Through the Dark Veil

Pithian finally stopped running when he was convinced that the giants were not following him. Everyone leaned against the walls and caught their breath as they took off their packs. Thraxus looked at Pithian and asked, "Why did they stop?"

"I don't know," he responded.

"They look frightened," Gelvin jumped in.

"Of what?" Flynton queried as the group stared at Pithian for an answer.

"I suppose we'll find out," Pithian said as he stood erect and picked his pack off the ground. "We should keep going."

With that command everyone gulped down more air and picked up their belongings to continue their descent. The passage continued to slope downwards until it opened again into a large cavern. This hollow was ten times as large as the Fire Giant city and Gelvin believed that it occupied most of the mountain. The rocks were jagged and crushed in many places. There was a strange sound emanating from the far end of the cavern where there was no light.

The sound was a rhythmic wind, but this wind sounded thunderous as it grew loud and then faded away. The wind echoed through the cave, but Gelvin did not feel any pass by him.

"What is that?" Fyndon asked as everyone concentrated on the sound.

"I'm afraid I know," Pithian said with fright. He looked back and waved for Gelvin to come to the front of the tunnel. "You can see through this darkness," Pithian said as he pushed Gelvin to the edge of the giant earth chamber. "Go beyond that rock and see what's in here," Pithian said as he pointed towards a large jagged rock that almost entirely blocked the entrance tunnel to their cavern. from the cavern. Gelvin nodded his head and jumped out of the tunnel onto the rocks below him.

He climbed along the rock as the light of Pithian's lantern slowly began to fade from sight. Gelvin looked downward and saw that the ground was not far below the sheer stone he clung to. The sound became louder as Gelvin neared the edge of the craggy outcropping. Gelvin stuck his head around the end of the rock and looked out into the vast cavern.

His eyes glowed as he searched the darkness for the origin of the sound. Gelvin grasped the hugeness of the chamber as he surveyed in all directions. The cavern was filled with rocks and patches of earth. Then he saw a surprising sight. Gold. Tons of it. Gelvin hoped Thraxus wouldn't see it or else they'd be there forever while he thought of a way to haul it out. "what's all that doing here," Gelvin wondered to himself.

He looked at the sea of gold as the sound rose again and deafened him. The thunderous wind seemed to be moving two directions in the cavern. First, it would push Gelvin backwards, then it would pull him forwards, flush against the rock. Finally Gelvin noticed that the gold ended as it became obscured by a gigantic red rock. Gelvin stared closely at the rock because it was like none he had ever seen. It glistened and had a pattern etched into it. The sound washed over him again and Gelvin noticed that the rock moved in rhythm with the sound and breeze.

Gelvin understood why Pithian had become so nervous as his eyes traced the rock. The rock covered half the cavern until Gelvin saw a head attached to it. The sound rang in the Spriteleng's ears and he realized that the sound was snoring.

Asleep in its nest across the huge cavern lay a huge red dragon. Gelvin's teeth began to chatter as he felt panic overtake him. He had heard about red dragons. They were the most vicious and the eldest of all the horrible worms. They spat fire and could hypnotize a person with their sheer magnificence. This worm was as large as the entire hill where the much smaller green dragon lived. The dragon snored again and the outpouring of sound from its nose smacked Gelvin in the face.

This worm was enormous with perfectly pointed black claws and whiskers that dropped off its enormous nose, down to the lair's floor. The fire in its belly created a steam that rose off the beast, even as it slept. Its scales shifted between crimson and a dull pink under its neck, but it appeared thick everywhere. It tail rested underneath the worm and it was as wide as any tree trunk, with sharp ridges lining it.

Gelvin turned around and scampered back to the others. "Its a ruh-ruh-ruh-red dragon," Gelvin said nervously. A collective gasp filled the air as Pithian shook his head.

"That is what I feared," he said. "Was there an exit anywhere?"

Gelvin tried to calm himself as he visualized the cavern. The sight of the dragon panicked Gelvin so much that he wasn't really sure what he had seen. Gelvin took a deep breath and brought his fear under control. He visualized the cavern and remembered that there was another tunnel leaving the lair, but it was very near the worm.

"There was an exit, but it was too close to the dragon. We have to turn back," Gelvin cried as Flynton nodded in agreement.

"We can't," Pithian declared. "If we turn back we will face an army of Fire Giants. We must slip past the dragon while it sleeps."

"It will wake up!" Thraxus said in a panic.

"Not if we are very careful," Zatu said as he spoke with confidence. "Walk slowly and quietly. Dragons sleep very deeply."

Gelvin looked at his companions and knew that they were all scared, including Pithian. But he was right, what other choice did they have. "Let's do it," Gelvin said. "Keep the light in your lanterns low and follow me. I can lead us through there."

Gelvin climbed out to the rock as his eyes glowed brightly in the darkness. The others carefully followed him onto the steep outcropping. Once Gelvin reached the end he peered around to make sure the worm was still sleeping. Gelvin peeked around the edge and saw that the dragon's eyes were still shut. Another wave of snoring hit Gelvin flush in the face to confirm his suspicion.

Gelvin pointed towards the ground a few paces below the rock as he let go and dropped down. He carefully landed on the rock laced floor of the lair and looked out over the vast expanse they would have to traverse. The lair was as large as the Fire Giant's city, but there were no smooth roads. Instead, there were jagged rocks and crevasses that filled the lair.

The others followed Gelvin down. and held their breath, hoping that their landing was not loud enough to wake the sleeping beast. The snoring remained constant and loud as Gelvin led his companions out into the open field of the lair. He looked across the vast field of stones and saw that he was right. There was a small tunnel, certainly not large enough for the dragon, just past its unmoving jaws.

Gelvin crawled across the rocks and scurried along the floor of the cavern, moving ever closer to the sleeping beast. The humans became accustomed to the roaring vibrations of the snore, but Gelvin's sensitive ears made him wince every time the dragon slowly exhaled. As they drew closer, the low lit lanterns revealed the beast to everyone but Gelvin. It was huge and Thraxus opened his mouth wide as he stared at the creature. It was larger than a small village and was as magnificent as any castle. Its scaled hide reflected the soft light as they cautiously walked past it.

As Gelvin approached the head of the worm he felt the force of its wind as the beast exhaled violently. Gelvin looked back and waved for the others to hurry. He was only a few paces away from the tunnel as the others filed past the worm. They walked as silently as possible, but there was one other perceptive dragon sense they had not counted on. As the dragon breathed deeply after another thunderous snore it caught the smell of the humans in its lair. The worm inhaled and the odors of human soap, from Pithian, and Fire Giant blood, from Gelvin, tickled its nose.

