Into Istaria: Joining the Journey

Dawn, Lilly, Xaerisk and AmaKali made their way into the town of Hillrod. Each nursed their wounds and rubbed their feet, exhausted by their exodus from Cliffside. They had been forced to escape on their own after becoming separated from their other companions, but narrowly escaped nevertheless. From this experience, a new fire burned in each of them. They had charged into sure death and escaped, thanks to a little holy water and great ingenuity.

As they looked for the local inn, they wondered if they could find any brave souls to join them in their quest for exploration and aid. They had heard of a war occurring between the armies of the North and West lands, but did not wish to fight someone else's battle.

Upon the town hall of Hillrod they left a note posted: "Need fellow adventurers to explore the depths of Istaria. Will be accompanied by Ssslik, Saris, High Elf and Angel."

They went to their rooms to rest and waited for some kind of reply.

Xaerisk opened the door and looked to the left then to the right. There was no one to be seen. As he was about to close the door a clear voice could be heard.

"I hear you're looking for some adventurers. The name's Auroch, and my axe and I are at your service. Hillrod has become boring as of late. Where are you headed?"

Xaerisk's eyes widened then quickly looked downwards. There a short dwarf stood, presumably Auroch.

Auroch smiled a toothy grin. Xaerisk just stood there with a blank look on his face. Lilly squeezed in front of Xaerisk and bent her knees a tad.

"Nice to meet you, Auroch. I'm Lilith. But everyone calls me Lilly." The gentle Elf smiled warmly. "This is my friend Dawn. That's AmaKali. You already met Xaerisk."

The dwarf nodded in politeness as the fair Lilly gestured to each person.

"A Angel, is it?" Auroch questioned referring to AmaKali. AmaKali smiled, looking regal. He spread his wings a bit letting the Dwarf get an awe-inspiring eye-full.

"Humph." Auroch grunted, "They're not anything like the books say."

AmaKali's face fell. His fires doused to smoldering embers.

Dawn smirked. "I'm really starting to like this guy."

"We're going to be leaving in a few days. As you probably know there's a battle raging on. So we’ve decided to stay here and relax for awhile until things calm down. Then we can pass safely through the lands. If you are still here, you're most certainly welcome to travel with us, Mr. Auroch." Lilly explained.

"Please, call me Auroch, Lilith." the Dwarf grinned.

"All right Auroch. Though you don't have to call my Lilith." the bard smiled sweetly.

"If it's okay with you. I think Lilith's more exotic. Like a rare gem." the stout Dwarf winked.

"I think I need a drink." Xaerisk muttered to himself as he made his way out the door. It was getting a bit crowded and he felt parched.

The dwarf's ears twitched, "If you're making your way down to the local pub I suggest you try the Traveler's Tipsy. It'll knock you right off your feet."

Auroch laughed loudly and caught up with the Ssslik.

Lilly propped her staff against the wall.

"I'm in desperate need of a spa." Lilly talked to the room as she looked at the dirt marks smeared on various parts of her body.

The red-haired warrior sat on the edge of the bed. Dawn then removed her stylized armor platings but left her one piece leather suit on.

"I'm going to go to my room and meditate." AmaKali announced as he left the two old friends in their room. Lilly looked over to the warrior.

"You look stiff."

"I'm just a bit sore." Dawn nonchalantly commented.

"Want to come with me to the local spa? I hear there's a hot spring right underneath it." Lilly tried to say in a tempting voice.

"I might as well join you, then." Dawn got off the bed. The warrior and the bard then left there locked room to head for the spa.

*Hovering near the town message board*

"ooooh! adventure!" shouts a small flying figure, and immediately flies off in search of the group.

In the inn, the small dryad excitedly knocks on several doors waiting impatiently for someone to come.

After several minutes with no answer the dryad sighs disappointedly and begins to wander off slowly.

"I missed them, I missed them."

As the sun sets over the small town of Hillrod, the golden sun casts a weary shadow across the road. One Shadow stands out just a little more than the others, however.

Something creeps from shadow to shadow, protected by the shadows' anonymity. But not for long. It is waiting for something, someone. It didn't need to wait long.

The small dryad dejectedly left the inn. After failing to find some kindred adventurers, it only thinks of finding refuge within the nearby forest. The creature in the shadows sees the small dryad, silently pleased it could find such a delicious prey.

From the shadows a vampire leaped, fangs glistening with saliva in the evening light. The dryad, caught by surprise, was barely able to cry out before the creature of darkness was upon him.

For the vampire, the ambush was going well. It always pleased him when a feeding was successful. After barely escaping from the nearby battle, he had to content himself with feeding off small animals while he nursed his wounds.

Although the dryad fought valiantly, the ferocity of the vampire was too much for this creature of light.

Suddenly, a cry ran through the night. "Prepare to taste my blade, for I will smite you, foul creature!" And with that, Auroch ran his axe down the vampire's neck. It screamed from the pain, writhing to free himself but only driving the axe deeper into himself.

Ironically, for one who had caused so much pain to others, the pain was too much to bear. He screamed once more; an ill shriek, driving cows to madness and frightening any passersby.

Mercifully for him, Xaerisk ended his suffering; lopping his head off in a smooth chop.

The poor dryad lay on the ground beside the dark remains of the vile animal.

It didn't look too good.

By now, Lilly and Dawn had run out of the spa, ready for battle. AmaKali as well came outside to lend any needed aid.

"Can any of you heal this dryad?" Auroch asked. "This vampire may not be able to harm anyone anymore, but it may be too late for this dryad."

AmaKali sat in his room for a while, somewhat sullen over Auroch's remark that he had not lived up to books. Was he not fulfilling his potential? Would Rasha be upset with him? Questions rushed through his mind, creating confusion to go with his pity. Suddenly, he felt as if something was wrong. He heard the same voice which had caused him his pain screaming for battle.

Springing from his bed, he ran to the inn, apologizing to Rasha for not properly meditating, and even more for his self pity. Angels did not need pity, they were wondrous specimens of love. As he closed in on the inn, he saw Lilly and Dawn running down the street. Following them, he soon also came upon Auroch, who had just finished playing butcher on a vampire.

On the ground he saw a small dryad, bleeding profusely, and knew what he must do. Immediately rushing to the little one's side, he fell to his knees once again and prayed to Rasha. As had happened with Xaerisk, his veins rushed with immense energy, and that energy passed from his body into the small elfish body. His wounds healed, though not completely and his eyes opened.

Dawn, not wanting to go through another of the angel's sappy speeches, broke in, "His name's AmaKali. He's an angel. He just saved your life. Do you want to join us?"

AmaKali grinned at Dawn as he helped the dryad to his feet, learning that his name was Athlan and he had intended to join the group earlier but to no avail. AmaKali realized that his sulking nearly cost Athlan his life, and immediately formed a bond with him as they nodded to each other understandingly.

