Okay this is the full transcript of Mission One, hope you like it...

As they all stood up from the table, Taila headed towards the door saying "be right back guys..."
Taila headed outside and noted the three horses and grabbing the reins of two of the horses she led them around the back to the stables where she placed each horse in their own stall and then went back for her own repeating the procedure. Taila removed all sadles and brushed each horse down and fed them all making sure that they all had water and were comfortable before heading back inside.
Meanwhile Lucien opened the door which had recently appeared and said "After you gentlemen", then all of them proceeded inside.
Taila walked through the back door and noticed the others taking note of what was in the store room."Anything interesting guys?" she asked as she leaned against the door frame.
"Oh by the way I have stabled everyones horses. All your stuff I brought in as well you will have to sort it out." She said moving towards a wall that had different weapons.
Yossarian answered with a smile on his face: "Everything we could need... Ropes, back packs, sadles, torches, etc... and a bunch of small things that apparently made Lucien very happy..."
Taila grinned. "I am sure there is a lot of stuff here that is very useful."
Lothar inspecting the weapons hanging from one of the walls said: "These are all of masterwork quality..." as he started playing with a dagger.
"I agree, so should we work out a plan of attack?" Lucien asked as he
read over a scroll.
"We should start by making some maps of the council building, i'll take care of that later tonight" answered Lothar while placing the dagger back on its place.
"Sounds like a plan to me, we should also work out who has what skills and work out where each of us should be set in the building." Taila replied.
"Then we probably should wait for the maps from Lothar so we can all plan the strategy together" Yossarian continued "meanwhile we can make some sort of inventory of what we have here..."
Later that night, Lothar walked to the council building and began his
investigations. The first problem they'd have to overcome would be the
ground guards. There were two at each entrance, and a further score
partolling around the building, which stood on a block of its own. Lothar
looked up at the buildings nearby, and saw that each was as tall as the
council building. and they were ungruarded. The street measured about a 40
foot gap between the two.... maybe Lucien could think of something, but in
the meantime, Lothar would have to make do with a rope and climb across. on
the roof, Lothar noticed several fag ends... obviously people came up here
on smoko, which meant there'd probably be guards in the building. Lothar
noticed a poorly concealed trapdoor in the center of the roof, but had to
duck and roll away as 2 men came up out of it. He could hear their
conversation as he lay there.
"Our agents have taken over 75% of the men that will be guarding the
entrances to the chamber. This means they'll have a total of 3 guards in
there, on in the southeast corner, and two guarding the south door. the east
and west doors lead to anterooms, so they are safe to abandon, and the fifth
floor shall be empty beforehand, and since the north door is a direct
passage to level 5, this means all our men can be safely used."
"good. how far away will our agents be from the actual table?"
"Since the negotiations have secrecy, the chamber is fairly large to keep
guards out of earshot. the guards are usually armed with halbeards and short
swords. the chamber is perhaps 100 feet from side to side."
"so our men have to move fairly fast."
"This is true. however, I believe the surprise will be enough. ALL the
councillors are to be killed."
"Even our own?"
"Can't you seee? the paid us beforehand. The money they used we can use to
set ourselves up and run Damiar to our own will."
At this, both men laughed, stubbed out their roll-ups and walked back down
the trapdoor.
Lothar cursed. This would obviously be harder than they had thought.
**The warehouse**
Taila fed the horses and checked that all saddles and riding
equiptment was in perfect working order.
Mystiquare had delivered a horse for Lothar that he had ridden to the
council building.
She heard a sound and walked outside to see Lothar leading the horse
by the reins into the stable.
"How did it go?" She asked taking the reins from him.
"Well I have the maps but this is going to be hard." He replied
removing the maps from the saddle bags.
They quickly stabled the horse and entered the warehouse.
Yossarian and Lucien were setting out the equiptment on the table
that they believed they would need.
"So how did it go?" Lucien asked picking up a rope and testing its
strength.
Lucien told them about what he had overheard and placed the maps down
on the table.
"So there will only be three real guards. How will we know which ones
are the real ones?" Taila asked looking down at the markings where
they had planned to position themselves.
"Well if what I overheard was true two will be guarding the south
door and one will be in the southeast corner." Lothar replied
studying the layout of teh chamber where the meeting was to be held.
"well now there are going to be more than three real guards, well of
sorts anyway." Yossarian replied with a grin.
"You are partially correct." Came Mystiquare's voice from the
sapphire.
"We will have to edit the plans slightly." He said.
"Why what has happened?" Lucien asked.
"Well from what I can gather two of the assiallants have already
removed one of the councillers, Lady Arnette." Mystiquare told them.
"So somebody jumped the gun." Taila replied.
"Yes meaning they are upping the security which means gentlemen that
you are now full security gurads for the purposes of getting in." He
answered.
Taila coughed..."You said gentlemen, what about me?"
"You have a special job to do, you are now a councillor." He told her.
"I beg your pardon." She replied rather annoyed.
"With the death of Lady Arnette, they require another councillor to
make the numbers even and also it has to be a woman." Mystiquare
replied.
"But surely there are proper councillors.." She said as Mystiquare
cut her off.
"They have asked me to organise someone and you are just the person
we need. In your room you will find what you need to make the
transition from commoner to nobility. In your style and colours I
might add." He said with a grin as Taila headed for her room to see
what it was that he was talking about.
"You gentlemen will be her personal guards meaning you will be in the
council chamber at all times." He told them.
"That will make it easier, when do we have to be there?" Lothar asked.
"You will need to leave as dawn strikes." Mystiquare replied. The
sapphire went back to normal as Taila entered the room wearing the
attire of a noble.
"If any of you laugh, I will personally cut out your tongue with a rusty fork." She said placing her cloak arround her shoulders.

-Why, we´d never think of doing such thing milady, we are but your loyal
guards - lucien said in a sarcastic tone as he bowed. Yossarian couldn´t
help but smile as did Lothar. Taila did not enjoy the humorous remark.
-Well people, since we already now how we´re getting in, we should get
some rest and get ready.- Yosarian said after yawning.
-Wait a second - Taila didn´t seem all that ready. -there are two loose
ends. First, How am I supposed to figth when the assasins enter, I can´t
take my gear dressed like this - She said as she drew attention to her
dress.- And second, you don´t look likle guards at all.-
-Well, mistiquare didn´t say anything about giving us uniforms. -Lothar
noted.
- Don´t worry, It takes but a simple working to change our outfit. All I
need are some special powders, but I´m sure I´ll find them in the store
room.-
-There still is the matter of my equipment- Talia said
-One of us can carry a spare sword for you, but are you sure you can fit
in that outfit? - Yosarian´s fingers sorrounded his chin as he posed the
question.
- Hey, I can figth any thug blindfolded and hand tied if needs be - Taila
was fully confident - I only have to get off these high heels -
-That settles it then, I´ll take your sword. - Lothar offered.
-And I´ll take care of your armor - Said Lucien -Another simple spell. -
-Well, I gues now We are ready, So I’ll go take a nap. Gentlemen,
Lady,
I´ll see you at dawn.- Yosaarian said.
- Until Dawn then - Taila said as she walked towards her chambers.
Lothar and Lucien were left alone. Lucien turned and walked towards the
room with the spell components he´d need and beckoned Lothar to walk with
him.- Listen, I have an idea I want to discuss-

The sun rose, and As they all readied theri gear, Lucein spinkled them
with the dust (except for Taila) and whispered "To eyes one thing, the truth
is another"

The newest councilor arrived to the building on time, her three guards
never leaving her side. A few hours later, the meeting would start.
Adolfo

The hours slowly passed by, each councilor in was in his chamber, as was
Taila, she was a bit nervous, after all she was going in unarmed and
unarmored but knowing that her friends were there made her feel
better…

They were all in her chamber, Taila sitting in a chair by a desk playing
with her hair, Yossarian standing by the window looking outside just in
case, Lucien sat on the bed sorting his magical components so they would be
ready by the time they were needed and Lothar just stood with his back
against a corner of the room, looking to the floor as in deep thought.