Pithian and Zatu hiked in the rear to make sure everyone made it across the floor of the lair and just as they walked across the path in front of the dragon's nose, its eyes slowly opened. The dragon watched as the humans crossed through his lair. It had been a long time since she had seen anything but a Fire Giant and the unique smell of the humans tickled her nose.

"You maggots dare to enter my mountain!" the dragon boomed as it awakened from its slumber. Gelvin looked up and watched as the towering beast sat up on its hind legs. "I do not allow maggots into my home," the dragon said as it spread its leathery wings. The wingspan was gigantic and Gelvin cowered in fear of the dragon's black claws and shiny white teeth.

"Run!" Pithian screamed as he reached for his sword. "Run now!"

Pithian turned to face the dragon as it slapped its tail on the ground, causing the floor to quake. Gelvin barely kept his balance, but Zatu fell down and rolled under a rock to hide from the frightening worm.

"You puny thing! You dare raise your sword at me!" the dragon bellowed as its dark eyes shined. It tried to hypnotize Pithian with its penetrating stare. Pithian felt the dragon's internal magic reaching out to his mind and enthralling him. Feelings of hot steamed filled his mind and his knees began to buckle in confusion. But Pithian was too strong. He peered through his cloudy thoughts and regained his focus on the worm, expelling its magical power from his mind.

"Go now," Pithian screamed as he stood firm with his sword in front of him for protection.

The others scrambled towards the tunnel as the dragon laughed at Pithian's futile defiance. Fyndon was the first to reach the escape and she scrambled several paces down it. Quickly, Thraxus and Mendibone joined her, followed by Flynton. Gelvin waited by the threshold of the exit and shouted, "Pithian I cannot leave you."

"Run now!" Pithian shouted in anger as his eyes did not waver from the enormous beast. Gelvin could not refuse the command. He jumped into the tunnel and peered out into the lair. "What is he doing?" Gelvin thought to himself as he prayed his master would survive.

The dragon continued to laugh at the minuscule human until finally she bellowed, "You chose to face me, so be it!"

The dragon reared back on its hind legs as its throat swelled until it spit fire all over the lair. Pithian stood firm, his sword glowing and resonating. The fires washed on top of him, but somehow Pithian, standing in stoic defiance, resisted the flames. The fire reached his sword and then spread around him in a sphere. Zatu cowered under the rock until the barrage subsided. He crawled out to find Pithian facing the dragon alone.

The dragon roared in disgust as its fire had no effect on the resolute Pithian. "I shall crush you then!" she shouted as she lowered her clawed fist onto the floor. The dragon had not tried to strike Pithian, but merely shatter the ground. As the lair quaked again Pithian lost his balance and fell to the ground. His sword was knocked away to his side and Pithian could do nothing to recover it. His foot was trapped under a piece of falling debris that broke free from the ceiling during the quake.

The dragon hissed and laughed at its helpless prey. "Pithian," Gelvin screamed out from the tunnel as he reached in desperation. He knew there was nothing he could do to save him. The dragon lowered her head to the ground and intended to swallow Pithian whole, when Zatu jumped off the ground where he had been hiding.

Zatu had waited until the dragon drew close, because he realized he would have only one chance at his plan. The dragon's right eye widened as it glimpsed Zatu charging at her lowered head. Zatu moved as fast as lightning and thrust his sword directly into the eye of the worm. The eye was the only place it was vulnerable, without the protection of its scales, and Zatu hoped that the Gods would carry his blade straight through to the lizard's brain.

Dragons were quite intelligent and had large brains, but relative to the size of their enormous skulls, reaching the brain by driving a sword through the eye was virtually impossible. Zatu pushed the blade as far as it would go until the dragon roared in pain. He quickly drew it out and the dragon stood tall and covered its eye with her claws. The dragon wobbled as its black blood poured like a river to the surface of the lair. She let loose one final scream and then fell backwards into her treasure, her brain punctured.

Zatu's strategy worked, but as the gigantic beast hit the ground the entire cavern began to collapse. Rocks and stalactites from the ceiling hurtled downward on top of Zatu and Pithian. Zatu reached down and moved the rock covering Pithian's foot. Pithian sprang to his feet and winced as he shifted his weight off of the injury. He grabbed his sword as he and Zatu raced towards the tunnel.

"Hurry!" Gelvin shouted as he watched the entire cavern fall down around them. They were only a few paces away when a crumbling rock crashed into Zatu's head. He slumped to the ground as Pithian barely reached the entrance to the tunnel.

"Zatu!" Gelvin called out as he leapt into the maelstrom of debris.

"It's too late Gelvin!" Pithian said as he tried to hold him by the tunic. He was too weak to stop Gelvin though, and he charged into the collapsing cavern to save his friend. Gelvin narrowly avoided a falling boulder as he got to Zatu's body and threw him over his shoulder. Gelvin reached down to snatch Zatu's sword and he ran back towards the tunnel. It was half covered by the debris and the air grew thick with dust and particles of rock. Gelvin could barely see through the clouds as he exerted the last of his energy to throw himself into the tunnel, seconds before a huge boulder crashed into the threshold, blocking the lair.

Pithian picked Gelvin up and asked, "Are you injured?"

"Yes." Gelvin heard the concern in Pithian's voice. He knew that his master did not approve of what he had done, but Pithian also respected his valiant and selfless act. Gelvin looked down at Zatu, whose head was bruised and black. But far worse, he was not breathing.

"No!" Gelvin screamed as he fell to the ground. he had not risked his life just to watch Zatu die. "Wake up," Gelvin cried as he slapped Zatu on the cheek. Gelvin looked at Fyndon and desperately asked, "Use your powder. Save him."

A tear rolled down Fyndon's cheek as she placed her delicate hand on Gelvin and said, "I cannot save him." She knew her healing power could not help a wound to the head. The Comwen mixture only knitted cuts and lacerations.

"No, there must be something," Gelvin said as he began to cry. "He gave himself to save us. He killed the worm and he must not die." Gelvin turned his face towards the Kensai and wailed. When Slade died, Gelvin was upset but he did not feel any connection to the thief. Zatu, on the other hand, was an honorable warrior, who, unlike most humans, had treated Gelvin with respect and fairness. He cared for the fallen warrior and he began to wish he had died instead.

Then Gelvin felt Pithian's firm hand on his side and his mentor whispered, "Back off Gelvin." Gelvin stood up and collapsed back onto the wall of the tunnel. Fyndon balanced him upright as he continued to cry. Pithian knelt down on one knee and removed the gauntlet from his right hand. He placed his palm over the black bruise on Zatu's forehead. Pithian whispered something as his hand began to tremble and shake. Pithian said a prayer and then stood up.

