[ Turn 79 | Turn 80 ]

(This first part is Tieron and Shateera's Wedding performed on January 15, 523 for the record and so Shateera can remind Tieron when their anniversary is approaching.)

Traditional Celtic Handfasting

Bedeck the ritual area in flowers of many roses. The altar has 2 white candles, incense of a flower scent, and a willow wand.

After lighting the candles and incense, Keridwynne faces the gathering, backs toward the altar.

Keridwynne:
"May the place of this rite be consecrated for the Gods. For we gather here in a ritual of love with two who would be wedded. Tieron and Shateera, please come forward and stand here before us, and before the gods of nature."

Tieron and Shateera moves forward and stand before Keridwynne.

Keridwynne pauses for a few moments.

Keridwynne: "Is it your wish,Shateera to become one with this man?"

Shateera smiles and replies, "It is."

Keridwynne: "Is it your wish,Tieron to become one with this woman?

Tieron looks at Shateera, a smile shows on his face, and replies, "Yes, It is."

Tieron moves closely to Shateera, pulls up her veil and kisses her softly. A muffled "hurm" comes from Tieron as Shateera squeezes his ass.

The ceremony is then over and the cakes and wine on the altar are served at the revel that follows.

(Talorc's identify on the 17th)
An exhausted Talorc shows up at the bar on January 17th.

"OK, I just finished the identify."

He turns to Tieron, "Mr. Frosty, that god-staff of yours will enable you never to have to cast in battle again. It's of medium weapon enchantment (+2), but it can cast the following spells at one charge a piece: frostball, vampiric touch, knock, and wall of ice. All of these are at respectable level (10d6 frostball, all spells at least 10th level casting). If you are wondering what a "frostball" is, well you're not the only one. Simply put, if a little aggravating to us artists, it's an eruption of cold radiating from a point source, or a fire ball of cold. The staff currently is at maximum charges of 25, and is rechargeable simply by casting any of those four spells into it. When broken it splits into four scattered pieces, Unog gets a vacation, and you are either frozen solid and killed or plane-shifted somewhere.

"Next, Kevanish's stuff. The black leather armor is of medium enchantment (+3), his long sword similar (+2). The ring can send verbal messages to other ring wearers and has a permanent programmed illusion of Maja.

"Eight potions are random ability raisers.

"Four potions are of strength: quaffing gives fire giant strength for an hour.

"Dwain had a book of demon summoning to bring Sentares through. His spellbook has the following: wizard mark, shield, dancing lights, grease, spider climb, change self, magic missile, esp, fog cloud, pyrotechnics, melf's acid arrow, clairaudience, secret page, fly, windwall, minor globe of invulnerability, fumble, evard's black tentacles, monster summoning II, fear, firetrap, enchanted weapon.

"Also, we have a very nice mithral broadsword of medium enchantment (+2) Or simply 1d10/3d6 +4 able to hit creatures requiring +2 enchantment. Speed factor after adjustments is only 3.

"And a white scabbard that gifts its wearer with the paladin ability of laying on of hands ( 2 points of healing per level per day )."

"Cool, so we need to make sure that everyone who is remotely a warrior has an enchanted weapon, can we see a show of hands of who doesn't have any enchanted weapons?" Keridwynne looks schoolmarmish for a moment.

"Well, My weapon doesn't detect as magical, does that count? If Loch doesn't need the armor then I'm interested. Otherwise the scabbard looks interesting." Mero says.

"Loch is a ranger, and I don't believe he has any magic items. Do you sexykittenbutt?" *Keridwynne pokes Loch, trying to loosen his tongue*

Loch smiles at Keridwynne, shifting uncomfortably under all the attention, "I feel the armor would benefit me the most, Love, permitting no one else has a claim on it."

Addressing the others he says, "If no one wants the long sword, I'll take that as well."

