The Dark Blacksmith of Istaria

by Auroch, Andar, Iskarii, Quetzil, Sadorna, Loryn, and Janos

Auroch sat in a small booth in a tavern in the town of Glimmel, nursing his drink. It wasn't the weak elven ale that had him sober though; it was something far more serious. On the table in front of him there was a large broadsword, a black hilt on it engraved with strange runes. The blade itself was made of unique steel, a dull shine emanating from it. To his experienced eyes it was pretty clear this was a finely crafted weapon.

Still, that wasn't the reason he wasn't drinking much from his mug. On the top of the hilt, there were two letters. These letters, R and G, were the reasons he didn't feel like drinking. "Razgar," he mumbled, partly in disbelief, "thought you've 'ave been dead by now." When he found the sword in the dragon's horde not too long ago, he couldn't believe what he had found. Not really sure how Mezalroc got the sword, he didn't really care. The only thing that mattered was that Razgar Gerenbul's forge was working again.

It was at least ten years since he had seen Razgar, just before he left Berenhill. He was just as shocked as anyone when they found out that he had stolen the Sacred Forge. But now they knew, now all of the dwarves in Berenhill knew his name, and loathed it. For he was the only dwarf who had ever worked his blacksmithing skill for the demons of Ku'shak, caring only for the gold in his pocket. Not to say that they hadn't tried to find him, not by any means. But when a dwarf's allies are demons, he becomes very difficult to find.

He looked at the sword again. The runes on it granted it some sort of magic, but it was beyond his ability to read them. He was sure that a few of the elves in Glimmel would be able to read them, but he wasn't sure if he could trust them with one of the dwarves' greatest secrets. For when Razgar left Berenhill, all the dwarves in Istaria took part in an oath to hide this black part of their history from outsiders. Still, Auroch knew within him that Razgar had to be stopped. For if the forge was active again, he was making more powerful weapons than ever before. He shuddered, imagining every demon in Ku'shak armed with a Razgar sword. Against that, not even all the angels would be able to stand.

Auroch's sleepy and bloodshot eyes wandered about the soft, moodily lit space that made up the tavern's common room. It had been long since he had seen the land of dreams, and Morpheus was calling. He let a heallthy yawn escape his beard-covered lips. The quiet murmurs of conversations slipped off into the endless abyss as he vacantly stared at the runes on the sword. Visions of Razgar danced through his head, and dull pangs of shame and rage tore through his proud dwarven heart...that or the watered down elven ale.

A familiar-sounding chuckle followed by a feminine giggle issued from behind the wall that hid the stairs from his view. Two lightly echoing footsteps made their way down and Auroch's eyes fell on the sight of a familiar Saris, black cloak drooping from his shoulders. The catman known as Kezia had his hands about the waist of a beautiful, young serving maid, smiling and blabbering in a high pitched voice that made Auroch's muddled brain wince and shudder.

Snippets of the conversation bounced around the more important thoughts in his mind as he wondered how long he'd been sitting there, absentmindedly considering his options.

"..really? An orc in Dael! That's soooo scary, how'd you surv......Wow! Two months on bread and water in a jail in Xaris......oh my! Three long hard months disguised as an elven Sinionist!" The ignorance-borne mispronounciation caused Auroch to flinch. Kezia's voice was a dull murmur and Auroch's dwarven ears couldn't quite discern what the catman was whispering in the girl's ear.

Auroch saw the shock of recognition hit Kezia like a giant's haymaker to the jaw, and vacantly walking away from the chattering girl, Kezia's characteristic smirk returned.

"Auroch?! How's it going? Nice toy you got there," Kezia said, motioning toward the sword with a nod. "Bet that'd fetch a pretty penn..." Kezia's voice trailed off as his eyes glazed over, and Auroch knew the catman was daydreaming of all the money he could get for a sword like the one he had on the table before him. Snapping out of his revery, Kezia ordered two drinks, and taking out a strangely familiar coinpurse, he grinned to Auroch, "On you, old friend."

Auroch let a chuckle escape his lips. He had forgotten Kezia had snagged his old coinpurse in Dael.

"So, my short, bearded friend, how did your travels bring you to this establishment on a night such as this?"

"An ill advised opinion, and one that will bring you trouble, Rgeld."

There were mutters in the large room, as those on the second floor stared and whispered.

Before a council of 6, which had been 7 less then a day ago, stood the demon Rgeld. He was small for his kind, standing 7 foot flat, and wielding no weapon. Many had mistaken his lack of armament as a weakness, but Rgeld's mental and magical abilities more then made up for it. An ill advised opinion...

Rgeld's red eyes snapped open, as the elf's screams intensified. He glanced around nervously, where was he? The house seemed cozy, a one room cottage surrounded with very domesticated products. On the floor there was a dead elf with his heart on his stomach. His eyes were milky white, as if they had been burnt or punctured.

Why was this woman screaming? In front of him an elf maiden was sobbing and screeching and making horrible guttural noises. Glancing in front of him Rgeld realized he was holding her up by the throat. He let go.

She hit her legs hard on the ground, and let out a loud cry. Glancing down Rgeld noticed blood covered her body, which apparently he had scratched and clawed her.

Now he realized where he was. Rgeld had fled from Rushna, where it was too hot. That horrible Demon council had turned on him, thanks to the untimely death of the 7th council member. He had them convinced...

South of Roscen... or maybe Wardon, he couldn't tell, but somewhere on the Western Empire's western peninsula.

But who were these people? Why was one on the ground with its heart on its stomach and the other now at Rgeld's mercy? He judged the heart was his doing, as was the woman.

Carnage lust must have taken over.

The woman wouldn't stop screaming so Rgeld broke her neck. It was quick work, not to be merciful but simply because he tired of hearing her scream. To please Mheegus Kahn he cut out a few of her organs and left them by the door. Surely his Evil Lord would find amusement in the reactions of whoever found these bodies.

Thinking of Mheegus Kahn Rgeld realized what his business was here. He would find Razgar Gerenbul. The dwarf, the simpleton 4 foot blacksmith who had caused him so much pain. He had tried to convince the council that dependence on a lowly dwarf would weaken the demon nation, and they might've listened, except for the most vocal supporter of his claims had been eliminated shortly after he had addressed them.

But it wouldn't be a simple run in and kill. That wouldn't work, because if he were to just eliminate Razgar they would surely know it was him! He was already black marked in Rushna, but if he eliminated the weapon's dealer...

The power of the demon nation would be felt.

There was a cry from one of the shelves. He approached the shelf and looked in to find a small elven babe. Interesting.

Like this baby, Razgar would die. He would crush the life out of him, as he would slowly... crush... the life...

"Over here!" Rgeld heard a voice, a grown male by the sound of it. He looked out the empty door frame and saw a group of men, not too far away, running hastily towards the cottage. He growled.

Dare a fight? Was it worth it? No there were 5 of them, and they looked ready to fight. He put the baby down and ran through the door.

"Hey you! Stop there!" One of the men screamed. An arrow shot near Rgelds head, but his large demon frame allowed him a quick exit. Fortuneoutly, none of the men were on horses.

He had escaped...

Inside the cottage a baby cried. Like Razgar this baby would die... yet he lived. An omen?

Auroch was delighted, if not a little surprised, to see the nimble thief. He quickly put one hand on the sword, to keep it safe. He knew Kezia was trustworthy, but he also knew about his almost dwarven obsession with gold. It was better to be safe than sorry, for if Kezia stole the sword and sold it there would be no way at all of finding Razgar.

When he saw he still had his old coinpurse, Auroch had to laugh. He didn't begrudge him for it, he found it somewhat liberating to not be burdened with a lot of gold. With his free hand, he reached into a coat pocket and drew out a bizarre object. Kezia saw it, and laughed.

"You still have that funny thing?" he asked surprised.

Auroch stared at it again. It was a stupid thing, he still hadn't figured out what it did, but it was fascinating to watch. The two stood there, mesmerized, until one of the serving wenches came by with two mugs of ale. She set them down with a giggle, and looked at Kezia. He smiled at her, under a different spell now, and patted her behind as she went away.

The two sat and talked, about what happened since the last time they were together and about the sword. Auroch avoided telling him about Razgar, but he did tell him a fair bit about how he got the sword. Kezia's eyes glazed over as he imagined the treasures he could have gotten from the dragon's hoard. Then a thought struck him.

"Why though old friend were you just sitting here, staring at the sword? If I were you I'd've sold it already."

"Aye, well I was just thinking that whoever made this probably made more like it, and that if I knew what the runes said I might know where they made it. If I know that, I can find the person who made it." He figured it wouldn't be too hard to satisfy the saris' curiosity without revealing the secret about Razgar, so he added "Then maybe I can get him te make me a good axe."

"Hmm..," Kezia's quick mind set to work trying to find a way to liberate the sword from the dwarf's overbearing grasp. He'd hurt the poor thing, Kezia rationalized to himself. "Couldn't you just write the runes down and take the paper to someone. It'd be easier than lugging a heavy old sword around, speaking of which you look tired. Perhaps you should let me hold it for a little bit?" Kezia grinned. Downing a swig from his drink, Kezia continued.

"Plus, the sword might be dangerous. It could belong to someone's family. One of them might recognize it on our journey and think we killed their family. The paper would be much safer," Kezia said, a finger in the air, eyes closed in mock sincerity, trying his best to feign the best possible interests in the affairs of the sword and Auroch's personal safety.

"I do know an elf that promised me a haircut that would be probably be able to read those runes..."

"Uli?" Auroch managed to spit out between laughs and drinks.

"Ayep. Now we just gotta find the elusive bugger. I have no problems bumping into Tira when she's going to drag me into trouble, but when we need 'em, they're gone..."

Pulling closer, Kezia whispered to Auroch, "Y'know at first I thought it was fate...or chance, or whatever that we bumped into each other. But recently I've been gettin' the feelin' she's stalkin' me," Kezia's face a mask of concern. Auroch tried his best not break out laughing, his sides were starting to hurt.

True to Kezia's words, talking about finding Uli or Tira was actually a lot easier than finding them. After they finished their drinks, they set out to find the elusive rune mage and see what he could tell them. Auroch wasn't going to fall for the Saris' simple trick either, he wasn't going to copy the runes onto paper and let him have the sword. Any dwarf worth his snuff knew runes, especially dwarven runes were not merely lines on an object. The were part of that object, and that was part of what made runes so powerful. The magic inherent in the symbols was perhaps the most ancient of all magics in the world too, very few today understood their archaic meanings.

They went first of all to the local blacksmith's shop. The dwarf there was glad to see Auroch, but when they had a moment to speak away from Kezia - Auroch suggested he keep an eye outside for Tira, since she always seemed to just appear - the dwarf's kindly demeanor changed completely. He too knew the meaning of the initials on the hilt, and didn't like it at all.

Auroch asked him if he knew of any rune mages named Uli that lived in Glimmel. Bumli, the blacksmith, told him that he wasn't really sure, to him most of the elves looked the same. Then he said that the best place for a rune mage around here would be at the rune mages guild. Auroch explained his plan, and Bumli told him just how much he wanted to go with him, if it wasn't for the needs of his shop. Auroch understood though, and bore him no ill will. They said fond goodbyes, amid promises to meet after the journey was over for a keg of ale.

Kezia stood outside, a little upset he was told to get out of the shop. The dwarf probably didn't trust him to keep his hands to himself, he reasoned. But he couldn't have been more wrong. "Harumpf," he said as Auroch came out of the shop, "took you long enough. What'd you do, find a nice little dwarvie girl and have a little kiss?"

Auroch just smiled, not telling the dwarf anything. All of a sudden, the dwarf Bumli rushed out of his shop, a metallic object in his hand. "Wait up!" he cried, huffing and puffing from the run. He stopped in front of Auroch and handed him a metal helm, polished so brightly it shone like the sun. "This is my family's heirloom, it's the Helm of Baldagras. It's of very fine make, passed on from my grandfather's father's father down to me. I want you to wear it, it'll help protect you on your way. I suspect you'll need it, if you're going where I think. All I ask is that you bring it back to me when you're done. Har har, that way ye'll be sure to come back fer the ale."

Auroch bowed, honoured by the gift. Then he took it, and placed it on his head. He doubted Kezia would try and steal this helm, he was only interested in things for their material value, not sentimental. Then he said to Bumli "Thank you, my friend. I will protect this helm, just as it will protect me. But you have a shop to care for, and we have the rune mages guild to find."

Elsewhere in Glimmel, an elf sat at a table, completely concentrated on the book in front of him. His gentle green eyes did not stray from the books' pages, even when another person entered the room. He had a forest green cloak on, with a beautiful clasp in front. It showed two leaves, one silver the other gold. Hanging around his neck is a heartstone, a symbol of his love for another.

"Erhem," the other person said. "Uli." Finally, the blond haired elf looked up. "You have guests, a saris and a dwarf called"

"Auroch!" the dwarf bellowed, pushing his way towards the rune mage. "Don't tell me ye don't know me, I've only saved Tira's life more times'n I can count."

"Auroch?!" the elf asked in disbelief. "Why I haven't seen you in months." Uli said and rose to his feet after marking the page in book he was studying. The golden haired elf promptly shook his long time friend's hand. "I appreciate your taking care of Tira for me. She told me all about the battle with Mezalroc." said the elf. The dwarf gave the elf's hands a few brisk shakes. "Where is Tira anyway?" Uli sighed. "She's gone again this time to the Eastland Empire. When she came back with the Princess unharmed the church decided she should be promoted. Now she is acting as an emissary to the saris."

As the two continued, Kezia cleared his throat. Uli looked up at him and frowned slightly. "Oh it's you." The saris looked at him with a slightly bemused look on his face. To his surprise Uli offered him his hand in friendship. "I suppose you've done enough to redeem yourself at least a little. Though, I'll still shave you bald if you put my wife in danger again." he added the last bit with a smirk very similar to the saris' own but it quickly faded into the typical elven face.

"So what brings you here? I find it hard to believe Kezia came here willingly for a social visit. There must be money somewhere in all this." Uli said. Kezia chuckled slightly. It seemed everyone he ever met learned his tendencies well. "Aye, your right friend. This 's ne a social visit." he said and pulled for the sword, setting it on the table. "Need ta know where that was made. Can you figure it out?" he asked.

The elf immediatly set about examining the weapon or to be more precise the runes ingraved in it. It was almost like watching a child with a new toy. "Hmmmmm very nice." he muttered as he traced the symbols with his finger. His hand moved seemlessly over each rune until finally stopping for seemingly no reason. Tapping twice in a seemingly blank spot he mumbled about something being missing. "This could take awhile." he said to them before walking over to a table full of odd looking devices.

Selecting a number of different colored crystal lenses he returned to the sword. He looked through them one by one as he poured over the weapon. Numerous times the dwarf and saris exchanged a glance, wondering just what the elf was looking for. After about two hours of verious techniques the elf finally let out a cry of success. "I think I found the answers." he said excitedly and motioned the dwarf closer and handing him a lense.

When the dwarf peered through the crystal he saw a number of runes that were not visible before. "So what does this mean?" he asked. The elf remembered he wasn't talking with a fellow rune mage and would have to explain things. "First of all most rune mages don't like to show all their work. It keeps others from stealing their work. There might be more hidden runes on this blade but I don't need them to tell you about where it was made." Uli said and left the statement hanging there for added drama.

Auroch finally couldn't contain himself. "So where was the blasted sword made?" Uli gave a smug smile. "Probably near the ocean, maybe a swamp, possibly a river nearby, definatly some mountains, and close to something very evil." Auroch looked through the lense again. "How can you tell?" The elf chuckled. "Well whenever you make a rune it dosen't just absorb the magic you put into it. It also absorbs some of the energy that's around it. Things like the trees, the mountains, even the creator all contribute. That's why weaponsmiths that pour their heart and soul into their craft create better weapons then those that don't. You just need to find a place that matches all those discriptions on a map and you have your location." the elf said and pulled a rolled up sheet of paper from a wall.

He uncoiled the paper and placed a book on each end to keep it from rolling back up. "I would have to say it's here." Uli pointed to an area on the coast across from Ku'shak, near Mt. Asthorn. "You sure?" Kezia spoke, probably not liking the idea of going all the way to the Southland. "If you want sure go find yourself a prophet. I however can make something that will let you know when you're close."

The rune mage walked over to the table again, this time picking up a tool that looked like a chisel and a relatively inexpensive red garnet. There were a number of symbols already carved into it but there was an area left blank. In that open space Uli began carving the key rune from the sword onto it. "We use these to track down weapons that end up in the wrong hands. They glow brighter the closer they get to their target. Of course you'll have to leave that sword behind otherwise it will react to it as well." As if to drive home the point as soon as Uli finished his carving the garnet began to glow. The elf smiled at his handy work and presented the stone to the dwarf.

Auroch stared at the stone. This little thing was supposed to lead him to the forge? He didn't trust magic, but he did trust Uli. If Uli said it would guide him, then he believed him. The two of them stared at the jewel, and at the rune carved on it.

Kezia took advantage of this and managed to grab a couple runes he saw lying about. If they never knew, he reasoned, all the better. It was just another part of the Markin Theory of Politically Correct Redistribution of Economic Objectionalism regarding Items and Currency. The more he had to protect him the better, in his opinion.

However they couldn't stay there for long. Once Auroch was sure the sword would be okay, he left it with Uli to analyze. Perhaps he would be able in time to understand the other runes, and the magic they held. So they said fond goodbyes amid promises to return and have dinner with him and Tira one day. On the street, Kezia turned to Auroch. "So where we going next, boss?" he asked the dwarf, emphasizing the boss to show his sarcasm.

The dwarf looked at the sly saris, and thought about what he asked. The two of them alone were not going to be enough to go against Razgar and any evil beings on his side. Then again, he needed people with him that he could trust. It was then he thought about Rion and Iskarii, with their tavern not too far away. They would join him, he was certain of that. After all, they must be tired of the soft life by now. Shouldn't take more than a day's journey anyways. He turned back at Kezia, and told him "Well, we'd better head to the World's Edge Tavern. I thinks there are a few people there that'll help us."

Auroch looked at the perpetually hyperactive dryad. As usual, it seemed he was looking for some way of showing off his great magic. But Auroch knew that in the mission to come, a certain amount of discretion would be required, and the dryad had none of that. So, "I'm sorry, I din't know any adventures for ye," was all he told the dryad. Disappointed, the mirthful creature slunked off to find something else to do.

"Well now friend, shall we be off?" Auroch said, looking at Kezia. Meanwhile the Saris was staring behind him at a group of people running towards him. He put his hand on the dwarf's shoulders, and started pushing him forward.

"I think now would be a very good time to get moving. Apparantly," he gestured behind them, to the group headed towards them, "not everyone believes in the Marking Theory. Perhaps I should keep scarce for a while."

"Good idea," Auroch agreed. By now they were running so fast the only reasons Auroch could keep up with the swift Saris were his Boots of Haste. "Tell ye what, get outta trouble and if ye can, meet me at the tavern. I can't stay there long, but I'll keep an eye out for ye."

"Agreed," Kezia said, and he ran off as far away from the authorities or whoever was after them.

Half a week later, Auroch found himself far from Glimmel. The World's Edge Tavern looked pretty much the same as the last time he had been there. He walked in, and the aroma of freshly baked food came after him. Rion and Iskarii bustled about, serving the various patrons. As soon as she saw him, the white saris put the empty plates down and ran at him. "Auroch!" she cried, happy to see an old friend again.

Iskarii turned to see Auroch in the doorway.

"Auroch!" she cries, happy to see an old friend again after so long. "Its nice to see you again, how long has it been any way?" she said with a grin, making her way over towards him as she finished with the last customer. She passed the bar on the way to meet the dwarf who still stood at the entrance way. As she passed, a bottle flew up from behind the bar and into her waiting hand, a tankard following suit and dropping into her other hand. She gave a grin, using telekinesis to open the bottle without the need to switch to mug and bottle to one hand. The white saris stopped in front of the dwarf just as she was pouring some of the finest dwarven ale into the tankard. Passing the tankard down to the dwarf, Iskarii brushed herself down and waited for Auroch to tell her how good the ale was, as always. It was dwarven ale after all, didn't you know? She seems to remember it was the same dwarven ale that Auroch had brought them over as an opening gift when they first opened the tavern; Iskarii had just bottled some of it for those need-it-now occasions, such as this was.

