden Maiden to find the Tower of Arcane that housed the great Arch Wizard of Suza and his apprentice Rachael.
   The two lords just walked down the Nobles street until they saw something that was a large pure black tower with one huge window that went all the way around the top of the tower and had other small ones towards the bottom. Lord Phil was shocked at seeing such a huge tower that gave castle�s competition. A large wall that was as black as the tower it surrounded blocked the way with no doorway in sight.
   �I thought that for an arch wizard he would be smart enough to put a door on his wall,� Weber said looking at the wall.
   �I am sure that the wall is just hidden or a special saying is needed before anyone could enter,� Lord Phil replied.
   �Maybe,� Lord Weber said.
   Phil quickly looked around to see if anyone was watching before walking tentatively up to the wall and called out, �Hello, can anyone hear me?�
   �Yes, what is it?� a booming voice called out from nowhere. The voice startled Phil and Weber so that they ducked into reactive crouches as if for a fight.
   Lord Phil quickly composed himself and replied, �I was wondering if I could get an audience with the great arch wizard of Suza.�
   �What is thy name?� the voice asked.
   �I am a simple noble of no regard by the name of Lord Phil of Twinrivers and this is my good friend Lord Weber of Twinrivers,� Phil replied with a low bow to the stone fence.
   �You may enter,� the voice answered with unknown excitement.
   The two lords sat patiently for many long moments and nothing happened. Finally Lord Phil put his hand to the wall only to find that it did not touch anything but went through the illusionary wall. Phil looked back to Weber and motioned for his big friend to follow him through the doorway.
   Past the wall was a courtyard that was simply splendid for being the base of a magic university and home of the greatest wizard. Phil had expected to see unknown wonders in the courtyard, but instead he found a beautiful garden filled with some of the most rare and wonderful plant life that he had ever seen in his short lifetime. Up through the middle of the garden was a red brick walkway that led up to a pair of great wooden doors that were carved with the most intricate symbols known to man.
   Standing in the center of the walkway just ahead of the two adventuring lords was a tall man in robes of silk. He was tall and seemed to have a muscular form like Weber�s but he was thin like Phil. Short black hair and a goatee framed his square shaped head. The eyes of this man was something that was most striking about him was because they were a grand lilac color that were shining with great magical power. It was obvious that this man before them in the black and gold robes was none other than the great arch wizard of Suza, Xion Morray.
   �Welcome, Welcome,� the arch wizard called when he noticed that the two lords had finally come through the invisible door.
   Phil bowed low to the great man while Weber just walked up to the powerful wizard and stuck out his hand indicating that he wanted to shake hands. Phil just smiled at his friend�s forwardness and came to his side. Xion took the large noble�s hand and gave it a good hardy squeeze.
   �What brings the two great nobles of Twinrivers that watched over my apprentice to my invisible wall,� Xion asked with a smile.
   �To be honest we were wondering if you knew anything about some assassins in this fair city,� Phil asked in a serious tone.
   The arch wizard was no longer smiling, �Come into my tower and we will talk.�
   Xion Morray lead them through the great wooden doors, that opened by themselves, through a few twisting halls that were beautifully decorated and into a small well furnished room. The room held an orderly desk in front of a huge window, which couldn�t be seen from the outside, bookshelves full of books and three well-made chairs.
   The arch wizard took the seat behind the desk and motioned for the two lords to take the other open seats across from him.
   �You wouldn�t happen to be talking about a group known as the Black Blood would you?� Xion asked as Phil took his seat.
   �Yes, that is who your apprentice told us it was anyway,� Weber replied trying to get comfortable in the chair that was too small for him.
   �What else did she tell you about this dark band of assassins and thieves?� Xion asked.
   �She said that we should come talk to us if we wanted to know anything else,� Phil replied hoping that they didn�t get her in trouble.
   �Yes, and it is good of you to come to see me,� the arch wizard said.
   The three men sat in silence for a short time before Xion spoke again, �The Black Blood network is lead by a powerful dark elf assassin who is not only an assassin and thief but a powerful business man in the hierarchy of Suza�s economy. That is the main reason why I don�t kill him or run him out of town. If he weren�t so important to many businesses of our fellow lords and the working class it would be so much easier.�
   �Well could you just expose him as a dark elf and that would be enough for the rest of the town to come against him and take over his businesses and run him out of money,� Phil suggested to the arch wizard.
   �I could except that most people who deal with him that are important already know that he is a dark elf and a hired assassin,� Xion said. �This is the main reason I wanted to see you two. I know about your fight with this allusive elf and I have heard tales of your fighting prowess in Twinrivers.�
   �You want us to take this assassin and his network out so and make it look like we were doing it is self defense because he struck out at us first,� Lord Phil offered.
   �That is what I was hoping,� Xion said with a friendly smile.
   �Sounds good,� Weber said with excitement.
   �Do you understand what you are getting into?� the arch wizard asked the brave young noble.
   �Of course, a man who is a great assassin and has more connections and body guards than the king of Suza,� Phil said coolly.
   �Just as you understand that, then we are good to go,� Xion told them and stood up to leave.
   �Where are you going,� Phil asked also standing up.
   The arch wizard looked at the young warrior with surprise at his outburst, �I was going to ask my apprentice if she would go and get your things from the Golden Maiden and set up a room for the two of you here so that you couldn�t get attacked in your sleep anymore.�
   �Oh, okay, sorry,� Phil, said with just a tint of embarrassment.
   Xion went out into the hallway said something under his breath and snapped his fingers. Suddenly Rachael stood before her master, head down and back strait.
   �What would you like?� Rachael asked.
   �Stop showing off to our guests, I already know how much like Phil anyways,� the arch wizard said his apprentice blushed but no one could see it because her head was down and her hair covered her face. �I would like you to go to the Golden Maiden and retrieve these two young lord�s things.� Xion dismissed her with a wave of his hand.
   For the next hour the three men were in heated discussion about what was the best way to move into the Black Blood�s hide out in the city and eradicate the dark elf who wanted them dead. The arch wizard wanted them to use a passageway through the sewers that was heavily guarded with monsters, but it was a secret path. Phil thought that it would be best to cast a spell of invisibility and silence on them and sneak in through one of the upper floors and make their way down. Lord Weber just wanted to burst in the front door and kill everyone in his path until he reached the god forsaken dark elf that had dishonored him by sending assassins to kill him. No one wanted to agree with the other and a compromise was not looking to good at the moment.
   Rachael came back though and sided with her master that going through the sewers was the safest way to get into the building. Phil quickly sided with the plan after getting a pouting look from Rachael. Weber on the other hand took a bit longer to get to agree with the not so straight-forward attack, but in the end he agreed.
   Phil and Weber soon took their leave and left the tower to get something to eat. They ended up in tavern called the Broken Keg that housed the adventurers and the middle class.
   The Broken Keg was kept clean and neat with many exotic foods and drink to go along. Inside the tavern was nearly half full with a wide variety of people from different lands and many races. At many of the tables halflings sat together and talked while dwarves and humans mingled together with the rare elf and sometimes even a gnome or two. At a few tables adventuring bands sat and told stories about times long past that were mostly made up with a little bit of truth. Towards the back wall a tall slender man and shorter, muscular man in a breast plate through daggers at a round piece of wood that was painted with three rings that made up a target.
   Lord Phil and his friend Lord Weber found seats in a back corner of the tavern at a secluded table. They liked to be discreet in their comings and goings after the incident with the Black Blood. Both men sat with their backs against a wall so that they could see the whole tavern.
   When a serving maid came to get what they wanted both men just asked for some of the roast mutton and the vegetable stew along with a mug of ale for Weber and spiced cider for Phil.
   As they waited Phil watched the two men throwing daggers. The tall and slender one moved with perfect balance and the grace of someone who was well versed in combat and stealth. While the tall one seemed to have the looks of a ranger, his friend was more of a warrior like Weber with his wide shoulders and muscular frame.
   When the warrior who was throwing darts left to get something to quench his thirst, Phil moved in to have some fun.
   �You look as if you�ve thrown some,� Phil stated, for he already knew the answer.
   �A little,� the ranger replied throwing a dart into the center of the target.
   The ranger was tall and slim, but was quite strong. He had dark brown hair that was recently cut short by the looks and his face was clean-shaven like Phil�s. He had a hawk like nose and a pointed chin that made him seem like some kind a bird of prey when mixed with his graceful flow that his body took.
   �I�m Lord Phil of Twinrivers. Mind if I throw a few?� Phil asked stepping up and pulling down the dagger.
   �I�m Roebuck Silvershadow of Larkwood. Lets see what you�ve got,� the ranger replied stepping back.
   Phil threw the dagger with the same controlled and graceful movements as Roebuck had when he was up. The dagger thudded into the board just a hair�s width away from the center mark. His next throw landed just next to the first one, except that it was in the center of the mark.
   �I see you know what you are doing,� Roebuck said as Phil went to collect the two daggers he threw.
   �I�ve had some practice,� Phil replied.
   �Yes, you have,� Roebuck said taking the daggers and throwing them into the target with both hitting the edges of the center circle.
   �Maybe even better than you?� Phil asked as the ranger went to retrieve the daggers.
   �Would you like to put a wager on that,� Roebuck asked confidently.
   Lord Phil took a small leather bag that was bulging with gold coins and dropped it at the tall ranger�s feet. Roebuck looked down at the bag, smiled and brought a similar bag of gold coins and dropped it next to Phil�s.
   �Winner takes all,� Phil declared. �What are the rules?�
   �We each throw a dagger to see who is the closest, best two out of three wins,� Roebuck answered handing Phil one of the daggers.
   Lord Phil took the dagger, tossed it into the air once, caught it, and then threw into the board where it sunk into the center of the middle square. Roebuck�s hit just to the left of Phil�s.
   On the next throw Roebuck was nearly center while Phil hit just on the edge of the circle. That meant that the next throw was for the winner.
   Phil threw first and his was so close to the exact center that only an experienced eye could tell that it was barely off. Roebuck then threw and his thudded in next to Phil�s and was also just so off that only the most experienced person could tell it was not center. It was an unfortunate tie.
   The two men looked at each other, then the gold, and then the other again. Phil moved a hand towards the bags and Roebuck started to move a hand as well. Then all at once both men moved with the quickness of a snake launching a vicious strike at its prey as each one tried to reach the treasure first.
   Phil was just barely there first and snatched up both bags and turned to leave when Roebuck�s fist blasted him in the head and knocked him to the ground.
   Meanwhile over at the bar Weber was sitting next to the warrior that came in with Roebuck. Both men were doing a little drinking and listening to the rumors of nearby men as they talked about things that they normally wouldn�t because of the many drinks that they have had.
   Weber stuck his hand out to the warrior next to him and asked, �Names Lord Weber of Twinrivers, its good to meet a fellow man of combat.�
   The man took Weber�s hand in good strong grasp and replied, �I�m Phalanx, Phalanx Dragonsbane of Corask. I am a dragonslayer like all the men in family. How are you this evening?�
   �I�m doing good, could be better if this ale didn�t taste so much like water,� Weber said looking at his ale as if it were somehow a traitor that had stabbed him in the back or something.
   Phalanx was taller than Phil, but shorter than Roebuck. He was a muscular guy with arms the size of Phil�s legs. The warrior�s hair was thick and matched the color of raven feathers. Weber could see that he was probably respected in his family, for he had many large scars on his face and arms. Probably from dragon claws no doubt. He wore just plan brown and a steel breastplate that is carved with many cryptic runes that were made just for fighting dragons.
   Phalanx gave a good hardy laugh before saying, �Yes, they need to get something dwarven in here. Dwarves know how to make ale.�
   �Especially Dragongut Rum. Much better than this woman�s stuff,� Weber said draining the rest of the mug.
   �Yes that is some fine stuff, but Bitter Black Ale tops them all. That will put a fire in your gut for sure,� Phalanx said.
   �Bah, that is nothing compared to a long drawl from a mug Dark Pine Ale,� Weber said.
   �No my friend, you must be mistaken, Bitter Black Ale is far better than that child�s drink,� Phalanx replied taking a long drawl from his ale.