All of them talked about the recent events and a bit about their strategy,
everyone but Lothar who remained there completely still and silent,
Yossarian was kinda puzzled but thought this could be some sort of
preparation, Lucien didn’t seem to mind, perhaps he was too busy with
his components, but Taila was worried, he had never acted this way since she
knew him and he was the one carrying her sword which she would probably
need… she thought sarcastically as to distract herself from the
tension.

The Hour finally came, and they entered the meeting room, each councilor
took his appointed seat. And the guards stood by the walls, the group knew
most of them were impostors, just like them!

All councilors seemed a bit anxious, probably because of the death of the
one Taila was replacing…

About half an hour after the meeting had started, a loud bang came from the
main and only door, as if someone was ramming at it from out side, everyone
surprised turned their attention to it and even a few guards ran towards the
door… then the second surprise came, the door was just a distraction
all of the “guards” of the opposite direction came charging
against the table with weapons drawn following who seemed to be the leather
amongst them who came a few meters ahead of the rest spinning a greatsword
over his head, while most of the guards still on the walls were attacking by
surprise those that weren’t aware of what was happening…

A third event came, this one seemed to take almost everyone by surprise even
the false guards by surprise but not Lucien, the apparent leader suddenly
dropped his sword which fell near the table as he started floating about 2
meters from the ground, the bloody blade of a sword sticking out of his back
as the figure of a man covered from head to toes with black clothes
materialized below him and with a strong swing threw the corpse towards the
main strike group which stopped for a moment confused, Taila stood up, as he
was real close to her and she didn’t know if he was friend or foe,
Lucien dodged a sword heading to his head as grabbed his attacker by the
back of the head and slammed his face against the wall knocking him out
cold, Yossarian saw the man in black jump towards the table or more
precisely towards Taila holding his bastard sword in his left hand while
drawing a long sword with his right hand and ran towards her to protect her
piercing a nearby enemy with his short sword in the way but by this time the
dark figure had landed just before Talia and making a vow said “As
promised here is your blade, my fair lady” and handed it to her, she
recognized the voice and sighed in relief, there was no time for thanks as
the main strike group had risen weapons again and was heading for the table
as a false guard slashed at a single guard who hadn’t moved a finger
since this started, and the false Lothar banished into nothingness much to
the surprise of the impostor who then felt the cold steel of Yossarian in
his spine. “Feel the deadly embrace of ancient magics” said
Lucien as he blasted several assassins on the other side of the room which
were gaining ground over the puzzled guards who had no idea of what was
going on, while Talia and Lothar stood between the main group of assassins
and the councilors. The assassins approached the two, but then they heard
screams behind them, some of them took a quick look and saw three shadows
standing over the unconscious bodies of 3 of their friends, they were
surrounded but not outnumbered and as the once slain body of the assassin
leader rose again amongst them, Taila and Lothar knew this wasn’t
over, in fact it was going to get much worse.

The leaders body stood unsteadily, its breathing ragged and its face
downcast, as taila and Lothar finished off the remaining assassins, while
yossarian and lucien stood carefully, their weapons at the ready, watching
its every move, standing between it and the counsellors. as soon as the
final assassin fell, the leader's face snapped up, a deathly white. Taila
gasped as she recognized the face. It was a face she had never hoped to see
again. Dromar, the dread wight, harbinger of death and decay.
"Dromar" she hoarsely whispered.
"Taila... its good to see you again. Unfortunately, you've stepped in the
wrong place. You will watch as your world slowly decays around you, and all
you know is lost forever. Damiar is my home now, and all its citizens are
MINE to command. The war begins soon."
With that, Damiar dissolved into a black mist and disappeared.

** later that night, back at the warehouse **
The party sat around the table as the baall faded to show mystiquare's face.
his forehead was creased with lines of concern, which eased slightly when he
saw that they were all unharmed.
"What happened?I only recieved sketchy details from the councillors"
Grimly, the party recounted what had happened, and afterwards, Mystiquare
softly said "not damiar... it can't be..."
"Who is Damiar, Taila? He seemed to recognize you."
"Once I inadvertandly wandered into a temple devoted to an evil god. I had
to fight him to get back out, and was lucky someone else was coming down at
the time. He hates me for escaping his grasp."
"You were very lucky. But now my friends, it is time for you all to rest for
a while, I think."
"But..." began Lucien.
"Later, Lucien. I will explain later. We are all exhausted, and I need time
to figure out how Damiar got control of the city, and how we can prevent
war." With that the crystal faded back to sapphire.