"So, happy as always to see you my good friend. What brings you all the way over here?" she said with a smile, "Can I get you anything? Food? Equipment?" she paused for a moment then blushed a little under her fur, "Oh my manors!" she turned and spotted Rion over near the bar "Rion! Guess what the cat dragged in?!" she called over to him with a smirk.

Jarik stood to the side while everyone shared some sort of reunion, and when the hugs and joy talk stopped for a moment, he took his chance to walk up to Auroch.

"Sir Dwarf, I was sent to find you by my father, he gave me this letter to give to you."

So saying, Jarik handed the note he had so carefully guarded to Auroch, his face lit up with excitement.

Auroch,
My name is Justen, a smith you met long ago in Borny, a small town you wintered in. Long ago we spoke of my boy, Jarik, and that I had always wished that I had traveled the roads of adventure as you now do.

I wish my son to do what I was never able to, live and enjoy life as an adventurer, not a simple smith. Enclosed with this note is most of my savings, nearly 200 gold, hopefully enough to buy your services as a tutor and guide for my boy.

He is excellent with a blade, an old guard friend spent years teaching him, but he is both young and inexperienced as a traveller. At last I found a way to find you, hearing you frequented this place, and sent my boy on his first adventure to seek you out.

He is prepared to adventure either way, but under your care and guidance, I feel he has the best chance to survive, and much to learn.

Please consider my offer.
Justen

The lad offered a small pouch, heavy from the looks of it to the dwarf and waited, understanding his future rested with the dwarf's next words.

Kiran had decided to stay at the tavern a few days. She was immediately spoiled by the bed, bath and amazing food Iskarii cooked. In another few days she would have to head back out traveling though, for fear of not fitting into her new armor, not to mention she would have to make some more money soon.

Other than practicing some of the hand to hand movements she had learned as a kid, and her sword techniques, Kiran had been downright lazy actually. She had gone out for a long walk today just to stretch her legs. When she returned she noticed a new visitor surrounded by Rion, Iskarii, and the boy she had seen around but hadn't met yet.

Kiran grinned when she realized who it was. Catching his eye, she waved at Auroch, deciding she could catch up with him after he had a chance to sit down and relax some.

"Rion! Guess what the cat dragged in?!" Iskarii called over to him. "What did Zara catch this time?!" came the reply from the male saris. He was of course talking about the winged kitten that they found in the Mire Seth. When he looked up from the bar he noticed a very familiar dwarf amidst Kiran, Iskarii, and a young human who he had seen earlier. Other then a new pair of fancy looking boots and helmet he looked the same as last time they had seen one another.

He walked over to where the group was gathered. The dwarf was reading the parchment in between swallows of ale from his mug. "Well if isn't my favorite dwarf. You just can't get enough of the ale here can you?" he chuckled at the dwarf. Auroch looked up at him with a smile. "So what brings you to our fine establishment on this day? Preparing for another adventure or perhaps you noticed you were losing a little weight and you need some fattening up."

Amazing, Auroch thought to himself. It seemed there really was a place to go where everybody knew your name. He had scarcely stepped inside the tavern when a beer had been thrust into his hand, a note into the other, and the winged kitten Zara purred against his leg.

He sat down at a table, reading the note and drinking the beer. He looked at the boy, and thought about what the note said. Yes, he did remember spending a cold winter in Borny with a man named Justen. As he could recall the man was a good person, as close to a dwarf as a human could get. He was always sad that he could never have the kind of adventures Auroch described to him. Apparantly though that was what he wanted for his son. He looked at the man, barely a man. He had a naive look about him too, but that would be gone after his first battle. In the end what really mattered was how he would behave under the stress of battle.

He eyed the man again, as he waited for the dwarf's reply. "Aye, ye can come with me, though I dare say whatever yer father's told ye about adventurin is a tall tale, but I'll show ye the ropes, as yer father wants." Jarik was delighted, and thrust the heavy money sack at the dwarf. He refused, however. "I'll ne take yer money," he explained. "I was an old friend of yer father's, he might try to give me all his life's savings but I'll ne take it."

It was then that Rion chose to come over and say hello. "Well of course I came for the ale, I brought it after all!" the dwarf told him, laughing at his own humour. "Aye, I've been longing fer yer food, most places the food ye buy just goes right through ye. But I know here the food'll stay in me for weeks, even if I don't want it to!" They all had a good laugh, which brought Iskarii back to see what they were laughing about.

Figuring it was about time he told them why he was there, he went on to explain about how he met Kezia and they went to find a rune mage that showed them how they could find the place the sword was made. As if to prove his point, he brought out the garnet, which was glowing faintly. "Yep," he continued, "I need a group of stout adventurers to come with me." He eyed them, with a smirk on his face. "Ye don't happen te know where I can find one or two, do ye?"

Iskarii wondered back over to the table that Auroch had made himself at home at. Well, the tavern was practicly another home for the dwarf; even if he did choose to travel the lands more than he did spend time in the tavern itself. Though it was thanks to Auroch that they had some of the finest stonework in Istaria. The dwarf had helped them design the stone protections for the tavern before it was built, even though he was no expert at it, Auroch knew how to make things stand up; being a dwarf you had to really, otherwise all those mines would have been caving in long, long ago. Though, the World's Edge was probably one of the only tavern's in the lands to have put blacksmithy techniques to stoneworking. It may have sounded crazy, though it really did work. Metal bindings were embedded in all of the stone walls, reinforcing them ten fold to help protect the tavern against the harsh elements of the mountains.

Sitting down at the table where the group had seemed to gather, she took a quick peek under the table then laughed. Zara was coiled up quiet happily on the dwarf's lap under the table, lightly clawing his armour as any other cat would claw at clothing. She listened to the talk about the dwarf tutoring the human boy, though it was the end talk that interested her more. Upon hearing the word adventurers, Iskarii's ears tilted forward a little and her eyes started to have that certain tell tale sparkle in them.
"Adventurers? One or two?" she pretends to ponder for a moment, glancing over towards Rion for a few seconds before turning back to the dwarf. A grin spitting across her face as she spoke, "Sounds good to me!"

At Auroch's words about adventure, Jarik looked up and smiled, but couldn't answer before the lovely Saris agreed to go along. Settling for second to speak he showed an eagerness that could not possibly last once on the road.

"I'll go with you Auroch, I can help I'm sure."

He shifted his shoulders, trying to settle the harness into place more comfortably, and then just watching all the people around him, amazed at the variety, and mystery of everyone around him.

Kiran smiled and spoke to Auroch. "You know I am always looking for something fun. We made a good team against the Feesh and that dragon and I would be happy to tag along if you will have me."

Kiran looked almost embarrassed. "Besides, I think I have gotten lazy here. Iskarii's cooking has made it difficult for me to fit into my armor."

Auroch looked at Kiran and laughed. "Aye, ye have been gettin a little pudgy on the sides. Come with me, dearie, I'll keep ye from losin yer shapley figure." His face froze, becoming serious all of a sudden. All these people wanted to join with him, and they didn't really know what they were up against. Would they fight demons with him if they had to? That would certainly be beyond anything Justen had wanted for his son. Well, looking at his friends surrounding him he felt pretty confident that they could handle nearly anything that came their way. They should set out soon, within the hour. Iskarii set down a plate of steaming food, and smiled at him from the kitchen door. Well, maybe they could wait till at least he had some food in him.

Rion grinned at Iskarii's one or two comment. Neither he nor the white saris had been adventuring in awhile. Ever since they built the tavern to be exact. The mention of traveling the world again brought a certain longing in him that he hadn't experienced in awhile. He missed the feel of the wind through his fur and the smells of the forest. The feeling of the adrenalin rush before a battle, and the sence of accomplishment from defeating an enemy. "Sounds good to me as well." he said and excused himself to make a few preperations.

Disappearing up the stairs he walked to his room. Opening a chest he found his old traveling equipment. A pair of light weight steel bracers, a studded leather tunic, a collapsable staff, and six bladed throwing disks. As he was removing each piece of equipment he noticed something else at the bottome of the chest. Removing a cloth that was mostly obscuring it from view he discovered a beautifully carved bow. "Kiran's bow" he thought to himself.

After he left the Wayfarer he tried to find Kiran's family and tell them what happened. Only knowing her first name and humans being the most wide spread race he was unable to locate them, if they were still living. Eventually he gave up on his search but he kept her bow. He thought to give it to Iskarii but they stoped adventuring and started this tavern. Since then the weapon had remained in this trunk.

He lifted the bow out from under the leather sheet. According to Kiran, the one that was now dead, it had been made from wood found on Ku'shak from the Treetooth Rocks and arrows fired from it struck the most vital of place on a target. It was a granite color, pliable and very well made. It had a coating of sap over it, presumably from the tree it was made from. It brought out the features of the wood making the bow almost look like marble. Though he had never tried it was supposed to be impervious to fire and nearly impossible to break. If they were going on another adventure now would be a good time to give it to her.

He sliped his armor over his clothing and clasped the bracers around his wrists. It had been awhile and the armor felt a little cumbersom but he would get used to it again. Stuffing the collapseable staff into its leather caseing and the disks in theirs he was ready. Walking back down the stairs with the bow in hand he approached the group. "Here Iskarii. I want you to have this. I hope it will keep you safe on the comming adventure." he said handing her the bow.

Looking back over as Rion came back down the stairs, Iskarii smiled a little seeing that he had already donned his armour and gathering his weapons up.
"Didn't take you long, hmm?" she says with a grin. Though before she got an answer, Rion hanged over a bow he was carrying, expressing that he hoped it would keep her safe on the coming adventure. Offering Rion a smile then looking down at the bow, Iskarii ran her fingers over the bow's wood lightly.
"Its ... Its wonderful Rion!" she smiled again and lightly strung the bow over her shoulder and back. It fit well. She was at a loss for words. She never knew Rion had a bow, she never even knew that Rion had ever used a bow in his life.

Looking down at herself, Iskarii decided it was best to get her own gear and get ready for the time they were to head out. Walking up the stairs towards the common rooms, she passed them by one by one making sure that all was in order. Coming to the end of the corridor, she opened the last door there and entered. The room was just about the same as all the others, though contained many more items. Iskarii lived there, after all. Walking to a wooden chest that sat next to a small bookshelf filled with various bits and pieces, Iskarii unlocked the chest and took out her few travelling pieces. Her own collapsible staff was already in its casing and attached to a leather belt. Picking the belt out, Iskarii left it to one side for a moment whilst she searched around for something better to wear. She had never worn armour herself, preferring to be able to move around as much as possible; so she picked out one of her old travelling outfits. Made from normal fabrics, it offered little protection from attack, though at the same time it did offer as much maneuverability as one could desire. On top of the fancy, though simply made coverall, Iskarii donned her split cloak and settled that over her shoulders.

Taking the belt once more, she secured it loosely around her waist and attached a small quiver of arrows to it as well. These were connected so that they rested against her thigh and the small of her back, allowing movement still and keeping them out of the way. Slipping one some fingerless gloves which were ideal for archers, Iskarii took up the bow once more and put it back over her shoulder before locking the room back up.

Walking back downstairs, Iskarii took a quick glance around the tavern's main room before heading to a window and calling outside.

"Veldrin!" waiting for a few moments, she repeated the call and grinning as an adult black dragon climbed up lazily from a cave that must have been some where along the cliff side under the tavern.

"Good Veldrin, we are going to be going away for a while on a little adventure with Auroch. Would you mind watching from outside the tavern to make sure nothing bad happens?" she asked the dragon. Veldrin, like Auroch, had helped build the tavern all that time ago. The black had kindly let them build it within the region of her home cave, also offering to help protect the place from unwanted guests. She also helped haul up much of the stone and wood supplies that was needed to build the place. The dragon slowly nodded her head in agreement before climbing the rest of the way up. She settled down upon the plateau in front of the tavern for some decent moon bathing.

Walking back inside, Iskarii went over to talk to some one out back. They had a little help in the kitchen every now and then, and their helper was currently in.

"Elisha?" she glanced around the kitchen room for a moment before spying the little dryad who was trying to pry the lid off of the honey jar.

"Elisha, how many times have I told you? Honey and dryad wings just do not go well together" the saris grinned, Elisha had always had a sweet tooth for honey, though she always ended up getting it all over her wings. The gods only know how.

Chuckling the plucking the dryad up, Iskarii explained to her how herself and Rion were going away for a little and that Veldrin would be looking after the outside of the tavern whilst they were away.

"Sure, I'll take care of things, have no worries!" the dryad beamed from ear to ear. Iskarii knew that there would be no honey left in the pantry by the time they got back. Shaking her head and putting the dryad back down, Iskarii made her way back out to the others.

As the Saris got ready, and everyone declared they were ready to go on a grand adventure, Jarik took the chance to steal a plate and some of the big pile of food on the central table, and began eating as only a young man can.

Glancing at his soon to be companions, he was excited, and sure that a grand old time awaited them. Idly he wondered if they would get to kill a demon, he had always wanted to try. Dad hadn't much cared for that idea, but still he secretly hoped they would.

Shovelling more food, Jarik admired the inn, and sent a silent prayer to whatever luck goddesses watched over him, to let him come back here, brave and rich, and be able to tell noble stories as Auroch did.

Although no luck goddesses answered him, his belly did, and within minutes, he was purring loud enough to satisfy any Saris.

Kiran playfully stuck her tongue out at Auroch and ran upstairs to pack up her belongings. She was looking forward to adventuring again. The main thing she would miss was the soft bed. Her bedroll wasn't exactly the best and even doubled up it didn't hide the rocks underneath.

Donning her armor she looked in the mirror. "Thick around the waist he says... Well Hmph!" The armor fit well and showed off her figure nicely. Kiran pulled her long hair back into a ponytail and muttered a light oath as the first of many curls to come fell out of the binding to flow free around her face.

She opened her pack to make sure she had what she needed. Kiran had already replensished her traveling rations and water but double checked them anyway. Pleased with what she saw, she slung her pack over her shoulder and looked around the room one more time to make sure she didn't leave anything behind. Nodding to herself she closed the door behind her and walked back downstairs.

"Okay! I am ready." She turned to the group and smiled. "I think I know everyone but you". Kiran had turned to Jarik. She stuck her hand out to shake in greeting and smiled. "I am Kiran, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm mfuwh"

At the sight of food flying out of his mouth, Jarik turned several shades of red, and quickly swallowed the mouthful.

"Errr, umm I'm Jarik, sorry."

Still embarassed, he quickly went back to eating, trying not to look up at the amused smiles of his companions, or the annoyed look on the girls face at the food on her tunic.

Kiran looked down at her tunic and grimaced. At least it was crumbs and not food that stained. She wiped it off into a napkin and took a step back from Jarik while he finished eating. Just in case.

Only his red face stopped her from teasing him about it now. Something told her she would have plenty of opportunity as the trip went on. Instead she smiled at him. Kiran had one of those soft warm smiles that showed not only on her lips but in her eyes as well.

Turning to the now full dwarf Kiran grinned. "So Auroch, where are we going?"

Auroch grinned. This was exactly what he had been waiting for, a band of adventurers hanging on his every word. "Where are we going?" he said, smiling. Then he pushed the door of the tavern open, and pointed outside. "Why, we're going out there, to adventure!" He wasn't going to say anything about Razgar though. They might have the right to know about him, but he would not break his word, not even for his friends.

The way he saw it, the group had two paths they could choose; either they could follow the coast hoping the stone would lead them that way or they could travel by the common roads. It might be faster but it too was fraught with many dangers. He decided to put it to the group, and see what they thought. He explained to them how Uli carved a rune into the garnet and it would lead them to the area where the sword was made. "I ask you," he said to the group, "which path do you wish to take? Either way we head south tonight."

"I vote the coast, I can do some fishing!"

Jarik grinned at his companions, like a boy at play, knowing danger lie ahead, but unable to really fear it, as only youth can manage.

As he said so, dreams of grand adventure flashed through his mind, and the dragons they would slay, and most especially the buxom lasses that would fall at his feet.

Jarik sighed, caught up in his daydream until a not so subtle kick in the shin from Auroch brought him back to reality. Only then did he notice his new friends watching him as he daydreamed, and once again, as was becoming so common, Jarik turned bright red in embarrassment.

"Fishing?" the male saris' eyes and ears perked up a bit. Jarik had no way of knowing but Rion came from a family of fishermen back in Tanyl. Even though he had given up that life for one of wandering he still knew a little about the trade. Saltwater fish were supposed to be bigger then the freshwater ones around his hometown. Maybe he would catch a really big one. "That sounds like a great idea. I haven't been fishing in awhile."

He looked over at the rest of the group knowing that fishing might not be everyone's idea of a good time. "Hey I bet they have some pretty shells on the beach and you never know what's gona wash up on the shore. Maybe some wreckage from a long lost sea vessel or perhaps we will get to meet a Lamurian." he added trying to entice the others to agree to taking the bath down the coast. His tail began to twitch excitedly as his imagination ran wild.

This time Kiran did snicker at Jarik.

"Kids...", Kiran muttered, teasing Jarik. She wasn't much older, if at all, than he was, but in her opinion, since she had been on a huge adventure already, even helped to kill a dragon, that made her much more mature and experienced than he was. She certainly recognized his value and importance in their new group but he was young. Kiran had also conveniently forgotten how terrified she was of the great beast once the battle had ended.

"I do agree though, the coast might be better if we don't want to be seen." She was itching to leave and start a new adventure.

Jarik stiffened when she said kids. Immediately moritified, he straightened up, and then heard Rions comment about shells.

"Oh yes, we can get Kiran some shells as a breast plate... oh wait, that takes breasts..."

The kick that was forthcoming from the dwarf was dodged this time, among the laughs of the two Saris. Kiran just seemed to fume.

"Or I know, better yet, we can get you pretty little shells and you can weave them into your hair, or maybe make a dolly. And then, the women can cook all the fish we catch."

Knowing that would never happen was different than teasing about it, and it did give him satisfaction for the teasing Kiran had given him. Jarik smirked, and balanced on the balls of his feet ready to dodge any forthcoming retribution.

Iskarii was busy admiring the bow still, though some words from the others drifted to her ears and she looked up. "And then, the women can cook all the fish we catch." Narrowing her eyes a little, the white saris applied a fair amount of telekinesis to Jarik and plucked up off of the ground like a rag doll.

"My 'dolls' tend to be life sized" she absently said to the group in general, giving the boy a little shake with telekinesis to prove the point. She grinned faintly then slowly stood up, keeping the force applied to the boy that kept him in the air.

"If you would excuse me for a moment..." and with that she marched towards the front door with Jarik floating along after her. Opening the door and going outside, a loud splash can be heard as Iskarii drops the kid into a horse trough outside. Brushing her hands off, she wonders back in and takes her seat once more as though nothing had happened.

"So... You were talking about the coast? Yes, it might be the best idea, if not the quickest. And it might be nice to have a pit-stop at the coast along the way" she said happily.

Kiran glared at Jarik. Her breasts were perfectly fine! She would get him back. "He better hope he can swim", Kiran thought to herself. She had every intention of dousing him into the cold ocean water when they hit the coast. A smile spread across her face as she fantasized about him coming out of the water dripping wet and looking like a drowned rat as he jumped around with a fish stuck inside his armor trying to wiggle its way out.

Kiran gaped as she saw Iskarii float Jarik right out the door. When she heard the splash she laughed. She got her wish sooner than she had expected. All but the fish anyway. Kiran ran out to see if he was okay and giggled at Jariks expression. She offered her hand to him to help him out of the trough.