(OK people this the breakdown of the stuff as I see it. Loch took the black armor +3 and the long sword +2. Talorc has the demon summoning book. Tieron has the staff. Savi has the Broadsword. Mero took the scabbard. Savi had a non magical broadsword so the white magical scabbard will not be needed to hold the magical broadsword. The stat raisers were used and I have it all written down on your sheets just in case you forgot. The ring went to Mero. The four potions of Giant strength are being randomly distributed to the party, because no one said anything. The four lucky winners are Keridwynne, Loch, Tieron and Nightshade.)

(Now back to the story.)

Tieron pulls out his new staff and starts talking to it. "Hey Unog, Wake up. I got something for you to do."

Talorc scowls with a rare sense of moral indignation and washes the captain and the gnome in a bouncing lightning bolt.

The lightning bolt rushes across the room and engulfs the gnome and the soldiers standing behind him. The impact pushes them back. The windows behind them explode outward in a strange tinkling sound.

"Talorc, that's going to rebound!!!" Tieron screams, "Unog, drop a wall of ice between us and the lightning bolt.

Lifting up the tip of Unog, Tieron fires. The staff belches out a wall of mist that quickly coalesces into a wall of solid ice. Bits of the lightning bolt rushed outside through the broken windows, much of struck wall and rebounded. Balthar pushed back by the initial onslaught of the electricity is slammed from behind and thrown face first into the wall of ice that has just appeared between the party and himself. The wall of ice cracks with a loud pop but does not splinter. Balthar slides down the ice wall, his bulbous nose leaving a bloody trail as it does. Talorc gets down to one knee and waggles his fingers at Balthar. Balthar doesn't seem to notice.

"This is bullshit!" cries Keridwynne, realizing too late how non-polite that was considering the Minotaur company. She pulls out her new frost wand and sprays the guards by the minotaurs with a cone of cold. One of the guards, doesn't move as ice extends down his hands and hang in icicles from his fingertips. The others dive out of the way and roll up. Their red ring mail now a little cracked from the icing it just received. Three guards split for the party and three turn for the minotaurs. The first guard reaches Loch and is met with a chair across the face, followed by a longsword blow to the stomach. The guard reaches for his spilled guts and then collapses to the floor. Savi swung her massive broadsword around and sheared off the top part of the next guards head. The third ran for Mero, who was holding Silent Discovery at the ready. Mero brought his sword up and watched as the guard stopped, gagged and then reached behind him. He fell to the floor with a thud. Nightshade reached out and pulled her dagger from his back.

Balthar staggered back to his feet and looked at the wall between him and his quarry. His glare threatening to melt the wall all by itself. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a second marble. He quickly stuffed into a crack in the wall of ice that the lightning bolt made and then ran like hell outside the bar.

The minotaurs, dropped the illusion of being human and several pulled battle axes from their backs. The first guard never engaged as he was cut down by a swinging axe. The second guard backed off as he saw his comrade fall and was greeted by a dagger from Jaleel. He fell forward on his face and slammed his head into the back of the only remaining guard. The last guard put down his weapon and dropped to his knees, head bent in the executioner's position. One minotaur, female by the way, who you would later know as Asecien, patted him on the head and ran to the door, followed closely by her brethren.

Talorc starts screaming, "Get the hell out. Get out of here. NOW!"

The fireball explodes inside the wall of ice. Ice shrapnel, steam and fire explode from the wall. Most of the party made it out the door in time. Tieron was the last one to exit and he was thrown through the door by the explosion, landing hard in the back alley.

Asecien grabbed at the grate in the middle of the alley. It released with a sucking wet sound. The odor of rotten garbage wafted out. Without hesitation, she dropped through the hole and landed with a plop into something sounding nasty and wet. Jaleel, grabbed Mero by the arm and pulled him toward the hole.

"Where the hell are we going?" Mero asked.

"I am trying to save your life and besides you started something in the bar that I want to finish." she smiled coyly.