Suddenly, Zatu's eyes opened wide and he gasped for air. He coughed up a few drops of blood and then bent over and clutched the bruised area on his forehead. Gelvin rushed over to him as his tears changed to those of joy. "You're alive!" he shouted.

"Thanks to you I believe," Zatu said as his foggy memories of what had just happened filled his mind. "That is twice you have saved me, Gelvin. I am in your debt."

"It is enough to know that you have not left us yet," Gelvin said with a smile. He reached to the floor and handed Zatu his sword. Gelvin knew that as a Kensai, Zatu's family sword was more important to him than his own life. As Gelvin handed him the beautiful weapon, Zatu's eyes sprang to life and he held the sword.

"I knew you were an honorable Spriteleng," Zatu said as he grasped Gelvin by the arm. Gelvin pulled him to his feet and everyone rejoiced that their comrade was still alive. Even Thraxus cheered, relieved that Slade's fate did not befall Zatu. Mendibone was the only one who had no reaction. She seemed not to care and simply wanted to move on to the next battle. She would not have long to wait.

The tunnel continued deeper into the mountain. Gelvin walked along the gentle slope and asked Pithian, "How did you save him? How was that possible?"

"Have faith Gelvin. The power of good is strong. I can use my magic to harness those positive powers and channel them into life energy."

Gelvin never knew his master possessed such incredible magic. He had watched him pore over ancient texts before, but Gelvin never realized the extent of Pithian's powers. Pithian, though, was more interested in his ward's actions.

"Why did you go back for Zatu?" he asked.

Gelvin remembered that he had disobeyed Pithian's command and he dropped his head in shame. "I'm sorry," he muttered.

"Don't be," Pithian replied as he forced Gelvin to hold his head high. "It was risky, but risks are often worth taking. I want to know why you chose this particular risk?"

"I'm not sure," Gelvin said as he thought about the question. "I just felt compelled to save him. It's strange though."

"What do you mean?" Pithian asked.

"Just a few days ago I never would have done that. All I was thinking about was returning home to you. But now my mind is filled with a sense that I must stop Koraz and help you confront Necron. I have not thought about the temple since we left for this desolate mountain."

"That is good," Pithian replied. "You have grown in the ways I did as a young adventurer."

Gelvin was curious about what Pithian had done as a young man on a quest. What had he learned that he could not have taught Gelvin in Caledan? Gelvin wanted to know, but it quickly became apparent that it was not the right time to ask.

The tunnel widened and expanded into another small cavern. Not nearly as large as the dragon' lair, this expanse was filled with a giant skeleton though. As the group piled into the cavern their lanterns shone brightly on the gigantic skeleton and everyone recognized it immediately. It was the remains of smaller dragon. The structure was unmistakable and a tension filed the mountain as everyone looked over their shoulders for another sleeping beast.

"Is there no end to these dragons!" Thraxus shouted in frustration. He had already encountered three worms during the last few suns and he was not prepared for another.

"It appears that whatever was living here has long since perished," Pithian said as he held his lantern up to the rib cage of the skeleton. But then another faint light appeared on the other side of the cavern away from the dragon's bones.

Gelvin peered through the nearly complete darkness and saw a tall robed figure walking slowly towards them. Suddenly the entire cavern was illuminated by a magical light that filled the interior of the mountain. The robed figure wore a hood to conceal its face even as the chamber grew brighter. It stopped its approach and stood there in silence, looking at Pithian.

"Who are you?" Pithian demanded to know as he drew his sword. He did not desire to use it, but he wanted the stranger to know that he had it. The robed figure slowly moved its covered arms towards the hood. Gelvin could not see any hands because the baggy black robe concealed everything about this mysterious stranger. The light from the ceiling grew brighter and their lanterns faded in comparison. Finally, the figure gripped his hood with his concealed hands and quickly threw it off.

Gelvin gasped as he looked at the figures' face. It was a rotting skull with red glowing eyes that danced in the inner recesses of Gelvin's soul, stirring fear he never knew existed. It was Necron!

"I have not forgotten about you,' the necromancer said in a piercing high pitched voice. Gelvin was scared but he knew what had to be done. He raised his Defender high and ran at the evil wizard as he shouted a menacing war cry.

"Gelvin, don't!" Pithian shouted, but it was too late. Gelvin only heard rage as he squashed his fear in a mad charge. Necron's skeletal jaws opened and he laughed while the helpless Spriteleng ran at him with his sword ready to topple the evil one. As Gelvin began to strike downwards at the necromancer he felt a collision with an invisible barrier and he stumbled backwards.

As Gelvin collided with the mystical force, a sphere of sparkling darkness appeared around Necron and then disappeared very quickly. Gelvin then understood what Pithian feared, the dark veil.

"Attack!" Thraxus foolishly announced.

In the heat of the moment, everyone charged except for Pithian who knew that the assault was useless. Necron laughed as the heroes hacked away with their weapons at his shimmering veil. He was invulnerable and the adventurers, either out of fear or stupidity, could not comprehend that important fact.

"Fall back!" Pithian shouted and Necron obliged for him. He waved his rotting arm and a pulse of red energy repelled everyone away from his veil. Gelvin slid across the ground as he recovered from the shocking power of Necron's dark magic.

"What do we do?" Gelvin asked Pithian as he jumped to his feet.

"Regroup!" Pithian shouted as everyone huddled towards him.

"You'll never break that veil with your swords," Pithian explained. "Maybe my magic can break it," he said with a lack of confidence.

"How do we help?" Flynton asked quickly as he kept one eye on the unmoving Necron. The wizard seemed to be waiting on something, and before Pithian could answer Flynton, they all discovered why Necron paused.

"Nyyawhhh!" Thraxus screamed in pain as he fell to his knees. Gelvin looked at him and saw Mendibone pulling her short black sword out of his back. She held the blade to her mouth and slowly licked the blood off the dark metal. Mendibone hissed and exposed two large fangs that Gelvin had not seen before. She quickly grabbed Thraxus' enormous black sword as two black leathery wings spread from her back.

"By the Gods, what are you?" Fyndon gasped in horror.

"Back foul demon!" Pithian shouted as he held an ankh high in the air. Mendibone hissed again and then flew over their heads and joined Necron inside his dark veil. She handed him the enormous sword and he drove the sharp tip into the ground. Mendibone's clawed hands groped at Necron's robe as he examined his gigantic sword.

"Thank you for finding my sword," Necron said to Mendibone.

Mendibone smiled and hissed at Gelvin. "You were a fool to trust me little one."

"I will kill you!" Gelvin declared in a fit of anger.

Mendibone's forked tongue emerged from her mouth and she said, "I will taste your blood one day Spriteleng."