With the door left wide open they could all hear her yell back to them, "Let's go!" She was just as excited to go as Jarik was.

Jarik took her hand, and climbed out of the trough gratefully. He was laughing, but drenched, and already planning revenge on the Saris. Before he dashed after his friends, he shot a wink at Kiran, then laughing, ran to catch up to the others.

When he got next to Iskarii he shook himself like a dog, and drenched most of the group with droplets of water, to which he replied with an expression that was SO innocent, not even a Angel would have believed it was truthfully.

They traveled south, around the far edge of the Ru'tok mountains. Rion and Iskarii amused themselves with planning practical jokes on Jarik. Meanwhile, Auroch watched the way the human interacted with Kiran. He had seen romances develop from less, and there was a sort of spark between them. They probably didn't notice it though, young fools.

Auroch had never seen the coastline, dwarves try normally to avoid water as much as possible. They wouldn't even drink it, not if they could help it. Still, to see nothing but ocean for miles and miles intrigued him. The closest he had ever been was at Leanel's Gift, not that long ago with Rion and Iskarii. Even then though they didn't go and look at the sea. Well they would be reaching the coast in a day or two, and from there the trip would be easy. He held the garnet in his hand, watched its gentle glow. Razgar, I'm coming, he thought to himself. He would restore the forge to Berenhill even if it killed him.

*Whack!* Jarik's hand swatted at an invisible insect for the third time and looked back at Rion. The saris just gave him a questioning look and then smiled when he turned away. He was beginning to suspect something was not quite natural about this occurrence. For the past few minutes the male saris had been gently 'tickling' the edge of the human's ear with a bit of telekinesis. It was just like a fly or other similar insect crawling on the skin only much more annoying. Each time he looked at his hand for the insect's remains and each time there was nothing. He was probably also suspicious by there being no buzzing sound that accompanied most insects. Still there was nothing he could do to prove otherwise.

Tiring slightly of the game he breathed deeply and took in the surroundings. The ground was a lot less rocky now that they were away from the Ru'tok Mountains and there were many more trees in the area. With a smile, Rion scampered up the side of one and looked out over the terrain. It felt good to be walking the wilds again. Nobody out here would be asking to be served another drink. With a series of leaps he went from tree to tree, each time landing in a lower branch until he landed on the ground.

Jarik trudged along, again brushing at his ear, and wishing he could prove the Saris had something to do with the joke. He knew it was one of the two, probably revenge for the fleas he had put in both their bedrolls several nights before. The Saris pair would still scratch occasionally, and give him a dirty look, though it had yet to be proven he did it.

Almost, he felt guilty for doing it, as Iskarii had some painful bites for the first few days, and he regretted the number of fleas he had used. He was quickly coming to love his new friends, and having a blast even road weary as he was. The jokes kept him entertained, and he learned more about psionics every time one of the Saris used their tricks.

Jarik wasn't sure how he knew, but somehow he was able to sense what they were doing, even if he couldn't put his finger down on exactly what it was. This new sense intrigued him, and he was determined to try to learn more about what it was he could sense, and how he could sense anything at all.

As he continued walking, he stretched sore limbs, and realized that by the time they were done walking, he would be in shape like he never had been before. Exercise made him think of sword practice, and he remembered that he desperately needed to, for that was a skill he couldn't afford to let slide.

As they walked, Iskarii kept herself to herself mostly, though there was a hint that she was talking to Rion though telepathy a lot of the time. She seemed to be enjoying herself a lot, for her eyes twinkled with a light that did not seem to want to go out. Happy that they were once more traveling, Iskarii was enjoying the open air and the freedom as much as possible. It was not that she did not staying in one place, even when running a tavern, though she really liked to get out and about after a time. She was the type that could not stay in one place for too long, least the same four walls drove her crazy. The saris wonder lust was really embedded deep within her bones, and she enjoyed every minute of it.

Zara the winged kitten flittered along side the group, though she kept darting off here and there to see what was new and what she could see. The kitten seemed to have the same amount of wonder lust as her 'owner', it was either that or she just liked to see new things all the time and things that took her interest.

Kiran wandered along quietly. They had been lucky so far and not run into any problems. When the group finally stopped for the night Kiran sighed, relieved. Thankfully, tomorrow they would reach the coast. Kiran really wanted a bath and a salt water one was better than nothing. Her hometown wasn't far from where they were. Maybe after this trip was over she would head home and visit for a while. It had been a while and she missed her parents.

They set up camp in a fairly well protected area. Kiran laid out her bedroll, grabbed her pack and a torch that she lit from the campfire and wandered into the jungle some. She did this every night of their trip and every night Auroch would yell after her, "Don't wander too far!". And then she would answer back the same thing to him. "I won't!"

She found a small open area and set her torch into the ground. Kiran would then remove her armor, slip on a cloth tunic that hung down to mid thigh, and meditate. The first night she did this Zara nearly scared her to death. The winged kitten had hovered close to Kiran's face while she had been meditating. Feeling the breeze, Kiran opened her eyes up to see the face of the kitten staring back at her. Kiran had jumped so high in fright that she actually launched herself off the ground momentarily. Once she had recovered she giggled helplessly and gave up on meditating. She was pretty sure the kitten did it on purpose, as a prank, but had no way to prove it. Not that it mattered, Zara's curiosity rivaled Kirans, making her like the tiny being the first time Kiran saw her.

Kiran meditated for a while. Once she had relaxed her mind and body she stood up and began practicing her hand-to-hand techniques. Each movement, a swing of hand, or kick of her leg, the twisting of her body, was done with an unusual amount of grace and skill. Kiran could feel every muscle in her body respond as she ran through her practice. When she had completed that part of her nightly ritual she picked up her sword and repeated very similar movements. More thrusting and slashing techniques were involved, but Kiran performed them with the same fluid motions as with her hand-to-hand practice.

After finishing, Kiran slipped on some thin leggings that would fit easily under her leather armor if she needed to dress in a hurry. She walked back to the camp and grinned when she smelled food. Auroch and Jarik had gone hunting and found something that tasted like chicken once it had been cooked. Everyone took turns with the basic chores and the night watch. It was Jarik’s turn to stay up and guard the camp for the first half of the night. Unfortunately, it was her turn after that so Kiran murmured her good nights and went to sleep.

Something about the trip had made Auroch uneasy. Feeling eyes about him constantly, the short man's legs continued their whirling dance in the hasted boots to keep up with the others.

Something bothered Iskarii and Rion as well. It felt like a dull ache in their heads when they tried to scan their surroundings mentally. Not painful, but annoying, like something stuck in the corner of your eye. Deciding to make camp, the human female in the group separated herself from the others, before rejoining for dinner after some martial practice.

The moon cascaded down, filtered into rivulets of silver radiance. Mist in the night air was glowing like faerie fire in the subtle light. A black form flashed by the camp, though it went unnoticed and a rustle of wind could be heard as a light breeze crossed the camp briefly.

The campfire flickered, roaring back to full height with a small echo of anger at attempting to be snuffed out. Eventually, the campfire would die out, and the adventurers slept. The wind gently ran itself over the huddled group.

Kezia let a quiet sigh escape his lips. He leaned back deeper into the shadows. He was crouched in the split trunk of a tree. His eyes were used to darkness, and they played jade green in the moonlight, a feral flicker of liberation. Freedom, or the "hunt" as it were was in his eyes, and it felt good. Letting himself drop from the tree, he snuck up to the camp.

Laying flat against a small shrub by the tree line, he observed the group. Yes, this was the group he'd been following since they left the World's Edge Tavern. He stroked the long hair on his chin that resembled a goatee. His eyes lost their glimmer as a serious air came about him. He began slowly pacing towards the camp, making not the slightest of a sound.

Rousing himself from a bad dream, Auroch blinked a few times, and rubbed at his eyes with a meaty, hair-covered hand. A black-cloaked figure loomed over Rion. Drifting like an ethereal shade on the breeze, it seemed to float soundlessly by him, and move over to Iskarii. Although it had it's back turned, it was obviously making it's way to Auroch eventually. It seemed to be looking for something as it leaned over almost face to face with each member before moving on to the next.

"'Ere now, wot you think y' be doin' 'ere, child of Mheegus? I'll bet ''e' sent cha, didnae 'e?" Auroch questioned, holding his axes in his hands. They glinted in the moon's light, their deadly edges reflecting the subtle light cascading down on them.

Turning and pressing a gloved finger to it's lips the figure drew it's hood back, revealing the familiar scarred face of a leopard spotted Saris, smirking...

The sound of Aurochs hushed voice woke Jarik. He came awake instantly, but didn't move, and his breathing didn't change in the slightest. He could sense ... something, over at the other end of the fire circle, near where Rion and Iskarii were sleeping. He couldn't remember which took which pallet, so he lay silent, listening, and trying to decide if he should sleep, and trust in Auroch, or if his help might be needed.

His twin blades lay only inches from each hand, and he judged it a simple throw of either one to impale the figure. Mentally he judged the shot, and waited.

Kiran had just gone off her guard duty to relieve herself. When she came back Auroch was speaking to what looked to be a shadow. She muttered a light curse and drew her blade.

When she heard Auroch chuckle, Kiran sheathed her blade and walked over to the pair. Someone that stealthy had to be either a thief or assassin. Either way, Kiran wasn't going to stand too close to him. Eyeing both of them, Kiran waited to be introduced.

Auroch was ready for a fight when Kezia appeared. He had no idea who it was at first, and decided he'd better be ready just in case. But when the stranger pulled his hood back, Auroch couldn't suppress the grin.

"Kezia! So ye managed te get outta Glimmel safe, did ye?"

He smiled. "Yes, I got away," he told Auroch, "don't think they were too happy with me." He saw the look Auroch gave him and added "I didn't do it though, probably a set-up. Imagine, getting some princess in Glimmel pregnant! I'm not that stupid."

Auroch laughed. "Don't sell yerself short, ye're pretty stupid, ye could do it. Trust me, 's not that hard. You see..."

"Excuse me?" the statement was a question and an exclamation. The two turned, only to see Kiran there, a little confused.

Of course, she had never met Kezia. Auroch realized it made sense she would be confused, she had never met the Saris. "Aye Kiran, this is Kezia, a fine friend but watch yer money." The very word made a shine in the thief's eyes. "So," Auroch continued, "how do you want to let Rion and Iskarii know you're here? Hehe, ye don't happen to have a ball of yarn, do ye?"

Iskarii slept soundly whilst Auroch, Kezia and Kiran talked in hushed tones to one another. She wasn't normally such a heavy sleeper, though it had been some time since she had travelled upon the open roads and the night lured her into its cool embrace.

Although Iskarii was sleeping, it did not have to mean that her little familiar friend did. Zara stalked though the shadows of the night silently, like a pale shadow or a wisp of night fog. Spying Kezia, Zara crawled her way though the grass. Why, if it wasn't the perch napping cat man come to visit. The winged kitten came to a stop just behind the black saris and eyed his feet for a moment. Tiny vines crept out though the ground and very gently wrapped themselves around Kezia's feet, leaving a feeling behind that was no more than the tickle of the grass. Having done that, Zara jumped into the air and flittered upwards to sit upon Kezia's head. She made herself at home.

Rion popped an eye open at Auroch's suggestion on how to wake them. "Come now. You don't expect me to bat at yarn do you? I'm not some common house cat. I demand you use at least a silk thread or preferably a little bit of catnip." he said jokingly. "So how long have ye been awake?" Auroch asked. "Well when you said child of Mheegus I stirred a bit but figured you could handle it. However once you mentioned the name of Kezia, the infamous Saris thief, I knew all our money pouches were in great peril and that it was up to me to save them." he smiled.

Sitting up he yawned, stretched, and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He looked up at Kezia and blinked twice "Hey I remember you. You’re the one that fell out of the rafters back at the World's Edge Tavern. Looks like Zara remembers you too." he chuckled. Kezia looked a bit annoyed and even more so when Zara landed on his head. He remembered well how that little winged kitten pushed him off the rafters. Rion put his head back down. "Let me know if anything important happens." he said before nodding off again.

Noting Rion's awakening, the cat man annoyed brushed Zara off his head. Landing unceremoniously with a thud, she glared up at the cat man. Sticking his tongue out playfully back, Kezia turned back to the situation at hand.

"So what's the story, shorty? We headed to a bar of the gods above or something? I've never seen you this eager to adventure since you found out that we often hit bars afterwards."

Mid sentence, a dagger dropped into Kezia's hand, sliding out from his sleeve. Nonchalantly he leaned over and slit the vines holding his feet, winking at Zara as he did so. The small cat-thing huffed, and pouted.

"Since you gave me the gift of flight, I've made sure to always keep one eye on you, short-stuff."

Kiran snickered at Kezia while he cut the vines holding his feet. She had kind of hoped to see him tumble over for making her look bad on her guard duty. Still, she couldn't help but admire his stealth. He would make an excellent ally if he kept his hands of her small amount of gold.

Bending down she whispered to Zara. "That was a good trick Zara, maybe you could do the same to Jarik." Kiran grinned at the thought of Jarik tumbling head over heels. Reaching out she scratched between the kitten’s ears. Every creature had one spot they loved to be scratched or rubbed. For most cats it was behind the ears and for Kiran it was a back rub. She would simply become putty in the hands of the massager.

Kiran yawned loudly. "If you two are going to stay up and chat I am going to catch what little time is left of some sleep. It's a pleasure to meet you Kezia." Kiran waved, and curled up on her bedroll, falling asleep quickly.

"Psst, Zara, don't, or the little mouse that just crawled under Kirans pillow might get away, and you won't have a snack."

Jarik sat up and cracked his knuckles, chuckling at the trained combat reactions of the entire group.

"So was anyone ACTUALLY asleep? It seems our thief friend managed to wake the entire group of us."

As everyone looked at one another, Jarik stuck his tongue out at Kiran, showing he had heard her suggestion, and clearly planning revenge.

Iskarii mumbled something in her sleep then promptly coiled up into a tight ball and drew the sleeping blanket over her tighter.

Zara twisted in mid air as Kezia brushed her off of his head. Denying her a perch will he? Landing on her feet, the winged kitten stalked the saris for a moment before deciding that it was not worth it and settled down near the fire pit. From her perch upon a little upturned stone, Zara watched the others in the group. There were two strange tall ones with no fur, now three furred ones including her companion Iskarii and Iskarii's... She pondered for a moment, she was not too sure what the relationship between Iskarii and Rion were, though the kitten did know that Rion was always around. That's a good thing, she guessed. There was also a short two legger without fur who she had seen before.

Zara perked up a little as Kiran suggested that she tried the same thing on Jarik, though Jarik then said nearly the same and the little kitten started getting confused. So, instead of actually doing anything, Zara coiled up with a kitten-like yawn before going to sleep.

Auroch looked around. Half the group was awake already, what was the point in going back to sleep for a few more hours? He picked up the bundle of cooking equipment Kiran had so nicely set aside from earlier in the evening, and placed it over the fire. From out of his pack he pulled thin strips of meat, and laid them in the sizzling pan. He figured if he was up he may as well make breakfast for everybody.

Alternating between the meat strips and thick chunks of bread on the fire, soon he had a good solid breakfast going. "Ha har, now this's a real breakfast! Keeps ye goin all day, it does," he said proudly to Kezia. But when he turned to look at the Saris, he was missing again. Disappointed, he turned back to the fire and noted several pieces missing from the pan. "Ye, go on ye glutton! There'll be no more fer ye from me pan!" he shouted into the air, waving his fist. From atop the safety of the trees, Kezia enjoyed his fatty and tasty breakfast.

Eventually, there was enough breakfast made for everyone, even after Kezia's little seizure. The air in the camp area was filled with the tantalizing smell of burning hog fat. Auroch just lifted his nose into the air, savouring every bit of it. He gave some to Jarik and Rion, who were watching him, salivating. Then he looked at the girls. They just slept there; oblivious to the delicious breakfast he slaved over. The dwarf didn't want to deprive them of that.

He stood next to Iskarii, and coughed. No response from the slumbering bundle. A little frustrated, he gave her a swift kick. Nothing too hard, just enough to make her stir. "Sorry about that," he said to the semi-awake saris, "had to step on a snake, getting a little close to yer bed." Rion and Jarik barely contained their laughter.

A few hours later, the sun was rising and they were already on their way. Auroch still refused to speak to Kezia, but he couldn't help but smile at him, showing he wasn't that upset. It wasn't long before they began to see a strange sight in front of them. There was a bluish hint on the horizon, like the skin on a bowl of water.

"It's the sea!" Iskarii cried excitedly. Like little children, this sight made them almost run towards it, as if they didn't they might never make it there at all. Between the Saris' speed, Jarik's youthful energy, and Auroch's Boots of Haste they made a fantastic pace. Soon it wasn't just a line at the end of the world, it was a vast carpet that went everywhere, and they stood at the edge of the carpet; white sand and large rocks their edgings.

Iskarii ran up to the water, and stuck her toes in a little. She giggled when the tide pushed the sand around her feet. Zara on the other hand was much more sensible, she was not going to indignify herself by going near water. No, she chose to perch from a nearby sand dune and glare reproaching. Rion on the other hand was trying to show off. He scrambled up to the top of the larger rocks, seeing how high he could get. Auroch on the other hand never really liked water, the typical dwarven distrust. He sat on the sand. Holding it in his hand and watching the goings on. Jarik meanwhile wanted to try having a swim, so he took off his armor and shirt and waded into the water. Not one to be overdone, Kiran removed most of her clothing - leaving enough on top not to give Jarik any ideas - and went in too. Auroch looked at eveeryone. It seemed as soon as they found something new and interesting they completely forgot about the mission. But maybe that was for the better, a little relaxation now could help them later.

On top of the rocks, Rion was having a grand time. The tide would come in, and water would spray out from large holes in these giant boulders. He was playing a little game of his own, seeing if he could time the sprays and jumping over them. He was doing pretty well. Since the tide was moving pretty regularly, he was able to jump over a large hole some two meters wide. However, for some reason on one jump he looked up to see if Iskarii was watching, and the spray caught him off guard. He didn't make the other end of the hole, and tumbled down it.

Fortunately, he didn't hit his head so he remained conscious however in his fall he made a few rocks unstable, and they fell after him. He hit the seabed, his one foot crushed by the fallen rocks. He cried out from the pain, and everybody on the beach suddenly realized what had happened. Kezia was the first on the scene, having been watching him the whole time. It didn't look good.

Some ten meters down the hole, Rion stood leaning against the rock. "My foot!" he told them, "my foot is buried!" Jarik looked out at the water, then back at the rock.

"We've got to hurry," he told them, "the tide's coming in, and i doubt he'll be able to breathe when it does."

Zara opened her eyes slowly as she started to smell nice smelling stuff being heated up beside her. Stretching in the way that only felines can, Zara took her time to make sure that the short humanoid knew that she was in no rush and that the food was nothing special. She seated herself patiently and oversaw Auroch as he put more and more foodstuffs into the pan over the fire. Patience would pay off, it always did. That was feline cat rule number one. Patience does pay off as long as you make it pay off.

Iskarii was having a new dream about running though the forests in probably less clothing that was proper, though it was her fantasy and she was enjoying it, when a foot caught the side of her ribs. Murmuring quietly, Iskarii uncoiled for a moment before latching onto Auroch's leg and coiling back up around his feet.
"Another five minutes..." she muttered sleepily. It had been too long since she'd been out and about. She missed that.

Whilst Auroch was busy with trying to wake Iskarii up, Zara took her chance and flapped up into the air and snagged a large piece of some meat or another between her claws. She flittered to the nearest tree branch and sat there, gnawing happily on the warm meat. She didn't care what type of meat it was, all she cared about was that it smelled good and tasted even better.

-------------- Later --------------

Iskarii smiled happily as the sea came into view. Although the World's Edge Tavern looked across the Emerald Sea, she had very few chances to actually go and visit it up close so this was a grand chance to do just that. Seeing as the others were just about excited to have a little rest time from being on the road all the time, Iskarii giggles happily to herself and decided that she would also take the chance for a relaxing time beside the sea. She took off towards the sea, legs making easy work of the terrain and footpads hitting the ground and bounced, giving her a lively spring in her stride.