The vampire lay dead on the ground, but something mystical seemed to urge the travelers toward the forest. Each of them experience it, and each fought it off individually, but as they realized that they were not alone in the temptation, the urge increased. Eager for action, Lilly seemed to bubble over. "Are we going to go, or what?"

They began to head into The Scrub.

As they waded into the thick brush, their eagerness for adventure prevented the group from pondering the situation. Few had ever escaped the Scrub, and those who did had never gone very deep. Xaerisk, Dawn, and Auroch walked ahead, slashing down vines and spider webs, as well as anything else that happened to get in the way. They seemed entertained, playing the "Who can cut down the biggest thing, or things in one swoop" game.

Lilly, AmaKali, and Athlan walked behind, laughing at the spectacle their friends were making. Athlan turned to the other two, "Does she always want to be the biggest, boldest, and bravest?" He pointed at Dawn. Lilly grinned and nodded. AmaKali added, "You can't help but to love her." He grinned and chuckled a little.

The first three had proceeded to chopping down small trees when all Khan broke loose. Low screeches emitted from the woods around them. The whole group felt a haze of shamanistic powers drift around them, as odd looking goblins walked out from the trees, dropping their camouflage. If any of the party members had inquired about The Scrub in town, they would have learned that these Scrubblik were responsible for many a life. They might add six more to the list before the sun set.

Dawn prepared for fight, as Xaerisk held his sword high beside her, and Auroch happily awaited blood to the other side. Lilly stepped back, and turned around to make a complete circle around the angel and dryad. The Scrubblik began to come closer and closer.

Another haze lowered upon the group and the circle of fighters heard a growl from behind them. AmaKali had unsheathed his flamberges, a very uncommon thing for the pacifist angel. He roared psychotically. Proving his last fight with sanity, he flipped his swords, wielding them skyward to Rasha, instead of downward to Khan. What was wrong with him? What had happened?

The Scrubblik closed in even more.

"C'mon you ugly sons of a Muggwass!" Lilly screamed with a evil glint in her eye. "Come and get some!!"

AmaKali screamed psychotically again which seemed to rattle the Scrubblik's morale. He looked up at a large branch where 3 Scrubblik perched and flared his wings. The 3 Scrubblik's eyes widened in horror and started to scramble away in the trees. AmaKali wailed in delight and soared after them as fast as he could, flamberges held high.

Meanwhile Dawn and Xaerisk backed away from a menacing Scrubblik into the trunk of a tree. The Scrubblik barked out a loud laughing sound. Xaerisk screamed like a little girl. Dawn grabbed onto Xaerisk as tightly as she could.

"Stay away!" She squeaked.

Just as the Scrubblik was about to attack a figure with blonde hair flipped in the sky and landed behind the ugly Scrubblik. Lilly gripped her staff like a baseball bat and swung it. It connected with the Scrubblik's head with a crack. The Scrubblik slipped to the ground unconscious.

"HA! HA! HAAAH!" Lilly roared in delight.

Two Scrubblik surrounded the psycho-bard. One in front, the other from behind. Lilly concentrated on the Scrubblik in front of her. She continually flicked her staff out like lightning, the only sound that could be heard was the thonk of wood. Head, left arm, right leg, jab foot, jab stomach. The first Scrubblik was stunned with pain. It didn't know what hit him. Lilly kicked hard backwards. The Scrubblik behind her doubled over and groaned in pain as he grabbed his "assets". The bard then flipped backwards over the head of the groaning Scrubblik in back of her. She placed her foot on his back and pushed him into his companion. They tangled together and fell to the forest floor with grunts. Lilly pushed her hair out of the way of her wild eyes and ran to find some more Scrubblik.

Auroch was up a tree, hugging it for dear life. He whimpered as a foul-smelling Scrubblik bared it's teeth in the Dwarf's face.

The hyper Dryad flew up to the scantly clad Scrubblik and tapped it on it's shoulder.

"Need a vacation? A vacation?" he repeated himself. The Scrubblik looked puzzled. Athlan then slammed his shoulder into the foul-beast's legs sending him flying face first into the ground below.

"Have a nice trip! Good trip!" Athlan smiled evilly.

A soft twang sung from off to the angel's left, followed by a whizzing by his ear. One of the Scrubblik grasped the arrow in its neck and stumbled, then fell forward onto the ground. The sound was repeated, and another of the small creatures fell. Auroch swung his axe, freeing another's legs from its torso. AmaKali sprung back in shock as a bright sword swept down on the Scrubblik that had sprung at him. His daze ended, he joined the fight with incredible zeal.

Surprised by the ferocity of the defense, the figures scattered, wailing what could only be curses in their wild tongue.

"What in the name of whatever god you like best do you people think you're doing, crashing through Scrubblik territory with all the stealth of a host of orcs?!" the man with the great bow shouted as he wiped the stinking gore from his sword. "You're all lucky that it was only a small party that caught you, or they would not have even broken stride, no matter your insanity in battle." He gave the angel a quick glare with a scowl.

"We were--" began Dawn.

"Only stirring up things that could kill you in an instant if they weren't already frightened from all that's happening in the Scrub!" the man broke in. "Now I suggest that you urban folk get back to where you belong, and try not to be so damned loud."

The man disappeared back into the surrounding dark without another word.

Lilly slumped a little and put a hand to her head.

"Ugh..what happened?" She uttered.

Dawn quickly released the now surprised and blushing Xaerisk.

"Get you hands off me, Ssslik." Dawn said with anger to cover her embarrassing actions. Straightening up she strided over to the shaken up bard, Xaerisk right behind her.

AmaKali and Athlan landed. Auroch slid down the tree.

"What was that all about?" AmaKali asked with a sullen look.

"It must has been that strange pungent haze right before those Goblins showed themselves." Dawn contemplated.

"Do you think they were shaman?" Xaerisk asked looking at Dawn.

"I doubt that all were. Or else we'd all be dead. They probably have a high shaman that casts this haze from the shadows. Then his cronies descend upon the helpless victims." Dawn assessed.

Auroch nodded. "The haze makes the travelers defenseless."

"Yes. But I'm not sure why they became so extremely opposite." Dawn motioned to Lilly, AmaKali, and Athlan.

The group thought a few seconds then Lilly spoke.

"I remember countless tales of heroic braves wandering into the Scrub but never being seen again." Lilly retold.

"Yeah-yeah. What's the point? The point?" asked the Dryad impatiently.

"I also remember simple farmers going into the Scrub and becoming bloodthirsty raging beserkers. One of the farmers managed to escape the Scrub to Hillrod and relayed the tale. He was raving mad. Or the townspeople thought. They put him in the dungeon and there he is to this day. Of course it's only a story." Finished the bard.

"Shamanistic powers do have tricky effects. Tricky. Tricky." Athlan repeated.

"Interesting. Let's go pay a visit to this "raving lunatic." Unless you want to stay here with the Goblins." Announced Auroch with a chuckle.

Dawn and the others nodded.