*** late that night ***
Taila lay awake in bed when she felt it. A change in the texture of the air
of the room. With a sudden movement, she was on her feet holding a dagger.
"theres no need, Taila." said mystiquare's soft voice. A clicking sound and
the room was illuminated, and Mystiquare stood in front of Tailia. Not in
the crystal.
"Why are you here, Mystiquare?"
"Because you can help me. I need to know if you found a weakness of Damiar
while you were fighting him."
"No. I inflicted several wounds that would have easily killed a tough human,
but he always recovered."
"he can't be killed tha way. What can you remember about the temple?"
"I know I wanted to get away as fast as possible. It looked as if someone
had been ssacrificed recently on the altar, because there was fresh blood
there..."
"Hmmm.... He needs human sacrifices to remain in this world. He has to kill
them by his own hand. I'm trying to think how he got out of that temple..."
"I don't know. I honestly don't."
"I'll think about it some more. Rest now, Taila. I'm sure you need it."
Taila smiled. "Thank you mystiquare. I hope I was of some help."
"A little... you set the ball rolling. Now go to bed. I've got some work to
do." Mystiquares body began to fade.
"goodnight Mystiquare."
"Sleep well, Taila. I'm sorry I interrupted your dreams." came the whisper
out of the air, as the illumination disappeared.
Taila woke up in a cold sweat, the nightmare had been so real. The
temple, the immense cold. She shivered as she remembered the musky
smell and stale air.
"Damn You Dromar, how did you ever escape that place?" She whispered as
she threw the covers off the bed and stood up.
She quickly dressed and walked out into the still dark main area. She
walked to the back door and checked on the horses. The fresh night air
made her shiver slightly but refreshed her.
She walked back inside and headed back to her room. She decided to work
out for she was no longer tired and did not really feel like sleeping
anyway, she didnt like to dream.
**Two days later**
The three gentlemen sat eating a late lunch, they had not heard from
Mystiquare since the night of the council meeting and they were
beginning to worry.
"Gee Taila is sleeping in today." Yossarian said slightly worried.
"Maybe we should check to see if she is okay." Lothar said about to
rise.
"No here she is now." Lucien said grinning at the obviously tired
woman.
"Good afternoon sleepy beauty." They said in unison and laughed until
they saw the stony expression on her face.
"Sorry." She said very grumpily.
"I am going to check the horses." She said leaving the room.
"What was that about?" Yossarian asked.
"Beats me." Lothar replied.
**THe stable**
Taila fed and watered the horses and gave each one a good brush down.
She had gotten some nice apples the day before for the horses and they
were all muching away happily. She sat down on a haybale in the corner
and looked out into the sunshine filled courtyard.
She looked to her horse and decided she needed a ride. She saddled it
up quickly and led her outside and quickly mounted and they were off.
She allowed the horse to trot out of town and then put the horse into a
gallop. She felt free and the fresh air woke her up a bit.
An hour or so later they stopped and Taila dismounted by a small stream
she sat down ont he embankment adn allowed the horse to just eat grass.
"This is what I love the serenity. At least dreams cant affect me
here." She said sadly.
**Back at the warehouse**
"i wonder where she went?" Lucien said as he sharpened a dagger.
"Who knows, but I will say this she does not seem her usual self."
Lothar replied.
The central crystal began to clear once more, and the three men sat up and
looked into it, expecting mystiquare's face. Instead, the swirling parted,
and there stood Dromar.
"Dr.. Dro..." stammmered Lucien.
"Fools... Mystiquare knows not how to defeat me, and none of you know
nothing about me. You are all cursed with my breath... You will die upon the
eve of the Friday."
All three visibly paled at this. "Why?" breathed Yossarian.
"To bring her to me will save you all... this, and no more." With that, the
mists grew once more, then faded again revealing mystiquare's worried face.
"Mystiquare... what happened?" demanded Lucien.
"Dromar has grown in power and in intellect. He's found how to tap into
spell lines. I could hear what he was saying, and unfortunately, I must
confirm that he speaks the truth."
"So we have to sacrifice Taila to save ourselves?" said Lothar, his tone
incredulous.
"No. That is where the trick lies. It's all celar now. He's after the only
mortal ever to escape his grasp. He grew powerful enough to survive away
from his temple for a period of aa year at a time, then he must rest there
again for a day before he is strong enough to venture out for another year."
"You mentioned the trick?" said Yossarian.
"Yes. Dromar is powerful, so you cannnot defeat him. But, if you take
Taailaa into his presence, he must keep his promise. That is his weakness.
He cannot lie. He can stretch the truth, but that is all."
"How does this help us?" said Yosssarian, curious.
"If you take Taila into his presence, hhe has to lift the curse before he
cann do anything to her. And he cannot curse you again for a hundred years
after that is done. You cannot destroy him, but once the curse is lifted, it
is possible to escape him."
"Where must we meet him?"
"The only place you can meet him where he can harm her is at the temple. It
is located exactly halfway between Sekoj and Damiar."
"But I thought no-one escaped his temple except Taila."
"And you will use the same method."
"You're going to arrange a sacrifice?"
"No. Some magic. I'm going with you, but not into the temple. I'll wait
outside, listening through a crystal that Taila will carry. When the time is
right, I'll send a clone of myself down with you so as you can escape using
the same fashion. The clone won't feel a thing, since I'll be the one
controlling it. And fortunately, Dromar was foolish enough to curse the
entire city. We're getting paid for lifting the curse. I'm not currently in
the city, so I'm not affected. And since you three were personally cursed, I
cannot suggest Yossarian do this. He needs to be in there for the curse to
be lifted from him."
"So wwe all finally meeet you? And where are you now?"
"Where I am I will not say. Taila knows the way to the temple, and she will
be rejoining you shortly. I have to sketch things out to her and convince
her it'll be alright. She will return, and I'll meet you outside the
temple."
"Mystiquare, you said Dromar couldn't lie, and he said you knew nothing."
"He meant, I didn't know how to defeat him, which is correct. I know how to
outsmart him, though."
"When do we need to leave?"
"By Wednesday morning, or it will be too late. It's a 2 day ride."
"And today is..."
"It is presently Monday evening. Which is why I have to go speak with Taila
now."
With that, the ball faded.
"Right... we had better begin getting everything ready." said Lothar, rising
to head into the storeroom.
Taila had been startled by Mystiquare's appearence in front of her, but
it was his news that made her pace.
"No, not a chance." She said staring at him.
"We have no other choice, it is the only way. I promise you he will not
have a chance to harm you." Mystiquare said hoping she would change her
mind soon.
"You have no idea what he is capable of, I have not had a decent nights
sleep in two days because I keep having nightmares about my time in the
temple. His sole purpose is to kill the mortal that escaped him and of
course if we all escape him well he wont stop until he has killed us
all." Taila said kicking a rock.
"I dont believe he has any plans to kill you. I believe he has other
plans for you." Mystiquare said quietly.
"Oh that is just wonderful. Look, it is pointless them all going there
isnt it, what if you created a holographic image of them to send down
with me and then he would lift the curse and I can get out, that way
only I will have escaped him again." Taila said hopeful.
"We will see what we can do, the others are waiting for you, you should
return." Mystiquare said leading her horse towards her.
"Fine." She replied as she mounted the horse.
With that Mystiquare disappeared adn she rode back to the town.
Taila rode quietly, deep in thought on her way back to the city of Sekoj.
Why was mystiquare so eager for her to face up against Dromar? Did he hold a
hidden agenda for the party? What did he actually want to face Dromar for?
And if the plan failed, would he just leave them to die? It was then she
realised, that Mystiquuare had a history. How did he become such an
influential member of the community? He looked to be in his mid 30's, how
did he get so powerful? and overall.... why did he want to form this group
so badly?

Too many questions, too few answers... And she hated that.

The trio waited nervously at the warehouse for Taila, they'd gethered
everything they'd need incuding spare suppplies, and now all they could do
was wait. Then Taila opened the stabe and walked in angrily.
"Taila! Finally... we've been waiting hours!" exlaimed Lothar.
"I know." she replied angrily "And I'm not too happy about this. In one
aspect, Mystiquare is right, we do need to go there."
Taila stormed into the storeroom and grabbed a couple of extra items, then
walked back to the stables. "What are you lot waiting for? If we're in a
hurry, then lets go!"
The three wondered about the change that had come over Taila, but followed
her lead.

a little way out of town, Mystiquare's horse stood, a magnificent black
charger. His face was Melanncholy as he watched the party aproach, and fell
in without a word as the party continued riding. Night soon fell, and the
party made camp. The atmosphere was bleak, and mystiquare did not eat any of
the prepared food, opting instead to retire to his tent early.

The next morning, the party rode out again, Mystiquare still remaining
silent. It was an uneventful day, until almost an hour before lunch, when,
without warning, a crossbow bolt whistled past Yossarian's nose. In unison,
the four from the party drew their weapons, preparing for the ambush.
Mystiquare stopped his horse and sat still, waiting, as two score monks in
scarlet robes charged out from the undergrowth on either side of the path.
The foursome met their charge and the fight began, mystiquare's eyes
beginning to glow a paale blue and storm clouds gathering overhead.