Necron's rotting head turned towards Pithian and he placed the sword on his back, in similar fashion to Thraxus. The necromancer waved his hand again and suddenly his magical light that filled the chamber disappeared. As his lantern grew in brightness once again, Gelvin watched as Necron's veil glittered in the dark chamber and the walking corpse looked up at the ceiling.

Suddenly, the roof began to fall. Pithian held his sword high and his magical energy deflected the falling pieces. Some small rocks fell through and the others jumped and dodged to avoid being hit. One piece knocked Fyndon to the ground and she covered her head as a large boulder plummeted towards her. At the last moment, Zatu jumped to the ground and pulled her out of the way.

"Thank you," Fyndon said as she grasped Zatu's neck. The debris settled and Gelvin was thankful that this cave in was not as complete as the one he experienced in the dragon's lair. He looked to the middle of the cavern, but Necron and Mendibone were gone.

Gelvin then rushed to Thraxus' aid. He did not like the man, but empathy poured from Gelvin's soul. Thraxus has been backstabbed by a demon, and no matter his failings as a human, nobody deserved such a fate. As Gelvin bent down next to him, Thraxus spat out his dying breath, "Avenge me Spriteleng. Avenge me." Then Thraxus eyes closed and his heart stopped. Gelvin solemnly bowed his head.

"What was that thing?" Zatu asked in ignorance of the demon. Gelvin actually wanted to know as well. All along Mendibone had seemed as normal as the rest of them. Not even Pithian, with all of his experience and knowledge, suspected her.

"Mendibone is a hellspawn," Pithian said plainly. "Necron probably summoned her from the depths of hell to search for his sword."

"But how did she know Thraxus' had it or where to find us?" Fyndon asked.

"I don't know how she found us on the way to Caledan, but Necron saw Thraxus with the weapon in his tomb," Gelvin hypothesized. "He knew who to send Mendibone after."

"Of course," Flynton said as he came to an important discovery. "Now I know how we released him."

"What do you mean?" Gelvin asked.

"Remember, Trogen said it should not have been possible to open the tomb. But we had Necron's sword. Thraxus beat the door down so we could enter. The sword must have contained enough of his evil magic to break the seal to his prison."

"What do you mean evil magic. In a sword?" Gelvin asked in confusion.

"Yes," Pithian began. "A sword can do more than conduct magical energy, it can also store it. Necron probably left part of his dark power in the blade when he was captured."

"Enough to break into a tomb of the Gods?" Fyndon asked.

"Perhaps," Pithian replied. "Dark magic is quite powerful."

Gelvin synthesized what Pithian and Flynton were saying and he realized they were correct. "Yes, that must be it. Thraxus even dropped the sword when we tried to battle Necron in the tomb."

"Magical swords never bite their owners," Pithian said.

"That's why it kept sliding out of his hand," Gelvin declared. "It's starting to make sense."

"We'll never defeat him," Fyndon said discouragingly. "We can't even make it to the bottom of this mountain. How are we ever going to defeat Necron."

"I will defeat Necron," Pithian declared. "You must worry about stopping Koraz. Leave Necron to me. I sense that this is not the last time I will confront him."

"We cannot give up now," Gelvin said to Fyndon and Flynton. "The three of us have come so far and done so much. Don't lose hope now when we are so close to the end."

"And I am with you," Zatu said as he stepped forward. "I am with you until the end. If you say we must defeat this Koraz, then I am compelled to help."

"All right then," Fyndon said as a little of her confidence returned. Gelvin looked at Fyndon and he knew she could not concede defeat.

"What of Thraxus' armor and his map?" Flynton asked.

Gelvin looked at the dead body and most of the armor had been crushed by the falling debris. The map was somewhere underneath it as well. "I don't think it will be of much use to us now," Gelvin said as Flynton stared at the cracked and shattered plating.

"We'd better keep moving," she said as they crossed the rubble filled chamber and continued down another tunnel.

The tunnel descended deeper and deeper into the mountain as Gelvin's confidence sank deeper as well. He put on a brave show for the others, but he felt worthless and cowardly. "I should have known," Gelvin whispered in disgust.

"Known what?" Pithian asked.

Gelvin did not realize that his mentor had been listening, but it was too late not to talk about it. "I should have known Mendibone would betray us," Gelvin said quietly as he made sure no one else heard him.

"How could you have known?" Pithian asked.

"I should have seen it in her eyes," Gelvin said despondently.

"So you've learned to see into peoples' souls, have you?"

"What do you mean?" Gelvin asked Pithian. He still did not fully grasp his own potential.

"Spritelengs have the sense to look in a person's eyes and understand their true nature."

"We do?" Gelvin said in surprise. He had no idea that he possessed such a unique ability. He just assumed that he was a good judge of character.

"Yes," Pithian continued. "I was not sure if your ability had developed yet, but now I suppose these quests brought it out in you."

Gelvin's spirits lightened as Pithian explained his newfound ability. But then, as Gelvin rejoiced in the idea that he could read a person's soul, he felt more responsible for not recognizing Mendibone's true nature. "Why did she fool me then?"

"Demons have vast powers," Pithian explained. "She was able to hide herself from you. She used a trance to convince you to trust her. The power of your eyes were negated."

"But how?" Gelvin whined. He wanted to make sure it never happened again.

"Your powers are not absolute," Pithian clarified. "Have you considered the fact that you cannot read my soul. Nor were you able to read Koraz when he disguised himself as Riverwind."

Gelvin thought about Pithian's words and he began to understand. He could not count on his senses because sometimes they would be unreliable. Koraz was a madman, which Gelvin assumed would be easy to sense, but still Riverwind deceived him. Gelvin thought back to the moment when he saw Koraz disguised in the tree and he remembered that he felt nothing. That seemed strange by itself. Perhaps, Gelvin thought, I should be sensitive to that feeling as well.

Gelvin had no sense of what time it was because there was no sun under the mountain. Still, it felt late and he was getting tired. The tunnel finally leveled off and Gelvin hoped they were nearing Ankearth. It seemed as though it had taken twice as long to travel through the mountain than it did to climb it.

As they walked cautiously down the corridors, Pithian noticed a wooden sign that had been embedded in the earthen wall. The sign displayed no words, but had a symbol drawn in orange. Pithian put his hand to the wood as he mumbled words across his lips. The drawing depicted a goat's head and a pick axe floating above it. "We are near Ankearth," Pithian said as he examined the sign.

"How far is it?" Flynton asked.

"Very close now. Probably just down this tunnel."