"While we're there we might as well research Shaman spells to see if there's anything we can do to prevent it's affects from harming us." AmaKali suggested.

"You're useful after all." Dawn grinned. "You can take Athlan along to help you."

"I'll go to." offered Lilly.

Dawn looked over to Lilly.

"It's fine. I don't care for dungeons much." Lilly smiled and wrinkled her nose.

They headed back to Hillrod. To find this fabled "farmer" and see what could mitigate Shaman spells or how to counteract them.

Leaving the forest, something bothered AmaKali. While the others were speculating about the farmer and the other legends of the Scrub, he was thinking about something else. Shamanistic powers didn't disturb him; he was horrified at his loss of control in the forest.

Never before, he thought, have I insulted Rasha in such a manner. If there was someone behind these attacks, he knew it was a creature of darkness. For only a being of evil would delight in such heresy to my god.

Deep within the forest, the retreated goblins returned to the camp. They knew that by telling their lord the news they were sealing their fates; but it was their duty. Besides that, if he really wished their blood sacrificed; they wouldn't be able to stop him.

It angered him that his minions failed. Not that he cared for them; but he didn't like any loose ends. As one door closes though, another opens. The plans were already in place to ensure that this band wouldn't be any more of a nuisance.

Now his troops returned. Wounded from battle, they hurried to tell him the bad tidings. He already knew, of course. After all, it was he who stopped the angel; delighting in his control. He knew just how much that would torture the angel. He laughed at that. Angels were such weak creatures - they were bound to do good. Fortunately, demons weren't.

In the dungeons, the stench of death ruled the air. As Dawn, Xaerisk and Auroch entered, they knew something was wrong. The guards said the farmer was in the second cell. When they got there, the sight disgusted them.

The farmer was there all right; but his head was nowhere to be found. Around the neck there was just a bloody mess, as if someone squeezed the head into itself. From the smell and the blood still coming out of the neck, it was clear this happened very recently.

Xaerisk ran with the incredible speed of a Ssslik to alert the guards. No stranger to gory messes, Auroch stroked his long beard thoughtfully. Clearly, the farmer could not have done this himself. Since the door was locked, no one could have physically entered the cell either. Nevertheless, he had never seen magic that could do this, this unspeakably horrific way to die.

What being was powerful enough to do this?

Xaerisk appeared a few moments later, running back down the corridor, his body twitching nervously. Behind him, three of the saris guards tried desperately to keep up. All three were used to grisly sights, but were shaken by this mess.

AmaKali said nothing, but looked at the mutilated corpse in disbelief. Dawn was looking the other way, shaking. Lilly was utterly disgusted by the sight, but stared at it in morbid fascination. Athlan buzzed around in a circle, muttering nervously in his own language.

After some time, Auroch said, "This was not done by magic, nor by physical means. This death was accomplished through psionics. That is not much help, considering we're in a fairly large saris town..."

"Now you just hold on a moment, you bearded, stunted, axe-swinging fool! There is honor among us, and we are close to danger at all times, and Cliffside is closer than anyone would like!" said one of the guards.

"He's right, Auroch, we can't make any assumptions, and we can't let this turn into a fight among ourselves." Lilly said slowly, not looking up from the corpse.

AmaKali continued to stare into nothing, a deep scowl on his face.

"I'm sorry if I've offended you, but it's like Lilly said; we can't make any assumptions. It could have just of easily been a saris as a vampire. Either way, we can't stay down in this dismal spot any longer and hope to get any closer to what happened here. I think we should all head back to the tavern to get a bit of dwarven thinking juice."

"What is dwarven thinking juice? What is it?" Athlan said, buzzing over to Auroch.

"He means--" began Dawn.

"Ale. Strong ale. Lots of strong ale." the dwarf said with a smile spreading.

Back in the inn, AmaKali went silently up to his room. Xaerisk, Athlan, and Lilly each did the same. Dawn stayed downstairs with Auroch.

Dawn was sipping ale from her mug, when she noticed a short man draped in a dirty brown cloak and hood stumble into the tavern. His shoulder-length hair was matted with blood, and he clutched his side. The innkeeper rushed over to the man, gave him a room, and told him to try not to get too much blood on the furniture.

In his room, Daen treated his wound with a bowl of bloodstained water and a number of herbs that came out of a pouch at his side. The wound was not as bad as the blood made it out to be, a single jab that had glanced his ribs. Once the wound was properly dressed, Daen made his way down the stairs to the tavern.

"Hey, you're the fools that were attacked by the Scrubblik earlier, weren't you?" the weather stained man said to Auroch.

"Aye, and yehr the one with the temper, aren't yeh, yeh swimmy little one, eh?" the dwarf said, fighting off unconsciousness. It was a battle that Dawn had already lost.

"Well when you people head out again, you'd take me with you. That wasn't some unorganized attack on you. And it wasn't the only attack made that day. The Scrubblik aren't organized creatures, and there's something driving them. This leader, whatever it is, has already broken my golden rule of live and let live. If you're headed toward it, I'd love to come along and show it what that law means to me."

Auroch laughed hard, and with a final sip of ale, passed out on the table. Daen smiled, and left two leafs of an herb on the table, with a note saying "Each of you take this when you get up, it'll cool your heads." He got up and went to bed.

AmaKali and Athlan stopped at the marble steps of the magic hall. In awe, they stared at the towers reaching into the sky above them, as the occasionally flare of light shot out from windows. They needed to find out exactly what they had been fighting, and should get the information they needed here.

Walking in, they explained their purpose to a hyper little Saris, who directed them to a far corner of the halls. Coming upon the door, it looked like it would rot off of the hinges, and the reek of damp paper oozed through the cracks. Opening it, a cloud of dust greeted their eyes, followed by the sight of hundreds of old, unkempt books. "Wow, they really love the old arts. Love the old arts." Why did the dryad always repeat himself?

They both looked at each other, and then delved into the piles of books. Yelling occasionally to get help understanding a term, the two gradually became more and more disconcerted. They couldn't find anything along the lines of what they were looking for. Both frowning, they collapsed together in the middle of the room. As they made casual talk, trying to relieve the stress of their studies, the door crashed open.

"Who's in here?" An old Saris yelled as he hobbled into the room. Seeing the angel and dryad, he looked puzzled. "Oh...I thought some of the novices had hidden back in this room again. They do that when they don't want to study. Hi, I'm Eldebrande. I teach here."

AmaKali couldn't talk fast enough to get his questions out as they occurred to him. After tripping over a few sentences, he finally asked, "What do you know about some sort of spell that reverses a person's mentality?" Eldebrande frowned and began to walk off.

Athlan flew through the air and acrobatically swooped down in front of him," What do you know, do you know?"

After a brief pause the old saris figured he couldn't avoid the question. "What you're talking about is a demonic possession gone to Khan, pardon the pun." He laughed under his breath. "If a person or persons cannot be controlled, the affect on the mind causes them to become disoriented and go into a stage of psychosis. The results can be disastrous...or quite interesting."