Zara flapped and glided along beside her companion, though had the look about her that being so close to the sea was just a boring trip and there would be nothing so exciting there.

When they reached the sea's edge, Iskarii tested out the water then grinned wildly and unceremoniously stripped bare in a matter of seconds and half threw half floated her clothing out of the way of the sea. She had natural fur covering her body after all; so being bare did not bother her as much as it would some of the other races such as humans. Without wasting any time, Iskarii had waded into the water up to her waist and then dived into the sea.

The winged kitten decided that it was a good time to annoy the short humanoid and find out if he had any more tasty meaty food for her. She flapped her way slowly over towards Auroch and landed on his head. Kneading the top of his head a little, Zara silently informed him that she was hungry and that she would have food now or he would have a lot less hair.

Glancing over towards Rion every now and then, Iskarii chucked to herself. She didn't know if he was trying to impress her or if he was just having lots and lots of fun. She grinned over towards him then dived under the water again so that she could properly rise her fur though. When she surfaced, Iskarii glanced over towards where Rion had been playing though find he was missing. Frowning faintly, she thought nothing of it at first until she heard him shout out and the others running over towards that stop. Gasping at what happened, Iskarii started swimming back inland as quick as possible, using a little telekinesis to help her on her way. When she reached the rocks, she swam around until she could find a spot more open to the inside. Reaching her hand inside, she desperately tried to reach for the other Saris.
"Rion? Rion!" she clawed at the rocks in a desperate attempt, she could already feel the water swelling up around her. Shaking her head, she stopped what she was doing and instead tried to focus upon the rocks. Glaring at the rocks that kept Rion's foot imprisoned, she tried to get them to lift up and away from him so that he could free himself or others could pull him free. Though she was worried. What if she couldn't help or didn't help in time?

Kiran had grown up next to the ocean, in Roscen, and loved it. She loved the sound of the waves as they broke on the rocks, as they lapped softly onto the shore, the gentle rocking motion as it cradled her while she floated. She used to think she should have been born a Lamurian, she loved the ocean so much. As a child she would pretend she was one, even learning how to swim as they do. She had surprised her family on an outing one day when she showed them how long she was able to hold her breath under water.

Kiran was letting the waves gently rock her when she heard Rion shout out. She made her way quickly to him and peeked into the hole.

Grinning down the hole at him Kiran pointed to his foot. "You seemed to have found the one spot on this whole beach that could be trouble, Rion. Can you move the rocks on your foot at all?" They had to be careful; the rocks over his head were not looking very stable. They, too, could go at any time.

"I have rope in my pack!" Running to it Kiran grabbed the rope and gave one end to Auroch and Jarik to hold. The other she dropped down for Rion to tie around his waist.

Rion had tried to move the rocks but he was wedged in and not able to reach them easily. Iskarii came up to the hole and looked in. She began concentrating on the rocks and moving them off Rion's foot using psionics. As soon as the last one was free, Iskarii gave the go ahead, and the group began pulling Rion up.

Jarik was at the front of the line, Kiran and Kezia in the middle, and Auroch the anchor. Iskarii was ready to help grab Rion as he reached the top of the hole. Jarik had been watching the tide as well as making sure the rope wasn't rubbing too much and fraying. Suddenly he shouted. "Faster! The tide is coming in now!" The group frantically began pulling Rion up, Iskarii helping by using her psionics trying to make Rion rise faster. The tide came in making the blowhole act like a small cannon.

Rion came shooting up the rest of the way, and the group, no longer pulling against a heavy weight, fell over each other in a heap of arms and legs. With the rope still in their hands Rion was pulled clear of the blow hole and promptly landed on Jarik, both of them letting out a surprised cry.

The only person left standing was Iskarii who burst out laughing as both Rion and Jarik tried to disentangle themselves from each other. Zara sat on the sand dune and looked on, impassively, deciding that all the two-leggers needed work on grace.

The past few minutes had all been a blur to Rion. He remembered creating a wonderful game, at least to him, involving the water spouts in the rocks. He would jump over in between the jets of water that rhythmically shot up from hole. Everything was going fine until he caught sight of Iskarii taking off her clothing. He spent just a little to much time watching her and not enough time paying attention to his footing. Before he could react he was hurt, wet, and at the bottom of one of the natural holes.

"No problem. I'll just climb back out,” he thought. As he tried to right himself a shooting pain lurched up his leg. He looked to see what the problem was and found he was pinned under some rocks. Then the first wave poured in, sending a wall of water into his chest and up the hole. That's when the first pangs of fear began to form. He struggled against the stone prison to no avail and called to his friends for help.

He was surprised at how fast they responded and even more so when Iskarii popped up inside the waterspout with him. He felt a wave of calmness wash over him with her near, despite her frantic clawing at the rocks that held him down. Another wave pushed through, a little higher then the last. After she finished moving one of the rocks with her telekinetic powers, Rion placed a hand on her cheek. He knew he wasn't going to die in this place and began to help move the rocks with his own telekinesis.

Once the stones had been removed Kiran lowered a rope from above. The water was now up to his neck but he was free. He tied it twice around his waist and was lifted up toward the surface. One of the waves came in just as he was entering the narrow exit of the hole and out like a cannon he shot. Instead of hitting the hard outcropping of rock he expect he landed on something reasonably soft. After a few seconds he realized what, or more accurately who it was. "Thanks for catching me Jarik." he grinned a bit painfully and patted the human on the shoulder.

The Saris stood, gingerly at first. He tested putting his full weight on his leg. It didn't feel broken; it just looked bad. There were several scratches and places where the fur had been scraped off. He took a few practice steps and winced. He could walk, just a bit slowly. He turned around and looked the group in the eyes, especially Iskarii. "Thank you. Sorry about getting myself into that situation."

Zara sat on a small dune throughout the crisis. It was true; she had always known it. Two leggers really need to work on their grace, or at least landing on two feet. She made a little squeaking noise that was a lot like a little laugh as she saw the saris land on the human in a heap. Oh, she would have helped if she had thought the saris' health was at risk. Being dead was very unhealthy did you know. Though she was happy with what she saw and so saw no reason for her getting all nasty and wet.

Iskarii offered a smile to Rion as she felt his hand upon her cheek. She knew he wouldn't die here; she would not let it happen, not in this watery grave. She was released to see the last of the rocks moved aside and the rope lowered down. Helping Rion tie the rap about him and see him on his way up, she quickly ducked under the water and swam back outside of the rock death trap. The water rushed in and clashed up the insides of the rocks, sending Rion shooting out to safety, though by this time Iskarii was already on the other side of the rocks and swimming back towards the group.

Not paying any attention to the fact that she had nothing on, Iskarii rushed out of the water and flung her arms around Rion's shoulders.

"Don't frighten me like that again!" she told him between hugs that could possibly crush what air he had left in his lungs out of him. Though it was in an affectionate manor, she could not even think about Rion dying.

Seeing the trouble past, and everyone safe, Jarik took the opportunity to quickly grab Kiran by the arms and literally hurl her bodily into the sea, well clear of the rocks after a few running steps.

Her shriek of surprise made the whole day of excitement worth it, and he was laughing so hard he had to sit down, while everyone else watched in amazement as the girl squawked loud enough to scare the dead.

Kiran screamed as she felt herself flying through the air. Landing in the water stopped her from yelling at Jarik only as long as it took for her to resurface.

Getting out of the water Kiran pounced on him, landing in his lap. Squeezing her hair and tunic, she coated him with water and then stuck her tongue out at him. Hopping off him as quickly as she pounced on him, Kiran sat down and started laughing at the shocked look on his face.

What she didn't realize was that his surprise wasn't from the water now coating him but the fact that she had actually jumped on him. He hadn't expected it. Kiran thought his look was from the water dripping off his nose and body.

"I'm hungry,” she announced to the group. "Can we make camp here tonight?"

The two wet Saris just sat there in each other’s arms. Not that Rion could have gotten away if he wanted to. Iskarii had him in a grip that was surprisingly strong for someone her size. It was almost as if she were afraid that if she let go he would disappear. Rion felt bad about causing her so much worry, especially since it could have easily been avoided. He rubbed her back gently and whispered reassuring words into her ear telling her he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

It wasn't until the two heard the shriek of Kiran that they looked up. From his or her vantage point it appeared someone had thrown her into the water. Judging by the proximity of Jarik to her splashing form he was the one responsible. When Kiran ran out of the water and drenched the human it confirmed it. Now everyone was drenched with salt water except for Zara, Auroch, and Kezia. Since the thief was unlikely to let him get caught and Zara wasn't worth drenching, the dwarf was a prime target. Rion whispered his idea into the female Saris' ear and waited for her response.

Iskarii reluctantly took a step back from Rion to give him a little breathing room. She wasn't too bothered about the lack of clothes, after all a saris had clothes even without cloth and it was only Rion that would care either way about it. Judging by his reaction, he didn't mind it much at all. Iskarii was just very glad that Rion had not done himself too much damage. She didn't think she could go on with a normal life if something where to happen to him, though she was not about to voice that out loud... He knew, she was sure of that, and others can just mind their business for now.

Grinning at Rion's whispering, Iskarii gave a little nod. Still dripping wet from her swim in the sea, and Rion still soaked though from his narrow escape, both turned upon the only other visible member of the group and grinned broadly.
"Group hug!" Iskarii yelled and darted quickly towards Auroch. Grabbing the dwarf before he had a chance to get away using his boots of hast, Iskarii flung her arms around the smaller dwarf's shoulders and hugged him tightly. At the same time she made sure to rub off as much water from her fur as she could on the dwarf until he was just as wet as the rest of them.

Zara watched on impassively. Two legger antics indeed. She was just happy sunning herself on the small dune and lazily watching the others. Sunning was a nice way to relax, and Zara felt like relaxing and nothing more after having a good meal in her small tummy.

Letting go of the rope as Rion came shooting up, Kezia stumbled back to his feet. More antics continued, and as Jarik was 'helping' Kiran get adjusted to the water, Kezia strolled down the shore a bit.

Ah...alone. Freedom, as it was. Most of his life, Kezia had been alone. Alone... Looking down and the thin silver band that housed his garrote wire, wrapped about his wrist plainly and unadorned, memories flooded Kezia's mind. With a wince, he shook his head, noticing he had walked somewhat far from the group.

Looking down he saw a small cove of sorts, and the water reflected beautifully in the dying light of the sun. Almost as beautiful as a jewel...almost. Some fish swam about and starting a game of his own, Kezia started tossing daggers nonchalantly into the water. A loud splash accompanied each dagger, and a small cloud of red. Smirking to himself, Kezia could barely contain his joy. Dinner.

Hanging the fish on his garrote wire like a fisherman does with a line of fishing wire, Kezia walked down the beach back to camp, seven big ones, and a few smaller blue ones. Not a bad catch considering he was using improvised tools. When he got back everyone was dry for the most part, except Auroch, who was cursing up a storm about white Saris and group hugs or something like that...

Rion looked quizzically at the fish Kezia had brought them. It looked as if he had used his knife to catch them. Rion grabbed hold of one of the fish and held it up to his face. "I've heard fish can be pretty dangerous when cornered. They put up a good fight?" he asked with a laugh as he looked at the Saris thief through the hole in the fish's side before starting to gut it. Kezia offered a chuckled and a smirk in response as he worked on preparing another for cooking.

"Well master chef Auroch, get cooking." Rion said and tossed the fish filets. Even though Auroch was mostly a fighter it seemed as if he was the one with the cooking supplies and thus the official chef of the group. Zara's ears perked up at the thought of food. She flew over to the dwarf and alighted on his head once again. Rion snickered at the sight. It seemed the flying kitten was really beginning to enjoy perching on Auroch's head. Perhaps it was because it was nice and warm. Maybe she just enjoyed tormenting the dwarf.

Chuckling and getting waved off by the dwarf, Iskarii turned her attention from the dripping wet Auroch to the fish that Kezia had caught for them for dinner. Grinning, she wandered over to the fire that they set up and settled her down to dry by its warmth. Though she had the decency to wrap a blanket around her shoulders whilst she left her clothing on some rocks to warm.

Zara flittered onto Auroch's head and refused to move. Every time the dwarf tried to brush her off of his head, she would let a claw unsheathe slowly to remind him just who was in charge. She watched the cooking process from her perch, making sure that they got it just right. She wasn't going to eat just any old meat after all!

Auroch wasn't quite sure how he had been nominated group chef, especially when two of them actually owned a tavern and cooked for a living. He didn't care, though. He enjoyed cooking, it reminded him a little of blacksmithing. Put the food on the fire, smash it a couple times, and let it cool off. He hadn't heard any words of complaint yet about his culinary skills, but he had a feeling he would soon.

Zara refused to move from his head; even though he tried to bat her off she dug her claws deeper into his scalp, anchoring her well. Great, he thought to himself, first the big cat gets me all wet; now the little'un gets me all scratched. Well, two could play that game. Ever so subtly, he moved away from the fire towards his own supplies. He carefully picked up his helmet, wary of any warnings from Zara.

Then, suddenly, he put the helmet on his head, squishing the winged kitten on his head! At first it seemed like his plan was working, he was actually teaching the stubborn cat a lesson! Then, reality sunk in as she put her claws deep into his scalp. He yelped from the pain, throwing off the helmet, and ran around the campfire screaming for someone to get the cat off his head. Unfortunately he was running so fast no one could catch up to him. In the end though, he had the last laugh. He ran to the shore of the ocean, fell to his knees, and dipped his head in. Completely soaked, Zara let go. When she surfaced she gave him a look of utter revulsion, and fluttered over to Iskarii for consolation.

"Harumpf," Auroch said in his defense, "she 'ad it comin!" He looked around for support, but Rion was busy consoling the kitten and Kezia was too occupied laughing at the dwarf to say anything. Auroch then sniffed the air, and discovered a smell he hated. He looked at the fire, and was horrified to see his fish were burning. Hurriedly he rushed to the fish, quickly taking them off the fire. "Hope ye like 'em well done," he said to Kezia, waving a burnt fish in his face, "cause that's the only way I cook 'em!"

Kiran was paralyzed, laughing so hard at Auroch she couldn't move or breathe. At least not until she smelled the burning fish, Her stomach and her voice tied for the loudest groan. Her hometown wasn't more than two days walk from here and she knew the vegetation here. Eating burnt fish just didn't sound appetizing.

"I am going to go see what I can find in the woods. Be back soon." Kiran grabbed a bag from her pack she wandered into the trees. The tubers she was looking for were buried deep in the sand and soil mixture to get at any water they could find. She found a small rock and began digging up some of the juicy plants. "Jackpot!" After finishing with the tubers, Kiran had found a small fruit bush. The trick was to avoid the sharp spines on the bush to get at the sweet berries. Clearing off the fruit quickly, with only a few scratches, she moved onto the next bush to pick it clean.

Soon her bag was full of the tubers and fruit. Her fingers were slightly stained and most likely her lips too from munching on a few of the berries. There was just enough room for a few more tubers. She spotted the telltale leaves of the plant growing in a small clearing. Running over to it she grinned. She used the rock to start loosening the dirt around the plant. She heard a rumbling come from under her. Jumping up quickly she tried to move away. The vibrations and her weight must have been enough to set off the avalanche.

The ground disappeared from under her and she was suddenly sucked into the hole. Kiran screamed and then landed hard on her butt. Once she realized she wasn't dead, she looked around her new surroundings. She couldn't see a thing except what the light from above lit up. She was about 15 ft down inside a tunnel of sorts but what was beyond her small area was hidden in darkness. Her overactive imagination kicked in and Kiran started imagining all sorts of creatures living underground. Giant spiders… snakes… huge rats. She wanted out. NOW!

The sun was already starting to set, making the light slowly fade. Kiran started yelling for the others. She hoped she wasn't too far away.

Zara let out the loudest hiss that any one had ever heard from her; a large metal thing that smelled like it had seen better days suddenly covered her vision. The pressure squashed her against the dwarf's head, so she applied as much pressure with her claws to make sure that he knew she was not enjoying this much. The winged kitten felt movement from outside and a lot of jolting around as the dwarf ran around. Just as suddenly, the helmet was removed and Zara suddenly found herself submerged in water. Releasing Auroch's head, she paddled her way upright and then to the sandy bank, giving Auroch a look that could have possibly melted metal. She shook herself off and all her fur fluffed up, turning her into what resembled a cotton wool ball. Hissing and spitting towards the dwarf, Zara made her way to Iskarii and mewed pitifully.

Looking up at all the racket, Iskarii laughed quietly at first. Though as soon as Zara was free of the angry and somewhat pained dwarf she put a solemn face on as Zara looked at her. It didn't do any good to get on the bad side of that kitty. She had seem what the kitten did to people she didn't like in the tavern.
"Oh dear... Looks like you annoyed one too many people, hmm Zara?" Iskarii gave a weak grin towards the kitten and picked her up. She started to stroke down her fur and took a cloth from a belt pouch to help dry Zara down before the kitten did something they would all regret.

Rion couldn't help but laugh. Once again the tiny kitten had managed to provide a good laugh, even if she didn't want to. When the kitten drew close to Iskarii he did his best to keep quite. The last thing he needed was the kitten to start really trying to bother him. As it was they were on somewhat rocky ground. She had never quite forgiven him for stepping on her tail that one time.

After Iskarii finished drying the kitten Rion almost burst into laughter again. The fur all over Zara was tangled and sticking up, making her look like a puffball. The male Saris reached into his pouch, pulled out a comb and began to make the kitten look a bit more respectable. Just about every Saris carried a comb of some sort. Having fur all over your body made it necessary. Not only for removing tangles but getting out any twigs or burs that tended to get caught in fur.

About midway through combing the tangles out of the kitten's fur, Rion's ears twitched. He thought he heard something but wasn't sure. Kiran had gone out awhile ago and it was getting dark. "About how long ago did Kiran leave?" he questioned. He received a variety of answers but it all pointed to one thing. It had been too long. "I'm gona go look for her. I'll send back a message if I find anything." he said and wandered off in the direction Kiran had gone.

Watching the dwarf and kitten, Jarik was torn on whom made him laugh harder, but he was on the ground and holding his sides within minutes, dying with mirth at the comic show.

Seeing how evil a look that one small winged kitten could give sent Jarik into a whole new burst of laugher. Finally, after long minutes, and much more silent laugher, he subsided, and picked up a small piece of wood from near the campfire.

Removing a small whittling knife from his belt, he began carving the piece with deft strokes. The smell of the campfire was tantalizing his nose even as he worked.

When dinner was finally ready, and Rion went off to find Kiran, Jarik resheathed his swords, and headed out just a few paces behind the Saris, certain two heads were better than one for finding the missing lass.

Kiran was starting to get panicked. Hopefully they would come for her soon. She kept hearing noises. She was positive the foulest creatures on Istaria made them. And they were all heading towards her.

Her voice was going hoarse with her yelling and her imagination was starting to kick into overdrive. A small slide of dirt was a huge snake slithering towards her. A breeze moving the trees above was a night creature coming to eat her.

She had tried to climb out several times but it only resulted in her sliding back down the sheer wall and making her hands bleed in the process. Kiran found out the hard way that kicking the wall doesn't help much either. Next to parchment cuts, a stubbed toe is the worst feeling in the world. Well, besides being trapped in a pitch-black tunnel.

As the light faded Kiran was left in the dark. Finally getting her courage up some, after deciding her voice was too hoarse to yell anymore, she looked down the one side of the tunnel that was open. It almost looked like something was glowing. As a breeze got caught in the hole something moved past whatever it was that glowed and Kiran screamed. Seems she found her voice again.

Valenci brought her lute around from its position on her shoulder and began to play a plaintive tune, soothing, yet dismaying at the same time. Kiran's screams and frantic struggles slowly died as she turned towards the otherworldly music.