   �No, No you must be the one mistaken for Dark Pine has a spice that I doubt you could handle,� Weber said haughtily.
   �Here�s something that I don�t think you can handle you foolish man,� Phalanx said waving his fist in front of Weber menacingly.
   �Hah! Bring your both of those puny fists little man,� Weber said as he slipped from his stool at the bar.
   �You�re going to regret saying that boy,� Phalanx said with confidence as he hopped down off of the stool.
   Everyone near the two men instantly fled the scene and moved to the other side of the room or just left all together. All the people in that building new that it was illegal to fight in taverns and they all knew that the authorities would soon arrive.
   Phalanx reached up and smacked Weber in the face to strike the first blow. The strike didn�t really hurt the big man, but it did infuriate him. With a roar of rage that sounded like that of a wolf on the hunt of his unfortunate prey he punched out at the smaller warrior with one of his huge fists. Phalanx barely moved away from the blow. Weber quickly followed the punch and grabbed the smaller warrior by the shoulders and picked him up off the ground and threw him into a nearby empty table. The table broke and Phalanx was hurting when Weber leaped over the broken table to land atop his chest and punched him in the face.
   Just then a wooden stool smashed to pieces on Weber�s head and sent him stumbling off of Phalanx and into the bar. Roebuck Silvershadow helped his partner off the ground as Weber quickly recovered from the blow on the head. Then the flying body of Lord Phil slammed into Roebuck�s back as he was pulling Phalanx to his feet and sent all three of the men to the ground in a tumble of human bodies.
   All three of the men were punching and kicking at each other when Weber regained his bearings and joined the fray. Now all four men were in a tumble trading hit for hit and using every move and cheap shot at their disposal trying to gain the advantage.
   While the men battled and beat each other to half the death someone went out and alerted a passing city guard patrol of the tavern brawl. The guard came in to find the four men, two nobles and two adventurers, bashing each other while destroying all the furnishings in the tavern.
   The guard patrol numbered a dozen armed men in green and black scale mail with black cloaks that were styled with a green falcon that was the symbol of Suza. Most carried a cudgel or truncheon while the guard captain carried a wide short sword. The patrol commanded much respect among the people of Suza, especially among the people who ran the underground societies such as the Black Blood Network.
   Ten of the Suza guard moved to separate the brawling men who still fought as if they didn�t seem to notice the patrol enter. Just as the four men were about to be separated by the guard they quit fighting amongst each other and turned on the black and green clad warriors only to find many swords at their backs from a nearby group of guards who were currently off duty. The proud warriors were reluctant to give up to the city patrol, but they did and allowed themselves to be taken away.
   It only took the Xion, the arch wizard of Suza, and a half hour to make time to see the two lords from Twinrivers sitting in a jail cell at the guard barracks. The arch wizard was a busy man and had to cancel many things to go and see the two upstarts in their beat up state. He left Rachael in charge of the tower and teleported just in front of Phil and Weber�s cell.
   �Well if it isn�t the two great lords of Twinrivers sitting in a dirty jail cell for tavern brawling,� Xion said in a voice that was dripping with sarcasm.
   �Well at least we won,� Weber said with pride smiling to reveal the fact that two of his teeth had been knocked out during their recent brawl with Roebuck and Phalanx. Indeed the two men did win the fight. Phalanx had a broken nose, finger, and a couple of ribs not to mention all the bruises that he received from an enraged Weber. Roebuck wasn�t quite as bad as Phalanx but he was had two black eyes a broken hand and will have a lot of blood in his urine for a couple of days. Weber and Phil came out with a lot of bruises and bumps but nothing really serious except for the gash on the back of Weber�s head from the chair and the broken nose Phil received when he got knocked down from Roebuck punching him in the back of the head.
   �That may be, but it is going to cost me a bit to get a couple of trouble makers like you two out of jail,� Xion pointed out.
   �We�ll pay you for it don�t you doubt,� Phil told the arch wizard holding up the bag of gold he had stolen from Roebuck during their fight and managed to hide from the guard patrol.
   �I wasn�t speaking of that, but as in reputation. It will not look good that the great arch wizard of Suza is bailing a couple of foreign troublemakers out of prison after they destroyed tavern and broke the law.�
   �Fighting is against the law here?� Weber asked incredulously.
   �Of course it is. Doesn�t your hometown have laws against tavern fighting over arguments?� the arch wizard asked.
   �No, the folk that live in our town have too much honor and pride to break laws and won�t allow us to tell them they cannot settle disputes with fists other than words,� Phil explained.
   The wizard thought it over for a short time before nodding his acceptance of the explanation, �Yes, I see how I could be hard to make some laws when many barbarians take up residents near your small, rural town.� Weber did not take that last commit kindly for his own father was a barbarian leader who settled down outside of Twinrivers and became a great noble who became educated and made his children become civilized.
   �If it wouldn�t be too much to ask, could you release us from this damp cage,� Phil asked.
   Xion made a few gestures with his hands and the bars of the jail cell flung open to allow the two lords freedom. Phil and Weber quickly moved from their unsanitary and dirty prison cell.
   �Hold on to my robe and I will teleport us out of here,� the arch wizard said.
   The two young lords quickly grabbed onto the mage�s robes. Xion said an arcane phrase of words that were far above Phil�s grasp of language. Suddenly the world around them turned white and fuzzy. Phil felt sick as he suddenly became weightless and felt as if something was pulling his stomach down while his body was pulled up into the nothingness that surrounded them. Then it stopped as suddenly as it came and the world came up with dizzying quickness. The three men found themselves in the huge smooth tower that belonged to Xion Morray.
   When the young lords got over the disorientation of teleporting he escorted them into the tower so that they could get a good nights rest for their big night tomorrow. Not only did the arch wizard get them nice warm beds but also some healing for the many wounds that they received from the tavern brawl.
   The two lords sat around for the next couple of days not doing much except for enjoying the time that they got to relax around the arch wizard�s great house and prepare for the attack on the Black Blood�s hideout.
   The night two days after they were arrested for the bar fight was when it was planned to go through with the break in of the Black Blood�s lair. The two lords were prepared and itchy to get out of the tower as they waited for darkness to take hold on the land. When it becomes night the two were supposed to sneak off to a decided point down near the docks where they would slip into the sewers. After making it to the sewers they would follow the map that the arch wizard had given them. When they came to the end of the map they should be at a flat stonewall that was really an illusion. After going through the wall they would be in the lair of their enemy and would then be on their own.
   Phil was not really looking forward to this while Weber was eager to be off. Lord Phil would much rather stay at the tower and enjoy his time with Rachael while Lord Weber just wanted to start cracking some skulls. For the waiting men darkness seemed to be taking its sweet time on coming to Suza.
   The cover of night did come and when the two men were about to be off Rachael came to see them.
   �What do you want,� Weber asked rudely, for he was itching to leave.
   Rachael looked at him with mock hurt before turning to Phil, �I wish you luck and hope that you will be careful and not reckless like your foolish friend here.�
   �With the thought of you being here, nothing could stop me from returning. Not even a hoard of unknown monsters could keep me away from seeing you again,� Phil replied pulling her into a tight embrace.
   �I will miss my dear Lord Phil,� Rachael said squeezing him tightly before pulling away to look into his bright gray eyes that sparkled with mischief.
   �Well, we better get going,� Lord Weber, sneered with a tone of annoyance.
   �Yes, I think it is about time to leave,� Phil said moving toward the door with Weber close behind.
   Later that night the two young lords entered the alley that they were supposed to meet at. Lord Phil moved to the end of the alley where he found the secret door on the ground in the back of the alley. He said the command words that would unlock the door and give them passage into the sewers.
   The sewers were vast, huge, dark, damp, and not to mention a bit scary. Once they entered into the tunnels Lord Phil pulled out a small smooth stone that was a sphere in shape, fitting in his hand nicely. It was enchanted to give off light. Water filled with lots of who-knows-what came up to their knees. Weber trudged through it with no problem as if it wasn�t there. Phil on the other hand had a bit of a problem with the stench not to mention the things that bumped his legs under the water.
   �I�m not sure about this,� Phil said looked dubiously at the dark water swirling around his legs.
   �Come on you wimp, don�t back out on me now,� Weber said looking anxiously down the dark tunnel ahead of them.
   �Oh fine,� Phil said with disdain, quickly catching up to Weber.
   It was only a short time before the two men became lost in the sewers, even with the map that Xion had given them. Weber had taken the map and the lead while Phil held the light and kept watch. It wasn�t smart giving Weber the map, but Phil had no wish to take the lead in the dark tunnels beneath the city.
   Phil had heard much about what roamed the sewers from the many bards that made their way to Twinrivers from Suza over the years. Most talked about monsters who roamed the sewers and ate street urchins and others who made their homes here. He had also heard of many underground guilds of assassins that make their hide outs in the sewers, such as the ones that they were going after now.
   Phil�s fearful thoughts were disrupted by the sound of a woman�s cry and the clang of steel hating the ground. It did not sound as if it were that far away. Being the good man that he is, Lord Phil was willing to go check it out. Weber was also willing to go see what it was if it meant a little bit of battle along the way.
   �Should we go,� Phil asked turning towards where he heard the scream.
   �Lead the way,� Weber said pulling out his massive war hammer.
   The two warriors ran through the sewers trying their best to find their way through the maze of tunnels. Phil listened closely so that when the next scream came he knew exactly where to go. In no time at all they were heading down a long dark corridor towards a light in the room at the end.
   When Phil entered the room he quickly took stock of what was there. It was a large square room made of rough gray stone. A young, red headed woman in black armor lay near the door. A half of dozen grim faced men stood in the middle of the room. The men stood in a circle talking silently. They wore black leathers and carried small bladed weapons like short swords and daggers.
   The wounded woman had many serious injuries that were freely bleeding. She had a long gash across her forehead and a puncture wound on her side. Many small cuts were slightly bleeding all across the rest oh her body. Her face was pale from blood loss.
   Weber came in right behind Lord Phil hefting his war hammer to throw it at the closest enemy. Phil lifted a hand to stay his large friend�s attack, �Look at the lady.�
   �What about her?� Weber whispered, never taking his eyes off the dark men in the room.
   �She has suffered many serious injuries and unless we help her now,� Phil answered in a whisper, stepping to engage the men who were now aware of the two nobles in their midst.
   �What are you doing here?� one man asked calmly and with fake surprise that Phil easily discerned the facade.
   �We heard a scream and decided we would rid the world of a few specks of dirt that don�t make any difference to anyone,� Weber said reading his hammer to attack.
   �Well you is in luck my friend. A few specks of dirt happen to be right here,� a different one of the men said.
   The men came out to meet Lord Phil. Phil stood his guard with Weber coming to his side.
   �What are you doing,� Phil hissed at his large companion.
   �I�m fighting,� he replied swinging at the nearest opponent.
   �I can see that, but get the girl,� Phil said in between clashes.
   �You get her if she is that important,� Weber said, catching a man in the side with his war hammer, sending him in a flight across the room.
   �She is as big as I am and we can�t wait to beat these guys, you have to get her out of here,� Phil said as he disarmed one of the men he was fighting.
   �Fine,� was all Weber said before taking a wild swing before turning and scooping up the red haired warrior. He then ran from the room without another look at his friend.
   Weber ran with the woman held close to his chest. She looked like a little child in the big barbarians arms. He ran with all speed until he found a way out of the dark sewers not really worrying about the woman in his arms but to getting back to the fight before it ended.
   In a short time of carrying the black armored woman even the large muscles of Lord Weber needed a break. He sat down on a public bench in a park near the arch wizards tower. The red haired woman lie on the bench next to him, no longer bleeding from most of her wounds minor wounds, but the one on her head was still bleeding freely.
   Weber scooped the warrior back into his arms and made his way back to Xion�s tower. The arch wizard was waiting for Weber in the courtyard when he finally returned.
   �Get her into the house and into the care room. I will fetch a healer,� Xion told Weber before teleporting out.