As the old Saris yelled to ask them what had happened, the two flew off to find their friends. A demon...they were dealing with a demon!

Lilly saw the Dryad and Angel rush out of the building and asked them what they found out. AmaKali explained about the Demon.

"A Demon?" Lilly echoed, eyes wide.

"Yes. Let's tell the others. Tell them." The Dryad flitted around Lilly's head. Making her a bit dizzy. The 3 ran over to the tavern.

"Dawn?" Lilly yelled looking over the people who littered the stale pub. "Dawn? Dawn!"

The Bard rushed over to two slumped figures at the bar. Lilly shook Dawn thinking of how Dawn never passed out when drinking before.

"Wha?" Dawn slurred. "Oh, hey there beautiful."

Lilly narrowed her eyes and put her fists on her hips.

"What do you think you are doing at a time like this!?" Lilly cried a bit too loud.

"Ooh." Dawn winced. "Don't talk so loud."

The angry blonde saw the note and herbs.

"Is this poisonous?" Lilly held out the herb toward Dawn.

"Well if you'd stop spinning' I could tell.." Dawn said squinting.

After a minute of staring at the herb, "Nope. Not dangerous." Dawn confirmed.

"Good. Then eat it." Lilly pushed her hand holding the leaf toward Dawn. Dawn lazily opened her mouth instead. Lilly tried to put it in but Dawn was having fun dodging the Bard's hand. Lilly, frustrated, grabbed Dawn's jaw and shoved the leaf in her companion's mouth.

"Uh-oh she's not gonna like that." AmaKali expressed over Lilly's shoulder.

After five minutes both Dawn and Auroch were quite sober.

"Must be the haze still wearing off. I never drink that much." Dawn straightened herself out and tried to look dignified.

"Yeah. Sure." Lilly teased.

"Oh, and if you ever grab me like that again. I'll bite your pretty little fingers off." Dawn grinned evilly. Lilly laughed nervously, debating if the warrior really meant it.

Xaerisk wandered over to the group.

"I could hear you all yelling over the noise of the bar." the Ssslik said grumpily.

AmaKali explained what they had learned earlier. Lilly jumping in every so often. The bard coming out in her.

"Hm. That seems logical." Xaerisk commented as the story was over.

"Demons." Dawn spat with distaste. Lilly looked over with concern to Dawn. Remembering how Demons had attacked Dawn's city when the warrior was 12 but before all the Demons could be exterminated Dawn lost her brother, her sister, and her mother.

"Shall we go? Go?" Athlan chattered.

"Well what about the mind altering effects the haze has?" Lilly pointed out. "Surely we can't go back in there and have our warrior's become children again. Right, AmaKali?"

AmaKali was thinking about what he'd done in the Scrub and didn't hear Lilly at first.

"AmaKali?" Lilly turned to him.

"Oh, right." The Angel said half-heartedly.

"Are you okay?" The Bard smiled kindly.

"I'm fine. Thank you." AmaKali smiled back without emotion.

"Eh? Where's that bloody coot we met in the forest?" Auroch wondered looking around.

"The man from the forest is here?" Xaerisk asked, feeling out of the loop.

"Aye! Said he would be coming with us when we go back." Auroch chuckled merrily. "It'd be his life his riskin'."

"Maybe he knows a way to avoid the haze." Lilly offered.

"Hmph." Dawn grunted with distaste.

"His name be Dean, I think." Auroch said trying to remember.

Lilly shook her head. "Dawn? His name's Dawn?" She asked surprised.

"No lass, Daen!" Auroch roared making a dozen heads turn towards the diverse group.

"Let's go to his room, the room!" Athlan exclaimed hyperactively.

The group trudged up to Daen's room and knocked loudly.

The door opened while AmaKali was still knocking, sending the angel stumbling into the room. Daen stepped aside and then helped the angel up.

"So you're all finally ready to leave?" He noticed Dawn tapping her foot quickly and Auroch looking around, on alert. A smile slowly spread on Daen's face. "I see you took the Hysshma leaves." he said through his wide grin.

"Yup yup yup!!" Dawn said quickly, her eyes darting this way and that.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced, Daen is it?" AmaKali said, extending his hand.

Daen looked at the angel's hand, then up to his face. "No, we have not. And yes, my name is Daen. Lets decide what we're going to do."

"What do you mean, 'decide what we're going to do?!'" Auroch asked. "It seems obvious enough t'me; we find this camp of Scrubblik and cleave whatever we find there into as many parts as we can!"

"Well, we don't have to find anything, I know where the camp is and how many Scrubblik are there. How do you think I got these trophies?" Daen showed the crack in his scalp, and the shallow cut on his ribs. "I was there a day ago, I followed one of the beasties that fled back to the camp. I was caught by one of the patrolling Scrubbliks, and ran into a trap that sent a tree limb down on me... a rather big one. And as for just us trying to kill them... you obviously don't know the Scrub. That small group of goblin look alikes could have shredded us all, if we hadn't scared them off so quickly. That whole camp, plus whatever is playing the leader to these things--"

"A demon." AmaKali broke in, a scowl on his face. "A demon is controlling them, and making the haze that made me lose control."

"Well then that doesn't make it any easier on us destroying that camp, and just strengthens my point." Daen said quietly.

"We should get some help from the Saris soldiers here. They're well trained, they have to be, coming from so near the Scrub." Dawn suggested.

"Right, I think we can all find that agreeable." Xaerisk said with a nod.

"IF they are willing to spare any soldiers from the battle... The battle..." Athlan said feeling a little scared.

Daen grabbed his long bow from against the wall, put on his quiver full of black and white feathered arrows, and strapped on his sword belt. "Well, lets go see if they can spare a few."

They quickly found the officer of the garrison in Hillrod. They explained their dilemma, but it didn't look good.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't spare anyone right now. Hillrod is defenseless enough as it is; and anyone I can afford to I'm sending him to the front."

"But sir," Daen interrupted, "We have a saying where I'm from - Keep your friends close and your enemmies closer. You may stave off the war only to find your home razed to the ground if you ignore the danger closest to home." He emphasized his remark with a pounding of his foot on the floor.

"Aye, and if it were up to me I'd go myself. But in case you hadn't noticed, there's a war going on right now. That is my priority, not a childish romp and stomp. I'm sorry, but I just can't help you."

And with that, the party of adventurers left the garrison.

"Great, what'll we do now?" Dawn asked. "Don't even think about it Auroch; this is not the right time for dwarf thinking juice"

Auroch laughed heartily and patted Dawn on the back. "Aye and you may be right. But do you have any brighter ideas?"

AmaKali said nothing, deep in thought.

Finally, Lilly spoke up: "The Saris in Hillrod won't help, right? We can't take the risk on by ourselves, no doubt? It seems clear then: we must find others willing to help. There aren't any more adventurers in Hillrod; or at least, none that will help. On the other hand, not too far away lies the town of Port Eston. The scrub elves there detest the Scrubblik and might welcome a chance to wipe out their camp, demon or no."