"Haf no fear, Miss, 'tis but I, a simple bard, traveling about the countryside." She said in a soft voice that sounded nearly like the lute itself. "'Tis a lovely country here so near the sea, is it nah?"

Kiran looked about her; indeed she seemed no longer trapped in a pit, but out in the open sea air with the few scrub bushes and tall brown plants growing in patches in the sand.

"See, Miss, all is well." Valenci soothed, moving ever so slowly closer to her. All signs of her former panic left her as her body relaxed, a great sigh of relief escaped her lips, a small smiles formed on her lips as her body began to unconsciously sway to the rhythm of the music.

Almost there, Valenci's smile grew just a tad bit broader--Almost....

"KIRAN!" came a shout across the wind, followed by, "Ok, Kiran--nice joke--you can come out now!"

From the first shout, she could sense Saris and her lute let out the squeak of a bad note. Kiran's body tensed a bit once again and she looked about her in confusion.

Valenci put an end to the music by swinging the lute back onto her shoulder and immediately threw up an enormous barrier to her thoughts and identity.

"Miss--Be yah injured?" Valenci asked, her face a masked of concern as she stepped a bit closer to Kiran. "P'rhaps those who are shouting would hear us shouting as well if we were to combine our voices?"

Still in a bit of the after-effects of the daze, Kiran nodded and, though her throat was raw from her earlier attempts to bring attention to her plight, she opened her mouth once more and cried, "Here!"

Valenci eyed Kiran from her peripheral vision and grinned ever so slightly, and, cupping her hands to her mouth, shouted, "Help us, PLEASE!"

Valenci took a deep breath, about to call out once more when, above them, came the sound of loud rustling and a soft thump. An aura of golden light flooded the hole and even shot into the tunnel Valenci had dug to make sure she had an escape route. Angel! Valenci's mind shrieked. She was a practical vampire, and she knew her limits--which did NOT include messing with Angels at this early an age. Silently, she faded back into the tunnel and disappeared from sight, blending with the mist that often accompanies night near the ocean.

Kiran's cry, however, did ring out. "Rion! I'm here! HELP!" she cried, her voice breaking with her fright and the soreness of her throat.

She heard a reply to her shouts, but not the one she'd hoped to hear.

"Have you need of assistance, m'lady?" came a voice of pure melody, again, a loud rustling was heard just outside the hole and the golden light grew a bit brighter.

Kiran was now faced with a dilemma. Did she ask for help from the unknown just to get her out of this place that had terrified her for the last two hours--or did she wait for Rion to find her?

"M-My friends... they're looking for me. Th-They're near..." Kiran decided.

"Ahhh, that's even better. Perhaps I should let them know where you are, then, m'lady." the voice came floating down to her.

Kiran saw a small brilliant blue light forming just over the hole, growing larger and larger as it rose into the sky. A moment later, a loud BOOM accompanied the light.

"KIRAN!" came Rion's voice once more; sounding a bit more concerned than it had last time. The sounds of running grew closer to the hole; the soft padding of Saris paws and the clumping of the boot-clad Human.

"I believe an acquaintance awaits you below, m'lords." came the soft voice backed by a hint of humor.

"Rion! I'm down here! Get me outta here, would you?" Kiran called, almost laughing with relief that she'd been found by someone she could trust to help her.

"We're right here, Kiran, don't you worry!" came Rion's voice with a sigh of relief.

"I would grant my aid if you will accept," came the soft voice once more and further fluttering sounds. "I am Darselamaine S`Raphym, at your service, m'lords."

Rion couldn't believe it. There standing before him was an Angel. Sightings of the magnificent creatures were usually few and far between. There had been two back at the World's Edge tavern or at least they looked like angels. One, named Sella, was far shorter then any angel he ever recalled and the other, named Brulant, was far more hyper then any angel he had ever heard of. This one however, by manor and voice, sounded more like the angels in stories.

The saris had always had a bit of a soft spot for angels. Iskarii however didn't seem to share his opinion. She always seemed to get jealous when they were around. It wasn't that he desired them in a lustful way; they were far too orderly for his tastes anyway. Instead he admired them for what their beauty and for what they stood for. They were literally shining protectors of good and destroyers of evil. Without their tireless vigil the demons would be running unchecked across the lands of Istaria. It conveyed a certain sense of security to have one around.

However, first things first he had to get Kiran out of that hole. Rion poked his head over the edge and looked in. His naturally keen eyes combined with the angel's light made it easy to see Kiran. There was a certain smell hanging in the air, almost like the undead. It was probably nothing to worry about though. "Well look who's stuck in a hole this time." he lightly teased before dropping a rope in. Kiran eagerly grabbed the rope and pulled herself out. She mentioned something about another person in the hole but after calling out several times and not getting a response it was dismissed as her eyes playing tricks on her.

"I would be honored if you accompany us but I am not the leader of our group. We have a camp not far from here. If you will follow us there we can ask Auroch if he will allow you to come with us." he said politely. Darselamaine agreed and the group headed back to camp. Rion had a big grin when he stepped back onto the beach. "Hey guys look what followed me home. This is Darselamaine the angel. Can I keep it?" he said with a wide grin.

Hearing the rest of the group get back, Iskarii looked up from where she was quietly stroking Zara; who now looked a lot better than the fluff ball she was before. Zara looked up in turn and gave Rion an evil look. How dare he leave her mid-stroke?!
"Hey guys look what followed me home. This is Darselamaine the angel. Can I keep it?" Iskarii listened as Rion used the same wording as she did back at the tavern when she spied Auroch. Tilting her head a little, she glanced at the new comer and gave a little frown. Rion and his fixation with angels... They always seemed to appear. Giving a little sniff in dismissal, Iskarii turned back to watching the fire. Since they had gone to look for Kiran, Iskarii had put on some soft deer hide leggings and a loose fitting coverall top. It was getting a little chilly so close to the sea at night, so she had decided something a little warmer than her normal attire.

Jarik made it back to camp just a few steps behind Kiran and Rion, having heard their return, but not arriving soon enough to help her get out of the hole. As he walked up the slight hill to the campsite they had chosen, he just got Rions words, and skidded to a halt in wonder and awe.

Never had he thought to meet an angel, let alone see or travel with one. He spent the next several heartbeats just staring at the creature in its entire splendor, amazed to really be seeing one.

His only verbal response to the sight was...

"Oh cool!!!!, Yeah, can he keep it?"

"An Angel!" This was a very unfortunate turn of events. The Artificer would not be pleased. This troupe of decidedly non-threats had to be reclassified. If the Angel learned of their purpose to hunt the renegade Dwarf, it might refocus them to that purpose. They might actually make it to Ku'shak, and place the Artificer's Dwarf Student in peril. If Razgar, or whatever the dwarf's name was, were to be destroyed, the Master may become angry. Anger was not something that settled well with the Artificer. "I must warn them of the arrival of these fools!" the Demon thought to himself.

Great black wings began to flap as the muscular frame of the Demon, sent to watch Auroch, left his post steathily to warn the Demon that most only knew as the Artificer.

When Auroch saw the angel, he was surprised. An angel appearing out of nowhere? He wasn't sure whether to be happy or wary. They usually meant well, but trouble had a funny way of following angels around. Still, if Razgar had his demons keeping him safe, it would probably be a good idea to have an angel handy. Rion told them how the angel had saved Kiran, and that settled it for the dwarf. "All right," he announced to the group, "we can keep 'er." Later on, when the others had gotten used to the idea of having an angel around, he would speak with it privately. Surely she would have some good advice on how to deal with the nasty demons that no doubt awaited them. He pulled the garnet out from underneath his clothes, and felt somewhat soothed by the gentle glow it emitted. As long as he had the stone around his neck they would find Razgar, and bring him to justice.

The glory of Rasha herself beamed from the humble smile of Darselamaine. Happy to be accepted, the Angel sat before the fire and began preening the silver coppery tipped feathers. The Angel waited for each who was interested to come and introduce them. Darselamaine knew that trust could be won or lost in first impressions, so waited for them to come of their own accord. The Angel sent out welcoming vibrations for everyone to be comfortable to approach.

Darselamaine knew everyone's trust wasn't going to be as easily earned as Rion's, but who born to the Light trusts not an Angel? Realizing that perhaps some of the younger, less mature of the Host may have left a bad taste in the mouths of these adventurers that seemed to be what the Angel felt at work here, Darselamaine was sure that could be overcome they could be shown what Rasha's children are really about.

As the Angel preened, living music seemed to emanate about the camp. Darselamaine radiated happiness and peace as the humming, which came naturally to such a joyful being, came forth. This otherworldly music touched each adventurer differently as the group settled back down into their routines.

The Angel decided to consider each of her new groupmates carefully to decide how best to serve and guide them. She closed her silver eyes and took only the most prevalent emotion from each member, only what someone might be able to detect about them even without psionics.

The female Saris seemed, though independant, to be finding a new classification in her heart for the male Saris. The dwarf, though caring about each member of his party, had but a single focus: finding and eliminating the traitor to his race. The Human female whom the Angel had found in the hole seemed a bit more unreadable, aloof, though it seemed that perhaps she had a bit more respect for the young Human male than she had before. And the young Human male, well, he was a young male. A bit immature, but Darselamaine was sure that this trek across the lands to face the Demon Horde would wise him up quite a bit.

Yes, Darselamaine was sure that with patience and work the respect of each member of the group could be earned, they did, after all, follow the same road to the Light.

The Angel beamed a gentle smile once more at the group as they packed up their belongings, and sat patiently still as the tiny winged feline walked around, sniffing curiously at the new presence and batting at a stray loose feather.

Darselamaine's attention was torn away from the tiny captivating creature as Auroch stepped up. "Greetin's, Angel." he offered, his voice gruff, but kind. "I'd have a word with ye, if ye please." Darselamaine's smile widened as the welcoming vibrations grew stronger.

Darselamaine rose gracefully, wings reaching an apex above as the Angel's body bent low before the dwarf. "My council is yours, M'lord."

About an hour after he had brought the fish back, Kezia clambered down from a nearby tree, a sleepy, dazed look on his face. Running a paw through the longer unkempt hair that made up his "mane" of sorts, he walked by the others and Darselameine. Without even looking, he managed a weak "wave" before his hand dropped, all the while trudging towards water's edge, a vacant expression on his face.

Reaching the water, Kezia nearly collapsed to his knees and splashed some water on his face. Standing up he turned around, and vacantly trudged back by, waving again, and in the other hand snagging a blackened fish unnoticed. Stopping for a second, he peered up into his tree, and then disappeared up into it again. A crunch could be heard, followed by a few quieter crunches. A spitting sound preceeded the shout that filled the beach from the tree...

"You call this fish?!?"

After watching the lovely angel awhile, Jarik returned to his carving, trying to finish his little project. As he worked, he would glance over and make sure the flutter kitten was still lying in the sun, and not overly alert. As the meal was prepared and everyone began to relax, he at last finished his project.

Using stealth skills clearly honed in a misspent youth, Jarik snuck up and put the little wooden carving in front of Zara. He spent a moment stopped, pondering if this little joke was too immature. Deciding he really didn't care, he snuck back to his place at the fire, the kitten still undisturbed.

Carved in tiny minute detail was a terrible fanged monster, looking immensely fearsome, for all that it was only a foot or so big.

As everyone sat down to eat Auroch's wonderful cooking, Jarik finally got his chance.

"Zara, come get some food."

As the little tressym's eyes opened up, it looked straight at the sharp teeth of the carving and let out an ear-piercing shriek somewhere between a roar and a scream. Jarik couldn't tell which jumped first, the cat's fur, or its whole body as it took flight and began to fly away from the supposed threat.

As the whole camp burst into laugher, Auroch went over and examined the carving, smiling at craftsmanship even a dwarf could appreciate. Then he burst into laugher even harder, and showed the others that the words I'm Kiran" were carved into the side of the tiny beast.

Jarik ate smugly and oblivious to the death stares of two of the four women around him. Pay back would come, and he would suffer, but right now, he was happy. He had good food, good friends, an Angel to assault with questions, and two good targets for jokes.

Life couldn't get much better.

Annoyed that no one would believe there was someone else down in the tunnel with her, Kiran finally, albeit grudgingly, admitted it might have been her imagination. Not that she was prone to an overactive imagination or anything of the sort! As she was pulled out of the tunnel her jaw dropped. This was certainly not a sight one saw everyday. Her journey after leaving home had been very lucky. First she got to see and help defeat a dragon and now an angel! She was in awe and immediately felt unsure of what to say, other than "Thank you for helping me".

Kiran took a quick dip in the water to clean the tunnel grime and dust off her and her tunic and leggings. After setting her clothes out to dry she dried herself off quickly and dressed in a pair of calf high pants and a blouse, the only clean clothes she had left.

She giggled as she watched Kezia wander by and then back. "I bet he could sleep through a volcano erupting", she muttered to herself.

Still wondering what was at the end of the tunnel she ate quietly until Jarik pulled his stunt. In the aftermath of his joke, Kiran simply narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing. Asking Auroch for the small figurine, Kiran was going to brain Jarik with it but, after looking closely at it, decided that it really was a good carving. Instead she packed it away and plotted. Smiling sweetly she came up with her revenge. He had to sleep sometime and Kiran had the perfect plan for when he did.

Zara opened one eye slowly then the other. She gave the wooden carving a little glare though didn't so much as move very far. After a moment, it seemed that she wasn't going to move at all, though all of a sudden things started to happen. Tiny sparks crisscrossed the small kittens fur for a moment before leaping upwards and forming into a sparkling, fuzzing ball in mid air about a foot above the carving. As soon as it appeared, the ball flickered and sparked before sending a bolt of lightening down at the figure. Once the light had cleared all that remained was a charred little statue; though it was otherwise in one piece and untouched bar the charring. If it had been alive... Well, there would have been bits and pieces of 'monster' around the place.

Zara slowly got up and stretched before wondering over towards the fireplace to see what there was to eat. She was hungry, and when she was hungry someone had better feed her soon.

Darselamaine grinned widely at the show of Zara. The Mother was right, big things did come in small packages, for great was the power beneath that innocent looking bundle of fur.

Zara approached the fire, nose atremble, seeking the meal she was promised. Darselamaine broke off a large piece of her fish, holding it before the small feline's nose. "I offer this to you, little sister." the Angel spoke in almost a whisper. "Now off to your Saris friend for more." A soft voice spoke through a tinkling laugh as Darselamaine once more addressed the winged feline. The Angel watched with amusement as Zara gulped down the piece of fish nearly the same size as herself, and then wing her way over to Iskarii for more.

Iskarii watched too, it wasn't many that Zara trusted enough to eat from their hands. Perhaps that Angel would be a bit different from the others she'd met. She gave Darselamaine a smile as Zara landed with a plump in her lap, placed her tiny paws against her chest, and began sniffing Iskarii's whiskers with a tiny mewl.

Darselamaine returned Iskarii's smile just as she heard "He's got to sleep sometime..." . Darselamaine's friendly smile to Iskarii soon turned to a tinkling laughter at Kiran's loud thoughts as the Angel rocked back and forth at the friendly teasing nature of this group.

Darselamaine would give them the guidance and protection of Rasha, they seemed to have no thoughts of veering from the path of Light, but first it was the Angel who needed a bit of guidance. Where was it they were heading and for what reason, she wondered.

Darselamaine turned politely back to the dwarf, who's questioning had been a bit interrupted by Zara's blast. The questioning smile brought Auroch back to the matter at hand.

Using dinner as a distraction, Jarik waited until no one was paying him any mind and quietly picked up his kit. Moving quietly, he slipped off into the darkness and began his own long trek.

Rion looked about the campsite. Auroch and the angel seemed to be discussing something important so it was best not to bother them. Iskarii was sitting near the fire eating her fish and feeding Zara. It was funny how that kitten only seemed to really like her. At least it tolerated other people most of the time. Kezia was nowhere to be seen but judging by his walk earlier he was up in one of the trees, probably watching them. Kiran was admiring her new statuette that Jarik carved. It really was well done even if it did look a bit ugly.

"Speaking of Jarik. Where is that human." Rion thought. He looked around but couldn't locate the human. A quick inspection of the grounds revealed that even his pack was missing. It looked like he had just packed up and moved on. He didn't really know the person very well but he seemed like a good guy. Once Auroch was done talking he would inform him of the loss. In the meantime he would tell the others. "I don't see Jarik or his things around anywhere. I think maybe he left us for good."

Iskarii fed Zara small pieces of fish as she nibbled lightly on her own piece. Zara was in two little worlds of her own, one moment munching on a small piece of offered fish and the next moment chasing a angel feather around for a little. At least she was amused and not bothering anyone else. It was great, the kitten thought, she had the female cat companion offering her food all the time and now the big winged one was offering her food. And all that without having to annoy them first! Bonus.

Looking up as Rion spoke, Iskarii gave a frown and looked around the camp site.
"He was just here a moment ago" she said, curious to why the human boy would have left him. "He'll get himself killed out there!" she looked back to Rion, "Wasn't this his first real time out on his own? Apart from the trek to find Auroch any how... What if he goes and gets himself killed?" she was a little upset that the human didn't even say goodbye first, and that worried her.

After dinner had been finished and everyone was preparing for bed, they noticed that Jarik had disappeared along with his kit, unobserved. Kiran smiled at the statue she held. Sighing, she made up her mind quickly. Unsure of when he left, Kiran hoped she would be able to catch up to him quickly, but her tracking skills were not her strong point.

After packing up her few belongings, Kiran kissed Auroch on the cheek, thanking him for another fun trip but it seemed as though her destiny would take her in a different direction. She impulsively hugged the angel and smiled shyly at the amazing being, again saying thank you for helping her.

Waving to the Saris, Kiran swung her pack around her shoulder and headed off after Jarik. Before she got far she yelled up to Kezia to behave. Grinning she took off after Jarik muttering under her breath that she still owed him one and there was no way she was going to let him get out of it.

Darselamaine frowned slightly as she felt Jarik's presence slipping away from the protection of the camp. Gently probing his mind, the Angel read that he was leaving of his own accord. "Young men are so impatient," Darselamaine thought to herself as a prayer for his life and soul winged it's way to Rasha.

When Kiran also gathered up her belongings, Darselamaine was even further distressed. Silver eyes followed Kiran as she made the rounds of her friends, saying her good-byes. "Perhaps it is the girl's destiny to follow the young man out into the world... Rasha, look over them, Glorious One." The Angel prayed. When Kiran finally came to stand before her, great shyness and admiration in her eyes, Darselamaine smiled at her and stood. "Go forth with the blessings of Rasha, little sister." The Angel said, a bit sorrowfully, as the sign of Rasha was formed above Kiran's head, bestowing upon her all of the protection the five-year-old Darselamaine had at her disposal.

When Kiran came up to him and the angel to say goodbye, he was a little sad, but in the end he accepted it. "I'll miss ye, lass," he told her, the faintest beginning of a tear in his eye. Quickly he turned away, so she wouldn't see it, but he told her with his back turned "I think I'll be seein' ye soon 'nuf!", it seemed that way anyways. No sooner did he say goodbye to one friend than another showed up. At the same time, he wondered where Jarik went off. He figured the impetuous kid would learn patience one day, hopefully soon enough.

His conversation with the angel was interesting, to say the least. While he didn't divulge anything about Razgar or the Sacred Forge, he did tell the angel that they were on the trail of a sword that was forged with heavy demon runes. In return it, or she as he quickly began to think of the angel, told him more about demons. He learned that they were not just mere agents of chaos; they did have a bit of organization, albeit a bloody one. They were very powerful, and very dangerous. However, if they were forging powerful swords she said it was bad. That required a certain amount of planning, and if they could plan that they could also plan an assault. At that point Auroch decided that the time to play around was over. The next day they would get going on their way south, Razgar wouldn't know what hit him!