* * * * *

   Lord Phil stood holding his white long sword out in front of him. Only one of the men in dark leather armor still stood. Phil was facing off with him now.
   Over the course of the whole battle, Lord Phil had only sustained a few superficial cuts. Weber killed one of the half dozen men before he even left. The next man to die tried to sneak up on his side. Then met his death at the end of Phil�s blade. After dueling it out with the last three one man killed his partner living himself exposed to a quick slash across his stomach. The last man now stood before Phil, slowly backing away.
   To the young lords surprise the man turned and ran through the back wall that turned out to be just an illusion. With a shrug Phil started after the man. By following the sounds of his prey�s footfalls in the dark corridors it was only a short time before he caught him.
   Phil dove into the man�s back when he finally caught up to him in a huge, dark cavern. They rolled across the bumpy, uneven floor before Phil came to his feet while the man still lay on the ground a few yards away. The dark clad man was unconscious. Not having the stomach to kill a downed man, Lord Phil turned away to leave.
   Just before Phil reached the exit a pair of red eyes appeared in the darkness off to his side. While studying the eyes, five more blinked into existence on all sides. Lord Phil quickly drew his sword wondering what kind of being he was facing that hid so well in the dark, not too mention being able to sneak up on him. A quick sense of fear gripped at the young lord, but he quickly pushed it away, knowing that many creatures that lurked in the dark not only sensed fear, but also even fed on of it.
   As the pairs of eyes moved closer, Phil could start to make out the forms as small and humanoid. With his limited night vision Phil could not make out much more than them being elf like in shape. Understanding swept over Phil like a splash of cold water, these were dark elves. It was all a trap. The men attacking the woman were doing that just to lure him into a trap.
   Lord Phil wasn�t going to down without a fight. By the malicious looks on the elves� faces as they drew with in sight, they were hoping for just that.
   On instinct, Phil started to back towards the door, while keeping the elves in his sight. Whenever they tried to move in he would take a swing in an effort to keep them at bay. It didn�t work and they quickly had him surrounded. As the dark elves took swings at him, Phil did his best to keep away their blades. They proved to be more than a match for the young lord as they broke through his defense to score many minors hits. Try as he might, Phil was never able to land a single hit on any of his enemies. Before long he found himself lying on his face with a stinging pain in the pit of his arm, which he could no longer feel nor move.
   The world swirled away into blackness for the young lord from Twinrivers.

* * * * *

   Lord Weber soon became worried for his friend as hours past and he never returned to the arch wizard�s tower. He passed the night away in the courtyard outside of the tower. Weber felt was very worried for his friend and hoped that he would be all right. Even though he had much faith in his friend�s skills as a warrior, he had the uneasy feeling that all was not well.
   �I knew I should not have allowed him to do it alone,� Weber breathed into the morning air. The sun was rising over Suza at this time and Weber had not slept a bit.
   �Xion!� Weber cried stopping his pacing to turn toward the tower. �Come out here! If you would!� he added almost as an after thought.
   Much to Lord Weber�s surprise Xion appeared in a tinkle of golden sparks just in front of the tower door.
   �What is it?� Xion asked impatiently.
   �I am going to go look for Phil.�
   �No.�
   �What do you mean, No?� Weber asked with disbelief.
   �Just what I said, No,� Xion replied.
   �You can�t keep me here,� Weber told him, his rage mounting as the arch wizard told him what he couldn�t do.
   �You are right, but I can keep you out of the sewers,� Xion answered.
   Weber stomped his foot in frustration. �Fine! I�m going for a�a�a walk.� He then turned and stomped out of the courtyard and down the road toward the dock district.
   The large warrior soon calmed down as he walked through the city just as it was starting to come to life. People were leaving their homes to go to work at jobs they loved or simply trudged to their plain, repetitious lives that were without excitement. Shops were opening, venders were out scouting costumers, and he could smell the breakfast cooking at nearby taverns. He also noticed that the thieves and pickpockets were making their way into the crowds to start their not-so-honest business.
   As Lord Weber was making his way to the closest tavern to get something to eat�for he was always hungry�a pair of strong arms reached out of an open door way and pulled him in. There, standing nearly as tell as him was the ranger Roebuck Silvershadow who Weber had the pleasure meeting earlier that week. Standing next to the big ranger was a tough dragonslayer called Phalanx, who Weber also had a pleasure meeting. The two stood side by side, fully healed after their last brawl, with Roebuck holding Weber by the front of his plain blue tunic. By the looks they gave him, Weber did not think they simple wanted to talk.
   The room they had pulled him into was an old tavern that had been abandoned a few years back. Tables littered the room with a tables set on top. The bar and everything else was covered in a thick layer of dust except for the area that the men now stood.
   �Good to see ya again barbarian,� Roebuck said with mock pleasure, letting him go.
   �You as well,� Weber replied ready to fight if need be.
   �Yeah, its not everyday you get not meet such a tough man,� Phalanx said, coming over to Weber�s side.
   �Yes, I have a gift for you,� Roebuck said with a smile.
   On cue Phalanx punched Weber in the kidney with all the strength he had, bringing an �Ooof� from the big man as he bent over in pain. Roebuck took the advantage and brought a knee up to his stomach, knocking the wind from the big man. As Weber started to fall to the ground Phalanx brought both hands down on the back of his neck. Weber met the floor quickly, but was soon brought back up by Roebuck only to be received by a gauntleted fist to the fast.
   Weber fell away from the two men as his vision started to fade. Even though he could not see it, he felt the two men punch and kick him to the floor. Then the last thing he remembered was a wooden chaired smashing across his back.