Daen pondered this. On the one hand, these elves could be the hands they need. On the other, they might not want to help and they might even attack to keep the party out of the Port. Unless...

"I must go," AmaKali announced. "If not to convince the elves, then for my sake. That demon was too powerful for me alone. There ought to be at least one Angel near the area who will help me."

"Then let's go already! Go already!" said the Athlan, already fluttering about the others impatiently.

And so, gathering their supplies for a short journey, the party left for whatever might meet them in Port Eston...

As the group was starting to leave, Dawn and Lilly talked in the corner of the bar.

Lilly sighed. "We just came from Port Eston, didn't we?"

"Yeah." Dawn grunted, unamused.

"Then why do we go back there? They think I'm this Ramina person." Lilly leaned her elbows on the table. Just then AmaKali came over and plopped down beside the group.

"You didn't sense any other Angel's in Port Eston, did you AmaKali?" Lilly asked the confused Angel.

"No. I'm sure I would have felt them near.." AmaKali trailed off.

"Maybe we should talk to this "Mistress Ramina" and find out if she knows anything about.. 'Shaman powers'." Dawn emphasized 'Shaman powers.' She couldn't stand book-worm type Mages. The cold Saris trusted her skills more then magic.

"She is an Illusionist Mage, after all." Lilly commented.

"Good. Then we'll stop by and finally see this Mistress Ramina that looks so much like Lilly." AmaKali smirked.

"For all we know that could be an illusion, too." Dawn said in a serious tone, "Why would anyone want to look like that?..Who knows." Dawn glanced coyly over the table to the insulted Bard.

Lilly forced a laugh.

"Gods forbid she acts like you." Lilly pointed out.

"Oh yeah?" Dawn started smiling.

"We'd better go, girls." AmaKali hesitated over the Bard and Warrior's playful teasing they did quite frequently.

"Are you calling me a girl?" Dawn stared at the Angel, pulsing with coolness. AmaKali gave the warrior the once-over. Although very feminine, the red-haired exotic had a hint of rugged masculinity.

"No, no. You're definitely anything but." AmaKali getting nervous. Lilly smiled and pulled AmaKali's arm so he would get up.

"Oh, don't mind her. Come on, we'd better catch up with the others." Lilly motioned to the empty bar.

Dawn patted(slapped) the Angel's back a few times to show she was teasing as the group headed towards the exit of Hillrod.

A few steps out of Hilltop, the group found themselves confronted by a group of guards, headed by an immense giant suited in full platemail dangling a sword bigger than two Dawns put together. Auroch whistled, trying to nonchalantly calm himself, and friends.

"Where is the impostor?" The giant roared as Lilly slowly hid behind the outstretched wings of AmaKali. "Show her to me!"

"What is your purpose?" Dawn challenged the giant, hoping to somehow save her friend.

"SHOW HER TO ME NOW!!!" Like a dragon after nearly being beaten to death, Dawn slinked back into the ranks. Lilly then peaked her head out from the side of the angel's wings.

"It is me, sir. I didn't mean any harm. We had just come from Cliffside, and we almost died, and almost got left, and almost died, and didn't want to die, AND..." she began to cry.

The giant slowly shrunk into a wise-looking middle aged Saris, who while trying to suppress her laughter walked over to comfort Lilly. Athlan fainted, while the others just stared. "It's all right little one. I didn't mean to scare you, it's just that these people in Hilltop aren't always too responsive when something needs to be done."

"You got that right!" Auroch had suddenly gained a spine. He continued to explain the group's situation, while giving himself an incredible amount of merit and failing to mention his hiding in a tree during the Scrubblik fight.

After the epic tale ended, the Saris surveyed the group and began, "Well, hopefully you all have the wits to realize that I am Ramina..." she gave special attention to Auroch on that comment, and smiled once again at the steadily calming Lilly, "The Scrubblik have never given my people very much trouble, but then again they have never had a demon assisting them before. They're idiots, really. I'm surprised they haven't all forgotten to breath and suffocated yet. Anyway, yadda yadda, we're going to go kill them. It ought to be fun, my guards will help us!"

The group looked at each other, and each nodded to the enchantress while stepping behind her. Though she seemed rather crazy (Dawn had not missed her chances to whisper such to the group) they knew she might be their only chance.

As they headed back into the Scrub, Ramina went over all of the occurrences in which the militia of Hilltop had refused to help her. She also went over all the occurrences which that "ass of a general" had talked about what he would do if not for...blah, blah, blah. They all enjoyed her, and mutually hoped she wouldn't get them killed.

Soon the vines had surrounded them once again, and blades began to unsheathe as mental powers were focused. They had greater numbers this time, but did they have power enough?

Ramina and the guards then took a leather pouch off their belts. Opening the pouch and spilling a bit of it's contents in their eager hands they then rubbed it onto their faces. The strong aroma wafted in the air. Daen sniffed and thought he recognized a hint of some herbs but there was something else also in that powdery mix the Saris' had. Something ancient or foreign. Ramina's lines in her face looked somewhat less tense as she poured a little bit more into her hand and turned to Lilly. How they mistook Lilly for this crazed woman, the Bard could only guess.

"Here let me put this on your face." the large Saris said nicely. As nice as gruff could sound. Lilly had no objections what-so-ever and Ramina proceeded to gently rub the mix into the fair Elf's skin. Lilly caught Dawn glancing over at her with an annoyed look on her face. While the other Eston guards gave the rest of the group some powder to rub on their faces, Ramina turned over to the stoic warrior twirling her war hammer with a look of invasion.

"This lets us pass through the Scrub without having to worry about the effects of the haze." Ramina sneered smugly lifting her palm full of mix to Dawn's face. Dawn caught the other loud Saris' hand by the wrist and took the powder from her.

"*I* can do it by myself. Thank you." Dawn said coldly. Some of the others felt the tension in stinging the air.

"Not only does it counteract the haze." Ramina boasted unfrazzled by the warrior's actions,

"It also give you a *great* buzz!"

Apparently only Ramina, her minions, and Auroch thought it was funny. "It does kinda make me feel light-headed." Lilly commented offhand. Dawn sighed and rubbed the powder into her well-defined Saris features, feeling the affects start instantaneously.

"Now, I think we should form a semi-circle-" Dawn started looking over at Xaerisk, jumping into action but was abruptly cut off by Ramina and her henchmen running off deeper into the forest yelling and roaring with laughter.

Dawn did not look amused. Lilly walked over to her friend.

"Gods, I was only joking about her having your attitude.." Lilly said sounding astonished.

Now, Dawn was definitely not amused. Xaerisk shifted his weight on his feet looking very annoyed at the display. Auroch looked a bit ticked they ran off without him. AmaKali, Athlan, and Daen just stood looking a bit shocked at the brashness of their new found "friends."