And so the group slept soundly through the night. The presence of an angel greatly reduced their fears of attack in the night. Everyone, save Kezia, was curled up next to the warm fire. The saris thief, as always, had remained separate from the group. Even though Rion himself enjoyed sleeping in the trees the ocean air had a cold bite to it and the fire was just too inviting to pass up. It was strange that he didn't come down but everyone has his or her quirks.

The night passed without event and the group awoke to the warm gentle touch of the sun's first rays. Rion awoke and got to his feet slowly. His leg was still sore from where the rocks had fallen on it. He spotted a white blur zip down the beach. Apparently Zara was playing with, or rather tormenting the little crabs as they scurried up and down the sandy shore. He smiled at the creature's excitement. All this must be totally new to it. He wondered if she had even slept at all. Not wasting any time he immediately rifled through Auroch's bag for the cooking supplies and began to make breakfast.

Hearing the sound of someone rustling through his bag, Auroch opened one eye a slit. Seeing it was Rion and not Kezia, he was pretty sure the equipment would be there later on. He closed his eye, and promptly went back to sleep. He awoke to a dreadful smell emanating from the fire. It seemed Rion had taken it upon himself to cook breakfast for the group. With a groan, Auroch got up and peered into the pot. "What is this, gnome on a stick? C'mon Rion, I thought you cooked for a living!"

Rion didn't have time to reply, because Iskarii woke up, and complained about the smell too. Auroch had to laugh; it was clear who made the food at their tavern. Once the mess was cleared up, and they actually had an edible breakfast, they started looking for Kezia so they could get going. Rion found him sleeping lazily up a tree, and telekinetically tossed some rocks at him.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" Rion told the thief.

The thief grumbled, then climbed down from the tree, mumbling, "I'll rise but I won't shine."

A few hours later they were on their way. Auroch was in the lead, walking confidently along the sand, while Darselamaine followed closely behind and Rion and Iskarii walked close to her. Kezia kept his distance, his own person to the end. Auroch kept on looking at the garnet; it was definitely getting brighter.

They passed by Leanel's Gift without stopping; Auroch had been there before and didn't feel like stopping again, while Rion didn't trust Kezia not to steal from the poor elves that made a pilgrimage to the holy site. They kept on walking, and they began to see boats moving in the distance on the water. "Must be getting close to Brevvy," Auroch remarked. And they were. That very night they made it into the town of Brevvy, the famous trading port. They all looked forward to spending that night in a warm bed, and Auroch was really looking forward to having something decent to drink for a change.

"Hmph!" Rion snorted as they walked toward Brevvy. The tawny colored saris' tail twitched slightly annoyed. How dare that dwarf criticize his cooking? He was an excellent cook, well at least good. Iskarii wasn't the only one who prepared the meals for the tavern. On a number of occasions he had cooked stuffed Fyakki for dragons and they never complained. If he had just waited for him to finish then Auroch would have enjoyed the meal. Instead he had quickly thrown it away as a botched attempt. He just didn't appreciate fine saris cuisine.

The walk to Brevvy was boring. Rion missed having Jarik around to play tricks on. He had so many more he wanted to try. Prickly weed in the boots and waking up covered in spiders were among them. Now he would never get to try them. He wouldn't dare do that to Darselamaine, Kezia was to hard to track down, Auroch just wasn't funny enough to bother with, Zara had no sense of humor and would surely do something nasty back and Iskarii, well, he wouldn't do anything like that to her.

After a day of walking they finally arrived in Brevvy. Iskarii seemed a bit disappointed that all the merchants would have gone home at this time. "Don't worry maybe we can get in a little bit of shopping tomorrow." he consoled her. Auroch began running down the street. "What's the hurry Auroch? Someone in trouble?" he asked as he sprinted behind the haste boot-wearing dwarf. "I smell ale, the good kind, fresh from Berenhill." was all he said in response and redoubled his efforts to find the smell.

Zara rode the trip out coiled up upon Iskarii's shoulder; she had tired herself out for a day or two during their short stay along the coast. It seemed that indeed the little winged kitten had not slept all that night, and was instead pouncing upon shells and chasing small craps and fish about. The kitten was especially happy out a crab she killed that was twice her size, though had some how found its way into Auroch's sleeping bag whilst it was dead.

Iskarii didn't think she had seen the little winged one so quiet for a long time. Though it didn't bother her, at least it meant that she wasn't demanding food all the time or trying to annoy someone.

As they approached Brevvy, the white saris started to perk up a little again. Maybe she could buy some decent supplies here, or may be some of those spices she could not get any closer to home. Though by the time they actually arrived at the city the shops and stalls were beginning to close up for the night. Muttering something about the sun was fast, Iskarii trotted along behind Rion as he raced to keep up with the sprinting dwarf. It was always funny to see a dwarf sprint, she thought to herself, after all, one would not think that their legs could have produced so much speed.

The dwarf, with his uncanny ability to find good beer, soon found the tavern where the smell was coming from. "Hmm, the Salty Seadog," he said to himself, reading the sign outside. He went in, and was delighted to see that besides a few saris and elves, the place was filled with dwarves. "Looks like all the dwarves in Brevvy are 'ere tonite," he mumbled. He strolled up to the bar, eager for a good drink. "One mug of yer finest ale," he told the bartender, a big grin on his face.

He pulled a few coins and was about to put them on the counter when someone grabbed his hand, and told him "Not this time, me friend. This round's on me." Auroch turned to thank the man, and saw another dwarf. "The name's Drumli, proud brother of Bumli, the greatest blacksmith in Glimmel. Thought we could share a few drinks for him, seems he thinks rather highly of ye."

"Ahh, so yer his brother?" Auroch asked, surprised at such a coincidence. "But how'd you know it was me?"

"Well that wasn't so hard, yer wearing the Helm of Baldagras after all!"

Auroch lifted his hands to his head, and suddenly remembered the metal hat he had been wearing ever since that day in Glimmel. "Hahar, so I am! Let's 'ave that drink then, me friend!" They sat down at a table, and soon many dwarves joined in. They didn't discuss the renegade dwarf; too many outsiders were in the bar. Still, it was pretty clear they all knew who he was and what he was doing. Drink after drink was pressed into his meaty hand, he was having a great night!

Following his trail, eventually Rion Iskarii and Darselamaine entered the bar. Auroch caught sight of them, and roared at them to come sit down. Rion looked at Iskarii, not quite sure what the safe procedure was for dealing with a bar full of drunk dwarves.

Dancing on the counter, sleeping on the floor, friendly punches exchanged, and the occationally-flying object. Yep it was a typical night in a dwarven run tavern. Nothing even close to the World's Edge tavern he and Iskarii ran. Compared to their own tavern this place was a madhouse. However, their friend and leader of the group had picked it out as tonight's resting place. Perhaps if they kept their head down, their eyes open, and Zara from creating mischief then all would be fine.

Being the gentleman that he was he held the door open for Iskarii and Darselamaine. He didn't really know how the angel would react to a tavern like this but there shouldn't be that much of a problem. If anything the presence of an angel might calm the place down. The holy beings usually fostered feelings of peace and calm. Then again the dwarves in here looked so drunk they probably wouldn't know the difference between a dryad and a goblin.

While the other two went toward a table as far away from the dwarves as possible Rion went to see about getting something to eat and drink. He nodded to Auroch, who seemed engrossed in draining another mug, as he approached the bar. "Do you have any elven wine?" he asked. The bartender looked at him as if he had never heard the term before. Serving mostly dwarves probably meant he kept very little of the stuff around "Aye. That ah do." he said after a moments pause. "Good could you get me a bottle?" he asked placing a few coins on the table. "Oh and some water too." he added remembering just about every angel he had ever heard of preferred water to alcohol. Darselamaine could always have some if she wanted but if not the water was there for her.

Before he left to rejoin Iskarii and Darselamaine he ordered a variety of things to eat. It would be a new experience, something Rion almost never passed by, to try some dwarven foods. If they weren't any good he had made sure to order a few fruits so that they wouldn't go totally hungry. "Food will be here shortly." he said smiling as he placed the glasses down quickly. With a quick motion he uncorked the bottle of wine and poured the glasses. "Might as well enjoy what we can while we are here."

Darselamaine was the last to enter the establishment, the angel was usually quite wary when there was alcohol imbibement in progress. The Angel appeared to be struggling to arrange feathers and tuck in wings to avoid having them ripped off as creatures were almost literally swinging from the ceiling

A beam of pure light swept the room, causing most of its inhabitants to cease their tussles and look about them for the source, gasping as an Angel entered their tavern. Eyes grew large as the seven foot tall being entered, glorious silver wings with copper tips rising from the shoulders, and a radiant multi-colored aura shimmering about casting light wherever the Angel strode.

There seemed to be many caught in a small coughing fit as barmaids were relinquished from laps, winning cards pushed back up sleeves, boots were removed from tabletops and people straightened up a bit in their seats.

Not quite fast enough to notice the sudden change in the atmosphere of the tavern, a young dwarf was caught in the middle of a very ribald comment to his barmaid in the same voice he'd used to shout over the din created before the Angel's appearance. "AND THEN I'D RUN ME FINGERS DOWN YOUR...." the dwarf winced as his voice, previously barely heard, echoed piercingly through the silence of the room.

Turning as red as the dress worn by the object of his affections, the young dwarf ducked his head into his collar and, clearing his throat, slid down his chair. There was silence for a moment, then, no longer able to contain her bawdy giggles, the barmaid laughed so hard she landed on the ground on her plump little rear, tears of laughter streaming down her cheeks. The rest of the room joined her, breaking the tension.

Darselamaine's silver eyes swept through the crowd searching for those with whom the Angel was traveling. Spying them in a back corner table, with the exception of Rion who was at the bar, Darselamaine walked sedately to them, stiffening as a man leered at the Angel and reached out to pluck a feather.

Managing to side step the grasp of the drunkard, Darselamaine's chin rose in dignity as the Angel continued to the group. "Rasha's path certainly leads in odd directions..." the Angel thought pensively.

Approaching the table, Darselamaine noted Auroch's flushed face and his slight speech impediment and inwardly groaned. How were they going to manage their mission with their leader incapacitated by slow wits induced by alcohol?? Ah well, he was a dwarf; it was his nature. Darselamaine winced, but even the Angel couldn't resist a slow smile as Auroch vibrated the room with a tremendous belch.

Auroch's eyes seemed to have a hard time finding their way to Darselamaine's face, but, when they finally came to rest there, he smiled broadly. "Och! There ya be, Darsie! Pull up a chair, pull up a chair!" the dwarf invited.

"Yes, do." Iskarii purred, a mischievous grin on her face at Darselamaine's face. It was obvious to her that the Angel was NOT in the element of choice here.

Darselamaine caught Iskarii's amusement, and, bowing ceremoniously, smirked at her as if to say, "Sure sure... laugh at me now... but just wait!" With another small half-amused smile at Auroch, the Angel arranged the seat into a position for a graceful rest.

Rion returned with the wine and, smiling shyly, presented Darselamaine with a large mug of water. Darselamaine favored Rion with a smile of thanks and, to their surprise, tipped the mug high, draining it in one gulp and thudding it back down on the table.

Auroch gave a gasp of admiration. "Yeh might just be Ok after all, Darsie! Now if on'y you'd pu' somethin' a bit more potable in tha' mug!" he shouted, pounding the angel on the shoulder in fellowship. Rion and Iskarii just looked at each other and grinned. It looked like they might just have the group tightly knit again.

To say Auroch was in his element was a huge understatement. In a bar, an ale in his hands with good friends was his idea of a good time. If there was some sort of afterlife, he hoped it was like that. Especially when he saw the angel getting comfortable, he knew things were getting good. Down the road somewhere there was a dark dwarf slaving to create super weapons for demons, but in the warmth of the tavern that seemed very far away.

Maybe it was the beer, but he climbed onto the top of the table after several failed attempts and raised his glass to say a speech. Quickly the dwarves quieted down, a speech usually meant more beer, and they were looking forward to this. "Me friends," he slurred out. He wasn't sure how many drinks he had but they were starting to take their toll on him. "I am happy to find so many good dwarves getting fat and lazy in an elf town!" This remark brought several rounds of raucous laughter, and when they died down he added, "it is a real shame we can't be stayin' here much longer. I promise, when we've finished the job I'll be back here for a good long party. But it's true! There are no better folk than dwarven folk!" This brought huge waves of cheers; all the dwarves in the bar echoed his sentiments. Meanwhile the two Saris and the angel couldn't help but look on with a doubtful look.

He started to climb down from the table, when someone shouted from behind him "Sing us a song!" Unfortunately this caught on better than the previous comments combined, and the bar was rocking with a cry for him to sing a song for them.

"Ar, ye want a song do ye?" Auroch said, smiling. "Fine, I've got a good song te sing te ye." He began to tap his foot on the top of the table in rhythm. He began:

"Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two,
Remember how we laughed away the hours,
think of all the great things we would do.

Those were the days my friend,
we thought they'd never end;
we'd sing and dance, forever and a day.
We'd live the life we choose,
we'd fight and never lose,
for we were young, and sure to have our way.

Dai da da da dai da dai,
da da da dai da dai,
dai da da da,
da da daa da da daa.

When the busy years went rushing by us,
and lost our starry oceans on the way,
if by chance I'd see you in the tavern,
we'd smile at one another, and we'd say:

Those were the days my friend,
we thought they'd never end;
we'd sing and dance, forever and a day.
We'd live the life we choose,
we'd fight and never lose,
for we were young, and sure to have our way.

Dai da da da dai da dai,
da da da dai da dai,
dai da da da,
da da daa da da daa.

Just tonight I stood before the tavern,
nothing seemed the way it used to be.
In the glass I saw a strange reflection,
was that lonely man really me?

Those were the days my friend,
we thought they'd never end;
we'd sing and dance, forever and a day.
We'd live the life we choose,
we'd fight and never lose,
those were the days, oh yes they were the days.

Dai da da da dai da dai,
da da da dai da dai,
dai da da da,
da da daa da da daa.

Through the door there came familiar laughter,
I saw your face and heard you call my name,
Oh my friend we're older but no wiser,
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.

Those were the days my friend,
we thought they'd never end;
we'd sing and dance, forever and a day.
We'd live the life we choose,
we'd fight and never lose,
those were the days, oh yes they were the days.

Dai da da da dai da dai,
da da da dai da dai,
dai da da da,
Oh yes those were the days."

By the time he had reached the second chorus, most of the dwarves joined in the song. By the end, it seemed the whole place was singing the little dwarf's song. "Oompf," Auroch said to Rion, who was sitting at the one end of the table. "I'm feelin' a wee bit tired. Think I'll get some rest now." Just then, someone thrust another mug into his hands, and he added, "Well, maybe I'll stay a wee bit longer."

Whilst the dwarf decided that he had a career in singing, Iskarii sat back on her chair and smirked faintly. She so wanted to telekinetically throw some things at the dwarf for his 'bad' singing, though she knew that if he ever found out he'd probably not forgive her. So instead she just sipped lightly at her glass of elven wine and tried to stop herself from laughing. It was good to see their friend in such high spirits, though at the same time she hopped that he remembered that they were on an adventure. Not knowing the details herself, she was still very sure that this mission of Auroch's was important and wondered how long they really could afford to stay in such a place.

Zara in the mean time had decided that she would go and sample all the drinks that people had left laying around... They were too busy watching the fully little two legger after all, leaving their drinks very unguarded as well as their food. Fluttering to the first table, Zara lapped some foam from the top of one dwarf's beer, and then decided she didn't like it much. She moved to the dwarf's food plate and dragged a piece of meat from it and helped herself to it quite happily.

After taking a swallow from his glass, Rion chuckled to himself as Auroch sung his song in his slightly slurred voice. The dwarf didn't have the most suited voice for singing to begin with and it wasn't any better with the help of alcohol. Still he did seem to honestly enjoy himself and the other dwarves in the tavern didn't seem to mind either. If Rion didn't suspect the alcohol was impairing their judgment he would swear they really did enjoyed it.

With a quick side-glance he spotted the kitten stealing a piece of meat from a distracted dwarf's plate. He merely shook his head in disbelief. They had plenty of food at their own table but Zara insisted on taking it from someone else. This was all well and good at their own tavern but this was someone else’s. If she got caught here there might be some sort of repercussions. With a jerk of telekinesis he lifted the kitten off the ground and toward their table.

Zara gave him an annoyed gaze as she floated toward him, the meat still clenched between her teeth. He knew that he would be receiving some form of payback but it was better then having a drunk dwarf angry at you. "You know you shouldn't be doing that." he semi-scolded and set the kitten on the table. Zara walked over to him casually and scratched at his arm, not really causing any damage other then a slight prickle. "Yeah I know but you still shouldn't do that."

Zara mewed in a deep tone that sounded as though it should have come from something much larger than she was. She didn't look too happy about being plucked off of the table she was feasting off of, and looked even less happy when she found that she could not wriggle free of the telekinetic grip. Eyeing Rion as she is set down upon the party's table once more, Zara sat down for a bit and gnawed upon the meat she had captured. It was her's now and there was nothing that anyone was going to do to take it from her.

When the kitten had finished the meat piece she had freed from small folk slavery, she stalked over towards the saris slowly then casually scratched at his arm to remind him whose boss. Who was boss? Why, her, of course.
Settling back down upon the table, though keeping within striking distance to Rion, Zara yawned then stretched herself out leisurely and made her at home.

Iskarii, watching the whole time with a mild look of horror upon her features, remained silent throughout the whole 'ordeal'. She was worried for Rion's sake with messing around with the winged kitten, and she let out a quiet sigh of relief as nothing more major than a very light scratch resulted from the rescue attempt.

A window in the establishment quietly slid open. Amidst the frenzied, drunken chanteys that had set in, it went unnoticed. A black form slipped in, sliding over the sill and down the wall like a shadow. A paw reached up and shut the window just as quietly.

Standing up, Kezia brushed himself off, and silently made his way over to the others. Nudging Rion, who seemed to be the most sober of the group, besides the Angel, he leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

Rion's eyes widened a bit. He looked up at the scarred face of Kezia.

"You didn't..."

Kezia nodded, a smirk briefly lit his face. Rion sighed.

"Wonderful...now we have to leave first thing tomorrow morning. Auroch's too drunk to go anywhere now."

Kezia nodded a second time, then he walked over to the barkeep, slid some coins over the table and went upstairs to the room he had presumably just rented for the night.

Eyeing the proceedings oddly, Iskarii looked over at Rion. "W..w...what'd he do?" she asked.

"Apparently, a young elven maid made an offer he couldn't refuse. Her father and her fiance won't be very happy with him now, y'know?" Rion said, trying his best to delicately step around the situation.

While Iskarii contemplated the news of Kezia's actions Rion informed the angel as well. That saris thief seemed to enjoy the company of many women, not always of the saris race either. How he could be attracted to someone without fur was beyond him but to each his own. Though this was the first he heard directly that Kezia was sleeping with one he had heard of the thief’s reputation. Whether he knew it or not he was mildly famous in some groups. Nothing spectacular; just enough that his name meant something and was passed around from time to time.

Because of this Rion wasn't really surprised at the act itself but more that he had actually told him. It wasn't about him being proud of what he did and having to tell someone. There were no hints in his voice that he was bragging. It sounded more like a warning. Now that he had undoubtedly angered some people there was a very real chance that they would come looking for Kezia. It was a good thing Brevvy had a large saris population. It would make him that much harder to track down.

The three at the table finished their bottle of wine and one more after that. Despite the general rowdiness the tavern was a cheerful place. "Well I'm going to get some sleep. I would rather have slept in but we have an early start thanks to our friend." he stood and stretched along his entire body. Before going he leaned over and whispered to Zara. "If they decide to stay down awhile longer watch over them. The dwarf too if you have the time." he smirked and then walked off to bed.

The next morning, Auroch opened his eyes and was startled. Zara stood on his chest, staring at him. He cried out from surprise, rolled over, and tumbled out of the bed. He groaned, his hangover not helping at all. Zara just purred, her work done, and flew out of the room. Slowly he got up, clutching the side of the bed.