* * * * *

   Lord Phil woke up to find himself chained to rough stonewall. He was in a small dark, damp, cell with a wooden door and rusty hinges. The chains that held him were new however and left his wrists raw. He looked around to find that he was the only thing in the cell besides the chains that held him to the wall. His clothes were saturated with his own blood, mostly from a wound on his armpit that was partly healed to keep him it from going paralyzed.
   �You wake,� a familiar voice asked from outside the door.
   Phil was still kind of dizzy and searing pain burned through his head. He managed a weak �yeah� despite what he was feeling.
   �Do you know who it is you are talkin� to?� the voice asked.
   �No,� Phil croaked out a worn throat.
   �It�s me, Eric, I work for you. I deliver that illegal pipe weed to them dwarves in the mountains.� The voice told him.
   Phil suddenly remembered the voice and whom it was he was talking to. Eric was a young man he had bought from a slaver. Sure he was expensive, but he turned out to be worth it. Eric was second to none when it came to stealing and picking locks. He also knew how to get people to buy what was illegal.
   �What are you doing in a place like this? How come you are not back at Twinrivers looking over my trade with the dwarves?� Phil asked.
   �Well it�s a long story, maybe I should let you out of your cell and I on your way before explaining,� Eric said moving away from the door.
   �How did I get here? Where is here?� Phil asked when he was released from his cell.
   Eric was not muscular or imposing. He wasn�t tall either. The man was young, barely eighteen. Standing only to Phil�s chin, he looked even younger. Lord Phil did notice now that he was in the city that Eric had the look of a street urchin. Especially now that he was wearing old worn out clothes that he used as a disguise when traveling the city. Unlike Phil, Eric was not quite good looking, but did have a sense of charm that even someone as good at talking as Phil could appreciate. The young lord also noticed that Eric still carried the half dozen magically returning throwing daggers on his wrist. He had bought those for the younger man when he employed him after freeing him from slavery. They were very expensive, and very effective. He was glad that Eric appreciated them enough to still carry them and still have such valuable weapons.
   �You were captured by Dio�s dark elf strike force. They brought you back to this hideout for safekeeping. At the moment we are on the south side of the city, by the docks and not far from the arch wizard Morray�s tower.� Eric turned to a table in the small room just outside Phil�s cell.
   The hideout was not big. It was really just made up of a hall connecting ten cells and a small room where interrogations take place. Another chamber was used for torturing while yet a different room was a place where the guards slept. Lighting was scarce in the small jail that was mostly located underground with no windows. Not a happy place to be.
   A few minutes later the two men were walking down the street towards Xion�s wizard tower. Eric had released his former employer. It was early morning and sun had not yet risen over the city. It was kind of chilly, but not enough that they needed cloaks. Not many people had begun their business, but a few were busy setting up shop. Wonderful smells of food and spices were drifting from nearby taverns and inns. Even though he was hungry, Phil had to push it back and think of more important things.
   �What were you doing there?� Phil asked as soon as they left the small wooden building.
   �Well I was your guard, not to mention a high ranking officer in the Black Blood,� Eric answered with a grin.
   Phil however did not find it too funny, �What were you doing with the Black Blood? Why are you in Suza even?�
   Eric shrugged, �I killed two assassins of the Black Blood, and they asked me to join. I was in Suza looking for you and Weber.�
   �Why were you looking for us? Why not just send a message?� Phil asked.
   �Your sister wanted me to give you a silver flute that she had bought you,� Eric said.
   �What?� the young lord asked dubiously.
   �Yeah, I got tired of sitting around and many people back home were wondering how you were doing, so I left. Before I left your sister saw a beautiful silver and gold flute that was just the most beautiful thing. She traded in many of her rings to a trader for it. Its in my bag, I will give it to you when we are in the safe.� Eric explained.
   Eric quickly looked around, �I will meet you at the tower. I need to fetch my things before my betrayal gets out.�
   �I understand,� Phil told him as he turned to leave.
   Started walking home alone, holding his right arm, his sword arm. The limb was still healing, if quickly, from his battle with the dark elves that for some reason were in the sewers. The wound was deep. All the ligaments and tendons that moved the arm had been cut, leaving the arm useless. Even though it hurt very badly, Phil wasn�t worried about the injury done to his sword arm.
   As he walked, Phil wondered why dark elves would be in the city. These magical creatures were rare. They were said to stay primarily to the dark forested areas or in caves under mountains. To see that they were in the city totally baffled him. Could it be that the elves were just making a head quarters for a bigger raid that would sweep across the north? Maybe it was that this was a smaller group of the dark devils and they were only working towards their own fame and glory.
   Lord Phil noticed that he had someone shadowing his movements. Not someone, but three men were moving in and out of the allies, hiding in the shadows of dawn. They were trained, that he could tell, however he could also tell that they were far from experienced. His pursuers made a few minor mistakes, nothing major, but enough to give them away from the trained eye of a hunter like Phil�s.
   The young lord from Twinrivers allowed the three trained men to make there way close to his. He was going to give them a chance to leave or have second thoughts. He knew they would not and would either try to kill him, rob him, or just spy. By the way they were loosely carrying their weapons he knew they wanted him dead. Phil was going to let them make the first move. Even with an arm that didn�t work, he was a formidable enemy for the three inexperienced thieves like them.
   As they closed in for the kill, two from behind with the other coming from on top of the building in front of him, it was over. The man up ahead of him fell from the building, three daggers imbedded in his back. Those daggers Phil recognized, especially when they disappeared from the falling body. Before he could even turn around one of the men coming up from behind him lie dead with a dagger sticking out of each eye. The last man got two feet within reaching Phil before all six daggers thudded into his chest, knocking him from his feet.
   Lord Phil quickly examined Eric�s efficient work and came to a fast understanding to why the Black Blood would welcome him. He was an efficient killer.
   Phil waited as the short man with dirty black hair climbed down from the roof.
   �Were you not going to tell me we were being followed?� Phil asked quickly catching on to why Eric left.
   �Those three men have been trying to kill me all week. They want my job. I knew they wouldn�t openly attack both of us together,� Eric shrugged. �So I faked leaving and let them come into position for a killing strike.�
   Phil looked around at the dead men all wearing an arm dead with a symbol of the Black Blood. The symbol was a dagger smeared with blood that had dried and turned black. �With what you did just now why didn�t you just go up to them and kill them?�
   �Well this way it looks like I just saved your life,� both men laughed at this. They knew Phil was in no real danger.
   �Come, let us quickly return home,� Phil said putting an arm across the smaller, much smaller, man�s shoulders and guiding him in the direction of Xion�s tower.

* * * * *

   Weber woke up a little before noon. He was laying in the old tavern, where Phalanx and Roebuck had beat him up a few hours earlier. His head was searing with pain as he tried to get up. It felt as if someone had taken fire and lashed his brain. He could feel that many of his ribs had been broken, not to mention all the bruises he would be feeling soon enough. Feeling his face he found that it had only suffered a puffy eye and a large gash across the back of his head from a broken chair.
   With great effort, not to mention an extremely high pain tolerance, he was able to pull himself to his feet. In a short time Weber was moving slowly through the crowded streets toward the arch wizard�s tower. Holding his eye to keep people from seeing it he stumbled a lot more than he normally would have.
   A half hour later Weber had made his way to the courtyard of the huge tower. The courtyard was a beautiful place in the spring time months with all the exotic plants blooming. Weber was shocked however to see Eric Marx sitting and chatting with Phil and Rachael. The three sat laughing and talking like old friends as they basked in the comfortable sun that dominated the sky. No one seemed to notice Weber�s arrival as he stumbled through the garden to where they sat.
   Just as the barbarian reached his friend his legs gave out and he crashed to the ground. The walk had exhausted the big warrior. A small rib stuck from his flesh, bleeding freely and adding to the reason of his exhaustion. All the three of the people who were watching leaped to their feet and came to his side.
   �I will go get some healing potions,� Rachael said.
   Phil watched her go into the tower before turning back to his barely conscious friend. �Are you okay big guy?� Phil asked.
   Weber grinned slightly, �And you say I�m stupid.�
   Phil and Eric laughed at Weber�s jest even though he was badly injured and maybe even close to death. Lord Phil helped Weber onto his back so that he could stop some of the blood loss from the compound fracture.
   �Dang! What happened to you,� Eric asked with a whistle of aw at the man�s wound.
   Weber�s breathing was shallow now, �Phalanx�Roebuck�old tavern down�street�ambush.� He was able to cough those words out before fainting.
   �Those�those stupid bastards.� Phil said in more frustration then anger.
   �Actually I think they did a pretty good job,� Eric commented in an emotionless tone.
   �What!?� Phil asked incredulously.
   �Well, yes, it is hard to put this much pain on a person before having them either die or black out. Especially when only using fists and wrestling moves,� Eric observed.
   Yes, he was right, Phil had also noticed that the wounds he took were from bludgeoning, but not so bad as that oh from clubs. So it must have come from punches and kicks.
   Rachael came back carrying three vials full of purple liquid. It was a powerful healing potion that was usually saved in case of internal injury, which everyone present could tell that he had received.
   Xion and Karen appeared from the door just behind Rachael. Xion wore plain blue and silver robes while Karen was dressed in plain black clothes. She did not look surprised, nor happy to see her rescuer laying all beat up on the ground.
   Xion crossed his arms and looked down at the unconscious man. �I told the him not to go out. But no, he is a big boy, he can take care of himself. I saw the whole thing in a scrying globe before it even happened. Would he listen? Of course he wouldn�t. I�m just a wise old arch wizard who has lived for nearly a century. But what do I know, I�m not some great barbarian lord who picks fights with every would adventurer around.�
   After saying that the old wizard turned and stomped back to the castle.
   �What crawled up his robe and took a chunk out of his behind this morning?� Eric asked watching as Rachael poured potion after potion down the big man�s throat.
   Everyone watched as the potions effects quickly became apparent. Weber�s breathing quickly began to come back to a normal steady breathing. His face returned to his normal richly tanned face. The wound where his rib had punctured his side miraculously, if painfully, healed when bone did everything in reverse until it was as good as new. In a matter of minutes the huge barbarian was laying on the grass peacefully, dreaming of whatever great warrior lords dreamed of.

* * * * *

   Two days after Weber had been attacked, they were again deciding how best to get rid of the Black Blood. This time however, Eric was there. The thief had visited the two hideouts that could be accessed through the sewers. Both times he caught a glimpse of Dio at the place. Even with Eric�s help the four men were having a hard time working out a plan.
   �We are going to need more help if your plan is to work,� Eric told the arch wizard sternly.
   �Where would we be able to find someone good enough and brave enough to face off against a small strike force of dark elves?� Xion asked.
   �How about a paladin?� Phil asked leaning back in his seat. �I hear that they are great warriors and train along time to become as good as they are.�
   �What are you thinking?� Xion asked looking across at the only part human lord.
   �Well I noticed that Phalanx was a good warrior and that he carried the symbol of Knee, the god of battle. From what Weber told us about his and Roebuck�s wounds he must be rich or a powerful healer,� Phil suggested.
   Xion thought about it, �You don�t mean Phalanx Dragonsbane do you?�
   �The very same.�
   The arch wizard burst into laughter, �You two don�t mean to tell me you have been fighting with what is said to be the greatest dragonslayer to ever live, do you?�
   Weber quickly stood up, �Explain.�
   �Well the Dragonsbane family is a rich and powerful family. They come from a long line of dragonslayers. It is said that youngest, who goes by the name of Phalanx, has a record of killing four dragons in two days. If that isn�t good I don�t know what is. Not only that, but he also won Suza�s champion battle tournament five years in a row. If you are wondering, yes he is a paladin, and you are right about him being powerful to. The man he was with is probably no other than Roebuck Silvershadow,� at this Weber nodded his acknowledgment of the name. �Young Roebuck grew up amongst elves and is famous for creating arrows that can pierce even that of even dragon scales. It was said that once he killed over twelve score goblins when any army led by a crazy arch wizard invoker attacked the great forest. If you could get those two to help us, it would be a good thing, a good thing indeed.�
   �Are you trying to tell us that push over Phalanx kills dragons for a living?� Weber asked dubiously.
   �What do you think,� Xion asked.
   �If you ask me, I think this great arch wizard�s lost it,� Eric mumbled to himself. Phil caught part of what he said and had to hold back a grin.
   �I think your making it up,� Weber said.
   Xion looked at the barbarian as if he were looking at something he was wiping off his boot. The old man made a quick gesture with one hand and sent Weber flying across the room and into a chair in the corner. To Eric and Phil�s surprise the chair held.
   �Ouch,� Eric said almost giggling.
   �I think you should start listening to the old guy,� Phil said trying to suppress a laugh.
   Weber looked at his two friends with a frown, �You two have a morbid sense of humor.�
   Xion looked at the three men with impatiently, �Can we stick to the task at hand? Now how are we going to get a paladin of Knee, a chaotic god, and a renowned ranger to help us battle an underground group lead by dark elves?�
   Phil smiled at this, �Now that is an easy one.�
   Everyone else present turned to look curious eyes on the young lord with bluish gray hair.