Mero lifts one eyebrow and then jumps in after Jaleel.

"Now where the hell is he going?" Nightshade says.

"I think that he is following his heart." Keridwynne says.

"or something." Loch adds.

Keridwynne smacks Loch lightly on the armor and drops through the hole in the street. Soon everyone is down and the grate is placed back over the hole.

Savi moves up to Asecion and asks, "Won't they follow us down here?"

"Maybe but this place is a labyrinth and you know how found Minotaurs are of labyrinths. They will be lost in seconds and we can kill them at our convenience. They know that and probably won't follow." Asecion smiles, "by the way my name is Asecion. I take it your name is Savisorbs and the rest of you are Ashler's Bane. Well met."

Introductions are made and then Tieron asks as the party keeps twisting and turning in this sewer, "Who were you waiting for? Back at the bar?"

"We were awaiting an elven courier from the court of the wood elves, announcing who was the new ruler of our wood elven allies."

"New ruler?" Loch asks with a tone of dread in his voice.

"You haven't heard? I'm sorry." Asecion stops looks down at Loch her nostrils flaring.

"Sentares took an army of people much like your friend Savisorbs over there to the heart of wood elven territory. He kept the troops busy, by marching around. The king of the wood elves dispatched several armies to find and stop Sentares. Meanwhile, the city of the wood elves was mostly unguarded and Sentares sent an assassin team into the city. They slaughtered the king, his wives and their children, leaving no apparent heir to the throne. The wood elves are in chaos without leadership.

A few days ago, a dispatch came to us that said, a relation to the throne had been found. The announcement of who that was, was supposed to come tonight. Without the threat of the wood elves, Duke Randle has turned his attention to us. He hunts us for his coliseum games. You are good fighters and handled yourself well back there. I would ask of you a favor, but it would not be without payment. Fourteen days ago, Lothardoli, my husband and co-leader of the minotaurs was captured by Randle. He has fought every day in the coliseum and won. He can't hold on for much longer. We cannot attempt a rescue, for our illusions do not last long and we are not numerous enough to make that kind of assault. I would ask you to rescue him, for you would be less suspicious. In return, we can pay you just about anything that you would wish, but I think that one thing above all others may interest you. I have seen that amulet that Tieron wears on a wall down here. I would lead you to it, if you will help us." Asecion says.

Asecion turns a corner and you are stunned to see a room, filled with luxury. Pillows, chairs, tables and beds fill the room, carpeted floors and various other sundries. Only about 20 minotaurs fill the room.

"One question comes to mind, Asecion," Talorc starts, "if we don't help you, what happens?"

"You are free to leave at any time, Talorc, and we would even lead you out after a while." she smiles.

"I see no problem with helping the minotaur gang, it's obviously in our best interest. As far as a plan, don't really have much of an idea, except that the humans of the group (Keridwynne and Mero?) could probably enter through the stands, Keridwynne even has deep pockets to hide weapons in." Mero says.

Talorc grunts, "OK, this shouldn't be a problem. We'll need some sort of reconnaissance to make sure we're not getting into something strange, and we'll need to figure out a realistic plan of getting inside without raising alarm. After that it'll take care of itself.

"I feel we should help rescue this Lothardoli, for they seem to have some information about my kind that I am most curious to hear", Loch remarks. Feeling selfish he adds, "This info also appears to involve Sentares, who is of course of interest to all of us."

Keridwynne says "you know I'm a goody-goody, if you all want to rescue some folks, I'm for it. Especially after receiving such a warm welcome above. I have some spells that may be of use, I can sanctuary myself. I suggest we try it invisibly as well, to do the sneaking in part.

"I have to agree with you all. We can hurt Sentares here and help our on cause", Tieron replies.

The Dungeons of Randle, somewhere underneath the coliseum.

A battered, bruised and bleeding Lothardoli lifts his head as someone rattle his cage very softly.