With a big mutual sigh, the group trotted off into the Scrub following the wailing and screaming of their other "companions" from within.

Daen thanked Keesh for the thickness of the plants of the Scrub. Ramina and her guards were having some difficulty getting through the forest, and were slashing down most of the vines in their way, making almost as terrific a racket as the group of adventurers had been making when they were attacked by the Scrubblik.

"So much for coming to the camp without being noticed." AmaKali said to the group, which was trudging along beside him.

Daen was not happy with the amount of noise being made either. "How can these people call themselves good-natured when they're going to get us all killed?" he wondered. He kept his mouth shut though, knowing that the illusionist was their only real hope in taking this camp.

"We really should try to catch up with them and tell them to quiet down, before we stumble on a sentry." he finally said aloud. He made his way around the undergrowth to the Mistress and her guards. "Make a little less noise and we may have a chance at this. And try not to destroy so much of the forest, we're here to remove a fester in it, not to be one."

"Well, my good man! Aren't you enjoying this merry little trip?" Ramina said to him in between laughs. "Spread a little less dread and dark sentiment, and you may live longer!" she said, mocking the man's quiet voice. Seeing that further conversation with this odd woman was useless, he dropped back to the group.

After some time, the uneasy atmosphere of the forest grew, and even the wild mage and her guards sobered. "We're getting nearer to the camp. We should start looking out for traps." Daen said, rubbing his head.

"I'll disguise myself as one of the creatures." Ramina said, and began to shrink and contort. The small goblin-like creature smiled a smile full of sharp teeth and ran off into the darkening Scrub.

"I don't fully trust this deceiver." Daen whispered into Xaerisk's ear. "I'll keep a watch on her and come on the camp from a different angle." He fitted a crude arrow to his bowstring and sprang off into the trees.

The remaining members of the group readied their weapons and moved on slowly. In a few moments, they were looking at the camp of Scrubbliks from the shadows around it. The camp was made of several small huts made of wood and dried earth, arranged in a square around a large fire in the center. Scrubbliks were all around it, roasting and eating some kind of greasy, gray meat.

One of the beasts looked directly at AmaKali. The adventurers and guards tensed and stood completely still. The Scrubblik nodded at them. It was Ramina. Xaerisk spotted a brown figure perched in one of the trees, an arrow drawn back to his ear. The arrow loosed, pinning one of the Scrubblik to a crude hut. Suddenly a giant in platemail stood inside the camp. It flung one of the small creatures into a tree. The battle was joined.

To his right, Auroch saw Dawn, Lilly and Xaerisk leap into the camp. To his left, Athlan and AmaKali. Auroch whooped; now THIS was a battle.

Scrubbliks poured out of their tents, confused by the ambush. But not for long. With the vengeance of a wolf protecting its pups, they came at them.

Athlan summoned a quick fireball to incinerate one, while AmaKali sliced apart another beside him. Two more came at them; he slashed the first over the head as the second leaped onto him. Before it could cut him to ribbons, an arrow from Daen pierced the Scrubblik’s back.

By now, the Elf, Saris and Ssslik were surrounded by bodies of dead Scrubblik. That didn't stop them though. As more of them attacked, they were glad to see Auroch join them.

"So kind of you to join us, Auroch."

"You obviously needed some lessons in how to fight."

"Har har. Will you quit jabbering and fight already?"

Ramina had done away with enough Scrubblik by now. Though they were tough, her giant form made short work of the creatures. With the support of the other Saris, she advanced through the camp. Soon, most of the Scrubblik were either killed or disappeared into the forest canopy.

Half an hour later, the camp was cleared of all Scrubblik. One of the Saris fighters had a vicious gash down her side; but other than that the party was remarkably well off.

Auroch was elated. Victory was theirs! Of course, he had to say so to everyone in as loud a voice as possible.

AmaKali wished he could be so confidant. True, they had won against the Scrubblik: but where was the demon?

"That's quite a gash you got there, Ramina." Dawn taunted the large Saris.

"It's nothing." Ramina huffed.

"Let your guard down?" The unscratched Dawn sneered. Ramina glared at the other Saris and with a flick of her wrist sent her sword, flying, in the direction of the other warrior. Lilly gasped. But Dawn quickly deflected it with her Hammer. Ramina relaxed and smiled broadly.

"You're pretty good." Expressed the Illusionist Mage who apparently likes the battle more then her magic. Dawn smirked. Lilly sighed with relief.

"Warriors..." The Bard muttered. Then she noticed what must have been a young Scrubblik in his teenage years, like herself. I hate war..the young Bard thought. She felt as if the encampment started closing in on her. Blood..so much blood. The smell..the moans.

Dawn noticed Lilly had turned pale and went over to put her arm around the frightened bard.

"Dawn.." Lilly whimpered.

"Shhh..it's over. The Demon tainted their spirits. It's over." Dawn repeated soothingly while she petted the side of the blonde's head. Lilly sobered a little.

"Thanks. I'm fine, now." Lilly sniffed.

"Hey what about the Demon?" Xaerisk asked the group, coming out of a small hut.

"Did we check all the huts?" Dawn questioned and the group replied with nods and affirmatives.

"Do you think the Demon fled?" Ramina smiled. Imagining a scared Demon running for it's life from her.

"No. I can feel him..He's around here someplace." The Angel disagreed.

"Then where could the bugger be?" Auroch said while wiping the gore off his blade.

"Daen, could there be any tunnels or underground caves nearby?" Dawn asked.

"Well now that you mentioned it. There is quite a large tunnel to the east that just appeared not more then a week ago." Daen explained slowly. While recalling his memories at the same time.

"Do you think that possibly the Demon has hidden his body there?" The still-pale bard asked her friend.

"There's only one way to know." Xaerisk smirked.

"Let's find out." Dawn added, trying to get the slyest remark in.

Ramina howled out loud. "Let's make ourselves some Demon stew!"

The group cringed at the psychotic Saris.

"I'll just be glad when we get back to town for a drink." Auroch said feeling tired from the outbursting Saris.

"I second that." Lilly said sarcastically.

Everyone then followed Daen toward the tunnel in the East.

Lilly fell back to where the Angel was walking.

"Are you all right, AmaKali?" Lilly put a comforting arm on the Angel's shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine." AmaKali smiled weakly.

"You just haven't been talking that much. I thought something might be wrong." Lilly explained herself.

"I'm fine, really. I've just got a lot on my mind." The Angel walked out of the grasp of the young blonde. Lilly looked worried. Dawn came up behind Lilly just then.

"Anything the matter?" Dawn prodded the Bard.

"No. AmaKali just looks a bit detached." Lilly frowned.

"He's been through a lot lately. If he needs out help, he'll ask." Dawn said confidently, knowing that if the Angel couldn't help himself he'd most likely turn to one of them for advice.

"You're right." Lilly smiled.

"WOOOW!!" A loud booming voice yelled in the distance.