Lucien and Lothar leaped from their horses as soon as the two
attackkers charged at them. Lothar landed with his back turned towards the
enemy, and in a swift move, he spinned around as he drew his sword two
handedly from behind his back and slashed across one of the monks.
Lucien, however, leaped towards the other attacker, and his knee landed
painfully on the attacker´s chest bringing him down. Once on the ground,
Lucien punched him with his free hand a couple of times and stood up, his
rival unconscious.
Two more bolts came from the trees, one for Yosarrian how leaned
backwards withouth dismounting as the bolt flew by and the other for Taila
that was simply off target.
Taila aimed as she held her crossbow at arm´s length and shot. A loud
thump came as the attacker fell to the ground from one of the trees, Taila´s
bolt had struck.
Yosarrian and Taila dismounted as Taila drew her sword with her other
hand.
From a tree near the road leaped the other attacker, with his cross bow
cocked and ready to shoot.
"Shape the ever-flowing into pure force" Lucien whispered loud enough
for others to hear as he raised his free hand towards the monk, and a brigth
sphere of red ligth formed in his hand and was hurled toward the monk. The
sphere borke off and the five smaller spheres swirled towards the enemy, The
first met the crossbow bolt head on and smashed it, the second impacted on
the man´s shoulder as the crushing of the bones was heard, the third and
fourth smashed the monk´s chest and the final sphere landed on his jaw with
tremendou´s strength as he was pushed back and landed on his back.
Admist Lucien´s chants, Yosarrian heard a branch crack and as he turned
around saw four monks charging. He drew his sword and met the first as he
pierced him, then he heard the chanting again, but this voice was softer,
and it seemed more of a plea than a chant.
"Greenest of spirits, hold our enemies so they will not hurt us"
Then, the very grass below th4e attackers grew to abnormal proportions,
and the lowest braches strechted as mother nature entangled the attackers.
Tailia looked at lucien, who seemed to be as surprised as them.
"Didn´t know you could do that." Lothar said
"I can´t, that is divine magic. Totally different."
"What the..." Yosarrian stared at the entangled attackers again, and a
figure was walking from among the trees, definitively a woman, since she was
smaller and slimmer, dressed diferenly also, as she wore leather bracelets
and high boots, with a sleeveless shirt and cloth pants. The bloned woman
then looked at them and surprised as she gigled and ran towards Lucien.
"lucien, it´s been ages!!!" she said as she embraced him and he
returned the hug."
"Andrea, It has been ages" Lucien spinned with Andrea still between
his
arms and then left her on the ground.
" I´m so glad you´re here, I thougth you weren´t going to visit me. Oh
sorry " she said noticing the others "My name is Andrea, I´m an old friend
of Lucien´s and I´m the guardian of this forest." ahe paused and then looked
at lucien again as she moved so they all stood in a circle "So, what are you
all doing here?"

Mystiquare murmered under his breath, and only Taila heard his words.
"Dissipate into the void that which was called." Then slowly dismounted from
his horse, turning to Andrea as the party gathered around, a faint smile
lying unoticed as yet on his face.
Lucien placed a hand on Andrea's shoulder. "Doing what we do best.... saving
lives."
"Lucien... you always said when we were teenagers that someday you'd become
a hero. I think, perhaps, you've reached that if saving lives is what you
do." laughed Andrea. "Butyou've still forgotten some of your manners, which
took me SO long to teach you..." she pouted slightly.
Lucien lauughed, his face aglow. "I'm sorry, I'm just overwhelmed at seeing
you again. This is the group with which I work. Taila, Lothar and
Yossarian." He introduced each, with a slight bowing gesture.
"and who is this fellow?" asked Andrea, her face also looking slightly
amused.
"Mystiqu..." began Lothar.
"We've met before, thank you Lothar." said mystiquare softly. "You still
haven't lost your amusing nature, Andrea."
"Too true, Mystiquare, I haven't. Do you also work with this group?" she
asked.
"Sort of. I am actually their employer. I work in close consort with the
Sekoj council, and they decidded they needed a group of dependable and
skilled people to complete various tasks."
Andrea laughed, as the group wondered how well these two knew each other.
"So my little Lothar has become a council worker?"
Mystiquare laughed. "I'm not sure how to answer that."
"Anyway, you all look travel weary, and could use a place to stay tonight. I
know a place not far from here, and also its a quicker way than following
the highway."
"You still haven't lost your touch, Andrea." said Mystiquare.

As Andrea led the party along the quicker route, she told a little of her
past with Mystiquare.
"We both studied in the city of guilds together. We were often meeting up so
as we could help one another out of little problems with our studies. It
didn't take long for us to decide to become close allies, and if ever we
needed one another, we'd simply have to call on each other. Since then,
we've both moved on with our lives, each following seperate paths. This was
about 2 years before I met Lucien. I never thought that he'd end up joining
you, Mystiquare."
"Fate, it seems, does exist Andrea."
"You know my views on fate, Mystiquare. And as I recall, you didn't believe
in it either."
"I don't. I believe in self-made fate, though."
"Anyhow, like I said, about 2 years after Mystiquare and I parted ways, I
met Lucien. Would you like to tell that tale, Lucien?"

-Certainly. It was quite a while ago, I was on my way to Sekoj, it was the
first time I´d ever been around here and I came looking for a book, sort of
an ancient text that I never did find. I´d heard rumors that it was left in
the ruins of a monastery which were suposed to be somewhere in this forest.
Now, of course, my source was... unreliable, to say the least, but it was
worth the longshot.-
-You never did tell me who told you such a lie - Andrea questioned
-Ahh, never mind, the poor old bastard must be dead already, he had the
nasty habit of looking for a figth in crowded taverns.
So, as I was saying, I arrived at Sekoj and then headed into the woods
looking for this monastery and I ran into this cute girl here - he said as
he touched Andrea´s chin with his fingers to which she smiled - who was
sorrounded by bandits ready to beat her up, or so I thougth. I decided to
help her and I cast a phantasm which was good enough to distract them while
I closed in. They weren´t really all that skilled but i was surprised when
Andrea began casting divine spells, I mean I had heard about divine magic
but i had never actually seen it until then. -
Andrea giggled and Taila, kinda puzzled, asked -So that´s the big, tale?,
you saved her and that is all?-
-Oh no, my dear Taila - Was lucien´s answer as he smiled at her. --that is
only the begining. We introduced each other and she offered me shelter for
the nigth. she said she didn´t know anything about the monastey I was
seeking, but she didn´t have long as protector this forest so I thougth
maybe she was wrong. We spent a long time talking about all matter of things
until I finally dozed off and when I awoke she wasn´t there anymore.
I wandered for a couple of days and I got hopelessly lost. It did´t worry
me all that much, since I not that bad a hunter and the forest had to end
somewhere, by then I was convinced this monastery tale was pretty much a
lie, so I just took my time and enjoyed the scenery.-
The interesting part began one morning when I awoke. It was a humid
morning, and the leaves were sprinkled with water. The sun was still rising,
but it was clear enough, so I picked up my stuff and went on. Not to far I
found a river as deep as man, so I simply swam across and walked by. Then I
began hearing the whistling between the leaves which were now much more
thicker, annd the woods were almost as dark as nigth time.
The whistling became louder and louder, and usddenly I heard a person
moaning, then the translucent figure appeared behind me and spoke in an echo
of voices
"You have returned" she said-
-Return? didn´t you say that was your first time in Sekoj?- asked
lothar. By now, they were all sitting by a bonfire in the place where they
would spend the nigth, and dusk was nearing.
-Exactly, so I startled. " i.. I´ve never been here before" I answered.
I heard more moanings, and a dozen other figures were sorrounding me, they
were all dressed in heavy armor, and had ragged robes, as if they were
kngiths long dead.
"Fool", they said "You should have never come back. Now you will suffer
like you made us suffer"
" But I don´t know you"
" You have his blood, you are of his kin, and as such, you are him"
I had no idea what they were talking about, but before I could speak
again they all atacked me. I fougth them off as best as I could, but I
remember very little about the figth, my mind went hazy as I thougth and By
the time I awoke I was In andrea´s Cabin, and she was looking over me. Now,
she is aver skilled healer and I was fully healed in a couple of days..-
-But you stayed over two weeks!- andrea replied,
-Well, Can´t blame me - he said gesturing - I mean, with such a
beautiful healer changing my bandages and bringing me food to bed, I´m only
sorry I didn´t stay over longer-
-Oh you´re such a liar, every time you tell a different story, except for
the bandits, the fist nigth at my place, when I DID wave you goodbye by the
morning. Then days later I found him coming from the northen edge of the
forest and he fainted. I hoped this time you´d tell me what happened- she
said kind of mad.
Lucien stood up and kissed her gently on the cheek -And miss such a good
chance to tell a tale?, never. Well, it´s late now, I´ll see you all
tomorrow. -
Lucien laid on his bedroll as the others laid on theirs and commented
on Lucien´s tall tale and how amusing even if fake, it was.
"What better way to keep a secret than telling it to everyone?" Lucien
thougth as he dozed off, smiling.