Rion entered the room, fully dressed and awake. "What're you doing still in bed," he asked the dwarf? "Didn't Zara give you the message?"

"Argh, the only message that cat gave me was that it didn't like me. It wakes me up like that again, and the feelin'll be mutual."

"Well," Rion told him, "you'd better hurry up. Kezia ran into a bit of trouble last night and it's best if we get out before the authorities come looking for him."

Auroch groaned again. Even for a saris, Kezia had a remarkable ability to get into trouble. "Well we'd better get goin' again, jus gimme a few minutes te get me stuff together." Maybe the angel would have the elusive cure for a hangover; they were supposed to be great healers after all.

It was dark when they left the town, but Auroch couldn't help but look back at the town. So many dwarves in the elf and saris city. If he had time, he would've asked them to come with him, this was more a quest for all of dwarven kind than a personal vendetta. He pulled the stone out, and looked at it. It was glowing more than before, but not by much. They still had quite a journey ahead of them.

By mid afternoon they reached the channel to the Greya Doth, and they could see the Southland stretched below them past the narrow strait. "What now, oh fearless leader?" Kezia asked Auroch grinning.

The dwarf looked around. He hadn't planned this far, he just assumed they would be able to find some way across. "Hmm, well the angel could fly us across, but I doubt she'd like that." Then he saw a boat anchored to the shore a ways downstream. Success! But did they have to take a boat? First he had woken up terribly early, then he didn't even have ale to take the edge off, and now he had to cross water? It was not a good day.

Zara gave a feline smirk as Auroch was startled awake. Well, the furman saris had told her to make sure that those who slept awoke in the early hours of the morning, so she was sure as hell going to make sure that they did! And any how, it was fun watching them jump. Hopping up into the air and hovering, Zara got out of the way just as the dwarf rolled out of bed and hit the floor with a loud thump. That would teach the stubby one to drink so much. She thought to herself. Flittering out of the room with the sound of the dwarf cursing loudly behind her in the room, Zara flew down to were the rest were already assembled and landed neatly upon Iskarii's shoulder, mewing softly. Iskarii gave the kitten a smile and scratched her behind the ears.

Later, Iskarii gave the boat that Auroch had seen along the edge of the Greya Doth.
"You want us to ride in that?!" she didn't think it looked too sea worthy, nor water worthy at all. Shuddering a little, she gave it a glare before turning back to the dwarf and giving him an odd look. "And I would have thought a dwarf, not liking water too much and all, would have at least found us a better boat" she smirked faintly.

This would be exciting. Rion was born into a family of fishermen and was no stranger to ships. However, they had all been rowboats. The ship before him now was quite a bit larger then that and even had a sail. He had never been sailing before. Images of cruising on the open ocean quickly danced through his head. If it was anything like his imagination said then it would be worth doing at least once in his life.

"What's the matter Iskarii? It looks safe enough to me." he said and knocked on the wooden hull. Auroch had ventured inside the nearby building in search of the owner of the boat. Even if he didn't like the water it was the quickest way to travel.

"Come on. Lets have a look at it." he said to Iskarii excitedly and waded out into the water. Not bothering with the ladder he lept up and dug his claws into the already well worn side of the boat. After pulling himself up he turned around and extended his hand down to Iskarii to help her up.

Giving a little frown, and a look that told the others that she kind of expected the boat to fall apart if Rion knocked too hard upon its haul, Iskarii sighed quietly and wondered over to take a closer look. She was sure she could see wormwood in it. Looking between the boat and the water, she looked up at Rion who was by this time already up on deck.

"You sure that is really sea worthy?" she called up to him, giving a doubtful look at the worn haul. Shaking her head, she guessed that she might as well go up and look. After all, how many other ways where there across the Greya Doth in the first place? Taking a little leap, she took Rion's hand and pulled herself up onto the boat with his help.

"Still don't think it looks too sea worthy..." she mumbled quietly. She had no problem with swimming in the sea or a river. Though when it came to something deeper... Well, she'd heard the tails of large fish that could swallow you whole, and she wanted something a little more sea worthy before she put her trust into it fully.

Zara flittered up behind the two saris and promptly coiled up upon the deck railing and fell to sleep. Making use of all the sun that was left as much as she could.

Nobody was home in the building, so there was no one Auroch could talk to about borrowing the boat. Oh well, he decided, if they brought it back when they came back from their mission the person couldn't be that upset, especially if they compensated him well.

He emerged out of the building, and saw that Rion and Zara were already making themselves comfortable on the ship. Iskarii though, well she didn't look like she trusted the vessel much. Auroch stepped in, and immediately wished he hadn't. The small boat swayed back and forth, frightening the dwarf. He had never been on a boat before, it was something unnatural that most dwarves tried to avoid. He had heard stories of it, of course; all about how it was like the earth was quaking all the time, and there was no way one could stand straight in a wind. He had never believed it before of course; he had just assumed they were old wives tales used to frighten small children so they would stay away from the water. As soon as he stood on the boat though, he believed every word he had ever heard about boats.

Muttering curses under his breath, he went down to the ground as much as he could and inched his way forward. As soon as Iskarii saw the dwarf's discomfort, she forgot about her fear and started laughing at the poor dwarf. Naturally, the laughter was contagious, and Rion and Darselemaine were laughing at him too. In spite of his anger and fear, Auroch couldn't help but laugh too.

After they got tired of laughing at the dwarf (which lasted a long time!) Auroch looked at Rion. He seemed pretty comfortable on the godforsaken contraption, so he asked him "Do ye know how to get this thing going?"

"...well, since no one's home..." Kezia mumbled to himself as he wandered into the dwelling, sliding easily in through a window. Looking around, the dust danced in motes through the room, glittering as it passed through the light filtering in through the window he had just entered.

Starting through the drawers of a nearby dresser, clothes were dumped one by one as they failed to pass muster, each bringing a frown to Kezia's face as he dropped them.

"Nothing...nothing...nothing..." More and more clothes were dumped by the wayside until the drawer was empty. Looking up, Kezia saw no other place in the austerely decorated room valuables could be kept. A smirk lit up across his face briefly as he turned back to the open drawer.

Knocking a furred paw to the wood a hollow echo answered him, causing him to grin evilly. Scratching through the aging wood with a claw, he found a coinpurse. Opening it, some moths flew out. After their departure, Kezia found what he was looking for...gold.

Having finished with the house, Kezia looked around after hopping aboard the ship. The wormwood groaned under Kezia's lightweight, causing him a frown and disconcerting grimace as step after step caused creaks to groan in protest from the wood. Hmmm, he thought to himself, I wonder if this is seaworthy, all joking aside...Ah well, might as well start looking.

Auroch called to Rion to start the boat on its path as Kezia disappeared into the hold to check for loot.

"Of course I know how to get this thing going." Rion answered cheerfully. Though he sounded confident this wasn't entirely true. He did know a bit about ships just not the ones with sails. He had seen it done a few times though and it didn't look that hard. Regardless it was a new experience and he would give it a try.

The first thing he had to do was push the boat out of the surf. Fortunately the tide hadn't changed since the owner had anchored and the boat was only partly beached. Rion quickly grabbed the anchor rope and pulled it up before jumping back down to the ground.

A sharp pain lanced his foot as soon as he hit the sand. Lifting up his leg he spotted the tip of something poking up out of the ground. He reached down and scraped at the sand until he uncovered a fist sized peach colored shell. Flipping it over revealed the inside to be a glossy iridescent color. It was just too pretty to pass up.

"We goin or what?!" Auroch called down to the saris. He was eager to get this trip over and done with.

"Working on it." Rion called back, picked up the shell, and pocketed it. He placed both his hands against the hull of the ship and began to push. After a short pause the boat slid free of the sands grip. With a leap Rion grabbed hold of the side and pulled himself up on deck once again.

"Now what?" the dwarf asked. He was standing right in the middle of the deck, as far away from the water as possible.

"Right, now we ummm now we drift out a ways and raise the sail. Then it's up to the wind to take us." Rion responded.

While waiting for them to get further out into the water he walked over to where Iskarii was standing. "Here. I saw this sitting on the beach and it reminded me of you. I hope you like it." he said and presented the shell he had found.

Iskarii held onto the railing for a moment as the boat slid free of the sand's hold and slipped further out into the water. She sighed quietly, wishing that they were in something that at least looked a little more sea worthy. She gave the faintly rusty railing a little glare before turning to glance up at the sail array.

"I do so hope that sail does not end up having holes in it..." she said to the boat in general, eyeing the tied and trimmed sales.

She jumped a little as Rion leapt back over the side of the boat, then gave a little grin at herself. The boat was making her a little edgy, though she wasn't too sure why.

Looking down at the gift Rion offered, she beamed him a smile and held the shell up to the light and admired the colorful little reflection it gave.
"Its pretty, it really is" she said with a smile, turning it over in her hands to look at the peach colours. Seeing a small hole in one corner of the shell, she grinned and dug around one of her belt pouches for a moment then pulled out a length of thin rope. Looping one end though the shell's hole, she tied the ends the slipped it over her head and let it hang from around her neck.

"It looks good on you but it can't compare with the beauty of your eyes." Rion said.

As soon as he uttered those words he heard a noise of disgust from behind him. The saris turned around to find Auroch giving him a look of disbelief. It was obvious the leader of the party didn't feel that this was the time for flattery.

"Right right back to sailing." Rion grumbled and walked off toward the mast.

Raising a hand, the golden colored saris tested the wind. It was strong and blew in a southerly direction.

*Kezia would you get up here?* Rion sent to the saris thief.

There was no answer but a few moments later Kezia's head appeared from inside the hold.

"What do you want?" he asked

"I need you to turn the wheel so that we're facing south." Rion answered.

The leopard spotted saris complied though he didn't seen terribly happy about it. Perhaps his looting and pillaging of the ship's hold had been interrupted.

With a jerk the knot that held the main sail in place came lose and the sail unfurled. After a few tentative moments the wind finally billowed up under the sail and the group was away. In a few hours they would be across the Greya Doth.

They hit the sand with a soft thud, and before Rion could secure the boat Auroch climbed over the edge, kissing the sand. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he mumbled into the earth. "I'll n'e leave ye again!" Iskarii saw this, and noticed the dwarf's beard getting covered in sand. She thought about how she could help, and with a smirk on her face telekinetically picked him up and dumped him back in the sea.

Fortunately for him it wasn't so deep that he couldn't find the ground, eventually. The poor dwarf pushed his head out of the water only to find the rest of the group laughing at his expense. Even Zara seemed pleased the dwarf had gotten a good dunking. He pulled his soaking body out of the water, and gave himself a good shake. He didn't have the water retention saris had with their fur, but his beard held a lot of water. After he had finished, Iskarii looked a little wetter and her smile had vanished.

It was then that Auroch noticed the garnet. When he had fallen into the water, it must have come out from under his shirt, because it was dangling right in front of his face. It was glowing, stronger than it had glowed yet. He had to wonder as he saw the stone; how was he supposed to know when he was really close? It's not like it was going to beep when it got really close.

"So where to now, o' fearless leader?" Kezia asked him sarcastically.

Auroch thought for a moment, closed his eyes, and pointed in a direction somewhere southwards. He figured that since he didn't know exactly where they had to go, he decided to let the stone guide them completely. Well, that and a bit of luck.

Elsewhere, a black cloak seemingly floated through the nearby forest. It came to a stop outside a particularly large tree. Turning to see that no one was around, it pressed one of the branches backward. Instantly, a hole appeared in the tree. The cloak bent low and entered the small hole. Inside, there was a dull orange glow. A small figure stood in contrast against the glow, busy at his work. Hearing the form enter, he turned his head and grunted "Well?" In the one word, he managed to imply his own impatience, fear, and anger.

"I have brought the materials you demanded." the cloak said, and he deposited a bundle on the ground.

"And the money?" the small man asked annoyed.

"Money is of no importance," the demon told Razgar, with a voice that could chill an elf's blood.

Iskarii beamed a smile at Rion, flattered as his words. Though she soon adverted her gaze to shoot Auroch an annoyed glance, as Rion walked off to tend the sail. Figures... Just as he started to say things too! She grumbled quietly to herself and spent the river trip gazing down at the water over one of the boat's rails. The white saris had known Rion for years now, ever since they met in Glimmel and went off on an adventure for hidden treasure with a group of others. Since then they had done a lot together, with lots more adventures on the side than you could shake a stick at. With some of the money they had collected from those adventures, they made the World's Edge Tavern; which after all the work they had put into it seemed to be going strong now. Though never in all these years they had known each other had either saris said anything affectionately to the other, though there were lots of playful pranks; though they tended to see that same loving nature in most saris. And now? And now as soon as he was able to say something they have a dwarf watching over them like some old grandfather!

As soon as the boat hit sand on the other side of the river, Iskarii watched as the dwarf jump off and firmly planted his feet upon the ground. She thought about making his jump go back towards the water, though she just didn't have the energy or will for it. Sea trips always tended to make her a little depressed. Lightly hoping over the edge and crouching as she landed, the saris watched, as Auroch seemed to have taken to eating sand all of a sudden. It was only right that she throw him back in the water. After all, he had seemed to go semi-mad, and all that sand in his beard can't be healthy... She quickly moved well away from the water's edge and took a nearby tree to lean up against to watch the dwarf shake him off.

Zara flittered to Rion's shoulder then coiled up once more. She wasn't going to exert herself unless it was needed, and when she had one of the feline people to carry her around then she was not going to exert herself.

Rion lept out of the boat and onto the ground with ease. He chuckled slightly to himself as the soggy wet sand squished up between his toes and tickled his feet. The chuckled turned into a laugh as the dwarf began kissing the ground and his subsequent dunking in the water.

After awhile his laughter ceased and he wiped a slight tear from his eye. To his surprise Zara landed and curled up on his shoulder. Zara almost always favored Iskarii over him. He reached up to scratch it behind the ears. A small paw reached out and scratched at him signaling that she wanted to sleep, not be petted.

Just then he noticed the glowing garnet come floating out from underneath his tunic. All this time the dwarf had never shown this piece of jewelry. Perhaps he was just possessive of it.

"Hey where did you get this? Is the glow magical?" he asked and grabbed the garnet.

"Ack give that back." Auroch said. He had to stand on his tiptoes to keep the necklace from pressing uncomfortably against his skin. "I had a friend make it for me."

"It's pretty. Who's your friend?" the saris asked curiously.

"His name is Uli. A rune mage in Glimmel." the dwarf answered and grabbed the stone back.

"Hmmm I wonder what other things he can make." Rion thought as they continued to travel.

Iskarii gave a little smirk as Rion gets all interested in the garnet the dwarf had around his neck.

"Careful there, or the dwarf'll not have any air to breath with!" she laughs quietly, shaking her head and padding back over to the group to get a peek at the garnet before Auroch put it back under his tunic and out of reach.

"Ooh... That's pretty" she said with a grin, just before the dwarf hid it once more, "Must be a good friend who makes you something like that" she pointed out, then padded after Auroch as he walked off in the direction he had earlier pointed in, looking to be in a bit of a huff. "Think he can make more things that shine? Shiny things always go well for decorations" she said with a grin, playing a tag game with Rion it seemed. "Think he can make you more of those? They would go great hanging inside the tavern as night lights!"

"I bet he can though I was thinking of decorations for more then just the tavern. Maybe something in silver with a ruby to accent your eyes." he looked at Iskarii with a grin. "Since we know shorty here we can ask for a discount. Maybe we can even tell him to put it on Auroch's bill." The last part was added specifically to try and get the dwarf's attention.

The dwarf heard the comment and turned only to be met by Rion's smiling feline face. The saris raised his eyebrows in a questioning look, as if to ask "Yeees?". Auroch opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. He quickly turned around not giving the saris the satisfaction of getting him mad.

Iskarii shot a smile over her shoulder to Rion, walking in a semi circle and back to where he was walking; after having walked along and bugged the dwarf a little.
"Hmm... That does sound nice" she gave another smile then flashed an image forward of her wearing a light collar necklace made in silver and set with a thumb-tip sized ruby. She seemed to ponder this a moment, and the collar in the image melted and reshaped to form a thin silver chain with a small ruby shaped like her earring. Giggling quietly to herself, she decides that she likes that image better than the first, though enjoys playing the picture games; even as much as shopping in markets.

Auroch snatched the gem back with his meaty hand; it was a little thing but he felt it was his duty to protect it. Without it, he had no way of finding Razgar and the Sacred Forge. Looking at Rion and Iskarii, he thought he'd better tell them a little bit about the gem. Kezia knew about the garnet, but he didn't seem too interested in it at the moment. He probably figured it wasn't worth that much on the black market.

So, they walked. As they walked, the dwarf told the group about the stone, and the sword that he found in the midst of the dragon's hoard. He told them that Uli had shown them the danger of the sword, and that this garnet held a replica of a rune that was on the sword. As he talked, he couldn't help but notice that the gem was glowing more brightly than ever.

Gradually though, the brightness dimmed, and it got worse the more they walked. Auroch was puzzled by this, and had to sit down on a tree stump to figure out why. Eventually, Rion got frustrated and gave him a strong poking in the dwarf's back. "Could it be perhaps that we've gone too far?"

Once the dwarf heard it of course, he was sure that was the answer. "Well then we'd better get goin back where we came!" he said, laughing.

It was quite an interesting tale even though it was less exciting then the male saris had hoped. So far they had been following the dwarf with little explanation other then that they were going on an adventure. Even though Auroch had conveniently left out the part about just who was smithing the swords and to what ends, they at least knew the purpose of the journey.

"You sure you’re telling us everything? No more secrets?" Rion prodded the back of the dwarf's head and asked.

The dwarf sped up his pace a little to get out of arms reach.

"Aye, that's everythin I know." he answered. Even though he was lying to his friends he couldn't bring himself to reveal the shame that Razgar brought upon the dwarven people.

"Hmmmmmm." Rion didn't really believe that was true but he didn't have anything to prove otherwise. Besides they had gone this far, it would be absurd to give up on the quest now.

As the group moved the stone grew brighter then dim again. While it did tell them they were getting closer it didn't tell them how close they were. It would have helped more if they knew just how bright the gem would get when they found their target.

"I have an idea." Rion said after the third time the gem started to dull. "We need to triangulate the location of wherever this gem is leading us."

The saris removed a map of the area they were in from his pack. Unrolling it he studied it for a few moments and then made a mark with is claw.

"We are about there. Now if we walk over in that direction and mark where the stone starts getting dull again we can narrow down just where our destination is. It will be a lot quicker then wandering randomly." he stated with a smile on his face.

Auroch scratched his head for a while. What Rion said made sense, but dwarves tended to think about things for a while before they were sure it was right. "Hmm," he said to the Saris. "Hmm," he added, thinking some more. A minute later, he finally said "Yes!" So, following the cat man’s advice, they picked a direction and went walking back that way. As expected, the garnet started glowing brightly, and then began to dim.

With an "Aha!" Rion drew a spot on his map. "It looks like this is the way we should go," he told them. In about an hour they were at the area Rion claimed was the right area. However, Auroch didn't see anything special about it. "Bah! looks like just a bunch of trees te me." the dwarf told them.

Even Iskarii had to admit it didn't look like anything special. Still, "this is no ordinary forest," she said to the group. "Listen carefully. Do you hear anything?"

Auroch cocked his head to the side and listened for a while. "Can't say I hear anything," he said a little confused.

"Exactly!" she said, self-satisfied. "No forest is completely quiet. "Something's here, something that's scared all the animals away." She didn't say it, but the word demon was on everyone's mind; especially the angel's.

They searched and they searched, but the found nothing else out of the ordinary. "Bah! I don't know Rion, methinks maybe ye've made some miscalculations. Ye sure ye've got the right area?" Rion wasn't completely sure, so he pored over the map, going over his calculations again. Weary, Auroch went to lean against a tree. All that walking and no drinking were wearing him down. He leaned back against the tree, and rested his head unknowingly against a knot on a branch. Of course, he moved his head to get more comfortable, taking his head off of the knot. There was a click, and a winding of gears hidden away. A small door, big enough for a dwarf opened in the tree, revealing a set of circular stairs inside.