Pithian led the way as the others followed him down the darkened passage. Gelvin was elated at the idea of reaching the city. He wanted rest and a good meal. But then he began to wonder how comfortable a city could exist underground. Most dwarves were miners, and Gelvin couldn't imagine that they lived in a very nice place. When he thought of miners, he envisioned hunched over dwarves, with dirty beards and nasty dispositions. Gelvin hoped that someone else knew more about Ankearth and could allay his concerns. That would have to wait though, as a dilemma rose, or fell you could say, as they walked down the tunnel.

The lanterns were bright, but it was still difficult to see and Pithian did not notice the carved grooves in the path just ahead of him. As he stepped forward, the ground gave way, and a deep pit emerged below him. Pithian started to slide into it as Gelvin stretched out and caught him by the hand. "Help me!" Gelvin clamored as Pithian's weight slowly drug him into the pit.

Zatu's reached for Gelvin and took him by the hand. "Pull," Zatu shouted Flynton and Fyndon reached around his waist. Everyone exerted all their strength until finally Pithian was retrieved from the abyss.

Pithian and Gelvin looked over the edge into the hole and saw large metal spikes planted on the ground below. "I guess they don't like visitors," Gelvin said as he pushed his back against the wall. He carefully inched his way forward on a ledge left next to the wall by the collapsing ground. As soon as everyone had made their way across, they continued down the tunnel.

Within moments they began to see lights and soon their lanterns were not necessary. "There it is," Gelvin bellowed as he pointed at the city which lay beyond the small tunnel. The adventurers emerged from the dark into a great hollow within the mountain.

It was magnificent. Gelvin twirled around as he looked at a teeming city with a lake calmly shimmering below it. From the lake there stretched a river, going south, that seemed to disappear back into the rock of the mountain. To the east there was a vale, filled with plants and foliage that did not seem to require sunlight to grow. Gelvin had never seen a more amazing sight. There was some sunlight in the city though and Gelvin looked about the Ankearth to locate the source. He small many small openings and cracks throughout the rock where faint sunlight shined through. Then Gelvin realized the true ingenuity of these dwarves. The cracks did not provide enough light on their own, so the dwarves erected mirrors near them and reflected small beams of sunlight many times throughout their city. One opening could probably illuminate the entire vale.

"Who goes there?" a short stubby dwarf said as he approached the interlopers. "Why are you here?" The dwarf was a small fellow with bright blue eyes and solid brown colored clothes. His white hair and beard were long, but not by dwarven standards.

"We apologize for the unannounced visit," Pithian said as he laid his sword on the ground in a gesture of good faith. "We are travelers from the south. We seek an audience with the noble and wise King Bolen."

"King Bolen is very busy," the dwarf complained as his white beard shook back and forth along with his head. "You will have to come back when he has time."

"But we've traveled so far," Gelvin said desperately.

"I do not care," the dwarf said rudely and he started to turn around.

"We bring news of Koraz," Pithian said succinctly as he picked up his sword and sheathed it.

"Did you say Koraz?" the dwarf whispered as he looked at Pithian with a critical eye.

"Yes, we need to see King Bolen immediately."

Once the dwarf confirmed that he had heard the human correctly he waved his hand for them to follow and rushed down towards the lake.

It was a large body of water considering it was underground. Gelvin looked out across it and saw many small boats sailing on it. He wasn't sure where the wind came from, but then again, the boats were not moving very swiftly.

"King Bolen!" the dwarf cried as he ran down to the shore of the lake where a group of dwarves were finishing construction of a larger wooden boat.

"What is it?" Bolen asked rudely as he turned around to see what the commotion was. King Bolen was a stout dwarf, about Fyndon's size, with large glasses and a wrinkled face. He had a shortsword, shaped like a scimitar, at his side and he wore quite plain clothes for a king. He had a puffy white shirt on, with baggy green pants that were tucked into his black boots. His long white beard matched his even longer white hair. The length of one's beard in the dwarven world indicated their age and level of respect. Bolen's beard was longer than anyone around him.

"These people have heard of Koraz!" the dwarf screamed as he jumped up and down in front of his king.

Bolen pushed the jumping fool aside and walked right up to Pithian. "What do you know of Koraz, human?"

"He is building an army to attack my king, Zendon the Wise. I know what Koraz did to your brother and King Zendon requests your assistance. He needs more men if he is to defeat Koraz's evil army."

Bolen turned around and began to stroke his long beard. He raised a finger in the air and spoke to the strangers without facing them. "My people have searched for Koraz ever since he killed my brother Thorus. My people have sworn revenge against any person bearing that name." Bolen turned to face Pithian and extended his hand in friendship. "I cannot refuse your request. What do you need from us?"

Pithian shook the king's hand and said, "I am Pithian Whiteshield. My companions and I request the help of your army to defeat Koraz."

"Then you shall have it," Bolen said confidently. After all the years since Thorus' death, the king would have the chance to avenge him in battle.

"Prepare the ships," Bolen called out and dozens of dwarves began to scramble about the lake. "Prepare the army and supply yourselves for war!" Bolen shouted to the cheers of his people.

Gelvin did not understand why they became so excited at the prospect of a war, let alone with the deadly Koraz, but Gelvin decided that maybe it was just something about dwarves he would never understand. "We will be ready soon," Bolen said to the travelers. "You can eat and rest with us on the boat. We sail south tonight."

As soon as the boats were loaded with dwarves and their monstrous weapons of war, Bolen marched to the bow of his personal ship. He raised his scimitar to the delight of his armored followers. He pointed the sword forward, towards the underground river, and the fleet of dwarven ships began to row their way out of the mountain. The river flowed down a long tunnel and Bolen told Pithian that they would be well outside of Skull Mountain by morning.

Gelvin and the others enjoyed a banquet that evening. Bolen always said that a warrior should eat well before battle. Gelvin had never been on a ship before, but he did not find it difficult to sleep that night. He awoke early the next morning and ventured out onto deck. The sun shining as Gelvin surveyed the water. It was vast and blue and as Gelvin saw the continent of land to his right he realized that the river they set out on the night before had reached the Grandean Lake. Gelvin was traveling south, towards his first tastes of war.

Soon, Zatu and Fyndon joined Gelvin on deck to look out at the beautiful lake. It shimmered in the morning sun and Gelvin looked deep below the water at the fishes that swam underneath. "A beautiful sight," Gelvin said.

"Yes, it is breathtaking," Zatu agreed.

Gelvin looked at his new friend as he leaned over the stern to view the water. Zatu was still such a mystery, but nobody had ever suggested that he was not trustworthy. After their experience with Mendibone, it seemed that someone would have brought up the question. But they never did. Zatu showed them all the respect, because they were friends of Gelvin, a Spriteleng. Gelvin wondered why Zatu respected him so much and he finally asked, "Zatu, what do you know of Spritelengs?"