Taila woke up earlier than the others and packed up her stuff. She
grabbed her weapons and walked out of the clearing and into the forest
a little away from the camp. SHe had not been able to sleep since the
nightmares had started and she was so angry at what was to happen when
they arrived at the stupid temple. She threw a dagger so hard at a
nearby tree that it dug in hard. She went to retrieve and found she
could not budge it which only made her angrier. She started kicking at
the tree and eventually was using her sword to attack the tree. She was
blinded with rage until her body could not take it anymore and she fell
to her knees sobbing.
"I hate you!!" She screamed. "I hate you." she repeated breathlessly.
"The only way to stop the pain is to face it." Mystiquare's voice said
from behind her.
"Go away." Taila said picking up her weapons, the dagger now lying on
the ground as the tree was in no condition to hold it any longer.
"You know he is winning by allowing him to get to you." Mystiquare said
lying a hand on her shoulder which she shrugged off.
"How can I not? You have no idea what I went through, what he is
capable off or who he is." Taila said angrily.
"Tell me, so I can help destroy him." Mystioquare said to her.
"You really want to know. Fine, this is what I went through." She said
grabbing a small crystal ball from her pocket and throwingit intot he
air.
The crystal ball began to float and grow bigger and started to glow. A
picture of a young girl began to form, the girl was trapped inside a
dark room, suddenly the room was lit and the girl screamed as Dromar's
guards grabbed her and chained her hands and feet and Dromar walked
around her. Upto this point there had been no sound, but as soon as her
back was struck with the first whip, the scream penetrated and
Mystiquare and Taila could hear it along with Dromar's laughter and
taunting words.
"You cannot escape who you are or who I am Daughter."
Then suddenly they disappeared and she was free, she ran from the room
and up some stairs but the last sound before the crystal went dark adn
fell was Dromar's voice...
"You will never escape your father or the memory."
"So you see why I dont want to go back, I found this crystal a few days
later in one of my bags and every time I have tried to destroy it I
have not been able too." Taila said dropping to her knees in despair.
"The scars have never healed, My back is covered in the scars, even
without the crystal I cannot forget the marks on my back a frightful
reminder." She said picking up the crystal and placing back in her
pocket.

Mystiquare was silent for a long time, looking into Taila's eyes. She could
sense his mind working feverishly, as if there was more to the tale than she
knew. Finally, he walked away softly, and sat on a fallen tree trunk a
couple of metres away from her, his eyes looking at the grass.
"You didn't know... did you. What is happening now is just so he can get me
back in his clutches, to bring life back the way it was. I DON'T want that."
she said, her voice just above a whisper.
"You.... you are the key. It isn't any of the others, its you he's afraid
of."
"I think thats sorta obvious."
"You are the key to removing his powers of pestilence."
"huh?"
"Dromar once was mortal, rather than Demonic, like he is now. Through a dark
rite, he stole the powers of pestilence from the seventh ring. Those powers
make him immortal."
"And how am I the key?"
"When you showed me that globe, and every time you've looked at it before,
you haven't percieved the octarun flow."
"The what flow?"
"Octarun. If Lucien or Andrea were here, they'd percieve it as well. There
is a magical and divine link between you and that globe. It is thee weapon
capable of removing the powers of pestilence from Dromar and returning them
to the seventh ring."
"I... I've never shown this globe to anyone before. I don't know why I did
tonight."
"I'm sorry to say it, but I'd cast a charm spell on you to make you be more
helpful."
"YOU DID WHAT?!?!?" Taila exploded
"I showed you that the key to your fear is also the key to your salvation."
"The outcome doesn't justify the means."
"Would you have shown me the sphere otherwise? Because if you hadn't, we
would have all been riding to our deaths. And if you die before we get
there, all is lost once again. Only YOU can activate and use the sphere,
none of the rest of us can. Not even Dromar. The sphere is YOUR weapon to
stop Dromar, to stop the fear, and to stop the nightmares."
Taila looked at him and turned away, she could not believe that they
could do this to her.
"You don't understand, I cant go back there." She said trying to hide
the tear that slid down her cheek.

"You have to, it is the only way to stop him once and for all."
Mystiquare replied.
Taila jumped up and stood face to face with Mystiquare.
"NO! You listen here, I never knew my parents I was abandoned as a
baby, when I don finally find out who my real father is, it killed a
part of me, all I have is the hope that my mother is not evil and that
her not being evil stops me from being evil, if I go to that temple he
can turn me to become what he is and I wont do it. Do you understand."
Taila yelled dropping to the ground covering her face with her hands as
she could no longer stop the pain and anger that was flowing out of her
in tears.