"Lothardoli, you awake?" came the soft raspy throated voice.

It was Mark, the prisoner in the next cell.

"Yes, Mark, I am. What's the matter?" Lothardoli replied.

"Why are you still fighting? You know? Why haven't you given up? Like so many before?" Mark asked.

"That's a hell of question for the middle of the night." Lothardoli said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I have seen so many die here in this lonely place that I wondered why you haven't. You fight like you are possessed."

"Possessed?" Lothardoli leans his head back against the wall his horns clacking on the stone. He closes his red rimmed eyes for several moments.

"Sorry. I'll..."

"No, don't be sorry. Its better this way. Don't think that in the darkness I feel like letting go. Hoping that someone would lift me from this place. Why? Why, am I still fighting? Because I have too. Because I can't let her go. Because I want to spend my lifetime loving her. I want to know her every thought and feeling. I want to know her soul. I want to love her more.... I want a lot of things for her and here I sit knowing that someday I will fall and never see her again."

"Such a touching sentiment, Lothardoli." Adroreth says, clapping his gauntleted hands together lightly, "but Randle didn't like the way that you fought today. Said you dispatched your opponent far to easily. He didn't like the way that you disgraced that gladiator. So we are here to add a few bruises to you and make it a bit harder for you to fight tomorrow. Think of us as your personal bodybuilders."

Adroreth was a squinty-eyed prison guard, his eyesight failing him as he passed out of his prime and into his old age. His face had deep furrows carved all over it, but the scars of battle told another tale, one of life as a prison guard and ex-gladiator, now retired from service from Duke Randles father.

Adroreth smiled, his face cracking from the effort, "Come on. Your lessons are just beginning."

The Labyrinth under the City of Legions.

A minotaur walks through the door into the chamber where the party has been discussing its options. In front of him, barely coming up to his knee is a dirty, scrungy-looking gnome. His yellow skin an even yellower pall under the light of the torches.

"Asecien. We found the courier. He was about to leave the city as you expected."

The gnome looks warily at the party, locking his eyes briefly on Nightshade then on Savi, finally slowly stepping over toward Asecien.

"Spit it out. You need not fear these people they are here to help us."

The gnome sits on the fur covered floor, undoes his dirty wet wolf fur he was using as a cloak and begins.

"Sentares struck deep into the Perilous forest. The King set armies to destroy him. Many casualties on both sides, but Sentares never came toward the capital. Chose much smaller targets, instead. His real plan about to be revealed. Small group of Telepaths, snuck into the palace. Killed the king and his family. This you know though. No relatives to take the throne. Council formed to find new ruler. Traced lineage to all extremes, no luck until they find Kaliamos."

"Kaliamos?" Loch say, his eyes narrowing at hearing the name of his father.

"Kaliamos. Yes. A weaponsmith and trainer for the kings guard. He has lineage to the throne, long and involved lineage that I don't understand but related to the King. He had two daughters and a son. Both women are priestess of some local god and the male is a ranger, now missing or on a mission, that is not known. The oldest Daughter now rules the Wood elven kingdom. Queen Mirima is her name. She is withdrawing her forces deeper into the Wood Elven territory. No help to you now, Asecien. All is lost." the gnome hangs his head.

"Why does Kaliamos not rule?" Loch asks, as if not really wanting to know the answer to the question.

"Kaliamos died in defense of the king. Very honorably, I am told." the gnome looks around the room for a second and then adds, "Anything to eat?"

Coliseum grounds, late night.

Adroreth pulled back a fist and slammed it into the muzzle of Lothardoli. Blood trickled from one nostril. Steam escaped the mouth of Lothardoli as he panted and tried to keep his swollen eyes open.

Adroreth smiled and pulled his short sword from its scabbard, "Now Randle ordered a small cut to slow you down." Adroreth plunged his sword deep into the right shoulder of Lothardoli, the sword tip emerged from his back. No scream came from his lips, nor a grunt of pain as Lothardoli passed out.