"I've known one Spriteleng before you, Gelvin, and he was the most giving creature I ever met."

"How so?" Fyndon asked. "What did he do for you?"

"When my clan was destroyed there were many men hunting for me. I hid in the forest where I fell ill. A Spriteleng named Kwanis found me and took me to his tree. This Spriteleng lived alone and he spent his time nursing me back to health. As I recovered in the tree, the men hunting me stumbled upon Kwanis in the forest. They asked him where I was, and when he refused to tell, the men threatened to kill him. I expected Kwanis to give in and I would not of thought less of him for doing so. But he was resolute. He would not yield and the men killed him. On that day, I learned the true honor of Spritelengs."

"That is an amazing tale," Gelvin said as he understood why Zatu held his race in such high regard.

The three friends turned their sights back to the lake and watched the paddling dwarves row further south. "I wish we could help them," Gelvin said. "They are working so hard."

"Maybe we can help," Fyndon said as she stretched both her arms out over the side of the ship. She hesitantly stared down at the water and began to wave her arms in elaborate flowing motions. She reminded Gelvin of a dancer and her lithe arms relaxed him. Then Gelvin looked back towards the water and he saw a sight he did not think possible. The water foamed and rippled as dozens of schools of fish began to skim the surface.

"What are you doing?" Gelvin asked in amazement as the fish showed him the answer. Fyndon waved her arms high and suddenly the fish swam more rapidly until their mouths nudged against the hull of the boat. Gelvin almost lost his balance as the ship's speed doubled.

"How is that possible?" Gelvin asked in shock.

"Fish are busy little creatures," Fyndon said as she lowered her arms with a smile. "They love to work and all one needs to know is how to give them an order." Gelvin and Zatu laughed as Fyndon smiled at her handiwork.

The ships sailed throughout the entire morning, and by the time the sun shone high in the midday sky, the dwarves arrived at the peninsula to meet King Zendon. Once the boats docked, Pithian led King Bolen into Zendon's camp so the two warrior kings could meet.

"It is my honor to meet you," Zendon said as he emerged from his brown command tent.

"Any enemy of Koraz is my friend," Bolen said as he extended his hand to Zendon in friendship. "You and I shall vanquish him together."

"Well said," Zendon declared. "We are fortunate that you arrived when you did. Koraz's army prepared more swiftly than I anticipated and they began unloading their boats on the south end of the peninsula last night. Today we will take the field against him."

"Do we know what Koraz intends to do?" Pithian asked.

"Marcus has ordered him to sack the villages along the peninsula. There are three of them spread across the field. Then Koraz is to proceed against our army and rout us."

"That will never happen," Bolen said confidently.

"Normally I would agree," Zendon said apologetically. "But Koraz has gathered a very unique and menacing army. We must be cautious."

"What do you mean my Lord?" Pithian asked.

Zendon frowned at Pithian for calling him Lord and replied, "Koraz's army is comprised of Rocwhelm soldiers as well as horrible monsters he controls. Ogres, orcs, and Stone Giants have chosen to take the field with him."

The mention of giants seemed to unnerve Bolen because the large creatures were the bane of tiny dwarves. Bolen had many a battle against the Fire Giants of Skull Mountain and lost many friends in the process. "Do not worry," Pithian said. "The giants can be dealt with," Pithian assured Bolen as he thought about Gelvin and his hammer.

"I will prepare my troops," Bolen announced as he walked back towards the ships.

"I have a final favor to ask you Pithian," Zendon said as he took him aside, behind the tent.

"It is never a final favor with you Zendon. What do you need?"

"Generals," he bluntly replied. "I do not have enough officers to lead the army. I want you and Thraxus to command my forces."

Pithian lowered his voice, realizing that the king had not heard the news yet, "But sir, Thraxus is dead."

A numbness filled Zendon's face as he took a step backwards. He had counted on having Thraxus to lead his armies into battle, and now he believed all hope was lost. "What am I to do?" he asked rhetorically.

"I will lead part of your forces," Pithian declared. "It has been a long time, but I think I can still lead an army."

"But one man is not enough," Zendon fretted aloud.

"Gelvin and the others will help me," Pithian replied confidently.

"The Spriteleng," Zendon said with a lack of confidence. "I know he performed well on the quests, better than I even anticipated, but war is another matter. He cannot lead other men."

"The men will follow me," Pithian said. "I will make them respect Gelvin. Besides, it seems you have no other choice."

Zendon nodded his head in reluctant agreement because Pithian was right. There were no other men to lead the forces, so the Spriteleng would have to do. "Come, I will show you the strategy," Zendon said as he pulled Pithian into his tent.

Gelvin watched as the dwarves unloaded their catapults and battering rams. Gelvin could not conceive their destructive power, nor did he want to. He was happy the dwarves and agreed to come, though, because Zendon now had enough forces to stop Koraz. And Gelvin believed he would get to watch from the safety of the camp.

"Zendon needs our help," Pithian declared as he rejoined his friends. "We are going to help lead the army."

"We're going to do what?" Gelvin asked in shock. He didn't like the idea of war itself, let alone helping direct it.

"But Pithian, we don't know how to lead an army," Flynton said as Fyndon nodded her head in agreement.

"I will show you. We have a very simple plan," Pithian said as he spread a crude map of the peninsula onto the ground. The map showed the triangle shaped land, dotted with three spread apart villages near the coasts. "Gelvin, Zatu, and I will lead the cavalry. We will embark for the villages to establish a forward defense. Then the rest of you will help King Bolen and King Zendon lead the infantry up the middle of the peninsula. Hopefully, we will converge on Koraz at once and surround him."

Pithian looked into their faces and they were filled with doubt. "You will get through this," he assured them. "We have many good soldiers ready to fight and I believe we will be victorious."

None of them wanted to lead the army, including Pithian. But as they looked across the peninsula, to the smoke rising from the far off southern camp, they all thought of Koraz. He and Marcus had to be stopped. Their reign of terror must be destroyed. With that thought in mind, Fyndon and Flynton joined the infantry, while the other three saddled themselves on war horses. Gelvin's horse was a brown steed, spotted with patches of black. It held him high off the ground and he combed its thick mane to calm the animal.

Pithian took Gelvin to his detachment of cavalry and introduced the men to their new commander. "This is Gelvin!" Pithian shouted. "He will lead you to the village along the eastern coast. Defend that village until the army has completed its march through the peninsula. Then join the fray from your flank."

"We don't want a bald Elf leadin' us," one of the men called out.