Mystiquare knelt quickly beside her, and toucher her shoulder lightly.
Instantly she sprang around like a wildcat and held a knife out near his
throat. Mystiquare didn't even blink an eyelid. "If you kill me now, you'll
become like him without his help. You will know you have submitted to the
darkness, and give in the rest of your life. Do you really want to do that?"
Taila looked uncertain for a second. "I WON'T BECOME LIKE HE IS!" she
screamed at Mystiquare.
Mystiquare smiled slowly. "You don't have to. Your mother is not evil." He
said softly.
"You know my mother?" Taila gasped, dropping the dagger.
"Yes, I know your mother very well. She taught me when I was a student. We
still keep in touch every now and then. In fact..."
"yes?" said Taila.
"She is a lot like you, in many ways. She told me about Dromar and
everything that had happened. She alos aasked me to give you this if ever I
found you."
Mystiquare reached into a pocket and pulled out a small silver amulet.
"This talisman your mother made so you cold safely face Dromar. She is too
old to do it herself, and with this amulet, you will not be affected but
anything Dromar sends against you."
"I have to find my mother."
"When I first formed the group, I let yor mother know that I'd found you.
She will arrive in the city in three weeks time. Once the semester at the
University of Magic finishes."
"What did she teach you?"
"Demonology." Replied Mystiquare. "Might I suggest we head back to camp?"
Taila looked down at the amulet in her hand. "I will follow in a
moment." She replied as she started to collect her discarded weapons.
Mystiquare nodded, but only moved to the edge of the clearing,
watching Taila's movements.
Taila sat down on a log and turned the amulet over. The amulet was
inscribed with a skull and the scull'e eyes were rubies. She quickly
removed her other amulet and compared the two.
Both had similarities, but there was something different about the
rubies in her mother's amulet... apart from their size. There was a
different shine to them.
She knew that her mother had left the amulet around her neck as a
baby, but she could not help noticing how the scull's rubies appeared
to be almost on fire.
Suddenly, a cracking twig behind her made her look around. No-one was
about, Mystiquuare must have gone back to camp.... but something was
watching her.
She quickly placed both amulets around her neck and secured them
before picking up the last of her weapons. She kept a close eye on
he area where the sound had come from.
Suddenly, two faint pinpricks of red light appeared in the shadows,
only about 2 inches apart.
A deep howling echoed through the night, a chilling effect quickly
passed over Taila, and she shuddered with faint panic.
She quickly drew her X-Bow and secured a bolt ready to fire if the
thing should come any closer.
As soon as the X-bow clicked, the 2 red pinpricks were joined by
about a dozen more, all in a line, each in pair about 2 inches apart,
and a large howl went up.
"Damn, this isn't my day." She said under her breath, before turning
as quickly as she could and bolted towards camp to warn the others.
As she turned, the eyes winked out... and she wondered what manner of
beasts tey were. Not even her natural skill at seeing in the dark
could see an more of them.
She ran back to camp as quickly and as quietly as she could, she knew
that the beast could be anywhere adn could quite possibly be right on
her tail as she ran.
As soon as she reached the camp, she saw mystiquare standing his back
to the fire, his eyes alert. Seeing her sprint into camp, he smiled
with relief. "I thought you'd be lost out there... I was about to go
search for you."
"There are some strange beasts out there, I think they were watching
me after you left. I am not sure how many there are but from the
number of glowing red eyes I saw we could be in trouble." She said as
she tried to get her breathing back to a normal level.
Mystiquare nodded gently, then placed a hand on her shoulder. "I
heard the cry. You were lucky to get back alive. I think they're just
tracking us at the moment."
"Well I get the idea they are tracking us for Dromar, either that or
they are trying to slow us down. We need to get to that damned temple
as soon as possible and lift the stupid curse." she said angrily
Mystiquare nodded. "We do.... and I think you are right. They are
from Dromar." Suddenly, he spun her around and pointed over her
shoulder. "Look! There's one of them. i was right when I guessed what
they were."
A great, black hound'like creature was walking crossways to the camp,
it's face short and deeply fanged. it had three short spines
protuding from it's neck, and tattered, wolf like ears.
The beast was as large as a St. Bernard, a smooth coat and sleek
body, with black talons protuding ffrom it's large, padded feet.
"Well thats ugly. Shouldn't we wake the others?" Taila said her
weapon drawn ready to fire if the need arose.
Mystiquare shook his head. "They're only tracking us. and they can
only move at night. I think Dromar just wants to keep an eye on us. I
think the others will need their rest."
"Have they shown signs of sickness yet?" Taila asked watching the
beast carefully.
"I've been wondering that myself.. I haven't noticed anything yet."
Slowly, the beast faded into the shadows as the pair watched it.
Taila threw another piece of wood on the fire, and sat back down to
watch the last rays of the sunrise over the tops of the trees, she had
been awake all night but she didn't feel tired, in fact she had never
felt so awake. Mystiquare had disappeared into his tent a few hours
before for a little sleep before they headed off and she had caught a
couple of rabbits which she was roasting ready for breakfast. She knew
everyone would need their strength especially the guys who she knew
would not be in good health for much longer, it was a surprise they had
stayed as healthy this long.
She turned the spits and then quickly tended to the horses before
sitting down again to look at her amulets for the umptingth time that
night. Her mother's amulet seemed to have a life of its own and the
eyes continuously glowed.
Taila watched each person as they appeared from their tent and could
already see signs of the curse, simply in the ways they moved and in
the ashen palour of their faces.
She made sure each person ate well before they set off and could onl.y
pray that they would get to the temple and reverse the curse before
someone didn't make it.

Lucien was sent flying backwards by a powerful blow, and landed face
down, his sword clattering as it droped besides him.
"How the hell did this all go auwfully wrong?" he wondered, as Dromar´s
armored captain of guards walked slowly towards him, sword in hand. Lucien
could not see wether he was human of fiend, but he was unusually strong, and
Lothar and Yossarian had to get the amulets to Taila.
Somewhere deeper in the temple, Mystiwquare´s clone fougth Dromar,
attempting to distract him as the others made their escape. Unknown to him,
Taila was paralyzed in a room nearby by Dormar´s foul magic.
Lothar and Yosarrian sprinted trough the halls of the temple, holding
the amulets that could free Taila and thus alllow her to strip Dromar of his
power. Behind them four of Dormar´s guards, undead clad in armor, followed
fast and in the blink of an eye, Lothar and Yosarrian were sorrounded by the
four beasts.

It had all begun earlier that day. When they arrived at the temple, the
center of Dromar´s power. Mistyquare had dropped behind a couple of miles,
but by the time they arrived, the clone controled by Mystiquare´s magic was
joining them.
Taila´s mind was more focused, but the toll of the curse could be seen
I Lothar, Lucien and Yosarrian, who coughed constantly, and were pale as
dead. Lucien even coughed blood as the entered the temple.
The large building, made of finely worked rock was now rather
decayed, and the smell of moss and humidity reached ther nosedrills as they
entered thrgouh the large wooden doors that were wide open at the main
entrance.
Taila grabbed her mother´s amulet and kissed it softly as she silently
prayed. The doors slammed themselves behind them and their closing echoed in
the halls of the temple.
The way in was easy, as no creature seemed to be in the temple, their
way to the shrine and thus the heart of the temple was clear.
Dromar was waiting on the far side of the room, his back to the door
that led into the shrine. As the door opened he spoke, turning only his head
to look at his visitors.
-Finally. I have been waiting. You brougth her to my I see, You
brougth me my daugther-
-Daugther?!! what the hell is he talking about? - asked Yosarian
- Later - Taila replied sharply. - So, I am here father, release them
as you promised.-
Lucien coughed, this time really hard, and he had to kneel to draw air
after he finished. Blood sprinkled on the floor.
-Fine, You are mine after all.- Dromar closed his eyes, and as he did,
a gust of black fumes was exhaled by Lucien, Lothar and Yosarrian. It was
then that the blush they had lost for some days now returned. Dromar opened
his eyes and smiled, wickedly. Then, as fast as ligth travles, he ran
towards Taila, treying to grab her by the neck, and he did, but upon contact
his had burned and he had to le her go. Taila did not see it, but the ruby
eyes of the skull burned even deeper.
-Now, Run!!!! - Mystiwuare´s clone spoke for the first time. Without
doubt, the four ran out of the room as fast as they could, Dromar then
strechtes his hand an whispered very low and in a second, a wall of ice buld
iself over the door. Mistiquare invoked his own magic, and melted the wall
just in time. Then, the duel of magic began. Both wizards were amazing, but
the clone of Mystiquare had no chance against the powers of pestilence, and
he knew it.
Just as they ran, Lothar felt a blow coming form behind him, then a
great weigth falling on top of him as he landed on the ground. A man in a
black full plate armor was over him, and he moved extremely fast for one
weearing such heavy armor. His plate had the details of a Demon, and on his
gauntlets, claws were etched. Without second thougth he jumped towards
Lucien and attacked him with his claws. Lucien Moved his head back, barely
avoiding the claws. The Lucined Ducked and invoked: "Spirits, ligth the way
for human eyes" He said, and then a brilliant ligth flashed, rigth in front
of the armored man´s helmet, that became the new lamp for the room. Blinded,
he took his hands to his helmet as Lucien an the others ran as fast as they
could. The captain of guards stretched his hand as Taila ran by, and
stripped the amulet from her. A few meters away, Taila felt her legs failed
her, and her voice vanished, she dropped and could not cry for help.
-Wait!!, Where´s Taila?!- Lothar was the first who noticed, not more
tahn two rooms away. They all stopped and lookd around, but she was nowhere
to be seen, and all the doors closed suddenly, banging loudly. All except
one, From that door, the captain of guards walked in, which surprised them
all, since he was coming from the way they were headed to.
-What the..-
-My master rules this temple. It bends to his will, and it will never
let you go, nor will I-
- Where´s Taila? - demanded Yossarian
- She is somewhere you will not see her, and without this .. - He
showed the amulets Taila wore to the others - she will not be able to resist
the master.- Behind the captain, four skeletons clad in armor, with rotten
flesh still attached to some opf their bones walked in. - Kill them- he
ordered
"Crimson spirit from beyond" chanted Lucien as he brough his hands
together, Lothar and Yossarian broke off to the sides, ready to figth. "Fuel
your power with my anger" Lucien finished cahnting, and a small flaming
sphere sparked in his hand, he hurled it and as it touched the floor,
exctaly between their 5 enemies, it exploded into a huge fireball, with
tremendous force and heat, sending the skeletons flying all over.
As the smoke began clearing, the captain tried to locate the
intruders, then suddenly, Lothar sprung from out of nowhere and took the
amulets form the captain´s hand and ran away.
-Find Taila!!- Screamed lucien as he leaped between Lothar´s back and
the captain sword in hand.
Yosarrian and Lothar ran away and kicked a door down. The scorched
skeletons, stood up and followed them and lucien turned to them, but the
captain hit him with the back of his hand. - Now, you die, insolent fool.-
He threatened.