The Labyrinth.

"Jaleel," Mero winks, "I think that I would like a more personal tour of the Labyrinth."

"Why, of course." She smiles.

Keridwynne looks at Loch, who seems lost in thought or stunned, "Something wrong? Did you know this Kaliamos?"

"He was my father." Loch says stoically.

Mero and Jaleel turn the corner just out of sight of the minotaurs. Jaleel grabs Mero and slams him against the stone wall and kisses him deeply.

"Once Jaleel and Mero return, which shouldn't be too long," Talorc says with an evil grin, "We should depart before the dawn, so we can catch the prison unaware."

Ascesion nods, "I agree. We can get you to the Coliseum by way of the Labyrinth and from there you will have to find a way in."

The Coliseum

Lothardoli is awakened by a bath of cold water.

"Stay with me old friend," Adroreth says, putting down the bucket, "I would hate you to miss any part of this."

The Labyrinth

Mero and Jaleel return not more than 10 minutes later. Talorc looks up smiles that evil grin of his, nudges Tieron and says "Ready."

Jaleel detaches herself from Mero's hand and heads over to retrieve her pack.

Nightshade standing next to Jaleel comments "That was fast."

Jaleel smiles and says, "He was very excited."

The minotaurs lead the party through the Labyrinth to the street next to the Coliseum. Opening the grate the party exits and many fade into the darkness of the street. The Coliseum door is guarded by two guards. Ascesion told you that this door is the only way into the prison by taking the stairs to the left and following them down. Straight would lead you to the Coliseum seating.

Keridwynne starts a low chant and approaches the guards. She finishes about 30 feet from them and keeps approaching. Savi hefts her broadsword and readies for the attack. Keridwynne steps up to the guards and lightly touches almost caresses their faces. She turns and motions for the rest to follow.

As the others approach, she says, "They will be held for about 15 minutes. I think we should tie them to their posts."

Quickly tied, the party proceeds through the doors using the key lifted from one of the guards.

The stone stairs are damp but not slick. They are well worn and have hollows in them from passing of so many feet. Nightshade has taken the point but has gone invisible by the use of the Crimson Cloak. She steps quietly into the corridor and scans the area. A single trip line crosses the bottom of the stairs. She steps over it and proceeds to a lit room about 20 feet down the stone corridor. Peering inside, are some sleeping guards and three more who seem to be having trouble sleeping or are just staying up late playing cards. She slips past the room unnoticed and stops at the end of the corridor looking at a portcullis that is closed. From a distance, she hears the coughs and grunts of sleeping people or some that may be dying. This is obviously the prison section. Traveling quickly back, she notices a lever some 10 feet from the portcullis, the obvious opening mechanism.

She returns to the party.

"Trip wire at the beginning," she says in a low whisper, "five guards asleep, three awake playing cards in the lit room. A lever next to the room to open the portcullis. Pull the lever and the guards come shooting out of the room, from all the noise that it will make. Plan of attack?"

"Pull the lever and we meet them as they come out." Tieron says, "or drop a frostball into the room and watch their blood freeze."

"An interesting thought." Talorc comments, "do it."

Tieron creeps forward, Unog, his warstaff in hand. He steps over the trip wire and moves down the hallway. Laying down on his belly, he extends the tip of the staff into the room. A cold wind moves down the corridor, along with the sound of ice breaking. Tieron stands quickly and assumes a defensive position, waiting for the survivors to rush out of the room. The rest of the party moves up, waiting for the guards to appear. A few long moments pass and nothing happens. Loch steps forward, quickly peeks into the room. He pulls his head back and then crooks his head again for another look.

"They are all dead. Frozen, where they sat." He comments, lifting one eyebrow.

One by one the party looks in at the carnage, now frozen in time. One guards hands still in motion to haul in the money that he just one won. Money he will never spend. The sleeping guards, that look so peaceful that will never awaken and the sheer look of horror on the other card players faces as the realization that death just overtook them.