"I know who that was." Xaerisk trudged past the bard and the warrior with a displeased look on his face. Even for a Ssslik, it was discernible.

Dawn and Lilly caught up to the others gawking at a large tunnel.

"Hey, at least we can all fit." Auroch chuckled.

"What about the Demon's psionic powers? His Powers?" Athlan flitted around the group.

"Good question." Lilly agreed.

"Well Dawn and I have psionics." Ramina beamed. "You do know how to use them, don't you?"

"Better then you may think." Dawn said in a challenging voice.

"Good. I can use my illusion magics to hide the Demon from seeing us." Ramina plotted.

Dawn nodded. "Then you and I can use our psionics to keep it from detecting us until we're in striking distance." The red-haired warrior added.

"Here we go." Ramina grinned, waving her hands in a graceful pattern while Lilly watched closely to every detail.

A hushed silence came over the adventurers as they entered the cave. Just inside the entrance, three Scrubblik were hanging from the ceiling; their skin torn off their pitiful bodies. A large pool of blood lay coagulating on the ground below them.

Poor buggers, thought Auroch. Then he noticed the eyes move. They were still alive! Well, there would be time enough to get them down and put them out of their misery after they fought the demon. That is, if they didn't end up strung up alongside the Scrubblik.

But now wasn't the time for that: it was the time for silence. The slightest whisper might alert the demon, and then all advantage would be lost.

They could see him now, at the end of the cave. Dawn and Ramina were struggling to block his mind and hide his eyes. The time was at hand to strike.

Daen signaled Lilly, Xaerisk, and Auroch to the one side to get ready to rush the demon. Then he signaled Athlan and the Saris warriors to ready their magic and arrows. He signaled AmaKali to ... where was he? No time to waste finding him.

As Lilly, Xaerisk, and Auroch walked silently towards the demon, Auroch was impressed. When he first saw AmaKali, an angel, he didn't think he looked like a being of infinite good and light. The demon, though. Auroch couldn't see his face within the dark cloak, but he knew the mind of evil behind it. It will be a joy to rid the world of this, he thought.

Dawn and Ramina concentrated on the task at hand. This demon's psionics were stronger than the both of them combined. However, slowly, ever so slowly, they felt themselves losing to his mind. He turned his head ...

It was now or never. The three launched themselves at the demon, trying to cut him apart. They managed to make a few slashes before he returned the attack. He sent Auroch flying, only to hit the side of the wall and slump down, unconscious. Lilly dodged his blow, while Xaerisk was cut by an evil knife in the demon's hand. He raised the knife again, for the death blow. It never came. The arrows from the archers pushed him back with a shriek, going right through him. Athlan's fireball flew past Lilly, singing her hair before it struck. For a while the demon still fought back, until Dawn and Ramina used psionic attacks. Finding his mind and his body under attack and finding himself losing the battle, the demon cried a horrible scream, to curdle the blood of his attackers. It was too late, though. With a final hit from her staff, Lilly sent him back to his creator.

Auroch groggily got up. The battle was over now, and it seemed to have gone well.

"Thanks for coming, Auroch." Ramina teased him. "Too bad you didn't do much."

"Hey, leave him alone. Shouldn't you transform into a fly, so we can squash you?" Lilly retorted.

"I have no idea how those elves in Port Eston could mistake me for you." Ramina told her. "I'm so much prettier, and wiser."

"Whatever, noodle-nose. What happened to Xaerisk? Is he okay?"

Daen hunched over the hurt Ssslik. "He has been struck by a demon blade. It wounds the soul as well as the body. If we don't get him healed as soon as possible, he will die."

"Well then, heal him!" shouted Auroch, wondering why the human was so good identifying wounds but not treating them.

"I can't. Even if I could heal the body, the soul would still be hurt. No, the only one who can heal him is an angel."

Where did the angel go? Finding him would be a matter of life and death.

Lilly crouched beside her Ssslik friend.

"Oh Xaerisk.." Lilly moaned, thinking that if the Ssslik warrior didn't step in front of that knife it would have been a fatal blow to Lilly. The bard swallowed hard. Dawn came over and put her hands on Lilly's shoulders.

"I..I know a healing spell." Lilly said out loud.

"It probably won't be enough." Dawn reasoned. Lilly knew she was right. The Ssslik would die way before the found AmaKali or made it back to Hillrod.

"I can make something to lessen the bleeding. It also helps regeneration." Daen explained while digging in his pouch and pulling out leaves, herbs, and spice.

"Maybe, combined, we'll be able to prolong his..." Lilly couldn't say the word "death." It got caught in her throat. Daen nodded and started applying his mixtures. Dawn helped the man to break, mash, and mix the ingredients.

Meanwhile Lilly culminated a bright glow from her hands and placed it over the awful looking wound.

The rest of the group decided to form a search party. Ramina and her gang would search around in the forest. Athlan would take shifts with Lilly in case she got fatigued from the spell or fainted. Auroch and Dawn then decided they'd head back to the town.

"I have a hunch we'll find our little escapee there." Dawn sneered. A bit mad at herself for not being strong enough, for AmaKali fleeing, Ramina being Ramina, and for Xaerisk being honorable. Dawn was sure she could have pushed Lilly out of the way if Xaerisk hadn't have stepped in between.

Lilly felt hot tears welt up in her eyes. They fell on her hands still bathed in healing light.

"No, don't cry, Lilly. No, Lilly." Athlan repeated. The Dryad trying to comfort the blonde Elf.

"It's my fault.." Lilly half-whispered. "It's all my fault.."

Dawn was still in ear-shot to hear this. The warrior clenched her jaw hard. Feeling anger welling up inside her. Though she knew she shouldn't, she couldn't help but blame the Angel for making her truly innocent bard go through this. It wasn't her fault. Dawn grabbed Auroch's shoulder and picked up the pace. Auroch almost kept tripping over his feet. The dwarf could only walk so fast. 2 minutes passed...then 5...then 10. It felt like an eternity. Being forced to watch a faithful friend die second by second.

"Do you want me to take over? Take over?" Athlan wondered.

"No," Lilly sniffed, her eyes still red and puffy. "I can do this."

"You've been at it for a long time. You should rest." Daen suggested while replacing the soaked through herb pasted bandage with another fresh one. Lilly looked at him with determined eyes with a hint of annoyance. Daen nodded, understanding.

"Hurry Dawn.." Lilly whispered.

Dawn and Auroch were in Hillrod. Dawn knew exactly where the Angel was. She stormed off to get him.

The angel was not at the bar, despite what Auroch jokingly told Dawn. Dawn didn't find it that funny right now.

She ran through Hillrod with Auroch at her heels, not stopping or slowing, until she reached Rasha's temple. She knew that AmaKali would be searching solace, and this would be the place to find it.

The angel was inside, weeping. Each tear was a tiny crystal that shone as it slid down his cheek. Dawn came up to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

"There there, we're still your friends," she said to AmaKali. "I know this is hard for you, but Xaerisk needs you."