"Nae, Delthar. He shall not die." Came a voice from behind the captain's
looming figure. "but you will if you harm him."
The captain laughed, the punched Lucien once, sneering as he turned. "You
are weak, mystiquare. I shall savour your death." with a gesture, he sent
the skeletons on the attack, towards mystiquare, who simply stood, his face
impassive. Suddenly, he gripped his staff. "Circle of power to remove
undeath!" he cried, swinging around, pivoting on the spot, holding the base
of his staff as it swung over the ducking skeletons, the tip just beyond
leaving a white trail. as soon as the trail made a cricle, it pulsed a
bright white, and the skeletons fell, crumbling to dust. Mystiquare stood
impassive once again, facing Delthar. "you were saying?" Delthar sneered
once again, readying his weapon. "Time to di-!!!!" His sentance ended in
shock, Lucien plunging a dagger deep into his back, in the join of his
backplate and helmet. He fell forward, in a clatter of armour, his face
crumbling as he died.
"how did you know him?" Lucien demanded, wiping blood that was dribbling
freely from his nose away.
"Delthar, Dromar's second-in-command, also a sub-demon." sighed Mystiquare.
Lucien nodded slowly, just as a bellow of rage emerged from the temple.
"And I think Dromar knows you just killed him." Mystiquare chuckled.
Taila slumped against the walls, she was in so much pain her body was
beginning to break down, she knew if she didn't get the amulets back
she would never escape.
She screamed as another jolt of pain was sent through her, the room
itself was set to her person, Dromar had designed the room that
eventually she would give into the pain and the pain would turn her
evil. She knew this and she als9o knew she had to fight it,
unfortunately her body was not complying with her fight.
She managed to stand once again and took heavy breaths.
"I am going to kill you Dromar!!" She screamed as another wave of
pain sent her to the ground.
"No you will join me." The disenbodied voice said taunting her.
"NEVER!" She screamed defiantly just as another bolt hit her.
Taila's body was unable to take anymore pain and it shut off.

**The Dream**
Taila awoke in a room that looked very much like her adopted parent's
Lounge room. Taila looked around, and knew she could not be where she
was that somehow her body was stuck in a dream.
"This is bizzare." She said in a voice that was not her own.
"Help!" She yelled to an empty room.
She walked around the room and found there was no doors, htere was a
window that was open but there was no way she could fit through it as
it was only a slit.
"How did I get here?" She asked herself.
Suddenly there was a flash of light and a searing pain ran throughout
her body.
"Arghhhhh..." She screamed as she fell to the floor.
Once again she awoke in a dream world, this time she had no idea
where she was.
It looked like a forest but it was so dense and the trees were so
tall she had no way to climb them to see where she was.
"Why are you doing this to me?" She cried.

Mystiquare hurried, his face sombre, Lucien following close behind.
Suddenly, mystiquare stopped, and a sudden silver sheen passed quickly
across his features. Lucien took note, his brow creased. "What's wrong?"
"Taila.... we're losing her... must... must hurry..." said mystiquare,
panting as if he'd just recieved a shock.
Suddenly a slab of rok swung outwards, Yossarian and Lothar emerging,
weapons and faces bloodied. Lucien reacted with an attack, checking his blow
scant inches from yossarian's face. Looking with concern at Mystiquare,
Lothar asked, "where do things stand?"
"We aren't being followed, Mystiquare is sensing something wrong with Taila,
and keeps on saying we have to hurry."
Yossarian looked over to mystiquare's panting form. "We can't hurry with him
in that condition."
"Leave...me... Save Taila." Mystiquare panted, slumping to the floor. It was
then the trio saw the black bolt protuding from his leg, and all three moved
to help him.
Mystiquare mumbled for a second, then shouted "GO!"
All three turned and ran before their minds even reacted, ran towards the
temple, bearing the talismans.... hoping it wasn't too late.