"He's no Elf," Pithian cried sternly. "He's a Spriteleng and he's worth ten of each of you! I've seen this man kill dragons and slay wizards," Pithian lied. "You will do as he orders or answer to King Zendon. Any questions?" The cavalry remained silent in fear of Pithian's rage.

"Then let's move out!" Gelvin barked.

As the cavalry began to gallop towards the eastern coast Gelvin reached out and shook Pithian's hand. "Good luck general," Gelvin said as Pithian rode off in the opposite direction, to join Zatu in defending the western villages.

Gelvin led his cavalry down the coastline as he peered into the distance at Koraz's army. It looked as though it was still preparing and Gelvin pondered whether or not their plan would work. He knew very little about war, but assumed Pithian would not send him into the field if it were not safe. Gelvin rode first into the small village to look for places to set up a defense.

The village was a single dirt street, surrounded by a few wooden shops and homes. There were some fields to the west and a larger packed dirt road leading to the shore along the east. The streets were deserted and Gelvin peered through the windows of the shops. He saw frightened faces on the other sides and so he called out, "We are with your King, Zendon. Do not be afraid." The people inside were far from receptive. They actually ducked down and hid. Gelvin wondered why they would do that after he told them who they were. Then he realized the answer.

"It must be an ambush," Gelvin said to himself at the exact moment a group of Stone Giants rushed out of the homes and stood up on the roofs, surrounding Gelvin's cavalry. Koraz knew they were coming and he had a surprise waiting.

The giants picked up tremendous boulders and began to hurl them at the defenseless cavalry. Gelvin quickly abandoned his horse and scampered out of the way of the avalanche. His men were not as fortunate though. As the giants hurled the tons of stone down on them, every man was either injured or crushed. Within moments, the horses were scattered and fleeing from the village. Gelvin looked to the villagers for help, but they were still hiding.

Out of rocks to throw, the giants descended from the roofs and formed a circle around Gelvin. He took a deep breath and slid his hammer into his hand. It was his last and only hope.

Besides their size, the giants were very human looking. Their gray granite bodies and bald smooth heads reminded Gelvin of himself. He watched closely as the giants moved closer to him and he realized their weakness. Unlike the Fire Giants, they were very slow, and Gelvin hoped he might use that to his advantage. He lunged out at the first giant, and as it reached for him, Gelvin rolled under its grasp, breaking the circle. As the giants turned to face him, Gelvin jumped to his feet and slung his hammer at the chest of one of the adamantine monsters.

The blunt hammer impacted square on the giant's chest with a thunderous boom. Its chest began to crack and pieces of it crumbled away as the beast fell to the ground and shattered. The giant made no sound as it perished and the others continued to move at Gelvin like mindless zombies. Gelvin balanced himself and delivered another crushing blow to a giant. It fell down in a heap, yet still the others kept coming ever so slowly. Gelvin reared back and felled another, and then another before he finally shouted, "Stop. Give up! I don't want to hurt you!" Gelvin realized why he hated war so much. It was killing. Killing without thought or remorse. There was no just cause, such as killing the Fire Giants to save his friends, or felling the Spirit Serpent in self defense. War was premeditated and savage.

The Stone Giants ignored Gelvin's pleas even though he was correct. They had superior strength and numbers, but Gelvin had the Giant Killer. He hated murdering such seemingly defenseless creatures and Gelvin wished that just one of them would cry out and make the others listen. None of them did though, and Gelvin methodically brought each one down.

After all of the giants had been slain, Gelvin fell to his knees and breathed irregularly, as though he were crying. His chest heaved, but no tears came from his eyes. He already hated war, and in the distance he heard the real battle beginning.

With the village secure, Gelvin rushed to the enormous grass and sod field in the middle of the peninsula to see how his comrades were faring. Gelvin rushed onto the plain and saw Zendon's infantry engaged in a titanic struggle with Koraz's forces. Gelvin hoped that Zatu and Pithian had survived any ambushes in the other villages. He looked far across the field and saw his two friends riding high on their steeds and he was immediately relieved.

Zatu and Pithian rode next to each other and seemed to be discussing something. Zatu pointed at a small detachment of ogres on their side of the field, and Gelvin wished he could hear what they were saying. Alas, even his Spriteleng ears could not pick up sounds from that distance. Zatu and Pithian finished their conversation and galloped towards the ogre line.

"What's so special about them?" Gelvin wondered as he watched his comrades ride towards the large gray monsters. Then Gelvin saw the reason. A small man dressed in black, with bright red hair, was leading the detachments charge. It had to be Koraz. Gelvin started running across the field of collapsing and bloody bodies, hoping that he would not get there too late. "I will help you just as Kwanis once helped you," Gelvin thought as his feet carried him more swiftly.

Pithian and Zatu charged the ogres and attacked their line head on. The ogres surrounded Pithian who deftly defended himself and began to attack the beasts. Zatu was more lucky. He broke their line and urged his horse forwards towards Koraz. He raised his sword to strike a deadly blow, just as Koraz ducked and chopped the thin legs off his hard charging horse.

Zatu was thrown into the air and landed with his face driven into the grassy ground. He looked up and he was surrounded by repulsive ogres armed with spears. The ogres prepared to lacerate the Kensai when a voice called out, "Wait! He is mine."

Zatu sprang to his feet and turned around. Koraz stood there grinning at him as he wiped the horse's blood away from his sword. "You are the one they call Koraz," Zatu shouted.

"I am," Koraz replied as he bent his knees and waved Zatu forward to do combat. Koraz wanted a duel. The killing of a battlefield did not carry the same thrill as one on one combat. Koraz yearned to slit a man's throat and he decided that Zatu would receive the honor.

Zatu picked up his sword and wiped the mud off of it. As he looked at his family emblem. He stared at Koraz and said, "I must warn you. I am Kensai and you do not fight me alone. You fight the courage and honor of my entire family. I spill your blood in their memory."

Koraz just stood there and laughed. His laugh was that of a madman and Zatu became infuriated. No opponent would laugh as he professed the honor of his family. Zatu charged at Koraz who waited on him carefully.

Zatu's rage had unbalanced him and as he lunged at the assassin, Koraz stuck his foot out and tripped the Kensai. Zatu fell face first into the mud and heard Koraz laughing behind him. Koraz was not ready to kill him yet and decided he would enjoy the duel as much as possible before disposing of this wretch.

Zatu slowly rose, determined not to lose his focus again. This time he approached Koraz slowly and let his swordsmanship carry his rage. Metal clanged as each combatants' sword met the other. Zatu spun around for another angle, but Koraz parried. The duel went back and forth, neither man able to gain an advantage over the other until Koraz became frustrated.