Nightshade pulls the lever and the creaking of the rusty portcullis brings the party back to what it is doing.

A lone figure descends the steps behind the party, stepping gingerly over the trip wire. His black cloak looking like part of the shadows that he is keeping too.

"Much changes tonight," the stranger thinks, "Mero, hear my words, the axe of Lothardoli, remember the axe. Be careful of its power."

Mero stops and looks back at the corridor. Jaleel catches the look and looks at Mero with a confused stare.

"Nothing, thought I heard something." he responds to the unspoken question.

"Do you want to go back and look?" Jaleel whispers.

Mero shakes his head, whipping his black hair back and forth.

"Lothardoli." Nightshade says to the first cell, "Are you in there?"

"No. He was taken above for special treatment. Who are you?" the response comes from Mark.

"Friends of Ascesion."

"Let me out. I will take you to him. Adroreth has him and is probably torturing him as we speak."

The conversation quickly is overheard and a chant of "let me out." starts raising in volume from the other cells.

"Where is the key for the cells?" Tieron asks over the cacophony of the prisoners.

"Adroreth has it." Mark replies.

"Damn. Wait, Unog! Open the locks." Tieron shouts over the din.

The popping sounds of locks opening all down the corridor is heard and a rush of prisoners well out from their cells, hoping to rush to freedom. The crush of humans and humanoids is overwhelming as they flee from their cells. In the end, only Mark remains.

"Hurry, Mark, show us the way."

Mark steps out from his cell. His eyes bright but his body weak. A six foot man weighing in at probably 100 pounds is a testament to the torture that he has withstood. Savi closes her eyes and turns her back on him, a flood of memory coming back showing her the thousands of her people in this same condition at the hands of Sentares.

"This way." Mark states hobbling down the corridor as fast as he can.

Down the corridor and back up the stairs to the main gates where minutes ago prisoners ran through. The party turns, being led by Mark to the main entrance to the seating for the spectators. They pass into the bowl shaped structure and look down on the main arena of the fighting. A lone figure lays on the cold ground.

"Lothardoli." Mark gasps and starts forward, intending on dropping the 10 feet down into the arena floor.

"Wait." Talorc says, grasping Mark by the shoulder. A shoulder so thin and fragile that it nearly broke under Talorc's grip. "Its got to be a trap."

"A good assumption, Talorc!" Balthar calls out from across the arena. "Light!" he shouts.

From around the stadium, braziers start to erupt in flames, bringing the coliseum into full light. Circling the top of the coliseum stands about forty warriors, in the box seats reserved for the nobles, stands Balthar, the gnome, his one glass eye gleaming in the light of the fires. Duke Randle or one that you assume is Duke Randle is lounging in a seat his head leaning against the back of the chair, looking rather bored by the whole affair. A grey robed figure is seated next to Randle and next to him is Glasien, the human that was supposedly helping the minotaurs.

"So," Balthar shouts, "If I were a betting man, I would bet right out now, Talorc, you are fuming and ready to fight. This is good for I give you no option, no retreat and no surrender. Kill them, kill them all."

The first wave of arrows from the circle of warriors above come crashing down into the party. Talorc takes two, one in each shoulder, Mark is slammed by three and is sent tumbling over the edge of the arena to the floor below. Savi's armor protected her as did Lochs. Nightshade disappeared from the fray. Shateera took a nasty shot to the abdomen and went down between some seats. Mero, scrambled out of the way vaulting over the wall and to the arena floor. Jaleel followed but was struck in the back by two shots, that propelled her over. Tieron ran to Shateera's side as she went down and was struck in the leg by an arrow. Keridwynne leaped after Mark, hoping to save him, an arrow grazing her arm as she went.

"Get to the arena floor!" Loch shouts, "it will shield us from some of those arrows."