* * * * *

   Phalanx and Roebuck sat drinking at their favorite tavern, the Helpless Maiden. They were still having laughs about getting back the blond barbarian lord.
   As they sat drinking and laughing a tropical bird came flying in the door as it opened and a patron came in. The bird was a big size, about the size of Roebuck�s torso. Tropical lands, where is bird could normally be found, were far, very far from the huge trading city of Suza. Not only that but I bird like this would not be able to survive the harsh winters of the north. So it was no surprise to see that the thing carried a smooth pearl that fit easily into the palm, clutched in its talons. It was a surprise however when it landed on the table that the two adventurers were sitting at.
   Both men looked dumbfounded as the bird settled down in the middle of the table and rolled the pearl in Phalanx�s direction. Cautiously, he picked the smooth sphere up.
   As soon as he touched the pearl a familiar voice appeared in his mind. It had a message:
   I, Lord Phil of Twinrivers, challenge you, Phalanx Dragonsbane to a dual. Choose your weapon and meet me at the tower of Xion the arch wizard of Suza. That is if you are not chicken enough. I also have a�proposition for you. See you soon tough guy.

   When Phalanx awoke the bird along with the pearl was gone and all eyes were on him. He ignored the crowd and quickly turned to Roebuck, �Quickly. We must go to Xion�s tower for some unfinished business.�
   With that the two men left, leaving a few coins on the table to pay for drinks, and headed straight for the arch wizard�s tower.
   It didn�t take the adventurers long before they stood at the base of the arch wizard�s tower. They looked at the smooth, black stonewall surrounding the tower, wondering how one got in. After a quick look around Roebuck approached the tower and put a hand on it to feel for a secret door or trigger. To his surprise his hand did not touch anything solid but instead went right through the wall. After finding that the door way was invisible he walked right on through only to find himself in the courtyard outside the tower. Phalanx quickly followed behind.
   Standing in the courtyard in front of the two men was none other than Xion Morray, the arch wizard of Suza himself. Next to the old, but still young looking, wizard was Lord Phil of Twinrivers.
   Phalanx had never met, or even seen for that matter, the famous wizard who counseled the mysterious king who is rarely seen. Most people thought that it was just some sort of scam and really Xion ruled, using the kind as a puppet. No one would try to get rid of the arch wizard however. The city has been thriving ever since the king came to power, so as long as everything was going good, no one would complain.
   After getting over his surprise of seeing the great wizard, Phalanx said, �I got a message to come here as soon as possible.�
   �Yeah, a big bird came flying into our tavern. Disrupted our drinks,� Roebuck put in trying to sound important.
   �I am quite sorry about your drinks, you will be compensated. First we have important matters to attend to,� Xion said with sternness, showing no emotion whatsoever.
   �Okay, what is this about? I heard something about a dual,� Phalanx said.
   �I would like to purpose an agreement between us,� Phil told them.
   �Go on,� Roebuck said, hoping he would get to battle the big dumb barbarian named Weber.
   �My friend Weber and I have an important mission. Unfortunately we need help from some powerful allies. I purpose that if I can defeat the paladin Phalanx in battle, then the two of you would help us,� Phil told them calmly.
   Phalanx looked to Roebuck. They both smiled before the paladin answered, �Only if my ranger friend here gets to fight the big barbarian.�
   �I accept!� Weber said bursting through the doors out of the tower. The big man held his war hammer about above his, where it could be taken as an offensive gesture.
   �So it is decided,� Xion said.
   �Where is this battle going to take place at?� Phalanx asked looking around.
   Xion smiled, �All of you come and form a circle around me.
   Phalanx and Roebuck gave a doubtful look towards the wizard before shrugging and joining in a circle with Phil and Weber.
   Xion Morray was a very powerful man and unlike most wizards he could teleport groups of people without much of a problem. Taking a group of people to another plane on the other hand was kind of hard, but not out of his power.
   A few minutes later, when the wizard finished his spell everything turned black. Lord Phil felt himself become weightless, as if his body was falling away from his spirit. For the next few seconds the young lord felt as if he had been stuck on a giant catapult and then shot into the night sky where he tumbled on at high speeds until abruptly stopping on solid ground. The feeling of weight came back to him and he lost his balance, nearly falling.
   The four warriors and one wizard found themselves in a place that none of them ever thought they would see in their wildest dreams. Looking around, Phil found himself in a huge red sanded desert that seemed to last forever in every direction. Underfoot the ground wasn�t really sanded but hard clay that was covered with a small layer of red sand. Out on one horizon, Phil couldn�t tell the directions in this barren land of red dirt, two suns were rising up into the sky. The sky! Now that was a beautiful sight. Instead of being blue the sky was a bluish violet color with large yellow dots that Phil supposed would be stars or other worlds. As the suns came over the horizon the sky did not brighten but actually got darker. The sky took on a deep purple shade and the stars started to move, taking on shapes in the sky.
   �What are we doing here?� Roebuck asked, trying to hide his discomfort. As a ranger he enjoyed nature and didn�t care much for this barren wasteland that was totally empty of any vegetation.
   �This is the battle ground. A true test of skill,� the arch wizard said.
   The ranger pulled two curved broad swords from scabbards on both hips. �Lets make this quick, I don�t want to be here any longer than I have to be.�
   �Alright,� Weber said before charging the ranger with his hammer held high over his head.
   As Weber brought the big hammer down towards the nearly equally large ranger�s head, it was caught in an X shaped block between Roebuck�s swords. To Roebuck�s surprise Weber also kicked low, hitting the ranger in the stomach. After taking the hit he slipped back, letting the war hammer go free. The two large men started to circle each other.
   Phil and Phalanx similarly drew their weapons and were also battling. Lord Phil used his trusty white long sword while Phalanx a great sword that was covered with runes down its length. Both men wore armor, the young lord wearing his trusty chain mail, containing a few small enchantments. Phalanx wore his usual breastplate, like his sword it too had many runes covering it.
   The lord and paladin took turns attacking and parrying. They were kind of testing the other�s skills. Both were playing offensive, trying to get an advantage over the other. This was a mistake on both of their parts. By playing the offensive they left openings for their combatant. Phil found this out when Phalanx smacked Phil�s sword hard to the side and brought his sword in for a quick slash that cut across his chest. Only a minor wound, but one that stung with an annoying pain.
   That changed the young lord�s tactics. He started to do quick short attacks while Phalanx had a powerful move then went on defensive or parried a move. No one really got an advantage.
   After a short time of this Phil took it up a step. He started to do quick whirling combos and maneuvers. This was usually the work of sea fairing buccaneers, but not really a bad strategy. Phalanx was certainly not used to battling like this. The knight of Knee was used to the strong straightforward attacks of northern men. He never had to chase down the man he was battling.
   Phil soon took the advantage and started to beat Phalanx back. With his right foot he kicked low at Phalanx. The paladin, wishing to avoid a kick between the legs, jumped back only to put his head out in the open. The Twinrivers lord took advantage of this by punching Phalanx in the face with the crosspiece of his sword. He didn�t stop when the paladin fell back. No he continued the move, following Phalanx wherever he stepped, continuing to punch him in the face.
   In no time Phalanx�s vision started blurring with blood pouring from his nose and a busted lip. To Phil�s surprise the young paladin�s nose was not broken, nor was his eye swollen or his lip fat. Not just that, but his face didn�t have a mark on it except for the blood. Phil stopped punching his opponent and stepped back. He looked down at his sword curiously.
   Just then Xion stepped up and explained, �I have put a spell on all of you so that you can�t do any real damage, except for bleeding, to each other. When you are hit you will feel the pain however.�
   �Ooooff!�
   Xion and Phil looked over to see Roebuck bent over and holding his hands between his legs. Weber stood over him with a satisfied smile. Phil realized that the big barbarian must have got close and used his knee down low.
   �Hey! That is fighting dirty,� Roebuck, whispered through painful gasps.
   Phil walked over to his big friend, �Weber!� He reached up and put a hand on his shoulder, �You can�t do that.�
   �And why not?� Weber asked grinning.
   �Well, for one thing it isn�t honorable,� Phil answered.
   �Of course it is.�
   �On what grounds?� Phil asked dubiously.
   �He punched me in the kidney. That is a low blow. I was just dishing out justice as I seen it,� Weber answered holding his arms.
   �No it isn�t! That is just stooping to his level of playing unfairly,� Phil argued.
   �I didn�t stoop to his level.� The big man smiled, �I stooped lower.�
   Both men chuckled until Weber�s knee let out from under him and he dropped to the ground on his back. Phil looked down to see Roebuck climbing on top of Weber�s fallen body. He continued to watch as Roebuck repeatedly punched Weber in the face with his big fists. The ranger didn�t stop until the barbarian had blacked out.
   Phil quickly spun around when he heard the sounds of running feet. Just in time to see Phalanx just feet away carrying what looked to be a glowing club. The paladin held it in both hands as it pulsed a neon green color. In the next minute Phil felt an extreme amount of pain coming from his gut then felt his feet leave the ground for a second before he slammed into the red sand and slid to a stop.
   Unbelievably, Phil was still conscious and managed to get to his feet before Phalanx followed through with another swing. This one aimed at his head. Somehow the young lord was able to move out of the way, but it wasn�t enough to keep him from getting hit by a vicious backhand swing. The magical weapon caught him in the chest and sent him back to the ground. Luckily, Phalanx was satisfied and did not start to beat him while he lay on the ground.
   While Phil was getting off the ground he heard Weber rousing from his little nap. He went over and helped his friend off the ground before joining Phalanx and Roebuck, who were standing over by the arch wizard. They went over to where the other three men stood.
   Everyone except for Xion was covered in the red dust that covered the ground. The arch wizard must have used some sort of enchantment on his clothing, for they were spotless. Phil�s clothing was covered in the dust and now the only color his clothes took on was red. As he sweat in the hot sun his body fluids were even coming out red.
   �So will you help us?� Phil asked pleadingly, speaking to Phalanx and Roebuck.
   The two men looked at each other, grinned, and nodded their agreement. �You have our swords at your back,� Roebuck said.
   �Aye, I give you my word in the name of the Great Battle Lord that I will be loyal to you until this adventure is played out,� Phalanx said in full agreement with his ranger friend.
   �Then everything is set,� Xion said.
   �One thing first,� Weber said offering his hand to Roebuck. The big ranger nodded and grasped the barbarian�s hand in a strong grip. Weber then did the same to Phalanx. Phil did the same with his new allies as well, sealing the alliance that few could stop.
   �Well are we ready to return home?� Xion asked cheerfully.
   �That I am!� Phil said looking down at his ruined clothing in disgust.
   Just as the arch wizard was about to start his spell to take them all back, a green and black robed wizard appeared in front of the group.
   �Wait!� the figure cried in desperation when he appeared.
   All could tell that this man that had appeared was definitely in trouble by the tone of his voice. It was the sound of someone on the verge of losing everything, which wizards tended to do after reaching a high measure of power. The man was tall with broad shoulders and a fit body. He was not what most would call of wizard�s stature. Normally a wizard of great power looked older from the toll that spells took on him. This man however still looked to be about thirty with a few grew hairs in his thick, still lush black hair. With his nice dress, Phil could only wonder who this was.
   �What is it my King?� Xion asked with a bow.
   That question sent all four of the warriors standing there back a step. They were shocked to see the famous wizard king of Suza standing before them now. Very few people had ever glimpsed the man and many, such as Roebuck, did not even believe a king lived in the royal castle. As Phil looked upon the man he quickly recognized him as royalty. Lord Phil was royalty himself and so he was pretty good at spotting a northern leader of a city or town. When the man first appeared, he had noticed him as a wizard by his emerald robes. These robes were not something that he had normally seen on any mage he had ever meet, they were so much more exquisite and respectful looking. This wizard also had many rods and wands attached to his belt that immediately showed him to be powerful or rich or both. The last thing that did it though was the platinum circlet placed with rubies that sat on his brow. Phil had heard many rumors and tales by wondering bards that the king wore such a band that was powerfully enchanted. It was also no surprise, however, to see the king coming to Xion for help.
   �I need you to come to my cloud tower. This instant!� The king said before Xion could argue.
   The arch wizard frowned, �What about these four,� he said motioning to the men standing beside him.
   �What about them?� the king asked impatiently.
   �We can�t just leave them here.�
   �Why not? It doesn�t look like it would be too much trouble. There isn�t anything here for them to be in trouble with,� the wizard king said motioning to the open area around them.
   �Why do we not just bring them with us?� Xion asked simply.
   �It is far too dangerous for them. Plus they would only get in the way,� The wizard answered.
   Xion looked doubtful, for he himself had heard stories and even witnessed a few of the men�s battles. They were skilled at what they do, even if it was primal.
   The arch wizard of Suza quickly thought it over before deciding, �Okay, I guess it wouldn�t hurt.�
   �Good. I will prepare the spell to take us back,� the King of Suza said starting the spell without waiting for objections by the four warriors standing there.
   �I will be back soon, do not worry,� Xion said to the four men he brought there.
   With that the Arch Wizard and King of Suza were gone in the blink of an eye. When the two were gone, Phil suddenly became filled with the feeling of loneliness at being left in the strange land without any way of getting home.
   �So what do we do now?� Weber asked.
   �We wait.�
   �I would like to enjoy this beautiful sky while I could,� Roebuck said looking up.
   �Stupid tree hugger,� Phil barely heard Phalanx whisper with his keen and slightly pointed ears.
   Phil tried hard to smother his smile, for he too thought the same way about druids and rangers. He did not however, think of rangers, especially Roebuck, as weak.
   The four settled down in a circle on the red sand. Each of the men took turns telling stories of adventures that they had been through.
  