"You all needed me..." he forced out. "I knew what I had to do, and I just couldn't do it. Rasha forgive me, for I couldn't face the demon."

"What's important is here and now, AmaKali. Right now Xaerisk needs your help. The demon stabbed him with a psionic dagger which wounded his soul and body. Lilly, Athlan, and Daen are trying their best to keep him alive, but only an angel can heal a wound like this."

"Yeah, come on," Auroch chimed in. "We don't care how much of a blockhead you are - Ow!" as Dawn kicked him in the stomach "You can help us now. Don't turn away. Do you want Xaerisk to die?"

"No," AmaKali said, his tears drying up. "No I don't." and with more zeal "I have to help him. Come on, let's go before it is too late." And with that, they ran out of the temple, hoping that by the time they returned to the cavern Xaerisk would still be alive.

Xaerisk didn't look good. Daen stooped over the small fire he had prepared, steam rising from the small pan of water he had gotten from a nearby stream. He mixed in the last of his leaves and gave the pan to Lilly. She lifted the Ssslik's head to the pan. He drank a small sip and coughed violently.

"What did you put IN that? In it?" Athlan squeaked.

"Just something to wake him up a bit... If he falls asleep, he can't keep fighting the wound."

"Come on Xaerisk, the stuff works, trust me. You have to fight it. Keep trying, they'll be back soon." Lilly said softly.

AmaKali and Dawn ran into the cave, both out of breath. Auroch came puffing after. AmaKali rushed over to Xaerisk, who was lying with his eyes half open, his breaths coming slow and shallow.

"Rasha fuel me..." the angel said under his breath, and knelt down beside the dying Ssslik. He gathered Xaerisk's hands, his left clasped the lizard's right, and his right held the lizard's left. He began to chant in a strange tongue, alien to all present. AmaKali seemed to change then, he became more radiant, but at the same time dulled as Xaerisk's pain entered into his soul. His bright face became furrowed, and he panted during breaks in his chanting. His eyes flickered open and shut, his pupils looking up into his head. His grip on Xaerisk's hands weakened, but he felt the Ssslik grip his hands back, lending him some of his strength along with his suffering.

AmaKali collapsed, breaking apart from Xaerisk. A tremendous sound like a thunder clap resounded through the cave when the two's hands left each other. The glowing aura surrounding them both faded to nothing, leaving them both lying in the fire-light.

Lilly ran over to them both, shaking first Xaerisk and then AmaKali. Xaerisk's eyes opened and he groaned. AmaKali flicked his eyes open groggily, then shut them again.

"They should both be all right now." Daen said. He brought them both his Hysshma broth. In a few moments, they were both on their feet again. Xaerisk breathed quickly, his eyes darting this way and that. AmaKali paced back and forth in the cave.

Daen gathered up his bow and his empty quiver. "I'm going back to the Dael now, to check up on whatever's happening there. When I left, things weren't too bad, but things are bound to change fast in an area like that... Northlanders and saris were NOT meant to live so close. I'll spend the night at the inn in Hillrod, in case any of you need me for anything. Good luck, and try not to press your ways on those that don't want them." He disappeared into the gloom outside.

After a few minutes, the two were back to their original selves. That is, AmaKali became pensive and withdrawn and Xaerisk chatted amiably with Dawn and Lilly.

Walking out of the cavern, they cut down the Scrubblik hanging at the entrance. Together they gathered a large pile of sticks and threw the dead bodies scattered about the camp onto it. When they lit up the pyre, it created the horrible stench of burning flesh.

Scouring the camp, they were disappointed to find no valuables of any kind.

"Well, that seemed like a bit of a waste," Ramina complained to anyone who was listening.

Lilly's mind was elsewhere. "AmaKali, I'm still worried about you. What happened to you back there?" The angel said nothing. Lilly didn't want to press her friend, but she was too worried to do let what happened to AmaKali pass. She fell back away from the distraught angel and headed over to Dawn to discuss the matter quietly.

The Scrubb somehow seemed less menacing as they passed under the forest canopy. The Scrubbliks were gone, for now. Evil is never eliminated, it is only removed for a short time.

"Where to now? Now?" Athlan asked after they left the forest.

"I don't know about you, but today has had adventure enough to last me a while." Auroch said to his companions, weary of battle. "I miss my home, and my forge has been silent for too long. I think that after a good stiff drink at the bar, I'll head home. Any of you are welcome to join me in Berenhill."

His friends were silent. They had enjoyed their time with the funny dwarf, but they weren't ready it seemed to disband altogether. Lilly gave him a great big hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks darling. I'm going to miss all of you. I hope I can see you again soon."

"Wait a sec." Xaerisk didn't want him to leave just yet. "You wouldn't want your last drink in Hillrod to be alone, would you?"

"Ha ha! No indeed, I wouldn't." With that, the group walked to the tavern for one last drink together. "Don't fret, a goodbye is never for ever. We'll see each other again soon, I guarantee it."

Back in town the group headed to the tavern to pick up what spare supplies they left and sat down to drink.

"Here's to The Scrub!" Auroch shouted. He seemed very happy to be reunited with his ale. Everyone agreed and clicked their cups together. Lilly and Amakali had ordered a berry juice of some type. It's deep red color made it appear to be wine.

"So what are you going to do, Ramina?" Xaerisk inquired the bulky fanatic. She loved to talk about herself and was happy to answer.

"I'm going back to Port Eston." She hiccupped. "Then I'm gonna get ready to sail to the Spire!" A silence fell over the group as they studied this crazy woman intently. Not sure if she was joking about going to the Demon Island.

"I' just jokin'!" Ramina grinned from ear to ear.

A loud whoosh came from the band of adventurers as they let out a sigh. "I'm not that crazy!" Ramina laughed loudly. Then banged her tankard on the table signaling for more ale. The dwarf took advantage of this and ordered another refill.

"No, just crazy enough." Dawn muttered.

"Where are you off to Athlan?" Lilly patted Dawn on the leg and gave her a look of 'let's not start'. Dawn shrugged helplessly.

"I'm thinking of going back to visit my family. Going home." Athlan smiled.

"That'd be nice. I should go visit my parent soon." Lilly said thoughtfully.

The night went merrily on. Then the travelers decided to head on their own ways. Lilly hugged Athlan while Xaerisk shook hands with the dwarf. AmaKali stayed back and just waved. Dawn told Auroch it was nice to have a such a dwarf fight beside her. Auroch beamed and told her he felt the same. Lilly held out her hand to Ramina but Ramina slapped it away and grabbed the bard to her chest. Smashing the Bard's breath out of her lungs. Lilly gasped when Ramina let her down. The large warrior laughed loudly. After all goodbyes were said Ramina and her goons headed toward Port Eston, Auroch to Berenhill, Athlan towards his home, Xaerisk, AmaKali, Lilly and Dawn headed south and let Destiny take them where it may.