Loch leaps over the wall, followed by Savi and others.

Keridwynne looks at the dying Mark, he is far to gone to save.

"Adroreth, the guard." Mark gasps, "has Lothar's axe. Get it. Save yourselves."

Mark coughs slightly and then dies without a sound. Keridwynne closes Mark's eyes and pulls a wand from her pack.

Mero lands and rolls to his feet in time to see Jaleel land hard next to him. He rushes to her side.

"Gods, are you alive?!" He shouts a bit loudly.

"You can't get rid of me that easily." She smiles weakly.

"But I can." Adroreth says as he smashes a huge battle axe down into her. She gasps and dies as her back splits open.

Mero rolls out of the way, screaming "No!". Silent Discovery coming up in his hands.

Tieron yanked the arrow from his leg and spits out, "Unog, Ice wall."

A wall of ice forms in front of Tieron, shielding him from more arrows.

Nightshade slipped away, no one noticing her as she crept invisibly toward Balthar, Randle, Glasien and the mysterious one. Her dagger was in her hand and she was pondering who to kill first, the traitor, the annoying gnome, the arrogant Randle or the unknown factor. A moments pondering led her to conclude that Balthar was the prime target, if he used that damn eye of his, he could probably see her. She stayed to the shadows and crept up slowly on him, on them all.

Adroreth swung the axe, its glowing blade slamming down on Silent Discovery. It's impact made Mero's arm hurt and go numb. Maybe that was a blessing as Mero shielded another blow. Adroreth pressed the attack. He is a fighter and Mero, a thief, the outcome inevitable. Adroreth was going to kill him and Mero couldn't think how to stop him. Mero lunged hoping to catch him off guard, the axe hooked Silent Discovery by blade and it went spinning into the arena. Disarmed, Mero scrambled about, trying to avoid the axe. A grunt by Adroreth made him turn to see Lothardoli leaping on his back.

"That axe is mine, you bastard!" Lothardoli shouted.

Adroreth slammed the haft of axe into Lothardoli's stomach, once, then twice in rapid succession. Lothardoli in his weakened condition slid from his back and landed with thump on the ground. Adroreth turned and brought the axe down on the head of Lothardoli.

"I am sorry, love, I tried." he said and died.

Talorc, Savi and Loch, eyes full of hate ran at Adroreth. Adroreth turned to engage his foes. Arrows rained down upon the arena floor. Keridwynne sat crouched along one wall, launching frostball after frostball. Talorc was the first to engage Adroreth. His blow sparked down the handle of Lothardoli's axe. Loch stabbed from behind, and found a piece of open flesh to spear. Savi swung as well but the shot went wide. Adroreth tried to focus on one opponent at a time, he chose Talorc. Thrusting under his guard, Adroreth struck and missed. Loch and Savi struck blows that wounded Adroreth. Knowing that he is unable to continue against three foes, Adroreth makes the decision to take one of them with him. He lifts the axe and brings it down on Talorc. The axe blade glowing in the night. Talorc brought Altira up to block the axe. Loch places his sword deep into the side of Adroreth, Savi rams her blade to the hilt into his back but still the blow falls. The clang of metal on metal and the sound of metal snapping. Altira breaks in two, one part of the blade spinning off into the night with a whooshing sound. The axe continues on its course toward Talorc's chest. The sound of metal clanging again as the axe is intercepted by Silent Discovery, inches above Talorc. Adroreth and Talorc eyes follow Silent Discovery's Blade back up to the hilt and then up the hand then to the face of Mero. Mero pushes back with all his might and sends Adroreth crashing to the ground. He follows with a thrust to the neck, Adroreth jerks and then dies.

Mero turns to see a blond Jaleel kneeling at Talorc's side.

"Jaleel, oh my god, how are..?" Mero stutters.

Jaleel looks up at Mero, "I'm sorry, Mero. Jaleel is dead. I'm Altira."