   * * * * *

   When Xion and the King of Suza returned to the prime material plane, the arch wizard could understand his fellow wizard�s hurry. They had appeared in what used to be a fine dining fall with huge windows to see the outside. Now it was nothing but a stone room with blackened walls decorated with smoldering photos. All the furnishings had been turned to ash or had been eaten away. This was once the meeting room for the sky palace that the King of Suza normally resided in. Xion had been here many times and was not happy to see it so desecrated. He did not know what did this, but he knew it had to be powerful to have been able to break the enchantments that he himself had put on the palace. It also had to fly, because they were thousands of feet above the city of Suza.
   �Do you know what did this?� The wizard in emerald robes asked.
   Xion was quite sure he knew the answer, but he really did not want to believe it. He answered anyway, �Dragons.�
   The grim look on his friend�s face told him that his observations were correct.
   �Why do they attack you my friend?� Xion asked.
   �Garlayion and a score of his friends came back to pay me a visit for the one that we had paid him in our reckless youth.�
   �But that was over a century ago!� Xion exclaimed.
   �Have you already forgotten that dragons live far longer than even us powerful wizards?�
   �You are right. He probably just awoke from his healing sleep after our last visit. Awoke, and with vengeance on his mind.� Xion finished.
   �Well Daerlon old buddy, he do you suspect that we handle this rowdy bunch,� Xion asked with a smile. It had been a long time sense he had done anything really exciting in his life. In fact he had been getting quite boarded, that is one of the reasons he had bothered with the lords from Twinrivers. Fighting off a score of dragons may just be the action he had been waiting for, this may however be a little more then he could chew.

* * * * *

   Phalanx and Roebuck were in the middle of sharing a grand tale about how they had been trapped in the mountains with family of hostile dragons. It was wonderfully told and a grand tale it was, especially when they got to the part where Phalanx was killed in an avalanche but his soul still resided in his sword, which Roebuck had kept. In the end of the story, Knee, Phalanx�s god, had brought Phalanx back so that he could finish killing the dragons that were roaming the mountains to the west.
   While Phalanx was finishing up the story a tremor rushed through the ground. All four men froze as second wave followed the first. They gave each other looks of curiosity and maybe a hint of fear. Roebuck was quickly able to find its focal point. Unfortunately when he did the ground exploded, creating a small hole.
   Phil, like the other three, drew their weapons. They all stepped back away from the good size hole, ready for anything. To his horror, a huge serpent head came over the rim of the hole. The thing was gigantic. It had fangs that were as long as Phil�s sword with a head a little bit bigger than Weber. Fear filled the warriors as they watched the serpent slide out of the hole, it�s black scales seeming to fit right in with the dark purple sky above. The huge creature coiled itself up around the hole in a non-offensive gesture. It sat glaring at the four invaders from another plane of existence. It was about the size of Xion�s tower as sat looming over the adventurers.
   Who goes there?
   Phil could tell that he was not the only person to hear the mental intrusion. Weber looked around vainly trying to see who had entered his mind. Phalanx and Roebuck looked straight at the huge snack knowing what had sent the silent message. The looks of excitement both wore did not match the white knuckles they had from gripping their swords so tightly.
   �We were brought here to battle in peace,� Phil said loudly to the snake.
   Well you don�t have to yell, I�m not slow in the head or anything. In any case, it does not matter why you are here, but that you are in my territory. You must suffer the consequences of your actions.
   �No wait!� Phil cried trying to salvage the discussion. But it was no use, two more holes formed in the ground with snakes taking positions above them like the first.
   �We are in deep trouble this time,� Weber whispered into Phil�s slightly pointed ears.
   The huge serpents must have been communicating telepathically. All three snapped out with speed beyond comprehension. If Phil hadn�t been so ready he probably would not have been able to get out of the way of the huge snapping jaws. Quickly dancing to the side Phil was able to get a minor hit in on the side of the serpent�s scaly body. Weber was not fairing so well. He had nearly been eaten by the initial strike but was able to get his feet and hands in place on the top and bottom of the jaw. With his powerful muscles he pushed himself off and away from the things head. The third beast dove at Roebuck. Being a ranger however, he was able to tell a split second before the strike by watching the movements of the muscles on the creature�s scaly body. Leaping high in the air at the right time brought Roebuck onto the beast�s head as it snapped down. With a quick strike the ranger brought both blades down into the snake�s head. Both broad swords slid in about half way before they scrapped against the serpent�s skull. In a roar of pain the snake was able to throw the large ranger off its head and into the red sand next to where Phalanx stood watching.
   The snake that Phil was fighting reared up and with astonishing speed started to circle the young lord. Phil took many swings at the scaled coils, which were quickly binding him, to no affect. In no time at all, Phil was trapped and quickly being squeezed to death by the huge serpent. It reared its serpentine head up over its body, looking down on the young lord. It�s bright amber eyes bored into his gray ones, paralyzing its prey with but a look. Then, when the huge monster was just about to snap down on Phil�s head, a dagger found it�s way into both of the creature�s eyes. That tore Phil from his paralysis and he realized his predicament. While roaring in pain the huge beast released some of its tight hold on the elven-blooded lord, allowing him to pull his sword arm free before tightening again.
   With a savage primal rage that Phil only knows in his near death experiences, he thrust his sword into the snake�s body again and again. Blood sprayed over his face from the coil he was hacking away at, but that only added to the fury. Desperate, the serpent snapped blindly at the man stabbing him. Then it felt a great pain, as it tasted its own flesh. Phil had squirmed down into the snake�s body enough so that when it tried to bite him it got itself instead of him. Waiting till he seen the monster�s head come down he leaped up and drove his sword into the already injured eye. The sword drove to its hilt, finding the brain and killing the huge serpent.
   �Having fun without me?� Eric asked with mock sadness.
   Phil looked up from his blade, fury quickly leaving his body at the sound of his friend�s voice. With a smile he pulled the blade out of the beast�s head.
   �Where did you come from?� Phil asked, not really too surprised to see him. Eric had a way of finding himself in places that are useful to his allies.
   �Well I had always thought that I came from my mom, but I was thinking that something this good must have come from something more than slave. But who knows really right? Slave women get passed around quicker than gold at the market.� Phil laughed at Eric�s light mood in their current position.

* * * * *

   Weber did not really have as hard a time with his beast as everyone else did. The snake had tried to paralyze the barbarian with its look, but Weber was either too stupid or already caught up in the battle rage barbarians are known for. After the first strike Weber had thrown his hammer at the snake, hoping to get a quick kill. The snake had dodged it though, and came on with a vengeance. Weber, now finding himself weaponless or so he thought, rushed the creature, hoping to surprise it. His tactic was successful.
   The huge beast was caught off guard when the barbarian came running at him without any weapons. If snakes had shoulders this one would have shrugged. Just when Weber was about to reach the monstrous creature its tail shot out and smacked him. But the barbarian lord did not go flying through the air like the monster expected him to. He had managed to grab on to the tail when it hit him and was even now climbing up towards the head.
   The serpent lashed out again with its mouth. Weber jumped back just in time. The beast bite down into its own coil, leaving the blonde haired lord an opening as it roared in agony. Jumping into the thing�s mouth, Weber was able to rip out its tongue with his bare hands. Spitting the man out was not a good idea, for when he came out, Weber grabbed onto the beast�s fang and climbed onto its snout, where he rammed his fist into the snake�s nose. As soon as he felt his hand find something solid he pulled, turned out it was the brain. With a couple of spasms the colossal giant died.