Mystiquare hurried, his face sombre, Lucien following close behind.
Suddenly, mystiquare stopped, and a sudden silver sheen passed quickly
across his features. Lucien took note, his brow creased. "What's wrong?"
"Taila.... we're losing her... must... must hurry..." said mystiquare,
panting as if he'd just recieved a shock.
Suddenly a slab of rok swung outwards, Yossarian and Lothar emerging,
weapons and faces bloodied. Lucien reacted with an attack, checking his blow
scant inches from yossarian's face. Looking with concern at Mystiquare,
Lothar asked, "where do things stand?"
"We aren't being followed, Mystiquare is sensing something wrong with Taila,
and keeps on saying we have to hurry."
Yossarian looked over to mystiquare's panting form. "We can't hurry with him
in that condition."
"Leave...me... Save Taila." Mystiquare panted, slumping to the floor. It was
then the trio saw the black bolt protuding from his leg, and all three moved
to help him.
Mystiquare mumbled for a second, then shouted "GO!"
All three turned and ran before their minds even reacted, ran towards the
temple, bearing the talismans.... hoping it wasn't too late.
- Leigh
The three of them ran side by side through the halls and corridors of the
temple, they had found little resistance, but as they where at just two
doors from the chamber where Dromar was torturing Taila, Lucien who was
point felt an arrow through his leg and fell rolling on the ground.
“An ambush!” said Yossarian as he drew his sword. Lothar helped Lucien
up, while the armed men and beasts around them readied for battle.
For a second that seemed and eternity both parties remained still, silent,
waiting for the other to make a move, they were severely outnumbered, 3 of
them versus at least 20 knights 9 archers and 4 wizards, but Taila didn’t
have much time, so Yossarian lunged forward followed by Lothar as Lucien
casted a protection spell on the three of them who started glowing with a
blue light, Lothar ran straight up towards one of the wizards wielding his
bastard sword, but instead of slashing at him, Lothar leaped and stepping on
his shoulder kicked him on the face just to fall on him then with his blade
thrusting down. Lucien chanted arcane words invoking the deadly powers of
ancient magic to blow 7 of the knights away with a bolt of power. Yossarian
tripped one of the knights to open a way for himself and severe one hand of
the wizard closest to him just before he dealt the final blow, just in time
to dodge a couple of arrows. Lucien deflected a ray directed at him by one
wizard towards another knight who turned to stone and when the other wizard
launched a couple of fiery balls to Lothar he was in another part of the
room in the blink of an eye.
It was taking too long and they knew it, they reunited at the center of the
room giving their backs to one another.
"One of us must reach the room where Taila is being held." Said Lucien
while he finally had time to take that arrow out of his leg.
"But how would he get out?"asked Yossarian.
"I'll take care of that, but you'll have to fight your way out,
Yossarian draw attention to you as far away from the door as possible,
Lucien can you take some of those knights away from the door?"
"Sure" came the reply.
"Then I'll see you two outside."Said Lothar as Yossarian loudly
charged and Lucien once again made fire erupt in the room, Lothar ran
towards the door dodging arrows and blades alike but a blade managed to cut
through his armor hurting him on his side, when he finally crossed the door
he barred it from that side with his sword. He was now in an empty corridor
leading to the room where Dromar awaited him.
He opened the door and entered to see Dromar and Taila standing together
smiling.
"It seems you are too late Hero"said Dromar with a sarcastic
voice as Taila laughed. "She is now one of my faithful servants," he
continued, as Lothar contemplated the scene tightly gripping his cane.
"Now I make you the same offer my Daughter has accepted, join me and swear
eternal loyalty".Said Dromar with an authoritarian tone in his voice.
"You shall never have my services or my loyalty". Was the reply Dromar
received
"Kill him!" He ordered to Taila, who unquestioningly charged at him
sword in hand.
Lothar lift his cane with his left hand and dodged the fatal blow aimed at
his neck spinning around Taila while drawing the hidden blade with his right
hand and grabbing Taila's head with his left, once again spinning he
turned to Dromar holding his sword to her neck. "So this is your
daughter?"Lothar said with a grim smile on his face as with one swift cut
he severed the beautiful head from the body which fell to the ground
followed a moment later by its head, both slowly disintegrating into green
and black vapors.
"You cant fool ME with a shadow Dromar" said Lothar with the same wicked
smile as he put the blade back into his cane, "But it seems the opposite
can be done". Dromar then noticed the trio of shadows that had picked up
the body of the real Taila behind him and had flanked him silently to
deliver her to Lothar.
Dromar yelled with anger raising his hand gathering an enormous power as
Lothar placed both amulets around her neck, "This insult shall never be
forgotten!" Dromar yelled "Its too bad I cannot stay to kick you
around as I did at the council meeting at Sekoj, good bye Dromar." Then
faded into nothingness with Taila as Dromar released all that energy to a
now empty space.

Mystiquare stood, calmly waiting, looking out over the peaceful looking
plains, smiling. Lucien and Yossarian walked up softly behind him, both
bloodied and burnt, but smiling happily. Mystiquare bore a tight bandage
around his right leg, and his face gleamed slightly in the sunlight. The
trio stood, looking out over the plains, just as Lothar appeared, Taila held
in his arms, looking pale and ill. Mystiquare took one look at Taila and
sighed. Then, placing a hand to her brow, suddenly her right hand sprang up
and gripped his throat. The remaining trio jolted with surprise, but
mystiquare gently took his hand away as Taila opened her eyes, slowly, then
took her hand away.
"I... I'm sorry..." she stammered.
"It's okay, Taila. Before that movement, I was afraid we'd been too late. It
will take time, but you will heal. Lothar, put her down."
Lucien looked back quickly. "What will we do about the temple?"
"Nothing, yet. We've done our job, and lifted the plague."
Gently, Lothar set Taila on her feet, and she leaned heavily on his shoulder
as she looked out over the plains. The five victors, the one's who
outsmarted the plaguelord.
Mystiquare turned and faced the temple. "Soon enough, Dromar, war will be
brought to your doorstep. and THEN you will be defeated."
The group nodded and turned to leave, but mystiquare made no move. "Are you
coming mystiquare?" demanded Taila.
"I'll meet you back at the city." Said Mystiquare, wincing slightly at the
pain in his leg. "I have to do something, but I'll be back before you are.
and I'll have something for you all."
Then he turned and walked slowly away from the group, and away from the
city, across the plain.

**The Warehouse**
Taila walked in from the stables and looked around the place that had
become home, she had a slight limp from their last adventure but it
was healing. The team had been back for a couple of days,
unfortunately they had not heard from Mystiquare since they recieved
payment.
Lothar playing around with the new bastard sword he had taken from
the warehouse saw her standing at the door to the stables, "Greetings
fair lady, and how does this day fare for you?"
Taila grinned slightly at her friend. "As well as can be expected on
a beautiful sunny day." she replied walking towards the table and
taking a seat. She had done her best to keep her limp to a minimum
not really wanting undue notice and just wanting to forget the
experience she had had.
"I sure hope so, it seems everyones all right now" he took a seat
beside her and served 2 cups of wine as he had done that evening
about a month ago "I think we should celebrate that, we all got out
victorious and in one piece, and thats all that matters."
Softly, yet unexpectedly, the crystal began to glow slightly and
clear, revealing Mystiquare's face, which was glinting
slightly. "Greetings to you all. I hope you feel a bit more recovered
from.... your last commission?"
handing the wine to Taila he answered, "Thats a surprise, where have
you been hiding old man?"
"I will go grab the others." Taila said placing the cup on the table
and quickly leaving the room and returnging not long after with the
others.
Lothar remained in his position.
"I haven't been hiding... I've been... busy." Answered Mystiquare.
Taila, Lucien and Yossarian took their places around the table.
Mystiquare looked around the gathered party.
"Wonderful.. we all look healthy."
"So Mystiquaire glad to see you are healthy too" said Lucien "What
have you been up to?"
Mystiquare carefully avoided the question. "We have another
commission, Lady and Gentlemen. One of the City Lords' son, Felchio,
has been kidnapped. The guards around the lad's chambers saw and
heard nothing, and when they went in in the morning, the lad was
missing, and his Fiance murdered. The only clue was a token found on
the floor, bearing the symbol of the Shadow Masters. We have been
hired to investigate the crime and to rescue the Lord's son."
"So i suppose we dont have any time to celebrate our last commission?
Too bad..." Said Lothar, and then drank his wine.
Taila nodded slightly, she had heard of the Shadow Masters and they
weren't exactly nice.
Mystiquare sighed. "I won't be joining you for this one. Although I'd
be happy to, I'm still recovering from.... a second illness, which
has no relation to our last commission."
"Hey" said Yossarian "get well soon, we need our mighty leader."
Mystiquare chuckled. "I will, don't worry." the sheen on his face
shining slightly more.
Taila looked at their leader and could see the slight palour to his
face and knew the others had not noticed it.
"So what else can you tell us about what happened Mystiquaire?" asked
Lothar.
"That is all the information I have at present. The Lord will be glad
to recieve you if you have further questions of him." answered
Mystiquare gently.
"Well let's go then shall we." Taila said standing quickly.
Mystiquare nodded. "Good luck." he said, as his image faded.

AND SO BEGINS ANOTHER ADVENTURE.............