It had been many years since he dueled such a formidable opponent and instead of rising to the challenge, Koraz became careless. He took massive strokes with his sword, trying to end the contest with one swing. As Koraz missed, Zatu saw his opening and sliced the assassin across the chest. Koraz backed up as he groped at the wound in pain. Koraz rubbed his silver necklace and the wound began to clot and heal. Angry that he had not drawn first blood, Koraz charged again.

Zatu used Koraz's momentum against him. He knocked the charging opponent off balance and sliced his back wide open with one fluent stroke of his sword. But this time, Zatu would not wait for Koraz to recover. He stayed on top of him and Koraz gave ground with each blow from Zatu's blade. Koraz was shocked by his tenacity and he feared he might actually lose. Zatu lunged forward and pierced Koraz's chest, causing him to bleed profusely. Koraz almost dropped his sword and realizing that he was almost beaten, he waved his hand as he uttered a magical cant and disappeared. Koraz had been beaten.

Gelvin cheered in victory towards his friend as he raced across the field. "Zatu has defeated Koraz!" Gelvin screamed in victory.

Zatu raised his hand in triumph and waved to Gelvin. Then he turned to Pithian, who had driven off the last of the ogres. "I have beaten him!" Zatu cried to Pithian. Pithian smiled back and rejoiced in the small victory, but then Zatu watched as Pithian's smile slowly melted away. He raised his hand to point behind Zatu, but it was too late. Before Zatu could turn around, he felt a dagger being thrust into his side by Koraz. The assassin had reappeared and wounded the Kensai. Zatu, bleeding but not yet dead, began to slump to the ground. Koraz cradled the fallen warrior and waved his hand. A puff of black smoke appeared and when it cleared, both Zatu and Koraz were gone.

"No!" Gelvin cried as he reached the spot where Zatu disappeared. He dropped to the ground and felt the earth. There were no traces of either man as Gelvin held his head up in despair. "He killed him," Gelvin said to Pithian as he approached on his horse.

"I'm sorry Gelvin," Pithian said sympathetically. But it did not change Gelvin's feelings. Gelvin shouldered the blame even though there was nothing he could have done. He wanted to be Kwanis, and fulfill Zatu's image of a noble Spriteleng. But Gelvin had failed.

Word quickly spread of Koraz's disappearance and the morale of his troops evaporated. The infantry lines broke and ran back towards their ships. Zendon's men and Bolen's dwarves pursued them in a rout. The Rocwhelm soldiers and horrible beasts were cut down in a blood bath of arrows and clanging swords. Pithian did not join the rout, but he did ride into the fray to pick one man up and carry him out on his horse. He was a Rocwhelm soldier and wore the rank of lieutenant.

Zendon approached on his horse and said to Pithian, "The battle is ours. We have routed them. King Bolen is riding forward to set fire to their ships. I see you have captured one of the officers."

"Yes," Pithian replied. "I think we can interrogate him."

Zendon moved his horse close to Pithian's and pulled the lieutenant's head up by his stringy black hair.

"You are a fool," the officer called out in a mad rage. He was bloodied in the battle and did not realize what he was telling his enemies. "Koraz will be back. This battle was a ruse. He plans to kill Zendon so Marcus can claim the throne." Zendon became infuriated and slammed the man's head onto the body of Pithian's horse, knocking him unconscious.

"What was he babbling about?" the King asked.

Pithian paused as he synthesized the lieutenants ramblings. Then it all became clear to him, "Koraz is going to try and assassinate you."

"Surely you don't believe this raving lunatic," Zendon said as he lifted the man's head and then dropped it again with a thud.

"Do you want to take that chance?" Pithian asked as Zendon pensively considered the consequences. "And what he said makes sense. Koraz is not a general and cares nothing about his troops. He wanted you to feel secure in victory so you will be unawares when he comes for you."

A panicked expression covered Zendon's face as he grabbed Pithian by the collar, "What am I to do?" Every story he ever heard about Koraz and his brutal murders filled Zendon's mind. The thought of being decapitated, burned alive, or strung up by a rope caused the king to quiver and shake in anticipation of his own death.

"We will defend you," Pithian said as he looked down at Gelvin who was slumped over on the ground. "Let us return to your castle. It is secure and we can wait out Koraz there."

"If you think that is best," Zendon replied timidly.

"It is best. Gelvin," Pithian shouted and the Spriteleng sprang to attention. "Gather Fyndon and Flynton. We have one final confrontation to prepare for." Gelvin did not want any more confrontations. He just wanted this ridiculous feud to end so he could go on with his life and forget about poor Zatu. Gelvin thought about the Kensai though, and he resolved himself to complete what his friend has started. He would battle Koraz in his place.

"Will the four of us be enough?" Gelvin asked, realizing that they had already lost four others during the course of this conflict with Koraz.

"Perhaps you are right," Pithian conceded. "Go to the temple and bring Grizon. He can help us guard the king. Hurry, and meet us at the castle."

Gelvin hurried across the field to locate his friends, but his thoughts were still with Zatu. "I'm sorry I was too slow," Gelvin said as he stared up into the sky. He hoped that somewhere, Zatu heard his apology.

Far away, at Koraz's keep in the Valley of Overgrowth, Zatu awakened. His wounds had been dressed, but he found himself strapped to an uncomfortable wooden table. He struggled, but he could not move. He looked around the room, but it was empty except for a large tome that lay open on a short wooden chair. The door to the room creaked open and Koraz slowly entered.

"I hope you are not too uncomfortable," he said. "I have important plans for you."

"You have no honor," Zatu said as he spat at Koraz's torn and ripped shirt. "I defeated you and you attacked me from behind. I would not have done that."

"And that's why you lost in the end," Koraz said as he picked up the book and studied the page that lay open. "I'd love to discuss this matter further, but I am in a rush and there is something I must do before I leave."

Koraz closed the book and set it down on the chair. He stood over Zatu and gently caressed his face with the back of his hand. His touch was gentle and Zatu became confused by Koraz's act. The assassin smiled and removed his hand. He placed both of his palms above Zatu and dark crackling energy poured from his hands, engulfing the Kensai. Zatu screamed in pain, but Koraz did not care. He continued to punish him with the dark magical energy as a smile formed on his face. It began as a quiet laugh, but as Zatu's screams grew louder, so did Koraz's maddening guffaws.

In the writer's own words:

"My name is Allen Woods. I am a 22 year old writer from Nashville Tennessee who enjoys writing adjectives, adverbs, the occassional noun, and science fiction. I am an affiliate member of the HWA. I have written two dozen short stories, some of which have been published in "Pablo Lennis", "Art:Mag", "Lost Worlds", and "Pleiades". I am finfishing work on a novel length space opera and I encourage readers to give me feedback via e-mail: NAAllen@aol.com"

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