* * * * *

   Phalanx and Roebuck probably killed their beast the quickest. After Roebuck�s first attack the beast was kind of blinded by its own blood and just a bit disoriented from the pain. The two adventurers used a simple routine. One person distracts while the other attacks. Roebuck, having no weapons, made a good distraction while it called the serpent names.
   Phalanx snuck around behind it and took huge swings at the beast�s coils. After two swings he made a particular good one when he chopped about half way through the serpent�s body. The huge snake then spun away from the taunting and dodging ranger to take care of one pesky dragonslayer.
   When the snack turned its back on Roebuck, he took his chance. The ranger ran up onto its still partially coiled body and leapt atop its head. He grabbed onto his blades and wretched them out. The snake threw its head back quickly when it felt the blades slide free. Not wanting to lose his seat, Roebuck thrust his swords back into the monster�s head, sending it forward.
   Roebuck�s move sent the snake�s head dangerously low to Phalanx�s blade. Waiting for just the right moment and a prayer to Knee, Phalanx slashed hard and fast. His sword of dragon slaying cut right throw the serpent�s neck, separating the head from the body.
   Phalanx looked up with wide, not too mention bloody, grin. Roebuck rode the head down to the ground with any equally wide smile of satisfaction.

* * * * *

   Xion and Daerlon were trapped like rats on a sinking ship. The dragons had put a spell on the floating palace that kept them from teleporting off of the floating rock. Even though the two wizards could not get out, the dragons could not get in.
   They had spent the last hour going from one floor to the other shooting spells from windows and collecting anything that could be of use. They set up a little base on the top floor, where Daerlon had a huge laboratory. They had managed to bring down two dragons with their spells as they quickly formulated their plan.
   The lab was the biggest room in the palace and took up nearly half the floor in that one room. Tables covered in magical items and experiments were everywhere across the room. It would take days upon days upon days to sit and figure out everything that were going on in the room. Xion had helped his friend raise the palace into the air and had even spent a few years living there after spending nearly a decade on preparing it to float and getting it air born. The place was much bigger than he remembered it, messier too.
   On one wall of the laboratory racks and racks of magical wands sat ready to use. It was probably the largest collection of magic wands on this plane of existence. �Not to mention enough magical force to conquer all the north,� Xion thought. Xion stood taking inventory of all the items they had collected while Daerlon stood looking out the large covering most of the opposite wall. Every now and then Xion would hear a cry of pain when the wizard king would blast any of the dragons that got close enough.
   Looking over the wands Xion came across a smooth length of adamantine metal with a small ruby placed into one end. Checking to see if his friend�s attention was else where Xion took down the wand. After casting a quick spell over the rod he found that it was a very powerful wand that would change anyone holding it into a lich. Few had the magic to undertake the process of becoming one of those powerful undead beings and fewer still survived the pain of the process. Xion would be far more powerful as a lich and knew that he would use the wand if he had to. Daerlon was far more important to the city of Suza than he was; Xion was willing to give his life if it meant getting his friend out alive. Hoping he didn�t have to use it, Xion slid the rod into a space made for such things to be out of sight inside his arch wizards robes.
   After studying the wands a short time later Xion came up with an idea. �Daerlon, if I am correct you have a spell that will harness the magical auras of objects and will combine them into a certain item.�
   �Yes, you are correct.� The wizard said not looking away from the window.
   �Would you be able to cast the spell and put the magical energy into an item?� Xion asked taking a deep blue ring from his robes.
   �To be honest I have only used the spell once and really don�t know what it will do. What do you have in mind my friend?� Daerlon asked looking at the arch wizard.
   �Cast the spell on these wands,� Xion motioned to five wands laid on a nearby table that he had removed. �Then put the essence into this blue ring,� he added the ring to wands on the table.
   Daerlon quickly went through the motions with a practiced ease that came from years of practice. Xion watched as the wands took on a faint crimson glow that lasted for only a second or two before being sucked into the ring lying next to them.
   �It is done,� Daerlon announced when he finished.
   Xion took the ring and slipped it onto his finger as he started for the stairway. To Daerlon�s surprise Xion did not go down but climbed the stairs heading to the roof.
   �Where are you going? Are you trying to get yourself killed? If you go up there they will turn you into ash before you can get a single spell off. I know for a fact that you don�t have the spells to protect you from the breathes of that many dragons. Sure one or even four of the beasts, but not eighteen.� Despite what he was saying the wizard king followed his friend up the stairs.
   When they reached the top of the stairs, where a small wooden door led to the roof, Xion turned around. �I have an idea and I do have a spell that even you will appreciate. Please do not follow me however. Try to watch from the window in the lab, when the dragons get near, blast them to pieces. And if I don�t make it could you do me a favor?�
   �If I survive and you do not I will do anything you ask of me,� Daerlon answered wearing a slight frown at the thought of losing his good friend.
   �Don�t worry about me,� Xion said with a forced smile. �If I don�t make it I need you to get those four men I left in the outskirts of the Doloran plane. Take care of Rachael if you would. She has great potential to became just as powerful as her master.�
   With that the arch wizard of Suza turned and pushed open the door to the roof, leaving Daerlon with a strange feeling of grief and sadness. Not only was his friend risking his life for his own. He only hoped that Xion survived.
   From the roof, Xion could see for miles in every direction, including the dragons, which were in the middle of a siege on the floating palace. The roof of the tower was flat across with runes carved all across the expanse making many small intricate patterns, which then go together to make one huge elaborate rune. This was probably one of the greatest casting areas ever created. Just looking at the roof made Xion swell with pride for it took him nearly two years to make the layout for it. With a deep breath he ran to the middle of the huge pattern and hoped that his plan would work.
   Xion watched with a mixture of wonder and fear as the huge, not to mention beautiful, red dragons flew in closer circles coming towards him. This was not the first time that he had been around dragons, but this is the first time that he had ever been around this many dragons that wanted to kill him. He had seen with first hand experience how dangerous a dragon was.
   With a wave of his hand, the arch wizard activated a few powerful runes of protection. When he was sure that the shield was in place he quickly cast a spell and watched in relief as flames started to flicker to life in a sphere around him. He soon as he was finished three of the huge dragons blasted him with streams of dragonfire. Xion could feel the heat of the fire and was extremely relived that his plan had worked. While building the tower the wizards decided to put a rune that protected from the element of fire. It had been a long time since he built the tower and was not sure he had that right rune.
   A grin swept across the man�s face as he watched the burning sphere around him expand every time a dragon flew by and blasted him again and again with the hot breath of fire they were so famous for. The grin was quickly swept away when all eighteen of the dragons landed in huge circle around him. The biggest dragon of the bunch landed right in front of him, about twenty feet in front of him.
   Xion could pick this dragon out of anywhere. It was Garlayion, the biggest, meanest, and greediest dragon in the north. Garlayion was bigger than any other one of the dragons, partly because he was about a century or more in age than any of them and partly because he was a very powerful dragon who ate very well. He did not get to be this big by being stupid however. No this was probably the smartest most cunning dragon that Xion had ever met. Cunning dragons did not attack powerful wizards unless they had a plan, and that was what scared the wits out of Xion. Dragons could make even they bravest men wet themselves just by looking; that however did not affect arch wizards. The thought that this dragon had a plan scared him, not the fact that the dragon towered over him by about a good hundred feet or so.
   �What is that you want wyrm?� Xion asked using the disrespectful name for dragons.
   Garlayion seemed to smile down at Xion before speaking in a great booming voice that nearly knocked the arch wizard over, �For revenge of course.�
   �Revenge? Isn�t there a great many tales that are told of men seeking revenge only to find their deaths in the blind rage of revenge?�
   �Yes, human men.� The huge dragon said looking down at Xion. �Dragons are not blinded by rage, for we having nothing to fear from the lesser race of man.�
   It was Xion�s turn to smile, �If I am not mistaken hasn�t two of your dragon kin already died at the hands of two men.�
   I seemed as if the dragon glared at him but it was too quick for Xion to be sure, �That is because the two of you are not men, you are great wizards.�
   �Did I just here a compliment from on of the higher races to a lowly human. If I am not mistaken that is kind of like treason for dragons,� Xion stated with a smile that nearly took in his ears.
   �Do not be mistaken, that was no compliment. I merely stated a well known fact.� Garlayion said with small laugh that sounded more like an explosion. �No mere human could have given the great Garlayion a scar.� The huge dragon pointed to its left eye that no longer worked. A huge scar where the scales never grew back over the wound covered the place where an eye normally went. �That is from the last spell you cast before running from my lair.�
   �We did not run. We merely thought you were dead.�
   This time the huge red wyrm let out a great roar of laughter that shook the floating palace. �You would actually think that I could be killed by mere wizards of man.� The dragon let out another burst of laughter that was joined by all the other red dragons forming a circle around him and his flaming sphere of protection.
   Xion had thought it strange that this particular dragon was so talkative all of a sudden. Dragons rarely talked to what they killed inferior races and when they did it was straight and to the point. This conversation however did not have any point to it. Then he must be stalling for time! Xion quickly let his senses flow across the area trying to find something magical or hidden going on. It didn�t take long for the arch wizard to figure out why he was stalling. Garlayion was slowly draining the energy from the protections on him and the palace! He had to move fast.
   Xion casually put one hand in his pocket as he said, �I see that we were very much mistaken when we assumed we were powerful enough to kill such a great being as you.� Inside his pocket, Xion was quickly going through the motions of an energy transmutation spell.
   Garlayion did not seem to notice the human wizard�s actions for he continued the conversation without any noticeable differences, �Yes, well I never did say you were bright did I? I have always thought of humans, especially wizards to be overconfident�� The dragon was cutoff when the large flaming sphere around Xion turned to sparking blue and white lightning.
   On reflex every dragon there jumped back at least a step or two. Luckily none took flight for that would ruin Xion�s reckless plan. At the same instant the wizard inside the sphere raised his left hand, the one wearing the blue ring, over his head and let out a great cry. The cry was the trigger word that unleashed the powerful magic in the runes at his feet and power inside the ring. Lightning bolts about the size of horses shot from the upraised hand, through the shield, where they nearly tripled in power, and then slammed into a dragon. Twenty bolts of electricity left the wizard, eighteen dragons were blasted by bluish white charges the size of elephants. Only one dragon still stood after the course of the last three seconds. Garlayion still stood, if blackened and smoking, before the arch wizard.
   The dragon opened his huge maw, showing its rows of teeth that were each as long as a man�s arm, and inhaled. Xion knew that the huge beast was about ready to blast him into ashes with dragonfire. He also knew that the releasing of all that magic had nearly killed him. Being the center for a flow of that much magic and then trying to control it and release it was exhausting. Despite the searing pain it had left him, the searing power that flowed through him was wonderful, exhilarating even. It is a feeling he had long forgotten in his older years.
   Garlayion never had a chance to destroy the wizard though. A beam of emerald energy struck the huge dragon full in the face, instantly turning the monstrous creature to a smooth, solid stone statue. Xion turned to see his oldest friend standing at the door to the palace, all smiles. That was the last thing he saw before his knees gave and his vision turned dark and he blacked out.