"Ooooo what do we have here?" Rion puzzled and poked his head inside the hole. His tail twitched left to right in curiosity.

It was very small by saris standards. Only by getting down on all fours would he be able to fit inside. There were no light sources of any kind within the cave. A tiny winding staircase made out of solid stone seemed to dig its way into the ground like a great drill. Just how far down it went was uncertain but his keen feline eyes couldn't make out the bottom.

"This has to be it, don't you think Auroch?" he asked the dwarf and pulled his head out of the opening.

Auroch approached the entrance to the underground cave. He held the gem that had been their guide toward the opening. The red garnet flared up brightly in response. "Aye, it has ta be the place." he answered.

"I told you my calculations were correct. That will teach you to doubt a saris." Rion said triumphantly.

Standing he folded his map up before placeing it back in his pack. He walked over to where Iskarii was sitting. "Ready to take off into the unknown? I think we can fit inside the stairs, at least the top part of it that is."

Iskarii pokes her head into the entrance and glances around as soon as Rion has taken a step back.

"No guards?" she asks from inside, her voice echoing back out to them though strangely enough didn't echo downwards. Pulling her head back out, she turns around to peer at the others. "Well, we going to find out what wondrous treasures lay waiting for us?" she smirks faintly, walking back over to the group; a faint bounce in her stride.

Fear? Danger? What was that? If she felt any about the unknown depths that awaited them, the white saris didn't seem to be showing it at all. "Ready to take off into the unknown?" That was Rion. Iskarii turned around to him and flashed him a smile, "Always!" was her strait forward answer. There was nothing like a good mystery and exploring into the unknown. That is what made it all so much fun.

The dwarf was the first to enter the tree, since his small stature made it relatively easy for him to get inside. Soon after, Rion and Iskarii stooped over, and went through the hole. The angel of course, being the tallest of all of them, couldn't even enter bent over. So, she kneeled down to the ground and crawled in, an action that didn't really seem to fit with an angel. Yet soon she too was inside the hole. Kezia, being Kezia, lingered outside the entrance. He didn't look like he was going to enter unless he was sure it was safe.

Looking around, Auroch was surprised at how much light the angel actually gave off. Before, it was either daytime or they were surrounded by the campfire. Here, with the only light source being the hole they came through, he saw for the first time how bright she was. She lit up the entire surrounding area with her divine glow. The brightness close to him made it almost difficult to see the room they were in, but his dwarf vision came through.

Growing up in underground tunnels made one accustomed to dark places, and Auroch didn't find it hard to get used to this one. What he saw amazed him. "Can you see all this?" he asked the group, not sure how good their sight was in the dark.

Rion squinted. Saris were naturally nocturnal people, so it was a natural thing for him to see in the dark. But the light Darselemaine gave off wasn't enough to illuminate the whole room they stepped into. He could make out things, but not as clearly as he might have liked. Looking at Iskarii he could tell the same was true of her. "We see fine enough, dwarfie," he told Auroch with a smirk.

Perhaps it was the angel that was the worst off. By the light she emitted, she could see everything in front of her easily. Still, the rest of the room was a dark mystery to her. "You'll have to help me out a bit," she told the group, "I can't see more than twenty paces past myself."

"Too bad," Auroch said to her, "yer missin' quite a bit." Whoever had designed this was brilliant; he knew that. The tree at the entrance looked perfectly normal, but it was anything but underneath. They were on a platform of sorts, with a stairwell to their left. Ahead of them, the cavern opened up; two or three stories of empty space. There were crates scattered everywhere on the ground, with a dull orange glow in a far corner.

Cautiously, they descended the stairs. When he was pretty confidant that no one was around, Rion pulled a knife and tried to pry open a nearby crate. It wouldn't budge, not even with a little telekinesis. "Ungh, could I get a little help here?" he said, a little exasperated.

"Fine, I'll help ye," Auroch said to him, "just don't make too much noise. We don't know if anyone's around here." He stuck his axe in the side of the crate, and pulled on it like a lever. There was a cracking sound, and Rion was able to lift the top of the crate off. What they saw shocked them.

Swords, piles and piles of swords, all packed carefully in straw. "These," Auroch muttered, shocked, "these are just like the sword I left in Glimmel."

"Hmm," Iskarii said, "looks like whoever made them has been busy." Eyeing the rest of the cavern, Auroch had to admit the truth of that. If all the crates had swords in them, there would be enough for a small army.

Darselemaine gasped. "These swords," she whispered, partly in disbelief, "these swords are demonic. I can feel the evil coursing through them like a plague. Auroch, if the demons are behind this, these swords have an evil purpose. We must destroy these swords before they can be used to harm anyone."

The wee man was going to say something, but he was distracted by something else he saw. "Razgar," he growled, and everybody turned to see what he was looking at.

In front of them there stood a dwarf. As dark as it was, Rion could see the dwarf's face clearly. His hair and beard was silver grey, with a large crooked dwarf nose. A thoroughly ugly face, but nothing unusual for a dwarf. However, the sneer he had was wrong, just wrong. Most dwarves had a smile on them, an outlet for their passion for life. They were good-natured, and they loved showing it. This dwarf though, he had an attitude about him. There was no good nature that had to show itself. He was a mean, evil person, and he liked it.

"Auroch," Razgar spat out. "Stickin' yer nose where ye don't belong, I see."

"And yer still up to yer greedy ways, I see. So, how much're the demons payin ye to betray yer race?"

"Enough. So how'd ye find me?"

"Found one of yer swords in a dragon's hoard near Glimmel."

"Ahh, so that's what happened to the test sword." The dark dwarf sighed. "No matter, I've got plenty here. Now that yer here, can I offer ye a drink before I carve up yer worthless hide?"

"Aye, I'll have a drink before I send ye back to whatever god you claim to worship. That is, if you worship anyone but yerself these days."

"Bah! Auroch, yer such a closed minded sod. It's still Taxusha, always has been. He's a fair sight better'n that fool Brobbet you seem so hopelessly devoted to."

"You only say that I'm closed minded because I understand what honour and virtue are. To ye, they're just ideas, nothing else."

"Ye can keep yer virtue, for all the good it does ye." For the first time, Razgar seemed to notice the other people with the dwarf. "I notice ye didn't have the courage te bring dwarves with ye. Afraid of the shame, perhaps?" Then, addressing the others, he said "Pleased te make yer acquaintances, for the time bein'. Me name's Razgar, Auroch's brother."

Iskarii nosed around the crates just as Rion was doing. She could smell the steal of the swords quite clearly, wrinkling her nose in distaste at the smell. She had nothing against weapons made from metals, though so many of them in one single room was like walking into a tannery - a little over powering for the sensitive nose.

Upon hearing a new voice, the white saris spun around on her footpads and glanced at the new dwarf. There was something familiar about him, though she just couldn't put her finger upon what that was. Though when the dwarf introduced himself as Auroch's brother, Razgar, she guessed that the familiarity was family ties. Glancing between Auroch and Razgar, she did notice some simulates, though they were few and far apart... This dwarf reeked of evil.

Flattening her ears to her head, Iskarii narrowed her eyes and let her hand stray to the bottom of where her bow rested against her hip. This didn't seem very good. An evil dwarf making weapons that seemed to have demonic properties for the demon race was not a good thing at all.

The cavern was dark but at least they could stand, unlike the tunnel that led into it. Even Rion's nocturnal eyes had trouble discerning the features of the cave. Even a quarter moon shed more light then was in this place. He could see just about everything but beyond twenty feet things got less detailed Auroch however didn't seem to have such problems. Dwarves probably had some of the best eyesight when it came to the dark.

As they walked Auroch talked about how wonderful the construction was. It was typical of a dwarf to notice something like that in an obviously dangerous place. For a while Rion thought he might be missing something beautiful but it all looked like stone to him. True it was carefully carved but it wasn't that pretty. Perhaps if it had some of that decorative architecture dwarves were famous for he would be interested.

When the group reached the crates, Rion's curiosity immediately took hold. He immediately wanted to know what was inside though his nose told him it was something metallic. He prodded and poked with a knife but couldn't quite force it open quietly. He was about to give it a good whack with his staff when he remembered they had a nice strong dwarf to help.

After calling on Auroch for help, or more precisely his axe, the crate was opened and its contents exposed. There were numerous swords, all excellently made and magical looking. There was a definite dark feeling to them though if there were only one present it would probably be hard to detect. If all the crates were like these then there would have been a small fortune worth of magical weapons here.

Rion scratched his head in thought, his fingers trailing through his dark mane. If these were the weapons then where was the army and where was their creator? As if to answer this question another dwarf appeared behind them. It had approached quietly, which is saying a lot since saris ears were among the keenest in the world.

The male saris' hair bristled, partly in surprise and partly in reaction to the dark dwarf's evil aura. One hand reached for his collapsible staff, the other for his razor disks. A slight growl emerged from his throat as he listened to the exchange between Auroch and the now identified Razgar. This dwarf was evil and there was very little doubt that they were going to have to fight if they wanted to get out.

"The pleasure is all yours I assure you." he retorted in a throaty growl.

Iskarii shifted very slowly over towards Rion and the others. She did not like the look of this new dwarf too much, and even less when she got a better look at his face. No dwarf should radiate that kind of hatred for they were a jolly people that loved their work and their life. This one, however, rivaled that of the demon race. She didn't know what scared her more, the fact that this dwarf seemed to be supplying evil weapons for the demons, or the fact that this dwarf looked evil in himself.

Edging over to Rion, Iskarii took position to one side of him. Her hand strayed to the bottom of her bow again and she glanced out of the corner of her eyes to the others in the group. Surly the others could see that any kind of battle in this small tunnel would not be good for them, though Auroch might be fine with it due to his smaller size, the rest of them were a little too big for the small space.
For the first time size they entered the strange hidden doorway, the white saris was starting to feel a little claustrophobic.

Zara, who had been happily riding upon Rion's shoulder since the boat, yawned and unwound herself slowly. Blinking at the darkness, she meowed quietly whilst she waited for her feline eyes to grow accustomed to the poor lighting, or lack of, in the tunnel. Once she could see, the little feline sniffed out the evil looking dwarf then growled quietly and arched her back. It was clear that the winged kitten didn't like the dwarf much, either.

Grimacing at the dwarf across from him, Razgar cursed.

"Tell yer buggery friend over there t'leave the merchandise alone!"

With an odd look on his face, Auroch turned. Kezia had one crate emptied of its contents, and a second half empty when all eyes focused on him. Stopping mid-stride on the first of the small steps, he grinned sheepishly, and three of the swords fell out from under his cloak, clattering against the ground.

"Markus be praised!" The thief's glib tongue slipped easily into a prefabricated story. "Someone must be playing a joke on me! Who put those there?! Rion?! Was it you!"

Razgar scowled. Kezia drew his long knives, one a carved ivory contrasts the black steel look of the other, and calmly, he cleared his throat.

"Well alright then, since we won't be playing nice anymore, I'd like you to meet two friends of mine, shorty. Perhaps they can strike a deal with you...they're very convincing negotiators..." Kezia said, hoping the facade offset his lack of true combat skills. Kezia was swift, acrobatic and evasive. Everything that wouldn’t help him in the environment. It was suited to dwarf combat styles, 'get in, get low and pound away til it--or you--dropped dead.' Kezia could kill a man easily, but wasn't very experienced in a straight out, face-to-face fight. He'd always believed the old saying, 'A dagger in the dark is worth thousands of swords at dawn.'

They had to lure him outside should this resort to anything more than thinly veiled threats and rational thinking arguments. Looking around, he could tell this was a brawl waiting to start.

Razgar scowled as Kezia revealed the two daggers. He may be evil, Auroch thought to himself, but he wasn't stupid. Three saris, an angel, and a dwarf against one dwarf just wasn't a fair fight. "Look here," Razgar told them, "I don't want no fight right now." To prove it, he took a dagger from his belt, and set it on the floor. "Look, I'm unarmed. Auroch, ye'd never kill an unarmed man, especially not yer brother. Now, can we sit and have a drink, like civilized people?"

With a sigh, Auroch realized his brother was right. Justice would come to him in good time. And so, he found himself sitting down with him on a trunk, holding a mug of beer. Naturally, Auroch didn't trust his brother. You grow up with an entire race knowing your brother betrayed them; you don't easily trust him. He watched Razgar carefully, making sure he had poured the beer from the same keg, and using clean mugs. Even then, he waited until Razgar had drunk from his mug before he began to sip his ale. It didn't taste especially strange, so he soon emptied the mug.

Meanwhile, the others watched him warily. They didn't trust Razgar one bit, and they weren't sure what to do. He was obviously evil, but he was also Auroch's brother. Rion could understand why he never mentioned that they were trying to find his brother; if he had a brother that was evil, he wouldn't want to talk about it either.

Looking at his friends, Auroch was met by quizzical glances. Should he tell them the whole story? Should he explain why they weren't trying to fight him yet? He couldn't explain about the Sacred Forge, not without breaking his word. He didn't try and fight his brother, not when they hadn't found the ancient forge. They still needed Razgar to tell them where it was, so they could bring it home. Then again, wouldn't they find out about the Forge when they had to bring it to Berenhill? All the thinking was making Auroch's head hurt. He stood threw the mug down, and faced Razgar.

"All right, enuf's enuf! Where is it?"

"Where's what?" Razgar asked innocently.

"Ye know what I mean! If ye tell us where it is, we'll let ye live."

Razgar smiled. Addressing the rest of the group, he said "He doesn't want ye te know probably that he's lookin' fer a forge I stole from home. That's why I can make these swords." He shrugged, then pointed into a room behind him. "It's in there, tho ye won't be takin' it home today."

Darselemaine felt uneasy. She looked up at the entrance they came through, a circle of light surrounded by darkness. All of a sudden, the light disappeared, then reappeared, then disappeared, and then reappeared again. She knew what happened. "Demons!" she cried, and readied herself for battle.

Razgar smiled again, that evil predatory smile. "See what I mean, me brother? Yer not the only one who's got friends. I won't be giving ye back the forge, not today."

"You realize we aren't going to give up without a fight?" Rion spat out, readying his disks to fly through the air.

Razgar laughed. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Auroch pulled his axe from his back, and pointed it at his brother. "I didn't want te do this, but ye've left me no choice."

Razgar laughed again. "Don't try and kid yerself, ye don't stand a chance against me, not any more. Feel weaker yet? The poison should be kicking in soon. It's iocane powder, tasteless, odorless, and a tiny bit'll kill ye. I've built up an immunity te the stuff after years of work."

Auroch's legs wobbled a bit, but he wasn't going to admit anything. "Poison? Ye had to poison me, ye say? Well, I'll kill ye before I get weak enuf!" He swung the axe overhead towards Razgar, but the dwarf stepped out of the way. He then pulled a hand axe from his back, and swung it towards his brother. It was an attack that Auroch should have blocked, and then pushed away. He found though that he couldn't push him away, he was too strong. Or maybe it was that Auroch was getting weak.

Darselemaine was fighting the demon with her two swords, but the demon was powerful. She had to pray to Rasha just to keep up with it. Meanwhile, Rion was telekinetically throwing his bladed discs at the other demon, but to no avail. The demon possessed extraordinary psionic skills, more than a match for the saris. Kezia was close by, ready to jab in with his daggers if an opportunity presented itself. Iskarii had an arrow notched in her bow, ready to fire. Rion gave her the bow, but she was ready to let it fly. Rion blocked her view though, so she couldn't do much except aim and wait for a chance.

"Give up!" Razgar shouted as his blade clashed with his brother's again.

"Ye know I won't!" Auroch shouted back. "I'll fight ye to me last breath!" Razgar swung his axe at him again. With the smaller axe, he was faster; but Auroch had more power in his swing with the large axe. Auroch blocked the blow with his axe, turned to Razgar's side, and pulled his axe free. In a fluid motion, he swung the axe into his brother's side, piercing the layer of armor. Razgar gasped. Auroch pulled his axe away, blood on the blade.

Auroch stumbled backward, a little shocked by what he had just done. His brother was lying on the floor, dying because of him! "Auroch," Razgar whispered to him, while the battle raged on around them. "See ye in the afterlife." Razgar smiled, as if to say he'd have the last laugh after all, and then he died. Bent over him, Auroch wept. He killed his own brother. Perhaps it was the stress of the situation, or perhaps poison really was seeping through his body, but Auroch felt himself losing strength.

Iskarii let her arrow fly, and it hit home. The demon was still a deadly opponent, but at least she wounded it. She cheered, and looked to Auroch. She gasped. "Auroch!" He lay there, on the floor, beside his dead brother. She ran over to him, fearing the most. He was still breathing, but slowly. He opened his eyes, and looked at her. "Rest, you need your strength," she told him, crying for her friend.

The battle was not going well. With the help of Rasha, Darselemaine was holding her own against the one demon. Still, the two monsters were more than a challenge for the saris and the angel. They needed help, and they needed it now.

"Over here!" Rion called out from a corner of the room. "We can make our stand here!" Kezia looked at it, and saw why. The boxes were placed well enough so that there wasn't that much room for maneuvering. The demons would only be able to reach them one at a time, so they stood a better chance. Before the demons could cut them off, Iskarii carried Auroch towards the boxes, Kezia running closely behind. Darselemaine was the last one to make it there, being reluctant to give up fighting the demon for even a moment. They were there, cornered in for half an hour. Rion and Darselemaine kept the demons occupied, while Iskarii tended to the dwarf.

"Is... is he going to be okay?" Kezia asked, voice wavering. For someone that was used to only looking after himself, worrying about a friend was a strange sensation.

"I don't know," was the only answer Iskarii could give. "He needs healing, or the antidote. I doubt Razgar will tell us what it is either, since he's dead."

Auroch opened his eyes again, and looked at the two of them. His breathing was getting laboured; he found it too hard to speak. He lifted his hand up, and met Kezia's. Grabbing onto it, he pulled it against his chest. "T.. take it" he told his friend. Kezia felt an object under the clothes, so he reached into the pocket and pulled out Auroch's whirligig. At this tender moment, even the tough as leather saris found it hard not to be teary-eyed.

Auroch then looked at Iskarii, and looked at Rion. "Care... care for him" he said, his eyes looking distant.

"Auroch! Don't leave us!" Iskarii shouted.

Things were not looking good. The demons hadn't overwhelmed them, but it was only a matter of time. If they didn't do something soon, Auroch would be dead. That was the moment that Rion heard the rumble in the distance. At first, he thought that it was more demons, come to seal their fate. But as it got closer, he could tell that feet, tons of little feet, were making the sound.

Drumli peeked his head in through the doorway. Immediately he saw what was happening, and he called for the rest of the dwarves to follow him. A hundred dwarves, if not more, entered the cavern. They surrounded the demons, ready to attack. The demons knew when they were beaten. They might be able to stop a few dwarves, even ten or maybe fifty, but a hundred could defeat them. Without saying a word, the demons jumped over the tops of the dwarves, and ran out of the cavern.

"You came just in time!" Rion told them, for once delighted to see so many dwarves.

"Yeah, well we had to go around the lake, and our wee feet are slow going. You should've waited for us that morning, but you took off before we could stop you!" Drumli told Rion, happy he made it at all.

"Auroch's dying, we have to get him some help!" Iskarii told them.

"I wish I could help, but the poison's gone too deep for me to heal," the angel lamented.

Auroch made a rasping sound, as if trying to speak. He motioned weakly for Drumli to come closer. "helm... take it home... bring the Sacred Forge back home..."

Drumli grasped his hand firmly, and told him "I will, me friend. You've served the dwarves well, and Brobbet will not forget you. Rest now, you've got a long journey ahead." Auroch closed his eyes, satisfied. He had undone the evil his brother had wrought. The Sacred Forge was going home, where it belonged. His work done, he let his final breath leave his body. Auroch the dwarf was dead.