* * * * *

   Rachael had been studying her spell book for nearly an hour this morning while she waited for her master and Lord Phil to return. She sat in the spell chamber upstairs. Normally she was not allowed to use this room except when the arch wizard was gone. The room itself was made for the purpose of studying spells and then experimenting with them. Xion spent much time here and so Rachael was not allowed to use it unless she was practicing a certain spell that Xion himself had assigned for her to learn.
   The apprentice rubbed her eyes when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Her thoughts at first went to Xion for he was the only one who knew to look for her here. However she did not want him to find her in here studying so she quickly shut her book and ran to the wall next to the open doorway.
   To her surprise the head that poked in was not that of arch wizard but a female red head. But what was Karen doing in the spell chamber? And if she was looking for Rachael why would she come all the way up to the top floor instead of just pulling one of the magical robes about the tower that would instantly summon her to the spot?
   Rachael dropped the book and moved in front of the warrior woman. The mage realized that this was a mistake when she noticed that Karen was holding her sword and wearing the black plate armor they found her in.
   �What are you doing up here?� Rachael asked as if nothing was wrong.
   �To find you, of course.� Karen said with a friendly smile that made Rachael more than just a bit uneasy.
   �Well you have found me, what is it?�
   �I brought you a gift,� Karen said, plunging the blade into the mages stomach.
   Rachael never realized what had happened until she saw the red headed warrior running in full flight out the door. She looked down as she felt the burning pain in her stomach from where a short slender blade stuck out of her stomach area. The move had triggered a spell on Rachael that sent a blood wraith after anyone who seriously wounds her. She could feel her energy, her life force leaking away with blood as it poured out of her gut, quickly being soaked up by the thick robe she wore. The color in her face was fast fading. With trembling hands, she reached down and grasps the sword in both hands. Trying in vain to pull the sword from her body, Rachael falls to her knees.
   This was the end and she knew it. Moisture started to well up in Rachael�s eyes as she realized this was the end. And what an end it was, killed in her own home by a guest when she herself was an arch wizard�s apprentice.

* * * * *

   Lord Phil sat with his four comrades, Lord Weber, Eric, Roebuck Silvershadow, and Phalanx Dragonsbane, in another plane of existence with three gigantic snake bodies. It wasn�t as bad as it sounded though. They had just taken down three huge monsters and had an alliance between a few of the greatest adventurers alive. The only problem was that they were trapped in another plan of existence with no way home and nothing in sight for miles in any direction. It could be worse it could always get worse.
   Phil looked around the group, no one was smiling, especially Eric since he came in during the fighting and was trapped here for no reason. Rachael had been able to send one person. �Unfortunately Eric went instead of the apprentice, then maybe they would be out of this place already,� Phil thought ruefully.
   �You know what we need?� Phil asked them.
   �A way home,� Eric put in.
   �Well, yes. But we need to look on the bright side of life.� Everyone looked at the young lord.
   �What? All I am saying is that things could always get worse, but things can also get better. The only thing we need is faith,� Phil was the only one smiling at this.
   �What is your point?� Roebuck asked.
   Phil started into a song:

  
   When life seems jolly rotten
   Then maybe you have forgotten
   To always dance and smile and sing
   Always look on the bright side of life�

   Phil was cut off when a shimmering, blue portal and a roar of cheers from the other four men.
   �It wasn�t that bad was it?� Phil asked climbing to his feet like everyone else.
   Phalanx looked at him very seriously, �Are you gay?�
   Phil gave him a hurt look and walked over next to the paladin. �What do you think,� he said in womanly voice, putting his arm around the man�s shoulders and pulling him tight.
   �I think you better get away from me you flamen homo before I slit your throat,� Phalanx said pushing Phil away from him. Roebuck, Weber, and Eric were off to the said laughing at the spectacle.
   �How come the good looking ones are always straight?� Phil said walking over to where Daerlon was stepping from the large suspended circle of shimmering light. This brought another peal of laughter from the trio.
   �Stupid fagot. How did I get mixed up with this guy?� Phalanx muttered under his breath.
   Daerlon looked around and then at the laughing men, �I see that you five have been enjoying yourselves. Three Dairlocks, no easy feat for people who are not experienced with other planar creatures. All of you seem to be okay. Maybe you won�t mind staying awhile more.�
   �No way! I want out of here now.� Roebuck said running over to the wizard.
   �All who want to leave just step through the portal.� Daerlon announced.
   In a matter of seconds all five of the men were standing back on their own plane in the arch wizard�s courtyard.
   �Well I must be going,� Daerlon said as soon as he stepped through the portal and closed it. �Will you five be okay here by yourselves?�
   �Of course, were not children,� Weber said with annoyance.
   The wizard just chuckled and blinked out of existence.
   �Well I don�t know about the rest of you, but it has been like an hour since my last me meal,� Weber said heading for the door. �I am going to go get me something to eat.�
   �I�m with the big one,� Eric said running after the barbarian.
   �I�m with them,� Roebuck said following after the two.
   Phalanx didn�t say anything; he just left, leaving Phil alone in the garden.
   It didn�t take long before Phil�s thoughts began to stray to his love Rachael. It seemed as if he hadn�t seen her for days even though it has only been like a couple of hours since they last seen each other. His thoughts strayed to her long blond hair, beautiful blue legs, and not to mention her strong shapely legs.
   Phil was up and running towards the tower with the thought of the arch wizard�s apprentice. He raced through the huge place, checking every room on every floor. Finally he came upon the uppermost floor, a place that he normally was not allowed to go, but it was probably where Rachael was.
   When he finally found the beautiful woman a wave of despair hit him like a sack of bricks. The young lord fell to his knees when he came into the spell chamber to find his love slumped over on the floor. She lay in huge puddle of blood staring out at the wall with lifeless blue eyes that had once held a spark of life. Her once beautiful blond hair was now crimson, her robes were saturated in it, and the sword that protruded from her stomach had the marks of where Rachael had tried desperately to remove the awful thing.
   Lord Phil felt like he wanted to throw up. He himself had killed many beasts and men in his young life, but this had to be the worse thing he had ever laid eyes upon. Anger and despair welled up inside him, threatening to take hold of his very being. All that he could thing of was revenge at this point.
   When Phil finally regained enough strength to stand he walked over to the body and turned her onto her back. Taking a deep breath, the young lord proceeded to pull the sword from the body. In a sudden burst of anger he throw the blade against the wall and let out a cry of rage that echoed through the tower�s walls. To Phil it seemed that he had yelled for hours before he collapsed into the pool of blood down next to the body of his love and started to cry. He cried like a baby until he heard footsteps.
   Rubbing his eyes, he looked up in time to see Weber and Eric come in the door.
   �Were you crying?� Weber asked in disbelief.
   �No man, I just had something in my eye,� Phil said rubbing his eye again as he tried to regain his posture.
   �What the hell!� Eric said when he came in the door behind Weber.
   �Yeah I was wondering what happened here too,� Weber said looking down at the body.
   This was the first time since he found the body that he noticed why the sword looked familiar. �That murdering wench Karen killed her!� Phil cried out as he looked over to the sword lying by the wall.
   �How do you know that?� Eric said squatting down to inspect the body.
   �Because Karen�s sword was sticking out of her when I found her. Plus Karen is also missing all of the sudden,� Phil said with rising anger.
   �I don�t know. It sounds iffy if you ask me,� Weber said looking around the room for clues.
   �That is why no one asks you,� Eric says looking up from the body.
   �Well it doesn�t matter either way. At the moment we need to take the body downstairs and prepare a proper burial,� Phil said walking towards the door.
   �What is your hurry?� Weber asks.
   �We need to get rid of the body so we can start the hunt for Karen and then kill that dark elf,� Phil explains. �Weber carry the body down to the garden out front.�
   �No way. I am not touching her, she is covered in blood.�
   Phil turned and glared at his large friend. At the look Weber said nothing, he just bent down and picked up the body.
   �Wuss,� Eric mumbled as he followed the two out the door.

* * * * *

   Xion awoke in a small, nicely furnished room. He could tell that he was still inside the floating palace and probably inside the resting chamber just off the huge lab. His head still throbbed a little and his arms felt weak, but other than that he was fine.
   Getting up from the bed, Xion noticed that he was not alone in the floating tower; he could hear voices in the lab. He was too far away to make out what was being said however.
   As quietly as he could, Xion got up and peeked out the door. What he saw out there both surprised and worried him. Four dark elves stood in the room collecting magical items. He recognized the male to be none other than Dio Latchern, the one Phil defeated. The other three dark elves were women that he had never seen before. By the dark purple robes they wore however, he could tell that they were mages of no small water.
   Xion slid back around the wall and took a seat on the floor. What was he going to do? There was no way on earth he was going to let them take that magic. The elf would be unstoppable he was able to get his hands on such power. What could he do though; he had pretty much used up most of his energies against the dragons. The arch wizard felt for the blue ring on his finger only to find that it was a just blackened piece of metal now.
   After quickly taking stock of everything he had on him he found a wand of light, two silver daggers, and a smooth black adamantine rod with a ruby incrusted on the end. It was the wand of the lich. Xion did not like the odds.
   The arch wizard knew what he had to do. He could not let those dark elves get their hands on such power. The only thing that could stop them was a lich now. Taking up the black rod in both hands, he pointed the ruby at his own heart and quietly said the command word.
   A crimson flash and Xion was dead, a living dead.